in whom frailty faileth grace for a time the drunkard may excuse himselfe and say his sinne is his infirmitie yet is it not but a wickednes wickedly committed so of the couetous person and other sinners Thirdly marke Gods great mercy with much thankfulnes in that the regenerate doing wicked actions aswell as the wicked are not condemned for them as the wicked are For there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 The second cause of the iudgement is the speeches of the wicked set out by two properties first they are cruell secondly they are vttered against God An example of such speech we haue in Lamech Genes 4. Whosoeuer killeth Caine shall be reuenged seuen fold but whosoeuer offendeth me I wil reuenge my selfe seuentie times seuen fold a cruell and bloodie speech vanting it selfe euen against God himselfe Vse First hence it followeth that wicked words and works are causes of lust condemnation Ob. Then good words and workes are causes of saluation Ans. The reason is not good for wicked mens sins be perfectly wicked but the actions of the regenerate are not perfectly good Secondly we are hence to bewaile the vngodly words and workes that haue passed vs which binde vs ouer to condemnation and aboue all things in the world to sue to God by prayer for pardon yea to giue our selues no rest till we haue within vs the witnes of Gods spirit witnessing to our spirits that we are graciously accepted and that our vngodly workes are remoued out of his sight Thirdly wee are to marke those persons whose liues and mouthes abound with vngodlines and communicate not with such but mourne for them as Lot did whose righteous soule was vexed not onely in seeing the wicked workes but also in hearing the filthy speeches of the vncleane Sodomites My teares saith Dauid haue bin my meate day and night while they daily say vnto me where is thy God Fourthly our dutie is to auoide euery wicked way and word and endeuour to haue our speech seasoned with salt and ministring grace to the hearers Fifthly consider hence what we in this land may iustly be afraid of seeing vngodlines so exceedingly aboundeth godlines decreaseth the godly are taken away the wicked reproch those that are left euen for religions sake and for such religious practises as stand both by Gods law and the lawes of the land by such speeches as these Thou art one that runnes to sermons doest thou learne this and that there thou art full of the holie Ghost the Diuell is within thee And such like most wretched and vngodly speeches iustly deseruing fearefull iudgements The wickednes of inhabitants ouerturne whole kingdomes Prou. 28.2 It behoues vs then to betake our selues to speedie repentance lest speedie vengeance ouertake vs vnawares Vers. 16. These are murmurers complainers walking after their owne lusts whose mouthes speake proud things hauing mens persons in admiration because of aduantage IN this verse the Apostle returneth againe to his former purpose and still continueth the rehearsall of the sinnes and vices of these false teachers against whom he writeth and against whom he hath alreadie alleaged twelue seuerall sinnes and in this verse addeth sixe more of which some notwithstanding haue been touched in the sins formerly condēned Herein we will first shew the nature of the vices themselues and secondly lay downe the contrarie duties so farre as they shall concerne vs. These are murmurers By murmuring wee are to vnderstand a certaine fruite of impatience whereby men shew themselues displeased with the worke of Gods prouidence especially when his hand is vpon them and they are vnder the crosse Example whereof wee haue in the Israelites who when Moses had brought them out of Egypt they murmured and repined that they were fed with Manna only and wanted their flesh-pots which they had in Egypt see Deut. 1.26.27 where this sinne is called rebellion against God and therefore is no small sinne For the auoyding and preuenting of which sinne wee must learne two duties first in silence and subiection to calme and quiet our harts in the reueiled will of God vpon vs though therein our owne willes bee crossed Psal. 4.4 Examine your selues and be still Psal. 37.7 Be silent vnto God and waite on the Lord. Which is al one as if he had plainly said Let Gods will be your will also Isai. 30.15 In quietnes and confidence shall be your strength Herein our strength must be exercised not in resisting but enduring the hand of God Secondly wee must shew our selues truly thankfull to God in all things befalling vs yea euen in euill things which otherwise may be occasions of murmuring Iob. 1. The Lord hath giuen and the Lord hath taken blessed be his name Ob. But this may seeme harsh and contrary to reason to blesse God for crosses Ans. Not a whit if we conceiue that according to our deserts he might plunge vs into the pit of hell and therefore if he mitigate of that iustice and remember his mercie more easily correcting vs herein all the praise of mercie is due vnto him Complainers So called for two causes first because they are discontented with their present outward estate wherin God hath placed them the portion that God hath allotted thē liketh them not they are displeased that they are not as others be and that they haue not as others haue Secondly because vpon the frowardnes of their dispositiō they are easily displeased and hard to please again soone incensed and not so soone satisfied and thereupon are commonly complaining of the hard measure they seeme to receiue at mens hands But especially they are so called in respect of the former reason This is not the sinne of that age onely neither only of those persons but is euen a common sinne of our times and that of the richer sort for these are the poorest amongst men euer whining and complaining that their state is not so good as others nor as they would haue it and although they know as we say no end of their wealth yet know they no end of their wishings and desires We on the contrarie are hence to learne first to thinke well and speake well of that estate in which God in his prouidence hath setled vs bee it better or worse Phil. 4.11 In what estate soeuer I haue learned therewith to be contented Heb. 13.5 Be content with that you haue First carrie not couetous aspiring and malicious mindes and affections but if thou must needes bee desiring satisfie thy selfe with Iacobs desire Onely the Lord be with me and if hee giue me foode and raiment in this my iourney it is sufficient Secondly our hearts must be set to obey God euen in pouertie and affliction and beare aduersitie with an equall and moderate minde our obedience must not onely be actiue in doing but passiue also in suffering his wil. Phil. 4.12 I can want and abound I can doe all things through Christ that strengtheneth me Hebr. 10.34
of God which if we want we must labour for thē and if wee haue them be thankfull vnto God for them 2. Vse Learne the dutie laid downe by the Apostle Ephes. 4.1 that we should walke worthie of our calling To doe which first we must looke that we frame our liues holily being holy in our whole conuersation as he that hath called vs is holie Secondly there must be the same end of our liues which is of Gods calling that is to bring vs to heauen The end of our being in the world is to be called out of the world and as Abraham to obey God as looking for a citie in heauen not made with hands Now we proceede to the second step of life eternall which is sanctification this name is taken from the Latins and by it is vnderstood Regeneration renouation new creation and to be sanctified is to be made holie and be borne anew That wee the better know this grace consider sundrie points First what sanctification is It is an inward change of a man iustified whereby the image of God is restored in him For the opening of which description marke that first I call it a change of a man to put a difference betweene it and ciuill conuersation which is a gift of God likewise as this is but farre different from it because this onely restraineth the corruption of the heart whereas sanctification reneweth the heart and thus the gifts of God are of two sorts first restraining which doe keepe in the wickednes of the heart such as are all ciuill vertues Secondly renuing or altering the minde which not only represseth but abolisheth corruption of this kinde is sanctification Secondly I call it an inward change namely in the minde will affections as working vpon the inward corruptions and lusts of the heart to distinguish it from outward sanctification which a wicked man may haue whereby he reformeth his outward man and cariage by the ministerie of the word such are they whom the Apostle speakes of Heb. 10.27 which tread vnder their feet◠the blood of Christ whereby they were sanctified namely externally this is of another kinde working the inward change of the heart Thirdly I adde of a man iustified for two causes first to shew that iustification and sanctification are two diuers gifts of God and their difference may appeare in three things first in that iustification is out of a man sanctification is within him Secondly iustification absolues a sinner and makes him stand righteous at the barre of Gods iudgement sanctification cannot doe this Thirdly iustification brings peace of conscience so doth not sanctification but followeth that peace Thus the Apostle hath them distinct 1. Cor. 6.11 Ye are washed ye are iustified and sanctified as also 1. Cor. 1.30 Christ is made to vs righteousnes and sanctification Secondly because iustification goes with sanctification though iustification be before in nature yet they are wrought at the same time For when God accepts a mans person then is hee made iust who is also sanctified Fourthly I say the image of God is hereby restored the which that we may know wherein it consisteth consider the three-folde estate of man the first of innocencie the second after the fall and the third vnder Christ. First in innocencie man had three things first substance of bodie soule secondly the faculties of soule as reason and vnderstanding thirdly the image of God standing in the conformitie of the whole man to the will of God Secondly in the state after the fall man hath two of these first substance of bodie and soule secondly faculties as before But the third is wanting standing in righteousnesse and holinesse and in stead of it is found in euery man original sinne which distempereth and disordereth the whole man his minde will and affections and carrieth him against the will of God In the third condition vnder Christ wee haue three things first substance of bodie and soule secondly faculties of the reasonable soule thirdly a new created holines and righteousnesse before lost but now restored by grace aboue nature and this is a renewed conformitie to the will of God and the image of God againe restored Where note that sanctification is such a gift of God as changeth the man not the substance of the bodie or the faculties of the soule but the corruption disorder and sinfulnes of man it rectifieth but abolisheth not affections if a man be of sad disposition it neither increaseth nor taketh away but moderates his sorrow and keepes it in order so if a man bee of a merrie disposition it depriues him not of his mirth but corrects it that it exceede not so in Choler and other complexions Then those that feare to labour in their sanctification because then they must be solitarie sad and cannot be merrie and those that thus obiect against those who endeuour ouer their owne reformation may see themselues deceiued seeing it onely tempereth the affections to such moderation as becommeth holines The second point is Whence haue we our sanctification whether from our parents or from what originall No it cannot flow from the parents no although they be holy Iob. 1.13 the new birth is not of blood nor the will of flesh nor of man for parents must bee considered two waies first as they are men children of Adam Thus they bring their children and conuey no more to their children than Adam did which is nature together with the corruption of it Holy parents haue no sinne for it is mortified in them therefore they cannot deriue it to their children Notwithstanding their sanctification they conuey the nature and sinne of Adam which comes thus to passe God in the beginning gaue this law that whatsoeuer Adam receiued he should receiue it for himselfe and his posteritie and whatsoeuer he lost he should lose from himselfe and all his posteritie by vertue of which law parents sanctified bring foorth children vnsanctified which may appeare by this cōparison Take wheate make it as cleane as you can sow it and it will come vp not as it was sowen but in stalke blade and eare and it brings vp as much chaffe as euer it did though none were sowen with it what is the reason hereof but onely the order set in nature by God at the first So parents let them be neuer so holie by vertue of the former lawe bring foorth vnholie children Secondly parents must be considered as holy men sonnes of the second Adam by a second birth and thus they produce not their children nor deriue their holines into them although their holinesse may be a meanes to bring them within the Couenant Whence note that the soule of the child is not deriued frō the soule of the father as the body is frō his body for then shuld they haue the same properties with the soule of the parents so euery regenerate man should deriue a regenerate soule vnto the infant which is false
multiplication of loue towards God and man yea towards our enemies seeing the more this is multiplied the happier is our estate yea and the condition of the Church vpon earth Vers. 3. Beloued when I gaue 〈◊〉 diligence to write vnto you of the common saluation it was needfull for me to write vnto you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once giuen vnto the Saints Here begins the second part of this Epistle which is the Exhortation reaching to the end of the 23. verse In this verse two things are contained First the causes which mooued the Apostle to write the Epistle Secondly the matter of his exhortation The causes of his writing are three First his loue noted in the word Beloued Secondly his readie and willing minde of himselfe noted in the word diligence which signifieth a carefull endeuour and studie to doe the Church good and it is enlarged by three arguments first in that he gaue all diligence and not some part onely to further the Church Secondly when hee could not speake to the Catholike church he gaue diligence to write Thirdly he writeth not of small matters but of things most weightie such as concernâ— their saluation against which seeing it might be obiected that he was not able to write of such a weightie matter hee therefore calles it common saluation to cut oft that surmise as also to shew that it is common to himselfe and the whole Church of which therefore hauing a share therein he is not ignorant The third cause in the word needfull a necessitie was laid vpon him in that he was called to bee an Apostle and so bound to further the saluation of the Catholike Church Out of these three motiues which caused the Apostle to write obserue First that euery Minister that would deliuer the word faithfully must haue three things to excite him thereto first loue towards the Church to which he is called Secondly a readie minde to further the saluation of their soules Thirdly the bond of his calling stirring him vp to faithfulnes and diligence All these three concurred in Paul first his loue appeared 2. Cor. 5.14 Secondly his readie minde was not wanting Philip. 2.17 Thirdly for his calling that vrged him see 1. Cor. 9.16 Note hence also that whosoeuer would heare the word or reade it to saluation must bring three things in his heart first a loue to the word deliuered This caused Dauid often to muse thereupon Psal. 119.97 Secondly a readie and diligent minde to receiue and reteine it this was in the Bereans Act. 17.11 and in the Galathians when they receiued Paul as an Angell of God Gal. 4.14 Thirdly a consideration of the great necessitie of hearing and reading the word Prou. 29.18 Where vision failes people perish Thirdly in this example of the Apostle all Pastors must learne diligence in all good meanes for the furtherance of the saluation of their flock for which cause they are called Watchmen because they are to watch ouer their soules Yea Sauiours Obadiah 21. to put them in minde that they are to bothe meanes of sauing men They had noâ— need then be entangled with many charges and other businesses Fourthly as the Apostle writeth of the common saluation of which he hath good experience so euery Minister must see that he haue experience in himselfe of that he teacheth others and haue a taste of that in his owne heart which he would haue others seasoned withall els his teaching shall be cold The second part of this verse is the exhortation the whole matter and substance may be reduced to three heads First that faith is a notable treasure which hath many enemies Secondly that the Saints are the keepers of it Thirdly that the office of euery member of the Catholike Church is to hold and maintaine this treasure For the first that faith is a treasure appeareth 2. Pet. 1.1 where it is called pretious faith 2. Cor. 4.7 a treasure in earthly vessels and by this that a fight is here inioyned against the enemies of it For the cleering of which consider two things first what it is Secondly who be the enemies of it against whom we must fight and them we shal ioyntly obserue with the seueral grouÌ„ds of faith For the first this faith is nothing els but the holesome doctrine of the Gospel called by Paul to Titus 1.1 the truth according to godlines So 1. Tim. 4.1 this faith which many shall denie is opposed to the doctrine of Diuels Now for our more orderly proceeding wee must consider that this doctrine of faith admitteth a distinction which Paul himselfe maketh 1. Cor. 3.11.12 Some doctrines are of the foundation without which religion cannot stand such as are set downe Hebr. 6.1 Others pertaine to the foundation but are not of it as gold and siluer built vpon the foundation It shall not be amisse here to stand a while to set downe the holesome doctrine of saluation which is fundamentall reduced by the Apostle to two generall heads Faith and Loue. The wholesome doctrine of faith containes things needfull to be beleeued The wholesome doctrine of loue containes things necessarily to be practised And both these are expresly set downe in Scripture as wee shall sâ—ew in their order Grounds of doctrine to be beleeued First That all the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles 〈◊〉 giuen by diuine inspiration 2. Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is giuen by diuine inspiration that is all the doctrine both for matter stile and words of Scripture is deliuered by the inspiration of the holy Ghost Hence it followeth that all Scripture is authenticall as hauing the authoritie from God yea and must be beleeued as if God from heauen should speake without disputation or calling any part of it into question This ground must first be laid If it be said the Scripture may be prooued by reason and by the generall consent of the Church Ans. That is vntrue for reason cannot settle the conscience to beleeue in any point But scripture telleth there is a God which reason prooueth Ans. Reason out of nature teacheth there is a God but by the word of God only I doe beleeue it inducements to faith may be brought out of nature but Gods word onely causeth true beliefe Secondly for the authoritie of the Church I beleeue not because the Church saith so but because the Scripture saith it and the Church I beleeue so farre as she consents with the word and speaketh out of it The aduersaries of this ground against whom we must fight First the Turkes and Turkish religion who denie scripture to bee giuen by inspiration and denie the bookes of the Prophets and Apostles and in stead of them stand to their Alcaran Secondly the Iewes who refuse the bookes of the new Testament Thirdly the Atheist who will beleeue nothing of all this Fourthly the painted aduersarie the Papist who vndermines this ground first saying that the Hebrew and Greeke text
must needs bee most admirable diuine and excellent Dauid speaking of the glorie that man once had and in admiration of it being not able to containe himselfe breaketh out into a speech full of passion O Lord what is man that thou art so mindfull of him I thou hast made him little inferiour to the Angels Shewing that the chiefe glorie of men in their best estate is inferiour to the excellent condition of Angels Yea further it is a part of the glorie of God to be attended of them and a part of our glorie after the resurrection to be like them Whence note the scope of the Apostle which is hence to teach vs that no glorie beautie or excellencie of the creature can exempt it from the punishment of sin when it falleth thereinto nay the more glorious the sinfull creature is the more grieuous punishment may it expect if sinne be found therein as the Angels here which may instruct those who are in these schooles of the Prophets in which many men excell in rare gifts of whom in regard of their wisedome and knowledge may bee said as the woman of Tekoah said of Dauid 2. Sam. 14.17 My Lord is as an Angell of God to heare good and bad And they are the Angels of the Lord of hostes Malac. 2.7 Yet for all this let them not be puffed vp hereby but walke in feare and trembling not emboldening themselues to sinne for bee it they were as the Angels in gifts yet if they sinne they shall be as Angels in punishment also Secondly hence note that Angels are substances though inuisible hauing being life sense and vnderstanding and are not onely qualities for pure qualities neither can sin nor be capable of punishment as the Angels are here said to be Ob. It will be said seeing they are capable of punishment they must be bodily substances Ans. No it is sufficient they be substances to be capable of punishment though spirituall for the punishment of hell is spirituall Where wee see the Sadduces and others euen of our daies are deceiued who thinke Angels to be nothing but Motions and melancholy passions and the Libertines also who thinke they are nothing but good and bad successe Thirdly the name Angell is not a name of nature but of office which signifieth that their office was to be the messengers of God who were to stand round about him as attendants readie to be sent foorth at his pleasure for the execution of his will in all the parts of the world In which function of theirs they are propounded patternes to vs and examples for our imitation who ought accordingly to set our selues euer in the presence of God as prest and readie to performe his will for so wee pray daily Let thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen that is Giue vs grace with cheerefulnes and readines to performe thy will here on earth as the Angels in heauen do for whosoeuer would be like the Angels in heauen must be herein like them first in earth Now in that this name is here giuen to the Diuels and wicked spirits it sheweth two things first what their office was in the creation vnto which they were fitted and deputed Secondly the iustice of their punishment for the neglect of the execution of the same Fourthly obserue the distinction of Angels of which some kept their first estate others of which hee here speaketh left their first condition some stoode and some fell the ground of which distinction Paul mentioneth 1. Tim. 5.21 I charge thee before God and his elect Angels Some therefore are elected and because election presupposeth a refusall others are reiected no other cause of this distinction is known to man but the will of God and his good pleasure Ob. If any man say it was because God foresaw that some would fall and others would stand I answere that is no cause for God did not onely foresee the fall of some but decreed also before all worlds to confirme some in their state and to passe by others in his iustice so as the cause shall euer rest in his good will which willing the same maketh it most iust not giuing vs any leaue otherwise to dispute of this doctrine or curiously to search out the secrets of it but rather to stand in admiration and say with Paul O the depth of the riches both of the wisedome and knowledge of God! how vnsearchable are his iudgements and his waies past finding out Now followeth the second point namely the fall of the Angels in which obserue three points first the cause secondly the parts thirdly the measure of the fall The cause of their fal in these words which kept not their first estate but left their habitation themselues were the cause of their own fall which is thus prooued Either God must be the cause of their sin or man or themselues but neither God nor man and therefore themselues First God cannot be the cause for that were iniustice to condemne them for that which himselfe caused how vnrighteous were it first to cause them to fall and then to punish them for falling Obiect But it will be said that God did foresee their fall and might haue preuented it and so not hindring it hee seemeth to bee a cause of it Ans. Whosoeuer foreseeth an euill and hindreth it not when hee may is accessarie vnto it so be he be bound to hinder it but God was not bound to hinder it being a most absolute Lord not bound to any of his creatures further than he bindeth himselfe Ob. But God did not confirme them in that grace which he gaue them whereupon they fell whereas if he had confirmed them they had stood whence carnall reason concludeth God to bee the cause of the fall Answ. God gaue them grace in creating them righteous but confirmed them not therein he gaue them a power to will to perseuere but gaue them not the will not perseuerance it selfe and yet he is not to bee blamed because he would not doe it Quest. Why would hee not Ans. I answere with the Apostle What art thou O man that disputest with God Let vs without further reasoning stay our selues in these two conclusions first that God is an absolute Lord neither bound to any action neither to giue reason of any secondly that hee doth all to the glorie of his name in the manifestation of his mercie and iustice Secondly as God is no cause or author of this fall of Angels no more is man for the Angels fell first and were the cause of mans fall and therefore themselues were the proper cause of their owne fall Qu. How can this be Ans. The Angels had in themselues the proper cause and beginning of their own fall and that was a free flexible will whereby for the present they willed that which was good and might will to perseuere in it but that will being mutable they might also will euill and so fall from
