The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

That can sin more Syllogistically and Rhetorically than the vulgar; and more prudently and gravely run into damnation; and can learnedly defend his madness, and prove that he is safe at the brink of Hell? Would you persuade us that he is wise, that contradicts the God and Rule of Wisdom, and that parts with Heaven for a few merry hours, and hath not wit to save his soul? When they see the end, and are arrived at eternity, let them boast of their Wisdom, as they find cause: We will take them then for more competent Judges. Let the Eternal God be the portion of my soul; let Heaven be my inheritance and hope; let Christ be my Head, and the promise, my security, let Faith be my Wisdom, and Love be my very heart and will, and patient persevering Obedience be my life▪ and then I can spare the wisdom of the world, because I can spare the trifles that it seeks, and all that they are like to get by it.

That can sin more Syllogistically and Rhetorically than the vulgar; and more prudently and gravely run into damnation; and can learnedly defend his madness, and prove that he is safe at the brink of Hell? Would you perswade us that he is wise, that contradicts the God and Rule of Wisdom, and that parts with Heaven for a few merry hours, and hath not wit to save his soul? When they see the end, and are arrived at eternity, let them boast of their Wisdom, as they find cause: We will take them then for more competent Judges. Let the Eternal God be the portion of my soul; let Heaven be my inheritance and hope; let Christ be my Head, and the promise, my security, let Faith be my Wisdom, and Love be my very heart and will, and patient persevering Obedience be my life▪ and then I can spare the wisdom of the world, because I can spare the trifles that it seeks, and all that they are like to get by it.

What abundance of complaints and calamity would foresight prevent? Had the events of this one year been (conditionally) foreseen, the actions of thousands would have b•en otherwise ordered, and much sin and shame have been prevented. What a change would it make on the judgements of the world? how many words would be otherwise spoken? and how many deeds would be otherwise done? and how many hours would be otherwise spent, if the change that will be made by Judgement and Execution, were well foreseen? And why is it not foreseen, when it is foreshown? When the omniscient God, that will certainly perform his Word, hath so plainly