impieties Dissw 1 would abandon those blasphemous benedictions considering that God is the only and chiefe good goodnesse it selfe the author of all good from whom nothing but good And as for evill he doth prohibit the doing detests the act and punisheth the agent which he would not do was it his owne worke That God is wisedome sin is folly How can wisedome produce folly God is justice sinne injustice How can justice produce injustice God is mercy sinne is misery whose beginning is dolefull continuance toilesome and end shamefull and therefore that God cannot be the cause or author of their sinnes 3. By speaking reverently of his divine attributes as justice mercy wisdome c. That mighty Lord on whose hand the King of Israel leaned dishonoured the Lord in doubting of or questioning the pleÌ„ty promised 2 king 7. 2. So Moses by shortning the Lords hand Num. 11. 21 22 23. diverse do no lesse daily complaining of their ill lucke bad fortune I wil for this time summarily and succinctly give a tast only in two justice and mercy For the first we honour the Lord declaring him to be as indeed he is most just and that 1. Simply and absolutely 1. Iustice as hee is of himselfe infinitely and perfectly righteous in himselfe and of himselfe 2. Respectively and relatively in regard of his office he being the most righteous judge of men and angels For 1. Knowledge and understanding of things and persons to be judged 2. Care of equity 3. Rightfull authority to determine and decide 4. Power and ability to punish offendours and free the harmelesse innocent which are in God infinitely and transcendently Abus 1 Surcease therfore O you sonnes of men to taxe God of injustice either Because he punisheth finite sinnes with infinite punishments for what though sinne as it is a transient action is finite and temporary yet in regard of the object against whom it is committed of the subject wherein it is resident mind of the sinner and law whereof it is a breach it is infinite Or because he loved Iacob and hated Esau before they had done good or euill Who art thou that darest reply against God Hath the potter power over the clay of the same lumpe to make one vessell to honour another to dishonour and hath not God May he not do with his owne what he will Rom. 9. 20. 21. Or thirdly by your overbold and saucy presumptiousnesse in sinning sealing to your soules a generall acquitt all from all those unutterable insufferable tortures the just judge of heaven and earth hath threatned against impenitents because he is mercifull so wholy dispoyling that glorious majesty of this divine attribute Iustice A good divine saith thus let fond presumption M. Yates I 〈◊〉 Caâ—â—r hope for parden without payment disjoyne mercy and justice in him to whom both are alike essentiall and say although I go on in sinne yet God is abundantly mercifull go on presume and perish Mercy 2 For the second we honour our heavenly father when wee rightly ascribe mercy to him The Lord is most mercifull his mercy being of such large and endlesse extent that in regard of continuance it doth equalize eternity Psal 103. 17. In regard of reach and compasse it extends it selfe to the highest hills clouds and heavenly habitations Psal 36. 5. to all persons yea created beings yet restraining it selfe in respect of spirituall and celestiall benefits to such as carefully observe the commandements of God Deut. 7. 9. Truely and intirely love him Ibid. Confesse their sinnes and forsake them Prov. 28. 13. And turne from their transgressions le 18. 8. To God Ier. 3. 12. Two sorts of people therefore as much as in them lies robbe our heavenly father of his due honour namely such Abus 1 1. Who make him lesse mercifull then he is and that 1. By rushing headlong upon that dreadfull rocke of desperation falsifying Gods promises Cayn-like crying out their sinnes are greater then can be pardoned Whereas could they but repent truly and savingly their most deepe died scarlet-like sinnes should be blotted out of Gods remembrance 2. By comparing Gods unparaleld mercy with mortall mans The Lords being everlasting constant free and rich Mens being momentany mutable mercenary and poore 3. By an overweening conceipt of their owne worth promising to themselves undeniably those blissefull joyes for their merits sake deeming their owne worthfull actions to be sufficient to purchase that matchlesse crowne of glory if not superabundant and superrogatory Secondly who make him more mercifull then he is casting the innumbred swarmes of intollerable prodigious oathes beastly drunkennesses and other their obstinate hellish enormities upon the mercy of God as if it was a common packhorse whereon to unload their willfull and unsupportable evils causing the creatures to groane and the earth to mourne and reele to and fro tottering and staggering like a drunken man little considering that as he is mercifull so is he just and those who will sinne because God is mercifull shall surely be plagued because he is just By speaking reverently of the unspeakeable workes of God both Immanent in himselfe acknowledging with the Apostle the depth of the riches both of the wisedome and knowledge of God and that his judgements are unsearchable and his waies past finding out and Transeunt as his wonderfull workes of creation redemption and particular workes of mercy Exod. 15. and justice 1. Sam. 3. 18. Iob 1. 21. Let these short instances in few words now suffice We honour the Lord by talking of the works of Creation after this or the like manner Who created The Lord of hostes What he made All that is made How he did it With his Word To what end His honour and glory And heere I cannot omit to reprove a most vile although vsuall kind of dishonouring the Lord in laughing to scorne persons in body deformed or in minde defective The renowned maker of the world and not the workemanship being in my shallow apprehension derided Suppose a man for instance comming into the workhouse of some skilfull artist and there beholding some piece of worke lesse curiously wrought then other should therewith sport himselfe with scoffing derision wee could not but conclude That the artificer and not the artifice is reproached Secondly we may honour the Lord by speaking reverently of the worke of the worlds redemption it declaring Who redeemed The ever blessed Sonne of God From what The curse of the Law the wrath to come the divell the hands of our enemies Wherewith His owne pretious bloud Whom his pasture sheepe And why his owne honour and glory We may honour God with our tongues by the right vse of an oath sc The person rightly qualifyed having a warrantable calling thereunto the matter being true just and of great importance the manner time and causes rightly obserued Deut. 6. 13. 10. 20. For hereby we make the Lord a witnesse judge and revenger Two sorts of people I
yet fully resolved that neither I will nor mine shall if I can remedy it sport and play upon the Lords Day Surcease henceforward O froward flesh to hinder me with thine idle objections Ob. 1 Tell me no more that the Lords Day wil be a sad Day if I may not sport this day bringing sweeter and sounder delights Tell not me that many men must have recreations therefore upon the Lords Day For as my workes have toiled them so my time shall refresh them if such refreshing is needfull I my selfe could not take it well to have another mans toiled servant sent to me for food because he must have food he having wrought hard Tell me no more that many good Divines think them lawfull on the Lords Day for if it be disputable it 's the safest course not to use them And what Divine will say it is not lawfull not to sport upon the Lords Day Consid 3 Whether worldly words are not unlawfull upon the Lords Day 1. Since the Lord Iehovah in expresse words by the mouth of his Prophet Isaiah 58. 13. saith thus not speaking thine owne words 2. And for these following causes 1. Where the Lord hath commanded the whole man to rest from servile works there he commands the hand to rest from working the foot from walking and the tongue from talking But in the fourth Commandement Thou shalt doe no manner of worke the Lord hath commanded the whole man c. Therefore c. 2. Those things which as lets hinder the duties of the Lords Day are forbidden But worldly words as le ts hinder the duties of the Lords Day scil holy conference therefore c. 3. Where bodily workes are forbidden there those things are forbidden which hinder the sanctifying of the Sabbath as much or more then bodily workes doe But bodily workes are forbidden therefore worldly words hindering more the sanctifying of the Sabbath Because a man may worke alone but cannot talke without company 4. That Commandement which ties the outward man from the deed done ties the tongue from talking of the same e. g. The sixt forbids murther and murtherous words The seventh adultery and adulterous words The eight theft and deceitfull words But the fourth Commandement ties the outward man from worldly workes and therefore the tongue from worldly words And therefore whether many people are not much to blame who make the Lords Day a reckoning day with workmen a directing day what shal be done the next weeke a day of idle tattle about their pleasures profits gossips tales and other mens matters Whether worldly thoughts are not unlawfull on the Lords 4. Consid Day considering 1. That each Commandement extends to the thought binding it e. g. the 6 from anger the 7 from lust the 8 from covetousnesse c. 2. That the Lord especially requireth the inward man Luk. 10. 27. 3. That worldly thoughts hinder from heavenly and therefore whether those are not blame-worthy who busie their heads upon such daies in plodding about their worldly businesse c. And lastly if it be not a pious and profitable a comfortable and necessarie resolution for a man constantly to purpose to do as followeth Affirm 1 Medit. Whereas many men so be they goe to the Church perswade themselves they have done their devoyre to the vtmost if not superabundantly promerited although before and after those solemne sacred and publique meetings they let loose the reynes permit their hearts licentiously to take liberty of wandring and roming libertine-like into a world of businesses and to plunge themselues into innumbred swarmes of plottings and contrivements for the effecting of some dunghill delights or worldly profits yet I for my part although I cannot as I would will doe what I can to withdraw my meditations upon the Lords day from such like trashy and fruitlesse wanderings and bend them to thinke earnestly and orderly upon 1. The workes of God generall and speciall 1. To the glory of God beholding in their innumerable varieties and melodious harmony the powerfull omnipotency and infinite wisdome of God 2. To mine owne endlesse comfort viewing in these the boundlesse and bottomelesse depths of the Lords ample and gracious favours towards me giving me such a being such senses members calling substance such variety of creatures to delight feed and guard mee such a Sauiour such a Word such excellent meanes to save me c that thus feeding my soule with such solacing considerations I may edge and keene my dull desires to praise and magnifie a God so good and gratious 3. To the humiliation of my soule naturally prone to an overweaning conceipt of its owne nothingnesse pondering the grievous groanings and massy burdens of distressefull miseries Gods justice hath inflicted upon the poore creatures for my sinnes and finding my selfe to come short of them in obeying the will of God I continually fayling they alwayes doing that for which they were made 4. For mine owne instruction these being a large and faire booke written by the LORD IEHOVAH in faire and capitall letters wherein he that runnes if he have but eyes in his head may reade his owne fickle and fading condition being like the withering grasse the basenesse of himselfe made of dust and turning to it againe the uncomfortable irk some and fastidious condition of death a spirituall darknesse scil sinne and iniquity resembled to death and darknes naturall Yea the booke of the creatures is a library so full of learned literature that contemptible Ants and glorious Angels beautified stars and basest vermine yea all beings created to swim and play in the liquid streames and vast ocean to flie about with out stretched wing in the thin and perspicuous ayre or to runne and range upon the sound and solid earth by their contentation with and thankfulnesse for their little pittance and obedience to the Lord their bountifull benefactour preach loudly to me contentment with and thankfulnesse for my so large allowance and obedience to a father so beneficiall to me undeserving That so by the meditation of the workes of God I may be stirred up to trust love feare and obey God pondering and perusing his works of justice and mercy The Word of God especially that meanes of my salvation I last of all enjoyed in the Word of God read and preached for when I consider 1. That this is a daily duty Ios Assidua meditatio memoriam efficit indel ebilem Chrys Hom. 35. in Gen. 1. 8. Psal 1. 2 practised by the best men as David Psal 119. 97. 99. and the Virgin Mary Luk. 2. 19. 2. That as meditation without hearing is erroneous so hearing without meditation is barren and the dulnesse of my blunt and obtuse and Affirm 2 the leaking property of my running out memory I cannot but thinke it a fitting duty upon the Lords day thus to doe Conference 2 Secondly whereas many unguard the doores of their lips and suffer those little unruly members to enflame each others ministring and
with what our Father allotteth us Shall God undertake to provide for us and we distrust God gives us whatsoever is best for us Those who feare the Lord shall want nothing Psal 34. 9. sc which is good for them Verse 10. We thinke we should be bountifull had we riches as many men have we would do justice were we in authority c. Alas poore discontented man thou holdst thy garments fast in boysterous winds which thou throw'st off in a sunny day Thou wouldst be better How know'st thou that Aeneas Silvius contradicted that truth being Pope Fascic tempo which before he defended It is recorded that a certaine learned man preaching vehemently against non-residency had his mind presently altered by preferments from the Pope A learned Father writes thus to one To the zealous Monke Monacho fervido Abbati repido Episcopo frigido Archiepistopo dissoluto Lukewarme Abbot cold Bishop and dissolute Archbishop God may in love keepe from thee that thou so earnestly thirsts after least it hurt thee Thy corruptions may like snakes in cold adversity be stupifyed and benum'd which by warmth of abundance may become vigorous and full of strength to overmatch thee Pious and learned Salvian saith * Pedissequa etiam plaruque novi honoru est arrogantia Sal. Epis Eucherio pag. 278. Arrogancie Quotus enim quisque sapientium est quem secunda non mutent cui non crescai cum prosperitate vitiositas Sal. lib. 7. de Gub. Dei pag. 250. for the most part is the waiting maid of new promotion Elsewhere he saith For how many wise men are there whom prosperitie cannot change to whom corruption doth not increase with prosperitie Deeme therefore thy present estate the best and be content Reflect thine eye from beholding what is wanting to see what favours thou dostenjoy Thou canst not but behold sufficient cause to give thee contentment when thou seriously considerest what thou hast Thou art a man God might have made thee a beast Thou art a Christian thou might'st have been a Pagan Thou art a sanctified Saint thou mightest have still beene dead in trespasse and sinnes Grudge not therefore for what is wanting but give thanks for what thou hast and be content Looke downeward where thou shalt see many come short of thee yea perhaps such who in Gods esteeme are thy betters Stay sirs said the wise Hare in the Fable Let our estate content us for as we run from some so you see others stee from our presence When thou shalt behold how many go before thee thinke also how many come after thee and this will make thee thankfull and content Ponder in thy mind the brevity and shortnesse of thy life It 's but of a dayes continuance like Aristoles Ephemera hast thou enough for to day Be content perhaps thou shalt need nothing tomorrow Let the uncertainty of all worldly pelfe teach us contentment They take them wings and they are gone Prov. 23. 5. And they have the name of uncertaine riches 1 Tim. 6. 17. Riches certainty is meere uncertainty All earthly things are sickle and fugitive meere shadowes and vanishing shewes reeling and tottering without foundation forsaking us living or we them dying Iob tarried his riches left him Dives went his riches staid behind him And then doth no man know to whom he shall leave them See the brittle condition and tottering stay in worldly things by Adonibezeek Iud. 1. 6 8. Who having caused seventy Kings as dogges to gather meate under his table himselfe is afterwards so abased And by Bajazet the first the fourth of the Ottoman race the first brother-killer who being taken by Tamerlane was put into an iron cage led in a chaine made Tamerlanes footstoole and as a dogge to gather meate under Tamerlanes table Where the Historian noteth that a shepheard was more happy then Bajazet and that worldly blisse consisteth not so much in possessing of much subject unto danger as in enjoying a little with contentment devoid of feare Neither are they onely uncertaine but also vanity and vexation of spirit never satiating the soule of man no more then piling on wood nor powring on oyle upon a raging flame can coole or quench its violent and ardent heate Eccl. 5. 10. He shall never be satisfied with silver Let Alexander conquer a world yet he thirsts after another Let Ahab have a kingdome yet he wants Naboths vineyard 1 Kings 21. 5. Let the richman have superabundant increase yet something is wanting which makes him not know what to do Luke 12. 17. And their largest terme is life then like the spâ—â—ers web they are all swept downe whether riches of iniquity or Gods good blessings Discontent cannot adde what is wanting a pound of care will not pay a pennie-worth of debt Man disquieteth himselfe in vaine Psal 39. 6. Labour in vaine Psal 127. 1. All a mans discontent cannot adde a mite to his substance moment to his life or haire breadth unto his stature Godlinesse requires a contented mind to grow in 1 Tim. 6. 6. Thornes choake good seed Math. 13. 7. Discontent is a throne carking cares are thornes weed them out therefore and be content Let therefore ambitious Haman gall and fret himselfe with torturing discontent because every knee doth not bend to him Est. 3. 5 6. Let such who have made gold their hope Iob 31. 24. Yea let all worldly minded men tire out themselves in labouring to get exeruciate themsElves in carking to keepe and languish through feare of losing these dung hill commodities and so never find any solace or contentment in them they being the same men in plenty as in penury being in both tormented with the racke of discontent Yet let us who have given our names to Christ Iesus seeing God by his speciall providence allotteth to every child his proper portion seeing he giveth what is best for us and what he with-holds it is in love Let not our eye be evill because God is good Let us not repine at other mens large portion nor grudge because we have no more but be content 1. Hast thou food convenient Be with it content What and if thou canst not heape dish upon dish and course upon course What though thou wantest dainties to provoke lust and wantonnesse Yet be content with thy share and proper allowance If it be but food convenient Prov. 30. 8. If it be but food to eate Gen. 28. 20. If it be but a dinner of herbes Neque beatior est qui magnu opâ—bur praeditus est to qui diurnum habet victum Solon Herod Clio pag. 38. Prov. 15. 17. It is not excessive dainties but Gods blessing that nourisheth a mans body witnesse the litle meale and oyle 1 King 17. 14. Witnesse Daniels pulse Dan 1. 15. Christs five barley loaves feeding five thousand Iohn 6. 9. Witnesse the Israelites Quailes which choaked and their loathed Manna which strengthened them Hast thou therefore but parched pease with Booz and Ruth pulse
4. Submitting themselves to Gods will c. 4. And make a good use thereof being made more compassionate to others in misery hating sinne the cause of the scourge And not as the fashion of many is who go to the sicke but 1. To the hurt of themselves being hardened in seeing the foolish virgins or Nabal-like sicknesse or death of wicked men and the violent death and sicknesse of many good men 2. To the hurt of the sicke 1 Viewing the weaknesse of the sicke to sport themselves and discredit their weake neighbour 2. Hardening them what they can in their sinnes by securing them of longer life flatterie c. 2. Relieving the distressed with a thankfull loving pitifull 1 Cor. 16. 1. single cheerefull liberall just and true heart 3. Teaching the ignorant drawing sinners to repentance comforting the distressed admonishing the unruly encouraging the good rebuking the bad reconciling the disagreeing stirring up the slothfull c. Whereas many people deeme such like courses to savour Affirm 4. of melancholike madnesse and too much puritannicall austeritie and thinke themselves undone if they may not have free liberty to glut and satiate themselves with carnall delights and vaine sportings I am surely perswaded 1. That there is no true sound and solid cause of delight Recreat 1. in any vaine sportings or worldly pleasures especially in comparison of these Lords Dayes delightfull duties if they may be poised in an even ballance e. g. Ballance together the least measure of saving graces and a world of voluptuous contentments and gainefull profits and I 'le undertake that the former the meanes of getting and the helpes in keeping it shal be found more honourable profitable and delightfull and so over-weigh by farre the latter Or 2. Cast into one end of the scales the Word of God into the other any worldly contentment what you will and let the Lord himselfe who is fittest and best able to decide the controversie be judge and it wil be found farre to surpasse in worth and valuation all pearles of price and excelling treasures Mat. 13. 44. 2. Surmounting in profit and advantage the most advantagious practices in or about the world making those who read and heare it with open eyes and hearing eares happy Rev. 1. 3. And those who meditate therein day and night like trees planted by the waters side c. Psal 1. 2 3. Thirdly to ravish the heart truly sensible of Divine delights with unsatiable glee and unmatchable gladnes rejoycing that heart as much as if it had found great spoiles Psal 119. 162. Being more luscious then the sweetest hony or the most mellifluous hony combe Psal 19. 9. 2. That there is sound and sufficient cause of joy and delight in all such and other Sabbath Duties Instance in some particulars e. g. 1. In hearing and reading the Word of God if we consider it in its names and effects declaring the nature thereof e. g. 1. It is a transcendent pearle and excelling treasure Math. 13. 44 45. More lovely then gold or much fine gold Psal 119. 127. Better then thousands of gold and silver Verse 72. And therefore cannot but fill and farce the soule with consolation in getting possessing and enjoying the same 2. It is bread water wine milke and meate to feast and fatten the soule begotten by this immortall seed and enlivened with Gods quickening Spirit and therefore must needs make merry the same feeding and fatting it selfe with such heavenly cates 3. It is a light to the feet and a lanterne to the paths Psal 119. 105. Then which what more needfull profitable or pleasing to the Christian travailer to direct him to the haven of endlesse happinesse 4. Is there not extraordinary matter of joyfull delight in reading and hearing read and preached 1. The Word of grace justly so called shewing and working grace in those which rightly heare it 2. That Word which begets and increaseth faith therefore termed truly the Word of faith 3. That Word which declares the way of salvation therefore stiled by the Holy Ghost a Word of salvation 4. That Word which nourisheth and sustaineth a spirituall life and offereth eternall life ergo called a Word of life 5. And the Word of reconciliation as is before shewed 2. In prayer which sacred duty will appeare perspicuously to each enlightned soule to be a true cause of gladnesse when rightly performed it seriously considering 1. How acceptable it is with God he being well pleased with such like sacrifices 1 Tim. 2. 3. 2. Of what excellent dignity put for the whole worship of God Psal 50. 15. 3. How commodious and gainefull 1. Being a Soveraigne salve for every sore 2. Bringing salvation to the pious petitioner Rom. 10. 13. 3. Resisting that implacable enemy Sathan Eph. 6. 18. 4. Prevailing with God extraordinarily beyond imagination 3. If we ponder advisedly that while here we live we are in a strange countrey being pilgrims and strangers having no continuing city seeking one to come scil an heavenly where our Father our Head and Husband our friends and fellowes our crowne and inheritance are It will necessarily follow that as it is a gladding discourse to countrey-men meeting in another nation to talke of their owne country and common-wealth their friends and families and which way to take soone and surely to enjoy their wished company so it must needs be a delightfull colloquie when two or more citizens of heaven meeting in this their pilgrimage conferre cordially of the way to heaven of the pious and sweetned paths directly tending thither Secondly if we seriously consider that a godly and Christian communication is an excellent meanes to increase saving knowledge enkindle godly zeale nourish Christian love cherish and warme all gracious beginnings and edge and keene the longing appetite to hunger insatiably after the best things We cannot but conclude that such like conference on the Lords Day must needs afford superabundant matter of pleasure and delectation 4. To instance in the duty of Divine contemplation which seemes to worldlings full of pensive sadnesse and madding melancholy this I say savouring seemingly so much of uncomfortable sorrow is no wise defective of recreating festivities each particular holy meditation having its severall oblectation For examples sake let it be 1. Vpon the workes and creatures of God how do these make merry the godly soule after a serious musing of them considering that as they were made for the glory of God so for his particular good some to guard some to delight some to feed and refresh and all to serve him after one manner or other 2. Let it be upon the Word of God what it hath beene is and wil be to him the many fruits and benefits he hath reaped from it 3. Let it be upon Gods particular favours and mercies bestowed upon a mans selfe especially his soule and generall benefits and blessings he hath bestowed and promised to bestow upon his Church and chosen 4. Let it be upon the
pag. 20. Had you considered how our Saviour Christ confirmes the Morall law shewing that he came not to destroy it Mat. 5. 17. pronouncing its perpetuity to continue till the heavens be no more ver 18. and denouncing a dreadfull judgement against such as shall teach men to breake one of the least of those commandements ver 19. and expounding strictly the 6. ver 22. the 7. ver 28. the 3. ver 34. Had you taken advise of the Apostle Saint Paul who tells us that the law is holy just and good Rom. 7. 12. that he served the law of God after the inward man ver 25. That the Commandements of the second Table are fulfilled in this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe 13. 9. 10. That Children must obey their Parents because it is right which he shewes thus Honour c. Ephes 6. 1. 2. Saint Iames if you had asked his advice would have told you that if you fulfill the royall law of liberty c. 2. 8. Or Saint Iohn he would have taught you That hereby we know that we know him if we keepe his commandements 1. Iohn 2. 5. that sinne is the transgression of the law 3. 4. that we love God if we keepe his Commandements 5. 3. Had you bene well advised that obedience to Gods law is a prime part of this Covenant on mans part If you would not have yeelded any being to the Ceremoniall and Iudiciall law as Sir Walter Raleigh doth who saith the former liveth in the Sir Walter Ral. lib. 2. cap. 45. pag. 277. things it foresignified for the shadow is not destroyed but perfected when the substance is represented to us the latter in substance and equity yet would you have said with him the Morall law liveth still is not taken away saving in the ability of condemning for therein are we commanded to love God and use charity one to another which for ever shall be required You would have acknowledged that although there is no force in the law for our justification yet it is of great use for edification and sanctification That it doth not cease to teach exhort and pricke forward the faithfull under the Gospell to that which is good That although Christ accomplished and abolished the Ceremoniall so he accomplished but abolished not the Morrall law That although the law is abrogated in regard of iustification malediction and rigour God accepting the â—â—â—cere will for the deed yet the use of the law is established for the leading a godly and christian liâ—â— That although Christians are not under the law as a rigorous exactour and horrible avenger yet they are under the law as a righteous commander and holy conducter to leade in the way of holinesse In a word That the ten Commandements containe the expresse forme of Gods eternall will the substance of all duties of piety to God in the first Table of charity to man in the second all which God required from the beginning before Moses in the time of the law by Moses after Moses by the Prophets now to the end by Christ and his Apostles although darknesse in Ceremonies is dispelled sense of prophecy is fulfilled and hand-writing against us cancelled And not so headily and rashly upon the meere warrant of your one of a thousand have abrogated the Morall law as not binding the conscience of the regenerate the Lord at this day no lesse then in ancient times exacting as well at the hands of regenerate as unregenerate that they performe obedience to the law But leaving such intoxicated dreamers to solace themselves in their imaginary golden dreaming fancies of no law no repentance no sorrow for sinne no affliction for sinne For wakened they will not be I feare out of their fooles Paradise I returne to my propounded use and will use a few Motives to stirre you up to take hold of Gods Covenant Motive 1 Had you rather enjoy Gods gracious favours or feele his tart and heavie judgements I suppose I may take it for granted you all infinitely desire the comfortable fruition of Gods benigne and bounteous favours concerning this life naturall and that other spirituall farre more excellent and that transcendently unspeakeable unparaleld which is eternall Neither would you willingly feelingly touch or â—ally taste of the tart and bitter punishments the severe and smarting penalties of the Lord. Keeping covenant with God gives right and interest to all Gods fauours blessings Lov. 26. 9. Isa 54. 10. 56. 5. the contrary makes liable to all his curses Lev. 26. 15. Deut. 29. 21. Consider therefore what you have to do Whether is it better doe you thinke to walke in the steps of pious Patriarâ—â—s or prophane Pagans of Gods peopleâ— or Sathaâ—s slaves of Saints or sinners I thinke I may answer for you all and say Whom should we follow if not the Saints To whom should we be agreeable or like if not to them With whom should we have a connecting congruity save with such who are Gods chosen and peculiar people Take hold therefore of Gods Covenant for by entring into and keeping covenant with God we imitate the best by the contrarie the vilest men even villanous miscreants heires of perdition Peradventure you can alleadge causes sufficient why you may not or will not take hold of Gods Covenant Muster them up give them what force you can let us view them in their best and see what validitie they have 1. Will you not take hold of Gods covenant because you must then part with sin of all sorts even with your darling corruptions iniquity breaking covenant with God and they are so sweete to your soule that nothing else can afford a more pleasant relish then they neither is any thing so advantageous as are they If this be thy plea O man thou art to be pittied the more a foole or mad man glads himselfe in tumbling in the myre the more swinish and sottish is he and his estate more lamentable Be it thy sinnes are sweet yet deadly poyson Be it they make thee merry so doth a certaine herbe the eater as it is reported who eating dyeth Be it they seeme profitable yet are they fruitlesse Ephes 5. 11. 2. Is it because Gods Commandements are grievous which then thou must obey Who saith so O man besides Sathan thy cursed flesh and wicked men Christ otherwise Matth. 11. 30. My yoke is easie and my burden light Saint Iohn saith otherwise 1. Iohn 5. 3. His commandements are not grievous 3. Is it because Gods commandements cannot be kept True no beleever or regenerate man by the assistance of Gods grace is able to observe all and every commandement of God in every part at all times In thought word and deed perfectly as God in his law requireth of him as Papists Bern. Rhens against Rome pag. 269. say yet the true Christian is said to keepe the law of the Lord. 1. Imputatively in Christ the commandement is reputed done when it is forgiven which is
contumelious disgracefull reproches and maledictions the unblameable carriages of good men for no other cause but because their workes are righteous and their owne wicked for piety and profession sake because they will not sweare and swagger cogge and cousen quaffe and carouse drink and be damned with them 3. Yea are those maligned people a company of men abhorring all manner of oathes greater and lesser all lying merry officious and pernicious slanderous back-bitings prophane jestings quarellous contentions quaffing carousing and drunken healthings oppression usury and all unjust gettings wanton ribauldry c. Insomuch that Iudges and Iusticers Gaoles and Iurers are not imployed about the disordered cariages of these people Do they labour diligently in their callings Frequent Sermons Sanctifie Sabbaths Relieve the distressed Instruct their families c. All which are necessary and excellent duties if performed after a right manner and to right ends which they do for any thing the world knowes God having reserved the act of reading mens thoughts unto himselfe 4. Yea do many of the deboist Belials so approve of such people that upon their beds of sicknesse when they receive the sentence of death in themselves they thinke themselves bettered by their company They wish and wish often that themselves had lived lâ—ke them and bind themselves by protestations and promises to walke in their steps if the Lord will spare them but this time 5. Yea are they so indeer'd to Christ Iesus that 1. He is theirs 1. By an everlasting covenant Ezek. 32. 40. 2. By a firme and inseparable contract Hos 2. 19. 3. By vow 4. By promise 5. By oath Eph. 16. 8. 6. By donation given for them and to them as a Head or Husband Advocate Peace-maker Prince Priest and Prophet 2. They are his 1. Creatures as he is their Creatour 2. Redeemed as he is their Redeemer 3. Holy ones as he is their Sanctifier 4. Souldiers as he is their Captaine 5. Servants as he is their Lord. 6. Subjects as he is their King 7. Sheepe as he is their Shepheard 8. Body as he is their Head 9. Pupils or clients as he is their Preserver 10. Daughter as he is their Father 11. Sister as he is their Brother 12. Bride as he is their Husband 3. That Christ receives of those that be his Saints 1. their sinnes with the punishments 2 Cor. 5. 21. 2. Their afflictions and miseries suffering with them Acts 9. 4. And they receive of Christ Iesus 1. Right of Adoption 2. Right of Iustification 1 Cor. 1. 30. Right of salvation Col. â— 12 13. And the Lord to be their portion Psal 16. 5. 73. 26. Mr. Burton saith He partakes of our flesh Truths triumph over Trent pag. 111. we of his Spirit He of our nature we of his grace He of our infirmities we of his perfections He of our poverty we of his riches He of our sinnes we of his righteousnesse 5. Yea are they joyned and compacted not onely to the visible Church by certaine bands which are visible and dissoluble as namely the profession of Christ his Doctrine Participation of the Sacraments c. But also compacted and knit to the Lord Iesus by other â—ies and ligaments which are internall invisible and dissoluble to wit the band of their eternall election in Christ whereby God the Father adopteth them and the band of the Spirit of Christ and so of faith in him And shall I upon the malicious instigation of or to give contentment to such a viperine pestiferous company deride disgrace or any manner of way molest for piety sake those which although being men they have their frailties live as holily as is possible for mortall men they being also so neare to the Lord Iesus I will not doe it Doe I dread to soile or demolish the glittering Palaces of Princes and Peeres And shall I presume once to endeavour to ruinate or contaminate the Lords owne Temple founded and built upon Christ Iesus Am I affraid to harme or hurt the sheepe servants children brethren consorts or members of mortall Princes whose breath is in their nostrils who must turne to dust and come to judgement aswell as I and shall I adventure to defame and perplexe the sheepe servants children brethren spouse and members of the Lord Iesus O you my feet move not you the least motion against them and you my hands offer not the least injurious violence against them and you my eyes do not cast a malicious glaunce upon their prosperous estate nor coy or contemptuous looke upon their persons and you mine eares do not admit any false and forged calumniations against their spotlesse innocency And thou my tongue doe not tongue-smite and traduce their pious profession and thou my head doe not invent intangling snares to inveigle their charitable and credulous simplicity and thou my heart doe not thou hatch or harbour the least sinister conceipt against their upright upright conversations Be it they are blacke in regard of sufferings and afflictions outwardly in regard of their often frailties and infirmities inwardly yet are they amiable and lovely in respect of their good order and government practice of piety and outward obedience to Gods Lawes outwardly of Christs righteousnesse and sanctification begun inwardly Be it they are deformed in their owne eyes and the eyes of Atheists Hypocrites c. Yet are they lovely in the eyes of the Bridegroome Christ Cantic 1. 7. And the Bridegroomes friends Cantic 5. 9. 17. Be it they are not gracious with all yet they are with some Be it they are vile in the eyes of the wicked yet they are not in the eyes of the good Be it they are vile in the eyes of men yet not in the eyes of God for they have fellowshippe with his Sonne Iesus Christ CHAP. IIII. Vse 3. Of Perswasion BE perswaded O you holy ones to cleave more closely Vse 3. Of Perswasion Nemo proficient erubescit hâ—bet in Christo scientia aetaâ—es suas Tertul. de pudicitia pag. 745. unto and fasten your selves more firmely in fellowship with Christ Iesus No man growing better is ashamed even the knowledge of Iesus Christ hath its growth and progresse And you yea you who as yet are barking black-mouth'd Belials barking like dogges against those you know not accompanying one another inconsiderately in those clamours yea all you of the fiercer and milder temper of ungodly ones be you all intreated to agglutinate your selves into this society with Christ Iesus the Sonne of God We who are washed sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Iesus compassionate your wretched condition once some of us were such as you now are formerly we wrought the will of the wicked and walked in the lusts of the flesh as you now doe De vâ—stris fuimus fiunt non nascuntur Christiani Tertul Apol. pag. 844. Acts 2â— 29. Yours we were Christians are made not borne so saith Tertullian We being converted earnestly desire wish and pray for your
yet respectively and for conscience sake towards God as Magistrates Parents husbands c. 3. The Lord himselfe is to be feared yea this is such a grace that it characters out a righteous man Acts 10. 2. Who shunnes evill and doth good Iob 1. 8. Who delighteth in Gods Commandements Psal 112. 1. Who succours the persecuted Saints 1 Reg. 18. 3 4. Who honoureth God Mal. 3. 16. Is obedient to the Lord Gen. 22. 12. And hath true faith Heb. 11. 7. 1. Feare Gods judgements so as to avoid them 2. Feare we sinne so as to flee from it 3. Feare man for the Lords sake so that we may be carefull to obey him loath to offend him Rom. 13. 7. 4. Feare we the Lord so as to be loath to displease him by sinne in respect of his great goodnesse and mercies and for love we beare to righteousnesse Psal 130. 4. But feare not the wickeds feare Isa 8. 12 13. sc their Idols and Devils with a distrustfull feare withdrawing the heart from God and his promises Feare not dangers death creatures tyrants want c. Math. 10. 26. 28. 31. viz. Immoderately faithlesly Feare not such a feare which troubleth the conscience so as to hinder the operation of salvation and worke of the Holy Ghost Feare not touching the pardon of your sinnes for Christ hath satisfied for them Feare not death for Christ hath plucked out its sting Feare not Sathan for Christ hath vanquished him Feare not condemnation for there is none to them which are in Christ Feare not you little flock you having fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God but be you comforted and encouraged you having interest in that society which affoords such plenty of consolations and comfortable blessings that I need not say behold I have shewed you by cleare demonstrations and infallible proofes that this is the most beautifull most honourable most sure most rich most joyfull and the most peacefull society that is what can I therefore say more for thee O sweet communion as Isaac said to Esau of Iacob Behold I have given to him for servants all his brethren with corne and wine have I sustained him and what shall I now do to thee my sonne Gen. 27. 37. Neither shall you need to question like Esau Hast thou but one blessing O my Father Ver. 38. and say hast thou but sixe blessings O lovely societie there belonging to it such plentie of consolations that could I live the age of Methuselah had I a heart and head furnished with the wisdome and ingenie of all learned men should I spend all that time and those onely supposed endowments in finding out and had I the tongue of men and Angels to expresse the numberlesse transcendent excellencies of this communion yet could I not be able to delineate the incomparable and blissefull felicities thereof Howbeit give me leave to cheare and refresh your soules with some few of the many millions of gladsome rayes which streame and flow from this Sunne of righteousnesse Are we in league and communion with Christ Iesus Then he loves us with all those loves which are most ardent and excelling Consol 1. he loves us with the love 1. Of a Master for we are servants 2. The love of a King for we are his subjects 3. The love of a brother for we are his brethren Heb. 2. 11. and sisters sc By profession and affection Math. 12. 50. 4. The love of a friend for we are his friends Luke 12. 4. Iohn 3. 29. 15. 15. 5. The love of a childe for wee are his mother Marke 3. 75. Being neare and deare to him as mothers are to their children bearing and conceiving Christ in our hearts as mothers do children in their womâ—es Gal. 4. 19. 6. The love of a father for we are his children 7. The love of a husband for we are his spouse 8. The love of himselfe for we are his members Then which what love more free more tender so great and during Then which what better honour What greater happinesse then to have such love of such a Saviour Who loving us so entirely will surely pardon our many sinnes 2. Passe by our frailties and infirmities 3. Shelter us against the wrath of God 4. Defend us safe against the malicious attempts of Sathan 5. Provide all necessary good things 6. And hereafter crowne us with immortall and unspeakable glory Have we fellowship with Christ Iesus Then we are surely Consol 2. justified Iustification being an action of the Father absolving a believing sinner from his sinnes and from the whole curse due to his sinnes and accounting him just in his sight and accepting him to life everlasting freely of his owne mercy through the perfect obedience and sufferings of Christ imputed to his faith unto the everlasting praise and glory of the mercy justice and truth of God Rom. 3. 24 25. Being justified freely of his grace c. Iustification is the office of Homil. of sal D. 3. God onelâ— and is not a thing which we render to him but which we receive of him not which we give to him but which we take of him This is a benefit of benefits whereupon our salvation doth depend for whosoever shal be saved must be justified All graces are present in him that is justified yet they Hom. sal D. 1. justifie not altogether Now as the finall cause of justification is Gods glory and our owne salvation 2. The instrumentall is faith within and the Gospell without 3. The efficient is Gods free grace 4. So the matter is Christ our Redeemer 5. And the forme is the imputation of our sinnes to him and his justice to us As our sinne being imputed to Christ made M Burton pag. 66. him become sinne for us even so are we made the righteousnesse of God in him that is by imputation of his righteousnesse which righteousnesse of Christ imputed to us is no more inhaerent in us to our justification thou our sinne imputed to Christ was inhaerent in him to his condemnation Therefore all Gods Elect being joyned to Christ and having an heavenly communion with him being in themselves rebellious sinners Gods enemies and firebrands of hell by meanes of Christ Iesus with whom they have fellowship must needs be accepted of the Lord as perfectly righteous before him being justified by faith in him Rom. 3. 28. Not that faith doth justifie in regard of it selfe either because it is a grace for although it is an excellent vertue yet it is imperfect and mixed with unbelâ—efe 2. Nor in regard it is the worke of God in us for then all graces might be meanes of justification as well as it 3. Nor as it containes other graces in it for then it should be the principall part of our justice But in respect of the object thereof Christ Iesus whom faith apprehends as he is set forth in the Word and Sacraments We are justified by the act of M. Burton Truths triumph
c. Cap. 5 pa 5. 60. faith relatively to the object Christ not for the act of it Faith justifieth not by the act believing but as the instrument in applying the object which is Christ as the hand is said to heale Ibid. pag. 80. onely by applying the medicine or to enrich by receiving a treasure or to feed by putting meate into the mouth as we say a child c. It is Christ that is the Authour and matter of our justification it is Christ who applyeth the same unto us as for faith it is but an instrument to apprehend and a hand to receive Christs benefits for ours Or as Paraeus briefly saith Faith justifieth instrumentally the blood of Christ meritoriously Feâ—es iustificat orgâ—â—cè sanguâ—â— Christi meritoriè Pataus in Rom 3. faith doth not apprehend these by power from it selfe but by vertue of the Lords covenant so that Christ and his merits are the believers not simply because he believes but because he believes upon precept and promise the Lord promising to impute the righteousnesse of his Sonne to us for our righteousnesse if we believe This faith layes hold upon Christs painefull sufferings sufficient for all the sinnes of all men and so freeth the believing sinner from the guilt and punishment of sin and from eternall damnation It layes hold upon the perfect obedience of Christ in fulfilling the Law hereby curing his owne actuall disobedience of the Law and applyeth the perfect holinesse of the humane nature of Christ whereby he is accepted as perfectly righteous of God and by this his originall corruption is healed 1. Are they happy whose sinnes are pardoned as indeed they are for when sinne is pardoned such debts and trespasses are forgiven which we could never pay nor any remit Qui solus mundus est mundare praevalet immunda Greg. Papa in Iob 14. 4. Nee homo nec Angelus Aug. Agricola non vitis efficlum Ad solam Triuitatem pertinet Idem Tom. 9 in Ioan. 15. pag. 444. save the omnipotent Iehovah Isa 43. 25. Nor any make satisfaction for and purge out except the Lord Iesus and that with his owne bloud 1 Ioh. 1. 7. When sinne is pardoned such spots and blemishes are forgiven which made us and our best actions loath some unto God Isa 1. 14. 15. And guilty of eternall damnation Rom. 6. 23. Is remission of sins such a favour that it hath for its efficient cause God only and his beloved Sonne Christ Iesus Isa 43. 25. Rom. 6. 25. Its moving cause the meere mercy truth and promise of God Eph. 1. 7. It s meritorious cause the death of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. And its finall Gods glory Ier. 33. 8 9. And the sinners salvation then they must needs be happy whose sinnes are forgiven Psal 32. 1 2. Rom. 4. 7 8. 2. Are they happy who being sinners are notwithstanding accounted righteous by the righteousnesse of Christ imputed as they must needs be for by this righteousnesse of Christ we are made the righteousnesse of God 2 Cor. 5. 21. The whole obedience of Christ with the merit thereof eternall life is made ours as if we had done the one and deserved the other yea by this we have store of supplies for all our wants We are poore Christ is our riches we are naked Christ is our garments we are blind Christ is our eye-salve Rev. 3. 18. We are deformed Christ is our beauty Rev. 19. 8. 3. Are they happy who being enemies to God by reason of sinne are made friends to the Lord they being reconciled to God by Christ having their sinnes done away and themselves arayed with the perfect righteousnesse of Christ as they needs must for what greater misery then to be at enmity with the Lord And what greater felicity then to be in league with God Rom. 8. 31. For if God be for us who can be against us 4. Is peace with God a great favour as it is it costing the bloud of Christ to make it Col. 1. 20. It passing all understanding Phil. 4. 7. And being a fore-runner of that perfect rest and joy the Elect have in heaven 2 Pet. 3. 14. 5. Is it a great favour to be Gods adopted children as it is intruth the Lord hereby taking us into his owne family and accepting us as his owne children not because he wanted an heire he living and reigning for ever not for want of children for he had a naturall Sonne not because this Sonne was unfit to inherit he being as fit as his Father But of his meere grace and bounty we being by nature children of wrath disobedience and the Devill This being such a blessing that by vertue of this we are made Christs brethren heires Gal. 3. 