committed 3 How wee haue sinned of Ignorance Psa. 73.22 4 How of Knowledge wee haue transgressed 2. Sam. 24. Luk. 12.48 Especially and more particularly we must confesse 1 The sinnes we haue beene subiect vnto Psa. 51.14 2 Those which for the present we grone vnder 3 Those which wee feare most Psalm 19.13 4 The sinnes of our Fathers Nehem 9. 5 The sinnes of the Land and state where wee liue Dan. 9. 6 Those which accompany wel-doing Math. 8. 7 Yea such as in particular we know not wee are notwithstanding to yeeld vp to bee searched by the Lord and by his mercie either to be brought to our remembrance or to be graciously passed ouer Psa. 19.12 Fourthly wee must proceede to iudgement against sinne And that 1 Remembring and producing the law that conuinceth our sin Esr. 9.11.12 2 Pleading guilty therto Esr. 9.10 3 By abhorring of our selues Iob. 42 4 Stripping our selues of all comforts 5 Imposing volunatry afflictions vpon our selues Ioel. 2. 6 Acknowledging our selues worthy to be cut off Eze. 20. 7 Yeelding to temporal chasticements 2. Sam. 16. 8 Iustifying Gods iustice in his former chasticements vpon our fathers for sin Esr. 9.7 9 Feeling our sinne a burthen which we are not able to beare Act. 12.37 Psa. 38.4 Hereupon Fiftly By faith we flye unto Christ. 1 Hungring after the least drop of mercy 2 Preferring it before all earthly comforts 3 Begging it boldly and constantly 4 Waiting patiently till the Lord answere 5 Meditating on Gods former mercies Esr. 9.8 6 In Christ we gaine strength to forsake sin And that 1 In heart wee throughly purpose neuer to commit the like againe Esr. 10.3 2 To this end we are Fearfull of the occasions and wisely decline from them 3 We bend our strength especially against our beloued sin 4 We complaine of our Inability and labour to be strengthned by the Word Conference c. 5 Hereupon we finde our loue encreased to all Gods Commaâ—â—â—â—â—â—dements and so more conscionably intend the performance of â—â—â—hem 6 Especially wee endeauour to bee found in CHRIST and to feele the power of his death and resurrection in the subduing of sinne and so exercise our meditations more often and seriously thereon 7 And so wee endeuour that the life of Christ may appeare in our mortall bodies and that not wee but Christ may liue wholly in vs Galat. 2.19 c. 8 To this end labour wee the practise of some one speciall vertue to which we find our selues most auerse and which we see that we haue especiall need of 9 And so by Gods mercy we attaine such conquest ouer our most grieuous tentations and former euils as hatred of the word and the Saints c. as that wee neuer fall into them againe 10 And though wee finde aptnesse to fall into some former sinnes yet wee earnestly striue against them and grone vnder the burthen of our corruptions 11 And so do hunger and sigh for our dissolution Rom. 7. 12 Submitting our selues to the power of the word to haue corruption discouered and purged out 13 Auoiding all occasions that entice to sin Now that wee may the bettter performe this duty of Repentance consider wee in the third place these preparatiues and helpes thereto 1 That Repentance is the gift of God and therefore if we want it let vs aske it of him in faith Iam. 1.6 2 That by nature wee cannot repent and therefore wee had more need to renounce our selues and flye vnto God 3 That the time of repentance is this life and therfore while we may let vs set vpon it 4 The longer we deferre it the harder and more doubtfull it will proue 5 That the fittest time is immediatly after sinne committed Psal. 95.8 6 To this end meditate we on the shortnesse of life Psalm 91.12 And withall 7 Weigh wee the greatnesse of our sinne how infinite in number how dangerous and deadly to our own soules how offensiue to Gods children c. 8 And submit wee our selues willingly to such rebukes and chasticements as are laid vpon vs to the humbling of the flesh Iam. 4.9.10 Iob. 33.17.18 Leuit. 