trust in God 5. As any are more godly so they must know they shall bee more assaulted Thus for instruction This doctrine of the fall hath matter in it of extreame humiliation in that eternall shame lies vpon our nature by this vile offence both in respect of the extremity of our losse and the fearfull displeasure of God Lastly it may comfort the godly to thinke of their estate by Christ hauing receiued the assurance of a better condition then euer they could haue had in Adam and the rather because they are now confirmed as the Angels of heauen that they can neuer fall from the happinesse they haue in Christ. CHAP. IX Of Sinne. Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death went ouer all men for as much as all men haue sinned c. HItherto of the cause of our misery The parts follow viz. 1. Sinne. 2. Punishment The principles concerning sin are First that all men haue sinned Psalm 14.1.2.3 The foole hath said in his heart there is no God they haue corrupted and done an abominable worke there is none that doth good The Lord looked downe from heauen vpon the children of men to see if there were any that would vnderstand and seeke God All are gone out of the way they are all corrupt there is none that doth good no not one Prou. 20.9 Who can say I haue made mine heart cleane I am cleane from my sinne 1. King 8.46 There is no man that sinneth not c. Eccles. 7.22 Surely there is no man iust in the earth that doth good and sinneth not Rom. 3.9 What then are wee more excellent No in no wise for we haue already proued that all both Iewes and Gentiles are vnder sin Iam. 3.2 For in many things we sinne all 1. Ioh. 1.8 If we say that we haue no sinne we deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. The second principle is that the nature of man is stained with sinne from the birth Iob 14.4 Who can bring a cleane thing out of filthinesse there is not one Iob 15.14 What is man that he should bee cleane and hee that is born of a womaÌ„ that he shuld be iust Psal. 51.5 Behold I was borne in iniquity and in sin hath my mother conceiued me That this infection hath ouerspread the whole nature of man hence called the old man For explication of this principle we must consider that the nature of man is tainted 14. waies For there is in man by nature Extreame darknesse sightlesnes especially in the knowledge of God and happinesse Colos. 1.13 Who hath deliuered vs from the power of darknesse 1. Cor. 2.14 But the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can hee know them because they are spiritually discerned Insensiblenesse and vnutterable hardnesse of heart Ephes. 4.18 Hauing their cogitation darkened and being strangers from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the hardnesse of their heart c. Impotency and extreame disability to deliuer our owne soules or breake off our sinnes Esa. 44.20 He feedeth of ashes a seduced heart hath deceiued him that he cannot deliuer his soule nor say is there not a lie in my right hand Enmity to that which is good Rom. 8.7 For the wisedome of the flesh is enmity to God Rom. 7.23 But I see another law in my members rebelling against the law of my mind and leading me captiue vnto the law of sin which is in my members 5. Impurity foulnes filthines all ouer Tit. 1â— 5. Vnto them that are defiled 〈◊〉 â—â—beleeuing is nothing pure 〈◊〉 euen their mindes and conscienâ—â— are defiled Psal. 14.3 All are gone out of the way they are all corrupt there is none that doth good no not one 6. Abundance of false principles 7. Pronenesse to al sorts of euil Rom. 7.14.21 For we know that the law is spirituall but I am carnall sold vnder sinne I finde then by the law that when I would do good euill is present with me c. Concupiscence Want of all righteousnesse defects of the loue feare Ioy. c in God so of mercy c Psalm 14.3 All are gone out of the way they are all corrupt there is none that doth good no not one c. Rom. 3.10 As it is written There is none righteous no not one The members are naturally seruants of sinne so the senses Rom. 6.13.16 c. Neither giue you your members as weapons of vnrighteousnesse vnto sinne c. Know ye not that to whomsoeuer ye giue your selues as seruants to obey his seruants you are to whom ye obey whether it bee of sinne vnto death or of obedience vnto righteousnesse c. A seruile will a will that apprehends no liberty but in sinning Rom. 7.14 A natural aptnesse to be scandalized so as Christ himselfe is an offence a rocke of offence 1. Cor. 8.7 1. Pet. 2.6 A naturall sauouring and relishing of the things of Satan Ephes. 