ends of their profession Surely â—…ciples had well tried themselves in this case who said to Christ We beleeve and are sure that thou art that Christ John 6. 69. and thereupon professed that they would never depart from him Oâ—… objections against this trial of a mans self See The whole Armour of God Treat 2. Part. 6. on Ephes. 6. 16. Of Faith § 36 37 c. §. 132. Of the Persons and Grace that cannot utterly be lost FOr further clearing this Point of departing from God or falling from grace it will be requisite distinctly to consider 1. What persons may fall 2. From what grace they may fall 3. How far they may fall 1. The persons about whom the Question is are Professours of the true faith Saints by calling or called to be Saints Rom. 1. 7. 1 Cor. 1. 2. These are of two sorts 1. Chosen and called Revel 17. 14. Their calling is an inward and an effectual calling 2. Called but not chosen Mat. 22. 14. Their calling is only external and formal These later may fall from that which the former cannot fall from and also fall much further See § 131. § 134. 2. The grace from which mens falling in departing from God is questioned is either remaining in God himself or inherent in man Election is an act of God residing in himself and altogether depending on his good pleasure Justification also consists in Gods accepting our persons not imputing our sinnes unto us But faith whereby we are justified and the several fruits of Sanctification are inherent in man wrought in him by the Spirit of God These graces inherent in man are of two sorts They are either in truth and in the judgement of certainty or in appearance only and in the judgement of charity 3. Concerning the degree or measure of falling from grace That may be either in truth in whole or for ever or only in sense in part or for a time To apply these distinctions 1. The Elect being effectually called cannot in truth totally and finally fall away This Proviso if it were possible Matth. 24. 24. being interposed in the case of falling away and that in reference to the Elect sheweth that it is not possible that the Elect should utterly be drawn from Christ. 2. No true sanctifying saving grace can be totally lost In this respect the beloved Disciple saith that Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sinne For his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sinne because he is born of God 1 Joh. 3. 9. They who are born of God are endued with true saving sanctifying grace To commit sinne is wholly to give himself over to sinne and so utterly to fall from grace This the regenerate cannot do This reason is there rendered because the seed of God that is the Spirit of God by vertue whereof we are aâ—… it were out of a certain seed born again and made new men abideth in us 3. They who are effectually called and endued with such grace cannot finally fall away For these are given to Christ and for this end that he should not lose them but raise them up again at the last day John 6. 39. In this respect they are resembled to a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season whose leaf also shall not wither Psalm 1. 3. And to Mount Zion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever Psal. 125. 2. and to an house built upon a rock which though the rain descended and the flouds came and the winds blew and beat upon that house yet it fell not Mat. 7. 24 25. How far hypocrites and reprobates may fall See Chap. 6. v. 6. § 37. §. 134. Of the Grounds of Saints stability THe grounds whereupon the Elect effectually called and endued with â—…ving gâ—…ce are so established as they can never totally fall are these 〈◊〉 such like 1. The stability of Gods Decree Whom God did predestinate them he also 〈◊〉 led and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 glorified Rom. 8. 30. So as God will bring his Elect to glory Therefore 〈◊〉 cannot finally fall Election is that foundation of God which standeth sure 〈◊〉 this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2. 19 Therefore the Lord 〈◊〉 keep them safe 2. The faithfulness of Gods promises 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. 1 Thess. 5. 24. Now 〈◊〉 hath made many promises for keeping his Saints so as utterly they shall never 〈◊〉 part from him as Isa. 54. 10. Ier. 32. 40. Mat 16. 18. Ioh. 6. 39. 3. Gods constant care over them Though they fall they shall not be utterly 〈◊〉 down for the Lord upholdeth them with his hand Psal. 37. 24. 1 Cor. 10. 13. 4. Their insition into Christ and union with him being members of his 〈◊〉 dy Ephes. 1. 22 23 5. 23. 1 Cor. 12. 12. If a member of Christs body 〈◊〉 be clean cut off thaâ—… 〈◊〉 would be imperfect See Domest Dut. on Eph. 5. 30. 〈◊〉 1. § 71 78. 5. Christs continual and effectual intercession Rom. 8. 34. A particular instâ—… hereof we have in Peters case to whom Christ thus saith I have prayed for thâ—… 〈◊〉 thy faith fail not Luk. 22. 32. A more general instance we have in that effecâ—… prayer which Christ made to his Father a little before his departure out of 〈◊〉 world Ioh. 17. 11 c. 6. The abode of the Spirit in them Concerning that Spirit Christ thus saith â—… will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide 〈◊〉 you for ever John 14. 16. That Spirit is called the anointing which abidâ—…li Saints 1 John 2. 27. And the Spirit that dwelleth in them Rom. 8. 11. See 〈◊〉 1. v. 14. § 161. These grounds as they are evident proofs of the stability of Saints So the shew that this Doctrine giveth no matter of boasting to man but returnedâ—… the glory to the blessed Trinity See Chap. 6. v. 11. § 75. §. 135. Of Objections against the certainty of Saints Perseverance 1. SOme object against the immutability of Election as if the very Elect migâ—… fall Their Objections are of four sorts Object 1. Christ threatneth to take away ones part out of the book â—… life Answ. In Scripture a man is said to be written in the book of life either iâ—… the judgement of certainty as Revel 21. 27. or in the judgement of 〈◊〉 and that by reason of their profession To take away the part of such 〈◊〉 of the book of life is to manifest that he never had any part therein Obj. 2. David maketh this imprecation Let them be blotted out of the boâ—…k of is living Psal. 69. 28. Answ. This imprecation was by divine inspiration made against Iudas 〈◊〉 others like him whose names are said to be written in the book of life by 〈◊〉 of their profession only in the judgement of charity
the Churches Conquest on Exod. 17. 11. § 43. There is no grace wherein and whereby God is more honored then by Faith Heereof see more in the whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 16. § 7. Great also is that good which Faith bringeth unto man see ibid. § 8. Besides Faith of all graces doth most strip a man of self-conceipt For boasting is excluded by the Law of Faith Rom. 3. 27. Faith is as an hand stretched out to receive what a man knowes he hath not of himself yea it is stretched out as far as God himself Hereby the believer giveth evidence 1. That he needeth such and such blessings 2. That they are not to be had in himself 3. That they cannot be received from any creature If they were he would not reach out his hand so far beyond all creatures Faith therefore so drives a man from himself and from other creatures as it maketh him rest wholy and only upon God This teacheth us how to make our appearing before God acceptable to him and withall how to make our prayers powerfull and prevalent with him namely by Faith Faith resteth on Christ for acceptance with God and faith is to prayer as fire to powder See hereof the Churches Conquest on Exod. 17. 11. § 43. There also are directions given for exercising faith in prayer The Apostle amplifieth this gift of faith by this property thereof full assurance In this assurance consisteth the excellency of faith Such a faith had Paul Rom. 8. 38. and Abraham Rom. 4. 21. and Iob 19. 25. and the disciples of Christ Iohn 6. 69. Yea and all sound Christians 1 Iohn 4. 16. Obj. These had an extraordinary spirit Ans. The Apostle indefinitely saith of all sound Christians We have the same Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 4. 13. Papists make this a doctrine of presumption others of desperation To these both may this text be opposed Papists are ignorant of the ground of assurance which is not simply in faith as an act of ours but in Gods promises and the truth of them It is not in our holding Christ but as is it an evidence of Christs holding us Rom. 8. 39. 39. If the differences betwixt faith and presumption be duely weighed we shall finde that assurance is farr from presumption Of the difference betwixt these See the whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 16. Treat 2. Part. 7. Of Faith § 88. Those other which make assurance a doctrine of desperation do not well weigh the degrees of assurance For so much as there is of the truth of Faith so much there is of assurance Of a strong faith there is a full assurance of a weake faith but a weake assurance even such as may stand with doubting Hereof see the whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 16. § 39. This teacheth us to use all means whereby we may attaine to this assurance A direction for attaining hereunto is set down in the Churches Conquest on Exod. 17. 11. § 43. §. 