faith as it is an instrument to lay hold not as it is a vertue grace or worke onely iustifieth To make an end of this matter we are vndoubtedly to beleeue that this doctrine of Gods free iustification doth most plainely arise from holy Scripture It doth most fully establish the righteousnesse of God Rom. 3.21 22 23 c. It doth most plentifully demonstrate the deepe miserie of man It affordeth most strong consolation to euery true Christian soule for then may Gods Childe say with courage and boldnesse Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect Rom. 8.33 when hee is throughly perswaded that It is God that iustifieth 2. That euery one of vs would follow after righteousnesse Second exhortation 1. Tim. 2.22 Pron 2.20 Luk. 1.6 and daily walke in the way of good men and keepe the pathes of the righteous that it may be said of vs as of Zacharie and Elizabeth they were both righteous before God walking in all the commaundements and ordinances of the Lord blamelesse though not without all sinne yet without open reproofe or blame So let vs endeauour to be blamelesse and harmelesse the sonnes of God Phil. 2.15 without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and peruerse nation amongst whom let vs shine as lights in the world To presse this point yet further Let vs but seriously consider why God did elect vs but to be like to the image of his Sonne Rom. 8.29 Why did he create vs I pray but that wee should beare and shew forth some resemblance of himselfe Psal 145.17 who is righteous in all his waies Did hee redeeme vs for any other purpose then to serue him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of our life Luk. 1.75 were we not made free from sinne for that very cause that wee might become the seruants of righteousnesse Rom. 6.18 And wherefore did God reueale his Gospel of grace called the word of righteousnesse but to teach vs to deny vngodlinesse and worldly lusts Tit. 2.11 12. Heb. 5.13 and to liue righteously To what other end tendeth Gods ordinance of preaching but to turne men vnto righteousnesse Doth not the Apostle call true Preachers the Ministers of righteousnesse Dan. 12.3 Are not the Sacraments which wee receiue seales of righteousnesse 2. Cor. 11.15 Rom. 4.11 2. Pet. 2.21 I thinke true Religion is nothing else but the way of righteousnesse and can we please God better then by this or bee any way better assured of his loue and acceptation Prou. 15.9 Psal 11.7 45.7 and 146.8 Math 21.32 Hee loueth him that followeth after righteousnesse And againe the righteous Lord loueth righteousnesse Finally how can we thinke to escape death and attaine to life vnlesse we walke in the way of righteousnesse Prou. 12.28 Jn the way of righteousnesse is life and in the path-way thereof there is no death Wee must resolue to finish our course of well-doing if wee looke for the crowne of righteousnesse 2. Tim. 4.8 which God the righteous iudge will giue vnto vs We must not foolishly thinke to dye the death of the righteous Numb 23.10 Psal 15.2 Gal. 6.7 Prou. 11.18 Hos 10.12 except we liue the life of the righteous O vaine world be not deceiued as a man sowe so he shall reape To him onely that soweth righteousnesse shall bee a sure reward God rendreth to euery man according to his worke Esa 32.17 It is the worke of rightenesse that shall be peace and the effect of righteousnesse quietnesse and assurance for euer Part. 2 The second thing which I propounded obserueable is That for the most part the righteous haue but a poore pittance a very little of these outward things when on the other side many wicked are full-handed build there nests on high haue riches Hab. 2.9 as it is in the text If we expostulate the cause with Ieremie Ier. 12.1 we must acknowledge the iustice of God as he did and that for good reasons hee thus vnequally disposeth and dispenseth these common things to the wicked and to the righteous First he dealeth thus bountifully with the wicked for these reasons 1. To shew his absolute power and infinite goodnesse The Lord is good vnto all his mercy is ouer all his workes Psal 145 9. He stampeth and printeth some of his communicable goodnesse vpon the vilest of his creatures and who may controule him doing what he will with his owne Mat. 20 15. Psal 17.14 Therefore hee giueth the wicked their portion in this life and they may looke for no more for euen as Abraham gaue all he had to Isaac Gen. 25.5.6 and sent away the sonnes of his concubines with gifts so God giueth the wicked outward gifts Gal. 4.28 reseruing the eternall inheritance to the children of promise 2. To leaue them without excuse Act. 14.17 and himselfe not without witnesse in doing them good in giuing them raine from heauen and fruitfull seasons and in filling their hearts with foode and gladnesse Hee can say to them as he said to wicked Saul 1. Sam. 15.17 When thou wast little in thine owne sight I aduanced thee c. and they shall not be able to say vnto him Math. 25.24 Wee knew that thou art an hard man 3. That he might giue vs an example of doing good against euill Matth. 