power to do euen by the strength of restraining grace the which preuaileth in many naturall men not onely to keepe them from externall euill actions but to the staying somewhat of the inward rage of sinne though they cannot kill it at the roote for lack of reforming grace And least of all may this exhortation be held vnprofitable for such elect as be already regenerate who are greatly holpen to the mortification of sin by the work of the spirit through this word of exhortation Wee are taught from the word that such as once receiue the grace of regeneration though they may grieuously fall yet that it is vnpossible they should fall away because the seed whereof they are begotten anew is immortall and permanent 1. Pet. 1.23 And Christ Iesus which prayed for Peters perseuerance in grace hath prayed for the stabilitie of all true beleeuers Iohn 17.20.21 Yet that exhortation in Rom. 9. Let him that standeth take heede least hee fall and that Phil. 2. Worke out your saluation in feare and trembling is not in vaine for them because it may moue them to feare and vvatchfulnesse which is one meane whereby they stand In like manner albeit sinne cannot euer haue dominion in the elect being once effectually called and turned to God yet it is good for them to be called vpon to resist and striue against the raigne of sinne because by such exhortations being blessed from heauen and put in practise the course of sinning is stopped in them and the strength of sinne daily lessened and abated till it be wholy abolished and brought to nothing Moreouer obserue from this exhortation of our Apostle that it is the dutie and part of euery faithfull man and woman to take paines to preserue and encrease their owne mortification and that they may not looke that Christ and his grace will beare and carry them through against all assaults of their sinfull lusts without their owne care trauaile and endeauour and this is the very thing which is here called for that they be helpers to the grace of Christ in the suppressing of sinne for howsoeuer in our first conuersion wee are meere patients not working any thing toward it onely suffering the spirit to worke that blessed change and conuersion of our soules to God and howsoeuer it is the grace of God which still doth all our workes for vs the beginning middle or end of our sanctification being from grace which both beginneth and finisheth yet the grace of God worketh not in those which lye asleepe and snort in their sinnes being carelesse and idle but in them which put to their owne care and diligence as in husbandry all the encrease is from God the earth fructifieth by his blessing yet God vseth the hand of the husbandmen in plowing sowing and manuring the ground and albeit in warre the victory dependeth vpon God yet as Paul said in the Acts Except these Mariners stay in the shippe we cannot be safe so men may say in time of battaile Except the warriours doe their parts wee cannot looke to ouercome Thus it is here howsoeuer the power which beateth down and keepeth vnder the strength of sinne be diuine and it is Gods grace that doth all the power both to will and to do is from him without whom wee can doe nothing yet so as we are not to expect that Christ should giue vs victorie ouer sinne if wee sit still and doe nothing here is that true Hee that made thee without thee doth not saue thee without thee Hence it is that wee are so often exhorted in sundry formes of words to put to our hand and helpe as to giue all diligence to labour to stirre vp the grace of God To mortifie our earthly members To cast away from vs the works of darknesse To put on the armour of light c. and here let not sinne raigne in you to admonish vs that our God though himselfe effect all good in vs and hinder all euill yet hee is pleased to vse vs as fellow workers with his grace as instruments and meanes of our owne good and keeping of euill things from vs for though in our regeneration we are meer patients non agimus sed agimur yet in the practise of regeneration wee must be agents agimur agimus After these things thus opened and deliuered wee are now to see and consider for what reasons all beleeuing christians stand bound to embrace this exhortation and as the Apostle Heb. 11. hauing alledged innumerable examples to shew the propertie and power of faith in the beginning of the 12. Chapter saith we are compassed about with a cloud of witnesses so I may say of this duety here exhorted vnto that it hath a cloud of reasoâ—â— to enforce it I meane to presse vs forward vnto the resistance of sinne to keepe it from exercising rule and kingdome in vs. These reasons some of them grow without the Text which wee will draw hither and some are bred within this our Scripture Of