A16342:189
Two sermons preached at Northampton at two several assizes there The one in the…Two sermons preached at Northampton at two severall assises there The one in the…
Two sermons preached at Northampton at two several assizes there The one in the time of the shrievalty of Sir Erasmus Dryden Baronet. Anno Domini, 1621. The other in the time of the shrievalty of Sir Henry Robinson Knight, anno Domini, 1629. By Robert Bolton ... Published by E.B.Two sermons preached at Northampton at two severall assises there The one in the time of the shrevalty of Sir Erasmus Dryden Baronet. Anno Domini, 1621. The other in the time of the shrevalty of Sir Henry Robinson Knight, anno Domini, 1629. By Robert Bolton ... Published by E.B.
London: printed by George Miller, 1635
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.
Sixthly, Such as fear GOD; Here is the life and crown, which gives a spiritual being and gracious beauty to all the rest, which were it possible, a man could possess in perfection, yet without this, they would be but as matter without form, a body without a soul, a soul without JESUS CHRIST. Nay in this case the greater sufficiency would prove, but as a sharper sword in a madder hand, ever the greater man without grace, the greater beast, as a good Divine concludes from that Psal. 49.20. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. If the fear of GOD be not planted in the heart, to season and sanctify the other several ⟨p. 65⟩endowments. They will all degenerate; wisdom into craft; power into private revenge; valour into violence; prudence into plotting for his own ends; courage into fool hardiness, to uphold a faction; policy into putting fair pretences upon soul businesses; all his abilities and sufficiencies, into setting forward, and securing his own temporal happiness. If this holds him not in, and serves him as a load-star to steer still aright, we cannot look for an universal uprightness, and constancy of just dealing in any man of place; but sometimes at least, especially in time of some great trial, and when he is put to it indeed, he will slink and fall off. A great man, his friend, his enemy; his fear, cowardliness; affection, faction; covetousness, malice, or something will ever and anon transport inordinately, and sway him away. So that he will be in great danger of turning judgement into gall, and righteousness into hemlock.
Sixtly, Such as feare GOD; Here is the life and crowne, which gives a spirituall being and gracious beauty to all the rest, which were it possible, a man could possesse in perfection, yet without this, they would be but as matter without forme, a body without a soule, a soule without IESVS CHRIST. Nay in this case the greater sufficiency would prove, but as a sharper sword in a madder hand, ever the greater man without grace, the greater beast, as a good Divine concludes from that Psal. 49.20. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. If the feare of GOD be not planted in the heart, to season and sanctifie the other severall ⟨p. 65⟩