26.41 9 Yea intreat we the Lord to correct vs Psa. 61. and that the righteous may smite vs Psalm 141.5 Psa. 6.1 Hitherto serueth further 1 The due contemplation of the Maiesty of God whom we haue so highly offended Psalm 51.4 Gen. 39.9 2 The vilenesse and abiectnesse of Man that durst commit such wickednesse against God 3 How fearefull by reason of sinne our condition is vnder Sathan 4 The dangers we haue incurred hereby euen all the plagues that are written in Gods Booke Deut. 29.27 5 The riches of Gods mercy in prouiding so excellent a remedy against sin as the pretious blood of his onely and deerely beloued sonne when nothing else in the world was available thereunto 1. Pet. 1.12 6 The effectualnesse of this Sacrifice daily preuenting sinne and furthering yea sanctifying our repentance and leading to perfection 1. Ioh. 1.7 Eph. 5.22.23 7 The excellency of our estate in Iesus Christ with the manifold benefites and priuiledges thereof and so meditate we on his Death Resurrection Ascention c. 8 Consider wee the end of our Creation Redemption Iustification c. All which doe call for repentance 9 And on the other side impartially discerne wee our Vnthankfulnesse against the blood of the Couenant in not walking worthy of the same Ephes. 4.1 yea in as much as lieth in vs. 10 Making the same of none effect vnto vs. Heb. 10. 11 Adde we hereunto How we haue grieued the spirit of God Ephes 4.30 1 And dulled if not quenched the graces of God in vs 1. Thess. 5.19 13 Consider what dishonour we haue done vnto our God all this while that we haue liued in sinne 14 And wonder at the patience of the Almighty that hath spared so long such notorious rebels Lament 3.23 Rom. 2.4 15 Consider wee the small number of those that shall bee saued And 16 That many shall striue to enter in and shall not be able Luk. 13.23 17 Treasure we vp the Word in our hearts which daily prouokes to repentance Matth. 3. 18 And meditate wee on Gods Iudgements inflicted on the world for sinne Psal. 119. 19 Consider we how hardly euen the righteous shall bee saued 1. Pet. 4.13.14 20 Sort wee with the Godly that so wee may learne their waies 21 Enter wee into the house of Mourning and this will bring sin to remembrance 22 And thinke wee often of our ends and of the day of iudgement so shall sinne haue little rest with vs. And that wee bee not deceiued in the iudgement of Repentance obserue wee wisely these Markes and true Tokens thereof 1 Care not to sinne againe 2. Cor. 7.11 Luk. 9. 2 Clearing and approuing of our selues to the Church of God 3 In the euidence of the pardon of our sinne being able to make our defence against sin and Satan 2. Cor. 7. And so 4
which hath shined so gratiously vnto me then to conceale my iudgement though it may condemne my practise Fourthly May it please thee to consider with me Can a man walk in the Sunne and not bee warme and where two lie together will there not be heate and can the light be hidden nay ought it to be hidden Ought we not being conuerted conuert our brethren doth not the light shine vnto vs and can we hold our peace Is not the night coming fast on vs when none can worke 5 Can wee doe lesse in these dayes then conuince a prophane world 6 Can we do better then strengthen that which is ready to die purging and triall And is it not more then high time that wee should gather our selues before the decree come forth Is it not certain that our master wil not loÌ„g deferre his comming and shall not that seruant be blessed whom his master comming shall finde so doing euen freeing himselfe and departing from euill Shal not the wise man see the plague and hide himselfe the foole run on be punished Shall not the wise virgins prepare oyle in their lampes to meete the Bridegrome whiles stripes are preparing for the back of the scorner Behold then the oyle that thou must bee furnished withall Shall not this be thy store house dayly to furnish thee with meanes whereby thou must walke fruitfully with thy God in ech dutie of thy calling whereby thou maist entertaine each seuerall occasion chearefully that so while thou hast the light thou maist walke in it that so thou maist bee found in peace at thy masters comming Doe the times require in regard of the continuance of plentifull meanes that by this time thou shouldest haue bin a teacher of others and yet art thou to learne the grounds of thy faith Behold here then the grounds of Sanctification propounded and opened vnto thee that thou maist be soundly entred into the schoole of Christ Iesus that thou maist trie thy selfe whether thou hast laide a good foundation or no hast thou built hay and stubble vpon the foundation hast thou gone a stray from that perfect rule and therefore hadst need to returne backe againe Behold The doctrine of repentance to sustaine thy iudgement aright here maist thou trie