him his labour his revenues ar vnto syn he himself lieth dead in syns the sowl of God doth hate him Therfore his eyes shal fayl his refuge shal perish and his hope be exspiration of sowl for he offreth the sacrifice of fools and knoweth not that he doth evil he is reprobate concerning faith abominable and vnto every good work reprobate 9. The reward of syn vnto man from the iust hand of God is fearful vengeance curse and death begun in this world to be fulfilled in the next His vengeance and curse God inflicteth sometime by his own powrful hand vpon the bodies and sowles of sinners sometime he vseth his creatures to torment them yea often he vexeth one man by an other and even by himself For man in himself hath confusion and is ashamed of his own body and members his reason wil and affections ar often at warr one with another his concupiscences fight within him rankerous envie fretteth and consumeth him carking covetousnes pierceth him through with many sorrowes his own inordinate lusts doe vex and make him sick and lean generally his whol life he leadeth in vanitie and vexation of spirit al his dayes ar sorrowes his travail grief his hart taketh not rest in the night for he is like the raging sea that cannot rest whose waters cast vp mire and dirt ther is no peace vnto him Again he is often troubled in minde for his misdeeds guiltie fears do torment his conscience and he is condemned of his own hart dispayring of al help mercy at Gods hand wher vpon men dread oft-tymes wher no dread is and the sound of a leaf shaken doth chase them away they flee as from a sword and fall no man pursuing them a sound of fear is in their ears that in their prosperitie the destroyer shal come vpon them neyther beleev they to return out of darknes So that in this miserie lothing longer life some lay violent hands on their own bodies and murder themselves And man to man doth all manner mischief and outrage that they are as beasts vnto themselves by reproching blaspheming robbing defyling captiving and murdering one an other both secretly and openly not sparing their own brethren wives children or dearest freinds in their savage wrath hatred and crueltie The Lord moreover afflicteth their bodies with many greevous and noysom sicknesses their bowels ar inwardly tormented with payns their ioynts and lims with aches silthy leprosies sores and botches do vex and deform them burning pestilent fevers do afflict consume them neyther is ther any part or member from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot which is not smitten wounded even the mind and vnderstanding with phrensie and madnes and the bodies somtime devoured with lice and vermin whiles they ar yet alive 10. The creatures all ar executioners of Gods iust iudgments vpon wicked men The heavens somtyme with-hold their dewes and rayn and become like brasse somtime they send down stormie tempests with haylstones and fyre and other evil influences to destroy the earth the inhabitants fruits therof The Sun smiteth them by day the moon by night the stars from their bulwarks fight against them The earth eyther yieldeth not her fruit but is like yron or bringeth forth thorns and thistles and venemous weeds yea somtimes openeth her mouth and swalloweth men vp alive Honger and famine do afflictt them that for want of food they ar enforced to eat the flesh of their own children The wild beasts prey vpon devour them even the smallest and vilest creatures as frogs flies lice and the like ar ministers of wrath and vengeance vpon the disobedient The syre breaketh out burneth them with their substance the water overfloweth drowneth them The Angels of the Lord do pursue scatter and destroy them And the Divils vnto whom wretched men yield homage obedience do tyrannize over their goods their bodies and their â—owls tearing and tormenting them casting them into fyre and into water depriving them of reason sence and speech having them also in horrible bondage vnder syn working effectually in them and holding them as in a snare vnto their own wil. So that the benefits of God towards them wicked men do abuse to further licâ—nciousnes and presumption by his punishments also they are not bettered but increase impiety as it is written Men blasthemed the name of God which hath power over these plagues and they repented not to give him glory they blasphemed the God of heaven for their payns and for their sores and repented not of their works 11. Therfore after a few evil dayes on earth which also for his sins aâ— shortned the man being broken decayed and worn out with miseries is caused at last to goe to the King of fears death feazeth vpon him and separateth the sowl from the body neyther can any man redeem his brother or giv his ransom to God that he may liv stil for ever and not see the grave but terrours take him away as waters a tempest stealeth him away by night God casteth vpon him his plagues spareth not though he would fayn slee out of his haÌ„d as a whirlwind that passeth so is the wicked no more For his spirit departeth he returneth to his earth then his thoughts perish his form bewty consumeth as he himself so his Name also shal â—ot His sowl being fetcht away from the body wherin it lived and joyed but a litle while in the momentany plesures of sin is brought to the prisoÌ„ of hel wher al daÌ„ned ghosts fearfully exspect their final doom at the great day of God when the sowles being again ioyned with their carkesses which the Lord wil rayse out of the dust the seas and death and hell having delivered vp the dead which were in them they shal be iudged every maÌ„ according to their works done in the body the books shal be opened and all things brought to light that were hid in darknes the counsels of the harts made manifest the heavens shal declare mans wickednes and the earth shal rise vp against him account shal be given of every evil work and idle word and God wil render to these sinners indignation and wrath they shal be cast into the fyrie lake prepared for the Divil and his Angels with theÌ„ be tormented in those eternal flames being for ever separated from the presence of the Lord from the glorie of his power from his comfort life and light Death shal feed vpon them the fyre that is not blowen shall devour them Then shal be weeping wayling and gnashing of teeth with too late repentance and
damned spirits are of the bottomlesse-deep which they desired Christ that he would not command them into and fearfully they exspect from his hand torment the effect of that curse which is come vpon them to the vtmost and shal be executed in vnspeakeable manner mesure in that day when having fulfilled the mesure of their sin they shal be cast into the lake of everlasting fyre brimstoÌ„ prepared for them so without end or relaxation of their miserie be separated from the Lord and al his Saincts from hïs life light and blessed communion for ever and yet 4. Men that had ben made in the similitude of God holy just happy immortal without any want or imperfection in sowl or body not coÌ„tinewing in this honour but making shipwrack of faith by beleeving the word of Satan of good conscience by obeying his counsel acting the same wheras they were promised to be as Gods knowing good evil fel by this means into corruption and miserie and became like divils without God in the world subject to the horrour of his wrath and eternal damnation Whose woeful estate is to be considered first in regard of sin which stayed not in one actioÌ„ but fretted as a canker and overflowed all secoÌ„dly of punishments for sin Both of these are in sowl and body and their ful mesure or accomplishment is of the one in this world of the other in the world to come 5. The first sin of man was as venim that soddeÌ„ly spred it self into al the powers of sowl body subdued theÌ„ al vnder death corruption so soon as the serpent had bitteÌ„ him And as he was the root of al mankind so did the contagion also spread into al the branches his children By his disobedience many wer made synners and became â— dead even by the one offence of that one man was the evil propagated vnto al men to condemnation who now being evil by nature could neyther speak nor doe good but dayly wexed worse So that when the Lord from heaven looked down vpon the sonâ—s of Adam to see if ther wer any that did vnderstand that did seek God behold al wer gone back al wer corrupt none that did good no not one yea even the children from theyr birth conception vnclean and sinful 6. The corruption and nakednes of man in sowl is to be seen in the Vnderstanding which perceiveth not neyther can know the things of God yea though light shine into this darknes yet doth not the darknes comprehend it the hart knowes not the ey sees not the ear hears not after much instruction mans wisdom is but foolishnes and whatsoever he savoureth in mind is enmitie against God and death to himself The hart of man which is the fountayn whence al the actions of life do flow is crooked crafty deceitful above al and wretched desperatly sick even vnto death so that every fiction of the thoughts of his hart is onely evil every day even from his childhood And as the mind is without the knowledge of God or forgetful if it hav known him so is it otherwise corrupted in the faculties therof caried with vanitie The Conscience which al meÌ„ hav within