God is aswell just as merciful, faithful and true as well in his threats, as in his promises: and therefore equally to be believed in both, so far as in his word he hath assured us of both. He who is certain of his salvation, knoweth assuredly he should be damned, if he should go on in sin without repentance, and shall taste of much bitterness, if he grow indulgent to his corruptions. It is as sure, that God will condemn the wicked and impenitent, as that he will save the righteous and repentant.1 If Paul beat not down his body, and bring it into subjection, he shall be as dross and refuse. If the righteous forsake his righteousness and commit wickedness, 2or be a worker of iniquity, all his former righteousness shall be forgotten. The godly man is not slavishly to fear falling away, or running into destruction, but wisely to believe the threatenings, to prevent falling into sin, and so into condemnation. The subject, who feareth the punishment of the law, and keepeth himself innocent, taketh a wise course for his own security. Every part of Scripture is Gods word, of certain and and undoubted truth, which cannot be gain-said, written for the benefit and profit of them, who shall be heirs of salvation: But the threatenings are part of the word of God.3 Whatsoever things were written afore-time (even as well examples of judgement inflicted upon transgressors, and threatenings denounced against them that shall offend, as promises of mercy to allure unto obedience) were written for our learning and instruction.4 In the state of innocency there was use of threatenings, so is there in the state of grace. As a means to keep our first parents from sin,5 the Lord denounced death against them, if they should eat of the forbidden fruit. Job ⟨p. 435⟩professeth, he durst not lift up his hand against the Fatherless, for destruction from God was a terror unto him. So David, My flesh trembleth for fear of thee: 6and I am afraid of thy Judgements. The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: 7but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. And sure it is expedient for us, that threatenings should be mingled with the promises of grace, for (so prone are we to flatter, & favour our selves) milder doctrine would grow cold, unless these spurs were added. The tartness of the threatening makes us best taste the sweetness of promise:
GOd is aswell iust as mercifull, faithfull and true as well in his threats, as in his promises: and therefore equally to be belieued in both, so farre as in his word he hath assured vs of both. He who is certaine of his saluation, knoweth assuredly he should be damned, if he should goe on in sinne without repentance, and shall tast of much bitternesse, if he grow indulgent to his corruptions. It is as sure, that God will condemne the wicked and impenitent, as that hee will saue the righteous and repentant.1 If Paul beate not downe his body, and bring it into subiection, he shall bee as drosse and refuse. If the righteous forsake his righteousnesse and commit wickednesse, 2or be a worker of iniquity, all his former righteousnesse shall be forgotten. The godly man is not slauishly to feare falling away, or running into destruction, but wisely to belieue the threatnings, to preuent falling into sinne, and so into condemnation. The subiect, who feareth the punishment of the law, and keepeth himselfe innocent, taketh a wise cou•se for his owne securitie. Euery part of Scripture is Gods word, of certaine and and vndoubted truth, which cannot be gaine-said, written for the benefit and profit of them, who shall be heires of saluation: But the threatnings are part of the word of God.3 Whatsoeuer things were written afore-time (euen as well examples of iudgement inflicted vpon transgressours, and threatenings denounced against them that shall offend, as promises of mercie to allure vnto obedience) were written for our learning and instructon.4 In the state of innocencie there was vse of threatenings, so is there in the state of grace. As a meanes to keep our first parents from sinne,5 the Lord denounced death against them, if they should eate of the forbidden fruite. Iob ⟨p. 435⟩professeth, he durst not lift vp his hand against the Fatherlesse, for destruction from God was a terrour vnto him. So Dauid, My flesh trembleth for feare of thee: 6and I am affraid of thy Iudgements. The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: 7
- 11. Cor. 9.27.
- 2Ezek. 18.24.26.
- 3Rom. 15.4.
- 41. Cor. 10.6.
- 5Gen. 2.17. Job 31.21.23.Gen. 2.17. Iob 31.21.23.
- 6Psal. 119.120.
- 7Pro. 21.12.
