A30241:1729
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.
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.
Secondly, Another cause is, Gross, brutish and stupid Ignorance;1 When people have no knowledge or understanding in matters of Religion, they fall as easily as blind men, that know not where they go, Ephes. 4.18. The Apostle speaking of some, who gave themselves up to wickedness, and were past feeling. They had no remorse or sense of conscience; as a dead hand, though it be run through with the sword, yet feels no pain, he makes the cause of this senselessness, to be the darkness in their understanding, and the blindness which was upon their hearts. Thus Hos. 4.1, 2. when the Prophet complained, That the Land was overthrown with swearing, lying and murders, he makes this the cause, There is no knowledge of God in the Land; and Jude v. 10. relateth some, Who speak evil of those things they know not, and what they know naturally, they did as brute beasts corrupt themselves with. Is not this the character of many in these days? Their hellish mouths are opened to rail and deride, and so speak malicious words against those that are godly, when they are sottish and ignorant in religious things, having no knowledge, but what is natural, and with that, they are like brute beasts, corrupting themselves. The sottish ignorance and brutish blindness upon many, makes them to venture desperately; Oh if their eyes were open! Did they but see what the godly see, they would not dare to step a step forward in that way which leadeth to death. But as mad men feel no pain, though instruments be thrust into them, so neither do they. Men out of their wits venture upon self-murdering practises; and thus do those that are void of all spiritual understanding. Hence Admonition is called in the Scripture [Greek or Hebrew], 1 Thess. 5.13. Paul commands them [Greek or Hebrew], to warn them that are unruly, or to put a mind and wits into them, as if they were mad, and would destroy themselves not knowing what they did.
Secondly, Another cause is, Gross, bruitish and stupid Ignorance;1