A Christian Library, Part 6 – Imprimatur 6
MEMB. 6.
1. §. But what do I urge reason to men of a reprobate judgment? to admonish them, is to no more purpose, then if one should speak to life-lesse stones, or sense-lesse plants, or wit-lesse beasts; for they will never fear any thing till they be in Hell fire; wherefore God leaves them to be confuted with fire and brimstone, since nothing else wil doe it. If there be any here that beleeve a Resurrection (as I hope better things of some of you) all such I would beseech, by the mercies of God before mentioned, that they would not be so desparately wicked, as to mock their admonisher, scoff at the means to be saved, and make themselves merry, with their owne damnations; but that they would entertain this messuage as if it were an Epistle sent from God himself, to invite and call them to repentance. Yea, consider seriously what I have said, and do not, Oh do not mock at Gods Word, nor sport away your souls into those pains which are easelesse, endlesse, and remedilesse. Shal we give an account at the day of judgement for every idle word we speak, Mat. 12.36. and never give a reckoning for our wicked swearing and cursing? we shall be judged by our words, v. 37.
Are you willing to be saved? if you are, Break off your sins by repentance Dan. 4.27. Cease to do evill, learn to doe well, Isai. 1.16.17. Seriously grieve and bewail for the millions of times that you have blasphemed God and pierced your Saviour, and never more commit the like impiety. Yea, doe not only leave your swearing, but fear an Oath and make conscience of it resolve not to take the glorious name of God in vain, nor place any othe… creature in his roome: though the Devill should say unto you, as once h… did to Christ, All this will I give thee. For it is not enough that we abstained from evill, unlesse we hate it also, and doe the contrary good; Sanctifie the Lord God in your heart, 1 Pet. 3.15. Make a covenant with your mouth, as Jo… did with his eyes, and set a watch before the door of your lips, that you thu… offend not with your tongue, Psal. 141.3.
2. §. Which if you doe rightly, the like care to avoid all other sins wil… necessarily follow: because he that fears to commit one sin out of conscience, and because God forbids it, will upon the same ground, fear all the … commit it, as that God should never impure it, 2 Tim. 2.19. Neither can a regenerate mind consist with a determination to continue in any one sin; as when Christ cast out one Devill, we read that he cast out all, even the whole Legion, Mark. 5.2 &c. And he that makes not some consience of all sin, makes no true conscience of any sin.
And the same is to be understood also of duties commanded, for the same law which injoins us to hate and for sake all sin, commands us also to strive after universal obedience to every precept. And it is a true rule, he that hath not in him all Christian graces in their measure, hath none; and he that hath any one truly, hath all. He that is not sanctified in every part, is truly sanctified in no part, 1 Pet. 1.15. 2 Pet. 3.11. Mat. 5.48. 2 Tim. 3.17. 2 Cor. 7.1. And the least sin allowed of, be it but a vaine thought, or one duty omitted, is enough to cast thee into hell; for the wages of sin (any sin be it never so little) is death, Rom. 6.23. Jam. 1.15. Yea admit thou hadst never acted any the least evill in all thy life, it were not enough to save thee from hell, much lesse to bring thee to heaven, for we need no more to condemn us, then what we brought into the World with us. Gen. 2.17. Psal. 51.5. Rom. 5.12. Whence the new born child in the law was commanded to offer a sin offering, Lev. 12.6.
3. §. Wherefore as you tender the good of your own soul, set upon the work presently before the Drawbridge be taken up; provide with Ioseph for the dearth to come; With Noah, in the days of thine h…alth, build the Ark of a good conscience against the floods of sicknesse. Imitate the Ant, who provides her meat in Summer for the Winter following, Yea, do it whilst the yearning bowels, the bleeding wounds, and compassionate arms of Jesus Christ lie open to receive you. Whiles you have health, and life and means, and time to repent, and make your peace with God in Christ, as you tender I say the everlasting happinesse & wel-fare of your almost lost and drowned soul, as you expect or hope for grace or mercy, for joy and comfort, for heaven and salvation, for endlesse blisse and glory at the last. As you would escape the direful wrath of God, the bitter sentence and doom of Christ, the never dying sting, and worm of conscience, the tormenting and soul-scorching flames of hel, and everlasting separation from Gods blissfull presence, abjure utterly renounce all wilfull and affected evill; and in the first place this abominable sin of swearing and cursing.
