not bee confounded one with an other but euery seed will haue his proper hearbe Euen so the bodies of men although they bee mingled together yet euerie body shall receiue his owne flesh at the generall day of iudgement 3 Like as seed cast into the earth during the cold and stormes of winter smally appeareth or not at all but as soone as the Spring commeth it sprouteth foorth and flourisheth growing more and more vntill the Haruest come and then it recompenceth the Husband mans labour with plentiful encrease Euen so our bodies though they fall as seeâ—e into the ground are not neglected of God who regardeth the smallest graine and vilest seede but shall one day bring them out of the graues where they were laid in a far better case then they were before 4 As in winter time by the nipping Frost the trees loose their leaues and the grasse withereth but at the Spring they both receiue that which they before seemed to haue lost So likewise though men die each in his order now one and then an other yet they perishe not but shall liue againe at the last day when the euerlasting Spring shall bee without either Autumne or Winter 5 As God giueth life vnto the Infant inclosed in the Mothers wombe and maintaine the same after a secret and wounderfull manner vntill the tenth moneth when it can be there râ—â—ained no longer but must bee brought foorth into the world Euen so God in whose hand is life and death keepeth vs aliue in the middest of death the bodies which were cast into the earth at the sound of the last vnknowne trumpe liuing vntill then after a wonderfull sort shall arise at which time the graues and euery place wher our bodies died shal yeeld vp the dead that were in them when as they shall truely liue and that for euer 6 As the Ashes in the night time so couereth the fire that no sparke thereof nor any light appeareth in the house but yet it may easily be kindled reuiued by drie straw or a small match Euen so our life that cannot die lieth as a sleepe in our mortified bodies which God in his good time by his mightie word and power can and will awake 7 Like as in sleepe which is as deaths kinsman no part doth his dutie the eyes see not the eare heareth nothing wee can neither feele nor walke but euerie member is as dead ouerwhelmed with sleepe when as in the meane time the mind liueth euer moueth and the next morning approaching rayseth vp the body when as euerie member and part performeth his wonted worke and more liuely refreshed by sleepe Euen so though our carcases being in terred seeme to bee depriued of all sence and moouing yet they perish not but when the last and euerlasting morning shall arise vpon them at the end of the world they shall rise againe and the earth shall yeeld them far more glorious when as God hath purged away the corruption and filthinesse of them as by the meanes of sleepe 8 As in the Lawe the offering of the first fruites and all the fruites of the earth were sanctified So also by Christ the first fruites of them that sleepe the promise of the rysing againe of our bodies to life euerlasting is to vs confirmed and assured Exod. 23.16 34.26 Leuit. 23.10 Deut. 26.2 c. 1. Cor. 15.20 Colloss 1.18 Reue. 1.6 9 Like as it would make glad the heart of a lame man or cripple to heare that all his limmes should bee restored againe perfectly as they were at the first Or as it would greatly reioyce the heart of a poore naked begger to heare that hee should bee cloathed with most precious garments of Silke and Gold Euen so much more ought all Christians to bee ioyfull and glad to heare that they shall be restored to all integritie of bodie and soule at the general Resurrection and so be cloathed with most perfect pure innocencie of life for euer and euer 10 As Hearbes dead in winter flourish againe by the raine in the spring time So the dead Corpes that lye in the dust shall rise vp to ioy when they shal feele the deaw of Gods grace Esay 26.19 11 As the same seede in substaunce that is sowne springeth againe yet altered in forme and fashion Euen so our bodies shall rise againe the same in substaunce but maruellously altered in qualities 1. Cor. 5.37 38. 12 As our bodies except they consume rise not again yet altered in forme and fashion Euen so our bodies shal rise againe the same in substance but maruellously altered in qualitie 13 As often as we rise from sleepe hauing our wearie limmes refreshed and as it were reuiued so that we feele our selues in better case and abilitie to do any manner of thing then before Euen so we should often remember that death vnto the godly is but a resting of their wearie bodies and bones till they rise againe exceedingly bettered by immortalitie and glorie and therefore termed by the name of sleepe 1. Thes 4.13 14. 