A44342:1040
The application of redemption
The application of redemption by the effectual work of the word, and spirit of Christ, for the bringing home of lost sinners to God ... by that faithful and known servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Hooker ...
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1656
The Application of Redemption, by the effectual work of the Word an… › Book 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.
If the Conversion or Attraction of a sinner be1 lastly resolved into the Congruity and suitableness of Moral Persuasions: then may it lastly depend upon some natural Cause, or in truth upon some Common Circumstance of some outward occasion, and Conveniency with which the sinner may meet in the use of Means. For in the meeting and Concurrence of these, as time, place, order, or outward helps, and the disposition of the party, in some, or all of these this Congruity will consist. But this is to resolve our spiritual and supernatural Call into a natural Cause against Rule and Reason. For nothing can exceed the bounds of that ability which the Lord in the way of his Providence hath set in the Creature, natural Causes produce natural Effects only: Joh. 1. 12. Which are born not of blood, nor of the will of man, nor of the will of the flesh: There is nothing in Corruption, or natural Disposition, or the excellency of any […], that brings forth this spiritual birth. Nay the Apostle professedly excludes all these as not able to bring about this work, and therefore sets out the vanity and emptiness of them, when they are at the highest; We Preach (says the Apostle) Wisdom to those that are perfect, which this world, nor the Princes of this world were never able to reach unto, 1 Cor. 2. 6. 8. If any were suited with the choicest Means, or had liberty to enjoy the choicest Opportunities, or the best Advantages, according to their hearts Content, these were the men, and yet these could ⟨p. 420⟩[…] ⟨p. 421⟩[…] ⟨p. 422⟩[…] […] of this work: […], a […] of outward Means which properly reach not the […] work, prove an […] unto this effectual Calling. So the Apostle, 1 Cor. 1. 26. Not many wise, not many rich, […] many noble: […] wisdom and choice abilities. wealth and outward […], honour and […], they are in […], and so […], and therefore Congruous to help forward a […] Course, (because those that are not subordinate, […], are […] […], and the Argument follows […]) […] reason if any, then these who had […] and choice abilities to improve the Means, […] […] the work, those who had wealth to purchase them, those who had authority to […] and them to serve their turn, they should be suited to all […] encouragements, to […] on in a Christian Course, but we see this doth it not.