Choice Grounds and Principles of our Christian Religion, Treatise · Question 2
Quest. 2. What is Christian Religion?
Answ. Christian Religion consisteth in a true, & sincere acknowledging of that truth, which is according to godlinesse, Tit. 1.1.2. Pet. 1.3. 1. Tim. 6.3.
EXPOSITION.
THis terme, or phrase of speech, Religion, is deriued from a word which signifieth to forsake, or leaue off, because thereby wee leaue and forsake false gods, all errours, and earthly desires, and seeke after the True God, after truth, and heauenly things. It signifieth a friendship, a knitting, a vnity or league, with the true, and euerlasting God. And sometimes it is set forth also by the name of Marriage, or Wedlocke. For as they that are confederate, are vnited together, and made one by a League, or Couenant: so God and Man are knit together by Religion. And as by marriage, the Husband, and the Wife, are made one body: so by Religion we are knit into a spirituall body with God, and with the Sonne of God, as with our Bridegroome, and Head. Whereupon it followeth, that whosoeuer are not truely religious, they hauehave no fellowship at all with God; they are no members of Iesus Christ; they are not sealed to eternall life, but Truce-breakers, disloyall, and infamous before the face of God. Secondly, when wee speake of Christian Religion, wee meane the Religion of Iesus Christ. For the word Christian, is deriued from Christ, of whom wee hauehave the name of Christians, being vnseparably knit vntounto him, by true Faith, and being members of that body, whereof he is the Head.
But to passe from the meaning of the words, vntounto the matter. Christian Religion consisteth in a true, and sincere acknowledging of that truth, &c. In these words where it is said not simply, that Christian Religion consisteth in the knowledge, but in the acknowledging, or confession of the Truth: And not in a bare, or verball, but in such a confession, or acknowledging as is sincere, and true: these two points are especially offered to our consideration. First, what eueryevery true Christian must acknowledge, and make profession of: and secondly, how and after what manner the fame must be done.
As touching the first; EueryEvery tongue ought to confesse to the glory of God, as the whole truth which he hath reuealed in his Word: so especially the faith, and hope, which we hauehave in Christ Iesus to eternall life: yea, euen the whole doctrine of that our faith and Religion, boldly, and publikely, as occasion is offered. In this sence doth the Apostle writing to the Hebrewes, chapter 3. call Christ Iesus the High Priest of our profession. Heb. 3.1. Heb. 10.23 & cha. 13, 15.And after, chapter 10. Let vsus hold fast the profession of our Faith without wauering. And chap. 13. Let vsus by him offer the sacrifice of praise alwayes to God, that is, the fruit of the lips which confesse his Name. Herein we hauehave the examples of the Apostles,Act. 4.8, 9. &c. chap. 5.30. Act. 24.14, 15. 1. Tim. 6.12, 13. Acts 4. and of Paul before Felix, chapter 24. Of Timothy, as is testified to his commendation, 1. Tim. 6. Yea, euen of our Lord Iesus Christ himselfe, who vnderunder Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. Now although all these, as a cloud of Witnesses may seeme suffcient to confirme vsus in the truth of this point; yet being (as it is) a matter of great importance. and most necessary for our times, to be thorowly considered, & vrged to mens consciences: … will labour to make it yet more apparant, by some speciall reasons.
First, the confession of our Faith, and Reason 1 hope in Christ Iesus, hath a great promise of a rich reward, ioyned with it, and added vntounto it; whereas the starting backe from it, hath on the contrary a grieuous curse. As both parts hereof are plaine, in the words of our Sauiour, Math. 10. Math. 10.32, 33.Whosoeuer shall confesse mee before men, him will I also confesse before my Father which is in Heauen; and whosoeuer shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heauen. And to be denied of Christ, before his Father: what is it else, but to bee vtterly cast out of his presence, and from all partaking of his grace, and fauour.
Secondly, this confession is a necessarie Reason 2 fruit, and consequence of Faith. For where true Faith is in the heart, there will follow confession with the mouth, as 2. Cor. 4. 2. Cor. 4.13.Because (saith the Apostle) wee hauehave the same Spirit of Faith, according as it is written; I beleeued, and therefore hauehave I spoken: We also beleeue, and therefore speake. Hee that is either afraid, or ashamed to confesse Christ and his Gospell with the mouth: such a one vndoubtedly, hath not the true Faith of Christ in his heart. If thou shalt confesse the Lord Iesus with thy mouth, (saith the Apostle, Rom. 10 Rom. 10.9, 10.) and beleeue in thy heart, that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saued. For with the heart, man beleeueth vntounto righteousnesse; and with the mouth, man confesseth to saluation.
