The application of redemption

These only who had more learning, they gave the encounter, and openly contemned both his purpose and doctrine, As it is with men who are but weak and unskilful at the weapon, not able to […] a blow or put by a thrust, it's no hard matter to get within them, but those who are […] of defence are dextrous, and handy at their weapons, there is little hope to hit them or to come within them. So here, men of meaner capacities and of shallow reach, they yield more easily and are forced to let fall their weapons, but such who are skilful are masters of defence, can devise devices, the subtlety of their own reason is […] by […] suggestions, they will latch almost any blow, and put by the plainest truth for the present push, that there is no hope to come in to them. And this also is the ground why your painted Formalists, and subtle hypocrites who are grown cunning in the craft of profession, (for so they make it) they are so hardly brought on to believe. Publicans and sinners and Harlots shall go before them. And for this cause it is our Lord so marvellously distastes this condition, Rev. 3. 17. I would thou wert either cold or ⟨p. 101⟩hot, Lukewarmness is worse than profaneness, not that false shows are worse than grosser evils when heart and life, outside and inside are both ill, but in truth because such are more difficult to be convinced of their evils, and therefore not likely to be amended or brought out of them q. d. As though the Lord had said if thou wert openly naught, thou mightest be brought to see & acknowledge thy naught iness; Here Paul issues the strength of that resistance against the Lord and his Gospel 1. Coloss. 21. Enemies in your minds by wicked works. but in the original, Enemies by reason of your discourses, set or attent to evil works. It's the first step to wisdom to become a fool, and that's hard to him that is highly in love with his own wit.

These only who had more learning, they gave the encounter, and openly contemned both his purpose and doctrine, As it is with men who are but weak and unskilful at the weapon, not able to 〈…〉 a blow or put by a thrust, it's no hard matter to get within them, but those who are 〈…〉 of defence are dextrous, and handy at their weapons, there is little hope to hit them or to come within them. So here, men of meaner capacities and of shallow reach, they yield more easily and are forced to let fal their weapons, but such who are skilful are masters of defence, can devise devices, the subtilty of their own reason is by suggestions, they wil latch allmost any blow, and put by the plainest truth for the present push, that there is no hope to come in to them. And this also is the ground why your painted Formalists, and subtil hypocrites who are grown cunning in the craft of profession, (for so they make it) they are so hardly brought on to beleeve. Publicans and sinners and Harlots shal goe before them. And for this cause it is our Lord so marvailously distasts this condition,