people may be destroyed indeed but not vtterly for we must alwaies beleeue the Catholike Church vpon earth Elias in his time could not behold it but yet there were 7000. reserued from that general apostasie of those daies When the Lord visiteth his owne house in iudgement his manner is to leaue some remnants whom he saueth lest their destruction should be like this of Sodome and Gomorrha So Isaiah acknowledgeth Except the Lord of hostes had reserued vnto vs euen a small remnant wee had been like to Sodome and the people of Gomorrha Vse This may teach vs true humility in regard of our own deseruings and true thankfulnes in regard of Gods gratious dealing with vs both of which must be often acknowleged of euery member of the Church and euery man must confesse and say with the Church Lam. 3. It is the Lords mercies that wee are not vtterly consumed Secondly in these people obserue the iustice of God and his seuerity in such an vniuersall destruction sparing none but destroying euen the children with the parents who sinned not in following strange flesh as their fathers did which maketh this a strange and vnsearchable iudgement whence the Atheists condemne these bookes of Moses whence this iudgement is fetched as attributing to God crueltie and iustifying in him iniustice But herein to cleere the iust proceeding of the most righteous God we are to know first that the childe is Gods creature and the life of it is Gods hee being the Lorde of life so as hee may take it away when he pleaseth hauing power to doe with his owne as hee will Secondly children are partâ— of the parents and therefore the Lorde may iustly infold them in the punishment of their fathers sinne to manifest his greater detestation of it Thirdly children are borne in originall sinne and therefore God may iustly inroll them with their parents not onely in temporall punishments but in euerlasting condemnation also Thirdly in this people who are made examples note that as wicked a people as these haue had mercie offered them Isai. 1.10 The Prophet calles the Iewes Princes the Princes of Sodome and their people the people of Gomorrha that is such Princes and people as matched Sodome and Gomorrha themselues in wickednes and yet hee inuiteth them vnto repentâ—nce with proffer of mercie and promise of pardon yea though their sins were as red as scarlet he would then make them white as snow vers 18. Whence we may learne that the mercie of God euery way matcheth his iustice in iustice he ouerthroweth Sodome and Gomorrha and in mercie saueth those who were euery whit as wicked as they his free grace bringeth those to heauen who by their sinne equalled themselues to those whom his iustice had detruded into hell Yea it offereth and giueth repentance to them which are holden in the snare of the diuell and ruled at his will 2. Tim. 2.25 Manasseh himselfe who broke off his couenant with God by making league with the Diuell found mercie with God vpon his repentance Vse Let not the greatnes of our sinnes dismay vs from seeking the Lord thy sinnes are not aboue the sinnes of Sodome and Gomorrha for which mercie hath been obtained vse thou also meanes to turne vnto God and there is mercie in store but see thou abuse not this mercie vnto sinne Fourthly note that in the same time this people of Sodome and Gomorrha was destroyed Lot escaped though he was in Sodom for at the time of the execution the Angell led him out from among them and not before Which teacheth that although the Lord seeme sometime to neglect his deare seruants and leaue them in tribulation yet the instant time of their necessitie sheweth his gratious and seasonable regard and remembrance of them The Israelites had a promise that after foure hundred and thirtie yeeres they should be deliuered from their bondage in Egypt which promise the Lord was not vnmindfull of neither for the substance nor circumstance of time for in the very same night that the time was expired their deliuerance was wrought according to the promise Our dutie hence is to learne in the middest of our afflictions with quiet hearts to rest and relie our selues vpon God waiting his time wherein hee will come in mercie vnto vs. Fifthly note that with this people of Sodom and Gomorrha the other Cities Admah and Zeboim because they followed their sinnes were likewise destroyed Where we learne to auoide the wicked manners and fashions of the world not imitating these lesser Cities which imitated the greater in their wicked manners but on the contrarie follow the example of Dauid in shedding riuers of teares when hee beheld men not keeping the lawes of God Wee should not with drie eyes behold mens impieties yeâ— for this end our hearts should be like vnto Lots when wee see the sinnes of our people breake out as the sinnes of Sodom and Gomorrha our righteous hearts should be vexed within vs in the daily seeing and â—â—aring of such vncleannes So much of the people punished Now followeth the second point in the example namely the sinnes for which Sodom and Gomorrha were destroyed in these words They committed fornication and followed strange flesh First they committed fornication Secondly they committed sinnes against nature it selfe following strange flesh To vnderstand the vilenes of these sinnes consider two things first the cause and occasion of them and that was abundance of prosperitie and plentifulnes of Gods blessings For Sodom was as a Garden of God enriched with varietie of profits and pleasures this caused Lot to chuse Sodom to dwell in This ground nourished foure bitter rootes from which these sinnes of fornication and following strange flesh did spring reckoned vp by Ezechiel chap. 16.49 The sins of thy sister Sodom were first Pride by reason of prosperitie Secondly fulnes of bread that is they gaue themselues to eating and drinking excessiuely for so saith Luk. 17.28 Thirdly Idlenes which was the daughter of their securitie Fourthly Vnmercifulnes and contempt of the poore and these must needs nourish all sinnes of vncleannes vnto which adde a fifth sinne mentioned Gen. 19.9 and 14. that is contempt of heauenlie admonition and instruction for they scorned Lot while hee warned them of their danger The second thing in their sinne is the measure of it They sinned in like manner c. The originall signifieth and implieth not onely a bare committing of sin but a giuing of themselues ouer to commit their filthie lusts and that impudently and shamelesly which the Prophet Esay noted also chap. 3.9 They declare their sins at Sodom they hide them not shewing that they were past all shame in these most shamefull sinnes Yea they boasted and gloried in them both which may be gathered in Genesis 19. â— and 9. Doctr. 1. By these sins we are taught to take a view of the sinnes of these last times vnto which that of Ezechiel vnto Ierusalem may bee properly applied Thou
sinnes and hereby they are conuinced to bee dreamers seeing they sleepe securely in the middest of such iudgements In handling the words wee will first speak of the fountain because it is first in nature and then secondly of their sinnes flowing from thence The originâ—ll of these sinnes is that they are dreamers which worde leadeth vs to a double cause of them first that they are sleepers made 〈◊〉 with sleepe and secondly in this sleepe of theirs they are deluded with dreames We are then to vnderstand first what thâ—â— sleepe is and in the next pâ—â—ce what bee the dreameâ— which in 〈◊〉 sleepe 〈◊〉 them This sleepe is not that naturall sleepe which oppresseth the bodie but a spirituall sleepe like vnto that in diuers things going ouer the soule binding vp the faculties of the same and bringing a heauines or deadnes rather into all the powers of man so far forth as they ought to be mouing in spiritual actions and affaires It causeth the mind neuer to thinke seriously of God or a mans owne estate the conscience neuer or seldom to accuse for sinne committed the will neuer or seldome to will that which is truly good the affections neuer or seldome to be mooued at Gods word or workes Thus it goeth ouer the whole soule and casteth it in a dead sleepe so as it is altogether vnfit to goe about the actions of an heauenly life Example hereof we haue in the old world they eat and dranke c. and knew nothing till the flood came they dreamed continually of many other things but neuer of their owne destruction Diues also was cast on such a sleepe he fâ—red deliciously euery day hee neuer thought of heauen for he was neuer to come there nor of hell fire till he felt the flame This spirituall sleep is three-foldâ— first the naturall sleepe of heart by which euery one is ouertaken so as by nature no man can so much as moue himselfe to the least good till God awake him and say to him Awake thou that sleepest and stand vp from the dead The second sleepe is a slumber and indeed the remainders of this naturall sleepe in the children of God being awakened out of their dead sleepe for euen they are ouertaken often with a spirituall slumber by reason of remainders of sin in them So the spouse acknowledgeth Cant. 5.2 I sleep but my heart waketh The third sleepe is the increase of that naturall sleepe and deadnes of heart by the custome of sinne when as the heart is made past feeling and altogether senselesse through continuance in sinne Ephes. 