Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A81922
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Madam, ever since I had a resolution to make a change in my life by marriage ...
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Dury, John, 1596-1680.
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1645
(1645)
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Wing D2871; Thomason E288_14
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4,658
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7
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Man and then that which Mans judgement makes of honour As for the distinction of Equalitie or Inequalitie which God makes betweene man and man I conceive it is onely made in his intention by the imployment in his owne service which he calls men unto that Man being invested in his esteeme with the highest degree of honour who is most trusted by him and that Man is most trusted by him who is most immediately in subordination to himselfe set a worke for the effecting of the highest End which he proposed to himselfe in the Creation and Redemption of Man Now if this be granted a truth as I thinke it must be it will easily appeare that a man called qualified sent by God as his Sons Ambassadour to dispense the Misteries of Mans salvation that he I say receives the greatest trust from God and consequently the imployment which gives him the highest degree of honour This was the Office our Lord Christ chose to execute personally when he refused the honour of governing an earthly Kingdome seeking rather that which came to him by erecting his Kingdom in the consciences of men where spiritually he doth indeed raigne as King By this which I have said Madam you see I judge my selfe to have married most honourably although I should confesse him to be no Gentleman which the world so much values but he cannot be denyed the honour of being descended of both sides from an ancient Familie which even in carnall eyes makes an Equalitie at least For all that he is not come from the Nobilitie immediately and therefore wants the honour of that Titular Greatnesse whose Originall at the best had its rise but from humane Policie and its suppott from the foolish Fancy of Men certainly the honour of the title of a Lord wil not equall the honour which God hath annexed to his owne Ambassadors neither in respect of the Institutor nor the End of the Institution the first being God himself the End for his Glory the other Man and the End his Glory betweene which methinks very weake Christians should discerne a very vast difference Much might be said on this subject and much more to prove even to rationall men that there is no such Inequalitie as some imagine but it is not easie to fall so low in discourse with Christians as to debate things in a bare humane way seeing that is not Gods way and it is below our priviledge in Christianitie The Second ground of Censure is that I have not advantaged my selfe by getting either a present great or future certaine fortune It is very true I have not nor doe I thinke that the thing in Marriage that was called to aime at as I have said before For I believe the inheritance of Gods Children is in Heaven where we looke to have eternall possessions not on earth and therefore not here wee are commanded to lay up our Treasure where we are sure it shall not be permanent whereas here wee have no abiding place nor certaintie of any thing in this life which is not spirituall And this Lesson God calls loudly our Nation to learne at this very instant and surely he hath given me great cause in particular to study to know the duty of living by faith which if wee did understand we should despise the reasonings of flesh and blood and keepe our selves in a joyfull constant dependencie upon God for unseene provisions both for our selvs and posteritie neither doe we consider that God doth govern all his dispensations and their circumstances in such a way as all the wit of Man cannot make any alteration of additions or diminution to them which it we did we might assure our selves both the quantitie and certaintie of the things of this life is in his hand to give not in our power to take or if we had it not to keepe it But alas contrarywise Men looke upon Estates as things which we can make sure to our selves and judge them then onely great when there is enough to consume in the satisfying their foolish faâ—tacies by â—ulfilling all sinfull appetiâ—es and observing every foolish superflous custome now taken up in practice contrarie to the humilitie moderation and simplicitie of the Gospel but they that tend to perfection must be otherwise minded labouring to shake off those fetters that they may be free to worke in Christs Kingdome and able to joy onely in the increase of that his power â—n it Here Madam you may see worldly Riches were not my Aime and therefore I have them not and yet I have enough to keepe me and my children from seeking necessarie â—ood by this Match to the distraction of which I might have beene all my life exposed unto for ought I know if God had not made Master N. instrumentaâ—l to prevent it For such who layd my condition to heart had tâ—eir owne straits as well as I and therefore I could not depend upon that few number so that in conclusion I blesse God for his seasonable mercie to me even in regard of outward provision Let others contemne it as much as they will that shall not take me off from the gratitude and value which is due for so great a mercie as by eating bread of mine owne in these miserable times I enjoy I might here tell you that I could not pay too great a gratitude to Master N. for his friendship to mee and mine keeping us from extremities when else for a long time we must have beene exposed to it but your Ladyship is no stranger to that and it is an argument though considerable for my Marriage of an inferiour nature then what I have related and willingly I cannot love to descend in such cases And besides it is not my Aime to Apologize or satisfie men to remove their censure from my selfe for that I can easily beare but to informe those that are offended of my Principles Therefore I will shut up this discourse with humbly begging your constant prayers that I may be found faithfull in pursuing the Aime of my Covenant with Master N. that God may be glorified in and over all the actions of 5 May New-stile 1645. MADAM Your Ladyships most constant faithfull and humble Servant