proue them that he might make knowne what was in them both good and euill whereby as he would raise vp glory to himselfe so likewise he would draw out much good to themselues and to others by their example as may well be gathered out of that one place Deut. 8. 2. 3. Deut. 8. 16. where Moses speaking of Gods marvailous providence over his people in the Wildernesse sayth who fed thee in the wildernesse with Manna which thy fathers knew not that he might humble thee and that he might proue thee to doe thee good at thy latter end We haue daâ—ly experience Many iudge amisse of themselues how foolishly many deceiue themselues some and they the worâ—er sort promise to themselues more strength of faith patience loue other like graces then indeed they haue which when they come to triall find it farre otherwise to their iust shame and yet amendment if they belong to God Others indeed better though they see it not for want of experience much mistrust themselues who being brought to the triall well approue themselues to haue sound faith and so other good graces accompanying the same Memorable examples hereof all the stories of the Church set forth vnto vs in all ages among which that is famous in the Booke of Martyrs of Mr Lawrence Saunders who in the beginning of the Raigne of Queene Mary seeing the alteration of Religion manifested his great feare to suffer Martyrdome vnto Doctour Penington who being a big fat man said he would see every drop of his grease molten before he would forsake the truth Yet after he shamefully yeelded and master Saunders constantly professed the truth and suffered Martyrdome very chearefully Againe Godly misiudged by the world as by these trialls the faithfull grow to know themselues better which is of good vse so on the other side whereas it is the common lot of Gods people to be hardly thought on by many worldlings thought to be no better then themselues But as Sathan accused Iob Iob. 1. 9. 11. that he did not serue God for nought and that if he should afflict him hee would curse God to his face so say they if these professours as they in reproch call them were in such case as others in great distresse be you should soone see what they would doe I warrant you they would be as impatient and take as bad courses to shift for themselues as others doe But when God calls forth his children to sore trialls as specially to Martyrdome to suffer patiently and with rejoycing great torments then the world is constrained to confesse as the Centurion did of Christ Luc. 23. 47. Certainâ—y this was a righteous man So then we see this one just cause of comfort in our afflictions that by these trialls as God hath the glory of his graces in vs we haue the better proofe and comfort of them and others be constrained to conceiue and speake better of vs. In which respect we are bound better to beare them and to blesse God for them Another speciall benefit which we reape by all kind of afflictions is this Second benefit by afflictions is to purge sin that they be made by Gods blessing effectuall means to purge out that sinful corruption which growes in our nature vnlesse by these and other like meanes it be daily purged out In which respect afflictions most aptly be compared to Medicines for so indeed they are to all Gods children most soveraigne meanes to kill their spirituall diseases in that they doe driue them more to search out their sinne make them more weary of them and as to seeke pardon for them so more to endevour to overcome them all which be worthy fruits of affliction plentifully set out vnto vs in Scripture both by precept and practise of the faithfull Nothing more common then to call Gods people to repentance which containes all these by Gods judgements either threatned or executed That this ought to be cannot be denyed but that we shall be thus purged by our afflictions is most doubted and therefore we find not such comfort in afflictions as otherwise we should if we might be sure to reape this fruit by them for our comfort wherein I know not what can be greater then that which the Apostle sayth Rom. 8. 28. Also we know that all things worke together for good to them that loue God to them that are called according to his purpose where in one word he sayth as much as may be desired or conceived that all afflictions for of them specially hee speaketh how many or great soever they be shall by Gods blessing as meanes by him appointed procure and further our chiefest good that is the welfare and happinesse of our soules a principall part whereof is the purging of our soules from sinne which is the sole cause of all our misery which benefit by afflictions though it be most excellent yet it is no lesse sure and certaine as appeares by the Apostles owne words saying we know that is not onely I and you but all the faithfull people of God haue good proofe of it by daily experience and therefore cannot doubt of it that all our afflictions shall turne to our good which because it is in time of sore afflictions so hardly beleeved I will make it manifest by one vndeniable reason that it cannot otherwise be but that whatsoever befalleth Gods children shall most certainely make for their good Which is this seeing God did from all eternitie of his own good will choose them to be heires of glory and ordained that all things which should befall them should serue to that end then whatsoever comes to them shall turne to this their chiefe good otherwise God should either change his will or be not able to doe that which he determined to doe neither of which can in any sort be said of God and therefore it cannot possibly be that any affliction vpon Gods children should turne to their hurt but all of them must needs turne to their good This one Scripture if there were no more may sufficiently assure vs hereof and so perswade vs more contentedly to beare them But as this doth more generally set out the fruit of afflictions so in other places this fruit of purging vs from our sinfulnesse is more specially declared as Dan. 12. 10. like to that before of Dan. 11. 35. Many shall be purified made white and tryed So Esa 1. 25. the Prophet denouncing Gods fearefull judgements against the wicked rebellious Iewes vers 24. addeth this as a blessing to the Church And I will turne my hand vpon thee and purely purge away thy drosse and take away all thy sinne meaning their drosse of sinne which corrupted the purer metall of grace And to like effect Chap. 27. setting forth Gods different dealing with his beloued aboue their wicked enemies in their afflictions adds this in vers 9. By this therefore shall the iniquitie of Iacob be purged and this is
free and vndeserued so on the other side there is no sinne which ought to hinder any one from receiuing pardon so freely offered vnto him but rather as the greatnesse of the disease should more hasten the sick to seek to such a physitioÌ„ as can cure al diseases not keep backe such as be called to bee cured 〈◊〉 so no heinousnesse of sinne should driue any from comming to Christ which is able and willing to cure all that come vnto him but rather hasten the poore sinner more speedily to come to Christ and so much the more for that Christ shall haue greater glory in pardoning great offenders and more loue from them beeing pardoned As a Physition shall haue more credit in curing great then small diseases So then the maine thing that must mooue and draw a poore sinner to come to Christ to be eased is the free mercy of God offering Christ without exception to all that beeing laden would bee eased which euery one must apply to himselfe that seeing it hath so pleased God to send these glad tydings to him to call him command and beseech him to receiue this grace offered therefore hee neede not feare but may boldly beleeue and receiue Christ offred to him as wee shall further heare by and by For our further helpe Who promiseth wherein in the third place it shall bee highly needfull well to weigh who it is that maketh this great offer vnto vs miserable sinners euen God himselfe who is both 1. able and 2. willing and 3. as faithfull to performe what hee promiseth all which are so manifest that they need no proofe for the truth of them But wee haue neede oft to set them before vs for our vse to strengthen our faith in making vs more boldly to relye on Christ To this end are specially these testimonies of Gods power mercy and truth so often repeated in 1. Gods power the scriptures that wee might haue them euer before vs to vpholde vs against our doubtings and feares whereof our nature is full for though in generall none will deny but God is Almighty yet it may appeare in al ages not onely the wicked but euen Gods children haue doubted of Gods power as though hee were not able to helpe them as it is euident in Gods people in the wildernesse in their often murmurings through their distrust of Gods power Psal 78. 