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A20536	Ten sermons tending chiefely to the fitting of men for the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper VVherein amongst many other holy instructions: the doctrines of sound repentance and humiliation, and of Gods speciall fauours vnto penitent sinners, and worthy communicants are largely and effectually handled. The six first, by I. Dod. The foure last, by R. Cleauer. Whereunto is annexed, a plaine and learned metaphrase on the epistle to the Collossians, written by a godly and iudicious preacher. There is also set before the sermons, a short dialogue of preparation: containing the chiefe points that concerne the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper, taken for the most part, out of the sermons following: and collected into a method for the benefit and ease of those that desire direction in this matter.	Dod, John, 1549?-1645.; Cleaver, Robert, 1561 or 2-ca. 1625. aut; Winston, John, fl. 1614-1634.	1610 (1610)	STC 6945; ESTC S114601	221,900	292

was giuen for any thing for there goeth more to the buying of a Christian then to the making of the world for in the creation God did but say they word and all things were presently formed according to their seuerall kindes but in the worke of redemption God was not onely to say but to pay also and that full dearely euen the bloud of his owne sonne which was of an infinite valew And therefore if things are to be esteemed according to that which wise men wil giue for them suerly the estate of Christianity must needs be worthy high estimation sith the wise God prouided it for his children at such an inestimable reckoning 2 Further in respect of the rarenesse thereof The rarenes of it it is to be accounted very admirable If things that are very deare were also very common that would diminish some part of their worth Mat. 7.13.14 Luke 11.32 but as for this it is both precious rare There are but a very few selected ones that the Lord hath singled out to be partakers of the life of Grace and to be afterwards heires of the kingdome of glory which maketh it to be a gift of farre greater estimation 3 Lastly if it were both deare and rare yet if it were to bee enioyed but a while The continuance of it it were the lesse to be regarded therefore this addition there is vnto the happinesse of this estate that it is also durable yea euerlasting And whereas all worldly excellency and all earthly promotions are temporary and vanishing so that a man may bee very high this day and as low ere the morrow and none can bee happy in possessing those things through the losse whereof he may so quickly become miserable it is otherwise with them that are in the state of grace for that neuer faileth once a Christian and euer a Christian as the Lords purpose changeth not so neither doth our condition change but if we haue begun in Grace wee shall end in glory that neuer shall haue end Psal 16.11 Dan. 12.2 Is it so Vse 1 that Religion and true piety is the ready way to the highest aduancement then hence let vs learne to set our hearts chiefly thereupon and aboue all the treasures in the world principally to affect that We count it good husbandry in the first place to seeke after those things that will do vs most good if siluer be offered we will preferre it before brasse if gold be offered we wil take it rather than siluer Prou. 8.10.11 Now concerning this heauenly wisedome it is sayd Receiue mine instruction and not siluer and knowledge rather then fine gold For wisedome is better then precious stones and all treasures are not to be cōpared vnto her And this should encourage vs rather to vse all industry for the obtaining of this blessed estate because it is a thing haueable It were in vaine for a base person to sue to be a King a Duke or a Lord none almost is so foolish as to seeke for such preferments because they know it would be but lost labour But there is not the meanest seruant slaue or bondman but may attaine to this spirituall dignity which is farre beyond all the aduancement that the kingdomes of this world can possibly yeeld He that can pray heare meditate conferre iudge himselfe in secret before he commeth to the Sacrament and with all good care and conscionable respect vse all Gods ordinances for the obtaining of faith and other graces which do euer accompany the same shall be sure of good and happy successe for the Lord will be found of those that seeke him with a true heart therefore let vs not so east our eyes on earthly commodities as that in the meane time we neglect this pearle of price and this inestimable Iewell that will so exceedingly enrich vs. The Apostle telleth vs 2. Cor. 9.21 that those that runne in a race for a prize though it be but a garland that is set vp so that they can gaine onely some small credit of their agility and nimblenesse in out running one another yet they will put off all that might clogge and hinder them in their race but especially if they should runne for a crowne of gold neither will they be so foolish as to stoop downe to take vp euery pin or point that lyeth in the way and yet they runne but at an vncertainty when they haue done their best another may carry away both the honour and commodity from them and certaine it is that but one alone can win the prize and euen hee also though he haue the applause at one time may goe away with the disgrace at another or if his credit doe continue all his life time yet death will take it away at last From all which the Apostle would haue vs draw this conclusion that if such kinde of persons notwithstanding all that hath bene sayd will so bestirre themselues and seeke to acquit themselues euery way like men then how much more ought we to put our selues to it and with all alacrity runne the race that is set before vs sith we runne not at an vncertainty but are sure to obtaine the crowne one shall not preuent nor depriue another but all shall vndoubtedly get that which they do expect and especially seeing that withal we striue for an incorruptible crowne and shall attaine vnto not a fading and vanishing but an abiding and euerlasting dignity O but wil some say if we bestow our paines and endeuors so much about spirituall things in the meane time Obiect wee shall neglect those earthly things that are needfull and so bring our selues to pouerty Nay not so Answer prouision for our euerlasting estate 1 Tim. 4.8 doth neuer impaire our present estate for godlines hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come and thereby shall all matters be blessed vnto vs. Haue we inheritance wealth reputation dignity c. This will assure vs that we haue a good title vnto all Note and season sweeten all that euery one of them shall be comfortable and profitable vnto vs making it cleare vnto our hearts and consciences that the Lord sendeth them in mercie as pledges of greater matters that he mindeth to bestow vpon vs. Haue we not these outward things Godlinesse wil make a supply in stead of all for that is great gaine with contentment in cōparison of which 1 Tim. 6.6 all the promises of contentednesse that other things make vnto vs will be found to be but meere illusions because it certifieth our soules that God will prouide sufficiently for vs which perswasion alone is able to stay the restlesse and vnsetled mindes of the sonnes of men from pursuing after the vnprofitable deceitfull and lying vanities of this present euill world Seing religion is such an incomparable treasure Vse 2 it should instruct vs in the second place to haue the meanes in due estimation whereby we may

TEN SERMONS tending chiefely to the fitting of men for the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper Wherein amongst many other holy instructions the Doctrines of sound repentance and humiliation and of Gods speciall fauours vnto penitent sinners and worthy Communicants are largely and effectually handled The six first by I. Dod. The foure last by R. Cleauer Whereunto is annexed a plaine and learned metaphrase on the Epistle to the COLLOSSIANS written by a godly and iudicious Preacher There is also set before the Sermons a short Dialogue of Preparation containing the chiefe points that concerne the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper taken for the most part out of the Sermons following and collected into a method for the benefit and ease of those that desire direction in this matter LONDON Printed by William Hall for Roger Iackson and are to bee sold at his shop neere the Conduit in Fleet-street 1610. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVL THE LADIE ANNE COPE WIFE TO SIR ANTHONY COPE of Hanwell and to her vertuous daughter the Lady ELIZABETH COPE wife to Sir WILLIAM COPE of Hardwicke increase of grace and all true happinesse c. IT is a thing better knowne then well considered of that in the mysticall body of Christ Iesus euery member hath his seuerall office whereon it must attend the weakest as well as the strongest and in the familie of the great Ruler of heauen and earth each seruant hath his seuerall talent which hee must imploy the meanest as well as the worthiest To deny my selfe to bee a member of that body a seruant of that family I cannot without iniurie to God and myselfe To professe to bee such a one in word and in deed to denie it were no lesse dishonourable to my head to my master then discomfortable to my selfe What then is to bee done I bethought my selfe for the auoiding of these rockes what seruice I might performe and in thinking this which J haue now done was offered to my consideration whereby as an vnderling in Gods houshold for want of greater abilitie I haue done my best endeauour to put foorth to the best aduantage others talents which else to