the Volume of thy Book it is written of me Lo I come to do thy will O God that is I come to give thee satisfaction according to thy own heart by that which we agreed upon My own death 2. They agreed of the time of payment therefore it is said Gal. 4. when the fulness of time was come God sent his Son that is when the time that was agreed upon between the Father and Christ was come then Christ was sent forth not that Christ had time given him because he was not able to pay our debt before but God saw that the fittest time after the Church had been so long under Ceremonies and hard services then Christ comes forth to purchase a Redemption from sin and those things to that we might see more of the great Benefits we have by him 3. It was agreed what power the Lord Jesus should have to carry on the work of Redemption and all power was given to him Mat. 28. and John 17.2 Thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him Now Christ as God had of himself power over all things but now as Mediatour God the Father gives him power over all flesh and so Ephes 1.22 God the Father is said to have given Christ to be Head over all things to the Church Now Christ as God was Head over all things without any giving of it to him but Christ as Mediator hath it given to him to be Head over all things to the Church that is for the benefit of the Church that so the Lord Jesus is the Head over all things hath command over the good Angels Devils men and all creatures for the good of the Church whose Head he is in another manner then he is Head of all things so I say this was agreed that the Lord Jesus should have universal power and dominion for the managing of this great Work 4. It was agreed in this Covenant between the Father and Christ that the sins and failings of Christs members should not break the Covenant that the Father and Christ had made for their salvation therefore it is said in that 89. Psalm from 23. to 32. that the Covenant should stand fast with Christ and saith God if Christs children break my Commandements I will visit their Iniquity with a Rod I will have liberty saith God to chastise them and whip them home when they play the Prodigals and wander from my House but then it shall not break the Covenant that they sin against me but I will pardon their iniquities and remember their sins no more Upon the account of this Covenant between the Father and Christ the Lord Jesus is said to trust God the Father as Mediatour Heb. 2.13 Behold I put my trust in him and again behold I and the children which God hath given me Christ as Mediatour trusted God the Father to carry him through the great work of his Mediation 2. He trusted him that he would accept of his death 3. He trusted him that in the appointed time he would bestow all the good things purchased by his death upon them for whom he died which good things were especially forgiveness of sins the Spirit Sanctification and eternal life God the Father had trufted Christ with the salvation of his people with which he would not have trusted all the Angels in Heaven and therefore Christ might well trust God the Father in this matter Christ knew Gods infinite Love to those for whom he died and knew the Covenant between the Father and him on their behalf and so trusted the Father fully in the business relying upon the love and faithfulness of God his love to the Elect and his faithfulness to keep Covenant with him CHAP. XIV The Saints Comfort against Death DEath in it self is the King of Terrours a very terrible thing 1. In it self it is part of the curse in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt die thou shalt be lyable to temporal and eternal death when I please to execute it but indeed death is not kept up to the Saints as a curse but as a servant to carry them home to their Fathers House 2. Death is an abhorrency to Nature that nature dreads it exceedingly it parts the soul and body that have been such intimate acquaintance it leaves the body to be a dead carcass fit for nothing but to be laid among the clods of the earth 3. It s terrible to flesh and blood as it depriveth men of the comforts of this present life it carrieth us from all the comforts of wife children friends estate Sigismund the Emperour when he was near death charged them that were about him that they should not name death in his hearing belike the thoughts of it were very terrible to him 4. Death is terrible to many mens thoughts in respect of the suddeness of it sudden death comes sometimes 1. by a sudden decay of nature such diseases as the Apoplexy may be breeding in the body that shall pluck down this earthly Tabernacle in one moment 2. Sometimes by Accidents from without as fire enemies falls and the like 3. Sometimes by a sudden stroak of Gods hand when there is no natural cause but men might live a great while Thus God cuts off many in the midst of their dayes not but that all men live to the time appointed and set down by God but that the Lord cuts them off from that time when they might according to the course of nature live a great while-longer Thus the Lord smote Herod suddenly with death the hundred and fourscore and five thousand of the Assyrians in one night Esay 37.36 5. The unavoidableness of death makes it terrible to the thoughts that the stoutest spirits see they cannot grapple with it what man is he that liveth and shall not see death who can deliver himself from the power of the