CON. 3. The assurance of our saluation is many times accompanied with feares doubts which doe perplex the soule of the most righteous EXPLA. The true worke of Faith is to assure vs of Gods loue and to enioy that comfort without let to cherish the same and resist the contrary but the weaknesse of our faith and strength of corruption is such that we doe not alwayes attaine these but as in the practice of good actions we sometime reioyce and finding great infirmity in sinning wee mourne for them such change by turnes are in the most regenerate so in faith wherein we receiue a Testimony of Gods loue there is a change because we apprehend not this assurance immediatly as a principle but by collection or conclusiō so the alteration is in apprehēding of the premises wherupon the cōclusiō arose for Gods promises and effects of grace appeare not alwayes the same yea sometimes contrarie CON. 4. The seedes of vnbeliefe are naturally sowne in vs which euer casteth vp obiections EXPLA. Our heart by nature is full of mire dirt which trouble the springs of the water of life and therefore the dayes of faith are like the dayes of the yeere some faire some foule some times in hell as it were sometimes mounted to heauen some times triumphing sometimes striuing euer counting what it hath felt striuing to the same again euer in feares running vnto God expecting better seeing a glimpse of light in darknesse of hope in despaire of comfort in distresse of life in death of heauen in hell and if they lose the sight hereof yet recouered it soone againe CON. 5. Often God leaues vs to our selues that wee may take the faster hold when we returne againe EXPLA. The taste of loue is the sweeter and the ioy the larger when we come to it out of the flouds of tentations For afflictions brings forth patience and patience experiēce and experience hope while by this meanes the loue of God is spred abroad in our hearts by the holy Spirit which is giuen vs the more trees on the tops of hils are blasted the deeper roote they take CON. 6. True faith euer giueth assurance which is the greater by how much our faith is the greater and weakenesse of our assurance argueth the weakenesse of faith EXPLA. Euen in the true faith there is degrees for there is variety of gifts which how little soeuer it be yet is able to saue vs that thou mayst learne what it is whereunto thou art to striue reioycing in that thou hast atttained to already and to pray for that which is behinde that God would increase thy faith feeling of imperfections is the common frailety of all Gods children and faith that it may bee strong must haue time to grow and haply seemeth weake to thee when it is strong to God For the ioy of the faithfull is as a garden enclosed CON. 7. As faith is by hearing so it is ordinarily increased by preaching whereunto the weake beleeuer must attend EXPLA. Preachers are Proclamators which teach euery beleeuer their interrest in the matters of saluation which apprehend the promises vpon conscience of their owne repentance and faith for where the seede shall grow there it shall bring forth the fruite of faith and it shall bring forth eternall life for this assurance is giuen by the mouth of the Minister by the word of Christ which the faith of the hearer apprehendeth the man warmeth the bed the bed warmeth him euery man hath not accesse to the priuy seale but by the imprint there of in waxe he knoweth it to be the priuy Seale CON. 8. It is the Lord that giueth a heart to heare the voyce of Christ deliuered by the minister out of the Gospell EXPLA. My owne heart could neuer minister comfort vnto mee which is deceitfull aboue all things and is rather cast downe with acknowledgement of misery and therefore wee must dicerne betwixt the true assurance of the heart from carnall presumption floating fancies swimming in the head for true assurance is accompanied with the Spirit of grace and prayer by which the heart is conformed to the voyce of God with ioyfull acceptance and affectionate desire of that which is vttered thereby which is the fruite of the spirit of adoption which beareth witnesse vnto our spirit that wee are the sonnes of God and beareth record that God hath giuen vs eternall life for he is God that doth neitherly nor change whose foundation is sure for hee knoweth them that are his CON. 9. Thou mayst be assured of the perpetuity of thy faith for God will not forsake the worke which hee hath begunne EXPLA. The reason is because that he who beleeues in Christ shall neuer be confounded and his sheepe shall neuer perish but he will giue them eternall life and although the godly oft times fall yet God is faithfull in his promise to them I will put my feare in their hearts and they shall not depart frō me resting in this that they not onely apprehend Christ but much more that they are apprehended of Christ and not that they know God onely but that they are knowne of him for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance so that whether they liue or die they are the Lords for nothing can separate them from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus and therefore doe they boldly say thy louing kindnesse and mercy shall follow mee all the dayes of my life and I shall dwell in the house of God for euer CON. 10 Faith taketh hold of the particular apprehension as to beleeue that God is my God my life peace strength deliuerance and my saluation EXPLA. We must not beleeue only that he is these things in himselfe but that hee is indeed the same to vs for because God is ours whatsoeuer is his is ours for vs and for our vse his mercy his power his prouidence to watch ouer vs both in life and death for by couenant hee bound himselfe to the heires of promise I will bee their God and they shall be my people and againe Loe this is our God and wee haue wayted for him and hee will heare vs we will reioyce and be ioyfull in his saluation for that Christ hath already done for thee is a greater matter then that he promised so thou beleeue not onely that thy sin may forgiuen thee by his mercy which is a beginning or foundation of Christ but also that thy sinnes are forgiuen thee CON. 11. Faith is the fountaine of our loue towards God for while wee beleeue he is so mercifull vnto vs it swalloweth vp our affections and draweth our loue to him EXPLA. The loue arising of faith so much felt in vs assureth vs that wee are beloued of God who loued vs first and therefore place we the confidence of our saluation in him onely to whom wee are vnited and
not despised our heauenly calling therefore in the day of trouble we shal haue rest when destruction shall come vpon the secure like an armed man God most glorious Lord of lords although hee make sicknesse his messenger and death his minister till he shall destroy them both yet his mercies are vnspeakeable that forgiueth vs all our sinnes his goodnesse is great who hath regard to the children of men CON. 72. All trouble should be rather matter of ioy then displeasure EXPLA. This is our prayer thy will be done we must be contented with all hee hath done that our hearts may beare vs witnesse that of all things the Lord is most deare vnto vs for if wee giue our heart to loue the Lord our troubles shall seem neither great nor strong vnto vs for what can be great if our heart bee prepared to say We reioyce in afflictions because they shall breede in vs a hope which shall neuer make vs ashamed oâ— what can bee great if God hath taught vs that the momentany afflictioÌ„s of this world they are not worthy of the glory that shall be reuealed vnto vs or what can be great if wee can reioyce in afflictions reioyce exceedingly when we fall into many and great tribulations All is but vanity what should dismay vs Nay how should we not be glad if death were euen at our bed sides that we might euen once see the vtmost malice of the Deuill and after for euer bee deliuered from him O! how God is delighted with vs when we bee faithfull to abide these light chastisements How many things haue all the â—odly suffered are we not ashamed to refuse the crosse which they haue borne yea weight well thy case what it is and thou shalt fee little cause of sorrow in it or if thou compare it with others none at all and it all things were as euill as thou couldst imagine what then Where is our loue to Iesus Christ that gaue his pretious blood to the death vpon the Crosse for our sakes if we will not leaue all for him One haire cannot fall from our head but at his commandement He is head of his Church and all things happen they not vnto vs as he will Onely when wee sin let vs bee sorrowfull to offend such a Sauiour let it grieue vs more then death it selfe but to remember againe so assâ—red hope we cannot but reioyce in the Lord and alwayes reioice so let Gods wil peâ—swade you that whether you liue or whether you die you may bee wholly his The world hath taken vp enmity against vs and striueth dayly to separate vs from the Lord but there is no ioy to this that wee know our selues to bee the children of God to bee ioyned to Iesus Christ and made a chief member of a glorious body with whom we shall be ioyned for euer And what is this world to immortality What are fulnesse of delights to the grace of God the fellowship of Saints the forgiuenesse of our sins the loue of Gods countenance the assurance of our life the brightnesse of his glory and these vnutterable eternall blessings Let vs count then all things dung that wee may winne Christ desire to be dissolued and be with Christ that we may say O death where is thy sting All things of the world are but seruants of death and serue to make his power more fearefull vnto vs vanquish death and thou hast vanquished all height and depth life and death all is ours and we are Christs CON. 73. To confesse sin and not to hide it is a ready way to saluation aduancement of Gods glory EXPLA. Satan is enemy to vs and his sleights are many tread Satan vnder foote and triumph with Christ so shalt thou shame the Deuill For hee that hideth his sinnes shall neuer prosper but hee that confesseth and forsaketh them shall haue mercy To Achan Ioshua said I beseech thee giue glory to God and shew mee what thou hast done This is to giue glory to God to confesse So did Dauid acknowledge his iniquity the Israelites before their absolution and forgiuenesse confessed to the Priest and thereafter their sinnes were layd on the beasts Adam did cloake his sin but we must be borne anew So did Cain but wee are of a better kinred then he God will once reueale the â—ecrets of hearts and then wee shall reioyce that there is nothing of ours hid better to receiue the reproach of flesh and after receiue the glory of God Iohn his preaching began at confession the prodigall Son called heauen and earth to witnesse his impiety Paul did euer tell vs hee was a persecutor the Theefe entred not into Paradise til he first in the hearing of Israel sayd We are rightly punished and receiue things worthy of that wee haue done This then touched the glory of God and therefore wee must forsâ—ke the loue of our selfe we must not dissemble with him that cannot bee mocked in the middest of the congregation I will praise thee I will declare thy Name vnto my Bretheren saith Christ. Gods graces must neither be locked vp in our hearts but will burne within like fire I haue beleeued therfore I spake A fire I say shut vp in our bones wee shall bee weary with forbearing I will speake thy name before Kings and will not be ashamed CON. 74. God hath giuen his Elect as a free gift to Christ. EXPLA. The Apostle telleth vs Behold the children which thou hast giuen me This teacheth vs to acknowledge his gift and grace and not any wisedome in vs why hee would choose vs or any constancy in vs by which wee would cleaue vnto him but God in his grace drew vs that we might come vnto him and with his power he strengthneth vs that we should abide with him All that my Father giueth vnto me commeth vnto me and the reason is because my Father hath giuen them to me and he is greater then all and hee prayeth oftentimes in that long prayer for them that beleeue because his Father hath giuen them vnto him that we may be taught humility that in vs that is in our flesh ther dwelleth no goodnesse but that he chose vs he did it of his free grace and mercy which he would shew vnto vs and as wee know that once God hath freely giuen vs vnto Christ so wee know our election standeth sure because it is according to his promise who hath loued vs for euer CON. 75. To know the sufserings of Christ aright is our greatest consolation EXPLA. Christ suffered the death ouer which the Deuil had power the same death which is the reward of sinne by bearing it he ouercame it and he conquered no more then hee submitted himselfe vnto for by death hee ouercame death and he hath brokeÌ„ the force of it no further then he had felt the sting of it in himself for body and soule hee was made a sacrifice sor our
shined in the world yet to see his dayes as it were at an end and his enterprizes broken his carefull thoughts to bee so deepe grauen in his breast that they changed euen the day into night vnto him and al light that approched into darkenesse When his excellency was such aboue all creatures that the world was not worthy to giue him breath yet hee to bee made a worme and not a man a shame of men and contempt of the people all that saw him to haue him in derision and to shut vp his life in shame and reproches so vnworthy a reward of so precious a seruant He was righteous aboue measure yet was he accouÌ„ted among the wicked and briefly hee was called a glutton but had his appetites bridled with all holy moderation his behauiour without all reproofe yet slandered as a friend of Publicans hee loued the Law of his Father that he would not suffer one iot or title vnaccomplished yet accused as enemy to Moses he loued his Father with all his heart and was obedient vnto him to the death euen the death of the Crosse yet they said he blasphemed He was an enemy to Sathan euen to death and by death ouercame him that brought death into the world he hated him with so perfect hatred and held stedfast the enmity that was betweene them vntill hee had spoyled his principalities and powers and trampled ouer them in an euerlasting victory yet they said he had a deuill such a loathsome sinke was couered in the heart of man and now the thoughts of many hearts made open And if Moses Ieremiah Isaiah and Paule had sorrow for the Iewes of their time how did Christs great loue boyle in sorrowes of heart to see their destructions ouer whom before hee had wept but prayed still Father forgiue them for they know not what they doe Behold therefore his person here and know his loue it was griefe to see all vertue troden vnder feete by them and yet it was more infinite to behold Satan to preuaile against man to his euerlasting condemnation and which is more the sin that he hateth bee must take it vpon his owne body and beare the wrath of his Father that was powred out against it the anger of his Father burned in him euen vnto the bottome of hell O! who can stand before his wrath or who can abide the fiercenesse of his wrath his wrath is powred out like fire and the Rockes are broken before him Yea maketh the forlorne wildernesse to tremble For thus the Sun is darkened the Moone doth not shew her light the Stars of heauen doth fall away and the powers of heauen are shaken Heere then is the picture of perfect loue being full of goodnesse is rewarded of euill full of obedience is punished as wicked full of faith yet had the reward of a sinner Lord of all yet nothing to doe him duty the God of glory yet compassed with shame the Author of life yet wrapped in the chaines of death the onely begotten and best beloued of the Father yet cast off as a stranger the beauty of the highest heauens yet throwne down into hell well might he say The snares of death compassed me and the paines of hell tooke hold vppon me I haue found trouble and sorrow he did say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me CON. 78. We know then best how we loue the Lord when we feele by experience what we will suffer for hts sake EXPLA. It is an easie thing to bee valiant before the combate to dreame of a good courage before the heart bee tried but indeed to be vnshaken in the middest of the tempest to stand vpright when the ground trembleth vnder thee this is to know assuredly thou art strong indeede The heauen earth elements were Christs enemies his Father in whom he trusted shewed him an angâ—y countenance yet said he still Thy will be done O Father We must account it for an exceeding ioy when we salâ— into sundry troubles for what can be more ioyfull to the heart oppressed then to giue this in experience that neither height nor depth shall remooue him from the Lord This was Abrahams glory that hee would forsake his Countrey and kinred and fathers house at the commandement of God to goe whither hee would shew him Iob his patience was not thorowly knowne till all his goods were spoyled and wee must haue witnesse that our election is sure when wee may speake by experience that neither life nor death can remooue vs from the loue of God Thus the good ground is knowne what it is when the heate cannot scorch it nor briers and thornes turne the good corne into weedes but through all stormes it will giue nourishment vnto the seede till it giue greater encrease to Gods honor and glory This is a profitable experience for before it come vnto vs we know not how great the rebellion of the flesh will be The Apostles bragged they would neuer forsake their Master he alone had the words of eternall life and they would not change him for another they beleeued him that they knew him to be the Christ the Sonne of the liuing God and there was no other Sauiour but wheÌ„ they saw the Crosse at hand their courage fell downe they forsooke him all Peter said he would dye for him drew his sword that he had almost slaine one but this boldnesse was but a blast of words he swore hee knew him not So experience is the greatest warrant to know what our selues can beare The Lord and our duty requireth that wee shold approue our selues the witnesses of the Gospell in patience in afflictions in honour in dishonour in shame in life in death but how violently the flesh will fight against vs wee cannot well declare till wee haue made the triall And therefore in griefe of body learne to say with patience I haue held my peace O Lord because thou hast done it If thy minde bee full of sorrow say I will waite patiently vpon the Lords leasure he will heare my prayer CON. 79. We should not be discouraged vnder the Crosse since Christ is the patterne whose similitude we beare EXPLA. Those whom God hath fore-knowne hee hath also predestinated to be made like vnto the image of his Sonne Death once reigned through sinne and hee hath found a way to rise from it again into greater glory This victory because it was too great for Sainct or Angell to obtaine he had appointed it to be the worke of his onely begotten Sonne hee tooke vpon him our nature to make and in his owne person hee filled it with the fulnesse of miseries with all sorrowes of flesh with all anguish of minde with persecutioÌ„ with death with sinne with hell with condemnation and from all these by the mighty power of his Godhead hee is risen againe in our flesh ascended vp into glory and sitteth on the right hand of Maiesty being a mighty Sauiour vnto
the Son though it be for a moment hee ceaseth for that moment to haue life but the life of theÌ„ which haue the Sonne of God is euerlasting in the world to come and because as Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more power ouer him So the iustified man being allyed to God in Christ Iesus our Lord doth as necessarily from that time forward alwaies liue as Christ by whoÌ„ he hath life liueth alwayes for as long as that abideth in vs which animates quickneth and giueth life so long wee liue wee know that the cause of our faith abideth in vs for euer If Christ the fountaine of life may flit and leaue his inhabitation where once hee dwelled what shall become of his promise I am with you to the worlds end If the seede of God which containeth Christ may be first conceiued then cast out how doth hee terme it immortall How doth he affirme it abideth if the spirit which is giuen to cherish and preserue the seed of life may be giuen and taken away How is hee the earnest of our inheritance vntill redemption How doth he continue with vs for euer CON. 38. Wee are apt prone and ready to forsake God but God is not as ready to forsake vs. EXPLA. Our mindes are changeable so is not Gods For whoÌ„ God hath iustisied Christ hath assured it is his fathers will to giue them a Kingdome Notwithstanding it shall not be other wise giuen them then if they continue grounded and stablished in the faith and bee not mooued away from the hope of the Gospell if they abide in loue and holinesse Our Sauiour therefore when hee spake of the sheep effectually called and truely gathered into his fold I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any plucke them out of my hands in promising to saue them he promiseth no doubt to preserue them in that without which there can be no saluation as also from that whereby it is irreuokeably lost Euery error indeed in things appertaining to God is repugnant to faith euery fearefull cogitation vnto hope vnto loue euery stragling inordinate desire vnto holinesse euery blemish wherby either the inward thoghts of our mindes or outward actions of our liues are stained which by earnest repentance mercy doth restore to life againe in them whom sin had made the children of death But infidelity extreame despaire hatred of God and all goodnesse obduration in sin c. doth not stand where there is the least sparke of faith hope loue and sanctity euen as cold in the coldest degree cannot be where heate in the highest degree is found It is true no man liueth that sinnes not Yet the man that is borne of God hath a promise that the seed in him shal abide which seede is a sure preseruatiue against obstinate heresie and pining discouragement of the heart for greater and cleerer assurance we cannot haue of any thing then this that from such sins foresaid God shall preserue the righteous as the apple of his eye for euer for if the iustified erre as hee may and neuer come to vnderstand his errour God doth saue him through generall repeÌ„tance but if he fall into herisie hee calleth him at one time or other by actuall repentance but from infidelity which is an inward direct deniall of the foundation hee preserueth him by speciall prouidence for euer CON. 39. We must put a difference betwixt them that erre of ignorance retaining neuerthelesse a minde desirous to bee instructed in truth and them which after the truth is laid open persist in the stubborne defence of their blindnesse EXPLA. Heriticall defenders froward and stiste-necked teachers of circumcision the Apostle calleth dogs silly men who were seduced to thinke they thought the truth he pittied hee tooke vp in his armes hee louingly embraceth hee kisseth and with more then Fatherly tendernesse doth so temper and qualisie his speech he vseth toward theÌ„ that a man cannot easily discerne whether did most abound the loue which hee bare to their godly affection or the griefe which the danger of their opinion bred him Their opinion was dangerous Was not theirs also who thought the Kingdome of Christ was earthly Was not theirs who thought the Gospell only should bee preached vnto the Iewes What more opposite to prophetical doctrine coÌ„cerning the coÌ„ming of Christ theÌ„ the one concerning the catholike church then the other Yet beeing admonished found the mercy of God effectuall in conuerting them from their error So was there difference betwixt Pharisies And the Pharisies which beleeued Of the Galathians which were yet weak he saith You know God or rather are knowne of God how turne you againe to impotent rudâ—ments The Law engendreth seruants they which are gotten by the Gospell are free we are not children of the seruant but of the free woman and will ye bee vnder the Law Yet he saith if yee be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing as many as are iustified by the Law are fallen from grace and why Because they know that in grace and in Christ their saluation dothly and so their hearts shall tremble and quake within them he knoweth mans imbecillity he hath a feeling of our blindnesse and weakenesse how great it is CON. 40 Our saluation is not vpon vncertainty if wee doe thus or thus but God â—ramed vs to bee and to doe whatsoeuer belongeth to the attainement thereof EXPLA. The Spirit as he is the reuealer of the mystery of our election vnto vs so is he the earnest of the effect of Gods predestination by the gift whereof God giueth vnto vs the certaine assurance of all the rest that remaineth to be giuen for he is the pledge of the inheritance promised as a hand-writing or bond of assurance of euerlasting saluatioÌ„ making vs the temple and house of God being the worker of holinesse in vs that hee may bring our bodies to eternity and so the immortality of the Resurrection whilest in himselfe he accustomes them to bee tempered with heauenly vertue to bee accompanied with the diuine eternity of the holy Ghost And this earnest God neuer taketh backe againe because it is so the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the possession as that it is an earnest also that in the meane time God stablishes vs in Christ and that he hath created vs for this namely to clothe vs with immortality and eternall life for God giuing earnest for the assurance of the end doth thereby vndertake against all lets and impediments that should hinder the atchieuing of that that is earnested thereby and therefore the things present which thou hast attained already doe assure vnto thee those things that are yet to come CON. 41. If man depend vpon himselfe he hath iust cause to feare and doubt his own perseuerance EXPLA. The faithfull doe say with the
Yea and the elects sinnes doe euen worke for their good which are made a Triacle or preseruatiue against sinne for they neuer so fall but that his seede remaineth in them and his hand is vnder to lift them vp againe Thus the Lord is our righteousnesse Christ is to vs a Iesus a Sauiour by sauing vs immediately himselfe not by giuing vs power to saue our selues or to be our Sauiours CON. 47. The worth of Christs merits is most cleerely seene in the true acknowledgement of our vnworthinesse EXPLA. Gods light is most cleerly seene in our darknesse his power in our weakenesse his goodnesse in shewing vs mercy that are euill his righteousnesse in the confession of of our shame God hath appointed vs to be for the glory of his grace and therfore he disposeth that no flesh shal reioyce in his presence and that he onely may be exalted in that day and reioyce that we haue found mercy with the Lord who couereth our sinnes with the mantle of his righteousnes who seeth no iniquity in Iacob nor beholds transgression in Israel God seeth sinne with the eye of his knowledge but by reason of that couerture will not see it with the eye of his iudgement he seeth it with a discerning but seeth it not with a reuenging eye for the iustified man delighteth in the Law of God as touching the inner man yet hee hath still in his members the law of sinne hanging fâ—â—st on and lusting and rebelling against the Law of the spirit of life For though he hath within him an army of vicious desires yet hath hee a will and desire of righteousnesse hee hungreth and thirsteth wayting to be satisfied because according to his promise wee looke for a new heauen and a new earth wherin righteousnesse dwelleth the purpose of his life tendeth wholly to it it is grieuance to him that he failed to performe it and maketh him to cry out Wretched man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the body of death And therefore though he sinne he sinneth not maliciously purposely and with desire and delight in sinne but of ignorance and infirmity by occasion and by the creeping and stealing of sin vpon him CON. 48. By the Law of faith God pardoneth sinne EXPLA. God is a iust iudge as wel when hee iudgeth by lawes of mercy as when he iudgeth by the lawes of extremity as well in the law of faith as in the law of workes by the law of faith God forgiueth and considereth with fauour and if there bee a willing minde it is accepted according to that a man hath not according to that that hee hath not And all this hee doth as a iust Iudge because by law he doth whatsoeuer he doth but in the rigor of the Law which is the law of workes he remitteth nothing but requireth all to the vttermost farthing nothing pleafeth but what is exact and perfect and fully answerable to the rule So Paule expected that God as a iust iudge would yeeld vnto him the Crowne not by the Law of workes but by the Law of faith wherin God crowneth in mercy louing kindnesse because his crowne is a crowne of Iustice not of Pauls owne Iustice but of the Iustice of God for it is iust with God to pay that he oweth and he oweth that which hee hath promised which is mercy to the beleeuing penitent for Christs sake For all wee like sheepe haue gone astray and the Lord hath laid vpon him the iniquities of vs all for hee bore our sinnes in his body vpon the tree Thy righteousnesse couereth in mee a multitude of sins but in thee O Lord what but the treasures of piety the riches of Goodnesse CON. 49. Wee are reputed iust by the forgiuenesse of our sins and this is iustification in the sight of God EXPLA. What are wee but iust in the sight of God when there is taken from vs the imputation of all sinne To be iust is the same as not to be a sinner and in the way of faith they to whom their sinnes are not imputed are accounted not sinners and therfore are accounted iust for all the commandements of God are reputed to bee done when that which is not done is pardoned and hee who is reputed to haue done all the commandements of God is reputed iust Hee therefore to whom God pardoneth that which hee hath done is reputed iust and that which God determineth not to impute is all one is if it had neuer beene for wee are iustified through the redemption which is in Christ and redemption is by forgiueness of sinnes and the not imputing of sinne is the imputing of righteousnesse without workes now forgiuenesse of our sinnes is yeelded vnto vs by vertue of the merit and righteousnes which Christ hath wrought for vs who was giuen for vs and gaue himselfe for vs who was made vnder the Law to redeem vs and therefore is iust and righteous for vs and whatsoeuer he hath done he hath done for vs hee hath shed his blood for vs died for vs rose againe for vs and hath fulfilled all righteousnesse and obedience to his Father for vs and so very iustly is accounted ours Whatsoeuer hee hath done for vs is no lesse then if wee our selues had performed the same for our selues And thus by the imputation of Christs righteousnesse our sinnes are couered pardoned and forgiuen and we are reputed iust by the righteousnesse of Christ because in the righteousnes of Christ is the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and thereby no accusation is liable against vs either as hauing done that which we ought not to haue done or done that which we ought not to doe for who shal lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect And as Adam did beare the person of all mankinde and wee all were that one man and therefore what hee did was as done by all and euery one So did Christ beare the person of all the Elect and faithfull and was accounted as them all in one not one that made the forfeiture and another the satisfaction because one Christ is both the head and the body and therefore what hee did is likewise as done by all and euery one of vs. CON. 50. In the Elect with sanctification there is still a remainder of originall corruption EXPLA. Iustification in the sight of God by the imputation of Christs merits is alwayes accompanied with the sanctificatioÌ„ of the holy Ghost whereby the inward quality of the man though not wholly yet in part is altered and changed and is thenceforth further to bee renued from day to day In part I say because together with their sanctification there is still remnants of originall corruption by the touch staine whereof the holinesse newnesse that is wrought in vs is defiled for although originall corruption hath receiued a deadly wound yet it is not wholly
euery one that shal follow him So that this is our glory in afflictions we are fashioned by them into the similitude of Christ and wee are made like vnto him So it pleased God when hee would bring many children vnto glory to consecrate the Prince of their saluation through afflictions and to make both him that sanctifieth and them that are sanctified all one that they that suffer with him should also liue with him So we when we feele many troubles to rest vpon vs we may say now we are like vnto Christ especially when wee feele the greatest trouble the minde oppressed it maketh vs like vnto him and to say Now we supply in our flesh the remnant of the afflictions of Christ in nothing in this world as wealth honor c. can I behold the liuely Image of Christ. Affliction and trouble a minde broken with the remembrance of sinne a troubled spirit horrors of death and a conscience burdened with the wrath of God here light shines out of darknes and hope out of despaire When I thinke my selfe furthest off from the Lord them am I neerest vnto him and when I thinke my selfe fullest of confusion then the Image of Christ is most liuely within me The Lord may hide his face for a while for a moment in his anger aâ— he did from Christ but hee will returne vnto me with euerlasting mercies for the Image of his Sonne is cleere within me Wee are afflicted one euery side but not so as that wee are shut from hope wee are in pouerty but not ouercome with pouerty we are persecuted but not forsaken we are cast down but wee perish not wee are troubled in all things fightings without and terrours without but God that comforteth the abiects he will comfort vs. Vnto this he hath predestinated vs that we should bee like vnto his Son in afflictions and so be glorified with him in the day of honour CON. 80. God sendeth vs sundry chastisements especially the anguish of heart and affliction of the soule that we should be warned how to be free from the plague when it commeth EXPLA. The iudgements of God daily preached vnto vs pierce deepe into the hearts of the true beleeuers and the word that they heare it worketh mightily in them more sharpe in their eares then a two edged sword and it entreth through them euen to the diuiding asunder of the soule and of the spirit and of the ioynts and of the marrow and examines all the thoughts and the intents of the heart so that it is impossible that any part of theÌ„ should be hid but they are al open vnto iudgement and heare the voice of the Lord. Then their sinne is reuiued in the middest of their bowels their conscience hath no rest they feele death working in their hearts and hell is before them they see sin on their right hand and Satan on the left shame vnder their feete and an angry Iudge aboue them the world full of destruction without and a worm gnawing the heart within the poore sinner knoweth not what to doe to hide himselfe it is impossible and to appeare it is intollerable then hee breaketh out into loud crying O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death He giueth no rest vnto his eyes nor sleep vnto his eye-lids vntil he find that which is able to saue him from this wrath In his bed by night hee seeketh him whom his soule loueth in the streetes and open places hee enquireth after him and after many daies in which hee cannot finde him Christ sheweth himselfe at the last a perpetuall deliuerer a victorious Lion of the Tribe of Iuda in whom he hath strong saluatioÌ„ when he hath mourned because of the plague that was before him Christ will approch neere and wipe away al the tears froÌ„ his eies So said he When I heard the word of God my belly trembled my lips shooke at the voyce rottennesse entred into my bones and I trembled in my selfe that I might finde rest in the day of trouble So is it with vs all the plagues of God because they are pronounced against iniquity maketh the childe of God to feare that foreseeing the harme he might prâ—pare himselfe For though Christ hiâ— himselfe at the first the wounded spirit and troubled spirit must needes finde him out We are ful of griefe but we are chastised of the Lord because we should not be coÌ„deÌ„ned with the world we dye with Christ because