thee Isaiah 51.2 1. Objection I am but a woman the weaker Vessel and therefore my zeal can doe but little good Answer Yet thou mayest doe somewhat for God we reade in Scripture what great things God hath done by women Deborah and Iael two excellent women The one ruled with an Heroick Spirit the other killed Sisera a valiant Commander Iudges 4.4 5.22 The woman of Abel by her prudence saved the City 2 Samuel 20.16.22 Abigail by her wisedome preserved her husband and family from an imminent danger The Shunamite that great good woman stirred up her husband to entertain Elisha to the great benefit of her family and Hester was a means to save the Jewes from ruine God loveth to hang the greatest weights on the weakest wyres and to doe great things by weak Instruments that his Name may have all the Glory 3. Objection It is good to be discreet and wise in what we doe Answer Discretion doth not hinder but further our zeal it doth not diminish it but directs it and therefore they are not to be Opposed but Composed and made subservient to each other Prudence doth not abate our Diligence but guideth it in its work it teacheth us not to doe lesse but to doe better Thus there is an Harmony amongst the Graces and we may in no wise set them at variance amongst themselves Yet 't is the property of the men of the world to accuse Gods faithful ministers who tell them discreetly and zealously of their sins for rash heady men and such as want discretion Thus when Bishop Latimer reproved the sins of the Court they would accuse him for lack of discretion It rejoyceth me saith he when my Friend telleth me that they finde fault with my indiscretion for by likelyhood the Doctrine is true for if they could finde fault with my Doctrine they would not charge me with lack of discretion c. 4. Objection It is good to be moderate Vertue consisteth in a mean Answer Moderation in our own causes and quarrels doth well Phil. 4.5 But moderation and indifferency in Gods Cause is not moderation but luke-warmness and coldness which God abhorreth and if wicked men will not content themselves with moderation in pursuit of their lusts and Idols Ier. 8.2 but will spend their estates lavish Gold out of the bag upon them Isay 46.6 shall not we in an holy prodigality spend our selves and what we have from God for his honour 'T is true in Moral Vertues which are circa res medias the mean is best But Religion admits of no mediocrity e. g. our love to God and our hatred against sin can never be too intense Yea no Vertue in its formal Reason can be too much intended nor admit of an excess that man that saith he hath zeal enough had never any true zeal at all The Apostle saith its good to be zealous in a good thing and is not zeal then best in the best things and are there any things better then God his Truth Worship People Is it good to be earnest for a friend and is it not much better to be zealous for God The things we strive for are so Excellent that no zeal can be too much 'T is for a Kingdome for an Heavenly Kingdome 't is for Christ for grace and glory and if thou canst finde any thing in the world that better deserveth thy zeal let it have it 5. Objection The Apostle would have Timothy to be gentle 2 Timothy 2.24 Answer True for he was imployed amongst the Gentiles who were newly converted to the Faith and therefore must be wisely and gently handled such bruised Reeds must not be broken but when men are obstinate they must be rebuked with all authority Titus 2.15 6. Observation If we be thus zealous we may loose all Answer True and yet be no loosers neither The Martyrs lost all and yet were gainers God will make up your losses in a better kind Matth. 10.37 Let us do our duty and commit the success to God Many like Ammaziah could be content to do Gods Will but they are affraid of looseing some hundreds of Talents by it but the Prophets answer may satisfie us The Lord is able to give thee much more then that 2 Cor. 25.9 7. Observation I may bring paine and sorrow on my selfe by my forwardness Answer Thou mayest bring greater sorrow on thy selfe by thy backwardnesse 2. Wee see what pain men will endure to preserve a Natural life and shall we endure nothing for our spiritual life 3. God will assist thee and in the multitude of thy perplexities he will delight thy soul Psalm 94.19 8. Observation The world will thinke us mad and out of our wits if we thus oppose their sinfull counsels Answer This is no new thing Christ himself was called mad and they said that he had a Devil Mark 3.21 the Disciple is not above his Master But of this see more in 2 Tim. 3.9 9. Observation I am of a dull and heavy constitution and therefore it cannot be expected that I should be so hot as others Answer See how 't is with thee in other things art full of life spirit and activity for profits and pleasures and yet hast thou no mettle nor life for God and his worship certainly the fault is not in thy cold constitutiâ—n but in thy wretched corruption where thou lovest thou hast heat enough Let a man touch the coldest of you in your gains pleasures reputations and you have heat more then enough onely Gods honour lieth unregarded by you 2. Suppose thou art of a sad and heavy constitution yet Grace is above Nature it rayseth and rectifieth it 'T is like gold in the Mine which turneth every thing into the nature of it Hence the Spirit of Grace is compared to Oyle which is a Royal liquor and will be above all Now to quicken you take these Considerations and Motives 1. Consider this is no Arbitrary or indifferent thing but 't is that which God hath oft commanded That we should love him with all our strength i. zealously and sincerely Deut. 6.5 and do what we do with all our might Eccles. 9.10 Rom. 12.11 Striving and earnestly contending for the faith Iude. 3. The compound implieth an ardent and vehement defence of the Truth we must contend for it with our utmost strength Truth is a precious Jewel and heavenly Treasure which we must labour to preserve unto Posterity One grain of it is of more worth then all the world Malim ut pereat totus mundus quà m veritatis mica said Luther Little deviations from the Truth must not be suffered least they increase to greater as thin exhalations turn into thick clouds and little sparks make great fires God will not have his least commandments contemned Matth. 5.19 Hence Christ commands us not onely to destroy Vulpes sed Vul peculas even the litle Foxes that hurt his Vine Cant. 2.15 But we are not put to contend pro tricis
