A77983:320
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.
Evidence, 5.
Fifthly, It must needs be easy and light, for there was never any in the world that put his neck under this Yoke, (especially if you take it for the yoke of obedience) never any put his neck under this yoke that would have his neck out again, that would wish Christs yoke otherwise then it is, for his active obedience and they would have the passive too, but in the conclusion they would never repent them that ever they were under it, but especially for the former, there was never Godly Christians when they were themselves, and did consider of things, except it were in time of temptation, but take them at that time when they are themselves, I say, there was never any that could wish their neck out of Christs ⟨p. 647⟩yoke, that could wish the yoke of Christ easier then it is, they would be freed from nothing that Christ requires when they are themselves and understand things. It is true, Ignorantly, and when they do not understand things, and in time of temptation, then they may do otherwise, but take a Christian, and let him be himself, and let him consider and understand the thing, and there was never any that could wish his neck out of the yoke, or wish it easier then it is. It is true, a gracious heart may be weary of himself, because he cannot bear the yoke of Christ as he would do, but he is never weary of Christs yoke, he may be weary of the corruptions of his heart that hinder him from bearing the yoke as he should do, but he would not have the yoke less then it is, Take one that is Godly, though he be weak, you will say, it is true, they that are strong will not wish it less, but those that are weak they may well consider it thus, a gracious heart he would be glad to have more strength to go under Christs yoke more comfortably, but he would not have Christs yoke less, that is, there is no duty that Christ requires of a gracious heart that it would be freed from, I appeal to you that are gracious hearts what one duty that Christ requires of you when you are your selves, that you would be freed from, Look through the whole book of God, and you shall find it so of the Saints. And here is a great difference now between an Hypocrite, and a Gracious man, an Hypocrite would fain do this duty but not that, and omit this, but not that;