Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 2 · Lecture 36
LECTƲRE XXXVI.
PHILIP. 2. Verſe 15.
And the ſonnes of God without rebuke, in the middeſt of a naughtie and crooked nation, among whom ye ſhine as lights, &c.
ANd the ſonnes of God without rebuke, in the middeſt, &c.] This is the third clauſe in the Apoſtle his reaſon why wee ſhould hearken vntounto both the former exhortations, why wee ſhould walke before the Lord in holineſſe of life, with feare and trembling, and why wee ſhould doe all things with our neighbour without murmuring and reaſonings, that we may be the ſonnes of God, &c. that is, that being the ſonnes of God by adoption and grace, we may be knowne to be ſo, by our care to walke without rebuke in the middeſt of a naughtie and crooked nation, keeping our ſelues vndefiled by their wicked conuerſation. By a naughtie and crooked nation, the Apoſtle vnderſtandeth all ſuch wicked and vngodly men, as walking in the darkneſſe of their owne vnderſtanding, are enemies vntounto the truth of Chriſt, and hate the light becauſe their workes are euill. And ſuch it ſeemeth were the greateſt part of them of Macedonia, in the midſt of who… that ſmall number of the faithfull which were at Philippi, and which by Pauls preaching had embraced the Goſpell of Chriſt Ieſus, liued. The Apoſtle therefore applying the example of Chriſt his humilitie and obedience vntounto them, exhorteth them ſo to walke both before God, and with their brethren, that they may be blameleſſe, and pure, and the ſonnes of God, that is, both knowne to be the ſonnes of God, by leading an holy and vncorrupt life amongſt the enemies of Chriſt and his truth, and continue ſo to be, notwithſtanding the corrupt conuerſation of the wicked among whom they liue.
Here then is a third marke ſet downe for vsus to ſhoot at, a third thing whereunto wee muſt bend our ſelues and our whole ſtudies, euen that it may bee knowne that wee are the ſonnes of God. Knowne, vntounto whom? Both vntounto our ſelues, and vntounto others. Our labour and endeuour muſt be, that we may know our ſelues to be the ſonnes of God, and that others may alſo know that wee are the ſonnes of God.2 Pet. 1.10. GiueGive all diligence (ſaith Peter) to make your calling and election ſure. In which words of the Apoſtle, yee ſee how carefully the Apoſtle would hauehave vsus to be imployed in this ſtudie: hee would hauehave vsus to giuegive all diligence hereunto, that we may be ſure that wee are the ſonnes of God, elect and choſen in Chriſt Ieſus before the foundation of the world. Our election it is according to the good purpoſes of his will, who hath predeſtinated vsus vntounto eternall ſaluation. Our adoption likewiſe into the ſonnes of God through Ieſus Chriſt, it is according to the riches of his grace and fauour towards vsus. And theſe things, euen our election, and adoption into the ſonnes of God, are moſt ſure in themſelues, neither can they by vsus any way bee procured either to be if they be not, or being, to be more ſure than they be. For whom hee hath choſen and adopted into ſonnes, them he hath choſen and adopted before the foundation of the world, and his decree is beyond all degrees of compariſon more vnalterable and vnchangeable than are the lawes of the Medes and Perſians. Yet ſuch are the mercies of our God towards vsus, that howſoeuer wee can helpe nothing vntounto our election, or vntounto our adoption into the ſonnes of God, yet may wee know whether we be elected, whether we be the ſonnes of God, and beſides we may giuegive proofe thereof vntounto others. And hereunto it is that wee ought to giuegive all diligence, and to bend our ſelues and our whole ſtudies, that it may appeare both vntounto our ſelues, and vntounto others, that we are the ſonnes of God. A ſtudie whereunto the comfort which thence may ariſe may be a ſufficient inducement vntounto any. For wherein ſhould wee rather labour than in that wherein wee may take the greateſt comfort? Or wherein can we take ſo great comfor as in this, that wee know that we are, and that it doth appeare vntounto others that wee are the ſonnes of God? Herein alone is ſound ioy and comfort, and without this what can there be elſe but reſtleſneſſe of thoughts, and diſquietneſſe of minde?
