knees not in the morning and evening for a blessing but whenever he came into the presence of his Mother he would fall down in a reverential way upon his knees til she bid him stand up I do not commend the action but I speak this to shew That when a man is converted and turned to God then he wil walk contrary to himself Now whoever you be that make this Objection Have you not found it thus in your own souls I appeal unto you Cannot you say thus Indeed it is little I enjoy of God here but the Lord knows I do long and mourn for the presence of God iâ— Christ as the best thing in al the world and I am much in the examination of mine own heart in private when no eye doth see me and I do desire those things most that are the most Spiritual and the most savory those my soul closeth most with and I do not desire Grace for Comfort but I desire Comfort for Grace and Ah Lord thou knowest I have gone up and down fearing for many yeers together that I have been an Hypocrite I have sate down weeping and said O! I am an Hypocrite I am an Hypocrite Hypocrisie hath been my burden indeed And Lord thou knowest I do now walk contrary to my former self before the Lord was pleased to work upon me so and so and so I lived but now through Grace I do walk contrary to my former self Then Soul be of good comfort for though there may be many failings for which you should be humbled yet do not say that thou art an Hypocrite thy condition is or may be very good wherefore go in Peace and the Lord comfort thee Object. 5. O! but wil some say this is not my case yet for I do not only fear that my condition is unsound but I am afraid that I am concluded under it and it will never be otherwise for there are but some few Elect and chosen ones that shall â—e saved to all eternity it may be one of a hundred or one of a thousand and things are now cast in time according to Gods Decree before time Indeed if this were true That Christ died for all for all particular men and that Christ intendeth to save every particular man as the Doctrine of some is then I should have hope but I have heard that this Doctrine is not true and that Christ did not die for all men with intention to save every particular man and therefore seeing that few are under Election one of an hundred or two of a thousand I fear that I am none of them and therefore I am thus discouraged have I not cause and reason now Answ No For though this Doctrine be true That there is a certain number of Elect Persons who are but few comparatively and that there is no such thing as General Redemption yet this is no way prejudicial to the rise or growth of your Comfort As for Election It is true indeed that there is a certain number of Elecâ—â—ersons Non qui futuri eramus sed uâ— essemus nempe certum est nempe manifestum est ideo quippe tales eramus futuri quos elegit ipse predestinans ut per gratiam ejus tales essemus Austin L. Predestin Cap. 8. whom God hath chosen to Grace and eternal Glory before the Foundation of the World was laid for the Apostle Paul saith expressly Ephes 1.3 That we are chosen in Christ before the Foundation of the World he doth not say blessed be God who hath decreed to chuse us but who hath chosen us nor doth he say who hath chosen All but US where some arâ— chosen others are left nor doth he say who hath chosen us upon foresight of our Faith or Holiness but that we may be holy Holiness being the fruit of Election and if ye look into Matth. 25. ye shall find that those who stand at Christs right hand at the day of Judgment unto whom he saith Come ye blessed inherit the Kingdom are such for whom the Kingdom was prepared bâ—fore the Foundation of the World Now this number of Elect Persons is certain and unalterable for the Foundation of God standeth sure And as the Schoolmen observe If a man that is predestinated to life could be damned then the Will of God might be altered for when he doth predestinate a man to life he wills his Salvation and when he damns a man he wils his Damnation and therefore if those that are predestinated to life can be damned then the Wil of God may be altered which is impossible for his Will is like himself unchangable As the number of Elect Persons is certain and cannot be diminished nor augmented so the Lord doth certainly know all those persons for their Names are written in the Book of Life and the Lord knows who are his that is saith Mr. Bains God only knows his Collectively no Man or Creature doth in this sense know who are Gods But though God only knows by himself who those are that are approved for his yet a man may know that he is one of those Elect for if I see my self set apart from the world in time then may I know that God hath separated me from others before time and if I have chosen God for my Portion then may I know that God hath chosen me for we chuâ—e him because he hath chosen us first and if I love God in time and beleeve on Christ then I may know that he hath loved me and given himself for me for all our Grace is but a reflection of his Grace If you see the Prints and Characters of the Seal upon the Wax you know the Seal hath been set upon it though you did not see when it was done Of this mind was that blessed Martyr Mr. John Bradford with whom Mr. Fox doth joyn Vol. 3. p. 354. Acts Monum in his Annotations upon Mr. Bradfords Faith Thus do I wade saith he in Predestination in such sort as God hath opened I begin with Creation from thence I come to Redemption so to Justification and so to Election De Electione judicandum est à posteriori We must judg of Election by that which cometh after that is by our Faith and belief in Christ not thâ— Faith is the Efficient Cause of our Election but the Effect rather and the Cause certificatory or the cau e of our Certification whereby we are brought to the knowledg of our Election and to this purpose doth the Apostle exhort us to make our Calling and Election sure Give all diligence saith he to make your Calling aâ—d Election sure Iâ— seems then 1. Thaâ— tâ—ere are some who are Eâ—â—cted 2. That a man may know and â—e assured of his own Eâ—ection 3. That the way to know this is not to begin a loft but to begin below with our Vocation and therefore the Apostle puts Election last saying not make your Election and your Vocation sure but make your
who heard them Preached raised them from that Death Mine own Notes were not legible enough for the Press In answer therefore to their desires I have corrected these some things I have altered some things added and some Repetitions fit enough for the Pulpit I have filed off what is wanting let thy goodness supply I have also joyned with them some other Sermons of more doctrinal concernment these being mostly practical that so thy mind and Heart may be at once exercised wherein I have rather applyed my self to the Jnstructive part of Preaching than to Scholastical disputation For I know the Universities have able and faithful Men more fit for that work Neither have I undertaken any English Adversary and if I have troaden upon any Mans Toes I hope he wil excuse me for I can say truly Sir I saw you not And if any Man shal say to me as Davids Brother Eliab spake to him 1 Sam. 17.29 I know thy pride and Malice of thine heart that thou art come down to see the battle I might answer as David did Is there not a Cause When strange Opinions and Errors are dayly Published is there not a Cause that every man who loves the truth should bear his Testimony for it In performance therefore of mine own Duty and for thine Establishment I have spoaken somthing to many truths which are now questioned Hold fast what thou hast lest another take thy Crown And the Lord Jesus Christ and our God even the Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting Consolation and good Hope through Grace Comfort thine heart and Stablish thee in every word and good work Thine in the Service of the Gospel WILLIAM BRIDGE The Names of several Books Printed by Peter Cole in Leaden-Hall London