aforesaid and dayly nay hourely or rather euery minute exercise thy selfe therein that thou mayst be able to withstand thine enemies at all times For if thy sinnes which Satan will bee busie to lay to thy charge be obiected against thee arme thee thē with the Brest-plate of Righteousnes it shall be vnto thee as a Brazen wall to beare it off If this will not fully serue vse the shooes of Preparation to step aside or at least the target of Faith to breake the blow If from the course of Gods dealing with his seruants and also with the wicked hee beginne to assault thee which is a very vsuall and common thing with Satan take then into thy hand the sword of the Spirit so shalt thou be sure to beate him off And finally if death with his vgly terrours begin to rush vpon thee as ready to deuoure and swallow thee vp bee resolute in the Coat of Constancy stand fast in thy station and place appointed thee of thy Chiefetaine Head Christ Iesus and euery piece of Armour vvill minister present helpe and defence vnto thee And if it so fall out for all this that thou seest some weaknes in thy selfe that thou art faint and not able to hold thine owne but that Satan seemeth to get some aduantage vpon thee Death doth affright and terrifie thee and thy sinnes doe amaze thee insomuch that thy girdle is loose about thy loynes thy Brest-plate is bent and battered thy Shooes ready to slip and fall off thy feet thy right hand weake in weilding and handling of thy Sword and thy Target beaten euen to thy head that is if thou in this conflict doest suffer many discomforts and Satan seeme to preuaile so greatly against thee that thou knowest not how or which way to ward or keepe him backe yet let not this make thee flee and to giue ouer the fight or in any wise to yeeld vnto thine enemies But comfort thy selfe that Christ standeth as an eye witnes of thy doings ready to strengthen thee and to minister power vnto thee Flye therefore to him for refuge with hearty and earnest Prayer for that hee is both able and also willing to succour and deliuer thee and patiently suffer and endure all the hard doings of the enemies against thee with the Helmet of Hope And at the end conclude and shut vp the matter with Dauid and say Into thy hands O Lord Psal 31.6 I commend my Spirit For thou hast redeemed mee O Lord God of Truth Here stay thy thoughts and close vp thine eyes and what thou findest not in thy selfe expect and looke for in him who as I haue said is able and vvilling to doe all things for thy good And though it appeareth to thy iudgement that thou art depriued of the needfull consolation and comfort in this life yet doe thou not despayre For Christ will not be thou sure cast thee off because he findeth thee cut and wounded But as the good Samaritane Luk. 10.33 c. will mercifully binde vp thy wounds and plentifully powre out the oyle of euerlasting ioy and blessednes into thy maymed soule CHAP. XXVIII That the Elect in time bee assured of their election and how THe proofe and demonstration of this position namely that the Elect and Chosen of God in time bee assured of their election I thought conuenient to be annexed vnto this treatise because it serueth not a little to minister help and comfort for the allaying and qualifying of the troubles and discomforts of the afflicted soule And because it is of many made a doubt question whether any such assurance may be at all in Gods Children except it bee onely by speciall reuelation I thought it good for the better vnderstanding of the same briefly to premise something of the meaning heereof and to shew how it is to be vnderstood First therefore when I say the Elect I doe not meane some but all and euerie one of the Elect of God that they may and shall haue a certainty and an assurance that they are elect vnto saluation But for further and better explanation of my meaning I adde to this mine assertion in time for it is not alwayes so but after such time onely as they are effectually called and regenerated and that before such time they cannot haue it So that this is not any speciall and particular reuelation but a thing common and incident euen generally to all and particularly to euery one after that hee is thus thorowly called and renewed to know and bee assured that not onely generally all that doe belieue in Christ are elect and shall bee saued but also himselfe in seuerall and particular to be one of the number of those whom God in his eternall and euerlasting decree and purpose hath predestinate and appoynted vnto life The certainty of which doctrine shall plainely appeare and bee fully demonstrated in setting downe the meanes how this assurance is wrought and effected in them For proofe of this so profitable a poynt of doctrine let vs see so briefly and so plainely as we can by what reasons it may bee prooued that the man regenerate may be certified and assured of his Election The first argument of this assurance 1. Argument of assurance of Electiō is drawne and brought from the euidence of their owne Spirit which the faithfull finde within themselues For that this I meane the Spirit of euery one of the Elect of God is a very good witnes to giue euidence testimony in this case as the Apostle plainly teacheth Ro. 8. where he hath these words that the Spirit of God beareth witnes with our Spirits Rom. 8.16 So that if both do witnes together then our Spirit doth witnes also And this is that testimony which euery man by his own Spirit and conscience doth deriue draw from those generall propositions which he findeth in the Gospel for from the Gospell the Spirit of euery one of the Elect of God doth fetch his euidence by applying the same and by annexing an assumption vnto the generall doctrine and vniuersall propositions there deliuered As for example The Gospel teacheth that euery one that belieueth in Christ shall saued This generall proposition wanteth not good proofe but hath very many places in the Scriptures to confirme the same They that haue faith and doe belieue Ioh. 3.15 Rom. 9 33. Ioh. 8.51 5.24 Ioh. 3. Ion. 3.24 Gal. 2. shall not perish Ioh. 3. Shall not bee confounded Rom. 9. Shall not see death Ioh. 8. Shall not enter inter Iudgement Ioh. 5. Shall haue euerlasting life Ioh. 3. Shall be saued be iustified and haue remission of all their sinnes Rom. 3. Gal. 2. and many such places most plaine and manifest to like effect The Gospell thus ministring this generall proposition now the spirit of the elected childe of God beginneth to giue his witnesse by a particular assumption saying But I see and know by search within my selfe that I haue
vnderstand that hee that will goe to heauen for the most part must passe by Hell gates that is through the gulfe of deepe despayre The conuersion of some is much more quiet and free from struggling then others For though some I grant may seeme to haue a quiet conuersion and an easie trauell in their regeneration yet others no doubt with much struggling and greater difficulty doe attaine the same So that as the woman that with great paine and much adoe hath deliuerance of the burthen of her wombe seemeth to hazard both her selfe and the fruit of her wombe also so hee that thus trauelleth and laboureth in his new birth till faith be fully framed in him in struggling against sinne is oftentimes cumbred with such bitter and sharpe combate that he thinketh himselfe to bee in extreme danger and iudgeth his tender yongling faith to be dead indeed and to be as you would say none at all because hee findeth and feeleth not a present and euident motion of life appearing in it In this sort of men so distrustfull of themselues The cause is a suspition of the want of faith c. the cause as I haue often found it of this distrust and suspition of the want of faith is the lacke of the knowledge of the course and order that God taketh and vseth in our regeneration which is first to humble vs that he may exalt vs and to abase vs in the sight of our infirmities that afterwards step by step in his time appointed hee might raise vs vp againe vnto an vndoubted trust and assured hope in him Wherefore that the remedy against this distrustfull wound of despayre may be the better prepared let vs first consider the course and order of Gods vocation in singling out those from