with a Palsie hand can stretch it out as well to receiue a gift at the hand of a King as he that is more sound though it bee not so firmely and stedfastly Euen so wee must know that a weake Faith will as truely apprehend Gods mercifull promises for the pardon of sinne as a strong Faith though not so soundly 24 Euen as it little profiteth the wounded man to haue the best medicine lying by him except he had a hand to lay the plaister vppon the soare Euen so the mercies of God can doo vs small good except wee haue Faith to applie them vnto our sinfull soules Habac. 2.4 2. Cor. 1.24 5.7 25 As our hand is to our mouth and the mouth to the stomacke and the windpipe to the hart so that if thou hast not a hand to feede thy month and a mouth to feede thy stomacke thy body must needs soone perish And againe if the windpipe should be cut asunder presently thy heart dyeth and al thy members fall downe because they want the breath of life Euen so if thy Faith which is the onely meane whereby thou receiuest the breath of Christs spirit into thy soule and whereby thou liuest that new life in Christ Iesus of which the Prophet Habacucke speaketh The iust shall liue by his Faith If this pipe and Cunduit bee perished or broken in thee by thine owne negligence or cut off by thine aduersarie the diuel who seeketh nothing else night nor day but thy euerlasting poyle then certainly both thy soule and body must needs perish too 26 As the Fig tree that bare no fruit was threatned to be cut down or as a Sun without light is but a painted Sun Or as a coale without heat is dead Or as a body without motion liueth not Euen so Faith without workes is dead and the Christians that bringeth not foorth the fruites of the spirite of Christ belongeth not to Christ and so is no Christian Luk. 16.6 Iam. 2.17 27 As Infidelitie is the head-spring of all wickednesse and vice So on the contrarie side Faith is the originall well and fountaine of all vertue and godlinesse Which Faith is declared not onely by words but by such deedes and workes as God hath commaunded vs in his holy and sacred Scriptures and where no such workes bee speake they neuer so godly there is no true liuely Faith Tit. 1.1 3 1 6. 28 As Beggers which not being woorth one farthing wil yet boast of great wealth So many brag of great Faith and holinesse but haue little or none euen as though they could remooue mountaines out of their places and yet know not what true Faith is Luk. 18.8 29 As the Sunne except it shine and beate vppon the face of the earth there will no fruite spring increase or riâ—â—pen Euen so except Faith shine in the soules of men they shall neuer be acceptable to God 30 As the Sunne shining in the firmament auaileth him not that hath none eyes to see the same neither him that winketh with his eyes and will not see but onely him that doth behold the light thereof So doth the death of Christ profit him nothing which lacketh true Faith to lay hold vpon the same but onely such as by a liuely and fruitfull Faith applie the same vnto themselues Gal. 2.20 Iohn 3. 6. tot 31 As some kind of medicines are so composed that they will serue for a generall helpe for all diseases So Catholike Faith doth serue against all diseases of the soule 32 As a Traueller which iourneying into a Countrie where he might liue delightfully profitably doth leaue the right and straight way and followes by paths which will leade him into daungerous places to the losse of his life is vnwise So euery one that thinketh to please God without Faith taketh a wrong course and deceiueth him selfe to the destruction and losse of his soule 33 As a shielde or buckler is the chiefe defence of a Souldier wherby he beateth backe his enemies weapons So likewise Faith in time of spiritual conflict repelleth the diuels weapons or instruments Psal 5.12 34 As the superstitions Pagans thought that an Idoll which they termed Vibilia kept them from erring out of their way So Faith which is our Vibilia will not suffer vs to wander out of the way so long as we doo all things according to that patterne which was shewed vs in the mount Exod. 25.40 35 As the argument is alway good for the subsistance of any subiect vnto the natural propertie of the same and contrariwise the propertie being set the subiect of necessitie must be seene So Faith which iustifieth man being set good workes which are the properties of the spirit of of Faith are necessarily set 36 Euen as good works being set Faith froÌ„ which they doo spring must needs be set So whersoeuer Faith is not good works are not where good works be not there is not faith the cause of good works 1. Tim. 1.18 19. Ma. 25.34 37 Euen as without eyes no man seeth without eares no man heareth without smelling no man smelleth without tasting no man discerneth tastes without touching no man toucheth any thing So without Faith can no man see heare smell taste eate and finally touch Christ 38 As by the preaching of the Gospell the holy Ghost doth kindle Faith in vs So he increaseth feedeth cherisheth confirmeth the same by the vse of the Sacraments Gen. 17.10 Exod. 12.13 Math. 26.26 27. 1. Cor. 11.23 39 As the bodie hath his hand mouth and stomacke whereby it taketh receiueth and digesteth meate for the nourishment of euery part So likewise in the soule there is a Faith which is both hand mouth and stomack to apprehend receiue and apply Christ and all his merites for the nourishment of the soule Gal. 3.14 40 As in the litle tender budde is infolded the leafe the blossome and the fruite So where men are displeased with themselues for their offences and do withall constantly from the heart desire to beleeue and to be reconciled to God there is Faith and many other graces of God infolded Isay 42.3 Math. 6.6 41 Euen as in a childe when he growes to be a man remains to be the same substaÌ„ce that was in the child before but now is made stronger by age and castes away all childish toyes So in the same Faith which we professe in our Baptisme must we grow learn the full vnderstanding of it that it may he felt sweeter vnto vs daily more and more while we liue euen to our last end and by which Faith we also grow in the feare of God and by which we be saued Faith is Faith though it be weake or small or lye hidden 1 LIke as a litle child who with his litle hands or as a pore man who with his rugged scabby hands refuse not to take bread other alms that men wil bestow vpon them aswel as if they were greater hole And like
together Euen so Faith grounded vppon Christes passion Faith giueth the sappe of loue loue blossometh foorth in good workes And therefore in Faith we must be constant in loue feruent in workes diligent and in doctrine we must keepe order we may not let the effect presume before the cause nor the daughter before the mother 3 As workes without Faith make but a Pharisaicall hypocrite Euen so Faith without workes maketh but a carnall Gospeller 4 Like as the flame of fire burneth the wood without helpe of the light and yet the flame cannot bee without the light Euen so is it assuredly true that Faith alone consumeth and burneth away sinne without the helpe of works yet that the same Faith cannot be without good workes And therefore if wee see a flame that giueth no light we know by and by that it is but vaine and painted Euen so when we see not some light of good workes in a man it is a token that he hath not the true inspired Faith which God giueth to his chosen to iustifie and glorifie them with all So that most certaine it is that the loue of God and a mans neighbour doo of necessitie goe ioyntly together with Faith 5 Like as with the rysing of the Sunne there goeth ioyntly of necessitie the spreading foorth of his beames and his light Euen so of necessitie loue and good workes follow Faith in those that are iustified in so much as hee that loueth not and liueth well abideth in death 6 Like as that body wherein there remaineth no feeling or moouing liueth not And yet it followeth not thereupon that feeling and moouing are the cause of life but life is the cause of moouing Euen so the efficient cause of our iustification is God for the obedience passion and death of Christ onely And Faith is the instrument wherby we take hold of Christ our righteousnesse So then the loue of God and a mans neighbour must of necessitie followe Faith in him that is iustified Like as moouing and feeling do of necessitie follow life But loue and good workes cannot proceede but of Faith like as there can grow no good fruites but of a good tree 7 As wee commonly say that white haires make an olde man and yet our meaning onely is that they declare him to bee an old man Euen so when we say that woorkes doo iustifie it is ment that workes do but declare whom is iustified Iam. 2.18 8 Like as in the fire the light and the heate are ioyned together for mans vse yet the heate onely warmeth So likewise Faith and workes goe together in mans life and conuersation But yet it is Faith alone without workes that saueth 9 As the hand hath a propertie to reach out it selfe to lay hold of any thing and to receiue a gift But the hand hath no propertie to cut a peece of wood of it selfe without a sawe or knife or some such like instrument and yet by the helpe of them it can either diuide or cut Euen so it is the nature of Faith to goe out of it selfe and to receiue Christ into the heart As for the duties of the first and second Table Faith cannot of himselfe bring them foorth no more then the hand can diuide or cut Yet ioyne loue to Faith and then can it practise duties commaunded concerning God and man 10 As in regard of substance although the eye bee neuer alone yet in regarde of seeing it is alone Euen so though Faith subsist not without hope and loue and other graces of God yet in act of iustification it is alone without them all 11 Like as when any one of the Israelites were stung to death by fierie Serpents his cure was not by any Physicke or Surgerie but onely by casting of his eye vp to the brazen Serpent which Moses had receiued by Gods commaundement Euen so in the cure of our soules when we are stung to death by sinne there is nothing required within vs for our recouerie but onely that we cast vp and fixe the eye of our Faith on Christ and his righteousnesse Iohn 3.14.15 Forgiuenesse of sinnes onely from God 1 LIke as the Prince onely hath power to Forgiue and pardon fellonie or treason in his subiects Euen so God onely hath power to Forgiue sinne Mar. 2.7 c. 2 As that man is a Traytor who being a subiect himselfe will take vpon him to pardon treason or fellonie in another subiect Euen so is he a Traytor to God that will take vpon him to pardon that sin that is committed against God 3 Like as no man can forgiue debts but the Creditor to whom the debt is due So no man can forgiue sinnes against whom there is no sin committed but he onely that is hurt and offended by the sin and that is God either immediatly or by meanes Esay 43.25 4 Like as if one doo forgiue an other mans debts the debtor is abused if he do belieue that he is discharged of the bond of his debt and the Creditor hath wrong done him without whose knowledge and will the debts belonging vnto him are forgiuen and his debtor discharged which forgiuenesse he doth make void immediatly and doth neuerthelesse claime the debt vpon his debtor Euen so likewise if any man doo forgiue sinnes which be not done against himselfe he deceiueth him whom he forgiueth and sinneth against him also to whom the offence was done which hath the power only to forgiue or withhold the offences done vnto him and so he doth both not discharge the party that is guiltie and doth offend him also into whose right he doth vnaduisedly intrude 5 As men do not giue almes at any time to a stout begger who although he haue need yet will not confesse it and craue almes gently acknowledging his pouertie Euē so no more will the Lord giue vnto vs any spirituall almes to wit Forgiuenesse of sinnes vnlesse we shall humble our selues before him with true feeling of our pouertie and miserie Math. 9.13 11.28 False Doctrine 1 AS the herbe Blattaria wheresoeuer it bee strewed or laide the Mothes and Bats incontinently find it out and come vnto it So corrupt Doctrine wheresoeuer it be dispersed by and by such people as are corrupt wil flocke vnto it 2 As a dramme of the roote of Solanum somniferum causeth Idle imaginations two drams causeth madnesse and fower drams killeth one So a litle False Doctrine maketh an idle head Feeling of Faith and other good graces which we are indued with is not alwaies alike and the same in vs. 1 LIke as we are not alwaies alike disposed at one time as at an other So we haue not alwaies alike desire to see or to heare the word of God or to read it or to confer with our brethren which are more aduaunced in the knowledge and zeale of the true and right maner of worshipping of God then we are And likewise the spirite of God doth not touch and stirre vs vp alwaies
then a great bunch or wound in the other parts of the body So a small offence is euident and seemeth great in a Prince or Preacher whose life the whole people doo behold Prayses by an other 1 AS the pleasant tickling or rubbing of other men doo more delight vs then our owne So it is more commendable to be Praysed by those who be neither of our kinne or familiaritie Prou. 27.2 2 As they must not bee tickled which of their owne nature are ouer much giuen to laughter So must they not bee Praysed who of themselues are prone to desire Prayse 3 As we are warned to take heede of a perillous place or else therein circumspectly to behaue our selues So ought wee either not at all to Prayse our selues or else to doo it moderatly Power or abilitie 1 AS Prophirius the Serpent hauing much poyson yet for want of teeth can anâ—oy none Euen so many do imagine mischiefe but for that they lacke Power or abilitie they doo no hurt 2 Like as the marriage of man and wife is of God but the abuse of wedlocke is not of God but of the diuell So likewise all Power is of God but the abuse of Power 〈◊〉 not of him Rom. 13.1 Proud and obstinate 1 AS certaine lightnings do melt both brasse and yron when as they leaue soft wax vnannoyed Euen so Gods might or the Kings power doo worthily suppresse and beate down the Proud and obstinate that the meeke and humble they most fauourably and graciously do vse 1. Pet. 5.5 6. Luk. 18.14 2 Like as Tempests when they arise and lightning quickly and with a trice hurleth downe and ouerturneth mountaines and the highest trees Euen so doth the Lord bring downe with a breake-necke fall the Proud hautie arrogant and insolent which set themselues against God and seeke the spoyle of those that bee quiet and godly Esa 2.12 13. Psal 29.5 c. Painefull labours AS the Rose a flower of all others most pleasant is gathered vpon rough briers or brambles So of diligent and Painefull labours commeth at the length pleasant profit and great gaine Parents 1 LIke as the Ape doth with embracings wel-neare kill her young whelpes So some Parents through immoderate loue and ouermuch chearishing doo vtterly spoyle and marre their children 2 Like as when the head is well and sound and also the stomacke pure from hurtfull humours the body is commonly well affected Bâ— so where the head of any fâ—â—ily or housholde is religious and sound in faith and feareth God it commonly goeth well with all the houshold for according to the common prouerbe As the old Cocke croweth the yong learneth Such a Father such a Sonne Like Mother like daughter 2. Sam. 13.28 29. Ezech. 16.44 Esâ—â— 24.2 Peruerse maners a cause of good lawes AS the most sorest sicknesse doo cause the most effectuall medicines to bee made So through the occasion of Peruerse manners good and lawdable lawes bee ordained Popish Priests AS the Magicians Witches and Sorcerers knowing their doings to bee but meere guile and deceit yet will they with certaine prescribed ceremonies and dotings amaze the mindes of their inferiours So some Popish Semenarie Priests blinded in ignorance and all void of good learning and godlinesse goe about to entangle the rude and simple people with a sort of superstitious ceremonies thereby to make them more subiect vnto them Poetrie 1 AS in slaughter massecres or murther painted in a Table the cunning of the Painter is praysed but the fact it selfe is vtterly abhorred So in Poetrie wee follow elocution and the proper forme of words and sentences but the ill matter we doo worthily despise 2 As in those places where many hearbes meete for medicines doo spring there also groweth great plentie of hearbes vnwholesome and naught So in Poets and Poetrie are sundrie things worthie and good but therein some other things be very peâ—stiferous poyson 3 As in our feeding wee seeke not onely pleasure but also health So is the like regard to bee had in reading of Poetrie and prophane writers Poyson A Wicked sentence mixt with things profitable and pleasant is like vnto Poyson put into meate Preaching little auaileth without Christs spirit AS the crowing of the Cocke was not sufficient to mooue Peter to tepentance vntill Christ in token of fauour towards him looked backe vppon him Euen so Ministers may Preach to the people but vnlesse Christ open and mollifie their hearts and worke by his spirit in them they cannot receiue profit by their hearing Luk. 22.60 61. Iohn 6.44 65. 