Cor. 1.12 it is by the prouidence of God preseruing naturall light and conscience in some aboue others and giuing to some light by his word and spirit whereby corruption is held vnder for a time that the heart cannot shew the naughtinesse that is in it and they receiue some common graces which God governes to the producing of some good works for matter but he neuer renewing the fountaines of actiō the minde will and affections the worke proues in Gods sight corrupt by the disposition of the instrument and no mixture of true goodnesse in the production as there is none in in the instrument They are as clouds without water like comely members of a bodie that want a head to giue them life God leads the beleeuers by his spirit into good workes by gouerning the gracious habites infused the godly nature into holy acts hindered and corrupted indeed by the flesh concurring with the operations of grace in the same worke that the best worke needs the sacrifice of Christ to make it accepted the corrupt mixture pardoned Yet their is some true goodnesse in it and it is properly a good worke by the production of the spirit exercising faith hope loue zeale feare of God humility and other graces Secondly True righteousnesse is a begun obedience to al the Law of God by the seed of God abiding in the beleeuer wherby hee sinnes not as the vnbeleeuer nor can sinne 1. Ioh. 3.9 As disobedience was punisht with losse of originall righteousnesse and vniuersal corruption of nature that man had all sin in seed so by faith in Christ discharged of guilt thereof God giues againe originall iustice and all vertues in seed that are common to Christians A little child shall lead him Esay 11.6 because of his new creation and disposition to keepe Gods law which God hath put in his heart False righteousnesse neuer deliuers vp a man to a full rule and conscience of seueritie of right liuing it giueth not strife thereunto it is with percialitie reseruation either for persons Math. 5.44 times Psal. 78.34.36 or things Mark 6.26 True righteousnes hath something singular false righteousnesse is euer with reigning sinne of which after Thirdly True righteousnesse is done to God in honour and obedience to please and glorifie him to adorne his doctrine to iustifie profession to prepare vnbeleeuers to confirme and prouoke beleeuers by good example in conscience of which the soule rests when carnall men traduce the beleeuer and impute his worke sometime to madnesse when it transcends their capacitie sometimes to some peruerse affection or bad counsells of heart 2. Tim. 3.10 Thou hast fully knowen my manner of liuing purpose c. 1. Cor. 4.5 2. Cor. 5.13.14 False righteousnesse as it s not wrought in God so it is not done to him but bends back vpon a mans selfe Zach. 7.5.6 either to auoid punishment and get reward it is seruile and mercenarie or to get praise to be counted an honest man fit to liue in a societie To doe all in the name of Christ Col. 3.17 that God in all things may be glorified 1. Cor. 10.31 in ministring as of the abilitie that God ministereth is of grace It is the true loue of God that carrieth the heart in intention to God To a good worke is required power loue and a sound minde which Christians receiue in measure Loue is counted the fulfilling of the law it produceth and directs the workes of the beleeuer to God in Christ to whom he liues as the Lord of his life and death Rom. 14.8 Men vnconuerted are turned so away from God that they cannot spiritually loue him It may be as the God of nature and author of benefits which they seeke to haue and receiue they loue him for their aduantage but not as he is in himselfe soueraignely good nor as they beleeue his loue to them in Christ. They may doe something not onely for temporall blessings as Saul and Iehu but with relation to eternall life as the young ruler that was so rich Math. 19.16 but liue not to magnifie Christ in their bodies which is peculiar to grace Phi. 1.20 Obiection VI. Some that fall away seeme to be changed by the Gospell not onely outwardly but inwardly how can I be then infallible certaine of the truth of my righteousnesse Answere There change is the gift of some common graces which Christ as Lord bestowes vpon them but he neuer giues life to them as members of his body whereof he is head They are made partakers of the holy Ghost in some inferior working but are not made new creatures nor receiue grace accompanying saluation as appeares by the opposition of these two Their works proceede not from one and the same principle internall the true beleeuers proceede from the new creature faith working by loue from the life of the spirit which the other haue not Consider a little the difference of the worke of God in the fountaines of action