27 Yet acknowledge we before God that wee are not cleare and so abhor we our selues in sackcloth and ashes Iob. 11. 28 If we suffer as euill doers yet remember we that the crosse is not so much sent as a punishment for sinne as a remedie against it Psal. 119.77 And comfort wee our selues that the Lord helpeth the abiect and vnworthy 29 Moue we the Lord from the senee of our owne weakenes Iob. 6 vtter inability as of our selues Psal. 6. 30 Protest we our faith in God Iob. 13.15 and patience in waiting vpon him Psalme 123.2 Mich. 7.9 And aboue all things vse wee feruent prayer Iam. 5.13 And this shall most steed vs in the time of trouble And possesse our soules in patience Mat. 10. 31 Bind we the Lord to vs from the manifestation making good of his fauour in that he suffers not our enemies to triumph ouer vs. Psal 41.11 32 Meditate we of the shortnes of life and so of the end of troubles The triall of our right vse of afflictions Is 1 That the power of sinne bee weakened and our corruption purged out 2 That we be more powerfull in spirituall duties and yet humbled in them 3 And more compassionate towards our brethren and yet more zealous against sinne 4 That wee bee more wained from the loue of the world and in prosperitie be amended by the afflictions on others selues and so submitting to the wisedome of our superiours yet so 9 As that we do nothing against a truly informed conscience lest in seeking to auoyd troubles from men we cause our conscience to become our scourge and then God which is greater then the conscience shall much more condemne vs. 10 And yet rest wee not vpon a scrupulous or erroneous conscience lest hereby throgh obstinacie we thrust our selues vpon the edge of authority 11 So vsing diligence and con science in our places and withall 12 Labouring to giue mild and soft answers Thus may we preuent vnnecessarie troubles c And seeing the wiseman sees the plague and hides himselfe Therefore seeing the Lord wiâ—â—â—l visite a sinfull nation so as that hee will reserue a remnant from the common desolation Therefore here First learne wee how to foresee a plague 1 By faith resting on the word denouncing the same 2 By experience comparing the sinnes present with the sinnes of former ages and so collecting from the constancie of Gods prouidence that as he hath punished like sinnes formerly so will he also meet with like sinners 3 By the qualitie and measure of the sinne we may guesse at the time and nature of the scourge Secondly And wee haue also these markes when the plague stands at the doore 1 When sinne is ripe that is 1 When the sinner sits in the seate of the scorner 2 When he is drowned in securitie 3 When hee hath made vp his measure by persecution Math. 23.32 4 Where in his carnall wisedome hee chooseth the rod that Lord that wee may not be condemned with the world 2. Cor. 11.31.32 7 Hereby wee are kept in the life of grace and power of weldoing kept gratiously 8 From securitie and 9 Apostasie as also 10 From spirituall pride and 11 Hypocrisie the causes therof 12 By these wee are prouoked to more compassion towards our brethren and so 13 To maintaine the fellowship and to auoyd separation Heb. 10. Gal. 6.1 And are 14 Deliuered from generall iudgements Psal. 94.13 15 And so being fitted for comforts we are pertakers of them in more aboundance 2. Cor. 6.7 16 And can vse them more spiritually 17 Hereby wee are dayly raised out of sinne and so renue our repentance Os. 5. 18 As also are sent vnto our gratious God in prayer that wee may be partakers of his assistance Esay 26. Os 5. 19 And so our Faith is quickened in the expectation of the promises 1. Pet. 1.5 Iam. 1. 20 And we more gratiously exercised in humilitie and patience Iam. 1.2 21 And so prouoked to hunger after Christ Iesus and to wait for the glorious appearance of the sonnes of God 22 And being by afflictions dayly scoured and purged we are made meet partakers of that glorious inheritance with the saints in light Col. 1.12 23 And so are gratiously hereby not onely taken away that we shal not see the euils to come Esa. 57.1 as Iosias 24 But wee are euen taken vp by these as in a fierie chariot to partake of that vnspeakeable and eternall weight of glory which is reserued for vs in the heauens 2. Cor. 4. CHAP. XII Thus are we to behaue our selues in afflictions and trie our estates thereby ANd to this end seeing each day as it brings it trouble with it so it wants not it comfort to sweeten and season the same And aboue all our conscionable performance of family duties and priuate exercise of prayer and a vaile hereto Therefore bee wee carefull to obserue and performe such duties conscionably Which are 1 Priuate examination prayer thereupon to begin the day withall 2 Reading of the word to stirre vs vp to 3 Family Prayer with the household 4 Catechising of the Family 5 Singing of Psalmes Gen. 18. Of which in particular in the second generall part of the Helpes God willing And these are dayly to bee performed 1 Because we are yet ignorant of what we should know and forgetfull of what wee haue knowne 2. Pet. 1.13.15 2 New tentations and occasions require new strength and meanes thereto Luke 9 3. 3 Hereby we maintaine the life and power of grace cherish the spirit and grow dayly 4 And are better fitted to the Sabaoth Act. 13. 5 And renue and encrease our sweet communion with God Ioh. 5.39 Gen. 18.17 The maner of performance is 1 Wee must appoint and keepe set times for the same 2 Preparing thereto with some premeditation of our owne inabilitie former abuse and necessity thereof 3 If by ordinary occasion wee haue bene interrupted or preuented for once recouer we our selues at the next opportunitie against the day of the Lord Iesus 5 Wee procure stabilitie and constancy for the time to come 6 Wee yoake and diminish our dayly tentations 7 We keepe sin from sleeping with vs. 8 By repentance remouing it our sleepe becomes more sweete and comfortable 9 Our labours afterward proue lesse irkesone 10 We walke with God and expresse the true pilgrimes life Ge. 4 11 The carnal and worldly minded will otherwise condemne vs. 12 And we leaue our hearts to be buffeted with much infidelity and distraction Now that we may the rather performe this dutie Consider we 1 That the very heathen in some sort by the light of nature practised it 2 That if trouble here bee it is to the flesh to which wee are not debtors Rom. 8.12 3 That it is no more then God commands and Christianitie requires at our hands Psal. 4.6 4 That when wee haue done all we can wee are but vnprofitable seruants therefore we had need strâ—â—â—ue
cannot be done by any but an omnipotent nature Isa. 44.7 Psa. 86.8 2 He alone raigneth ouer all alone gouerneth all things hauing sole and supreme Maiesty and therefore can bee but one Esay 42.8 1. Tim. 1.17 Reuel 4.11 3 He hath greatest perfection as hauing the whole and all alone and therefore must needes be but one Psal. 89.7 4 Hee is onely Omnipotent therefore one Dan. 4.3 Because were there many they should haue power to hinder each other 5 Multitude of Gods either implies that each would be imperfect to rule all or else if one will suffice as being perfect the rest are superfluous 6 There can bee but one Infinite 7 Neither but one First cause 8 Neither but one Chiefe good And therefore 1 As this condemneth the vanity of the Gentiles and Papists that haue multiplied their Gods according to their Citties yea Houses yea Necessities yea Sinnes 2 So it reproueth our confusion and diuisions in diuine worship seeing as he is one God so must he haue one forme of diuine worship for substance though for outward manner and circumstance wee may vary according to difference of times places occasions necessities 3 As also it condemneth all hypocrisie in diuine worship when either the man is diuided seruing God with the body and keeping the heart to it lusts or it is presumed that we may serue God sufficiently with the heart alone though wee serue the Diuel and the time with the outward man Or else the heart is diuided in the seruice of God one part intending Religion and yet with the other the World is aymed at And 4 This instructeth to vnity vniformity in Religion according to the truth and to maintaine the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace submitting variety of opinions to the rule of the word Gal. 6. And by variety of circumstance commending aduancing the vnity of the Church 5 As also it iustifieth the vnity in mariage that so there might be an holy seed Mal. 2.7 And so cōdemneth Poligamy howsoeuer it might be tolerated in the Church of the Iewes for some priuate respects which now are ceased our God more easily and freely Especially seeing this God loueth truth in the inward parts therefore he will accept the purpose of our hearts not imputing our failings Yea seeing he is one therefore he will not onely sanctifie the diuisions and differences of the members for the good of the whole but further also will heale euery member and cure euery infirmity that so wee may serue this one God wholly and perfectly And as this one God hath but one people as one faith and one baptisme yea one Sauiour for them and therefore will not giue his glorie to another so will hee shew himselfe still wonderfull in the preseruation of this his one Doue his loue and vndefiled gathering his stil frō out the cōtagions of the world bridling the world that it shall not roote his out yea ripening the world to it iust condemnation that so he may be all in all in his Saints and his Saints may bee possessed wholly of their full inheritance CHAP. V. Of the knowledge of God in Trinity WEll thus may wee knowe God by his Attributes and so it appeareth that there is but one God Now the second meanes to know him and whereby hee reueales himselfe vnto vs is the Distinction of Persons Now a Person is a thing Subsisting no accident or cogitation decree vanishing sound created quality or motion Indiuiduall not any generall but a particular One indiuideable Liuing not inanimate without life and vnderstanding not onely hauing sence Incommunicable not the Diuine Essence which is common to the three not the substance of mans nature or any other thing created which is communicated to the thing begotten therof or thence deriued Not sustained in another And so it is neither the humane nature of Christ because though this be Subsisting Indiuiduall Vnderstanding and Incommunicable yet is it no Person because it is personally sustained in the word so that it together with the Word is the substance of one Christ except it were subsisting in the word should not at all be Neither part of another therefore not the soule of man is a person because it is part of man though otherwise it be subsisting by it selfe intelligent and not sustained by another And therefore Hence first appeareth the difference btweene the Essence of God and the Persons of the Diuine Essence As 1 By the Essence we vnderstand whatsoeuer is common to the three persons in regard of their nature and absolute being considered seuerally by themselues and in themselues 2 By Person we must vnderstand that relation which is betweene them being compared together and the maner of their existence therein Briefly thus The Essence signifies that God is or rather that there is one and that eternall Deity The person is the manner by which that diuine Essence subsisteth in each seuerally As The Father is that Essence which is of himselfe and not of another The Sonne is the same Essence but not of himselfe but of the Father The Holy Ghost is the same Essence not of himself but of the Father and of the Sonne so that The diuine Essence is one the same to and in these three but To be of it selfe or of another to bee either of One or of two that is to haue that one diuine essence either of it selfe or communicated from another either of one or two this is the manner of subsisting which is three-fold 1 To be of it selfe 2 To be generated 3 To proceede And by this Are those three persons which are signified by the name of Trinity 3. The essence is absolute and communicable but the person is relatiue incommunicable And this differēce is to be maintained 1 That the vnity of the true God be not distracted or that The distinction of persons bee not confounded or that Any other thing be foisted into our beliefe vnder the name of person then what the truth of the word doth allow And therfore here first we must beware 1 That by the person wee vnderstand not simply either a bare Relation or Office as Sabellius dreamed 2 Much lesse as Seruetus did a forme or visible representation of anothers shape and gesture But by Person 1 Must bee vnderstood a thing subsisting from others to which it is referred distinguished truely from them by an incōmunicable propriety as 1 begetting 2 begotten or proceeding not the office or dignity or degree of begetting begotten or proceeding 2 The person is not a thing abstracted or separated from the essence which is common to them neither is the essence a fourth thing separated from the persons but euery person is the same entire essence of the Deity onely the persons are distinguished from each other the essence is common to the three 3 The diuine essence hath not that respect vnto the persons as the 1 Matter
