A55752:693
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.
But yet you must go one step further, it must be godliness; and not only the actions of Religion and worship which may be exhibited and offered to God, and yet 1may proceed from self-love, and may tend to a mans self, as making himself the utmost end of it. For you must know that a man may go far in the duties of godliness, and in the outward actions of Religion; and yet I say all that he doth may proceed from self-love, and he may make himself the utmost end of all. That is, when a man considers that God is the governor of the world, that he alone hath the keys of hell, and of death, the power of salvation and damnation, and of all good and evil in this life, which are but degrees and stairs which lead to those two ends hereafter. A man when he considers this, may out of the strength of natural wisdom, do much for God, and to God, and yet for all this, not have this true godliness here required.
But yet you must go one step further, it must be godliness; and not onely the actions of Religion and worship which may be exhibited and offered to God, and yet 1may proceed from self-love, and may tend to a mans self, as making himself the utmost end of it. For you must know that a man may go far in the duties of godliness, and in the outward actions of Religion; and yet I say all that he doth may proceed from self-love, and he may make himself the utmost end of all. That is, when a man considers that God is the governor of the world, that he alone hath the keyes of hell, and of death, the power of salvation and damnation, and of all good and evil in this life, which are but degrees and stairs which lead to those two ends hereafter. A man when he considers this, may out of the strength of natural wisdom, do much for God, and to God, and yet for all this, not have this true godliness here required.
- 13. Not actions of outward worship.