A16314:156
The carnal professor Discovering the woeful slavery of a man guidedThe carnall professor Discovering the wofull slavery of a man guided
The carnal professor Discovering the woeful slavery of a man guided by the flesh. Distinguishing a true spiritual Christian that walks close with God, from all formalists in religion, rotten hearted hypocrites, and empty powerless professors whatsoever. By that faithful servant of Christ, Robert Bolton B.D. late preacher in Northampton Shire.The carnall professor Discovering the wofull slavery of a man guided by the flesh. Distinguishing a true spirituall Christian that walkes close with God, from all formalists in religion, rotten hearted hypocrites, and empty powerlesse professors whatsoever. By that faithfull servant of Christ, Robert Bolton B.D. late preacher in Northampton Shire.
London: printed by Miles Flesher for R. Dawlman, 1634
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE CARNAL PROFESSOR. › Heart.THE CARNALL PROFESSOR. › Heart.
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.
When once we discern what love the Lord beareth ⟨p. 181⟩to us, we cannot but return love for love; when a man considers, hath Christ given himself for me, forgiven me so many debts, conferred favours of all kinds upon me, what then shall I retribute to him again? O my soul, why doest thou not resign thy self to the pleasure of his will in every thing, run when he calleth, and do what he requireth at thy hands? what doest thou fear? wherewith art thou entangled? God is thy Father and Sovereign, to him thou owest thy self and all that thou hast, thy honour, wealth, life, or whatever is more precious ⟨p. 182⟩then those. Thou canst not love thy self as is meet, if thou deny not thy self to follow the Lord in all things. Is there any thing too hard tobedone for his sake? too dear, or good for him? what hast thou in heaven or earth worthy to be affected but thy Saviour? What is to be dreaded but his displeasure? Is there any recompense to the joys of heaven? any danger to the torments of hell? any pleasure to the sense of Gods favour? Resolve then with thy self, and say, I have fully purposed to observe thy commandments, for they are the joy of my heart, ⟨p. 183⟩but Lord I lean not upon mine own strength, but upon thy grace, who givest both to will and to do; thou hast commanded me to keep thy testimonies, give me I pray thee to do what thou requirest.1 Teach me the way of thy statutes, and I will keep it to the end.
When once we discern what love the Lord beareth ⟨p. 181⟩to us, we cannot but returne love for love; when a man considers, hath Christ given himselfe for mee, forgiven me so many debts, conferred favours of all kindes upon mee, what then shal I retribute to him againe? O my soule, why doest thou not resigne thy selfe to the pleasure of his will in every thing, run when he calleth, and doe what he requireth at thy hands? what doest thou feare? wherewith art thou entangled? God is thy Father and Soveraigne, to him thou owest thy selfe and all that thou hast, thy honour, wealth, life, or whatever is more precious