For auoiding this we are duely to weigh what is the end and vse of Righteousnesse Though it be not a meritorious cause of saluation yet is it a meanes of attaining to saluation the way appointed of God for vs to walke in thereunto so that although we bee not saued for our Righteousnesse yet we cannot be saued without it The vnrighteous shal not inherite the Kingdome of God Without holinesse no man shall see God For God hath chosen vs that we should be holy and Christ hath redeemed vs that we should serue him in holinesse and Righteousnesse For this end appeared the grace of God which bringeth saluation vnto all men that we should liue righteously Vnto holinesse God hath called vs and we are created vnto good workes Thus we see how false a suggestion it is that Righteousnesse should be needlesse It is cleane contrary to the expresse charge of the Apostle that we should learne to shew forth good workes for necessary vses Whereas it is pretended that the shield of Faith is sufficient we are to hold it for a ruled case that God maketh nothing in vaine Those things which God hath ioyned together let no man put asunder Wherefore though we saw no diuerse and distinct ends of Faith and Righteousnesse yet God hauing appointed both both must be vsed But there are diuers vses apparent to all that will obserue them Righteousnesse is needfull to testifie our obedience and thankfulnesse to God to profit our brethren to proue our faith to giue euidence of our election vocation and iustification and to maintaine our cause against the cauils of profanesse impiety wickednesse c. Faith is needfull to apply Christs Righteousnes to support vs against the imperfections and defects of our Righteousnesse and for many other good vses whereof wee shall heare on the 16. verse §. 9. Of the issue of Righteousnesse A Third sleight that the diuell hath is to perswade men that this Brest-plate of Righteousnesse is very combersome and toilesome and it wil make vs weary for it is against our naturall disposition and wil be an hinderance of honour wealth ease pleasure c. Herewith he beguiled Esau Demas and many other I may too truely say it that herewith he beguileth most which professe the truth of Religion Some cast away this Brest-plate for promotion sake not caring how they bribe flatter please and fawne vpon great men others for wealth oppressing defrauding and may wayes wronging their neighbours others for their pleasures profaning the Sabbath swearing eating drinking vnto gluttony and drunkennesse vsing vnlawfull games immoderately pursuing lawfull pastimes attyring themselues in strange apparrell aboue their estate vnbeseeming their place c. Others to auoid outward reproch for feare directly against their heart and conscience I speake it with great horror of heart are profane and vnrighteous because it is counted a disgrace to be Righteous For auoiding this we must haue more respect to the assured issue of Righteousnesse then to some present seeming inconueniences thereof We know that the Armour which souldiers weare on their bodies is for the time combersome and heauy yet for safety they refuse not to weare it they consider that it is much better to endure a smal burthen for a while then to endanger their liues and lose the victory Now such is the blessed fruit and issue of Righteousnesse that all the honour profit and pleasure that can be lost or all the reproch or shame that can be endured for it are not worthy of the Crowne of Righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge will giue vnto his righteous seruants It were almost an infinite taske to declare what the Scripture the word of Truth hath deliuered concerning the issue of Righteousnesse Generally it saith The Lord loueth Righteousnesse Verily there is a reward for the Righteous Blessings are on the head of the Righteous c. Particularly for the righteous person himselfe in this life it is said that The eyes of the Lord are vpon the Righteous God will grant the desire of the Righteous The Lord deliuereth the Righteous out of all trouble The Righteous shall neuer be forsaken The Righteous shall be glad The Righteous shall flourish like a Palme tree The Righteous are hold as a Lyon The way of the Righteous shineth as the light c. For his death The Righteous hath hope in his death The Righteous are taken away from the euill to come After death The memortall of the Righteous shall be blessed The Righteous shall be had in