♦“aud” replaced with “and”2. Because in liberty there is some kinde of shew of that dignity and excellency, whereof all the sons ofAdamare most desirous ever since they drank in that poyson of the Serpent,Ye shall be like Gods.3. Because it hath a false shadow of that Christian liberty, whereunto we are called,Iohn 8.32,33,34.Hence it is, that the cursed sect of Libertines, which under a shew of liberty overthrowes all religion, findeth many well-wishers thereunto, even amongst those that are Christians in name.Vse1. This may serve to condemne those, that alwayes follow after liberty of what kind soever it be. For Christians are the servants of righteousnesse, although they be free from sin,Romans 6.18.2. To admonish us, to represse and restraine in our selves this carnall desire of liberty,1 Corinthians 9.27.Doctrine 5.They that most labour for this carnall liberty, are the most wretched servants of sin.This is gathered from these words;they are the servants of corruption. SoRomans 6.20.Reason1. Because they are overcome and led captive by sinne.2. Because they give up themselves wholly to obey sinne,Romans 6.16.19.3. Because they remain in this bondage, although it be the worst of all, with a kind of pleasure; so that they are the servants of sin more, then those are the servants of men, that are gally-slaves: for these mens minds alwayes wish for liberty, but the others are very well pleased in their most servile condition.Vse1. This may serve to informe us, how we should stand affected towards such men. For although they seem to themselves to be the only happy men almost, yet they are in truth objects most worthy of pity, and not of envie.2. To admonish us, more and more to get out of this bondage, by yeelding our selves wholly unto God and his righteousnesse,Romans 6.18,19,22.Doctrine 6.They that are brought into this bondage, after that they have made profession and confession of the truth, their condition is more deplorable, then the condition of other sinners.This is gathered from, verse 20,21.Reason1. Because their sin is greater then other mens. For where no law is, there is no sin; where the law or the knowledge of the law is lesse, there the sin is lesse: but where the knowledge of Gods law and his will is greater, there the sin is made greater and heavier.2. Because they do wonderfully dishonour God, while they professe themselves to have known his discipline, and to have had experience of it in some measure, and do afterwards reject it, and prefer sin before it.3. Because the devill the Prince of sin doth more severely beset those, that he hath withdrawne unto himselfe from the flight as it were,Matthew 12.45.4. Because the anger of God is incensed against such men,Hebrews 10.26,27.5. Because there is scarce any place left for them to repent,Hebrews 6.6.Vse.This may serve to admonish all those, that know the way of God, to labour also to continue constantly in the same, in all parts of their life and conversation.Doctrine 7.The filthinesse of sinne should make men to abhorre a returning to the bondage thereof.Reason1. Because we are called unto purity.2. Because we have professed an abomination of that impurity which is in sin.3. Because it is abominable unto God, and makes men abominable in his sight.Vse1. This may serve to condemne those, that take delight in this filthinesse, and think they gain credit unto themselvesthereby, by gracing and setting out their speech with oathes, and labour to make their conversation pleasing, by applying themselves unto the customes and vicious and filthy courses of men.2. To admonish us, to put before our eyes this filthinesse of sin. So shall we renew our repentance, and be confirmed in the grace of perseverance.
♦“aud” replaced with “and”
♦“aud” replaced with “and”
♦“aud” replaced with “and”
2. Because in liberty there is some kinde of shew of that dignity and excellency, whereof all the sons ofAdamare most desirous ever since they drank in that poyson of the Serpent,Ye shall be like Gods.
3. Because it hath a false shadow of that Christian liberty, whereunto we are called,Iohn 8.32,33,34.Hence it is, that the cursed sect of Libertines, which under a shew of liberty overthrowes all religion, findeth many well-wishers thereunto, even amongst those that are Christians in name.
Vse1. This may serve to condemne those, that alwayes follow after liberty of what kind soever it be. For Christians are the servants of righteousnesse, although they be free from sin,Romans 6.18.
2. To admonish us, to represse and restraine in our selves this carnall desire of liberty,1 Corinthians 9.27.
Doctrine 5.They that most labour for this carnall liberty, are the most wretched servants of sin.
This is gathered from these words;they are the servants of corruption. SoRomans 6.20.
Reason1. Because they are overcome and led captive by sinne.
2. Because they give up themselves wholly to obey sinne,Romans 6.16.19.
3. Because they remain in this bondage, although it be the worst of all, with a kind of pleasure; so that they are the servants of sin more, then those are the servants of men, that are gally-slaves: for these mens minds alwayes wish for liberty, but the others are very well pleased in their most servile condition.
Vse1. This may serve to informe us, how we should stand affected towards such men. For although they seem to themselves to be the only happy men almost, yet they are in truth objects most worthy of pity, and not of envie.
2. To admonish us, more and more to get out of this bondage, by yeelding our selves wholly unto God and his righteousnesse,Romans 6.18,19,22.
Doctrine 6.They that are brought into this bondage, after that they have made profession and confession of the truth, their condition is more deplorable, then the condition of other sinners.
This is gathered from, verse 20,21.
Reason1. Because their sin is greater then other mens. For where no law is, there is no sin; where the law or the knowledge of the law is lesse, there the sin is lesse: but where the knowledge of Gods law and his will is greater, there the sin is made greater and heavier.
2. Because they do wonderfully dishonour God, while they professe themselves to have known his discipline, and to have had experience of it in some measure, and do afterwards reject it, and prefer sin before it.
3. Because the devill the Prince of sin doth more severely beset those, that he hath withdrawne unto himselfe from the flight as it were,Matthew 12.45.
4. Because the anger of God is incensed against such men,Hebrews 10.26,27.
5. Because there is scarce any place left for them to repent,Hebrews 6.6.
Vse.This may serve to admonish all those, that know the way of God, to labour also to continue constantly in the same, in all parts of their life and conversation.
Doctrine 7.The filthinesse of sinne should make men to abhorre a returning to the bondage thereof.
Reason1. Because we are called unto purity.
2. Because we have professed an abomination of that impurity which is in sin.
3. Because it is abominable unto God, and makes men abominable in his sight.
Vse1. This may serve to condemne those, that take delight in this filthinesse, and think they gain credit unto themselvesthereby, by gracing and setting out their speech with oathes, and labour to make their conversation pleasing, by applying themselves unto the customes and vicious and filthy courses of men.
2. To admonish us, to put before our eyes this filthinesse of sin. So shall we renew our repentance, and be confirmed in the grace of perseverance.