A26953:13
Memorables of the life of faith taken out of Mr. B's sermon preached before…
Memorables of the life of faith taken out of Mr. B's sermon preached before the King at Whitehall : published thus for the poor that want money and memory / by one desirous to promote the common salvation.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1690
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life: (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us.) That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Add 8. Satan's rage against the Life of Faith discovers there is more than a fancy in it.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life: (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us.) That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Add 8. Satan's rage against the Life of Faith discovers there is more than a fancy in it.
Q. 3. But why would not God let us have the SIGHT of Heaven and Hell; being that would have prevailed for our Conversion more generally and more certainly?
A. 1. Who are you that dare dispute against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? 2. It is fit God's Government suit the nature of its subject. Your Nature is a reasonable one. And Reason is made to apprehend more than we see: and by reaching beyond Sense, to carry us to seek nobler things than Sense can reach. Should a man understand no more than he sees? a wise man and a fool, and a man and beast would then be very like. In worldly matters, men can go to much cost and pains for things they never saw; why not in spiritual matters? You shall believe God's Promises, if you have ever the Benefit of them; and believe his Threatenings, if ever you escape the Evils threatened. If the Reward and Punishment were seen, what should difference wise men and fools good men and bad? No man plays the Adulterer in the face of the Assembly. No Thief will steal before the Judge.