B01382:94
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.
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 ⟨p. 23⟩you way please the Lord. 1. Cor. 7.29. &c. we must mind God more than relative comforts. 3. Higher yet. The time you spend in Gods immediate worship, even in extraordinary worship, 'tis lost time, if you cannot answer Gods searching question. Zach. 7.5. When you fasted, and mourned, even those seventy years (that is longer than most men live) did you at all fast unto me, even unto me? Once more. 4. The most noble accomplishments, eminent services, unparalleled sufferings, are nothing, if love to God be not in us the primum mobile: the very impulsive cause. 1. Cor. 13.1.2.3. Aaron's bells, Ministers preaching, will be like tinkling cymbals, children's rattles, if we do it not in love. Martyrdom it self, may go, for a kind of self murder, if flaming love do not kindle the fire. And that love to God is principally meant, 'tis clear, because it is that love which is more excellent then faith. So that now you see. All the time that is spent, in earning our bread: in the enjoyment of our comforts: in the worship of God: in the highest services and sufferings: it is all lost, if the enjoyment of God in all these be not principally aimed at.