we should liue with him we lament and weepe but because Christ might wipe away all teares from our eyes wee are deliuered vnto death for Iesus sake but because the life of Iesus should be manifest in our slesh We beare about vs the mortification of our Lord Iesus but because also the life of Iesus might bee manifest in our bodyes We haue anguish of spirit and vexation of minde for this cause that when destruction shall come vpon the careles world wee might lift vp our heads and behold our redemption at hand let vs then in patience poffesse our soules for for these causes wee are now afflicted that wee may receiue mercy and finde grace to helpe in time of neede and for this cause we tremble and are affraid that after many prayers wee might bee deliuered from the things which we haue feared CON. 81. That our life is in the hand of God that we shold not be pleased with it but as it pleaseth him ready to lay it downe when it pleaseth him EXPLA. This is the great commandement to loue God aboue all and this is the greatest obedience required of man to be ready to dye at the will of God Against this commandement the nature of man striueth the delights of this life rise against it we are loth to make our beds in the darke we would see the Sunne our eares would heare worldly elements our flesh indeed is grasse yet grasse hath a flowre and our frayle bodies haue vanishing fantasies agreeable vnto them from which we cannot bee pulled away So Patriarches and Prophets were afraid yea Peter and Paule loued that life which they saw in hope but they did feele the death which did fight in their members they were men as we are yet obtained at last to bee dissolued and bee with Christ. If we be weaker then they the graces of God shall bee more exalted in vs and wee shall also say at the last Let thy seruant O Lord depart in peace And â—â—ough wee feare for a little â—â—ile yet feare shall bee cast out and we shall say with a free spirit O death where is thy sting Our greatest enemy last is troden vnder our feet what else can hurt vs The Lord of life hath crushed him in pieces vnder vs. It is a blessed day that bringeth vs into this battel a blessed sicknesse that maketh vs indure this fight and most blessed end in which wee get victory This doth he
who said O death I will be thy death for while wee liue we liue in him and no man can take our ioy from vs and when we dye we dye in him and then death shall be no more death for then the burthen of sinne the malice of the Deuill and terrour of hell shall cease All things that fill with ioy shall be full within vs as the fellowshippe of Saints and Angels the forgiuenesse of sinnes the Resurrection of the body and life euerlasting c. yea and the God of glory Our eyes shall bee enlightned with a pure faith and we shall think our time wearinesse if then our time were prolonged and be a soiourner in this body in which wee are strangers from the presence of the Lord. And the neerer our time approcheth the gladder wee shall bee of the end of our iourney when our heart shalâ— feele it For when the earthly house of this Tabernacle shal be destroyed wee haue a building giuen of God a house not made with hands but eternall in the heauens where the God of al mercy and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ shall bee before vs for euer There wee shall see the Patriarches of whom wee haue heard so much the Prophets whom we haue loued the Apostles whose society wee wish for where our time shal not be tedious and glory haue no change O happy daies that shall neuer end O blessed inheritance that shall neuer waste There shall be no more sorrow nor crying c. For the first things are past and what haue we here that can please vs Feare of our enemy griefe in pouerty paine in labour care in riches vnstedfaftnesse in friendship enuy in Authority emulation in Honor change in Nobility feare in a Kingdome what but vexation of spirit in all things that is vnder the Sunne So true it is Vanity of vanities and all is but vanity What then can disquiet vs if in the face of Christ Iesus we see our rising againe from the graue Who hath giuen vs inheritance in pleasant places and our portion in a happy lot the dead man feareth no euill he is only bitter to them that haue peace in their riches then we shal be bold to say Surely the Lord wil deliuer mee from the snare of the hunter and from the noisome pestilence I shall not be afraid of the feare of the night nor of the arrow that flyeth by day nor of the pestilence that walketh in the darkenes nor of the plague that destroyeth aâ— noone I haue set the most high to be my refuge and there shal no euâ—ll come neere my tabernacle For among the dead I haue seene Christ and in the graue I haue found the glory of God and therfore do say Let me dye with the righteous and let my latter end be as vnto him for Christ is my life death is my aduantage why then should we not desire to see the louing kindnesse of the Lord which is better then life Yea as the Hart longeth after the water brookes so our soules long to see the Lord. Lord grant wee may haue euen here our conuersation in heauen from thence looking for a Sauiour euen Iesus Christ the righteous who shall change this corruptible body to make it like to his glorious body in that blessed time which shall scatter away all affliction and seale within vs the happy assurance of immortality which shall bee in the presence of the God of Grace Amen FINIS Mr. Hooker Mr. Deering Ioh. 4.14 Rom. 3.5 Rom. 12.6 Math. 17.20 Mar. 12.13 Col. 1.9 2. Pet. 3.18 Can. 4.12 Rom. 10. Act. 13.26 Eph 3.29 2. Cor. 5.20 Rom. 9.33 Psal. 27.8 Zach. 13 9 Mat. 9.23 Ps. 40.7.8 Rom. 8.16 Iohn 5.6 Phil. 1.6 Rom. 9.33 Ioh. 10.28 Ier. 32.40 Phil. 3 12 Rom. 11.29 14 8 8 23. Ps. 23 6 Ier. 31 33 Esa. 25 9 Ioh. 6.54.55 Ioh. 6.35 Rom. 3 34 Rom 4 16 Gal. 3 10 Gal. 5 4 Rom. 4 14 Gal. 3 18 Gal. 5.3 Mat. 5.6 Heb. 12 1 Exo. 12 15 Numb 15 28 Act 16 31 Mat. 8 26 Mat. 15 20 Rom. 4 21 Iohn 6 99 Ioh. 14 29 Mat. 14 28 31 Mat. 8 25 Psal. 31 22 Luke 17 5 Rom. 5 1. 1. Ioh. 5 13 1. Thes. 5 17. 2. Cor. 5.7 Rom. 8 23 2. Sam. 12 13. Psal. 51 1. Heb. 6 18 1. Cor. 2 12 Isa. 9 6 2 Cor. 1 20 a Rom. â— 32 b 1 Iohn 4 13. c Act. 5 31 d Eph. 2.8 e Rom. 5 17. f 2 Tim. 1 7 g Phil. 1 29 h 2 Pet. 1 3 i Rom. 6 23. k Eph. 1 3 3 5. 1. Pet. 1 12 Mat. 26 28 Iob 2 8. Ier. 1 1. 2. Cor. 6 4 Tit. 3 7. Eph. 1.11 Mar. 1 7. Mat. 8 10. Dan. 9 7 Psal. 143 2 Psa. 130 3 Rom. 8 28 Isa. 54 13 Ier. 31 33 Ier. 23 54 Isa. 27 3 Mat. 16 18 Ier. 32 40 Luk. 22 32 Ioh. 17 11 20. 1. Pet. 1 5 Phil. 3 8 1 Cor. 1 30 Rom. 8 21 Rom 4 5 1. Ioh. 3 7 2. Cor. â— 21 Rom. 11 6 Mat. 6. Ioh. 3 17. Reu. 2 22. Rom. 10.13 Isa. 26.16 Iob 33.16.17 1. Cor. 11. Isa. 35.4 Isa. 43.1 Isa. 54 14 Luk. 11 74. Heb. 2.15 Rom. 8 15. 2. Tim. 1.7 Iob 31.23 Eph. 6.10 Isa. 26.12 1. Sam. 2.9 Gen. 18.12 Heb. 11.11 Num. 11.24 Psa. 73 2 â— Hab. 1.2.13 Rom. 10 6. 1. Cor. 3.15 Eph. 2.20 1. Tim. 3.16 Ioh. 1.49 Ioh. 4.24 Act. 4 12. 1. Cor. 3. Rom. 4 23. Is. 2.19 Hos. 10.8 Luk. 23.30 Reue. 6.16 Ps. 51 12. Ioh. 3.16 Ioh. 8 47. Rom. 10 13 Ioh. 1.12 Iam. 1.18 1. Pet. 5.12 1. Ioh. 3.1 Rom. 8 15.16 Ioh. 14 17. Zech. 12.10 Eze. 18.24 Phil. 1 29 Col. 1 11 2. Cor. 1 5 Heb. 13 5 Rom. 8 10 Phi. 2 15 Col. 3 4 Eph. 2 5 1. Ioh. 5 12 1. Ioh. 5 13 Rom. 6 10 Eph. 3.6 Ioh. 14.19 Mat. 28.20 1. Pet. 1.23 1. Ioh. 3 9. Eph. 1 14 Ioh. 4 14 Num. 23 19 Col. 1 23 1 Tim. 2.15 Ioh. 10. 1 Ioh. 3 9 Act. 15.5 Gal. 4 25 28 31. Eph. 1.13 2 Cor. 1.21 22. Cha. 5 5. Ps. 116 16 Ps. 119 125 Ps. 143 2 1 Io. 3 4 15 Act. 16 31 Rom. 1 27 Ps. 84 7 Rom. 8.33 Gal. 3 13 Heb. 8.9 Mat. 1 21 1 Thes. 1 10 Luk. 2 10.11 Is. 9 6 Act. 10.43 1. Ioh. 5.10 Hebr. 3 6 10 22. Rom. 4 18 1. Pet. 2 25 Eph. 3.20 Eph. 1 20 Eph. 2 5. Eze. 36,22 1. Cor. 5 21 Rom. 3.25 Eph. 1 3 1. Cor. 1 30 Rom. 3 25 Rom. 6 6 Eph. 4 24 Tim. 1 2 4 Eph. 5.25 2 Ti. 1 3 5 1. Ioh. 3 9 Psal. 37 24 Ier. 33 16. 2. Cor 12 9 Dan. 9 7 Eph. 1.6 1 Cor. 1 29 Is. 2.11 2 Tim. 1.18 Rom. 7.23 Heb. 12 1 Gal. 5 17 2. Pet. 3 13 Mat. 5 6 Rom. 7 24 Rom. 3.27 2 Cor. 8.12 Mat. 5.26 Ps. 103.4 2. Tim. 4 Is. 53.6 1 Pet. 2.24 Rom. 3 24 Eph. 1 7 Col. 1 14 Ro. 4 6 7 8 Tim. 1 2 14. Gal. 4 5 Luk. 22 10 1. Thes. 5.10 Act. 3.26 Mat. 3 1â— Rom. 8.33 Exo. 28.38 Ps. 143.2 Pro. 24.16 Luk. 22.61 Rom. 5 15 2 Cor. 5 21 Ier. 23 6. Act. 15 9. Gal. 3 14. Rom. 8.2 a Gal. 4 28 b Cha. 3.29 c Heb. 6.17 d 2 Pet. 14. e Gal. 3.14.26 f Eph. 1.13 g Gal. 3.18 h 1. Ti. 1.2 i 2 Pet. 3.13 k 2 Cor. 1.20 l Heb. 11.13 m Gal. 3.14 n Ibid. 22. o Mat. 8.13 p Mat. 21. Ioh. 6 56. Eph. 5 30. Rom. 3 27 Mat. 2 29 Gal. 5.8 Iob 13. Psal. 73. 2 Cor. 12. Iob 2.8 Ier. 11. 2 Cor. 11. Hebr. 13. Psalm 78. Psalm 89. Ioh. 13. Psalm 31. Luk. 22. Hebr 13. Rom. 8. Col. 3.4 Ier. 31. Hebr. 2. Rom. 8. Rom. 8. Heb. 12. Rom. 6. Psal. 103. Psal. 8. Mat. 6. Rom. 5. Rom. 8. Iam. 1. Heb. 12. Phâ—l 4. Prou. 28. Heb. 2. Heb. 2. Mat. 26.56 Mar. 14.33 Luk. 22.44 Psalm 22. 1. Pe 1.2.24 1. Cor. 15. Heb. 4. Hebr 2. Heb. 8.12 Rom. 8. Esay 61.3 Esay 53.5 Psalm 22. Heb. 2. Luk 2. Nah. 1.6 Genes 12. Heb. 2. 2. Cor. 4. Heb. 4. Rom. 7. Can. 3. Hab. 3.16 1. Cor. 11. Ps. 91. c. Psal. 42.1
hath he likewise said Their transgressions will I also punish with a rod it cannot stand with any reason that wee should set the measure of our punishments and prescribe to God how great or how long our sufferings shold be we are blind and altogether ignorant what is best for vs wee sue for many things very vnaduisedly and vnwisely against our selues thinking we aske fish when indeed we craue a serpent when we thinke wee aske that is good and yet God seemeth slow to grant it he denyes not but defers our petitions to the end we may learne to desire great things greatly CON. 68. We must learn to strengthen our faith by experience which heretofore wee haue had of Gods great goodnesse towards vs. EXPLA. By those things you haue knowne performed learne to hope for those things that are promised if thou knowest that thou hast receiued much thou maist bee sure to receiue more for to him that hath shall bee more giuen When thou meditatest what thou wouldst haue then search what thou hast had at Gods haÌ„ds make this reckoning that the benefits thou hast had and hee bestoweth vpon thee are bils obligatory and sufficient sureties that hee will bestow further his present mercy is still a warrant of his future loue because whom he loueth he loueth to the end CON. 69. The frailty of our nature the subtilty of Satan the force of our deceiueable imaginations are such as doe threaten euery moment the subuersion of our faith yet it is not hazarded by them EXPLA. If wee could reckon vp as many euident cleare vndoubted signes of Gods reconciled loue towards vs as there are yeeres yea dayes yea houres past ouer our heads all these set together haue not such force to confirme our faith as the losse and sometimes the only feare of losing a little transitory goods credit honor or fauour of men a smal calamity or a matter of nothing can breâ—d a conceit and such a conceit as cannot easily be remoued as that we are cleane cast out of Gods Booke that hee regardeth vs not that hee looketh vpon others but passeth by vs like a stranger to whom we are not knowne When we thinke looking vpon others and comparing them with our selues Their tables are furnished day by day earth ashes is our bread they sing to the Lute their children dance before them our hearts are heauy in our bodyes as lead our sighes are many our teares doe wash our beds wherein wee lye the Sunne shineth faire vpon their foreheads we are hanging like bottles iâ— the smoake cast into cornâ—rs like sheards of a broken pot c This is our great weaknesse and policy of Satan which maketh vs measure God and good things according to our corruptions when there is no such thing CON. 70. The faithfull must vse ordinary meanes for the strengthning and kindling of his faith EXPLA. Simon Simon sathan hath desired to winow thee as wheat here is our painfull tentation but I haue prayed for thee that thy faith faile not this is our safety no mans condition so sure as ours The prayer of Christ is more then sufficient both to strengthen vs be we neuer so weake and to ouerthrow all aduersarie power bee it neuer so strong and potent Yet his prayeâ— must not exclude our laborâ— their thoughts are vaine who thinke that their watching can preserue the City which God himselfe is not willing to keepe and are not theirs as vaine who think that God will keep the City for which they themselues are not careful to watch The husband man must not burne his plough nor the Merchant forsake his trade because God hath promised I will not forsake thee and the faithfull Christian must attend hearing reading praying that he fall not into temptation The meaning of Christ in these words Father keepe them in thy name is not that wee should bee carelesse to keepe our selues and so happy is he whose faith hath made him the child of God nothing shall change his heart ouerthrow his faith alter his affection towards God or the affection of God to him Who can make a separation betweene him and God Hee knoweth in whom hee hath beleeued and who hath shed his blood for him Labour then to keepe the assurance of thy faith vnto the end and by labour through the gracious mediation of Christ keepe it CON. 71. Wee neede not feare sin for Christ hath abolished it for euer EXPLA. This is true and euerlasting verity hath folded it vp for howsoeuer wee feare and tremble yet before the Lord with whom our life is hid there is not perill but peace not feare but righteousnesse without end let our sinnes be neuer so great neither wee nor our sins can change the new Testament that God is mercifull to our sinnes and will remember our iniquities no more Therefore this care is past that our sins be many the more they are the greater is his mercy who hath forgiuen them And this is the token which God hath giuen vs that wee are his because wee are grieued with our sinnes for Christ ouercame sinne with sufferings which belong vnto it and this is the badge of our redemption to be made like him in afflictions we haue sinne and abhorre it we haue sense and feeling of Gods anger against it and hell gapeth vpon our soules because of it all is well this is a blessed state this was the Image of Christ when hee ouercame sinne a mark of my redemption in my owne flesh that I should not faint for as the Sunne maketh day and the night darkenesse so this affliction for sin is the badge and cognisance of our certaine forgiuenesse And now see the good of God which turneth all things to the best to those that loue him through feare of sinne the Deuill fighteth against vs without feare of sinne wee could neuer haue boldnesse through anguish of heart the Deuill would ouerwhelme vs with sorrow without anguish of heart wee could neuer haue ioy In feeling Gods anger the Deuill would make vs to despaire without feeling his threatning and trembling before him wee could neuer haue strength of faith that his mercies are for euer In all suffrings I am like to Christ they are marks of my adoption that I am his child for if wee bee without chastisements then are we bastards and not sonnes and what chastisements be these He saith If wee bee planted with him in the similitude of his death then shall wee bee also partakers of his Resurrection Then as thou needest not care for sinne for it is abolished so needst thou not care for hell for the nearer wee feele it the further wee are from it Let them feare sin that feele it not and let them bee afraid of condemnation that know not what it is our eies haue bene kept waking and we haue feene our sins our hearts haue fainted before the anger of the Lord and wee haue
