this generation by the Ministery oâ—… the Word and Noah and Enock in that Ministery Gods Spirit strives with wicked men they spake noâ—… in their owne words but iâ—… the 2 Pet. 2. holy men spakâ—… Gods Word as they doe the Lord doth put his hand to â—…he worke the meaning is I â—…ave sent Noah and Enock â—…hey spake not their owne â—…ords onely but yee have â—…ven against my good â—…pirit what it is to strive â—…e Lord will not strive alâ—…ayes the meaning is not 〈◊〉 judgement Eccles 6.10 â—…he Lord he deales with â—…oore sinners after their naâ—…re as a reasonable creaâ—…re he enters to reasons â—…nd goes to Law and makes â—…ite to draw them home to â—…im for this I take to be the â—…eaning his Ministers came â—…metimes to exhort someâ—…mes to comfort and someâ—…mes to reprove and so wee â—…e to Law with God aâ—…aine From whence observeâ—… foure points Doct. 1. The Spirit oâ—… God doth ever accompany the Word and the Ministeâ—… thereof Here he ascribâ—… it My spirit shall not alwayâ—… strive Doct. 2. That the Loâ—… strives with rebellious sinners for their good who as they strive against tâ—… power of the Spirit aâ—… their owne good Noâ—… strove to draw them homâ—… and they strove and wouâ—… not come Doct. 3. When men dâ—… abuse the Word long Gâ—… will cease to strive in the 〈◊〉 of the meanes he will striâ—… no more as he said here Aâ—… 〈◊〉 Lord said I will not alâ—…ayes c. Doct. 4. Though the â—…ord will strive no more â—…t he strives long hee gives â—…ng time of repentance as 〈◊〉 did to the old world an â—…dred and twenty yeares Doct. 5. That Gods Spiâ—… doth ever accompany the â—…ord and the Ministery â—…ereof by the Spirit of â—…od I meane the eternall â—…pirit the Holy Ghost doth â—…speciall manner accompaâ—… the Word know that â—…od is every where and â—…oweth all things but in a â—…eciall manner hee is with â—…is with the Word Come â—…ecomes with the Word â—…rbid he forbids Rom. 1. 〈◊〉 Gospel is the power of the Lord to the salvationâ—… man Quest But how doâ—… this appeare to be so Answ I answer it aâ—… peareth in two things 〈◊〉 God doth please to set tâ—… worke apart to save and saâ—…ctifie our soules which 〈◊〉 the learning in the woâ—… cannot doe Secondly the Lord by 〈◊〉 power of his Spirit doâ—… constantly and continuaâ—… accompany this worke asâ—… thinkes good to be a conâ—… tation to the wicked anâ—… consolation to the godâ—… 2 Cor. 2. the two last verâ—…to the one it is a favour death to the other it is a 〈◊〉 vour of life it either 〈◊〉 the soule or saves the soâ—… though it ever accompanies â—…e Word yet this worke 〈◊〉 the Spirit is a voluntary â—…orke Thirdly It doth alwayes company the Word but â—…oth not alwayes worke â—…or some after twenty or â—…irty yeares are converted 〈◊〉 that it doth not alwayes â—…orke Looke as the brazen â—…erpent was lift up in the Wildernesse that whoever â—…oked on it that was stung â—…ith the fiery Serpents â—…ould be healed there was healing vertue in it he set it part for that purpose for â—…at had no vertue of it selfe 〈◊〉 because God would â—…orke by it so that whosoeâ—…r looked on it might bee â—…aled so it is with the Word of God for they aâ—… no more able to conveâ—… then others but because Goâ—… hath promised to accompany them in dispensation of iâ—… Reas 1. First taken from tâ—… fruit and effect of his Woâ—… that it is able to doe 〈◊〉 things in the beginning 〈◊〉 is able to doe that whiâ—… Men and Angels cannot doâ—… Hebr. 4.12 The Word 〈◊〉 God is quicke and powerfâ—… and sharper then any two 〈◊〉 god sword piercing even to 〈◊〉 dividing asunder of the soâ—… and spirit and a discovery 〈◊〉 the thoughts of the heâ—… It is Gods faithfull workâ—… the reason why carnall 〈◊〉 fall out with the Ministerâ—… the Word and say you spâ—… against men I know yâ—… â—…eane me No no wee â—…now not your hearts but God doth and the Word of God knowes them Iohn 5. The dead shall heare the voyce â—…f the Sonne of God the meaâ—…ing is they that are dead 〈◊〉 sinnes for by nature every â—…an is dead in sinne It must â—…e more then all men can do 〈◊〉 our Saviour said to Lazaus when men stood weeâ—…ing by but Christ said Lazarus come out It must be Gods Word that must raise 〈◊〉 from the death of sinne 〈◊〉 the life of righteousâ—…esse Vse First of instruction 〈◊〉 take heed of taking up of â—…mes against the Spirit of God we see the haynous â—…nne of them that despise the Ministery of the Goâ—… pell men may thinke it nâ—…thing but alas you knoâ—… not what it is for the Woâ—… of God and the Spirit 〈◊〉 God goeth together as 〈◊〉 blessed Martyr Steven saâ—… in the 7 of the Actes Yâ—… stiffenecked and uncircumâ—… sed in heart and eares yâ—… have ever resisted the gâ—… Spirit of God as did your 〈◊〉 thers so do you therefore taâ—… heed You are neere to 〈◊〉 sin against the Holy Ghoâ—… for it is not the Word 〈◊〉 Man but the Word of Goâ—… it is the Spirit that thâ—… shouldest be saved by thâ—… thou hast opposed you gâ—… away with the contempt 〈◊〉 the Gospel and make thâ—… nothing thou hast sinnâ—… â—…gainst God and his Spirit â—…at accompanies the Word Counsel one another say do â—…ou know what you do It 〈◊〉 Gods Spirit must not that â—…mfort you must not that â—…ve you It is that that you â—…ppose take heed for this 〈◊〉 above Incestuous sinnes â—…ke 3.20.21 Herod was an â—…cestuous sinner but above â—…his fins he added this that â—…put Iohn in prison he was a â—…cestuous adulterer yet putâ—…g Iohn in prison was â—…ove all Matth. 11. It shall 〈◊〉 easier for Sodome and Goâ—…rah in the day of judgeâ—…ut then for you that oppose 〈◊〉 Word of the Lord. So â—…ch for the first point Doct. 2. The Lord strives â—…ith poore sinners for their good when as they striâ—… against the power of the Sâ—… rit and their owne gooâ—… God enters into Law with sinner Sin and Sathan saiâ—… the soul is theirs God entâ—… into Law and saith it is hâ—… and he made it every mâ—… by nature takes paine that 〈◊〉 might have no good frâ—… God he goes to Law to gâ—… to hell as it were Matth. 2â—… 37. Oh Ierusalem thou tâ—… killest the Prophets and stoâ—… them that were sent to thâ—… There is the thing marâ—… How often would I have gâ—… thered thy children togethâ—… as a Henne her Chickens 〈◊〉 yee would not Here is a cuâ—… tention the Lord wouâ—… have revealed his wiâ—… his Spirit would have 〈◊〉 â—…ed you home but you would â—…ot yee resisted his good Spirit yee take hold of wicâ—…ednesse as the Prophet â—…ere sayes and Iohn 5.4 You will not come to me that 〈◊〉 may be saved saith our â—…aviour to the Pharisees â—…any perish and shal
God canst thou say in good earnest and uprightnesse before the Lord is there any more truthes and more good will of thine of thy worship good Lord let me know it that I may love it and practice it Brethren is it so take then this in you and answer it is 〈◊〉 Lord. Brethren if there â—…e a sight of God in heaven â—…nd thou doest truely subâ—…it to the word it is a true â—…gne that if any under heaven hath the worke of grace â—…ought in him thou hast it â—…hn 8. If any man love the â—…th and obey the Commandeâ—…ents the truth will make him 〈◊〉 Dost thou then love and obey the truth it will make thee free it will make thee a freeman of heaven hold this truth Heaven and earth shall passe but that work of grace cannot passe This was the joy of the Apostle Iohn 5.4 I have no greater joy in the world then that my children walke in the truth in the light comfort and power of it If the Apostle Iohn could have no greateâ—… truth what great joy will it be to thy selfe no greateâ—… joy have I saith some maâ—… not that my sonne is ricâ—… but that he is upright Hoâ—… mayest thou joy then 〈◊〉 ever thou see the face 〈◊〉 God with comfort try 〈◊〉 thou beest upright if thâ—… lovest the truth the Saint can see no greater joy then this Oh goe your wayes you blessed Saints ye walke after the truth you that have this can have no more God himselfe loveth truth in the inward parts hee is a spirit and will be worshipped in spirit and truth Dost thou love the truth of Christ then it will say as well of thee as of Demetrius Iohn â—… 12 Demetrius hath a good report of the truth So I say doth the truth report well of thee Doe not feare what the world thy friends enemies or adversaries say of thee that will bring thee comfort when all false witnesses shall lye aside but all you wicked of the world you are they that bend your selves against the Saints of God It is true the poore Saints of God as poore as they be they shall lift up their heads when you shall hang downe and turne aside because they have the truth for them when you shall see the poore dispised Saints of God poore Goodman such a one c. You that have made