the world in his time whom he before all times in his eternall purpose hath ordained and appointed vnto life In this course and order of Gods vocation The course and order of Gods call to be considered 1. The time wherin we are first to marke and consider wel the time wherin he doth vouchsafe to call For wee must obserue that he calleth not all at once and at one instant together but hee calleth some sooner some later some in the morning euen in their infancy and prime of yeres some about the third houre and in their youthfull dayes some at the sixt houre euen in their strength and manhood But others againe at the sunne-set as it were and declining of the day euen when they grow neere to their end approch to their graue 1. Sa. 1.2 God as it appeareth called Samuel when he was but yong Iosiah also that good Prince seemed to be reclaimed from the world 2. King 22. and singled out vnto the Lord when as yet hee was but eight yeeres old Luke 1. Iohn Baptist was a sanctified vessell euen from his mothers wombe Act. 9. But Paul as is euidently to be proued was reclaimed being growne to greater yeeres Luke 19. So was Zacheus and infinite other recorded in the Scriptures But the thiefe on the Crosse Luke 23. though by the course of nature hee might haue continued a longer time yet had his calling when as the Sunne of Life was almost set and night of death beganne to arise vpon him This maner and order GOD hath and still doth vse not that he is not of power to alter and change the same but because it is his owne will And in this doing wee must marke hee doth not so much respect what he can doe but rather what is most conuenient for the better manifestation of his mercy and the aduancement of his glory in the Vocation and Calling of his Elect and chosen And therefore some hee quickly preuenteth with his grace some againe he suffereth to runne a long time in the race of wickednesse and to wallow and soyle themselues in the beastly sinke of sinne and yet afterwards reclaimeth them home vnto himselfe that so in both hee might declare and shew forth the bottomlesse depth of his exceeding loue and fauour toward those which are his From the which difference of times in Gods calling and regeneration of his chosen children ariseth this generall doctrine of exceeding comfort that no man No man can certainly conclude against himselfe that he is a Castaway of what estate so euer hee be can at any time in regard of his supposed defect of faith peremptorily conclude against himselfe his owne damnation and say of a certainty that he is surely a Castaway and a Reprobate for euer No though for the time he seemeth to himselfe to be as it were not onely to bee newly entred but euen to haue some long time continued in the state of reprobation For it is one thing to be in mans iudgement in the state of Reprobation and another by Gods Decree of Predestination to be a Reprobate and one that is for euer castaway For the very Elect and chosen children of God if we respect onely the outward appearance and will bee ready to giue out our sentence iudgement thereby vntill such time as they be regenerate effectually called and borne againe by the Spirit of God may be said to be in the state of Reprobation that is to be such as for the present haue gone further nor made any further progresse in the wayes of life then hath he which is a Reprobate indeed And for this cause they may be said to bee in the kingdome of darknesse and to bee aliants strangers yea enemies to God But on the other side if wee haue respect vnto the certainty and truth of Gods decree which standeth firme and sure for euer they can in no wise be said to be so reprobated and quite cast away from the hope of grace because that in respect of the said Decree they are chosen and elected vessels vnto life and such as shall be partakers of mercy though as yet the fruit thereof in the grace of their regeneration doth not begin to worke and be effectuall within them So that though in the secrecie of Gods Decree there is a distinction and difference made and some are vessels of mercy prepared vnto honour some vessels of wrath appointed vnto dis-honour some are to bee partakers of life eternall some contrariwise to be partakers of death euerlasting yet to the iudgement of man within himselfe vntill such time as hee is regenerate and hath the testimony of the Spirit to testifie and auouch vnto his heart and conscience though hee be in the secret purpose elected yet for the time I say hee shall find small or no difference betwixt himselfe and those that are Reprobates indeed euen in the foreknowledge and counsell of God Which indifferencie of the estate of the Elect and Reprobate before the time of regeneration ioyned with the vncertaine and vnknowne time of the Lords calling is a great reason why that though the man regenerate and renued may bee assured
faith and doe belieue And therefore I am assured also that I shall bee saued So that the generall proposition of the Gospell is most sure and certaine that all and euery one that hath faith and doth belieue in Christ shall bee saued and therefore are elected For none can be saued but one'y they that are elected predestmated and appoynted heereunto in the eternall decree and purpose of God Now if after a due search and sounding into thy self thou findest that thou hast this faith in Christ resting vpon his grace and promises and that thou art resolued in thy heart that remission of sinnes reconciliation vnto God and all the other benefits and effects of Christs death and passion doe appertaine and belong vnto thee this testimony is sure and certaine whereon thou mayst build this conclusion that thou art the sonne and elected childe of God And that the witnesse and testimony of these things to be within vs may bee had and deriued from our owne Spirit beside that place before alledged Rom. 8. that the Spirit of God and our Spirit doe witnesse together the same Apostle also seemeth to intimate no lesse 2. Cor. 13.5 bidding vs prooue our selues whether wee be in the faith and that we should examine our selues Know you not 2. Cor. 13.5 saith hee euen your owne selues how that Christ is in you except you be reprobates Now how should this proofe triall examination and knowledge of our selues by our selues bee had but by our owne Spirit 1. Cor. 2.11 For what man saith the same Apostle knoweth the things of a man saue the spirit of a man which is in him But heere it may be some will obiect against mee that these things are spirituall and of God For faith commeth not of our selues but is effected in vs by the Spirit of God and therefore by the same Spirit of God onely these must be discerned For that it followeth immediately in the same verse that these things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God Whereunto I answer that although wee cannot iudge and discerne of the things of God either concerning his excellent nature or the mystery of his will in the wayes of life and saluation what and how it shall bee but by the Spirit reuealing and manifesting the same in the sacred Scriptures by the Ministery of his Prophets and Apostles yet the knowledge of these things being had it hindreth not but that by our own Spirit wee may iudge the presence of those things in our selues which the Spirit hath thus generally set downe as things necessary in the Elect of God So then being by the Word and out of the Scriptures which is the doctrine of the holy Ghost schooled and instructed in the nature of these gifts and effects of the Spirit bee it faith or other spirituall gift whatsoeuer it shall bee a matter within the compasse of our own spirits being thus beforehand furnished and prouided to iudge and discerne whether these things be wrought and effected in vs as yet or not which is sufficient for my purpose and all that I require If therefore thou wilt know if thou be elected and consequently such an one as shall bee saued enter first into thine owne heart and soule and see whether thine owne spirit and conscience doth not testifie vnto thee and beare thee witnesse that that is verified and found to be truely and indeed within thy selfe which the word of God hath set downe as a most assured and vndoubted marke of the Children and Elect of God