A77593:240
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.
THE Unsearchable Riches OF CHRIST.THE Ʋnsearchable Riches OF CHRIST.
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.
Oh the wanderings! Oh the deadness! the dullness! the fruitlessness of thy spirit in Religious duties! Man is a creature apt to hug himself in Religious services, and to pride himself in holy duties; and to stroke himself after duties, and to warm himself by the sparks of his own fire (his own performances) though he does lye down in sorrow for it, Isa. 50. ult. When ever thou comest off from holy services, sit down, and look over the spots, blots, and blemishes that cleave to your choicest services. The fairest day ha's it clouds; the richest Jewels, their flaws; the finest faces, their spots; the fairest Copies, their blots; and so have our finest and fairest duties.
Oh the wandrings! Oh the deadnesse! the dullnesse! the fruitlesnesse of thy spirit in Religious duties! Man is a creature apt to hugge himselfe in Religious services, and to pride himselfe in holy duties; and to stroak himselfe after duties, and to warme himselfe by the sparkes of his owne fire (his owne performances) though he does lye downe in sorrow for it, Isa. 50. ult. When ever thou comest off from holy services, sit downe, and look over the spots, blots, and blemishes that cleave to your choycest services. The fairest day ha's it clouds; the richest Jewels, their flawes; the finest faces, their spots; the fairest Copies, their blots; and so have our finest and fairest duties.
Plutarch tells of a private Soldier of Julius Caesars, who fought so valiantly in Britain, that by his means he saved ⟨p. 44⟩the Captains, which otherwise were in great danger to be cast away (being driven into a Bog) then marching with great 1pain through the mire and dirt; in the end he got to the other side, but left his shield behind him. Caesar wondering at his noble courage, ran to him with joy, to embrace him: But the poor Soldier, hanging down his head, the water standing in his eyes, fell down at Caesars feet, and besought him to pardon him, for that he had left his Shield behind him. You know how to apply it. He had done gallantly, yet he falls down at Caesars feet, after his brave service, with tears in his eyes, upon the sense of his leaving his shield behind him. When we have done our best, we have cause to fall down at Jesus feet, and with tears in our eyes, sue out our pardon.