First the minde of a temporizer is not holy though it be inlightened to know and acknowledg the truth It is peculiar to beleeuers to be renewed in minde after the image of God Col. 3.12 They that beleeue not haue mindes and consciences still defiled and not healed with the vnction from him that is holy Which may appeare 1. in that his knowledge of truth is not rooted in him in time of temptation hee goeth away and his light vanisheth so as that a greater darknesse commeth vpon him If the light that is in thee be darknesse how great is that darkenesse They goe backe after Satan the prince of darknes For degree the deuill was said to be cast out but repossesseth them againe so it is worse with them then before Secondly There minde not being sanctified they soone are puft vp in their minde vnto vaine reasoning which beget a false opinion which hauing striuen for they hardly forsake They sometime fancy a lie which seemes wisedome to them to follow though they send to inquire of God as seeming to offer their minds to his direction to know what is best to doe Ier. 42.3.5.20 Surely ye dissembled you were fully minded to go into Egypt whatsoeuer the Lord should say They haue an inclination to vnrighteousnes and meeting with deceiuers are easily carried away and that by the iust iudgement of God whose the deceiuer and deceiued be Iob. 12.16 and makes the punishment of the master as the punishment of the Scholar Mal. 2.12 Thirdly In that their knowledge is ineffectuall they know not as they ought to know 1. Cor. 8.2 Not for their owne vse which yet is required Iob. 5.27 Not what first and principally what more earnestly to follow It leaues them ignorant of themselues so as they think themselues to be some thing when they are nothing are puft vp Masterly censorious not onely towards fraile man but sometimes towards God himselfe as Mal. 3. verse 14. Their light shineth not effectually into their conscience
but not with pure intention but to make himselfe sure of the kingdome as the young mans conscience witnessed all these haue I kept when for right manner and end he had kept none of them Thirdly The peace it hath cōtinueth not When God enterrupteth his presumption opening his conscience to notice his working of iniquitie in the midst of laughter the heart is sorrowfull and like Balteshar at the fight of a hand writing vpon the wall he is filled with terror and his false confidence destroied there shall be only feare to make them vnderstand the hearing Esa. 28.19 First The quietnesse of a true beleeuers conscience is caused by resting on Christ to the sprinkling of it with his blood as the blood of attonement for all his sinnes so particularly for those that doe specially lye vpon the conscience both for present peace with God and safety from wrath for euer hereafter through Christs aduocation and intercession appearing in heauen for him It is also strengthed by experience of Gods good will Rom. 5.4 Psal. 41.11 12. and by euidence of sanctification in the dying of the root of all sinnes by degrees lessening the force and fruits of sinne in the life of the spirit gouerning the soul by exercise of holy graces planted in it to bring glory to the name of God by good workes and labours of loue Heb. 13.18 1 Ioh. 3.19 with faith of Christian liberty and particularly of freedome from the rigor of the law that God accepts in Christ a begun obedience though it be imperfect Secondly For effects it works comfort in God reioycing in him because of the attonement Rom. 5.11 free enterance into his presence with our lawful suits Heb. 10.22 with a holy shame for sinnes though forgiuen Ezech. 16.63 witnessing the loue of Christ to vs it holds to his word to liue no more to our selues but to him it hath the authoritie of God in such respect that it cannot in any knowne law cast it out with despising the commandement giuen to vs though in lesser matters therfore makes vs striue against sinne and maintaine a close fight with it and not onely holds vs to trauaile of soule for inward mortification but to hold on in good duties when wee suffer euill for the Lords sake It encourageth in wel-doing not onely for matter but for intention against imputations of hypocrisie and vanitie Iob. 27.4.5.6 2 Cor. 1.12 The peace it giues keeps the minde and heart in Christ Iesus Phil. 4.7 Thirdly For continuance it is a neuer failing feast it may be interrupted by desertion temptation falls but it remaines in cause and returnes at length 2 Sam. 23.9 The troubled conscience of the vnbeleeuer or vaine beleeuer and the troubled conscience of a true though not perfect beleeuer are differenced in cause measure and effects First The vaine beleeuers trouble is of the spirit of bondage causing feare and disquietnesse Rom. 