358 Chap. 23. 4n Expofition upon theReokofJGB. Verf. i r. T anfwer, there declinings may be aflìgned to feveraII Caufes. Firft, To the power of tome Corruption remaining muchun- mortified in them ; as in a garden when the weeds grow high, the goodherbs decline ; And as in a field, when the weeds are ftrong, the corne is weake ; fo it is here ; the prevailing or grow- ingofCorruption, is the decliningofGrace indegree, and by reafon of ir, fome (for a time) decline from theway. Secondly, Dec!inings are from the prevalency of temptation; while SatanpliethTome with temptation, he turneth themout of the way, or Meth them towalke but flowly in it. As temptati- on isa tryall of, foahindrance unto grace, yea though corruption be kept much downe, yet Tome through a violent gufi oftempta- Lion have beenoverborne. Thirdly, Declìnings are caufed in the good by theexample of chofe that are evil], therefore the Apoftle gives that Caution (Rom. t2. 2.) Not to be conformable to the world. A godly man isapt enough towrite by a falle copie; and to doe as he fees the world doth. What was all their way, or their onely waybefore converfion, they after converfion ( through neglect of their watch)may be found ftepping into, or taking a ftep or two in.Be- fore converfion our whole courte, faith the Apoftle (Eph. 2.2.) is according to the courfeof this world ; And theexamples ofthe world have drawnemany afide, after they bave comeout from the world. The fafhions and vanitiesof the world, in pride and pleafure, are very drawing.All examples,efpeciallyevil) examples (like the Loadftone) have an artraetive vertue in them;and many ofthe godly have been drawne afide thus and have declined,with much fcandal, for a while from the way of God. Fourthly, Declinings are fometimes from affliftions;and thofe we mayconfider of two forts, perfonall, or publique: both or ei- ther of there havecaufed many todecline. The cold froft ofafrii- étion hach nipped the graces ofTome, & made them to tug n afide from the wayofGod. Therefore the Church (having reported her great troubles) fpcaks it as an argument ofmuch fincerity towards God, and ftrength ofGrace received from him. (Pf..44. 17,18.) All this income upon nu (that is, all there common cala- mities and affiidions bet have we not forgotten thee, nor dealt [alp!, in thy Covenant ;our hearts are not turned back, neither are ourffeps declinedfrom thy tray;As iffhe had faid,Thefe aflltt`fions have
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=