related one to another in the Flesh I. Husbands to Wives and Wives to Husbands Of Marriage c. AND the Lord said It is not good that the man should be alone I will make him a help meet for him c. Adam said This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of man Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh Gen. 2. 18 23 24. God commanded Abraham to hearken to his wife in the case of Ishmael and Isaac Gen. 21. 14. Jacob loved Rachel more then Leah c. and when the Lord saw that Leah was hated he opened her womb but Rachel was barren Gen. 29. 30 31. And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children Rachel envied her sister and said unto Jacob give me children or else I die And Jacobs anger was kindled against Rachel and he said Am I in Gods stead who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb Gen. 30. 1 2. 1 Sam. 1. 5. Zipporah the wife of Moses said to him a bloody Husband art thou to me Exod. 4. 25 26. Moses sanctified the people c. and he said unto them be ready against the third day come not at your wives c. Exod. 19. 14 15. None of you shall approach unto any who is near a-kin unto him or remainder of his flesh to uncover nakedness I am the Lord the nakedness of thy father or thy mother c. Lev. 18. 6 7 8 9 10 11 to the 19. Neither shalt thou make marriages with them c. Deut. 7. 3 4. The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth to a man neither shall a man put on a womans garment for all who do so are an abomination unto the Lord thy God Deut. 22. 5. Hannah wept and did not eat Then said Elkanah her Husband to her Hannah why weepest thou and why eatest thou not and why is thy heart grieved am not I better unto thee than ten sons so Hannah rose c. 1 Sam. 1. 8. Saul sent messengers to Davids house to watch him and slay him c. And Michal Davids wife told him c. And let him down through a window and he went and fled and escaped 1 Sam. 19 11 12 13 c. Israels sin in taking strange wives and their sorrow and reformation Ezra 9. ch 10. Jobs wife said unto him Dost thou still retain thine integrity curse God and die But he said unto her Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh What shall we receive good c. Job 2. 9 10. 1 Kings 11. 1 4. Ch. 21. 25. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband but she who maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones Prov. 12. 4. ch 18. 22. The contentions of a wife are a continnal dropping c. A prudent wife is from the Lord Prov 19. 13 14. It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and an angry woman Prov. 21. 19. Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands c. Prov. 31. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16. c. ch 14. 1. Whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery and whosoever shall marry her who is divorced committeth adultery Mat. 5 31 32. ch 19. 9. The Pharisees said Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause And he answered and said unto them Have ye not read that he who made them at the beginning made them male and female c. Wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh What therefore God hath joyned together let no man put asunder c. Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered c. But it was not so from the beginning it is good not to marry c. he said all men cannot receive it c. he that can let him receive it Mat. 19. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. The woman who hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth but if the husband be dead she is free from the law of the husband So then if while her husband liveth she be marryed to another man she shall be called an adultress but if her husband be dead c. Rom. 7. 2 3. It is good for a man not to touch a woman nevertheless to avoid fornication let every man have his own wife and let every woman have her own husband Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence and likewise also the wife unto the husband The wife hath not power over her own body but the husband and likewise also the husband hath not power of his but the wife Dcfraud you not one the other except with consent for a time that you may give your selves to fasting and to prayer and come together again that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency c. I say to the unmarryed and widows it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain let them marry for it is better to marry than to burn And unto the marryed I command not I but the Lord Let not the wife depart from the husband but if she depart let her remain unmarried c. Let not the husband depart from his wife c. And if any brother hath a wife who believeth not and she be pleased to dwell with him let him not put her away c. for the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife c. else were your children unclean but now they are holy c. For what knowest thou O wife whether thou shalt save thy husband c. The time is short it remains that they who have wives be as though they had none c. An unmarried life commended 1 Cor. 7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 29 32 33 to the end Have we not power to lead about a sister a wife as well as other Apostles and the brethren of the Lord and Cephas 1 Cor. 9 5. The head of the woman is the man c. The man is not of the woman but the woman of the man Neither was the man created for the woman but the woman for the man c. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman neither is the woman without the man in the Lord for as the woman is of the man even so is the man also by the woman c. 1 Cor. 11. 3 8 9 11 12. Let your women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted to them to speak 〈◊〉 under obedience as also
