carefull to remember it and be sure hold them to it But who almost lookes as he should after the promises concerning his Eternall happinesse Who studies the case in these points Who examines the thoughts Evidences Who searches the Records where they lye Avicenna the Mahumetane could get the Alcaron without booke and wee haue the verses of one R. Saadiah a Iew wherein he striues to shew how many times every letter of the Hebrew Alphabet is found through the old Testament But we are better seene in other matters I presse this no farther There may I confesse be an abuse by vaine-glory and scrupulosity in the very text of Scripture as that by Anabaptists and others But few of vs I perswade my selfe offend in such excesse Rather we intrench vpon the abuse of Gods gratious promises as though in the New Covenant hee had tied himselfe to make good all on his part and nothing rested of vs on our part to bee performed Thus in our practise wee take Gods decrees without the meanes a speculatiue faith without the fruit thereof a working grace without any indeavours of our illuminated vnderstanding and convicted will as though if wee speed not well the fault were Gods and not ours And this I conceiue to be the colourablest cause why our doctrine of Iustification by faith alone Art 11. which our Church Articles terme a wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort together with that of Gods preventing and working grace hath beene of late so dangerously impugned by some of our owne side in regard our neglect of good workes and abuse of our freed Abilities haue given such inexcusable occasions But new cloath must not be added to old garments to make the greater rent I follow my text They must then be here no promise breakers nor promise challengers where none are made nor misconceiuers of promise to take that to themselues which belongs not to them or that for absolute which was but conditionall But sonnes of promise and performers of promise are those and onely they that may looke for this land of promise according to this promise which brings in the Expectation the Tenure or manner of Holding my third Circumstance that now succeeds to be examined 7 Wee looke for It is the Fashion of the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Cor. 7.31 to be so ill Grammarians that they bee all for the present but little for the preterperfect or the future tense Though S. Paul tell vs that the fashion of this world passeth away and wisheth vs not to fashion our selues according to this world and S. Peter here not to stand too much vpon that which we now possesse but to thinke vpon and provide for that we must Looke for Our surest good therefore is not in possession but in Expectation for we are saued by hope Rom. 8.24 but hope that is seene is not hope for that a man seeth why doth he hope for but if we hope for that we see not then doe wee with patience wait for it And is not faith it selfe the ground or substance of things hoped for Heb. 11.1 and the evidence of things not seene The Schooles distinguish to this purpose betweene the three Theologicall virtues faith hope and charity that faith layes the present ground Hope seaseth on the future good and Charity leads vs along to the full possession of it for wee shall hardly possesse hereafter that which wee never hoped for and no reason haue we to hope where there is no ground All these then must goe together the one to second and third the other Our Apostle calles vs here and sets vs vpon the Claime to our future inheritance If wee here set vp our rest and think wee are well we may faile of our hopes hereafter It was a notable caveat that the Lord commanded Ieremy to deliuer to Baruch Behold that which I haue built I will breake downe and that which I haue planted J will plucke vp Ier. 45.4 and seekest thou great things for thy selfe seeke them not Our Saviour told Pilate that his Kingdome was not of this world Iohn 18.36 And in what place should our possessions lye but where our Saviour hath purchased them for vs Abraham hauing a pattent or grant of the Kingdome of Canaan for a Donatiue notwithstanding looked farther Heb. 11.10 for a City which hath foundations Foundations then as it should seeme in his conceipt were wanting to any building that should be heere erected before in this vale of misery Iacob professeth himselfe Gen. 47.9 to King Pharaoh that he was but a Pilgrim King David at his highest that hee was a stranger and soiourner as all his fathers were Psal 39.14 Luke 12. When the ground of that rich man in the gospell brought forth plenteously and his resolution was to pull downe his barnes and build greater that all his fruits and goods might be therein housed when he applauded himselfe as he thought in this thrifty course and sung a Requiem to his soule Soul thou hast much goods laid vp for many yeares take thine ease eate drinke and be merry How did God say Amen to this Thou foole this night thy soule shall be required of thee and then whose shall these things be which thou hast provided Our Saviours close vpon it may not be omitted so is he that heapeth vp treasures for himselfe and is not rich towards God who is all for hauing here and lookes for nothing hereafter liues that he may eate and eats that he may liue is melancholique at the thought of sicknesse crosses age or afflictions the inviting fore-runners to his future Inheritance would part with all his interest in that vpon easier terines then Esau did with his birth-right or Iudas with his master So farre sensuality in vs prevaileth and faith faileth So deare is present possession and doubtfull our future Expectation 8 The tongue of men and Angells would be heere needfull to set on this doctrine to our soules and consciences Not because it is thought doubtfull but because it is little thought on by the most of vs I shall not transgresse then I hope if in our Apostles way discouered here in the first verse I venture to stirre vp your pure minds by way of remembrance Remember therefore then Beloued what a vanity and hazzard it is to fixe our hearts here vpon that which can never satisfy All the felicity it is possible for vs Pilgrims in our passage to touch vpon Arist Eth. 1. is reduced by the Philosopher to these three heads the Ornaments of the mind as wit learning discretion the abilities of the body as health strength beauty the gifts as they call them of fortune as Riches Honour successe in vndertakeings and the like But what content giue any of these when they are throughly weighed I will not speake of the ignorance of our knowledge the weaknesse of our strength the ficklenesse of our fortunes and the fondnesse of
no occasion to bee violated Celebris nobilis O siander That which followes The sonne of Bichri Strigelius I know not vpon what ground would change into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnus è proceribus a great Noble mā for birth meanes and authority True it is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signify the first borne or the first fruits with a little inflection may be varied to that purpose but what need change of the text if the collection may be had without it Farre more passable is the inference of Abulensis that except he had beene some great man hee would never haue ventured for such a purpose to haue blowne a trumpet and the multitude would rather haue slaine him outright then vpon such a motion to haue given eare vnto him Well therefore he may be presumed to be a man of eminency as Catiline among the Romanes or Gowry amongst his countrymen of greater nobility and note then desert or honesty which the circumstance following doth more then intimate A Beniamite or a man Iemini for why should this be added but as most interpreters take it to shew the ground why Sheba was so ready to revolt from David Ever there remained a sting betweene the Beniamites and David especially of those that were any way kinne to Saul for the translating of the Kingdome from Saul's posterity to David And howsoever the expresse disposall of good was knowne to all Israel in it yet malicious men will take no satisfaction especially where a Kingdome is the obiect of their difference So Shimei which reviled him in the 16. Chapter is said to be of the family of Saul that we might take notice of the reason why he did it David was easily induced to beleeue Ziba grossely belying Mephibosheth for aspiring by tumult to the kingdome as hauing experience of the inward grudge that most of Sauls family bore him which here breaking out in Sheba hee is tearmed a Beniamite to make it the lesse strange to them who desire to know the reason In summe then howsoever these words may seeme to import nothing farther then a bare narration yet vpon waighing and laying circumstances together here appeareth first the ground of treason whence it generally ariseth and secondly the disgrace that it necessarily draweth with it The ground is twofold first a rotten heart fully possessed by Belial for no man becomes a traytour that hath any relique of grace in him The second ground is most commonly hatred accompanied with ambition and desire of reuenge for some wrong receiued The disgrace is likewise double first striking to the actour himselfe that vndertakes so foule a fact and next to the family whose bloud thereby is taynted All which the text affordeth A man of Belial behold the heart corrupted a Beniamite there 's the reason of the grudge In like manner the name of Sheba chronicleth the personall blot and the sonne of Bichri the imputation sticking to the family All which in stead of a doctrine yeeld this essentiall definition of a a traytour A traytour is a man of Belial who to the disgrace of himselfe and his whole family impiously conceiueth and rebelliously venteth his hatred and disloyalty against his lawfull Soveraigne 7 The meanest Logician will here easily finde the genus to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a man of Belial and the difference drawne partly from the proper obiect his lawfull Soveraigne and partly from a necessary adiunct the infamy both of person and family The grounds whereof are so cleare that it needs no further illustration Proofes there are plenty if it were my purpose to vse them Curse not the King no not in thy thought Eccles 10.20 But feare God and honour him not only for wrath but for conscience sake 1. Pet. 2. Rom. 13. as Saint Peter and Saint Paul ioyntly teach vs. Certainly hee that faultereth in his allegiance to man the deputy manifestly revolteth from God the deputer And hee that shaketh off this sacred bond of obedience hath first resigned heaven and made shipwracke of a good conscience I need not cast about in this for any farther confirmation the other particles in the definition are no lesse evident For why is Sheba here named so precisely with his Father and Tribe but to be left as Pilate in our Creede gibbeted vp as it were a carcasse for detestation to all posterity It was a heauy doome for Amalek to haue his remembrance to be vtterly put out from vnder heaven Exod. 17. as also for Ieroboam and Baasha to bee grubbed vp by the rootes with all their off-springs But the curse seemes farre more disastrous to be remembred with a brand of infamy and to be chronicled with Bigthan and Teresh as blots to their name and family Thus Iudas weltreth in Aceldama and no man pitties him Achitophel hangs himselfe so politikely that no man so much as in conceipt will cut the halter God would not haue the names of such to putrifie with their carcasses but posterity shall ever bee tossing them to their everlasting infamy So generall is that of the Wise man applied particularly to an adulterous woman Ecclus. 23.25 His children shall take no roote and her boughes shall bring no fruite A shamefull report shall shee leaue and her reproach shall not bee put out For as the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance Psalm 112. Gen. 48. their name shall be called vpon that is continued and advanced in their issue nay their Eunuches that keepe Gods Sabbaths and please him shall haue a better name then of sons and daughters So the name of the wicked shall rot Esay 56. Psalm 107. It shall be left as a curse vnto Gods chosen Esay 65.15 The sinnes of their fathers shall be had in remembrance and the sinnes of their mothers shall not be blotted out Psal 109.14 So Ieroboam is seldome named but Nebat is fetcht in to beare a part of the reproach and scandall Seven times in this Chapter mention is made of Sheba and so often the sonne of Bichri is added Such a stayne one false traytour leaues vpon a whole family Vlisses in the Poet by the light of nature could well vantage his cause by it where to justify his owne pedegree and girds at Aiax he could handsomely say of his ancestours Neque in his quisquam damnatus exul Treason is of a deeper tincture deseruing a heavier doome and therefore of all true Christians the more earnestly to bee detested It shall bee needlesse to make farther application of that which hath beene in this part deliuered except it would please more particularly first parents hence to be admonished for the bringing vp of their children in obedience in their tender yeeres least their after-rebellions reflect to the blemishing of their whole families Next kinsfolke to proclaime such degenerate and raze them out of their genealogies that shall fo farre linke themselues with Belial as to be accounted
nourished and brought vp children and they haue rebelled against me How children if no way of the Church How rebells if not swarving from their Mothers Doctrine or Discipline As Antichrist therefore that Arch-heretique is not to bee sought I wot not where at Babylon from the tribe of Dan but taken sitting in the temple of God 2. Thes 2.4 exalting himselfe aboue all that is called God so heresies are rifest there where the grace of God is turned into wantonnesse and Gods word made stoope to serue mans turnes and turnings Rev. 2.13 14. that is in the Church In Pergamus commended for holding fast Christs name the Doctrine of Balaam will haue countenance V. 20. And notwithstanding Thy atira'es fayth and charity bee vpon the mending hand the woman Iezabel will play her part to seduce Gods servants No otherwise here Pauls planting and Apollo'es watring could not so secure these Corinthians but that it was not onely possible or likely but necessary not onely that there should be divisions but heresies not darting at them a farre off or neare beleagring them but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iust in the midst of them and therefore it stood them vpon the more resolutely and warily to guard themselues 11. If the Church then be the stage where heretiks play their parts and where Satan hath his throne how much then doth it concerne her to haue provident seers vigilant watchmen able Leaders willing obedient and painefull Ministers to be alwaies in a readinesse as occasion shall be offered That which our Apostle foretold the elders of the Church of Ephesus that not onely greivous wolues should invade their flocke Acts 20.29.30 from abroad But even of themselues should arise men speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them falleth out to be the case of most particular Churches especially those whom peace hath made proud plenty wanton liberty luxurious dignities ambitious immunities idle vilifying and insulting over their meane brethren commonly muzling the mouthes of those oxen that take most paines in treading out the corne Laodicea was much of this vaunting humour I am rich Rev. 13.17 and increased with good and haue need of nothing But he that hath an eare to heare may heare what the spirit saith vnto such churches I know thy workes that thou art neither cold nor hote I would thou wert cold or hote so then because thou art lukewarme and neither cold nor hote I will spue thee out of my mouth God forbid Beloued that our lukewarmenesse in charity and coldnesse to mayntaine the truth that so long hath beene a blessing to this church and state should any way at length giue ground for an application to affright vs with the like iudgment O God if thou shouldst spue vs out what ditch or sinke would receiue vs If thou shouldst remoue our candlesticke what Egyptian darknesse must needes follow Those that are well Beloued can never be too carefull to keep themselues so or too thankfull to him that protects them so or too solicitous of the heresies and evills that may alter them from being so or too forward and zealous for the propagating of that truth they are entrusted with that must continue them so For if neglects should here breed rents and rents ruines inferiors may feele the smart but the heauiest doome perchance would light on superiors who are not only accountable for themselues but others And they betray them that sooth their security and take not all fayre opportunity according to their places and callings to mind them of it There is not such a scarsity of flatterers in this age that wee need flatter our selues Brethren wee see our calling knowe the depths of Satan and the worlds wilinesse How soeuer therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 time-servers reile to and fro and stagger like drunken men and become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the toy takes them in the head instable as S. Iames taxeth them in all their waies the Lord will order a good mans going and doe well vnto them that are true of heart the eater shall yeelde him meate the rocke hony Heresies an opportunity to approue manifest his goodnesse Which is the exposition of the former position and the part J haue left to conclude with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 12. That they which are approued may be made manifest amongst you Such is the tendernesse of our great God to the infirmity of his children that he will impart so far his secrets vnto them as may stand for their incouragement The multiplication of Schismes and Heresies here mentioned might much cast them downe if this Jtem had not beene added that they should doe them rather good then harme This exposition therefore includes the reason why God so deales with his Church that whē such things fall out they may take them for no newes Brethren saith Peter thinke it not strange concerning the fiery triall 1. Pet. 4.12 as though some strange thing happened vnto you of which you neuer heard and against which yee are altogether vnprovided Abrahams faith had neuer beene so manifested if he had not beene enioyned to sacrifice his sonne Gen. 22. Iob's constancy had passed in obscurity if such horrible afflictions had not fallen vpon him And the resolution of the Martyres in Gods cause neuer shined brighter then in the light of those flames that burned them to cinders For many may bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that are not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of abilities and sound resolutions that appeare not so to the world and some will needs be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which never were truely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make a shew to the world of that which was never in them They will haue their degrees as wee say in the Vniversity before they doe their exercise But here wee see what Gods method is first hee furnisheth his with armour of proofe they shall be first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 approued tried sifted weighed in the ballance and not found too light And then he brings them forth for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the world may find them so by conversing with them and acknowledge it This leads on the godly to imitate them confoundeth the wicked in their proiects glorifieth Gods wisedome and goodnesse in extracting good out of ill and cleareth many vsefull points of Divinity which otherwise would haue been too much neglected To this purpose De Civit. Dei l. 16. c. 2. vid. de Genes ad lit c. 1. De vera relig c. 8. S. Augustine hath divers excellent passages Multa ad fidem catholicam pertinentia c. Many things saith that judicious Father which pertaine to the Catholique faith are cleared far the better through the opposition of Heretiques cum ab Adversario mota quaestio discendi existit occasio when the Adversary giues the hynt by his wrangling to learne that which was not so seriously thought vpon