438 / 772
§.Secs.
2.
The
recond
let
is prefùmption
upon
the
ea-
aaipie
ofthe
COhticrted
Cherie.
P
0
n
.t
410
The
example
ofthe
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
of
the truth, that
is,
to
the
knowing, acknowledging,
and
belecuing
ofthe
prin-
ciples
of
Chriíiian
religion concerning God,themfelues,and
the
worke
ofredetnption tl'rought
by ChriII.
Let
therefore
no
carnall fecure man
take
occafion
to
prefume
vpón
Gods
mercy
in
regard
of
the
Tweet
and
gratious
promifes
of
the
Gofpell,
for vnlefle
they turne
vnto
God
from
their
euill
waies and truely
repent them
of
their
finnes,
vnleffe
they
are
wearie
and
healrie
laden,
,deuring
nothing
more then to
be
eafed
oftheir
heauie
burthen;
vnlefhe
they
come
out
oftheir
blind
ignorance and
attaine
to the
knowledge
of
the
truth,
the gratious
promifes
of
the
Gofpell do
not
appertaine vnto
them.
Secondly,
whereas
they
alleage
the
example
ofthe
thiefe
conucrted
at
the houre
of
death,
we
are
to know
that
this is
but
one particular
a6}
ofGods
mercy,
and therefore
wee can
make
thereofno
generali rule,
efpecially feeing
to
this
one
we
may oppofe many
thoufands
of
thofe who
hauing
defer.
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
by
vnfained
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
of
God,
which
hee 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
ofhis
mercie,
but
mca
ommonly he
lea ueth
thofe
who
haue
deferred
their repen-
ance
to die
in
their impenitencie, that,they
may bee exam
-
les
of
his
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,that
none
might
prefume.
It'
is
the
.
fanner
of
princes
to
fend
their gratious pardon
fometimes
o thofe
who
are
Ied
out to execution;but
ifany
will
wilfully
offend