of our sinnes to get faith in Christ to walke before God in newnesse and holinesse of life and then after this life we shall live in all blessednesse in the kingdome of Heaven for ever SERMON LXXI LVKE 1. 77. To give knowledge of salvation unto his People by the remission of their sinnes AT length wee are come to the second maine blessing and benefit that God giveth unto us in this life the forgivenesse of sinnes wherein two things are to be considered First That the forgivenesse of sinnes is one of the greatest blessings that God giveth to his People here in this World Secondly That this blessing appertaineth to this life onely if we have it not here let us not looke for it in the life to come For the first That the forgivenesse of sinnes is one of the greatest blessing that God giveth to his People in this world We see Esay 33. 24. it is said The People that dwell therein shall have their iniquitie pardoned So Esay 40. 1. Comfort ye comfort ye my People saith God speake yee comfort unto Ierusalem and crie unto her that her warfare is accomplished that her iniquitie is pardoned for she hath received of the Lords hand double for all her sinnes and Psal 32. David pronounceth the man blessed that hath his sinnes pardoned therefore Matth. 1. the Angell said to Mary and thou shalt call his Name Iesus for he shall save his People from their sinnes so then it is cleare by the Scripture that the pardon of sinnes is one of the greatest blessings that God giveth in this life It is a great blessing indeed to have food and rayment with things fit and needfull for this life but the pardon of our sinnes is a greater blessing than that for take any man abounding in all these things riches goods honours and credit yet if he want the pardon of his sinnes he is a miserable man and stands in a wofull condition for he stands not on cleare grounds The prisoners in the Tower are in a worse estate and condition than the poorest waterbearer is for though he have all good diet attendance fine roomes and a soft bed to lie on yet in his owne sense he is miserable because he lookes every day for his arraignment when sentence shall be given against him so if a man flow in all the wealth and deliciousnesse the world can afford and yet be unreconciled to God and hath not repented his sinnes he is in a worse condition and estate than the poorest of Gods Saints though they have but bread and water because that every day hee may looke when hee shall have the finall sentence pronounced against him to the wofull confusion of him for evermore When every thing goes well with us it is an hard matter for us to see the pardon of our sinnes to bee one of the greatest blessings but if the Lord should open our eyes to see our sinnes and to feele the burthen of them a little being touched in conscience for them then if the world were set on the one hand and the pardon of our sinnes on the other we would choose the pardon of our sinnes before all this world The use hereof shall be seeing the pardon of sinnes is one of the greatest blessings that God giveth in this world therfore though God give us food and raiment things needfull and necessarie for this life yet we should not be at rest till we finde the pardon and forgivenesse of our sinnes most men now a-dayes labour for these outward things never seeke for the pardon of sinnes but every one should checke himselfe and say I have laboured a long time for these outward things for a little bread and cloath yet the time is to come that ever I sought for the pardon of my sinnes the greatest blessing of all Exod. 8. 8. wee read how Pharoah came to Moses and Aaron saying Pray yee unto the Lord that hee may take away the frogges from mee Hee desired not him to pray to take away his sinnes which was the cause of them Iust the same is the case of the men of this world they cry out take away this judgement this sicknesse this lamenesse take away this povertie but never pray to God to take away their sinnes which are the cause thereof Gen. 15. God made to Abraham great and large promises who replies to God Lord what is all this seeing I goe childlesse so when God hath given a man Riches and goods and what the heart of a man can wish for yet he should say unto God Lord what is all this seeing I want the pardon of my sinnes therefore above all things Lord forgive mee my sinnes and pardon them The second thing is that pardon of sinnes appertaineth to this life onely for there are two sorts of blessings some that appertaine to this life some to the world to come those that appertaine to this life are First The Communion of Saints Secondly The forgivenesse of sinnes Here a man must seek it for so Christ shewes Matth. 5. agree with thine adversarie whilest thou art in the way Now Augustine saith that the time of life is the way to the judgement barre and therefore while wee are in the way wee must labour to seeke peace with God and the pardon of our sinnes lest our adversarie accuse us to the Iudge and the Iudge deliver us to the jaylour and the jaylour cast us into prison whence wee shall not come out untill wee have payed the uttermost farthing And Salomon saith Eccl. 9. 10. All that thy hand findeth to doe doe it with all thy power for there is neither worke invention nor knowledge in the grave whither thou goest So S. Cyprian saith when a man is once out of this world all opportunitie of doing good is gone So Chrysostome here in this world one must finde the pardon of his sinnes in the world to come it will bee too late to finde it And so Augustine there is a twofold Repentance a fruitfull Repentance which is in this life and penall or unfruitfull Repentance in the life to come so the wicked in Hell may repent them of their sinnes the whoremonger of his whroedome swearers of their swearing and the drunkard of his drunkennesse but this kind of Repentance is unfruitfull because they have no good by it but it serveth to increase their further torment But the fruitfull Repentance is in this life onely therefore we are taught hereby to make it our wisedome to lay hold on the good time that God giveth us to repent us of our siâ—nes to bee reconciled unto him and seeke favour at his hands for if we bee once dead and layd in the grave all opportimitie of doing good is taken away If a man sends his servant to the market to buy such things as they stand in need of when the market bell rings hee must apply himselfe to buy the things that
it I And so true faith doth apply the word particularly to themselves historical faith doth not so but is like the Apothecaries boy that gathered herbes and simples for other mens diseases and not for his owne even so many men gather good things out of the word and others have the benefit of it and they have none all their comfort hangs on this to talke and speake of the judgements of God and of the good things that be in Him but it goes no further it doth not apply home the word and therefore it is another kinde of faith that wee must looke and labour for The second kinde is Temporary faith this kinde goes further than the first did For it doth not onely assent to the word of God that it is true but doth particularly apply it in part and there is also some unsoundnesse left behinde it this kinde of faith is spoken of in Matthew 13. 20. it is said to be the stony ground that brings forth fruit for a time all is not well with them for they do not continue they go away This is the common faith of the world to heare the word of God to apply it in some part so farre as it goeth with them but if it crosse them then it faileth and is carried away with the sway of corruption in them that as the weeds eate out the heart of the corne so corruption eateth out the heart of their saith Now it is called Temporary faith c. 1. Because it ariseth from Temporary causes 2. Because it is but of Temporarie continuance The temporary causes are three first because that men have a desire to get knowledge above the rest and to keepe Table-talke and to put downe others when they bee in company The second is to keepe credit with the world they would not be counted odde men and to bee pointed at this is the reason why Simon Magus Act. 8. beleeved became a great man in the world because he would not be pointed at or counted an odde man The third cause is worldly ease and benefit there is somewhat to bee gotten by it or some are afraide that if they doe not so as others doe they shall bee brought in danger of the Law As Iohn 6. 26. the people followed Christ but it was to be fed of him and in Numbers wee see the hope of liberty and the priviledges that the Israelites had made other to joyne with them So likewise Hester 8. 17. Many of the people of the land became Iewes for the feare of the Iewes fell upon them but wee must have a better ground than this if ever wee will be saved or blessed of God and saved at the day of judgement Secondly it is called temporary faith because it is but of temporary continuance for a time it is stony and hard at the bottome it doth not hold because it hath no roote it wants a roote of judgement and roote of affection First it wants a roote of judgement because they beleeve as others do and never heard otherwise they doe not beleeve it because God hath taught and revealed it therefore they are in danger to fall away but if they beleeved it because God hath spoken it and it is his will it is not all the world that could beare them over in it This wee see in the Primitive Church and in Queene Maries daies that the great Doctors and Schollers could not over-beare them although they were but poore men because they were rooted in judgment therefore if men will hold out unto the end they must labour to have this roote in judgement Psal 85. The prophet David saith I will hearken what God saith I will not hearken what the world my corruptions nor what men say but I will hearken what God saith Secondly in regard of affection a man must love the word esteeme it and set a high price upon it or else hee may well have a roote of judgement but no roote of affection and there will be no continuance and therefore dost thou love it and regard it be ready to apply it to thy selfe joy in it as the chiefest treasure and count it as the greatest blessing and be contented to part and to let all goe in regard of it Thirdly Miraculous Faith is a perswasion that God will use some men for some excellent worke to worke some miraculous thing this kind of Faith was in Iudas and many such others that Christ will say unto at the last day Depart from mee yee workers of iniquitie As what is it to cast out the divell and not to cast out a mans owne sinnes what is it to clense a Leper and yet cannot clense our selves from our corruptions to raise the dead and thou to lie still in thy sinnes to give sight to the blind and thou not see the good things of God to open the eares of the deafe and thou wilt not have thine eares open to heare the good things of God And therefore if thou hast justifying Faith to cast out thy sinnes corruptions thou hast a more excellent gift than to worke miracles to raise the dead to clense the soule Leper to give sight to the blind to make the dumbe to speake the lame to goe the deafe to heare for thou shalt goe to heaven when they they shall goe to hell Wee see Luk. 10. 