a_o sermon_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o repentance_n shadow_v in_o the_o ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n preach_v the_o sunday_n afore_o lent_n 1613._o john_n 3.3_o very_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o thou_o except_o that_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o water_n and_o the_o spirit_n he_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n london_n print_v by_o t._n s._n for_o edmund_n weaver_n and_o be_v to_o sell_v at_o the_o great_a south-dore_n of_o paul_n 1616._o to_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_z in_o god_n thomas_n lord_n bishop_n elect_a of_o chester_n my_o very_a good_a lord_n my_o reverend_a lord_n be_v heretofore_o move_v for_o some_o consideration_n to_o publish_v this_o sermon_n i_o remain_v somewhat_o doubtful_a in_o the_o dedication_n thereof_o until_o the_o news_n of_o your_o lordship_n advancement_n quick_o settle_v my_o resolution_n for_o where_o better_a can_v i_o have_v implore_v patronage_n then_o where_o both_o eminent_a authority_n of_o place_n as_o also_o your_o lordship_n particular_a favour_n towards_o i_o seem_v no_o less_o enforce_o to_o invite_v by_o love_n then_o compel_v by_o duty_n for_o which_o respect_n i_o have_v now_o presume_v upon_o your_o lordship_n acceptance_n trust_v the_o rather_o to_o obtain_v pardon_n for_o this_o my_o bold_a intrusion_n and_o also_o indulgent_a censure_n of_o these_o my_o unworthy_a labour_n present_v to_o your_o learned_a view_n as_o chaleng_v the_o goodness_n of_o your_o lordship_n disposition_n and_o free_o offer_v courtesy_n guilty_a of_o this_o my_o attempt_n and_o a_o chief_a cause_n hereof_o the_o lord_n god_n guide_n and_o assist_v your_o lordship_n with_o the_o bless_a direction_n of_o his_o most_o holy_a spirit_n in_o the_o discharge_n of_o your_o high_a call_n in_o this_o life_n and_o in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v give_v you_o the_o reward_n of_o immortality_n and_o everlasting_a glory_n your_o lordship_n in_o all_o duty_n to_o be_v command_v william_n case_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o repentance_n shadow_v in_o the_o ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n john_n 1_o ver._n 31._o therefore_o be_o i_o come_v baptise_v with_o water_n the_o life_n of_o a_o christian_a in_o this_o world_n be_v a_o medley_n consist_v of_o much_o variety_n a_o continual_a intercourse_n of_o changeable_a succession_n etc._n eccles_n 3.2_o etc._n etc._n for_o there_o be_v a_o time_n to_o be_v bear_v say_v solomon_n and_o a_o time_n to_o die_v a_o time_n to_o plant_v and_o a_o time_n to_o pluck_v up_o a_o time_n to_o kill_v and_o a_o time_n to_o heal_v a_o time_n to_o break_v down_o and_o a_o time_n to_o build_v up_o a_o time_n to_o weep_v and_o a_o time_n to_o laugh_v a_o time_n to_o dance_v and_o a_o time_n to_o mourn_v sic_fw-la tristia_fw-la secundis_fw-la secunda_fw-la tristibus_fw-la vicissitudo_fw-la acerba_fw-la sortis_fw-la temperate_a so_o wise_a be_v the_o ever_o admirable_a creator_n in_o all_o his_o work_n say_v one_o as_o to_o temper_v the_o action_n of_o the_o life_n of_o man_n with_o such_o proportion_n and_o counterpoise_v that_o no_o prosperity_n shall_v be_v without_o his_o succeed_a inconvenience_n no_o adversity_n without_o his_o comfort_n to_o chase_v out_o of_o man_n mind_n security_n and_o despair_n the_o only_a enemy_n of_o all_o wise_a and_o virtuous_a course_n that_o time_n belove_v be_v but_o a_o small_a while_o past_a when_o there_o be_v nothing_o hear_v in_o your_o gate_n but_o the_o voice_n of_o joy_n and_o gladness_n of_o mirth_n and_o solace_n and_o that_o upon_o so_o good_a a_o cause_n as_o a_o better_a the_o world_n be_v never_o make_v partaker_n of_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o bless_a incarnation_n of_o the_o world_n redeemer_n but_o now_o lest_o the_o proud_a heart_n of_o man_n shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o measure_n and_o puff_v up_o through_o