them to bear witnes of their works this also is defiled togither with the mind and through custom of syn Satans effectual working is seared as with a hot yron and bcome without remorse or feeling The Wil is also alienated from God and from his correction counsel or hearing the same Al the other affections in like manner corrupted by cruel hatred one of an other even of own brethren of that which is good yea even of God himself the love and delite being set on vanitie wickednes Finally the sowle of synfull man is fraught w th al vnrighteousnes wickednes maliciousnes wrath envie debate covetousnes inordinat lusts ambition pride vnmercifulnes and deep hypocrisie with al other vices being empty and destitute of every good grace virtue he hath neyther fear of God nor reverence of man yea that there is no God be al his cogitations 7. The body which is the earthly tabernacle sheath of the sowl and al the members of the same ar fit instruments to fulfill the evil thoughts of the mind be given over in like weise to the service of vncleaÌ„nes iniquity The evils which lust hath conceived inwardly ar by Satans help and these instruments brought forth and effected Herevpon doth man commit al iniquity with greedines his hands execute wickednes and crueltie his feet run to evil and make hast to shed blood his eyes ar full of adulterie and cannot cease to syn defiled with haughtines and mockinge with murder and maliciousnes his thorat is an open sepulchre the venim of aspes is vnder his lips his mouth full of cursing and bitternes his tongue an vnruly evil ful of deadly poisoÌ„ a world of wickednes defiling the whol body setting on fyre the wheel or course of nature being it self set on fyre of hell wherwith he curseth men blasphemeth God His carkesse he decketh clotheth with pride his belly he pampereth filleth with excesse for it is his God he is powred out into al lasciviousnes Neyther is ther any vncleannes fornication vnnatural filthines or beastlines wherwith he abuseth not his own body no trecherie theft murder Witchcraft worship of idols yea even of Divils which he committeth not And these things he doth with an high hand obstinat hart til he becom most abominable fiilthy drinking iniquitie as water making it a pastime to doe wickedly refusing not any evil but for to glutt himself with his lothsom delites addeth syn vnto syn and drunkennes vnto thirst groweth past feeling and after his hardnes hart which caÌ„not repeÌ„t heapeth vp wrath against the day of wrath and of the revelation of the just judgement of God vnto whom he hath sayd depart from me for Idesire not the knowledge of thy wayes who is the Almighty that I should serv him and what profit should I hav if I should pray vnto him 8. So men that would themselves be Gods ar fallen to such impietie that they ar not far from the lothsom nature of divils which our Saviour signified when he caled Iudas a Divil and the Iewes the Divils children And now God abhorreth al wretched mans works even his most religious actions which his troubled ignoraÌ„t hypocritical coÌ„science causeth him to perform The Lord regardeth neyther him nor his offring his sacrifice is an abomination his prayer is turned to syn al his worship is vayn his works of mercy vnprofitable and nothing is pure vnto
strong crying and tears sweat like drops of blood trickling down to the ground the shadow of death being vpon his eyes But because it could not be but he must drink for therfore came he to that howr and the Lord God had opened his ear that he was not rebellious neyther turned back he willingly gave vp his body for a sacrifice bore the wrath of God due for our trespasses he which knew no sin was made sin for vs and powred out his sowle vnto death 8. Then came Satan the Prince of this world to see if he could hav conquered him but he had nothing in him yea his own time was now come now was he to be cast out Christ being lifted vp from the earth would draw all men to himself The serpent beset him with the snares of death and with floods of Belial to make him afraid but he sayd vnto death I wil be thy death and vnto the grave I will be thy destruction so he spoyled the Principalities and powers of that kingdom of darknes made a shew of them openly triumphed over them in the same crosse destroyed through death him that had the power of death that is the Divil 9. They for whom he suffred all these things regarded not the rock of their salvation but iudged him as plagued and smitten of God humbled He trode the winepresle alone and of all the people there was none with him his own disciples had all forsaken him and fled that he by himself might purge our syns He looked for some to have pitie on him but there was none for comforters but none he found there was not any that would know him al refuge fayled him none cared for his sowl His own people betrayed him and denyed in the presence of Pilat when he had iudged him to be delivered they denyed the holy one and the iust and desired a murtherer to be given them Then was the Lord of glorie misused suffred much speaking against of sinners they opened vpon him the mouth of deceyt and compassed him about with words of hatred they rewarded him evil for good and hatred for his friendship they spate on his face buffetted him they crowned him with thornes and scourged him he became a reproch vnto them they that looked vpon him shaked their heads yea rebuke did break his hart and he was ful of heavines for doggs did compasse him about the assemblie of the wicked inclosed him they peirced his hands and his feet and gored his side they slew hanged him on a tree so was he made a curse for vs for the curse of God was on him that was hanged 10. But in his trouble he caled vpon the Lord cried vnto his God why hast thow forsaken me thow art my hope my portion in the land of the living Deliver me out of the mire that I sink not let me be delivered frō them that hate me out of the deep waters let not the water flood drown me and let not the pit shut her mouth vpon me deliver my sowl fom the Sword my desolate sowl from the hand of the Dog In the end he commended his spirit into the hands of his Father confirmed the Testamēt by his death and vnto the dust of death he was brought his grave was with the wicked 11. But the sorowes of death were soon losed because it was vnpossible that the Lord of life should be holden of it for as he had power to lay down his life so had he power to take it again this commandmēt he had received of his Father who shewed him also the path of life and brought againe from the dead this great Shepheard of the sheep Wherfore the third day he rose vp alive he rose vp and his enemies wer scattred and they that hated him fled from before him now behold he is alive for evermore Amen and hath the keyes of hel and of death death hath no more dominion over him for it is swallowed vp in victorie 12. Thus Gods hand was with the man of his right hande with the son of man whom he made strong for himself the Lord heard him in the day of trouble and sent him help from his Sanctuarie remembred al his oblations and turned his burnt-offring into ashes gave him according to his hart fulfilled all his counsell that we might reioyce in his salvation and set vp banners in the name of our God when the Lord had performed al his petitions For he having thus through the eternal spirit offred himself without spott vnto God obteyned eternall redemption having drunk of the brook in the way he therfore lifted vp the head He ascended vp on high with triumph leading captivitie captive and approched vnto the Ancient of dayes who set him at his right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality power and might domination and every name that is named not in this world onely but also in that which is to come made al things subiect vnder his feet gave him dominion and honour and a kingdome that all peoples nations and languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shal never be taken away his kingdome shal never be corrupted and this is the name whereby we must cal him Iehovah our iustice 13. And now the gates of the heavenly Paradise wer opened to the sons of Adam and the tree of Life better then that from which the Cherubims sword had kept man was given him by Christ to eat of and live for ever Now felt men the effect of that heavenly oracle that came out of Caiaphas mouth It is expedient for vs that one man die for the people and the Whol nation perish not for loe the wrath of God kindled for mans syn was appeased by the death of this man Christ Iesus who gave himself a ransom for all men and bare our syns in his body on the tree being the suretie of the Testament It pleased the Father by him the Prince of peace to reconcile al things to himself to set at peace through the blood of his crosse both the thinges in earth and the things in heaven For it was his beloved son in whom he was wel pleased his chosen one in whom his sowl delighted that had given himself to be an offring and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God who smelled here a savour of rest sweeter then that in Noahs sacrifice which caused him to say in his hart that he would curse the ground no more for mans cause though the imaginatiō of mās hart wer evil frō his
