A17397:1221
The marrow of the oracles of God. Or, divers treatisesThe marrovv of the oracles of God. Or, diuers treatises
The marrow of the oracles of God. Or, divers treatises containing directions about six of the weightiest things can concern a Christian in this life. by N. Bifield, late preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.The marrovv of the oracles of God. Or, diuers treatises containing directions about sixe of the waightiest things can concerne a Christian in this life. by N. Bifield, late preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.
London: printed by John Legatt, 1630
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.
3 What special favours hath God showed to me, which I see I ought to take special notice of? Let him set them down distinctly, whether they be deliverances, or such and such spiritual or outward mercies, preserving the memory principally of the chiefest of them.
3 What speciall fauours hath God shewed to mee, which I see I ought to take special notice of? Let him set them downe distinctly, whether they be deliuerances, or such and such spirituall or outward mercis, preseruing the memorie principally of the chiefest of them.
Now when he hath thus furnished these three heads with things that in particular concern himself, they being all matters of weight, he must now carry these things, or the chief of them in his mind, and frame his heart to speak to God in the best words he can get, to signify his detestation of those sins, his humble requests for those graces, and his unfeigned thankfulness for those blessings. Howsoever he may be rude or unperfect in his Language about these at the first, yet exercise will bring him to a ripeness; and by this course he shall be sure to speak ⟨p. 254⟩of things that concern himself nearly; and that God which hath taught Parents to regard the unperfect language of their little Children when they begin to speak unto them, will himself much more delight to hear the desires of his Servants, that are grieved, that they cannot speak in a better sort unto him. The profit and comfort of this course will appear by experience to be exceeding great: besides it is an easy way, where there is in any a true desire to be at the pains to learn this Language of speaking to God by prayer; and Gods Spirit will help and teach the poor Christian, and draw his petitions for him, and prompt him both with words and affections: And the Christian must know this, that when he hath confessed his sins, and showed what he should have God do for him, with the best words he could in the truth of his heart, ⟨p. 255⟩