EpifileofS.PaaltoTina. ment,a number lay theblocke in their owne way,whereupon they break theneckeof their foules: and it is tobe doubted,that manyofour meek hearers would entertaine vs, andour word as curceoufly as Herod did Iohn, fo long as we meddle not with their Herodias,their damfell hone: but if Iohn (hall meddle with thac,there is noway but one,hemuff kifi'e theprifon,and buy bis boldnes dearer thenfo. Secondly, this mull teachvs that profeffeour felues to be the Lords, to abhorreall the finites ofthis fuice,and to banifh filch filthyfruits ofthe fief/2, whichGodgiueth themvp veto who are ofa reprobate minde ; and hauenothing todo with inch wicked inmates, which are euer plotting to fet the whole tenement on fire, and which bring rottennes into the 'ownebones andbowels:as well laid a godly man ofCain hehad halfe killed and confumed himfelfe with malice beforehe killed his brother. And not tovrge the multitude of reafons which to this purpofe offer themfelues, I will only name thofetwo,who are couched in theverfe.t. Becaufe that we profeffe that wewereEach in timespafi, bur noware be- gotten vow God : which were it not a forceable reafon, the Apoflle wouldnot fo often beat vpon it: as CoI.3.8. But nowput awayall thefe things,wrath,anger,malicioufnes,curfed (peaking , whereinyea walked once when yea linedin them: and ifwe would prooue our felues anew lamp, we mull purge9H; the old fowring and fwellingleauenofmalicioufnes: t. Cor.5.8.So the Apoltle Iames, t.a8. ofhis own good will hee begate vs, wherefore lay away allflthines,andfuperfluitieofnialicioufnes: ard,Per.; ,z, a.layingafideallguile ,enuie,malicioHfnes; --as new borne babesdeftre,&c. If euer thou wouldfl haue euidence of thy conuerfion , thou muffput on ae the cleft ofGod,the (e bowels ofmercy toGods people,and loue to Gods image in whomfoeuer: for howelfe wouldfl thou beknown co bea dif- ciple? z. Thefe hateful! (Mlles makevsiuflyodious ,t.coGod,Pro.r4. 3 2. The wicked is caftawayfor his malice both rooteand fruit. 2. to man, in that they wage battell againfl Chriflian loue, which is the preferuatiue ofall fociety. Thushaue we been fomewhat large in difcouering the nakednes of our corrupt nacure,by which not only our cheife , but all our holds are taken,andwe turned naked into thecurie of God. Now how fewe re- turne backe to the pit whence they aredigged ? how few acknowledge and bewaile this mother fione,which is the roote ofall finnes,and laieth vs open to all inundations, both offinne, and thecurfès due thereunto? for fo the Lord mentioneth it as the caufeof the flood , becaufe hence Gen.6.5, {prong all chofe aEluall finnes which were thenext caufes of it. I know not how chofe Popi(h pofitions haue preuailed in the pra&ifeofmoil men,who are yet ofan otherjudgement; who callthis natural! cbrrup- CHAR3.3. 619 Gal.r.f9 itom.r.a8, Profefror,mutt be carefnll to han:fb all the fr -toes of this fuit, I 2 lion
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