Baxter - BV4253 B39 C78 1658

By the Crofsof chriff. thofe that have God in it , to the fpiritual refiefhing of their fouls. Believe it Sirs, it is not a fmallfin to pervert the whole creature ( chats within our reach ) to a ufe fo contrary to that which it was appointed to as foolifh worldlings do : not only to lofe thatufe and benefit of the creatures which we might have, but to turn all into poifon anddeath ro our felves ! Not only to rob God of that Love, and Honour, and Service which they fhould procurehim but allo to turn all this upon themfelves. I tell you this will prove no venial fin. 5 Andyour Guilt herein is'further aggravated in that you do hereby as much as in you lyech fruftrate the works of Crea- tion and Redemption. For god madeall :G.ings fir himfelf , and you ufe nothing for him. The Redeemer bathreprieved and re- ftored the creature, for its primitiveufe,that God might yet have the Gloryof his works : and yet you will not give it,him ; but Whenyou pretend to knowGod , you Glorifie him not as Cod , but become vain inyour imagination your foolifh hearts being darkned,as Paultellsthem, Rom.1.2r. And what dot!) that man deferve that would,as ro the ufe, deftroy all the world, and fruftrate all Gods works both of Creation and Redempi- on? 6. Herein alto you are guiltyof Enmity againft God. For this is the greateft wrong that anenemy can do him , to rob him of the glory of his Goodnefs andPower, and to pre( lis crea- tures,as if they were more amiable then himlelf. Younnot de- throne him from his glory but you may pofsibly deny him the preheminence in your hearts. You may deny him the Kingdom within you ; but you cannot difpoffefs him of his Eternal Power or Kingdom without you. The worft enemy that God bath can do him no harm ; but this is no thanks to you : he will not be beholden to you for ir. You may as truly fhew your Enmity by wronging, as by burring. And what greater injury can you offer to the Almighty, then to fet up the filly creature in his Read, and give it that Love and Service which is his due ? 7. Moreoveryou are guilty ofwilful! Pelf murder.: you choak your felves with that which Mould beyour food : you turn your daily blefsings to your bane ; by dropping-your.Poyfon into the cup of Mcreies, which bountiful, providence putteah into. your h'ânds,

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