2.2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world and after the prince that ruleth in the ayre euen the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience This hath been euer since the first tentation in Paradise Corruption of memory Forgetting Good Retaining Euill A naturall dis-union one from another lusts of disagreement shunning all harty communion with others through dislike and selfe-loue Iam. 4.1 From whence are warres and contentions amongst you are they not hence euen of your lusts that fight in your members These things proue that wee haue all vile natures that there is not one of a good nature in the world by nature The fourth principle is that besides these sinnes that sticke fast vpon our natures euery man is guilty of horrible and many and vile actuall sinnes Psalm 14. 1.2.3 They haue corrupted and done an abominable worke c. Iob. 15.15.16 Behold he found no stedfastnesse in his Saints yea the heauens are not cleane in his sight How much more is man abominable and filthy who drinketh iniquity like water Rom 3.12 They haue all gone out of the way c. Such as are 1. A world of euill thoughts Genes 6.5 When the Lord saw that the wickednesse of man was great in the earth and all the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart were only euill continually Atheisticall thoughts innumerable Impure thoughts innumerable Vaine thoughts innumerable Errours in all parts of Religion 2. Vile affections Impatiency Lust Anger Enuie Suspition Malice Worldly feare Trust Ioy Loue c. 3. Vile words bitter idle false flattering slaÌ„dering proud filthy deceitfull scornfull censuring words 4. Atheisticall workes Psal. 14.1.3 as in many places before Against Gods worship in all the parts Against the Sabbath In our particular and generall calling At home and abroad Secret open Of omission and commission Of ignorance of knowledge Sudden and of custome In
they were created as appeares Genes 3.7 c. and thus they did loose God Paradise Gods Image And that they lost it speedily appeares in that the diuell is called a murtherer from the beginning and the fall is presently related after the story of his innocency in the creation That this losse befell them only for their owne grieuous sinne Gen. 3. Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death went ouer all men for as much as all men haue sinned Eccles. 7.29 as before That by their sinne we are all defiled and depriued of the glory of God Rom. 5.12 as before 18.19 Likewise then as by the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation so by the righteousnesse of one the benefit abounded toward all men to the iustification of life For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many also bee made righteous The vses follow The vses of these wofull principles may be first for information and so we should study to satisfie and settle our hearts more at large concerning two things The one is the grieuousnes of the first offence The other is the Iustice of God in deriuing the losse to vs. For the first there bee many things may assure vs that the sin of our first parents was a most grieuous sinne for it admitteth fearefull aggrauations as 1. That they durst venture all their happines about so small an aduantage to them If we think it was a smal offence to eat an apple think with all it was a desperat wickednes to venture eternal life for the possession of an apple 2. This was Gods first commandement that he gaue them and to neglect God so soone in a thing wherin they might so easily haue obeyed must needs appeare to be desperat wickednes 3. This sinne was committed when they had no inward concupiscence to tempt them nor that pronenesse of nature that is in man now to sinne 4. They offended when God had abundantly prouided for them they wanted nothing that was good for them 5. They herein violated the whole Law because they broke the agreemēts which were made betweene God and them according to that of Iames 2.10 For whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Law and yet faileth in one point he is guilty of all 6. Because it was a sacramentall fruit to cast bread to dogs is no great offence but to cast consecrated bread to dogs is a grieuous sinne 7. This sinne was accompanied with diuers monstrous sinnes first horrible doubting of Gods truth secondly compacting with Gods vtter enemy and so making Apostacy from God to the Diuell thirdly consent to the blasphemies of the diuell when he spake enuiously and scoffingly at God fourthly affectation of diuinity fifthly a wretchlesse disregard of what should become of his posteritie through his ventrous course with many other sinnes For the second God was iust in deriuing this losse to their posteritie for Adam was the common roote of all mankind and we were in his loines as Leui was in Abrahams when hee paied tithes and are not traitors punished in their children the Act of a burgesse in the Parliament is the Act of the country But yet at least godly men should not