his whole posterity as hauing receiued en estate for it into a most fearefull bondage of sinne and Satan and to all such punishments as were due to the breach of the Commandement The occasion hereto was the righteous law of God which the more indifferent it was and easie to be obeyed did 1 The more discouer the malice of Sathan against the Commandements And 2 the more conuince the breach of man and so 3 aduanceth the more the mercy of God in prouiding a redeemer The instrument of this fall and manner therof was the suggestion of Satan enuying mans happines working in him distrust of the word tickling him with the outward obiect the Apple but especially with a conceit of a more excellent estate And setting vppon the weaker vessell when she was alone Breeding discontent of the present estate and hatred of God as if he did enuy their happinesse did not therfore loue thē so being distracted in their iudgment to redeeme vs Math. 4. Luk. 2.49 2 In taking our nature vpon him Mat. 2 Luk. 1. 3 To the Law in fulfilling it perfectly which we had broken Esay 53. 4 In vndergoing the punishment when hee had fulfilled the Law Rom. 5.19 10.4 And by these his sufferings our redemption was secondly wrought out These sufferings of Christ were First either in the humility of his Natiuity or his whole life such miseries as sin had drawne vpon vs that hee might sanctifie them vnto vs as in the body Hunger Cold Pouerty c. Heb. 2.18 Heb. 4.15 2 In the soule 1 Ignorance Mat. 11.13 Mar. 13.32 2 Tentations Matth. 22.35 Matth. 4.1 3 Sadnesse Ioh. 12. 4 Ignominies Mat. 12. Secondly or at his Death such paines as we had deserued and here he suffered First in his body as 1 Preparations to death 1 Accused of Blasphemy 2 Buffetings by the Souldiers Mat. 27. 28. 3 Whipping and scourging 4 Crowning with Thornes 5 Carrying of his Crosse. 6 Nayling to his Crosse. Ioh. 19. Secondly death it selfe heere consider 1 The ignominious manner vpon the Cursed Tree Gal. 3. 2 The cruelty vsed vpon his dead body as being pierced to the heart by that mercilesse Souldier Ioh. 10.34 3 His ignominious buriall and detaining for 3 daies in the graue These were his sufferings in body Secondly he also suffered for vs in his soule that 1. In his whole life 1 Griefe for the sin of the world especially of his own countrymen who refused him Ioh. 1. 2 The mockings of the wicked 7 That by his death hee might ratifie the eternall Testament of grace Heb. 9. 8 That hereby sinne and death might be destroyed and the Diuell that had the rule of death Heb. 2.14.15 Rom. 6.20 9 As also taking away the feare of death 10 That sinne might not rule ouer vs but 11 That we might die thereto 12 That we might liue onely to Christ. 13 And liue for euer with him 14 And lay downe our liues for him Now because it was not possible that the Sonne of God should be holden of the sorrowes of death for then had he not been iustified and acquitted from our sins therfore by the power of his God-head he raised vp himselfe so accomplished yet further the work of our redemption Rom. 4.25 Act. 2.24 And so Christ Iesus our redeemer obtained a glorious conquest by his resurrection from the dead that First ouer the law in abolishing the curse dominion rigor therof Secondly ouer Satan hel chaining vp Satan destroying for euer the powers of hell 1. Cor. 15.57 Thirdly ouer sinne and that 1 In taking away the sting and guiltinesse thereof 2 Abating the rage fury of the same Rom. 7.24.25 3 Healing in some measure the corrupt fountaine of the same 4 Weakning the force and daily eating out the very corruption thereof Rom. 6.12.13 Fourthly death is also conquered and subdued and that 1 By taking away the sting therof 2 By destroying the dominion of the same Rom. 5.14 3 Sanctifying it to the Godly to whom it is the gate to euerlasting life 1. Thess. 4. 