Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	apostle_n	bring_v	sin_n	4,680	5	5.1414	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64251	Peter his repentance shewing, among other things, these two points for edification I. what weakenes remaines in Gods owne children, especially in times of triall and danger, and to, what little cause they have to trust their hearts, or be confident of themselves, but get to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. II. what is the power of Gods grace and covenant, for renewing His children by repentance, and so, what encouragement they have to return after every fall, and goe on in their course of watchfulnesse, humiliation, prayer, and magnifying of Jesus Christ / by Dr. Thomas Taylor.	Taylor, Thomas, 1576-1632.	1653 (1653)	Wing T569; ESTC R20311	101,739	76

Christ himselfe Reason saith they cannot be deare to God who are so afflicted and smitten the Spirit from thence concludes them Sons of God Heb. 12 6 7. Vse 1. Vnsafe therefore it is to follow our reason for our guide in divine things no be ordered by the word and rules of Religion 2. And we learne to deny our selves which is the first lesson in Christianity Mat. 16 24. I will smite the Shepherd WHO is the Shepherd Christ himself Iohn 10. I am the good Shepherd Christ hath as many names as Benefits 1. He redeemed us and thence called the Redeemer of Israel 2. He rules us by his Spirit and grace and thence called the King of the Church 3. He feeds us and called thence the Bread of life 4. He refresheth us and thence called the Water of life 5. He enlightneth us and thence called the Light of the World Iohn 8. 12. 6. He eternally appeaseth the Father so called our high Priest and here our Shepherd Quest. Why Answ. Because promised Ezek. 34. 23. I will set up one Shepherd over them and he shall feed them and accordingly performed all offices of a good Shepherd So here called a Shepherd a name of great love and sweetnesse 1. As descending of ancient Patriarks who were Shepherds and they Types of him Abel Jacob David Moses 2. He knows his Sheepe and markes them for his owne Iohn 10. 3. 14. And God sets his seale on them 2 Tim. 21. 19. knows them by name as Cyrus his Souldiers 3. He feeds their Soules and bodyes in greene pastures Psal. 23. and drives them to the sweet streames and waters of comfort by the paths of grace and righteousnesse 4. Defends them from the Wolfe and enemies being timorous simple weake shiftlesse creatures to flye resist or save themselves as David met the Lyon and Beare and slew them and saved the Sheepe 1 Sam. 17. 34. so this Shepherd goes on to meet the Adversaries and to give his life for the sheepe Oh wonderfull love and accordingly to be much magnified this good Sheepherd watcheth over his Flocke with his eye never absent day nor night sleepeth not by night as other Shepherds but keepeth our bones Psal. 34. 20. numbers the haires Mat. 10. 30. observeth Enemies and turneth them back Psal. 56 9. One Sheep may forget another as the Butler did Joseph but Christ cannot forget any of his Flocke 5. Nourisheth the young and tender Lambes Isa. 40. 11. breakes not bruised reedes suffereth not his to be tempted above their strength Seekes them straying rejoyceth in finding as in the Parable of the lost Sheep seekes and saves them that are lost cures the diseased if the diseased be contagious removes it till it be cured washeth them in the streames of his blood and every way saveth 7. He bringeth them to the Fold 1. Of grace 2. Of glory So of Christs Title 2. This Shepherd must be smitten namely with ignominy reproach grievous strokes death and the Sword so in Zachary Sword arise and smite c. Quest. What had he deserved Answ. He was fellow of the Lord not onely in familiarity of grace but conformity of nature for none can be Gods fellow which is not of the same nature what fellowship betweene abhorring natures therefore he was more pure then the Sun and no spot in him from top to toe but all perfection of grace he was not therefore smitten for his own sake but ours so Isa. 53. 5. he was wounded for our transgressions 3. Who smit him I will smite him Object The Original in Zachary saith Sword smile and rise upon the Shepherd Sol. The Evangelist or our Saviour respecting sense rather then words thus changeth them 2. The Prophet speaketh prophetically Allegorically obscurely in a compared sense But now the accomplishment of a Prophecy being the best Expositor he spe●ks according to the accomplishment plainly and without obscurity 3. In both Phrases nothing else is signifyed but that all that trouble and persecution of Jesus Christ was moved according to the will and counsell of God as Act. 4. 28. Herod and Pilate met to doe whatsoever thy hand and counsell determined the Prophet in the commandement to the Sword expresseth the counsell of God the Evangelist the hand of God in the death of Christ. Object But he was smitten by the high Priests and Jewes who slue him Answ. The hand and action of God was in it latent the actions of the instruments were apparent Gods hand was secret and hid to them and therefore they sinned highly in bringing Gods purpose to passe Object That God had a counsell ordaining and permitting this sin we grant but that he had a hand in the sin is hard to say Answ. Saint Luke addeth also that God had a hand in this action but more improperly then counsell for this hand wrought not with them in the sin but moderated guided restrained and over-ruled the sin to his glory and Christs advancement Vse 1. In that Christ is the Shepherd comfort our selves in his 1. Love 2. Care 1. Love more Love is included in this word Shepherd then if he should call himselfe our Father Brother Kinsman the good Shepherd gives his life for his Sheepe which every Father and Brother will not doe 2. Care the Sheep need care for nothing but the Shepherds presence Psal. 23. The Lord is my Shepherd I shall want nothing that is nothing that is needfull and good Jacob was a carefull Shepherd as any was yet lost some Sheepe some lost some stolne some torne Gen. 31. 39 40. But the care of this Shepherd is such as he loseth none whom he hath chosen Iob. 17. 12. Moses was a carefull Shepherd of Gods People but sometimes weary sometimes grudged at the great burden and charge Numb 11. 11. But Christ was obedient even unto the death Vse 2. In that Christ was smitten with the Sword learne patience in all afflictions and crosses ordinary and extraordinary Heb. 12. 2. Run with patience the race before us looking at Jesus Are we smitten with tongues of men swords of men so was the greene Tree the dry may be contented 1. He suffered for no necessity or desert but by voluntary humility we deserve even fiery tryals 2. He not for his cause but ours and shall not we for his 3. He despised the shame and why should not we doe so 4. The end of his crosse was the exaltation at Gods right hand and we expect the same end Vse 3. Of admonition in that he was smitten for us see it affect us with sorrow that we by sin drew out the Sword against Christ Oh that we could cry out of our selves and sins who brought Gods companion and as the Apostle saith one who thought it no robbery to be equall with God to abase himself as a Servant as a Sinner to be smitten and suffer death as a malefactor Phil. 2. 6. how should it humble us looke on him

not deny thee if I should dye with thee 4. The effect of it drawing all the Disciples into the same sin with him likewise said they all Note 1. In that Peter falleth into the same sin againe and against the meanes used by Christ that the Child of God through strength of his corruption may fall often into the same sin notwithstanding good meanes against it For 1. It is a very hard thing to lead them out of themselves almost nothing but experience of their former fals which is the Mistris of fooles bringeth them to see their folly so here in Peter all Christs warnings too little and so long they must fall sense of weaknesse is their greatest strength 2. Till the judgement be changed the Actions be the same Peters judgement is disguised with an erroneous misjudging his owne estate he is the same man after Christs speech as he was before and so contradicteth him as before as the most of the Fathers lived in Polygamy not because it was ever lawfull but their judgement being darke and erroneous in it their practise was answerable and who of Gods Children see not that they know but in part and grow dayly to see errors in themselves which they never saw before as Peter saw not so much in himselfe as he did after 3. Weakenesse of grace and regeneration in part causeth even the best to goe every day over the same wants and common infirmities as wandring thoughts idle speeches unjust anger c. which frailties as they be daily renewed so they must daily renew their repentance and daily lay hold on Christs perfect merits for justification this weaknesse of grace gave Peter up againe to this sin of contradicting his Lord. 4. The same ends remaine still which may move the Lord to leave his Children to themselves and to fall in the same sort to try excite humble them worke more serious sorrow make them more watchfull c. which was the issue of Peters fall here Vse Not to enbolden any in sin or unto sinne for we speake of frailties not of presumptions for which we can give small comfort but to raise up to the comfort of the Covenant such as are toyled with their corruptions and finde themselves mastered with the same lusts sundry time● notwithstanding their strife and watch against them To thee I say the sense of thy weaknesse is a great part of thy strength labour to grow up in soundnesse of judgement and in strength of grace and though the Lord thy God for good ends sometimes let thee slip into the same frailties his right hand is under thy head and thy condition is not worse then the rest of the Saints in the world Christs dear Disciple here is moiled in the same sinne but not cast off for it Note 2. In that Peter more vehemently denyed and contradicted his Lord that every repetition of sin maketh sin the stronger for as the body the more it is nourished and fed the stronger it groweth so sin in the soule every new act is an addition of strength till it come to an habit it is the Apostles comparison Jam. 1. 15. speaking of the conception and perfection of sin when lust is conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Beside corruption is cleane contrary to grace as grace if it encrease not i● decreaseth so corruption if it decrease not it getteth strength and encreaseth Vse Against them that say they will repent hereafter plucke up a twig let it not grow to be a Plant dash the braines while a childe a Sore the longer it is let alone groweth more incurable finne fashioned by continuance groweth to another nature Take heed and feare thou hast an holy God to doe withall and a corrupt heart of thine owne though some grace And God observeth not onely the sin but the sinfull manner of doing and degrees of sinning carelesnesse carnall confidence pride of spirit slacknesse in use of holy meanes relapsing all very dangerous If I should dye with thee I would not denie thee Note 3. PEter thinks himselfe strong enough to be a Martyr now when he hath not learned the first principle of Religion nor to know himselfe before he promised though all men should be offended he would not Now before he will deny him he will dye the death it is nothing now with Peter to be a Martyr Peter considereth not of what metall he is made that he is dust earth and a lumpe of sinfull mire unable to any thing 2. He