A25467:477
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.
London: printed by J.A. for John Dunton, 1683
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 5: Quest. How ought we to bewail the Sins of the Places where we live? 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.
§. 22 3. Their Relation to the Wicked, for whose Sins they should mourn.
1. The Saints are men with the worst, they have the Relation of humane nature to the greatest Sinners upon Earth: they are ex eodem luto formati; In the Body as the Apostle expresseth it, Heb. 13.3. ⟨p. 119⟩'Tis a wickedness to hide our selves from our own flesh, Isa. 58.7. Humanity in respect of common nature, should cause Humanity in regard of Affection. To see Mans Nature so depraved, that was once so beautiful; so like the Devil, that once so much resembled God; so swiftly running to Hell, that was once an Heir of Heaven; should draw forth Pity, unless our hearts be Flint and Marble. A mans Beast deserves thy Pity, much more his Soul.
2. The Righteous are the same with the Wicked in respect of §. 23 corrupt depraved Nature; born in Sin as much as they,1 with a Principle of inclination to all their Impieties. Saints by nature grew upon the same Root; flowed from the same Fountain; were Stones digged out of the same Quarry. Should it not then make thee mourn to consider by the wickedness of others, thine own inbred depravation! What thou hadst done thy self, if God had not either renewed or restrained thee! yea, what thou wouldst do if God should leave thee, and withdraw his Grace from thee! What are all the visible Impieties in the World, but Comments and Expositions upon thy depraved Nature? This Drunkard, Adulterer, Sodomite, Murderer, and I (say Lord) were both cut off from the same piece, and only Free Grace came between us. If it have made thee white Paper, thou wert by Nature as very a Dunghill rag as the filthiest Sinner.