4. §. The which Grace if you would obtain, omit not to pray for the assistance of Gods spirit, otherwise thy strength is small; yea, except God give thee repentance, and removes all impediments that may hinder, thou canst no more turn thy self, then thou couldst at first make thy self. We are not sufficient of our selves to thinke, much lesse to speak, least of all to doe ought that is good, 2 Cor. 3.5. Job. 15.4, 5. We are swift to all evill, but to any good immoveable. Wherefore beg of God that he will give you a new heart, and when the heart is changed, all the members will follow after it, as the rest of the creatures after the Sun when it arisest. Importune him for grace, that, thou mayest firmly resolve, speedily begin, and continually persevere in doing and suffering his holy will. Desire him to regenerate thy heart, change and pu… then thy will, renew thy affections, and beat down in thee whatsoever stands in opposition to the Scepter of Jesus Christ. Only this let me add…. Be sure you wholly and only rest on your Saviour Iesus Christ for salvation, abhorring to attribute or ascribe ought to doing: for our very righteousnesses are as filthy rags, Esa. 64.6. And the sole perfection of a Christian, is the imputation of Christs righteousnesse, and the not imputation of his own unrighteousness… a rule which we are very apt to swerve from, either on the right or left hand… wherefore if you would not erre, observe this golden mean, endeavor to live as if there were no Gospel, and to dye as if there were no law. And now for conclusion, If thou receivest any power against this great evil, forget not to be thankfull, and when God hath the fruit of his mercies, he will not spare to sow much where he reaps much: and so having set before you life and death, I leave you to choose which of them you like best. Only think what account you shall give of that you have read; for if this warning prevail not, it is much to be feared the next will be that of The Son of man. Mat. 25.41. Depart from me, &c.
Post-Script.
YOu that fear God, or have any bowels of compassion towards the precious souls of those poor ignorant men, women, and children, whom you hear to swear and curse as Dogs barks; (that is not more of curstnesse then out of custome;) with them to read these few pages, neither count it as a thing indifferent which may either be done or dispensed withall; for besides that, God hath commanded the duty of admonition, Heb. 3.13. 2 Tim. 2.25. and commended the practise of it, Rev. 1.2, 6. and condemned the contrary, v. 20. If you do not it, or the like, you hate your brother, Lev. 19.17. and make your self guilty both of his sin and ruine, Ezek. 3.18. to 22. For as none but a Cain will say, Am I my brothers Keeper? so these could never continue their cursing and swearing as they doe: if they were but so happy as to meet with timely and faithfull admonition. Nor can you love God and patiently hear these miscreants blaspheme his holy Name as they do, 2 Pet. 2.7, 8. Or manifest your self his by adoption and regeneration; for wel-born children are touched to the quick with the injuries of their Parents; and not to be moved in this case, is to confesse our selves bastards. Yea it is a base, vile, and unjust ingratitude in those men, that can endure the disgrace of them, under whose shelter they live. Which being so, make it a part of your charity, to give of them as you meet with occasion; as that you shall hourly do, even as you passe the streets, if you but mind it. And me thinks, none that are able should spare to be at a farthing cost, when that farthing, may possibly prove saving of a Swearers soul. And to that end, any one may have what they please; giving so many farthings to the poor. And also other Books or more generall concernment, upon the like terms, repairing to the Blew pales, over against the high Constables short of Shoreditch Church, where there is a Glasse Lanthorne in the window.
Imprimatur
JOHN DOVVNAME, THO. GATAKER.
Adde this (together with the Abstract of the Drunkards Character) to God …
The Printer to the Reader.
IT being observed that many meeting with some of this Authors Collections, do earnestly enquire after the rest…. I think it not amisse, to satisfie their desire, and save them further labour, by setting down the severals; which are these,
The Cause and Cure of Ignorance, Errour, Enmity, &c. already printed.
The Cure of Misprision; or Mistake. already printed.
The Victory of Patience. already printed.
The Drunkards character, with an addition. already printed.
The Character or Touch-stone of a true Beleever already printed.
The Character of formall Hypocrite, or Civill Justiciarie. already printed.
Characters of the kindes of Preaching. already printed.
Compleat Armor against evill Societie. already printed.
Cordiall Counsell. already printed.
Gods goodnesse and Englands unthankfulnesse, the second Edition, that is divided into chapters and sections. already printed.
The first part of the Pastors Advocate. already printed.
An Abstract of the Drunkards Character. already printed.
The second part of the Pastors Advocate. to be printed.
The Arraignment and conviction of covetous, cunning, and cruel Governors, Polititians, Officers, Judges, Lawyers, &c. with the lovely and lively characters of Iustice, Thankfulnesse, Contentation, Frugality, Liberality, &c. to be printed.
The Laymans Library, or the poor mans Paradise. to be printed.
FINIS.
ENGLANDS Vnthankfulness striving with Gods Goodness, for the Victory: as Abaslom strove with David, whether the father should be more kinde to the son; or the son more unkinde to the father. Or, Enough (being welweighed) to melt an heart of Adamant.
By R. Younge, Florilegus.
In reference to
Leviticus 19.17. and
Isaiah 58.1.
In reading whereof, reflect upon your selves; hearken to conscience; and what concerns you, apply it not to others, as David did Nathans Parable, 2 Sam. 12.1, to 8. And Ahab the Prophets, 1 King. 20.39, to 43. Want of application makes all means ineffectual; and therefore are we Christians in name, only, because we think our selves Christians indeed, and already good enough.
The fourth Impression.
Imprimatur,
Thomas Gataker.