forraine reasons the first is the certaine hope of victory if wee resist sinne in the temptations thereof for certaine it is vpon the word of our Apostle verse 14. that sin cannot raigne if it be resisted Sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you for beleeuing Christians they are vnder grace both their sinnes past are gratiously forgiuen them for Christs death and they haue the grace and aid of his spirit to strengthen them against euill desires and lusts for the time to come so as if ye doe your owne best endeauour sin cannot raigne ouer you but you shall domineire ouer it Therfore as Souldiours doe fight more couragiously where they haue but likelihood and hope of victory this animates and whets their stomack to battell how much more ought yee to striue against sin being before hand assured to ouercome so ye striue lawfully How valiantly and resolutely did weake and young Dauid set vpon Goliah a mightie man being perswaded by the holy Ghost of an happy issue of the combat now Christians haue as much certaintie for conquering sinne so they â—ight as Dauid had the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you therefore were your sinnes as Goliah for strength and power and your selues weak and feeble yet setting vpon them with trust and confidence of Gods helpe yee cannot but prosper Especially sithens sin which ye striue against it is mortified and dead Rom. 7.6 that being dead in which we were holden sinne hath already receiued from the death of Christ such a deadly blow that though it draw breath and stirre yet it cannot recouer former strength but remaines as a man wounded to death Insomuch as it was easie for Dauid to kill Goliah to cut off his head when by the stone cast out of his sling hee had already amazed and â—â—unted or rather dashed out his braines so it will be no hard matter for you to destroy vtterly the body of sinne
attaine to this faith ordinarily Isaac By the word of the Gospell soundly opened and wisely applyed to the conscience of a sinner Abra. Is this faith perfect in vs in this life Isaac No surely but very weake and little needing daily increase and strengthening Abra. By what meanes may it be increased Isaac First by reading and preaching secondly by prayer thirdly by Sacraments The third Principle Doctrine of Baptismes Abra. WHat is a Sacrament Isaac A Sacrament is an outward signe and seale of the couenant of Grace Abra. What doe yee call the Couenant of Grace Isaac An agreement which God hath made with elect sinners freely to giue them his Sonne and with him righteousnesse and life eternall so they beleeue Abra. How many be the Sacraments of the new testament Isaac Two onely Baptisme and the Lords Supper Abra. What is the chiefe vse of these two Sacraments Isaac To confirme and assure our mindes of our fellowship which we haue with Christ and all his merits vnto saluation Abra. How many things are required in each Sacrament Isaac Three first an outward signe secondly an inward thing thirdly an agreement or likenesse betweene the signe and the thing Abra. Shew these three things in Baptisme Isaac In Baptisme the outward signe is water and washing secondly the thing signified and sealed is Christ for our iustification and sanctification by his word and spirit thirdly the likenes is this that as water washeth to the outward cleansing of the body so the bloud and spirit of Christ washeth to the inward purging of the conscience from dead workes Abra. Shew vs also these three things in the Lords Supper Isaac First the signes here are bread and wine and all actions about them both in Minister and people secondly the thing signified and sealed is Christ for our further grouth by him in our iustification and sanctification thirdly the likenesse betweene signe and thing is that as bread and wine nourisheth vp our bodyes vnto a naturall life so the body and bloud of Christ being receiued by faith nourisheth vp our soule to a spirituall life Abra. When are we said to be nourished vp to a spirituall life by the Lords Supper Isaac When the soule is thereby more and more assured of remission of sinnes by the death of Christ and of perfect iustice by his obedience to the Law together with a greater mortification of sinne vnto the quieting of the conscience and the greater hope of eternall life Abra. Whence haue Sacraments power to signifie and assure Grace Isaac First from the words of Christs ordinance and promise and secondly from his holy Spirit which worketh by them as hee will Abra. VVho are to be Baptised Isaac First Infants of Christian parents secondly men of yeares which first be infidels and afterwards are conuerted to Christianitie Abra. Who are to approach to the Lords Supper with comfort Isaac Such as are able and doe endeauour to examine themselues Abra. Of what things must they examine themselues Isaac Of the truth and measure of sauing graces faith hope and loue whether we haue these and with what imperfections we haue them Abra. When may one know himselfe to be fit for the Lords Supper Isaac First when hee hath some vnderstanding of the principles of Religion and a desire to know more Secondly when the doctrine of the Lords Supper is in some measure knowne to him Thirdly when one begins somewhat to know his particular sins and to mourne for the offence of God in them being sorry hee is so little sorry Fourthly when vpon sight feeling of them of his want of Christs bloud and euery drop of it and of his spirit all the graces thereof he can hunger and thirst after these things The fourth principle Imposition of hands Abra. DOe not the Sacraments require a Ministery to dispense and minister them Isaac They doe so for being publike tokens of our religion they are to be ministred in a publike place and by publike persons appointed thereunto Abra. May not so much be signified here by imposition of hands Isaac Yes by this ceremonie is noted persons set apart for the publike ministry of the Church to minister the holy things thereof Abra. What doe yee call the Church Isaac The inuisible Church is the whole number of the elect but the visible Church is a company of persons called out of the rest of the world to know and worship the true God according to his word Abra. Wherefore hath GOD ordained a ministry in his Church Isaac First for the gathering of the elect to the faith and profession of Christ. Secondly for the building them vp vnto saluation in heauen Lastly for the wicked which liue in the Church and are not of it to take from them all excuse and to make their condemnation more iust and heauy Abra. Who are to be thought meet for the ministrie Isaac Onely such as be endewed with a good measure of knowledge and wisedome to be able to interpret and apply the Scriptures to the seuerall vses of the Church by doctrine and exhortation Abra. What dutie doe the people owe to the true Ministers of Christ Isaac First a loue and reuerence to their person and calling secondly obedience to their doctrine thirdly maintenance of their charge and estate Abra. How long lasteth the Ministry Isaac Euen vntill the second comming of the Lord Iesus The fift Principle The resurrection from the dead Abra. MVst men once dye Isaac Yea they must so because all men haue sinne therefore they are mortall by gods appointment Abra. Shall the dead be raysed againe to life Isaac The dead shall be quickned at the end of the world by the power of Christ. The sixt principle Of eternall Iudgement Abra. WHat shall follow the Resurrection Isaac The great and generall iudgement wherein all men and all their workes shall be iudged Abra. What be the parts of this iudgement Isaac Two first the laying open of all persons and things as they are Secondly the giuing of an vpright sentence vpon them Abra. By whom shall this iudgement be held Isaac It shall be held by the authoritie of God the Father but the sentence shall be pronounced and executed by Christ the Mediatour Abra. What shall be the end of this iudgement Isaac The manifestation of Gods glory both in his mercy toward the elect and in his Iustice towards the reprobate The estate of men after Iudgement Abra. WHat shall be the estate of the godly after the Iudgement Isaac Most blessed first presence of all good Secondly absence of all euill and that euerlastingly Abra. What shall be the estate of the wicked and impenitent Isaac Most accursed first the presence of all euill Secondly the absence of all good that for euermore hereof called eternall iudgement To the God eternall be prayse for euer in the Church Amen FINIS TWO SERMONS The first The Practise of the Saints Preached at a
Father the most precious merits of Christ his Sonne the comforts and graces of his holy Spirit are of any price or esteeme with you as you would be found faithfull in your vowes and promise keeping and to haue the works of your callings and liues blessed accepted of God as you are resolued that you are mortall must shortly dye when your strife of sin must end as you would haue peace in your death and the crowne of lawfull striuers after your death then look to it that in no wise you suffer sinne to raigne but for your selues against the lust 〈…〉 you all the helpe of all these good means priuate and publike that haue been spoken of giuing your selues to meditate in the word day and night praying in the spirit humbling your selues by religious fasting louing brotherly fellowship being watchfull against the occasions of sinne and ouer your owne senses and submitting