A68877:211
Gods husbandry
Gods husbandry: the first part. Tending to show the difference betwixt the hypocrite and the true-hearted Christian. As it was delivered in certain sermons, and is now published by William Whately, preacher of the Word of God in Banbury in OxfordshireGods husbandry: the first part. Tending to shew the difference betwixt the hypocrite and the true-hearted Christian. As it was deliuered in certaine sermons, and is now published by William Whately, preacher of the Word of God in Banbury in Oxfordsheire
London: printed by Bernard Alsop and Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1622
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.
CHAP. III. Containing the first use of the point: viz. the magnifying of Gods Justice.
CHAP. III. Containing the first vse of the poynt: viz. the magnifying of Gods Iustice.
Use 1 First then let the God of heaven have his due honour, 1in the due punishment of these most secret malefactors: as the keeper of the Vine is praised for his good husbandry, in the seasonable cutting of the dry and withered boughs of the Vine. For how should the Lord more clearly reveal to the sons of men, his most exact wisdom, and strict righteousness, then in finding out, and casting off these wicked offenders, for all their cunning disguisement, and subtle dissimulation? Hereby he ⟨p. 20⟩makes it apparent, that he is so perfect in understanding and in righteousness, as there is no way of finding favour with him, but by being good, and truly good, and by walking in his ways, and being sound in the same. It will not serve the turn to be close and retired, it cannot avail to be of smooth and fine carriage; all colouring, all cloaking is idle and bootless. It is not possible to escape his eye and hand, but by casting away our sins in good earnest, and a true and hearty obedience. Let the Hypocrite offer thousands of Rams, and rivers of oil; let him not spare the fruit of his body, even his own sons and daughters, and put himself to never so much cost and charges; all is one, God will not be bribed by these gifts to tolerate his wickedness. Let him speak the Lord never so fair in words, and make never so many & long prayers; let him carry himself never so devoutly and religiously, and wear Gods cloth, as it were, and call him Master, and Master, and tread in his Courts, and frequent his House, still he loseth his labour, God will not bear with him, nor spare him for all this, so long as he hath respect to iniquity in his heart, he shall never be accepted.