A77983:111
Four books on the eleventh of Matthew
Four books on the eleventh of Matthew: viz: I. Christ inviting sinners to come to him for rest. II. Christ the great teacher of souls that come to him. To which is added a treatise of meekness and of anger. III. Christ the humble teacher of those that come to him. IIII. The only easy way to heaven. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel at Stepney and Cripple-Gate, London.Four books on the eleventh of Matthew: viz: I. Christ inviting sinners to come to him for rest. II. Christ the great teacher of souls that come to him. To which is added a treatise of meekness and of anger. III. Christ the humble teacher of those that come to him. IIII. The only easie way to heaven. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel at Stepny and Cripple-Gate, London.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1659
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Many because they have not what they would have, they reject what they have, as thus, because they have not full assurance of saving grace, though God be putting them into the way that he useth to lead them that he purposeth to save, this is nothing, all is nothing, Now thou shouldest say, Lord, Who am I, that I should have the least mercy from thee? This is the work of an humble spirit. And if any affliction befall thee, to be so far from thinking thy affliction great, to say, never any had such affliction as I, Oh that is from the pride of thy heart, it is because of thy pride that the affliction is so great, were thy heart humbled the affliction would not seem so great, but the mercy of God would seem great unto thee. As now put a ball into a great Vessel and it seems to be nothing, but put it into a little vessel and it will seem greater, so when the heart is little by humility, then Gods mercy seems great, and the truth is the less the heart is, the mercy of God will seem the greater, and the affliction seem the lesser, it is because we are not sensible ⟨p. 537⟩of our own vileness, and wretchedness, and of what our condition might be, that our afflictions are so great in our eyes as they are. That is the next thing of an humble Spirit, that it admires at the least mercy that it is so much, and wonders at the greatest affliction that it is no more, I am less then the least of all thy mercies.
Many because they have not what they would have, they reject what they have, as thus, because they have not ful assurance of saving grace, though God be putting them into the way that he useth to lead them that he purposeth to save, this is nothing, all is nothing, Now thou shouldest say, Lord, Who am I, that I should have the least mercy from thee? This is the work of an humble spirit. And if any affliction befal thee, to be so far from thinking thy affliction great, to say, never any had such affliction as I, Oh that is from the pride of thy heart, it is because of thy pride that the affliction is so great, were thy heart humbled the affliction would not seem so great, but the mercy of God would seem great unto thee. As now put a ball into a great Vessel and it seems to be nothing, but put it into a little vessel and it wil seem greater, so when the heart is little by humility, then Gods mercy seems great, and the truth is the lesse the heart is, the mercy of God will seem the greater, and the affliction seem the lesser, it is because we are not sensible ⟨p. 537⟩