considereth not his present danger though forewarned that he is now ready to be made a prey to Satan and in the Lyons mouth 3. He considereth not that every good and perfect gift is from the Father of lights but hath power in himselfe to stand out the greatest of all trials and therefore within a few houres the contempt of this power of God drives it quite from him Vse Let us well watch the pride of our owne nature Nature is so proud in every one of us that it will build up a tower to heaven though it prove but a Babel and Confusion Pride of heart will make us sacrifice to our owne Nets and rob God of his glory Peter had good things and true grace in him but not acknowledging them in the giver puffes him up and darkens them whereas grace received and acknowledged in the giver are so far from puffing up as they make humble Grace in Abraham comming neer to God maketh him say I am but dust and ashes Gen. 18. 27. 2. In good things take heed of preposterous and rash zeale which here Peter fals by guide it by the Word by Faith by Prayer by thy calling by considering our selves and thinke it safer to fear then to be very confident of thy self Likewise said they all THE fourth is the effect of Peters presumption he drew in all the Disciples into the same sin 1. which was the stronger 1. Because they had heard our Saviour reproving Peter for his rash confidence 2. They had never yet tryed their strength 3. If they had they should not at all have contradicted his word who had said all ye● shall be offended 4. This terrible threatning of themselves and Peter should have set them out of themselves and clung unto him and said O Lord we know our weaknesse if we doe not thou knowest it we know thy truth and cannot but beleeve thy Word oh therefore doe thou take care of us thou that art the faithfull Shepherd keepe us silly Sheepe from wandring from thee But they imitate Peter they must be as constant as Peter and must never seeme more fearfull then he They must not be behinde him neither in comforting their Master nor in professing their zeale to their Lord. Note 1. Frailty in the best no graine without some chaffe no flour without some bran no rose without some thorne there is in the best matter of humiliation the

weapons or against the word of his Captaine Ans. 3. He should have considered the infirmity of his Faith which yet was weake and suspected if not for the truth yet strength of it not knowing the strength of the imminent temptation Ans. 4. He should have considered that the strength of Faith of the Saints hath bin shaken in temptation as Abraham Paul David and why not he Objec Christians are to come with courage to the battaile assured of victory Ans. 1. But by his strength that hath loved us Rom. 8. 37. 2. With the best diligence in using the means which Peter layes off Faith Prayer Watchfulnes 3. With mixing Faith and Feare together certainly beleeving the Promise of God but fearing and suspecting our own weaknesse so Phil. 2. 11 12. Worke out your salvation with feare and trembling there is feare for it is God that workes the will and deed there is Faith the temper of Faith and Feare upholds us in the triall when our eye is cast both on our weaknesse and Gods strength Objec But Gods children are as bold as Lyons Prov. 28. 1. Answ. 1. There is boldnesse of Flesh. Faith 2. Boldnesse in the strength of God and love of our Father not of our strength and love of him Peter presumed to stand because of the love Christ. 3. A boldnesse upon the assured Promises of God and infinite merits of Christ foyling both carnal feare and presumption Peters boldnesse was not with the Word but against it 4. Boldnesse not suffering to feare damnation but to extinguish the feare of transgression 5. A boldnesse banishing feare to fall away into perdition but not the feare of falling into finne and offence of God which his owne Children are often too bold in Note The vaine presumption of mans heart in Peter see our selves our nature is as confident we thinke if all should flye from Faith and Religion sure we would not But were the Sword shaken a little and the Scepter swayed but a little another way many would see their mould and temper they that now spit at the name of the hatefull Idoll of the Masse would easily conceive it a better Religion and we should not want some Catholike Moderators who would say These two Religions with a little yeelding each side might be brought into one We are as strong before the Battle as Peter and when danger seemes farther off whereas the sight of one adversary would make a whole Army of us run away as I●rael at the sight of Goliah But Peter should have remembred and so should we the Answer of the King of Israel to Benhadad 1 King 20. 11. Let not him that putteth on his Armour boast as he that puts it off Let us not crow before the Victory We are ready to promise our selves successe and events as he was which are out of our power he might promise and purpose watchfulnesse endeavour strive against this temptation which was all he could doe but to promise of the event and issue was not his part nor to dispose of We can as easily promise to our selves above that God hath promised as he nay against the word of God as he that we shall be safe and stand and conceive some singular prerogative or strength in our selves while yet we forget to use meanes to grow in knowledge awaken our Faith provoke our watchfulnesse we can be as proud and bragging in our speech as he was forgetting modesty and humanity promising Mountaines and should our actions swell to our words we would doe wonders but away with these brags and learne to speak humbly warily and modestly as knowing what befell this Apostle Vse Beware of Pride of heart which is so hatefull to God as robbing him of his glory and so prejudicial to our selves for if nature onely and the pride of it quicken our resolutions and not Faith they will dye and deceive us if flesh onely incite our courage it will suddenly be cold as in Peter Objection But I have great gifts of knowledge and speech and zeale and love and faith Answ. 1. Let no gifts puffe thee up suppose thou hadst gifts Apostolicall Peter had all these gifts but pride of heart foiled them all and the more and better the gifts be it is so much the worse where they be abused or corrupted 2. Never pride thy selfe above any man who mayest see those corruptions and evils in thy selfe which thou never sawest in any other man Vse 2. Thou standest by Faith Rom. 11. 