3. Of the Churches Duties towards their Ministers and such others who labour amongst them 231 4. Of the Elections and Ordination of Officers in Churches ibid. 12. Of laying on of Hands upon the several Occasions and to the several ends in Scripture mentioned 232 13. Of the several Ordinances of Christ to be observed in and by the Churches of Christ and elsewhere Page 232. 1. Prayers 232 See more in Prayer at large Chap. 16. Page 92. See Praising at large Chap. 16. Page 92. 2. Reading Teaching Preaching of the Word of God Prophesying 232 See more of Ministers in general Chap. 26. Page 219. And of Gifts of Church-Members Page 226. 3. Baptisms 234 4. Breaking of Bread or the Lords Supper 235 5. Discipline Church-Censures or removing of Scandals c. 236 See more of Rebuking one another Chap. 17. Page 149. Chap. XXVIII Of Hypocrites and Hypocrisie The Spirits and Practices of such who are very format and earnest in and about the external Parts of Worship and Profession and in a shew for God yet high in their Opposition of Christ the Truth of the Gospel and Power of Godliness in others 237 See more of their persecuting Temper Chap. 22. Page 181. The Danger of Hypocrisie and of Formality and end of Hypocrites 242 Also see Sincerity Chap. 16. Page 134. Chap. XXIX Of the Conscience 243 Chap. XXX Of the Devil of his subtilty wiles and ways by himself and in and by his Instruments wicked Men false Teachers Deceivers and Seducers The Description of them and what concerns the Saints therein 244 1. Of Satan the Devil himself his subtilty c. 244 See more sinners Bondage Chap. 5. Pag. 18. 2. The Instruments of Satan Seducers Deceivers c. And the Saints Duties about it 246 Chap. XXXI Of Consideration Meditation pondering upon and serious weighing of the things of God his Word and Works our selves c. 249 Chap. XXXII Of the Thoughts Mind and Affections Page 251 Chap. XXXIII Of Repentance in the general wherein God cannot repent and wherein or how he is said to Repent Repentance in Man and of his turning to God from sin and in such who have backsâ—idden from following of God and otherwise Page 253 1. Wherein God cannot repent and wherein or how he is said to repent 253 2. Repentance in Man in general and of back-sliders returning c. ibid. Also see God's reasonings with Sinners Chap. 16. Page 125. Chap. XXXIV Of Death the laying down of these Tabernacles Page 256 Chap. XXXV Of the Resurrection from the Dead Page 259 Chap. XXXVI Of Christ's second Coming to the Judgment and rendring unto every Man according to his Deeds done in the Body whether good or bad Page 260 Also see Waiting for Christ's coming Chap. 16. Page 134. Chap. XXXVII Of the Glory prepared for the Saints and reserved to be given to them at the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ Page 262 Also see the End of the Wicked Chap. 5. Page 23. Chap. XXXVIII Of Knowledge and Understanding in and about Divine things and of the want thereof Ignorance about such things and the evil thereof Page 264 See more of the sottish Nature of Man Chap. 5. Page 21. See also the Giver of Knowledge Chap. 20. Page 166. Chap. XXXIX Of this present World and the Titles Honours Pleasures and other things in this World The use of them the Snares and Temptations in them and of the Saints Duties in relation to them Page 270 Chap. XL. Of Idolatry setting up and Worshiâ—ping strange Gods graven Images c. Page 276 Also see Worshipping the true God Chap. 16. Page 88. Chap. XLI Of the Angels their appearing to Men what they are and do Page 280 Chap. XLII Of the Parable and Similitudes which Christ spake Page 282 Chap. XLIII Of the Miracles and wonderful Things which were done by Christ and his Apostles Page 283 Chap. XLIV Of the Kings of Israel and Judah how they came to their Power and Office Page 286 Also see Magistrates at large Chap. 24. Page 211. Chap. XLV Of Sacrifices and Altars and calling upon the Name of the Lord before the giving of the Law Page 286 Chap. XLVI Christianity a difficult thing or it 's hard to be a Christian indeed ibid. Chap. XLVII Of Time or Opportunity Page 287 Chap. XLVIII Of the Signs of the end of the World Page 289 Chap. XLIX Encouragements to wait for hope in and cry to God in a time when our Case seems desperate ibid. Chap. L. God takes notice of a little good in any Page 290 Chap. LI. Of Vowes and Promises to God ibid. Chap. LII Of Blasphemies Page 291 Chap. LIII Of Israel's Murmurings Page 292 Chap. LIV. Of Diligence in our Calling Page 294 Chap. LV. Of Voices Dreams and Visions by which God declared his mind of old Page 295 Chap. LVI Of the Call and Commission of the Apostles equal without Superiority Page 296 Chap. LVII Of Israel's return