CHAP. XXIX Of the second argument whereby the certainty of a mans election is prooued THe second argument for proofe of a mans election is brought from the Spirit of God that dwelleth in vs. For as our owne Spirits doe testifie so the Spirit of God also doth beare witnesse together with our spirits that wee are the sonnes of God if sonnes then heires also euen the heires of God and heires annexed with Christ Heereupon it is that this Spirit of God that thus giueth euidence and witnesse with vs is called the Spirit of Adoption the Spirit of Promise and the very Earnest of our Inheritance It is called the Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8.15 Ephes 1.13 14. because it doth approoue vnto vs our Adoption that we are singled out from the world and by grace in Christ adopted to be the sons of God And this so fully and effectually that it maketh vs confidently and boldly to cry and call vpon God by the name of Father It is called the Spirit of Promise because it sealeth vnto our hearts the vse of all Gods promises in Christ contained at large in the Gospell to bee our owne and to appertaine and belong vnto vs. And it is called the Earnest of our Inheritance for that it is as a Pledge and Pawne vnto vs whereby wee are assured that God will perfect and performe his couenant of life in Christ that hee hath made and indented with vs that are his faithfull Children Although this testimony of the Spirit be most true and in the due and appointed time of God Ephes 1.13 that is after that they doe belieue is certainely found in all the Elect of God Ephes 1.13 yet I thinke it not sufficient this to affirme but also more at large to shew what this witnesse and this seale is in the Elect of God that so euery man may the better discerne and iudge of it in himselfe For though the Spirit it selfe bee sayd to be the Earnest of our inheritance because that the Spirit which thus in part worketh in vs being a part of our glorification which is heere in this life begun and that wee are by this part as by an earnest penny assured that God in his time appointed will bring this worke in vs vnto perfection for that he is faithfull and iust of his promise and will not let passe this good worke which hee hath thus begun in vs but will perfect and performe it vntill the day of Christ yet in that the Spirit is sayd thus to witnesse and to seale vnto vs the very words doe sufficiently intimate a further thing then the Spirit it selfe For it is certaine that these are things euen in common speech and reason distinct and differing one from another the testimony or witnesse and the person witnessing the sealing and impression of the seale and the seale it selfe This testimony and print or impression of the Spirit I take not to be diuers but to be one and the selfe same thing and doe iudge it to be nothing els but the reparation or a new impression of the image of God in vs which was before cancelled and defaced in vs by reason of the fall of Adam So that when the Spirit is thus sayd to seale nothing els is meant therby but that it doth again instamp and ingraue and set vpon vs euen vpon our hearts and soules that Image of goodnesse purity holinesse wisdome sanctity truth and
of God in our hearts and soules that was marred and defaced so greatly by the fali of Adam This Image or impression is easily knowne and discerned from the counterfeit and outward shew of hypocrites whose sanctity and deuotion is onely outward Glorious indeed they appeare in the outward shew like painted Sepulchres but if they looke inwardly vnto the heart there is nothing to bee found but rottennesse and corruption So that it may easily bee there seene that the ruines of old Adam are not yet againe repaired in them Look therefore I would aduise thee not vnto the outward appearance bee it neuer so glorious and goodly but looke into thy soule the inward part and looke so neere as thou canst into euery corner thereof and see if thou canst finde the rubbish of Adams fall to bee in some sort swept and cast out and the image of GOD in holinesse and righteousnesse to bee in some measure renewed and imprinted againe vpon thee Which if thou canst see and perceiue then assure thy selfe that this Testimony is in deede the vndoubted and infallible Wunesse and Testimony of this Spirit of Adoption Thirdly thou maist know and discerne it by the constancie and certainety of the testimony that it giueth For it is not like the wauering vnstedfast flash of hypocrites which think maruellous well of themselues slattering and perswading themselues for a time in a blind conceit that they are in the number of GODS Elect but cannot grow indeed to any continuall or certaine resolution therein But this Spirit if it haue liberty to speake and be attentiuely hearkened vnto yeeldeth forth a full and a settled perswasion of the truth of our Election in Christ I say if it haue liberty to speake and be attentiuely heard for that it oftentimes falleth out with the faithfull that though they haue this certaine Witnesse within them yet the Flesh sometime getting the head and mastry ouer the Spirit in them will not suffer it to speake so plainely as it would And they also being thereupon troubled with this frailty which they finde in themselues do often fall into many wauering and doubting thoughts while they do not listen attentiuely vnto this witnesse of the Spirit that now seemeth to speake more coldly and with a lower and lesse audible voice vnto their soules then heretofore For certaine it is that though the Spirit doth alwaies witnesse and giueth also a most certaine and constant Witnesse for it is the Spirit of Truth yet it is not alwaies in the like measure to the discerning of our soules but sometime more euidently and sometime lesse yea and that sometime also so obscurely as that the children of God whiles they are too much busied otherwaies in hearkening vnto the suggestions of Satan the World and the Flesh they doe seeme as though they heard it not at all Wherefore if thou hast once felt and found this testimony of the Spirit in thee let it suffice thee and be therewith content his testimony once giuen is of great force for that as I haue said hee cannot lye Therefore I say if at any time it hath witnessed the same vnto thee seale it vp for a most certaine truth For the Spirit of God which leadeth vs to all truth speaketh nothing but Truth hath spoken it And although now it seeme to waxe so cold in giuing euidence yet if it doe but whisper nay if it doe as you would say but breathe within thee that is giue neuer so secret and small a Testimony yet doe not thou misdoubt it for euen this is as sure as a thousand other clamorous and lowd witnesses to confirme the truth of thine Election And bee further assured of this that thou canst not in any wise reiect this testimonie though it seeme in thine eyes but simple and slender without exceeding iniury offered vnto the Spirit of Truth Fourthly in the manner also of the effecting this certaine Witnesse and Testimonie thou maist discerne it to bee the testimonie of this Spirit of Regeneration and Adoption for it is wholly and fully in the Death and Passion of Christ euen by by assuring thy soule and conscience that Christ with all his benefits is thine and that in and through him and him alone thou art become the adopted Childe of God and heire of euerlasting glorie Now whereas by thy question moued thou seemest to doubt of the truth of this testimony whether it bee of the Holy Ghost or not I answer further Is it any thing likely that Satan would euer perswade any man of this assurance of such incomparable benefits as Christ by his Death hath purchased for his Elect Would he euer perswade men that in Christ we are made the adopted Children of God No I assure you that is farre from Satans purpose he knoweth that this kinde of doctrine serueth not to aduance but vtterly to ouerthrow his kingdome and therefore laboureth what he may to suppresse the publike preaching of the Gospell that this kind of doctrine should bee hid from the knowledge of men so farre is he off from furthering of the inward application of the same vnto the comfort of our soules wherein the vertue of Christ his death consisteth Therefore if at any time the hypocrites do