Counsell the Ignorant to Comfort the deiected to Informe the weake and incourage the strong in well-doing to avoid passion and pride and flatterie and discontent in my speeches and to speake with wisedome and Reverence and love and meekenesse and humilitie Then shall my Tongue be my Glorie indeed Section 2 Secondly T is hard to bridle the Tongue 1. BEcause the Heart is so corrupt and hard to be reformed 2. T is hard to leave an old custome as to goe against the streame or Tide 3. Other things be more easily tamed as birds beastes Creeping things Iames 3.7.8 4. Those that set themselves to tame the Tongue have found it hard David resolved to bridle his Tongue Psalme 39.1 yet his owne words grieved him daily Psalme 56.5 5. T is hard to make men yeeld where they thinke they have Possession men doe thinke their lips bee their owne Psalme 12.4 6. T is hard to make men lay downe their weapons The Tongue men esteeme their weapons Ier. 9.3 Ier. 18.18 Psalme 57.4 Psalme 64.3 Their Tongues be as Swords and their words as Arrowes t is hard to disarme them Section 3 Thirdly Resolves concerning the Mouth and Tongue 1. Quest VVHat is meant by the Mouth of the Lord Esai 1.20 Ans T is the Certaintie of Speech in utterance and performance GOD hath said it and it shall be accomplished 2. Quest What is meant by the Rod of his Mouth Esai 11.4 Ans The mightie and powerfull Word of GOD smiting some to their Conversion others to their destruction 3. Quest What is meant by the Mouth of the brooks Esai 19.7 Ans The Rivers whose Bankes are as the lips of the Mouth 4. Quest What is it to stop the Mouth Iob 5.16 Ans To stop the Mouth through the astonishment at Gods Workes 5. Quest What is meant by the Mouth of the Earth Gen. 4.11 Ans The Earth it selfe receiving Abels blood the like phrase Numbers 16.32 The Earth opened her Mouth and swallowed Corah and the rest of his Companie 6. Quest What is it to be with ones Mouth Exodus 4.12 Ans To Instruct and Teach one what to speake 7. Quest What is meant by the Mouth of the Dragon Ans 1. Power and Authoritie Revela 16.13 Also Calumniations and Reproches to bring Christians to be hated and contemned Rev. 12.16 Resolves concerning the Tongue 1. Qu. How is the Tongue set on fire of Hell Iames 3.6 Ans When Satan hath power over mens Tongues to make them speake wickedly 2. Quest Why was the Rich glutton tormented in his Tongue Luke 16 Ans 1. He is likely to have sinned by delicates in eating and drinking 2. He it may be had beene a Blasphemer or scoffer and licentious and prophane in speech 3. Or he had neglected Praier and praising God so is passive being on Earth herein not active Coloss 4.6 3. Qu. What is it to be gracious alwaies in speech Ans T is to speake graciously at all times in all places on all occasions in all Companies in all the tempers and dispositions of heart as in anger in mirth in feare in sorrow in hope still to maintaine gracious speech from a gracious mind after a gracious manner to a gracious end to stirre up grace to manifest grace to edifie them which heare us 4. Qu. How may we order the Tongue aright Ans 1. To thinke before we speake to bee more slow to speake and to premeditate is a sure way to speake well 2. To speake as those that doe acknowledge Gods presence as well as know it 3. To speake pertinently and avoid the multitude of words learne Compendiousnes to abbreviate Matters especially before our Governours or our servants or our enemies or before strangers 4. Moderate the passions within els there will breake out excessive speeches 5. Bee often in Praier then being able to speake to GOD wee shall be the better fitted to speake to men 6. Bee often examining our speeches with the circumstances of Matter Manner and End wee aimed at 5. Qu. What is an Idle word Ans 1. A word that tends not to the Glorie of God nor mans good 2. A word that might better have beene spared than spoken 3. Or a word pertaining to neither our generall Calling or particular 6. Qu. What are the Causes of Idle words Ans 1. The Heart is vaine which is the Fountaine of Speech 2. Custome is as a great Commander so t is easie 3. Pride of wit makes men very frothie in speech 4. Some Ingredients of Atheisme and want of feare 5. Idlenes and want of labour causes Idle words 6. Want of Praier those that pray best speake not Idly 7. Want of wisdome brings fulnes of Idle talke 7. Qu. What be the Contraries to Idle words Ans 1. Words of Thankfulnesse Ephes 5.4 2. Words of Wisedome which respect circumstances 3. Words of Holinesse and Grace Ephes 4.29 4. Speeches about our particular Callings 5. Propounding our Doubts to be Resolved 8. Qu. Who be the most Wise men of Speech Ans 1. Those that alwaies speake of God reverently 2. Those that speake charitably of Enemies 3. Those that be very discreet in praising others 4. Those that can reproove wisely and meekely 5. Those that keepe-close to the Truth in their Speeches 6. Those that speake sparingly in passions 7. Those which speake pertinently to the Matter in hand 9. Qu. Before whom must we be silent Ans 1. Before Magistrats in open Courts Acts 24.10 2. Before our Elders Iob 32.8 3. Before Fooles and Pratlers Pro. 26. 4. Before Malicious Scorners Matth. 7.6 10. Qu. What is the Cure of Idle words Ans 1. Wee must Reforme the Fountaine the Heart 2. Gett a strong perswasion of Gods presence 3. Be often examining our Speeches and repent 4. Take some time for serious Thoughts of Judgment 5. When we be to goe into Companie to pray before either solemnly or by some eiaculation 11. Qu. What Comfort belongs to them which doe in some measure bridle their Tongues Ans 1. There is a mightie worke wrought in them 2. Their Religion is sound not vaine Iames 1. 3. Their Praiers shall bee heard 2 Pet. 3.10.12 4. In GODS Accompt they bee wise Pro. 10.19 5. Before men they bee valiant manie have conquered Cities but not their Tongues 6. They have comfort in redeeming the Time they doe save their Wordes and Time together 7. These shall have Comfort at the Day of Judgment above Idle Talkers Matthew 12.36 12. Quest How may I Confer with others and speake Religiously Ans 1. You must get Wisedome to observe the Circumstances of Time and Place Persons and Matter 2. Converse with Love that by meeting together you may bee bettered not imbittered 3. By Meekenesse you must beare with one another 4. Be Humble in Speeches avoiding Boasting Obstinacie and Contradiction 5. Observe where you profit most and desire that Companie which hath not puzzelled you and distracted but edified comforted resolved and incouraged you 13. Quest Who are
men to Repentance Rom. 2.4 2. Pet. 3.9 2. To leave wicked men inexcusable having so long forborne them 3. That men might be encouraged and not despaire thus God was patient towards Paul for the example of others 1. Tim. 1.6 Sect. 3 Thirdly Of patience in good men PAtience is a gift of God whereby they beare evils present and looke for good things absent 1. It is a gift of God Iames 1.17 2. Whereby they beare eviâ—s at Gods hand being corrections or chastisements Or at mens hands being wrongs and injuries 3. A waiting for good things absent as the sense of Gods favour the accomplishment of Gods promises the consummation of future happinesse these with patience we doe waite for Patience may be farther considered 1. In the contrary to it 2. In the causes of it 3. In the effects First in the contrary of it The contrary to patience is fretting murmuring despairing cursing 1. Frâ—tting as Hammon because Mordecai bowed not to him 2. Murmuring as Israel for want of water 3. Despairing as Cain aâ—d Judas for want of grace to pray for pardon and patience to waite for an answer 4. Cursing as Goliah who could not refraine till hee came witâ—in the stroke of David but being impatient cursed him before he came at â—im 1. Sam. 17. Secondly consider patience in the Causes of it 1. Patience arises from the knowledge of Gods Soveraignty being perswaded of his disposing things below Psal 39.2 2. From the perswasion of Gods Wisedome and love that he will turne the event and conclusion to our good Rom. 8.28 3. From hope of glory Hope makes us patiently to waite Rom. 8.25 Thirdly consider patience in the effects of it 1. It quiets the heart in the time of trouble making those things easie which murmuring fretting and impatience doe make irksome and tedious The same David that was so vexed at Nabal was by patience calme at Shemei 2. Patience makes us to persevere when we finde not the present good we expected yet by patience we hold out when others by impatience draw backe Sect. 4 Fourthly Applications to edifie 1. GOds Patience should lead us to repentance God is patient towards all some are bettered by it that have grace they make a holy use of his gentlenesse and patience others are licentious because God deferres his punishmentts and their hearts are set in them to doe evill so they heape up wrath for themselves Let us bee wise and in the sunne-shine of his patience procure our owne peace get assurance of his favour that Gods patience may be prolonged our wisedome commended and our happinesse established 2. Admire Gods patience he came to Adam at the coole of the day shewing his patience He spared the old world 120 yeares hee hath spared us a long time 3. Let us be followers of God as deare children hee is a God of patience Rom. 15. 