man is like a wild Asses Colt Aristotle accounts him an unfit hearer of morall Philosophy Neither Aristotle his Ethicks nor Tullyes offices can break a young colt This one word Volo is the bane of many young men They are refractory and will have their own will and a self-willed-man is felo de se his own executitioner with what violence doe young men pursue their lusts They leaue no stone unmoved for the satisfaction of their humours They measure not things by the light of judgment much lesse by the rule of the word but they act according to fancy and passion And there is an Anarchy in their passions or such a tumult or Ataxy in them as that they love what they should loath desire what they should abhorre rejoyce when they should mourn Nitimur in vetitum is the main trade they drive And thus unbridled youth without all government is like a City without gates and walls Satan and all his instruments will enter in speedily and surprize them A Second aggravation is because sâ—nnes commited in dayes of 2. Aggrav Because youthful sins are committed with greater delight youth are with abundance of delight and complacency acted by sinners Old men cannot act some â—innes though their hearts are as naught as ever by reason of naturall Impedements and indisposition of their present constitution But yong-men whose bones are full of marrow they delight in joviall company drinking gameing seeing Theatricall Enterludes They are young and therefore they put far from them the evil day Let them read that dreadfull woe Amos 6. 3. 4. 5. 6. It s the young man voyd of understanding that was enticed by the Whore Prov. 7. 22. Absolon was a young man that rebelled against hiâ— Father O what eager pursuits was there what delight what desire and endeavour to accomplish his designes He falls a fawning and flattring and so steales away the hearts of the people and then he will not tarry till his fathers death but on hee goeth with his designe A vow to God he pretends in his mouth but he meditates Treason and â—ebellion in his heart And you know what became of him David seemes to extenuatet he matter when he bids deal gently with the young man Absolom However the Rebell is no whit lesse in excuseble A Third aggravation is drawn from the many Pleas and vain 3 Aggravat is drawn from the waine pretences which young men make pretences that young men make they will tell you that youth must have a grain allowed what 's a Gentleman but his pleasure Now they are young hereafter they will think upon their soules They must haue a time to sow their wild Oates They can quote the * Laetitia juvenem Frons â—ecet tristis senem Sen. Trag. Tragedian Mirth becomes a young man gravity an old man Would they were as well verst in the book of God there they may read 2 Tim. 2. 22. Flee youthfull Lusts I have often seriously thought that Its no wonder to see so many wanton youths when as there remaine so many wanton Authours Poets I mean especially such as Horace Martiall Catullus Tibullus Propertius c. â—ho corrupt many young men It s high time that all such bookes were either throughly purged or els condemned to the fire as theirs were Act. 19. 19. You youngmen doe not plead for your pleasures Solomon tells you that Childhood and youth are vanities I remember Tertullian hath a saying Vides convivium peccatoris interroga ejus conscientiam c. There is death in the Pot In the middest of Tertul. laughter the heart is sorrowfull There is death in the Adulterers bed death in the Drunkards cup death in the deceivers false weights never plead pleasure in sinfull wayes But youth will plead will you allow no Recreation Eph. 5. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Emercantes hoc est dato pretio â—sserrere in libertatem Erasm Est curiose merces considerare uâ— emas meliores C. a Lap I Answer that no recreation that is sinfull may at any time be allowed no recreation of ill report and scandalous no recreation as a vocation no mispending of time for we are commanded to redeeme time or making a good Market of time Only such recreations may be used as are of Good report which may serve as files and whetstones to devotion to draw thee neerer to God and not to keep thee farther off I may say of recreations as a Reverend Divine said of Ceremonyes some are tollerable none necessary but most be abominable Would you know the right pleasure It 's in the ways of wisdome Prov. 3 17. would you know the right object of rejoycing Vis nunquam esse tristis bene vive Bern. de modo bene vivendi It 's in God Phil. 4. 