Angels were unable to help us herein This hath Christ done for us and that fully the dignity of his person being such that he is both God and Mâ—n in one person Of this the blood of the lamb sprinkled on the Israelites houses was a sign all Sacrifices tended hereunto our Sacraments point thereat all Scripture layeth our Salvation in the Cross Blood and Sufferings of Christ. Here see 1. An admirable mixture of Justice and Mercy so that God is not all mercy as the world imagines Therefore for prophane impenitent ones they shall bear the just wrath of God themselves and not by every late forced Lord have mercy have God at command as they imagine For if Christ was feign to suffer and the Father would not be intreated notwithstanding his strong cries but when he stood as our Surety laid on load and spared him not at all shall his prophane enemies think to escape as they list 2. Gods infinite mercy to mankinde to appoint a way to save some of them whereas no Angel that fell shall be saved 3. It sets out the depth of our misery therefore they that are still in it have no small piece of work to bring to pass 4. It teacheth us how to esteem of sin as being of that weight that nothing but the blood of Christ will satisfie for it 5. Its sets out the infinite and unspeakable love of God to give us his Son and of Christ to give himself seeing no less means would serve Who can sufficiently either admire or express the same 6. Here 's matter of endless consolation to all troubled sinners when Satan and the terrors of Conscience shall pursue them to flie to Christ Jesus and his sufferings This is their Castle their quietus est send Satan to thy Surety all is fully discharged in his death But this is only for humble bleeding sinners that turn to God with all their hearts but as for proud persons that live still in their lusts what have these to do to talk of Christs death yet have these it in readiness Christ hath died for us What for such prophane ones as make his death a packhorse and lay on more load which is to crucifie Christ again No let these know they shall bear the burthen of their own sins but let the true penitent be of good comfort and know that all his sins how great soever be done away Neither let such think that their afflictions are any part of the punishment of sin for it is all done away once in Christ and therefore shall not again be demanded of them but they are loving chastisements to humble them for their sins past and prevent others for the time to come both furthering their Salvation 7. For all that know they have their part in Christs death how should this work with them 1. For sin past it should vex and grieve our hearts for we were the Crucifiers of Christ Judas the Soldiers and Jews but our Servants whom our sins set on work It 's our great fault that we can think of our sins without being humbled shall Christ shed tears of blood for our sins and we not be troubled for our own 2. This should make us hate sin for ever being as it were the knife and spear that killed Christ what father could ever love that knife that should kill his childe 3. How should this inflame our hearts with love to him again and carry us on in a zealous care of obedience all our days our woful coldness in Christs cause and service deserves to be rebuked Alas how little will we do for his sake we ought to be ready to leave Goods Liberty and Life for him we should herein but do as he hath done for us yea who began thus to do for us when we were even his enemies How much more any other thing And may not this stop the mouths of all prophane persons which will be talking they hope to be saved by Christ when they shew no love nor thankfulness to him but live yet in their sins to anger him 8. An exclusion of all feigned and false satisfactions of mens own devising whereof the Church of Rome is full which would strike in for a part with the merit of Christs death which makes a great stir about the Cross when in the mean time they make void its efficacy Sprinkling c. By this word he alludeth to the sacrifices of the Law which all pointed at the sacrifice of Christ and to shew that as it had been nothing that a sacrifice had been killed unless the blood thereof had been sprinkled upon the people for so was the maner so it avails us nothing that Christ died unless his blood be sprinkled on us by the hand of a true faith applying Christ Jesus to our Consciences It s not Christ that saves but Christs death apprehended by a true and lively faith for a particular perswasion hereof are we to labor Here also in this verse is an excellent proof of the holy Trinity three persons and one God which is so to be worshipped all that do otherwise worship an Idol and not the true God Again observe That Election is attributed to the Father Redemption to the Son Sanctification to the Holy Ghost It 's not but that they be the common works of the whole Trinity as all the works of God towards the Creatures are in which respect Sanctification is also attributed to the Father but because of their immediate working The Father elected in the Son and by the Holy Ghost Father Son and Holy Ghost elected The Son is the immediate worker of our Redemption he shed his blood as the Holy Ghost the immediate worker of Sanctification Grace unto you and Peace be multiplied The usual salutation of the Jews asking the favor of God as the root and peace that is all happiness as that which flows from thence for so by peace the Jews meant Peace be with you Peace be to this house c. Hence note 1. That we should seek the favor of God as that which draweth on other things yea all things for in love is no lack Men may have other things without this but they will have an ill farewel as they that have possession but no right title to that which they possess 2. What a Minister should chiefly desire for his people even that they may be brought into Gods favor by Christ have their sins forgiven Christ made theirs and they assured thereof with so much prosperity as may stand with happiness So Husbands and Wives each for other So also Parents for their Children The favor and grace of God is the principal and root of all good Men may have abundance of outward things but if they flow not from Gods love they will have a hard farewel This brings sufficiency In his favor is life yea this were sufficient if it came alone but in
