A44666:724
The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /
The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 / by John Howe ...The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 / by John Howe ...
printed by Sarah Griffin for Samuel Thomson, 1668
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.
And see that it be preserved entire by a proportional, and uniform growth, that fresh life and motion may daily appear in every Limb of this heavenly new Creature. How odious a deformity is it, when a show of moral virtues excludes Godliness? And how much more odious (in as much as there is more impudent falsehood in it, and more of dishonourable reflection upon God) when under an high pre•ence of Godliness, any shall allow themselves in visible immorality? What, to be oppressive, envious, contentious, deceitful, proud, turbulent, wrathful, morose, malicious, fretful, and peevish, and yet a Christian? What serious Person, that shall have no fairer representation of Christianity, than such do give, would not be ready to say rather, Sit anima mea cum Philosophis; If this be Christian Religion, give me honest Paganism. A Christian that hath received the proper, uniform, entire impress of the Gospel of Christ, is the most meek, mild, calm, harmless, quiet thing in the world. Never mention so venerable a name, if you will not be very jealous of the honour of it; will you give God occasion to charge you? Wretch I never had had this dishonour, if thou h•dst never been called a Christian; thou art a Christian to no purpose, or to very bad; it does thee no good, and it injures me?
And see that it be preserved entire by a proportional, and uniform growth, that fresh life and motion may daily appear in every Limb of this heavenly new Creature. How odious a deformity is it, when a shew of moral vertues excludes Godliness? And how much more odious (in as much as there is more impudent falshood in it, and more of dishonourable reflexion upon God) when under an high pre•ence of Godliness, any shall allow themselves in visible immorality? What, to be oppressive, envious, contentious, deceitful, proud, turbulent, wrathful, morose, malicious, fretful, and peevish, and yet a Christian? What serious Person, that shall have no fairer representation of Christianity, than such do give, would not be ready to say rather, Sit anima mea cum Philosophis; If this be Christian Religion, give me honest Paganism. A Christian that hath received the proper, uniform, entire impresse of the Gospel of Christ, is the most meek, mild, calm, harmless, quiet thing in the world. Never mention so venerable a name, if you will not be very jealous of the honour of it; will you give God occasion to charge you? Wretch I never had had this dishonour, if thou hdst never been call'd a Christian; thou art a Christian to no purpose, or to very bad; it does thee no good, and it injures me?