life also and conversation he shewed all manner holynes without syn or spott For such an high priest it became vs to hav as is holy harmlesse vndefiled and separated from synners And he giveth holines and purity to his church for whose sake he sanctified himself and is therfore worthily intituled the holy one of God even the Holie of holies vnto whom the Seraphim doe sing as he sitteth on the high throne of his glorie within his temple Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts 3. The Angels are spirits holy by nature so created of God at the first and hauing kept their original are stablished by Gods election through Christ their head in their holy happy estate for ever therfore carie the title of Angels elect and holie Yet even these heavenly spirits being compared with God himself the bottomlesse fountaine of holines ar as impure in his sight hide their faces though through the grace of God by which they ar confirmed they alwayes doe behold his face 4. Holines in men by nature ther is not any for they ar sinners vnclean from the wombe children of wrath and rather to be reputed beasts then men having lost the holines wherin God at first created them as before is shewed But holines is restored againe to men by the Lord as it is written I The Lord sanctify you and againe Now the God of peace sanctify you throughout wherfore he caleth himself the Lord our Holy one 5. This our sanctification is ascribed vnto the Father according to the prayer of Christ Sanctify them with thy truth and in the epistle of â—ude to them that ar caled and sanctified of God the Father It is ascribed to the Son who loved the church and gav himself for it that he might sanctify it and of God is made vnto vs wisdome and justice sanctification redemption Also to the holy Ghost as it is written ye ar washed ye ar sanctified ye ar justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of our God 6. Our sanctification in Christ is two wayes First by imputation of that which himself wrought for vs when by the wil of God we wer sanctified by the offring of his body once and thus are we washed from our sins in his blood and God reconciled vs to himself in the body of his flesh through death to make vs Holy and vnblameable without fault in his sight SecoÌ„dly it is by his own gracious work in vs baptising vs with the holy spirit into his death burial resurrection that our old man being crucified with him the bodie of sin might be destroyed henceforth we should not serv sin but give our members servants vnto righteousnes in holynes and so being freed from sin and made servants vnto God may have our fruit in holines and the end everlasting life Both which wayes of our sanctification vvere shadowed out vnto Israel by blood and by oile 7. For when the body of that church was purged once a year the blood of the syn offring was sprinkled in the inmost holy place of the Sanctuary and vpon the altar without to â—ense and sanctify them from the sin and vncleannes of the sons of Israel When the priests were consecrate the blood of their sacrifice was put vpon their right eares thumbs toes and sprinckled vpon their bodies and garments that so they might be sanctified even as before at the making of the covenant the people had beÌ„ sprinckled with blood The holy Ghost thereby signifiing how by the blood of Christ much more our coÌ„sciences should be purged and therefore caleth it the blood of the testament wherwith we are sanctified 8. The precious oynting oyle made of principall spices and called holie did hallow and sanctifie the Tabernacle and al therin the brazen alter and all his instruments the Laver and his foot the Priests their garments on whom it was sprinckled together with the blood of their consecraion for their sanctification and figured out the graces of the Spirit and oyntment that wee have from him that is holy that Christ and his spirit being in vs the body may be dead because of syn and the Spirit life for righteousnes sake whiles the anoynting that we have received dwelleth in vs Christ as a bundle of myrrh lodgeth betweene our brests Thus are we made an acceptable sacrifice vnto God beeing sanctified by the holy Ghost 9. The outward means which God vseth for our sanctification is his truth or word as it is written Sanctifie them with thy truth thy Word is truth By this word fayth is wrought in vs which fayth purifieth the hart sanctifieth the beleevers and causeth them to sanctify the Lord as vnbeleef maketh men that they sanctify him not and therfore is worthily caled the most holy faith The seals of the covenant do also confirm and help forward our faith and sanctification yea even the chastisements of God vpon vs have this vse end that we might be partakers of his holines And we by prayer obteyn at Gods hand as other blessings so this sanctification both of our selves and of al his creatures to our vse Finally this grace is conveyghed both into our bodies into our spirits even into the whol man throughout so great is the Holy-one of Israel in the mids of vs. CHAPT VII How the word of God was communicated with Adam his children of the Saincts interest in the same Forasmuch as the word of God is the truth wherby we our selves ar sanctified and al his creatures vnto our vse even the immortal seed by which we ar begotten and born anew of Gods own wil that we should be as the first fruits of his creatures and the syncere milk without guile wherby we ar nourished grow in faith let vs take a view of this tresure and tree of life which is better to the Saincts then thowsands of gold and silver sweeter also then honey or the honey comb even sweetnes to the sowl and health to the bones which if a man keep he shal never see death 2. Three wayes ther are wherby God maketh himself knowen vnto meÌ„ The first is by his works for the invisible things of him that is his eternall power and Godhed ar seen by the creation of the world the heavens declare his glorie the firmament sheweth the work of his hands the beasts if they be asked wil teach man the fowles of the heaven wil tel him the earth wil shew him and the fishes of the sea wil declare vnto him for how manifold ar the works of
ear heard neyther came into mans hart are which God hath prepared for them that love him and neyther flesh nor blood but himself doth manifest them vnto vs and as his words are spirit and life so is it his spirit that sercheth al even the deep things of God reveleth them vnto vs and quickneth vs. 5. The promises which ar made vs we must embrace not by sight but by faith which is the evidence of thinges not seen And seem they never so vnlikely or vnpossible yet ought we not to doubt of them or reason against them through vnbeleef but even above hope to believ vnder hope being fully assured that he which hath promised is able to do it For as Sara received strength to bring forth achild when she was past age because she judged him faithful which had promised so contrarywise the children of Israel when God had brought them through the wildernes even to the borders of the land of promise yet could they not enter in because of their vnbeleef 6. The commandments of God how hard or vnreasonable soever they seem we must readily and cheerfully obey laying aside al excuses delayes feares or other things that may hinder vs knowing that all his precepts are perfect righteous pure and just Therefore when God calleth vs we must follow him though we know not whither we shal come wheÌ„ he sendeth vs to any place of danger we must goe though we know not what may befal vs there when he commandeth vs a thing that is both against nature of maÌ„ and promise of God we must obey without murmuring or reasoning yea even to the death must we be obedient that we may receive the crown of life 7. In all our trials and tribulatious we must in faith patience possesse our sowles We may not murmur though we want both bread and water nor speak against God though our way be never so grievous VVhen we be in danger of our foes pursuing vs we must not complain nor be affraid when they beset vs round about If God cause men to ride over our heads if he lead vs into fyre and into water if he give vs as sheep to be eaten scatter vs among the nations if he smite vs down into the place of dragons and cover vs with the shadow of death yet may we not forget him nor deal falsly concerning his covenant but in al these triumph as more then conquerours through him that loved vs. When in our troubles we exspect his salvation we must not make hast though it tary we must wayt if he hide his face from vs and be angry against our prayer so that we cry by day but he heareth not and by night but hav no audience if he put vs back as doggs vnworthy of his grace if he turn hiÌ„self to be cruel against vs to be enemie to vs with the streÌ„gth of his hand yet must we remeÌ„ber that he is the rock of our salvation and say I wil wayt for the Lord that hath hid his face from Iaakob and I wil look for him Lo though he slay me yet wil I trust in him 8 Notwithstanding al these what soever els we can do or suffer for his names sake yet must we empty cast down our selves before him confessing that we ar but vnprofitable servants we hav done that which was our dutie to doe it is nothing to the Almightie that we are righteous our weldoing extendeth not to him Neyther for our works done or of him foreseen to be done hath he saved