1. Cor. 3.6 7. Act. 16.14 Iere. 31.33 32.40 Prayse or honour AS euerie manner of Crowne is not ordained nor fit for euerie Victor and hee that vanquisheth So some kind of Prayse or honour is not meete for all men Prayse AS they which giue vnwillingly seeme to haue but little themselues So they which Praise other men slenderly seeme desirous to be Praysed themselues Preaching 1 AS sentence was giuen by God that S. Paul should appeare at Rome and not perish with his companie in the Sea It now being vnpossible that he should perish or any of his companie notwithstanding he yet truely said that they could not bee saued vnlesse the Marriners did abide in the Ship Euen so it is impossible to take God his sheepe out of his hand is truely said neuerthelesse it is yet impossible for them to bee saued without Preaching continuance of feeding by the word of God for as that namely the continuance of the Mariners in the ship was the ordinary meanes to saue their liues to deliuer them from shipwracke So this namely continuance of Preaching Catechising and often feeding by the word is the ordinarie meanes to deliuer vs from spiritual destruction Act. 23.11 27.23 24 25. Act. 27.31 Iohn 10.29 2 Like as meate doth not nourish I meane the Preaching of the word of God the foode of the soule vnlesse it bee receiued and by faith wee receiue it it cannot cherish vs vnlesse it bee digested and by the heate of faith it is concocted it cannot profit vs vnlesse it bee kept in our hearts and by faith we retaine it it doth no good vnlesse wee haue life and the iust shall liue by faith So that it is most requisite that we labour by earnest prayer to attaine vnto faith whereby we may be perfectly nourished with this meate the Preaching of the word of God Haba 2.4 Rom. 1.17 3 Like as the prophane and wicked people haue wit enough to say that if a man bee fallen into a ditch or brooke he may crie long enough Lord helpe me Lord helpe me if he do not endeuour striue to come out by taking hold of such things as he may escape and clamber vp by And yet are they not so wise as to consider the meanes by which God in mercie doth reach foorth his mightie arme vnto them to draw them out of the puddle and mire of sinne and to saue them which
bondage of their Maisters with all their labours their force and diligence yea euen vnto bloud Euen so forasmuch as both our selues and all that we haue belong to God by right and hee possesseth vs as slaues and bondmen therefore what seruice soeuer we endeuour to doo him it is certaine that he can owe nothing vnto vs. Iob. 9 3 15 20. Psal 143.2 16.2 3. 5 As it hath bene sometimes said and truly reported of the Athenians namely that they knew what was meet to do but they wholly neglected to do the same Euen so many Christians know what is meete and right to doo but yet for the most part wholly neglect to do the same Luk. 12.47 Iam. 4.17 6 Like as the Lord according to his iustice and truth hath threatened terrible punishments to wicked and impenitent sinners Euen so contrariwise he hath promised rewards to them that do good Workes and worke righteousnesse Mat. 5.16 Rom. 13.9 1. Cor. 15.58 Ephe. 2.10 Phil. 4.8 Tit. 2.12 3.8 7 Like as if a man should say the Vine is made more fruitfull by bearing grapes or that the internall light of the Sunne is augmented by the externall emission of the beames So likewise for a man to say that inherent righteousnesse is by good Workes namely the fruites of righteousnesse augmenteth so to to say is not onely erronious but also ridiculous 8 Like as if a rich man not constrained but of his own good will should adopt one to be his sonne whome hee knoweth not and to whom he oweth nothing and shuld appoint him to be the heire of all his landes and goods and certaine yeares after that he hath bestowed this benefit vpon him he should lay vpon him a lawe to do this or that he cannot now say that he hath deserued this benefit by his owne works seeing that many yeares before he asking nothing had receiued the same freely and of meere fauour So God could not respect our Works and deserts going before righteousnesse for the promise and the gift of the holie Ghost was 430. yeares before the Lawe Gal. 3.16 17. 9 As it is impossible to seperate washing from water and burning from fire and good fruites from a good tree Euen so vnpossible it is to seperate good Workes from a true and a liuely faith Iam. 2.22 10 As Marchants or Chapmen doo oftentimes prise and esteeme their wares marchandise more then they be worth Euen so do we of our doings vertues and good Works but when they are examined and prised by those which know them as by the Spirite of God and his Prophets they are altogither iudged as old ragges torne tied togither and patched vp againe 11 As old Images new gilded ouer which outwardly hath some glistering shew but within are nothing but dust and durt Or as counterfeit mony which is of ill and naughty mettal how good a print soeuer it haue Euen so is the good that we do and al the righteousnesse vertue which is in vs is nothing but shame reproch Rom. 10.3 12 As the Temple sanctified the Golde that was vpon it but was not sanctified by the Gold or as the Altar sanctified the offering that was vpon it but was not sanctified by the offering Euen so good VVorkes do not beautifie a Christian man in the Lorde but the man in the Lorde doth beautifie the VVorkes Mat. 23.17 19. Reu. 14.15 13 As the Apple is not the cause of the Apple tree but a fruite of it Euen so good VVorkes are not the cause of our saluation but a signe and a fruite of the same