4.19 This last kind is that which is attributed here to these deceiuers for so the word notwithstanding importeth for although they knew the iudgements of God against sinne yet they are senselesse and carelesse in the middest of them Now in the next place let vs see what these dreames are here spoken of and they bee nothing else but wicked carnall and vaine imaginations arising from an impure heart and conceiued in a corrupted mind which in the end deceiue and delude men no otherwise than a dreame which while a man sleepeth seemeth to haue some truth in it but as soone as one awaketh it vanisheth away and indeed hath in it nothing lesse An example whereof wee haue in the rich man Luk. 12.19 who in his fulnes and encrease of riches dreamed of an happinesse and a continuance in it many yeeres when that night his soule was taken away The Angell of the Church of Laodices dreamed that hee was rich encreased with wealth and stood in need of nothing whereas hee knew not that hee was blinde poore miserable and naked Reue. 3.17 So the Pharisee dreamed that he was another manner of man than the poore sinfull Publicane but it was but a meere dreame for the other departed away iustified Doct. Hence we may note the cause why so few entertaine the doctrine of the Gospell so few forsake their sinnes and turne vnto God and that is because men are dreamers being cast and lulled asleepe in their sinnes and therein deluded with many false imaginations which draw them from God As first some pleade that they were neuer booke learned they could neuer write nor reade therefore they must be excused in their ignorance as not being bound to know the word of God they need not frequent so many sermons or if they doe they are not greatly to care to carrie them away Secondly others dreame that because they haue liued thus long and yet had neuer any such crosse as they see befall others therfore they are most happie men and God loueth them they finde the blessing of God vpon them in euery thing and therefore they serue God well enough or so much as serueth their turne Thirdly others haue learning and knowledge and begin to dreame that therefore they want nothing they blesse themselues in their naked knowledge and neuer haue care in their hearts to receiue Christ. Fourthly others are prophane and dreame that the Master will not come yet God will not yet call them they shall haue time enough to repent in for they craue but one houre on their death-beds and that shal they haue in the meane time they giue themselues ouer to riot and excesse neuer regarding though all the world crie shame vpon them vntill their Master take them vnawares Lastly it is a common dreame amongst men that the promise of life eternal is but a dreame and so many make but a dreame of the whole word of God and all religion that looke as Sarah did not so much regard the promise as she ought to haue done because she tooke it for a dreame and made a matter of laughter of it Gen. 18.12 and as those who were reduced from the captiuity of Babylon entertained the promise of their returne but as a dreame by their own confession Psal. 126. and Peter wheÌ„ he was deliuered by the Angel out of prison could not bee perswaded that it was so but that he had seene a vision or dreamed a dreame Act. 12.9 Euen so men hold the doctrine of the Gospell but as a dreame seeing they can hold it in opinion but neuer endeuour to reforme their liues by it but such dreames disappoint men commonly of saluation which while men bring to the hearing of the word it is no marueile if we haue such iust cause of complaint for want of profiting vnder it as appeareth euery where at this day The most powerfull Ministrie shall little preuaile so long as men come with their hearts ful fraught with their carnall imaginations and with such heauines of spirit Secondly in that these dreames are made the causes of all sinnes we are taught to learne the lesson of the Apostle Ephes. 5.14 Awake thou that sleepest and stand vp from the dead And 1. Thess. 5.6 Let vs not sleepe as others doe which that wee may doe consider first the reasons and meanes which may bee effectuall to
is the plaine word of God euery way absolutely directing in all points of faith and loue 2. Tim. ◠5 Paul wisheth Timothy to keepe the true patterne of wholesome words in faith and loue which is nothing else but the testimonie of Scripture in points of faith and loue comprised in the Decalogue and Apostles Creede The rule of faith therefore in expounding Scripture is Scripture it selfe The second thing necessarie by their doctrine to be beleeued not contained in Scripture is that the Canonical Scripture is Gods word which truth is absolutely necessarie to saluation to be beleeued but cannot otherwise bee knowne or beleeued but onely by the tradition of the Church Ans. As euery other Arte and Science hath certaine principles of truth to proue all other precepts by but themselues are to bee prooued by none so also hath Diuinity the chiefe of al other Sciences of which kinde this is one principle that Canonicall Scripture is Gods word which not granted inferreth a destruction of all other diuine rules this is a truth therefore confirmed not a thing testified from some other but as a ground of it selfe Secondly in diuine matters saith goeth before knowledge which in humane things is cleane contrarie for if a man would know whether fire bee hot let him put his hand vnto it he shall haue experience of it and then he shall beleeue it but in diuine things first a man giueth credit and yeeldeth consent to the word and then hath experimentall knowledge for although faith hath his knowledge yet experimentall knowledge followeth faith Abraham beleeued aboue hope here faith went before knowledge Ioh. 7.27 If ye do the will of my Father yee shall know whether the doctrine bee of God nor no. Thus then we may conceiue it the tenour of the word of God is this Thus saith the Lord. If the question now be whether the Lord said thus or no I answere to beleeue the Church herein before God is sacriledge but herein we are first to yeeld assent vnto God and then after this experimentall knowledge will follow that Canonicall Scripture is the word of God Thirdly wee know that Scripture is Gods word by Scripture and not by the Church out of which being in humilitie taught and acquainted with the excellent matter of it and manner of writing the end the glorie of God and our owne saluation wee cannot but haue sufficient perswasion of the author of it and that it can proceede from none other but God himselfe Thus notwithstanding the allegations of the aduersaries the written word retaineth that perfection which needeth no tradition to strengthen or further it in that end to which it is appointed Now to the reason it selfe amplifying this sinne in this verse which containeth three points to be considered First the person that durst not raile Secondly the goodnes of his cause which was very iust and yet he durst not raile vpon the Diuell himselfe Thirdly the manner of his speech The Lord rebuke thee The person that durst not raile was Michael the Archangell whom some affirme to bee Christ himselfe others that he is some chiefe arch and principall Angel which opinion is more probable For first the Apostle speaketh of him as one in subiection and standing in awe not daring to breake the law of God for he durst not reuile the Diuell Secondly in 1. Thess. 4.16 The Lord Christ shall come to iudgement with the sound of a Trumpet and the voyce of an Archangell where is a plaine distinction betweene Christ who should come in the clowdes and the Archangell Thirdly Peter explaineth it speaking the same thing and saith The Angels giue not railing iudgement against them 2. Pet. 2.11 It is more probable then that by Michael was meant a principall Angell rather than Christ. Doctr. First from the person wee learne that there be distinctions and degrees of Angels there bee Angels and an Archangell Quest. Is there but one Archangell Ans. The Scripture speaking of Archangels vseth alwaies the singular number neuer mentioning more than one and where the Scripture resolueth not we are not to determine yet I condemne not those who haue probably held that there are more than one Secondly wee haue here an example of Angelicall meeknes and modestie Tit. 3.1 Put them in remembrance that they bee subiect to principalitie and speake euill of no man but shew all meeknes vnto all 〈◊〉 the contrarie practise of railing slandering and obtrecting is a propertie of the Diuell whence he hath his name Reu. 12.10 the Accuser of the brethren and the Aduersarie 2. Pet. 5 8. who is euer readie with one accusation or other to stand vp against euery man the malitious man whose malice caused him to stand vp against Iob and falsely accuse him of hypocrisie vnto Gods own face Let slanderers and backbiters of their brethren see hence whom they imitate and most liuely resemble Secondly consider the goodnesse of Michaels cause which was this It was the wil of God that Moses body should be buried in a secret place vnknown to any man to preuent and auoid al occasion of superstition and Idolatrie amōg the Iewes The Diuell on the contrarie would discouer it that so the Israelites might fall to Idolatrie before it herein the Archangell resisted him and stroue with him for the performance of the will of God and the maintenance of his true worship and yet in this good cause Michael durst not reuile the Diuel himselfe In this cause consider two things First the fight and contention betweene Michael and the Diuell Secondly the cause and occasion of it about Moses bodie In the former wee may obserue that there is a sharp and serious contention betweene good and bad Angels in which the good Angels labour to defend all that are in Christ against the rage and furie of the Diuell and his angels As Psal. 34.8 The Angels of the Lord pitch their tents round about those that feare him And on the contrarie the Diuell and wicked spirits cast about how to destroy the bodies and soules of men 1. Pet. 5. Our aduersarie the Diuell goeth about continually seeking whom he can deuoure This combat concerneth and is conuersant about either first the persons or secondly the societies of men The fight about the persons concerneth either infants or men of yeres First for infants the Diuell seeketh how to spoyle and destroy them especially those of elect and faithfull parents in regard of their weaknes and tendernes both of minde and bodie but the Angels of the Lord haue charge giuen thē to defend them against this malice of Satan As Psal. 91.12 They shall beare thee vp in their armes that is they shall bee as nurces to beare them in their armes preseruing them from danger Mat. 18.10 Despise not one of these little ones for their Angels alwaies behold the face of my father which is in heauen Secondly concerning men of yeeres the diuell and his angels striue to driue them out
of their waies and callings and to leade them into crooked paths as he would haue had Christ to haue leapt froÌ„ off the top of the pinacle although he had an ordinarie way to go downe and haue made stones bread but the good Angels on the other side are giuen vs to keep vs in all our waies Psal. 91. and so vnder the protection of the Almightie The second strife namely about societies concerneth either first families secondly Churches or thirdly Common wealths all which the Diuell striueth to ouerturne as the good Angels to preserue and maintaine them First the Diuels endeuour is vtterly to ouerthrow all families of Christian men especially he robbed Iob of all his substance slew his seruants and children but the good Angels guard and defend them Iacob had the Angels of God defending him and his familie from the furie of Esau Gen. 31.1 Psal. 91.10 when the plague and pestilence preuaileth against the vngodly the good Angels keepe it off from comming neere the tabernacles of the righteous Secondly in Churches and congregations the wicked Angels striue to corrupt the word Sacraments and all the Ministerie or to make it fruitlesse euery way to their power hindring the good successe thereof The Diuell offereth himselfe to bee a lying spirit in the mouth of all Ahabs Prophets Zach. 3.1 He standeth at Iehoshuah his right hand to withstand him in his office He seweth tares in the field where the good seede of the word is sowne Mat. 13. Hence are those false doctrines of forbidding meates and marriages called the doctrine of diuels 1. Tim. 4.1 He hindred Paul once or twice from his iourney to the Thessal to confirme them 1. Thess. 2.18 He raiseth persecution against the Church for hee is said to cast some of the Church at Smirâ—a into prison Reu. 2.10 The good Angels on the contrarie fight against them for the good of the Church the furtherance of the Gospell and preseruation of the true worship of God The Law was giuen by their ministrie Galat. 