CHAP. I. The Preface or Introduction Question HOw was Man created Answer 1. In knowledge after the image of him that created him Col. 3.10 Who taught him more than the beasts of the earth and the fowles of the heauen Iob 35.11 2 He was created after God in righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4.24 3 In dignity he was made a little lower than the Angels and was crowned with glory and honour and was made to haue dominion ouer the worke of Gods hands who did put all things vnder his feet Ps 8 5.6 Gen. 1.28 Q. Did he continue so A. No for hee did eate of the tree of knowledge of good and euill of which the Lord said thou shalt not eat of it Gen. 2.17 3.6 whereby he like man transgressed the couenant and trespassed against God Hos 6.7 And so sinne entring into the world all men by him haue sinned Rom. 5.12 Q. What followed this his transgression A. 1 Mans vnderstanding is thereby darkned and hee is become a stranger from the life of God through the ignorance that is in him Ephes 4.18 Col. 1.21 Rom. 3.11 euen a beast by his owne knowledge Ier. 10.14 51.17 and like a wild Ass◠colt Iob 11.12 and much worse Isai 1.3 wise hee is to doe euill but to doe good hee hath no knowledge Ierem. 4.22 and in the thing he professeth himselfe to be wise hee is become a foole Rom. 1.22 and 8.5 2 Cor. 3.5 2 Mans will is thereby also peruerted for hereby the wickednesse of man is great in the earth and euery imagination of the thoughts of his heart is onely and continually euill Gen. 6.5 8.21 And there is no iust man on earth that doeth good and sinneth not Eccles 7.20 There is none righteous no not one c. they haue all gone out of the way they haue been made altogether vnprofitable there is none that doeth good no not one c. Rom. 3.10 12. And if any man say he hath not sinned hee maketh him a lyer and the truth is not in him 1 Iohn 1.10 For who can say I haue made my heart cleane I am pure from my sinne Prou. 20.9 And what is man that hee should bee cleane or the sonne of man that he should be iust Iob 15.14 This therefore haue I found that God hath made man righteous but he hath sought many inuentions Eccles 7.29 Iob 25.4 and 14.4 Isa 1.5 6. Rom. 7.18 3 The wages of sinne is death Rom. 6.23 For as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed vpon all men Rom. 5.12 and reigned from Adam to Moses euen ouer them also that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression Rom. 5.14 Iob 17.14 CHAP. II. Christ promised Q. DId God leaue man thus A. No For he made a promise afore by his Prophets in the holy Scriptures concerning his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Rom. 1.2 Q. Which was the first of that kind A. That which was made to Adam and Eue concerning whom God said vnto the Serpent I will put enmity betweene thee and the woman and betweene thy seede and her seede It shall breake thine head and thou shalt bruise his heele Gen. 3.15 Q. Shew me some more of them in the manner they were propounded A. 1 Without exception of doubt saying The Lord thy God will raise vnto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy brethren like vnto mee Deut. 18.15 Hee will bring foorth his seruant the branch Zach. 3.8 And the man whose name is the branch hee shall grow vp out of his place Zach. 6.12.13 and shall bee King ouer you and you shall haue one shepheard Ezech. 37.24.34.24 Ier. 33.17 2. As vncertaine when and long to come For saith Balaam I shall see him but not now I shall behold him but not nigh there shall come a Star out of Iacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel and shal smite the corners of Moab and destroy the children of Sheth Numb 24.17 3 In a time determined The Scepter saith Iacob shall not depart from Iudah nor a lawgiuer from betweene his feete vntill Shiloh come Gen. 49.10 And after threescore and two weekes 〈…〉 was the Messiah to be cut off Dan. 9.26 4 As neere at hand The Lord saith Malachi whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his Temple euen the Messenger of the Couenant whom yee delight in behold he shall come saith the Lord of hosts Mal. 3.1 5 As if already come For vnto vs a child is borne vnto vs a sonne is giuen and the gouernement shall be vpon his shoulders and his name shall be called wonderfull Counceller the mighty God the euerlasting Father the Prince of peace Isay 9.6 6 By the place where For saith Micah and thou Bethlahem Ephrath though thou be little among the thousands of Iudah yet out of thee shall hee come foorth vnto me that shall be ruler in Israel whose goings forth haue beene from of old from euerlasting Micah 5.2 7 By the manner how which was with much humility For saith Isaiah hee shall not cry nor lift vp nor cause his voyce to be heard in the streetes Isa 42.2 But he shall be poore and riding vpon an Asse and vpon a Colt the foale of an Asse Zech. 9.9 And he shall grow vp before him as a tender plant and as a roote out of a dry ground he hath neither forme nor comelinesse when we shall see him there shall be no beauty that we should desire him Isa 53.2 8 By his parentage I will saith God raise vnto Dauid a righteous branch Ier. 23.5 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Iesse and a branch shall grow out of his roote Isa 11.1 For behold a Virgin shall conceiue and beare a sonne and thou shalt call his name Immanuel Isa 7.14 16.5 Ier. 33.15 CHAP. III. Christ exhibited Q. VVEre these promises fulfilled A. This day these Scriptures are fulfilled in your eares Luke 4.21 For when the fulnesse of time was come God sent his Sonne made of a woman Gal. 4.4 And of the seed of Dauid hath he according to his promise raised vnto Israel a Sauiour Iesus Acts 13.23.3.18.13 33. Ob. These are but idle tales and who so foolish to beleeue them A. Behold ye despisers and wonder vanish away for I haue wroght a worke in your dais a work which ye shal not beleeue if a man would declare it vnto you Act. 13.41 Ob. All you can say in this matter is but by flying reports than which what is more vncertaine A. We haue not followed cunningly deuised fables when wee made knowne vnto you the power and comming of our Lord Iesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his Maiesty 2 Pet. 1.16 For the life was made manifest and we haue seene it and beare witnesse and shew vnto you that eternall life which was with the Father was made manifest vnto vs c. 1 Ioh. 1.2 c. Act. 26.23 Q.
Rom. 3.23 by the Law comes the knowledge of sinne Rom. 3.20 Whereby sâ— many as are of the workes of the Law arâ— vnder the curse Gal. 3.10 Whereupon the Gentiles which followed not righteousnes haue attained to righteousnes euen the righteousnesse which is of faith But Israel which followed after the Law of righteousnes hath not attained the Law of righteousnes wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the workes of the Law For they stumbled at the stumbling stone Rom. 9.30 And if Abraham were iustified by workes he hath whereof to glorie but not before GOD Rom. 4.2 Seeing then it is one God which shall iustifie the circumcision by faith and vncircumcision through faith Rom. 3.30 Therefore wee conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the deeds of the Law Rom. 3.28 1 Cor. 4.4 Rom. 3 21 22. Gal. 2.16 3.8.4.3.2 Ob. But there rose vp certaine of the sect of the Pharises which beleeued saying That it was needfull to circumcise them and commanded to keepe the whole Law of Moses Acts 15.5 A. Men and brethren you know how that a good while agoe God made choyce among vs that the Gentiles by my mouth should heare the Word of the Gospell and beleeue now therefore these men did but tempt God in putting a yoke vpon the necke of the Disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to beare Acts 15.7.10 Ob. Moses himselfe describeth the righteousnesse which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall liue by them A. But the righteousnesse which is 〈◊〉 faith speaketh on this wise Say noâ— thou in thine heart Who shall ascenâ— into Heauen that is to bring downe CHRIST from aboue Or who shalâ— descend downe into the deepe that is to bring CHRIST from the dead But what saith it The Word is nigh thee euen in thy mouth and in thine heart that is the Word of faith which wee preach And which with the heart wee beleeue vnto righteousnesse Rom. 10.6 Q. Is the Law then against the promise A. GOD forbid For if there had beene a Law giuen which could haue giuen life verily righteousnesse should haue beene by the Law but the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise of the faith of IESVS CHRIST might bee giuen to them that beleeue Gal. 3.21 Q. If righteousnesse be not by the Law why was it exhibited The Law was added because of transgressions till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made Galathians 3.19 And it was our Schoolemaster to bring vs to Christ Gal. 3.24 Moreouer the Law entred that the offence might abound but where sinne abounded grace did much more abound that as sinne had reigned vnto death so might grace reigne through righteousnesse vnto eternall life by IESVS CHRIST our Lord Romanes 5.20 21. Ob. But if while wee seeke to bee iustified by CHRIST wee our selues are found sinners Is therefore Christ the minister of sinne Gal. 2.17 A. GOD forbid For if I builde againe the things which I destroyed I make my selfe a trespasser For I through the Law am deade to the Law that I might liue vnto GOD Gal. 2.17 You therefore are as free anâ— not vsing your liberty for a cloke of maliciousnesse but as the