Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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A37268
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A particular ansvver to a book intituled, The clergy in their colours
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J. D. (John Davy)
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1651
(1651)
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Wing D443; ESTC R14910
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35,669
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50
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indeed who thought they told news when they did but carry herbs to Ephrata as the Jewish Proverb hath it And although it be very little that I know in comparison to what I ought yet I have scarce had patience enough sometimes in hearing such punies documentizing me in obvious things which because new to them they thought had been so to me although I had known them from my childehood as familiarly as mine own name But because we erre not so much by ignorance as incogitancy I will suppose that you have given us this instruction for the help of our memory rather then of our understanding but on this condition that you will from hence take occasion of considering what necessary use we have of a constant Ministry for although men know as much or more then the Preacher can tell them yet have they still great need of hearing He that is of God as well in facto as in fieri heareth Gods Word which is the means of growing as well as of begetting 1 Pet. 2.2 And as the body hath still need of nourishment although it be come to its full 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which it will have supplied by a slovenly Cook rather then perish with famine So the soul even of a strong-grown Christian is not kept by the power of God unto salvation otherwise then by his Ordinances where they are exhibited of Sacraments and Preaching We know in generall Publicorum cura est minor and if there be not men enough appointed for that sacred imploiment it is like to be but badly performed Many an unregenerate Master hath a gratious servant many an irreligious parent a pious childe by Gods blessing on the publique Ordinances who had had small means of enlightning otherwise And since the rains of Government have lien but loosely on the peoples neck how many Churches stand like deserted Abbies appointed to demolition We thought much in time of Bishops to have had no other afternoons exercise in some places but Praier and Catechising but many Parishes have now nor one nor other They who can procure means will not they who would cannot and so in conclusion Et succus pecori lac subducitur agnis Besides it is to be considered that although things absolutely necessary to be beleeved are but few yet there are many things to be done the greater part by far of the word of God contains direction for a godly conversation For although Love be the fulfilling of the Law yet this Charity hath so many objects and by reason of corruption from within and temptation from without so many impediments that it requires many rules of direction and of them because of our many infirmities a frequent inculcation But what need other reasons we are sure it's Gods command and therefore must needs be our duty 'T was not the inestimableness of the fruit but the Infiniteness of the Prohibitant that gave hainousness to the sin of Adam nor are the Ordinances of God necessary for the efficacie of the outward Action but in regard to the authority of Divine institution It pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1.21 while to others it is said Behold ye despisers wonder and perish In p. 20. you tell us that for solution of questions in Religion you have somewhat more to say then ever you heard or read from these men Now if you have a better key to open the Scriptures with then other men how dare you be so injurious to the Church of God as to conceal it seeing Qui novit neque id quod sentit exprineit perinde est ac si nesciret And if it be one of the things which people cannot yet bear for such things you speak of p. 5 6. how unjustly do you blame the Clergy for not laying such an unsupportable burden on them What you know more then others is to others unknown but I am sure knowledge unsanctified is but like a sword in a mad mans hand and many a mans learning may be to himself but a candle to light him to hell Multos nasci omni scientia egere satius fuisset quam sic in propriam perniciem insanire In p. 24. you tell us of our nearess to the Papists in expressions I suppose you mean which are most expanse for otherwise the world knows we are at sufficient distance But concerning this my opinion is that we have gone farther from the Papists then we need in some things although not so far as they have gone from the truth in other For resolution to your instance p. 25. They say that a man hath power to do good works but we say he hath not I answer that Although it be God that worketh in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure and every Christian may truly say of his graces and all operations from them proceeding as Jacob of his children They are they which God hath graciously given to his servant yet THE REGENERATED MAN IS IN ABLED BY THE GRACE OF GOD ASSISTING HIM TO DO GOD MORE AND BETTER SERVICE THEN THAT WHICH HE DOTH Which Proposition well considered may much extricate a minde infetterd with seeming oppositions of this nature And the same refutes that gross speech of your When we are humbled for our sins we do tell God Almighty news that he would have had us walk more holily then we have done but we had not power so to walk And what you there speak of faiths being a work we must understand of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 credere for otherwise it is not true But who of our Preachers ever said that faith was a meritorious cause of salvation and did not rather acknowledge the very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be from Christ and if so they affirm no more of faith then they do of obedience as to this particular But p. 26. The Papists say good works are meritorious but we say No and yet I have heard it said if we believe repent c. it is Gods duty to give us heaven The word Duty seems somewhat too harsh but sith we cannot understand Gods acting toward us but according to the slender model of our apprehension we may with due reverence to his glorious Majesty affirm That although our works do not by any merit in them oblige God to reward them yet we having his promise for our assurance are as truly ascertained of the accomplishment thereof as if God were Debtor and we Creditors The summe whereof is That the true Beleever hath the Justice as well as the Mercy of God for his Asylum and may pray with the Psalmist Deliver me in thy righteousnesse For Christ having satisfied the Justice of God for him and imputed his own Righteousness to him he may expect from God that fruition of himself which Christ hath purchased for him of which the present grace of God inabling him to beleeve and endeavour to obey gives testimony For they do