of his profession calling c. Ge. 34. Act. 26. 3 That we auoide such blessing and charitable speeches as we account them when the cause is not necessary as in neesing c. 4 Whereas it is common with the Popish and ignorant to inuocate the name of God ouer their cattle so often as they speak therof this is to bee moderated and refrained And that 1 Because the ground thereof was sorcery 2 They vse it more often for their cattle then themselues 3 It maintaines that Popish customary abusing of such holy names 4 It shewes our infidelity for if we were perswaded that God hath receiued vs into grace then surely also all ours and therfore what neede such often inuocations This meeknes of speech is seen in soft answering Prouerbes 15.25 And that Secondly not a foole according to his foolishnesse Prouerbes 26.3 Thirdly in a iust defence of our selues 1. Sam. 1.15 Anna. Fourthly commending our cause to God Psal. 26. Secondly this grace of speech is especially seene in reprouing of sin Here obserue these Rules 1 We must try all other gentle meanes before we reproue 1 We must performe it generally that so the party may willingly acknowledge the particular 2. Sam. 12. 3 Wee must doe it in a parable 4 By way of exhortation insinuating an oblique reproofe 1. Tim. 5.1 5 Wrapping vp the reproofe in some sweet protestations of loue and griefe Gal. 5.9 Rom. 9. 6 Yeelding vnto them their due that so they may acknowledge their wants Act. 25. reprouing in the person of another 6 Ioyning our selues with them and in our own person reprouing their sinne 1. Corinth 4.6 Genes 43. 7 By preuention as Though Israel play the Harlot yet let not Iudah sinne Hos. 4.15 8 Wishing that such things bee not found among them 2. Cor. 12.20 9 Speaking to them as considering our selues Gal. 6.1 That we are in danger of the same tentations 10 Framing the reproofe out of the word that the party may see himselfe rather reproued of God then of vs. 11 Adioyning to our reproofe holy example of our conscience in the thing which we reproue in another And 12 Commending the reproofe to the blessing of God And thus farre of the fourth grace of speech which is meeknes modesty A fifth grace of speech is cheerfulnes and ioy when we vse delightfull speech for recreation Eccles. 3.4 Here is to be obserued 1 That it must be seasoned with Gods feare Eccles. 2.2 2 It must bee with compassion for those that are in affliction Amos 6.6 3 It must be sparing and moderate 2. Tim. 3. 4 It most not be mixt with sin Heb. 11.25 5 It must tend to edification 1. Cor. 10. 6 It must bee sutable to the time 7 It must also bee fitted to the place which is either the boord or bed For the boord obserue 1 The intent the which is to hinder other idle and prophane talke 2 To season the company with better 3 To preuent gluttony 4 A desire to catch spiritually 5 To sanctifie the creatures 2 Consider the matter of Table-talke Which 1 Especially must bee of religion Luk. 11.35 2 That which is incident herevnto As 1 Of our vnion with God As the meate is made one substance with vs so we after an vnspeakeable manner are made one with God 2 Of our liberty in Christ that all is ours and that we may safely and freely partake thereof 3 Of our miserable condition for were wee not sinfull we need not eate nor finde such loathsomnesse or want of content thereby 4 Of our estate in glory where this Manna shall cease 3 Of sobriety and such examples 4 Gods speciall prouidence and bounty in making a dead creature meanes to preserue life Ioel. 2.26 Haggai 1.6 5 Contentation in our estate with praier for other that haue fulnesse or want 1 Tim. 6. 6 Death how that we shall be wormes meate 7 Of the heauenly food Ioh. 4. 8 Misery of the poore which want in our fulnesse 9 Of our life by faith because both these vnlikely doe nourish and we weake vnthankfull riotous are nourished 10 Change of things and states but within our bounds Iob. 1. 11 The punishment of sin the case of Diues c. Luk. 16. For the bed let these bee the rules of holy mirth 1 Wee must conferre of the graue Act. 7. 2 Of the occasions passed in the day Cant. 3.1 3 Of the security of the Church 2. Cant. 4 And watchfulnesse in the night 3. Cant. 5 Of the ignorance of the land And 6 The continuall night in hell 7 Of the Resurrection 8 Of worldly occasions so farre as to humble vs. 9 In our comforts of our sweete fellowship with Christ. 10 Generally not to prouoke but to mortifie the flesh Gal. 5.13 Here is to be auoided generally 1 All offence to the weake 2 All occasion to the wicked As in First Iesting which is a quipping of some to delight others wherein a man had rather loose his friend then his iest offend God rather then not please man This is vtterly vnlawfull vnlesse 1 The matter be indifferent 2 The measure modest 3 The season conuenient 4 Offence remoued 5 Our selues and others benefited 6 We thereby when other reproofes will not preuaile in an holy maner do deride and scorne sinners 1. Reg. 19. Eccles. 11. giuing them vp to their own councels Secondly laughter which though in it selfe it be not simply vnlawfull yet it is moderately to be be vsed and seldome but sorrow more often and more plentifully Eccles. 7.4.5 The sixth grace of speech is Care of our neighbours good name Pro. 22. This is performed as before and farther 1 By being not suspicious in vnlikely or vncertaine occasions Ier. 40. 2 By priuate reprouing him 4 Publiquely answering for him if he be slandered Here is to be auoided 1 Secret whispering abrode of what we suspect or know behind his backe Psal. 50.20 2 Adding to or changing the thing said or done Mat. 26.60.61 3 Open traducing and reuiling to his face 2. Sam. 16. 4 Telling that was neuer done Ier. 37.13 5 Colouring their reports with pretences of griefe or necessity or publicke profit inioyning secresie by the party to whom hee telles it c. 6 Rash censuring before euident knowledge Therefore here we are 1 To interrupt such talke 2 To giue no heed to it 3 Not to beleeue it 4 To reproue it The seuenth and last grace of speech is Slownesse and Briefenesse Slownesse is seene either in First prouoking or Secondly answering Herein obserue 1 That it is better to bee prouoked to speech then prouoke especially if wee bee inferiour 2 Not to take a Tale out of ones mouth but to heare it throughly 3 To consider whether it be to be answered or no. 4 To ponder on it before wee answere what answere is to bee made thereto 5 To answere to the poynts omitting partiall respects 6 To
of our parents Rom. 5.14 Psal. 51.5 Ephes. 2.3 2 That hereby our nature is wholly tainted with corruption and vncleanenesse Iob. 14. Psalme 51. 3 That wee are depriued of all originall and actual righteousnes Ephes. 2. Rom. 6. 4 And prone yea desparately set to commit all sinne with greedinesse Gen. 6. 5 That we delight in sinne and repose our chiefe contentment therein Pro. 2. 6 That naturally we hate to be reformed and pluckt out of sinne Rom. 10.21 7 That we cannot but necessarily and yet willingly sinne 1. Cor. 12.2 8 That our best actions are beautifull sinnes Esay 64.6 9 That in our nature sinne yet remaineth Rom. 7.1 Iohn 1.7 And that Reason How farre sinne remaineth in the Regenerate and why 1 That we might haue dayly experience of the vertue of Christs sacrifice 2 As also discerne the worke of sanctification by the contrary tentations 3 That by renued repentance we might maintain the assurance of the forgiuenesse of sinne 4 That we might be dayly humbled vnder the hand of God 5 That we might giue God the glory of his freee mercy in working wholly our saluation And this knowledge serueth 1 To iustifie God in his iudgements Rom. 3.5 2 To confound the goodnesse of nature Rom. 3.19 3 To magnifie the riches of Gods mercy Ephes. 2.3.7 4 To send vs to Christ. Romans 3.22 5 To prouoke vs to hunger after heauen Concerning God we are thus to conceiue of siâ—â—â—nâ—â—â— 1 That hee hateth all euill as a righteous God Psal. 5. and no vncleane thing shall dwell with him Reuel 21. 2 That he permitteth and ordereth euill in speciall wisedome to his glory Act. 5. As 1 In that hee presustaineth the subiect of sinne 2 Hee denieth or withdraweth his assistance by which necessarily we fall 3 He turneth all euill to good 3 That he knoweth and searcheth the most inmost closet of sin Ierem. 17.10 4 That he is able to punish and to take vengeance of the same Isa 40. 5 That he punisheth sinne with sinne and yet most righteously 2. Thess. 2.11 6 That though hee haue laide the chastisement of our peace vpon on his Sonne yet he will correct vs as his children for sinne Isa. 53 Psal. 88.89 7 That he leaueth to grosse and open sinnes to preuent and purge out spirituall wickednesse in his children 8 That he giueth vp the wicked to spirituall wickednesse of selfe-loue pride hardnesse of heart security to preuent hereby for a time grosse euils which might be a means to bring to repentance whereby they are detained in a false conceit of their estates so are ripened to eternal vengeance And this knowledge serueth 1 To iustifie the perfect holines of God Psal. 18.30 Psal. 145.17 2 To magnifie his wisedome in disposing of euill Rom. 11.33 3 To giue him his prerogatiue that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the searcher of the heart Ier. 17.10 4 To ascribe vnto him the glory of his power and super excellent greatnesse that we might be humbled before him Psa. 86.9 10. 5 To worke in vs an hatred of euill loue of righteousnes Gen. 17.1 because god hates him Ps. 139 6 To preuent presumption and cause vs to worke out our saluation with feare trembling 2. Co. 5. 7 To trust perfitly in him that so gratiously orders euil and turnes hem about to our good Secondly Our iudgment being thus rectified we must proceed to the practise of auoyding euill And this is seene either in 1 Preuenting sinne or 2 Recouering out of it by vnfained repentance Sinne is preuented either 1 Generally or 2 Particularly Generally by 1 A continuall watchfulnesse ouer our heart and outward man 2 A feare and suspecting of our selues as at all times so when wee haue most experience of Gods mercy Prou. 28.14 Iob. 1. 3 A continuall resigning of our selues into the hands of God 4 Walking as alwayes in his presence Gen. 5.22 Gen. 17.1 5 To haue a continuall eye to Gods commandements Psalme 119. 6 To meditate on Gods iudgements inflicted on his deerest children for sinne 2. Sam. 12.11 14. 7 Consider the inestimable loue and mercy of God towards vs. Exod. 34 6. Eightly Imploying our selues in some honest calling 2. Thess. 3.11.12 And that 1 In faith and without distrust of Gods prouidence with a good conscience Mat. 6.25 Heb. 13.18 2 With cheerefulnesse and contentment without murmuring couetousnesse Heb. 13.5 3 Committing the successe to God and waiting for his blessing without making haste to be rich or indenting with God for these outward things 1. Tim. 6. Gen. 30. 1. Ha. 1.16 4 In humilitie and lowlines not sacrificing to our net but giuing God the glory Gen. 32.10 5 In holines sanctifying the same by the word and prayer and laying a good foundation therby towards heauen 1. Tim. 6. 1. Tim. 4. 6 In faithfulnes and diligence redeeming the time accounting for it Eph. 5 16 Psal. 90. Ninthly learning to vse our Christian libertie a right 1 Herein not so much to stand on lawfulnesse as expedience 1. Cor. 10. 2 That all things be done to edification not offence 1. Cor. 14. 3 That as wee remit of our liberty in regard of such as are weak of ignorance so we vse it in respect of the obstinately ignorant lest we harden them in their sin Mat. 15.14 4 That we vse the things of this life within the compasse of our callings 1. Cor. 7. 1. Cor. 10. 5 For our recreation that it be in things indifferent Phil. 4.8 2 Very spare and sober 3 Tending to a spirituall end not the satisfying of the flesh Ga. 5.13 6 That all things be done to the glory of God 1 Cor. 16. Tenthly By auoyding the occasions of sinne which are 1 Euill company Ephes. 5.11 2 Excesse in the vse of the creatures Luk. 21.34 3 Giuing the bridle to the outward man Gen. 31.1 4 Opportunitie and seasonablenesse Eccles. 3.1 5 Appearance and shew of euill c. Thess. 5.22 And thus sinne generally may be preuented particularly thus when wee are assaulted by any tentation 1 To mourne at the priuy motions of sinne and at no hand to set light by it 2 To know that I beare a traytor in my bosom therfore here here at no hand consult with flesh nor giue away to the temptation Iames. 1.14 3 To choake it by strong cryes and groanes to God Mat. 6.13 4 To put it off by exercising the mind with contrary meditations and affecting the contrary vertue Psalme 1. 5 Examine thy heart why it is thus thou shalt find some cause of this tentation Psalme 4. 6 The cause found either 1 Want of found repentance for some former sinne 2 Security 3 Some greater euill like to follow whereof this tentation is a messenger or such like negligence dispose thy selfe accordingly 4 Forget not hartily to mourne for thy former yeelding to the like tentations and so renue thy repentance for former sins And
chiefe vse and benefite thereof is to keepe vs in a constant course of obedience vnto God in the enioying of his blessings And this is the next duty daily to be performed of vs. CHAP. VIII Of Constancie and Perseuerance NAmely to labour constancy and perseuerance vnto the end And that because First hereby wee approue the soundnesse of our calling and gifts which otherwise if we faile were but temporary giuen rather for others then for our owne good 2 We doe vphold and confirme others 3 Wee doe also iustifie the power of our profession and aduance it before all other callings 4 We obtaine the promise and the crowne that is set before vs. Heb. 11. which otherwise by falling away we shall lose Reu. 3.6 5 Wee approue the truth of God and giue him the glory of his faithfulnesse 1. Thess. 5.24 6 We ouercome Satan and all our enemies Eph. 6.13 Grounds hereunto are First The establishing of our faith that the children of God shall continue to the end and that because 1 Our God is faithfull and Almighty Rom. 11. and his gifts are without repentance who hath promised it 2 Iesus Christ makes continuall intercession for vs. Luk. 22.33 3 The Holy Ghost shall abide with vs to the end of the world Iohn 16. to preserue vs. Iohn 14. 4 We are the beloued of God and therefore 1 Whom he loues once he will loue to the end Iohn 13. 2 Whatsoeuer wee aske in his name the father will giue vs if it bee agreeable to his will 1. Iohn 5.14 3 All things shall turne vnto our good Rom. 8.29 4 Wee are married to him for euer in holinesse and righteousnesse Ose. 2. 5 Gods Couenant with vs is euerlasting Ier. 30. Eze. 11. Psa. 89 Ose 2. 6 Wee are vnited vnto Christ our head Col. 2. and giuen to him of the Father and therfore none shall take vs out of his hands Ioh. 10. Ioh. 17.17 7 Wee haue the Word and Sacraments which shall continue with vs to the worlds end to vphold vs in our righteousnesse Mat. 28. Eph. 4 8. 8 Wee haue strengthning grace to continue vs in wel-doing Eph. 3.16 9 Our slippes and fallings are meanes to perseuerance Here consider 1 That the childe of God being regenerated may and doth fall and that because 1 God leaues him often to himselfe Ose. 5. Ps. 30. and that 1 To let him see his owne strength to be humbled thereby Hos. 14.4 2 To driue from that hold to relye onely vpon God Cantic 3.4 Luk. 22.32 3 To make him more compassionate and helpfull to others in their infirmities 2 Sathan is continually sifting of him Luk. 22. 3 He carries about him a Traitor ready to betray him hourely 1. Pet. 2.11 4 His falles may well stand with his estate in grace yea do much make for the triall and encrease thereof 1. Pet. 1.7 As in his fall 1 He discernes his imperfection and so is prouoked to take stronger hold Canti 3.4 2 In his recouerie hee feeles the vndouted grace of God Psa. 32. 3 In both hee hath experience of the combats between the flesh and the spirit all which are vndoubted signes of regeneration Luk. 11.21 4 He is made more acquainted with the deceitfulnesse of sin and so more skilfull to preuent the same Heb. 3.13 5 He is shamed by his fall and driuen from the hold of the world and such like baits of sin Hos. 14.4 6 He is prouoked more eagerly to follow after the marke by how much he hath been cast behinde 2. Cor. 11. 7 He becomes more fearfull of himselfe and will not be so venturous vpon the occasions of sin Math. 26 75. Consider therefore 2 How farre a regenerate man may fall First In his Faith by doubting of Gods fauour and the assurance of his saluation Psal. 22. Psal. 51. Psal. 77. Hence procedes 1 Proud and foolish reasonings against God Ier. 12.1 2 Vaine and vncharitable speeches wishes against our selues Iob. 3. 3 Rash and hard censuring of others 4 Distasting of the means and furtherances to saluation 5 The graces of God may bee lessened in them Psal. 51. 6 They may be couered 7 Losse of some graces of God all his life long as the measure of the comfortable euidence of saluation 2 Erring through ignorance in some maine point of saluation so the Apostles Act. 1.6 3 He may dwel in his ignorance for a time and maintaine the same Gal. 2. Peter Secondly in his life And that 1 By falling into some grosse sins 2. Sam. 11.2 Sam. 24. 2 To lie a sleepe in them till he be roused vp 3 To fall into them againe after repentance and so may commit rebellion against God Lament 3.45 Hence will follow 1 That the light of Gods countenance shall bee taken away Psa. 51. 2 The horrours of hell shall assault and buffet him and so hee may despaire both in himselfe and also concerning any present feeling of Gods mercy Psa. 77.11 3 Some grieuous outward afflictions shall follow him to the graue Dauid 4 His life shall bee a burthen and irksome to him Iacob and he shall bee impatient vnder the crosse Iob. 3.7 5 Yea through violence of tenration he may happily offer violence to himselfe And so 6 Hee shall cause the name of God to bee blasphemed by the wicked 2. Sam 12. 7 His first loue shall be cooled and zeale in godlinesse abated Apoc. 2.4 8 The weake shall be offended at him 9 Gods Spirit shall be grieued Eph. 4. 10 He shall feele a weaknesse in him in regard of such sinnes as haue got strong hold often ouer him Psa. 6. Ier. 13.23 Thus farre may a regenerate man fall and yet remaine in the state of grace and differ from a reprobate or hypocrite As thus 1 The Reprobates temporary faith is the chiefe cause of his falling and prophanesse of life but the elects erroâ—â—â—r in life is the occasion of the decay of his faith 2 The hypocrite is vsually sencelesse in his fall and so continues 1. Tim. 4.2 but the regenerate at length hath the true sight of it 2. Sam. 24.10 3 The hypocrite if he fret and grieue it is for feare of punishment or losse of the temporall blessing not for the losse of Gods fauour c. Psalm 51. Gen. 27. But the sorrow of Gods seruant is for the offence against God principally 4 They both fall into the same sins againe but yet the hypocrits after sinnes are committed with more strength and securitie those of the regenerate with more resistance feare griefe and in great weaknesse Psa. 19. 5 They both are impatient and speake foolishly against God but the hypocrite speakes as he thinketh and wisheth in the aduisednesse and purpose of his heart the regenerate speakes in folly rashnesse not as he thinketh or wisheth but as his corruption and tentation ouer-ruling him doth mislead and comming to himselfe condemnes himselfe for it and cleares the Lord Psal.