4. Bernard hath an excellent saying Wouldest thou never be sad live well Lay aside all your vaine pleadings study the scripture be much in prayer much in meditation and sâ—earching your own hearts and then you will find by experience that there is more true pleasure in one moments communion with God then in all the delights and vanityes of the whole world were they all put together The fourth and last Aggravation that I shall name is this Sins 4 Aggravat Sins of youth are greater because committed against warning and invitations of youth are greater sins and will cause the greatest bitterness because yong men sin after so many invitations calls and warnings from God The soul of God loves the first ripe fruits The Holy Ghost calls to day not to morrow Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth Thou must consecrate thy fresh green years to God Thou must dedicate the first fruits theâ—â— first born the Mich. 7. 1. Eccles 12. 1. â—â—â—â—dren of Israel were to give their first fruits their first born the best of their flock a Lamb withot blemish God calls for thy youth Wilt thou put him off with the refuse thy old crazy bones that I may speak it with reverence when the Devil hath suckt out the Marrow Wilt thou offer God empty bones Mal. 1. 8. Thy Governor will not accept of it Now thy sin is aggravated Hinâ— colligit se affici nimis gravi Injuriâ quod Judaei audeant offerre quod mortalis homo respueret Calv. because thou dost refuse Gods call at present upon presumption of space and grace for the future neither of which are in thy power He may give thee neither whilest thou art a refusing at the call of God to give him thy youth and thy fresh green years he may be a sweating that there shall be no more time and cut thee asunder in the midst of thy sins and cast thee into eternal torments or if God give theespace it 's doubtful whether he will give thee grace It 's said of Jezabell Rev. 2. 21 I gave her space to repent but she repented not There is a Peradventure 2 Tim. 2. 25.
appetit scire Every man by nature is desirous of knowledg In point of knowledge the cry in generall is with the horseleeches daughter Give Give There 's no satiety in it Of all other goods knowledge is to be set at the highest estimate And of all sorts of knowledge the knowledg of Christ is superexcellent and if we raise the Climax higher that knowledg which concernes the Crosse of Christ is most excellent sweet and comfortable You see then that I am warranted by my Apostle to outbid all the knowledg in the world The knowledge of Christ transcends all the knowledge in the Universe This is the wisdome of God in a mystery 1 Cor 2. 7. It 's that which the blessed Angels desire to peepe into and they use more than ordinary diligence It s beyond the spheare of their apprehension Let 1 Pet. 1. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est intente â—t cum animi observatione prospicere intucri Gethar in Harm Evang. all humane learning unveyle to this Let all secular knowledge rise up and give up the bucklers Let the profoundest Philosophers those Glimmerers and as I may say Night-wormes in Divinity learne so much knowledge as to know their ignorance All their Lamps twinckle and cannot illuminate the soule of man What clouds and mists are there in the most exquisite Arts and Sciences untill they be dissipated by the sun of righteousnesse Extract the quintessence of the most elaborate volumes of Philosophers though things in themselves of precious value yet compared with the knowledge of Christ they are but brutish ignorance no better then those huskes which the Prodigall son fed on devoid of all reall solid nutriment In the discussion of this excellent knowledg for my more methodicall progresse I 'le resume the parts of my Text in their proposed order taking my rise at my Apostles profession 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I determined to know You heare my Apostles determination is unalterably fixt upon 1 part Concerning knowledg in generall this principle to be a knowing man He hath discovered a gemme in the feild of superlative value and therefore he digged hard in the mines of wisdome to get possession of it Non nisi sublato reperitur gemmula saxo T' is no mervaile that the Apostle should be so eager in the pursuit of knowledge The Minister of the Gospel as well as the Priest under the Law ought to be a man of knowledge For the Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts Mal 2. 7. Hence Calvin concludes that be ought to be a Teacher An ignorant minister * Hine sequitur a Jure Sacerdotii non posse divelli docendi munus prodigiosum est si sacerdotemse esse jactet interea non sit Doctor Calvin is none of Gods making for God gives gifts where he gives a calling How then can a man attaine unto the riches of wisdome unlesse he hath the key of tongues to open them unto him Hence it comes to passe that diversity of tongues are reckoned with the choycest persons and things as Apostles Prophets Teachers Miracles Gifts of healing Helpes Governments 1 Cor 12. 28. How much is a Divine accommodated by the knowledg of tongues For how can he beate out the meaning of the holy Ghost unlesse he understand his language Mee thinks then our desires should be raised to as high a pitch as Solomon intimates Prov 18. 