5.44 45. Rom. 12.20.21 1. Sam. 24.17 as we may reade in the Gospel A dutie too much neglected yet further commanded by S. Paul and practised by Dauid and many other of the Saints of God 4. In iudgement many times for their hurt Eccles 5.13 1. Tim. 6.9 Opes irritamensa malorum Horat. Horum semper ego optarim pauperrimus esse bonorum Psal 39.6 J haue seene saith the preacher riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt So they prooue as a knife in the hand of a childe or as a sword in a madde mans hand dangerous and deadly Surely many men had neuer beene so deepe in sinne and miserie if they had not beene so rich Euen their wealth through Gods iudgement is a snare and a trappe vnto them To say nothing of the care feare and sorrow that accompanie the same in getting keeping and loosing of them to conclude As God gaue the children of Israel quailes daintie meate but a plague with it Psal 106.15 he gaue them their request but sent leannesse into their soule they had better haue beene without it So God giueth the wicked the wealth of the world in seuere iudgement as I might enlarge in many particulars Hence a Reuerend Doctor of your owne was wont to pray Doctor bound Giue vs nothing Oh Lord in thine anger though we should aske it of thee Secondly he dealeth thus sparingly with the righteous for these reasons 1. That hee may bring them to some conformitie and correspondencie with his Sonne Christ there head and elder Brother who though
Gods reuealed will the onely rule of righteousnes 2. Cor 3.18 1. Cor. 15.49 and that from one degree vnto another vntill at the last hee hath Gods image repayred and restored in as ample and better manner then euer it was at the first Psal 17.15 Eph. 5.27 to the prayse and glory of Gods rich grace VVHen on the contrary a wicked man is such an one A description of a wicked man Ephes 2.1 1. Tim. 5 6. Eph. 4.18 2. Tim. 2.26 Eph. 2.3 1. Cor. 2.14 Phil. 2.13 Prou. 15.8 Esa 26.10 as beeing the cursed off-spring of rebellious Adam is by Gods eternall and iust appointment left in that damnable estate who beeing dead in sinnes and trespasses that is to say hauing his minde darkened his will captiuated his affections disordered is not able to vnderstand will or doe any thing pleasing vnto God in the whole course of his life yea notwithstanding all the meanes God vseth and fauour he sheweth to reclayme him there is none effectuall vnto him he will not learne righteousnesse but dayly walke in the willfull breach of Gods righteous Lawe waxing worse and worse and treasuring vnto himselfe wrath against the day of wrath 2. Tim. 3.13 Rom. 2.5 â— and reuelation of the righteous iudgment of God FIrst if wee now make a suruay of the face of the world 1. Vse wee shall finde the wicked swarme and gather together in great multitudes but for men qualified according to our description of the righteous man the number will be very small so that we may haue iust cause to obserue and bewaile the paucitie and fewnesse of those that are truly righteous God in the old world found onely Noah that righteous man and a preacher of righteousnesse 2. Pet. 2.5 Gen. 7.1 Thee haue I found righteous before mee in this generation In Sodom and Gomorrha there was not found ten righteons men though they might haue saued the whole Cities from perdition Gen. 18. Onely Lot is deliuered that righteous man that dwelt amongst them who seeing and hearing 2. Pet. 2.7 vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deedes Iob 1.8 In Iobs time there was none like to him in the earth Yea it is the continuall complaint of the Prophets and Apostles Psal 12.1 Esay 57.1 Mich. 7.2 Rom. 9. that few are found walking in Gods righteous Law And shall we that are fallen into the dregges of time looke to sinde a greater plentie though wee search the world with lights But what shall we say or doe when wee finde such scarcitie and want of righteousnesse on the earth We must pray that righteousnes may looke downe from heauen Psal 85.11 Psal 4.1 Let vs desire the God of our righteousnesse to array the Church his Bride with fine linnen cleane and white the fine linnen is the righteousnesse of the Saints Reuel 19.8 In particular let vs put vp our suites in the behalfe of our English nation Prou. 14.34 that righteousnesse may exalt it and that sinne may not be a reproach vnto it In speciall manner for the Kings most excellent Maiestie Prou. 16.12 25.5 Psal 7â— 1 that his Royall throne may still bee established through righteousnesse Giue thy iudgements oh Lord vnto the King and thy righteousnesse vnto the Kings Sonne Let vs not forget the Illustrious Prince and Princesse Palatine with their hopefull issue but pray that God would blesse him in all his iust designes that his righteousnes may be brought forth as the light Psal 37.6 and his iudgement as the noone day Let all in authoritie vnder his Maiestie in Church and Common-wealth be compassed about with righteousnesse Let the Magistrates put on righteousnesse as a Robe and a Diademe Iob 30.14 Psal 132 9. and let thy Priests bee cloathed endue thy Ministers with righteousnesse yea let vs pray that euery priuate man may haue on him the brestplate of righteousnesse Eph. 6.14 that we may offer daily the sacrifice of righteousnesse Psal 4.5 putting our trust in the Lord Oh Lord leade euery one of vs by thy Spirit in the pathes of righteousnes vntil thou commest to iudge the world in righteousnesse Psal 9.8 Act. 17.31 2. Pet. 3.13 making a new heauen and a new earth wherein shall dwell righteousnesse Amen and Amen Vse 2 Secondly vpon our survay wee exclude from all comfort of this doctrine the greatest part of the world which are openly prophane and grossely wicked That hold the truth in vnrighteousnesse Rom. 1.18 whose lust is there law who haue no feare of God before their eyes Psal 36.1 c. as yee may reade euery where in the booke of God Against such the wrath of God is reuealed from heauen 1. Cor. 6.9 Verse 10. Know yee not that the vnrighteous shall not inherite the Kingdome of God Be not deceiued neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselues with mankinde nor theeues nor couetous nor drunkards nor reuilers nor extortioners shall inherite the Kingdome of God And is this all their punishment this is punishment enough It is a hell to be out of heauen yet it were happie for them if they might escape with the depriuation of heauen but they shall be turned into hell Psal 9.17 the place prepared of old for the diuell and his angels Mat. 25.41 It was principally ordained for the diuell and his angels but wicked men sinning doe as it were encroach vpon the diuels right It is iust with God since wicked men will sinne like the diuell that they be punished with the diuell But oh thou liuing man while their is life in thy bodie there is hope of thy soule if thou wilt turne vnto the Lord he will receiue thee into fauour as I liue saith the Lord I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked Ezech. 33.11 but that hee should turne from his way and liue Turne yee turne ye from your euill waies for why will ye die ye house of Israel Discite iustitiam moniti non temnere diuos Learne in time before the gate of Gods mercy be shut to breake off thy sinnes by righteousnesse and thine iniquities by shewing mercie to the poore Dan. 4.27 by a holy restitution of wrongs by the daily practise of repentance if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquilitie both in this life and in the life to come Let my counsell bee acceptable vnto thee doe not sell thy selfe to worke wickednes and gaine nothing but a roome in hell 1. King 21.25 in Tophet ordained of old Yea for the King it is prepared saith the Prophet he hath made it deepe and large Esay 30.33 the pile thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the Lord like a streame of brimstone doth kindle it Vse 3 Thirdly by this description we also vncase the hypocrite and ciuill man Luk. 18.9 Prou. 30.12 who haue
he was rich 2. Cor. 8.9 yet for our sakes became poore Hee was poore in his birth life and death Luk. 2.7 His birth was not allowed a fit roome in a common Inne In his life the foxes and foules Luk. 9.58 had a more certaine dwelling At his death he had not a graue of his owne to be buried in Ioh. 29.42 Ergo they must in some proportion drinke of Christs cup of pouertie The Disciple is not aboue his Master Luk. 6.40 2. That he may put a difference between the time of our nonage and the time of possessing our inheritance Gal. 4.1 that wee may sensibly discerne the time of our soiourning here 1. Pet. 1.17 Act. 3.21 from the times of the restitution of all things God will not let vs finde a heauen vpon earth Math. 17.4 and so dreame It is good for vs to be here 3. Being Pilgrimes and Trauellers in their present condition Heb. 11.13 it is not meete they should bee cumbred and loden with too much thicke clay God will allow vs a light staffe to ease vs in our way but not a heauie burden to hinder our progresse 4. That the wicked may haue occasion to doe good that their mouthes may be stopped and they not able to say but that there was some little ones in estate to doe good vnto Mat. â—5 45 Mark 14.7 Deu. 15.11 according to that Ye haue the poore with you alwaies and whensoeuer ye will ye may doe them good 5. That he may exercise his speciall graces in their hearts In infortu nus vnâ—â—s â—â—â—cet as Faith Patience Hope Humilitie c. Faith for if they should haue riches in abundance they would goe neere to trust in them 〈…〉 in dead vncertaine riches and not in the liuing God and therefore God often keepeth backe greatnesse that himselfe might be our chiefest trust and stay Patience God brought Iob to a little Iob 1. that hee might inure his patience in very truth God by this dealing will trie how willingly we submit and subscribe to his prouident allowance Hope He will haue vs hope for a plenty else-where 1. Cor. 15.19 If in this life onely we haue hope we are of all men most miserable Humilitie because riches doe eleuate and lift vp the heart God by the Prophet telleth the Prince of Tyrus Thou hast encreased thy riches Ezech. 