A25467:497
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.
3. This Doctrine reproves those that mourn for the Holiness of others. §. 37 Who are troubled when they see a Child or Yoke-fellow holier than themselves. These are most afraid where no fear is: That a man can be too fearful of Sin! 'Tis sad, that a precise Turk or Papist should be honoured for their silly self-contrived preciseness and Fopperies, and that a Saint should be derided for real Sanctity! I have known some Parents that have greatly desired their Children should be good Husbands, to get and increase their Estates, but then have been very fearful lest they should be too Godly; and it hath been the righteous Judgment of God that their Children proved Spendthrifts; neither Godly, nor Good Husbands: 'Tis often seen that as Gardeners with their Sheers ship off the tops of the tallest sprigs, so men most labour to discountenance the tallest in Christianity.
3. This Doctrine reproves those that mourn for the Holiness of others. §. 37 Who are troubled when they see a Child or Yoke-fellow holier than themselves. These are most afraid where no fear is: That a man can be too fearful of Sin! 'Tis sad, that a precise Turk or Papist should be honoured for their silly self-contrived preciseness and Fopperies, and that a Saint should be derided for real Sanctity! I have known some Parents that have greatly desired their Children should be good Husbands, to get and encrease their Estates, but then have been very fearful lest they should be too Godly; and it hath been the righteous Judgment of God that their Children proved Spendthrifts; neither Godly, nor Good Husbands: 'Tis often seen that as Gardiners with their Sheers ship off the tops of the tallest sprigs, so men most labour to discountenance the tallest in Christianity.
4. This Doctrine reproves those that put others upon Sin; so far §. 38 are they from mourning for their Sins. Poor Souls! have they not Sins enough of their own to answer for? must they needs contract to themselves the Guilt of others Sins also? How many instead of being burning Coals to inflame others with love to God, are blacking Coals to defile others with Sin! They are not willing to go to Hell alone: 'Tis little enough to be a Leader to Heaven, but too much to be a Follower to Hell; what then to be a Leader?