2. It is easier to be found and Orthodox, then to be Godly,1 Satan in a manner soundly believes there is one God, Jam. 2.19. and that Christ is the Son of God, Luke 4.34. and so doeth the carnal Jew teach that it is not lawful to steal, to commit adultery, Rom. 2.21, 22. But in the Old and New Testament, Devils never accuse themselves of sin, but tempt to it, and challenge the Law and God. Gen. 3.4, 5. of unjustice, never themselves; Devils are most properly under the Covenant of Works, and by no command is the Gospel Preached to them, and next to them are such as are found in the letter of the Gospel, but never convinced of sin: Such are most under the Law, as have least Law-work and Law-condemnation upon their Spirits, these that are under the Law most, as touching their state, are most under the letter, least under the Spirit, as touching any penal awaking.2 To be under Law-bondage is, a more punishment to Devils and men under a Law state, for legal terrors are upon Devils, Math. 8.29. Jam. 2.19. and Cain Gen. 4.14. punishment as such neither maketh, nor denominateth any gracious, it is but accidental to prepare any for Christ,3 many tormented with the Law have believed such a case to be the pain of the second birth, when it was but a mere Law-fever, and have returned to their vomit and become more loose and profane. 1. Because the Law as the Law can convert none. 2. Wrestling with Law-bondage without any Gospel-Grace is but a contradicting of God, and his justice; and God recompenseth opposing and blaspheming of him in hell, with more sinful looseness. 3. Law-light under legal terrors shines more clearly, and the guiltiness in not making use of rods of that nature is so much the more grievous. Ye that have been scalded and burnt in this furnace, and are come back from hell, are taught by sense to believe there is a hell, and though hell torment can convert no man, yet it renders men more unexcusable: Humbling, weakening, and sanctifying Law-bondage is more then a work of the Law when it brings forth confessing, praying, believing, humble submitting to God, in Job, David, Hezekiah, Heman, and what a Physician is Christ who can heal us with burning and coals of hell.
2. It is easier to be found and Orthodox, then to be Godly,1 Sathan in a manner foundly believes there is one God, Jam. 2.19. and that Christ is the Son of God, Luke 4.34. and so doeth the carnall Jew teach that it is not lawfull to steal, to commit adultery, Rom. 2.21, 22. But in the Old and New Testament, Devils never accuse themselves of sin, but tempt to it, and challenge the Law and God. Gen. 3.4, 5. of unjustice, never themselves; Divels are most properly under the Covenant of Works, and by no command is the Gospel Preached to them, and next to them are such as are found in the letter of the Gospel, but never convinced of sin: Such are most under the Law, as have least Law-work and Law-condemnation upon their Spirits, these that are under the Law most, as touching their state, are most under the letter, least under the Spirit, as touching any penall awaking.2 To be under Law-bondage is, a more punishment to Divels and men under a Law state, for legall terrors are upon Divels, Math. 8.29. Jam. 2.19. and Cain Gen. 4.14. punishment as such neither maketh, nor denominateth any gracious, it is but accidentall to prepare any for Christ,3 many tormented with the Law have believed such a case to be the pain of the second birth, when it was but a meer Law-feaver, and have returned to their vomit and become more loose and profane. 1. Because the Law as the Law can convert none. 2. Wrestling with Law-bondage without any Gospel-Grace is but a contradicting of God, and his justice; and God recompenceth opposing and blaspheming of him in hell, with more sinfull loosenesse. 3. Law-light under legall terrors shines more clearly, and the guiltinesse in not making use of rods of that nature is so much the more grievous. Ye that have been scadded and burnt in this furnace, and are come back from hell, are taught by sense to believe there is a hell, and though hell torment can convert no man, yet it renders men more unexcusable: Humbling, wakning, and sanctifying Law-bondage is more then a work of the Law when it brings forth confessing, praying, believing, humble submitting to God, in Job, David, Hzekiah, Heman, and what a Physician is Christ who can heal us with burning and coals of hell.
- 1It is easier to be found then to be Godly.
- 2Legal terrors convert none.Legall terrours convert none.
- 3Legal terrors may be mistaken and conceived to be the child birth of RegenerationLegall terrours may be mistaken and conceived to be the child birth of Regeneration
