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I answer, Didst thou never learn for to outshoot the devil in his own bow, and to cut off his head with his own sword, as David served Goliath, who was a type of him. Quest. O how should a poor soul do this? This is rare, indeed. Answ. Why, truly thus Doth Satan tell thee thou prayest but faintly, and with very cold devotion?
The parable of the tares also giveth countenance to this truth: for though it be said the field is the world, yet it is said, the tares were sown even in the church. "And while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way." But some may object, The tares might be sown in the world among the wheat, though not in the churches. Answ.
"Is thine eye evil, because I am good? The other instance is, the thief upon the cross. Let no man turn this grace of God into wantonness. My design is now to encourage the coming soul. Object. But is not the door of mercy shut against some before they die? Answ. Quest. Then, why may not I doubt that I may be one of these? Answ.
But now the argument that thou dost bring to colour the contrary with, is this; for what the Father doth, sayest thou, the Son doth also. Answ. Again thou sayest, thou deniest those that say, "That light which every one hath as he comes into the world, is conscience; though some call it Christ falsely." Answ. Friend, What wilt thou have it called; Christ.
But, saith the soul, how, if after I have received a pardon, I should commit treason again? What should I do then? Answ.
The next thing you sayest Is, that I did run but was not sent, like unto my forefathers: and therefore sayest thou, I do not profit the people at all. Answ.
Christian is firm, decided, bold, and sanguine. Obstinate is profane, scornful, self-sufficient, and contemns God's Word. Objection. If I would run as you would have me, then I must run from all my friends, for none of them are running that way. Answ. And if thou dost, thou wilt run into the bosom of Christ, and of God. And what harm will that do thee? Objec.
"No man putteth new wine into old bottles"; but new wine must have new bottles, a Gospel command must have a Gospel spirit, or else the wine will break the bottles, or the principle will break the command. Object. Then you do grant that there are conditional promises in the New Testament, as in the moral law, or Ten Commands. Answ.
Do not these fears tend to the hardening of thy heart, and to the making of thee desperate? Answ. Yes, verily, that they do. Quest. 8. Do not these fears hinder thee from profiting in hearing or reading of the Word? Answ. Yes, verily, for still whatever I hear or read, I think nothing that is good belongs to me. Quest. 9.
It will be objected, then, that at some time it might be said of Christ that he was imperfect in his obedience. Answ. There was a time wherein it might have been said, Christ had not done all that he was to do for us on earth.
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