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unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding ......... if thou seekest her as silver ...... then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord. Prov. ii, 1-5.-I love them that love me; and they that seek me early, shall find me. Prov. viii, 17.Your Heavenly Father will give the Spirit to them that ask him. Luke xi, 13.

See the example of Sergius Paulus, Acts xiii, 7, 12; especially that of Cornelius, Acts x, 1, 2, 4, 5, 34, 35. See also Gal. iii, 24; Prov. iii, 32; Job. xxviii, 28; 2 Tim. ii, 21; James i, 21; 2 Pet. ii, 1, 2. See the reason of the negative following, page 129.

TENET IV.

They hold, that effectual grace, whereby a man is converted, is resistible: and though God doth so work upon the will by his word and the inward operation of his Holy Spirit, as that he gives both power to believe and supernatural abilities, and makes a man actually to believe, yet can man, of himself, despise that grace, not believe, and so, through his own default, perish.

PROOFS OUT OF HOLY SCRIPTURE.

I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances and do them.........But whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things, and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads. Ezek. xi, 20 compared with 21.-Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not. "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sydon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day." Matt. xi, 20-23.-I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged. Ezek. xxiv, 13.-They that gladly received his word, were baptized. Acts ii, 41.-Ye received it, not as the word of man, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Thess. ii, 13, 19. See verse 19; Acts xi, 21; Rom. i, 16; Acts xiii, 46, 48.—He sent out his servants, saying, "All things are ready: come unto the marriage." But they made light of it. Luke xiv, 16, &c.; Matt. xxii, 4, 5.He that despiseth you, despiseth me: he despiseth not man,

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but God, who hath given us of his Spirit: Luke x, 16; 1 Thess. iv, 8.-How often would I have gathered thy children and ye would not! Matt. xxiii, 37; Luke xiii, 34-These things have I spoken, that ye might be saved. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. John v, 34, 40.-Because I have called and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand and ye regarded not, &c. Prov. i, 24.-Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Rom. ii, 4, 5.-They rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit. Isai. lxii, 10. See Zech. vii, 11, 13.-Ye have always resisted the Holy Ghost, and done despite to the Spirit of Grace. Acts vii, 51; Heb. x, 29.-And rejected the counsel of God against themselves. Luke vii, 30.—And turn the grace of our God into lasciviousness. Jude, verse 4.-We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Cor. vi, 1.-Looking diligently, ne quis desit gratiæ Dei, lest any man be wanting to the grace of God. Heb. xii, 15. See Psalm 1xxviii, 40, &c.; 2 Cor. iii, 15; iv, 4. Also see the reason of the second negative following, page 130. See Exod. xxi, 5, 6, compared with Isai. lxi, 1, 2; and Rom. vi, 14, 16.

TENET V.

They hold, that though grace be dispensed in differing measure, according to God's most free-will, yet on all those to whom the word of faith is preached, the Holy Spirit bestows, or is ready to bestow, so much grace as is sufficient, in fitting degrees, to bring on their conversion.

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PROOFS OUT OF SCRIPTURE.

Though grace be dispensed in differing measure," &c.] God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. Heb. i, 1, 2.—A greater than Jonah is here. Matt. xii, 41.-I came, that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John x, 10.-How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? Heb. ii, 2, 3.-To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one. Matt. xxv, 15.-There are diversities of gifts. 1 Cor. xii, 4.-The grace of God is manifold. 1 Pet. iv, 10. -According to the effectual working in the measure of every part. Ephes. iv, 16.-Him that is weak in the faith, receive you. Rom. xiv, 1.—There is not in every man that knowledge. 1 Cor. viii, 7.

"The Holy Spirit bestows so much grace as is sufficient," &c.] God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in

turning away every one of you from your iniquities. Acts iii, 26. -Him hath God exalted, to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Acts v, 31.Christ is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 1 Cor. i, 30.-The grace of God which bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto all men, &c. Tit. ii, 11, 12, See 2 Chron. xxiv, 19.-To whom I send thee, to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritauce, &c. Acts xxvi, 18.-Our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers,-not of the letter, but of the Spirit. 2 Cor. iii, 5, 6.-Go ye and teachand lo I am with you. Matt. xxviii, 19, 20. See Matt. xviii, 20, -Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled unto God. 2 Cor. v, 20.-Receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Cor. vi, 1.

