A PEARLE FOR A PRINCE OR A PRINCELY PEARLE As it was deliuered in two SERMONS By IOHN TRASKE MATT. 7.6 Giue not that which is holy vnto the Dogs neither cast ye your Pearles before Swine lest they trample them vnder their feete and turne againe and rent you 1. COR. 1.25 The foolishnesse of God is wiser then Men and the weakenesse of God is stronger then Men. LONDON Printed by William Stansby for Matthew Lownes 1615. To all that desire the sincere Milke of the WORD Grace and Peace bee multiplied I Haue sent you heere a Princely Pearle as a helpe to supplie your many wants the price is very small the commoditie may proue exceeding great to those that purchasing pray hauing prayed read and hauing read receiue that which the word approues I desire no more the word requires 〈◊〉 lesse But in reading this or any other such beware no conceit of the man preuaile more then the truth of the matter lest thou make Man a God and God an Idoll but be sure thou search the Scriptures diligently whether these things be so for the neglect of this is the cause of many fearefull errors and of much grosse ignorance Wherefore hauing once read it ouer at the second reading trie euery Scripture whether they be pertinent thus shalt thou reape much benefit and this short Sermon will proue a large Volume vnto thee And knowing that if thou be one of those little ones for whose sake I penned it thou shalt haue cause to praise God for it and that thou wilt continue to help with feruent praier that the Gospell may haue free course and bee glorified as also desiring thee not slightly to consider of this aduise in thy course of reading mens writings as thou tendrest thy soules escape the rocks of so many dangerous errors as are now abroad especially in writing I râ—st Mar. 30. 1615. Yours that be the Lords IOHN TRASKE A PEARLE For a Prince MARKE 16.16 He that beleeueth and is Baptized shall bee saued but hee that beleeueth not shall be damned THis Chapter containeth three principall parts In the first wee haue the resurrection of our blessed Sauiour witnessed by women by an Angell by three seuerall apparitions In the second wee haue the Apostles Mission in their great Ambassage In the third Christs glorious Ascension into Heauen In the second part there are foure principall pointâ— obseruable First To whom the Apostles were sent Secondly What to doe Thirdly The effects of their labour Fourthly The signes that should follow in those that did beleeue The two first are contained in the fifteenth verse The last in the seuenteenth and eighteenth The third is my text Where wee see the twofold effect of preaching laied downe in two Propositions The first containing a Promise the second a Threat In the promise we may obserue two things First to whom it is made Secondly what it is As if it should haue said in more wordes thus Hee that is whosoeuer bee he Iew or Graecian young or olde bond or free rich or poore man or woman that beleeueth that is that vnderstandeth and vnderstanding assenteth to and assenting applieth to himselfe the message that you bring and is baptized that is that doth manifest the truth of his faith by the vse of the meanes for the confirmation of the same or doth obserue conscionably those things that I command Baptisme being a part for the whole or is indeed not onely with outward water baptized into the name of the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost is truely baptized by the new birth of the water of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost is made conformable to his death and doth know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings Such bee they of what nation condition sex or age soeuer shall bee saued that is shall assuredly receiue all the good things that doe concerne soule and bodie this life and that which is to come Grace heere and Glorie hereafter And thus the instructions doe naturally arise First from that the promise is made indefinitely to euery one hee that beleeueth The doctrine is Doct. 1 That all the Priuiledges and Promises that appertaine to beleeuers doe indifferently stretch to euery one aswell as to any one The truth of this may appeare by many testimonies of Scripture of which sort are these following a Io. 1.12 But as many as receiued him to them gaue hee the priuiledge to become the sonnes of God euen to as many as beleeued in his name And b Io. 3.16 So God loued the world that hee gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life In the first you see as many as twise repeated in the later whosoeuer which extendeth to all The reason is to shew Gods equalitie and his impartiall dealing with the sonnes of men which Peter tooke notice of where he said c Act. 10.34 Of a truth I perceiue that God is no accepter of persons but in euerie nation such as feare him and worke righteousnesse are accepted with him Seeing then that the promises of God doe belong to all aswell as to any beleeuer Wee may learne to be d Ephes 5.1 followers of God as deare children The Magistrate may hence learne to iudge impartially to execute iudgement without respect of persons to deale vprightly betweene the rich and poore the bond and free Hereby hee shall draw e Iam. 4 8 neere to God and be most like him he is no respecter of persons he not onely offereth but bestoweth saluation vpon all sorts indifferently Let such call to minde that worthy example of good Iehosaphat who said to the Iudges * 2. Chron. 