17. c. When Christ had sent out his Disciples to cast out divells at their returne they came againe rejoycing and told him that the spirits were subdued through his name they rejoyced but our Saviour bids them not to rejoyce at this but rejoyce that their names were written in heaven And therefore if thou hast by true faith cast out thy sinnes if thou canst cast up thine eyes of faith to heaven and there behold and see thy name written this shall bee greater comfort to thee than the casting out divells The fourth kind of saith is true Iustifying and saving faith all is nothing without this faith in Christ this it is that must justifie and sanctifie fie us which faith is an assent to the whole word of God to make use of it to ourselves and a particular application of the promises of God made untous in Christ wherein we stand perswaded of our reconciliation in the blood of Christ Now there be three things required in this justifying and saving faith First there must be an assent to the whole word of God for it doth not beleeve God in one point and not in another but it beleeves the whole word of God The schoole-men say a true beleever maks no choice what point he will beleeve if God hath revealed them he will beleeve them all it is said 2 Cor. 10. 5. Casting downe the imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivitie every thought to the obedience of Christ it doth so bring under and captivate his wits that whatsoever Christ
before him clothed with our sinnes this made him afraid Secondly He was afraid of death which was neere at hand Now he was not afraid of death as it was a dissolution of nature a separation of the soule from the body but as it was joyned with the curse of God But let us consider these two causes of his feare a little better and we shall finde good matter of instruction in them First he was afraid to stand before God in judgement clothed and apparelled with our sinnes this was a strange thing that he which was the Sonne of God and the brightnesse of the glory of God should now be afraid to stand before God Now if he were afraid how much more may we be to stand before God in judgement to come before him in prayer to appeare in his holy presence If the Sonne of God was afraid then much more may we Indeed if we have repented for our sinnes carried them over unto Christ and doe beleeve in him then we may boldly stand before God in judgement and come before him in prayer and approch into his holy presence when we may say as David doth Psalm 26. Prove me O Lord and trie my wayes but if we have not repented of our sins nor carried them unto the shoulders of Christ if we doe not beleeve in him then we have just cause to be afraid Gen. 3. When Adam had committed but one sinne he was afraid to come before God in judgement and therefore hid himselfe If Adam was so afraid when he had committed but one sinne how much more should we be to come before him having committed many great and grievous sinnes therefore howsoever we may carry away the matter closely and be quiet in our consciences for a time yet if God should but bring his judgements upon us or death so that we come to appeare before God then we shall quake and tremble as Dan. 5. we see Belshazzar did who whilest he was making himselfe merry drinking and abusing the holy vessels of God and the hand-writing did but appeare on the wall quaked exceedingly so that his countenance was changed his thoughts troubled the joynts of his loynes were loosed his knees smote one against another Even so howsoever the wicked may be at peace and quiet a little while yet if God set up a throne of judgement then they will quake and be afraid to come before him In the Revelation we may see how the brave fellowes and gallant lads of this world and the great captaines howsoever they could carry away the matter and be at quiet for a little time when God sets up a tribunall seat to judge them they runne into caves and dens and desire the hils and mountaines to fall upon them to hide them from the presence of God So howsoever we may be at quiet for a time if we have not repented for our sinnes If God come to judge us we shall quake and tremble and desire the hils and mountaines to fall upon us and to hide us from the presence of God Secondly Christ was afraid of death which was neere at hand So Heb. 5. 7. Christ is said in the dayes of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and teares unto him that was able to save him from death It appeares he was afraid of death in that he prayed against it I but was Christ afraid of death we see that in the Revelation many of the Saints of God loved not their lives but did willingly embrace death And Act. 20. the Apostle Paul was not onely readie to bee bound for the name of God but to die for it And therefore wee see many of the people of God were not afraid of death how then was Christ afraid of it I answer that death may be considered two ways 1. As it is a dissolution of nature and a separation of the soule from the bodie 2. As it is joyned with the curse and wrath of God Now Christ was not afraid of death as it was a separation of the soule from the bodie but as it was joyned with the wrath and curse of God thus as it is a curse every man hath cause to be afraid of it but if it be joyned with the favour and love of God then we have no cause of feare Iohn 8. Christs threatens the Iewes that they should die in their sins Oh it is a fearful thing when men die in their sinnes under the wrath and curse of God unrepentant for them There is a great cause why such should be afraid of death a number of people there be that are contented to die and yet they are covetous persons vile livers swearers and drunkards but I tell thee if thou hast not repented for thy sinnes hast not caried them unto Christ and applied his righteousnesse unto thee thou hast great cause to be afraid of death Pull the sting out of the serpent and thou mayst put him into thy bosome but if thou let his sting alone be will sting thee So death hath a sting as 1 Cor. 15. 55. which is sinne therefore let this sting be taken away and then we have no cause to be afraid of death But Revel 20. 14. Death is said to goe before and Hell to follow after so that Hell is the tayle of Death and therefore wee have good cause to bee afraid thereof Bernard saith If thou hast put away all shame which appertaineth to so noble a a creature as thou art if thou feele no sorrow as carnall men doe not yet cast not away feare which is found in every beast Wee offer to load an Asse yet hee cares not for it though wee weary him out because he is an Asse but if thou wouldst thrust him into the fire or into a ditch he would avoid it as much as hee could for that hee loveth life and feareth death feare thou then and be not more insensible than a beast feare death feare judgement feare hell The second Affliction that wrought in Christ was heavinesse and sorrow and this not a common or an ordinary but a dreadfull sorrow Now what was the cause that Christ was thus sorrowfull I answer there were three causes of it First because he saw the face of God discomfortably to looke upon him which was wont to shine upon him with an amiable and loving countenance he that was wont to looke so sweetly upon him now to see him as an angry Iudge and not as a loving Father This was it that made him sorrowfull and heavie The Scribes and Pharisees looked upon him angerly yet he was never moved at it but when hee seeth Gods angry countenance towards him this did more touch him than all the bodily paines that hee felt for hee never complained of the spickes and nailes that were thrust into his hands and feet nor of his whipping or buffetting but when he saw Gods angry
clothes so we rather than lose the peace of our conscience let all other things fall to the ground As a man in a shipwracke hee never thinkes of his losses but is well contented if hee can save his life hee is thankfull to God and rejoyceth that he himselfe hath escaped so when the time of trouble and persecution is let us not thinke of our losses if we can escape with the peace of our conscience let us bee thankfull to God it is the course of the world that if any strange disease fall upon their children or their cattell they say they are bewitched when as indeed it is their sinnes that doth bewitch them and what doe they then say they have been damnified by a bad witch therefore they must goe to a good witch to have helpe and sometimes they doe so losing thereby the peace of their consciences but rather than we should doe so let us lose children and cattell and all before we lose Gods favour and the peace of conscience Matth. 10. our Saviour saith to his Disciples Bee yee wise as Serpents Now this is the wisdome of the Serpent that he will take a wound any where rather than on his head because life lieth there so rather than we should lose Christ let us lose all because Christ is our life Thus this young man teacheth us wisdome who rather than hee would betray Christ lost his garments and ran away SERMON XVII MARKE 14. 