beget vngodly children They beget children as men not as godly men I meane they deriue such a nature as they haue which is corrupt after calling though they bee iustified perfectly yet they are sanctified but in part The father that was circumcised did beget a child that was vncircumcised and take the cleanest corne in the world and sow it and it brings forth chaffe in the eare with the corne Thus much for information The doctrine of the fall may serue also for instruction and so both in generall particular In generall it should teach vs foure things First to take heed of the fountaines of all Apostacie There were three things occasioned mightily the fall of our first parents The first was a rebellious desire to bee what God would not haue vs to be The second vnthankfulnesse all the pleasures of Paradise will not please them if they bee crossed in some one thing though neuer so little The liberty they tooke to adde or detract frō Gods word they added the word touch and they detracted when they said lest ye die and these three sinnes are and euer will be causes of Apostacie if they bee not preuented Secondly let vs here bee warned while wee liue to keepe out of the company of such as fall away from the truth as the diuell did for all Apostates are like the diuell they will not be quiet till they make others fall away with them Thirdly we should hence for euer be warned to looke to our selues and make conscience euen of lesser sinnes we see heere what the eating of an apple did which the most men would faine thinke was but a small matter and the rather because monstrous sinnes may be committed about a smal offence in it selfe Thinke of the man that gathered stickes on the Sabbath day and of the case of Ananias and Sapphira We must get on our armour and make all the prouision wee can against the Diuell Wee see here how he thirsts after the ruine of man and if hee preuailed so ouer Adam how much more easily may he preuaile ouer vs and if hee could deceiue by the meanes of a serpent there how much more now when he speaketh to vs by men like our selues yea then we saw a proofe of it For how quickly was Adam enticed when the diuell spake to him in the mouth of Eue his wife And we may here obserue the Diuels method in tempting and the degrees of tentation For there was 1. First the suggestion it self 2. The obscuring of the thoughts about the eminency of God and the excellency of the image receiued of him 3. An impression of forgetfulnesse in the memory not distinctly remembring what was before done or commanded of God 4. The tickling of ambition affecting to be more then they were 5. Trust giuen to the flatteries and baites of the diuell and a contracted familiarity with him with inclination of the will and affection to the prohibited fruit Thus much in generall In particular foure sorts must be warned 1. First women should heere bee much humbled and for euer be mistrustfull of their Counsels and carriage for Satan knowes how to make vse of them still 2. Secondly men must take heed of the whisperings and enticing aduice of women 3. Thirdly the weake must carefully looke to themselues that Satan imploy not them as instruments of tentations and they should learne not to bee so violent in things they are not fully grounded in 4. The strong must take heed lest they fall If Adam fell in Paradise they are in more danger now in the world neither may they trust in their owne gifts but learne to place all their
that are bruised c. The vses may be First for consolation vnto all the godly and this comfort in their Mediatour and the new couenant in him may be the more distinctly formed in vs if we consider 1. The priuiledges and benefits wee reape by this new couenant 2. The properties of the couenant 3. The persons to whom it may belong For the first by meanes of the Mediatour in this new couenant we receiue many admirable prerogatiues and blessings as 1. The abrogation of the old couenant Heb. 8.13 In that hee saith a new Testament he hath abrogated the old now that which is disanulled and waxed old is ready to vanish away So as now we are not vnder the Law but vnder Grace Rom. 6.14 For sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you for ye are not vnder the Law but vnder grace c. 2. Communion of Saints from all parts of the world men of all Nations comming in vpon this new agreement Isaiah 49.6.11 And he said it is a small thing that thou shouldest be my seruant to raise vp the Tribes of Iacob and to restore the desolations of Israel I will also giue thee for a light of the Gentiles that thou maist bee my saluation vnto the ends of the world Matth. 