and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Printing-press in Corn-hil neer the Exchange Nineteen several Books of Mr. William Bridge Collected into two Volumns Viz. 1 The Great Gospel Mystery of the Saints Comfort and Holiness opened and applied from Christs Priestly Office 2 Satans Power to Tempt and Christs Love to and Care of His People under Temptation 3 Thankfulness required in every Condition 4 Grace for Grace or the Overflowing of Christs Fulness received by all Saints 5 The Spiritual Actings of Faith through Natural Impossibilities 6 Evangelical Repentance 7 The Spiritual Life and In-being of Christ in all Beleevers 8 The Woman of Canaan 9 The Saints Hiding-place in time of Gods Anger 10 Christs Coming is at our Midnight 11 A Vindication of Gospel Ordinances 12 Grace and Love beyond Gifts 13 Scripture Light the most sure Light compared with 1. Revelations and Visions 2. Natural and Supernatural Dreams 3. Impressions with and without Word 4. Light and Law within 5. Divine Providence 6. Christian Experience 7 Humane Reason 8. Judicial Astrology Delivered in Sermons on 2 Pet. 1.19 14 Christ in Travel Wherein 1 The Travel of his soul 2. The first and after effects of his Death 3. His Assurance of Issue 4. And His satisfaction therein Are opened and cleered in three Sermons on Esay 53.11 15 A Lifting up for the Cast-down in case of 1. Great sin 2. Weakness of Grace 3. Miscarriage of Duties 4. Want of Assurance 5. Affliction 6. Temptation 7. Dissertion Unserviceableness 9. Discouragements from the Condition it self Delivered in thirteen Sermons on Psalm 42.11 His Four Sermons concerning 16 Sin against the Holy Ghost 17 Sins of Infirmities 18 The False Apostle tried and Discovered 19 The Good and means of Establishment Eleven Books of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs lately published also the Texts of Scripture upon which they are grounded 1 The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment on Phil. 4.11 Wherein is shewed 1 What Contentment is 2 It is an Holy Art and Mystery 3 The Excellencies of it 4 The Evil of the contrary sin of Murmuring and the Aggravations of it 2 Gospel Worship on Levit. 10.3 Wherein is shewed 1 The right manner of the Worship of God in general and particularly In Hearing the Word Receiving the Lords Supper and Prayer 3 Gospel Conversation on Phil. 1.17 Wherein is shewed 1 That the Conversations of Beleevers must be above what could be by the Light of Nature 2 Beyond those that lived under the Law 3 And sutable to what Truths the Gospel holds forth To which is added The Misery of those men that have their Portion in this Life only on Psal 17.14 4 A Treatise of Earthly Mindedness Wherein is shewed 1 What Earthly mindedness is 2 The great Evil thereof on Phil. 3. part of the 19. Verse Also to the same Book is joyned A Treatise of Heavenly Mindedness and Walking with God on Gen. 5.24 and on Phil. 3.20 5 An Exposition on the fourth fifth sixth and seventh Chapters of the Prophesie of Hosea 6 An Exposition on the eighth ninth and tenth Chapters of Hosea 7 An Exposition on the eleventh twelfth and thirteenth Chapters of Hosea being now compleat 8 The Evil of Evils or the exceeding Sinfulness of Sin on Job 36.21 9 Precious Faith on 2 Pet. 1.1 10 Of Hope on 1 John 3.3 11 Of Walking by Faith on 2 Cor. 5.7 Ten several Books by Nich. Culpeper Gent. Student in Physick and Astrology 1 The Practice of Physick containing seventeen several Books Wherein is plainly set forth The Nature Cause Differences and Several Sorts of Signs Together wtth the Cure of all Diseases in the Body of Man Being chiefly a Translation of The Works of that Learned and Renowned Doctor Lazarus Riverius Now living Councellor and Physitian to the present King of France Above fifteen thousand of the said Books in Latin have been Sold in a very few Yeers having been eight times printed though all the former Impressions wanted the Nature Causes Signs and Differences of the Diseases and had only the Medicines for the Cure of them as plainly appears by the Authors Epistle 2 The Anatomy of the Body of Man Wherein is exactly described the several parts of the Body of Man illustrated with very many larger Brass Plates than ever was in English before 3 A Translation of the New Dispensatory made by the Colledg of Physitians of London Whereunto is added The Key to Galen 's Method of Physick 4 The English Physitian Enlarged being an Astrologo-Physical Discourse of the vulgar Herbs of this Nation wherein is shewed how to cure a mans self of most Diseases incident to Mans Body with such things as grow in England and for three pence charge Also in the same Book is shewed 1 The time of gathering all Herbs both Vulgarly and Astrologically 2 The way of drying and keeping them and their Juyces 3 The way of making and keeping al manner of useful Compounds made of those Herbs The way of mixing the Medicines according to the Cause and Mixture of the Disease and the part of the Body afflicted 5 A Directory for Midwives or a Guide for Women Newly enlarged by the Author in every sheet and Illustrated with
divers new Plates 6 Galen's Art of Physick with a large Comment 7 A New Method both of studying and practising Physick 8 A Treatise of the Rickets being a Disease common to Children wherein is shewed 1 The Essence 2 The Causes 3 The Signs 4 The Remedies of the Disease Published in Latin by Dr. Glisson Dr. Bates and Dr. Regemorter translated into English And corrected by N. Culpeper 9 Medicaments for the Poor Or Physick for the Common People 10 Health for the Rich and Poor by Dyet without Physick A Godly and Fruitful Exposition on the first Epistle of Peter By Mr. John Rogers Minister of the Word of God at Dedham in Essex The Wonders of the Load-stone By Samuel Ward of Ipswitch An Exposition on the Gospel of the Evangelist St. Matthew By Mr. Ward Clows Chyrurgery Marks of Salvation Christians Engagement for the Gospel by John Goodwin Great Church Ordinance of Baptism Mr. Love's Caâ—e containing his Petitions Narrative and Speech Vox Pacifica or a perswasive to peace Dr. Prestons Saints submission and Satans Overthrow Pious Mans Practice in Parliament Time Mr. Symsons Sermon at Westminster Mr. Feaks Sermon before the Lord Major Mr. Phillips Treatise of Hell of Christs Gâ—nealogy Eaton on the Oath of Allegiance and Covenant shewing that they oblidg not A Congregational Church is a Catholick Visible Church By Samuel Stone in New England A Treatise of Politick Powers wherein seven Questions are Answered 1 Whereof Power is made and for what ordained 2 Whether Kings and Governors have an Absolute Power over the People 3 Whether Kings and Governors be subject to the Laws of God or the Laws of their Countrie 4 How far the People are to obey their Governors 5 Whether all the people have be their Governors 6 Whether it be Lawful to depose an evil Governor 7 What Confidence is to be given to Princes The Compassionate Samaritan Dr. Sibbs on the Philippians The Best and Worst Magistrate By Obadiah Sedgwick The Craft and Cruelty of the Churches Adversaries By Matthew Newcomen A Sacred Penegerick By Stephen Martial Barrissâ— Military Discipline The Immortality of Mans Soul The Anatomist Anatomized King Charls his Case or an Appeal to all Rational Men concerning his Tryal Mr. Owâ—ns stedfastness of the Promises A Vindication of Free Grace Endeavoring to prove 1 That we are not elected as holy but that we should be holy and that Election is not of kinds but persons 2 That Christ did not â—y his Death intend to save all men and touching those whom he intended to save that he did not die for them only If they would beleeve but that they might beleeve 3 That we are not justified properly by our beleeving in Christ but by our Christ beleeving in him 4 that which differenceth one man from another is not the improvement of a common ability restored through Christ to all men in general but a principle of Grace wrought by the Spirit of God in the Elect. By John Pawson Six Sermons preached by Doctor