A30579:631
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.
My brethren, Oh how happy were it if so be that men were plentiful in this Divine Service, that I am speaking of, and well versed in this Liturgy: the Apostle calls bounty, a liturgy, the service of God, that is Divine Service indeed, that is a happy Liturgy to be well versed in, and to be abundantly versed in this kind of Liturgy; for so the words are in the ⟨p. 356⟩Greek; and then again, If you would not be put off with this portion in the world;
My brethren, Oh how happy were it if so be that men were plentiful in this Divine Service, that I am speaking of, and well verc'd in this Leturgie: the Apostle cals bounty, a leturgie, the service of God, that is Divine Service indeed, that is a happy Leturgie to be well verc'd in, and to be abundantly verc'd in this kind of Leturgie; for so the words are in the ⟨p. 356⟩Greek; and then again, If you would not be put off with this portion in the world;
5. Be sure that all the services you perform to God be choice services; If you expect choice mercies, let you services be choice services; be sure your works be supernatural works; You'll say, How shall I know that? If I had time I could make it out clear to you, but only thus, A supernatural work is that which hath a supernatural Principle, aims at a supernatural End, and done in a supernatural manner; A supernatural Principle, that is grace that makes it suitable to my heart, and not only that I do it out of conviction of conscience; and a supernatural End, that I aim at God, and not at myself; but the supernatural manner, what is that? I remember Seneca in giving of his rule, how to know the affections, when they are Natural, and when not, (saith he) you shall know a natural affection by this, If it be kept within bounds, it is natural; if it be out of bounds, it is not natural: I'll make use of it in another way, When you come to the service of God, if you think to limit God in His service, this is but a natural service, you will go so far, and there stop; but if it be supernatural service, you will let out your hearts (if it were possible) infinitely to God; you cannot be infinite, that's true; but you will propound no bounds, no limits to your service; and this is indeed the truth of Grace, when it hath the impression of Gods infiniteness upon it; Gods infiniteness is that, whereby He is without all limits; So where God sets no limits, there the soul is without all limits, and bounds in the way of Grace; that is, desires to answer God (if it were possible) by an infinite way; these are supernatural works: And then, Would you not have your Portion in this world?