1. Through desire a man having seperated himselfe intermedleth with all wisdome This seperation is lawfull * Qui se ab hominibus sejungit quaerit sapientiam prae desiderio sludio ejus consequendae itaque cum omni doctrin â sese immiscet omni hominum con sortio relicto ut liberius studiis incumbat Merc. in Loc. to leave company to study the harder as Mercer observes A schollar will find speciall use of Arts and Sciences they inrich the mind with knowledge and helpe to unty many knotty Controversies Let me then perswade you to compasse these spoyles of the Egyptians to leave no paines unattempted in the pursuit of learning Arts and Sciences caught a fall in Adam How prudent a course would it be for us to raise a building out of those ruins and to have that part of Gods image restored Solomen excelled the learned'st and put downe the skillfullest in their owne Art 1 Kings 4 30. There 's made up a catalogue of his knowledg in natural things And they passe under the seale and signature of the holy Ghost as being subservient unto Religion and therefore of great price dignity and value Moses who as they say lived in Hermes Trismegistus time was learned in the Mathematicks and all things that appertayn'd unto humane learning The Text is cleare And Moses was learn'd in all the wisdome of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and in deeds Acts 7. 22. If any be enemies to University learning I conceive with St. Jude v. 10. They speake evill of those things which they know not Their ignorance as * Incivile iniquum est sin vero quià respuunt malitiâ impietate vacare non potest Ium in Loc. Junius observes is uncivill unjust malicious and impious They may fitly be compared to the fox in the fable who say'd the grapes were over bitter because they were above his reach None but an Ignoramus is an enemie to knowledge Thus you see how we ought to prize knowledge where ever we find it But let us conferre our principall paines for the attaining of that knowledge which onely will make us wise unto salvation Throughout the whole booke of Proverbes a wise man and a godly man are convertible termes Religion is therefore called the way of understanding Prov 9. 6. And it is the high commendation of a wise man Prov 1. 5. That he will heare and increase learning and a man of understanding shall attaine unto wise counsels This is the end of Christs coming into the world to be a light unto it Ioh 1. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Clem. Alexan. strom 6. Lord is our illumination and that true knowledg into which we are translated so Clemens Alexandrinus By his knowledge shall my righteous Clem. Alex strom 6 to servant justify many I say 53. 11. And it 's Davids prayer O continue thy loving kindnesse unto them that know thee Psal 36. 10. Knowledge is the foundation of all other graces Faith Hope and Love are grounded on knowledge It 's Gods first worke to illuminate the understanding The seales fell off Pauls eyes before he became a preacher of the Gospell The promise is to those whom the father drawes Ioh 6. 45. that they should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all taught of God But this Promise excludes not the preaching of the Gospell as learned * Hoc verbo abutuntur hi quivâ—calem praedicationâ—m externum verbum vel scripturas
had in honour when their lying legends shall rot There 's a famous History of the Waldenses of the people of Merindall and Cabryers and of the Parisian Massacre even this last century when the blood of the slaine ranne warme reeking down the streets Peruse the History of the late Marian quinquennium Looke upon the machâ—lesse cruelty of the blood-sucking Papists in Ireland And all these are ensamples to us we should not as the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 4. 12. Think it strange concerning the fiery tryall which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you Thus we may argue Did such worthies suffer must we looke to be scot-free are we better then they can we plead priviledge to escape others have began to us in Germany and Ireland how soone we may drink of the same Cup who can tell I would not be a Foecialis yet I dare not flatter A blackcloud hangs over our head how soon it may break and showre down blood and involve us in a new War we cannot tell All that I ayme at is to prepare you for what ever comes for the worst of times seeing a storme to make your garments fast about you and retire to a shelter to get your Arke built before the deluge come Praemâ—niti praemuniti it s the prudent mans practise to foresee evill and hide himselfe so saith Solomon In the second place I shall give in the confirmation of the point 2. The Doctrine confirmed by Reason Amongst others these foure Reasons may confirme the truth delivered 1. Because persecution and suffering is the ordinary lot and portion of true believers The way to Canaan is through the wildernesse and the way to Zion through the valley of Bachah In Reason 1. Persâ—cution and and suffering is the Lot and Portion of Believers the world saith Christ you shall have tribulations Joh. 16. 