A29372:497
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by William Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by Willam Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.
London: printed for Nath. Crouch, 1668
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 5: The uncertainty of the world, should take off our Hearts from the Love of it.
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.
The great work of a Christian, what is it? why, the great work of a Christian is not for to know much; the great work of a Christian is not to have much; he is a Christian indeed that grieves as if he grieved not, and rejoices as if he rejoiced not, that moderates his affections, that hath the command and the true moderation of his affections, I, he is a Christian indeed. So that thus then we see, that we are to use the world as if we used it not, in reference to this concernment, the matter of our joy.
The great work of a Christian, what is it? why, the great work of a Christian is not for to know much; the great work of a Christian is not to have much; he is a Christian indeed that grieves as if he grieved not, and rejoyces as if he rejoyced not, that moderates his affections, that hath the command and the true moderation of his affections, I, he is a Christian indeed. So that thus then we see, that we are to use the world as if we us'd it not, in reference to this concernment, the matter of our joy.
Fourthly, As for the matter of our possessions, the Apostle saith, And let them that buy, be as though they possessed not: 'tis lawful, and very lawful to buy and sell, and to possess.
For else there would be no propriety, but there is a propriety in nature, the last Commandment, Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Ox, nor his Ass, nor any thing that is his: nor any thing that is his: The Moral Law, the Law of Nature tells us, that there is an his, that is, a propriety; and the Gospel tells us, and the Law of the Gospel tells us, that there must be liberality, surely then its lawful to buy, and sell, and to possess: 'tis lawful.
For else there would be no propriety, but there is a propriety in nature, the last Commandment, Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Oxe, nor his Ass, nor any thing that is his: nor any thing that is his: The Moral Law, the Law of Nature tells us, that there is an his, that is, a propriety; and the Gospel tells us, and the Law of the Gospel tells us, that there must be liberality, surely then its lawful to buy, and sell, and to possess: 'tis lawful.