28.5 and thy heart is lifted vp because of thy riches Obiect He was a heathen and a wicked man but Gods children are of a better mould frame and disposition Answ Nay in this point God is iealous of his owne people that are in speciall couenant with him He bids them Take heede that when they haue eaten and are ful and haue built goodly houses c. Deut. 8.14 that their heart be not lifted vp and they forget God which brought them forth of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage Omnibus nobis vt res dant sese ita humiles aut elati sumus Terent. in Hecyra For the most part as the purse filleth the heart swelleth The heathen Poet could say as much According to our outward estate wee are either proud or humble It is pitie faire weather should doe hurt but it commeth often to passe that in abundance Gods children are subiect to surfeit when penury want and their competent little keepeth them in good temper Viuitur exiguo melius Prou. 30.8 9. This made Agur pray as heartily against riches as against pouerty Giue me neither pouertie nor riches least I bee full and denie thee and say who is the Lord First this doth disprooue that false glasse and crooked rule 1. Vse by which many rich men iudge of their spirituall estate before God they thinke themselues highly in Gods fauour because rich Ier. 9.23 but let not the rich man glory in his riches For alas this is a meere deceit Eccl. 9.1.2 These outward things fall out alike vnto all or commonly Gods chiefe Fauourites haue the least portion when prophane Esau Gen. 27.39 whom God hateth is allowed the fatnesse of the earth Prou. 3.16 I tell thee riches are but a gift of the left hand and if any haue the vantage it is the poore man Haue ye not read that God is called the God of the poore and needie the Father of the fatherlesse Psal passim Hath not God chosen the poore in this world rich in faith and heires of the kingdome which he hath promised to them that loue him Iam. 2.5 Luk. 7.22 Yea to the poore is the Gospel preached ordinarily the poorer sort of people do giue best well-come and entertainment to the same 1. Cor. 1 26 when not many mightie and rich in the world are effectually called Ioh. 7.48 Haue any of the rulers beleeued on him How hardly shall they that haue riches enter into the kingdome of God such as trust in riches Mark 10.23 24. as is there expounded Therefore I may say to rich and poore Ioh. 7 24. Iudge not after the appearance but iudge righteous iudgement and alwaies remember that in heauen is poore Lazarus aswell as rich Abraham pouertie Luk. 16. ragges nakednesse cannot separate vs from Gods loue in Christ Rom. 8.35 He that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted of him though he be neuer so poore Act. 10.35 this is ancient doctrine that God accepteth not the persons of Princes Iob 34.19 nor regardeth the rich more then the poore Vse 2 Secondly this exhorts vs to contentation hauing Iacobs request foode and rayment Gen. 28.20 1. Tim. 6.8 Heb. 13.5 things for the present our portion our lot our little let vs therewith be content let vs learne with the Apostle a deepe point of Christian learning I haue learned saith he Phil. 4.11 12. in whatsoeuer estate I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound euery where and in all things I am instructed Simus contenti ista mediocri fortuna c. modico substantiola Westmer both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer neede Learne then since God hath cut thee out but a little to bee heartily well content with his good will and pleasure Obiect 1 But our little may prooue too little and so we perish in want begge starue in the streete c. Answ I will not goe out of this Psalme for an answer Verse 25. Obserue the Prophets long experience I haue beene yong and now am old yet haue I not seene the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread Obiect 2 We daily see that which he did not the righteous ouer-whelmed with pouertie and beggery Answ If we obserue who be the common beggers in the world we shall finde the to be the vilest gracelesse and godlesse persons of all the earth There are but a