33. Many are the troubles of the Righteous Psal 34. 19. We must through many tribulations enter into the Kingdâ—me of God Act. 14. 22. Every Disciple of Christ must take up his crosse Matth. 16. 24. Non est Christianus qui non est Crucianus saith Luther The Saints are killed all the day long and accounted as sheep for the slaughter Rom. 8. 36. As soone as Paul was manifested to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a vessâ—ll of choyce he was shewed how great things he must suffer for Christ Acts 9. 16. and upon experimentall knowledg he layeth down this positive truth That all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3. 12. Now this comes to passe 1. By the wisedome of God The Divine hand is in it Persecutors saith Bernard are Gods Goldsmiths to put the righteous into the furnace of affliction and take away their drosse so God permits persecutors to try the faith love and patience of his servants and oft times they doe a great deale of good even against their will Jer. 9. 7. Therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts behold I will melt them and try them for how shall I doe for the daughter of my people The Sabaeans Chald ans and Satan were instruments of afflictions to Job but God wrought good out of all Jam. 5. 11. Behold we account them happy which endure Ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that he is very pittifull and of tender mercy Had it not been for afflictions we had never read of the patience of Job we should not have left us upon record that excellent booke of Job 2ly This comes to pass by reason of Satan's rage and malice The great Dragon stands by ready to devoure the man-child of reformation Hee is the envious man the accuser of the Brethren the adversary the roaring Lion Pliny speakes of the scorpion that every moment it puts forth his sting the Devill is that Scorpion that every moment assayes to doe mischiese hee will cast some of you into prison Rev. 2. 10. 3ly This comes to pass by reason of the malice of wicked-men they are the Devils agents they have suckt the poyson of this old Serpent and swell with it and are greatly enraged against the power of godliness Ther 's a deadly Fewd and Antipathy in wickedmen against the powerfull workings and breathings of God's spirit in the Saints The great ones and Potentates of the world rages a the godly Psal 2. 1. Why dâ—e the heathen rage They hate them without cause Tygers as some report rage at the sent of fragrant spices so the wicked at the savour of Godliness As long as ther 's any left of the serpents brood there will not bee wanting opposition and persecution against the godly This is the first head of reasons The 2d reason is because Christ doth expect that the faith of his Reas 2. Christ expects that the faith of his servants should act extraordinarily servants should act so extraordinarily as the faith of hypocrites and Reprobates cannot come near it Temporizers will profess that they have faith but these follow Christ only for the loaves while the Sun shines warme upon them in Halcyâ—n dayes of peace and tranquility but when it come to fire and faggot or degradation and suspension 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they take offence Now he that hath not learned Christ's Cross hath not learnt his Alphabet The Question was in another case ask't Matth. 5. 47 what doe you mâ—re than others and so in this case Christ will aske the question are you willing to glorisy mee both by doing and suffering are you willing not only to believe on me but also to suffer for my sake Such Questions as there will touch the quick Believers must study all advantages and take all opportunities to promote the honour of Jesus Christ they have a battle to fight they are to encounter with bâ—asts of Ephesus and sonnes of Anak they have a race to runne and many stumbling blocks are layd in the way They have a fiery tryall to endure a Cross to beare they must pass through hâ—nor and dishonor good report and evill report They must follow the Lambe where ever he goes through thick and thinne through a showre of blood Thy life must not be deare to thee when Christ cals for it Bee not afraid of venturing limbes liberty life it selfe for him that layd down his life for thee It was an heroicall speech of Luther that hee would goe to Wormes and preach the Gospel there though evâ—ry Tile was a Devill to oppose him and it was a gallant resolution John Fox Act Monâ— â—â— Maryes dayes of John Aâ—dly that holy Martyr that if hee had as many lives as hee had haires on his head hee would loose them all for Christ Thus you see how the saith of Believers acts extraordinarily A 3d Reason is drawn from the conformity of Believers unto Reas 3. Believers in a way of suffering are made conformable unto Christ Christ for Believers are