3. The tidings of saluation and the doctrine of the Gospell was first preached by Angels Luk. 2.9 The Angell brought Philip to instruct the Eunuch Act. 8.26 as also to baptise him vers 38. deliuered Peter out of prison Act. 12.11 Thirdly the wicked Angels seeke to supplant Common-wealths and kingdomes Satan moued Dauid to number the people by which sinne he wasted 70000. of his people The good Angels fight in their defence The Angell told Daniel that hee fought against the Prince of the kingdom of Persia for the Iewes Dan. 10.13 The Angell smote of Zenacheribs armie in one night an hundred fourescore and fiue thousand who were enemies to the Church 2. King 19. Ob. How can the Diuell thus furiously fight against persons and societies seeing he was neuer seene neither can this fight be perceiued of vs Ans. As he is a spirit so his fight is spirituall not easily discerned by the eye of flesh for we fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities and spirituall wickednesses Againe he fighteth not onely in his owne person 〈◊〉 by his instruments and complices whom hee daily raiseth vp against the persons of men and all humane societies and this fight we may in part perceiue Vse First note hence the dignitie of euery beleeuer who haue the Angels yea and as here the Archangels to put themselues in garrison for their defence for from Christ it is Secondly we are with all thankfulnes to acknowledge Gods prouidence and protectioÌ„ especially in this land whose peace and prosperitie hath bin so long established vnto our persons and societies our families Church and Common-wealth wheras if SataÌ„ had might to his malice noâ— one of these should stand a moment Thirdly in all dangers our comfort must hence bee raised that though Satans crueltie bee neuer so great yet we haue the guard and defence of the good Angels to keep vs in al our waies and these are too many and too strong for him and all the power hee can raise against vs. Thus was Elisâ—â—â—s seruant comforted There be more with vs than against vs the good Angels are more powerfull for our good than the wicked are to harme and hurt vs. Fourthly â—â—nce learne to make conscience of euery sinne in thought word and deed for admitting and commiâ—ing any sin wee trecherously turne against those that fight for our defence and do what we can to grieue and driue them away from vs and so put our selues in the power of Satan to bee led at his pleasure into sinne as also into the dangers of it The second point in this cause of contention is the occasion of it namely it was about Moses his bodie Michael would not suffer the Diuell to reueile where Moses bodie was laid so to sow the seedes of Idolatrie whereby Gods true worship might be ouerturned for hee cared not for the bodie of Moses but to bring in Idolatrie by meanes of it Hence note that the wicked Angels fight not so much against the bodies of mâ— as against their soules nor contend so much to ouerthrow them in their outward esâ—ate or to depriue them of their goods 〈◊〉 drink c. as in their inward to â—â—est from them their spirituall things namely Gods true worship and the things and meanes which 〈◊〉 to the maintaining and 〈…〉 We haue to fight 〈…〉 in high places Ephes. 6. â—2 But 〈◊〉 may as well 〈…〉 in spirituall things for therein bend they their principall forces The 〈◊〉 of the diuell is to blinde the mindes of Infidels that the light of the glorious Gospell of Christ should not shine vnto them 2. Cor. 4.4 This same Serpent that be guiled Eue thorough his subtiltie seeketh how to corrupt mens mindeâ— from that simplicitie which is in Christ 2. Cor. 11.3 Vse First we must keepe that which is committed vnto vs. 1. Tim. 6.20 The treasure which God hath put into our hands is his true worship sound doctrine right vse of Sacraments al which seeing Satan most desireth to breake off or corrupt wee ought accordingly to striue how wee may preserue them to our selues and haue them continued in their puritie to our posteritie Secondly in that Satan seeketh to depriue the soule of spiritual things we must 〈◊〉 our graces and become more vigilant in maintaining and adding also vnto our knowledge faith loue hope and other our graces seeing Satan will siâ—t vâ— to make vs â—â—chaffe we must watch and pray that our faith faile not Thirdly marke who is the author of Idolatrie namely the diuell himselfe and of that especiall part of it which then he could not effect but hath now obtained in that Idolatrous Church of Rome namely in worshipping of Images stocks and stones relikes of Saints and of the woodden Crosse yea armes legges hands feet and fingers of Martyrs whence is al this but from the diuell himselfe who for the same purpose would haue reueiled where Moses bodie was buried
Matth. 17. Againe when a man will needs reuenge himselfe of a wrong done against him hee takes vpon him the person of the accuser witnesse Iudge and executioner which is against all iustice and equitie besides that the Lord challengeth this as his own prerogatiue Vengeance is mine and I will repay Ob. But did not Elias pray for fire from heauen in way of reuenge whereby he destroyed his enemies Ans. He did but by instinct from God which is as much as a commandement Ob. But Christ when he was smitten said If I haue well said why smitest thou me Ans. We must put a difference betweene lawfull defence of our selues in our good cause and the offence of our aduersaries Farre was Christ herein from reuenge and so must we Ob. But this is hard and impossible vnto flesh and blood Ans. Yea but we professe our selues to bee children of our Father in heauen and therefore we are to haue more than flesh and blood in vs euen that grace of God which carrieth beleeuers further in Christs schoole than flesh and blood can leade them Vse Schollers and learned men that are to defend Gods cause and the truth of religion yea euen against very heretikes must abstaine from reuiling speeches if wee be reuiled by the peâ— of the aduersarie we must commit the iniurie to God Secondly people that goe to law with others for most part herein offend that they doe it in way of reuenge and to wrecke their malice vpon their aduersarie whereas the right vse of suiâ—e in law is only to defend a mans right all reuenge laid aside Thirdly hence men of valour are taught not to take a challenge into the field it is an honour not to accept of it seeing reuenge is to bee left vnto God let the wrong bee neuer so great Fourthly when men be at oddes and difference it is not lawfull to chide braule contend crie and lift vp the voyce in threatnings seeing all these are degrees and kindes of reuenge which wee must leaue vnto God Qu. What must a man doe that is to incounter with the Diuel either by temptation possession or otherwise Ans. Hee must follow the practise of the Archangel euen flie to God by prayer and intreate him to rebuke him The like practise must be taken vp by those who are to deale with heretikes who seeke the ouerthrow of religion The Lord must be intreated to restraine the malice of the Diuell that he may not in himselfe or instruments preuaile to corrupt or represse much lesse suppresse or supplant the truth Vers. 10. But these speake euill of those things which they know not and whatsoeuer things they know naturally as beasts which are without reason in those things they corrupt themselues IN the former part of this verse is laid downe a third argument which amplifieth the sinne of these deceiuers thus framed For a man to giue sentence and condemne that which hee knoweth not is a point of great iniustice and rashnes But these men condemning Magistracie condemne a thing they know not and therefore are iustly accused of rashnes and iniustice The like sâ—â—ne of these seducers hath been too vsuall in all ages In the daies of the Apostles themselues the Gentiles accounted the doctrine of the Gospell but foolishnes the Iewes an offence and yet neither of them knew what it was The same rashnes is at this day to bee descried in the Church of Rome who haue denounced the sentence of excommunication against our Churches and condemne the Protestants for heretikes when the most of them neuer knew our doctrine nor neuer heard what wee could say for our selues yea most iniuriously they mistake vs in sundry maine points of doctrine as when wee teach that workes doe not iustifie a man before God they crie out and say we condemne all good workes The same fault is exceeding rise amongst vs in these daies for let a man make conscience of his waies and endeuour to please God he is presently branded with names of reproch by those whose tongues are nimble to speake euill of things they neuer knew who are to know that a man cannot be too precise in keeping the commaundements of God and that themselues haue made a promise in Baptisme to walke in no other waies and ought to renew the same so often as they come to the Lords table And whatsoeuer things they know naturally In the rest of this verse is set downe the third sinne of these deceiuers which is the sinne of intemperance standing in the immoderate vse of meate and drinke apparell c. Touching this sinne two things are propounded first the proper cause of it that is naturall knowledge in these words Whatsoeuer they know naturally Secondly the sinne it selfe or the propertie of it In those things they corrupt themselues The cause is because they are guided with a naturall knowledge like the bruite beasts which are without reason There be three kindes of knowledge incident vnto the creature first naturall knowledge arising from the instinct of nature common to man and beast and consisting in the senses of sight taste touching c. by the benefit whereof the beast it selfe can discerne what is food fit for it selfe and what is not what is profitable and what is hurtfull and vnprofitable for it vnto which is ioyned a naturall appetite by the benefit of which the creature can chuse or refuse his food and meate in season The second is reasonable knowledge proper to man and is nothing els but the light of vnderstanding whereby he reacheth farre higher and discerneth meate drinke apparell and rest to be Gods good gifts and knoweth the ciuill vse of them with the which is ioyned election of will whereby hee can chuse or refuse the ciuill or vnciuil honest or dishonest vse of them This knowledge is in all men for euen the Gentiles themselues doe by nature the things contained in the law Rom. 2.14 that is ciuilly and outwardly thus many of the Heathen haue excelled in ciuill carriage and practise of iustice temperance and other ciuill vertues The third is spirituall knowledge not proceeding either from naturall instinct or reason it selfe but from the enlightening of the spirit of God and it hath sundrie fruits First it enableth men to know these things in their right causes as that these giftes of meates drinks such like proceed from God not as he is the God of nature only but as by grace in Christ he is our God yea our Father so they become pledges of his speciall mercie seeing they are now restored againe to the beleeuer hauing been formerly lost in Adams fall Secondly this knowledge causeth men to know them in the due measure of their goodnes and excellencie rightly discerning them from spirituall blessings so as the heart shall not be set vpon them in the first place but vpon the other as of farre higher esteeme yea they shall bee counted as dung in regard of these Thirdly it instructeth
Balaam and Iudas but seeke carefully to haue our hearts truly seasoned with grace with the loue and feare of God which for the present will cause vs to decline euerie euill way yea to detest and hate euery sinne and for time to come with a resolute and constant purpose and endeuour neuer to offend God againe for otherwise a shew of some good things may often deceiue and delude vs and wee may perish for all them as Balaam did Lastly we are hence taught neuer to giue reines to our affections and desires but curbe crucifie and mortifie them carefully for if once they get head and bee yeelded vnto they will not easily be subdued nor suffer a maÌ„ quiet til he haue powred forth himself vnto all wickednes and so brought him into the high way of perdition And are perished in the gainsaying of Core In these words the Apostle laieth downe the sixth sinne of these seducers to vnderstand the meaning whereof consider two things first the historie it selfe secondly the application of it The historie is recorded in Numb 16. wherin Moses mentioneth three things concerning Corah first the cause of his sinne which was ambition and pride for Core being a Leuite affected the Priesthood of Aaron and Dathan and Abiram being heads of the tribe of Ruben stroue to take the gouernment of the people out of Moses his hand who was appointed by God as King ouer the Israelites Deut. 33.5 Secondly the sinne it selfe namely in this their discontentment they enterprised an insurrection against Moses and Aaron they stood vp against them contradicted and gainsaid them in their offices and charged them first that they vsurped authoritie and tooke too much vpon them and lifted vp themselues aboue the congregation without the Lord vers 3. and therefore they would not obey Moses commaundement vers 12. and secondly that Moses had dealt deceitfully with the people and onely in policie to make himselfe a King had promised them a land flowing with milk and honey whereas they saw no such matter nay rather hee had brought them out of Egypt to destroy them in the wildernes ver 13.14 Thirdly their punishment for their sin which was an horrible destruction vpon them and their companie being all of them partly swallowed vp of the earth partly deuoured by fire from heauen verse 32.35 Secondly the historie of Corah Dathan and Abiram is applied to these false teachers by way of comparison and they are compared in two things First as Core and his companie most ambitiously