53 5 7 15.37 13. Ioel 2 20.3.1 3.19 Amos. 1 2. Zach. 2 8. Obad. 10. Mich. 7 10. Zach. 12 6 14 12 10 5. Reu. 18.5 12.13 Deut. 32 41. Mal. 4 3. Ier. 20.11 49 12 Psal 57 6. Thus Absalon persecuting David was himselfe slaine 2 Sam. 18 15. And in the place where Dogs licked the bloud of Naboth the Dogs licked the bloud of Ahab did eate Iezabel by the wall of Iezrael 1 King 21 19 23 1 22 38 1.13 4 2 2 24 2 9 35. Acts 12 23 Dan 6 24 3 22. Gen. 12 17 19 11. Exod. 7 20 8 6.8 17 8 24. 9 6 10 9 24 25 10.13 10.22.12.29 12.33 Esth 7.10.9.10.9.25 Numb 21.3 Therefore fret not thy selfe because of evill dooers neyther bee thou enviâ—us at the workers of iniquitie for they shall soone bee cut downe like the grasse and wither as the greene hearbe Psal 37.1 Ob. But doe you not see how the limbes of Antichrist doe still prevaile against the Church A. The ten hornes vpon the beast which are ten Kings which haue received no kingdome as yet but receiue power as Kings one houre with the beast These haue one mind and shall giue their power and strength vnto the beast These shall make war with the lambe and the lambe shall overcome them for he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings c. And then these ten hornes shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eate her flesh and burne her with fire For God shall put in their hearts to fulfill his will and to agree and giue their Kingdome vnto the Beast vntill the words of God shall be fulfilled Reu. 17.12 c. Q What vse is to be made of these promises A. 1. Therefore O yee cruell persecutours What meane you that yee beate my people to peeces and grind the faces of the poore saith the LORD GOD of Hosts Isa 3 15. Touch not mine anointed and doe my Prophets no harme Pâ—alm 105 15. And refraine from these men and let them alone for your counsell and your workes being of men shall come to nought but this being of God you can not overcome it least happily yee be found even to fight against God Acts 5 38 And let my sonnes goe that they may serue me and if yee wâ—ll refuse to let them goe behold I will slay your Sonnes even your first borne Exod. 4 23. Prou. 22 22. 2 King 19.21 Psal 2 1. 2. Come out of Babylon my people that yee be not partakers of her sinnes and that yee receiue not of her plagues Revel 18 4. 3 Pray saying Arise O Lord let notman prevaile let our enemies be iudged in thy sight put them in feare O Lord that they may know themselues to bee but men Psal 9 19. Fill their faces with shame that they may seeke thy name O Lord. Psal 83 16. Otherwise let them be turned backe and brought to confusion that devise our hurt Let them be as Chaffe before the Wind and let the Angell of the Lord chase them Let their way be darke and slippery and let the Angell of the Lord persecute them Psal 35 4. As smoake is driven away so driue them away as waxe melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of God Psal 68 2. Bring vpon them the day of evill and destroy them with a double destruction Ier. 17.18 For they haue eaten vp Iacob and devowred him and consumed him and haue made his habitation desolate Ier. 10 25. Therefore render vnto them a recompense O Lord according to the worke of their hands Giue them sorrow of heart thy curse vnto them Persecute and destroy them in anger from vnder the Heavens of the Lord Lam. 3 64. Doe vnto them as to the Midianites as to Scisera as to Iabin at the Brooke of Kison which perished at Endor they became as dung for the earth Make their Nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb yea all their Princes as Zeba and Zalmunna who said let vs take to our selues the houses of God in possession O our God make them like a wheele as the stubble before the Wind. As the fire burneth Wood and as the flames set the Mountaines on fire so persecute them with thy tempest and make them afraid with thy storme Let them be confounded and troubled for ever yea let them bee put to shame and perish Psalm 83 9. Psal 68 1 129 5.40 14. Psal 79 10 35 1 45 3 68 1. Iudges 5 31. Q. What are wee to doe when our Persecutors are thus destroyed and wee thereby delivered A. Breake forth into ioy and sing together because the Lord hath comforted his people because he hath redeemed Ierusalem and made bare his holy arme in the eyes of all the Nations Isa 52 9. And sing yee the Song of MOSES the Servant of GOD and the song of the Lambe saying great and maruailous are thy works Lord God Almighty iust and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Who shall not feare thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name For thou onely art holy for all Natâ—ons shall come and worship before thee for thy Iudgements are made manifest Reu. 15 3. And as the Angels of the Waters say vnto God thou art righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast iudged thus even so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy iudgments R u 16 5 Wherefoâ—e we giue thee thankes O Lord God Almighty because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned Reu 11.17 And in the day that I called vpon thee thou saidst feare not O Lord thou hast pleaded the cause of my Soule thou hast redeemed my life Lam. 3 57. Yea many a time haue they afflicted me from my youth yet they haue not prevailed against me The Plowers plowed vpon my backe and made long their furrowes The Lord is righteous he hath cut a sunder the Cords of the wicked I. Psal 129 2. c. 97 10 66 13.14 2 Cor. 1.3 4. Psal 31 23.18 16 9 11. Isa 26.13 Reu. 19 1 c. CHAP. XXIX Of Temptations by evill Examples Ob. WEll haue you satisfied me concerning temptations on the left hand but I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets and her hands are bands Eccl. 7.28 Prou. 23.27 A. Notwithstanding who so pleaseth God shall escape from her Eccles 7 26. For Ioseph hearkened not to his lewd Mâ—stresse Gen. 39.10 Noah also was a iust man and perfect in his generation Gen. 6 9. And Lot being righteous and dwelling among the wicked in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deeds 2 Pet. 2.8 And we know that we are of God when yet the whole World lyeth in wickednesse 1 Ioh. 5 19. Dan. 11.32 Oâ— the contrary the mouth of the strange woman being a deepe Pit he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein Prou. 22 14 And the sinner
7 15. Numb 23 20. Q. What are the reasons of this vnchangeable dealing of God towards his people A. 1. Hee himselfe changeth not Mal. 3 6. He is the first and with the last even the same Isa 41.4 2 IESVS CHRIST also the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13 8. 3 Whom he once loveth he loveth vnto the end Ioh. 13.1 Who is the LORD GOD of your Fathers the God of Abraham the God of Iâ—aac and the God of Iacob this is his name for ever and this is his memoriall vnto all Generations Exod. 3 15. Isay 49 1. 4 The gifts and callings of GOD are â—ithout repentance Rom. 11 29. Q. What would you inferre vpon this â—nchangeablenesse in GOD A. Say not thou what is the cause that the former dayes were better than these for thou dost not enquire wâ—sely concerning this Eccl 7 10. 2 Therefore my beloved brethren bee yee stedfast vnmoueable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord for as much as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord 1 Cor. 15 58. And turne yee not aside for then shall yee goe after vaine things which cannot profit nor deliver you for they are vaine 1 Sam. 12 21. Q. Why Is God able to make his word good A Behold saith GOD I am the Lord the God of all flesh is there any thing too hard for me Ier. 32 27. The Lord of Hosts hath purposed and who shall disanull it And his hand is stretched out and who shall turne it backe Isa 14 27. The voyce of the LORD is powerfull the voyce of the Lord is full of Maiestie the voyce of the Lord breaketh the Cedars yea the Lord breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon Psal 29.4 neither by arme nor strength but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hostes Zach. 4 6. Yea whatsoever the Lord pleased that did hee in Heaven and in Earth and in all deepe places Psal 135 6. And now behold the Lords hand is not shortened that in cannot saue neither is his eare heavie that it cannot heare Isa 59 1. And though it be marveilous in the eyes of the remnant of his people in these dayes shall it also be marveilous in my eyes saith the LORD of hostes Zach. 8 6. Gen. 18 14. Isa 40 26 48 13 50 2 3 43 13. 1 Ioh. 4 4. Mark 10 27. Q. What shall wee then say to these things Rom. 8.31 A. 1 Ascribe yee strength vnto GOD his excellencie is over Israel and his strength is in the Clouds Psal 68 34. 2 Pray saying Thou O GOD who commandest our Strength strengâ—hen O God that which thou hast wrought for vs Psal 68 28. 3 Because I know whatsoever GOD doth it shall be for ever nothing can be put to it nor any thing taken from it Eccles 3 14. If GOD be for vs who can be against vs Rom. 8 13. Therefore against hope beleeue in hope not staggering at the Promise through vnbeliefe c. But bring strong in the Faith let vs giue glory to GOD being fully perswaded that what hee hath promised hee 〈◊〉 able also to performe Râ—m 4 18 20. Eccles 3 14. Psal 62 10 â—1 Gen. 17 1. CHAP. L. The objects of the Promises Q. I Know now that GOD can doe every thing Iob 42 2. What therefore is required at my hands that all things also may bee possible vnto mee A. As thou beleevest so it shall be done vnto thee Math. 8 13. And if thou canst beleeue all things are possible to him that beleeveth Mark 9 23. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that wee through Faith and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Rom. 15 4. And that the blessing of ABRAHAM might come on the Gentiles through IESVS CHRIST that wee might receiue the promise of the Spirit through Faith Gal. 3 14. So then they which hee of Faith are blessed with faithfull ABRAHAM Gal. 3.9 For the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by the Faith of IESVS CHRIST might be given to them that beleeue Gal. 3 22 Blessed therefore is hee that beleeveth for there shall bee a performance of those things which were told him from the LORD Luk. 1 45. Habac. 2 4. 1 Tim. 4 10. Psal 34 8. Hebr. 11 29. Ierem. 17 5. Dan. 6 23. 2 Hold the mysterie of the Faith in a pure Conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 For bodily exercise profiteth little but Godlinesse is profitable vnto all things having the Promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Hee therefore that hath cleane hands and a pure heart who hath not lifted vp his Soule vnto vanitie nor sworne deceitfully hee shall receiue the blessing from the LORD and righteousnesse from the GOD of his Salvation Psalm 24 4. For the Lord GOD is a Sonne and a shield the LORD will giue Grace and Glory and no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walke vprightly Psal 84.11 Know therefore that the LORD thy GOD hee is God the faithfull God which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that loue him and keepe his Commandements to a thousand generations Deut. 7 9. For the righteous LORD loveth Righteousnesse his Countenance doth behold the vpright Psal 11 7. And therefore blessed are they which keepe Iudgement and he that doth Righteousnesse at all times Psal 106 3. 119 1. 73 1. Prou. 12 28.16 7.14 27. Isa 58 13.56 2. Deut. 7 12. 1 King 6 12. Ioh. 13 17. Exod. 39 43. Psal 4 3. Ob. I haue long liued in want notwithstanding all my care and indeauour in the study and practise of Godlinesse Iob 35 3. A. But are there not with you even with you sinnes against the Lord your God 2 Chro. 28 10 For GOD is good and doth good Psal 119 68. And withdraweth not his eyes from the Righteous Iâ—b 36 7. Psal 125 4. O thou therefore that art named the house of IACOB is the spirit of the Lord straitned Are these his doings Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly saith the Lord Micha 2 7 All the pathes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth vnto such as keepe hâ—s Commandements and his testimonies Psal 25 10. To the pure all things are pure but vnto them that are defiled is nothing pure Titus 1 15. For the hand of our GOD is vpon all them for good that seeke him but his power and his wrath is against them that forsake him Ezra 8 22. 2 Chron. 19 11. Q. What vse then are wee to make hereof A. 1 Take heed therefore brethren least there be in any of you an evill heart of vnbeliefe in departing from the living GOD Heb. 3.12 For to whom sware hee that they should not enter into his rest but to them that beleeved not So we see then that they could not enter in because of vnbeliefe Heb. 3 18. Let vs therefore feare least a promise being left vs of entring into his rest