thy selfe whether thou hast repented or no hereby maist thou approue thine interest in Iesus Christ. And to this purpose is the doctrine of repentance proposed before the doctrine of faith Not that it is or can be in nature before it for how can the fruite be before the tree can we loue God vnlesse hee loue vs first can wee forsake our sinnes vnles the loue of Christ constrain vs must we not beleeue sinne pardonable before we can forsake it Is not our sufficiencie of God through Iesus Christ to subdue iniquitie Is not Iesus Christ aswel-the authour and finisher of our faith And is it not sinne before God though it seeme neuer so glorious among men whatsoeuer is not of faith And without faith is it possible to please God Must we not first be in Christ before we can be new creatures and do we not liue by faith in the Sonne of God And doth not the death of Christ daily kill sinne in vs doe wee not dayly rise vp in him to newnesse of life And do wee not approue our selues hereby liuing members of his body Is it any more wee but Christ that now liueth in vs Is not this to liue by faith in the Sonne of God Loe here our repentance being a fruit of our faith in Iesus Christ is also an euidence vnto our soules that we are in the faith and so our faith which in nature is before repentance hath yet repentaÌ„ce in order accoÌ„panying the same and by this liuely fruit is discerned of vs and thus hast thou in the next place a gratious direction how to discerne and reuiue thy most pretious faith that so thou maist bee sure that thou hast not laboured in vaine Now seeing the work of Sanctification is begun in weaknes rather in the purpose of the heart then any constancie of outward practise and hypocrisie wil be sure to mingle it selfe with our best endeauours if it be possible to blast the the verie blade Therefore art thou informed in the next place how to prepare thy heart in the seruice of God how to comfort thy selfe in the testimony thereof notwithstanding thy dayly failings in the practise of weldoing And seeing the heart of man is deceitful aboue al things the cause of all thy failings ariseth from the not guiding of thy heart Therfore art thou taught how to arme thy heart with that complete armor of a Christian souldier And so thou art instructed in the vse of each seuerall peece therof that so thou maist be ready at all assayes To this end in the next place are propounded vnto thee those two maner occasions and imployments of thy whole life namely to prosecute good and forsake euill and so thou art instructed how to performe the one and leaue the other how to discerne sinceritie in either And because the true Christian life is a continuall growth therefore art thou further informed how to discerne this growth in grace thou art furnished with meanes wherby thou maist grow and thou art comforted in the weakenesse and hinderances of thy growth And seeing thankefulnesse is a special badge of our loue vnto Christ a principal means to renue our right in him that so from him we may renue strength and supply of grace to grow forward perfection therefore art thou taught also how to bee thankefull thou art informed in the truth and right vse of this dutie And as by these meanes thou art hastning to perfection so art thou further prouoked to constancie perseuerance And gratiously informed how thou maist continue to the end not onely confirmed in thy greatest fayling that thou shalt recouer but instructed also gratiously how thou maist hold out Namely By holy watchfulnesse and iealousie ouer thy heart and wayes that so thou maist preuent securitie and presumption and gratiously goe on and perseuere in weldoing And that thou maist not bee ouercome with the cares of the world not be to seeke at any time of the present assistance of thy God therefore thou art enformed aboue all things to make thy requests manifest vnto God and directed so to aske that thou maist receiue And so thou art informed how to maintaine thy peace with God and to repose thy selfe sweetly in the bosome thereof And mâ—â—â—ist thou not also learne hereby how to beginne the day with God Art thou not instructed how to sanctifie thy family by holy exercises how to sanctifie the occasioÌ„s by holy and feruent prayer Art thou not directed how to walke in thy calling art thou not comforted in the issue there of Art thou not further informed in the right vse of thy diet that so thou maist eat to liue and â—â—â—e to the glory of thy maister Art thou instructed