Hill Viz. 1 The Beauty and Sweetness of an Olive Branch of Peace and Brotherly Accommodation budding 2 Truth and Love happily married in the Church of Christ 3 The Spring of strengthening Grace in the Rock of Ages Christ Jesus 4 The strength of the Saints to make Jesus Christ their strength 5 The Best and Worst of Paul 6 Gods eternal preparation for his Dying Saints The Bishop of Canterbury's Speech on the Scaffold The King's Speech on the Scâ—ffold The Magistrates Support and Burden By Mr. John Cordel The Discipline of the Church in New England by the Chu ches and Synod there A Relation of the Barbadoes A Relation of the Repentance and Conversion of the Indians in New England By Mr. Eliot and Mr. Mayhew The Institutes of the Laws of England by John Cowel Octavo A description of the Grand Signiors Seraglio or the Turkish Emperors Court By John Greaves Octavo The reigning error Arraigned at the Bar of scripture and Reason By Franscis Fulwood Octavo The state of Future Life By Thomas White Twelves The Royal and delightful Game of Picquet written in French and now rendered into English Octavo De copore Politico or The Elements of Law moral and politick By Thomas Hobbs of Matnisbury The London Dispensatory in Latin in Folio The London Dispensatory in Latin in Twelves These several Books of Physick and Chyrurgerie will shortly be printed in English Riverius Observations with fifteen hundred and seventie other Histories and Observations of other men Riolanus Anatomy Bartholinus Anatomy All the Works of Daniel Sennertus except some few not proper for Translation The Idea of Practical Physick being a compleat Body of Physick And Fernclius his Works Francisci Tayleri Capitula Patrum Hebraicè Latinè edita Una cum Annotationibus sensum locorum difficilium Exprimentibus Francisci Taylâ—ri Lamentationes Jeremiae vatis Denuo è fontibus Hebraicis translatae cum Parâ—phrasi Chaldaica Masora magna parva Commentariis Rabbi Shelomoh Jarchi Abeâ— Ezrae è Buxtoâ—fii Bibliis magnis excerptis Eleven Books made in NEW-ENGLAND by Mr. Thomas Hooker And printed from his own Papers written with his own hand are now Published in three Volums two in Quarto and one in Octavo Viz. The Application of Redemption by the Effectual work of the word and Spirit of Christ for the bringing home of lost sinners unto God The first Book on 1 Pet. 1.18 19. The second on Math. 1.21 The third on Luk. 1.17 The fourth on 2 Cor. 6.2 The fift on Math. 20 5 6 7. The sixt on Revel 3.17 The seventh on Rom. 8.7 The eight on Joh. 6.44 The Ninth on Isa 57.15 The Tenth on Act. 2.37 The Last Viz. Christs Prayer for Beleevers On Joh. 17. Riolanus Anatomy in which with the Anatomy is exactly described 1 The Diseases incident to every Part of the Body of Man 2. How the Diseases are Seated in each Part. 3. The Cure of each Disease as it s Seated in that Part. Mr. Burroughs on 1 Cor. 5.7 and 18 19 29. And fifty nine Sermons on Matthew 11. 28 29 30. Are Printing SCRIPTURE-LIGHT The most Sure LIGHT Compared with 1. Revelations and Visions 2. Natural and Supernatural Dreams 3. Impressions with and without the VVord 4. Light and Law within 5. Divine Providence 6. Christian Experience 7. Humane Reason 8. Judicial Astrology By William Bridge Preacher of the Gospel at Yarmouth LONDON Printed by Peter Cole in Leaden-Hall and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil neer the Royal Exchange 1656. SCRIPTURE-LIGHT The most Sure LIGHT Sermon I. 2 PET. 1.19 We have also a more sure Word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the Day-star arise in your hearts IN these words ye have an Exhortation to a great Duty Viz. Attention or taking heed to the Word of God in dark and dangerous Times
illusiones atque Revelationes ipsas visionuâ— voces aut imagines quodam intimo sapore discernunt ut scient vel quid à bono spiritu percipiant vel quid ab illusore patiantur nam si erga haec mens caura non fuerit per deceptorem spiritum multis se vanitatibus immergit qui nonnunquam solet multa predicere ut ad extremum valeat animam ex una falsitate laqueare Gregor Dialo Lib. 4. or a wonder and the sign or wonder come to pass saying Let us go serve other Gods which thou hast not known Verse 2. Thou shalt not hearken to the words of that Prophet for the Lord your God proveth you to know whether ye love the Lord your God God may suffer a Revelation to come to pass and yet it may not be from the Lord but to prove you whether you love him and wil cleave unto him Or wil ye know a true Revelation from a Delusion by your Tast per saporem which is said to be the way whereby they did know that thing was of God Then what an uncertainty wil here be that your whol Salvation shal hang upon and be ruled by your own Tast But now the written Word of the Lord is certain sure and stedfast Heaven and Earth shall pass but not one tittle of the Word shall pass the least apex and tittle of it is more established than the Mountains There is no danger in tending upon and taking heed to this Scripture-Light 1. But if men do attend to Revelations and Visions how easily may they be drawn to despise the Scripture and such as do wait thereon There were a Generation of men in Luthers daies that pretended unto great Discoveries and Revelations men of great Parts and of high Language insomuch as Bucholcerus saies of them Swenckfeldiani sunt ter miseri nec se nec alios intelligunt non se que non intelligunt se dicere pugnantia non alios idque non tam naturali sua tarditate ingeniorum quam eo quod tenentur irretiti suis quibusdam enthusiasticis laqueis unde se extricari summam putant impietatem dementabant multos magnifecis istis verbis quae semper illis in ore Illuminatio Revelatio Deificatio hominis interiotis et spiritualis c. Scultet Anual an 1525. pag. 269 270. That they neither understood themselves nor others nor others them but wâ—re alwaies speaking of Revelations Visions Deifications c. As for other men that kept close to the Scripture they called them Vocabulists Literalists Grammatists and Creaturists And so now it wil be also if men once do attend and take heed unto Visions they wil easily despise the Scriptures and such as do take heed thereto Yea 2. And if men do attend to these Visions and Revelations how easily may they be drawn into Popery and Superstition How did Mahomet set up his Alcoran but by perswading the People to attend unto Revelation And how did the Papists so much prevail upon the Nations of the World but by their Visions and Revelations Search the Stories and you shal find that both the Turkish Alcoran and the Popish Religion had their Foundations here And if Luther had hearkened to Revelations and Visions and not kept close to the Scripture what had become of his Reformation Nay but saies he Pactum feci cum Domino Deo meo c. I have made a Covenant with the Lord my God that he may not send me Visions or Dreams or Angels Contentus enim sum hoc dono quod habeam Scripturam I am content with this Gift That I have the Scripture which doth abundantly teach and supply al those things that are necessary for this Life and for the future Yea 3. If a man do once come to attend and take heed unto Visions and Revelations how easily may he slide and depart into Atheism for what difference is there between an Atheist or a Pagan Infidel and a Christian but only this That the Christian is for the Scripture and doth adhere to that the other not Take away the Scripture from me and there wil be little difference between me and an Infidel But now the more a man doth attend unto Visions the more his heart and hands wil be loosed from the Scripture Surely therefore there is a danger in this but Scripture-Light is a sure and a safe Light Why but you wil say may not God speak by extraordinary Visions and Revelations in these daies of ours Quest Answ Yes without al doubt he may God is not to be limited he may speak in what way he please If God wil he may say to a man as he said to Abraham Go and offer up thy Son Isaac to me but is not that Commandement