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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85733	The buddings and blossomings of old truths: or, Severall practicall points of divinity, gathered out of that sacred evangelist, St. John, chap. the third, from verse 22. ad finem. By that worthy light and lamp of heaven, Alexander Gross, Bach. of Divinity, and late preacher of Ashberton, in Com. Devon.	Grosse, Alexander, 1596?-1654.	1656 (1656)	Wing G2068; Thomason E1577_2; ESTC R209389	251,205	463

as the purest manchet to distast as gall what now is pleasant as honey to their palate 2. Consider the strength of sinne and Satans hold it is a stronge Castle uneasily beaten downe the Devill is no weakling but a Prince a Potent adversary it is not every one can conquer him a bow without arrows a minister without abilities can doe nothing to this adversary powder of humane eloquence though it make a great noise cannot shake the powers of his Kingdome an Axe without edge a Sermon without Zeale and courage cannot cut the roots of this tree the Divell doth no more regard such mens preaching as preach not with power and in the evidence and demonstration of the spirit then hee did for the sonnes of Sceva conjuring Acts. 19.15 Instead of casting him out of others he will enter further into them themselves therefore like good souldiers they must be well furnished with spirituall armour and 2 Cor. 10.5 Psa 45.5 their arrowes must be sharp 3. Consider the depth of Gods councels how uneasily unfolded opened applied how these are a riddle which like Sampsons riddle cannot be enterpreted unlesse wee plough with Gods Heifer deep things of God which cannot be found out but by Gods Spirit 1 Cor. 2.11 A way that cannot be knowne without a guide Acts. 8.31 A sealed booke which we cannot read unlesse wee have some one to open it Isa 29.11 Neither are the Lamps which reserve the greatest portion of this oyle so full of light nor the fountaines which hold the largest measure of knowledge so ful of waters but that with Paul they may say who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2.16 4. Consider the number the subtlety and the power of them that seduce to sin that lead to errour and that provoke to evill that spread snares and cast stumbling blocks in the waies of Gods people The envious man hath many servants that sow tares among this Wheate Mat. 13.25 Many Factors that sell deceiptfull wares that make merchandise of the soules of the people 2 Pet. 2.3 Many mountebanks that apply healing salves before ever they search and open the wound Jer. 6.14 Many unskilful builders that daub with untemperate Morter upon a rotten wall before ever they pull downe the ruinous places Ezek. 13.10 Many clouds without raine many breasts without milke 2 Pet. 2.17 Many lazy Husbandmen that sow before ever they breake up the fallow ground of the hearts of Gods people Contrary to that Jer. 1.10 Many deceivers transformed into Angels of light 2. Cor. 11.11 Many Lions in sheepes Skins Mat. 7.15 Many that with Ahabs Prophets bad us goe on and proper 1 Kings 22.12 Therefore behoofull wee should make choice of able ministers that may teach sound Doctrine convince opposers lead us forward and build us up in the saving knowledge of Christ Iesus in despite of all oppositions 5. Consider our dulnesse deadnesse security backwardnesse Israel cannot travell longer then the fiery Pillar doth shine before them Peter will continue in the denial of his Master if the Cock do not crow to awaken him Israel will erect a golden calfe if Moses do but a little absent himselfe from them if Jehojada once dye the Princes of Juda will leave the house of the God of their Fathers and serve groves and Idols 2 Chro. 24.18 The best men with the men of Ephesus will forget their first love if they live not under faithful Ministers as the best garden will grow barren if it be not weeded the best tree will grow wild if it be not pruned the soile will become unfruitfull if the dewes fall not upon it the strongest body will grow weake if good food bee with holden from it the best ship will miscarry if it want a good Pilote therefore 2 Pet. 1.12 This is the Pillar which supporteth us the word of life which keepeth life in us Phil. 2.14 The breast which giveth food to us 1 Pet. 2.2 The cloud whose dewes water us and makes us fruitfull in the grace of the Spirit Deut. 32.2 6. Consider how hardly a true lively faith is wrought without labour men are perswaded and assured of their salvation what industry constancy fervency and shill is required and must be used before the judgement can bee informed rightly to descerne the things which differ before the will can bee inclined to chose the things which are most excellent before the affections can be cleansed the heart purified the holds of sinne cast downe the soule made free from the service of evill and free to the love of God and of what is truely good as in 2 Kings 4.32 34.35 So the Minister must againe and againe exhort instruct and pray before the life of grace be restored the conscience