19. Can God furnish a table in the wildernesse For this cause was the Lord so often constrained to oppose his Almighty power against their distrust As for Sarahs laughing thinking it impossible she should haue a child the Lord saide to Abraham Is any thing hard or impossible to God Gen. 18. 14 And againe to Moses obiecting Whether al the fish in the sea should bee gathered for foode for Israell in the wildernes Num. 11. 23 The Lord answered Is the Lords hand waxed short thou shalt see whether my words shall come to passe or not The like many whereby it appeares to be a great cause of vnbeliefe that looking too much vpon the impossibilities which are apparent to vs and not opposing to them Gods power wee so despaire of helpe as is most sensible to bee seene in poore afflicted consciences whose chiefest feare and doubts are that their sinnes are greater then can be forgiuen and they thinke it an impossibilitie for such as they are to bee saued Who now knowing by Gods owne word that saluation in Christ is freely offered and proclaimed euen to them though neuer so vilde and vnworthy and that by God himselfe Psal 115. 3. 135. 6. who is of all power in heauen and earth to do whatsoeuer he will and to whom nothing is impossible this may bring the afflicted and despairing ner at least thus farre as to say then it may be God will be mercifull vnto mee wherein I doubt not may be found some true faith in apprehending the mercy offered though so weak as caÌ„not be discerned or felt by the beleeuer himselfe and this I should take to be the lowest degree of faith For the further strengthening whereof it shall be much auaileable for all such as yet feele not not their faith Weakest faith and for euery weake beleeuer Goodnesse and mercy of God to cast their eies vpon the wonderfull mercy and goodnesse of God which alone maketh him so loath to cast away any poore sinner and so willing to saue euen his enemies and ranke traytours against his high Maiestie Here if euer is a fitte place for all such scriptures as set out Gods mercy to poore sinners the more to perswade them to beleeue as that of Ezechiel 33 11. where the Lord sweareth by himselfe saying As I liue saith the Lord I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turne from his way and liue turne yee turne yee from your euill wayes for why will yee dye oh house of Israel 2. Pet. 3. 9. And to like effect is that of Saint Peter That God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance which scriptures and many the like are not to bee vnderstood of Gods determining will and decree but of his reuealed and approouing will which hee would haue vs to know and beleeue thar thereby wee might bee drawne to rest our selues vpon him for saluation which whosoeuer though neuer so great sinner shall doe he shall not perish but haue euerlasting life This then is that sure foundation of faith whereon all that truely beleeue doe build namely the rich and free mercy of God reuealed in the Gospell whereby all that shall be saued be drawne thankfully to accept this mercy so freely offered to them beeing yet starke dead in their sinnes and voide of all sauing grace and therefore all they who looking into themselues and finding nothing to draw them but all to driue them from hope of life are often and much to set before them this vnspeakeable and vnualuable mercy of Almighty God as in preparing such a remedy for all our misery so in making so free a grant therof in the Gospell to all sinners excepting none And now more specially in â—endring it to them so that they may boldly accept this mercy in Christ offered to them and shall not sinne but please God therin that thereby they may be drawn on in a further degree to beleeue to finde mercy at Gods hands wherunto if one thing be added I see not what can be wanting to make the sinner bold to lay hold vpon Christ with all his merits so freely offred to him by God who is so able and willing to bestow Christ euen vpon his enemies This one thing I meane Gods truth is Gods truth and faithfulnesse in performing with his hand whatsoeuer commeth out of his mouth as Dauid and Solomon oft professed which howsoeuer as before I spake of Gods power it is confessed of all that God is both faithfull and iust
without the preaching of the word so whosoeuer shall conscionably attend to it shall certainly be saued which if it were beleeued it could not but make men runne to it with great alacritie and so should they finde much comfort thereby To this purpose bee there so many commendations of the word throughout the scriptures specially in the bookes of the Psalmes and of the Prouerbs It would be too long to cite all yet all are to be referred to this end to breede in vs a greater delight in this word which bringeth such incomparable benefits Of this sort are these Psal 19. 7 c. The Law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule The testimonie of the Lord is sure making wise the simple The statutes of the Lord are right reioycing the heart And so followeth to like effect in the same place The whole Psalme 119 was written to this purpose to set out the excellencie of this word in all respects and specially for the worthy effects and fruits which it bringeth foorth in euery one who truelie embraceth it so that it is obserued by many learned Diuines that omong 176. verses there be scarce foure or fiue at the most wherein there is not some commendation of the word to stirre vp all Gods people better to esteeme it and more diligently to attend to it that they may enioy the fruites of it at all times and in all estates To which end I require euery true Christian to be much exercised in this Psalme that they may be familiarlie acquainted with it and so haue it in readines for their vse in all their necessities I might say as much for the booke of the Prouerbs wherein besides the many and most wise directions for the well ordering of our whole life are contained especially in the first nine chapters admirable commendations of those heauenly instructions which God as a Father by his seruants doth giue vnto his children Prou. 4. 13. A few for many Take fast hold of instruction let her not goe Keepe her for she is thy life Wherin what can bee more contained then this that instruction is our life meaning that thereby wee attaine all things pertaining to the comfort of this life and of that to come This might be set out at large in particulars both in the escaping of manifold euills sinnes and punishments which they fall into who want or will not receiue these instructions as also in the enioying of many blessings bodily and spirituall which others want but I leaue the further consideration of these to euery ones particular meditation who desires to see the truth hereof No doubt Dauid meant no lesse when he said Psal 119. 165. Great peace is and shall be to them that loue thy Law and nothing shal offend them Who would not highly prise that word which brings all manner of wisedome to all sorts learned vnlearned wise and silly olde and young Yet all this doth that one booke of the Prouerbs as is expresly said in the sixe first verses of the first chapter as you may there reade and therefore how much more is this to bee found in the whole Scripture Which Vse me thinkes should put life into any good heart to bee much conuersant in the hearing reading and meditating of the word of God For further quickning herein I will onely quote the places and referre euery one that listeth to heare more of this matter to peruse them and so shall he finde enough to hearten him to this duty Prou. 1. 9. 23. 2. from 1. to 13. 3. 1. to 4. 13. to 24 4 5. to 13. 20. to 22. 6. 20. to 24 7. 1. to 5. 8. the whole chapter In these and many other places of the olde and new Testament Applicatiō the Lord knowing our exceeding backwardnesse in true receiuing and keeping his word which yet is so necessary as that there is no saluation without it doth make so many pretious promises as I know not whether to any thing more That at least by some of them we who bee so full of doubting how wee may attaine to the right vse of the word may be more heartened to a conscionable and constant attendance vnto it that so we may in due season reape the sweete fruit thereof This then must be the care and labour of euery one who feeles the want of this comfortable vse of Gods word and earnestly desires it to bee well acquainted with these promises and out of all to gather some of the chiefe such as seeme to him most speciall and so commit them to memory that whensoeuer he goeth to the word he may meditate vpon these and so be more encouraged to attend vnto Gods word with expectation of Gods blessing vpon his labour The want of this meditation vpon Gods promises when wee goe to the word is one chiefe cause of that great sinne of vnfruitfull hearing and consequently of that little growth in grace which is euery where to be seene among ordinary resorters to the publike ministery as the Apostle reporteth of the Hebrewes that the Word preached did not profite them Heb. 4. 2. being not mingled with faith in them that heard it Out of this which hath beene saide of the word in generall Sacramēts which well may bee referred to all the seuerall exercises therein publike or priuate to euery of which many of these promises doe pertaine we may safely gather comfort in the vse of the Sacraments which be truely called a visible Word because that which is spoken in the word to the eare is in visible signes represented to our eyes sealed to our hearts that wee may bee the more assured of them to bee ours so that if wee had no speciall promises made expresly to them yet wee might out of the former receiue sufficient encouragement to looke for the benefite of them that is to be made partakers of Christ and life in him which is the summe and substance of all that which is promised in the word But seeing the Lord who in all ages of his Church ordained these holy signes and seales of his Testament in which he bequeathed Christ and all his benefits to true beleeuers and their seede knowing our great weakenesse of faith in receiuing these seales hath so laboured to giue vs assurance that if wee thinke there is any truth in him we may bee as sure that Christ and al his merits are ours as the outward signes which we see with oureies and our hands doe handle let vs for our comfort carefully consider hereof Not to meddle with the Sacraments of the olde Testament Circumcision and the Passeouer both which were to the people of God sure seales of the righteousnes of faith Rom. 4. 11. as the Apostle speaketh of Circumcision and doth as truely belong to all the Sacraments of the olde and new Testament this one Scripture might sufficiently assure any that hee truely receiuing the outward seales according to Gods appointment should
a moment but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercie on thee saith the Lord thy redeeâ—â—er and 57. 16. For I will not contend for euer neither will I be alwaies wroth for the spirit should faile before mee and the soules which I haue made Likewise the Prophet Ieremie in his time witnesseth the same in the name of the Lord Iere. 3. 12. saying For I am mercifull saith the Lord and I will not keepe anger for euer and to the same effect Ezek. 16. 42. So will I make my fury towards thee to rest and my iealousie shall depart from thee and I will be quiet and will be no more angry Notable to this purpose is that of the Prophet Micah 7. 18. Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquitie and passeth by the transgressien of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for euer because he delighteth in mercie and to conclude with that of the Apostle 2. Cor. 4. 17. For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for vs a far more exceeding and eternall weight of glory Thus may we behold Gods wise dealing with his children in all his chastisements Application obseruing the fittest seasons and iust measure both for the quantitie of the correction and for the continuance thereof all as is most agreeable to the strength of the patient qualitie of the disease which if it be beleeued must needs in further degree make vs contented to beare the hand of the Lord and neither to fret at nor faint vnder any affliction which the Lord so wisely doth order for our good euery way And therefore so oft as we shall finde any affliction to lye heauy vpon vs either for the greatnesse of it or long continuance in our feeling so oft let vs runne to some of these promises wherein the Lord assureth vs that he will lay no more vpon vs then wee shall bee able to beare and will suffer no affliction to lye longer vpon vs then shall be needfull and for our good that thus resting vpon Gods word wee may waight Gods leasure for our ease and full deliuerance For our better furtherance herein Gods loving dealing with his in affliction we are to consider Gods louing and tender dealing with his children in all their afflictions which is plentifully set set forth vnto vs in the holy Scriptures both by many comparisons expresse testimonies and examples all little enough to hold vs vp from sinking if the affliction seeme great or long in which we are ready to feare God forgetteth vs or at least doth not pitty vs. For this cause the Lord is said to be a Father of the fatherlesse Psal 68. 5. and a Iudgâ— of the widdowes And Psal 103. 13. Like as a father pittieth his children so the Lord pittieth them that feare him For hee knoweth our 〈◊〉 he remembreth that we but dust Yea more The Prophet Esay 49. 13. c. notably sets out this comparison in God towards his afflicted people saying Sing O heauen and be ioyfull O earth and breakâ— foorth into singing O mountaines for God hath comforted his people and will haue mercie on his afflicted But Zion said the Lord had forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten mee Can a woman forsake her sucking childe that she should not haue compassion on the some of her wombe Yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee So Dauid Psal 9. 18. For the needy shall not alwaies be forgotten the expectation of the poore shall not perish for euer To the same purpose he said to God Psal 31. 7. I will be glad and reiâ—yce in thy mercy for thou hast considered my trouble thou hast knowne my soule in aduersitie And Psal 38. 9. Lord my desire is before thee and my grâ—â—â—ing is not hid from thee And to the same end it is said Ps 56. 8. Thou tellest my wandrings put thou my teares into thy bottle are they not in thy booke which shewes such tender compassion that he was so affected with the calamities of his seruant that he most narrowly obserued euery one yea he made so pretious a reckoning of their griefes and sorrowes that not a teare fell to the ground but he kept them in memory as men preserue pretious liccours in bottles that in due time he might comfort and succour them For which cause it is said Psal 116. 15. Pretious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints And to like effect Esa 63. 9. In all their affliction hee was afflicted and the Angell of his presence saued them in his loue and in his pitie hee redeemed them and hee bare them and carryed them all the dayes of old Wherein as in many other places of Scripture for it would be to long to recite all wee may see most admirable ApplicatioÌ„ compassion in Almightie God towards vs in all our afflictions that euen as the bowels of a tender hearted mother are mooued within her when shee seeth her childe in any perill so is the Lord troubled to see his children in any extreamitie that he doth as much pitie them and is as ready to succour them as if his bowels were mooued within him Mat. 14. 