A30579:519
Gospel-conversation
Gospel-conversation: wherein is showed, I. How the conversation of believers must be above what could be by the light of nature. II. Beyond those that lived under the law. III. And suitable to what truths the Gospel holds forth. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel to Stepney and Cripplegate, London. Being the third book published by Thomas Goodwin, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simpson, Philip Nigh, William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.Gospel-conversation: wherein is shewed, I. How the conversation of believers must be above what could be by the light of nature. II. Beyond those that lived under the law. III. And suitable to what truths the Gospel holds forth. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel to Stepney and Criplegate, London. Being the third book published by Thomas Goodwyn, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simpson, Philip Nye, William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1650
GOSPEL Conversation. › THE MISERY OF THOSE MEN THAT HAVE THEIR PORTION IN THIS LIFE.
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.
but when he comes to his choice Mercies in his Christ, there he makes a distinction, Oh! that is precious fruit! A Black-smith that is working upon Iron, though a great many Cinders, and little bits of Iron fly up and down, he regards them not: but a Goldsmith that is working upon Gold, he preserves every ray, and every dust of Gold: and a Lapidary that is working upon precious Stones, every little bit he will be sure to preserve: a Carpenter that is only hewing of Timber, he regards it not much if Chips fly up and down; but it is not so with a Lapidary. So these outward things are but as the Chips and Cinders, and such kind of thing, as those are, and therefore God even gives a Portion to wicked men out of them.
but when he comes to his choice Mercies in his Christ, there he makes a distinction, Oh! that is precious fruit! A Black-smith that is working upon Iron, though a great many Cinders, and little bits of Iron fly up and down, he regards them not: but a Goldsmith that is working upon Gold, he preserves every ray, and every dust of Gold: and a Lapidarie that is working upon precious Stones, every little bit he will be sure to preserve: a Carpenter that is only hewing of Timber, he regards it not much if Chips fly up and down; but it is not so with a Lapidary. So these outward things are but as the Chips and Cinders, and such kind of thing, as those are, and therefore God even gives a Portion to wicked men out of them.
Sixthly. God knows that He hath time enough to manifest His Justice upon them hereafter, He hath an Eternity hereafter, for the Declaration of His Justice; and therefore (saith God) Let them have somewhat for a while. As you know it is natural in all, when they see a man going to execution, that is not like to live above an hour or two, every one is ready to pity him, and to be any way officious to ⟨p. 308⟩him, Oh! (saith every one) the man shall not have comfort long, we cannot do much for him, he shall have pain enough ere long, and misery enough ere long, and so every one pities him. It is observable, let a man go to execution for wickedness, and then he is pitied by all; but if a man should suffer for godliness, then perhaps they will not be so full of pity towards him. As I remember in the Book of Martyrs, there is a story of Mr. Ino Frith, a learned, godly Minister, and Andrew Hewit that were Martyrs, and were to suffer for their conscience, and the Story tells us, that one Dr. Cook, a Parson in London, he openly admonishes the people, that they should pray for them no more than they would do for a Dog; that Charity of theirs that they talked so much of, is such towards them that suffer out of conscience; and as amongst Papists so amongst ungodly men, let a man suffer out of conscience, they will rather rail at him, and when he is in his sufferings, they will rather give him gall and vinegar to drink, (as they once did Christ upon the Cross) though in other sufferings they pity men.