from the Countries into which they are scattered Page 297 Chep LVIII Of the Seventh Day and the Laws about it And the Change of the first day of the Week Page 299 Chap. LIX Of Usury Page 300 Chap. LX. Of Envy Hatred Emulation Discontent Strife Page 301 Chap. LXI Of Murder the taking away of the Life Man Page 302 Chap. LXII Of Adultery Page 303 Chap. LXIII Of Drunkenness Page 305 Chap. LXIV That great outward Privileges nor our own Righteousness will be security against Judgment here or Damnation hereafter no cause of boasting Page 306 Chap. LXV Of Words and Deeds neither true nor good yet spoke and done to effect things designed or prevent Dangers Page 307 Chap. LXVI Of Words and Sayings expressive of Choice only not binding Page 308 Chap. LXVII Of sensible sick lost Sinners hungry thirsty Souls longing ones such whom Christ came to seek heal satisfie and save Page 309 Chap. LXVIII Of departed Soul's ignorance of Men and Things here in this World Ibid. Chap. LXIX Of Mary the Mother of our Lord according to the Flesh her having of Children by Joseph her Husband Ibid. CHAP. I. Of the Scriptures Written Word of God the Word of Truth their Authority Use End and Excellency Heb. 1. 1. chap. 2. 3 4. Prov. 23. 23. WHAT nation so great that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day Deut. 4. 8. Psal 119. 138 172. Therefore shall ye lay up these words in your heart and in your soul and bind them for a sign upon your hand that they may be as frontlets between your eyes And you shall teach them your children speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way when thou lyest down and when thou risest up And thou shalt write them upon the dore-post of thy house and upon thy gates that your days may be multiplied c. Deut. 11. 18 19 20. ch 6. 6 7 8. Thou shalt read the law before all Israel in their
c. But he who believed not shall be damned Mark 16. 14 16. Thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed because thou believest not my word which shall be c. Luke 1. 19 20. The Son of man when he comes shall he find faith on earth Luke 18. 8. But those mine enemies who would not that I should reign over them bring hither and stay them before me Luke 19. 27. John 5. 40 43. He who believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God c. He who believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3. 18 36. Verily verily I say unto you Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood ye have no life in you John 6. 53. I said therefore unto you That you shall die in your sins for if ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sins John 8. 24. Ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep as I said unto you My sheep hear my voice c. John 10. 26 27. ch 5. 38. If any man hear my words and believe not c. He who rejecteth me and receives not my words hath one who judgeth him the word which I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day John 12. 47 48. If a man abide not in me he is cast forth as a branch and is withered and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned John 15. 6. He will reprove the world of sin c. of sin because they believe not on me John 16. 8 9. Beware therefore lest that come upon you c. Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish for I will work a work in your days a work which you shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you Acts 13. 40 41. How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed Rom 10. 14. Well because of unbelief they were broken off c. and thou standest by faith c. God spared not the natural branches c. Rom. 11. 20 21. He who doubteth is damned if he eat because not of faith for whatsoever is not of faith is sin Rom. 14. 23. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven taking vengeance on them c. who obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction c. 2 Thes 1. 8. Antichrist shall prevail upon such who shall perish because they received not the truth in the love thereof or the love of the truth that they might be saved and for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they shall believe a lye that they all might be damned who believe not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thes 2. 8 9 10 11 12. Holding faith c. which some haying put away concerning faith have made shipwrack of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I have delivered unto Satan that being chastised they might learn not to blaspheme 1 Tim. 1. 19 20. Unto them who are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their minds and consciences are defiled Titus 1. 15. If the word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every transgreision and disobedience received a just recompence of reward How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord c. Hebr. 2. 2 3. I swear in my wrath they shall not or if they shall enter into my rest Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God c. And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest but to them who believed not So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief Hebr. 3. 11 12 18 19. Numb 14. 21 22 23. Psalm 106. 