2 8 Delay ftregthens firne. z Cor. Z14 2. PYopter impo- tenttam. z Sam.3.3 z. Ezek. z 7. Ephef.z.i. Matth.7,1 6. Iohn 11.44 :I13.35.5,6. . E 7 . 6. 'r Cor.3.6. Afts 16.14. Iohn 3.S. 3, P; opter cnta- mentum. Jer.Z3 13. Vfe. favour of death unto death, make whacthould have been for our welfare to be an occafion haftening our ruine. It is not in our power to repent, and turne to God when we lift. David in his life time complained of the formes of Zervia, that they were too ffrong for him : And we may truly compiaì e of Satan and his formes, his curled birth within us (I meane our corruptions) that they be too firong for us : we may imagine, as Sampfon in another cafe did, that we have power to awaken, rife up, goe forth from the fervi- ,tude of finne and -Satan when -we pleafe ; but it will be at laft_ with us as with Sampfon, our ftrength will faile us, the Phi - liftines will be upon us, prevaile againft us ; we may as loon turne the ftony rock into loft ground, raife the dead out of the grave, make the brambles beare figs, as by our owne pow- er raife our felves :to a new life, turne our ftony into a loft and tender heart, bring forth the fweet figs and pleafant grapes of godly forrow, true repentance, a lively faith, fer- vent love, fincere obedience : This is a work fuitable to ',none but Gods finger. He that railed the dead, that turned the barren Wildernef e into a fruit full Field, that fetcbt water out of the ffony rock, he alone can change the heart, make,us fruit - full in the laving grace of his fpirit. Paul phnts and Apollo wa ters, but the Lord dotb give the e zcreafe : It is Crod that openeth the heart of Lydia. When Paul preacheth, and the Lord is a free agent, he communicateth his grace when and where he pleareth. Sinne will grow flrong, and Satan will fortifie his holds," if the meanes of grace be negle&ed, the reformation of our wayes procraflinated : A dîfeale negle&ed growes incura- ble, an enemy let alone becomes invincible, and fin gathers much Ilrength by continuance ; it blinds the imderlfanding, duls the afftUion, hardens the heart, fearcs the confcience, makes uncapable of holy counfell, unfit for every godly un- dertaking. Difficile eft ab ufitatis definere, difficile eft it familiari- bus abi}rahi. Greg. Can the Ethiopian (faith the Prophet) change bid- skin, or tI'e Leopard his (jots ? then may ye akò doe good that, are accuflomed to doe evill. This ferveth for the (harp reproofe of fuck as procrafli- n.ate
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