A39678:57
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 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.
SECT. VII.
Now the persons whose Reformation I particularly design by this method, being men that exercise more Reason than Religion, might (methinks) be prevailed with to take up at last, and ⟨p. 8⟩reform their unreasonable as well as ungod• courses, could they be once prevailed with […] debate these matters with cool, considerative mind becoming men governed by reason, not wholl• swayed like brute-beasts by lust and appetite.
Now the persons whose Reformation I particularly design by this method, being men that exercise more Reason than Religion, might (methinks) be prevailed with to take up at last, and ⟨p. 8⟩reform their unreasonable as well as ungod• courses, could they be once prevailed with 〈…〉 debate these matters with cool, considerative mind becoming men governed by reason, not wholl• swayed like bruit-beasts by lust and appetite.
And is it not highly reasonable, that men should weigh their own actions at the same beam an standard where they weigh other mens actions, an renounce all that with shame and detestation which they themselves must censure as utterly beneath and unworthy of a man? Wherefore hat God planted a principle of Reason and Conscience within us? Is it rational to think it was planted there for no other end or use but to scan and censure other mens words and actions by, bu not our own? Or to be wholly useful to othe mens interests, without any benefit to our selves Ask thine own Reason, silly man, why God Placed it in thy Soul, and for what use it was intended and it will tell thee, it was particularly designed and appointed to regulate and order thin own life and actions; and next, for the benefit and good of the Community. It will tell thee, there is not a single act thou dost of any weight or moment, but thou oughtest to consult with it, and have its Pass or License before thou do it. But when thou enterest into a series and course of actions, thy consultations with it ought to be very frequent and solemn, because these things are o great importance to thee.