Branch 7. 1It reproves them who begin to work, but do not work out their salvation. 'Tis not enough to begin well; Non tantum facite sed perficite; 'tis Justinian's note; Some have, like Jehu, driven furiously in Religion, but within a while their chariot-wheels have been taken off. We live in the fall of the leaf; ⟨p. 40⟩divers we have observed, who did once put forth fair blossoms, and give good hopes of their conversion, but their Spring is turned into Autumn; they have left off working for Heaven; a sign the motion was but artificial, not vital. Israel hath cast off the thing that is good*. Such as were once diligent and zealous in Prayer, hearing, holy Conference, now they have left off the thing that is good; they have tired in their march to Heaven*. I have often thought there are many may be resembled to Nebuchadnezzars image*, at first they seemed to have an head of gold; they looked like glorious professors; then afterwards they seemed to be silver, then brass, then iron, and clay; they have at last degenerated into sin: Thus like fair mornings they have been soon overcast. Epiphanius observes of the Gnostics, at first they seemed to be a strict holy people, but afterwards ⟨p. 41⟩they fell to libertinism*. Some are grown so impudent, that they brag of their Apostasy; time was when they did read and pray in their Families, but now they thank God they are grown wiser, and they surcease from these duties; just as if you should hear the Devil boast, that once he was an Angel of light, but now he is turned an Angel of darkness: Apostates are the richest spoils that Satan goes away with; these he will hang up in hell for triumph. Such as have left off working, let them read that thundering Scripture, 2 Pet. 2. 21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandment. By leaving off working, they unravel all they have done before; they lose their reward. He that runs half the race, and then faints, loseth the Garland.
Branch 7. 1It reproves them who begin to work, but do not work out their salvation. 'Tis not enough to begin well; Non tantum facite sed perficite; 'tis Justinians note; Some have, like Jehu, driven furiously in Religion, but within a while their chariot-wheels have been taken off. We live in the fall of the leafe; ⟨p. 40⟩divers we have observed, who did once put forth fair blossomes, and give good hopes of their conversion, but their Spring is turned into Autumn; they have left off working for Heaven; a signe the motion was but artificial, not vital. Israel hath cast off the thing that is good*. Such as were once diligent and zealous in Prayer, hearing, holy Conference, now they have left off the thing that is good; they have tired in their march to Heaven*. I have often thought there are many may be resembled to Nebuchadnezzars image*, at first they seemed to have an head of gold; they looked like glorious professors; then afterwards they seemed to be silver, then brasse, then iron, and clay; they have at last degenerated into sinne: Thus like fair mornings they have been soon overcast. Epiphanius observes of the Gnosticks, at first they seemed to be a strict holy people, but afterwards ⟨p. 41⟩they fell to libertinisme*. Some are grown so impudent, that they brag of their Apostasie; time was when they did read and pray in their Families, but now they thank God they are grown wiser, and they surcease from these duties; just as if you should hear the Devil boast, that once he was an Angel of light, but now he is turned an Angel of darkness: Apostates are the richest spoiles that Satan goes away with; these he will hang up in hell for triumph. Such as have left off working, let them read that thundering Scripture, 2 Pet. 2. 21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousnesse, then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandment. By leaving off working, they unravel all they have done before; they lose their reward. He that runnes half the race, and then faints, loseth the Garland.
- 1Branch 7.
- *Hos. 8. 3.
- *Pejùs est recidere quàm incidere. Bern. Serm. 54. sup. cant.
- *Dan. 3.
- *[Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉
