A29372:667
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.
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.
Answ. I answer: Look when the Presence of God is departed from the public Ordinances, or Solemn Assembly, then the Solemn Assembly doth lye under reproach. The Presence of God in the public Ordinances or Solemn Assembly, is the glory ⟨p. 188⟩of the Assembly, and when that glory is departed, the Solemn Assembly lies under reproach: though the Word of God be preached in an Assembly, if the Converting, Sanctifying Comforting Presence of God be gone out of the Ordinance, and be not there, it lies under reproach: And though there be Government in a Church, yet if Gods Presence be not in that Government, it lies under reproach, and the Church lies under reproach: That's the first: Look when the Presence of God is departed from the Solemn Assembly, then it lies under Reproach.
Answ. I answer: Look when the Presence of God is departed from the publick Ordinances, or Solemn Assembly, then the Solemn Assembly doth lye under reproach. The Presence of God in the publick Ordinances or Solemn Assembly, is the glory ⟨p. 188⟩of the Assembly, and when that glory is departed, the Solemn Assembly lies under reproach: though the Word of God be preached in an Assembly, if the Converting, Sanctifying Comforting Presence of God be gone out of the Ordinance, and be not there, it lies under reproach: And though there be Government in a Church, yet if Gods Presence be not in that Government, it lies under reproach, and the Church lies under reproach: That's the first: Look when the Presence of God is departed from the Solemn Assembly, then it lies under Reproach.
2 Look when a Reformation hath been intended, and cannot be accomplished, but is staid and hindered, then the Solemn Assembly lies under Reproach. Disappointment is Reproach, The Children are come to the birth, Isa. 37. and there is no strength to bring forth. What then? 'tis a day of Rebuke, and Blasphemy, and Reproach. Look therefore when a Church or People have been travelling with a Reformation, and that Reformation proves abortive, stopped and hindered, then that Church and People, or Solemn Assembly lye under Reproach. But