A44344:323
A comment upon Christ's last prayer in the seventeenth of John wherein is opened…
A comment upon Christ's last prayer in the seventeenth of John wherein is opened the union believers have with God and Christ, and the glorious privileges thereof ... / by that faithful and known servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Hooker ... ; printed from the authors own papers written with his own hand, and attested to be such in an epistle by Thomas Goodwin and Philip Nigh.A comment upon Christ's last prayer in the seventeenth of John wherein is opened the union beleevers have with God and Christ, and the glorious priviledges thereof ... / by that faithful and known servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Hooker ... ; printed from the authors own papers written with his own hand, and attested to be such in an epistle by Thomas Goodwin and Philip Nye.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1656
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.
What: that I! Such a sinful and wretched creature? who am sit to be cooped up with the damned, and chained up with the Devils, who have been one with them in all their wickedness: temptations have not been presented, occasions offered so soon, but Oh! this vile heart, hath been one, and sided with them, and been carried by them, and transported with distempers, as with a violent stream.
What: that I! Such a sinful and wretched creature? who am sit to be cooped up with the damned, and chained up with the Devils, who have been one with them in al their wickedness: temptations have not been presented, occasions offered so soon, but Oh! this vile heart, hath been one, and sided with them, and been carried by them, and transported with distempers, as with a violent stream.
What I can this carnal cursed heart ever be one with so holy and blessed a God? what! I! that have been a Traitor to the Lord Jesus, and shed his Blood, and crucified again the Lord of life! I! who have been a Rebel against the Rich mercy and Grace of the Father, so graciously provided, so freely offered? that ever I should imagine to be one with these, who have been an enemy to both? its beyond my thoughts, much more my Hopes, its not possible, therefore not credible. Why? alas, mine own experience will give in evidence, and that undeniable, against my Soul. I have had all means, enjoyed all ordinances, God hath tried all conclusions, compassed me about with mercies, hedged me in with afflictions, to hold my heart to him, and keep me with him: All Hopes and helps have been plucked away, from whence I expected relief, that I might look to him, and be quickened and carried by him: Its not possible therefore to be attained. True, Its not possible for all means to work: Nor possible by any power or ability of thine own to bring it about: And yet it is not possible, if the Lord Jesus have prayed for it, but God should give it, and you undoubtedly receive it from his Majesties hands. Our Saviour professeth so much. Father, I know tho hearest me always. Joh. 1.4•. therefore its no more but that which Christ avoweth, he