A Christian Library, Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
§ 1. ANd that my utmost endeavour, may answer the strength of my desires: and for that God does not ordinarily work, but by means. I will notwithstanding the small hope I have, of these Aethiopians changing their skin: or these Leo…ards their spots, Jer. 13.23. even against my own reason, try yet annother way: because my hearts desire is, that they may be saved, Rom. 10.1. Yea, I assure you, if God should bid me ask what I would, (as once he did Solomon) if I know my own heart; it should be no other thing, then that my brethren, and Countreymen, might have their eyes opened: be turned from darkness to light; d…d from the power of Satan unto God, that they might receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in Christ, Acts 26.18.
§ 2. Nor am I altogether out of hope; for as with God nothing is impossible: so I call to minde that the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 14. If an unbelieving Idiot, shall hear the secrets of his heart made manifest to himself, and others: he will then be convinced, and …all down on his face and worship God and say: This is of God indeed, or of a truth, Vers. 24, 25. and I doubt not, but by Gods help, I shall shew these ignorant unbelievers, from the written Word, their very thoughts and the most secret intents of their hearts, Heb. 4.12. and so, that their own consciences shall bear me witness, I belie them not.
Wherefore lend me your best attentions, I beseech you: and in reading take notice, of what concerns each of you: and if conscience plead guilty, hearken thereunto.
§ 3. Now that I may speak to all whom it concerns; namely those ignorant, unbelieving and ungrateful wrethches formerly spoken of: and that It may prove of general behoof, I will give you the several chara…r… of seven sorts of men, which include the whole number, viz.
The Loose Libertine,
The Civil Iusticiary,
The Formal Hypocrite,
The Miserly Muck-worm,
The Profound Humanist,
The Cunning Politician,
The False Teacher, that flatters sin, & flowts holiness.
And in some one of these, every nat…ral man shall read the very thoughts of his heart: together with his words and actions. For if ought be wanting in the one, it shall be supplied in the other: which is as much as can be expected. For otherwise I can no way avoid Tautologies; nor Interfering.
If it be asked, why I seem to forget the character of an ignorant person? I answer, it were not proper to make him a distinct party: for all these that I have mentioned; are equally ignorant, (if unregenerate:) touching spiritual, experimental, and saving knowledge: though some more fools then others in the things of this life. Nor is any Profound Humanist, or Cunning Politician, or False Teacher so wise: but it is through ignorance, that he doth so ill: and which is as good, the ignorant man shall meet with his own thoughts, words, and actions, in every of the seven Characters: if he be but wise enough to know the issue of his own heart and brain, when he sees the Brats brought before him.
I shall also occasionally pourtray, or paint out: the usual cunning, Covetousness, and Cruelty.
Of Governours,
Of Officers,
Of Iudges,
Of Lawyers,
Of Projectors,
Of Engrossers,
Of Gripers,
Of Wasters, &c.
And the better to illustrate, or set out the fairness, or deformity; of each vertue and vice: I will give you the lively and lovely Characters of
Iustice,
Thankfulness,
Contentation,
Frugality,
Liberality.