C H A P. 3. An Expoftion open thefecoi d VE R,2, andraiment, for raine and fruitfull feafons, I cannot but bleffe God, and admire his goodneflè. Lord Y what ú man that thou are fo mindfull of him ? yet thefe are common to me with heathen, many with Bruits. For meanes of falua- tion, and minde to worn him, my heart is more enlarged to praife his mercy ; yet thefe are common to mc with hy- pocrites in the Church.But that he bath blefl'ed the meanes to my foule, to worke true faith,and repentance vnfainéd, now thankes be to jodfor hisvnfleaka6legift : who can ex- pretie the noble a &s of the Lord, or Phew forth all his do- ings ? once I know t my merits no more then others; my demerits,haply,as great as others. 2 The fame meanes of faith vouchfafed to the faithfull, but blef ed vnto me to make me faithfull. 3 Impediments in me and oppofites to faith, as firong as in another : r 6leffedneffe of minde, to conceiue the rnvlleries of his kingdome : 2 pride of reafon, (corning to fubfcribe to anies Ipfe dixit, to refs on naked authority, bare tefiimony of God himfelfe ; expea- ing argument and demonfiration to evidence conclufions Theological', yea articles of faith. But bleffed be God, who bath fubdued ) thefe high thoughts to the obedience of Chrift; when thoufands of others are fhut vp vnder vn- b elie fe. For allmen haue not faith. Perhaps `Paul meant to point them to the fountaine ofthis lewdnefle and abfurdity, in procuring the vniufi vexation of himfelfe and his Afíoci- ates; that is, want of faith ; Thefource ad of moll fznnes, fo chiefely, of perfecuting the Minifierie : had they fairh,but as the graine of Muflard-feed, they could neuer grow fo lewd orabfurdtomolefi the infiruments of their belie - uing. Had they kZnowne, they would not haue crucified the Lord ofglorie. Did men belieue ? had they euer a tafied how gracious the Lord i., they would neuer vexe the Mini - fters ofGodbby whom they believe. Rather e lay downe their owne neck. for their fafety and preferuation. Faithlefie, Infidels, and no better they (hail euer be to me, whom I fee malicioufly bent againfl the perlons of their faithfull Pal }ors. VER.
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