Math. 7.17 14 As Caterpillers sometimes and blasting do fret and annoy the branches that the sap cannot haue his course and so the fruite faileth which seemed faire to the eye So rancour and displeasure diuision schisme and seperation among men being no lesse then noysome windes and Caterpillers to our Christian faith eate vp and drie away many times the sappe or iuice of loue and charitie whereby the expected fruite of good VVorkes is withered in the braunches 15 As sauoury water cannot come from a stinking puddle or sweete fruite from a sower roote Euen so no more can any good VVorke come from an vnregenerate man from a corrupt sinfull soule who although he giue his bodie to the fire for the profession and maintenance of the trueth and all his goods to the poore in a tender compassion of their miserie yet he being destitute of faith loue and the rest of the parts of regeneration dooth not by these workes please God or fulfill his Lawe 16 As the channel which is polluted and defiled doth pollute and defile the water that is without defilement in the fountaine Euen so the mind and will of man defiled by the remnant of sinne defile the Workes which as they come from Christ are vndefiled 17 As in fire there is both heate and light yet doo wee not say that the light dooth burne but the heate So in a man iustified there is both faith and good Workes inseperably yet dooth not good Workes iustifie but faith oâ—ely 18 As one Torch doth giue more light carried before then foure borne behinde So likewise our good Worke or deed done in life time and perfect health is more welcome vnto God then fortie after death 19 As the greene leaues outwardly sheweth that the tree is not drie inwardly So the good Workes openly testifie the zeale of heart inwardly Wise men 1 AS the olde naturall Phylosophers doo say that the Sunne feedeth on the salt water and that the Moone taketh her foode vppon the sweete water Euen so Wise men do seeke things bitter so as they be profitable when fooles onely passe for things pleasant and delightfull 2 As the Bee out of the most bitter things doth gather most sweet Honie So a Wise man out of things hard and vnpleasant picketh gaine and vtilitie 3 Like as Alexander did cause Bucephalus his Horse being olde to be carried on other horses to the battaile that he might be fresh for the fight So ought graue olde and Wise men be spared from labour that their good counsel might be onely regarded and had in necessities Wits 1 AS the vessell with a narrowe mouth of a long time may not bee filled but then at the length it holdeth the liquour more furer So Wits that be dull in receiuing learning wil most stedfastly remember the same once obtained 2 Like as too great a noyse hurteth the eare Or as too much meat annoyeth the stomack Or as heauie burdens hurt the bearers of them Or as too much raine doth more hurt then good to the ground Euen so weake Wits and weake consciences may soone bee oppressed with ouer hard questions Wisedome 1 AS that vessel can neuer be filled which alwayes powreth foorth and leaketh So may hee neuer receiue Wisedome which continually speaketh and at no time harkneth Prou. 17.27 Iam. 1. 19. 2 As the Asse Colt which of all other beastes
Euen so we if we desire to be enriched with Gods graces must first of all labour to haue Faith which is the onely keye of Gods treasure house and doth bring vpon vs from God all graces needfull both for soule and body 4 Like as no man may liue a corporall life by meanes of the soule of an other man but onely by his owne soule Euen so no man may liue a spirituall life by the Faith of an other but by his owne Faith Aba 2.4 5 As no man may entertaine and conserue the life which he receiued by meane of his soule by the foode and nourishment which an other doth take nor by that which he eateth and drinketh but only by that which he himselfe doth take and by the meates and drinkes which he receiueth by his owne person Euen so is it of the nourishment of the Faith of euery man by the word of God for the entertainment conseruation of the spirituall life 6 Like as no wicked and vngodly sonne is made better for in respect of the Faith vertue of his godly Father neither yet any godly sonne is worse in respect of the vngodlinesse of his wicked father So no man is saued by an other mans Faith but by his owne And yet it cannot bee denied but that both temporall and spirituall benefites bee obtained and gotten for and through the Faith of other men Euen as one man by his wisedome may make another man proue wise So he that belieueth may by his Faith and prayer obtaine Faith for other men Yet notwithstanding like as no man is wise by an other mans wisedome but by his owne So no man is saued by another mans Faith but by his owne Ezech. 18. Math. 8.5 c. 9.2 Mar. 2.3 4 5. Luk. 5.18 7 As the leaues and flowers and sprigs of Water Betonie or Browne-woort though they haue their yearely course and chaunge yet the roote from which they spring is euerlasting So though the outward fruites of Faith are chaungeable and decay many times yet Faith continueth euer 8 As Dictam or Tragium receiued causeth Darts sticking in the flesh to fal out So the promises of God in Christ apprehended by Faith cause the firie Darts of the Diuell to vanish and fall away 9 As the smell of Trefoile is often stronger in a moyst and cloudie darke season then in faire weather So the strength of Faith vttereth it selfe more in aduersitie and affliction then in pleasure or time of prosperitie 10 As the Parents are a meanes to beget the bodily forme of their children Euen so the Preachers which are called fathers beget the forme of a Christian mind which is Faith or the confidence of the heart which layeth hold vpon Christ and cleaueth to him alone and none else 1. Thes 2.11 2. King 17.10 13.14 Phil. 10. 