A30241:1794
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.
The first, whereas you see Judas thus hopefully and forwardly beginning leaving all with the other Apostles to follow Christ, and that in a contemned, persecuted manner, yet at last dreadfully and finally to revolt from all, Observe,
1That unless men are careful at first to look to their grounds and motives, why they take upon them the profession of Christs way, they will never hold out, but one time or other forsake and revolt from all. A sure and sound beginning will ever have a blessed and happy ending, but when men upon slight and insincere motives, look towards Christ at first, such build upon the sand, and their fall will be great. Our Saviour spake many Parables, especially that of the foolish builder, and of the stony and thorny ground, for this end, that men should be well advised upon what terms they at first undertake for him. Hence it is, that when some voluntarily proffered their service and obedience to Christ, Christ presently informeth them of the difficulty of that work, of the contrariety of it to flesh and blood; that they had better never begin, then afterwards to fall off; hence he so solemnly bids them, to remember Lots wife, Luk. 17.32. and that he who hath put his hand to the plough, and looks back, is not fit for the kingdom of Heaven.
1That unlesse men are carefull at first to look to their grounds and motives, why they take upon them the profession of Christs way, they will never hold out, but one time or other forsake and revolt from all. A sure and sound beginning will ever have a blessed and happy ending, but when men upon slight and insincere motives, look towards Christ at first, such build upon the sand, and their fall will be great. Our Saviour spake many Parables, especially that of the foolish builder, and of the stony and thorny ground, for this end, that men should be well advised upon what terms they at first undertake for him. Hence it is, that when some voluntarily profered their service and obedience to Christ, Christ presently informeth them of the difficulty of that work, of the contrariety of it to flesh and blood; that they had better never begin, then afterwards to fall off; hence he so solemnly bids them, to remember Lots wife,