verie fitlie compared in the Scriptures to thornes to chaffe to tares Because they be as prickes to procure hurt to the godlie Because as the winde doth scatter the chaffe so shall they be soone cut off from the face of the earth Because as tares are to bee bound in bundels burnt so shall they be in hell fire Wicked men are called by sundrie names and compared in the Scriptures to Foxes to Dogges to beastes Because they are subtill in vndermining doing of mischiefe in so much as the Church requireth to haue the foxes takē awaie Cant. 2.15 Because they are currish in controlling and barking against all goodnes Hereof Paule willeth the Phillip to beware of dogges Phil. 3.2 Because they are prophane in their liues and degenerate frō their kinde worse than beasts So Paule complaineth that hee fought with beastes at Ephesus after the manner of men 1. Cor. 15.32 The wicked and vngodlie are not to be Supported purposelie Accompanied willinglie Condemned vtterlie Because it is abomination before God to iustifie the wicked Prouer. 17.15 Because it is dangerous for hee that toucheth pitch shall be defiled Eccle. 13.1 Because the Lord wil haue mercie on whom he will and when he please Rom 9.15 These sayings maie terrifie such as attempt any euill The face of the Lord is against him 2. Pet. 3.12 Tribulation and anguish shall be vppon his soule Rom. 2.9 There shall be no ende of plagues to him Prouer. 24.20 God tempteth no man to euill but we are drawne to it By the diuell who watcheth to worke our ouerthrowe By our owne concupiscence to consent to his suggestions By vicious companie and ill perswasions of others when we be seduced The Diuell will vndermine vs in our musings if we take not great heed for in them Barn He talketh with vs wittilie He eggeth vs cunninglie Hee deceiueth vs craftelie whom if we resist by faith the Lord will Ouerlook vs fighting Succour vs fainting Crowne vs ouercomming The Diuells haue knowledge after a sort for They beleeue there is a God and feare and tremble Iam. 2.19 They can pleade Scripture for their owne purpose Matth. 4.6 They acknowledge Christes comming to iudgement Matth. 8.29 The Diuell hath three euill properties he is Subtill Strong Cruell as a Serpent as a Lyon as a Tiger For hee can transforme himselfe into many shapes yea into an Angell of light and vse manie shifts to deceiue withall For hee is not so busie in seeking daylie for his pray as he is forcible to resist where he assaulteth For where hee hath any enterance at all he will neuer rest vntill he bringeth to confusion The Diuell vsed three pollicies to tempt Christ in the wildernes perswading him To distrust in God To the desire of riches and honor To a vain cōfidence of himselfe Beza Mat. 20. Wee haue 3. cruell foes that fight against the spirit in this life the Flesh World Diuell The fiercest foe in this fight is the Diuell whō wee may expell with these three weapons Faith Praier the word of God We ought not to followe the lustes of the flesh but leade our liues holilie Beza 1. Pet. 2.11 Because those lusts although they flatter vs yet they cease not to fight against our saluation 2. Cor. 10.3 Because we are citizens in heauen and therefore ought to leade our liues thereafter although we be strangers here Because the glorie of God is greatlie set foorth by that meanes whilest by example of our honest life euen the most prophane men are brought vnto God and submit themselues vnto him There are many walk in this world saith Paul Phil 3.19 Whose God is their bellie Whose glorie is their shame Whose end is damnation The whole world lieth in wickednes 2. Ioh. 5.19 The wretchednes of this world made Salomon say Iob say Paule say The day of death is better than the day one is borne Eccle. 7 3. My soule is cut off though I liue Iob. 10.1 I desire to bee loosed from this life Phil. 1.23 What should we so accompt of this world seeing The fashion of it goes awaie 1. Cor. 7.31 The wisedome of it is mere foolishnes Iob. 37 The amitie of it is enmitie with God Ia. 4.4 Vse this world as though you vsed it not saith Paule 1. Cor. 7. These 3 things may withdrawe a man from desiring long life in this world The wretchednes of his life The grieuousnes of his sinnes The greatnes of his accompt because it is but a continual temptation and full of miserie because they will more increase by cōtinuance because it wil be the more fearefull at the yeelding vp The godlie desire to be out of this world Because it is variable and nothing but vanitie Because of the innumerable euills they are subiect to Because they long to be cloathed with the heauenlie habit Life is verie sweete