A69129:21
Conscience with the Power and Cases Thereof
Conscience with the power and cases thereof Divided into V. books. Written by the godly and learned, William Ames, Doctor, and Professor of Divinity, in the famous University of Franeker in Friesland. Translated out of Latin into English, for more public benefit.Conscience with the power and cases thereof Devided into V. bookes. Written by the godly and learned, William Ames, Doctor, and Professor of Divinity, in the famous University of Franeker in Friesland. Translated out of Latine into English, for more publique benefit.
Leiden and London : Imprinted W. Christiaens, E. Griffin, J. Dawson, Anno MDCXXIX 1639Leyden and London : Imprinted W. Christiaens, E. Griffin, J. Dawson, Anno MDCXXIX 1639
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.
My heart hath ever since been so set upon that Study, that I have thought it worthy to be followed with all care, by all men. Since also (Gods good providence so disposing it) that I lived out of mine own Country, I did observe that in divers Churches, pure both for Doctrine and Order, this Practical teaching was much wanting, and that this want was one of the chief causes of the great neglect, or carelessness in some ⟨image 4⟩duties which nearly concern Godliness, and a Christian life. My mind was set on, as it were by violence, to try at least in private, whether I were able to prevail with some young men that purpose the Ministry, more to apply their minds to this kind of handling of Divinity; whence no small fruit was to be hoped for. Being afterwards called to a public charge of Teaching in the University, I esteemed nothing better, or more excellent, then to go before those that were Students for the Ministry, in this manner of teaching.
My heart hath ever since been so set upon that Study, that I haue thought it worthy to be followed with all care, by all men. Since also (Gods good providence so disposing it) that I lived out of mine owne Countrey, I did obserue that in divers Churches, pure both for Doctrine and Order, this Practicall teaching was much wanting, and that this want was one of the chiefe causes of the great neglect, or carelessenesse in some ⟨image 4⟩duties which neerely concerne Godlinesse, and a Christian life. My minde was set on, as it were by violence, to try at least in private, whether I were able to prevaile with some young men that purpose the Ministry, more to apply their mindes to this kinde of handling of Divinity; whence no small fruit was to bee hoped for. Being afterwards called to a publike charge of Teaching in the Vniversitie, I esteemed nothing better, or more excellent, then to goe before those that were Students for the Ministrie, in this manner of teaching.
This part of Prophecy hath hitherto been less practised in the Schools of the Prophets, because our Captains were necessarily enforced to fight always in the front against the enemies to defend the Faith, and to purge the floor of the Church; So that they could not plant and water the Fields and Vineyards as they desired; as it useth to fall out in time of hot wars. They thought with themselves in the mean while (as one of some note writes) If we have that single and clear eye of the Gospel if in the house of our Heart the candle of pure Faith be set upon a Candlestick, these small matters might easily be discussed. But experience hath taught at length, that through neglect of this husbandry, a famine of Godliness hath followed in many places, and out of that famine a grievous spiritual plague; insomuch that the counsel of Nehemiah had need be practised; namely, that every man should labour in this work with one hand, holding in the other a Spear or a Dart, whereby he may repel the violence of the enemies. The same Experience hath likewise taught, that these small matters (if so be that so necessary things may be so called) are despised with