Yea but you will aske mee how this may appeare either vntounto our ſelues or others, that wee are the ſonnes of God? I anſwer out of the Apoſtles, euen by walking without rebuke in the middeſt of a naughtie and crooked nation, by the fruits of the ſpirit ſhewing themſelues in the holineſſe of our conuerſation:Rom. 8.14. For as many as are lead by the ſpirit of God, they are the ſonnes of God. Now who are they that are lead by the ſpirit of God? Euen they that by the power of the ſpirit of ſanctification mortifie the deeds of the body, as there the Apoſtle ſheweth, and bring forth the fruits of the ſpirit. So then they which walke not after the fleſh, but after the ſpirit, flying from ſinne as from a Serpent, and being zealous of good workes, they hauehave an infallible teſtimonie that they are the ſonnes of God, and heires of eternall life. Hereby then wee our ſelues know that wee are the ſonnes of God, euen by the fruits of the ſpirit, which hee hath giuen vsus. And therefore Peter in the place before alleadged, GiueGive diligence to make your calling and election ſure, immediately addeth, For if yee doe theſe things, that is, if yee bring forth thoſe fruits mentioned before, ye ſhall neuer fall. Where the Apoſtles plainly ſheweth, that the way to confirme our election vntounto our ſelues, is by the fruits of the ſpirit which he hath giuen vsus. Hereby likewiſe wee make it apparant vntounto others that wee are the ſonnes of God, if wee walke in thoſe good workes which God hath ordained vsus to walke in. And therefore our Sauiour Chriſt exhorteth vsus, ſaying, Let your light ſo ſhine before men, Mat. 5.16.that they may ſee your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in heauen, euen him whoſe ſonnes they ſhall know you to bee by thoſe good workes which they ſhall ſee you doe. So that as the end wherefore wee were predeſtinate to bee adopted into the ſonnes of God through Ieſus Chriſt, was that wee ſhould be holy, and without blame before God in louelove; ſo the meanes whereby wee are declared both to our ſelues and others to be the ſonnes of God, is our holy conuerſation, and walking without rebuke in the middeſt of a naughtie and crooked nation. When therefore I ſay that we ought to giuegive all diligence that we may appeare to be the ſonnes of God, the meaning is, that we ought to be holy in conuerſation, and without blame in the middeſt of a naughtie and crooked nation, that ſo it may appeare that wee are the ſonnes of God.
Yea, but here againe it will be ſaid, where is he that is holy in all manner of conuerſation? And who is he that walketh without rebuke amongſt the ſonnes of men? And therefore how can it appeare by the note of our ſanctification that we are the ſonnes of God? I anſwer, that howſoeuer our ſanctification here in this life be ſo vnperfit, that we cannot be holy in all manner of conuerſation, or walke without rebuke amongſt the ſonnes of men, yet if we ſtriue and labour, if we ſtudie and endeuour to be holy without blame, and to walke as the ſonnes of God amongſt the ſonnes of men, hereby it doth and may appeare that we are the ſonnes of God. If we hate the ſinnes of vnfaithfulnes, and let no ſuch cleane vntounto vsus; if we ſuffer not ſinne to reigne in our mortall bodies, but ſtriue to ſubdue the fleſh vntounto the ſpirit; if we flie the corruptions which are in the world through luſts, and ſtudie to liue ſoberly, and righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world; if wee long and thirſt after thoſe things that belong vntounto our peace, and can in the needfull time of trouble come vntounto our God, and cry, Abba Father, hereby it doth and may appeare that we are the ſonnes of God. The godly ſtrife againſt ſinne, and carefull deſire of walking in the waies of God without rebuke, they are the ſure and vndoubted ſtampes of the ſpirit of our adoption into the ſonnes of God, and the certaine fruits of that ſpirit whereby we are ſealed vntill the redemption of the poſſeſſion purchaſed vntounto the praiſe of his glory. If thou deſire further proofe of theſe things, looke into the holy ſcriptures, and they ſhall inſtruct thee ſufficiently herein.Mat. 5.6. Bleſſed (ſaith our Sauiour Chriſt) are they that hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſſe. Where our Sauiour ſheweth that not they alone which are righteous, but they alſo which hunger and thirſt after righteouſnes are bleſſed, and conſequently the ſonnes of God. So we read that Abrahams willingnes to offer vp his onelyonly begotten ſonne Iſaac for a burnt offering vntounto the Lord,Gen. 22.12. was accepted with God for as ſure a proofe of his faith and obedience, as if he had offered him vp indeede. Inſomuch that in regard of his willingnes thereunto, the Apoſtles plainely ſay, that he did offer vp Iſaac when he was t…ied.Heb. 1….17. Iam. 2.21. So litle difference the Holy Ghoſt putteth betweene the will and the deede, when the will is inclined vntounto that which is good.1 Chro. 28.2 The like may be ſaid of Dauids willingneſſe and deſire to build a Temple vntounto the Lord. He builded it not, yet his purpoſe and deſire to hauehave builded it was accepted with God. And generally this is true, that the will and deſire is accepted with God as the deede: ſo that the will, and deſi…e, and indeuour to walke in the waies of God without rebuke, doe plainely ſ…ew vsus to be the ſonnes of God, and are accepted with God as if we walked holy and without blame. The like is to be ſaid of ſtriuing againſt ſinne, that euen the very ſtriuing againſt ſinne doth plainely ſhew vsus to be the ſonnes of God. For proofe whereof what neede any other than that example of the bleſſed Apoſtle Paul, who hath regiſtred ſuch a dangerous fight in himſe…fe betweene the fleſh and the ſpirit, that it made him cry out, O wretched man that I am, Rom 7.24.who ſhall deliuer me from the bodie of this death. And yet becauſe in his inner man, and in his ſpirit he delighted in the law of God, he addeth immediatly in the next words following,25. I thanke my God through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord, to ſhew that in the ſtrife the fleſh tooke the foyle, & he by the power of his Lord & Chriſt did ſtand. The aſſaults of the fleſh made him to cry, O wretched man &c. and the conqueſt of the ſpirit made him to adde, I thanke God &c. Such a ſtrife & fight the bleſſed Apoſtle had in himſelfe; and ſuch a ſtrife & fight all the children of God hauehave within themſelues; & this ſtriuing in them is a witnes vntounto them that they are the ſonnes of God. For to turne a litle aſide vntounto the ſonnes of Belial, & children of diſobedience, what ſtrife or fight at all is there in them betwixt the fleſh and the ſpirit? what denying of vngodlines and worldly luſts? what care to ſubdue the fleſh vntounto the ſpirit? what flying of the corruptions which are in the world through luſts? what louelove of God or good men? what deſire to liue ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world is in them at all? Nay contrariwiſe they delight in vnrighteouſnes, & ſell themſelues to worke wickednes, they commit ſin euen with greedines, & gladly giuegive their members ſeruants to vncleannes and to iniquitie to commit iniquitie; they hate to be reformed, and caſt the word behind their backs; they refuſe to hearken to inſtruction, and ſtop their eares at the voice of the charmer charme he neuer ſo wiſely. And therefore the Apoſtles calleth them a naughty and crooked nation, becauſe they quite peruert the ſtraight waies of the Lord, giuing their members as weapons of vnrighteouſnes vntounto ſin, which ſhould be giuen as weapons of righteouſnes vntounto God. So farre they from ſtriuing againſt ſin, and from a deſire to walke holy & without blame. OnelyOnly they that are the ſonnes of God feele this ſtrife, and this deſire within themſelues, and this very ſtrife againſt ſin, and deſire to walke after the ſpirit without blame in louelove ſhewes plainely that we are the ſons of God. Thus then yee ſee what ſhould be our ſtudie in the whole courſe of our life, to wit, as that we may be blameleſſe, & that we may be pure; ſo that we may be knowne to be the ſonnes of God euen vntounto thoſe amongſt whom we liue. Ye ſee likewiſe how this may be known not vntounto others only but vntounto our ſelues, both vntounto our ſelues & others, euen by the ſpirit of ſanctification,Rom. 8 16. which both witneſſeth vntounto our ſpirits that we are the ſonnes of God, and which by the fruits and effects which it worketh in vsus ſheweth aſmuch vntounto others. And howſoeuer our ſanctification here in this life be vnperfit, yet yee ſee that our very ſtriuing againſt ſinne, and our deſire to be holy and without rebuke plainely doth and may ſhew both vntounto our ſelues, and vntounto others that we are the ſonnes of God. Comfort then thy ſelfe, ô thou afflicted ſoule whoſoeuer thou art, that ſo groneſt vnderunder the burthen of thy ſinnes that thou wanteſt this ſweet comfort of thy ſoule. For tell me, doeſt thou feele in thy ſelfe a ſtriuing againſt ſinne; art thou touched with remorſe and compunction of heart for thy ſinnes; doeſt thou deſire to lead a life according to Gods will, and haſt thou a longing after this comfort that thou art