and not locked and shut vp in time of danger Psal 42 Hee is my present helpe and my God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In whom that is in Christ wee haue this accesse and entrance to God and Faith giues it and workes it for vs not in our selues our workes merites righteousnesse oâ— by the mediation of any Saint or Angel No creature can make way for vs to God but Christ his Sonne Rom. 5.2 1. Pet. 3.18 Who died for sinners the iust for the vniust that hee might bring vs to God Iohn 14.6 I am the Way the Trueth and the Life no man commeth to the Father but by me No way to God but Christ no entrance to him but by his Sonne By Satan and Adam wee were led out of the way banished and separated from God the deuill teaching and leading vs a false way how wee should come to bee Gods knowing good and euill and so lead vs in the way of perdition from God this hee did by lies and falsehood deceiuing vs and so killing vs and euery sin like Satan its parent doeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 draw vs out of the way from God and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intise vs with promises of false comforts profits glorie and so kill vs. Iam. 1.13 14. Rom. 7 11. Now Christ contrary to Satan and to all sinne as a Prophet hee teacheth vs the right way and as a great high Priest of good things to come Heb. 9.11 and such as are truely good and not onely hauing the shadowes of good things hee giues vs true good things by the word of trueth which is the Gospel Heb. 9.11 with 10. 1. Iohn 1.17 This Law of shadowes was giuen by Moses but Grace and Trueth comes by Iesus Christ and whereas Satan and sinne kill by deceit and raigne ouer vs by death Christ as King and Lord of life quickens vs. No man in sinne and Satan could so much as see God and liue but now Christ is both our way to God aâ— our Prophet the Trueth of all shadowes and ceremonies of the Lawe as true Priest by whom wee goe to God and as King and Lord of life wee liue by him Hee is our light as Prophet to shew vs the way hee is our Priest to make the way to God hee is our King to make vs liue in Gods sight that we may not crie as Hos 14. Hee shall reuiue vs and wee shall liue in his sight This is our confident accesse to God without feare that the sight and presence of God shall not kill vs. All the workes righteousnesse and mediation of men and Angels cannot make way for vs to God but onely Christ his Sonne Hee is the only way and entrance to God Reason For Gods loue mercie face presence are shut vp from vs and infinitly remooued from sinners yea such is the contrarietie of mans corrupt nature to Gods infinite pure and holy nature that it infinitly separates and remooues him from God Luk. 16.26 by such a â—hasma or gulfe that onely by such a person and high Priest as is infinitely holy separate from sinners Heb. 7.22 and higher then the Heauens can this gulfe bee filled vp to make way to God Therefore Christ first descended into the bottome of our hell Eph. 4.9.10 and miserie and from thence ascended Heb. 2.9.10 farre aboue all things that hee might bee our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bring many children vnto Glory Heb. 2. For be we neuer so neere God in place Church ordinances yea and haue God in our mouthes and could eate his reall flesh yet our hearts and natures are infinitly remooued and separated from God without Christ the Sonne of his bosome bring vs to him and hee is Emanuel God with vs so that now Rom. 8.39 neither height nor depth can separate vs the Sonne of God the second person hauing brought vs so neere to God For no euill is so great a meanes of separating vs from God as Christ is good and a meanes to bring vs to God the chiefe good No euill of sinne or punishment so contrary or remote from God as Christ is neere to God equall with God and one with God and pleaseth God more then all sinnes can displease him Matth. 3. vlt. My beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Mat. 3.17 Iohn 1.18 Iohn 1. The onely begotten Sonne which is in the bosome of the Father hee vnfolds God to vs and makes vs neerer and deerer to God then sinne which comes out of the bosome of the deuill can make vs hatefull and detestable to God and this onely Christ can doe To bring two such contrary natures together as light and darkenesse Gods infinite pure nature and our fleshly corrupt nature must needes bee by an infinite meanes of infinite merit and vertue God and sinne are so contrary Therefore count all as doung for Christ to bring thee to God Our wit wealth beauty learning righteousnesse goodnesse may make way for vs to men and Kings priuie-chambers and to mens Thrones