no care of Gods Commandements when yee shall see them ye shall wonder to see them lift up thither when the Divell shall say Lord how comes such a man to such a place he was a finner I Lord saith the poore soule I know I have many weaknesses Lord thou knowest that many a sad spirit I have carried about yet never a truth was made knowne but I entertained it never a sinne was made knowne but I entertained it never a sinne was made known but I loathed it then comes the blessed Truth I beare witnesse Lord he loved me and entertained mee though with many groanes and teares and persecutions hee would have me saith the truth hee is a blessed Saint of God You that are willing to receive every truth oh get you to heaven then you will be past the worst the Devill himselfe confesses and the damned spirits He is a holy and sincere hearted man Why Brethren who would not labour for the truth I say God and Christ 〈…〉 good spirit shall 〈…〉 such a soule God 〈…〉 of truth Jesus Châ—… 〈…〉 Word of truth 〈…〉 Ghost is a spirit of 〈…〉 they will embrace 〈…〉 God and Christ 〈…〉 Spirit all bids you 〈…〉 so you shall have 〈…〉 pinesse the Lordâ—… 〈…〉 you to it and you 〈…〉 it hereafter FINIS A GODLY AND PROFITABLE SERMON Of Gods Eternitie and Mans Humanitie OR The striving of the Lord with Sinners By T. H. LONDON Printed by M.P. for Iohn Stafford dwelling in Black-Horse-Alley neere Fleetstreet 1639. THE STRIVING of the LORD with SINNERS GEN. 6.3 My Spirit shall not alâ—…ayes strive with man for that 〈◊〉 also is flesh yet his dayes â—…all be an hundred and twenty yeares THe scope of this Chapter discovers it selfe in two parts first the divers conditions of them before the Floud Secondly the carriage of God towards thâ—… in the second part of 〈◊〉 Chapter First the carriâ—… of the people is double 〈◊〉 their wicked and sinfull liâ—… from the first verse to 〈◊〉 end of the seventh Secondly the holy dâ—… meanor of Noah in the 8 aâ—… 9 verses But Noah fouâ—… grace in the eyes of the Loâ—… Noah was a just man and pâ—…fect in his generation and wâ—… ked with God Noah in thâ—… wicked time in that wickâ—… place and among those wiâ—… ked people was a holy maâ—… saith the Text. Secondly we have the â—…vers dealing of God wiâ—… them First he threatens desâ—…lation to the wicked secondly he promises to preserve Noah and for the â—…guise of the wicked First consider the haiâ—…ousnesse of their sinnes that they broke all the Lawes of God and lust was their Law in the first â—…nd second verses the Text sayes When men began to multiply on the face of the â—…rth and daughters was borne unto them that the sonnes of God saw the danghters of men that they were faire and â—…ookt for wives of all that they â—…hose The sonnes of God the â—…eaning of that is they that professed the truth Secondâ—…y they saw the daughters of men they saw Caine and they that were of God did what they list and chosâ—… crosse way and so caâ—… strange generations as 〈◊〉 ants they were growne 〈◊〉 the height of sinne Secondly in the 3 6 aâ—… 7 verses is the sentence 〈◊〉 God against them hee sâ—… they come to this and thâ—… sets downe a sentence 〈◊〉 doombe as it were he sayâ—… My Spirit shall not alwayâ—… strive with man in that 〈◊〉 is but flesh yet his dayes shâ—… be an hundred and tweâ—… yeares The Lord wâ—… strive no longer with theâ—… from whence by the wâ—… we may note Object That when theâ—… is a mingling of diuers maâ—…riages it makes way to 〈◊〉 struction prooved in Solâ—… mon when hee tooke him â—…ange wives then his â—…owne was taken from 〈◊〉 so this old World â—…en they gave themselves â—…strange marriages First In the sentence there 〈◊〉 two things first the â—…rds resolution second 〈◊〉 the reason of Gods deterâ—…nation First the resolution and â—…t is first generally hee â—…th strove but will strive no â—…re Secondly particularly he â—…l not strive and will strive 〈◊〉 hundred and twenty â—…res here is the resolutiâ—… of God though he strive 〈◊〉 hee will not strive alâ—…yes Secondly the reason of Gods determination hee is also flesh In the Text two things are to be observed First what is meant by spirit secondly what it is to strive first Gods Spirit we may understand to be the holy Ghost the third person in Trinity hee is said to strive not miraculously but mediately by his meanes the Word of God Ministers he is said to strive with