your selues to the holy ministerie in euery part thereof labouring what yee may to doe all these things with lowlinesse vprightnesse and continuance and if at any time ye fall by being obedient vnto the lusts of sin rise againe by renued repentance and then as sure as God raigneth in heauen sinne shall not raigne in you but grace shall raigne in you whiles ye abide in this pilgrimage and the dayes of your mortalitie being ended ye shall raigne in eternall glory with Christ to whom be thanks and praise now and for euermore Amen THE SECOND SERmon called The Perseuerance of the Saints Preached on the 29. of Ianuarie 1608. Psalme 15. Verse 7. Hee that doth these things shall neuer be remoued THis short sentence is the conclusion of the whole Psalme and containeth both the substance of the Psalme Hee that doth these things and a gratious promise annexed shall neuer be remoued First vnto the substance of the Psalme belongeth a question and an answere the question is propounded in the first Verse O Lord who shall dwell in thy Tabernacle that is to say O Lord whereas there be many that resort vnto thy Tabernacle to worship thee certifie me who they are which be thy true worshippers whom thou wilt account to be members of thy Church militant in earth and triumphant in heauen This is the greatest question in all diuinitie for though there be other questions of deeper search yet of all other this question is of greatest vse and consequence The reason that caused Dauid to moue this question was this hee marked many to frequent the Temple to worship which yet proued but hypocrites therefore very worthily he enquired of God the iudge of the heart by what tokens his sound worshippers and seruants might be knowne Secondly the answere beginneth at the second Verse which containeth a full description of true worshippers by three essentiall vnseparable notes to wit first Integritie secondly Innocencie thirdly Veritie vnto which three graces are referred all the particular duties in the Verses following Now in this seuenth Verse hee concludeth and the effect of his conclusion is thus much as if hee should haue sayd Whosoeuer hee be that embraceth vprightnesse innocency and truth hee is the true worshipper of God so stedfastly rooted in the Church here vpon earth as when the course of this present life is ended hee shall remaine for euer a Citizen in heauen He that doth these things shall neuer be moued The doctrines which arise from this Verse are two the formost is this The blessed estate of the true worshippers of God is certaine and vnchangeable from which they shall neuer be remoued the second doctrine is who be these true worshippers and how to be knowne The first doctrine is built vpon many vndoubted grounds the first ground is from the Authoritie of Scripture expresly affirming this truth in many places Psal. 1.6 The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked shall perish Psalme 37.24 Though the righteous fall hee shall not be cast off for the Lord puts vnder his hand Also Psalme 125. Hee that trusts in the Lord shall be like mount Sion that cannot be remoued Also Salomon saith in his Prouerbs The hope of the righteous shall not perish And to be short in the 54. of Isaiah the Lord hath sworne to his people by an oath that with euerlasting loue hee hath embraced them Wee see in these Scriptures that God hath passed for the stablenesse of his people not his single word onely but his promise which is his double word and if this be not strong enough it hath pleased him for more surety to adde his oath a three-fold corde which cannot be broken The second ground is Gods free election vpon which the firme stedfastnesse of the faithfull is grounded as vpon a sure rocke and mountaine of brasse◠which causeth our Sauiour Christ to say that it was not possible for the Elect to be deceiued Mat. 24. True it is that in some things the elect may be deceiued and for some time but to be deceiued vniuersally and for euer that is not possible And in the 8. to the Romanes Paul respecting the constancie of Gods election auoucheth of the predestinate that they must be glorified Rom. 8.30 Moreouer in the 2. Tim. 2.19 hauing spoken of Hymineus and Phyletus which themselues denyed the faith and destroyed the faith of others by saying the Resurrection is past the Apostle fearing least some beleeuers of weake mindes should be troubled to heare two such pillers of the Church to be shaken hee doth comfort them with this perswasion that their owne standing is firme because of Gods election which for the assurance and certaintie of it is there likened to a foundation and a seale two such things then which amongst men there is no stronger The foundation saith he of God is sure hauing