A25478:58
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 1: Quest. How may we attain to love God with all our Hearts, Souls, and Minds? Serm. I.
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.
7. This is the first and great command, in respect of the difficulties of it,1 because through our infirmities (not to mention worse) we cannot presently love God, the prime difficulty is, the spirituality of it. This wisdom (d)is too high for foolish Sinners. Though it is most rational, yet it is the most spiritual; and consequently the most difficult part of Religion. Some commands may be observed without special grace, as all the outside of Religion. Yea, some commands may be observed without so much as common grace, as duties merely moral, but this must have a great measure of the spirit, it speaks much acquaintance with God through experience of his ways; and much conformity to Christ in a well composed conversation; in short, it includes the highest perfection possibly attainable in this life; yet let not this difficulty fright you, for through Christ our sincere love (though weak) is accepted; and our imperfect love (because growing) shall not be despised.
7. This is the first and great command, in respect of the difficulties of it,1 because through our infirmities (not to mention worse) we cannot presently love God, the prime difficulty is, the spirituality of it. This wisdom (d)is too high for foolish Sinners. Though it is most rational, yet it is the most spiritual; and consequently the most difficult part of Religion. Some commands may be observed without special grace, as all the outside of Religion. Yea, some commands may be observed without so much as common grace, as duties meerly moral, but this must have a great measure of the spirit, it speaks much acquaintance with God through experience of his wayes; and much conformity to Christ in a well composed conversation; in short, it includes the highest perfection possibly attainable in this life; yet let not this difficulty fright you, for through Christ our sincere love (though weak) is accepted; and our imperfect love (because growing) shall not be despised.
- 17 Ratione difficultatis.