14 So bright and so glorious as one starre appeareth aboue an other So much shall the state and condition of our bodies at their Resurrection excell the state and condition that they are now in during this time of immortalitie 1. Cor. 15.41 15 Like as the Husbandman taketh no thought nor sorrow for the seede that is cast into the earth because he hath a sure trust and hope that it shall come again with a plentifull and an exceeding recompence Euen so the faithful are not so vnmeasurably heauy and sorrowful for the death of their faithfull friends as the heathen and vnfaithfull are which haue no hope or beliefe of the Resurrection Reue. 14.13 1. Thes 4.13 14. 16 Like as if impotent and miserable men as experience sheweth can by art euen of ashes make the most curious workemanship of glasse Euen so we may in reason thinke that the omnipotent and euerliuing God is able to raise mens bodies out of the dust 17 As the Goldsmith by his Art can sunder diuers mettals one from an other and some men out of one mettall can draw another Euen so much more may we think it possible for the Almightie God to raise mens bodies being dead and turned into dust and mingled with the bodies of beasts and other creatures or one mans bodie with another 18 As the cloud tooke vp the very true bodie of the Lord yea euen the whole perfect Christ So likewise shal all godly persons bee taken vp into the aire to meete the Lorde their God that they may liue with Christ their Lord and head for euermore Act. 1.9 1. Thes 4.17 19 Like as the roote giueth all vertue and sappe vnto the tree Euen so is the matter of the Resurrection of the dead thorow Christ the chiefest greatest and true principall point of the word and affaires of God Esa 26.19 1. Pet. 4.6 20 As the wicked vnbeleeuers haue in this
life with their bodies taken their owne pleasures ioy and delight Euen so in the life to come at the Resurrectiō of the dead they shal be plagued and punished with euerlasting paine torment in the same bodies Mat. 25.41 c. 2. Cor. 5.10 Act. 24.15 Ioh. 5.29 21 Like as when the Corne is cast into the ground it seemeth to bee lost for it rots and wasteth in the ground but afterwards it springeth faire 1. Cor. 15.36 37. So when the body hath beene corrupted it tarrieth the time appointed by God to come out of the earth and to be altogether perfect 22 As the Corne by meanes of the seed taketh againe a new shape and that more fayrer So the faithfull which dieth and goeth to rest with the seede of Iesus Christ which is the spirit of God is raysed againe by the same spirit which rayseth the Sonne of God from death 23 Like as Christ rose againe in the selfe-same body in which he suffered So we also shall rise againe in the selfe-same flesh which we carrie about with vs. 24 Euen as Christ after his Resurrection had an other glorie much greater then he had before So we shall bee farre otherwise after our Resurrection and so renued into a more glorious state 25 As the Sun and the Moone being of one substance differ in dignitie and excellencie So likewise in the Resurrection our bodies shall haue more excellent qualities then they haue now Regeneration 1 As there is need of no Lawe to compell the bodie to eate or drinke to digest to sleepe to goe to stand to fit and to doo their workes of nature for it is readie to doo them of it owne nature when the case so requireth and when it is meete without all respect either of reward or punishment and may not vnfitly be said as concerning these things not to be vnder a Law notwithstanding thereupon nothing lesse followeth then that it doth therefore abstaine from such workes vnto which in deed it so much more applieth it selfe as they are lesse commaunded and are more naturall vnto it Euen so after the same sort altogether dooth the godly man behaue himselfe concerning the workes of godlinesse he is carried to the doing of them by that his newe nature of the spirit albeit there were no Law at all and all both hope of reward and feare of punishment were away 1. Timo. 1.9 Reue. 6.14 2 Like as if a man haue all his mind set vpon drinking and gulling in of Wine and strong drinke hauing little delight nor pleasure in any thing else it argues a carnall mind and vnregenerate because it effectes the things of the flesh and so of the rest Euen so on the contrarie hee that hath his mind affected with a desire to doo the wil of God in practising the workes of charitie and Religion he I say hath a spirituall and a renewed heart and is Regenerate by the holy Ghost Rom. 8.14 Gal. 5.17 3 As God in the beginning created vs after his owne Image So also must hee Regenerate vs according to the same which he doth by the holy Ghost the third person in Trinitie one and the same euerlasting God together with the Father and the Sonne Iohn 3.5 Math. 16.17 Ioh. 8.36 15.5 4 As a liuing body although naturally it bee the subiect of sense yet some one part of it may bee benummed and senselesse So the soule of one Regenerate hath in it at least the beginnings and seeds of all graces howsoeuer some of them