and proudly gainsaid Moses and Aaron so doe these false teachers the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles Secondly as they were destroyed for their such resistance euen so shall these perish in their gainsaying of the truth Thus the meaning of the words is made plaine This Epistle was writteÌ„ for a warning vnto the last times euen vnto vs vpon whom the ends of the world are come and therfore that which is affirmed of these men is verified in sundrie sorts of men in this age For example first the Bishop of Rome is the next follower of Core for looke as Core gainsaid Moses and Aaron in regard of their lawfull authoritie so doth the Pope gainsay Christian Kings and Princes in striuing to take out of their hands all their power and authoritie in causes Ecclesiastical within their owne dominions nay herein he goeth beyond Core in that hee vsurpeth that power ouer them which the Lord hath put into their owne hands and so being inuested in their own persons most rightfully belongeth vnto themselues Secondly his shauelings and Masse-priests not onely gainsay and contradict Christ in his doctrine but also attempt to vsurpe his office in offring a real and proper sacrifice of attonement for the sinnes of the quicke and dead yea and wherein they strip Core they take vpon them to become mediatours betweene Christ and the Father in praying the Father that he would accept the sacrifice of his Sonne as hee did the sacrifice of Abel Thirdly of this sort are all Traytors and Rebels either Priests or Iesuits or other traiterously minded men at home or abroad who no otherwise than Core gainsay the ordinance of God and stand out in deniall or resistance of their lawfull and naturall Prince whom he same punishment shall assuredly finde out which consumed Corah and his companie in the end of their conspiracie Fourthly many amongst vs who professe the Gospel yet walke in the gainsaying of Core of whoÌ„ some wil openly say they 〈◊〉 not what the Ministers speake whatsoeuer it is they will withstand it yea many wretched creatures who come to the Lords Table will not sticke to say that they hope to see the day when they shall bee hanged which argueth them to bee abetterâ— in the wicked conspiracie of Gore Lastly it were to bee wished that some of our students euen of Diuinitie had not a spice of this sinne of Core for within this sixe or seuen yeeres diuers haue addicted themselues to studie Popish writers and Monkish discourses despising in the meane time the writingâ— of â—hose famous instruments and cleere lights whom the Lord raised vp for the raising and restoring of true religion such as Luther Caluin Bucer Beâ—a Martyr c. which argueth that their mindes are alienated from the sinceritie of the truth because the writings of these the soundest expositors of the Scriptures raised since the Apostles are not sauourie vnto them yea some can reuile these worthie lights themselues which is a spice of Corâ— his sinne 2. Doctr. Secondly hence wee are taught to beware of ambition and studie to bee contented with that condition of life wherein God hath placed vs not seeking things beyond our estate Dauid would not meddle with things beyond his reach Psal. 131.1 Paul had learned in euery estate to bee conted to be abased as well as to be exalted Our first parents in the ambitious conceit of further highnes fell from a most happie condition and brought ruine vpon themselues and vs their posteritie The vertue of contentation is indeed necessarie for al men but especially let students seeke it at the hands of God and the rather because that within these few yeeres diuers of them not possessing the benefit of this vertue being frustrated here of their expected preferments which they thought were due to their gifts haue departed away discontented and haue growne to resolution in heresie Papistrie treasonâ— and most desperate attempts Now that euery man may learne to bee contented with his conditioÌ„ be it better or worse let him think well vpon these two considerations first that the present estate and condition of life wherin euery man is set by God is the best estate for him health is best in time of health and sicknes in time of sicknes riches when they are enioyed pouertie and want when the Lord changeth his hand life whilest he liueth yea and death it self is the best when as that change befalleth and all this is
something besides the Creator Fourthly he worshippeth not from his heart the true God he lifteth not vp his soule in prayer or thanksgiuing but as a beast receiueth blessings contenting himselfe within himselfe neuer looking higher to the hand reaching them out vnto him Iob. 21.15 Who is the Almightie that wee should serue him and what profit is it to call vpon him Psal. 14. He neuer calleth vpon God Fifthly he hateth the Church and people of God and when occasion shall serue he will testifie it by persecuting the same For he that loueth not God loueth not his adherents Psa. 44.5 They smite downe thy people O Lord and trouble thine heritage These be the notes of them against whom sentence shall passe when they shall be iudged from whence two duties are to be learned First to denie all vngodlines and to put farre from vs all the properties thereof Secondly to exercise our selues vnto godlines and all the duties therof as first to learne to know God aright both in his owne attributes and also in his affection to vs ward neuer quieting our selues till wee know him to be our Father our Redeemer our Sanctifier and this knowledge of him is life eternall Secondly to subiect our selues our liues wils affections speeches and actions to all his lawes for to shake off the yoke of obedience to any part of his word is rebellion Thirdly to goe out of our selues as being nothing in our selues and in our hearts depend vpon the will and good pleasure of God liuing by faith making him our rocke our tower our fortresse and strong defence in all estates yea in life and in death our aduantage Fourthly to worship him not only outwardly as hypocrites may doe but to serue him in our spirits giuing him our whole hearts Fifthly to loue all men but especially Gods Saints and the householde of faith affecting the particular congregations and chiefly delighting in the Saints vpon earth that excell in vertue Thus walking with God as Enoch did we shall escape this most wofull sentence which shall bee pronounced against the vngodly ones of the earth The second thing in this special iudgment is the manner of it in the word rebuke God rebuketh two waies first in mercie when as in iustice he remēbreth mercie Hab. 3. Secondly in iustice yea in anger and wrath Psal. 6.1 O Lord rebuke me not in thy wrath and this latter is here meant So as thus much is here signified that the Lord will powre out his fury and his wrathful indignation vpon al the vngodly of the earth This wrathful rebuke hath two parts first the conuicting of the vngodly in their own cōsciences of all their wicked thoughts words and works and this the word also signifieth Reu. 20. The books shal be opened and all mens sinnes shall be laid open that is they shall be so discouered as they being conuinced shall not be able to denie them Secondly the punishment that shall follow that conuiction So Dauid prayeth Psa. 6. Neither chastice me in thy heauie displeasure Doct. Hence we learne that al things are fully and perfectly knowne vnto God and all things are open before him Heb. 4.13 yea they are naked and as it were vnquartered before his eyes for the Apostle alludeth to the cutting vp of a beast or the anatomizing of the creature wherein men are curious to finde out euery little veine or muskle though they lie neuer so close euen so the Lord shall finde out euery transgression although neuer so secretly conceiued and concealed and that in such sort as hee shall conuince the vngodly man whose mouth shall be shut so soone as euer his booke is open which should teach vs first in matter of religion to auoide all dissembling and hypocrisie Be that in deede what thou seemest to be for though thou maiest delude men thou canst not deceiue the Almightie but hee shall conuince thee Secondly let thy dealing before men be plaine simple without fraud couin or deceit for though thou maist glose with men who cannot conuince thee yet the righteous Lord shall rebuke thee for want of righteousnes in thy dealings Thirdly humble thy selfe before God alwaies for all thy knowne sinnes yea and for thy vnknowne sinnes also for though they be vnknowne to thy selfe yet they are knowne vnto him who will one day conuince thee of them all except thou preuent him by thy repentance The third thing propounded in the testimonie is the cause of the iudgement in these words Of all their wicked deeds which they haue vngodlily cōmitted and of all their cruell speakings which wicked sinners haue spoken against him The cause is two-fold the deedes and words of men the deedes are distributed first by the propertie of them being workes of vngodlines Secondly by the manner of performing them they are vngodlily cōmitted By vngodly works are meant all sinnes against any part of the law of God whether in the first or second Table for euery sinne though it be directly against man hath in it a defect and ◠withdrawing of some dutie due to God Secondly for the manner these workes being vngodly and failing against the law are done after an vngodly manner and that worke is done vngodlily which proceedeth from an vnrepentant heart and a minde addicted and deuoted to vngodlines which is knowne and discerned to be such a one by three notes first because it purposeth to commit sinne before hand Secondly in the committing of sinne it is delighted and taketh pleasure in it Thirdly after sin it walketh in the same course yea runneth on in the same waies without remorse or repentance and this clause seemeth to be added to put a difference between the godly and wicked who both of them may commit vngodlines and be found in vngodly actions but not both committing them in an vngodly manner for the childe of God before he sinne hee purposeth it not yea he hath a purpose not to sinne so as he may say it is not only besid◠but against his purpose Secondly in his sinne he hath a resisting and strife against it and is not wholy swallowed vp in the pleasure of it Thirdly he lieth not in it but reneweth and recouereth himselfe againe by faith and repentance so as though hee doe wickednes yet hee doth it not wickedly but weakely being ouercome and foyled by corruption And hence is it that this wicked worke being found in the hands of Gods children though it deserue death yet through grace it shall be no cause of his condemnation Doct. The principall cause of condemnation is not this or that sinne but the lying and trading therein which argueth an vngodly heart to commit vngodlines indeede maketh men subiect to condemnation but to commit it vngodlily this bringeth swift iudgement Secondly a wicked man sinneth not of infirmitie for he committeth vngodlines in an vngodly manner and tradeth in wickednes wickedly the sinnes of infirmitie befall not the gracelesse sinner but the regenerate only
