A39678:126
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native country, and the souls of men.The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native countrey, and the souls of men.
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1691
THE REASONABLENESS OF Personal Reformation, › Chapter 2 › Section 6
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.
Conscia mens ut cuique su• est, ita concipit int••• Pectora pro facto spemque me•umq•e suo.
But their head-strong boisterous Lusts rudely and violently brake in upon Reason and Conscience, imprisoned and bound them as Zedekiah did the faithful Prophet Jeremiah for the discharge of his Duty to him. For this the Wrath of God was revealed from Heaven against them. And indeed we cannot wonder it should be incensed against them, as it will against all that act like them. For into such a Sin as this, many direful Aggravations fall in together to make it a monstrous and prodigious Sin.
Here we find an high and causeless Abuse of the noblest natural faculties and Powers of a Mans own Soul. What harm have thy Reason and Conscience done thee by stimulating and persuading to Temperance, Chastity, and Sobriety, or by struggling and striving with thee to prevent both thy present and future Ruin? Do they lay their faithful and loving Hands of restraint upon thee, when they see thee running headlong into Destruction? And do they deserve for this, and no worse than this, to be thus trampled under foot and abused? Ask thy self, Man, whether thou thinkest thy very Dog deserves to be hanged for opening at midnight, and taking that thief by the throat who came to cut thine? And darest thou use those noble Powers within thee, worse than thou wouldst use a Dog? Humanity would blush at such an Action.
Here we find an high and causeless Abuse of the noblest natural •aculties and Powers of a Mans own Soul. What harm have thy Reason and Conscience done thee by stimulating and perswading to Temperance, Chastity, and Sobriety, or by strugling and striving with thee to prevent both thy present and future Ruin? Do they lay their faithful and loving Hands of restraint upon thee, when they see thee running headlong into Destruction? And do they deserve for this, and no worse than this, to be thus trampled under foot and abused? Ask thy self, Man, whether thou thinkest thy very Dog deserves to be hanged for opening at midnight, and taking that thief by the throat who came to cut thine? And darest thou use those noble Powers within thee, worse than thou wouldst use a Dog? Humanity would blush at such an Action.