at sometimes doo not worke or appeare Whereas a carnall man is altogether destitute yea vncapable of them 5 Euen as we know that the trees haue heate and life in their rootes in the middest of the coldest and sharpest winter yea as many beastes lie all the winter long in holes of the earth without eating drinking stirring or hauing any iotte of heate sense or life in any of their outward parts and yet there is a remnant of life and of heate lurking in the heart which being in Summer stirred vp doth reuiue the beast so that it is able to goe or runne vp and downe and to performe all naturall actions in the manner as it did before So likewise a totall decrease or an vtter decay of holinesse as whereby nothing is left cannot happen to any one who is truely Regenerate who in the greatest extremitie and depth of his fal retaineth some reliques of Gods spirit and of grace receiued yea some life of faith whereby he liueth to God in Christ howsoeuer he be to the eyes of all men and euen in his owne conscience a dead rotten stocke 6 Euen as a man being sodenly taken with the plague or any infectious sicknesse sayeth he knoweth not how it happeneth onely hee seeth the effects of it Euen so the action of Regeneration in it selfe is secret and vnknown but manifest in the effects which follow of it Regeneration not without sinne LIke as the Israelites suffered the Iebusites to dwell amongst them to their great harme Euen so sinne remaineth in our mortall bodies conquered in deed that it dooth not raigne ouer those that serue the Lord yet not cleane taken away but left for our exercises who hauing our mortall enemie dwelling in vs should fight against sinne vnder the banner of faith in Christ Iesus who onely hath can and will continually defend his people subdue their enemies and giue his children the victorie Repentance AS a prisoner will striue to get out of prison by all kind of means he can thogh he grate off some of his flesh Euen so a man that is out of the fauour of God must trie by all kind of wayes that he can that if hee cannot come to Gods fauour by one way he may yet by an other Psal 51.1 c. The Redemption of Christ vniuersall 1 AS the Sunne is the generall giuer of light to the whole world though there bee many which doo receiue no light at all of it Or as there was among the Iewes vppon the yeare of Iubylee a generall deliuerie of all bond men although many abode still in their bondage and refused the grace of their deliuerie Euen so the Redemption of mankind by Christ is auaileable for all although reprobate and wicked men for want of the grace of God doo not receiue the same yet there is no reason that it should leese his title and glorie of vniuersall Redemption because of the children of perdition seeing that it is ready for all men and all be called vnto it 1. Tim. 2.6 Col. 1.13 14. 1. Pet. 1.18 Tit. 2.14 2 As they who beeing taken in warre are wont either to be slaine or to bee condemned vnto perpetuall bondage except they bee redeemed and ransommed Euen so such were wee all being taken prisoners of the diuell who had vs body and soule in his owne power from whose kingdome and tyrannie Christ hath most mercifully Redeemed vs. Rom. 14.8 1. Cor. 3.22 Phil. 1.21 1. Pet. 1.18
heauen and earth whereto thou maist leaue and not be deceiued wherein thou maist trust and not be disappointed He will euer be at thy right hand that thou shalt not fall He will take thy part and will mightily defend thee against all thine enemies of thy body and of thy soule But if thou wilt shake hands with vertue and bid it adew and farwell and forsaking the wayes of God wilt liue as thou list and follow thine owne corruption and make no conscience of ought thou doest defiling and blemishing thy selfe with al manner sinne and iniquitie then bee sure the Lord will appeare vnto thee in his furie and indignation from whose Iustice and iudgements none shall euer be able to deliuer thee Mâ—l 3.6 Iam. 1.17 Psal 16.8 Glorie and renoume 1 LIke as the shaddow followeth the body as a companion inseparable Euen so doth Glorie renoume and fame accompanie excellent vertues worthy giftes and noble qualities 2 As a Smoke which at the first is great and thicke ascending vpward is quickly scattered and out of sight Euen so the Glorie of the proud men of this world by little and litle is obscured and vanisheth cleane away 3 As that fire smoketh not much which flameth at the first blowing So the Glorie that brightly shineth at the first is not greatly enuied at but that which is long in getting is alwayes preuented by enuie Not to belieue that there is a God AS there is no wound more mortall then the same that plucketh foorth mans heart or soule So likewise is there no poyson or pestilence of greater force suddenly in men to kill all faith hope and charitie with the feare of God and consequently to cast him headlong into the pit of hell then to denie the