unrighteous so are not Gods they are perfectly just and righteous altogether 13. 'T is precious 1. In respect of profit 't is better then Gold â— In respect of pleasure 't is sweeter then hony By gold David notes all riches and the things of greatest worth in the world and by much fine Gold he meaneth all gold how pure or precious soever even the finest refined gold that hath been oftnest tried in the fire No riches like the word Hence David calls it his Heritage and Portion Psal. 119.11 as if he had nothing else in the world to trust to and therefore he prefers it before all worldly excellencies Psal. 119.72.127 the Law of thy mouth is better to me then thousands of gold and silver It excells Gold in five respects 1. Gold is but an Earthly good but the riches which the Scripture brings is Spirituall 2. 'T is but a common good wicked men as Esay Ahab Nabal the Turk the Pope have it in abundance a man may be outwardly great and yet inwardly miserable 't was great Caesar that said I have been all things and yet am never the better But the Grace which the Scripture brings is a speciall blessing peculiar but to a few 3. Gold cannot comfort a man in the day of distresse whether it be personal or national 'T is rather a snare then an Helper then Proverbs 11.4 Ezek. 7.19 Zeph. 1. ult But the word of God hath breasts full of consolation for the people of God in all their distresses Psalm 119.92 4. Gold cannot breed contentment yea the more men have oft-times the more they covet But the word teacheth men godlinesse and this in the power of it breeds contentment which is better then gold 1 Tim. 6.6 5. Gold may be lost Thieves may rob us of it rust may consume it and especially when death comes we must part with it But true Grace which is wrought in us by the word and spirit of God can never be lost Where ever we go it will go with us 'T is fidus Achates a faithfull friend which will never leave us till it have brought us to glory Rev. 14.13 Oh that I could convince men of the truth of this viz. that the saving knowledge of God in his word is better then Gold Tell men where they may have gold and we see how they ride run dig delve and all for a little perishing gold which cannot satisfy them Isay 55.2 But this true Treasure which is hidden in the word of God very few labour for and the Reason is mens hearts are earthly carnal sensual and savour not the things of God Oh that such would hearken to the counsell of Solomon Prov. 8.10 11. receive instruction and not silver and knowledge rather then choice gold Prov. 3.14 15. and to a greater then Solomon Revel 3.18 Buy of me gold i. e. the Graces of the Spirit as Knowledge Faith Obedience c. Build not on the Hay Wood Stubble of mens fancies and inventions but build on the pure sure sound doctrine arising from Gods word this is called Gold 1 Cor. 3.12 and one day will be better to us then all the gold in the world 14. For delight and pleasantnesse Gods word is sweeter then Honey yea then the purest finest honey which flows from the comb Prov. 24.13 14. and 16.24 the lips of the spouse are said to drop as the honey comb i. e. her words are very pleasant sweet and grateful Cant. 5 3. and when the Scripture would express the sweetnesse of any thing it borroweth this allusion sweeter then honey Ezek. 3.3 Revel 10.9 10. Old men are all for profit and young men for pleasure here is gold for the one and honey for the other Gods word brings more true pleasure to the soules of those that obey it then the sweetest honey doth to the taste Quest. If the word be thus precious and sweet how comes it to passe that most men in the world see not the preciousnesse nor taste the sweetnesse of it Answ. The God of this world hath so blinded their eyes that they cannot see the Excellencies of the word The Sun is full of light and lustre but the blind man for want of sight cannot discern it The word is full of sweetnesse but mens hearts are so taken up with the enjoyment of present things that they cannot taste nor relish the things of God 'T is but lost labour to put a cordial in a dead mans mouth The fault then is not in the word which is as precious pure delightfull and sweet as ever but the fault is in our corrupt minds which are so blinded and hardned with sin that we cannot perceive nor receive the word Let 's beseech the Lord to spiritualize our hearts and then we shall be able experimentally to say How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter then Honey to my mouth Psal. 119.103 As none know the sweetnesse of honey but such as have tasted it so none know the sweetnesse of Gods word but the people of God who experimentally know the worth of it To them and to them onely 't is more precious then gold and sweeter then honey To them the most excellent and delightfull things in the world are base and bitter drosse and dung loathsome and noysome in comparison of Gods word 15. 'T is a speciall preservative against sin V. 11. and Psal. 119.11 't is one speciall piece and part of our spiritual armour whereby we defend our selves against sin and Satan Ephes. 6.17 by this Christ Steven Paul and the Martyrs defended themselves and offended their enemies Matth. 4.47 This will Antidote and arm us with invincible arguments against sin and Satan Doth the Devill tempt thee to covetousnesse cruelty Usury the word will tell thee that no such person shall come into Gods Kingdome Psal. 15.5 Gal. 5.22 Art given to fornication adultery uncleannesse the word will tell thee that God will judge such Heb. 13.4 Art tempted to Apostasy remember Heb. 10.38 Mark 8. ult Rev. 21.8 Art tempted to pride remember God resists the proud Iames 4.6 1 Pet. 5.5 Art tempted to hypocrisy remember Hypocrites have the lowest place in hell Matth. 24.51 Art tempted to defraud and over-reach thy neighbour remember the Lord is an avenger of all these things 1 Thes. 4.6 though men may carry many things so subtilly as to escape the justice of men yet they shall never escape the hand of God Art tempted to break thy Covenant the Scriptures still tell thee what befell Zedekiah for this sin Ezek. 17 18. The very root of all that Atheisme and Profanenesse that is amongst us is this that either men do not know the Scriptures or else they do not believe them 16. It brings a great Reward not to those that onely hear it know it praise it but to those that practise it V. 11. yea the very obeying of Gods commandements is a reward it self