euerlasting remembrance At the resurrection The Righteous shall goe into life eternall The Righteous shall shine as the Sunne in the Kingdome of their Father For their posterity The generation of the Righteous shall bee blessed Their seed shall not begge their bread c. Heere we see matter enough to answere all the discommodities that may be obiected against Righteousnesse Moses hauing an eye to the recompence of the reward forsooke the honours pleasures and riches of Aegypt three such baits as all the world most greedily snap at Christ for the ioy which was set before him endured the crosse and despised the shame Thus if we set the end and issue of Righteousnesse before vs it will make vs to let goe all earthly matters to hold it fast for our soules find much ease through the burthen that the flesh feeleth hereby In a word great is the dignity and admirable are the priuiledges of the Righteous §. 10. Of the Comfort of Righteousnesse OVt of the answer to his first suggestion if the diuell preuaile by none of the former he will seeke to perswade vs that this Brest-plate of Righteousnesse can stand vs in no steed because All our Righteousnesse is as a menstruous cloath all is but dung and losse Thus hee beguileth many weake Christians and often bringeth them to vtter despaire Answ For auoiding this we are to be informed that though our Righteousnesse considered in it selfe and compared with the perfect rule of the law be exceeding defectiue or opposed to the Righteousnesse of Christ be dung and losse yet as it is a worke of Gods holy Spirit in vs proceeding from an heart purified by faith all the imperfections therof being couered with the perfect Righteousnesse of Christ it is acceptable vnto God and such a thing as we may receiue much comfort in Therefore though our Righteousnesse in it selfe affoord no matter of boasting yet in regard of Gods gracious acceptation it is a thing much to be laboured after yea also to be reioyced in §. 11. Of all the parts of Righteousnesse vnited IF the diuell cannot by any meanes bring vs wholly to reiect all Righteousnesse he will endeuour to make vs carelesse in some parts thereof or at least negligent in taking the
His Propheticall Office to instruct and direct his Church in the way of Saluation In the name of this Our Lord Iesus Crhist must all the calues of our lippes all our praises be offered vp vnto God Let vs by him saith the Apostle speaking of Christ Iesus offer the sacrifice of praise This point was before handled in the generall doctrine of Prayer §. 63. Of the matter of Thanksgiuing 4 THe matter of thanksgiuing is very ample large limitted with no restraint but extended to al things So that whatsoeuer the Lord doth affordeth matter of praise to the Saints Oft is this generall particle all vsed in this point In all things giue thankes saith the Apostle in another place Forget not all his benefits saith Dauid Wee know that all things worke together for good to them that loue God If all things worke to our good is it not iust and meete that thankes should be giuen for all things That wee may somewhat more distinctly discerne the matter of thanksgiuing I will set downe in order some particular branches of this generall point The matter of Thankesgiuing may sundry wayes be distinguished 1 In regard of the nature or kinde of benefits They are Good things bestowed Euill things remoued 2 In regard of the quality of them They are Spirituall Temporall 3 In regard of the manner of bestowing them They are already giuen promised to be giuen 4 In regard of the persons vpon whom they are bestowed which are Our selues Others Vnder these generall heads there are many particular branches which I will in order declare §. 64. Of the spirituall blessings for which thankes is to be giuen SPirituall blessings are Bestowed here on Earth Reserued in Heauen In the ranke of the former kinde of spirituall blessings these particulars following must be accounted 1 The ground of them which is Election Together with which we are to reckon the cause thereof Gods free grace and rich mercy and also the fruit thereof certenty of saluation 2 The meritorious cause of them namely our Redemption vnder which wee must comprise the price of our redemption Christs blood and the speciall fruits thereof as Reconciliation Adoption Remission of sinnes imputation of righteousnesse c. 3 The meanes of applying the benefits of our election and redemption namely the effectuall