66. Of Conscience and the evill thereof THe third vertue required for a right manner of drawing neere to God is Sanctiâ—…ie which is thus expressed having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience and our bodies washed with pure water This sheweth that sanctification consisteth in the renovation of soul and body The former is set down in these words having our hearts sprinkled c. The latter in these and our bodies washed c. The heart is the innermost part of a man as hath been shewed Chap. 3. v. 8. § 79. It is here put for the whole soul of a man as is evident by the other part of a man from which this is there distinguished namely the body He useth the plurall number hearts because he giveth his advice to many even to all that professe the Christian faith This metaphor of sprinkling hath reference to the Law whereby blood and water were sprinkled upon persons uncleane to clense them See hereof Chap. 9. v. 13. § 71 72. A right applying of Christs blood to sinful souls is hereby intended Foâ—… nothing but Christs blood can cleanse mans heart from sin To be sprinkled from an evill conscience is by sprinkling to be freed or cleansed from an evill conscience To shew that his own heart needed clensing as well as others he useth the 〈◊〉 person plurall our hearts The filth from which he would have the heart to be clensed is here stiled 〈◊〉 evill conscience Of the notation of the word conscience of the nature of it of the kindâ—… of it Good Evill and renewed and of the extent of it See Chap. 13. v. 18. § 155. The Conscience is evill when through sluggishnesse it neglecteth to performe the dutie for which it was placed in man which was to check him and restrain him from sin or otherwise iâ—… so out of measure clamorous as it bringeth man to dispaire By this description it appeareth that the very heart is polluted See Chap. 3. v. 1â—… § 127. But withall it is here manifested that the blood of Christ applyed unto us clenseth us from the pollution of conscience As is shewed Chap. 9. v. 1â—… § 82 83. How great a benefit this is iâ—… made evident in the recovery from Apostacy on 〈◊〉 15. 31. § 21. Where the damage of a restlesse and senselesse conscience is discovered The evill of no other power of the soul can more to the full set out mans misery then the evill of conscience The conscience iâ—… evill in two respects 1. In regard of the quality of it for as all other powers of soul and parts of body it is deprived of that integrity wherein it was first created and also depraved with a contrary qualitie The depravation thereof is manifested either by not doing that dutie which properly belongeth to it or by doing it amisse 2. In regard of the object when there remaineth evil in the soul for the conscience to work upon that past present future yet the conscience doth not that work which it should For sin past and present it believes not the pardon of them And as for sin to come there remaines a purpose to continue in it as Ier. 44. 17. and so no reâ—… Thus is conscience accessary to all the evill of a mans soul and in that respect very evill in it self Hence it followeth by just consequence that it is necessary that a mans soul be pâ—…ged from an evill conscience They who have retained an ill conscience have bâ—…n much blamed 1 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 1. 15. But men have rejoyced in the testimony of a good conscience Heb. 13. 18. and of a clear conscience Acts 23. 1. and of â—… pâ—…re conscience 1 Tim. 3. 9. with such kinds of conscience an evil conscience cannot stand no more then darknesse with light There can be no peace where there is an evill conscience Isa. 57. 21. The terror of an evill conscience will manifest its self either
tried offered up Isaac 〈◊〉 he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten Son Vers. 18. Of whom it was said That in Isaac shall thy seed be called Vers. 19. Accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead from whence also he received him in a figure THe Sum of these three verses is a further declaration of the power of faith Hereabout two things are expressed 1. The partie whose faith is commended Abraham 2. The proof of the power of his faith This is first Propounded secondly Amplified In propounding the point is noted 1. The occasion of the proof When he was tried 2. The kind of proof he offered up 3. The subject offered Isaac In the Amplification there is 1. A further description of the parties concerned which are of two sorts Agent and Patient 2. An express declaration of the inward motive that put on Abraham to give this proof of his faith The Agent or Person that offered up is described by a double relation 1. By his relation to the promises thus he that had received the promises 2. By his relation to the sacrifice which was his only begotten Son Here is set down a fourefold gradation 1. A Son 2. His Son 3. A begotten Son 4. His only begotten Son The Patient is also described by a double relation One to his Father in the foresaid phrase His only begotten Son The other to his posterity vers 18. In setting down this latter relation is noted 1. The ground thereof which was Gods appointment in these words To whom it was said 2. The kinde thereof Herein observe 1. The parties betwixt whom this latter relation passeth These are 1. The stock Isaac 2. The sprouts in this word â—…eed 2. The manifestation thereof in this word shall be called The inward motive that put on Abraham to give the aforesaid proof of his V. 19. Faith is declared v. 19. About it we may observe 1. The substance thereof 2. An inference made thereupon The substance setteth out 1. An act of Abraham in this word accounted 2. The object of that act This is 1. Generally propounded in this phrase That God was able 2. Particularly exemplified thus To raise him up from the dead In the inference there are two points 1. A benefit received 2. The manner of receiving it The benefit is 1. Propounded 2. Amplified It is propounded in this word received It is amplified 1. By the object him 2. By the danger in this word from whence The manner of receiving the benefit is thus expressed in a figure §. 