4 Raising vp our flesh from the graue 1. Cor. 15. And thus by this glorious conquest of our captaine Iesus Christ is recouered vnto vs Heb. 12 2· First the fauour of God our Father whose children we are now become in Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 5.18 1 Ioh. 3.1 Col 1.20 Secondly the fruits of this fauour which are 1 Faith in the Sonne of God whereby being iustified before God we haue 2 Peace of Conscience with God and man Rom. 5.1 Rom. 7.4 3 Ioy vnspeakeble in the Holy Ghost 1. Pet. 1.8 4 We become fruitfull in all good works and so therby become meet partakers of saluation Col. 1.12 The earnest whereof we haue in this life first by the inward testimony of the spirit 2. Cor. 1. Eph. 4. Secondly by our outward similitude conformity to our head Christ Iesus being changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2. Cor. 3.18 And wee shall fully enioy it in the life to come where shall be 1 Ceasing of all sinne infirmities sorrow Reu. 7.17 2 Perfect knowledge of God 3 Perfect righteousnesse and holinesse not to be changed Eph. 5.27 4 Fulnesse of ioy Psa. 16. 5 Excellent glory 6 Immediate fruition of and coniunction with God 1. Cor. 13.12 7 Continuall praising of God 8 God shall be all in all 1. Cor. 15. 9 Perfect loue to each other though in diuersity of glory 10 Knowledge spirituall of each other as they haue had fellowship in this life in good 11 Triumph ouer all enemies 12 Eternall happinesse and blisse for euermore 1. Pet. 1.4 All these hath the sonne of God purchased for vs CHAP. XI Of the Appliclication of this benefit by faith how it wrought in vs. THe meanes whereby all these are made ours This faith is wrought in vs by the preaching of the word Rom. 10.17 And that first of the Law First discouering our misery vnto vs in particular both From what a blessed estate wee are fallen Rom. 3. Rom. 7. as also Into what a woful and desperate condition we are now plunged not onely by reason of our sinne Being able to do nothing but displease God Gen. 6.5 And that in regard 1 Of the trangression of Adam which lies vpon vs Rom. 5. 2 The fruit of this transgression euen a generall infection corruption of all the powers and faculties of soule and body As First the substance of the soule 1 before being simple is now become double through hypocrisie 2 Before being mortall naturally and spiritually is now spiritually dead Eph. 2. Secondly the gifts of the soule As 1 the minde through ignorance become vaine in it discourses Eph. 4. Rom. 2.21 2 Of the vnderstanding filled with blindnesse and darknesse and not sauouring the things of God Eph. 4.17 3 The Conscience wounded seared defiled
and strengthen vs in the worke of grace Therefore hauing now laide downe the true Patterne of Holinesse and liuelie practise thereof my purpose is GOD willing shortly to furnish thee with such variety of helpes as may serue both to vphold and encrease this blessed condition And seeing wee shall not want many Lettes and Hinderances to interrupt and so to linger vs in if not quite to breake off this holy course Therefore by GODS grace I doe intend in the third place to discouer those seuerall Rubbes and impediments and withall to instruct how wee may encounter and subdue the same And withall As GOD shall lend health and liberty to adde such motiues and encouragements both from the present benefites of this constant walking as also from the future recompence which waits the same as may throughly settle vs in the practise thereof Meane while let vs in the name of GOD bee faithfull in a little that so wee may bee fitted to further blessings being thankfull for the meanes wee enioy to this end and labouring thereby to serue one another in loue praying for the peace of Ierusalem and seeking the same aboue our chiefest ioy that so in the peace thereof wee may haue peace euen a gracious liberty to walk with our God in constant obedience to whom in Iesus Christ through the blessed Spirit bee praise and Dominion in all the Churches Amen FINIS * Greenham Perkins Rogers Downam and Arthur Dent c. Reasons of â—â—â—he Deity Alexander Vse Natures vse for the knowledge of GOD. Vse Intelliâ—â—â—ent Vse Eternall Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Rom. 1. Psalm 81.1 Vse Note Ephes. 4. Eph. 4.1.2 Sect. 1. What a person is Vse Trinitie what Persons how they differ Order of Persons Order of workes Vse Vse Note Ends of Creation Vse Time 1. Cor. 2. Vse Body Soule in regard of the Analogy betweene the Creaation and Regeneration 2. Cor. 12.11 Vse Sect. 6. 2. By sufferings where what they were 1 In whole life 2 In death 3 In body 4 In soule Sect. 7. Conquering and how Vse of his death Sect. 8. The benefit of our Redemption 1 By sence of our misery fall from our first estate The greatnes therof 1 By sinne 2 By fruite of sin what they are 1 In this life 2 In the life to come 3 Particulars of hell torments Sect. 1. The word the guide of this direction Sect. 2. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 1. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 2. This course to be known though impossible to be kept Sect. 3. It is not impossible Sect. 4. It is necessary 3 To encrease in righteous 4 To recouer out of euil 5 To further our callings Sect. 5. It is most conuenient for all sorts 1 For Babes 2 For strong men 3 For men in prosperity 4 For the time of offliction Sect. 6. And profitable Sect. 7. And pleasant where The benefite of constant godlines there in the priuiledge of Christians Sect. 2. Repentance how performed 1 By knowledge 2 Sorrow 3 By confession In generall In particular 4 By iudging 5 By flying to Christ. 5 Forsaking sin how Section 3. Helpes to repentance Sect. 4. Markes of Repentance Vse of Repentance Note Sect. 7. Trial hereof Ahab Rom. 2. Sect. 2. The degrees of this worke Sect. 3. The markes of particular assurance Sect. 4. The degrees thereof Weakenesse of Faith How knowne The grounds hereof Sect. 1. The heart a sleepe and by what meanes Sect. 2· The heart to be awakened and how Sect. 3. The heart awakened must be examined And how 1 By a true rule 2. An holy manner 3. To a right end Sect. 4. The heart examined must be established in the worship of God And how How to know the beloued sin How to conquer it Sect. 7. Trial hereof Sect. 1. The parts of the spirituall armour and first of the girdle of Truth Its parts are Sect. 2. 1 A rectified Iudgement The benefit thereof Sect. 3. The sanctified conscience and how discerned How put on The benefit thereof Sect. 4. The sinceri-of the will It markes It measure The benefit hereof Sect. 5. The well ordering of the affections how discerned The benefit thereof Sect. 6. The sinceritie of the Tongue Wherein it is seene Sect. 7. Of speech and 1 Of the preparation to it 2 And bee hath promised to blesse this meanes to this end 3 And the Saints haue practised this duty profitably Sect. 8. The matter of speech Sect. 9. How to speake of God Sect. 4. How to speake of our neighbour Sect. 15. What heere to be auoyded How to speake in dispraise of our selues Sect. 14 Of things to be spoken How to speake of what wee know Sect. 15. The maner of speech 1 It must be gratious Sect. 16.2 Our speech must be true Sect. 17. Of the bonds of truth 1 Euidences How to affirme in doubtfull cases 3 The matter 4 The manner 5 He that may sweare 6 The ende and causes of an oath 6 Before whom we must sweare 7 When 8 How an oath binds 9 The abuses of an oth Sect. 21. Of flattery Sest 22. Concealing of truth Sect. 23. The third grace of speech Reuerence and that 1. In respect of God 2. Of man Sect. 24. To giue holy names to to our children Sect. 25. Reuerence to our superiour Here forbidden 1. Blasphemie 2. All abuse of scripture 2. Abuse of our selues Sect. 26. A fourth grace of speech Sobrietie and Modestie And where in Sect. 27. Of saluatioÌ„s Popish blessing to bee moderated Sect. 28. Of soft ananswering Sect. 28. Of reproofe of sinne Sect. 30. A fit grace of speech is cheerfulnes and ioy It conditions How fitted to the boord How for bed Here to bee auoyded 1 Iesting with it bounds 2 Laughter Sect. 31. A sixt grace of speech care of our neighbours good name 1 How performed 2 What auoyded Sect. 32. The seuenth grace of speech slownesse briefnes Rules herein Sect. 33 Of silence and the right vse thereof Things to be conceald And first wherein silence is to be vsed 1 Concerning God 2 Concerning our selues 3 What to be conceald Aug. lib. ad conser 4 Before whom we must keepe silence Sect. 34 Last part of the Girdle Conformiâ—â—â—ie of outward actions The end what 1 Gods glory 2 Edification how accomplished How applied Benefite of this part of the Girdle Sect. 35. The Breast-plate of righteousnesse 1. What it is 2. The vse of this part How to bee attained and preserued Sect. 37. A fourth part of the Armour the shield of faith It vse Sect. 38. The fifth part the helmet of hope Sect. 39. The last part the sword of the Spirit 1. It vse 2 How obtained 3 Triall â—â—â—ereof 4. How kept on Sect. 40. The general benefit of the whole armie Sest 1. Difference of euill Sect. 2. What the euill of sin is Sect. 3. The vse of this knowledge Sect. 4 How farre sinne hath taken hold on man The benefit of this knowledge Sect. 4. Gods
