Gods husbandry

So you see reasons enow on Gods part, why such branches should be separated from the Vine. Consider we of themselves, and see if there be not more then cause of handling them with such severity. First, they thrust away salvation from themselves, Reason. 2 as it is said of the Jews in another case,¹ Because they will not entertain, and yield unto the good motions of Gods Word and Spirit, that ⟨p. 14⟩do urge and press them to turn unto the Lord, and therefore, what can be expected in reason, but that they should procure unto themselves even sharp and swift damnation? For is it not most equal, that he which will not receive salvation, when it is proffered unto him by God, should utterly perish; as that he should be starved, and dye for hunger, which will not receive food, when it is put into his hands? These men resist and oppugn the Spirit of God, and will not accept of life upon such terms, as it may stand with Gods Justice to bestow it upon them. If he would save them, and give them leave to go on in their beloved sins too, O how glad they would be of such a carnal way of coming to heaven! But if he will not give eternal life, but unto those that are careful throughly to reform their hearts and lives, they know not how to be at all that pains. Surely the matter standing thus betwixt the Lord and their souls, it could not stand with his righteousness, to preserve them from ruin. The dissembling Christian dealeth by God, as the Disciples of Christ did deal by him in the sixth of John. When he told them of eating his flesh, and drinking his blood, they said, This was an hard saying, who could hear it? and so went back, and walked no more with him. So the hypocrite, hearing of remission of sins, of life, of salvation, thinks they be things very desirable, and out of a will to have a part in them, he will go a great way with God: but when he hears of a general renouncing of ⟨p. 15⟩all sin, and of washing and cleansing his heart, and that without this care there is no salvation, he will not believe that the way to heaven is so narrow, he shrinks back at these exhortations, and thinks, the Lord is an hard Master, and will go with him no further. So then, seeing the fruitless branch doth carelessly or obstinately let pass the opportunity of saving himself when it is often offered unto him, what can be more righteous with God;