the griefe of many would haue beene hidden at least if not vtterly lost For the doing whereof I had rather vndergoe the censures of such as are curious and carnally disposed then depriue those of a benefit that are religious and spiritually minded Let it not bee offensiue vnto your Ladiships that I haue presumed to offer these Sermons vnto publike view sheltered as it were vnder your names for I had sundry motiues which euē enforced me thus to do First in regard of the matter therein contained much of it being deliuered in your hearing and all of it suting vnto your affections whose religious care for the preparing both of your selues and of those that depend vpon you for the worthy receiuing of the holie Sacrament is well knowne vnto those that are acquainted with your conuersation in Christ Iesus Secondly in regard of the Authors whose affection I perswade my selfe is such towards you in sundry both Ciuill and Religious respects that they would most willinglie consecrate themselues and their labours to your further building vp in Christ Iesus Lastly in regard of my selfe who for many speciall fauours receiued doe acknowledge my selfe vnrequiteablie indepted and indissolublie bound vnto your Ladiships And hauing nothing of mine owne of any worth whereby to testifie my vnfained thankefulnesse I haue borrowed of others for this purpose and withall annexed my hand-writing that if my ingratitude should heereafter appeare I might by a publike censure bee condemned and made ashamed for the same Thus hoping for pardon of my boldnesse and for fauourable acceptance of my good meaning in this behalfe I humbly take my leaue recommending your Ladiships to the Lord and to the word of his grace who is able to perfect that good worke which hee hath begunne in you both Your Ladiships much bounden and in all Christian duties to bee commanded IOHN WINSTON To the Christian Reader LOOke not good reader to find in these Sermons an absolute discourse of this subiect of preparation to the Sacrament for that was not intended by the authors but onely the excitement of their present auditors as they saw occasion whereby yet I doubt not but a Christian heart shall finde great furtherance in that worke of preparation Furthermore let it please the Reader to bee aduertised that the texts handled in this booke haue neither so many doctrines gathered from them as the authors could haue done nor so many vses enforced vpon the doctrines but onlie such as were thought most meete for their present auditorie In this which I haue done I had as the approbation so also the helpe of those that preached these Sermons following for the reuising and perfecting of diuers things yet so as their leasure could afford and therefore what defects soeuer shall be found in the maner of penning let them bee imputed to mee if the Printer bee not faultie not vnto them who were content to put a finger but not their whole hand to this worke Iohn Winston A SVMMARIE COLLECTION OF THE HEADS OF Doctrine handled in the Sermons following The Doctrines of the first Sermon on PROV 28.13 1 HIding of sinne hindreth all true prosperitie 2 Hee that would haue pardon for his offences must bring before God an acknowledgement of the same 3 Hee that would bee assured of Gods fauour must ioine reformation with his confession 4 Whosoeuer confesseth his faults and endeauours to amend them shall finde mercy from God how sinfull soeuer hee hath beene in former times The doctrines of the second and third Sermons on ISA. 1.16 1 Whosoeuer would haue God to wash him with the blood of his sonne must wash himselfe by godly sorrow 2 Christians must haue regard to the manner of their good works as well as to the matter 3 All penitent persons must learne to doe well 4 Euery one must haue a principall care of the duties that pertaine vnto him in his owne place 5 Workes of mercy are very acceptable vnto the Lord. 6 In matters of Religion men must hearken vnto God and not vnto flesh and blood 7 If wee become truely penitent neither the greatnesse nor multitude of of our sinnes shall hinder our saluation 8 God looketh for truth not for perfection at the hands of his children 9 Those that haue soundly repented shall not onely haue spirituall graces but also corporall blessings bestowed vpon them The Doctrines of the fourth Sermon on 2. CRON 30.18 1 IT is the dutie of all gouernours to pray for them that belong vnto their charge 2 Whosoeuer would receiue mercy from God in the Sacrament must come with a sincere heart thereunto 3 So long as wee labour to keepe the substance of Gods worship willinglly though wee faile in some circumstances vnwillingly God will bee mercifull vnto vs. 4 God doth accept and will fulfill euery faithfull praier that is

