§. Sect. 7 That a godly life causeth constancy and perseuerance vnto the end.
The fifth benefit which we shal receiue by a godly life is, that if we once with a firme resolution & earnest indeuour set our selues to serue & please God, we shall continue in this estate, notwithstanding our manifold in∣firmities and corruptions which make vs daily prone to fall into sinne. For they who are once receiued into couenant with God, haue not onely the gracious promise of the remission of their sinnes, but also haue the meanes offered vnto them, yea wrought in them by God, of vnfained re∣pentance, whereby turning vnto him from their sinnes, and renewing their faith, which is the condition of the couenant, in the assurance that they are all pardoned in Christ, they may with peace and comfort proceed againe in their course of godlinesse, as if they had neuer failed in it, nor gone astray. Neither doth the Lord onely, as a gracious Father, prouide fit nourishment for his children, to preserue them in their health and strength; but like a skilfull and wise Physician, soueraigne medicines to recouer them when they are sicke and weake; and not onely affoordeth vnto them meanes to keepe them whole and sound, but the precious Balme of Gilead, the blood of Christ, applyed by faith; and the salue of all sores of sinne, vnfained repentance, to heale them, when in the spiritu∣all conflict they are hurt and wounded. The which he proudeth for them, and (as it were) putteth it into their hands by his earnest exhortations, O Israel, turne vnto the Lord thy God, for thou hast falne by thine iniquity. Take vnto you words, and turne to the Lord; Say vnto him, Take away all iniquity, and receiue vs graciously. And againe; As I liue, saith the Lord God, I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turne from his way and liue. Turne ye, turne ye from your euill wayes, for why will ye dye, yee house of Israel? Yea, he is displeased with them, and sharply reprooueth them, if they neglect this medicine when he offereth it vnto them, that they may be cured: Why is this people slidden backe by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to returne; no man repented him of his wickednesse, say∣ing, What haue I done, &c? And if thus they are not moued to returne, his bowels are troubled, and yearne with compassion, as the Prophet speaketh; and he is sorry that they sorrow not, as wee see in the example of our Sa∣uiour Christ, who wept ouer Ierusalem, because they would not make vse of the acceptable Day whilest it lasted, that they might repent, and so escape Gods imminent Iudgements. Yea, he doth not so leaue them, but effectually worketh, in the hearts of his faithfull and chosen Ones, this re∣pentance which he requireth: for he giueth repentance to the house of Israel: he taketh away their stony hearts, and giueth them hearts of flesh: hee powreth the Spirit of grace vpon the house of Iudah, and causeth them to bewaile