preachersought out to find acceptable words 5. warrantable doctrine by its owne grounds and confirmation of the masters of the assembly that which was written was upright even words of truth The words of the wise are as goads and nails fastned by the masters of the assemblies 6. derived from the Word which is given by the hand of one shepheard Christ our Saviour 7. Abstaining from distracting studies which wearie the flesh in making many books when his owne bible would give content if it be rightly used that we need especially for matters of salvation no other Directory XIIII The arms of a Christian Souldier against 1. principalities 2. powers 3. rulers of the darknes of this world 4. spirituall wickednesses in high places 1. the girdle of truth for the loyns 2. for the breast the brest-plate of righteousness 3. for the feet the preparation of the Gospel of peace 4. for the left hand next the heart the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the Divel 5. for the right hand the sword of the spirit which is the word of God 6. for the head the helmet of salvation 7. for the accomplishing of all prayer and supplications in the Spirit with watching and all perseverance Eph. 6.12 CHAP. VII Of Antitheses I. IT is written that Abraham had two sons the one by a bondmaid the other by a free-woman but he that was of the bond-woman was born after the flesh but he of the free woman was by promise Which things are an Allegory For these are the two covenants the one from mount Sinai which gendereth to bondage which is Hagar for this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to Jerusalem that now is and is in bondage with her children but Jerusalem which is above is free and is the mother of us all Gal. 4. Where may be noted correspondencies and antitheses between 1. Hagar a bond-woman and Sarah free 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ismael Hagar's son after the flesh and Isaac Sarah's according to promise 3. Sinai in Arabia the desert and Jerusalem in the land of promise 4. Sinai called by the Arabians Hagar allegorizing the Law Jerusalem the mother of us all the covenant of the gospell thence proclaimed 5. dependers of the Law for justification Hagarens born to bondage adherents to faith the sons of Sarah born to freedom 6. fleshly Ismaelites persecutors spirituall sons of Sarah for a time under the crosse 7. the censure upon the persecuting juststiciaries Cast out the bond-woman and her son on the other side The freewoman's children shall be heyrs II. Antithesis between Christ and Adam Rom. 5. 1 Not as the offence so is the free gift that by justice extended this by grace abounded 2. That included the venome of one offence or propagated but one offence originall this quits from originall and infinite actualls 3. That by one brought in the tyranny of death this by one the gift of Righteousnesse and reign in Life 4. That the root of just Condemnation this of the free gift of Justification 5. That made all men sinners this made many righteous 6. The horridness of that is manifested by the Law the abounding of grace is more illustrious by the Gospell 7. That was attended by reigning sin unto Death this by Grace to Righteousnesse and Eternall Life III. Antithesis between the flesh and the Spirit Rom. 7. where 1. The flesh brings forth fruit unto death the Spirit contendeth to serve in newnesse of Life 2. The flesh holds by the old letter the spirit by a new tenure 3. The flesh worketh death by that which is good that sin might become exceeding sinfull the Spirit clears it selfe by pleading a pardon 4. By the flesh we are sold unto sin by the Spirit we attaine redemption 5. In the flesh to will may be present with us but deeds follow not but the spirit urgeth to performe 6. The inward man delighteth in the Law of God but the Law of the members carry the intents against the Law of the Mind 7. The flesh makes up the body of sin the Spirit obtaineth deliverance by Christ IV. Antithesis between the Body before and after the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.1 It is sowen in Corruption it is raised in incorruption 2. It is sowen in Honour it is raised in Glory 3. It it sowen in weaknesse it is raised againe in power 4. It is sowen a naturall body it is raised a spirituall body 5. It is sowen as the first Adams issue having onely a living soul it is raised as the second Adams purchase made a quickning spirit 6. The first is of the Earth earthly the second from the Lord of Heaven heavenly 7. The first carrying the image or stamp of earth from which he was taken the second the badg of Heaven to which he is advanced V. Antithesis between true pastors and impostors or scorners 1 Cor. 5. We are made a spectacle to the World and to Angells and to Men. 1. We are fools for Christs sake but ye are wise in Christ 2. We are weak but ye are strong 