chosen that there is none like him among all the people 1 Sam. 10.24 Why These are they whom Christ hath washed in his blood and made Kings and priests to God his father Rev. 1.5 6. These are his favourites Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem Jer. 5.1 and see now and know saith the Lord by Ieremiah and seek through the broad places thereof if you can find a man if there be any that executeth judgment that seeketh the truth and I will pardon it 2. Do not we deeme men eminent for wisdom worthy to be viewed and reviewed How far came the Queen of Sheba to see Solomon upon this account Our Saviovr informeth us Luk. 11.31 even from the utmost parts of the earth Now wisdome maketh the faces of these whom we speak of to shine Eccl. 8.1 as Stephen's did when all that sat in the council looking stedfastly on him saw his face Act. 6.15 as if it had been the face of an Angel And wisdom and truth it self termeth all these children of wisedom Mat. 11.19 and of them may be truely affirmed that which we read of Job the eare that heareth them cannot but blesse them Job 29.11 and the eye that sees them cannot but give witness to them Job 29.11 3ly what flocking together is there to behold great conquerors yea how desirable are their very statues and pictures to such as by distance of place are debarred from the sight of their persons It is recorded that the king of Sodom yea and Melchizedek king of Salem went both out to meet Abraham after the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and of the kings that were with him Genes 14.17 18. Behold I present unto your view such as scripture language styleth more then conquerors Rom. 8.37 Such are all true beleevers through Christ who loves them Fortior est qui se quà m qui fortissima vincit These resist the Devill and put him to flight Jam. 4.7.2 They subdue their own spirit which is a more signal victory then the taking of a strong city Pro. 16.32.3 Christ giveth them victory over death which hath vanquished the noblest conquerors of the world 1. Cor. 15.57.4 Strange and rare shews never want spectators The sacred Chronicle relateth and therefore it desreveth our observation that Solomons ships brought from Tarshish apes and peacocks for their rarity as well as ivorie gold and silver for their value 2 Chron. 9.21 But true converts are most rare New creatures in whom old things are passed away BEHOLD all things are become new Eph. 2.1 2 Cor. 5.17.2 They are raised from death to life you hath he quickned saith the Apostle to the Ephesians who were dead in trespasses and sins This is a more admirable work then the raising of Lazarus from the grave which notwithstanding drew a great concourse of people to Jesus who had raised him Joh. 12.9 Who came not for Jesus sake only but that they might see Lazarus also whom he had raised from the dead 5. Multitudes have ever used to gaze upon persons sumptuously apparrelled Luk. 7.25 what went you out saith our Saviour to the people into the wilderness to SEE a man cloathed in soft raiment BEHOLD they which are gorgeously apparrelled are in kings courts But St John Rev. 12 1. discovereth to us a greater matter of admiration There appeared saith he a great wonder in heaven a woman the Spouse of Christ whereof every true beleever is a member cloathed with the Sunne Oecumen in Apoc. cap. 33. Ecclesia Sole justitiae Christo stipata est the righteousness of Jesus Christ whom shee hath put on Gal. 3.27 for uxor fulget radiis mariti with the Moone under her feet that is worldly things which are mutable like the moone are by her little accounted of and upon her head is a crown of twelve starres the doctrine of the 12. Apostles whereon she is founded Revel 21.14 and this her raiment is like the Isralites garments in the wilderness which waxed not old Neh. 9.21 but groweth more and more glorious by wearing as faith encreaseth by exercise 6. Exquisite beauties have an attrative force over mens eyes and mindes When David espied from the roof of his house Bathsheba who was very beautifull to look upon washing her selfe he sent messengers to fetch her to him 2 Sam. 11.2 But lo here is an incomparable beauty as the Lord himselfe describeth it Ezec. 16.13 14. Thou wast exceeding beautifull saith hee to Israel and thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty for it was PERFECT through my comlinesse which I had put upon thee These are indued with perfect beauty neither are they snowt-faire for the Proverb foras Helena intus Hecuba hath no room here but they are all glorious within Psalm 45.13 neither is this a decaying beauty like Naomies Ruth 1.20 who in a few yeares was metamorphosed into Marah as herself complaines nor yet is it like Ephraims glorious beauty which became like a fading flower Isa 28.1.4 neither doth that proverb take place here at all Isa 28.1.4 Fair in the cradle fowle in the saddle for this is a permanent yea an increasing beauty like the olive trees Hos 14.6 Jam. 2.3 Lo 7. Riches win respect among men Lo their riches are correspondent to their raiment and beauty It cannot be said of them which is too truly of some others averred that they have gold and silver on their backs and copper in their purses for they are a peculiar treasure unto the Lord above all people Exo. 19.5 and though they may be poor in the world yet are they heires of the kingdom of Heaven Jam. 2.5 yea all things here below are theirs as they are Christs Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3.22.23 Esth 6.8 9. 8. Observance attendeth honour Their honour is equivalent to their riches 1. Chron. 4.9 Iabez was more honourable then his brethren the reason hereof is rendred vers 10. He called on the God of Israel God honoureth them Isa 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight saith he to Israe thou hast beene Honourable and I have loved thee In them dwelleth the spirit of God 1. Cor. 3.16 and can we find such a man as this is said king Pharoah of Joseph in whom the spi◠t of God is Genes 41.38 And by the Spirit of the Lord are they changed into the image of the Lord from glory to glory 2. Cor. 3.18 and for this cause the holy angels according to to their charge readily vouchsafe their attendance night and day upon them the least among them not excepted Mat. 18.10 Heb. 1.14 Mat. 18.10 The godly also who only among men know the true estimate of persons make high account of them In whose eyes a vile person be he never so highly advanced in the world is contemned but they honour all that feare the Lord Psal 15.4 Lastly Christ himself is the glory of his people Israel Luk. 2.32 Sect. 3 Use
him who readeth or heareth them Motives truely he is unworthy to have any more spoken to him but before I can hope to perswade men I must begin with God who onely can perswade the heart O thou great Captain of the host of Israel who hast the key of David that openeth and none can shut and shutteth and none can open be graciously pleased to exercise thy great power and infinite mercy in working upon the hearts both of the writer and reader of this treatise to answer this thy call that of wild olives by nature we may be graffed into Jesus Christ and may become trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord that thou mayst be glorified in us and by us and we with thee Alas Lord what can a weak mans words availe where the word of the â—â—ving God is rejected The arguments â—re full of power but the hearts of the â—hildren of men are full of obstinacy â—nless thou raisest the dead and creaâ—est clean hearts no good can be done â—end therefore thine irresistible Spirit â—o convince and convert us give new â—yes and new eares and renew a right â—pirit within us then shall we heare â—nd see and run to joyne ourselves who have formerly beene sons of the â—â—ranger to the Lord and to thy people â—hou who gatherest the out casts of Isâ—ael remember thy promise to gather â—thers to thee besides those that are alâ—eady gathered Save us O Lord our â—od and gather us from among the â—eathen to give thanks unto thy holy â—ame and to triumph in thy praise Isa 56.7 8. â—sal 106.47 Now if after prayer to God teares â—ould move you whose good is here â—â—tended they should not be wanting beseech you by the teares and preciâ—s blood of Iesus Christ to grant me is desire not for any thing from you 〈◊〉 my self but for the salvation of your own soules that you lay these things deeply to heart Is it nothing to you to have lived so long without Christ being aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world Eph. 2.12 Dare you continue in this estate sincâ— you know not how little time you havâ— to live before you goe hence and be nâ— more seen Is not God a portion wortâ— having is not his love worth imbracing feare you not the torments oâ— Hell doe you not value the joyes anâ— glory of Heaven Return a candid anâ— sober Answer to these Questions whicâ— God himselfe and not I propounâ— unto you Say in good earnest to him Lord enable us and we will becomâ— true Israelites and then I assure you 〈◊〉 his name and in the word of trutâ— God will be your God and the Goâ— of your seed he will love you freeâ— unto the end the second death shaâ— have no power over you feare not is your Fathers good pleasure to giâ— you the Kingdome Luke 12.32 whâ— shall I say of the blessed spirit of gracâ— he stands at the door of your hearts and knocks if you will hear his voyce and open the door he will come into you and sup with you and you with him Revel 3.20 And judge righteous judgment whether is it better to walk in that double Aegyptian darknesse of errors and manners or to be children of light 1 Thess 5.5 whether is it more eligible to be dead in trespasses and sin or to heare the voyce of the Son of God and live the life of grace here and the life of glory hereafter John 5.25 Whether is it safer to be the friends of God or his cursed enimes to have fellowship with God or devils yea to be Gods sons and daughters or children of the devill for you must needs be either of the former or the latter sort of these I call Heaven and Earth to record this day that I have set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore choose life that you and your seed may live Deut. 30.19 Thus shall you be free indeed free from all evill and free to all good spiritual and eternal for Jerusalem which is above is free which is the mother of all true believers Gal. 4.26 what vast summs of money doe some forego to purchase freedome in some great City as the chiefe Captain did to be made free in Rome Acts. 22.28 But all the money in the world will not purchase any freedome in this City the spiritual Jerusalem you must either be born in Sion or you can never be free here againe men may confer political freedome as king Saul promised to make his house free in Israel who should kill Goliath 1 Sam. 17.25 but none can confer this spiritual freedome but the Son the great King of Heaven John 8.36 Lastly if the Queen of Sheba pronounced Solomons men happy and twice happy for standing continually in his presence and hearing his wisedome 2 Chron. 9.7 how much more happy is it for us to draw nigh to God Psalm 73.28 Herein the children of Israel surmount all people in the world besides for they onely are neere to him Psalm 148.14 and as dear as the Apples of his own Eye Zachary 2.8 And as they are neer and dear to him so is he nigh to them to hear them when they call Psalm 145.18 and to save them in all times of their distresse Psalm 85.9 Israel of old gloried in this priviledge Deut. 4.7 what Nation is there so great that hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is to us in all things which we call upon him for and were it now impossible for us to have him as neere to us as he was to them our case were miserable but blessed be God as he hath commanded us to draw nigh to him so he hath promised to draw nigh to us also Jam. 4.8 But of all others shall we be most miserable if we would not obey this his Command of drawing nigh to him that he may fulfill his promise and draw nigh to us for they that say to him now depart from us shall heare him say to them at the last day Depart from me ye accursed into everlasting fire Sect. 12 For the Lords sake therefore remove all impediments that hinder you from becomming Israelites indeed Impediments What these lets and remoraes are I shal briefly lay down O! that you could as soon overcome them These impediments are either external or within your selves 1 Their smal number The 1. externall Let is the paucity or fewnesse of their number But doe not you know that ordinary stones are more rife than orient Pearls and is not a precious stone the more valueable and excellent by how much the more rare it is These are the Lords Jewels whereas all other are but like lumber in the house Mal. 3.17 They shall be mine saith the Lord of Hostes who best knoweth the true value of the children of men in that day when I make up my Jewels and
1. Serveth for exhortation Since then Christ our Lord inviteth you to behold an Israelite indeed imitate ye God Angels and good men turne the eyes of your mindes towards these excellent ones on the earth Psal 16.3 Gen. 23.6 princes of God children of wisedome the most glorious conquerors in the world rare new creatures cloathed with the Sunne perfect in beauty transcendently rich endued with honour and the spirit of glory partakers of the divine nature 2 Pe. 1.4 Having the glorious angels for their attendants This your sight will be well pleasing to God Motives for as all the works of Gods creation and providence are to be minded by us Ps 143.5 so especially are these first fruits of his creatures whom he hath begotten with the word of truth Psal 143.5 Eph. 2.10 Jam. 1.18 who are His workmanship created in Christ Iesus unto good works Eph. 2.10.2 There can be no danger in the contemplation of this beauty as there may be and too often is in gazing upon other faire objects as David found by experience and the sons of God in seeing the daughters of men that were faire Gen. 6.2 for he that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart as our Lord witnesseth Mat. 5.28 But thirdly this sight wil bring great profit with it to the spectators Here we shall see the beauty of holiness which will enflame our hearts with the love of it * Cic. offic l. 1. as the heathen said vertue would do if it could be seen with the eyes and we read that many who beheld Lazarus after he was raised frâ—m death believed and thereby themselves were raised from the death of sin John 12.9.11 Joh. 12.9.11 St Peter affordeth us two remarkable instances of this the former is of Christians even under persecution living among heathens whom he counselleth to have their conversation honest among them that whereas some speak against them as evil doers others by their good works which they shall behold may glorifie God in the day of visitation yea by this meanes the very persecuters themselves may become true professors 1. Pet. 3.12 The other is of wives though the weaker vessels whose pious and meek demeanor may be an occasion of converting their ignorant and unbeleeving husbands on whom the word as yet cannot work 1 Pet. 3.1 2. Likewise ye wives saith he be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be wonne by the conversation of the wives while they behold your chast conversation coupled with fear Vse 2 Secondly this serveth for our direction in two things 1. What are we chieffly to behold in this true Israelite Answ 1. his original he was borne in Zion the city of God whereof glorious things are spoken and which the highest himself shall establish Selah Psal 87.2.5 He is of the seed royal begotten not of corruptible but incorruptible seed the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever 1. Pet. 1.23 borne not after the flesh but after the spirit Joh. 3.5 more then a servant even a son and if a son then an heire of God through Christ Gal. 4.7 2. Observe his life and conversation Brethren saith Saint Paul mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample Phil. 3.17 3. Mark him in his sufferings and the issue thereof Behold saith the Apostle we count them happy which endure ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord Jam. 5 11. How couragious have some been even under persecution daring and provoking their tormentors and crying out to them as Tertul. l. ad Scapulam Magis damnati quà m absoluti gaudent Tertull. relateth Crudelitas vestra est gloria nostra 4. View wel his catastrophe or the end of his life as it is in Psal 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold the the upright for the end of that man is peace Again This directeth us concerning the manner how he is to be observed namely 1. with an eye of recognition he is to be known and acknowledged by us Isa 61.9 All that see them shal acknowledge that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed 2. With an eye of complacency and love As David was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the fight of Sauls servants 1 Sam. 18.5 3. With a respectful eye as the prophet Elisha regarded the presence of king Jehosaphat who professed that had it not been for his sake he would not have somuch as looked upon Jehoram king of Israel nor have seene him 2 King 3.14 4. With a joyfull eye as they that feared God were glad when they saw David Psal 119.74 5. This fight ought to be joyned with a desire of adhesion as when Jonathan saw Davids valour his soul clave to him 1 Sam. 18.1 and when Judah and Benjamin and many other saw that the Lord was with Asa the king they fel to him out of Israel 2 Chro. 15.9 6. It must be accompanied with a desire of imitation in that which is right Those things saith St Paul which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me doe and the God of peace shal be with you Phil. 4.9 Lastly we should looke upon them with an eye of sympathy 1. If they be regular in their lives it should afford us occasion of joy as Paul absent in the flesh yet was present with the Colossians in the spirit and rejoyced to behold their order and stedfastnes of their faith in Christ Col. 2.5 2 If they be in prosperity we should congratulate with them so the Psal mâ—st prayeth Lord let me see the good of thy chosen that I may rejoyce in the gladness of thy nation that I may glory with thine inheritance Psal 106.5 3 If any of them be at any time in distress we must cast an eye of compassion and pitty upon them Heare all people and behold my sorrow saith the church in captivity Lam. 1.18 So when the father saw the penitent prodigal he had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him Luk. 15.20 Vse 3 Thirdly this may serve for discovery how purblind or squint-eyed the men of this world are who can see no excellency in the children of God The reason hereof is rendred 1. Joh. 3.1 the world knoweth them not because it knoweth not the father yea it was prophesied of Jesus Christ that he should be fairer than the children of men Psal 45.2 yet when he cometh into the world he hath no forme nor comeliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him which is spoken of the very elect as well as of others before they become beleevers 1 Pet. 2.7 and then is Christ indeed precious to them and not before How then can the unbeliever spie any beauty in the members of Christ
who are indeed comely yet withal are black whilest they remain here below Cant. 1.5 He can discern their blackness but not their comeliness if there be any infirmities or deformity in the Saints the world can soone espie the same and discover them to others as C ham looked on his fathers nakedness when he lay drunk in his tent and told his brethren without Genes 9.22 Here the wicked be as quicksighted as Lâ—nceus to behold a mote in the best mans eye Mat. 7.3 and may fitly be compared to bats and owles that can see better in the dark then in the light or secondly the carnal man beholdeth the godly with an evil eye as of scorne and contempt as Michael Sauls daughter saw David leaping and dancing before the Lord and despised him in her heart 2 Sam. 6.16 or with an eye of envy and hatred as Saul eyed David 1. Sam. 18.9 Vse 4 Yet here the Saints may find matter of exceeding great consolation though the perverse world censure and unjustly condemn them and not only so but they be loathsome also in their own sight for their iniquities Ezek. 36.31 for the Lords eyes are ever upon them for good and his eares open to their cry Psal 34.15 yea though their dearest friends who loved them best while they were alive yet when they are dead can hardly brook to look on them as when Sarah was dead Abraham bought a burying place of the sons of Heth to bury his dead out of his sight Genes 23 4. yet precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Psal 116.15 yea and he will make them to be had in honour of all that have any spiritual discerning for many things for which the injudicious worlding condemneth them as David assureth Mâ—chal who had despised him in her heart and rated him for dancing before the arke that he should be had in honour for that very cause of the handmaids of Israel 2 Sam. 6.22 and this their glory shal be like to the morning light Pro. 4.18 that shineth more and more until the perfect day even till Christ shal come to be glorified in his Saints 2 Thes 1.10 For they are already the sons of God and it doth not yet appeare what they shal be but this is most certaine that when he shall appeare they shal be like him and shal see him as he is 1 Jâ—h 3.2 And then shall all that ever hated them and vilified them see it and be ashamed and be grieved and gnash with their teeth and melt away Ps 112.10 Vse 5 This serveth for a strong invitation to all to become true Israelites if they do but consider that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16.9 and that he will give them favour and respect not only in the eyes of good men such as David was but of moral though carnal persons as he made Joseph a servant to finde grace in Potiphars sight and afterwards of the keeper of the prison when he was his prisoner Genes 39.4.21 whereas on the other side all wicked persons are lothsome in God's eyes Psal 34.15 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth for as he hath promised that they who honour him shal be honoured so he hath threatned that they who despise him shall be leightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2.30 for which end he sets Nigrum Theta an ignominious asterisk upon them as he did upon Doeg Psal 52.7 Lo this the man that made not the Lord his strength but trusted in the abundance of his riches and strengthened himself in his wickedness neither can the godly abide the sight of them He that worketh deceit saith David Psal 101.7 shal not dwel in my house he that telleth lies shal not tarry in my sight much lesse shal he reside in Heaven or tarry in Gods sight but be extruded from his presence for ever and from the glory of his power and be made an abhorring to all flesh 2 Thes 1.9 Isa 66.24 O then let this prevaile with you to enter into this honourable society your selves and to draw others with you into this happy and glorious estate then shall ye shine as the stars of the firmament for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 Vse 6 What a cogent argument should this be to enforce the Saints to look wel to themselves their inward thoughts and affections their words and actions since so many eyes are upon them even of God angels and men Oh! Mat. 5.16 let your lights deare christians so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven and pray continually with David Lead me O Lord Psa 5.8 in thy righteousness because of mine observers Vse 7 Use 7. How great cause have all they who are Israelites indeed to love the Lord Jesus Christ and to bless God for him For by his meanes are we advanced to all this excellency who when he found us in a most lothsome plight naked and in our blood none eye pittying us said unto us live Ezek. 16.5 6. And for that end he became man and was * Nazianz orat 1. in pascha Christus servi formam accepit ut nos libertatem accipiamus contemptus est ut gloriâ afficiat c. content to be emptied that we might be filled to fast that we might feast to be vilified that we might be dignified to be impoverished that we might be enriched to take shame to himself that hee might clothe us with honour and glory to be without forme and comeliness * Bern. de passione Domini c. 16. nostrâ charitate devinctus ad tempus corponis nostri deformitatem accepit for a time Isa 53.3 that we might be beautified for ever Behold our Lord Iesus I pray you in that dresse wherein Pilate presented him to his implacable enemies crowned with thorns and wearing purple in derision and all besmeared with his owne blood saying to them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 behold the man thinking by that ruthfull sight to have pacified their immense fury but to little purpose for they were the more enraged against him Now let us behold him and let Pilates counsel rejected by those bloody persecuters be acceptable to us that our love may thereby be enflamed towards him for it was for our sakes brethren that he was so pointed at by Pilate Behold the Man John 19.5 John 19.5 that it might be said of us behold Israelites indeed and happy art thou O Israel who is like unto thee O people saved by the Lord the shield of thy help and the sword of thy excellency Deut. 33.29 The Second Part. Sect. 1. HItherto I have held forth the flag or streamer to invite you all to take a right survay of the true Israelite
themselves the titles of God and Christ or have given out that they are so one with Christ that they can sin no more then Christ can sinne To whom Luther some others being too bold with those hyperbocall expressions of Nazianzen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have given too much occasion 7. They and they onely have Christan liberty 7 Liberty of grace in this life and of glory in the life to come called the glorious liberty of the sons of God Rom. 8.21 St. Paul was caught up into Paradise and admitted to see the glory thereof but not permitted to utter what he had heard and seen for it is as easie to containe the Sea in an Egge-shel as to relate heaven's happiness 2 Cor. 12.4 Hither is our Lord Jesus gone before to prepare many Mansions for believers and he will bring them all thither when he hath throughly prepared them for the same Iohn 14.2 Whereas all unbelievers the fearfull the lyers and workers of iniquity shall in no wise enter in thither but have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21.8.27 Lessius de justiciâ p. 600. Christiana libertas à quintuplici servitute nos solvit 1. peccati 2. diaboli 3. legis c. 2. The liberty of Grace is either privative or positive 1. They are freed 1. From evil 1. By meanes and their justification they have freedom 1. From the bondage of the devill Col. 1.13 Who were before taken captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 2 From sin Rom. 6.22 both in regard of the guilt of it Rom. 8.33 who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect since Christ dyed for their sins yea rather is risen againe who is even at the right hand of God to make intercession for them v. 34. and also in regard of the dominion of sin For to such the Apostle saith Sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under grace Rom. 6.14 As also in regard of the fruits of sin both in the world to come they are freed from eternal condemnation Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit The reason followeth v 2. For the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made them free from the law of sin and death v 2. As also in this life they are delivered from the terrors of death under which others are in bondage all their life time Heb. 2.15 Secondly from the evil of afflictions not from the afflictions themselves for it is good for them to be afflicted Psalm 119.71 But to them the Lord turneth the evill of their troubles to good Genesis 50.20 3. They are freed from the law 1. from the intolerable yoke of the Ceremonial Law Acts. 15.10 and 2. in part from the Morall Law in four regards 1. of the curse which it denounceth again all that continue not in all that is written in that Law Gal. 3.10 11. which Christ hath freed us from by being made a curse for us 2. They are exempted from seeking justification by the works of the Law Rom. 3.20 21 22. who are justified freely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ v 24.3 from the exact obedience which the Law requireth to be performed in their own persons for justification and the obtaining of eternall life for Christ is become the end of the Law for righteonsnesse to every one that believeth Rom. 10.4 5. and through him God accepteth the will for the deed 2 Cor. 8.12 4. From the irritation of the Law which by reason of the corruption that is in man by nature hath a provoking power in it so that when the law commands obedience and threatneth the disobedient he groweth more outragious in evil then before Spumeus et fervens et abobice fortior ibit as a river dammed-up swels and overflows the Banks according to that of the Apostle The Law entred that the offence might abound Rom. 5.20 But these persons of whom we discourse are of a more excellent spirit who delight in the law of God after the inward man Rom. 7.22 and the love of God rendreth his Commandements not grievous to them 1 John 5.3 Fourthly they are delivered from the evil of evils the immense and direfull wrath of God by Jesus Christ 1 Thess 1.10 which shall come inevitably and irrecoverably upon all the Children of disobedience Col. 3.6 and burn to the lower Hell Lastly they shall be delivered from death and the grave for Death is the last Enemy that shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 15.26 And though die they must yet the sting of death which is sin is pulled out and they shall be raised from their graves in the great day of the resurrection Hos 13.14 so that they may sing Hosea's Pauls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O Death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory thanks be to God who hath given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15.55.57 2. The positive part of their liberty followeth As they are and shall be free from all evill so they are set free to good as 1. to righteousnesse to serve the Lord in newnesse of spirit and not in oldnesse of the letter Romans 7.6 2. To their use all things are sanctified by the word and prayer 1 Tim. 4 5. which to others are unclean Tit. 1.15 To the pure all things are pure but to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their minds and consciences is defiled 3. They are free to the communion of Saints fellow heires and of the same body and partakers of the same promises in Christ by the Gospel Eph. 3.6 4ly By Christ they have bold access to the throne of grace to aske what they will if it be agreeable to Gods will with confidence in him of obtaining their suits at all times 1 Joh. 5.14 What is said of Luther may be affirmed of them also I sle potuit quod voluit for to them it is promised Aske and have 8 Peace 8. The peace of God which passeth all understanding doth keep their hearts and mindes through Iesus Christ Phil. 4.7 whereas there is no peace saith God to the wicked Isa 57.21 To this peace with God and their owne consciences we must add peace with the creatures even with the stones and beasts of the field Job 5.23 and both these spring from their reconciliation with God 9. Joy 9. From all these immunities ariseth joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 which none can ever take from them Jo. 16.22 for it shall be everlasting Isa 51.11 whereas all others joyes besides are neither solid nor durable For though wicked men may glory in appearance yet that joy never proceedeth from the heart 2 Cor. 5.12 and it is