's the proper object of hatred it 's against God and from the Devill pag. 130. c. They who have or desire to have fellowship with God must avoid the society of sinners 4. disswasives whose children what beasts and filthy persons they be They are dirt chaffe dust smoake and scumme pag. 13◠c. They must labour to be like God wherein and why p. 138. c. They must pray to God Prayerlesse persons wofull what faults hinder prayer How to pray aright pag. 140. c. They must heare Gods Word Lets removed Motives to heare Directions how to heare to obtaine fellowshippe with God pag. 142. c. They must seeke the Lord what it is to seeke how by what meanes and why we should seeke the Lord. pag. 146. c. They must sanctifie the Lords Day the name of the Day the judgement of diverse Divines of the Sabbath whether workes then lawfull what workes meant disswasives whether sports lawfull reasons disswasives objections answered whether worldly words 4. reasons whether worldly thoughts 3. reasons Meditation of Gods Workes Word and why conference for the Lords Day workes for the Lords Day sc reading singing and how prayer deeds of mercy their kinds and manner of doing them Recreation for the Lords Day foure motives to practice pag. 149. c. They must choose the thing which pleaseth God diverse choosers which are the best pag. 177. c. They must take hold of Gods Covenant the foundation and frame of this Covenant how the same to the justified Iewes formerly as to the justified Christians now and how not we must enter into and keepe this Covenant outwardly and how inwardly and how how the Law binds how not against Antinomists 6. motives to keepe covenant with God p. 178. c. They must cleave to the Lord what it is to cleave to God manner meanes and motives pag. 189. c. They must serve God what it is to serve God How we are free from the Law how not against Antinomists and others we must serve God with feare objections answered disswasives from serving foure evill masters the excellencie and manner of Gods service pag. 191. c. IIII. Booke ALL Saints have fellowship with Christ because they are his fellowes spouse branches building members and linkt to him in the nearest ties pag. 202. c. Reprehending those who harme them pag. 209. c. Disswading from hurting the Saints why the world is enrag'd against them who are their greatest enemies how holily they live how neare and deare they are to Christ pag. 211. c. Perswading all to joyne in fellowship with Christ This is the sweetest most honourable the firmest richest the most joyfull and peacefull society pag. 217. c. Comforting those who have fellowship with Christ from Christs names against feare Christ loves such with all loves such are justified what justification is its causes How faith justifieth how not sixe notes of happinesse all in the justified Such are sanctified and how difference betwixt justification and sanctification how sanctified persons are cleane how once justified alwaies justified pag. 228 c. They have Christian liberty a fourefold false liberty disclaimed Christian liberty frees not from obedience of the Morall Law what conscience is what binds conscience the Law binds the conscience to obedience wherein this liberty consists its excellencie a threefold use from this liberty pag. 242. c. Exhorting and directing to this society Scripture truths trier sinnes of former times as bad as now why they seeme worse now pag. 253. c. They who have fellowship with Christ do and ought to imitate Christ wherein we must imitate Christ actively passively and why prophane livers fashion followers and followers of men censured how men may be imitated how not what we must doe if we imitate Christ 3. motives to imitate Christ pag. 256. c. They have and must have faith and what faith its excellencie three sorts faulty concerning faith our duty concerning faith pag. 265. c. They have Gods Spirit abiding in them its necessity who faulty our duty to examine our selves who have who want Gods Spirit duties of such who have Gods Spirit and of such who want the same pag. 269. c. They who have fellowship with Christ be and must be his sheepe braunches spouse members building their duties hence pag. 276. c. The Conclusion shewing the drift of all pag. 278. c. Courteous Reader pardon I pray smaller faults escaped in printing and amend these greater as following Page 13. line 5. for comsorts reade consorts p. 21. l. 1. correcting 1. converting p. 31. l. 28. openly r. onely p. 38. l. 19. of r. as p. 49. l. 28. leading r. loading p. 64. l. 33. stayng r. staining p. 70. l. 16. alike r. alive p. 80. l. 12. it r. in P. 100. l. 4. where r. whence Ibid. l. 5. Bubus r Subus p 108. l 33. money r. many p. 178. l. 19. feele r. seeke p. 183 l 17. Iudaicall r. iudiciall p. 227. l. 17. we and all r. woe and alas p. 245 coniunction r. conviction p. 225. l. 33 dissoluble r. indissoluble Marginall faults Pag. 13. for tunica quem r. quam p. 23. bonum r horum p. 100. comitatu r. comitatum Ibid contratius r. contraria p. 110. it appeareth r in apparell p. 245 exemple r Epist p. 253. virtutis r. veritatis p. 154. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 256. limices r. limites Information for the meanest Reader Where you shall find these following this is their signification e. g. For example to wit viz. sc that is i. e. i. Ibid. there or in the same place 1. True good fellowes have fellowshippe with 1. All Saints pag. 3 c. Therefore they must 1. Avoid wicked mens society pag. 6. c. 2. Love all especially the Saints and all those pag. 9 c. 3. Relieve each other pag. 12. c. 4. Communicate gifts and graces pag. 18. c. 5. Conceale each others frailties pg. 23. c. 6. Reprove one another pag. 32 c. 7. Strive for the peace of the Saints pag. 34. c. 8. Forgive each other pag 37 c. 2. The Lord or God the Father pag. 115. c. Therefore 1. Themselves are comforted pag. 118. c. 2. They who wrong them and neglect this communion are reproved pag. 125. c. 3. All are perswaded to this communion p. 129 c. To this end they must 1. Shunne sinne pag 130. c. 2. Shunne society of sinners pag. 135. c. 3. Imitate God pag. 138. c. 4. Pray to God rightly pag 140. c. 5. Heare Gods Word delightfully pag. 142 c. 6. Seeke the Lord. pag. 146 c. 7. Sanctifie the Lords Day pag. 14. 9 c. 8 Choose that which pleaseth God pag 177 c. 9. Keepe Covenant with God pag 178 c. 10. Cleave to God pag 189. c. 11. Serve God Pag
yet respectively and for conscience sake towards God as Magistrates Parents husbands c. 3. The Lord himselfe is to be feared yea this is such a grace that it characters out a righteous man Acts 10. 2. Who shunnes evill and doth good Iob 1. 8. Who delighteth in Gods Commandements Psal 112. 1. Who succours the persecuted Saints 1 Reg. 18. 3 4. Who honoureth God Mal. 3. 16. Is obedient to the Lord Gen. 22. 12. And hath true faith Heb. 11. 7. 1. Feare Gods judgements so as to avoid them 2. Feare we sinne so as to flee from it 3. Feare man for the Lords sake so that we may be carefull to obey him loath to offend him Rom. 13. 7. 4. Feare we the Lord so as to be loath to displease him by sinne in respect of his great goodnesse and mercies and for love we beare to righteousnesse Psal 130. 4. But feare not the wickeds feare Isa 8. 12 13. sc their Idols and Devils with a distrustfull feare withdrawing the heart from God and his promises Feare not dangers death creatures tyrants want c. Math. 10. 26. 28. 31. viz. Immoderately faithlesly Feare not such a feare which troubleth the conscience so as to hinder the operation of salvation and worke of the Holy Ghost Feare not touching the pardon of your sinnes for Christ hath satisfied for them Feare not death for Christ hath plucked out its sting Feare not Sathan for Christ hath vanquished him Feare not condemnation for there is none to them which are in Christ Feare not you little flock you having fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God but be you comforted and encouraged you having interest in that society which affoords such plenty of consolations and comfortable blessings that I need not say behold I have shewed you by cleare demonstrations and infallible proofes that this is the most beautifull most honourable most sure most rich most joyfull and the most peacefull society that is what can I therefore say more for thee O sweet communion as Isaac said to Esau of Iacob Behold I have given to him for servants all his brethren with corne and wine have I sustained him and what shall I now do to thee my sonne Gen. 27. 37. Neither shall you need to question like Esau Hast thou but one blessing O my Father Ver. 38. and say hast thou but sixe blessings O lovely societie there belonging to it such plentie of consolations that could I live the age of Methuselah had I a heart and head furnished with the wisdome and ingenie of all learned men should I spend all that time and those onely supposed endowments in finding out and had I the tongue of men and Angels to expresse the numberlesse transcendent excellencies of this communion yet could I not be able to delineate the incomparable and blissefull felicities thereof Howbeit give me leave to cheare and refresh your soules with some few of the many millions of gladsome rayes which streame and flow from this Sunne of righteousnesse Are we in league and communion with Christ Iesus Then he loves us with all those loves which are most ardent and excelling Consol 1. he loves us with the love 1. Of a Master for we are servants 2. The love of a King for we are his subjects 3. The love of a brother for we are his brethren Heb. 2. 