1 That there is no plenary perfection in this life, for we must still be in multiplying our graces. Bern. Quomodo profitis, si jam tibi sufficis? Who cares to thrive, that thinks he hath sufficient? The highest Saint on earth, is but like the Ark of the Covenant; a Cubit and a half high: perfectly unperfect when he begins, unperfectly perfect when he ends.b When we have done all that is commanded us, we are not only confined to be, but also charged to call our selves, unprofitable servants. There was a sect of Puritans, that thought themselves so full of grace, that they refused one Petition in the Lords Prayer; Dimitte nobis debita nostra, Forgive us our trespasses. And Philip Nerius conceited himself so full of God, that he used to say, Recede à me Domine; Depart further from me Lord, for I am holy enough: perhaps he thought, if God should pour in more wine of Grace, it would burst the vessel; and that he was full before. He spake not with Peters intention, Discede, quia sum peccator; Depart from me, for I am a sinful man: but out of a plethory of pride; Discede, quia sum sufficienter justus; Depart, for I am sufficiently righteous. Nor as Elijah, cIt is enough, take away my life from me, for I am no better than my Fathers: but, It is enough, take away thy hand from me, for I am better than all my fathers: cease thy bounty, stay thy hand from giving, I need no more. As Cain with his Major iniquitas, confessed his sin greater than GOD could forgive: so this man with his Minor iniquitas, esteemed his sin less than GOD need to consider. But as there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath much riches; so there is that maketh himself rich, yet is very poor. There is not a poorer wretch than Laodicea, that bragged, shed had need of nothing. They that think to overcome God with a thousand of their good works, God will come against them ⟨p. 39⟩with ten thousand of their sins; a huge army: and one thousand sins will bea• down ten thousand good works. Cant. 1.11. We will make thee borders of gold, with studs of silver. The worlds fashion is to gild silver with gold, and to put the best side outward: but the manner of the Saints is to overlay gold with silver, and to be like thec Kings daughter, most Glorious within. Moses had a glorious countenance, but he covered it with a veil: these have base and deformed minds, yet boast a shining perfection.
1 That there is no plenary perfection in this life, for we must still be in multiplying our graces. Bern. Quomodo profitis, si jam tibi sufficis? Who cares to thrive, that thinkes hee hath sufficient? The highest Saint on earth, is but like the Arke of the Covenant; a Cubite and a halfe high: perfectly unperfect when he begins, unperfectly perfect when he ends.b When wee have done all that is commanded us, we are not onely confined to be, but also charged to call our selves, unprofitable servants. There was a sect of Puritans, that thought themselves so full of grace, that they refused one Petition in the Lords Prayer; Dimitte nobis debita nostra, Forgive us our trespasses. And Philip Nerius conceited himselfe so full of God, that he used to say, Recede à me Domine; Depart further from me Lord, for I am holy enough: perhaps he thought, if God should powre in more wine of Grace, it would burst the vessell; and that he was full before. He spake not with Peters intention, Discede, quia sum peccator; Depart from me, for I am a sinfull man: but out of a plethory of pride; Discede, quia sum sufficienter justus; Depart, for I am sufficiently righteous. Nor as Elias, cIt is enough, take away my life from me, for I am no better than my Fathers: but, It is enough, take away thy hand from me, for I am better than all my fathers: cease thy bounty, stay thy hand from giving, I need no more. As Cain with his Major iniquitas, confessed his sinne greater than GOD could forgive: so this man with his Minor iniquitas, esteemed his sinne lesse than GOD need to consider. But as there is that maketh himselfe poore, yet hath much riches; so there is that maketh himselfe rich, yet is very poore. There is not a poorer wretch than Laodicea, that brag'd, shed had need of nothing. They that thinke to overcome God with a thousand of their good workes, God will come against them ⟨p. 39⟩with ten thousand of their sinnes; a huge armie: and one thousand sinnes will bea• downe ten thousand good workes. Cant. 1.11. We will make thee borders of gold, with studs of silver. The worlds fashion is to gild silver with gold, and to put the best side outward: but the manner of the Saints is to overlay gold with silver, and to be like thec Kings daughter, most Glorious within. Moses had a glorious countenance, but he covered it with a veile: these have base and deformed mindes, yet boast a shining perfection.
- bLuk. 17.10.
- c1 King. 19.4.
- dRevel. 3.17.
- cPsal. 45.13.