seruants of God 1 Pet 2.16 But if ye are lead by the spirit ye arâ— not vnder the Law Gal. 5.18 The fruitâ— whereof is loue ioy peace long-suffering gentlense goodnes faith meeknes teÌ„perance against such there is no Law Gal. 5.22 Q. You haue well satisfied me in the article of iustification tell me therefore what vse I am to make thereof A. 1 Let the wicked forsake his way and the vnrighteous man his thoughts and let him returne vnto the Lord for hee will haue mercy vpon him and to our God for hee will abundantly pardon Isai 55.7 and will blot out their sinnes when the time of refreshing shall come Acts 3.19 But if they will not obey his voyce let them beware of him for hee will not pardon their transgressions Exo. 23.21 But the soule that doth presumptuously shall be cut off from among his people Numbers 15.30 31. 2. Take vnto you words and turne vnto the Lord and say vnto him Take away all iniquity and receiue vs graciousty Hosea 14.2 Pardon I beseech thee mine iniquities according to the greatnesse of thy mercies Numb 14.19 And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified Psal 143.2 and 41.4.51.1 c. 25.11 3 Because when you haue thus praied the Lord wil say I haue pardoned according to thy words Num. 14.20 therfore hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plentifull redemptionâ— Psal 130.7 131.3 4 Say Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgresions of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for euer because he delighteth in mercy Micah 7.18 Psal 103.1 c. Isa 44.23 5 Say Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods children It is God that iustifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that is dead yea rather that is risen againe who is euen at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8.33 For in the Lord shall the seed of Israel be iustified shall glory Isa 45.25 61.10 6 Account therefore all things but losse for the excellent knowledge of Christ Iesus your Lord. For whom Paul also suffered the losse of all things and did account them but dung that he might winne Christ and be found in him not hauing his owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousnesse which is of GOD through faith Phil. 3.8.9 and 3.3 c. 7 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free and be not intangled againe in the yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 8 What shall wee say then shall wee continue still in sinne that grace may abound God forbid Rom. 6.1 2. And shall wee sinne because we are not vnder the Law but vnder grace God forbid For brethren you haue beene called vnto liberty onely vse not your liberty for an occasion to the flesh Gal. 5.13 Romanes 7.5 6 2 Cor. 5.14 15. 1 Peter 4.1 c. Rom. 7.1 c. 8.12 9 Be ye kind one to another tender hearted forgiuing one another euen as God for Christs sake hath forgiuen you Eph. 4.32 For if you forgiue men their trespasses your heauenly Father will also forgiue â—ou But if you doe not forgiue men their trespasses no more will your heauenly Father forgiue you your trespasses Math. 6.14.15 Col. 3.13 Mat. 18.22 Math. 18.33 CHAP. VI. Reconciliation Q. YOu hauing thus dispatched the promise of iustification tell me what grace is that which doth next and immediately flow from it A. Beeing iustified by faith wee haue peace towards God through our Lord Iesus Christ
for our good Iob 34.14 Eccles 3.18.11.8.9.10 1 Kings 2.10 Acts 13.36 Iohn 8.52 Gen. 3.19 2 Sam. 3.38 Iob 9.25.14.5 Psa 90.10.103.15.144.4.39.12.39.4 5. 1 Chron 29.15 Isa 40.6 Prou 19.20 Numb 23.10 Acts 22 9. A. Man indeed is not Lord ouer the Spirit to retaine the Spirit neither hath he power in the day of death Eccles 8.8 Yet the day of death is better than the day of ones birth Eccles 7.1 For I heard a voyce from heauen saying vnto mee write Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord from hencefoorth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours Reuel 14.13 For the wicked haue there câ—aseâ— from their tyranny and there they that laboured valiantly are at rest The prisoners rest together and heare not the voâ—ce of the oppressour and the seruant is free from his master Iob 3.17 Peace shall then come they shall rest in their beds euery one that walketh before him Isa 57.2 2 Though they die yet their works die not but doe follow thâ—m Reuel 14.13 And when the wicked by death are driuen away in his wickednesse yet the righteous hath hope in his death Prou. 14.32 Rom 14.8 Prou 11.7 Q. Why can these dead bones liue Ezech. 37.3 A. Thy dead men shall liue together with my dead body shall they arise Isa 26 19. For since by man came death by man came the resurrection of the dead And as in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made aliue 1 Cor 15.21 And therefore we haue hope towards God that the resurrection shall be of the iust and vniust Acts 24.15 Ezech. 