which is the head that is Christ. By whom all the body being coupled and knit together by euery ioynt for the furniture thereof according to the effectual power which is in the measure of euery part receiueth encrease of the body into the edifying of it selfe in loue Thirdly that shee is knit vnto Christ her head by an indissoluble vnion Colos. 1.18 And hee is the head of the body of the Church hee is the beginning and the first horne of the dead that in all things he might haue the preeminence Colos. 2.19 And holdeth not the head whereof all the body furnished and knit together by ioynts and hands encreaseth with the encreasing of God 1. Cor. 12.27 Now ye are the body of Christ and members for your part Ephes. 1.22.23 And hath made all things subiect vnder his feet and hath appointed him ouer all things to be the head to the Church Which is his body euen the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all things So as she is truly bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh Ephes. 5.30 For wee are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones One with Christ not in nature as the Trinity is one nor in person as the two natures in Christ but in spirit Ioh. 4.13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in vs because he hath giuen vs of his spirit For the spirit of the Sonne dwelleth in vs. Fourthly that shee is holy Ephes. 5.27 That he might make it vnto himselfe a glorious Church not hauing spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blame c. 1. Pet. 2.9 But ye are a chosen generation a royall priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darknesse into his maruellous light c. Dan. 7.18 And they shall take the kingdome of the Saints of the most high and possesse the kingdome for euer euen for euer and euer And so she is holy 1. By separation from the world in that the godly are consecrated to holy vses they are holy by calling 2. By inchoation of true holinesse in nature and practice Tit. 3.5 Not by the workes of righteousnesse which wee had done but according to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of the new birth and the renuing of the holy Ghost 3. By imputation of Christs holinesse being washed in his blood Heb. 10.10 By the which will we are sanctified euen by the offering of the body of Iesus Christ once made 4. By consummation of all holinesse in the other world Fifthly she is Catholick this is one of the Articles of the Creed the Church is Catholick in three respects 1. In respect of time all the godly being members of this one body though they liue in all the seuerall ages since the beginning of the world 2. In respect of place because all the iust both in heauen and earth are all of this one body Ephes. 1.10 That in the dispensation of the fulnesse of the times hee might gather together in one all things both which are in heauen and which are in earth euen in Christ. And so from all parts of the world is the Church gathered all the particular Churches in the world are but members of this Church vniuersall 3. In respect of persons because it is gathered especially since Christ out of all nations there being no difference put in respect of mens outward condition Reuel 5.9.10 And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the booke and to open the seales thereof because thou wast killed and hast redeemed vs to God by thy blood out of euery kindred and tongue and people and nation And hast made vs vnto our God Kings and Priests and wee shall raigne on earth Galath 3.28 There is neither Iew nor Grecian there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for yee are all one in Christ Iesus Sixthly that shee is militant that is she is in this life exposed to crosses and afflictions and tentations and oppositions 2. Timoth. 4.7.8 I haue sought a good fight and haue finished my course I haue kept the faith For henceforth is laid vp for me the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at the day and not to mee onely but vnto all them also which loue his appearing Luk. 9.24 For whosoeuer will saue his life shall lose it and whosoeuer shall lose his life for my sake the same shall saue it Act. 14.22 Confirming the disciples hearts and exhorting them to continue in the faith affirming that wee must through many afflictions enter into the kingdome of God c. Reuel 1.9 I Iohn euen your brother and companion in tribulation and in the kingdome and patience of Iesus Christ was in the isle called Patmos for the word of God and for the witnessing of Iesus Christ. Reuel 12.11 But they ouercame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the word of their testimony and they loued not their liues vnto the death c. Ephes. 6.12 For we wrastle not against flesh blood but against principalities against powers against the worldly gouernours the princes of the darknesse of this world c. Now the Lord would haue his Church so exposed to crosses both for his owne sake and for hers and for his enemies sake 1. For his owne sake that he might shew his hatred of sin euen in his owne and the glory also of his power and mercy in their deliuerance as well as his iustice in their afflictions 2. For their sakes that being in the warfare humbled and tamed for their sinnes they might not perish with the world 1. Cor. 11. 