231 I. RsQle. Pauls ConTerfion. in preaching the Word, if you will receive bene- fit by the Word in making it your owne , fo as it may bee unto you the power of God unto your falvation, then apply ir, and fo doing it will make you humble, and receive Chrifl: now that you may attaine unto this , and that the Word by ap- plication may be effduall to humble you,obferve thefe three Rules which I will lay downe for your helpe herein. The firtl Rule is this, As you mull get know- ledge before you will bee humble, fo now in the firfl place, you mutt not deferre or put it off;when God Both give you a fight of finne, it will be your wifedome to apply the medicineprefently whilefl the wound is greene, the Word will have a greater power of working then, then it will have after- wards : if it in this cafe be deferred, it will gather corruption, it will put you to more paine and charge; it is good therefore not to deferre humi- liation, or put off the working of the Spirit in this cafe; but if the Spirit give thee a fight of finne,pre- fenrly apply it unto the Soule , and that fo much the rather, becaufe the labour will bee leffe, the paine leffe, and the danger leffe. When a bone is out of joynt,it is good felting it whilefl it is hot, no man will deferre it; in fuch a cafe the defer- ring of it will be with much more griefe : fo when the heartis put out of love with finne, ifyou then prefently apply the Word unto ir, it will humble and change you,but if you deferre,it will bea hard and difficult thing to bring the heart unto repen- tance,
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