A39678:136
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 7
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.
We all account in madness in Balaam to beat ••is innocent Ass, and threaten to kill her for ••unning the Sword of the Angel that opposed his •assage in a sinful and dangerous Expedition. But •ow many use both their Reason and Conscience •orse than Asses, because they dare not go forward, and desperately carry them into the very ⟨p. 30⟩midst of Dangers and Miseries, which they plainly foresee and warn them of?
We all account in madness in Balaam to beat ••is innocent Ass, and threaten to kill her for ••unning the Sword of the Angel that opposed his •assage in a sin•ul and dangerous Expedition. But •ow many use both their Reason and Conscience •orse than Asses, because they dare not go forward, and desperately carry them into the very ⟨p. 30⟩midst of Dangers and Miseries, which they plainly foresee and warn them of?
What Injuries have thy Reason or Conscience done thee, Man? What Affronts have they give• thee? That thou wilt not suffer them to speak o•• offer one word, tho never so pertinent, seasonable• and necessary? There is a Civility due from us t••meer Strangers, yea, to Strangers of an inferio Rank and Quality. The least we can do, is […] give them a patient hearing, and not interrup them whilst they speak nothing but what is rational, pertinent, and necessary, especially if it b to their own good and advantage. 'Tis strange Men should not think themselves as much oblige to pay Civility and Respect to their own Reason and Consciences, as they daily pay to mere Strangers and Inferiors. Give them but a patient hearing, and they will both tell thee: