verie fitlie compared in the Scriptures to thornes to chaffe to tares Because they be as prickes to procure hurt to the godlie Because as the winde doth scatter the chaffe so shall they be soone cut off from the face of the earth Because as tares are to bee bound in bundels burnt so shall they be in hell fire Wicked men are called by sundrie names and compared in the Scriptures to Foxes to Dogges to beastes Because they are subtill in vndermining doing of mischiefe in so much as the Church requireth to haue the foxes takē awaie Cant. 2.15 Because they are currish in controlling and barking against all goodnes Hereof Paule willeth the Phillip to beware of dogges Phil. 3.2 Because they are prophane in their liues and degenerate frō their kinde worse than beasts So Paule complaineth that hee fought with beastes at Ephesus after the manner of men 1. Cor. 15.32 The wicked and vngodlie are not to be Supported purposelie Accompanied willinglie Condemned vtterlie Because it is abomination before God to iustifie the wicked Prouer. 17.15 Because it is dangerous for hee that toucheth pitch shall be defiled Eccle. 13.1 Because the Lord wil haue mercie on whom he will and when he please Rom 9.15 These sayings maie terrifie such as attempt any euill The face of the Lord is against him 2. Pet. 3.12 Tribulation and anguish shall be vppon his soule Rom. 2.9 There shall be no ende of plagues to him Prouer. 24.20 God tempteth no man to euill but we are drawne to it By the diuell who watcheth to worke our ouerthrowe By our owne concupiscence to consent to his suggestions By vicious companie and ill perswasions of others when we be seduced The Diuell will vndermine vs in our musings if we take not great heed for in them Barn He talketh with vs wittilie He eggeth vs cunninglie Hee deceiueth vs craftelie whom if we resist by faith the Lord will Ouerlook vs fighting Succour vs fainting Crowne vs ouercomming The Diuells haue knowledge after a sort for They beleeue there is a God and feare and tremble Iam. 2.19 They can pleade Scripture for their owne purpose Matth. 4.6 They acknowledge Christes comming to iudgement Matth. 8.29 The Diuell hath three euill properties he is Subtill Strong Cruell as a Serpent as a Lyon as a Tiger For hee can transforme himselfe into many shapes yea into an Angell of light and vse manie shifts to deceiue withall For hee is not so busie in seeking daylie for his pray as he is forcible to resist where he assaulteth For where hee hath any enterance at all he will neuer rest vntill he bringeth to confusion The Diuell vsed three pollicies to tempt Christ in the wildernes perswading him To distrust in God To the desire of riches and honor To a vain cōfidence of himselfe Beza Mat. 20. Wee haue 3. cruell foes that fight against the spirit in this life the Flesh World Diuell The fiercest foe in this fight is the Diuell whō wee may expell with these three weapons Faith Praier the word of God We ought not to followe the lustes of the flesh but leade our liues holilie Beza 1. Pet. 2.11 Because those lusts although they flatter vs yet they cease not to fight against our saluation 2. Cor. 10.3 Because we are citizens in heauen and therefore ought to leade our liues thereafter although we be strangers here Because the glorie of God is greatlie set foorth by that meanes whilest by example of our honest life euen the most prophane men are brought vnto God and submit themselues vnto him There are many walk in this world saith Paul Phil 3.19 Whose God is their bellie Whose glorie is their shame Whose end is damnation The whole world lieth in wickednes 2. Ioh. 5.19 The wretchednes of this world made Salomon say Iob say Paule say The day of death is better than the day one is borne Eccle. 7 3. My soule is cut off though I liue Iob. 10.1 I desire to bee loosed from this life Phil. 1.23 What should we so accompt of this world seeing The fashion of it goes awaie 1. Cor. 7.31 The wisedome of it is mere foolishnes Iob. 37 The amitie of it is enmitie with God Ia. 4.4 Vse this world as though you vsed it not saith Paule 1. Cor. 7. These 3 things may withdrawe a man from desiring long life in this world The wretchednes of his life The grieuousnes of his sinnes The greatnes of his accompt because it is but a continual temptation and full of miserie because they will more increase by cōtinuance because it wil be the more fearefull at the yeelding vp The godlie desire to be out of this world Because it is variable and nothing but vanitie Because of the innumerable euills they are subiect to Because they long to be cloathed with the heauenlie habit Life is verie sweete and so sweete that it hath prouoked the godlie to prolong the safetie of it by shifts Dauid doubting of euill dealing fained himselfe mad to saue his life 1. Sam. 21.13.14 Paule perceiuing their crueltie that would kill him had rather in the night bee let downe in a basket than abide Acts 9.25 Peter fearing death did forsweare his master Iohn 18.27 The faithfull and godlie in this world doo dailie Fight Faint Fall by reason of their Aduersarie Infidelitie Infirmitie Yet they shall not be cast away Psal 37.24 These 3. things are worthie to be considered He that liueth best doth dailie sinne He is happie that hath grace to repent He is blessed to whom God imputeth no sin Although euery man is a sinner yet euerie sinne is not of like consideration for some sinne of Ignorance of Infirmitie of Malice as Paule did 1. Tim. 1.13 as Dauid did 2. Sam. 11.2 c. as Nebuchad-nezzer did Dan. 3.1 Euerie sinner must beware of these three things of procrastination presumption prouocation In delaying the time of repentance Matth. 