37.5 Psalm 90.3 Q. There is no article of faith doth more stagger mee than this of the resurrection and therefore I pray helpe to confirme me in it A. Meruaile not at this for the houre is comming in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voyce and shall come forth Iohn 5.28 Now that the dead are raised vp euen Moses sheweth at the bush when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham the God of Isaack and the God of Iacob for hee is not the God of the dead but of the liuing for all liue vnto him Luke 20.37 Why then should it be thought an incredible thing with you that God should raise the dead Acts 26.8 Q. Make the certainty of the resurrection further to appeare by some examples of such as haue beene raised vp from the dead A. The sonne of the Shunamite being dead was by the Prophet Elisha restored vnto his mother aliue 2 Kings 4.32 A dead man also being let downe into the sepulcher of Elisha hee reuiued and stood vpon his feet 2 Kings 13.21 And when Christ with a loude voyce said vnto Lazarus arise and come forth then he that was dead came forth bound hand and foot with the graue clothes Iohn 11.43 Likewise at the death of Christ the graues were opened and many of the bodies of the Saints which slept arose and came out of the graues after his resurrection and went into the holy Citty and appeared vnto many Math. 27.52 Remember also that Iesus Christ made of the seed of DAVID was raised againe from the dead according to my Gospell 2 Tim. 2.8 Now if Christ be preached that hee rose from the dead how say some among you that there is no resurrection from the dead 1 Cor. 15.12.1.15.4 Acts 10.40 Reueâ— 1.18 Acts 13.30 Gal. 1.1 Acts 26.23 Q. What doth it concerne me thâ—â— Christ is raised from the dead A. Very much for Christ being râ—sen from the dead is become the first fruite of them that sleepe 1 Cor. 15.20 Aâ— this is a faithfull saying that if we be deâ— with him we shall also liue with him 2 Tim 2.11 For God that hath raised vp thâ— Lord will raise vp vs by his owne poweâ— 1 Cor. 6.14 who by him doe beleeue iâ— God that raised him vp from the dead anâ— gaue him glory that your faith and hopâ— might be in God 1 Pet. 1 2â— 2 Corin. â— 14. Rom. 8.11 Ob. But death is called the King 〈◊〉 terrours Iob. 18.14 who then caâ— ouercome it A. I am saith Christ the resurrectioâ— and the life he that beleeueth in me thougâ— hee were dead yet shall hee liue Iohn 11 25. I will ransome them from the poweâ— of the graue I will redeeme them from deatâ— O death I will be thy plague O graue will be thy destruction The sting of death sinne and the strength of sin is the Law â—t thankes be to God which hath giuen â—s victory through our Lord Iesus Christ Cor. 15.55 Psal 68.20 Hosea 13.14 Ob. I may be drowned in the sea and â—euoured of fishes A. The sea shall giue vp the dead which â—ein it and death and hell shall deliuer â—p the dead which were in them Reuel 20. â—3 Ob. Though I should be buried in â—he earth yet amidst so many bodies â—onsumed to dust and so confusedly â—ixed my body may be lost A. This is the Fathers will which hath â—ent mee that of all which he hath giuen me should loose nothing but should raise it vp â—gaine at the last day Ioh. 6.39 Ob. The same bodies for number â—hat dyed may bee raised from the dead but not the same in identitie of bodies A. I know my Redeemer liueth and that hee shall stand the latter day vpon the earth and though after my skinne worâ— destroy this body yet in my flesh shall see God whom I shall see for my selfe aâ— mine eyes shall behold and not anotheâ— though my reines be consumed within mâ— Iob 19.25 Iohn 11.24 Q. How are the dead raised vp and wiâ— what bodies doe they come 1 Cor. 15.35 A. Thou foole that which thou sowest not quickned except it dye and that whiâ—â— thou sowest thou sowest not that body thâ— shall be but bare graine it maybe chaâ—â— wheate or some other grain But God giueâ— it a body as it pleaseth him and to euery seâ— his own body c. So also is the resurrectiâ—â— from the dead It is sowne in corruption is raised in incorruption It is sowne in diâ—honor it is raised in glory it is sowneâ— weaknesse tt is raised in power it sowneâ— naturall body it is raised a spirituall bodâ— 1 Corin. 15.36 Q. You say that all shall be raysed wherein then will stand the difference betweene the Elect and reprobate at that day A. As with Pharaohes chiefe butler and chiefe baker whose heads were both lifted vp but the one vnto his butlership the other vnto the gallowes to be hanged vp Gen. 40.20 So all both good and bad shall come forth They that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life and they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of damnation Ioh. 5.29 Dan. 12.2.13 Q. What shall become of them who shall be found aliue at the generall resurrection A. Behold I shew you a mystery we shall not all sleepe but we shall all be changed in a moment in the twinkling of