8.15 He is amazed at his owne brutishnesse rebuked for sin whereof the conscience is witnesse by apprehension onely of misery following it Prou. 5.12.13.14 Secondly For measure the conscience of an vnbeleeuer accuseth too sorely hiding away the Gospell and so without hope greife wholly possesseth the hart without strife against it as sinfull vrgeth not to faith and repentance truely hee affects deliuerance and sometimes complaines of God for the greatnesse of his punishment as they doe in hell with indignation gnashing their teeth despairing vtterly as Iudas For the spirit hauing opened their conscience to see their sins and Gods wrath with sense of guiltienesse leaues them in terrors and mooues them not to go to Christ. So through their own corruptiō they bring forth desperate sorrow a fearefull effect of their desperate sinning who answere such as exhort them to repentance There is no hope I haue loued strangers and them will I follow Ier. 2.25 to whom God may iustly say this shall ye haue at my hands yee shall lye down in sorrow Esa. 50.11 Thirdly it makes a man shunne God as Adam vpon his fall as the deuils did Christ as their tormentor it makes a man flee the stroke of the word in a sincere ministerie it hates the light Ioh. 3.20 as Ahab said of Michaiah whom he confessed a prophet of the Lord I hate him as Herod did Iohn First The troubled conscience of the true beleeuer is from the Spirit of grace sanctifying the conscience vnto some rightnesse in performing this function in accusing and disquieting to his good though not without some mixture of the flesh it troubles for sinne as of enmitie against God offensiue to him and causing wrath whereby the sinner is detestable to himselfe doing things so vnworthy He cannot liue vnder Gods displeasure Secondly for measure this vnquietnesse is not full because hee is not without some measure of faith in Christ to the purging of his conscience from guiltinesse and filthines of sinne though it may be he seeth no faith in his owne heart His conscience telleth him hee ought to beleeue because of Gods commandemēt he valueth faith highly and seekes it of God constantly with mourning for his vnbeleefe he calles vpon his heart to trust in God as not without hope though languishing not without loue whereby hee cleaues to God seeking his fauour and the light of his countenance specially be he in prosperity or aduersity Thirdly for effects it makes the beleeuer to beare punishment vpon him whether from God Lament 3.28 29. putting his mouth in the dust hee opens not his mouth against God Ezech. 16.63 It maketh him to feare sin to come and suffers him not to continue in knowne sinnes it workes him to readinesse to forgiue men because hee needes pardon and seekes it He welcomes the ministerie wounding and healing and striueth to remember God in his waies promising with purpose of heart to sing ioyfully of Gods righteousnesse when he opens his mouth Or from men of which after whether from law and iustice or from wrong dealing Thirdly the will of an vnbeleeuer of which a worke is specially good or bad and so accounted of God is not made free from spirituall bondage a man is counted good or euill of his will It is the comfort of a strong christian that he findes the worke of God in his will for delight to doe that which God requires with present and working will not altogether ineffectuall The new heart is peculiar to them whom God hath receiued in Christ. Ezech. 36.26 To haue the stonie heart taken away and to receiue a heart of flesh Godly desires are peculiar to godly men who are carried by Gods Spirit which they alledge to him as his owne worke who giues to will Nehemiah 1.11 Esay 20.8 graciously hearing and fulfilling them Psal. 10.17 Prou. 10.24 It qualifieth a worke vnto acceptation and reward that it was not onely done but willed 1 Cor. 9.17 2 Cor. 8.10 Men not in Christ by a true faith are said to be dead in
ouercame her doubt Heb 11.11 by faith she receiued power to cōceiue seed and was deliuered of a child when shee was past age because shee iudged him faithful who had promised yet laughed at the message of the Angel and is reproued for it Gen. 18.12 Our Sauiour doth reproach the two Disciples honestly testifiing of him for follie and slownesse of heart to beleeue all that the Prophets haue spoken Luk. 24.25 he vpbraides the eleuen with their vnbeliefe because they beleeued not them which had seene him after his resurrection Mar. 16.14 Moses and Aarons faithfull seruants of God were iudged to death temporall for not sanctifying the Lord by beleeuing his promise of bringing water out of the rocke and to lose the honour of bringing Gods people into the Land of promise When a doubt creeps into a mans minde whether that which God