the flames and motions of lusts springing from the former fountaine This lust I call first an inordinate motion to distinguish it first from a holy lusting in the regenerate Dauid lusted after and desired the commandements of God yea aboue gold and siluer and there is a lust of the spirit against the flesh as wel as of the flesh against the spirit Secondly from a naturall lusting which is an appetite after meate drinke c. which in it selfe is no sinne Lazarus desired without sinne the crummes vnder Diues his table These lusts then are not to be condemned but only lusts inordinate Secondly I say euery euill motion because lust in the Scripture comprehendeth all thoughts and motions against Gods law so is the Commandement to bee vnderstood Thou shalt not lust Eph. 2.3 Among whom also we had our conuersation in times past in the lusts of the flesh in fulfilling the will of the flesh and of the minde Where the Apostle inlargeth it vnto all motions inclinations passions and perturbations of the heart minde will or affections so farre as they are not directed by the law of God This text must be vnderstood of actuall lust of which there be two degrees for sometime it is sudden and sometimes voluntarie the former is the first motion of the minde conceiued but without consent The latter is the motion conceiued but with consent purpose and deliberation which may be made plaine in this similitude The eye is sometimes cast vpon an obiect on a sudden without any purpose or intention of the minde but sometimes purposely and steadily vpon the same and as in the twinkling of the eye it is often shut without thought or purpose but sometimes againe of purpose and deliberation to preuent some hurt so is it in the minde the heart is a furnace of lust the flames whereof arise sometimes vpon the sudden and sometimes vpon leisure and deliberation both these degrees must here bee vnderstood Concerning which lusts there be three things further here to be considered First the qualitie and nature of these lusts in that they are said to bee vngodly lusts such as their root is such are these branches and therefore are in their nature properly sins yea principall and master sinnes yea and sinning sinnes causing men to goe on in sinne Qu. If they be sinnes what Commandement of the ten condemneth them Ans. Sudden lust before consent of will is condemned in the tenth but voluntarie with consent is condemned in all the nine former If this distinction bee not held we cannot make tenne Commandements For in all the Commandements lust is forbidden necessarie then it is that lust should be thus distinguished and also referred as wee haue said Quest. Some may aske In what Commandement is original sinne condemned Ans. Some say it is forbidden in the whole law which is not vntrue but yet it seemeth to be directly condemned in the first and last Commandements for these two concerne properly the heart of man the first respecting the hart directly so farre as it concerneth God the last so farre as it concerneth man whether himselfe or others Vse This teacheth vs to detest the Popish error which teacheth vs that inordinate lusts be no sinnes if consent of will be not added but that is false for if they bee conceiued in the minde they are the sinnes of the minde condemned in the tenth commandement Ob. But they say there can be no sinne properly produced without consent of will Ans. In ciuill matters the reason is good that none can be accessarie vnto sinne vnlesse consent of will be added but in diuine matters and in the Court of Conscience it is farre otherwise Secondly in the lusts note the propertie of them in these words Which walke after their propertie is to raigne in men and to cause men to giue attendance vpon them yea and to walke after them Where they are not resisted and repressed they make that man a vassall and slaue vnto them Rom. 6. Let not sinne raigne in your mortall bodie to obey the lusts of it Where the Apostle insinuateth so much that they force and compell men to the obedience of thē the whole order and course of which regiment is liuely described Iam. 1.14.15 by fiue degrees first lust tempteth and that two waies first by withdrawing the heart from God secondly by intising and intangling the minde with some delight of sinne Secondly lust conceiueth when it causeth the will to consent and resolue vpon the wickednes thought vpon Thirdly it bringeth foorth when it forceth a man to put in execution the things consented vnto and resolued vpon Fourthly it perfecteth the birth of sinne vrging a man to adde sinne vnto sinne vntill he come to a custome which is a ripenes and perfection in sinning Fiftly it bringeth forth death that is euerlasting vengeance and destruction in all which hee alludeth vnto the beginnings proceedings and end of a man who after he is past his full strength decaieth againe and dieth by these degrees the lusts of the heart rise vnto this raigne and regiment in the heart of euery wicked and naturall man where grace ouercommeth not nature Thirdly obserue the number of these lusts After vngodly lusts Where he speaketh in the plurall number as of many for originall concupiscence is the seede of all sinne in euery man and looke how many sinnes there be in the world so many lusts are there in the hearts of men so as seeing there is no number of the euils in the world euen so are the lusts of the heart innumerable Therefore truly may wee conclude that vngodly men haue their hearts filled with vngodly lusts The second point in the words is that these vngodly men shall walke after their lusts which is then done when men first suffer their hearts to be withdrawne from God by euill lusts and motions secondly giue assent thereunto thirdly practise them fourthly keepe a course and trade in sinning which is the perfection of it Thus a man denieth the true God and excludeth him out of his heart and setteth vp the diuell yea his owne lusts for his God vnto which hee becommeth a slaue so as this is no small sinne Doct. Hence note a difference betweene the regenerate and the reprobate for if the childe of God be enticed and drawne away from God he grieueth for it and giueth not readie consent vnto the temptation Secondly if through frailtie he bee ouercarried to giue consent yet it is not full consent but he doth it against his will and purpose for his purpose is not to sinne Thirdly if he put lusts in execution he lieth not in them he will not walke after them but recouereth himselfe because he is incorporated into Christ he hath the roote of grace which shall not vtterly die in him the seede abideth in him which at last shall sproute vp to repentance and amendement of life and hereby may a man know whether he be the childe of
holines is incomprehensible and infinite yea the fountaine of all other holines Created holines is a certaine gift of God which by some proportion resembleth this vncreated holines of God the subiect whereof are Angels man and Gods ordinances especially the written word so as this holines of faith is this deriued holines and not the former Secondly how is the doctrine of religion most holy Ans. First in it selfe being without all fault and error and hauing sundrie excellencies being full of diuine wisedome and truth and the onely instrument whereby Gods infinite wisedome and goodnes is made knowne vnto vs. Secondly in regard of the effect and operation which is to make the creature but especially man holy Ioh. 17.17 Sanctifie them in thy truth thy word is truth It sanctifieth men instrumentally in that it maketh them resemble God in many graces by this Dauid became wiser than his Teachers Psal. 129. and so resembled God in wisedome Iam. 3.17 This wisedome which is froÌ„ aboue of which the word is the instrument is pure peaceable easie to be intreated full of mercie and good fruites without iudging and without hypocrisie Thus wee see how it maketh men resemble God in all these yea and in all other vertues Thirdly it is most holy because it sanctifieth all inferiour creatures to the vse of man so as hee may vse them with good conscience 1. Tim. 4.4 Euery creature of God is good sanctified by the word and prayer Where by the way may be noted the superstition of the Romish Church which halloweth Bread Salt Water Palmes c. for the curing of diseases casting out of diuels working wonders which practise of theirs is nothing but the defiling and prophaning of the creatures by superstitious prayer seeming to hallow them yet without any word or warrant either of promise or commandement which is the principall instrument of sanctifying the creatures vnto their lawfull ends and vses Hence learne first that the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles is from God because it is full of wisedome without any follie full of truth voide of all falsehood as also most holy both in it selfe and in operation and effect and in the author as proceeding from him who is the fountaine of all holines it is not of men neither needeth the euidence of men by this propertie only if it had no more it carrieth with it and containeth within it sufficient euidence against the gates of hell that it is from God and holy as himselfe is Secondly the word being most holy it must dwel in our hearts plentifully and our care must be that it may be written in the tables thereof that it may bee an ingrafted word bearing rule ouer our wils and affections yea ouer our whole liues for where it ruleth it sanctifieth the whole man Thirdly the doctrine of true faith sanctifieth vs but as it is receiued beleeued and applied by faith and no otherwise when it taketh place in vs then it sanctifieth vs it is not the rehearsing of the articles of it nor the knowledge of it nor carrying about with vs the words of it that can worke grace but the hiding of it and mingling it with faith in the heart from which we gather that it is a foule error of the Papists to teach that the Sacraments conferre grace by the worke wrought and that as the penne writeth by the hand of the writer and that of it selfe the hand mouing it so the Sacraments of themselues sanctifie being administred by the Minister but this is erroneous for the Word and the Sacraments are both of one nature the Sacraments being none other but the word made visible but the word read or vttered sanctifieth not by the worke done but by being beleeued and applied by faith therefore no more doe the Sacraments by being administred but by apprehending Christ in them grace must be conferred by the spirit of grace and not by the vertue of any action in the Sacraments The last point in this first rule is the meanes whereby beleeuers are to build vp themselues in their most holy faith and that is prayer praying in the holie Ghost Wherein euery member of the Church is put in minde of a principall dutie namely that whensoeuer wee feare or foresee a falling and defection froÌ„ the faith by reason either of weakenes within or persecution without theÌ„ time it is to repaire vnto God by the prayer of faith crauing at his hands strength and power not onely to bee preserued from reuolt but also to bee confirmed in the faith and doctrine wherein we stand The Apostle hauing exhorted the Ephesians to stand fast and be strong in the Lord and hauing prescribed some meanes tending to that purpose in the 18. verse hee concludeth the principall of the rest to bee prayer praying alwaies with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and that it is so appeareth by two reasons first by prayer faith is exercised yea and increased according to the increase whereof the other graces of zeale hope patieÌ„ce and constancie are likewise confirmed and animated Secondly faithfull prayer hath a faithfull promise made vnto it Askâ— and ye shall haue seeke and yee shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you these promises we must lay â—old vpon and applie vnto our selues for the stirring vp of continuall prayer and strengthening of grace especiallie in time of temptatioÌ„ and in sense of frailtie and then God will be good in hearing and helping as his promise is Now in this meanes obserue the manner of making prayer in these words In the holy Ghost which are added for foure causes first to giue vs to vnderstand that although a man be regenerate yet he cannot pray as he ought vnlesse hee be still mooued helped and stirred by the holy Ghost God giueth sundrie graces in the conuersion of a sinner first a preuenting grace which yet is not at all effectuall vnlesse it be seconded and helped with a supplie of a second grace for that is true euen of the regenerate without me yee can doe nothing Ioh. 15. God giueth first the will and then the deede Phil. 2.13 yea and the continuance of the doing of that which is truly good Hee that hath begun the good worke will performe or finish it chap. 1.6 Here let grace be euery way grace lest it be no grace at all let God who is all in all haue all the glorie of all as for the doctrine of mans merit and humane satisfaction which robbeth God to enrich man it here falleth to the ground The second is because prayer is a singular and especiall worke of the holy Ghost in vs who stirreth vp in vs these grones and sighes which we cannot expresse Rom. 8. and maketh vs crie Abba Father Zach. 12.10 this spirit of grace and compassion is promised to bee powred out vpon the house of Dauid and inhabitants of Ierusalem and from hence a man may examine and finde whether he be the
