sorts 1. This word signifieth Faith by reason of the conuenience of them and because that true Fatth comprehendeth assured knowledge and trust Heb. 6.11 We desire that euery one of you should shew the same care for the full assurance of hope vntill the end 1. Pet. 3.18 Be alwaies ready to giue an answere to euery man that asketh you a reason of thâ— hope that is in you 2. Sometime it designeth the goods hoped for Gal. 5.5 Wee through the spirit wayte for thâ— hope of righteousnesse through Faith Colloss 1.5 For the hope sake which is layd vppe for you in heauen whereof yee haue heard before by the word of truth Titus 2.13 Looking for that blessed hope and appearing of that gloly of that mightie God c. 3. It is taken for the support and ayde which man perswadeth himselfe to finde in God or in his creatures Psal 65.6 Thou art the hope of all the endes of the earth and 142.6 I haue sayd thou art my retreat my hope or my portion Esay 20.5 They shall be confounded by reason of Cus which is their hope or that which they looke vppon This word properly taken signifieth a durable affection of heart raised by God by the which wee wayte for the good things difficult but possible to obtaine and such as not without cause wee desire to obtaine The Principall efficient cause of Hope is God who giueth it to his elect Rom. 15.13 c. Thâ—ss 2.16 Now as our Faith by the meanes of the word preached and heard commeth of the fidelitie and truth of God if you consider the neerest cause for certaine Hope proccedeth of Faith for being certaine of Gods truth wee giue credit to his word in the which hee promiseth vs excellent things in hope to receaue them at the time prescribed to giue them Heb 11.1 The Apostle sheweth the obiect of our Hope to wit saluation in heauen saying that wee are saued by Hope that the Hope which is seene is not Hope for why should any man hope for that which hee seeth Rom. 8.23 Whereby wee gather that Hope regardeth the things absent and to come also that it consisteth in the trust which wee haue to obtaine and possesse those things according to the decree and promise of God The subiect of Hope is such a one as that of Faith the which hath Hope for effect and fellow during the whole course of this present life Faith is the proper goods of the elect of God who accepâ— Iesus Christ for their onely sauiour anâ— mediator To them then belongeâ—… Hope the which sayth the Apostle Heb. 6.19 wee haue as an anchor oâ— the soule both sure and stedfast and â— entreth into that which is within the vaile The forme of our Hope is the trust which the holy Ghost giueth vs that wee shall not be tempted beyond our strength that the afflictions shall be mitigated that God will deliuer vs from all euils and daungers and will saue vs in his heauenly Kingdome The end is to stay vntill that according to the good pleasure of God wee be put in possession of the good things which he hath promised vs. If he be slack wayte thou saith Abacuck chap. 2. vers 3. for he will not faile to come and will not tarry Let vs then conclude of all that hath been sayd A definition of christiaÌ„ Hope that Christian Hope is a gift of God the Father to all the elect in Iesus Christ by the holy Ghost for the vpholding of their Faith consisting in a trust to obtaine the goods to come by the vertue of the which the same elect are assured that one day they shall be freed from all euils to enioye those goods in the Kingdome of heauen Her faire priuiledges In the writings of the Prophets and Apostles are found many goodly priuileges of this true Hope Wee will note some of them 1. It trusteth in God alone who is called the Hope of his people and Dauid in sundry places protesteth that hee hath put all his Hope in him 2. Remembring that malediction and curse is pronounced in the 17. Chap. of Ieremie against him that setteth his Hope in man and who taketh the flesh for his arme it taketh heede carefully of trusting in creatures 3. It is our Helmet against the mortall strokes of Satan as the Apostle speaketh of it 1. Thess 5.8 saying let vs be sober putting on the brestplate of loue and of the hope of saluation for an helmet 4. It is the Faithful coÌ„panion of afflictioÌ„ for righteousnesse and the ioye of the Faithfull as sayth S. Paul Rom. 5. 12. Experience bringeth Hope Also reioyce in Hope 5. It is confirmed by the remembrance of the goods receiued of God and by the reading of his word It conducteth vs to heauen it is liuely and immortall it vpholdeth vs inuincible it deliuereth vs from the feare of men maketh vs happie as infinite testimonies and examples verifie 6. Let vs adde that as there is but one Fayth also we haue but one hope You are called sayth S. Paul Ephe. 4.4 In one Hope of your vocatioÌ„ Also there is but one onely body one onely Spirit one onely Lord one onely Faith one Baptisme one onely God and Father of all one holy Ghost and one celestiall inheritance Wherevnto God of his mercie bring vs. FINJS A TREATISE OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY Then speciallie of the workes and exercises of the children of God THe Charitie of Christians towards God and their neighbours The excellency of christian Charitie that Charity which the Apostle calleth the end of the commaundement 1. Tim. 1.5 which commeth of a pure heart of a good conscience and of a faith vnfained is surely a precious guift of the Lord besides this heauenly wish Peace be with the brethren and charitie with faith from God the Father and from the Lord Iesus Christ Ephe. 6.23 Besides it is called the fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 The fruit of the Spirit is Charitie ioye peace patience benignity goodnes loyaltie gentlenes temperance There we see a stately and diuine band of the Mother and her eight daughters Thirdly Charitie commeth of Faith for Charitie loueth and jmbraceth that which Faith sheweth maketh known vnto her so that Faith is as it were the Mother of Charity and of these two heauenly vertues commeth hope wherof we haue already spoken This Charitie whereof we speake is attributed to those whome closed and conioyned with that spirituall knot which S. Pauâ— calleth The bond of perfectnesse Colos 3.14 doe studie to keepe me Vnity of the spirit by the bond of peace Ephe. 4.3 forbearing the one the other in Charity and whome the same declareth that they appertaine to Iesus Christ Whose whole kindred is named in heaueÌ„ earth Ephes 3.15 These brethren kindred are those that by Christ haue in one selfe-same Spirit Entrance to the Father Ephe. 2.18 Wherevppon hee concludeth and sayth You are then no more strangers and
way vnto the Lord and trust in him and hee shall bring it to passe And hee shall bring forth thy righteousnesse as the light Psalm 37. and thy iudgement as the noone day wayt patiently vpon the Lord and hope in him fret not thy selfe for him which prospereth in his way not for the man that bringeth his enterprise to passe Cease from anger and leaue of wrath fret not thy selfe also to doe euill for euill doers shall bee cut off and they that wayt vppon the Lord they shall inherite the land Which is no small good to the faithfull man who from thence draweth tranquility and peace of conscience For bejng tossed with adversities which beate against him incessantly the one after the other as the waues of the Sea doe against rockes he hath great need to be vpheld that he be stedfast and firme and constantly to repulse the temptations wherewith hee is assaulted on every side Plal. 16. Whereto nothing is so fit as alwayes to looke vpon God and to go vnder his conduct and to hope from him a good and happy issue of all that wee see Psalm 30 and although that â—he businesse be very confused and jntricate that yet hee is able to determine of them and to draw forth a good order out of all these disorders which we see And even as Marriners floating by night at Sea behold alwayes the North pole to conduct them and to keepe them from gojng out of their course so in this world wee must alwayes haue our eyes fixed vppon God that he may prosper and governe vs well in all our affaires Psal 141. and say to him as saith the Prophet O Lord that art my portion Psalm 119. I haue determined to keepe thy words Psalm 56. For thou hast deliuered my soule from death and also my feet from falling that I may walke before God in the light of the liuing And also But I will sing of thy power Psalm 59. and will prayse thy mercie in the morning for thou hast beene my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble Vnto thee O my strength will I sing for God is my defence and my mercifull God O how happy is man when hee can say and feele in his heart as doth the Prophet Psalm 16. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup thou shalt maintaine my lot The lines are fallen to mee in pleasant places yea I haue a faire heritage I will praise the Lord who hath giuen me counsell my reines also teach wee in the night I haue set the Lord alwaies before me for he is at my right hand therefore I shall not slide Wherfore mine heart is glad my tongue reioyceth my flesh also doth rest in hope Surely there is no other meanes to content our mind then the possessioÌ„ which wee haue of God when wee loue him and that by Faith we enjoye him wholly relying vppon him and recommending all our affaires vnto him which cannot choose but bee well conducted and come to a good end when he pleaseth to jmbrace them which is the cause for the which the Prophet sayd My soule keepeth silence vnto God Psal 62. of him coÌ„meth my saluation he is my strength and my saluation and my defence therefore I shall not much be mooued And also Psal 111. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart in the assembly and congregation of the iust the workes of the Lord are great and ought to bee sought out of all that loue him And a little after The workes of his hands are trueth and iudgement all his statutes are true Whence coÌ„meth it that men trouble themselues so Censure of our imprudencie when they see any alteration in their affaires and that that which they pretend doth not alwaies happen according to their desire but that they thinke not vppon the prouidence of God which ruleth ouer all things and which disposeth of them according to his wisedome and counsaile which is incoÌ„prehensible vnto vs although we should worship them and assure our selues in our hearts that hee doth nothing but by weight nomber and measure Rom. 11. And therefore the Apostle considering it with astonishment and admiration crieth out O the deepenes of the riches both of the wisedome and knowledge of God how vnsearchable are his judgements and his wayes past finding out for who hath knowne the minde of the Lord and who was his counsellor Or who hath giuen him first and hee shall be recompenced for of him and through him and for him are all things to him be glorie for euer Amen This onely sentence were sufficient alwaye to keepe our mindes in rest jf first we consider that all things come from God and that therfore they cannot chuse but be good because that from the soueraigne good there can come no good euill and they returne to God that is to say to his glory the which ought to be more deere and pretious vnto vs then any other thing Often times we find in the scripture the exclamations which the prophets vse vppon the good hope of those that rely vppon God that is to say that worship him and depend wholy vpon him Like vnto the saying of Dauid And in the 32. Psalme Many sorrowes shall come to the wicked but hee that trusteth in the Lord mercy shall compasse him And in the 84. Psalme Blessed are they that dwell in thine howse they will euer praise thee Blessed is the man whose strength thou art and in whose heart are thy wayes And toward the end of the same Psalme For the Lord God is the Sun and shield vnto vs the Lord will giue grace and glory and no good thing will hee withold from them that walke vprightly O Lord of Hostes blessed is the man that trusteth in thee And in the 25. Psalme Vnto thee O Lord I lift vp my soule my God I trust in thee Let mee not bee confounded Let not mine enemies reioyce ouer mee Dutie of the faithful in their afflictions Then when we see that wee are opprest and that the most part of the world conspireth against vs and do league themselues to bring vs to ruine wee ought alwaies to remember our selues and lyft vp our eies towards God euen as the servant when hee is awde hath alwaies his eye vppon his maister and the mayde servant vppon her mistresse when shee perceiueth her selfe to bee threatned of any daunger Psal 123. and to assure our selues of the loue which hee beareth vs by the which hee is induced to haue pittie vppon vs and likewise of the care which hee hath to prouide for all our necessities when time shall require for hauing both the tymes and the seasons in his hands and power according to the which hee doth all workes and disposeth of euery one according as he knoweth the occasion to be fit and conuenient Act. 1. Psalm 94. hee will not misse to
incessantly and that hee feeleth in his conscience an vlcer which tormenteth and hindereth him from resting at his ease By meanes wherof if wee will retaine Faith and enioye the comforts which it bringeth vs we must necessarily walke roundly and applye our selues to doe all things which God in his law hath shewed vs to be agreeable vnto him to the end that our conscience doe not accuse nor reprooue vs nor presse jmportune nor condemne vs. For if our heart reprooue vs as saith S. Iohn God is greater then our heart to reprooue vs. ◠Iohn 3. So that the man that will not make shipwracke of his Faith as some haue done as saith the Apostle must indeauour to walke alwayes in all his waies in a good whole and wholesome conscience 1. Tim. 1. Psal 119 as Dauid singeth Blessed are those that are vpright in their way and walke in the Law of the Lord. And also speaking of the faithfull man Psal 112. Surely he shall neuer be mooued but the righteous shall bee had in euerlasting remembrance He will not be affraid of euill tydings for his heart is fixed and beleeueth in the Lord. Remedies for this euill Euery one must then indeauour to conforme himselfe and all his actions to the will of God doing according to the portion and measure of grace which hath been imparted vnto him that which is contained in his Law Psal 15. For as saith Dauid He that shall conuerse in this sort and would go thus need not feare to be ouerthrowne but such a man God will blesse He shall receaue a blessing from the Lord Psal 24. and righteousnes from the God of his saluatiō This is the generation of them that seeke him of them that seeke thy face that is Iacob If then we will appeare before the face of God in assurance let vs walke before him in all feare Let vs flie from euill and follow that which is good Let vs withdraw our selues from vice and apply our selues to the exercise of piety as much as we can We see that our first parents whilest they continued in the obedience of God they were familiar with him and spake with as great assurance as one fellow doth with an other But when they had disobeyed him and eaten of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good from evill against his will they began to decline fly frō his face and to haue him in such great horrour that there was nothing more fearefull vnto them then to find themselues in his presence Which happened vnto them of nothing else but by the disobedience which they had borne to God of the euill conscience which followed which made them thus timerous and fearefull ¶ Hypocrisie contrary to Faith Whence commeth this contrarietie HIpocrisie is also contrary to Faith because it setteth onely the appearance of things before it and Faith to the contrary preposeth always the truth of them Iohn 18. as saith Iesus Christ when Pylate demaunded him Art thou King Iesus answered Thou sayest it that I am King I was borne for it and for that I am come into the world to giue testimonie of the truth Whosoeuer is of the truth heareth my voyce By these words hee teacheth vs that the faithfull regardeth alwayes the truth and setteth it before them whereas to the contrary the Hipocrite contenteth himselfe with the appearance The one loueth the things that are of massie gould and the other the things guilded onely Conferēce differēce betweene Faith and hipocrisie Esay 29. Which is the cause that God who is true also loueth the truth and roundnesse in all things and abhorreth hipocrisie as it is written in Esay This people draw neere me with their lips but their heart is farre from me And Iesus Christ in S. Mathew Euery one that sayth Lord Lord Mat. 7. shall not enter into the kingdome of Heauen but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heauen Many shall say to me in that day Lord haue we not prophesied of thy name And haue we not cast forth Diuels in thy name And haue we not done many vertues in thy name And then will I say openly vnto them I know you not depart from me ye doers of iniquity And also in S. Iohn Iohn 8. reproouing the word of the Iewes who sayd they were the children of Abraham and of God said vnto them If you were the chilrren of Abraham you would doe the workes of the children of Abraham Now you seeke to put me to death that am a man who haue told you the truth the which I haue heard of God Abraham did not that you do the workes of your Father And the Father that you come of is the deuill and you will doe the desires of your Father He was an homicide from the beginning and hath not perseuered in the truth for the truth is not in him Euery time that he preferreth lies he speaketh of his owne for he is a lyar and the father of lyes And because I say the truth you beleeue me not It is also the cause for the which in the gospell of S. Mat. Mat. 23. he reproueth the Scribes and Pharisies that they were Hypocrites because they did onely clense the outside of the cup and the dish but that within they were full of rapine and excesse And addeth farther that they were like vnto white sepulchers which seemed faire without but within are full of dead mens bones and of al filthinesse Likewise also sayth hee you shew your selues iust men outwardly but within yee are full of hipocrisie and iniquitie The Apostle sayth to the Romaines That he is not a Iew who is so outwardly and that is no circumcision which is made outwardly in the flesh but hee is a Iew which is so inwardly And circumcision is that which is in the heart and minde not in the letter whereof The prayse commeth not to men but to God Dauid also speaking of those that shall bee lodged and shall converse in the Tabernacle of the Lord sayth Psal 15. it shall bee Hee that walketh vprightly and worketh righteousnesse and speaketh the truth in his heart And in the 24. Psalme Who shall ascend into the moūtain of the Lord who shall stand in his holy place Euen hee that hath innocent hands and a pure heart which hath not lift vp his mind vnto vanitie nor sworne deceitfully Wee must not thinke that that those hypocrits who are like vnto brokers whose commodities are not loyall rather nothing but old patcherie and deceit can be agreable to God who loueth integritie simplicitie and roundnesse in all things And doth not as men who affect flatterie and paye themselues easily with false coyne and when it is well stamped although it be falsly metled ¶ Superstition is contrary to Faith SVperstition is also contrary to Faith The nature of Superstition because it is alwayes in doubt and floting like
