creature cannot but haue a large extent a spreading operation This may informe vs what to judge of many in these Vse 1. dayes surely they haue little or none of this oyle or fire abroad and kindled in their hearts for if they had we should fee it's spreading We may truly say with Christ that Loue is waxen cold Many boast much of it but where shall we finde a faithfull louing man for all seeke their owne and not the good of their brethren We haue a prouerbe Loue me and loue my dog I wish some did not more loue their dogs then the Lords children And by this doctrine in the impartiall examination of Vse 2. our selues we may try the trueth of our Loue. Canst thou that art a Magistrate say with Moses Oh! that there were such an heart in my people to serue God being a preacher canst thou breake out with Paul I would to God that all that heare me this day were such as I am the children of the Lord Hath the Lord made thee a father and canst thou pray with Abraham and Noah Oh that Ismael might liue and Iapheth dwell in the tents of Shem that is that my disobedient seed might know the Lord God of their father serue him and be saued you that are Gouernours of families is it in your hearts and hands for you and your people to follow God doe you labour like Cornelius that all your family might feare the Lord And you that are single persons doe you helpe one another to get grace and to grow vp in godlines then this fire of true affection is from Gods owne altar descended on you this loue is shed abroad in your hearts the oyle of amity hath annointed your garments and you are of that number which with ioy vnspeakeable shall one day behold the face of God But if this desired spreading be absent your hearts are stuffed with hatred cold envy hath benummed your subtile and actiue affections and therefore take heed of this that you be not found haters of God and louers of pleasure aboue him or his If you be heare your doome Depart from me into euerlasting fire for I know you not you did neuer visit me in my members cloath me feede me or build vp my decaied body by prayer instruction example nor in affection therefore you haue no loue in you neither shall ye receiue any fauour at my hands for the head and members make but one obiect Thou wilt say vnto me How farre will loue spread it Quest Answ selfe Why from God the Father to all his children Christ the head to all his members from the beginning of Gods booke to the last letter in breife from one end of the world from one part of the large heauens vnto the other true loue would haue al sexes persons countries and kingdomes so farre forth as it may stand with the will of God the Father to be sanctified and for euer blessed for there is no bounds in loue Affection vnlesse God chaine it the which he may and doth for mans vnworthines is without limits spreading it selfe from the externall conuexe of the highest throne round about and thence descendeth to the earth's lowest center yea Loue embraceth the Lord who is infinite incomprehensible so farre forth as sound reason doth rightly guide it direct it It is a garment that doth cloth all creatures and to the vttermost of its power wrap within its louely armes the eternall Creatour He that findeth this in himselfe findeth a good thing and but that very character which is imprinted in the heart of euery true beleeuer and faithfull person I might deduct another doctrine out of the matter of this petition which is that The mercy of God is principally to be desired for our friends Doct. 5. For what Paul prayed for for his friends we should request also for ours Rom. 1. 7. 1 Cor. 1. 3. Gal. 1. 3. For if we receiue mercy from God we shall want no Reas 1. manner of thing For to whom the Lord shewes mercy to that man he will giue all gifts spirituall and corporall whateuer so farre as they be good for him Againe had we all other fauours the world can affoard Reas 2. yet without the mercy of God they would but proue curses to vs in the end for without mercy we are no members of Christ so no sonnes and consequently no heires of heauen This checkes the preposterous course of many in these Vse 1. times The Papist he entreates God that his friend may haue his Purgatory here or in another world but omits the mercy of God in the beginning The common Christian or earth-worme wisheth his kinred and companions strong bodies large possessions heapes of siluer and long life but no mention of Gods mercy all this while that is least thought on seldome prayed for He that obserueth but the custome of many in their best wishes shall heare them ordinarily crosse this Canon and method of our Apostle Let this then be a derection to thee what chiefly and Vse 2. first of all to beg of God for thy friends Aske not that thy sonnes may sit at the right hand of Christ in his earthly kingdome for it is not of this world Cry not for Quailes in the wildernesse for they may choake thee and thine nor for riches for the theefe may breake through thy wall carry them away seeke not long life or like Saul the honour of the people But cry to the Lord for grace and mercy this this is that one thing necessary for thy selfe for all thy friends And though few doe thinke so yet it is so for if the Lord doe not deny thee this then hee will deny thee nothing and hee that hath this shall haue all things This will wash away thy sinnes cloath thee with the righteousnesse of Christ enrich thee with the sauing graces of the Spirit procure thee food and rayment sanctifie all things to thee affliction and sinne it selfe giue thee comfort in trouble hope in death and carry thee to the throne of God where in his presence thou and thy friends shall haue fulnesse of ioy for euermore Then when thou prayest say The Lord giue mercy to me and my friends to them and their families For hee oft refreshed me In these words wee will briefly point out the Doctrines and handle some of them From the person refreshed Paul we gather that Want may befall Gods dearest children Doct. 6. Iacob sometime went ouer Iordan with his staffe Ioseph was once no rich man the widow of Sarepta was in a great Gen 32. 10. 1 King 17. 6. Luk. 16. 20. strait Lazarus was poore and it is said the women did minister to Christ Luke 8. 3. of their substance The Lord doth it for many Reasons First to correct his for the abuse of his creatures for Reas 1. when wee haue like the Prodigall mis-spent abused or surfetted on them the Lord in
