Ver.9, I O. the Epifile to the Romans. 73 he reproveth their unthaakftdneffe,in the abate of there benefits.Thirdly,hean- fwereth their objeaion about circemci- fion, and fheweth which is true eircunr- cihon : and which be true Jemes, which be othcrwife. Ti M. What was the farff benefit which they might pretend for their immunity, why they fhouldbe exempt from the [evert judge- ment of God? S I L. That they were called 3ewes, which was an honourable title and no ble, as now it is to be called Chriflians; but they were not fuch,as they were and would be called; which fl:ewcth a ,that truth may be fevered from titles : and that glorious names, through the wick - ednefre of fetch as beare them, may be- come ntoff odious and infamous. Ti M. What was the fecond benefit? S i L. That they had the Law and the fervice of God prefcribed them by it, this benefit appeareth to be great, by Deut.47,8. And Pfal.t47. 19, co. But theirabufe about it,was,that they retied and contented themfelves, in the rea- ding, knowledge, and profeffion of the Law, allo putting their trait therein, & proceeded not to pra &ifs and obedience, to walke in the ftatutes which they un- derflood and profeffed. Ti ri. What was the third benefit e S t L. That the true God was their God, and made a covenant to take them to be his people, this was a marvailous great benefit, the profeffion and dignity of the covenant, as appeareth by Deut. 4.29. and Pfal.i44.15. And Paulfaithit was their glory:but this was their abufe of this benefit, that they glorified in God without due defire and care to ad- vance his glory,by godlineffe of living. Tr M. T ell us what the forati, benefit is? S i L. It is the knowledge of Gods will; this appeareth to be a precious be- nefit by there reafons. Firth, becaufe knowledge is a part ofGods image,and of Chas Kingdome, Col. 3. io. Se- condly, it is to the minds, as the eye to the body, or the Surine to the world, Pral. i 19. i 05. Thirdly, it is of great price, more worth then all merchan- dize,Math.7.2 z. Proverb.3, i 4.Fourth- ly,it rnaketh one man to excell another: but herein they abulèd their knowledge, both for that knowing the Will of God they did it not :and alfo becaufe being fevered from love of God and their neighbour, it made them fwell. Te M. What it tl fist ben, fit ? S t L. Triall of things which differ there wo. ds,they have another reading; as thus, Thou aítomefl ifthings which are exaellent.If we take the fiat reading,then it hath this fenfe, that the levees had loch a degree of knowledge- of Gods will, at leafi in their owne perfwafioa, as they could difeerne between good and evill, between truth and errours. Phil. 1.7,8. But if we take the fecund reading, then the fence will be this;that they by their knowledge, not onely could tell what was good, _arid what was not, but of fttndry duties they knew which was molt excellent. This is abe- nefit of great moment, becaufe in tour= parifonoftwoduties,when they conic in balance together., it is a very good thing to know which is to be preferred¡ for one may commit a great thine in the doing of duties, if for aleffe he negle& a greater, or hinder one duty by ano- ther; as to be colleting for the poore, when they thould attend the word; or to be buhe in reading, and private prai- er, when they fhonld be given to pub - like devotion. Tim. Come now unto the faxth privi- ledge, fpeken of in this Text, and tell rebat infrullion is that be fpea(etb of, What is meant by inffrulling? S i L. That which is by Catechifing, or filch as is fit bar children, to enter them into religion, to make them irn- derfland the pi inciples thereof. Ti M.What is the manner of Cateehng infiruîfion ? S i L. By queflions and anfwers, as Mat. i 6. i 3, L4. & Alìs 8.30,31. Ti M. What difference is there between Catechi fing and Preaching? S i L. The one is [hurt, the other is a more large Treatif ;the one belongs to weake ones and beginners, the other to all, both throng and weak : the one is as the laying ofa foundation, the other is H as
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