operation of Gods Spirit vnder this head are comprised effectuall vocation regeneration sanctification and all those particular sanctifying graces which we find feele to be wrought in vs as Knowledge Faith Hope Loue Repentance Patience new Obedience c. together with the blessed fruits of them as peace of conscience ioy in the spirit holy security with the like Finally the meanes which the Spirit vseth to worke and encrease all these graces are to be remembred which are the Ministery of the Word Administration of the Sacraments and other holy Ordinances of God together with liberty of the Sabbaths of good and faithfull Ministers of publike Assemblies with the like Those eternall blessings which are in Heauen reserued for vs are such as Eye hath not seene nor eare heard nor haue entred into the heart of man We cannot in particular reckon them vp yet in the generall we must haue our hearts filled with an holy admiration of them and our mouthes with praise for them §. 65. Of the temporall blessings for which thankes is to be giuen TEmporall blessings for which thankes is to be giuen are such as concerne 1 Mankinde in generall as creation and preseruation of Man Gods prouidence ouer him and all the fruits and benefits of these 2 The whole Church thorowout the World the increase peace and prosperity of it particularly the Churches in that Land where we liue 3 Common-wealths and in particular that Common-wealth whereof we our selues are members and therein in good Magistrates good Lawes peace plenty c. 4 Families especially our owne and therein good Gouernours good seruants good parents good children a competency of goods to maintaine the state of it If God giue not onely sufficiency but also abundance more thankes is to be giuen 5 Our own persons in regard of them souÌ„dnes of mind health of body ability to performe the work of our calling Gods blessing on our labour and calling with the like §. 66. Ofgiuing thanks for remouing euils EVils remoued for which thankes is to bee giuen are Publike Priuate both these Spirituall Temporall Temporall publike euils arise from the enemies of the Church Common-wealth Thanks therfore is to be giuen when those enemies are either ouerthrown or conuerted or when their conspiracies are discouered we preserued from their mischieuous practises whether by warres inuasions treasons rebellions or priuie and secret plots with the like To this head may be referred deliuerance from plagues famines fires inundations c. Spirituall publike euils are common publike sinnes maintained by law or common practise Publike sinnes which vse to be in diuerse countries maintained by law are Idolatry Superstition Heresies Vsury Play-houses Brothel-houses c. Publike sinnes maintained in many places by common practise are Swearing Proâ—hanenesse Drunkennesse Vnclâ—anenesse Pride and brauery in apparrell c. When and where it pleaseth the Lord to afford aâ—ny meanes of reforming and restraining these publike sins then and there is matter of thanksgiuing afforded Spirituall priuate euils are either such particular sinnes wherunto our selues are most giuen or the causes of such sins as the temptations of Satan or euil lusts the vaine allurements of others or else a spirituall punishment of them as trouble of minde hardnes of heart a tormenting conscience a seared and sencelesse conscience c. They who are deliuered out of any of these snares must bee thankfull for that deliuerance Priuate temporll euils are such outward iudgements as God in anger inflicteth on men as punishments also of sinne such are penurie ignominie paine griefe sicknesse losse of goods losse of friends and other like crosses The remouing of these is matter of thanksgiuing §. 67. Of giuing thanks for crosses YEt are not outward temporall iudgements whether publike or priuate alwaies to be simply accounted euils but many times to bee reckoned and accounted in the number of Gods blessings For God oft inflicteth them on his children and that in loue for their good They are indeede grieuous and irksome to the flesh but many times profitable to the soule an heauie burthen they are but they bring forth a good precious fruit wherefore in regard of them we must wholy refer our selues to Gods will as Christ did in his bitter agonie If God bee pleased to preserue vs from them or being fallen vpon vs to remoue them we are to account this preseruation and deliuerance a blessing and fauor of the Lord and to be thankfull vnto God for it But otherwise if it please the Lord to lay any crosse vpon vs or when it lieth on