Thou shalt not kill a more sure and câ—rtain Rule for me to walk by God may if he wil say to a man as he once said to Hosea Go and take thee a Wise of Fornications But is not that Commandement Thou shalt not commit Adultery a more sure and certain Word and Rule for me to walk by What God may do I wil not dispute he may thus speak to men if it please him yea and if we may give credit unto known Histories the Lord hath spoken in this way somtimes to some of his Servants since the Apostles Time Cyprian tels us of Four Revelations which the Lord gave him before that Persecution did come upon them Mr. Fox in the Book of Martyrs tels us of many Visions which one Gallus a French Martyr had and of one which Mr. Philpot had Scultetus also and Sleiden tels us that God did reveal it to Luther That there should be no War in Germany whilst he lived Yet there is a great deal of difference between Faith in the Promise and a Vision or Râ—velation Possibly then the Lord may speak in such a way as this is to some of his Servants But now that you may have a Loundary in this Matter Though God may thus speak to some of his Servants yet if I have an itching desire after Visions and Revelations it 's ill The Lord may work a Miracle and being wrought I am bound to receive it but I may not put God upon the working of a Miracle So here if God wil speak in this way to me he may but I may not put him on it without Tempting of him yea I am to be so far from desiring God to speak in this way of a Vision as I am bound rather to be backward to it Revela iones caute recipiendas Aluarez de vita spirituali de discretione spirituum Lib. 5. Cap. 4. For as Alvarez observes wel If a Master be abroad in the night and the Servant be backward to open the door unto him and to let him in lest some Thief should counterfeit his Voyce the Master wil not take it il at the Servants hands that he made him stay so long before he did open the door but will rather commend
if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him verse 1 2 3. As the Scripture is the Word of the Son so it is the only Rule of our Lives Now that which is the only Rule of our Lives Scriptura est luserna pedibus à qua non deflectendum Ecclesiae sapientia cognitionis forma 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cujus testimoniis omnia consumanda ex qua â—riâ—ntur demonstâ—ationes Cui quae câ—nsentiunt admittenda et quae non consentiunt rejicienda Ergo est vitae fidelque Regula Chamiâ—rus 1. Tom. de cano fidei Lib. 1. Cap. 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11. we are in special manner to take heed unto But the Scripture and the Word of God written is the only Rule of our Lives for it is a Light unto our feet and a Lanthorn to our paths Psal 119. It is the Wisdom of the Church and People of God Deut. 4. It is that which we may not turn aside from either to the right hand or to the left Deut. 28. It is that whereby Doctrines are to be rejected or admitted Acts 17. It is that which nothing must be added to or taken from Deut. 4. Rev. 22. It is that which we are all to have recourse unto for Comfort and Direction Es 8. To the Law and to the Testimony if men say not so it is because there is no Light in them Now if the Scripture and the Word of God written be a Light unto our paths the wisdom of the Church and People of God if it be that whereby Doctrines are to be admitted or rejected if that from which we may not turn either to the right or to the left from which nothing may be taken and to which nothing may be added and if it be that which we are to resort continually unto for comfort and direction then it is the Rule and only Rule of our Lives But so it is as al these fore-mentioned Scriptures do plainly prove and therefore it is the Rule and the only Rule of our Lives As the Scripture and the Word of God written is the only Rule so it is that Salt which doth season all your Enjoyments Omne quod extra Dei verbum est est Idolatria omne quod fit in verbo est verus cultus sicut omne quod fit sine fide est peccatum et omne quod fit in fide est bonum opus quod inter verbum et fidem est conjugium indissolubile Luther It 's the Rule and Measure of your Worship for if you do not worship according to the Appointments of God in his written Word your Worship is but Idolatry and Superstition Superstitio est quicquid est supra Statutum It 's the great relief of your Souls in time of Temptation Hereby Christ answered to all his Temptations It is written and again it 's written and again it 's written and Christs Practice must be your Rule It 's that which Sanctifieth al your outward Comforts even amongst the Creatures for saies the Apostle 1 Tim. 4.4 Every Creature of God is good if it be received with thanks-giving Anima omnibus rebus carere potest excepto verbo Dei ego quidem sine verbo ne in Paradiso optarim vivere at cum verbo etiam in Inferno facile est vivere Est verbum talis thesaurus qui tractando crescit et distribuendo servando autem petir Luther Scriptura est Communis animarum officina Basil Omnipotentis Epistola ad homines missa Gregor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nutrimentum et cibus animae Athanas for it is sanctified by the Word and Prayer I profess saies Luther I cannot live without the written Word of God I can want any thing but the Scripture or the written Word of God If I were in Hell I could live with a Promise and though I were in Paradice yet if I had not the Word with me I could not live there O! saith he the Word is so great and deep a Treasure that it doth encrease by distributing yea it is even Genus generalissimum omnium bonorum that general good thing under God and Christ that hath Influence into al good things And shal the Word of God written be such a blessed Treasure and shal we not take heed thereunto As it is the Salt of al your Comforts so it is land shal be your Judg at the great day Christ is the only Judg then but this Book of the Scripture and the Word of God written is that whereby he wil Judg you and me and the World for at the last and great Day when men come to be tried for their Eternal Lives the Books shal be brought out not one Book but Books Revel 20.12 And I saw the dead both smal and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened It seems then that three Books shal be opened at the great Day one Book is the Book of Life two other there are the Book of Gods Records for a Book of Remembrance is written upon all our Actions Mal. 3. and the Book of the Scripture or the Word of God for saith our Savior John 12.48 The Word that I have spoken the same shall judg him in the last day Now this Word that Christ hath spoken is written and therefore men shal be judged thereby but if the Scripture and the Word of God written be that Book whereby men shal be judged at the last then surely it is our Duty in special manner to take heed thereunto As the Scripture is that Book whereby we shal al be judged so it shal be established upon us if we be not established by it for saies the Apostle Heb. 2. If the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by his Son What then Therefore we ought to give the more heed to the things we have heard lest we let them slip Why For if we be unstedfast yet the Word of God is stedfast The Word that God spake by Moses was stedfast and established upon them that disobeyed So now much more saies he if you be not stedfast and established by the Word it shal be established upon you unto your Destruction O! what infinite reason is there then that we should take heed thereunto Object But the Text saith That we shal do wel to take heed thereunto til the day dawn and Day-star arise in our hearts but the day hath dawned on me and the day-star hath arisen in my heart and therefore now what need I take heed to the Scripture or the written Word any longer Answ Yea Stil you have need to do it for did not the day dawn and the day-star arise on the hearts of the Apostles and Christians in