forriners but Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God Built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets c. Ephes 2.19 By an other elegant similitude he sheweth in the same Epistle that all the liuely members of Iesus Christ are joyned to their head by Charitie saying Following the truth in loue we grow vp vnto him which is the head that is Christ By whome all the body being coupled and knit together by euery ioynt for the fourniture thereof according to the effectuall power which is in the measure of euery part receaueth increase of the body vnto the edifying of it selfe in loue Ephes 4.15.16 From that which is sayd we gather that Charity is the jnfallible marke of christians according to the sentence of the soueraigne Doctour A definition thereof By this shall all men know that you are my Disciples if you loue one another Io. 13.35 Let vs theÌ„ say that charitie is a guift of God who by his holy spirit for the loue of IESVS CHRIST doth inflame the hearts of his children with an ardent dilection which they beare him by reason of his infinite mercy towards them in their election vocation justification sanctification glorification hoped for according to his infallible promises of the which dilection proceedeth the humble and free desire to render him obedience and to witnesse by all good dueties a sincere amity to all men especially to the houshould of faith with whome we rejoyce that they were receaued into favour grace and haue obtained pardon for their sinnes remaining bound with a brotherly affection with them by reason of the loue of God our Father S. Augustine sayd in one of Epistles that charity is a vertue by the which we loue those things that are to be loued which agreeth very fitly with our charity towards God who loued vs euen when we were his enemies The Lord sayd of the woman sinner that her sinnes which had beene great were forgiuen her for addeth he she hath loued much Luk. 7.47 By this doe we know that we loue the children of God when we loue God and keepe his commandements For this is the loue of God that we keepe his commandemeÌ„ts and his commandements are not grieuous 1. Iohn 5.2.3 Who so loueth others hee hath accomplished the Law for that which is said Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not commit adulterie c. and if there be any other commaundement it is summarily comprehended in this point to wit Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe Loue doth not euill to his neighbour therefore is Loue the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13.8.9.10 The properties thereof are excellently described by the Apostle in these words Her properties Loue suffereth long it is bountifull Loue envieth not loue doth not boast it selfe it â—s not puffed vp it doth no vncomely thing â—t seeketh not her owne things it is not provoked to anger it thinketh not evill it reioyceth not in iniquitie but reioyceth in the â—ruth it suffereth all things it belieueth all things it hopeth all things it endureth all things 1. Cor. 13.4 c. What a patterne for vs all God who is Charity it selfe giue vs the grace that all the dayes of our liues we may cast the eye of our thoughts vpon this faire and liuely picture to learne to walke in charitie renouncing all impatience furie enuie arrogancy jmpudency couetousnesse violence malignity jniquity lying cruelty jnfidelity profanenesse jmpiety crimes directly contrary to christian charitie Let vs in order see some effects of charity Her effects which shew what shee is 1. It is the testimonie of Iustification already apprehended following that which the Lord sayd to the Woman sinner whereof hath byn spoken before 2. It is not altogether perfect in this present life but shall bee in the life eternall namely after the resurrection Charitie sayth S. Paul 1. Cor. 13.8 doth neuer fall away whereas as for the Prophesies they shall be abolished and as for the languages they shall cease as for knowledge it shall be abolished 3. Whether wee consider the houshold of Faith or other men Charity is well ordered To this purpose it