principle and foundation of all Religion namely that there is a God Psal 10.4 14.1 53.1 1. Tim. 3.16 Godly men see clearely the light of the word but the wicked doo the contrarie AS they that haue cleare and sound eyes doo easily induce the bright light of the Sunne wherewith eyes that be sore and diseased are greatly offended So vertuous and Godly men are illuminated and wonderfully cleared in their vnderstanding and the eyes of their minds with the diuine and heauenly light of the word of God wherewith the wicked and vngodly are highly offended in so much that they hate the light and loue darknesse more then it and so growing blinder and blinder euery day at the length they fall and tumble down headlong into the insaciable pit of eternall destruction Iohn 8.12 No heauen without the Grace of God 1 AS the Pilot of a Shippe without the shine of Sunne or Moone cannot take the Hauen of any land So a man without the light of Grace cannot attaine to the Hauen of Glorie but howsoeuer hee perswadeth himselfe that he casteth his Anchor in a place of safety it falleth out in the end that he casteth it vpon a Rocke where there is no hope of saluation 2 As those that were out of the Arke though they had wit glorie riches and learning were neuerthelesse drowned in the floud So no wit nor learning nor riches without the Grace of God can saue a man from euerlasting perdition Gene. 7.21 Gods fauour the safest refuge AS yong Chickens are in safetie from the Hauke and Puttocke so long as they straie not from about the wings of their dammes and when they do straie far from them they are easily taken of euerie vermine Euen so they that depart and lead their liues within the compasse and limits of his lawes and ordinances are most safely kept by him from the force inchauntments engines and all the subtill deuises of Sathan and his instruments but if they forsake God and not regarding his word diuide themselues from him by their sinnes and iniquities they must needes fall into the talons and iawes of that tyrannicall Hauke and hound of hell from whence there is no deliuerie 1. Pet. 5.8 The Glorie of God 1 AS the Glorie of God infinitely surmounteth the body the soule the honour and all that belongeth vnto man So it ought to bee in greater price and estimation with vs must continually be preferred aboue all things and neuer bee brought into the ballance of comparison with them Exod. 32.32 Rom. 9.3 2 As the want of zeale towards the the Glorie of God in all our doings and the preferring of earthly things before heauenly temporall before spirituall breedeth and nourisheth a corrupt manner of profession So it defileth all our counsels and workes and carrieth vs headlong to the loue of the world which is contrarie to the pure vehement and euerlasting loue of God 1. Cor. 10.31 3 As the saluation of men ought to bee deare vnto vs So the Glorie of God which consisteth in that his orders in his Church be kept ought to be much more deare that if at any time the controuersie could be betwene his Glorie and our saluation our saluation ought to fall that his Glorie may stand God would all to be saued EVen as an earthly Father is in such wise affected towards his children that hee would haue euery one of them to come to thriftinesse and be honest and worthie successours to him of his goods and substance and yet notwithstanding beeing made frustrate of his hope findeth the stubbernnesse and disobedience of them whereby they also at the length doo cast themselues with great ignominie into destruction and into some infamous kind of punishment Of this Father it may be said that he hath brought vp children kept to this so great mischiefe not that the will of his purpose was not farre other but that the children through their owne rebellion haue brought this mischiefe vpon themselues So God verily would haue all men made after his owne image to bee saued but if any of these beeing rebellious will not imbrace his word and by faith be conuerted but delighting themselues wholly in sensualitie pleasures and vanities doo die in their wickednesse these God suffereth to perish that they might sustaine the iust punishments as wel of their owne offences against the law of God as also of their contempt of obtaining saluation through Christ 1. Tim. 2.3 4. No man hath seene God at any time AS the children of Israel could not behold the shining face of Moses when hee had talked with God on the mount for the exceeding brightnesse therof but couered with a Vaile where through they did behold him So no man hath seene God at any time or can behold the face and presence of the Deitie and Godhead but so farre as it is both veiled and reuealed by the body and humaine fleshe of our Sauiour Christ Exod. 34.34 Iohn 1.18 1. Tim. 6.16 One God in Trinitie 1 EVen as a Margarite in euery part shining alike which if it bee defiled or fouled on one part looseth all his beautie So the Trinitie is but one God and if one person be dishonoured all three being
