best endeavours that your preaching be not turned into dumbnes your hearing into deafnesse your beliefe into infidelity Since you haue confessed your sinnes be ye not vnwilling to forsake them also For to confesse your sins with your lips and say with Pharaoh Saule Iudas We haue sinned will nothing profit you vnlesse your hearts also be ready to say with Shadrach Meshach and Abednego Dan. 3.18 We will not sinne For it is most true which SolomoÌ„ hath Prov. 28.13 He that hideth his sinnes shall not prosper it followeth but he that confesseth forsaketh them shall haue mercy Not he that confesseth only but he that confesseth and forsaketh his sinnes shall haue mercy And last of all since you haue beene sanctified with the blood of the Testament beware O beware that you account not that blood an vnholy thing for so doing you tread vnder foote the Sonne of God and despite the Spirit of grace It is without controversie better for vs 2. Pet. 2 21. never to knowe the way of righteousnesse then after we know it to turne from it THE SEAVENTH SERMON HEBR. 10. VER 29. 29 Of how much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be worthy whâ—â—h â—reâ—deth vnder foot the Sonne of God and couÌ„teth tâ—e â—â—â—od of the Testament as an vnholy thing wherewith he was sanctified and doth despite the Spirit of grace IN my former Sermon the despiser of Christ and his Gospell was out of this 29 verse discovered by certaine markes First to bee somewhat like vs that loue Christ Secondly to be much vnlike vs. He is somwhat like to vs that loue Christ for hee is sanctified with the blood of the Testament Againe he is much vnlike to vs that loue Christ for 1. He treadeth trampleth vnder foote the Sonne of God 2. Hee accounteth the blood of the Testament a vulgar a coÌ„mon an vnholy a prophane thing 3. He despites the spirit of grace The consideration of such his markes may occasion vs to touch two questions 1 Because the reprobate not all of them but such only as are deepest in Gods displeasure such as doe sinne against the holy Ghost are in this place said to bee sanctified with the blood of the Testament it may be asked How farre forth a man may be so sanctified how farre a man may goe in the profession of the Gospell and yet be a reprobate 2 Because they that haue giuen their names to the strumpet of Babylon do vpon this place build their doctrine for the finall relapse of the Saints of God I shall not erre from the meaning of my text if I answere this second demande whether a Sonne of God sanctified with the blood of the covenant may fall away Of these at this time The first marke wherewith men swallowed vp of so monstrous a sinne are here noted is common to them together with the elect and chosen of God They may bee sanctified with the blood of the covenant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some read it per sanguinem foederis in the Vulgar and Erasmus it is per sanguinem Testamenti Wee may not disallow of either of these readâ—ngs For though the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doe properly signifie a testament and is often so vsed Heb. 9. yet also it fitly answereth to the Hebrew woâ—d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and signifieth pactionem viventiuÌ„ conventionem inter â—iâ—entes an agreement or covenant betweene the living In which sense it is vsed by the expositors of the Old Testament in many places I cite only one 1. Sam. 11.1 When Nahash the Ammonite had besieged Iabesh Gilead the men of the citie said vnto him as the Seaventie doe expound it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make a covenant with vs and wee will be thy servants These two significations of this word doe very fitly agree with the respects of that covenant which God hath made with his people For it respecteth God it respecteth man God was displeased because man had sinned Hence was it necessary that an agreement should be made God was to be appeased man was to make satisfaction God required and that worthily the paine of death for satisfaction of which durst man haue adventured to make payment needs must he haue been swallowed vp thereof Nothing then remained for the making of this agreemeÌ„t betweene God vs but that the Sonne of God very God very man should interpose himselfe Which already is performed For he being in the forme of God Phil 2 6. and thinking it no robbery to be be equall with God hath made himselfe of no reputation hath taken on himselfe the forme of a servant was made of the seed of David according to the flesh and being thus humbled hee hath vndertaken to satisfie his angry Father for vs and in fulnesse of time became obedient to the death to that death of the Crosse and so hath wrought our reconcilement And now hee sitting at the right hand of his Father in the highest heauens holdeth for vs in possession an eternall inheritance and because the right of this inheritance is purchased by him for no lesse price then the shedding of his most pretious blood hence it commeth to passe that the agreement reconciliation and atonement the covenant made betweene God and vs that he will be our God and we shall be his people may beare the shew haue the name of a Testament For he that made it was dead though now he liueth and liueth for evermore It was not the blood of buls nor of calues nor of goats nor the ashes of a heyfer that could make vs acceptable to the Lord but the blood of Christ who through the eternall Spirit offered himselfe without spot to God that is it that purgeth our consciences from dead workes to serue the liuing God And for this cause is Christ the mediator of the new Testament 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 9.15 in which chapter this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is often vsed in the same signification for this cause I say is Christ the mediator of the new Testament that through death which was for the redemption of the transgressions in the former Testament they which were called might receaue the promise of eternall inheritance In regard of Christ theÌ„ whose death hath made the covenant betweene God and vs to bee of force this covenant may very fitly be called a Testament and this respect of him that dyed for vs warranteth both those expositions that for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we may read either Covenant or Testament 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The blood of Christ which in the conceite of the Nestorians differeth nothing from the blood of any other creature and is in the iudgement of such as sin willingly after that they haue received the knowledge of the truth but common blood as it were the blood of any other man this blood of Christ is here called the blood of the CovenaÌ„t or the blood of the
beene once lightened that they haue tasted of the heavenlie gift that they haue beene made partakers of the holy Ghost that they haue received the knowledge of the truth that they heare the word and receiue it and receiue it forthwith and receiue it forthwith with ioy examine we our selues by those notes whether we are sowen in the Lords field haue taken roote haue growen to perfection yea or no. For if our righteousnesse exceede not theirs their lot shall be as good as ours if we be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 time-seruers as wel as they their backeslidings shal haue as easie a iudgement as ours if we apply our religion and conscience to the present condition of things the change of this present condition must worke in vs new religious new consciences And therefore would I counsell you as Philadelphia is counselled to hold that which you haue that no man take your crownes Revel 3.11 and as Sardi is counselled to strengthē confirme the things that remaine in you that your workes might be fulfilled before the Lord Revel 3.2 You are now in a race and must runne not only to pace the ground or to make vp the number of runners or to weary your bodies or to spend your breathes but you must runne to obtaine also such is the Apostles coūsell So run that yee may obtaine 1. Cor. 9.24 There is no time of standing in this life we must still forwardes Some came into the vineyard at morning some at noone but none received any reward but they which staide vntill night Mat. 20.8 Iacob prevailed not with God at his first wrastling but when he had wrastled with him all night Gen. 32.26 It is not our praying for an howre can do vs good for we must pray cōtinually 1. Thess 5.17 k See my third sermon on Luk 9 pag. 56. Having a long time beene fed l Lam. 4.5 delicately and brought vp in scarlet shall we now perish in the streets shall we now imbrace the doung Having a long time had our heads of gold shall we now to become like Nabuchadnezzars Image put on m Dan. 2.33 feet of clay Having long since begun in the spirit shall we now end in the n Gal 3.3 flesh So shall our last estate be worse then our first so shal we all this while haue runned in vaine For he runnes in vaine whosoever he be that runnes run he never so swiftly that sits him downe or stands still before he comes to the goale There is no time of standing or sitting still in this life we must still forwards He that is righteous let him be righteous still he that is holy let him be holy still Since we haue bin once lightned since we haue bin tasters of the heavenly gift since we haue bin partakers of the holy Ghost since we haue beene receivers of the knowledge of the truth such be we still thinke we that every blessing of God bestowed vpō vs is a further calling and provocation of God as were his callings vpon Elias 1. King 19.4 5. When God found Elias a daies o 1. Kin. 19.4 iourney in the wildernes sitting vnder a Iuniper tree sleeping he called vpon him saying p Vers 5. vp and eate and when he had found him a q Vers 7. second time so sitting and sleeping a second time also he called vpon him said vp and eate thou hast a great iourny to goe and whē he had travailed r Vers 8. forty daies and was lodged in a ſ Vers 9. caue he called vpō him againe and said what doest thou here Elias at last he was brought forth to the t Vers 11. mount then also there came a u Vers 12. voice vnto him and said x Vers 13. What doest thou here Elias y Vers 15. Goe returne by the wildernes vnto Damascus and do so and so Here is instruction for vs whether we bee entred into our way or haue proceeded in it whether we be babes in Christ or strong men whether carnall or spirituall we must vp and eate and strengthen our selues first with milke and then with stronger meate we must vp eate we haue still a great iourny to goe we must walke from light to light from grace to grace from vertue to vertue from knowledge to knowledge we must thinke that alwaies we heare a voice calling vs forward vp thou haste a great iourney to go what dost thou here Elias Excellent is that commendation given to the Church of Thyatira Revel 2.19 I know thy workes and thy loue thy service and faith and patience and that thy last workes are more then thy first Here was no backesliding but great encrease Shee was a true branch in that vine which bare fruit Iohn 