14 which was in very deed so in our Sauiour Christ in his humanity Marke 1 41 and 6. 34. as is * often testified of him in the holy story This should yet more comfort vs in all our afflictions that he who is God ouer all of such infinite power to helpe both whom he will and how and when it pleaseth him is so tenderly affected towards vs that he doth not onely take speciall notice of all our grieuances but doth after a sort euen as a tender mother suffer with vs and by his Spirit doth beare the burthen of our infirmities with vs as it is said Rom. 8. 20. This compassion of the Lord if well waighed must needes allay the heate of such fiery tryals as Gods children doe oft fall into and make vs more patiently indure whatsoeuer so tender hearted a Father shall lay vpon vs. And therfore these promises in which Gods louing and compassionate dealing with his is set forth vnto vs must be oft in our minde and thoroughly thought on that in time of neede wee may rest vpon them to finde like fauour at the hands of our most louing Father And thâ—s shall suffice for this second ground of comfort in all afflictions taken from the manner of Gods dealing with his as in great wisedome so in like loue 3. Ground of comfort in afflictions from the ends of them Wee are now in the third place to consider what be the worthy ends why God so exerciseth his children to beare the crosse euen from their youth to their old age these we heard be generally three First glory to God secondly example to others third profit to our selues all which should strongly mooue vs to be so farre from repining to suffer them
master their strongest corruptions For here the Apostle finding no where out of Christ any sufficient power to deliuer him out of this captiuitie to sinne and death by the hand of faith hee layeth holde vpon Christ assuring himselfe vpon Christs promise 2. Cor. 12 9 That his grace should be sufficient for him and that his power should be magnified in his weaknesse Therefore hee should not bee left in his enemies hands but in due time to be set at libertie more freely to serue the Lord. This is that I commend to the practise of euery true beleeuer that whensoeuer hee feeles his corruptions too hard for him that he cannot by all his endeauors get the masterie ouer them then to flye to Christ and by true faith to applye his promises for the mortifying of sinne that thereby hee may receiue power from Christ more to crucifie the olde man with his members For our better performance whereof I will a little digresse though not farre from my purpose briefly to set out the readiest and the surest way which I know to mortifie any sin which standeth in the diligent exercise of these 4 rules following First 4. rules of mortification that whereas wee bee all blind by nature that wee see not our sinnes and so full of pride and selfe-loue that wee thinke better of our selues then there is cause euery one who will mortifie his sinne must labour by all good meanes to finde out what bee his chiefest sinnes most displeasing â—o God These meanes be 1. A true examination of our selues in euery commandement 2. Secondly a carefull obseruation of all our wayes and as men doe trace the creatures in the time of snowe so to marke our steppes in time of temptation as our impatience when wee be prouoked and so for all other sinnes as pride and couetousnesse c. 3. Thirdly a seeking and receiuing admonition from such as spye our infirmities 4. And fourthly earnest praier to God to discouer our chiefest imperfections By all which and the like faithfully vsed wee shall finde out wherein we haue most need to be reformed that so vpon sight thereof wee may better applye all our endeauours for our recouerie The second rule is 2. rule to be weary of our sins when wee haue found out our sinne then to get our hearts to be weary of the same and willing to be cured of it which shall be if we consider the great hurt it brings vs partly in keeping good things from vs and partly in pulling downe vpon vs so many euills vpon soule and body our selues and others belonging to vs. To set out these in particulars would not be hard but it would carry mee too farre from my matter intended It shall suffice to remember in this case that all our woe comes from our sinnes as both Scripture reason and continuall experience doe shewe which if it were well weighed would make vs more weary of our sinne then of our sicknesse or other affliction and breede in vs much more feruent desires to bee cured And therefore this must bee another daily consideration both what bitter fruites our sinnes bring foorth and that from thence all the woes we meete withall doth spring The third and most principall rule is 3. rule is to get power froÌ„ Christ That for so much as such is our frailtie that when we haue got some true sight of our principall corruptions and therewithall some loathing of them with an earnest desire to be ridde of them yet wee haue no ability in our selues to mortifie them but All our sufficiency is of God and without Christ wee can doe nothing as is oft said but neuer sufficientlie regarded Therefore hereupon especially dependeth all our power to mortifie sinne that we by faith doe drawe from Christ that power and vertue which is in him to change our crabbed and sowre nature that wee may bee sweete and pleasant grapes for the Lord our God This is that especially which I ayme at to perswade all that faine would get more mastery ouer their strong corruptions and vnrulie affections namely to do as the woman in the Gospel Who hauing an issue of blood twelue yeers and had suffered many things of the Physitions Mar. 5. 25. and had spent all that she had and was nothing better but rather grew worse when she heard of Iesus came in the preasse behind him and touched his garment for she said if I may but touch him I shall be whole and straight way the fountaine of her blood was dryed vp and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague Euen so must we all who haue had many foule issues of sinne of pride hypocrisie security presumption wrathfulnesse vncleanenesse worldlinesse and the like many and haue taken great paines and beene nothing the better but rather growne worser for so must it needes be till we come to Christ doe wee what possiblie wee can such I say must come to Christ and touch him by a true faith and then shall they feele vertue to come from him to drye vp this fountaine of their corruptions Oh that this might be brought more into tryall what would be the difference betweene this and all other practises for the mortifying of the flesh which without this shall bee found insufficient if not deceiueable for where shal be found any vertue to kill sinne in our nature but in Christ in our nature Can mans reason will or resolution suffise to draw him to forsake his so pleasing and profitable sinnes as hee supposeth If this might bee in some outward actions in respect of men yet this cannot bee in the heart to please God which is onely the worke of Gods Spirit in true beleeuers How this is to be done hath beene before declared here onely I commend the vse of this liuing by faith without which as there is no true mortification of any sinne whatsoeuer so by this wee shall surely obtaine power against the oldest and strongest corruptions in our nature Whereunto if one thing be added I well see not what should be wanting to the mortification of them all at least in such measure as God will accept of and wee may haue comfort in which is the fourth rule by mee intended 4. rule of mortifying sinne namely That hauing receiued 1. a true sight of sinne 2. a willing minde to bee cured of it 3. power from Christ for the subduing of it then in the last place that with this furniture we enter the battaile and with good courage set against al the assaults of Sathan all the allurements of this world and all the euill lusts of our owne hearts Eph. 4. 27. That we giue not place to the diuell Iam. 4. 7. but resist him rather 1. Pet. 5. 9. stedfast in faith as wee oft be exhorted and that vpon promise that hee shall flie from vs which is the same whereto the Apostle exhorts and perswades by many arguments To
