A86532:117
The saints guide, in three treatises
The saints guide, in three treatises; I. The mirror of mercy, on Gen. 6.13. II. The carnal mans condition, on Rom. 1.18. III. The plantation of the righteous, on Psa. l.3 / By Thomas Hooker minister in New-England.The saints guide, in three treatises; I. The mirror of mercie, on Gen. 6.13. II. The carnall mans condition, on Rom. 1.18. III. The plantation of the righteous, on Psa. l.3 / By Thomas Hooker minister in New-England.
London: printed for John Stafford over against Brids Church, 1645
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.
Doct. But I shall sum up as much as I shall treat of at this time, in this one proposition, viz.
That carnal and corrupt men, do hinder the powerful efficaciousness of the word of truth, from working upon their sinful hearts, prevailing with them, and subduing of them, as much as in them lieth, by reason of that inbred corruption that is in their hearts.
That carnall and corrupt men, doe hinder the powerfull efficatiousnesse of the word of truth, from working upon their sinfull hearts, prevailing with them, and subduing of them, as much as in them lyeth, by reason of that imbred corruption that is in their hearts.
It is true that truth is powerful, and will prevail, and if the Spirit of God set it home upon the Conscience, ⟨p. 99⟩there is no heart so hard, but it will soften, no heart so proud but it will humble, & lay it lower then dust as low as the nethermost hell in its own apprehension, and when God sends his truth to subdue a corrupt heart, he doth not stand to ask the sinner whether he be willing or no, to submit to the word of truth, to put his shoulders under the Government of Christ, for it is natural to us since the fall of Adam, to run farther, and farther from God. Cain when he had slain his righteous brother, and was banished from God, it is said that he dwelt in the Land of Nod, which signifieth wandering, for when he had once lost fellowship, and communion with God, ⟨p. 100⟩in whom alone soul satisfying rest is to be found, all the world was not sufficiently to satisfy his immortal soul: as it was with him, so it is with us all by Nature, therefore the Lord is fain, not only to vouchsafe unto us means and helps, and heavenly directions, to do our souls good, but likewise to conquer our wills to submit thereunto, even to force us, to receive direction, how our souls may be happy for ever.