A09411:276
An exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenor…An exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenour…
An exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenor of the Scriptures, and the consent of orthodox Fathers of the Church. By William Perkins.An exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenour of the Scriptures, and the consent of orthodoxe Fathers of the Church. By William Perkins.
Cambridge: printed by John Legatt, 1595Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legatt, 1595
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.
Secondly, whereas God the father of Christ gave his only son to be our saviour, as we must be thankful to God for all things, so especially for this great & unspeakable benefit. Common blessings of God, as meat, drink, health, wealth, & liberty, must at all times move us to be thankful, but this, that Christ Jesus the only son of God, redeemed us being utterly lost, this I say, must be the main point of all our thankfulness: but mens hearts are so frozen in the dregs of their sins, that this duty comes little in practise now adays. Our Saviour Christ cleansed ten lepers, but there was but one of them that returned to give him thanks, & this is as true in the leprosy of the soul, for though salvation by Christ be offered unto us daily by Gods ministers, yet not one of ten, nay scarce one of a thousand gives praise and thanks to God for it, because men take no delight in things which concern the kingdom of heaven, they think not that they have need of salvation, neither do they feel any want of a Saviour. But we for our parts must learn to say with David, What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits:1 yea we are to practise that which Solomon saith, My son give me thy heart:2 for we should give unto God both body & soul in token of our thankfulness for this wonderful blessing that he hath given his only son to be our saviour; & let us know this for truth, that they which are not thankful for it, let them say what they will, they have no soundness of grace at the heart.
Secondly, whereas God the father of Christ gaue his only sonne to be our sauiour, as we must be thankfull to God for all things, so especially for this great & vnspeakeable benefite. Cōmon blessings of God, as meat, drink, health, wealth, & liberty, must at all times mooue vs to be thankful, but this, that Christ Iesus the onely sonne of God, redeemed vs beeing vtterly lost, this I say, must be the mayne point of al our thankfulnes: but mens hearts are so frozen in the dregges of their sinnes, that this dutie comes litle in practise now adaies. Our Sauiour Christ clensed ten leapers, but there was but one of thē that returned to giue him thanks, & this is as true in the leprosie of the soule, for though saluation by Christ be offered vnto vs daily by Gods ministers, yet not one of ten, nay scarse one of a thousand giues praise and thanks to God for it, because men take no delite in things which cō cerne the kingdome of heauen, they thinke not that they haue need of saluation, neither doe they feele any want of a Sauiour. But we for our parts must learne to say with David, What shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits: