The fruit of Peters repentance is not to deny his Master no more; but to stand to him to the death. We think, if we forbear our wonted notorious sins, we are on the sudden excellent Christians. As if God were beholden to us, for not wounding his name with oaths; for not playing out Sabbaths; for not railing on his Gospel; for not oppressing his poor members: ⟨p. 46⟩when we neither relive the poor, nor obey the Gospel, nor hallow his Sabbaths, nor honour his name. Perhaps an Usurer when he hath gotten enough will cease that damned trade: now he is sure of heaven in a trice. Alas! how repents Zaccheus, if he restores not? Shall I go a step higher? If he give not liberally, and show compassion to the afflicted Saints? Perhaps an old Adulterer when his sap is grown to cinders, breaks off his uncleanness. When the envious looseth his object, he may suspend his malice. But where are the returned fruits of penitence, manifest and visible obedience? Say the weeds are gone, where be the herbs? To root up the weeds, is but the first step to heaven: and some are forty, threescore years taking this steppe. How long will it be ere their garden be set with good growing herbs? 1But Curse ye Meroz, said the Angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the Inhabitants thereof: because they came not to the help of the Lord, (and that it might fully appear, that this curse came not on them, for taking part with Gods enemies and fighting against him; but only for denial of succour, the song doubles it) to the help of the Lord against the mighty. 2The offended Lord delivered that Servant to the tormentors, that (did not extort from his fellow that he had no right to, nor wrest away an others goods; but) did only say, Pay me that thou owest; and in a harsh manner, or unmerciful measure, required his own due. It is the form of the last doom,3 I was hungry, ⟨p. 47⟩and ye gave me no meat: though you took not away mine, yet for not giving your own, Go ye cursed.
The fruit of Peters repentance is not to deny his Master no more; but to stand to him to the death. We thinke, if wee forbeare our wonted notorious sinnes, wee are on the sodaine excellent Christians. As if God were beholden to vs, for not wounding his name with oathes; for not playing out Sabaoths; for not rayling on his Gospell; for not oppressing his poore members: ⟨p. 46⟩when we neither reliue the poore, nor obey the Gospell, nor hallow his Saboths, nor honor his name. Perhaps an Vsurer when he hath gotten enough will cease that damned trade: now he is sure of heauen in a trice. Alas! how repents Zaccheus, if he restores not? Shall I goe a step higher? If he giue not liberally, and shew compassion to the afflicted Saints? Perhaps an old Adulterer when his sappe is growne to cinders, breaks off his vncleannesse. When the enuious looseth his obiect, he may suspend his malice. But where are the returned fruits of penitence, manifest and visible obedience? Say the weedes are gone, where be the herbes? To roote vp the weedes, is but the first step to heauen: and some are fortie, threescore yeares taking this steppe. How long will it be ere their garden be set with good growing herbes? 1But Curse ye Meroz, sayd the Angell of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the Inhabitants thereof: because they came not to the helpe of the Lord, (and that it might fully appeare, that this curse came not on them, for taking part with Gods enemies and fighting against him; but onely for deniall of succour, the song doubles it) to the helpe of the Lord against the mighty. 2The offended Lord deliuered that Seruant to the tormentors, that (did not extort from his fellow that hee had no right to, nor wrest away an others goods; but) did onely say, Pay me that thou owest; and in a harsh manner, or vnmercifull measure, required his owne due. It is the forme of the last doome,3 I was hungry, ⟨p. 47⟩and ye gaue me no meate: though you tooke not away mine, yet for not giuing your owne, Goe yee cursed.
- 1Judg. 5. 23.Iudg. 5. 23.
- 2Mat. 18. 28.
- 3Mat. 25. 42.