Death that is the Devil and again Col. 2.15 And having spoiled Principalities and Powers Dicitur Diabolus duas habuisse manus unam attrahentem qua trahebat omnes ad infetos quae amputata est et ei quantum ad bonos per passionem Christi et manum flagellantem quae debilitata est quae vexat tamen bonos ad exercitium Altissiod Lib 3. Tract 1 cap. 8. he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it that is the Cross So that when Christ died on the Cross he did then break and rout the Forces of Satan insomuch as al the Forces that he can draw up together against the Seed of Christ are but some rallied Troops then was his Field-Army broken and Christ triumphed over them al upon the Cross Surely therefore this breaking of the Power and Force of Satan is another Fruit and immediate Effect of the Death of Christ Sixtly As Christ did break the power of Satan by the power of his Death so he did thereby also sanctifie al things to his Seed insomuch as when they should come of Age al things should be then clean unto them For as the First Adam by his Sin and Disobedience did defile al things insomuch as al things were to be unclean and accursed to his Posterity so the Second Adam did by his Death and Obedience sprinkle clense and sanctifie al things to his Seed for saith the Apostle Heb. 9.19 When Moses had spoken every Precept to the People he took the blood of Calves and Goats and sprinkled both the Book and all the People Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the Tabernacle and al the Vessels of the Ministry and almost al things are by the Law purged with blood but the Heavenly things themselves with better Sacrifices than these verse 21 23. that is with Christs own Blood And if you ask why the Law Non quod prophanum in se quicquam haberet faedus sed quod nihil taÌ„ sanctum est quod non homines sua immunditiâ— prophanent nisi Deus ipse facta omnium innovatione occurrent omnes cultus vitiosi sunt ac impuri nisi Christus sanguinis sui aspersione eoâ— mundet Ubi Christus cum sanguine non apparet nihil nobis esse cum Deo sic neque Doctrina ipsa nobis ac in nostrum usum efficaverit nisi sanguine dedicata Calvin Heb. 9.20 21. Tabernacle and the Vessels of the Ministry which were holy should be thus sprinkled with Blood Calvin gives Two Reasons namely Because though these things were in themselves holy yet being used by man in regard of that pollution that is in him they might be prophaned and though the Book and Word of the Lord be holy yet it wil not it cannot be efficacious and profitable to us Nisi Sanguine Christi dedicata unless it be sprinkled by the Blood of Christ Now this sprinkling of the Vessels Book and al things was performed when the Sacrifice was offered and when the Testament was dedicated but the new Testament was confirmed by the Death of Christ his Blood being the Blood of the New Testament and he was sacrificed on the Cross and therefore though his Seed are sanctified with inherent Holiness when they do beleeve yet there was a sprinkling of al things Ordinances Afflictions Dispensations and al Conditions to them by the Death of Christ so that this Sanctification or sprinkling of al things in reference to his Seed was another Fruit and immediate Effect of the Death of Christ Seventhly As Christ did sanctifie al things to his Seed so by his Death he did confirm the Covenant of Grace For as the first Adam did break the old Covenant by his Sin and Disobedience so the Second Adam by his Death and Obedience did confirm the new For saith the Apostle Heb. 9.16 Where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the Death of the Testator for a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at al whilst the Testator liveth verse 17. And again Gal. 3.15 Brethren I speak after the manner of men though it be but a mans Covenant yet if it be confirmed no man disanulleth or addeth thereto and this I say that the Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ c. ver 17. So that the Covenant of Grace was confirmed by Christ in his Death Quest Qui vero sanguis aut mors Christi nobis voluntatem Dei confirmavit Resp Duplici ratione primum quod nos manifeste de ingenti in nos Del charitate certus reddiderit idque adeo quod Deus volit nobis id donare quod in N. Foedere promittat unde sanguis novi Faederis est dictus et ipse Christus testis verus et fidelis Cateches Racoviae de Prophetico Christi munere cap. 8. Socinus de Christo servatore pars prima de justif Synops 2. Volkillius de vera Religione Lib. 3. Cap. 18. Crellius ad Librum Hug. Grot. respons ad cap. 1. partic 26. Only the Question is How this Covenant was confirmed by the death of Christ The Socinians say That Christs death did confirm the Covenant by way of Testimony or Declaration of the Truth of the Gospel the Lord say they hath promised in the Gospel that al those who repent and beleeve shal be justified and saved Now Christ preaching this Truth and dying in it hath confirmed this Truth and the Gospel and therefore say they Christ is called the true and the faithful Witness 1. But though Christ by his death did bear his Testimony to the Truth of the Gospel yet where do we find in Scripture that his death did confirm the Covenant by way of Testimony 2. Where doth it appear that the Covenant which he confirmed by his death was this If you repent and beleeve you shal be saved and justified The thing is true and a Gospel Truth but the Covenant which Christ confirmed ye read of in Heb. 8. where the Lord doth promise both Faith and Repentance also 3. If the death of Christ did confirm the Covenant by way of Testimony testifying the Truth of the Gospel then the death of the Martyrs should confirm the Covenant more than the death of Christ for the Socinians deny the Deity of Christ and if Christ were only Man then the death of thousands some dying more painful deaths than Christ did should give a greater Testimony to the Truth of the Gospel and so confirm the Covenant more than the death of Christ but where do we find in al the Scripture that the death of the Martyrs is said to confirm the New Covenant Vide Essenii Triumph Crucis pag. 353. Lib. 2. Sect. 1. Cap. 1. Sib. Lubbert de Jesu Christo servatore contra F. Socinum Lib. 1. Cap. 3. Nicol. Aâ—nold de morte Christi Cap. 8. The death of none but of the Testator can confirm the Testament but Christ only and not the Martyrs is the
reading of a Story although it doth not concern him for saith he although this Story doth not concern me yet I take a complacency and contentment in the reading of it because here I read of the Valor of such a man and of the Faithfulness of such a man to his friend and of the excellent Carriages and Vertues of men Now my Beloved is there no excellency in God himself to content the soul Is there no Faithfulness in God Is there no Love and Mercy in God himself Is not the Lord the God of all Consolation and God of Mercy without relation to my Condition Is there not an Ocean of Excellent Love and Grace in God himself How many sweet Stories of Love and Grace may you read in this little Book of the Bible Besides a man that hath no Assurance now and then may have some Promise thrown into his Soul to uphold him with When Elijah was by the Brook and could not enjoy the ordinary meat of the Land a Raven brought him meat And when ever was any godly man in such a condition but he had one Raven or other to bring him Comfort Somtimes a Temptation is a Raven God makes it so somtimes a Desertion is a Raven somtimes Affliction somtimes a Particular Word and Promise is thrown into his soul and is there no comfort there I say though a man do want Assurance for the present he may live comfortably Surely therefore a Godly man hath no reason for his discouragement although for the present he doth want Assurance Object But I do not only want this setled Assurance of Gods Love and so the ordinary food of the Land but I have no Raven to bring me any Comfort I mean I have no Promise no particular Word to bring in Comfort unto my soul and to uphold