with Ioseph â—nd kept him from sinne euen â—â—e consideration of Gods goodâ—esse formerly extended towards â—im How can I doe this great â—ickednesse and â—inâ—e against God Gen. 39. Secondly to call to mind and â—horowly to weigh the ill effects â—hat follow vpon sinne I meane â—ot onely the shame before men â—unishment heere losse of goods â—c but principally the wound of â—oule and conscience deaâ—ing â—nd dulling our hearts and afâ—â—ctions when wee are to perâ—rme good duties and making â—s a burthen to the Church our selues the very earth we tread vpon besides the full fruition of Gods wrath and eternall vengeance in the life to come Thirdly to attend diligently vpon the word preached that so sinne may bee discouered and the heart may come to smite for the same and thus were the poore Iewes brought to compunction of heart for their sin of crucifying the Lord of glory Act. 2.37 And this word is called the Hammer of the Lord for by it the Lord doth breake the hard and stony hearts of men Fourthly of all Sins so in â— speciall manner to take heede oâ— presumptuous sinnes for theâ— are the sinnes that wound deepe and one of them will stand Sathan in steade of many This made Dauid to pray in â— speciall manner that the Lord would keepe him from Sinnes of this nature saying Keepe thy Seruant from presumptuous sinnes Psal 19.13 Knowing that they would at the â—ast lie heauie vpon the Soule â—nd conscience of that man that â—ommitted them when hee â—hould come to a true sight of â—hem But heere the weake Christiâ—n is bewayling his want that he â—annot bring his heart to any â—easonable passe to be sorrowful â—or sinne but howsoeuer that â—â—ine he would and withall his â—eart hee desires that his heart â—ould dissolue into teares yet he â—ndes that his heart is fat and â—ill not stoope and this makes â—im grieue because hee cannot â—ieue yea and mourne because â—e cannot mourne Let such for their comfort obserue Comfort for the weake First that the constitution of euery mans body is not alike there may be true compunction and contrition of heart for Sin though at all times it doe not manifest it selfe in the eye by teares Secondly consider that God measureth out this sorrowe and contrition of heart vnto his Seruants according to their abilitie and strength to beare for hee iâ— that most wise and skilfull Physician who knoweth well what a potion of physick will worke and more or lesse will not serue whose promise is that hee wiâ— not lay more vpon vs then heâ— will giue vs strength to beare And last of all let such knoâ— for their comfort heerein thaâ— â—he Lord lookes after the maner â—hen the measure of any duty or grace And 2. Cor. 8.12 Accepteth vs according to that which we haue not according to that which we haue not And hath promised that he will not Quench the smoking flax Mt. 12.20 nor â—reake the brused reede And so â—ong as wee please not our selues â—n these poore beginnings but â—ndeuour after more grace and â—ouet after the best giftes 1. Cor. 12.3 the â—ord doth except both of vs and â—hem Thirdly and lastly as we must â—abour to see Sinne and to get Godly sorrow for the same â—o that wee may reape the â—intage and comforte of all we must adde a leaving and forâ—aking of sinne To leaue and forsake sinne For he that hath â—oue his penance once truly beâ—ore God I meane hath had this hearty sorrow for his sinne it will abandon sinne in his Soule for when this Godly sorrow comes in sinne goes out A man that hath surfeited of such meate once will afterwards loath it This poynt is very cleare by the examples of all the godly of whome wee neuer reade they fell into the same sinnes againe after their repentance They made not a trade of sinne as of Dauid of whome it is saide That Dauid did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the dayes of his life 1. Reg. 15.5 saue onely in the matter of Vriah And Zacheus no sooner called by Christ but leaft his former course And great reason for euery true penitent is partaker of Christs death and the power of the same which causeth him that hee is now become dead vnto sin Rom. 6.6 and withall hath the spirit of God dwelling in him whose proper worke is to purifie the heart and not to suffer any â—ilthinesse to remaine where it â—oth lodge Act. 15.9 And thus wee haue seene the â—arts of true repentance and wherein it doth consist Wee