A30241:1753
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.
JOHN 17.12. But the Son of Perdition.
JOHN 17.12. But the Sonne of Perdition.
WE come to observe a second Doctrine from this remarkable instance, and certainly, if we consider who it is that is here called a son of perdition, it may be matter of astonishment to us. It is Judas, one of the twelve Apostles; It is he that for a long time continued with Christ working miracles, and prophesying in Christs name, yet even this glorious star is become a clod of earth: This Apostle, an Apostate; he that in all mens judgements was once a son of the Kingdom, he that was the light and salt of the earth is in himself darkness, and is become like unsavoury salt, fit for nothing but to be thrown away. Observe,
WE come to observe a second Doctrine from this remarkable instance, and certainly, if we consider who it is that is here called a sonne of perdition, it may be matter of astonishment to us. It is Judas, one of the twelve Apostles; It is he that for a long time continued with Christ working miracles, and prophesying in Christs name, yet even this glorious starre is become a clod of earth: This Apostle, an Apostate; he that in all mens judgements was once a sonne of the Kingdom, he that was the light and salt of the earth is in himself darkness, and is become like unsavoury salt, fit for nothing but to be thrown away. Observe,
That men may be eminent for a while in the Church of God, and yet afterwards prove dreadful Apostates. The beginnings of many men in Religion may be very hopeful and admirable, but their finals may be tragical and very scandalous. Thus Judas his beginnings were excellent. At first none more forward, more self-denying then him, but afterwards we see this rod that scourged others for sin by his preaching, to become a Serpent; and see the wonderful dispensation of God; Paul that began carnally and wickedly, ended spiritually; he that was an opposer became a friend, and Judas that was a friend became an opposer. So that, will we, nill we, we must acknowledge Gods grace is all in all. It's that which makes a difference only; Bad beginnings may have good endings, and good beginnings bad endings. There are many meteors in the Church that make a lustre and a blaze, but afterwards end in noisomness.