the most vnlikely contemptible meanes for our good seeing the Lord made vs of such 3 Neither to seeke after great matters in the world seeing our originall was so meane 4 Neither to set vp our hearts in this life but rather to prepare to death seeing to the earth we must 5 Comforting our selues that our misery in this life is not eternall seeing we are of the earth 6 And seeing this corruption must put on incorruption therefore learne we to follow hard after the marke if by any meanes we may attaine to the resurrection of the dead looking by faith a farre off for the changing of these vile bodies And comforting our selues in our better part that the soule is immortall and therefore labouring to haue our conuersation in heauen and to be made meete for that glorious inheritance Thirdly that man was made a liuing soule immediatly breathed from the Lord eternally to liue with him This teacheth 1 That the soule is immediatly subiect vnto God ought onely to bee bound by him principally must depend on his blessed will 2 That it must be exercised in heauenly things agreeable to the nature and end thereof 3 That it is subiect to eternall punishment for sinne and therefore ought to saue it selfe from that fearefull vengeance Matth. 3. 4 That eternall hapinesse is due thereto for wel-doing and therefore should not faint nor be weary thereof 5 That as the creation is immediate from God though the body be from man so also is the Recreation and Renuing of the soule immediatly from his meere mercy in Christ without any help or concurrence from man 6 And therefore we are not to rest in any naturall faculties of the soule as if they were sufficient to saluation or could further thereto but rather discerne wee wisely That the wisedome of the flesh is enmity against God 7 And so let vs deny our selues that we may be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse Phil. 3.8.9 Yet so 8 As that seeing we haue free-will in naturall and morall actions concerning the outward act though not for the truth or manner or end of well-doing therefore do we what is ours in entertaining the meanes of saluation As come wee to the word and though we cannot discerne it naturally neither propose the right end therein least if wee forsake God in not doing so farre as wee may he may iustly forsake vs in denying a blessing to the means that so our condemnation may be iust and inexcusable 9 That the soule was breathed into the nostrels not into the eares or mouth or eyes this argueth the imbecillity and frailty of our life as if it depended on our nostrels Esay 2 22. Thus of the matter Fourthly consider we the manner of our creation and therein the Excellencie and ends thereof For the manner we were created in Gods Image not that either wee were made of the Essence of God or that God must bee like to vs hauing humane shape although if we respect the second person in Trinity it might wel be that as he was to take flesh in the fulnesse of time so euen at the present when man was made hee assumed extraordinarily an human forme and so also after that forme and Archetype made man But we were created after the Image of God in holinesse and righteousnesse that is The soule being breathed into the body from the Lord was indued with diuine and heauenly qualities As 1 Immortality 2 Excellent light of reason and vnderstanding acknowledging God and his will discerning the nature and essence of things 3 True righteousnesse of the minde and heart and all the faculties thereof in which was inflamed true loue and feare and confidence in God 4 Most absolute consent of the will obeying the iudgement of right and reason from compulsion bondage and misery 5 Excellent strength and vigor of body free from all infirmitie diseases troubles death And 6 Admirable glory and maiesty 7 Destinated to eternall life in heauen 8 Which should haue propagated an immortall kinde according to the Image of God 9 Yet all this mutably 1 That so if Man had ouercome the Tempter his glory had beene the greater 2 That way might bee made hereby to the reuelation of the eternall mercy of God to his elect in Iesus Christ as also of his Iustice in the condemnation of the wicked for the refusall of the Messiah and in him of their saluation And hence ariseth the excellency of Man 1 By the consideration of his creation especially that in respect of the mutability thereof hee was