hath spoken shall come so to passe it is iniurious and greiuous to him much more when with full vnbeliefe his promise is reiected Psal. 106.24.25.26 2. King 7.2 Reasons SIns are more greiuous as they haue God for their obiect more immediately hating of God despaire vnbeliefe the mother sinne it dishonours God aboue many sinnes of morality 1. In questioning his truth 2. In limiting his power 3. In disgracing his promise and messengers Esa. 7.13 Is it a small thing for you to grieue men that you will grieue my God also Secondly it is of prauity of nature mans faithlesse disposition whereunto being indulgent he beares with himselfe in it too much where God offers to fence him not onely with promise but sometimes with signe God saith of his sonnes and daughters that they are children in whom is no faith Deut. 32.20 Christ to his fearefull Disciples how is it that yee haue no faith Mar. 4.40 Vse 1. We ought therefore to feare with hatred all vnbeleefe all kinds and degrees of it and to sway our hearts against their natural disposition we ought to beleeue God speaking to vs whatsoeuer how often soeuer in what manner soeuer he do speake to vs and be violent against the hindering disposition so breaking into heauen The deuil flies not from vs by dallying but by resisting him Iam. 4.7 Faith makes supernaturall things possible Math. 17.20 It obtaines wonderfull things Heb. 11.11.33.34 It sanctifieth God in a mans heart Esa. 8.13 and giues him glory before men Rom. 4.20 Out-looking improbabilities impossibilities in nature resting on his truth and power When God hath spoken let vs reioyce in his word saying I haue the word of God whereof I glory the word of God I say whereof I will glory Dauid assures himselfe to the ouercomming of sorrowes and quickening him with spirituall ioy that it shall be as God hath said Psal. 60.6 God hath spoken in his holinesse I will reioyce I shall diuide Shechem and measure the valley of Succhoth Gilead is mine c. when the Lord hath said I will not leaue thee nor forsake thee we may boldly say the Lord is my helper I will not feare Heb. 13.5.6 God will doe that which he hath spoken to me of Genes 28.15 Thus Paul did giue hope to them in the Ship with him in great extremity Bee of good courage for I beleeue God that it shall bee euen so as he hath spoken to me and they were all of good cheere At length wee shall say to Gods praise As wee haue heard so haue wee seene in the Citie of our God Psal 48.8 Let vs lay vp the promises in our hearts set them still before vs digest them in a holy hope and feede our selues with them bee they generall or particular to this or that state and condition absolute or with exception of the crosse wee shall beleeuing perceiue in sensible effect that God hath not said in vaine Seeke yee mee None shall bee ashamed that waite for him either wee shall haue the very thing which wee doe desire or the good of the want of it Vse 2. Seeing one act of distrust in a particular promise is so offensiue to God how grieuous is it to forsake the generall promise of mercy in Christ Iesus made to euery one that beleeues on him Heb. 4.1 Let vs feare it is full of sinne and danger First It is a manifest disobedience Rom. 10.16 21. against the first and great commaundement of the Law which though it doe not directly command faith in Christ nor reueale the righteousnesse whereby wee are saued Rom. 3.21 yet bindes vs to hearken to God in all that hee commands vs to whomsoeuer Christ is preached the commandement to beleeue in him is giuen Mar. 1.15 Ioh. 6.29 They that reuolt after profession of faith are saide to turne away from the holy commandement giuen to them 2. Pet. 2.21 Secondly Vnbeliefe is a kinde of blasphemy it makes God a lyar which agrees not with his nature it is impossible to him Heb. 6.18 Tit. 1.2 His witnesse is greater then the witnesse of man Hee that honours a man with cap and knee yet counts him a vaine lying fellow doth more dishonour him thereby then with all the outward signes he honours him so hee that beleeues not God testifying of his Sonne that whosoeuer receiues him hath life what respect soeuer hee giue him in other things dishonours more then hee honours him making the credite of his testimonies suspected as hee that beleeueth hath sealed that God is true Thirdly Vnbeliefe hath in it an odious vnthankfulnes in refusing Christ with his grace so freely offered to euery creature Mark 16.15 Christ louingly cals euery one that is athirst to come to him with gracious promise that they shall not come in vaine Ioh. 7.37 38. beseeching men by his seruants in his stead to be reconciled to God and not to receiue the grace of God in vaine Hee waits that hee may haue place in mens hearts promising sweete and refreshing familiarity