the childe of God? Whatſoeuer be thine infirmities, how crimſon-died ſo euer thy ſinnes be, whatſoeuer doubts elſe thou calleſt, yet doubt not, thou art the ſonne of God, and vntounto thee belongeth the inheritance of the ſonnes of God. For it is the ſpirit, euen the ſpirit of ſanctification that filleth thy heart with good deſires, with deſire to flie that which is euill,Phil. 1.6. and with deſire to doe that which is good, and be that hath begun this good worke in thee will performe it vntill the day of Ieſus Chriſt, when thou ſhalt be crowned with glory and immortalitie in the higheſt heauens. As for the wicked and vngodly of the earth which wallow in their wickedneſſe, and make a mocke of piety and religion, which hauehave not God in all their thoughts, nor make mention of his name with their lips, vnleſſe it be to blaſpheme and diſhonor his holy name, they hauehave no part in this comfort, this reioycing in the ſpirit belongeth not vntounto them. But for vsus, beloued, let vsus labour and ſtriue to hauehave this comfort ſealed vntounto our ſoules, that we are the ſonnes of God, by our ſtriuing againſt ſinne, and our carefull endeuour to walke without rebuke. Yea let vsus ſo looke vntounto our ſteps and take heede vntounto our waies; let vsus ſo decline the pleaſures of ſinne, and delight our ſelues in the law of the Lord, that men ſeeing the mortification of our earthly members, and the integritie of our conuerſation may hauehave nothing concerning vsus to ſpeake euill of, but may ſay that God is in you indeede, and ſo may glorifie him in the day of viſitation.
Yea but yee will ſay againe vntounto me, how can we thus liue? Is it not a naughty and crooked nation, a froward and wicked people with whom we liue? Can a man touch pitch and not be defiled therewith? or walke amongſt thornes and not be pricked therewith? True: wee liue amongſt wicked men whoſe hearts are ſet on miſchiefe, euen as the Apoſtle here ſaith, that the Philippians liued in the middeſt of a naughty and crooked nation. Yet the Apoſtle yee ſee writeth vntounto them to walke ſo both before God, and with their neighbour that they might be blameleſſe and pure, and the ſonnes of God without rebuke in the middeſt of a naughty and crooked nation. Which teacheth vsus thus much, that howſoeuer the whole wolrd lieth in wickednes, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh,1 Ioh. 5.19. yet may we liue in the world, and amongſt the enemies of the light, as children of the light, and as the ſonnes of God, ſhewing our ſelues to be ſo euen vntounto them by walking with all care to be without rebuke amongſt them. Otherwiſe no doubt the Apoſtle would hauehave bid them to get out from amongſt that naughty and crooked people, that ſo being ſeparated from them they might not be defiled with their vncleane conuerſation: whereas now he warneth them ſo to order their ſteps that they may be knowne to be the ſonnes of God by walking with all carefulnes to be without rebuke in the middeſt of a naught & crooked nation. There is great danger indeed that we ſhall be defiled with pitch if we touch it, & that we ſhall be pricked with thornes if we walke in the middeſt of thornes. Proofes hereof there are too too many in all places. Ioſeph being caught in the waies of God feared God no doubt:Gen. 42.15. yet after that he had liued a while in Pharaohs Court he learned too readily to ſweare by the life of Pharaoh. Num. 25.1.So it is ſaid that whiles Iſrael abode in Shittim, the people began to commit whoredome with the daughters of Moab. And common experience teacheth vsus that there is nothing more pernicious and dangerous then is conuerſing with the wicked. For ſuch commonly we are as they are with whom we conuerſe: and this ye ſhall alwaies finde to be moſt true, that ſooner and oftner is he that is good made worſe by him that is bad, then he that is bad is bettered by him that is good. Whereupon it is that ſo many caueats are eueryevery where giuen to beware of the company and inticements of the wicked.Prou. 1.10, 11, 12, 13, 14 As where it is ſaid in the Prouerbs, My ſonne if ſinners doe intiſe thee conſent thou not: if they ſay, come with vsus &c. And againe, enter not into the way of the wicked, Pro. 4.14, 15.and walke not in the way of euill men: auoide it, and goe not by it; turne from it, and paſſe by. In both which places Salomon would hauehave vsus to take heede of the company and fellowſhip of the wicked, as a thing very dangerous. And certainely ſo it is, and therefore great heede to be taken, leſt by conuerſing with the wicked we be defiled with their vncleane conuerſation. Our care therefore muſt be that we may with the Prophet Dauid proteſt, and ſay, I haunt not with vaine perſons, Pſal. 26.4.5.neither keep company with the diſſemblers: I hate the aſſembly of the euill, Pſal. 1.1.