N01303:29
Grace defended. A censure on the ungodliness, by which the glorious grace of God,…
Grace defended. A censure on the ungodliness, by which the glorious grace of God, is too commonly abused. A sermon preached on the twenty fifth day of December, 1712. Containing some seasonable admonitions of piety. And concluded, with a brief dissertation on that case, whether the penitent thief on the cross, be an example of one repenting at the last hour, and on such a repentance received unto mercy? / By Cotton Mather, D.D. ; [One line from Isaiah]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Samuel Gerrish, 1712
Grace Defended. On the Twenty-fifth of December, 1712. BOSTON-Lecture.
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.
VI. 'Tis a thing of an Ungodly Aspect, for Men, from such Liberties as are Lawful Ones, to Encourage themselves in taking such as are Unlawful Ones. There are Great Liberties, which the Grace of God has granted unto Christians; Especially now the Mosaic Yoke is taken off, by the Grace of a more Evangelical Dispensation. But what says the Law of CHRIST? 1 Cor. VIII. 9. But take heed, Lest by any means this Liberty of yours become a Stumbling Block, to them that are weak. ⟨p. 13⟩Mind this; When things are so Indifferent, that there is no Necessity of them, and no Commandment of God obliges to do them, we should think; Tis true, I may do this thing; But wont my doing of it, cause other People to Sin against my Saviour? In this Case we must forbear; Else we make a wrong use of our Liberty. Luther had an Holy saying; Omnia Libera per Fidam, S•rva per Charitatem. O Redeemed People of God; This is a Case that calls for a more Frequent, and Solemn Consideration, than it commonly finds among you! Thus, the Grace of God is also Trampled on, When we run into an Excess in the use of Lawful Things. The Christian has from the Grace of God, A CHARTER, for the whole Creation. I will show you my Charter. It runs in those Terms, 1 Tim. IV. 4 Every Creature of God is Good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with Thanksgiving. Well, But the Precepts of GOD, and the Maxims of a Godly and Sober and Righteous Life, must set Bounds to us, in our using of our Charter. A Man may Eat any thing: But yet he may not be a Glutton. A Man may Drink what he will; But for all that, he must not be Drunk. To be Slave unto the use of an Indian Weed, or any other Trifle, is beneath a Christian, who has Right Thoughts of Liberty. He may use it; but not so, as to be in Pain, if he be not always at it. Any Civil Modes of Apparel may be followed: but Vanity and Luxury in Apparel; Habits that are the Ensigns of a Foolish Mind; Immoderate and Exorbitant Gaieties; The Disciples of the Humble JESUS, must put off such things. Liberty is turned into Slavery, when it runs into Extravagances. I never Sin, but I Enslave my self.
VI. 'Tis a thing of an Ungodly Aspect, for Men, from such Liberties as are Lawful Ones, to Encourage themselves in taking such as are Unlawful Ones. There are Great Liberties, which the Grace of God has granted unto Christians; Especially now the Mosaic Yoke is taken off, by the Grace of a more Evangelical Dispensation. But what sayes the Law of CHRIST?