8.11 But I say vnto you that many shall come from the East and West and shall sit downe with Abraham Isaack and Iacob in the Kingdome of heauen c. 3. Reconciliation with God and the pardon of all sins 2. Cor. 5.19 For God was in Christ and reconciled the world to himselfe not imputing their sinnes vnto them Ier. 31.33.34 But this shall bee the couenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those daies saith the Lord I will be their God and they shall be my people And I will forgiue their iniquitie and will remember their sins no more Heb. 9.15 And for this cause is he the Mediator of the new Testament that through death which was for the redemption of the transgressions that were in the former Testament c. The mediatour paying all our debts 4. A righteousnesse answerable to that of the Law wrought for vs and imputed to vs Rom. 8.4 That the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled in vs which walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit 5. The inhabitation of the Spirit of God taking possession of vs vnto Gods vse for euer Isai. 59.21 And I will make this my couenant with them saith the Lord my Spirit that is vpon thee and my words which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seede saith the Lord euen from henceforth for euer 6. The Law of God put into our hearts from the least to the greatest Ier. 31.33 But this shall be the couenant that I wil make with the house of Israel After those daies saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts write it in their hearts c. 7. A couenant with all creatures who must be at peace with vs and seruiceable to vs Hosea 2.18.21.22 And in that day will I make a couenant for them with the wilde beasts and with the foules of the heauen and with that that creepeth vpon the earth and I will breake the bow and the sword and the battell out of the earth and I will make them to sleepe safely And in that day I will heare saith the Lord I will euen heare the heauens and they shall heare the earth And the earth shall heare the corne and the wine and the oile and they shall heare Israel 8. Gods sanctuary in the midst of vs and his presence with vs for euer Ezech. 37.26.27.28 Moreouer I will make a couenant with them of peace it shall be an euerlasting couenant with them and will set my sanctuarie amongst them for euermore My tabernacle also shall bee with them yea I will be their God and they shall be my people 9. The promise of an eternall inheritance Heb. 9.15 And for this cause is he the Mediatour of the new Testament that through death which was for the redemption of the transgressions that were in the former Testament they which were called might receiue the promise of eternall inheritance c. The second part of the consolation may be raised from the consideration of the properties of the couenant which are That it is free and God stands not vpon desert in vs Isai. 55.1.2.4 He euery one that thirsteth come yee to the waters and yee that haue no siluer come buy and eate come I say buy wine and milk without siluer and without mony Wherefore doe you lay out siluer and not for bread and your labour without being satisfied hearken diligently vnto me and eate that which is good and let your soule delight in fatnesse Behold I gaue him for a witnesse to the people for a Prince and a Master vnto the people c. That it is vnchangeable and eternall Isaiah 54.10 For the mountaines shall remoue and the hilles shall fall downe but my mercy shall not depart from thee neither shall the couenant of my peace fall away saith the Lord that hath compassion on thee And we may the rather be assured of this if we consider 1. The nature of God Mercy pleaseth him and he is so desirous of reconciliation that hee beseecheth men to be reconciled 2. Cor. 5.19.20 Hosea 2.19 2. The propitiation in Christ God hath proclaimed it from heauen that in him hee is well pleased and fully pacified Mat. 3.17 c. And Christ is giuen for a couenant of the people Isai. 49.8 3. That there is an act for it in the counsell of God from euerlasting 1. Cor. 2.7 4. That God hath sworne to keepe this couenant Heb. 6.18 and 7.19.20.21.22 Isai. 42.6.7 5. That it is confirmed by the death of the restator Heb. 9.16 Matth. 26.27 6. Because he euer liueth to make request for vs at the right hand of God and is able perfectly to saue those that come vnto him Heb. 7.25 13.8 7. Because the Law cannot disanull it Gal. 3.17 8. That we haue sacraments to confirme it and seale to it and if wee can bee perswaded that the Flood shall come no more when we see the Rainbow how much more should the glorious sacraments of the new Couenant settle vs in the assurance of the vnchangeablenesse of Gods good will towards vs 9. That the couenant is kept not only in the word which cannot be blotted but also wee haue the keeping of it in our owne hearts Rom. 10.4.5 10. That God is now long since knowne to the Church by the name of Iehouah which notes both his constancy and al sufficiencie Exod. 6.3 This is comfortable if we consider the persons that may be capable of the priuiledges of this new Couenant God stands not vpon desert Esay 55.1 the stranger and the Eunuches may be as well accepted here as the sonnes and daughters if their