and so sweete that it hath prouoked the godlie to prolong the safetie of it by shifts Dauid doubting of euill dealing fained himselfe mad to saue his life 1. Sam. 21.13.14 Paule perceiuing their crueltie that would kill him had rather in the night bee let downe in a basket than abide Acts 9.25 Peter fearing death did forsweare his master Iohn 18.27 The faithfull and godlie in this world doo dailie Fight Faint Fall by reason of their Aduersarie Infidelitie Infirmitie Yet they shall not be cast away Psal 37.24 These 3. things are worthie to be considered He that liueth best doth dailie sinne He is happie that hath grace to repent He is blessed to whom God imputeth no sin Although euery man is a sinner yet euerie sinne is not of like consideration for some sinne of Ignorance of Infirmitie of Malice as Paule did 1. Tim. 1.13 as Dauid did 2. Sam. 11.2 c. as Nebuchad-nezzer did Dan. 3.1 Euerie sinner must beware of these three things of procrastination presumption prouocation In delaying the time of repentance Matth. 24.50 In sinning still vpon hope Rom. 6.1 In sinning obstinatlie against the holie Ghost Sinne is nothing els but A sweet poyson A flattering death A destructiō of the soule wherof there be two sorts Original Actuall Adam did further his fall and increase his sinne in the garden three waies By ambition By hypocrisie By impenitencie because he thought to be as God knowing good from euill Gen. 3.6 because hee hid the cause of his nakednes which was the breach of Gods commandements Gen. 3.10 because hee was so farre from acknowledging his transgression that he burdened God with his fault in that hee had giuen him a wife Gen. 3.12 It appeareth by this that sinne is Excerable Detestable Intollerable because it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth Gen. 6.6 because hee destroyeth dumme creatures for our cause Zephan 1. vers 3. because hee would not spare his onelie sonne for our sinnes It is an exceeding comfort to a Sinner to consider That God is as well a father as a Lord. That Christ is as well a
both submit my self to reprehension so it be pertinent and commit euery one to his owne liking so it bee indifferent Vale. Bury S. Edmond Yours in the Lord Charles Gibbon O Lord Aduance thy glorious Gospell heere Amen No papall parts may once appeere Amen Giue peace plentie alwaies there Amen Let not the foe procure our feare Amen Inlarge her life whereby we stay Amen And make vs thankefull euery day Amen The remedie of Reason EVerie mans knowledge ought to be reasonable appliable towards God to himselfe That hee presume not to vnderstande aboue that which is meete to vnderstand Rom. 12.3 That according to his knowledge hee shewe the same in his life and conuersation or els his great knowledge will cōdemn him Lu. 12.48 That as hee hath receiued the gift hee minister the same to others 1. Peter 4.10 to others profitable He that would attaine to an effectuall knowledge of God must remember his precepts Luther his promises Luther his threatnings Luther The eternal power of God maie be knowne by the reuelation of his word by the creation of the world by the consideration of al his works The infallible prouidēce of God may appeare vnto vs by the preseruation of Daniel in the lyons denne Dan. 6.16 of Ionas in the whales bellie Ionas 1.15 of the three Children in the fierie ouen The prouidence of God is wonderful for he worketh by meanes without means For meat is a meane to serue his prouidence for the preseruation of health and life here hee that contemneth to eate because his prouidence is certaine and infallible doth contemne his prouidence For if it were so that meate could not be had thē should we not tye his prouidēce to this meane for without meate God can helpe and giue health and life here For his power and wisedome is infinite therfore we should depend vpō his prouidēce euen when al is cleane against vs. against meanes The exceeding mercie of God is made manifest vnto vs in the Scriptures By the miraculous examples of compassion By the manifold words of consolation By the death of his onelie sonne for our propitiation He that mistrusts the mercie of God denieth him to be Loue Truth Power wherin cōsists all the hope of poore sinners Because of his great loue hee sent his onlie sonne to suffer death for the remission of our sinnes Because hee promised for the loue of his sonne pardon to all poore sinners so oft as they require it in faith with a cōtrite hart Because he is as true of his promises as hee is able to performe them as he is of power so wil he do whatsoeuer pleaseth him The superabundant loue of God appeareth to vs in