that speciall manner before declared it never was preached to any but the contrite hearted repentant sinners they have a speciall particular word of promise made unto them in particular whereon to ground their Faith which no sinner else hath and they fall not away they are built upon the sure Rock And their faith therefore is of another kinde differing from that which is common to all grounded on the generall publication or History of the Word called therefore by some and that rightly Historicall Faith or the Faith of knowledge and is distinguished from it and from that also called Miraculous by severall distinct names given it in Scripture as The Faith of Abraham The Faith which worketh by love The Faith of Christ The Faith of Jesus Christ The Faith of the Son of God The Faith of Gods elect their pretious Faith their most holy Faith and such like Which Faith being defined what it is in the true nature of it It is a full perswasion or assurance wrought in the heart of a Repentant sinner by the speciall grace and Spirit of God of forgivenesse of sinnes of peace of love of reconciliation with God in Jesus Christ according to that which Paul speaketh Rom. 8.35 36 37 38 39. and Heb. 10.22 23. And as this Faith of Gods elect is distinguished in Scripture from Faith of other kindes So is that gift of the Spirit whereby it is wrought and the love of God sealed in their contrite heart distinguished from other common gifts of the Spirit by severall excellent distinct names as the Spirit of Christ The Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus The Spirit of his Sonne crying Abba Father The Spirit of Adoption The Spirit of Truth c. And this is that seed which remaineth in the heart of every one that receiveth it that holy Spirit whereby they are sealed unto the day of redemption And they are those branches in the vine and that good ground which bring forth good fruit thirty sixty an hundred fold And of such as these doth the Church of Christ consist against which the gates of hell shall not prevaile These are those lively stoues built on the chiefe comer stone Jesus Christ that spirituall house and holy Priesthood which offer up spirituall Sacrifices acceptable unto God by him and which God hath decreed and concluded in Scripture to be his Tabernacle and Sanctuary wherein he will dwell for evermore Now though a man should know all these things to bee true and all that the Scriptures have spoken yet if he have not his part in them if he be not baptized with the Baptisme of Repentance and the Baptisme of the holy Ghost before spoken of and so born 〈◊〉 above of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of GOD For so hath the eternall Word Jesus Christ the Sonne of God unrevocably concluded saying to Nicodemus and so to every man Verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God John 3.11 And therefore it was that hee gave that great power and charge unto the Apostles when he was to depart from them saying Goe yee and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost c. Matth. 28.18 19 20. and Mark 16. Go yee into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature vers 15. according to that in Luke 24.46 47 48 49. and saying Hee that beleeveth and is baptized shall be saved but hee that beleeveth â—ot shall be condemned Mark 16.16 What this baptisme is and what the beliefe is that goeth before it and what the not beleeving is in the last place are the things chiefly to be considered here The Baptisme can bee no other than the same before spoken of consisting of Repentance toward God and Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ with the speciall gift of the Spirit being the parts of the new birth from above described by the names of Water and of the Spirit such a Baptisme as whosoever is baptized therewith shall bee saved Not the doing away the filth of the flesh the washing with the element of Water as they of Rome would have it and doe so take it in both places using the form of words in Matth. 28. concluding that by the same action they are regenerate and that except the act be performed they cannot be saved But it is and must needs be that which the Apostles to whom the charge was first given performed As first when Peter preached saying Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost Acts 2. and Paul Acts 19.4 5 6. In both which places the baptisme of Repentance toward God and of Faith in the Lord JESUS CHRIST and of the holy Ghost are expresly named according to the order and meaning of the words Matth. 