The fallacious Groundof this Argument of M. G's. Cs' XV Fourthly we fay that true Believerscannot be laid to walke according to 347 theflefh5 to do the Workes ofthe flcfh, to do the. Lulls anddefines oftheftefb, which the HolyGhoft fo cautions them againft, which as Mr Goodwinob- ferves are none ofthem chargedupon true Believers, but only fuckperlons as are enemyes ofGod, andChildren ofwrath; fo that thofeexpi:effìons hold: out toBelievers only what they ought to avoid in the ufeof the meaneswhich Godgracioully affords them, and do not difcover any thing of the will of God, that he will fufferthem, contrary to his many Faithful' Promifes to fall into them. And fo theclofe ofthis Difcourfe is contrary to the beginning; M. Goodwingranting that trueBelievers cannot fall into thefe finnes, but only fuch asareenemies toGod; and yet he bath no way toprove that true Be- lievers may ceafeto be fo, but becaufe they may fall into thefe$nnes, which that they may do, he here eminently denyes. Wherefore headds byfinningout ofmalice they meanfinning with deliberation, withplotting, 4.37,, an contriving the methodsandmeanes of theirfinning, finningagainfl fudge- ment,agàinfi'the ditJates ofconfcience(andwhat they jhonldmeane bylining out of malice but finninguponfach tearmes as thefe Iunderfland not) certainit is that true Believers mayfofinne out ofmalice, or at leafs fuch as were , true Believers before fuchfining, and this ourAdverfaries themfelves confeffé. Anf. All this falles heavy on the fhoulders,(asit is fuppofed) ofpoore Da. vid, andyet we think it evident, that God tooke not his holySpiritfrom him, but that hi s Covenant continued with him, ordered in all things andlitre, and thatfinne hadnot dominion over hint. The reafons of this perfwafion of ours concerning him, fhallfarther be infifted on, when we come to the confide- rationofhis cafe inparticular, in themeane timeI confefle the dreadfnllfalls offomeoftheSaintsofGod, are rather tobebewailed than aggravated; and the richesofGods Grace in their recovery, to be admired than fearcht into: yet we fay, Firft, That no one Believer whatever in the world, upon any temptation whatever, did fall into any finne ofmalice, that is, accompayned with any hatredofGod, or defpite of his Grace, or whole delight of his will in the fin, whereunto he wasby temptation for a feafoncaptivated,& though they may fall into fin, againft their judgements& di&ates oftheir confciences,as every finwhatever, that they have,or may pofíibly have knowledge ofor acquain- tance with, in their owne hearts andwaves, is Yet this Both notmake them to timeout ofmalice; for that would leave no diftin&ion between finnes of infirmity whereinto men are surprifed byTemptation, andofMalice. Even finnes of infirmity being in general' and particular direly contrary to the di- elates of their inlightned, fantifyed judgements & confciences. Secondly, for finning with deliberation, plotting, and contrivingthe methods and *canes offinning, the proofe whereof, that fo they may do , will lÿ as was before obferved , on the infranceof David)!fay it being the will ofGod for ends and purpofes knowne to his infiniteWifdome, to giveus, as tohis fall, his darke fide, andhis finne to the full, with the Temptations wherewith hewas at firftfurprifed, and afterward violently hurryed upon carnal' rea- foningsand confiderations of the ftate whereintohe had caft himfelfe, havint 'alibis old friend and counfellouras to any fhines of his countenance for a feafon, not acquainting us at all with the frame, and working and ftriving of his Spirit, in, andunder that fall, I (hall not dare to draw his cafe into a Rule, that what he then did a Believer nowmay do,judgeiugofhis frame in doingofit, only by what is expreft. That Believers may have morofam cogitationem, or deliberation upon force finites, whereunto they are tempted; uponthe ftrength ofindwelling finne, which may poffibly fo over come and Y y 2 prevaile
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