A16314:169
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.
Yea, it is the greatest ⟨p. 197⟩ill that can befall the creature, greater than damnation it self. A man would think it a lesser ill to tell a lye, than to lye in hell. But what saith a Father; though we think hell to be the forest of all evils, yet I think it is far bitterer and more grievous to offend Christ, then to be tormented with the torments of hell. Who would for a space of pleasure here, deprive himself of eternal bliss hereafter? of the unknown pleasures of an appeased conscience, a Jewell of such infinite value, as that all humane glory is but as dust in the balance to it? In the day of trial the comfort ⟨p. 198⟩of a good conscience will be worth ten thousand worlds; never was any sound joy or sanctified peace without this.
Yea, it is the greatest ⟨p. 197⟩ill that can befal the creature, greater than damnation it selfe. A man would thinke it a lesser ill to tell a lye, than to lye in hell. But what saith a Father; though wee thinke hell to be the forest of all evills, yet I thinke it is farre bitterer and more grievous to offend Christ, then to bee tormented with the torments of hell. Who would for a space of pleasure here, deprive himself of eternal blisse hereafter? of the unknowne pleasures of an appeased conscience, a Iewell of such infinite value, as that all humane glory is but as dust in the ballance to it? In the day of tryall the comfort ⟨p. 198⟩of a good conscience will bee worth ten thousand worlds; never was any sound joy or sanctified peace without this.
Who art thou that liftest up thy proud heart against the Almighty, a base & unworthy worm, the vilest creature that ever God made, next unto the devil, who when thy breath is gone (which may fall out many times in a moment) thou turnest to dust, rottenness, and filth. Oh let the consideration of the immortality and dearness of that precious soul that lies in thy bosom, curb thy corruptions and make thee startle at sin. Only sin