Vex( 3. the EpifßletotheRomans. 51:1 TIMOrfi PUS. WHat it the matter and method of this Text ? S t 1.. An exhortation to the trans. formation, or changing of our mindes, that is,to pray God and earneftly to en- devour to have our mindes changed by his Spirit. This exhortation is enforced by an argument from a neceffary effe &, n our n9m es be renewed {hall never be able to allow and fol- low the will of God, which is there commended by their Epithites or quali- ties. First, good. Secondly, acceptable. Thirdly, perte&. T t M. What it meant by [transforming?] S r L. Not fuch a metamorphosis or change as Ovid did dream ot, by palling of one fubflance into another, but an alteration or change ofjudgement, pur- pofe, will, and affe&ions from evill to good, which the Apoffle him felf cals a renovation or renuing; fuch a work of the Spirit whereby old and corrupt qualities (which {fill flick in us, after new birth) becorre&ed and reformed till they be extin& and deftroyed. T t M. What is ftgnifted here by [minde ?] S t L. Both the faculties or powers of the foul,to wit, the underfianding and will, the daily decaies whereof in ho= lineffe, we are here exhorted to leek by prayer and all means to repair. As a garment or an houle when they tax old or worn, are to bed patched and holpen, fo the godly when through oldueffeofln or corruption,aertiteach or wafte is made in their minde or man - ners,they are not despair or faint, or Pontine. Authori- ty. places of Scripture, 2 Cur. 3.5, t Cut.2. t4.Ephef. 2.3. &4. s8. Coh s.21. And alto reafon to prove it,namely, that the mind bath need to be renewed) therefore it is corrupt and old ; for old and cor- rupt things only need renewing. That which is whole, found,and perte&, era - veth no renovation, which ever is of thing decayed and wafted. T 1 M. What of is to be made of this do- becaufe u lefts d Urine of Gods children) S t L. Firft,it confuteth fuch Philo- fophers and Popish Sophiffers, who ve- hemently contend, that the minds re- maineth 11111 found and uncorrupt, alwaies enclining unto good things, as Arif?otle (peaks in his Ethicks : whereas the fickneffe of the minde may be eafily bewrayed by thefe things, namely, that in thofe molt notable things that the heathen were ftirred up unto by the di- re &ion of their minde, they had regard neither unto the will nor honour aSif God, but were led with .ambition and vain - glory, being greedily defirous of fame and praise amongft men : andas their intent and end were both naught, fo they failed in the manner, becaufe the love ofGod and of their neighbour, did not bear any fway in their a &ions. Secondly, this ferveth tb humble, Man;' for that he-wanteth all power to apply hisminde unto good things,being alto- gether blinde in fpiirltuall matters.. Thirdly, it (hewcth the- gi'tat infe &ion of fin, poyS'oning,defiling; and corru- pting not the body alone, but the foul; not the hiferiour,as thewill,affe &iosts, and perte& fenfes,butalfo the Ñperióur and prihcipall part of-man, the minde, caft away all care and hope; but by judgeeneüt, memory, and confeience. forrow; tears, repentance, to re&ifie and remedy that which is amiffe -and otherwife then well: This is the fumure of the Apo files exhortation. T r M. What donrinesdo arife from this short exhortation ? S r L. Firfi, that even the nobleff part of mans foul, (his minde and rea- fon) is corrupt and depraved with ig- norance, vanity, unbelief, errors; doub- rings, and heresies, &c..This truth bath teftimony from other, Authorities and Lally, it(heweth how much the cleft are be holden to the grace of Chriff,by whom the whole hnrt %taken by fin, is cured and healed through his grace andi Spirit. T s M Tf' hat other dottrine arifeth out of thefe words'? , `7) S e L. Blessed Paul; direE&ing this ex- hortation to fuch as were already faith- full and regenerate, Both hereby tech . us, that the godlieft perfons are in this Ife mewed and fanaified, not fully, X x 3 but Heafon. Donnine.
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