Christ being come in the flesh A. 1. Herein behold your happinesse aboue many who doe see and heare of these things for verily I say vnto you that many Prophets and righteous men haue desired to see those things which you see and haue not seene them and to heare those things which yee heare and haue not heard them Mat. 13.16.17 2 According to the voyce of one crying in the wildernesse Prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straigth Mark 1.3 in the desert an high way for our God Isa 40.3 3 Reioyce greatly O daughter of Zion shoute O daughter of Ierusalem behold thy King commeth vnto thee Zech. 9.9 and cry saying Hosanna to the son of Dauid Blessed is hee that commeth in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest heauens Mat. 21.9 And Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel for hee hath visited and redeemed his people and he hath raised vp a horne of saluation for vs in the house of his seruant Dauid as he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which haue beene since the world beganne Luke 1.68 c. Luke 1.54 55 46 47. Mat. 23.39 Mar. 11.10 4 Oh Zion that bringest good tidings get thee vp into the high mountaines of Ierusalem that bringest good tidings lift vp thy voyce be not afraide say vnto the Cities of Iudah behold your God Isa 52.7 and to the daughters of Zion behold thy saluation is come behold his reward is with him and his worke before him Isa 62.11 5 Then if any man shall say vnto you Lo heere is Christ or lo there beleeue it not For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceiue the very Elect. Behold I haue told you before wherefore if they shall say vnto you Behold he is in the desert goe not forth behold hee is in the secret chambers beleeue it not c. Mat. 24.23 c. Ob. If these tydings be so good why is Christ said to be a stumbling-blocke and a rocke of offence to both the houses of Israel Isa 8.14 A. Vnto you which beleeue hee is precious onely vnto them which be disobedient the stone which the builders disallowed the same is made the head of the corner And iâ— stone of stumbling and a rocke of offence euen to them that stumble at the Word being disobedient whereunto also they werâ— appoynted 1 Pet 2.7.8 Isa 59.20 CHAP. IIII. Vnion with CHRIST Q. VVHat interest haue belieuers in Christ thus promised and exhibited A. Christ is wholly ours for heâ— came vnto his owne Ioh. 1.11 And vntâ— vs a Sonne is borne and vnto vs a childâ—â—â—â—iuen Isa 9.6 Q. By what meanes came Christ to bee ours A. By being vnited vnto him for we are in him that is true euen in the Sonne of God Iesus Christ 1 Ioh. 5.20 For saith hee Father I will that they may be one as thou O Father art in mee and I in thee that they may be one in vs I in them and thou in mee that they may bee made perfect in one Ioh. 17.21 23. He therefore that is ioyned to the Lord is one spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 for in the dispensation of the fulnes of times he doth gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heauen and which are in earth euen in him Ephes 1.10 Ioh. 14.20.17.11 Q. By what similitudes doth the Scripture set out this our vnion with Christ A. They are many 1 Of a building For thus saith the Lord Behold I lay in Zion a stone a tryed stone a precious corner stone a sure foundation Isa 28.16 And other foundation can no man laie then that which is laid which is Iesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth vnto an holy Temple in the Lord Ephes 2.21 2 Of house and inhabitants Christ as a sonne is ouer his own house whose house are we Heb. 3.7 In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit Eph. 2.22 who dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 3.16 and maketh his aboade with you Iohn 14.23.6.56 1 Cor. 6.19 3 Of consanguinity For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified being all one hee is not ashamed to call them brethren Heb. 2.11 But doth professe that whosoeuer doth the will of God is his brother sister and mother Mark 3.35 4 Of husband and wife vnto whom we are betrothed and espowsed Hos 2.19 20 2 Cor. 11.2 euen as the bride-grome to the bride Ioh. 3.29 whereby our maker is become our husband Isa 54.5 And is the head of his Church as the husband is the head of his wife Eph. 5.23 5 Of head and members Hee is the head of the body the Church Col. 1.18 and we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones Eph. 5.30 for as the body is one hath many members all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ 1 Cor. 12.12 Know ye not therefore that your bodies are the members of Christ 1 Cor. 6.15 Ephes 1.22 23. Collos 1.24 Rom. 12.4 5. 6 Of the vine and branches Whereof Christ is the vine and we are the branches Iohn 15.5 Q. What may this our Vnion with Christ teach A. To examine and to prooue your owne selues Kow yee not your owne selues how that Iesus Christ is in you except yee be reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Q. Lay me down some marks wherby our vnion with Christ may be known A. 1 Because Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith Ephes 3.17 Therefore examine your selues whether you bee in the faith 2 Cor. 13.5 2 Heereby we know that hee abideth in vs by the Spirit which he hath giuen vs. 1 Iohn 3.24 But if any man haue not the spirit of Christ the same is not his Rom. 8.9 1 Ioh. 4.13 3. Whosoeuer shall confesse that Iesus is the Sonne of God dwelleth in him and he in God 1 Ioh. 4.15 4. By this shall all men know that you are his Disciples if yee haue loue one to another Ioh. 13. â—5 God is loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God God in him 1 Ioh. 4.16.1.4.11 12 1.2.9.10 5. Whosoeuer abideth in him sinneth not whosoeuer sinneth hath not seene him nor knowne him 1 Ioh. 3.6 But he that keepeth the commandements dwelleth in him and he in him 1 Ioh. 3.24 Ioh. 15.5.6 13.18 Gal. 5.24 Q. What if vpon due examination I doe find my selfe to be out of Christ A. For this cause bow your knees vnto the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory c. that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that you beeing rooted and grounded in loue may be able to comprehend with al Saints what is the bredth length and depth and height to know the loue of Christ which passeth knowledge that
4.67.8 Ob. This blessednesse might belong to Abraham and such as hee was but not vnto mee and such as I am A. It was not written for his sake alone that it was not imputed but vnto vs also to whom it shall not be imputed if wee beleeue on him that raised vp Iesus our Lord from the dead Rom. 4.23 1 Tim. 1.16 Ob. Many alas are the duties I might haue performed which I haue foolishly omitted A. He will not reproue thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings to haue beene continually before him Psalm 50.8 Ob. Multitudes of actuall transgressions also haue I committed some of ignorance or without obseruation many whereof are out of minde and forgotten A. Who can vnderstand hts errours Therefore say vnto God Cleanse thou mee from my secret faults Psalm 19.12 For as the high priest vnder the Law went alone once euery yeere not without blood which he offered for himselfe and for the errours of the people Hebr. 9.7 Leu. 4.2 c. 5.15 c. So CHRIST Iesus by his owne blood entred into the holy place hauing obtained eternall redemption for vs Hebr. 9.12 Acts 3.17.19 1 Tim. 1.13 Luke 7.47 Psalme 78.40.41 Acts 13.18 Psal 78 38.39 Ob. But I haue sinned also of knowledge yea presumptuously and with an high hand A. Come now let vs reason together saith the LORD though your sinnes be as scarlet they shall bee as white as snow though they bee red like crimson they shall bee as wooll Isai 1.18 For verily I say vnto you all manner of sinnes and blasphemies shall be forgiuen vnto men Math. 12.31 Leu. 5.13.6.5.6.7 Leu. 19.20 c. Luk. 7.47 2 Chro. 33.9 c. 1 Tim. 1.3 Act. 9.1.26.9 c. 1 Tim. 1.13 15 Micah 7.18.19 Deut. 9.19 Luk. 15.13 Ob. But I haue long liued in the practise of these horrible wickednesses A. As the Labourer working but one houre had his penny Mat. 20.8 And the thiefe on the Crosse his paradise Luke 23.43 So when the wicked man turneth away from his wickednesse that hee hath committed and doeth that which is lawfull and right he shall saue his soule aliue Because hee considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions that hee hath committed hee shall surely liue hee shall not dye Ezekiel 18.27.28 Ob. Whatsoeuer you can say to the contrary my owne conscience tels me that I am no better then a condemned man A. As for the wickednesse of the wicked he shall not fall thereby in the day that hee turneth from his wickednesse Ezechiel 33.12 For when God saith vnto thee Thou shalt surely dye if thou turne from thy sinne and doe that which is lawfull and right c. thou shalt surely liue thou shalt not die c. Ezek. 33 14.15.19 Q. If the Lord should pardon vs many thousands of times yet shall wee continue to prouoke him still A. My little children these things I write vnto you that you sinne not And if any man doe sinne wee haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and hee is the propitiation for all our sinnes 1 Ioh. 2.2 For whose sake the Lord is slow to anger and plentifull in mercy Psal 103.8 Long suffering abounding in goodnesse and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiuing iniquity transgression and sinne Exod. 34 6. Yea for his names sake will he deferre his anger and for his praise will he refraine from thee that hee cut thee not off Isa 48.9 Psal 40.11 12 86 5 Neh. 9.26 c. Ob. There is no man liuing that will forgiue after this manner how then should I in the conscience of so much guiltinesse dare to looke God in the face A. Gods thoughts are not as your thougths neyther are his wayes your wayes For as the heauens are higher then the earth so are his wayes higher then your wayes and his thoughts then your thoughts Isa 55.7 8 9. For you say if a man put away his wife and she goe from him and become another mans shall he returne vnto her againe shall not the Land be greatly polluted Notwithstanding though thou hast played the harlot with many louers yet returne againe vnto mee saith the Lord Ierem. 3.1 Ob. But besides my sinne and guiltinesse my very righteousnesses are but as filthy ragges Isa 64.6 A. Christ Iesus he was holy harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners Heb. 7.26 And is the end of the Law for righteousnesse vnto euery one that beleeueth Rom. 10.4 For which cause this is the name by which he was called The Lord our righteounesse Ier. 33.6 Math. 3.15 Cant. 1.5 Zech. 3.3 4. Ob. But the Law seemes to impose a curse vpon those that performe not as well personall as perfect obedience vnto the same Deut. 27.26 A. The Law is not made for a righteou◠man but for the Lawlesse and disobedient For the vngodly and prophane for murtherers of fathers for murtherers of mothers for man-slayers for them that defile themselues with mankind for man-stealers for lyars for periured persons and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound Doctrine 1 Tim. 1.9 Q. These things were good indeed if my heart could be drawne to beleeue them A. Christ Iesus beeing ascended vp vnto the Father will send the Comforter vnto you And when he is come he will conuince you of righteousnesse and that vpon this ground Because he goeth vnto the Father and you shalt see him no more Ioh. 16.7 Q. What is our worke wee haue to doe for the furthering and procuring of our owne iustification A. This is the worke of God that yee beleeue on him whom hee hath sent Ioh. 6.29 And the iust shall liue by faith Hab. 2.4 For what saith the Scripture Abraham beleeued GOD and it was accounted vnto him for righteousnesse Rom. 4.3 Galathians 3.6.8 Iames 2.23 Rom. 3.21.22 For the Scripture foreseeing that GOD would iustifie the Gentiles through faith preached before the Gospell vnto Abraham saying In thee shall all the Gentiles being in themselues full of all vnrighteousnesse Rom. 1.29 be blessed Gal. 3.8 Ob. But was not Abraham our Father iustified by workes when hee had offered Isaac his Sonne vpon the Altar Iames 2.21 And will you heerein so include faith as wholly to exclude workes Iames 2.24 A. By workes Abraham was manifested but not made iust Iames 2.18 Moreouer that no man is iustified by the Law it is euident for the iust shall liue by Faith Galathians 3.11 And when wee were yet of no strength CHRIST dyed for the vngodly Romanes 5.6 to declare at this time his righteousnesse that he might be iust an◠a iustifier of him which beleeueth in Iesu◠Rom. 3.26 By whom all that beleeu◠are iustified from all things from whic◠they could not bee iustified by the Law 〈◊〉 Moses Acts 13.39 And to him tha◠worketh not but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is accounte◠vnto him for righteousnesse Rom. 4.5 Moreouer the Law is weake through th◠flesh Rom. 8.3 And all hauing sinnes