24 25 26. The word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith or because they were not united by Faith to it in them who heard c. They to whom it was first preached or the Gospel was first Preached entered not in because of unbelief Hebr. 4. 2 6. If we sin c. there is no more sacrifice c. but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation c. The just shall live by faith but if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him But we are not of those who draw back to perdition but of them who believe to the salvation of the soul Hebr. 10. 26 27 28 29 38 29. Without faith it is impossible to please God for he c. Heb. 11. 6. See that ye refuse not him who speaketh For if they escaped not who refused him who spake on earth much more shall not we if turn away from him who speaketh from heaven Hebr. 12. 25. Let him ask in faith c. for he that wavereth is like c. Let not that man think he shall receive c. James 1. 5 6 7. Unto you who believe he is very precious but unto them who are disobedient the Stone which the builders disallowed of the same is made the head of the corner and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence unto them who stumble at the Word being disobedient whereunto also they were appointed 1 Pet. 2. 7 8. What shall the end be of them who obey not the Gospel of God 1 Pet. 4. 17 18. He who believeth not God hath made him a lyar because he believeth not the record which God gave of his Son and this is the record That God hath given unto us eternal life and this life is in his Son c. He who hath not the Son hath not life 1 John 5. 10 11 12. The fearful and unbelieving c. shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. He who despised Moses law died without mercy c. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God c. Hebr. 10 28 29. See more of trusting in God Chap. 16. CHAP. XII Characters of Saints good Men and Believers appearing in Word and Deed. I. That such may be known from others by their Fruits We should try SEarch and try me O Lord and know my heart try me and know my thoughts Psalm 139. 23 24. Ye shall know them by their fruits Do men gather grapes of thorns c. Matth. 7. 16 17 18 c. The tree is known by his fruit O generation of vipers how can ye being evil speak good things for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh A good man our of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure
no man regardeth but ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof I also will laugh at your calamity and mock when your fear cometh when your fear cometh as desolation c. Then shalt thou call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me for they hated c. Prov. 1. 22 to 30. Zech. 7. 9 10 11 12 13. Hear O heavens c. I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me The ox knoweth his owner c. Israel doth not know my people doth not consider c. Why should ye be stricken any more ye will revolt more and more c. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me saith the Lord c. When ye make many prayers I will not hear you for your hands are full of blood Wash you make you clean c. Come now and let us reason c. out if ye refuse and rebel ye shall be devoured by the sword c. Ah I will case me of mine adversaries Isa 1. 2 3 4 5 11 13 16 17 18 20 23 24. Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people because c. their land is full of idols Isa 2. 6 7 8 c. Jerusalem is ruined and Judah is fallen because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord to provoke the eyes of his glory Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with stretched forth necks c. therefore the Lord shall smite with a scab c. the Lord will take away the bravery of their 〈◊〉 ornaments c. Isa 3. 8 9 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24. Judge I pray you betwixt me and my vineyard What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it Wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes brought it forth wild grapes I will take away the hedge thereof c. The Prophet pronounceth many Woes against several Sinners Isa 5. 4 5 6 to 26. God gave up Israel to Hardness and Blindness for their Sins till they should be laid waste Isa 6. 10 11 12. God threatens Jacob and Israel for their Pride and Stoutness of Heart because they turned not to him who smote them Their leaders cause them to err that he will cut off c. And for all this his anger is not turned away Isa 9. 8 9 10 11 to 21. O Assyrian c. I will send him against an hypocritical nation and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil c. Isa 10. 5 6. God's great Judgments threatned against Babylon Isa 13. ch 14. 4 5 6. c. ch 47. It is a people of no understanding therefore he who made them will not have mercy on them c. Isa 27. 11. The Lord said Forasmuch as this people draw near with their mouth c. but have removed their hearts far from me and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men therefore c. the wisdom of the wise shall perish and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid Wo unto them who seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord and their works are in the dark Isa 21. 13 14 15. chap. 24. 5 6 7 c. They would not hear c. Ye scornful men c. ye shall be trodden down Isa 28. 