By this which hath been said, the professors of Christian religion are admonished of two things. First, qthat they use most painful diligence in working their salvation, in attaining to faith, in dying to sin, in living to newness of life: and that their harts be never at rest, till such time as they go beyond all reprobates in the profession of Christ Jesus: Seest thou how far a reprobate may go? press on the strait gate with main and might: with all violence lay hold on the kingdom of heaven. Shall Herod fear and reverence John Baptist, and hear him gladly? and wilt thou neglect the Ministers, and the preaching of the word? shall ⟨p. 26⟩Pharaoh confess his sin, nay shall Satan believe and tremble? and wilt not thou bewail and lament thy sins, and thy wicked conversation? it behoveth thee to fear and take heed, least wicked men, and the devil himself rise in judgement and condemn thy life. For if thou shalt come short of the duties of a reprobate, and do not go beyond him in the profession of the Gospel, sure it is, thou must look for the reward of a reprobate. The second thing is, that the professor of the Gospel, rdiligently try and examine himself, whether he is in the state of damnation, or in the state of grace: whether he yet bear the yoke of Satan, or is the adopted child of God. Thou wilt say, this need not, thou professest the Gospel, and art taken for a Christian: Yet mark and consider, that this often befalleth reprobates to be esteemed Christians: and they are often so like them, sthat none but Christ can discern the sheep from the Goats, true Christians from apparent Christians. Wherefore it behoveth all men that show themselves to be Christians, to lay aside all pride, and all self-love, and with singleness of heart to put themselves into the balance of Gods word, and to make just ⟨p. 27⟩trial, whether in them repentance, faith, mortification, sanctification, &c. give weight answerable to their outward profession: which if they do, let them praise God: if not, let them with all speed use the means that they may be borne a new to the Lord, and may be inwardly guided by his holy spirit, to give obedience to his will, least in the day of Gods trial, they start aside from him like a broken bow, and fall again to their first uncleanness.
By this which hath beene saide, the professors of Christian religion are admonished of two things. First, qthat they vse most painefull diligence in working their saluation, in attaining to faith, in dying to sinne, in liuing to newnes of life: and that their harts be neuer at rest, till such time as they go beyonde all reprobates in the profession of Christ Iesus: Seest thou howe farre a reprobate may goe? presse on the straite gate with maine and might: with all violence lay hold on the kingdome of heauen. Shall Herode feare and reuerence Iohn Baptist, and heare him gladly? and wilt thou neglect the Ministers, and the preaching of the worde? shall ⟨p. 26⟩Pharao confesse his sinne, nay shall Sathan beleeue and tremble? and wilt not thou bewaile and lament thy sinnes, and thy wicked conuersation? it behoueth thee to feare and take heede, least wicked men, and the diuel himselfe rise in iudgement and condemne thy life. For if thou shalt come short of the dueties of a reprobate, and doe not goe beyonde him in the profession of the Gospell, sure it is, thou must looke for the reward of a reprobate. The second thing is, that the professor of the Gospell, rdiligently try and examine himselfe, whether hee is in the state of damnation, or in the state of grace: whether he yet beare the yoke of Sathan, or is the adopted child of God. Thou wilt say, this neede not, thou professest the Gospell, and art taken for a Christian: Yet marke and consider, that this often befalleth reprobates to be esteemed Christians: and they are often so like them, sthat none but Christ can discerne the sheep from the Goates, true Christians from apparent Christians. Wherefore it behoueth all men that shewe themselues to bee Christians, to lay aside all pride, and all selfeloue, and with singlenes of heart to put themselues into the ballance of Gods word, and to make iust ⟨p. 27⟩triall, whether in them repentance, faith, mortification, sanctification, &c. giue weight answerable to their outward profession: which if they doe, let them praise God: if not, let them with al speed vse the meanes that they may be borne a new to the Lord, and may be inwardly guided by his holy spirite, to giue obedience to his will, least in the day of Gods triall, they start aside from him like a broken bowe, and fall againe to their first vncleanes.
- qPhil. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 1. 17 Rom. 11. 20.
- r1. Cor. 11 31. Psal. 19. 12. & 119. ver. 59.
- sMath. 25. 32. 33.