the gifts of grace from stirring growing Thus hauing remoued the quench-coale from oppressing 1 Cor. 9. vlt. the fire of the spirit like an ouer-laded beast eased of his burden we will adde some incentines to blow and stirre it vp that it may kindle flame and ascend and they be either publike or priuate 1. Goe not my friend from Ierusalem to Iericho where Helpes to stir vp grace in vs. though the situation is good the waters are nought but plant thy selfe vnder a powerfull ministerie and then diligently attend to the word When Paul had said quench not the spirit hee addes immediately despise not Prophecyings Preaching will 1 Thes 5. 19. like a mightie wind cause this spirituall fire to kindle and burne within vs. 2. The sacraments The one puts vs in minde of our promise the other of the comming of our Lord in glorie Will not the least token from a friend cause our hearts to leape within vs Did not the babe spring in his mothers wombe when the mother of Christ came neere him and shall not grace bestirred vpin consideration that he is at the verie dores 3. Good companions Saul will Prophecie among the prophets and the greenest wood burne being bound with the dry one coale will kindle many and diuerse litle brands set one another on burning when Silas came to Paul did he not burne in spirit 4. Diligence in our particular callings This will constraine vs to stirre vp the grace that is in vs for the actions thereof are like so many instruments without which wee cannot set this fire a working and through idlenesse doe not our gifts lye dead rust and canker 5. Singing of Psalmes When we ioyne with others in this action how will grace flame within vs euery word will lift vp the minde and each period leaue a sweete relish behind it that will glad the spirit Loue-songs doe noe more inflame lust than the song of songs will grace in the hart 6. Lastly admonition it will worke wonderfully if it bee performed with circumstance and in season It s like oyle that makes the face shining and glorious or the morning dew that waters the tender plants Where this fals grace wil sprout and flourish The priuate helpes are 1. Reading either the scriptures or other holy writings This being done in a corner will refresh the spirit It s like foode to the fainting Passenger 2. Meditation he that sits long by the fire shall haue his body to grow hot and his cold spirits to become actiue nimble Let this be done thorowly and it will make grace to stretch it selfe beyond its ordinary wont and the Christian to be rapt out of himselfe He that viewes the sunne will soone cast downe his head so hee that thinkes seriously of the sonne of God will cry I haue ioy enough 3. Praier who euer in his secret chamber went to God by praier but hee was rauisht in minde and in the strength of that action spent all that day without wearines God giueth the greatest gifts in secret and like man reueileth himselfe a not such a one possesse the place of one that 's lawfully sent and called of God and man and make the ground of the Church barren Let them then who assume to themselues this office of dignitie Vse 1. take heed what they doe The person ordinated must be of good report well qualified For otherwise it may and will be the very bane and pestilence of the Church when men vnfit not furnished with convenient gifts are ordinated inducted What saith our Lord If the blind lead the blinde doe not both fall into the ditch Mat. 15. 14. This also from the rule of relation must teach them who Vse 2. enterprize this high calling to be carefull to enter in an holy manner at Gods doore not the deuills window Such can neither expect the protection or blessing of God They sit like a man on the toppe of a mast the least gust makes them subiect to drowning Some assume this place as a theefe an vntamed horse backe him with much a doe ride him in a sweat and come downe with a mischiefe It may be iustly said to such friend how camest thou in hither who sent thee or requireth this at thine hands Whereas Timotheus his gifts were increased by prayer Prophecy and imposition of hands wee may conclude that The ordinances of God are not without profit if rightly practised Doct. 7. Who euer vsed any in an holy manner but preuailed for a blessing Was not the plague stayed when Aaron tooke a censer put fire thereon from the altar and incense according to Moses command and did not the blood of the Paschall Lamble stay the Angel which destroyed the Aegiptians from touching the Israelites When was preaching or praier vaine in the Lord if duly performed Numb 16. 8. Exod. 12. 23. 2 Sam. 24. 16. Acts 2. 41. and 4. 31. and 16. 14. Ia. 5. 16. 2. Chro. 30. 20. Isa 38. 5. For hath not each ordinance a special promise Aske and Reas 1. ye shall haue Seeke and ye shall finde Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you And shall wee thinke that the condition on our part performed the Lord will faile on his word Let not such a thought once creepe into our minde Mat. 7. 