374 v Je. 76e Godly are Walhcdand Sanli`ifred:. S.a e T. VIjI gainhis foul, though he loll all the world : Though he laid, Alifersm eft iüud verbum fuife, yet here, Falix & beatum verbum eft fosiffe: Its a bleffed and happy word , to fay, Such an ungodly man once, but now not at all; loch an one that fcorned and defpifed the ways of God, but now he lovetlt and rejoyceth in them ; even as the Prodigals Father rejoyced over his re- penting fon, He Was dead, but now ú alive; he Was loft, but now is found: Thus mayeft thou, with joyand thankfgiving, fay, I was loft, but grace bath found me ; I wasdead, but grace bath inlivened me. Fourthly, Its anfionorable change : For thole that honor God, God Will honer, r Sam. 2.3o. As thofe that ferve bate and vile lulls, the Lord giveth them ppto contempt and fcorn before others. Its true, in the eyes of the world, to let upon this change, its many'times obje6t of difdain, To leave thy lofts, thy wantonnefs, thy pride, thy jolly companions, and to betake thy fell to a more accurate and exalt way of godlinefsa makes a man the drunkards fong, Pfal. 69.12. as David complained he was : But as Davidwas thenmore honorable, when he danced fo Religioufly before the Ark, then wl-en he conquered and fubdued fo many Philiflims although Michal defpited him and fcorned him at her very heart: Thus it is here, (once thou haft for- faken thy fines, feared an oath, been confiant in Private and Family Prayer, zealoully fandifying Gods Sabbaths, Which he bath commanded: Since this (I fay) thou art become truly honorable, and art born of God. Ufeof Exhortation To raife and awakenyour felves out ofyour former im- pieties o Oh that once we might fay, You were dead, but now are made a- live: Oh that at laft we might fay this Text, Such andfilch hainout offen- ders fame of you have been ; but movie are Walbed, nowye are fantlified through the blood of Chrift. Call thy fell to an account, fay, Oh my foul, doeft thou minde to be thus always? Are there no purpofes or refolutions to become another man? Why clothnot he that ufed to (wear, fwear, no more? Why doth not he that ufed to be lutlful, be luftful no more? Let him that fiole (faith the Apofile) fled no more, Ephef. 4. z8. Oh that God would make this bleffed change in your lives t What fhould hinder it ? Can your times be better then Goo to you ? Can your lulls be more then Heaven to you ? 41444.44*4444444:,dtAtILVAtIt+t ' StlAtt.
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