A77847:27
The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-wealth,…The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-vvealth,…
The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-wealth, declared, in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable House of Lords at the public fast, August 27. 1645. / By Anthony Burges, pastor of Sutton Coldfield, and now preacher at Laurence-Jury, London.The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-vvealth, declared, in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable House of Lords at the publike fast, August 27. 1645. / By Anthony Burges, pastour of Sutton Coldfield, and now preacher at Laurence-Jury, London.
London: printed by G.M. for T. Underhill, 1645London: printed by G.M. for T. Vnderhill, 1645
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A SERMON Preached before the Right Honourable the House of LORDS, A… › Part
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.
2. Herein are concerned the souls of men: certainly this ought much to inflame, and kindle your affections in a Church-reformation, that hereby you may preserve the souls of thousands from everlasting perdition. Monopolies ⟨p. 6⟩and illegal taxes, these only waste the outward estates of men; but corrupt worship, doth the souls of men. You do bemoan those thousands that have lost their blood in the field, since the wars began; but (had not God stirred up Governors to reform) how many thousands of souls would have perished through ignorance and superstition? So that Joseph was never in more mercy raised up by God to preserve his Father and Brethren from famine in time of dearth, then when God moved the hearts of divers in eminent places, to cause the plenty of Gods Word. Know therefore (Right Honourable) that by your places and power, which God hath committed to you, you may save the souls of many. Look upon it, as the least thing, that the people of England may by your means have their bodies and estates securely provided for; but account it the greatest obligation, and tie upon you, to provide for their souls and spiritual happiness. There are spiritual plunderings as well as corporal; and there is the siring of souls as well as houses and towns: therefore let your thoughts and consultations be to prevent these.
2. Herein are concerned the souls of men: certainly this ought much to inflame, and kindle your affections in a Church-reformation, that hereby you may preserve the souls of thousands from everlasting perdition. Monopolies ⟨p. 6⟩and illegall taxes, these onely waste the outward estates of men; but corrupt worship, doth the souls of men. You doe bemoan those thousands that have lost their blood in the field, since the warrs began; but (had not God stirred up Governours to reform) how many thousands of souls would have perished through ignorance and superstition? So that Joseph was never in more mercy raised up by God to preserve his Father and Brethren from famine in time of dearth, then when God moved the hearts of divers in eminent places, to cause the plenty of Gods Word. Know therefore (Right Honourable) that by your places and power, which God hath committed to you, you may save the souls of many. Look upon it, as the least thing, that the people of England may by your means have their bodies and estates securely provided for; but account it the greatest obligation, and tie upon you, to provide for their souls and spirituall happinesse. There are spirituall plunderings as well as corporall; and there is the siring of souls as well as houses and towns: therefore let your thoughts and consultations be to prevent these.