A49244:379
Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The sum and substance of…Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The summe and substance of…
Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The sum and substance of XV. sermons. Preached by that faithful and painful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Christopher Love, late minister of Lawrence Jury, London. They being his last sermons. To which is added a funeral sermon, being the very last sermon he ever preached.Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The summe and substance of XV. sermons. Preached by that faithful and painful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Christopher Love, late minister of Lawrence Jury, London. They being his last sermons. To which is added a funerall sermon, being the very last sermon he ever preached.
London: printed by E.G. for J. Rothwell, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 9: IX. Sermon at Lawrence Jury London. April 6. 1651.
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.
time was when every gnat seemed a camel, and every mote a beam, and every molehill a mountain, but now they can extenuate and excuse their sin. Heretofore the most pleasing sin was abominable, the smallest detestable, and the highest intolerable, but it is otherwise now through spiritual decays and abatement in our affections. There are many heretofore when they fell into sin, were wont to walk sadly, to •igh deeply, weep bitterly, pray affectionately: but now do not these things with those warm and working affections as formerly. The time was when many Professors of Religion, prepared themselves for holy duties with more care, attended to them with more diligence, delighted in them with more complacency, and gained more profit and edification by them then now they do. And that's the first sin, that those who have grace, both in truth and strength, are apt to fall into, viz. spiritual decay.
time was when every gnat seemed a camel, and every mote a beame, and every mol•hil a mountain, but now they can extenuate and excuse their sin. Heretofore the most pleasing sin was abominable, the smallest detestable, and the highest intolerable, but it is otherwise now through spiritual decayes and abatement in our affections. There are many heretofore when they fell into sin, were wont to walk sadly, to •igh deeply, weep bitterly, pray affectionately: but now do not these things with those warme and working affections as formerly. The time was when many Professors of Religion, prepared themselves for holy duties with more care, attended to them with more diligence, delighted in them with more complacency, and gained more profit and edification by them then now they do. And that's the first sin, that those who have grace, both in truth and strength, are apt to fall into, viz. spiritual decay.
2. Such as are strong Christians are very subject to spiritual pride,1 and to be highly conceited of their own gifts, parts and graces. Spiritual pride is a secret spiritual corruption,