caled vs with a holy caling but according to his own purpose and grace which was given to vs through Christ Iesus before the world was And because we ar al too wel perswaded of our selves our good deserts the Lord vseth two means for to humble vs the one is his Law which sheweth vs our syns and infirmities the other Corrections wherby he openeth our ears to cause vs to turne away our work that he might cover our pride of both these Solomon sayth the commandment is a lantern and the law alight correcttions for instructioÌ„ are the way of life 9. The Law reveleth our syns which lay hid within vs sheweth our weaknes to be greater then we could imagine For first we are alive in our own conceyt without the law and wil not stick to say Al that the Lord commandeth we wil doe But when he speaketh we can not endure to hear the law at his mouth but run away Or if we do receiv it it is with a vail over Moses face not discerning the true nature of the Law which is spiritual or end of the same which is to bring vs to Christ but in hypocrisie with hollow and covered harts imagining the outward observation therof howsoever it be to be sufficient But when it cometh in deed to our coÌ„science we die for syn which we thought was dead reviveth and taking occasion by the coÌ„mandemeÌ„t deceiveth vs and therby slayeth vs and when the law sayth Thou shalt not lust syn worketh in vs al manner of lust And as the Israelites having heard the thundring voyce of the Lord from heaven forbidding them to have any other Gods before his face did before forty dayes were expired forget both their promise and their fear God himself their saviour and made them Gods of metall so is it with vs al when the coÌ„mandement cometh syn aboundeth and appeareth to be syn yea out of measure synfull And because the wages of syn is death the law also causeth wrath which is reveled from heaven against all vngodlines and vnrighteousnes of men Then are we cast down with sight and horror of our wretched case and the more we strive to rid our selves out of these snares of hel the faster we are intangled for we find our selves carnal sold vnder syn so as if we have wil to do good yet finde we no meanes to performe it and without Gods grace we can neyther wil nor doe VVherefore we crie out vpon our misery and should die in despâ—yr wer it not that God did cause his favor in the face of Christ to shine vpon vs in whom being graffed by faith we ar dead to the law but alive vnto God by beleef in his son who hath loved vs given himself for vs and liveth in vs. Thus is the law a light to discover a fyre to burne a hammer to break whatsoever in vs is exalted against God is a scholemayster to lead vs to Christ that we might be made righteous by him after that we ar stript naked of our own misconceived righteousnes having our filthy garments taken froÌ„ vs may be arayed with chanâ—â—
of rayment even that fine-liâ—â—n pure and shining which 〈◊〉 the righteousnes of the Sainct 10. The chastisements 〈◊〉 God ar an other good means to â—umble our stubborne nature baptised harts making vs to 〈◊〉 trie our wayes and turn 〈◊〉 to the Lord to crie vnto 〈◊〉 our distresse to hav care to 〈◊〉 and keep his word By them he proveth vs to know what is in our harts and letteth vs hav experience both of our own infirmities and of his power grace By them he bringeth vs to an humble confession sorrow for our syns and so delivereth our sowles from going into the pit By them and our weaknes in theÌ„ he teacheth vs to trust in him not in our selves Thus the rod and correction giveth vs wisdome and wee are chastened for our profit that we might be partakers of his holines 11. And thus God calleth vs out of our selves from the vnbeleef blindnes hypocrisie hardnes of hart pride wantonnes all other inordinat affections that do possesse vs that we may beleev love feare and obey him alone that we may remember and doe al his coÌ„mandements and be holy vnto our God He teacheth vs to deny vngodlines and worldly lusts even such as fight in our own members that our old man being crucified with Christ the body of syn may be destroyed we serve syn no more But having our sowles as weanlings with vs withdrawn from all carnal pleasures and having cast off every thing that presseth down and the syn that so easily compasseth vs about may delight in the Lord in his law depending vpon him alone for life succour and salvation neyther dispayring for our evill deeds nor boasting of our good but by faith taking hold vpon Christ and saying Whom have I in heaven but thee and I desire none in the earth with thee my flesh faileth and my hart but God is the rock of my hart and my portion for ever Then bidding farewell to the world and meekly taking our crosse vpon vs as men hateing our own life heer to follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth and shall bring vs to mountaines or deserts to hunger or thirst to cold or nakednes to trouble of body or grief of mynd to feares or terrours or even to the dust of death knowing that in all he wil susteyn vs in the end wipe al teares from our eyes after we have gone into fyre and into water he will bring vs out into a welthie place in our weaknes he wil strengthen vs in our wants he will reliev vs in all our cares doubts dangers distresses he will guide vs by his counsel and after receive vs to glorie 12. But these things ar so hard vnto flesh and blood that the natural man chooseth rather to remayn stil in his woeful state and injoy the momentany pleasures of syn then in such streights and difficulties to folow Christ. For it is a heavy thing to renounce and forsake his own affections to condemne his own wisdome for foolishnes to rest wholly vpon Gods word and promises when nothing is seen but present want calamitie to abandon pleasures to tame and subdue his wanton lusts to bear cheerfully the reproches and persecutions of the world and whatsoever els God shal bring vpon him oftentimes to the loste of friends wife children goods lands and life it self Therfore this state is in deed a Denial of our selves carying of our crosse dayly a Mortification of our earthly members even a dayly dying and breathing out of the ghost As the sacrifices given vnto God were killed salted and sent vp in fyre so wee that must give vp our own bodies for a living sacrifice must also be salted with fyre as Christ hath sayd And as himself fulfilling the figure of the syn offrings which were burnt without the camp that he might saÌ„ctify vs with his own blood suffred without the gate of Ierusalem so must we likewise go out of the camp bearing his reproch which we never do willingly til he draw vs. For this our new birth is not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God who regenerateth caleth and sanctifieth his Israel increasing them with men like a flock and as the flock of holinesses as the flock of Ierusalem in their solemne feasts so filleth he desolate cities with flocks of men which being by the ministery of the gospel offred vp for sacrifices are acceptable being sanctified by the holy Ghost 13. When thus we be changed by the power of Gods grace and have got the victorie of our selves subduing and ruling over our own spirits which as Solomon sayth is better then if we wan a city wheÌ„ we have hearkned to the crye of the Voyce that al flesh is grasse al the grace thereof as the flower of the feild and when we have found our grasse to be withered and flower faded because the spirit of the Lord hath blown vpon it when the strong hold of our imaginations is cast down and every thought brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ when we have discerned our syns felt the smart of them in our consciences pined away for our iniquities and judged our selves worthie to be cut off for all our evils when we have renounced al coÌ„fidence in our selves reiected all our righteousnesses as filthy clouts and being humbled vnder the mighty hand of God do with Iob abhorre our selves repent in dust and ashes then will hee look vpon vs and turne our captivitie and bring vs into his promised rest into which we entring by faith shall there keep the true Sabbath of God cease from our own works as he did from his wholly give our selves to work the works of God which is to beleev in him whom he hath sent euen Iesus Christ our wisdome justice sanctification and redemption who caleth vs with a holy calling from the fellowship of Satan Syn this world and our own corruptions to the happy communion with himself and with his Father by fayth a while on earth til we shal behold his face in justice and when we awake be satisfied with his image O Ierusalem wash thine hart from wickednes that thou mayct be saved how long shal thy wicked thoughts remayn within thee Ier. 4. 14. CHAPT XI Of the Communion that we haue with God in general God having graciously freed vs from the captivity of Satan and caled vs out of the world from our own corruptions doth after this take vs neer vnto him bestoweth more graces and blessings vpon vs and accepteth again the fruits of his own spirit in vs. For he hath separated vs from others to receiv vs vnto himself and he wil be a Father vnto vs and
