A01980:170
A recovery from apostasy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepney Church near London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friars London Herein is the history of the surprisal and admirable escape of the said penitent.A recovery from apostacy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepny Church neere London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friers London Herein is the history of the surprizall and admirable escape of the said penitent.
London: printed by George Miller for Joshua Kirton, 1639London: printed by George Miller for Ioshua Kirton, 1639
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. There is non subjectum pro subjecto: the subject matter, or thing whereupon Gods grace exerciseth it self is mischievously mislaid. For they make sins to come, or a resolved purpose to continue in sin the subject of abundant grace, whereas the Apostle intendeth sins past which can not be recalled: and thereupon ⟨p. 43⟩if they be not through grace remitted, the sinner that hath committed them is most miserable.
2. There is non subjectum pro subjecto: the subject matter, or thing whereupon Gods grace exerciseth it selfe is mischievously mislaid. For they make sinnes to come, or a resolved purpose to con•inue in sinne the subject of abundant grace, whereas the Apostle intendeth sinnes past which can not be recalled: and thereupon ⟨p. 43⟩if they bee not through grace remitted, the sinner that hath committed them is most miserable.
3. There is non objectum pro objecto; the kind of sinner, who is made the object on whom abundant grace is conferred, is wretchedly mistaken. For they take the Apostle to speak of such as delight in sin, and retain a purpose of living and lying in sin: whereas he meaneth such as find and feel themselves to be sinners through sense of the heavy load of sin pressing sore upon them: even such sinners as Christ came to call to repentance, Mat. 9.13.
3. There is non objectum pro objecto; the kinde of sinner, who is made the object on whom abundant grace is conferred, is wretchedly mistaken. For they take the Apostle to speake of such as delight in sinne, and retaine a purpose of living and lying in sinne: whereas he meaneth such as finde and feele themselves to be sinners through sence of the heavie loade of sinne pressing soare upon them: even such sinners as Christ came to call to repentance, Mat. 9.13.
Thus we see how pretence of returning to God afterwards is a most wicked pretence of denying God for the present.
Gods faithful Martyrs in all ages have made little or no account of their temporal life,1 when it came in competition with Christ, and a profession of the Christian faith.2 The Apostle giveth this testimony of them, they would not accept deliverance. He means deliverance from death or preservation of life: this, though offered they would not accept, namely on persecutors terms or conditions, which was to deny the truth of God, or renounce their faith in him.
Gods faithfull Martyrs in all ages have made little or no account of their temporall life,1 when it came in competition with Christ, and a profession of the Christian faith.2 The Apostle giveth this testimony of them, they would not accept deliverance. He meanes deliverance from death or preservation of life: this, though offered they would not accept, namely on persecutors termes or conditions, which was to denie the truth of God, or renounce their faith in him.
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were ⟨p. 44⟩threatened to be cast into an hot fiery furnace, unless they would worship Nebuchadnezzars idol, they make this reply (Dan. 3.16, 17.) O Nebuchadnezzar we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace: and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King. But if not, be it known unto thee, O King, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship thy golden image which thou hast set up.
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were ⟨p. 44⟩threatned to be cast into an hot fiery furnace, unlesse they would worship Nebuchadnezars idoll, they make this reply (Dan. 3.16, 17.) O Nebuchadnezar wee are not carefull to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace: and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King. But if not, be it knowne unto thee, O King, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship thy golden image which thou hast set up.
When Eleazar was promised to be saved from torments, and death, if he would but make show of yielding, he courageously answereth, It becometh not our age in any wise to dissemble whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar being fourscore and ten years old, 1were now gone to a strange religion.
When Eleazar was promised to be saved from torments, and death, if he would but make shew of yeelding, he couragiously answereth, It becommeth not our age in any wise to dissemble whereby many young persons might thinke that Eleazar being fourescore and ten yeares old, 1were now gone to a strange religion.
Thus also one of the seven brethren in the name of the rest, We are ready to die, rather then to transgress the laws of our Fathers: 1meaning such laws as God of old had given to their Fathers to be observed by them, and by their posterity age after age.
Thus also one of the seven brethren in the name of the rest, We are ready to die, rather then to transgresse the lawes of our Fathers: 1meaning such lawes as God of old had given to their Fathers to be observed by them, and by their posterity age after age.
To like purpose answered all the other brethren, and their mother too.
Christ himself, when Peter would have dissuaded him from suffering, with indignation thus replied, Get thee behind me Satan, Mat. 16.23.
Christ himselfe, when Peter would have disswaded him from suffering, with indignation thus replied, Get thee behind mee Satan, Mat. 16.23.
Saint Paul when the Disciples upon notice that he should be bound at Jerusalem, besought him not to go up thither, answered, What mean you to weep and to break mine heart. For ⟨p. 45⟩I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Saint Paul when the Disciples upon notice that he should be bound at Hierusalem, besought him not to goe up thither, answered, What meane you to weepe and to breake mine heart. For ⟨p. 45⟩I am ready not to be bound onely, but also to die at Hierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus.
1Ignatius being much threatened for his zealous profession of Christ, saith, Let fire, and cross, invasion of beasts, breaking of bones, pulling asunder of members, grinding of my whole body, and what else the Devil can inflict come, so I may hold Jesus Christ.
1Ignatius being much threatned for his zealous profession of Christ, saith, Let fire, and crosse, invasion of beasts, breaking of bones, pulling asunder of members, grinding of my whole body, and what else the Divell can inflict come, so I may hold Iesus Christ.
1And being brought forth to devouring beasts, he uttered these words, I am Gods corn, and am ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may be pure bread.
1And being brought foorth to devouring beasts, he uttered these words, I am Gods corne, and am ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may be pure bread.
1Polycarpus, when the Governor promised to let him go free, if he would deny Christ, answered, I have served him fourscore and six years, and he never hurt me in any thing. How shall I curse him who hath saved me?
1Polycarpus, when the Governour promised to let him goe free, if hee would denie Christ, answered, I have served him fourescore and six yeares, and he never hurt me in any thing. How shall I curse him who hath saved mee?
And the Governor adding one while promises, another while threatenings,1 Polycarpus thus cuts off all, Why dost thou make delays, inflict what thou lists.
And the Governour adding one while promises, another while threatnings,1 Polycarpus thus cuts off all, Why dost thou make delaies, inflict what thou lists.
1Lucius thanked him that brought him forth to suffer, and said that he should be free from those evil masters, and go to God a good Father and King.
1Lucius thanked him that brought him forth to suffer, and said that he should be free from those evill masters, and goe to God a good Father and King.
