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
Having in the former v. layd down that it is life eternal to know the true God aright he closeth his Epistle Little children keep your selves f om Idols Amen Keep your selves not onely from the adoration of them but from the Idols themselves the making the having the keepin of them is condemned as Tertullian expoundeth these words keep your selves from Idols that is not onely from their service which he calleth Idolatry but from a Ab ipsâ effigie eorum indignum enim ut Imago Dei vivi imago idoli mortui siat Lactan. l. 2. c. 19. Non est dubium quin religio nulla sit ubicunque simulacrum est the very Image of them Lactantius also affirmeth that there is no Religion wheresoever any Image is Add b Ephih epist and Joan episcop Hierosoll to these the practice of Epiphanius who tore in peeces the Picture of Christ painted in a cloth hanging up in a Church at Anablath against the Authority of Scripture 7. Jacob loved his wife Rachel most intirely Gen. 29 30. So are all husbands commanded to love their wives as Christ loved his Church and gave himselfe for it Eph. 5.25 and he is so far from being a true Israelite that he is no man who hateth his own flesh verse 29. as they do who in stead of nourishing and cherishing their wives are bitter and churlish to them as St. Paul's phrase is Col. 3.19 By flesh understand the wife in this place so saith God at the first institution of marriage a man shall leave his Father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they two shall be one flesh Gen 2.24 Yet notwithstanding Jacobs great love to Rachel when she grew impetuous through envy to her Sister and male contentednesse for want of children and brake out into distempered offensive words to God saying to him Give me children or else I dye Jacobs anger was kindled against her and he sharply rebuked her saying Am I in Gods stead who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb Gen. 30.1 2. So let not the love of the persons of our dearest friends so far blind our eyes or stop our mouths as to make us connive at their faults or to spare to reprehend them for the same for then should we turne to be their enemies Levit. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart saith God thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him The like may be truly affirmed of withholding due correction from our children when they deserve it Prov. 13.24 He that spareth his rod hateth his Son but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes 8. As Jacob was most carefull for the soules of his wives and children so was he not improvident for their outward estates and comfortable subsistance in this present life no lesse do his words to Laban import Gen. 30.30 Thou knowest how I have served thee all the while since my first comming Now when shall I provide for mine owne house also Usually very nature teacheth men to be provident for their posterity for Children saith the Apostle use not to lay up for the Parents but the Parents for the Children 2 Cor. 12.14 But it is Grace not nature which teacheth us here how to keep within the right bounds of moderation that we lay not up Curses for our Children in the roome of blessings as all wicked and unjust dealers do who get riches to lay them up for their Children but God layeth up their iniquity for their off-spring Job 21.19 Some there are in these last and perilous dayes who being without naturall affection as was long since foretold 2 Tim. 3.3 do run into the contrary extreame and take no more care of their wives and Children then the Ostrich doth of her eggs which she leaveth on the earth and forgetteth that the foot may crush them or that that the wild beasts may break them and she is hardned against her young-ones as though they were not hers Job 39.14 15.19 This Ostrich is an embleme of a debosht spendthrift who wasteth his time and meanes in riot and revelling in whoring gaming surfitting and drunkennesse like the Prodigal Luke 15.13 nothing regarding what becommeth of wife or Children nay he is worse then the Prodigal for we read not that he had either wife or child againe he is worse then an infidel as the Scripture determineth 1 Tim. 5.8 If any provide not for his own and especially for those of his owne house he hath denyed the faith and is worse then an infidel Instance 13 Israels life we have seen to be well ordered in holynesse towards God and righteousness towards men let us now attend him to his deaths-bed and there shall we see his end to be like his life he dyed in the faith praying and blessing his sons Heb. 11.13.21 Perseverance in grace is the last and surest badge of a true Israelite which sets the Crown upon his head Revel 2.10 He that is faithfull til death shall receive a crown of life whereas they that begin in the spirit and end in the flesh who fall away with Demas for worldly profit 2 Tim. 4.10 or for fear of persecution shall loose their reward Prov. 14.14 The Apostate or backslider in heart shall be filled with his owne wayes It had beene better for such never to have known the way of righteousnesse then after he hath known it to turne from the holy Commandement delivered to him 2 Pet. 2.22 Sect. 10 Thus have I transcribed in this large use of information an authentick Copy of the true Israelite blessed is every one who writeth after it I have also