11. and sisters sc By profession and affection Math. 12. 50. 4. The love of a friend for we are his friends Luke 12. 4. Iohn 3. 29. 15. 15. 5. The love of a childe for wee are his mother Marke 3. 75. Being neare and deare to him as mothers are to their children bearing and conceiving Christ in our hearts as mothers do children in their womâ—es Gal. 4. 19. 6. The love of a father for we are his children 7. The love of a husband for we are his spouse 8. The love of himselfe for we are his members Then which what love more free more tender so great and during Then which what better honour What greater happinesse then to have such love of such a Saviour Who loving us so entirely will surely pardon our many sinnes 2. Passe by our frailties and infirmities 3. Shelter us against the wrath of God 4. Defend us safe against the malicious attempts of Sathan 5. Provide all necessary good things 6. And hereafter crowne us with immortall and unspeakable glory Have we fellowship with Christ Iesus Then we are surely Consol 2. justified Iustification being an action of the Father absolving a believing sinner from his sinnes and from the whole curse due to his sinnes and accounting him just in his sight and accepting him to life everlasting freely of his owne mercy through the perfect obedience and sufferings of Christ imputed to his faith unto the everlasting praise and glory of the mercy justice and truth of God Rom. 3. 24 25. Being justified freely of his grace c. Iustification is the office of Homil. of sal D. 3. God onelâ— and is not a thing which we render to him but which we receive of him not which we give to him but which we take of him This is a benefit of benefits whereupon our salvation doth depend for whosoever shal be saved must be justified All graces are present in him that is justified yet they Hom. sal D. 1. justifie not altogether Now as the finall cause of justification is Gods glory and our owne salvation 2. The instrumentall is faith within and the Gospell without 3. The efficient is Gods free grace 4. So the matter is Christ our Redeemer 5. And the forme is the imputation of our sinnes to him and his justice to us As our sinne being imputed to Christ made M Burton pag. 66. him become sinne for us even so are we made the righteousnesse of God in him that is by imputation of his righteousnesse which righteousnesse of Christ imputed to us is no more inhaerent in us to our justification thou our sinne imputed to Christ was inhaerent in him to his condemnation Therefore all Gods Elect being joyned to Christ and having an heavenly communion with him being in themselves rebellious sinners Gods enemies and firebrands of hell by meanes of Christ Iesus with whom they have fellowship must needs be accepted of the Lord as perfectly righteous before him being justified by faith in him Rom. 3. 28. Not that faith doth justifie in regard of it selfe either because it is a grace for although it is an excellent vertue yet it is imperfect and mixed with unbelâ—efe 2. Nor in regard it is the worke of God in us for then all graces might be meanes of justification as well as it 3. Nor as it containes other graces in it for then it should be the principall part of our justice But in respect of the object thereof Christ Iesus whom faith apprehends as he is set forth in the Word and Sacraments We are justified by the act of M. Burton Truths triumph
by this wee are saved Romanes 8. 24. Then how unspeakably blest are those who have union with Christ Iesus for by meanes of this conjunction they are justified Isa 53. 11. By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall beare their iniquities 2 Cor. 5. 21. And by vertue of this justification they enjoy all those ample priviledges and excelling prerogatives 1. The justified man hath remission of sinnes Rom. 4. 25. Who was delivered for our offences and was raised for our justification 1 Ioh. 2. 1 2. Rev. 1. 5. 2. The justified man hath Christs righteousnesse imputed to him so that the Lord doth freely account the righteousnesse of Christ to be his righteousnesse It was imputed to him Rom. 4. 3 4. for righteousnesse Ver. 5. His faith is counted for righteousnesse Verse 6. Vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse Rom. 5. 18. By the righteousnesse of one the free gift came upon all 3. The justified person is reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne Rom. 5. 10. God was in Christ reconciling the world 2 Cor. 5. 19. 4. The justified person hath peace with God Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by saith we have peace with God Ephes 2. 17 18. 5 The justified man hath the favour to be Gods adopted Sonne Galat. ◠26. Ye are all the children of God by faith in Iesus Christ Gal. 4. 4 5 6. 6. The justified man hath also hope of the glory of God Rom. 5. 1 2. Iustified hope of the glory Have we fellowship with Christ Iesus then we are and Consol 3. shal be more sanctified and that 1. Inwardly in having our minds wills and affections freed from the bondage of sinne and Sathan and enabled by little and little through the Spirit of Christ to desire and approve that which is good and walke in it 2. Outwardly in having the members of the body preserved from being meanes to execute sinne and made the instruments of holinesse Rom. 6. 19. This twofold sanctification is begun here perfected hereafter in heaven 1. It is in nature after justification but not in order and time 2. It is not perfect in this life as justification is 3. It is the renovatiō of nature whereas justification consists in 1. Remission of sinnes 2. Imputation of Christs righteousnesse 4. It is an alteration of qualities from bad to good whereas justification is an absolution of a sinner from the guilt of sinne and death Iustification and sanctification differ no more but as the root M. Burton Truths triumph c. cap. 3. pag 16. and the branch the tree and the fruit This sanctification is by meanes of union with Christ for he having taken our nature and sanctified it by his Spirit and we being made one with him do receive the selfesame Spirit to sanctifie us or make us holy we being in Christ he is made to us wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption 1 Cor. 1. 30. 1. By vertue of this union with Christ Iesus his death works in us joyned to him the death of all sinne and power to destroy all sinne or the lusts of the old man untill they be wholly taken away by death Rom. 6. 6 7. Our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sinne c. Thus cleansing our members as from the guilt of sinne that it shall not be imputed to us so from the filthinesse of sinne that it shall not prevaile against us Ezek. 36. 25. 2. His resurrection sends a quickening power into these our members making them rise from sinne to worke righteousnesse and to live in holinesse of life making them active to do the will of God in the workes of Christianity and of our particular callings so that now those who have union with Christ have a new heart sc in qualities being framed anew after God in true holinesse Ezek. 11. 19. They are a new lumpe i. Renewed from the leaven of sinne and corruption 1 Cor. 5. 7. And they are new creatures i. Endued with new qualities of righteousnesse and holinesse 2 Cor. 5. 17. He that is in Christ is a new creature they having 1. Their minds sanctified or enlightened with spirituall wisdome and understanding Col. 1. 8. 2. Their memories sanctified to keepe and remember that which is good and agreeable to Gods will Psal 119. 11. 3. Their wills so sanctified that being by nature unable to will any good thing pleasing God they are changed by grace and freed in part from the bondage of sinne so that they will and chuse that which pleaseth God and refuse evill Rom. 7. 18 19. 4. Their affections are sanctified so that they 1. Love God 1 Ioh. 4. 19. His children 3. 14. The place where his honour dwelleth Psal 86. 8. His commandements Psal 119. 127. And the appearing of Christ 2 Tim. 4. 8. 2. Hate sinne because it is a breach of Gods Law or because it is sinne especially their owne corruptions Rom. 7. 15. 24. 3. Sorrow and grieve for offending such a mercifull Father by their sinnes Psal 38. 18. 2 Cor. 7. 10. 11. For the miseries of the Church Rom. 12. 15. Lam. 3. 20. For the abounding of sinne in others Ezek. 9. 1. Psal 119. 136. 4. Rejoyce because their names are written in heaven Luc. 10. 20. Rom. 5. 2. In being partakers of Christs sufferings Acts 5. 41. In temptations Iam. 1. 2. And in the losse of all things for Christ Heb. 10. 34. 5. Their members of their bodies sanctified being made instruments of holinesse they formerly being meanes to execute sinne e. g. 1. Their eyes which formerly like the eyes of fooles were in the corners of the world Prov. 17. 24. Gazing after unprofitable things are now the eyes of wise men in their heads Eccl. 2. 14. To espie that which is good to follow it and that which is bad to eschew it turned from beholding vanity Iob 31. 1. Opened to behold the wondrous things out of Gods Law Psal 119. 18. 2. Their eares which formerly were given to heare delightfully lascivious songs idle tales and worldly discourses hearing Gods Word so as not to know and understand it Ier. 5. 21. Math. 13. 19. Are now become open and hearing eares so hearing that they willingly assent in mind to the word of God and good counsell with a firme purpose to obey it Ioh. 8. 47. 3. Their tongues which formerly were exercised in ribauldry lying slaundering swearing and dishonouring the Lord many wayes are now exercised in Psalmes Hymnes and Spirituall Songs in giving Christian counsell in shewing forth the praises of the Lord c. Thus all those who have fellowship with Christ by vertue of this union are sanctified 1. Being freed from the tyranny of sinne into the liberty of holinesse begun here and daily to be increased 2. Having a new quality of holinesse created in their soules whereby they can in some measure truly hate their owne sinnes with firme purpose
glory 1. They have the same grace of faith or like faith 2 Pet. 1. 1. Faith in like in regard of property and power each saving faith having this property and power that it doth receive Christ who is the common object of faith although not in equalitie â—r measure one more another lesse according to the proportion of faith By the which like faith all Saints enjoy the same grace of adoption Ioh. 1. 12. The same grace of justification Rom. 5. 1. 3. The same grace of sanctification Act. 15. 9. The same grace of patience Heb. 11. The same grace of perseverance 2 Cor. 1. 24. The same victory over the world 1 Ioh. 5. 4. The same conquest over Sathan Eph. 6. 16. And the same hope of glorification Rom. 5. 2. 2. All Gods Saints have like glory 2 Cor. 5. 1. Heb. 11. 39 40. Degrees and differences of glory I verily thinke there are Matth. 20. 23. To sit on Christs right hand signifying as I conceave the chiefest glory and blessednesse in Gods kingdome Vpon these grounds I may safely averre That all the Saints and servants of God although never so farre distant in place different in condition or aliens by nation have fellowship together First can any fellowship be more compact then of stones in one edifice limbes of the same body and twigs of the same root Secondly what fraternity more intimately indeerd each to other then of Co-heires Co-partners in grace and glory Co-workers in the same labours Co-enjoyers of the same husband Thirdly what communion more firmly cemented then that twixt brethren of the same parents sheepe of the same flocke True it is some are Iewes some Gentiles But God is not the God of the Iewes only but of the Gentiles also Rom. 2. 29. Gal. 5. 6. and 6. 15. But some are honourable some ignoble True So in a body there are feet aswell as higher members yet all one body God is no respecter of persons his choyce is not like mans 2 Cor. 1. 27. But some live in Europe some in Asia Yet are all in the same fold and family They are many members yet but one body 1 Cor. 12. 27. They are severall branches Yet but one vine Ioh. 15. They are diverse stones Yet but one building CHAP. III. First Vse of the Point Society with sinners to be avoided Vse 1 IF there be so neare association as there is betwixt Gods 〈…〉 pag. 71. c. Saints then every associat in this goodfellowship should abandon Society with the men of Belial Eph. 5. 11. have no fellowship c. By consequence not with unfruitful workers of darknes For what communion hath light with darknesse What concord hath Christ with Belial What part have beleevers with infidels 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16. Doe not these Scriptures Psal 6. 8. Depart from me you workers of iniquity Psal 119. 115. Depart from me you evill doers Psal 120. 5. Woe is me that I dwell in Mesech 2 Pet. 2. 7. Lot vexed with the conversation of the wicked teach us that good men which are true goodfellowes loath society with the wicked Can there be greater enmity then betweene lambes and wolves the seed of the woman and the serpent Gen. 3. 15. Can there be greater antipathy then betwixt Gods Saints and Sathans slaves Gods darlings and Sathans drosse All are men Ob. An. 1 True so the stinking puddle and pleasant streame are both water the tart crab and sweet apple both fruit All are of the same lumpe Ob. An. 2 True yet not cast in the same mould some are vessels of honour some of dishonour Dissw 1 Are there not contrary natures in them grace working in one sinne in another then which no qualities more repugnant Are there not contrary maisters guiding and governing them and in them God in the good Sathan in the wicked then which no substances more opposite Can there be greater repugnancy then is in their desires endeavours studies and thoughts the one desiring and endeavouring to please God glorisie his Name do his will c. The other to fulfill the sensuall lusts of the flesh serve sinne the world and the Divell Can there be wayes more opposite then theirs the one going towards heaven the other towards hell As it is altogether impossible for these to walke together so is it extreame perillous to be sociable with wicked men their society being dangerous and infectious Custome with the evill is the food of wickednesse Heathen say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A gap A little leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe the Apostle saith Galat. 5. 9. And our proverbe tels us that one scabbed sheepe infects a whole stocke These Syrens will bewitch us if we listen to them A man cannot take this fire in his bosome and not Prov 6. 28. be burnt handle this pitch without defilement neither walk with these byars and remaine whole Psal 106. 35. They were mingled amongst the Heathen and learned their workes Tempted they were and tainted by this coupling What wise man would willingly converse with cruell and Dissw 1. savage beasts But such are wicked men in Gods esteeme in their practises and delights Psal 22. 13. 16. Isa 11. 6. Are not wicked men in Scripture called Spiders Cockatrices Isa 59. 5. Vipers Mat. 12. 24. and Scorpions Ezek. 2 6 And will any man in his right wits company with the poysonous Spider eye-killing Cockatrice and venemous Viper These men are briars Ezek. 2. 6. And thornes Isa 27. 4. What prudent man would delight himselfe amidst such incommodious consorts Are men insociable because they will not inter-meddle with wicked men who as smoake suffocate and smoother grace in the good Psal 68. 2. Is it not a point of folly for Gods Saints who are clad with the precious robes of Christs righteousnesse and adopted into Gods family to soyle themselves with such sterilous dust and contaminous dirt Psal 18. 42. Is it convenient for Gods wheate unnecessarily to intermingle with such chaffe Psal 1. 4. Light in weight in worth conversation and condition Can it any wayes benefite Gods gold and precious jewels to commixe with wicked drosse Psal 119. 119. Labouring to darken corrupt and defile the righteous as drosse doth gold Seeing therefore O you Saints of God you have communion with Abraham and all his children Do not you exercise intimate passages of love with the limbs of Sathan It is lawfull for Gods Saints to be in company and conversant with the wicked by divine precept sc when they are of the same family as parents and children husbands and wives masters and servants these may lawfully converse together though one amongst them be impious 1 Cor. 7. 10. 12. 21. 1 Tim. 6. 1. 1. Pet. 2. â—8 And when by plantation and co-habitation they be of the same particular Church and Congregation as godly and wicked Parishioners and Pastors these may lawfully communicate the godly with the wicked 2. By divine providence when it is not desired or sought
c. Cap. 5 pa 5. 60. faith relatively to the object Christ not for the act of it Faith justifieth not by the act believing but as the instrument in applying the object which is Christ as the hand is said to heale Ibid. pag. 80. onely by applying the medicine or to enrich by receiving a treasure or to feed by putting meate into the mouth as we say a child c. It is Christ that is the Authour and matter of our justification it is Christ who applyeth the same unto us as for faith it is but an instrument to apprehend and a hand to receive Christs benefits for ours Or as Paraeus briefly saith Faith justifieth instrumentally the blood of Christ meritoriously Feâ—es iustificat orgâ—â—cè sanguâ—â— Christi meritoriè Pataus in Rom 3. faith doth not apprehend these by power from it selfe but by vertue of the Lords covenant so that Christ and his merits are the believers not simply because he believes but because he believes upon precept and promise the Lord promising to impute the righteousnesse of his Sonne to us for our righteousnesse if we believe This faith layes hold upon Christs painefull sufferings sufficient for all the sinnes of all men and so freeth the believing sinner from the guilt and punishment of sin and from eternall damnation It layes hold upon the perfect obedience of Christ in fulfilling the Law hereby curing his owne actuall disobedience of the Law and applyeth the perfect holinesse of the humane nature of Christ whereby he is accepted as perfectly righteous of God and by this his originall corruption is healed 1. Are they happy whose sinnes are pardoned as indeed they are for when sinne is pardoned such debts and trespasses are forgiven which we could never pay nor any remit Qui solus mundus est mundare praevalet immunda Greg. Papa in Iob 14. 