C.XV. The fallacious Ground ofthis Argument of M. G's. 352 inChrift can looke no otherway; fo that Rill the uncouthneffe of fuch a procedure abideth. Secondly, The reafon that's added toput Come colour andgloffe upon this Affertion. viz. Thatfilch perfons as are affirmed to be fofeparated from the Body ofChrift do voluntarilydisfaith (as-'tis called) themfelves,is not to thepier - pofe in hand. For I. Thequeftion is about the thing it felfe, whereunto this Anfwerde mo- do, is not fatisfa&ory; 'Tisurged by the Argument, that it cannot be allowed any way, the anfwer is, tis done this way. 2. WereMr Goodwindefired to explaineuntous the manner how Belie- vers voluntarily do, or may disfaith themfelves, I fuppofe he would meet with no final]. difficultyes in the undertaking; However this founds hand- fomely. 3. That they fhould fo disfaith themfelves, through finne, andwicked neffe; without being overcome by thetemptations ofSathan, and the power ofthe enemyes, with whom they have to do and wreftle, doubtleffe will not be affirmed, whilft they continue in their right witts, and if they lode them, twill be difficult to manifeft how they can voluntarily disfaith them- felves. The fate wherein they are defcribed to be by Mr Goodwin, and the confiderations which for their prefervation he allowes them, fhould not, methinkes, fuller him to fuppofe that oftheirowne accord, with. out provocations, or temptations, they will wilfully ruine their owne foules. Now that Believers fhould bythepower ofany Temptation, or oppofition whatever, or what afli&ion foever, arrifing againft them,- be prevailedupon to the lode of their Faith, and fototheir difinemhring from Chriff, is that which is obje&ed as an unfeemely uncouth thing; which in this Anfwer Mr Goodwinearneftly begges, may not be fo efteemed, and more he adds not as yet. 4:42- The following Difcourfe, wherein he purfues the bufìneffe in hand, is fo pretty, as that I cannot but once more prefent it to the Reader. Saith he, As to apoliticl<e or civil/ corporation,'iii better that the Governers fbouldper- mit themembers refpetEively togo or be at liberty, thatfo they may follow their buftueffeandoccupations in theworld, upon the better termer, thoughbyoccafion of this liberty they may behave themfelves in fundry kinds very unworthily; than it would be to keepe them clofeprifoners though hereby the Paid inconveniencescer- tainly beprevented; in like manner'tis-much betterfor the Body ofChri l., andfor therefpeE`ive members ofit, that hef7iould leave them at liberty to obey and ferve God, andfollow the important affairs of theirfoules, freely and without any l'hyfr- callnecejtation, thoughfome do turne this liberty into wantonneffe, and fo into deftregion, than twould be to deprive them o f this libertyand tocaulè.and con- graine them to anycourt whatfoever out ofnece(tty: though 'tis true, the com- mittingofmuchfinne and iniquitywould beprevented hereby in many; the dif- membring of thebody ofChri/is Apofiles, by theApofiacy of yudas was no difpa ragementeither toChriffhimfelfe, or it. Anf. The fumme of the whole difcourfe is, that the Lord jefus Chriff bath no way to keepe and fecurehis members to himfelfe, thatnone ofthem perith, but by taking away their liberty which rather than do 'tis more to his honour to let them abufe it,to their everlafting deftru&ion; & to this end fundry fine fuppofalls,arefcattered throughthe whole Difcourfe. As r. That the libertyofBelievers, is a liberty tofinne; .which theymaya- bufe to theit owne deflru&ion. The Apoftle is of an othermind, Rom. 6. r7, i 8, t g. Godbethanked thatyewere thefervants offinne, butye haveobeyedfrom the heart thatforme ofDotfrine, which was delivereddtoyou; beingthen madefree from
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