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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 1 › Section 2
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.
SECT. II.
The Light of Reason was at first the bright Lamp or Candle of the Lord, till Sin like a Thief melted it down to a Snuff; whereby (comparatively speaking) it is become a poor glimmering Light in the best of men, and almost quite extinguished in some men. Fallen Man is become less than himself, and will never act like himself, till he be fully restored to himself.
Sanctification indeed snuffs and trims the Lamp of Reason; but there being few sanctified Persons •mong men, a double Misery consequently befalls a very great part of Mankind: whose Conversation speaks them not only destitute of Religion, which bereaves them of the blessedness of the World to come; but men almost entirely despoiled of the Benefits and Blessings of their own Reason, which makes them unhappy and miserable •n this World: Beasts, rather than Men, as the sa•red Scripture stiles them: Unreasonable men, •nen fallen out with their own faculties, who after many a sharp battle with their Reason, are •ow dragging it like a conquered Captive, at •he Chariot-wheels of their victorious and triumphant Lusts.