Abrahams seede and heyres according to promise Gal. 3.29 Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children but in Isaac shall thy seed be called that is they which are the children of the flesh they are not the children of God but the children of the promise are counted for the seede Rom. 9.7 Now wee brethren as Isaac was are the children of promise Gal. 4.28.3.7 1 Pet. 3.6.1.2.10 Luk. 19.9 Mat. 3.9 Ioh. 8.39.47 Hos 1.10.2.23 Isa 65.1 Ob. This priuiledge may concerne some great personages of the Gentiles but not such abiect and dispised persons as I am A. Hearken my beloued brethren hath not God chosen the poore of this world rich in faith and heires of the Kingdome which he hath promised to them that loue him Iames 2.5 For you see your calling how that not many wise men after the flesh nor many mighty nor many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of the world confound the things that are mighty aâ— base things of the world and things whâ— are despised hath God chosen yea thiâ— which are not to bring to nought thiâ— that are that no flesh should glory in presence 1 Cor. 1.26 Isa 66.2 Ob. If I could doe some thing woâ—thy of such a reward there were thâ— some hope A. God hath called vs not according workes but according to his own purpose aâ— grace whieh was giuen vs in Christ Iesâ—â— before the world began 2 Tim. 1.9 For 〈◊〉 promise made to Abraham that he shoâ— be the heyre of the world was not to â—braham and his seed through the Law 〈◊〉 through the righteousnesse of faith For they which are of the Law be heires faith made voyd the promise made of none â—fect Ro. 4.13.11.5 Luk. 17.7 Tit. 3.3 Ob. Notwithstanding it will not oâ— of my minde but that it is my well dâ—ing if at all that must enter mee in this estate A. This perswasion commeth not of him that calleth you Gal. 5.8 For God sent foorth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that are vnder the Law that we might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Gal. 4.4.5 And therefore tell me you that desire to be vnder the Law doe you not heare the Law For it is written Cast out the bondwoman and her sonne for the sonne of the bondwoman shall not be heyre with the sonne of the freewoman Gal. 4.21 Gen. 21.10 Q. How comes it then to passe that wee miserable creatures should be so highly exalted A. We haue not chosen him but he hath chosen vs Ioh. 15.16 And hath predestinated vs vnto the adoption of children by Iesus Christ to himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will Ephes 1.5.11 For behold the heauen and the heauen of heauen is the Lords the earth also with all things that therein is Only the Lord hath a delight in vs hath chosen vs aboue al people as it is this day Deu. 10.14 Isa 60.21 Rom. 11.5 Ob. Can it bee imagined that meâ— instamped with the diuels image should become the children of God A No For there are also giuen vnto vs great and precious promises that 〈◊〉 these ye might be partakers of the diuine nâ—ture hauing escaped the corruption that 〈◊〉 in the world through lust 2 Pet. 1.4 Wherby we haue put off the old man witâ— his deeds and haue put on the new maâ— which is renewed in knowledge after thâ— image of him that created vs Col. 3.9 Anâ— are changed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 Q. What are the causes by which this Image of God is wrought in vs A. 1 Principall efficient the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3 18. For we are borne not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Ioh. 1.13 That which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the Spirit is Spirit Ioh. 3.6.8 Tit. 3.5 2 Instrumentall the word For of his owne will begat hee vs with the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures Iames 1.18 Being borne againe not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liueth and abideth for euer 1 Pet. 1.23 3 Ministring the Preachers who do beget vs by the Gospell 1 Corinth 4.15 And doe trauell in birth vntill Christ bee formed in vs Gal. 4.19 Isa 66.8 1 Cor. 9.1.2 Q. How may we know our selues to haue this image and so to be the children of God A. By these markes wee know that we are of God when yet the whole world lyeth in wickednesse 1 Ioh. 5.19 1 God himselfe hath sealed vs and hath giuen the earnest of the spirit in our hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 which spirit beareth witnesse with our spirits that wee are the children of God Rom. 8.16 2 Hee that beleeueth on the Sonne hath the witnesse in himselfe that hee is borne of God 1 Ioh. 5.10.5.1 3 He that is of God heareth Gods word Iohn 8.47 And as new borne babes doâ— desire that sincere milke of the Word thaâ— he may grow thereby 1 Peter 2.2 4 If you know that hee is righteous you know euery one that doth righteousnesse iâ— borne of him 1 Iohn 2.29 And being new borne hee doth not commit sinne because his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sinne because hee is borne of God In thiâ— therefore are the children of God knowne and the children of the diuell whosoeuer doth not righteously is not of God 1 Ioh. 3.9.3 Epist 11 Rom. 8.14 5 Loue is of God and euery one that loueth is borne of God and knoweth God 1 Iohn 4.7 6 Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God Mat. 5.9 But if you haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts glory not and lye not against the truth Iames 3.14 For your spot is not the spot of his children they that are such are a crooked and peruerse generation Deut. 32.5 Hosea 1.9 Deut. 32.32 33. Iohn 8.44 Isa 57.3 Q. What may this priuiledge of being the children if God teach vs A. 1 To pray that the eyes of your vnderstanding being inlightned ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance is in the Saints and what is the exceding greatnesse of his power to vsward who beleeue according to the working of his mighty power Ephes 1.18 2 To call no man your father on earth for one is your father in heauen Math. 23.9 But be yee followers of God as deare children For yee were once darknesse now are yee light in the Lord walke as children of the light Ephes 5.1.8 And let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heauen Math. 5.16 Mal. 1.6 1 Pet. 1.17 Ephes 4.30 3 To
the Word of the Lord tryed him Psal 105 17. And a sword shall pierce through thine owne soule also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed Luk. 2.35 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy GOD led thee these 40. yeares in the Wildernesse to proue thee and to know what was in thine heart whether thou wouldest keepe his Commandements or no Deut 8 2. Gen. 22 1. Gal. 6 17. Reu. 2 10. 1. Pet. 1 7. Iob 23 10. 5 To make vs conformable vnto CHRIST That wee may know him and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable to his Death Phil. 3 10. For wee all are weake in him 2. Cor. 13.4 Filling vp that which is behind of the afflictions of CHRIST in our flesh for his bodies sake which is the Church Col. 1.24 Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the World 1. Pet. 5.9 6 That wee may escape the Iudgements of the wicked When wee are iudged wee are chastened of the Lord that wee should not bee condemned with the World 1. Cor. 11 32. IOSEPH was sent before into Egypt to preserue life Gen. 45 5 7 IOSIA was gathered to his Fathers and to his Graue in peace that hee might not see all the evill that was to â—â—me 2. Chro. 34.28 Blessed â—herefore 〈◊〉 the Man whom GOD chasteneth and â—eacheth him out of his Law that he may giue him rest from the dayes of adversitie vntill the pit bee digged for the Wicked Psal 94 12. Exod. 23.28 c. 7 To further vs vnto Saluation For ought not CHRIST to suffer these things and to enter into his Glory Luk. 24.26 And if wee suffer wee shall also raigne with him 2. Tim. 2 12. For our light Affliction which is but for a moment worketh for vs a farre more exceeding and Eternall weight of Glorie 2. Cor. 4 17. Though now for a season if need bee wee are in heavinesse through manifold Temptations that the tryall of our Faith beeing much more precious then Gold that perisheth though it bee tryed with fire might be found vnto praise and honourâ— and glorie at the appearing of IESVS CHRIST 1. Pet. 1.6 Confirme therefore the soules of the Disciples and exhort them to continue in the Faith and that wee must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdome of GOD Acts 14.22 Phil. 2 8. Luk. 23.40 8 That we may the better esteeme of Prosperity My wrath saith GOD shalâ— not bee powred out vpon Ierusalem by the hand of SHISHAKE Neverthelesse they shall be his servants that they may know my service and the service of the Kingdomes of the Countries 2. Chro. 12.7 8. 9 That wee may comfort others For whether wee be afflicted it is for your consolation which is effectuall in the induring of the same sufferings which wee also suffer or whether we bee comforted it is for your consolation and salvation 2. Cor. 1.6 Heb. 4.15 10 For examples sake to the wicked Because saith GOD they haue prophaned my Name among the Heathen whether they went I will sanctifie my great name which was prophaned among the Heathen which they haue prophaned in the middest â—f them and the Heathen shall know that I â—im the LORD saith the Lord God when I shall bee sanctified in them before their eyes Ezek. 36.22 For I will set my Glory among the Heathen and all the heathen shall see my Iudgement that I haue executed and my hand that I haue layd vpon them c. And the Heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into Captivitie for their Iniquitie because they trespassed against me and therefore hid I my face from them and gaue them into the hand of their Enemies Ezek. 39.21.23 Q I know now that GODS Iudgements are right and that hee in faithfulnesse doth afflict vs Psal 119.75 But what moderation doth hee obserue in the same A. Hee will not lay vpon man more than is right that hee should enter into iudgement with GOD Iob 34.23 Neither hath hee dealt with vs after our sinnes nor rewarded vs according to our Iniquities Psal 103 10. But exacteth of vs lesse than our iniquities deserue Iob 11 6. Ob. Though our Afflictions bee not according to our Sinnes yet may they presse vs beyond our strength Iob 6.12 A. Through the Lords mercies wee shall not bee consumed because his compassions faile not Lam. 3 22. Wee are troubled indeed on every side but not in distresse wee are perplexed but not in dispaire persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but not destroyed 2. Cor. 4 8. As vnknowne and yet well knowne as dying and behold wee liue as chastened but not killed as sorrowing and yet alwayes reioycing as poore and yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things 2. Cor. 6.9 And though wee fall wee shall not vtterly bee cast downe for the LORD vpholdeth vs with his hand Psal 37 24. Neither will hee execute the fiercenesse of his anger hee will not returne to destroy Ephraim for hee is GOD and not Man the holy One of Israel in the middest of them Hos 11 9. Whereby vnto the vpright there ariseth light in darknesse Psal 112.4 And when I said my foot slippeth his Mercy held mee vp In the multitude of my thoughts within mee his comforts delight my Soule Psal 94 18. No man putteth a peece of new cloath vnto an old Garment for that which is put in to fill it vp taketh from the garment and the rent is made worse neither doe men put new Wine into old bottles else the bottles breake and the Wine runneth out and the bottles perish but they put new wine into new bottles and so both are preserved Math. 9 16. And will GOD plead against thee with his power No hee would put strength in thee Iob 23 6. and strengthen thee with strength in thy soule Psal 138.3 55.22 34.20 Isa 27 8 28 27 28 29 43 2 3. Exod. 3 2. Numb 11 11. c. Ionah 1 17. Amos 9 8. Ier. 10 24. Ob. Notwithstanding this moderation if God should bee alwayes wroth the Spirit should faile before â—im and the soules which hee hath made Isa 57.16 A. The Lord will not cast off for ever but though hee cause griefe yet will hee haue compassion according to the multitude of his mercies Lam. 3.31 And though the Afflictions of the righteous bee many yet the Lord will deliuer them out of them all Psal 34.19 The Lord vpholdeth all that fall and raiseth vp all those that are bowed downe Psal 145.14 Wherby they shal forget their misery and remember it as waters that passe away Iob. 11.16 And it shall come to passe that as he hath watched over them to plucke vp and to breake downe to destroy and to afflict so will hee watch over them to build and to plant saith the Lord. Ier. 31.28 who deliuereth vs from so great a death ond doth deliuer vs. In whom we trust that hee will yet