31.32 and may be herein like to Christ Rom. 8.27 3. For their enemies sake that they may know that they shall neuer bee spared if God spare not his owne children 1. Pet. 4.17 For the time is come that iudgement must begin at the house of God if it first begin at vs what shall the end be of them which obey not the Gospell of God Seuenthly that she is inuincible Matth. 16.18 And I say also vnto thee that thou art Peter and vpon this rocke I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not ouercome it Rom. 8.37 Neuerthelesse in all these things we are more then conquerers through him that loued vs. 38. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come 39. Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. 1. Pet. 5.10 And the God of all grace which hath called vs vnto his eternall glory by Christ Iesus after that yee haue suffered a little make you perfect confirme strengthen and stablish you c. The vses of these principles may be either
Gospell 2. Thes. 1.8 In flaming fier rendring vengeance vnto them that doe not know God and which obey not vnto the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ. And thus for terrour Lastly the doctrine of the last iudgement should be exceeding comfortable to al the godly and that in many respects First if they shall consider who shall be their Iudge euen he that is their brother husband aduocate head and redeemer hee that was iudged for their sakes and therefore they neede to feare no hard sentence from him Secondly if they consider the present assurance of hope For first hath not Christ giuen them many promises that it shal goe well with them at that day 2. Hath not Christ iustified them already and absolued thē from all their sinnes Rom. 3.24.25 3. Haue they not receiued the earnest of the spirit and the seale of the Sacraments 2. Cor. 1.21.22 2. Cor. 5.5 4. Haue they not iudged themselues and therefore are they not free from condemnation with the world 1. Cor. 11.31.32 5. They haue been iudged already the afflictions of this life will be accounted sufficient vnto them 1. Pet. 4.17 They may trust their soules to God and that God that hath begun his good worke in them will performe it till the day of Christ Philip. 1.5.6 1. Cor. 1.8 Thirdly if they consider the benefits they shall attaine vnto at that day for Christ will bee made maruellous in all them that beleeue 2. Thes. 1.10 They shall haue honour and praise their innocency shall be cleared and their miseries and sinnes ended And when Christ shall appeare then shall we also appeare with him in glory Colos. 3.4 Fourthly if they consider the circumstances of the Iudgment as 1. The neernesse of the time should make them hold vp their heads Matth. 24.22.33 Philip. 4.5 Let your patient mind be knowne vnto all men the Lord is at hand Iam. 5.8 Be ye also patient therfore and settle your hearts for the comming of the Lord draweth neere 2. The greatnesse of the assembly before whom they shall bee so much graced by Christ they shall be honoured before all men and Angels 3. The condition of the sentence it shall be a finall sentence neuer to bee reuoked but acknowledged to all eternity 4. And besides they shall haue this fauour that nothing shall bee remembred but goodnesse in good men their sinnes shall not bee mentioned vnto them Matth. 25. CHAP. XXVIII Of the glory of heauen 1. Cor. 2.9 But as it is written The things which eye hath not seene neither eare hath heard neither came into mans heart are which God hath prepared for them that loue him HItherto of the principles that concerne the resurrection the last iudgement The principles that concerne the glory of heauen follow There are foure principles concerning the glory of heauen The first concernes the greatnesse of it It is vnspeakable and in respect of vs heere on earth incomprehensible 1. Cor. 2.9 as in the beginning 1. Ioh. 3.2 Dearly beloued now are we the sonnes of God but yet it doth not appeare what we shall bee and we know that when we shall appeare we shall be like him for wee shall see him as he is Colos. 3.3.4 For yee are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God When Christ which is our life shall appeare then shall wee also appeare with him in glory 2. Cor. 12.4 How that hee was taken vp into Paradise and heard words which cannot bee spoken which are not possible for man to vtter Reuel 2.17 Let him that hath an eare heare what the spirit saith vnto the Churches to him that ouercommeth will I giue to eate of the manna that is hid and will giue him a white stone and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth sauing he that receiueth it Psal. 16.11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore Psalm 31.19 How great is thy goodnesse which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee and done to them that trust in thee euen before the sonnes of men The second concernes the continuance of it and so it is eternall and therefore is this life called eternall life and immortality Matthew 25. vers 46. And these shall goe into euerlasting paine and the righteous into life eternall 2. Timoth. 