15.2 Shee was purged that shee might bring forth more fruit shee grew vp dayly in Christ and became better and better fuller of faith fuller of loue fuller of all good workes and as a new borne babe shee coveted the sincere milke of the word that shee might grow thereby her last workes were more then her first And the conclusion of the Epistle written to this Church of al the other Epistles written to the other sixe Churches is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not he that draweth his sword nor he that fighteth the battles of the Lord nor he that spendeth his blood much lesse he that fainteth that flyeth that sleepeth that standeth or sitteth still but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that overcommeth shall z Revel 2.7 eate of the tree of life and of the a Vets 17. hidden Manna shall receaue a white stone shall be clothed in b Rev. 3.5 white aray shall be made a c Vers 12. pillar in Gods Temple and sit with God himselfe in his d Vers 21. throne The summe of all this is e See my third Serm. on Luke 9. p. 57. not every one but he onely that endureth to the end shall be saved Mat. 10.22 Not every one but he only which is faithfull vnto the death shall receaue the Crowne of life Revel 2.10 Not every one but such only as are marked in their forbeads with the letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the note of perfection and perseverance shall enter the inheritance of the blessed Ezech. 9.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that overcommeth f Rev. 2.11 shall never be hurt of the second death Let the dogge returne to his vomit and the sow to her wallowing in the mire but let vs like Abraham hold on our sacrifices till the evening the last evening of our liues and a full measure shall be measured vnto vs. If we are lightned endeavour we to encrease this light in vs if we haue a tast of the heavenly gift cease we not to tast it still if we are made partakers of the holy Ghost rest we not but walk we from grace to grace if we haue receaued the
here alleage many other places and some examples out of the holy Scriptures to shew you yet farther that the child of God notwithstanding his many falls may find pardon and that he which is once in the state of grace shall be in the same for ever That which I haue already delivered I hope hath sufficiently cleered this point and overthrowne the doctrine of the Catharists All which I haue delivered for your comforts which haue already sinned not for your encouragements who meane to sinne hereafter For howsoever Grace aboundeth aboue sinne yet cursed shall yee be and that with an everlasting curse if yee sinne that grace and blessing may abound vnto you You may read for this purpose the beginning of the sixt chap. to the Romans there shall you finde an impossibilitie for you that are dead to sinne yet to liue therein knowe yee not that all ye which haue beene baptised into Iesus Christ haue been baptised into his death Why then yee are buried by baptisme into his death that as he was raised from the dead so yee also should walke in newnesse of life You are forbidden to doe evill where you are assured that good may come thereof Rom. 3.8 much lesse may you make the mercies of God a defence for your sins I grant it is true that there is no condemnation to the righteous though he fall seaven times a day but if a man sinne presuming vpon Gods mercies that he shal haue time hereafter for repentance from his former dead workes I must needs say his damnation may be warrantable to be very iust Thou foole how knowest thou Luke 12.20 that this night they will not fetch away thy soule froÌ„ thee I come to my second note to shew you that the sinne against the holy Ghost is not at any time nor can ever be forgiven If I should stand to refute the reasons brought against this doctrine by them who haue given their names to great Babylon that mother of whordomes and abominations I should passe the time limited vnto mee and therfore since one contrarie as in the scholes we learne may be the better knowne by the other let it suffice that at this time I set downe a positiue doctrine without any refutation of the contrary There is a woman cloathed with the Sunne the moone is vnder her feete and on her head is a crowne of twelue stars al shee hath shee hath from Christ all her beauty is spirituall and heavenly all her milke is sweete and comfortable This comely one deciphered vnto you by St Iohns vision Revel 12.1 hath never fainted and taught vs also never to faint in maintaining this doctrine The sinne against the Holy Ghost is not at any time nor can ever be forgiven Shee beleeveth that this sinne not only easily shall not bee forgiven but not at all Her spowse saith neither in this world nor in the world to come Mat. 12.32 St Iohn tels her that there is a sinne vnto death which shee may not pray for 1. Ioh. 5.16 Our Apostle assureth her that such sinners cannot possibly bee renewed by repentance Heb. 6.6 and my text hath there remaineth no more sacrifice for such sin It is a necessary consequeÌ„ce This sinne is not pardonable either in this world or in the world to come we may not pray for it we cannot repent for it there remaineth no sacrifice for it therefore we may truely say as the Church hath truely taught The sinne against the Holy Ghost is not at any time nor can ever be forgiven The latter of all these reasons best fitteth the point we haue in hand No sacrifice can be offered for the sinne against the Holy Ghost therefore that sinne can never be forgiven For the declaratioÌ„ of