A03599:382
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.
Reason 1 The reason of this proceeding of God is, that so he may keep pride and security from mens hearts, whereinto they are apt to fall, even when they taste most deeply of Gods favour; for by this concealment from a man what his estate is indeed, the Lord keeps the heart in humility, in a more frequent and reverend use of his ordinances, Word, Sacraments, and Prayer: and if it be wisdom in an earthly father that he useth a concealment of his love, and what he will do for his son hereafter; sometimes he casts a frowning countenance, makes him believe he will do little for him, when he minds him most good, and all this to keep him in a child-like obedience: so in like manner, why may we not conceive that the privy carriage of Gods love to us may be of excellent use for our good: and so much I doubt not, but whosoever shall observe in themselves, they shall find their hearts much bettered, and the graces of Gods spirit more quickened in them by such spiritual exercises.
Reason 1 The reason of this proceeding of God is, that so he may keepe pride and security from mens hearts, whereinto they are apt to fall, even when they taste most deepely of Gods favour; for by this concealment from a man what his estate is indeed, the Lord keepes the heart in humility, in a more frequent and reverend use of his ordinances, Word, Sacraments, and Prayer: and if it be wisedome in an earthly father that hee useth a concealement of his love, and what he will doe for his sonne hereafter; sometimes he casts a frowning countenance, makes him beleeve hee will doe little for him, when he mindes him most good, and all this to keepe him in a childe-like obedience: so in like manner, why may we not conceive that the privy cariage of Gods love to us may be of excellent use for our good: and so much I doubt not, but whosoever shall observe in themselves, they shall finde their hearts much bettered, and the graces of Gods spirit more quickned in them by such spirituall exercises.
Reason 2 The Lord may and doth often punish our by-past negligence and careless respect of his mercy to us, in not giving us a just understanding of the welfare of our estates, by withdrawing this his favour, he leaves us to our selves and our uncertain hearts, that so he may declare his justice in the deserved punishment of our sins; as also make us more careful to glorify him by a thankful usage of his favour in particular assurance of his love to us. Thus there is no reason that we should call into question the truth of this doctrine, which you see upheld by two such pillars as Gods glory and our good.