jV fi R. 13. Ephefianr, Chap z. I 28; aright, knew right well that it was not fafe to leave them to the twat- lowing of thofe former pills, unleffe the bitterneffe of them were Come way allayed. It doth teachus, how todifpence the Word in wifdom, and Chri- ftians how to carry thcmfelves ; they mull not be all in one extreme, like thofe Philofophers , that areeither alway weeping, orelfe alway laughing : But if there be heavineffe with them in the evening, 'they mull look to that which may bring joy in the morning; andas a man after hard labour, delighteth to take the ayr in agarden : fo mull they, when they have humbled their fouls, inviewing their mifery, refrefh rhemfelves in Alking among thofe fweet flowers, even the benefits of God. Secondly,we feehere how the Lorddoth bring fuck as are further} eftranged from him, to be near unto him : cZany that arefell, Qiallbe 14, and the Lill fBall be jrfi; and (ball come to fit down with fbraham and ifaac in the kingdomof God ; when the children in appearanceare excluded : You, when ye were enemies, your mindes fit on evil works, you hash he reconciled, Colof 5. a 1. Mark here the free and large graceof God: ifwe had been enemies in heart onely, it had been much to finde favour ; but when we have made a tradeof evil works, and livedall our lives inopen rebellion; howundeferved,and how rich is the grace which giveth pardon ! If the King pardon one whofe good will is doubtfull,and take him rograce, it, is much; but when ohe bath lived in making attempts on his perfon,then to forget and to forgive,were morethen credible clemencie. The love of God is ken in this, that whenwe were enemies, he gave his Son to reconcile us ; and his free love, that ofmeer grace, not of our rightcoufneffe, nay againft our deferving, faveth us. HeBoth it for many reafons : 1 To fhew the abundanceofgrace; Wherefin aboundeth,there grace aboundeth much more, Rom.s.eo. a. To fhewus prefidents of inercie, as Paul faith of himfelf, For this caufewas 1 received to mercie, that lefie.. Cbrifl' firft fbouldfhew on me all long fàffering, unto the enfampk of them whichJball in time to come beleeve in him unto eternal/ life, 3. To increafe love in us new converts towards him ; She loved much, becaufe much was forgiven her, Luke 7. 47. And this is love indeed, that he lovethus firft, evenwhen we hare ; he carrieth even hell it fclf into heaven. Hereby we fee, that none bath caufe to put from him the benefits tendred, and defperately to deny himfelfthe grace of falvation; The grace ofGodbath appeared unto all, Tir.a. r1. and excludethnone, but 'bell as exclude themfelves. Secondly, it doth make us able to expel l with patience the return of fuch as are far widé ; lye they ,where they will, bound with never fomany, and fo ftrongchains, God is able todraw them to himfelf: Publicans and Harlots hecalls to his kingdom. Defpairwe then of none ; vfe. Do£1. M olibopele(fe perlons, brought home toGod. T(,eafoo r. 2. 3. Y.a T. None need to defpair. a. No not ofo- thers, though very bad. 7
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