sinners Mat. 22. 9 10 may be seene in his gracious inuitation of the vnworthiest to come to the wedding of his Son yea more by his beseeching sinners to be reconciled to him 2 Cor. 5. 20 and by the many and weighty arguments he vseth to perswade men to beleeue by the great rewards earthly and spirituall temporall and eternall which all beleeuers shall enioy and by the fearefull woes which shall fall on all vnbeleeuers both in this life and that to come Ioh. 7. 38. 3. 18. as plentifully is to bee seene throughout the Scriptures Out of all this mee thinkes a poore distressed sinner might thus stirre vp himselfe to beleeue If this bee certaine Note that God would not haue me perish but is very willing to saue me and therfore hath not onely prouided all sufficient meanes to bring mee thereto and made such a generall pardon as may assure mee I am contained vnder it yea seeing I now know that I am inuited and called to come to Christ and intreated to bee friends with God then may I be bold to come and assure my self I shal be welcome Yea further if I will not forgoe all these rich rewards tendered vnto me and pull vpon my selfe most iustly all those woes which God hath threatned against all despisers of his mercies then must I gladly accept Gods mercy offered to mee and if I finde my vnbeleeuing heart to draw back then must I ply the Lord with feruent and constant prayers that hee would draw mee by his Spirit to come to Christ and so to rest vpon him for my saluation And thus much for the generall promises both in regard of the matters promised and of the persons to whom they bee proclaimed that euery one who heares them may claime his part in them Speciall benefits Now to come to those speciall benefites which we receiue in Christ which belong to this first point how our faith is to bee strengthened in the assurance of our saluation by Christ I intend to referre all that I haue to say herein to these two 1. our Justification and 2. the fruites immediately growing from thence which I gather out of the Apostle Rom. 5. 1. to bee these three 1. Reconciliation 2. Adoption 3. Hope of Glory Concerning Iustification Iustification it is euident by the Scripture that all our saluation depends vpon it that whosoeuer shall bee saued must be iustified and therefore of necessity he that is not iustified must needs bee condemned it behooueth then euery one who lookes for saluation well to conceiue what it is to be iustified in Gods sight and then to make sure worke that hee may attaine it yea and know it also that hee is iustified without which is no comfort or hope of happinesse To be iustified before God is to be made righteous that is not onely without all sinne but hauing all that righteousnes which God in his holy law requireth as Rom. 2. 13. So was Adam and Eue by creation Eccl. 7. 31. God made man righteous Heb. 7. 26. So was Christ Such an high Priest it became vs to haue who is holy harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners and made higher then the heauens Besides these not one of the whole stocke of mankinde was thus righteous but euery soule young and old was is and euer shall be in this world voyde of this righteousnesse and full of all vnrighteousnesse As Rom. 3. 20. Therefore by the workes of the law shall no flesh be iustified in his sight It followeth then that all that shall be saued must bee iustified another way and that is this by hauing that perfect righteousnes which was in Christ alone to bee accounted theirs as if it had been in themselues Not intending to enter into any further discours hereof which may bee seene in sundry Treatises written of this argument all our care must bee to get this grace in Christ whereby we shal assuredly be saued The Scripture is cleare that this is obtained by faith and no way else as besides sundry other scriptures the Apostle both soundly and plentifully prooueth Rom. 3. Gal. 3. reade the places in which wee shall see not onely the truth of the doctrine but many motiues to beleeue and imbrace this grace wrought by Christ for vs and by him freely offered vnto vs that we might receaue it to our comfort To this purpose is that which is said Rom. 3. vers 21. 22. But now is the righteousnesse of God made manifest without the Law hauing witnesse of the Law and the Prophets to wit the righteousnesse of God by the faith of Iesus Christ vnto all and vpon all that beleeue And so forward to the end of the chapter wherein for our purpose this is chiefly to be considered That as none are partakers of this benefite of Iustification in Christ but beleeuers so seeing none can beleeue to enioy this but such as know that God freely and faithfully offers it to them therefore it is here and elsewhere oft reuealed that as all haue sinned and are depriued of the glory of God so are they iustified feeely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus Which as I said cannot bee vnderstood that all doe receiue this mercie of Iustification purchased by Christ but that as Christ hath wrought it so God doth indifferently offer it in the Gospell to all which is more manifested by the words following verse 25. Whom God hath set forth to bee a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousnesse by the forgiuenesse of sinnes that are passed c. The vse to bee made of these Vse and the like for the strengthening of our Faith in the assurance of our saluation by Christ is this that euery one who would beleeue doe set before him on the one side his owne sinfulnesse and cursednesse to be such that he is no way able to make any satisfaction whereby he might be deliuered on the other side that Christ hath made a full satisfaction vnto his Father for him a miserable sinner and freely offers it to him which if hee beleeue it shall be accepted for him and he thereby saued that this may draw him to renounce all hope in himselfe and so to relie vpon Christ for his Iustification and saluation This shall be more manifest in the parts of Iustification Parts of iustification which are forgiuenesse of sinnes Forgiuenes of sinne and imputation of righteousnesse and more especially in the former forgiuenesse of sinne which so vnseparably bringing in the latter imputation of righteousnesse the Scripture doth most labour to assure vs of And for this cause all blessednesse is worthily placed herein both by the Prophet Dauid and the Apostle Paul saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen Psal 32. 1 2. and whose sinnes are couered Rom. 4. 7 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sinne That it may driue
to himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes This is the same whereof the Prophets foretold in their time that God would purge cleanse his Church Esa 1. 25. Esai oft that God will purely purge their drosse and take away all their tinne that is their sinnes as in another place more plainely hee saith And it shall come to passe Esa 4 3. that hee that is left in Sion and hee that remaineth in Ierusalem shall be called holy euery one that is written among the liuing in Ierusalem ver 4. when the Lord shall haue washed away the filth of the daughters of Sion and shall haue purged the blood of Ierusalem from the middest thereof by the Spirit of iudgement and by the Spirit of burning 27. 9 Againe By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his sinne Notable is that place of Ezekel Then will I sprinckle cleane water vpon you Eze. 36. 25 and you shall bee cleane from all your filthinesse and from all your idols will cleanse you Of this sort I might gather many moe out of these and the other Prophets who spake of this grace which should be giuen by Christ to all the members of his Church the cleansing of them from all their filthinesse which Dauid expresseth Ps 103. 