abundance_n of_o consolation_n behold_v there_o be_v a_o contrary_a occasion_n of_o a_o contrary_a affection_n the_o sin_n of_o man_n to_o countervail_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n that_o as_o afore_o we_o have_v have_v cause_n of_o rejoice_v and_o feast_v so_o now_o the_o time_n approach_v and_o be_v at_o hand_n wherein_o we_o have_v invitation_n to_o lament_v and_o fast_v so_o that_o have_v already_o celebrate_v with_o mirth_n and_o great_a joy_n the_o memory_n of_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n it_o remain_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o now_o by_o sorrow_n and_o repentance_n we_o prepare_v for_o his_o come_n unto_o us._n for_o it_o be_v the_o same_o path_n which_o our_o evangelist_n have_v tread_v out_o unto_o we_o in_o this_o chapter_n wherein_o after_o he_o have_v in_o the_o begin_n thereof_o divine_o propose_v the_o come_n of_o that_o light_n into_o the_o world_n which_o the_o world_n be_v shut_v up_o in_o blindness_n be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v in_o the_o next_o place_n immediate_o he_o proceed_v unto_o the_o ministry_n of_o john_n baptist_n the_o ministry_n of_o humiliation_n and_o repentance_n the_o better_a to_o prepare_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o entertain_v that_o heavenly_a guest_n for_o which_o in_o that_o estate_n they_o natural_o be_v in_o they_o be_v most_o unfit_a for_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o mere_a scope_n of_o johns_n ministry_n to_o prepare_v those_o by_o repentance_n which_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o christ_n be_v afterward_o to_o be_v sanctify_v by_o faith_n and_o other_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o thing_n as_o the_o baptist_n upon_o occasion_n diverse_a time_n in_o sundry_a passage_n of_o this_o chapter_n specifi_v and_o witness_v of_o himself_o so_o special_o in_o this_o place_n upon_o the_o sight_n of_o jesus_n come_v towards_o he_o as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o coherence_n he_o infer_v this_o same_o testimony_n of_o his_o own_o ministry_n in_o the_o word_n which_o i_o have_v now_o read_v unto_o you_o therefore_o be_o i_o come_v baptise_v with_o water_n intimate_v unto_o his_o disciple_n two_o thing_n which_o be_v now_o also_o of_o we_o to_o be_v consider_v his_o office_n and_o the_o end_n of_o his_o office_n his_o office_n and_o ministry_n in_o these_o word_n i_o be_o come_v baptise_v with_o water_n and_o the_o end_n of_o his_o office_n imply_v and_o include_v in_o the_o illative_a particle_n therefore_o that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o christ_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a unto_o israel_n therefore_o be_o i_o come_v baptise_v with_o water_n so_o that_o in_o these_o word_n now_o read_v unto_o you_o i_o have_v occasion_n give_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o office_n of_o john_n baptist_n in_o a_o twofold_a respect_n first_o of_o the_o positive_a &_o absolute_a nature_n of_o it_o what_o it_o be_v and_o the_o part_n thereof_o and_o second_o of_o the_o relative_a nature_n of_o it_o how_o of_o itself_o it_o be_v but_o a_o rudiment_n and_o a_o preparative_n to_o a_o further_a degree_n of_o perfection_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o so_o necessary_a that_o the_o other_o without_o it_o be_v likewise_o imperfect_a the_o absolute_a nature_n of_o his_o office_n and_o ministry_n be_v here_o note_v out_o unto_o we_o to_o be_v the_o baptism_n of_o water_n which_o as_o it_o be_v many_o time_n take_v figurative_o in_o the_o scripture_n in_o diverse_a signification_n so_o especial_o in_o this_o place_n by_o a_o synechadoche_n it_o be_v take_v for_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o johns_n calling_n and_o ministry_n whereof_o thereare_v two_o part_n the_o substance_n of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o repentance_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o second_o the_o ceremony_n