12 14 15 c. God threatens Israel for leaning upon Egypt for help and not hearkening to stay on God Isa 30. 1 2 to 17. This people have I formed for my self c. But thou hast not called upon me O Jacob but thou hast been weary of me O Israel Thou hast not not brought me the small 〈◊〉 c. but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities c. Thy first fathers have sinned and thy teachers c. therefore I have prophaned the princes of thy sanctuary and have given Jacob to the curse and Israel to reproaches Isa 43. 21 22 23 24 28. O that thou hadst hearâ—â—â—ed to my commandments then had thy peace been c. Isa 48. 12 18. Deut. 32. 28 29 30. Your iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you that he will not hear for your hands are denied with blood c. None call for justice Isa 59. 1 2 3 c. ch 50. 1 2. I have spread out my hands all the day long unto a rebellious people who walketh in a way which is not good c. I will not keep silence but will recompence even recompence into their bosoms c. Ye are they who forsake the Lord who forget my holy mountain c. therefore will I number you to the sword c. Isa 65. 2 3 4 6 11 12 c. Rom. 10. 21. They have chosen their own ways and their soul delighteth in their abominations I also will chuse their delusions and will bring their fears upon them because when I called none did answer c. but they did evil before mine eyes c. Isa 66. 3 4. Jer. 18. 12 13 16 17. What iniquity have your fathers found in me that they are gone from me c. Wherefore will I yet plead with you saith the Lord and with your children c. See if there be such a thing Hath a nation changed their gods c. But my people have changed their glory c. Be astonished O Heavens c. They have forsaken me the fountain c. Hast thou not procured this unto thy self c. Thine own wickedness shall correct thee and thy back-sliding reprove thee c. In vain have I smitten your children they received no correction c. Have I been a barren wilderness c. Can a maid forget her ornaments Jer. 2. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 17 19 30 31 32. Isa 50. 1. Hos 7. 1 2. Isa 17. 10. Ezek. 24. 13. And I saw when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away c. yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not but went and played the harlot also c. Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart but feignedly Jer. 3. 7 8 9 10. O Jerusalem wash thine heart from wickedness that thou mayst be saved How long shall vain thoughts lodge within thee c. Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee this thy wickedness because it is bitter it reacheth unto thine heart Jer. 4. 13 14 17 18. How shall I pardon thee for this Thy children have forsaken me and sworn by them who are no gods When I had fed them to the fall they then committed adultery and assembled themselves by troops in the harloâ—s houses they were as fed horses in the morning every one neighing after his neighbour's wife And shall I not visit for these things saith the Lord
Pet. 5. 10. Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison c. and ye shall have tribulation ten days Be thou faithful unto death and I will give c. Rev. 2. 10. Cons 5. That God doth sometimes make Enemies and the Persecutors themselves to acknowledge the Saints innocency when they suffer And will surely avenge them upon their Adversaries GOD did so with Joseph's brethren and they acknowledged his innocency and God's justice Gen. 42. 21. Pharaoh acknowledged he had sinned against Moses c. and begs forgiveness Exod. 10. 16 17. He will revenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to his adversaries and will be merciful to his land c. Deut. 32. 43. Psalm 10. 14. When the wicked increaseth transgression increaseth but the righteous shall see their fall Prov. 29. 16. When David had spared Saul being in his hands Saul said to David Is this thy voice my son David c. Thou art more righteous than I for thou hast rewarded me good whereas I have rewarded thee evil and thou hast shewed this day how thou hast done well with me forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hands thou killedst me not c. 1 Sam. 24. 16 17 18 19. Again in the like case Saul said I have sinned c. Behold I have played the fool and have erred exceedingly 1 Sam. 26. 21. Exod. 8. 8 19. Haman Mordecai's great enemy forced to honour Mordecai Esther 6. 7 8 9 10 11. Haman is hanged upon the same gallows he erected for Mordecai Esther 7. 9 10. He ordained his arrows against the persecutors Psalm 7. 13. Psalm 64. 7. They have digged a pit for me into the midst of which they are fallen Psalm 57. 6. Psal 9. 15 16. Psal 7. 15. 16. The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance c. so that a man shall say c. Verily he is a God who judgeth in the earth Psalm 58. 10 11. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed Psalm 103. 6. Rob not the poor c. neither oppress the afflicted in the gate for the Lord shall spoil that spoileth them Prov. 22. 22 23. Be not afraid c. for yet a very little while and the indignation shall cease and mine anger in their destruction Isa 10. 12 24 25. Jerem. 30. 16. 