N03999:134
Captives bound in chains, made free by Christ their surety
Captives bound in chains, made free by Christ their surety: or, The misery of graceless sinners, and their recovery by Christ their Saviour. By T. Doolittel [sic]. ; [Three lines from Isaiah]
Boston: printed by Rogers & Fowle for J. Edwards, 1742
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Liberty to the Captives. › Chapter 6: The Fourth Chain is Presumption.
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. Another Link in this Chain of false hopes, wherewith these Captives are bound, is, in that they have good meanings, and good wishes and desires; and though they cannot discourse as others can, nor have those gifts that others have, yet they thank God their hearts are good, and ever were even from their childhood, and though they cannot utter themselves, yet they have it in their hearts. Thus the Devil keepeth some in this fetter and this bond; but towards the breaking of it. Consider,
1. Many have gone to hell with such good meanings in their hearts, and with such good wishes in their mouths; as Balaam for one, Numb. 23.10. Let me dye the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his. Who would not wish to be forever happy? ⟨p. 111⟩and who would not wish to be freed from eternal misery, pain, and torment? But these things are not got with such lazy wishes; neither do you approve of them in your idle servants, that sit still and wish their work were done.
2. But can your meaning be good, in many of your wicked acts, and in your sinful neglects? What good meaning is it in thee, to keep Christ out of thy heart? to profane God's Sabbaths? What good meaning hast thou, in neglecting to make thy peace with God? in not seeking after grace and fitness for Heaven?
2. But can your meaning be good, in many of your wicked acts, and in your sinful neglects? What good meaning is it in thee, to keep Christ out of thy heart? to prophane God's Sabbaths? What good meaning hast thou, in neglecting to make thy peace with God? in not seeking after grace and fitness for Heaven?