18. Heires of God joynt-heires with Christ Rom. 8. 17. Of Gods kingdome Iam. 2. 5. By vertue of this we are Lords over all creatures save Angels we have them to guard us and all things working for our good This is such a favour then which God could not have bestowed upon us a greater * Pluâ— est cum Paulus ait heredes nos esse coheredes Christs quam si mille mundos nedum coelum terram cum omnibiâ— bonu noâ— reipsa â—â— atâ—râ—um 〈…〉 siâ— osâ—sse 〈◊〉 in Rom. 8. 17. It is more when Paul saith we are heires and co-heires with Christ then if he had affirmed that we should indeed enjoy for ever a thousand worlds not onely heaven and earth with all good things therein If it was no small preferment for David to be sonne in law to Saul 1 Sam. 18. 23. Then what preferment is it to be the Lords adopted children * Quid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 conserra potest An non excellentior Majestaâ— est esse 〈◊〉 Dei 〈◊〉 silium potentissina Monarchae 〈◊〉 terra Hoâ— beneficio nihil 〈◊〉 est vel excellentius â—rentius in Isa 38 What may be compared to such dignitie Is it not a more excellent prerogative to be the Sonne of the God of heaven then sonne of the most potent Monarch upon earth There is nothing more high or surmounting this benefit This is such a favour that a reverend Divine saith thus of it * M. Greeneham Aphorismes As farre as the spirit is above the flesh God above men heaven above earth eternity above time so farre is the new creation above the old This is such a blessing that Saint Iohn cals all to admire what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sonnes of God 1 Ioh. 3. 1. 6. Is hope of the glory of God an extraordinary benefit as it is for by this with patience we looke for the accomplishment of all good things By this we undergoe afflictions with a contented mind By this we being inwardly cheared and caused outwardly to confesse the same to the glory of God encouragement of the Saints amazement of wicked ones and strengthening of our selves to continue against all discouragements and
to leave them and love Gods Law with resolution to do it in some measure And this is matter of comfort and encouragement to all engrafted members into Christ Iesus considering that they are sanctified and therefore 1. Cleane in Christ although not in themselves 2. Cleane by imputation although not by action 3. Cleane by way of comparison although not simply 4. Cleane by proportion although not by perfection 5. Cleane in part although not wholly and altogether Whensoever in these bookes I have made mention of the Church Vtc unque in his libris commemora vt Ecclesiam non habentem maculam aut rugam non sic a cipiendum est quasâ— jam sâ—t sed quae praeparatur tit sit quando apparebit etiam gloriosit Nunc enim propter quâ—sdam ignorantiat infirmitates membrorum suorum habet undè quotiâ—â—e toti dicat 〈◊〉 nobâ— debiâ—â— nostra Aug. cap. 18. de Baptismo Tom. 1. pag 46. not having spot or wrinkle it is not so to be taken as if she were so now but that she is prepared to be so when she shall appeare glorious for now by reason of certaine ignorances and infirmities of her members the whole Church hath cause to say every day forgive us our trespasses August Retract Lib. 2. Cap. 18. What comfort is it to consider that they are justified and so are pardoned sanctified and so are purged although there can be no pardoning where there is no purging yet that sinne may be fully pardoned which is not wholly purged 1 Ioh. 1. 9. viz. 1. In time although at once they cannot 2. In part although wholly they cannot 3. By degrees although altogether they cannot 4. In death although in life they cannot 5. In and by Christ although in and by themselves they cannot What consolation is it to such when considering that although being once justified they are not alwayes and altogether justified viz. 1. In their owne apprehension yet they are in Gods estimation and by imputation 2. In their owne sight yet they are in Gods 3. In regard of their owne assurance yet they are in regard of Gods acceptance 4. In regard of the instrumentall and adjuvant causes i. Faith repentance prayer nor yet of the outward meanes Word and Sacraments c. Yet they are in regard of the moving cause Gods grace materiall Christs merits efficient God himselfe and finall Gods glory and their owne salvation 5. In regard of new sinnes requiring new pardon and new repentance and prayer whereof they cannot possibly be altogether wanting yet they are in regard of old sinnes already past and repented for What encouragement is it to such considering that by meanes of this union with Christ Iesus they have the Spirit of sanctification whereby they are reformed and sanctified although not all at once for as seed cast into the ground doth root sprout grow increase and bring forth fruit in time and by degrees and as a tree is not at full growth the same day it is planted and as the issue in the wombe is first conceived then it feeleth afterwards it hath the power of reason though not the use and at length is borne and brought up and as we likewise are not learned at once but first we conceive small matters and then proceed to profounder Even so our regeneration and sanctification is now begun but must still grow in grace go on from grace to grace from vertue to vertue untill we be growne to a perfect man in Christ and that is hereafter in heaven yet by degrees and although but begun here yet perfectly in the life to come Holy men affirme that those who are cleane are to be cleansed * Tom. 9. pag. 444. Mundi mundandi Aug. in Ioan. 15. Quis in hâc vitâ— sic mundus ut non sit magis maguque mundandus Motus immundi reprimi possunt per gratiam ejici non possunt nisi in morte Bernardus Serm. 58 pag. 165. Vitia in nobis non mortua sed compressa Idem SubJugari possunt non exterminari Iebusâ—i Idem In munditiâ non potest esse 〈◊〉 Who in this life is so pure that he needs not to be more and more pure Impure motions may be repressed by grace but they cannot be cast out but in death Vices are not dead but suppressed in us These Iebusites may be brought under but not rooted out There can be no end in puritie CHAP. VI. Consolation 4. Saints have Christian liberty HAve we fellowship with Christ Iesus Then we are a people Consol 4. set at liberty or such a company who through grace are made partakers of Christian liberty 1 Pet. 2. 16. As free using your liberty Gal. 5. â— Stand fast in the liberty wherein Christ hath made us free Ver. 13. Ye have been called unto liberty 2 Cor. 3. 17. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty Liberty I say or freedome 1. Not from the yoke of lawfull authority Civill or Ecclesiasticall this is an Anabaptisticall no Christian liberty The regenerate Christian being bound in conscience to obey all lawfull authority in performing their lawfull precepts or undergoing their inflicted penalties Rom. 13. 5. We must be subject and also for conscience sake 2. Not to sinne or continue in sinne that grace may abound Rom. 6. 1. This is a wicked licentiousnesse no Christian liberty the renewed Christian being bound in conscience to have no fellowship with the unfruitfull workes of darknesse c. Eph. 5. 11. 3. Not from sinne so farre forth as to receive an absolute perfection of inherent grace in this life so as to be free from all sin and to be as perfect as Christ is in heaven as fantasticall familists and fanaticall fantasticks avow against the light of Scripture and their owne conscience for the most sanctified Christian who breathes in this sublunary world is perfect only 1. Comparatively in respect of others viz. Weaklings and wicked ones 2. In regard of himselfe he having received a greater measure of present profiting Phil. 1. 5. Or else in regard of his upright sincerity 2 Reg. 20. 3. He who saith he hath no sinne deceives himselfe and is a lyar saith Saint Iohn 1 Ioh. 1. 8. 10. * Superbiam Valentinianorum imitantur qui se absque peccato existimant perfectos se vocantes semina electionis Irenaeus lib. 7. cap. 1. They imitate the pride of the Valentinians who thinke themselves without sinne calling themselves perfect and the seeds of election saith Irenaeus Likewise both in the worst there is some good and in the best Sic. in pessâ—â—â—â— aliquid boni in optimis â—â—â—â—thil pessimi solus eniâ—â— Deus sine peccato solus homo sine peccato Christus Tertul. Semper debemus not consiteri peccatores nam quisquis se immaculatum sine peccato dicerit aut superbus aut stultus est Cyp. de Elem. pag. 15. much exceeding naught onely God is without sinne and onely the man
say we because it is Scripture Gal. 5. 1. They say there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ and so say we because it is Scripture Rom. 8. 1. They say that the law hath nothing to doe in the Conscience of the regenerate Christian and that it doth not binde the Conscience of the regenerate to obedience but this we denie it being repugnant to sacred writ and of evill consequence The falsehood of whose schismaticall and hereticall opinion Schismaticall I call it in regard of the rent and breach it makes in the Church hereticall I call it it being an Incidere in falsae opinionis errorem priusquam vera cognoscat imperiti animi est simpli cis perseverare vero in eo postquam agnoveris cotumacu Salvian exempla A pro. vero pag. 296. errour about a maine point of religion contrary to the cleare light of truth of holy Scripture soundly and generally held by the Church of God and being obstinately defended after conjunction and lawfull admonition will perspicuously appeare to all which will not wilfully close their eyes against the cleare light of divine truth I having shewed what Conscience is how this Conscience is bound and that the law doth bind the Conscience of the regenerate to obedience 1. Conscience is an inward remembrance in our hearts witnessing with us or against us of all our thoughts words and workes Conscience is a part of the understanding which takes knowledge of and beares witnesse of a mans thoughts words and workes excusing them when they be good accusing them when they be bad Rom. 2. 15. The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Conscientia Con. scio Greeke word is derived of a verbe which is compounded of a verbe which signifieth to see and a Preposition which signifieth together so that Conscience doth know with another is privie to the things of another by the signification of the greeke and latine word This is Conscience Concerning bonds and binding the Word of God mentioneth diuerse sorts and calleth 1. Sinne by the name of bonds Acts 8. 23. because it binds and holds the wicked fast in the bondage of Satan 2. Afflictions for Christ by the name of bonds Heb. 13. 3. in which bonds good Saint Paul was Acts 26. 29. 3. Gods favours the bonds of love Hos 11. 4. the Lord by these binding his Saints unto him 4. Gods lawes by the name of bonds Psal 2. 3. because they fasten us to God and bind us to our duties Conscience is bound by vowes and oathes lawfully made and superiour powers not properly in regard of themselves but improperly or in reference to Gods law commanding a man although he sweare to his owne hurt not to change Psal 15. 4. Therefore the Princes of Israel durst not hurt the Gibeonites because of their oath Ios 9. 9. To pay that which a man hath vowed Eccl. 5. 4. To be subject to the higher powers Rom. 13. 1. 5. And to obey our Pastours and Teachers Heb. 13. 17. But the Lord himselfe is the proper binder of Conscience he being the onely Lord of Conscience he onely having power to command Conscience yea to save or to destroy He bindeth Conscience by his Word giving it an absolute power in it selfe to bind Conscience and because it is the Word of him who can save or destroy for keeping or breaking this his Word This Word so binding is both Law and Gospell The Gospell binds the Conscience not of those who never heard of Christ Rom. 2. 12. but of those which have the meanes offered to beleeve and obey Rom. 2. 16. The Law binds the Conscience of all men it being the law of nature written in mans heart in mans Creation and therefore of such who are regenerate Christians not onely as they are men but sanctified men Which I shew thus Reason 1 That which doth cause the Conscience of the regenerate Christian to excuse being observed and to accuse being transgressed doth bind the Conscience of the regenerate Chrisian to obedience For to bind the Conscience is to cause it in every action to accuse for sinne or excuse for well doing But the law of God doth cause the Conscience of the regenerate Christian to excuse being observed and to accuse being transgressed Therefore the law of God doth bind the Conscience of the regenerate Christian to obedience That which hath power to say to the Conscience of the regenerate Christian this ought to be done that ought not to be done hath power to and doth bind the Conscience of the regenerate Christian to obedience for to bind is to say this may that may not be done But the law of God hath power and doth say to the Conscience of the regenerate Christian this may that may not be done Therefore the law of God doth binde the Conscience of the regenerate to obedience That which hath this priviledge that the breach thereof is a sinne doth bind the Conscience of all even of regenerate Christians to obedience for all even regenerate Christians are bound not to sin 1. Ioh. 3. 4. But the law of God hath this priviledge that the breach thereof is sinne Therefore the law of God doth bind the Conscience of c. The breach of the ceremoniall law once was sinne now is not because once it bound the conscience now it doth not The breach of the morall law is still sinne therefore it doth still bind If the law of God doth not bind the Conscience of the regenerate to obedience then if the regenerate Christian doth any thing commanded in the Law he doth more then his duty for he is bound to doe his duty and so by doing that doth either merit at the hands of God or else is guilty of Will-worship doing more then was enjoyed him e. g. if a Christian under the Gospell was circumcised did sacrifice bullockes c. he by thus doing did workes meritorious and superogatory or else was guilty of Will-worship because he is not now bound to the doing of them But if the regenerate Christian could and did do all things which the law enjoynes him he is not guilty of Will-worship neither doth he merit at the hands of God Luk. 17. 10. Therefore c. That authority which the Apostles used to vrge and presse regenerate Christians to do their duties doth bind their Consciences to obedience But the Apostles have used the authority of the law to vrge and presse regenerate Christians to do their duties Ephes 6. 1 2. Iam. 2. 11. Therefore the law doth bind the Conscience of regenerate Christians to obedience I having premised these things abandoning the ungrounded and unchristian liberty of Anabaptists Epicures Familists and Antinomists I come to shew and delineate your glorious liberty you blissefull goodfellowes As in all freedomes the freed person is exempt from many burdensome bondages and grieuous
fellowship 219 c. Grace how like 4. Its spreading nature and excellencie 19 c How it may be lost how not 118 c. We must labour to worke it in others and why 19 c. We must grow in grace if we wil be like Christ 262 263. H HAte sinners and how 10. Sinne and why 39 Hearing of Gods Word needfull and excellent 142 c. Obiections against it answered 143 How to heare and faulty hearers 14â— c. How we must heare and why 172. 181. Heaven hoped for in vaine by many 88. Holinesse See sanctification How the Saints are holy Honour due to God How God is honoured Why with soule and body both Why with the soule especially How with the tongue and life 72 c. Motives to honour God 84 c. Honour of the Saints 198. And of their communion See glory Hope of Saints its excellency 236. Hosts are Gods 122. Husbands duty 203. Saints husband transcendent 46 203. Hypocrites how hurtfull 26 55. I IGnorance hurtfull its fruits 97 273. Inheritance of Saints unparalel'd 45. Inhabitation in Christ See Christ Whence it is 270 271. Ingrossers of corne censured 67. Imitation of God wherein 138 c. Of Christ wherein and why 257. Of men wherein 262. Imprecations to be shunned though Saints have imprecated and why 76. Imputation of Christs righteousnesse 235. Ioy of the Saints 129 192 224. Why they reioyce 239. Iustice of God by whom abused Obiections against it answered 77. Iustification handled with its causes and fruits 233 c. Whence it is how it differs from sanctification 237. How once iustified are alwayes 240. K KNowledge saving honoureth God 73. It is needfull to do Gods will 97. and necessary to enioy Gods Spirit 272. L LAbour in lawfull callings commendable 24. When not to be taxed of covetousnesse 68 103. Labour on the Lords Day See workes Lords Day why so called 150. Duties of the Lords Day See Sabbath Law how it is kept by the Saints 187. It binds How Christians are under the Law how not 184 192. How free from the Law 243 c. Liberalitie See mercy It s excellency 224. Liberty of Christians frees not them from Gods service 192. Not from authority gives not liberty to sinne Frees not from sinne 243. Not from the obedience of the Morall Law 243 c. Wherein Christian liberty consists and its excellency 248 c. Life godly honoureth God 83. Love of God to us how great Gods lovelinesse 49 c. We ought to love God Who truly love him 46 c. Their paucity 47 c. Love to God greatly rewarded the first and great commandement and how 49 c. It honoureth God 74. By it we cleave to God 190 The rule of love 194 c. What the Saints do love 239. Motives to love God 49 c. Love all men why and how all Saints and how 9 c. Love of Saints whence M MAn an excellent creature 85. Serves himselfe sinfully served sinfully how Disswasives Meditation for the Lords Day 165. Delightfull meditations 173. See thoughts Mercy of God what 79 60. To whom it belongs no incouragement to sinne 60 79. By whom it is abused 79. Mercifull workes of diverse sorts Their excellency 170 c. Who must give when how much of what how 13 c. N NEw creatures How Saints have all parts new 238 c. O OAths haÌ„dled by creatures 81. Rashnes Disswasives 81. Excuses answered 82. See swearing Obedience to Gods Law part of the Covenant of mans part 182. P PEace of Saints excellent with them necessary 34 c. What we must yeeld to for peace 36. It s excellency 235. Wicked have no peace 226 c Perfection how Saints perfect how not 139 242. Obiections answered 55. Persecutors of good men wofull 126 c. 209 c. Pharisees what who like them in these dayes 56. Piety a cause of persecution 212. Please God what pleaseth God that is to be chosen 177. Poore of two sorts 68. They must depend upon God 68. Be content 109. Poverty not to be feared 123. Christs poverty 222. Prayerlesse persons woefull 140. What prayers are fruitlesse 140. What kind of prayer is prevailing 141. It is a duty for the Lords Day 170. Yea delightfull 172. It is part of the covenant 182. Needfull 272. Whence it is 270. To pray for earthly things lawfull 103. Preachers are builders 207. Their faults may not keepe us from hearing 143 c. Priviledges of the Saints 218 c. Prophanest people usually the greatest persecutours 212 Profession is good though some Professors are bad 29 c. Providence good and lawfull 68 103. See depend on Gods providence Pure how Saints are pure 141 242. Puritanes what meant 29 212 No Pharisees 56. Not covetous 69. Not of wicked life 214. Scarce any of them begge 70. Or come to the gallowes 113. R REading Scripture and good Bookes a Sabbath duty and how to read 169. Recreation for the Lords Day 171. What is unlawfull 160. Redemption for Gods honour 80 86. It s excellency 86. Regeneration whence 270. It s necessity Danger of its want â— 72. Reliefe See mercy Remission of sinnes a great favour to whom it belongs 224. See forgivenesse Repentance late very dangerous 61 c. Reproofs how to be used who faulty Why we should reprove 32 c. Restitution 17 39. Riotous persons usually covetous 66. Revenge a great sinne 39. Reproches for Christ should not discontent 110. Not to be feared 123. Riches uncertainty 105. Vanity 106. Of the Saints 222 c. S SAbbath Day to be kept holy the name is Morall it s many names Motives to keep it holy and what then lawfull and unlawfull 149 c. Sacraments of the Iewes and ours how the same how differ Excellency of ours 181 c. Saints fellowship See fellowship Their excellency 127. Their portion to be afflicted 126 210 Sanctification handled with its fruits how it differs from iustification 237 c. It is necessary 272. Whence it is 270. Sathan not to be feared 124. His obiections against perseverance answered 119. Scripture though alledged by Hereticks decides controversies 2â—6 Seeking of God a needfull duty what it is manner and meanes of seeking and motives to seeke God 146 c. Servants of God who who not Services of God and of others How to serve God and why bad Masters hindering this service of God 191 c. Sicke persons duty 170 Visiting them a Sabbath duty 170. How to visit who faulty in visiting 170. Sincerity needfull 92 272. Its signes 93. 