THE BLESSEDNES OF MARIE the Mother of IESVS LVKE 1.28.45.48 Blessed art thou among women Blessed is she that beleeued All generations shall call me blessed ANCHORA SPEI LONDON Printed by RICHARD FIELD dwelling in Great Woodstreete 1618. TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVLL AND WORTHY LADIE Ladie DOROTHY ZOVCH the vertuous wife of Sir EDWARD ZOVCH Knight at Oking IOHN SHAW desireth increase of all true comfort here and hereafter euerlasting blessednesse THe Scripture of truth wherein the mysteries of Religion are treasured vp hath three amongst others not a litle more eminent most worthie of our daylie and holiest meditations They are by some called Bernardus in Vigilia Natalis The wonders of wonders are in themselues most admirable and surpassing comfortable for vse manifested by the Highest Ioh. Heid feldius for the sure blessednesse of all Gods children without which all men had perished eternally Not to speake of the blessed Trinitie the greatest of all mysteries the three here meant are three Vnions or Couplings in one of things in themselues most different The first is the Vnion of the Godhead to Manhood in the person of Iesus Christ whereby he is God and man Immanuel God with vs. The second is the Coupling of Motherhood and Virginitie in one woman the blessed Marie whereby her Sonne is called The Sonne of man The third is the begetting of Sauing-faith in the soule of sinfull man whereby a sonne of Adam becometh a childe of God an heire of saluation The first and third of these mysteries are ioyntlie declared by Paul in these words Great is the mysterie of godlinesse 1. Tim. 3.16 God was manifested in the flesh Beleeued on in the world The second was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah Isa 7.14 Behold a Virgine shall conceiue and beare a Sonne These are comfortable secrets which none fruitfully know but the Lords heritage that are taught by his Spirit These manifest how God is neare vnto vs and dwelleth with vs and in vs as in his holy Tabernacle These are the appointed means of our saluation and blessednes These mysteries so high and holy must be sought into by humble and earnest prayer with much reuerence of heart by reading hearing and intentiue meditation we must beleeue them and reioyce greatly in the sound and lasting consolation they bring vnto vs. When man by his sinne was wofully fallen from God and the blessednesse wherein he was set and by his Apostasie had cast himselfe and his posteritie into the state of damnation then euen then did God manifest his vnspeakeable loue in restoring him againe into the fauour of his Creator and to the hope of a greater blisse then that which he had lost It was agreeable to the Lords holynesse for manifesting his mercy and iustice that as man made the fault so man should make the amends But man alone could not do it the Creator onely could repaire the creature God therefore becometh man that so he might throughly do it And he was manifested in the flesh not for a small time as he appeared to the Patriarches but the second Person in Trinitie Iohn 1.14 The WORD euen the only begotten of the Father was made flesh and dwelt among vs full of grace and truth That man might be made partaker of the diuine nature enioy eternall peace with God The Captaine of our saluation tooke not on him the nature of Angels Heb. 2.16 but he to tooke on him the seed of Abraham in all things it behoued him to be made like his brethren that he might be a mercifull and faithfull High-priest in things pertaining to God to make Reconciliation for the sinnes of the people This is the first high glorious and comfortable mysterie The second craueth of vs like holy admiration and firme faith Will God dwell in a Tabernacle in a Temple or as Salomon saith 1. King 8.27 Wil God indeed dwell on the earth will he that made the heauens take flesh of the wombe of a Virgine haue her indeed to be his mother and yet she continue a pure and vndefiled maide Yes assuredly it is a wonder without all example and a miraculous worke of him Psal 146.4 that alone worketh wonders Motherhood and virginitie meete in Marie the most blessed of women in her alone And hath correspondencie to that admirable Creation in the beginning where Eue the mother of all liuing was miraculously made out of the side of man alone so of the wombe of a woman alone was borne the holy Messiah euen Iesus Christ our Lord for the fulfilling of the Couenant of grace which God made with man The womans seede shall bruise the serpents head Gen. 3.15 This is the second secret and high mysterie of Christian Religion The third wonder is that faith and mans soule so meet that man who is a sinfull sonne of Adam by faith becometh a child of God according as it is written Gal. 3.26 Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Here we may take vp Dauids words and say Psal 144.3 Lord what is man that thou takest knowledge of him or the sonne of man that thou makest account of him The difficultie of sound beleeuing in the Messiah the Sauiour of his elect and the wonderfull mercy of God in that rare grace will better appeare if we call to minde how that euen in Paradise man beleeued not God when he said Gen. 2.17 Thou shalt die the death and did beleeue the diuel Gen. 3.4 Ye shall not surely die Now that man is fallen from integrity and captiued in Originall and Actuall sin to beleeue a promise of eternall life that God will make him an heire of heauen for Iesus sake is aboue all humane learning sense and reason And this hope and confidence is onely in that litle flocke where Gods Spirit doth powerfully worke it How few beleeue Isaiah complaineth Isa 53.1 Who hath beleeued our report and to whom is the arme of the Lord reuealed How great a work of God faith is Paul witnesseth Who beleeue according to the working of his mighty power Ephes 1.19 which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead Certainlie as there was a darknesse in all Egypt that might be felt Exod. 10.22 but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings Euen so all the chosen Israel of God now haue Christ the light of the world dwelling in their hearts by faith But the whole world of Hypocrites and vnbeleeuers loue darknesse and abide in it for euermore Hereupon it followeth that Iewes Turkes Pagans Vnbeleeuers and Hypocrites who haue no communion by faith with the Sonne of God manifested in the flesh abide vnder the curse and wrath of the Almighty But the chosen litle flocke to whom the mysteries of Christs kingdome are known who soundly and with all their heart beleeue in Iesus Christ the Son of God conceiued by the holy Ghost
borne of the virgine Mary that he the promised Messiah is their king priest and prophet and by his obedience vnto death hath wrought their full Redemption and made their reconciliation with God these through faith in his bloud haue Christs righteousnesse imputed to them for the attaining of saluation these haue a ioy glorious and vnspeakable these cleaue to God in true holines and in the end for this their Mediators sake receiue a crowne of righteousnesse and the blessednesse promised that lasteth euermore This litle Treatise will so far lay open vnfold these three profound mysteries as may giue occasion to the well-minded readers to make further search into so high holy and necessarie doctrines as are primary pillars of true Religion And now worthie Madame in that I commend vnto you my poore endeuours contained in this litle booke it is out of a good desire to further you in the best things to procure you some litle helpe to get greater increase of the chiefe blessings to cast in my myte by writing also to adde that way somewhat to your spirituall treasure of knowledge holinesse and comfort as one desirous to be thankfull to God for his manifold mercis to you in that since your coming among vs you make it daily euident that you haue a hearty loue to true Religion and take much comfort in the Ministery and publike worship of God established as also that by your good example blamelesse conuersation you grace your holy profession going before many in many Christian duties Assure your selfe your careful labouring to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ will giue you an heauen vpon earth and shall be your crowne in the day of the Lord when all those that suffer their hearts to be stolen away from God and godlinesse by excessiue cares or pleasures of this world shall haue their sorrowes come vpon them like armed men and their end shall be fully miserable Mind you it well I pray you Eccl. 8.12 Though a sinner do euill an hundred times and his daies be prolonged yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that feare God which feare before him But it shall not be well with the wicked neither shall he prolong his dayes which are as a shadow because he feareth not before God Earnestly constantly seeke after those lasting ioyes where is mirth without all mourning life without vexation eternall happinesse by a blessed communion with the eternall God who wil be all in all to them that loue him Passe ouer no day wherein you call not to minde the many sweete free blessings of the almighty bestowed vpon you but by them prouoke your selfe to offer to him the heartiest sacrifice of thanksgiuing that you can attaine to accōpanied with hūble faithful feruent prayers for increase of his best blessings to you and yours that your happinesse begun here may be continued euerlastingly Act. 20.32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified 1. Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout and I pray God your whole spirit and soule and bodie be preserued blamelesse vnto the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ Amen Be thou faithfull vnto the death and I will giue thee a crowne of life Reuelation 2.10 THE BLESSEDNES OF THE VIRGIN MARIE the Mother of our Lord IESVS CHRIST LVKE 1.28.45 Blessed art thou among women Blessed is she that beleeued THE holie Euangelist Saint Luke Luke 1.28 writing the miraculous Incarnation of our Lord Iesus Christ that is his wonderfull Conception and Birth describeth the messenger that manifested these glad tidings to be the Angell Gabriel the woman that should be mother to Iesus by name Marie by condition a Virgin affianced to Ioseph of the house of Dauid the place of their dwelling Nazareth a towne of Galile in the land of Iudaea the time in the dayes of Augustus Caesar the child to be conceiued and borne of her by name Iesus by office and dignitie a King ouer the house of Iacob for euer by nature the Sonne of the eternall God by speciall fauour and in regard of his humane nature the sonne of the Virgin Marie conceiued in her wombe the holie Ghost comming vpon her and the power of the Highest ouershadowing her she thrice by holy Oracle assured that she is exceedingly blessed The Virgin Marie lineally descending from the royall Kings of Israel found grace and fauour with God was freely beloued of him precious and honorable in his sight had great honour put vpon her was exceedingly blessed by Gods speciall loue to her euen blessed aboue all women Maries blessednesse is twofold The first is singular and proper to her selfe a prerogatiue granted to her alone and neuer to any other creature euen to be the Mother of Iesus Christ the Sauiour of all the Elect the mother of Emmanuel God-with-vs euen God manifested in the flesh Thus saith Gabriel from heauen Blessed art thou among women Luke 1.28 thus saith holy Elizabeth on earth Blessed art thou among women 42. and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe The second is that hauing obtained like precious faith with the Saints in the common saluation she with them abiding in the truth of Religion did beleeue and waite for the promised Messiah and her owne saluation by him as in her holy prophecie she acknowledgeth Luke 1.47 My soule reioyceth in God my Sauiour She had also a peculiar proper holy faith in a peculiar promise which was made to her alone Gen. 3.15.12.3 which was That the blessed seede in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed should be her seede that the Sonne of God would become her sonne and be borne of her wombe and of these holy Elizabeth the mother of Iohn Baptist Luke 1.45 saith Blessed is shee that beleeued Blessed art thou among all women The singular blessednesse and rare prerogatiue that Marie at once is a maide and a mother beareth a sonne and is still a Virgine is both a daughter of God and a mother of the Sonne of God is a wonder of wonders a strange miracle glorious and comfortable not fruitfully beleeued of any but of them that are taught of God who maketh knowne the mysteries of his kingdome to babes and little ones according to the good pleasure of his wil and this part of the sauing truth he writeth in our hearts by his Spirit and the manifestation of it is in his word thus recorded by the Euangelist Saint Luke In the sixt moneth Luke 1.26 the Angell Gabriel was sent from God vnto a Citie of Galile named Nazareth to a Virgine espoused to a man whose name was Ioseph of the house of Dauid and the Virgins name was Marie and the Angell came in vnto her and said Haile thou that art
the booke of Iudges vsed a parable to declare his mind more plainly saying The trees went forth on a time to annoint a king ouer them so forth So we desire without offence to vse a Dialogue or disputation to see if this mysterie so profound may be better vnderstood or leaue a deeper impression of so holy learning Whē Adam and in him all his posteritie by disobedience had sinned against God before he should receiue the doome of his iust damnation sundrie stood vp to pleade IVSTICE tooke the first place and with much vehemencie alledged that the righteousnesse of God required that vnlesse there were a ful satisfaction made by man for mans transgression man must necessarily die and that eternally for his sinne and that God could not be iust if any of his debts should passe vnsatisfied Infinite Iustice is wronged therefore must man endure infinite torments The most holy and iust God hath spoken Gen. 2 17. In the day thou eatest of the tree of the knowledge of good and euill thou shalt die the death Againe he hath said Deut. 27.26 Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things which are written in the booke of the Law to do them Yea and againe The soule that sinneth shall die Ezek. 18.5 TRVTH likewise stood vp and said My sentence must needs be to second make good all that Iustice hath spoken for what God saith is true all his words are as the faithfull witnesses in heauen and He will be knowne by executing of iudgement Psal 9.16 Be ye well assured Num. 23.19 God is not as man that he should lie hath he said and shall he not do it and hath he spoken and shall he not accomplish it MERCIE then put forth her voice Giue me place also to stand for and to witnesse what is noted in the Scripture of truth For though I may in no part derogate from Iustice or Truth whose greatnesse I know and reuerence yet know ye also that Mercie will lose neither her right or preheminence but will take first place of you both for it is allotted by the word vnto me It is first said Gracious and then Righteous is the Lord. Psal 25.8 Yea let it be engrauen in pillars of marble and written with letters of gold and in the hearts of all the holy ones Psal 145.8 The Lord is gracious and mercifull slow to anger and of great mercie Yea I will auouch it confidently that where there is one title of Gods Iustice He maketh not the wicked innocent there are seauen titles of his Mercie Iehouah Iehouah Exod. 34.6 strong mercifull and gracious slow to anger abounding in goodnesse and truth reseruing mercie for thousands forgiuing iniquitie and transgression and sinne If Iustice say man shall die Mercie saith he shall liue Eze. 16.6 PEACE then very mildly tooke part with Mercie and said Sister Truth I blame thee not for speaking on Iustice side for we haue learned that God is true in his threatnings none will herein gainsay thee but speake vnpartially as I well know thou wilt when it cometh to thy turne to speake againe is not God also as true in his holy Couenants and all his sweete promises But without more vrging thee I will speake for vs both and in the words of the holy Ghost As I haue sworne Isa 54.9 that the waters of Noah should no more go ouer the earth so haue I sworne that I would not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee for the mountaines shall depart and the hils shall be remooued but my kindnesse shall not depart from thee neither shall the Couenant of my peace be remooued saith the Lord that hath mercie on thee If rigor of Iustice should take such place that man for his Sinne should eternally perish then Mercie and Peace should be quite banished out of the earth But I know assuredly That he will speake peace vnto his people Psal 85.8 and to his Saints The Lord will blesse his people with peace Yea vnto man Isa 9.6 for man is giuen the Prince of peace WISDOME then as best able to decide this controuersie tooke place and said All of you haue spoken well and as beseemeth you for God will make his Name glorious in manifesting before men and Angels the holinesse of his Iustice Truth Mercie and Peace Mercie must be shewed otherwise man cannot be saued and yet God will not shew Mercie to violate or wrong his Iustice There is a way found out by him whose name is Wonderfull and Counseller Isa 9.6 how to please you all and to giue you full contentment and to saue men from deserued damnation There is a law made by the most High the Iust and Mercifull God wherein it is thus enacted If thy brother be impouerished Leuit. 23.47 and sell himselfe to a stranger by thee after he is sold he may be bought out ONE OF HIS BRETHREN may buy him out any of the KINRED of his flesh among his familie may REDEEME him According to the equity of this law some second Adam that is a Brother must make the Redemption and Attonement who can pay all the forfets and debts of man who can die and yet ouercome death die and be no debter to death but meerely of loue lay downe his life to saue other from dying who can perfectly fulfill the whole Law and purchase the Creators fauour and an eternall inheritance For God by his Commandemēt requiring of man sound full and perfect obedience without a perfect and complete obedience will not make man righteous and threatning a curse setting downe the penaltie will admit of no satisfaction but by the suffering of that curse denounced by God himselfe Now such a suretie and man of worth that can thus suffer and thus do where shall he be found Here Adam and all his sonnes were silent deiected and heartlesse for no such could be found on earth man could do nothing to worke his recouerie no more then a dead man can raise vp himselfe out of his graue Ephes 2.1 being dead in trespasses and sinnes so that Desperation was readie to arrest Adam and to take him from Gods gracious presence for euer but the SONNE OF GOD came in due time to helpe at neede and to saue that which was lost and he graciously spake I will take flesh of the wombe of a Virgine I will become man rather then man shall perish whom I created after mine owne image He fell not altogether of himselfe but by temtation of another another that is more mighty shall raise him vp and restore him fully into the fauour of his Creator And this shall be accomplished as Wisedome hath made it plaine vnto you altogether according as it is written of me in the volume of Gods booke Isa 53.5 The iniquitie of all shall be laid on me and I will make reconciliation I will be wounded for mans transgression
the necessitie of it for receiuing Iesus our Sauiour to be our owne and in him to haue and enioy free full and eternall saluation Looke we carefully into the gracious dispensation of our blessednesse and we shall find it both plainly and plentifully taught in the word of grace Life is primarily in the Father from him in the Sonne and that for as many as receiue him The Father hath life in himselfe Ioh. 5.26 and he hath giuen to the Sonne to haue life in himselfe but not onely for himselfe but for all that beleeue on him This is the record 1. Ioh 5.11 that God hath giuen TO VS eternall life and this life is in his Sonne Now if it be giuen to vs we must receiue this life and blessednesse and Christ the giuer to dwel in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 By it we haue a neare vnion with his person as members of his body whereof he is Head giuing vs life as feeling and motion are from the head to all the naturall bodie And communion with all his graces to our full blessednesse And that it is the proper act of faith alone to RECEIVE is thus taught The true Light came vnto his owne and his owne receiued him not Ioh. 1.12 but as many as RECEIVED him to them gaue he power to become the sonnes of God euen to them that BELEEVE on his name Paul thus speaketh Gal. 3.14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Iesus that we might RECEIVE the promise of the Spirit THROVGH FAITH In the same sence the word of laying hold on is vsed expressing the nature and act of true faith in this exhortation Fight the good fight of FAITH 1. Tim. 6.12 lay hold of eternall life whereto thou art called Faith is not a disposition to holinesse or a beginning of other vertues which vnited together might be meritorious of life and glorie as some haue greatly mistaken it but it is a receiuing apprehension laying hold on and applying of Christ vnto vs for whom and by whom we are acceptable to God and heires of blessednesse Our iudgement and faith must be grounded on Gods holy word which is most plaine and cleare in this great mysterie It is no where said thy faith hath begun vertues in thee though indeed there is no true vertue but which floweth from faith but it is said by the Lord himselfe Luke 7.50 Thy faith hath saued thee as also 1. Ioh. 5.24 He that beleeueth hath passed from death to life And the holy Apostles in like manner set forth the sweete and comfortable fruites of faith Heb. 10.39 We follow faith to the conseruation of the soule In another place he saith Rom. 3.24 We are iustified freely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Iesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud to declare his righteousnes for the remission of sinnes that are past through the forbearance of God to declare at this time his righteousnesse that he might be iust and a iustifier of him which beleeueth in Iesus To this agreeth that in Peter 1. Pet. 1.9 Receiue the end of your faith euen the saluation of your soules Christ Iesus is the obiect of our faith which assureth vs of our adoption iustification and full blessednesse and hath his seate partly in the vnderstanding partly in the heart In the mind and vnderstanding faith is a sure knowledge and apprehension that Iesus Christ the sonne of the Virgine Marie is the eternall Sonne of God the long promised blessed seed the Sauiour of all his chosen And in the heart it is a true and sure perswasion wrought also in vs by Gods spirit a confident application that I haue right to him as giuen to me waiting for all my blessednesse through him relying and casting my selfe wholly vpon him So I put to my seale Ioh. 3.33 that God is true iust and gracious infinitely good that extendeth such mercie to me freely for his beloued Sonnes sake neither dare I do that wrong to God and my selfe as to mistrust and doubt of his gracious promises He that shall beleeue and be baptized Mar. 16.16 shall be saued Ye are of God in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs 1. Cor. 1.30 wisedome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption Hauing Christ to be ours in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelleth we haue by him free pardon of all our sinnes and vnrighteousnesse the imputation of Christs righteousnesse to be ours by his free gift redemption through his bloud freedome from the curse and rigor of the Law from guiltinesse bondage and punishment of sinne from condemnation and hell torments By him we haue Reconciliation and Attonement sure sweet and lasting peace with God boldnesse with confidence to come to the throne of grace the spirit of Adoption whereby as deare children of God we call him our Father ioying in his presence desiring to do his will we haue prosperitie and aduersitie sanctified vnto vs to further vs to grow vp to full holinesse we haue peace of conscience sense of Gods loue ioy in the holy Ghost the Spirit of Christ dwelling in vs teaching enlightning guiding vpholding and comforting vs repairing the image of God in vs setting beauty vpon our soules giuing grace to be fruitfull in holy desires and meditations in all good words and workes strength to perseuere in the knowledge loue of the truth and carefull practise of all pietie to fight the Lords battels valiantly prosperously to get Satan trampled vnder our feete to triumph in Christ and finally with him to bee partakers of glorie and eternall blessednesse An obiection and doubt From these words of the Apostle Now abideth faith 1. Cor. 13.13 hope charitie these three but the greatest of these is charitie If charitie be greatest say some how then doth faith iustifie and assure euery beleeuer of his blessednesse Let such be put in mind that although charitie in two respects be greater then faith yet is it not that grace which receiueth iustification and life but the excellencie and greatnesse of it is seene in other things First charitie is greater then faith in continuance of time neuer falling away neuer ceassing but lasting euer more as may appeare in the words going before from 8. verse Faith and hope bring vs to Christ possessing him and with him full blessednesse there will be no more vse for them twaine Like as a man got into his countrey arriued where he will euer abide needeth no more a ship to passe ouer the seas Faith hope end with time Charitie ouer liueth all time When faith and hope ceasse with the world charitie then commeth to a fuller perfection Secondly charitie is greater in fruitfulnesse to do good to Gods people the proper worke of faith being to fetch comfort from Christ and conuey it into our owne soule
Faith casteth her eyes on God and all his gracious sweete promises Charitie looketh on men compassionatly to helpe and comfort thē and euen this good fruite springeth from faith as an apple from middest of blossome that grew before it Faith is the ancient and the true mother both of hope and charity and worketh by loue Gal. 5.6 All these three graces are excellent but faith is first hath preeminence first in giuing all glorie to God that in his loue he made a free Couenant of saluation and that in his truth he performed the same Secondly it is greatest by giuing to man hold and possession of the promised mercies so that by it as with a hand he taketh hold on receiueth and locketh fast into his heart the Couenant of saluation yea receiueth Christ to dwell in the heart Ier. 23.6 who is the Lord our righteousnes Faith is like to the root of a tree that frō the earth sucketh in nourishment to beget and continually to preserue and nourish the life and fruitfulnesse of it but charitie is like the branches of the tree which hauing receiued vitall sap do put forth their fruits in due season and according to their kind Faith may be cōpared to the Magnes or loadstone that draweth iron to it and keepeth it fast Charitie to Hematites that putteth out a vertue to stay bleeding Faith is a Receiuer Gal. 5.5 We through the spirit wait for the hope of righteousnesse by faith Charitie is a Giuer for hauing much giuen and forgiuen by Christ we loue much Luke 7.47 and giue back a reflexe of our loue euē true thankfulnesse to God and sundry fruits of hearty loue for his sake especially to them that excell in vertue As in the body the eye and eare haue their seuerall powers and offices the one to see the other to heare so in the soule haue faith and charitie Faith clingeth fast to Christ to haue in him iustification from sinne and his imputed righteousnesse to be ours Charitie sheweth forth the measure of our sanctificatiō to hallow Gods name to make sure our election and calling and willing and doing good to the Saints that are on earth And this may suffice for answer to the first doubt but fasten we yet our eyes more fully on the beautie of faith whose fairenesse and worth we cannot sufficiently admire That one place which is in the third of Iohn and may be called the summe of the Gospell openeth the treasure of grace to our view and the excellencie of sauing faith in these words God so loued the world Ioh. 3.16 that he hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue life euer lasting Consider we aright the true causes of our blessednesse and how great a gift it is and to whom it befalleth The first mouing cause is the free loue of God his rich grace mercy bountie The second cause is the Sonne of God giuen vnto vs who also gaue himselfe to be our ransome perfectly able to saue them that come to God by him The third is the meanes or instrumentall cause which is faith or beleefe the very hand and mouth of the soule to receiue Iesus Christ and all his riches to be ours The fourth cause is the end for which the Father gaue his Sonne hath two branches the one remouing of euill deserued That we should not perish the other the bringing in of our blessednesse purchased expressed in these words But haue euerlasting life When the Law accusing sheweth vs our sinnes and Gods angry countenance and iust wrath against vs euen eternall damnation when sinne and iniquities separate betweene God and vs then must we apply by faith to our fainting soules this glad tidings vttered by Christ the like to keepe vs from despaire True it is that the wounds of sinne are deadly but it is true also that the salue and remedies to heale and helpe are very soueraigne to euery one that is sound in the faith and layeth them to his soule Rom. 13.14 as a man putteth on his garment to keepe him from the cold As our sinnes are deformities that make the soule foule and vglie we haue Christ purging them by himselfe Heb. 1.3 As they keepe vs in bondage we haue Christ redeeming vs with his precious bloud 1. Pet 1.19 As they are euill deeds that cannot be vndone we haue Christ couering thē Psal 32.1 As they are debts greater then we can pay we haue Christ forgiuing them Rom. 4.7 As they are offēces against God making vs worthy of eternall death we haue Christ not imputing our sins vnto vs. Rom. 4 8. As they are disobedience against God and his law reuealed to vs from heauen we haue Christ fulfilling the law for vs. Rom. 10 4. Yea we haue from the same neuer failing fountaine of grace Rom. 4.11 Christs righteousnesse imputed to vs by which we are accounted and are righteous as if we had wrought all righteousnesse our selues euen as one friend setteth another free fully paying his debts for him As Caiphas ouerruled by Gods spirit well prophesied That Iesus should die for that nation Ioh. 11.50 saying Ye know nothing at all nor consider that it is expedient for vs that one man should die for the people and that the whole nation perish not And Paul very comfortably teacheth describing the faith of Abraham Rom. 4 23. And it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for vs also to whom it shall be imputed if we beleeue on him that raised vp Iesus our Lord from the dead How cleare is it in the word that as Adams disobedience made vs all sinners so the obedience of Christ maketh all true beleeuers righteous the words of the holy Ghost are these As by one mans disobedience Rom. 5.19 many were made sinners So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous For like as our sinnes were imputed to Christ when he suffered for vs and bare our sinnes in his body on the 1. Pet. 2.25 tree so his righteousnesse is imputed and reckoned to be our righteousnesse through Gods gracious acceptance most iust and wise dispensation Which also to the Galathians Gal. 3.13 is thus set forth Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law being made a curse for vs. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Iesus Christ that we might receiue the promise of the Spirit through faith And yet more plainly to the Corinthians 2. Cor. 5.21 God hath made him to be sinne for vs who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Now for the bringing in of blessednesse mentioned in the second branch called euerlasting life it is so great so good and glorious a treasure as no heart yet can sufficiently conceiue of the worth excellency thereof where he
sanctification Secondly it is Gods ordination We are his wormāship Eph. 2 10. created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath before ordained that we should walke in them Thirdly there is a necessity of the doing and presence of good workes for the manifestation of the righteous iudgments of God when he will come to be glorified in his Saints and crowne his owne works in them Mat. 25.35 Reu. 22.12 For he will iudge all men according to their deeds And giue to euery man as his worke shall be Fourthly a necessity is imposed vppon vs because we are debters as it is said Luk. 17.10 We haue done what was our dutie to do Rom. 8.12 And Paul saith Ye are debters but not to the flesh but to God our Creator Redeemer and Sanctifier Euer thinke we on it Tit. 2.14 that Iesus Christ gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purifie vs to himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes The obligation and bond of our debt is our Baptisme We are buried with him by Baptisme into death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glorie of the Father so we should walke in newnesse of life Fiftly because there is no other way to eternall blessednesse but by the practise of holinesse For though good workes cannot be the cause of saluation but onely Iesus Christ as it is said Isa 49.6 I will giue thee for a light of the Gentiles that thou maist be my saluation vnto the end of the world yet are they the way and path vnto life and blessednesse Pro. 12.28 In the way of righteousnesse is life and in the path thereof there is no death Ye haue your fruite in holinesse Rom. 6.22 and the end euerlasting life The vses of good works are many and great in regard of God our selues others and our holy profession First God is glorified by our good workes which are being rightly performed a speciall part of his holy worship and seruice Ioh. 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bring forth much fruite His grace is manifested by enabling vs vnto a measure of obedience Eze. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and ye shall keepe my iudgements and do them God is honoured and praised for them and by them They glorified God for me Gal. 1.23 1. Pet. 2.9 Ye are a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him which hath called you out of darknesse into his maruellous light 1. Pet. 4.11 Do it as of the abilitie which God giueth that God in all things may be glorified through Iesus Christ As a father delighteth in a dutifull sonne so God delighteth in all those that beare his image imitate his holy nature that take pleasure in well doing Ioh. 4.34 whose meate and drinke it is to do their fathers will Secondly by our blamelesse and good conuersation we become followers of the example of Christ of his Saints Ioh. 13.15 I haue giuen you an example that ye should do as I haue done to you As Christ forgaue you Colos 3.13 so also do ye Take the Prophets who haue spoken in the name of the Lord Iam. 5.10 for an example of suffering affliction and of patience Thirdly by our holy life and obedience to God we gaine assurance that God hath chosen vs to be heires of saluation 2. Pet. 1.10 Giue diligence that ye make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall neuer fall If we loue in deed and truth We know we are of the truth 1. Ioh. 3.19 and shall assure our hearts before him Thus the truth of faith is knowne for faith that hath no works is dead Gal. 5.6 being alone Neither Circumcision nor vncircumcision auaileth any thing but faith which worketh by loue Thus also is the soundnesse of repentance knowne Act. 26.20 I shewed to them that they should repent and turne to God and do works meete for repentance Fourthly by carefulnesse of well performing our dutie we are heartned to looke for the performance of Gods free promises made vnto vs. So Moses had respect vnto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11.26 Godlinesse hauing the promises of this life 1. Tim. 4.8 and that which is to come We may looke for obtaine if God see it expedient for vs long life a blessed posterity peace plentie ioy of heart preseruation in the euill day and whatsoeuer good is 1. Cor. 15.58 Be ye stedfast vnmoueable alwaies abounding in the worke of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vaine in the Lord. Gal. 6.9 Let vs not be wearie of well-doing for in due time we shall reape if we faint not Know that whatsoeuer good thing any man doth the same he shal receiue of the Lord. Fiftly they that liue righteously escape curses and calamities when the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience 2. Pet. 2.5 For when God spared not the old world he saued Noah the eight person a preacher of righteousnesse God said he would spare Sodome and Gomorha Gen. 18.32 Isa 65.14 for ten sake that were righteous Behold my seruants shall sing for ioy of heart but ye shall crie for sorrow of heart and shall houle for vexation of spirit Sixtly they that are of vpright conuersation and are studious to abound in good workes shall auoid offences Giue none offence 1. Cor. 10.32 neither to the Iewes nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God Mat. 18.7 2. Cor. 6.3 For wo vnto the world because of offences Giuing none offence in any thing that the Ministerie be not blamed Seuenthly by our good deeds we win others to God or make way and prepare some to conuersion I am made all things to all men 1. Cor. 9.22 that I might by all meanes saue some Haue your conuersation honest among the Gentiles 1. Pet. 2.12 that whereas they speake against you as euill doers they may by your good workes which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation Rom. 11.14 I magnifie mine office if by any meanes I may prouoke to emulation them which are my flesh and might saue some of them 1. Pet. 3.1 Ye wiues be in subiection to your husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be wonne by the conuersation of the wiues Eightly righteous behauiour stoppeth the mouthes of the aduersaries that they cannot speake ill of vs. So the loyall and iust cariage of Dauid towards Saul ioyned with loue and meeknesse preuailed so far that he made this acknowledgment Thou art more iust then I. 1. Sam. 24.17 1. Pet. 2.15 So is the will of God that with well doing ye may put to silence the
care is now to walke with God To trust in him for aye On him to hope and him to loue In all things to obey 1. Cor. 10.31 Psal 145.2 Psal 16.3 His glorie I will soundly seeke His praises forth will tell In Saints on earth will I delight In vertue that excell Psal 119.111 His holy word will I esteeme As rule of life most pure And striue to liue as it directs To make my calling sure 2. Pet. 1.10 The life of grace as way to blisse I wholly will embrace And shun allwaies of wickednesse That may my life disgrace Yea I will warre against all sinne 1. Tim. 6.12 Ephe. 6.10 And stoutly still will fight Perswaded sure through Christ my King To conquer by his might And though through frailtie of my flesh I faile I fall or sinne Mine inward man doth it detest Rom. 7.15 And loath to lie therein My heart can witnesse that by me When Gods Law was transgrest It was not I but Adam old Rom. 7.17 Indwelling-sinne my guest Which like vnto Goliah strong Doth daily vexe and rage Whereas mine inward man is weake Like Dauid yong of age Yet shall mine inward Dauid once 1. Sam. 17.51 Triumphantly preuaile And great Goliah ouerthrow Who doth so sore assaile Meane while each conquest ouer sinne Makes Gods loue to appeare Psal 116.17 And I new thankes and praise to him Will offer in his feare Another signe of Gods sure loue I cannot chuse but know In that both Diuell and foes did rage Psal 41.11 Yet could not me downe throw For God my strength did me vphold And kept me safe and sure 1. Sam. 12.22 Psal 136.1 He is no changling now to shrinke His mercies still endure And though my fals bring griefe and feare I shall not fall away Iohn 8.28 The sheepe of God cannot be lost Although they go astray Eze. 34.11 For Christ doth go to wildernesse When one sheepe he doth lacke He seekes it there vntill he find Mat. 18.12 And brings it on his backe The Couenant old to do vs good And put in vs his feare Ier. 32.40 That we from him should not depart It doth my soule much cheare Luk. 22.32 That Peters faith might neuer faile Christ here on earth did pray He now in heauen my Aduocate Will me vphold and stay A surer seale a sweeter pledge God giues me inwardly His holy Spirit which in my heart Rom. 8.16 Doth Abba Father crie My free Adoption he makes knowne 1. Ioh. 2.20 My deare Redemption seales My full Attonement with my God Rom. 8.16 He inwardly reueales He bends my heart vnto his will Eze. 36.27 He guides me by his Law To trust in him to loue him still On him to stand in awe His pow'r sometimes though I feele not Through sinne and fleshly feare Yet seede of grace sowne in my heart 1. Ioh. 3.9 In time doth me vpreare His loue so old so sweete so firme My heart with ioy doth fill Whom once he loues he neuer leaues Ioh. 13.1 But doth embrace him still The legacie of lasting life Rom. 6.23 His gift it is most free How then can any thing debarre Or keepe the same from me Wherefore were seales to Couenant set Mat. 26.28 Isa 34.9 Why did our Lord oft sweare But to cheare vp the fainting soule And make his loue appeare Hence I by faith vnto my selfe Gods promises apply Gal. 2.20 And say with Paul Christ so lou'd me That he did for me die Ioh 18.17 Ioh. 20.24 Mat. 12.20 And though with Peter I fall farre Or do with Thomas doubt Thou that breakst not the bruised reede Nor smoking flaxe put out As thou didst them restore in grace And made them to abide So wilt thou me who onely art Ioh. 20 28. My King my God my guide So whether it be thy holy will Rom. 14.8 That I shall liue or die I am thine owne and so shall be Now and eternally Luke 1.47 Wherefore in God my Sauiour My soule do thou reioyce In praysing of his holy Name Lift vp a chearefull voice Psal 107.22 In offering vp such sacrifice Lord make me spend my daies Make it my studie and my ioy To giue thee thankes and praise The Complaints of a Sinner The Comforts of our Sauiour SINNER COnceiu'd in sin in sin brought forth Psal 51.5 Rom. 7.14 Rom. 5.12 Gen. 8.21 Sold vnder sinne I was Seede of all sinne in me vile vaine I vglie am alas SAVIOVR A Sauiour I am to that flocke 2. Cor. 6.17 Ioh. 1.13 1. Cor. 6.11 Whom I anew create Thou borne of God by new-birth art Through me in happie state SINNER The Law of God as iust and good Rom. 7.10.7.12 Doth blesse who it fulfill But me for my foule faults and sinnes It doth both curse and kill Gal. 3.10 SAVIOVR The holy Law of God most high I haue fulfilled for thee Rom. 10.4 Heb. 8.10 Act. 16.31 Beleeue the Couenant of my grace And blessed thou shalt be SINNER The guilt of sinne breeds griefe dread Rom. 6.21 7.11 It woundeth as a sword Psal 38. An hell on earth it seemes to me What helpe for this O Lord SAVIOVR 1. Pet. 3.18 1. Pet. 2.24 When I the iust for vniust died And bare your sinnes on tree From guilt of sinne I clearly set Eze. 18.27 Repentant sinners free SINNER Rom. 6.23 1. Cor. 10.5 Sharpe punishments with wrathfull rods By each sinne we procure What mortall man can them escape Or yet the stripes endure SAVIOVR Iohn 1.29 Ioh. 3.16 Deut. 8.2 The Lambe of God your sinnes hath borne Beleeuers are made free To worke amendment rods are sent To trie and humble thee SINNER Rom. 7.23 Sinnes bondage blinds besots my mind My heart to euill bends Rom. 8.7 To hate the good to loue the bad To aime at sinfull ends SAVIOVR Rom. 6.22 Thou seruant made to righteousnesse By my grace art set free 2. Cor. 10.4 Though yet a while thou tug and toile Till warfare ended be SINNER Through flesh so fraile I oft am foild Rom. 7.15 What I would not I do What good I would I leaue vndone Rom. 7.19 This weakenesse works my wo. SAVIOVR Yet spirit oft the flesh doth courbe Rom. 7.22 1. Cor. 9.27 Rom. 8.13 And shall in time all sway This battell will a conquest bring To perfect peace make way SINNER The wicked world on euill set 1. Ioh. 5.14 Allures me vnto sinne Hath sundry snares and fearefull plagues Iam. 4.4 And oft wraps me therein SAVIOVR Thy home is heauen seeke after it 2. Cor. 5.2 Vaine worldly pleasures flie A friend to world is foe to God Iam. 4.4 Loue thou the things on hie SINNER The vglie Diuell sweld with spite Reu. 12.17 To sinne doth tempt me still And Lion-like seekes here and there 1. Pet. 5.8 Whom to deuoure and kill SAVIOVR Iam. 4.7 Ioh. 12.31 By faith resist and he will flie From heauen he is out cast Rom. 16.20 And vnder foote he shall be trod Through my great power at last SINNER Heb. 2.15 Vnwelcome death so gastly grim Vntimely comes with speed Heb. 9.27 My precious life it will cut off And keepes me in much dreed SAVIOVR 1. Cor. 15.55 Philip. 1.21 I conquer'd Death Deaths sting is gone It ends thy cares and sinne To lasting life it s as a gate By it thou entrest in SINNER Luk. 16.24 Hell-torments are a liuing death The paines of easelesse wo Reu. 19. â—0 For sinners these prepar'd of old These fright my heart also SAVIOVR Iob 42.6 Mourne for thy sinnes abhorre thy selfe Haue stedfast faith in me Reu. 20.14 I vanquish'd death and hell also For all that faithfull be SINNER The dreadfull day of doome drawes on When all men must appeare 2. Cor. 5.10 The Iudge is iust our sinnes are great Act. 17.31 What will then ease my feare SAVIOVR The righteous Iudge thy Sauiour is Iohn 5.27 Who will thee surely blisse But hypocrites will send to hell Mat. 24.51 The righteous doome is this SINNER O Sauiour sweete my life my light Instruct me to know thee What is thy will what is that good Thou hast laid vp for me Vnfained faith in me increase And make me strong therein To vanquish Satan doubts and feares And each presumptuous sinne Teach me with patient hope to waite On thy good pleasure still With true submission of my heart And conquest of my will My frozen heart set thou on fire With loue of thee my Lord With loue of grace of heauen of Saints With loue of thy sweet word The holy feare of thy great Name So put into my heart As may cause me from wickednesse And from all sinne depart The sacrifice of daily thankes From ground of heart I giue To thee my God with ioyfulnesse By whom my soule doth liue Let all my life set forth thy praise And therein neuer ceasse O grant me growth in godlinesse O let mine end be peace FINIS