flatter and perswade themselues in their election it is not wholly alone and principally in Christ from his death Passion that this perswasion ariseth but vpon some other good liking cockering affection that they haue vnto their fayned and hypocriticall deuotion while they take such slight and slender tryall and examination of themselues Finally this Witnesse may bee knowne by two notable and excellent effects attendant and waiting vpon the same First that the Spirit doth hereby shead abroad in our hearts Rom. 5.5 the loue of God towards vs in Christ Iesus for it maketh vs to haue a certaine sense and feeling of the loue and fauour of God towards vs. Secondly vpon this followeth another effect and that is that vpon this sense of loue and sheading of his tender mercy in our hearts to the taste and feeling of our soules it causeth vs withall to cry and call vpon him by the name of Father for now when wee thus feele his loue and mercy whether wee cast our eyes downeward vpon our selues or vpward vpon the face of God in Christ wee see and behold him still as a gracious louing mercifull and compassionate Father reconciled to vs by and through Christ and our selues to bee his adopted sons and children whom hee in his eternall purpose in grace and mercy hath selected and ordained vnto life and that by and through the same our Sauiour Iesus Christ his deare Sonne Hitherto of the witnesse of the Spirit Let vs now come to the outward fruits of our Regeneration CHAP. XXXV Of the outward fruits of Regeneration HYpocrites aswell as the Regenerate haue in outward shew many good deeds wherby they gaine to themselues no small praise and commendation of deuotion and
able to succour those that are tempted So this our Authour in that hee was himselfe afflicted in spirit and troubled in conscience through the suggestions of Satan and the temptations of the Deuill doubtlesse hee was inabled thereby as well out of his more vigilant and carefull obseruation of Satans practices as the sense and feeling of his owne extremities the better to discerne and discouer his Wiles and Stratagemes neither so alone but withall to apply vnto himselfe and to prescribe to others such comforts and remedies as out of his owne experience hee found to yeeld most ease and helpe And thus good Reader to detaine thee no longer from the perusall of the same beseeching the Lord to blesse it vnto thee I cease and shall euer rest Thine in the Lord Iesus I. M. The Contents of the seuerall CHAPTERS CHAP. I. OF the extremities and griefes of a troubled conscience FOL 1 CHAP. II. Wherein is contained the principall causes of a troubled conscience FOL 12 CHAP. III. Of the second or Assistant causes of a troubled conscience FOL 23 CHAP. IIII. A Cordiall against the assault of sinne FOL 28 CHAP. V. Soueraigne remedies against the wound of sin FOL 41 CHAP. VI. Against the assault of the weaknesse and want of faith FOL 60 CHAP. VII Of speciall things in mans conuersion FOL 81 CHAP. VIII Of another person troubled with the doubt of faith FOL 101 CHAP. IX Against the assault of the weaknes of repentance FOL 123 CHAP. X. Of the markes of true Repentance FOL 127 CHAP. XI An Admonition to the sorrowfull soule FOL 141 CHAP. XII Of loathing of sin the second marke of repentance FOL 145 CHAP. XIII Of the application of the former things to the comfort of the sorrowfull soule FOL 153 CHAP. XIIII How the man disquieted in conscience should in the same behaue himselfe FOL 168 CHAP. XV. Against afflictions and outward euents FOL 188 CHAP. XVI Of the first Position and the Obiections against the same FOL 119 CHAP. XVII Satans obiection against the former doctrine answered FOL 204 CHAP. XVIII Of the second Position and the Obiections against the doctrine thereof FOL 214 CHAP. XIX Satans Obiection against necessitie of afflictions ouerthrowne FOL 128 CHAP. XX. Other Obiections of Satan against the former doctrine confuted FOL 243 CHAP. XXI Of the third Position FOL 251 CHAP. XXII Of the fourth Position FOL 269 CHAP. XXIII Of the fift Position FOL 292 CHAP. XXIIII Against the feare of death and vnwillingnesse to die FOL 301 CHAP. XXV Of the first part of the preparation vnto death FOL 316 CHAP. XXVI Of the second part of the preparation vnto death FOL 326 CHAP. XXVII Of the preparation concerning the time of sicknesse and death FOL 343 CHAP. XXVIII That the Elect in time bee assured of their Election and how FOL 352 CHAP. XXIX Of the second Argument whereby the certainety of a mans election is proued FOL 359 CHAP. XXX Of the third Argument whereby the certainty of mans Election is proued FOL 366 CHAP. XXXI Of the Obiections against this doctrine of Assurance and knowledge of our Election FOL 370 CHAP. XXXII Of the essects whereby the truth of faith may bee knowne FOL 379 CHAP. XXXIII How the faithfull shall know that they haue the Spirit of Adoption FOL 397 CHAP. XXXIIII Of the true markes whereby the Spirit of Adoption may be knowne FOL 405 CHAP. XXXV Of the outward fruits of Regeneration FOL 415 CHAP. XXXVI Of the second Obiection FOL 423 A SOVERAIGNE COMFORT FOR A TROVBLED Conscience CHAP. I. Of the extremities and griefes of a troubled conscience INfinite and intolerable for the time seeme the extremities of a troubled and distressed mind that is throughly humbled and abased by reason of sinne In so much that were it possible that all temporall griefes whatsoeuer and paines arising from bodily diseases No temporall griefes like the distresses of a troubled conscience might or could bee heaped vpon one and the selfe same person yet would they bee found too light to weigh in the ballance with these perplexed agonies For as all riuers runne into the sea and as the man that is indebted if once hee fall into pouerty is so farre from comfort that hee hath all his creditors ready to tread and presse him downe neuer ceasing vntill they haue brought him to the Gaole and prison So likewise is the troubled minde A troubled mind is a receptacle for all griefes a receptacle for all griefes the enemies therof viz. Sinne Sathan Death and Hell are continually rushing in vpon it and triumphing ouer it writ vpon writ to attach this silly troubled conscience and by force and violence to draw it to the seat of Iudgement The multitude of sinnes doe amaze it and the intolerable weight of iudgement and of the anger of God doe continually affright it Within nothing but a most infinite masse and confused Chaos of despairing thoughts and without euery obiect is so terrible and full of feares that all things seeme to haue ioyned hands and giuen consent to increase his griefes and adde vnto his woes and miseries Great no doubt was the griefe of the wife of Phineas who hearing that the Arke of God was taken 1. Sam. 4. Ely her father in law was dead and Phineas her husband slaine with extremity of anguish fell in trauell and in her paines deceased And how was Dauid perplexed when hearing of the death of Absolon 2. Sam. 18.33 hee withdrew himselfe into his chamber howling out weeping and saying O my sonne Absolon my sonne my sonne Absolon would to God I had died for thee O Absolon my sonne my sonne But alas what is the wife of Phineas and who is Dauid that they should bee set forth as patternes to expresse this agony and distresse of a troubled soule The losses from whence these sorrowes of Phineas his wife and King Dauid did rise are farre inferiour and how is it then possible that their dolors should bee equall It is not the losse of the Arke of God that troubleth them but the losse of heauen and of all the ioyes prepared for Gods elect children Not the death of Ely but the departure of God himselfe in whose presence is the fulnesse of ioy Psal 16.11 and at whose right hand are pleasures for euermore They see him frowne which was sometime fauourable him terrible from whom they receiued comfort and him a Iudge who sometime was a louing Father It is not the death of Phineas an earthly husband but the losse of Christ the Spirituall Spouse euen that Iesus which saueth his people from their sinnes and is the onely Mediator betwixt God and Man Neither is it the death of Absolon a sonne but of a soule then the which what can be to a man more precious No maruell then if it sometime fare with these as it doth with persons lunatike For what is it that the terror of Gods eternall wrath and iudgement except
