s B e r. VII. The Counterfeit of tnherent Grace. phanefs; rather-lee us repent and . moúrn, and forfake our fins, for to morrow we than dye; but thefe fwinifh Epicures, they made theclean contrary ufe; We have but a íhort time to live, we may not hold out till to morrow, there- fore let us be merry while we may, when we are gone, all is gone ; we will take our pleafures while wemay have them. This jolly prophanenefs, putsout all the eyes ofConfcience ; now all hiscare and thought is buthow he may be mer- ry,, how he may begluttingand fatisfying his tufts ; asfor the dayof judgement, or thofe fad Sermons which his confcience may preach to him, he defireth to hear no more of them, hewil make much ofone while he may. But Oh ! what is this making much ? Its making up muchwrath, much mifery,and much horror for thy felf: That which thou faidit is making mirth, is indeed makingnothing for thee, itsthe eternal perditionof thy foul and body. Eighthly, Negleü to Ftir up and quicken theft natural Diaates, by all thofe 8. fpecial andfupernatural helps Which God loath appointed; not that thefe canever A negleito be pohthed or made grace, for that is a newcreation, as you heard, and comes Rir them upby into the foul wholly from above; but diligence and attendance upon the means, the helps ap- would make theta more tender and vigorous withinus : This may be amplified pointed. by the parallel of fupernatural light ; for ifwbenGod hath gracioufly ingraven thisheart in his people, fo that theLaw of God becometha delight unto them; yet even this workof grace may feem to be quite overwhelmed, fo thatthere do not for the prefent appearany,motionsor breathingsof Gods fpirit in them nowonder if in natural men, all things lie fo bullied andquiet, that nothingof this.natural Law is declared. For an inftanceof the former defedtion, take David andothers ; Whocould think that ever they fhouldcommitfuch bloody and hideousfins as they did? Where was their grace? Where werethe fiery darts of Gods fpirit in their hearts inflaming them ? Nothing but fin and the flefhappeareth inthem, they are like a tree in winter, that difcoyers no tapor life ; like a man in a dead Lethargy, that manifefts no breath : Now then, if the fupernatural workof grace in a godly man, may be fo flupified and over- whelmed, is it any wonder if thefe dittates of nature be filent ? But as in the godly, thefe things are overtopt by their fluggifhnefs, and carelefs walking ; fo, in natural men, whatfoever di&atemaybe to good, it wholly dyeth, as fparks of fire dye, becaufe there is nothing to blow on them, and inkindle them. La41y, Therefore may therebe no declaring of this Lawin mens hearts, becaufe 9. they do inordinately defre to liveWithout any controller check: Now thefe natural An inordinate principles, they are a School - mailer to keep men in awe ; they are a judge to dine ii ton- terrifie and keepmen in fear. And as the Malefaftor would willinglykill the tto1: Judge, if it were in his power, that fo the Judgemay not condemn him ; thus the corrupt tufts andaffections of men, make themdefirous- toRifle confcience, that fo confcience may not condemn or accule them. There is nothing that a wicked min is fo afraid of, as to bedifquieted in his fins : Our tongues are ours (fay thofe prophane men) who (hall control us? Therefore that they may not ftand in awe, and fo be kept from fin , as the Pfalmift fpeaks, `Pfal.4.4. they labor tomuzzle the mouth of confcience, that it bite tun : A vainandfoolifh attempt indeed, forwhen God makes this roar and rage in a man, all theplea- lures, (ports and paftimes in the world, cannot allay the noifeof it; but yet men will attempt thefe vain things : Fear of natural light, makes menhate it and the hatred of it, makesmen put it outif they can. Oft of Inftruéhon, Row iooexcufableall meto are, Who livein the committing of 71; grofsfins, fuch as natural light forbids: Who can plead for thee? What canit thou lay for thy (elf ? Its no excufe to fay, I am no fchotar, I amnot Book - learned : Alas !thou art new born withtheft principles, thatTo do unjuftly,to live intemperately, are not lawful to be done : Think not to fay, I cannot read, I am not able to perufe the Bible, for if there were no Bible, no Miniftery, theft fins are condemned by a Judge in thy own breaft. You would think it Yy impoiribte 343
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=