grave Psalm 89.48 Death fetches a General out of his Tent when he lyeth environed with armed men Death fetches the Prince out of his Palace goes through all his Life-guard and none can withstand him so that men of brave and stout spirits have no courage to deal with death but their valour is turned into fear and amazement 6. The pains and pangs of death make it terrible to the thoughts of flesh and blood to think what a strange confusion then will be in the spirits when the eye-strings and heart-strings crack and man can exercise no more his spirit and understanding 7. That which above all makes death terrible unto many is the consequence of it that after death comes the Judgement the particular day of Judgement presently O saith many an unwakened conscience O what shall I do to appear before God to make up my accounts to him so that the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 15. that the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law that is that the greatest sting of death is for a
A MANUALL OF Practical Divinity For the Benefit of weak CHRISTIANS the informing their Judgements the quickning their Affections and directing their Conversation WITH Several Things that may be of use for the Convincing and Awakening those that are yet in their natural Estate By MARTIN FYNCH Pastor of the Church of Christ at Tetney in Lincoln-shire LONDON Printed by R. W. for Thomas Brewster at the three Bibles near the West end of Pauls 1658. To the READER I Published some years since a little Treatise called Milk for Babes in Christ which foundsome acceptance with some new born Babes in Christ especially in the West Countrey and those parts as I am informed have taken off a great part of two Editions of that Book and some there to whom I am a stranger do desire I should publish someting further for whose sake with others I have written these few sheets wherein there is some more Milk for Babes in Christ and a little stronger Meat for those that are more grown Christians but I can pretend to little of that might I but feed any of Christs Lambs it were much for such a poor Creature as I am What you have here is especially for weak Christians whom sometimes weak gifts may edifie God doth not all by men of great parts but useth also the weak things of the world that no flesh might glory in his presence It s God that makes our gifts to be accepted of the Saints and usefull to them yea God makes the weak gifts of his servants sometimes very acceptable and refreshing to his people what is wanting in our writings he can supply by the presence and supply of his own Spirit in the reading of them The wind bloweth where it listeth so doth Gods Spirit breath in whose books as well as preaching he pleaseth and more or less as it pleaseth him without which all our writings prove to others jejune and dry One writes and another one preacheth and another thou knowest not which shall prosper the ones labors or the others or whether both shall be alike good for all our works are in the hand of the Lord. The Assistance of Gods Spirit in writing or preaching the spiritual Affections God giveth the sincerity simplicity and humility of a mans own heart and some faith that God giveth of his blessing satisfie a mans own heart much in such undertaking Nothing becomes those that the Lord makes any use of in these things more then an unfeigned humility of heart having no confidence in themselves and performances and a true dependance upon the Lord in all they do Those that cannot add one cubit to their own stature by all the Light and gifts they have without the gracious Influences and workings of the Spirit upon their hearts what can their Light and Gifts help others communicated by preaching or writing without the concurrence of the same Spirit What then are we or any of our Labors that we should not say We and they are nothing And if God will accompany any of them with his blessing it s his free Grace How easily can God blast all those Sermons and Books that are preached and printed in the pride of a mans own heart How often hath the Lord said in such cases there is so much self there I will not be there and so the performance is lost We know Gods Spirit hath not so wrought in the preaching of the word for conversion of souls as it hath done formerly It may be reading of good books is not so blessed to mens souls neither as it hath been few are converted yet more preaching through Mercy amongst us then ever none will complain of too much preaching though they do of too much printing But what is the reason that so few are converted Is not there excellent gifts for preaching possibly excelling in some respect the gifts and clearness of the light of former Ages but yet there must be the Arm of the Lord revealed the mighty drawing of the Father without which men cannot come to Christ And it may be that before the Lord accompany the preaching of the word with much success the Lords Servants shall not only in a doctrinal way know that its God that giveth the Increase but their hearts shall be so possest with the consideration of it that they shall lie more low before the Lord in their work and cry mightily for the pouring down of the Spirit But how many mistaking these things will slight outward means because its Gods Spirit that maketh all succesfull this temptation hath not only taken with many grosly ignorant persons who hearing of Gods eternal