of_o it_o or_o the_o seal_n of_o that_o doctrine_n the_o outward_a administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n to_o speak_v therefore_o proper_o of_o the_o substance_n of_o johns_n baptism_n be_v to_o speak_v of_o repentance_n which_o he_o preach_v only_o in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o ministry_n now_o what_o repentance_n be_v where_o shall_v we_o better_o learn_v then_o of_o he_o who_o be_v the_o preacher_n of_o repentance_n of_o the_o baptist_n himself_o the_o precursor_n of_o the_o world_n saviour_n who_o teach_v it_o first_o by_o precept_n second_o by_o the_o part_n of_o it_o and_o three_o by_o pattern_n in_o his_o own_o example_n by_o precept_n show_v that_o it_o must_v be_v by_o part_n of_o it_o show_v what_o it_o must_v be_v and_o by_o pattern_n show_v how_o it_o must_v be_v practise_v of_o all_o that_o hope_v to_o reap_v benefit_n by_o the_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n jesus_n and_o first_o he_o teach_v it_o by_o precept_n in_o the_o three_o of_o matthew_n ver_fw-la 3._o when_o he_o say_v repent_v for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v at_o hand_n which_o sentence_n seem_v not_o so_o much_o a_o precept_n impose_v by_o commandment_n a_o duty_n necessary_o to_o be_v perform_v as_o a_o counsel_n because_o a_o reason_n be_v annex_v for_o than_o he_o may_v have_v say_v repent_v and_o no_o more_o neither_o
of_o man_n carriage_n and_o deportment_n give_v other_o witness_n but_o that_o many_o think_v the_o example_n of_o st_n john_n do_v nothing_o coeern_v they_o for_o though_o there_o ought_v i_o confess_v to_o be_v a_o orderly_a distinction_n of_o degree_n by_o outward_a habit_n and_o other_o the_o needful_a concernement_n of_o this_o life_n yet_o in_o these_o time_n it_o seem_v man_n mind_n be_v uncapable_a of_o moderation_n when_o as_o in_o every_o succession_n every_o one_o for_o the_o most_o part_n desire_v to_o exceed_v he_o that_o go_v before_o he_o both_o in_o diet_n apparel_n and_o other_o compliment_n of_o nature_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o profit_n unto_o a_o man_n as_o the_o wise_a man_n speak_v but_o that_o he_o eat_v and_o drink_v 2.24_o eccles_n 2.24_o and_o delight_v his_o soul_n in_o the_o variety_n of_o this_o world_n vanity_n and_o that_o which_o be_v worst_a of_o all_o the_o unteachablenesse_n of_o many_o give_v strong_a suspicion_n that_o their_o estate_n be_v wellnigh_o desperate_a when_o as_o by_o the_o difference_n wherewith_o the_o church_n our_o mother_n now_o travail_v which_o shall_v humble_v we_o do_v they_o take_v advantage_n to_o harden_v their_o heart_n the_o more_o for_o the_o one_o side_n say_v they_o be_v too_o licentious_a the_o other_o too_o curious_a and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o will_v bereform_v by_o neither_o much_o like_o those_o wicked_a pharise_n of_o who_o our_o saviour_n speak_v in_o the_o eleven_o of_o matthew_n 11.18.19_o math._n 11.18.19_o for_o john_n come_v neither_o eat_n nor_o drink_v and_o yet_o they_o say_v he_o have_v a_o devil_n the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v eat_v and_o drink_v and_o they_o say_v behold_v a_o glutton_n a_o drinker_n of_o wine_n and_o a_o friend_n unto_o publican_n and_o sinner_n so_o that_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o when_o man_n mind_n be_v so_o settle_v upon_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n that_o neither_o the_o threaten_n of_o the_o law_n nor_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n neither_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o other_o can_v prevail_v to_o make_v man_n forsake_v their_o sin_n there_o be_v great_a presumption_n that_o their_o god_n be_v their_o belly_n when_o as_o their_o unbrideled_a appetite_n be_v their_o sole_a religion_n the_o exclamation_n the_o invective_n the_o exhortation_n of_o the_o messenger_n of_o god_n from_o and_o against_o these_o course_n be_v every_o where_o so_o frequent_a that_o its_o hopeless_a and_o therefore_o