the force of this reason we may note touching the sacrifices by which the Church of Christ doth liue for the Iewish sacrifices I omit in regard that Christ our redeemer is the very substance of them all touching the sacrifices I say by which Christs Church doth liue we may note that every such sacrifice is either 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either a propitiatorie sacrifice a sacrifice for sinne a sinne offering or else a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving a peace offering The former of these two maketh most for our present occasion That therefore is either cruentum or incruentum a bloodie sacrifice or a sacrifice without blood The bloody sacrifice is that which Christ our faithfull Saviour did once offer vp for vs vpon the Altar oâ— the Crosse of which sacrifice the necessity the efficacie the vnity the perpetuity are at large laid open to our view by our Apostle in this Epistle to the Hebrewes That other sacrifice without blood not simply propitiatory yet a sinne offering too and in some sort enabled through the propitiation of Christ to procure pardon for our sinnes is the sacrifice of repentance from dead workes proceeding froÌ„ a liuely saith in Christ causing vs to make our most humble suite for pardon even for Christ Iesus sake Here are only two kinds of sinne offerings the one propitiatory able to clense vs from al our sinnes even Christ himselfe once offered vp for the sins of the whole world the other not propitiatory yet effectuall to vs through him that is the propitiation for our sinnes even our repentance from dead workes wherein through a liuely faith we giue vp our selues Rom. 12 1. our soules and our bodies a living a holy an acceptable sacrifice vnto God And these two are so linked the one to the other as that they cannot by any meanes be severed For if Christ hath died for vs then assuredly hee will bee at all times ready to offer vp our broken and contrite hearts our humiliation our repentance from dead workes our prayers praise and thanksgiving yea and all our sacrifices vpon the golden Altar which is before the throne But they for whom Christ hath not died as he hath not died for all can by no sacrifice make an atonement betweene God and themselues and such are all they that haue sinned against the Holy Ghost yea such are all the reprobate For all which TOPHET is prepared of old it is prepared for the noble as well as for the baser sort not one of all such shall bee exempted it is made for them deepe and large the burning thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the LORD like a river of brâ—mstone doth kindle it so saith the Prophet Esai 30.33 And touching them who haue sinned against the holy Ghost departing from their former light and casting behinde them their first vnderstanding I adde yet farther since they are fallen away from repentance impossible shall it bee for them hereafter to repent since they are fallen away from faith towards God never may they hope to beleeue againe since they are fallen away from the doctrine of the baptisme and laying on of hands they are not likely
high hand Num. 15.30 not only presumptuously and in secret but openly but perversly but contemptuously but maliciously they sinne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is in the beginning of my text verse 26. purposely wilfully only because they will sinne neither fearing nor regarding God nor man These meÌ„ thus sinning sinning as I haue shewed against their consciences in the highest degree and sinning in contempt of God may iustly be said to tread vnder foote the Sonne of God And this if you remember was the doctrine put by Zanchius resolving the question made by Primasius Primasius asketh How we may be said to tread vnder foote him who being ascended farre aboue al Heavens now sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Zanchius thus teacheth Peccare contra coÌ„scientiam seu peccare ex contemptu Dei hoc est conculcare pedibus filium Dei To sin against one's conscience or to sinne in contempt of God this is to treade vnder foote the Son of God Hitherto of this first mark by which men wallowing in that foule sin the sinne against the Holy Ghost may be made knowne to the worlde The seconde followeth in these wordes And accounteth the blood of the Testament as an vnholy thing wherewith he was sanctified WEE haue heretofore heard that the blood of the Testament is here put for the blood of Christ because as Theophylact and Aquinas haue both noted the New Testament was confirmed by the blood of Christ and wee haue further heard how farre a reprobate may be said to be sanctified with this blood of the Testament namely not truely nor before God but in the face of the Church and before men as it were sacrameÌ„tally How men thus sanctified doe account of that blood wee may now see by the word which the Holy Ghost here vseth they count the blood of CHRIST the blood of the Testament wherwith they were sanctified to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Vulgar reads it pollutum a defiled thing an vncleane thing The expositors following that translation doe giue diverse constructions of this place One is that then wee account the blood of CHRIST polluted and vncleane when we are vnworthy receavers of his blood Another is that then we account the blood of CHRIST polluted and vncleane when being washed in baptisme through the power of his blood we fall to sin againe A third is that then we account the blood of CHRIST polluted and vncleane when we iudge it vnable to cleanse vs from