Election and of his distinguishing Grace throw up all outward means presently and in the sullenness of their spirits say There is no Hope but also many professors of Religion have withdrawn themselves from a constant and conscionable attendance upon the means of Grace Therefore this I have observed that it is expedient when ever we speak to persons of that necessary doctrine of the inward and efficacious workings of the Spirit to be that which makes all ordinances succesfull even then to give due cautions that according to the word this is no ground of neglecting any outward Ordinances and duties But who seeth not a formal spirit on the one hand and a wanton spirit on the other breaking in upon us The Lord put a stop to the spirit of error amongst us recover the dying withering languishing spirits of Professors send forth a reconciling Spirit among his people give more light into the Discipline of his house send forth more labourers into his harvest and bless them that are already at his work Tetney in Lincoln-shire 16. of Vulg. MARCH 1658. MARTIN FYNCH The CONTENTS THE wicked and miserable estate of man by nature chap. 1 How men deceive themselves and think that their estate is good chap. 2 Great Salvation in Christ for sinners ch 3 The freeness of the Salvation we have by Christ chap. 4 The Convictions and workings that are oftentimes upon men that are never converted chap. 5 The ways and temptations by which many souls miscarry under legal workings and a spirit of Bondage chap. 6 The saving work of Gods Spirit upon the heart chap. 7 The woful backsliding of many Professors and the way of their Recovery chap. 8 Of Assurance and Peace of Conscience chap. 9 The Ministry of Angels and their serviceableness to the Church chap. 10 The glorious times that shall be before the last day of Judgement chap. 11 The Influences of the Spirit chap. 12 The Covenant between God the Father and the Lord Jesus our Surety chap. 13 The Saints comfort against Death chap. 14 The Holiness of Believers chap. 15 The way of Believers joining in Church-fellowship chap. 16 The right use of the Law chap. 17 The true Humility that is in the Lords people chap. 18 General Directions chap. 19 How the Lord is pleased effectually to call some after they have been long in
be observed by the hearers in the delivery of the word yet not so as to the Preacher himself by the observing of the inward frame of his heart some mens tone and art of speaking may counterfeit affections and other mens age and weakness of speech may hide very spiritual affections in that work 6 The blessed Spirit is the great thing in reading and hearing of the word 1 How clearely will the Spirit open a Scripture to a mans understanding when a man hath read many Expositors the Spirit of God is pleased many times to be the best Commentator 2 How the Spirit of God applyes the word read or preached with power many times upon the conscience and indeed then comes the word with power when it cometh in the Holy Ghost 1 Thes 1.5 and we should not observe only what we read or heard but what impressions the Spirit of God made upon the hearts in reading or hearing Those which Peter preacht to Act. 10. the holy Ghost fell on them when it is so with hearers then the word affects them indeed 3 The Spirit of God in hearing of the word sometimes enlargeth a soul and enlightneth it into a Truth far beyond what the Preacher made out in expressions 4 Yea the Spirit makes use of some passage in a Sermon many times to work upon a soul that was but a parenthesis and circumlocution or reflexion upon the hearers ignorance and dulness things that many would think might very well have been left out 7 The Spirit of God is of infinite use to us to lead us into Truth Joh. 16.13 He leads Believers into all truth all necessary truth to Salvation Gods spirit doth as it were print a body of divinity in the hearts of Believers and though many of them be of weak Judgement and not able to answer the subtile Arguments that may be brought against a Truth yet Gods Spirit keeps them in the Truth that they are not led aside 8 The Spirit brings things to our remembrace John 14.26 That though many an honest heart when he hath read or heard the word complains he can remember very little yet Gods Spirit will bring things seasonably to their Remembrance that it may be many years after when by reason of some Temptation or affliction they have most need of such a truth then they have such a place of Scripture or such a passage of a sermon heard long ago brought to their Remembrance by Gods spirit and shall be of mighty use to them The conscionable and diligent hearing and reading of the word is frequently blessed with seasonable remembrance yea Gods Spirit hath sometimes convinced and converted a soul by bringing things to Remembrance that were read or heard many years ago and then took no impression upon the soul that the benefit of hearing and reading of the word both by Believers and Unbelievers doth not always appear upon that instant but it may be a great while afâ—…r CHAP. XIII The Covenant between God the Father and the Lord Iesus our Surety IT s a thing of unspeakable comfort to know that the Covenant of Grace is an everlasting Covenant and that it was principally made with Christ as the head of the Elect several things shew that there was a Covenant and Agreement between God the Father the Lord Jesus concerning the work of Redemption