his seale the Lord knoweth who are his The third ground is the free and vnchangeable couenant that God hath stricke with his elect touching grace and saluation by Christ. The tenour whereof is to be found in Ieremie 32.38.39 40. verses And I will make an euerlasting couenant with them that I will neuer turne away from them to doe them good but I will put my feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from me saith the Lord. These are the words of the couenant from which obserue two things the first is that hee cals it an euerlasting couenant which teacheth that it is not made for houres dayes weeks moneths yeares or any tearme of time but for all eternitie The second is the meanes how this couenant becomes euerlasting because it is euery way sure and constant both on Gods part who neuer altereth his good will towards his chosen people and on his peoples part who haue their hearts so seasoned with his feare as they can neuer haue a will to depart from him This third ground from the couenant is further strengthened with the consideration of gods infinit power and
God An. That whereby he administreth all things according to his decree Qu. What be the parts of it An. Preseruation whereby he preserueth and vpholdeth euery particular thing and creature so long as pleaseth him 1. Tim. 4.10 Heb. 1.2.3 Secondly Rule whereby as Lord of heauen and earth he ordereth and disposeth euery thing most mightily wisely and iustly to his owne glory and good of his Church Eph. 1.11 Rom. 11.36 Qu. How doth he preserue and rule the world An. Eyther by meanes or vvithout or against meanes Qu. What followes hereof An. That the Lord God the fountaine of nature is not tyed to the Law of nature meanes are rather in respect of vs then of God who worketh as hee will euen contrary to meanes Qu. What vse is to be made of this doctrine of Gods gouerning all things An. First it teacheth contentment in euery estate in aduersitie to be patient in prosperitie to be thankfull Psal. 39.9 Secondly also it teacheth in all necessities and dangers to seeke to God by prayer Act. 4.24 Lastly because hee preserues and rules by meanes therefore wee are not to neglect them least wee tempt God Mat. 4.7 nor to trust in them least we deny God this was the fault of king Asa who trusted in the Physition Qu. What learne ye hereby that God worketh against means An. We learne this that when meanes are wanting or be against vs yet we ought still to trust in God for helpe as Danyel and Sydrach c. Qu. Amongest all the workes of diuine gouernment which is chiefest An. The worke of Redemption Qu. Doth it excell the worke of our Creation An. Yes sundry wayes first in Creation God brought something out of nothing in our Redemption he brought life out of death and saued them which were worse then nothing Rom. 5.6.7.8 Secondly the world was created with a word he said Let it be light and it was light Gen. 1.4 But redeemed with most horrible sorrowes and paines Mat. 27. throughout Thirdly in creation God made known his power and wisdome Rom. 1.20 in Redemption hee manifested his iustice and mercy Fourthly in creation God made man for our redemption God was made man Gal. 4.4 Lastly by our creation we are sonnes of God but by Redemption members of Christ and hee is of heauen Qu. From what things are we redeemed An. From sinne Sathan hell and eternall death and restored to righteousnesse Gods fauour and a greater happinesse than we lost in Adam Qu. In what respect is our happinesse by Redemption greater than our happinesse by Creation An. This was after a sort earthly and changeable that is constant and heauenly Qu. What things are we to know concerning our Redemption An. Three things first the person of our Redeemer Secondly his office Thirdly his benefits Qu. What doe yee beleeue touching the person of our Redeemer Ans. That hee is God and man in one person Rom. 1.4.5.6 Qu. Was God turned into man An. No verily but man was assumed vnto God Heb. 2.16 God tooke in to the fellowship of person mans nature Qu. Are these natures of God and man in Christ so ioyned as they remaine distinct and vnconfounded An. These two natures with their properties and actions though they be vnited in one person of our blessed Sauiour yet they abide vnconfounded so as the God-head is not the man-hood nor on the contrary Also the man-hood is not eternall infinite almightie c. nor the God-head is not mortall finite subiect to hunger or thirst The God-head did not speake walke obey suffer death the man-hood did not cast out diuels or doe other Miracles or support it selfe in suffering or giue merit to his obedience but in the worke of our Redemption each nature did that which is proper to it their properties and actions concurring to