A81131:69
The arraignment of unbelief, as the grand cause of our nationall non-establishment
The arraignment of unbelief, as the grand cause of our nationall non-establishment: cleared in a sermon to the Honourable House of Commons in Parliament, at Margarets Westminster, upon the 28th. of May, 1645. being the day of their public fast. / By Joseph Caryl, late preacher to the Honourable Society of Lincolns-Inn, now pastor at Magnus near the bridge, London.The arraignment of unbelief, as the grand cause of our nationall non-establishment: cleared in a sermon to the Honourable House of Commons in Parliament, at Margarets Westminster, upon the 28th. of May, 1645. being the day of their publike fast. / By Joseph Caryl, late preacher to the Honourable Society of Lincolnes-Inne, now pastor at Magnus neer the bridge, London.
London: printed by G. Miller for Giles Calvert, 1645
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.
But how dreadful soever it is; this (which God forbid) if it be so, must be charged upon unbelief. Why do any neglect fasts? it is, because they do not believe it will quit cost to observe them; they believe more gain is to be got by working in their callings, and more comfort will come in by letting themselves out in pleasures: & therefore they will not forbear their labours, or abridge themselves for a day of their pleasures. No man will afflict his body (as in such days he must) much less his soul (as in such days he ought) unless faith show him a benefit, which will bear his charge, and comforts, which will swallow up his sorrows, in doing them.
But how dreadfull soever it is; this (which God forbid) if it be so, must be charged upon unbelief. Why do any neglect fasts? it is, because they do not beleeve it will quit cost to observe them; they beleeve more gain is to be got by working in their callings, and more comfort will come in by letting themselves out in pleasures: & therefore they will not forbear their labours, or abridge themselves for a day of their pleasures. No man will afflict his body (as in such daies he must) much lesse his soul (as in such daies he ought) unlesse faith shew him a benefit, which will bear his charge, and comforts, which will swallow up his sorrows, in doing them.
And whence is it, that many who appear outwardly in these duties, are so formal, rather personating the faster and petitioner, then being fasters and petitioners? is it not from unbelief? They who have slight thoughts of a duty, must needs act it slightly.
And whence is it, that many who appear outwardly in these duties, are so formall, rather personating the faster and petitioner, then being fasters and petitioners? is it not from unbelief? They who have slight thoughts of a duty, must needs act it slightly.