is sayd Gal. 6.10 Whiles we haue time let vs doe good to all principally to the houshould of Faith 4. A seruile feare doth much hinder mens consciences in the execution of that which appertaineth to their dutie and in the exercises of patience whereto Charity remedieth as saith S. Iohn in his 1. Epistle chap. 4. ver 18. There is no feare in loue but perfect loue casteth out feare for feare hath painefulnesse and he that feare this not perfect in loue 5. The rule of indifferent workes and actions is Charity witnes the acts of the Counsell at Ierusalem the circumsicion of Timothie and such like in the christian primitiue Church To the weake saith S. Paul I became as weake that I might winne the weake I am made all things to all men that I might by all meanes saue some 1. Cor. 9.22 6. Charity is the end of the commandement of the law 1. Tim. 1.5 Mathew 22.37 c. Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart with all thy soule and with all thy mind This is the first and the great commandement And the second is like vnto that Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe 7. It may be sayd that charitie is superiour and inferiour to Faith but in diuers respects inferiour by reason of iustification of her originall and of her measure For we are iustified by Faith Rom. 3.27 not by charity the which sheweth That we are iustified Iames. 2.18.21 From faith commeth charity and that which faith apprehendeth is assured and accomplished but charitie hath her progressions and increasings in summe faith is the measure of it and hee to whome God sheweth most mercy more that man loueth God and his neighbours Why charitie is the greatest But on the other side Charity is superiour 1. Because it shall neuer fall away and shall not be abolished in the life eternall but shall there be more accoÌ„plished 2. As it is a happier thing to giue then to receaue charitie imparteth the goods and guifts which it hath receaued and faith apprehendeth and keepeth the goods which God doth promise and present vnto it 3. In the righteousnesse begunne in those that are iustified in Iesus Christ who regardeth properly sanctification and regeneration Charitie hath â—he advantage ouer faith Whence it commeth that wee are iustified by faith not by charitie But it folâ—oweth not therefore that we are iustifiâ—d by Charitie although it bee greater â—hen Faith and Hope For in iustificaâ—ion there is no question to weigh the qualities of these vertues to say this is more proper to iustifie man than the oâ—her two but in them is considered the office the nature and the property of â—aith which consisteth in that onely which it apprehendeth and applyeth to â—he person which belieueth this righteâ—usnes of
Those that wayte vpon the Lord â—her new strength their wings growe â—aine like Eagles they shall rune and shall â— waxe weary they shall walke and shall â— labour at all Esay 40.31 So then â—thout the knowledge of Iesus Christ â—e trust in him and viuification by the â—ly spirit men cannot desire to doe â—od workes lesse effect and acâ—…mplish them Therefore they abuse â—…emselues daungerously that thinke â—at the Pagans vnbeleeuers and proâ—e men whose hearts are not purified â— the truth of the Gospell accepted by â—th and who doe not beleeue in the â—nne of God manifested to the Church â— the doctrine of the Prophets Evanâ—elists and Apostles can doe workes â—easing and agreeable to God And â—ose that maintaine that the naturall â—an can of his owne will render obedience to God and others who jmaginâ— a concurrance of the value of the worâ— man and of the workes with the dignâ—ty and perfection of him that commaâ—deth them and those that without câ—ryng whether the person pleaseth Goâ— or no teach that what he doth thinkinâ— he doth well it is agreeable to God 〈◊〉 farre that it is euen to boast themselueâ— before the seate of his justice of thâ— which they speake most vnworthily â— without a convenient respect of the satisfaction obedience and justice of Iesus Christ confounding miserably thâ— cause of saluation with the demonstration of the grace receaued and the sigâ— of justification 3. How good woorkes please god 3. It is demanded how good workâ— please God Ans They please becausâ— of Iesus Christ in whome those thaâ— please God are elected and welbeloued To speake this more amply wee musâ— first remember that the party that doâ— the good works is already reconciled â— agreeable vnto God by the meanes oâ— his onely Sonne Secondly that such a party justified by faith during his abyding in the world cannot satisfie to all that which the diuine law requireth To the contrary it cryeth euery day vnto the Lord pardon mee my sinnes Thirdly the party justified deploreth