A77593:1177
The Unsearchable Riches of Christ
Ton anexichniaston plouton [sic] tou Christou. The unsearchable riches of Christ. Or, Meat for strong men. Milk [for] babes. Held for th in twenty-two sermons from Ephesians 3.8. By Thomas Brooks, preacher of the Word at Margarets New-Fishstreet.Ton anexichniaston plouton [sic] tou Christou. The unsearchable riches of Christ. Or, Meat for strong men. Milke [for] babes. Held for th in twenty-two sermons from Ephesians 3.8. By Thomas Brookes, preacher of the Word at Margarets New-Fishstreet.
London: printed by Mary Simmons for John Hancock, 1655
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.
Secondly, If the Lord Jesus be very rich, Oh then take heed of despairing, by reason of your sins.
I confess, the least sin should humble the soul, but certainly the greatest sin should never discourage the soul, much less should it work the soul to despair. Read 1 Tim. 1. 13, 14, 15. and despair (I had almost said) if thou canst. Despairing Judas perished, when as the murderers of Christ, 1believing on Christ, were saved. Despair is a sin exceeding vild and contemptible, 'tis a word of eternal reproach, dishonour, and confusion; it declares the Devil a Conqueror, and what greater dishonour can be done to Christ, then for 2a soul to proclaim before all the world, the Devil a crowned Conqueror? A despairing soul is Magor missabib, A terror to himself, his heart a hell of horror, his conscience an Aceldama, a field of black blood. He hath no rest at home, nor abroad, at bed nor board, but is as if infernal Devils followed him in fearful shapes, terrifying and tormenting his perplexed soul. Eternity of misery feared or felt, begets that Monster, which, like Medusa's head, astonisheth with its very aspect, and strangles hope, which is the breath of the soul. As it is said, Dumb spiro spero, so it may be inverted Dumb spero spiro, other miseries may wound the spirit, but despair kills it dead, &c.
I confesse, the least sin should humble the soule, but certainly the greatest sin should never discourage the soule, much lesse should it work the soule to despaire. Read 1 Tim. 1. 13, 14, 15. and despaire (I had almost said) if thou can'st. Despairing Judas perished, when as the murderers of Christ, 1