â—re now to speake of the necessiâ—ie of the same The necessitie of this duty â—ppeares by that speech of our â—auiour The necessitie of Repentance Except ye repent ye shall 〈◊〉 perish Luk. 13.5 And the words are there â—ice repeated to shew the cerâ—â—intie of it And againe If ye wil â—â—t returne but continue still in your â—s I will visite you saith the Lord Ier. 5.3.9 â—â—d bee auenged on you Many are pathetical exhortations in the â—â—ripture to this purpose to exâ—rt men to repentance O Ierusalem wash thy heart from wickednesse that thou maist be saued Ier. 4.14 And Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye haue transgressed Ier. 18.31 and make you a new heart and a new Spirit And againe Let vs search and try our wayes Lam. 3.40 and turne vnto the Lord. This is that louing admonition Hag. 1.5.7 Christ giues vnto the Church of Ephâ—sus who had lost their first loue Reu. 2.5 she should Remember from whence shee Ephe. 4.23 was fallen and repent Theâ— and infinit places more doe sufâ—â—ciently declare the necessitie â— Repentance Rom. 12.2 Seeing without we cannot be saued Yea all our Sacrifices and Seâ—uices that we offer vp vnto Goâ— whether it be to heare the worâ— to receiue this Sacrament â— pray c. Without repentanâ— are nothing worth Faith anâ— Repentance makes all our seruice â—o God to be accepted and that â—his may the more euidently apâ—eare consider what the Lorde â—ayth by his Prophet Esay When you come to appeare before me who hath required this at your â—ands to tread in my courts Esa 1.12.13.14.15 Bring â—o moe oblations in vaine Incense 〈◊〉 abhomination vnto me I cannot â—uffer your new Moones nor Sabâ—oths nor Solemn dayes nor Assemâ—lies And when ye stretch out your â—ands I will hide my eyes from you â—nd though you make many prayers will not heare These are feareful â—hreatnings that the Lord deâ—ounceth against the Iewes his â—wne people But would wee â—now the cause of all the Lord â—eclares the same in the very next â—ords following Because your â—ands are full of blood They came in their old sinnes without Repentance and thought that so long as they offered vp their sacrifices all was well God could not chuse but accept of them But the Lord
deserue and shall one day draw downe vpon their owne heads that despise the substance and make light account of the bloud of the couenant Christ and his righteousnesse who is heere crucified afresh and offered in this Sacrament vnto euery true beleeuer Vse 3 Thirdly seeing this is so great a sinne to receiue vnworthily wee learne heere that it is not inough to repent and to be greiued for grosse and grieuous sins such as the world cryes out of but we must bee humbled for our secret sinnes infirmities wants Our carelesnesse in prayer hearing of the word receiuing of the Sacrament yea wee must be humbled for our vnworthy comming to the Lords Table for reâ—eiuing this Sacrament carelessâ—y vnreuerently and vnworthiâ—y And hence it is that Dauid â—rayes that the Lord would parâ—on his secret sinnes Psal 19.12 and Peter â—ils Simon Magus to repent Act. 8.22 and â— pray that the thoughts of his â—eart might be pardoned The â—ord hath threatned a curse to â—â—em that doe his worke negliâ—â—ntly saying Ier. 47.10 Cursed bee hee that â—th the work of the Lord negligent 〈◊〉 And yet notwithstanding that we haue all of vs had our failings there in where is the man that is humbled aright and saith Alas what haue I done and seekes to to stay Gods wrath and to appease his anger before the decree come forth Ier. 8.6 and the Lord begins to punish for this sin Vse 4 And last of al seeing weakenesse sicknesse yea and death iâ— selfe with other sharp corrections are all inflicted for sinne and as for other open and grieuous impieties so for this sin oâ— vnworthie receiuing of this Sacrament Learne we then wheâ— the Lord sends sicknes in body diseases weakenesse and want oâ— health or other temporal iudgements in our bodies goods oâ— names amongst other causeâ— let vs impute them to bee seâ— of God for sinne especially foâ— this common sin of ours the vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament of the Lords Supper But alas though the Lord send abroad his iudgements sicknes diseases weakenesse in mens bodyes c Who thinkes of sin as the cause of all especially of this sinne of vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament little do men thinke that that is is cause of all well the Apostle concludeth thus For this â—ause many are weake amongst you â—nd sick c Note And experience â—eacheth that the Lord vsuall doth â—ot send more sicknes at any one â—ime all the yeare after then at â—his time of the yeare when most â—houlde or doe receiue this Saâ—rament of the body and bloud â—f Christ Thus much concerning the first â—â—rt of men that may communicate vnworthily euen the godly man himselfe for want of this godly examination and preparation therevnto as also for his punishment But now howsoeuer the Lord in mercy doth thus deale with his seruants and for this sin of theirs correcteth them here that they may not perish hereafter It is not so with the wicked their vnworthy receiuing is punished after another manner They eate and drinke their owne damnation Thaâ— is amongst all other their sinnes this their vnworthy receiuing is not the least but the Lord doth and will impute the same vnto them 2 Sorts of vnworthy receiuers are the wicked properly so called and this doth helpe to filâ— vp the measure of their iniquities and hasteneth their condemnation And now being to speake oâ— the wicked and their punishment we will labour to discouer the person of the vnworthy receiuer and then to speake of his punishment Now for the more certaine discouery of the person of the vnworthy Communicant Vnworthy receiuers discouered by being compared with the worthy and who it is that may most properly be so called and who it is that doth thus abuse Gods holy ordinance and eate and drinke vnto his own eternall condemnation â— take it to be needfull first to â—hew who they bee that receiue Worthily So shall wee come the â—etter to discerne who they bee â—hat receiue vnworthily For reaâ—on it selfe doth teach vs that it â— the readiest manner of teachâ—ng one to know which is the â—rong way by instructing him â—â—st which is the right way for that is but one whereas other by-wayes are many For whosoeuer is not a worthy receiuer must needs be an vnworthy one whether he come too short or goe too farre Who receiue worthily Now such onely receiue this Sacrament worthily who both see and acknowledge their own vnworthinesse Wherein there is first of all Knowledge required 1 Such as haue a competent measure of knowledge which is the ground of all other grace And that is to be considered two wayes First more generally in the knowledge of the principall poynts of Christian religion Seuen things to be knowne of euery worthy receiuer Secondly more particularly in the Knowledge of this Sacrament Touching the first of these seuen particulars must be known of euery worthy receiuer First that the Lord hath reuealed in his Worde what wee ought both to know and acknowledg concerning his VVill that all thinges therein contained are true VVhich whosoeuer knoweth not cannot bee in the estate of grace much lesse can bee a worthy receiuer of this Sacrament Secondly touching God himselfe the worthy receiuer must know that there is but one God who is of a spiritual nature most wise iust mighty and mercifull who hath ordained all thinges created al things and gouerneth all things according to his owne will And that this God hath reuealed himselfe in three persons Father Sonne and holy Ghost and that these three are but one God Thirdly concerning man the worthy receiuer must know that God in the beginning created man in a most happy estate perfect in soule and body after his owne Image who by his owne disobedience lost his own happines procured Gods curse and made both himselfe and posterity subiect vnto all misery Fourthly for our selues wee must acknowledge our selues to bee corrupted seede of corrupt Parents conceiued and borne in Sinne and brought forth in iniquitie whereby we deserue Gods curse and euerlasting condemnation Fiftly concerning our remedy the worthy receiuer must know that neither himselfe nor any Creature in Heauen or Earth could free him from that cursed estate but that God the Father of his meere loue and tender compassion without any desert of man did send his owne Sonne to take our nature vpon him and in the same to worke our redemption and to reconcile vs vnto God Sixtly the worthy receiuer must know that forasmuch as his redemptioÌ„ is wrought by Christ wee must haue some meanes to make that ours which is Christs and that is onely Faith for it is Faith that apprehends and applies Christ and his obedience and makes the same ours as wee had wrought it our selues And last of all the worthy receiuer must know that this faith â—s not in our selues but it is the â—ree gift of God wrought by the Spirit of
