270 of the New Creature. .t. -... .. a > v}tAti )44.4.41.4 S ERMON XLIV. eJnfiivering thofe Carnall OhjeFlionr men are apt to make againfl fuch a change in them lues. GAL. 6. t$. For in Chrifl epee neither circumctfton nor uncireumcifon availeth any thing, but a new creature. WE havealready declared the nature of this New Creature, Negatively, Tofitive);& Oppofitely to thole old things which arepaffedaway:as alto the excellencyof this New creature above all otherCreatures. I (hall now examine the weakneffe and infufficiency of thofe grounds and obfirut44ions whichmens corruptions are prone tomake againft fuch a change in themfelves;for thewicked heart of man makesmany objections againft this new creature ; and that it may not feern to dofounjuffly, and unreafonably, it maketh manyplaufible excufes and fair pretences ; The Apoftle fwoes (peaking ofa man pretending to the title and nameof religion,yet oppofite to the realityand power of it. names a. z6. faith swen i j o, I-le d^ceiveth , he makes a falle Syllogilin, and fo coufenshis own foul. The heart of a man is a cunning Sophifter; think not to fay within your (elves ( faith john to theJews) There areno Auditors ; but when a pricking powerful truth is prefíed upon them, they have many things to fay within them- felves for their jultificat ion. . Let us thereforefee chofe thong reafons they can produce for themfelves in this matter. Objefl. And Fita , le is plaufibly Objeïkd ifwepioostdbecome thus new inallthings, ina- nimal, civil, religiose, and moral ailions, as is urged, this mould bring a necefty of condemnation uponallour firmer Wales. We (hall in effect proclaim to all the world that we were naught and rotten before ; and then we mull pull down all our former building, acknowledge we haveprayed in vain, came to the affemblies in vain, and Iatlly, it is enough to driveus intodefpair ; for ifonce we be perfwaded that the condition weare in is damnable, and that the life we live is abominable and contrary to God ,What (hall we. do? Muft we notcry out with Cain t Our fins aregreater thenwe can bear. Anjw An/w. Thus here is a three. fold cord ofabfurdity which bindes them hand and foot , although ifthey did judgeof thingsafter a fpiritual, and a Scripture man- ner, they would break thefe bonds afunder as eafily as Sampfon did his green cords. For let us confider them in order. The Firft grandabfurdity is a (elf- condemnation, and a publick manifeftation to all the world that thou watt not ina good way before. Now it is unreafonable to pretend this. For
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