A77847:80
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.
3. Public affections, and love to the soul of others. Unless a man be clothed with a public spirit, he cannot labour for a Reformation. Nehemiah, though it was well with him, yet how deeply and sadly is he affected, because the Temple lieth desolate? and thus Christ himself at that very time, when he was received with the greatest acclamations, he doth not mind them, but weeps for Jerusalem. Then hath God dealt graciously with your hearts, when neither riches, honours, or any personal dignity can do you any good, till Jerusalem be settled a praise in the earth, as it was with David.
3. Publike affections, and love to the soul of others. Unlesse a man beclothed with a publike spirit, he cannot labour for a Reformation. Nehemiah, though it was well with him, yet how deeply and sadly is he affected, because the Temple lieth desolate? and thus Christ himself at that very time, when he was received with the greatest acclamations, he doth not minde them, but weeps for Jerusalem. Then hath God dealt graciously with your hearts, when neither riches, honours, or any personall dignity can do you any good, till Jerusalem be setled a praise in the earth, as it was with David.
4. Sincerity and pure aims. For though Governors ⟨p. 26⟩may be carried far in a Reformation, yet if pure love to God and his Ordinances be not the Star which leadeth them, the issue will be very uncomfortable; you have a sad instance in Jehu, who though he did all according to Gods heart (as the Scripture saith) yet Hos. 1. God threatens to be avenged on him. Take heed therefore of corrupt, political designs in promoting Gods work. Nazianzen complained of some that were [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew]: This hath made God many times let his own Ark fall into the hands of the Philistines, not but that his cause was dear to him, only those who managed it, had selfish and particular interests.