Thirdly, outward Actions come here also to be reckoned, which the Scripture commonly attributeth to the hands: Cleanse dyour hands, you Sinners, &c. It is many times called the doing eof the will of God: sometimes, the living faccording to his will. The contrary whereof, is the committing of gross sins, which the Apostle calleth, To work gthe will of the Gentiles, to do hthe will of our flesh, and of our thoughts. JAMES itermeth it, Sin perfected, and that though we do it in ignorance, not knowing, or at the least, not making it to be a sin, which lesseneth the heinousness of the offence. Therefore kPaul professeth, he did obtain mercy, notwithstanding he were a Blasphemer, a Persecutor, and an Oppressor, because he did it ignorantly. And David lprayeth, Cleanse me from my secret sins. But this kind of sin is greater, when our will is carried contrary to our understanding, to do those things which we know, and are persuaded to be evil, wherein notwithstanding a difference is to be held: for if it be through the over-ruling of the flesh and inordinate desires, either for fear of present danger, or by the bait of some false appearing pleasure, then is the sin the less. Hereof is that complaint the Apostle taketh up, Rom. 7. 19. I do not the good I would, but the evil which I would not, that I do. But if it be in a presumption of Gods Mercy, bearing our selves bold upon the riches of his patience and forbearance, that doth much increase the sin; whereupon in the Law mit is commanded, that the person that doth presumptuously, should be cut off from amongst his people, because he hath despised the Word of JEHOVAH. And that this wrong construction ⟨p. 128⟩of the patience and long sufferance of God, is the root of all presumption, the Wiseman teacheth, Eccles. 8. 11. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the Children of men is fully set in them to do evil. And the Apostle, Rom. 2. 4. Despisest thou the riches of his bounty, &c. not knowing that the bounty of God leadeth thee to Repentance? But far greater it is, and cometh near the top of all iniquity, when men do willingly follow after sin, only for their pleasure, and because they will do it, which our Saviour noteth in the Jews, John 8. 43. The lusts of your father the Devil, you will (or you love to) do.
Thirdly, outward Actions come heere also to be reckoned, which the Scripture commonly attributeth to the hands: Clense dyour hands, you Sinners, &c. It is many times called the doing eof the will of God: sometimes, the liuing faccording to his will. The contrary whereof, is the committing of grosse sinnes, which the Apostle calleth, To worke gthe will of the Gentiles, to doe hthe will of our flesh, and of our thoughts. IAMES itermeth it, Sinne perfited, and that though we doe it in ignorance, not knowing, or at the least, not making it to bee a sinne, which lesseneth the hainousnesse of the offence. Therfore kPaul professeth, he did obtayne mercie, notwithstanding he were a Blasphemer, a Persecutor, and an Oppressor, because he did it ignorantly. And Dauid lprayeth, Clense me from my secret sinnes. But this kind of sinne is greater, when our will is carryed contrarie to our vnderstanding, to doe those things which wee know, and are perswaded to be euill, wherein notwithstanding a difference is to be held: for if it bee through the ouer-ruling of the flesh and inordinate desires, either for feare of present danger, or by the bayte of some false appearing pleasure, then is the sinne the lesse. Hereof is that complaint the Apostle taketh vp, Rom. 7. 19. I doe not the good I would, but the euill which I would not, that I doe. But if it be in a presumption of Gods Mercie, bearing our selues bold vpon the riches of his patience and forbearance, that doth much increase the sinne; whereupon in the Law mit is commanded, that the person that doth presumptuously, should be cut off from amongst his people, because hee hath despised the Word of IEHOVAH. And that this wrong construction ⟨p. 128⟩
- dJames 4. 8.Iames 4. 8.
- eEphes 6. 6. Heb. 13. 24.
- f1. Pet. 4. 2.
- g1. Pet. 4. 3.
- hEphes. 2. 3.
- iJam. 1. 15.Iam. 1. 15.
- k1. Tim. 1. 23.
- lPsal. 19. 13.
- mNum. 15. 30.
