but ⟨p. 46⟩(because it is the good Spirit of God, that frameth his heart to receive Christ, and rely upon him, therefore by the direction of the same Spirit, which must needs move him to be of the same mind towards those things that are equally true, and equally from God) he feedeth also upon the sour herbs of the threats, to humble himself as need requires, and ceaseth not to urge the precepts upon himself for his continual direction. So the hypocrite separateth, what God would have joined, picking out of the Word that, that likes him best, I mean the comfortable promises; and casting the rest behind his back. But the true Christian joineth those things together, that God would have joined; making use of the whole Word to himself, as well, as much, as carefully (in their times and places) as of the promises. Again, the hypocrite applies the promises falsely, not according to the tenor of the Scripture,1 but according to his own fancy; not duly deducting his particular persuasion, out of the general directions of the Word: but sophistically concluding in his own behalf, according as best liketh him. The Lord hath made many gracious promises in his Word; by name, that principal promise of salvation. And it hath pleased God to limit these promises to those that do such and such things, requiring (as you would say) certain conditions to be performed on his part, that must enjoy these promises. Now the hypocrite, he never looketh to his part, nor mindeth what care he hath of standing to the condition, but gapeth after the good thing promised, ⟨p. 47⟩without any more ado, and thinks himself sure of that upon some sleithy reason, and there an end. Therefore John Baptist warned them, that they should not begin to say, we have Abraham to our Father, but should bring forth fruits worthy amendment of life. Here he shows the fore (as it were) of their presuming and false faith, by telling them of the remedy. An hypocrite, he loves to be short in applying the promises, and doth it by enthymemes; Christ dyed to save sinners, and therefore I shall be saved; forgetting to tell himself what things are required of such sinners as Christ must save, and to consider afore he draw that conclusion, whether himself have the properties of such a sinner, yea or no.
but ⟨p. 46⟩(because it is the good Spirit of God, that frameth his heart to receiue Christ, and relie vpon him, therefore by the direction of the same Spirit, which must needs moue him to be of the same minde towards those things that are equally true, and equally from God) he feedeth also vpon the sowre herbs of the threats, to humble himselfe as need requires, and ceaseth not to vrge the precepts vpon himselfe for his continuall direction. So the hypocrite separateth, what God would haue ioyned, picking out of the Word that, that likes him best, I meane the comfortable promises; and casting the rest behinde his backe. But the true Christian ioyneth those things together, that God would haue ioyned; making vse of the whole Word to himselfe, as well, as much, as carefully (in their times and places) as of the promises. Againe, the hypocrite applies the promises falsely, not according to the tenour of the Scripture,1 but according to his owne fancie; not duly deducting his particular perswasion, out of the generall directions of the Word: but sophistically concluding in his owne behalfe, according as best liketh him. The Lord hath made many gratious promises in his Word; by name, that principall promise of saluation. And it hath pleased God to limit these promises to those that doe such and such things, requiring (as you would say) certaine conditions to be performed on his part, that must enioy these promises. Now the hypocrite, hee neuer looketh to his part, nor mindeth what care he hath of standing to the condition, but gapeth after the good thing promised, ⟨p. 47⟩without any more adoe, and thinkes himselfe sure of that vpon some sleithy reason, and there an end. Therefore Iohn Baptist warned them, that they should not begin to say, wee haue Abraham to our Father, but should bring forth fruites worthie amendment of life. Heere hee shewes the fore (as it were) of their presuming and false faith, by telling them of the remedy. An hypocrite, hee loues to be short in applying the promises, and doth it by enthymems; Christ dyed to saue sinners, and therefore I shall be saued; forgetting to tell himselfe what things are required of such sinners as Christ must saue, and to consider afore hee draw that conclusion, whether himselfe haue the properties of such a sinner, yea or no.
- 1The hypocrite applies the promises falsely to himself, not regarding to seek for in himself the conditions by which the promises are limited.The hypocrite applies the promises falsely to himselfe, not regarding to seeke for in himselfe the conditions by which the promises are limited.
