A25294:309
The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easy draught of the Christian…The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easie draught of the Christian…
The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easy draught of the Christian catechism in LII lectures on chosen texts of Scripture, for each Lords-day of the year, learnedly and perspicuously illustrated with doctrines, reasons, and uses / by that reverend and worthy labourer in the Lord's vineyard, William Ames ...The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easie draught of the Christian catechisme in LII lectures on chosen texts of Scripture, for each Lords-day of the year, learnedly and perspicuously illustrated with doctrines, reasons, and uses / by that reverend and worthy laborer in the Lord's vineyard, William Ames ...
London: printed by T. Mabb for Thomas Davies, 1659
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Reas. 2. Because if God had only made the creatures, and had no care of them afterwards, or did not direct and govern them, the work of creation had been but idle, vain, and as done in jest. For workmen use not to take pains to perfect a work, and then neglect it, unless from too much leisure, and sport, or pastime they do it; which agreeth not to God.
Reas. 2. Because if God had onely made the creatures, and had no care of them afterwards, or did not direct and govern them, the work of creation had been but idle, vain, and as done in jest. For workmen use not to take pains to perfect a work, and then neglect it, unless from too much leisure, and sport, or pastime they do it; which agreeth not to God.
Reas. 3. Unless God directed and governed all things that he created, his work would be imperfect, as not bringing it to its destinate end. It would also be subordinate to the operation or influence of some other upon it, that is not the principal, as we see it is among men. For he that makes a Ship, and directs, and governs her not afterwards in her •ailing; his work about her, it is but imperfect, and as it were vain, and his art and work is subordinated to the art of sailing, which doth the other and better sort of the work about that Ship.
Reas. 4. Common experience teacheth, that there is some present and powerful wisdom every where, that is efficacious in its workings and intentions, whereby creatures are directed in their operations. For without it, the kinds of all things could not have been preserved, and propagated under the same forms and figures, parts and dispositions, through all generations. Without it also, creatures that want reason, could not be directed to tend to ⟨p. 74⟩