And that I may leave no doubt in any mans mind about this matter,1 I must desire them to think, that my meaning is not, that Gods children, for all the privileges wherewith God honoureth them, both here, and especially will do in the life to come, are therefore without their several infirmities §Eand blots also, (some of them) unto the which the rest (through their own corruption yet remaining in them, and the devils malice) are subject: which (though they debar them not of the forenamed prerogatives, seeing they are willingly brought to repent of them) is one great cause, why these objectors see so little in the godly life, as either to commend it, or to be themselves encouraged to embrace it. But yet while these mark not these things, but only behold the slips and blemishes in the men themselves, though in some ⟨p. 568⟩more than other, and do not believe nor regard the doctrine of the Scripture,§F which teacheth the trueth more soundly than it can be seen in the holiest persons and perfectest patterns; therefore they grow to these absurdities. And yet when their infirmities appear, and afflictions take hold of them, God seeing it expedient that it be so for a season;2 even then is their estate more to be desired, than the other in their greatest flourishing. For they are beloved of the Lord* yet still for all that, and most dear unto him, as it is written: I am black, ye daughters of Jerusalem, yet comely, &c. And of their falls and infirmities, I say, that therefore they departed from the good and perfect way for a moment, that they might thereby see and bewail their vileness,§G and so return again to stand more constantly after. Yet this watch-word I would give to many which are of good hope, that divers gross and rank corruptions do so broadly appear and so mightily prevail in sundry (as frowardness, uncharitableness, conceitedness, rash judgements, breach of promise,4 and other heat and intemperancy of heart, &c.) to the offence of many, that they do exceedingly abate the beauty & glory of their profession. And it must needs be confessed and granted, that few Christians are as they might and ought to be: but goodness is too sparing, and grace is too sore dimmed and darkened in most, even of the best and forwardest: and few carry themselves as they might and ought to do in their course, by giving good example.
And that I may leaue no doubt in any mans minde about this matter,1 I must desire them to thinke, that my meaning is not, that Gods children, for all the priuiledges wherewith God honoureth them, both heere, and especially will do in the life to come, are therefore without their seuerall infirmities §Eand blots also, (some of them) vnto the which the rest (through their owne corruption yet remaining in them, and the deuils malice) are subiect: which (though they debarre them not of the forenamed prerogatiues, seeing they are willingly brought to repent of them) is one great cause, why these obiecters see so little in the godly life, as either to commend it, or to be themselues incouraged to imbrace it. But yet while these marke not these things, but only beholde the slips and blemishes in the men themselues, though in some ⟨p. 568⟩more than other, and do not beleeue nor regard the doctrine of the Scripture,§F which teacheth the trueth more soundly than it can be seene in the holiest persons and perfectest patternes; therefore they grow to these absurdities. And yet when their infirmities appeare, and afflictions take holde of them, God seeing it expedient that it be so for a season;2 euen then is their estate more to be desired, than the other in their greatest flourishing. For they are beloued of the Lord* yet still for all that, and most deare vnto him, as it is written: I am blacke, ye daughters of Ierusalem, yet comly, &c. And of their falles and infirmities, I say, that therefore they departed from the good and perfect way for a moment, that they might thereby see and bewaile their vilenesse,§G and so returne againe to stand more constantly after. Yet this watch-word I would giue to many which are of good hope, that diuers grosse and ranke corruptions do so broadly appeare and so mightily preuaile in sundry (as frowardnesse, vncharitablenesse, conceitednesse, rash iudgements, breach of promise,4 and other heat and intemperancy of heart, &c.) to the offence of many, that they do exceedingly abate the beautie & glorie of their profession. And it must needs be confessed and granted, that few Christians are as they might and ought to be: but goodnesse is too sparing, and grace is too sore dimmed and darkened in most, euen of the best and forwardest: and few carie themselues as they might and ought to doe in their course, by giuing good example.
- 1A fourth cause why the godly seem not beautiful in the eyes of the wicked, is because of some infirmities which they espy in them.A fourth cause why the godly seeme not beautifull in the eies of the wicked, is because of some infirmities which they espie in them.
- 21. Pet. 1.6.
- *Read I say 63.9. Cant. 1.4. Why the Lord suffereth the godly to fall.
- 4The fruit of the infirmities of professors, what it is.