24.50 In sinning still vpon hope Rom. 6.1 In sinning obstinatlie against the holie Ghost Sinne is nothing els but A sweet poyson A flattering death A destructiō of the soule wherof there be two sorts Original Actuall Adam did further his fall and increase his sinne in the garden three waies By ambition By hypocrisie By impenitencie because he thought to be as God knowing good from euill Gen. 3.6 because hee hid the cause of his nakednes which was the breach of Gods commandements Gen. 3.10 because hee was so farre from acknowledging his transgression that he burdened God with his fault in that hee had giuen him a wife Gen. 3.12 It appeareth by this that sinne is Excerable Detestable Intollerable because it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth Gen. 6.6 because hee destroyeth dumme creatures for our cause Zephan 1. vers 3. because hee would not spare his onelie sonne for our sinnes It is an exceeding comfort to a Sinner to consider That God is as well a father as a Lord. That Christ is as well a
The Remedie of Reason Not so comfortable for matter as compendious for memorie Wherein the ignorant may gather instruction the learned confirmation all men consolation By Charles Gibbon Be readie alwaies to giue an answer to euerie man that asketh you a Reason of the hope that is in you c. 1. Peter 3.15 16. If any man think that he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to knowe 1. Cor. 8.2 Imprinted at London by Thomas Orwin 1589. To the right Worshipfull Sir Robert Iarmin Knight And to the VVorshipfull Master Henrie Blagge Esquier perfect fruition of infinite felicitie SAlomon that most renowmed and royal King waying the wretchednes of this world by the weight of his wonderfull wisedome could no lesse but redouble his words and saie Vanitas vanitatum Math. 7.33 vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas Which seeing it is so Right Worshipfull it behoueth euery one of vs not so much to auoid the causes that maie prouoke vs to vanitie as to practise all the meanes that may procure vs to pietie and to walke with such foresight in this terrestriall pilgrimage as wee may haue fruition of felicitie in the coelestiall Paradise according to the counsell of our Sauiour Christ who willeth vs first to seeke the kingdome of GOD and his righteousnes Colos 3 2. and not dissenting from the saying of the Apostle Eccle. 1.2 who perswadeth vs to set our affections on things that are aboue and not on things that are on the earth Insomuch as all our knowledge is but vaine that is seduced with vanitie all our wisedome is but meere follie that is carried away with earthly cogitations yea all our dooings detestable that tend onelie to temporall dispositions for there is none to be deemed wise indeed that will not bestowe his talent in the treasure of Gods word considering it is so precious that it ought more to bee desired than gold yea than much fine gold Psal 19 10. Psalm 119.97 and it is so delectable that in sweetnes it exceedeth the honie the honie combe wherein Dauid did oppose his whole delight And it is so expedient for vs to profite therein as he that hath much may yeeld somewhat sithence he that hath lesse shall not bee excused with nothing The Lord will looke for tenne talents where he left fiue Matth. 25.22 and wil punish him that maketh no profite where he bestowed one Hereof it is I haue proceeded in this enterprise bestowed my time to the benefite of others which although it bee not comparable to any commendable woorke yet that is not excusable for any to detract his duetie seeing God will accept a mite of a willing minde neither ought to be contemptible amongst others though all bee not currant for the building is furthered by inferiour helpes though it be framed by finer heads Againe the world is now growne into his last age wherein sects schismes and errors doo spread and sinne and iniquitie aboundeth insomuch as I feare me it is with many of vs in England as it was with the people of Israel Exod. 16. they loathed Manna that fell from heauen for the sustenance of their bodies and too too many of vs doo little regard that spiritual Manna the word of God that is sent for the succour of our soules Hereof it is I haue made choice of your good Worships and presented my labours to your godlie patronage assuring my selfe that as you bee fauourers and followers of Gods word so you will be