Chap. a I. and the Covenant of Grace. I 9 found in me, that they are gone ferre from me, .and have walked after vanity, and are become vain ? A fervant dotli not ufe to quit one Matter, and betake himfelf to another, but he gives force reafon of his change. One that bath been engaged for the wayes of God (as all are that are called by the name of God and dignified with the title of a Chriftian) would be hard put to it, to give a reafon of his revolt from God. When God and vanity are fee in competition, that God fhould be refufed , and vanity chofen ; when the fountaine of living waters that never can be drawn dry, is left and cifternes, broken chifternes chofen, that are aiwayes dry. How does the holy Ghoft fet out thefe, 2 met. 2.22. The dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the /oW that Way wafhedto her wallowing in the mire. Can the fow finde no other place then filth ? nor the dogge any other food then his vomit? A returne to finne is more loathfome then thefe, and fuch aye all the wayes of all men in fin , of all of a Chriftianpro- feifion,that are Peen in ungodly ways ; nothing fo in glorious as a Chriftian that holds to his principles , that anfwers in conver- fation to his profeffìon;nothing fo inglorious as a Chriftian in fin, a Jew outwardly, and a Heathen inwardly; a face for God, and a heart for iniquity. When fuch as thefe came out of the holy land for Babylon ;: they there faid in way ofreproach of their God, Tbefe are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of hit land, Ezek. 3 6. 2o. Rom. 2.24. Infomuch that God is put to it for his vindication,not to fuffer them to carry their fin with .impu nity, Ezek. 39.23,24. And the heathen fhall know,tbat the houfe of Ifrael went into captivity for their iniquity, becaufe they trefpafeol a gain.sY me therefore hid1 my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies ; fo fell they all by the fvoord according to their uncleanne f fe and according to their tranfgreffions have 1 done unto, them, and hid my face from them. This falfehood in Covenant, drawes prefent fufferings, Nationall plagues: .1 will 6ring a [word upon you, that (hall avenge the quarrel of my Covenant, Levit, v.25ó.. it brings Na Every Chriítian Nation under fufferings , may fadly refle& upon tional. plagues.. all that they prone under and fay their iniquities have procured rhefe things unto them. But this breach of Covenant with God bath greater evills, even It brings evils unto eternity following upon it ; men offinne and it nbeliefe,that roeternity.. he-in diftruft and difobedience, can claime no intereft in the grace U and
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