Christ being called the surety of the better Covenant Heb. 7.22 shews that there was a Covenant between God the Father and him as there is between a Creditor and a Surety that Christ gave Bonds as it were to God the Father and payed the debt when Christ is called Gods servant Esay 42.1 holds forth as much that though Christ as to his Divine nature was equal with God yet as Mediatour he became the Fathers servant God the Father and he agreed and Covenanted about the doing of this great Work of saving sinners Yea in Psalm 89.28 God the Father saith my Covenant shall stand fast with him that is which Christ for many things in that Psalm shew that it s to be interpreted of Christ so then there is a Covenant that God the Father hath made with Christ the Mediatour which Covenant the Lord saith shall stand fast upon this account the Lord Jesus is said Revel 13.8 to be the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the world because that it was agreed and Covenanted between God the Father Christ that he should in the fulness of time be made flesh and die for sinners and therefore it was said to be done from the Foundation of the world because so it was written in the Volume of Gods Book that the Lord Jesus had agreed to come to do the will of God Heb. 10. which was to offer up one Sacrifice for sins for ever which was himself and for the same Reason it is said that the Promises are made to Abrahams seed which is Christ Gal. 3.16 not to seeds as of many but they are principally made to one saith he and that is Christ and this the Apostle asserts 2 Tim. 1.9 when he saith we are saved and called not according to our works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began which shews that God the Father and Christ dealt together about the Redemption of souls before the world began and all things agreed on and made sure between them This the Lord Jesus means John 10.16 when he saith there were other sheep which he must bring home why must he bring them home how was he bound to it only by this Covenant and Agreement with God the Father wherein he had covenanted to do it Thus then it may be expressed in three particulars 1. God the Father decreed the salvation of the Elect all those expressions where he is said to chuse them love them with an everlasting Love evince so much 2. God the Father appointed the Lord Jesus to be the Way and means by which they should be saved therefore is Christ said to be appointed by God the Father Heb. 3.2 therefore God is said to lay help upon him for poor sinners Psalm 89. and therefore God is said to appoint us to obtain by our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5.7 this is everywhere spoken of in the Scripture 3. God the Father made a sure Covenant with the Lord Jesus and agreed with him that he should do this great Work of bringing many sons unto glory And so as we may express it to our Capacities under the Notion of a Covenant there were several things agreed on between God the Father and Christ our Mediatour 1. They agreed of price what that Ransom should be that should discharge poor sinners and make full satisfaction to Gods Justice and it was agreed that it should be the death and blood-shedding of the Lord Jesus this is expressed Heb. 10. where Christ saith to God the Father Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not according to the Law but in
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a young plant in Christ he must not be one that is newly converted then surely he must not be one that is not converted at all 3 The Duty of a Pastor requireth it also as it is set down 1 Tim. 3.5 that he is to take care of the Church of God now a natural man hateth the Saints of God and will sooner devour and make havock of the Church of God then take care to preserve and comfort and help it so they are said Heb. 13.17 to watch for the peoples souls And how can they do this that do not watch over their own souls 4 We may consider also what rules the Apostle gives to Titus about this business Tit. 1.8 He saith that they that are called to this office must be Lovers of good men and that none can be but a Saint hereby we know that we are passed from death to life if we love the Brethren and he saith also that he must be holy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same word that is used Act. 13.35 concerning Christ and verse 9. he saith he must be one that will hold fast the faithfull word which there is no hopes that wicked men should do when persecution ariseth because of the word 5 Men that are not visibly Saints and called are not to be members of a Church notwithstanding any parts and accomplishments they may have much less should they be Pastors of Churches 6 A carnal Minister ascribes all to his parts and learning in his work and not to the ability that God giveth 1 Pet. 4.11 and so God hath not the glory 7. The Scripture saith that the prayers of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord and a stinch in his Nostrils 8 Though many of them may have good parts and may be seemingly sound in the matters of Religion yet we have no ground to think that they will continue sound because the Scripture saith that because they have received the truth not in the Love and power of it God will send men strong delusions 2 Thess 2. 