for the greater perspicuity for contraries illustrate one the other laid down who they are that deviate and swerve from this holy standard 2Vse for terror Branch 1 By all this which hath been delivered to you and proved it will evidently appeare that there are but few yea very few Israelites indeed under Heaven Jer. 5.1 For runne through the City A Recaputulation yea through the world and see what swarms and multitudes there are of Ignorant persons yea grossely and wilfully ignorant men and women 2. of unbelievers and misbeleivers 3. Of impenitent wretches yea opposers of the doctrine of Repentance 4 Of such as make little conscience either of their thoughts or words 5 Of such as despise Gods word and hate Gods people 6 Of such as love the applause of men more then the praise of God alone 7 Of Hypocrites Lyers Jugling Equivocators base flatterers and deceivers 8 Of such as like Jehojakin swerve from the gracious examples of holy men Jer. 22.15 16 17. Or Ahaziah like follow the counsels and walke in the wayes of the wicked 2 Chron. 22.3.4 5. As 1 of such who choose rather to be the servants of sin and Satan then of God and righteousnesse 2 who are covenant breakers with God 3 proud and arrogant spirits 4 forsakers of God 5
world Answ Appreciative they receive that which is an hundred times of more worth then all that they lose And for a fuller Answer I refer you to the learned and ancient father Jerom in loc tom 9. who first layeth downe the exposition of some millenaries on these words and refuteth the same and then gives us his owne judgment on them Ex occasione hujus sententiae quidam introducunt mille annos post resurrectionem dicentes tunc nobis centuplum omnium rerum quas dimisimus et vitam aeternam esse reddendam Quòd si in caeteris digna sit promissio in uxoribus appareat turpitudo ut qui unam pro Domino dimiserit centum recipiat in futuro Sensus igitur iste est Qui carnalia pro Sa vatore dimiserit spiritualia recipiet quae comparatione et merito suî quasi parvo numero centenarius numerus comparetur Or to raise up bitter persecutions against them for feare whereof many durst not joyne themseves to the Apostles Act. 5.13 and others who receive the seed of the word as it were into stony places hearing and anon receiving it with joy yet not having root in themselves endure for a while but afterwards when tribulation and persecution ariseth because of the word by and by they are offended Mat 13.20.21 For prevention hereof consider that ere long the case shall be altered that God shall recompense tribulation to them that trouble you and if you be of the seed of the Iews as Zeresh said to Haman of Mordecai they shall not prevaile against you but surely fall before you Esth 6.13 and the same righteous God who hath already pronounced them blessed who are persecuted for righteousnesse sake withall affirming that theirs is the kingdom of heaven Mat. 12.10 will both enable you to endure stedfast to the end and in the end give you rest with Christ 2 Thess 1.7 for if we suffer with him we shall be also glorified together Therefore reckon with the Apostle that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.17.18 Sect. 13 4. Satan will ever be sure to stand up against Israel as he did in Davids time 4 Impediment Satan when he provoked him to number the people 1 Chron. 21.1 His grand and constant designe ever hath been estill is and will be to keep soules from entring into this fold of Iesus Christ 1. By raising up odious reports of the holy way as well as of the professors of it that none may seek after it as when Paul spake with the chief of the Iewes at Rome and told them that for the hope of Israel he was bound with that chain which was then upon him they answered him As concerning this sect we know that every where it is spoken against Act. 28.20 21. 2ly By keeping to the utmost of his power the true preachers of the Gospel from declaring and making known to the churches the excellency of this way even the beauty of holinesse as he hindred Paul from coming to the Thessalonians though he endeavoured it with great desire 1 Thess 2.17.18 3ly By raising up false teachers and fitting and furnishing them with all possible dexterity to raise up disaffection in the hearts of all sorts against the truth and such as publish the same 2 Thess 2.9.10 4. By blinding the mindes of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4.4 5. If by all his wiles he cannot hinder the preaching hearing and believing of the Gospell then his next plot will be to turne them who began to run well from the right path into error and sinfull courses so when Paul had espoused the Corinthians to one husband that he might present them as a chast virgin to Christ he feared lest by any meanes as the serpent beguiled Eve thorow his subtilty so their mindes should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 3. 6ly If he can effect none of these projects then he will strive to hinder them from their speedy and comfortable proceeding in the Christian race by raising up his instruments to do them all possible mischief and dammage as he imployed 1. the Sabeans to take away Jobs oxen as they were plowing and his asses feeding beside them and to kill his servants with the edge of the sword suffering onely one to be a messenger to acquaint him with the sad tydings thereof Job 1.14 15. 