& hauehave no company with the wicked. For bleſſed is the man that doth not walke in the counſell of the wicked, nor ſtand in the way of ſinners, nor ſit in the ſeate of the ſcornefull. What then? Becauſe the caſe ſo ſtandeth that the whole world lieth in wickednes, muſt we needs ſeuer our ſelues from the company of men, and either ſhut vp our ſelues in ſome cloiſter, or get vsus into the wildernes there to lead a ſolitarie life? So ſome hauehave thought, and ſo ſome hauehave done, pretending that cauſe that they might not be defiled with the corruptions of the world. But this is a thing altogether needleſſe,Gen. 19.1. 2 Pet. 2.8. as the example of iuſt Lot ſheweth, the integritie of whoſe holy conuerſation amongſt the wicked Sodomites is regiſtred both in the old and new Teſtament. If it be ſo therefore that either through the generall iniquitie of the time, or vponupon what reaſon elſe ſoeuer, we doe conuerſe and liue in the middeſt of a naughty and crooked nation, we ſee we may liue in the amongſt them without iuſt rebuke as the ſonnes of God. Neither being thus ſeated amongſt the wicked and vngodly are wee by and by to thinke of a cloiſter, or a wilderneſſe to dwell in, but rather we are to thinke of theſe precepts following.
Rom. 12.2.Firſt, that we faſhion not our ſelues like vntounto the world, that is, that we grow not like vntounto the wicked of the world in life and manners, and ſo be defiled by their vncleane conuerſation. For whatſoeuer is in the world, as the luſt of the fleſh, the luſt of the eyes, 1 Ioh. 2.16.and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. We muſt not therefore ſuffer our ſelues to be entangled with theſe things, we muſt not walke in the paths of the wicked. 2. We muſt, by the example of iuſt Lot, be euen vexed in our ſoules when we ſee and heare the vnlawfull and vngodly deeds of the wicked. As alſo we read of Dauid, 2 Pet. 2.8.Pſal. 119. v. 158.136.where he ſaith, I ſaw the tranſgreſſors and was greeued, becauſe they kept not thy word. And againe, Mine eyes guſh out with riuers of water, becauſe they keepe not thy law. And againe,53.139. Feare is come vponupon me for the wicked that forſake thy law. And againe, My zeale hath euen conſumed mee, becauſe mine enemies hauehave forgotten thy word. All which ſhewes how we ſhould be affected at the contempt, and at the vngodly conuerſation of the wicked, it ſhould euen be a paine and griefe vntounto vsus. 3. We muſt after the example of Noah, that preacher of righteouſnes, admoniſh the wicked of their waies, and warne them of the iudgments of God againſt all vnrighteouſnes and vngodlines. For albeit they ſcorne admonition, and make a mocke of inſtruction, yet muſt we, as conueniently we may, put them in minde of ſuch things as belong vntounto their peace, and accompanie ſaluation. 4. We muſt in holineſſe of life, and integritie of conuerſation amongſt them ſhew our ſelues to be the ſonnes of God, that if it be poſſible our conuerſation may winne them to walke in the waies of Chriſt. So our Sauiour willeth, ſaying, Let your light ſo ſhine before men that they may ſee your good workes, and glorifie your father which is in heauen. Theſe I ſay are the precepts which if we follow, wee neede not to thinke of cloiſter, or of deſert, or of going out of the world, but we may liue with a pure conſcience, and as the ſonnes of God, be the ſonnes of men neuer ſo wicked amongſt whom we liue. This I ſay we may doe. Howbeit I doe not hereby encourage any either to thruſt himſelfe into the companie of the wicked when he neede not, or longer to ſtay amongſt them then he ſhould. But this I exhort, eſpecially that yee faſhion not your ſelues like vntounto the wicked of the world; and next that yee auoide the company of the wicked and vngodly. At no hand ſuffer your ſelues to be defiled by their vncleane conuerſation, and if yee may keepe your ſelues from their aſſemblies. In a word, ſtudie to be the ſons of God without rebuke in the middeſt of a naughty and crooked nation; and the more wicked that they are with whom yee liue, be yee the more carefull of your conuerſation, that it be ſuch as becommeth the ſonnes of God, that therby they may be drawne, if it be poſſible, to glorifie God in the day of viſitation, or at leaſt they may hauehave nothing concerning you to ſpeake euill of, alwaies remembring that by grace and adoption we are ſeuered from them to be the ſons of God.
Mat. 12.39. Deut. 32.5.Laſtly, hence I note what we are by nature before wee be regenerate and borne againe by the ſpirit; We are euen a naughtie and crooked nation, as the Apoſtle here ſpeaketh; an euill and adulterous generation, as our Sauiour ſpeaketh; a froward and crooked generation, as Moſes ſpeaketh; a faithleſſe and ſtubborne generation, as Dauid ſpeaketh, a ſinfull nation, a people laden with iniquity, Eſa 1.4. Eph. 2.2.3. Rom. 3.13. &c.a ſeede of the wicked, corrupt children, as Eſay ſpeaketh, children of wrath, and children of diſobedience, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh. Our thoughts wicked, our will depraued, our vnderſtanding darkened, our throates open ſepulchres, our tongues full of deceit, &c. So vnpure that euen our mindes and conſciences are defiled, ſo vntoward that wee cleane peruert the ſtraight waies of the Lord, and in ſtead of giuing our members weapons of righteouſneſſe vntounto God, making them weapons of vnrighteouſneſſe vntounto ſinne, and in ſtead of ſeruing God, altogether yeelding our ſelues ſeruants vntounto ſinne. Moſt miſerable and wretched is our ſtate, darkneſſe without light, igno…rance without vnderſtanding, fooliſhneſſe without wiſedome, before ſuch time as all miſts of darknes, ignorance, and fooliſhneſſe be expelled by the bright beames of Gods holy Spirit, and we brought vntounto the glorious liberty of the ſonnes of God. Yea and ſuch thou ſtandeſt, as by nature thou art whoſoeuer thou art that ſleepeſt in ſinne, and delighteſt in vnrighteouſneſſe, making no conſcience of thy waies, but treaſuring vntounto thy ſelfe wrath againſt the day of wrath, and of the declaration of the iuſt iudgement of God. But thou that feareſt God, and walkeſt in his waies conſider from what bondage & into what freedome the Lord hath brought thee, how of a childe of wrath, of death, and of hell he hath brought thee into the glorious libertie of the ſonnes of God, and made thee an Heire of euerlaſting glory, how he hath ſanctified thy corrupt will, and heart, and vnderſtanding, how hee hath new moulded thee, and framed thee, and renewed thee, how hee hath begotten thee againe, not by fleſh and bloud, but by the immortall ſeed of his holy word: conſider theſe things I ſay, and let them be as goades and ſpurres vntounto thee to ſtirre thee vp as vntounto thankefulneſſe to thy God: ſo vntounto obedience to his will. Hath he made thy darkneſſe to be light? walke not in the vnfruitfull workes of darkneſſe. Hath hee freed thee from the bondage of ſinne? flie from ſinne as from a Serpent, and hauehave nothing to doe with the ſtoole of wickedneſſe. Hath he ſanctified thy will, and all the powers and faculties of thy ſoule? glorifie thou thy God with all the powers and faculties of thy ſoule. Hath he waſhed and cleanſed thee both in thy body and in thy ſpirit? glorifie thy God both in thy body and in thy ſpirit. So ſhall the King hauehave pleaſure in thy beauty, ſo ſhalt thou make true and right vſe of thy naturall corruption, and of thy regeneration by God his ſpirit, and ſo ſhalt thou ſhew thy ſelfe to be the ſonne of God without rebuke in the middeſt of a naughty and crooked nation.