places wher they become yet is it most lively seen in their Assemblie and there he is very terrible For this cause did his people love the habitation of his house desired to dwel there al their dayes that they might be hold his bewtie and being absent from it their sowles thirsted for God saving when shal we come and appear before the presence of God for they knew his promise which had sayd In every place where I shal put the remembrance of my name I wil come vnto thee blesse thee they knew God was in the mids of his sanctuary it should not be moved he would help it very early But of this holy societie more is to be spoken particularly in another place CHAP. XII Of the Communion that we have with Iesus Christ our Mediatour IEsus Christ being God manifested in the flesh is given of the Father to be the onely mediatour between him and vs and he hath given him power to execute judgmēt in that he is the son of Man He is the head of the body of the Church in him all the buylding coupled togither groweth vnto an holy Temple in the Lord and we all are built togither in him to be the habitation of God by the Spirit he is the way the truth the life no man cometh to the Father but by him And of him and his mediation this Oracle was spoken of old to the Saincts that their Noble-ruler should be of thēselves their Governour Christ should proceed from the mids of them God would cause him to drawe neer and approach vnto himself when he should ascend and sit at his right hand to make intercession for vs for who is he els that warranteth his hart to come vnto me sayth the Lord And ye shal be my people and I wil be your God 2. As we are made the people and portion of God by Christ brought by him vnto the fellowship and glorie of his Father so is there a special fellowship and cōmunion that we have with Christ being caled therevnto of the Father as it is written God is faithful by whom ye are called vnto the communion of his Son Iesus Christ our Lord. And that this hath alwayes been the chief end and scope of God in al his Oracles since the world began to draw men vnto Christ so vnto himself is before shewed 3. The summe of the grace given vs through communion with our Lord Iesus is cōprised in those words of the Apostle saying that Christ is of God made vnto vs Wisdom and Iustice and Sanctification and Redemption These things he is vnto vs by vertue of his Mediatorship which consisteth in the three functions or offices of Prophecie Priesthood Kingdome committed vnto him by the Father For frō the in most holy place and from the bosom of the Father is he come to declare God vnto vs he is a Prophet raysed vp of the Lord to speak vnto vs al that he cōmanded him and him are we willed for to hear the yles are to wayt for his Law And as he being worthy obteyned to open the book that is in the right hand of him that sitteth on the throne to loose the seven seales thereof because all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ar hid in him so having made knowen to vs al things that he heard of his Father having declared and stil declaring his Name by his word and spirit he is the Power of God and the wisdom of God vnto vs. And the things which he hath declared are two 1 the Law to shew vs our syn and the evils due for the same 2 the Gospel to shew vs our righteousnes by grace from God with the blessings that flow therfrō He also being our great high priest or sacrificer hath taken away our syns and al the evils accompanying them hath redeemed vs from the Curse of the Law finished wickednes sealed vp sins made reconciliatiō for iniquitie brought the gift of righteousnes or Iustice so by his obedience we ar made just grace shal reigne by justice vnto eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord whose blood doth also purge our consciences from dead works to serv the Living God and by the same hath he sanctified his people and contineweth a Priest for ever and is both our Iustice Sanctification Finally this our redemtion from evil and restauration vnto happines he conserveth maynteyneth by his mighty power frō al enemies whō hee hath subdued vnder his owne feet wil also subdue vnder ours and is therfore named our King whom al kings shal worship al nations shal serv who wil redeem our sowles from deceit violence wil giv vs also the redemption of our bodie and cause our last enimy Death to be swallowed vp in victorie so wil be our ful Redemptiō for ever ever at his appearing with glorie in the day of Redemptiō 4. More particularly touching his Prophesie and our communion with him therin as God gave him for a witnes to the people for a Prince and a Commander vnto them so shewed he himself to be a faithful and true witnesse in that he spake to the world the things which he had heard of the Father This he did in his own person whiles he walked with mē teaching the true meaning and end of al his Fathers Law and vrging the syncere keeping of it in Love freeing it also from the false glosses and leaven of the Pharisees and cutting down their traditions for the Lord to this end had made his mouth like a sharp sword that by the breath of his lips he might slay the wicked He also taught the glad tidings of the Gospel vnto the poor therby healing the broken harted preaching deliverance to the captives recovering of sight to the blind and the acceptable yere of the Lord that whosoever should hear his word and beleev in him that sent him should hav everlasting life and not come into condemnation but was passed from death vnto life So he hid not his Fathers righteousnes within his hart but declared his truth and his salvation he conceled not his mercy and his truth from the great congregation but preached peace and comfort to his people For God had given him a tongue of the Learned that he might know to minister a word in time to him that is weary grace was powred in his lips and they they were like lillies dropping down pure myrrh and his mouth was sweet things 5. As in his own person so did he by others publish the will of his Father vsing hereto the ministerie both of men and Angels He gave and stil giveth the gifts of ministery vnto many men above al other he furnished his
into very heaven and obteyned eternal redemption So the Lord took away the iniquitie of his land in one day as he had promised for the ransom was most precious even of infinite value effect seeing by the vnion of the God head with the manhood in this our High-priests person it was the blood of God himself as the scripture speaketh wherewith we are purchased Thus Christ hath reconciled vs that were enimies vnto God by his death and hath put away syn by the sacrifice of himself for he was the ‡ Lamb of God that taketh away the syn of the world and the prophesie of Abraham was fulfilled God wil provide him a Lamb for a burnt offring my son 12. Touching Christs Intercession as he prayed for his church when he was on earth and his Father heard him alwayes so now being ascended and set at the right hand of God he stil maketh request for vs being therefore entred into very heaven to appear now in the sight of God for vs. Whose prayer as it is pure and perfect so prevaileth it with God and is of vnspeakable efficacie to make vs to be accepted For the Father loveth the Son and accepteth him better then he did his servant Iob when he prayed for the trespassers This is that Angel the Angel or messenger of the covenant that hath a golden censer much odours which he offreth with the prayers of all Saincts vpon the golden altar that is before the throne the smoke of which odours with the prayers of the Saincts goeth vp before God out of the Angels hand and vnto his requests which hee maketh for his afflicted people the Lord answereth good and comfortable words Thus our high sacrificer having the names of the whole Israel of God as it were graven vpon two precious stones and embossed in gold beareth vs vpon his two shoulders for a remembrance and presenteth vs pure holy just before the Lord. 13. The things towards vs which ar his Blessing and the fruits that folow he graciously communicateth as a merciful faithful high priest touched with the feeling of our infirmites being raysed vp vnto vs of God and sent to Blesse vs in turning every one of vs from our iniquities And as at the end of his ministery vpon earth he lifted vp his hands and blessed his disciples and then was taken from them into heaven so continewing stil a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek who met Abrahā blessed him he stil blesseth the children of Abraham giving and applying the promises of the Gospel vnto the harts and consciences of his people even the favour protection of God the light of his countenance and his peace So the blessing of Abraham cometh on vs through Christ Iesus who is that promised seed in whom al nations ar blessed and whom God hath set to be Blessings for ever Thus Christ by Sacrifice hath merited by Intercession obteyneth and by Blessing bestoweth and distributeth vnto vs the love graces of God his Father even all things perteyning to life and godlines that we being partakers of his peace may again blesse God even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heavenly thinges in Christ as the Apostle sayth 14. The cōmunion of this Blessing is more particularly to be discerned in that honour of Priesthood which is given to al Christians the seales of Gods grace and love towards vs in Christ. For he hath made vs Priests vnto God even his Father and we as lively stones are