A39678:195
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 3 › Section 8
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.
Were your Natural Birth once ennobled by the New-Birth, you would be more than thrice honourable: Grace would make you more illustrious, than your natural Extraction doth or can do. Or if Morality (which is far inferior to that honour, and for which, Heathens themselves have been renowned in the Pagan world) did but adorn and beautify your Conversations, though it cannot entitle you to Heaven, or secure to you the glory of the world to come, yet it would make you shine in the eyes of men in this World, and taking its advantage from your honourable Extraction, make you differ from persons of an inferior rank, as Stars of a greater magnitude and lustre.
Were your Natural Birth once ennobled by the New-Birth, you would be more than thrice honourable: Grace would make you more illustrious, than your natural Extraction doth or can do. Or if Morality (which is far inferior to that honour, and for which, Heathens themselves have been renowned in the Pagan world) did but adorn and beautifie your Conversations, though it cannot entitle you to Heaven, or secure to you the glory of the world to come, yet it would make you shine in the eyes of men in this World, and taking its advantage from your honourable Extraction, make you differ from persons of an inferior rank, as Stars of a greater magnitude and lustre.
I hope, Gentlemen valuing themselves upon the honour, will not be offended at a sharper invecti•• than this, against those Vices that darken and eclipse their honour, both in the eyes of God, a• well as in the judgment of all wise and goo• men.
3. Suppose what you say to be true, that some profane Gentlemen should scoff and deride yo• for your sober Carriage, and decorous Language (things which ought to be inseparable from true Gentility) I would in this case appeal to your ow Reason, why you should not enjoy your ow pleasure in as full latitude and liberty, as they d theirs? They delight in the Dialect of Devils you in pure and inoffensive Language. If the will drink the puddled Waters, and you refuse them for the pure Crystal Streams, you have t be sure as much reason (and a thousand time more) to assert your liberty to be virtuous, th they have (or can pretend to have) a privilege to be vicious.