9 Though Christ sent Judas yet he was never a Pastor of a Church of Saints and he was outwardly a Saint so in the esteem of the Apostles and Christ did it not for our imitation Christ limits us though we must not limit him and there is a particular Reason given of it that the Scriptures might be fulfilled 10 Christs words concerning hearing the Pharises that sit in Moses chair was rather a dispensation then an injunction and its one thing to hear occasionally and another thing to sit down under a mans Ministry and it was only upon some points about the Law not in all things for they taught that Christ was the Prince of Devils and a Deceiver least of all did Christ countenance their Ministry in these words to be good and lawfull for see how Christ inveigheth against those Pharisees Mat. 15. as if he he had been made up of invectives 11 The Apostle 1 Cor. 2.14 having spoken in the verse before of the spiritual man judging all things and he himself is judged of none propounds that question Who hath known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him By him is meant the spiritual man for of him he is speaking not of instructing the Lord but saith he we have the mind of Christ and therefore can instruct them unto edification so then this Argument is taken from their insufficiency for the work that a natural mancannot reach a Saint who is above him 12 So the Apostle 2 Tim. 2.6 speaking of Ministers useth that comparison the husbandman that laboureth must first be parraker of the fruits of the earth How else can he sow So hath a Minister need to be partaker of some experience of the blood of Christ and comforts of the Spirit How else can he preach Christ feelingly and powerfully unto others 13 We see whom God hath used for conversion Those that went under the name of Puritans and Nonconformists in the Bishops times and go now under many more names in the world but it is with those that are his servants that he is present it is to them that he hath Promised to bless what they put their stands unto and to be with them to the end of the world it is not what God can do or sometimes hath done for we must not limit him but whether the Lord hath appointed the preaching of wicked men as an Ordinance of his for conversion of sinners or the building up of Saints 14 In other things that are not of that concernment that this is men will not trust those that have not experience as in Physick though a man hath read several Physick books and is able to define diseases and to talk pretty well yet you will not choose such an one to be your Physician if he want experience much less should you trust that man with your soul that hath only read some Divinity books and so is able to speak something if he have no experience of the power and sweetness of the truths of God himself CHAP. XVII The right use of the Law THE Law we are speaking of is the moral Law the ten Commandments with what comment and exposition is upon it in the Scripture This Law is of excellent use 1 It discovereth to us the holiness of God that he would have his creatures live according to rule and not in sin and Confusion 2 It serveth to discover sin to men Rom. 7.7 and to this end all are to get knowledge of the Law Rom. 7.1 and we are often to examine our hearts and lives by the Law and to know the Law in the spirituality of it that we may see spiritual and secret sins 3 The Law serves to awaken the consciences of natural men with the fear of hell and damnation and to set them more seriously to look after their eternal condition but those that are in Christ they are not to fear hell by the Law because they are freed by Christ from the damning power of it 4 The Law rightly understood will shew a soul an utter impossibility that ever he should get life by own works and righteonsness for the Law requires perfect obedience gives no strength to obey admits of no repentance neither will be satisfied to inflict temporal punishments and afflictions but throws the sinner into hell and lays him up there for ever except the soul hath interest by Faith in the perfect righteousness of Christ which fully answereth the Law 5 To Believers the Law may be a constant help to thankfulness they see the strength of sin 1 Cor. 15.56,57 that is the power that sin hath to damn is from the Law because it is the breach of Gods holy and righteous Law now to see how Christ hath delivered them from all the curses and damning power of the Law this may make them cry out Thanks be to God that hath given us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6
mans sins to be unpardoned unforgiven the strength and power that sin hath to damn is from the Law that it is the breach of Gods holy Law but he tels us that Believers are freed from the damning power of sin and from the curses of the Law through Christ Jesus as terrible as death is to nature flesh and blood and to a man that fears hell because it is the day of execution to all that are out of Christ yet a Saint may look upon death with comfort for though it be a dark entry yet it leads to our Fathers House where are many Mansions though it be a rough passage yet it lands us safe in Heaven infinite advantage comes to a Believer by death 1. Perfect enjoyment of God the Father Son and Holy Ghost the sight of whose blessed face shall fill us in Heaven with unconceivable joy for ever 2. Clear understanding of God his Grace and the mysterie of all his dealings with us in the world now we see all these darkly but the Apostle saith then we shall see face to face now how