3. By healing all our diseases The matter beeing so cleare and the testimonies so many I iudge it will bee too tedious to heape vp more It shall bee more to our profite well to weigh these and the like promises when wee reade them that when wee feele our hearts discouraged by the little strength wee finde to maister our speciall corruptions then we may apply to our selues any one of these promises wherein the Lord himselfe doth vndertake this worke which is too hard for vs That hee will subdue our iniquities he will cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnesse his grace shall be sufficient for vs and his power shall bee mad perfect in our weaknesse which if we doe beleeue how can we feare or bee faint-hearted to enter into this spirituall battle against our sinnes Yea this will make vs bold to resist and able to ouercome our strongest sinnes which formerly haue most preuailed ouer vs. For our further encouragement herein wee haue the examples of all the faithfull who before were seruants yea bondslaues to their vilde lusts Examples as Zacheus to oppression Mary Magdalen to whooredome Paul to persecution and generally the famous Churches to whom the Apostles writ who before their calling were idolaters and liued in all abhominable sinnes as other Gentiles beeing conuerted they turned from their idols and so from all their former vaine and vilde conuersation to serue the liuing God as is to be seene in all the holy Epistles written to them and in the history of the Acts which was long before prophesied by the Prophets Esa 11. 6. that the wolfe shall dwell with the Lambe c. meaning by all these cruell and deuouring beasts all kinde of beastly and wicked men who by the Gospell should be so changed that al their cruell and beastly qualities should be so abated that they should become like to Gods children and so haue a holy Communion with them Let not any therfore who feeleth any measure of mortification in himselfe Vse though hee cannot yet ouercome all his sinnes and keepe vnder his vnruely affections say in his heart I shall neuer ouercome such and such sinnes but shall one day perish by these for this were not onely to mistrust his owne strength which well he may but to call Gods power goodnes and truth into question which were a great iniury to God and to his owne soule but rather let vs all doe as Jehosaphat when hee sawe a great army gathered together against him 2. Chro. 20 12. so as hee sawe no power in himselfe to withstand them hee did wholly cast himselfe vpon the Lord saying O our God wilt thou not iudge them for wee haue no might against this great company that commeth against vs neither know wee what to doe but our eyes are vpon thee So let vs be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and so taking to vs and vsing the holy armour of his spirit fighting valiantly we may be sure of the victory These thus being that Gods children may be so certaine that no sinne shall haue dominion ouer them but that they shall in the end ouercome them all and so haue that glorious conquest ouer them and ouer all their spirituall enemies who can no way hurt them but by sinne how can it sufficiently be bewailed that so few do enioy this benefit and the sweet comfort thereof This may well bee seeee in the many and foule spots in the faces of sundry professours I meane their open pride their impatiency their worldlinesse and deadnesse of spirit in all spirituall duties all which though they might in some of loÌ„ger standing in Christ haue been long before well mortified yet they still remaine liue and grow in them to their reproch before others and small peace and comfort to their owne hearts A principall cause hereof must needs be this that these pleasing themselues in their estate for that they be forward in publike exercises of Religion though many bee slacke enough in priuate especially secret by themselues alone and for that they bee free from the grosse sinnes of the wicked doe either not see or not bewaile these their sinnes and therefore doe not so much as seeke after much lesse enioy these pretious promises and the fruit of them An other sort who are more to be pitied for their want of this comfort which God hath prepared for them and so plentifully promised to them in especiall bee they who groane vnder the burden of their infirmities and take much pains to be eased yet in long time finding small amendment be much discouraged with feare that they shall neuer be able to ouercome these corruptions which doe most annoy them I cannot thinke of any thing to bee a greater cause of this discouragement in these then either the ignorance forgetfulnesse or not beleeuing these promises Phil. 1. 6. that Hee who hath begun the good worke in them will perfect it vntill the day of Christ and as God promised oft to his people going to conquer the land of Canaan Deut. 7. 2â— 11. 25 that no enemie should bee able to stand against them Iosuâ— 1. 5. 10. 8. so hath hee as certainely promised to these that no sinne shall haue dominion ouer them It remaineth therefore that these and all other who desire to conquer their corrupt nature and vnruely lusts thereof thâ—â— they do oft set before themselues these promises and so considering that he is faithfull who hath promised confidently looke for the victory and so constantly fight till they obtaine the same This I hope may suffise in this
as certainly bee partaker of Christ and all his benefites which are the things sealed as he is partaker of the outward seals the certainty whereof depends on Gods truth and faithfulnesse as in his word so in the seales thereof who doth as truely giue that which he promiseth and sealeth as hee doth freely giue any promise or seale We doe iustly account him no honest man who will not bee as good as his word much more him who will seale a couenant and yet not performe it Be it farre off then from any Christian to impute this to God that hee giues vaine words and seales and doth not as truely giue that which hee promiseth and sealeth But the sole cause why many who come to the word and Sacraments Why many profite not by the word sacraments are not partakers in them of Christ who is truely on Gods part offered in them is this That they doe not inwardly by faith receiue that which is promised and sealed as they do outwardly receiue the word and seale It shall be our wisedome then whensoeuer we goe to the word and Sacraments specially to labour for faith that thereby we may as truely receiue Christ in them offered as wee doe receiue outwardly the word and seales thereof For the receiuing of the word we haue said enough Now for our Sacraments Few profite by Sacraments I cannot sufficiently bewaile the vniuersall abuse of them which is so grieuous that they being by God in loue left to his Church as a speciall meanes to further their saluation so many are by their vnworthy receiuing of them made more guilty of condemnation which comes to passe not onely by that grosse prophanenesse which is in all carnall Protestants who onely for custome Law or credit come to the Sacraments without any knowledge or conscience 2. But in many of some better sort who haue some care for their soules there is either such ignorance or negligence that they neuer did worthily receiue the holy seales and therefore neuer found the sweete fruites of them 3. Yea that which is more to bee lamented this may bee found in not a few of those who haue receiued true grace and bee indeed Gods children to whom onely these seales of right do belong yet these seldome or neuer attaine that comfort by the holy Sacraments which indeede they ought and might were not the fault in themselues For proofe hereof I require euery one who would see the truth of this complaint to examine himselfe in this question what sensible good hee hath receiued by his Baptisme For my part I haue demanded this question of many who were of good esteeme in the Church who had litle to say in this point and I make no doubt but the like may bee found in many others who are to seeke in this matter so farre off bee they from enioying that great gaine which is to be got hereby which in speciall consists in these two first that by our baptisme we be more assured of our saluation by Christ and secondly that thereby we be more 〈…〉 leade a godly conuersation both which be euidently the fruites of true baptisme The same may be saide of the Lords suppoâ— which in a further do 〈◊〉 to assure vs of our