7. What if our best actions be imperfect is not the sinne Reas 2. remoued by the blood of Christ Iesus shall he not present them to his father without spot without rinckle When our Lord hath corrected our errours cut off the superfluitie supplied the defects of our doings then shall they appeare good before God and receiue a recompence of reward Rev. 8. 3. Away then with that old and no lesse profane complaint Vse 1. Isa 58. 3. We haue fasted and thou seest not afflicted our soules and thou regardest not and what profit is there in seruing Iob 21. 15. the almightie Was not Ahabs humiliation rewarded Iehues zeale commended and in some sort recompenced Yet were they not Hypocrites reprobates Their word was the Lord of hosts but their proper scope the praise of men the safetie of themselues not the glory of God rather their proiects were an earthly kingdome Shall wee thinke then that sinceritie in Gods service is without reward that his ordinances are not being in an holy manner performed profitable euery way to his faithfull servants What stronger motiue can be in the world to induce men Vse 2. to be frequent in good duties than this consideration Humble thy selfe the Lord shall lift thee vp Preach the Saints shal then be gathered the body of Christ edified Fast and pray and thou shalt prosper Commune with the best of Gods seruants bee a companion to them that feare him Come often to the Lords table and corruption shall wither dye the fruite of the Spirit grow flourish and waxe strong within thee For is not the promise of God true doth not his word stand for euer
be drawne Reas 2. from Christ the Lord. 1. Hath hee not bought them and will he now not demaund his due Yes thine they were saith he to his father but they are mine Io. 17. 6. 2. Hath he not prayed for them Io. 17. 24. and doth not the father heare him alwayes Io. 11. 42. 3. He also maketh daily intercession for them 1 Io. 2. 2. And shall hee not prevaile and 4. Christ hath glory by them For if one member were lost the body would be imperfect Ioh. 17. 10. Also from the Spirit we gather reasons 1. If he should not Reas 3. perfect the worke of gracein them the word that came from him would be against him Phil. 1. 6. Againe in the 2. place his power and mercy would not equally appeare to the elect in Regeneration as the power and mercy of the father and the sonne in the Creation and Redemption if any of them were not perfectly sanctified 3. Then Christ should proue a lyer for he hath promised to send his spirit that shall lead them into euery truth and againe the Spirit should not obey the sonne which were the deepest blasphemy to conceiue Io. 16. 13. 4. They are the Temple of the Holy Ghost and shall hee suffer that to be destroyed or the vncleane spirit to thrust him out of his possession 1 Cor. 6. 19. So that on the Fathers part the Sonnes part and the Holy Ghosts part they cannot perish And we may draw reasons from the faithfull themselues Reas 4. For 1. They cannot be deceiued Math. 24. 24. 2. They neuer sinne with a full consent the new man the part regenerate cannot sinne Rom. 9. vlt. 1 Io. 3. 9. And then shall he perish for the old mans transgressions This were to verifie Note the old Prouerbe The fathers haue eatâ—â— sower grapes and the childrens teeth are set on edge 3. They will alwayes vse the meanes that will bring them to heauen Col. 3. 2. and shall not hee that walketh in the way come to the end of his iourney Ier. 6. 16. 4. They are vnited to Christ by faith loue and the Spirit and who can burst these bands asunder And we may also collect arguments from the similitudes Reas 5. in Scripture for this purpose 1. Christ is compared to a vine the faithfull to his branches 2. To a spring they to living waters that flow therefrom 3. To an head they to his real members 4. To a foundation and they to the rest of the building And who shall stop the course of this riuer Iohn 4. 14. Rent this tree vp by the rootes Io. 15. Bruise this head Io. 1. 18. Or remoue this foundation for it s said that the Gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Math. 16. 18. This is not like Abrahams well that was stopped Ionah's guord that withered the Serpents head that was bruised or the Temple of Ierusalem that was ouerturned Finally if they should not be saued what great absurdities Reas 6. would follow for 1. Grace should be ouercome of corruption the yonger serue the elder 2. The body mysticall of Christ be maimed yea in part condemned 3. We should ascribe lesse to grace and the Spirit then to Sathan and corruption both for power and priviledge and 4. Christ should be subiect to dy in vaine in 〈◊〉 or wholly for by that rule and meanes that one may fall away two may yea all the faithfull and then Christ should 〈◊〉 to loose his purpose and to he gratis for no end And by this Doctrin in hand are our Aduersaries confuted Vse 1. who maintaine that the faithfull may fall and finally parish They instance in Salomon But he fell not totally and for euer Reasons why Salomon was saued For 1. He writ a booke of his repentance 2. He had a special promise that the Lord would neuer forsake him 3. Peter stiles all holy men who penned the Scriptures of which number he was one 4. He is in the naturall I say not legall Genealogie of Christ and no doubt but Christ would giue him that honour as to saue him 5. Hee might not commit idolatry but permit his Concubines so his sin was the lesser for as he was said to build the Temple by others so might he be reputed an idolater in bearing with