poor and confused is our knowledge how little a portion know we of the Almighty and of his Grace to us then all will be clear 3. Freedom from sin which though it doth not raign in Believers now yet then it shall not in the least remain but they shall be Holy throughout 4. Freedom from afflictions whereof all Gods children are partakers more or less in their Pilgrimage 5. Freedom from all Temptations either to sin or for sin 6. Spiritual and full enjoyment of the Saints and not of Saints in their weaknesses and mistakes which yet we in our Pilgrimage do rightly judge to be a great mercy but then we shall enjoy communion with Saints full of the Spirit Saints made perfect Many particulars might be added to these which shall be omitted for brevities sake but two questions must here be briefly resolved Quest 1. How comes it to pass that many natural men will often wish they were dead and many time die like lambs and others murder themselves Answ 1. It s seldom a real desire that ignorant people have to die but a sinful customary expression 2. If they be in good earnest it ariseth from ignorance 1 Ignorance what a serious thing it is to die 2 Ignorance of their own condition they think they are in Christ and that so death will be an end of all troubles to them 3 Ignorance of the torments of hell as if they were not greater then the troubles they have here for which they wish themselves dead 3 Those that murder themselves are either so distracted by excess of Melancholy or so dejected by some outward crosses or so overwhelmed with despair or so confounded in their understandings by Satan that they are not able to put forth scarce a serious or rational thought but are carried with a strange confusion and hurry of thoughts into any thing 2. But then it will be asked Why many gratious persons seem to be wonderfully a fraid of death before it come and die with very little Comfort seemingly upon their spirits but rather trouble Answ 1. So far as a Saint is flesh and blood and so far as there is corruption in him so far death will be terrible to him yet in the mean while the regenerate part in him desires to be dissolved and to be with Christ as that which is best of all but as Ridley said when he came to die I am not afraid but the flesh will have its course 2 A Saint knoweth more then other men what a serious thing it is to die he considereth the account that is to be given to God and the straitness of the way that leadeth to eternal Life and many times is not so assured of Gods love in Christ and this damps his spirit as to death 3 Though a Saint sometime seems to be unwilling to die yet before the Lord takes them away he usually makes them not only willing but desirous to die to be with Christ and that is a wonderful thing how God can in one moment turn the scales in these things and make that Saint that even now trembled at the thoughts of death now to say Lord here am I When wilt thou send for me home This the Saints have sometimes experience of 4 Their Comfort at death may be damped much and seeming trouble appear to standers by through some secret strong temptations of Satan or through violence of their disease CHAP. XV. The Holiness of Believers HOliness is most properly to be urged upon Believers more then upon natural men the great thing and the first thing that they are to do is to believe in Christ and after they are in Chrst then they are to be urged to walk holily in him Believers are to be holy both in soul and body not only in the thoughts of their hearts but in all the actions of the outward man The Apostle Paul urgeth the holiness of the outward man of the body as well as the heart by six arguments all laid down in the sixth chapter of the first epile to the Corinthians His first Argument is v. 13. How the body is not for fornication but for the Lord and the Lord for the body that is the Lord he is for the body of believers as well as the soul he hath a care of their bodies of their outward man and bestowes many mercies upon the outward man and therefore saith the Apostle there is all the reason in the world that the body the outward man should be for the Lord. His second Argument is in the 14. verse he saith that God will raise up our bodies at the last there is much in that if God will at last raise up the bodies of Believers and glorifie them and make them like to Christs glorious body O how should they glorifie God with their bodies now in the mean while His third Argument is That our bodies are the members of Christ v. 15. His fourth Argument is That our bodies are the temples of the holy Ghost v. 19. His fift Argumentis That we are not our own neither bodies nor souls v. 19. His last argument is that we are bought with a price v. 20. All these Arguments are very strong for a Believers glorifying of God with his body as well as with his soul both which are the Lords Several Arguments may be brought for the Saints holiness in general as 1 the Grace of God in Christ should be such a prevailing Argument to holiness that where there is any Gospel-ingenuity we should reason as the Apostle doth We were dead and we judge that Christ having died for us to save us that it s but reason we should live to him saith he in that place 2 Cor. 5.14,15 the love of Christ constrains us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifies it keeps in it stops restrains bridles we have corrupt and wicked hearts by nature but when