into heauen viz. as Adam did into paradise naked in body but clothed in soule with Innocency and immortality but chiefely to expiate for our shamefull wickednesse before God 10. Hee was hanged vpon a tree that so as death by the tree entred into the world so on a tree it should be destroied and life brought backe againe And besides herein Christ answered the type in Isaacks offering vp and the brasen Serpent lifted vp on high Ioh. 3.14 and that Christ lifted vp in the aire might ouercome the Prince of the aire and all his spirituall wickednesses Coloss. 2.15 And that he might beare the curse of the Law being in that kind of death made a speciall curse for vs Gal. 3.13.14 11. He dranke gall and viniger wherein he both fulfilled the Scriptures Psal. 69.21 For they gaue me gall in my meate and in my thirst they gaue me vineger to drink c. And as the second Adam bare the punishment of the first Adams offence in tasting the iuice of the forbidden fruit 12. The nailing of his hands and feete assures vs of the cancelling of the hand-writing of ordinances that was against vs both of the dissolution of all ceremoniall agreements and of the full cancelling of the bond morall for so much as concernes the forfeiture that lay vpon vs Coloss. 2. 14 c. CHAP. XXI Of Christs intercession HItherto of the expiation of sinnes The third part of the Priesthood of Christ followes and that is the intercession of Christ concerning which there are foure principles 1. That Christ at the right hand of God maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8.34 Who shall condemne It is Christ which is dead yea or rather which is risen againe who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing he euer liueth to make intercession for them 2. That we haue no other intercessour in heauen but Christ 1. Tim. 2.5.6 For there is one God and one Mediator betweene God and man which is the Man Christ Iesus Who gaue himselfe a ransome for all men to bee a testimony in due time Isaiah 59.16 And when he saw that there was no man he wondred that there was no intercessour therfore his arme did saue it and his righteousnesse it selfe did sustaine it 3. That the intercession of Christ is perpetuall hee so doth it once as hee will neuer faile to doe it in all ages Heb. 7.25.28 For the Law maketh men high priests which haue infirmitie but the word of the oth that was since the law maketh the sonne who was consecrated for euermore 4. That he makes intercession onely for the Elect Iohn 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast giuen me for they are thine c. Now for the explication of these principles three things must be opened The first is the acceptation of the word intercession for it signifieth Sometimes the prayers which the godly make in the name of Christ the intercessor to turne away Gods iudgements from their brethren in this world and so it is taken 1. Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giuing of thanks be made for all men c. Sometimes the complaints that men make or pretend to make against the faults of others Thus Elias made intercession against Israel Rom. 11.2 And the Iewes made intercession against Paul Acts 25.24 But vsually it signifieth that part of the mediation of Christ in which he appeares before God to preuent or pacifie his displeasure towards the Elect. 2. The second is how many waies Christ makes intercession for vs and so there are seuen distinct things in the intercession of Christ for 1. First he presents himself before God with his merits tendring his sacrifice for our satisfaction Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places that are made with hands which are similitudes of the true sanctuary but is entred into very heauen to appeare now in the sight of God for vs. And so pacifying God toward vs Ier. 30.31 2. Hee praied and still doth pray for vs all his prayers on earth were a part of his intercession and he still prayeth for vs in heauen Rom. 8.34 Who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing hee euer liueth to make intercession for them c. 3. He offers vp our prayers and praises to God Reuel 8.3.4 That he should offer with the prayers of all Saints vpon the golden altar which is before the throne And the smoke of the odours with the prayers of the Saints went vp before God out of the Angels hand And so all our good works Col. 1.22 In the body of his flesh through death to make you holy and vnblameable and without fault in his sight 4. He