103. Of observations raised out of Hebr. 11. v. 17 18 19. I. FAith puts on to do what otherwise would not be done It is here said that Abraham did that which certainly he would not otherwise have done By Faith See § 83. II. The best may be tried We may well judge Abraham to be the best man that lived in his dayes yet is he here said to be tried See § 83. III. A true intent is accepted for the deed In this sense 't is here said that Abraham offered up See § 84. IV. Believers in special manner receive divine promises Thus Abraham the Father of believers is described He received the promises See § 84. V. No obstacle hinders true Faith Many and great were the obstacles which might have hindred Abraham from what he did but by faith he passed over all See § 85. VI. Isaac was a son of joy His name intends as much See § 86. VII Simple and absolute obedience is to be yeelded to God Such was Abraham's obedience See § 83. VIII God reveals his secret Counsell to his Saints This is gathered out of this phrase Of whom it was said See § 89. IX God hath a determined number to bless This is implied under Isaac's Seed See § 90. X. Gods blessing is extended to the Seed of believers This is here plainly expressed See § 91. XI Our deerest are to be given to God Who or what could be deerer to Abraham than Isaeac yet Abraham was ready to offer up Isaac to God See § 93. XII Gods offering his Son far surpasseth Abraham's offering his Son See this exemplified § 94. XIII Passive obedience is to be yielded unto God This is gathered from Isace's submitting himself to be bound and laid upon the Altar See § 95. XIV A due meditation on the grounds of faith much establisheth faith That accounting which is here noted of Abraham gives proof hereunto See § 96. XV. Gods power is an especial prop to faith Meditation hereon namely that God was able established Abraham's faith See § 97. XVI Faith prescribes nothing to God Abraham believed that God was able to make good his promise though he knew not how See § 98. XVII Faith in the Resurrection of the dead enboldens to any thing This was it that enboldened Abraham to offer up his Son See § 99. XVIII God returneth what is given to him Abraham offered up his son to God and from God he received him again See § 100. XIX God can raise the dead Abraham believed thus much and answerably from hence he received his son See § 99. XX. What is truly intended is as performed in Gods account The word translated in a figure intends as much See § 101. §. 104. Of the Commendation of Isaac Hebr. 11. 20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come THe sixt instance for proof of the vigor of faith is of Isaac's faith it is the third instance given after the Flood and that of the second great Patriarch whose name by reason of Gods Covenant made in special to him with his Father and his Son was brought into Gods stile thus I am the Godâ— of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob Exod. 3. 6. The proof of his faith is an especial act in blessing his son His faith here mentioned is such a faith as was described vers 1. and exemplified in all the worthies before mentioned It Was a true justifying faith which extends it self to Celestial Spiritual and Temporal blessings Of Isaac's name see § 86. Much hath been spoken of Isaac as he was a Son in relation to his Father Abraham Here he is to be considered as a Father in relation to his two Sons 1. Of the three Patriarcks Isaac was the longest liver For Abraham lived 175. years Genes 25. 7. Iacob 147. Genes 47. 28. But Isaac 180. Gen. 35. 28. 2. He was of the three Patriarchs the most continent he never had but one wife with her he long lived most comfortably Isaac's sporting with Rebekah his wife Gen. 26. 8. giveth instance of that matrimonial delight they took one in another The antient Liturgy hath fitly culled out this couple as a pattern for man and wife in this phrase As Isaac and Rebekah lived faithfully together 3. It is probable that he attained to more wealth than his Father or Son For he received an