55 56. And the Chiefe Priests and all the Councell sought for witnesse against Iesus to put him to death and found none For many bare false witnesse against him but their witnesse agreed not together THe Apprehension of Christ we spake of the last day Now wee are to speake of his Arraignement for though Christ might have beene killed in the tumult yet he was preserved In the Arraignment of Christ we observe three things 1. The persons before whom he was Arraigned 2. The causes for which he was Arraigned 3. The manner of his Arraignment First The persons before whom he was arraigned Annas and Caiphas the two high Priests it is worth our observation that these Priests were gathered together early in the morning for they could not be at rest till they had apprehended and condemned him no question there were a number of other Priests with them at the same time who would not in all probabilitie have beene hired for any money to come out of their warme beds to have done good but to condemne Christ they are up all night and that a cold night too so it is a corruption still that men cannot abide to sit up about any good duties of religion to repent of their sinnes to pray to God to speake of good things then they are asleepe straight but to sit up long at dice and cards and other pastimes this is their delight Luke 5. we see the Disciples when they were fishing they could hold out and not sleepe but when they came to pray with Christ in the Garden they were straight asleepe and there also Matth. 26. Iudas he slept not but was busie about his market with the Priests consulting to take him it is said of such Prov. 4. 16. That they cannot sleepe except they have done evill and their sleepe departeth except they cause some to fall Now this diligence in the Priests should teach us diligence in the performing of good duties for if they would spend whole nights to bring their wicked purposes to passe oh how diligent should we be to performe service to God Marke 1. 35. we see our Saviour arose early in the morning to pray and yet how slow are wee who cannot get up an houre after Sunne in the morning to performe good duties Secondly the causes why Christ was arraigned were three first that wee might not be arraigned and condemned as the day of judgement for he stood in our roome interposed himselfe for us and was contented to be taken of the Iewes to be led away arraigned and condemned and to dye for us therefore a Christian beleever may have comfort that seeing Christ was arraigned for him before men hee shall not be arraigned before God as Rom. 8. 1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus c. and againe in the same Chap. vers 35. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that justifieth who shall condemne so Ioh. 3. He that beleeveth in me shall not perish but shall have everlasting life therefore if we beleeve we have a certificate from God that wee shall not bee condemned when the devill is ready to accuse us and to say thou art a vile sinner and thou must come before God to bee arraigned and condemned for thy sinnes we must not deny the matter but say it is true Sathan I am a great and grievous sinner against God but Christ was arraigned and condemned for me and though I suffer not in my owne person yet Christ hath for me and therefore it shall not be required at my hands Secondly that he might have compassion and pitty on them that suffer and be arraigned for good causes as Heb. 4. 15. saith the Apostle For we have not an high Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all things tempted in like sort as we are yet without sinne therefore seeing Christ was arraigned doe not thou doubt but if thou bee arraigned for a good cause Christ will releeve thee and shew compassion on thee as Pauls experience was 2 Tim. 4. 17. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion c. This hath made good men confident to hold out in trouble as Dan. 3. when the king would have had the three Children to have worshipped the image which hee had made say they we are not carefull to answer thee in this matter behold our God whom we serve is able to deliver us so Act. 4. when the Apostles were brought before the governors and forbidden to preach they said They could not but speake the things they had heard and seene therefore as Saint Cyprian saith a Christian may be killed but cannot be overcome because he that is in them is greater than he that is in the world Thirdly that we might set up a throne in our owne hearts and arraigne our selves of sinne for Christs arraignement must teach us to arraigne sinne as he was killed so we must kill sinne as Christ was buried so wee must bury sinne to which purpose it is said 1 Cor. 11. 31. If we would judge our selves we should not be judged of the Lord so our judgement is to prevent the judgement of the Lord. Thus many good men have in holy Scripture arraigned themselves as Iob If saith he I should justifie my selfe yee then would condemne me David 2 Sam. 24. 17. It is I that have sinned but these sheepe what have they done so the Church
well at first and have the successe we desire yet we must not give over but to it againe and againe It is the sinne of the world that if things doe not succeed well at the first they give over a good cause and are discouraged as Hag. 1. when the Iewes were hindered from building the Temple straight-way they left off so men be quickly discouraged in good courses but it must be the wisdome of a Christian though things doe not succeed presently yet to goe on againe and againe This was the wisdome of Pilate and must be our wisdome also as it is observed of the Spider that although she be hindered in her labour and one come with a broome and sweepe downe her web she will up againe the next day so this must be the wisdome of a Christian though he doe not succeed well in a good course and in his labours at first yet he must not give over but to it againe and againe as long as there is life in him The third time when he laboured to free Christ was when hee joyned Christ and Barabbas together thinking by this meanes they would have rather freed Christ than Barabbas neverthelesse when he saw this would not prevaile he asked But what evill hath he done I finde no fault in him it is against my conscience to put him to death therefore he takes water and washes his hands but yet he could not cleare himselfe from the bloud of Christ all the water in the sea was not able to wash him cleane Now there be some that have their hands as deepe as Pilate in the bloud of Christ I doe not say it of my selfe but the Apostle Paul tels us as much Hebr. 6. 5 6. That they which have tasted of the good word of God and of the powers of the world to come If they fall away it is impossible that they should be renewed againe by repentance seeing they crucifie afrosh to themselves the Sonne of God and put him to an open shame And Hebr. 10. 26. If we sinne wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaines no more sacrifice for sinne c. Therefore if thou hast beene inlightned and hast tasted of the good Word of God and of the powers of the world to come take heed how thou commit sin wittingly and willingly against thy knowledge judgement against the light of Grace shining in thy heart and lye in it without repentance thou dost no better than crucifie the Sonne of God and so hast thy hands as deepe in the bloud of Christ as Pilate had so when thou livest in thy sins in the light of the Gospell art a drunkard a whoremaster a prophane person a bad liver take heed thou hast thy hands in the bloud of Christ The fourth time was when they cried Crucifie him crucifie him I but Pilate would not doe it and yet he was the Magistrate who had power in his hands to doe it which must teach us that although there bee a power in our hands to doe hurt unto our neighbours yet wee must not doe it as it is Proverb 3. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due when it is in the power of thine hand to doe it Although thou be mighty yet God is mightier than thou and thou canst not deliver thy selfe from him Now these foure times did Pilate labour to cleare Christ which shewes his innocencie that he died an innocent man and that not for himselfe but for us therefore never doubt but that he hath made expiation and satisfaction for thee by his death Now there were foure particular Meanes that Pilate used to deliver Christ but before we come to speake of them we will answer a doubt or two that may arise First Whether Pilate did well to seeke to deliver Christ seeing that Peter was reproved and reprehended for the same thing Secondly Whether Pilate did well to labour to free Christ seeing it did crosse the will of God for it was the will of God that he should die To the first I answer That Pilate did well to seeke to deliver Christ but Peter did not well because hee did not seeke to deliver Christ by good meanes and in due order but hee would have delivered him by resisting and fighting for him therefore it was a sinne to him but Pilate sought to deliver him by good meanes and in due order threfore it was no sinne in him Againe Peter he knew the mystery of mans redemption therefore it was a sinne in him but Pilate was ignorant of it who tooke him to be but an innocent man therefore Pilate did well do deliver Christ To the scond I answer the will of God is two-fold 1. The will of his Decree 2. The will of his Commandement The will of his Decree is the disposing of every particular man and of the whole world to his best pleasure and can by no meanes be resisted The will of his Commandement is what he would have us to doe Now it was the will of God indeed that Christ should die but it was the will of his Decree for the will of his Commandement was that when he brought Christ into the world all men should kisse him seeke to him for his favour and doe him all the honour that might bee therefore Pilate did well in endevouring to deliver Christ Now to draw this downe lower to our selves it may be it is the will of God we should be poore or that we should be rich therefore must we not be idle and doe nothing for this is the will of Gods Decree which is secret to himselfe but the revealed will of God the will of his Command is that every man should eat his bread in the sweat of his face and apply himselfe to the means notwithstanding that God hath appointed But to returne to the meanes that Pilate used for Christs deliverance The first meanes that Pilate used to deliver Christ was Loquendo by speaking for him And when did hee speake for him marry when all the world was silent which is a worthy example for us to follow to speake for Christ and in his cause for the Gospell though all the world should be silent or else Pilate shall rise up in the day of Iudgement and condemne us for if we be silent in the cause of Christ and holy religion before men he will also be silent at the day of Iudgement for us before his heavenly Father and if we speak in the cause of Christ before men and in the cause of religion he will also speake for us at the day of Iudgement before his heavenly Father Gen. 41. wee see that Pharaohs Butler did dreame a dreame which Ioseph did interpret for which all that Ioseph did request in recompence of him was that he would make mention of him to Pharaoh so our good Ioseph hath done much for us and shewed us great kindnesse for
thing is it when a Christian shall sinne against his conscience and that shall smite him as it did the Lepers in the midst of their jollity 2 King 7. 7. who said we doe not well to tarry here c. so when a mans conscience shall tell him O I doe not well to sweare to lye and yet that same man should goe on still in his wicked courses this is a pittifull thing therefore a man must take heed hee sinne not against his conscience if a man should have a snake or a worme crawling in his body or in his bowels though it should bee quiet sometimes yet upon every little occasion it should crawle and stirre about hee would thinke it were better to dye a thousand deaths but what is this to the worme of conscience that will torment a man for ever and ever and never dieth therefore as a learned man saith all other plagues a man may fly from but hee cannot fly from an evill conscience a man may fly from the plague from famine or from the injury of men but he cannot fly from an evil conscience whither soever he goeth that will with him if he goe into merry company or into his chamber into his closet or into any roome under the earth the secretest place that may bee his evill conscience will goe with him and pursue him like unto a man that hath an ague he thinkes if he were in this or in that place in this roome or in that hee should have ease but so long as hee carrieth the matter of his owne griefe about him he can have none so a man that hath an evill conscience hee may thinke to have peace in this place in this and that company but as long as he carrieth about him the matter of his griefe hee must never looke to have ease therefore wee must take heed of sinning against our conscience The second thing that made Pilate stand so stiffe for Christ was the admonition of his wife for Pilate being in the judgement seat shee sent him a message Matth. 27. To have nothing to doe with that just man in which message we observe divers things 1. The partie that sent the message Pilates Wife 2. The time when shee sent it when Pilato was upon the judgement seate 3. The tenour of the message have thou nothing to doe with that just man 4. The reason because I have suffered many things this night in a dreame touching Him First who it was that sent the message Pilates wife hence observe it is a good thing for women to stop and stay their husbands in the course of sinne they must labour to prevent them by good speeches and good admonitions for women were made to this end to be helpers to their husbands to helpe them to heaven therefore when the wife shall admonish the husband and hee doe not regard but despise and neglect it Pilate shall rise up in judgement against him and condemne him at the day of judgement Secondly when it was as he sate in judgement it was a very fit time a good season as David bad his servants say to Nabal 1 Sam. 25. Wee came in a good season so it is a good season to stoppe a man in sinne when hee is about the doing of it so the Angell of the Lord stopped Ioseph Matth. 1. when he thought to have put Mary away secretly so Gen. 20. when Abimelech thought to have taken Abrahams wife saith the Lord unto him thou art but a dead man it is a good thing then to admonish one of sinne when they be about doing of it Thirdly the tenor of the message have thou nothing to doe with this just man If a man be a just man and an innocent man let us take heed how wee have to deale with him or doe him any wrong or any hurt Psal 37. It is a note of a wicked man that he persecutes the godly man for if a man be a just and godly man then there is matter enough for them but we must take heed wee doe them no harme or wrong a man may handle gold Oare iron as long as it remaines in his owne nature but if the nature of fire be put to it then if we handle it it will burne us so we may deale with men as long as they remaine in their owne nature but if once they have the nature of God take heed how we deale with them lest it happen unto us as Revel 11. 5. it is said of the two Prophets that if any man hurt them fire shall come out of their mouthes and destroy them The fourth reason was Because she had suffered many things in a dreame touching him this is the property of a good conscience to bee moved and stirred by the judgements of God it is a wofull thing when his judgements be upon us yet we are not moved and stirred at them when hee shall take away our wives our children our cattell or our goods and yet wee bee not moved at it If a Physition give a man Physicke the next question that he will aske him when hee comes to him is whether his physicke did worke or no if it did not worke and stirre the humours it is twenty to one but the party will dye so the judgements of God are his physicke and if they doe move and stirre us there is some good hope but if they doe not move and work upon us there is danger twentie to one but we shall be more afflicted or die therefore it is a pitifull thing that Gods judgements be upon us in this unseasonable weather and yet we are not moved and stirred by them nor drawne unto repentance to returne to God the Lord complaines of this Ier. 5. Thou hast stricken them but they have not sorrowed And Zephan 3. Every morning doth he bring his judgements to light and yet the wicked will not learne to be ashamed It is a good thing to be afflicted with the judgements of God as Numb 21. the people come to Moses and desire him to pray to God to take away the firy Serpents not desiring to have their sins taken away therefore when that judgement was at an end they had a greater and so had no rest till the Lord had destroyed them so men doe now when the judgements of God be upon them then they pray to have sicknesse famine scarcitie and unseasonable weather taken away from them but never pray to God to have their sins taken away to give them repentance and therefore when one judgement is at an end it it the beginning of a greater the Lord will never rest till hee hath destroyed us if wee doe not repent us of all our sinnes and turne to him in the truth of our hearts This must teach Christians that have more light and knowledge than they had or than Pilate had to take heed that they doe not sinne against their conscience Pilate had
therefore Christ did first appeare to her I will shew you six particulars wherein Mary did shew her love to Christ First that she continued seeking when others Peter and Iohn gave over Secondly in that she wept and mourned for the losse of Christ when others went away without mourning and weeping We see in nature if one comes to a birds-nest and take away her young ones the bird will flie about the nest take on and in some sort bewaile the losse of her young but the Devill may come and catch away the graces of Christ repentance faith patience the comfortable feeling of Gods favour with the hope of heaven and yet thou never weepest for the losse of these therefore it is a good thing when a man hath lost these graces if he can bewaile them It is said of Ioseph and Mary when they had lost Christ they sought him with heavie hearts even so when a man hath lost the comfortable feeling of Gods favour and the graces of Christ he seekes for them and doth weepe in regard of the losse of them this is a true note of true love to Christ Thirdly in that shee bowed downe into the Sepulchre and looked here and there if by any meanes shee could finde Christ Of these wee have spoken alreadie now to proceed Fourthly Her true love to Christ is seene by the continuance of her complaint For notwithstanding she had seene the comfortable sight of Angels the one sitting at the head the other at the feet of the Sepulchre shewing that they were not onely ready to attend the head but also to minister to the meanest of the members of Christ who gave her comfortable speeches asking why shee wept as if they should say to her Indeed if Christ should lye still trampled and trodden under-foot of death if thy sinnes were yet upon him and held him under there might be cause for it but Christ hath risen from the dead and hath vanquished and overcome Death Hell and the Devill and therefore thou hast no cause to weepe yet for all this sight she had seene and for all those good speeches the Angels could not give her comfort till she had the thing shee sought for So if a man have true love to Christ it is not all the Angels can give him comfort till he finde Christ and feele the comfortable assurance of the pardon of his sins and the hope of Gods favour nothing will make him glad till then as Mary complaines to the Angels and sayes They have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid him in whom I have laid up all my joy and comfort all my hope and all my delight so a Christian may complaine and say My sinnes have taken away Christ from me they have taken away the comfortable feeling of Gods favour the hope of heaven We marvell that the good speeches that Preachers and good Christians give to a man in distresse doe not comfort him but it is no marvell for the Angels cannot doe it till a man be possessed with Christ therefore no marvell that good Preachers and good Christians cannot give them comfort it is a pitifull thing that a number when they have lost Christ every little matter will comfort them they need not have Angels sent from heaven for a few angels of gold will doe it Fifthly The divulgation of her complaint shee complaines to the Angels and she complaines to Christ thinking he had beene the Gardener she was not ashamed that hee should know that the cause of her heavinesse sorrow and weeping was for Christ this is a certaine note of true love to Christ when we are not ashamed to let the world know or see that the cause of our sorrow and heavinesse is because wee have lost Christ by our sins and the comfortable feeling of Gods favor So in the Canticles when the Church had lost Christ she runs thorow the streets and lanes to see whether she could finde him she was not ashamed to let the world know that the matter of her griefe and sorrow was because she had lost Christ so afterwards she layes out for Christ If yee meet my love tell him that I am sicke of love shee was not ashamed to let the world know that she was sicke of love so when it is thus with a man that hee is not ashamed to let the world know and see that the matter of his sorrow and griege is because he hath lost the comfortable feeling of the pardon of his sins and of Gods favour this is a note of true love to Christ Hebr. 2. 