2ly By causing a great fire to fall from heaven to burne up and consume his servants and his sheep in another place v. 16. 3ly By sending three bands of the Caldeans who fell upon the camels and carried them away and slew others of his servants with the edge of the sword v. 17. 4ly By raising up a great wind from the wilderness which smote the four corners of the house wherein his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine so that it fell upon them and killed them all at once v. 19. 5ly By smiting Jobs body with sore boyls and diseases from the sole of his foote unto his crown Job 2.7 6ly by instigating his wife who should have been his chiefest comfort to become his bitterest crosse to perswade him to forgoe his integrity to curse God and die v. 9. 7ly when he thought his bed should comfort him and his couch should ease his complaint by scaring him with dreames and terrifying him through visions so that he chose death rather then life Job 7.13.14 8 by his three friends who became miserable comforters to him and endeavoured to bereave him of his sincerity the onely support of his spirit yet left him yet in all these fierce encounters the Lord strengthened him to hold out and ye have seen the end of the Lord that he is pityfull and of tender mercy Jam. 5.11 In like manner doth the Spirit encourage the angel of the church in Smyrna to whom he writeth thus Feare none of the things which thou shalt suffâ—r Behold the devill shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation tenne dayes be thou faithfull unto death and I will give thee the Crown of life Rev. 2.10 See here the devil himselfe was to be the jayler for he should cast not all but some of them into Prison yet could he not have this power till it was given from above Gods end was not to destroy but to try them the time how long the persecution was to last is limitted to tenne dayes not so long as the devil pleased and therefore he assureth them they had no cause to feare but adviseth them to be faâ—thfull unto death and then promiseth to give them a crown of life 7. Satan is termed the accuser of the brethren because he accuseth them before our God day and night Rev. 12 10. seeking by this meanes to
oath and say Lord I have many enemies too strong and subtile for me but be thou my strong rock I have a deceitfull backsliding heart but thou art a true God purge out mine hypocrisie and heale all my backslidings Thou requirest that I should serve thee in holiness and righteousness without feare but thou hast bound thy self as wel to me as mee to thy self grant me thy grace and power to do thy will Da Domine quod jubes jube quod vis and banish far from me all slavish feare by planting thy love in mine heart for perfect love doth cast out slavish feare 1 Joh. 4.18 2. This covenant is established in the hand of a mediator Jesus Christ who hath paid our whole debt Heb. 12.24 though we cannot satisfie for the least farthing and he is able to work all our works in us and for us Isa 26 12. Adam indeed soon brake his covenant though he were in innocency because he stood by his owne strength but the second Adam God and man is our upholder who is bound in the covenant of grace with us and for us to whom the Lord hath said In an acceptable time have I heard thee and in a day of salvation have I helped thee and I will preserve thee and give thee for a covenant of the people to establish the earth to cause to inherit the desolate heritages that thou maist say to the prisoners go forth to them that are in darknes shew yourselves Isa 49.8.9 God promiseth to help and preserve him that he may help and uphold us Are we in darkness he will be our light Are we weak he the Lord Jehova wil be our everlasting strength Do we fall he will raise us up Psal 37.24 Though we break the covenant he hath kept it to the utmost Thirdly To render us yet more secure Act. 2.38 39. God hath confirmed this covenant that he wil be our God and guide unto death by outward seals commonly called Sacraments Baptisme and the Lords supper as circumcision is called the seal of the righteousness of faith Rom. 4.11 As also by the inward seal of his holy Spirit who beareth witnesse with our spirits that we are the children of God Rom. 8.16 as the Apostle saith 2 Cor. 1.21 22. Now he which establisheth us with you is God which words with you are added lest some weaker Christians should demur and surmise that the Apostle and strong christians may well say so but we may not be so bold Yes saith the Apostle you may avouch somuch as well as I or any other He who establisheth us with you in Christ and hath annointed us is God who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the spirit in our hearts Here is a seal and an earnest both mentioned and annexed to Gods covenant and oath that we might have strong consoâ—atiâ—n who have fled for refuge to lay hold upâ—n the hope set before was Heb. 6.18 Argumen 2 Secondly That which mov d God to enter into covenant with them was his love God loveth them for the love of God is the original and fountaine of all the Saints blessedness and dignâ—â—y which two may all along be distinguished but cannot be separated The primary product of this love is our election from all eternity Eph. 1.4 which is therefore called the election of grace Rom. 11.5 The object of this grace is the Israel of God as appeareth by the Lords compellation Isa 44.1 2. Heare now O Iacob my servant and Israel whom I have chosen Thus saith the Lord that made thee who will also keep thee Feare not O Iacob my servant and thou Jesurun Whom I have chosen The consideration hereof emboldened David against all his ranting enemies Psal 4.2 3. O ye sons of men said he to them how long will you turne my glory into shame But know or be it known to you that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself These only have their names written in the Lamb's book of life Rev. 21.27 whereas all others who have forsaken the Lord the fountain of living waters shal be written in the Earth Jer. 17.13 They are built upon the rock of ages the foundation of God which stands suâ—e 2. Tim. 2.19 all others shal be like the chaff which the winde driveth to and fro Psal 1.4 Secondly This love moved God to send his onely begotten son in the fulness of time into the world to die for them that whosoever beleeve on him might not perish but have eternal life Joh. 3.6 Here we have the privative part of our happiness they shall not perish but be delivered from hell and the positive part they shall have eternal life Reader stand here and meditate what the terrors and torments of hell are from whence Christ by his death hath freed us and what the joyes and glory of Heaven be which he hath purchased and prepared for us And when you can fully conceive how great these two are or how great Christs love is who hath done both these for us then and never before will you be able to conceive how great the beleevers honour and happiness shall be Thirdly As the love of the Father induced him to give us his Son Isa 9.6 so the love of the Son moved him to give himselfe for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour Eph. 5.2 and that he might redeeme us from all iniquity Tit. 2.14 and consequently from hell Now might the damned Spirits be certified that they should at last be released out of those intolerable torments which they suffer and we have deserved and in the end be invested in celestial glory thought it should be graâ—â—ed them not til after some thousand of yeares first expired what a great mercy would even they account it And will not you seek to know this how you may escape hell and attain everlasting glory Sect. 3 Argument 3 Thirdly On these his bâ—loved hath Iesus Christ conferred his Sâ—cred spirit a gift of gifts that thereby we may know that he dwelleâ—h â—n us and we in him 1 Illumination 1 Joh. 3.24 By whom we 1. are enligh ened to know what is the hope of his calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inhâ—ritance in the Saints Eph. 1.18 How earnest was bl ssed Paul who rightly apprehended this mercy of illumination in praying for others that they might have it who waâ—ted it and in rendering thanks for them who had obtaâ—ned it And will not you be affâ—cted therewith to seek it till you find it and to bless God for it when you have it 2 Vivification 2. By the operation of this Spirit are they qâ—ickâ—ned who were dead before in trespasses and in sins Joh. 6.63 Now put these two together Prov. 15.30 If the light of the body be so pleasant as Solomon averreth how much more delightfull is the light of the soul and if temporall
who are so far transported with rage that in way of private revenge they commit the horrid sin of murther as Joab slew Amasa and Abner men more righteous then himselfe All these I say are farre from Jacobs spirit and consequently are none of his spirituall seed Sect. 9 Instance 12 12. Israel is a worthy pattern to all in oeconomical and family duties 1. He was a dutifull child to his parents he obeyed his father and mother his father when he was decrepiâ— by reason of old age and his motheâ— though the weaker sex Genes 28.7 and for this among other his vertues his father blessed him and his mother loved him intirely Yea God also blessed him who hath made many great promises to all obedient children Eph. 6.1 2 3. Children saith the Apostle obey your parents in the Lord for this is right Honour thy father and mother which is the first commandement with promise that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long on the Earth whereas God hath denounced grievous threats against stubborn and unruly children Pro 30.17 The eye that mocketh at his father and despiseth to obey his mother the ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young eagles shall eat it the meaning is In cruce Corvos pascere Horat. he shall come to a shamefull end as the common proverb importeth 2. When Jacob was grown up to be marriageable he was not Esau-like his owne carver to choose where he lusted but submitted himself to be disposed oâ— in wedlock as his father and mother â—hought good Genes 28.1.2 Thou â—halt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan said his father Isaac to him Arise go to Padan Aram and â—ake thee a wife of the daughters of Laban thy mothers brother and he did so Add to this the testimony of St Paul 1. Cor. 7.38 where he saith the father is to give his virgin in marriage 3. Iacob was a diligent and faithfull servant twenty yeares together to Laban a fraudulent and churlish master as he pleadeth with him for himselfe at their parting Genes 31.38 I have beene with thee 20. yeares they ewes and thy shee goats have not cast their young and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten that which was torne of beasts I brought not unto thee I bare the losse of all that was stolen whether by day or night In the day the drought consumed me and the frost by night and my sleep departed from mine eyes v. 40. And he appealeth to the knowledge of Rachel and Leah Laban's daughters to whom he thus spake Genes 31.6 ye know that with all my power I have served your father With this precedent agreeth the Apostolicall precept Servants be subject to your masters with all feare not onely to the good and gentle but also to the froward 1. Pet. 2.18 not with eye-service as men pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God and whatsoever ye do do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ Coloss 3.22.23 This may let all idle false purloyning servant who like Onesimus before his conversions do their masters harme instead of good or who Ziba-like slander deceive those who retained and do maintaine them for better ends to know that they feare not God nor be the servants of Iesus Christ yet will he pay them their wages even the wages of sin eternal death unless with Onesimus they repent 4. He reformed and cleansed his household and all that were with him and brought them to the publike place of Gods worship Gen. 35.2 Bethel As David went with his traine to the house of God Psal 42.4 and Joshuah professed as for me and mine house we will serve the Lord Josh 24.15 But how many may be found in our times who absent themselves from the assemblies of God Saints Hebr. 10.25 even upon the Lords dayes though no necessary impediment either of sickness or other justifiable cause detaine them or if they come yet their children or servants are left to themselves to goe whither they will and to do what they please contrary to the expresse commandement of God which requires all masters with their children and servants and all within their gates to sanctifie the sabbath 5. He taught them before they came how to prepare themselves charging them to cleanse themselves and to change their garments Genes 35.2 that they might come with reverence into so great a presence for holiness becometh thine house O Lord for ever Psal 93.5 So the preacher instructeth us to keep our feet when we go to the house of God and be more ready to heare than to give the sacrifice of fooles Eccl. 5.1 whereas many consider not that they do evil when they lend God their bodily presence in his courts though they lay not aside malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and evill speakings as God commands 1 Pet. 2.1 and that is the reason why many joyne with others in praying and hearing and it profits them not neither are they accepted with God as Cain offered up sacrifice as well as Abel but God had respect to Abel and his sacrifice but to Cain and his sacrifice he had no respect Genes 4.4 5. 6. Among other sins Iacobs care was that they should put away their idols Genes 35.2 put away saith he the strange Gods that are among you and they gave unto him all the strange Gods which were in their hands and all their ear-rings which were in their eares and he hid them under an oake that they might never be found againe v. 4. In like sort the Lord enjoyneth his people to abolish all the reliques of idolatry Deut. 7.25 26. The graven images of their Gods shall ye burn with fire thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them nor take it unto thee lest thou be snared therein for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thy house lest thou be a cursed thing like it but thou shalt utterly detest it and thou shalt utterly abhor it for it is a cursed thing O that this most strict charge were well regarded by all even such as are called protestants then would they quickly remove out of their houses and closets all popish pictures of Christ the Virgin Mary and other Saints and angels and sacrifice them to the flames before they be cast themselves into the lake of fire and brimstone Here let not any of them think that the sorry distinction of the Rhemists between the images and pictures of heathenish Gods and the true God and Christ Rhemish on 1 Iohn wil availe any thing Sect. 5 For the commandement runs Thou shalt not make to thy self the likeness of any thing in heaven above or the earth beneath And they are Christians to whom Saint John writeth 1 Joh. 5.21
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
incense Gods displeasure against them but Jesus Christ ever lives to make intercession to God for them therefore is he able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him Heb. 7.25 They need not care who is the accuser that have such an advocate to plead for them 8. He is alwaies prepared to hinder their prayers especially when they make intercession for Jerusalem as he did Joshua the high Priest standing before the Angel of the Lord for that end * Ministrantem Christo agentem typum ipsius in ecclesia Tremel Satan stood at his right hand to resist him Zach. 3.1 But the Lord said unto Satan the Lord rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee verse 2. 9. He dayly tempteth us to sin against God that thereby our peace with God and our own consciences might be interrupted so he buffeted Paul who upon that occasion betook himselfe thrice to prayer to God who answered him that his grace was sufficient for him his strength should be made perfect in weaknesse 2 Cor. 12.7 8 9. and when he desired to have the disciples to sift them as wheat Christ told Simon Simon I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Luke 22.31 32. 10. When the devil hath drawn any soul into sin he will labour to drive them to desperation even after their repentance as if there were no possibility for such to obtaine pardon Thus he dealt with the incestuous Corinthian who had been swallowed up of overmuch griefe had not this Lord provided a remedy against the greatest of evils by Pauls second Epistle written to the Corinthians Chap. 1.7.11 wherein he requireth them to forgive and comfort him and againe he beseecheth them to confirme their love toward him verse 8. as he himselfe forgave him in the person of Christ adding a cogent reason for his and their so doing verse 11. lest Satan get an advantage over us for we are not ignorant of his devices Now Satan hath a double end in all his slye and hellish contrivances against the Saints not only to tire them out but also to make others to take up hard conceits of the yoak of Christ as an insupportable burden whereby he drives many to consult how they may break his bonds asunder and cast away his cords from them Psalm 2.2 Antidotes Against this impediment therefore I oppose these following Antidotes 1. Jesus Christ hath overcome the devil for he took our nature upon him that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil Heb. 2.14 and * Aug. de agone Christiano Hunc adversarium Dominus noster prior vicit ut etiam nos in illo permanentes vintamus per ipsum Christs victory is ours 2. He hath biddeth us to resist the devil and hath promised that he shall flee from us 1 John 4.7 3. He hath provided the whole Armour of God that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil Eph 6.12 4. He that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and that wicked one toucheth him not 1 John 5.18 he cannot give him one blow 5. Neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ Nay in all these things we are more then conquerers through Christ that loved us Rom. 8.37 38. 6. The true believer is built upon the Rock against which the gates of hell cannot prevaile Matthew 16.18 7. As the evil angels infest us so God hath given charge to his holy angels to keep us in all our wayes to bear us up in their hands lest we dash our foot against a stone Psalm 91.10 And they according to this charge are all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heires of salvation Heb. 1.14 no lesse doth the devil himself confesse Math. 4.6 8. If this be not sufficient behold God himselfe is the keeper of Israel who neither slumbreth nor sleepeth Psalm 121.4 9. If ye fight not under Christs banner against this enemy according to your vow in Baptisme you are his Captives and he will torment you for ever but if you overcome him in this life the time will come when you shall be made judges of these wicked spirits which now annoy you know ye not saith the holy writ that the Saints shall judge Angels 1 Cor. 6.3 to wit in the day of the generall judgment What confusion will theis be to those proud spirits 10. The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. It shall certainly be so yea and that shortly too 5. 5. Impediment the world The world also will not be wanting to play her prizes against this our true Israelite 1. By raising up troubles against him as already hath been declared for Christ hath forespoken it but withall hath enjoyned him to be of good comfort Iohn 16.33 In the world you shall have tribulation but be of good comfort I have overcome the World 2. By her various and dangerous allurements of profit honour and pleasure First the world will bespeak all mankind as Saul did the Benjamites 1 Sam. 22.7 Hear now ye Benjamites will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and Vineyards and make you all Captains of hundreds and thousands so say the Hypocrites and wicked It is in vaine to serve the Lord and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinance and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts As if they should say Here is sorrow but no gaine great cry but little wool But let us not hearken to this Enemy but to wisedome and she telleth you the truth Prov. 8.18 Riches and honour are with me yea durable riches and righteousnesse and godlynesse with contentment is great gaine 1 Tim. 6.6 Further this Delilah the world will set the snares of pleasures before our feet thereby to entangle us and betray us to our spiritual enemies thus was our mother Eve inveagled when she saw that the forbidden tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the Eye she did eat of the fruit thereof and gave also unto her Husband with her and he did eate Gen. 3.6 Here was delicious food as they thought before trial but they paid dearly for the sawce for for this fact were they driven out of Paradise verse 24. yet multitudes of their posterity by the like inticement are brought into a fools Paradise imagining the bread of deceit to be sweet till they find their mouths to be filled with gravell Prov. 9.17.20.17 And many there be who when they have heard the word are afterwards choaked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life and bring no fruit to perfection Luke 8.13 Any one of these baits are over-prevalent with us yet some are sooner caught with one some with