A51848:706
Several discourses tending to promote peace & holiness among Christians to which are added,…
Several discourses tending to promote peace & holiness among Christians to which are added, three other distinct sermons / by Dr. Manton.
London: printed for Jonathan Robinson, 1685
Looking back, ill becomes those that have set their face Heavenward.
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.
4. Consider how much 'tis your business to observe what maketh you fit, or ⟨p. 393⟩unfit for the Kingdom of God. The aptitude or inaptitude of means is to be judged with respect to the end; as they help or hinder the attainment of your great End: For, Finis, est mensura mediorum: Mat. 6. 22. The Light of the Body is the Eye; If therefore thine Eye be single, thy whole Body shall be full of Light. Now our great end, is to enjoy God for ever. And what fitteth you for this, looking back, or keeping the Heart in Heaven? Experience will show. The observant and watchful Christian will soon find where his great hindrance lieth. How much he findeth his Heart down by minding the World, and how he needeth to wind it up again, by Faith and Love: Psal. 25. 1. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my Soul. The World is the great Impediment that keepeth him from God, and indisposeth him for his Service; dampeth his Love, and quencheth his Zeal, and abateth his Diligence; he will soon find how much more he might do for God, if he could draw off his Heart more from those inferior Objects: This is the weight that presseth us down, and maketh us so cold and cursory in God's Service.
4. Consider how much 'tis your business to observe what maketh you fit, or ⟨p. 393⟩unfit for the Kingdom of God. The aptitude or inaptitude of means is to be judged with respect to the end; as they help or hinder the attainment of your great End: For, Finis, est mensura mediorum: Mat. 6. 22. The Light of the Body is the Eye; If therefore thine Eye be single, thy whole Body shall be full of Light. Now our great end, is to enjoy God for ever. And what fitteth you for this, looking back, or keeping the Heart in Heaven? Experience will shew. The observant and watchful Christian will soon find where his great hindrance lieth. How much he findeth his Heart down by minding the World, and how he needeth to wind it up again, by Faith and Love: Psal. 25. 1. Vnto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my Soul. The World is the great Impediment that keepeth him from God, and indisposeth him for his Service; dampeth his Love, and quencheth his Zeal, and abateth his Diligence; he will soon find how much more he might do for God, if he could draw off his Heart more from those inferior Objects: This is the weight that presseth us down, and maketh us so cold and cursory in God's Service.