11. it is said that he was not ashamed to call them brethren therefore if he be not ashamed of us let us never be ashamed of him Indeed there is good cause why he should bee ashamed of us there is such a deale of corruption and sin in us therefore he might be ashamed of us especially when hee shall stand before God in judgement Now if Christ bee not ashamed of us let us never be ashamed of him for if we be ashamed of him before men he will be ashamed of us before God and all the holy Angels The sixth note of true love which she bare to Christ was the strange proffer she made to Christ Tell mee saith she where thou hast laid him and I will take him away if he be never so deepe if it be never so far I am contented to take any paines to have him this is a strange proffer which she makes beyond her power and abilitie her weake armes were not able to carry Christ but herein she shewes her true love to him so when a man is contented to take any paines or labour to goe thorow it be it never so farre if he can finde Christ is contented this is a note of true love to Christ for Luke 7. 37. our Saviour saith that where the dead bodies be thither the Eagles will resort As the Eagles when they sent a dead body they will flie many a mile to it so we should like the Eagles get a sent of the dead body of Christ and be contented to goe many miles take any paines and labour that we might have Christ Ioh. 21. when the Disciples were a fishing Christ came and appeared to them upon which discovery Peter launches into the water the ship could not hold him but he leapes into the sea to come to Christ so when we know that Christ is to be found in the use of good meanes in the preaching of the Word nothing should keepe us from thence Mary was content beyond her strength and ability to seeke Christ so we should shew our love to him above our strength and abilitie as 2 Cor. 8. it is said of the Macedonians that to their power and beyond their power they were willing And as he sayes Psa 119. Thou hast commanded me to keep thy Precepts diligently O that my heart were
that the Heaven and the earth shall be changed even as a man when hee puts on a garment is changed and that is onely in the outward view not in the substance of his body And Saint Peter me thinkes is very strongly for it in this Chapter vers 6. and 7. where he sheweth as the world was once destroyed with water so it shall bee againe with fire how was that even in the outward view onely the outward beauty and glory thereof shall be destroyed but the substance shall remaine as a Christian is said to be a new creature though hee bee not new in regard of substance but in regard of his affection and disposition so 2 Cor. 5. 17. every man saith he that is in Christ is a new creature so the Heavens are the same in substance and new onely in quality and disposition Now the heavens are said to be new first in regard of the use of them now they bring us raine and snow and haile at the time appointed but at the day of judgement they shall bring Christ and exhibite him to the world the goodliest sight that ever mortall eye saw as Matth. 26. 64. saith Christ I say unto you hereafter shall you see the Sonne of man sitting at the Right hand of the power of God and comming in the clouds of the Heaven c. so we see that the heavens shall be changed in regard of the use of them Secondly the heavens shall be new in regard of a new disposition now they never stand still but wind and turne up somewhat of the thread of mans life but then when the expiration is come and all time ceases then they shall stand still so that there shall bee no more time which is manifest Revel 10. 6. Where the Angell sweareth by him that liveth evermore which created Heaven and the things that are therein and the earth and the things that are therein and the sea and the things that are therein that Time shall be no more And the Philosophers say that Time is nothing else but the mooving of the heavens and revolution of them therefore when all time ceases and eternity is come then the heavens must needs stand still Thirdly the heavens shall bee new in regard of new effects for now they bee the storehouse of judgements and his armorie-house from whence he brings his judgements upon the world as Psal 29. The Lord makes it to thunder from heaven c. But at the day of judgement they shall no more bee the armorie-house of His judgements but the Lord shall there cause to flow out abundance of goodnesse and kindenesse therefore the Prophet saith that at the day of judgement the mountaines shall drop downe new wine and the hils shall flow with milke so that the influence of Gods goodnesse shall bee distilled out from the clouds And thus much for the renewing of the Heavens wee proceed now to the Earth The Earth shall be new in foure regards first we see that now there is a great deale of it wast and barren possessed with wilde beasts Serpents and Ostriges for the sinne of man as Psalm 107. 34. A fruitfull Land is made barren for the sinnes of the people so now there is a great part of it wast and barren for the sinnes of men but when mans sinnes are taken away then the earth shall bee made fertile and every place shall bee replenished Secondly now the earth yeelds nothing without mans labour and paines because of the curse that was laid upon it for sinne but at the day of judgement there shall bee no more curse for then it shall yeeld fruit without labour and paines Thirdly now the earth is the valley of teares where the best men have most trouble but at the last day it shall bee a doore to let us into glory as Iosh 2. 15. the Lord doth promise to the Children of Israel to give them the valley of Achor for a doore of hope so this earth shall be the doore of our hope to let us in to glory here wee shall begin the glory which afterwards we shall have perfect and consummate in Heaven Fourthly the earth now is walled and paled and hedged in a great part of it wherein every man labours to draw the commodity of it to himselfe but at the last day all shall be laid common there shall not need to bee any statute against enclosures but all shall bee laid open for his Saints and people Now heere may a question arise seeing the just shall goe to heaven and the wicked to hell To what end shall this Earth be renewed I answer there be three causes of it 1 In Regard of Christ 2 In Regard of the Godly 3 In Regard of the wicked First In Regard of Christ because he shall set up his throne here in this earth and make it his judgement seat now we may not thinke that it can stand with the glory of Christ to set up his judgment seat on the dead cinders and fruitlesse ashes of this sinfull world therefore it shall be renewed to make it a fit place for Christ to sit in judgement as when Iudges come to sit in Iudgement though the place be mean and unhandsome before yet then they hang it with tapestry decke it and strew it to make it a fit place for the Iudges to sit in so this Earth shall bee renewed in regard of Christ Secondly the Earth shall be renewed In Regard of the Godly that they may see that there was nothing lost by Adam but it is made good againe by Christ for whatsoever was lost by the first is restored againe by the second Adam In the Law the yeare of Iubile being come when the trumpet sounded and liberty was proclaimed every owner returned to his possession againe that hee had beene kept from a long time so at the last Iudgement when the trumpet shall sound and liberty shall be proclaimed all the people of God shall returne againe to their possessions from which they have beene with-held ever since it was lost by the first Adam But why shall the earth be renewed for the Godly seeing they shall be in heaven I answer as Chrysostome saith great Kings and Princes though they keepe in their great chambers of estate yet they passe into them through some gallery or some court-yard so saith he though the people of God shall dwell in the great chamber of heaven yet because this earth is the gallery and court-yard that they must passe through therefore it shall be renewed Secondly For a further increase of glory as it is a glory and an honour to our king that hee is king and Lord of a great many of countryes though it may bee hee meanes never to come into them but dwells here in this land so this is a great honour to the people of God that they be kings and
shall have at the day of judgement at this present the soules of the faithfull are in glory and the world sees it not but a the day of judgement there shall be further declaration of it So then wee see the former opinion is false Now it is not onely against Scriptures but against reason and that both naturall reason and sanctified or rectified reason First it is against naturall reason because all motions are without cessations till they come to their proper place unlesse they be hindred by some violence as a stone flung down a hill rests not till it comes at the bottome unlesse it be hindered by violence so the proper place of the Saints is heaven thither they move unlesse they be hindered now there is nothing can hinder them but sinne but when they are dead they have no sinne therefore they must needs goe to heaven that they have no sinne it is plaine by the Scripture as Rom. 6. 