A11850:130
Christs counsel to his languishing church of SardisChrists counsell to his languishing church of Sardis
Christs counsel to his languishing church of Sardis. Or, The dying or decaying Christian, with the means and helps of his recovery and strengthening. By Obadiah Sedgwick, B. of D. late preacher to the inhabitants of S. Mildreds Bread Street, LondonChrists counsell to his languishing church of Sardis. Or, The dying or decaying Christian, with the meanes and helpes of his recovery and strengthening. By Obadiah Sedgwicke, B. of D. late preacher to the inhabitants of S. Mildreds Bredstreet, London
London: printed by Thomas for L. Fawne, 1640
CHRISTS COUNSEL to His languishing CHURCH.CHRISTS COVNSELL to His languishing CHURCH.
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 Again, another way persons may discern whether they be dying and decaying.
2 Againe, another way persons may discern whether they be dying and decaying.
By an observation of the acts or operations of their graces; as if they be faint and more inconstant: Simile. you see that the root is less able, when but a little fruit appears on the tree, and that the Spring is fallen when the streams scarce run, which yet were wont to flow; when graces are scarce active, or are uneven in their general actings, surely there is some spiritual languor in thee.
By an observation of the acts or operations of their graces; as if they be faint and more inconstant: Simile. you see that the root is lesse able, when but a little fruit appeares on the tree, and that the Spring is fallen when the streames scarce runne, which yet were wont to flow; when graces are scarce active, or are uneven in their generall actings, surely there is some spirituall languor in thee.
O Christian, thy faith doth not commit things to God as heretofore, and thy love is not ⟨p. 54⟩so settled on Christ as heretofore, and thy patience cannot bear in any measure as heretofore, and thy sorrow is dry, and thy zeal is cooled, &c. Simile. If thy eye cannot see so well, but grows darker, and thy foot cannot go so well, but grows lamer, and thy shoulders cannot bear so well, but grow weaker, it is an argument that natural vigour is decayed. The same may be said for our spiritual condition, if graces exert not themselves in a former vigour, &c.
O Christian, thy faith doth not commit things to God as heretofore, and thy love is not