〈…〉 a Sabbath 〈…〉 ing 〈…〉 Sinnes 〈◊〉 be concealed 23. And why 28. Sinne 〈◊〉 shunned 53. Yea secret sinnes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 57 9â— Least degrees of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all sinne and why sweet sinner 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sins of Saints and wicked men 57 c. How good men sinne ibid. What they do having sinned 59. How they are free from sinne 124 245. Their sinnes no incouragements to sin 62 c. 〈◊〉 encouragements answered 60 c. Disswasives from sinne 63 136 c. Sinne must be shunned if we imitate Christ 262. How sinne is infinite 78. God no author of sinne 77. It is an evill master by whom it is served disswasives from serving it 198. Sinnes of former times â—s great as now 254 255. Why seeme greater now 255. Sheepe of Christ their duty 276. Sonnes of God who 201. Their duty See Father Society See fellowship Soule is to honour God and first 73. Sparing how commendable 25. Spirit of God dwels in Saints Its fruits in them their miserie who want and scorne this co-habitation 270 271. Who falsly boast of the Spirit Who have who want the Spirit 272 273. Duties of both 274. How the Spirit is grieved how quenched how gotten how kept 275. Sports whether lawfull on the Lords Day Reasons Disswasives 160 c. Strength Spirituall whence 207. Swearing now an honour to God 80 Anabaptists confuted Disswasives from all evill kinds of swearing 80 c. Excuses answered 81 c. Sorrow of Saints 239. Sufferings See afflictions T TOngue is to honour God 74. Many wayes 74 c. Thoughts unlawfull on Gods Day 164. Time-serving hurtfull 93. V VIsiting the sicke a Sabbath duty How who faulty 170 Vsury a filthy sinne 92 100. W VVAnts temporall how supplied to the Saints 123. Will of God must be done 88. It s reward 88. It must be done totally 90 Faithfully 92. Timely 93. Continually 95. Meanes motives let removed 96 c. Mans will contrary to Gods 97. Word of God a Word of faith grace salvation reconciliation life 142. It s excellency 75 172. It is to be talked of 74. Not to be iested with 75. No to defend vice nor disâ—hearten vertue 75. Not to be used in charmes 76. Words not fit for the Lords Day 163. What then commendable 167 c. Workes of God for his glory mans good 165. Workes unlawfull for the Lords Day with disswasives 157. World by whom served disswasives from serving it 197. Wrath a great sinne 39. Wicked men are fooles 128. Their society to be shunned and why 6 c. 135 c. Y YOung people should do Gods will and why 93.
taking occasions offered extravagantly to wander into olden times gladding themselues with their large discourses of their many madde and merry meetings their frolique frisques and gambols their infamous exploits and deeds of darknesse or idly to range about from royall diademe to the penylesse cottage from field to towne from towne to houses from houses to particular things and persons yea to their owne homes and houses taking thence many large and deepe discourses of the number and severall conditions of their sheepe horses c. the unrulinesse of this the faire conditions of that the great penyworth they had in the one the worth of the other And anon ramble in their serious communication into their fields fallow and severall discoursing of their longitude and latitude of their lands the quantity and quality of their seed their great and many businesses they have finished or intended and presently flie backe into the streets and for want of other matter to fill up the pretty lispings and stâ—mmerings the falls and stumblings the unmannerly roguing or whoring this man that woman the pretty pronunciation of this or that oath of their children shall not be forgotten and then from these merrie Colloquies rake into the dunghill puddles of the true or fained miscarriages of their neighbours good or bad tossing and tumbling these from tongue to tongue as sharpe as speares renting and tearing the good names of men better then themselves fathering upon them that themselves never dreamed of turning by their cunning art a hearsay may be supposition into a peremptory proposition that it was so and then to mount it upon the wing of flying fame to passe swiftly and securely without stop or controlement and clothing all upright-hearted Nathaniels with the darke and divelish robes of censorious uncharitablenesse Luciferean pride and damned hipocrisie because these truly befit many who are professors and others in their conceipts thus extracting matter of large discourses to please themselves purchase admiration and applause for their great and deepe experience and procure many farewell thanks for their good company Yet I although I formerly have bene and still am too often and futurely may be that way overtaken so as to talke of such fruitlesse and unneedfull matters resolve henceforward to have my communication of such things whereby God may be glorified my selfe and others edified in the holy faith not medling with other mens matters but such as concerne my selfe or those with whom I conferre and principally those which appertaine to our soules good and amongst other things by name of the Word of God in generall and such Scriptures as I have heard read and expounded in particular as wisely peaceably orderly lovingly honestly and humbly as I can I well considering besides the necessity and furtherance of such like conference Mot. 1 1. That these communications are more comfortable then those they yeelding not the least glaunce or glimmering of sound delight or comfort when a man is going to his bed falles into any affliction or temptation or comes to his bed of death But instead thereof many befoolings of himselfe for mispending so many precious houres and golden opportunities about fruitlesse fome and froth these abundantly cheering the heart gladded with the consideration of the many benefits it hath gained and fruits it hath reaped by such like talkings together 2. This conference is more advantageous then that Can you say and speake truly that ever you gained any knowledge of God your selves the Word the way to heaven Can you say that ever you gained any grace goodnesse or any thing save an addition of new sinnes to the catalogue of your old by such like Lords dayes chattings Whereas I dare affirme this kind of Sabbath conference to increase saving knowledge sound comfort true Christian love heavenly-mindednesse and to warme and vivifie the saving graces seated in the heart 3. And more honourable mee thinkes it 's a poore commendation or credit for a man to have a faculty with facility to find out idle discourse to drive away a day each new speaking stammering child which can lispe out but halfe english being able to tattle somewhat or other to that purpose But for a man humbly lovingly and feelingly to conferre of the narrow way which leadeth to life how to walke in it with comfort declining the many by-paths of sinne of the Christian combate the number and nature of enemies their sleights and subtilties how to escape them and to get the victory this is a greater glorie to a Christian man Whereas many men and women spend the Lords day in Affirm 3. Deeds sloathfull lithernes sleeping or doing certaine odd chares which purposely they had appointed for that day yet I determine resolutely to spend all spare time 1. In reading Gods Word and good bookes and that with inward desire and outward endeavour to profit 2. In singing of Psalmes Hymnes and spirituall songs Ephes 5. 19. In which angelicall exercise I will doe what I can to sing 1. With my heart Ephes 5. 19. i. e. with understanding sense and feeling 2. To the Lord Ibid. scil 1. In his glorious powerfull and gracious presence 2. Vpon a holy remembrance of his blessings 3. To his honour and glory 3. With Grace Col. 3. 16. to exercise the graces of the heart as holy joy trust 4. In Gods mercy c. in singing Teaching and admonishing my selfe and others 5. For mine owne and others consolation Ephes 5. 19. making melody c. Iames 5. 13. I well considering this duty to be 1. Gods owne ordinance Ephes 5. 19. 2. Binding all persons Iames 5. 13. is any merry let him sing 3. To be performed publiquely Ephes 5. 19. 4. And privately Psal 101. 1 2. 5. A speciall duty for the Lords day Psal 92. Title 6. And a duty which is 1 Good having in it no evill being Gods ordinance 2 Pleasant in it selfe and to the hearers 3 And comely to the user Psal 147. 3. In praying to God to sanctifie the day and duties thereof to me I being able to do nothing of my selfe 4. In doing such like workes of mercy as these following sc 1. Visiting the sicke and that 1. To benefit mine owne soule and that by 1. Taking notice of mine owne mortality 2. Sathans subtiltie striving to lull men asleepe in security or plunge them into desperation 3. The difficultie if not impossibility of repentance deferred till death and sicknesse 4. The excellencie of saving graces a good conscience c. which will do men good when all worldly contentments forsake them 2. To doe good to the sicke party and that by perswading him to a Christian carriage in sicknesse sc 1. A serious consideration causing sicknesse 2. The profit and advantage of sicknesse trying grace weaning from the world provoking to prayer and taming the flesh 3. If men rightly behave themselves in sicknesse 1. Not neglecting nor depending too much upon the meanes 2. Praying to God 3. Giving good counsell