169. Take heede what you doe for you iudge not for man but for the Lord who is with you in the Iudgement Wherefore now let the feare of the Lord bee vpon you take heed and doe it for there is no iniquitie with the Lord our God nor respect of Persons nor taking of gifts The Minister hath hence an Instruction to inuite all to the Supper of the Lambe Christ sayth Mat. 11.28 Io. 7.37 Come vnto me all yet that trauell and are heauie laden And againe If any man thirst let him come vnto mee and drinke Reuel 22.17 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come And let him that is athirst come And let him that heareth say Come And whosoeuer will Isay 55.1 let him take the water of Life freely So Isaiah Ho euery one that thirsteth come yee to the waters Iam. 2.1 All may learne not to haue the Faith of our Lord Iesus Christ the Lord of Glorie with respect of Persons Secondly this reproueth the practise of those Magistrates that regard mens persons in iudgement fauouring some for their riches and oppressing others that are but of mean estate Herein they differ from God and do manifestly discouer theÌ„selues not yet to be his
Now of the companions that it hath of these there are verie many of which I will name some especially those which are inseparable or peculiar to true beleeuers The first which I will name is peace That Peace which passeth all vnderstanding Rom. 5.1 Phil 4.7 This may bee illustrated by a quiet calme after a great tempest or a swoâ—â—e sleepe after a sharp sit of an ague The second is Ioy. Rom. 14.17 Rom. 15.13 1. Pet. 1.8 The Ioy of the Holy Ghost This is that which Peter calleth Ioy vnspeakeable and full of glorie This doth swallow all other ioyes euen as the Sea doth swallow all other waters This may be illustrated by safetie after great danger or by great plentie after much penurie or want Gal. 5.6 1. Tim. 1.5 Mat. 12.37 The third is Loue out of a pure Heart This extendeth to God to our Neighbour This Loue is expressed by our pliablenesse to doe his will 1. Io. 5.3 For this is the loue of God that wee keepe his Commandements and his Commaundements are not grieuous To our Neighbours To all but especially to the houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 1. Pet. 1.22 1. Io. 3.16 To Gods children This Loue is feruent yea so feruent as that wee can lay downe our liues for them Mat. 5.44.45.46.47.48 This Loue stretcheth euen to Enemies This can no Reprobate euer haue A fourth may be boldnes To coÌ„fesse Christ before men Prou. 18.1 The righteous are bold as a Lion Ro. 10.10 Dan. 3.17.18 Dan. 6.10 Act. 21.13 Act. 4.19.20 Heb. 11.37 Rom. 5.3 Heb. 10.36 Rom. 8.17 Iam. 5.11 He. 12.1.2 Phil. 1.23 This is an inseperable companion of true Faith This was in Daniel in the three children in Paul in the other Apostles in all the blessed Saints who haue died for the testimonie of Iesus A fifth Patience to beare the Crosse to endure tribulation to suffer with Christ This was euident in Iob who is therefore proposed to beleeuers as a Patterne therof But our perfect patterne is Christ Iesus who endured the Crosse A sixth a desire to bee euer with the Lord to see him face to face 2. Cor. 5.2 An earnest groaning to bee clothed vpon with our house which is from Heauen to be vnburthened of this bodie of death Rom. 8.13 and that as God is become the Father of our spirits so he would become the Father of bodies and spirits That our vile bodies may bee changed Phil. 3.21 and fashioned like vnto the glorious bodie of our Lord Iesus Christ A seuenth is a holy waiting for the time of our dissolution which may be termed Hope Rom. 8.24.25 Iob. 14.14 and is so called by the Holy Ghost We are saued by hope and If wee hope for that we see not we doe with patience wait for it These are the Companions of true sauing Faith within the compasse of one of these all the rest may be couched Hereby thou maist trie thy selfe Hast thou beene troubled and terrified with the sight of thy sinnes Isay 57.19 Is 61.1.2.3 Mat. 5.4 1. Tim. 1.13 Psal 119.103 Mat. 10.42 Psal 16.3 1. Io. 5.1 And art thou now at Peace Hast thou mourned And dost thou reioyce Hast thou hated God in his Word in his Prophets or poore children And dost thou delight in his Law receiue his Prophets because they are his Prophets delight in the