28. And to the same purpose also Paul spâ—â—â—… Acts 20. where he saith That hee kept nothing back that was profitable but testified both to the Jewes and also to the Greekes Repentance toward GOD and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ verse 21. which to the Hâ—brewes he calleth the Doctrine of baptisme Heb. 6. This is the Baptisme of which he faith to the Christians at Rome Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into JESUS CHRIST were baptized into his death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father so we should walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6.34 And to them of Galatia For ye are all the children of God by faith for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal. 3.26 27. And to them of Colossâ—â— Ye are compleat in him who is the head of all Principalities and powers in whom also yee are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sinnes of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ buried with him in Baptisme wherein also ye are risen with him through the Faith of the operation of God who hath raised him up from the dead Col. 2.10 11 12. These excellent effects and fruies of being dead to sinne and to the body thereof and to the world of walking in holinesse and newnesse of life so rising as Christ is risen and putting on Christ and being cloathed with him of being dead and buried and risen with him as it is declared in these severall places cannot be understood as caused by any outward baptizing with water of springs or rivers but onely by a power and operation of God from above For as circumcision in the flesh is not circumcision but that of the heart as Paul saith Rom. 2. So it is concerning baptisme and therefore he counteth circumcision made without
hands all one with baptisme in truth And therefore he saith further If then yee be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Set your affections on those things above and not on things on the earth For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God and when Christ who is our life shall appeare then shall ye also appeare with him in glory Col. 3.1 2 3. This is that first resurrection spoken of Rev. 20.5 wherein whosoever hath part the second death shall have no power on him This baptisme then which the Apostles thus preached and describeth and causeth these spirituall and heavenly effects must needs be that given them in charge by Christ Mat. 28. Mark 16. the same which Peter saith saveth us 1 Pet. 3.21 according to the words of Christ He that beleeveth and is baptized shall bee saved This baptisme is of necessity to life and salvation which that with water of springs and rivers is not this may be where it is not and it where this shall never be And concerning the Belief that goeth before this Baptisme it is that common Beliefe which any man may have upon the generall publication of the Gospel as it is said Goe ye into all the world and preach the Gospell to every creature And is the same kind of Beliefe that Judas and those Disciples had who when Christ told them that except they did eate his flesh and drink his blood they had no life in them were offended and walkt no more with him of whom he said there are some of you that beleeve not though they did beleeve in that common kind And this kind of beliefe every one most have in some measure before hee can repent and beleeve unto remission of sinnes and salvation before he can eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood by beleeving in him But he that beleeveth not that is to say he that rejecteth the word after he hath heard it and been convinc'd by it despising the counsell of God concerning himselfe as many of the Jewes and also of the Gentiles did and doe at this day hee shall bee condemned as Christ saith Mark 16. John 12.45 And so some mens sins goe before hand to judgment as it is written And whereas Paul faith There is one Spirit one Faith one Baptisme Ephes 4.4 5 6. he speaketh distinctly of those three speciall graces mentioned by Peter Acts 2.38 and by himselfe Acts 19.4 5 6. before observed whereof the birth from above and Baptisme spoken of John 3. Matth. 28. Mark 16. consisteth and calleth the baptisme of Repentance by the name of one baptisme as distinguishing it by that name from that one Spirit and one Faith which he doth also distinctly name as being all three speciall things peculiar to Gods elect agreeing in one So Ephes 6. he counteth them as principall parts of the Armour of God and calleth the baptisme of repentance The preparation of the Gospel of peace vers 15. And these are the three spoken of by John where he saith And there are three that beare witnesse in earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and these three agree in one 1 John 5.8 Meaning by the Spirit the Spirit of Adoption and by the Water the teares of repentance proceeding from an humble contrite heart and by the blood the mercy and love of God shed forth in the same heart by the Spirit and so enjoyed assuredly through Faith in Christ which is the garment dipt in the blood of the Lamb. And so they agree in one bearing witnesse to the truth And these three were in all the holy Fathers and Prophets from the beginning bearing witnesse with them to the truth And in that woman which washt Christs feet with her teares and with such spirituall affections of love kissed them and anointed them with oyle of all which Christ himselfe gives testimony and proveth by her much love that she had much forgiven her Whose example is recorded unto us all to this day to read and consider For although the sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ was not then offered yet it was in account with God as the price wherewith they all of his chosen were bought and those graces purchased for them And therefore it being now accomplished the Disciple whom Jesus loved testifying of him and bearing witnesse also of the truth having those three witnesses in himselfe saith This is he that came by Water and Blood even Jesus Christ not by Water only but by Water and Blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse and the Spirit is Truth 1 John 5.6 For so had John seen it as he saith But one of the Souldiers with a Speare pierced his fide and forthwith came there out Blood and Water And he that saw it bare record and his record is true and he knoweth that he saith truth that ye might beleeve John 19.34 35. And so it is true indeed as John said That Christ came not by Water onely but by Water and Blood for both came forth of his fide with the speare He came by Water to purchase the Baptisme of Repentance for us in respect of our sins and by Blood that we might be washed therewith from our sins and by it and his resurrection jusâ—â—â—ied and by his life saved according as himselfe declared to his Disciples after he was risen from the dead Luke 24.46 47. and as Paul saith Rom. 5.10 Unto him therefore who is the faithfull witnesses and the first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the Kings of the earth to him that hath so loved us and purchased these great things for us washed us from our sinnes in his own blood made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father was dead and is alive and shall never die more to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen NOw if all these things be so and that no man can be saved except he be born of water and of the Spirit and that this birth is not from below but from above of God and not by the will of the flesh nor of man as the Scriture saith Joh. 1.13 Joh. 3. Then no man can by his own will or power attain thereunto as some men teach and perswade who say that Adam with all in his loins was restored by the promise of the seed which is Christ to all that hee lost by eating the forbidden fruit and that there is therefore no originall sin to be supposed and that all children are conceived and born without any sin holy and good as Adam was in his first estate and that every child which dieth before it commit actuall sin is saved This kind of generall Redemption which some teach is not onely contrary to the Scriptures and so deceiving to the people but they doe hereby also make God to deal very unreasonably and unjustly in putting Adam and all in him
Baptismes IN their Verity OR The Baptisme of John and the Baptisme of Christ What they are in truth as they are described in the Scriptures of TRUTH And of what necessitie they are unto Salvation In a plain and brief manner herein declared By one of the most unworthy servants of CHRIST J. E. 1 Cor 3.13 Every mans work shall be made manifest the day shall declare it because it shall bee revealed by fire and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is Printed by M. Simmons 1648. BAPTISMES In their Verity OR The Baptisme of John and the Baptisme of CHRIST What they are in truth as they are described in the Scriptures of Truth and of what necessity they are unto salvation In a plain and briefe manner herein declared THat the Baptisme of John and the Baptisme of Christ are two distinct Baptismes it is a truth not to be questioned But that the Baptisme of John was his washing the body onely with the Element of water as some men think and teach this is a manifest untruth The Evangelist Mark doth distinguish and make a plain difference between Johns baptizing with the water of the River and his baptisme in truth saying Iohn did baptize in the Wildernesse and preach the Baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins Mark 1.4 〈◊〉 baptizing with the water of the River was not of necessity for remission of him that it should follow the same But the Baptisme which he preached was And this very thing doth Iohn himselfe declare unto the people after he had preached that Baptisme unto them and he seeing Christ coming to him who was to take away their sinnes saying Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world This is he of whom I told you After me cometh a man which is preferred before me for he was before me And I knew him not but that he should be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come baptizing with water Iohn 1.29 30. Where Iohn meaneth by his Baptizing with water not that on the body with the water of Jordan which neither did nor could make ready a people prepared for the Lord that he might and should be made manifest unto them take away their sinnes purifie their hearts by faith through the baptisme of the holy Ghost as Iohn had said Matth. 3.11 12. Luke 3.16 Nay but the repentance which he in the spirit and power of Elias preached and with many teares and lamentations cryed out unto the people for saying Repent ye for the kingdome of heaven is at hand Matth. 