defenders of the fruites of the same and rather be preferrers than defacers of a forward action not doubting but your Worships will well accept of it as a worke importing and proceeding of good will by the consideration of that excellent example of the poore widowe preferring the simplicitie of the giuer before the sufficiencie of the gift knowing that the imperfection of the present may bee couered by the presumption of the Poet and I may say in the want of well doing Est voluisse satis Thus being loath to be too tedious in my Epistle hauing obserued breuitie in all the whole booke I referre the consideration thereof to your graue censures submitting my selfe to your good curtesies committing your Worships to the protection of the Almightie Your Worships to command Charles Gibbon ⧠To the Christian and curteous Reader HE that doth publish a matter to the iudgment of many the same requireth to be done not lightlie but deliberatlie considering it is subiect to sundrie Censures and in reading and iudging all are not Candidi Lectores In regard whereof good Christian Reader I haue published my paines to thy profite and presented the liking of it to thy looking ouer hauing as nigh as I may not onelie cut off all such occasions as might cause cauillation but also ministred such matter as concernes our consolation and although it bee not polished preciselie for the expectation of the curious yet it is finished plainlie for the information of the simple Now it may bee there bee many that will vse obiections against the triple forme of this treatise because no Arte hath reduced all things and rightly to Dicotomies True but wisedome may contriue much compendiously and yet profitablie besides although I haue framed it as an easie enterance for the erudition of the ignorant J haue not excluded what may further be added by the consideration of the learned and albeit much more might be inserted in many places for prolixitie yet much lesse I feare me is obserued of the most part for their vtilitie Some will require a more direct placing of thinges in their order Certes that is well placed that is well applied and those that do more respect the manner of placing than the matter it selfe may be noted in the number of those who would haue the Psalmes of Dauid to precede and not to follow the booke of Iob making a scrupulous question without cause when wee all knowe they are both included in the Scriptures containe comfortable matter for our saluation Some will not like so many diuers sorts of sundrie things congest together in one heape other will require more perspicuitie some one thing some another Insomuch as he that expecteth to please the opinions of all people must either refraine from open publication of any thing or referre himselfe to their generall dispositions in iudgement and this is the common successe of acceptance many will commend it most will mislike it fewe will followe it But as my meaning was to profite the simple by the setting foorth of it so I shall perswade the godlie to a good liking of it and as for the froward I will not refell their foolish questions in disputation about it knowing what the Apostle Paule saith that foolish and vnlearned questions ingender strife So 2. Tim. 2.23 wishing all to measure others by the met they would receiue themselues and so to report as they expect in any enterprise I
Sauiour as a Iudge That the Scripture include as well a Gospell as a Law Sinners should not dispaire of Gods mercie if they did but perceiue his goodnes which apeareth vnto them By his readines in calling By his worthines in sparing By his vnwillingnes in striking before they crie saith the Lord I will answere and whilest they are yet thinking what to speake I will heare Esa 65.24 he maketh as though he sawe not the sins of men because they should amend Wisd 11.20 he taketh no pleasure in the destruction but in the cōuersion of sinners Ezek. 18.23 What greater comfort can sinners haue sith Christ himselfe saith Aske and ye shall haue Seeke and ye shall finde Knock it shal be opened vnto you I stande at the dore knock c. Apoc. 3.20 He that wil obtaine mercie by true repentance Must acknowledge his sinnes sorowfullie with the prodigall sonne Must shewe a heartie contrition for the same and loath them Must do good workes worthie amendment afterward Asts. 26.20 He that is fullie perswaded of the forgiuenes of his sinnes it behoueth him to remember these three things the mercie of God the subtiltie of Sathan the frailtie of himselfe That he be thankfull vnto him for his gratious goodnesse shewen vnto him by remitting his offences receiuing him into his fauor That hee watch and praie continuallie for the diuell goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whō hee maie deuoure 1. Pet. 5.8 That seeing his own infirmities hee may the rather depende vpon God craue his mercie to increase his faith and strengthē his weaknes or els he shal not be able to withstād the opposite euills he is subiect to God sheweth himselfe to all his people Merciful Good Iust to the elect to the reprobat to both of them In pardoning their sinnes Albeit they cannot feele the sweete comfort of the same In giuing iudgement The Lord wil not reiect the suite of a Sinner neither accept of it vnlesse in asking hee hath a special regard of these three things Of the time Of the manner Of the end For the Lord will not bee found at all times but requireth oportunitie Hereof faith the Prophet Esai seeke the Lord while hee may be found cal vpon him while he is nere Esai 55.6 The fiue foolish virgins cōming too late were excluded Matth. 