growth in grace and small perseuerance 〈…〉 how few come from the communion so sure of Christ and all his benefits to bee theirs as the woman marryed at the Church doth come home assured of the man whom she hath marryed and all his to bee hers for her vse and comfort Yet I 〈…〉 thus and it cannot 〈◊〉 but our 〈◊〉 when it is 〈◊〉 so If I were demanded what I conceiue to bee the chiefe cause why it is not thus Want of farth I would say want of Faith which ariseth in many froÌ„ want of cleere light to see Gods minde in ordaining these Sacraments In some 〈…〉 slight account they make of these And in the best sort of these from the sight of their vnworthinesse which makes them feare that they cannot be made partakers of so great a benefit For whose sake I specially write these to helpe their weake faith that thereby they may find this benefite To which purpose I would haue well considered that which before was touched concerning Gods intention in ordaining these holy signes seales Right end of seales which we call Sacraments which was to helpe our weake â—aith that whereas the Lord hauing in his word made vnto vs sinners many promises of algâ—ace in Christ which if the fault were not in our selues might be sufficient to vphold our faith in the assurance thereof yet he seeing how slowe of heart wee are to beleeue his word did for the confirmation of our faith giue vs these outward and visible pledges of his loue that wee knowing him to bee faithfull may bee more assured yea put out of doubt that wee shall as certainly be made partakers of Christ himselfe and all his merits as wee are of the outward signes of his couenant as Gen. 17. 10. This is my couenant which yee shall keepe betweene mee and you and thy seed after thee Euery 〈…〉 child among you shall bee circumcised And very oft that which properly belongs to the things sealed is giuen to the outward seale to shew that on Gods part they be neuer parted For this cause were the Lords people commanded to circumcise the foreskinne of their 〈◊〉 Deut. 10. 16 and the Lord promised that He would circumcâ—se them hearts Ier. 4. 4. and the heart of their seede Deut. 30. 6. The like is saide of Baptisme Rom. 6. 3. That wee are buried with Christ by Baptisme Col. 2. 1. and for this cause it is called Baptisme of 〈◊〉 for remission of sinnes Mar. 1. 4. And our sinnes are said to be washed away Act. 22. 16 and that Baptisme saueth Heb. 10. 22 All which belongeth to the blood of Christ 1 Pet. 3. 21. as 1. Ioh. 1. 7. that is All his sufferings which doth wash and 〈◊〉 us from all our sinnes Reu. 1. 5. And in this sense our Sauiour Christ saith We must bee 〈◊〉 of water Ioh. 3. 5. that is bee made Gods children by receiuing Christ as Ioh. 1. 12. The like is saide of the Lords Supper when our Lord Iesus did ordaine it hee speaking of the bread Mat. 26. 26 28. said This is my body and of the wine This is my blood of the new Testament meaning that these outward signes and seales were most sure certain pledges of his body and blood which hee did as truely giue to be spirituall food as he gaue the bread and wine to be bodily food to euery beleeuer And for the same cause the Apostle saith The cup of blessing which we blesse 1 Cor. 10. 16. is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we breake is it not the Communion of the body of Christ for that we
make our vse of all these three benefits by afflictions 1. That they be sent from God to be trialls to discover to our selues and others godly and wicked what strength of grace and sinne doth remaine in vs which is many waies profitable 2. To be effectuall purgations to wast and weaken those speciall corruptions which most hinder our soules health 3. And lastly to quicken all saving graces in vs and so every way to make vs better both to glorifie God in this life and to be glorified of him in the life to come The least of all which fruits of afflictions Vse of all these benefits by afflictions though it went alone if the profit and comfort it bringeth might be well prised would moue any good heart if lawfully they might to desire afflictions at least to be glad of them when the Lord our loving Father and wise Physitian doth send them to vs how much more then when as all these shall be joyned together should we rejoyce and blesse God for them There is no good Christian but he greatly desires to be more humbled in the sight of his manifold sinnes and to be comforted with the sweet feeling of Gods graces in him Yea much more desires he to be purged from these spirituall corruptions which take away his stomacke and strength that he can neither feed nor worke as his place requires And aboue all doth he covet spirituall graces that he might shine out in a godly life to the honour of his profession the winning of oothers and making sure his calling and election All which seeing they be procured by afflictious and hardly or never without them as that place 1 Pet. 4. 18. proveth And if the righteous be scarcely saved And this is the chiefe cause why none of Gods children are without them as Heb. 12. 6. 7. 8. me thinkes there is great reason why we should be thankfull to God for them and so labour to reape this fruit by them that we may say and sing with the Psalmist as it is sweetly expressed in the Meeter O hâ—ppie time may I well say when thou didst me correct For as a guide to learne thy lawes thy rodâ—â—d me direct So little cause haue Gods children to thinke their condition miserable because of afflictions that if we will beleeue and practise what the Apostle Paul professed and performed we must in a holy manner boast of our afflictions Rom. 5. 3. as a Souldier of his scarres got in battell And as a little before we heard 2 Cor. 12. 10. Paul did take pleasure in reproches in necessities in persecutions in distresses fâ—â— Christs sake Thus we see what comfort we may get out of Gods Word fitly applyed vnto vs by faith for the better bearing of all afflictions of what sort soever I might gather many other fruits of afflictions as some haue done but if all be well wayghed they may be referred to one of these three and so having sayd sufficient of the three former grounds of comfort in afflictions I will come to the fourth and last The fourth ground of comfort in afflictions which is to set out what helpe God hath promised vs in all our troubles that we may be able to beare them and in due season to giue vs a good issue out of them Concerning which it will be profitable to obserue that the Lord knowing our great weaknes to beare the crosse and how full of distrust we be that God will not be ready to helpe vs at least as we would both which are so often to be found in the liues of Gods faithfull servants in all ages as needs no further proofe the Lord I say well acquainted with this frailtie of his children hath most plentifully provided all sufficient helpe to support them and therefore made so many promises to be with them in all their troubles and succour them in all extremities that they shall never perish but in the end find a good end and issue out of them to his glory and their endlesse comfort Having pervsed these promises and gathered them out of the Scripture I may boldly say they doe farre exceed in number all the former so that it would be too tedious to set them down all I will therefore make choice of some of the chiefe that we may haue them ready for our vse against time of need Among all that is exceeding full of comfort which is written Rom. 8. 26. In which chapter the Apostle intending to teach that nothing should hinder the happines of those that be in Christ whereas there be but these two corruption and affliction hee first confutes the one from verse â— to â—7 and secondly the other concerning afflictions from verse 17. to 31. And whereas it might be obiected that though afflictions were profitable to those that could endure them yet oft they be so heauie that we cannot so much as cry to God for helpe as we ought hee answers that even then the spirit helpeth our infirmities c. meaning that when we begin to sincke as not able to stand vnder the burthen then Gods Spirit puts vnder his hand to support vs. Which is in so many words said Psal 37. 