A64642:95
Eighteen sermons preached in Oxford 1640 of conversion, unto God. Of redemption, & justification,…
Eighteen sermons preached in Oxford 1640 of conversion, unto God. Of redemption, & justification, by Christ. By the Right Reverend James Usher, late Arch-bishop of Armagh in Ireland. Published by Jos: Crab. Will: Ball. Tho: Lye. ministers of the Gospel, who writ them from his mouth, and compared their copies together. With a preface concerning the life of the pious author, by the Reverend Stanley Gower, sometime chaplain to the said bishop.Eighteen sermons preached in Oxford 1640 of conversion, unto God. Of redemption, & justification, by Christ. By the Right Reverend James Usher, late Arch-bishop of Armagh in Ireland. Published by Jos: Crabb. Will: Ball. Tho: Lye. ministers of the Gospel, who writ them from his mouth, and compared their copies together. With a preface concerning the life of the pious author, by the Reverend Stanly Gower, sometime chaplain to the said bishop.
London: printed by S. Griffin for Will, 1660
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 let me in this particular unrip the heart of a natural man. What's the reason, that when God gives men a day, and cries out, This is the day of salvation, this is the accepted time, what in the name of God, or the Devils name rather, should cause them to put salvation from them? to defer and desire a longer time? Thus a natural man reasons with himself, I cannot so soon be taken off from the profits and pleasures of the world; I hope to have a time when I shall with more ease and a greater composedness of mind bring my self to it: or if it be not with so much ease, yet I trust in a sufficient manner I shall do it: wherefore for the present Isle enjoy the profits and delights of the state and condition wherein I am; I will solace my self with the pleasures of sin for a season, I hope true repentance will never be too late.
But let me in this particular unrip the heart of a natural man. What's the reason, that when God gives men a day, and cries out, This is the day of salvation, this is the accepted time, what in the name of God, or the Devils name rather, should cause them to put salvation from them? to defer and desire a longer time? Thus a natural man reasons with himself, I cannot so soon be taken off from the profits and pleasures of the world; I hope to have a time when I shall with more ease and a greater composednesse of mind bring my self to it: or if it be not with so much ease, yet I trust in a sufficient manner I shall do it: wherefore for the present Ile enjoy the profits and delights of the state and condition wherein I am; I will solace my self with the pleasures of sin for a season, I hope true repentance will never be too late.
This is well weighed; but consider whether these thoughts which poise down our hearts, be not groundless; see whether they will hold water at the last; and whether in making such excuses, to great presumption we add not the height of folly. To pretend for our delay the profits and pleasures of sin, and yet hope for heaven at the last, as well as the generation of the righteous; it's but a mere fallacy and delusion of Satan, to fill our hearts with such vanities. Can it be expected that we should have our good in this world, and in the world to come too? This is well, if it might be.