and therefore howsoeuer others may gather fruit of your godly sayings yet you may by this surely know that no gaine doth thereby grow vnto me Answ Concerning the knowledge you ascribe vnto mee I protest that it is not for me presumptuously to pry into the heart of any it is beyond the skill of me or of any other this power is left or rather reserued onely to the Lord who knoweth the secrets of all mens hearts and the examination of euery mans conscience is in him whose the conscience is and in none other man Yet that we may the better come to the discouery of Satans subtill policy and that euen thou also aswell as others mayst gather fruit of that which hath beene before delinered in true in good and godly manner as thou confessest Let mee I pray thee by the way demand one question of thee that art thus distressed in soule still the former doctrin notwithstanding Tell mee I pray thee Why doest thou thus sigh Why doest thou thus lament and mourne Why is thy countenance so thrown downe Is it not for sinne committed I am perswaded that thou wilt not deny but affirme that it is so For els why doest thou cry out so much against thy sinne and so complaine of thy former wickednesses Thus farre now I take that wee doe agree both in thy mourning state and also in the originall cause thereof But yet thou wilt haply say Reply of the soule distressed I confesse it is for sinne indeed but in such manner as was the mourning of Iudas who is sayd to mourne and lament for his sinne committed in betraying his Master but it was without hope it was with despaire and in hypocrisie Answ Well then now commeth to be tried out what it is that maketh thee thus to iudge and giue so heauy a sentence and that vpon thine owne estate In the which triall I finde two things whereby thou art led as it were violently to this desperate iudgement One is the consideration of the time past for that of long time before thou hast led thy life in very loose and licentious manner wholly giuing thy selfe to the fulfilling of the damnable workes of the flesh neuer acquainting thy selfe with the excellent workes of the Spirit and so neuer haddest any feele of sin nor touch of conscience as thou supposest at all The other is the state present Because thou fee-lest not these former good things as yet to be entred into thy heart and to haue any place therein Obiect Touching the first thou wilt say that surely such lewdnesse and carelesse kinde of liuing could neuer befall the called of God that so long so lewdly and so carelesly they should passe away their time and spend all their dayes without all remorse and feeling as hitherto thou hast done Answ Heereunto I answer that the position standeth on a weake and feeble ground sauoureth onely of Satans sophistry and nothing of the Truth and therfore is no better to be deemed then a false and deceitfull principle whereby the Deuill goeth about to deceiue thee as hee hath done many others as shall anon appeare One of these two things must needs be found in thee that either thou hast had some tokens of faith and of the effectuall working of the Spirit of God at one time or other apparant in thee or els thou hast not had them at all Tell mee now Didst thou neuer finde as yet any tokens of the Spirit and of faith nor any signes of thy regeneration to shew forth themselues in thee If not I say then that it is no maruell to see the man of God that is as yet vnregenerate to drench himselfe so deepe in sinne For vntill hee feele these tokens in some part appearing in him it is manifest that in wicked and disordred course of life there is little or no difference at all to be found betwixt him and the reprobate And yet since the time and also the manner of Gods calling is as I haue sayd to vs so vncertaine and vnknowne I affirme that all this notwithstanding a man may in time be called and therefore hee is not so desperately to iudge of himselfe And againe if it so be that thou hast selt faith in her fruit more or lesse already working in thee and hast perceiued some signes of true Repentance heeretofore to haue shewed forth themselues in thee and yet thou art thus farre as appeareth by thy speeches fallen backe and relapsed yet can this thy fall bee no sufficient reason to draw thee to giue such a dreadfull doome of thine estate My reason is The gifts graces of God not alwaies alike seene because these gifts and graces of God are not alwayes seene in such an high and flourishing manner as men doe dreame after But as I haue sayd of faith that it doth sometimes ebbe and sometimes flow So I assirme of the fruits of faith also that they are sometimes more and sometimes lesse And as faith it selfe sometime groweth to be so weake and feeble that it sheweth not it selfe at all but seemeth to be as you would say euen dead and yet hath a hidden life still remaining in it So it is also with the fruits of faith And heereupon it is that wee read of diuers the seruants of God as Noah Lot Dauid Peter and others whose faith was sometime brought to so low an ebbe and the flesh and the powers thereof sometime in them preuailed so much and so mightily that if we respect their doings for the time they seemed to haue little or no sense and feeling of sinne at all but as men no whit regenerate did giue themselues ouer to committing of sinne and those most odious and abominable and without any respect did shew and behaue themselues as men secure and carelesse for the time Which time of their secure loose and sinfull manner of life I may iustly call the time of Gods desertion for that he did as it were withdraw from them the liuely and effectuall working and operation of his Spirit permitting Satan and the Flesh for a time to haue the soueraignty and dominion ouer them And for that the time also of this desertion as experience teacheth is not alike to all but in some is of shorter and in others of a longer continuance as the Lord in his wisdome shall appoint I therefore conclude that this sayd time of desertion may not bee any cause so hardly to iudge of the state of any Now whereas this decrease in some is so small Some misdoubt themselues without cause there being a continuall motion of the Spirit in them though they perceiue it not that there is a continuall motion of the Spirit to bee found in them though by want of due regard they often see it not but doubt and mistrust themselues in regard of their liues and in respect of some sinne that daily they finde within them and yet after many yeeres they cannot bee deliuered from it
to sinne against him but will haue him exercised sometimes in greater troubles sometimes in lesse sometime touching and vexing him with sicknesse of body sometime with death of friends sometime with losse of goods and cattell sometime after one sort and sometimes after another but all to this end that so hee might make him more mindefull of him and more carefull to shew forth his louing obedience towards him This also by a Similitude may very well bee confirmed vnto vs. Shall the Physician bee said to hate his patient when as hee giueth and ministreth vnto him a strong and sharpe Purgation to recouer him Or shall the father be said to hate his sonne when hee doth chastise and correct him with the rod that hee may reforme him So neither can God iustly bee said to hate vs but rather to loue vs when in this manner hee launceth our sores that hee may heale vs and thus father-like correcteth and chasteneth vs with his Fatherly hand that hee may amend vs. And smally for the better confirmation of this doctrine by the testimonie of the Spirit of God in plain texts of Scripture Ioh. 16.13 to that which hath beene said let vs adioyne the plaine euidence of the Spirit of God which is the Spirit of Truth and leadeth vs into all Truth and witnesseth as much as I haue said namely that All those things proceed and come not of hatred but of loue Reu. 3.19 As many as I loue saith Christ vnto the Church of Laodicea I rebuke and chasten Vnto which agreeeth also the saying of Salomen Pro. 3.11 The Lord correcteth him whom he loueth euen as the father doth the childe in whom hee delighteth Whereunto consenteth also the testimony of the