A77988:620
Gospel-Worship
Gospel-worship: or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general. And particularly in these 3. great ordinances, [brace] viz. [brace] 1. Hearing the Word. 2. Receiving the Lords Supper 3. Prayer. By Jeremiah Burroughs, the Gospel-preacher to two of the greatest congregations in England, viz. Stepney and Cripple-gate, London.Gospel-worship: or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in generall. And particularly in these 3. great ordinances, [brace] viz. [brace] 1. Hearing the Word. 2. Receiving the Lords Supper 3. Prayer. By Jeremiah Burroughes, the Gospel-preacher to two of the greatest congregations in England, viz. Stepney and Criple-gate, London.
London: printed for Peter Cole and R.W., 1647
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.
There comes in here a rebuke of the wicked practice of divers in cursing, and then a question about it.
It is a wicked thing to use curses; but its a most wicked thing to wish evil to others in a way of prayer; yet how many do so? though it may be they do not think it, they speak to God, and desire him to bring such and such evils upon their neighbours; yea, sometimes parents, upon their children; this is a wicked practise of men; what, is it not wickedness enough for thee to have any desire that there should any evil befall thy brother, but wilt thou dare to presume to call God to be an instrument of the execution of thy base sinful wrath, that ⟨p. 279⟩God must be a drudge as it were to thy wrath and to thy passion? this is abominable wickedness. Any of you that ever have been guilty of this sin of cursing others, wives, children, servants, or friends the Lord rebuke you for this sin; how far hast thou been from sanctifying Gods Name in prayer? whereas, in stead of sanctifying the holy Name of God, thou hast called God to be a servant, and a drudge to thy passion, God must be called to help the venting of thy passion: oh, remember this you that have been at sea, and have been angry, and things not going according to your mind, have fallen a cursing, and a wishing such and such evils might come upon those you are angry with; that's a kind of prayer, but it is a most fearful taking the name of God in vain in the highest degree, and certainly God will not hold him guiltless that shall so take his Name in vain; therefore be humbled for this sin.
It is a wicked thing to use curses; but its a most wicked thing to wish evill to others in a way of prayer; yet how many doe so? though it may be they doe not think it, they speak to God, and desire him to bring such and such evils upon their neighbours; yea, sometimes parents, upon their children; this is a wicked practise of men; what, is it not wickednesse enough for thee to have any desire that there should any evill befall thy brother, but wilt thou dare to presume to call God to be an instrument of the execution of thy base sinfull wrath, that ⟨p. 279⟩