The plain mans path-way to heaven

Theol. Oh, now I see which way the game goeth. You would fain make Christ a cloak for your sins. You will sin that grace may abound. You will sin frankly, and set all upon Christs score. Truly there be many thousands of your mind, which hearing of Gods abundant mercy in Christ, are thereby made more bold to sin. But they shall know one day, to their cost, what it is to abuse the mercy of God.¹ The Apostle saith, The mercy and loving kindness of God ⟨p. 271⟩should lead us to repentance. But we see it leads many to further hardness of heart. The Prophet saith,² With him is mercy, that he may be feared. But many thereby are made more secure and careless. But to come nearer to the mark: You say, you hope to be saved by Jesus Christ. I answer, If those things be found in you which the Scripture avoucheth to be in all that shall be saved by him, then you may have good confidence, and assured hope, otherwise not. Now the Scriptures do thus determine it, and set it down, that if a man be in Christ, and look to be saved by him, he must be endued with these qualities following: First, he must be a new creature.³ Secondly, he must live, not after the lusts of men, but after the will of God, 1 Pet. 4.2. Thirdly, he must be zealous of good works, Tit. 2.14. Fourthly, he must die to sin, and live to righteousness, Rom. 6.14. Fifthly, he must be holy and unblameable, Col. 1.23. Sixthly, he must so walk as Christ hath walked, 1 John 2.6. Seventhly, he must crucify the flesh, with the affections & lusts, Gal. 5.24. Eighthly, he must walk, not after the flesh, but after the spirit,