this circumstance of time for ever which hath reference not only to the time of this life but also to everlastingnesse They are so perfected in this world as they shall remain perfect in the world to come Of the phrase here translated for ever see v. 12. § 36. This giveth evidence of the perseverance of Saints If they be perfected for ever they shall never finally fall away The ground of this perseverance resteth on the efficacy of Christs sacrifice Of Saints perseverance see chap. 2. v. 6. § 68 c. §. 40. Of Sanctified ones THe persons that are perfected by Christ are here said to be them that are sanctified Of the meaning of this word sanctifying see Chap. 2. v. 11. § 102 103. Among other significations the word sanctified is used for setting apart to a sacred use or end and also for making a thing holy In the former sense it here implyeth that Christ perfecteth such as are set apart by his Father even such as by Gods eternal decree are ordained to life These are they that are given to Christ by his Father Ioh. 6. 37. Eight times doth Christ make this the ground of that which he did namely that such and such were given unto him of God Ioh. 17. 2 6 7 9 11 12 24. Cleerly is this manifested by the Apostles golden Chain the first link whereof is predestination Rom. 8. 30. Hence is it said that as many as were ordained to eternall life believed Act. 13. 48. 1. This cleerly manifesteth the freenesse of Gods grace towards them that are perfected by Christ. 2. It is an argument against the universality of redemption See Chap. 2. v. 9. § 81. 3 It inciteth those who are perfected to give the glory thereof to God it is he that hath made the difference betwixt them and others Matth. 11. 25. Rom. 11 35 36. In the latter sense as sanctification is put for making holy the application of that act of Christ in making perfect manifesteth that sanctification is an evidence of perfection They who are made perfect are such as are made holy Not that sanctification as distinguished from justification is perfect in this world but that it compriseth under it also justification Indeed men are perfectly justified here in this world but the perfection of their sanctification is reserved to the world to come There spirits of just men are made perfect Chap. 12. v. 23. 1. They who are made perfect are also made holy by reason of that cleansing virâ—…e which accompanieth the merit of Christs blood Chap. 9. v. 14. This was evidenced by the water and blood that issued out of Christs side on the Crosse Ioâ—… 19. 34. 2. It is a proper work of faith whereby we are justified to purifie the heart Act. 15. 9. 1. Hereby we may gain evidencence of Christs mighty work on earth in perfecting us Sanctification is a work of the Spirit in us for by sanctification soul and body with all the powers and parts of them are altered from their natural disposition So as this work is sensible yea and visible and thereupon it will be a good help to find out our spirituall disposition 2. This is a strong motive to labour after sanctification both the getting and also for the increasing of it Hereof see Chap. 3. v. 1. § 5 c. §. 41. Of the resolution of Heb. 10. v. 11 12 13 14. Vers. 11. And every Priest standeth daily ministring and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins Vers. 12. But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God Vers. 13. From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool Vers. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified IN these four verses the perfection of Christs sacrifice is declared and that two wayes 1. Comparatively v. 11 12 13. 2. Simply v. 14. The comparison is betwixt legal Priests and Christ. This comparison consisteth of two parts 1. The insufficiency of what legal Priests did v. 11. 2. The alsufficiency of what Christ did v. 12 13. Vers. 11. In setting down the insufficiency of what Priests did is declared 1. The evidences whereby it was manifested 2. The matter wherein it consisted The evidences are five 1. The variety of persons every Priest 2. The inferiority of their services stand ministring 3. The multiplicity of sacrifices manifested hy the plural number Sacrifices 4. The frequency of offering them in these words daily oft times 5. The kind of sacrifices In this word the same The matter wherein the insufficiency of legal sacrifices consisteth is that they cannot take away sinnes They were offered for sins yet could not take them away Vers. 12. In setting down the sufficiency of what Christ did the like method is observed For there is declared 1. The evidences whereby it was manifested 2. The matter wherein it consisted 1. The evidences were 1. The singularity of the person This man 2. The unity of sacrifice one sacrifice This is amplified 1. By the manner of using it It was offered 2. By the end of it for sins 3. By the continual vigour of it for ever 3. The authority of him that offered he sat down This is amplified 1. By the height of his exaltation at the right hand of God 2. By his continuance there v. 13. Vers. 13. That continuance is 1. Generally propounded in this phrase for ever 2. Particularly described 1. By the beginning of it from henceforth This is amplified by an act of Christ in this word expecting 2. By the continuance thereof This is illustrated by an effect which is to subdue his enemies set out in this metaphor till his enemies be made his foot-stool Vers. 14. The matter wherein the sufficiency of Christs sacrifice consisteth is set out by an effect It maketh perfect This is amplified 1. by the means whereby that perfection is effected an offering Illustrated by the unity of it one 2. By the continuance thereof for ever 3. By the persons perfected them that are sanctified §. 