Baynes - BS2695 B289 1643

Ephefianr, Chap.z. 1 z69 Ì yet fet right forward in the way to heaven. No , Gods children are walking children; the Apoftle calleth for it of the forwardeft, rThefl: 4. r. Abound more and more. Let him that is holy , be more holy fliü, Revel. r9. Work out yourfalvation, Phil.z . rz. Men in the world may come to fuch confirmed eftates, that theymay give over trading, and live commodioufly on things already gotten : but it is not thus with the foul, which, where it ceafeth to profit, waxeth worfe. As thou wouldft have comfort , that thou art a new creature in Chrift, made alive by the Spirit; try it by this: how thou walkeft. Hereby try we Look not fo much upon that thou clod' at force times, by fits and . flans, but look to thy walking, how thou goeft on; what increafe of Faith, what ftrength thou gaineft daily againftcorruption, what fpiri- tuall livelineffe, and power to wreftle againft temptations, and to withftand and overcome the lulls and rebellions of thy heart; How thou doll hold on in the confiant pradife of holyduties ; How doll thou gather ftrength to the inner man f How is thy knowledge bet- tered, thy love inflamed ? &c. Thefeare the lively motions of the newcreature. He is not faid properly to walk, who cango twice or thrice about his chamber, Dir himfelf on force plain ground for a quarter of anhour; but he that can go on ltrongly and freelyupon a hill, in wayes uneven : SoChriflians, whocan go while God maketh their way inoffenfive,putting every thing by,which mighthinder, but prefently give over, if ought difturbeth ; they are not come to this walking, in thofe wayeswhichGod bath prepared for his. Wherefore let us Drive forward, exercife our faculties we have rVA. 2. received , and look to himwho hath faid , He willput his Spirit into r "° o °' 'ad ut, andmake arc walk in bis Commandements. Becaufe we feel it pain- walk a°utiy. full to the flefh, whenwe are in fpirituall duties; hence it is that we chufe rather to fit Dill , then to feel difturbance. But even as aking limbs are recovered byexercifing of them,Ufe limbs and have limbs (as we fay) and are loft by the contrary; fo it is here, we (hall out- grow thefe fpirituall infirmities, if we will hold on inpradife,and keep a confiant walkwith God, in the wayes he hath appointed to us: For meer walking is not fit for the new creature ; Thou/halt not turn to the right hand,nor to theleft;But thoumull obey that voyce behinde thee, laying , This is the way, walk in it, Ifa. 30. 21. Manywalk inwayes, but better he afleep on their beds : Ye are children of the light, walk fo ; this maketh the wayof a Chriftian a lIrait way, a narrow gate, becaufe it is thus ftraitly impaled, and hedged in, there is not elbow roomth in it for corruption,and fenfuall lulls, and lawleffe thoughts to (port themfelves. VERS. II. Wherefore remember,that yet'dug in time pall Gentiles in VERS. a i. theflefh, and called uncircemcifion of themliehich are called Circumcifion in the flefb, made with hands. Wherefore] a note of inference, thus: Who fo being dead, come to be quickned in Chrill as their bead; Argument of this they, whatfoever they havebeen, are near, Citizens of the houfhold, the Temple of God. But

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