B01382:85
Communion with God. in two sermons preached at Paul'sCommunion vvith God. in two sermons preach'd at Paul's
Communion with God. in two sermons preached at Paul's: the first, Sept. 3, 1654, the second, March 25, 1655. / By Samuel Annesley L.L.D. minister of the gospel at John Evangel London.Communion vvith God. in two sermons preach'd at Paul's: the first, Sept. 3, 1654, the second, March 25, 1655. / By Samuel Annesley L.L.D. minister of the gospel at John Evangel London.
London: printed by Evan Tyler, 1655
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.
4. The design of Gods work, and the order of his working, renders a restlessness in all things, on this side himself: 'twas never Gods intention, that any enjoyment should be any more than an encouragement; that any grace should be any more than a means to bring us to himself; when his people grow fond of any thing, he withdraws it. There's a worm at the root of our comfortable gourds. There's a Canker in our best graces. We read of Lots purity, Moses his meekness, Jobs patience, Peters forwardness, Paul's raptures; but if these will glory, it must be in the Lord; for we read also of Lots incest, Moses his passion, Jobs fretfulness, Peters denial, and Paul's thorn in the flesh. Those that have great graces, have also great corruptions, and corruptions in those things wherein consists their excellency. I should now come to the application, but that I am obstructed, by the doubts, and objections of tender Christians. Yet I shall pass by all but one, and that I must speak to for the honour of my Master.
4. The designe of Gods worke, and the order of his working, renders a restlessenesse in all things, on this side himselfe: 'twas never Gods intention, that any enjoyment should be any more than an encouragement; that any grace should be any more than a means to bring us to himselfe; when his people grow fond of any thing, he withdraws it. Ther's a worme at the root of our comfortable gourds. Ther's a Canker in our best graces. We read of Lots purity, Moses his meekenesse, Jobs patience, Peters forwardnesse, Paul's raptures; but if these will glory, it must be in the Lord; for we read also of Lots incest, Moses his passion, Jobs fretfulnesse, Peters deniall, and Paul's thorn in the flesh. Those that have great graces, have also great corruptions, and corruptions in those things wherein consists their excellency. I should now come to the application, but that I am obstructed, by the doubts, and objections of tender Christians. Yet I shall passe by all but one, and that I must speak to for the honour of my Master.
Some may object, Will not what was hinted of immediate enjoyment of God in heaven, be derogatory to our ever adored Mediator: and we dare not entertain any diminishing thought of him?