I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Answ. 5 The more useful, and serviceable a man is to God, the more apt and ready God will be, to pardon his failings; not only the failings of his present employment, but of the other part of his life also. What a great failing was that in Rahab, to say, the Spies were gone, when she had hid them in the top of her house: yet the Lord pardoned this failing to her; Why? Because she believed, and was useful, and serviceable unto Gods great design in that her day. And if ye look into Numb. […] ye shall find, That though Aaron and Miriam, were both engaged in the same sin and evil, of envying and murmuring against Moses, yet the Lord spa•ed Aaron, when he struck Miriam with a Leprosy. But why (saith Abulensis) was not Aaron smitten with the Leprosy as well as Miriam? what, because he was not so deeply in the Transgression as she was? No; for verse 1. it's said, Then spake Aaron and Miriam; not as if she were put on by him: Or because that Aaron confessed his sin, as she did not? No, for so did Miriam also, for she was a good woman: Or because that God owed Aaron a punishment till afterwards?¹ No, for that appears not by the Text; but he was the High-Priest, and if he had been smitten with Leprosy, it would have brought his Ministry under some contempt, the Work of the Lord would have ceased for a time also, and though he failed in this thing, yet he was otherwise, a very useful and serviceable man; and God would show his aptness and readiness to pardon such, rather than others.

Answ. 5 The more useful, and serviceable a man is to God, the more apt and ready God wil be, to pardon his failings; not only the failings of his present employment, but of the other part of his life also. What a great failing was that in Rahab, to say, the Spyes were gone, when she had hid them in the top of her house: yet the Lord pardoned this failing to her; Why? Because she beleeved, and was useful, and serviceable unto Gods great design in that her day. And if ye look into Numb. 〈…〉 ye shall find, That though Aaron and Miriam, were both engaged in the same sin and evil, of envying and murmuring against Moses, yet the Lord spa•ed Aaron, when he strook Miriam with a Leprosie. But why (saith Abulensis) was not Aaron smitten with the Leprosie as well as Miriam? what, because he was not so deeply in the Transgression as she was? No; for verse 1. it's said, Then spake Aaron and Miriam; not as if she were put on by him: Or because that Aaron confessed his sin, as she did not? No, for so did Miriam also, for she was a good woman: Or because that God owed Aaron a punishment till afterwards?