me in my dark condition thâ—â—gh I do want a setled Assurance yet if I had a particular Word and Promise to uphold my soul until I had this Assurance I should not be discouraged but I want this setled Assurance and I have no particular Word or Promise to uphold my soul with until it come and therefore I am thus discouraged have I not reason now Answ 1 I Answer No. For Christian what particular Word or Promise would'st thou have Have ye not the whol Gospel before you a bag of Golden Promises A Father hath two Children and he comes unto one and gives unto that Child a piece of Gold there Child saith he supply thy want with that but unto the other Child he saith here Child I know thou are in want and there are Bags of Silver and Gold in my Study take the Key of my Study and go in and take what thou wilt Is not this latter in as good a condition as the former or rather better Thus it is with the Saints the Lord is pleased to give now and then a particular Word to some of his Children but unto others he saith rather Here take the Key of Faith for Faith is the Key and hath a power to unlock all the Promises I give thee Faith and by this Faith I give thee a power to go into all my Promises Is not this latter in as good a Condition as the other Thus it is I say with all the Servants of God Having therefore these Promises saith the Apostle c. 2. Cor. 7.1 Answ 2 Secondly If the Promise of Grace do belong to you then you cannot say I have no Word no Promise to uphold me with Now that the Promise of Grace doth belong to you is cleared thus 1. Your very resting on the Promise makes it to belong to you and it becomes yours by your resting on it but you do or have rested on the Promise 2. If the Command doth belong to you then why not the Promise Doth not the Word of Commandement belong to you viz. Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not steal Thou shalt not commit adultery Doth this word of Command belong to you Yea surely for the Command saith Thou and Thou and Thou shalt not c. and that word Thou doth include Me the word of Promise hath its Thou and Thee and Thy also Psal 37. Trust in the Lord and do good so shalt Thou dwell in the Land and verily Thou shalt be fed ver 3. Delight Thy self in the Lord and he shall give Thee the desire of Thy heart ver 5. And if you put your self within the compass of the Commandements Thou God will put you within the compass of the Promises Thou 3. If you may and it be your Duty to rest on the Promise then it belongs to you now you may rest on the Promise of Grace and Holiness for Sanctification and it is your Duty so to do else it were no sin not to rest on the Promise but unbelief and not resting on the Promise is a sin only ye must know that there is a great difference between the Promise of Consolation and the Promise of Sanctification to apply the Promise of Comfort without endeavor after Holiness is presumption but to apply the Promise of Sanctification that I may be more holy is no presumption but my Duty and if it be your Duty to apply and rest on this Promise then it belongs to you Object 2 O! but yet When I go unto the Word or the Scripture I find that Gods Promise still runs upon some Condition and I cannot perform that Condition I do not find that condition in my self and therefore I fear that I may not go unto these Promises and that I have no right to them Answ 1 But what if a good and gracious man may apply a Conditional Promise although he hath not performed the Condition Pray look into Nehemiah chap. 1 and there you will find That the Jews being in Captivity Nehemiah goes unto God in prayer and doth press the Promise which God had made unto the Jews by his Servant Moses verse 8. Remember I beseech thee thy Word that thou commandedst thy Servant Moses saying If ye transgress I wil scatter ye abroad among the Nations but if ye turn unto me and keep my Commandements and do them though there were of you cast unto the utmost part of the Earth yet will I gather them from thence and I will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my Name there Now these are thy Servants and thy People whom thou hast redeemed by thy great Power The Jews in Babylon were scattered according to the Word but alas they did not return unto the Lord and leave their sins according to the Condition of the Promise yet notwithstanding Nehemiah goes unto the Lord and presseth this Ptomise and the Lord heard him and he had acceptance as ye find in the following Chapter Answ 2 Secondly What if the Condition of one Promise be the thing promised in another Promise will ye then fear that the Promise doth not belong to you because you have not performed the Condition
So in honoring God a man honors himself yea and thereby God doth put hâ—nor on him for what is honor but Testimonium de alicujus excellentia Testifying of anothers Excellency and the more I testifie of any Excellency in a man the more I honor him Now when God doth betrust a man with his Work he testifies of an excellency in him The Lord hath counted me faithful and put me into his Work saith Paul yea the greatest greatness in this world is to wait upon the great God Therefore faith our Savior of John the Baptist Amâ—ngst them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than he Matth. 11.11 And if ye look into Gen. 1. ye shal find That the Moon is câ—lled one of the two great Lights ver 16. And God made two great Lights the greater to rule the day and the lesser to rule the night But though the Moon is said to be lesser than the Sun yet it is said to be one of the two greaâ— Lights And why so are there not other Stars greater than the Moon Yes but because the Moon is the most influential and serviceable to the world therefore it is said to be greater than others So that in â—ods account the more service we do in the world the greater we are and the more honorable in Gods Eyes Answ 3 Thereby also we are kept from the dint of Temptations idleness breeds Temptation Our Vacation is the Devils Term Homines nihil agendo male discunt agere otium est vivi hominis sepultura Sen. when we are least at work for God then is Satan most at work about us By doing nothing men learn to do evil yea Idleness is the burying of a living man Answ 4 Great and good Employment is the Mercy promised That can hardly be a smal mercy which the great God doth promise promised Mercies are the sweeâ—est Mercies Now thâ— Lord promiseth Esay 58.18 That if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry c. The Lord shall guide thee continually and they that shall be of thee shal build the old wast places thou shalt raise up the Foundations of many Generations and thou shalt be called the Repairer of the Breaches the Restorer of Paths to dwell in Here is Employment and Betrustment promised Answ 5 The more useful and serviceable a man is to God the more apt and ready God wil be to pardon his failings not only the failings of his present employment but of the other part of his life also What a great failing was that in Rahab to say the Spyes were gone when she had hid them in the top of her house yet the Lord pardoned this failing to her Why Because she beleeved and was useful and serviceable unto Gods great design in that her day And if ye look into Numb 〈◊〉 ye shall find That though Aaron and Miriam were both engaged in the same sin and evil of envying and murmuring against Moses yet the Lord spaâ—ed Aaron when he strook Miriam with a Leprosie But why saith Abulensis was not Aaron smitten with the Leprosie as well as Miriam what because he was not so deeply in the Transgression as she was No for verse 1. it 's said Then spake Aaron and Miriam not as if she were put on by him Or because that Aaron confessed his sin as she did not No for so did Miriam also for she was a good woman Or because that God owed Aaron a punishment till afterwards 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysostom Hom. 3. ad Collos No for that appears not by the Text but he was the High-Priest and if he