Arch-bishop Or like Pope Pius the Third who was wont to say of himself that the higher he was raised the worse he was 2. It should be a matter of great lamentation to us when we consider the great Luke-warmness and want of zeal that is amongst us we may take up the Prophets complaint Ier. 9.3 there 's no man valiant for the truth If men can save themselves they care not what becomes of Gods Pauls or service Acts 18.14 There is indeed a great profession of Religion in the Land but where oh where 's the power most are become like Pharaoh King of Egypt who was nothing but a noise Jer. 46.17 Nothing but words he promised much but performed nothing So that our Nation hath lost it's former glory piety is now turned into an empty shew and those Ordinances which formerly converted many now seem to have lost their converting power S. Peter at one Sermon converted three thousand but we may preach three thousand Sermons before we can convert one After the world how furiously do men drive like Iohâ— as they would break their wheels in pieces they rise early and break their brains they pant aâ—ter the dust of the earth Amos 2.7 and run themselves out of breath in pursuit of wordly things Ahab is sick for Naboth's Vineyard and cannot sleep till he have it Men are as hot as fire for earth but as cold as ice for heaven So that 't is not now the Kingdom of Heaven that suffers violence but the Kingdoms of the Eearth suffer violence and the violent take them by force The voluptuous man follows his pleasures with all his might and gives his strength to women Prov. 31.3 with dangers and difficulties do they break through to obtain them and what great expenses to maintain their lusts Herod can part with half his Kingdom to please an harlot yet had no zeal for the Ministery but suffers Iohn to be beheaded whose life was more worth then his whole Kingdom The Ambitious man how active is he for promotion how doth he ride and run for a little prefermâ—nt â— cluster of honor is more esteemd by him then all the vintage of Piety Religion The envious man how full of siery indignation is he against his adversaries Iames 3.14 and 4.12 Galath 5.20 The superstitious man how zealous is he in his blind way how doth he compass Sea and Land to make a proselite what pilgrimages whipping cutting lancing selling estates and offering their very children unto Molech Ezek. 26.20 21. they can part with thousands of Rams and ten thousands of Rivers of oyl and give the fruit of their body for the sin of their souls Micah 6.7 The Israelits can freely part with their ornaments of gold and silver to make a golden Calf The Seducing Sectary the white Devil that under pretence of extraordinary sanctity practiseth all manner of iniquity how active is he to sow the Devils seed As the Devil their Master so these who are his Factors rage because their time 's but short Revel 12.12 The Devils themselves seem to be possest of far worse Devils and to act with greater fury then formerly The Sacrilegious-Church-robber when the zeal for Gods house should eat him up such is his zeal that it eats up Gods house He devours Tythes Glebe all that he can lay hands on all 's Fish that comes to his Net he thinks all 's gain that he can get from the Minister These are Latrons not Patrous not Church-pillars but Church-peelers They should maintain the Ministery and they get Impropriations a very proper Term for their improper Tenure into their hands 'T is true de facto that the Tythes are sold but quo jure what power had they to sell that which was devoted to the immediate worship of God Had there been a sufficient maintenance left for the Ministery they might the better have taken the remaining superfluity But to take away a Ministers necessary maintenance and thereby to starve souls for scandalous means breeds scandalous Ministers is the ready way to bring a curse on such persons and all they possess 'T is a snare to devour holy things Prov. 20.25 They that take the Lords possessions into their possession shall perish like Oreb and Zeeb which lay like dung on the earth Psalm 83. There 's a curse attends such Thieves Belshazar drunk but once in the Vessels of the Temple and it cost him both his Kingdom and his life to boote There is no way in my opinion and experience to uphold the Ministry of England but by gaining Impropriations out of the hands of private persons and laying them to the Church to whom most properly they belong We see how Augmentations fly and fail and if we should be put to live on the Peoples benevolence it would soon prove a malevolence But of this I have spoken at large elsewhere Others are zealous but 't is for sin their tongues are set on fire of hell Their heads are alwayes plotting miscief they cannot sleep till they have done some evil Prov. 4.16 as a zealous good man sleeps not till he hath done some good Psal. 132.4 5 6. His house was no house and his rest no rest to him till he had finisht Gods work So the wicked man sleeps not till he have brought his wicked devices to pass and as the good man hath his awaking thoughts with God and goodness Psal. 139.18 So soon as ever I awake my thoughts and meditations are with God So the wicked man when he awakes he is still with sin his waking-thoughts in the night are to do mischief in the morning Micah 2.1 2. they hinder themselves from sleep that they may further themselves in sin the night is spent in plotting and contriving mischief and the day in accomplishing these plots Thus night day they follow the Trade of sin so are justly stiled workers of iniquity Now as to be zealous in goodness is the height of goodness so to be active in wickedness is the height of wickedness when men shall sell themselves to sin and work wickedness with greediness 1 Kings 21.20 and 2 Kings 17.17 Lastly others are zealous against zealous ones they cannot endure to see any better then themselves The Scribes and Pharisees will not go to Heaven themselves nor yet will they endure that others should go If Christ do but set his face towards Ierusalem the Samaritans will hate him While Paul was a Persecutor he met with no persecution but when he was converted and preached the Truth then he 's a pestilent follew and is mad In other Religions the more zealous a man is the more he is esteemed but amongst us the more zealous the more hated These hate their best friends for these zealous Elijahs are the Pillars of a Land the very Chariots and Horse-men of our Israel the strength and ammunition of the Land that by their prayers and tears keep off many a Judgement The wicked