effect the glorious deliuerance of the Elect. Qu. How is this vnion wrought An. By the incredible operation and infinite vertue of the holy Ghost Luke 1.35 Qu. Was this vnion necessary for our Redemption An. Yes most necessary for Christ our Redeemer as God onely could not be subiect to the Law to fulfill it nor to be beare the punishment of our offending against it and as man onely he could not haue made the obedience of his life and suffering of miseries at his death meritorious for our saluation Secondly as God onely hee could not haue dyed and as man onely he could not haue ouercome death Lastly as God onely hee could not haue made a satisfaction for that by iustice must be made in the same nature which offended and as man onely he could not haue applyed it to vs and made it effectuall in vs for this is the worke of the spirit which hee giues vnto vs as hee is God Qu. Is this vnion of two natures in one person inseparable An. It is inseparable and perpetuall or else the couenant of mercy and life betweene God and vs could not be euerlasting hereof called in Hebrews an eternal high priest and said to haue purchased eternall redemption Qu. Why so An. Because our Redeemer was not onely once to dye for the taking away of sinnes but for euer to appeare in the sight of God for vs. Heb. 9.24 to make intercession for sinners Qu. What is the office of our Redeemer An. His office is to be a mediator of reconcilement betweene God and man 1 Tim. 2.4 Qu. Is he not called Christ in respect of his office An Hee is so and it is as much as Gods annoynted to shew that his Father did consecrate him to the office of a mediator and did furnish him with all meete gifts Ioh. 6.27 Act. 10.38 Qu. What be the parts of his Mediatorship An. Three first Prophetship whereby hee declareth God his Father and his counsell touching mans saluation Iohn 1.18 Secondly his Priesthood whereby hee workes the matter and merit of our Redemption first in his holy conception secondly in his innocent and righteous life thirdly in the oblation of himselfe vpon the Crosse at his death Heb. 9.28 Thirdly his kingdome whereby he doth effect all this in vs. Luke 1.32.33 and apply it to vs. Qu. How doth he apply to vs the effects of his Prophet-ship and Priest-hood An. First by the inward operation of his spirit whereby as he hardens the reprobate so he enlightneth and draweth the Elect. Secondly by an outward diuine pollicie whereby he ruleth his Church till the last and great iudgement Qu. Rehearse the benefits of our Redeemer An. The benefits are innumerable euery one more worth then a world signified in his name Iesus Qu. Which is the first An. Incorporation whereby wee are ingrafted into him to become one with him Eph. 5.30 Qu. Which is the second An. Reconciliation whereby we are deliuered from the wrath of God and restored more perfectly into his fauour 2. Cor. 5.19 Col. 1.20
truth which maketh him able and carefull to performe vnto the elect his most mercifull couenant Thus Abraham assured himselfe of the fruit of Gods couenant looking to the power of God who was able to doe what he promised Rom. 4.21 And Paul 1. Cor. 1.9 confirmeth the mindes of the godly by the truth of God faithfull is he who promiseth and he will doe it The fourth ground is the intercession of Christ who as by his death he purchased for the elect Gods fauour so by his prayer he keepeth them for euer in his fauour thus hee prayed for Peter that his faith might not faile Luke 22.32 So in Iohn the 17. he prayeth not only for Peter the other Apostles but for all that should beleeue their doctrine to the end of the world that they might be kept to euerlasting life Whereof it followeth necessarily that the true children of God must for euer stand in the fauour of God vnremoued or else the prayer of our Lord Iesus Christ must be vnheard and cast out which were great wickednes once to imagine especially seeing Christ himselfe hath said Father I know thou hearest me alwaies Iohn 11.42 The fift ground is the nature of spirituall and sauing grace which is permanent and not subiect to corruption as appeareth by the words of our Sauiour Iohn 14. my Ioy shall none take from you Also in the 16. verse he saith my spirit which I giue to you shall abide with you for euer And Saint Peter in his first Epistle 1.13 calleth the seed whereof we are begotten anew immortall seede and Saint Iohn saith it remayneth in them which are borne anew and Saint Paul saith that the gifts of God are without repentance Rom. 11. All which places doe serue to teach vs thus much that the sauing grace of God is of an incorruptible nature such as neuer dyeth where it once quickneth The reason whereof is because God who giueth it doth still preserue and confirme it