reason of the enemy and avenger All this is come vpon vs yet haue wee not forgotten GOD neyther haue wee dealt falsely in his Covenant Our heart is not turned backe neyther haue our steps declined from his way Though hee hath sorely broken vs in the place of Dragons and covered vs with the shadow of Death Psal 44.15 Woe is me saith IEREMIE for my hurt my wound is grievous But I said truly this is a griefe and I must beare it Ier. 10 19. I IOHN am also your Brother and Companion in tribulation and in the Kingdome and patience of IESVS CHRIST Rev. 1 9. Take therefore my Brethren the Prophets who haue spoken in the name of the LORD for an example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Iames 5 10. 2 Timoth. 2 5. Psalm 119.83 141 143 39 9.123 2 38 12 13. Isa 26 8 39 8. 1 Sam. 26 19 2 15 25 2 16 11. Iob. 1.21 1 Corinth 4 12. Q. Why what will a mans patience profit him A. Behold wee count them happy which indure You haue heard of the patience of IOB and haue seene the end of the Lord that the Lord is verie pittifull and of tender mercy Iam 5.11 And so ABRAHAM after hee had patiently endured hee obtayned the promise Heb. 6.15 Blessed therefore are all they that wayte for him Isa 30.18 For the Lord is good vnto them that wait for him to the soule that seeketh him It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord Lam. 3.25 In your patience possesse yee your soules Luk. 21.19 And let Patience haue her perfect worke that yee may bee perfect and intire wanting nothing Iam. 1.4 And take my yoke vpon you and learne of mee for I am meeke and lowly in heart and you shall find rest vnto your Soules Math. 11.29 And it shall be said in that day loe this is our GOD wee haue waited for him and hee will saue vs this is the Lord wee haue waited for him wee will be glad and reioyce in his Salvation Isa 25.9 Therefore waite on the LORD bee of good cheere and hee shall strengthen thine heart waite I say on the Lord Psal 27 14. Saying why art thou cast downe O my Soule and why art thou disquieted within mee Hope in GOD for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God Psal 43 5.42.11.62.1.2 Q. By what meanes may this Grace of patience bee attained A. 1 If any of you lacke Wisedome let him aske of GOD that giveth to all men liberally and vpbraideth not and it shall be given him Iam. 1.5 2 This is my comfort in my Affliction for his Word quickneth me Psal 119.50 And if my delights had not beene in his Word I had perished in mine Affliction Psal 119 92. 3 I remembred his Iudgements of old haue comforted my selfe Psal 119 52 I haue considered the dayes of old and the yeares of ancient times I call to remembrance my Song in the night Psal 77.5 I remembred the yeares of the right hand of the most high I remembred the workes of the LORD surely I remembred his wonders of old Psal 77 10 11. And so strengthened my hand in GOD 1. Sam. 23.16 Psal 119 52 143 5. 2 Cor. 1.10 2 Tim. 4 17 18. 1 Sam. 17.37 Q. When comfort and deliuerance comes will it abide by vs A. Whereas thou hast beene forsaken and hated so that no man went through thee I will make thee an everlasting excellency a ioy of many Generations Isa 60.15 For a small moment haue I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Isa 54.7 Lift vp your eyes to the Heavens and looke vpon the Earth beneath for the Heavens shall vanish away like smoake and the Earth shall waxe old like a Garment and they that dwell therein shall dye in like manner but my Salvation shall bee for ever and my Righteousnesse shall not be abolished Isa 51.6 A woman when shee is in travell hath sorrow because her houre is come but as soone as shee is delivered of the Child shee remembreth no more the anguish for ioy that a Man is borne into the world And yee now also haue sorrow but I will see you againe and your heart shall reioyce and your ioy shall no man take from you Ioh 16.21 For you shall bee saved in the Lord with an everlasting Salvation yee shall not bee ashamed nor confounded world without end Isa 45 17. Amos 9.15 Ob. This your discourse imports much comfort notwithstanding all which I doe remaine but in the forlorne hope A. Are the Consolations of God small with thee Iob 15 11. Fooles because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted Their soule abhorreth all manner of meate and they draw neere vnto the gates of Death Psa 107.17 18. Wherefore then doth a living man complaine A man for the punishment of his sinnes Lam. 