Spirit Heb. 12. saying Heb. 12.5 c. Haue ree forgotten the consolation that speaketh vnto you as vnto children My son despise not the chastening of the Lord neither faint when thou art rebuked of him for whom the Lord loueth hee chasteneth and hee scourgeth euery sonne that hee receiueth Hereupon now I conclude that if the former reasons had not beene at all yet this three-sold euidence of the Spirit of God whose Office is as I haue said to leade vs into all truth Joh. 16.13 may serue sufficiently to the quieting of any Christian conscience if it be throughly weighed and considered And therefore whereas Satan to the derogation of this healthfull doctrine and the increase of thy sorrow and discomfort doth forge this subtill reason Satans reason Those whom God doth thus afflict hee doth not loue but hate But thou art afflicted so and so by God Ergo thou art not beloued but hated of him This reason I say is easily ouerthrowne for that it is forged By whom by Satan which hath beene a lyer and a murtherer from the beginning and therefore his argument is not to bee receiued But wee are rather to hearken vnto the doctrine of the Holy Ghost which telleth vs a contrary tale that it is not hatred at all but loue not anger alone but the Fatherly care and tender affection of God towards his children that maketh keth him thus to correct and chastise them And this not that they should perish as Satan would inferre but that they should bee preserued and not perish with the world So that if wee endure this his chastisement hee is so farre from casting vs off that as hee hath witnessed hee offereth himselfe vnto vs as vnto sonnes But if wee bee without it wee are so farre from loue that wee are not sonnes Heb. 12.7.3 but Bastards And now see how thou maist very effectually turne this Argument of Satans back againe vpon himselfe to his confusion but to thy exceeding comfort God hath afflicted thee with many crosses and miseries art thou therefore cast out of the loue and fauour of God Nay rather thou art hereby assured that thou art no Bastard but in the number of those that in deed truth are become the Sonnes and Children of God CHAP. XVII Satans Obiection against the former doctrine answered BEfore that I enter into the Answer to Satans vsuall Obiection made against the former doctrine I am to counsell thee to take heed vnto thy selfe and to beware of his policie betimes For if thou wilt be ready to accept at his hands whatsoeuer hee will aduenture to profer vnto thee hee will soone bring thee to take at his hands Copper nay drosse for Gold deadly poyson for a soueraigne Potion and that to thy confusion Try therefore and examine his obiections thorowly marke from whom they come and to what euill end and purpose they are made so shalt thou the more easily withstand him in his temptations and with more speed preuaile against him Although this doctrine concerning my first position bee as I hope so plaine that euen the simplest may vnderstand it and with such reasons confirmed as it hath pleased the Holy Ghost to minister vnto mee in that respect yet is the enemy of God and all godly men bold to take exceptions against the same and in this manner frameth his Obiection Obiect It is recorded in the Scriptures that these which you so often call afflictions are indeed iudgements and Gods vengeance denounced and executed on Gods enemies and those against whom his wrath and anger is incensed And for confirmation hereof wee may produce many examples euen out of the Scriptures but in a matter so apparant I thinke it needlesse By this Obiection thus framed and vttered it euidently appeareth that the Forger thereof Satan by name will be a Serpent still of great subtilty still inuenting and forging new deuices to effect his deuilish purposes And therefore it is not to be maruelled at if he thus beginne to make assault vpon thee in this manner by force of this Obiection to raze out of thy minde the truth and certainety of all that before hath beene by so many Arguments confirmed which his malicious craft that it may the rather appeare Ict vs examine and try his Obiection thorowly and discouer the falshood and insufficiency thereof so farre forth as by the holy Spirit of God wee shall bee thereunto inabled The Proposition is this Obiect That afflictions are effects of Gods anger that such like afflictions as thou endurest are threatned in Scriptures as iudgements and effects of Gods haired wrath and anger vpon the wicked A subtili temptation whereby this enemy deceiueth very many But let vs a little dwell and stay thereupon syft and examine it thorowly and so the fraud thereof shall more easily appeare Whereas it is said in the Obiection that God doth threaten such like things as iudgements and vengeance for sinne to be executed on the wicked It cannot bee denyed the Scripture to this end is indeed plentifull But what of this Not any thing in truth can hereout bee gathered for Satans purpose But herein his craft doth the more appeare in that vpon so good a ground hee
loue that is of God For this is the very stamp of the Spirit which otherwise in other places is called our Regeneration and this is the testimony and witnesse that it giueth Wherefore that wee may now the better see and vnderstand how this Spirit of God in this sort doth witnesse and giue testimony with our Spirits of nor adoption into the number and fellowship of the children of God I think it good that we proceed a little further in the Apostles similitude This phrase and manner of speaking is drawn from the manner of men vsed for confirmation of contracts and bargaines made who hauing in speech concluded vpon their couenants straightway cause the same to bee first written and ingrossed and after their seales to bee to the same annexed to witnesse and assure both the truth of the bargaine and also the performance thereof So that the very print and impression abiding still in the wax is a sufficient witnesse that those writings are his act and deede whose seale is there annexed and that therfore also he will in truth surely performe the couenants therein contained Now for a further explanation hereof and to apply this according to the seuerall circumstances to our present purpose it is diligently to bee obserued and noted that the couenants or matter of the writings betwixt God and his Children are the promises of Grace in Christ through faith comprised in the Gospel These sayd promises are written and ingrossed in the tables of euery faithfull mans heart according to that saying I will write my lawes in their hearts Ier. 31.33 And this writing is when as by faith we doe apprehend the same Whereupon as is aforesayd our heart and conscience doth witnesse to vs that they doe belong vnto vs and that we are the sonnes of God Then together with this also commeth the seale and witnesse of the Spirit of God bearing witnesse as I haue sayd with our Spirit also of the truth heereof by setting his stamp and seale vpon our soules and harts wherin as in tables these couenants were written confirming most effectually and assuring vs that wee are indeede of the number of those in whom these promises shall be fulfilled that we are elect of God and such as are ordained vnto eternall life because this image and impression of the Spirit is giuen and imparted vnto none but those onely that are in the number of Gods adopted children See therefore I pray thee now in what manner the Spirit of God doth witnesse and seale vnto thee that thou art one of Gods Elect euen by setting ingrauing vpon vs such a stamp marke and impression as is onely proper and pecuilar vnto those that shall bee saued So that we seeing and beholding this within our selues are thereby to our exceeding comfort assured and confirmed that we are Gods Children and therefore also heires and co-heires with Christ of eternall life Rom. 8.17 Of this testimony then we are not in any wise to doubt but to account it vnto vs most sure and certaine for that it hath the Spirit of truth to bee the author of it which Spirit alwaies speaketh truth and nothing but truth And so much the rather also should wee haue in vs this assurance because this is applied euen vnto our hearts and Spirits and that with such efficacy and force as that it crieth