time concerning Christs sudden comeing to Judgment 2. The confutation of it it is disproved by two antecedents and fore-runners of his coming 1. A general Apostasy or a defection of the visible Church from the true State of Christianity 2. The Revelation of Anti-Christ described here by his names and proper Titles 1. That Man of Sin 2. And Son of Perdition 1. Let us speak of the general Apostasy that must be before Christs coming to Judgment Except there come a falling away first Now concerning it take these Propositions 1. That Apostasy is any defection from him to whom we owe and have performed subjection or a falling from that Lord to whom we owe fealty I am sure in religious matters it importeth a defection from our right and proper Lord Thus the Devil is an Apostate because he abode not in his first estate Iude 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting Chains c. Abode not in the truth John 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father ye will do He was a Murderer from the beginning and abode not in the Truth That is forsook his obedience to God and so became the Ring-Leader of all rebellious Creatures So it is true of our first Parents They were Apostates they did revolt from God and their obedience to him Therefore it is said Rom. 5.19 By one mans disobedience many were made Sinners So of their Posterity their Apostasy is described by turning back from following the Lord Zeph. 1.6 and departing from God that is his worship and service Isa. 59.13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord and departing away from our God Let us then be agreed of this notion of Apostasy which is evident that it is a falling off from the obedience which we owe to our rightful Lord. 2. The Apostasy mentioned in the Text was not civil The falling away of many Kingdoms from the Roman Empire But an Apostasy of the visible Church from him who is Lord of the Church I prove it partly from the persons to whom the Apostle wrote who did not intermingle themselves with State affairs or were not concerned in the Interests of the Roman Empire further than that they lived within the bounds of it And this Apostasy must be understood as they would conceive of Apostasy with respect to the main cause wherein they were concerned and ingaged which was the profession of Christianity Partly From the use of the word in the Christian Doctrine falling away there is certainly falling away from the Faith and purity of the Gospel Luc. 18.13 Which for a while believe and in time of temptation fall away And partly because to them it was expresly foretold that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some shall fall away or depart from the Faith 1 Tim. 4.1 Lastly Because those who are most concerned to maintain the notion of the civil Apostasy from the Roman Empire are most notorious in this defection It is true the Roman Empire lost Asia and the places adjacent by the Invasion of Eastern Nations but it was thrust out of Rome by the Rebellion of its Subjects and chiefly by the influence of the Pope there as Histories manifest So that this interpretation will not help them a jot but hurt them not a little So that here is a defection from our proper Lord and a spiritual defection not a civil 3. The proper Lord of the Christian Church is Jesus Christ who hath purchased it with his blood and died and rose again and revived that he might be Lord of dead and living Rom. 14.9 and again Eph. 5.23 Christ is the head of the Church and the Saviour of the body He that saveth and recovereth the Church out of the general Apostasy of Mankind and restoreth them to their due obedience and proper happiness He only is fit to be head of the Church and this only is Christ we expect no opposition here 4. The Apostasy from the Lord will be determined chiefly by these two things By undermining his Authority or destroying the interests of his Kingdom by these two we may understand the falling away which is to come first 1. By undermining his Authority Certainly his Authority is undermined when others presume to usurp his place without his leave Therefore to super-induce an universal head of the visible Church which Christ never appointed is manifestly to usurp his Authority though the party so intruding should pretend to hold his Soveraignty from Christ and under him yet this is treason against Christ for here is an authority set up without and therefore against his consent Put the Case in a temporal Kingdom and the thing will be clear And thus the Pope is an usurping head of a Rebellion against Christ. Where did Christ institute him to take this Office Tu es Petrus is such a stale pretence so often baffled and defeated and pretended upon so small grounds as that Christ hereby conveyed singular authority to Peter above the rest of the Disciples That from Peter it descendeth to his Successors and to those of Rome if ever he were at Rome and not those of Antioch that it is endless to pursue the absurdities of this impertinent allegation The argument holdeth the more strongly when the Pope condemneth all the Churches that will not be his Subjects how holy good and obedient to the Laws of Christ soever they be Surely if any thing this is an Apostasy or a revolt from our rightful Lord and to consent to this Rebellion and Usurpation is to be drawn into a Conspiracy against Christ and to submit to the head of the most pernicious Schism that did ever rend the Church of Christ and to betray the Liberty of the People of our Lord to a Tyrannical Usurpation 2. Or corrupting and destroying the interests of his Kingdom certainly wherever there is a degeneration from the purity and simplicity of the Gospel the interests of Christs Kingdom are destroyed I fear saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.3 lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. The ancient pure Apostolick Christianity doth only preserve the Interests of Christs Kingdom in the World there is no way of safety but by keeping there for since Godliness is a mystery and we shall see afterwards the iniquity that is contrary is a mystery also 2 Thess. 2.7 The mystery of iniquity doth already work We need to be exactly careful to keep close to the doctrine worship and Discipline of the first Gospel Church for if these had remained pure Antichrist had never risen Christs Institutions would have preserved his Interests in the World But as these were corrupted the Apostasy prevailed When the Faith of the Gospel was turned into dead opinions and curious questions if not direct errours and the worship of the Gospel was corrupted by giving divine honour
between them and others Upon them he shall send strong delusion but you hath he chosen to Salvation through the belief of the Truth Those whom God hath chosen he separates from the World of the ungodly or the corrupt heap of mankind and consecrateth them unto himself So that Election is not a taking all but some and passing by others 1 Joh. 5.19 We are of God and the whole World lyeth in wickedness A choice implyeth a setting apart some for Objects of his Grace and Instruments of his Glory in the World Psal. 4.3 And the number is certain for their Names are said to be written in the Rolls and Records of Heaven when others are not written Luk. 10.20 Rejoyce not that the Spirits are subject unto you but rather rejoyce because your Names are written in Heaven Phil. 4.3 Whose Names are written in the Book of Life And others are said not to be written Rev. 17.1 And they that dwell on the Earth shall wonder whose Names were not written in the Book of Life from the Foundation of the World And Rev. 20.15 And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire Namely those that perish by these Delusions 3. It is set forth by the Antiquity of it from the Beginning Ephes. 1.4 He hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World And Matth. 25.34 Come ye Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World Namely as they belonged to his choice Election Love in God is of an old stâ—nding even from all Eternity his thoughts and purposes of Love were towards us a long time before they were discovered Surely the Ancientness of his Love should beget an honourable esteem of it in our Hearts For who are we that the Thoughts of God should be taken up about us so long ago And what is from everlasting is to everlasting Psal. 103.17 For what is from Eternity is to Eternity and dependeth not upon â—he accidents of Time 4. By the means of its accomplishment Two are mentioned one on God's part the other on ours The Sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the Truth Where note 1. That God's Decree is both of Ends and Means For all his Purposes are executed by fit Means He that hath chosen us to Salvation hath also chosen us to be Holy and to believe the Truth And without the Means the End cannot be obtained For without Faith and Holiness no grown Person shall see God or escape Condemnation As to Faith it is clear John 3.36 He that believeth not the Wrath of God abideth on him And Holiness is indispensibly necessary Heb. 12.14 Without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. God had assured Paul Acts 27.22 That there should be no loss of any Man's Life amongst them except of the Ship and afterward Vers. 31. Paul telleth them Except these abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved How could the assurance given to Paul from God and Paul's caution to the Mariners stand together Doth the Purpose of God depend upon the will and actions of Men I answerâ— Not as a cause from whence it receiveth its force and strength but as a means appointed also by God to the execution of his Decree For by the same Decree God appointeth the Event what he will do and the Means by which he will have it to be done and the Lord revealing by his Word this Conjunction of End and Means there is a necessity of Duty lying upon Man to use these Means and not to expect the End without them God intended to save all in the Ship and yet the Mariners must abide in the Ship And therefore what God hath joyned together let no Man separate If we separate these things God doth not change his Counsel but we subvert his Order to our own destruction The Scripture maketh it a grievous Sin a tempting of God to expect the End without the use of Means In vain is the Cavil then of those who would impeach the Doctrine of God's free and unchangeable Will concerning the salvation of the Eleâ—t upon the pretence that it taketh away the Duty of Man and the necessity of our Faith and Obedience