3. Ye are honoured but we are despised as it appeareth because at this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffetted and have no certain dwelling place and labour working with our owne hands 4. Being reviled we blesse 5. Being persecuted we suffer it 6. Being defamed we entreate 7. We are made the filth of the world and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day VI. Gods Ministers to be approved 1. In much patience 2. In afflictions 3. In necessities 4. In distresses 5. In stripes 6. In imprisonment 7. In tumults 8. In labours 9. In watchings 10. In fastings By 1. Purenesse 2. By knowledge 3. By long-suffering 4. By kindnesse 5. By the Holy Ghost 6. By love unfained 7. By the word of truth 8. By the power of God 9. By the armour of Righteousnesse 10. On the right hand and on the left 11. By honour and dishonour 12. By evill report and good report As 1. Deceivers and yet true 2. As unknown and yet well known 3. As dying yet behold we live 4. As chastned and not killed 5. As sorrowfull yet alwayes rejoycing 6. As poor and yet making many rich 7. As having nothing and yet possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. VII The chast Matrone and the whore of Babylon are thus differenced 1. The Matron is cloathed with the Sun from Heaven Rev. 12.1 The great whore with Scarlet and Gold and Pearls from the earth 2. The Matron hath the Moon and spotted-changes under her Feet the Whore sitteth on many waters which will at length fail her 3. The Matron hath a Crown of 12 Stars upon her Head the Whore appeares with a frontlet of blasphemies Mystery Babylon the great Rev. 17.5.12.2 Mother of harlots and abhominations of the earth 4. The Matron is fruitfull and travelling to bring forth Children the Whore is drunk with the blood of Saints and Martyrs and
of the world worketh death 2 Cor. 7.8.9.10 Motives to Godly sorrow are frequently met with in Scripture For 1. private corruptions 2. publick calamities 3. praevayling pressures and insultations of Satan and his adhaerents to the scandall of christian religion and professon 1. What an heart-breaking was this to David Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive or warme m◠Psal 51.5 Mine iniquities are gone over my head and are a sore burden for me too heavy for me to beare Psal 38 4. Innumerable troubbles are come about me my sins have taken such hold upon me that I am not able to looke up yea they are more in number then the hairs of my head and my heart hath failed me O Lord let it be thy pleasure to deliver me make haste O Lord to help me Psal 40.15 16. When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin thou makest his beauty to consume avvay as it vvere a moth fretting of a garment Every man therefore is but vanity Psal 39.12 whence St. Paul bemoans himselfe I delight in the law of God after the inward man Rom. 7. but I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death sin must needs bring sadnesse to many that proved so odious to God's nature that it ruined the angells bereaved Adam of Gods favour and Paradise could not be expiated but by the son of God who knew no sin yet was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousnes of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 2. How publick calamities affect the heart with sorrow of all those that are true of heart may be gathered by those passionate passages of Isaiah Look away from me for I will weep bitterly labour not to comfortmè because of the spoyling of the daughter of my people Isa 22.4 Of Jeremy My bowells my bowels I am pained to the very heart The vvall of my heart makes a noyse vvithin we I cannot hold my peace because thou hast heard O my soule the sound of the trumpet the alarm of war Destruction upon destruction is cryed for the vvhole land is spoyled Suddainly are my tents spoyled and my curtaines in a moment Hovv long shall I see the standard and hear the sound of the trumpet For my people is foolish they have not knowen me they are sottish children they have not understanding they are wise to do evill but to do good they have no knowledg Jerem. 4 O that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of teares that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people Oh that I had in the Wildernesse a lodging place of wayfaring men that I might leave my people and go from them for they be all adulterers an assembly of treacherous men Jer. 9.1 Thus Jerusalem is bemoaned made drunk with the cup of fury that had none of her sons to take her by the hand to guide her of all those she hath brought up but lay as a bull in a net at the head of all the streets Isa 51. 