Euerie one shal haue reward according to his worke We ought not to condemne or iudge any to bee reprobate albeit to bee without feare of GOD and reuerence of man are signes of reprobation Psal 64. vers 4. c. Because it is a secret only reserued to God therfore he hath said Iudge not that ye be not iudged Matth. 7.1 Iam. 4.12 Because the Lord is not so merciful in forgiuing as he is miraculous in calling making of a persecutor an Apostle as he did by Paule Acts. 9.3 Because the very godly haue been greatly ouergone in this matter as that great Prophet of the Lord Elias in iudging the people of Israel 1. King 19.10 These 3. steppes doo leade vs vnto destruction Barn The dissembling of our weakenes The ignorance of our wretchednes The excusing and perseuering in our wickednes The Scriptures are written for vs That we might knowe the will of God and followe it That wee might beleeue that Iesus is Christ the Sonne of God Ioh. 20.31 That in beleeuing wee might haue life through his name Ioh. 20.31 The whole scriptures are diuided into three parts Bar. Lawe Prophets Gospell The Lawe The Gospel consist in doing in beleeuing This may perswade vs to beleeue the authoritie of the Scriptures to be true Bib. The secret testimonie of the holie Ghost in our hearts which causeth vs to consent thereto The incomprehensible Maiestie of God appearing in the simple and sincere doctrine therein The godlie agreement of all parts together with the orderlie disposition certaintie and successe thereof The Scriptures do set forth vnto vs amongst many other three especiall matters which we ought to remember The frailtie of man and his prone inclination to euill The iustice of God and his seuere punishment appointed for obstinate transgressors The mercie of God and his free pardon promised to penitent sinners Euerie one ought effectually to know and search the holy Scriptures for Knowledge Confirmation Consolation Because the ignorance of them is the cause of all error Because wee must beleeue nothing but that which is approoued by them Acts. 17.11 Because in them is cōtained eternal life We may gather knowledge in the Scriptures three manner of waies By attendant hearing of the same well preached By diligent reading of the same with vnderstanding By continuall conference with such as can open thē Act. 8.30 The word of GOD then draweth vs vnto him Bib. When it is so preached and heard as we vnderstand and learne what is taught thereby When we receiue thankfullie that which is giuen promised and assured therein When we bee moued with desire and diligence to do that which it commandeth The word of God then hath his perfect worke when it is Preached truelie Beleeued faithfullie Followed effectuallie Such as will not beleeue the word of God what followeth If the righteous scarcelie bee saued where shall the vngodlie and sinner appeare 1. Pet. 4.8 Euerie vnfaithfull shall die in his vnfaithfulnes saith Esdras 2. Esdr 15.4 Euerie vnbeleeuer is condemned alreadie Iohn 3.18 and shall be punished with euerlasting perdition 2. Thes 1. Ignorance can no way be excusable For that which maie bee knowne of God is made manifest vnto vs. Rom. 1.19 For those that knowe not the lawe shall perish without the lawe Rom. 2.12 For the offering for ignorant sinnes in the Leueticall law argueth no excuse to be admitted Leuit. 4.2 Our Sauiour Christ describeth by the parable of the Sower three vnprofitable hearers of his word Matth. 13. Such a one as heareth it and vnderstādeth it not by reason the euill one commeth and catcheth it away out of his heart Such a one as heareth it and receiueth it presently with great ioye but when persecution or tribulation commeth by reason of the word hee is offended Such a one as heareth it but the cares of this world and the deceiptfulnes of riches choake it and the same is made vnfruitfull We ought to resort to the Church of God Because his holie mysteries are there laid open which are hid obscure to manie Because we may bee vnited and coupled together by receiuing the Sacraments Because if the Lord hath promised to grant our requestes where two or three bee gathered together in his name how much more will he bee mindfull of a multitude that so assemble themselues The Church of God hath three ancient and excellent ornaments Preaching Praier Sacraments Preaching ingēdreth faith Praier increaseth it Sacraments confirme it The Church or Congregatiō ought to pray for all men without anie difference of Nation kind age or order Beza 1. Tim. 2.3 4. Because the Lord by calling of all sorts yea sometimes those that are the greatest enemies to the Gospel wil haue his Church gathered together after this sort therfore praiers to be made for all Because God should not els bee manifested to be the onlie God of all mē vnles he should shew his goodnes in sauing of al sorts of men Because his Sonne Christ Iesus should not be seen to be the onelie Mediator between God and of all sorts of men by hauing taken vpō him that nature of man which is common to al men vnlesse he had satisfied for all sortes of men and made intercession for all Sacramēts are Signes or badges of christianitie Seales or pledges of our faith Assurances of our saluation whereof there be 2. Baptisme The Lords Supper The Sacrament of Baptisme Bib. Teacheth vs to put on Christ that his righteousnes may couer our sinfulnes Galat. 