had been smitten with Leprosie it would have brought his Ministry under some contempt the Work of the Lord would have ceased for a time also and though he failed in this thing yet he was otherwise a very useful and serviceable man and God would shew his aptness and readiness to pardon such rather than others Answ 6 If a man be employed for God in any special Service and Work the Lord will not only pardon his failings but if he be faithful in his Work God will bless him and set a Character of Love and Favor upon him What a Character of Love did the Lord set on Caleb and Joshua Of all men in Scripture it 's said of Caleb that he followed the Lord fully and this Character God himself did set upon him Numb 15.24 But my Servant Caleb because he had another spirit with him and hath followed me fully c. But why did God own and dignifie Caleb thus Even because he was faithful in that Work Service and Employment which God did call him to Answ 7 Yea The Serviceable man is the only man who doth live and speak when he is dead I mean for God Some are very active and serviceable for the Devil whilst they live they write and print wanton filthy Books and they speak while they are dead but it is still for Satan Others are very active and serviceable for God while they live they write and print works of Faith and Holiness and they also speak when they are dead as it 's said of Abel Who being dead yet speaketh but how doth he speak now The Apostle tels us Heb. 11. by Faith By which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It relates unto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Faith Well but what cast of Faith did he do He offered a more excellent Sacrifice than his Elder Brother which was the work and Service of his day So that the Serviceable man is the only man who doth speak when hâ— is dead Surely therfore it is a very great Priviledg and Mercy to be used and employed for God in his Work and Service Yet if God will not use me why should I be discouraged or complain Is not God free and may not he employ whom he pleaseth Shall the poor Potsheard say unto him why doest thou lay me by What if God will cross hands and lay his right hand on anothers head and his left hand on mine Shall I think to direct and order the hands of Gods Providence as Joseph would have altered Jacobs Iâ— not his Work his own and may not he put it out unto whom he please and if I complain thereof is not this my pride Proud men scorn their own employment and envy at others It 's a mercy indeed to be employed for God yet if God will not trust me with his Service as I desire why should I be discouraged Yet I may be Gods Servant For First The Service of God is two-fold Somtimes it is taken for some special Employment which a man is called forth unto And somtimes it is taken for our ordinary Obedience unto Gods Commandements In the first sence it is used often in Numb 4. and frequently in the old Testament called The Service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation So in the new Testament also Rom. 15.31 That my Service may be accepted In the second sence it is used
like a drunken man Job 12.25 Again He girdeth their Loynâ— with a Girdle verse 18. He speaketh the word and it standeth fast who said to Solomon and so to al the Princes of the Earth If thou wilt walk before me in integrity of heart and in uprightness to do according to all that I have commanded thee and wilt keep my Statute â—and my Judgments then I will establish the Throne of thy 〈◊〉 as upon Israel for ever 1 Kings 9.4 5. As for a Church it is â—e alone who doth settle and establish it Psal 87 â—â— â—â—â—â—â—d of Zion it shall be said this and that man was born in her and the Highest himself shal establish her And as for a â—â—â—icuâ—â— person â—t is God alone that doth settle him both in hâ—â—â—â—â—wâ—rd and Spiritual Condition In his outward Condition Prâ—â— 15.25 The Lord â—â—ll destroy the House of the proud â—ut he will estâ—blâ—sh the â—â—rder of the Widdow And in his Spâ—â—iuaâ— Estâ—â— and Condition 2 Thes 2.17 Now our Lord Jesus Christ hâ—â—â—elf and God our Father comfort your heart saith the Apostle and establâ—sh you in every good word and Work and Psal 90.17 the Psalmist doth address himself unto God for this saâ—ing Establish thou the Work of our hands upon us yea the work of our hands establish thou it And if it be so great a Blessing to be thus setled and established if we have so great need of establishing Grace and it belongs unto God alone to work it then surely it is not only a matter worthy of our Prayer but our Duty also to say and pray with the Psalmist Stabâ—ish thou O Lord the work of our hands upon us yea the work of our hands establish thou it And thus you have the Doctrine cleered in the Parts thereof If it be so great a Mercy and Blessing to be setled fixed Applicat and established in the Truth and good Waies of God then what cause have al thoâ—e that me now established to praise the Lord and say I was a poor unsetled person but through Grace I am now setled The more unto lâ—d the Times are and men in the Times the greater is the Mercy to be truly fixed and established Hath the Lord therefore setled your heart in these unsetled Times O! then give thanks unto the Lord and say My heart is fixed O God my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise Object O! but I cannot find this fixation of spirit in my soul nor that stedfastness in my life as I desire and therefore I cannot praise the Lord as I should Answ It may be so Yet know that there is much difference between variety of Grace and Instability of Spirit The exercise of various Graces is a great Blessing Instability of Spirit is a great Evil Ye may exercise one Grace which you did not exercise before and you may perform one gracious Work which you did not before yet this no instability of Spirit You must know also That there is a kind of shaking which is consistent with this true Setledness and Establishment of heart Ye see how it is with the Ships in the Harbor and with those Ships which lie at Anchor though they be not driven and tossed up and down with the Waves of the Sea yet in the time of a storm they do move and are shaken So it may be with thy soul Though thou hast cast Anchor within the Vail and art come into thy Harbor yet thou maist be somwhat moved and shaken But though you be in some measure shaken yet you are not tossed up and down as those that are not at Anchor and therefore O! what cause have you in these unsetled Times for to praise the Lord If Establishment be so great a Blessing what a sad Condition are those in that are not established not setled not fixed either in their Judgments or Lives Not a Mountebank come to Town but they must run to him for some of his Salves not a wandring Star appear but they must go to him for some of his Light These are those unlearned and unstable souls these are those that are laid out for a prey unto Satans Instruments as Satan goes up and down seeking whom he may devour so do his Instruments and there are a People that through the just Judgment of God shal be a prey unto them and who are those but these unlearned and unstable souls Some again are unsetled in their Lives and Practices somtimes they are for God and somtimes against him somtimes for his Service and somtimes against it These are those that are contrary to al men and to themselves These are those that are like to Ephraim whose Righteousness is like the morning dew fading and vanishing And both these are as the Picture or Map in the Frame which you may carry from one Room to another hang it in this room and it suits wel with it carry it into another Room hang it up there and it suits wel with that and whatever Room you hang it in it can comply therewith whereas if it be in no Frame only glewed or plaistered to the wall ye cannot remove it without tearing of it So in this ease Take a good and gracious fixed Soul and you may sooner tear him than remove him from the Truth or the good Waies