77' 294 The Gofpel of the Leprofy. But how Shall we apply this to the Spiritual Leprofy ? Thus. Is there proud raw Fleih of Pride and Prefitmption and fmpa.. tience of Reproof? This is an evil fign the Sin is grown to force Strength. There may he Sores and Spots in a Child of God ; but they are not fo fore, as that they will not be toucht ; they will bear Reproof. As David when Abigail reproved him, i Sam. z5. 32, 33. Bleffed be the Lord God of lfrael which fent thee, and Wired be thy Advice, and bleffed be thou. And fo Pfal. 141.5. Let the Righteous %mite me, it ¡hall be a Kindnefs, Others you cannot touch them, but you muff be Fenced with, Iron, and the Staff of a Spear, Mich. 2.6. and 2 Sam. 23. 6, 7. Such are the Sons of Belied, that (hall all of them a6 Thorns be thruft away, and ut- terly burned with Fire. When a Man cannot bear to be told of it, but his quick raw Flefh appears ; it is an ill fign, he is a Leper indeed. Such an one it feems Nabal was, r Sam. z5. 27. But where this fro- wardTouchinefs is wanting, if a Man will take a Reproof well, it it a good fign, it is not the Plague of unregeneracy. 4. If ail be turned White, a Man is Clean, Verf,12 17. and 3q.. This teems to be the ftrangeft Rule of all, and the darkeft Paflàge in all this Chapter : There is force Difficulty, both concerning the natural Reafon, and concerning the Spiritual Meaning of it. The natural Reafon feems to be this; becaufe it is a fign of force inward Strength of Nature, that it expels the Difeafe, and fends it forth to the outward Parts. Whereas if there be raw Spots among it ; it argues it is more inward, and the Vitals not fo ftrong as to drive it forth. The Spiritual Meaning is by force Thought to be this ; if all become White by true Repentance and Mortification, then it is not deadly. But this is too general : Therefore it feems to intend this further,. that if we think there be any found Part in our corrupt Nature, it is a fign of a Leprous Sinner : So Ainfw. in -lac. If Men have any Confidence in themfelves, if they feek any Life by the Deeds of the Law,. then Shall they be pronounced Unclean. But an humble Acknowledgment of the overfpreading Corruption of our Natures, and flying to Chrift for help under a thorough Conviäion and Senfe of our own total Uncleannefs and Pollutednefs ; this is a fign the Plague is healed, and the Leper made clean. The Language of a Child of God is, There is no Sowndnefs in my Flefh, Pfal. 38.7. And in me, that is in my Flefh, there dwelteth no good thing, Rom.7. 18. The Opinion of Free-will is a very dangerous Opinion. But if a Man 'be throughly convinced of his own Corruption, and foundly humbled
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