above all others Oh! it rebukes our cold serving him which will scarce lay down our lusts at his request who yet laid down his life for us our proud lusts revenging lusts covetous and worldly lusts unclean lusts c. O fearful unthankfulness And how hardly are we brought to do duties No forwardness therein negligence every way and when we do them how cold and careless are we O lamentable Is a cold drowsie service suitable to such a love as this we may be even ashamed herein And for suffering alas we have no will no not to endure a mock a frown of a great person we will make friendship with the world rather then to endure the least disgrace we will forbear many duties nay to keep company with Gods servants onely lest we should be counted Puritans How shall we then be able to go to Prison and death for the cause of Christ 3. To all that mourn in Sion to all that are heavy laden hungring after Christ Jesus and willing to take up his yoke and to all other Believers this is matter of most unspeakable consolation Their sins be gone and all the punishment due to them no punishment shall befal them here as on the ungodly no wrath or condemnation hereafter Their afflictions are merciful corrections to further their Salvation To them death is no death but a passage to life that whereupon their Souls are received into Heaven their bodies committed to the earth both which at the Resurrection shall be joyfully reunited O how should we walk worthy of this in all holiness and honesty But to all that shall not have part in Christ there remains unspeakable misery it had been good for them they had never been born they must bear their own burthen and sink to Hell there to be for ever and ever This will be the portion of most because so few receive Christ so few are humbled so many through pride and profaneness refuse to be guided by him O how few will cast away their lusts and yield up themselves to be ruled by him and his Word It will be most woful to the Turks Jews and Pagans that shall perish without Christ but yet of all others their judgement will be most fearful which have had him preached daily and by the Ministers of God have been so often besought to embrace him and yet have despised him would none of him Oh it will encrease their torment to consider that they had offer of Christ and many believed in him and were converted by the same Sermons whereat they themselves were no whit moved O this will fret hearts O le ts consider this we that live in this happy time One would think every man should receive and imbrace Christ Jesus but alas how few do this for them that do not it will be their undoing O give no rest unto your selves till you can get a discharge in and by Christ confess bewail crave pardon cry to God and resolve to turn to him The water is now stirring step into this Pool of Bethesda 4. This condemneth all false ways for Salvation for other then Christ never was any neither is or shall be therefore all that reject him as Jews and Turks or embrace him onely to halves as the Papists are in a fearful case as all among our selves that trust to any thing else besides him That we being dead to sin c. Another main end of Christs death and another great benefit redounding unto us thereby namely That he dyed for us not onely to free us from sins and wrath and damnation deserved thereby but also to kill sins in us to deliver us from the power thereof and to dissolve the works of the Devil in us that being dead unto sin we might live unto righteousness Of the words first in general then in particular In general note we thus much that For whomsoever Christ dyed he dyed to kill sin in them for he dyed not to free us of half our misery and leave us in the other half nor to be at a great deal of cost with us and for us and yet leave us in a case fit to do him no service as if one should ransom a man out of the Turks galleys and leave him in the midway but hath done all this that we might be fit to do him service thereupon giving us his Word and Spirit to humble us and so to change us that sin may be mortified in us and we made live He is not onely made of God unto us Redemption but also our Sanctification as he hath redeemed us so hath he purged us to be a peculiar people unto himself Christ affords both and from him we may as well look for the one as the other yea whosoever hath indeed his part in the one cannot be without the other and in token of our thankfulness we ought to labor by all means to shew forth this latter 1. This confutes that wicked slander of the Church of Rome We talk say they that we must be saved by Christs death and by Faith in him onely and not by any thing we can do and therefore that we set men at liberty to do what they list and open a gap to all licentiousness but as the Gospel is not a Doctrine of liberty so neither do we by preaching give way unto licentiousness The Gospel requires as strict obedience as the Law doth to every of Gods Commandments though not in extremity neither freeth it us from any duty to God or men yea teacheth us That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world and that none have nor can have part in Christ which give not themselves to good works 2. This setteth forth the wonderful goodness of Christ Jesus that hath not onely freed us from Gods wrath and the punishment of our sins which is unspeakable goodness but hath appointed to give us his Spirit to free us from sin for if we should all our life here have lived after our own lusts or under the power of Satan what a base and woful life had this been that we might both in heart and body serve him in the works of holiness and a godly life 3. This condemneth all those that lay claim to the death of Christ and yet live in their sins and old lusts Numbers in these days have got this by the end They hope to be saved by Jesus Christ They be no Papists that look to be saved by their works but they believe in Jesus Christ with all their hearts and yet they are not washed from their old filthiness but abide still in security in all or some of their lusts But let such know they speak impossible things God hath joyned these two ends of Christs death and they divide them yea blasphemous things that Christ dyed to set men at liberty to live as they list O woful
it hath been to beget you to the faith Let us take heed of being removed from our Faith either in general or in particular let us take heed of being shaken and put from our good course and drawn into evil through prosperity or of being choked by preferment or daunted by affliction and persecution Q. If a man having begun in truth do use the means carefully may he be assured of perseverance A. Some think that no man can have any such assurance or hold out to the end considering what man is in himself what the Devil what the World c. but though we be subject to fall away every hour and if we should compare our selves with the oppositions of our Spiritual Enemies we might even utterly despair yet we are in a strong hand to be kept Our life is hid with Christ in God we are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation Those that are justified and sanctified though of mean parts yet are sure and safe The least measure of grace shall stand when the greatest gifts without grace shall fall away Verse 11. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen HAving had occasion to speak of Gods mercy in Christ Jesus he cannot but break out into praise and thanksgiving Whence we may learn That Upon the consideration of our Election in Christ as also our effectual Calling c. we must at no time cease praising the Lord thus do the Saints and Angels in Heaven and it will be our work there which therefore we should begin here We must labor throughout our whole course of life to glorifie God yea seeing Dominion and Power belongs unto Christ herein is our comfort herein the welfare of the Church of God and every particular Christian Christ bears the sway else wo were to us Verse 12. By Silvanus a faithful Brother unto you as I suppose I have written briefly exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand ANother part of the conclusion namely A commendation of his Epistle 1. From the Messenger he sends it by Silvanus whom he commends for a faithful Christian and Minister and one that loved them well and was careful for them as he was perswaded and saw cause to move him so to think 2. He sets down the sum of his Epistle consisting of two parts 1. His testifying by infallible Arguments That that was the true Religion and way of Salvation which they believed and yet stood in though there were other false Religions yet was this the onely true Religion 2. His exhorting of them earnestly not to suffer themselves to be removed from the same by any means whatsoever so that he wrote not about trifles but about the main namely To signifie and prove to them the true Religion and to perswade them to constancy therein By Silvanus The Apostles had some to attend them and assist them to write and send to the Churches not for pomp but necessary use and furthering of the work This grew after to pomp and state under Popery but pomp and state beseems not the Ministers of the Gospel howsoever its meet that they should have necessary furtherance He sends this Epistle by this Silvanus whom he so highly commends he pickt him out of purpose for he would not commend such a jewel a prime piece of the Churches treasure to every ordinary person he also was fit to certifie them of the Apostles minde therein and preach out of it to them It s meet holy things should be in the handling of holy persons See 1 Eli's sons made the people loath the Sacrifice of the Lord Even the meanest Officer in the Church is to be of some understanding and of sober honest conversation not a base person Swearer Drunkard c. it s a loathsom thing to see such having any thing to do with Church-businesses A faithful Brother He was a good and faithful Christian and a faithful Brother in the Ministry good both in his general and particular calling the one is the ground and tryal of the other He that is no good Christian can be no good Magistrate Minister Housholder c. and he that is no good Magistrate c. is no good Christian In that the Apostle gives him such a good commendation 1. It teacheth every one of us to labor for a good name and report in the Church of God as Job Zachary and Elizabeth Barnabas Obadiah with others had This is better then good oyntment then much gold and silver What a blessing while we live and after death a fragrant memory 2. It rebuketh those that live so badly as the Church nor Charity it self cannot speak well of them as also such as live so doubtfully and suspiciously as in some things they give some hope in others they dash it again so that there 's none can give any full testimony of them Such provide ill for themselves Unto you He was very loving and faithful to them hereof the Apostle informs them that they might esteem the more of him and profit the better by him Such as are faithful in their Ministery draw their peoples hearts to them and their Ministery whereby they receive much comfort as their people profit 1. This rebukes the great unfaithfulness of numbers of Ministers they have little care or conscience for their peoples good But 2. If Ministers be loving and faithful to them then ought they again to regard them much lest else they discourage them in their Ministery As I suppose The Original word signifies more as by casting mine accounts I finde or by laying things together I can gather yet not such a confident word but kept within bounds whatsoever might fall out Here note 1. That we ought to think and speak as well of Ministers and others as we have cause and as we have grounds to warrant us not keeping from them their due regard and commendation much less speak evil of them that deserve well But herein great numbers fail with whom one infirmity in their brethren shall drown their many good graces yea are ready to hear ill reports and believe them though they be never so uncertain or ungrounded 2. That we ought to be wise and wary in our commendations Many have repented that they have so largely commended others when as they did not walk answerably much hurt hath come this way We had need be wary except we have more then ordinary experience for the heart of man is deceitful and many good beginnings to the eye have not proved so well yet if any should not prove well it can be no great disparagement to them that have spoke well of them so they have been moderate therein for all the Apostles were deceived in Judas as Paul of Demas I have written The Apostles great care of their good Having entred them he would confirm them and now that he could not
this therefore be a mean rather to draw men on to Religion then set them off from it 2. Some say They make a great shew and be very hot for a while and after they fall off and become as others as bad as who is worst which we think is because having begun they see nothing in it and so they return to their old courses as that which is better A. You might have guessed many truer Reasons It s not that a true Christian is fallen away or one that hath truly tasted of the goodness of the Lord and finding no sweetness in it returns to his old byas as the better state but it is that he that was but an hypocrite though he made a shew is discovered now he hung to the bark but was never ingrafted went out from us but was not of us and Christ coming as is foretold shal make the thoughts of many hearts to be opened It s the easiest thing in the world to be deceived and few build sure and God will have some such Revolters both for the good of his servants which are thereby made the more wary to build sure and look to themselves better then otherwise they would and for the just falling of the wicked that they which will take no benefit by any thing as by Preaching and by the godly lives of the servants of God but rather seek for lets may meet with such blocks falling in their way to their Destruction If some fall away what then The Word hath foretold there shall be hypocrites in the Church yet there be some have held out constantly yea to the death in Prison and flames and loved not their lives so well as the Truth who have found indeed the sweetness of that Christian life from which they would never part Let us therefore begin in Truth and we shall never fall from it as the hypocrites do le ts look to our selves there may be times of tryal wherein many will fall away 3. Some stumble at the falls of Professors We see not say they but they be as bad as other folks and seeing they make a shew of forwardness more then others I would have them shew it by their lives but they are as Covetous as others as Froward Hasty and Furious if they be stirred A. I see you can tell how others should live though you have no minde to it your selves True they should lead their life answerable to their Profession and do not a great many so even their Neighbors that live by them with Eagles eyes yea even their Adversaries being Judges Why doth not this provoke them and you and what if some having boisterous natures and strong corruptions which for want of heedfulness and care prevail over them for a time and so they fall to do something uncomely yea and for a long time walk not so watchfully as they ought is this matter enough for you to mislike Religion The Gospel teacheth not this but the contrary therefore is it not in fault that you should fall out with it Doth any man dislike