that is to say it causeth vs in sight and feeling of the same to cry and call vpon our God by the louing and comfortable name of Father So that if the testimony of thine owne Spirit cannot content or suffice thee in this poynt but that thou doest desire to haue a further witnesse of thine election See if in thine heart thou canst finde this seale and impression this witnesse of the Spirit If thou canst this also will testifie with thy Spirit that thou art an elected Childe of God CHAP. XXX Of the third Argument whereby the certainety of a mans election is proued THE third Argument for the proofe of this Doctrine concerning Mans Election and the knowledge assurance thereof is brought from the notable effects and fruits following vpon our Regeneration in the course and race of our life For these also do witnesse and approue vnto vs our election as may very well be gathered by the words of the Apostle saying Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation saith hee vnto them that are in Christ Iesus that walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Who are they that walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit but euen they that shew forth the fruits of Regeneration by newnesse that is sanctuy and righteousnesse of life And what is it to bee free from condemnation but to bee one that shall in the end be saued And who are those that shall bee saued but onely they which before all times were hereunto elect and ordained This also is prooued effectually by the Apostle Peter who exhorting vs vnto these fruits willeth vs to ioyne vertue with faith with vertue knowledge 2. Pet. 1.5 6 7 8 9 10. with knowledge temperance with temperance patience and with patience godlinesse c. And after in the tenth verse for a conclusion hee addeth Wherefore brethren giue rather diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall neuer fall Now how is our election made sure by our workes but because that these good workes and gifts of the Spirit do certifie and assure vs that we are in the number of Gods Elect in that hee vouch safeth in this sort by his Spirit to worke in vs And the reason is because that f wee doe these things that is seeing God hath so farre communicated his Grace vnto vs no doubt hee that hath begun so good a worke in vs will continue and hold on still and that in such a manner that wee shall neuer fall To these let vs adde the testimonie of Christ Joh. 13.35 By this shall all men know that you are my Disciples if you haue loue one to another And the Apostle Iohn in his first Epistle 1. Ioh. 1.7 is pregnant to this effect If wee walke in the light as hee is in the light wee haue fellowship one with another and the bloud of Christ clenseth vs from all sinne 1. Ioh. 2.3 5. Againe Heereby are we sure that wee know him if wee keepe his commandements 1. Ioh. 3.14 Hee that keepeth his word in him is the loue of God perfect indeed hereby we know that we are in him And againe Wee know that wee are translated from death to life because wee loue the brethren c. Many such like places of Scriptures might bee brought tending to like effect and purpose so that as by the fruits the good or bad nature of the Tree is knowne so by thy workes as fruits thy condition and estate may be discerned For men doe not gather Grapes of Thornes Math. 7.16 nor Figges of
of the body and also the safety and saluation of the soule This loue is of that nature that it must shew forth it selfe euen to our enemtes and to their good and then much more to those that are members of the same body with vs according to that of the Apostle Do good vnto al men but speciully vnto thē which are of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 Vnder these two kindes of Christian loue as we may see is contained the whole work of our sanctification which is all in faith I meane the true saith which purifyeth and clenseth our harts and from this faith issueth and floweth as from a plentifull fountaine Act. 15.9 into all the parts and members of the body holding and containing them vvithin the bounds and lists of their seuerall duties So that in shewing forth the fruits of this purification in the deeds of loue both towards God and towards our neighbour we are said to walke according to the Spirit which being once discerned and knowne we haue then a most sure argument of the truth of faith Rom. 8.1 For there is no condemnation to them that walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit And who are they that shall thus be saued and shall not enter into condemnation but they that doe beleeue As appeareth by the words of Christ himselfe Joh. 5.24 saying Hee that heareth my Word and beleeueth in him that sent mee hath euerlasting life shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death to life And againe God so loued the world that hee hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne Iohn 3.16 that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Seeing now that the Children of God haue these so many and so excellent fruits and effects as markes and tokens to teach and instruct them in the truth of faith and as guides to lead and direct them in the iudgement of their Faith they may very well conclude to their great comfort both that their faith is in very deede a true liuely and iustifying faeith and that therefore their election is doubtlesse certaine an I sure whatsoeuer the enemies of this doctrine will seeme to obiect to the contrarie CHAP. XXXIII How the faithfull shall know that they haue the Spirit of Adoption THese things being in this manner set downe for the better quieting of the troubled conscience it now remaineth that as we haue occupyed our selues in poynting out the markes of a true liuely faith so likewise we take some paines to syft out and try also how the seruants of God his faithfull and elect children may discerne and know that they haue that testifying Spirit of Adoption whereof the Apostle speaketh Rom. 8.16 that giueth that plaine and euident testimonie vnto their spirits that they are the sons of God For the wicked and reprobates in some sort may be partakers of the Holy Ghost and therefore it seemeth that the Elect in this point may bee easily deceiued and mistake this their witnesse Two things here by the way wee must take good heed of First That although the Reprobates as I haue said may in some sort bee partakers of the Holy Ghost and as shall bee after more plainly shewed yet that we do not suppose or thinke that they can in any wise bee partakers of the same holy Spirit as it is the Spirit of Adoption For in this manner and in this respect it is imparted to the Elect of God onely and to none other For as many as are led by this Spirit Rom. 8.14.2 they are the sonnes of God Secondly that wee do not imagine this Spirit of Adoption to be distinct in substance and essence from that whereof the wicked are partakers as though it had a diuers nature but that the onely difference is in the manner of operation or to speake more plainely in the manner of distributing and diuiding his gifts amongst men And according to this operation or distribution there are diuers names ascribed vnto him in the Scriptures and yet the Spirit is but one and the same still As for an example when this Spirit effecteth wisedome in any it is called the Spirit of Wisedome when hee doth effect peace and ioy hee is called the Spirit of peace and ioy When hee worketh this witnesse of Adoption in any it is called the Spirit of Adoption And on the other part when hee putteth feare and terrour into any hee is called the Spirit of bondage The truth hereof is proued by the words of the Apostle Paul affirming that there are diner sities of gifts 1. Cor. 12.8 c. but the same Spirit For to one is giuen by the Spirit the word of wisedome and to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit and to another is giuen faith by the same Spirit and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit and to another the operations of great workes and to another Prophecie and to another the discerning of Spirits and to another diuersities of tongues and to another the interpretation of tongues and all these things worketh euen the selfe same Spirit distributing to euery man seuerally as hee will