12. be not high-minded but feare Peter that was now so forward had no small cause to feare and we want not more cause as 1. The weaknesse of flesh and pronenesse to sinne yea weaknesse of spirit in the best being borne of God but yet as children 2. Satans malice ever seeking to cast us downe winnowing us also as Wheat 3. Naughtinesse of our bad workes and imperfections of our best in them unprofitable 4. Perfection of Gods Law strictnesse against the least disobedience and in giving up of our Accounts Objection But what need the Saints feare or how may they having against the former Gods power Gods promise Gods intercession and seeing nothing is more contrary to Faith then fear and doubting Answ. When the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 1. 17. wisheth Christians to passe the whole time of their dwelling here in feare he implyeth both the possibility and necessity But we must distinguish of feare which is of Humility Infidelity The former is a reverent feare of Gods presence whom we would not offend a feare of falling into sinne or making matter of unkindenesse between him and our selves The latter a hatefull feare of his presence which we would avoid a fear of faling into hell and suffering according to our deserts The one is a despaire of Gods goodnesse because sinne lyes at doore and wrath hangs over their heads and their Couscience is restlesse and death is ready to overtake them in sinne and hell is open and the Divell reaching at them to eternall confusion The other is a feare of reverence by which we feare the corruption of our Nature and treachery of our owne hearts we feare the commiting of the least sin and make conscience of all known evils we feare least we be called to account before the reckoning be ready we feare to offend God and godly men or grieve his holy Spirit we feare to be infected by evill men and carried into their errour The former cannot stand with Faith but is utterly against it and being a feare of diffidence makes men even distrustfull The latter is not against Faith but stablisheth it and makes our hearts watchfull and attendant to good meanes both of continuance in the estate of grace and worke of it and increase of Faith that we may be upheld to the end Let us therefore nourish this feare in us Motive 1. This feare is loves keeper and preserver of graces fear of fals temptations occasions of offending 2. It smiteth

them a Disciple a Puritan a Professor a Brother all one with this of the Maid thou wast also with him now weake things and small goe for currant to bring good men into danger as Peters here being with Christ even looking toward good men is ground enough and evill men can make great noise of it as Jewes against Christ he is a friend of Publicans and Sinners As Spyders can turn every thing into poyson so wicked men turne wholsome things into poyson and malicious accusations Acts 21. 28. Oh men of Israel helpe this man c. Paul gave the Law his due onely denyed justification by it nor spoke against the Temple but their hypocrisie who could discover all by coming to the Temple nor dishonoured their place but all their faire shewes in that place would not serve but it was as the offering of a Dog without faith or Repentance this was his duty to teach nor brought he Gentiles into their Temple but they supposed so and suspition is enough for evill men and helpeth them well I thought it had beene thus but what if he had now the Temple was free for all Moses Law ceremonial was at an end so as when these wicked men had said all they could equity could find no substance in their accusation yet these grounds were enough against Paul to draw him to death ver 31. Let a godly Preacher come and lift up his voyce as a Trumpet against sin oh he is an intolerable man he is so sowr so tart so judging he preacheth nothing but damnation he makes Reprobates of us all when all this while he doth hi● duty in telling Israel her sin and Judah of her transgressions Let him preach often and be more diligent then some idle drones so that the word prevaile with men and they begin to taste the soundnesse and the sweetnesse of it and frequent it with more gladnesse then the eye of envy would they should oh then he is factious draweth Disciples is popular if we let him alone all men will beleeve him say the Pharises Let him preach with authority and not as the Scribes and convince evill men and seeke to pull their lusts out of their hearts and hands and now they perceive the word too strong for them then they fetch another windlace Christ teacheth wonderfull well and he is Teacher from God and teacheth the way of God truly but he healeth on the Sabbath day or breaks some traditions of the Elders a good man otherwise but his Disciples wash not fast not and the failing in some idle tradition or Ceremony is enough to hate Christs own Doctrine and to hurt him in his owne person to the unmost extremity Secondly the Temptation Thou wast also with Jesus of Nazareth or as John 18. 