No God executeth his Decree by the proper Means And wretcheâ— is their inference who say If I be elected I shall be saved no Salvation can be obtained but by the Sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the Truth And worse is their confidence who profess assurance of their Election and yet walk after the Flesh No till a Man purge himself from Youthful Lusts he is not a Vessel of Honour sanctified and set apart for God 2 Tim. 2.21 And in vain do we hope to go to Heaven till we take the way that leadeth thither Devils have been cast out thence for Unholiness and therefore unholy Men shall never be taken in there 2. That these things are not causes of Election but fruits of Election and Means of execution of God's Decree about our Salvation Sanctification is not a Cause but a subordinate End or Means Ephes. 1.4 He hath chosen us to be holy not because we are holy but that we might be holy So 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the fore-knowledg of God through the sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience Not elected for it but through it When God had all Mankind in his prospect and view he freely chose out some to be sanctified and saved We come to the possession of it through Sanctification that is by it as a Means So for the other Faith is a fruit of Election not a foreseen Cause Acts 2.47 The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved None cometh to the Church but those whom God draweth and they are actually added to the Church by a profession of Faith and such as should be saved were as many as were ordained to Salvation Acts 13.48 And as many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed The whole City were met together to hear but as many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed It is not said as â—any as believed were ordained to Eternal Life but the contrary Faith is not the cause of Election but Election is the cause of Faith 3. That being the necessary Fruits they are also evidences of our Election All that are Sanctified by the Spirit and believe the Truth belong to the Election of God Election it self is a secret in God's Bosom and is only manifested to us by the Effects and what are the necessary Effects but Sanctification by the Spirit and a sound belief of the Gospel 1. The Sanctification of the Spirit is not only an external Dedication to God but an internal and real Change Some aâ—e externally dedicated and may trample under foot the Blood of the Covenant whereby they are sanctified Heb. 10.29 Of how much sorer Punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son
to begin our right in the priviledges of the Gospel there are some conditions required for the beginning others for the continuing of our right now this is absolutely required for the continuing of our right both for present reconciliation with God and future Glory it is upon this condition if ye continue in the Faith 2. Let us inquire what is necessary to this constancy and establishment of mind that we may not be soon troubled and shaken partly that our minds may be inlightened to know the truth and our hearts renewed to believe and love the truth for without this there can never be any constancy of mind in Religion 1. A clear Conviction of the Truth or certainty of Knowledge a rooted assent or well grounded perswasion not some fluctuating opinion about it an half light maketh us very uncertain in our course James 1.3 A double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 First try all things 1 Thess. 5.20 then hold fast that which is good When men resolve upon Evidence or after due Examination the truth sticketh the closer and faster by them but when they take up things hand over head they have no firm Principles and therefore waver hither and thither as Vessels without Ballast are tossed with every wave 2 Pet. 3.16 17. Beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 substantial grounds within themselves they do not stand by the knowledge of others or the Faith of others and consent of others light chaff is carried about with every wind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 4.14 That ye henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine they go through all parts of the compass sometimes this wind of error taketh them up sometimes that sometimes taking up one opinion then changing it for another this is the fruit of half-Convictions 2. The other oart of our Basis is a resolution to adhere to the Truth what likelihood is there that we should continue who are not so much as resolved so to do The heart must be established by Grace as well as the mind soundly convinced Heb. 13.9 Be not carried about with divers and strange Doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace as the Apostle speaketh of a purpose not to marry 1 Cor. 7.37 He that standeth stedfast in his own heart c. So here Acts 21.13 I am ready not to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus Christ A firm thorough resolution is requisite to fortify us against all changes in Religion otherwise we are but as Trees without a Root or an House without a Foundation Now this resolution of the Heart is by Faith and Love Faith Heb. 3.12 Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Love 2 Thess. 