the word and by getting that sight of their wants that might cause them to come with an eager appetite vnto Gods house They seldome or at least very coldly pray vnto the Lord to giue them an vnderstanding minde and a teachable heart to profit by the meanes but for the most part thrust in themselues ruedly with a proud and vnprepared heart and with vnrulie and distempered affections that when they stand in Gods holie presence are wandring from the duties in hand and running after their couetousnesse or after their delights and so if the word flie in at the one eare it flies out as fast at the other And they doe not mingle it with faith as they should doe but with theirowne corruptions Hebr. 4. which hinder the effectuall working of it and so it seales vp vnto many their owne iust condemnation in steed of being an instrument of God for their edification and saluation And as for Gods owne children in steed of those excellent graces that might be thereby wrought in them it oftentimes hardens their harts and fittes them for sharpe correction So for praier whereas they should lift vp pure hands without wrath and without doubting Corruptions in praier many neuer care what maner of sacrifice they offer vnto the Lord but are full of passion which distracts them and full of vnbeleefe which excludes them from hauing interest in God blessings and so their praiers tumble down againe vpon their heads and bring vpon them iudgements in steed of mercies They may truly say that they haue sought for helpe often and haue had no hearing but it is long of themselues for the sea is not more full of water then God is full of mercy to all that call vpon him in truth and if they could put away their vnbeleefe and hypocrisie and other euils that are mixed with their suites and supplications they should finde that none is so kinde a Father as God is and they should not bee so ready to aske but hee would bee more readie to giue if so be they did come in faith and aske aright as God requireth The like may bee said for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper diuers there are that partake of it as often as their neighbours doe but they are so farre from receiuing benefit and comfort therefrom that it proues hurtfull and vncomfortable vnto them and why because they put not away the euils of this worke Euils to be remoued by communicants But what are they may some demand They are diuerse One common euill Ignorance 1 is grosse and palpable ignorance that men come not discerning the Lords bodie and blood that is not being able to put a sensible difference betweene that and common bread and wine and so comming vnto it no otherwise then to their ordinarie foode not conceiuing much lesse well considering what they are to receiue from God what from man what examination is to be vsed that they may bee worthy receiuers of it what iudgements are to bee feared if they bee vnworthy receiuers and so they feele those iudgements before they feare them 2 A second euill to bee remoued from this worke Vnbeliefe 2 is vnbeliefe which hinders vs that wee cannot finde the inward vertue of those holie mysteries For when wee drawe neere to the Lords table wee should make reckoning of greater benefits then all the kings and kingdomes of the earth can affoord vs. For there God the Father is the feast-maker hee giueth vs for our intertainement the body and blood of his owne sonne to feede vpon hee offereth vs and would exhibite vnto vs if wee had faith to apprehend it Christ his perfect righteousnesse and increase of our true holinesse and entitleth vs to all comforts in this life and to the crowne of glorie in the life to come This many know but they want faith to make application of it to themselues and thence it commeth to passe that their soules are so barren of grace notwithstanding their often communicating at the Lords table The woman in the Gospel that was troubled with a bloody issue said in her heart before shee came to Christ Note if I may but touch the hemme of his garment onely I shal be made whole Math. 9.21 and according to her faith it was vnto her for that touch healed both her soule and body yet shee had no speciall commandement to come nor promise of good successe if she did come nor experience of any in her case that had sped well before her if shee were thus confident hauing had so few meanes to confirme her what strength of faith should wee come withall and what a stedfast expectation of mercie should wee haue setled in our hearts when wee come to Christ Iesus in this his ordinance seeing that wee haue both a commandement and a promise and the examples before our eies of such as haue found vnspeakeable good by this holy Sacrament and there is more reason why our Sauiour should pitie vs then why he should pitie that woman for we haue a more dangerous issue of sinne in our soules then she had of blood in her body and many of vs haue beene longer troubled with it then shee was with hers and hee came rather to heale the sicknesse of the soule