vndertakes for vs before God and giues his word for vs that we being mindfull of reconciliation through him shall eschew sinne by his grace and not prouoke God any more as wee haue done This sponsion is a necessary part of the office of an intercessor Iohn 17.6 I haue declared thy name vnto the men which thou gauest mee out of the world thine they were and thou gauest them mee and they haue kept thy word 25. O righteous Father the world hath also not knowne thee but I haue knowne thee and these haue knowne that thou hast sent me 26. And I haue declared vnto them thy name and will declare it that the loue wherewith thou hast loued me may be in them and I in them 5. He pleades our cause as an aduocate and remoues and non-suites all accusations which men or Diuels may make against vs to God Rom. 8.34 as before 1. Ioh. 2.1 My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the iust c. 6. He poureth out vpon vs the spirit of intercession which causeth vs after an vnutterable manner to make our moanes and requests to God Rom. 8.26 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what to pray as we ought but the Spirit it selfe maketh request for vs with sighes which cannot be expressed c. So in the 15 For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6.7 And because yee are sonnes God hath sent forth the spirit of his Sonne into your hearts which crieth Abba Father c. 7. Hee sprinkleth his blood vpon vs by application of his merits to vs which cries and makes intercession for vs Heb. 12.24 And to Iesus the Mediatour of the new Testament and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that
he sanctifieth Rom. 8.30 Moreouer whom he predestinate them also hee called and whom hee called them also he iustified and whom he iustified them he also glorified Ezech. 36.26.27 c. A new heart also will I giue you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your body and I will giue you an heart of flesh And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and ye shall keepe my iudgements and doe them c. 2. That to be truly sanctified is to die to sinne and to rise againe to newnesse of life Rom. 6.1.2.3.4 What shall we say then shall we continue in sinne that grace may abound God forbid how shall we that are dead to sinne liue yet therein Know ye not that all wee which haue bin baptized into Iesus Christ haue been baptized into his death We are buried then with him by baptisme into his death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father so we also should walke in newnesse of life c. Or it is to repent beleeue the Gospell Mark 1.15 The time is fulfilled and the kingdome of God is at hand repent and beleeue the Gospell 3. That except wee be borne againe we cannot enter into the kingdome of God Ioh. 3.5 Iesus answered verily verily I say vnto thee except that a man bee borne of water and of the spirit hee cannot enter into the kingdome of God Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without the which no man shall see the Lord. 1. Ioh. 1.7 But if we walke in the light as he is in the light wee haue fellowship one with another and the blood of Iesus Christ his Sonne clenseth vs from all sinne 2. Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any man be in Christ let him bee a new creature old things are passed away behold all things are become new Fourthly that sanctification is Gods gift and worke in Iesus Christ we can no more conuert our selues then wee can beget our selues at first wee can no more create our selues new men then wee can create our selues men Act. 5.31 Him hath God lifted vp with his right hand to bee a Prince and a Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel forgiuenes of sins Act. 11.18 When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance vnto life 2. Tim. 2.25 Instructing them with meeknes that are cōtrary minded prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance that they may know the truth 1. Cor. 1.30 But ye are of him in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs wisdome and righteousnes and sanctification and redemption Ezech. 