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

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First, That even the godly through Ignorance upon their minds, ¹or some importunate temptation, may be very diligent in some commands, and yet not observe others, and this may be either from ignorance or provoking temptations, from Ignorance, such may the education of the godly be, or they may live in such dark times wherein error is common, and none make any question of it, and then they may continue in the omission of many duties; So some excuse the Patriarchs in their Polygamy; Though (say they) it was an express sin against the first Institution of Marriage,² yet custom and Tradition had taken away the sense of sinning, and so in the time of many good Kings, who made an exact Reformation, yet the high places were not taken away, there was either non-attendance or sinful connivance at that, and in the Infancy of the Christian Church, how many were so weak as not to discern their Christian ⟨p. 202⟩Liberty, but placed much obedience in the observation of Jewish rites and Ceremonies; And thus also there may be some provoking violent temptations; The Godly though they have an universal Inclination to Gods will, yet are hurried aside; David was overtaken with Adultery though his heart was sincere towards all the whole Law of God: We distinguish then between temptations and an habitual custom in any sin; The godly man may by the former be driven out of his faith, not by the latter, so that even then there remaineth an inward seed that doth virtually contain the commands of God, and therefore is called the Law of God written in their hearts.

First, That even the godly through Ignorance upon their mindes, ¹or some importunate temptation, may be very diligent in some commands, and yet not observe others, and this may be either from ignorance or provoking temptations, from Ignorance, such may the education of the godly be, or they may live in such dark times wherein errour is common, and none make any question of it, and then they may continue in the omission of many duties; So some excuse the Patriarcks in their Polygamy; Though (say they) it was an expresse sinne against the first Institution of Marriage,