Dauid was to fight with Goliah the victorie against the Lyon and the Beare were perswasions to induce him to hope for Triumph ouer the Philistine 1. Sam. 17. 34 35 37. And when Absolon rebelled draue him out of his Kingdome and so executed that sentence pronounced for his sinne 2. Sam. 12. 11. 12. which no doubt was no small temptation neuerthelesse he despaired not but saith though hotlie pursued I laid me downe and slept and rose againe not waked by the sound of the trumpet or trampling of the horse nor ratling of the armed men And so promiseth to himselfe assurance of peace in this dangerous conspiracie from this that God had before smitten all his enimies vpon the check bone Psal 3. 7. And this is that wherewith Iosua encourageth his people when he caused them to set their feete vpon the necks of fiue Kings so the Lord had brought downe their enimies now so he would doe hereafter Iosua 10. 25. And from that one act of bringing the Israelites out of Aegypt both Salomon groundeth his petition for generall blessings and Ieremie for particular 1. Kings 8. 51 52 53. Iere. 32. 21. And not to stand longer vpon this point Paules onlie comfort was in his transcendent d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suffering that God had deliuered him that he did and trusted that hereafter he would deliuer him the past and present helpe assurances for time to come 2. Cor. 1. 10. And in another place God saued me from the mouth of the Lyon meaning e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euseb hist Ecclesiast l. 2. c. 22. Vse Nero. From this antecedent he concludeth and the Lord will deliuer me from euerie euill worke and will preserue me vnto his heauenly Kingdome 2. Tim. 4. vers 17. 18. First from hence we are led into a due and religious consideration of Gods vnmeasurable and boundlesse mercie who maketh one mercy the earnest of another for he is the f Non vnius misericordiae sed misericordiarum non vnius consolationis Deus sed totius consolationis qui conselatur nos non modo in hac vel illa tribulatione sed in omni Multae misericordiae Domini Thrē 3. 22. 32. Bernard in Natali Domini serm 5. Father of mercies 2. Cor. 1. 3. And therefore if a mother could forget her child and a woman the fruit of her wombe yet he cannot forget those who be his Esay 49. 15. That in nature is vnusuall for Hagar could not abide to see the death of her Ismael Gen. 21. 16. and the Harlots compassions were moued when her child should haue beene diuided 1. Kings 3. 26. yet possible for the women haue made the wombe that bare them the graue to burie them as 2. Kings 6. 29. and Lam. 4. 10. But this impossible therefore And Dauid vpon his owne experience Though my father and mother forsake me yet the Lord will gather me vp Psal 27. 10. Secondly in this is comfort against the dangerous assault of the Deuill our aduersarie diligent g 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to hurt strong in power and cruell in purpose 1. Pet. 5. 8. And therefore seeketh to perswade men that God hauing once forgiuen will no more be intreated for relapsed offendors yet he hath promised acceptance at our returne Ezech. 18. 21. he hath performed so much receiuing Dauid after adultery and murther 2. Sam. 12. 13. Peter after thrise deniall Ioh. 21. 15. For therefore it pleased the Father that in Christ should all fullnesse dwell to reconcile to himselfe and set at peace by the blood of his Crosse the things in heauen and the things in earth Coloss 1. 19. Where the spirit of God setteth downe the helpe for three the deepest woundes of a Christian soule for against the greatnesse of sinne there is in Christ fulnesse of redemption against the number all fulnesse against the continuance in them the dwelling of this all fulnesse which signifieth an vnmoueable setlednesse and therefore without exception of offence or offendor repentance presupposed our Sauiour calleth and promiseth come vnto me all you that trauaile and are heauie loaden I will h Tu times deficere vbi se veritas te reficere promittit Bernard Epist 106. Vide Ioh. Gerson parte 2. in tract de his verbis venite ad me omnes refresh you Math. 11. 28. and 1. Ioh. 2. 1. If any man sinne we haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ and he is the propitation for our sinnes wherefore let vs come with boldnesse vnto the Throne of grace not doubting to obtaine fauour in the time of neede Hebr. 4. 16. Thirdly this should admonish and put vs in minde to keepe a register and memorial of Gods mercies receiued that thereby in time of triall we might strengthen our fainting soules This old Iacob did and so assureth his Sonnes that God would visite them and bring them into the promised Canaan Gen. 48. 16. And such an one was the 136. Psalme amongst the auncient Israelites where at the end of euery verse is an acknowledgment of Gods mercy not as a vaine Tautologie or idle repetition but a dutifull confession of mercy receiued for as God is in his nature vnchangeable and the same alwaies Malach. 3. 6. so is he in his gifts Rom. 11. 29. for where he loueth once he loueth euer Ioh. 13. 1. and therefore let vs cast our care vpon him for he careth for vs. 1. Pet. 5. 7. My soule hath waited These wordes I haue waited and my soule hath waited are very Emphaticall signifying that he is not out of heart nor discouraged in that God delayeth to send helpe neither doth he murmur at the same But with a reposed minde sustayneth himselfe in the greatest extremity vpon the assured hope of his mercies And in this my soule hath waited is a degree more added to the former and signifieth first his earnest desire as Psal 103. 1. Secondly his stedfast faith in that he doth not onlie bridle his tongue from wordes of impatiencie but his heart from murmuring a hard point for Cain could not containe but breake out that his sinne was greater then could be forgiuen and the punishment greater then could be borne Gen. 4. 13. Thirdly his vprightnesse and sincerity according to the great Commandement thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thy heart Math. 22. 37. And from hence we may learne That euery religious action which we are to performe vnto Doctrine God must proceede from the heart as a type whereof the inwards were offered in sacrifice Leuit. 3. 3. Wherefore for repentance rent your harts and not your garments Ioel 2. 12. For obedience offer vp your soules and bodies Rom. 12. 1. For prayer babble not much as the Gentils nor be as the Hypocrites to stand in the Synagogues and corners of the streets but enter into thy chamber and shut the dore Math. 6. 5.
destroy him that had the power of death that is the Diuell Hebr. 2. 14. And as the Israelites stong of the fiery Serpents looked vp to the brasen Serpent set vp by Moses and were healed of their woundes so let vs cast vp our eyes to Christ Iesus who bare our sinnes vpon his body on the tree that we may be safe Ioh. 3. 14. 15. 1. Pet. 2. 24. for it pleased the Father that in him should all fulnesse dwell to reconcile to himselfe and set at peace by the blood of his Crosse the things in heauen and the things earth Coloss 1. 19. Wherefore if any man sinne we haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiator for our sinnes 1. Ioh. 2. 1. Therefore let vs now goe boldly vnto the Throne of grace that we may receiue mercy and finde grace in the time of neede Hebr. 4. 16. For with him is mercy and great redemption Flesh and blood in the sharpnesse of the fit of temptation is perswaded that God is nothing but wrath against sinne So Ezechias complayneth Thou hast crushed my bones like a Lyon Esay 38. 13. and the whole Church in the day of her visitation Thou hast vtterly reiected vs thou art exceedingly angry with vs. Lament 5. 22. The holy Ghost therefore to take out of our mindes this conceit saith with him is mercy and plentifull redemption so that wee are not alwaies to iudge of Gods fauour according to the present feeling for then we must complaine with Iob Thou renuest thy plagues against me and thou increasest thy wrath against me Iob 10. 17. but repose our selues vpon the sweet promises of God for in due time we shall be comforted Esay 54. 7. 8. If we had not assurance of life the enimy would not persecute vs vnto death if God did not loue he would not hate for he is our aduersary and goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may dououre 1. Pet. 5. 8. Therefore when we beleeue in Christ and haue our sinnes Doctrine pardoned through his obedience then there is nothing proceeding from God toward vs but goodnesse he cannot but loue vs and thus he himselfe assureth that though a woman could forget her child and haue no compassion on the sonne of her wombe yet the Lord cannot forget vs for we are graued vpon the palme of his hands Esay 49. 15. and indeede how can he but loue those for whom he gaue his beloued Iob. 3. 16. Therefore there is no condemnation to these that are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8. 1. He saith not there is no sinne for there is none but sinneth 1. Kings 8. 46. and the best workes of the best Saints a Quotidiè super paÌ„uum bonae vitae quem teximê° operibus Iustitiae stillamus sanicus diuersorum criminum Adrianê° Papa in Magistrum sententiarum are stayned our righteousnesse saith the Prophet are as a polluted cloth Esay 64. 6. but there is no damnation for he hath taken away the hand-writing that was against vs and fastened it vnto his Crosse Coloss 2. 14. for whom the father hath giuen the sonne to death that they might liue Rom. 8. 32. Therefore being couered with the wooll and washed with the blood of the Lambe which taketh away the sinnes of the world Ioh. 1. 29. b Ambrosius de Iacobo vita Beata lib. 2. c. 2. we cannot but be safe and clothed with the garments of that our elder brother Wee shall be sure to obtaine the blessing Galat. 3. 8. Therefore doth Sathan persecute doth the world set it Vse selfe against thee doth thine owne conscience trouble thee yet despaire not remember that Christ hath borne thy sinnes vpon the c Jdeirco lignum aduersus lignum manus aduersus manum illae fortiter extensae contra incoÌ„tinenter extensam illae clauis confixae aduersus solutam remissam illae orbis siues coniunctos aduersus eam quae AdamuÌ„ Paradiso exturbauit c. Nazianz Orat. 21. Apologes fugae Per extensionem manule in cruce duos populos ad vnum Deum coÌ„gregauit vt resert ex senioribus Iraneus l. 5. tree and by his woundes thou art healed 1. Pet. 2. 24. and that he is made vnto thee of his father iustification and wisdome and redemption and sanctification 1. Cor. 1. 30. for he came to seeke and saue that which was lost Luc. 19. 10. and for this cause before he was conceiued in the wombe to take flesh for our sakes he was named d Nil canitur suae uius nil auditur iucundius nil cogitatur dulcius quà m Iesus Dei sillus Vetus Hymnê° Ecclesiae nulla speeles peccati tanta vt non sit superior Iesus Origines in 15. c. Iusuae Vide de hoc domine Bernardum sermon 15. super Cantico Canticorum Augustinum Anselmum in Meditationibus IESVS a Sauiour who should saue his people from their sinnes Math. 1. 21. Cain was deceiued when he thought his offence vnpardonable Gen. 4. 13. But non erat de membris Christi quia ad eum non pertinebat de meritis Christi he was no member of Christ and therefore no partaker of his merits and this fearefull distrust proceedeth first from the ignorance of God supposing him only iust and punishing where as a father pittyeth his children so doth he vs. Psal 103. 13. is gracious mercifull slow to anger of great kindnesse and repenteth him of the euill Ioel 2. 13. Rich in mercy Ephes 2. 5. Nay he is mercy it e Augustinus in Psal 58. selfe therefore Dauid O God my mercy Psal 59. 17. Nomen sub quo nemins desperandum Secondly from the ignorance of sinne not knowing that it is pardoned to the beleeuing so that they shall no more bee remembred Iere. 31. 34. That God will take away iniquity passe by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage and retaineth not his wrath for euer because mercy pleaseth him will haue compassion and subdue our iniquities and cast all our sinnes into the bottome of the f Quantum scintilla ad mare habet tantum hominis malitia ad Dei clemensiam immò verò non tantum sed longe supra inam pelagus etse magnum sit mensuram recipit Dei verò clementia nullam habet Chrysost serm 3. de â—â—â—tentia Sea Micah 7. 18. 19. Thirdly from the ignorance of true repentance which God accepteth and obtayneth pardon After that short but sharp Sermon of the Prophet the Niniuites returne from the euill of their wayes and God repenteth of the euill he had said Ion. 3. 10. Then forty dayes and they should be destroyed for if the wicked turne from his sinnes all the transgressions that he hath committed shall not be mentioned g Tam pius nemo tam pater nemo Tertull. de poenitentia vnto him Ezech. 18. 21. Nay there is more ioy in heauen ouer one sinner that repenteth then for ninety nine
agere inter extraneos facilè inimicos inuenire Tertul. Apolog. cap. 1. and so findeth but hard entertainement Yet at the last shee shall enioy rest for hell gates cannot preuaile against her Math. 16. 18. Iesabel persecuteth Eliah when he can haue no safety vpon earth he is translated into heauen 2. Kings 2. 11. Pharao so oppresseth the Israelites in Aegypt that they are weary of their liues he is choaked in the sea and they sing a song of triumph Exod. 15. 2. Herod maketh hauocke of the Church putteth Iames to death imprisoneth Peter he is strooken of an Angell strangled with p Vide Iosepham Antiquitatum lib. 19. Euseb lib. Histor Eccles 2. cap. 10. wormes and the word of God grew and multiplyed Acts 3. 23. for God is faithfull and will neuer suffer any of his to be tempted aboue that they shal be able to beare but with the temptation giue a comfortable issue 1. Cor. 10. 13. Wherefore to end this it is a memorable speech of one concerning the Church and the estate thereof It is q CoÌ„tinuatio discursus de rebus Gallicis Anno 1588. Gods field ploughed vp with the share of torment compassed with the contempt of the world sowed with ashes watred with teares the fire is to her as the Sunne bloud as the dew flourisheth in the Autumne of calamities and bringeth fruit in the deepest water of tribulation all her enimies r Hilariê° de Trinitate lib. 7. further her good Therefore we are not to account either outward tribulations Vse or inward temptations to be tokens of Gods displeasure No he sendeth them for another end First to teach vs not to trust in our selues Psal 30. 