others 6. He was a speciall type of Christ and all this being thus who dares conclude that hee was condemned We may boldly avouch the contrary But the Papists haue reason to hold that Salomon perished Why the Papists hold he perished 1. In so doing he being a King then Kings will the sooner submit themselues vnto the Pope and seeke for a pardon 2. If as a Prophet he perished and a penman of the Scripture 1. Oh! this maketh notably for their purpose for then this 2. will follow that the Pope may be free from the spirit of error yet dle a damned person as many by their owne confession haue done 3. If as a good and private man then 3. certainty of Salvation cannot be obtained as they seeke to defend and 4. Hold this position they must or else pardons 4. and Purgatory wil be of no praise or prize but vtterly perish But you will demand why should so excellent a man fall Quest so fearefully 1. The Lord might permit him to humble him as Paul Sol. must haue a pricke to buffet him least he should bee exalted with the abundance of Reuelations and was not Salomon hauing so rare parts incident to the same and if that was a remedy for Paul why not this vnto Salomon 2. Againe if this King had liued without spott he being so wonderfully qualified and hauing so great a kingdome that none was euer like him the people peraduenture would haue taken him for the true Messiah For how many still looked for Christ at that day and after Christ was come dreamed of an earthly kingdome Many more arguments they produce but we haue answered them elsewhere therefore here omit them And this doctrine is of great comfort to all the faithfull Vse 2. for come what can they shall neuer perish Nothing shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God in Christ Iesus We should more reioyce in this then wicked men in their wine and oile and large possessions Iobs heart was glad in the remembrance and assurance that his Redeemer liued that he should see him with his eyes David reioyced that his flesh should see no corruption and the Apostle that hee should be saued Shall a King be glad that none can take away his crowne a nobleman the Ensigne of his honour the Iudge his scarlet robe the Bishop his Rochet the Captaine his Auncient the Pyrate his flag and the poore man his farme shall the certaine possession of these things breed so much mirth and shall the assurance of a kingdome not expell sorrow and mourning Art thou poore in a farre Country despised
when the sheepe are wandring or ready to be devoured by the wolfe Will ye not ring the Bells awke when the Citie is on fire Discharge the greatest Canon when the ship is in distresse and in danger to be lost in the hauen And shall not the Preacher cry roare and like Iohn bellow like an Oxe for so the word is read when men sleepe and sinke in sinne and be in hazard to be drowned and deuoured by Sathan that cruell wolfe and Pyrate of the soule And is not God said to cry Christ to cry the Spirit to cry and shall the sonnes of thunder then be silent or not heard Surely if these should not cry the very stones in the streete would take vp a complaint and cry aloud Say not then Here 's a Rut indeed for the word seemes to bee borrowed from that we haue in hand but be swift to heare slow to speake remisse to wrath And here let the Preachers learne and take warrant to cry Vse 3. aloude and spare not O yee that be sonnes of thunder let your voices be heard aboue sound your tongues like trumpets and shout on high Feare not the frownes of the vulgar care not for their Cauills but imitate the great Cryer Christ the Lord who cryed in the great day of the feast and Cautions for Criers when he was checked cried the lowder Yet take these cautions with thee Cry not before thou be sent least thou loose thy labour 1. and spend thy voice in vaine Againe Cry nothing but what the Lord puts in thy 2. mouth and then thou needest not to be ashamed for such commodity is saleable warrantable Besides Cry where God would haue thee keepe a compasse 3. for all persons are not willing to buy neither is the Lord well pleased in so doing Finally put a difference in Crying Cry to the wicked 4. Ier 22 29. O earth earth earth heare the word of the Lord and to the poore in spirit Come buy milke and hony without money Cry Psal 101. 1. iustice to the wicked mercy to such as hunger and thirst after righteousnes And are the Preachers Cryers why then let the people Vse 4. giue attention to them Is it not a shame to sleepe in the market place to be napping when the faire is in proclaiming and to haue the eares closed when the cryer cryeth his commodities at our very doores And take these Rules Rules for auditors for thy direction 1. Heare not euery Cryer for many false cryers are gone out into the world Sathan sends foorth false Prophets daily As Papists c. 2. Learne to iudge of the commodity or things that be cryed The Iesuite hath much couuterfeite stuffe and many a false message that he cryeth If he come from the Pope neuer feare his proclamations or buy his Bulles for they shall assoone hurt thee as Nimrod endanger heauen by the building of Babel 3. When thou vnderstandest what is cryed then be sure that thou buy it put it in practise Whatsoeuer pertaineth to thee heare and obey 4. And in Conclusion goe home and tell thy Neighbours what was cryed in the Market Thus did the poore woman and it may be profitable for them and thee Wee Ioh. 4 29. will doe so in earthly things that others may know how to avoyd a danger or buy a good commodity and shall we not doe the same in spirituall matters which concerne the conservation of the soule surely it stands both with Reason and brotherly affection therefore doe it also And a Teacher of the Gentiles The doctrine is that The word preached is the principall meanes whereby Sinners Doct. 5. are converted Eph. 4. 12 Isai 61. 1. 2. We may say of it as David did of Goliahs sword that of all other ordinances which God hath appointed There is 1 Sam. 21. 9. none to that Peter did conuert thousands at one Sermon Acts. 2. 41. Reas 1. Because by Preaching sinne is more clearely discouered and the iudgements of God more manifestly and with power set before the eye then by reading or any other means It doth vnfold the things that are closely wrapped couched together And the more that sin the iudgement of God against it is declared to the eye of the minde the more apt is that person to turne vnto his God Ezek. 13. 22. And Faith commeth by the word preached which is the onely ground of true Conuersion from sinne and euill For Reas 2. so saith our Apostle Rom. 10. 17. This confuteth the opinion of those that preferre Reading Vse 1. before Preaching for the Conuersion of sinners We doe not deny but the word reade is the rule of holines may conuert the Spirit accompanying his ordinance and therefore is to haue his place and due respect in the Congregation but we will not equall it to preaching for therein wee should not doe well and wisely And if Reading were more excellent and of greater force to convert then Preaching why are not the people conuerted that haue a Reader To what end then serue the Schooles of the Prophets Wherefore should men study the knowledge of tongues and Arts to divide the word aright and to distribute to euery mans present necessities And why should Sathan rage more against Preachers then readers except the word powerfully deliuered did not the more batter and beate downe his Kingdome Besides why did not Christ send out his Apostles with this charge Goe read but Goe preach to all nations wherefore doth Paul pronounce a woe to them that preach not the Gospell And why did he not charge his son Timotheus before God to Read in season and out of season What should we more say but as Paul doth of another thing He that giueth his virgin to mary doth well and he that doth not doth better So he that readeth may doe well but he that coueteth to prophecy doth better and I thinke that in this I haue the Spirit of God But it will be objected that Reading is preaching Obiect Sol. 1. 2. Reading by a Trope is put for preaching et â— contra But I answere that euery ordinance of God hath its proper rule by which it is performed Now Reading and Preaching haue not one and the same Rule to guide them therefore are not the same action For two contrary rules produce contrary effects when effects or things effected are proportionable to the Rules by which they were framed But I omit this seeing so many learned haue handled it at large yet I thought it not amisle to say somewhat And here I might fall into another poynt that is at this Quest day amongst some controuerted viz Whither Preaching is to be preferd aboue praying or praying before preaching Some say Praying others Preaching Ans I answere that as every member in the naturall body hath its proper vse and end for the which it was framed and therefore the most weake member may
excell the principall in some one thing as the foote by fleeing may saue the body when the head cannot moue without it So the least of Gods ordinances in one thing or other may be more profitable then the highest For â—xample For the plantation of a Church the conuersion of the sinner the begetting of faith the information of the iudgement and the directing of man in the pathes of righteousnes Preaching doubtlesse hath the preheminence But in easing of the troubled heart by confession in recounting the great and many things the Lord hath done for vs in praysing him for his benefits and obtaining of comfort and helpe in the time of need and to a sinner converted prayer I thinke is the more profitable Obiect Sol. It will be said We cannot pray without preaching True not well neither can wee preach well without praying Againe faith comes by preaching and without faith no Obiect prayer We grant it yet prayer doth preserue it increase it Preaching Sol. is the procreant but Prayer the conservant cause of faith the one is as the Mother the other as the Nurse We in preaching heare God speake to vs in praying we Obiect 3. speake to him True it is that the Lord in the word truly preached speaketh Sol. to man yet not immediately And so in praying doth God speake also For the Spirit of God doth direct and assist all the faithfull to pray And in this following respect Prayer seemes to haue the prayse For in Preaching God by man speaketh vnto man But in Praying Man by the Holy Ghost doth speake vnto God the Father And on the other part Obiections are brought as this Obiect That which is for another thing is of lesse value then that thing for which it is But preaching is for prayer therefore not to be preferd aboue it This rule seemes to me not alwaies to hold true Example Sol. The father and the Mother are for the sonne therefore the sonne is better then they God was in Christ and redeemed the world by him therefore the world is more worth then the sonne of God This were a doubtfull if not a blasphemous consequence Yet obserue this that one thing may be for diuers ends as the Redemption of man by Christ was not solely for the good of man but for his owne and the glory of his father and Christ as he was God was both the end and the meanes so that sometimes things be not as they seeme to be I will to and fro dispute the question no longer for my first generall answere shall