Ch. 6. Grace a Reward. Hebrews. Grace a Reward. Ch. 6 fome fuch wonders, could not doubt of the matter of fgl, whether fuch Miracles wereex- tant or not : So that there was no polftble way forfuch to turn Infidels, but by believing that this Wimefs of the Spirit of Miracles, was a falfe, deceiving Tellimony of Satan, and not God's Tetlimony : And this was the Blafphemy egainf the Spirit, Mat. 12. 8. That it is not all that is here meant, that fuch are not to be abfolved by the Church (which ought but tö fore- judge, as God will judge, as far as they can:) But that alfo fuch can never trulybe rege- nerate and Caved. 9. The reafon is, becaufe God giveth Faithby means, and the Wimefsof the Spirit's fignal Gifts is the lati means for proof that God will give them; and they that after receiving this, reje& it by futhBlafphe- my, are forfaken by the Grace of the Spirit, whom they blafphemoufiy renounce. to. Cru- cifyingChril afreíh importeth charging him to deferve Crucifixion, as guilty of the deceit and blafphemy for which he was crucified : So that none that believe not the Spirit's Miracles in faá, are guilty of this Sin, though they be In- fidels. Some Ancients, and moti Papitis, ex- pound Ilmpoifible) by IDificxtr) ; but I think ungroundedly. t t. Yea, the Jews that cruci- fied himwere not fuch as here are defcribed ; for they had notbefore believed and received the Holy Ghoti: It is the wbrfi reproach of Chrift for a pro£effed Chriftian to fay I I did believe inhim, and had the Spirit myPelf, and law and did fignal Works or Miracles, and I found at loft that he was but a Deceiver, andall thefe Gifts were the operations ofevilSpirits.] 7, 8. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dreffed, receiveth blefïing from God. R. But that which beareth thornsand briers, is related, and is nigh unto curling, whofe endú to be burned. 7, 8. For as the Earth isbleft, or jutllyprai- fed, which bringeth Fmkwhen it is watered and manured ; but that is called curled and bad, whole Fruit null be for the fire, which bringeth forth but Thorns and Briars: So God willbiers and reward themwho fruitfully an- fwer the means which he ufeth in them ; but will curie and burn thofe who, after the great- eft means, and experimental partaking of the fignal Giftsof the Spirit, than turn to reproach and blafpheme him whom they believed in. 9. But beloved, we are perfwaded better things of you, and things that accompany falvation, though we thus fpeak. 9. But though, in the dangerous times, and temptations to Apoftacy, I Think meet to tell you the dreadfulcafe of filch, for your fafety, do not interpret it, as though I thought this is, or would be your cafe: We have reafon to hope better of you, that you have the Grace which will bringyou to Salvation. to. For God ú not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have (hewed toward lais Name, in that ye have miniflred to the faints, and do minifter. to. For God,whois our mall righteous Go- vernour, even in this Life dilhributeth Rewards and Penalties in Juftice : .And as, in Jubilee, he forfaketh the'forefaidApoftates, who (corn his Mercy, fo he will reward your faithful ufe of his Grace with moreGrace, and willow forfake you who have (hewed fo much fidelity to his Name, and charity to his Saints. Nate, That the additional Grace which is neceffary to Perfeverance, is given (oft) by way of Reward for former fidelity, andnot meetly without Curb refpec4s, II. And we delire that every one ofyou do drew the fame diligence, to the full affurance of hope unto the end: r 1. Therefore, teeing this isGod's ordinary way, to reward well-ufd Grace with more, I defire that you will hold on in the fame dili- gence, till you reach to the Confummation, or full Afturance of your hope ofPerCeverance and Salvation, whichevery young beginner didnot attain. 12. That ye be notflothful, but fol- lowers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promifes. la. And that tired, weary nuggifhnefs make you not defift, and lofe your reward ; but that in unwearied diligence to the end, you follow them, who, through Faith and enduring Pa- tience, have won the prize, and potters the pro- nailed felicity. 13, 14. For when God made pro- mife to Abraham, becaufe he could fwear by no greater, he farare by him- fell, faying, Surely, bleffing I will biefs thee,and multiplying Iwill multiplythee 19. And fo after he had patiently en- dured, he obtained the promife. - t3,14, IS. So God, who (ware by himfelf to ..Ibrahim (having no greater to (wear by) his Promifes of the Multiplication of hisSeed, which yet.4braham lived not to fee fulfilled; but he patiently waited and died in Faith, and all theProttiifes were fulfilled indue time. t6. For
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