3.27 Assureth vs wee are so grafted into Christ that all our corruption is cleane washed away Ephes 5.26.27 Chargeth vs to mortifie and die to sinne that wee may become his seruants and liue in mutuall amitie The Sacrament of the Lords Supper Bib. Sheweth vs that the bodie and bloud of Christ crucified is the onelie foode for the regenerate Assureth vs that Christ is whollie ours and that by faith our soules are fed and nourished in him vnto life euerlasting Requireth a thankfull remembrance of his death with vnitie amongst brethrē The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is vnworthelie receiued when we receiue it onelie by the visible signe without regard of the inuisible grace when wee receiue it more of custome than good consideration or more for feare than good affection when we receiue it disorderlie beeing dronken or with a corrupted conscience cōtinuing in malice or enmitie The Sacrament of the Lords Supper must be receiued reuerentlie eaten effectuallie digested thankfullie therefore let euerie one trie and examine his knowledge his faith his repentance Good Ministers are most fit to minister the holie Sacraments yet we may receiue them by the euill Articl Religio 26. Because they do it in Christ his name and not in their owne Because their wickednes cannot take away the effect of the ordinance Because of Christs institution promise so it be receiued rightly by faith These three things are to to bee noted whereof heretofore there hath arrise
also on hie and therefore saith the same Prophet To thee haue I lift vp my soule Psal 25.1 That therby we should know if our harts be not farre from terrestriall cogitations wee shall hardly receiue any celestiall consolations our hearts We maie lawfullie in praier aske corporal benefites of God Because wee should thereby knowe that he is the author giuer thereof and should not onelie be thankfull to him for it but thereby to seeke loue and worship him Because we should be perswaded of his good prouidence towards vs in that hee hath not onelie promised he wil neuer faile vs. Ios 7. but also hath an outstretched hand to helpe them that call vpon him Because our faith of reconciliation and remission of sinnes should be exercised through the asking of these corporall things The feruent praier of the righteous much auaileth not onelie for themselues but for others At Moses praier the plague ceased Exod. 8. Helias caused great plentie of raine 1. King 17. Queene Hester deliuered her and her people Hest 14. We ought to referre all our praiers requests and dooings to Gods good pleasure following the example of Christ of Dauid when he was crucified without cause by the Iewes Mat. 26.4 when hee was dispossessed of his kingdom by his sonne 2. Sa. 15.26 when he was afflicted most grieuouslie by Sathan Iob. 2.7 13. of Iob The meanes wherby we are drawne to saluation is Faith Hope Charitie The chiefest of these is Loue because it serueth here and in the world to come 1. Cor. 13.13 The work of a true faith is builded vpon things past things present We beleeue the death of Christ is past Wee beleeue at this present hee sitteth at the right hand of his father Wee beleeue that Christ shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead things to come August Faith doth grow and increase in vs three manner of waies By the hearing of the word of God preached By the reuerent receiuing of the Sacraments Because it laieth before our eyes the promises which God in his Gospell hath made vnto vs in his Sonne Because they being right lie receiued of vs are as pledges and seales of the promises of GOD made vnto vs in his word Because God hath made an especiall promise to vs thereby that he will heare vs whatsoeuer wee aske according to his will By praier and inuocation A true and liuelie faith must be simple sound constant in beleeuing in defending in following The word of God without inquiring or searching in Gods mystical matters by humane reasons The truth thereof without inclining or leaning to the erronious opinions of the aduersaries of the same The same worde without doubting for anie reason of mans braine that seemeth contrary nor to be drawn awaie from it by temptations promises or thretnings either of torment or of death Such as will know whether they haue an effectuall faith must consider The fruits of it The triall of it The ende of it is good works affliction saluation For faith without workes is dead Iam. 2.17 For it is not sufficient for vs to beleue in christ but also to suffer for his sake Philip. 1.29 For he that continueth to the ende hath this comfort shal be saued Mat. 24. A iustifying faith is knowne by these effects It bringeth foorth fruites Mat. 7.18 Iam. 3.18 It worketh by loue Galat. 