TO A wholefomeCaveat God to have left all men as the Angels that fell in chains of darkneffe for ever. But among his Church and peo- ple the Lordfends theGofpel to proclaim liberty, and with it fends Chrifl with his Spirit, to come to the prifon- doores of poor finners, to give repentance as well as re- mifìion of fins, and now if theywill not comeout of their bondage, accept of, the Lords. liberty, `tis exceeding righteous to deal with them as wedo with prifoners condemned to die ; if the Prince comes to theprifon- doores, andfayes, I am come to give thee thy life, nay and here is pardon ; nay favour, and to pull off thy chaines alto, now ifhe faies no, I had rather be inprifon ; every one will lay it is jeft; and as it was in the year of labile he that would not go free was to be a bondman for ever. 'Tis very righteous togive men their own choyce, 'tisno wrong to let themhave their own will : If indeed the laws'of Chrift were f)raco's laves, hard and heavy, there were fomething toobjea, but they are molt fweet, and for whichof all other bleflings men have caufe toblare him, Pfat. 147. ult. Reafon 2. In regard of the mercyor merciful' wif- dom ofthe Lord towards his Churchand people, efpecially his peculiar ones, that hereby they keep the clofer to the Lord,fet a higher priceupon the rules and government ofthe Lord, love his kingdome the more, and the liberties thereof , and ufe them better when they:have them again, fo here, that they may know my fervice, &c. a. How fweet >it is. Experience we fay is the/Clarefs offools ; fuch is the foolifhnefs of mens hearts that men are many times never truly taught a truth till theyare taught it by fenfe, Prov. ,. i r and thou mourn at laft when thy ffefh is confumed; tell a man of all the glory of the Saints, theynever underhand it till they feel it. tell men ofthe woe of their wayes ; they will not believe it*till they fee it, Pfal. 3a: 9. Be not or the horfe or mule that bath no underfianding, whofe mouthmuft be held in with bit and bridle. Hofea c e.: r. Ephraim is like an Heifer that is taught. Like untamed Horfes that will cart their rider, unleffe they be held under and backr, and then they are gentle, fo 'tis here ; and truly 'as long before a man can learn the fweetof Chrifls government : hence Ifrael mull be long in Egyptian bondage , and many long miferies, fo that if there be either juftice or mercy in the Lord he will do this, and this point (hall be true. Vie 1. ,Zttaf. a:
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