needless_a for_o i_o to_o multiply_v the_o same_o only_a thus_o much_o to_o conclude_v this_o point_n let_v we_o all_o remember_v belove_v what_o great_a account_n we_o have_v to_o pass_v at_o that_o last_o audite_fw-la when_o our_o chief_a favourite_n the_o fancie-feeding_a and_o flatter_a pleasure_n of_o this_o world_n shall_v all_o shrink_v from_o we_o and_o nothing_o but_o our_o own_o deed_n and_o desert_n shall_v accompany_v we_o before_o the_o judgement_n seat_n of_o god_n and_o so_o i_o pass_v brief_o from_o the_o positive_a doctrine_n of_o john_n the_o nature_n of_o repentance_n to_o the_o other_o part_n thereof_o its_o relative_a nature_n the_o end_n of_o it_o why_o it_o be_v that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o christ_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a unto_o israel_n and_o sure_o it_o be_v the_o chief_a intendment_n of_o the_o baptist_n in_o this_o place_n not_o to_o show_v what_o but_o wherefore_o his_o ministry_n serve_v for_o indeed_o of_o itself_o it_o be_v almost_o as_o nothing_o it_o be_v but_o a_o bare_a beginning_n of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v perfect_a by_o another_o ministry_n for_o although_o at_o that_o time_n christ_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n â—1_n john_n 1.10_o â—1_n yet_o the_o world_n know_v he_o not_o yet_o though_o he_o come_v unto_o his_o own_o yet_o his_o own_o receive_v he_o not_o because_o the_o light_n shine_v in_o fuch_n darkness_n as_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v it_o so_o that_o of_o necessity_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o there_o shall_v proceed_v another_o ministry_n whereby_o to_o clecre_n that_o glolmie_a darkness_n that_o over-shadowed_a man_n mind_n from_o apprehend_v the_o light_n our_o inserence_n therefore_o from_o this_o place_n shall_v be_v that_o christ_n can_v not_o be_v manifest_v unto_o isracl_n neither_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o we_o shall_v ever_o come_v to_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o christ_n without_o the_o ministry_n of_o john_n baptist_n the_o preach_v and_o practice_n of_o at_o least_o one_o degree_n of_o repentance_n go_v before_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n which_o be_v affirmatiuly_a give_v of_o the_o abrogation_n of_o the_o old_a sacrament_n which_o do_v prefigure_v this_o that_o if_o you_o be_v circumcise_v christ_n shall_v prosit_fw-la you_o nothing_o 5.2_o gal._n 5.2_o do_v on_o the_o negative_a follow_v the_o institution_n of_o this_o namely_o that_o if_o we_o be_v not_o baptize_v assure_o christ_n shall_v prosit_fw-la we_o nothing_o and_o in_o say_v so_o i_o say_v no_o more_o than_o our_o blesle_v saviour_n himself_o say_v unto_o that_o great_a doctor_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o three_o of_o s._n johns_n gospel_n very_o very_o 3.3_o john_n 3.3_o i_o say_v unto_o thou_o except_o that_o a_o man_n be_v brone_n of_o water_n and_o of_o the_o spirit_n be_v can_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n for_o there_o be_v a_o twofold_a baptism_n the_o one_o by_o the_o ancient_n call_v baptismus_fw-la flaminis_fw-la the_o baptism_n of_o water_n the_o other_o baptismus_fw-la flaminis_fw-la the_o baptism_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o fire_n the_o first_o be_v a_o preparation_n to_o the_o second_o and_o therefore_o say_v the_o baptist_n i_o indeed_o baptize_v you_o with_o water_n to_o repentance_n 3.10_o mat._n 3.10_o but_o he_o that_o come_v after_o i_o be_v mighty_a than_o i_o who_o shoe_n i_o be_o not_o worthy_a to_o bear_v he_o will_v baptize_v you_o with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o fire_n and_o that_o we_o may_v further_o prove_v it_o necessary_a to_o the_o manifestation_n of_o christ_n the_o very_a inscription_n of_o johns_n ministry_n make_v it_o evident_a 3.3_o mat._n 3.3_o the_o voice_n of_o a_o crier_n in_o the_o wilderness_n prepare_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n