A25478:461
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
Sermon 5: What Spiritual knowledge they ought to seek for that desire to be saved, and by what me…
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.
Prop. 2. Men should in their seeking knowledge first study those truths, which are most confessedly necessary to Salvation, and before those which are apparently less necessary; and so Principles before Controversies; things essential before such as are only Circumstantial. And indeed by how much the ⟨p. 113⟩nearer any truth is to the foundation, so much the more they should labour after the knowledge of it: as for instance, men should acquaint themselves,
1. With the Being and Attributes of God, as the foundation of all service yielded to him, and expectations of rewards from him.1 He that knows not God to be holy, how can he know that God requires holiness? and then how can he himself be holy? how can a man trust God, if he know him not to be wise, powerful, faithful; or love him, if he know him not to be good; or fear him, if he know him not to be just? and it will easily follow, that he who knows not God, as he can never worship him while he lives, so he can never expect that he should save him when he dies.
1. With the Being and Attributes of God, as the foundation of all service yeilded to him, and expectations of rewards from him.1 He that knows not God to be holy, how can he know that God requires holiness? and then how can he himself be holy? how can a man trust God, if he know him not to be wise, powerful, faithful; or love him, if he know him not to be good; or fear him, if he know him not to be just? and it will easily follow, that he who knows not God, as he can never worship him while he lives, so he can never expect that he should save him when he dies.