the cōuersation of the wiues 1. Pet. 3.1 Euen so much more may the maister of the family do vnto God and his Church honourable seruice not only by sanctifying his house by the word of faith but also by hauing alwayes in a readinesse verie notable matter to further the building of Gods dwelling place 2. Timo. 1.5 3.15 Act. 16.1 3 As the disorder of one Priuate family namely of one Micha of Ephraim was an occasion that Idolatry did spread thorow the whole Tribe of Dan and so continued many yeares Iudg. 17 18. Chap. Euen so contrarily Gideon being stirred vp by the goodnesse of God to the reformation of one meane family in Manasseh was the cause of a very great deliuerance to the whole natiō from most mightie and cruell enemies and most abhominable Idolatrie for the space of fortie yeares Iudg. 6 7. 8. chap. Curious Questions to be auoyded 1 AS it is sufficient for one that would bee heated or warmed by the fire that hee stand neare it for if hee put his hand into it he shall surely bee burned So they that presume to dispute and Question about God about hell c. further then the word reuealeth falleth into blasphemie and so into hell fire 2 As a boysterous noyse or hidious sound grieueth the hearing ouer aboundance of meate noyeth the stomacke grieuous burthens bee wearisome to the bearer continuall raine hurteth the earth and ouermuch of any thing is noysome and hurthfull So doo difficult Questions quickly ouercharge weake and meane wits Rashnesse to be eschued especially of the godly 1 AS hee that is soonest wearied that knoweth not how far his iourney is So worketh hee and goeth about his businesse with tediousnesse till repentance ouertaketh him who well knoweth not the estate and manner thereof before 2 As the enemie lying neare the Walles is the cause why the Citie dooth watch and take diligent heed So when your enemie diligently waite and marke you then will you doo nothing Rash or void of reason Resurrection of all at the latter day 1 LIke as at the last day the bodies of the righteous and faithfull shall rise againe vnto immortalitie glorie and honor the greatnesse wherof the eye hath not seene nor the eare heard nor the hart of man conceiued So the vnrighteous and reprobate shall rise againe with their very bodies vnto euerlasting shame and both body soule shall goe into hell with the diuell and his Angels there to abide euerlastingly Esay 66.24 Mark 9.44 Math. 25.30.46 Ioh. 5.28 29. Act. 24.15 2. Cor. 5.10 Dan. 12.3 Reue. 20.13 2. Pet. 2.4 5 6. 2 Like as the vngodly in this word haue with their bodies taken their owne pleasure ioy and delight Euen so in the life to come they shall be plagued and punished with euerlasting paine and torments in the same bodies 3 Like as when we see seed sowne to putrifie and corrupt we are yet in good hope that it will spring vp againe with fruit for vnlesse it be dissolued it cannot rise againe So in like manner we must hope of our owne bodies being buried when we see their corruption yet wee must then bee most certainely perswaded that they shall rise againe for death doth not so much waste the body as the corruption of it Act. 16.8 1. Cor. 15.1 2 3 4. c. Ioh. 5.28 11.24 Act. 24.15 Repentance 1 LIke as if a Noble man or Gentlemans seruant were for committing of treasony fellony or murder condemned and going to the place of execution his Lord or Maister of meere fauour and good wil should not only by suit to her Maiesty procure a pardon for his life and so deliuer him from that villainous death which for his deserts he had worthily deserued but also should adopt and take him for his Sonne heire shuld this fellow after this his deliuerance goe and say I will now be idle take my pleasure and follow mine owne phantasie and neuer endeuor to please or pleasure my Lord or maister but rather I will seeke to hurt displease him euerie way that I can What shall wee say in this case Be not these most wicked and desperate words And doth not such a fellow deserue most grieuous punishmēts Euen so the like say they who either by word or deed say that Christ hath redeemed vs by his death hath purchased for vs forgiuenesse of sins righteousnesse and so deliuered vs from hell and made vs the Sonnes of God and heires of heauen wherefore wee will stand like idle persons or rather doo more wickednesse and liue as we list c. Christ our Sauiour doubtlesse died not for such nor satisfied for their offences no nor yet merited heauen for them to the end that they should spend their dayes in Idlenesse and heape sinne vppon sinne and become altogether wicked but that they seeing his great loue and how greatly sinne displeased him seeing hee was willing to redeeme them from sinne Sathan death and hell should no more commit sinne but loue honour and obey him thanke him put their trust in him and worke vertuous and good works