11 Faith is compared vnto Golde but Faith is much more noble then Gold For as Gold is the most precious mettall in things mortall So Faith doth most excell in things spirituall 12 As a house is made to keepe vs from colde in winter and from heate in Summer and to defend vs from theeues and violences that may be offered vs which house if it be alwaies in building doth not saue vs from any one of those harmes Euen so our spirituall house of Faith if it bee once built it saueth vs from heate of persecution and coldnesse of all kind of aduersities from the Diuell and from all kind of temptations wherewith he assalteth vs but being alwaies in building it saueth vs from none of these 13 As those Birds that flieth highest in the firmament are not so quickly snared by the fowlers Ginnes as other be So likwise those men that haue alwaies an eye through Faith vnto Iesus Christ whose minds doth mount aboue the skies are not so soone snared by the fleshe the world and the diuell as others be 14 Like as Fire if fuell or wood be not alwaies added to it will at length goe out Euen so Faith if we let it alone neuer stirre vp the same by hearing the word preached by repentance and inuocation it will cleane be extinguished 15 As no Man may liue a corporall life by meanes of the soule of an other man but onely by his owne soule Euen so no man may liue a spirituall life by the Faith of an other but by his owne Faith Abac. 2.4 Rom. 1.17 16 Like as no wicked and vngodly Sonne is made better for and in respect of the Faith and vertue of his godly Father neither yet any godly Sonne is worse in respect of the vngodlinesse of his wicked Father Euen so no man is saued by an other mans Faith but by his owne Ezech. 18. 17 As one Man by his wisedome may make an other man prooue wise So he that belieueth may by his Faith and prayer obtaine Faith for other men Math. 8.5 c. 9.2 Mar. 2.3 4 5. Luk. 5.18 18 Like as no man is wise by an other mans wisdome but by his owne So likewise no man is saued by an other mans Faith but by his owne 19 As the plaister if it bee not laide to the wound will neuer heale the soare Euen so Faith and beliefe will not profit any man vnlesse hee truely applie it to himselfe Rom. 1.17 20 As the mightie Oake whose roote as far stretcheth downwardes as his bowes vpwards may bee shaken but yet not plucked vp quite Euen so they which haue fixed their Faith firmely in Christ and haue cast the Ancor of their hope in his lap though they be tossed too and fro diuers waies cannot finally fall away from God 21 Like as an Emplayster or Cataplasme made of the brused seede of Mustard is knowne to haue singular vertue and effect beeing applied to them that haue their members benummed that are fallen into the Letharge or drowsie Euill or that bee troubled with the swimming and giddinesse in their head Or that haue the Apoplexie Palsie Falling sicknesse and to bee short for all cold griefes and diseases because it warmeth and bringeth heate motion and sense againe into the affected parts and is also good to helpe Leprous Scuruie Scabbie and vlcerous persons So likewise Faith being vpholden shored vp and surely Anchored vnto the word of God reuiueth erecteth cheareth vp and restoreth the dull spirites and appalled conscience of man making it readie and prompt to execute atchiue and exercise the offices and functions of godlinesse 22 As a Laborer in seruing a Mason or slater as he goeth vp the ladder stayeth himselfe by one of his handes and serueth the Mason or slater with the other Euen so euerie good Christian in this world is as it were vppon a ladder his two handes are Faith whereby hee stayeth himselfe in his calling depending on the commaundement and promise of God and the other loue whereby he performeth the workes of his calling to the good and benefit of others 23 Like as a man
man when he is a thirstie tarrieth but for drinke and when hee hungereth abideth but for meate and then drinketh and eateth naturally Euen so is the Faithfull euer a thirst and an hungered after the will of God and tarrieth but for an occasion and whensoeuer an occasion is giuen hee worketh naturally the will of God 2 As the vnbelieuers declare their vnbeliefe by the working of the euill spirit in them outwardly the fruites of the flesh Euen so the belieuers declare their Faith by the working in them outwardly the fruites of the spirite 3 Like as when we heare a Musition play sweetely or a painter picture curiously we do not inquire what countrymen they are or whether they bee borne of noble parentage or no but diligently hearken to the Musicke and marke and view well the picture So a Faithfull and carefull hearer of the word must not so much regard the state and condition of the Preacher as diligently to marke the good things that he teacheth and so to practise them in his life and behauiour Fall of man through his owne pride AS we see a child who whilst he runneth vp and down to shew his new cloathes hee stumbleth euen vpon his cloathes and catcheth a Fall and seeing himselfe downe and his cloathes soyled and arayed in the dust he cryeth lowder at his Fall then hee crowed before at his new Coate So God hath put many excellent graces vpon thee thou crowest at the sight of them as Nebuchadnezzer did at the sight of his Pallace and like a foole thou art in admiration of thy selfe till thou stumblest euen vpon thine owne giftes and when thou art downe thou which before didst crow like a foole doest then crie like a child especially because thou seest thy excellent graces euen thy coate of diuers colours stayned and foyled with thy Fall Psa 75.6 7. The Famine of the soule LIke as when God sendeth a Famine that wee hardly find wherewithall to sustaine our liues then our condition is miserable Euen so much more daungerous and greater is the Famine of the soule when God taketh away from any people the sincere Preachers of his word Amo. 8.11 12. Feare of God 1 AS Ioseph did dreame that the Sunne and Moone did bowe vnto him So must the whole world Feare and stand in awe of Gods maiestie Gen. 37 9. 