Wilson - BS2663 W54 653

156 An Expofition upon Chap.5; Ti u. What learn ye hereby, that fineand fall are &nit together ? Ss L. How dangerous a thing finne is,which bringech with its fall, even as deep & perilous,as from heaven to hell; from the height and top of alhappinefs, to the lowest bottoms of mifery. TIM. What follower ofthis? S That feeing such a fall follows fin;lin is to be fled, as one would shun a breakneck downfall,with all godly care and watch ruiners before it be contmit- ted,and repentance afterward. T i a. Tell as now, wherein con f ffs the malt/Owls between Adams fin,andCbriffs righterufneffe.? S r L. Herein: the righteoufnefs of Chrift is of more great tlrength and efficacy to juftifie, then Adams offence was to condemne. TIM. Now open, the words,' what is this he faith, [Many are dead through the offence of one ?] S I L. By one, he nieaneth Adam ; by many,hemeaneth,al1.it being let againir a few: by dead,he meaneth feparated, or call out from God unto everlafting death. TIM. What doe ye ob; erve here? St L. This thing peculiarly,thatthe infinite and Divine Juftice,is a wonder - full fearfull thing, Peeing it being but once hurt in one offence of Adam, yet inflifted extreamand eternal) mifery on a w hole world, of men : oh let that Ja- like be dreadful) to thee. T t M. what dash bebere mean by Grace and gift by Grace ? SI L. Some think Grace Both lignifie Gods favour, and Gift the holy Ghost, and Inch good things as we obtain by him: T i M. But bow thinke you deft words are to be taken? S I L. By Grace is underflood Chrift his righteoufnefre, whereof the grace and free favour of God is the root and fountain. Tim. What bgnifeth that gift by grace? S I L. That molt bleffed condition wherein they be, which have Cbrifl his. righteoufnefs office favour imputed to them. Tim. What u that ble f f ed condition? S I L. That they are not onely abfolved and quit from all guilt of fin, both Adam, and their own,and fo from all punifhment, temporali and eternal), but alto are adorned and cloathed with Chrifis perfefi juflice and innocency, even to the obtaining of eternal) life. Tim. By what fimilitude doe ye explain ibis difference betweene Grace, and gift of grace? S Y L. Of a poore miferable man in bondage for debt to his Prince,who not onely hath his debt freely difcharged by his Soveraigne and King, but withall hath alarge treafure of many 'thoufand pounds given him. The treafure bellow- ed by the Kings liberality is Grace, be- caufè it comes of free favour; and his happy condition, in that of poor hee is made rich,naay be called Gift by Grace; fo it fareth in the café ofa finner,Chrills righteoufnefs bellowed upon bins freely, is Gods grace; and the gift by Grace, is that Welted condition wherein he is Pet, through that rightecufnefs imputed to his faith,being of a finner,made perfect- ly jufl, and the child and heire of God, even heire annexed with Chrift,Rom. 8.57. T I M. What is meant by *bis, that grace hath more abounded ? Si L. That the righteoufnefs which cometh by Chrdf,doth in many degrees exceed in excellency and force, the guilt and hurt that came by Adam. T I M. Declare this unto us , bow grace bath, far exceeded fin. S I L. Because by the grace of Chrift, we have forgivenefs of fin, we are rege- nerated and adopted to be the Tonnes of God;we are become brethren ofChrift, his members,heirs of his kingdome,yea heirs of this world alto, for all is ours, I Cor.3.22. T I M. By what fimilitude canye expre f this fuperabundanceofgrate? S I L. Of a Surgeon not onely healing a wound by his medicine, but making one ftronger and fairer then be. fore.Secondly,of an Emperor,not only drawing a wretch out ofprifon,but ad- vancing himtt uec of riches and dignity ;

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