96 The Covenant of Works Chap. f4. Limits put to this D.,t -;ne of godly for- row. by many is beleeved to have been a Profelyte. Yet this of godly lorrow muff be underflood with force limit. I. An equal degree offorrow and work by way of preparative, is not neceffary in all ; one mans terrours and heart- breakings, are no neceffary prefident for all others to reach. 2. An high degree is not neceffarily required of any; God can come fooner in with Gofpel- cordials, after Law - convictions. 3. No man bath reafon to quarrel his converfion , becaufe his furrow bath not been like force others ; each man bath not like paine in cure of a like malady. 4. None íhould beg of God overwhelming -and amazing fha kings,and humiliations of Spirit ; God better knowes their frame then they underftand themfelves. 5. None can judge of the truth of their repentance by the greatneffe of their trouble ; it may poffibly end in horrour and wcrk nothing better then it felf; It may only have its prefent work to caff hell in the face, and then the perfon returne to his old bya %, to his finfui pleafures, his worldly advantages ; as Saul to his Mufick, Cain to his building of Cities ; yet when God thus plowes, it is a hopeful figne he intends fowing; and men in this cafe muff not reafon themfelves to be fuch foile , on whom no good can be done as though they were paff all husbandry of the Lord,he can take away a heart of ffone, and turne a rock into a fruitful field. This is Gods Method do not difpute but beleeve. 6. Then it is in a degree fufficient , when it effects the work for which it ferves when it brings the foul out oflove with fin,takes it out of the paths of fin , when it fo works to an apprehenfion of dangers, that it works the foul to cafe it felf on Chrift Jefus. When horrours work delires, not ofeafe but ofgrace ; of Chrift and of,w hole Chriff, of pardon offin and power againfi fin, there is a true work. For the Eflentiall parts of this grace (which I make a Golpel- engagement and condition of the Covenant) they are privative, or pofitive. Privative, is the deffruction of what bath been. Po- fitive is the introduction of what is nor. Everychange bath two termes. The one is terminu3 adquern, which is endeavoured. The other is rerminsu à quo, which is left; and fo in this change which grace works and to which the Covenant of Grace doth engage. The privative part which we are to leave is fin, the work of;
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