A03603:388
The pattern of perfection exhibited in Gods image on AdamThe paterne of perfection exhibited in Gods image on Adam
The pattern of perfection exhibited in Gods image on Adam: and Gods covenant made with him. Whereunto is added an exhortation, to redeem the time for recovering our losses in the premisses. And also some miscellanies, viz. I. The prayer of faith. II. A preparative to the Lords Supper. III. The character of a sound Christian, in 17. marks. By T.H.The paterne of perfection exhibited in Gods image on Adam: and Gods covenant made with him. Whereunto is added an exhortation, to redeem the time for recovering our losses in the premisses. And also some miscellanies, viz. I. The prayer of faith. II. A preparative to the Lords Supper. III. The character of a sound Christian, in 17. markes. By T.H.
London: printed by R. Young for R. Young, 1640
THE PATTERN of perfection. › Section 13: §. 13.THE PATERNE of perfection. › Section 13: §. 13.
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.
2. As the means of grace is best, and of greatest worth; so it is most necessary for us. What is the reason that men buy commodities? Because they have need of them; as if a man should say, This I must ⟨p. 300⟩have, and I have need of it. Gold is better then silver, and pearls then both; but bread is best of all, for all these must be left for it: a poor man will part with silver and gold, and all for bread, for that he must have. Now, there is nothing so necessary as for the soul to be saved; for if a man want any thing else, he may make a shift; if he be poor, haply his friends be rich, and they will relieve him well; but if the soul have sinned, and is become miserable by reason of sin, oh what hope, what help but only from God! Therefore that is most needful: without it the soul is starved & famished: And what though you have money? yet your soul may perish, and go down to hell. What's that to the soul ⟨p. 301⟩for a man to be rich, or what is that to the soul to have the person applauded, and have abundance of all things, and the poor soul is starved and famished, and wants all things? Me thinks I hear your souls cry out, The body, that's clothed, the house filled, and the shop, that's stored; oh, says the soul, I shall be damned; all is provided for, only I shall smart for it, I shall pay for all, I shall go to hell for it. I beseech you think of it. The time will come when you will prize mercy, and cry out for it. When thou liest on thy death bed, when thou art breathing out thy last breath, then one dram of mercy Lord, and then one dram of faith Lord; then it will be worth a world to thee. Mat. 23. It is said there, the ⟨p. 302⟩foolish Virgins cry out, We have no oil, oh, lend us some; oh then, Lord, open unto us. One day the poor soul will have need of mercy. You see that it is most necessary, then buy it, lest you be forced to borrow and cannot have it. So then there is but one needful thing, Luk. 11. ult. It is not of necessity to be rich, it is not of necessity to be honourable; but oh, this is of necessity, that thy sins should be pardoned, thy person accepted, and thy soul saved.