a Trade because some of the Trade be bad persons and are at sometimes overshot therein Christianity and the denying of our selves is not so easie a matter as that it should be expected a man should straightway as soon as he hath entred upon the profession of Religion be perfect although we ought to look and labor thereto diligently 4. Some stumble at the great humiliation of some Professors who by going to Sermons have been even at their wits end and so troubled as that all their friends could not comfort them yea some have been in such dispair as they have been almost besides themseves and some have made away themselves by drowning hanging or otherwise and they that have not been so yet though they were as merry before they went to Sermons as one would wish after have been so dumpish and heavy as that they would never be merry and I would be loth will some such say to come to this pass therefore I do not mean to trouble my head about such matters A. Many through Gods goodness be truly humbled and yet in short time finde comfort others more deeply cast down and longer held without comfort whom though they walk heavily as they have cause yet God sustains and in due time they get comfort who if they should be held under all their life and yet obtain it at last were much bound to God and their estate infinitely more happy then to live as before in security Yea if any should be so deeply cast down and for want of means of comfort living in desert places wanting publique and private helps or having them be troubled also with the humor of melancholy and the Devil subtilly watching his advantage when both these meer should draw them into some temptation to lay violent hands upon themselves yet I had rather a thousand times be in the case of such a one that being lost hath sought after mercy and salvation and had it in chase and yet were held off by unbelief Satans temptations and their own distemper Being in seeking of it their state could not but be good what ever became of the body For Blessed are they that hunger and thirst c. Better I say is the case of such a one though it be somewhat grievous then either of prophane ones or civil persons that never make question about their salvation but God be thanked such examples are few and very rare Many indeed there be that make away themselves by hanging drowning cutting their throats c. of whom we hear ever and anon but not one of a thousand of those upon any such cause but upon Covetousness Pride Discontent Worldly grief meeting with such Afflictions and Persons as cross their Wills and having no Grace nor Faith to bear them up in them they sink under them and yield to the Devils temptations as Achitophel So that you need not keep away from Sermons lest you should be troubled in your wits and make away your selves but rather hear the Word and labor for Faith or else you may be more likely a thousand times for want of Faith when Afflictions come to hang your selves then otherwise And is it not strange that if one of an hundred upon trouble of Conscience come to such an end that should be a stone to stumble at and all the other should be leapt over and be no means to provoke people to the Word and to Faith a sign they are willing to stumble And whereas there are some that are upon some occasion or naturally distracted in their Wits and craized in their brains and so miscarry people must be so wise as to know that this is no trouble of Conscience yet a number are so foolish that they put no difference Therefore never fear being troubled at the Word for if thou beest not troubled in this World for thy sins thou shalt howl in Hell for them eternally And where
which is That thus to put up wrongs were the way indeed still to have more and more wrongs put upon us as if they should precisely follow the Rule of the Word in their dealings poverty and beggery could not but quickly come upon them both which are and have been found contrary 2. Whoso desires to live and that peaceably let him take this course hating and avoiding trouble and vexation so much as in him lieth Let us learn to be wise and thus provide for a quiet life that we may be the fitter to serve God and do good to our selves and others if we do not believe and practice the same we shall do him less honor then we do a Physician whose prescripts we use for procuring health and when trouble comes upon us we may justly blame our selves for the same O be guided by the Word how else shall you live a comfortable and quiet life David and Peter who here urge the same knew this by experience What is herein required of us hath been throughout all ages long taught though not much learn'd Thus in general For he that will love life Life and long life are blessings of God to be desired and delighted in of Gods children See to this purpose Gen. 25. 8. Exod. 20. 12. Job 5. 26. 1 Chron. 29. 28. Psal. 128. 6. Prov. 3. 16. yea the Apostle counts it a mercy of God that Epaphroditus was restored to health To be taken away untimely is as an apple pulled from the Tree before it be ripe by living long we shall get to our souls an assurance of Gods love with more and more evidences thereof to the encrease of our joys hereby also we have time and means to grow in grace and sanctification and to have the image of God restored in us more clearly and fully hereby also we shall do God much service in Church and Commonwealth and that better at the last then at the first as being bettered through experience and hence it is that Gods servants have sometimes prayed against death and desired still to live as David and Hezekiah Quest. How is this to be counted a blessing seeing many of Gods dear servants go without it and are taken away betimes R. It s but a Temporal blessing and so Gods people may be debarred thereof as of health wealth and such like and that sometimes for correction of sin howsoever God saveth their souls as on the Corinthians for their unworthy receiving of the Sacrament so good Josiah going to war without Gods command was killed in the battel so many a Minister is taken from his people for their making no better use of him as many a husband from his wife for not regarding him or trusting too much on him the like might be instanced in other sometimes in mercy that they may not see the evils to come and thus also amends is made them they are paid weight in gold for weight in silver in stead of long life in this world they have longer time in Heaven Q. How is long life a blessing seeing even many of the wicked enjoy it R. Though it be in it self a blessing as whereby they enjoy many good comforts in this life and are not so soon in Hell as they deserve and besides have space and time to repent yet as they handle the matter it s no blessing but contrarily proves a means of the encrease of their sin and so of their condemnation Quest. How is life and the continuance thereof to be desired as a blessing seeing it hath been the desire of Gods people to be dissolved and to be with Christ R. We must not desire to live because we would live but because we would live to Gods glory our own and the good of others neither must we desire to dye for it self for that is against nature nor because of our crosses and troubles but that we may cease to sin and be with God in his heavenly Kingdom perfectly both holy and happy We must desire to be with God but yet we must not be so importunate as though we would prevent the Lord and make away our selves wittingly or negligently shorten our lives Again we must not so love our life as that we should be unwilling to yield it up if God will or to redeem the continuance thereof with an ill Conscience and denying God for he that so loves his life shall lose it and his soul too Both then may be desired but because we know not what is best we must not be our own carvers but commend our selves to God to be disposed of It s a base thing to desire life to be great enjoy pleasures be revenged of our enemies and the like Q. Whence is it that most men are strongly carried after long life R. 1. Through the corruption of nature To love life is natural but to love it so exceedingly is of corruption 2. Through ignorance and unbelief of the things of a better life 3. Through the love of worldly profits pleasures and prefermentss That such fail herein may thus appear we should not love the world nor the things thereof The whole world cannot satisfie the soul our life is but a breath a blast our days are determined beyond which we cannot pass we are here but strangers and pilgrims So long as we live we are lyable as well to sin as crosses by reason thereof Of the things here wherein we place happiness what certainty is there friends may forsake us fail us remove from us dye wealth also and honor are uncertain There 's no small labor both in getting and keeping them as there cannot but be grief in parting with them yea for the most part they prove hurtful and drown men in perdition In a word the commodities of a better life are infinitely beyond all those in this life 1. Seeing long life is a blessing we ought to be heartily thankful to God that we have lived thus long and do yet live 2. When we crave of God the continuance thereof we must so use it as that it may be a blessing to us wherein we may get the assurance of our Salvation grow in grace and do good They that do thus may account their life a blessing for those that do otherwise it had been good they had dyed long ago 3. We must take heed that we do not shorten our lives and so deprive out selves of this blessing through Whoring Drinking Gaming too too many thus do as if they should not be ni Hell time enough 4. We ought to use all good means for the continuance of their lives that be dear to us be careful especially not to provoke God to deprive us of them so should Subjects of their Prince and godly Magistrates People of their faithful Pastors Husbands and Wives each of other c. And see good days That is enjoy here in this world
couragious in a good cause then stomackful if patient then blockish if wise in their matters then subtle fellows if diligent in their place very officious busie medlers troublesome if they run not to the same excess with others then precize fools c. Thus even for their godliness do they speak evil of them and so call light darkness and darkness light 1. Therefore Gods people must walk wonderful warily 2. They must not think it over-strange nor be discouraged if notwithstanding all their care of well-doing they be ill spoken of 3. We must not readily believe of men that have carried themselves well all that we hear but try it out ere we censure or change our minde 4. For ill speakers It s a woful badge of Ishmaels generation that shall be shut out of Heaven and of Satans brood who accuseth the Brethren Cursed are they God hath appointed a time to judge them for their cruel speakings Nay the world will not only speak ill of Gods Servants but do ill to them slay them as Cain dib Abel imprison them and pinch them as Ahab did Micaiah cast them into a dungeon as the people did Jeremiah into the Lyons den with Daniel spoil them of their goods as those in Heb. 10. 34. rack them torment them torture them even such as the world is not worthy of and that for their good works so Herod dealt by John Baptist and thus were the Apostles served and after the Martyrs in the Primitive Church and since multitudes under Antichrist If therefore we meet with hard dealing and doing as well as speaking we must not think it strange If we can hardly bear a few ill words how shall we bear stripes how Imprisonment and loss of all yea toturings and death ye have not yet resisted unto blood or undergone the fiery tryal we have infinite cause to be thankful together for our governors for if they were so minded as many particular persons there would be no peace for any zealous Christian If I had authority will some say I would hang up all these Puritan knaves c. Neither must we think the worse of those that be troubled for the the very best have been thus dealt withal They may be ashamed c. The best way to stop the mouthes of the world and to make them think well that they have done otherwise is not by goodly great words but by a good and constant godly conversation Thus David convinced Saul for he spared him when he could have once and again killed him Thus have many who have thought very hardly of such and such upon reports which they have heard of them upon the view of their godly and innocent carriage been much grieved that they were so far abused Thus were the Martyrs thought well of by the common people yea by great ones yea by their very Jaylors 1. As therefore we would muzzle and stop the mouthes of our adversaries that they may have nothing to say against us nay may be brought to acknowledge and love the truth and be converted and glorifie God in the day of their visitation let us live holily and innocently else if they finde us halting we set open their mouthes to speak ill continue them in their ill minde and hard conceit and set them further off from all goodness Too too many professors fail this way either they fall into foul sins or live not so christianly or else at least with zeal they are very rash and indiscreet by every of which much hurt hath been done from time to time 2. This sheweth them to be odde persons that knowing and seeing the innocent conversation of Gods Servants yet cannot be satisfied nor quieted but still speak evil of them a sign of a very bad heart who therefore will hate them because they be good whereas those that be but indifferently minded and civil seeing their good conversation will think and speak well of them Cain had no other cause to kill Abel but for his godliness nor Ishmael to mock Isaac but because he was the Son of the promise nor these to speak evil of those but because they are godly Assuredly a life agreeable to their profession should stop their mouthes Verse 17. For it is better if the will of God be so that ye suffer for well-doing then for evil doing NOw follow some reasons to perswade to willing suffering for righteousness sake which was then common and the profession of the faith dangerous 1. For that this being a world wherein we must suffer its better a great deal to suffer for well then for ill doing 2. Because the Lord will have it so to whose will we must be subject For its better c. Naturally we will chuse the better if we know it so should we in this seeing we are subject to suffering and that we are apt by nature to evil and so to suffer for it we must chuse rather as being far better to suffer for