all that shew themselues impenitent from this Sacrament page 167 For comfort to the Godly that though they may be kept by many meanes from partaking in this Sacrament yet they cannot be kept from partaking of Christ by faith page 171 The Godly haue communion with Christ in this Sacrament page 172 Doct. 5 Christ in this Sacrament doeth giue the true beleeuer a sure possession of himselfe page 173 Comforts arising from our vnion with Christ Christ will sanctifie vs to vnite vs to him selfe page 181 We haue communion of estates with him page 182 We are hereby assured of the resurrection of our bodies page 183 This doth assure vs of the grace of perseuerance page 184 The Vse Shewes the happy estate of those which be vnited to Christ page 185 Doct. 6 Christ is euery way a sufficient Sauiour to the elect page 187 Reason 1 Christ hath fully satisfied the rigor of the Law for vs. page 190 Reason 2 God that was offended by mans disobedience is appeased by Christs obedience ibid Reason 3 The validitie that was in Christs death doth clear this truth to our great comfort page 191 Reason 4 The wonderfull loue of Christ in giuing himselfe doeth assure vs of this page 192 The Vses This reprooues the Papists who leaue the Merits of Christ and cleaue to their owne page 193 This is great ioy to the Godly that Christ is a full Sauiour vnto them page 194 Doct. 7 Communicants are to partake of both kinds page 195 Reasons Because Christ commanded it Christs body was broken and his bloud poured out otherwise the conditions of Christians vnder the Gospell would be inferiour to them vnder the Law page 197 The Vse To shew the Sacriledge of the Church of Rome Doct. 8 Bread and wine retain stil their natures page 201 Reasons against Transubstantiation Vse Against the Papists who deny any bread to be in the Lords Supper page 204 The fourth Sermon 1. Cor. 11.29 For he that eateth drinketh vnworthily eateth and drinketh his owne damnation because he discerneth not the Lords body Doct. 1 THe consideration of Gods iudgments should make men perfourme holy duties holily page 212 Reason 1 Because else Gods iudgements cannot be auoyded page 216 Reason 2 Because Gods iudgements are vnsufferable The Vses To shew the hardnesse of their harts who are not mooued at Gods iudgements page 218 To admonish vs that we doe not lightly esteeme Gods iudgements page 219 Doct. 2 Many are punished temporally that are not condemned eternally page 225 Reasons That all may kâ—ow that God is no respecter of persons page 227 God doeth so chastise his children that they might not be condemned with the wicked page 228 The Vses To reproue those which iudge of Gods fauour by outward appearance page 229 This may comfort vs in affliction because it is the portion of all Gods Saints page 231 Doct. 3 It is a great sinne to receiue vnworthily page 233 Reason Because it procures so heauie a punishment page 234 Vse To reprooue those who care not how they come to the Lords Table page 236 To condemne those which contemne this Sacrament page 237 To teach vs to be humbled for secret sins page 238 To teach vs when God sendes his iudgements to search for Sinne the cause of them page 240 Who they be that receiue worthily Such as haue a competent measure of Knowledge page 244 Seuen things to be knowne of euery worthy receiuer page 245 A particular knowledge in this Sacrament page 248 Vse 1 To shew how many come vnworthily not hauing this knowledge ibid Vse 2 Such receiue worthily who haue Faith page 249 Vse To shew the want of faith maketh vs vnworthy receiuers page 251 Vse 3 Such receiue worthily who haue Repentance page 252 Who receiue vnworthily Such as be ignorant page 255 Such as come in vnbeliefe page 257 Such as come without repentance page 258 Doct. 4 A man may communicate and yet vnworthily page 260 Reasons Reason 1 Because there be in the church that are not of the church page 261 Reason 2 Because all haue not faith page 263 Vses To reproue those that come to the Sacrament and neuer looke to the manner how they come page 264 To teach vs to try and examine our selues