of Christ but an unsetled person is for every Room and for every Company carry him into one Company and he can comply with it carry him into a second third or fourth he can comply with al Why but because his heart is unfixed not established But wo unto him for he is upon the Road to Apostacy Instability is the high way to Apostacy O! the sad condition of those that are not established Quest What shall we do then that we may be established It is a Mercy and great Blessing for a Nation Church and Particular person to be sâ—tled What shall we do that in all these respects we may be established Answ I As for a Nation or Châ—â—â—tian State It must first settle Religion such a Naâ—ion can never be setled til Religion be setled for Religion is the main Mâ—st and if that be not strengthened al the Tackling wil be loose Esai 33.23 The Tacklings are loosed saith the Prophâ—t they could not wel strengthen their Mast they could not sprâ—â—d their Sâ—â—l and Deut. 28.9 it 's said The Lord shal câ—mâ—â—â—â—â—e Bâ—â—ssing upon thee in thy Store-houses and in all that th usâ—â—â—t â—â—aâ—â— hand unto and he shal bless thee in the Land which the Loâ—d thy God giveth thee verse 8. Yea The Lâ—â—â—d shâ—◠〈…〉 if thou shalt keep the Commandemâ—nt oâ— he Lord 〈…〉 walk in his Waies v. 9. And all the peoplâ— of thâ— Earth sâ—â—â— be afraid of thee verse 10. And if ye look inâ—o thâ— Book of the Kings and Chronicles ye shal observe that in the latter Daies of he Kingdoms of Israel and Judah before theâ—â— Caâ—â—â—â—ty these Kingdoms were unsetled only upon
constant in seeking Earthly things it is shame to be inconstant in seeking heavenly things ibid. 5 If you be not constant in Good you will be constant in evil ibid. 6 The more unconstant you are the more you make the way to Heaven difficult Lastly Go to God by Prayer for fixation Page 450 FINIS The Contents The great Things Faith can do On Hebrews 11.32 Sermon I. THe Text Opened Page 1 2 DOCT. Saving Faith will do very great things Page 3 Opened by three Propositions 1 Saving Faith is a working Grace ibid. 2 Saving Faith will do great things 3 How saving Faith comes to do great things First Proposition proved ib. 1 True Faith hath the spirit of the Gospel in it ibid. 2 'T is a friend to work ibid. 3 'T is the first worker in the soul ibid. 4 It is an universal work Page 4 5 It works best alone ibid. 6 It works best somtimes in the dark ibid. 7 It works best at last ibid. II. What are those great things Faith can do Page 5 Answ Faith will do as great things now as it did under the old Testament ibid. 1 Is it not a great matter to overcome temptations ibid. 2 Is it not a great matter to perform duties to the hazard of life ibid. 3 Is it not a great matter to mortifie fears ibid. 4 Is it not a great matter to mortifie your cares ibid. 5 Is it not a great matter to have your griefs asswaged ibid. 6 Is it not a great matter to be kept steady in times of changes Page 6 7 Is it not a great matter to be a stranger to the world ibid. 8 Is it not a great matter for a man to be faithful under all his betrustments ibid. 9 Is it not a great matter to see things invisible ibid. 10 Is it not a great matter for a man to live in dependance only upon Christ ibid. More Comparatively There are three great Agents in the world â—ut Faith works beyond them all Page 6 1 Compared with Power Page 7 2 Compared with moral Honesty This is Proved by three Reasons ibid. 3 How it may appear that faith can do more than Gospel Gifts and common grace It is made to appear by four Arguments Page 8 9 III. How comes it to pass that true faith can do such great things Page 10 Answered by four Reasons 1 It goes forth in the might of Gods Promise ibid. 2 It goes forth in the might of Gods Power ibid. 3 It goes forth in the strength of Gods Call ibid. 4 It goes forth in the sence of what God and Christ hath done for the Soul Page 11 Application 1 The Reason why men do no great things in their Generation is because they want Faith ibid. 2 If you would do great things call in for faith Page 12 Quest How shal we improve our faith to do great things Page 13 Answ 1 Study much the greatness of God ibid. 2 Keep close to Gods Ordinances ibid. 3 Do not chide off your heart from beleeving Page 14 4Vse your faith to do smal things ibid. 5 Look much upon the Call you have to any work Page 15 Notes from Verse 32. 1 The number of Beleevers under the old Testament it seems was not smal ibid. 2 God will own that Faith that is but weak at first ibid. 3 From Sampson I collect it is possible a great sinner may be a true Beleever ibid. 4 Note from Jeptha a bastard may be a true beleever ibid. 5 From the mentioning of David Samuel and the Prophets c. consider when God hath extraordinary work to do be raiseth up extraordinary men Page 17 Lastly You see what high esteem God hath of Faith ib. The Great Things Faith can suffer ON Hebrews 11.35 Sermon II. The Text opened Page 20 21 DOCT. True saving Faith will suffer great things ib. Three Propositions 1 A true Beleever may suffer hard things 2 Faith wil carry him through them 3 How Faith can carry him through them ibid. The first Proposition proved Page 21 22 23 Quest Secondly How shall a man be able to go through these hard things ibid. Answ True saving Faith will do it Proved by four Reasons Page 23 24 Object We have read of many that suffered hard things yet had not this faith ibid. Answ 1 A wicked man may suffer as an evil Doer Page 25 2 A wicked man doth not suffer upon choyce ibid. 3 He doth not lay the stress of all upon Faith ibid 4 He suffers not cheerfully but discontentedly ibid. 5 He will rest upon his sufferings ibid. 6 He will yield at last Page 26 7 He doth not bring forth the quiet fruits of Righteousness ibid. Quest Thirdly By what means can Faith do this ibid. Answ 1 It is the work of saith to submit to Gods will ibid. 2 It is the work of Faith to cleave to the Commandement of God ibid. 3 It is the work of faith to close with the Gospel Page 27 4 It is the work of faith to look upon the recompence of râ—ward ibid. 5 The more one sees the hand of God as a Father in sufferings the more able a man will be to suffer ibid. 6 The more a man can see to the end of his affliction the better he will go through it ib. 7 It is the proper work of faith to look on both sides of the dispensation Page 28 8 It is the proper work of faith to see one contrary in another ibid. 9 If God engage to help us faith can suffer much in afflictions ibid. Application If any man be to suffer great things let him call for faith Page 29 Object These are no suffering times ibid Answ Bless God for your Gospel Liberty Consider the sufferings of your Brethren ibid. Particular applications to several conditions ibid. Who knows how soon suffering times may come Page 30 Quest How shall we strengthen our Faith that we may be able to suffer ibid. Answ 1 Consider frequently what great things the Lord hath done for you already ibid 2 Study much the Book of the Revelations which is a standing Cordial for suffering times Page 31 3 Consider frequently the great gain of suffering Page 32 That suffering times are gaining times proved by ten Arguments Page 32 1 Suffering times are teaching times ibid. 2 Suffering times are sin-discovering times ibid. 3 They are self-bethinking times ibid. 4 They are growing times ib. 5 They are truth-adorning times ibid. 6 They are uniting times Page 33 7 They are praying times ib. 8 They are soul-assuring times ibid. 9 They are weaning times ib. 10 They are Heavenly and glorious times ibid. Three Observations from the Words Page 34 1 Consider the Persons that suffered mentioned in the text whence I collect That greatness of sufferings are no argument to make you doubt of your Salvation ibid. 2 They suffered in hopes of a better Resurrection whence consider what those men are that would steal from you the hopes of a better Resurrection Page 35 3 They suffered all by faith whence observe That it is no easie thing to beleeve Page 36 FINIS