So that in nature and essence it is the same Spirit that worketh in the distribution of all these gifts both to the Elect and also Reprobates although the persons in whom hee worketh bee as I haue said found to be diuers Seeing then that the case standeth so that euen the Reprobates are partakers of the Holy Ghost in that the gifts of the Holy Ghost in some part are giuen and imparted vnto them I thinke it very expedient for the remouing of all doubts which may arise concerning this mine assertion First to shew in what manner this Spirit is and doth thus diuersly worke in the one and in the other in the Elect and in the Reprobate And seeondly what are the true markes and tokens whereby the Spirit of Adoption may bee discerned As touching the first it is be considered that the Spirit being in essence very God and therefore infinite and incomprehensible cannot be said to be contained in any thing but filleth heauen earth And therefore when it is said that hee is in any it is to be vnderstood that hee is in them by his working and operation And this manner of his being in them is after two sorts either naturall or else supernaturall Naturall I call that which exceedeth not the course and reach of mans nature And this is such as toucheth and concerncth the beeing onely and in this sense the Spirit may bee said to bee in the very senselesse creatures and to haue his working and operation in them For by this Spirit of God it is that euery thing is and hath his being and by the same Spirit it is preserued and maintained Or else it is such as concerneth things sensible and indued with life sense and motion and thus it is imparted vnto the very dumbe
SOVERAIGNE COMFORTS FOR A troubled Conscience WHEREIN THE SVBTILTIES OF SATAN are discouered his Reasons and Obiections fully answered AND FVRTHER The truth laid open and manifested to the great Consolation and strengthening of such as are distressed and afflicted in Minde Written by the late faithfull Seruant of the Lord Mr. Robert Yarrow And now published for the benefit of such as groning vnder the burthen of an afflicted Conscience desire Comfort MATH 11.28 Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy laden and I will giue you rest LONDON Printed for RALPH ROVNTHVVAITE and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the Signe of the Golden Lyon 1619. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL SIR FRANCIS BARRINGTON Knight and Baronet my much honored and worthy friend And to the no lesse vertuous then religious Lady the Lady BARRINGTON his Wife continuance with increase of happinesse heere and eternall happinesse hereafter WOrthy Sr. and good Madam though not as I would yet as I can I shal euer be ready to testifie my respect and thankfulnes for your loue and kinde fauours towards me whereof till the Lord shall be pleased to giue further means accept I pray you this which as it is a publike so my desire is it may bee a perpetuall acknowledgement I present you here with the labours of another which comming to my hands some few yeeres since gaue mee then so good content that when I restored the originall to the owner it left another same behinde it That not long since beeing required at my hands to bee sent abroad to the publique view after some consideration thereof had and the owner to whom it more properly belonged made acquainted therewith and the originall of the Authors owne hand-writing commended and committed vnto mee to that end and purpose I condiscended And that as for their sakes who groning vnder the burthen of a troubled spirit may by the blessing of GOD receiue benefit hereby So likewise and much the rather for yours to whom I did destinate the same from the very instant that the request vvas made Vouchsafe therefore I pray you to let it passe into the world vnder the TITLE of your NAME which as it will bee a shelter to defend it against the detraction of ill disposed persons so will it bee likewise as an oyntment powred out Cant. 1. â— yeelding a sweet sauour to make it pleasing not so much to the nostrils as the hearts and minds of the well affected and more godly sort of Christians And thus commending you to that our good God Act. 20.32 and to the Word of his Grace Heb. 6.10 that is not vnrighteous to forget your worke and labour of loue which yee haue shewed towards his Name in that ye haue beene so farre from being ashamed of the Gospell of his Christ that to the good example of the godly Rom. 1.16 and the shame of others yee haue profest the same in truth and sinceritie Phil. 2.15 and beene blamelesse and harmelesse the Children of God without rebuke in the mids of a crooked and peruerse Nation among whom yee shine as lights in the world I take my leaue Yours in all due and Christian respect Iohn Maunsell To the Christian Reader ALBEIT good Reader Eccles 12.12 the words of Salomon There is no end of making many books might neuer more iustly bee turned into a complaint in that the Presse did neuer surfet so much in that kind as in these daies of ours yet haue I presumed so far vpon thy patience as in this Scribling Age to send forth vnto thy view and consequently of all men the ensuing Treatise And yet I trust there is so little cause of iust exception either to me or it as that thou wilt much rather affoord it acceptance and mee thy approbation And that first in regard of the Subiect whereupon though it bee true that some others haue formerly written yet were they many more they might all well be borne for were they three for one I should aduise the man or woman afflicted in spirit to prouide to haue and to vse them all for the ground of that rule that the Wiseman prescribes in another case Eccles 11.6 holds as well in this In the morning sowe thy seede and in the euening with-hold not thy hand for thou knowest not saith he whether shall prosper either this or that or whether both shall bee alike good So I to thee reade others and spare not yet with-hold not thy selfe from reading this for thou knowest not whether may yeeld more comfort to thy distressed soule either they or this Besides Greenham Perkins for the chiefest of those others that I haue obserued in that kinde they are annext to other larger Workes which together are of higher price then that the purse of euery one that is troubled in conscience can reach vnto them And next in regard of the Worke it selfe which when thou hast perused I trust thou shalt finde not to bee done rawly and slightly but for the points therein handled and the matters that it driues at substantially and soundly And now good Reader sith I know that it satisfies thee not to see the worke but thou desirest withall to heare what hee was that wrote it not to trouble thee with any tedious discourse I will acquaint thee with so much as is requisite for thee to know and that in few words Hee was a man for yeares but yong The Authour cropt off euen in the flower of his age as more fit for heauen then the earth Whilst he liued he was generally noted to bee a man of very great hope and to be endued with many excellent parts as well of grace as nature whereof to giue thee onely a taste hee was of a meeke spirit a sober carriage a discreete behauiour a sound iudgement and of such vncessant and indefatigable paines as promised if the Lord had beene pleased to spare him life much good and benefit to the Church of God And which was the chiefest and set the crowne vpon all the rest hee was of a truely sincere and a right gracious heart Ioh. 1.17 A true Nathaniel an Israelite indeed in whom was no guile Besides which may in no hand bee omitted hee was The Authors own inward afflictions the first occasion of this Treatise and that for a good space greatly perplexed and troubled in minde with inward afflictions which the Lord so disposing it was the first occasion that mooued him to frame this discourse Of which his conflicts and the pangs and torments that his poore tender heart endured therein more sharpe and terrible vnto him then death I and Thou good Reader and such Others as being in any measure distressed as hee was shall make vse of these his labours receiue the benefit for as the Spirit of God makes mention of our blessed Sauiour Heb. 2.18 In that hee himselfe did suffer and was tempted hee is