Ver.23,24. the Epifile to the Romanes. T I a4. What do you call b.oly ufe7? i k!n of amongli< the Gentiles; Or, blaf- S 1 L. Such as any way belong unto the fervice of the true God as Chur' ches, Tithes, Communion Table, and Cup, Pulpitcloth, Lands, Bookes, and fuch like the Priefts which by cove - toufueffe fpoiled the Oblations, were culpable of Sacriledge. T I id. When is Sacriledge committed a- bout tbefe hol, things ? SIL. Either when publique perlons for private lucre,do convert thefe things to their owne tries: or when private perlons without publique authority do violate them, by applying them to their ufe. This tàcrilegious lane is wbrfe than theft:for Sacriledge is (as it were) a robbing of God, and a fpoyling of him, as Malacbj in his flrft Chapter fpeaketh. Ti M. By what other may may we perceive tbebcynoufne of this Rune? SI L. By confidering the judgements of God upon filch as were guilty of it. Examples we have in Achan, who [tole holy things, and was !toned, Jofh. 7. I. Ely his fonnes for Sacriledge, both kil- led in one day, I Sam. 3. 13. Ananias- and Saphira for this finne, were both fuddenly ftroken dead. Ti M.What other things were taught here? S e L. That it is a marke of an Hypo- crite, to abftaine from forne groffe fins, and yet to live in other fins as foule. Se- condly, to doe the fame things which commonly hee reproveth in others. Thirdly, note that Paul joyneth Idola- try and Sacriledge, not as oppofites, but as things neere of kin. For, every Idolater is a Sacrilegious perfon, for he cloth enormoufly prophane the bolines ofGod, and wickedly pollute his facred worlbip, and rob him of his due ho- nour. D I ALOGV E XV. Vertes 23,24. Thou which glorieff in the Law,by breaking the Law doll thou difhonottr God? .As it is written, The same of God it evill fpo- pñemedthrnughycu, Tl MOTH sus: Hat it lh' femme of ,171:71 e.Yu? SI L. To chew, that the jewel are not righteous by their workes,teeiag their workes were inch as did difhonour God. Secondly,the confirmation here- of by authority of Scripture ; [ sits it is written.] . .. Ti It . What is h to glory in the Law? S I L. To take pride and pleafnre in the knowledge and proftfiion of the Law. This is a vaine and foolifh glory- ing. When knowledge and protcffion is fevered from the pra &ii' of the law, it is ridiculou s,to glory in fuch know- ledge of the Lawis not onely vaine and to no ufe, but tendeth to more grievous cóndemnation : for be that knoweth his Matters will, and doth it not, (hall be beaten with many [tripes. T IM. What it it tobreake. ortrapgreffe the Law? S I L. It is a fpeech borrowed front earthly things,the Law being compared to a bound or Land - marke; becaufe it fhould keepe our heart, and all our thoughts & affe &ions in due compaffe. Ti M. How many things are here frgni- fied by tranfgreffingg the Law? S r L. Forme things.Firft, to do evil! things forbidden in the Law. Secondly, to leave undone good things command- ed in the Law. Thirdly, in the manner of doing things commanded to faire, and in the end by not doing them from perfe& love to Gods glory. Fourthly, to purpofe to continue in the breach and tranfgrellion of the Law. T I M. How doth the brea&ing of the Law difhonour God? Si L. Not in refpe& of God himfelf, wbofe Honour cannot beencreafed nor leffened; but in refpe& of men who take occafion from the evillife of Gods peck ple, to fpeake evil! of Gods word and holy Religion, as if it were a teacher of iniquity, 2 Sam. 12.14. I Tim. 6. 12. Tit. t. Ir. I Pet. 2.7o. For as evil' children difcredit their Father, fo it is H ; a dif- 77
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