134 eLak.ts.46. t tTim.4.8. g Mar.ro.go. h ['fa1.89,3t,3z. i Mar.io.3o. efe I. k Rom.4.t8,1 9. 8tI2.o 2. C H A P. 3. An Expoftion upon the fecond VE Ric}. in an houre thouethinke// not of,he fhal come to take vengénce offuch Scoffers. 2 And where is thy Reafon ?vanifht,I fup pofe,with thy Religion.Elfe thou VN ouldfi fee the inference abfurd : he yet comes not, therefore will neuer come. Where the perfotmace of thofe promifes off this life,and that to come made vnto godlineffe ? Refp..Take them with their intended modur, exaóily they are performed. I Tern - poralties not promifed abfolutely, but with limitation to expediency ; with s exception of the Croff c, and referuati- on of power to the promifer to h cha,tten delinquencies of his children : 2 performance not intended alwayes after the letter, but in the eguivalent: difiunaluely vnderfiand thofe promifes,either the particulars,orfometbingi better; if not peace, yet patience ; if not wealth, yet content- ment : fo God breakes not promife, but changeth inmeli- rms : fee fupra. Build we our felues firme in expediation of all good things promifed,fo as they are promifed,feeme nature and ordinary courfe neuer fo crotiing to the performance. So did k eIbraham, whole children we are, while we walke in his fieps : the eye of faith fees farther then the meanes; in fpight ofcroffe meanes, holds firme expeftation of the promife. There are foure degrees of Confidence: t where are meanes competent and fufiìcient : 2 where meanes weake, and in eye of reafon difproportioned to the effed.3 Where are no meanes. q. Where meanes are oppofite,and firong- ly repugnant to the promife. Giue me that faith that refis on naked promife ofGod; and thinkes itpotent to breake thorough all impediments. Next in prudence weigh, t the promifer bath referued in his own power times and feafons : 2 choife of meanes : 3 choofeth oft vnlikeliell meanes :q. performes fometimes without meanes : S fometimes by meanes extraordinary: 6 and whiles againfi meanes. This is amongfi the diuine vertues which admit refem- blance in the Creature ; part of that holineffe, wherein the Lord requires his children to refemble him. The faith-
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