17. Art thou one of this mans Disciples Belike both asking the question and affirming that he was THE Tempter light not Caiphas himselfe but his Doore keeper and that not a man but a silly Maid The Temptation as light she doth not scorne him or his Master she saith not belongest thou to this Seducer nor art thou a follower of this factious fellow who is now brought in question for his life but in simplicity and gently enough Art thou one of this Mans Disciples yet Peter is too weake for so weake a temptation Note He that is presumptuously confident where he should not is basely fearfull where he need 〈…〉 ●●rist foretels Peters fall but Peter feares nothing but a silly Damsels 〈…〉 him an unkinde word and fear hath oppressed him 1. It is a just reveng●●hat he that feareth not God should feare every thing else and if the feare of God be shaken out of the heart the feare of man yea of a veery worme shall be let in had Peter retained the fear of God he had not here so feared but now must fear where no fear is 2. God in this kinde punisheth the presumption and boldnesse which a man hath in himselfe by turning his carnall courage which resists true feare into terrours of heart and vaine feares that were there nothing without him to fear he shall not want terrors of minde that shall leave him but a little rest Herod is told enough to behead John and no man can feare him for it but his owne thoughts fear him O John whom I beheaded is risen now he fears where no fear is Prov. 28. The wicked flye none pursuing his own fancy shall fear him Vse Peter shrinkes not before Caiphas but his Maid asking but a question see that carnal confidence and human strength will leave a man in the suds at length this courage of flesh and blood had carried Peter a great way in the cause of Christ in resisting his apprehenders following him to the high Priests Hall brings him to the ●ire but now leaves him If a man had all the courage we read of among the famous Roman Warriers it will not carry him after Christ whethersoever he goeth it might carry him to contemne death for his Countrey for his credit c. but for Christ it will faile him It is given as well to suffer for Christ as to believe Vse 2. Examine well thy boldnesse whether it be for God or Man ere thou trust it the boldnesse of flesh will make us couragious before the Battle but when the Alarum is sounded then the shaking of a Pike or report of a Musket feareth him as a Childe out of the field Quest. How shall I know Answ. If thou beest strong in the power of Christs might then thou art strong in thine infirmities that is hast a strong sence of thine owne weaknesse and findest thy frailty and art driven out of conceit with thy selfe and having no strength in thy selfe leanest onely on the strength of thy Captaine Stand in this strength and in question of thy life thou shalt have boldnesse as John before Herod Elias before Ahab when poore Peter stout in himselfe shall fall before a poor Maid almost unquestioned Vse 3. Let him that stands take heed least he fall 1 Cor. 10. 12. Thou sayest thou lovest Christ so did Peter else he would not have followed now thou mayest account of strength to stand if all other should fall so did Peter but thou seest a Pillar here shaken with a Wenches word that thought all the threats and tortures of the Rulers could not make him shrinke Seest thou the foreman of the Apostles so neere and deare unto Christ who would have confirmed his brethen so foulely to fall be not thou high-minded but feare Mot. 1. Consider thy selfe a childe weake and feeble soone cast downe and being ready to stumble and fall get to a stay as fast as thou mayest 2. The Adversary is strong and flesh is weake Mat. 26. 41. and is onely supported by strength of grace the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah foyles the roaring Lyon 3. Hypocrites not fearing to fall fall fearefully but the godly

him then to hate him then to kill him actually Reas. 1. This is Satans method in his temptations to begin with small things wherein so much blacknesse appeares not which are easily swallowed wherein men are more secure as not thinking them to need any great resistance but there he meanes not to stay experience of every day shewes that being to deale with melancholly dispositions he makes them discontent and impatient in some crosse or losse which is a great sinne but lyes close and hides it selfe as in a just sorrow then brings them to discontent themselves in Gods blessings they joy not in Husband Wife Children wealth nor any thing then to fall out with himselfe no joy of themselves and then the last temptation is worst to kill thy selfe or thy Children which was too blacke at first and needed a time to prepare them 2. Satans subtilty who knowes well by lesse temptations to make way to greater as a cunning Thief by a little hole can wrinch up and open a great Gate so this subtill Serpent can by a little hole winde himselfe into the heart and cast open the doores to all Robbers and Spoylers Vse 1. Where Satan begins his temptations begin our resistance we are wise for our Bodyes to prevent diseases in the first grudgings so for our Soules kill the hellish Serpent in the shell Eph. 4. 