3.2.3 And which took effect with many of the people of Israel in those dayes 〈◊〉 did so repent were so baptized with 〈…〉 proceeding from their humble 〈◊〉 â—â—ntrite hearts confessing their sins unto God This is the water that Iohn speaketh of and meaneth caused by the same Spirit and power from above which he had received And this was the thing performed by the people in Samuels dayes as he saith And they gathered together to Mizâ—eh and drew water and powred it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there we have sinned against the Lord 1 Sam. 7.6 And which the Prophet Ioel also required of the people of his time if they would escape the wrath of the great terrible day to come saying Therefore also now saith the Lord Turn ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning Rent your hearts and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God for hee is gracious c. Ioel 2.10 11 12 13. And so David exhorting the people upon good grounds saith O come let us worship and bow down let us kneele before the Lord our maker For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hands To day if ye will heare his voyce harden not your hearts as in the provocation c. Psal 95 6 7 8. For no man can heare the voyce of God thatt is beleeve the promise of entring into his rest that doth not first unharden his heart that is to say repent And so doth Christ himselfe set forth the baptisme of Iohn by mourning lamenting and weeping in reproof of those that despised the counsell of God concerning themselves and were not baptized by him saying We have mourned unto you and ye have not lamented for Iohn came c. Matth. 11.17 18. Luke 7.32 33. And so in the most places if not in all where Iohn is said to baptize with water is meant this kind of water as Matth. 3.11 Mark 1.8 Luke 3.26 31. Iohn 1.26 31. Acts 1.5 And where he testifying again of Christ and his baptisme saith And I knew him not But he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost c. Ioh. 1.33 For although Iohn did baptize or wash the body with the element of water yet was not that his baptisme of which he saith He that sent me to baptize with water said c. but onely a signe or similitude thereof as the little child which Christ set in the midst of his Disciples was of those returned ones whose the kingdome of heaven is and with whom God will dwell for ever as he hath said Mat. 5.3 Mat. 18.2 3 4. Mat 19 14. according to Esay 57.15 Esay 66.2 Iohn was no more sent to baptize with such water in comparison of that effected in the hearts of the people by his preaching than Paul was in comparison of his preaching the Gospel of peace who saith Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel though he had as good authority to doe it as any of the other Apostles had and did so baptize as there it appeareth 1 Cor. 1.14 16 17. When Christ in answer to those Priests that asked him by what authority he did those things which he did said I will also ask you one thing which if ye answer me then will I tell you by what authority I doe these things The baptisme of Iohn whence was it from heaven or of men Matth. 21.24 25. Christ doth not mean here by the baptisme of Iohn his baptizing with the water of the River that low thing which any man that was not a Prophet could have done but the same onely which he in the spirit and power of Elias preached and which was indeed from heaven and wrought so great effect in the hearts of the people that all men held Iohn to be a Prophet indeed And all this the Priests knew and yet would not say it was from heaven but left Christ should say why then didye not beleeve him and fearing the people answered they could not tell Neither doth Christ say Iohns Baptismes whence are they as if Iohn had two baptismes or moe but Johns baptisme whence
was it declaring plainly that John had but one baptisme in truth whereof that with water of the River was no part Neither was Johns baptisme of the Law or caused by it as some conceive and teach who therefore call it the Spirit of Bondage Nay but it is of the Gospel yea the beginning and first principle thereof and of the foundation as the Scriptures declare Mark 1.1 2 3 4. Heb. 6.1 And where Christ saith Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day and that repentance and remission of sinnes should be preached in his name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem Luke 24.46 And that it was alwayes to be preached and effected in the hearts of the people before remission of sinnes and so before the faith which purifieth the heart and baptisme of the holy Ghost it is very manifest by sundry other Scriptures as Acts 10.36 Acts 13.23 Acts 20.21 And when Paul meeting at Ephesus with certain Disciples asked them if they had received the holy Ghost since they beleeved and they answered they had not heard that there was a holy Ghost And he asked Whereunto then they were baptized and they answered unto Johns baptisme And that Paul hereupon said John verily baptized with the baptisme of repentance saying to the people that they should beleeve in him that should come after him that is in Christ Jesus And when they heard this the Text saith they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Acts 19.1 2 3 4 5. Where first by Johns baptisme of repenpentance is to be understood that effected by his preaching and by their being baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus the purifying of their hearts by faith in Christ through the operation of the holy Ghost upon the hearing of Paul explaining the words of John which are He shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire Matth. 