A30242:920
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, They are to be preached with Scripture simplicity in respect of aims and ends. For though a man should build gold and silver, yet if it be for humane glory, and earthly greatness, he builds hay and stubble, though this be known to God only: But this fire will discover the secrets of mens hearts. And therefore we are not only to look to what we build, but why we build; Is it the glory of God, the salvation of mens souls? This will be comfortable at the day of revelation of all things.
Thirdly, They are to be preached with Scripture simplicity in respect of aims and ends. For though a man should build gold and silver, yet if it be for humane glory, and earthly greatnesse, he builds hay and stubble, though this be known to God only: But this fire will discover the secrets of mens hearts. And therefore we are not only to look to what we build, but why we build; Is it the glory of God, the salvation of mens souls? This will be comfortable at the day of revelation of all things.
Use of Instruction. With what delight and holy covetousness you should receive the truths of Christ; they are no less worth than gold, than precious stones. The Tabernacle was covered all ove• with gold, and they brought precious stones to it; and thus is the Church of God still to be built, Revel. 21.19. And as in Solomons days, God made gold as common as the stones in streets: So in these later days, those golden truths, which before were rare and precious, now are common; but the common familiarity of them hath brought contempt and neglect of them; else thou wouldst take up every truth of Christ, as a precious pearl. These are the best Jewels in the ear. Oh but who can bewail the swinish lusts of men, who had rather have their dross, than those pearls! No wonder God hath brought so many terrible judgements upon us; for we have ⟨p. 161⟩been wanton under the choicest and most precious mercies, even the holy truths of God. Every Sermon hath been throwing pearl to some swine, to brutish wicked men, that in stead of loving of them, have turned again, and rent them, as much as lieth in their power.