make_v his_o path_n straight_o that_o as_o we_o know_v it_o be_v a_o usual_a thing_n for_o prince_n and_o great_a man_n afore_o they_o come_v to_o any_o place_n to_o have_v their_o harbinger_n to_o go_v before_o they_o to_o make_v even_o their_o way_n and_o to_o prepare_v a_o fit_a place_n to_o entertain_v they_o against_o they_o come_v so_o the_o lord_n have_v ordain_v the_o sell_v of_o man_n to_o be_v his_o temple_n will_v first_o have_v it_o sweep_v and_o cleanse_v by_o somewhat_o of_o repentance_n from_o the_o filth_n and_o pollution_n of_o sin_n afore_o he_o will_v make_v it_o his_o dwell_a place_n and_o it_o be_v very_a consonant_n unto_o reason_n for_o see_v upon_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n we_o be_v to_o make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o god_n it_o be_v very_o unfit_a it_o shall_v be_v do_v without_o some_o kind_n of_o preparation_n for_o look_v but_o into_o the_o time_n of_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law_n and_o you_o shall_v see_v how_o the_o people_n be_v to_o be_v prepare_v afore_o they_o be_v to_o come_v before_o the_o lord_n to_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o he_o at_o the_o mountain_n of_o sinai_n 20.10.11_o exod._n 20.10.11_o how_o they_o be_v to_o be_v sanctify_v and_o wash_v two_o day_n and_o the_o three_o day_n to_o come_v before_o he_o now_o that_o be_v the_o covenant_n of_o work_n and_o it_o be_v give_v by_o the_o mediation_n of_o a_o servant_n moses_n but_o this_o be_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n a_o better_a covenant_n &_o give_v by_o the_o mediation_n of_o he_o that_o be_v son_n and_o heir_n of_o all_o and_o therefore_o if_o preparation_n be_v needful_a in_o the_o former_a much_o more_o in_o this_o again_o the_o baptist_n be_v not_o a_o minister_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n 11.9_o mat._n 11.9_o nor_o a_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a fuit_fw-la tamen_fw-la plusquam_fw-la propheta_fw-la be_v be_v more_o than_o a_o prophet_n and_o yet_o not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o least_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n say_v our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v great_a than_o be_v as_o concern_v the_o subject_n of_o his_o ministry_n furit_fw-la autem_fw-la terminus_fw-la legis_fw-la &_o initium_fw-la euangelij_fw-la he_o be_v the_o end_n of_o the_o law_n 1.1_o mark_v 1.1_o and_o beginning_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o repentance_n the_o chief_a substance_n of_o his_o ministry_n be_v to_o be_v preach_v between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n inasmuch_n as_o it_o have_v reference_n unto_o both_o three_o afore_o that_o time_n that_o christ_n jesus_n by_o the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v make_v
the_o course_n of_o many_o in_o these_o time_n when_o as_o happy_o the_o preach_v of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v so_o sting_v they_o that_o they_o must_v needs_o submit_v and_o yield_v they_o have_v forsake_v much_o of_o their_o former_a vanity_n and_o finfull_a practice_n yet_o their_o dear_a belove_a their_o darling_n sin_n they_o reserve_v that_o must_v needs_o be_v dispense_v withal_o either_o covetousness_n or_o pride_n revenge_n or_o some_o such_o other_o and_o that_o to_o mask_v over_o with_o some_o plausible_a pretence_n or_o other_o as_o frugality_n handsomeness_n justice_n and_o the_o like_a so_o wily_a be_v man_n in_o this_o age_n to_o beguile_v themselves_o but_o than_o it_o may_v be_v demand_v that_o if_o these_o motion_n towards_o repentance_n though_o but_o in_o part_n be_v of_o god_n then_o be_v they_o good_a if_o they_o be_v not_o of_o god_n from_o whence_o do_v they_o proceed_v for_o answer_v whereunto_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o there_o be_v three_o principal_a active_a faculty_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n the_o understanding_n the_o will_n and_o the_o conscience_n