A30242:513
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.
Secondly, God only can give increase, Because he only hath the supreme power and dominion over mens hearts. We are teachers to the ear, God is a teacher of the heart. God is the only searcher of the heart, he knoweth the thoughts and inward affections of men; and so God only maketh and fashioneth the hearts of men. Let us then look up with more earnest prayer to God, that his Spirit would move upon these waters. Not only the Law, but the Gospel is but the letter merely, and the administration of death, if the Spirit of God doth not enliven it.1 Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died, saith she to Christ, So Lord, if thou art in the Sermon, thy power, and thy presence, then it had not so often miscarried.
Secondly, God only can give increase, Because he onely hath the supream power and dominion over mens hearts. We are teachers to the ear, God is a teacher of the heart. God is the onely searcher of the heart, he knoweth the thoughts and inward affections of men; and so God only maketh and fashioneth the hearts of men. Let us then look up with more earnest prayer to God, that his Spirit would move upon these waters. Not only the Law, but the Gospel is but the letter meerly, and the administration of death, if the Spirit of God doth not enliven it.1 Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died, saith she to Christ, So Lord, if thou art in the Sermon, thy power, and thy presence, then it had not so often miscarried.
- 1John 11.
Object. But you may say, If God give the increase, Why then doth not the Word bear fruit in every place? Are any hearts too strong for the Lord? Cannot he turn a wilderness into a Paradise? Hath not he the key to open the hearts of men, and none can shut them?