to any that heares his voyce and opens vnto him Reuel 3.20 He puts none away that come to him Iohn 6.37 God expostulates with men why they will die seeing life is so freely offered them Eze. 18.31 lamenting their folly and losse in refusing him Therefore whether it bee of sottish negligence or of obstinate rebellion it is inexcusable vnthankfulnesse to reiect him Fourthly Vnbeliefe holds a man in the power of sinne in an vniuersall pollution of nature the seate of it is an euill heart Heb. 3.12 a heart full of euill affections so it robbes God of that inward worship which faith purifying the heart sets vp and maintaines it is ioyned with loue a pure heart and a good conscience 1. Tim. 1.5 No true inward worship can be performed without faith as may appeare by considering all the parts of it I. Confidence in God whereby wee rowle our selues vpon him for all needfull good and to bee helpt and defended against all hurtfull euill so as not to bee afraide at any euill tydings to laugh at destruction when
it comes to challenge the aduersaries of our happinesse with a holy insultation either as it were at the barre for accusation or condemnation or in the field for force to separate vs from the loue of God in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.33 34 35. cannot be without faith in Christ. We haue by him entrance vnto God with boldnesse and confidence through faith in his name Ephes. 3.12 Him God raised from the dead and gaue him glory that our faith and hope might bee in God 1. Pet. 1.21 That a man may stay vpon God hee must know that hee is his God committing the care of his safetie and the charge of his happines to belong to him being both able and willing to helpe him which necessarily requires faith in Christ that hee may haue right to that couenant I will bee thy God So knowing whom hee hath beleeued he with quietnesse and confidence commits himselfe to him as Paul 2. Tim. 1.12 Diffidence and thereby feare are found in godly men and that in good causes by defect of faith much more in them that haue no faith whose hearts by the sound of feare are mooued as the trees of the forrest by the winde Esay 7.2 or are hardned against threatnings by flatterie trust in lying words making falsehood their refuge Secondly Loue of God whereby we are mooued towards him and cleaue to him as soueraignely good in himselfe 2. the authour and maintainer of all our good had or hoped for 3. and for him doe loue such persons and things as hee hath commended to our loue 4. giue our selues to him to bee at his will seeking his glory and hating our selues as wee are against him 5. cannot be satisfied but in fruition of him and therein rest with delightfull contentment cannot bee in an vnbeleeuer 1. In such the loue of God is not 2. Gods loue preuents vs and mooues ours 1. Iohn 4.19 3. Hee circumciseth our hearts to loue him his spirit is called the spirit of loue because it works it in vs and guides our hearts into it 2. Tim. 1.7 4. It is one speciall note by which the heires of the grace of life are described 1. Cor. 2.9 8.3 Eph. 6.24 Rom. 8.28 Iam. 1.12 The vnbeleeuer is an enemy to God Coloss. 1.21 Thirdly Feare of God whereby we sanctifie him in our hearts stand in awe of him his word hate to sin against him euen where no eye but his can take notice of vs giue our selues to good duties with strife to doe them so as pleaseth him aspire to full sanctification 2. Cor. 7.1 cannot be in an vnbelieuer For it is wrought in regeneration by vertue of Gods Couenant with such as haue their sinnes forgiuen Ier. 32.40 by the spirit of God that rests vpon Christ for his members Esa. 11.2 is prouoked by Gods mercy Psal. 130. vers 4. and holds a man with a perpetuall will to God The vnbeleeuer either contemnes God and declares it by lewdnesse in his waies Prou. 14.2 Or if he feare it is either penall Esa. 33.14 like the diuells trembling or meere seruile to be a bridle to work some ciuility the chiefe obiect of it is euill of punishment The feare of the belieuer is ingenuous voluntary with confidence and ioy the chiefe obiect of it is euill of sinne not his owne distresse but Gods offence Fourthly Obedience a voluntary subiection of minde and heart to God to hearken to and to doe his will after that manner and to that end which hee appoints is not in an vnbeleeuer whose wisedome is enmitie against God Rom. 8.7 He is a seruant of sinne addicted to the wils of the flesh and minde to fulfill them not subiect to God nor can be Faith is the Mother of obedience by it wee receiue the spirit renewing our nature vnto delightsome agreement with Gods Law Ioh. 5.3.4 mouing vs by Gods mercies impelling vs by the loue of Christ to die to our selues to liue to him Fiftly Patience whereby vnder euills