A77847:38
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.
By this Psalm you see, what an oppression and misery is upon those, who groan under Church-pollutions. Now one of the main burdens that hath borne down the backs of the godly Ministers in this kingdom, hath been the want of holy and powerful discipline; England was a good school, ⟨p. 12⟩wherein truths were taught, but there wanted a rod to correct vice; the want of this is a grievous burden. Its a passage of Calvins to Farell, speaking of the Sacrament to be with them the next Lords day, Cogita (saith he) quantis angustijs constringer, utinam me absent posset celebrari, hâc conditione, ut ad vos usque vel manibus reptarem. What is the cause then, that men may be earnest for the one, and not for the other?
By this Psalme you see, what an oppression and misery is upon those, who groan under Church-pollutions. Now one of the main burdens that hath borne down the backs of the godly Ministers in this kingdome, hath been the want of holy and powerfull discipline; England was a good school, ⟨p. 12⟩wherein truths were taught, but there wanted a rod to correct vice; the want of this is a grievous burden. Its a passage of Calvins to Farell, speaking of the Sacrament to be with them the next Lords day, Cogita (saith he) quantis angustijs constringer, utinam me absente posset celebrari, hâc conditione, ut ad vos usque vel manibus reptarem. What is the cause then, that men may be earnest for the one, and not for the other?
1. The state reformation agreeth most with our sensible good; hence we shall see the Romans and other Heathens, have adventured themselves for the Common wealth, and have gloried in being the assertors of its liberties; but to promote Christs ways, that is contrary to our corrupt hearts: therefore men may be forward to have monopolies and taxes removed, that yet cannot endure to have the sanctification of the Sabbath, the powerful and soul saving preaching of Gods Word established. How few are like Theodosius, of whom Ambrose saith, Dilexi virum, qui cum corpore solveretur, magis de statu Ecclesiarum, quàm de proprijs periculis angebatur; he was more careful about the Church then his own affairs.