A55752:1197
Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…
Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity and duty of Gods children by the late Reverend and Faithful Minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston ...Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity and duty of Gods children by the late Reverend and Faithfull Minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston ...
London: printed by J.T., 1658
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.
Therefore consider this, whether when we do any thing for Christ, we do it faithfully or no, for in this our hearts are apt to deceive us. How many are there, that pass not much for the doing of the thing so themselves may have their end? Diotrophes was willing to work with the Apostle; but it was to have the preeminence. How many great actions are overthrown for want of this faithfulness that men do not simply do that which they do, but out ⟨p. 388⟩of contention, and vain glory they do it? How many great actions I say are overthrown? So that when two men are both of them alike set to do a thing, both are willing to do the work, yet because one may not have the praise of it, the glory of it, because he may not be first, and chief in the business therefore he lets it go.
Therfore consider this, whether when we do any thing for Christ, we do it faithfully or no, for in this our hearts are apt to deceive us. How many are there, that pass not much for the doing of the thing so themselves may have their end? Diotrophes was willing to work with the Apostle; but it was to have the preheminence. How many great actions are overthrown for want of this faithfulness that men do not simply do that which they do, but out ⟨p. 388⟩of contention, and vain glory they do it? How many great actions I say are overthrown? So that when two men are both of them alike set to do a thing, both are willing to do the work, yet because one may not have the praise of it, the glory of it, because he may not be first, and chief in the business therefore he lets it go.
I cannot better compare it, then to two men that are to carry a beam in at a narrow door; both would be first in, 1and when they do so, we see they carry it a cross, and in a thwart manner, and so they cannot do it: if one would be first, and another second it might be done with ease. So when the business of Christ is to be done, we go crossly about it, and the work is left undone, because every one seeks for his own particular preeminence.