terminis for the out-works of Religion but for the Fundamentals and for the whole possession We must contend with Papists about our Justification with Arminians about our Election with Antimonians for the Law with Socinians for the Gospel and with the Antiscripturists for all 2. The Lord commends this in his servants he hath recorded the zeal of Moses Phinees Paul Apollos c. to their everlasting prayse they are the Apple of his Eye which is Oculus Oculi the glory of the Eye Zach. 2.8 They are his jewels he counts himself honoured and adorned by such and therefore he calls them his glory Isay 4.5 These glorifie God on earth and therefore we will glorifie them with himself Iohn 15.8 and 17.4.5 God hath more glory from his little zealous flock then from all the world besides Hence he so much glories in him Iob 2 3. Acts 13.22 3. He Rewards it where ever he finds it Phinees for his zealous execution of Justice was blest both he and his posterity Numb 15.11 12 13. Levi for his zeal in vindicating Gods Honour was exalted to the Priesthood Exod. 32.29 Deut. 33.8 9 10. Zabulum and Napthali that ventured their lives in Gods cause Iudge 5.18 God remembers the kindness and rewards it many years after in sending Christ to preach the Gospel first to them Matth. 4.13.14 yea so greatly is the Lord delighted with zeal that Iehu his Hypocritical zeal went not unrewarded 2 King 10.30 4. It graceth all our graces and is the Honour of our honours All Grace without this is nothing Dead Knowledge Faith Repentance are of no esteem with God dead Prayer is not Prayer As under the Law no sacrifice was acceptable without fire so no duty now is acceptable without the fire of zeal 5. Christ hath paid best for our zeal The fair price that he paid to Redeem us the same precious blood he gave to purchase us to himselfe a zealous and peculiar people Titus 2.14 If any have paid dearer for it or can shew better Title to it let him take it 6. Our zeal doth denominate us that we are that we are zealous for 'T is true we may love the creature but it must be with a subordinate inferior love but our zeal which is the cream of our affections must be given only to God 'T is a glory which he will not suffer to be given to another 7. Our zeal may provoke others the Corinthians zeal provoked many 2 Cor. 9.12 When the Love-sick Church began to commend Christ Cant. 5. ult This is my friend and this is my Beloved in the very next Chapter 6.1 Others begin to inquire Where is thy Beloved that we may seeke him with thee 8. Such help to save a Land from ruine One zealous Moses kept off judgement from Israel Psalm 106.23 One zealous Phinees stayes the Plague One zealous innocent man may save an Iland Iob 22. ult 9. This makes a man to excel we are all by Nature of one blood 't is Holy zeal that makes the difference This makes the Righteous to excel his Neighbour Prov. 12.26 both in life and death one of these Pearles surpasseth ten thousand peebles as one living creature excels a thousand dead ones These are called lively stones 1 Pet. 2.5 1. They are stones in respect of stability and solidness they stir not from their principles but are an everlasting foundation Prov. 10.25 2. Lively because of their Zeale and Activity they are prompt and ready for every good work 2 Timothy 2.21 Their spirits are raised to the highest excellencies and so are capable of the highe stactings They live the life of God Ephesians 4.18 or a godly life because it is from God as the Author it is according to God as the pattern and it tends to God as the end Others may do well but the zealous man excels them all Hence he 's called in Scripture not Adam a common man but Ish quasi Esh a man of fire heat and courage a man of spirit life activity a man of men an excellent man fitted to honour God and rule others 10. You will have no cause to repent of this zeal yea if the saints in Heaven were capable of sorrow they would grieve for nothing so much as that they had not done more for God in their generation How many have repented of their superstitious carnal zeal as Cardinal Woolsy sometimes did Had I served God as diligently as I have done the King he would not have given me over in my gray hairs but this is my just reward for serving men before God 11 There is an absolute necessity of it in respect of the many enemies that oppose us So soon as ever a man begins to look towards Heaven he must look for Giants and sons of Anak to oppose him We have the Devil above us with all his methods Eph. 6.11 depths Rev. 2.24 Devices 2 Cor. 2.11 The world about us with all its baits and snares and an evil heart within us ready to betray us into the hands of our enemies So that unless we be resolute violent men we shall never get Heaven Matth. 11.12 't is not the lazy somnolent Christian but the active and the violent that take Heaven by force 12. All thy gifts and parts without zeal to improve them become useless A Stag or Hart that hath great strength and horns yet doth little with them for want of courage As a bird without wings a body without a soul and salt without savor so is a man without zeal like Ieremiahs rotten girdle that was good for nothing Ier. 13.7 Zeal is to the soul that which spirits are to the body and wine to the Spirits it puts activity and quickning in us 'T is as wheels to the Chariot which make us run the wayes of Gods Commandments as courage to a souldier as mettle to the horse and as manure to the ground which makes it abound in fruitfulness Now that you may get and keep this Gace we must shun those Quenchâ—coals which extinguish this holy fire in us 1. The first is the retaining of any one bosome beloved sin be it Pride Idleness Formality Covetousness either thy zeal must destroy thy sin or thy sin will destroy thy zeal Zealous affections are the wings of the soul but sin like bird-lime intangles them that they cannot fly Heaven-ward They are the feet of the soul but sin like fetters hindereth us from runing They are the fire of the soul but sin like water quencheth this fire We must resolve therefore against all sin if ever we would have the Spirit of zeal to dwell in us 2. Take heed of the inordinate love of the world These thornes will choak our zeal and this outward heat extracts and consumes our inward Cast earth upon fire and you put it out Demas and Iudas the love of the world drew them off we must get our affections loosened from the world and use it as though we used it not Use