"In fitting degrees," &c. With many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. Mark iv, 33. -And delivered to his servants his talents, to every one according to his several ability. [Agreeable to his capacity, and compe tent to his office and employment, and the exigence of business entrusted to him of his Lord. Matt. xxv, 15. See Heb. v, 13, 14. The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Prov. iv, 18.For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance. Matt. xiii, 12.-He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much: If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another's, who shall give you that which is your own? If you be not faithful in the use of things temporal, how shall God intrust you with things heavenly and spiritual? Luke xvi, 10, 12.-Wherefore let us have grace [hold it fast by employing it whereby we may serve God acceptably, Heb. xii, 2, 8,-and grow in it. 2 Pet. iii, 18.

TENET VI.

They hold, that a man by the grace of the Holy Spirit, may do more good than indeed he doth, and omit more evil than indeed he omitteth.

PROOFS OUT OF SCRIPTURE.

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak [excuse] for their sin. If I had not

done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. John xv, 22, 24.-The times of this ignorance God winked at. Acts xvii, 30; 1 Kings xxi, 25; Zach, i, 15. -But the righteousness which is of faith, speaketh on this wise, The word is very nigh thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. Deut. xxx, 14; Rom, x, 6, 8.-Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Cor. iii, 17; see John viii, 32, 36. -Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Rom. vi, 18.-Thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Rev. iii, 8.I am able to do all things, through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil. iv, 13.-If the mighty works which have been done in you, had been done in Tyre, Sidon or Sodom, they would have repented. Matt. xi, 21, 23. See the four [succeeding negative propositions.

TENET VII.

They hold, that whomsoever God calls unto salvation, he calleth him seriously, that is, with a sincere and unfeigned intention and will to save him.

PROOFS OUT OF SCRIPTURE.

1. H's COMMAND.-But now he commandeth all men every where to repent. Acts xvii, 30.

2. His INVITATIONS.-And the Lord sent to them by his messengers rising up betimes and sending. 2 Chron. xxxvi, 14-16. See xxiv, 19.-And he sent out his servants- -and he sent other servants, saying, Go out quickly and compel them to come in. Matt. xxii, 2, 4, &c.; Luke xiv, 21.-The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. xxii, 17.-Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. Isa. lv, i.-Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Rev. iii, 20.-Wisdom crieth without: she uttereth her voice in the streets. How long, you simple ones!- -Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you, &c Prov. i, 20, &c.

3. His RECEPTION.-Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. John vi, 37.-Come, and I will refresh you. Matt. xi, 28. He shall sup with me. Rev. iii, 20.

4. His OPTIONS.-(1.) For the time past.-But my people would not hear. O that my people had hearkened unto me! Psalm lxxxi, 9-14.-Thus saith the Lord thy Redeemer- -I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened

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to my commandments!, then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousuess as the waves of the sea. Isa. xlviii, 17-19. (2.) For the Future-O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep my commandments always, that it might be well with them! Deut. v, 29.-O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! Deut. xxxii, 29.

5. His PRECATIONS and BESEECHINGS.-I have spread out my hands (a posture of prayer, Exodus ix, 29; Psalm lxiii,5.) all the day unto a rebellious people. Isa. lxv, 2; Rom. x, 21.-God doth beseech you by us, we pray you, in Christ's stead, Be ye reconciled unto God. 2 Cor. v, 20.

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6. His OBTESTATIONS.-I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. Deut. xxx, 19.-Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. Isa. i, 2.

7. His COMPLAINTS. O my people, what have I done unto thee, and wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me. Micah vi, 3.-What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity and are become vain? Jer. ii, 5.-Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? Wherefore say my people, We will come no more unto thee? Jer. ii, 31.

8. His LAMENTATIONS.-O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved! How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee! Jer. iv, 14.-O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matt. xxiii, 37.-He beheld the city and wept over it, saying, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace!" Luke xix, 41, 42.

9. His EXPOSTULATIONS.-Cast away from you all your transgressions, and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel xviiii, 31, 32. See Jer. xiii, 27.

10. His INCREPATIONS and EXPROBRATIONS.-These things I say, that ye may be saved. And ye will not come to me that ye might have life. John v, 40, 34.-Despisest thou the riches of his goodness-not knowing, that the goodness of the Lord leadeth thee unto repentance? Rom. ii, 4.-Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? When shall it once be? Jeremiah xiii, 27,

11. His COMMINATIONS and THREATENINGS.-Therefore will I judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,

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