17 20. When thine hand is lifted up they will not seeâ— but they shall see and be ashamed for envy at thy people or towards thy People c. Isaiah 26. 11. All who watch for iniquity are cut off who make a man an offender for a word Isa 29. 20 21. Behold your God will come with vengeance with recompence he will come and save you Isa 35. 4. I was wroth with my people c. thou didst shew them no mercy c. therefore these two things shall come upon thee in a moment c. Isa 47. 5 6 7 8 9. Fear ye not the reproach of men c. for the moth shall eat them up like a garment and the wâ—rm shall eat them like wood c. Thus saith the Lord c. who pleadeth the cause of his people Behold I have taken out of thy hand the cup of trembling the dregs of the cup of my fury c. but I will put it into the hands of them who afflict thee who have said to thy soul Bow down c. Isa 51. 7 8 20 22 23. Your brethren who hated you c. he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed Isa 66. 5. God threatens several nations for their insolent insulting over his people the Jews and for their cruel usages of them and declares the vengeance he would take against them Ezek. 25. ch 26. ch 35. ch 36. Jer. 50. 11 12 13. ch 30. 16. ch 12. 14 Obadiah ver 8 9 10 c. Micah 2. 1 2 3. Nebuchadnezzar who had caused Shadrach Meshech and Abednego to be cast into the fiery furnace now said unto them Ye servants of the most high God come forth c. and the king promoted them Dan. 3. 26 30. So did Darius when Daniel by the prosecution of the Presidents and Princes was cast into the Lions den came and said O Daniel servant of the living God c. And the king commanded and they brought those men who had accused Daniel and they cast them into the den of lions them their children and their wives c. Dan. 6. 20 24. Gen. 26. 27 28 29. God threatned the Heads and Princes of Israel for their persecuting and oppressing his people Micah 3. 1 2 c. I have heard the reproach of Moab and the revilings of the children of Ammon whereby they have reproached my people c. therefore as I live saith the Lord of Hosts the God of Israel Surely Moab shall be as Sodom Zephan 2. 8 9 10 11. Edom sadly threatned for his violence against his brother Jacob Obadiah ver 8 9 c. Whoso shall offend one of these little ones who believe in me it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea Wo unto the world because of offences Matth. 18. 6 7 10. Luke 17. 1 2. I send unto you Prophets c. some of them you shall kill c. that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the bâ—ood of righteous Abel c. All these things shall come upon this generation Matth. 23. 34 35 36. Shall not God avenge his own elect who cry day and night unto him Though he bear long with them I tell you that he will avenge them speedily Luke 18. 7 8. Pilate himself said of Christ I find no fault in him c. And the Centurians said of Christ Certainly this was a righteous man Luke 23. 14 47. King Agrippa and Festus both said of Paul This man doth nothing worthy of death or of bonds Acts 26. 30 31. ch 25. 25. In nothing terrified by your adversaries which is to them an evident token of perdition c. and that of God Phil. 1. 28. Joshua 11. 20. They have persecuted us c. for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost 1 Thes 2. 15. 16. It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them who trouble you c. 2 Thes 1. 6. He who leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity he who killeth with the sword must be killed c. Here is the patience and the faith of the Saints Rev. 13. 10. Babylon is fallen here is the patience of the Saints Revel 14. 8 9 10 11 12. ch 18. 2. Thou art righteous O Lord c. because thou hast judged thus for they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy Rev. 16. 5 6. ch 18 19 20 24. cha ch 19. 2. Rejoice over ye holy Apostles and Prophets
the people rescued Jonathan that he died not 1 Sam. 14. 43 44 45. Hezekiah the Lord was with him c. and he rebelled against the king of Asiyria 2 Kings 18. 7. Mordecai bowed not to Haman notwithstanding the King's Commandment Esther 3. 1 2 3. ch 5. 9. When King Nebuchadnezzar had commanded the Worshipping of an Image Shadrach Meshach and Abednego refused to obey and said Be it known unto thee O king that we will not serve thy gods nor worship the image c. Dan. 3. 15. to 18. When Darius had established a Decree that none should ask any Petition of any God or Man for thirty Days Daniel went into his house after his wonted manner and prayed three times a day Dan. 6. 7 to 10. When the Apostles were forbid to preach in the name of Christ they answered c. Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge you Acts 4. 18 19 20. When the Council charged them with preaching contrary to their Commands c. Peter c. said We ought to obey God father than man Acts 5 27 28 29. Moses was hid by his parents c. and they feared not the king's edict c. He feared not the wrath of the king Heb. 11. 23 27. Secondly What they ought to do or wherein they 〈◊〉 should acknowledge and obey them 1. Submit to and obey them in all Lawful Things MIriam and Aaron spoke against Moses and God smote Miriam with a Leprosie Numb 12 1 9 10 11. The Lord destroyed Korah and his Company for their Rebellion against Moses c. Numb 16. 