and Courts Rom. 4.1 But considered with our sinnes they are doung to God and hee casts vs and all ours as dung out of doores see Phil. 3.7.8 Hereby wee see the difference betweene Philosophy the glasse of the creatures the Law of God and the glasse of the Gospel 2. Cor. 3.18 In the Law and in Philosophy this question is much moued and intreated of what the chiefe good and happinesse of man is and how it may bee attained but onely Faith in the glasse of the Gospel resolues it fully To see the face of God which is our life and happinesse to behold the Father of glory and to attaine to this chiefe good and by what way and meanes to compasse him Rom. 16.25 Ephes 3.5 is the mystery hid from the foundation of the world The creatures all crie and professe they are not the chiefe good but point at God their Creator and direct vs to him The Law more cleerely shewes God to bee the chiefe good but how we should attaine vnto him it shewes not but but by a way impossible for flesh to goe Rom. 8.2 But the Gospel doeth more fully reueale God as mans chiefe good and shewes Christ to bee the onely way and meanes of comming to him Nature and Philosophy and all wit of man is dimme and weake in seeing and apprehending God the chiefe good but it s starke blind to discerne the way and meanes whereby man especially a sinner may come vnto God This is that hid wisedome 1. Cor. 2.7.9 which God determined before the worlds to our glory which neither eye hath seene nor eare hath heard nor euer entred into the heart of man or Angel to conceiue how once falling from God by sinne they should euer bee able to recouer God againe and come into fauour and fellowship with him For there is no way in nature as by creation to God all way is hedged and stopped vp by sinne All
Whose house ye are if ye hold fast your confidence and hope of your reioycing c. 1. Cor. 1.30 31. Col. 2.6 As ye haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke in him And by his life vertue and strength to doe all things and not by the strength of nature and of your naturall spirit as Paul Philip. 4.13 I can doe all things by the helpe of Christ strengthning me Rom. 8.10 If Christ be in you the bodie is dead in regard of sinne but the Spirit is life in regard of righteousnesse that is the bodie lies dead from sinfull actions and motions from which a mans naturall spirit wit and pollicy cannot restraine him and his bodily members to make them lye dead but rather quicken and powerfully sway them Rom. 3.15 and 7.5 The passions of sinnes which are by the Law haue force vigour in our members to bring forth fruit vnto death and Romanes 6.12 but if Christ be in vs he deads these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the passions of sinnes or sinfull passions that they cannot worke in our bodily and earthly members For they that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections and the lusts Gal. 5.24 Reason As Satan shewes his habitation in man as his house possessing as a strong man the pallace of the minde Luk. 11.21 and heart in peace by the vigour hee exerciseth in swaying their minds wils and lusts as Eph. 2.2 Iohn 8.44 2. Corinth 4.4 So Christ 2. Reason We are the children of the first Resurrection begotten of Christ risen from the dead 2. Pet. 1.3 by the greatest vertue and power of Christ quickning the dead 1. Peter 3.21 Wee are not only begotten of Christ by vertue of his Propheticall office as he is light as Hypocrites only inlightned are but we are begotten of Christ by vertue of his Priestly office as crucified for vs vnto Adoption and Iustification of life and by vertue of his Kingly office as risen from the dead to Sanctification and participation of his Diuine nature 2. Pet. 1.4 As Christ was discerned and differenced from all the sons of men to be knowne to be the Sonne of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 1.4 by his resurrection from the dead as the first begotten from the dead Col. 1.18 So are all we his yonger brethren by the same Spirit of power raising vs to a new nature and life with him Rom. 6.4 5. Col. 3.1 and 2.12 Eph. 2.6 we are discerned and differenced from all the naturall sonnes of men Vse That we may know whether we haue Christ in vs or no we must examine tempt and trie our minds hearts wils affections what vertues of Christ worke in them and sway them such as are propper to Christ and which no creature else can exercise in vs 2 Cor. 13.5 2. Cor. 4.10 As we beare in our bodies the dying of the Lord Iesus that is the greatest miseries and afflictions So the life of Iesus is manifested in our mortall flesh that is his greatest quickning comforting vertue when no creature can doe our