but when they come to practise, they neither tune them aright, neither are they able to strike one stroke as they ought so as they may please the master and have his commendation. This world is as a large & sumptuous palace, into which are received, not only the sons and daughters of God, but also wicked and ungodly men: it is furnished with goodly creatures in use more excellent then all musical instruments: the use of them is common to all: but the godly man taught by Gods spirit, and directed by faith, so useth them, as that the use thereof is acceptable to God: as for the impure and unbelieving, indeed they enjoy the creatures and gifts of God, but the pure use is wanting: for they cannot but abuse them: and therefore the wicked and the reprobate, though they should commit no other sins in the world, yet for the use of their wealth and honour, for their very eating and drinking (which in themselves are most lawful) shall be damned.
II. Concerning spiritual blessings, first God ceaseth to grant so much as an outward calling to many men. For how many nations since the beginning of the world, much more particular men, have their bin, are, & shall be, which never heard the preaching of the Gospel; nay not so much as the name of Christ, God is known in Jury, (saith David) and he hath not done so to any nation. And often in Moses and the Prophets it is mentioned that the covenant was in former times made peculiar to the Jews. And Paul in the Acts saith,1 that God suffered the Gentiles in former times to walk in their own ways: and of the Ephesians, before their calling he saith,2 that they were strangers from the promises, and without God in the world.
⟨p. 677⟩III. He grants the outward means of salvation, namely the Word, Prayer, Sacraments, Discipline abundantly: but yet he quite withdraweth the operation of his spirit, whereby a conversion might be wrought. For they never have that piercing of the ear which David mentioneth,3 nor the opening of the heart with Lydia, nor that teaching of God, when they are drawn of the father to Christ. And in so doing indeed, only he offereth grace, but doth not exhibit and confer it: not that he mocketh any, but that in so doing he may every way convince and bereave them of excuse. As the Lord speaketh to Isaiah,4 Go and say to this people, ye shall hear indeed, but ye shall not understand:
but when they come to practise, they neither tune them aright, neither are they able to strike one stroke as they ought• so as they may please the master and haue his commendation. This world is as a large & sumptuous pallace, into which are receiued, not onely the sonnes and daughters of God, but also wicked and vngodly men: it is furnished with goodly creatures in vse more excellent then all musicall instruments: the vse of them is common to all: but the godly man taught by Gods spirit, and directed by faith, so vseth them, as that the vse thereof is acceptable to God: as for the impure and vnbeleeuing, indeede they enioy the creatures and gifts of God, but the pure vse is wanting: for they cannot but abuse them: and therefore the wicked and the reprobate, though they should commit no other sinnes in the world, yet for the vse of their wealth and honour, for their very eating and drinking (which in themselues are most lawful) shal be damned.
II. Concerning spirituall blessings, first God ceaseth to graunt so much as an outward calling to many men. For how many nations since the beginning of the world, much more particular men, haue their bin, are, & shall be, which neuer heard the preaching of the Gospell; nay not so much as the name of Christ, God is knowne in Iurie, (saith Dauid) and he hath not done so to any nation. And often in Moses and the Prophets it is mentioned that the couenant was in former times made peculiar to the Iewes. And Paul in the Acts saith,1 that God suffered the Gentiles in former times to walke in their owne waies: and of the Ephesians, before their calling he saith,2 that they were strangers from the promises, and without God in the world.
⟨p. 677⟩III. He graunts the outward meanes of saluation, namely the Word, Praier, Sacraments, Discipline abundantly: but yet he quite withdraweth the operation of his spirit, whereby a conuersion might be wrought. For they neuer haue that pearcing of the eare which Dauid mentioneth,3 nor the opening of the heart with Lydia, nor that teaching of God, when they are drawne of the father to Christ. And in so doing indeed, onely he offreth grace, but doth not exhibite and conferre it: not that he mocketh any, but that in so doing he may euery way conuince and bereaue them of excuse. As the Lord speaketh to Esay,4 Goe and say to this people, ye shall heare indeede, but ye shall not vnderstand:
- 1Act. 14. 16.
- 2Eph. 2.2.
- 3Psal. 40. 6. Act. 16. 14. Joh. 6. 45.Psal. 40. 6. Act. 16. 14. Ioh. 6. 45.
- 4Esa. 6. 9,10.