then to cure the maladies of the bodie And besides all the former hee shall haue more glorie by sauing vs from sinne then by healing her from a bodilie infirmitie and the taking and eating of the blessed Sacrament of the eternall couenant is much more effectuall to draw vertue from Christ then the bare touching of his garment was and hee is neerer vnto vs now in his gracious presence then hee was vnto her then in his bodilie presence This wee should beleeue and rest vpon and if wee doe not wee offer vnto the Lord the greater iniurie for hee is no deceiuer but purposeth to bestow that vpon vs in truth which he makes offer of in shew euen to giue vs as full a communion with the righteousnesse of the second Adam as wee had with the corruption of the first Adam Euen as the branches doe partake of the sappe of the Vine and the members of the body haue life and motion deriued vnto them from the head so shall we receiue grace and life from Iesus Christ in and by his holy meanes so often as wee doe thankefully vse them 3 A third euill that must be put away when wee are to bee partakers of the Lords Supper Vncharitablenesse is vncharitablenes and vnmercifulnesse for that is a feast of loue where we are to receiue further assurance of Gods loue to vs and an increase of our loue to God and men And how can we looke for mercie if we shew no mercie or how can wee expect from the Lord a generall acquittance for all our debts and trespasses when we will not passe by small matters of offence in our brethren Therefore as we would finde any fauour in heauen let

neither Gods iustice is vnsatisfied nor any sinne vnrepented in those that labour to wash their soules by true and godly sorrow it is apparant that there is no transgression no not the most hamous that shall stand in record against them but all shall be remitted and couered from Gods sight that hee shall neuer looke vpon them in anger and indignation for the same Indeed those that haue fallen in to more notorious and grieuous crimes Why the pardon of great sinnes is not so soone apprehended cannot ordinarily get the assurance of their reconciliation vnto the Lord so soone as others that haue not beene so great offenders but the cause hereof is in themselues in that such open and scandalous offences doe make an exceeding great breach into their faith and bring maruellous great hardnesse vpon their hearts and they are very vnwilling to set their consciences vpon the rack to sift and examine their owne soules to the intent their hearts may bee pierced and wounded for their sinnes but they will rather shift and scamble and put off their humiliation as long as may bee as Dauid did Psalme 32. so that it 's a wonder they euer get out of the snares of the diuell till God either by some sharpe rebuke or by some fore affliction doe rouse them and as it were by violent hand pull them out thence But if once they come to great sorrow for their sinnes and in humblenesse of heart and assurance of faith can make claime to the blood of Christ they shall be discharged freed from all their transgressions and bee brought to that puritie and whitenesse which they neuer dreamed such miserable ereatures as themselues could haue attained vnto For confutation of that wretched errour of the Papists Vse 1 that would beare men in hand Against Purgatorie that there is a Purgatory where some men after this life must haue a further purging and scouring then heere they haue attained vnto but see heere what the Lord saith Though men haue broken foorth into neuer so many abominations though their sinnes were as crimson and as scarlet yet if they would seeke to wash cleanse themselues by the meanes that God hath appointed hee giueth them his faithfull promise that they shall be made white as wooll yea white as snow as if they had neuer offended at all To what end then should men appoint a second washing when God himselfe hath vndertaken to wash vs from all our filthinesse and from our greatest corruptions as hath beene more largelie declared before What an absurd thing is it to imagine that we must goe thorow a strange inuented fire which may more thorowly purge away the drosse of our corruptions as if Christ his blood were not sufficient to make vs white as snow This is but a carnall conceit of mans foolish braine for if fire and enduring of paines and torments could haue scoured off sinne the reprobates in hell should haue beene purged therefrom long agoe But God alone hath cleane and precious water and a skilfull and powerfull hand to effect that worke and in the Reuelation Christ Iesus the true and faithfull Witnesse telleth vs how all our vncleannes may be couered from Gods eies Reu. 3.18 I counsell thee saith he to the Church of Laodicea to buy of me white raiment that thou maist be clothed and that thy filthy nakednesse may not appeare Nakednesse there is in the best but