'T is the Divell hath great wrath and his instruments are given to rage Psal 2.1 The Saints are commended for their patience and though wee bee converted and know God yet we doe need patience Heb. 10. There is a passive obedience to suffer 't is patience must helpe â—s If we bring miseries on our selves then wee should exercise griefe if God lay them on us then use patience Are we troubled in mind we must be patient and wait Are we scandalized in our names we must be patient Have we lost our goods we must be patient Are our bodies sicke still we must be patient Patience is physick for all maladies a plaister for all sores a horse to beare all burthens Iob kept his patience and thankfulnesse when he lost all outward things 4. Here see the misery of the impatient they are as souldiers without armor as travellers without shooes stil they are wounded and pricked every word makes them take exception and every small crosse becomes heavy unto them Their ignorance and pride workes them more woe than all their miseries and they vexe themselves more than their enemies can doe A glasse or a knife broke or their dogge kicked or a scoffe cast on them torments them and they are in their mindes in an uproare like the Beare-garden they are like a sore ever aking and must not be touched they are unfit for the Crosse and farre from consolation they cannot enjoy themselves and are miserable wheresoever they are alwaies in danger to be baited with the Crosse and meete with vexations 5. Here we may try our selves whether we have attained patience Hath the head aked or the childe died or the Customer broke or the servant proved false hath some censured or falsly accused us have friends proved perfidious is trading decayed how doe we behave our selves doe we vexe and fret and looke to secondary causes complainâ—ng of the wickednesse of men and wish evill to them and fret at God under the name of hard destiny ill fortune doe wee seeke revenge on men by word or writing or law if we doe wee are not yet patient Patience will make us say it is the Lord let him doe what seemes good to him Patience opens not the mouth discontentedly but graciously Psalme 39.2 Patience blesses God in losse of all Patience quiets us in God at the worst 1 Sam. 30.6 Patience makes us with Saint Stephen pray for enemies Sect. 5 Fifthly Questions resolved Quest 1 HOw differs the Patience learned by Scripture and the patiâ—nce learned by Philosophy Answ The Patience the Scripture brings is a recompence of the study of the Scripture and is seconded with consolation from the promises in the Scripture and the hope of glory revealed in the Scripture Rom. 15.4 Philosophicall patience was sometimes Stoicall to submit to that is inevitable they wanted divine consolation and sound hope wanting the ground thereof the holy Scriptures Quest 2 How large must our patience be extended in respect of wrongs and injuries Answ Injuries are of three sorts 1. Those small wrongs which doe displease us 't is our honour and credit to passe them over Prov. 9.11 If small bryers take hold of our garments let us loosen them gently and goe on our way 2. A second sort that doe somewhat harme us in our persons goods and reputations these we may take notice of yet patiently beare them and forgive them Iohn 8.49 A third sort of violent injuries of adversaries both malicious and cruell wee may patiently submit to God yet use meanes by Law or force of Armes to defend our selves Quest 3 How farre should Master and Parents be patient before they correct Answ 1. They should use prayer example and instruction amongst their servants and children 2. Distinguish of faults of infirmity the faults of improvidence carelesnesse and obstinacy 3. Give warning first and winne them by gentlenes 4. Use correction with prayer and moderation in the last place Quest 4 How if they be base and vaine people that scandalize me how shall I be patient Answ 1. They have the lesse credit and will hardly
Workes of God p. 161 XXXII Of Angels p. 168 XXXIII Of the Heavens p. 174 XXXIV Of the Sunne p. 180 XXXV Of the Light p. 186 XXXVI Of the Moone p. 190 XXXVII Of the Stars p. 201 XXXVIII Of the Aire p. 211 XXXIX Of the Clouds p. 220 XL. Of the Raine-bow p. 225 XLI Of the Raine p. 231 XLII Of the Earth p. 238 XLIII Of the Water p. 249 XLIV Of the Fire p. 251 XLV Of Meteors p. 270 XLVI Of the Winds p. 274 XLVII Of Man p. 1 XLVIII Of the Soule p. 3 XLIX Of the Soules Immortalitie p. 5 L. Of the life of the Soule p. 6 LI. Of the death of the Soule p. 6 LII Of Gods Image on the Soule p. 12 LIII Of the Bodie p. 18 LIIII Of the Mortalitie of the Bodie p. 20 LV. Of the Immortalitie of the Bodie p. 22 LVI Of the Head p. 24 LVII Of the Eyes p. 28 LVIII Of the Eares p. 37 LIX Of the Mouth p. 43 LX. Of the Neck p. 55 LXI Of Armes and Shoulders p. 59 LXII Of the Hands p. 62 LXIII Of the Fingers and Thumb p. 65 LXIV Of the Back p. 66 LXV Of the Breast p. 68 LXVI Of the Bellie p. 71 LXVII Of the Thighes Legs and Feete p. 74 LXVIII Of Mediums p. 81 FINIS Of saving Knowledge 1. What Knowledge is 2. There is a Knowledge saves not 3. What saving Knowledge is 1. What Knowledge is Sect. 1 TO know is to understand to perceive to discerne Noscere Intelligere Percipere to comprehend Knowledge is the eye of the Soule we shaâ—l the better perceive what Knowledge is by the contrary to it and by comparisons Contraries to Knowledge The contrary to Knowledge and Understanding is Ignorance Jer. 4.22 Luke 19.42 The Comparisons may be to compare it with Prudence and Discretion Knowledge is to perceive to discerne Prudence is to dispose of things knowne both we doe read of Colos 1.9 Understanding to conceive wisedome to order to act to put in execution discretion is to moderate 't is exercised in measure and time Discretion it mitigates and qualifies and observes circumstances about the execution of things So then Knowledge is a discerner a receiving light a seeing a taking notice 't is to perceive and to understand Difference of knowledge Sect. 2 Difference of Knowledge THere is Knowledge that saves not as first the Knowledge of Devils Secondly the knowledg of Heathens Thirdly the knowledge of Hypocrites First of Devils they must be knowing creatures having so much meanes as all humane learning and having so great experience for above 5000. yeeres yet their knowledge is not saving First they have no application Secondly they have no comfort Thirdly they have no change so they know but not for their good Secondly there is the knowledge of Heathens First that there is a God they found by searching Causam causarum There must be a cause of causes which must be God Secondly they know this God must be worshipped Thirdly they know the creatures being good Astronomers Geographers they know the immortality of the Soule and could anatomize the body of man Their knowledge was not saving Reasons why heathenish knowledge is not saving 1. Because though they knew God yet they knew him not in Christ so came short of saving knowledge Iohn 17.3 Acts 4.12 2. They knew God was to be worshipped but knew not how for a right manner 3. They knew the creatures to their conviction Rom. 1.20 but not to their salvation 4. They knew man in the faculties and members and so did magnifie man and exalt him Whereas saving knowledge doth abase man being both a guilty and a filthy creature Thirdly there is the knowledge of Hypocrites who doe know there is a God and can distinguish the persons in the Trinity they know the two natures of Christ Law and Gospell the differences in Religion they are able to teach others their knowledge is not saving 1. Because it is attained by art industry reading Reasons why Hypocrites knowledge is not saving but not from the regenerating Spirit 2. It sinkes not in their hearts to humble and reforme them but rests in their braines to puffe them up Heb. 6 4. 1. Cor. 8.1 3. They hunger not thirst not for knowledge because they thinke they are rich and have enough or if they doe it is for base and carnall ends as first to please themselves with their speculations and to satisfie their curiosity Secondly to be able to discourse and so get applause at feasts and other meetings Thirdly to handle disputes and controversies so to get them a name Fourthly to censure the Preachers to contradict their Sermons to cavill and picke faults that so they might be esteemed men of Judgement Fiftly to gather Sects and to make schismes that they might be in some more esteeme or get some contributions and make a gaine of those silly ones they have deluded Sect. 3 3. What saving knowledge is SAving Knowledge is a worke of Gods Spirit on the faithfull opening their eyes to know God and themselves 1. It is a worke of God Spirit He is the Spirit of Revelation Ephes 1.17 By this Spirit we know the things of God 1. Cor. 2.12 2. On the Elect or faithfull for 't is the saved ones prove knowing ones 1. Tim. 2.4 Iohn 5.15 Others have not that light as they have Mat. 13.11 3. Their eyes are opened by the preaching of the Gospell Acts 26.18 As the Manna fell downe in the dew so the Spirit is conveyed by the Word Isai 35.5 By the preaching of the Gospell the eyes of the blinde shall be enlightned 4. They are brought to know God in ignorance and darknesse we did not know God 1. Sam. 2.12 Ephes 5.18 but being wrought upon by the Word and Spirit of God then they knew him savingly as that God will be mercifull to their sins Ier. 31.34 Heb. 8.11 5. They know themselves savingly first in their guiltinesse Rom. 5.12 Secondly in their corruption of nature Iob 14.4 Psal 51.5 Thirdly in their actuall sinnes Psal 40.12 Fourthly in this estate they know themselves lost Luk. 19.10 Fifthly they know the onely remedy is by Iesus Christ This knowledge is in the Elect. The Concomitants with saving knowledge 1. With application 2. Tim. 1.12 2. With renovation and change 2. Cor. 3.18 3. With great humility Iob 42.5 6. 4. With charity 1. Cor. 13.2 5. With practice Iohn 13.17 6. With consolation Jer 9.24 7. With contempt of the world Phil. 3.8 8. With satisfaction 1. Cor. 2.2 It satisfies as much yea more than all Arts and Mysteries or secrets Quest How is this saving knowledge attained Answ For answer consider three things How saving knowledge is attained 1. We have it not by Nature 2. We are attainers and receivers 3. The answer how we doe attaine it First we have it not by Nature for the image of God consisting in Knowledge Col. 3.10 we have
lost by Adams fall and though the Oxe knowes his owner and the Asse his Masters crib yet those naturall men that have most meanes of knowledge living in the visible Church are ignorant of God Isai 1.3 Ier. 4.21 As for Pagans they are more remote from saving knowledge and are said to be darknesse Ephes 5.8 full of darknesse Rom. 1.21 and to be without the Knowledge of God 1 Thes 4.5 Secondly we are receivers of saving knowledge being destitute of it in our selves It is given us from him who both gives every good giving and every perfect gift Iames 1.17 It is the Lord opens our eyes Acts 26.18 and gives us the spirit of Revelation Ephes 1.17 It is God shines into our hearts to give us the light of saving knowledge 2 Cor. 4.6 3. How we attaine saving knowledge 1. We attaine it freely without merit Gods Will is the cause wee know him and partake of mercy Ier. 31 33 34. 2. We obtaine saving knowledge by vertue of the new Covenant God hath promised this blessing to his people Heb. 8.11 3. Wee obtaine it by the Word published and preached Ier. 3.15 We are fed with knowledge not starved with ignorance 4. By our union with Christ in him are all the Treasures of knowledge and wee are enricht by our union and conformable to our Head in knowledge Col. 2.3 5. By the cohabitation of the spirit hee brings saving light with him 1. Iohn 2.20 As the Spirit is an unction for our honour and life and quickning so he is a Teacher to give light and direction Question How is saving knowledge preserved Answ 1. By the meanes that doe beget it the Word begets knowledge so the Word preserves it How it s preserved 2. It is preserved by exercise exercising our understanding to know studying heavenly things keepes knowledge from decay and addes to it 3. By committing our knowledge and our soules and all to keep to him is able to preserve us where we make a surrender there God is a Preserver 4. We tye things that we feare to lose tye the knowledge to the Rule and let the Knowledge and the Word be united as the Cause and the Effect 5. Fasten something to knowledge that it may abide fasten to it Humility Love and Practice then it will remaine 6. Conferre with others communicate what you know partake of others knowledge mutuall exchange makes a combination so we are more firme 7. Esteeme of knowledge as of your greatest treasure then your care will be to keepe your Jewell lock it up in a good conscience and it will bee safe and sure 8. Delight in knowledge and take pleasure in understanding then no price can buy it and wee shall still be conversant with it and never let it depart from us Question What is God This is one of the deepest questions in Religion It is reported of the heathen he required three dayes to answer then three dayes more still three more for the more he studied he found his weaknesse to answer Answer We soone may erre in our definition of God our errors herein are most dangerous if they be defended damnable Yet it is necessary to give an answer as wee are able 1. Because some will question Where is your God Psal 42.10 2. To stay our owne thoughts which are restlesse till we can conclude something concerning God our satisfaction is the more to know a glimpse of God and to perceive him wee may have this knowledge encreased a little here and much hereafter 3. In respect of the worship of God We must worship that we know John 4.22 t is reproved to worship an unknowne God Act 17 23. 1. To speake what God is the safer way is to declare negatively what he is not He is not Mortall Corporall Corruptible thus we ascribe to him all excellency 2. To know what God is let us search the Scripture for his word can best testifie of him Psalme 138.2 Iohn 5.39 3. We must conclude all we can know of God is but in part here in this life We heare of him but a little portion Job 26.14 Wee know in part and see but darkly as through a perspective glasse 1. Cor. 13.12 4. The end of our study to know God should bee for to glorifie him by our acknowledgement of him to bee the onely and absolute Lord admiration of his excellency praising of him in our speeches actions sufferings of which we shall consider in the next place It will the better be answered if we consider 1. What he is not 2. What he is First God is not 1. Created 2. Visible 3. Comprehended 1. God is not created but the Creator Gen. 1.1 1. What God is not 1. not created All we can conceive of or number is comprehended under two heads the Creator and the Creatures God is the Creator all besides himselfe are Creatures both the Angels the heavens the earth and all things in them whatsoever 2. God is not visible our bodies cannot see a spirit 2. Not visible God is a most pure and spirituall Essence therefore cannot be seene 3. God is not comprehended our capacity is too shallow to conceive of him he is invisible to our bodies 3. Not comprehended and incomprehensible to our soules Quest What meane you by Incomprehensible Answ The word Incomprehensible signifies that wich cannot be found out or numbred Tremelius and Junius use a word in Psalme 145.3 Pervestigationem esse which is a finding out To shew the meaning of Gods incomprehensiblenesse he saith Magnitudini ejus non esse pervestigationem his greatnesse is incomprehensible that is cannot be found out Wilson expounding Incomprehensible saith 't is that the World cannot containe nor mans wit conceive 2. What God is Secondly what God is 1. He is the Creator of all things 2. Invisible to the eye 3. Incomprehensible to the minde 1. He is a Creator First he is a Creator of all things therefore is to be separated from the creatures in our distinctions and is above the creatures in priority of dignity and time To create is to worke without instruments or materials What it is to create Applications 1. To conceive of God as a Creator above all created Natures whatsoever Rom. 11.36 Of him through him and for him are all things Of him as the first Cause by him as the Preserver for him as their End wherfore they were made Of him without any mover by him without a helper for him and none other cause 2. Not to contend withâ—â—â— our Creator about his Decrees or proceedings this is to bring a woe upon our selves Rom. 9.20 to strive with our Maker Isai 45.9 3. To praise and glorifie him for this because he created all things Revel 4 11. Thou art worthy to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things Secondly God is invisible to the eye Iohn 1.18 No man hath seene God at any time 2. He
't is a good God a good word preached a good Religion professed because they doe see good workes expressed 2. In particular to honour God with our riches Prov. 3.9 to maintaine Gods Worship Exod. 35.22 Also to do good to his ministers 2. King 4.10 that they may be incouraged in the Law of the Lord. 2 Chron. 31.4 to to do good to many poore Ecclesiastes 11.2 that thanks may be rendred by many and God may be praised and glorified 2. Cor. 9.12 13. Thirdly Wee must glorifie God among men by our sufferings 1. In holding on our course 2. Being patient and meeke 3. Praying for our Persecutors 4. Laying downe our lives for the truth thus suffering we shall glorifie God Iohn 21.19 Of Gods Subsistence 1. What Subsistence is 2. That God doth Subsist 3. The manner of his Subsistence 4. Vses to Edification First What Subsistence is AS there is a being so there is a subsistence in that being which subsistence is to be upheld in a well being without decay diminishing or declyning hee that doth so doth honourably subsist There may bee a declining yet body and soule may hang together so the subsistence is weak but he that declines not but holds his owne falls not backe nor decayes that person subsists happily not onely in being but also in a well being 2. God doth subsist independantly immutably without decay or diminution hee is Iehovah and changeth not he is as Holy Powerfull and Wise and Rich and Glorious and every way Perfect and Blessed as ever he was Heb. 1.3 without interruption he depends not on second causes as we doe all creatures subsist by him he beares them up and continues them therefore they subsist Psal 119.91 He himselfe subsisted when there was no wâ—â—ld John 17.5 and can subsist if all were dissolved againe He can put an end to the Creatures and give them subsistence againe so then he subsists of himselfe and all Creatures doe subsist by his will and power and no otherwise 3. The manner of subsisting Time The Father subsists first not in time but in order In the manner of working Manner the Father workes from himselfe the Sonne from the Father the Holy Ghost from them both Proprieties they differ in their Personall proprieties The Father subsists unbegotten the Sonne begotten the Holy Ghost proceeding The Vses are these 1. To shew us the difference of Gods Subsistence and ours He subsists of himselfe we by him He before time we in time He subsists independant we depend on him He subsists without composition and is immutable we are compounded of the foure Elements in regard of our bodies of body and soule in regard of our persons He subsists without meanes we by meanes and his blessing on meanes He is alwaies the same subsisting we must be dissolved buried raised glorified and subsist eternally by him 2. Vse This shewes the happinesse of Gods servants he ever doth subsist to direct them to protect them to enrich them and to reward them Great men on earth doe not subsist alwaies sometimes their wealth decayes sometimes their breath decaies they decaying themselves their followers cannot honourably subsist But it is not so with the Lord he cannot decay in riches nor time he subsists alwaies his yeares faile not Psalme 102.28 3. Vse In our decayes let us have recourse to God he alwaies subsists and beares up the whole World wee need prayer more than shifting and using unlawfull meanes in our decayes God can make us subsist in life Psalme 66.9 and in grace Psalme 41.12 Let us therefore in our decayes have recourse to him that wee may subsist Of the Simplenesse of God THere are properties attributed to God for two causes one to make himselfe the better knowne to us the other to distinguish him from other titular gods and from all other things Simplenesse is one of the incommunicable properties of God 'T is a Theologicall word used for demonstration or distinction Consider 1. What is meant by Simplenesse 2. That God is of a Simple nature 3. Conclusions drawne from it 4. Questions answered 5. Vses for Edification Sect. 1 First What is meant by Simplenesse TO be simple among men is a want of wit capacity A want of discretion Prov. 1.4 To give to the simple sharpnesse of wit Hierom reads it a childe Iunius reads it a foole because both Children and Fooles are simple of such 't is spoken Prov. 9.16 Who so is simple let him come hither These simple ones are both unskilfull and easily perswaded 2. Simple is to be plaine hearted voyde of wicked ploâ—s and devices The Lord preserves the simple ones Psalm 116.6 These are simple concerning evill Rom. 16.19 These are as if they knew not how to deceive this is a commendable simplicity Thus we see that simplenesse is to be voyd of parts or to be voyd of the abuse of those parts of Wit and Knowledge that is bestowed on us 3. Simplenesse is a singlenesse without composition or mixture opposed to that is double or of severall kinds or sorts Water is a Simple but put into it Salt or Wine 't is a Compound because there are more kinds than one To be a Simple wee take it to bee without guile fraud or deceit 2. Sam. 15.11 There were with Absolon men simple in heart or upright in minde Integro animo Sect. 2 Secondly That God is of a simple Nature GOD is of a simple Nature Hee is a pure Essence called I am that I am Exodus 3.14 Light and is without all darknes 1. Ioh. 1.5 There is in God no mixture or composition in the least degree Hee is one God Light without darknesse strong without weaknesse wise without folly pure without the least spot upright without guile c. Sect. 3 Thirdly Conclusions drawne from Gods Simplenesse 1. WE gather hence that there is perfection in him He is simple of himselfe without any addition 2. Being a pure simple Essence hee must needs be invisible Our eyes are not able to behold a Spirit that is created much lesse him that is a most pure Spirit excelling them all in the simplenesse and purity of his Nature 3. He must be eternall and everlasting 't is Compositions doe bring a dissolution God is simple without composition therefore uncreated and uncapable of dissolution 4. Hence wee may gather that God is immutable That which changes is by adding to it or taking from it but God is a simple Eâ—sence so pure and perfect that nothing can be added to him nor taken from him Sect. 4 Fourthly Some Questions answered Quest TO be simple is to bee of singlenesse of one sort How is God so seeing there are three persons in the God-head Answ 1 If there were a Triplicity in the God-head there would be sorts of persons but 't is a Trinity of one intire simple Essence 1. Iohn 5.7 These three are one one in Nature Time Operation distinguished not divided Object 2 You said
perfect in the superlative degree to the utmost to whom can be no addition hee is so compleatly perfect in his Essence Attributes and all his Workes 1. In his Essence having a perfect blessed absolute and independant being richly gloriously joyfully immutably 2. His Attributes which demonstrate him are all perfect He is perfectly eternall without beginning or end perfectly Almighty working without materials perfectly wise knowing all secrets perfectly mercifull in forgiving fully giving freely liberally aboundantly c. 3. Perfect in his workes Perfection is to accomplish and finish so is he perfect He finisht the worke of Creation Gen. 2.1 Hee then beheld his worke as compleate and * Willet on Gen. 2.1 page 15. Ainsworth perfect He finisht that is he perfected Ainsworth on Genesis So Moses saith Perfect is the work of the Lord Deut. 32.4 That is without blame or blemish Sect. 3 Thirdly Questions and Answers Quest 1 WHy did God make the World having all perfection in himselfe before Answ 1. To manifest his glory to the Creatures We onely acknowledge that that is in him which we cannot adde to him 2. For his Wills sake all was created It was his pleasure that is answer sufficient Rev. 4.11 Quest 2 How is Christ perfect seeing many of his mysticall body are not yet gathered to him and many are unborne Answ 1. He hath a Divine perfection being God 2. He is perfect in his Humane Nature in glory 3. He is perfect relatively as hee is a Head having perfect Wisedome Glory and Holinesse so that of his fulnesse we receive our measure Iohn 1.16 from him which hath not the Spirit of measure Iohn 3.24 4. Hee is perfect in his body in regard of Decree growth certainty and the accomplishment dayly drawes on 'T is decreed growing dayly and increasing certaine as good as done God calls things that are not as though they were c. Quest 3 How are Gods workes all perfect when some are borne blinde or lame or naturall fooles Answ 1. God in the beginning made all his workes good and perfect 2. All imperfections in Nature are from sinne and punishments 3. There may be a perfect worke in the wombe yet some secondary cause may hinder perfection in the birth 4. Wee are to conclude that the workes of God are perfect though we cannot finde out a Reason of his doings He is not to accompt to us Concerning defects of understanding in naturall fooles 1. The Creator may give wisedome and deprive of knowledge as he pleases and measure to every one after his owne Will 2. It is just that we should be all borne fooles having lost our wisedome by Adams fall 3. The Parents may be punishe with foolish children for divers Causes 1. Having over-eagerly desired children they may have a childe but a foole 2. For neglect of God and his service and the heaping up of wealth as the chiefe good they may be punisht with a foole for the Heire 3. Some children are fooles to teach us wisedome that as we mislike their naturall folly so we should detest our owne spirituall folly and to teach us thankfulnesse by seeing his Iudgement on others and well to use our Wit and Reason which he hath given us and exercise our mercy as to helpe them that are defective Quest 4 Are not the regenerate perfect in this life Answ No for grace and peace must be multiplied to them Gods grace towards them and his peâ—ce in them is capable of augmentation †Grace in their apprehension and they are to â—â—â—rease more and more 1. Thes 4 1. And the best had need to grow in grace 2. Pet. 3.18 Quest 5 Why then is perfeâ—â—ion named in the Scripture Mat. 5.48 Philip. 3 15. Heb. 6.1 Answ 1. Precepts shew not what we are but what wee should be 2. These precepts should put us in minde of our originall perfection and humble us God calls for what he gave us but we have lost it 3. These precepts are for excitation to stirre us up to be better and to presse forward Quest 6 May we not strive to be like God in perfection Mat. 5.48 We are bid to be perfect as God is Answ We are to be like him in resemblance not equality There is as he is in equality that which is impossible there is as he is in resemblance so the drop resembles the vaste Ocean Quest 7 What is the Christians perfection Answ 1. To bewayle his imperfection from the heart 2. There is perfection of parts and perfection of degrees A childe hath perfection of parts a man or * In his body growth 3. His perfection is in desire and endeavour a man may aime at the Sunne though his Arrow ascend but forty Ells upwards 4. He is perfect comparatively as Noah was a perfect man in his generation Gen. 6.9 5. He is perfect in Gods account being justified and Christs perfection imputed Quest 8 Who are the most perfect men on earth Answ Those that come the nearest to the rule of perfection such are they 1. Which have sound experimentall knowledge 2. That with most freedome of Spirit and the least distractions doe performe holy duties 3. That are most conversant with God in their inner man and are most heavenly minded 4. That are most patient and ready to forgive an acknowledgment of a wrong yea Iames 1.4 without acknowledgment and pray for persecutors and are sorry when evill befalls their particular enemies and are ready to helpe them 5. That are most in charity doing the workes of their callings with love to others that are least censorious because of the largenesse and soundnesse of their charity Object 2 We must not call evill good Isai 5. Answ Then we must not cal their rashnes wisdome nor their prejudice zeale nor are they to be justified that speake so much of othâ—â— errors that they are in danger to forget their owne their perfection is more devotion in the closet lesse talke at the table the want of perfections in the world begets great imperfections in them and they are delivered without a midwife it were good if they did herein miscarry Quest 9 Are not those most perfect that are united to Christ Answ They are and doe draw vertue from him whereby they shine in the aforesaid Iustification and in other vertues to the example of others Quest 10 What course may wee take to draw nearer to perfection Answ 1. We must set before us the best patterne 2. Keepe close to the rule of the word 3. Minde our particular duties in our places as souldiers in the army keepe ranke and letters in the line are of an evennesse 4. Forget thats behinde endeavour to goe forward against corruptions temptations persecutions 5. Use the holy meanes with holy preparations and affections 6. To doe all good better than before with more heedfulnesse reverence and better aimes 7. Examined daily the temper of the heart and be ever weeding that garden 8. The
troope on a sudden to follow them especially women and youth 8. They are most bitter against them that oppose them 9. They ever make a gaine of those silly ones which they seduce 10. Observe them awhile they come to disgrace and deny what they held or else cast it in a new mould and mince it and alter it and tell us they were not rightly understood when the Truth meetes with them then they are put to their shifts and silenced by the verity or authority or both Quest 6 How may a Christian honour the Truth Answ By embracing it in love professing it in sincerity shunning Heresies Schisme Hypocrisie profanenesse Apostacy walking in holinesse humility meekenesse righteousnesse wisedome and patience Of Mercy 1. What Mercy is 2. The mercy of the unreasonable creatures 3. The mercy of men both had man good men 4. The mercy of God 5. Applications to edifie 6. Questions resolved Sect. 1 First what Mercy is MErcy is a pittying of them that are in misery Mercy and Misery are Relatives were there no want nor trespasse there needed no mercy mercy is in the affection or expression in the affection it is tearmed bowels of mercy in the expression workes of mercy Sect. 2 Secondly of the mercy of the unreasonable Creatures THey have a kinde of mercy in their natures to their owne kind or to other kinds First to their owne kind so every Creature with a tendernesse nourishes their yong the Dragons nourish their young and the Beares licke their whelpes to their owne shape and suckle them 2. The creatures shew mercy to other kinds Some say the Lyon preyes not so soone or not at all on the yeelding creatures the Thunder passes over the yeelding Reed and rends the sturdy Oake ‖ D. Bartas The Hawke resting all night by the Larke flyes another way in the morning being gratefully mercifull to the little bird Those that read in naturall Histories can say much of this Sect. 3 Thirdly the mercy of men NAturally we being children of wrath have lost the disposition to mercy wicked men are cruell not mercifull Prov. 12.10 One man is a Wolfe to another unlesse God restraines us Cain and Absolon did kill their owne brothers Hazael and Ravilliack * Ravilliacke killed Henry the fourth their Kings Iudas betrayes his Lord and Master Saul kills all the Priests c. Some are restrained for the good of humane society but all the mercy of a naturall man is for bad ends or constrained The truely mercifull man is the regenerate man these have found mercy from God and are mercifull to others these by meditation or visitation are moved to mercy and exercise it by counselling the ignorant comforting the dejected soule relieving the needy and sometimes their mercy is exercised in forgiving as well as giving Sect. 4 Fourthly of the mercy of God MErcy is essentiall in God Hee is the fountaine of mercy the Father of mercies Here wee may for method consider 1. The cause of Gods mercy no cause in us no cause out of himselfe he hath mercy on whom he will Rom. 9.18 His owne good pleasure is the cause 2. The kinds of mercies his mercies are generall to all or speciall to his elect Math. 5. 1 Tim. 1.15 3. The effects of his mercy is all the good that the Creature doth enjoy all is of mercy not merit 4. The largenesse of his mercy He is great in mercy Psal 119 156. Rich in mercy Ephes 2.4 5. The seasonablenesse of his mercy He shews mercy in due time Ps 9. In the Mount he will be seene Gen. 22.14 When our feet slip his mercy will helpe us Ps 94.18 6. The variety of his mercies on every faculty of our soules and member of our bodies His mercies are multitudes Psal 51.1 7. The constancy of his mercy it is for ever Psalme 136.1 Isai 54.8 Psal 52.1 2. Sect. 5 Fifthly Applications to edifie From the unreasonable creatures 1. IF unreasonable Creatures doe shew mercy to their young ones it condemneth the cruelty of those Harlots that make away their young children or lay them in the streete and leave them they adde to their filthinesse cruelty and are to be ranked among those vile sinners Rom. 1.31 that are without naturall affections Also the Storke and * The young Hart carries water in the mouth to give the old one D Bartas saith Hart shew mercy to their old Dammes and Sires condemning churlish children which are cruell to their old Parents From the wicked 2. If the mercies of the wicked be cruell then never trust to their mercy for there is no assurance thereof pray to God that we fall not into their hands Zedekia's eyes were pulled out so were Sampsons they rip up women with child they burne and destroy where they get the upper hand 3. We may ghesse at a sound professor by his mercy many have great blazes but no mercies pride and pompe and belly-cheere and vanity takes up their hearts and purses they are much for curiosity but little for mercy but a good man is mercifull Psal 37. 1. He considers the poore and needy he judges wisely of their estates Psal 41.1 2. He hath thoughts to doe them good hee devises how to be liberall Isaiah 32. 3. He considers his owne ability Acts 11.29 4. He considers his brothers necessity Rom. 12. 5. Hee lookes to his relation beginning at his center and working toward his circumference as first Among them the houshold of faith Gal. 6.13 Secondly our families 1. Tim. 5.8 Thirdly our Country-men Psalme 122.8 Fourthly the stranger we must do good to all using discretion in our doing good Psal 112. Vse 5 Fifthly is God mercifull this should teach us 1. To praise God for his mercy Psal 136.1 above all mercies for our redemption this mercy was promised Luke 1.72 and in tender mercy performed Luk. 1.78 by this mercy we that were blinde and ignorant are holpen by Christ who is our wisedome we that were guilty are justified by him he is our righteousnesse we that were polluted have him for our holinesse we that were captives have him for redemption 1 Cor 1.30 2. We should imitate God by being mercifull Luk. 6.36 the more mercy the more like God 3. We are to be humble because wee need mercy for we are poore and neede mercy Rev. 3.17 wee are transgressors and neede mercy Isaiah 48.8 4. We should labour for those qualifications that we may be under the promises of mercy and be assured of mercy As these following 1. To confesse our sinnes and forsake them Prover 28.13 2. To feare God his mercy is on them that feare him Luke 1.50 3. To love God hee shewes mercy to them that love him Exod. 20.6 4. To trust in God then mercy shall compasse us Psal 32.10 5. To thinke on good things then wee shall have mercy Prov. 14.22 6. To be mercifull then we shall obtaine mercy Matth. 5.7 7. To keepe close to the
hath enough for himselfe and all that doe come unto him 3. To sue and intreate for his favour All desire to be happy and they sue to have relation to great ones whom they judge to be in felicity and if they can get to be retemers or houshold servants they thinke themselves in a happy condition especially if they can get the affection of their Lord towards them above others Gaine this and gaine all namely the favour of this blessed God then all that we have shall be sweete all that wee want shall be supplyed with the sence of his love wheresoever we are wee are happy whatsoever we doe we shall be blessed in our deed doing it in way of obedience 4. This shews us who are the truely blessed and happy ones those that are the children of the blessed God A blessed Father he is and his children must needs be blessed They are the blessed of the Lord that made Heaven and Earth Psal 115.15 1. They are all of them blessed Psal 128.1 2. They are assuredly blessed Psal 128.4 3. Sometimes they are apparantly blessed which is evident by their unexpected conversion their eminent graces and famous deliverances 4. Sometimes they are sensibly blessed this is known to themselves by their sweet consolations and to others by their fervent praising of God 5. They shall be eternally blessed the perfection and consummation of blessednesse shall come upon them to their happinesse Mat. 25.34 Fifthly this should informe us to seeke blessednesse after a right manner 1. Let us lay the foundation of our happinesse in the pardon of our sinnes Psal 32.1 2. 2. Seeke blessednesse by beleeving Luke 1.55 Blessed is hee that beleeved Galat. 3.9 They that are of Faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham No faith no Christ no Christ no blessednesse Happinesse is by being united to Christ by faith 3. Labour for divine qualifications to evidence to our selves and others that we are blessed here and prepared for blessednesse hereafter As these 1. Poverty of spirit 2. Purenesse of heart 3. Meeknesse to beare wrongs 4. Patience to suffer 5. Spirituall hunger and thirst Matth. 5.4 the beginning 6. The feare of God Psalme 128.1 7. Meditation in Gods Law Psalme 1.2 8. Diligence in our places Mat. 24.46 9. Obedience to the Truth preached to us Luk. 11.28 10. To be raised from our sinnes Revel 20.6 11. To give to others Acts 20.25 12. To doe that our consciences call for and avoide that which our consciences cry against Rom. 14.22 13. To struggle with our tentations to victory James 1.12 14. To be very watchfull circumspect Rev. 16.15 Sect. 5 Fifthly Questions resolved Quest 1 WHat reason can you give that happinesse is not in the creature Answ 1. Because it cannot give satisfaction 2. They last but a season 3. They shelter us not from wrath Quest 2 Are not your merry jocund fellows happy Answ No for their mirth is but madnesse when 't is sinfull and as Lightning it blasts their goodnesse being soone past away Quest 3 Were not those Heathen happy that attained to morall vertues Answ They were more happy than bruitish sensuall ignorant and vicious Heathen yet not so happy as weake Christians whose vertues proceed from justifying faith are regulated by the Scriptures are a part of Regeneration and referred to the glory of God Quest 4 If Christians be most happy why are they so unchearefull Answ 1. It may be their joy is inward 2. They may be in the worke of mortification 3. They grieve for others sinnes and miseries 4. Some infirmities lie upon them as the sicknesse of their soules which hinders their joy 5. They finde themselves soone to erre in externall mirth and then they are growne more circumspect yet not male-content nor uncheerefull Quest 5 If happinesse here is to have divine qualifications how is it that some cannot endure to heare of qualifications Answ 1. Because they are led by errour and not by Scripture 2. They are ignorant that the same Spirit that seales them doth qualifie them as the same fire that gives heate gives light 3. They doe want qualifications themselves and in their frenzy oppose them in others out of their grossenesse and ignoraâ—ce 4. They have qualifications among themselves as 1. The qualification of Vagrants for they will be boundlesse and know no law for rule 2. The qualification of Atheists they say God sees no sinne in the justified 3. They have the qualification of divels to accuse the brethren and oppose faithfull preachers Thus they can admit of qualifications of abhomination but cannot endure qualifications of sanctification Quest 6 What is our happinesse at death Answ 1. That we have walked before God Isaiah 38. 2. That we have kept the faith 3. That there is prepared for us a Crowne 2. Tim. 4.8 Quest 7 What is our happinesse after death Answ 1. Our Soules shall bee accompanied to Heaven with good Angels and good workes the one to deliver their charge the other to receive their reward 2. Our bodies shall be raised at the last day in glory 3. Both body and soule shall be freed from sinne and ill company and all misery and we shall enjoy the presence of God the fulnesse of joy with the Angels and Saints and so be made immortally happy and blessed beyond that we now can comprehend Of Hatred 1. The description of it 2. The distinctions of it In persons in things in causes in degrees 3. Of Gods hating 4. Applications 5. Questions resolved Sect. 1 First What Hatred is IT is a disliking detesting and avoiding things contrary to us to our nature liking and welfare Hatred is of things contrary to us as God hates sinne being contrary to 1. His Nature 2. His Law 3. His Honour Man hates contrary to fight and feeling as stripes and torments and death and sicknesse contrary to our being or wel-being So then Hatred is a disliking a desire of separation a detesting a flying off that which we apprehend to be against us and our good Sect. 2 Secondly the distinctions of Hatred in persons IN God 't is most pure and holy what hee doth is good his will is the rule of righteousnesse nothing is in him or that proceeds from him but that is most righteous holy and good Hatred in man is sometimes a lawfull affection Psal 97.11 Yee that love the Lord hate evill Againe there is hatred causlesse as some hate cheese some hate some fruites which in themselves are lovely but the contrariety and hatred is in their natures this is in vegetables in beasts in fowles and fishes as between the Vine and the Colewort betweene the Serpent and the Spider c. So men of accursed natures hate God Rom. 1. hate Light Iohn 3. hate good men Psal 34. hate goodnesse without just cause as Caine hated Abel And there is a cause makes men hate as Iosephs brethren hated him because they thought his fathers love would be removed from them to him So
our conceits capacities and inventions T is the Court of the glorious God compared to a City whose gates are pearles whose walls precious stones the streets gold the inhabitants are Kings there is the glory of Gods presence all is light and day and no darknesse nor night 't is the kingdome of glory there are Crownes of glory laid up for vessels of mercy prepared for glory 3. Of the glory of the visible heavens the heavens have the preheminence and are the most excellent the waters excell the earth the aire excells the water and the heavens for largenesse clearenesse purâ—nesse excell all under them and have this honor to declare the glory of God Psal 19.1 4. The ornaments of heaven are glorious the sunne is glorious in magnitude brightnesse swiftnesse efficacy and operation enlightning and heating the aire exhaling the waters quickning the earth and making fruitfull the earth with trees herbes and plants c. The Moone hath her glory though it be borrowed and her excellency appeares in the darke when we most need her light in the Canticles her fairenesse is commended 1. Cor. 15. and shee is one of the glorious workes of God The Starres have glory differing one from another and adorne the heavens with their bespangled brightnesse like a curious embroydered Canopy glorious to our eyes The Earth hath the glory of stability riches and variety among all that are taken out of it man is a glorious peece of workmanship whose foundation 〈…〉 the dust young mens glory is their strength and the glory of the