Job 12. 3 4. he 's sensible how cheap an esteem they had of him Job 12. 3 4. He was as one mocked of his neighbour The remedies they apply to Job 13 4. him are worse then his disease he speaks plainly to them Job 13. 4. But ye are forgers of lies ye are all Physitians of no value He 's surrounded with miseries he 's like a very Skeleton all his Bones may be told he lives a dying life Mark his Question Job 13. 14. he gives in an excellent Answer and Resolution Job 13. 15. But that which renews his grief is Gods hiding his face from him if men fail him and despise him he can easilier brook that he stands upon his vindication quoad hominem but if God be angry and account him an enemy there 's his grief that 's the wound indeed v. 24. He further expostulates the matter v. 25. i. e. Wilt thou break that which hath no power A leaf is a weak thing it s driven too and fro Wilt thou set thy power against weakness and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble that will be soon on a flame and consumed Now Job is inquisitive after the cause God is angry but there 's good cause for it God writes bitter things against him but youthful sins are call'd to remembrance and now reckoned for in old Age. The words read are a heavy Charge or a Bill of Indictment against Divis 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. a Delinquent wherein you have two generals 1. The Charge it self 2. The Sentence given upon it In the Charge you are to consider of the matter or thing charged 1. Iniquities 2. The aggravation of them drawn from the Age that commits them they are sins of youth 3. The person against whom this Charge was drawn viz. against Job In the Sentence given you have here set down sore afflictions which Job reckons as exceeding heavy upon him which may be represented by these aggravations 1. These are not ordinary afflictions but bitter things 2. They 1. 2. 1. 2. are assured and made firm to him two ways 1. By writing there is as it were a writing drawn firm and sure 2. By possession And makest me to possess as if he had authentick * Scribis tandâ—m sententiaque tuâ manu sigillo munis ut acerbissunâ morte plectar Pineda in Loc. Ascribis sive imputas mihi quae admisi in juventute quorum non recordor amplius Vatabl. Rev. 10. 10. Writings and Livery and Seisin given for these bitter things Now in handling this Scripture I shall first premise an Explication of the words then draw forth a point of Doctrine and prove it and so conclude with particular Application For Explication of the words these Queries are to be resolved 1. What is meant by bitter things in the Text some understand by bitter things the evil of sin and indeed sin is a very bitter thing Deut. 29. 18. It is called a root that beareth gall and wormwood There 's an Exposition of this place Heb. 12. 15. where it is called a root of bitterness Though sin be sweet in the acting yet there will be bitterness in the end like the Roll which was sweet in the mouth but bitter in the belly This is a plain truth that sin will bring all bitterness to the soul yet I shall rather incline to †Malim acerba intelligi supplicia dolores gravissimos qui bus discruciatur Merc. Mercers Exposition By bitter things he understands bitter punishments and grievous sorrows wherewith Job was afflicted And this I take to be the proper meaning you shall hear Job complaining of terrors pouring out his soul c. Job 30. 15 16 17 18 19. Now amongst several kindes of savours bitterness is most offensive to the Pallate Bitterness is spoken of and applyed to sad afflicted conditions Ruth 1. v. 20. Call me not Naomi i. e. pleasant and delectable but call me Marah i. e. Bitter for the Ruth 1. 20. Lord hath dealt very bitterly with me Afflictions in themselves are very grievous and bitter most distasteful to the Pallate No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous So then Heb. 12. 11. by bitter things we are to understand those sad crosses and bitter afflictions which were incumbent upon Job those Arrows of the Almighty which stuck fast in his sides all evils of punishment or chastisement 2. What 's meant by writing of bitter things This saith Learned Q. 2. Scribendi verbum judiciale â—uto ut Graeâ—i dicunt Merc. in Loc. Mercer is a judicial phrase the Graecians were wont to write these Sentences in their judicial proceedings Writing alludes to that which in Civil Law is an aâ—cusation called Libelling It s the usual course of Law to bring in Charges or Bills of Indictment in writing against the Offender * Caryl In locum A Reverend Divine observes on the place That God hath a double Book and both in a Figure he hath a Book of resolved Decrees and a Book of his acted Providences This Book of his acted Providences is but a Transcript of the former Job is to be understood of this latter Book of Providences in which God writ bitter things against him By Writing Chrysost Chrysostome understands The firm and irrevocable Decree of the Judge This writing is firm and stedfast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith John 19. 