The Go .el of the Leprofy,, 293. fes, favours of Hypoctify. But to make known their Condition to fome able faithful Friend or Minifter, efpecially if in the ufe ofother Means you cannot attain to a comfortable difcerntng of it, is a Duty, . through the neglea whereof, force are kept long in the Dark about their own Ettates. It is oftentimes out of Shaine, their Sins and. Sores and Spiritual Leproftes are loathfome and fhameful. But were it not better to make it known, then to let the Sores of thy Confci- ence fefter inwardly ? Their Wounds flink and are corrupt, becaufe of their Foolifhnefs in this particular. Obf. 3. Note here ( which will carry us through ;many Particulars in the Chapter ) the Rides ofTryal, whereby the Prieß in to judge of,the Leprofy. There be five Rules efpecially, which be clear and fafe to judge of the Spiritual Leprofy by. I. If it be but Skin-deep, it is not the Leprofy, be is clean ; but if deeper, he is unclean, Verf. 3.4. and again Vol: zo. 25, 30. if it be but Skin-deep, it is force Sin, fome fore of à leffer Nature ; but ifdeeper" then the Skin, in the Vitals, Blood and Spirits, he is unclean-;. it is the Leprofy. So if there be Sins and Corruptions appearing like Spots in the Skin, in a Man's outward walkings yet if the Heart be not tainted, it is a good Sign. A Child of God may have Spots in his Skin, Frail- ties in his Life; but his Heart is found, his Heart is perfe& with God, found in his Statutes. But there be force Sins that go deep, not only in the Skin ; but the Sin is deeply rooted in the Heart, and Spirits and Affecîions of a Sinner ; fo that the Vitals are infe&ed. This is a fign he is a Leper. 2: Tryal. Doth it fland at a flay ? Or doth it fpread furtherand further ? Verf: 5.6, 7, 8. And again, Vert. 23.27, 28, 34, 36, 37. Ifit and at aflay, he is clean. If it [pread, he is a Leper. So a leprous Sinner that is in a finful State and Condition, the Leprofy will fpread in him. Evil Men and Deceivers, will, grow worfe and worfe, 2 Tim. 3. 13. Their Corruptions gain Ground upon them. But it is a fign there is force beginning of healing, if it ftand at a Ray. If the Lord be healing a Sinner, mortifying his Lufts, he is clean. There is fin- ful Corruption in a Child of God ; but it doth not grow, fpread, and gather Strength from Day, to Day : But on the contrary, it is decaying, it is on the lofing Hand. The Houfe ofSaul grows weaker and weaker ; but the Houfe of Davidgrows flronger and flronger. . This is a fign God intends good to him. 3. Tryal is this. If there be pond raw Hefh in the Rifing, Verf. 9: l o, i i ---.and 141 i 5. he is not to be [hut rip in Snfpenfe, the thing is evi.. dent. Bug;
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