S a c T. VII. of the Hearty Efdabdifliraent by Grace. 321 And.therefore ingrudion inthe rudiments and firfi principles of Religion, is ve- ry neceffaryfor all ; donot thenaffeft high andfublime things, bore thou haft attained to themain and neceffary ones; and its Gods goodnefs that thofe pninvs which are abfolutely neceffary to falvation, be plainly and clew ly revealed in theword of God. e 3. When thouart gone beyond principles; and endeavor-eft to improve thy talents, thenfdudy not curious, fublime and impertinent quefdions; butfuck as tendto edifr- cation, ofthy Pelf andothers, There cornea man and propounded this queltian to Chrift, Whether manyJhouldbefaved; This was a curiousqoeftion,forwhat was Luke,;.z . that tohim ? let him look to his own falvation ; therefore our Saviour did not direftlyanfwer him, nor dire lly repel him, but faid Strive to enter in at the flraight gate, for manyJ1'allfeek, and not, beable to enter. The SSouldiers (hewed their goodnefs, when they came toYam, Baptifd , and inftead of impertinent queltions, asked this, what they Jboulddo its their particular calling to befaved; fo that irifteadof many generalor fublime queftions, be thou inquiring, what thou art todo as a husband,or a wife;or a fervant in thy relation to glorifie God. ç. While thou tryt/t all things, labor tobe.bumble, and meel and praflifefofor at 4; thou haft attainedunto. The humble and meek he will teach his way : "Indhe that dorhmr fathers Will, J6allknowWhether the doflrine be of God or no, Johri:7. If therefore thou doff not love that truth, which already than art convinced of, but keepe(titasa prifoner, within thy breaft, fearleaftGod give thee u to bl:ndenefs of minde, and hardnefs of heart. 5. Do not lean to thy Own underflanding, bet honor and efterm thole helps and ouidesGod loathappointed inhis Church: It was Hieromsfpeech,Nungeearnmeipfuri S` habui magiitrum, I never taughtmy own Pelf: And the Rabbins fay, He that is a ,fcholar to himfelf, bath a fool for his miller. The Apoltle givethmany ex- hortations to this purpofe; and therefore bids them obey thofeGuides and Paftors God bath appointed inhis Church, which he thereforedignifieth with the title of Lights Althoughthey arenot infallible, yet God bath appointed this method for our teaching and inftruffion, and therefore at the very fame time,when he, givetha command'To try allthings ,.he fait h,De /pige not proph,yin(. Lly, Confider thy' 13,n frength,- If thou art weak in faith, and fubjed to 6 miffakes, then do thou of all men takeheed of Difputes : Its the Apo(tles advice, Rom. tar. r. Him that isWealcinfaith, do rot receive to doubtful diípotations Thefe things deferve a larger handlingbut I prefs to theUfe; And Firlt, Its ofcaution andadmiration; do not thou from hence, becan fe Grace is better thenparts; fit down in thy ignorance, and never make inquiry and [catch into mattersof Religion : This is an univerfal difeafe ; How few are asking about:.the principles of Religion? feeking for more knowledge, but as blinde men, [wallow flies ; fo theybelieve any Dodlrine propounded to them a This argues,manyChriftians have nothing but an Humane faith, for a Divine faith bath knowledge formicmain ae of it. 'Oh the ignorance that covers the fate of the Chriftianworld, as the watersdo the fea 1 whereas the promife is, that times of the Gofpel knowledge fhould abound. Ofe. 2. IfGrace bebetter then Knowledge,. then let this exhort you,not forto reft in your parts, in being aProteftant, and you are able in force meafureto de fend the truth of it againft thePagifts, but fee above all things, how graceand godlinefs is in thy life : Wkat if thou canit tell what Sànelificationand Regent-. ration is, if thou thy felf art not Regenerated? What if thou canil readmany Chapters in theBible, but thou doffnot live according to the Commands there- in? and certainly,i£godlinefs be thus better thenknowledge, how much rather is it better thenwealth, or outward honerand greatnefs ? O then, feeing Grace is the onely neceffary thing, why is it looked upon as the onely fuperfiubus thing? Its accordingto thy godlinefs that thou wiltfinde death and theday of judgement - comfortable to thee. Now thou haft thy hearts delire, take(t T r content
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=