the_o understanding_n to_o direct_v the_o will_n to_o obey_v and_o the_o conscience_n a_o faithful_a and_o indifferent_a arbitratour_n between_o god_n and_o man_n conern_v both_o now_o the_o understanding_n be_v enlighten_v partly_o by_o the_o ground_n of_o nature_n partly_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o duty_n to_o be_v do_v of_o evil_n to_o be_v avoid_v if_o the_o will_v do_v obey_v the_o conscience_n do_v continual_o cheer_v and_o comfort_v we_o in_o what_o estate_n or_o misery_n soever_o we_o be_v but_o if_o the_o will_v be_v perverse_a and_o will_v not_o submit_v and_o obey_v then_o be_v the_o conscience_n as_o a_o continual_a torment_n ever_o accuse_v and_o condemn_v we_o of_o high_a treason_n against_o god_n and_o therefore_o when_o as_o our_o will_n be_v not_o nor_o can_v be_v bring_v unto_o a_o true_a reformation_n we_o be_v of_o necessity_n force_v to_o counterfeit_v and_o delude_v the_o conscience_n with_o some_o kind_n of_o degree_n of_o devotion_n and_o outward_a service_n even_o to_o still_o those_o cry_n which_o if_o they_o be_v not_o stay_v be_v little_o better_a than_o a_o very_a entrance_n into_o hell_n so_o that_o for_o the_o most_o part_n those_o same_o usual_a and_o common_a sigh_n and_o feign_a groan_n which_o many_o man_n will_v fain_o make_v themselves_o believe_v be_v sign_n and_o token_n of_o repentance_n be_v but_o the_o upbraid_n and_o exprobration_n of_o conscience_n which_o do_v then_o accuse_v they_o and_o those_o same_o flash_n of_o light_n and_o hope_v which_o from_o the_o same_o they_o conceive_v unto_o themselves_o of_o the_o love_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n 22._o 1_o king_n 22._o be_v but_o the_o suggestion_n of_o that_o false_a spirit_n which_o be_v in_o the_o mouth_n of_o ahabs_n prophet_n that_o by_o their_o lie_v and_o false_a encouragement_n they_o may_v be_v harden_v in_o their_o sin_n that_o so_o their_o fall_n may_v be_v the_o great_a a_o three_o deceit_n whereby_o man_n flatter_v themselves_o be_v a_o conceit_n or_o rather_o a_o misconceit_n of_o their_o faith_n attribute_v so_o much_o unto_o it_o that_o they_o think_v there_o be_v scarce_o any_o thing_n else_o absolute_o and_o necessary_o require_v of_o they_o and_o that_o because_o by_o it_o alone_o they_o be_v join_v to_o christ_n nothing_o can_v disjoin_v they_o and_o therefore_o that_o the_o strict_a exaction_n of_o so_o severe_a a_o course_n of_o repentance_n be_v needless_a wherein_o they_o discover_v their_o vain_a ignorance_n that_o though_o they_o think_v they_o see_v yet_o be_v they_o still_o grope_a in_o the_o dark_a and_o be_v go_v they_o know_v not_o well_o which_o way_n for_o without_o repentance_n their_o faith_n be_v false_a and_o vain_a for_o we_o must_v know_v that_o there_o be_v three_o several_a act_n or_o degree_n require_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o faith_n according_a to_o which_o it_o be_v distinguish_v to_o be_v threefold_a either_o fides_fw-la apprehensionis_fw-la or_o fides_fw-la approbationis_fw-la or_o fides_fw-la applicationis_fw-la the_o one_o be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n the_o other_o of_o the_o will_n and_o the_o last_o of_o the_o conscience_n the_o first_o apprehend_v the_o promise_n of_o god_n as_o true_a the_o second_o approve_v they_o as_o good_a and_o the_o three_o apply_v they_o unto_o ourselves_o in_o particular_a assure_v we_o they_o do_v belong_v unto_o us._n all_o these_o several_a duty_n and_o degree_n be_v require_v unto_o the_o complete_a essence_n of_o faith_n and_o as_o the_o last_o can_v be_v where_o the_o two_o former_a first_o be_v notso_n the_o two_o first_o without_o it_o be_v fruitless_a and_o imperfect_a now_o the_o two_o first_o degree_n of_o faith_n namely_o to_o apprehend_v the_o promise_n of_o god_n to_o be_v true_a and_o approve_v they_o as_o good_a may_v be_v in_o a_o man_n without_o repentance_n but_o neither_o of_o these_o be_v that_o true_a save_v evangelical_a faith_n which_o can_v assure_v we_o that_o the_o