A30241:2122
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 87: That God hath determined a precise time to every particular man in the world, how long…
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.
3. Though God hath appointed the times of our abode or removal out of the world, yet this decree and appointment is brought about in the use of means. We are not to apprehend such a decree in God, that we shall live such a time, let us do what we will, eat or not, it's no matter for the use of the means. This is wretchedly to dishonour God; for though Gods will doth not uncertainly depend upon thy will, yet his appointment is with great sweetness and condescension to second ⟨p. 450⟩causes, both natural and rational, so that they are moved by him according to their natures. Therefore when Paul had a revelation, That none in the ship with him should perish, yet he tells them, that unless they continued in the ship with him, they should perish, Act. 27.31.
3. Though God hath appointed the times of our abode or removal out of the world, yet this decree and appointment is brought about in the use of means. We are not to apprehend such a decree in God, that we shall live such a time, let us do what we will, eat or not, it's no matter for the use of the means. This is wretchedly to dishonour God; for though Gods will doth not uncertainly depend upon thy will, yet his appointment is with great sweetness and condescention to second ⟨p. 450⟩causes, both natural and rational, so that they are moved by him according to their natures. Therefore when Paul had a revelation, That none in the ship with him should perish, yet he tels them, that unless they continued in the ship with him, they should perish, Act. 27.31.
4. Therefore though God hath appointed the bounds of our life in this world, yet he hath kept it secret from us, he lets none know (unless by special revelation) the times of their death. And therefore there is a duty imposed upon all, that they use the means of life, Thou shalt not kill, reacheth first to a mans self, and then to another: Hence to live cheerfully, to use the help of the Physician are duties; Christ said, The sick need the Physician,