1.10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality vnto light through the Gospell 1. Pet. 1.4 To an inheritance immortall and vndefiled and that fadeth not away reserued in heauen for you c. 2. Cor. 5.1 For wee know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be destroyed we haue a building giuen of God that is an house not made with hands but eternall in the heauens The third concernes the cause of it Heauen is the gift of God and proceeds onely from his free grace and not for any merit in vs Luk. 12.32 Feare not little flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue you a kingdome Titus 3.4 But when the bountifulnesse and loue of God our Sauiour toward man appeared not for our righteousnesse but according to his mercy he saued vs c. Ioh. 3.16 For God so loued the world that he hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord c. 1. Pet. 1. all the chapter The fourth concernes the persons that shall enioy it the elect of God onely obtaine this glory 1. Cor. 15.50 c. This say I brethren that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdome of God neither doth corruption inherit incorruption Reuel 21.27 And there shall enter into it none vncleane thing neither whatsoeuer worketh abomination or lies but they which are written in the Lambes booke of life 1. Cor. 6.9 Know ye not that the vnrighteous shall not inherit the kingdome of God be not deceiued Neither fornicators nor Idolaters nor adulterers nor wantons nor buggeres c. Rom. 2.7 That is to them which by continuance in well doing seeke glory and honour and immortality eternall life 10. But to euery man that doth good shall be glory and honour and peace to the Iew first and also to the Grecian The vses follow and are either for instruction or for consolation First for instruction and then the doctrine of the glory of heauen should worke diuers impressions vpon our hearts 1. We should with all earnestnesse importune God to enable vs to behold by the effectualnesse of contemplation the greatnesse of that felicity is prouided for vs in heauen wee are naturally extreamly vnable for the contemplation of it wee should beseech God by his spirit to force open our eyes and make vs able to stand and gaze with admiration at
they were created as appeares Genes 3.7 c. and thus they did loose God Paradise Gods Image And that they lost it speedily appeares in that the diuell is called a murtherer from the beginning and the fall is presently related after the story of his innocency in the creation That this losse befell them only for their owne grieuous sinne Gen. 3. Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death went ouer all men for as much as all men haue sinned Eccles. 7.29 as before That by their sinne we are all defiled and depriued of the glory of God Rom. 5.12 as before 18.19 Likewise then as by the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation so by the righteousnesse of one the benefit abounded toward all men to the iustification of life For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many also bee made righteous The vses follow The vses of these wofull principles may be first for information and so we should study to satisfie and settle our hearts more at large concerning two things The one is the grieuousnes of the first offence The other is the Iustice of God in deriuing the losse to vs. For the first there bee many things may assure vs that the sin of our first parents was a most grieuous sinne for it admitteth fearefull aggrauations as 1. That they durst venture all their happines about so small an aduantage to them If we think it was a smal offence to eat an apple think with all it was a desperat wickednes to venture eternal life for the possession of an apple 2. This was Gods first commandement that he gaue them and to neglect God so soone in a thing wherin they might so easily haue obeyed must needs appeare to be desperat wickednes 3. This sinne was committed when they had no inward concupiscence to tempt them nor that pronenesse of nature that is in man now to sinne 4. They offended when God had abundantly prouided for them they wanted nothing that was good for them 5. They herein violated the whole Law because they broke the agreemēts which were made betweene God and them according to that of Iames 2.10 For whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Law and yet faileth in one point he is guilty of all 6. Because it was a sacramentall fruit to cast bread to dogs is no great offence but to cast consecrated bread to dogs is a grieuous sinne 7. This sinne was accompanied with diuers monstrous sinnes first horrible doubting of Gods truth secondly compacting with Gods vtter enemy and so making Apostacy from God to the Diuell thirdly consent to the blasphemies of the diuell when he spake enuiously and scoffingly at God fourthly affectation of diuinity fifthly a wretchlesse disregard of what should become of his posteritie through his ventrous course with many other sinnes For the second God was iust in deriuing this losse to their posteritie for Adam