N04231:117
The poor doubting Christian drawn to Christ. Wherein the main hindrances, which keep men…
The poor doubting Christian drawn to Christ. Wherein the main hindrances, which keep men from coming to Christ, are discovered. : With special helps to recover God's favour. / By Thomas Hooker. ; With an abstract of the author's life. ; [Four lines from Isaiah]
Boston: printed by Green for D. Henchman, 1743
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE Poor doubting Christian Drawn to CHRIST. › Chapter 2 › How to see Sin aright.
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.
No, no, saith the trembling Soul, I cannot believe that such a Wretch as I, shall, or can go to Heaven. It cannot be. Heaven shall rather fall than I come there. Thus the discouraged Sinner knocks for Mercy, and shuts the Door against himself.
And now, when all carnal Reasonings, and high soaring Imaginations (as Paul calls them) have raised up strong Holds against Mercy and Comfort; when the Word cannot for the present settle Peace in the unquiet Soul; God is made at last to command his loving Kindness, and send it with a Commission from Heaven; and to say unto it, I charge you break open the Doors of such a reluctant Sinner, rend off that Veil of Ignorance that is ⟨p. 54⟩before his Eyes; silence all his Doubts and Fears: And when this is done, I charge you go home to that broken Soul, and to cheer and refresh it with the Sense of my sweet Favour; and with the Assurance of my Love to fill it.
And now, when all carnal Reasonings, and high soaring Imaginations (as Paul calls them) have raised up strong Holds against Mercy and Comfort; when the Word cannot for the present settle Peace in the unquiet Soul; God is made at last to command his loving Kindness, and send it with a Commission from Heaven; and to say unto it, I charge you break open the Doors of such a reluctant Sinner, rend off that Veil of Ignorance that is ⟨p. 54⟩before his Eyes; silence all his Doubts and Fears: And when this is done, I charge you go home to that broken Soul, and to chear and refresh it with the Sense of my sweet Favour; and with the Assurance of my Love to fill it.
While we were Enemies, saith the Apostle, Christ died for us,