made a spiritual howse a holy priesthood to offer vp spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Iesus Christ. For first applying him vnto our selves by Faith his suffrings death burial are ours his righteousnes resurrection and glorious victory over syn Satan Death and Hel ours so that we by the blood of Iesus may be bold to enter into the holy place though the Levitical Priests might not enter into the shadow thereof at al times by the new living way which hee hath prepared for vs through the veyl that is his flesh even boldly may we goe vnto the throne of grace that we may receiv mercy and finde grace to help in tyme of need Presenting vnto God his Father and ours this Lamb that was slayne for our syns who is our surety and our sacrifice by whose stripes wee are healed by whose death we are restored to life by whose body once offred we are sanctified vpon whose head wee have layd the burden of our syns and by whose curse we are made the heyres of blessing and of all the riches of Gods grace 15. We also giv vp our own bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable vnto God which is our reasonable serving of God so the heavenly Ierusalem is filled with the Flocks of men as the earthly once was with Flocks of holinesses or sacrifices external Our spirits being contrite our harts humbled and broken for our syns ar the sacrifices of God also which he wil not despise By Christ we offer the sacrifice of Praise alwayes to God that is the fruit or calves of our lips which confesse his name and magnify him with thanksgiving this also pleaseth the Lord better then oxe or heiffer that beareth hornes that parteth the hoof Our almes and offrings for relief of the poor especially the ministers of the Gospel of Christ are an odour that smelleth sweet a sacrifice acceptable pleasant to God Finally if we be powred out as a drink offring vpon the sacrifice service of the faith of Christs church do resist vnto blood striving against syn we have cause to rejoyce for precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saincts the ‡ soules of such rest vnder the altar til the Lord holy and true doe avenge their blood on thē that dwel on the earth 16. This honour of Priesthood which no man can take to himself nor any other thing except it be given him frō heavē Christ giveth vnto vs of his rich grace by his word spirit For as by the preaching of the Gospel he is dayly described in our sight and among vs crucified so we by the ministerie of the Gospel are made an acceptable offring vnto the Lord being sāctified by the Holy Ghost His word is a sharp two edged sword and divideth a sunder the sowl and the spirit the joynts and the marow by it we are taught to mortify our members which are on earth his spirit is as fyre where with we being baptised doe also mortifie the deeds of the bodie that we may live give our selves vp vnto God for a living sacrifice The afflictions
that we feel in this world when for his sake we are killed al the day long are counted as sheep for the slaughter doe bear about in our body the dying of the Lord Iesus and are alwayes delivered vnto death for Iesus sake that the life also of our Lord Iesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh these serve for furtherances of our sanctification by being partakers of his holines and make vs as sacrifices and a prey for the ravenous fowles whiles we liv strangers here on earth the land that is not ours as did Ahrahams seed Thus ar we named the Priests of the Lord and hav authority in every place to offer incense vnto his name and a pure offring both we and our works our spiritual sacrifices being acceptable vnto God in Christ Iesus 17. To illustrate and seal vp more assuredly our communion with Christs Priesthood We ar washed with water for a signe assurance of the forgivnes washing away of our syns and to be as the laver of our regeneration new birth wherby we ar also baptised into his death and buried with him by baptisme that like as Christ was raysed vp from the dead by the glory of the Father so we also should walk in newnes of life our old man being crucified with him that the body of syn might be destroyed and our selves be dead to syn but alive to God in Iesus Christ our Lord whom by this symbol we have put on and doe bear his name vpon vs with the name of the Father and of the holy Spirit And after this Christ often feedeth our sowles with his own body blood which was broken powred out for our sakes figured out vnto vs by bread wine hereby cōfirming the former grace of remission of syns and a further growth in Christ continually into whom we ar incorporate have so neer a communion with him vnder these visible earthly elements which we looking past by the eye of faith seeing and feeding vpon Christ have our life by him doe dwel in him he in vs and shal by him be raysed vp at the last day vnto life eternal 18. Having seen how Christ being our Prophet informeth vs in al the wisdome of God and by the Law sheweth vs our syn wretchednes by the Gospel our justice happines and being our Priest Sacrifice hath by himself purged vs frō al syn given vs the gift of justice and sanctitie to present vs pure blamelesse before God his Father it remayneth that we also consider how he conserveth and mainteyneth this our blessed state against al enimies by his mighty power and soveraignty which as Lord and King he hath over al. 19. This soveraigntie is set forth by divers titles of honour and dignitie given him in the scriptures as when he is named Messiah the Governour Captaine or Fore leader the Ruler that is having dominion right and authoritie to govern and guide his people Michael the great Prince the Captaine of the Lords host a mayster or Commander to the peoples a Potentate or Mighty one the king of kings Lord of Lords and Prince of the kings of the earth the Lord of all vnto whom is given al power in heaven in earth an everlasting dominion honour and kingdome that al peoples nations and languages shal serv him And he the true Melchisedek king of Salem shal reign as king in justice and sit as Prince of Peace vpon the throne of David vpon his kingdome to order it to stablish it with judgement with justice frō henceforth even for ever 20. This kingdome of Christ is no earthly Monarchie nor of this world but spiritual and heavenly and therfore is more mighty then the kingdoms of the earth able to beat down break in peeces grind to pouder al adverse power and domination whither of this world or the spiritual wickednesses which are in the high places 21. Therfore also is the manner of administring this kingdom no◠worldly nor pompous but a◠Christ the king himself came vnto vs poor and riding vpon an asse◠and he the Lion of the tribe o◠Iudah the root of David was fo◠to see to like a killed Lamb s◠menageth hee his kingdome stil◠neyther by an army nor a Power but by his Spirit that it cometh not with observation for men to say Loe here or loe there but is with in vs wielded by the spiritual scepter of his word the Gospel of the kingdom and by the almighty working of the Spirit and therefore conteyneth in it mysteries or secrets that can not be vnderstood but by the gift of God 22. Our Lord himself hath subdued and dayly subdueth al his foes the world he hath overcome syn he hath condemned and put-away Death he hath abolished the Divil that had the power there of he hath destroyed neyther shal these or any of these ever have dominion over him but he shall reign til he hath put all his enemies vnder his feet and death and hel be cast into the lake of fyre 23. This his power regiment he cōmunicateth with his Saincts two manner of wayes First by applying vnto them for their benefit and salvation al that himself hath done and doeth as the Lord sayth by his prophet I wil camp about mine howse against the army against him that passeth by and against him that returneth no oppressor shal come vpon them any more And as for their sakes Christ sanctified himself so for their comfort he overcame the world to take away their syns did he appear when in himself ther was no syn for the children of the people Israel standeth this Michael the great prince fighteth against the Dragon and casteth him out of heaven wher now is salvatin and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ the accuser of the Saincts being cast down Wherfore the Lord being king the earth may rejoyce and the multitude of the yles be glad because he preserveth the soules of his Sainctes he wil deliver them from the hand of the wicked hee will judge the people of God in justice and his poor with equitie that the mountaynes the hils shal bring peace to the people by justice and in his dayes the righteous shall flourish and abundance of peace shal be so long as the moon endureth For the charets being cut off from Ephraim and the horse from Ierusalem the bow of the battel shal be broken and he shal speak peace vnto the natiōs but in y◠mornings he wil destroy al the wicked of the land smiting the earth with the rod of his mouth and slaying the wicked with
