A42350:27
The Christians labour and reward, or, A sermon, part of which was preached at…
The Christians labour and reward, or, A sermon, part of which was preached at the funeral of the Right Honourable the Lady Mary Vere, relict of Sir Horace Vere, Baron of Tilbury, on the 10th of January, 1671, at Castle Heviningham in Essex by William Gurnall ...
London: printed by J.M. for Ralph Smith, 1672
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.
Is it easy to assent to the truth of these Mysteries of the Gospel, which are contrary to the apprehensions of corrupt reason, and beyond the comprehension of the Christians most elevated understanding? Is it easy for one of a wounded spirit, sunk and dejected as low as Hell, under the heavy sense of ⟨p. 16⟩his guilt, to lift up an eye of faith to the promise, and to conceive a hope, that such a Wretch as he hath been, may ever find grace and favour in the eyes of a just and holy God? Verily, it is a wonder little less, than that of the Prophets, in making Iron to swim; it is easy for a stupid sinner (indeed) to dream of a pardon, while Conscience is asleep; but when this is once throughly awake, only he that can still the waves and winds in a storm at Sea, can pacify this, can give either power to believe, or peace in believing. Is it easy to repent, and bring forth the meet fruits of it, good works, and not to make them the Idol of our trust? not to rely on the first to procure our pardon here, nor on the other to purchase our reward hereafter; but to rejoice only in Christ Jesus, as the sole entire object of our trust for both.
Is it easie to assent to the truth of these Mysteries of the Gospel, which are contrary to the apprehensions of corrupt reason, and beyond the comprehension of the Christians most elevated understanding? Is it easie for one of a wounded spirit, sunk and dejected as low as Hell, under the heavy sense of ⟨p. 16⟩his guilt, to lift up an eye of faith to the promise, and to conceive a hope, that such a Wretch as he hath been, may ever find grace and favour in the eyes of a just and holy God? Verily, it is a wonder little less, than that of the Prophets, in making Iron to swim; it is easie for a stupid sinner (indeed) to dream of a pardon, while Conscience is asleep; but when this is once throughly awake, only he that can still the waves and winds in a storm at Sea, can pacifie this, can give either power to believe, or peace in believing. Is it easie to repent, and bring forth the meet fruits of it, good works, and not to make them the Idol of our trust? not to relye on the first to procure our pardon here, nor on the other to purchase our reward hereafafter; but to rejoyce only in Christ Jesus, as the sole entire object of our trust for both.