29. Give no place to the Divell Wise Citizens keepe every Enemy without the Wals. 2. The lesser the sin to which thou art tempted the more suspect the Enemy that he 〈◊〉 a further drift hid from thee suppose that be but a little one it hath certainly hold of a greater though a little poyson be deadly he tempts thee to goe into such a company thou leavest thy calling thou spendest thy time abettest idle persons in idle courses there thou pourest out vaine words there thou scornest jestest quarrellest there thou swearest cursest perhaps as Peter Satan bid thee not at first curse and sweare but this was his intent thus he hath gained and made thee a greater looser then thou lookedst for Seldome tempts he men to hate all religion at first but first scorne these Puritans hate such and such a Pre●cher raile on him belye him persecute him heare him not he never preacheth good to thee and thus by degrees leads him to cast up all religion and to turne plaine Atheist 3. Feare not to be too precise nor scorne others as being so what say some they be so precise they may not sweare a small Oath nor we may not be merry nor passe some time in sports and recreations we may never be angry or speake one hasty word we must be Saints flesh and blood must be without infirmities 1. But first Satan desires but to get thee to pretend this against thine owne safety 2. It is more then thou art aware off when Satan hath prevailed that then thou shouldest account thy watch against small Sinnes scruple and precisenesse 3. If Satan should here desist thou mightest with more reason so plead but by these lesser evils he knowes how to make way for greater and you shall not heare one of a Thousand thus pleading for small sins but some raigning sin or sins have him under or shall have 4. Nay happy might we be if we could meet every sin in the first rising of the heart cut off Adultery in the looke murther in the angry thought choake idle words within the throat and cut off evill actions in the motions in the occasions this is a precisenesse that well pleaseth God and disappointeth Satan in his further designes resemble such as are taught by grace thou canst not be hard enough for that Enemy Doct. Note 3. Peter having a bad cause thrust it on by bad meanes before by false swearing now by fearfull execration and cursing of himselfe and indeed bad meanes are never far to seeke but are at hand to boulster up bad courses and even good men are ready to use bad meanes for their owne safety and purposes Jacob must get the blessing by a lye or two as Peter here will escape death by denying the Lord of life Lot will save his Guests by prostrating his Daughters Vse 1. Beware of these base tricks to save our selves by many urged and some scarce urged in things they would conceale flye with Peter to lying to false swearing by horrible oathes and to fearfull cursing God confound me as God shall judge me God let me never live let me never speake let me sinke where I stand I would I were hanged c. and all this while call God a Judge against themselves Alas thou knowest not what thou Sayest or Doest This ordinary cursing in true things or false is an open and notorious brand of a forlorne and wicked miscreant who without all feare of God tosse curses against themselves and others as tennis bals out of their mouths these tongues are kindled with the fire of Hell James 3. 6. How contrary is this to the nature of Gods childe who is called to blesse and be blessed of God for ever is a Sonne of blessing who must not curse them that curse him but a Priest unto God Rev. 1. 5. whose office was to blesse the People Numb 6. 23. Rom. 12. 14. Blesse and curse not How contrary to the nature of the blessed God who being full of mercy and compassion is made an executioner of the malice of wretched men Doest thou thinke that God will be at the command of every mischievous wretch to wreake their malice as the Divell is at the Witches command Object Then my curse doth him none ill Answ. Thou throwest the sweet name of God into a sinkehole and hast executed thy malice and art a Man-sl●yer c. You have lately heard how that same Curse compassed and doth still the Jewes at this day His blood be on us and our Children And thy curse against thy selfe or others shall as a Garment cover thy selfe and as water come into thy Bowels and rot thee away according to thy curse Many stories I could alledge of such as whose Curses have instantly over-taken them some in one kinde of death some in another If God have let thee hitherto outstand thine owne curse of thy selfe it is to provoke thee to Repentance and bewaile so high a sin against Gods soveraignty and thine own salvation Vse 2. See in Peter how little Swearers and Cursers are to be beleeved many Oathes and Curses make not a matter good but farre worse and lesse credible for he that makes no bones of needlesse Swearing or Cursing be sure hath made none of a lye no more then Peter will a wise man think thou speakest truth because thou swearest and cursest I would be charitable but I cannot be so blind but thou mayest Lye as well as Sweare or Curse uncalled as here these Men beleeve Peter as little as before Vse 3. Peter sins so foulely as he could doe

pluckt out of the fire miserably smeared scorched and in that burnt but pluckt out Reas. 1. To try our faith and obedience as in Isaac who must not be delivered till the knife be at his Throat When Jonas was wrapt in Waters in the bottme of the Sea then came deliverance 2. To see our inability to help our selves therefore our Lord would not hold Peter from sinking nor help him till he cryed Master save I perish 3. To set forth his mighty power which sets in when all meanes faile Lazarus must not be raised till the fourth day when it is impossible to the power of nature nor Christ himselfe till the case was hopelesse after the third day and Disciples faith somewhat quailed 4. Sore crosses drive to God and make us seeke him diligently Hos. 5. 15. upon which search he will be found Manasses out of Fetters would never seeke the Lord that is the Lords season to be found of him David will cry out of Deepes and Moses at the red Sea when there is no way of escape cryes to the Lord and the Lord cuts out a way 5. It is Gods ordinary dealing with Sinners when they come to extremity ●ecoms either to Conversion as Peter Confusion as Judas Vse 1. Comfort to the Saints in their great troubles seeing the Lord departs not for ever but departs for a season that he might returne for ever Nay his comforts are the nearest when affliction is at the height as in the Body the disease come to the height is most raging most hopelesse but presently there is a change and recovery but not before the disease have beene desperate so here Josephs Brethren were in great extremity and knew not what way to turne themselves and even when Joseph must needs discover himselfe unto them after he had long dissembled his affections So the Lord seemes not to know us when we are knowne well enough and hides his affections when they yearne within him toward us Psal. 9. 