42. Of Observations raised out of Heb. 10. v. 11 12 13 14. Vers. 11. I. THere were many legall Priests This phrase every Priest implyeth many See § 32. II. Priests ministred as servants For they stood ministring See § 33. III. Priests oft offered their sacrifices They did it daily and Often times See § 34. IV. The Priests held close to those sacrifices which God enjoyned They still offered the same and no other See § 34. V. The Priests rffered many sacrifices This is implyed under the plural number sacrifices See § 34. VI. Legal sacrifices could not take away sin This is plainly expressed See § 34. Vers. 12. VII Christ did what the Priests could not The particle of opposition BUT intends thus much See § 35. VIII Christ was the one only Priest of the New Testament This word this man intends as much See § 35. IX
Gospel is set forth by this word Matth. 1â—… 44. And the sloathfull servants talent that was put into the earth Matth. 〈◊〉 25. Thus Iesus is said to hide himself from the Jews Iohn 8. 59. and 12. 〈◊〉 And they who are afraid of the Judge are said to hide themselves Rev. 6. 1â—… 16. The reason why Moses parents hid him was a cruell edict of the King of Egypt 〈◊〉 every son that was born of an Israelite should be cast into the river Exod. 1. 〈◊〉 To prevent this destruction of Moses his parents hid him So as persons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be concealed from mischievous attempts Thus Rebekah used 〈◊〉 to conceal Iacob from the fury of his brother Gen. 27. 43. Thus Rahab 〈◊〉 spyes Iosh. 2. 4. And a woman hid Ionathan and Ahimaas 2 Sam. 2. 1â—… To omit other instances it is said of God himself that he hid Ieremiah and 〈◊〉 Jer. 36. 26. Obâ—… These were extraordinary cases and they that did it were guided by an extraordinary spirit Ans. 1. They were speciall cases not extraordinary All examples are a kind 〈◊〉 instances Yet in a like case are for our warrant 2. Though in some particulars they might be extraordinary and might be 〈◊〉 by an extraordinary spirit yet the general equity of them is ordinary and 〈◊〉 Hereupon Rahab's example is set before us as a pattern ver 31. Iam. 1. 1â—… The Spies that searched Iericho were imployed in a good cause warranted by 〈◊〉 whereof Rahab was assured partly by the common fame that God had deâ—… all Canaan to destruction and partly by an inward inspiration of the Spiâ—… this respect her act is imitable It was extraordinary to hide Spies that 〈◊〉 to search her Country This she did by an extraordinary spirit But to hide 〈◊〉 as were in Gods work and in a warranted course was ordinary and imitable 1. To hide one self from foreseen evill is a point of prudence Prov. 22. 3. 〈◊〉 to be extended to others 2. It is a fruit of charity to prevent the danger of others 3. Many benefits may thence arise as 1. Protecting the innocent 2. Preventing wrongs 3. Disapointing Satans instruments 4. Preserving such as may be usefull to men and honourable to God 〈◊〉 hurt comes to none hereby 1. Quest. What if such as are hid be enquired after by authority may they then be concealed Answ. If it may be done without impeachment of truth Otherwise I make question of this question For 1. All lying is a sin Eph. 4. 25. 2. Though good may come thereby to man yet it is against God and his truth 3. It impeacheth the power and prudence of God as if he could not maintain his own servants without untruth 4. It prevents the providence of God in his own course 5. We may not talk deceitfully for God Job 13. 7. 2. Quest. What if a good end follow upon some untruth Answ. A good end is not sufficient to justifie a matter If a thing be ill in the 〈◊〉 or manner or end it is not to be done Obj. A bad end marrs a good thing by consequence of contraries a good end may justifie an evill act Answ. That is no good consequence For there is difference betwixt good and evill One circumstance maketh a thing evill but all circumstances must concur to make it good One kind of poyson is enough to take away life but there must be many ingredients to make a portion for preserving life 3. Quest. What then is to be done when Innocents and Saints are unjustly sought after Answ. We must be silent and say nothing one way or other or couragiously refuse to betray him or so prudently order our answer as nor the partie be endangered nor truth impeached The application of this point concerneth such especially as live among those who like Pharaoh and the Egyptians are persecuters of the Church oppâ—…essors of men inhuman and cruell It doth not justifie concealers of malefactors Christians must take heed of making such inferences from such approved paterns as this is Thereby they pervert the Word of God scandalize the profession of the Gospell open the mouths of enemies bring themselves under the penalty of good Laws and suffer as malefactors which is expresly forbidden 1 Pet. 4. 