wee adide in Gods waies possesse our soules waite for God and giue him glory acknowledging his hand authoritie ouer vs and ours his wisedome righteousnes and goodnes is not in an vnbeleeuer for it is the daughter of faith and hope 1. Thes. 1.3 a fruit of the spirit Gal. 5.22 and is wrought in meditation and application of Gods promises of the gift of his sonne the pledge of all promises Rom. 8.31.32 and his presence with vs in trouble Psal. 91.15 moderating the temptation to the strength he giues that we may be able to beare it working our present good and promoting our future glory 2 Cor. 4. Vnbeleefe hath either senselesse stupiditie Ier. 5.3 or hardening and making the courage stout to indure the vttermost or a counterfeit humiliation whereby men flatter God to get out of his hands which if it succeed not their pride opens their mouth against God vnto stout words and their heart frets against the Lord. Esa. 58.3 Mal. 3.13.14 Sixtly Prayer an action of the heart wherein acknowledging the author of all goodnesse we inforce the powers of our soules to doe an immediate seruice to him to bring forward his decrees into execution no vnbeleeuer can rightly performe for it requires faith not onely of Gods essence and power but of his loue and good will to vs accepting our person and receiuing our prayer Mar. 11.24 Rom. 10.14 Heb. 11.6 Iam. 1.6 and it must be by the holy Ghost Iud. 2.20 It requires an vpright person Prou. 15.8 the oder of Christs sacrifice Reue. 8.4 And so is a note of saluatition Ioel. 2.38 Which is farre from an vnbeleeuer Seuenthly thanksgiuing or sacrificing praise to God cannot be rightly performed without faith for it requires a heart affected with this aboue all benefits that the Lord is our God which was declared by giuing thanks before the Ark the testimonie of Gods presence with his people it goeth thus thou art my God and I will thanke thee Psal. 118.28 With tast of his loue in the benefits as pledges of more to come as the valley of Achor for a dore of hope with pleasure in the commandement consecration of our selues and that we haue to God offered in the mediation of Christ for acception Vnbeleeuers though formally they may giue thanks conuinced that all good is from God carried by pride in preferment of their gifts before other men as the Pharisee Luk. 18.11 yet they bee more in prayers then in praises As they cannot giue thanks for spiritual benefits which are giuen onely in Christ to such as beleeue on him so neither for temporall freely feelingly with loue of the duty with tast of Gods loue and delight in him As a iudge that feasts a malefactor by the way who feares his hanging at a place appointed gets but heartlesse thanks of him so God for his bounty to an vnbeleeuer who still feares that he will destroy him after he hath done him good Vnbeleefe disables
sinne and their works dead their Will is not free then to any spirituall work death depriues not onely of action but facultie They are said to serue sinne if their will be in a full bondage they are not free all that are not freed by Christ remaine in spirituall bondage to sinne they must be in him whom he freeth and that is by a true faith they are gouerned by the prouidence to some workes that are good for their matter but in them they are intrinsecally guilty they haue no will to obey honour the Lord therein they proceed not from an inward frame of goodnesse and conformitie of heart to Gods law their will is worse then their deed they receiue the Gospell but not with an honest heart purely for it selfe but with corrupt respect They forbeare some sins but not for loue of God and that they haue chosen Gods law whereof sin is a violation their will is not turned against it out of any inherent holines contrary to it but as contemned by light of the minde as reprochfull for one that professeth true religion or some way daungerous as appeares by their partialitie in the law Iam. 2.4 The true beleeuer is by the spirit of Ghrist in part truely and for euer freed in his will from the spirituall bondage and seruitude of corruption and his libertie is brought forward by degrees The change is by a supernaturall worke as if a stone which a hundred times forced vpward falls downe againe should haue a new inclination put into it the change were aboue nature But now the inclination is naturall so in this worke of God in taking away the stonie heart and giuing the will a new inclination the diuine power hauing made this alteration by infusion of grace and holinesse into it the action of it in willing to belieue to be iustified to be healed in nature of the sinfulnesse perceiued to be quickened vnto good workes to doe them more spiritually is naturall and free by reason of the godly nature Search your