3.11 it being as much as to say they should beleeve in him And then Paul approving them laid his hands on them and they received a further gift to speak with tongues and prophesied according as Christ had promâ—ied saying He that beleeveth in me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of the water of life John 7.38 39. And in this manner did Peter begin at first to preach saying repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gist of the holy Ghost Acts 2. As much as to say repent and beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ c. For remission cannot be attained by washing the body with the element of water but by faith onely So after Christ had appeared to Paul in his way to Damascus and hee having fasted three days and mourned no doubt for his sinnes when Ananias being come to him said Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sinnes calling on the name of the Lord Act 22.16 This must needs be understood by faith in Christ as in the former places for sinnes cannot be washt away by any water of fountains or Rivers howsoever used but by the blood of Jesus Christ onely through beleeving in him for he it is that washeth away our sins in his blood as the Apostle John winesseth saying Unto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his blood and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen And of all this both concerning the baptisme of Iohn and the baptisme of Christ had the Prophet Esay prophesied before as where he saith The voyce of him that cryeth in the Wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord c. Esay 40.3 And where hee saith Cast yee up cast yee up prepare the way take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people For thus faith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity whose Name is Holy I dwell in the High and Holy place with him also that is of an humble and contrite Spirit to revive the Spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Esay 57.14 15. So again where he prophesied of Christ saying The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me because he hath anoynted me to preach good tidings to the poore to binde up the broken hearted c. Esay 61.1 2 3. These excellent promises and speciall ministrations of good tidings to binde up to dwell with to revive to comfort c. are not made nor appointed so to be preached and performed unto all the world to every sinner in the same as some would have it Neither is Christ said throughout all the Scriptures to be anointed of God the Father to such a universall purpose and end but onely as it is here declared to the humble and meeke the poore the contrite hearted the mournfull repentant sinners so prepared by a speciciall power from above as before is exprest And so according to this did Christ the anointed of God preach to such people when he opened the book and read the same place unto them and said This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your eares Whereupon all bare him witnesse and wondred at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth Luk. 4.18 19 20 21 22. And as himselfe testified by the answer hee returned unto John by the two Disciples saying Goe and shew John those things which you doe heare and see that the blind recieve their sight the lame walk the lepers are cleansed the deafe heare the dead are raised up and the poore have the Gospel preached unto them or receive the Gospel for the words do intend and imply both Matth 11.2 3 4 5. Luke 7 19 20 21 22. For though it be true that in a generall consideration the Gospel was and is to bee preached to all the world to every man as Christ declareth in that parable Matth. 13 3 4 5. and by the words the spake at last to his Disciples Mark 16.15 Luke 24.46 47 48. and other places And that all men might alwayes and may now so heare it and bee enlightned to beleeve and know the things to bee excellent and true And further than this may partake of some gifts of the holy Ghost have a taste of the good Word of God and powers of the world to come have a foule Spirit cast out of him bee in kinde sanctified by the blood of Christ and yet notwithstanding all this fall away turn like the Dog to his vomit and like the Sow that is washed to wallow in the mire again the foule Spirit returning with seven worse than it selfe possesseth him and his end is worse than his beginning Although these things be true as plainly appeareth by sundry Scriptures they are as Hebr. 6.4 5 6 7 8. Hebr. 10.26 27 28. 2 Pet. 2.22 Matth. 12.43 44 45. Luke 11.24 and other places yet in
and hee lying bound to death by that his sinne and by the justice of the law of God which now he knew that stood up as a fiery two-edged sword turning every way against him convincing him more and more of sinne and of death hee being not able possibly to doe the works thereof that from the very first houre after the promise was made he and all in his loines were set out of that unrecoverable estate wherein they lay bound without any remedy and a way prescribed and set before them in and through the same promise whereby to live again so gracious and faire as could not be more That whosoever would but confesse his sinnes unto God and ask mercy like the similitude of the lost Sonne hee should have his sinnes forgiven and bee saved Such a generall Redemption as this was from that houre and so gracious and fair a way was set before all mankinde in generall no one excepted And what sonne in the world could or can desire more of his father against whom he had so rebelliously sinned yet no man by his own wil or power in nature would or could doe this and live again It is true that Adam and Abell and all the children of the promise did