2 As Iacob told his vnckle Laban that except the Feare of Isaac had beene with him meaning the Feare of God who was Isaacs Feare he would haue sent him away emptie Euen so it is with vs all except Gods Feare remaine and continue with vs though the Lord hath deserued neuer so much at our hands yet we like vnthankfull Labans would send him emptie away and robbe him of the praise of all his blessings and graces bestowed vpon vs. Gene. 31.42 Pro. 1.7 14.27 Exod. 20.20 Gene. 42.18 Gods Face is fearefull to the wicked AS the Face of an earthly Iudge which can but kill the body is most fearefull and terrible vnto that partie which is brought before him for his wicked fact Euen so the Face and sentence of the eternall and heauenly Iudge of Iudges will bee most terrible against the wicked who after he hath killed can cast both body and soule into hell fire and from whose countenance flyeth away both the heauens and the earth Math. 10.28 Reue. 20.11 Friends vnprofitable AS the stumpe of a tooth is vnprofitable to eate withal So they in whom there is no faith nor credite to be reposed are Friendes vnfit and vnprofitable for a man in the day of trouble Prou. 25.19 A Friend forsaken AS a vessell how profitable so euer it hath beene to the owner and how necessarie for his turne yet when it is broken it is throwne away and regarded no longer Euen so such is the state of a man forsaken of those whose Friend he hath beene so long as he was able to stand them in stead Psal 31.12 Such a Father such a Sonne AS Vipers broode destroyeth them that breed them So generally the children of them that murthered the Prophets and shewed crueltie to the saints of God fulfill the measure of their fathers and are vnmercifully bent against all those that seeke their life and saluation Math. 3.7 23.33 A dead Faith 1 LIke as he that falleth into a Riuer if he neither moue hands armes nor legs is quickly drowned and sinketh downe dead to the bottom but if he swim escapeth aliue So he that trusteth to a dead Faith which because it hath no good effects and bringeth forth no liuely fruites as an holy loue to God man pietie patience pitie mercie compassion and such like vertues he must needes be drowned in vtter destruction and sincke downe into the bottomlesse gulfe and pit of hell but he that moueth his hands his feete to do the deeds of a true right Faith which worketh by loue and shall be a dooer of the word and not an hearer onely he shall escape safe out of all dangers and shall arriue at the happie hauen of eternall happinesse and euerlasting life through Christ Iesus Iam. 2.14 c. Gal. 5.6 Iam. 1.22 2 Like as if a man say to one that is hungry fill thy belly and giueth him nothing this shall not be true charitie So likewise if a man say he beleeueth bringeth forth no workes of Faith this shall not be true faith but a certaine dead thing set out with the name of Faith wherof no man hath to bragge vnlesse he will openly incurre reprehention seeing that the cause is vnderstood by the effects Iam. 2 15 16. Spirituall Fornication AS they that forsake their husbands and giue themselues ouer to straungers doo so become common Whoores Euen so such is the state of those which leaue God and the truth which sometime they professed and commit Idolatrie and cleaue to superstitions Ezech. 23.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Fasting when needfull 1 AS men accused in times past with longe hanging beardes with vncombred hayre with blacke array were wont humbly to abate themselues to the end to procure the mercy of the Iudge So likewise when we are accused for our sinnes before the iudgement of God when either pestilence or famine or war begin to range abroad or if any calamitie otherwise seeme to hang ouer our coūtrie then it behoueth vs both for his glorie and for common edification and also is profitable and healthfull for vs that wee should in pitious array humble our selues in Fasting and prayer before his maiestie and so craue to escape his seueritie Ioel. 2.25 2 As bridles are necessarie for wilde horses So likewise is Fasting sometimes for a Christian to tame the fleshe 3 As some men naturally are continually out of measure and inclined to one extremitie or other which are both naught and many there haue beene which haue alwayes continued but too licentious So also some there haue beene so superstitious in Fasting and abstinence that they
the first dash Regenerated but this Regeneration riseth by degrees and being once begun then it proceedeth faire and softly and by little and little encreasing euerie day till we come to euerlasting life in the heauens 2 Euen as that begger which hath but a patched or an ouerworne robe had euer need to be carefull in peecing and mending the same least otherwise his nakednesse appeare vnto all So surely this Regeneration or righteousnesse of ours beeing in respect of our selues but a torne and tottered robe wee had need euerie houre to labour and exercise our selues in the repayring thereof least our filthinesse breake foorth and euen to sigh and to groane vntill we be with our house which is from heauen 2. Cor. 5.3 Reue. 3.18 16.15 Righteousnesse not in vs. 1 AS an euill tree cannot bring foorth any good fruit nor a rotten or worm-eaten seed can engender any thing but like it selfe So we for so much as our thoughts our affections our words our actions and generally our whole life and nature being examined it shall bee found that in vs there is nothing but vanitie and the verie matter of death and damnation and that we neither doo nor can doo any thing that may be able to abide the Righteous examination of the iustice of God but onely to flie to him for mercie Math. 7.17 18. 