1Secondly, In regard of his uniform perseverance. It is not taking a step or two in a way, which denominateth a man a Walker, but a continued motion; It is not one or two good Actions, but a good conversation which will speak a man to be a right Christian. 2A true believer like the heavenly Orbs, is constant and unwearied in his motion and actings. An Expositor observeth of Enoch, that its twice said of him, He walked with God, Gen. 5. 22, and 24. to show that as he first began to walk and profit in Gods path, so he always continued profiting to the end. No man is judged healthy by a flushing ⟨p. 3⟩colour in his face, but by a good complexion. God esteemeth none holy for a particular carriage, but for a general course; A sinner in some few acts may be very good; Judas Repenteth; Cain Sacrificeth; The Scribes Pray and Fast; and yet all were very false; In the most deadly diseases, there may be some intermissions, and some good prognostics. A Saint in some few acts may be very bad: Noah is Drunk; David defileth his Neighbours Wife; And Peter denieth his best friend; yet these persons were heavens favourites; The best Gold must have some grains of allowance. Sheep may fall into the mire, but Swine love night and day to wallow in it. A Christian may stumble, nay he may fall, but he gets up and walks on in the way of Gods Commandments; the bent of his heart is right, and the scope of his life is straight, and thence he is deemed sincere.
1Secondly, In regard of his uniforme perseverance. It is not taking a step or two in a way, which denominateth a man a Walker, but a continued motion; It is not one or two good Actions, but a good conversation which will speak a man to be a right Christian. 2A true beleiver like the heavenly Orbes, is constant and unwearied in his motion and actings. An Expositor observeth of Enoch, that its twice said of him, He walked with God, Gen. 5. 22, and 24. to shew that as he first began to walk and profit in Gods path, so he alwayes continued profiting to the end. No man is judged healthy by a flushing ⟨p. 3⟩colour in his face, but by a good complexion. God esteemeth none holy for a particular carriage, but for a general course; A sinner in some few acts may be very good; Iudas Repenteth; Cain Sacrifiseth; The Scribes Pray and Fast; and yet all were very false; In the most deadly diseases, there may be some intermissions, and some good prognosticks. A Saint in some few acts may be very bad: Noah is Drunk; David defileth his Neighbours Wife; And Peter denyeth his best fri•nd; yet these persons were heavens favourites; The best Gold must have some grains of allowance. Sheep may fall into the mire, but Swine love night and day to wallow in it. A Christian may stumble, nay he may fall, but he gets up and walks on in the way of Gods Commandements; the bent of his heart is right, and the scope of his life is straight, and thence he is deemed sincere.
- 1Est m•tus perpetuus.
- 2Bis de Enoch dicitur (Ambulavit cum deo) ad explicandum quod ab ine•nte aetate, profecit in via dei, & perseveravit, profitiendo in eadem semper. C•jrer.