aged is the gray-head Princes have their glory and great men according to their dignity but among men none have the glory and honor like to the regenerate man he is honorable by faith Iohn 1.12 and is glorious within they are changed from glory to glory 2. Cor. 3. they have a glorious head Iames 2.1 a glorious guard Heb. 1. last vers glorious food Gods ordinances glorious apparell Christs righteousnesse they are called the glory Isai 4.5 the spirit of glory rests on them 1. Pet. 4. they are heires of glory The Sea hath his glory for largenesse and terriblenesse and strength carrying the mighty ships there sports the great Leviathan and there are fishes innumerable The sea hath his proud waves of great height and quantity yet is honorable for this that it keeps within his bounds at the Creators command Sect. 3 Thirdly Of the glory of the Creator HIs glory is essential he is clothed with Majesty and glory Ps 104.1 so glorious is the Lord that the very angels cover their faces before him The Father is called the God of glory Acts 7.1 if the whole Trinity be there meant the Father is not excluded Christ is called our glorious Lord Iesus Christ Iames 2.1 The holy Ghost is called the spirit of glory 1. Pet. 4.14 all the gâ—ory in the creatures is but as a drop compared with the Ocean he had glory before there was a world Ioh. 17.5 and all creatures can adde nothing to his glory for it is not capable of addition he doth manifest his glory to the creatures and we give him glory by taking notice of his excellency and râ—ndering praises and acknowledging that is in him already Sect. 4 Fourthly Questions resolved Quest 1 WHerein doe men most usually glory Answ In wisedome strength riches Ier. 9.23 Quest Why doe men glory in their wisedome Answ 1. Their wisedome and knowledge puffes them up 1. Cor. 8.1 cognitio inflat knowledge makes them swolne and filled with winde they looke on their bulke and bignesse and doe forget they want the substance of faith and love 2. They thinke by their wisedome to doe great matters to suppresse those they would not have rise Exodus 1.10 3. When they effect their enterprises and get into favour or prevaile against those they hate that they applaud their wits like those that sacrifice to their nets Habbak 1.16 Quest 3 Why doe men glory in their strength Answ 1. Because they compare themselves with those are weake and feeble 2. They overmaster others and command them and glory in that strength and power which subdued them 3. They thinke to prevent and withstand those which dare oppose them Quest 4 Why doe men glory in their riches Answ 1. Because of the supposed good they thinke riches can procure them as friends places of preferments costly buildings dainty fare many attendants and servitors and to become as the great men of the earth 2. Because of the supposed evill they thinke riches will free them from Prov. 11.11 therefore t is said riches in their imagination is as a strong City and a high wall to shelter them 3. They have thoughts of the perpetuity of their riches to their posterity Psalm 49. contriving to assure them to their childrens children 4. Because they see others sue to them stand with cap and knee before them runne and goe at their becke affraid to displease them these causes make them glory in riches Quest 5 What is it to glory in God Answ T is to have an inward joy manifested by outward expressions Psal 33.21 so the word signifies Laetatur and Psalm 34.2 my soule shall glory in the Lord 1. Cor. 1.31 That he that glorieth may glory in the Lord we must not arrogate to our selves but all to God he is wisedome to our understanding righteousnesse to justifie us sanctification to renew us and redemption to our bodies and soules 1. God is our wisedome to teach us knowledge and give us light 2. Cor. 4.6 2. God is our strength Psal 59.17 3. God is our riches and our portion Psalm 119.57 therefore we should glory in him Quest 6 What is vaine glory Answ It is when a man seekes his owne glory as the end hee aimes at Iohn 7.18 He that speaketh of himselfe seeketh his owne glory Prov. 25.27 To seeke diligently * Pervestigari our owne glory is no glory glory and honour may bee enjoyed but we must not seeke it earnestly from men then it is vaine if wee seeke it then it must be in the second place moderately orderly else it is vaine a fruit of the flesh and it is sought from vaine men it is most uncertaine and gives no sound satisfaction being vaine Quest 7 What is the right way to seeke glory Answ 1. To abase our selves then we shall be exalted and honoured 1. Pet. 5.6 2. To grow stronger in faith Iohn 1.12 3. To practise good workes Matth. 5.16 Acts 10.4 Quest 8 What kinde of workes doe glorifie God Answ 1. To repent and turne from sinne Revel 16.9 2. To give to the poore Prov. 3.9 3. To sanctifie the Sabbath Isaiah 58.13 4. To praise the Lord. Psalme â—o last verse Quest 9 How may we know wee doe seeke the glory of God Answ 1. Though our selves be commended wee are displeased if we see not honour redound to the Lord. 2. We are content to lose that God may gaine honor 3. Though
THey were made in the beginning Gen. 1.1 there is first eternity secondly time thirdly beginning is the entrance of time fourthly there is end fifthly there is everlasting being indeed eternity againe eternity is before and after time time we doe live in beginning brings forth time end consummates time everlasting swallowes up time Reflections 1. Discerning 1. I see the difference of the Creator and the creatures none is eternall but God he had no beginning nor shall have ending Psalm 90.2 he is from everlasting to everlasting 2. Consideration 2. Once there was no time and an end will come and time shall be no more Revel 10.6 In this my day cause me O Lord to consider the things belong to my peace on this moment depends eternity cause me wel to spend my space of time and to take advantage of the opportunities of time that doing thy will in this world I may in the next world be eternally happy 3. Preparation 3. My beginning of time was my birth my measure of time is my life my end of time is my death my account for time is my judgement Oh that my waies were direct and straight that the midst might agree with both ends I was borne humble and meeke and so I must dye So let me live O Lord remembring the shortnesse swiftnesse preciousnesse and irrecoverablenes of time that is past is gone that to come is uncertaine time present is minâ— which I desire so to spend that it may appeare I had grace and time together Sect. 4 Fourthly for what all things were made THe blessed God made all things for his owne sake Prov. 16.4 He made them not because hee needed them he was essentially happy without them nor doe the Creatures adde to his glory onely wee acknowledge that is in God already the end God aimed at in the cretion was to make himselfe knowne to the creatures and that the Creatures should acknowledge him and give him glory Reflections 1. What cause have I to seeke his glory 1. Seeke the glory of God as my utmost end by such meanes as his word teacheth mee Cause me oh Lord to confesse my sinnes and so to give glory unto thee to turne from sinne that I may repent and give glory unto thee oh worke faith in my heart and let me be strentghened therein that I may give glory to thee and let my light so shine before men that they may be stirred up to glorifie thee grant that I may honour thee by sanctifying thy Sabbaths and by being fruitfull in grace let my praises glorifie thee and my wealth and my death if I bee called to suffer for thy truth 2. Of all sinnes to take heede of pride 2. Beware of Pride and vaine glory glory belongs to God to us shame and confusion God will not give his glory to another if man doe take it it will bee his destruction Lord purge out all pride and selfe-seeking out of my heart and whatsoever I doe let me labour to give thee all the honour and glory I am able 3. God aimed at his glory in the first place 3. How to aime at glory in his workes I am to aime at my glory in the last place in all my workes First Gods glory must be my aime next I must minde my duty and lastly my glory my reward when I beginne I must looke to the glory of God when I worke I must looke to the rule if I faint or be discouraged or indisposed Heb. 12.2 I may looke to the joy before me the glory prepared for me being the recompence of reward So much in generall Of Angels 1. Of their Nature 2. Of their number 3. Of their office 4. Divers errors concerning the Angels 5. Why Christ is called an Angel Sect. 1 First of the Nature of Angels NAture is the quality and disposition and motion which God variously giveth to the creatures to the heavens a firmnesse to the sunne a brightnesse to the water moystnesse the stone descends the fire ascends men have reason and Angels have swift motion all by nature the Toad is poysonous the Serpent is wise the Dove is meeke all by nature The Nature of Angels is spirituall incorporeall Luke 24.39 without flesh and bones They are 1. Substances 2. Excellent being Spirits 3. Invisible being Spirits 1. They are substances though we cannot make dimensions to measure their length and bredth yet wee learne they are spirituall natures reall substances having a true being a distinct essence 2. They are excellent natures excellent for holines (a) Mark 8.38 excellent for beauty (b) Acts 6.15 excellent for strength (c) Ps 103.20 excellent for wisedome (d) 2 Sam. 14.17 excellent for swiftnesse being said to have wings to declare their swift motion celerity exâ—edition (e) Isai 6.2 Thirdly they are invisible their matter and nature is so pure that our sence is not able to discerne if an Angell were before our eyes in the brightest light with the best advantage we could not see him For a corporeall view cannot apprehend a spirituall object of such an excellent nature Reflexions If the nature of Angels be so excellent Note 1. To admire Gods nature what is the Nature of the Lord of Angels 1. His Nature is uncreat theirs is an excellent but created Nature 2. His nature is independant the Angels nature is by participation 3. Gods nature is his essence and eternall theirs is begun once they had no being 4. Gods nature is every where at once theirs is by locall mutation and limitation 5. Gods nature is Omnipotent Angels can doe much but they cannot doe all things Secondly let me looke to Christ 2. To looke to Christ and there see my advantage he hath advanced our humane nature uniting it to the God-head so that those Spirits and holy natures are content to be Ministers for the good of the members of Christ Our flesh is carried upon high and now Christ which is both God and Man all the Angels of God doe worship him Heb. 1. Thirdly 3. Information I am informed by the Word of God concerning my behaviour towards the Angels both by a negative and an affirmative rule 1. Negatively I must not worship them for it is forbidden Colos 2.18 Rev. 19.10 2. I am not to make Angels my Mediators for there is one God and one Mediator which is Christ by him we are to offer our sacrifices 1. Pet. 2.5 3. Nor am I bound to put my trust and confidence in Angels nor to depend on any particular Angel for my Angel guardian 4. Nor am I to busie my head about the Hierarchie of Angels concerning their degrees and orders 5. Nor am I to looke for audible voyces from Angels nor visible apparisions least I fall to phantasies and delusions preachers not those Angels are our instructors Affirmatively 1. I am bound to beleeve the Angels are excellent creatures of excellent
speed from one people to another then could be by Camels or Horses also the Ilands are as Innes for seafaring men to refresh them Quest 3 How should they be quallified that goe to sea Answ 1. To prepare for danger for at sea be rocks quick-sands pirates tempests 2. To prepare for death for there is but an inch or two alwaies betweene it and them 3. To resolve to glorifie God when they doe see his great workes Quest 4 What is the cause of the saltnesse of the sea Answ Some thinke it is caused by the Sunne that draweth from it all thinne and sweet vapours to make raine leaving the rest as the setling or bottome others say it takes a saltnesse from the earth where it runnes God hath made it salt the meanes is hard to find Quest 5 What is the cause of the waters ebbe and flowing Answ One opinion is there be exhalations under the water that moves it two and fro others say the Moone causes the tides and ebbes we sooner find it is so then how it is so Reason is like the Sunne it discovers things under it but darkens the things above it Quest 6 From whence have the Springs and Rivers their originall Answ Some thinke from the aire converted into water they reason in nature is no emptinesse and in caves and hollow places of the earth is aire which by cold is resolved into water they give an example of Marble pillars which sweat before it raines but this is not an argument convictive the water that is on marble stones is not aire transmutated but rather exhalations of thin vapours which sticke there as the hoare frost sticks on mens beards and horses haires by a conveiance invisible a more sollide infallible answer is that of Solomon Ecles 1.7 all the rivers runne into the Sea yet the Sea is not full unto the place from which the rivers come they returne and goe so then the sea not the aire is the originall of the springs Solomon is to be preferr'd before Aristotle Quest 7 Why are some springs medicinable Answ Gods goodnesse is such he gives vertue to the creatures for mans good the second aire causes the waters come through divers mines of the earth and licke of them and participate of them and so become physicall Quest 8 What is the cause of the hotnesse of bathes Answ Some suppose there are burning minerals like Mount Aetna others thinke there are mines of brimstone they passe through others the tumbling of waters beating one against the other makes them hote we must be content to looke à posteriori God hee knowes a priori let us be thankefull for the effects when we find not the cause Quest 9 Whether are the most excellent the fishes in the water or beasts on earth Answ In the generall the beasts for they have more perfect senses converse more with men are more docible and serviceable Quest 10 Were fishes made of water onely Answ It is probable the fishes were made of the foure Elements but the water was the most predominate and the place of their habitation generation and conservation Quest 11 Were the Birds created of the water Answ It is thought not of the thickest of the water but the watery vapour aire and water is predominate in birds fishes in the water birdes in the aire have a resemblance 1. The elements they live in are cleare and perspicuous 2. The bird flies very swiftly so doth the fishes swim swiftly 3. The birds have wings and feathers the fishes have sins and scales The bird guids his flying with his taile so doth the fish his swimming 4. There be some fishes make a prey of others and devoure them so is it with the birds 5. The birds that prey on others doe not multiply so fast as those preyed upon so is it with fishes Quest 12 How are people compared to waters Answ In five particulars reade page 131. Quest 13 How is the word compared to waters Answ In sixe particulars reade page 3. Quest 14 How is the spirit compared to waters Answ 1. As water cleanseth from filthinesse so doth the Spirit of God Ezek. 36.35 2. Cor. 6.11 yee are washed c. by the Spirit 2. Water refresheth Iudges 15.19 much more doth the Spirit revive and quicken our soules 3. Water cooleth us so doth the Spirit in the time of tentation 4. Water makes fruitfull so doth the Spirit enable us to bring forth fruit to God 5. Those that have plenty of water we judge them happy so should we them that have Gods Spirit 6. No water no temporall life so without the Holy Ghost no spirituall life Quest 14 How is he said never to thirst that drinkes of the water Christ gives Joh. 4.14 Answ 1. He shall never thirst out of an emptinesse 2. He shall not thirst corruptly to satisfie his lusts Quest 15 Why is the sea called the red sea Exod. 14. Answ Some thinke because the mountaines and cliffes and sea bankes are red others say the originall word Suph signifies a Reede aboundance of Reed grow there so is to be understood the Reedy sea Quest 16 What water is best and most wholsome Answ The fresh water that is most thinne pure and freest from mixture and which tastes of nothing but it selfe Quest 17 How is Baptisme resembled to the Jsraelites passing through the Red sea Answ 1. The Israelites were as it were buried in the sea yet arose at the shore so in Baptisme we are as buried in sinne and rise to a new life 2. The Egyptians being drowned could no more hurt the Israelites so our sinnes in Baptisme being pardoned cannot prevaile any more 3. The Baptized Israelites all of them entred not into Canaan nor doe all baptized Christians enter into heaven 4. In the overthrow of Pharoah they were delivered from bondage so by Baptisme wee are delivered from the service of sinne and Sathan and vow warre against them 5. The Israelites after they passed through the sea did feede on heavenly Manna so Christians after baptisme doe partake of heavenly mysteries 6. As all the Israelites were baptized 1 Cor. 10. so all Christians have but one baptisme Ephesians the fourth So much of the waters Of Fire 1. Of the divers names of fire 2. Of fire properly so called 3. Of the qualities of fire 4. Of the improper fire fire met aphoricall 5. Divers resolves concerning fire Sect. 1 First of divers names given to fire SOmetimes fire is attributed to God Heb. 12.29 Our God is a consuming fire so Christ in purging the elect is like a purging fire Mal. 3.2 and the holy Ghost is like fire Matth 3.11 and the word is as fire to perplexe the carnall Luke 12.49 and fire to try and examine mens doctrines 1. Cor. 3.13 so afflictions are fire Psal 66.12 And fire is that which is made with combustible things as wood Acts 28.2 3. and coales Isai 54.16 But all fire may be ranked to two heads proper or improper fire