A25466:476
Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /
Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume / by several ministers in and about London, preached in October, 1689.
London: printed by James Astwood for John Dunton, 1690
Sermon 5: Quest. How is Gospel-Grace the best Motive to Holiness? SERMON V.
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.
1God requires his Children to give him their Heart: And indeed, in all the Acts of Religion and Devotion, what the Heart does not do, is looked upon by God as not done at all: Nay, it were well for the Hypocrite, that all his outside Services and formal Professions had never been.2 This made St. Paul to pray for the Thessalonians, That the Lord would direct their Hearts into the Love of God.
1God requires his Children to give him their Heart: And indeed, in all the Acts of Religion and Devotion, what the Heart does not doe, is look'd upon by God as not done at all: Nay, it were well for the Hypocrite, that all his outside Services and formal Professions had never been.2 This made St. Paul to pray for the Thessalonians, That the Lord would direct their Hearts into the Love of God.
1Now Love is as a Fire which many waters cannot quench: Difficulties will be overcome, and Obedience will be permanent where true Love to God is. And this Love in the Soul to God is begun by, and flows from God's Love first unto the Soul,2 (as Fire kindles Fire;) he loved us first; and had it not been a very great Flame, it could never have thawed and warmed our frozen Hearts. We do but [Greek or Hebrew], Love when we are beloved; but when we are made sensible of Christs Love, the freeness, efficacy and usefulness of it, (I know not what to say first or last concerning it,