Saints because they are his children Hast thou bin greedie of reuenge â—nd readie to requite euill with euill And dost thou loue thine enemies blesse them that curse thee Mat. 5.44 doe good to them that hate thee pray for them which despightfully vse thee persecute thee Rom. 12.21 In a word canst thou now desire to ouercome their euill with good Hast thou blushed to be seene at a Sermon or reading the word or in the companie of the poore Saints or hast thou withdrawne thy selfe from the performance of any dutie for feare of persecution Act. 21.13 Act. 5. â—9 Hâ—st 4.16 And dost thou now resolue to doe whatsoeuer God commands and to suffer for not doing that which he forbids Hast thou beene impatient in crosses and readie to murmure and art thou now able with alacritie to heare any thing especially for the name of Christ Hast thou feared death and trembled at the time of dissolution And is the day of death now in thy esteeme better then the day that thou wast borne Eccles 7.1 dost thou long for it Act. 3.19 and thirst after it as for the time of refreshing Aâ—â— â—5 18 Hast thou foolishly desired the day of the Lord in thy desperate passions And canst thou now wait with Patience for the time of thy dissolution Then maist thou take comfort to thy soule that all the promises of God doe belong to thee be thy nation estate sâ—x or age what it will But if thou find no such change but that thou art the same thou wert euer as thou wast borne so thou hast liued and excepting a little swimming knowledge in thy braine and colde performance of outward duties thou findest no such singular thing Mat. 5 47. Doe not then deceiue thy selfe thou art not that beleeuer of the which I speake to whom the promises dâ—e belong Now hauing an eye to the text againe we will see what more will arise Hee that beleeueth and to baptized Not to speake herâ— of the substance of Baptisme which is chiefly aimed at but of the signe which is also included Though the former might wel serue for the confutation of Papist who ascribe as much to the signe as to the truth most foolishly affirming that those that die without the signe 〈◊〉 â— 1. Cor. 1 2. 〈…〉 1 3◠〈…〉 5 2â—.2 are damâ—ed as also of the Anabaptist who dâ—nie children the signe though they can by no meanes denie them the substance for that were to crosse the whole Booke of God Both these doting too much vpon the bare letter and order of the words whereby they shew their Ignorance of the Scriptures Mat. 22.19 Isay 65.23 of the power and loue of God to his and their seed but leauing this at this time seeing Faith and Baptisme are ioyned together Hence I doe collect this point of instruction Doct. 3 That true Faith and the diligent vse of the meanes for confirmation thereof are inseperable Wheresoeuer the one is in truth there is also the other This may appeare by that the Apostle writing to the Saints at Colossa and hauing prooued vnto them their effectuall calling he willeth them as the a Col. 3.11.12 Elect of God to put on the bowels of tender mercie kindnesse humblenesse of minde long suffering as if hee would say Because yee are the Elect of God therefore put on these things for those that are the Elect of God cannot after their effectuall calling bee seperate from these So againe the same Apostle writing to those at Thessalonica bids them not
promise is saluation which containeth all the good things that concerne soule or bodie this life or that to come as it is written 1. Tim. 4.8 Godlinesse is profitable to all things hauing promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Psal 84.11 And The Lord will giue grace and glory Doct. 5 Hence ariseth this Doctrine That all good things that doe concerne this Life or that which is to come are of right due to those that doe beleeue or That those that doe beleeue and are indeed baptized or made conformable to Christs death and doe feele the power of his resurrection in themselues such may challenge as their proper right and claime as their heritage all the good things that doe concerne this life or that which is to come 1. Cor. 3.21 This the Apostle affirmeth plainely where hee sayth All things are yours whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the World or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours and yee are Christs and Christ is Gods The reason is God hath promised and he cannot but performe Deut. 32.4 Tit. 1.2 Hee is the God of Truth Righteous in all his wayes The God that cannot lie Another may be this Hee hath giuen the greater and cannot denie the lesser as it is written Rom. 8.32 Hee that spared not his owne Sonne but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall hee not with him also freely giue vs all things Will any man giue Gold and denie Dust Will a man giue his Life and denie his Goods or will a man giue goods and not afford good lookes nor a good