this that he sent his owne Sonne for our Redemption for our Iustification for our Sanctification The ioyes of heauen prepared for those that loue God are such as the eye hath not seene the eare hath not heard the hart cannot cōceiue 1. Cor. 2.9 Euerie one ought to knowe the difference in beleeuing a God of God Is to beleeue he is the onelie true and almightie God this faith is Historicall for so the diuelles beleeue as well as the wicked Is to beleeue all is true that he saith in the Scriptures of him and so doo the euill Christians aswell as the good vnlesse they bee Heretickes Is to loue him and to trust in his goodnesse and in beleeuing to ioyne our selues to him by loue and obedience this faith is Euangelicall onely proper to the elect who liue by faith in God It is not sufficient for vs to saie we know God loue God feare God vnlesse we keep his commandements 1. Ioh. 2 GOD sheweth vppon earth mercie iudgement wherein consists our saluation wherwith he punisheth the wicked whereby hee preserueth the godlie iustice Iere. 9.24 c. God oftentimes crosseth and punisheth man vpō earth for his owne glorie for example to others for triall of his faith as appeare by the blindman Ioh. 9.3 by the Galileans Luk. 13.3 by Iob that patient man God in times past spake and preached to his people by Dreames by Visions by Reuelations GOD hath appointed three places for all persons The ioyes of heauen The paines of hell for the godlie for the wicked for both The vse of the earth GOD is worthelie said to bee rich in mercie mightie in iustice bountiful in grace in that he respecteth the humble freelie iudgeth the wicked iustlie saueth sinners pitifullie Barnard GOD requireth no more at our hands but these three things Feare Obedience Loue. Deut. 10.12 God ought to be loued of vs with all our hearts with all our soules with al our strength Deut. 10.12 All thinges worke for the best to thē that loue GOD. Rom. 8.28 God is loued effectually three manner of waies entirelie orderlie pretiouslie In hauing a good will to him reioycing greatlie hee is such a one as he is In referring ourselues all that wee haue to him in such manner measure as he willeth In louing him so dearelie that for no cause wee would loose him or his loue but wish rather to lose our liuing life and the loue of all the world Loue is the end of the Commandement 1. Tim. 1.5 Loue cannot bee without a good conscience A good conscience cannot bee without faith Faith cannot bee without the word of God We ought continuallie to bee thankfull to God because of him through him for him are all things Rom. 11.36 True thankfulnes consisteth in these three things Comemoration Abiection Narration Because in recounting Gods exceeding benefits he hath done for vs wee shall finde the better occasion if we well cōsider to be the more thankfull for them as Dauid did which made him in feruencie of spirit burst forth with these speaches What shall I render vnto the Lord for al his benefites bestowed vppon me Psal 116.12 13 14. Because if wee measure the multitude of Gods benefites with our desarts we shal find our selues not worthie of the least but in respect of our imperfections we are no better than Abiects which we should not onelie acknowledge and saie with the same Prophet Lord what is man that thou art so mindful of him Psal 144.3 But also in regard therof say with him I will not die but liue to this end to declare the works goodnes of God he hath done for me Psal 118.17 Because it is not enough for vs to receiue Gods benefits be mindful thereof but also we are bound to make others to profite thereby and praise God as the same Psalmograph did Come saith he and hearken all ye that feare God and I will tell you what he hath done to my soule Psal 66.16 We ought continuallie to haue the feare of God before our eyes because it is the beginning of wisedome Pro. 9.10 because it causeth vs to depart from all euill Pro. 19.23 because his mercie is on such from generation to generation Luk. 1.50 It was the treasure of Hezekiah Esai
