M·ead J. The Nature of Regemratioti . 15) faoCtified firiCI:nefs in religion. The P harifte.r had fo much of it, that they h10ked on Chri!1 as little better than a mere libertine. A man whofe confcience hath been awdkened, a.,d who lives under the felt influence of the covenant of -works, 't\'hat will he not do that is withi~ the compafs of natural abilities? It was a truth, tho' it ·came out of a helli{h mouth, that jkin for jkin, all that a man ~ath will he g-ive for hiJ life, Job ii. 4• ( 6.) One may ha've fharp foul-exercifes and pangs, and yet die in the birth . . Many have been in pain, that have but as it were brought forth wind. There may be fore pangs and throws of confcieoce, which turn to nothing at lall. Pha– rcroh and Simon Magu.r had fuch convitl:ion:; as made them · defire the prayers· of ot hers for them. ]uda1 repented :himfo/f ; and, under terr.ors of coofcierx:e, ga~e back his ·iU-gotten pieces of filver. All is not gold that glifters. Tt·ee,s may blolfom fairly in the fpring, ·oo whic}l no fruit is to be found in the harveit : andi fome have fharp fonl – e~ercifes, which a1e nothing but fu retaft:es of hell. The· n,ew~birth, h~wever in_appdarance.hopefully begun, may be ·marred two ways. Ff.r.fi,~.ome like ZaralJ, Gen. x Kxviii . :::8 , 29 . are brought to the birth, but go back a· gain. They ha-ve .fharp convitl:ions for a while; but thefe go off, and they turn as care~efs about their falvatioo, as profane as ever; and ufually worfe thao ever; their lajl jiate ir <WGrft than_their .firfl, Mat. xii. 45 . They get awakening grace, but not converting grace· ; and that goes o_ff by qeg rees, as toe light of the declining day, till it iffue in midnight d.a1knefs. 2d/y, Some, like ljhma(l, come forth too foon ; they are born before the time of ' ·the promife, Gen. xvi . . 1, :2. -compate Gal. iv. 22. and d-0\vnwardA They take up wiih a mere law·work, and Hay not till the time of !he promife of the gofpel. rhey fnatch at confolation, not waiting till it be given them; lind fooJifh!y draw their comfort from the law that wound– ed them . . They apply the healing plaifler to themfelves, b~fore th eir WQund be fufficiendy fearched . - The law, that rigorous :bufband,. feverely beats them, and throws in cur_fes apd v.engeanc.e upon their fouls, then they fall a reforming, p-ra,ying, .mourning, promifiog and vowing, tiH this ghofl b~ laid; \'1hich done, they fall a!leep again • in ( ''
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