B01382:93
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.
2. If God be thus incomparably desirable, then all the time of our life, that is not spent, either directly, or at least by reduction, to promote the enjoyment of God, 'tis lost time: the enjoyment of God is worth all our pains, that you will grant. And that our time is little enough to be employed about it: this you cannot deny. But what then? should we turn Votaries, and bring up a new Religious Order, when there's more than a good many already? No; I therefore added the word Reduction, that though all our actions be not strictly Religious, yet they must all be reducible to Godliness. e.g.
2. If God be thus incomparably desireable, then all the time of our life, that is not spent, either directly, or at least by reduction, to promote the enjoyment of God, 'tis lost time: the enjoyment of God is worth all our paines, that you will grant. And that our time is little enough to be employed about it: this you cannot deny. But what then? should we turne Votaries, and bring up a new Religious Order, when there's more than a good many already? No; I therefore added the word Reduction, that though all our actions be not strictly Religious, yet they must all be reducible to Godlinesse. e.g.
1. Food and raiment are things naturally necessary, and he that provides them not for his Family, is worse than an infidel: he that provides them not for himself, is that, and more; for he is worse than a mad-man. But stay a little; never was text more wrested by worldlings, than that of the Apostle, pray therefore take another to keep it straight. Mat. 6.23. Seek you first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness. And his righteousness, mark that; you must rather seek Conformity to God, than food and raiment. 2. Relative comforts sweeten our lives. But yet brethren, this I say, the time is short, it remaineth, that those that have wives be as though they had none, and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not, and they that buy, as if they possessed not, for the fashion of this world passeth away. Why, what would you have us to do? I would have you without carefulness, that you may be holy, both in body and Spirit, that