IT is a matter of greater moment than I can express, what Idea or Image of the nature of GODLINESS and CHRISTIANITY is imprinted upon mens minds: The description which is expressed in the sacred Scriptures, is true and full: The thing described is rational, pure, perfect, unblameable and amiable. That which is expressed in the Lives of the most, is nothing so; but is purblind, defiled, maimed, imperfect, culpable, and mixed with so much of the contrary quality, that to them that cannot distinguish the Chaff from the Wheat, the Sickness from the Life, it seemeth an unreasonable, fanciful, loathsome and vexatious thing; and so far from being worthy to be preferred before all the Riches, Honours and Pleasures of the world, that it seemeth worthy to be kept under as a troubler of ⟨image 97⟩Kingdoms, Societies and Souls. And doubtless this monstrous Expression of it in mens Lives, is because the perfect expression of it in Gods Word, hath not made […] impression upon the Mind, and consequently upon the Heart. For as it is sound doctrine which must make sound Christians; so Doctrine worketh on the will and affections not as it is in it self, and as delivered, but as it is understood, believed, remembered, considered; even as it is imprinted on the Mind, and used by it. And as interposed matter, or defective application, may cause the Image on the Wax to be imperfect, though made by the most perfect Seal: so is it in this case; when one man doth defectively understand the Scripture-description of a godly man, or Christian; and another by misunderstanding mixeth false conceptions of his own; and another by a corrupt depraved will doth hinder the understanding from believing, or remembering, or considering and using what it partly apprehendeth; what wonder if the Godliness and Christianity in their hearts be unlike the Godliness and Christianity in the Scriptures: When the Law of God in Nature and Scripture is pure and uncorrupt, and the Law of God written imperfectly on the heart, is there mixed with the carnal Law in their members, no marvel if ⟨image 97⟩it be expressed accordingly in their lives.
IT is a matter of greater moment than I can express, what Idea or Image of the nature of GODLINESS and CHRISTIANITY is imprinted upon mens minds: The description which is expressed in the sacred Scriptures, is true and full: The thing described is rational, pure, perfect, unblameable and amiable. That which is expressed in the Lives of the most, is nothing so; but is purblind, defiled, maimed, imperfect, culpable, and mixt with so much of the contrary quality, that to them that cannot distinguish the Chaff from the Wheat, the Sickness from the Life, it seemeth an unreasonable, fancifull, loathsome and vexatious thing; and so far from being worthy to be preferred before all the Riches, Honours and Pleasures of the world, that it seemeth worthy to be kept under as a troubler of ⟨image 97⟩Kingdoms, Societies and Souls. And doubtless this monstrous Expression of it in mens Lives, is because the perfect expression of it in Gods Word, hath not made 〈…〉 impression upon the Mind, and consequently upon the Heart. For as it is sound doctrine which must make sound Christians; so Doctrine worketh on the will and affections not as it is in it self, and as delivered, but as it is understood, believed, remembered, considered; even as it is imprinted on the Mind, and used by it. And as interposed matter, or defective application, may cause the Image on the Wax to be imperfect, though made by the most perfect Seal: so is it in this case; when one man doth defectively understand the Scripture-description of a godly man, or Christian; and another by misunderstanding mixeth false conceptions of his own; and another by a corrupt depraved will doth hinder the understanding from believing, or remembring, or considering and using what it partly apprehendeth; what wonder if the Godliness and Christianity in their hearts be unlike the Godliness and Christianity in the Scriptures: When the Law of God in Nature and Scripture is pure and uncorrupt, and the Law of God written imperfectly on the heart, is there mixt with the carnal Law in their members, no marvel if ⟨image 97⟩it be expressed accordingly in their lives.