plenteously not as bond seruants to escape hell for so much as Christ hath deliuered them neither yet thereby to winne heauen which he by his passion hath purchased for them but as naturall Sonnes for the glorie of God mooued thereto by motion of the holy Ghost and by faith and loue For godly Christians doo vndoubtedly feare to sinne so much more then the wicked doth by how much more they know that God dooth in this present life punish his legitimate children more then bastards Rom. 6.4 Gal. 5.14.2 Timo. 2.19 Tit. 2.11 c. Luk. 1.75 Eph. 1.4 2.10 1. Pet. 1.15 1. Pet. 4.17 18. Iere. 25.12 Iona. 1.12 2 As for examble like as if an Astrologer should tel an ambicious Cardinall that he should bee Pope although he did put an vndoubted trust therein yet for all that hee would not be idle but would vse all meanes possible to attaine and come to that dignitie Euen so the children of God the surer they are that Christ hath redeemed them so much the more they vnderstand the great good will of God towards them and therefore they are alway forced more and more by Repentance and godly conuersation of life to make certaine vnto themselues the knowledge of their election and redemption in Christ 2. Pet. 1.10 3 Like as the fire without heate or warmth is no true fire So is it a cleare matter that faith without Repentance is no true faith Luk. 19.8 23.40 41 42. Act. 2.37 19.18 19. 4 As it is the nature of some cloth if it bee stayned when it is wet the staine will seeme to bee easily washed out but being drie it will appeare againe Euen so some men thinke that they haue Repented when they haue done it to halfes and therefore they are to repent againe as those that breake out of prison are brought thither
also conserue and nourish vs in the same by the right vse of his holy Sacraments and wil make vs to grow and wax strong and accomplish the worke which he hath begunne in vs and al this by his Sonne Iesus Christ 25 As it is not enough that a shepheard doo onely gather his sheepe into the fold or sheepecoate but also that hee prouide meate for them and pasture Or as it is not sufficient that a Maister doo onely entertaine his seruant into his seruice by giuing him his Liuerie coate badge whereby hee is openly knowne to be his man but also that hee prouide and giue him meate and drinke dayly to feede him So surely dooth the Lord with vs in these Sacraments For by baptisme doth hee admit vs to his seruice and by the Supper doth hee feede vs that we perish not with hunger 26 Like as mans body is nourished and sustained by bread and Wine So also our soules are sustained spiritually with the body of Christ giuen for vs and with his bloud shed for our sakes Iohn 6.32 33 35. 1. Cor. 11.24 25. 27 As bread nourisheth our bodies So thereby we learne that Christes body hath most singular force spiritually by faith to feede our soules Ioh. 6.50 55 56. 28 And as with Wine mens hearts are cheared and their strengths confirmed So we learne also that with his bloud our soules are refreshed thorow faith 29 And further as surely as we know that we haue receiued the bread wine with our mouths and stomacks So surely thereby we are assured that Christ maketh the faithfull beleeuers partakers of his body and bloud Ioh. 6.54 63 64. 30 As those which haue eaten sweete Comficts and seede for the most part on delicate Cates haue sweete breathes Euen so must there needes bee found a sweete smelling Odour in all the words and workes of those which are fed with this spirituall and heauenly foode the bodie and blood of Christ and in whom Christ dooth dwell for they do all things for the profit and edification of their brethren and the glory of God 31 Euen as the Gospell which of it owne nature is the word of life and saluation is yet turned by the wicked vnto the sauour of death So the Sacraments also which are instituted by God vnto the saluatioÌ„ of men are notwithstanding receiued by the faithlesse and the vnwoorthie communicants vnto their condemnation and iudgement and yet do they not desist in respect of God to be true Sacraments still 32 As a sicke man feeles no comfort or nourishment when he eateth meate and yet it preserueth his life So the weake Christian though he feele himselfe not nourished at the Sacrament by Christs bodie and blood yet he shall see in time that his house shall be preserued thereby vnto euerlasting life 32 Like as Souldiers when they receiue their pay do binde themselues to their Captaine by solemne oath Euen so we when we are partakers of the holy Sacraments which God hath appointed in his Church by the which he bestoweth vpon vs spirituall gifts do bind our selues to him by the same oath 34 As we see with our eyes that the bread is broken for vs So we are certainly confirmed in our faith that the bodie of Christ was giuen vnto death for vs. 35 As certainly as we see that the bread and wine to be present So certainly do we beleeue