2.10 They received not 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 lie We are not only rooted and grounded in Faith but rooted and grounded in Love Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love c. 3. The opposite to this is Levity and inconstancy of mind that soon quitteth truth without difficulty or without much hesitancy and resistance yields to the temptation The Scripture often taketh notice of this sudden imbracing of Error Gal. 1.6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel and in the Text soon shaken in mind credulity is a lightness in believing when we are like Reeds shaken with every wind Mat. 11.7 and have a faulty easiness ready to be carried away with every Doctrine which pretendeth to Truth The simple believeth every word Prov. 14.15 There is a readiness of mind which is good but it goeth on sufficient evidence so the wisdom that is from above is gentle and easy to be intreated James 3.17 and the Bereans were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 17.11 They received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures whether these things were so or no but a readiness of mind differs from a weakness of mind or a lightness in believing upon slender and insufficient grounds they never received the truth with thorough Efficacy and are prone to Error 4. The Causes of this Levity and Inconstancy of mind are these 1. Want of solid rooting in the Truth they receive it hand over head as the stony ground forthwith sprang up Mat. 13.5 and 20. ver Anon they receive it with joy they do not so soon receive the word but they as soon quit it 2. Want of Mortification 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us having loved this present World Lusts are uncertain fear of men favour of men carnal hopes will easily prevail 3. A certain readiness of mind which disposeth men to conform and comply with their Company as the Looking-Glass representeth every Face that looketh on it so they are very changeable and unstable as water as Zedekiah Jer. 38.5 The King is not he that can say you nay soon turned this way and that way 4. Want of a thorough inclination to God so that they are right for a while or in some things yet they are not universally true to his interest 1 Kings 2.28 Joab turned after Adonijah though he turned not after Absolom Hos. 7.8 Ephraim is a Cake not turned 5. Want of Holiness and living up to the truths we know 1 Tim 3.9 Holding the mystery of Faith in a pure Conscience Choice Liquors are best kept in a clean Vessel men provoke God to desert them and leave them to a vertiginous Spirit 6. Libertinism men think they may run from one Sect of Christians to another as the wind of interest bloweth if they were to turn to Ethnicism Turcism or Judaism they would die rather than change theâ—r Religion but they think the differences among Christians are not of such moment as to venture any thing upon that account Every truth is precious and must be owned in its Season and it is damnable in it self to do any thing against Conscience and he that giveth way to a small temptation will entertain a greater As a Man that hangeth over a Precipice when he lets go his hold will sink further and further till he come to the bottom therefore it is good to be faithful in a little Vse Let us take heed of this evil credulity and lightness 1. Till Christians get a setled and sound Judgment they never have peace within themselves for fears and scruples arise in the dark and those that live in error are full of perplexities and have not that tranquilâ—ity of Spirit which They have who are fully perswaded in their own
have an unction from the holy one and ye know all things A Child of God hath something in his bosom that will not permit him to hearken to Popery the very life in us is opposite to this dead shew and mummery of trashy Devotions Now I come to the Author with the means of Consuming The Lord shall consume him with the Spirit of his mouth The Lord that is the Lord Christ. But what is meant by the Spirit of his mouth or the breath of his mouth as some render it Two things may be meant hereby either his Providential Word or his Gospel accompanied by his Spirit 1. His Providential Word that is when Christ faith Let it be done it shall be done Isa. 11.4 He shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked those that are called wicked they are also called the Earth because they are earthly minded and have their portion here and possess much on earth and have great power by the advantage of which they oppress his People Now to execute Judgment upon them Christ needeth no more than the Rod of his mouth that powerful Word whereby he created all things Ps. 33.6 By the words of the Lord were the Heavens made and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth Upholdeth all things Heb. 1.3 Upholding all things by the word of his Power And brings all things to nothing again John 18.6 As soon as he had said to them I am he they went backward and fell to the ground one word of his powerful Providence is enough Or secondly 2. It is meant of the Efficacy of his Gospel as it is accompanied by his Spirit called the Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 and it is said to be quick and powerful Heb. â— 12 and Rev. 2.16 Repent