5.6 It apprehendeth Gods mercie offered in Christ Faith differeth from Hope and yet we hope in things present things past As when I hope I am in Gods fauour As when I hope my sins be forgiuen me As when I hope to haue eternall life things to come Charitie is a singuler vertue for without it what is 1. Cor. 13. Faith Knowledge Martirdome It auaileth little though it moue mountaines It profiteth litle though I speake with tongues of men and Angels It helpeth little though I offer my bodie to be burned We ought to liue in Loue and Charitie Because it is the effect and fulfilling of the Commandement or whole Law 1. Tim. 1.5 Because it is a testimonie vnto vs of our translation from death to life whereby wee are made the children of God and heires in heauen 1. Ioh. 3.14 Because it worketh the cause in vs that God dwelleth in vs for God is loue he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him 1. Ioh. 4.8 Workes of superarrogation are verie friuolous for our works are in no wise auailable to saue vs by reason of Their imperfection Gods election Christes passion Because all our righteousnes is no better than filthie cloutes or as some write menstruous clothes Esai 64.6 Because wee shoulde then chose God rather by our workes than he should elect vs of his mere grace and then grace were no grace Rom. 11.6 Because his Sonne should haue suffered in vaine if wee had anie sufficiencie of our selues Although workes are not the cause of our saluation yet partly they are the effects of it good workes are very necessarie to be vsed amongst Christians That therby God may be glorified Matth. 5.16 That by their good exāple others may be wonne to the word 1. Pet. 3.1 That by them they maie make their election sure 2. Pet. 1.10 Dauid numbreth three degrees of our saluation Psal 40.10 c. Gods mercie His righteousnes whereby he fatherlie pitieth vs. whereby he continuallie protecteth vs. wherby appeareth his constant fauour towards vs. His trueth There bee three causes of our saluation the efficient cause materiall cause GOD the Father is the beginning of our saluation Christ Iesus is hee in whom our righteousnes is resident Faithe is the meane whereby wee apprehend the same instrumentall cause S. Paul approueth the formall cause of our saluation to be the free mercie of God for whom he predestinate he callerh whom hee calleth hee iustifieth whom he iustifieth he glorifieth Rom. 8.30 By grace ye are saued through faith Eph. 2.8 Although there be many reasons whereby wee maie assure our selues to bee elected yet wee may brieflie gather our election By the holie Ghost which testifieth with our spirite that we are the children of GOD. Rom. 8.15 By the fruites of the Spirit in hauing good workes or will to doo well By remorse of conscience ioyned with the lothing of sinne and loue of righteousnes Election is knowne by these testimonies Beza 2. Thess 2.10.11 Faith is gathered by sanctification and by according to the truth Truth is gathered by calling through the preaching of the Gospell The Gospell assureth vs of a certaine hope of glorification Touching Election Reprobation this is to be considered That the onelie will and purpose of God is the chiefe cause of both That his free mercie in Christ is an inferiour cause of saluation That the hardning of the heart is an inferiour cause of damnation This vndoubted perswasion wee ought generally to haue Euerie one is elected or eiected at the beginning Euerie one is an vnprofitable seruant when he hath done his best
said fifteene hundred yeres more since The day of the Lord is at hand and yet the world indure we must not suppose those words to be friuolous or frustrate for thereby the Lord doth make manifest vnto vs his infinite wisdome his exceeding mercie in computation of yeares in delaying of the day Because he doth not reckō or record the time according to our knowledge or reason for one day is with him as a thousand yeres and a thousand yeres as one day Psal 90.4 Because hee would not haue vs perish but would all men to come to repentance 2. Pet. 3.9 Because we doo not vse the bountifulnes of his patience long sufferance accordingly Ro. 2.4 in cōsideration thereof our impendent miserie We must yeeld accompt at the latter day of all our sinnes committed in cogitation communication action Our thoughts shall either accuse or excuse vs. Rom. 2.15 Our words shall either iustifie or condemne vs. Matth. 12.37 Our workes shall then haue their due reward Hebr. 9.27 Our great accusers at the yeelding vp of our last account shall be the lawe the diuell our conscience besides that We shall stand belples before so manie Iudges as haue excelled vs in good works We shal be cast by so many euidences as haue giuen vs example of good life We shall bee conuinced with 〈◊〉 witnesses as haue admonished vs with wholsome counsell and by their vertuous deedes haue been patternes for vs to imitate The Pope doth rather prefer than make himselfe equall with the excellencie of our Sauiour Christ He will bee the supreame of all the world exempting himselfe from al obedience to any earthly prince or reuerence to any people when Christ was content to acknowledge the authoritie of the Magistrate in paying toll yea euen to such as were enemies to Religion Matth. 