mortall bodies any good in sicknesse or in death or other infirmities Christ is not only our light but our light of life that is in whom we haue not only light of knowledge but the same a quickning knowledge putting life into our wils and affections bodily members to practise what we know The Hypocrites light of knowledge is like the candle light which quickens nothing the Saints light of sauing Knowledge is like the Sun-light which quickens hearbs trees plants our light of naturall reason Philosophy Pollicy cannot so quicken vs and make vs so liuely and vigorous to good duties as this light of the sauing Knowledge of Christ Eph. 4.20 21 22. Let vs shew forth the vertues of Christ our light in vs Eph. 5.8 1. Pet. 2.9 A man may haue a wonderfull light of Knowledge in the lanthorne of his braine and yet his heart will and affections lye as dead as stones from desire or endeauour to embrace or practise the good hee knowes and haue no vertue from Christ to liue walke and fructifie This is for comfort to such as though they cannot feele Christ in them nor faith possessing Christ as long as Christ shewes himselfe to be within by such vertues exercised in them they may know themselues to bee in the faith and that Christ by faith is in them 2. Cor. 13.5 For as many haue Satan in them that doe not know or feele or beleeue Satan to be in them So many haue Christ c. and as many intertaine Satan in them by receiuing his lying Gospel and promises of wealth peace comfort by sinning and his temptations and perswasions to sinne So we receiue Christ when we beleeue and receiue his perswasions and temptations to good duties and suffer the words of exhortation and beleeue his promises and gladly embrace his word Therefore such as so did were baptized into Christ for seale and assurance that Christ was in them Acts 2.41 2. Iohn verse 9. See Iohn 14.23 If any man loue mee hee will keepe my words and my Father will loue him and we will come vnto him and make our abode with him Adam and Eue and Iudas receiued Satan into them when they receiued his counsels and temptations and suffered themselues to bee swayed thereby So coÌ„trarily we receiue Christ If when wee giue place to wrath Eph. 4.26 27. we giue place to the Diuell counselling and exciting vs thereto then contrarily wee giue place to Christ and receiue him into our hearts when we receiue his Gospel of peace counselling and commanding vs peace and loue by reasons from the Gospel that is from his loue and peace towards vs. Euery one that harbours willingly in his heart any knowne sinne and sinfull suggestion of Satan he intertaines Satan the malicious man hath a furious Diuell the wanton a voluptuous Diuell So he that regards no sinne in his heart but casts it out Christ perswading him thereto by his Gospel and not the Law alone inforcing him by terrors He that turnes from sinne vpon such suggestions promises perswasions as Christ makes to him he receiues Christ by faith first Vse And Faith beleeuing and receiuing Christ for Prophet and only Rabbi to be his Disciple and as the only Way and Truth it goeth before Repentance which is nothing else but a walking in Christ as we first receiued him by faith shewing forth the vertues of Christ and the life of Christ to walke as he hath walked For Repentance is the life and vertue of Christ receiued as our way Truth and Life and made all our Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption and our light of life What is Repentance but liuing and walking in Christ For out of Christ euery motion is to death â—nd hell and can a man walke in Christ before hee haue Christ by faith in his heart Coloss 2.6 As yee haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke in him
suffer our selues to bee led by him and drawne from the world but follow our reason and lusts pursuing earthly vanities shall wee be still as sheepe that stray and not come to the Shepheard of our soules that hee may leade vs to God who hath died for vs to make way for vs by his blood to God and is risen from the dead for this end to bee our Shepheard and is gone the way before vs To vs hath God raised vp his Sonne Iesus Act. 3. vers last and sent him to blesse vs in turning euery one of vs from our iniquities Actes 3. vlt. He is raised vp to vs of God and giuen vs to be a Prince and a Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel and forgiuenesse of Sinnes Actes 5.31 The woefull condition of such as are without Christ they are without hope and without God in the world Ephes 2. and without all hope of euer comming to God He that obeieth not the Sonne to follow him and to bee led and guided by him shall not see life Ioh. 3.36 but the