3.39 And why cryest thou for thine affliction Thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine Iniquities and because thy sinnes are increased I haue done these things vnto thee Ier. 30 15. Thine owne wickednesse correcteth thee and thy backslidings shall reproue thee Know therefore that it is an evill thing and a bitter to haue forsaken the Lord thy GOD and that his feare is not in thee saith the Lord God of hosts Ier. 2 19. Ob. If our transgressions and our sinnes be vpon vs and wee pine away in them how shall we then liue Ezek. 33.10 A. O Israel thou hast destroyed thy selfe but in me is thy helpe Hos 13.9 Therefore returne thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall vpon you for I am mercifull saith the Lord and I will not keepe anger for ever Onely acknowledge thine iniquities that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy GOD and yee haue not obeyed my voyce saith the Lord. Ier. 3.12 If thou were pure and vpright then surely hee would awake for thee and make the habitation of thy righteousnesse prosperous Though thy beginning was small yet thy latter end should greatly increase Iob 8.6 It is meete therefore to say vnto God I haue borne chastisement I will not offend any more Iob 34.31 32. Wherefore if iniquity be in thy hands put it farre away and let not wickednesse dwell in thy Tabernacles for then shalt thou lift vp thy face without spot yea thou shalt be stedfast and shalt not feare because thou shalt forget thy misery and remember it as waters that passe away And thine age shall be cleerer than the noone-day thou shalt shine foorth thou shalt be as the Morning Iob 11.14 Turne thou therefore vnto thy GOD keepe Mercy and iudgement and waite on thy GOD continually Hos 12 6. And acquaint thy selfe I pray thee
to death for the Children neyther shall the children bee put to death for their fathers every man shall bee put to death for his owne sinne Deut. 24 16. And every man shall beare his owne burthen Gal. 6 5. What meane they then to vse this Proverbe saying The Fathers haue eaten sower grapes and the Childrens teeth are set on edge Ezek. 18 2. For every one shall dye in his owne iniquitie every man that eateth the sower grape his teeth shall be set on edge Ier. 31.29 30. Ezek. 18 18. Num. 14 29. Deut. 1.39 1 King 14 13 15 3. Q. What may the Children of wicked parents learne hence A. Not to walke in the statutes of their Fathers nor to obserue their iudgements nor to defile themselues with their Idols Ezek. 20.18 to bee as their Fathers a stubborne and rebellious generation c. Psal 78 8. hardening their hearts as in the provocation and as in the day of temptation in the Wildernesse c. Psal 95 8. Vnto whom the former Prophets haue cryed saying Thus saith the LORD of hostes Turne yee now from â—our evil wayes and from your evill doâ—ngs but they did not heare nor hear â—â—n vnto mee saith the LORD Zach. 1.4 Q. But what if the Children of godly parents proue wicked Shall the godlinesse of the parents shelter them from the judgements of the wicked A. As I liue saith the LORD though Conaiah the sonne of Iehoiakim King of Iudah were the Signet vpon my right hand yet would I plucke him thence Ier 22 24. I said indeed vnto ELY That thy house and the house of thy Fathers shall walke before me for ever but now bee it farre from me for them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall bee lightly esteemed 1. Sam. 2. 30. Wherefore cursed be CANAAN a servant of servants shall hee bee vnto his Brethren Gen. 9.25 and even as EPHRAIM beeing wicked shall bring forth his children to the Murtherer Hos 9 13 9 12. 1 Sam. 4 11. 1 King 2 27. 1 11.11 11.14 11.23 11 31. Q. What if parents and children doe both of them proue wicked Psalm 106 6. A. GOD will then visit the iniquities of the Fathers vpon their Children vnto the third and fourth Generation of them that hate him Exod. 20 5. Whereby their iniquities and the iniquities of their Fathers shall bee together c. And hee will measure their worke into their owne bosome Isa 65 7. Q. What meanes are then to bee vsed whereby these evils beeing prevented I may haue comfort in my Children A. 1 Your power beeing to lead about a wife being a sister 1 Cor. 9 5. Marrie to whom you will onely in the LORD 1 Cor. 7.39 Thou shalt not take a Wife that is a whore or prophane neither shall you take a woman put away from her Husband Leuit. 21 7. None of you shall approach to any that is neere of affiniâ—â—ie to him to vncover their nakedâ—esse Leuit. 18 6. Nor yet as the Sonnes of GOD in the old World who when they saw the Daughters of men that they were faire tooke them wiues of all which they chose Gen. 6 1. But as ABRAHAM who would not take a wife vnto his Sonne of the Daughters of Canaan among whom hee dwelt but of his owne Countrey and Kindred Gen. 24 3 6 3. 