A86531:371
The saints dignity and duty· Together with the danger of ignorance and hardness. /…The saints dignitie and dutie· Together with the danger of ignorance and hardnesse. /…
The saints dignity and duty· Together with the danger of ignorance and hardness. / Delivered in several sermons: by that reverend divine, Thomas Hooker, late preacher in New-England.The saints dignitie and dutie· Together with the danger of ignorance and hardnesse. / Delivered in severall sermons: by that reverend divine, Thomas Hooker, late preacher in New-England.
London: printed by G.D. for Francis Eglesfield, 1651
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.
he resolveth upon this, I will hear what God the Lord will speak; that is, I will not eye means, nor look upon any mens opinions, but I will hear what the Lord will say. My brethren, this is the course that every one of us must take, if ever we purpose to hearken to the Lord in a right manner; we must upon all occasions, in all doubts and questions, have recourse to him, and labour to captivate our judgements to that truth, that shall be delivered to us from him, as knowing all other directions are good, only so far as they are squared by that standard. Look as men do in their Law matter; If one have a suit depending in an inferior Court, and cannot meet with satisfaction there, according to the state of his cause, he appealeth to a higher Court, and there standeth at the judgement of the chief Judge: so ought it to be with us in all spiritual doubts and difficulties; we must appeal from the conceits and counsels of men to the authority of Christ. This is a point that is grossly mistaken, and the contrary professed, and maintained in popery: But I shall not meddle with that at this time.
he resolveth upon this, I will hear what God the Lord will speak; that is, I will not eye meanes, nor look upon any mens opinions, but I will hear what the Lord will say. My brethren, this is the course that every one of us must take, if ever we purpose to hearken to the Lord in a right manner; we must upon all occasions, in all doubts and questions, have recourse to him, and labour to captivate our judgements to that truth, that shall be delivered to us from him, as knowing all other directions are good, onely so farre as they are squared by that standard. Look as men doe in their Law matter; If one have a sute depending in an inferiour Court, and cannot meet with satisfaction there, according to the state of his cause, he appealeth to a higher Court, and there standeth at the judgement of the cheif Judge: so ought it to be with us in all spirituall doubts and difficulties; we must appeale from the conceits and counsels of men to the authority of Christ. This is a point that is grosly mistaken, and the contrary professed, and maintained in popery: But I shall not meddle with that at this time.
This is the first rule, so to repair to Christ, as wholly to depend upon him for direction. But mark this; we must repair to him in the first place, and not suffer our judgement to be forestalled with former counsels; but first, while the mind lieth equally and indifferently disposed, then set the word step in, then let us repair to Christ for guidance in the cause. The contrary is a great hinderance to the effectual passage of the Word of God into the hearts and souls of