as a naturall passion for so that condition they haue common wyth the wicked of the world Of the feare of the Godly and some of the creatures of God Where it â—â—seth as hath in part bene prooued alreadie but prooceedeth also from an vnfaigned loue and a sincere reuerence of God his maiestie and whatsoeuer generallie is in him more particularlie his iudgementes groweth beeing shead abroade into their heartes and effectually planted continued and increased in them thorow the holy exercises of his word and powerfull working of hys blessed spirit accompanieng the same they beeing also styrred vppe thereto not for worldlye respectes or carnall considerations Continueth as shame before men or outward punishment that they must vndergoe for sinne committed or transitory glorie which they must forgoe and loose c. as the wicked and vngodlie but vpon holy regardes euen as wel be seemeth Gods saintes and seruauntes noâ— onelie professing but sincerelie imbracing godlinesse namely for that they haue set God against them selues not as a iudge sharpe and seuere but as a most louing tender father the remembraunce whereof euen in that respect as vnto them as if it wer the darts of death and the sensible feeling for the time of the verie panges and paines of hell and the state of the damned there being litle or no difference betweene the one the other but as in regard of length of time of this life present and the causes moouing such distresse in also which they are lead not so much to respect themselues for many of them in vnfeigned loue to others haue after a sort desired their own destruction as the glorie of God their most gracious father the honour of that blessed religion which they professe and loue of others that not onely in the flesh but also in the faith are deare and precious vnto them fearing indeede least all or any of these should in them or by them bee any manner of way though neuer so smallie wounded or hurte hauing alwayes and that in such a portion as God seeth fit for his glorie and their good notwithstanding their manifold wantes and vnwoorthynesse that pretious gifte of faiâ—h which as it commeth from God alone and is begun continued and encreased in his children by the ministerie of preaching perticipation of the sacramentes and powerfull working of his owne spirit so is it peculiar to the elect onelie to appropriate Gods mercies vnto them selues for the coÌ„fort of their own soules and to sanctifie as other things â—o them so this naturall feare within them and to keepe it in so that it bâ—eake not forth either into sinne against God or offence before men And as concerning the effectes or fruites the which they yeeld and bring foorth which is the seconde difference betweene them wee shall find as great ods and diuersitie as in the causes whereof also there is good reason because such as the cause is such is the effecte which who is it almost that knoweth not and then the causes being sundrie the effectes likewise must be so too Concerning the feare that is in the wicked it either maketh them frefull in themselues as we may see by that little quietnesse they haue whether they be at home or abroad sleepâ—ng or waking in sicknesse or in health The effects of feâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the wiâ—ked their life being nothing els but a sea of continuall troubles which fire though they seeme for a time to rake vp vnder the ashes of counterfeyt rest and dissembled ease In themselues yet will it at the length breake foorth as a mightie flame to consume them or els causeth them to be much disquiet towardes others â—owards oâ—â—ers they plainely bewraying the same either by some hard woordes or sharpe deedes or furious countenances that many times not onely against them whom they cannot abide but against them also that in manifolde respectes should be dear vnto them as their wiues that lie in their bosomes theâ—r children that issue out of their loines their frieÌ„ds that be as themselues their seruauntes that haue walked dutifullie towardes them c. Impacience or murmuring against God Or prouoketh them to bee impatient and murmuring euen against God himselfe not only because his hand for sinne lieth hard heauy vpon them but also because they can see or finde no way how eyther to soften or to shift or to auoid the same For though they seek to run away would gladly flie if they could tell how from the face presence of his eternal maiesty as we may see in our first h Gen. 3.8 parents Adam and Heuah and in the practise of all ages and euen of this present time who bitten as it wer with the teeth wounded with the dart of this deadly feare do not only faint in theÌ„selues and i Dan. 5.6 strike their knees together but manifest to men by sorrowful sighes lamentable coÌ„plaints yea and desperate dealings also sometimes against their own soules bodies that without any remorse of heart or godlie griefe at all whereof wee haue manyfold examples both in the holye scrpitures other writers also knowne I am sure vnto you so well exercised in the word as I take and iudge you to be yet they know there is no way to escape his reuenging hand against them for their sinnes and Rom. 2.5 hart that cannot repent and that is it that increaseth their feare and augmenteth their wo and causeth them to enter into these furious both wordes and deeds Th'effectes of feare in the godly But the â—eâ—e that is in the godly being yet notwithstanding mingled both with hope and ioy as we may perceiue by the Apostles wordes who speaking of the faithfull-saith l 2. Cor. 4 8 We are afflicted on euerie side yet are we not in distresse we are in doubt but yet we despaire not and by that which is reported in the gospell of the women which came to Christes sepulâ—hâ—e of whom the Euangeâ— st Matthew affirmeth that m Math 28.8 they dâ—parted with fear In themselues great ioy maketh them in the daies of their prosperitie considering in what a ticklysh estate In the daies of prosperitie they are and howe easily caried into pride against men I time of aâ—uersitie and forgetfulnesse of God carefull and watchfull ouer themselues ta walke in a good conscience before God and men according to the measure of mercies both past and present that they haue receiued from God and causeth them in the middâ—st of their distresses weighing how quicklie by the remainders of since they may be thrust into impatiencâ—e to labour the attaining of a quiet spirite within themselues beeâ—ng assured that n Râ—m â— 28 all things shall worke toge her to the best for them that loue and feare God yea it prouoketh them to be humble lowly yea and that in all sound maner towards others before
LARGE LETTERS Three in number containing much necessarie matter for the instruction and comfort of such as are distressed in conscience by feeling of sinne and feare of Gods wrath WRITTEN HEERETOfore by T. W. for some deare friends of his and now published and printed for the raising vp of such as labor vnder the heauie burthen of an afflicted Spirite PSAL. 42.11 â—â—y art thou cast downe my soule and why art thou disquieted within me wait on God for I will yet giue him thanks hee is my present hâ—lpe and my God AT LONDON Printed by Roger warde for Thomas Man 1589. TO HIS FAITHFVLL friends and verie deare brethren in Christ Mast Roger Ofield Robert Washborne George Smith Thomas Shipton Iohn Field Robert Iones Iohn Harper Iohn Hounsell and all the rest of his Christian acquaintaunce in London as well as though they were particularlie named together with all those that els where in the land vnfaignedly feare the Lord and looke for the glorious appearing of his sonne and our sauiour T. W. wisheth all spirituall goodnes heauenly comfort in this life and in the end the eternall glorification of their bodies and soules in euerlasting blisse through Christ MY loue in the Lorde and the affectioÌ„s of my hart in him haue bin in some measure of soundnes I humbly thanke God for it in Christ strongly carried generallie tovvardes all the Israell of GOD wheresoeuer and more particularlye tovvardes you my good Breethren vvhereof ouer and besides the assured testimony of mine owne soule I haue for faithful witnesses the Lord himselfe in heauen and many of his saints vppon earth and amongst others you your selues Causes leading me hereto are manye but as in respect of God none more powerfull than his grace and holy spirite shed abroad into my heart and as in regard of you none more effectuall than sundry sincere fruites of your faith and the comfortable feeling of the communion of saints in which holy fellowship standeth not onely the spiritual felicity and good of the whole bodie but the very ioy and contentment also of euerie sounde member therein For outward kindnesses that I haue receiued from you I must will euerie where acknowledge my selfe much beholding vnto you And yet this I may vvith all boldnes professe that as that is not the onâ—ly or principall cause moueing me to affect you so though I haue beene beholding to you all yet not to all alike but to some more than to other some Which also I rehearse not now either to breed anie disdaine or emulation in you one of you towards another for that vvere to breake the bond of charity and vnitie of the spirit or to lessâ—n any fauour though neuer so small that I haue receiued from you for that wer to depriue you of your praise and to declare my selfe ingratfull nor craftilie clavving after the maner of the vvorld to craue newe benefiâ—es for that vvere nothing els but deceit and flatterie to procure mine own good from all vvhich corruptions I haue hitherto as in respect of my selfe and you through Gods goodnesse beene graciouslie freed But to let you vnderstand that your benefits haue not bene bestowed vpon an vnskilfull or an thankefull person but vpon such a one as by the light that he hath receiued from God hath vveighing them in an equal ballance esteemed of them according to the goodnes of the gift and the christian affection of the Partie giuing The thinges indeede which haue most speciallye lincked mee fast in the Lorde vnto you are your precious faith towards God vnfaigned loue to the saints christian consciences amongest your selues and holie praiers in presence and absence one of you for an other and all of you I am assured for the holy causes and faithfull members of the whole Church and amongest the rest euen for me pore and wretched man that I am In which duties of yours as my heart hath greatly reioiced in the lord for the graces that in great mercy he hath bin pleased to vouchsafe vnto you I my selfe haue as in some sort though not to the ful in regard of your spirituall fauours performed to me by reson of weaknesse and wants in my selfe aunswered them again with the like I write not as a vaine glorious boaster so I doubt not but that therby God him selfe hath receiued glorie at your hands his childreÌ„ goten much good and you your selues reaped a gracyous measure and increase of religyous knowledge and dutifull obedience As for the worldly fauours that you haue shewed me and bodily benefites that vvay I confesse my selfe to be far behind hand with you and much indebted in deed though not in affection surely and readinesse of good vvill for so my heart is verie large in humilitie I speake it neyther will I wish better witnesses of it than your selues yet in regard of action vvherein still my griefe groweth great and increaseth daily vpon me as vvell by the feare that I haue of my future wants as by the feeling of my former and present disabilities Hovvbeit sith thys is the Lords doing and that he is pleased thereby to sift me and to sound you mee for my patience and comfortable induring of these necessities and you for your faithfull obedience and vnfaigned loue I can not but vvith some measure of spirituall ioy vndergoe mine owne lacks and againe recomfort my spirites because hauing to deale vvith God and his seruaunts vvho haue learned from his holie example greater than all exception to accept of men according to that they haue and not according to that they haue not I rest resolued my good vvill shall bee accounted as a deed specially sith I am ready euery vvhere vvithout flatterie in my self or favvning vpon you to acknovveledge to the glorie of God and the good of his people the great good turnes that by you I haue receiued euen from the Lords ovvne handes And yet gladly vvould I if I could tell hovve some vvay recompence though not all yet som part peece thereof And in that respect indeede haue I long looked vvished for as some good occasion from you wherin it might haue pleased you all or any of you to haue imployed and vsed me to my pore vttermost So some sufficiencie in my selfe at the leastwise in some mean measure to haue requited that ouerflowing heape of your kindnes and holy loue But hitherto I deliuer it with my griefe of heart as a man sensiblie seeing and feeling gods hand vpon my selfe both that and other waies also my expectation and hope hath bene frustrat and my power very short and skant A small thing the Lorde vvas pleased some years ago to inable me in two or three Letters to performe for the comfort of some of my christian acquaintance whose conflicts in conscience vvere great and many which lying by mee vvith some other simple thinges that I haue done and I beeing earnestly requested to make that coÌ„mon to many which was written for
vttermost yea beyond it if I could tell how because I know it to be the Lordes assured trueth that I shall deliuer and though not fit perhappes now for your selfe by reason of your present comfort and ioy yet heereafter i may bee of more then necessary vse for your selfe and others also when these darke and glomie daies of assaultes shall againe take holde of you In both which respectes as I rest perswaded that my poore paynes shall not vtterly perish so cannot I but thorowly assure mine own heart that both the one and the other shall be well accepted of you who are woont much to make of euerie thing that commeth from me In consideration whereof I will the more willingly assaie God assisting me the performance of the matter I purpose that is the yeelding of you some such comfortes as d 2. Cor. 1.3.4 the God of all consolation hath giuen vnto me not onely for the staie of mine owne conscience but to the ende also that I might acquaint others that are in tribulation with the same The dealings of God with his dearest saintes and seruantes in this behalfe especially are as we knowe by the light of the world and by experience in our selues and examples of others that haue gone before vs or liue with vs diuers and sundry he throwing vs downe and lifting vs vp and e psal 90.3 turning vs to destruction and yet saying returne you sonnes of Adam whose wayes as euerie maner of way so in this respect especiallie are much more vnsearchable and past finding out than f pro. 30 19 is the way of an Eagle in the ayre the waie of a serpent vpō a stone or the way of a ship going with a right fore winde and full sayle in the midst of the mayne sea till God be pleased in the multitude of his mercies in some measure to discouer the same vnto hys seruantes What God will doe with you good sir after so manifold and long trials is vnknowne to me because neither I nor any other haue g Rom 11 34 bene of his councell in such secret and particular purposes speciallie concerning others whatsoeuer we may feel touching our selues Howbeit I cannot otherwise thinke or be perswaded but that you haue bene are and so shal be for euer h 9.23 Tokens to assure men to be the vessels of mercie a vessell of his mercy wherein I am dayly more and more confirmed not onely by the christian carrying of your selfe in the dayes of your former and present troubles you patiently bearing them and earnestly calling vppon God for heauenly strength to vndergoe and ouercome but euen by the verie afflictions themselues that you felt or feele God by them setting as it were his own marke vpon you the better to knowe you for one of his owne sheepe and sonnes and so conforming you i Rom. 8.29 vnto the image of his best beloued in his sufferinges that in the same you might haue a certaine pledge of glorification with him Manifold and long afflictions a verie grieuous temptation Wherein though I acknowledge that it cannot be but verie greeuous to be long held and much exercised and the rather because it is not one but manifold assaultes and temptations with which you are troubled on euerie side yet doubt I not but that the issue and end that God shall worke of all these An answere to it of the end shal be exceeding good not onely in regard of k 2. Cor. 4.17 a far most excellent weight of eternal glory that I know they pledge vp in you other of Gods children but of the effects also that for the time present they bring forth in you Of the effects as adding an edge vnto your prayers which for the time seemed to be colde or dead rather lessening yea beating backe the force of many other temptations which no doubt might strongly assault and mightily encounter with you conforming you in vnfeigned affection to the obedience of Gods good will a worthy worke doubtlesse and a matter of no small difficultie filling you and that for your selfe and others also with the comfortes and consolations which are from aboue Afflictions to the faithfull not so much a cause of discouragement as to looke to themselues and to cal vpon God for ayd and strength whiche hardly but by such meanes wee taste of or attayne vnto with sundrie such like In my poore iudgement therefore you may yea you ought to be so farre off from beeing discomfited and cast downe in this estate wherein you are that you haue rather iust occasion offered you to l Heb. 12.12 lift vp your handes which hang downe and to strengthen your weake knees yea to raise vp your decaied spirites assuring your selfe that howsoeuer the Lord lead you along in manifolde and manifest afflictions and carry you as it were from one sorrow to another yea howsoeuer hee seeme to bring you to the pits bruicke and make all the surges and m Psal 42.7 waues of his displeasure to rise vp against you and mount ouer your head that yet I will not n 2. Cor. 4 8. destitute you nor o Heb. 13.5 fayle you for euer as well because hee trieth you no otherwise Two reasons nor exerciseth you no further than he hath done those that haue bene deare and precious in his owne eyes as also because he is both faithfull and powerfull to perfourme both in heauen and in earthe whatsoeuer hee hath promised to the sonnes of men much more to his owne seruauntes Two apt similitudes declaring Gods loue towardes his children Wherein also no doubt he dealeth no otherwise with you than earthly parentes doe many times with their owne deare children who to make them the more plainly see and the more strongly to be perswaded of their fatherly loue towardes them and manlike strength for their deliuerance bring their sayd children to the fire side that so they may feele more than a woonted heate thereof and learne to feare it withall The like they practise towards them also in another element namely in water not onely carrying them all along the edge brimme or bancke of some pond or riuer but nowe and then making semblance as if they would throw or thrust them into the same And yet wee knowe they loue them no whit the lesse for all this nay we are assured of this the more nigh they are to daunger whether it arise from the negligence and ignoraunce of the children themselues or seeme to be layd vppon them from the very louing and naturall parentes the more sure and fast hold they take of them And shal not we be much more perswaded I wil not say of the like loue but of farre p Esay 49.15 more exceeding loue in God towards his sonnes and daughters with whose fauour towardes his people and power for his childrens good no affections 〈◊〉 might I dare auouch this not of
I confesse we shall see that we haue singular and speciall consolations and that not fewe in number alone and these weake and feeble also but manie and the same verie mightie yea euerie one of them strong and sufficient it selfe to beate backe this assault though it were muche more powerfull and forcible then it is that so being compassed about and as it were backed with such a r Heb. 12.1 cloud of witnesses our hartes might be the more stedfastly vp held not onely in present comfort but in hope of all good thinges to come I say therefore that whether we respect the father himselfe who otherwise s 1 Tim. 6 16 dwelling in light that no man can come vnto hath yet notwithstanding plentifullie and plainely reuealed himselfe vnto vs in his word or by the eye of a stedfast faith looke vppon Iesus Christ his son and our sauior who is also the brightnesse of the glory and the t Hebrew i. 3. ingrauen forme of his person or regard the blessed word of almightie God in all the parts and peeces of it but specially in the promises thereof propounded for our coÌ„fort or consider as we should and are bound The Sacramente 1 Cor. 10.1.2.3 c. Rom 4.11 the holy sacraments that he hath giuen vs in this world as pledges of his goodnes toward vs seales of the faithe that hee hath wrought in vs or might well as wee ought that right order of discipline gouernment Discipline of the Church that he hath established in his Churche for the repressing of euill or maintenance of all well dooing or diligently marke the singular fauors that hee hath plentifullie shedde out vpon those that haue gone before vs in the fleshe and in the faith or see and feele the great graces that hee of his owne good will hath bestowed vppon vs our selues poore and miserable wretches that wee are or behold with a sound iudgement sin it selfe specially as in regard of the good that God maketh to flowe from it howsoeuer it be odious and vglie in it selfe we shall certainely finde that from all and euerie one of these wee may without doubt gather strong argumentes and forcible reasons assured and continuall comfort for the forgiuenesse of all our sins by consequent also for the sound and Christian peace of our own hearts Nowe to the ende that that which hath bene generallie spoken and shortly deliuered may yet appeare to bee as true and certaine so plentiful and large let vs come more particularly and at length as it were yet without tediousnesse to deduct and laie out these poyntes For the first we haue the verie mercifull nature Of the nature of God himselfe and readie inclination of almighty God in himselfe to shew pitie and compassion to those that are humbled who howsoeuer he declare himsâ—lf in word and deede armed and that with iustice against the proud Pharisee or benummed and senselesse professor as he hath good cause indeede for their continuance in sinne and want of a trembling spirite standeth yet notwithstanding in his fatherly compassion and loue moste graciously affected to such as quake and sloupe before him Which that we might be the better perswaded of he hath bene pleased plainly to tel vs and that in his holie worde also that hee hath no desire that u Ezech. 18 23 the wicked shoulde die but rather that hee should liue and againe that hee is the x Exod. 34 6 7 Lord strong mercifull and gracious slowe to anger and aboundant to goodnesse and trueth reseruing mercie for thousandes forgiuing iniquittes and transgressions c. and that he wil giue to such as y Isaiah 61.3 mourne in Sion bewtie for ashes and the oyle of ioy for mourning and the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heauinesse or as it is in the prophet Ezechiell z Ezek. 9 4 c. a marke by which they shal be known and freed from the common calamitie and destruction of the wicked Of the trueth of all which wee may bee the better assured because it is the worde not of a mortall man who will in the hypocrisie and corruption of hys heart doubt and dissemble but of the eternall God who as he is not deceiued so doth hee not deceiue and who beeing of an vnchaungeable nature remayneth fast and sure and the same with a cleare voyce and in wordes of muche euidencie published and proclaymed not once and awaie for then perhaps in the distrustfulnesse of our owne heartes wee might quickly call it into question a Psal 86 5 â—â— Psal 103.8.9 The sonne of God and mediator but sundrie times and in manie places of his holy word Secondly who seeth not that euen in Iesus Christ wee haue a mercifull measure of spirituall comfort pressed downe and running euer against this sharpe temptation and sore assault and that not onâ—ly because as he is God he is b Math. 9.5 able to forgiue sinnes and as man being c Heb. 2 17 made like vnto his brethren hee is pitifull and readie for that and all other good workes but also because in him dwelleth d Colloss 2 9 al the fulnesse of the godhead bodily we hauing in him e Colloss 1 14 redemption thorowe his bloud that as the forgiuenesse of sinnes in whome likewise f 2 Cor â— 20 all the promises of God are yea and amen hee himselfe being made of God vnto vs g 1 Cor 1 30 wisdom righteousnesse and sanctification redemption who alone was h Isaiah 53 5 wouÌ„ded for our transgressions brokeÌ„ for our iniquitie bearing the chastisment of our peace healing vs thorowe his stripes he himselfe and nowe other 63.3 treading the wine presse of gods wrath agaynst vs for our sinnes whome sith God hath bene pleased to k Rom. 8.32 giue vnto death for vs all howe shall he not together with him giue vs all thinges also If all things why not then the free pardon and ful forgiuenesse of all our sins Shal you imagine that God wil say al giue vs but some that were to make him a lier who is not Rom. 3.4 onely true but truth it selfe Or shall we deeme that for the testification of the largenesse of hys liberality he wil vouchsafe vs some pety fauours and withhold graces of muche greater excellencie that were to make god deale worse with his dear children then earthlie princes do with their dutifull seruants I say therfore againe if all things why not remission of sinnes speciallie sith in him are hidde yet so as they daylie are plainelie and in good time shall bee plentifullie displaied and aboundantlie yea perfectlie communicated vnto his people m Colloss 2 3 all the treasures of wisedome knowledge mercy and whatsoeuer els is excellent in God as in respect of himselfe or comfortable and profitable as in regard of vs. Thirdlie the blessed booke of God it selfe doeth in
effectual pledges vnto vs as of Gods great fauor shed abroad into our harts so of the crowning of those his graces in vs with wondeâ—ful honour and glorious immortality at the last Lastlie it seemeth vnto me Of sin it self that eâ—en from sinne it selfe though not in it owne nature for so it is abhominable in the Lords sight o Haâ—aâ— 1.13 whose pure eies cannot sâ—e euill neither yet in the effects that commonly it bringeth foorth for so is it alwaies bytter making a fearefull p Isaiah 59.2 seperation betweene the Lord and vs hauing for the q Rom. 6 2â— wages of it eternal death and damnation yet euen in the heynousnes and heyght thereof being accompanied with gods fauour in the forgiuenes of the same we should may reap an inuincible argument of much consolation and singular comfort For wherein shal or can the mercy of God in this life so much appear towards his people as in pardoning the sinnes of his seruants To whom had they not offended neither could gods mercie that way foorth haue bin declared nor Christ for theÌ„ haue bin r 1. Tim. 3.16 God manifested in the flesh who therefore came into the world not to call s Math. 9.13 the righteous but sinners to repentaunce and did therefore appeare amongest men not onely that he might t 1 Ioh. 3.5.8 loose the works of the deuil but also that he might take away our sins Outward tokens of Gods fauour All the outward fauours that wee haue in this life if we should reckon theÌ„ vp one by one as for example creation preseruation health wealth c. or binde them all in a bundle together cannot so sensibly set before vs Gods loue because some of them are in some sort commoÌ„ to other creatures with men reach but to the bodie for the most part this time present onely the wicked many times beeing before Gods saintes in some of the same God also v Ps 17.14 filling their bellies with his hid treasure their children hauing inough and leauing inough of their substance for their children Spiritual graces Nay I will say more many of those spirituall graces that God vouchsaseth vnto his Church as h s worde sacraments praier of which the holy ghost saith he x Psal 147.19 sheweth his word vnto Iacob his statutes and his iudgments vnto Israell and he hath not dealt so with euerie nation doe not so plainâ—iy exâ—râ—sse the fauour and loue of the Lorde towardes hys people as the free pardon and full forgiuenesse of their transgressions the reason is because y Math 22.14 manye are called and fewe are chosen and diuers bee in the Churche that bee not of the Church This grace also extending it sâ—â—e not onelye to bodye and soule in says lyfe carrying with it comfort and the peace of a good conscience here but reaching euen vnto the life that is to come eternal saluation and life euerlasting being an inseperable companion to the forgiuenesse of our sinnes And that we might the better be perswaded that this is a verie speciall fauour God himselfe taketh vpon himself as a principall point of his glory this great worke of forgiuing laying z â—saiah 42.25 I euen I am he that putteth away thine iniquities for my owne sake and will not remember thy sinnes And in an other Prophet rehearsing the graces that he will vouchsafe vnto his people in the newe Testament he reckoneth vp this as the last and chiefest a Iere 31 34. I wil forgiue their iniquitie b Rom. 5.20 and remember their sinne no more that beeing true here that the Apostle saieth that where sinne abounded there grace abounded much more To conclude then good Madam out of all that is gone before The coâ—clusion Sâ—â—h in thys poynt of the forgiuenes of sins God who is greater than al is b Rom 8 3 on our side therefore wee neede not care who be agaynst vs Iesus Christ standeth for vs who is c Math 3 17 his dearely beloued sonne in whome onely hee is well pleased and thorow whome he hath d 2 Cor 3 19 reconciled the world vnto himselfe the word generally partâ—cularly the promises in the same which are in Iesus Christ e 2 Cor 1 20 yea and amen speake comfoâ—table things vnto vs the holy sacramentes ordeined by God for the strengthning of our weake faith seale vp that great and gracious fauor vnto vs the disâ—pline and voyce of the Church which is the f 1 Tim 3 16 piller ground of trueth and as it were Gods owne voyce from heauen confirmeth it the particular examples oâ— his saintes hauing in former time found it and felt it true doe ratifie and confirme the same the peculiar fauoâ—s that God hath giuen vs our selues in this life and namely faith g 2 Thess 3 2 which all men haue not with the sound truâ—tes thereof doe pledge it vp and that god that maketh the h Psal 76 10 rage of men to turne to his praise and in the beginning commaâ—nded i 2 Cor. 4 6 the light to shine out of darkenesse now maketh sin to serue for the magnifying and manifesting of his mercie and the comfort and good of his children who is it that can distrust or rather who hath not iust cause with the Apostles and saintes of God to sing and say k 1. Cor. 15.54.55.56.57 death is swallowed vp into victorie O deathe where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie The sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the lawe But thanks be to God which hath giuen vs victorie thorow our Lord Iesus Christ And againe l Rom. 8 38 39. I am perswaded that neyther death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor thinges present nor thinges to come nor height nor depâ—h nor anie other creature shal be able to separate vs froÌ„ the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Thus good Madame I haue as your honour seeth plainely deliuered my poore iudgement in this worthie point touching the comfortable feeling of the forgiuenesse of sinnes and some such assured seales and pledges of the same as by m Deut. 17 18 19 Ioshua 1 8 Psalm 1.2 Iohn 5 39 dayly reading of the holie scriptures and continuall meditation in the same holie duties that I and all other christians of what qualitie or calling so euer are bound vnto by Gods word to performe and woulde to God all did it as may knowe and confesse it the Lorde in much fauor I freely confesse it hath bene pleased in the dayes of my distresse to manifest to me miserable man that I am and that not onely for instruction and comfort vnto my self alone for God neuer bestoweth anie grace vpon vs much lesse such excellent fauors to that ende onely but for the good and consolation of others who being n 2
Cor. 1 3 4 the father of mercies and God of all comfort doth not onely comfort vs in all our tribulations but also inableth vs to comfort them which are in anie affliction by the comfort wherewith we our selues are comforted of him what it is I will not affirme because the holie Ghost hath taught mee saying o Prouer. 27.2 let an other man prayse thee and not thyne owne mouthe a straunger and not thine owne lips yet sure I am of this that Gods trueth it is and vpon the certaine perswasion that I haue thereof I shal be readie the Lord assisting me not onely to confesse it wholie and in all places and before all persons but Christ Iesus guiding me and assisting me p Iohn 15.5 without whom I cannot do any thing to laie downe my selfe and to seale as if it were with my bloud the certaintie of the same What effect it may bring forth in your honor at whose religious request I was vnfeignedly forward and willing to vndertake these trauailes which also I haue accomplished in the simple measure and maner that you see for the testification of my christian affection or what it may worke in the afflicted party for whose good I doubt not it was and is of vs both in all sinceritie and soundnesse performed q 2. Cor. 2.17 euen as in the sight of God I knowe not This I am sure of wee be vsed as Gods instruments to r Philip. 2.12 plant and to water but it is he alone s 1 Cor. 3.6 who working in vs both the will and the deed according to his good pleasure must also of his singular fauor graunt the increase t 1 Cor 10 13 and with the temptation giue the issue also that wee may be able to beare and ouercome which I beseeche him heartily euen for Iesus Christes sake to vouchsafe as generallie to all his saintes so particularlie to that his distressed seruant that as we haue learned u Rom. 12.15 to weep with him in his affliction so in the effectuall feeling of the communion of saints we may learne to reioyce with him in his spirituall ioy Your Hon. much bounden and readie alwaies in Iesus Christ Tho. Wilcockes the Lordes moste vnworthe seruant GRACE AND PEACE from God c. AS I cannot but reioyce good sir in your godly loue and holie care loue towardes me that it will please you to vse me your poore friend and one that is and will be readie according to my small abilitie for anie dutie you shall enioyne me and care towardes your selfe in seeking for your seke in the middest of your troubles and tâ—â—aâ—les some Christian comforce and instruction both which are plaâ—â—â—e manifested in those two recâ—â—â—rie questions that by you in your letter were prâ—â—ounded vnto me so I 〈◊〉 soâ—â—what Two quâ—stions propounded to â—e answered I must confesse it seized wâ—â—â— sorowe partly for that prouiding for my publike pâ—ace lacke of leysure wâ—â—l 〈◊〉 nowe let me and partlie for that want of abilitie to wade into such weightie causes sufficiently will not suffer me to deale therein as gladly I would in respect of sincere affection towards you and as religiously I ought both in regard of the worthinesse of the causes themselues and of the peace of mine owne heart Howbeit this somewhat recomforteth me that as I rest perswaded that you will accept whatsoeuer I shall deliuer speciallie sith in the same I shoote at your sprituall consolation and good so I hope that God whose cause it is that I deale in and whose glorie I would gladly principallie aime at in the same will by his blessed spirite so guide me that I shall propound nothing but the trueth from imbracing whereof though you may be somewhat hindered because it is deliuered in a simple and meane both manner and meane as I my selfe denie not yet let the glory of the trueth it selfe which needeth no mans colours to adorne and bewtifie the same so farre preuayle with you I beseech you that both for iudgement and feeling it may finde a blessed entertainement in you The first of the difference of the feare of the wicked and the feare of the godly Concerning your first question about the difference that is betwixt the feare of the wicked and the feare of the godly I suppose it shall not be much amisse to knowe this that feare being a passion of the heart and arising not so much from touching Natural feare what it is for that properly respecting the body and outward man rather breedeth paine as from cogitation and thought which directly concerning the minde and inward man doth more liuely strike the same according vnto which also the bodie it selfe by reason of the sympathie or fellow-feeling that the one hath with the other is for the most part affected cannot of it selfe and simply considered be vicious and euill The reason wherof is verie plaine and euident because it being of nature simple the same infused or put or powâ—ed into vs by â—â—ration from God who can not be euill vnlesse we wouâ—d holde that God made some thing euill which were horrible blaâ—phemie and quite cleane contrarie to the fulnesse of goodnesse that is in himself and coÌ„municated vnto all his workes but specially vnto man I further taking it in it selfe to be no more euill to haue feare in the heart than to haue paine in the flesh nor that passion of feare to be no more sin in the soule than appetite in the stomacke to eate and drinke or disposition in the bodie to sleepe c. and such like naturall affections and passions Besides if this and other naturall passions were simply and of themselues faultie then this would ensue thereupon that the creatures speciallie those that we call sensitiue manie of them as effectuallie in their kinde feeling this and other passions also as man himselfe should of themselues carrie about in theÌ„selues a lump of iniquitie which indeed caÌ„not be true both because as in regard of their creation they were good the a Gen. 1.3 scripture affirming it after Gods own view of them whose iudgement cannot be deceiued that they were exceedingly good and also because if they had sinne in themselues and of themselues eyther they must haue a reconciler to passe betweene God and them who also partaking of their nature must in the nature that had sinned satisfie Gods wrath against sinne but it is too too beastly to say eyther that our Sauiour Christ had their nature or that hee dyed for brute beastes or els they must of necessitie perishe vnder condemnation for sinne because the b Rom 6.23 hier of sinne in whomsoeuer without a price to satisfie it is eternall death and there is no meane we are sure betweene these two But which is most notoriously euill absurd and erronious aboue all the rest Our sauiour Iesus Christ himselfe should by this meanes be polluted with same not onely because
whome Towardes others and to whoÌ„ they practise that and thâ—t also for good example incouragement and comfort I meane humblenes of mind proceding from a quâ—et heart that they haue had from others in such like times perfourmed vnto the themselues Ne ther staieth it here but proceedeth further inabling them according to the grace that they haue receiued from God o Luk. 21.19 What doubtfulnes is in the godly in patience to possesse their owne soules before him in what estate or condition soeuer it shall please him to place them wherein howsoeuer they be sometimes seized with doubt not of God verily whose infinit power and good wil towards them they knowe by the trueth of his woord and particular experience that they them selues haue had to be incomprehensible and vnchaungeable but of themselues by reason of the weaknesse and want which they carrie about with theÌ„ which also by manifold trials in themselues and others they haue learned and not without cause iustlie to suspect yet they haue at the length recourse vnto him by earnest praier made in faith and so at the last are hearde in the thinges that they praied for according to his will in christs obeience being of his singular mercie either vtterlie freed from the thinges that they feared or els hauing strength patience and comfort communicated vnto them from aboue to vndergoe and to ouercome aâ—so but yet by such holy meanes as God hath appointed at such times as he hath set with himself froÌ„ before all times not only that which presentlie lieth vpon them but whatsoeuer afterwardes may pynch or presse downe And this much for this present touching this question wherein I coulde haue willinglie bene contented further to haue inlarged my selfe but that paper and time skanting me I am constrained to finish hoping that whatsoeuer is wanting now may be supplied some other time hereafter either by word of mouth or wryting or both as God shal be pleased by you to giue occasion and for you and some others to whome I wish all good in Iesus Christ to furnish mee with abilitie In the meane while I hope this shal be wel accepted of you which whether it be the summe of that that I deliuered when wee were â—â—st together by word of mouth and you desired mee to put downe in writing I doo not certayneke know howbeit the trueth I rest perswaded it is and though it may differ something from it in form and manner yet I am resolued that it is the same in substaunce and matter which if perhaps written it affect you not as when it was spoken lay not the blame thereof vpon your selfe as you are woont to doo charging yea surcharging your selfe with dulnesse of comprehension for doubtles God hath giuen you a great grace compared with manye other of his seruauntes to conceiue the trueth neither accuse the point it selfe with darknesse and difficultie for it is â—s the rest of gods trueth is plaine and euident vnto them that are inlightned in Sion but impute the fault of it vnto me who either thorow the ignoraunce of the cause in my heart cannot or by reason of negligence or thorow the want of a stayed minde perhaps haue not so plainely vnfolded my selfe nor waded into the cause according to the weight therof as were to be wished In the discourse whereof I haue not as yâ—u see quoted many places of scripture for neither indeede is that my manner howsoeuer some do too much affect it vnlesse some vrgent c use or the earnest request of my good friendes drawe me thereto neyther thinke I that the trueth standeth so much vpon the multitude of allegations or wordes of text it selfe as vpon sound reasons deduced from the same But if happilie you are desirous to see sentences of scripturâ—s for these pointes you may looke vpon the Concordances and tables thâ—t bee already published vpon the oâ—de and new Testament which in the tytle of Feâ—re will affoord you store whether also for breuities sake I sende you to peruse them at your leysure â—nd at your pleasure â—s you shall thinke good One or two pointes and thâ—t wâ—th places out of the woord â—s my memorie would helpe I cou d not â—or all thâ—t is written before leâ— pâ—sse as this first that feare is not contâ—â—râ—e to saith hope which is prooued Phil p. 2.11 Hebrues 3.14 1. Peter 3.17 Secondly that God by his worde Godly feare not contrary to faith hath appointed men sundrie good meanes to remoue it and amongest the rest these as minding of Gods former fauours for which see Deut. 7.18.19.20 earnest prayer and calling vppon his name for which see Meanes to remoue the griefe of feare Genis 32.7.9.13 Thirdly that the feare of the faithfull is so farre from bringing miseries with it that it hath attending vpon it as an vnseparable companion blessednesse from God for which see Prouerb 28.14 The second question of the boldnesse of the wicked and the godly Touching your second question concerning the dâ—â—ference that is betwixt the boldnesse of the godly that which the wicked seeme to haue I trust the prâ—â—â—ses considered I shall not neede to spend labour or take anie pain therein because these thinges beeing one of them contrarie to the other and contrary being opposed as we saie doe more plainly appeare they may be an enterviewe as it were and by comparing them one with another bee easily discerned Notwithstanding if you shall not thinke this sufficient doe but signifie so much in a line or two and you shal God willing with conuenient speede heare from me And so hoping that you wil assist me with your heartie prayers vnto the almightie not onely for a sanctified vse of such fauours as I haue receiued but for a blessed continuance and mightie increase of the same for the glory of him that giueth them for the peace of myne owne heart for the profite of his people and amongest them for your good I take my leaue hastily At Broingdon the 24. of this Decemb. 1588. Yours assured and readie alwaies in Iesus Christ Thomas VVilcocks the Lordes vnworthie seruant To the Christian Reader I beseech thee good reader pardoÌ„ these scapes committed amend with thy pen these faults following or whatsoeuer thou according to the iudgment and light that thou hast receiued shalt find amisse herein Pag. 1. line 17. for explicat read communicate pag. 4. line 25. for world read word Pag. 8. line 10. l. read he pag. 13 line 10. for irrepugnable read impregnable pag. 19. lin 3. meanes read mercies pag. 36. line 19. comforts read comforters pag. 48. line 8. repent read repenteth pag. 49 line 19. after works adde and. pag. 50. line 5. after it add might and line 14. for euamate euacuat Pag. 51. line 1â— for make Iesus read maketh this pag. 54. line 4. for our read one pag. 55. line 26. put out alwaies pag 61. line 10. for him read them pag. 62 line 4. put out as and line 8. for for read see pag. 63. line 22 after therefore adde neede pag. 64. line 8. for tyrannie read turning 19. for cast read cost and line 20. for peece read price paâ— 66. line 13. would read could pag. 67. line 6. naturally read naturall pag. 68. line 8 after spiriteâ— adde and. pag 70. line 1. after vnto adde you pag. 74. line 9. for 1589. read 1579. pâ—g 89. line 6. for might read weâ—gh pag. 96 line â— for expectation read exception line 15. for neither shall neuer turn nor shaddowe by turning pag 98 line 10 â—oâ— mâ—â—e â—ead work pa. 100. lin 1. for to read both pag 108. line 9 for selfe read liâ—e