A37045:462
Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…
Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace and solid joy of a good conscience sprinkled with the blood of Jesus and exercised always to be void of offence toward God and toward men : brought down and holden forth in XXII very searching sermons on several texts of Scripture ... / by James Durham.
Edinburgh: printed by the heir of Andrew Anderson, 1685
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
5ly. Conscience must be satisfied in this Question, in whose strength was the duty undertaken? was it in the strength of Christ? and was he depended on for assistance in the going about of it? for it is not enough, that the duty be gone about, and he some way acknowledged in it, unless he be also believingly depended on for strength, to enable to the suitable performance of it.
5ly. Conscience must be satisfied in this Question, in whose strength was the duty undertaken? was it in the strength of Christ? and was he depended on for assistance in the going about of it? for it is not enough, that the duty be gone about, and he some way acknowledged in it, unless he be also believingly depended on for strength, to inable to the suitable performance of it.
6ly. What was your end in undertaking and prosecuting of such a duty, or action? whether was it some self-end, or the glory of God, and the edification of others? as in your eating and drinking, do ye eat and drink to satisfy your appetite only, or mainly, or to enable you to serve God, and to do good to others, in your station and capacity? In your seeking such and such gifts from God by prayer, whether is it that ye may bestow, or consume them on your lusts? (as James says, some do, Chap. 4. 3.) Or is it that ye may be helped to adorn the doctrine of God in all things? The proposing of a right end, is a main ingredient in every action, and hath great influence on your peace; We preach not our ⟨p. 249⟩selves (saveth the Apostle, 2 Cor. 4. 5. b•t Christ Jesus the Lord; We are (as if he had said) in our preaching not seeking our selves, but him; nor our own praise, or applause to our selves, but his glory and exaltation; and this had much influence on his peace and joy; Conscience must be also satisfied in this by any means.
6ly. What was your end in undertaking and prosecuting of such a duty, or action? whether was it some self-end, or the glory of God, and the edification of others? as in your eating and drinking, do ye eat and drink to satisfie your appetit only, or mainly, or to enable you to serve God, and to do good to others, in your station and capacity? In your seeking such and such gifts from God by prayer, whether is it that ye may bestow, or consume them on your lusts? (as Iames sayes, some do, Chap. 4. 3.) Or is it that ye may be helped to adorn the doctrine of God in all things? The proposing of a right end, is a main ingredient in every action, and hath great influence on your peace; We preach not our