A25467:487
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.
4. 'Tis our Duty to rejoice in the Holiness, if to mourn for the Sins §. 29 of others. Love to Gods house in others was Davids gladness. Psal. 122.1. 'Twas the greatest joy of holy John that his spiritual, Children walked in the truth. 3 Epist. 4. Holy ones were Paul's Joy, Crown, and Glory. 1 Thes. 2.19, 20. This rejoicing in the Grace of others must be, though their Grace out-shines and eclipseth ours. They who have but a little Grace themselves, must rejoice that others have and act more than they. The Preaching of Christ by those that envied, made Paul joyful. Phil. 3.18. It should please us though another can do more service to God than our selves.
4. 'Tis our Duty to rejoyce in the Holiness, if to mourn for the Sins §. 29 of others. Love to Gods house in others was Davids gladness. Psal. 122.1. 'Twas the greatest joy of holy John that his spiritual, Children walk'd in the truth. 3 Epist. 4. Holy ones were Paul's Joy, Crown, and Glory. 1 Thes. 2.19, 20. This rejoycing in the Grace of others must be, thô their Grace out-shines and eclipseth ours. They who have but a little Grace themselves, must rejoyce that others have and act more than they. The Preaching of Christ by those that envyed, made Paul joyful. Phil. 3.18. It should please us though another can do more service to God than our selves.
5. Christianity abolisheth not Affection, but rectifies it. It dries not §. 30 up the streams of Sorrow, Joy, Hatred, &c. but only turns them into the right Channel; it removes not away their Being, but their ill Being. Religion non mactat sed sanctificat; it slays not, but sanctifies affections; It doth not unman a man, but only undevil him. Grace is like the percolation, or draining of Salt water through the Earth, it only takes away the brackishness and unsavouriness of our affections and faculties: It kills not Isaac, but the Ram: it doth not break, but only tune the string of nature. Non tollit, sed attollit; it destroys not, but advanceth Nature. When you are Godly, you have more innocent Humanity than ever. You may exercise humane affections and actions as much as you can desire, only not to damn your selves. You may eat, though not be Gluttons; drink, though not be drunk; buy and sell, so as you make not sale of a good Conscience. Grace gives leave to every thing besides damning your Souls.