his whole posterity as hauing receiued en estate for it into a most fearefull bondage of sinne and Satan and to all such punishments as were due to the breach of the Commandement The occasion hereto was the righteous law of God which the more indifferent it was and easie to be obeyed did 1 The more discouer the malice of Sathan against the Commandements And 2 the more conuince the breach of man and so 3 aduanceth the more the mercy of God in prouiding a redeemer The instrument of this fall and manner therof was the suggestion of Satan enuying mans happines working in him distrust of the word tickling him with the outward obiect the Apple but especially with a conceit of a more excellent estate And setting vppon the weaker vessell when she was alone Breeding discontent of the present estate and hatred of God as if he did enuy their happinesse did not therfore loue thē so being distracted in their iudgment to redeeme vs Math. 4. Luk. 2.49 2 In taking our nature vpon him Mat. 2 Luk. 1. 3 To the Law in fulfilling it perfectly which we had broken Esay 53. 4 In vndergoing the punishment when hee had fulfilled the Law Rom. 5.19 10.4 And by these his sufferings our redemption was secondly wrought out These sufferings of Christ were First either in the humility of his Natiuity or his whole life such miseries as sin had drawne vpon vs that hee might sanctifie them vnto vs as in the body Hunger Cold Pouerty c. Heb. 2.18 Heb. 4.15 2 In the soule 1 Ignorance Mat. 11.13 Mar. 13.32 2 Tentations Matth. 22.35 Matth. 4.1 3 Sadnesse Ioh. 12. 4 Ignominies Mat. 12. Secondly or at his Death such paines as we had deserued and here he suffered First in his body as 1 Preparations to death 1 Accused of Blasphemy 2 Buffetings by the Souldiers Mat. 27. 28. 3 Whipping and scourging 4 Crowning with Thornes 5 Carrying of his Crosse. 6 Nayling to his Crosse. Ioh. 19. Secondly death it selfe heere consider 1 The ignominious manner vpon the Cursed Tree Gal. 3. 2 The cruelty vsed vpon his dead body as being pierced to the heart by that mercilesse Souldier Ioh. 10.34 3 His ignominious buriall and detaining for 3 daies in the graue These were his sufferings in body Secondly he also suffered for vs in his soule that 1. In his whole life 1 Griefe for the sin of the world especially of his own countrymen who refused him Ioh. 1. 2 The mockings of the wicked 7 That by his death hee might ratifie the eternall Testament of grace Heb. 9. 8 That hereby sinne and death might be destroyed and the Diuell that had the rule of death Heb. 2.14.15 Rom. 6.20 9 As also taking away the feare of death 10 That sinne might not rule ouer vs but 11 That we might die thereto 12 That we might liue onely to Christ. 13 And liue for euer with him 14 And lay downe our liues for him Now because it was not possible that the Sonne of God should be holden of the sorrowes of death for then had he not been iustified and acquitted from our sins therfore by the power of his God-head he raised vp himselfe so accomplished yet further the work of our redemption Rom. 4.25 Act. 2.24 And so Christ Iesus our redeemer obtained a glorious conquest by his resurrection from the dead that First ouer the law in abolishing the curse dominion rigor therof Secondly ouer Satan hel chaining vp Satan destroying for euer the powers of hell 1. Cor. 15.57 Thirdly ouer sinne and that 1 In taking away the sting and guiltinesse thereof 2 Abating the rage fury of the same Rom. 7.24.25 3 Healing in some measure the corrupt fountaine of the same 4 Weakning the force and daily eating out the very corruption thereof Rom. 6.12.13 Fourthly death is also conquered and subdued and that 1 By taking away the sting therof 2 By destroying the dominion of the same Rom. 5.14 3 Sanctifying it to the Godly to whom it is the gate to euerlasting life 1. Thess. 4. 