with Dauid and S. Paul his misery before God resisteth his euill affections growing from day to day in those that are least jmparfect prayeth that God would not impute so many filthinesses and jmperfections which appeare on euery side vnto him In the fowrth place although that the partie iustified by Faith acknowledgeth his defaults this neuerthelesse abides resolute in him that God requireth obedience although jmperfect and that the same is pleasing vnto him for the loue of Iesus Christ as sayth S. Peter you are an holy Priesthoode to offer vppe spirituall sacrifice acceptable to GOD by Iesus Christ 1. Peter chap. 2. vers 5. It followeth vppon that which we haue now sayd that our obedience doth not please by reason of the worke done or for any worthinesse that is therein or because it is done which it is not either be reason of the degree or ranck of the partie that did the worke For the good woorkes of Cornelius the Centurion did please God no lesse then the good workes of S. Peter the Apostle 4. Why we ought to doe good workes As for the fowrth point many vnderstanding that man is iustified before God by Faith onely without works do make iniquity of the causes which ought to inflame and prick vs forward to good works This question must be answered by the scriptures which propound three important causes to wit The necessitie of them Necessitie Dignitie Reward Let vs breefely speake of these three Necessitie is distinguished into fiue articles to wit of Commandement of dutie of Faith of repentance and of exemption from punishment euery one which ought sufficiently to stirre vs vppe to do well First the creature must necessarily obay to the Cteator Then when the Lord seriously and seuerely commandeth that wee obay him who seeth not that Christians ought of all necessitie to studie to do good works Walke sayth hee Ezech. 20.19 in my commaundements and S. Paul This is the will of God that is to say your sanctification 1. Thessalo 4.3 In regard of the necessity of the dutie the Apostle noteth it Rom. 8.12 in these words Wee are debtours not to the flesh to liue according to the flesh For if you liue according to the flesh you die but if by the spirit you mortifie the deeds of the body you liue Also 1. Corinth 6.19 Know you not that your body is the Temple of the holy ghost which is in you the which you haue of God and are not your owne for you were bought with a price then glorifie God in your body and in your spirit for they are Gods It is commanded to all the faithfull carefully to keepe and entertaine Faith S. Paul sheweth the necessity thereof saying 1. Tim. 1.18.19 Fight a good fight hauing faith and a good conscience which some haue put away and as concerning faith haue made shipwracke And in the 5. chap. ver 8. If there be any that prouideth not for his own and namely for them of his houshold he denieth the faith and is worse then an infidell The necessity of repentance is conformed by this protestation of the Lord As surely as I liue I desire not the death of a sinner but that he turne from his wickednesse and liue When a sinner leaueth his wicked course he is quickned by the holy Ghost to the end he may walke in newnesse of life for regeneration the beginning of that life which is a new light and a restauration of the jmage of God in those that are justified As for the necessity to auoyd his chastisements Dauid giueth vs warning jnough therof when hee sayth God chastiseth the sonnes of men because of their iniquities Psal 89.33 The second cause named Dignity The dignitie of them consisteth in this poynt that the belieuers are the children of God temples of the holy Ghost pallaices wherein Christ dwelleth whose members and co-heires they are What a wickednesse were it if they should resemble the enemie of their Sauiour What danger it is to defile the Temple of the Lord bearing therein the filthinesse of Satan And what crueltie to driue away the holy Ghost out of his accustomed lodging Seeing then that the propertie of the children of God is to follow their heauenly father who cryeth vnto them Bee yee holy as I am holy and that they are eleuated and called to be holy who seeth not that it soueraignely appertaineth vnto the Saints during their soiourning in this world to doe good woorkes The â—…ware of them The third cause called Reward oftentimes promised to those that are obedient Moyses shall be a witnesse thereof vnto vs of whome the Apostle saith Heb. 11.26 That in his labours hee had a respect vnto the recompence of reward The children of God are not mercenaries and life euerlasting is not a reward of varlets but an inheritance of children the recompence which they expect is of the good will of him that loued them from before