to be interessed in the Messiah so to be restored preserued by him vnto saluation Hence also arise the ends of mans creation 1 To aduance the goodnesse and bounty of the Lord in ordaining saluation for him by his sonne 2 That the Lord hereby might haue the onely glory of all his mercies 3 That Man might haue the dominion ouer all the Creatures 4 That also he might bee as it were a sweet Companion with the Lord in eternall glory and happinesse And 5 That hee might bee made meete hereunto by the knowledge of his Creator and Redeemer Ioh. 17. And by spirituall and bodily worship according to his knowledge 1. Cor. 6. Whence we may learne 1 To admire and conceiue worthily of this loue of God in making vs thus like vnto himselfe and so to expresse our loue vnto him in striuing to bee like vnto him 1. Ioh. 4. 2 To magnifie his admirable wisedome in making our estate such as in regard of our free-will to be subiect to change and so to rest content with the will of God in things more contrary to nature and vnlikely for our God seeing the Lord out of this mutable estate raised so much good euen to aduance his holy sonne Iesus and in him to renue and establish our formerly mutable condition 3 And seeing the Lord did ordaine this condition to be therefore mutable that so man being left to himselfe might bee the chooser and author of his owne fall therefore learne we to iustifie God and to condemne our selues that so we may not be iudged of the Lord. Lastly seeing the Lord as hee ordained the fall of man mutable so hee ordained a Redeemer before the fall to recouer the same Therefore let this comfort vs in all our troubles whether vpon vs or expected that vndoubtedly we may expect a good issue therein seeing we were first apointed to glory so to deliuerance from thē and so appoynted to afflictions to make vs sit for glory And we are here taught to loue the person of man as bearing Gods Image though we may hate the sinne Thus of the Creation CHAP. IX Of the fall of Man WHerein man continued not as being left to himselfe and so fell away from God in obeying the suggestion of the Serpent and so fell away from his former estate of Innocencie and happinesse through disobedience of the Commandement plunged himselfe and
returning the strength of them to the worship of God in causing our light to shine before men Math. 5.20 Prou. 5.10 3 In all things and in euery issue of them giuing thankes to God the father through Iesus Christ. 4 Being abased before the Lord in regard of our vnworthinesse to doe him any seruice as also of the vnworthinesse of the seruice we doe performe 5 Acknowledging that nothing is due vnto vs but shame and confusion of our faces Dan 9. 6 Desiring to be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is by the faith of Christ. Phil. 3.9 Secondly we must do all things to edification both of our selues and others Here obserue 1 That the lesse benefite must giue place to the greater 2 That in all things next to Gods glory our chiefe aime must be the saluation of the soule 1. Cor. 16. 3 That more regard be had of those which are within theÌ„ which are without Gal. 6.10 1. Cor. 6. yet the good of none neglected 4 That of those which are within we haue more respect to the weake in cases of indifferencie Rom. 14. Rom. 15.1 5 That our conuersation be answerable to our profession Ephes. 4.1 6 That we haue as well strong meat for men as milke for babes not sticking alwayes in the infancie of our profession but growing vp in Iesus Christ Hebr. 6.1 Hebr. 13. 7 That we abound in weldoing and make sure our Election by good workes 2. Pet. 1.8.9 8 That wee as well cast out the hypocrite and stumbling-blocke as hold on the sound Christian. Ier. 1. 9 We must bring forth fruit in due season obseruing the comelinesse of time place persons c. Psa. 1.3 10 That in actions either doubtfull or deceitful as we haue cause to suspect them 1 If they grieue the godly 2 If they giue occasion of the wicked to reioyce so wee may haue comfort if the conscience approue and the Saints allow though the wicked condemne c This Girdle is put on 1 By continuall setting of our hearts before God for the searching thereof 2 Trying all our thoughts words and actions by the word 3 By continuall watching ouer our wayes 4 By earnest prayer to God And it is kept on 1 By not straining the conscience in the least euill Hebr. 13.18 2 By cleauing to the testimony thereof and reioyiâ—â—â—ng especially therein 2. Cor. 1.12 3 By obeying the checkes of conscience 4 Conuincing the hollownesse and hypocrisie of the world 5 Labouring and aprouing sincerity in others 6 Daily fearing our selues and renuing our couenant with God 7 Renouncing daily our selues and flying to Christ. Phil. 3.12.13 The vse of this Girdle is 1 Wee are ready prest to doe Gods will Reu. 1. 