Ver. 4. the Epiftle to the Romanes. S i L. By the contrary, that is, by the vanity and falfhood of men who are liars. Secondly, by the authority of Scripture, out of Pfalm go, (At is writ- ten.) T In what fenfe ii God ¡aid to be true? S I L. Firft,becau(e he is molt faith - full in his Word. Secondly, being the Author of all truth in his creatures. Thirdly, infinitely hating all lies and falfhoodin others. Ti M. Yea, but the good Angels are alfa endued with truth,and fo are righteous men? S I L. Itisfo,butGodis truedfen- daily, immutably, motiperfeály, and infinitely : which truth he doth make appear, Firft,in his promue of mercies. Secondly, in his threatnings of judg- ments.Gods promifes be true in a three. fold refpe&. Fife, of God who cannot lye. Secondly, ofthemfelves, being all infallible truths. Thirdly, of the belee- vers, who obtained them. Ti M. Yet be bath promif d furecty mer- cies which he did never perform, and threat- ned many judgments which never came to a 6 p S I L. Some of Gods promifes are of things abfolutely neceffary to falva- don; thefe are molt firm, as forgivenefs of fills, the holy Gholi, &c. Some of his promifes are belonging to the welfare of this life; as health,liberey,profperity, there are made with exception of the Crois, and under condition of obedi- ence.As for his threatnings,which have not taken place,as to Ezek,ah,and Iona againft Nineveh, they are made with ex- ception of repentance, either expreffed or under flood, which beingperformed, the evil was thereby removed ; as God purpofed and meant, fo declared and manifefled by the event. T I M. What duties are here taught us? S I t. Sundry things : Firft,we mull endevour to be like unto God in this property of his truth,being true as he is true. Trnth is a part of his image,which we mull bear and exprefle in our lives. Secondly, the truth of God is a good ground of ourhope, that his promifes (hall be accornplifhed unto us, whatfo- I ever tenrations happen,yetwe may (fill traft. Thirdly, when we bear Gods promifes and his threatnings, we mat afl'ure our (elves that they will come to pats ín their time,becaufe he is true who pronounceth them,who cannot deceive nor be deceived. Fourthly it reproveth two fortsefperfons;the one fort,which fay they doe beleevc the promifes, and yet fear not at all his threatnings; the other , which doubt of his promifes, yet belceve his threatnings, it being the fame true God who is author of both: Ti M. In what fenfeisit faid,:hat all men are ¡Jars? S o t. That naturally as they are men, and unregenerate by the Spirit, whey are lyars, not onely for the molt part, but one, and all. Secondly, men that are regenerate, are till f ùbje& to lying, and doe fomrtimes fall into that fin, as did Abraham,and Rebecca with her fon Jacob.' T r M. rat wbatdad, it appear, that all men naturally are lyars ? S r t. Firft,in their inconftancy and often change of their purpofes. Second- ly, in (peaking otherwile then they think. Thirdly, in doing towards men' otiserwife then they (peak and promife. Fourthly,in breaking vowes and cove- nants made to God.Laftly,in broaching oflyes in do&rine,ind in an aptneffe to receive them , being prone to errors by corruption,as the water to run down- ward. T I u. What uf(was made of this point? S I s.. That no lye may be fpoken up- on any pretence though it do no harm, yea though it doe good, becaufe it is contrary to Gods nature, and no evil is to be done that good may come of if. Secondly, that all men muff ' üttrütt themfelves, and keep watch over them- felves,being ready to flip into this vani- ty of lying. Thirdly,that we be willing to fee and confeffe this our infirmity, and that prayer be made to God to change us, and deliver us from deceit - full hearts, and lying tongues, flying, Lord corre& our lying hearts, and dire& us in truth. Fourthly, that all men ought to be humbled for their fai- I link,
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