is renewed and we lift vp the winges as the Eagles our flesh is as fresh as a childs strength is increased in our sowles and being now as widowes divorced froÌ„ our syns delivered from that law and returned to our Fathers howse like the Priests daughters we eat of our Fathers bread as we did in our youth we shal feel no more hunger nor thirst neyther shall the heat smite on vs nor the sun God wipeth al tears froÌ„ our eyes there is no more death nor sorrow nor crying nor payn for the first things are passed 10 Having thus after long seeking found him whom our sowlloveth we take hold vpon him and leav him â—ot til we hav brought him home vnto vs and after this nights wrastling with the Angel we wil not let him goe vntil he blesse vs and giv vnto weak Iaakob the new name of Israel for that by strong faith we have power with God prevaile having wept and prayed vnto him And now he putteth in our mouth a new song of prayse vnto our God our tongues sing joyfully of his justice our sowles do bless him which hath pardoned al our iniquities healed al our infirmities redemed our life from the pit and crowned vs with mercy and compassions And because we beleev therfore we speak and say We shal not die but live and declare the works of the Lord the Lord hath chastened vs sore but hath not delivered vs to death Wherfore after our agonies conflicts with death terrors within and fears round about we repose in Christ our redemer who hath taken away our syns vaÌ„quisht al our foes put Satan to flight renewed our peace and quieted our consciences and then we reioyce and say My soul return vnto thy rest for the Lord hath been bountiful vnto thee 11. Then giveth he vs to see how in all these troubles and torments we have most neer coÌ„munion with Christ and are by them made coÌ„formable vnto him for he was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities innumerable troubles compassed him the syns of the elect which by imputatioÌ„ were his took such hold vpon him that he was not able to look vp for the Lord layd vpon him the iniquitie of vs al though he had done no wickednes neyther was any deceyt in his mouth yet the Lord would break him and make him subject to infirmities so that he felt terrour and anguish and heavines in his sowl even vnto the death his sweat in his agonie was like drops of blood trickling down to the ground and his cry vnto his God was why hast thou forsaken me And we in our afflictions do but drink of his cup and are baptised but with his baptisme that after we have suffred with him we may also reign with him by many tribulations must we enter into his kingdome And he that was thus smitten of God humbled even to the death thus troubled in sowl and left of his Father for a seasoÌ„ fouÌ„d an yssue out of al tentations not for himself alone but for vs whose surety he was who therefore have this hope for an anker to our sowles that as we now suffer with him so shal we also reign with him notwithstanding that for the present we are brought into the dust of death 12. After this admiring the mercies of our God and the vnserchable depth of his counsels who worketh turneth al things even our own syns vnto our good who leadeth vs in such wayes and wildernesses wher fyrie serpents and scorpions are drought without water which maketh vs folow him when his way is in the sea and his pathes in the great waters and his footsteps ar not knowen in al which dangers he defendeth vs afterwards bringeth vs into his rest we say the Lord dwelleth in a dark clowd Verily thou ô God hidest thy self ô God the saviour of Israel how vnserchable ar thy judgements and thy wayes past finding out Then minding our frayl estate in this flesh how we are sold vnder syn do trespasse against God every day and cannot do the good that we would we abase our hornes vnto the dust and by repeÌ„tance do die dayly washing Christs feet with our tears knowing that notwithstanding the communion that wee have with him here by faith yet are we but strangers and pilgroms on earth and whiles we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord whiles our flesh is vpoÌ„ vs we shal be sorowful and whiles our soule is in vs it shal mourn Therefore strengthening our weak hands and comforting our feeble knees we make streight steps vnto our feet being careful circumspect least Satan further circumvent vs seeking to make an end of our salvation with fear trembling giving all diligence to ioyn vertue with our faith and to make our caling and election sure for behold the righteous have for their syns recompence in the earth and are scarcely saved where then shal the vngodly synner appear but we which beleev in Christ exspect with patience our ful redemtion as we have cast our burden on the Lord and coÌ„mitted our poor selves vnto him so we are perswaded that he is able to keep that which is coÌ„mitted vnto him against that day even to keep vs that we fall not and to present vs faultles before the presence of his glory with joy where we shall alwayes behold his face and being quite freed from our syns from al possibilitie of ever synning more shal perpetually serve and honour him with his Angels at his right hand where pleasures ar for evermore He that walketh in darknes hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord stay vpon his God Isa. 50. 10. CHAPT XV. Of the coÌ„munion that the Sainctes have in this life with Angels The name of Angel which is in English a MesseÌ„ger is in the scriptures attributed 1. to our Lord Christ 2. to the spiritual creatures in heaven 3. and to some certaine men on earth imployed in the message and service of God 2. Christ is the Angel whom God sent to bring Israel out of Aegipt in whome Gods name is and is therfore caled the Angel of his Face or Presence even the Face of God it self the Angel of the CovenaÌ„t whom the Israelites desired the Angel that delivered Iaakob from al evil the Angel that dwelt in the bush whiles it burned and was not consumed who was the God of Abraham Isaak Iaakob the Angel Iehovah who emboldned Gedeon to battel against the Madianits and was with him in the same the Angel with the golden censer that giveth many odours to the prayers of all Saincts and out of whose hand the odours with the prayers goe vp before God in his throne
attend vpon vs in our life so do they also at our death being sent to fetch our flitting soules cary thē into Abrahams bosome in the Paradise of God 10. These things as those blessed spirits the sons of God do at the commandement of their heavenly father redily and cheerfully for his elect so also ar they beholders of our wayes conversation affected after their spiritual māner with the things they see in vs. For they ar evē the thousād thowsāds of thē as about Gods throne so about the four living creatures the 24. Elders togither with them magnifiing Christ the killed Lamb prostrate on their faces do worship God and giv glory vnto him for evermore Into the celestial mysteries reveled by the Gospel they hav a desire to look because God hath by his church made known his manifold wisdome vnto them Loving also they ar glad and desirous of our good as appeareth by their glorifying of the Lamb that was killed for vs not for them and by the joy which they have when any one of vs converteth from our syns as Christ hath shewed Witnesses they ar with the Lord of the charges contestations layd vpon vs for the observing of our duties as by the Apostles words to Timothee we be taught Wherfore we ought holily righteously soberly to cary our selves in al our actions seing we ar a spectacle to those heavenly Flames and are come to the great assemblie of innumerable of them yea the Apostle seemeth to require of women modest and submissiveattire in respect of them 11. Al this notwithstanding we must take heed both of superstitiō and curiosity about them for we are forbidden of God the religion or worship of Angels which when Iohn for the revelations shewed him would hav done the Angel refused and sayd See thou do it not If therfore we hav need of succour let vs pray vnto our Father and he can send vs legions of them and if we would giv thanks for their help offer a sacrifice themselves hav taught vs to offer it to the Lord whose servants they are even fellow servants with vs though much more excellent able and obedient He it is that sendeth them forth for our sakes which ar heyrs of salvation he also wil change this our corruptible estate cloth vs with immortalitie and make vs equal to those holie Angels and giv vs ◠place among them whose cōmuniō at that day we shal fully enjoy togither with them serving our God and lauding his Majestie in his own blessed presence for ever The Angel of the Lord pitcheth round about them that fear him delivereth them Psal. 34. 