Ioh. 14.16 Whereby our hope of you is stedfast knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings so shall you be also of the Consolation 2 Cor. 1 7. And therefore thinke it not strange concerning the fierie tryall which is to try you as if some strange thing hapned vnto you 1 Pet. 4.12 But rather glory in tribulation Rom. 5 3. As well as others who were stoned who were sawne asunder who were tempted who were slaine with the Sword and otherwise tortured and yet not accepting deliuerance that they might obtaine a better resurrection Heb. 11 35 37. So that we our selues gloried in the Churches of GOD for the faith and patience of such in all their persecutions and tribulations which they endured 2 Thes 1 4. Mâ—th 10 28. Luk. 17 33. Dan. 3.16 Ob. If my torments should be as long as violent I shall shrinke vnder them A. The rod of the wicked shall not rest vpon the lot of the Righteous least the righteous put forth his hand vnto wickednesse â— Ps l 125,3 For except those dayes should be shortned there should no flesh be saved but for the elects sake those dayes shall be shortned Math. 24 22. For yet a very little while and the indignation shall cease and mine anger in theyr destruction Isa 10 25. 2 Tim. 3.9 2 4.17 Q. When deliverance comes shall the same last and continue A. For the oppression of the poore for the sighing of the needie now will I arise saith the Lord I will set him in safetie from him that puffeth at him Psal 12.5 And then there shall bee no more a pricking briar vnto the house of Israel nor any grieving thorne of all that are round about them that despised them and they shall know that I am the Lord Ezek. 28 24. Therefore heare now this thou afflicted and drunken but not with the Wine thus saith thy Lord the LORD and thy GOD that pleadeth the cause of his people behold I will take out of thine hand the Cup of trembling even the Cup of the Dregs of my fâ—ry thou shalt no more drinke it againe but I will put it into the hands of them that afflict thee which haue said to thy soule bow downe that we may goe over and thou hast layd thy body as the ground and as the street to them that went over Isa 51 21 c. Q. What may these comfortable promises concerning the persecution of the Saints teach A. To indure hardnesse as a good Souldier of IESVS CHRIST 2 Tim. 2 3. And be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospell according to the power of GOD 2. Tim. 1 8. And in nothing be terrified by your Adversaries which is to them an evident token of perdition but to you of Salvation and that of GOD Phil. 1 28. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence Tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with vs when the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels 2 Thes 1 6. Wherefore reioyce in as much as you are made partakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed you may be glad also with exceeding ioy 1. Peâ— 4.13 For when you are tryed you shall receiue the Crowne of life which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him Iam. 1 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things Neverthelesse I am not shamed for I know whom I haue beleeved and I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that which I haue committed vnto him against that day 2. Tim. 1.12 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of GOD commit the keeping of their soules to him in well doing as vnto a faithfull creator 1 Pet. 4.19 Reu. 20.6 7.13 Luk. 12 6. 1 Sam. 23.16.1.30.6 Act 14 22. 2 Pray saying O God the proud are risen against vs and the assembly of wicked men haue sought after our soule and haue not set thee before them Psal 86 14 Haue a respect vnto the couenant for the darke places of the earth are full of the habitation of cruelty Psal 74 20. Heare vs O Lord our GOD lighten our eyes least wee sleepe the sleepe of death Psal 13 3. Arise O LORD lift vp thy selfe because of the rage of our Enemies awake for vs to the iudgement thou hast commanded â— Psal 7 6. Psal 17 7 17 12 7 1 119 122 140 4 25 19. Lam. 3 47 c. Attend vnto our cry for wee are brought very low deliver vs from our persecutors for they are stronger than wee Psal 142 6 Consider our enemies for they are many Psal 25.19 Giue vs helpe in trouble for vaine is the helpe of man Psal 108 12 8 6 56 1. Psal 74 20. 2 Chron. 20 6 12. Act â—4 26. Our enemiâ—â— haue now compassed vs in our steps they haue set their eyes bowing downe to the earth Psal 17 1â— They haue hid a snare for vs and cords they haue spread a net by the way side they haue set grinnes for vs Psal 140 5. Rid and deliver vs from the hands of strange children whose mouthes speake vanity and their right hand is a right hand of falshood Psal 144 11 83 5 74 20. Wee haue done Iudgement and Iustice leaue vs not to our oppressors Psal 119.121 For they haue digged a Pit for vs which is not after thy Law Psalm 119 85 Let integritie and vprightnesse preserue vs for wee waite on thee Psal 25 21. O let the wickednesse of the wicked come to an end but establish the iust 〈◊〉 the righteous GOD tryeth the heart â—â—d the reynes Psal 7.9 Shall the 〈◊〉 one of iniquity haue fellowship with thee â—uch frameth mischiefe by a Law Psal â—4 20. Let none that waite on thee â—â—t ashamed but let them bee ashamed â—hich transgresse without cause Psal 5 3 119 6.35 23.43 1 7 3. Lam. â— 59. Thy Citie and thy people are called by â—y name Daâ— 9 19. Wee are thine â—ou never barest rule over them they â—re not called by thy name Isa 63 19. â—t now O Lord thou art our Father wee â—t the clay and thou art our Potter and we â—e all the worke of thine hand Bee not â— o th very sore O Lord neither rememâ—â—r iniquities for ever Behold see wee â—eseech thee we are all thy people Isa â—4 8. Why doth thine anger smoke aâ—ainst the Sheepe of thy pasture Rememâ—er thy Congregation which thou hast purâ—hased of old the rod of thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed this is mount Zion wherein thou hast dwelt Psal 74.1 O deliuer not the soule of thy turtle do vâ— vnto the multitude of the wicked forgeâ— not the congregation of the poore for ever Haue respect vnto the covenant Psal 74 19. Abba father all things are possible tâ— to thee Mark 14.36 2. Thes 3.2 Ier. 14.9 21. Dan. 9.17 Psal 79.10.13 Deut. 9.26 Psal 86.16 Ioel 2.17 Psal 74.20
Neh 1.10 Thy holy Cities are a wildernesse Zion is a wildernesse Ierusalem a desolation Our holy and our beautifull house wherâ— our Fathers praised thee is burned vp witâ— fire and all our pleasaâ—t things are laid wast Wilt thou refraine thy selfe for these things O Lord Wilt thou hold thy peace and afflict vs very sore Isa 64 10. know that for thy sake wee haue suffered rebuke Ier. 15.15 Arise O God pleade thine owne cause remember how the foolish men reproach thee daily Forget not the voyce of thine Enemies the tumult of those that rise vp against thee increaseth continually Psal 74.22.74.7.8.83.12 Ios 7.8 O Lord though our iniquities testifie aâ—â—inst vs doe thou it for thy names sake 〈◊〉 our backslidings are many we haue sinâ—ed against thee Ier. 14.7 Yet doe not â—â—horre vs for thy names sake doe not disâ—race the throne of thy glory Ier. 14.21 â—et thy worke appeare vnto thy seruants â—â—d thy glory vnto their children Psal 90. â—6 Let our mouthes bee filled with thy â—aise and with thy honour all the day Psal 71 8. That men may know that thou â—hose name alone is Iehovah art the most â—igh over all the earth Psal 83.18.106 â—7 22.25.79.13.9.13.43.4.22.22.74 â—â— Deut. 9.26 Bring our soules out of prison that wee â—ay praise thy name the righteous shall â—mpasse vs about because thou hast dealt â—â—untifully with vs. Psal 142.7 And 〈◊〉 men shall feare and declare the workes â—f God for they shall wisely consider thy â—oings The righteous shall bee glad in â—he LORD and shall trust in thee all the vpright in heart shall glory Psal 64. â— Let not them that waite on thee O Lord GOD of hosts be ashamed for ouâ— sakes let not those that seeke thee be coâ—founded for our sakes O God of ISRAEL Because for thy sake wee haue bornâ— reproch shame hath couered our faces Psâ—l 69.6 Ah Lord God behold thou hast made thâ— heauen the earth by thy great power anâ— stretched out arme and there is nothing tâ— hard for thee Thou shewest louing kindnesse vnto thousands c. the great thâ— mightie God the Lord of hosts is his name great in counsell and mighty in worke Ier. 32.17 And is thy hand shortned that it cannot helpe or is thy eare heauy that thou canst not heare Isa 59.1 Thou O Lord remainest for euer thy throne is from generation to generation Wherefore doest thou forget vs for euer and forsakest vs so long time Lâ—m. 5.19 why shouldest thou be as a man astonished As a mighty man that cannot saue Ier. 14.9 For thou art the God of our strength why doest thou cast vs off Why goe wee mourning because of the oppressions of the Enemie Psal 43.2 Our Fathers trusted in thee they truâ—ed and thou diddest deliuer them they â—yed vnto thee and were deliuered 〈◊〉 trusted in thee and were not conâ—unded But I am a worme and no â—â—n a reproach of men and despised â—f the people Psal 22.4 Thou hast also â—rought thy people out of the land of AEGYPT with a mighty hand and hast gotâ—â—n thee renowne Dan. 9.15 Lord where â—â—e thy former louing kindnesses which thou diddest sweare vnto DAVID in truth Psal 89.49 Thou diddest make me hope when I was vpon my mothers breasts I was â—â—st vpon thee from the wombe thou art â—y GOD from my Mothers belly be not farre from vs for trouble is neere and â—here is none to helpe Ps 22.9.71.5 Cast vs not off in the time of old age forsake vs not when our strength faileth Psâ—l 71.9 22.20 Isa 33 2. Ier. 32 21.14 8. Isa 51 9. 2 Chron. 