was the common roote of all mankind and we were in his loines as Leui was in Abrahams when hee paied tithes and are not traitors punished in their children the Act of a burgesse in the Parliament is the Act of the country But yet at least godly men should not beget vngodly children They beget children as men not as godly men I meane they deriue such a nature as they haue which is corrupt after calling though they bee iustified perfectly yet they are sanctified but in part The father that was circumcised did beget a child that was vncircumcised and take the cleanest corne in the world and sow it and it brings forth chaffe in the eare with the corne Thus much for information The doctrine of the fall may serue also for instruction and so both in generall particular In generall it should teach vs foure things First to take heed of the fountaines of all Apostacie There were three things occasioned mightily the fall of our first parents The first was a rebellious desire to bee what God would not haue vs to be The second vnthankfulnesse all the pleasures of Paradise will not please them if they bee crossed in some one thing though neuer so little The liberty they tooke to adde or detract frō Gods word they added the word touch and they detracted when they said lest ye die and these three sinnes are and euer will be causes of Apostacie if they bee not preuented Secondly let vs here bee warned while wee liue to keepe out of the company of such as fall away from the truth as the diuell did for all Apostates are like the diuell they will not be quiet till they make others fall away with them Thirdly we should hence for euer be warned to looke to our selues and make conscience euen of lesser sinnes we see heere what the eating of an apple did which the most men would faine thinke was but a small matter and the rather because monstrous sinnes may be committed about a smal offence in it selfe Thinke of the man that gathered stickes on the Sabbath day and of the case of Ananias and Sapphira We must get on our armour and make all the prouision wee can against the Diuell Wee see here how he thirsts after the ruine of man and if hee preuailed so ouer Adam how much more easily may he preuaile ouer vs and if hee could deceiue by the meanes of a serpent there how much more now when he speaketh to vs by men like our selues yea then we saw a proofe of it For how quickly was Adam enticed when the diuell spake to him in the mouth of Eue his wife And we may here obserue the Diuels method in tempting and the degrees of tentation For there was 1. First the suggestion it self 2. The obscuring of the thoughts about the eminency of God and the excellency of the image receiued of him 3. An impression of forgetfulnesse in the memory not distinctly remembring what was before done or commanded of God 4. The tickling of ambition affecting to be more then they were 5. Trust giuen to the flatteries and baites of the diuell and a contracted familiarity with him with inclination of the will and affection to the prohibited fruit Thus much in generall In particular foure sorts must be warned 1. First women should heere bee much humbled and for euer be mistrustfull of their Counsels and carriage for Satan knowes how to make vse of them still 2. Secondly men must take heed of the whisperings and enticing aduice of women 3. Thirdly the weake must carefully looke to themselues that Satan imploy not them as instruments of tentations and they should learne not to bee so violent in things they are not fully grounded in 4. The strong must take heed lest they fall If Adam fell in Paradise they are in more danger now in the world neither may they trust in their owne gifts but learne to place all their
company out of coÌ„mpanie Hypocrisie pride security vnbeleefe impenitency c. In prosperity aduersity c. Partaking with others sinne Our owne righteousnesse as Esa. 64.6 is as filthy clouts and we all doe fade like a leafe and our iniquities like the wind haue taken vs away Besides personall faults as drunkennesse vsury swearing whoredome c. workes of the flesh Galath 5.19.20.21 Moreouer the workes of the flesh are manifest which are adultery fornication vncleannesse wantonnesse c. The vses of these principles are fourefold First for information and that in 9. things For hereby we may know 1. That there can be no iustification by our workes Rom. 9.20 Therefore by the workes of the law shall no flesh hee iustified in his sight for by the law commeth the knowledge of sinne Psalm 130.3 If thou O Lord straitly markest iniquities O Lord who shall stand For euery mouth must bee stopped and all the world bee guilty before God 2. That the cause of all Gods dis-regard of vs and the miseries that befall vs is in our selues How can we murmure at our crosses if wee looke vpon our sinnes There is mercy in the greatest Iudgement for it is his mercy wee are not consumed Lam. 3.22 It is the Lords mercy that we are not consumed because his compassions faile not c. If Adams one sinne deserued it what doe all these in vs. 3. That it will neuer goe well with the wicked though God forbeare for a long time Eccles. 