A76991:143
The True Bounds of Christian Freedom
The true bounds of Christian freedom or a treatise wherein the rights of the law are vindicated, the liberties of grace maintained, and the several late opinions against the law are examined and confuted. Whereunto is annexed a discourse of the learned John Cameron's, touching the threefold covenant of God with man, / faithfully translated, by Samuel Bolton minister of the word of God at Saviours-Southwark.The true bounds of Christian freedome or a treatise wherein the rights of the law are vindicated, the liberties of grace maintained, and the severall late opinions against the law are examined and confuted. Whereunto is annexed a discourse of the learned Iohn Camerons, touching the threefold covenant of God with man, / faithfully translated, by Samuel Bolton minister of the word of God at Saviours-Southwark.
London: printed by J.L. for Philemon Stephens, 1645
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
You may read what kind of appeal will do you good in the poor Publican; he seems a man cast and condemned in the Court of the law, and thereupon makes his appeal to Christ in the Gospel: Read the words, it is said of him, He stood afar off, 1and would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven; but smote his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Here was a three-fold demeanour, and it answers to a three-fold affection in him. First, he stood afar off; and this answers to his fear and consternation: He would not so much as lift up his eyes; this answered to his shame and confusion: He smote his breast; this answered to his sorrow and compunction: and being thus cast he then appeals: God be merciful to me a sinner.
You may read what kind of appeale will doe you good in the poore Publican; he seems a man cast and condemned in the Court of the law, and thereupon makes his appeale to Christ in the Gospel: Read the words, it is said of him, He stood afarre off, 1and would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven; but smote his breast, saying, God be mercifull to me a sinner. Here was a three-fold demeanour, and it answers to a three-fold affection in him. First, he stood afarre off; and this answers to his feare and consternation: He would not so much as lift up his eyes; this answered to his shame and confusion: He smote his breast; this answered to his sorrow and compunction: and being thus cast he then appeales: God be mercifull to me a sinner.
In brief then, if thy appeal be right, and such as will do thee good; 1. It must be a total, not a partial appeal; you must not come to Christ for some relief only, but for all. Christ must have the honour of all. 2. It must be an appeal for grace as well as mercy; for sanctification,