to meditate on the worke of our redemption which was the cause of the vnchangeable change of this day 6 Wee are more weaned from the world and setled in our best choyce 7 We renue our right and prosecute our interest in the eternall Sabboth 8 We are throughly humbled in the sence of our vnworthinesse as discerning by the impossibilitie of so keeping in our selues but that in thought word and deede wee haue often transgressed the bounds of this day how farre we are from perfection and so are prouoked the rather to hasten thereto A second publique meeting for Gods worship are the Solemnities of Thankes-giuing for extraordinary blessings receiued Exo. 15.1 Hest. 9. Nehem. 8. And these are to bee performed 1 By the lawfull authority of the Magistrate Hest. 9. 2 They are to bee kept as Sabboths with 1 Like preparation 2 Cessation from worke 3 Contribution to the poore 4 Spirituall exercise of the word and prayer 1 Corinth 16. Hest. 9. 5 Onely here may be a more liberall vse of Gods Creatures in regard of inuitation of the poore and enlarging of Christian liberty vpon the occasion 1 Sam. 9.23.24 Gen. 21.8 6 And that the memoriall of Gods mercy may continue we are to set a part solemne daies thereto Hest. 9. Exod. 14.15 These are so to be kept that we be fitted and prepared thereby to other the like duties of thankesgiuing vpon priuate occasions not that the performance heereof should make amends for and cut off these Luke 16. Hest. 1. So that wee heerein auoyd 1 Customarinesse 2 Pet. 2.13 2 Opinion of merit 3 Superstition Iud. 13. 4 Will-worship Col. 2.16.21 5 Vaine prodigality c. For the matter and Rules of thanksgiuing before A third publique Spirituall meeting is that holy exercise of Fasting and Prayer Luke 5.33 Act. 1. Ion. 3. And here obserue What fasting is 1 Not what God imposeth and is not willingly chosen either by the shutting of the heauen or hardning of the earth which is properly called famine Genes 12.10.41.53 2 Neither that hunger which proceedes for want of meate Act. 27.21 33. 3 Neither that extraordinary abstinence from meate caused by such strange visions c. Act. 9.9 4 Neither that miraculous fasting by a diuine power as that of our Sauiour Moses Elias Math. 4.2 Exod. 34.28 1 King 19 8. 5 Neither that daily sobriety and temperance of Christians in moderate diet and spare as that of Iohn Baptist Mat. 3. 1. Pet. 5.8 Gen. 1.29 6 Neither that extraordinary sobriety and moderation in our Christian liberty when the iudgement of famine lies sore vpon the land to shew our sence of Gods hand and to bee better able by sparing from our former liberty to relieue others Nehem. 5. 7 Neither that superstitious difference of meats as of fish in stead of flesh abstaining from white-meates and on set dayes 8 But it is a voluntary abstinence and extraordinary taken vp for a religious end Voluntary it is 1 because the time and manner of fasting is not imposed or determined but lost free to our owne liberty 2 This is to bee vnderstood of priuate fasts because the publike for the time and outward maner are at the disposing of the magistrate 2 It is an abstinence 1 Either of all kinds of meates wholly for so long time as nature will endure to be fitted to spirituall duties 2 Or if it continue any long time then to receiue sparingly somewhat to maintaine life without any daintinesse or excesse to nourish pleasure This is also true fasting so that it bee 3 Extraordinary that is differ from our ordinary temperance in diet which is to bee at all times but this at certaine times and for certaine occasions And that 4 As also to religious ends Of which hereafter And this condemneth 1 Blasphemous fasting of such who in imitation of the diuine power haue presumed to commend vnto the Church by their wicked imitation that miraculous fast of 40 daie as the Montanists Papists 2 It condemneth generally all Popish fasting and that 1 Because it consists in the obseruation of set times vpon paine of mortall sin Mat. 9. 2 They make the very abstinence from flesh a mater of conscience 3 They place their abstinence in difference of meats as if one were more holy then another 4 They determine the act of fasting to bee a religious and holy worke whereas indeede in it selfe it is but indifferent 5 Yea they make fasting to bee a matter of merite whereas indeed at the best it is but a helpe to a good work 2 This teacheth vs to put a difference between religious fasts and ciuill abstinence from some Creatures vpon certain week daies for the good of the Common-wealth mutual vse of the creatures imposed by the Magistrate as the moderator of our liberty in these things 3 As also wee are hereby taught to discerne of our fasts whether they bee warrantable or no. Secondly obserue the kindes of fasting which are 1 Priuate vpon extraordinary or ordinarie occasions within the power of each particular Christian to dispose of either for his own person concerning time c. or for his family where hee is King Priest and Prophet 2 Publike which depend on the Authority 1 Of the Christian Magistrate 2 Are celebrated in a publique place 3 Solemnized onely for extraordinary occasions 4 Continue either one or more dayes as the occasion is more vrgent Ion. 3. Esay 58. Thirdly consider the causes and occasions of these publique fasts 1 The ouerflowing of sin threatning some grieuous iudgement 2 Some iudgement threatned either by the word or by some visible signe 2 Chron. 20. Ioel. 3. Ion. 3. Hest. 4. 3 Some present iudgment vpon the land Iudg. 20. 4 When any especiall good is to be done for Church or Common-wealth Exod. 19. Act. 14. Dan. 10.3 Luk. 6.12 5 When we feare the remoue all of some principall blessing as good gouernment the Word c. 6 When we see the like occasions in our neighbors we are for their sakes also to be humbled Psal. 35. Fourthly learne we the maner of true fasting which is 1 For the solemnitie of it it must be kept as a Sabboth Esa 58. Za. 7. 2 There must be an abstinence from all meats so farre that the body be afflicted Ezra· 8.2 1 Cor. 9 3 Yet so as nature bee not destroyed or vnfitted to spirituall duties 2. Col. 23. Math. 6. 4 That wee continue in this abstinence at the least all the time of the performance of such spirituall actions of prayer and the word and that if nature will endure euen from morning to the euening 5 As also we must abstain from all delights which either may â—â—â—â—â—â—eare nature ordinarily vnlesse some sudden oppresse it or may prouoke it to sin Da. 10.3 Ioe 2.15 6 Yea all persons are bound to the performance thereof vnlesse by impotency of nature or inabilitie of spirituall gifts they are vnfitted thereto so