7. CHAPT XVI How the Saincts on earth ar caled to a holy communion among themselves God who hath chosen and caled vs in Christ from this world and fellowship of al wicked ones therin to be his and to serv him hath further required at our hands that we which ar caled should not live alone or a sunder by our selves but joyn togither and so entertayn and nourish a loving holy communion one with an other in the vnitie of the faith and spirit by the bond of peace For man is made a sociable creature and when he was in his perfection God saw sayd it was not good for him to be alone and therfore made him a help meet for him but after when we were corrupted there was much more need of fellowship one with an other for our mutal help and comfort And many are the benefits which we reap hereby evē as on the contrarie the evils dangers and discomforts which arise for want hereof are moe then can be told 2. When God had brought his people out of Aegypt to lead them into Canaan whiles thither they were traveyling even in the wildernes caused he a Tent to be made for himself to dwel among them and in midds of their tents which when it was perfected he took possession of filled and sanctified it with his glorie commaunded also the people thither for to bring their services and their sacrifices promised there to meet with thē to speak there vnto them whervpon that place was caled the Tent or Tabernacle of Meeting or Congregation And whereas this Sanctuary was flitting moveable not onely in the wildernes but also in the land of Canaan therfore God gav Israel a charge by Moses that they should seek the place which he should choose out of al their tribes to put his Name there and there to dwel that thither they should come to sacrifice and rejoyce before the Lord themselves their children and their servants there to keep their solemn feasts and take heed they offred not in any other place For he had told thē whosoever Israelite or strāger sojourning among them that resorted not to this Tabernacle with his oblations but sacrificed other where eyther within or without the host that man should be reputed as if he had shed blood or offred vnto Divils and was to be cut off from among his people This tent togither with the Ternple which for like holy vse succeded the same was a figure of the church or congregation of Christians amongst whom God hath placed his tabernacle to dwell as their God with them and they to be his people even his howse and habitation should therefore gather themselves togither in his name to keep their spiritual feasts not withdrawing from nor leaving the mutuall assembling or fellowship that they have among themselves for who so repayreth not to the Church the true Ierusalem of all the families of the earth there to keep the feast of Tabernacles worship the king the Lord of hosts no rayn of Gods grace or blessing shal come vpon them 3. This gathering togither of the Saincts is not a bare assembly or concourse onely of people but a neer vniting and knitting of thēselves in one holy cōmunion and fellowship For as the foresayd Tent was made of many courtaines but al of thē so coupled one to another with loops taches that they were but one Tabernacle and as the many costly hewed stones wherwith Solomon built the Temple whē they were layd togither made one Howse wherein God had his habitatiō so the servants of Christ though they be many yet are so built coupled togither by faith that they grow vnto an holy temple in the Lord to be the habitation of God by the spirit and are builded as a citie that is compact togither in it self Which neer cōiunction is further set sorth by similitude of a bodie wherein there be many members of several shape vse yet by the wisdome of God so vnited set togither that there appeareth a goodly frame and proportion of the man and every lim so fastned to other and
and all the furniture for the service of God at the ordination and authorizing of the Priests and Levites at the first making and solemnizing of the covenant at the renewing of the same and at the repetitioÌ„ of al the Lawes ordinances of the Lord. Vnto al every of the Israelites was coÌ„mâ—nded the care and observation of all Gods statutes that neyther all nor any of them man nor woman nor familie nor tribe should forsake the Lord nor suffer among theÌ„ any root to bring forth gall and wormwood but playnly rebuke their neighbour when he synned in private or testifie against him in publick if they could and there were need to bewray execute judgment vpon open notorious malefactors even the leprous and vnclean though the trial of them apperteyned to the Priests yet al the children of Israel were to look that such were removed out of the host yea the care of the Priests purity in their administration apperteyned to all the people And long after both in counsels and in the redressing of publick evils trespasses all Israel indifferently had their hand and presence as the scripture sheweth Ezra 10. 1. 9. 12. c. 9. The churches in the Apostles dayes had also the like right libertie for the multitudes of beleevers wer both beholders actoâ— in the coÌ„mune affayres as at the choise ordinatioÌ„ of church-officers at the deciding of questioÌ„s controversies at the excommunication or casting out of impenitenâ— synners at the choise appointment of men to cary the grace or benevolence of the Saincts â— their needy brethren at the receving and reading of the Apostles Letters and generally in the publick communion and fellowship of the Apostles one of another They were also willed to exhort â— admonish ech other even the Officers of the churches to maâ— diligently and avoyd the causerâ— of division and offences to looâ— that †no root of bitternes sprung 〈◊〉 and troubled theÌ„ least therby many should be defiled 10. These the like privileges in the faith and practise of the Gospel ar permitted to al Saincts in al churches which they must vse in al sobrietie order and peace not presuming above their calling place or mesure of vnderstanding nor abusing their libertie to the trouble or annoyance of their brethren And therfore Elders or Governours ar set to rule the people and togither with the other Officers to weild the churches affaires By which means confusion is avoided order observed in the Assemblies as was in the primitive churches wher the Overseers and publick Ministers propounded discussed caried matters in seemlines and peace These guides ar to be heard reverenced and submitted vnto in the Lord they attend to the publick service of the church and are as the hand mouth eyes of the same by such God of old signified his wil to the people for the obteyning of that promised seed that should bruise the SerpeÌ„ts head and bring blessing vpon all families of the earth And vntil that seed which was Christ came our Fathers generally embraced that kind of life thought it a dishonour to die childlesse aâ—â— since that time it hath stil been kept in and sanctified vnto the church to such as saw good or had need so to live both for the avoiding of syn and for other help and coÌ„fort which that estate affordeth But they which have from God the gift to conteyn their vessels in holines and honour without mariage and which addicting themselves to the service of Christ find it best for avoyding the burdens cares of this life to keep theÌ„selves single in virginitie or widowhood are counselled by Christ and his Apostle so to rest Yet if any mary they syn not onely they must so â—ive as if they were not maried so vse al other worldly things as if they vsed them not because the fashion of this world passeth away And in their marying they must have care not to match themselves in an vnequal yoke with vnbeleevers for that hath alwaies been reproved but onely in the Lord though if they be maried to vnbeleevers before they are caled to the faith they must not then depart or put away 3. The faithful man woman thus fastned in wedlock are heyres togither of the grace of life and so ought to live in peace and love the wife being subject to her husbaÌ„d whose glory she is as vnto the Lord. Their fellowship as it is in spiritual duties so also in humane such as be living coÌ„versing togither educatioÌ„ of children governmeÌ„t offervants ordering of y familie joynt labour diligence for their livelihood and al other offices wherby their mutual love help and comfort may be mainteyned in this honorable state of life which to forbid any Christian 〈◊〉 a doctrine of Divils and whichâ— a shadow of that mystical hevenly communion between Christ his church whiles the man loveth cherisheth his wife as his own body the womaÌ„ again loveth feareth obeyeth her husband This societie endureth vntil death and can not be dissolved except for adulterie for which trespasse if the magistrate inflict not death according to Gods law the injuried person may lawfully divorce and put away the offender 4. The next in the family aâ— children which as they are the inheritance and wages of the Lord so must they be brought vp nourâ—ured in his fear for they are his holy froÌ„ the womb And because foolishnes is bound in the harts of children therfore the parents ar to governe correct but without provoking them to wrath least they be discouraged For them are parents also to store vp provide for their maintenance mariage and other necessities what in them â—ieth the children againe honouring and obeying their fathers and mothers in the Lord recompensing them if they can ther be need in their old age povertie And they that shal smite curse or blaspheme their parents o stubbornly refuse to obey them are for such vnnaturalnes to die the death 5 Servants ar the last in the familie inferior vnto children both in duraÌ„ce and fidelity yet as their fellowship may be in the faith for which their maisters should regard them above servaÌ„ts even brethren beloved so in civil societie they are notwithstanding to be in subjection to their maisters faithfull and pleasing them in all things Of these ther be two sorts 1. Free or hired servants 2. and BoÌ„dmen or Sclaves Of the first sort werâ— the poor Israelites which sold or hired out themselves for necessitie to their brethren or were chaffâ—ed by their