22. Dan. 6. 8. Job 31. 35. Pilate which is as if he should say It is written under my hand it shall stand like the Laws of the Medes and Persians which alter not Jobs wish gives a good gloss to our assertion Job 31. 35. where he marketh that that his Adversary had written a Book against him The Laws of Draco were written in Blood and the Decrees of God against Job as he conceived were written with gall and wormwood 3. Why doth Job make such peculiar mention of the sins of his Q. 3. youth * Quidam in locuÌ„ existimaÌ„t suae Adolescentiae peccata vocare quae à filiis suis Adolescentulis perpetrata fuissent Pineda in Loc. Job 1. 5. Why is such a brand of Infamy put upon young men For Answer Pineda mentions That some think that God imputes his childrens sins unto him as if he were remiss in his duty towards them And the version of the 70. seems to favor this sense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Thou hast imposed or laid upon me But this sense is foreign though God doth punish Children for their Parents and Parents for their Childrens sins yet I conceive it not so to be understood here and we have a good warrant for a more charitable opinion of Job c 1. v. 5. because we read he sanctified his sons Job here is to be understood speaking of his own personal sins Sins of Infancy and Childhood could not so well be remembred but youthful sins may more easily be called to remembrance Ita Jobus ipse
to a second Use which is for abundant Caution Vse 2. For Caution Beware of men saith the Apostle Beware of the leaven of the Scribes and Pharisees saith Christ Beware of the leaven of Popish Doctrines I will not now make a Catalogue of the Murthers Adulteries Soâ—omies Witchâ—rafts of Hildebrand Boniface Silvester and other Popes neither wil I at the present rake into the Dunghil of the lewd abhominâ—ble lives of many â—riests and Jesuits c. To â—â—nsack this â—age of unclean birds this den of Theeves to rake into this Augaeum stabulum being so filthy and loathsome as it is will require a large volume I referre you to what 's recorded in the Acts and Monuments there you will find their Murtheâ—s Treasons Persecutions Bonner Gardiner Story and other Popish blood-â—ounds are recorded in that Marian Quinqâ—unrium who hungred after the v. â—ox Act. Monum Maryes reign flesh and thirsted after the blood of Protestants and persecuted them with fire and faggot I referre you likewise to Platina who writes of the lives of the Popes like wise you may see more of the Papists Lives and Tenets in the Romish Bee-hive and in a Book called the Genealogie of Monks and Friers there are many more that Lewis Owen might be named but I forbear quotations of other Authors besides those I have by me have had occasion more or lesse to peruse What shall I say further beware of Popery beware of Idolatry save your selves from this wicked Generation Enter not into the way of these wicked men avoyd them passe not by them turn from them and passe away But it will be said There is no fear of Papists now adaies I would there were not For hee 's a meere stranger in Israel that knows not what broyls disorders Jesuites have made and are still a somenting in this Nation Sir Edward Coke that learned Lawyer profest in his Speech at the Araignment of the Gunpowder Traytors That there was never any Treason committed See Sir Edw. Cokes speech in England but a Popish Priest had a hand therein Do not Jesuites set people together by the ears Doe not the Heresies and damnable opinions of these licentious times gratifie the Jesuites These are meat and drink to them Doe not they love to fish in troubled waters hoping to catch a prize for the Popes coffers Do not Jesuites go up and down like the Devil encompassing the earth acting in Courts Cities Countries Universities Will they not become Church-members as one Ramsey was lately detected at Newcastle that so they might promote the Catholike cause I will repeat to you the words of a dying man upon the Scaffold not an hour before he was to give up his account to God his words are these The Pope saith he had never such an harvest in England since the Reformation W Lawd A. B. of Cant. as â—ow for by reason of the errors and opinions of the times the Kingdome is like an Oak cleft in pieces with wedges made of its own body But of the increase of Papists Ile give you a late and questionlesse a true information in a Speech spoken by a great Personage these are the words even totidâ—m verba We know very well that Emissaries of the Jesuits never came in those swarms as they L Prot. speech Sept. 4. 