28+ The 73àptitingof the Eunuch. heartwith the Prieft, then to doe it in aft. Thefe dregges yet temaine among men, andit is an vniuflifiableerrour that they commit, topatfeouer the Sacra- mentof theSupper, to fomeold people pr womenwithchdde, whomuff take it Pro viatica. (as was faidin the dayes ofSuperflition) for theirviands,being neerer (in opi- nionandpoffibiltty) to their loft pairage 5 and themfelues either to turne their backes, or tofit by, proclaiming to the world their wantofappetite tofuch an heauenly banquet. I fay the fanareafon is in both theSacraments, inregardof deliringcomfort. Andthereforethedoftriueis goodhence,that wheregrace is, thereis adelreofthe Sacraments, and a willingnefre tovfe them according to the order ofhim thatordained them, and where there is little refpeél to' the teaks, Purely therethe covenantit felfe is not much efteemed. `Z7o#,3. A third doetrine tunofthismotionis, That in whomthere rs any truthofChri. fliaaity, inhim there is afö adefsre todrfcoaer and to make it known to theworld that hee it a Cbriflian. I gather this our of the Eunuch his requefl tobee baptized, which Sacramenthisdelrewas to be partakerof; notonly for theeftabliihing ofhis heart,and the confirmingofhis faith, but withallthat heemight haue vp- on him the badge and cognizanceof his newprofef lion, and might thew him- felfenotrobeaflnmedofthenameandtitkofaChriflian. And indeede it was an euidcnceofgreat refolution in this conuco, that whereas it couldnot but breede him force queflion and trouble athisreturne into his owneCountrey, to be fallen from the religionwherein he wasborneand brought vp,andto become Elmo.... one ofthat newSeftwhich was tarrywherelpakenagainffr: Yet hey fearing no hazardofhis honour, no Joffeofhis office anddignity, no incurring the hatred and cenfure ofhis countrey-men, would needs be baptized, and as it wereeft' rouled and bookedamong Chriflians. This is thenatureoftrue conuerfon,al- beit,it may flirrebut weakely at the firthand feeme alma, not to dareto thew it felfe(as we feein thecafe ofNecodemat and fume other inourSauioura time, whom the oppofitionofthe world made fomewhat ilowe in the difcoueryof themfelues)yet when it is cometoa fuller growth, fothat amanis more then inthe way to conuerfion, and is indeed termed inthe innerman,then therewill bea delire tomake it knowne, that hee marcheth enderthe colours ofeheLord Iefus, andbathrenounced all other wayes offaluation to cell onelyvpon him, So euen thefameNicademas, albeit in thebeginning, when he was buta begin- gIohïb wer, heecame to¡eliiadynightr. And after fpakc onhis fideataConuocationof the Pharifees, butcouertly and a farre off, fo that itcould fcarcelybee finelt, htolt.7,to; whichwayhee did enclineh. Yet in time heegrew tomoreopenneife,asinfoy- iIoh.rg.gr. pingwith lefeph indie honourableinterring ofour Saviour'. And fo much it feemethtobane beenethepurpofeofthe holyGhofltoinfrnuate, in the man. net ofreporting it. Thencame Nicodemta alto,whichfirfl came tohelm by night, &c. Asifhee hadfaid, hewfoeaer het wasfemethingtimeromattherirfE, yet nowthe fire wat kindled, and thefìiht rhereofbrakeforth apparantly. Thefamemaybee laid oflofephofArimathea hrmfelfe, thereis no fpeech(idol at allduring our Saui. k VerferS; -ours life, and the text faith too, her wasafecrer Difcciplek. But then (faith Saint i11tar.t9.43. Marke) bee went inboldly vinoPilate,r&e. So that although there bee much weakcnef 'e and faintnelreat the firll railing ofreligion, whilesa man is butyet (asit were) in the throwes ofhis newbirth, yet when theworkeis accomplifht, andone is become a Chriflfunindeed, there is a willingneffe tomake it toap- peare, and a kindeof neglehofall other things, in refpeól of this one, that a man maybeeknowne to banegiuen his namevisto Chtifl. Not thatthe chil. dren ofGoddoe feekeapplaufe, but that it maybe feene theyarenot afhamed, and doe therefore (hew themfelues in their kinde, yea though force outward inconvenience doe befall them. It is Paid of Paul, that alrooncas heehad reo ceiueddireftion from Ananiat,bee traightwaypreachedCbriyl in the Synagogue, tAdg:so &e°' Aawhowould fayrheedideuenlongvntillheehadgiucnfomeeuidence to
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