A29686:361
A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…
A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain discovery of, or, what men are worth for eternity, and how 'tis like to go with them in another world ... / by Thomas Brooks ...A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain discovery of, or, what men are worth for eternity, and how 'tis like to go with them in another world ... / by Thomas Brooks ...
London : Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock ..., 1669
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.
Is it requisite for the clearing of the sincerity of our hearts, Qu. that we have a continual eye to the glory of God in every action we do?
First, Ans. You must distinguish between an actual aim and §1intention, and an habitual aim and intention. For the first, an actual aim and intention of the Spirit, in every particular action that a man doth to the glory of God, is utterly impossible, whilst we carry about us with a body of sin and death: The Angels and spirits of just men made perfect, do thus actually aim at the glory of God in all they do; but 'tis a work that will be too high and too hard for us, whilst we are here in a polluted estate. This was so high a mark, that Adam mist it in his innocency; no wonder then if we often miss it in our sinful state and condition. But,
Secondly, There is an habitual inclination in us in every §2action we do, to aim at the honour and glory of God, though there be not the actual intention of the spirit in every action we do; it is with us, as with a man travelling towards a Town or City, he thinks in the morning to go to such a Town, such a place, where he purposes to lye the first night, and therefore sets forth towards it; and though he doth not think of this every step he takes, yet it's his purpose in his journey, to rest there at night; or as it is with a man that comes to Church, his end is to hear the Word of the Lord; yet in every word he hears spoken, he hath not the thought ⟨p. 160⟩of his end upon his spirit, but he is there by virtue of his first intention: So here, though in every particular there be not an intention of spirit to level this or that action to the glory of God, yet it is the main drift and habitual scope of a mans spirit, that Gods glory may be the end of all his actions.