1654. have done since these things were set on foot and I tell you that divers Gentlemen here can bear witnesse with me how that they have had a Consistory abroad that rules all the affairs of things in England from an Arch-bishop with other dependants upon him and they had in England of which wee are able to produce the particular instruménts in most of the limits of the Cathedrals an Episcopal power with Archdeacons c. and had persons authorized to exercise and distribute those things which pervert and deceive the people These things being so attested wee had need look about us we had need be circumspect and not associate our selves with Papists we had need take heed lest we bite at the devils bait le ts not be so Fool-hardy as to venture into their companies lest as Peter ventured into Caiaphas his hall we return with a wound upon our consciences That you may detest Popery have but a little patience and I will tell you the opinions of some of their Champions One is that the Pope is Christs vicar head of the Church not only in spiritualls but sometimes in temporall things one of the Popes threw his keyes into Tybur and took his sword and said If Peters keyes would not keep him Peters sword should Another opinion is that the Pope hath power of binding and loosing of forgiveing of sinnes 3ly That the â—ope may depose Princes at his pleasure for Heresie and Protestantisme is Heresie in the Popes accompt 4ly That Hereticall Princes and so are Protestants in his accompt may be excommunicated 5ly That Princes that are Protestants excommunicated by the Bellarm. c. 5 Officio Principis Pope may be murther'd by their subjects Simanca Creswell and Mariana hold this opinion And Bellarmine tells us Princeps subditus esse debet suo Episcopâ— non Episcopus Principi 6ly That Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks John Husse that holy Martyr by experience found this to be their doctrine for he notwithstanding a safe conduct promised at Constance was burnt to death 7ly That Equivocation is lawfull and indeed Equivocation is one great pillar to support Poâ—ery their principle is Jura perjura secretum prodere noli If you ask a Jesuite is such a one at his house Though he knowes him to be there he 'll say no and keep a mentall reservation no that is not that he meanes to tell you of Arrius Diaboli Primogenâ—tus who was ancienter then the Jesuites taught v Mason of Equivocation them this art of Equivocation And we may say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he profest that he acknowledged the Orthodox faith and laid his hand upon his bosome and there were written papers hid containing his Arrian Heresies which he accounted for the Orthodox faith I heâ—rily wish that there were not a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the spirits of Jesuties into many of these times who account themselves Protestants and yet are Interpendent hanging between Ignatius Loyala and Machiavell their words are so amphibologicall such Legerdemain is in their actions as a man knowes not where to have them nor what to make of them whether they be for you or against you you know whence that Oracle came Ibis redibis nunquam per bella peribis And what was the event of that Amphiboly without a comma but to put a period to King Edward his life Edvardum occidere nolite timere bonum est Let all vizards be plukt off let men appear in their colours le ts not come too near the Camp of our adversaries let 's not act the Jesuites part nor plâ—y their game for them What
hand upon the Lad neither do thou any thing unto him We â—hould consider as * Nostrum est intent is mentibus considerare quam mirabiliter in ipso Articulo Deus Isaac revocaver â—â— Ã morte in vitam Calv. Gen 33. 4. Calvin observes how God helpt in the very Article of time and delivered him from death to life What preservations and speciall Providences did Jacob meeâ— withall being delivered from Esau's rage when bloody intentions were turned into embraces Jacob feared least he would â—lay the Mother and Children yet by speciall Providence Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him and they wept In Joseph there is a Series of Providences a concaâ—enation of preservations His brethren hated him and threw him into a pit And in that pit there was no water He was bought and sold by the Ishmaelites and Poâ—ipher cast in Prison and in the same Prison where were the Kings prisoners The chiefe Buâ—ler and Baker were in the same prison They dreamed Joseph gave the Interpretation But yet Gods time of deliverance was not come Pharaoh dreames Joseph interprets his dreame and is advanced and made Ruler over all the Land of Egypt A fâ—mine fâ—ll out Joseph's brethren came to buy corne Joseph supplies them Stephen recites the History and acknowledgeth a speciall hand of Providence The Patriarchs mooved with envy sold Joseph into Egypt Gen. 50. 20 21. Acts 7. 