A30241:381
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 15: More Reasons of the Necessity of Divine Knowledge; And the Causes of Ignorance,
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. Earthly and worldly affections; These do so immoderately possess the whole man that they regard nothing else; Why is it that men, ordinary plain men get so much skill and craft in worldly affairs, they know the best way for improving every worldly advantage? It is because their heart is set upon it, They mind and regard this thing, They rise with the thoughts of it and so go to bed; If their hearts were thus affectionate towards God and Christ, they would be as laborious for heavenly knowledge; They would know how to improve Christ, To make the best advantage of the means of grace, They would not let any truth go till they did fully understand it, but the Scripture complaineth men are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no understanding: These Moles that live and delight only in the earth they must needs be blind; These are internal causes.
3. Earthly and worldly affections; These do so immoderately possesse the whole man that they regard nothing else; Why is it that men, ordinary plain men get so much skill and craft in worldly affairs, they know the best way for improving every worldy advantage? It is because their heart is set upon it, They minde and regard this thing, They rise with the thoughts of it and so goe to bed; If their hearts were thus affectionate towards God and Christ, they would be as labourious for heavenly knowledge; They would know how to improve Christ, To make the best advantage of the means of grace, They would not let any truth go till they did fully understand it, but the Scripture complaineth men are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no understanding: These Moles that live and delight onely in the earth they must needs be blinde; These are internal causes.
External are twofold, 1. A negligent, ignorant, and careless Ministry; For seeing the Ministry is appointed to be a light,1 to be a guide, if that be not light, then all the people must be darkness; If they are not salt the people have no seasoning; An Idol-Shepherd makes Idol-sheep; This God often complaineth of, and Christ also, when he saith, The blind lead the blind,