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

They misexpound Rom. 8.28. who so expound it (as I have elsewhere showed.) For 1. The context confirmeth it to sufferings. 2. The qualification added [to them that love God] doth show that the abatement of love to God, is none of the things meant that shall work our good. 3. And it showeth, that it is Love as Love, and therefore not the least that is consistent with neglect and sin, which is our full condition. 4. Experience telleth us, that too many true Christians may fall from some degrees of grace, and the Love of God, and die in a less degree than they once had▪ and that less of holiness doth not work for their good. 5. And it is not a thing suitable to all the rest of Gods method in the Scriptures, that he should assure all beforehand, that all their sins shall work for their good. That he should command obedience so strictly, and promise rewards so liberally, and threaten punishment so terribly, and give such frightful examples as Solomons, Davids, and others are; and at the same time say, Whatever sin thou committest inwardly or outwardly by neglecting my Love, and Grace, and Spirit, by loving the world, by pleasing the flesh, as David did, &c. it shall all be turned to do thee more good than hurt. This is not a suitable means to men in our case, to keep them from sin, nor to cause their perseverance.

They misexpound Rom. 8.28. who so expound it (as I have elsewhere shewed.) For 1. The context confirmeth it to sufferings. 2. The qualification added [to them that love God] doth shew that the abatement of love to God, is none of the things meant that shall work our good. 3. And it sheweth, that it is Love as Love, and therefore not the least that is consistent with neglect and sin, which is our full condition. 4. Experience telleth us, that too many true Christians may fall from some degrees of grace, and the Love of God, and die in a less degree than they once had▪ and that less of holiness doth not work for their good. 5. And it is not a thing suitable to all the rest of Gods method in the Scriptures, that he should assure all beforehand, that all their sins shall work for their good. That he should command obedience so strictly, and promise rewards so liberally, and threaten punishment so terribly, and give such frightful examples as Solomons, Davids, and others are; and at the same time say, Whatever sin thou committest inwardly or outwardly by neglecting my Love, and Grace, and Spirit, by loving the world, by pleasing the flesh, as David did, &c. it shall all be turned to do thee more good than hurt. This is not a suitable means to men in our case, to keep them from sin, nor to cause their perseverance.