9. He is a present refuge in time of affliction he steps in to Abrahams comfort not till the third day not till Isaac was bound on the wood and the deadly stroake a fetching he steps in for Peter not till the night before he was sl●ine Act. 12. Vse 2. Not to be too hasty to limit the Lord for time or manner of deliverance whose helpe comes never too late 2 King 5. 11. Naaman would be cured by his owne devised meanes I thought he would in the place have called on the Lord and touched and healed the Leprosie and John 11. 32. Mary would have had Christ there before her Brother was dead as if now he had beene come too late But in these and such like examples we are taught to shut up our own eyes and leave all to him who knowes times and seasons and meanes of our good Vse 3. Nothing can keepe God from his Elect nor them from him Peter here was not onely in an exceeding strait of affliction but led away in temptation and swallowed up in the quicke sands of a number of hainous sins yet being the Lords the Lord lookes on him and fetches him out The Belly of the whale could not keep Jonas from God nor God from Jonas but he must deliver him againe The hellish Behemoth may seeme to swallow up Peter or any other of Gods Children but he must deliver him again In Peters example Act. 12. we see the strongest prison watch chaines cannot keepe the Lord from him nor here a stronger prison and chaine of sin cannot still bind him but the Lords very look looseth him David rescues the Sheep out of the mouth of the Lyon and Bear the true David rescues his out of the Divels jawes and mawes death itselfe cannot keepe the Elect from God nor him from them but at the second resurrection the Grave the Sea the fire water and all elements shal give up their dead to Christ and even not sin which is the death of the Soul nor the Grave of sin which is continuance and rotting in it shall still hold the Elect but this first resurrection of grace shall deliver them up to Christ and give up their dead unto the life of grace c. Which doctrine must not encourage to sin but stir up to repentance and the life of God that thou mayest have some good testimony thereby of thy Election The inward meanes of Peters repentance 1. Remembred 2. Weighed the words of Christ. Note 1. A strong forgetfulnesse in Peter who had forgotten the words of his Master so nearly concerning him spoken a very few houres before yea almost the last words of his loving Master unto him yet he forgets them quite as not spoken Because the corruption of our memoryes in things that are good as unable to retaine good things as a five to hold water and who can deny this to have beene the beginning of all the sinne and misery we are wrapped in that Adam suffered to slip out of his memory the words which God himselfe had spoken a little before and the cause why Peter here was foiled that his memory was corr●pted in all the acts of it The memory sanctified hath four actions 1. To commit and place in the mind needfull things 2. To retaine them as in a store-house 3. To recall them on occasion 4. To apply them to our owne needfull uses Peter now doth none of all these and so fals foully Vse 1. See in our selves the same corruption and such forgetfulnesse as we have lost what Peter speaks to us as Peter often before the Preacher have done speaking Quest. What is the cause Answ. 1. Want of estimation old men remember things they care for Psal. 119. 129. thy testimonyes are wonderfull therefore doth my soule keep them 2. Want of affection Psal. 119. 16. I will delight in thy statutes and I will not forget thy word 3. Earthlinesse for things Heavenly and earthly cannot be minded together the same eye cannot looke Upward Downeward 2. See how many errors we are given up unto by reason of this corruption which did we remember the severall lessons we heard we durst not we would not venture upon Vse 3. The remedy of helping our memoryes 1. Often hearing a continuall Monitor 2. Meditation holds things as our owne 3. Godly conference a whe●stone of grace 4. Prayer gets the Spirit whose office it is to bring things to our memory Use these conscionably as seeing in Peter how a corrupt memory corrupts the whole man heare the word carelesly as Peter his Lord no marvell if thou run as far as Peter who had never returned had not the Lord looked upon him And as into sin so into smart and punishment Deut. 18. 19. joyned with Judg. 3. 7 8. When Peter remembred his Lords words THEN when the sin was done and he in so fearful manner denyed his Lord but not before so men forget the word of Christ while they

