370 Mar, u. se. Pfal. i ;7.5. EK,esh.cr. 17. Revel. 3. z: Pfa1.373x, 36. The deceitfulnef of Mans heart. leaves too, wherewith it deceived our Saviour, and wholly withered. Gods gifts in an unfound heart, contrary as is were to their own nature, being per- verted to wrong ends,do even ugh under our abufe, and God hearing their groanes,gives them the wings ofcl;ecagle,to flue away from fuch unjuft poffeffours. How fearefull are the examples of many unfound prole (fors who notwithftanding all their goodly flourifhes have yet vanifhed at laft ? they have been ftript ftarke naked ofall, their right hand bath for. got its skill,their right eye bath been darkened,their arme withered, they have mouldred away , and be- come meere nothing,unfavoury fair, fit for nothing but the dunghill. Chrift having toldthe Church of Sardis that her graces were ready to die , gives this reafon thereof: For I have not found thy work.., per - feet before God. Therefore they are ready to die,be. caufe tainted with the infe&ion of hypocrifie. Had not Idas many excellent graces of Prayer, preach- ing, miracles ? &c. yer, forafmuch as they wanted the fait of fincerity to preferve them from putrefa- dion, both he and they miferably rotted , and came to fearful! defolation His heart became a aye and ftable for Satan to lodge in , and to beget that mom. ftrons conception of barbarous and treacherous vil- lany; So that what the Pfalmift fpeaketh concerning the wicked mans temporali eftate, may truly bee fpoken concerning the hypocrites fpirituall dire. 1 faw bins lilte the frefh lawrell, fpreading hitnfilfe, and flourifring : but loe the root being corrupt with hypo - crifre, he could not holdout. Enquire for him, and for his many graces, his great knowledge , his bur- ning s
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