Christ his righteousnesse is that garment which must couer it and then God will neuer in anger and displeasure looke vpon it but in mercie and goodnesse looke vpon the holinesse of his sonne wherewith our soules are inuested and all our iniquities hidden and couered Secondly Vse 2 heere is matter of great comfort vnto those that that doe in good earnest set vpon this worke of cleansing and purging themselues they shall not be destitute of companie to ioine with them for God himselfe will assist them and inable thē to go thorow with that worke and therfore this should incourage vs vnto the exercises of humiliation and of examination and iudging of our selues for are not a few teares well bestowed vpon God when he will thereupon bestow on vs the blood of his sonne Many are afraid to aduenture vpon the worke of repentance lest they should bee driuen thereby to desperation but let vs neuer feare that though our vncleannesse be neuer so great though wee bee stained and died from top to toe within and without in euery part and power of soule and body by reason of our originall corruption and actuall transgressions so that all the men in the world cannot take away the foule spots and horrible staines of sinne that cleaue vnto vs and are settled in vs yet the Lord of heauen who hath all sufficiencie of power in his hand can and will without any difficultie purge vs from euery one of our iniquities by sprinkling on our hearts the precious blood of his owne sonne which is as it were a souereigne Bath ordained for the cleansing of the soules of his elect from that contagious leprosie of sinne wherewith they are wholly ouer-spread And therefore let none bee discomforted in regard of his many and greeuous offenses seeing that the Lord hath entred into a sure couenant with vs for the pardoning and healing of them all who can as easily cure the most deadly wound as the smallest scarre and the harder the cure is the more hee shall bee glorified in shewing foorth the riches of his mercie towards poore sinners that stand in need thereof Our greatest extremitie is Gods fittest oportunity Now the chiefe meanes that he vseth for our cleansing and sanctifying Meanes of cleansing are two One is the word which being receiued into the heart by faith doth purifie the same The word according to that of our Sauiour to his Disciples Iohn 15.3 Now are ye cleane through the word that I haue spoken vnto you Another meanes is the Sacrament whereby God is ready to conuey vnto vs the merit and vertue of his sonnes death The Sacrament by the effectuall operation of his spirit that Christ may be vnto vs holinesse for our sanctification 1. Cor. 1.30 as well as righteousnesse for our iustification God doth not offer vnto vs onely the outward elements but hee is more willing to giue vnto vs the things signified thereby then any earthly father can bee to giue foode vnto his hungrie child that crieth for some reliefe at his hands when he hath all plentie and abundance whereby to supply his need I say hee is so much more willing then any earthly father as God is kinder then man and his store more plentifull then mans and it 's lesse cost and lesse paines vnto him and yet more for his praise to refresh the thirstie soules of his poore seruants then for a mortall man to satisfie the appetite of his hungry child For as the Prophet speaketh Mercy pleaseth him

Micah 7.8 there is none that can take more delight in following after their recreations and pleasures that doe most affect them then the Lord doth in shewing himselfe fauourable vnto those that seeke mercie and grace from him in thevse of his ordinances If yee consent to obey Obiect The next thing that might hinder and dismay them from turning vnto the Lord by sound repentance is that he is so holy and righteous and his law so strict and rigorous and they so sinfull and rebellious that it were in vaine for them to goe about to yeeld obedience thereunto they should neuer attaine vnto it and therefore as good for them neuer to begin the worke as not to accomplish and finish the same And thence it is that a number sit downe as sluggards and neuer set one foot forwards in the way of godlinesse because they imagine that there is a greater difficultie in Euangelicall obedience then indeed there is little knowing what Gods meaning is Ans when hee calleth vpon vs to be obedient For his purpose is not to vrge vs to a perfect fulfilling of the Law such as was required of Adam before his fall but onely that wee should doe our best endeauour and labour to conforme our selues to his will as neere as wee can if there be a true sincere loue and a harty consent to shew our selues dutifull and loyall subiects to him in all things it is as much as hee exacteth of vs. The doctrine to be learned from hence is this that God accepteth of penitent persons Doct. 9 the will for the deed as for the