Chap. 3 3. An Expefitiox upon the Bokof J o `a. Verf. 29. to the height, till the top-+lone of it is fet up , or as the Apof+ie phrafeth it ( Eph: 4. t 3.) Till we all come toaperfel man, unto the nréa,rure of the ftature of the fullnefs of Cbrift. Though a man bath been once truly humbled, yet God humbles himagaine,that he may be humbled gradually as well as truly to his own rmind. They that are humbled by afflidtion, mayneed more aff3ictions to humble them. The fame meanes by which faith and repentance are wrought at firf+, doe alîóencreafe and f+rengthen faith and re- pentance. Thofe meanes by which aman is at firft purged, are very proper for his further purging (John i ç. z.) Every branch zn me that beareth not fruit, he taker!) away : and everybranch that bearethfruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth morefruit. As no man canbe a true branch ( hypocrites and formalifls are bran- ches only in appearance and profeffion, they were never truly purged, now, I fay, as no man can be atrue branch ) till he is pur- ged, fo God purgeth thole who are true fruit bearing branches more and more , that they may bring forth more fruit. And the meansby which he purgeth them, that is,mortifieth their corrup- tions,feldome reach this bleffed eft-ea at once or twice working, and therefore the Lord is even con&rained to worke there things twice, thrice, or oftentimes,elfe the worke would not be brought to the intended itrue. Thirdly, In that it is fayd, All thefe things workoth God often. times, not alwayes. Obferve. Man (hauld maize haft toanfwer the call ofGod, and come up to what herequireth ofhim. For thoughGodwprke there things oftentimes, yet no man knowes howoftenhe will worke, and we may-all know, he will nor worke alwayes. 'Tis ahigh and dangerous prefumption to de- ferre at any time upon hopes that God will work at another time, becaufe in force cafes he workes oftentimes.Remember (as was (hewed before in opening the words) this thrice is the leaf+ num- ber of often, as twice is the leaf/ number of any ; two or three are the leaf+ number that makes a Church-affembly (Math: i 8. zo.) The Prophet faith (Amos z. 4.) For three tranlgrefons ofJu- dah, and for four, ! will not turne away óe ppunifliment thereof. Implying that if men multiply their tranfgreffiions, Godwill not 0 o o a alwayes 467,
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