CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

¹First, It's a special mercy, because of the frequent and diligent Exhortations given to all, that they fall not from the truth, that they make not shipwreck of their faith, 2 Pet. 3.17. The Apostle having spoken before, that some wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction, he bids even the godly beware; a word used in matter of great concernment,² and where there is great danger, lest they also be lead aside; Therefore error is not the way to Heaven, and the Error of the wicked it is called; Wickedness is showed in corrupt Doctrines, as well as in profane lives, (so as to fall from their steadfastness) if you begin to shake, to doubt, it's a sin, we must not fall from our steadfastness: There is a notable place also Jude vers. 3. when the Apostle gave himself diligently to write of salvation, what doth he pitch upon, to strive for the true Faith, and he doth not barely write, but exhorts, his affections as well as his judgement, are set on work, and it's not simply to believe or keep the faith, but [Greek or Hebrew], to be in an agony, as they that are in a fight or race; The faith should be as dear to us as our lives, and the word implies a difficulty to keep it, because of violent enemies to take away this live child, and put a dead one in the room: Lastly you ⟨p. 317⟩have the character of this faith, it was once delivered, so that new Revelations are not to be expected; But we are to enquire, What was once delivered? Thus you see, a Christian must not be cold and lukewarm in the truths of God, but he must with all his soul employ himself about it.

¹First, It's a special mercy, because of the frequent and diligent Exhortations given to all, that they fall not from the truth, that they make not shipwrack of their faith, 2 Pet. 3.17. The Apostle having spoken before, that some wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction, he bids even the godly beware; a word used in matter of great concernment,