A30242:659
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, It supposeth that grace and godliness is wholly planted by God in their souls; for this floweth from the other. Seeing we are such a barren wilderness, what fruit can ever be expected from us? All the fruit then, of righteousness and godliness doth come wholly from him: We of our selves stand like so many rotten fruitless trees, to be cursed by God, and cut down for the fire; but it's the grace of God, that works the beginnings and increase of all godliness in them. Marvell not then, if you see a people under the sweetest and best seasons of grace, to be yet barren and unprofitable; for this fruitfulness is only of God. Oh, we would wonder, that a people who know so much, who hear so much, that have clouds so often raining on them, should yet be like so many stones and rocks! Oh, this is the wrath and judgment of God to be trembled under it! For he makes one to grow and not another; He causeth grace to spring up in one, and not another.
Thirdly, This supposeth that God likewise giveth all the seasons, and opportunities of growth and fruitfulness. As the Gardiner, he looketh to his times when he must water the Plants, lest they die: The season of the year helpeth to grow, as well as the nature of the soil: Annus non ager fructificat. Hence God when he is angry, he threateneth that he will command his clouds not to rain, Isa. 5. God threatens it as the greatest judgment, to deprive a people of the Ministry, and season of grace, how low and slight thoughts soever people have of it! Observe that place, Ezek. 7.26. Mischief shall come upon mischief, one calamity upon another: And what then? They shall seek for a Vision of the Prophet, but the Law shall perish from the Priest. Thus Amos 8.11. When God will make a people a barren and desert Nation, then he makes those spiritual heavens like brass and iron. Oh then, know, that as the natural seasons and times are of his appointment, so much more the gracious ones.
Thirdly, This supposeth that God likewise giveth all the seasons, and opportunities of growth and fruitfulness. As the Gardiner, he looketh to his times when he must water the Plants, lest they die: The season of the year helpeth to grow, as well as the nature of the soil: Annus non ager fructificat. Hence God when he is angry, he threatneth that he will command his clouds not to rain,