truth goes further Shall I once name an Idoll â—…n my mouth much lesse set up an Idoll in Gods service Is not this much more but stay you there saith the carnall heart as it is with an old man that lyeth upon his â—…icke-bed when his eyes â—…re failing him hee cannot â—…oke on the Sunne when it â—…hines in his face and thereâ—…ore he desires them to draw â—…he curtaine for sayes he the â—…unne shines too full in my â—…ace give me a little light â—…old you there a weake â—…ght and a weake light so when the Word comes to â—…ne that would not part with sinne if it come to shine fuâ—… in his face and to pull dowâ—… his proud heart and to deprive him of libertie Oâ—… saith he Draw the Curtain for the Sunne shines too fâ—… in my face but so much 〈◊〉 serves the turne Christ aâ—… libertie Christ and tâ—… world oh hold you theâ—… saith he Deut. 12.31 Ye shâ—… not worship God as Hâ—… thens doe but as Christian Oh draw the Curtaine â—… and if thy neighbour off thee more for a commode then it is worth thou shoâ—… dest not take it Oh dâ—… the Curtaineâ—… the Suâ—… shines too full in my faâ—… saith he You must not 〈◊〉 off your Ware with lyâ—… Oh draw the Curtaine 〈◊〉 and so of drunkennesse c. â—…riefely I conceive you doe 〈◊〉 some measure know how â—…at they hinder the worke â—…f the light of the truth saith â—…remy I hearkned heard 〈◊〉 any laid their hands on â—…eir thigh and said What â—…ve I done Oh brethren â—…e truth of God comes to â—…ur doores and hearkens â—…hether any of you lay your â—…nd on your thigh and say What have I done Secondly whereby they under and hold down truth 〈◊〉 carnall heart labours to â—…pose this the powerfull â—…ication of this and that it â—…th thus A carnall heart â—…ses up an evill report on â—…e good truth of God that â—…night appear ugly to them that should lay hold of iâ—… The Spies when they weâ—… into Canaan they did not fâ—… much consider the plenty 〈◊〉 the land to perswade thâ—… people to come but raiseâ—… up lies there is strong holdâ—… and Iron Chariots anâ—… mighty men to dampe theâ—… hearts so it is with a carnâ—… heart the Saints reprove aâ—… Ministers preach every oâ—… comes to reprove him aâ—… yet he is not perswaded â—… Iohn 6.6 There was maâ—… that followed Christ 〈◊〉 loaves but when Chrâ—… pitched upon matter of 〈◊〉 actnesse say they it is a 〈◊〉 saying Carnall hearts wâ—… Christ is commended 〈◊〉 pleasantnesse nothing 〈◊〉 beauty full of comfort 〈◊〉 happy are they that can get him Grace here and glory â—…ereafter Oh say they it is a â—…ard saying they present him onely crucified contemned and mocked thus they â—…bour onely to hinder it Take notice and see the grounds why they profit so little it is because the worke of the Word is hindered by the businesse of our hearts we deale ill with the blessed truth of God it is with the Truth as with a Trade some â—…re borne to great estates â—…nd they are able to follow 〈◊〉 yet their estate it may bee decayes what is the reason they have been wonderfully hindered by many oppressions and cruell dealings at some Vsurers hand just so it is with the truth of God you have had good meaneâ—… Oh you have oppressed thâ—… Word of God and would not open if any would opeâ—… he would come in but yâ—… have quenched the motion of Gods Spirit Object Is it in our power to make the Word effectâ—… all Answ No but it is 〈◊〉 your power to doe what yâ—… are able to doe your legâ—… may as well carry you to tâ—… Word as to an Alcho use your eares may heare tâ—… Word as well as songs yâ—… may reade good Bookes 〈◊〉 well as Play Bookes Dâ—… you what you are able to dâ—… and cry to God and see whâ—… he will doe though you aâ—… not able to save your selves yet your corruptions are able to hinder the Word and this is the reason why the Word prevailes not with you the Lord may give what he will and deny what he will but destruction is from thy selfe thou hast free will to sinne learne from hence to see the reason and cause where the fault lies Luke 7.29 The Publicanes justified God being baptised with the baptisme of Iohn But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the Counsell of God against themselves the way of life was chalked out before them but the Scribes and Pharisees rejected the good counsell of God thou seest many are called Oh blame thy selfe Where am I all this while the Word would enlighten but I have contemned it the Word would quicken but I have neglected it I was almost converted but oâ—… wretch that I was company came and I choked it and would not walke in the way of God and the Lord hath often come to me by the Spirit and I have quenched the good motions of the same Brethren it is true Oh blame your selves goe home and say why may not my heart be made cleane the Lord wrought on such a one and why not on me Thirdly A carnall heart doth oppose the good Word of God by resisting the work of conviction if a man be so that he cannot but say that he is in a good way he cannot gain say the power of the truth if it be so with him then he labours with all carnall cavils as much as in him lies to defeat the truth of God Oh that convicting Oh that powerfull Word the Word of the Lord commeth like a sword the Lord seemes to aime at a sinner that he saith it is my sinne that is now discovered Brethren all the shift they â—…ave is to put by the power of the truth As a man that is beset by an enemy labours to keepe off the blow lest he should be slaine so a carnall man laboureth to stop the evidence of the Word that it might not prevaile against his soule though it seeth the truth it is not satisfied therewith Numb 22. As when Balack fent to Baalam to curse the people thinking him to be a Witch therefore whom he blessed was blessed and whom hee cursed was cursed God saith to Balaam thou shalt not goe with them yet when they returned this answer to Balack and that Balack sent more honourable men theâ—… they and tels him hee wiâ—… promote him Marke the poore sinfull covetous wretch the sinfull man saith stay all night and I will seâ—… what the Lord will say heâ—… would faine have the Loâ—… change his minde Why dâ—… he bid him stay The Loâ—… saith in the Text going before Thou shalt not goe with them I but his affections were lingring after the hous-full of gold therefore hee would have God change his minde So there is many a carnall heart followeth the wages of Baalam as Saint Iude speaketh hearing the Word certainly saith hee this truth I will follow but when
perish â—…e reason is yee will not â—…ome to Christ for life The â—…icked say Psal 2. Let us â—…eake their bonds asunder â—…d cast their cords from us Gods commands are cords â—…nd bonds to draw them â—…t you breake over hedge â—…d ditch and will walke 〈◊〉 your owne wayes â—…cts 18. the 5 6 verses Paul â—…ccompanied Silas and Tiâ—…theus disputed with the â—…es hee professed Iesus was the very Christ thâ—… Text saith they opposâ—… the words of Paul though 〈◊〉 was for their good this 〈◊〉 the testimony of him thâ—… whosoever will come 〈◊〉 Christ may come but the came in defiance and bâ—…taâ—… array against Christ and tâ—… power of the Gospell Thâ—… you see God strives wiâ—… poore sinners for their gooâ—… and they strive against 〈◊〉 power of the Spirit aâ—… their owne good To opâ—… the point First how God strives wâ—… poore sinners for their goâ—… and goes to Law and pleaâ—… and bestowes paines thatâ—… might doe them good 〈◊〉 reason why hee doâ—… so Quest First how doth God â—…rive with poore sinners â—…nd pleads for their good Answ This pleading of God discovers it selfe in two â—…eads First by manner â—…f perswasion Secondly 〈◊〉 way of constraint First by manner of perâ—…asion to perswade them â—…om sinne Secondly by way of conâ—…aint to compell them to â—…me in And first he strives 〈◊〉 way of perswasion wherâ—… he discovers the matter 〈◊〉 then he brings an exeâ—…tion In this perswasion God â—…th foure things namely First Hee makes knowne 〈◊〉 sinne is and that by summoning them to thâ—… Court as men that goâ—… Law they summon one aâ—… other to be at such a Court so God summons theâ—… when they are ignorant 〈◊〉 that which should doe theâ—… good and know not in whâ—… an estate they are in then 〈◊〉 brings them to the Worâ—… and discovers it as in Esâ—… I was found of them saith 〈◊〉 Lord that sought me not bâ—… if a soule grow still carcleâ—… the Lord will not leave 〈◊〉 sinner but makes him to câ—…sider what sinne is and knâ—… it Ezek. 16.2 verse Son of man cause the children 〈◊〉 Israel to know their abomiâ—…tions Goe home to thâ—… dores tell them home yâ—… know you should heare 〈◊〉 Word constantly and pray constantly and know what you should doe and this makes wicked