benefit_n of_o christ_n merit_n do_v belong_v unto_o we_o in_o particular_a these_o be_v only_o general_a motive_n unto_o all_o kind_n of_o good_a action_n these_o be_v that_o general_a belief_n which_o be_v require_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n of_o every_o man_n as_o well_o heathen_a as_o christian_a for_o the_o preservation_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n in_o all_o action_n whatsoever_o as_o well_o legal_a as_o evangelical_a to_o illustrate_v this_o by_o a_o example_n suppose_v this_o to_o be_v the_o proposition_n he_o that_o confess_v his_o sin_n and_o forsake_v they_o shall_v find_v mercy_n pro._n 28.13_o where_o the_o promise_n of_o mercy_n be_v make_v unto_o repentant_a sinner_n now_o the_o first_o act_n of_o faith_n in_o reference_n thereunto_o be_v by_o the_o understanding_n to_o apprehend_v it_o as_o true_a 2.20_o james_n 2.20_o but_o this_o faith_n be_v not_o perfect_a nor_o save_v for_o the_o devil_n have_v it_o the_o devil_n believe_v and_o tremble_v say_v saint_n james._n the_o second_o degree_n of_o faith_n be_v by_o the_o will_v to_o approve_v and_o like_v it_o as_o good_a and_o yet_o be_v this_o neither_o that_o true_a save_a faith_n for_o it_o be_v in_o balaam_n herod_n agrippa_n and_o it_o be_v in_o every_o carnal_a professor_n none_o except_v 10.15_o rom._n 10.15_o neither_o of_o these_o therefore_o nor_o both_o of_o these_o be_v of_o any_o force_n or_o validity_n to_o confirm_v the_o promise_n of_o mercy_n unto_o our_o ownesoule_n in_o particular_a which_o be_v the_o chief_a property_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o those_o be_v all_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v in_o any_o christian_a man_n afore_o repentance_n and_o the_o chief_a motive_n by_o which_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v stir_v up_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n unto_o repentance_n now_o after_o repentance_n at_o least_o the_o beginning_n thereof_o follow_v the_o three_o act_n of_o faith_n by_o the_o conscience_n that_o apply_v the_o promise_n unto_o ourselves_o and_o so_o our_o faith_n be_v make_v perfect_a as_o saint_n lame_a speak_v he_o that_o repent_v of_o his_o sin_n say_v the_o holy_a ghost_n shall_v sinde_v mercy_n that_o be_v the_o thesis_n now_o after_o repentance_n the_o conscience_n make_v the_o assumption_n but_o i_o have_v repent_v of_o my_o sin_n and_o then_o the_o conclusion_n direct_o follow_v that_o therefore_o the_o promise_n of_o mercy_n belong_v unto_o i_o this_o then_o be_v that_o true_a lively_a and_o save_v faith_n that_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n this_o be_v that_o faith_n whereby_o the_o spirit_n bear_v witness_v with_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v the_o adoped_a son_n of_o god_n yet_o will_v i_o not_o be_v think_v to_o infer_v hereby_o that_o there_o be_v in_o a_o christian_n three_o kind_n but_o only_o three_o degree_n of_o faith_n for_o although_o that_o both_o the_o apprehend_n and_o approve_v faith_n as_o they_o be_v in_o devil_n and_o wicked_a man_n be_v thing_n different_a from_o a_o true_a save_a faith_n yet_o in_o a_o regenerate_a man_n they_o be_v not_o distinct_a faith_n they_o do_v not_o differrespecie_fw-la they_o be_v not_o of_o different_a kine_n but_o only_o in_o reference_n unto_o a_o true_a and_o perfect_a faith_n be_v as_o disposuione_n in_o ordine_fw-la ad_fw-la habitum_fw-la as_o disposition_n towards_o a_o habit_n or_o as_o media_fw-la tendentiaad_n finem_fw-la as_o mean_n tend_v unto_o the_o end_n of_o their_o perfection_n differ_v from_o the_o save_a faith_n no_o otherwise_o then_o the_o power_n of_o vegetation_n and_o sense_n be_v distinct_a essence_n in_o other_o creature_n do_v from_o the_o reasonable_a soul_n unto_o which_o they_o only_o be_v as_o subordinate_a faculty_n in_o man_n there_o grow_v many_o difficulty_n and_o much_o confusion_n in_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o sacred_a mystery_n of_o our_o salvation_n for_o