A30242:112
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
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.
Thirdly, Without this good Foundation laid, no Preaching, or Duties, can have any spiritual effect. For, Why are not the brute Beasts? Why not fools and mad men, capable of any benefit by the Word preached? But, because the one have not rational souls; and the other, though they have them, yet the actual use and exercise of Reason is bound up. It is thus with all people destitute of Fundamental Principles: All is done in an unknown tongue. They are Barbarians to us, and we to them.
Thirdly, Without this good Foundation laid, no Preaching, or Duties, can have any spiritual effect. For, Why are not the bruit Beasts? Why not fools and mad men, capable of any benefit by the Word preached? But, because the one have not rational souls; and the other, though they have them, yet the actual use and exercise of Reason is bound up. It is thus with all people destitute of Fundamental Principles: All is done in an unknown tongue. They are Barbarians to us, and we to them.
Fourthly, Conversion cannot be wrought without some Knowledge of the Principles. We cannot believe in him we do not know. We cannot love him we do not know. The Heathens, they indeed, built an Altar To the unknown God But it is unsufferable for a Christian, if a Christian should perform his duties to an unknown God, or unknown Christ. They must understand, and so be converted, Isa. 6.10. God makes light shine out of darkness.
5. The Knowledge of these Principles is necessary to salvation. You that are ignorant totally of them, cannot upon any just grounds hope for salvation. This is eternal life, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent, Joh. 17.2