1I2 Matth.9.g:.,13. Innaas Ieré:al.42.56. tcrcm.13.2. (trim.) 7.3 5. i Chro.36, .6. '1 he Tlexation of the Spirit. fell of G o n agáinft themfelves, becaufe their pride would not let them yield to fuch a 'baptiftne, or to fuch a doérine as requires emptineffe, confeffion of finites, jullifying of G o D, and condemning of themfelves (for thefe were the purpofes of Iohns Baptifine, and of the preaching of repentance.) That man comes but to be re- je6ted, who makes love to one who hath fixed her heart and a f f eó l ion alreadie.. A man muf} come to G o D s Word as to a Phyfitian, a were patient without refer - vations, or exceptions; he muff fet his corruptions, as an open marke for the Word to (hoot at, hee mull not come with capitulations and provifoes , but lay dovvne the body of finne before God, to have every earthly mem- ber hewed off. Till a man come with fuch a refolution, as to bee willing to part from all naughtineffe, hee will never receive the ingrafted Word with meekneffe, and an hon& heart; a man will never follow C H R i s r in the wayes of his Word, till firf} hee have Iearned to deny himfelfe, and his owne lufts. Nay, if a man fhould binde his devotion to his heart with T'ornes, yet a Datilah in his bofome, a lutl in his fpirit, would eafily nullifie the ftrongef% vowes. The Jewes made a ferious and folemne proteflation to Jeremie, that they would obey the voyce of the L o R D, in that which they defired him to en- quire of G a D about, whetherit were good or evill; and 1 yet when they found the mneffage croffe their owne lulls and refervations, their refolutions are turned into rebelli- ons, their pride quickly breakes a- funder their vow ; and they tell the Prophet to his face, that hee dealt falfly be- tweene God and them; a refuge which they were well acquainted with before. Some, when their confcience a- wakens, and begins to difquiet them, make vovves to bind themfelves unto better obedience, and formes of godli- neffe; but as Sampfen was bound in vaine with any cords, fo long as his haire ',grew into its length ; fo in vaine doth any man binde himfelfe with vowes, fo long as bee flow- rill-lab .
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