CHAP;S. Epifìletothe7heFalonîans. Ve a. q.. t 4ri Such is the Ilateofeuery man grofTely ignorant ; whe. ther, he be going to Heauen,or Hell, to God, or the De- uill, he knowes not ;faue onely that he may learne, Gad dwellethin Light, and that the blacknefle of Darknefre is referued for fuch as liue and die in the Race of Igno- rance. Pe me ratris ignorantia, peffima itidem dux funt flie falfstas, & dabieras. One of the two they are neuer free from error,or doubtfulnetfe in the way to life. That maybe another, that it is a difcomfortable eftate, as that of Darkneife; full of fearer, many times needlcffe. None of the former plagues fpent vpon /Egypt, fo much af- frighted Pharaoh, as that of DarknefTe. 13efcre, fotne fleightconfeflions are heard from him ; Ihaste finned; I, and my people are wicked : Now, e Goe you and your children all to ferne the Lord. The Darknelleof. gyps hath not halfe the difcomfort in it, that palpable Igno- rance.; faue onely that it is not fo fenfìble, through our carnalitie. The fouleft firmer, God permitting to temp- tation, inch runne into withoutfcruple. No marina, if Paul fay of Inch, They Are in the f fnare of the Denill, holden captiue at his will ; there wants but a temptation, to driuc them ro the groifefl euills. What fhould I tell you, how they are opprefTed with remedileife feare3,. when God is once pleafed to awake their Confcience ? The Gaoler runs to his Sword, to rid himfeife of life, not being able to anfwerhis doubt, r what Hain I doe to bee lamed? And I would to God our people would take notice ©f it : It,is true that ourSauiour hath, euery man confeflïng, h Light is come into the world : God hath caufed the Light of his glorious Gofpell to fhine amongft vs, that wee might all fee clearely the way that leads vnto Life. But that that follower, is too true of the world ; (-Olen lone DarkZne& mere than Light ; let them feare it bee not their Condemnation. What a gracious blefIing bath the Lord vouchfafed vnto many Congregations, in the plaine BCrn¢rd.
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