page 266 Doct. 5 There is no ordinance of God so holy but wicked men abuse it to their owne condemnation page 268 Reason 1 Because wicked men are ignorant how to vse Gods Ordinaunces aright page 272 Reason 2 Because they are wilfull and will not goe the right way about the performance of them Reason 3 Because to the wicked and vncleane all things are impure page 273 Vses To shew the miserable estate of wicked men who are alway increasing their sins ibid To teach vs to performe holy dueties in a holy manner page 175 The Text. Not discerning the Lords body What it is to discerne the Lords body page 279 Doct. 6 It is the property of an vnworthy receiuer to put no difference betweene bread and wine in this Sacrament and common bread and wine page 280 Vses To shewe the fearefull estate of ignorant persons who say they receiue their Maker page 283 To teach vs to acquaint our selues with the Doctrine of this Sacrament page 284 The fift Sermon 1. Cor. 11.30 c. For this cause many are sicke and weake among you and many sleepe For if we would iudge our selues we should not be iudged But when we are iudged we are chastened of the Lord beecause wee should not bee condemned with the world Doct. 1 IT is the Ministers duty to make partilar application of their Doctrins page 291 Reason 1 It is Gods commandement page 293 Reason 2 Conuiction is the ready way to Conuersion ibid Vse 1 To reprooue the negligent in the Lordes worke page 294 Vse 2 For Instruction to Ministers to vse this course page 295 Vse 3 For Hearers to be content to be so dealt with page 296 Doct. 2 Sicknesse and diseases are the fruit of sin Reason 1 The Lord neuer strikes but there is some thing amisse page 301 Reason 2 By our sinne we deserue those corrections that the Lord layeth vpon vs ibid Vse 1 In afflictions to acknowledge sinne the cause of them page 302 Vse 2 To reproue those which ascribe sickenesse vnto Fortune page 303 Doct. 3 Gods iudgements are seasoned with mercy page 304 Vse To reproue those which in time of sicknes receiue the Sacrament at home ibid Doct. 4 The death of the godly is but a sleep page 308 Reason 1 Because the elect though they taste of corruption yet doe not perish in corruption page 309 Reason 2 Because the dead are wakened by God ibid Vse 1 To confute those that deny the Resurrection of the body page 310 To comfort Gods children against the fear of death Doct. 5 Foure things necessary to the iudging of a mans selfe page 311 1. Examination 2 Accusation 3. Condemnation 4. Execution The onely way to turne away
The Lord euer effecteth what is the purpose of his owne will The gifts and calling of God are without repentance Rom. 11.29 Ioh. 13.1 whom he loueth he loueth to the end His loue is perpetuall and therefore sayth Esay 44.8 With an euerlasting loue had I compassion on thee sayth the Lord thy redeemer And indeed this is a most certaine rule that where God beginneth the good worke of grace there is no opposition whatsoeuer that can bee made by the Deuill the World or our owne Corruptions shall euer be able to hinder the same And therefore sayth Paul I am perswaded Phil. 1.6 that he that hath begun this good worke in you will finish the same vntill the day of Iesus Christ And it is made the very finall cause why God sent his Sonne into the VVorlde euen this That all that beleeue in him should not perish Ioh. 3.16 but haue life euerlasting And vnto all that I haue sayd adde these Testimonies I know my Sheepe Ioh. 10.27 28. I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish Neither shall any pluck them out of my hand Rom. 8.1 And there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus 2. Tim. 2.19 And that the foundation of the Lord remaineth for euer sure Surely there is no poynt of Doctrine more often vrged or clearly proued in the Scripture then this to shew the certainety of the saluation of al the elect that their life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 And that such shall neuer perish And hence it is that Christ is called the Author Heb. 12.2 and finisher of our faith to comfort and stay the poore sheepe of Christ with this that if the Lorde haue in any measure begun in them the true worke of grace as he is the author of it For euery good gift and euery perfect gift coms from him that is the Father of light Iames 1.6 and God of all consolation So he will neuer cease vntill he haue brought the same vnto perfection And the reasons heereof are Reason 1 First because the Lord that hath from all eternity willed the saluation of all the elect is immutable and vnchangeable His gifts are without repentance Rom. 11.29 his foundation standeth sure And wee are kept by his power vnto saluation 2. Tim. 2.19 Reason 2 Secondly the Elect are sure of Saluation in regarde of the price of the same and that is the bloud of Iesus Christ which cleanseth from all Sinne. 