7. for he that is dead is free from sinne and Augustine saith wee live not without sinne so long as wee bee here but when we be out of this life then sinne ceaseth to this the Schoolemen agree that all sinne ceaseth in a Christian when he is dead In the estate of grace there is no man without sinne but when this life is ended then sinne ceaseth Now if any shall say that the decree of God is hinderance enough I answer there is no such decree set downe in the booke of God Secondly it might seeme injustice in God to delay glory where there is not cause to keepe them from it so the Greekes opinion is against naturall reason Secondly it is against rectified or sanctified reason for the Lord is more inclined to mercy than to judgement as soone as the wicked are dead their soules goe into hell as Luke 16. the soule of the rich man as soone as he was dead was carried into hell while his brethren were alive and had Moses and the Prophets to speake to them therefore it is agreeable to justice that the soules of the just should goe to heaven so soone seeing he is inclined more to mercy than to judgement Augustine saith the soule of a good man goeth to God when hee is dead to enjoy blessednesse and happinesse and the soules of the wicked goe to hell therefore it is out of question that the soules of the godly goe to heaven before the judgement day Secondly the Church Militant is that part of the Church which is a warring and fighting in this world against sinne the devill the world and temptations where although it pleaseth God to give them many victories conquests and triumphs in this world as the Apostle â—aith Rom. 8. In all these things we are more than conquerers yet because it is not without paine and labour toyle and trouble yea not without blood as is shewed Heb. 12. 4. Yâ—â— have not yet resisted unto blood the Church of God hath a number of these incursions and conflicts and as one saith that the devils follow them like a number of barking and bawling dogs and are never at rest therefore it is called the militant Church To this purpose 1 Tim. 6. 12. Paul exhorts Timothie to fight the good fight of faith laying hold of eternall life and 2 Tim. 2. 3. Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good Souldier of Iesus Christ the people of God bee never at rest here the devill will follow and pursue them the world will have a â—ing at them and their sinnes will trouble and annoy them therefore they must lye in campe against all their enemies These are the two maine parts of the Church and this is the order betweene them that the Church militant is a doore gate or poâ—ch to the Church triumphant for wee must be members first of the Church militant before wee come to bee members of the Church triumphant as Dan. 1. 4. there were certaine of the Children of Israel fed with the kings meate that at three yeeres end they might stand before the king so it pleaseth God the great King of Heaven and Earth to feed us here in the militant Church that one day wee may stand before him in the Church triumphant We have heard heretofore out of the Booke of Ester that king Ahashuerosh had two houses for his Maides there was a house of sweete perfume where they were kept for a season before they were brought to the kings house so God hath two houses there is the militant Church and the Church triumphant whereof this is the order that first they must live in the Church militant being perfumed with the graces of his Spirit before they can come to live in the Church triumphant therefore it must be the care of every man so to carry himselfe in the militant church as that be may come to live in the Church Triumphant Thus much of the doctrine now for the use First seeing the Church of God is Militant here in this world therefore wee must looke for no perfect peace here although it pleaseth God sometimes to give the Church rest as it is said Acts 9. 31. That the Churches had rest yet usually it is but a little breathing time it will not be long we must prepare for a new encounter for 1 Cor. 15. it is said The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death Therefore till death come that we may lie downe in the grave we must looke for vexation and trouble never to be at rest till then for when the Divell doth cease tempting of us and the world is at quiet with us then we have our owne lusts and sinnes to trouble us Augustine saith well the life of a Christian here in this world is nothing but a warfare this is not the place of triumph for what are these but the speeches of warre The good things that I would doe that doe I not but what I hate that doe I and againe I see a law in my members rebelling against the law of my minde leading mee captive to the Law of sinne and death Here is nothing but speech of leading captive and rebellion and he askes the question when will this warre be at an end His answere is When this corruption shall put on incorruption and when this mortall shall put on immortalitie Therefore we must looke for no perfect peace in this World for our sinnes and corruptions will trouble us the world will be against us and the Divell will barke and bawle against us so that a Christian cannot be at quiet while he lives here There be some weake Christians who thinke that because they have many temptations troubles and afflictions that therefore they are no members of Christ nor of the Church of God for if they were they think they should be at peace but here the Divell proceeds against them with false Logicke for they ought rather thus to argue because we live in
that he sends not all afflictions at once 169. †The three afflictions that Christ suffered 153. The behaviour of Christ in his afflictions 158. The effects of Christs afflictions 160. Christ was affraid To stand be fore God in Iudgemens clothed in our sinnes of death Not as a dissolution of Nature But as Gods curse 155. Christs agonie the cause of his sweat 161. All things made for mans benefit 71. How Christ shall bee All in all at the day of Iudgement 477. Almighty see God The amazement of Christ on the Crosse proceeded from Gods curse 157. Angels Ministers unto Christians 297. ¶ The Angels service to Of Christs anointing 78. Men. 430. Christ 122. ¶ What meant by anointing in the Law 16. Christ by being anointed was designed enabled made acceptable for the worke of redemption 78. With what By whom the end why Christ was anointed c. 81. The benefit of Christs anointing participation of His Graces the dignitie of his Person 89. We must anoint Christs Head Body and Feete with the Oyle of Devotion Compassion and Contrition 82. ¶ In the Law were anointed Prophets Priests Kings 83. No injurie must bee done to the Lords anointed 82. †Apocrypha see Scripture Of Christs appearing 305. Application of Christ to the heart better than Simeons holding him in his armes 141. †The wicked can doe no more than God hath appointed 213. ¶ 268. †Whatsoever betides a man is by Gods appointment 214. The Place Time Manner and Preparation of Christs apprehension 177. c. That apprehension of impenitent sinners worse than that of Christs in the Garden 186. * Comfortable words like Aqua-vitae 589. Christs armes his messengers 342. Christs arraignement frees us from arraignment and condemnation 194. * Of Christs ascension 353. The Necessity Time Place from whence Manner Fruits and benefits of Christs asscension from 353. to 365. Christ ascended to Prepare a place for us Send down the holy ghost Lead captivity captive Give gifts to his Church Make intercession for us 354 Difference betwixt Christs ascension and others 363. Christs ascension a pawne of ours 315. †Trials to know whether wee have ascended from sinne or no. 365. Of the great assembly to Iudgement 428. Gods assistance in troubles makes men confident 194. †B CHristians ought to beare with one another in Hiding the infirmities Excusing them Loving the partie 595. Christians ought to begin all their workes with prayer and thankesgiving 645. †Not to resist beginnings in sinne dangerous 181. ¶ Why the Shepheards went to Bethlehem 126. * By Christs binding we are loosed from the chaine of condemnation and corruption 188. Christs birth the greatest Ioy of the world 125. ¶ The Place 116. Time 113. Manner 117. of Christs birth The manifestation of Christs birth 120. Foure reasons of Christs meane birth 118. God bestowes on his Children blessing of this life and the life to come 581. The wise order God takes in giving us blessings 622. The communion of Saints an earthly blessings 581. In the blood of Christ that issued out of his side is something naturall and miraculous 268. Christs blood purifies us from the guilt and filth of sinne 269. The blood of Martyrs and Christ cry unto God for revenge and mercy 85. †Body see Resurrection As a Goldsmith melts gold to make a cup for the king so God melts our bodies to make vessels of honour for himselfe 637. ¶ The perfection of our bodies compared to a Shipmans needle touched with a Loadstone 641. * Our bodies spirituall because Vpheld by Subject to the spirit 642. Chris rose with the same body hee was crucified with 340. ¶ The power of a glorified body 643. What use of stomacke teeth c. in a glorified body 628. ¶ Christ saves not our soules onely but our bodies also 230. ¶ Two Bookes opened at the day of Iudgement 439. Christ borne when Herod was king Augustus taxed the world why 115 Christ borne in a base place to shew 10. the guilt of sinne 2. to procure us a better place 3. to make us content with any estate 116. ¶ Christ borne after the common and poorest manner 117 118. Christ was bonnd in regard of God To sanctifie the bonds of his servants To teach us the desert of sinne That we might bee loosed 187. Men for Paine and punishment Caution and securitie Shame and disgrace 186. Against the Papists giving the bread onely 334. * What meant by Christs breaking of bread with the Disciples that went to Emmaus 334. Christs breathing on the Disciples was a signe of giving the Holy Ghost 345. †Christ was buried To give us assurance of his death that hee might conquer death in his strongest hold to sanctifie and sweeten the grave for us that wee might have strength to bury him 273. Of the burning of the world 410. ¶ A Story of two Protestants in king Edward the sixths dayes touching burning for religion 277. †The burthen of sinne 158. * Every sinne addes to the burthen of Christ 159. * The benefit of Christs buriall 281. Foure waies to bury sinne to kill it hate the loathsome face of it remove it out of our sight and to rake moulds on it 282. C CHrist comes when a man is at his calling 122. †Calvins speech Dominus cum venit inveniet me laborantem 122. ¶ Moderation in worldly cares seeing God is our Father 55. What the word Catholike meanes 574. ¶ The Church said to be Catholike in respect of Place Persons and Time 575. c. The Papists beleeving in the Catholike Church absurd in religion and reason 578. * Reasons proving the Papists no true Catholikes 578. A twofold chaine on every naturall man of corruption sinne of condemnation and guilt of sinne 188. The wicked compared to chaffe 434. A great change and alteration after conversion 499. We must commit the seede of our charity into the bosome of the poore and hands of God 594. ¶ All chastisements came from God our loving Father and shall turne to our good 56 57. Gods Children why withheld from worldly blessings 580. Gods Children never totally finally forsaken of him proued by foure grounds 172. What Christ shall doe after the last Iudgement 475. see Iudgement The word Christ what it signifies 77. see Anointed Christ and Messiah all one 77. ¶ Christ the Sonne of God 90. Christ proved to be God from the Names Attributes Workes and Worship of God ascribed to him 91. Why Christ must bee both God and Mun. 92. ¶ Christ borne when Augustus Caesar taxed the world to fulfill a Prophesie to be under the taxe of Gods wrath for our sakes 116. * Christ the Head of the Church three proofes 542. The love and willingnesse of Christ to die for us 208. †Every little meanes is to bee laid hold of to bring us to Christ 131. ¶ Three things required in him that would be found in Christ 693. The infinite comfort after finding Christ 312. No condition can