stand for all And none needs to doubt of the truth of it Onely thus let vs conclude that as Christ said Giue that to Caesar which is Caesars and to God that which is is Gods So giue we to preaching that which is its due and to prayer its priviledge also And in the second place this should teach vs thankfulnes Vse 2. to God for the word preached Alas what were all other fauours worth if we had not the Gospell to conuert vs and to sanctifie vs to God all things to vs We esteeme not of this fauour as we ought and as it deserveth Haue wee a guide to direct vs being out of the way a Phisitian to remoue some dangerous disease or but a remedy to turne our cloth into a better colour We esteeme highly of such things But haue too little respect vnto the word taught the onely meanes to heale our spirituall maladies and to conuert vs vnto the Lord. And if this be not thanksworthy then all we haue is of no worth Praise wee the Lord therefore that our visions faile not Againe would we and our children be converted and Vse 3. healed then let vs depend on the word taught Moses Rod in Moses hand did worke miracles and so the word in the mouth of the men of God will destroy the cursed worke of Sathan in vs and make vs in mind and life like vnto Christ Iesus We must wash in this poole attend at this porch and suffer this water to fall vpon vs so shall the Leprosie of our sinne be washt away and we be transformed into the image of the Lord wherin we were at the first created But how few mind or practise these things Yet it s a truth that there is no way to bring vs ordinarily vnto heauen but the diligent hearing of the word preached Last of all Let vs all strive to continue the word taught Vse 4. amongst vs for if it faile the people perish Nay we should to the vttermost of our power with the Thessalonians cause the Gospell to run and abound in all places this is a worke of worth and great necessity You often and it s good speake in the praise of that in his Art matchlesse Peere Sir Francis Drake for deriving the water into your Corporation and you are at daily expence to repaire the breaches of its passage And shall we then neuer be at any charge to cause the water of life to slow through the Townes and places about vs by the Conduits of faithfull preachers Nay would to God some did not stop this wells mouth or rather hinder the passage But woe to them whosoeuer they be Of the Gentiles We might gather diuers things from these few words being diuersly considered but the cheife I take is this that When the Lord will call and saue a people hee rayseth vp the Doct. 6. fittest instruments for that purpose Who fitter then Paul to be a Preacher to the Gentiles or to deliuer Israel then Moses being skilfull in all their learning Peter was a man resolute and fiery therefore the more meete to deale with the stiffnecked Iewes And the Lord sent Papists to Pp ' for their conuersion for they knew their iuglings and were able to beate them with their owne weapons Because the Lord is wise in all his wayes and skilfull in Reas 1. all his enterprises A man of vnderstanding will doe his best to haue his matters effected and shall not the fountaine of all wisedome worke wisely Againe the Lord doth this in respect of the people for Reas 2. they naturally are subiect to quarrell to make objections and to deny the meanes of their conuersion Now a man well qualified will remoue their doubts conuince them in iudgment discouer their folly and so the sooner draw them to repentance For though God can worke and sometimes doth with weake or no meanes at all yet this is his Method in his ordinary course of proceeding By this poynt we may partly tell what to iudge of many Vse 1. places and people in the world Doth the Lord send them fit Pastors then hope the best but if not feare the worst This must teach vs to reuerence the Lord in his workes Vse 2. and not to passe by without casting our eye on his wise prouidence For its worthy of our obseruation and imitation I feare
may fall and lose his former gifts 2. By what signes he may try and know it How farre a man may fall from his former grace 1 Sam. 26. 14. For the first we must vnderstand that the gifts of God are either Common or speciall Common belong to all men elect reprobate The Reprobate may lose those generall graces which they haue had as we see in Saul For it s said The spirit to wit the gifts whereby he was to gouerne the Kingdome was taken from him The like may befall Ministers Againe the Elect themselues may fall thus farre 1. That they may call into question whether they euer had the grace of God or not 2. In so much as the Church for a time may suspect the same also 3. That they may neuer recouer their former estate and doe the same workes they haue in time past with that power delight constancie And this seemes to haue beene the estate of Asa But these neuer fall totally or finally from the grace of God And many times they come but by much adoe to their former condition and are more strong in the grace of God then they were before their declinings for experince hath taught them the worth of the gifts of the spirit and what a misery it is to the minde to haue her weapons weakened Now for the second we may know our estate by these Signes of falling from grace signes 1. When men begin to be idle and neglect the duties of their particular callings it s a sure symptome of the fall from grace He that hath no desire to worke or walke but to cast himselfe on his couch wrap himselfe in the wollen garments and there lyeth with his armes folden his eyes shut and his feete stretcht out is either weake or lazie so that man who is not