9. but God was with him The History of Eliah is remarkable sometimes a Brook sometimes a Widdow woman sometimes the Angells themselves were his Pâ—rveyors and the very Ravens those greedy Birds of prey brought him meate The History of the Jewes delivered from Haman is especially remarkable Haman utterly plotted their ruine He had the royall assent granted the day set Haman on purpose went to beg Mordecai for the Gallowes but see what intervened by the speciall hand of Providence On that night the King could not sleep and Esth 6. 1. he commanded to bring the book of records of the Chronicles and they were read before the King after reading whereof the King advanced Mordecai and made Haman his desperate Enemy to make the Proclamaâ—ion And Esther being entertained Qâ—eene in the roome of Vasthi shee supplicated for her own life and the life of her people And the mischievous devices of Haman were turned â—pon his own pate and as he meated to others the same measure he received the Text expresly shewes So they hanged Haman upon the Gallowes Esth 7. 10. that he had prepared for Mordecai Then was the Kings wrath pacified The three Children in the fiery furnace Daniel in the Lions den Peter out of Prison were all miraculously delivered by the Ministery of Angells The Apostle Paul delivered when above forty had bound themselves with an oath in a conspiracy against him And Acts 21. 30 31. especially Acts 21. 30 31. We read of a wonderfull deliverance as we say between the cup and the lip And all the Citie was moved and the people ran together and they took Paul and drew him out of the Temple and forthwith the dores were shut and as they went about to kill him tidings came unto the chiefe captaine of the Band that all Jerusalem was in an â—proare By this Diversion the Lord wrought a signall deliverance for his servant Paul What deliverances had David at Keilah En-gedi even when Saul had heÌ„m'd him in and as I may say had him in a Pound not likely to escape yet then by way of diversion he was delivered and Saul went 1 Sam. 23. 26 27. on this side of the mountaine and David and his men on that side of the mountaine and David made hast to get away for feare of Saul for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them But there came a messenger unto Saul saying hast thee and come for the Philistines have invaded the Land In that needfull Instant the Lord made a plain way for his servants escape I might Instance in many remarkable passages of Providence rerecorded in humane Authors The tide brought in shel-fish for the besieged Rochellers There was one Merlin who at the Parisian Massacre hid himselfe in a Hay Mow and every day a Hen laid an egge there by which he was kept alive Another was hid in a close hole and a spider weaved a web at the dore so the Persecutors went away But there is no necessity of lighting a candle to the Sun that went before No example may be compared to those which are recorded in the Word of God To Scripture examples I 'le adde Scripture reasons why doth God extend such speciall Providences towards his own people 1. Let us consider the high estimate and value God puts upon R. 1. The high Value God puts upon his Children Mal. 3. 17. Is 28. 5. Exod. 19. 5. Zech. 2. 8. them They are his Jewells They shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts in that day when I make up my Jewells and I will spare them as a man spareth his Son that serveth him They are a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty They are a peculiar treasure they are as deare unto him as the Apple of his eye 2. Consider the relations between God and the godly R. 2. Drawn from the Relationâ— between God and the godly They are his Children he their Father They are his adopted sons and daughters Now it is the duty of a Father to take speciall care for the preservation of his children They are his spouse and he their Husband For so the Lord professeth Turne O backsliding children saith the Lord for I am married unto you and Jer. 3. 14. I will take you one of a Cittie and two of a family and will bring you to Zion 3. All the promises of God are made unto the godly For R. 3. All the Promises belong to the godly Isa 43. 1 2. saith the Apostle all the promises of God are in Christ yea and Amen unto the glory of God by us Promises of Protection belong to Gods children Thus saith the Lord that created thee O Jacob and he that formed thee O Israel feare not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy Name thou art mine When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee Promises of direction are made to Gods children Thou shalt guide me with Psal 73. 24. thy counsell and afterward receive me to glory 4. All the Attributs of God put forth themselves for the good R. 4. All Gods Attributes belong to the godly Isa 51. 14. of Gods people viz. His mercy to pardon them his wisdome to counsell them his power to defend them as the Prophet Isaiah saith Feare not thou worme Jacob and yee men