4. Nee homo nec Angelus Aug. Agricola non vitis efficlum Ad solam Triuitatem pertinet Idem Tom. 9 in Ioan. 15. pag. 444. save the omnipotent Iehovah Isa 43. 25. Nor any make satisfaction for and purge out except the Lord Iesus and that with his owne bloud 1 Ioh. 1. 7. When sinne is pardoned such spots and blemishes are forgiven which made us and our best actions loath some unto God Isa 1. 14. 15. And guilty of eternall damnation Rom. 6. 23. Is remission of sins such a favour that it hath for its efficient cause God only and his beloved Sonne Christ Iesus Isa 43. 25. Rom. 6. 25. Its moving cause the meere mercy truth and promise of God Eph. 1. 7. It s meritorious cause the death of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. And its finall Gods glory Ier. 33. 8 9. And the sinners salvation then they must needs be happy whose sinnes are forgiven Psal 32. 1 2. Rom. 4. 7 8. 2. Are they happy who being sinners are notwithstanding accounted righteous by the righteousnesse of Christ imputed as they must needs be for by this righteousnesse of Christ we are made the righteousnesse of God 2 Cor. 5. 21. The whole obedience of Christ with the merit thereof eternall life is made ours as if we had done the one and deserved the other yea by this we have store of supplies for all our wants We are poore Christ is our riches we are naked Christ is our garments we are blind Christ is our eye-salve Rev. 3. 18. We are deformed Christ is our beauty Rev. 19. 8. 3. Are they happy who being enemies to God by reason of sinne are made friends to the Lord they being reconciled to God by Christ having their sinnes done away and themselves arayed with the perfect righteousnesse of Christ as they needs must for what greater misery then to be at enmity with the Lord And what greater felicity then to be in league with God Rom. 8. 31. For if God be for us who can be against us 4. Is peace with God a great favour as it is it costing the bloud of Christ to make it Col. 1. 20. It passing all understanding Phil. 4. 7. And being a fore-runner of that perfect rest and joy the Elect have in heaven 2 Pet. 3. 14. 5. Is it a great favour to be Gods adopted children as it is intruth the Lord hereby taking us into his owne family and accepting us as his owne children not because he wanted an heire he living and reigning for ever not for want of children for he had a naturall Sonne not because this Sonne was unfit to inherit he being as fit as his Father But of his meere grace and bounty we being by nature children of wrath disobedience and the Devill This being such a blessing that by vertue of this we are made Christs brethren heires Gal. 3. 18. Heires of God joynt-heires with Christ Rom. 8. 17. Of Gods kingdome Iam. 2. 5. By vertue of this we are Lords over all creatures save Angels we have them to guard us and all things working for our good This is such a favour then which God could not have bestowed upon us a greater * Pluâ— est cum Paulus ait heredes nos esse coheredes Christs quam si mille mundos nedum coelum terram cum omnibiâ— bonu noâ— reipsa â—â— atâ—râ—um 〈…〉 siâ— osâ—sse 〈◊〉 in Rom. 8. 17. It is more when Paul saith we are heires and co-heires with Christ then if he had affirmed that we should indeed enjoy for ever a thousand worlds not onely heaven and earth with all good things therein If it was no small preferment for David to be sonne in law to Saul 1 Sam. 18. 23. Then what preferment is it to be the Lords adopted children * Quid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 conserra potest An non excellentior Majestaâ— est esse 〈◊〉 Dei 〈◊〉 silium potentissina Monarchae 〈◊〉 terra Hoâ— beneficio nihil 〈◊〉 est vel excellentius â—rentius in Isa 38 What may be compared to such dignitie Is it not a more excellent prerogative to be the Sonne of the God of heaven then sonne of the most potent Monarch upon earth There is nothing more high or surmounting this benefit This is such a favour that a reverend Divine saith thus of it * M. Greeneham Aphorismes As farre as the spirit is above the flesh God above men heaven above earth eternity above time so farre is the new creation above the old This is such a blessing that Saint Iohn cals all to admire what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sonnes of God 1 Ioh. 3. 1. 6. Is hope of the glory of God an extraordinary benefit as it is for by this with patience we looke for the accomplishment of all good things By this we undergoe afflictions with a contented mind By this we being inwardly cheared and caused outwardly to confesse the same to the glory of God encouragement of the Saints amazement of wicked ones and strengthening of our selves to continue against all discouragements and