whom we have smitten and mourn Againe we should stir up our selves to thankefulnesse that he who was Gods companion in grace and nature would be content to be smitten for us that by his stripes he would heale us had the stroke for the least sinne light upon our selves it could not be but eternally mortal now he having put himselfe betweene the blow of Gods sword and us who had deserved the deadly blow to him belongs all the praise of our peace and freedome if a man should keep a blow off us with the losse of his life we would be sorry and thankfull for such a friend nay if losse of a limbe c. Againe was Christ the Shepherd smitten who was equall with God and that by God see that all are not hated of God who are smitten of God never was there such an object of Gods love all creatures were not capable of that love which his Father poured upon him yet he was smitten with temptation persecution and all kindes of affliction to sanctifie all kindes unto us and not spared to the death Let none say he is cast out of favour because of afflictions never any so smittenas Christ never any so deare to God Againe note who they be that are most smitten by the World in the World even those that are likest unto God and most conformable unto Jesus Christ. If Christ had not been Gods companion he had escaped better so acquaintance with God brings many a blow from the World if thou wilt converse with the World which knows neither him nor thee he hath rods in water to lash thee as a W●nderer or Stranger What marvaile is it that godly Pastors whose lives and doctrine come nearest unto this chiefe Sheepherd be most smitten in the World if Jeremy be lying in the Dungeon if Herod smite James with the Sword and take Peter and vex others if the whole rout of Drunkards Usurers and bench companions say come and let us smite this Jeremy with the tongue let us slander him Towne and Country we dare not with our hands but our tongues are our owne say lewd fellowes who can controll us Let us say to our Preacher that he never did or thought of somewhat will sticke if we can doe it boldly enough and with faces of brasse for even thus was our Lord and chiefe Shepherd smitten who saith they layd to my charge things I never knew so may we so may I. Though Christ was smitten it was not by chance fortune or altogether by malice of wicked men but all by the counsel and decree of God comfort thy self 1. It is Gods hand not so heavy as Divels or wicked mens Iohn 19. 10. nor shal alwayes lie on thee nor so long as they would Psal. 125. 3. 2. As in Christs smiting God is now executing by evill men some of his good purposes towards thee all workes for good 3. He suffers them to try and exercise thee for a time as Christ but not his councell onely is in it but his hand to moderate it that they cannot doe what they will but what he will And the Sheepe shall be scattered THE effect or consequent of the Shepherds smiting 1. Who be these Sheep Ezek. 34. 10. 2. How they are scattered These Sheepe be the Disciples and faithfull Believers in the name of Christ under the Rule care and custody of the chiefe Shepherd 1. The Church is the great Sheepfold Iohn 10. 16. for out of the Church is no salvation the fold is a defence for Sheepe and because the Members of the Church live in concord and peace as Sheepe not as Lyons Wolves Tygars c. The marke of Christs Sheep is love John 13. 13. Every Christian resembles this creature in the Text 1. Simple foolish subject to stay and to be scattered yea quite lost without the care of the Shepherd Isa. 55. 6. seeke the Lord while he may be found so are the faithfull not onely before conversion 1 Pet. 2. 11. I beseech you as Pilgrims wherein the whole life is but a straying from God but even after never so little left of the Shepherd as Noah Lot David Hezekiah and here all the Apostles and can never returne without the Shepherds call partly in the word as Nathan to David partly by corrections which are as the Shepherds Dog to fetch us in as Josephs Brethren 2. Beset with all manner of enemies Dogs Wolves Lyons Foxes and destitute in it selfe of all meanes of safety without speed courage and natural weapons as other creatures are armed with to resist so many Adversaries so as their whole safety is in the presence and care of the Shepherd So the Members of Christ beset with Tyrants Hereticks Hypocrites Seducers false Brethren and cannot put back violence with violence their safety and defence lies not as many beasts in their Hornes Hoofes Nayles or teeth they are onely armed with the mercy and care of the Shepherd without whom they are sure to be a dayly prey to the Divell the roaring Lyon and his instruments 3. Harmelesse patient beare all wrongs offer none lose the Fleece their lives with meeknesse without strugling Thus Christians resemble the Shepherd himselfe he bare all wrongs he never did wrong he was led as a Sheepe to the slaughter and before the Shearer opened not his mouth and his Members must receive a second wrong rather then revenge a former and still possesse their Soules in patience Vse 4. Acknowledge our selves after grace received silly Sheepe most easie to stray away and become a prey to all the ravenous Beasts of the field take notice of our wandring and straying disposition resembled in the parable of the lost Sheep Luke 15. that unlesse the good Shepherd leave the ninety and nine to seek us up we never come back Let this 1. Make us depend on the Shepherd 2. Be more watchfull 3. Pray that he would seeke us out of our wandrings and reduce us Psal. 119. 176. I am as a wandering Sheep Oh seeke thy Servant Vse 2. Imitate Sheep in sundry Christian vertues Though they be easie to stray yet being strayed they be easily reduced whither the Shepherd will without resistance and trouble so Gods Sheep having broke out into some sin sometimes a small check of conscience sometimes a light affliction sometimes a word of threatning or reprehension in the Ministry will bring them on their knees and humble them when as all Gods plagues will not subdue the hard heart of wicked Pharaoh not reduced with ten plagues therein like the Leviathan Job 41. 15. Sheep know their Shepherd and no man else they know his voice or whistle and no man else We must know our Shepherd in his Person in his offices and esteeme to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified we must know no man else for Pardon of our sin for merit of righteousnesse for intercession or obtaining salvation but onely Jesus Christ. Vera