word The consideration of this may cheere vp the hearts of those that are beleeuers Esay 25.6 Gen. 18.25 Exod. 32.11.12 Neh. 1.8.9 Dan. 9.16.17.18.19 Act. 4.24.29.30 Heb. 13.8 Isay 59.1 here is a Feast for them of fat things full of Marrow of Wine on the Lees well refiâ—ed So that beleeuers may challenge Gods promises as boldly as euer Abraham Moses Nehemiah Daniel The Church in the Apostles time or any of the Saints euer did The Lord is Iehouah the same for euer His hand is not shortned that it cannot saue neyther his eare heauie that it cannot heare Dost thou then want wisedome Thou maist aske it of God Prou. 2.6.7 Hee is the giuer of wisedome out of his mouth commeth knowledge and vnderstanding He layeth vp wisedome for the Righteous Here you see God setteth forth himselfe as his childrens treasurer 1. Kin. 3.9 Salomon asked wisedome and was not denied And Iames extendeth this to all the Saints Iam. 1.5.6 If any of you lacke wisedome let him aske of God that giueth to all men liberally and vpbraideth not and it shall bee giuen him Pro. 3.33 Pro. 10.22 Psal 112.3 Dost thou want riches Thou hast the blessing of the Lord. This onely maketh rich And it is written That wealth and riches are in the house of him that feareth the Lord. Mat. 19.29 And it is also written That whosoeuer forsaketh Houses Mat. 10.30 or Lands for Christs name sake for the Gospels sake or the Kingdome of God Luk. 18.19 shall receiue euen in this Life manifold yea an hundred sold more euen in this present time Mat. 10.30 Is it friends thou dost desire Thou hast the promise of Fathers and Mothers Brethren Iam. 5.16 Sisters and Children What greater friends then such The prayers of one of them being more auaileable for thee then the power of a whole Kingdome against thee These will lay downe their liues for thee Their loue is feruent loue 1. Ioh. 3.16 1. Pet. 1.22 2. Sa. 20.17 Euen as was the loue of Ionathan to Dauid Who loued him euen as his owne soule And as the loue of Aquila and Priscilla to Paul who were readie and did in effect lay downe their own neckes for Pauls life Rom. 16.4 This is that wee finde written in the Prouerbs of Salomon There is a friend that sticketh closer then a brother Pro. 18.24 Is Honour desireable What more honourable Ioh. 1.12 Ps 149. vlt. then of a sonne of a Mortall Man to become the sonne of the Immortall God Such honour haue all the Saints And who haue beene more honourable then the Children of God As Ioseph Mardochey Daniel and the rest Is safetie a good thing Isa 54. vlt. This is thine heritage and thou maist therefore claime it as thy proper right as the seruants of God haue done Psal 91.4 Let thy truth O Lord bee my shield and buckler Thy defence is A wall of Fire The munition of Rockes A guard of Angels Psal 68.17 Zach. 2.5 Isay 33.16 as Chariots of Fire and Horses of Fire doth compasse thee round about Is Peace pleasant vnto thee Thy Habitation is Peaceable They shall not hurt nor destroy in all mine holy Mountaine Isay 6.9 No Lion or rauenous beast doth walke in that way Isay 35.8.9 Isay 9.6 Nah. 1.15 Thy Prince is a Prince of Peace All those that are his Ambassadors are glad tydings bringers Thy owne feete are shod with the shooes of Peace Ephe. 6.15 Mat. 5.9 All thy Companions are Peacemakers God hath promised to extend Peace like a Riuer to those that dwell in Sion Isay 66.12 Delightest thou in many followers or seruants Psal 91.11 Psal 34.7 to wait on thy person God hath giuen his Angels charge of thee The Angels doe encampe about thee wheresoeuer thou art Heb. 1.14 They are ministring Spirits sent foorth for the good of them that shall be saued And it is written Mat. 18.10 Take heed that yee offend not one of these little ones that beleeue in me saith Christ for I say vnto you Their Angels doe alwayes behold the face of my Father which is in Heauen Is victorie ouer aduersaries a good thing Rom. 8 37. 1. Pet. 5.8 Gal. 5.24 1 Ioh. 5 4. Beleeuers are more then Conquerors By Faith the Deuill is resisted the flesh crucified and the World ouercome Is mirth desired by thee What greater ioy Rom. 14.17 then the Ioy of the Holy Ghost This will make thee to eat thy bread with Ioy and drinke thy wine with a merry heart Eccles 9.7 when thou art once a beleeuer for then and not till then shalt thou know that God accepteth thy workes This ioy is termed Ioy vnspeakeable and full of glory 2. Pet. 1.8 Is long life a blessing in thy Iudgement Thou hast a promise to liue long Psal 34.12.13.14 Psal 128.6 Psal 84.11 and see good dayes if thou be a beleeuer yea to see thy childrens children So that there is no good thing to bee withholden from beleeuers Let this not only comfort but instruct thee against Sathans fierie assaults Doth he perswade thee thou art foolish Thou maist replie Christ is thy wisedome 1. Cor. 1.30 Doth he vpbraid thee with thy pouertie Answere him Thou