A30241:2084
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, God will not presently take them out of this troublesome world, that hereby they may be exercised, and made stronger in their graces. As God would not immediately put the Israelites into Canaan, but did lead them into many dangers, and assaulted them with many enemies, that so their valour in themselves, and their dependence upon God might be more discovered; God will not train up his children idly; no sooner doth he make them his, but he lets the world and the devil loose upon them; and why is all this? but to draw out their graces, to teach them all spiritual military Discipline, as Ephes. 6. they are to fight as the good soldiers of Christ, and to put on the whole Armour of ⟨p. 441⟩God, because they wrestle not with flesh and blood only, but principalities and powers. The world then is a field wherein spiritual battles are to be fought. The Lord he is the Spectator, and beholder of them. Thus it is also compared to running a race, where there is no time to be idle or sit still, but to have thoughts, and the whole heart upon the Crown they strive for: Expect then exercises, and occasions to draw out faith, zeal and heavenly fortitude.
Secondly, God will not presently take them out of this troublesome world, that hereby they may be exercised, and made stronger in their graces. As God would not immediately put the Israelites into Canaan, but did lead them into many dangers, and assaulted them with many enemies, that so their valour in themselves, and their dependance upon God might be more discovered; God will not train up his children idly; no sooner doth he make them his, but he lets the world and the devil loose upon them; and why is all this? but to draw out their graces, to teach them all spiritual military Discipline, as Ephes. 6. they are to fight as the good souldiers of Christ, and to put on the whole Armour of ⟨p. 441⟩God, because they wrestle not with flesh and blood onely, but principalities and powers. The world then is a field wherein spiritual battels are to be fought. The Lord he is the Spectator, and beholder of them. Thus it is also compared to running a race, where there is no time to be idle or sit still, but to have thoughts, and the whole heart upon the Crown they strive for: Expect then exercises, and occasions to draw out faith, zeal and heavenly fortitude.