A77360:1005
Christ and the covenant the work and way of meditation
Christ and the covenant the work and way of meditation. : Gods return to the soul, or nation; together with his preventing mercy. : Delivered in ten sermons, (viz.) 1. Christs personal excellencies, the object of our love. 2. Christ crucified, the object of our faith. 3. The new covenant of grace opened. 4. Christ the mediator of the new covenant. 5. The way and spirit of the new covenant, or New Testament. 6. The blood of sprinkling. 7. The sweetness and profitableness of divine meditation. 8. The work and way of this meditation. 9. Gods return to the soul and nation. 10. Preventing mercy. / By W.B.
London: printed for N. Ranew, 1667
Sermons › Sermon 9: Gods Return to the Soul or Nation. SERM. IX.
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.
3. Be sure of this also, That you put away the evil of your doings, and do the contrary good; put away the evil of your doings, especially your Ashtaroth. Friends, though you fast and pray, and humble your selves; if you do not reform, all your fasting and prayer will not bring God back again. All the days of fasting and prayer that you keep, will do nothing, unless there be reformation. Yet I confess still, God must have a latitude, and he will some times save and deliver before we are prepared for it; but I say, ordinarily, though you fast, and pray, and cry never so much, yet if you do not reform, all your prayers will not do: And though you do reform, yet if you do not reform, and put away your Ashtaroth, that sin that hath brought this displeasure, your Reformation will not do. And though you do thus also, yet if you do not do the contrary good, it will not serve. Look to that therefore.
3. Be sure of this also, That you put away the evil of your doings, and do the contrary good; put away the evil of your doings, especially your Ashtaroth. Friends, though you fast and pray, and humble your selves; if you do not reform, all your fasting and prayer will not bring God back again. All the dayes of fasting and prayer that you keep, will do nothing, unless there be reformation. Yet I confess still, God must have a latitude, and he will some times save and deliver before we are prepared for it; but I say, ordinarily, though you fast, and pray, and cry never so much, yet if you do not reform, all your prayers will not do: And though you do reform, yet if you do not reform, and put away your Ashtaroth, that sin that hath brought this displeasure, your Reformation will not do. And though you do thus also, yet if you do not do the contrary good, it will not serve. Look to that therefore.
4. Be sure of this, That you go out of your selves, and lay down all your worldly interests at the feet of the Lord, saying, Come Lord, Return O Lord: not return, O my Trade return; not return, O our Ships return; not return, O our Peace return; but return O Lord, return O Lord. Friends, the more you go out of your selves, the more fit you are for God to return unto you.