his work is brother to him that is a great waster Prov. 18.9 When men have no callings or do not follow their callings but set others to work whilst themselves do nothing they must needs come down The good house-wife sits not still bidding her servants go but she her self gets wool and flax and makes one with them Prov. 31.13 19. As Iulius Caesar would say to his Souldiers not ite Go ye but eamus commilitones go we I will make one amongst them as Abimelech said to his followers Look upon me and do likewise Judg. 9.48 Besides idleness leads men into wicked company it brings loss of credit and brings loss of custome and that beggary 5. They are Disorderly persons God hath allotted to every one his calling wherein he must be serviceable to the publick good 1 Cor. 7.20 24. Now when men sit still they break that Order which God hath set and so are called disorderly walkers 1 Thes. 5.14 'T is with the Commonwealth as 't is with inferiour bodies if they be well ordered three things must concur 1. Ordo partium the ears must not be where the hands are nor the feet above the head 2. Symmetria a due proportion the head must not be bigger then the body 3. Functio every part must have some distinct office wherein to exercise it self Those Gentlemen then and Beggars that lead idle lives are Wens and burdens not members of the body They live in the express violation of Gods Commands Gen. 3.19 Such have no right to a bit of bread God would not have us succour them in this condition Prov. 20.4 2 Thes. 3.6 As for our selves let us be active Souldiers abounding in the work of the Lord many desire to abound in Riches 't is more noble to abound in Labours As Melancthon said well Let others take Riches give me Labour Shall a Heathen glory that he let no day pass in idleness but he redeemed some time from his sleep for his studies and shall we that have better Principles and light to walk by come short of Heathens See 12. Reas. against Idleness in Mr. Greenhill on Ezek. 16.49 p. 287 c. and Mr. Clerks Mirror cap. 63. p. 303. edit 3. Now the Lord will have us all to fight for these Reasons 1. For the greater manifestation of his own glory he could deliver his people without fighting but then the glory of his Wisdom Power and Goodness in their preservation and deliverance would not be so perspicuous to the world nor his Justice in the down-fall of his enemies be so apparent to all 2. For the good of his people hereby he exerciseth their Graces and keeps them from rusting Virtue decaies if it have not some opposite to quicken it and draw it out hereby also he proves their Valour and makes it more apparent to others We had never heard of the Patience of Iob if Satan and his friends had not opposed him The skill of a Pilot is not known till a storm nor the valour of a Souldier till the day of battle 3. To make us long for our rest in Heaven This worm-wood upon the breasts these conflicts and spiritual combats imbitter the world to us The poor wether-beaten Marriner longs for the Heaven and the tired Souldier for Victory that he may triumph How silly then is the expectation of these that look for a Crown without a Combat for Victory without Fighting and for a Prize without any Striving They sit down secure and careless yet dream of Heaven and happiness Like dead fish they go down the stream without any resistance They give the reins to their lusts and are so tender and delicate that they can deny themselves in nothing How many are Ignorant and know not what belongs to these Spiritual battles they cannot watch pray arm wrastle run fight c. Others rest in a bare profession crying Lord Lord yet fight not a stroke against sin and Satan Others fight but 't is not the good fight we read of many fighters in Scripture but few good ones The Devil and his Angels fight but 't is against Christ and his Church Rev. 11. and 12. The wicked they fight too but 't is for their lusts Iam. 4.2 't is against Christ Psal. 2. Rev. 17.14 and against his people Gebal and Ammon and Amelck can fight but 't is against Israel Exod. 17.8 the comfort is these cannot prosper 2 Chron. 13.12 Rev. 17.14 and 19.19 20. Christ comes from Edom cloathed in red from Bozrah with his garments died in the blood of his enemies Isai. 63.1 It may greatly encourage us to fight this heavenly fight when we consider that we have Christ for our Leader he is that true Ioshua that fights for us against the Canaanites He hath led captivity captive and hath conquered all our enemies for us Col. 2.14 He is not onely a Spectator but our help he teacheth our hands to war and our fingers to fight Though we be weak yet our Redeemer is strong An Army of Harts having a Lion for their Leader is better then an Army of Lions with a Hart for their Leader Christ who is the Lion of the Tribe of Iudah is Lord of our Hosts and therefore we will not fear what man or Devil can do against us When Antigonus saw his followers afraid by reason of the multitude of their enemies and how many do ye reckon me for said he One Christ for us is more then all the world against us 2. The goodness of the fight may much encourage us which brings me to the fifth Observation 5. Observation 5. This Spiritual fight is a good fight 'T is not a warring after the flesh but a Spiritual Holy Honourable war 2 Cor. 10.3 4. 'T is a good fight in nine respects 1. Of the Author 2. The Man 3. The Matter 4. The Manner 5. The End 6. The Armour 7. The Issue 8. The Fellow-Souldiers 9. The Reward 1. The God of Goodness for Good Ends hath ordained this good fight He hath decreed that there shall be an Irreconciliable enmity between the seed of the Serpent and the seed of the Woman 'T is he that gives Grace to his people at the first whereby they are enabled to fight this good fight and he maintains it when 't is once begun against all opposition whatsoever As at the first he made all things of nothing by his All-mighty power and since maintains them in their being by his Providence So at first he creats grace in the soul and after seconds it with his conserving cooperating assisting perfecting persevering Grace 2. The Men that fight here must be good men a wicked man may fight other battles a Heathenish Alexander may conquer cities but not himself they must be Holy men that fight these Holy battles of the Lord such as can conquer themselves Alas how should he prosper whose sins fight more against him then all the power of his enemies
Hence that Proverb Ephesiae literae Ephesian words or writings .i. their charms and spells yet these Idolaters and Sorcerers God was pleased at his own free grace to call here he planted a famous Church and Christ himself writes an Epistle to them Rev. 3.1 2 3. and commends those that sometimes were the worst in the world 3. Our Adoption is free of Canaanites he hath made us Israelites of sinners sons of foes friends and of heirs of hell heirs of Heaven before we were born he did predestinate us to be his Adopted ones Eph. 1.5 4. Our Redemption is free God freely sent his Son into the world to save us Iohn 3.16 it was grace the riches of grace that redeemed us Eph. 1.7 5. Our Iustification is of free-grace Christs righteousness is freely imputed to us for righteousness and faith is freely given Rom. 3.24 Ephes. 2.8 Philip. 1.29 6. Our Sanctification is free He heals our back-slidings and loves us freely Hos. 14.4 Ephes. 2.4 5. to extract sweet out of sweet nature and Art can do it but to bring light out of darkness good out of evil and sweet out of bitter is a work of Omnipotency it is no less then the change of nature 7. Our Salvation and Glorification is free Luk. 12.32 Rom. 6. ult This then overthrowes the doctrine of the Papist Arminians and Semipelagians who cry up fore-seen faith preparations good works and an improvement of the means of grace as causes of Election whereas God chose us not because we were Holy but that we might be Holy Ephes 1.4 and 2.10 we are created to good works not for them He did predestinate us not because we were conformable but that we might be conformable to his Son in Sanctification Rom. 8.29 30. Predestination is the cause Vocation and Faith which comes by hearing is but the effect of it and so cannot be before its cause hence the Scripture so oft tells us that we are chosen to Obedience not for Obedience 1 Pet. 1. 2. and that as many as were ordained to eternal life believed they did not first believe that they might be ordained but they were first ordained that they might believe Acts 13.47 2 Thes. 2.13 Paul obtained mercy not because he was faithful but that he might be faithful 1 Cor. 7.25 So that in order of nature faith is after the decree of Election for God first decrees the end and the means conducing to that end so that it is not by works of righteousness which we have done either before conversion or after the Apostle excludes them all from meriting Salvation but by mercy we are saved Tit. 3.4 5. this grace unexpectedly appeared when we were dead in sin and so were meerly Passive in respect of the habit of grace though in other respects we are partly Active and partly Passive when we did not once dream of such a mercy yet then did it shine upon us and if God should chuse men for their fore-seen goodness he must chuse none for we are all by nature alike ther 's no difference by nature between Iacob and Esau Peter and Iudas Rom. 3.9 22. and 4.9 what did God see in Abraham Rahab Manasses Paul why he should chuse them There was much in them why he should refuse them Let us then renounce all confidence in our selves or any thing that we have done for if we merit any thing it is destruction for sin is our own and perfectly evil but good is not our own nor perfectly good The Apostle excludes all distinctions and ascribes all to grace Ephes. 1.4 to 11. So that as they at the building of the material Temple from the laying the foundation to the laying on of the top-stone cryed grace grace Zach. 4.6 So must we from our Election to our Glorification cry grace grace How doth Paul in all his Epistles exalt grace and ascribe all to it By the grace of God I am that I am 1 Cor. 15.20 Let the wise man glory in his wisdom and the rich man in his riches as for me I will glory in the Grace of God for by the Grace of God I am that I am All is grace abounding superabounding grace Rom. 5.8 1. It is God that gives preventing and preparing grace Psal. 10.17 Phil. 2.13 whereby he drawes us to himself and makes us willing to believe and obey 2. He followes us with his subsequent Grace whereby he upholds us in Grace begun and enables us to persevere there is a Divine manutenency which keeps us from falling Psal. 73.23 Hence the Scripture takes all from man and gives all to God It is he that works all our works in us and for us Isay 26.12 Every good gift comes from him Jam. 1.17 It is by mercy and truth and not by our merit that our sins are pardoned Prov. 16.6 As Iacob said of his riches and children Gen. 33.5 11. God hath shewed mercy to me and hath given me all this and these are the children which the Lord hath given me So the Lord hath shewed us mercy in giving us Faith Repentance Obedience and these are the Graces which the Lord hath given us and therefore as all rivers come secretly and silently from the Sea but return openly thither again So those Graces which God hath secretly wrought in our hearts must openly appear in our lives to his praise We must not kiss our own hand Iob 31.27 nor sacrifice to our own nets but with the Church give all to God Psal. 115.1 So did Christ Matth. 11.25 26. 2. This may comfort us in the sight and sence of our wants and weaknesses that we are not now under a Covenant of works but under a Covenant of free-Grace now we may buy without money Isay 55.1 God is gracious and loves freely he loves us because he loves us it is his good pleasure so to do the moving and impulsive cause is in himself Deut. 7.7 8. he is gracious and will not contend for ever Psal. 1.3 8 9 but though he see our wayes how evil they be yet he will heal them freely Isay 57.18 I have seen his wayes and I will heal him a strange expression one would think he should have said I have seen his wayes and I will destroy him but such is his pitty to the sons of men that though he see their rebellions and perverse wayes yet for his own Name sake he freely heals and pardons them 2. It may comfort us against final Apostasy if our Salvation were grounded on our selves if it were conditional depending on our free will we might justly fear but since it is grounded on the unchangeable purpose and good will of God we are safe for his purpose is sure Rom. 9.11 And his foundation firm 2 Tim. 2.19 His counsels shall stand in despight of all opposition Isay 14.27 and 46.10 We stand not now by our own power or will our Salvation is not now in our own keeping but in
friends of the Bridegroom and therefore they long for his coming 6. The blessings which we shall receive at that day are very desireable blessings It will be to us a day of Iubilee when we shall for ever be set free from all our enemies It will be a day of rest when we shall enter upon our everlasting inheritance a day of receiving wages for all our service A day which will free us from all our miseries and supply us with all mercies No wonder then that the Saints so earnestly long for it and if all the creatures groan and vehemently desire that day Romans 8.21 23. shall not the Spouse of Christ much more 2 Cor. 5.2 Wicked men have their portions in this life and rest content with present enjoyment and so desire not that day besides they are men of evil consciences and are condemned already in the word and in their own consciences Iohn 3.18 which maketh them fear and not desire that day they could wish that Christ would never come But the Godly who have faith and a good Conscience do with joy long for this day of their full redemption when Christ shall appear to their everlasting comfort So that to love and long for Christs appearing is the Character and almost the definition of all true believers None can love it but they and they cannot but love it VERSE 9 10. Doe thy diligence to come shortly to me VERSE 10. For Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present World and is departed to Thessalonica Crescens to Galatia Titus to Dalmatia WE are now come to the second part of this Chapter wherein the Apostle treateth of many private and personal affairs 1. He desireth Timothy to come speedily to him to Rome the Apostle had once some thoughts of going to Timothy 1 Tim. 3.14 but since he was shut up in prison and deprived of that liberty he now sendeth for him to come to him having many things to impart to him before he died probably touching the weighty affaires of the Church or else that he might be helpful in promoting the Gospel in Rome Italy and in the places adjacent since he wanted other helpers What ever it was it was no mean matter which made the Apostle send for Timothy beyond Sea from his charge at Ephesus in Asia minor to come to him at Rome Doe thy diligence or hasten to come to me he was near his end and therefore he biddeth him hasten and come speedily before winter Verse 21. q. d. defer not thy coming till another year but come speedily before I die 1. Observation 1. Personall presence is to be preferred writing The Apostle doth not say Write unto me but come unto me Letters we say doe not blush yet they cannot expresse the lively affections of our breasts as when men are present face to face with us Writing is more general and flat but the lively voyce and quickening presence of a friend worketh more effectually upon us Proverbs 27.17 Acts 18.5 When the Apostle would comfort the Romanes he telleth them that he will come to them Romanes 1.11 12. and 15.24 28.29 that he might be comforted by them and might comfort them So Iohn will not write to his friends but that he might the more effectually comfort them he promiseth to come and speake with them face to face that their Ioy might be full 2 Iohn 12. and 3. Iohn 13.14 Paul will not write but he will see the Thessalonians 1.2 17 18. There is more Vigour in the Voyce then in dead Letters Writing doth well but lively conference doth much better The speech of good men doth whet and excite men to love and good workes Hebrewes 10.24 it doth Minister Grace to such as keepe company with them Proverbs 10.11 and 15.4 Ephesians 4.29 2. Observation 2. The society and help of good men is much to be desired There is much comfort and good to be gained thereby Paul would never have sent so many hundred miles for a Timothy if there had not been more then ordinary sweetnesse in his society Man is a sociable Creature and God hath ordained mutual society for the quickning and increasing of his Graces in us We want much of our comfort in the want of a good friend which made David so sadly to lament the death of Ionathan and to complaine that he was desolate Psalm 25.16 and this made Paul to rejoyce in the recovery of Epaphroditus his Friend and fellow Souldier as a great mercy Philippians 2.25 26 27. Solomon telleth us that two are better then one Ecclesiasticus 4.9 As Oyntments and perfumes delight the senses refresh the Heart and quicken the Spirits so the faithful Counsel of a loving friend is very precious Prov. 27.9 Hence this communion amongst friends is called sweet Counsel Psalm 55. 15. We are subject in this World to many Tryals Now God hath ordained the society of his People as one speciall means to comfort us in them Malachi 3.16 Iames 5.16 This made Christ to send his Disciples out by two and two that they might have mutual Comfort and Confirmation of their Doctrine Luke 10.1 Unsociable men are like blunt and rusty iron unfit for service Solitarinesse and strangenesse is not good Solitary Birds are Birds of Prey Communion is a means to breede and increase brotherly love and to inlarge the Church Acts 2.46.47 They were all together with one accord and then it followeth The Lord added to the Church dayly such as should be saved This is an Article of our Faith we beleeve a Communion of Saints and oh that we did live as a People that beleeve our Principles T is Communion with the Saints on Earth is a glimspe of thy Eternal society which we shall have with them in Heaven when we shall all be gathered together into one Body 2 Tessalonians 2.1 as the society of wicked men in their wickednesse is a glimpse of Hell 3. Observation 3. The strongest Christians sometime may be helped by weaker A Paul may stand in need of a Timothy There is not a member in the body but is some way serviceable to the head 4. Observation 4. A Minister upon weightie and just occasions may lawfully be absent from his flock for a time 1. It must be but for a time 2. The cause must be weighty Timothy cometh from his charge to Paul yet Tychicus supplies the place the while who had great things to impart to him for the Churches good 't is noted as an act of cruelty in the Ostrich that she leaveth her Egges Lam. 4.9 Bishop Latimer wondred how men could goe quietly to bed who had great cures and many of them and yet peradventure never preached in any of them constantly It were easie to confute and confound these by Scripture Reasons Fathers Councills c. But 't is so fully done already by Master Blaxston in his Remonstrance against Non-Residents and blessed be God 't is so well purged out