Godhead Soule Bodie who as touching his humanitie had no father as concerning his diuinitie had no mother It was necessarie that Christ should die That the Scriptures might be fulfilled Matth. 26.56 That hee might bruse the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 That wee might haue life through him 1. Ioh. 4.9 Christ is said to die generallie speciallie valiantlie for all the world 1. Tim. 2.6 for those that beleeue Heb. 9.12 for that he ouercame death Christ had small cōfort of his Apostles when hee was taken prisoner for Iudas betraied him Peter forsware him Al the rest forsook him And a great multitude followed him to his death Some to hurt him Manie to mock him All to see the end of him The benefite wee reape by the death of Christ is great He reconciled vs to his father Colo. 1.20 1. Ioh. 2.2 He redeemed vs from the curse of the lawe Gal. 3.13 He shewed vs an easier way to heauen Matth. 11.30 Christ by his death became for man Curse Sinne Seruile considering The qualitie of his death Deut. 21.23 The integritie of his life Esau 53.9 The equalitie of his estate Phi. 2 It was requisite that Christ should rise againe after death Because he foreshewed it to his Apostle Matth. 17.9 Because his flesh might not see corruption Acts 2.31 Because we might bee iustified thorow him Rom. 4.25 It was necessarie that Christ should ascend after he was risen That he might be fullie glorified Ioh. 7.39 That hee might send downe the Comforter Ioh. 16.7 That he might become our Mediatour Ioh. 17.3 Christ said that the Comforter at his comming should reprooue the world of Sinne. Righteousnes Because they beleeue not in him Iohn 16.8 Because he is gone to his father c. vers 9. Because the prince of this world is iudged 10. Iudgement Christ hath shewen vs a worthie and wonderfull good example of Patience Humilitie Because being oppressed and afflicted hee did not open his mouth but was like a sheepe dumme before the shearer Esa 53.7 Because he tooke vpon him the shape of a seruant being equall with his father Phil. 2.7 Because he laid downe his own life for vs than this what loue can be greater Loue Christ is verie fitlie called a Priest King Because by his onelie sacrifice hee appeased his fathers wrath Because he raigneth ouer all Ioh. 5.22 Because he declared his fathers will Acts. 7.37 Prophet There be 3. things that beare record of Christ in heauen the Father the Word who sent his Sonne which became flesh which proceedes frō both the Holie Ghost 2. Ioh. 57. There be three things that beare witnes of Christ vpon earth Spirit Water Bloud This assureth vs of our Adoption Rom. 8.16 Regeneration Iohn 3.5 Redemption Ephes 1.7 Those that loue Christ must followe after him passe through him drawe neere him because he is the truth because he is the way because he is the life Christ being the truth the way the life manifesteth to vs his Beza Nature Will Office So that in him we must begin continue ende He that will come after Christ must denie himselfe take vp his Crosse followe him wherin is laid before vs Bondage Basenes In denying himselfe In taking vp the Crosse In following Christ Hardnes Barn Christ amased and appeased his enemies three manner of waies By his sound doctrine By his strange miracles By his mild answers Christ descended into hell as may appeare by these places Articl Relig. 3. Psal 16.10 Iohn 20.17 Ephe. 4 9. For so wee cōfesse in the Creede of Nicene Athanasius The Apostles Many produce these directions to approue that the power and not the soule of Christ descended His speach to the theefe vpon the Crosse this daie shalt thou be with me in Paradise His yeelding vp the ghost when he said It is finished Luke 23.43 His agonie in the garden in sweting drops of bloud water For in hell is no redemption Luke 26.26 Christ spake most by parables to the multitude Because by seeing they should see and not perceiue Because by hearing they should heare and not vnderstand Because it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet Matth. 13.35 Mat. 13.13 The great miracles and wonders Christ wrought in this world were done partlie to this end To shewe the great power glorie and goodnes of his father Matth. 15.31 To approue himselfe the sonne of God Acts 2.22 And that he was sent of him Ioh. 11.42 To confirme the authoritie and excellence of his doctrine to winne the vnbeleeuers to it Iohn 2.23 Miracles are often called in the Scriptures Beza Hebr. 2.4 Signes Wonders Signes because they appeare one thing and represent another Wonders because they import some strange vnaccustomable thing Vertues because they giue vs a glimse of Gods power Vertues Three singuler benefites shewen to man by the Father the Sonne the Holie Ghost He sent his sonne for our reconciliation His righteousnes is ours by imputation This proceedeth frō both for our sanctification yet all one vnion It is a singuler comfort vnto vs to consider the exceeding loue of Christ towards vs by that he hath done he still doth Because he did not onelie sacrifice himselfe vpon the crosse for our sakes but also satisfied his fathers wrath for our sins Because he did not onelie suffer for vs but became also a continuall intercessor for vs. Because he hath not onlie saued vs