diligent in the discharge of his duty is in a spirituall consumption or perilous lethargie 2. A man may perceiue it by his praying and by nothing better If thy prayers be cold short and seldome sure thou art in a decaying estate When men lie speechlesse or be vnwilling to speake we then feare death will befall that person 3. If the publike meanes be omitted and neglected it is dangerous also For weake natures haue the worst appetites They that eate little and deslike their diet cannot but be feeble persons 4. When a man will not endure reproofe with patience he is going backward If Ionah tell the Lord he doth well to be angry his condition is not as it hath beene 5. Seuere censuring of others is not the secretest signe of this thing For when our owne case is the worse we vsually are most forward that way Finally if we make lesse scruple of sinne now then heretofore this is fearefull When David can sheath his sword in the bowells of his brother that had in times past a smiting heart for touching of the lap of Saul's garment his strength is abated and his grace weakened Men in sleepe digest the hardest thing so those that be in a spirituall slumber concoct greater sinnes then in a day of waking Now by these markes maist thou proue thy condition wherefore if these things follow thee know that thou hast not held fast that power of the spirit thou hadst at the first so that it stands thee in hand to consider from whence thou art fallen to recouer thy former estate and to doe thy first workes and better Through the holy Ghost which dwelleth in vs. I haue told you that this is the meanes to keepe vs from falling and that also in these words we haue a description of the third person in the Deity 1. He is set our by his nature 2. By an effect 3. By the subiects where he inhabiteth Now we will begin with the last first then this is the doctrine that The faithfull are the Temples and habitation of the Holy Doct. 4. Ghost Where shall we find such a man in whom is the spirit of God Ye are the Temples of the holy Ghost And it s said that Steven was full of the holy Ghost Gen. 41. 38. 1 Cor. 6. 19. Act. 7. 55. For they haue the gifts of the holy Ghost and these two Reas 1. may not be separated though distinguished in a Christian for where he worketh there hee is present He forsaketh not that building no not for a season Againe he vniteth the faithfull vnto Christ and to Reas 2. speake with respect and feare as the spirit in man coupleth soule and body together so doth the holy Ghost vnite the the head Christ and all his members And this is an invincible bond But he is infinite therefore in all persons Obiect 1. Sol. True yet he is in the faithfull in a peculiar and speciall manner both by his working and presence 2. He is incomprehensible notwithstanding as wee say the Sunne is in the house though a part of the beames be but there so the Spirit is sayd to bee in man although hee be not wholy included in him Obiect 2. Sol. But wicked men haue Prophesied therefore he is in them He vseth them sometimes as instruments to tell the truth But hee neuer continueth with them neither did euer dwell in their hearts by sanctification Here all men must take heed how they wrong the faithfull Vse 1. for it were better for that man that a milstone were hanged about his necke and to be cast into the bottome of the sea then to offend any of these little ones And he that destroyeth the Temple of God him shall God destroy 1 Cor. 3. 17. We account it a fearefull thing to pull downe or batter a Princes pallace it 's death to wash or clip the Kings coyne and shall we not tremble to wrong and iniury this building for such cannot escape the damnation of hell Oh that the swaggerers of our daies did but thinke on this and such as account it the greatest manhood to stab strike and destroy their Mothers sonne Would they begin continue and defend so many soule-killing quarrells For who euer waxed fierce against the faithfull and haue prospered Abel's bloud did and so shall all others cry to God for vengeance vpon every cruell and persecuting Cain And this sentence is not yet repeal'd that Whosoeuer sheddeth Gen. 96. mans bloud by man shall his bloud be shed This is for the comfort of the faithfull For what greater Vse 2. honour then this To haue the high God to dwell in our hearts Should our Soueraigne but come into a poore mans cottage he would reioyce and good reason for that all his life long And shall the King of glory dwell with the sonnes of men make his chamber of presence in their hearts and they want hearts to solace themselues in the remembrance of that Lydia was glad when Paul was in her house and shall not we in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost Michah could say Now shall God be good vnto
Townesmen doe still liue by stealth I scarce know one of many who will not filch and steale And shall we not then iudge him a foole that will be drunke for company and follow the most though they be the worst Noah might haue followed the old world Onesiphor us all Asia the Queene of the South haue staid at home Lot ate and drunke with the Sodomites and the Prophet Mithaiah Prophesied lies with 400. false Prophets vpon as good ground But should they haue then escaped drowning burning and damnation Would these examples haue exempted them from fire and destruction yet they were great many and mightie for multitude In the next place therefore let vs neuer be led by the most Vse 2. but the best for if we follow the many millions who drink vp sinne as the fishes doe water we shall participate of their paine and torment Let vs all then with good Iosuah resolue that we with our families will serue the Lord for heapes of lewd examples exempt none that tread their darke steps from cursing and burning Wherefore with fewest follow the truth in loue and neuer runne after the rude and rash multitude to commit evill Another point we may single out from the comparing of them that fell away with him that stood stedfast in the faith which is that In the time of persecution few haue beene found faithfull Doct. 2. Psal 12. 