A47584:1544
The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland
The history of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.The historie of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.
London: printed by John Raworth for George Thomason and Octavian Pullen, 1644
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.
But men may on this sort visit God hypocritically, for they may come for the fashion, they may hear with deaf ears; yea, they may understand, and yet never determine with themselves to obey that, which God requireth: And let such men be assured, That he (who searcheth the secrets of hearts) will be avenged of all such. For nothing can be to God more odious, then to mock him in his own presence. Let every man therefore examine himself, with what mind, and what purpose, he cometh to hear the Word of God; yea, with what ear he heareth it, and what testimony his heart giveth unto him, when that God commandeth virtue, and forbiddeth impiety.
But men may on this sort visite God hypocritically, for they may come for the fashion, they may hear with deaf ears; yea, they may understand, and yet never determine with themselves to obey that, which God requireth: And let such men be assured, That he (who searcheth the secrets of hearts) will be avenged of all such. For nothing can be to God more odious, then to mock him in his own presence. Let every man therefore examine himself, with what minde, and what purpose, he cometh to hear the Word of God; yea, with what ear he heareth it, and what testimony his heart giveth unto him, when that God commandeth vertue, and forbiddeth impiety.
Repinest thou when God requireth obedience? Thou hearest to thine own condemnation. Mockest thou at Gods threatenings? Thou shalt feel the weight and truth of them, albeit too late, when flesh and blood cannot deliver thee from his hand. But the visitation (whereof our Prophet speaketh,) is only proper to the sons of God, who in the time when God taketh from them the pleasures of the world, or showeth his angry countenance unto them, have their recourse unto him, and confessing their former negligence with troubled hearts, cry for his mercy. This visitation is not proper to all afflicted, but appertaineth only to Gods children: For the reprobates can never have access to Gods mercy in time of their tribulation, and that because they abuse as well his long patience, as the manifold benefits they receive from his hands; For as the same Prophet heretofore saith, Let the wicked obtain mercy, yet shall he ⟨p. 111⟩