or I will come against thee quickly and smite thee with the Sword of my mouth by this word he shall confound the falshood and cunning practices which are carried on under this myâ—â—â—â—y of Iniquity and give it such a deadly and incurable wound that it shall languish before it be utterly destroyed Doct. That Antichrists Destruction is by the preaching of the Gospel and the victorious evidence of Truth It must needs be so For his Kingdom and Tyranny is upheld by Darkness which is dispelled by the Light of the Truth And therefore the Papists as all other Hereticks are lucifugae Scripturarum Dei cannot endure the Scriptures deny them to the people and seek to make them contemptible by all the means they can Again his Kingdom is carryed on by Falshood and his Cheats and Impostures and Wickedness and Usurpation and false Interpretations and Delusions are discovered by the truth and simplicity of the Gospel and so is consumed yet more and more Lastly Popery is a dead form of Religion and there is not only Truth in the word of God but Life we are not only enlightened but quickened by it and converted to God and made partakers of his Spirit And these will go against their own experience and inclination if they should sit down with such empty beggarly Rudiments But here ariseth a Question shall Antichrist be consumed no other way â— but by the Spirit of his mouth We read in the Prophecy of Wars by which the Antichristian State is brought to nought I answer The pure and powerful preaching of the Gospel is the principal means whereby the Spirit of the Lord consumeth Antichrist in the hearts of men but this is not exclusive of other means which God in the ways of his Providence may use to weaken his Worldly Interest But we must distinguish between the means God may use and we must use Simply to put down a Religion by force of arms is not our way it is not lawful certainly to invade other Nations upon the pure and sole title of Relâ—gion But if they invade us on that account no doubt a Prince and People so invaded may defend themselves But when a War is commenced on other occasions it is the most chearful cause to ingage in when we War against the Abettors of Antichrist we War against an Enemy whom God will consume Constamine warred against Licinius his Collegueâ— not because an Infidel but because he persecuted the Christians contrary to their Capitulations Lewis the XII caused it to be disputed in a Synod at Tours Num liceret Papae absque causa Principi bellum inferre when it was answered Non licet a second Question Num tali Principi sua defensione fas sit euâ— invadere Their Answers were Licet which he undertook and caused money to be stamped with this Inscription Perdam Babylonem 1. Vse We learn hence not to be discouraged in our greatest extremities when all temporal hopes seem to fail and we have nothing left us but the word of our Testimony let us not distrust our spiritual weapons for they are mighty through God to bring down all the strongs holds of sin and Antichrist 2 Cor. 10.4 5. Oh incourage your selves in the Lord you have the merit of his Humiliation and the power of his Exaltation Merit what cannot the blood of Christ do to fetch off men from their inveterate prejudices and superstitions 1 Pet. 1.18 We are redeemed by the blood of Christ from our vain Conversations so for the power of his Exaltation there is his Spirit the success of his Spirit on the pouring out of the first Sermon Acts 2.41 fetched in 3000. Souls that had embrued their hands in the blood of their Saviour and were in no very devout posture at that time his Word that is the Rod of his strength Psal. 110.2 which hath a mighty power to convince transform and convert Souls Rom 1.16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto Salvation Then there is the power of Providence all Judgment is put into Christs hands for the advancement of his own Kingdom Iohn 5.22 if all be in Christs hands why should you distrust your cause or the success of it 2. If you would defend your selves and wound the Enemy be much acquainted with the word of God which is the Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 thereby you may ward off every blow of a Temptation Surely then we should be much acquainted with this woâ—d that it may dwell in us richly that we mâ—y have it ready this is enough to make wise the simple for all necessary duties and defence 3. Pray heartily that the word of God may have a free course 2 Thess. 3.1 and tâ—at God would send forth labourers into his Harvest Matth. 9.38 2. The final destruction of Antichrist and destroy him by the brightness of his coming This coming is most likely to be the coming of Christ so often mentioned 2 Thess. 1.7 8. When the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on those that know
In differences between God and Baal Christ and Antichrist few are valiant for the truth Ier. 9.3 And they bend their tongue like their bow for lies but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth for they proceed from evil to evil and they know not me saith the Lord. Contend earnestly Jude 3. It was needful for me to write unto you and to exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the Faith which was once delivered unto the Saints Again 2. There are many sensualists unclean and carnal Gospellers to these God oweth a Judgment Usually the Gospel is removed and given to a Nation that will bring forth the fruits thereof They that use the truth only or principally for their own turns hate to be reformed God will reckon with them Psal. 50.16 17. But unto the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant into thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee 2. Vse shews you indeed that you love the Gospel Carentia remedii is a grievous misery or else Christ had not come as a great Blessing Neglectus remedii is a grievous sin to be lazy in a matter of such moment Those that never set their hearts to obey the truth Crassa negligentia dolus est There should be constant purpose endeavour striving and not cease striving till we in some measure prevail rejectio or contemptio remedii if we put away the word of God from us Acts 13.46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said it was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you but seeing ye puâ— it from you and judge your selves unworthy of everlasting life loe we turn to the Gentiles God will be gone if not from the Land from thy Soul This is the most hainous iniquity of all Heb. 10.28 29. He that despised Moses his Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified aâ— unholy thing and hath done despight unto the Spirit of grace So Esau's despising his Birthright Heb. 12.15 Lest there be any Fornicator or prophane person as Esau who for one morsel of meat sold his Birthright for ye know how that afterwards when he would have inherited the Blessing he was rejected for he found no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with â—ears SERMON IX 2 Thess. 2.11 12. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness WE have considered the sin of those seduced by Antichrist now the Judgment It is twofold 1. Delusion in this World verse 11. 2. Damnation in the next verse 12. 1. Delusion in this World where take notice of three things 1. The Author of it God shall send it 2. The degree or nature of the punishment strong delusion 3. The issue of it that they should believe a lie 2. Their punishment in the next World That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness where take notice 1. Of the terribleness of it it is no less than everlasting damnation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. The Justice and Equity of it They believed not the truth but had pleasure in righteousness 1. I begin with their Judgment in this World For this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie Doct. That by Gods just Judgment there is an infatuation upon the Followers and Abettors of Antichrist that they swallow the grossest errors to their own destruction To clear this I shall speak 1. To the Author 2. The degree or kind of the punishment 3. The effect and issue 1. As to the Author 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here a difficulty ariseth For God is not and cannot be the Author of sin He that is essentially good cannot be the cause of evil And he that is Vltor peccati the avenger of sin cannot be Author peccati the Author of it If he should cause man to sin how will his punishment of it be just I Answ. As it is a sin God hath no hand in it but as it is a punishment of sin God hath to do in it To clear this to you consider 1. He that is the supreme Lord and Governour of his Creatures is also their Judge For Legislation and Judgment belong to the same Authority And therefore God is called sometimes our King and sometimes oâ—r Judge Gen. 18.25 Shall not the Iudge of all the earth do right Rom. 5.6 Is God unâ—ighteous how then shall he judge the World That is his Office and Prerogative 2. Gods way of judging for the present is either external or internal As for instance there are two acts of Judicature Reward and Punishment In rewarding Gods external Government is seen in dispensing outward Blessings to his people as the fruit of their obedience Micah 2.7 Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly His promises speak good and as fulfilled do good yield protection maintenance and such a measure of outward prosperity as supporteth and maintaineth them during their service David owned Gods dealing with him in this sort Psal. 119.56 This I had because I kept thy Precepts So as to his internal Government in giving them peace of Conscience and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Pro. 3.17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace These are the internal rewards of obedience And so also God often rewardeth grace with grace As Isa. 58.13 14. If thoâ— turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thy own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Iacob thy Father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Psal. 31.24 Be of good Courage and he shall strengthen your heart all ye that hope in the Lord. Proficiency in the same grace is a reward of the several acts and exercise of it So in punishing sometimes he useth the way of external Government by the terribâ—e Judgments exercised upon men for the breach of his Law Rom. 1.18 For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness Heb. 2.2 Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward