verie fitlie compared in the Scriptures to thornes to chaffe to tares Because they be as prickes to procure hurt to the godlie Because as the winde doth scatter the chaffe so shall they be soone cut off from the face of the earth Because as tares are to bee bound in bundels burnt so shall they be in hell fire Wicked men are called by sundrie names and compared in the Scriptures to Foxes to Dogges to beastes Because they are subtill in vndermining doing of mischiefe in so much as the Church requireth to haue the foxes takē awaie Cant. 2.15 Because they are currish in controlling and barking against all goodnes Hereof Paule willeth the Phillip to beware of dogges Phil. 3.2 Because they are prophane in their liues and degenerate frō their kinde worse than beasts So Paule complaineth that hee fought with beastes at Ephesus after the manner of men 1. Cor. 15.32 The wicked and vngodlie are not to be Supported purposelie Accompanied willinglie Condemned vtterlie Because it is abomination before God to iustifie the wicked Prouer. 17.15 Because it is dangerous for hee that toucheth pitch shall be defiled Eccle. 13.1 Because the Lord wil haue mercie on whom he will and when he please Rom 9.15 These sayings maie terrifie such as attempt any euill The face of the Lord is against him 2. Pet. 3.12 Tribulation and anguish shall be vppon his soule Rom. 2.9 There shall be no ende of plagues to him Prouer. 24.20 God tempteth no man to euill but we are drawne to it By the diuell who watcheth to worke our ouerthrowe By our owne concupiscence to consent to his suggestions By vicious companie and ill perswasions of others when we be seduced The Diuell will vndermine vs in our musings if we take not great heed for in them Barn He talketh with vs wittilie He eggeth vs cunninglie Hee deceiueth vs craftelie whom if we resist by faith the Lord will Ouerlook vs fighting Succour vs fainting Crowne vs ouercomming The Diuells haue knowledge after a sort for They beleeue there is a God and feare and tremble Iam. 2.19 They can pleade Scripture for their owne purpose Matth. 4.6 They acknowledge Christes comming to iudgement Matth. 8.29 The Diuell hath three euill properties he is Subtill Strong Cruell as a Serpent as a Lyon as a Tiger For hee can transforme himselfe into many shapes yea into an Angell of light and vse manie shifts to deceiue withall For hee is not so busie in seeking daylie for his pray as he is forcible to resist where he assaulteth For where hee hath any enterance at all he will neuer rest vntill he bringeth to confusion The Diuell vsed three pollicies to tempt Christ in the wildernes perswading him To distrust in God To the desire of riches and honor To a vain cōfidence of himselfe Beza Mat. 20. Wee haue 3. cruell foes that fight against the spirit in this life the Flesh World Diuell The fiercest foe in this fight is the Diuell whō wee may expell with these three weapons Faith Praier the word of God We ought not to followe the lustes of the flesh but leade our liues holilie Beza 1. Pet. 2.11 Because those lusts although they flatter vs yet they cease not to fight against our saluation 2. Cor. 10.3 Because we are citizens in heauen and therefore ought to leade our liues thereafter although we be strangers here Because the glorie of God is greatlie set foorth by that meanes whilest by example of our honest life euen the most prophane men are brought vnto God and submit themselues vnto him There are many walk in this world saith Paul Phil 3.19 Whose God is their bellie Whose glorie is their shame Whose end is damnation The whole world lieth in wickednes 2. Ioh. 5.19 The wretchednes of this world made Salomon say Iob say Paule say The day of death is better than the day one is borne Eccle. 7 3. My soule is cut off though I liue Iob. 10.1 I desire to bee loosed from this life Phil. 1.23 What should we so accompt of this world seeing The fashion of it goes awaie 1. Cor. 7.31 The wisedome of it is mere foolishnes Iob. 37 The amitie of it is enmitie with God Ia. 4.4 Vse this world as though you vsed it not saith Paule 1. Cor. 7. These 3 things may withdrawe a man from desiring long life in this world The wretchednes of his life The grieuousnes of his sinnes The greatnes of his accompt because it is but a continual temptation and full of miserie because they will more increase by cōtinuance because it wil be the more fearefull at the yeelding vp The godlie desire to be out of this world Because it is variable and nothing but vanitie Because of the innumerable euills they are subiect to Because they long to be cloathed with the heauenlie habit Life is verie sweete and so sweete that it hath prouoked the godlie to prolong the safetie of it by shifts Dauid doubting of euill dealing fained himselfe mad to saue his life 1. Sam. 21.13.14 Paule perceiuing their crueltie that would kill him had rather in the night bee let downe in a basket than abide Acts 9.25 Peter fearing death did forsweare his master Iohn 18.27 The faithfull and godlie in this world doo dailie Fight Faint Fall by reason of their Aduersarie Infidelitie Infirmitie Yet they shall not be cast away Psal 37.24 These 3. things are worthie to be considered He that liueth best doth dailie sinne He is happie that hath grace to repent He is blessed to whom God imputeth no sin Although euery man is a sinner yet euerie sinne is not of like consideration for some sinne of Ignorance of Infirmitie of Malice as Paule did 1. Tim. 1.13 as Dauid did 2. Sam. 11.2 c. as Nebuchad-nezzer did Dan. 3.1 Euerie sinner must beware of these three things of procrastination presumption prouocation In delaying the time of repentance Matth. 24.50 In sinning still vpon hope Rom. 6.1 In sinning obstinatlie against the holie Ghost Sinne is nothing els but A sweet poyson A flattering death A destructiō of the soule wherof there be two sorts Original Actuall Adam did further his fall and increase his sinne in the garden three waies By ambition By hypocrisie By impenitencie because he thought to be as God knowing good from euill Gen. 3.6 because hee hid the cause of his nakednes which was the breach of Gods commandements Gen. 3.10 because hee was so farre from acknowledging his transgression that he burdened God with his fault in that hee had giuen him a wife Gen. 3.12 It appeareth by this that sinne is Excerable Detestable Intollerable because it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth Gen. 6.6 because hee destroyeth dumme creatures for our cause Zephan 1. vers 3. because hee would not spare his onelie sonne for our sinnes It is an exceeding comfort to a Sinner to consider That God is as well a father as a Lord. That Christ is as well a
both submit my self to reprehension so it be pertinent and commit euery one to his owne liking so it bee indifferent Vale. Bury S. Edmond Yours in the Lord Charles Gibbon O Lord Aduance thy glorious Gospell heere Amen No papall parts may once appeere Amen Giue peace plentie alwaies there Amen Let not the foe procure our feare Amen Inlarge her life whereby we stay Amen And make vs thankefull euery day Amen The remedie of Reason EVerie mans knowledge ought to be reasonable appliable towards God to himselfe That hee presume not to vnderstande aboue that which is meete to vnderstand Rom. 12.3 That according to his knowledge hee shewe the same in his life and conuersation or els his great knowledge will cōdemn him Lu. 12.48 That as hee hath receiued the gift hee minister the same to others 1. Peter 4.10 to others profitable He that would attaine to an effectuall knowledge of God must remember his precepts Luther his promises Luther his threatnings Luther The eternal power of God maie be knowne by the reuelation of his word by the creation of the world by the consideration of al his works The infallible prouidēce of God may appeare vnto vs by the preseruation of Daniel in the lyons denne Dan. 6.16 of Ionas in the whales bellie Ionas 1.15 of the three Children in the fierie ouen The prouidence of God is wonderful for he worketh by meanes without means For meat is a meane to serue his prouidence for the preseruation of health and life here hee that contemneth to eate because his prouidence is certaine and infallible doth contemne his prouidence For if it were so that meate could not be had thē should we not tye his prouidēce to this meane for without meate God can helpe and giue health and life here For his power and wisedome is infinite therfore we should depend vpō his prouidēce euen when al is cleane against vs. against meanes The exceeding mercie of God is made manifest vnto vs in the Scriptures By the miraculous examples of compassion By the manifold words of consolation By the death of his onelie sonne for our propitiation He that mistrusts the mercie of God denieth him to be Loue Truth Power wherin cōsists all the hope of poore sinners Because of his great loue hee sent his onlie sonne to suffer death for the remission of our sinnes Because hee promised for the loue of his sonne pardon to all poore sinners so oft as they require it in faith with a cōtrite hart Because he is as true of his promises as hee is able to performe them as he is of power so wil he do whatsoeuer pleaseth him The superabundant loue of God appeareth to vs in this that he sent his owne Sonne for our Redemption for our Iustification for our Sanctification The ioyes of heauen prepared for those that loue God are such as the eye hath not seene the eare hath not heard the hart cannot cōceiue 1. Cor. 2.9 Euerie one ought to knowe the difference in beleeuing a God of God Is to beleeue he is the onelie true and almightie God this faith is Historicall for so the diuelles beleeue as well as the wicked Is to beleeue all is true that he saith in the Scriptures of him and so doo the euill Christians aswell as the good vnlesse they bee Heretickes Is to loue him and to trust in his goodnesse and in beleeuing to ioyne our selues to him by loue and obedience this faith is Euangelicall onely proper to the elect who liue by faith in God It is not sufficient for vs to saie we know God loue God feare God vnlesse we keep his commandements 1. Ioh. 2 GOD sheweth vppon earth mercie iudgement wherein consists our saluation wherwith he punisheth the wicked whereby hee preserueth the godlie iustice Iere. 9.24 c. God oftentimes crosseth and punisheth man vpō earth for his owne glorie for example to others for triall of his faith as appeare by the blindman Ioh. 9.3 by the Galileans Luk. 13.3 by Iob that patient man God in times past spake and preached to his people by Dreames by Visions by Reuelations GOD hath appointed three places for all persons The ioyes of heauen The paines of hell for the godlie for the wicked for both The vse of the earth GOD is worthelie said to bee rich in mercie mightie in iustice bountiful in grace in that he respecteth the humble freelie iudgeth the wicked iustlie saueth sinners pitifullie Barnard GOD requireth no more at our hands but these three things Feare Obedience Loue. Deut. 10.12 God ought to be loued of vs with all our hearts with all our soules with al our strength Deut. 10.12 All thinges worke for the best to thē that loue GOD. Rom. 8.28 God is loued effectually three manner of waies entirelie orderlie pretiouslie In hauing a good will to him reioycing greatlie hee is such a one as he is In referring ourselues all that wee haue to him in such manner measure as he willeth In louing him so dearelie that for no cause wee would loose him or his loue but wish rather to lose our liuing life and the loue of all the world Loue is the end of the Commandement 1. Tim. 1.5 Loue cannot bee without a good conscience A good conscience cannot bee without faith Faith cannot bee without the word of God We ought continuallie to bee thankfull to God because of him through him for him are all things Rom. 11.36 True thankfulnes consisteth in these three things Comemoration Abiection Narration Because in recounting Gods exceeding benefits he hath done for vs wee shall finde the better occasion if we well cōsider to be the more thankfull for them as Dauid did which made him in feruencie of spirit burst forth with these speaches What shall I render vnto the Lord for al his benefites bestowed vppon me Psal 116.12 13 14. Because if wee measure the multitude of Gods benefites with our desarts we shal find our selues not worthie of the least but in respect of our imperfections we are no better than Abiects which we should not onelie acknowledge and saie with the same Prophet Lord what is man that thou art so mindful of him Psal 144.3 But also in regard therof say with him I will not die but liue to this end to declare the works goodnes of God he hath done for me Psal 118.17 Because it is not enough for vs to receiue Gods benefits be mindful thereof but also we are bound to make others to profite thereby and praise God as the same Psalmograph did Come saith he and hearken all ye that feare God and I will tell you what he hath done to my soule Psal 66.16 We ought continuallie to haue the feare of God before our eyes because it is the beginning of wisedome Pro. 9.10 because it causeth vs to depart from all euill Pro. 19.23 because his mercie is on such from generation to generation Luk. 1.50 It was the treasure of Hezekiah Esai
also on hie and therefore saith the same Prophet To thee haue I lift vp my soule Psal 25.1 That therby we should know if our harts be not farre from terrestriall cogitations wee shall hardly receiue any celestiall consolations our hearts We maie lawfullie in praier aske corporal benefites of God Because wee should thereby knowe that he is the author giuer thereof and should not onelie be thankfull to him for it but thereby to seeke loue and worship him Because we should be perswaded of his good prouidence towards vs in that hee hath not onelie promised he wil neuer faile vs. Ios 7. but also hath an outstretched hand to helpe them that call vpon him Because our faith of reconciliation and remission of sinnes should be exercised through the asking of these corporall things The feruent praier of the righteous much auaileth not onelie for themselues but for others At Moses praier the plague ceased Exod. 8. Helias caused great plentie of raine 1. King 17. Queene Hester deliuered her and her people Hest 14. We ought to referre all our praiers requests and dooings to Gods good pleasure following the example of Christ of Dauid when he was crucified without cause by the Iewes Mat. 26.4 when hee was dispossessed of his kingdom by his sonne 2. Sa. 15.26 when he was afflicted most grieuouslie by Sathan Iob. 2.7 13. of Iob The meanes wherby we are drawne to saluation is Faith Hope Charitie The chiefest of these is Loue because it serueth here and in the world to come 1. Cor. 13.13 The work of a true faith is builded vpon things past things present We beleeue the death of Christ is past Wee beleeue at this present hee sitteth at the right hand of his father Wee beleeue that Christ shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead things to come August Faith doth grow and increase in vs three manner of waies By the hearing of the word of God preached By the reuerent receiuing of the Sacraments Because it laieth before our eyes the promises which God in his Gospell hath made vnto vs in his Sonne Because they being right lie receiued of vs are as pledges and seales of the promises of GOD made vnto vs in his word Because God hath made an especiall promise to vs thereby that he will heare vs whatsoeuer wee aske according to his will By praier and inuocation A true and liuelie faith must be simple sound constant in beleeuing in defending in following The word of God without inquiring or searching in Gods mystical matters by humane reasons The truth thereof without inclining or leaning to the erronious opinions of the aduersaries of the same The same worde without doubting for anie reason of mans braine that seemeth contrary nor to be drawn awaie from it by temptations promises or thretnings either of torment or of death Such as will know whether they haue an effectuall faith must consider The fruits of it The triall of it The ende of it is good works affliction saluation For faith without workes is dead Iam. 2.17 For it is not sufficient for vs to beleue in christ but also to suffer for his sake Philip. 1.29 For he that continueth to the ende hath this comfort shal be saued Mat. 24. A iustifying faith is knowne by these effects It bringeth foorth fruites Mat. 7.18 Iam. 3.18 It worketh by loue Galat. 5.6 It apprehendeth Gods mercie offered in Christ Faith differeth from Hope and yet we hope in things present things past As when I hope I am in Gods fauour As when I hope my sins be forgiuen me As when I hope to haue eternall life things to come Charitie is a singuler vertue for without it what is 1. Cor. 13. Faith Knowledge Martirdome It auaileth little though it moue mountaines It profiteth litle though I speake with tongues of men and Angels It helpeth little though I offer my bodie to be burned We ought to liue in Loue and Charitie Because it is the effect and fulfilling of the Commandement or whole Law 1. Tim. 1.5 Because it is a testimonie vnto vs of our translation from death to life whereby wee are made the children of God and heires in heauen 1. Ioh. 3.14 Because it worketh the cause in vs that God dwelleth in vs for God is loue he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him 1. Ioh. 4.8 Workes of superarrogation are verie friuolous for our works are in no wise auailable to saue vs by reason of Their imperfection Gods election Christes passion Because all our righteousnes is no better than filthie cloutes or as some write menstruous clothes Esai 64.6 Because wee shoulde then chose God rather by our workes than he should elect vs of his mere grace and then grace were no grace Rom. 11.6 Because his Sonne should haue suffered in vaine if wee had anie sufficiencie of our selues Although workes are not the cause of our saluation yet partly they are the effects of it good workes are very necessarie to be vsed amongst Christians That therby God may be glorified Matth. 5.16 That by their good exāple others may be wonne to the word 1. Pet. 3.1 That by them they maie make their election sure 2. Pet. 1.10 Dauid numbreth three degrees of our saluation Psal 40.10 c. Gods mercie His righteousnes whereby he fatherlie pitieth vs. whereby he continuallie protecteth vs. wherby appeareth his constant fauour towards vs. His trueth There bee three causes of our saluation the efficient cause materiall cause GOD the Father is the beginning of our saluation Christ Iesus is hee in whom our righteousnes is resident Faithe is the meane whereby wee apprehend the same instrumentall cause S. Paul approueth the formall cause of our saluation to be the free mercie of God for whom he predestinate he callerh whom hee calleth hee iustifieth whom he iustifieth he glorifieth Rom. 8.30 By grace ye are saued through faith Eph. 2.8 Although there be many reasons whereby wee maie assure our selues to bee elected yet wee may brieflie gather our election By the holie Ghost which testifieth with our spirite that we are the children of GOD. Rom. 8.15 By the fruites of the Spirit in hauing good workes or will to doo well By remorse of conscience ioyned with the lothing of sinne and loue of righteousnes Election is knowne by these testimonies Beza 2. Thess 2.10.11 Faith is gathered by sanctification and by according to the truth Truth is gathered by calling through the preaching of the Gospell The Gospell assureth vs of a certaine hope of glorification Touching Election Reprobation this is to be considered That the onelie will and purpose of God is the chiefe cause of both That his free mercie in Christ is an inferiour cause of saluation That the hardning of the heart is an inferiour cause of damnation This vndoubted perswasion wee ought generally to haue Euerie one is elected or eiected at the beginning Euerie one is an vnprofitable seruant when he hath done his best