A27107:340
The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please…
The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please God / amplified by the author
London: printed for Edward Brewster, 1695
A27107:340
The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please God / amplified by the author
London: printed for Edward Brewster, 1695
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.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven.
THose hindrances are chiefly seven.
1. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian Religion.
The Scriptures mistaken are these.
1. Ezek. 33. 13, 16. At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all, &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathereth, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner doth repent, God will forgive, but the Text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever he will, but when God will give him Grace. Many (saith the Scripture) when they would have repented, were rejected, and could not repent, 1tho' they sought it carefully with tears. What comfort yields this Text to thee, who hast not repented, nor knowest whether thou shalt have grace to repent hereafter?
2. Matth. 11. 26. Come unto me all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Hence the lewdest man collects ⟨p. 105⟩that he may come unto Christ when he list. But he must know, that no man ever comes to Christ but he who (as Peter saith) Having known the way of righteousness, 1hath escaped the pollutions of this world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To* come unto Christ is to repent and believe; and this no man can do, unless his heavenly† Father draweth him by his grace.
3. Rom 8. 1. There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. True, but they are such, who walk not after the flesh, (as thou dost) but after the Spirit, which thou didst never yet resolve to do.
4. 1 Tim. 1. 15. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, &c. True, but such sinners, who like St. Paul, are converted from their wicked life; not like thee, who still continuest in thy lewdness. For that Grace of God, 1which bringeth salvation unto all men, teacheth us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
5. Prov. 24. 16. A just man falleth seven times in a day, and riseth, &c. [In a day] is not in the Text; which means not falling into sin, but falling into trouble, which his malicious enemy plots against the just, and from which God* delivers him. And though it meant falling in, and rising out of sin; what is this to thee whose falls all men may see every day, but neither God, nor Man, can at any time see thy rising again by repentance.
6. Isa. 64. 6. All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Hence the Carnal Christian gathers; that, seeing the best works of the best Saints are no better, then his are good enough; and therefore he needs not much grieve that his devotions are so imperfect. But Isaiah means not in this place the righteous Works of the Regenerate; as fervent Prayers in the name of God; charitable Alms from the bowels of mercy; suffering in the Gospel's defence, the spoil of Goods, and spilling of Blood, and such works, which Saint Paul calls the fruits of the Spirit: But the Prophet making an humble confession in the name of the Jewish Church, 1when she had fallen from God to Idolatry, acknowledgeth, that whilst they were by their filthy sins separated from God, as Lepers are by their infected sores and polluted clothes from Men, their chiefest Righteousness could not but be abominable in his sight. And though our best works, compared with Christ's righteousness, are no better than unclean rags; yet in God's acceptation for Christ's sake they are calleda white raiment; yea,b pure sine linen, and shining; far unlike thec Leopard's spots and dfilthy garments.
6. Isa. 64. 6. All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Hence the Carnal Christian gathers; that, seeing the best works of the best Saints are no better, then his are good enough; and therefore he needs not much grieve that his devotions are so imperfect. But Isaiah means not in this place the righteous Works of the Regenerate; as fervent Prayers in the name of God; charitable Alms from the bowels of mercy; suffering in the Gospel's defence, the spoil of Goods, and spilling of Blood, and such works, which Saint Paul calls the fruits of the Spirit: But the Prophet making an humble confession in the name of the Jewish Church, 1
7. James •. 2. In many things we sin all: True, but God's Children sin not in all things, as thou dost, without either bridling their lusts or mortifying their corruptions; and though the relics of sin remain in the dearest children of God, that they had need daily to cry, Our Father which art ⟨p. 107⟩in heaven, forgive us our trespasses; yet* in the New Testament, none are properly called Sinners, but the unregenerate; but the Regenerate in respect of their Zealous endeavour to serve God in unfeigned holiness are every where called Saints: Insomuch that St. John saith,2 that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; 3that is, liveth not in wilful filthiness, suffering sin to reign in him, as thou dost. Deceive not thy self with the name of a Christian; whosoever liveth in any customary gross sin, he liveth not in the state of grace. Let therefore (saith St. Paul) every one that nameth 4the name of Christ depart from iniquity. The regenerate sin but upon frailty; they repent, and God doth pardon; therefore they† sin not to death. The Reprobate sin maliciously, sinfully, and delight there in, so that by their good will, sin shall leave them before they leave it. They will not repent, and God will not pardon. Therefore their sins are mortal (saith St. John) or rather immortal,6 as saith St. Paul, Rom. 2. 5. It is no excuse therefore to say, we are all sinners. True Christians, thou seest, are all Saints.