our sinnes and to this purpose they alleage that Eccles 34.4 Ab immundo quis mundabitur Who can be cleansed by the vncleane Of these three the last construction hath the best shew and no marvaile if the rest doe pervert the true meaning of this place since they are grounded vpon a corrupt translation I know that soÌ„etimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies that which is impure and vncleane So it doth Mark 7.2 where the Scribes Pharisees coÌ„plaine vpon Christs disciples for eating with vncleane filthy hands In the text it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with commoÌ„ hands explicated there by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word noting vncleane foule hands such as vnwashed hands doe vse to bee And so it doth Act. 10.14 where Peter being commanded to kill and eate of those beasts let downe vnto him in a certaine vessel from Heaven made answere Not so LORD for I haue never eaten any thing that is POLLVTED and VNCLEANâ— the text hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which though generally it signifies common is there restraiâ—ed by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to note that which is polluted and vncleane But for this place since it is not necessarie that every thing by and by should bee polluted which is common wee may content our selues with the proper signification of the worde and read here for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vulgar or common blood as it may bee the blood of any man for so is it expounded in the Syriacke or prophane blood and this is the interpretation of Pagnin Vatablus and others The exposition then that here I doe admit is the same that Beza hath in his greater annotations where he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this place is as much as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 11.29 As if he should haue said They doe account the blood of the Testament to bee but a vulgar a common an vnholy a prophane thing whosoever they be that doe esteem the blood of CHRIST shed for sinfull mans ransome of no greater price of no better value of no more efficacie then they doe the blood of other men or sacrifices Hence we may gather the persons here noted who they are even such as were before described and found to tread vnder foot the Sonne of God that is such reprobates as in the highest degree doe sinne against their consciences and in contempt of God Gods elect I am assured haue no part with them it is not possible they should bee so farre seduced as to haue so vile a perswasion of the blood of their Redeemer Yet because many who doe thinke they doe surely stand in the state of Grace may be hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sinne and so fall away from the liuing God let the elect here bee admonished to examine themselues whether they doe discerne the blood of Christ whether they esteeme it as they should whether they doe not account it common Is it true which St Iames hath that our faith must be shewn by our works Why theÌ„ surely our seldome celebrating of the memorial of the blessed death and passion of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ must be a witnesse against vs that we put not that difference which wee should betweene the blood of Christ and common blood A fault well worthy our amending that so at length discerning the blood of Christ as meet is esteeming it according to the worth thereof we would not dare as now we doe for every trifling not cause but excuse then absent our selues when occasion is giuen vs to offer vp our selues our soules and bodies a holy a liuing and an acceptable sacrifice vnto God Touching the wise ones Politicians of this age who discerne not at all the blood of Christ but doe account it common and prophane I only wish they could lay vnto their hearts the end of one of their chiefe captaines NESTORIVS Bishop of ConstaÌ„tinople if not for their amendments sake yet for their assured horror and astonishment This NESTORIVS filling his heart with delight to blaspheme the Sonne of God among others very detestable held this one opinion that the blood of Christ is but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 common blood such as the blood of another man may be Dan. in Aug. de haeresib c. 91 I need not belong in telling you how hee was summoned to a counsell held at Ephesus at the appointment of Theodosius the younger was there convicted in disputation by Cyrell was for his error depriued
of his Bishopricke lurked after that foure yeares in a monastery neere vnto Antiochia was thence by the Emperours commandment sent an exile to the vttermost borders of Egypt and Africa I need not I say bee long in telling you of all this the thing I note is his ende In this his banishment when he was full of yeares that some memorable example as in Corah Dathan Abiram of his so great and so impious blaspheming against Christ might remaine vnto posteritie it pleased God in iustice that first wormes should eate and consume his tongue and then that the earth should open her mouth swallow him vp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Even so let all thine enimies perish O LORD Now followeth the third marke by which men holden in that vnpardonable sinne the sinne against the holy Ghost may be made knowne to the world in these words And doth despite the Spirit of Grace The Holy Ghost is here called the Spirit of Grace ab effectu by reason of that it worketh in vs. By it we receaue grace offered in Christ Iesus It enlightneth our minds by faith