A30242:788
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.
Thirdly, Anothrr rotten foundation is, The mere work done. They consider no more than the external act of Religion, of Justice, of Charity, and so they think they have obeyed the Commandment, and kept the duty, if they have done this. This was the Pharisees foundation; But what woes doth Christ pronounce against them? He bids them look inward, cleanse the heart, the fountain: And certainly, God being a Spirit, he will have all things done spiritually to him. This opus operatum is the foundation of most mens Religion, not attending to the manner, whereas it is a known saying, God loveth Adverbs better than Nouns; not what, but how is this and this done?
Thirdly, Anothrr rotten foundation is, The meer work done. They consider no more than the external act of Religion, of Justice, of Charity, and so they think they have obeyed the Commandment, and kept the duty, if they have done this. This was the Pharisees foundation; But what woes doth Christ pronounce against them? He bids them look inward, cleanse the heart, the fountain: And certainly, God being a Spirit, he will have all things done spiritually to him. This opus operatum is the foundation of most mens Religion, not attending to the manner, whereas it is a known saying, God loveth Adverbs better than Nouns; not what, but how is this and this done?
Fourthly, Another rotten foundation is, The goodness, yea supposed perfection of the work they do: Especially if men be poisoned with Popish Doctrines about the ability to keep all the Commandments of God, and that what they do is meritorious of salvation. Some Popish Interpreters do greedily catch at that expression, 2 Tim. 6.19 where rich men are exhorted to works of liberality, that thereby they may lay up in store for themselves a good foundation. But by this good foundation is meant a certain and sure happiness, which is not merited by such actions, but graciously promised as a reward. This is a most presumptuous and arrogant foundation, thus to build upon thy own self, and with the Pharisee to trust in thy own righteousness. How different was Paul from this? he laid another foundation, when he desired to be found, not in his own righteousness, but in that of Christs,