wrath of God abideth on him but he that beleeueth in the Sonne to follow him as his Shepheard and his voyce and doctrine as Iohn 10. hath euerlasting life My sheepe heare my voyce and I know them and I giue vnto them eternall life see 2. Thes 1.8 9 10. Because they obeyed not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ to bee led and guided by him the Prince of their saluation but followed their owne reason and lusts and senses c. 3. Iohn 14.6 Therefore commit thy selfe to Christ to bee thy guide to walke by him as the way to bee counselled and led by him as the trueth and quickned and strengthened by him as the life and neuer doubt but he will bring thee to God safely and thou shalt neuer miscarie Hee will bring thee into his rest and where God dwels and present thee before his face and perfectly saue thee Heb. 7.25 Thou shalt neuer perish by any sinnes lusts temptations crosses miseries for Christ hath made the way safe through all these and leade the way by sinnes temptations death to make it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a liuing way Heb. 10.20 1. Pet. 2.24 bearing all our sinnes in his body on the Tree who in that hee suffered was tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Therefore onely commit thy minde and heart to bee guided by him trusting to him as thy Prophet to counsell thee and call none Rabbi but him thy onely Priest to lead thee to God king to defend and to quicken thee Renounce thy reason wit learning lusts and all creatures trusting to Christ thy Shepheard onely to bring thee out of Egypt of Satans bondage and darkenes and to leade thee through the wildernes of this world For onely the Sonne that came from God his bosome can bring vs to God commit thy way vnto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be directed Hee as the Shepheard of of thy soule 2. Tim. 4.18 will keepe thee from euery euill worke nor suffer Satan or lust or the world to withdraw thee from God Isa 30.21 When thou turnest to the right hand or to the left thou shalt heare a voyce behind thee saying This is the way walke in it Psal 23. He is thy shepheard and hee will conuert thy soule when it goes astray 2. Tim. 3.16 Hee will make vs wise to saluation against the deceits of sinne and sinfull vanities Hee that followes him shall not walke in darkenesse but shall haue the light of life Say not in thy heart Rom. 10.6 7. who shall ascend to Heauen or who shall descend into the deepe to goe to God! For Christ is come from aboue to bring vs to God and hee is descended into the lowest deepes to draw vs out from thence to God so that neither height Rom. 8.39 nor depth can separate vs from God Bee God neuer so high aboue vs and wee suncke neuer so low in hell and misery belowe him euen to the bottome of hell Christ is come from aboue to cary vs vp aboue and hee is descended into the lowest depths of misery to fetch and draw forth the most miserable to exalt them to Heauen and to bring them to God Therefore neither famine perill sword Vers 37. height or depth can separate vs from the loue of God in Christ but Christ will bring vs to God if we make him our Shepheard and lay hold on him Vse Hang and depend not on any man or creature Say not 1. Cor. 1. I am Pauls I am Apollos Christ is the onely shepheard of our soules Say not what Saint or Angel shall lead mee to God Was Paul crucified for vs or did Peter or Paul or any Saint or Angel come downe from Heauen or descend into Hell and come froÌ„ the dead againe to lead vs to God God dwels in that light inaccessible 1 Tim. 6.18 which no man or Angel can come vnto but onely Christ to lead vs to God to see his Face and to inioy his presence By other meanes guides wee may bee brought to wealth glory honour health as by learning loue workes of righteousnesse Philosophy but neuer come to God to see and inioy him Vse Hereby wee may know the true Faith and Religion and whether Christ and his spirit bee in vs. If they â—â—rie vs out of our selues and from all creatures to God to seeke all life comfort glory strength and safetie in God and not in our selues or any creature that there bee not in any of vs an euill heart of infidelitie Heb. 3.12 verse 14. to depart away from the liuing God Then are wee partakers of Christ if wee hold that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that principall pillar of supportance and the foundation of our sustentation which is God our Rocke and Adonay our staies For so I vnderstand that place Consider how thou commest before God in prayer and in his Church how is it thou darest appeare in his presence and tread in his Courts who makes way for thee and leades thee There is a third fleshly boldnes wherby by many rush into the Lords house and to his Table which makes them more bold then welcome as Isa 1.12 13. who being not led by Christ when hee shall question with them and say Mat. 22.12 Friend how camest thou in hither not hauing me for thy guide they will become speachlesse ouerwhelmed with the more desperate horrour as they came in with the more boldnesse They are most bould to goe to God who haue the least grounds of true boldnesse and these haue most feare in the end Isa 33.14 If Christ make way for thee then bee as bould as thou wilt Hebr. 4.14 15 16 chap. 10.19.22 In this Manuduction or leading to God wee consider two things First the ground of it Secondly the maner and meanes The ground is feare and diffidence which
Now this Hand of God is also the Hand of Christ the second Person as made Flesh It s the Hand of Flesh especially as risen from the dead and glorified the holy Ghost is his Breath Shadow Wings Arme Hands and whatsoeuer proceedeth from him towards his Church both Ministers and people is nothing but that eternall Spirit the third Person who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Iohn 14.26 By which as High Priest Heb. 9. hee offered himselfe without spot to God as with his owne Hands So now much more the same Spirit proceedth from him in more abundance from his Flesh glorified For before Ioh. 7.39 the Spirit was not giuen in that abundance because that Iesus was not yet glorified But now this Flesh of Christ being glorified this eternall Spirit is all the Breath Armes Hands Strength Shadow Light and Glory of Christ He now breathes nothing but the holy Ghost and Spirit He breathed vpon his Disciples Ioh. 20.21 and said Receiue ye the holy Ghost He hath it now at command as his Breath and as naturall to him and can as easily and plentifully giue it He holds the 7. Starres his Apostles and Ministers in his right hand not of Flesh but of the holy Ghost and being risen he gaue commandements to his Apostles not by a humane breath and voice as before but more specially by the holy Ghost Acts 1.2 See Iohn 5. The time shall come and now is but shall be much more that the dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of God that is shall shall haue his quickning spirit 1. Cor. 15. The first Adam was made a liuing soule and all that he could communicate to his posteritie and children if he had continued in innocency had bin only a liuing soule qualified with Gods holy Image but the second Adam is made a quickning spirit which hee communicates to his members and posteritie and which proceedes from him This Spirit is Christs light by which he shines to vs Eph. 5. Awake thou that sleepest and stand vp from the dead and Christ shall shine vnto thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whatsoeuer proceeds from Christs Flesh now in heauen is nothing but Spirit He is ascended farre aboue all things Eph. 4.7 8. to fill all things with his Spirit Whereas therefore he is said to feed vs from heauen with his Bodie as Manna and to wash vs from our sinnes in his blood to guide vs with his light all this is nothing but his Spirit which being purchased by his death comes as it were through his body and blood giuen to vs as our own flesh and blood This Spirit is obtained and giuen by his death and sufferings and comes to vs by his humane flesh and nature into our flesh and nature Ioh. 6.63 Therefore his Flesh is called meate indeed and his blood drinke indeede For the flesh of it selfe profiteth nothing but because for the merit of his sufferings in his flesh and by it as by a cundit the third Person the holy Ghost proceeding naturally from the Father and the Sonne is hereby procured to flow issue and come forth to vs and into our hearts by grace Galat. 4.4 Because yee are sonnes reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts which cryeth Abba Father The Spirit doth and would euer naturally issue and proceed from God into vs as Iam. 1.17 did not our sinnes stop the currant and keepe him out of our hearts by our indisposition and vnworthinesse and vncapablenesse of receiuing him as Ioh. 14. Which the world cannot receiue because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but our sins remooued and abolished by the death sacrifice of Christ and by his flesh and body broken through it as by a conduite the spirit againe hath its issue and vent to flow into our sinfull flesh and hearts and God becomes againe that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That liuing God Iam. 1.3 that giues to all men simply without exception whatsoeuer his sinnes he and reproacheth no man that by faith comes to him but poures of his Spirit vpon all flesh Act. 2.17 This Spirit as its God the Fathers hand so it s Christs our Sauiours hand the hand of flesh which Christ reacheth from heauen to vs as to his brethren and takes vs by the hand Now that Christ is glorified in our flesh and nature that Spirit which from eternitie proceeded from the Father and the Sonne and was as their breath and hand by which they made the worlds and breathed into mans face the breath of life and made him a liuing soule the same spirit and third person doth now proceed from the Father of Christ as man and from Christ the second Person Incarnate and is now both the breath of Christ and the arme of Christ which breath of eternall spirit Christ now breathes into man dead in sinne to make him a new creature created in Christ Iesus vnto good works creating anew all the powers and faculties of soule and body as it were new hands and feete quickned with a new life for new motions towards God and seruices and workes it s the hand and arme of Christ which he now reueales and makes bare from heauen and thrusts into our hearts quickning and creating in vs new hands that is new faculties of our soules to lay hold on and fasten on spirituall good purchased by his death and offered vs by his Gospel Christ by his Priestly Office hath performed all things needfull for our saluation and prepared all sauing matter And by his Propheticall Office in the Ministery of his Word offers vs himselfe the second Person incarnate to be our Sauiour and all his sauing benefits and spirit if we will reach forth our hands that is the faculties of our soules to receiue and apprehend him but our hands lye dead in sinnes that is our minds and hearts from vnderstanding choosing willing and affecting any such Person and his Spirit and benefits offered Therefore Christ as King risen from the dead and as Lord of life reacheth forth his arme hand from heauen and creates in vs new hand◠that is new mindes and hearts Hee breathes into vs the breath of life that is his quickning spirit that quickens our dead hands to apprehend spirituall things For the naturall man by his naturall soule and spirit 1. Cor. 2. as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore the Spirit creates in vs. First a right hand of Faith to know and apprehend the Person of the Son of God and to choose and take him for our Sauiour as he is reuealed and offered in the Word reiecting all other Persons Angels or Saints or any creature or our selues and our workes betaking our selues to Christ alone and to this second Person in Trinitie made flesh fastning vpon him and receiuing him as offered and commended to vs in the Gospel euen as crucified and made our King
finde strength and nourishment of confidence by it so it also giues it and makes vs bold with God and fearelesse of sinne and death as Christ incourageth Ioh. 16. vlt. Vse Therefore renouncing all other meanes of courage and confidence and seeking not to make our selues safe and bould in our selues our workes righteousnesse wealth friends let vs goe onely by Faith to Christ to giue all true confidence securitie and comfort of minde and heart by his death and blood as the onely bread of life and strength to the soule and of cordiall vertues For all carnall men feele feare and griefe and anxietie of minde and in this sense they go to the world and wealth to the Lawe and workes and seeke to secure and strengthen and free themselues from these feares and griefes and to heale themselues by wealth and trusting here to and say If I could doe and liue thus and thus and had so much wealth or performe this or that righteousnesse then my minde would be quiet and at rest and fearelesse But these things can neuer giue securitie and rest to the minde and heart but vexation Goe to Christ by Faith and hee will giue thee rest Matth. 11. verse the last Vse Therefore confidence is as well a fruit of Faith as the forme of Faith For Faith goes to Christ for increase of it selfe its life and strength of confidence It could not goe at all to Christ if it had not some strength and life of confidence but because it feeles weakenesse of feare and doubting it goes to Christ to bee incouraged and strengthened and quickned more crying Luke 17.5 Lord increase our faith and giue vs mor◠courage and strength of Faith in heart by feeding vs with thy body and blood Mar. 9.24 Lord I beleeue helpe my vnbeleefe Therefore he saith here by Faith of him that is by going to Christ by Faith and betaking our selues to him and laying hold on him wee haue a confident accesse to God with more confidence then we can haue by laying hold on and choosing any other to lead vs. Therefore eate his Body and