Rather, [Greek or Hebrew], Potius. Let not the goodness of God, which without your desert hath chosen and called you to the profession of CHRIST, forgiving and purging your former sins, make you idle and careless. But rather strive to answer this mercy in your faithful conversation: lest you fall into that pit of destruction, from whence by his death he hath redeemed you. Ambite benefactis Dei; let your obedience consent in a sweet harmony with Gods mercies, that you may be capable of his promises; and not cut off like withered and fruitless branches. The rather. He doth seem to encourage this endeavour, A Beneficio, à Periculo, à Praemio: Partly by the Benefit, partly by the Danger, and partly by the Reward. The first whereof incites our gratitude, the next our fear, the last our hope. 1. The rather, because you have received such a benefit, as cleansing from sin by CHRISTS blood. O what sin should be so dear to us, as Gods only Son was to him! 2. The rather; for fear lest a recidivation overthrow all your happiness. As Demas lost himself, by loving this present world, 2 Tim. 4.10. Seven worse spirits may make a re-entry, when upon the expulsion of one there is found a vacuity. Lots wife had as good have dwelt in Sodom still, as to look back after her deliverance, Ezek. 18.24. If the righteous turn away from his righteousness; in the sin that he hath sinned, he shall die. A man hath been dangerously sick, is now something recovered▪ if by misgovernment he fall into a relapse, he exasperates the disease. The first sickness of the body feeds upon ill humours, the relapse on the vital spirits. For a wound half cured, to come to a new incision, is more painful than ever. It would grieve a traveller, got half-way forward his journey, losing all that, to return, and begin again, Gal. 3.3. Are ye so foolish, that having begun in the Spirit, ye will be made perfect by the flesh? No, rather give all diligence to continue: and call upon God for perseverance; who alone can keep us from the griping paws, and grinding jaws of that roaring Lion. It is said, Zach. 4.9. that the hands of Zer••b•• ⟨p. 209⟩did lay the foundation of the house: and his hand shall also finish it. So it is God that begins the good work in us, and God that accomplisheth it. Indeed he chargeth us to give diligence, Psal. 68.28.
Rather, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Potius. Let not the goodnesse of God, which without your desert hath chosen and called you to the profession of CHRIST, forgiving and purging your former sinnes, make you idle and carelesse. But rather strive to answer this mercie in your faithfull conversation: lest you fall into that pit of destruction, from whence by his death he hath redeemed you. Ambite benefactis Dei; let your obedience concent in a sweet harmonie with Gods mercies, that you may be capable of his promises; and not cut off like withered and fruitlesse branches. The rather. He doth seeme to encourage this endevour, A Beneficio, à Periculo, à Praemio: Partly by the Benefit, partly by the Danger, and partly by the Reward. The first whereof incites our gratitude, the next our feare, the last our hope. 1. The rather, because you have received such a benefit, as cleansing from sinne by CHRISTS bloud. O what sinne should be so deare to us, as Gods onely Sonne was to him! 2. The rather; for feare lest a recidivation overthrow all your happinesse. As Demas lost himselfe, by loving this present world, 2 Tim. 4.10. Seven worse spirits may make a re-entrie, when upon the expulsion of one there is found a vacui••e. Lots wife had as good have dwelt in Sodome still, as to looke backe after her deliverance, Ezek. 18.24. If the righteous turne away from his righteousnesse; in the sinne that he hath sinned, he shall die. A man hath beene dangerously sicke, is now something recovered▪ if by misgovernment he fall into a relapse, he exasperates the disease. The first sicknesse of the bodie feeds upon ill humours, the relapse on the vitall spirits. For a wound halfe cured, to come to a new incision, is more paineful than ever. It would grieve a traveller, got halfe-way forward his journey, losing all that, to returne, and begin againe, Gal. 3.3. Are ye so foolish, that having begun in the Spirit, ye will be made perfect by the flesh? No, rather give all diligence to continue: and call upon God for perseverance; who alone can keep us from the griping pawes, and grinding jawes of that roaring Lion. It is said, Zach. 4.9. that the hands of Zer••b•• ⟨p. 209⟩did lay the foundation of the house: and his hand shall also finish it. So it is God that begins the good worke in us, and God that accomplisheth it. Indeed hee chargeth us to give diligence,