Of preuenting the sinne against the Holy Ghost TO returne to the point in hand wee haue heard what the sinne against the Holy Ghost is and what the issue thereof is namely Impossibility of pardon certaintie of eternall damnation Whose heart doth not tremble to thinke of their estate The very Diuels doe tremble to thinke of their owne doome and iudgement Diues is thought to be in a most miserable plight That which ministreth any comfort to sinners in this world is that they hope the due vengeance of their sinnes shal not be executed vpon them This hope can none haue that sinne against the Holy Ghost Though all sinnes as before we haue heard shall bee pardoned yet a man may so grow on in impudencie and obstinacie as to sinne against the Holy Ghost and make his sin irremmissible and himselfe certaine of eternall damnation Let vs therefore take heed of making any way to this sin and of prouoking God to cast vs cleane ouer into Satans power or rather to suffer vs to giue vp our selues wholly vnto Satan For the preuenting hereof let the directions heere following bee carefully obserued 1 Be watchfull against euery sin yea against the very beginnings of sinne Giue no place to the Diuell Take heed left there be at any time in any of you an euill heart of vnbeleefe in departing from the liuing God Especially let vs take heed of sinning against our owne iudgement and knowledge against the perswasion of our heart and conscience and against the reuelation and motion of Gods Spirit in vs. Sinne is deceitfull and Satan is subtill They allure men step by step to descend till by degrees they bring vs into this irrecouerable downefall of the sinne against the Holy Ghost 2 Haue the Gospell the Word of saluation in high account As we haue knowledge thereof so let vs set our heart and loue vpon it Loue of the Gospell will make men cleaue close vnto it and will keepe them from renouncing of it If men receiue not the loue of the truth that they might be saued God will send them strong delusion that they should beleeue a lye and bee damned Through light esteeme of the Gospell men oft come to reiect it and to proue Apostates 3 Duely weigh the difference betwixt Christ and the world how Christ can vphold thee and preserue and protect and prosper thee against the world but all the world cannot shelter thee from his warth True knowledge of Christ of the benefits wee reape by him of the priuiledges we haue in him of the comfort and peace we receiue through him will make vs account all the things of this world in comparison of Christ but as dung and it will make vs also stand the more resolutely against all the assaults of the world and not suffer our selues thereby to be drawne from Christ Let vs oft call to minde that which Christ hath said to this purpose What is a man profited if he gaine the whole world and lose his owne soule or what shall be giue in exchange for his soule 4 If at any time through his owne weakenesse or the violence of any temptation a man be so farre ouertaken as to deny the Gospell and to forsake Christ let him not persist therein but rather as Peter did vpon the first occasion offered to discouer his folly let him throughly humble himselfe and speedily repent The longer sinne continueth the stronger it groweth and the greater aduantage will Satan take thereby Deadly poison being speedily purged out may be kept from infecting the vitall parts 5 After once thou art recalled hauing before time denied Christ be the more watchfull ouer thy selfe that thou deny him not againe and againe If the Diuell being once cast out returne againe Hee will come with seuen other spirits more wicked then himselfe If after men haue escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of th◠Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ they are againe intangled therin and ouercome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning 6 While thine heart is pliable pray earnestly instantly pray as against all sins so especially against presumptuous sinnes as Dauid did and in particular against this vnpardonable sinne Nothing more powerfull against sinne and Satan then faithfull prayer without this all other meanes are fruitlesse This meanes is to be vsed as for our selues so also for others as we haue before shewed There is nothing against which we ought more earnestly to pray then against this sinne for no estate more desperate then theirs who fall into this sinne §. 