A30241:1479
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 57: Reasons proving the Necessity of Gods preserving his Children in Grace, That God keeps…
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.
Lastly, That Gods gracious help is necessary every moment appeareth in the sad Falls and woeful decays of the truly Godly, which could never have been, had they not with Sampson deprived themselves of their strength; how comes David in all that mire of Uncleanness and Murder, how comes he to be made indeed like one of the vile persons of the Earth, as once Michol falsely upbraided, but that God had withdrawn his present assistance, and whatsoever sins or Falls you read of in the Godly, it was because the Lord was not a present help to them in that Temptation, as when the Sun withdraweth his Light it must needs be dark, or his heat it must be cold.
Lastly, That Gods gracious help is necessary every moment appeareth in the sad Fals and woful decaies of the truly Godly, which could never have been, had they not with Sampson deprived themselves of their strength; how comes David in all that mire of Uncleannesse and Murder, how comes he to be made indeed like one of the vile persons of the Earth, as once Michol falsly upbraided, but that God had withdrawn his present assistance, and whatsoever sins or Fals you reade of in the Godly, it was because the Lord was not a present help to them in that Temptation, as when the Sun withdraweth his Light it must needs be dark, or his heat it must be cold.
Use of Exhortation to the godly,1 to live by a depending Faith upon Gods gracious power only, in thy way to Heaven; The way is so strait, the oppositions so many, Thy corruption so great, that thou canst never come to the Journeys end unless God be with thee all the day long: Shall men in outward temporal difficulties say, as Jehoshaphat did, O Lord, we know not what to do, but our eyes are upon thee, how much rather in all thy combats with sin, and endeavours after holiness, mayest thou cry out, O Lord, the work is so great, the dangers so many that I know not what to do; Woe be to me if the Lord let me alone to my self! Therefore as the Church resolved, so do thou lay hold on God, and do not let him go, Wrestle and strive with God, as Jacob, not letting him alone till he bless thee; Say as Moses, I will not go unless the Angel of thy presence go along with us,