First, those that keep out, and with-draw themselves ⟨p. 63⟩from professing Christ and his ways,1 and §1the fear of his name, out of shame or fear of man, or loss of preferment, or the like worldly ends, when yet they are convinced that they are Gods ways, and ought to be professed by them. I do not say, that all, who do not come in to profess Christ, and that do not join themselves with his people, that they go on against knowledge; for many are ignorant, and mistaken about them: but when men are convinced of the truth, and necessity of professing and confessing of it even unto salvation, (as the Apostle speaks, Rom. 10) and yet out of fear, or shame, keep still on the other side, drawing in their horns all together. These go on in an estate of impenitency against knowledge; for put all these together, and it must needs appear to be so: as First, when they are convinced that this is the truth, and that salvation and the power of religion is only to be found in such ways and men: and Secondly, that these are to be practiced and professed, and yet Thirdly, out of shame, &c. keep still a loof off, and go on a contrary way; these must needs know, that they go on in an estate of impenitency against knowledge. This was the case of many of the Pharisees, who therefore sinned highly: they believed, and were convinced, that Christ was the Messiah; and so then to be confessed, and followed, and to be cleaved unto: and then also they must needs know, that his followers only were the Children of God: Yet Joh. 12. 42. it is said, though they thus believed on him, yet they durst not confess him for fear of the Jews, and of the ⟨p. 64⟩Pharisees, and of being put out of the Synagogues. At the latter day, Christ shall not need to sever such from the rest, as he will do the sheep from the goats; for they willingly remain all their days amongst them, whom they know to be goats, and refuse the company, and fold, and food, and marks of the sheep; which they know to be such: they may apologize, and make fair with the Saints, that their hearts are with them, but they will be ranked at the day of Judgement, as here they ranked themselves,2 with the workers of iniquity. Of these doth the Psalmist speak, Those that turn aside by their crooked ways, them shall the Lord leave with the workers of iniquity.
First, those that keep out, and with-draw themselves ⟨p. 63⟩from professing Christ and his wayes,1 and §1the feare of his name, out of shame or feare of man, or losse of preferment, or the like worldly ends, when yet they are convinced that they are Gods wayes, and ought to be professed by them. I doe not say, that all, who doe not come in to professe Christ, and that doe not joyne themselves with his people, that they goe on against knowledge; for many are ignorant, and mistaken about them: but when men are convinced of the truth, and necessity of professing and confessing of it even unto salvation, (as the Apostle speaks, Rom. 10) and yet out of fear, or shame, keep still on the other side, drawing in their hornes all together. These goe on in an estate of impenitencie against knowledg; for put all these together, and it must needs appeare to be so: as First, when they are convinced that this is the truth, and that salvation and the power of religion is onely to be found in such wayes and men: and Secondly, that these are to be practiced and professed, and yet Thirdly, out of shame, &c. keepe still a loofe off, and goe on a contrary way; these must needs know, that they goe on in an estate of impenitencie against knowledge. This was the case of many of the Pharises, who therefore sinned highly: they beleeved, and were convinced, that Christ was the Messiah; and so then to be confest, and followed, and to be cleaved unto: and then also they must needs know, that his followers onely were the Children of God: Yet Ioh. 12. 42. it is said, though they thus beleeved on him, yet they durst not confesse him for feare of the Iewes, and of the ⟨p. 64⟩Pharises, and of being put out of the Synagogues. At the latter day, Christ shall not need to sever such from the rest, as hee will doe the sheepe from the goats; for they willingly remaine all their dayes amongst them, whom they know to be goats, and refuse the company, and fould, and food, and marks of the sheep; which they know to be such: they may apologize, and make fair with the Saints, that their hearts are with them, but they will be rankt at the day of Judgement, as here they ranked themselves,2 with the workers of iniquity. Of these doth the Psalmist speake, Those that turne aside by their crooked wayes, them shall the Lord leave with the workers of iniquity.
- 1Such as for worldly end forbear to profess Christ a• his ways, whi•• they know to be such.Such as for worldly end forbear to professe Christ a• his waies, whi•• they know to be such.
- 2Psal. 125. ult.