fellowship 6 That wee be carefull to order and represse the infinit wandrings of the mind which at such times is most busie and exorbitant Gen 6.5 Dan. 4.2 And that 1 By singling out the most necessary matter that concernes our present occasion 2 And prosecuting at once the same as wee may without interruption 3 At lest if some speciall motion come in the way so entertaining it as taking only some brief note thereof to helpe memory we leaue it to some proper season so returne againe to our former subiect 4 Not leauing it till we haue driuen it from speculation to particular vse 5 And so raise vp to run our communion with Christ. 7 Especially that wee be wise to discern Satans deepnes who now will vsually most eagerly assault vs either taking aduantage of our securitie because wee are freede from outward occasions or working vpon priuatenesse and want of succour Mat. 4. 8 That especially wee meditate on heauenly things comforting our selues with the holy protectioÌ„ of Angels who attend vs reioycing in the hope of that blessed fellowship which expects vs in heauen Gen. 5. Gen 24.63 9 At no hand giue wee place to Satan seeking now to scare or distract vs but resist we strongly by faithful praier 1. Pe. 5.8.9.2 Ch. 3. â—â—â— 10 Presume not of such solitarines either which hath no warrant as that of Monks c. or when thou art bound to society for herein thou excludest thy selfe the protection of the Lord. Eccles 4 9.10 Thus behauing our selues alone 1 We shall neuer want the comfort of sweet communion Mat. 28. Apoca 3.20 Iohn 14.23 2 Ready shall wee bee for such troubles when we may be driuen to be alone Apoc. 1.9.10 3 Fitter also for the fellowship and communion of the Saints 1. Tim. 3.4.5 4 Strengthned against Sathan who now will principally assault vs Mat. 4. Eccles. 4.10 5 And profitable redeemers of the time and purchasers of eternity Eph. 5.16 Prouided 1 That wee vex not our selues with sifting or enuying others businesse and states lest thereby wee be made vnfit for our owne 1. Tim. 5.13 2 That we ouer-whelme not our selues with ouermuch thinking of worldly things especially of the times to come or things which may happen least the heart bee drowned with the loue of the creature or appalled with feare of after-claps Mathew 6.34 Luk. 21.34 3 In meditation of heauenly things looke we that our custome herein cause not a vilifying or loathing of such heauenly mysteries Math. 6.7 Mat. 15.9 4 Take we heed of an ouerweening conceit of our selues if thou findst a greater furniture of Gods graces Iohn 5.53 5 Especially bee carefull that while thou meditatest of forsaking sinne thou beest not intangled with some spice thereof either presuming further then thy present strength or by conceit of what thou doest or by the deceitfulnesse of Sathan abusing thee with a contrary colour of sin while thou labourest to preuent him in another 6 And then in labouring to resist sinne see thou beest well armed and know thy strength too yet fearfull of thy selfe and so humbly cast vpon God that so thou mayest resist in the euill day Ephes. 6. Prouerbs 28.14 Psal. 16.8 Tryall of the right vse is 1 That wee find our zeale and comfort in holy duties quickned and encreased 2 And yet can stoope more humbly and chifely to the meanest occasions in our calling and walke more freely and yet more profitably herein 3 And so shall bee more ready to embrace the fellowship and impart our best treasures thereto 4 And shall by experience of such offences and wants which wee finde among men bee sent more often to conferre in priuate with our God solace our selues in his presence 5 And so bee weaned from the loue of this life as wee neglect no lawfull meanes for the maintenance thereof to a better 6 And yet shall hunger after a better life and prepare thereto And thus much concerning solitarinesse CHAP. IX Of Prosperitie and the right vse thereof THe next imployment of the day is how to behaue thy selfe in enioying of good things in the right vse of Prosperity and the knowledge hereof is needfull First because the best haue been tripped in this estate as Salomon Ionas c. For first hereby religious exercises haue been coldly performed and intermitted Mat. 22.5 2 Liberty hath beene giuen to loosnesse and inward gifts growne cold Hab. 1.16 Amos 6.5 3 Euils that were banished haue beene recalled againe as gaming c. 1. Cor. 10.7 4 They weaken our trust and confidence in God Hab. 1.16 5 With-draw our loue and kindnesse towardes inferiours with whom heretofore wee haue beene inward 6 Breed policy and so deceite euen in many professors Genes 20.11 And 7 Cause couetousnesse and loue of this life Psa. 62.10 Luke 12.19 Amos 6.3 8 Yea breed vnwillingnesse to beare the crosse and cunning to auoid it Mat. 26. 9 Giue occasion to the world to thinke we are hers and so causing her to presume of vs makes her hereby being deceiued when it comes to the proofe our more heauy enemy Gen. 31. 10 Heereupon also it comes to passe that the burthen lies heauier vpon the afflicted euen because of our prosperity being not carried wisely and tenderly Amos 6.5 Esay 5. 11 Yea it is the occasion that causes vs many times to censure those that are afflicted and to challenge their sincerity because of their afflictions Iob. 8. Iob. 4. c. 12 And not onely so but it causeth iealousie among Professors and so distrust of each other when all beare not the same burthen Rom 15.1 Rom. 12.13.16 Secondly this estate is very slippery and therefore we had neede to get sure footing that wee may stand vpright therin Psal. 73. Thirdly it is most vncertaine and changeable and therefore it stands vs vppon to make vs friends thereof while wee haue it Luk. 16. Fourthly the feare of the losse hereof doth much distract which the right vse hereof will much abate and qualifie Psa. 112.7 It being therefore apparant that the best may and doe abuse prosperity obserue now how wee may vse it aright First then let vs consider the ends why the Lord bestow those outward blessings in this life vppon his children which are these 1 To try whether wee will preferre him before them and can loue him better then them Iob. 1. 2 To make vs his Stewards in an holy dispensation of them to others Mat. 25. 3 To be pledges vnto vs and furtherances of spirituall blessings Gen. 17.1 4 That we may be humbled to giue him the glory of them Rom. 11.36 And therefore 1 We must not esteeme basely of them seing they are the gifts of so glorious a God 2 Neither must we be secure in this slippery estate seeing the same giuer is also the taker away 3 Take heede we despise not others in regard of them 4 Nor thrust our God and set them vp in our hearts