20 6 12. Psalm 22 21. Exod. 32 11. Remember Lord the reproches of thy servants how we doe beare in our bosome the reproches of all the mighty people wherewith thine Enemies haue reproached O Lord wherewith they haue reproached the footsteps of thine anoynted Psal 89.50 Grant not O Lord the desires of the wicked further not their wicked deuices least they exalt themselues Psal 140.8 And let them not reioyce over vs let them not say in their heart ah so would we haue it let them not say wee haue swallowed them vp Psal 35.24 35.19 25.1.2.13.4.36 11.86 17. Lam. 5.1 Deut. 9 26. Psal 79.10 Exo. 32.12 Ioel 2.17 Psal 68.3 O satisfie vs early with thy mercy that we may reioyce and bee glad all our dayes Make vs glad according to the dayes wherein thou hast afflicted vs and the yeeres wherein we haue seene evill Psal 90.14.15 O that the saluation of ISRAEL were come out of Zion When the Lord bringeth backe the captivity of his people IACOB shall reioyce and ISRAEL shall bee glad Psal 14.7.43.3.83.3.86.17.40 10. But thou hast couered thy selfe with a Cloud that our Prayers shall not passe through Lam. 3 44. Thou hast vtterâ—y reiected vs thou art very wroth against it Lam. 5 22. Awake why sleepest thou O LORD Arise cast vs not off for ever wherefore hidest thou thy face and forgettest our afflictâ—on and our opâ—ression Psaâ— 44 23. Hast thou vtterly reiected Iudaâ— Hath thy soule loathed Zion Why hast thou smitten vs and there is no healing for vs We looke for peace and there is no good and for the time of healing and behold trouble Ier. 14 19. O thou sword of the LORD how long will it bee ere thou bee quiet Put vp thy selfe into the scabberd rest and be still How can it bee quiet seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Zion there hath hee appointed it Ier. 47 6. Now therefore our GOD the great the mighty and the terrible GOD who keepest Covenant and mercy let not all the trouble seeme little before thee that hath come vpon vs. Neh. 9.32 But redeeme Israel O God out of all his troubles Psal 25 22 40 1 40 17. Ier. 15 18. Psal 119 84.119 123.89 46.13 1.80 4 74 9.22 1. Q. When God giueth deliuerance vnto his Church what shall become of their cruell persecutors A. When the Lord hath performed his whole worke vpon mount Zion and on Ierusalem I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high lookes Isa 10.12 They that hate thee shall be cloathed with shame and their dwelling places shall come to nought Iob 8.22 and perish the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of Lambes they shall consume into smoake shall they consume away Psal 37 20. They that devoure thee shall be devoured they that spoyle thee shall be spoiled and they that pray vpon thee I will giue for a pray Ier. 30.16 As they haue shed the blood of Saints and Prophets so they shall haue blood to drinke for they are worthy Reuel 16 6. For the Lord will plead the cause of his Servants and spoile the Soule of those that spoiled them Prou. 22 23. So that the wicked shall be a ransome for the righteous and the transgressors for the vpright Prou. 21 18. Isa 33 1.49 26.51.23 Numb 24 8. Psal
that yee may command them vnto your Children that they may obserue and doe all the words of this Law For it is no vaine word concerning you but it is your life by this word yee shall prolong your dayes Deut. 32 46 47 4 40.6 1 2 16.20 Q. Why doth God for the sinnes of his owne Children shorten theyr dayes also A. Yea for Moses because hee trespassed against the LORD died in the Mount Nebo Deut 32 50 For this cause also many of the Corinthians were weake and sicke and falne asleepe 1 Cor. 11 30. 1 Sam. 2 30 31. But yet when they are thus iudged they are chastened of the Lord that they should not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11 32. And be taken away from the evill to come Isa 57 1. For Iosia was gathered to his Fathers in peace that his eyes might not see all the evill that was to come vpon the Nation of the Iewes 2 Chron. 34 27. CHAP. XXXVIII Of preservation from Dangers Ob. THough my dayes vpon earth should bee many yet the many dangers attending them will make my life without comfort A. Who so hearkeneth vnto me shall dwell safely and shall bee quiet from the feare of evill Pro. 1.33 Remember I pray thee who euer perished being innocent or where were the righteous cut off Iob. 4.7 The humble person shall deliuer the Iland of the innocents and it is deliuered by the purenesse of thine hands Iob. 22.30 Whereby thou shalt walke in thy way safely and thy foote shall not stumble when thou lyest downe thou shalt not be afraid yea thou shalt lye downe and thy sleepe shall bee sweet Prou. 3 23. Surely thou shalt not be moued for euer Thou shalt not be afraid of evill tidings thy heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Thy heart is established thou shalt not be afraid Psal 112 6. But shalt bee as Mount Zion which cannot bee removed but abideth for ever As the Mountaines are round about Ierusalem so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever Psal 125.1 Therefore hearken vnto me O house of Iacob and all the remnants of the house of Israel which are borne by me from the belly which are carryed from the wombe and even to your old age I am hee and even to your hoarie haires I will carry you and so will deliver you Isa 46 3. Psal 34 4 4 8 27 5.121 3 4 8 16 8 63 8 7 10.11.3 4. Zach. 10 12. Acts 2 25. Prou. 18 10. Deut. 33 12. Isa 4 5. Ob. I know the rage of our enemies to bee such as they will leaue no meanes vnattempted for our hurt A. The wicked watcheth the righteous and seeketh to slay him but the Lord will not leaue him in his hands nor condemne him when hee is iudged Psal 37 32. Hee shall hide him in the secret of his presence from the pride of men he shall keepe them secretly in a pavilion from the strife â—f tongues Psal 31 20. As Birds â—y flying so will the Lord of Hosts defend Ierusalem defending also he will deliver it and passing over hee will preserue it Isa 31.5 Whereby no man shall set â—n thee to hurt thee Acts 18.10 Neither shall one haire of your head perish Luk. 21 18. For the Lord will deliver â—ou from every evill worke and will preâ—erue you to his heavenly Kingdome 2 Tim. 4 18. Therefore feare you not stand still and â—ee the Salvation which the Lord will shew â—â—u Exod. 14 13. And be not afraid of â—heir faces for I am with thee to deliâ—er thee saith the Lord Ier. 1 8. Behold I haue grauen thee vpon the palmes of my â—ands thy walles are continually before â—e Isa 49 16 54 17 27 2 3. Exod. 14 10 23 22. Ier. 1 18 15 20. Psal 12 8 108. â—3 Acts. 9 24 25.9 29 30 31. Numb 22 12 18 24 1. 2 King 6 10. Neh. 4 15. Deut. 20 3. Isa 31 4. Ob. My enemies doe so much ouermatch mee as that before the combate they doe promise vnto themselues the conquest saying Let her be defiled let our eye looke vpon Zion Micha 4 11. Exod. 15 9. A. Who hath despised the day of the small things Zâ—ch 4 10. Let not him that girdeth on his harnesse boast himselfe as hee that putteth it off 1 King 20 11. Wee haue heard of the pride of Moab he is exceeding proud his loftinesse and his arrogancie and his pride and the haughtinesse of his heart I know his wrath saith the LORD but it shall not be so Ierem. 48 29. But because â—hey rage against mee and theiâ— tumult is come vp into mine eares therefore will I put my hooke into their nose and my bridle into their lippes and I will turne them backe by the way by which they come Isa 37 29.29 8. For hee powreth contempt vpon Princes and causeth them to wander in the Wildernesse where there is no way yet setteth hee the poore on high from affliction and maketh him families like a flocke Psal 107.40 Hee frustrateth the tokens of lyers and maketh Diviners mad and turneth wise men backward and maketh their Knowledge foolishnesse Isa 44 25. Therefore bee strong and of good courage feare not nor be afraid of them for the Lord thy GOD he it is that doth goe with thee he will not faile thee nor forsake thee Deut. 31 6. With them is an arme of flesh but with you is the Lord your GOD to helpe and to fight your battels 2 Chron. 32 8.20 15. Ios 1 5. Isa 50 1.44 25 18 7.9 15 16. 2 Sam. 16 23. 17 14. Ierem. 1 18.15 26. Iob 41 34. 2 Kâ—ng 19 32. Zach. 12 7. Examples 1 Sam. 18 11.1.21 1.1.25 10.1.23 14.1.23 25.14 44. 2 Sam. 21 16.2.20 22. Acts. 14 5.14 19 20. 26 21. Psal 105 12. Ob. Though GOD should preserue vs once and againe from our Enemies yet if they bee suffered to stand in their strength ours is the feare and theirs is the hope of their preuailing at the last A. But they know not the thoughts of the LORD neither vnderstand they his councell for hee shall gather them as the sheaues into his floore Micha 4.12 Behold they shall gather together but not by me whosoeuer shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake Isa 54.15 Now will I arise saith the LORD now will I be exalted Now will I lift vp my selfe they shall conceiue chaffe they shall bring foorth stubble their breath as fire shall deuoure them And the people shal be as the burning of lâ—â—e as thornes cut vp shall they bee burnt in the fire Isa 33.10 And as ashes vnder the soles of your feete in the day that I shall doe this saith the Lord of hosts Mal. 4.3 Thus when SIHON gathered all his people together to fight against Israel Israel smote him with the edge of the sword Num. 21.23 Also OG the King â—f Bashan with his sonnes and all his peoâ—le vntill none was left
1 King 8 66. Gen. 39 23. Q. What vse are wee to make of this A. Pray saying Saue now I beseech thee O Lord O Lord I beseech thee send now prosperitie Psal 118 25. Let the beauty of the Lord our GOD be vpon vs and establish thou the worke of our hands vpon vs yea the worke of our hands establish thou it Psal 90.17 2 Bee thou strong and very couragious that thou mayest obserue to doe according to all the Law which MOSES my servant commanded thee turne not from it to the right hand or to the left that thou mayst prosper whethersoever thou goest This booke of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate therein day and night that thou mayest obserue to doe according to all that is written therein for then shalt thou make thy wayes prosperous and then thou shalt haue good successe Ios 1 7. Ob. Righteous art thou O LORD when I plead with thee yet let mee talke with thee of thy Iudgements Wherefore doth the way of the Wicked prosper Wherefore are all they happie that deale very treacherously Thou hast planted them yea they haue taken roote they grow yea they bring foorth fruit Ier. 12 1. Behold these are the vngodly who prosper in the World they increase in riches Psal 73.12 c. Ierem. 5 27. Iob 12 6. A. My righteousnesse is like the great Mountaines and my Iudgements are as a great deepe Psal 36.6 Yet enter thou into the Sanctuarie of GOD for then shalt thou vnderstand Psal 73 16. 1 That the wicked doe reioyce in deed but not from the heart 2. Cor. 5.12 For in their laughter their heart is sorrowfull Pro. 14.13 Of such laughter I said thou art mad and of such mirth what doth it Eccles 2.2 2. They haue their portion in this life Psal 17 14. As ESAV the fatnesse of the Earth Gen. 27 39 And doe prosper till the indignation accomplished Dâ—n 11.36 3 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning Eccl. 7.8 For doth not their execellencie which is in them goe away Iob. 4.21 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out And how oft commeth their destruction vpon them Iob 21.17 Yea the light of the wicked shall be put out and the sparke of his fire shall not shine The light shall be darke in his Tabernacle and his candle shall be put â—â—t with him The steps of his strength shall be straitned and his owne counsell shall cast him downe Iob. 18.5 Yea all the hornes of the wicked shall be broken Psal 75.10 Eccl. 5 15. Pro. 24 19 20 4 Knowest thou not this of old since Man was placed vpon earth that the triumphing of the wicked is short and the ioy of the hypocrite but for a moment Iob. 20.4 I haue seene the foolish taking roote but suddenly I cursed his habitation Iob. 5 3 How are they brought into desolation as in a moment As a dreame when one awaketh so shall GOD despise their image Psal 73.19.20 5 There is hope of a tree if it be cut down that it will sprout againe c. but the wicked man dyeth and where is he Iob. 14.7 He shall returne no more to his house neither shall his place know him any more A. A faithfull man aboundeth with blessings Prou. 28 20. Even all these blessings shall come vpon him and overtake him Deut. 28 2. 1. He shall inherit the Land dwell ther in for ever Psal 37 29. And shall possesse his possessions Obad. 17. Hee shall be no more plucked out of his Land which I haue given him saith the LORD Amos 9 15. Leuit. 