3. Complaints of Sataincall insultations are The ungodly for his own lust doth persecute the poore He is so proud that he careth not for God neither is God in all his thoughts His wayes are always grievous thy judgments are far above out of his sight and therefore defieth he all his enemies For he hath said in his heart Tush I shall never be cast down there shall no harm happen unto me Psal 10. This complaint is taken up again Psal 73. To which satisfaction is given Psal 37. and 49. Jeremy harps upon the same string Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper wherefore are they happy that deal very treacherously Thou hast planted them yea they have taken root they grow yea they bring forth fruit Thou art neer in their mouthes but far from their reines But it followes Those that have so trodden downe the Lords portion and desolated the land shall reap Thornes instead of Wheat put themselves to pain without profit For they shall be asham'd of their revenues because of the fierce anger of the Lord Jer. 12. Motives to Zeal Zeal which may be good or bad Good is either 1 for Gods honour 2 house or 3 people The first was of Elias I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts because the children have forsaken thy Covenant thrown down thy altars and slain thy people with the sword and I even I onely am left and they seek my life to take it away 1 King 19.14 For this zeal Phineas is commended of God Phineas the son of Eliezar the son of Aaron the priest hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake amongst them that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy Num. 25.11 Of this zeal Jehu boasted Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord so they made him ride in his chariot 2 King 10.16 The 2d sort of zeale may be typified in David The zeale of thy house hath eaten me up and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me Psal 69.9 My zeale hath consumed me because mine enemies have forgotten thy words Psal 119.139 But practised by our Saviour when he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves and the changers of money sitting He made a scourge of small cords and drove them out of the Temple and the sheep and the oxen and poured out the changers-mony and over-threw the tables and said unto them that sold doves Take these things hence and make not my Fathers house an house of merchandize And the disciples remembred that it was written The zeale of thine house hath caten me up Joh. 2.14 Much different from the zeale of our modern zealots the zeale of whom eateth up God's house 3. For zeale to Gods people The zeale of Moses and St. Paul are notoriously eminent which was seconded by that of that resolute Priest Mattathias who when he saw a Jew sacrificing to idols was inflamed with zeale and his reins trembled neither could he forbeare to shew his anger according to judgment wherefore he ran and slew him upon the altar Also the Kings commissioners who compelled men to sacrifice he killed at that time and the altar he pulled downe Thus dealt he zealously for the law of God as Phineas did to Zambri the son of Salom. 1 Maccab. 1. Bad zeale spendeth it selfe either in Nemesis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zelotypia 1 revenge 2 rejoycing at others ruines or 3 in impetuous undertakings and pursuances not acording to knowledg Belonging to the first kind was that of Saul for rooting out the Gibeonites 2 Sam. 21.2 And those more then forty that had bound themselves under a curse
fall upon them which they cannot avoyd 3 Our Saviour waving the decision between two brethren for a matter of pelfe with this exemplary put-off Man who made me a judg or a divider over you lanceth this sordid avarice with the proposall of a Parable of that base rich churle that was all for the inlarging his barnes without thinking on Him that sent the corne that any ingenious person would detest the case of the wretch who applauded himselfe in the gain of his Grain to the losse of his soul Luk. 12. And who can think upon the drunken sottishnesse of clownish Nabal without indignation and detestation who could not afford good words where good deeds were due Who is David or who is the son of Jesse There be many servants that now a dayes break away every man from his master Shall I then take my bread and my water and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers and give unto men whom I know not whence they be 2 Sam. 25.10 11. Little knew this caitiffe that was such a son of Belial that a man could not speak to him what mischeif was neer him and his if his wive's courteous demeanure had not prevented it but God let it not so passe Ib. This sordid humour by the Apostle is termed Idolatry that praeferreth his muck before his Maker Col. 3.5 the doltish vanity of which is touched by the preacher When goods increase they are increased that eat them and what good is there to the owners thereof saving the beholding of them with their eyes and his foolish son perchance shall spend all Eccles 5.11.14 Who vvould not loath the labour that brings so unpleasing an in-com 4. To represent how much bestiall luxury is to be detested the parable of Dives vvith the circumstances may be insisted upon 1. backed most pathetically by that of our Saviour They ate they drank they married til the flood came and destroyed them all And as aftervvards in Lots dayes in Sodom they ate they drank they sold they planted they builded till fire and brimstone from heaven marred their market Luk 17. vvhere Lots wife is pillarred for a mark of remembrance And Esau's bad bargain in parting vvith his birthright for a morsell of meat registred for a caution to all posterity Heb. 12 16. 