well then for ill-doing It s every way better better as being more pleasing to God he delights in the one not in the other pronounceth those blessed these accursed Besides it s no credit to suffer for ill doing but matter of shame and reproach whereas its honor to suffer for a good cause That of the penitent Thief seems to import so much we indeed justly for we receive the due reward of our deeds and so have cause to be humbled but this man hath done nothing amiss Again there 's no comfort in suffering for ill-doing as there 's for well-doing Suffering of it self is ill and grievous therefore there had need be somewhat to mitigate it but if it be for well-doing a good conscience will bear it out it s for Gods sake it s that wherewith all his servants have met and hereof the conscience takes notice and that to this there 's a reward none at all for the other 1. This rebukes those that suffer for their foul offences Theft Adultery and the like howsoever they be punished yet have they cause of hanging down the head not for the punishment but for the cause O how many refusing to be ruled by God and his Word bring misery upon themselves and ruine The Gaols are full the gallows catch many It s a fearful thing when they go to their punishment impudently and be not ashamed and humbled it s but the forerunner of fearful judgements When therefore men have brought themselvs into trouble justly their best way is to be humbled and repent so shall they finde favor with God and men We must avoid evil as we would avoid suffering for ill-doing avoid the sin if we would avoid the punishment We are also to be careful that we suffer not for Railing Slandering Backbiting Meddling with other folks matters 2. This may comfort them that suffer for well-doing its pleasing to God they
8. 1. Gal. 3. 13. as from the first so far forth as its a punishment and piece of the curse and the nature of it is changed to believers for whom Christ hath dyed it s become a Serpent without a sting yea a blessing as being hereby freed from sin and not before Hereby the soul is let out of the prison of this body into the liberty of Gods Servants and put into the possession of life Hereby also the body is freed from all toils labors infirmities and pains waiting in the Grave for an happy and glorious resurrection In which respect death is termed a sleep an advantage to the Saints and is better in the day wherein they were born So from all forerunners hereof which are curses plagues and punishments in body minde goods and name all which Christ hath born what crosses we meet withal they are to further our Sanctification and Salvation but not punishments for sin or parts of Gods judgement as they be to the wicked 2. We are hereby made partakers of all good God is reconciled to us which is more then to have our sins and punishments quite removed yea and sheweth us the light of his countenance not as David who though he staid his wrath from Absolom at his return home to Jerusalem yet was not fully reconciled to him of two years The Creatures also are at peace with us The Angels become Servants and ministring Spirits for our good in life to direct us protect us comfort us c. and at death to carry our souls to Heaven so all other Creatures the very Devils and wicked men shall do us no hurt we have also right and title to this life we lost it in Adam but have it restored in Christ. 3. Hereby he conveyeth power into the hearts of all that believe in him to enable them to dye unto sin and to mortifie their lusts more and more This is a singular comfort to all that believe in Christ who onely partake of the benefits of his death we need not fear Hell condemnation nor any enemy of our Salvation nor any curse or punishment in this life all shall be for our good we need not fear the first death but rather have cause to desire it O the happiness of such God is at peace with them all Creatures in Heaven and Earth are their friends they have right to whatsoever they have little or much therefore may they rejoyce O happy that ever we were born what pains soever we have taken to come to the knowledge of Christ Jesus by whom we obtain such unspeakable things whatsoever the world esteemeth of believers they are the onely happy persons in the world yea we shall have power to mortifie our strongest corruptions and lusts fear it not beg it and use the means if all these be put together O how happy is a Christian who can value his riches On the contrary they that have not their part in Christs death are most miserable their sins are not removed they lye under them so under the curse of God in this world and the world to come so in danger of the first death which will rend the soul and body asunder that the soul may be cast out into Hell so also of the second O that such would labor for their part in Christ Christ came into the world Christ is now Preached and offered unto us men be in a woful case and are told of it and yet how few regard to embrace Christ how few customers hath Christ one would think that all that hear of Christ should be heartily glad of him and embrace and flye unto him but alas most men for profits pleasures or love of their vile lusts are content to let go Christ and he lies as a dead commodity and they that bring him to the world be unwelcom and so indeed few have part in Christ. The consideration hereof might make us mourn for our sins the cause of Christs death might be a corrasive to eat our sin and make it odious to us might make us serve God zealously and faithfully all our days yea to suffer for his sake and rather to dye with the Martyrs then any way to dishonor him and besides to labor to finde the vertue of Christs death working mightily in us the death of sin and sinful lusts Thus of his death But quickned by the Spirit Now of his Resurrection His body and soul that had been sundred were by the power of his Godhead reunited and he made alive so continuing with his Disciples until his ascension into Heaven Touching it consider that it was so the Reasons thereof the place maner and time with the benefits flowing from thence and the duties thereupon to be performed That Christ rose again is so plain that none needs doubt thereof The Angels that rolled away the stone the Soldiers that watched the Sepulchre Mary Magdalene and the other Mary that came to see the Sepulchre the two Disciples going to Emmaus the eleven Disciples being together c. all were witnesses hereof So his appearances were many as to Mary Magdalene then to her and that other Mary then to two Disciples going to Emmaus then to them all save Thomas then both to Thomas and the others another time to Cephas another time to seven of them at the Sea of Tiberias as at another to Five hundred Brethren at once so when he was to ascend he was taken up in the sight of all those there present all which are so many evidences of his Resurrection Reasons 1. That it might appear he had fully discharged our debt 2. Because being the Son of God and Author and Lord of life it had been unmeet nay it was impossible he should be held under of Death 3. By reason of the second part of his Priesthood which was yet to fulfil One part was to offer himself a Sacrifice Propitiatory to God for the sins of his people this he did by his death now the other is to make intercession for his Church and to apply the vertue of his death to those for whom he dyed This he could not have done if he had not risen again The maner When they had rolled a great stone to the door of the Sepulchre sealed it set Soldiers to watch yet he rose They could as well have hindered the rising of the Sun in the Firmament as his rising An Angel was sent that caused a great earthquake and rolled away the stone c. No counsel or strength can hinder the work of the Lord. Place The same where he was laid which was by Gods providence to avoid cavils in a new Sepulchre hewen out of a rock wherein never man had been laid Time It was the third day early in the morning on the first day of the week the third day as was foretold by Christ himself for he was buried the evening before the Sabbath and rose