that the bodie and blood of Christ is present with vs also yea we do not beleeue that it is the Supper of the Lord except his bodie and blood be present with vs. 36 As things set before the eyes do mooue the sight Euen so the Sacraments moue the heart to beleeue 37 Euen as sure as we take the bread in the Lords Supper and eate it with the mouth of the bodie and drinke the wine So verely certainly euen at the same instant with the mouth of our faith we receiue the verie bodie and blood of Christ and there it doth as actually comfort and sustain the soule as doth the bread and the wine nourish and comfort the heart and the outward man 38 And as verely as the most soueraigne plaister and salue laid to a wound or soare draweth out the filth and healeth it so verily and really doth the bodie and bloud of Christ thus receiued put away the soares and deformities of the soule and not only maketh it whole but also pure clean without scar wrinkle and spot and so maketh it a delectable louely faire spouse in the sight of God 39 As when many Windows be opened in an house the more light may come in then when there is but one opened Euen so by the perception and receiuing of the Sacraments a Christian mans conscience hath more helpe to receiue Christ then simply by the word preached heard or meditated and therefore the Sacraments may well be called seeable sensible taste-able and touchable words 40 As the Diuel entred into Iudas by the soppe which Christ gaue him yet not that he receiued an euil thing of him but because he did receiue it badly and with an euill mind Euen so the vnworthie communicants eate and drinke their owne damnation not by the eating of the bread and wine which are holy signes but because they receiue the same without faith and repentance hauing in euil conscience 41 As the word Sacramentum was a form of a solemne â—â—h in war wherby the soldier did vow destinat himself to serue his Generall and the Generall in like manner did binde himselfe to his souldiers So also by the vse and institution of the holy Sacraments after that God hath promised that he will be our God and giue vnto vs saluation he doth in like manner binde vs as it were with a solemne oath before himselfe before Angels and men that we will serue him and none other Soule 1 LIke as to be healthie in our bodies it is not inogh not to haue the plague or a plurasie but generally to be free from all diseases Euen so to be holy in our Soules we must be clean from all spots and defilings and we must take the whole lawe of God as an vniuersall rule of all our thoughts affections words and deeds to the end to keepe it from point to point and not to omit any thing which is there commaunded vs. 2 As sweete Oyle powred into a fustie vessell looseth his purenesse and is infected by the vessell So the Soule created good and put into the corrupt bodie receiues contagion thence Rom. 5.13 3 Like as if a man should borrow a thing of his neighbour and vse it so as he doth quite spoyle it he would be ashamed to bring it againe to the owner in that manner and if he doo the owner will not receiue it Euen so vngodly men in this life do so staine their Soules with sinne as that they can neuer be able to giue them vp into the hands of God at the day of death
that euer was and God hath bestowed the same on his Elect and hee requires nothing at their handes but that they would turne their faces from this world and walke vnto it in the way which hee hath chalked foorth vnto them in his word Therefore if they be desirous to haue Saluation life euerlasting they must come forth of the broad way that leades to destruction and enter into the straight way that leades to eternal life they must acqaint themselues with the guides which are the faithfull Ministers of the word that wil cry vnto them Here is the way walke ye in it when they shall goe to the right hand or to the left 2 As Simeon going into the Temple by the motion of Gods spirit met with Christ So if we will be ruled with the same spirit frequent holy assemblies we shal meete with our Saluation Christs Spirit 1 AS the light cannot match with darkenesse So likewise Christs Spirite cannot accord and match with sinne and lusts of the flesh 2. Cor. 6.14 2 As Raine with the moysture therof fatteth the earth to make it fruitfull Euen so the holy Spirit with his inuisible grace doth make vs fruitfull to produce the fruits of righteousnesse Ioh. 7.38 3 As fire consumeth euerie thing that it layeth holde on So the Spirit of God consumeth all the corruption of our hearts and originall sinne in vs. 4 As fire giueth light to the bodily eyes So the Spirit giueth light to the eyes of the soule Ephe. 1.17 5 As fire giueth life quickneth those that be benummed with cold So the Spirit of God doth quicken and put life into those that be dead in their sinnes Ephe. 3.5.16 6 As a man that made a bargaine will bee carefull to keep the earnest pennie that he loose not all his bargaine So also must we be carefull to keepe the Spirit of God the earnest pennie of our saluation that we bee not depriued of the same Ephe. 1.13 Sacraments AS Circumcision which was a Sacrament of the olde Law was a seale in that time to our Fathers of righteousnesse Euen so be our Sacraments to vs in these daies seales of Gods promises vnto vs and all haue one strength and vertue Rom. 4.11 Sinne of set purpose AS hee that striketh the King ignorantly not knowing him to be the King is nothing in so much fault as he that striketh him knowing it is the King Euen so hee that dooth offend God of ignorance is to bee lesse blamed then he that wittingly and willingly offendeth him Luk. 12.47 48. God giueth vs vnderstanding to know the Scripture EVen as the Disciples of our Sauiour Christ had no knowledge nor vnderstanding vntil God gaue it thē So fareth it with al the rest of Gods children that althogh they heare neuer so much his Apostles Preach yea Christ himselfe personally sounding in their eares yet except the Lord open their hearts and minds as he did Lydia it auaileth not one Math. 16.17 Act. 16.14 Sinnes are our greatest enemies 1 AS a huge and mightie fire will bee asswaged and at the length quite put out if the stickes and other matter that doth chearish and increase it be withdrawne and kept from it So in like manner our affections and troubles will come to an end if we doo cease to doo euill and giue ouer sinning before it giue ouer vs for our Sins are as drie stickes and stubble wherwith the fire not onely of the wrath and malice of Infidels and heretikes but also of the wrath and indignation of God is kindled increased and most mightily stirred vp against vs. 2 As wee wonder at the Creator not onely in great matters as heauen earth the Sunne Elephants c. but also in like creatures as pismires lice wormes flies c. So a soule giuen to Christ must as wel regard litle as great matters and Sinnes knowing that wee must giue an account for euerie idle word Math. 12.36 For the health of the Soule the bodie is to bee kept in subiection LIke as when one part of a man that is sicke is not capable of the remedie wherewith he may be holpen the Physition is wont to applie the same remedie to an other part as if one bee grieued with an extreame Ach of the head then the Phisition vseth to strike a vaine of the arme because the head will not abide Phlebotomie or bloud letting So that we may helpe and heale many diseases of the Soule wee must keepe the body in subiection to the spirit and tame the lusts of the flesh and labour to bridle our affections and to keepe them within the compasse of reason sobrietie and temporance Spirits that die in the Lord. EVen as the Spirit of Christ passed from the Crosse into Paradise at the verie same moment that it departed out of the body and thence returned into the body that whole Christ in respect that he was man might be afterwards glorified So likewise all good Christians doo beleeue that their Spirits and soules who die in the Lord doo straightway depart vnto God there to enioy that measure of glorie that is appointed for them vntill that they being adioyned againe vnto the same bodies which will be the very same in substance truly corporall though in a far more excellent estate shall liue vnder Christ their head for euermore Luk. 23.43 Reue. 14.13 The Lords Supper 1 AS Bread nourisheth and strengthneth man and giueth him abilitie to labour So the body of Christ eaten by faith feedeth and satisfieth the soule of man and furnisheth the whole man to all duties of godlinesse 2 As Wine is drinke to the thirstie and maketh merrie the hearts of men Euen so the bloud of our Lord Iesus drunken by faith dooth quench the thirst of the burning conscience and filleth the hearts of the faithful with vnspeakable ioy The holy Spirit the earnest pennie of our inheritance 1 AS in a thing that is bought there is sometimes giuen an earnest pennie to wit some part of the money agreed on as wel for the beginning of the payment as by consequent for the assurance that the bargain shal be held firme So likwise the holy ghost who by faith engendreth peace ioy in the harts of the faithful is the earnest penie assuring vs by this beginning of the spirituall blessings which God promiseth to his children that he holdeth vs for his possession purchased to the prayse of his glorie and that at the length he will gather vs into the full enioying of the inheritaunce of heauen Ephe. 1.13 14. Rom. 8. 29 30. 2 Like as when a man dooth purchase an inheritance he first giueth earnest that is some part of the money promised that serueth as a beginning to the payment of the totall Summe So God hauing redeemed vs by the bloud of Iesus Christ giueth the earnest pennie of his holy Spirit that is to say a beginning of knowledge of the true God of sanctification of loue to God of