A77983:354
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.
Eighthly, Another Difference between the ease of a carnal heart, and a gracious, heart is this: In the effect of it there are other manner of effects that are produced by the ease of a Gracious heart, than of any carnal heart: As thus, A carnal heart, the more ease he hath, the more sluggish he is, and the more barren he is; but a gracious heart, the more ease it hath in Gods ways, the more fruitful it is. As we say of States and Kingdoms, that peace in States and Kingdoms brings plenty, and so it doth, we have had experience of it, so peace in the Conscience of one that is Gracious makes him plentiful in all good works, a heart that is truly Godly, is never so fruitful in the ways of God, as when he hath the most ease and rest in Gods ways; but now take a carnal heart, if his Conscience be ⟨p. 669⟩troubled, Oh, then he will set upon holy Duties, but if he be at ease and quiet, he grows more barren, and more sluggish, by how much the more ease he hath. I do not know any one thing, to help you better to exam in your own hearts in a great case of Conscience than this: How do I know when I have peace and quiet, whether it comes from presumption, or from true Faith? I bless God, I have hope of Gods mercy, and so I have quiet in my Conscience, well, but now here is the case of Conscience, whether is this quiet that I have in my Conscience from the hope I have of Gods mercy, from presumption in me, or from true Faith? It concerns every one to get this case of Conscience answered. Now I know no greater help for the answering this case of Conscience, than this one thing that I have spoken of. Hast thou quiet and ease? and hast thou hope of Gods mercy? and doth that bring thee quiet? if it be but presumption, it makes thee secure, it makes thee barren, and sluggish: but on the other side, if thou hast ease and quiet in thy Spirit, and thou findest, that the more that ease and quiet increaseth, the more fruitful thou art in all good works, it makes thee the more active and stirring in all good works, this is a sign that it comes from Faith;
Eightly, Another Difference between the ease of a carnal heart, and a gracious, heart is this: In the effect of it there are other manner of effects that are produced by the ease of a Gracious heart, than of any carnall heart: As thus, A carnall heart, the more ease he hath, the more sluggish he is, and the more barren he is; but a gracious heart, the more ease it hath in Gods waies, the more fruitfull it is. As we say of States and Kingdomes, that peace in States and Kingdomes brings plenty, and so it doth, we have had experience of it, so peace in the Conscience of one that is Gracious makes him plentifull in all good works, a heart that is truly Godly, is never so fruitfull in the waies of God, as when he hath the most ease and rest in Gods waies; but now take a carnall heart, if his Conscience be