be preserved so long seeing Lazarus his body and our bodies in that time enter into many degrees of it Ans Christ was indeed balmed and sweetned with Odours but all this could not have preserved him if his soul and body had not now been â—aced from sin the mother of corruption Obj. But he had sin imputed unto him Ans Yea but he had overcome all that and slain it on the Crosse for had he not destroyed it himself had been destroyed by it and subdued for ever under the corruption of it In all which regards that is verified which himself being risen affirmed Luke 24.46 Thus it is written and thâ—â— it behâ—eveth Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead the third day Other things the Evangelists observe in this circumstance as that it was the first day of the week that is the first day wherein hee had created the Heavens and the Earth and wherein he would create now a new Heaven and a new Earth and as before he had set up a marvellous frame of the world but sinâ—e exceedingly shaken and defaced by sin he would now restore the world again and repair the ruines of it by abolishing sin as formerly he had filled Heaven and earth with the glory of his power in Creation so would he now fill them with the glory of his power in Redemption which is a second creation Hence is it that that day is now converted into the Christian Sabbath and called the Lords Day Revel 1.10 or if you will Sunday but not as the Heathen Christ rose early and what we learn thence in honour of the Sun but as Christians in honour of the Sun of righteousnesse Again the Gospel noteth that this our glorious Son â—â—sâ— about Sun rising early in the morning or a little before it Matth. 28.1 To shew unto us 1 The power of his God-head who could while his body was dead perform the promise which he had made alive even in the instant of which hee had spoken 2 The impotency of his enemies who although they watched him fâ—â—lâ—â—â— him up laid an heavie stone upon him were every way cautelous to keep him dâ—wn till the third day was past and he not stealing away secretly in the dâ—â—d time of the night but â—ose with noyse and warning even in the morning yeâ— could they no more stay him than they could the Sun from rising and running his course 3 The benefit which the world of beleevers obtain by his rising again set down by the Evangelist Luke 1.78 Through the tender mercy of our God the day-spring from an high hath visited us 79. To give light to them that sâ—â— in darknesse and to guide our feet into the way of peace The Chronologers further observe that this was the day wherein Moses led the Israelites through the Sea wherein all the troops of Pharaoh and his Host were drowned Even to our Lord Jesus this third day led all the Israel of God out of the spiritual Aegypt of blindnesse and filthinesse but gloriously triumphed over all the bands of Satan Sin and Death all which were sunk like a stone into the bottomless pit of Hell Other observations concerning this day might be inserted out of Authors which because I see no sound ground for them out of the Scriptures I will omit them that I may now come to the lessons which out of this circumstance we may draw for our further instruction First we learn hence All the promises of God are accomplished in their duâ— season that all the promises of God shall be in due season accomplished whatsoever may seeme to come between them and us For seeing Christ being dead both could and did perform his promise to his Church will not hee much more being alive and in his glory doe it The Israelites had a promise of a good Land they must in the mean time suffer much oppression in Aegypt for the space of four hundred and thirty years together but the self-same night Exod. 12.41 when the term was expired they went out against the heart and yet at the entreaty of Pharaoh and his people In like sort Joseph had a Dream that the Sun and Moon and the twelve Starrs should worship him in the mean time he must be cast into the Pit and Dungeon where hee can see neither Sun Moon nor Starre many days and years passed wherein he saw nothing but the clean contrary and yet in the due season of it this dream was accomplished And the reason is because 1 God is true of his word he cannot lye nor repent and 2 He is able to fulfill whatsoever passeth from his mouth for shall any thing be hard or impossible to God or shall any power or death or the grave it self falsifie it Lean thy self then upon this truth of God hast thou a promise of outward or inward peace health wealth or any other good thing which thy heart can wish hold this promise fast in the midst of thy heart wait for the accomplishment of it it shall not fail thee so farre as thy Father seeth good for thee if it be delayed and deferred even this also shall turn to thy best Hast thou a promise of life everlasting hold it by the faith of thy soul as the aym and end of all thy faith and religion for all the miseries of this present life shall not be able to defeat thee of it Hast thou the promise of the resurrection of the body after death stick to this Article of thy faith also nothing could hinder the rising of thy head no more can let but the members shall be where the head is not the grave not fire not water not the bellies of beasts or fishes but they shall give up their dead and further the accomplishment of the word of their Creator The second observation is The Lâ—â—â— denieth n t to help his children although he delay them till his own due time be come that as the Lord of life raised not his Son as soon as he was dead but he must lye in the grave two days yea and the third also till his case seemed desperate to the Disciples themselves even so may the members of Christ lye long in the graves of their misery yea so long as their case seemeth desperate and all that while the Lord not only deferreth but seemeth to deny their help and utterly to neglect them Abraham had the promise of a Son by Sarah he looked every year for him ten twenty years together nay till the thirtieth year till it was not with Sarah as with childing-women in so much as she laught when she heard it the case in nature was desperate who would have thought but that God had forgotten his promise which Abraham himself in all that time if God had not shoared up his faith might have forgotten but though long first yet at length the Lord found out a time fit enough to bring his word to passe David in like
AN EXPOSITION OF Christ's Temptations OR CHRISTS COMBATE AND CONQUEST BEING The LYON of the Tribe of JUDAH vanquishing the Roaring Lyon assaulting him in three most fierce and Hellish TEMPTATIONS BY Thomas Taylor D. D. Preacher of Gods VVord at Aldermanbury London HEBR. 2.18 For in that hee suffered and was tempted hee is able to succour them that are tempted Tentatus est Christus ne vincatur à Tentatore Christianus August LONDON Printed for A. K. and R. I. and are to be sold by Elisha Wallis at the Golden Horse-shooe in the Old-Bayley 1659. To the Right Worthy and Noble Knight Sir Francis Knollis and the vertuous Lady Lettice his Wife All blessings of this Life and a better SIR WHEN that great Prophet Moses was to bee confirmed in the certainty of his vocation for the delivery of Gods people out of Egypt a Act. 7.30 There appeared unto him in the wildernesse of Mount Sinai b Christ himselâ— so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Just Matt. an Angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in the bush c Exod. 3.1 and hee looked and behold the bush burnt with fire and the bush was not consumed A sight at which Moses d Act. 7.31 wondred and so may we But if you please with Moses e Exod. 3.4 to turn aside to see this great sight that is f Act 7.31 draw a little nearer to consider it This it is I. The bush which at that time betokened the people of Israel g Exod. 3.7 9. under the oppressions of Egypt signifieth the Church of God for 1. As a bryar-bush is a base and despicable thing made for nothing but the fire or to stop a gap or some other base use so seems the Church and members to be in the eyes of men in so much as not the most eminent members the blessed Apostles themselves are h 1 Cor. 4.10 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 despised and accounted the filth of the World and the off-scowring or out-sweepings of all things but the Head of it our Lord himself was in the eies of men without form i Isa 55.2 3 or beauty despised and rejected of men who hid their eies from him and esteemed him not 2 As a bush pricketh and vexeth him that deals roughly with it so shall the Church of God bee as a stiff and prickly bramble to vex and wound at length all the proud enemies of it so as all that k Zach. 12 3 lift at it shal be torn though all the people of the earth should be gathered against it 3 As the creatures for their own safety make their nests and muses in a bush so the mighty Creator not for his but the bushes safety vouchsafeth l Deut. 33. â—â— to dwell in this bush of the Church The bush was in Mount m Exod. 3.1 Famous for sâ—â— memorable things in Mosâ—â— done there 1 This visioâ— 2 Fasting theâ—â— forty daies anâ— nights 3 Receiving the 〈◊〉 there 4 Scriking the rock for water 5 Lifting his hands against Amâ—â—â—ck 6 Breaking tâ—â—â—ables of 〈◊〉 Horeb and God was in the bush even so the Church is in the mountain of the Lord lifted up as a mountain above the vallies in holinesse and priviledges above all the earth besides for of this mountain the Lord hath said n Psa 68.16 there will I dwell for ever II. The bush burns with fire In this resemblance is shadowed the oppressed estate of the Israelites in the Egyptian furnace and by fire here is meant the most painful and pittiful afflictions and miseries which seiz upon the Church and Members as a raging and devouring fire upon a dry bush for 1 Fire is a diffusive and spreading element catching whatsoever combustible matter is neer it even so not a sprig of this bush of the Church shall escape the flame of affliction but whosoever will live godly in Christ Jesus o 2 Tim. 3.12 shall suffer persecution for either the fiery darts of Satan shall scorch them within or they shall be sindged with the fiery p 1 Pet. 4.12 tryals of the worlds hatred or at least they must look to bee be-smeared and blacked in their names with the colly and smoak of odious false and scandalous imputations and what are q Quid aâ—â—â— suâ—â—s quam flemma 〈…〉 Gods people saith one but the fewel of the wicked worlds fiery indignation 2 Fire shineth and inlighteneth so the afflictions of the Church as fire inlighten the mind r Psal 119.71 teach the statutes The rod and correction saith Solomon Å¿ Prov. 29.15 give wisdome and the Lord t Job 33.16 36.9 openeth by correction saith Elihu the ears of man which hee had sealed in which use this fire of affliction becomes as another u Exod. 13.21 pillar of fire to inlighten and guide the Israel of God in the night of their wandring through the wilderness of this world towards their land of promise that heavenly Canaan 3 Fire giveth heat and warm'th so the heat of this fire of affliction melteth and thaweth our frozen hearts condensed and congealed by the pinching air of cold security this fire kindleth our devotion enflameth our zeal x Isa 26.16 Hos 5.15 warmeth our prayers and makes us hot suters for releef 4 Fire softneth and smodreth metals y Exod. 9.27 Pharaohs steely heart will melt and soften while it is in this hot furnace yea in the same man it separateth dross from pure metal and like that fire which burnt only the z Dâ—n 3.27 Igâ—is non perdiâ— sed purgâ—s bands of them that were cast in but not their bodies so it only consumeth the corruptions but preserveth alive the children of God who only walk at more liberty and further inlargement in the fire than they did out of it and as gold come forth more purified more glorious 5 Fire is a climbing and ascending element so the fire of affliction maketh the heart to ascend and raiseth the thoughts to heaven-ward Luk. 15.17 Misery maketh the Prodigal bethink himself of his Fathers house when he is a great way from it and this is the fire which Moses saw seizing upon the bush Stabilitatem populi ex veritate promissionum dei adâ—â—ravit Junius in analys III. The bush burning is not consumed signifying the preservation of the Church and Members as Israel in Egypt in the hottest furnace of their afflictions Well may wee wonder that so flaming and terrible a fire falling upon so contemptible a bush and so dry and despicable a shrub should not presently turn it into ashes for why is the fire too weak or is the bush so strong as to defend it self or is it not disposed or apt to be burnt consumed by so fierce a fire Certainly it is not from the impotency of the fire nor from the strength or constitution of the bush which is in the matter of it as combustible
Christ as well as they they seek peace even with the worst and shall obtain it so farre as God seeth good who when a mans ways please him doth so over-rule his enemies hearts as they shall become friendly unto him 3 By setting every Christian at peace with himself who before had no peace 2 With a mans self but now hath obtained 1 Peace of Conscience when his Conscience being pâ—rswaded of his reconciliation with God through Christ it ceaseth to wound and accuse and beginneth to excuse and comfort and so bringeth quietnesse and tranquillity of minde into the soul which passeth understanding 2 Peace in his will and affections which by grace cease to be rebellious and become daily more pliant to the Commandement and obedient to the mind enlightned by the Spirit 3 Peace in Christian combate in that grace getteth daily victory corruption receiveth daily foyls and consumption and so the heart every day more quiet than other from the power and molestation of it Thirdly whereas so long as God himself is our enemy 3 Peace with the Creatures all his Creatures are armed against us to take his part and revenge their Creators wrong upon us by Christ even this curse is also removed and it is an expresse branch of the New Covenant that the Lord will work our peace with the Creatures Hos 2.18 And in that day will I make a Covenant for them with the wild beasts and with the fowls of the heaven and with that which creepeth upon the earth For God being in league with us even the stones in the field and the beasts in the field shall be at league with us also Job 5.23 And the reason is because as then the Creatures rebelled against man when hee became a rebel against God so when men by Christ are reconciled unto God and become his sons by adoption and grace then is their ancient right and rule over the Creatures lost by the fall restored in part so as his children never receive hurt from them but such as the Lord sanctifieth both for the furtherance of his owne glory and their salvation which are the main ends which God respecteth in all his ways with his elect Thus we see what is this peace and how Jesus Christ procureth it us whence wee may observe sundry profitable points of doctrin Observ 1. That there is no sound peace without Christ he is the Prince of peace his doctrin is the message of peace and himself the Messenger of the great Covenant of peace There can be no peace with God by Moses nor by the works of the Law whatsoever dotages Popish teachers hold to the contrary only the obedience and merit of Christ is the matter of it which made the Apostles always pray not for peace from merit but for mercy and peace or grace and peace because it only floweth from the grace and mercy of God in Jesus Christ Secondly it is as clear as the former That there can be no peace to the wicked man Isa 57.21 because he is out of Christ 1 No inward peace in his Conscience the which howsoever it may slumber for a while or become feared benummed and past feeling yet like a wild beast will it hastily waken and pursue him and make him restlesse as Cain and fly when none pursues him 2 No true outward peace for although their houses may seem peaceable and without fear and all things passe according to their hearts desire yet this iâ— but a truce for a time or rather a respite of a condemned person who where ever he goeth carrieth his sentence of death with him and woe must needs be the end of that peace that maketh men most quiet when their sins cry the loudest for vengeance in the ears of God Thirdly this point affordeth some main differences between true and false peace Difference between true and false peace by which every man may be helped in the examination of his estate For 1 sound Christian peace is always a fruit of righteousnesse and by unrighteousnesse is unsetled and disquieted but the peace of the wicked is for most part a fruit of iniquity and by it is never disturbed but for the time the more sin the more peace as in a number of sinners might bee instanced 2 Peace by Christ ariseth from sorrow for sin whence our Saviour counteth mourners blessed but worldly peace from the fruition of some worldly delight or other 3 The former is rooted in the heart and stablisheth it the latter is a rejoycing in the face not in the heart 2 Cor. 5.12 in the midst of such laughter the heart is heavy or may well bee so it being not unlike the laughter of the theef upon the gallows 4 As none can give the former save the Spirit of God so none can take it away it hath no end because hee that is the Prince of it is also Father of eternity Isa 9. neither can it bee but lasting having such soundness in it self but especially in respect of that infallible promise my peace shall none take from you Whereas the latter though never so faiâ— for the time is as unlasting as unsound Job compareth it to a dream Job 20.5 Solomon to the crackling of Thornes under a Pot Eccl. 6 7. God snatcheth it suddainly from them and as Baltazâ—r was taken at his banquet so God maketh their Sun fall even at noon day and darken them in the clear day Amos 8.9 And which addeth to the misery of the wicked their earthly happiness not onely endeth but the end of it is fulness of woe and heavinesse it self Prov. 14.13 the issues of such pleasing waies are death according to that of the wise man Prov. 9.17 Stoln waters are sweet but they know not that the dead bee there Whosoever then would not bee deceived in his peace let him not own any out of Christ let him look that his joy bee helped out of sorrow that it bee a fruit of righteousness and rooted in the heart for then it is lasting for ever and ever comfortable But let thy peace bee never so great and the light of God shine never so bright upon thy habitation and yet thou hast never been troubled with the sight of thy sin as many profess they never were if it can dwell with iniquity as many jolly fellows who make bold Covenants with Hell and Death if it stablish not the heart with assured hope and comfort in all well doing all this is but a brawn of heart a laughing madness and frenzy and even in the crying of this peace commeth destruction 1 Thess 5.3 and let all that fear to bee at war with God beware of this ungodly and dishonourable peace which is the most general peace in the world at this day the guise of which is then to laugh and rejoyce most when Christ is departed as himself witnesseth Joh. 16.20 The best way to come by peace in the want of it Fourthly In the want
Parents 1 Cor. 7.14 In communion in one kind 6 If they will administer the Communion but in one kinde Against this their sacrilegious practice wee have Christs institution and the example of the Apostles besides the Primitive Church Vse 3. This mighty effect of the Word in the right use of it shews the Scriptures to bee of God and the authority of God and not of man as the Papists teach us not of the Church of Fathers Counsels Popes in Peters fictitious chair or the company of Cardinals What writing of man can have authority over mens consciences as Gods Word hath Or who will beleeve the Church that will not beleeve the Scripture Is not the Word Truth and all men lyars and subject to error Now shall that which is not subject to error bee subject to that which is subject to error Vse 4. Whatsoever writing doth indeed confirm error is not Canonical Scripture for this confutes all error in practice and in judgement therefore Apocryphal Books are not Canonical and divine Scripture 1 because in every of them there is some repugnance to the Scripture 2 because they were not written by any Prophet nor in Hebrew not 3 given to the Jews as Gods Oracles as all the Old Testament was Rom. 3.1 2. 4 because Christ and the Apostles cited not any of them This I speak not against the books which contain in them many good Morals and in my judgement mâ—â—â— of all humane Histories bee best used but against the Papists who would thrust upon us Invocation of Saints and Prayer for the dead c. from their authority Vse 5. See hence the Reason why Satan and all his instruments were ever enemies to the true Preaching and professing of the Word namely because in the right use it is the onely hammer of the Kingdome of darkness Hee storms not at frothy and foolish delivery or at professors that are loose and ungirt and can take liberty for any thing they list Onely faithful Preachers and Professors that rightly preach and profess bear the burden of Satans and the Worlds malice Christs innocency and the Apostles power could not fence them from it Use 6. Lastly acknowledge it a singular priviledge of the Church so beset with enemies to have so sufficient and perfect a word 1 written that all men might have the benefit of it 2 Preached and rightly divided according to every mans particular necessity It is a great comfort that poor as well as rich base as well as noble have a share in it in an equal large manner The chief priviledge of the Church of the Jews was to keep Gods word in the letter Psal 147.19 20. and Rom. 3.2 but it will bee our preheminence above them if wee lock up the true sence of it in our hearts Job 22.22 and Prov. 22. It is a sure stay and a shield to them that walk uprightly No theef nor robber can steal it no it cannot bee taken away with our lives It is Maries good part which was never taken from her neither can bee from us being a perpetual freehold IV. Now followeth the fourth thing in this allegation of Christ to wit the parts of the Divine testimony 1 Negative Man lives not by bread only 2 Affirmative But by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God First Of the sence of the negative part Man that is a meer common and ordinary man and much less I that am the Son of God Liveth not that is preserveth not the natural life of his body By bread is meant all necessary and ordinary means of meat drink rest sleep physick recreation for so it is also used in the fourth petition of the Lords prayer Onely here bread is not opposed to other means of sustenance as flesh fish c. but to Gods blessing without which it cannot sustain our bodies But by every word that is every thing a common Hebraisme verbum for â—es and more specially for the decree and ordinance of God appointed to sustain man so the words following imply That commeth out of the mouth of God that is whatsoever God hath decreeed commanded or promised that it shall preserve life Now the sum of Christs answer in more words is this Thou sayest I must now have bread to satisfy my hungry or else I cannot live but thou speakest like thy self If my Fathers word bee to sustain mee without this means I shall live thereby without bread my Father is not tyed to ordinary means for preserving of life who is all-sufficient and Almighty and doth what and how hee will And this cannot bee doubted of seeing it is written in Deut. 8.3 by Moses that when the Israelites were in the wilderness as I am hungry and having nothing to eat no more than I have hee fed them with MAN forty years to teach them that man liveth not by bread onely for they had none but by every word and means which himself appointed Besides if I should distrust my Fathers providence and turn all these stones into bread yet if his word come not to give vertue and life unto them all this would not help all this bread would bee no better than stones as it was before And therefore I will still expect his word and not turn stones into bread at thine The negative part affordeth us this lesson that Doct. Outward and ordinary means are not of themselves sufficient to sustain and preserve the life of man Luke 12.15 mans life standeth not in abundance Outward means not sufficient to sustain the life of man If wee make an induction of all the chief means either of the being or well being of mans life wee shall easily see their insufficiency 1 Bread is a special means appointed to strengthen the heart Psal 104.15 1 Bread but yet there is a staft of bread which is another thing than bread and this being broken wee shall not bee strengthened but fade in the middest of bread Hence is the sentence accomplished against many Lev. 26.26 Ye shall eat and not hee satisfied The Lord gave the Israelites Quails in the wildernesse enough to maintain six hundred thousand footmen for many daies but a secret poison was in it that the more they had the more they dyed as of an exceeding great plague so as the place was called the graves of lusting Numb 11.33 Yea although our bread did not grow out of the earth but fell from heaven as Mannah did yet our Saviour saith Job 6.49 Your Fathers did eat Mannah in the wildernesse and are dead 2 Clothes are a special means to preserve a man in natural heat 1 Clâ—thes but yet raiment of it self cannot keep him warm Hag. 1.6 Ye clothe you but yee bee not warm and of David in his age it is said that they covered him with clothes but no heat came to him 1 King 1.1 3 Physick 3 Physick is a remedy appointed by God to regain health and strength distempered or decayed but Asa
Spirit of God is present to pour out his treasures of wisdome and grace by means of the word and Sacraments which are his chariot and which not accompanied with the Spirit are but dead and ineffectual to regeneration where the Holy Angels are present to assist the ministery to repel hinderances to behold our order but especially desirous to look into the mysteries of our salvation where the Holy Saints upon earth are met together to seek and see the face of the Lord joyning together in all the parts of his pure and holy worship in hearing his holy word receiving his holy Sacraments preferring publikely their holy prayers greatly by this means glorifying God and inriching their own selves Surely this is Bethel the house of God and the gate of heaven Vse 1. This teacheth us not to despise our Assemblies nor to think out Churches unholy for some corruptions Look upon Jerusalem Matth. 23.37 you shall see the eleven Tribes were Apostates there were in it dumb dogs Isa 56.10 there were Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites nay at this time the Doctrin of the Law was corrupted by the false glosses of the Pharisees and the Temple almost a den of Theeves full of buyers and sellers Yet for all this the Evangelist calls it the holy City even when it had more corruptions in it than the Church of England hath at this day Why 1 Because there was the service of the true God set up in the Temple the word preached and sacrifices offered and the meetings of the Church of God 2 Because as yet they had not received a bill of divorcement Have not wee the Word truely Preached and the Sacraments for substance truely administred And for discipline I will say I wish wee had the execution of so much as the Church alloweth Or when did the Lord give us a bill of Divorce Or what Church hath convinced us that wee cannot bee acknowledged for a true Church If they say they of the Separation have I answer 1 They have laboured to discover some errors but none fundamental in us nor without as many in themselves 2 Wee may well doubt whether they bee a Church or no seeing by the profession of some of their Teachers they will not joyn themselves to any Church at this day upon the face of the earth and so renounce all Communion with all the parts of the Catholike Church in the world But wee must not think much if some unstable persons forsake our Communion seeing in the golden and flourishing age of the Apostles themselves some such there were Heb. 10.25 As for our selves wee may strengthen our selves against them by these conclusions 1 Wee know that the word of Truth is truly preached amongst us which appeareth by the daily conversion of thousands whereas never was man converted by a word of error Jam. 1.18 2 Wee know that our Ministers are of God because by them so many are begotten to God Our Saviour thought this a good reason when hee said Beleeve mee that I came out from the Father for the works sake The blinde man had good insight into this matter Joh. 9.30 saying If this man were not of God he could do nothing and a wonderful thing it is that yee know not whence hee is and yet hee hath opened mine eyes So may I say to the separatist Doest thou not know whence that Minister is who hath opened thine eyes 3 We know that our meetings are holy meetings 1 Our people is outwardly called by an holy calling and to an holy end 2 They profess faith in Christ which is an holy profession and in charity if wee see no open raigning sin are to bee judged Saints 3 Congregations are called holy in the Scripture from the better part not from the greater as an heap of wheat mingled and covered with chaffe yet it is called wheat 1 Cor. 6.11 Now yee are sanctified washed and justified but in Epist â— chap. 12. I fear that when I come among you my God will humble mee and I shall bewail many of them that have sinned and have not repented of their uncleanness and fornication and wantonness which they have committed Diverse other abuses there were yet among Saints and beloved ones 4 Mixt Congregations are holy in Gods acceptation esteeming them not as they are in themselves but as members of Christ When Israel was at the best it was a rebellious and stifte-necked people yet Balaam said Hee saw no iniquity in Jacob nor transgression in Israel not that there was none but that none was imputed 4 Wee know that wee have no warrant to separate from holy things neither for some defects cleaving to them nor for ill men either handling them or communicating in them The Prophets never made any separation in times of greatest corruption even when they cried out of their wickednesse 1 Sam. 2.24 Do so no more my sons said Eli yee make the people trespass how By making them loath the service and sacrifice for your wickedness verse 17. And when many abuses were among the Corinths in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper yet a man that did carefully examine himself might communicate of it with comfort yea our Saviour Christ was often in the Temple teaching and praying and so were his Disciples though it was a most corrupt place Object 1 How may I pray with an evil man seeing God heareth not sinners Nay his prayer is abominable Ans 1 The speech in John 9.31 is not universally true for God heard the poor Publican confessing himself a sinner 2 Though God hear him not for himself yet hee hears him for the people as Balaam blessing Israel being both a wicked man and speaking against his heart God heard him for the people Numb 23. Object 2 But how may I communicate with a wicked Minister or with what comfort Answ The wickedness of the Minister may somewhat lessen the comfort but neither diminish the perfection of the Sacrament in it self nor hinder the efficacy thereof to us seeing the efficacy depends onely upon the promise of God and the faith of the receiver and is no more to bee refused than the gift of a King though the conveyance bee drawn by a wicked Lawyer Object But how can hee bee a means of conveying grace to mee that is a graceless man Answ Grace is compared to water now may not water that passeth through a wooden or stony channel which it self is so undisposed that it cannot receive or have any benefit of it make a whole garden fruitful It is Augustines simile Besides I would ask whether any could with comfort refuse Judas his Baptisme John 4.2 even when hee was a Devil incarnate If it bee said They knew him not so to bee then belike a man may receive the Sacrament fruitfully of a secret prophane man or infidel and the wickedness of a Minister if it bee secret pollutes not the Sacrament and then it must follow necessarily that no comfort and truth of the Sacrament
God having in Justice put them under his power Now although Christ did most powerfully spoyl Satan of his dominion which he had in the souls of men this being the of his power but possessed and disposed by him and ruled at his will and pleasure For First who would think him possessed that can fall down on his knees make a solemn profession and confession of Jesus Christ that he is the Son of God and the most high Mark 5.7 and make loud prayers unto him as acknowledging him to be the Lord of glory and yet all these are the speeches and behaviours of a man possessed not with one or two but with a Legion of Devils Luke 8.28 What doe the Devils honour Christ who fear nothing more than that he should be honoured and hate nothing so much as he No but all this confession and worship was by constraint partly because they knew him a Prince and a Judge whose power they could not resist and partly they flatter him to obtain more gentle entreaty at his hands than they deserved so many a man professeth Christ but you shall observe at least he may himself that many foul spirits breath in him for although hee know Christ as the Devils did yet he obeyeth him not he would fain resist him if he were strong enough to make his part good against him which because he cannot doe he will give him fair words and call him Lord and Master he will pray to him in sickness or distress but it is but to get out of his hands and keep his wonted hold still If the power of Christs word come near him he can begin to accuse Christ and Christian profession of unpeaceableness and tormenting him before the time for what time would please these that Christ should come unto them he can ask Christ and his Ministers what they have to doe with him and Christ shall be blamed because he cannot be at peace for him if he would let him alone all should be well and quiet but the Ministery and Discipline are intollerable let Christ preach and he will preach him too so it be such a Gospel as bringeth no repentance or amendment of life to himself but he may remain where he was even in the Graves already lodged with death When hee cannot doe the greater mischief that he would he would doe the lesser if hee can if he cannot hinder the Ministery he can deprave it wherein as in all the rest he shews himself at the command of that wicked spirit who when he could no longer torment the man would drown the swine Secondly although the Devil might be forced through the power of Christ to acknowledge him the holy one of God so as themselves might continue Devils still yet who would think him guided by any other than a good Spirit of God that should extol the servants of Christ their persons their Ministery their doctrin for would any conceive that the Father of Lyes would praise the truth and yet mark what a large testimony the Devil himself in the Maid gave of Paul and Silas These men are the servants of the most high God which shew unto us the way of salvation and this she did many days A t s 16.17 Why did not the Devil know that they were the greatest enemies he had upon earth Yes he did but he must sometimes transform himself into an Angel of Light he must colour all his Lyes with some truth which is undeniable hee can lay all his falshoods upon appearance of truth as his eldest Son Mahomet enlarged the praises of Christ and his Disciples to overthrow Christian religion withall he hath his fetch to make men beleeve there is an agreement between Christ and his Apostles and himself or that they needed his testimony who therefore put him to silence and would receive no commendation from him but for praises returned sharp rebukes Even so many men can praise good men and Ministers before their faces whom they know to bee deadly enemies to their vices not for love of their vertues but lest they should use them and can call them honest men to try if by that they can hinder them from doing the duty of honest men as the Devils called Paul and Silas the Servants of God lest they should shew themselves so by dispossessing them Besides they would seem herein to bee better than they are and therefore will honour the Gospel and bringers with their mouths whereas in their hearts they cannot abide that the doctrin of it should bee in sincerity either published or practised the name of Christianity and of the Gospel pleaseth them well enough so as the power and fruit of it come not neer them But as the Devil had no sooner praised the Servants of God but presently hee changed his coppy and never left persecuting them till hee had cast them into prison got them soundly beaten set fast in the stocks and after sent out of the City even so many who now commend the person and doctrin of the Servants of God presently shewing what spirit guideth them can accuse them to bee mutinous and seditious troublers of their City and State and raise up the whole City and stir up the wrath of the Magistrates against them that so under pretence of the Wâ—rd or Law or Peace or Order the true Ministers of God shall bee wrongfully condemned and cast out Thirdly Who would think that hee could be haunted with a wicked spirit that can see his sin 1 Sam. 24.17 18. confess it with tears and indignation against himself openly justify the righteousness of Gods children and yet in the example of Saul wee see that a soul possessed of Satan may do all this For as it is in bodily possession though the Devils desire is incessantly to hurt and vex the poor creatures yet by Gods over-ruling power hee is forced to give them some respite and though hardly yet sometimes departeth from them and not alwaies but sometimes casts them into the fire and sometimes into the water Luk. 9. So is it in spiritual possession the Lord for the common good bridleth often the rage of the Devil in his instruments that they cannot alwaies exercise it as they would but they have their fits sometimes that is some strong lusts which Satan watcheth and putteth himself into as Judas his Covetousness invited the Devil to enter into him and also sometimes again they have their good moods and seem to bee come to themselves but long stay they not here but in a moment are changed and cast into their fits again Thus in a good mood Saul could confess his wickedness and Davids innocency and lift up his voice and weep and David was now his good Son and who but hee but presently the good spirit went and the evil spirit came upon him and hee became more tyrannous and furious than ever before even so some there are who seem to have remorse of conscience for sin they will confess their
that are in it through lust whether dost thou contemn and avoid vile and graceless persons dost thou rejoyce in the fellowship with God and communion of his Saints spendest thou thy daies in the constant praise and worship of God framest thou thy life according to the Word of God the rule of all Righteousness enjoyest thou all things in God and God in all things prizest thou thy present estate above all the World and yet longest thou for the perfecting of thy happiness saying Come Lord Jesus Come quickly this is to converse in Heaven while thou art on earth and to seek the things above where Jesus Christ sitteth Which if it bee then how few have their conversation there or are risen with Christ How few are set free from the power of sin witnesseth the general reign of it every where How many mind onely earthly things how many minde them principally How do most men swim with the stream drinking in the corruptions of the World most insatiably as the fish doth water How do sinners combine themselves against God to run to all excess of riot How unpleasant and unwelcome a voice is it to call men to delight in God and his Children How heavy are they to the parts of his Worship comming unto them as if they went to some punishment How are mens Lusts become their Laws instead of the perfect Rule and Law of God every man almost living as Israel when there was no King among them How do men rest in the means of their warfare with-drawing their hearts from the author of it How few prize the life of Christianity how many scorn it in themselves and others How many wish in their hearts there were no other life to come and that they rather had good assurance of this which is present and instead of wishing and waiting tremble at the mention of Christ his comming again Yet most of these men professors of Christ all of them baptized into his name and all of them will bee reputed as good Christians as the best But all this forenamed course hath no savour or rellish of Heaven all that take it up minde nothing but earthly things and the end of it without timely repentance will be damnation Phil. 2.19 IV. The fourth general point is the time of Christs resurrection set down in the Text to bee the third day To understand which wee must know that Christ lay not in the grave three whole natural days each of them standing of twenty four hours for then hee should have lain seventy two hours and have risen also on the fourth day whereas hee lay not in the Grave above thirty nine hours and rize on the third But the Scripture useth a grace or form of speech Synechdoche whereby two parts of daies are called by the whole and three daies put for the time which passed in three several daies every day having his night belonging unto him The first day of the three saith Augustine is to bee reckoned by his latter part in which Christ was dead and buried not passing three hours of the four and twenty yet so as both the night before when the Jews day begun and the most of that day was spent in taking examining whipping misusing condemning and executing him The second day is to bee accounted wholly and perfect from the evening of the day before the Passeover to the evening of the Sabbath following standing of full four and twenty hours The third day is to bee accounted from the former part of it beginning at the evening of the Jewish Sabbath for Christ lay all night neer twelve hours in the grave and rose in the morning betime about the midst of that natural day standing of four and twenty hours And thus is Christ truely said to have risen the third day Now that Christ should rise the third day and no sooner nor later these reasons shew Why Christ would rise no sooner than the third day 1 Hee must rise the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15.4 For they had foretold this to bee the particular time Hos 6.2 After two daies he will revive us and in the third day hee will raise us up namely in his own person for wee also were raised with him as wee have seen The Scriptures had also further figured this distinct time in the type of Jonas who having lain three daies and three nights in the belly of the Whale was the third day cast on the dry land as our Saviour himself while hee was yet alive expounded of himself Matth. 12.40 As Jonas was in the belly of the Whale three daies and three nights so shall the Son of Man bee three daies and three nights in the heart of the earth 2 It pleased him not to rise sooner hee would not presently come down from the Cross nor revive himself before hee was buried nor rise presently after hee was laid down as hee easily could because hee would manifest that hee was truely dead as also because hee would lead his Church into some suspence therefore hee rose not till the case seemed desperate Luke 24.21 Wee trusted that it had been hee that should have delivered Israel and as touching all these things this is the third day that they were done Again hee would no longer defer his rising Why he would no longer defer his rising 1 Lest hee should utterly have endangered the faith of the Disciples which in that short time was sore shaken as not onely the former example but the heavinesse of the Disciples themselves to beleeve the news of it and wilfulness of Thomas plainly bewraveth 2 Because upon this event and keeping touch in this very circumstance of time hee had laid all the credit of his Person Ministry Doctrin Miracles Life and Death For when they come to ask him a sign to prove himself the Messiah hee referreth them to this event after his death that when they had destroyed the Temple of his body if hee did raise it either after or before the third day or did not on that day raise it they should never take him for the Messiah And of this very circumstance Angels and men had taken notice from his own mouth Luke 24.7 when the women came to the Sepulchre to seek Christ after he was newly risen the Angels told them he was risen he was not there and further wisheth them to remember what he had said to them while he was with them that the third day he must rise again nay not only his friends but his very enemies had got this by the end and therefore came to Pilate saying Sir we remember that this Deceiver said that he would rise the third day let us take such order that the last error become not worse than the first 3 The blessed body of Christ was not to enter into the least or lowest degree of corruption and therefore he would lye no longer in the house of corruption Quest But how could his body
apart to their several offices by laying on of mens hands upon them even so God laid his hands on these that is Christ immediately by his own voyce called these to be witnesses unto him which was one of the priviledges of the Apostles 2 The Apostle in the words expresseth himself by limiting them to themselves to us namely Apostles who ate and drunk with him not only who before his death lived as it were at bed and board with him but after hee rose from the dead that we might not be deceived in our witnesse of him 3 To us whom be commanded to preach and testifie namely to the whole world these things together with his coming again to judgement Now for the further clearing of this publick witnesse of the Apostles wee will consider three things 1 That these twelve were appointed by Christ himself to this witnesse which the Apostle Peter plainly concludeth Act. 1.22 where speaking of one to be elected into Judas his room he saith he must be chosen of one of them which have companied wâ—th us all the time that the Lord Jesus was conversant among us beginning at the Baptism of John unto the day that he was taken up implying that whosoever was not thus qualified he was not fit to be made such a publick witnesse with them of his resurrection because to the making of an Apostle was necessary either an ordinary converse with Christ upon earth or else an extraordinary sight of him in Heaven by which latter Paul who made an honourable accesse to that number proved himself an Apostle Tâ—e second thing is how they were furnished to this witnesse By what means the Apostles were furnished to their witness and this was suâ—â—y ways 1 By their senses they ate and drunk with him that is were in a familiar sort conversant with him after he rose again 2 By word of mouth he gave them charge and commandement to doe it of both which wee are to speak in the text 3 By a Sacrament or sign of breathing upon them he confirmed them to their vocation saying As my Father sent me so I send you 4 By adding thereunto the thing signified for he opened their understandings and made thâ—m able to conceive the Scriptures and unfold all the Mysteries therein so farre as was behoveful for the Church 5 By bestowing sundry other great gifts upon them sending the Holy Ghost upon them in the likeness of fiery Tongues whereby they received the gift of Tongues he gift of Miracles of casting out Devils of healing the Sick by imposition of hands of preserving from poyson and deadly things of the Apostolical rod whereby death it self was at the command of their word either to take place as in Ananias and Saphira both struck dead with the word of the Apostle or to give place as in Dorcas who by a word of the Apostle was raised to life being dead By these means the Lord put into the hands of the Apostles great power to give witnesse of the resurrection of Christ Act. 4.33 The third thing is By what means they witnessed or gave testimony to Christ Ans Because they were to bee authentical and faithful witnesses to all the world and that both in the age wherein they lived as also in all the succeeding ages to the end of the world therefore was it necessary that they should give witnesse two wayes 1 By zealous and painful preaching by voyce while they lived 2 Even after their death by the holy Doctrin left behind them in their Works and Writings and thus doe they still remain publick witnesses to us on whom the ends of the world are come Doct. Hence observe that the office of the Apostles was to give testimony unto Christ after a peculiar manner Acts 1.8 When the Holy Ghost shall come upon you yee shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem Judea Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth I say they were to bee witnesses after a peculiar manner for these reasons The Apostles were to bee peculiar witnesses to Christ and why 1 To distinguish their witness from ours who are ordinary Ministers for every Minister is called of God to give witness to Christ but properly to speak they are rather Preachers and Publishers of things witnessed than witnesses or if witnesses yet herein they differ from the Apostles that they are not oculate or ear-witnesses nor such sensible witnesses as they were for this is an Apostolical speech and manner of preaching not derived to ordinary Pastors and Teachers to say That which wee have heard and seen and our hands have handled that we testify unto you 1 Joh. 1.1 2 They were all faithful witnesses and faithful men endued with faith and full beleef of the things they wrote and testified as all ordinary Ministers are not Whence the Evangelist John professeth of them all that they knew the testimony to bee true Joh. 21.24 True for the matter for they delivered the whole Counsel of God and kept nothing back that was fit to be known and true for the manner they all speaking as they were moved by the Spirit of God 2 Pet. 1.21 and therefore exempted from all error in their witness as we are not 3 And hence followeth that their witness is to bee beleeved as infallible being the witness of such as with their eyes saw his Maâ—esty vers 16. who did not at any time deliver any thing which they either heard not of Christ or saw him not doing or suffering but all other ordinary Ministers are so far to bee beleeved as they consent with these and so far as they testify no other thing than what these oculate witnesses have left in writing Object But Christ needeth not the witness of any man hee hath a greater witnesse than John or than any Apostle therefore there is no use of the Apostles witness Answ Christ hath indeed three greater witnesses than the witness of his Apostles namely 1 His Father that sent him beareth witnesse of him 2 The Scriptures if they bee searched testify of him 3 His works that hee did bear witnesse of him Joh. 8.18 5.39 5.36 but yet howsoever in regard of himself hee need no other testimony of man that wee might beleeve and bee saved hee useth the witness of men 〈◊〉 John and the Apostles and of this Divine Testimony in the mouth of the Apostles may bee said as Christ did of the voice from heaven Joh. 12.30 This voice came not because of mee but for your sakes In divine things we must lean upon a sure word Vse 1. From this Doctrin wee learn how necessary a thing it is in causes of Faith to lean upon true and certain things and not upon tottring traditions or unwritten verities which are the main pillars of Popish Doctrin Oh how good hath our God been to this Church and Land of ours in giving us a surer word of the Prophets and Apostles to become a light unto us in
that this was a convincing argument if he could perswade his hearers that hee did deliver nothing but prophetical Doctrine for all men Jews and Gentiles were easily perswaded that Moses and the Prophets spake directly from God yea and the most blinded and wilful Jews at this day profess that if wee can prove Christ the Messiah from Moses and the Prophets they will beleeve in him so as in great wisdome did the Apostle adde this testimony to all the former knowing that that is the onely sound ground of teaching when men can bee perswaded that what they hear is uttered from the mouth of God as by this testimony his hearers were Now in the verse we have three thing to consider of 1 The generality of this testimony That all the Prophets bear witnesse unto him 2 The scope and end of their witness that men might beleeve in his Name 3 The fruit of this beleef that beleevers might receive remission of sin A proof that all the Prophets witness unto Christ For the first wee will by a brief induction make it appear that all the Prophets bare witness unto Christ and then gather some observations from it To begin with Moses who by Christ his own confession writ of him Joh. 5.46 In Genesis the first thing after the creation and fall is the main promise that the seed of the woman should break the Serpents head Exodus setteth out Christ our Passeover Leviticus in all those sacrifices pointeth out Christ our Sacrifice Numbers setteth before our eyes Christ our brasen Serpent lifted up upon the Cross Deuteronomy describeth Christ our chief Prophet whom whosoever will not hear he must dye the death Deut. 8.18 19. Act. 3.21 Joshuah beareth his name and most lively resembleth him in slaying the enemies of Gods people and bringing them into the promised land The Judges were all Saviours and types of him The book of Ruth sheweth he family whence hee sprung Samuel Kings and Chronicles his Genealogy and the very persons of whom hee descended especially David and Solomon both eminent types of him Ezrah and Nehemiah built the second Temple into which hee was to enter and so to become the glory of it as both Haggai and Malachy foretold Job knew that his Redeemer lived and that he should see him at last on the earth David in the Psalms acknowledged that the stone which the builders refused was become the chief stone of the corner and expresseth the peircing of his hands and feet Solomon in the Proverbs describeth his wisdome and eternity In the Canticles his contract and espousals with the Church Isay is called the Evangelical Prophet than whom no Evangelist could more lively express his Person his Doctrin his Life Death Burial Resurrection and Ascension that hee rather seemed to write an History of something past than a Prophecy of things to come Jeremy plainly stileth him the Lord of Righteousnesse Jer. 23. Ezekiel in all his dark shadows figureth out the government of Christ from point to point Daniel reckoneth the very year and time when the Messiah shall be slain at the end of whose seventy weeks Christ was put to death The small Prophets testify of him also with as joint consent 1 Malachy mentioneth with him his forerunner John Baptist 2 Micha describeth the place of his birth Micah 5.2 And thou Bethlem of Ephrata art little among the thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall hee come forth that shall be ruler in Israel whose goings forth have been from the beginning and from everlasting 3 Zachary nameth the place of his education which was Nazaret Zach. 6.12 There must hee grow that must build the Temple of the Lord. 4 Haggai prophecyeth of his comming into his Temple and purging it 5 Nahum wisheth Judah to behold on the mountains the feet of him that declareth and publisheth peace Nahum 1.15 which tydings none can bring but through Jesus Christ the prince of peace 6 Obadiah promiseth to Judah and Jerusalem such Saviours as should advance and set up the Kingdome of the Messiah Obad. v. 21. and so the Kingdome shall bee the Lords that is Christs who shall reign in his Church for ever and of whose Kingdome there shall bee no end 7 Jonas in his own person preached his Death Burial and Resurrection in that hee was swallowed of the Whale and lay three daies in the belly of it and in the third day was cast alive on dry Land 8 Hosea recordeth his triumph and victory over death Hos 13.14 O death I will bee thy death O Grave I will bee thy destruction 9 Habakkuk the sending out of his blessed Gospel into all the World by his Apostles so as all the earth should bee filled with the knowledge of God as the Waters cover the Sea 10 Joel foretelleth of his ascension and the pouring out of his Spirit upon all flesh Joel 2.28 11 Amos of the calling of the Gentiles a fruit of that ascension which hee calleth the â—â—sing of the Tabernacle of David Amos 9.11 as James notably applyeth it Act. 15.16 12 Zephany shadoweth his second coming to judgement and sheweth what a fearful and terrible day it shall bee to all the wicked of the earth Thus have wee shortly seen all the Prophets witnessing unto the doctrine taught in this Sermon by our holy Apostle And that the chief aim and drift of all these Master builders was to lay this the main foundation of all our Religion that Jesus Christ the Son of Mary was the Son of God the true Messias the Lord of all and the onely Saviour and Redeemer of the World First note hence Consent of the Church to any doctrin to be received with these cautions what is the true consent which all Teachers must aim at in the delivery of any Doctrin unto the people of God namely the consent of the Prophets and Apostles it forceth not a Doctrin to bee Orthodox or Ancient for a man to say all the Fathers are of this mind which is the Popish cry for all their Heresies but to this Doctrin give all the Prophets and all the Apostles witnesse and therefore it is sound and perswasive Yet wee refuse not but challenge to the Doctrin which wee teach the consent of the ancient Church but with these cautions 1 With the Primitive and Apostolical Churches which as they were most ancient so were they the purest 2 With the Churches which were after them five or six hundred years so far forth as they consented in doctrin and discipline with the former for many Popish errors are ancient and the Apostle telleth us that Antichrist begun to work in a mystery even in their daies And some of the Fathers were carried into some superstitions and errors and so not espying the mystery helped up Antichrist whom they intended to hold down 3 The Holy Ghost hath revealed every Doctrin necessary to salvation more holily more clearly and more eloquently than all the Fathers put together who if they had
things are by communication the more increased for wee read not of any man that laid out his Tallent but to increase and as the light of the Sun is never a whit impaired by communicating it self to the whole world or as hee that lighteth one candle of another dimisheth not in either but increaseth the light so is it in the light of the Sun of Righteousnesse much more and in the kindling of these heavenly sparkles whose property is to diffuse themselves as fire and the further they spread the greater and brighter is the flame 3 The third fruit or effect of Faith is an undaunted confession of it Rom. 10.10 With the heart wee beleeve to justification and with the mouth we confesse to salvation For where faith is in the heart it will bee also in the mouth The spirit of Faith and the speech of Faith are undivided as 2 Cor. 4.13 And because wee have the same spirit of Faith according to that which was written I beleeved and therefore I spake even so wee beleeve and therefore also wee speak Now there bee three actions of Faith which help forward this free confession 1 It maketh a man bold in a good cause Act. 5.29 Peter being full of faith with a bold spirit told the Council that had the power of Life and Death in their hands and himself in their power wee ought rather to obey God than you 2 Faith keepeth a man in a preparedness to suffer by leading him along in the denial of himself and hereof wee have a notable example in Paul Act. 21.13 who professed how ready hee was not onely to bee bound but to dye also at Jerusalem if God called him thereunto 3 It worketh joy yea much rejoycing in the heart in the suffering for Christ and a good cause Rom. 5.3 after the Apostle had laid down the justification of faith as a ground hee saith that wee then rejoyce in tribulation and that they did so indeed is plain Act. 5.41 They departed from the Council rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name hence could they sing Psalmâ— at mid-night in the dungeon and fetters and hence could the Martyrs imbrace the fire kiss the stake and testify such joy in the flames as all men might acknowledge the truth of the speech of our Saviour Your joy shall no man take away from you no Tyrant no tormentor nor any kind of torment The fourth and last fruit or work of faith is that wheresoever sound faith is it is most diligent in preserving yea and increasing of it self The most covetous man is not more complaining nor gathering than the beleever who is ever complaining of want of Faith or of the weaknesse of it Mar. 9.24 and knowing the want of it to bee so dangerous and hurtful as without which hee wanteth Christ himself as also that the weaknesse of it depriveth him of much comfort and many goods things for a man of weak estate must needs want many rich commoditys and sweet comforts which the wealthy enjoy in abundance Therefore hee useth all good means to increase his stock as 1 Hee is much in hearing reading and meditating in the word because he knoweth Means to increase the stock of faith faith commeth by hearing and every thing is preserved and nourished by that whereof it is begotten 2 Hee is much in godly talk and Christian conference by which as the fire by the bellows so is the grace of God blown and stirred up in him 3 Because hee seeth how without prayer both his own but especially Christs his faith is as ready to fail as Peters was Luk. 22.32 hee is much in prayer and with the Father of the Childe cryeth with tears often Lord I beleeve help my unbeleef Mark 9.24 and with the Disciples Lord increase our Faith Luke 17.5 And these are the marks by which the soundness and currence of Faith as by a touchstone may bee tryed and distinguished from all that false and counterfeit Faith which is so stiring in the World and wherby most men are lamentably deceived The use of this Doctrin is 1 To stir up men to examine and by these notes to prove themselves whether they are in the Faith or no to try their faith of what kinde it is least in the end they find that they have leaned upon a staffe of reed By which examination I fear it will bee too evidently seen that these are the last daies wherein the Sonne of man shall come and scarcely find faith upon the face of the earth Sure it is that the common faith of men is neither thus 1 Founded 2 Nor qualified The most common faith of men is not thus qualified 3 Nor attended 4 Nor thus fruitful as will briefly appear in the particulars First Every man saith he hath Faith but whence had hee it it was never begotten by the Word he never cared for that that was ever as a sixt finger and superfluity unto him It was never founded in repentance nor dwelleth with Humility for most men never saw change in themselves they have loved God and beleeved in Christ ever since they can remember It was never cherished with the duties of prayer and invocation they could never pray in all their lives except after the Minister or by set forms but the spirit of prayer never dwelt there It was never conflicted with unbeleef they wonder what that should bee or that any man should not ever beleeve so as indeed here is no character of the faith of the Elect and nothing all this while but a voice and very carkase of Faith 2 Others say they beleeve and brag of a saving faith in Christ but they feed a bare fancy for they could never beleeve God for lesser things they want the faith of Gods providence even for meat and drink which is apparent in that they can use wicked and unwarrantable means for them their strong faith they brag of waiteth not for Gods provision but will shift for it self by hook and by crook it holdeth not the heart to patient bearing of the Cross but flingeth out in distempers it putteth not forth in inferiour businesses to give directions to the particular actions of life and therefore seeing this faith faileth in lesser and smaller things how can it bee sound in the greatest of all 3 Others boast of a sound faith which were it so it would lay hold upon the promise and beleeve for themselves and their seed but this it doth not for many who for themselves would rest in the providence of God upon the good and warrantable mâ—â—â—s will yet indanger themselves for their children And hence is it that many who have lived conscionably in single estate have remitted much of their care and fear in their married condition and come short of their former uprightnesse and why is this else but that they conceive not the Lord to bee all sufficient for them and theirs Gen. 17.1 4 Others there
it without a special revelation so ask ordinary Christians doe yee beleeve the pardon of your sins they will say yea for God is merciful and they be not so many or great but they may be pardoned Hereby we have brought the party to confesse that his sins bee pardonable but urge him are you sure they are pardoned Beleevers may and must know the pardon of their own sins and here hee is set up he stammers out a carelesse answer he cannot surely tell but hee hopeth well and this is all you can wring out of him hee knows not whether Christ be in him or no whether hee bee in the faith or no hee beleeves hee knoweth not what But to let men see their error herein 1 Doth not our text say that men must receive the remission of sins and can any man receive so precious a gift from God and not know when and how be came by it 2 What is the meaning of that Article in our Creed which we professe I beleeve the remission of sins what beleeve we more than the Devils if we beleeve no more than that God forgiveth the sins of the elect and not our own and then how is this one of the priviledges of the Church 3 To beleeve in the name of Jesus Christ in particular for remission of sins is his commandement 1 Joh. 3.23 and therefore no presumption but a necessary obedience so to doe 4 Doubting is forbidden and therefore no vertue but a vice Matth. 14. O thou of little faith why doubtest thou Object But experience teacheth that every man is full of doubting Objection answered and therefore no faithful man can beleeve it Answ The consequent is false seeing this doubting exerciseth but destroyeth not faith and that they goe together not only the speech of our Saviour formerly alleadged but the prayer of the Father of the Child proveth Lord I beleeve help my unbelief as also the two natures of which every Christian consisteth flesh and spirit which are in continual combate Object But no man can know Gods minde and so cannot bee assured Rom. 11.34 Answ By his minde is there meant his secret will but his minde revealed wee may and must a part of which is that whosoever beleeveth in his Name shall receive remission of sins which general promise while we specially apply to our selves the Spirit begetteth this assurance Object but wee are commanded still to fear Blessed is hee that feareth alwaies Ans Wee must not fear the mercy of God concerning salvation but carry a reverent fear in regard of Gods judgements 2 Wee are to fear in regard of our selves and sins by which wee deserve the judgements of God as well as others but this is not contrary to assurance of forgiveness of sins for mercy is with thee that thou maiest bee feared which the holy Prophet would never have said it fear could not stand with assurance of mercy 3 Such a fear is commanded as may shake our security but not to drive away the boldnesse of Faith a fear of falling into sin not a falling away from grace a fear lest wee offend a merciful God but not lest he take away his mercy from us A second Let is the want of judgement to discern aright of the best things and of resolution to purchase or practice that which a truely informed judgement concludeth to bee the best This was the sin taxed in Martha who saw not the greatest good neer her as Mary did And the world is full of Marthaes who willingly hurried with many earthly distractions utterly neglect the one thing necessary namely their Reconciliation with God and the things which serve to uphold and maintain the Christian life whereby Christ should live in them and they in him What else is it that maketh men run over Sea and Land to provide for the body and bodily life and in the mean time cast off all the care and means of the knowledge of God and conscience of their waies but that they see no profit in serving God they taste a little sweetness of the creature but not of the Creator himself a small peice of earth hath more savour to them than the God of Heaven This is it that causeth men to walk painfully all the week in their personal and particular Calling but all the week and Sabbath too neglect the general Calling of a Christian whereas had they any judgement in the things of God reason would teach them that the particular must yeeld to the general as the inferiour give place to the superiour Learn to esteem every thing in the measure and degree of its goodness Yea this is it which strongly forceth men to choose the profits and pleasures of this life which altogether cross and hinder this chief and principal care of gaining the favour of God because they do not follow the rules of wisdome which esteemeth of things according to their degree and measure of goodnesse and not above Which if men would give themselves to bee ruled by they would with the Saints of God in this comparison account but meanly of the things in the highest account with earthly minded men The Apostle Paul comparing his gain of Christ with the gain of the World hee esteemed this as loss yea as dung which indeed is the right estimate of it in this comparison Holy David would rather bee a door-keeper where Gods face may shine upon him than enjoy the honours and pleasures of the World in the Palaces of Princes without it Solomon himself the wisest and wealthiest of all men after good tryal pronounced of all earthly indowments abstracted from the fear and favour of God that they were vanity and vexation of spirit and determineth this to bee the sum of all to fear God and keep his Commandements Thus are the wise mans eyes in his head and his heart is at his right hand Eccl. 2. both for deliberating and executing of things most necessary to bee done whereas the heart of the fool is at his left hand he doth all as it were with a left hand for want of this judgement A Third and main Let are frivolous and fleshly conceits which dead and quench any such motions as otherwise might provoke men to this care of remission of sins As 1 What need I bee so foolish and precise I have lived well hitherto without all this adoe if God loved mee not he would never have blessed me as he hath done Answ But look to thy self who thus reasonest Say not God loveth thee unless thou have such sure grounds as follow It is not enough to say God loveth mee but to have sure evidence of it yea surer evidences than any thou yet speakest of I mean common and outward blessings which like the Sun or the rain are generally disposed to the good and bad and by which no man can know love or hatred Eccl. 9. Again Gods love goeth with Election Justification Sanctification effectual Calling Faith Love