A25478:1739
A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…
A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1676
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.
2. It is not parts and gifts and florid expressions that God looks at, but an humble, penitent, broken, and believing heart. Have you not this neither? If you have not, get it quickly, or you must to Hell: If you have, God will accept of such a Sacrifice; bring it then.
3. Study your sins and wants, and mercies; and get a sense of all these ⟨p. 354⟩upon your heart, and you will be able to express them in your Family, in such a manner as may be more for their profit, than the constant omission can be. If a man feel himself sick or hungry, do you think he could not find words to make his complaint, and ask for help? Study the Scripture and your own hearts, and these will be good prayer-Books to furnish you for the duty: Besides by praying you shall learn to pray.
4. Do not deceive your self, and say, it is for want of gifts; when it is more for want of a heart and love to the duty. To discover this, Suppose a Law were made by our Governors, that every Master of a Family that doth not pray in his house with his Family, shall be cast into the Lions Den: What would you do then? Would you rather venture your life and be torn in pieces by Lions, than set upon this duty, with that Knowledge, and those Gifts that now you have? Would you not find something to say to save your Lives? And is not the Law of God as binding as the Laws of men? and the Dungeon of Hell as dreadful as the Lions Den? Go then, set upon your duty.
4. Do not deceive your self, and say, it is for want of gifts; when it is more for want of a heart and love to the duty. To discover this, Suppose a Law were made by our Governours, that every Master of a Family that doth not pray in his house with his Family, shall be cast into the Lions Den: What would you do then? Would you rather venture your life and be torn in pieces by Lions, than set upon this duty, with that Knowledg, and those Gifts that now you have? Would you not find something to say to save your Lives? And is not the Law of God as binding as the Laws of men? and the Dungeon of Hell as dreadful as the Lions Den? Go then, set upon your duty.