20.24.25.18 Deut. 11 24.2 Sam. 7 10. Ioel 3 20. Ier. 12 16. Numb 14 8 24. Iosh 24 13.14 9 14.14 But the sinners shall bee destroyed out of the Land Isa 13.9 And be brought vnto a Nation which neyther they nor theyr Fathers haue knowne Deut. 28 36. And the LORD shall scatter them among all people from the one end of the Earth even vnto the other Deut. 28 64. For hee will send vnto them wanderers that shall cause them to wander and shall empty their vessels and breake their bottels Ier. 48 12. And they shall bee among the Gentiles as a vessell wherein there is no â—leasure Hos 8 8. Then shall the Land enioy her Sabbaths as long as it lyâ—th desolate and they be in their Enemies Land even then shall all the land rest â—nd enioy her Sabbaths As long as it lyeth desolate it shall rest because it did not rest in theyr Sabbaths when they dwelt vpon it Leuit. 26 34. And it shall come to passe when yee shall say wherefore doth the LORD our GOD all these things vnto vs Then shalt thou answere them like as yee haue forsaken me and served strange GODS in your Land so shall yee serue strangers in a Land that is not yours Ier. 5 19.24.8.23.7.2 King 24 9.2 17.6.7.2.18 9 10.12 verses 114.15.2 Chron. â—6 20. Numb 14 22. 30 35.37 20.24 Ezek. 26 13 28 25 39 25. Mâ—l 14 5. Leuit. 26 39 20 22.18.24 Ier. 6 8. Iâ—r 9 16. Q. Which is the second outward blessing A. Multitude of people for who could count the dust of IACOB and the number of the fourth part of ISRAEL Numb 23 10. With whom the Land of Aegypt was filled Exod. 1 7. For they became as the Starres in Heaven for multitude Dâ—utr 10 22. And were moe and mightyer than their Enemies Exod. 1 9.12 13.2 Sam. 24 9. Isay 48 18. But if thou wilt not obserue to doe all the words of this Law c. Yee shall be left few in number Deutron 28.58.62 And your high wayes shall bee desolate Leuit. 26.22 Isa 13.20 Heare therefore O ISRAEL and obserue to doe it that it might bee well with thee and that yee may increase mightily as the LORD GOD of your Fathers hath promised thee Deut. 6 3. CHAP. XLII Of good Government Q. HOw shall so much people be governed A. It shall come to passe if yee diligently hearken vnto mee saith the LORD c. Then shall there enter â—nto the gates of this City Kings and Prinâ—es sitting vpon the Throne of DAVID riding in Charets and Horses they and theyr Princes Ier. 17 24. And your eyes shall see the King in his beauty Isay 33 17. And your Nobles shall bee of your selues and your Governours shall proceed from the midst of you Ier. 30 21 22 4. 1 Kings 2.45 But if you will not hearken vnto the LORD your GOD yee shall haue cause to say wee haue no King because wee feare not the LORD And what shall a King doe to vs Hos 10.3 For from vs GOD taketh away a King in his wrath Hos 13 12. Isa 3 2. Q. What is the hurt which commeth to a people by hauing no King or Ruler to governe them A. As when there was no King in ISRAEL every one did that which seemed good in his owne eyes Iudg. 17.6 So there
shall bee as with the people so with the Priest as with the Servant so with the Master as with the Maid so with the Mistresse as with the buyer so with the seller as with the Lender so with the Borrower as with the taker of vsurie so with the giver of vsurie Isa 24 2. Iudg. 18 18.19.22 Q. What benefit doth the Church receiue by the government of Kings A. When the Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof are dissolved he will beare vp the Pillars of it Psal 75. 3. He is the light of ISRAEL 2 Sam. 21 17. And the beautie thereof 2 Sam. 1 19 23 4. The very breath of your nosthrils and vnder his shadow you shall be preserved Lam. 4 20. And a man shall bee as a hiâ—ing place from the Wind and a covert from the Tempest as Rivers of water in a dry place and the shadow of a great Rocke in a weary land Isa 32 2. Kings shall bee your nursing Fathers and Queenes your nursing Mothers Isa 49.23 For the Iewes and all ISRAEL dwelt safely every Man vnder his Vine and vnder his Figge-tree from DAN even to BEER-SHEBA all the dayes of SOLOMON 1 King 4 25. And GOD saved ISRAEL by the hand of IEROBOAM 2 King 14 27. 2. Sam 8 3. Q. By what meanes doth a King become so blessed an instrument of our good A. Because by GOD it is that Kings Reigne Prou. 8 15. He shall giue him another heart 1 Sam. 10.9 And hee shall be turned into another man 1 Sam. 10 6. And the wisedome of God shall be in him to do Iudgement 1 King 3 28. For it shall be when he sitteth vpon the Throne of his Kingdome that he shall write him a Copie of the Law in a booke And it shall be with him and he shall reade therein all the dayes of his life that hee may learne to feare the Lord his God to keepe all the words of this Law and the Statutes to doe them Deut. 17.18 Whereby a divine sentence shall be in the lips of the King and his mouth transgresseth not in Iudgment Prou. 16 10. But hee shall raigne in Iustice and your Princes shall rule in Iudgement Isa 32 1. For David raigned over all Israel and executed Iudgment and Iustice among all his people 1. Chron. 18 14. And iudged vprightly Psal 75 2. And that was because the Lord loved Israel 1 King 10.9 2 Chron. 2 11. For as when the Righteous are in authority the people reioyce so when the wicked beare rule the people mourne Prou. 29 2.4 Prou. 28 15 16.29 12. Eccl. 10 17. 1 Sam. 28 3 2 5.12 1 Kings 15 1â— 2 10 28 2 14 5 6 2 23 3. 2 Chron. 14 3 29 3 34 3 2 36.22 2 Because the worke will bee too heauie for one man neyther is he able to performe it alone Exod. 18 18. He afâ—er the wisedome of his GOD that is in his heart shall set vp Magistrates and Iudges which may iudge all the people Ezra 7 25. And place such over them â—s are able men such as feare GOD â—en of truth hating covetousnesse to bee â—ulers of thousands and Rulers of hundreds and rulers of fifties and rulers of â—â—nnes to iudge the people at all seasons Exod. 18 21. And the King shall charge them sayâ—â—g Thus shall yee doe in the feare of â—he LORD faithfully and with a perfect â—eart So that whatsoever cause shall come to you of your Brethren that dwell in their Cities c. You shall warne them that they trespasse not against the LORD 2 Chron. 19 9. Yee shall not wrest the Iudgement of the poore in his â—ouse Exod. 23 6. But yee shall iustifie the Righteous and condemne the wicked Deut. 25.1 Which that yee may the better doe yee shall take no gift for the guift blindeth the wise and perverteth the words of the Righteous Exod. 23.8 Neither shall you respect the person of the poore nor honour the person of the mighty Leuit. 15.19 You shall take heed what yee doe for yee iudge not for men but for the LORD who is with you in the Iudgement Wherefore now let the feare of the Lord bee vpon you Take heed and doe it for there is no iniquitie with the Lord our God nor respect of persons nor taking of guifts 2 Chron. 19.6 Thus shall you iudge the people at all seasons and it shall be that every great matter you shall bring vnto me but every small matter you shall iudge so shall it be easier for me when you shall beare the burthen with mee Exod. 18.22 1 Sam. 7 15 16. Deut. 16 19 1 17. Ier. 22 3.21 12. Amos 5 15. Micha 3.1 Psal 82 2. Prou. 18.5 2 Sam. 23 3. Q. What good shall come to vs by these substitutes in Gouernment A. As the Mountaines shall bring peace to the people so the little Hils by righteousnes Psal 72 3. For God led his people like a flocke by the hand of Moses and Aaron Psal 77.20 And Mordecay sought the wealth of his people and spake peace vnto all his seed Esth 10.3 Psal 72.4 Iob. 29.12 2 King 8 6. Q. What may the promise of good Rulers teach vs A. To pray saying Let the Lord the GOD of the spirits of all flesh set a man â—ver the Congregation which may goe out before them and which may goe in before them and which may leade them out and which may bring them in that the. Congregation of the LORD â—â—e not as Sheepe which haue no Shepheard Numb 27.16 But that wee may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlinesse and Honestie 1 Tim. 2 2. Q. When wee haue a King and others sent of him to gouerne vs what is required of vs A. 1 Feare the LORD in truth and with all your hearts because if you shall doe wickedly you shall bee consumed both you and your King 1 Sam. 12.24.25 2 I exhort that supplications and prayers with giving of thankes bee made for Kings and for all that are in authority 1 Tim. 2 1. Wherein because the Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the Rivers of water he turneth it whethersoever he will Prou. 21 1. Pray giue the King thy Iudgments O Lord and thy Righteousnes vnto the Kings Sonne that so he may iudge the people with righteousnes and the poore with Iudgment Psal 72 1. And as thou hast set thy Servant over thy people giue him an vnderstanding heart to iudge thy people that heâ— may discerne betweene good and bad for who is able to iudge this so great a people 1 King 3 9 And take away the wicked from the King that his Throne may be established in righteousnes Prou. 25 4. Blesse Lord his substance and accept the worke of his hands smite thorough the loynes of them that rise against him and of them that hate him that they rise not againe Deut. 33 11. Let him abide for ever before thee O prepare mercie and truth which may preserue him so
will I sing praises vnto thy name for ever Psal 61 7. And the King also shall ioy in thy strength O LORD and in thy salvation how greatly shall he reioyce Psal 21.1 80 17. 1 King 8 25. 3 Honour the King 1 Pet. 2 17. Aâ— did ARAVNAN who when hee saw the King comming towards him he went out and bowed himselfe before the King on his face on the ground 2 Sam. 24.20 And be not hasty to goe out of his sight Eccl. 8 3. 4 Let them bee had in double honour 1 Tim. 5.17 For for this cause pay you tribute also for they are GODS Ministers attending continually vpon this very thing Render therefore to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custome to whom Custome Roâ— 13.6 Even vnto CAESAR the things that are CAESARS Math. 22.21 5 Submit your selues vnto every ordinance of man for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2 13. And let every Soule bee Subiect vnto the higher powers for there is no power but of GOD the powers that be are ordained of God Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of GOD and they that resist shall receiue to themselues damnation For Rulers are not a terrour to good workes but to the evill Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power Doe that which is good and â—hou shalt haue praise of the same for â—ee is the Minister of GOD to thee for good Rom. 13.1 For in the light of the Kings Countenance is life and his savour is as a Cloud of the latter raine Prou. 16 15. And as the dew vpon the grasse but his wrath is as the roaring of the Lyon Prou. 19 12. And as the Messenger of death hee that is wise will pacifie it Prou. 16 14 20 2 Math. 22.21 I counsell thee therefore to keepe the Kings commandement but yet according to the oath of GOD. And stand not in an evill thing for he doth whatsoever pleaseth him Where the word of a King is there is power and who may say vnto him what doest thou Eccl. 8 2. Numb 27 20. Ob. How comes it to passe that so many thousands in a Kingdome should subiect themselues vnto the government of one man A. As in Iudah the hand of GOD was to giue them one heart to doe the commandement of the King and of the Princes 2 Chron. 30.12 So doth hee still bow the hearts of all Men Even as the heart of one man vnto him 2 Sam. 19.14 Whereby all that hee commandeth they will doe whether soever he sendeth them they wil goe according as they hearkened vnto MOSES so will they hearken vnto him Iosh 1 16.4 14. Q But is this the case of every King to haue all his people in subiection A. No for the Children of Belial say of theyr King how shall this man saue vs And doe despise him and will bring him no presents 1 Sam. 10.27 And doe despise dominion and speake evill of dignities Iud. 8. Saying Wee will not haue this man rule ouer vs Luk. 19 14. As Sheba the Sonne of Bichri who blew a trumpet and said we haue no part in Dauid neither haue wee inheritance in the Sonne of Iesse 2 Sam. 20.1 Num. 12.1 Q. What is the danger of such Rebels against their Soueraigne A. Whosoever will not doe the Law of the King let iudgment hee executed speedily vpon him whether it be vnto death 〈◊〉 to banishment or to confiscation of â—oods or to Imprisonment Ezra 7 26 And if the sonnes of ZERVIAH bee too â—â—ard for him the Lord shall reward the doer of evill according to his wickednesse 2 Sam. 3 39. Thus MIRIAM for speaking against MOSES became leprous as white as snow Numb 12.10 And the Earth swallowed vp DATHAN and ABIRAM with â—ll that they had Numb 16.32 For they doe not reiect man but GOD that he should not raigne over them 1. Sam. 8.7 2. Sam. 16.5 Numb 16.49 Iudg. 9.53.9.16.9.10.11 Q. What may this teach vs A. To pray saying The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth my hand against the LORDS anointed 1. Sam. 26.11 2 Curse not the King no not in thy thoughts and curse not the rich in thy bed chamber for a bird of the ayre shall carry thy voyce and that which hath wings shall tell the matter Eccles 10.20 Ob. But shall euen he that hateth right gouerne Iob 34.17 For I saw vnder the Sunne the place of Iudgement that wickednesse was there and the place of righteousnesse that iniquitie was there Eccles 3.16 Her Rulers doe love with shame give yee Hosea 4.18 Shall the throne of iniquitie haue fellowship with thee which frameth mischiefe by a Law Psalm 94.20.82.5 Eccles 10.5 Zephan 3.3 Micha 3.9.1 Sam. 8.11 Isa 3.12.10 1. Habac. 1.2.1.13 Nehem. 5.15 2. Kings 24.4 Amos. 6.12.5.7 Isa 29.21 Micha 3.2 A. EPHRAIM is oppressed and broken in iudgement because hee willingly walked after the commandement Hos 5.11 They make the King glad with their wickednesse and the Princes with their lyes Hos 7.3 Notwithstanding to subuert a man in his cause the LORD approveth not Lam. 3.36 Wherefore if thou seest the oppression 〈◊〉 the poore and violent perverting of â—â—dgement and Iustice in a Province â—â—rvell not at the matter for hee that 〈◊〉 higher than the highest regardeth and â—â—re be higher than they Eccles 5.8 〈◊〉 GOD standeth in the congregation of 〈◊〉 mighty hee iudgeth among the Gods Psalm 82.1 Hee doth execute the â—â—dgement of the Fatherlesse and Widâ—â— Deut. 10 18. And shall iudge 〈◊〉 Righteous and the Wicked for there 〈◊〉 time there for every purpose and 〈◊〉 every worke Eccles 3 17. when â—â—e LORD will enter into Iudgeâ—â—â—nt with the ancients of his peoâ—â— and the Princes thereof Isa 3 4. And will powre out his wrath â—pon them like Water Hosea 5 10. And breake them with a rodde of Iâ—â—â— and dash them in peeces like a â—â—tters vessell Psalm 2 9. Deuteron â—7 19. Ecclesiast 4 13. Hosea 5 5. â— Sam. 28 17. 2 Chron. â—5 27. Micha 3 12. Amos 5 12. Dan. 4 25 33. 1 King 20 42. Psal 82 6. Isa 3 15. Q. If this bee the condition of Rulers and of men in Authoritie in the commission of Iniustice what vse are they to make of it A. 1 Bee wise now therefore O yee Kings be instructed yee Iudges of the earth Serue the LORD with feare and reioyce with trembling Kisse the Sonne least hee be angry and yee perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psalm 2 10.29 1. Amos 5 24. Prou. 20 28. 1 Kings 2 46. 2 Rob not the Poore because hee is poore neither oppresse the Afflicted in the gate for the LORD will pleade their cause and spoyle the soule of them that spoyled them Prou. 22 22. Deliver them that are drawne vnto death and those that are ready to bee slaine Prou. 24 11 12. Ob. If notwithstanding what is said such should continue to
a child when shee was past age because she iudged him faithfull who had promised Therefore sprang there even of one and him as good as dead so many as the Starres of the skye in multitude and as the sand which is by the Sea shore innumerable Heb. 11.11 2 King 4. 14. Luk. 1 7 13.1 57.60 Ob. I haue seene many of GODS Children both liue and dye Childlesse A. Let not therefore the Eunuch say Behold I am a dry tree For thus saith the LORD to the Eunuches that keepe my Sabbaths and choose the thing that pleaseth mee and taketh hold of my Covenant even to them will I giue in mine House and within my Walles a place â—nd a name better than of Sonnes and of Daughters I will giue them an everlaâ—ting Name that shall not be cut off Isa 56 3. Ob But this feare yet remaines that when my Child commeth to the birth my wife shall haue no strength to bee delivered A. Shall I bring to the birth and not cause to bring foorth saith the LORD Shall I cause to bring foorth and shut the wombe saith thy GOD Isa 66.9 For SARAH said GOD hath made me laugh so that all that heare will laugh with mee Gen. 21.6 Therefore feare not ZACHARIAS for thy wife ELIZABETH shall beare thee a Sonne and thou shalt haue ioy and gladnesse and many shall reioyce at his birth Luk. 1.13 14. Q. If the hauing of Children bee of the blessing of GOD to the Righteous what shall the wicked haue A. Giue them O LORD what thou wilt giue Giue them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts Hos 9 14 And write yee this man childlesse Ier. 22 30. For hee shall neither haue Sonne nor Nephew among his people nor any remainder among his dwellings They that come after him shall be astonied at his day as they that went before were affrighted Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked and this is the place of him that knoweth not God Iob. 18 19. 2 Sam. 6 23. Ob. But who more then the wicked doe abound with Children A. If their Children bee multiplyed it is for the sword Iob. 27 14. Also I will send wild beasts among them which shall robbe them of their Children Leuit. 26 22. For the face of the LORD is against them that doe evill to cut off the remembrance of them from the Earth Psal 34 16 37 28.1 King 14 10 1 15 29.1 16.3 41.16 11 12.1 21.21.25 2.9.8.2.10.7.11 Hos 14. 1. Ezek. 24.21.25 2 Sam. 12 9.2 12.18 Q. When I haue Children what is the comfort I shall receiue by them Eccl. 2 18 19. A. The Father of the Righteous shall greatly reioyce and he that begetteth a wise Sonne shall haue ioy in him His Father and Mother shall be glad and she that bare him shall reioyce Prou. 23 24 For as arrowes are in the hand of the mighty man so are Children of the youth Happy is the man that hath his Quiver full of them they shall not bee ashamed but they shall speake with the enemies in the gate Psal 127.4 For NOAHS two Sonnes covered their Fathers nakednesse Gen. 9 23. And IOSEPH nourished his old Father and Brethren in the time of dearth Gen. 45 9 50 1. And NAOMIE her Sonne was a restorer of her life and a nourisher of her old age Ruth 4 15. 2 Chron. 2 12. Gen 28 7 45 23. But SENAGHERIB as he was worshipping in the House of NISROCH his GOD that ADRAMELECH and SHAREZER his Sonnes smote him with the Sword that he dyed 2 King 19 37. Ob. When God by death taketh me away what the miseries are which shall then befall my Children I know not A. A good man walking in his integritie his Children are blessed after him Prou. 20 7. For he leaveth his inheritance to his Childrens children and the wealth of the sinner is laid vp for the iust Prou. 13 22. His seed shall be mighty on the Earth the generation of the vpright shall be blessed Psal 112 1. They shall spring vp among the Grasse as willowes by the water courses Isa 44 4. Their seed also shall be knowne among the Gentiles and their off-spring among the people all that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed Isa 61 9. Know therefore that the LORD thy GOD he is God the faithfull God which keepeth Covenant and mercie with them that loue him and keepe his Commandements to a thousand Generations Deut. 7 9. Isa 65 23. Psal 102 28.103.17 1 Sam. 25 28.1 King 9 4. Exod. 20 6. Heb. 11.20 Gen. 25 11. Prou. 11 21. Psal 146.9 But it shall come to passe that every one that is left in the house of the wicked shall come and crouch to the Righteous for a piece of silver and a morsell of bread and shall say put me I pray thee into one of the Priests offices that I may eate a piece of bread 1 Sam. 2 36. For his riches perish by evill travell and he begetteth a Son and there is nothing in his hand Eccl. 5 14. Neither shall his off-spring bee satisfied with bread Iob. 27 14. Ob. What assurance can you giue me that my Children will not prooue wicked whereby to be liable to the curse as well as other Children whose Parents are out of the Covenant A. If the first fruits be holy the lumpe is also holy and if the Roote bee holy so are the brvnches Rom. 11.16 And as for mee this is my Covenant with you my spirit that is vpon thee and my word which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy Seeds seed saith the LORD from henceforth and for ever Isa 59 21. For the LORD made not this Covenant with our Fathers but with vs even vs who are all of vs aliue this day Deut. 5 3. For God being the God not of the faithfull onely but also of their seed Gen. 17 7. Thou shalt be saved and thy House Acts 16 31. Gen. 17 21.4.4 Ob. One of the Parents themselues may be out of the Covenant how then can this Couenant belong vnto their posteritie A. The vnbeleeving Husband is sanctified by the Wife and the vnbeleeving wife is sanctified by the husband else were your Children vncleane but now are they holy 1 Cor. 7 14. Ob. It were much more to my comfort if wee were both of vs within the Couenant A. If any man obey not the Word they may without the Word bee wonne by the conversation of the wiues 1 Pet. 3 1. For what knowest thou O wife whether thou shalt saue thy husband Or how knowest thou O Man whether thou shalt saue thy wife 1. Cor. 7 16. Ob. But doth not the Sonne beare the iniquitie of his Father Else whence this Proverbe The Fathers haue eaten sowre grapes and the Childrens teeth are set on edge Ezek. 18 2. A. The Fathers shall not be put
offerings Isa 61 8 Wherefore let no man deceiue you hee that doth righteousnesse is righteous as he is righteous but he that committeth sinne is of the Divell 1 Ioh. 3 7. Hag. 2 11 12. Isa 29 1.58.4 66 3 1 11. Amos 2 8.5 25 21. Leu. 26 31. Zâ—ch 7 5 Mal 1 7 1 13. Ier. 6.20 7 22 14.12 Psal 50 9 40 6. Hos 6 6 4 19. Mark 12 33. Luk. 11.41 Ob. Blessed be thou of the LORD for I haue kept the Commandements of GOD 1 Sam. 15 13. Haue done many things Mark 6 20. And haue been zealous for the Lord of Hosts 2 Kin. 10.16 Hos 12 8. A. What meaneth then this bleating of the sheepe in mine eares and the lowing of the Oxen which I heare 1 Sam. 15.14 For in thee haue they set light by Father and Mother in the middest of thee haue they dealt by oppression with the stranger in â—hee haue they vexed the Fatherlesse and â—he Widdow Thou hast despised my Holy things and hast prophaned my Sabbaths In thee are Men to carry tales to shedde bloud in the middest of thee they commit Lewdnesse Ezek. 22 7. Wherefore I haue a few things against thee Revel 2.20 As well as against ISRAEL who feared the LORD and made vnto themselues the lowest of them Priests of the High-places They feared GOD the LORD and served their owne Gods they feared not the Lord 2 King 17 32. For the feare of the LORD is to hate evill as pride arrogancy and every evâ—ll way Prou. 8 13. And therefore cursed art thou if thou confirme not all the words of this Law to doe them and all the people shall say Amen Deut. 27 26 4 2.6.17.12.32.18.13 Iam. 1 26 2.10.3 9 10. Ezek. 18 10. 2 Cor. 8 â—1 2 King 22.2 Ob. I deny not but doe freely confesse Murther and Adultery to be grievous sins deseruing death now then if I can acquit my selfe of such sinnes I shall doe well enough A. You haue heard that it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the iudgment But I say vnto you that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the iudgement and whosoever shall say to his Brother Racha shall bee in danger of a Counsell and whosoever shall say thou Foole shall be in danger of Hell fire You haue heard also that it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not commit Adultery But I say vnto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart Math. 5 21 27. ver And for every idle word that men shall speake they shall giue an account thereof in the day of Iudgement Math. 12 36. Ezek. 16.49 1 Chron. 