7. Secondly to keep vs from waxing wanton in earthly prosperity Deut. 8. 1. 2. Thirdly for triall of our faith and patience for what the furnace is to gold separating it from the drosse and Å¿ Augustinus in Psal 60. the flaile to the corne beating it from the chaffe the same is affliction to a godly man tending to make their vertues apparant 1. Pet. 1. 6. 7. Fourthly by this meanes the old man is crucified and the body of sinne destroyed Rom. 6. 6. Fiftly thus we are fitted for a better life for by many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdome of heauen Acts 14. 22. for sinners are therefore vndoubtedly miserable because left without t Gregorius in primum caput Ezechielis chastisement But so much for this being sufficient to haue touched it in this place being before more fully handled For with the Lord is mercy and with him is great redemption In these wordes for with the Lord is mercy a reason is set downe why Israel should waite on the Lord and therein be two comforts against two especiall temptations affrighting a distressed soule and such an one as is touched with the sense of deserued iudgement for sinne for howsoeuer worldly men may sport themselues and put off the euill day yet can it not be auoided but either the greatnesse of mans sinne will discourage him and this made Cain despaire when he conceiued it to be greater then Gods mercy Gen. 4. 13. but against this With the Lord is mercy or else the number and this doth astonish the most righteous Therefore I am confounded saith Ezra and ashamed to lift vp my eyes vnto thee my God for our iniquities are increased ouer our head and our trespasses are gone vp to heauen Ezra 9. 6. So Dauid Mine iniquities are gone ouer my head therefore I am bowed and crooked very sore I goe mourning all the day long I am weakened and sore broken I roare for the very griefe of my heart my heart panteth my strength faileth and the light of mine eyes euen they are not my owne Psal 38. 46. 8. 10. Against this With him is great redemption Neither the greatnesse nor multitude of sinnes must discourage Doctrine a penitent soule for where sinne abounded there grace superabounded Rom. 5. 20. Christ calleth them to come vnto him and promiseth rest to those who are loden and trauaile vnder the burthen of their sinnes Math. 11. 28. and his blood is said to purge vs from all sinne 1. Ioh. 1. 7. and the promise is that if they be as red as blood they shall be made as white as wooll and if scarlet like vnto snow Esay 1. 18. and this mercy is confirmed by oath Ezech. 33. 11. that so by two things by which it is impossible that God should faile the Elect might haue sure consolation Hebr. 6. 18. And as sensible testimonies hereof he receiued Manasses into fauour who committed more abhominations then the Gentils and did euill to anger the Lord withall 2. Chron. 33. 7. 8. 13. He accepted of Dauid an adulterer a murtherer 2. Sam. 12. 12. He admitted denying Peter and most louingly conuersed with him Ioh. 21. 15. Hee made the Theefe vpon the Crosse an inheritor of Paradise Luc. 23. 43. and Marie Magdalen the sinner a messenger of his resurrection Math. 28. 7. At one time three thousand of those are washed with Christs blood who shed his blood Act. 2. 23. 41. For there is no maladie of the sould vncurable to the almighty u Acquè potest excitare Christus I azarum è Sepulchro ac Iairi filiam adhuc in domo aut viduae filium iam elatum Vide August de verbis Apostoli hom 44. in Ruang secundum Iohannem phisition therefore when Cain cryed out his sinne was greater then could be forgiuen Gen. 4. 13. he did wrong to God whose mercy is greater then mans misery can be It was not the greatnesse of the offence but the want of repentance that shut Iudas out of heauen who despairing became x Ambrosius lib. 1. de poenitentia Nyssenus in orat cont eos qui alios acerbius iudicaÌ„t August lib. 50. homiliar hom 27 his owne executioner * Vse Let none therefore despaire of the mercy of God for he y Tanta est benignitas omnipotentiae omnipotentia benignitatis in Deo vt nihil sit quod nolit aut non possit relaxare conuerso FulgeÌ„tius Epist 7. cap. 4. is so good and mercifull as he is Almighty and infinite wherefore let vs take words with vs and turne to the Lord and say vnto him Take away all iniquity and receiue vs graciously then he will heale our rebellions and loue vs freely Ose 14. 3. 5. Compassion and forgiuenesse is with him because we haue rebelled Dan. 9. 9. and because our rebellions are many he is the God of z Deus condonationum Vide Prosperum in hunc Psalmum forgiuenesses Nehem. 9. 14. And therefore he commended his loue vnto vs that when we were weake sinners and his enimies he gaue himselfe for vs much more then being iustified by his blood we shall be saued from wrath by him Rom. 5. 5. 8. 9. and therefore he was partaker of our nature that by death he might