Luk. 7.47 Many sinnes are forgiuen her for she loued much where it seemeth that loue is the cause of forgiuenes of sinnes Ans. I answere this word for doth not signifie here a cause but a reason drawne from the signe as it is also elsewhere vsed this then is the sense many sinnes are forgiuen her and hereby ye shall know it because or in that she loued much Note hence first that doctrine of the Church of Rome to bee false whereby they teach that before iustificatioÌ„ there must be a disposition and aptitude in a man thereunto standing in a feare of hell loue of God c. for by this doctrine the loue of God in man should go before iustification which is a fruit and follower thereof Secondly that is as false that loue is the soule and life of faith for though in time they be both together yet in the order of nature loue followeth after faith therfore cannot be the forme and soule thereof Thirdly it hath bin the opinion of some that faith apprehendeth Christ by loue and not by it self but this is also erroneous for loue in order followeth apprehenâ—â—on of Christ and therefore Christ is not apprehended by loue First we beleeue and being knit vnto Christ by faith then our hearts are knit vnto God by loue The third point is what is the measure of loue whereby we must loue God and man Ans. According to the two distinct parts of the word of God are prescribed two distinct measures of loue The measure of the law is to loue God without measure for it requireth that wee loue God with all the powers of our bodies and soules and with all the strength of all these powers Luk. 10.27 This measure is not now in our power to performe no not although wee bee borne anew for being still flesh in part some of the powers of our strength are withdrawne from the loue of God The Gospell is a qualification of the law and moderateth the rigour thereof it freeth a man not froÌ„ louing God but exacteth not this loue in the highest measure and degree but accepteth such a measure as standeth in 3. things first in beginning truly to loue God secondly in the daily increase in this loue thirdly in being constant in the same vnto the end this measure the Lord accepteth for perfect loue in those that bee in Christ in whom the imperfection is couered Deut. 30.6 The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart that thou maist loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart and all thy soule that is as if the Lord had said I will ingraft the true loue of my selfe in your hearts which you shall increase in and constantly proceede in the same and then I will account and accept of it for the full measure of loue that my law requireth which distinction is the rather to bee considered because the Papists teach that the loue which the Lord requireth of Christians is the same for substance and measure which the law prescribeth and for the perfection of our loue they say a man may doe more than the law bindeth him vnto as if he gaue all his goods to the poore it is more than euer God in his law hath commanded and if wee loue God aboue all creatures which they say a man may doe though imperfectly it is the loue which the law prescribeth But all this is most false and so the Apostle Galath 3.10 concludeth it as many â—s are vnder the workes of the law are accursed If all men bee condemned by the law then is no man able to performe the loue and duties which it requireth but he taketh the former for granted for else his argument could not hold and therefore that none can performe the loue which the law enioyneth is true Secondly the common opinion of men is that they euer loued God with all their heart and it iâ— pitie hee should liue that doth not so but it is a mâ—â—re delusion for if it were so what needed any qualification or moderation of the law by the Gospell The fourth point is wherein standeth the loue of God Ans. 1. Epist. Ioh. 5.3 This is the loue of God that ye keepe his Commandements Ioh. 14.13 He that keepeth my Commandements is he that loueth me the reason whereof is this he that loueth God loueth his word and he that loueth his word wil bewray his loue in yeelding answerable obedience thereunto and in one word this keeping of the Commandements standeth in these three things first in faith for it must bee the worke of a true beleeuer secondly in conuersion vnto God thirdly in new obedience which sheweth many a man how miserably he hath been heretofore deluded by Satan for euery mâ—n professeth and pretendeth the keeping of the Commandements and yet the most are so farre from doing them that they know them not neither care to know them The fifth point is how a man should preserue in him the loue of God and of mâ—n Ans. First the meanes whereby man may preserue himselfe in the loue of God is two-fold first euery one must labour daily to haue his heart setled in the sense of Gods loue towards himselfe for the more he shall feele Gods loue confirmed vnto him the more shall his loue bee inflamed and increased towards God againe euen as the more wee feele the heate of the Sunne the warmer wee are Secondly wee must keepe a daily obseruation of Gods blessings spirituall and temporall which is a speciall meanes not onely to confirme and augment our loue but preserue it constant to the end Psalm 18.1 I will loue thee dearely O Lord. Why what made Dauid thus resolue himselfe the reason is rendred in the next words The Lorde is my rocke my fortresse my strength and hee that deliuereth mee Secondly men must vse the meanes whereby they may preserue their loue to men and these are of two sorts for some stand in meditation others in practise The meditations are foure The first is the consideration of the spirituall and neere coniunction of all those that are true beleeuers of which number wee professe our selues all to be who haue all one Father God one Mother the heauenly Ierusalem the Catholike Church all begotten of the immortall seede the word of God all liue by one faith in Christ and all are heires of eternall life and glorie This was Pauls motiue perswading him hereto Ephes. 4.3.4 There is one Lord one faith one baptisme one God and Father of all see Phil. 2.1.2 The second meditation is that the duties of loue which man sheweth to man especially the faithfull God accepteth as done to himselfe so saith the Wiseman He that giueth to the poore lâ—ndeth vnto the Lord. And Matth. 25. When I was hungrie ye fed me c. namely in my members vpon earth The third meditation is the consideration of that curse which is due to them that neglect duties of loue to man when occasion is offered
the Law and Gospell consent and dissent pag. 21. 9 Whether Christs bodie can be present in many places at once pag. 23. 10 Whether Christ as redeemer hath any partner fellow or deputie pag. 24. 11 Whether the child of God may be assured of his saluation pag. 26. 12 Whether Images bee to bee worshipped pag. 37. 13 Whether God decreed before all worlds to reprobate some men pag. 48. 14 How can God punish children with their parents who sin not as they pag. 69. 15 Whether Magistracie be lawfull and hereunto adde 1. Wherein doth the authority of Magistrate Minister differ pag. 76 2. How farre doth ciuill gouernment extend pag. ibid. 16 Whether the Pope be the archrebell of the world pag. 79. 17 Whether traditions besides the Word are needfull pag. 82. Or of necessity to be beleeued pag. 111. 18 Whether a man may not reuenge in his owne cause pag. 87. 19 Whether drunkennesse may be approued pag. 90. 20 Whether the Apostle might curse the false teachers pag. 91. 21 Whether Coraâ— was swallowed vp of the earth or burned pag. 99. 22 Whether Church lands and liuings may be impropriated without sacriledge pag. 101. 23 Whence had Iude the history of Enoch the 7. from Adam pag. 110. 24 Why made be choyse of that before any other historie in the Canon pag. 111. 25 How could the Apostles daies be called the last time pag. 120. 26 Which Church is that to which a man may safely ioyne himselfe pag. 125. 27 Whether separation may bee made if errors be found in the Church pag. ibid. 28 Why it is a sin to be a natural maÌ„ pag. 127. 29 Why prayer must bee made in the holy Ghost pag. 132. 30 VVhether wee may pray to the holie Ghost pag. 133. 31 Whether the loue of God be in man by nature pag. 134. 32 Why are wee not commanded to keepe our selues in the loue of man aswell as of God pag. 133. 33 How should a man preserue himselfe 〈◊〉 the loue of God and man pag. 135. 34 How we may recouer offenders pag. 140. 35 Whether by the deliuery of a sinner to Satan be ment the censure of excommunication pag. 143. 36 How can mens flesh or garments bee vncleane and hated seeing they bee the good creatures of God pag. 145. 37 Whether and how farre wee may keepe company with an obstinate offender pag. ibid. 38 Whether Christ be God against the Arrians pag. 149. 39 How Christ can bee saide to bee only wise seeing other creatures are wise also pag. 151. 40 How can we giue any glory to God seeing hee can receaue no more then he hath pag. 155. PLACES OF SCRIPTVRE EXPLANED AT large in this Commentarie Cap. Vers. Pag. Gen. 17 1 19 Exod. 20 4 35  5 36  12 41 Esay 8 13 40 Micha 6 8 41 Matth. 4 10 38 10 23 20 18 18 30 Luc. 9 23 34 13 3 33 Ioh. 1 14 22 3 5 28  16 24 Rom. 3 28 26 1. Cor. 7 20 43 8 6 19 Gal. 5 1 30  14 41 1. Tim. 1 19 44 4 7 50 2. Tim. 3 16 17 1. Ioh. 2 22 23 5 7 19 OTHER PLACES MORE BRIEFELY EITHER EXPLAned or cleared from cauill and corruption Cap. Vers. Pag. Genes 1 7 104  26 77  27 21 3 15 77 43 34 88 Num. 16 27 99  32 26 10 100 1. Sam. 28 19 111 2. King 23 25 15 2. Chro. 15 15 15 23 11 79 29 20 79 Psalm 106 17 99 Esay 60 10 78 Ier. 1 10 78 Hagg. 1 6 90 Matth. 17 26 78 18 17 142 Ioh. 2 8 90 14 28 150 Act. 20 35 ibid Rom. 13 1 76  8 76 1. Cor. 5 5 143 7 23 78 11 3 150 15 28 ibid. 2. Tim. 1 5 82 Titus 2 11 51 53 Iames 2 26 14 2. Pet. 2 19 51 Christian Reader sâ—â—ing my self could not attend the Prâ—ss◠〈◊〉 â—oules thou maies meet withall but seeing they are the most of them literall such as 〈…〉 the most oculâ—â—â— and diligent Prâ—â—ter and none of them such so farre as I find as much change of trouble the sense I reserue the correction of them to thine owne humanitie ERRATA For Nesikius and Aleminus reade Neskius and 〈…〉 and pag. 8 for 〈…〉 13. reade Ioh. 1. â—3 and pag. 165. margent for 〈…〉 a 1. Sam. 2.30 b Ioh. 8.49 c Mal. 1.6 d Iob. 11.7 e Philip. 2.13 f Luk. 17.10 g Psal. 16. â— h Iob. 35.6.7 i Ester 6.6 k Dan. 5.7 l Ester 6.8 m Gen. 41.43 Reformed Catholike Isa. 50.4 Iudg. 20.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euripid ofâ—elsaâ—â—us â—elsaâ—â—us a â—unnagate Frier Obiect 1. Obiect 2. Answere Obiect 3. Answere Obiect 4. Answere Quest. 2. 〈◊〉 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Beza writ two Homilies concerning the sacrament vnder the title of Nathaniel Nesekins and Caluins Institutions printed vnder the name of Alcninus the Master of Charles the Great Anno 1534. The Scripâ—tures writâ—ten properâ—ly for the Church that it might be gaâ—hered and strengâ—thened thereby Obiect The church 〈…〉 to persons or places but 〈◊〉 Christs 〈◊〉 Obiect Answere Question Answere Answ. Sanctification followeth effectuall calling Religion rectifieth affectionâ— but abolisheth thâ—â— not Questioâ— Answere * Who caâ— bring a cleane thing out of filthineâ— there is nâ— one Obiect Answere Question Answere The first diuision of sanctification Question Answere The second diuision Minde Memorie ConscieÌ„â—â— Will. Affectioâ—â— 4. Grounds to prooue the perseuerance of the elect Obiect Answere Obiect Answere Obiect Answere Obiect Answere◠〈…〉 christ 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 place 〈◊〉 bee 〈◊〉 for aboue all things in the world a 1. Cor. 13. b 1. Tim. 1.5 c 〈◊〉 8.7 Iam. 2.26 2. Tim. 1.13 1. Ground Obiect Answere Obiect Answere Papists enemies to Hebrew and Greek 2. Ground Obiect Answere The mystâ—â—rie of iniquitie supâ—ported by mysticall Scripturâ— â— Ground Popery a â—onster 〈…〉 heads 〈…〉 many Gods 4. Ground Papists rob God of his mercy and iustice 5. Ground Quest. Answere Papists become Anâ—itrinitaries 6. Ground Obiect Answere Question Answere 7. Ground 8. Ground Obiect Answere Obiect Answere Obiect Answerâ— â— Ground â—â— Ground Papists controule the Apostle where he saith that sin entred by one ouer all 11. Ground Obiect Answere 12. Ground 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quest. Answere Obiect Answere Obiect Answere Obiect Answere 13. Ground 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Obiect Answere Obiect Answere Obiect Answere Ministris vtitur Christus non Vicarijs â—ucer de regno Christ. cap. 2. Obiect Answere Papists worâ— than the â—ouldieâ—s in paâ—ting christs garments The 〈◊〉 Church 〈◊〉 Iesus 〈◊〉 be Christ. 14. Grouâ—â— The castâ—â— of Romish faith hangâ—eth in the ayre without foundation Obiect Answere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 1 Cor. 1. 〈◊〉 Obiect Answere Aduersaries Indeed no word 〈◊〉 thou 〈…〉 Pope Iohn the 2â— shalt be â—aued Obiect Answere Obiect Answere Obiect Answere Obiect Answere Obiect Answere 15. Grouâ—◠〈◊〉 5.18 Note Aduersaries The Popish church fallen from grace Obiect Answere Obiect Answere 16. Grouâ—â—