7. James •. 2. In many things we sin all: True, but God's Children sin not in all things, as thou dost, without either bridling their lusts or mortifying their corruptions; and though the relicks of sin remain in the dearest children of God, that they had need daily to cry, Our Father which art
8. Luke 23. 43. The Thief converted at the last gasp was received to Paradise; what then? If I may have but time to say when I am dying, Lord, 1have mercy upon me, I shall likewise be saved. But what if thou shalt not? And yet many in that day shall say, Lord, Lord; and the Lord will not know them. The Thief was saved, ⟨p. 108⟩for he repented; but his fellow had no grace to repent, and was damned. Beware therefore lest trusting to too late repentance, at thy last end on Earth, thou be not driven to repent too late without end in Hell.
9. 1 John 1. 7. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. And 1 John 2. 1. If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, &c. Oh comfortable! But hear what S•. John saith in the same place; My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. If therefore thou leavest thy sin, these Comforts are thine, else they belong not to thee.
10. Rom. 5. 20. Where sin abounded, grace did abound much more. O sweet! But hear what St. Paul addeth; What shall we say then? shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? Rom. 6. 1, 2. This place teacheth us not to presume; but that we should not despair. None therefore of these Promises, promiseth any grace to any, but to the penitent heart.
The grounds of Religion mistaken, are these:
1. From the Doctrine of Justification by Faith only; a carnal Christian gathereth, That good works are not necessary. He commends others that do good works, but he persuades himself that he shall be saved by his Faith, without doing any ⟨p. 109⟩such matter. But he should know, that though good works are not necessary to justification, 1yet they are necessary to salvation, for we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath predestinated, that we should walk in them. 2Whosoever therefore in years of discretion bringeth not forth good works, after he is called, he cannot be saved, neither was he ever predestinated to life eternal, Therefore the Scripture saith▪ that* Christ will reward every man according to his works; 4Christ respects in the Angels of the seven 5Churches nothing but their works, 6and at the last day he will give the heavenly inheritance only to them who have done good works, ain feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, &c▪ At that dayb righteousness shall wear the Crown. No righteousness, no crown, no good works (according to a man's talent) no reward from God, unless it bec vengeance. To be rich in good works, is the surest foundation of our assurance dto obtain eternal lie. For good works are the true fruits of a true faith, which apprehendeth Christ and his obedience unto salvation. And no other faith
II From the Doctrine of God's eternal iPredestination, and unchangeable Decree, he gathereth, that if he be predestinated to be saved, he cannot but be saved; if to be damned, no means can do any good. Therefore all works of Piety are but in vain But he should learn, that God hath predestinated to the means, as well as to the end. Whom therefore God hath predestinated to be saved, which is thek end, he hath likewise predestinated to be first called, justified, and made conformable to the Image of his Son, which is thel means. And the, 4(saith St.m Peter) who are elect unto salvation, are also elect unto the sanctification of the spirit. 6If therefore upon thy calling thou conformest thy self to the Word and Example of Christ thy Master, and obeyest the good motions of the Holy Spirit, in leaving sin, and living a godly life; then assure thy self, that thou art one of those who are infallibly predestinated to everlasting salvation. If otherwise, blame not God's predestination, but thine own sin and rebellion. Do thou but return unto God, and God will graciously receive thee, as the Father did the prodigal Son; and by thy conversion it shall appear, both ton Angels ando Men, that thou didst belong to his Election. If thou wilt not, why should God save thee?
1. From the Doctrine of Justification by Faith only; a carnal Christian gathereth, That good works are not necessary. He commends others that do good works, but he persuades himself that he shall be saved by his Faith, without doing any ⟨p. 109⟩such matter. But he should know, that though good works are not necessary to justification, 1yet they are necessary to salvation, for we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath predestinated, that we should walk in them. 2Whosoever therefore in years of discretion bringeth not forth good works, after he is called, he cannot be saved, neither was he ever predestinated to life eternal, Therefore the Scripture saith▪ that* Christ will reward every man according to his works; 4Christ respects in the Angels of the seven 5Churches nothing but their works, 6and at the last day he will give the heavenly inheritance only to them who have done good works, ain feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, &c▪ At that dayb righteousness shall wear the Crown. No righteousness, no crown, no good works (according to a man's talent) no reward from God, unless it bec vengeance. To be rich in good works, is the surest foundation of our assurance dto obtain eternal li•e. For good works are the true fruits of a true faith, which apprehendeth Christ and his obedience unto salvation. And no other faithe availeth in Christ, but that which worketh by love, and (but in the act of justification) that faith which only justifieth is *never alone, but ever accompanied with good works, as the Tree with his fruits, the Sun with his light, the fire with his heat, the water with his moisture. And the faith which doth not justifie her self by good works before ⟨p. 110⟩men, is but af dead faith, which will never justifie a man's soul before God. But a justifying faithg purifieth the heart, andh sanctifieth the whole man throughout.