Ver. i.. the to the Romans. through fin the devill ready to mingle himfelf with al their thoughts.Fourth- ly,let every man fu(pe& every thing that conimeth of himfelfe , left it lien and relifh of the flelb; not ealily approving ought that is pleafing unto him with- out ferions and narrow examination. Fiftly, whenfoever we are afi &ed, let us know that there maybe juft cau(è gi- ven by us,though we cannot fee it; and therefore forbear to complain of God. Sixtly, feting regenerate men are fo bound to fin, that they cannot ufe that liberty of will which they have by grace, how much leffe is there any po- wer of free will in men unregenerate ? Latlly,let the remembrance of our wo- full captivity,caufe us to (rive and figh after perfe& liberty: and in the mean (pace to walk watchfully and humbly, both before God and men, and in our own eyes : for wee are like to captives which after hard bondage have fome liberty, yet in fign of captivity,carry art iron chain,or a fetter to clog them : fo are Gods bell children freed,as they bear (kill the clog and chain of corruption for their better humbling and continu- all exercife. this bondage we come two wales. Fiat, by nature being borne fuch. Secondly, by ele &ion and choife, willingly yeel- ding our felves under this dominion offnteverymeerman is the fervant of fin both theft wayes,beingthe children of wrath by nature,and afterwards wil- lingly obeying the lulls of fin. T I 34.. But Paul being already freed by grace , bow can bee be called the bondman of finne? S I L. There is a double bondage to this Tyrant finne : voluntarily as in Ahab,who fold hiwfeif to doe evìll in the fight of the Lord: Such a bondman was Paul before his converfion in all things,and readily obeying fin. And unvoluntarily, when one tòntetimes o- beys the will of the Tyrant fin, but it is unwillingly. Such a bondman was Paulin the ellateof regeneration ; allo all other Saints; for as a bondman is of- ten compelled of his Mailer to that he would not:fo Paul by fin was drawn to many things he allowed not,as himfelf expounds it in the words following. T t M. Now thew ase for rebat purples God doth frill keep hit Children in bondage, feeing he could at once havegiven them per - feel liberty? S i L. Fief, for abating their pride. Secondly, for 'tiering us up to fervent prayer. Thirdly, for keeping us from lloathfulnelfe, having fuch an enemy within us. Fourthly, for manifefing' Gods power in upholding us. La(tly, for exercifing mutual! charity, and compaffion in bearing, and forgiving, and pitying, comforting and flrength- ning one another. T I m. Now flies nr what profit we are to male by the confederation ofthefe things? S i L. Firft, all Gods Children mutt take knowledge of their c tate, that though they are regenerate, yet they are !till carnall, fold under flnne,both in re- gard of originali finne,and a&uall infir- mities. Secondly, let them continually make faithful? prayers tinto God for the aid of his grace, for to matter the flefh. Thirdly, it behooveth them to bee watchful], not only having fuch an e- nemy as fin is in their own boforne, but DIALOGUE XII. Verfe 15. For I allow not 'bat which I doe : for what I would that I do not but what I bate, that I doe. 223 T ItiOTHEU S. WHat is the purple and drift of this Text? S I L. The Apoltle Paul intendeth sloes ans in his owne perfon to de(cribe and complaints let forth the fpirituall combate and linneos bcaq (rife which is in every regenerate man hardly be between corruption and grace ¡ the order y t which he fetteth forth by rehearfing is roe three (harp affaults (like three flrong ,°etho1 fits ofan Ague ) which his fle(h and cor- ruption did make againft his mind, be- ing renewed by the Spirit: The firft of fault is, that he found in himfelf two contrary grounds of his ations,to wit; Originali finne, fill abiding in his na- V 3 tute,
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