24. Though he fâ—ll he shall not vtterly be cast downe for the Lord vpholdeth him with his hand Which is when hee doth by his Spirit strengthen vs with faith and patience to waite for Gods helpe one way or other either to rid vs out of our afflictions or make vs quietly to beaâ—e them so long as shal seem good to his heavenly wisedome to continue them For which cause our Saviour Christ fortelling his Disciples of many afflictions Iohn 14. 15. 16. which should befall them in the worlde among other incouragements hee oft tels them that he will send them his holy Spirit to be their comfoâ—â—r who shall be stronger in them then all their adversaries And to the same purpose 16. 33. telling them that in the world they should haue tribulation he bids them bee of good cheare for hee hath overcome the World Likewise the Apostle 2. Cor. 1. 3 4. to hearten the Corinthians to indure all troubles calleth God the God of all comfort who comforted him and all others in all their tribulations that they might be able to comfort others which are in any trouble The like is to be seene almost in all the holy Epistles in which the Saints be incouraged to suffer afflictions patiently But to proceede exceeding many be the places in which God promiseth to his people that he wil be a sure and speedy help in all troubles in due season ready to be found David had great experience thereof The booke of the Psalmes is full of those speeches God â—s my 〈◊〉 my tower my refuge my shield and buckler my health and strength and many moe all tending to this that looke what helpe any man in danger may find in any earthly meanes what soever God is the same much more
to al his people in all their necessities bodily or spirituall Because the faiâ—hfull in all ages haue stood in need of this comfort therefore is this so oft repeated that we in our generation may looke for the like helpe in our neede To the same intent be many other like speeches That God will lighten our darkenesse hee will keepe the feete of his Saints he will not forsake them nor forget their complaint That they shall not be confounded In time of trouble he will hide them His Angels shall pitch about them He wil heale them and take all sicknesse from them They shal not feare their enemies but God will make their enemies afraid of them Be avenged of their enemies That God wil repent him of the evill pronounced against them with many other of like sort and oft more specially of removing warre pestilence c. The summe of all which is Application that into whatsoever calamitie or distresse Gods children shall fall though the Lord doe leaue them for a season as though he did not regard it yet hee will be with them by his Spirit to helpe them that they shall not vtterly perish yea rather that they shall be able with patience to hold out till God send them a happy end and issue out of all That this hath beene Gods dealing with his beloved in all ages needs no proofe it is so manifest Ioh David and Paul may be sufficient to witnesse this how wonderfully God was with them in al their tryals The other branch of this last ground of comfort is this God will deliver that the Lord will not onely assist his vnder the burthen of their afflictions with all needefull helpes that they may be able to beare them but will in due season fully deliver them out of them all which being so hardly beleeved especially in great and sore afflictions therefore the Lord hath very often renewed his promise of delivering his out of all their troubles All of which for the most part being the fame both in sense words a few may suffice for many David had great proofe hereof and therefore after a mighty deliverance and that by a hard shiftfull of infirmitie hee composed that excellent Psalme 34 where magnifying Gods mercy for so great deliverance hee riseth higher to set out the like goodnes of God to all the faithfull saying verse 7. The Angell of the Lord 〈◊〉 round about them that feare him and delivereth them and verse 17. speaking of the righteous he sayth they cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles and verse 19. many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of all so Psalme 27. 39. 40. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord is their strength in the time of trouble And the Lord shall helpe them and deliver them he shall deliver them from the wicked and saue them because they trust in him These shall suffice in so cleere a point for there are none that be any whit exercised in the Scriptures but may finde like testimoninies and proofs of the truth though not alwayes in the same words It is fully to the same purpose that the Apostle â— Cor. 10. 13. comforteth them with this amongst other Arguments that God will with the tentation make away to escapeâ—… 〈◊〉 ye may be able to beare it and that of Ieremy 29. 11. For I know the thoughts that I thinke towards you saith the Lord thoughts of peace to giue you an expected end By these and very many other the like it is cleere that this is Gods wonted favour towards his Children that though for sundry and those most iust causes he lead them into troubles and oft leaues them a long time vnder them yet he never finally forsakes them but when the time to haue mercy is come Psal 102. theÌ„ the Lord will surely succour all his and deliver them by one meanes or other such as shall make most for his glory and the good of all his All of which being so certaine Application that how many and great soever and of long continuance the afflictions of Gods children shal be yet the Lord will never leaue nor forsake them but will be a present helpe in time of neede ministring all needefull comforts both outward helpes and inward graces to support them and in the end will one way or other fully set them free and quite deliver them out of all their feares and troubles we may see what small cause wee haue to be discouraged by our afflictions or to fret and repine at them yea rather wee haue most iust cause to reioyce in theÌ„ to blesse God for them and to labour both to beare them and to profit by them that God may haue glory thereby our selues may reape the benefit by them and others may profit by our example And thus laying all together which hath beene sayd of afflictions we shall find that they be no lets but special helps as to godlinesse in this life so to happines in the life to come Thus much for this fourth point how to liue by faith in all afflictions of what sort soever THE FIFT GENERALL HEAD OF living by FAITH is for earthly blessings THvs haue we in these foure points handled how wel God hath provided for our spirituall life all needfull blessings that whatsoever our condition shall be yet we may comfort our selues in God who as he hath promised so will he performe that we shall not want any thing that is good And whatsoever doth befall vs though never so hurtfull in it selfe yet it shall turne to our good in the end Now we are come to the fift generall head of this Treatise of living by faith which concernes all earthly blessings how we may be provided of all things needfull for this naturall life which being so necessary as we well know that we cannot be without them we be naturally so addicted to them that nothing doth more take vp our minds and hearts Care for earthly is a hinderance to spirituall then our care labour for these neither doth any thing more hinder our spirituall life All which the Lord our God well considering hath herein most bountifully provided for vs and promised vnto vs all needfull blessings for this life in such sort that were we wise to see and imbrace this bountie of the Lord we should not onely be freed from a world of cares and troubles wherewith most men be vsually so incumbred that they can find or spare no time nor travell to seeke after the things which belong to a better life but we should be so furthered by our contentment in those outward and earthly blessings that with more chearfulnesse we should run our race of Christianitie and be every way more fit to all holy duties Let vs then heare and consider what the Lord saith vnto vs in this behalfe Generall promises for earthly blessings