2 Take heed to your Spirit and let none deale treacherously with the wife of his youth for did hee not make one Yet had he the residue of the spirit And wherefore one That hee might seeke a godly seed Malac. 2 15. Therefore make a Covenant with thine eyes for why shouldest thou thinke vpon a Mayd Iob 31 1 9 10. verses Math. 19 4. Mal. 2 13 14. Leu. 18 20.20 10. 2 Sam. 12 11. Hos 4 10. 3 Doe as NAOMI did who tooke her Child and layd it in her bosome and became a Nurse vnto it Ruth 4 16. Which that HANNAH might also doe shee went not vp to offer vnto the LORD her yeerely offering vntill her child was weyned 1 Sam. 1 22. Exod. 2 8. Lam. 4 3. 4 Suffer your little Children to come vnto CHRIST to bee Baptized and forbid them not Math. 19 14. And then lend them vnto the LORD as long as they liue 1 Sam. 1 28. 5 Obserue and heare all the words which I command thee so shall it bee well with thee and with thy children after thee for ever when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy GOD Deut. 12 28. For the Iust walking in his integritie his Children are blessed after him Prou. 20 7. Though hand ioyne in hand the wicked shall not bee vnpunished but the seed of the Righteous shall be delivered Prou. 11 21. Num. 25 12. 2 Tim. 1 5. 2 King 10 30. Prou. 13 22.14 26. 6 Doe as IACOB who by Faith when hee was a dying blessed both the â—â—nes of IOSEPH and worshipped leaâ—ing vpon the top of his Staffe Heb. 11 â—1 and saying The Angell which reâ—emed mee from all evill blesse the lads â—nd let my name be named on them and â—he name of my Fathers ABRAHAM and â—SAAC and let them grow into a multiâ—de in the middest of the Earth Gen. â—8 16. And as plants growne vp in their â—outh let my Daughters bee as corners â—ones polished after the similitude of a Palace Psal 144 12. Ruth 4 11 12. â— Sam. 6 20.2 7 27. Deut. 33 24. 7 Because if you trayne vp your children in the way they are to goe they will â—ut depart from it when they are old Prou. 22 6. Therefore you Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath but bring them vp in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Ephes 6 4. And let the words which I command you this day be in thy heart and doe yee teach them diligently vnto your Children Deut. 6 6 20. And let your Children tell their Children and their Children another Generation Ioel. 1 3. Psal 78 1.44.1 Iosh 4.5 4 21. Exod. 12 26.13.8 14 5. Numb 31.54 Isa 38 19. Deut. 32 46. 2 Tim. 1 5 6.2 3 15. Q. This admonition I shall the better giue if you will giue me some direction therein A. Say thus vnto thy Child my Sonne heare the instruction of thy Father and forsake not the Law of thy Mother for they shall bee an ornament of Grace vnto thy head and chaines about thy necke Prou. 1 8. Bind them continually vpon thine heart and tye them about thy necke when thou goest it shall leade thee and when thou sleepest it shall keepe thee and when thou awakest it shall talke with thee Prou. 6 21. For I was my Fathers Sonne tender and onely beloved in the sight of my Mother Hee taught me also and said vnto mee let thy heart retaine my words keepe my Commandements and liue Get wisedome get vnderstanding forget is not neither decline from the words of my â—outh Forsake her not and she shall preserue thee loue her
offerings Isa 61 8 Wherefore let no man deceiue you hee that doth righteousnesse is righteous as he is righteous but he that committeth sinne is of the Divell 1 Ioh. 3 7. Hag. 2 11 12. Isa 29 1.58.4 66 3 1 11. Amos 2 8.5 25 21. Leu. 26 31. Zâ—ch 7 5 Mal 1 7 1 13. Ier. 6.20 7 22 14.12 Psal 50 9 40 6. Hos 6 6 4 19. Mark 12 33. Luk. 11.41 Ob. Blessed be thou of the LORD for I haue kept the Commandements of GOD 1 Sam. 15 13. Haue done many things Mark 6 20. And haue been zealous for the Lord of Hosts 2 Kin. 10.16 Hos 12 8. A. What meaneth then this bleating of the sheepe in mine eares and the lowing of the Oxen which I heare 1 Sam. 15.14 For in thee haue they set light by Father and Mother in the middest of thee haue they dealt by oppression with the stranger in â—hee haue they vexed the Fatherlesse and â—he Widdow Thou hast despised my Holy things and hast prophaned my Sabbaths In thee are Men to carry tales to shedde bloud in the middest of thee they commit Lewdnesse Ezek. 22 7. Wherefore I haue a few things against thee Revel 2.20 As well as against ISRAEL who feared the LORD and made vnto themselues the lowest of them Priests of the High-places They feared GOD the LORD and served their owne Gods they feared not the Lord 2 King 17 32. For the feare of the LORD is to hate evill as pride arrogancy and every evâ—ll way Prou. 8 13. And therefore cursed art thou if thou confirme not all the words of this Law to doe them and all the people shall say Amen Deut. 27 26 4 2.6.17.12.32.18.13 Iam. 1 26 2.10.3 9 10. Ezek. 18 10. 2 Cor. 8 â—1 2 King 22.2 Ob. I deny not but doe freely confesse Murther and Adultery to be grievous sins deseruing death now then if I can acquit my selfe of such sinnes I shall doe well enough A. You haue heard that it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the iudgment But I say vnto you that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the iudgement and whosoever shall say to his Brother Racha shall bee in danger of a Counsell and whosoever shall say thou Foole shall be in danger of Hell fire You haue heard also that it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not commit Adultery But I say vnto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart Math. 5 21 27. ver And for every idle word that men shall speake they shall giue an account thereof in the day of Iudgement Math. 12 36. Ezek. 16.49 1 Chron. 13.9.2.32.24 1 Sam. 6.19 1 King 20 35. Numb 20.12 Deut. 32.50 Ob. What a preciseâ—â—â—sse call you this For what if now and then I meeting with a good fellow or two doe make my selfe merry with them and doe follow some other trickes of youth A. Wo be vnto you that call evill good and good evill that put darknesse for light and light for darknesse that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter Isa 5.20 You are they which iustifie your selues before men but GOD knoweth the hearts for that which is highly esteemed among men is abhominable in the sight of GOD Luk. 16 15. The shew of your Countenance doth witnesse against you and you declare your sinne as Sodome and hide it not woe vnto you for you haue rewarded evill vnto your selues Isa 3.9 Ier. 6.15 2.35 Prou. 14.12.16.25 Ob. You are very rash in iudging for who but God knoweth the heart A. Doth not the Eare try words And the mouth tast his meat Iob. 12.11.34.3 Even a Child is knowne by his doings whether his worke be pure and whether it be right Prou. 20.11 For doth a Fountaine send foorth at the same place sweet water and bitter Can a Figge-tree beare Oliue berries Either a Vine Figges So can no Fountaine yeild salt water and fresh Iam. 3 11. Luk. 6 43. Math. 12 33 7.16 Ob. Notwithstanding your shew of precisenesse if your faults were written in your forehead we should haue much worse things to say of you A. Speake not evill one of another Brethren he that speaketh evill of his Brother and iudgeth his Brother speaketh evill of the law and iudgeth the law but if thou iudge the Law thou art not a doer of the law but a Iudge There is one Lawgiuer who is able to saue and to destroy who art thou that iudgest another Iam. 4 11. Iudge not that yee be not iudged For with what iudgement yee iudge yee shall be iudged and with what measure yee mete it shall be measured to you againe Math. 7 1. Ob Thou seemest to restraine wisdome to thy selfe but what knowest thou that we know not Or what vnderstandest thou that is not in vs Iob 15 8.15 2. A. If yee know these things happie â—re yee if yee doe them Ioh. 13 17. Thy Father iudged the cause of the poore and needy then it was well with him was â—ot this to know me saith the LORD Ier. 22 16. For behold the feare of the LORD that is Wisedome and to depart from evill is vnderstanding Iob 28 28. You professe you know him but in Workes you deny him being abominable and vnto every good worke reprobate Titus 1 16. And how doe yee say wee are wise and the law of the Lord is with vs Yee haue reiected the Word of the Lord nnd what wisdome is in you Ier. 8 8.5 4. Iam. 3 13. Prou. 3 17. Luk. 12 47. Iam. 4 16 3 17. Rom. 2 17. 1 Ioh. 2 4. Ioh. 15 22 9 1. Prou. 26.12.26 16. CHAP. LIII The wicked Convinced of judgement Ob. IT should seeme this man hath seene some vision or hath had some other extraordinary reuelation Therefore watch man what of the night Watchman what of the night Isa 21.11 A. The watch-man said The morning commeth and also the night Isa 21 12. And are yee come to inquire of mee As I liue saith the Lord GOD I will not bee inquired of by you Ezek. 20 3. Beware yee despisers and wonder and perish for I worke a worke in your dayes a worke which yee shall in no wise beleeue though a man declare it vnto you Acts 13 40. Habac. 1 5. Now therefore bee not mockers least your hands bee made strong for I haue heard from the LORD GOD of hostes a consumption even determined vpon the whole Earth Giue yee eare and heare my voyce hearken and heare my speech Isa 28 22. Then said I Ah LORD GOD they say of mee Doth hee not speake parables Ezek. 2â— 49. 14 7. Ob. But when went the Spirit of the LORD from our Ministers vnto thee 1. King 22 24. Who doe say to vs yee shall not see the Sword neither shall yee haue Famine but the LORD will