The third note is, that we never content our selves in our selves, nor in the things that we have done, but still go forward to leave sin, and draw near to God. And this may be seen in Abraham▪ and is set down in the Proverbs. And Paul saith, As many as are perfect 1are thus minded. Here then are disclosed those that either stay in the beginnings, or else slide back when they are gone somewhat forward. For if we have tasted once of the good grace of God, and then turn back from it, it is impossible to be renewed by repentance, whereof there are two causes: first, because they are always learning and never the better, Isaiah. 28. where the Prophet rebuketh, saying: Line upon line, and precept upon precept. Secondly, because that if they attain to knowledge: yet do they not build themselves thereupon to keep a good conscience: & thus experience teacheth in those that become heretics. This is so fearful to the godly, that they had rather fall into all the miseries of Job than into this Apostasy. We must then go on still, giving God praise that we have2 done something, and yet not so much to be puffed up thereby, as sorrowful that we have not done so much as we ought, so that we look upon our sins to humble us, & upon that good which the Lord hath wrought in us, to be thankful▪ But yet sometimes the children of God see they go not forward, but as it were linger, yea they sometimes fall into gross sins: for the first, if we strive not against it, mislike not our selves for it▪ nor mourn because it is so with us, we are in danger that the Lord will bar us out. And if he punish3 those that go not forward thus, what shall be to those that fall back? But if we mislike our selves for our sins, & mourn striving against them, we may take sound comfort therein. And for the second, the Lord turneth the falls of his children to their faster going forward4 and growing up: for so they see their corruption more, wherewith being humbled, (though it be a very fearful thing for Christians to fall into any gross sin) they fly faster unto Christ. And again, their fall maketh them more wary, and also to run forward the faster, as they that run in a race, or travel in a journey, being letted either by fall or by company, do afterward make more speed least that they should not obtain their purpose.
The third note is, that we neuer content our selues in our selues, nor in the things that we haue done, but still goe forward to leaue sinne, and draw neere to God. And this may be seene in Abraham▪ and is set downe in the Prouerbs. And Paul saith, As many as are perfect 1are thus minded. Here then are disclosed those that either stay in the beginnings, or else slide backe when they are gone somewhat forward. For if we haue tasted once of the good grace of God, and then turne backe from it, it is impossible to be renued by repentance, whereof there are two causes: first, because they are alwaies learning and neuer the better, Esai. 28. where the Prophet rebuketh, saying: Line vpon line, and precept vpon precept. Secondly, because that if they attaine to knowledge: yet doe they not build themselues thereupon to keepe a good conscience: & thus experience teacheth in those that become heretikes. This is so fearefull to the godly, that they had rather fall into all the miseries of Iob than into this Apostasie. We must then goe on still, giuing God praise that we haue2 done something, and yet not so much to be puffed vp thereby, as sorrowfull that we haue not done so much as we ought, so that we looke vpon our sins to humble vs, & vpon that good which the Lord hath wrought in vs, to be thankfull▪ But yet sometimes the children of God see they goe not forward, but as it were linger, yea they sometimes fall into grosse sinnes: for the first, if we striue not against it, mislike not our selues for it▪ nor mourne because it is so with vs, we are in danger that the Lord will barre vs out. And if he punish3 those that goe not forward thus, what shall be to those that fall back? But if we mislike our selues for our sinnes, & mourne striuing against them, we may take sound comfort therein. And for the second, the Lord turneth the falles of his children to their faster going forward4 and growing vp: for so they see their corruption more, wherewith being humbled, (though it be a very fearefull thing for Christians to fall into any grosse sinne) they flie faster vnto Christ. And againe, their fall maketh them more warie, and also to runne forward the faster, as they that runne in a race, or trauell in a iourney, being letted either by fall or by companie, doe afterward make more speede least that they should not obtaine their purpose.
- 1Prou▪ 4. 18. Phil. 3▪ 15. Heb. 6.
- 2Isaiah. 28.Esaiah. 28.
- 3Revel. 3. Isaiah. 28. Heb. 3. 14. Phil. 3▪Reuel. 3. Esaiah. 28. Heb. 3. 14. Phil. 3▪
- 4Gods children sometimes linger, rather than go forward.Gods children sometimes linger, rather than goe forward.
