Manton - BS2785 M35 1651

.CH' Ap ·4· . up~n the Epiflle of J A M • s. 443 · The Points, befides thofe obferved in the Expofiticn, are ·thefe : 1. That 'Worldlinefs in Chri/fians isJPiritHal adultery. It dif- Ob{ervat. I . folveth the fpiricual Marriage between God and the..- Sonl ; of all fios•cis mofl unfuitable to the Marriage-Covena!Jt, tbe Covenant of Grace~ wherein God propoundeth himfelf .to be.allfufficief'lt, Gen. 17. 1. _We have enough in .~.od, b_ut we d~fire eo make: up our happinefs mthe creatures; thts ts plamWhormg : Pfal. 73· '-7· Thou h~tff deRroyed a!! them thatgo arz 'WhoringfrtJ'YII thee; that is, thore which fought that in the world which is only to be found in God. Tjlere are degrees in this whoredom : You know there may be a 4 'dultery in affeaion when the body is not defiled; unclean glances are a degree of lufl. The children of God may have fome outruning and firagling thoughts: when the D~vil is at their elbows, the world may be greatened in their efieem and im1ginarion; Happy is the people thitt is iu fuch A cafe, Pfal. I 44.u/t. but they prefendy correct: themfelves, and return 'to the bofom of God; 1ea rathef' happy is the people whofoG()a is the Lord, In others there is ahi~her degree ; they fettle thofe affections upon the world which are only due and proper to Cod, as their care, ddight,defire, fear, hop~. ·which lhould be kept chafle and loyal to Jefus Chrifl; yet there is CHll fame profeffion : As a woman thlt is not contended with one husband, and yet fi ill retaineth the colour and pretence of the fir fr marriage; this is in Hypocrites, who divide their hearts between God and the' world. There are others who plainly leave the Creator for the creature, and prefer the world before God, the profics and pleafures of it .before communionwith him in holy duties: To let the world lhare with God is an evil, but to prefer the world before God is an impiety. As an whorifh wife preferreth every one before her own husband; fo do the prophane,who live as profetfed Profiitntes: Their love is wholly withdrawn from God as an Hufhand,and their obedience from him M a Lerd; They love ple.Afures mor-e then qod,1Tim+4· Well then,check worldly inclinations; ·when your hearts are i:oo paffionately drawn forth to prefent comforts and contentmencs, or when your thoughts are raifed ~nto too great admiration of them, or when worldly eafe and pleafure bin- :dereth ;md withdt:aweth you from duty, or are apt to .prefer carnal -fati&faction. befor~ cbmmunion withGo~, remember at fueh time . this is adultery: You are not yol!r own, but givenap to God ; ICor.6. 1.5. KnDwJe no# th~tt)DIIr ~odits are member.sof Chrift? . Lll 2. And

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=