Chap. 33. An Expofition upon the Book, of Jo a: Verf. 17, tot Firft , by his word, and that in a fourfold confiderarion. Firft, by the word of his command, he every where inScripture forbids man to doe any evill, and bids him repent of every evill which he loth. Secondly,by the word of histhreatnings;theyare as thunderbolts to dererre him. Thirdly, by'the word of his pro- mifes, they are divine alluremenrs, fweetly yet effectually to entice him. Fourthly, by the word of his perfwafions, they are full of taking arguments to convince and winhim. Secondiy,God withdrawes man from fin, and drawes him to re- - pentance when he hath finned, by hisworks : Firft,by his works of judgment, they break him to thefe duties. Secondly,by his works of mercy, they melt him intothefe duties. Thirdly, God withdraws man from fin anddrawes him to re- , pentance by his patience and long-fuffering. ( Roma2.4.) De fpifeft thou the riches ofhisgoodneffe andforbearance,and longfuffe- ring,not'crowing that the goodnefs ofGod leádeth then) to repentance. As if theApofile hadPaid, Oman, if thou knoweftnot the mean- ing ofGods patience towards thee, and that this is the meaning ofit, thou knowefl nothing of the mindand meaning ofGod to- wards thee. Fourthly, The Lord withdrawethman from evill purpofes by feafonable counfells. David :was going on in a very bad purpofe (a Sawn. 25.) andGod furred up Abigail to meete him, and by good counfell to withdraw him from his purpofe : This David acknowledged (verf.32,33.) Bleffed be-the Lord' God©flfrae4 which feat, thee this day to meet me. As if he had faid, I was fully purpofed torevengemy felf uponNaba1C, and had not Purely left . amanof his houfe alive by themorning light, if thou hadfl not met me ° therefore bleffed beGod who hath fent thee, and bief- fedbethy advice, andbleffedbe thou which haft, kept me this day from coming to flied bloud, and haft by thy good counfell withdrawne me from that evill purpofe. Laftly,confiderGodwithdraweth man from his finfufl purpofe, , all or any of thefe wayes, by putting forth his mighty power with" them.For his word alOne, his works alone, his patience alone, the counfell ofman alone wouldnot doe it, if God did not flretch forth his own arme in andwith' thefe meanes for the doing of it. Nothing is any further efficacious then as God is with it. Aura.. B014on was goingonin.his wicked purpofe, being fent for by...
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