1. Ioh. 1. And that beeing giuen as a ransome for many what a fearfull imputation shoulde wee cast vppon it if the same shoulde not be auaileable vnto the elect to Saluation Reason 3 And thirdly it were directly to crosse Gods iustice which being satisfied in the death of the Sonne of God for the sins of all the elect and to make the same of no validitie if the elect redeemed by Christ should finally fall away and perish euerlastingly But not to stand vppon these Reasons The vses are Vse 1 First to take notice of Gods vnspeakeable loue and mercy vnto his Church and Children Who euen heerein hath magnified his mercy towards vs not only setting vs free from the prison of our sinnes and from the fearefull punishment belonging vnto the same but hath also in deepe compassion towardes our poore Soules acquainted vs that we shall not come into condemnation but shall escape from death vnto life To the end that being free from that same bondage and seruile feare that the Wicked liue vnder Wee might learne to serue the LORDE in Righteousnesse and Holynesse yea with much ioy and comfort Luke 2. all the dayes of our life Vse 2 Secondly this serues to discouer a wonderfull poynt of folly that raignes in the world of all the mercyes of GOD this is the cheefest when the Lord doth giue vnto a man Christ and the benefits of his passion amongst which this is not the least assurance of Gods loue touching remission of sinnes and our euerlasting saluation And yet alas wee see of all things this is lesse sought for as if saluation and eternall life were not worth the seeking Heerein wee are like vnto little children that looke after babies in a booke and regard not the matter Oh why shoulde wee bee so foolish to seeke those things which cannot continue and let goe those things as are both perpetuall and eternall Doe we affect perpetuities doe wee desire a glorious a comfortable an honorable and withall an vnchangeable estate Beholde heere is an excellent estate indeede Eternall Saluation an Eternall inheritance An Eternall wayte of glory A Lease not of one and twenty yeares but for tearme of such a life as shall neuer see death Why then seeke wee not after it and get good euidences of the same that so at last Saluation may be our portion And thus much breefely for the second conclusion We are chastised of the Lord that wee might not bee condemned with the world The Apostle herein labours to prooue that these iudgments of Almighty God vnto them that can make a right vse of them are but Fatherly chastisements and instructions to keepe his children from the condemnation of the world We are chastised of the Lord c. q. d. You are euen in the midst of your trials troubles and afflictions to beholde Gods mercy towards you who doth thus correct you not out of any hatred hee beares to any of you but euen as a louing and deare Father correcteth his own childe to preuent more dangerous courses which might bring him to shame in the end So God doth exercise you with these temporall chastisements that thereby hee might keepe and restraine you from falling into such sinnes as might bring you to Damnation with the rest of the world the Doctrine then is Doct. 8 One principall meanes that God doth vse to free his children from condemnation is correction That one principall meanes that God doth vse to free his Children from condemnation is correction For whereas by nature they are corrupt aswell as the wicked God vseth this correction as a soueraigne Medicine to Purge out their corruption and so to cleanse them from their sin to bring them to repentance and to Saluation This is intended by Christ when he saith Euery branch that beareth not fruit in mee he taketh away Iohn 15.2 and euery one that beareth fruit he purgeth That it may bring forth more fruit And most agreeable vnto this is that of the Prophet Dauid Psa 94.12 Blessed is the man whome thou chastisest O Lord and teachest him in thy Law That thou maiest giue him rest from the dayes of euill whilest the pit is digged for the wicked Whereby wee learne what an excellent fruit commeth to Gods children by correction euen no lesse then such as accompanie eternall life and Saluation Which commeth to passe not simply thorough afflictions For then shoulde the wicked haue the
