a The Spirit having reproved theſe Hebrews for their Fault, dotii now counſel and dire& them to amend it. Seeing ye have loft {- much time already, and made fo little progreſs in learning Chriſt : Let us nt therefore ſtay any longer in the Principles of it, but pro ceed to ſome higher degree ; purſuant to which he layeth down the Principles of Chriſtian Do&rine in which theſe Hebrews had been imi- tated, and the Dottrine of Perfe&tion which they were to purſue. Leaving, 15 an omitting or letting go, as to any ſticking or ſtanding in, ſo asto make no further progreſs, but to gain higher degrees ot Knowledge in the Dottrine of the Goſpel, which enters Novices into Chriſt, having attained the beginning. the matter or Work of en- trance into the Chriſtian Religion, now not to ſtick at this firſt and imperfe& incohation in this Dotrine, b A regular motion muſt ſuc- ceed according to the great Mover unceſſantly, for our attaining the Perte&ion of the Doftrine of Chriſt, this Perfe&ion, notes height of Knowledge, Faith, utmoſt Repentance and Spiritual Change, great- eſt ſtrength of Underſtanding, and the fulleſt operation according to the Doftrine of Chriſt, in doing and forbearing, the fulleſt perſeve- rance of the Mind in the Knowledge of it, and of the Will in cleaving toit. c That which would hinder this, was reiterating Foundation Work, which the Apoſtle laid with them, by initiating them into the firſt Principles of Chriſtianity,the Knowledge and Faith of which th:y profefled to recelve, I Cor. 3.11. Epheſ, 2.20. And were therefore obliged to proceed in the building both of Perſons and Truths on it ; and leſt they had forgot, or others were ignorant what thoſe Funda- mental Principles and DoErines of the Goſpel were, he layeth down ſix Heads of them in this and verſe 2. which was the common Method of Teaching either the Children of Chriſtians or Infidels, that they might be Chriſtians, at leaſt profeſſedly, or upon their lapſe to re- ſtore them. d The firſt Chriſtian Principle or Doftrine to be learnt, was that of Repentance, which 1s the Fundamental Change of a Sin- ners Mind, and, in that of himſelf ; it earrieth'in it, Knowledge, Convidion of Sin, by God's Law, bitter Sorrow for it, and full Con- verſion of the Soul to God from it, as it is deſcribed, 2 Cor. 7. 9, 10, 11. As from alf ſinful Works flowing from it while lapſed from God; dead in Sins, which would have eaten out and deſtroyed thei: Souls for ever, Rom. 6. 23. and Epheſ. 2. 1x, 2. Suppoſeth the Knowledge of other Traths preceding it, as their Creation in God's Image, their Apoſtacy from it, the Mitery conſequent, (5s. Theſe Hebrews were to proceed and advance daily in the Exerciſe of this Grace. e The ſecond Chriſtian Principle or Dofrine is of Faith on God, comprehending the Habit and As of that Divine Grace of Ev1- dence, Subſiſtance, Afffent, and Afffiance, Chap. 11. 1. allthe Effetts of it , and this exerciſed on God in his Efſence, Relations, eſpecially in his gracious Contrivance and Execution of the Work of Redemp- tion for Sinners; as giving Reconciliation, Righteouſneſs, Holineſs, Adoption, and Eternal Salvation through Chriſt, fulfilling all Righ- teouſneſs by his Death, as a Sacrifice ſatisfying his Juſtice, and me- riting, as purchaſing all theſe Bleſſings for Believers, and efteually
from Heaven is diſpenfing them to them.
2 Ot the Dottrine of Baptiſms } and of laying on of hands g, and of reſurre&ion of the dead Þ, and of
| eternal judgment 7,
#f The
of Chriſta, let us go on unto perfeFtion 6b, not , laying again the foundation c of repentance from dead beginning in Cr,
Chap. VI,
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VI.
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VI.
f The third Fundamental Dodtrine in which theſe Hebrews were initiated, was tlie Dy@rin? of Baptijms ; containing in 1t the Do-
arine which Baptihm teacheth, as, that of the Covenant of Grace, -