8.11.12 Because sentence against an euill worke is not executed speedily therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set to doe euill But it shall not be well to the wicked neither shall hee prolong his dayes he shall be like a shadow because he feareth not before God 4. That no man hath cause to brag of his good nature there are so many springs of sin within vs. 5. That the things that defile a man are from within in himselfe it is not any outward deformitie ill cloathes naturall foulenesse c. 6. That a little repentance will not serue the turne 7. That there is difference betweene the wicked and the godly in sinning 8. Concerning Gods prouidence in the death of Infants we kill young snakes and adders because they will sting as well as the old because they haue stung 9. Say not God is the cause of our ruine nor is it thy chance or ill lucke or onely the diuell that brought thee into this or that mischiefe it is thine owne ill nature Secondly for humiliation First to the godly in two respects 1. Because they find so many of their old corruptions hauing receiued such graces and mercies from God 2. Because they yet are the meanes of the conueiance of originall sinne to their children Secondly to such wicked men as liue in open sinnes yet repent not Why doth their hearts cary them away Iob 15.12.14 Haue the workers of iniquitie no knowledge are they guiltie of so many reasons and fallen into the hands of a righteous Iudge and yet secure Psal. 82.5 They know not and vnderstand nothing they walke in darkenesse albeit all the foundations of the earth be moued To ciuill honest men for here they may learne how vild their estate is though God haue restrained some euils in them for 1. They want the Image of God 2. They haue an infected nature in all the former fourteene things 3. There is in them a disabilitie in the manner of all holy duties 4. They partake of other mens sinnes many waies 5. They are guiltie of many omissions 6. They abound in inward sinnes by which God is vexed as Genes 6.5 When the Lord saw that the wickednesse of man was great in the earth and all the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart were onely euill continually and Satan by theÌ„ can set vpâ—â— strong holds 2 Co. 10.5 7. They are guilty of many outward euils against the least commandements The third vse is for instruction so strong Christians should learne to admire and praise God 1. That could bee pacified Oh what is maÌ„ that God should here looke vpon such a dounghill 2. That hath so vouchsafed to make vs cleane in part from such filthinesse taking away the body of sinnes and seasoning the fountaine and drying it vp Secondly weake Christians should neuer bee at rest till they get assurance of their pardon in the blood of Iesus Christ. Thirdly all the godly 1. Sould striue after the contrary holinesse and to expresse the reformation of their natures and liues Ephes. 4.22 and cast off concerning the conuersation in times past the old man which is corrupt through the deceiueable lusts c. 2. Should walke humbly all their daies because of the many remainders of corruption as Rom. 7.15.16 c. For I allow not that which I doe for what I would that doe I not but what I hate that doe I. and looke to their hearts Heb. 3.12 Taking heed lest at any time there be in any of them an euill heart and vnfaithfull to depart away from the liuing God And looking to it that sin raigne no more Rom. 6.16 c. 3. It should worke in all the godly a wonderfull desire of finall redemption Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shalt deliuer me from the body of this death Psalm 14.7 Oh giue saluation vnto Israel out of Zion when the Lord turneth the captiuity of his people then Iacob shall reioyce and Israel shall be glad Oh how should wee desire to get out of the world seeing all so leprous the plague sore running vpon euery man so as we are in danger to be infected in all places and by all persons 4. It should worke in wicked men a feruent desire of remission and constant indeuour in the confession of sinne crying out daily with the leper vncleane vncleane The last vse is for consolation 1. First to all men for the Lord vseth this as an argument of pitie and mercy Genes 8.21 And the Lord smelled a sauour of rest and the Lord said in his heart I will hence forth curse the ground no more for mans cause for the imaginations of mans heart is euill euen from his youth neither will I smite any more all things liuing as I haue done Isaiah 48.8.9 I knew that thou wouldest grieuously transgresse therefore haue I called thee a transgressor from thy wombe yet for my name sake will I deferre c. 2. Chro. 6.35.36 Then heare thou in heauen their prayer and their supplication and iudge their cause If they sin against thee for there is no man that sinneth not and thou be angrie with them and deliuer them vnto the enemies and they take them and carry them away captiue vnto a land farre and neere c. 2. To the godly they should admiringly reioice in their priuiledge in the blood of Christ and in the remission of all their sins CHAP. X. Of the punishment of sinne Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as