3. Because in the Gospel its self there are quite contrary inferences and conclusions from those which flesh and blood would ⟨p. 207⟩draw from the Gospel: As to instance; in any thing wherein the Gospel hath been abused, to three ends hath it been abused, to Looseness, Laziness, Licentiousness. Now you shall see the Word carrieth things in a quite contrary way to what carnal men do: to Looseness: men have been the more loose and careless, because Grace hath abounded in the discoveries of the Gospel; but the Apostle disdaineth, it as a most abhorrent and strange conclusion from Gospel-principles, Rom. 6. 1. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. [Greek or Hebrew], do not cherish such a vile and unworthy thought; the Gospel teacheth quite contrary, see Titus 2. 11, 12. not wantonness, but weanedness, to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. So see Rom. 6. 16. and 2 Cor. 7. 1. a Bee gathereth honey thence from whence a Spider sucketh poison. Again, to Laziness: men are apt to lye down upon the bed of ease, and say Christ must do all, and so exclude all use of means and the endeavour of the creature: This is a foul abuse; for the Scripture inferreth thence the care and work of the creature, because God doth all, Phil. 2. 12, 13. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for 'tis God worketh in you both to will and to do. We must the more humbly wait upon God in the use of Ordinances, because all dependeth upon his assistance. Again, to Licentiousness: men have interpreted freedom by Christ in such a perverse sense, as to cast off obedience to civil powers, either to Masters in the Family, or to Magistrates in the Commonwealth; whereas the Word calleth for these duties upon this very ground, because we are made free by Christ, that is, more ready and apt to discharge the duty we owe to God and man: in this sense 'tis said, 1 Cor. 7. 22. That a servant is the Lords freeman; and 1 Pet. 2. 16. Obey Governors as free, but as servants of the Lord: Christianity giveth us a greater aptness, layeth on us a greater engagement, the bond of conscience; so that there is, as Sadvian speaketh, in maximâ libertate minima licentia, a great deal of liberty by Christ, and yet the strongest engagement to service that may be.
3. Because in the Gospel its self there are quite contrary inferences and conclusions from those which flesh and blood would ⟨p. 207⟩draw from the Gospel: As to instance; in any thing wherein the Gospel hath been abused, to three ends hath it been abused, to Looseness, Laziness, Licentiousness. Now you shall see the Word carrieth things in a quite contrary way to what carnal men doe: to Looseness: men have been the more loose and careless, because Grace hath abounded in the discoveries of the Gospel; but the Apostle disdaineth, it as a most abhorrent and strange conclusion from Gospel-principles, Rom. 6. 1. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, doe not cheerish such a vile and unworthy thought; the Gospel teacheth quite contrary, see Titus 2. 11, 12. not wantonness, but weanedness, to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. So see Rom. 6. 16. and 2 Cor. 7. 1. a Bee gathereth honey thence from whence a Spider sucketh poyson. Again, to Laziness: men are apt to lye down upon the bed of ease, and say Christ must do all, and so exclude all use of means and the endeavour of the creature: This is a foul abuse; for the Scripture inferreth thence the care and work of the creature, because God doth all, Phil. 2. 12, 13. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for 'tis God worketh in you both to will and to doe. We must the more humbly wait upon God in the use of Ordinances, because all dependeth upon his assistance. Again, to Licentiousness: men have interpreted freedom by Christ in such a perverse sense, as to cast off obedience to civil powers, either to Masters in the Family, or to Magistrates in the Commonwealth; whereas the Word calleth for these duties upon this very ground, because we are made free by Christ, that is, more ready and apt to discharge the duty we owe to God and man: in this sence 'tis said, 1 Cor. 7. 22. That a servant is the Lords freeman; and 1 Pet. 2. 16. Obey Governours as free, but as servants of the Lord: Christianity giveth us a greater aptnesse, layeth on us a greater engagement, the bond of conscience; so that there is, as Sadvian speaketh, in maximâ libertate minima licentia, a great deal of liberty by Christ, and yet the strongest engagement to service that may be.