drinke his Blood that is take and choose his Death blood for your onely meate to nourish strengthen your hearts with comfort and peace as onely cordiall to giue you courage and confidence against sinne Satan and boldnesse with God and it will doe so For as meate requires some life and strength to take eate and digest it and so it giues and increaseth more life and strength to the heart So Christ the bread of life requires some strength of Faith to receiue him and digest him and so he giues more strength and courage with God and against sinne Therefore we must goe to the Sacrament as well to increase faith as to bring Faith with vs. In going we must by Faith renounce all comfort and confidence in our selues and all creatures and goe out of them to Christ onely and imbrace him that hee may giue vs all true boldnesse and confidence towardes God that nothing may incourage vs but Christ and that hee may giue vs better courage then any other creature can giue vs. Choose and take Christ for thy onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy guide and Captaine to lead thee to God and hee will incourage thee with inuincible strength and confidence and giue thee a heart of steele but trust to any thing else and it will faile thy heart and not be a sure Rocke to it but leaue it in feare doubting anxietie Goe to Christ onely and hee will giue the legges to goe better and strengthen thy feeble knees and make straight steps to thy feete and incourage thy heart to come more to him and to God by him but goe to any other and they will increase thy feares doubts and scruples Take heart to goe to God by Christ incourage thy heart and hee will giue thee more courage Bee strong and he shall strengthen your hearts Psal 26.14 All true Ministers and Christians boldnesse and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to preach or goe to Gods house to appeare before him to worship him is by faith in Christ and towards God as seeing him and in sinceritie approouing the heart to him as beholding him in Christ 1. Thess 2.1 2. The hypocrites boldnesse is only towards men in blindnesse and darknesse not seeing God but only men whose eyes and eares they can please and only satisfie their exspectation If Ministers could manifest Gods face and presence and God would shew himselfe in them as in the Primitiue Church only beleeuers durst ioyne themselues to the Church and to the Lord hypocrites would either abhorre or tremble or bee ashamed to appeare Act. 5.13 14. 1. Cor. 14.24 25. The best and greatest boldnesse and confidence is towards God Diuels and wicked men by sinne pride malice or by wealth learning authoritie power may be bold towards sin full men weake and impotent and base like the earth as themselues but they haue no courage or boldnesse towards God but quake and tremble at his Maiestie and especially when they are ouermatched by death or any other euill They that are bold in mans day only beholding man shall tremble in the Lords day when God shall exalt himselfe Such as put their strength and confidence in their wealth pride malice are most feareful and cowardly with God and death Let vs draw neere with a true heart in assurance of Faith Heb. 10.22 without all doubt and scruple seeing we haue such an all sufficient High Priest ouer the House of God Heb. 7.25 that can perfectly saue them that come to God by him Heb. 7.26 holy harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners and higher then the heauens that hath all-sufficiencie of all-sauing good as King Priest and Prophet to vanquish and remooue all sinnes and deuils and to conferre all good Receiue Christ into thee by faith lay hold on him to lead thee renouncing reason sense that thou mayest be strong and confident without all feare For therefore we feare and are in doubt because we looke to our selues and to our owne strength and righteousnesse and rest thereon and goe not wholly out of our selues to Christ to rest our hearts on him and to receiue him onely into vs to comfort and incourage vs but wee receiue the World or our workes into our hearts and feede on them which will neuer strengthen our hearts This bread wants that staffe and strength and vertue to vphold our hearts against sinne Satan and so many crosses that they cannot be strong but full of feare and doubting because they are not built on Christ the Rocke and are not fedde with his body broken and blood shed which only is that bread which strengthens the heart of man to goe to God without feare and fainting For therefore was Christs soule and heart and body broken with feare fainting horrors that ours might bee bound vp and healed If we haue no boldnesse with men but