Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

7. If the Devil tempt any wicked man upon the consideration of this Example, to presume that he is in a state of Grace, and to think with himself [why may not I live in whoredom, or drunkenness, or worldliness, and yet be in a justified estate, as well as Solomon, who did worse,] he may do well to bethink himself that 1. It is certain that he that liveth after the flesh shall die, and that such gross sinners shall not enter into the Kingdom of God. But we are not certain whether Solomon were justified and in a state of salvation at that time: it is a Controversy among wise godly learned men; and many of the Ancient Fathers thought that he was not. 3. And therefore any prudent man will take heed of venturing his salvation upon such uncertainty; and will look more at the certainty which is on the other side, of perishing if he live in such sins. 4. And he may do well to consider, that though Godliness be the same in all Ages in the main, and equally necessary, yet some sins may be more damning at some time than other. In those days of Solomon God had for some just reasons permitted or connived at the multiplicity of Wives, and little is said against Concubines: he had in his promises to his people made the most full and express mention of temporal blessings, as Children, long Life, prosperity, &c. and in his threatenings most expressly mentioned temporal evils: Spiritual and Eternal things were mentioned more obscurely and sparingly. This Honour was reserved to Christ and the Gospel, to bring Life and Immortality (more) to light, and to promise Spiritual and Eternal ⟨p. 329⟩blessings, and threaten Spiritual and Eternal misery, more expressly and fully: And consequently some sins of the flesh might not then be so certain marks of ungodliness as now: and as it is a greater measure of spiritual refining and purity that is promised and justly expected under the Gospel, so a greater measure must be looked after, by every man in himself, and by the Guides of the Church in its members; and we must go directly to Jesus Christ for our Direction in such Cases. So much to prevent the hurt of the wicked by this Example.

7. If the Devil tempt any wicked man upon the consideration of this Example, to presume that he is in a state of Grace, and to think with himself [why may not I live in whoredom, or drunkenness, or worldliness, and yet be in a justified estate, as well as Solomon, who did worse,] he may do well to bethink himself that 1. It is certain that he that liveth after the flesh shall die, and that such gross sinners shall not enter into the Kingdom of God. But we are not certain whether Solomon were justified and in a state of salvation at that time: it is a Controversie among wise godly learned men; and many of the Antient Fathers thought that he was not. 3. And therefore any prudent man will take heed of venturing his salvation upon such uncertainty; and will look more at the certainty which is on the other side, of perishing if he live in such sins. 4. And he may do well to consider, that though Godliness be the same in all Ages in the main, and equally necessary, yet some sins may be more damning at some time than other. In those daies of Solomon God had for some just reasons permitted or connived at the multiplicity of Wives, and little is said against Concubines: he had in his promises to his people made the most full and express mention of temporal blessings, as Children, long Life, prosperity, &c. and in his threatnings most expresly mentioned temporal evils: Spiritual and Eternal things were mentioned more obscurely and sparingly. This Honor was reserved to Christ and the Gospel, to bring Life and Immortalty (more) to light, and to promise Spiritual and Eternal