A03599:141
The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of…The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of…
The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of adoption and trial thereof. In three treatises on the texts following: viz. Matt. 16.24. 2 Cor. 13.5. John 1.12,13. By T.H.The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of adoption and triall thereof. In three treatises on the texts following: viz. Matt. 16.24. 2 Cor. 13.5. Iohn 1.12,13. By T.H.
London: printed by T. Badger for P. Stephens and C. Meredith, 1640
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Quest. Q. But how shall I get my heart to it?
Answ. A. Look up to God, and labour to set the highest price on God, and heavenly things; and that by two helps.
Answ. A. Looke up to God, and labour to set the highest price on God, and heavenly things; and that by two helpes.
1. Daily suggest, and discover to thine heart a greater worth in spiritual, then in temporal things, there is some good in these things, but be ready to convince thy heart, that there is more good in spiritual things: The Devil would fore-stall the Market, and set a higher price upon these things, then on spiritual; but labour thou to see more worth in Grace, then in other things; when thy covetous heart saith, I will be rich, oh then presently say, what inheritance is there like heaven? when thy voluptuous heart saith, I must have my pleasure; presently say thou, what pleasure is there like the pleasure the soul hath in Christ? look at those joys in Christ for ever, that is better then all this, this joy is madness, thus when the soul would be stealing away, offer the best things: would the soul have case? why it is better to be bound in prison, then to be bound in unbelief; as a man when he goes to buy a commodity, he desires to see the best things, Psal. 73.25.1 Whom have I in Heaven or Earth, but thee O Lord? we have him here now in mercy, and we sh•l have him in mercy ⟨p. 17⟩hereafter and in glory; and what would we have more then this? when Satan lays disgraces and discouragements upon good courses, and also miseries and vexations that come thereby, then be thou ready to show more misery in bad courses; have reasons to cry down those cracked commodities; and when he saith, to burn for the Gospel that is a miserable thing, then say thou, it is better to burn here then in hell hereafter. The Devil saith wicked men are brave men, yea, and they shall be damned too; the Devil saith as Balack, thy God keeps thee from honour but answer him, if I had it, it might be my destruction; I am here troubled, but I shall be for ever comforted; therefore regard not what Satan shall buzz at the ear of thy heart concerning trouble and the like, but say thou, though I am here troubled, yet I shall be saved; thus let not Satan fore stall thy heart with these temptations.