see no filthiness therein so are there others which are so far from seeking to be purged that they wallow still in the mire of their lusts By this Sacrament also there 's an inward and Spiritual thing sealed and grace conveyed though an unbeliever seeth it not contrary to the opinion of the Katabaptists which teacheth it to be a badge onely of a Christian profession and no further yet are not the sign and the thing signified always and necessarily tyed together and so Baptism doth not save by the work wrought as the Papists would Even Reprobates may have the outward Baptism which yet doth them no good but rather is a witness against them For not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God doth save us To believers indeed both sign and thing signified go together and they may receive much comfort from their Baptism as by it make a confident demand of Salvation from God for they believing and desiring to obey God there was sealed up in their Baptism the pardon of their sins and sanctification both which they may confidently challenge at Gods hand and therewith eternal life This Sacrament also is our badge and livery of God and of our holy profession whereby we differ from Pagans Turks Jews c. This is also an instruction to us to lead a holy life as we did profess and promise when we were Baptized This is an help to keep us from sin for the time to come being provoked thereto we may answer that we cannot in respect of our Baptism yea this also is useful to raise us up to repentance after we be fallen and as no doubt it did Noah good every time he saw the Ark so seeing Baptism saveth us that is is a sign to us of our Salvation we should often meditate thereof and be glad to be put in minde of the same For those which are to Baptize they must be lawfully called hereunto and for those which are to be baptized they are not all men but they that be within the pale of the Church neither are beasts or dead things to be Baptized The Popish Baptizing of Bells is an horrible prophanation of this Sacrament Baptism is a sign of Regeneration neither doth it profit without Faith therefore none may have it but they which be capable of Regeneration and Faith but of these particulars as also of the Baptism of Infants the time of Baptism who are to be present thereat who to present the childe to Baptism the witnesses the name the form and maner whether Baptism be of absolute necessity to Salvation whether Johns Baptism and Christs were all one or diverse with divers the like I have largely spoken by way of Catechizing By the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here he sheweth that we are not to rest in one Baptism to finde Salvation in it but to look to the death and resurrection of Christ whereby our Salvation is purchased and procured though it be sealed up by Baptism He puts one for both his Resurrection being the accomplishment of our Salvation and Testification thereof containing his death under it Verse 22. Who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him HEre follows another Reason to comfort Christians in suffering for Christs sake namely that he for whom they suffer and who is their head is advanced into most high dignity being ascended into Heaven and there at the right hand of God c. that is hath all power in Heaven and Earth committed to him in his Church all Angels Principalities and Powers both good and bad being made subject to him who therefore can make the good to serve our turn and can repress the bad much more can he repress the violence and rage of men that persecute his people Touching the Ascension of Christ I have shewed you what it was namely that our Savior having sufficiently manifested the truth of his resurrection and confirmed his Disciples by the power of his Godhead and partly by the supernatural property of a glorified body he left the Earth and was taken up into the highest Heaven and there is and so shall continue till his coming to judgement 1. That he did ascend the Scriptures declare unto us He himself foretold it first more darkly afterward more clearly then most clearly when it was at hand Neither was it without cause partly because as his Manhood had suffered the lowest abasement so it might be advanced into the highest glory and partly that he might also perform such things as were to be performed for the good of his Church namely the Application of his death and merits to those for whom he suffered and the sending of the holy Ghost c. 2. The persons before whom be did ascend were not the Scribes Pharisees and Jews but his Disciples those had seen enough already but not profiting thereby they were left to themselves these were to Preach his ascension to all God having ordained men rather by hearing then seeing should be saved 3. The time not till he had sufficiently proved his resurrection Gods goodness appearing herein that would have all main points so clear that they that will not stop their own eyes and ears might believe Neither did he ascend till he had comforted his Disciples against all the troubles they were to meet with and instructed them in the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God hereby teaching that all which have charge of others must be careful to do all the good they possibly can to them that be under their charge while they be with them and after to provide to leave them in as good state as possibly they can Thus should Magistrates with Moses who trained up Joshua to succeed him Thus should Ministers with the Apostles Paul and Peter Thus also should Housholders Parents Masters do that when they themselves shall dye others may succeed them which may do as much if not more service in the Church of God then they did But who do thus employ their talents for the good of souls O what a fearful answer have most to make 4. The place from whence he did ascend Bethany or the Mount of Olives both which were close together that which was often the place of his mourning and most sorrow was now the place of his greatest comfort Even there where Steven had such mighty adversaries he had a most clear sight of Heaven open and of Christ standing at the right hand of God Even on the bed of sickness in Prison in strange countreys c. where Gods people have powred forth most supplications and groans God hath revealed himself to them more plentifully and clearly then at any time 5. The benefits are 1. To lead captivity captive 2. To give gifts to men 3. To prepare a place for us 4.