37.28 Thus the heathen shall know that I the Lord doe sanctifie Israel when my sanctuary shall be amongst them for euermore Tit. 3.5 Not by the workes of righteousnesse which wee had done but according to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of the new birth and the renuing of the holy Ghost Fifthly that our sanctification is vnperfect while wee liue in this world 1. Ioh. 1.8 If wee say that wee haue no sinne wee deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. Prou. 24.16 For a iust man falleth seuen times and riseth againe but the wicked fall into mischiefe Esa. 64.6 But we haue all been as an vncleane thing and all our righteousnes is as filthy clouts and we do all fade like a leafe and our iniquities like the wind haue taken vs away The vses may be for Information Instruction Humiliation and Consolation For the first wee may heere take notice of the wisedome of God in curing the posterity of Adam Wee receiued a double disease from Adam the one was guilt of eternal death the other was corruption of nature By Iustification the first was abolished and by Sanctification the other is healed by degrees For the second we may here learne many things The first is carefully to studie our owne sanctification compell vpon our selues a more constant endeauour of sound reformation To this end I propound two things 1. Certaine motiues which we should haue continually in our minds to stirre vs vp to the care of holines and to get true grace 2. Certaine rules which may exceedingly further vs about our Sanctification The motiues are these amongst many 1. The commandement of God 1. Thes. 4.3 This is the will of God euen your sanctification Ephes. 2.10 For wee are his workmanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them 2. The conscience of our debt which we owe heerein Rom. 8.12 Therefore brethren we are debters not to the flesh to liue after the flesh being redeemed by Christ. Tit. 2.14 Who gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquity and purge vs to be a peculiar people to him selfe zealous of good workes 3 The consideration of our owne dignity wee are the children of God the temples of the holy Ghost Kings and Priests vnto God Gods owne peculiar people and inheritance 4. The rich promises that belong to godlinesse 1. Tim. 4.8 For bodily exercise profiteth little but godlinesse is profitable vnto all things which hath the promise of the life present and of that that is to come 5. The assuring hereby of our calling and Election 2. Pet. 1.10 Wherefore brethren giue rather diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall neuer fall 6. The excellency of good workes they are sacrifices seasoned with the salt of faith kindled with the fier of the holy Ghost offered by the merit of Christ and accepted of God 1. Pet. 2.5 And yee be made a holy Priesthood to offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Iesus Christ. 7. The silencing of the ignorant from speaking euill 1. Pet. 2.15 For so is the will of God that by well doing yee may put to silence the ignorance of the foolish 8. Because else 1. The name of God will bee blasphemed Rom. 2.24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you 2. Sam. 12.14 Howbeit because by this deed thou hast caused the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child that is borne vnto thee shall surely die c. 2. The spirit of God will be grieued and the workes of the spirit deaded Ephes. 4.30 And grieue not the holy spirit of God by whom ye are sealed vnto the day of redemption 3. The iudgement of God will be prouoked Psalm 89.31.32 The rules we had need to bee put in minde of that concerne Sanctification either shew vs what to take heed of or what to doe That wee be not deceiued in this great worke of true grace we must take heed First of wretchlesnesse and security whereby a man liues so as he is insensible and carelesse of reformation altogether Awake thou that sleepest
haue put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Secondly this image of God chiefly consisted in knowledge holinesse and righteousnesse Eccles 7.29 Onely loe this haue I found that God hath made man righteous but they haue sought many inuentions Ephes. 4.24 And put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Note that I say chiefly as that which is a principle for else man was created after the image of God First in respect of his substance and so man is the image either of the 1. Being of God or 2. Of the manner of his being 1. Of his being as he hath in him a spirit a nature 1. Spirituall incorporeall 2. Immortall 3. Inuisible 4. Intelligible 2. Of the manner of his being for as in man is one soule and yet diuers faculties as cogitation memory will c. so is there in God one essence and three persons Secondly in respect of his eminency excellency and dominion aboue and ouer all other creatures resembling thus the Lordship of God the Lord of all Genes 1.26 Furthermore God said Let vs make mā in our Image according to our likenesse and let them rule ouer the fish of the sea and ouer the foule of the heauen and ouer the beasts and ouer al the earth and ouer euery thing that creepeth and moueth on the earth Psal. 8.6.7.8 Thou hast made him to haue dominion in the works of thine hands thou hast put all things vnder his feete c. For if the man be Gods image for the Soueraigntie he hath in the family as 1. Cor. 11.7 and the Maiestrate for his superiority in the Common-wealth