Death Power of the Divell Sinne c. 272. How Christ defends his Church 380. God deferres not good tidings from man 123. * Sinne hath made us so deformed that God doth not acknowledge us 150. Deformities are punishments for sinne 639. Deformities in the member of the Church as bad as that in the members of the body 573. †Pilates endevour to deliver Christ better than Peters 200. †Of Christs descension into Hell 283. Christs Body Soule did not descend into Hell 285. â— 287. Against the Papists Christ did not descend into Hell to Preach to the damned 285. †Suffer paines there ibid. ¶ No Skirts of Hell 286. Places of Scriptures alledged by the adversaries for Christ descension into Hell answered 289. The descension of Christ into Hell nothing else but the captivating of him under death for a time 289. ¶ Two descents of a Christian 290. Christs desertion on the crosse 164. Spirituall desertion what it is 170. †Tryals of good desires 28. Defects in unsound desire of Heaven 498. How the wicked desire grace 506. see Grace No man ought to despaire of Gods mercie 233. ¶ The Divell the Author of all division 478. Why Christ died no ordinary death 212. It was needfull Christ should dye 1. To satisfie Gods Iustice for Mans sinne 2. That our sinnes might dye in his death 3. To seale to true bileevers Gods promises in the Gospell 261 262. Why Christ dyed a painefull death 264 We must be willing to dye when wee have done Gods worke 263. We should labour to dye the servants of God 143. ¶ in peace of conscience 144. * Ill successe Bad example in holy labors should be no discouragements 134. What it was that Christ dranke on the crosse 217. God drawes man out of sinne 379. Perseverance in good duties never failes in obtaining a reward 488. * Duties to God must not abridge our duties to men 231. * E WIcked men get up early to follow their lusts 193. †How the earth shall be renewed 413. The Earth shall be renued in regard of Christ the Godly the wicked 414. The wicked can lay no claime to the Earth when it is renued 415. ¶ Ecce Homo a good memento for a Christian 203. ¶ Of the Disciples that went to Emmaus 316. Actions determined by their ends as a ship governed by the Sterne 407. †Good endevours shall finde Gods blessing 136. * Wee ought so to live as our enemies may haue no just cause of exception against us 195 ¶ Love to our enemies a Christian duty 225. * Five Motives thereto ibid. The wicked alwaies enemies to the friends and followers of Christ 191. ¶ How the true Church may erre 570. The comfortable estate of a Christian never to be forsaken of God 173. ¶ God able to raise from nothing to great worldly estates The exaltation of Christ 291. Christs humility our example 164. * Christs example our iâ—itation 245. †How examples are most fit to move 138. ¶ Bad example 135. Bad example should not transport us from Christ 234. ¶ No exception to bee taken against the two Bookes that shall be opened at the day of Iudgement 440. Excommunication a most fearefull sentence 568. * Whether better to sinne against God or stand excommunicated 568. ¶ VVhy the Disciples eyes that went to Emmaus were held 319. God must open our eyes before we can discerne Christ 335. †F THe great Object of Faith God 41. Two rules to governe our Faith concerning God 478. Faith Historicall 16. Temporary 18. Miraculous 19. Iustifying 20. Two reasons why Faith aloue justifieth 31 What required to a justifying Faith 20. Seven trials of true justifying Faith 22. Five companions of true justifying Faith 25. c. Degrees of true justifying Faith 26. Effects of true justifying Faith 37. There weakenings of Faith The scandall of the Crosse Too much hast to have our desires Tying to our eyes and hands 322. Wherein weaknesse of Faith consists 27. Trials to distinguish a weake Faith from no Faith 28. How to finde out weaknesse of Faith 30. Reasons why our Faith is shâ—keâ— 32. True Faith may be shrewdly shaken 321. †Comforts in weaknesse and want of feeling of Faith 34. Full assurance of Faith 36. He that takes away one main point of Faith takes away all 20. True Faith layes hold on every little word of Christ 311. ¶ True Faith breakes through all lets 126. †True justifying Faith assureth of salvation 31. 33. Wherein Faith is necessary to salvation though judgement be according to works 457. * Our Faith must bee grounded on the Scripture 329. ¶ Faith that is visible saveth 457. ¶ Faith must be in particular 77. * Faith vsefull in the life of a Christian 3. Two waies Faith stirres up holy motions in 〈◊〉 4. All things must be done in Faith 7. Comforts from doing things in Faith 9. Faith upholds 〈◊〉 in Spirituall desertions 11. Worldly crosses 12. The least Faith after a temptation must bee cherished 337. †How to die in Faith 14. After a fall in sinne a Christian must endeavour to rise 337. â— The fall of GODS Children not finall 173. Carefull provision for our families necessarily commanded 230. â— Caesars favour preferred before Gods 210. †Want of the feare of God occasions mens running into all disorder 236. †Christs feare on the crosse a dreadfull feare 153. The causes of Christs feare Gods judgement Death 144. The extremities of Hell fire 469. Hell fire eternall 470. †Hell fire is not naturall fire 468. The extreme torments of the wicked me meant by fire 4â—7 ¶ The Spirit quenched as fire 516. How the flesh may overcome the Spirit 595. The manner how Christ tooke flesh 105. Christ tooke flesh in his Conception Birth 105. How Gods people are said to flow 125. †A man may flie in persecution when hee hath not A calling to stay Sufficient strength to suffer 1â—2 None can forgive sinnes but God 615. How men may forgive sinnes 616. * God forgives sinnes with condition of repentance 617. How a man may know his sinnes are forgiven in particular 618. A Minister forgives sinnes two wayes 346. Forgivenesse of sins a great blessing 608. belonging to this life onely 609. Forgivenesse of sinnes in regard of Vâ—â— free Christ due 612. Forgivenesse of sinnes is without limitation of their Number Greatnesse 614. Comforts from forgivenesse of sinnes 621. God forsakes not his Children prov'd from the Promise Nature Power Vertue of Christs Prayer of God 172. Gods forsaking a man the greatest griefe 164. ¶ God may be said to forsake his Children in the life of nature but never in the lâ—fe of grace 173. A Christian forsaken of God in the sense and feeling of his grace must carry himselfe Mournefully Patiently Holily 175. Christ is forsaking a man when he Growes idle in the use of the meanes Lives in knowne sinnes Feeles a decay of grace 330. Forwardnesse and intrusion into bâ—sinesse needlessely a great fault 78. ¶ Wee
the Divell and hâ—â—ngels 471. The wickedâ— ares shall bee bound together in buâ—es for the greater increase of torment 582. * How farre â—â—ed men desire the presence of God 465. The wickedâ—hing â—hing the better for Christs resurrectiâ— 300. †The punishâ—â— of the wicked shall be Gods curse 466. Reason of thâ—icked their condemnation 473. Gods Will tâ—â—fold of his â—â—ree comandment 198. The wills of dead must bee performed 232. ¶ Witnesses 〈◊〉 might have beene found for Christâ—â—â—cencie none against it 196. * False witneâ—er â—er scapes unpunished ibid. Fine wits aâ—litike pates must be imploied for Ch. 202. †Christs maâ—tation to the Wisemen 128. The reasons â—â—of ibid. The Wisemâ—â— their search for Christ discourage by Bad â—esse Ill exâ—e 134. Wives ought â—â—y and stoppe their husbands in â—â—urse of sinne 206. * God made allâ—â— by his Word 66. All Creatures save man yeeld obedience to Gods Word 66. †All Christs last Words holy and good 255. Workes not the cause of our obtaining heaven but onely signes who be the Persons 454. Reasons against the merit of workes ibid. A difference betweene for workes and according to workes 457. * To worke out our salvation what it is 253. * The last judgement shall be according to our workes 456. The reason thereof 459. †All good workes shall bee remembred and rewarded 458. Gods workes were done by degrees 69. †God made the world exceeding good 67. What time God made the world 68. In what order God made the world 70. The Iewish prophesie that the world should continue 6000. yeeres 401. * The world made of nothing 66. †God is able to dissolve the world to nothing 67. * The world shall be burnt 409. None worse than they that have had a taste of religion and have lost it 180. * A threefold worship due to God Adoration Invocation Faith 92. Whether Christs wounds remained in his glorified body 452. Christ takes all wrongs done to his servants as done to himselfe 461. ¶ Y OF the yong man that followed Christ 189. Yong Men ought to looke after Christ ibid. ¶ Z ZEale for the honour of God a signe of conversion 138. †Zerxes sorrow when hee looked upon 100000. Souldiers 210. * Eccles 12. 10. Eze. 33. 32. Revel 22. 20. 1 Act. 15. 18. 3 4 5 6 Fides non eligit objectum Bulla Pii quarti 1 Cor. 2. 11 12. 2 3 4 1 Pet. 3. 5 6 7 8 Simile Simile 1 Vse of Faith The first Reason why Faith alone Justifieth The second Reason why Faith alone justifieth Gal. 3. 17. Epheâ— 3. 17. The second use of Faith Two workes of Faith 1 2 1 Consideration How to deale with sinne 2 Consideration The third Consideration 1 The greatnesse of our sinnes 2 The greatnesse of Gods Mercy The second way How Faith stirs up holy motions 2 King 13. 