1 c. Keep the king's commandment and that in regard of the oath of God c. Eccles 8. 2 3 4. God threatned the Jews for revolting from the King of Babylon and breaking their Oath and Covenant with him Ezek. 17. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20. Though there was no Tribute due from Christ yet he said to Peter Lest we should offend them go thou c. give unto them for me and thee Matth. 17. 24 to 27. Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's Matth. 22. 21. Let every soul be subject to the higher power c. Whosoever therefore resisteth the powers resisteth the ordinance of God c. shall receive to themselves damnation c. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the powers Do that which is good c. Ye must needs be subject not only for wrath but also for conscience-sake c. For this cause pay you tribute c. Render therefore to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custom to whom custom fear to whom fear honour to whom honour Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers to obey magistrates c. Titus 3. 1. Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake whether it be to the king as supream or unto Governors as unto them who are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers c For so is the will of God that with well-doing ye shall put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 15. 2. Give them due Honour and Respect Not contemn their Persons or speak Evil of them THou shalt not revile the gods or Judges nor curse the ruler of thy people Exod. 22. 28. David said to Saul My Lord the King And when Saul looked behind him David stooped with his face to the earth and bowed himself c. He said I will not put forth my hand against the Lord's anointed 1 Sam. 24. 6 8 10. ch 26. 9 11. Nathan the prophet when he was come in before the king he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground and said My Lord O king c. 1 Kings 1. 23 24. Is it fit to say to a king Thou art wicked To princes Ye are ungodly Job 34. 18. The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion c. Prov. 19. 12. The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul Prov. 20. 2. ch 16. 14 15. Put not forth thy self in the presence of a king c. Prov. 25. 6 7. Where the word of a king is there is power And who may say unto him What doest thou Eccles 8. 4. Curse not the king no not in thy thoughts Eccles 10. 20. Daniel said to Darius the King O king live for ever Dan. 6. 21. When the Apostle had spoken sharply to the High-Priest and some who stood by had said Revilest thou God's high-priest Then said Paul I wist not brethren that he was the high-priest for it is written Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people Acts 23. 2 3 4 5. Paul said I think my self happy king Agrippa because I shall answer for my self this day before thee c. Festus said c. Paul Thou art beside thy self much learning doth make thee mad But he said I am not mad most noble Festus but speak forth the words of truth and soberness c. Acts 26. 1 2 3 24 25. ch 24. 10. Render therefore to all their dues c. fear to whom fear honour to whom honour Rom. 13. 7. Honour the king 1 Pet. 2. 17. But chiefly them who walk in the lust of uncleanness and despise government c. a dominion c. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignities whereas Angels who are greater in power and might bring not railing accusations against them before the Lord 2 Pet. 2. 10 11 Jude vers 8 9. 3. To pray for them EXhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for kings and for all who are in authority or eminent place that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all godliness and honesty For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 3. 4. To endeavour to get good Magistrates WHen Adonijah exalted himself saying I will be king and preparation was made for it Then Bathsheba the Queen and Nathan the prophet made application to David to set up Solomon to be King and accordingly prevailed 1 Kings 1. 5. To discover Treasons MOrdecai discovered the Design of the King 's two Servants against him Esther 2. 21 22 23. 6. To be content with such Magistrates which God hath set over us although they be not such as they should be WHen Samuel was old he made his sons judges over Israel c. and his sons walked not in or followed not his ways but turned aside after lucre and took bribes and perverted judgment Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel c. and said unto him Behold thou art old and thy sons walk not in thy ways Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations
and by his Instruments Wicked Men False Teachers Deceivers and Seducers The Description of them And what concerns the Saints therein First Of Satan the Devil himself NOW the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made And he said unto the woman Yea because or hath God said Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden The woman said c. We may eat c. but of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden God hath said Ye shall not eat of it neither shall ye touch it lest ye die And the serpent said unto the woman Ye shall not surely die for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be open and ye shall be as gods knowing good and evil And the woman saw that the tree was good Gen. 3. 1 to 7. Satan was a lying Spirit in the Prophets to persuade Ahab c. 1 Kings 22. 21 22 23. 2 Chron. 20. 21 22. And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel 1 Chron. 21. 1. 2 Sam. 24. 1. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan or the adversary came also among or in the 〈◊〉 of them c. The Lord said to Satan From whence comest thou Then said he c. From going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it c. He said Doth Job serve God for nought Hast thou not made an hedge about him c. Put forth thine hand and touch that which he hath and he will curse thee to thy face c. Then Satan having leave given him destroyed all he had Job 1. 6 7 to the end ch 2. 1 2 3. Hast thou considered my servant Job c. still he holdeth fast his integrity although thou movedst me against him to destroy him without a cause And Satan answered the Lord and said Skin for skin yea and all that a man hath will he give for his life but put forth thine hand now and touch his bone and his flesh and he will curse thee to thy face And the Lord said He is in thine hand but or only save his life So went Satan c. and smote Job Job 2. 3 4 5 6 7. And he shewed me Joshua the high-priest standing before the Angel of the Lord and Satan standing on his right hand to resist him And the Angel said unto Satan The Lord rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord who hath chosen c. Zech. 3. 1 2. Jesus c. in the wilderness to be tempted of the devil When he had fasted c. the tempter came to him He said If thou be the Son of God command that these stones be made bread But he answered and said It is written c. Then the devil taketh him c. and setteth him on a pinacle of the temple and saith unto him If thou be the Son of God cast thy self down For it is written He shall give his Angels charge c. Jesus said It is written again c. The devil c. shews him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them and saith unto him All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me c. Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Matth. 4. 1 to 12. When Jesus was come on the other side c. there met him two possessed with devils c. they cried out saying What have we to do with thee Jesus thou Son of God Art thou come hither to torment us before our time c. So the devils besought him saying If thou cast us out suffer us to go away into the herd of swine And he said unto them Go c. The whole city came out and besought him that he would depart out of their coasts Matth. 8. 28 to 35. Mark 5. 2 3 4 5 c. Luke 8. 27 28 c. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest and finding none Then he saith I will return to my house from whence I came out And when he is come he findeth it empty swept and garnished then goeth he and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself and they enter in and dwell there and the last state of that man is worse c. Matth. 12. 43 44 45. When any one heareth the word c. and understandeth it not then cometh the wicked one and c. The tares are the children of the wicked one the enemy who sowed them is the devil Matth. 13. 10 38 39. Jesus rebuked the devil and he departed out of him and the child was cured c. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting Matth. 17. 18 21. Christ suffered not the devils to speak because they knew him Mark 1. 34. Lord even the devils are subject to us through thy name And he said unto them I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven Luke 10. 17 18. And he was casting out a devil c. Some of them said He casteth out devils by Beelzebub the chief of the devils c. If Satan also be divided against himself how shall his kingdom stand c. If I by Beelzebub cast out devils by whom do your children cast them out Luke 11. 14 15 17 to 21. Mark 3. 22 23. Ought not this woman c. whom Satan hath bound c. be loosed c. Luke 13. 16. Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired you that he may â—ift you as wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Luke 22. 31 32. Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye wiâ—â— do He was a 〈◊〉 from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him when he speaketh of a lye he speaketh of his own for he is a lyar and the father of it John 8. 44. The devil having now put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot Simon 's son to betray c. After Jesus had given the sop to Judas satan entred intoâ— him John 13 2 26 27. Luke 22. 3. The prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me John 14. 30. When the Spirit is come c. he will reprove or convince the world of c. of judgment because the prince of this world is judged John 16. 8 9 11. I pray c. that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one John 17. 15. Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lye to the Holy Ghost Acts 5. 3. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. Then come together again lest Satan tempt you for your incontinency c. 1 Cor. 7. 5. Confirm your love towards him c. left Satan should