A31997:25
The Godly mans ark, or, City of refuge, in the day of his distress…The Godly mans ark, or, City of refuge, in the day of his distresse…
The Godly mans ark, or, City of refuge, in the day of his distress discovered in divers sermons, the first of which was preached at the funeral of Mistress Elizabeth Moore : the other four were afterwards preached, and are all of them now made public, for the supportation and consolation of the saints of God in the hour of tribulation : hereunto are annexed Mris. [sic] Moors evidences for heaven, composed and collected by her in the time of her health, for her comfort in the time of sickness / by Ed. Calamy ...The Godly mans ark, or, City of refuge, in the day of his distresse discovered in divers sermons, the first of which was preached at the funerall of Mistresse Elizabeth Moore : the other four were afterwards preached, and are all of them now made publick, for the supportation and consolation of the saints of God in the hour of tribulation : hereunto are annexed Mris. [sic] Moores evidences for heaven, composed and collected by her in the time of her health, for her comfort in the time of sickness / by Ed. Calamy ...
London: printed for John Hancock, 1658
Dedication: TO Those of Aldermanbury-Parish, Together, With all others who attend constantly upon t…
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.
4 Take heed of formality, customariness, and carelessness in the performance of holy duties. He that serves God carelessly, brings a curse upon himself, instead of a blessing. For cursed is he that doth the work of the Lord negligently. He that serves God formally and customarily doth not serve him, but mock him. If the Israelites had brought the skin of a beast for sacrifice, instead of a beast, it would have been counted a mocking of God, rather than a worshipping of him. So do they who serve God negligently and formally.
4 Take heed of formality, customariness, and carelesness in the performance of holy duties. Hee that serves God carelesly, brings a curse upon himself, instead of a blessing. For cursed is hee that doth the work of the Lord negligently. Hee that serves God formally and customarily doth not serve him, but mock him. If the Israelites had brought the skin of a beast for sacrifice, instead of a beast, it would have been counted a mocking of God, rather than a worshiping of him. So do they who serve God negligently and formally.
5 Be not contented to have a name to be godly and religious, but labour to be really such as you are supposed by others to be. Remember what Christ saith of the Church of Sardis. 1That she had a name to live, but was dead. What will it profit you to be thought by men to be godly, if God knows that you are ungodly? What will it advantage you to seem to go to ⟨image 7⟩Heaven, and yet at last to miss of it? O labour to be Christians, not only in word, but in deed, and in truth, not only by outward profession, but by a holy conversation. Rest not satisfied with a less degree of grace, than that which will bring you to Heaven. It will be a double Hell, to go within an inch of Heaven, and yet at last to miscarry.
5 Bee not contented to have a name to bee godly and religious, but labour to bee really such as you are supposed by others to bee. Remember what Christ saith of the Church of Sardis.