17.27 He giueth out his feete to bee kissed of men euen of Kings and Emperours when Christ did neuer so lay foorth his feete but that hee washed and wiped his poore Disciples feete and that because they should doo as he had done to them Ioh. 13.5 15. He doth of pitie free one or other euerie daie from the parties of Purgatorie when our Sauiour Christ did free none at all from those hellish paines The soule of man doth after death goe either to ioy or paine immediatlie whereof there bee three examples besides manifest proofes that may flatlie refell the erronious opinions of such as falslie affirme there is a Purgatorie The soule of Lazarus receiued into Abrahams bosome Luke 16.22 The soule of the theefe ascending into Paradise Lu. 23.33 The soule of the rich man descending into hel Luke 16.23 These three things are worthie to be continuallie noted The secrets of God are vnsearchable The ioyes of heauen are vnspeakable The paines of hell are intollerable A vertuous man disposeth his waie in this world Prudentlie Penitentlie Prouidentlie To dispose and order things present To consider his misdeedes past To prouide and forsee for things to come S Paul diuideth man into parts Spirit Soule Bodie for then is man fullie sanctified when his minde thinketh nothing when his will couets nothing when his bodie executes nothing contrarie to the will of GOD. Thes 5.23 A godlie Christian ought to liue in this world Barnard Soberlie Iustlie Godlie concerning himselfe concerning his neighbour concerning God That he keep his bodie temperatly without abusing the gifts of God wantonlie or wastfullie That he deale plainly vprightly and charitablie without dissimulation That he presume not too much of himselfe but referre all to Gods good pleasure prouidence A man should not doo amisse saith Augustine If forgetfulnes confound not his memorie If error obscure not his vnderstanding If iniquitie depraue not his will The state of man is three waies to bee considered by creation by fall and sinne by regeneration he was made like to the image of God which image is expounded here Ephes 4.24 he became slaue vnto Sathan so procured the same thraldome to al posterities he is ingrafted into christ by faith and in him hath recouered his former right A man is happie in this world that can Reioyce in aduersitie Beare all crosses patientlie Lament his sinne sorowfullie following the example of Paul 2. Cor. 11.30 Iob. 1. verse 1. Peter Luke 22.62 Euerie man should alwaies bee mindfull of his Creation Conuersation Dissolution Because he is dust to dust he shall returne Gen. 3. Because hee must one daie yeeld accompt of his liuing Eccle. 12.24 Because his end is vncertain and as he falles such iudgement followes Eccl. 11.3 Herein consists the whole duetie of man towards God To feare him To loue him To keepe his commandements for his iustice for his goodnes to confirme it Because it is horrible to fall into his hāds Heb. 10.31 Because hee loued vs first 1. Ioh 4.19 Because those that loue him will keepe his cōmandements 2. Ioh. 5.3 S. Iames willeth euerie man to be Swift to heare Slowe to speake Slowe to wrath Iames. 1.19 No man hath cause to glorie in himself if hee consider what he is of himselfe By Substance By Nature By Knowledge he was made of the dust Gen. 3.7 he is the childe of wrath Ephe. 2.3 he is but a beast Ier. 10.14 For a man to glorie or attribute anie praise to himselfe in anie good attempts it is Vanitie Arrogancie Iniquitie Because of himselfe he cannot think a good thought much lesse doo a good deed 2. Cor. 3.5 Because he attributeth that to himselfe which is proper to GOD for euerie good and perfect gift commeth from aboue Iam. 1.17 Because he doth not acknowledge the giuer thankfullie for all praise and glorie is to be giuen to God Colos 3.17 Herod by abridging God of his glory came to a most miserable end Acts. 12.23 This may abate the hie aspiring mind of man His birth being sinfull Eccl. 10.9 His life being miserable Eccl. 10.9 His body being worms meat Eccl. 10.9 Euerie man must haue a godlie care to liue in this world Because GOD hath commanded he should labour sixe daies Exo. 20.9 Because he is worse than an infidell that prouideth not for his houshold 1. Tim. 5.8 Because he may auoid the inconuenience of idlenes 2. Thessa 3.10 which bringeth much euill Prouer. 12.11 A good Christian ought to be Wise Simple Foolish wise vnto that which is good Rom. 16.19 simple concerning euill Rom. 16.19 foolish in respect of this world 1. Cor. 1.20 Heretickes and erronious persons are verie dangerous to be permitted amongst godlie christians considering Their condition Their corruptiō The season Because they thinke it not enough to erre and doo euill themselues except they drawe others with them as appeareth in Esa 30.10 Wisd 14.21 Because by cōtinuance they will defile manie Hebr. 12.15 For a little leauen leaueneth the whole lūpe 1. Cor. 5.7 Because in these latter times many shall giue heede to Spirits of errour and doctrine of diuels 1. Tim. 4.1 Wicked men are
verie fitlie compared in the Scriptures to thornes to chaffe to tares Because they be as prickes to procure hurt to the godlie Because as the winde doth scatter the chaffe so shall they be soone cut off from the face of the earth Because as tares are to bee bound in bundels burnt so shall they be in hell fire Wicked men are called by sundrie names and compared in the Scriptures to Foxes to Dogges to beastes Because they are subtill in vndermining doing of mischiefe in so much as the Church requireth to haue the foxes takē awaie Cant. 2.15 Because they are currish in controlling and barking against all goodnes Hereof Paule willeth the Phillip to beware of dogges Phil. 3.2 Because they are prophane in their liues and degenerate frō their kinde worse than beasts So Paule complaineth that hee fought with beastes at Ephesus after the manner of men 1. Cor. 15.32 The wicked and vngodlie are not to be Supported purposelie Accompanied willinglie Condemned vtterlie Because it is abomination before God to iustifie the wicked Prouer. 17.15 Because it is dangerous for hee that toucheth pitch shall be defiled Eccle. 13.1 Because the Lord wil haue mercie on whom he will and when he please Rom 9.15 These sayings maie terrifie such as attempt any euill The face of the Lord is against him 2. Pet. 3.12 Tribulation and anguish shall be vppon his soule Rom. 2.9 There shall be no ende of plagues to him Prouer. 24.20 God tempteth no man to euill but we are drawne to it By the diuell who watcheth to worke our ouerthrowe By our owne concupiscence to consent to his suggestions By vicious companie and ill perswasions of others when we be seduced The Diuell will vndermine vs in our musings if we take not great heed for in them Barn He talketh with vs wittilie He eggeth vs cunninglie Hee deceiueth vs craftelie whom if we resist by faith the Lord will Ouerlook vs fighting Succour vs fainting Crowne vs ouercomming The Diuells haue knowledge after a sort for They beleeue there is a God and feare and tremble Iam. 2.19 They can pleade Scripture for their owne purpose Matth. 4.6 They acknowledge Christes comming to iudgement Matth. 8.29 The Diuell hath three euill properties he is Subtill Strong Cruell as a Serpent as a Lyon as a Tiger For hee can transforme himselfe into many shapes yea into an Angell of light and vse manie shifts to deceiue withall For hee is not so busie in seeking daylie for his pray as he is forcible to resist where he assaulteth For where hee hath any enterance at all he will neuer rest vntill he bringeth to confusion The Diuell vsed three pollicies to tempt Christ in the wildernes perswading him To distrust in God To the desire of riches and honor To a vain cōfidence of himselfe Beza Mat. 20. Wee haue 3. cruell foes that fight against the spirit in this life the Flesh World Diuell The fiercest foe in this fight is the Diuell whō wee may expell with these three weapons Faith Praier the word of God We ought not to followe the lustes of the flesh but leade our liues holilie Beza 1. Pet. 2.11 Because those lusts although they flatter vs yet they cease not to fight against our saluation 2. Cor. 10.3 Because we are citizens in heauen and therefore ought to leade our liues thereafter although we be strangers here Because the glorie of God is greatlie set foorth by that meanes whilest by example of our honest life euen the most prophane men are brought vnto God and submit themselues vnto him There are many walk in this world saith Paul Phil 3.19 Whose God is their bellie Whose glorie is their shame Whose end is damnation The whole world lieth in wickednes 2. Ioh. 5.19 The wretchednes of this world made Salomon say Iob say Paule say The day of death is better than the day one is borne Eccle. 7 3. My soule is cut off though I liue Iob. 10.1 I desire to bee loosed from this life Phil. 1.23 What should we so accompt of this world seeing The fashion of it goes awaie 1. Cor. 7.31 The wisedome of it is mere foolishnes Iob. 37 The amitie of it is enmitie with God Ia. 4.4 Vse this world as though you vsed it not saith Paule 1. Cor. 7. These 3 things may withdrawe a man from desiring long life in this world The wretchednes of his life The grieuousnes of his sinnes The greatnes of his accompt because it is but a continual temptation and full of miserie because they will more increase by cōtinuance because it wil be the more fearefull at the yeelding vp The godlie desire to be out of this world Because it is variable and nothing but vanitie Because of the innumerable euills they are subiect to Because they long to be cloathed with the heauenlie habit Life is verie sweete and so sweete that it hath prouoked the godlie to prolong the safetie of it by shifts Dauid doubting of euill dealing fained himselfe mad to saue his life 1. Sam. 21.13.14 Paule perceiuing their crueltie that would kill him had rather in the night bee let downe in a basket than abide Acts 9.25 Peter fearing death did forsweare his master Iohn 18.27 The faithfull and godlie in this world doo dailie Fight Faint Fall by reason of their Aduersarie Infidelitie Infirmitie Yet they shall not be cast away Psal 37.24 These 3. things are worthie to be considered He that liueth best doth dailie sinne He is happie that hath grace to repent He is blessed to whom God imputeth no sin Although euery man is a sinner yet euerie sinne is not of like consideration for some sinne of Ignorance of Infirmitie of Malice as Paule did 1. Tim. 1.13 as Dauid did 2. Sam. 11.2 c. as Nebuchad-nezzer did Dan. 3.1 Euerie sinner must beware of these three things of procrastination presumption prouocation In delaying the time of repentance Matth. 24.50 In sinning still vpon hope Rom. 6.1 In sinning obstinatlie against the holie Ghost Sinne is nothing els but A sweet poyson A flattering death A destructiō of the soule wherof there be two sorts Original Actuall Adam did further his fall and increase his sinne in the garden three waies By ambition By hypocrisie By impenitencie because he thought to be as God knowing good from euill Gen. 3.6 because hee hid the cause of his nakednes which was the breach of Gods commandements Gen. 3.10 because hee was so farre from acknowledging his transgression that he burdened God with his fault in that hee had giuen him a wife Gen. 3.12 It appeareth by this that sinne is Excerable Detestable Intollerable because it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth Gen. 6.6 because hee destroyeth dumme creatures for our cause Zephan 1. vers 3. because hee would not spare his onelie sonne for our sinnes It is an exceeding comfort to a Sinner to consider That God is as well a father as a Lord. That Christ is as well a
Prouer. 11.4 Couetousnes is contemptible in any especiallie in such who God hath sent plentie vnto Because it is a plague to a rich man to want a liberall heart Eccle. 6.2 c. Because it is the root of al euil 1. Tim. 6.10 Because it will bee their owne destruction in the end Ephe. 5.5 Riches should not make a maÌ„ high minded if he did think vpoÌ„ god Because he is but his steward ouer theÌ„ for a time Because hee can impouerish him as hee did Iob. 1.12 Because hee can punish him as hee did Herod Acts 12.23 God hath chosen in this world Foolish things to confound the wise 1. Cor. 1.27 Weake thinges to confound the mightie 1. Cor. 1.27 Vile things things which are not to bring to naught things that are 1. Cor. 1.27 Although begging be a miserable life yet we must not despise the poore For hee that despiseth them despiseth him that made them Pro. 17.5 For God hath made them as his instruments for the triall of our hearts and charitie Deut. 25.21 For God hath chosen the poore in this world that they should bee rich in faith heires of his kingdom Ia. 2.5 Aduersitie and pouertie is oftentimes sent of God For triall of our faith For amendmeÌ„t of our liues For neglect of our vocation it appear by Iob whose satietie of substance was taken awaie Iob. 1. by the prodigal sonne who by these crosses was reclaimed by Salomons saying Loue not sleepe lest thou come vnto pouertie Pro. 20 13. We ought to giue to the poore For the glorie honor of God Prouer. 8.9 For good example to others Matth. 5.16 For a signe of the sinceritie of our profession Iam. 2.18 Giue for Commandement sake Necessitie sake Nature sake It may appeare vnto vs by way of comparison we ought to giue to the poore for If a good man will haue pitie on his beast how much more ought wee to respect a Christian Prouer. 12.10 If wee ought to lay downe our liues for our brethreÌ„ how much more ought we to relieue the with our goods 1. Ioh. 3.16 If a factor ought to dispose his goodes where his temporall master pleaseth how much more ought we to distribute theÌ„ where our eternal master appointeth He that giueth to the poore must bestowe his beneuolence Secretlie Liberallie Cheerefully without ostentation Mat. 6.2 according to his abilitie Ro. 12.8 without grudging Eccle. 35.10 This assurance hath he that giueth to the poore He lendeth to the Lord. Prouer. 19.17 He shall not lacke Prouer. 28.27 He shal not want his reward Matth. 25.40 The poore ought rather to be hidden to feastes than the rich because such haue most need Mat. 25. because they can make no recoÌ„pence Mat. 25. because it is most acceptable to God Mat. 25. Feasting is not amisse so it be vsed In remembrance of Gods benefites Nehe. 8 For the maintenaÌ„ce of mutual friendship Nehe. 8 Towards the reliefe of the poore Nehe. 8 We would bee more mindful of the poore if we did but remember how dangerous it is To hide our eyes from them To stoppe our eares at their crie To shew no mercie at all Such shall haue many curses Pro. 28.27 crie and not bee heard Prouer. 21.13 haue merciles condemnation Iam. 2.13 Pure religon consists in this To visite the fatherles and widowes in aduersitie Barnard To followe the example of Christ Barnard To keepe thy selfe vnspotted of the world Barnard Such as will bee perfect Christians in religion ought not to be Hot Cold Luke-warme but zealous professors Reuel 3.19 It is is very dangerous to deale craftelie in this world because it greatlie offendeth God who is the author of truth because it defraudeth a mans neighbour with a shewe of honest meaning because it destroieth the deceiuer in the end Pro. 19 Hypocrites may well iuggle with the world but they cannot deceiue these three God Death the Diuell For he seeth their secrets and will one day reueale all For he commeth of a sodaine and will destroy them with all For hee waites for their soules to reward them for all An hypocrite is resembled to these 3. things Barn A Sheepe in skinne A Foxe in subtiltie A Wolfe in crueltie He talketh smoothlie He intendeth craftelie He attempteth villanie We be to you hypocrites Truth is almost excellent treasure and worthie to be Honoured Imbraced Aduanced because it ouercommeth all things because it defendeth all things because it in dureth for euer Such as delight in lying should but remember the Aâ—â—â—or of it Euill of it End of it Iâ— is a â—led of the diuels sowing It is abomination before the Lord. It procureth sorow to his owne soule at last This discommoditie commeth of lying When one doth accustome it he shall seldome leaue it When he saith troth he shall hardlie bee beleeued When he is knowne to be such a one the better sort will abhorre him He is happie that in his communication hath an eye in feare to Gods maiestie to his brothers frailtie to his own safetie because it is fearfull to fall into his hands Hebr. 10.13 because it is the easiest thing of a thousand to offend him because he must giue accompt of euerie idle word Our communication ought to be yea and nay yet we may lawfullie sweare For the glorie and worship of God Esai 19. For coÌ„firmation of truth equitie Heb. 6.16 For discharge of our conscience being lawfullie called The Magistrate maie lawfullie require an oth so it be done for the maintenance of Iustice Iudgement Truth but wee ought not to sweare vainlie lightly rashlie when there is no cause at all vpon euerie small occasion without good coÌ„sideration Who shall inherite heaueÌ„ saith Dauid He that hath cleane hands and a pure heart He that hath not lift vp his mind to vanitie He that hath not sworne to deceiue his neighbour Psal 24. The mischiefes that insue of Lecherie are manie if we conferre the beginning with the end Barn At first it tickleth the flesh with touching Afterward it poysoneth the minde with filthie delights And last of al by coÌ„senting to sinne and willingnes to worke wickednes withall both bodie and soule are ouercome The sinne of Lecherie is the pleasantest to the diuell Because it hurteth both bodie and soule Because he was neuer touched with it being a spirit and no bodie Because it bringeth on a heape of other sinnes withall The lecherous man in his life is three waies tormented with the heate of the harlot with the paine of his hurt with the worme of his owne conscience The sonne of Syracke saith there are 3. things which his soule hateth A poore man that is proud A rich man that is a lier An old adulterer that doteth Eccle. 25. There be three speciall reasons that fornication should be eschewed Beza 1. Cor. 6.18 Because it defileth the bodie with a peculiar kinde of filthines Because a fornicator is sacriligious for that our bodies are consecrated to God Because wee ought
both in bodie and soule to serue him who hath saued vs. This brieflie is to be obserued in a whore Prouer. 5. She brings a man to a morsell of bread She hunts for the precious life of him She leades him the hie waie to hell She is compared to a dogge to a sowe to dung Eccle. 26. A whore is to be abandoned if it were but for these causes Because God hath forbidden anie such to be suffered Deut. 23.17 Because she increaseth the transgressors among men Pro. 23.28 Because she enuieth honest and vertuous women 2 Esd 16.42 There bee three things maie terrifie a theefe in his lewd attempts The precept God hath set downe The positiue lawe of this land The importable iudgement to come that is Thou shalt not steale Exod. 20. Death of bodie Destruction both of bodie and soule A theefe by following one that is the diuell he offendeth three Hee displeaseth God He hurteth his neighbor He hateth his own soule by breaking his commandement by taking away his right by following sin Pro. 29. This inconuenience commeth of idlenes When one is rooted in it it will hardlie be remoued Whē he hath the end of his lust it wil be most lothsome When he is so idle the diuell is most occupied There bee three things that grieued the wiseman A man of warre that suffereth pouertie Men of vnderstanding that are not set by When one departeth from righteousnes to sinne Eccle. 26.29 God punisheth his people for their sinnes with three kind of plagues which commonlie goe together Warre Famine Pestilence and where he blesseth there followeth 3. benefites Peace Plentie Salubritie Christian Souldiers fight but faintlie if they want these weapons The shield of faith The helmet of hope The sword of the spirit Ephe. 6. Euerie Christian Souldier hath three enemies to encounter with The lewd affections of themselues Iam. 4.1 The euill prouocations of the pleope The daily suggestions of Sathan Ephe. 6.12 There were three persons spared in the old lawe from going on warfare He that was betrothed to a maide Deut. 20.7 He that was but new maried Deu. 24.5 He that was faint hearted Deut. 20.8 God sendeth raine cold heate tempest and such like oftentimes To punish man To profite the earth To declare his fauour towards man Iob. 37.13 c. One may lawfullie eate flesh at all times so it be done without scruple or doubting without offence of our brother without breach of godlie orders For euery creature of God is good and nothing ought to be refused if it be receiued with thankes-giuing 1. Tim. 4.4 Our meates are sanctified to vs by the word of God and praier Beza 1. Tim. 4.5 Because we confesse