§.Secs. 2. Therecond let is prefùmption upon the ea- aaipieofthe COhticrted Cherie. P 0 n .t 410 The exampleofthe cemwerted t1.7. efe rro camfc to delay, that God would haue an men to be faued,but that he would alto haue them come to the knowledge ofthe truth, that is, to the knowing, acknowledging, and belecuing oftheprin- ciplesofChriíiian religion concerning God,themfelues,and the worke ofredetnption tl'rought by ChriII. Let therefore nocarnall fecure man take occafion to prefume vpón Gods mercy in regardof the Tweet and gratious promifes of the Gofpell, for vnlefle they turne vnto God from their euill waies and truely repent themof their finnes, vnleffe theyare wearie and healrie laden, ,deuring nothing more then to be eafed oftheir heauieburthen; vnlefhe theycome out oftheir blind ignorance and attaine to the knowledge of the truth, the gratious promifes of the Gofpell donot appertaine vnto them. Secondly, whereas theyalleage the exampleofthe thiefe conucrted at the houre ofdeath,we are to know that this is but one particular a6} ofGods mercy, and thereforewee can make thereofno generali rule, efpecially feeing to this one we may oppofe many thoufands ofthofe who hauingdefer. red their repentance to theWI houre, haue been taken away in their finnes and impenitencie,It is true indeed,that ifwith this theefe-we:truely turne veto the Lord byvnfained repen- tance,andThew our faith by the like liuley fruits,he will par- don our finites, and receiue vs to mercie, according to his gratious promifes: but this faith and repentance are not in our owne power, but the fre gifts ofGod, whichhee venie feldome befloweth on thofe at the houre of death, who haue negleé ed and contemned them their whole liues fometimes indeed he calleth and conuerteth forne at the laf} houre, to Thew the infinite riches ofhismercie, but mca ommonly he lea ueth thofe whohaue deferred their repen- ance to die in their impenitencie, that,they may bee exam- les ofhis iufcicee And to this purpofe, e nitin fpeaketh well; There is (faith he) mention made in the Scriptures of ne whom the :Lord receiued to mercie, that none might cfpaire, and but of cne,thatnone mightprefume. It' is the . fanner ofprinces to fend their gratious pardon fometimes o thofe whoare Ied out to execution;but ifanywill wilfully offend
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