as it is written Iude 1. sanctified of God the Father and reserued to Iesus Christ. Which sheweth that whom God sanctifieth by one grace he confirmeth by another They therefore are deceiued which thinke that the grace of God though it cannot finally be lost and for euer yee that it may be lost wholy for a time whereas contrariwise the Apostle teacheth in the sixt to the Romanes that the elect hauing once the life of grace from the spirit of Christ can no more returne to the death of sinne then Christ being raised from the dead can returne to the graue againe verse 9.10.11 reade and consider the place Besides all these grounds already named there remaine some other as the constancie of the loue of God who neuer reicteth nor casteth out such as once in loue hee embraceth Iohn 13.1 Moreouer the faithfull are committed of the father to Christ to be kept who being stronger then all none can plucke them out of his hands Iohn 10.28 Our saluation was once in our owne keeping for it was committed vnto Adam who quickly lost it but now God hauing trusted his sonne with it and made him the gardian of it it is in a most sure hand for he being both almightie faithfull can and will saue all that be of his father committed to him as himselfe saith I will raise them vp at the last day and giue them eternall life Finally it cannot be that any of Gods children can be lost but that the truth power and good will of God must be called in question for if any of them should perish it must be for that God regardeth not his promise or is not able to keepe it or vnwilling to performe it This stedfast condition of Gods children besides these substantiall grounds of it fetched from the word it is also in the same word illustrated and set forth by many sensible and fit similitudes The first is of a tree planted by the riuers of water which hath such continuall supply of plentifull moysture as that neither leafe nor fruit doth euer fade Psalme 1.2 The second is of a Cedar in Libanon which as it is tall for height and mighty in strength so it is lasting for continuance long it is before it beare fruit but when it beginneth to beare it beareth very long and the longer it continueth the more fruit it beareth so it fareth with the children of God as it is written Psal. 92.12 Thirdly of an huge firme and vnpregnable mountaine which by no engine of warre nor by any are or labour of man can be wonne and preuayled against Such is the estate of him that trusts in God Psalme 125.1.2 The last similitude is of an house built vpon a rocke against which though the windes and waues doe blow and beat yet it standeth sure because it is founded vpon a rocke so it is with euery one that heareth the word of GOD and doth it such shall be sore tempted and weather beaten yet they shall neuer be remoued Mat. 7. Furthermore the word that thus speaketh of the stedfastnesse of Gods true worshippers doth also direct vs to the meanes by which they are maintained in it and these are either publicke or priuate The publike meanes are the ministry of the word and Sacraments and prayer and discipline The priuate meanes are priuate prayer meditation and reading fellowship of the godly conference and carefull practise of the word By these meanes vsed and followed with sinceritie humilitie and vnwearied constancie it pleaseth the most mercifull God to keepe all his children from falling away though they take some deepe and dreadfull fals Now it will be requisite briefly to answere some such obiections as are made against this doctrine which is much gainesaid as all other diuine truth is the truth of the word being herein like the word the truth Christ I meane who was spoken against by sinners These obiections are either first by examples of the Saints secondly by texts of Scripture or thirdly by shew of reason The first example is of Salomon he being once a true worshipper of God he felt so grieuously from piesie to idolatry from temperance to wantonnesse from God to pleasure as that some haue thought yea spoken and written that he perished To this we answer◠it is true he fell most grieuously and did long lye 〈◊〉 his sinne 〈◊〉 it is also more then likely to be true 〈…〉 in his sin but recouered himself 〈…〉 these few 〈…〉 First that hee is of the holy Ghost intituled the beloued of God 2. Samuell 12.24.25 which was neuer affirmed of any reprobate Secondly hee was one of the pen-men of the Scripture euen an holy Prophet and of all the holy Prophets Christ saith they are set downe in the kingdome of God Luke 13.28 Thirdly Gods promise was made especially touching the person of Salomon that howsoeuer his sinnes should be corrected with the rod of men yet his mercy hee would neuer take from him nor remoue his louing kindenesse 2