pacified the fruits of a new life infallably apparant and the heart throughly perswaded of Gods goodnesse towards it in the free remission of all sin all temptations quelled all objections answered the pardon of fine sealed Naaman went seven times into Jordan before he was washed the Cock crowed thrice before Peter awakened our Saviour stood long at the doore before the Spouse stirred up her selfe to open to come forth to him she sought long ere she could and him Cant. 2.5 she speaketh to the Ministers to comfort or sustaine her by the Ministry of the word Rom. 1 11. Acts. 14.2.22 7. Consider the sweet and singular comforts which the powerfull Ministry of the word breedeth in the soules of the people of God how it is unto the eies of their understanding as the light of the Sun to the eye of the bodie whereof Eccles 11.7 So it is to them a pleasant thing to behold the things of God as Mat. 2.10 So doth the light of the word rejoyce joyce the people of God Isa 9.2 3. Lu. 10.23 How it is unto their eares as the harp in Davids hand chasing away the evil spirit How a very joyfull sound Psa 89.15 How it is unto their palate as the sweetest honey Psa 19.10 As the daintiest feast Isa 25.6 How it is to their feet a burning light guiding them into the waies of peace Lu. 1.79 How it is to their thirsty soules as a wel-spring of living waters to the thirsty and their troubled consciences as the Olive-branch to Noah as the still voice to Eliah to their weary spirits as Horsemen and Chariots to drive and carry them forward in their journey to the high and Heavenly habitation which God hath prepared for his people and out of all this wee may abundantly behold the necessity of an able constant and powerfull Ministry and the folly of them that content themselves with Lamps that have no Oile with Messengers that have no tidings with such at least as like the evil servants hide and imploy not their talent 3. This must occasion the people to try whether the Ministers who are set over them be sent of God or whether they be come of their owne

THE BUDDINGS AND BLOSSOMINGS OF OLD TRUTHS Or Severall practicall Points of Divinity gathered out of that sacred Evangelist St. JOHN Chap. the third from Verse 22. ad finem By that worthy Light and Lamp of Heaven Alexander Gross Bach. of Divinity and late Preacher of Ashberton in Com. Devon LONDON Printed by W. Bentley for Andrew Crook at the signe of the green Dragon in Pauls Church-yard 1656. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Christian Reader I Am constrained in a double respect to salute thee with a brief Epistle First by custome whose bare word is holden and imbraced as a law Secondly by necessity the Author of the Book being dead leaving the notes with me Death interrupting him could not preface it so that either the Book must come to thee without an Epistle or I must write one Two things briefly I shall acquaint the Reader withall First with the Authour Secondly with the Work For the Author his name was Mr. Alexander Gross Batchelor of Divinity and Minister of Ashberton in the County of Devon he was a painful a faithful Minister of Christ a skilful a powerful dispenser of the Word the proofs of which were his constant and incessant imployments in preaching twice every Sabbath for many years yea and that in the Bishops times as also that he might keep men from drunkennesse and other deboist practices he was wont to preach every Holy-day in the year Which Ministery of his was very effectual many being converted by him Those two things which make a compleat man had an happy conjunction in him viz. integrity and judgement yea he had that which made him a compleat Minister namely that he would speak his minde fitly and that he durst speak it freely a proof of the former you have cleared in his writings that are already in print and are printed as he preached where you may find clear method sound proofs pregnant similitudes plentiful illustrations pithy perswasions sweet insinuations powerful inforcements For his freedome of speech in reproving of sin even to the faces of the greatest many are able to testifie and particular instances I could give I have heard him very much commended for these things 1 That he was an excellent Scripturist and it is reported that he had them ad unguem he was in all his preachings very full of Scripture 2 That he was blessed with an excellent memory seldome used any note in his Pulpit though he alwayes wrote Notes of what he preached 3 That he was a man furnished with that heavenly gift of prayer in which he excelled most men some Ministers have told me that they have much admired his ability in that holy Exercize 4 That he was a man hating novelties and yet abhorring superstition he stuck close to the antient truths of God and contended earnestly for the faith 5 That his life was an excellent Paraphrase on his Doctrine his Doctrine Life disagreed not As he was a Preacher of holinesse so he was a practiser of holinesse What is spoken of Saint John may be spoken of him That he was a burning and shining light