selfe according to this difference in minde conscience and will and be a true witnesse of the worke of God in you Obiection VII I find such corruption in my minde conscience and Will especially that I feare I am vnder the dominion of sinne not onely hauing damnable matter in me from which Gods children be not free but damning for sinne reignes vnto death Answere First If you desire healing of your nature grone in desire to grace perceiue your fowlenesse vnto a lothing of your selfe feare not sinne hath not dominion ouer you True grace and sense of sinne may be together in a true beleeuer who by new light perceiueth what is sinne by renewed selfe-loue more impartially iudge themselues and their doings by spirituall life feel that which they that are blind dead in whom self loue is fully corrupted neither see nor feel Prou. 30.2.3 Rom. 7.24 That wee see abhorre confesse lament as our exceeding miserie sinne dwelling working in vs hindering the good wee would corrupting our best workes carrying vs to hated euill That we earnestly desire deliuerance frō this bondage That we may do Gods will in earth as it is done in heauen No measure that is ioyned with imperfection satisfieth vs but we contend further that we indeuour our selues to get more grace and the exercise of it apply our hearts to fulfill Gods statutes bid battell to all vices purge our selues imbrace crosses as meanes of mortification and profit in holinesse loue a wise reprouer beare malicious reproofes and that we rest not in aliuelesse conformity in the externall action to Gods law it is of the grace of God giuen vs in Christ Iesus Rom. 7.14.15.24 Phil. 3.13.14 1 Chro. 28.7.9 Hos. 6.3 Psal. 119.101 1 Ioh. 3.3 Heb 12.7.10.11 Prou. 25.12 2 Sam. 26.10.12 Psal. 119.93 For sinnes past 1. That we voluntarily remember them to afflict our selues taking greife and shame for offending of God 2. That we willingly beare the punishment of them loathing our selues for our deeds that were not good hold our selues wholly damnable open not our mouth in defence or extenuation but confesse our selues vile to Gods glory with indignation at our follie and brutishnesse 3. that by rememberance of our seruice of such hatefull and now hated sinnes wee keepe our selues from our iniquitie and prouoke our selues to the study of innocencie that we are carried to labour in Gods worke with greater impulsion of loue considering Christs loue dying for vs Gods loue giuing him for vs and forgiuing so great debt 4. that we are humble modest in opinion and speech of our selues whatsoeuer graces we haue receiued that considering our change by the grace of God we bee humane compassionate toward sinners louing to make them iust waiting for their repentance deuouring indignities from them in hope and desire that they which are such as we were may be such as we are by the grace of God louingly and gladly receiuing them repenting is of grace Esay 54.6.7 Ezech. 16.63 Leu. 26.42 2 Sam. 15.26 Mich. 7.9 Iob. 42.6 Psal. 73.22 Psal. 18.23 1. Pet. 4.2.3 1 Cor. 15.9.10 2. Cor. 5.14 Eph. 3.8 2 Tim. 2.24.25 Tit. 3.3 It is a token that is pacified is moued in his bowels towards vs as his deare children Ier. 31.20 will meete vs with tokens of peace and loue Luk. 15.20.23 and defend vs as now deliuered from our sinnes not being that wee were being that we were not Luk. 7.44 and iustifie the ioy of good men in our returning from death to life Luk. 15.31 Secondly Where sinne reigns the man is but flesh merely carnall Gen. 6.3 Ioh. 3.6 distitute of the spirit Iud. v. 19. in the full power of sinne Rom. 7.5 wholly replenished with it as it were buried in it If the Spirit of Christ be in you it freeth you from the law and force of sinne and the hurt of death You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit for the Spirit of Christ dwelleth in you Rom. 8.2 9. Though you haue and shew forth much more corruption in affection and manners then many other christians doe yet the new man liueth in you as a babe 1 Cor. 3.1 infirme and feeble to keepe the olde man vnder and to bring forth the actions of a christian And because of the seede of God in you though in comparison of stronger christians you may bee counted carnall yet compared with meere carnall men you are spirituall you are not wholly carried by the desires of the flesh as they but contrary lusts striue in you to destroy one another Galath 5. verse 5.17 The perfectest Christian in this life compared with the spiritualnesse of Gods Law may well pronounce himselfe carnall Neither nature nor action is fully conformable to it but though there bee much in him contrary to the Law yet the roote of the matter is in him Iob 19.28 You should say why doe wee persecute him seeing the roote of the matter is in him Where