A53699:68
The glory and interest of nations professing the Gospel preached at a private fast,…
The glory and interest of nations professing the Gospel preached at a private fast, to the Commons assembled in Parliament / published by their command, by J. Owen.
London: printed for Philemon Stephens, 1659
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.
Ans. 1. Some do say so, and plead thus, it cannot be denied; but the truth is, the greater is their weakness and folly. It is impossible men acquainted with the spirit of Christ and the Gospel, should say so, unless they were under the power of one Temptation or other. But it is no party, but the party of Christ in the world, and against the world, the seed of the woman, against the seed of the serpent that I am pleading for; that men as to their interest in Christ should be judged from such denominations, as though they make a great noise in the world, yet indeed signify very little things in themselves, is most unrighteous, ⟨p. 22⟩and unequal; nor will men find peace, in such rash and precipitate judgments.
Ans. 1. Some do say so, and plead thus, it cannot be denied; but the truth is, the greater is their weaknesse and folly. It is impossible men acquainted with the spirit of Christ and the Gospel, should say so, unlesse they were under the power of one Temptation or other. But it is no party, but the party of Christ in the world, and against the world, the seed of the woman, against the seed of the serpent that I am pleading for; that men as to their interest in Christ should be judged from such denominations, as though they make a great noise in the world, yet indeed signifie very little things in themselves, is most unrighteous, ⟨p. 22⟩and unequal; nor will men finde peace, in such rash and precipitate judgments.
2. There may be many divisions amongst the people of God, and yet none of them be divided from Christ the head. The branches of a tree may be entangled by strong winds, and stricken against one another, and yet none of them broken off from the tree its self; and when the storm is over every one possesses its own place in quietness beauty and fruitfulness. Whilst the strong winds of temptations are upon the followers of Christ, they may be tossed and entangled; but not being broken off from the root, when he shall say to the winds, peace, be still, they will flourish again in peace and beauty.