and I know that many wicked men that hated him for his goodnesse shall in the day of their visitation bless God for his good words and good actions In a word he spent his time his strength his all for God and at last he died in a good old age A little before his death he preached on that passage of the Psalmist Whom have I in heaven but thee and as I was informed by a godly man his hearer that he was so wonderfully carried forth in his preaching that he much feared he should not long enjoy him and so it happened for a short space after he died and now injoyes the glorious presence of the God whom he so faithfully served As concerning this work left in my hands I have little more to say besides what the parents of the blinde man said of their sonne though in some respects it is newly come forth yet in regard of the truth and substance of it it is old enough let it speak for it self This I shall say concerning the Book that there is nothing in it but what is sound and orthodox which cannot be said of many Books that come abroad the matters contained in the Book are plain and easie to be understood food it is for babes and nourishment it may give to strong men A few hints I have here given you of what you may read more largely in the Book 1 That the Ministers duty it lies mainly in the endeavouring the conversion of sinners the drawing home of souls to God 2 That the peoples duty lies in attending upon their Ministers and Ministry 3 That the redemption of Christ it is effectual to some of all Nations but not to all in all Nations Matth. 8.11 Rev. 5.9 4 That men may not at their own pleasure leave their callings but follow them while God doth give ability to perform them 5 That the Sacrament of Baptisme must be carefully administred to such as are capable of it and that it must be administred in pure water without any mixture c. 6 That the clear and open shining of the Gospel hath been attended with much contention 7 That contentions have been in Gods family 8 That self-love and ambition are many times an occasion of contention 9 That men have of themselves no ability to do good 10 Gods servants must not seek their own but the honour of Jesus Christ 11 That all the faithful are joyned in spiritual wedlock with Christ Jesus 12 That the Lord Jesus beareth a singular love to his Ministers 13 That Gods faithful Ministers are after a special manner acquainted with his counsels 14 That the calling of the Ministry requires some good preparations and large abilities 15 The voice of the Lord Jesus heard in the Gospel is the joy and rejoycing of a sound Christian 16 That the conversion of sinners by the Ministry of the Word is the great joy of the Ministers thereof 17 Those are least conceited of their own goodness that are best and most sanctified 18 The revelation of the Lord Jesus unto men is by degrees 19 Christ the Redeemer the Son of God by eternal generation 20 The Lord Jesus hath preheminence above and dominion over all creatures These with many more excellent points shalt thou find in this little Book worthy your view God grant that your hearts may be as Cabinets to retain and keep these jewels it is true that the matters are common and the ordinary subject both of many Sermons and printed Books in these dayes yet we know that the commonest meats do yield the most wholesome nourishment whereas new found dishes do but clog the stomach and fill the body with unwholsome humours And for the preventing or removing of all prejudicate opinions which may arise concerning this Book as though strumpet like any bastardly brood unlawfully begotten should be fathered and fastened upon so divine

upon the ordainer of it Why are the waters of Jordan more effectuall than the waters of Abana and Parphar to wash away the Leaprosy of Naaman but because God hath ordained them thereunto 2 King 5.10 Why should Moses Rod divide the waters rather than another staff but because the Lord hath commanded it to be used he ordaineth it and maketh it to accomplish that whereunto he doth send it Isa 55.10.11 Reas 3 Because all the Ordinances of God do receive their vertue saving power from Gods Spirit The waters in Bethesda can do nothing unles the Angel move them John 5.4 The Philistines can never unfold Sampsons riddle unles they plough with his heifer Judg. 14.18 Let God withhold his Spirit the Word will be as a sealed book which we cannot understand you may read that the wisdome and understanding of the Word is by the Spirit Eph. 1.17 So John 16.13 Let God withhold his Spirit and the Word will be a killing letter 2 Cor. 3.6 And for the Sacrament that will be as a shell without a kernell as a dry tree without fruit as a fountaine shut up Vse This must give incouragment to the Lords Ministers though the work be difficult the burden heavy the taske great the opposition strong the hinderances many their armes weak their abilities no way answearable to the work Yet the Lords arme is strong the Lords eye is cleare he is every way sufficient he will make his Ordinances effectuall he will do great things by weak