1Paul an Apostle.] Here three Doctrines may be observed: first, great sinners may prove great Saints; a great enemy of sincere Religion may prove Doctr. 1 a great founder of Churches; a great oppressor of Gods Servants may prove a great feeder of Gods flock.2 In a word, a persecutor, as we see here, may be an Apostle. This Doctrine as it doth excellently sample out Gods unsearchable mercy, so it teacheth us not to despair of any, but to continue Use. 1 to pray for even the vilest and most spiteful adversaries, and the most open oppugners, and usual traducers of Gods causes and people; and to wait upon God to see if at any time he will give them repentance to build that they have destroyed, and to gather that they have so much striven to scatter. Secondly,3 this Doctrine is of singular use in the cure of the hardest of diseases, viz. affliction of conscience: for in some of the dear Servants of God (that have appearing upon them some signs of effectual Calling, a right evidence of hope from Gods promises, sweet pledges and signifying seals of Gods favour, by the witness of the spirit of Adoption) yet there ariseth some scruples about either the multitude or greatness of their sins: now the healing of their errors,4 and uncomfortable mistakings doth most an end arise from the right application of such examples as this. I say, a right application: for, the most men do dangerously and damnably mistake in alleging the instances of the great sins of Gods servants.5 But if thou observe these four rules thou canst not mistake or misapply: First, if thou bring not in the examples of David, Peter, Paul, or any other, to patronize thy sin, or to defend or nourish thy self in a sinful course. Secondly, if thou allege them not to wrest Gods promises, as to make the promises of mercy general, when they are restrained with their several limitations. Thirdly, when they are not brought out to fortify a profane heart against the ordinances of God, as reproofs either public or private. Fourthly, when thou dost as well urge upon thy self the necessity of the repentance was in them, as seek the comfort of the remission of so great sins committed by them: These rules being observed, the example of Pauls sins may with comfort be applied, as he himself testifieth. 1 Tim. 1.16.
1Paul an Apostle.] Here three Doctrines may be obserued: first, great sinners may proue great Saints; a great enemie of sincere Religion may prooue Doctr. 1 a great founder of Churches; a great oppressor of Gods Seruants may proue a great feeder of Gods flocke.2 In a word, a persecuter, as we see heere, may be an Apostle. This Doctrine as it doth excellently sample out Gods vnsearchable mercy, so it teacheth vs not to despaire of any, but to continue Vse. 1 to pray for euen the vilest and most spitefull aduersaries, and the most open oppugners, and vsuall traducers of Gods causes and people; and to waite vpon God to see if at any time hee will giue them repentance to build that they haue destroyed, and to gather that they haue so much striuen to scatter. Secondly,3 this Doctrine is of singular vse in the cure of the hardest of diseases, viz. affliction of conscience: for in some of the deare Seruants of God (that haue appearing vpon them some signes of effectuall Calling, a right euidence of hope from Gods promises, sweet pledges and signifying seales of Gods fauour, by the witnesse of the spirit of Adoption) yet there ariseth some scruples about eyther the multitude or greatnesse of their sins: now the healing of their errors,4 and vncomfortable mistakings doth most an end arise from the right application of such examples as this. I say, a right application: for, the most men doe dangerously and damnably mistake in alleadging the instances of the great sins of Gods seruants.5 But if thou obserue these foure rules thou canst not mistake or misapply: First, if thou bring not in the examples of Dauid, Peter, Paul, or any other, to patronize thy sinne, or to defend or nourish thy selfe in a sinfull course. Secondly, if thou alleadge them not to wrest Gods promises, as to make the promises of mercy generall, when they are restrayned with their seuerall limitations. Thirdly, when they are not brought out to fortifie a prophane heart against the ordinances of God, as reproofes eyther publike or priuate. Fourthly, when thou dost as well vrge vpon thy selfe the necessity of the repentance was in them, as seeke the comfort of the remission of so great sinnes committed by them: These rules being obserued, the example of Pauls sinnes may with comfort bee applied, as he himselfe testifieth. 1 Tim. 1.16.
- 1Three Doctrines from the first words
- 2Great sinners may prove great Saints.Great sinners may prooue great Saints.
- 32 Affliction of conscience.
- 4Dangerous mistaking.
- 54 Rules to be observed in alleging examples of great sinners repenting.4 Rules to be obserued in alledging examples of great sinners repenting.
