Chap. i 2. about .dpoflacie, or Falling away. 11o5. once they had for God and goodneffe. Thus many who feemed fervent infpirit, and forward maintainers of religion, are now cooled and come to a flare of in- differency,ifnot of neutrality,framing themfelvesto the times for their own pro- fit, preferment, &c. _ Thirdly, in pr élite, as the CJalatians whodid runwell, but fomething letred III, them, and call themback, Gal. ¶.7. Thusmany who began in the fpirit,end in the fill): who having fciped thefihhinrfi of the world, are again entangled therein, returning with the Dog to his h omit,andwith the waftedfow to her wallowing in the mire, 2Pet.z.zo. Foufthly,in rcfpt&of means which fhould preferve them fromApof}acy.Somd IV. have Teemed to make confcience of hearing theWordpreached,and tatted fweet- fiefs in it,fo that nothin,"; couldhinder them from takingall opportunities ofhar- ing, but now theydiltattethe wod, diflike, and cry down the Miniftry, or h.ap to themfelves Teachers after their own lulls, z Tim. 4.3. Others that ufed to pray much,andoften, and fervently, but now they wholly,or ingreat parr negle& it. Others that were diligent in inft {u&ing their families, watching over their beha- viour, &c,wholly lay it afide. Qáeft. what is the danger of thefe llpoftates ? Anfw.Firft, in regard ofGod they are mot} hateful to him,feeing they can find I. nothing more worthy forfaking then thegood way , and efteem every thing more worthy keeping thenGods image,andgraces : Hence he files them deys, andfwine, zPet.2.23. Secondly, in refpeR of the Church, they fcandalize the weak, and make them-, I7 felves and all profeffors a fcorne to the wicked : they wound the hearts of the godly , who in them are made vile to theworld :. they open the mouthsof the wicked tofpeak evil ofthe waysof God , and harden the wicked in théir lode courfes. . Thirdly, in refpe& ofthe fin it felf, none more dangerous:For,r. Relapfes are III. moredangerous then the firti difeafes. z.Satan returning, brings with him fevers worfe fpirits and fo he is for ever held under the power of them. 3. This finne is commonly punifhed withother fins, which is Gods moti fearful ftroke. 4. It's a degree of the fin againft the HolyGhoti, 11e6.1o.26. Fourthly, in refpe&ofthe judgements which attend this fin. c.The lioufe not IV. founded on the rock mutt fall , and the fall is rea- and irreparable, Mat. 7.27. z. The judgement is certain, beingalready in part inflicted : The talent is already taken away, and in the nextplace the unprofitable fervant is to be call into hell fire, Mar.25.28. uell. what are fines andnotes of a man thtu e.Apoffàtizing in grace? Anfw. Firft, a refting ina common andgeneral hope of a good eflate,without a defire and endeavour to get fpecial affurance. Secondly, an opinion of fufficiency: that he hath grace enough, II. and needs feek no more : and fo not to go foreward , is togo backward. Thirdly, a comparingof a mans felfwith chofe of inferiour graces,or means of III. yelling contented if he bebut as good as they. Fourthly, a fhunning or fighting Gods Ordinances, and forfaking IV. the Affemblies of the Saints; or if heufe publick, yet bdnegletis private duties. Fifthly,fecret fins ordinarily committed,not bewailed, nor reformed : or al- V. lowing a mans felf in leffer oaths, idle fpeeches,roving thoughts.expence of time wailfully, &c. Sixthly, hatred ofGods children and their wages whether openly or fecretly: VI. Hence, Pfalme 129.6. They that hate Sion "hall be as óraf¡e en the konfe-t p that withereth,&c. Quef}.What means marwe life tok,:ep tie from this Apoffacy ? e/lnfw. Fini, get found judgement todifcern the truth from entour, which is P attain.. y.
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