Againe, how acceptable a thing it is in the sight of God; what an excellent branch Reason 3 of true Christianity; how necessary for the sealing and assurance of our saluation, to adioyne a sincere confession of the mouth, with a faithfull beleeuing of the heart. It is further confirmed, Psal. 116. Psal. 116.10.I beleeued (saith the Prophet) and therefore did I speake; meaning in way of confession, to the glory and praise of GOD. Hereunto belong also the notable confessions of Nathaniel, Ioh. 1. Ioh. 1.49.Rabbi, thou art the Sonne of GOD, thou art that King of Israel. Of Peter, Mathew 16. Mat. 16.16in the name of all the Disciples, Thou art the Christ, that Son of the liuing God. And Ioh. 6. Joh. 6 68, 69.Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternall life. 1. Ioh. 4.15.And we beleeue, & know, that thou art that Christ, that Sonne of the liuing God, 1. Ioh. 4. And whosoeuer confesseth, that Iesus is the Son of God, in him dwelleth God, & he in God. Thus you sée some reasons, wherfore eueryevery true Christian must confesse, & acknowledge that truth, which is according to godlinesse: Yea, and how plentiful the Scripture is, in describing & setting forth the notable confessions of the Saints and seruants of God, after their Calling, and conuersation to the Faith of Christ. Whereby the truth of this point is cleerely confirmed, that herein we hauehave a notable argument, that wee are true Christians indeed, and doe vndoubtedly belong to eternall life: if we hauehave so profited by the preaching of the Gospell, as that together with the planting, and establishing of a true, & liuely faith in Christ Iesus, to the free, and particular forgiuenesse of our sinnes, to our iustification, and saluation: We finde our selues able in some acceptable measure, and zealous, and willing according to our measure, to make profession hereof, without wauering, and without being ashamed of the same. Whereas on the contrary, how great a fault, and how vntolerable an vnthankefulnesse it is, either not to know how to make this confession, or to deny it, or to be ashamed of it: besides the expresse words of our Sauiour himselfe, Math. 10. which I alledged before: This is further manifest, 2. Tim. 2. 2. Tim. 2.12.If we deny him, he will also deny vsus.
Now let vsus consider what profitable vses may be made of this.
Vse 1 First, wee may see by that which hath been spoken, that wee are not left at our owne liberty, whether wee will make a solemne, and sound profession of the Gospell, and Religion of Christ, or no, no more then it is at our owne choice, whether wee will beleeue, or no; or whether wee will bee saued, or not. They that thinke the confession of the truth of the Gospell, and Religion of Iesus Christ, to be of no absolute necessitie, but a thing indifferent, whether it be done or no; such are no better then very Libertines, that would liue as they lust, and who indeede make no conscience of any Religion at all.
Vse 2 Secondly, we see that it is not inough for vsus not to deny Christ, & the Gospell, but it is required of vsus, that wee confesse him and his truth, euen before men.
Let vsus know, that confession, and saluation, must goe together: If we wait for the one, we must expresse the other. If confession goe before, we may build surely, and ground our selues strongly vponupon the promise of Christ, that the saluation of our soules shall follow after, and that no man shall bee able to take it from vsus. This made the Apostle say, 2. Tim. 1. 2. Tim. 1.12For this cause I suffer those things, but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I hauehave beleeued: and I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I hauehave committed vntounto him against that day.
Thirdly, it is required of vsus, that we Vse 3 shew our selues ready, and absolute, to giuegive a reckoning of our Faith, and hope; of our profession, and Religion, whensoeuer we shall be thereunto required. For it is greatly to the honour of God, when his seruants prepare themselues to set forth his truth, and are not afraid of the threatnings of such as are the enemies thereof. And this is that which the Apostle Peter teacheth, 1. Epist. 3. 1. Pet. 3.15.Sanctifie the Lord in your hearts, and bee ready alwayes to giuegive an answere to eueryevery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meeknesse, and reuerence.
Vse 4 Fourthly: if it be a duty that lyeth vponupon vsus, to make profession of our Faith & Religion: It is then of necessitie that we labour to know the doctrine of Faith, and the truth of Religion. For profession of the Faith, presupposeth a knowledge of the faith. For how can we confesse that which wee know not? or manifest that to others, whereof wee are ignorant our selues?
Vse 5 And lastly: seeing it is a duty to open our mouthes for the confession of his Name, who hath called vsus to the knowledge of his truth: it standeth vsus vponupon to pray for the Spirit of strength & courage, that wee may be able to stand in the time of danger. For it is not in all that know, and acknowledge the truth in their hearts, to auouch it, & to maintaine it, to confesse it, and to stand to it: but this is onelyonly in such as hauehave receiued, the strengthening power, and grace of Christ. And therefore notably saith the Apostle of himselfe, Phil. 4. Phil. 4.13.I am able to doe all things through the helpe of Christ who strengtheneth me. And so prayeth he for the Colossians, chapter 1. Col. 1.11.that they might bee strengthened through the glorious power of Christ.
This may suffice to bee spoken in this place concerning confession, or acknowledging of the truth. In the handling whereof I hauehave been the more large; not onelyonly because it is an excellent branch of true Christianity, a notable argument of election, and a principall part of that obedience which the Lord requireth at our hands: but also in that, whereas at this day, it should of eueryevery one bee taken vp, and that with earnestnesse, and delight: It is of the greatest part, either neglected, & euen reiected, as a matter of no weight, or as a thing too base for mens estate, and countenance in the world: or else contemned, scorned, and derided, as a matter most odious, foolish, and vaine. Such ignorant Atheists, and godlesse persons, there are too many at this day, (notwithstanding the cleere light of the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ shining amongst vsus,) that will not sticke to condemne that with the reproachfull termes of new-fanglenesse, precisenesse, &c. and to make a by-word, & a scoffing terme of that, which the Lord so highly commendeth; yea, and earnestly requireth (vnderunder the paine of condemnation) of eueryevery one that belongeth vntounto him. Deadly also to hate, disgrace, and despight those (to the vttermost they may) that professe Christ, and his Gospell; yea, euen in regard of their profession. For which (if they had any grace in their hearts) they would thinke the better of them, glorifie, and praise God for them, and settle themselues to ioyne together with them, in a sweet harmony, and sound consent. But as all such do hereby plainely discouer of what spirit they are: and that being (by their owne confession) no professors themselues of Christs Gospell; it is not the Spirit of Christ, but the spirit of Satan, that ruleth and raigneth in their hearts, and causeth them to vtter such blasphemy with their mouthes: So, must we learne hereby, not to bee discouraged, but to hold fast the profession of the glorious Gospel of Iesus Christ, without wauering: Patiently in regard thereof passing through honour, and dishonour, through euill report, and good report, not being dismayed, how odious and contemptible soeuer it bee in the world: and what trouble, afflictions, or persecutions, may come vponupon vsus, for well discharging our consciences in this behalfe: Saying eueryevery one with the Apostle, Rom. 1. Rom. 1.16.I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ: it is the power of God to saluation. And with the Prophet Dauid, Psalme 119. Psa. 119.46I will testifie of thy Statutes, euen before Kings, and will not be ashamed.
The second Branch.
Hauing spoken at large, of the acknowledging, or confession of the truth: Now, as touching the second part of this definition, and to make it also as plaine, that Christian Religion consisteth not in a verball, but in a true, and sincere confession, or acknowledging of the truth: That is is not inough to professe Christ, and his Gospell, and to be sound, and resolute in the matter but that the manner also must be duely respected, that it bee sincere, vpright, vnfained, and free from all hypocrisie, and dissimulation: Let vsus obserue, and know, that such professors only hauehave euermore been accepted, and approued of God. There hauehave alwayes beene two sorts of such, as hauehave made profession of the truth: the profession of the one sort, consisting onelyonly in words, and outward shewes: but the profession of the other, not onelyonly outward, but proceeding from a faithfull, and sincere affection. Of both these sorts, had our Lord Iesus Christ experience, Iohn 6. Some of the Iewes followed him from place to place, with honest, and good hearts, vnfainedly desiring to be taught, and instructed by him in the way of saluation; not murmuring when they heard any thing deliuered which they vnderstood not; nor taking any occasion to be so offended, as to forsake, and giuegive him ouer: but they constantly cleaued vntounto him, and continued with him, as with the Sonne of God, and the onelyonly Lord of life, and saluation.
But another sort, and as it is very probable, the greater part followed him, with more regard of their bellies, then of their soules, hoping, that hee would hauehave alwayes fed them to the full, and plentifully furnished them with all manner of earthly good things, without any care, or paines on their behalfe. But when they saw their expectation deceiued,Ioh. 6.26, 27, &c. & heard Christ reproue such carnall affections, and exhort them to labour, not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat which endureth to eternall life: then they began to murmure and grudge, and to bee so highly offended at him, and with his doctrine, as in great displeasure, and despight, vtterly to forsake, and giuegive him euer. In Gen. 4. Gen. 4.4.it is plainely recorded, that when there were but foure persons, which worshipped the True God, externally witnessing their Religion, in offering the first fruits of the Sheepe, and of the ground: yet one of them, namely Cain, was a very hypocrite: his profession of Religion, and worship, was onelyonly outward, and therefore reiected of the Lord: but Abel his sacrifice and seruice, was not onelyonly outward, but proceeding from a faithfull, and sincere heart. According as Heb. 11. Heb. 11.4.the Holy Ghost thus testifieth to his notable commendation: By faith Abel offred vntounto God, a greater sacrifice then Cain, by the which faith he obtained witnes that he was righteous. In the Families of Abraham, and Isaac; Isaac and Ismael; Iacob and Esau receiued circumcision alike, which was then the externall signe of their profession; by reason whereof, they were all accounted the worshippers, and seruants of God: but yet onelyonly Isaac and Iacob were true worshippers, and faithfull seruants, as Heb. 11. & 12. Heb. 11.18. cha. 12.16.In Psalme 50. the Lord himselfe expostulateth the matter, & with great authoritie reasoneth with such, whose religion is only in words, and outward shewes,Psa. 50.16, 17.23. saying, What hast thou to doe, to declare mine Ordinance, that thou shouldest take my Couenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest to be reformed, and hast cast my words behinde thee? But vntounto the other, he speaketh thus, Hee that offereth praise, shall glorifie mee: and to him that disposeth his way aright, will I shew the saluation of God.
For the further description also of both these sorts of professors, belong the Parables which Christ vseth in the Gospell, of the Field, Floore, & of the Net: as Mat. 13. Mat. 13.24 &c.&c. For as in a Field that is sowne, there comes vp not onelyonly good Corne, but Thistles, and other weeds: and in a threshing Floore there is not onelyonly pure wheat, but also chaffe: and as in a Net, that is cast into the water, there comes vp not onelyonly good things, but also bad: So in the visible Church, among such as professe the Gospell, there are not onelyonly such as are sincere, & faithful, but hypocrites also, and faithlesse worshippers, and seruers of God: Not onelyonly such as with good consciences, pure hearts, and faith vnfained, doe serue and obey the Lord: but such also, as are euen Reprobate to eueryevery good worke, and whose end is to bee cast eternally from the presence of God, and to be burnt as chaffe in the fearefull furnace of his indignation and wrath.
Thus it being manifest, that there hauehave alwayes beene these two sorts of professors: Now let vsus more particularly examine their seuerall properties; and how herein they differ one from another.
The first sort doe professe Christ, and his Gospell, but not in truth and sin…erity: They hauehave onelyonly a shew of true Religion and godlinesse, being void of al faithfull obedience towards God. But the Religion of the other sort is in all goodnesse, righteousnesse, and truth, they still endeuouring to practise, and performe in the whole course of their conuersation, whatsoeuer they know and professe, according to the will and Word of God. They content not themselues in saying, Lord, Lord: we are Christians; wee are Protestants; and we professe the Gospel: but they hauehave a care, and conscience to amend their liues, and to bee reformed in that which is amisse: Whose knowledge is not fruitlesse, nor their faith dead, but they are zealously inflamed to walke according to their knowledge, and to approue their faith to be liuely, with the liuely fruits of holinesse, and righteousnesse. As the Hypocrites greatest care is to be well esteemed of among men: So, the true Christian, how he may be well approued of in the sight of God. As the one sort work their saluation securely, coldly, and carelessely: So, the other in feare and trembling, as they are taught by the Apostle, Phil. 2. Phil. 2.12. & cha. 3.13, 14.striuing against the corrupt lusts, and motions of their hearts; and with the Apostle, chapter 3. forgetting that which is behind, and endeuouring themselues vntounto that which is before, yea, following hard towards for the price of the high Calling of God in Iesus Christ. Againe, as the Hypocrite hath no settled resolution, in life and death to obey the truth, and will of God; but is mutable, wauering, and vnconstant in all his wayes: the other cleane contrariwise, with full purpose of heart, according to the exhortation of Paul, and Barnabas, Acts 11. Act. 11.23.doe cleaue vntounto the Lord. The Hypocrite will oftentimes abstaine from the grosest sinnes, & speake against such as are defiled with them: but then neuer are so touched with the sight and feeling of their own sinnes, as to cry out with the Apostle, Rom. 7. Rom. 7.24O wretched man that I am, who shall deliuer mee from this body of death? They will not sticke sometimes to doe that which is necessary, and commendable; but they neuer do any thing with such affections as Gods Children doe, who are allured with the mercy of God, and louelove of Christ: as Psal. 130. Psal. 130.4.But mercy is with thee, that thou maist be feared. And as the Apostle saith of himselfe, and of all the rest of the faithfull, 2. Cor. 9. 2. Cor. 9.14.The louelove of Christ constraineth vsus, &c. Many more particulars might bee remembred to manifest this difference betwixt the true-hearted Christian, and the carnal Gospeller, or counterfet Professor. But by this we may cleerely see, and discerne, that it is no sufficient argument to proue any man to bee a good Christian, and in the state of grace, and saluation, because he comes to the Church, heares the Word, receiues the Sacrament, and will say that he is no Papist, &c. For all this, and much more, did the Iewes in time past, and yet, as the Apostle teacheth, Rom. 2. Rom. 2.28.were but Iewes outward: And so, all this, and much more may wee doe at this day, and yet be but Christians outward: we may come to the Church, heare the Word, receiue the Sacraments, professe the Religion established, and yet bee but Hypocrites. And the Reasons are: First, because the promises of Gods Reason 1 grace, and mercy in Christ, are not tyed to such outward circumstances, and obseruations, but belong onelyonly to such as are elected, and humbled by Gods Spirit, to walke in the obedience of his good will. Reason 2 And secondly, because God abhorreth all halting in his seruice, and will not accept the hart by halues, nor be serued by piecemeale, as Saul did, 1. Sam. 15. 1. Sam. 15.15, &c.but hee will hauehave the whole heart to bee giuen vntounto him, as that which hee especially respecteth, and aimeth at. And therefore Pro. 23. Pro. 23.26.My sonne, giuegive mee thy heart, and let thy eyes delight in my wayes.
Vse 1 And now to make some vse of this. First we see by that which hath been spoken, that to approoue our selues good Christians, wee must not content our selues with outward circumstances in Religion: but hauing a reuerend feare of the Lords Maiesty imprinted in our hearts, and inwardly in our soules, respecting his blessed will, and faithfully remembring his vnmeasurable louelove, and tender kindnesse towards vsus in Christ Iesus: Wee must performe all outward circumstances, in comming to the Church, in hearing the Word, &c. as fruits of our true, and inward zeale to Gods glory, and as testimonies of our obedience, and thankefulnesse to his Maiesty, in regard of his manifold mercies towards vsus, and then shall we be accepted in them, and in eueryevery of them. Whereas, if the heart and minde bee not sincere and sound, and do not directly aime at Gods glory, and at the obedience of his commandements, though we be neuer so forward in all outward respects: yet shall we in no measure be accepted, but vtterly reiected of him. He will say vntounto vsus, as he said vntounto the Iewes, Esay 1. Esay 1.12.Who required this at your hands, to tread in my Courts? For as the Apostle saith of Circumcision, so it is true of Christiā Religion, that it is especially within, in the heart and in the Spirit: the glory, and praise thereof being not of men, but of God, Rom. 2.Rom. 2.29.
