A10659:322
Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulness of sin. The life…Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulnesse of sinne. The life…
Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulness of sin. The life of Christ. Being the substance of several sermons preached at Lincolns Inn: by Edward Reynolds, preacher to that honourable society, and late fellow of Merton College in Oxford.Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulnesse of sinne. The life of Christ. Being the substance of severall sermons preached at Lincolns Inne: by Edward Reynoldes, preacher to that honourable society, and late fellow of Merton Colledge in Oxford.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Robert Bostocke, 1631
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.
Thirdly, To patience and constancy in this spiritual combat. We are beset, and compassed about with our corruptions, the sin hangs on with much pertinacy, and will not be shaken of, therefore there is need of patience1 to run the race that is set before us, to do the whole will of God, to hale perpetually our clog after us, to pull on and drive forward a backsliding and a revolting heart, to thrust still before us a swarm of thoughts and affections through so many turnings and temptations as they shall meet withal. When the spies returned from the holy Land, they disheartened the people, because they had seen giants the sons of A•ak: so when the2 spirit of man considers, I am to enter upon a combat that admits no treaty of peace, or respite, with an old man▪ full of wisdom, furnished with a whole Armoury of weapons, and with all the succours and contributions which principalities, and powers, and spiritual wickednesses can bring in, an enemy full of desperate rebellion and unwearied rage against the Kingdom of Christ in •e: and I find by daily experience what foils he gives me, what captivity he holds me under, how unable I am to hold conflict with but some one of his Lusts, how unfurnished with such general strength as is requisite to meet so potent an adversary; in this case a man will be ⟨p. 217⟩very apt to faint and be wearied in his striving against sin. And therefore to encourage and quicken us unto patience we must not seek our selves in our selves, nor fix upon the measure and proportion of our former graces, but run to our faith and hold fast our confidence, which will make us hope above hope, and be strong when we are weak: We must look unto Jesus, and consider first, his grace which is sufficient for us, Secondly, his power, which hath already begun faith and a good work in us, Thirdly, his promise which is to finish▪ it for us, Fourthly, his compassion and assistance, he is our second, ready to come in in any danger and undertake the quarrel, Fifthly, his example, he passed through alike contradiction of sinners, as we do of lusts, Sixthly, his nearness, he is at the door, it is yet but a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry. Seventhly, his Glory which is in our quarrel engaged, and in our weakness perfected.