preach to them he writes which would stick to them and whereunto they might resort again and again at their pleasure Hence I might speak of the profitableness of writing Epistles how much good Gods servants may do to each other being absent by Prayers by Letters How much good hath been done by the Letters of the Fathers and of godly men in latter times as of Calvin Beza the Martyrs c. who knoweth not what a fault is it that it s no more used as Parents to their Children being absent friends to friends c. whereas wanton Letters and Letters about worldly businesses are frequent enough Written Thus God moved the hearts of his Servants and assisted them extraordinarily to pen the parts of holy Scripture O what a a benefit it is that we have the whole and most holy Word of God written and before us and how should we in token of thankfulness be exercised therein But most busie their heads with other matters namely Their worldly profits and pleasures fools bables in the mean time little using or regarding the Bible Briefly 1. Because he would have them the oftner in it and take the more delight to read it over 2. Because he sent Silvanus to open and unfold it at large by preaching out of it and making application thereof for their good Here see how God in his infinite wisdom hath provided us his Word wherein is all his minde and that in few words to provoke us to be exercised therein for if the Word had been written as large as we had need for our understanding the world could not have contained the books that must have been written but the Lord hath revealed his will briefly laid down much in few words yet for our further benefit God hath Ordained the Ministery of his Word and given gifts to men to preach it expound it apply it to every bodies use so that both together do most happily How should God have provided better for us If therefore people profit not their answer must be heavy Exhorting and testifying c. These words afford sundry points as 1. In that the Apostle testifieth by sound Arguments that they were in the right way note that Its needful for every one to know and be well assured of the Religion he professeth that it is the truth of God for there be many Religions yet but one truth miss that and perish we must not go by guess in our Religion It s not enough that we have the true Religion except we know it to be so that we be not wavering and carried about with every wind of contrary Doctrine 1. This rebukes those that take occasion because there be so many Religions therefore they will meddle with none but take their ease and tarry till all agree 2. It rebukes those that profess a Religion as all do but know not whether it be truth or not but believe as the Church believes as they be told but have no ground from the Word for the same Turks may not its death to question about their Religion Papists may not especially the Laity who are forbid to read the Bible or any good Book that way but we may yet how do the most in this Land profess the Gospel which by Gods goodness is the truth indeed alas how few know and are able to prove it 3. As it s our duty to testifie and prove our Religion to be the onely true way of Salvation so it s yours to know and acknowledge it that if an Angel should come and inform you otherwise you might not give ear to him 2. In that the Apostle thought it not enough to prove to them that that was the true Religion they were in but exhorted them to continue constant in the same note that They that know the truth ought so highly to esteem it and be so thankful to God for it as they never suffer themselves to be removed therefrom whether for hope of gain or fear of trouble c. we must buy the truth not sell it The Martyrs would rather lose their lives then the truth if we let that go we lose our Souls 3. In that the Apostle takes such care and pains with those Jews that now stood in the truth to hold them therein we may note that Its an hard matter for those to hold out stedfast that have begun to do well for our heart is deceitful the Devil is subtile and strong and there are also many Seducers many baits many discouragements c. What are they then that say there 's too much Preaching and Reading They know nothing that belongs to true Christianity A little means may serve to keep men in a loose carnal and prophane course but to keep us in a good course there must be precept upon precept line upon line c. and all little enough Therefore Ministers ought to continue with all diligence not onely to gain home more but even to hold on and confirm them that be gained that they fall not away into error sin and security and people have also need to use all good means to this end 4. In that his Epistle consisteth in testifying by sound reasons for the confirmation of their judgements and then of the Exhortation for the whetting on of their affections Note That Both parts are necessary in Preaching the one still to accompany the other 1. Ministers therefore must labor in and for both 2. People must make use and account of both regard Doctrine for knowledge and suffer Exhortation for practice Some cannot endure Application and Exhortation but are all for knowledge and to feed the understanding and it appears in their lives for they cannot endure but to live at elbow-room as they list notwithstanding the profession some make in hearing Sermons Verse 13. The Church that is at Babylon elected together with you saluteth you and so doth Marcus my son ANother part of the conclusion consisting of Salutations from the whole company of the faithful with him and particularly from Mark. The Church The company of the faithful that were at Babylon knowing of our Apostles writing to these his dispersed Brethren entreat to be remembred to them and pray the Apostle for he would not send their commendations without their knowledge that he would signifie to them that they remembred them loved and reverenced them and were glad of them praying to God for them c. Gods people though far distant one from another yet must be mindeful one of another Which is at Babylon Namely a City of Assyria whither the Jews were carryed Captive by Nebuchadnezzar and there abode for Seventy years There were here now sundry believing Jews as God hath his Church in the worst places where Satans Throne is and though most of the Jews rejected Christ yet some here and in other Cities embraced him The Papists will needs have this meant of Rome but upon