A30241:2232
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.
2. The Word of God is not blessed to sanctify our affections, and reform our corruptions, unless God come in as the principal, cause. As the Prophets servant could do no good in raising the dead child, till the Prophet his Master came; so though thou take up the Scripture, read such a place an hundred times over against that very sin thou livest in, yet it doth not sanctify till God set it home upon thee. Nicodemus was grossly ignorant about the work of Regeneration, yet no doubt being a Master in Israel, he had often read that promise, That God would take away an heart of stone, and give an heart of flesh: and doth not sad experience tell us, of many that have great knowledge in Scripture, yet they live profanely and grossly? It's true, such men are to look for greater condemnation then others, but yet how common is it for such who know, and read the Word of God, yet not to be reformed in their lives thereby. Though they look in this glass, yet they wash not those loathsome spots that are upon them, conclude the Scriptures are not in their proper use to thee, till they have reformed thee from such sins, as thou didst formerly live in?
2. The Word of God is not blessed to sanctifie our affections, and reform our corruptions, unlesse God come in as the principal, cause. As the Prophets servant could do no good in raising the dead childe, till the Prophet his Master came; so though thou take up the Scripture, reade such a place an hundred times over against that very sinne thou livest in, yet it doth not sanctifie till God set it home upon thee. Nicodemus was grosly ignorant about the work of Regeneration, yet no doubt being a Master in Israel, he had often read that promise, That God would take away an heart of stone, and give an heart of flesh: and doth not sad experience tell us, of many that have great knowledge in Scripture, yet they live prophanely and grosly? It's true, such men are to look for greater condemnation then others, but yet how common is it for such who know, and read the Word of God, yet not to be reformed in their lives thereby. Though they look in this glass, yet they wash not those loathsome spots that are upon them, conclude the Scriptures are not in their proper use to thee, till they have reformed thee from such sins, as thou didst formerly live in?