15 30 388 10 7 300 16 18 160   162  1 Corinthians  1 5 83 1 9 24 391 1 27 28 205 4 3 45 46 6 2 312 6 10 95 6 14 to 20 102 7 23 68 8 4 206 9 27 153 13 5 19   46.85 15 20 402 15 32 376  2 Cor.  4 17 217 10 10 163  Galathians  3 26 68  Ephesians  2 15 401 4 14 166   225 4 18 345 5 18 97 6 12 422  Philippians  1 23 364 2 3 85 2 6 7 57 2 12 340 2 17 364 4 6 7 41 4 11. 43  12   Colossians  1 11 448 3 16 291  1 Thessalonians  5 14 386  2 Thessalonians  2 5 28  1 Timothy  1 17 37 4 10 209 5 4 66 5 6 119 6 1 2 68 6 4 185 6 6 41.   42 6 8 42 6 10 23.   25  2 Timothy  2 22 250  Titus  3 2 58 3 4 401  Hebrewes  3 12.13 230 10 38 102   415 13 5 42  Iames.  1 2 220 2 10 21 5 11 86  1 Peter  2 5 344.   345 2 11 104 2 21 190   191 4 3 43 4 14 87 5 5 51.   54 5 8 366  2 Peter  1 5 6 21 1 5 10 497 2 2 59 2 10 59 2 14 29 2 8 333 2 9 209  1 Iohn  4 1 171 5 18 397  Iude.  3  243   343 3  388  Revelations  12 10 82.83 12 12 9.335 21 8 102 A TABLE Of the Principal things contained in this VOLUME A. ADjuration when lawful Page 304 Affections good in themselves p. 76 Anti-scripturists confuted p. 276 277 Apocrypha false p. 288. Apostates their miserable ends page 240 Application Vseful p. 339 Armies cannot save p. 207. Armour spiritual must be put on page 389 Atheisme the root of all sin p. 306. Adam in the state of Innocency not so safe as believers p. 403 Aggravations of sinne p. 419 420 Alone we must oft go p. 442 Anger vanisheth in good men p. 426 Apologies when to be used p. 442 Apostate how dangerous p. 415 Application necessary p. 413 Assurance attainable p. 395 B. BAd times must make us better Page 10 Beginnings of sinne dangerous Page 165 Blasphemy how many wayes committed p. 58. Aggravations of Englands blasphemy P. 60.61 We must mourn for it p. 62. Eight Considerations against it p. 63. Blasphemers must die for it p. 64.169 Gods Iudgements on them p. 65. Boasting four sorts of it p. 46.47 Considerations against it p. 48 Bribes base p. 26 27 Butts are blemishes p. 290 Body have a moderate care of it p. 432 Books needful p. 433 Burden of sin p. 444 Burdensome good men are not p. 431 C. CAll extraordinary what it is Page 202 Carnal Policy folly p. 207 Children must be taught Goodness betimes p. 246. Christ is the Lord. p. 306 307. Christ is All in All to a Believer Page 270 Church mixt here p. 11 Constancy commended p. 239 Conscience good a Feast p. 385 386 an erronious Conscience bindeth not p. 287. Consideration its excellencies p. 118 Contentment how necessary p. 42 A Corrupt Head breeds a corrupâ— Heart p. 155. Covenant-breaking Englands great sinne page 77 78. How punished page 78. Covenant-keeping the way to blessednesse page 79. Rules for it p. 80 Covetousness how base p. 22. Breakes all the Commandements p. 23. Saints most free from it p. 24. Cavils for it answered p. 33. Odious in a Minister p. 27 28. Rules against it Page 35 c. Such unfit for imployment p. 25. Worse then a Prodigall p. 25. D. DAncing mixt condemned Page 106 107 Day of Iudgement comfortable to the the Godly Page 317. Terrible to the wicked p. 309.310 Prepare for it p. 314 Death comfortable to the godly p. 370 Saints sing most sweetly then page 385 Delay in Repenting dangerous Page 222 Deliverance from trouble comes from God p. 204. Devils subtle p. 166. Chained page 187 Discipline how necessarie p. 172 Discontent dangerous p. 35. Reasons against it p. 35 36 Disputations Vain condemned p. 149 Dogs seducers like them in fourteen Particulars p. 157 Drunkenness a great sin p. 92. Especially in Ministers p. 92. Signs of it p. 93. Directions against it Page 99 Duels unlawful p. 109 Day of Iudgement desired by the godly Page 406 Degrees of Glory p. 405 Discipline set forth in the word p. 431 E. EArth the wicked mans Hell Page 28 Mans Extremitie is Gods Opportunitie p. 447 Ear to be watched p. 356 Envie evil p. 85 Error begetteth error p. 230. It is punished by giving up to false Teachers p. 353.357 Error in judgement worse in some re-respects then Error in Practice Page 153 154. Six Reasons why we are so easily drawn to Error p. 232 Examples of good men how farre to be followed p. 190 191.192 Mans Extremitie Gods Opportunitie p. 182. Eye to be watcht p. 106 F. FAith its Excellencie Page 270 Faith Motives to keep it p. 139 Faithful few in all Ages p. 424 Falls of the Saints what use to be made of them p. 191 False Prophets have been in all Ages Page 154.352 God hath ever had some to oppose them p. 155. it s very dangerous to follow them page 156.120 Markes of false Prophets p. 161 162 Famâ—ly-duties commended V. Epist. Dedic Familiaritie with wicked men to be avoyded p. 138 139 Fathers how to be esteemed p. 259 Fierceness how vile p. 108. Helps against it p. 108 Feasting when lawfull p. 58. Rules for it p. 61 Formality dangerous page 340. many Reasons against it p. 123.125 Helps against it p. 1â—3 Fornication a great sin p. 101. Reasons against it page 123 125. Helps against it p. 133 Fore-runners of Gods leaving England Page 135 136 Foxes seducers like to Foxes in 10. particulars p. 139 Friends cannot help p. 207 Fighters many wicked ones p. 387. Three Reasons why all must fight p. 387. Christ fights for his people p. 387. A Christian fight is a good fight p. 388 Free Grace the foundation of all our mercies p. 400 Friends we may love one more then another p. 410 Friends will forsake us Page 414 G. GAthering of Churches out of Churches unlawfull Epist. Ded. p. 166 167 Gifts when lawful to take them page 27 God knoweth all things p. 350. A sixfold comfort from it p. 351 God bringeth light out of darknesse Page 188 God is an Omnipotent Omniscient Omnipresent Help p. 208. Four Reasons why God doth not presently help his people Page 208. Gods eye must quicken us p. 306 Godliness is great gain p. 41 Good men hated and why Page 111 112 Goodness of others to be observed Page 86 Gold thy Word is better then Gold Page 284 Gospel must be Preacht p. 330 H. HEaring ten Rules for right hearing Page 356 Heady who