A77847:81
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.
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.
4. Sincerity and pure aims. For though Governours ⟨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 Iehu, 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, politicall designs in promoting Gods work. Nazianzen complained of some that were 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉: This hath made God many times let his own Ark fall into the hands of the Philistims, not but that his cause was dear to him, only those who managed it, had selfish and particular interests.
5. Humility under all the honours God puts upon them. This was wonderful in Gideon and David, whereas men, who are lifted up by any success that God bestoweth on them, are like a blazing star, that make a great lustre at first, but at last end in slime. John the Baptist that wrought a great Reformation, and the eyes of the world was upon him, yet he rejoiceth, because he must decrease, and Christ increase.