A68877:262
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.
Now so exceeding deeply doth the stain of sin cleave unto us, which we have received ⟨p. 69⟩from our first parent Adam, that an union of less closeness then this, even of wholly possessing Christ, and being wholly possessed by Christ, will not serve the turn wholly and altogether to expel the corruptions of our hearts. You see now whence it comes, that in this life we remain obnoxious to divers imperfections.
Now so exceeding deeply doth the staine of sinne cleaue vnto vs, which we haue receiued ⟨p. 69⟩from our first parent Adam, that an vnion of lesse closenesse then this, euen of wholly possessing Christ, and being wholly possessed by Christ, will not serue the turne wholly and altogether to expell the corruptions of our hearts. You see now whence it comes, that in this life we remaine obnoxious to diuers imperfections.
Next,1 let us consider why the Lord of heaven will have it to be so, rather than otherwise. In truth it should be an intolerable presumption and sauciness in us, to demand a reason of Gods actions, if himself did not vouchsafe to stoop so low, as to render us a reason thereof himself. But in this matter the Scripture saith plainly, that God hath shut all under sin, that he might have mercy upon all. Doubtless this is principally to be understood of giving over man to be sinful in his first corruption, showing the reason why God did permit and appoint it so to be: but withal, it may very fitly serve to inform us in the present matter, showing why the Lord doth please to leave even his own servants, after their engrafting into Christ, unto the sinfulness of their nature, so far, that they shall not be wholly free from it; namely,2 that it might most manifestly appear that they be saved of grace, and not of merit, and that he may fully and unquestionably enjoy the praise of having given it them of free will and bounty, not paid it them as a thing earned by the worthiness of their works, although in another respect, the Lord pleaseth to call it a wages, viz. (not in regard that it is given