CHAP.3'. EpijiletotheTh dtmi,ss. Va.. 14. 485 ring this prefcript with the like to tTimotby,l cannot but thinke,the ApoflIcs purpofe is, to prefcribe vs a temper, and meaneof cariage in performing the former duties : that the fenfe may be this ; Suffer not your patience tábee auercome, fo as to furceafethefe holy duties, though you fee not prefent fucccffc of your endeuours. Lacke of prefent ftacceffe io no warrant to any,to furcea fe the duties of Lone, in Admonition, Comfort, Exhortation. The faults of Gods feruants haue Beene noted in this kinde.leremie feeing the prefent way- wardneffe of the people, u refolues to ff eake no more in the Name of the Lord. It is notedils his blemifh : and the Word of God gives him no refl, till hec had altered his refolution. Paul in like humour, 4nters like refolution at Corinth. The Lord checkes him for it, and commands h. im lil!to ßieake unto them ; affuringhim for all that, hee had much people in that Citie. After his long experience, flee pref;eththe duty by fundry reafons. Firli, X The time of Gods cal- ling and gluing bleflìng to our endeuours, is to vs vncer- tame : it fhould fuflice vs, if God at any timegine themre- pentance. Secondly, he puts vs in minde of their rnifera- ble bondage vnder Satan; They are in the fnare of the De- oeill. Ir is no care matter to ref-cue a foule out of Satans Dominion; thatflrong man armed doth not fo cafilt lcaue hispoffefIion. Thirdly,To Titcu, lice remember!. vs of our owne eflate, and Y behaviour before calling; euery whit as vntoward, and dcfperate as theirs, that are yet holden vndcr Satans bondage. Our ftnnes where- in we hued asgrieuous, ourfrowardneffe as great : yet when Gods 6ountifulnef fe appeared,he faced vr.Caufe we haue to hope like fauour of God for others ;I am lure no caufe vt- terly to defpaire of any, becaufe admonitions prefent are reiefted. How many did our fillies , till day ofvifitation came, make light of ? How many gracious motions of Gods Spirit doe we contemne ? yet taw we Gods grace, after all this contempt,maruellous in our conuerfion. Gg4 And t 2 Tim.2,4. Obfer. u Ier.2,o.9. z a Tim.i.z . r Tit 3,3,
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