A30579:602
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.
3. How do the loss of the things of the world take thy heart? Dost not thou count thy self an undone man, when thou hast lost some comforts? Dost not thou come home to thy wife and children, and say, I am ⟨p. 344⟩an undone man: Why? what's the matter? I have lost some part of my estate: O carnal heart! one that is gracious may have some crosses, but no losses at all, because he enjoys all in God, he hath God to make up all his losses: And the truth is, if thou wert truly godly, whatsoever afflictions thou meetest withal; (as we say a man may put all in his eye) so you may (if you be godly) put all your crosses in your eyes, you are so far from being undone. And further examine,
3. How do the loss of the things of the world take thy heart? Dost not thou count thy self an undone man, when thou hast lost some comforts? Dost not thou come home to thy wife and children, and say, I am ⟨p. 344⟩an undone man: Why? what's the matter? I have lost some part of my estate: O carnal heart! one that is gracious may have some crosses, but no losses at all, because he enjoyes all in God, he hath God to make up all his losses: And the truth is, if thou wert truly godly, whatsoever afflictions thou meetest withal; (as we say a man may put all in his eye) so you may (if you be godly) put all your crosses in your eyes, you are so far from being undone. And further examin,
4. Whether these things of the world, be not the only suitable things to your hearts; whether you bless not your selves in these, as in your happiness: The Ivy will clasp about a rotten tree, and cannot be taken off it without tearing: And so the heart of a worldling will clasp about these rotten-comforts as the only agreeable thing; You may hear them sometimes tell with joy, That we were in such a place, and we were so merry, and had the bravest meeting: And what was there? Why there was singing, and roaring, and blaspheming of the Name of God, and yet it was the bravest meeting that could be. When did you ever come from an Ordinance of God, and say, Oh! it was a brave day to me, the Lord hath spoken to my heart this day: Did you never go from the Word with as merry a heart, and can rejoice for it amongst your friends, as you did from a merry meeting? You may fear you are the man, that have your portion here. And then this is more clear, for every one to examine his heart in, and if I were to give but any one Evidence, whether a man hath Grace or no, I would give this as soon as any one; A man that hath got some estate in the world, I put this to him: