assaulted by Satan and his instruments let all the people of God pray for their constancy patience successe of their ministery for their deliuery and preseruation and then no doubt the ministers shall speede and prosper the better and the comfort of their perseruation shall redound to the people And I am left alone Herein Elias if we diligently heed the story and time wherein he prophecied who a little before thought that he had conuerted most of the Israelites and now he thinketh that they haue vniuersally reuolted from true religion wee are taught that the most excellent seruants of God haue their errours and infirmities one while they conceiue ouer-well of men and another while ouer-ill Act. 15. ver 37.38.39 1. Vse If so rare and singuler men these many times erre and are deceiued let no man presume too much of his owne knowledge learning and iudgement but walke humbly and alwayes suspect his owne ignorance and weakenesse and let him iudge rashly or ouer-hastily of no man but reserue all secret iudement to God If none for the present ioyne with him in the open defense of Gods worship or if none such be knowne yea if they should all forsake him as all forsooke Paul when he was conuented before Nero let them not bee discouraged but goe on boldly trusting in God and the goodnesse of their cause and God will assist strengthen deliuer yea and glorifie them God being on a mans side who can be against him nay he hath more with him then against him and other mens generall Apostacie or starting aside from their dutie and obedience cannot possibly depriue him of his crowne for hee shall liue by his faith and the more temptations and discouragements hee findeth to hinder him the greater will be his praise preferment and exaltation in the end But what saith the answer or oracle of God to him i. We must rather in this Apostacie of the Church attend what the Lord the God of trueth saieth then rest vpon the coniecture of Elias â— haue left or reserued to my selfe i. I haue preserued from death and idolatry 7000. men i. a great number of men women and children for seauen a set number is put here as in other places of Scripture for one indefinite or vncertaine number that haue not bowed their knees to the image of Baall i. that haue not polluted themselues with idolatry no not so much as in outward gesture and action Euen so at this present time i. in the time of the new Testament there is a remnant i. a small remainder of Iewes in comparison of those that perish through the election of grace i. whom God of his grace and fauour hath elected to euer-lasting life and which shall be saued by faith in Christ. Questions out of the 4. 5. verses Doth the Church of God neuer faile or cease to be vpon the earth An. No for albeit many times and in many places the church ceaseth to be visible conspicuous and glorious yet the true Catholicke and inuisible Church which consisteth onely of the number of the Predestinate and Elect euer was is and shall be and shall alwayes remaine in the world in one place or other For first it neuer failed when it was brought to the greatest extremities but at length it hath alwayes lifted and put forth her head out of the darkenesse where-with it was oppressed Secondly Christ his kingdome is eternall and shall neuer end but shall last and indure for euer when other kingdomes shall bee ouerthrowne destroyed and extinct Thirdly Gods couenant made with the Iewes and Gentiles viz. that hee will be their God and the God of their seed is euerlasting and vnchangeable therefore there must needs be some in whom the couenant must bee ratified and accomplished Lastly Gods promises cannot lye and his power can doe althings and God doth nourish and preserue the church by his word and prouidence when impietie and idolatry euery where preuaileth 2. Que. Had God any church and people in the middest of the darkenesse of Poperie when tyrants and false Teachers laboured vtterly to roote it out An. Yes as may especially appeare Apoc. 12.16 where the woman the Church flying into the wildernesse i. to places vnknowne to the aduersaries had a place prepared of God that they should feed her there a thousand two hundreeh and three score dayes i. they were nourished by ordinary meanes by hearing some true things of their owne Teachers and partly by learning true faith and doctrine of other better teachers partly by reading the holy scriptures and by meditating and musing of it by themselues and by conferring with others Secondly the Papists had some things that appertaine to the true Church as Baptisme albeit not altogether purely administred the Scriptures the Apostles Creede the Commandements the Lords prayer and a certaine ministerie Thirdly in the ruinous state darkenesse and Apostacie of a Church the very reading and repeating of the word yea the very sound and report of it is by Gods extraordinary working sufficient and effectuall to saue all those whom God will haue saued Act. 11. v. 20. 21. Iohn 4.28.29.40.41 42. Rom. 10 18. Lastly God hath his Church and seed euen in Babylon albeit in faith and affection separated and disioyned from her Apoc. 12.7 and these the Dragon maketh warre with Likewise Apoc 18.4 where Gods people are exhorted to come out of Babilon c. ergo there were some elect and some of Gods people there Quest. Therefore may not we perswade our selues that many of our Ancestors and fore-fathers were saued in the middest of Poperie An. Yes doubtlesse as well as in the corrupt and Apostaticall time of Elias for nothing hath in the Papacie befallen the Church which hath not befallen vnto it in times past Secondly besides the reasons expressed in the answer to the former question many of them kept and held the principles and foundations of faith and so rightly enformed their children seruants and families therein Apoc. 13.8 Thirdly there haue beene some that haue alwayes and openly by preaching writing and disputation opposed and set themselues against the corruption of error Apoc. 11.3.4.5.6.11 12. and this is also manifest by Illyricus his catalogue of the witnesses of the truth Fourthly many thousand children Baptised and so holy dyed in their infancie and child-hood before they could be infected and poysoned with the pestilence of error and so were saued Fiftly God pardoneth many faults and infirmities in his children whose hearts and mindes are right with him Mal. 3. v. 17. Lastly many of our Ancestoâ—â— albeit transported with the common invndation of error did before the end of this life repent of their sin and vtterly renounce and disclaime their owne merites and all confidence in them and relied vpon Christ onelie by true faith and so were saued Q. Why doth God sometimes suffer his Church to bee brought into such affliction darkenes extremities that the
with ioynt harmony and consent of heart and bodie fly and shun all iust shew and appearance of Idolatry Euen so then at this present there is a remnant through the election of grace This verse conteyneth the illustration and probation of Paules proposition touching the reiection of the Iewes and the summe of the comparison is this Euen as in the daies of Elias all the children of Israell seemed to haue fallen away from the true worshippe of GOD to the adoration of Baal and yet notwithstanding there were seauen thousand though vnknowne to Elias that neuer bowed their knee to the Idoll euen so at this time there is a reseruation of many elect amongst the Iewes albeit the greater part of them for the time are cast away From this application and comparison of the Apostle this instruction and doctrine offereth it selfe to our consideration viz. That God is alwaies true and like himselfe and neuer changeth his nature couenant promises Psalm 89. vers 33 and 38. Romanes 3 4. 2. Samuel 7.28 And therefore it cannot bee that hee hath wholy reiected all the Iewes For God is voide of all corruption and alteration in his essence it can neuer faile but remaineth the same from etâ—rnity to eternity Secondly he is constant and vnmoueable in his will he keepeth all his decrees once made and he neither changeth them nor hath any need so to do 1. Vse This serueth notably for our comfort and consolation in this life for Gods decree of election is certaine the grace of God in his elect is perpetuall Rom. 11.30 Ier. 31. ver 31. Therefore we cannot miscarry 2. Vse Whereas God is alwaies like him and vnchangeable we must learne hence to be constant stedfast and vnchangeable in all duties of piety to God of sobriety to our selues and of charity and iustice towards all men otherwise as it is a shrewd and fearefull signe of Bastardy when the child in nothing resembleth the parents so it is a dangerous signe that wee bee none of the Lords when we are so ticklish fickle and false in our duties and couenants both to God and men herein nothing resembling the Maiesty of God V. 5. A remnant through the election of grace V. 6. And if it be of grace then it is no more of workes or els were grace no more grace A remnant From the warrant and authority of this and the like places it euidently appeareth that the number of the Elect and of those that shal be saued is at all times verie small and few in comparison of those that are reprobates and that perish but especially in the time of a generall or long continued defection and Apostacie Luke 18.8 Math. 7.14 They are a little and a contemptible flocke they are but a remnant and reseruation a tenth Isaias and Paul say though the number of the children of Israell were as the sand of the sea yet shall but a remnant bee saued Isay 10.21 et 22. Rom. 9.27 Narrow is the way that leadeth vntolâ—fe and few there are that enter into it Math. 7. ver 13 and 14. The cause of this small number of them is not because Christ doth enuy saluation to any for he doth most kindly inuite and allure all to come vnto him but because the greatest number refuse the grace of saluation offered vnto them and will not by faith receiue and apply it 1 Vse It ouerthroweth the error of them that determine of a church by a perpeâ—uall multitude whereas alwaies though sometimes more and sometimes lesse it is the least number by many degrees that treadeth in the right way that followeth the truth and that entereth in by Christ. 2 Vse We must comfort our selues against the paucity and fewenes of Gods children that his can neuer fall a way neither can they perish these God alwaies hath a tender regard of he doth take notice of them confirme and defend them against all crosse euents and after-claps And as for other mens profanesse vnbeliefe Apostacy it shal nor can neuer any whit preiudice their fauor and felicity for euery man shall beare his owne burden and euery man shal be saued by his owne faith or condemned for his owne vnbeliefe and impenitency V. 6. And if it bee of grace then it is no more of workes or els were grace no more grace but if it be of workes it is no more grace or els were workes no more workes And if it be of grace The election calling and reseruation of a remnant proceedeth onely from Gods meere mercie and fauour and not from any fore-seene faith workes or any outward priuiledge whatsoeuer for els grace i. not of grace but wages giuen vnto them for the worth and dignitie of the worke But if it â—ee of workes then it is no more of grace i. arising from the gratious loue pleasure and good will of God â—â—sls i. â—f it be of grace were worke no more worke i. the merit of workes were no more merite but a free gift From the Apostle his practise reasoning and concluding thus from the contraries the affirming of one of which doth necessarily deny and take away the other this fundamentall point offereth it selfe to our view and consideration That in the matter and mysterie of mans predestination iustification and saluation all disposition of mans will all fore-seene faith and workes all naturall and peculiar prerogatiues are wholy debarred and shut out from beeing aâ—y impulsiue moouing and working cause of it and that they proceed onely and wholy from the euerlasting decree and good pleasure of God The Scriptures are most plaine and pregnant for the demonstration of this principle Romanes 9.11 Ephesians 1.5 Iohn 15.16 Acts 13.48 Deut. 10.15 Further reasons to backe and fortifie this assertion are these first all disposion of mans will followeth predestination as doth likewise faith and workes and therefore cannot possibly be any cause of it Secondly it is naturally bent vnto euill continually and therefore cannot deserue ought at Gods hand and as for faith and workes they are fruites and effects of election therefore no cause of it they are also vnperfect and therefore voide of merite Thirdly they are the gifts and workes of Gods spirit in vs therefore not of our selues or from our owne worthines and touching natural and speciall prerogatiues they in the Iewes proceeded from Gods couenant and not from naturall generation for Iewes and Gentiles are alike conceiued and borne in sinne Fourthly the holy Patriarkes neuer rested much lesse gloried in them More-ouer if Gods predestination were caused by foreseene faith and workes then might an euident reason be giuen of it which Paul vtterly denieth and if workes could merit ought by their owne worthinesse then grace should be destroyed Gods glory empaired and all the workes of our redemption obscured Lastly God hath chosen vs from euerlasting in himselfe in Christ to the praise of his glorious grace and hath made vs vessels of mercy of
earnest praier beseech and entreate the Lord that he would more cleerely day by day open them vnto vs Psal. 73. ver 17. Psal. 119. ver 18. Ephe 1.17 by the ministery of his word and spirit O the deepenesse of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge c. We must in the hidden misteries and secrecies of almighty God not be curious to know impossibilities much lesse to obiect and except against the manner of Gods proceeding herein but containe our selues within the precincts and limmits of his word and adore and admire the secret counsailes of God and not vainely and rashly attempt to finde serch them out Psal. 36. ver 6. The first reason hereof is for that the infinite wisdome and glory of God appeareth in this that his iudgements and secrets especially in matters of predestination and reprobation and of particular euents and of the moments and times thereof are conceiled and kept from vs. God will not as Ezechias foolishly and vainely did shew all his riches and treasures to the Babilonish ambassadours God I say wil not in this world impart and communicate his in-most counsailes to any but by the euent only The second reason is because God in dispensing of matters hath hidden contraries as it were vnder contraries viz. contrary ends vnder contrarie means life vnder death glory vnder shame riches vnder pouerty 2 Cor. 6.8.9.10 Hebr. 2.25 Thirdly the Apostle Paul could not nor durst serch them much lesse we that are so much inferiour vnto him and haue no Apostolicall gifts Vse 1. This doctrine refuteth and condemneth all curious friuolous and vnnecessary questions such as these following why did God creat man apt to fall why did not God preuent or keepe him from falling why doth God elect some refuse others why doth not God cause his word to bee preached in one and the same age in all places of the world why doth God condemne men for vnbeleife seeing that no man can possibly beleeue vnlesse God confer faith vpon him why doth God not conuert all seeing that he can do it why hath God and yet still doth suffer the greatest part of the world to remaine in error and blindnesse why doth he at one time call more then at another Is not God vniust cruel to predestnat men to condemnation before they haue done good or euill Vse 2. As often as in the confusion disorders that seeme to be in the world our faith beginneth to wauer let vs remember that Gods iudgment in the whole gouernment of the world is most deseruedly cōpared to a uast huge deepe that filleth heauen and earth that which by they eie of our iudgmēt we cannot peirce into let vs rather reuerently submit our selues vnto then curiously to prie and diue into it How vnserchable are his waies and his iudgements past finding out Who hath knowne the minde of the Lord We must not be curious inquisitiue or desirous to know any thing of God and his waies and of his course and order that he obserueth in disposing and managing vniuersall and particular things which hee hath not reuealed in holy scripture Act. 1.6 where God hath no mouth to speake we must haue no eares to heare and where hee ceaseth directing wee must cease enquiring Math. 12.22 wicked therefore is the practise of those that by Astrology and other indirect means seeke to know the day of mens death and calculate issues of particular intendments The first reason hereof is for that they are deeper and more profound then that mans reason can find out and if we busie and trouble our selues herein we shall at length be oppressed with the brightnesse of Gods maiesty confounded in our owne vaine imaginations Secondly they that are curious and inquisitiue herein fall through Gods iust iudgement into such intricate laborinthes that they can neuer recouer themselues out of and plunge themselues into such a bottomlesse gulfe out of which they shall neuer arise Thirdly we haue matter and employment sufficient and that for our soules health to bestow and busie our selues in all the daies of our life in serching out musing vpon and in laboring to bring into vre and practise Gods will reuealed which conteineth that which is aboundantly sufficient for saluation we can neuer in this mortality sound out the depth of it muchlesse follow and obey it ergo what vanity and follie is it to omit and leaue vndone that which God hath commanded which so highly concerneth vs and preposterously and vnprofitably to busie our selues to know things impossible and vnlawfull for vs to know and the knowledge thereof would be hurtfull vnto vs Vse 1. Let vs leaue and bid adue to all vaine speculations wherein we do nothing but offend God wearie and wast our wits and trifle out our times vnprofitablely much rather let vs exercise our selues and senses in serching the holy scripture and then labour chiefely to know and practise these things that concerne our faith sanctification saluation herein wee shall finde imployment ynough though we haue the wisedome of Salomon and could liue as long as Methusala did 2 Vse It must teach vs to rest contented in Gods counsailes and subscribe to his will and when wee see many thinges to crosse our expectation iudgement we must not accuse God of iniustice and want of wisdome For hee alone knoweth what to doe and how to determine of all thinges and persons and what is most agreeable to his diuine Maiestie and whatsoeuer he doth is alwaies good in regard of him-selfe and nothing could be done more wisely and in better order and therefore we must rather with al reuerence adore these hidden secresies then any way carpe or cauell at them 3 Vse Wee are admonished hereby to be thankefull to God for his wisedome and manner of disposing and gouerning all things euen then when his iudgements corruptions inflicted vpon our selues seeme bitter harsh and intollerable who was his Counsailer Doctr. God in the decreeing and disposing al things and in procuring mans saluation needeth no counsail vseth no mans aduice but doth all thinges according to his owne good pleasure after the counsaile of his owne wil Psal. 115 v. 3. Eph. 1. v. 5.9 The reason hereof is because he is omnipotent most wise and God all sufficient vndependent of any other and of whom all persons and thinges haue their beeing and dependance Secondly GOD doth act and put in execution nothing in time but that which hee purposed and decreed before all times for otherwise he could not be wisdome it selfe neither could the Sonne of God his wisdome be begotten before the Creation of the world 1 Vse Therefore let vs not murmure or repine against any of his creatures and his workes neither lette vs measure them after our owne shallow reason and vnderstanding for the reason and beginning of it cannot be comprehended it surmounteth all mens wits and capacities