but shall also come to iudge vs. he will doo Such as will presume of the time that Christ shall come to iudgement may be reproued by these places Math. 24.36 Mark 13.32 1. Thess 5 1. For it is not for vs to knowe the times and the seasons the Father hath put in his owne power Acts 1.12 The comming of Christ is of 3. sorts Vnto men Into men Vnto men in the flesh Ioh. 1.14 Into men by his spirit Ioh 14.18 Against men in iudgement Apoc. 22.12 Against men It stands vs not vpon so much to vse disputation of the time of Christes comming to iudgement as to be in a daylie preparation and reformation of our liues considering Euerie mans end is imminent and vncertaine Iam. 4.14 Euerie mans death is his latter daie Hebr. 9.27 Euerie man as he dieth shal be iudged Eccle 11.3 The comming of Christ to iudgement will be fearefull ioyfull to the wicked to the godlie Because that daie is to them the beginning of their woe Because it is to them the full fruition of their felicitie Because of the sodaine alteration of all things to both wonderfull These things doo argue the world to drawe to an end the Figtree charitie Because it florisheth Mat. 24.33 Because it waxeth cold Ma. 24 Because it aboundeth Ma. 24 iniquitie The comming of Christ to iudgement will be of a sodaine As a woman trauailing with child As lightning from the East In the houre we thinke not Be sober and watch for happie are those seruants which the Lord when he commeth shal find waking Luk 12.37 Although it was
both in bodie and soule to serue him who hath saued vs. This brieflie is to be obserued in a whore Prouer. 5. She brings a man to a morsell of bread She hunts for the precious life of him She leades him the hie waie to hell She is compared to a dogge to a sowe to dung Eccle. 26. A whore is to be abandoned if it were but for these causes Because God hath forbidden anie such to be suffered Deut. 23.17 Because she increaseth the transgressors among men Pro. 23.28 Because she enuieth honest and vertuous women 2 Esd 16.42 There bee three things maie terrifie a theefe in his lewd attempts The precept God hath set downe The positiue lawe of this land The importable iudgement to come that is Thou shalt not steale Exod. 20. Death of bodie Destruction both of bodie and soule A theefe by following one that is the diuell he offendeth three Hee displeaseth God He hurteth his neighbor He hateth his own soule by breaking his commandement by taking away his right by following sin Pro. 29. This inconuenience commeth of idlenes When one is rooted in it it will hardlie be remoued Whē he hath the end of his lust it wil be most lothsome When he is so idle the diuell is most occupied There bee three things that grieued the wiseman A man of warre that suffereth pouertie Men of vnderstanding that are not set by When one departeth from righteousnes to sinne Eccle. 26.29 God punisheth his people for their sinnes with three kind of plagues which commonlie goe together Warre Famine Pestilence and where he blesseth there followeth 3. benefites Peace Plentie Salubritie Christian Souldiers fight but faintlie if they want these weapons The shield of faith The helmet of hope The sword of the spirit Ephe. 6. Euerie Christian Souldier hath three enemies to encounter with The lewd affections of themselues Iam. 4.1 The euill prouocations of the pleope The daily suggestions of Sathan Ephe. 6.12 There were three persons spared in the old lawe from going on warfare He that was betrothed to a maide Deut. 20.7 He that was but new maried Deu. 24.5 He that was faint hearted Deut. 20.8 God sendeth raine cold heate tempest and such like oftentimes To punish man To profite the earth To declare his fauour towards man Iob. 37.13 c. One may lawfullie eate flesh at all times so it be done without scruple or doubting without offence of our brother without breach of godlie orders For euery creature of God is good and nothing ought to be refused if it be receiued with thankes-giuing 1. Tim. 4.4 Our meates are sanctified to vs by the word of God and praier Beza 1. Tim. 4.5 Because we confesse acknowledge that God is the maker giuer of those creatures which we vse Because wee are of the number of those who through Christes benefite haue recouered that right ouer all creatures which Adam lost by his fall Because by our praiers wee craue of the Lord that we may vse those meats with a good conscience which we receiue at his hands Such as by their doctrine will make difference of meates the same may be called diuellish or deceiptfull in three respects Beza Because the teachers of them make lawes of things which are not their owne for GOD created the meates Because they ouerthrowe with their decrees the end wherefore they were made of GOD to wit that we should vse them Because by this meanes they robbe GOD of his glorie who will bee honored in the vse of them Our behauiour ought to be vsed To our better reuerentlie To our equall louinglie To our vnderling lowlie We ought to call our elder father our yonger brother Euery man our neibor Mariage was instituted for three ends For a remedie against incontinencie For the propagation of children For the consolation of man and woman It is allowed of the Patriarkes commended by the Prophets followed of the Apostles Men are made chast three manner of waies Matth. 