2 Wee are cleered from hypocrisie which is the moth of well-doing Mat. 6. Mat. 23. 3 Wee auoyd vncertatnty and dulnesse in good things 4 We are preserued from corruption in iudgement and Apostasie in life 5 All other gifts of God are adorned and approued thereby 6 We are enabled to hold out to the end and so obtaine the Crowne 7 As by this rule of our actions discerning the vnworthinesse thereof 8 In the vnworthinesse of the action discerning the worthines of our persons in Christ and growing vp in him by faith to perfection 9 The other parts of the spirituall Armour are compact in themselues and fastned to vs by it The next whereof is the Brest-plate of righteousnes or Innocency And this is 1 An inclination and resolution of the heart to all good This is necessary 1 To iustifie and beautifie our profession and make sure our election 2. Pet 1.10 2 That we may be freed from many inward pangs and outward troubles 3 By abstaining from the occasions and appearance of euill 1. Thess. 5. 4 By iustifying and maintaining the same with the losse of al in respect thereof Act. 21. Iob. 2. 5 By walking conscionably in the duties of our callings 6 By trying our faith which is the life thereof 2. Cor. 13. 7 Vndergoing continuall troubles for the same And to this end serues the third part of this Armour This is that our feete be shod with the preparation of the Gospel that is In the assurance of our acceptation into the fauour of God through Iesus Christ we are armed and prepared First to Deny our selues Secondly to take vp the crosse of Christ and to follow him Luke 9.23 And this must be done 1 That troubles find vs not vnprepared Iob. 3 25. 2 That the feare of them may not dismay vs. 3 That we be not ouerwhelmed with the waight of them 2. Corin. 4.8.9 4 That our minds may be quieted in the midst of them Rom 5.2 5 That we may bee more then conqueror in them Romans 8.24 6 That we may comforts others which grone vnder the like burthen 2. Cor. 1.4.5 7 And so finish our course and obtaine the crowne 2. Tim. 4. This armour is put on and so kept 1 By dayly reading and meditating on the passion of Christ. Heb. 12.2 2 Giuing all diligence to the word preached 3 Preferring the fauor of God in Christ aboue all things Ps. 4.6 4 Not depending vpon things seene but contemplating things inuisible Heb. 11.1 5 Hauing our eye fixed on the recompence of the reward and comparing the momentany trouble with the surpassing weight of glory Heb. 11.26 And here the shield of faith is of speciall vse which is the fourth part of this Armour And it is a full and strong perswasion of the loue of God in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.38 whereby 1 We beate backe all the fierie darts of the diuell as carnal confidence presumption security infidelitie distrust credulitie c. 2 Prize all things at their true worth and prosecute them accordingly 3 Wee preserue the graces of God and increase them vnto vs. 4 Wee follow hard to the marke and attaine perfection Phil. 3.13 This is requisite 1 To giue approbation to all our actions 2 To giue comfort in regard of their imperfections 3 To enable vs in our suffrings Iob. 1.5 4 To finish our course and procure vs the crowne Hebrew 11.13 2. Tim. 4· 5 To ouercome tentations as despaire presumption of Gods mercie c. 6 To obtaine a comfortable life 7 To be prepared vnto death This is obtained and preserued as before Cap. 7 A fift part of this Armour is the helmet of hope This is 1 A constant desire of the promised happinesse Mat. 5.6 Phil. 1.23 2. Tim. 4.8 2 A chearefull expectation and wayting after the same 3 A resigning our selues into the hands of God Psal. 5.12 And it differs from faith 1 In the maner of apprehending faith apprehends things to come as if they were present Hope discerneth them as they are in time to bee performed and so waiteth the accomplishment of them 2 In the vse Faith giues a being to things that are