acknowledge that God is the maker giuer of those creatures which we vse Because wee are of the number of those who through Christes benefite haue recouered that right ouer all creatures which Adam lost by his fall Because by our praiers wee craue of the Lord that we may vse those meats with a good conscience which we receiue at his hands Such as by their doctrine will make difference of meates the same may be called diuellish or deceiptfull in three respects Beza Because the teachers of them make lawes of things which are not their owne for GOD created the meates Because they ouerthrowe with their decrees the end wherefore they were made of GOD to wit that we should vse them Because by this meanes they robbe GOD of his glorie who will bee honored in the vse of them Our behauiour ought to be vsed To our better reuerentlie To our equall louinglie To our vnderling lowlie We ought to call our elder father our yonger brother Euery man our neibor Mariage was instituted for three ends For a remedie against incontinencie For the propagation of children For the consolation of man and woman It is allowed of the Patriarkes commended by the Prophets followed of the Apostles Men are made chast three manner of waies Matth. 19.12 by Nature by Arte by Grace Such as are so borne of their mothers bellie Such as bee made chast by men Such as haue made thēselues chast for heauen We haue great cause to reioyce at these daies more than our predecessors had Because Christ hath made easie vnto vs that importable yoke they were subiect too Matth. 11.31 Because he hath brought vs the glad tidings of saluation which they longed to see Rom. 16.17 Because many Prophets and righteous men haue desired to see these daies Matth. 13.17 Although honest mirth be tollerable yet foolish or excessiue mirth is Vaine Wicked Dangerous because such mirth shal be mingled with mourning and the ende of such ioy is lamentation because thereby wee cleane forget the means that should make vs remēber our miserie Eccle. 7.4 because our Sauiour Christ saith wo bee to them that now laugh for they shall waile and weepe Luke 6.25 There be three kind of fooles Such as are naturallie borne without wit those those as Salomon saith are a griefe to the father a heauines to her that bare them Pro. 17.21 25. Such as become fooles and are so contented to be counted in this world that they may bee wise in the world to come 1. Cor. 3.18 Such as are giuen ouer to their owne lusts and follow al kind of filthines these are they whom Dauid calleth fooles who lewdlie saie in their hearts as they falslie thinke there is no God Psal 53.1 A wise man is noted and discerned three maner of waies By discreet silence By modest speach By sober life For as Salomon saith a foole by holding his peace is counted wise Prouer. 27.28 not that any should bee restrained of speach but that they should obserue oportunitie in speaking Hereof saith the Philosopher Qui nescit tacere nescit loqui For it is proper to fooles to bee full of friuolous talke but hee that hath knowledge saith the Wise man spareth his words Prouer. 17.27 For he that is heauenlie wise indeed will as S. Iames saith shew by conuersation his workes in meeknes of wisedome Iam. 3.13 Sicknes is verie necessarie for man Because thereby he is put in minde of his owne frailtie Eccle. 7.4 Because thereby he shall bee better incited to call vppon God 2. King 20.2 Because it is a testimonie vnto him of the loue of God Hebr. 12 6. He that is loath to frame himselfe to dye especiallie in sicknes doth shewe himselfe Vnnaturall Vnwise Wretched because he so little desires to be at home with his heauenlie father considering hee is here but as a stranger and a pilgrime Hebr. 11.13 because hee taketh felicitie in the vanitie of this world considering the fashion of it goes away 1. Cor. 7.13 because hee had rather still liue to augment his miserie than frame himselfe by a godlie ende to imbrace eternall blessednes In our sicknes we ought to remember To seeke to God to purge our sinnes which are the chiefe cause of all our diseases To vse the helpe of the Phisitian as a meane by whom God worketh To dispose our temporall goodes where they may make most to his glorie that gaue them For a man to make his Will in sicknes or health it is Lawfull Godlie Necessarie because the Lord willed Hezekiah to put his house in order before he died 2. King 20.1 because his minde being quiet in worldlie matters he shall the better applie it to heauenlie motiōs because a good stay being made it shall cut off occasion of cōtention that may happen afterward The mindes of men are verie mutable and their opinions especiallie such as be peruerse are verie scrupulous to please for He that did well offended some and yet was an Apostle Paul 2. Cor. 11.24 He that did worse pleased many and yet was but a Beast Herod Acts. 12.22 He that did best of all could not please al and yet was a God Christ Ioh. 10.20 England hath 3. especiall causes to be continuallie thankful to God for The free passage of the Gospell The blessed time of Peace The godly Gouernour thereof which Passage Peace Prince the Lord for his mercie sake still prosper preserue protect Amen FINIS