A30570:215
The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs
The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs ; published by Thomas Goodwin ... [et al.]
London: printed by Peter Cole and Edward Cole, 1661
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.
It is a notable speech that Chrysostom hath concerning a worldly man. None more miserable, and more fearful than a man that is fastened to earthly things, for saith he, he doth continually live the life of care, and of trembling: but when faith comes, it takes off the heart from being fastened to the creature, and so such a one comes no longer to live the life of care, he doth not tremble any more. And suitable to his expression so was his life; speaking of Eudoxia the Empress: says he, what will she do? will she banish me? the earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof. Will she cut me asunder? so was Isaiah. Will she drown me? John was cast into the Sea. Will she stone me? So was Steven. Will she behead me? so was Paul; Will she take away my substance? my heart is taken a way from that already.
It is a notable speech that Chrisostome hath concerning a worldly man. None more miserable, and more feareful than a man that is fastned to earthly things, for saith he, he doth continually live the life of care, and of trembling: but when faith comes, it takes off the heart from being fastned to the creature, and so such a one comes no longer to live the life of care, he doth not tremble any more. And suitable to his expression so was his life; speaking of Eudoxia the Empres: saies he, what wil she do? wil shee bannish me? the earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof. Wil she cut me asunder? so was Isaiah. Wil she drown me? John was cast into the Sea. Will she stone me? So was Steven. Will she behead me? so was Paul; Will she take away my substance? my heart is taken a way from that already.
It is reported of Illaria meeting with thieves, say they are you not afraid? no saith he I have nothing ⟨p. 38⟩to loose: but We will Kill thee; saith he, I am prepared to die And to a Heart seeing it hath nothing to loose, and it is prepared to die, it doth not fear; it values no evil in the creature, nor any good in it, and therefore it is not afraid: Now it is faith that glorious and mighty grace, takes the heart off from all creature Evil, and creature good: and by this you may know the work of Faith in your Souls; When you feel a principle within you taking you from the creature, and lifting you above creature comforts, and creature evils, that is the glorious work of Faith. And that is the Seventh thing.