25.12 For the Lord will not onlie haue such as call vpō him depart from iniquitie but wil also haue their praiers proceed frō the verie hart Then shalt thou call saith the same Prophet to the hypocrites and the Lord shall answere thou shalt crie and he shall say here I am Esai 58.9 For God requireth not only importunitie of vs in asking as appeareth by the woman of Canaan Matth. 15.28 but also respecteth the end of our requestes in asking according to his will otherwise wee maie aske and receiue not because wee aske amisse to consume it on our lustes Iam. 4.3 Hee that will reclaime a sinner must obserue three things in handling of him which the Apostle S. Peter practised with the Iewes Acts. 3.13 14 15 17 29. Demonstration of the matter Reprehension of the offence Exhortation to the sinner In shewing him by the word of God it is a sinne that it may so appeare vnto him whereby he may the better acknowledge it before God In reproouing him by the iudgements of GOD pronounced against the same that hee may both heare the punishment he hath worthelie deserued and also thereby be the more terrified from attempting euill In perswading him by the promises of Gods mercie that he may not onelie bee driuen from dispaire but also by that meanes bee drawne to amendement The same notable example of Manasses in his conuersion doth minister singuler matter to euerie Sinner wherein he may note three speciall causes for his comfort 1. That GOD will punish the wicked that he intendeth to saue that by this meanes they may seeke him by repentance according to that same saying of the Psalmist When he slew them they sought him and returned and sought God earlie Psal 78.34 2. That the mercie of GOD is verie great who although he will not suffer sinne to passe vnpunished yet hee is readie to forgiue though it be verie grieuous as he hath promised by the Prophet Esaias to such as heartilie repent Esai 5.7 8 9. 3. That those whom GOD hath thus called are not to returne to their sinnes as the dogge to his vomite but as becommeth newe borne children to liue in holines and righteousnes all the daies of their life Luke 1.75 The manifold examples in the Scriptures of the falling and rising of the godlie were done of God amongst other considerations to this end For the glorie of himselfe For the good of them For the profite of others Because he will haue his power knowne to preuaile aboue his Creatures that it is hee that can make them rise and fall at his good pleasure Because he wil haue their owne imperfections infirmities appeare vnto them what they are of them-selues if hee doth faile them but a little to the ende they should not presume of themselues but altogether depend vppon his prouidence and mercie Because such as bee almost drowned in the deapth of their sinnes should not fall into desperation cōsidering the verie elect haue offended most horriblie but that they should bee incouraged therby to call for grace seeing his hād is not yet shortned but that he can helpe others as hee did those Esai 59.1 Euerie particuler example is not sufficient to prooue or establish a generall doctrine for then wee might beleeue 3. things lawfull which are not to be allowed That women might minister the Sacramēts because Zipporah did circumcise her sonne Exod. 4 25. That wee ought to praie for the dead because Iudas did so 2. Mac. 12.44 That wee may desperatlie kill our selues because Razis did so whō the author of the Maccha much commendeth 2. Maccha 14.41 God sometimes suffereth his seruants yea the most godlie to bee vexed with Sathan That they should not be puffed vp with any presumption of themselues That they may be made perfect by that continuall exercise 1. Cor 12.9 That they ought the more earnestlie to be instant in praier God trieth his children many waies in this world sometimes By prosperitie By pouertie By persecution To see if they will repose more felicitie in their goodes than in him that gaue them as he did by Abrahā in offering his sonne Gen. 22.1.2 To see if they wil not as patientlie depart from their goods as he was willing to bestow them as he did by Iob by taking away all he had Iob. 1. To see if they will rather denie him than die in his defence as hee did by manie Prophets Apostles and godlie Martirs God keepeth his children commonlie in this world sparinglie That they may not be too proud with prosperitie That by this meanes they may the better fee their owne miserie That thereby