omnipotent as the Father is Infinite in Majesty Wisdom Goodnesse Power c. How can they I say but admire to see him demitt himself so farre for us and to us As man also he offereth himself to be seen by us spiritually Here we may see him and should look upon him as he suffered and was crucified for us Here thou may see his Head crowned with thornes which should have been and now is crowned with Glory His Face spitted on and busseteâ—â— which should have shined and doeth shine with the beams of heavenly Light His Hands and Feet pierced and in a word all wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities and now giving his Body that was broken and his Blood that was shed as the food of our souls unto eternall life O what a wonderfull and sweet sight is this what reverence and humility what love and thanksgiving should it raise up in us Dost thou see what thou receivest in these sacred mysteries and from whom and wilt thou who art but dust and ashes refuse to humble thy self in body and in soul or can thou consider his infinite Love to thee which made him to give himself for thee when thou was his enamie to exchange as it wer the Throne of his Glory with the ignominy of the crosse canst thou I say consider this and not be inflamed with love and breake out in thanksgiving Secondly He speaketh to us in these sacred mysteries most sweet and comfortable words which we should heare and answer unto He sayeth I am the bread of life c. that we may answer LORD evermore give us this bread He sayeth I am the water of life that we may answer LORD give us of this water that we thrist not againe He sayth This is my Body which is broken for you This is my Blood which was shed for you he that eateth my flesh and drinketh my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him that we may answer Whence is it that our LORD cometh to us O LORD we are unworthy that thou should enter under the rooffe of our unclean souls but let it be unto thy servants according to thy word Here he reacheth us as it were from his crosse all the precepts of divine vertue He sayeth Learne of me for I am meek and lowly in heart I humbled my self and became obedient to the death of the crosse when I was stricken I revenged not I gave my life for mine enemies I prayed for them in my greatest distres I cleaved most firmly unto God thus he speaketh unto us and we should devotly answer him But the time is spent and therefore I forbeare to proceed further The LORD imprint these things in our hearts that for the merits of Christ to whom c. A SERMON UPON the II. of the CORINTH chap. VII Vers 10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvatiâ—â— not to be repented of but the sorrow of the world worketh death THe holy Apostle in the former words speaketh of the effect of his former Epistle unto the Corinthians wherein he had rebuked them for not censuring the incestuous person that was among them of whom ye may reade in the 5. chap. of that â—repist This his reprooffe of them had grieved them made them sorrowful but he tels them that if it could have been he wished not their sorrow If it might have stood with their wel-being he would have been glad that thy had not been sorrowfull at all Yet in the mean time he declareth that this their sorrow which his epistle had wrought in them was matter of joy unto him not for that they were grieved but because they had sorrowed in a Godly manner and that unto repentance unto the Glory of God and good of their own souls He confirmeth this particularly by the generall doctrinâ— of the fruit of Godly Sorrow in the place that I have read For Godly Sorrow sayeth he worketh repentance c. Here he commendeth Godly Sorrow of which nature that was which his epistle wrought in the Corinthians first The very name he giveth it containeth an argument of commendation for the Sorrow which he speaketh of is a Godly Sorrow or a Sorrow according to GOD. 2. He commendeth it from the fruit of it it is such a Sorrow as worketh repentance even a repentance that is never to be repented of because it is unto salvation 3. He commendeth it by opposing the contrary Sorrow namly the Sorrow of this world which worketh death That we may proceed the more clearly we shall beginne at this last point The Sorrow of this world sayeth he worketh death He opposeth as yee see two kinds of Sorrowes the one to the other the Sorrow which is according to God and the sorrow of this world The sorrow of the good Corinthians had this good in it that it was not a sorrow of this world which is no matter of joy for it worketh death All sorrow presupposeth love for no man sorroweth but for the losse or want of that which he loveth therefore where this worldly sorrow is there is also a love of this world Such is the sorrow that men have for the losse of worldly things wealth honours delights or friends If their heart and love be set upon these things they foolishly and without the feare of God rejoyce in them when they have them and being drunke with that transitory happines they seek for no more On the contraâ—y when they losse or want them their hearts are cast down and they are pressed down with Sorrow inordinatly Such a Sorrow the Apostle recommendeth not nay he dehorteth from it for it worketh death This Sorrow can do no good When a man hath lost his riches if he sorrow for that this sorrow will not restore his wealth to him againe If a man hath lost his honour the sorrow which hee hath for that will not recover it againe If hee hath lost his friends or children should he mourne never so much for them his sorrow will not bring them to life againe So this sorrow can do no good yea on the contrary it doth great harme it worketh death It maketh the way to bodily death especially when it is inordinate The heavines of the spirit dryeth up the bones saieth SOLOMON Proverb 17. 22. Sorrow hath killed many and there is no profite in it saieth the WISE-MAN Ecclestast Chap. 30. 23. And which is worst of all this sorrow leadeth to eternall death For God is offended with it it stirreth up a man to do many things wherat God is offended and maketh a man guilty of eternal death so this sorrow is no matter of joy but the sorrow that was in the Corinthians and which ought to be in us all was of another kinde It was a Godly sorrow or a sorrow according to God For better understanding of this Consider first That this sorrow which is according to God is such a sorrow as a man
Sorrow because of them 3. This sorrow promoves the work of our repētance It makes us to humble our selves under the mighty hand of God It stirreth us up to an holy indignation and the taking of a just revenge of our selves because we have offended God as the Apostle sheweth in the next vers Hence the renting of our hearts spoken of by IOEL and the smiting of our breast which we find in the Publican This sorrow also venteth it self by confession Psal 32. When I keped silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long Day and night thy Hand was heavie upon me my moisture was turned into the drought of summer Then I said I will confesse my sinnes and mine iniquity will I not hide I acknowledged my transgressions unto the LORD and thou for gavest the iniquity of my sin Sela. This Sorrow also expresseth it self by tears by fasting by sack-cloath and ashes but which is most of all This Godly sorrow stirreth us up to conversion to turne from our former evil wayes and to walk in the way of righteousnes A stedfast purpose of so doing is the maine part of our repentance and this is wrought in us by this Godly sorrow For he that is truly sorrowful displeased for that he hath offended God will in time coming eschew that which may be offensive to him and will be carefull to do that which may be pleasant in his Sight This is that which the LORD chiefly requireth if the wicked man shall turne from his evil wayes and keep all my statutes his former unrighteousnes shall be no more remembred Ezek. 18. 21. 22. Turne unto me sayeth the LORD with all your hearts Ioel 2. 12. our life is as it wer a journey and the end of our way is happines which is not to be found but in God In whose presence there is fulnes of joy and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore Therefore our steps or our eyes should never be turned from him but alace such is our corruption and such is the power of satan that oftentimes he draweth us out of the way of Gods commandements which leade us to that end by setting before us some triffle of pleasure or honour or commodity and so bringeth us in the way of sinne and perdition Therefore if we would repent wee must turne againe turne againe to God and that with our heart even with all our heart It is not enough that the minde be changed farlesse that we turn our face that may be for shame or that wee turne our feete that may be for feare but we must turne our heart affections that wholly from al our sins and from all the occasions thereof so farre as lyeth in us that we may walk in newnes of life even in the good way wherein we may find rest unto our souls So the prodigall son resolved to go to his father and indeed went unto him saying Father I have sinned c. Thus Godly Sorrow worketh repentance for it serveth powerfully to put a holy indignation in our HEART tears in our EYES words in our monuths and in all our CONVERSATION fruits worthy of amendement of life The Apostle addeth that this repentance Is to salvation not to be repented of Albeit this repentance will seem grievous and bitter because of the sorrow and humiliation that is in it yet indeed it is such that no man will ever repent of it If we have not this repentance we shall be forced to repent for the want and neglect of it What is the worme of conscience which tormenteth the demaned but a continuall repentance as it were whereby they accuse and condemne themselves for not using aright the means of grace and repenting while they had time But this is unprofitable repentance though most painfull and eternall The Godly shall not so repent of their repentance it shall never displease them but shal be ever matter of joy and rejoycing to them The reason is set down here namely This repentance is unto salvation There can bee no salvation without it Except yee repent saith our Saviour ye shall all likewise perish Repent and do thy first work else I will come suddenly to thee and take thy Candlestick out of its place saieth our Saviour to the Church of Ephesus Upon the other part if we repent wee are sure of salvation we may have great hope to be delivered from the evils threatned in this life howsoever that be we shall be sure to escape the wrath that is to come If the wicked man saieth the Lord turne from his evill wayes and keep my statutes he shall surely live he shall not die Wash you and make you cleane Isa 1. 16. Cease to do evill learne to do good and though your sinnes were as crimson they shall be made white as snow and though they were as scarlet they shal be made as wooll If we be carefull by the tears of true and unfeigned repentance to blot out our sinnes out of our conscience God will hide his Face from them and blot them out of his register and remember them no more against us Thus then we see how great motives we have to repent and turne to God First The Glory of God requireth this by our sins we have dishonoured him and therefore ought by repentance to restore to him his Honour againe 2. The love which we ought to our selves requireth this since without repentance we cannot be saved but must needs perish if we want it Put the case a man were walking in a way wherin if he went on a little he would undoubtedly fall head-longs over a rock and dash himself into pieces If that man would not do so much as turne back for the safety of his life ye may justly say that he were a murtherer of himself How much more cruell is thy murther of thy self who rather then tho wilt turne from thine evil way will drown thy self in the lake of brimstone and fire where the most bitter eternall death is Lastly we have yet another pregnant motive to perswade us to sorrow and repentance at this time that is the danger of our Church and countrey Who seeth not a fire kindled in the Wrath of God which threatneth this Church and Land with desolation Alace how can we be without regard to this S. AUGUSTINE in his first book of the City of GOD and 6. chap. Reporteth this fact of Marcellus which there also he commendeth While he was taking in the city of Syracuse in Sicily in the mean time that the armies were sighting he went up to a turret to behold Perceiving from thence men running in fury each one against another hearing the cryes of them that wer wounded and killed seeing fire cast on houses and the smoke ascending to heaven and hearing the noise of the houses falling to the ground he breake forth in tears albeit sure of the victory He weeped
to see men though his enemies subject to so great miseries Alacâ— then how great reason have we to mourne for these dreadfull miseries which ar like to come upon our brethren and upon our selves What other can we expect except we turne from our sinnes and except the Lord turne away his Wrath from us He hath given us the spirit of giddenes We are like men that are drunk every one rising up and ready to rush against another How dreadfull a token is this of the Wrath of God kindled against us because of our sinnes and how great reason have we to contribute our tears for the quenching of this fire Oftentimes we have foretold you that God would visit for the sinnes commitred in this land and that he would be avenged on such a nation as this Many and terrible examples also of the Iudgements of GOD ye have had before your eyes by which the Lord hath been saying to you Except yee repent ye shall all likewayes perish But notwithstanding of all this we have gone one securely in our sins How many thousands in Germany and other parts not long since have thought their feet as sure from falling as yee have thought yours their eyes have been as dry and their souls seemed to be as sure of life yet their feet have slidden their eyes have been drowned with tears their souls have tasted of DEATH The Sword of God hath devoured their flesh and is become drunke with their blood This same cup which the Lord hath given them he now presenteth to us and if we pacifie not his Wrath whether we will or not he shall force us to drinke it out Let us therefore follow the example of our Saviour When the bitter cup was presented to him for our sins he fell down and with tears of blood said Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me Let us turne to God and do in like manner Neither should we thinke it enough to mourne this day but should continue our mourning in private that if it be possible he may deliver us and our land from this great Wrath or if he have decreed otherwayes wee may at least escape his eternall indignation The Lord grant this unto us and that for the merits of Christ to whom c. Excellencie of the Psalmes 2. Excellencie of this Psame 3. Argument of it 4. Summe of the words 5. Davids applicatieÌ„ 6. Certaintiâ— of Gods favour possible 7. This gives confidence 8. Alacritie in GODS service 9. Peace in troubles 10. Gods name what 12. All Comfort in it 13 Comfort in Christs Name 14. This upholdeth us wheÌ„ other comforts faile 15. Exalting what 16. Blessing what 17. Praising what 18. God should be praised in al estats 19. The reasons God praiseth himself 2. ConsideratioÌ„ of Gods greatnesse the fountain of his praise 3. DivisioÌ„ of the words 4 Points to be considered 5. Infinitnes what 6. It is in God 7. All perfections ar in him 8. In the highest degree of perfection 9. In a most perfect unitie 10. His highnes above the creatures 11. His greatnesse is unsearchable 12 Praise due to him 13. Love the immediaet fountain of it 14. What praise proceeds from it 15. Our unduâ—ifulnes in this 16. Our heart should bee set upon him 17. Our desirs of him should bee effectuall 18. Nobilitie of GOD service 19. Reverenes in our carriage to him 20. Confideâ—â—â— in him Doct. BARON his Aâ—ath lamented 1. song of degress 2. Vnitie coÌ„mended here 3. Behold 4. Whâ—â—â— to dwell together in â—â—â—itie 5. Brethren 6. Concord good and pleasant 7. Goodnesse of it 8. Pleasantnesse of it 9. Vnitie in the church coÌ„manded 10. Fathers highlie esteemed it 11. CoÌ„cord lik an ointmeÌ„t 12. Like the dew 13. Blessing followes it 14. The portrâ—cture of it 15. we ar bene to dissentioÌ„ 16. Humility necessar 17. Meeknes necessar 18. ExhortatioÌ„ to keep our unity 1. Intention and summ of this Psalme 2. The waitting or silence of praise 3. SioÌ„ should praise 4. Sion can praise 5. Doeth praise 6. Necessitâ—â— of praise under the Law 7. Vnder the Gospel 8. A vow is a Promise 9. Made to God 10. Religious 11. willingly 12. Of a thing gracious 13. A vow of a thing not coÌ„manded 14. Not Wil-worship 15. Obliedgment to do good 16. Vows of things necessar 17. GOD honoured by vows 18. vows lawfull now 19. Vows should bee performed 20. God hears praier 21. Of all 22. Hee hath heard our prayers 23. Our duty 1. Intention division 2. GOD unchangable in his nature 3. In his Decrees 4. No chaÌ„ge in him froÌ„ his works 5. How he is said to repent 6. unchangeablnesse proper to GOD. 7 Comfort hence against troubles 8. Gods Love chaÌ„ges not from us in trouble 9. Hâ—â— Vnchangeablnes a spurr to Repentance 10. GOD the supreame Lord. 11. His dominion Vniversall 12. Comfort hence against troubles 1. reason 13. 2. reason 14. Why Hee permitteth our affliction 15. His power to convert us 1. proposition of the point intended 2 Eternitie is one with Gods essence We cannot conceive eternity but after the manner of time 3. It is unmeasurable 4. It is all at once 5. It is so of it self 6. It maketh good or evil infinitelâ—e better or worse 7. It belonges to GOD. 8. His Kingdom never began 9. It shal never end 10. The vanity of earthlie things 11. CoÌ„fort to the godly against travels 12. CoÌ„fort against troubles 13. Terrour to the wicked from eternitie 14. Tyme should not bee spent idlely 15 It should be imployed in wel-doing 1. Intention of the Prophet 2. Division 3. The first part 4. Peace sought by all 5. Out-ward peace not meaned here 6. GODS people havâ— it not alwayes 7. Dreadful state of the wicked 8. Inward peace of minde here understood 9. God alone giveth it 10. He giveth it easilie 11. Stayednes of minde referred to GOD. 12. Reference of it to the Godlie 13. Withdrawing of the heart from the creature necessarie 14. Necessitte of setling our love on GOD and submission to his wid 15. Equitie of this in respect of GOD his excellency 16. Equitie of it in respect of our profite 17. This is the way to peace 18. ContentatioÌ„ in evils prejudicial to God his Glorie and mans salvation 19. Confidence in GOD. 20. Exhortation to it Mark 14 verse 70. Luke 22. 59. Iohn 18. 26. 1. Peter speaketh to us 2. The history and order 3. Peter truly deuieth Christ 4. Branches of his sin 5. Grievousnesse of his deniall 6. his cursing 7. How grievous a sin it is 8. Grievousnesse in respect of the matter 9. In respect of the person 10. His pusillanimitie 11. His obstinacie 12. Humane weaknes 13. One sinne draweth another after it 14. Necessitie of compassion in pastors 15. Wee deny CHRIST alse 16. â—is repenâ—ance 17. Gods looking in justice 18. His Looke in mercie 19. Necessitie and power of Christs grace 20. Readinesse of it 21. Peters remembraÌ„ce 22. His