attain thereunto but not by their own wills or power And though oftentimes since the promise was made God renewed the same his covenant of mercy and called upon man saying Whosoever is athirst let him come and whosoever will let him come and take of the water of life freely Yet where is the man that of himselfe so thirsteth that of himselfe so willeth and cometh and taketh of the water of Life or was there ever such a man No doubtlesse not one But on the clean contrary such is the hardnesse and stoutnesse of mans heart since hee is become so wise by eating the forbidden fruit that rather then hee will stoop so low as to mourn and weep for his sinnes and confesse them unto God with teares from a truly sorrowfull broken heart and defire mercy and forgivenesse he will doe any thing else take up and submit to any forme of religion though never so strict and painfull entertain any opinion or doctrine that shall come to his eares in pretence of truth though never so erronious perform any outward work of the Law or of the Gospel so farre as Cain and Iudas went or as a Pharisee and hypocrite can goe some way to quiet his guilty conscience and to shun that straight way of the Lord it is so disagreeing to his lofty and prudent minde stubborn and hard heart so naturally given to pride and carnall pleasure as we may see by the experience of the many Sects of religious and sorts of opinions that are amongst us at this day as well as by the superstitions and idolatries that have been and are in the world that so his minde being quieted hee may pleasantly passe his time without repentance and without that faith of Christ which purifieth the heart the birth of water and of the Spirit So that if God should not by his speciall power from heaven like the husbandman that breakes up his fallow ground and then soweth his seed so turn the heart of man from his sinfull pleasures and fulfilling his owne will and doing his own works take away his hard and stony heart and give him a heart of flesh a soft and tender heart and write in the same by his Spirit his covenant of mercy and love as he did unto Adam his first lost sonne and Abell whose sacrifice therefore hee accepted Adam and all his posterity would have perished for ever But God foreseeing all things and having before the foundation of the world chosen of the fore-seen fallen lump of mankind a certain compleat number to save and glorifie did destinate them to be conformed to the image of his Sonne Jesus Christ his first borne and whom he so predestinated them he in his due times called giving them repentance and whom he so called them hee justified through faith and whom he justified them he glorified as it is written Rom. 8.28 29. And as God did thus call and justifie his chosen to Pauls time so hath hee done ever since and will doe to the end of the world that his number may be filled And they that are so predestinated and born of God shall certainly bee saved and none else as Christ hath absolutely affirmed Ioh. 3. What then Shall wee therefore say that God did predestinate the other to doe wickedly and so to perish Nay that followeth not neither did he so any more then he did decree the fall and sinne of Adam and so mans destruction for then God must bee the authour and cause thereof as he is of grace and salvation which may not once be thought Neither have we any more reason to charge God with unmercifulnesse in not saving all men by the new birth from above in and through Christ then we have for his not keeping Adam from falling and saving all that way It is true and it must be acknowledged that God could have done so and that he could also have kept those Angels which fell if it had been the good pleasure of his will as it was not shall wee therefore charge God with unmercifulnesse because he did not keep them and so have saved all both men and Angels Or shall wee make his not keeping them the cause of their fall sinne and destruction Who dares do so or have such a thought Nay Satan himselfe knoweth it to be otherwise and that their fall and destruction is of themselves and mans also of themselves thorough his eavie against them his malice and lies Neither did God ever harden the heart of any man that he should not repent and beleeve the Gospel and be saved or bind their wills or power therefrom by any decree or worke of his at any time nay let all men feare to think such a thing and know that it is his own hardnesse of heart and evilnesse of will that hinders him But this is true that God doth give some men up to their own hardnesse of heart such as having known God and tasted of his bountifulnesse and goodnesse which led them to repentance and reject the same as they whom the Apostle Paul speaketh of Rom. 1.19 20. to verse 32. And so is God said to harden the heart of Pharaoh in giving him up to hisown hardnesse of heart he having seen and known so much of the power and goodnesse of God and rejecting the same and still oppressing his people to fill up the measure of his wickednesse that God might declare his power as Paul saith Rom. 9. And according to this are the words of Christ to those Scribes and Pharisees of the Jewes the generation of them that killed the Prophets Matth. 23. Fill ye up the measure of your Fathers ye Serpents ye generation of Vipers c. Now what is there in any thing of