12.33 Psal 51.7 53.2 3. Ose 2.3 Luk. 15.18 18.13 14. Rom. 3.10 11 12. 2 As they that are sicke of the Dropsie who by reason of the grosenesse of their bodies seeme to bee in good estate notwithstanding they be ful of nothing but water and euil humors which in the end are the cause of death Euen so such as are arrogant presumptuous and puffed vp with a vaine conceite of their owne Righteousnesse though they be in great credit reputation in the world yet before God their state is miserable and abhominable Luk. 16.15 3 As Marchants who praise and esteeme their wares and marchandise more then they are worth and as olde Images newe gilded ouer which outwardly hath some glistering and shew but within are nothing but dust and durt or as counterfeit money which is naught how goodly a print so euer it hath Euen so all our Righteousnesse vertues and good workes when they shall be examined and prised by those which knowe them as by the spirit of God and his word they are altogether iudged as old ragges torne tied together and patched vp againe Esa 64.6 Dan. 9.5 c. Phil. 3.8 4 Like as if a man would boast of his strength health and yet were subiect to a thousand diseases Or of his knowledge and yet were ignorant of all good learning Or of his riches and yet were indebted and endaungered to the whole world would not one mocke him as an Idiote and a foole Euen so wee as well shew our ignoraunce and what slender vnderstanding we haue when wee will attribute any Righteousnesse to our selues and boast our selues in it be it neuer so little Iere. 9.23 5 As the basest Gold though it bee rayed with some durt is alwayes more precious then the brightest Copper or Lead that a man can find Euen so the Righteousnesse of a Christian man though it bee defiled through many infirmities and imperfections yet notwithstanding is more to be esteemed then all the Righteousnesse of hypocrites and Infidels 6 As there is no man so hard to be healed as hee that thinketh himselfe to be hoale For as much as he alwayes refuseth counsell of the Physition and will take no remedies nor keepe any good diet or gouernement of himselfe which should be meete and healthfull for him Euen so likewiset here is no man farther off from the Righteousnesse of God then he that hath some opinion of himselfe For such commonly are obstinate and cannot without great difficultie bee brought from the perswasion which they haue conceiued of their owne Righteousnesse 7 As newe Wine with the strength of the working thereof will breake old Bouels so that if it should be put into them it should bee but spilt and lost Euen so they who haue placed Righteousnesse in the outward exercises of Religion cannot sauour taste or receiue the doctrine of Righteousnesse by faith onely in Christ Math. 9.17 The Righteousnesse of Iesus Christ which is one onely may be distributed to all the faithfull 1 AS the soule of man is wholly throughout the whole body and euerie part alike Euen so is the Righteousnesse of Iesus Christ wholly in the body of the whole Church as the soule to giue it life and to mantaine it So that it is altogether in euerie of the particular members to make them strong whole stout and of courage to doo all their Offices and duties Or as the voice of a man which beeing heard of a great many persons is in such sort receiued of euerie one of thē prouided that they be attentiue that the same is wholly vnderstood without being diuided or sundred in any respect And as the face of a man may bee receiued in many Glasses and wholly represented to all without any diuision or seperation of the same 2 As an old rotten tattered garment cannot be comely peeced with newe whole and sound cloath Euen so they that plant and place their Righteousnesse in fasting and other externall exercises cannot admit that Righteousnesse that commeth onely and wholly by Christ Math. 9.16 3 As the Israelits were forbidden to cloath themselues with Linnen and Wollen made in one garment So likewise must all true Christians at this day put vpon them the Righteousnesse of Christ Iesus onely not mingling it with their owne merits Deut. 22.11 4 As the Sunne when hee riseth obscureth and darkneth the light of the skies dismisseth scattereth them Euen so the Righteousnesse of faith which for Christ his sake is imputed vnto vs doth vanquish the darknesse and as it were driueth away the night of the glorie of mens workes 5 As the sinne of Adam was the cause of condemnation vnto eternall death So in like manner the Righteousnesse of Christ is the cause of iustification vnto eternall life Rom. 8.1 2. Religion LIke as in labour or worke he that begunne last ought with the more diligence to redresse his slacknesse and recompence his late comming So he which lately began to professe and imbrace Religion vertue or godlinesse ought with the more feruentnesse and zeale to endeuour to attaine the same Reading of Bookes 1 AS they which be thirstie first doo drinke and at leisure doo behold the fashion of the cup if it bee engrauen or bee marked So ought we first to Read things that be most profitable then if leisure will serue vs wee may note and consider things elegant and trim 2 As it is more profitable oft to dung the ground then much and that at one time So is it more for one vtilitie to Read with moderatnesse dayly then at one time and that greedily 3 As a