21. Gal. 2. 20. Habak 2. 2. 1 2 1 All things must be done in Faith Quest. How to doe all our actions in Faith 1 Answ 2 Meanes to doe all in Faith Esai 8. 20. Two comforts of doing things in Faith 1 2 Vse 1. Vse 2. The third meant to doe all in Faith How to Suffer all in Faith The first meanes how Faith upholds us in desertion 1 Pet. 1. 5. The second meanes how faith upholds us in desertion The third means how Faith upholds in Desertions In worldly cresses Faith supports soure waies The second way how Faith sustaineth in crosses Iob 13. 15. 1 Sam. 28 1â— Foure meanes whereby Faith supports us in Afflictions Iob 19. 25. 4 Vse of Faith in our life-time Foure waies to dye in Faith 1 The second way to dye in Faith Acts 7. 56. Gen. 28. 1. The fourth way to die in Faith Vse 1. Vse 2. 1 Historicall Faith what Note 2 Tim. 3. 16. The second defect of Historicall Faith Secondly Temporary Faith The first Cause The second Cause Thirdly Miraculous Faith Fourthly Iuâ—fying and Saving Faith Three things required in Iustifying Faith 1 Object Answ The first Defect Psalm 7â— â—19 2 Kings 7. 2. The second Defect The second thing in sanctifying Faith Iob 5. 7. The third thing in sanctifying Faith Seven trials of true Faith The first The second triall of true Faith Note The third triall of true Faith The fourth triall of true Faith The fifth triall of true Faith The sixth triall of true Faith The seventh triall of true Faith By five Companions The first Companion of true Faith The second Companion of true Faith The third Companion of true Faith The fourth Companion of true Faith The fifth Companton of true Faith Phil. 3. Foure uses Three degrees of Faith 1 2 3 Object Sol. First weake Faith in judgement weaknesse of Faith in apprehension Foure trialls of weake from no Faith Quest. Sol. Three trialls of a right desire 1 2 3 The second triall of weake Faith The third triall of weake Faith The fourth triall of weake Faith The first triall of weake Faith The second triall of it The third triall of it The fourth triall of it The fift triall of it Vse 1. Vse 2. Argument 1 2 Foure Reasons why our Faith is shaken 1 2 3 4 Quest Sol. Object Sol. Two sorts of assurance of Salvation Object Answ Foure coÌ„sorts in want of feeling assurance of salvation The first The second comfort The third comfort The fourth Comfort Note Quest. Sol. 1 2 3 4 3 Full assurance of Faith Gal. 5. 6. Effects of true Faith 1 Bernards two farthings The second effect of true Faith The third effect of true Faith 1 2 Gen. 19. 4 Effect of true Faith 5 Effect of true Faith In foure respects we are Pilgrims here 1 2 3 4 1 That there is a God Note 1 The workes of God prove a Deity 1 The workes of Creation 2 The workes of Government 2 The place of God 3 By the Nature of the Creatures 1 Motion 2 Multitudes 4 By Conscience 5 By our owne Experience Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. 2 That there is but one God Vsesi Obiect Sol. 1 Evidence The seemd evidence Vse 2. Act. 4. 32. Vse 4. 3 He is a true God in regard of his Nature 1 2 3 God is true in his Properties SERM. V. Fourthly that God is our God Ioh. 20. 27. Simile Simile ARTIC I. The first ground to proove a Trinity of Persons The second ground for Distinction of Persons Secondly that the Father is a distinct Person Simile Simile Quest. Sol. Simile Simile Vse Simile Thirdly God is the Father of Christ Vse 1. Vse 2. Simile Exod. 29. 6. By Faith in Christ we are adopted Iob 17. 14. Vse First since God is our Father we must labour to please him in all things Simile Secondly If God be our Father we must labour to be as like him as may be Three things to be like God in 1 In doing good to all 2 In forgiving wronge and iniuries 3 In holinesse of life 3 To moderate the cares of this life 4 All our chastisements then come
communicate his graces Simile Simile Simile 1 Christ armes them Simile Vse 1. For Ministers 2 Simile Vse 2. For the people 1 Vse 2. Secondly their commission to what end they were sent 1 2 3 Thirdly the ability Christ gives them First what he gives Secondly how he gives the holy Ghost Simile 1 2 4 The authoritie he gave them Simile Simile Simile How a Minister forgives sinnes two waies 1 2 SERMON XXXVI 1 The occasion of Christs appearing First the cause of Thomas's unbeleefe Simile The second cause of the unbeleefe of Thomas Secondly the time when Christ appeared Two reasons why Christ appeared the eighth day Simile 3 The manner how Christ appeared Why Christ appeared thus 1 2 1 Whether there be wounds in a glorified body 2 Fourthly the effect of Christs appearing SERM. XXXVII Why it was needfull that Christ should Ascend ARTI VI. Simile Simile Five Reasons why Christ ascended 1 Simile Simile Simile 2 Why Christ Ascended Simile Simile Simile Vse Simile 3 Cause why Christ ascended Iudg. 16. 3. Simile Object Sol. 4 To fill the Church with spirituâ—ll gifts Simile Vse 5 To make intercession for us Simile Quest How Christ makes intercession for us 1 Reall Prayer what Simile The first way of his Intercession 2 Simile Simile Secondly the time when Christ ascended 1 2 3 Thirdly the place where hee ascended 1 2 Fourthly the manner of his Ascension 1 Object Sol. 2 Simile Quest. Sol. Simile SERM. XXXVIII Differences betwixt the Ascension of Christ and others 1 2 4 5 Two reasons why Christ ascended to heaven leasurely 1 2 Simile Thirdly the maner Vse Fifthly the benefit we receive by Christs ascension 1 How to know whether wee ascend or not 1 Triall Simile 2 Triall Simile Vse 2. Simile Simile Simile Vse 3. 2 Gifts of Christs Ascension Vse 4. Vses of Comfort 1 Incouragement against the Crosse The second use of Comfort Simile The third Vse Simile Simile Simile Simile SERMON XXXIX 1 First what is meant by Gods Right hand Three severall acceptions of right hand in Scripture 1 The second acception The third sense How Christ is said to sit at the Right hand of God The first meaning The second meaning 1 Simile 2 Simile Simile Simile Thirdly why Christ is said to sit and not to stand at Gods right hand 1 Simile 2 3 Simile Vse 1. Vse 2. Simile Simile Fourthly to what end Christ sits at Gods right hand 1 Simile The second end what it is He doth draw people to himselfe Simile Simile Meanes of drawing Simile Vse Simile Vse 2. Object Sol. Simile Vse 3. Simile Simile 2 Being drawne hee governs them Simile â—imile 3 he exercises of he Church with divers tentations Simile Simile Three Causes why Christ exercises the Church with divers temptations 1 Iob 1. 3. Reason 2. Simile Reason 3. Simile Act. 4. Five meanes whereby Christ doth protect his Church 1 Simile Simile Simile Simile The second meanes The fourth meanes Simile The fifth means Simile Simile Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Simile Vse 4. Simile SER. XLI Iob 19. 1 That there shall bee a judgement day Divers Judgements 1 2 3 Three Reasons of the Iudgement day Reason 1. Reason 2. The third Reason Simile Foure proofes that there shall be a Generall judgement The second Proofe The third Proofe Simile The fourth Proofe Vse 1. Simile Simile Simile Vse 2. Simile Simile Vse 3. Simile Simile Vse 4. Simile SER. XLII Secondly who shall be the Judge Two things needfull in a Iudge First knowledge 2 Power Object Sol. Simile Vse 1. Simile Three things required to bee found in Christ 1 2 Simile 3 Simile Vse 2. Vse 3. Simile Simile Simile 1 Simile Vse 1. Simile Simile SERMON XLIII Simile Reason 1. Reason 2. Reason 3. Reason 4. Vse 4 The time of the iudgement Simile 1 Conclusion The certainty of the last iudgement proved 1 By Scripture 2 By Reason ARTI VII Vseâ—â— Vse 2. Simile The second conclusion Simile Two causes why Christ gives signes of his comming 1 Simile Simile Simile 2 2 Consequents 1 Simile 2 Two signes to come 2 Three causes why the Iudgement is delayed 1 2 3 Simile Simile Object Sol. 5 The Person that shall bee judged Simile Simile SER. XLIV Simile Simile Simile Simile Sixthly the manner of the iudgement 1 Quest Sol. Simile Vse 1. Simile Vse 2. Simile Simile Quest. Sol. Simile Simile Quest Sol. Vse 3. Simile Simile Simile Simile SERM. XLV Simile Simile Heavens how new 1 2 3 The Earth shall be new in foure Regards 1 2 3 4 Quest. Sol. Three Causes why the earth shall be renewed First in regard of Christ Simile Secondly in regard of the Godly Quest. Sol. 2 Simile 3 In regard of the wicked Simile Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Simile 1 Cor. 2. 9 1 King 10. 7. Matth. 25. 34. 41. SERMON XLVI The third Act in the manner of the last judgement First why so called Simile Secondly what this signe is 1 Opinion 2 Opinion 3 Opinion 4 Opinion Two Reasons why by the signe of the Sonne of Man is not meant the Crosse 1 2 3 The signe of the Sonne of Man what it is Differences of Christ and Moses glory 1 2 3 4 Thirdly the effects of the Sonne of mans comming 1 Simile Simile Simile Simile Simile First Hee shall come in glory Simile Simile â—imile Simile Secondly wherein this glory consists Simile Secondly this glory consists in the brightnesse of his body Thirdly in the eminencie of his Soveraigne power Christ hath two keyes 1 Vse 1. Simile Simile Vse 2. Simile SERMON XLVII Vse 3. 1 Who shall sound the Trumpet Simile 2 What shall bee the power of the sound 1 3 To what end the sound shall be Simile Simile Quest. Sol. Simile The great gathering of all First who shall be gathered Quest. Sol. Simile Simile Secondly by whom they shall egathered First the Angels serve us living Secondly at our death they serve us Thirdly at the day of iudgement Thirdly to whom we shall be gathered 1 Simile 2 Simile Simile As a gathering of all so there shall be a separation of all Simile First there shall be a separation Vse 1. Vse 2. Simile Vse 3. Simile Simile Simile 2 The time of the separation Simile Vse 1. Vse 2. Simile Thirdly the Persons that shall be separated Properties of Sheepe 1 2 3 4 5 Three rankes of men 1 2 3 Foure properties of the Goates 1 2 3 4 SERMON XLVIII First that there shall be a conviction 2 Simile Vse Simile Simile Simile Simile 2 The meanes of their conviction Simile Two bookes opened at the day of Judgement First the booke of Gods remembrance Secondly the booke of Conscience No exception against thâ—se bookes Simile Simile Simile Simile Simile Simile 3 The parties convicted Simile The fourth effect of Conviction Simile Why the weight of sinne is no more felt SERMON XLIX Simile 2 The qualitie of the sentence Simile Simile Simile Simile 2 The Order of it Divers opinions 1 2 3