They that content themselues with a bare profession of Religion, hauing no care, nor conscience withall, to glorifie God, and to s…ale the assurance of their owne saluation in the sound fruits, and effects of it: All such are vtterly vnworthy the name, and Title of Christians; the Doctrine of the Gospell cannot be said to hauehave taken root in their hearts: the fruits which proceed from them, are not ye fruits thereof, planted in their hearts by Gods Spirit: but the fruits and effects of their infidelity and hardnes of heart, ingrafted in them by the spirit of Satan, as a sure Seale of their iust condemnation. According as of this difference, speaketh our Lord Iesus Christ himselfe, Math. 7. Math. 7.21.Not eueryevery one that saith vntounto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdome of Heauen: but he that doth the wil of my Father, which is in Heauen. And, Not the hearers of the Law (saith Saint Paul, Rom. 2. Rom 2.13.) are iust before God, but the doers of the Law shall be iustified. And therefore, Iam. 1. Iam. 1.22.Bee ye doers of the Word, and not hearers onelyonly, deceiuing your owne selues. Hereunto also appertain the words of our Lord Iesus Christ vntounto his Disciple, Luke 6. Luke 6.46.Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and doe not the things which I say? Plainely thereby teaching, that such as professe themselues to be the seruants of Christ, must hauehave an holy desire and endeuour, to walke in the obedience of his Commandements; or else wil he vtterly disclaime, and disallow all their profession, and protestations of religion, and doing him seruice, as but meere hypocrisie, and words of lyes. And trust not in lying words (saith the Lord, Ier. 7. Ier. 7.4.) saying, The Temple of the Lord, The Temple of the Lord; this is the Temple of the Lord.
Seeing the heart in truth and sinceritie, Vse 2 must bee ioyned with the mouth, in word, and profession: it highly standeth vsus vponupon to pray vntounto God, for a right reformation of our hearts. For, euen as the water that floweth out of a corrupt fountaine, must of necessitie be vnsauoury, and vnwholsome: so as long as the heart and minde, from whence all the actions of mans life proceede, doth remaine corrupt, and vnsound, it is vtterly vnpossible to performe any thing that is holy and pure before the Lord. Rightly therefore doth the Apostle, Ro. 12. exhort the faithfull, that to the end they may offer their bodies a liuing sacrifice, Ro. 12.1, 2.holy, and acceptable vntounto GOD, they should beginne at the change of their minde: Be ye changed (saith he) by the renuing of your minde. For as when a man intendeth to hauehave a fruitfull increase, either of Corne, or of any other commodity: hee will first apply himselfe, to cleere, and roote out of his Land, all euill Weeds, Brambles, and Bryers, that may hinder the growth of it: so, to the end wee may beare fruit vntounto God, in such an holy, and religious conuersation, both concerning his Maiestie, and concerning one another, as his name may be effectually glorified in these our mortall bodies: We must first be clensed of all corrupt, and naughty affections, inclinations, and lusts, which are as so many brambles, and hurtfull weeds in our hearts, and minds; and which, vnlesse they be plucked vp by the rootes, will so hinder, and choke all the motions of Gods grace, & so allure vsus to the vanities of this world, that we shal neuer be able to perform any holy obedience vntounto ye Lord. This doth our Lord Iesus Christ confirme, Math. 6. Math. 6.2….If the light that is in thee, bee darknesse, how great is that darknesse? The heart, the minde, and vnderstanding of man, ought to be light, and shining, euen as at the first it was so created; but by originall sinne, it is become the seat, cause, and fountaine of all darknes, & of all manner of sins that are continually committed against both God, and Man. And now, if the heart, and minde, which as a light and bright burning Candle, should direct, and gouerne all our actions, and enterprises: if that be darknesse: if that bee corrupt, defiled, and disordered: how great (as Christ saith) is that darknesse? No maruell is it then, though men doe most licentiously wallow in all kinde of vngodlinesse and sensualitie. For this cause most notably, Ephes. 4. Ephes. 4.18, 22. &c.doth the Apostle exhort the faithfull, to cast off, concerning the conuersation in time past, the old man: and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousnesse, and true holinesse. Whereby hee plainely sheweth, that it is of necessitie, that wee hauehave the affections, and dispositions of our hearts and mindes cleane altered, and transformed; to will, to desire, and doe that which is good and holy in the sight of God; or else it is vtterly vnpossible, to hauehave any comfortable assurance that we belong to eternall life. But now, this so great a change and alteration in the heart and minde, is no worke of nature:1. Cor. 2.14. For the naturall man perceiueth not the things that are of Gods Spirit: but it is a speciall worke of Gods grace, and therefore by faithfull and feruent prayer, to bee sought at his hands. For vnlesse hee change our hearts, wash the filthinesse of our soules, renue our minds, regen…rate our affections, sanctifie vsus vntounto holinesse, and of carnall men, make vsus spiritually minded; we shall alwayes remaine corrupt, prophane, vncleane, and abominable: And no vncleane, or abominable thing, shall enter into the Kingdome of God; as it is expressely pronounced, Reu. 21.Reu. 21.27.