Ver. 23,29. the Epáflle ta the Romanes. his knowne worfhip, fo God in hi jufticetooke all judgement from them, that they Ihould: not know what was convenient and good for themfelves, nor equall and rightfuil toward their neighbour, as henceforth hee fheweth at large. T i M. What it meant hereby [That they did not acknowledge God? SIL. Two things : Fir(], that they had not God before their eyes. Second - ly,that they thought God had nothing to doe with their matters: for they neg- leaedGod and ranee into his difplea- fure, being led to doe evil], by forget - ting God to bee witneffe and judge of all own. Moreover, that they neglated God, yea, and derided the true know- ledge of God, preferring their owne inventions; and fo their finne was not of Pimple ignorance,but of wilful blind - neffe. T r M. What lef on was given us here? Si L. That it is a good meanes to pre - ferve us in well doing, if wee confider that Gods eye is ever upon us, to note and obferveus and our doings;and that it is a grievous fault to (corne the true knowledge of God. TIM. What it here meant by a Repro- bate minde? Sri.. Not perlons reje &ed, and re- probate of God,for divers of thefe were ele& ones; but Each a mind as is delii- tute of judgemerer and voyd of common reafon, taking evil] for good,and good for evil]; alto paffively,a mind reproved and difallowed both of God and all good men. T r M. Doe ye not thinke fume eleci to bee fometimes ofa reprobate minde? Stt. Yes finely, before their calling, as Fau1, ei 1 anaSts, and the Theefe up- on the Croffe, and they fpoken of, r Cor. 6. 11. Alto divers reprobates, were never given up to a reprobate minde; but contrariwife, fume ofthem have had a civili minde, guiding their a &ions according to reafon, together with great flew of godlineffe for a time;as lehurr Kings ro,29.and Demae, 2 Tim.4.1o.and Iudar,Matth.26. ara. What fhouldthis teach air? s Sit, Charity, to hope well of all: fecondly, patience to beare with all men, in the fpirit of lenity fo long as there is any caute of hope. Thirdly, wifedome to difcerne of mess minds by their workes and actions. Ti M. What difference do you put be- tween a reprobate minde, a civil minde, and a religious minde? Sit. The reprobate minde,adoth nei- ther feare God, nor reverence man, and regardeth neither right nor wrong : The civil] minde regardeth man, but doth not reverence God : The religious minde, both feareth God, and reveren- ceth man, doing good, and avoyding evil] of confcience toward the corn- mandements of God. Tim. What learned wee from the par- ticular rehear fall of tbofe fnnes and tranf grefions whereunto they mere given up by the revenging band ofgodsjuflice, flinging them (at it were) from an high rocke into a deep downfall andpit of vices? St i.. Three [things: Firft, howcor- rupt and nriferable mans nature is with- out Chrift, being a verylnke or Sea rather, of molt ugly loathfome fiones and vices. Secondly, wee learne how many enemies we have to fight again(}, even fo many as there bee corrupt luRs. Thirdly,how much we are beholden to Chrift for pardon of finne,and grace of new birth, whereby fo foule and innu- merable vices are covered and cured. Fourthly, wee may learne to deteft all appearance of idolatry, which God doth fo feverely punifh, by giving tip to fuch filthy fins, as fo many tormentors. Ti m. What was acted hereby, that they are laid to bee full of all unrightroufnefâ, the firfl et`i and fruit of their reprobate minde? Sar. That corruption is fpread into and over the whole nature of all men before theirconverlon. Secondly, that our life is thereby fluffed and overladen, or fraught with vices ofall forts,which arilè and fpring out of that Fountaine ofnaturall corruption. Tim. What is meant by unrigkteoufaef ? Sir,. Not a peculiar vice, but that which containeth the breach of all duties 45
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