34. Of the persons who cannot fall into the sinne against the holy Ghost AS this Treatise was begun with declaration of Gods Mercy in forgiuing all manner of sins so it shall bee concluded with application of comfort to the elect and that in regard of the nature and issue of the sinne against the Holy Ghost That which maketh this sin to seeme as an hot fiery thunderbolt euen that which maketh it most terrible and dreadfull that I say ministreth matter of comfort to the elect namely that it is impossible it should be pardoned and that the committers thereof are sure to bee eternally damned The comfort is this that the elect are absolutely freed from it so as they cannot fall into it The Reasons are euident 1 When they come to bee inlightned together with their illumination regeneration is wrought in them Now they who are borne againe cannot so wholly giue vp themselues to sin and Satan as to sin against the Holy Ghost The Apostle in a more inferiour degree and kinde of sinning then in this kinde against the Holy Ghost saith Whosoeuer is borne of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sinne because he is borne againe 2 All the sinnes of the elect in the issue and euent are Veniall such as shall be pardoned For though in the nature and kinde of sin euery of their sins are as the sins of all other mortall For the wages and due deserts of sin not any one sin excepted is death yet hath Christ by his death satisfied for all their sins All therefore shall be pardoned to them 3 All that are elected are elected to eternall life and being elected thereto they shall assuredly be made partakers thereof Gods purpose and decree remaineth firme and stable and cannot be made frustrate They are not therefore in danger of eternall damnation and so cannot fall into that sin Yet let no man be presumptuous or secure in this regard for first hee may bee mistaken in his election and thinke he is chosen when indeed he is not If hee be deceiued and mistake the markes of his election then is he not exempted from this sinne and the feareful issue thereof Againe though he be elected yet if hee be not watchfull ouer himselfe
he may fall into so great a gulfe of sin and be so neere the pit of eternall damnation as hee will haue cause againe and againe to repent his folly as wee haue * before shewed Let vs therefore worke out our saluation with feare and trembling Vnto which saluation that we may be kept blamelesse The Grace of the Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with vs all Amen FINIS AN Alphabeticall Index of the particular points contained in this Treatise A ADuersity a matter of thanksgiuing 406 The vse of faith in Aduersitie 268 AEdification to bee aymed at by Ministers 526 Affiance in God 558 All sorts of people must fight 51 All assaults must be held out 109 Christ offered to All. 228. 587 Ambassadors of God are Ministers 535 Apostles especiall Ambassadors 536 The dignity of Ambassadors 537 The duties of Ambassadors 539 Gods mercie in sending Ambassadors 544 Christs Ambassadors worst of all handled 547 Amen the vse of it 431 Amen to be vttered aloud 434 Apostasie 604 Apostates 605 Ardencie in prayer 353 Signes of extraordinary Ardencie 441 Armour of God why so called 19 Armour of God compleate 22 Be bould in the Armour of God 23 No safety without the Armor of God 33 They safe who well vse the Armour of God 35 Most part of it defensiue 118 Assurance of faith 261 Assurance a propertie of hope 297 B BAbling in prayer 499 Beleefe see Faith None sinne in Beleeuing 232 It is a sinne not to Beleeue 233 Blasphemie 576 What it is 577 How hainous a sinne it is 579 Blasphemies of Papists 580 Blasphemie to bee punished by Magistrates 581 Occasion of Blasphemie not to bee giuen 582 Blasphemie may bee pardoned by God 583 Blasphemie accompanieth the sinne against the Holy Ghost 598 Blessings of God reckoned vp as temporall c. 403 Why many Saints want outward Blessings 412 Boldnes needful for Ministers 523. 557 Wherein Ministers must shew boldnes 524 Ouer-secure Boldnesse 258 Brother a title of humility and gentlenesse 4. c. All Christians as Brethren 4 C CAllings which are peculiar to be most respected 114. 534 Canonicall houres 476 Charge euery mans Charge to be discharged 114. 