Iob. 31. 5 Wee must not cloy our hearts with them but keepe them intirely to God Psa. 62. 6 We must not be puffed vp with them Psa. 75. 7 We must not tye nor measure God onely by them Psa. 30.6 8 Wee must bee willing for his sake to part with them either for the good of others or to auoid our owne hurt Mat. 10.37 9 And all this not as if they were ours but Gods to dispose wholly to his glory and the good of his Church and Children Math. 19.29 13. Col. 3.23 Rom. 12. Secondly because the ouer-high conceit of these things is no small occasion to be-witch our hearts with them therefore let vs labour to rectifie our iudgments concerning prosperity that so our ouerweening opinion thereof may bee abated and our affections rectified therein To this end First consider that though they are Gods blessings yet they are giuen for the most part to euill men and become snares and pits vnto them Psalm 69. And therefore if there were no other preheminence euen the wicked in these excell vs. 1. Tim. 6. 2 Acknowledge we that the best haue beene tainted and much defaced by them and behold wee in their example what may befal vs. as Salomon and Dauid 2. Sam. 12. 1. King 5. 3 That they neither haue beene nor shall bee any certaine inheritance to the best but haue changed their master according to the good pleasure of the giuer Pro. 23 4 That we deserue nor the least of them and with all our industry without Gods blessing cannot compasse them and when we haue them they are but lent vs Psa. 127 Gen. â—â—â—2 5 That in the iudgement of the best they are but vanity and breede vexation of Spirit Nay that indeed they are nothing yea lesse then nothing Eccles. 1.2 1. Cor. 7. 6 That the enioying of them is not simply a note of the loue of God 7 Neither when they are taken away is it an infallible token of Gods displeasure 8 That the Lord can supply vs without them 9 And he is and will bee better vnto vs infinitely aboue them Thirdly wee must bee carefull in the right dispensation of them 1. Cor. 7. And that in this manner First we must principally honor God with our substance Prouerbes 3. And this is done 1 By acknowledging we haue all of his free mercy Gen. 32. 2 Willingly confessing from what a low estate the Lord hath raised vs Gen. 32. 3 By thankfulnesse vnto him for the least as well as for the greatest 1. Tim. 6.8 Eph. 5.20 4 By faithfulnesse in a lower estate that so the Lord may increase vs Mat. 25. And this is performed 1 By following our Calling as contentedly and humbling our selues therein being increased as when wee began with nothing Deut. 8.11 Phil. 4.11.12 2 We must now much more be open handed and that especially to the houshold of faith 2. Cor. 9. Gal. 6.10 3 We must not thinke it enough to comfort the body but wee must also minister to the soule which few rich men make conscience of neither indeede are able to performe Gen. 18. 2 Wee must honour our selues in God with them by eating the labours of our hands Psa. 128. and that not only for necessity but for ornament also But yet with these conditions 1 That wee exceed not our callings 2 That wee remember Ioseph in trouble Amos. 6.5 3 That wee be alwayes fitted to spirituall duties Luk. 21.34 4 And ready to be abased as we haue abounded Phil. 4.11 The triall of the right vse of our prosperitie is 1 That wee haue attained the same by holy meanes as prayer c. Gen. 31. 1. King 3. 2 That our heauenly thrift goes forward with our earthly and exceeds it 1. Timoth. 6. Mat. 6.33 3 That the more wee enioy of these things the more wee feare our selues and keepe a more speciall watch ouer our soules to preuent pride and security and prophanesse 4 That these outwarde things weane vs from the loue of the world 1. Cor. 7.29.30.31 5 That we are prepared to suffer afflictions and to bee tempted of them Luk. 9.23 6 That though wee giue these things their due yet wee account them all as dung in respect of Christ. Phil. 3.8 7 That wee make them our seruants to our Christian Callings Luk. 16.19 8 And instruments to most good 9 That our prosperity bee mingled with some outward or inward crosses 10 Especially that though wee prosper yet wee are grieued with the miseries of others Helpes hereunto are 1 To consider we are but strangers and pilgrimes in this life and therefore had need to goe lightly on our iourney 1. Pet. 2.11 2 We are but tenants at will 1. Tim. 6.17 3 Stewards for other Luk. 16. 4 Must giue vp a large account at the day of Christ Iesus Luk. 12 48. The benefit hereof is 1 We shall glorifie God herein 2 Enioy this estate with more comfort and constancy 3 Benefit others more gratiously thereby 4 As also herein the heauenly blisse shall be sealed vp vnto vs. 5 Hereby we shal discern enioy the right vse of our Christian liberty 6 And by the right vse thereof prepared to a more glorious measure of happinesse 7 We shall also be better fitted to afflictions to purge out corruption CHAP. X. Of Aduersity and the right vse thereof AND this is the next occasion daily occurring euen to vse Aduersity aright A direction very needfull 1 Because the derest Children of God haue failed herein Psalm 73. 2 Wee profite in nothing more then in an holy vse of afflictions Psa. 119.71 3 God sheweth himselfe in no occasion so maruelous as in this Psal. 107. 4 Sathan hopes in nothing to trip vs a herein Iob. 1. 5 The world hath no more effectuall means to condemne the generation of the iust then by their troubles Iob. 8. Act. 28.4 That we may therefore vse aduersity aright First learne we to informe our iudgements concerning the same as 1 Concerning the Causes 1 That they come not by chance but are appoynted of God sealed vpon vs Ioâ—â—â— 33.15 Amos 3 2 That they are imposed in loue and of very faithfulnesse Psalme 119. 3 That there is some cause of them in vs though presently not knowne to vs. And these causes may be 1 Either chastisement for some sinne past or present 2. Samuel 21.1 2 Preuention of some sin wherin wee are like to fall as securitie pride c. 2. Cor. 12. 3 Triall and exercise of some graces of God in vs. 1. Pet. 1.7 Especially of our loue to God Gen 22. Iob. 1. 4 Conuincing the world of slanderous imputations as that wee serue God for these things Iob. 1. 5 To draw vs neerer to God and cause vs to haue experience of his power and goodnesse Iohn 11. 6 Recouery of some graces which by prosperity haue been decayed in vs. Hos. 5.15 7 As also for the encrease perfection of grace