1. By way of Instruction and conviction, It informeth that it's a sin not to believe in Christ, that it's not humility but frowardness when we keep off from the Promises; That as it would be self-murder not to eat or drink, so it's Soul-murder not to eat or feed on Christ,1 which is called believing, Joh. 6. Hence this Spirit of God is said to convince the world of sin, Joh. 16 9. And wherein, or what sin especially? Even because they would not believe in Christ; Oh this is a special mercy, when the Spirit of God hath by the Gospel so far convinced thee, that thou seest it thy duty to believe, to rejoice, for who is there when once feeling the burden and weight of sin, doth not with Adam run and hide himself, doth not conclude, his sins are greater then he can bear? It's not for such a wretch as I am, to have a drop of water to refresh me, much less a drop of Christs blood, yea, his whole blood; Hence when we come to a tempted Christian, we may admire at the subtleties and strong Objections he can bring against his comfort: Never did any Heretic more subtly and pertinaciously oppose the Truth of Christ, then such an one will object against the Promises, So that you heard it was the tongue of the Learned, Isa. 50.4. that could know to speak a word in season to such wearied persons, yea, to this day are not the Protestant Writers conflicting with the Papists about the particular application of Christ to every Believer, asserting that it is every Christians duty to say with Paul, Gal. 2. who loved me and gave himself for me; Now this particular appropriation of Christ to a man, is the foundation of all joy and peace: And do not the Papists bring all those Objections that a tempted Christian is apt to produce, Such as these Gods Promises they are indeed true, I doubt not but God is able, only I question my self whether I have such conditions and qualifications as are required for the Promises? Again the Promises are general, whosoever shall believe or repent, shall find mercy, but my great fear is, whether I do truly repent or believe; Yet again, They object, as Bellarmine, the heart is deceitful: how many have persuaded themselves, they do repent and love God, when indeed they do not, and it may be I am such an one.
1. By way of Instruction and conviction, It informeth that it's a sinne not to beleeve in Christ, that it's not humility but frowardnesse when we keep off from the Promises; That as it would be self-murther not to eat or drink, so it's Soul-murther not to eat or feed on Christ,1 which is called beleeving, Joh. 6. Hence this Spirit of God is said to convince the world of sinne, Joh. 16 9. And wherein, or what sinne especially? Even because they would not beleeve in Christ; Oh this is a speciall mercy, when the Spirit of God hath by the Gospel so farre convinced thee, that thou seest it thy duty to beleeve, to rejoyce, for who is there when once feeling the burthen and weight of sinne, doth not with Adam run and hide himself, doth not conclude, his sins are greater then he can bear? It's not for such a wretch as I am, to have a drop of water to refresh me, much lesse a drop of Christs bloud, yea, his whole bloud; Hence when we come to a tempted Christian, we may admire at the subtleties and strong Objections he can bring against his comfort: Never did any Heretique more subtilly and pertinaciously oppose the Truth of Christ, then such an one will object against the Promises, So that you heard it was the tongue of the Learned, Isa. 50.4. that could know to speak a word in season to such wearied persons, yea, to this day are not the Protestant Writers conflicting with the Papists about the particular application of Christ to every Beleever, asserting that it is every Christians duty to say with Paul, Gal. 2. who loved me and gave himself for me; Now this particular appropriation of Christ to a man, is the foundation of all joy and peace: And do not the Papists bring all those Objections that a tempted Christian is apt to produce, Such as these Gods Promises they are indeed true, I doubt not but God is able, only I question my self whether I have such conditions and qualifications as are required for the Promises? Again the Promises are general, whosoever shall beleeve or repent, shall finde mercy, but my great fear is, whether I do truly repent or beleeve; Yet again, They object, as Bellarmine, the heart is deceitfull: how many have perswaded themselves, they do repent and love God, when indeed they doe not, and it may be I am such an one.
- 11. By way of Instruction and conviction.