Psal. 82. much more man in generall for dominion ouer all Thirdly in respect of gifts and so three waies 1. In respect of knowledge for in the mind of man there is hid a-resemblance of Gods wisdome to know God his will and workes with the natures and properties of them 2. In respect of originall Iustice which stood in the rectitude of his nature the spirit subiect to God the soule to the spirit the body to the soule without any sinne 3. In respect of freedome of will There are foure sorts of free-willes 1. Onely to good so in good Angels and the blessed 2. Onely to euill so in diuels and the wicked 3. Partly to euill and partly to good so in the regenerate on earth 4. So to good as it might be to euill so in Adam c. The power of his freedome was such as he could doe all things conuenient to his estate whether Workes of nature as eate sleepe walke rise c. Workes of policie as gouerne his family obserue peace c. Or Workes religious 1. Internall to loue feare and trust in God 2. Externall to teach pray sacrifice c. The vses follow Wee should informe our selues of Gods maruelous loue to man in his Creation which appeares not onely in the time he made him last when hee had prouided all things made for him But in the place in Paradice And in the manner Both of making his body He did not say let it bee but as it were framed all with his owne hands the man of the dust the woman of the rib And of inspiring his soule he breathed the breath of liues into him Genes 2.7 The Lord God made the mā also of the dust of the ground and breathed in his face breath of life and the man was a liuing soule He begat his soule as it were a diuine sparke or particle of God therefore called the Father of spirits Heb. 12.9 Zach. 12 1. Acts 17.28 And in both he saith let vs make calling all the Trinitie to the care and workmanship But especially that hee should as it were be made like vnto God himselfe and therefore let vs sing as Psal. 8.3 What is man that thou thus mindest him c. Of true blessednesse wherein it consists viz. not in idlenes riches lust pleasure sports c. for none of all this was in paradice yet Adam happy perfectly c. The second vse is for instruction and so it should teach vs diuers duties 1. Vnto God and so first we should with all thankfulnesse affectionately acknowledge his loue to man 2. It should instruct man earnestly to study and endeuour To know God To feare To resemble him To praise his workmanship For these were the ends of mans creation no other creatures could reach it therefore God made man reasonable We doe not answere the end of our creation if we make not God in some sort visible by our holines and praise his workes c. The second duty is to our selues and so it should teach vs 1. First to care for the precious and immortall soule that God hath breathed into vs aboue all as Matth. 16.26 For what shall it profit a man though he should win the whole world if he lose his owne soule or what shall a man giue for the recompence of his soule What should wee dote on temporall things when our soules are created to the possession of eternall blessednesse 2. To bee patient and trust vpon God in distresse Psal. 22.11 Be not farre from me because trouble is neere for there is none to helpe me c. Psal. 139.14 I will praise thee for I am fearefully and wondrously made maruelous are thy workes and my soule knoweth it well 3. To lament our fall 4. To study our recouery and we see hence what to seeke viz. knowledge and goodnesse 5. To long for the time mentioned Psal. 17.15 When we shall be satisfied with his Image The third duty is towards men 1. First wrong not man for he is Gods image Genes 9.6 Who so sheadeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God hath he made man 2. Loue one another especially where this Image is repaired for we were created to this end that we should delight one in another The third vse is for reproofe confutation and humiliation 1. For our insensiblenesse forgetfulnesse and vncapablenesse of these considerations especially for our want of lamentation for the ruines in our nature 2. For our horrible neglect of knowledge and goodnesse without which man is more like a beast yea in respect of sinne like a Diuell 3. Of the Papists about pictures of God most dishonourably they would mend Gods draught by dumb pictures yet God hath heere giuen vs a picture his Image CHAP. VIII Of the fall of Man Eccles. 7.29 Onely loe this haue I found that God hath made man righteous but they haue sought many inuentions THe misery of man in his estate of corruption must be considered two waies In the cause of it In the parts of it The cause of it was the fall of our first parents concerning which are these principles That our parents Adam and Eue fel and lost speedily the happinesse in which