13.9.2.32.24 1 Sam. 6.19 1 King 20 35. Numb 20.12 Deut. 32.50 Ob. What a preciseâ—â—â—sse call you this For what if now and then I meeting with a good fellow or two doe make my selfe merry with them and doe follow some other trickes of youth A. Wo be vnto you that call evill good and good evill that put darknesse for light and light for darknesse that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter Isa 5.20 You are they which iustifie your selues before men but GOD knoweth the hearts for that which is highly esteemed among men is abhominable in the sight of GOD Luk. 16 15. The shew of your Countenance doth witnesse against you and you declare your sinne as Sodome and hide it not woe vnto you for you haue rewarded evill vnto your selues Isa 3.9 Ier. 6.15 2.35 Prou. 14.12.16.25 Ob. You are very rash in iudging for who but God knoweth the heart A. Doth not the Eare try words And the mouth tast his meat Iob. 12.11.34.3 Even a Child is knowne by his doings whether his worke be pure and whether it be right Prou. 20.11 For doth a Fountaine send foorth at the same place sweet water and bitter Can a Figge-tree beare Oliue berries Either a Vine Figges So can no Fountaine yeild salt water and fresh Iam. 3 11. Luk. 6 43. Math. 12 33 7.16 Ob. Notwithstanding your shew of precisenesse if your faults were written in your forehead we should haue much worse things to say of you A. Speake not evill one of another Brethren he that speaketh evill of his Brother and iudgeth his Brother speaketh evill of the law and iudgeth the law but if thou iudge the Law thou art not a doer of the law but a Iudge There is one Lawgiuer who is able to saue and to destroy who art thou that iudgest another Iam. 4 11. Iudge not that yee be not iudged For with what iudgement yee iudge yee shall be iudged and with what measure yee mete it shall be measured to you againe Math. 7 1. Ob Thou seemest to restraine wisdome to thy selfe but what knowest thou that we know not Or what vnderstandest thou that is not in vs Iob 15 8.15 2. A. If yee know these things happie â—re yee if yee doe them Ioh. 13 17. Thy Father iudged the cause of the poore and needy then it was well with him was â—ot this to know me saith the LORD Ier. 22 16. For behold the feare of the LORD that is Wisedome and to depart from evill is vnderstanding Iob 28 28. You professe you know him but in Workes you deny him being abominable and vnto every good worke reprobate Titus 1 16. And how doe yee say wee are wise and the law of the Lord is with vs Yee haue reiected the Word of the Lord nnd what wisdome is in you Ier. 8 8.5 4. Iam. 3 13. Prou. 3 17. Luk. 12 47. Iam. 4 16 3 17. Rom. 2 17. 1 Ioh. 2 4. Ioh. 15 22 9 1. Prou. 26.12.26 16. CHAP. LIII The wicked Convinced of judgement Ob. IT should seeme this man hath seene some vision or hath had some other extraordinary reuelation Therefore watch man what of the night Watchman what of the night Isa 21.11 A. The watch-man said The morning commeth and also the night Isa 21 12. And are yee come to inquire of mee As I liue saith the Lord GOD I will not bee inquired of by you Ezek. 20 3. Beware yee despisers and wonder and perish for I worke a worke in your dayes a worke which yee shall in no wise beleeue though a man declare it vnto you Acts 13 40. Habac. 1 5. Now therefore bee not mockers least your hands bee made strong for I haue heard from the LORD GOD of hostes a consumption even determined vpon the whole Earth Giue yee eare and heare my voyce hearken and heare my speech Isa 28 22. Then said I Ah LORD GOD they say of mee Doth hee not speake parables Ezek. 2â— 49. 14 7. Ob. But when went the Spirit of the LORD from our Ministers vnto thee 1. King 22 24. Who doe say to vs yee shall not see the Sword neither shall yee haue Famine but the LORD will
vntill some common Iudgement come vpon our whole Land I shall doe well enough A. If thou continue thus presumptuously to sinne the LORD shall separate thee vnto evill out of all the Tribes of ISRAEL according to all the Curses of this Covenant that are written in this booke of the Law Dâ—uteronomie 29 21. As well as he did ACHAN who for his sinne was by all ISRAEL stoned with stones and his goods with all that hee had burned with fire Ioshua 7 25. Woe therefore bee vnto thee wilt thou not bee made cleane When shall it once bee Ieremiah 13.27 CHAP. LIIII Of the Wicked Converted Q. IF our sinne guiltinesse deserue such inevitable Iudgements goe thou neere and heare all that the LORD our GOD shall say and speake thou vnto vs all that the LORD our GOD shall speake vnto thee and wee will heare it and doe it Deuteron 5 27. A. The LORD hath heard the voyce of your words and said vnto mee I haue heard the voyce of the words of this people which they haue spoken vnto thee they haue well said all that they haue spoken O that there were such an heart in them that they would feare mee and keepe my Commandements alwayes that it might bee well with them and with their Children for ever Deuter. 5.28 But yee dissembled in your hearts when yee sent me vnto the LORD your God saying Pray for vs vnto the LORD our GOD and according to all that the LORD our GOD shall say so declare vnto vs and wee will doe it And now I haue this day declared it vnto you but yee doe not obey the voyce of the LORD your GOD nor any thing for the which hee hath sent me vnto you Now therefore know certainly that yee shall dye by the Sword by the Famine and by the Pestilence in the place whether yee desire to goe and to soiourne Ier. 42 20. For yee cannot serue the LORD for hee is an holy GOD he is a iealous God he will not forgâ—â—e your transgressions and sinnes Ioshua 24.19 How long then halt yee betweene two opinions If the LORD bee GOD follow him but if BAAL then follow him 1 King 18.21 And hearken to mee yee men of ENGLAND that GOD also may hearken vnto you Iudg. 9.7 Giue glorie to the Lord your GOD before hee cause darknesse and before your feet stumble vpon the darke Mountaines while yee looke for light hee turne it into the shadow of death and make it grosse darknesse But if yee will not heare it my Soule shall weepe in secret places for your Pride and mine eyes shall weepe sore and runne downe with teares because the LORDS Flocke is carried away captiue Ierem. 13 16. Q. Wee haue indeed besides all other Sinnes dissembled with the LORD but now the Lord GOD of Gods the Lord GOD of Gods hee knoweth Iosh 22 22. that him will wee serue and his voyce will wee obey Iosh 24.24 The LORD bee a true and faithfull witnesse betweene vs if we doe not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy GOD shall send thee to vs. Whether it bee good or whether it bee evill wee will obey the voyce of the LORD our GOD to whom wee send thee that it may bee well with vs when wee obey the voyce of the Lord our GOD Ierem. 42 5. Iosh 24 21 24. A. Then gird your loynes and lament yee Priests howle yee Ministers of the Altar come lye all night in Sackcloath yee Ministers of my GOD c. Sanctifie yee a Fast call a solemne Assembly gather the Elders and all the inhabitants of the Land into the house of the LORD your GOD and cry vnto the LORD Ioel 1 13. Ier. 4.14 Zeph. 2 1. Ioel 2 12 â—5 Iona 3 8. Ioel 1 13. Psal 46 8. Lam. 2 14. Ioel 2 17. Iam. 4 8. Saying Wee acknowledge our wickednesse and the iniquities of our Fathers for wee haue sinned against thee Ierem. 14 20. Wee haue sinned and haue committed iniquitie and haue done wickedly and haue rebelled even by departing from thy precepts and from thy Iudgements Neither haue wee hearkened vnto thy servants the Prophets which spake in thy Name to our Kings our Princes and our Fathers and to all the people of the Land O LORD righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee but vnto vs confusion of faces as at this day because of our trespasse that wee haue trespassed against thee Dan. 9 5. O our GOD wee are ashamed and blush to lift vp our face to thee our GOD for our iniquities are increased over our head and our trespasse is growne vp vnto the Heavens And now O our GOD what shall wee say after this For wee haue forsaken thy Commandements Ezra 9 6 10. O LORD wee beseech thee let now thine eare bee attentiue to the Prayer of thy servants who desire to feare thy Name and doe confesse our sinnes which we haue sinned against thee both we and our fathers house haue sinned Nehe. 1.11.16 And haue gone astray like lost sheepe therefore seeke thy seruants for we will not forget thy Commandements Psalm 119.176 Turne vs againe O GOD of hosts and cause thy face to shine and we shall be saued Psal 80.7 Doe thou incline our heart vnto thee to walke in thy wayes and to keepe thy Commandements and thy statutes and thy Iudgements which thou commandedst our Fathers 1. King 8.58 That which we see not teach thou vs if wee haue done iniquitie wee will doe no more Iob. 34 32 13 23. Psalme 80.18 Psalme 143.8 2 Doe you take hold of his strength that you may make peace with him and you shall make peace with him Isa 27.5 And thereby good shall come vnto thee Iob. 22.21 And because no man commeth vnto the Father but by CHRIST Iohn 14.6 Nor vnto CHRIST except the Father draw him Iohn 6 44 Therefore pray saying Draw me we will run after thee Can. 1 4 3 Wash yee make you cleane put away the evill of your doings from before mine eyes cease to doe evill learne to doe well seeke Iudgement releeue the oppressed iudge the Fatherlesse plead for the Widdow Come now and let vs reason together saith the LORD though your sinnes bee as scarlet they shall bee as white as snow though they bee red like Crimson they shall bee as Wooll Isa 1.16 Yet the LORD will wait that he may haue mercy vpon you and therefore will he bee exalted that he may haue compassion vpon you for the LORD is the GOD of Iudgement Isa 30 18. Hosea 13.9 Ezekiel 33 11. Zach. 1.3.8.16 Ier. 18 11. Mal. 3.7 Psal 4 4. Eccl. 12.23 1 King 8 61. Isa 66 1.2 4 Beeing thus conuerted you should enter into a Covenant with the LORD your GOD and into his oath which the LORD your GOD shall make with you so shall he establish you this day for a people vnto himselfe and be vnto you a God as he hath said vnto you and as hee hath swore vnto your Fathers Deut. 29 12. Nehemiah 9.38 2 Chronicles 15.12.23.3 2 Chronicl 29.10.34.31 Ezra 10.3 Q. Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken Isa 39 8 Wee doe therefore enter into a Covenant that we will be the Lords people 2 Chron. 23.16 And wee our Wiues our Sonnes and our Daughters even every one of vs having knowledge and vnderstanding doe heere enter into a Curse and into an Oath to walke in GODS Law which was given by MOSES the Servant of GOD and to obserue and doe all the Commandements of the LORD our GOD and his Iudgements and his Statutes Neh. 10.28 The Lord our God will wee serue and his voice will wee obey Iosh 24.24 Nehem. 9.38 A. Then haue you delivered your selues out of the hand of the Lord Iosh 23 31. And as you haue avouched the LORD this day to bee your GOD and to walke in his wayes and to keepe his Statutes and Commandements and his iudgments and to hearken vnto his voyce so the LORD hath avouched you this day to bee his peculiar people as he hath promised you and that you should keepe all his Commandements and to make you high aboue all Nations which he hath made in praise and in name and in honour and that yee may be an holy people vnto the LORD your GOD as hee hath spoken Deuter. 26.17 And these very stones shall bee a witnesse vnto you for they haue heard all the words of the LORD which hee hath spoken vnto you they shall bee a witnesse vnto you least yee deny your GOD Iâ—sh 24.27 For this cause wee also will not cease to pray for you and to desire that yee may bee filled with the knowledge of his will in all Wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding that yee may walke worthy of the LORD vnto all pleasing beeing fruitfull vnto every good worke and increasing in the knowledge of God Col. 1 9. Now the GOD of peace that brought againe from the dead our LORD IESVS that great Shepheard of the Sheepe through the bloud of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good worke to doe his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through IESVS CHRIST Heb. 13.20 And our LORD IESVS CHRIST himselfe and GOD even our Father which hath loved vs and hath given vs everlasting consolation and good hope through Grace comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and worke 2 Thes 2 16. Now vnto him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding ioy to the onely wise GOD and Saviour be Glory and Maiesty Dominion and Power now and ever Iud. 24. And now Brethren I commend you to GOD and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are Sanctified Acts 20.32 The Grace of our Lord IESVS CHRIST bee with you all Amen Revel 22.21 FINIS