1. 1 King 19. 10 David cryeth Helpe Lord there is not a godly man left Elias I am left alone The faithfull are fallen from the earth diminished are the righteous Luk. 2. 35. For affliction is harsh to flesh and bloud it will not easily Reas 1. be sustain'd vndergone Oh! how hard a thing is it to forsake all and follow Christ Because many were neuer throughly rooted and grounded Reas 2. in the trueth they haue not deeply tasted of the powers of the world to come therefore they pitty themselues Stand not amazed then if vpon the same ground thou Vse 1. seest whole troopes cast off the yoke throw their ensignes in the field and run away For the strong water of affliction will carry vnsound mindes like chaffe on heapes before it Let this sword be drawne pierce the hearts of one or two the Hypocriticall thoughts of thousands will be vnsheathed discouered Luk. 2. 25. Then boast not too much of others or thy owne resolution Vse 2. in the times of peace for thou maist well with Peter in an hot skirmish shrinke and shriuell seeke out a secret place and deny thy Master Many cry I would haue dyed rather then haue done as such or so But wast thou euer in like triall hast thou proued thy prowesse by experience in equall perill why then ti 's somewhat to the purpose If not doe thou feare for wisemen will it 's but vaine boasting cowardly like bragging And I haue seene this that bawâ—ng curres bite least soonest run away so hot spirits in calme times haue proved the greatest cowards when Garments haue tumbled in bloud I had rather be that sonne who promised nought and yet did his Fathers will then he that said enough but did nothing And so we come more directly to the words as they are independant and absolute in themselues And first of all we collect this instruction that A good gouernour may procure a blessing to the whole family Doct. 3. For Pauls prayer was grounded on the Lords promise Gen. 19 30 27. 39. 5. therefore he might prevaile Lot did so to Sodom Ioseph to Pharaoh's house Iacob to Laban Lydia and the Iaylor being Act. 16. baptized and beleeuers no doubt but their families fared the better for their sakes Rahab the harlot saued many aliue so Iosh 22. Paul in the ship For godly gouernours are in the Couenant of grace and Reas 1. the Lord hath promised to be their God and the God of their seed also and shall his promise take none effect Away Gen. 17. 7. with that A second reason may be drawne from the neare vnion Reas 2. that is amongst them for Masters and seruants Parents and children make as it were but one body so that if it goe well with the head welfare the members Whelpes fare the better for the childrens sake in gathering vp the crumms that fall from their fingers This serues in the first place to cut off the many cauills Vse 1. which such men vse to make They vse to reply like the virgins when they are moued to distribute to the necessitie of the Saints I would but I feare that I haue not enough for my selfe and children you know that I haue a great charge and no small thing will maintaine so many fill all these mouthes And He is worse then an Infidell that provides not for his family Thus couetous men quote Scripture to serue their wicked purpose but neuer else Yet alas they neuer consider the prayers of the Saints how God of oftentimes punisheth their posterity with pouertie for their pinching nay taketh from them his word and Spirit the greatest iudgement on earth as he did by the family of Ieroboam And though children be punisht for their owne sinne yet that they are punisht such a time and in such a manner or measure often commeth to passe through the wickednes of parents As we see that when the Canaanites sinne was full they brought a speedier and greater curse vpon their posterity This may be a great comfort for good gouernours for Vse 2. certainly they shall not loose their reward hast thou visited the widowes and fatherlesse washed the Saints feete distributed to their necessities then shall the Lord shew mercy to thee and thy seede after thee build vpon 't for God is true of his promise yea such as comfort his shall be comforted of him But on the contrary such parents as pinch and spare withhold their hands from doing of good when iust occasion is offered they shall lay vp wealth for him that shall wast it nay peraduenture they shall neuer know who shall be their heire and is not this vanitie and a great griefe And this may be a strong Motiue to moue parents to be Vse 3. good and godly for their childrens sake wouldest thou haue thy throne established thy feede flourish and thy posteritie blessed then be mercifull to the poore become an honest man feare God and worke righteousnes A wicked father and prophane mother as much as in them is doe pull downe pouertie shame contempt and all the fearefull curses of the Almighty vpon their owne soules and bodies with their children also Oh! that they would beleeue this Let naturall affection moue thee if the feare of God will not worke vpon thee to doe good and to be pittifull And know thou this that wicked Parents are likest to the Deuill murtherers from the beginning no sooner haue they giuen the weake infant a being but by their sinnes as so many sharpe