15. On the other side their undue timiditie and overmuch fear of danger is manifested who are ready upon undue respects to bring others into danger as 1. They who Doeg-like discover Gods servants to their enemies 1 Sam. 2. 29. and this in hatred of and malice against them 2. They who discover such to currie favour with great men as the Ziphims 2 Sam. 23. 19. 3. They who for feare of incurring danger themselves refuse to stand to Gods cause when they are questioned about it as the parents of the man that was born blind Iohn 19. 22. 4. They that denie that succour which they might and ought to their brethren for fear of men Those and such like shew how little faith they have §. 126. Of preventing danger betimes THat act of their faith in hiding their son is amplified by the time both when they began and how long they continued In regard of the former the Apostle saith that they did it when he was born This implieth a timely doeing of that act even so soon as he was born They did not invite their neighbours at her travell nor when the child was brought forth they did not make known that they had a child born so as they prevented the danger betimes This was an especial point of wisedom An Angell admonished Ioseph to carry his reputed Son Iesus out of Herods reach before he could know that he was mocked of the wise-men Mark 2. 13. Slack not thy hand from thy servants come up to us quickly and save us and help us say the men of Gibeon to Ioshua Josh. 10. 6. It is commended in Saul that he came to succour Iabesh Gilead in the morning watch 1 Sam. 11. 11. Otherwise all paines all endeavours may prove to be in vain being too late It is too late to shut the stable dore when the steed is stollen It is therefore a point of wisedom carefully to observe what danger we our selves or others especially such as are under our charge are in and to afford them seasonable succour It is noted that the man-child which the Dragon sought to devour as soon as it was born was presently caught up unto God Revel 12. 4. 5. The Apostle exhorteth us to be vigilant because the Devill seeketh whom he may devour On this ground we ought by faithfull prayer to lift up our Children to God so soon as they are born to bring them to the Sacrament of Baptism so soon as conveniently we may to instruct them so soon as they are capable to train them up to good callings and to perform other duties betimes Resist all Sathans temptations in the beginning many fair advantages are lost by delay
Herein lies a main difference betwixt the histories of Heathens and Saints It was before noted § 101. that the histories of Saints are in sacred Scripture purposely recorded for imitation §. 104. Of the benefits of imitating Guides THe direction to be observed about the right and best use concerning Guides is so to set them before us as we may endeavour to be like unto them and that whether they be living or dead whether of later or ancienter times There is mention made of a Star which certain wise men of the East so fixed their eyes upon as they followed it till at length they came to Ierusalem and from thence to Bethlehem where they found Jesus Matth. 2. 1 c. Thus must we set our eyes upon such Guides as God doth set before us and follow them till we may come to that place where Jesus now is Thus shall we honour them This is indeed the greatest honour that we can do to them Hereby we make a supply of them in Gods Church they being taken away so as the Church doth the less miss them Elijah was the less missed because Elisha was indued with his spirit This therefore brings a great benefit to the Church of God The greatest benefit of imitating our Guides redoundeth to our selves We being like to them shall receive from God such approbation and acceptation as they received we shall finde such consolation in our own souls while here we live and when we are dead partake of their glory Their virtue will live in us Abels offering his sacrifice in faith will make us so to offer up our spirituall sacrifices Enochs walking with God will make us in all things to eye God Noahs uprightness will make us upright So the graces of others will be wrought in us Finally God hereby will be much honoured in that fear service praise and other duties are perpetually performed by mortall men which have but a time to be here in this world For as they who are departed have served him in their generation others who imitate them will serve him in succeeding generations So as the eternall God will be served from generation to generation §. 