A25294:31
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.
Reason 1. The first reason of this Doctrine, is; because in this chief good the end of our life doth consist; and the end in all things is chiefly to be looked on; because whosoever doth any thing not in order to a fixed end, he doth it but rashly, and without reason. So he also, who lives without having his eye still fixed upon his chief good, lives but rashly and at random, and like unto a brute and unreasonable creature.
Reason 1. The first reason of this Doctrine, is; because in this chief good the end of our life doth consist; and the end in all things is chiefly to be looked on; because whosoever doth any thing not in order to a fixed end, he doth it but rashly, and without reason. So he also, who lives without having his eye still fixed upon his chief good, lives but rashly and at randome, and like unto a brute and unreasonable creature.
Reas. 2. Is, because from the regard we have to this end, all our actions are to be governed; whereof these only can be called right, which, as it were in a right or straight line tend to this end; and all others are wrong, and like crooked lines, or bypaths turning out of the right, and straight way. He therefore that lives without regard to this chief and last end, doth just as he, that intending to shoot at a Butte, would not yet look at the mark, but let his Arrow loose at random; or as he that would commit his Ship to the wind and waves, never looking to the load-star, or having any care of the haven whereunto he would arrive.
Reas. 2. Is, because from the regard we have to this end, all our actions are to be governed; whereof these onely can be called right, which, as it were in a right or streight line tend to this end; and all others are wrong, and like crooked lines, or bypathes turning out of the right, and streight way. He therefore that lives without regard to this chief and last end, doth just as he, that intending to shoot at a Butte, would not yet look at the mark, but let his Arrow loose at randome; or as he that would commit his Ship to the wind and waves, never looking to the load-starre, or having any care of the haven whereunto he would arrive.