4 Raising vp our flesh from the graue 1. Cor. 15. And thus by this glorious conquest of our captaine Iesus Christ is recouered vnto vs Heb. 12 2· First the fauour of God our Father whose children we are now become in Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 5.18 1 Ioh. 3.1 Col 1.20 Secondly the fruits of this fauour which are 1 Faith in the Sonne of God whereby being iustified before God we haue 2 Peace of Conscience with God and man Rom. 5.1 Rom. 7.4 3 Ioy vnspeakeble in the Holy Ghost 1. Pet. 1.8 4 We become fruitfull in all good works and so therby become meet partakers of saluation Col. 1.12 The earnest whereof we haue in this life first by the inward testimony of the spirit 2. Cor. 1. Eph. 4. Secondly by our outward similitude conformity to our head Christ Iesus being changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2. Cor. 3.18 And wee shall fully enioy it in the life to come where shall be 1 Ceasing of all sinne infirmities sorrow Reu. 7.17 2 Perfect knowledge of God 3 Perfect righteousnesse and holinesse not to be changed Eph. 5.27 4 Fulnesse of ioy Psa. 16. 5 Excellent glory 6 Immediate fruition of and coniunction with God 1. Cor. 13.12 7 Continuall praising of God 8 God shall be all in all 1. Cor. 15. 9 Perfect loue to each other though in diuersity of glory 10 Knowledge spirituall of each other as they haue had fellowship in this life in good 11 Triumph ouer all enemies 12 Eternall happinesse and blisse for euermore 1. Pet. 1.4 All these hath the sonne of God purchased for vs CHAP. XI Of the Appliclication of this benefit by faith how it wrought in vs. THe meanes whereby all these are made ours This faith is wrought in vs by the preaching of the word Rom. 10.17 And that first of the Law First discouering our misery vnto vs in particular both From what a blessed estate wee are fallen Rom. 3. Rom. 7. as also Into what a woful and desperate condition we are now plunged not onely by reason of our sinne Being able to do nothing but displease God Gen. 6.5 And that in regard 1 Of the trangression of Adam which lies vpon vs Rom. 5. 2 The fruit of this transgression euen a generall infection corruption of all the powers and faculties of soule and body As First the substance of the soule 1 before being simple is now become double through hypocrisie 2 Before being mortall naturally and spiritually is now spiritually dead Eph. 2. Secondly the gifts of the soule As 1 the minde through ignorance become vaine in it discourses Eph. 4. Rom. 2.21 2 Of the vnderstanding filled with blindnesse and darknesse and not sauouring the things of God Eph. 4.17 3 The Conscience wounded seared defiled
and strengthen vs in the worke of grace Therefore hauing now laide downe the true Patterne of Holinesse and liuelie practise thereof my purpose is GOD willing shortly to furnish thee with such variety of helpes as may serue both to vphold and encrease this blessed condition And seeing wee shall not want many Lettes and Hinderances to interrupt and so to linger vs in if not quite to breake off this holy course Therefore by GODS grace I doe intend in the third place to discouer those seuerall Rubbes and impediments and withall to instruct how wee may encounter and subdue the same And withall As GOD shall lend health and liberty to adde such motiues and encouragements both from the present benefites of this constant walking as also from the future recompence which waits the same as may throughly settle vs in the practise thereof Meane while let vs in the name of GOD bee faithfull in a little that so wee may bee fitted to further blessings being thankfull for the meanes wee enioy to this end and labouring thereby to serue one another in loue praying for the peace of Ierusalem and seeking the same aboue our chiefest ioy that so in the peace thereof wee may haue peace euen a gracious liberty to walk with our God in constant obedience to whom in Iesus Christ through the blessed Spirit bee praise and Dominion in all the Churches Amen FINIS * Greenham Perkins Rogers Downam and Arthur Dent c. Reasons of â—â—â—he Deity Alexander Vse Natures vse for the knowledge of GOD. Vse Intelliâ—â—â—ent Vse Eternall Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Rom. 1. Psalm 81.1 Vse Note Ephes. 4. Eph. 4.1.2 Sect. 1. What a person is Vse Trinitie what Persons how they differ Order of Persons Order of workes Vse Vse Note Ends of Creation Vse Time 1. Cor. 2. Vse Body Soule in regard of the Analogy betweene the Creaation and Regeneration 2. Cor. 12.11 Vse Sect. 6. 2. By sufferings where what they were 1 In whole life 2 In death 3 In body 4 In soule Sect. 7. Conquering and how Vse of his death Sect. 8. The benefit of our Redemption 1 By sence of our misery fall from our first estate The greatnes therof 1 By sinne 2 By fruite of sin what they are 1 In this life 2 In the life to come 3 Particulars of hell torments Sect. 1. The word the guide of this direction Sect. 2. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 1. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 2. This course to be known though impossible to be kept Sect. 3. It is not impossible Sect. 4. It is necessary 3 To encrease in righteous 4 To recouer out of euil 5 To further our callings Sect. 5. It is most conuenient for all sorts 1 For Babes 2 For strong men 3 For men in prosperity 4 For the time of offliction Sect. 6. And profitable Sect. 7. And pleasant where The benefite of constant godlines there in the priuiledge of Christians Sect. 2. Repentance how performed 1 By knowledge 2 Sorrow 3 By confession In generall In particular 4 By iudging 5 By flying to Christ. 5 Forsaking sin how Section 3. Helpes to repentance Sect. 4. Markes of Repentance Vse of Repentance Note Sect. 7. Trial hereof Ahab Rom. 2. Sect. 2. The degrees of this worke Sect. 3. The markes of particular assurance Sect. 4. The degrees thereof Weakenesse of Faith How knowne The grounds hereof Sect. 1. The heart a sleepe and by what meanes Sect. 2· The heart to be awakened and how Sect. 3. The heart awakened must be examined And how 1 By a true rule 2. An holy manner 3. To a right end Sect. 4. The heart examined must be established in the worship of God And how How to know the beloued sin How to conquer it Sect. 7. Trial hereof Sect. 1. The parts of the spirituall armour and first of the girdle of Truth Its parts are Sect. 2. 1 A rectified Iudgement The benefit thereof Sect. 3. The sanctified conscience and how discerned How put on The benefit thereof Sect. 4. The sinceri-of the will It markes It measure The benefit hereof Sect. 5. The well ordering of the affections how discerned The benefit thereof Sect. 6. The sinceritie of the Tongue Wherein it is seene Sect. 7. Of speech and 1 Of the preparation to it 2 And bee hath promised to blesse this meanes to this end 3 And the Saints haue practised this duty profitably Sect. 8. The matter of speech Sect. 9. How to speake of God Sect. 4. How to speake of our neighbour Sect. 15. What heere to be auoyded How to speake in dispraise of our selues Sect. 14 Of things to be spoken How to speake of what wee know Sect. 15. The maner of speech 1 It must be gratious Sect. 16.2 Our speech must be true Sect. 17. Of the bonds of truth 1 Euidences How to affirme in doubtfull cases 3 The matter 4 The manner 5 He that may sweare 6 The ende and causes of an oath 6 Before whom we must sweare 7 When 8 How an oath binds 9 The abuses of an oth Sect. 21. Of flattery Sest 22. Concealing of truth Sect. 23. The third grace of speech Reuerence and that 1. In respect of God 2. Of man Sect. 24. To giue holy names to to our children Sect. 25. Reuerence to our superiour Here forbidden 1. Blasphemie 2. All abuse of scripture 2. Abuse of our selues Sect. 26. A fourth grace of speech Sobrietie and Modestie And where in Sect. 27. Of saluatioÌ„s Popish blessing to bee moderated Sect. 28. Of soft ananswering Sect. 28. Of reproofe of sinne Sect. 30. A fit grace of speech is cheerfulnes and ioy It conditions How fitted to the boord How for bed Here to bee auoyded 1 Iesting with it bounds 2 Laughter Sect. 31. A sixt grace of speech care of our neighbours good name 1 How performed 2 What auoyded Sect. 32. The seuenth grace of speech slownesse briefnes Rules herein Sect. 33 Of silence and the right vse thereof Things to be conceald And first wherein silence is to be vsed 1 Concerning God 2 Concerning our selues 3 What to be conceald Aug. lib. ad conser 4 Before whom we must keepe silence Sect. 34 Last part of the Girdle Conformiâ—â—â—ie of outward actions The end what 1 Gods glory 2 Edification how accomplished How applied Benefite of this part of the Girdle Sect. 35. The Breast-plate of righteousnesse 1. What it is 2. The vse of this part How to bee attained and preserued Sect. 37. A fourth part of the Armour the shield of faith It vse Sect. 38. The fifth part the helmet of hope Sect. 39. The last part the sword of the Spirit 1. It vse 2 How obtained 3 Triall â—â—â—ereof 4. How kept on Sect. 40. The general benefit of the whole armie Sest 1. Difference of euill Sect. 2. What the euill of sin is Sect. 3. The vse of this knowledge Sect. 4 How farre sinne hath taken hold on man The benefit of this knowledge Sect. 4. Gods