A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

Let us therefore take notice of the Coherence, and we will go no higher then to the 30th verse, where we have specified a blessed and fruitful event upon Christs Discourse, concerning his Person and Office, For as he spake those words, many believed on him; not by their own natural ability and power, but the Father did draw them by his omnipotent and efficacious grace: Christ while he spake ⟨p. 303⟩to the ear did also reach to the heart; he did not only preach, but could enable the hearer also to believe, herein exceeding all Pastors and Teachers that ever were in the Church of God; Christ plants and watereth, and giveth the increase likewise all of himself; Yea Christ seemeth here to sow his seed upon the high way, and among thorns and stones, yet some seed cometh up and prospereth well.

Let us therefore take notice of the Coherence, and we will go no higher then to the 30th verse, where we have specified a blessed and fruitfull event upon Christs Discourse, concerning his Person and Office, For as he spake those words, many believed on him; not by their own natural ability and power, but the Father did draw them by his omnipotent and efficacious grace: Christ while he spake ⟨p. 303⟩to the ear did also reach to the heart; he did not onely preach, but could inable the hearer also to believe, herein exceeding all Pastors and Teachers that ever were in the Church of God; Christ plants and watereth, and giveth the increase likewise all of himself; Yea Christ seemeth here to sow his seed upon the high way, and among thorns and stones, yet some seed cometh up and prospereth well.

Upon this we have the love and care of Christ mentioned to these new Converts, he immediately watereth these plants, and swaddleth these new born Infants that they may not miscarry; This is seen in the counsel suggested to them, where you have, The Duty supposed, and the admirable Privilege issuing from it▪ The Duty supposed, If ye continue in my Word; It is not enough to begin, unless there be perseverance. It is not enough to receive Christ and his Word, unless we abide therein and have our ears (as it were) bored, never to depart from such a Master; The neglect of this maketh all that dreadful Apostasy, and those sad scandals to Religion, which in all Ages do terribly break forth, Except ye abide in Christ, as well as be in him, we shall fall short in the wilderness, and not be able to enter into Canaan.