fulfilling of the Law in absolute perfection that Christ alone hath performed hee hath paid our debt and canceld the band Coloss 2. and taken away the hand-writing that was against vs Now this onely remaineth for vs that wee haue a good inclination and a willing mind to performe our dutie and labour to the vtmost of our strength so to doe seeing and bewailing our manifold imperfections errors and failings in euery one of our seruices which if wee can doe God will be as well pleased with vs through his beloued sonne as if wee had keept the whole Law without any departing from it at all either to the right hand or to left That which is spoken in the matter of communicating vnto the necessities of the Saints in the Epistle to the Corinths to wit 2. Cor. 8.12 if there bee first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not holdeth as true in all other seruices that wee are accepted with the Lord according as wee are inwardly affected albeit our actions be not answerable to our desires for hee that hath a ready minde to doe what hee can and doth the same would be as ready to doe a great deale more if his abilitie did serue and therefore the Lord will shew his gracious acceptance of that which is done by him though it bee neuer so little as well as if it had beene a matter of farre greater worth Now that the true purpose and intent of the heart is that which God principally regardeth in his seruants may be made yet more cleare by examples taken out of the Scriptures We may reade in Genesis what God saith of Abraham Gen. 22.16.17 By my selfe haue I sworne saith the Lord because thou hast done this thing and not spared thine onely sonne Therefore will I surely blesse thee And why Isaac was not slaine but Abraham withdrew his hand from him and spared him yet because he was content to kill him and made all things ready for the sacrificing of him God accounteth it as good and rewardeth it as well as if hee had killed him indeed So Dauid had but a purpose to build the Temple which worke was afterward laid vpon Salomon and by him performed yet the Lord giueth him a good testimony and a large reward for his readinesse that way hee was content to spare him because hee had beene at great paines before 1. Chron. 17. in shedding the blood of many enemies of the Church and some remained yet still to be subdued by him yet this he telleth him for his comfort 2. Chron. 6.8 Whereas it was in thy heart to build an house vnto my name thou diddest well that thou wast so minded And besides this hee biddeth Nathan to carrie him this message that the Lord would build him an house and would raise vp his seed after him 1. Chron. 17.10.11.12 and imploy his sonne in that honorable seruice of building an house vnto the name of the Lord and that hee would establish his throane for euer And there is reason why God should accept of the will as well as of the deed for 1 First Reasons why doe wee thinke hee will haue regard vnto the deed because it is his owne worke and is not the will his worke as well as the deede that is most certaine for the Apostle saith to the Philippians Phil. 2.13 It is God that worketh in you both the will and the deed of his good pleasure And therefore if wee can beleeue that he is pleased with our good actions wee may be as well perswaded that hee is delighted with good motions and holy desires that are stirred vp in our hearts by his owne good spirit 2 Another reason why God taketh such small things in good worth Psal 103. Mat. 3.17 is because hee is both in name and nature a father yea an heauenly father and therefore hath compassion of those that feare him euen as an earthly father hath of his child that serueth him Now hee that is a mercifull and wise and louing father as those will bee euer most mercifull to others that haue tasted most of Gods mercie to themselues when hee seeth that his child doth as well as hee can though it bee but simply and poorely yet hee will shew his liking of it and commend him for it Note and so will God deale with vs though we cannot do things perfectly yet if we do them obediētly he wil shew his loue approbation of vs and of our works When a litle child doth cheerefully aime shoote at the mark which his father proposeth vnto him though by reason of his weaknes he shoote very wide and short Yet it is as well accepted of his father as if he did hit the white and the like fatherly dealing shal we find in God that if we befaithfull in a little he wil esteeme of vs as if wee performed a great deale more Indeed when we haue put off the image of the first Adam haue put on the Image of the second Adam and haue changed the earth for heauen then wee shall not onely obey truely The perfection of a Christian heere Nehem. 1.11 but perfectlie but heere it is in truth and so it must bee esteemed one degree of perfection to see our owne imperfections And that was in