instruments Psal 8.2 Babes and sucklings our one weaknes must not so much dishearten as Gods power must give incouragment to us The consideration of Gods alsufficiency must make us pass through all difficulties with confidence chearfulnes and much courage Though we are as empty vessels yet in God is fulnes though it be a taske to hard for any humane strength a burden to heavy for the shoulders of the very Angels a labour which no created power can accomplish Yet the Lord having given us commission he may look on us and say as he did to Gideon in another case Iud. 6.14 Go you messengers of the Lord of Hosts you that are full of power by the Spirit of the Lord and of judgment and of might Mic. 3.8 Go on in this your might and ye shall save the chosen of the Lord out of the hands of their enemies have not I the Lord sent you and if any reply as Gideon did Iud. 6.15 O my Lord how shall I convert how shall I save this people behold I am weak and fraile a Lamp wherein is little Oile an arme wherein is small strength the most unworthy among the many thousands that beare thy name Yet as the Lord answered Gideon vers 16. So will he answer us surely I will be with thee I will guide assist incourage thee and thou shall smite down the sin of the people as one man thus Ier. 1.6 7 8. and Isa 49.2 Like a sword to peirce open prick and wound the consciences of men Hid me in the shadow of his hand protected me against the snares of men and hath made me as a polished arrow to peirce deeply and speedily into the hearts of the people And since it is the Lords work the faithfull messengers of God the leaders of his army may say one unto another as Ioab did to Abishai his Brother 2 Sam. 10.12 Be strong and let us be valiant for our people and for the Cities of our God and let the Lord doe that which is good in his eyes 2. Since God giveth the efficacy the ministers must take heed that they go not in their name bragging and boasting like the great Goliah of their owne abilities presuming like the Sonnes of Sheva without any commission from God to cast out the uncleane Spirit least as Goliah so they be foiled in the battel least as on the Sonnes of Sheva so the uncleane Spirit leape upon them and prevaile against them But as David went against the great Goliah not in his owne but in the name of the Lord and prevailed so must the ministers of God if they desire the conquest they must go in humility sensible of their owne weaknes as Gideon was of his Iud. 6.15 As Moses was of his Exod. 4.10 Such God will guide in judgment Psal 25.9 And shall do great things Psal 45.4 They must go in faith in the name of the Lord Jesus they shall be able to do great things Acts 3.16 Thorough this they shall cause the walls of the Spirituall Jericho to fall they shall subdue the Kingdom of Sathan stop the mouth of the Roaring Lyon quench the violence of fiery Concupiscence raise the spiritually Dead unto a new life make the weake strong the faint-hearted valiant put to flight armies of strange and strong corruptions worke righteousnes and seale up to mens Souls Gods promises as the Apostle doth in another case speake of Faith Heb. 11.30 33 34 45. They must go in Gods counsell and not in their owne wisedom David could do nothing in Sauls armour but with his sling and his stone he cast Goliah to the ground Humane inventions Philosophicall speculations like Sauls armour fit not Gods Messengers they are as a blunt weapon having no power The Word of the Lord is as a two edged sword the stones gathered out of the Scriptures slung with the sling of faith prevails mightily against sin Jer. 23.22 3. This must teach the people to take heed that they rest not in the naked receiving of Gods Ordinances from the hands of the Minister this is not enough but as the Minister so Christ must also baptize as the one baptizeth the body the other must baptize the conscience as the one preacheth to the eare so the other must preach to the heart Otherwise as the heart of Simon Magus so may ours after baptisme be full of the gall of bitternes Ismaels circumcision of the flesh availed not the heart remaining uncircumcised the washing of the sow doth not cause her to be a lamb as long as her swinish nature is not changed the ravens feathers become not white by being in the Arke with the dove Esau is not accepted of God because in the same womb with Jacob the same waters prove a swallowing gulph to the Egyptians which were dry ground a safe and sure way to Israel That Arke which causeth the house of Obededon to prosper causeth the men of Ashdod to perish It is not the possession but the fruitiō of Gods Ordinances that maketh them effectuall not the naked having but the sound application maketh them powerfull to salvation What availeth the shining of the Sun upon the blind that hath not an open eye to entertaine the light What is Physick in a Box vertuous herbes in a garden if not applied to the diseased Stomack to the wounded member What is raiment in a Wardroab or cloath under the arme if it be not put on the back What are apples above the head