same fruit of them inasmuch as All things happen alike to all Eccle. 9. But onely thorough the great mercy of GOD who Sanctifieth the same vnto his children and vnto the wicked The Scriptures are full of proofes for the confirmation of this Doctrine Excellent to this purpose is that of the Prophet Hoseah I will be to Ephraim as a Lyon and as a yong Lyon to the house of Iudah Hos 5.14.15 I euen I will teare and goe away c. Till they acknowledge their offence and seeke my face And this is acknowledged by the prophet Dauid who coulde speake herein by experience Before I was afflicted I went astray but now haue I learned thy commandements Psa 119.71 And Paul concludeth thus 2. Cor. 4.17 For our light affliction which is but for a moment causeth vnto vs a far more excellent and eternall waite of Glory And great reason that the afflictions of Gods Seruants shoulde worke this worke in them Reason 1 First because the Lord in his owne decree and counsell hath appoynted the same for a helpe and remedy against our strong corruptions and these must needes bee now as wholsome potions very medicinable being vsed by such a heauenly Physition Reason 2 Secondly howsoeuer the workes of correction are vnpleasant for the present For no affliction is for the time present ioyous but grieuous yet they are by Gods blessing vpon them excellent meanes to worke in vs contrition and true humiliation for our sinnes The ready way to conuersion And this appeares by the incestuous person vpon whome Paul required to be layde that feareful penalty of Excommunication that hee should be deliuered ouer to Sathan 2. Cor. 5.5 And excluded out of the Church vntill hee repented It appeareth that hee was awakened thereby and so brought to Godly sorrow for his sinne The vses follow Vse 1 Seeing then that afflictions are so vsefull vnto a childe oâ— GOD as the effects thereoâ— do declare proouing as wholsome Medicines and as Fatherly chastisements to amend and reforme vs. This may stay the children of GOD from being too much dishartened in time of affliction But rather with all meekenesse submit our selues vnto our most wise GOD who euer correcteth for our good And chasteneth vs for our profit Heb. 12.10 that we might be partakers of his holynesse How many notwithstanding are there that make many hard conclusions against themselues in time of affliction As if God had forsaken them and they cleane cast out of his fauour But Oh consider wherefore doth the Lorde lay thee vpon thy sicke bed afflict thee in thy VVife Children Goods c Surely for no other ende then to bring thee vnto himselfe What cause then hath any to murmur or complaine in time of affliction Vse 2 Secondly this serues to Magnifie the Power and Wisedome of God that can and doth so ouer-rule the nature of all thinges that they shall serue for much good vnto his children according to that of the Apostle All thinges worke for the best to them that loue God Rom. 8. As the skillfull Apothecary of poyson makes Triakle to expell poyson so can God make the poyson of afflictions which in themselues are the curse of the Lawe to driue out the poyson of sinne as wee may clearely see in the examples of Manasses 2. Cro. 33.11 Ier. 31.18 Act. 16. Luke 15. Ephraim the Iaylor Prodigall c The afflictions of whose outward man were by Gods blessings vppon them good meanes to saue both the outward and inward man Yet euen herein wee must obserue a difference betwixt the godly the wicked to the one they are helpes to heauen to the other forerunners of greater torments as in the deluge the waters that bore vp the Arke for the sauing of Noah drowned the wicked of those times And this wee may often see vnder the Crosse the godly to pray the wicked to blaspheme the drosse consumes while the gold is purified So much mattereth it not what is suffered but what the persons be that suffer And thus much for our helps and direction how to receiue the Sacrament and that worthily To God onely wise bee prayse for euer Amen FINIS