534 Chiliasts arguments for redemption out of hell answered 618 Christs comming to iudgement whether in the day or night-time vncertaine 490 A superstitious waking for Christs comming ibid. Compunction see Griefe Confidence in Gods mighty power 15 Confidence in ones selfe vaine 11 Confidence in creatures vaine 11 Conscience what is the righteousnesse thereof 145 A cleare Conscience what it is 252 How it commeth from faith 253 The ground of it loue ibid. It is accōpanied with a pure hart 255 It extendeth it selfe to all duties 256 It endureth to the end 257 A quiet Conscience what it is 247 No wicked mans Cōscience is quiet 248 Constancie 110 Corrections of God in wisdome and loue 187 189 They are not simply tokens of wrath 139 Some despise them some faint vnder them 183. c. How kept frō those extreams 184. 185 Courage spirituall needfull 6. 114 Cursing Saints an horrible thing 392 D DAmnation eternall 618 They certainely Damned whose sinnes are not pardoned 621 Danger must make watchfull 45 Darknesse spirituall 76 Dead not to be prayed for 377 Dead not to be prayed vnto 507 Defence not in ones selfe 99 Most part of Christians armour Defensiue 118 Desire of Christ 223. 243 Notes of true Desire 244 Desire of performing ones functiō 558 Deprecation against euill 370 Despaire whence it ariseth 47 Temptations to Despaire are fiery darts 282 Yeeld not to Despaire 234. 284 DIVELL The Diuell our enemie 37 What Diuels were by creation and what they lost by their fall 37. 38 What maketh Diuels terrible 38. 81. 87. 89 The Diuels subtiltie wyles and shifts 39. c. The Diuell principall in all temptations 56 The Diuels haue a dominion 61 Diuels power 64. 65 They cannot doe what they wil. 66. 72 Nor doe any thing against nature 66 Nor worke miracles 66 Nor force mans will 68 Nor search mans heart 68. 69 Nor foretell things to come 69 Diuels extraordinary power wherein it consisteth 70 How far it is diminisht by their fall 71 Diuels rule onely in this world 75 Their vassals are ignorant and euill men 76 How men may come out of Diuels power 78 Diuels are spirits 79 Diuels are not qualities 80 Diuels extreamely euill 83. 84 Diuels many in number 86 Diuels haue an head 87 Their number makes them terrible 87 Comfort against the power and number of Diuels 87. 88 Diuels aduantage in place 89 Diuels fight to spoile men of heauenly things 92 Diuels malice 93 Diuels darts and fiery darts 281. c. Times wherin Diuels shal be loose 105 Diuels haue an hand in afflicting Saints 177 Diuels can euery way annoy vs. 280 Giue not place to the Diuell 63. 103 Resist and driue the Diuell away 313 Drousie praying 493 E EIaculations of heart 479 Elect cannot sinne against the Holy Ghost Endeauour of man must goe with Gods assistance 29 Euils what to be prayed against 370 Kindes of Euill 371. c. Euils from which Saints are freed are more then iustly they can feare 413 How Euils may prooue matter of thanksgiuing ibid. Examination to be vsed at a Fast 460 Experience vpholdeth hope 306 F FAinting in affliction 182 Saints subiect to Fainting 184 How kept from Fainting 185 Family-prayer 437 FAITH What Faith is 257 Diuers kinds of Faith 208 True iustifying Faith 210 Faith especially to be taught and learned 199 The excellency and necessity of Faith 198 Faith cōmendeth Gods properties 200 How Faith resteth on Gods iustice 202 Great is the need of Faith 284 And great is the worth of it 279. 285 Faith maketh the Word profitable 323 Faith and righteousnesse haue distinct vses 152 How Faith hope differ agree 298 How Faith and presumption differ 287 Faith fitly compared to a shield 214 Faith fitly compared to Balsom 283 How Faith is gotten The Author of it 216 The meanes of getting Faith 218 The order of working Faith 220 Faith presupposeth knowledge ibid. Faith ariseth from sence of misery and desire of remedy ibid. What man must do to haue Faith 223 Motiues to Faith 224 Faith not hard to the willing 289 Mans vnworthinesse no hinderance to Faith 227. 292 Triall of Faith It may be knowne 235 Imperfect Faith may be sound 292 True Faith may stand with doubting 238 Faith operatiue as fire 245 Faith the first grace A mother grace 202. c. Faith workes loue other graces 203 Faith causeth a quiet conscience 247 And a cleare conscience 252 Faith causeth a pure heart 255 Faith may be as a tree in winter 252 How farre Faith may be lost 259 Faith falleth not cleane away 293 How Faith may bee preserued and encreased 263 How Faith is well vsed 266 Two vses of Faith in prosperitie and two in aduersitie 267 Helpes of