covetous men at their deaths as it were at their wits end Wee know a man that goes to Law layes an Action against the other and then serves a Subpaena on him so the Lord layes an Action against the sinner and serves a Subpaena on him thou art the man and thou shalt perish when hee doth this then hee pleades the Cause as a man that wrestles hee first catches â—…hold and then comes in to him that haply hee might throw him so God catches â—…hold when hee meanes to wrestle with a sinner that â—…his eyes are ever on his sinne and sayes I am the man Secondly When a sinner is thus summoned and sees the Cause goes against him then hee labours and invents how to answer for himselfe the sinner is grown to a stand as in the Court soâ—… brought when hee sees the case to goe against him because he knowes not what to doe he goes to the Lawyers though his case be not good he will spend so much and so much consider how it is when the conscience is enlightned and sayes I am the man then what course doe they take they invent all carnall pleasures to pull backe the Word looke what Pharaoh did when God sent Moses to trouble him hee sent for the wise Magicians ' to know whether it were God or no so he contemâ—…ed Moses and the miracle so it is when God enlightens the mind what doe carnall men then they send for the Magicians pleasures to beat the Word backe Quest I say they I am a sinner and every one is a sinner and did not Christ die to save sinners Answ The truth is Christ came to save sinners and not to save them onely but to sanctifie them True sayes the sinner I wil amend I am not so precise as others these are the wranglings of carnall reasons God comes nearer he sayes you must purifie your selves as he is pure Iohn 1.3 It is not â—…nough to be a meâ—…ro civiâ—… man but yee most purisâ—… your selves as he is pure 〈◊〉 you will see God to youâ—… comfort though Sathan taâ—… a Lawyers place and carnaâ—… reason an Atturnies anâ—… what ever Sathan and carnaâ—… Reason can doe they wiâ—… doe on every season at laâ—… God sends the Comfortâ—… from heaven to comfoâ—… them Iohn 16.8 And wheâ—… he is come hee will convinâ—… the world of righteousnesse of judgement and of sinneâ—… when Gods Spirit comes bâ—… the Word it sets apart aâ—… carnall reason that there 〈◊〉 no more shifting you thinkâ—… you may contend againâ—… your Brethren and goe 〈◊〉 heaven but this cannot be for the good spirit sets all â—…arnall reasons apart it makes him to say if I forsake not every sinne I forsake â—…one for he that forsakes not every sin he forsake none Doth any man thinke to bee 〈◊〉 Christian and a swearer a Christian and a drunkard why a heathen can doe this well such will deceive themselves that can say well I â—…ope God is more mercifull â—…hen the Ministers and proud Professors No no know â—…hat if the Spirit come it sets 〈◊〉 part all carnall reasons God layes the Action be â—…ore the sinner is now cast â—…e sees there is but one way â—…ive in sinne and go to hell thus when a soule can yeeld to Gods Word that he mâ—… not be cast downe In tâ—… third place marke Thirdly God tels hiâ—… that howsoever hee 〈◊〉 cast yet he will be mercifâ—… abundantly to him 〈◊〉 shewes him his estate yâ—… saith he thou art in the laâ—… of the living thou art yet uâ—…der the meanes as a partâ—… cast in the Court in a sumâ—… of all that hee hath the â—…ther gives him time to pay iâ—… there is some comfort yet 〈◊〉 may be he may get somthing in that time by the helpâ—… of his friends Rom. 2.4 Thâ—… Apostle saith Despisest thâ—… the goodnes of God that shoulâ—… lead thee to repentance as 〈◊〉 he had said Consider thâ—… goodnesse of the Lord anâ—… â—…y Lord I am not yet in â—…ll and doe I live to anâ—…her Sermon thou wert â—…ercifull to Manasses and â—…others thou mayest bee â—…ercifull to me Lord why â—…re is great comfort but â—…hen a soule sees Gods â—…odnesse in health and â—…ealth and injoyes yet â—…eanes and helpes and now â—…owes carelesse as to morâ—…w I will repent it is too â—…one yet I will take my â—…leasure now and repent â—…hen I am old now Gods â—…oodnesse comes to be weaâ—…ed that he saith I will strive 〈◊〉 more Fourthly When Gods â—…oodnesse is wearied then â—…e patience of the Lord â—…eppes in and pleades for a sinner and holds the haâ—… of Justice Luke 9. As 〈◊〉 Figge-tree that beares 〈◊〉 fruit saith