A30242:340
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.
I might give Reasons for this. As
First, The insatiable malice of the Devil against the Church of God. He always envieth the peace, the good order and Ordinances of the Church; and therefore, when he could no longer raise up bloody persecutions against the Church (for Constantine was turned Christian) then it was divided and miserably rent with heresies. So that the Church hath always been like Noah's Ark on the waters floating up and down.
First, The insatiable malice of the Devil against the Church of God. He alwayes envieth the peace, the good order and Ordinances of the Church; and therefore, when he could no longer raise up bloudy persecutions against the Church (for Constantine was turned Christian) then it was divided and miserably rent with heresies. So that the Church hath alwayes been like Noahs Ark on the waters floating up and down.
Secondly, The very name of Religion and piety hath such authority upon mens consciences, that the greatest enemies of godliness have always pretended to it. If the Pharisees persecute Christ, Oh (they say) it's for his blasphemies, he will not keep the Sabbath, and because he said, he was the Son of God. This doth mightily justify Piety and Religion, that all men are fain to use the name of this for what they do.
Secondly, The very name of Religion and piety hath such authority upon mens consciences, that the greatest enemies of godlinesse have alwayes pretended to it. If the Pharisees persecute Christ, Oh (they say) it's for his blasphemies, he will not keep the Sabbath, and because he said, he was the Sonne of God. This doth mightily justifie Piety and Religion, that all men are fain to use the name of this for what they do.