Use 1. Here is a bill of indictment against such as before the finishing of their course, have departed from the faith; they are fallen to worldliness or wantonness, the very mantle of their profession is fallen off. Desinit in Piscem mulier formosa superne. Such were Lucian, Porphyry, Peter Castellon, Judas. Judas hath many successors. Demas forsook God, *and afterwards became a Priest in an Idol-Temple, saith Dorotheus. Julian bathed himself in the blood of beasts offered in sacrifice to Heathen gods, and so as much as in him lay, washed off his Baptism. Things which move from an artificial spring quickly cease; unsound hearts having only external artifices of Piety, but wanting a vital principle of Grace, soon make a stop in Religion. How can they adhere to God who never loved him? The Soldier who hath no true love to his commander, will throw off his Colours., Hos. 8. 3. Israel hath cast off the thing that is good. We have had more shipwrecks at Land than at ⟨p. 10⟩Sea, men have made shipwreck of their conscience, 1 Tim. 1. 19. Apostates unravel the work they have been doing for Heaven, they pick out all their golden stitches, Ezek. 18. 14. As if a Limner should with a pencil draw a curious piece, and then come with his sponge and wipe it out again. Apostates drop as windfalls into the Devils mouth, they having disparaged the ways of God, and put Christ to open shame, Heb. 6. 6. God will make them do penance in Hell*.
Use 1. Here is a bill of inditement against such as before the finishing of their course, have departed from the faith; they are fallen to worldliness or wantonness, the very mantle of their profession is fallen off. Desinit in Piscem mulier formosa superne. Such were Lucian, Porphiry, Peter Castellon, Judas. Judas hath many successors. Demas forsook God, *and afterwards became a Priest in an Idol-Temple, saith Dorotheus. Julian bathed himself in the blood of beasts offered in sacrifice to Heathen gods, and so as much as in him lay, washed off his Baptism. Things which move from an artificial spring quickly cease; unfound hearts having only external artifices of Piety, but wanting a vital principle of Grace, soon make a stop in Religion. How can they adhere to God who never loved him? The Soldier who hath no true love to his commander, will throw off his Colours., Hos. 8. 3. Israel hath cast off the thing that is good. We have had more shipwracks at Land than at ⟨p. 10⟩Sea, men have made shipwrack of their conscience, 1 Tim. 1. 19. Apostates unravel the work they have been doing for Heaven, they pick out all their golden stitches, Ezek. 18. 14. As if a Limner should with a pencil draw a curious piece, and then come with his spunge and wipe it out again. Apostates drop as windfalls into the Devils mouth, they having disparaged the ways of God, and put Christ to open shame, Heb. 6. 6. God will make them do penance in Hell*.
- *2 Tim. 4, 10.
- *Heb. 10. 38.