5. Brutish inhumanity may be displayed to the detestation of the auditors in the usage of Joseph by his bretheren They said one to another Behold this dreamer cometh come novv therefore and let us slay him and cast him into some pit and vve vvill say some evill beast hath devoured him and vve shall see vvhat vvill become of his dreames Gen. 37.19 Thus they brought his feet to be hurt in the stocks the iron entred into his soul Of Jeremiah vvhom they plunged so in the mirie dungeon that he vvas fain to be dravvn up vvith cords and cast-clouts and rotten rags put under to save his flesh from gaulling Jer. 38.12 Of St. Stephen whom they stoned at least possessed with a phrensy Act. 7.58 Of St. Paul who was like to be pulled in peices between the factions of the Pharisees Sadduces Act. 23. 6. Breach of oaths and promises may be rendred odious by Zedekiah's heavy doome for revolting from Nebuchadnezer to whom he was obliged by oath 2 Chron. 36.13 And what a misery fell upon the house of Saul for wronging the Gibeonites to whom their forefathers had so long before obliged themselves by oath Jos 9 though all that Saul did was out of his zeal to Israel 2 Sam. 21.2 and Judah 7 what can set out Rebellion to be hated more in his gastly colours than the swallowing up of Korah Dathan and Abiram with all that belonged to them Num. 16. The prodigious hanging of Achitophel and Absalom 2 Sam. 18. And the fearfull end of Judas the traitor in Akeldama Act. 1.18 Motives to Hope Hope layeth hold on 1. deliverances 2. praeservation 3. consummation from which arise all spirituall comfors God is our hope and strength a very present helpe in trouble therefore will we not feare Though the earth be moved and though the hills be carried in the midst of the sea though the waters thereof rage and swell and though the mountaines shake at the tempest of the same The rivers of the flood thereof would glad the city of God God is in the midst therefore shall she not be removed God shall help her and that right early The heathen make much adoe and the kingdomes are moved but God hath shewed his voice and the earth shall melt away Psal 46. God is called the hope of Israel Jerem. 14.8 which maketh not ashaimed Rom 8.24 to which salvation is attributed Rom 8.24 whose emblem is an anker Heb. 6.19 which is layd up for us in heaven whereof we have heard in the word of the truth of the gospell Col. 1.5 and therefore with the work of faith and labour of love the Apostle will have the patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ without ceasing to be remembred 1 Thes 1.3 Upon this hope of deliverance was grounded the resolute answer of the three children to angry Nebuchadnezzar We are not carefull to answer the in this matter if it be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of thine hand O King But if not be it known unto thee O King that we will not serve thy Gods nor worship the golden image that thou hast set up Dan. 3.17 18. This hope was the onely help King Darius could find for Damel Dan. 6.16 Thy God vvhom thou servest continually he will deliver thee 2. for help of preservation vve have a veyn of golden oare running through all the Psalmes and allmost all the Scripture I vvill not be afrayd of ten thousand of people that have set themselves against me round about Psal 3.6 The Lord is my light and salvation whom then shall I fear The Lord is the strength of my life of vvhom then shal I be afraid When the vvicked even mine enimies and my foes came about me to eate up my flesh they stumbled and fell Psal 27. Though I vvalk through the valley of the shadovv of death I vvill fear no evill for thou art vvith me thy rod and thy staff comfort me Psal 23. Confidence against taking thought we have pressed by our Saviour Matth. 6.25 Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat ad finem and Diffidence reproved Why are ye fearfull Matth. 8.26 3. For inflaming the hope of consummation what can be more patheticall then that of our Saviour Let not your hearts be troubled ye beleeve in God beleeve also in me In my fathers house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you Joh 14.1 2. Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you Let not