19.12 by Nature by Arte by Grace Such as are so borne of their mothers bellie Such as bee made chast by men Such as haue made thēselues chast for heauen We haue great cause to reioyce at these daies more than our predecessors had Because Christ hath made easie vnto vs that importable yoke they were subiect too Matth. 11.31 Because he hath brought vs the glad tidings of saluation which they longed to see Rom. 16.17 Because many Prophets and righteous men haue desired to see these daies Matth. 13.17 Although honest mirth be tollerable yet foolish or excessiue mirth is Vaine Wicked Dangerous because such mirth shal be mingled with mourning and the ende of such ioy is lamentation because thereby wee cleane forget the means that should make vs remēber our miserie Eccle. 7.4 because our Sauiour Christ saith wo bee to them that now laugh for they shall waile and weepe Luke 6.25 There be three kind of fooles Such as are naturallie borne without wit those those as Salomon saith are a griefe to the father a heauines to her that bare them Pro. 17.21 25. Such as become fooles and are so contented to be counted in this world that they may bee wise in the world to come 1. Cor. 3.18 Such as are giuen ouer to their owne lusts and follow al kind of filthines these are they whom Dauid calleth fooles who lewdlie saie in their hearts as they falslie thinke there is no God Psal 53.1 A wise man is noted and discerned three maner of waies By discreet silence By modest speach By sober life For as Salomon saith a foole by holding his peace is counted wise Prouer. 27.28 not that any should bee restrained of speach but that they should obserue oportunitie in speaking Hereof saith the Philosopher Qui nescit tacere nescit loqui For it is proper to fooles to bee full of friuolous talke but hee that hath knowledge saith the Wise man spareth his words Prouer. 17.27 For he that is heauenlie wise indeed will as S. Iames saith shew by conuersation his workes in meeknes of wisedome Iam. 3.13 Sicknes is verie necessarie for man Because thereby he is put in minde of his owne frailtie Eccle. 7.4 Because thereby he shall bee better incited to call vppon God 2. King 20.2 Because it is a testimonie vnto him of the loue of God Hebr. 12 6. He that is loath to frame himselfe to dye especiallie in sicknes doth shewe himselfe Vnnaturall Vnwise Wretched because he so little desires to be at home with his heauenlie father considering hee is here but as a stranger and a pilgrime Hebr. 11.13 because hee taketh felicitie in the vanitie of this world considering the fashion of it goes away 1. Cor. 7.13 because hee had rather still liue to augment his miserie than frame himselfe by a godlie ende to imbrace eternall blessednes In our sicknes we ought to remember To seeke to God to purge our sinnes which are the chiefe cause of all our diseases To vse the helpe of the Phisitian as a meane by whom God worketh To dispose our temporall goodes where they may make most to his glorie that gaue them For a man to make his Will in sicknes or health it is Lawfull Godlie Necessarie because the Lord willed Hezekiah to put his house in order before he died 2. King 20.1 because his minde being quiet in worldlie matters he shall the better applie it to heauenlie motiōs because a good stay being made it shall cut off occasion of cōtention that may happen afterward The mindes of men are verie mutable and their opinions especiallie such as be peruerse are verie scrupulous to please for He that did well offended some and yet was an Apostle Paul 2. Cor. 11.24 He that did worse pleased many and yet was but a Beast Herod Acts. 12.22 He that did best of all could not please al and yet was a God Christ Ioh. 10.20 England hath 3. especiall causes to be continuallie thankful to God for The free passage of the Gospell The blessed time of Peace The godly Gouernour thereof which Passage Peace Prince the Lord for his mercie sake still prosper preserue protect Amen FINIS