105. Of setting out the Lives of Saints departed THat which hath been said of the good which followeth upon imitating Saints justifieth the laudable profitable and pious custom of setting forth the Lives of Saints after their departure The sacred Scriptures abound herein The like have the Fathers of the Christian Church done in all ages and 〈◊〉 may it be performed This is not only a means of keeping them fresh 〈◊〉 memory according to that which the Wise man saith The memory of the just is blessed Prov. 10. 7. but also many are directed and incited to follow them Had not their lives been set forth succeeding ages would have wanted both directions and encouragements True it is that abuses are committed herein by uncertain frivolous and false narrations But abuse of a good thing is no sufficient warrant clean to take away all use thereof §. 106. Of the things wherein Saints are not to be imitated THis object of the forenamed duty faith whose faith follow is a limitation of that duty of imitation and it sheweth that the doctrine and practice of other men though pious is no absolute and infallible rule The particulars that are mentioned or otherwise intended do shew wherein such and such are to be imitated as the Prophets in suffering affliction Iob in patience Iam. 5. 9 10. So others in other like things The best Saints were men and had the flesh in them as well as the Spirit and many fruits of the flesh were manifest in them as well as of the Spirit That this point may be the more distinctly understood I will endeavour to clear these two points 1. Wherein they were not to be imitated 2. Wherein they might and must 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Concerning the negative there are three things wherein they are not to be imitated 1. Extraordinary matters These were for particular persons not for all 2. Temporary matters These were for speciall times not for all times 3. Sinfull matters These were for no persons for no times 1. It was the motion of an extraordinary spirit that moved Elijah to call for fire from heaven to consume two Captains and their fifties 2 King 1. 9 10 c. Therefore when Christs disciples alleadged this example for them to do the like Christ rebuked them and said Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of 2. Ioshuas worshipping God on Mount Gerizin and Mount Eber was but temporary It was therefore unwarrantably brought unto a perpetuall custom by the Samaritans Joh. 4. 20 21 22. 3. It was a sinfull practice of the Jews to put away their wives for every cause Christ therefore condemneth their successors for imitating them therein Matth. 19. 3 c. If it be demanded why those things were then registred I answer That though they were not all written for our imitation yet all for our instruction and learning Rom. 15. 4. Particular instructions which we may gather from them are such as these 1. By extraordinary acts the doctrine which they delivered is confirmed 2. By temporary acts the manifold wisdom of God is manifested Eph. 3. 10. and Saints submission unto God answerably ordered 3. By sinnefull acts the weakness of Saints is evidenced and Gods goodness and patience toward them Admirable comfort may be received from thence Quest. If patterns of Saints be not rules in all things how are doctrines raised from thence Answ. Doctrines are not raised simply from the practice of Saints but from the conformity thereof to those precepts which are an infallible rule for all and from Gods approbation of them The limitation of Saints practice doth demonstrate the preposterous apology of Enthusiasts who take their warrant from such as were extraordinarily inspired And of superstitious persons who plead the practice of the Apostles about Jewish Rites which were in the time of their honourable buriall Acts 21. 24. And of impudent sinners who produce the sinnefull acts of Saints for justifying themselves in their sinnes There is scarce a sinne which might not this way be justified But I advise such to consider the evidences of Gods displeasure against such sinne and the deep humiliation and through repentance of Saints for the same §. 107. Of the things wherein Saints are to be imitated COncerning the affirmative the things wherein Saints are to be imitated are to be brought to two heads The one Generall The other Particular All Generall morall duties appertaining to all persons at all times are for imitation as fear of God zeal of his glory faith in Christ love of the Saints meekness mercifulness temperance patience and other the like The Particular head containeth under it 1. Duties of a particular calling place or condition which they that are of the same may and ought to imitate Thus the Apostle setteth before wives the commendable practises of such