Ve/1.z4.2.5. l'ROVERBs. 85 are of, or what wit, or learning, or other indoor tnents foeuer they haue ? None ofall thcfe can hcale the hurts of their foules, nor curt the wounds which finne bath made in their confcienccs. The preceptsof God preuailenot to teach , nor his pro- mifes toallure, nor his threatnings to terrific , norhis cor- rec4ions to humble , oralter thehearts of thofe which are voydofthe Spirit. Euill trees they are , their room is with- out all good fappe, and how then being not grafted, f could they bring forthany fruit , but that which is cuill ? Saint j, de complayning of many enormous crimes of wicked men, than walkedaftertheir owne vngodly lu.t.r, afligneth this as the caute thereof, That theywereflefhly, not hauing thefqi- rit. So then, till that be giucn vnto them , they are in the fnares of the diuelI , in the power of finne, vnder the curie ofGod, and fubieftto damnation. Ycr is not their cafe fo defperatc as that it lliould be deemed remedileire, becaufe $he mercyofGod is not confined infuch fort,asnot to haue liberty to be extended to them : nor his hand fhortned, with inabilityof giuinggrace : they be not cutoff from the hope andpothbility ofhis ine(hnìable bicfling,rhough they are depriued of.the prefent poi kf ion thereof . !Valuer may be made companions ofLambs , andLeopards liewith Kidder, andLyons with Calmer, venemo is Aflies, andCockatrices may grow to be fo meeke and harmeleffe, that fueling children arayplay vpon their holeswithout perill. Verfe z4. Forafmuch as 1 call, but ye refufe, Ifiretch oot my hand, but none regardetb : Verfe z. But yeedef i e all my counfell,andwillnoneofmy eorretion. HithertoWifedomebath perfwaded wicked men to re- li llpentancebyexpo(lulations, exhortations, and prom i- fes. Now thedeclareth the mifcrable Mateofwilfullperfons withcomminations and threatnings. The judgement that fhce denounceth againfl thcm,isno lebe than ddlruetion it felfe, which is (hewed, partly by the L 4 caule dude IA. z9. Era' II.6.1,g.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=