A30345:433
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel…A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel…
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errors of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightness, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errours of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightnesse, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.
London: printed by G. Miller for Edward Brewster, 1645
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.
And to find out the better the guile of our spirit, and crookedness of affection, First consider what ignorance, vanity, folly, infidelity doth still remain in the mind, what stubbornness in the will, benumbedness in the conscience, disorder in the affections: how apt we are to undervalue the true treasure, loose our selves in base delights, abuse things lawful in excess: how lavish and rash in our speeches, dull and dross in holy performances, pettish and impatient if a little crossed, &c.
And to finde out the better the guile of our spirit, and crookednesse of affection, First consider what ignorance, vanitie, folly, infidelity doth still remaine in the mind, what stubbornnesse in the will, benummednesse in the conscience, disorder in the affections: how apt we are to undervalue the true treasure, loose our selves in base delights, abuse things lawfull in excesse: how lavish and rash in our speeches, dull and drosse in holy performances, pettish and impatient if a little crossed, &c.
Secondly, Consider how careless we are of the spiritual action, in those things we perform, as in prayer, hearing the word, receiving the Sacraments, giving alms, &c. To the spiritual, performance of these and such like duties is required a preparation and heavenly disposition of soul befitting such actions, and the Majesty of God with whom we have to deal; as in confession of sin is required grief, shame, humility: in supplication reverence, devotion, spiritual emptiness, whereby the heart is taken off the creature, and driven out of our selves. But who doth not lightly pass over these duties? which is no better then the wiping of the out-side of the dish, not looking to that within. Do we not rush upon prayer without premeditation, give our hearts liberty to rove about, forgetting with whom we have to do? are we not perfunctory in craving Gods blessing upon our meat at ordinary meals, and in giving thanks when we are refreshed? &c.
Secondly, Consider how carelesse we are of the spirituall action, in those things we performe, as in prayer, hearing the word, receiving the Sacraments, giving almes, &c. To the spiritual, performance of these and such like duties is required a preparation and heavenly disposition of soule befitting such actions, and the Majestie of God with whom we have to deale; as in confession of sinne is required griefe, shame, humility: in supplication reverence, devotion, spirituall emptinesse, whereby the heart is taken off the creature, and driven out of our selves. But who doth not lightly passe over these duties? which is no better then the wiping of the out-side of the dish, not looking to that within. Doe we not rush upon prayer without premeditation, give our hearts liberty to rove about, forgetting with whom we have to doe? are we not perfunctory in craving Gods blessing upon our meate at ordinary meales, and in giving thankes when we are refreshed? &c.