The Christian Laver, Title page – To the reader
THE CHRISTIAN LAVER. OR, A DISCOURSE Opening The Nature of Participation with, And Demonſtrating The Neceſſity of Purification by CHRIST. By T. CRƲSO.
JOB 9.30, 31.
If I waſh my ſelf with Snow-water, and make my hands never ſo clean;
Yet ſhalt thou plunge me in the Ditch, and my own Cloathes ſhall abhor me.
LONDON, Printed by J. R. for I. Salusbury at the Riſing Sun in Cornhil, 1690.
TO THE READER.
THE two following Sermons (which have receiv'd little alteration, more than by being caſt into the form of one continued Diſcourſe) were lately preach'd in the carrying on of my ordinary fixed work among thoſe whom I am called eſpecially to Miniſter to, and afterwards tranſcrib'd for the ſatisfaction and ſervice of ſome particular Friends, that heard them, whoſe deſires in any ſuch caſe, I acknowledge my ſelf upon many accounts, obliged to fulfil; And if it were proper here to publiſh their kindneſs, or to expreſs my own juſt gratitude at large, I might very eaſily be excus'd, by all Ingenuous perſons, for ſending abroad theſe Papers, at their requeſt, into the World; but to thoſe who will not admit this Apology, I ſhall offer none.
I had immediately before the preaching of this, endeavour'd the opening of Another Subject, which I thought preparatory to it, from thoſe words of Eliphaz, What is man, Job 15.14.that he ſhould be clean? &c. which I mention, as the true reaſon, why that Great point of the Corruption of Human Nature is ſearcht into ſo little here. Whoſoever are Strangers or Adverſaries to ſuch Doctrine, they are manifeſtly ſo unacquainted with, and oppoſite to the whole Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, that I deſpair of their getting any good by my management of this Text; for as they that believe themſelves in a ſound and healthful ſtate,… 12. conclude that they have … Generation who are already pure in their own Eyes, will take no thought about being waſhed from their filthineſs.
The main ſubſtance of our Religion as Chriſtians (which Lapſed Creatures, I am ſure, are chiefly concerned to regard) is reducible to theſe two Heads: Our defilement by Adam, and our cleanſing by Jeſus Chriſt: according as men improve in the knowledge of theſe things, they are like to hold faſt, or let go, the Myſtery of Faith; for I muſt profeſs, that I cannot underſtand, what their Chriſtianity does amount to, who either deny or deprave the moſt fundamental Articles. It is not a ſtedfaſt aſſertion of the Principles, or ſtrict performance of the Duties, of Natural Religion, which will make any amends for our Ignorance, or Errour here; we that live in ſuch an Age and Place, muſt not think it enough, to go as far in our practiſe, or riſe as high in our belief, as the Heathens did; but it will be matter of ſhame and condemnation to us, if having ſo much greater Diſcoveries, and better Helps, we ſhould at moſt be onelyonly found to Equal their Improvements.
It is evident enough, that the Rotten Notions of many, and the Filthy Lewdneſs of the moſt, call for ſomewhat of this kind, for their Conviction and Awakening; but I have no ſuch fond opinion of this poor performance, as to imagine, that it will contribute very much to ſo uſeful and valuable Ends; unleſs God ſhould exerciſe the like Prerogative of Grace, in revealing of his Arm by a contemptible worm, as in the Revelation of his Will to unskilful Babes,Luk. 10.21. when the Wiſe and Prudent are left with a Viel upon their Minds. If he pleaſe to make uſe of the vileſt Inſtruments, and thoſe which are leaſt eſteemed, he can put a more abundant honour upon them by his efficacious Preſence; and what he is able to do, I offer up my earneſt Prayers to him (craving aſſiſtance in it from others) that he may now do, making perfect his own ſtrength in the weakneſs of the moſt unworthy Authour.
And I conclude, with ſignifying my Hearts Deſire, that every Reader, whom Providence directs to caſt his Eye upon theſe Lines, may have ſome cauſe to Bleſs God for them, and to report that God was in them of a truth: which, I wiſh, may appear in all, as well as in my ſelf, by a daily clearer diſcerning of our own Spots, a more humble walking with God, a more entire Confidence in Chriſt, and more vigorous endeavours after a perfect Conformity to his perfect Holineſs.
Feb. 12. 1689/90. T. C.