A25467:485
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.
§. 27 2. The greatest Sinners cannot Constrain us to sin. They cannot extort our consent to Sin. Sodom could not, though never so filthy, make Lot so. No external inducement can take from a Godly man either his Peace or Purity. Men may constrain thee to be poor, not impure: The worst Creatures either among Men or Devils cannot take away what is best. The greatest temptation is no plea for committing the least Sin: if we give not away, none can take away our Holiness.
§. 27 2. The greatest Sinners cannot Constrain us to sin. They cannot extort our consent to Sin. Sodom could not, thô never so filthy, make Lot so. No external inducement can take from a Godly man either his Peace or Purity. Men may constrain thee to be poor, not impure: The worst Creatures either among Men or Devils cannot take away what is best. The greatest temptation is no plea for committing the least Sin: if we give not away, none can take away our Holiness.
3. One Cause may produce contrary Effects. Others sins draw the Wicked §. 28 to follow them, but they put the Saints upon bewailing them. The coming of the Angels into Sodom, stirs up in Lot a desire to exercise Hospitality in the entertaining them, but it stirs up in the impure Sodomites the heat of Lust, and the most horrid Uncleanness. That which sets the Graces of Saints on work, puts the Wicked upon Acts of Impiety. A Godly man is drawn nearer to God, by that very thing that drives the Wicked farther from God. 'Tis the Disposition of the Person that makes what befalls him, good or bad. Davids beautiful House of Cedar puts him upon setting up Gods House. Nebuchadnezzar's Palace puts him upon thoughts of haughtiness, and proud self-admiration.
3. One Cause may produce contrary Effects. Others sins draw the Wicked §. 28 to follow them, but they put the Saints upon bewailing them. The coming of the Angels into Sodom, stirrs up in Lot a desire to exercise Hospitality in the entertaining them, but it stirres up in the impure Sodomites the heat of Lust, and the most horrid Uncleanness. That which sets the Graces of Saints on work, puts the Wicked upon Acts of Impiety. A Godly man is drawn nearer to God, by that very thing that drives the Wicked farther from God. 'Tis the Disposition of the Person that makes what befalls him, good or bad. Davids beautiful House of Cedar puts him upon setting up Gods House. Nebuchadnezzar's Palace puts him upon thoughts of haughtiness, and proud self-admiration.