sins My soule is heauy vnto death yea he was astonished at his griefe at the very entry at it for his sweat was drops of blood falling from hâ—m and God sent an Angell from heauen to comfort him Was this for the death of his body His seruants that receiue of his fulnesse doe they not easily despise this death that either they desire to be with Christ or reioyce in the middest of it before the persecutor The Apostles did sing in prison Paule gloried in his tribulations which were many And did hee cry out my God my God why hast thou forsaken me Here is no comparisoÌ„ that which made him tremble wold haue crushed them that which made him sweate blood would haue made them sinke into the bottome of hel and that which made him cry would haue held both Angels and men vnder euerlasting woe But Christ was as water powred out and all his bones out of ioynt his heart like waxe molted in the middest of his bowels his strength was dried vp like a potsheard and his tongue cleaued vnto his iawes hee was brought with his sorrowes to the dust of death for hee bare our sinnes in his body he submitted himselfe to the death of them and by the wounds of his stripes we be healed For our sinnes deserued not onely a bodily but also a second death in hell fire hee suffered the torments of body and the anguish of the soule the wrath of his Father which wounded his flesh spirit vnto death would haue holden him in that condemnation for euer if he had not bene stronger then we that had deserued it but beeing the Sonne of God in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelled bodily the eternall Spirit that was within him did loose the chaines of death and hell of which it was impossible that hee should bee holden and hath left his enemies the Deuill death and hell in ignominy and darknesse and hath abolished them for euer CON. 76. We are presented faultlesse before the presence of Gods glory by beeing made one with Christ. EXPLA. Of Christ onely is it true This is my well-beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased this is the Saluation wee haue by him to bee grafted in him and made partakers of his life All the faithfull before Christ were righteous in him for wee must leaue all our works in the earth where they were done and they must dye with the corruptible hands and feete with which they are wrought we must go naked and bare and offer nothing but that which is Christs yea our selues wee must present in his body for in our owne persons wee cannot possibly be accepted Euen as the Vine branch can haue no life except it abide in the body of the Vine no more we either life or righteousnesse except wee be and abide in Christ. He is our substance and being in the inheritance of glory his righteousnesse is ours his loue ours his life our life his Spirit our spirit of his fulnesse we receiue all This is a great mistery which the eye seeth not nor heart can vnderstand yet it is a reall ioyning with him faith comprehendeth it and when wee shall see that wisedome which is called vnity in one person God and man wee shall see the wisedome which hath made vs all the body of that head and members one of another In him he is well pleased I say with vs. If that couenant wherin it was once promised to Abraham to giue a land vnto the Iews and all their rebellion could not falsifie his promise in him wee haue a couenant greater and better therefore let vs trust vnto his promise which cannot change his grace nor repent him of his mercy for euer for this is a holy couenant which shall not be broken but God will make all our enemies our footstooles and will surely take vs vp into his glory and briefly the presence of God to which Christ leadeth vs is a throne of Grace for by his merits we bee brought vnto God as before a Iudge who from his tribunall Seat doth acquit vs for euer of his own grace and free mercy For whosoeuer looketh to bee iustified by any other thing the Lord can no more shew mercy vnto him then he can change the property of his Iudgement seate to make it no more the Throne of Grace CON. 77. A perfect beauty of all excellent loue appeareth in the great worke of Christs mediation for hee became man Secondly Hee was ordained to accomplish whatsoeuer was betweene God and man Thirdly This was giuen to Christ by God both by word and by oath and all was to haue compassion on vs. EXPLA. Neither Angell nor Archangell nor Principalities nor Powers can doe this worke to present flesh and blood vnto the Maiesty of God when themselues are but spirits He tooke not the Angels nature but the seede of Abraham But in his sufferings his loue is most euident in that it was so feruent and so deepely rooted that neither feare nor trembling nor any anguish of spirit could make him shake nor the force of death nor any bloody sweats could pull it out of his bowels this is the depth of the Gospell which the Angels doe desire to behold it skilleth not how many our sins are and how great in our eyes the Lord will scatter them as the clouds from the heauens and they shall not turne away his louing countenance from vs if our sinnes bee as scarlet and not ours onely but the sinnes of the whole world they rested all vpon Christ he prayeth for deliuerance and hath obtained and therefore we may say with boldnesse forgiue vs our trespasses We then which are laden but with our owne sins should lift vp our hearts in the great assurance of hope and heare with ioyfulnesse the word of promise I will be mercifull to their vnrighteousnesse and I will remember their sins and iniquities no more There is nothing comparable to his passions by whose stripes we are healed and therefore may bee fully perswaded that nothing shall separate vs from the loue of God in Christ for the Lord hath appointed to giue to all that mourne in Sion beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heauinesse for hee was wounded for our transgressions and broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him his prayers are ours his supplications for vs availeable for more sins then we are able to commit This is the victory that shall ouercome the world euen our faith For his Father hath broken him with one breaking vpon another so he kindled his wrath against him and accounted him as one of his enemies hee cryed out aloud in silence he could finde no ease his face was wrinckled with weeping and the shaddow of death was vpon his eyes wheÌ„ he was the brightnesse of glory and the Sunne of Righteousnesse that