Chap. 3 t. An (xpofrtion upon the Book of J o B. Vert. 33. b87 we poote underlingsfo; beare?Doe they prophane the Saboath, and may not we breake it ? Surely, we may, and he blamelffe. O how dcfperately are many fcrvanrs and meane men hardned' and debo, ft by example oftheir Lords and Matters IThe Phari `ees checkt thofe Officers in the Golpel when they had not attached and brought Chrift to them, becaufe they Teemed to have Letter thoughts of him then the rulers had (7oh: 7. 47, 48, 4g.) Are ye alto dreeaved ? have any of the ralees or ofthe l'harifies beleeved on him ?bat 'hie people, who knoxieth not the Law are curled, As if they had layd, What will ycu take upon you to be better, or to underftond better thenyour rulers ? Will you take upon you.to believe or be religious beyond their example ? Now as forne thinke the faith of inferior perfons shift be pinn'd upon the rulers Reeve, and that they muff beleeve as their great Matters beleeve, fo, many inferior perlons are perfwaded they may wee enough pin the prac`tife of their fuperiors upon their fleeve, and in ail things without danger doe as they doe. There are others who beare themfelves out in an evil; mater beyond all reproofe, ifthey fee any that profeffe godlineffc ro doe fuck things ; As they embolden themfelves by the falls of good men recorded in the holy Scriptures, by the drunkenneffe of Noah, and by the uncleanneffe of Davide&c. The cloud of Scripture- witneffes bath a bright fide,that is,the gracious adings, ofthe Saints, and adarke fide,that is,the weakneffes and faylings ofthe Saints; Now as they goe to the darse fide of the Saints departed, fo all() ofthe living Saints to ttrengthen themfelves in their wickedneffe. But remember the Lord bath not left us to live by example, but by rule, therefore never plead example a- gainft rule, neither the example of the multitude ; nor of the great, nor ofthewife and learned, no nor of the godly and holy in their departures from the rule. The Apoftlehimfelfe when he wouldbe imitated, durft not propofe himfelfe univerfally to be imitated, Beye followersofme as Ialto am of Chrif} : if I goe a Rep, out ofthe way follow me not there ; fay not becaufe an Apofile dida, therefore I may doe it; Wee cannot be excufed in follow. ing the unholy adtings ofany man, how holy foever he is. Thusupon the occafionofAdams firtt excufe, laying his tin uponhis wives perfwation, I have (hewed you many other vayes wherein the funs ofAdam treading in his fteps,make fuch like co- verings
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