it sealeth to our hearts the adoption of God it regenerateth vs into newnesse of life it engrafteth vs into the body of Christ in a word by it Christ with all his blessings benefits is made ours Now if a man that is made partaker of this holy Ghost shall greedily wilfully and purposely make the good graces of God within him to be fruitlesse who shall plead for him Surely no man For he it is that is here noted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iniuriously coÌ„tumeliously to vse impudently to abuse and to despite the Spirit of Grace Here may the faithfull well be put in mind of their owne estates to consider whether they be not in perill of falling away from God since it is a truth not to bee gainesaid that the very faithfull doe oftentimes diminish and lessen the good graces of God within them I doubt not should you be called to witnesse but that every one of you taught by your owne experience would beare record to this truth If not that exhortation of St Paule made vnto the Ephesians and that his other vnto the Thessalonians doe strongly confirme it In the bowels of compassion he couÌ„selleth the a Ephes 4.30 EPHESIANS not to grieue the Spirit and the THESSALONIANS not to b 1 Thess 5.19 quench the spirit Well knewe the blessed Apostle that the Holy Spirit vseth to be grieued and the fire thereof to be quenched whensoever wee put away from within vs the care of Gods word not regarding the sanctified motions of our hearts the sanctified words of our lips the sanctified actions of our hands but entertaining the contraâ—y corrupt thoughts evill words wicked actions Now if there be no man that can truely say Ever hitherto my thoughts haue beene pure my wordes vndefiled my deeds iust let this truth stand without contradiction The faithfull doe oftentimes diminâ—sh lessen the good graces of God within them And therefore as I said they may here well bee put in minde of their owne estates to consider whether they bee not in perill of falling away from God A consideration beloued in the Lord if wee are chosen out of the world if in CHRIST wee are annointed and sealed if our building be of God not made with hands but eternall in the Heavens a consideration I say that must needes make vs doe our best in working out our salvation in attaining vnto faith in dying vnto sinne in liuing vnto newnesse of life For when wee see that men sanctified with the blood of CHRIST may not only tread vnder foot the Sonne of God despise him nor onely account the blood of Christ to bee common blood and prophane as it were the blood of any other man but also despite the Spirit of Grace and vse it with all iniurie and contumely will not our hearts burne within vs What are we but men sanctified with the blood of CHRIST Let vs then in all humblenesse of mind walk as it becommeth men so sanctified and never giue eare to such deceauers as would therefore perswade vs to liue without all care in this world because if wee are of the faithfull it is impossible we should fall away Touching the elect I grant it to bee very true that though they may fall grievously and dangerously yet they cannot fall finally in the end nor vtterly at any time though they may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ephes 4.30 grieue the Spirit yea though they may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Thess 5.19 quench the Spirit for a time yet can they not like the sinners whose markes I haue now in some measure opened 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they cannot doe contumely vnto nor can despite the Spirit For by it are they sealed vnto the day of redemption What of all this what if they that are once written in the booke of life can never be razed out thereof What if they that are once in the state of grace shall be in the same for ever Shall we that are written in the booke of life and doe stand by grace therefore not care how we commit sinne God forbid This truth namely that not one of the faithfull shall perish may bee a comfort to vs that haue already sinned but surely no encouragement to them that will sinne hereafter But grace aboundeth aboue sinne Very true Yet if we therefore sinne that grace may abound accursed are we And how shal we that are dead to sinne yet liue therein St Paul holds this for an impossibilitie Rom. 6. Knowe yee not saith he that all wee that haue beene baptized into Iesus Christ haue beene baptized into his death Why then are wee buried by baptisme into his death that as he was raised from the dead so we also should walk in newnesse of life Are wee not forbidden to doe evill even then when we are assured good may come thereof How then dare wee make the mercies of God a defence for our sinnes But there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 though they fall seaven times a day Neither is there Rom 8.4 For they being in CHRIST doe walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit But may not wee repent hereafter though now we liue in sinne Thou foole how knowest thou that this night Luk. 12.20 they will not fetch away thy soule from thee What now remaineth but that we all take al possible heed lest at any time there be in any of vs an evill heart vnfaithfull to depart away from the living God And since wee are sanctified with the blood of the Testament beseech wee Almightie God that he would perfect his good worke begun in vs and never suffer vs through the deceaueablenesse of sinne to be so farre seduced as to tread vnder foot his eternall Sonne to account his blood common or to despite the spirit of Grace SERMO