A30242:666
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.
Lastly, Consider how near such a people are to utter ruin; while you are but near it, there is some hope of scaping, if you seek out; who after all Gods Husbandry, are the same ignorant and profane people still. The Apostle is plain in this; The ground that often receives rain, and yet brings forth nothing but briers and thorns, is nigh unto cursing, Heb. 6.8. It is nigh, that is a mercy; but at last it will be actually cursed, and thrown in the fire. Thou that art a wicked man in Gods field, it will be worse with thee then all the wicked men in the world, that are not Gods Church. Let there be a weed in a Corn-field or a Garden, it is sure to be weeded up; whereas, if it had been in the Heath or high-way, it might have grown long enough. Oh, then say, it cannot be that I should hold long with this wickedness in Gods field, his judgments will overtake me.
Lastly, Consider how neer such a people are to utter ruine; while you are but neer it, there is some hope of scaping, if you seek out; who after all Gods Husbandry, are the same ignorant and prophane people still. The Apostle is plain in this; The ground that often receives rain, and yet brings forth nothing but briers and thornes, is nigh unto cursing, Heb. 6.8. It is nigh, that is a mercy; but at last it will be actually cursed, and thrown in the fire. Thou that art a wicked man in Gods field, it will be worse with thee then all the wicked men in the world, that are not Gods Church. Let there be a weed in a Corn-field or a Garden, it is sure to be weeded up; whereas, if it had been in the Heath or high-way, it might have grown long enough. Oh, then say, it cannot be that I should hold long with this wickedness in Gods field, his judgments will overtake me.
Use of Instruction: Learn understanding by this familiar similitude, You are Gods Husbandry. The Spirit of God from the vocation and calling of many of you, useth a comparison, that so by earthly things, you may come to heavenly. What you would have your fields be to you after all your pain and cost, the same be you to God. Barrenness and unfruitfulness, how doth it discourage you? You care not for that Ground, which never will yield a crop after all cost upon it; How can God endure thee? Thy soul is Gods field. Oh, what fruit, what reformation shouldst thou show forth? Thus not only the Sabbath day, but every day may be a Sabbath day: Every field thou goest into; Every goodly crop thou seest on the ground, it may teach and preach unto thee. As our Saviour said, If I have spoken to you earthly things, and you understand them not, how then