First, The Will is imposed upon by that corrupt reasoning, that Grace is exalted in pardon; and that mercy is provided for sinners. This first as hath been showed, deceives the mind, and that opens the way to the wills consent, by removing a sight of evil which the will hath an aversation unto. And this is carnal hearts prevails so far as to make them think that their liberty consists in being servants of corruption, 2 Pet. 2. 19. And the poison of it doth oftentimes taint and vitiate the minds of Believers themselves; whence we are so cautioned against it in the Scripture. To what therefore hath been spoken before, unto the use and abuse of the Doctrine of the Grace of the Gospel, we shall add some few more considerations, and fix upon one place of Scripture that will give light unto it. There is a twofold Mystery of Grace; of walking with God, and of coming unto God. And the great design of sin is to change the Doctrine and Mystery of Grace in reference unto these things, and that by applying those considerations unto the one, which are proper unto the other, whereby each part is hindered, and the influence of the Doctrine of Grace into them for their furtherance defeated; See 1 Joh. 2. 1, 2. These things write I ⟨p. 177⟩unto you that ye sin not; & if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. Here is the whole design and use of the Gospel briefly expressed, These things, saith he, I write unto you; what things were these? Those mentioned, v. 2. The life was manifested, and we have seen it, and […] witness, and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us, that is, the things concerning the person and mediations of Christ; and v. 7. that pardon, forgiveness and expiation from sin is to be attained by the blood of Christ. But to what end and purpose doth he write these things to them, What do they teach, what do they tend unto? An universal abstinence from sin; I write unto you, saith he, that you sin not. This is the proper, only, genuine end of the doctrine of the Gospel. But to abstain from all sin, is not our condition in this world. Chap. 1. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive our selves, and the truth is not in us. What then shall be done in this case?
First, The Will is imposed upon by that corrupt reasoning, that Grace is exalted in pardon; and that mercy is provided for sinners. This first as hath been shewed, deceives the mind, and that opens the way to the wills consent, by removing a sight of evil which the will hath an aversation unto. And this is carnal hearts prevails so far as to make them think that their liberty consists in being servants of corruption, 2 Pet. 2. 19. And the poyson of it doth oftentimes taint and vitiate the minds of Believers themselves; whence we are so cautioned against it in the Scripture. To what therefore hath been spoken before, unto the use and abuse of the Doctrine of the Grace of the Gospel, we shall add some few more considerations, and fix upon one place of Scripture that will give light unto it. There is a twofold Mysterie of Grace; of walking with God, and of coming unto God. And the great design of sin is to change the Doctrine and Mysterie of Grace in reference unto these things, and that by applying those considerations unto the one, which are proper unto the other, whereby each part is hindred, and the influence of the Doctrine of Grace into them for their fartherance defeated; See 1 Joh. 2. 1, 2. These things write I ⟨p. 177⟩unto you that ye sin not; & if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. Here is the whole design and use of the Gospel briefly expressed, These things, saith he, I write unto you; what things were these? Those mentioned, v. 2. The life was manifested, and we have seen it, and 〈…〉 witness, and shew unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us, that is, the things concerning the person and mediations of Christ; and v. 7. that pardon, forgiveness and expiation from sin is to be attained by the blood of Christ. But to what end and purpose doth he write these things to them, What do they teach, what do they tend unto? An universal abstinence from sin; I write unto you, saith he, that you sin not. This is the proper, only, genuine end of the doctrine of the Gospel. But to abstain from all sin, is not our condition in this world. Chap. 1. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive our selves, and the truth is not in us. What then shall be done in this case?
