A30242:632
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, He may do it to oblige us and tie us to his instituted means. It's a great caveat in the Scripture, and frequently urged, No man must follow the imagination of his own heart. And in the New Testament many Commands, To obey them that watch over them in the Lord, and to submit to them for their works sake, Heb. 13. Thus also in the Sacrament, God, though he be not bound to them, he can work grace as he pleaseth, yet he hath bound us. Therefore that no man might neglect or despise the Ministry, thinking, What needeth this preaching, I may have grace by immediate revelations, God is not tied to these externals? Now God would prevent such loose principles, and bind us up to his instituted way, he will bind us, though he is not bound.
Secondly, He may do it to oblige us and tie us to his instituted means. It's a great caveat in the Scripture, and frequently urged, No man must follow the imagination of his own heart. And in the New Testament many Commands, To obey them that watch over them in the Lord, and to submit to them for their workes sake, Heb. 13. Thus also in the Sacrament, God, though he be not bound to them, he can work grace as he pleaseth, yet he hath bound us. Therefore that no man might neglect or despise the Ministry, thinking, What needeth this preaching, I may have grace by immediate revelations, God is not tied to these externals? Now God would prevent such loose principles, and bind us up to his instituted way, he will bind us, though he is not bound.
Thirdly, Hereby God would exercise the humility, meekness and obedience of men. Oh it's a great matter for men to submit to Gods institution! These are Shepherds, they are Guides, they are Watchmen, they are to instruct, to exhort, to rebuke, and that sharply, as occasion may serve. Now how many men do abhor and disdain this, thinking all such Church-subjection, worse than Turkish slavery? The Scripture indeed commends to the Ministers of God much patience, much meekness, and that they should not Lord it over Gods heritage,