The third reason is that I may upon this occasion which God hath put in my hand communicate unto you my humble thoughts for your good unto which 〈◊〉 thousands of your sonnes worthier then I can have any 〈…〉 think my selfe to be have according to the commandment of 〈◊〉 and their manifold obligation devoted and sacrificed themselâ—â—â— and all that they have For my part since I am not able to 〈◊〉 my duty to the full I shall still acknowledge my Obligation câ—â—fesse my debt and what I have which is a small proportion to that which I owe I shall willingly offer The Lord hath done great things for you and by you His Spirit speaking in your faithfull Pastours and working in your owne hearts will teach you and give you grace in wisedome and humilitie to compare your present estate under the light puritie libertie and blessings of the Gospell with the darknesse corruptions tyrannie and miseries which our forefathers were covered with under Paganisme of old and under Antichrist afterwards and which our selves did endure under Antichristian Prelacy of late It is true the present times are full of sufferings calamities losses and feares all the three Kingdoms have drunken although by equall draughts of a very bitter cup such as the Lord propineth when he is angry with his people and no man knoweth when the end shall be Yet if we consider what our miseries might have been if these our miseries had not been that we ought to choose affliction and not impiety or iniquity and that all our troubles are but the travellings of child-birth to bring forth a Reformation We will take the saying of Ecclesiastes to be spoken to every one of us Say not thou what is the cause that the former dayes were 〈◊〉 better then these for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this e I intend not to see forth the great power and mercifull providence of God in the late seasonable Deliverance and notable victory never to be forgotten that being recent in your minds and the intent of the following Sermon We ought to be thankefull for the undenyable presence of God to stir up our selves to take hold of him lest he hide his face and depart from us and to goe on hereafter with confidence in his Name against the greatest difficulties But when I call to minde what hath come to passe in these dayes since the beginning of our troubles and begin to consider the proceedings and results of Divine providence contrary to the designes and devices of the Enemies which they cannot dâ—ny and farre beyond the first intentions and particular desires of such as the Lord hath used for instruments in his work which they do reverently acknowledge I may make use of the grave and serious warning of the Apostle Behold therefore the goodnes and severity of God on them which fâ—ll severity but towards thee goodnes if thou continue in his goodnes otherwise thou also shalt be cut off f And that we may the more value the goodnes of God to our selves we ought the more to behold the severitie of God cutting off the pompe the pride the tyrannie and power of the Enemies I may also with him although writing of a matter of another kinde cry out O the depth of the riches both of the wisedome and knowledge of God how unsearchable are his judgements and his wayes past finding out for who hath knowne the minde of the Lord or who hath been his Counsellour g Not only in the matter of salvation and damnation but in the administrations of his providence the Lord useth his Soveraigntie and doth what seemeth good unto his wisedome and although we know not the particular reason of every thing yet this we know whatsoever be the weaknesse of men upon the one hand or the wickednesse of men oâ— the other that all things are done by him that ruleth the world in great wisedome and Iustice to his own glory and the good of his Church Againe when from my sense of my self of my own thoughts wayes which many thousands may observe and no doubt doe observe of themselves I begin to remember how men who love to live obscurely and in the shadow are brought forth to light to the view and talking of the world how men that love quietnes are made to stirre and to have a hand in publique busines how men that love soliloquies and contemplations are brought upon debates and controversies how men who love peace are made to war and to shed bloud and generally how men are brought to act the things which they never determined nor so much as dreamed of before The words of the Prophet Jeremie come to my remembrance O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himselfe it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps h which imply the positive part That the way of man is in the hand of God and that the Lord directeth his steps to his owne appointed ends according to the saying of the wise Solomon whether speaking of the Decrees of God or of the word of God There are many devices in a mans heart neverthelesse the Counsell of the Lord that shall stand i Experiments of things past are documents of things to come Let no man thinke himself absolute master of his own actions or wayes When thou wast young thou girdedst thy self and walkedst whither thou wouldst but when thou shalt be old thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldest not k Let no man say I shall die in my nest in mine owne house with my children about me and under my vvings l We will learne I hope by time if wee be not unteachable to distinguish betwixt our first and naturall will and our second our Spirituall and more deliberate will and to say Not my will but thy Will be done m The seven yeers of ensuing Providence may carry us as far beyond the present intentions whether of the enemies of Religion or our own as the seaven yeeâ—s past have done beyond our former intentions and theirs The pulling down of Poperie in the Christian world and the puting down of Prelacie and the supporters thereof in Britaine are equally feasible to the Almighty who delighteth to turn our difficulties and impossibilities into the glorious demonstrations of his Divine Power and who putteth motions into the hearts of men which they turne into Petitions and indeavours and God by his Power bringeth forth into reality and action the conception birth and perfection is all from himself When I speake of the future and that which afterwards may come to passe my meaning is not that God will alwayes and throughout the whole work use the same individuall instruments experience hath already proved the contrary I speak of the Collective and successive body which like a flood runneth in a continuall course but the severall parts passe by very
Die Veneris 19. Iulij 1644. ORdered by the Lords in PARLIAMENT Assembled That Mr. Vines hath hereby thanks given him by this House for the great pains he hath tooke in his Sermon preached before the Lords and Commons on Thursday the Eighteenth of this instant Iuly in Margarets Church Westminster it being the day of Thanksgiving for the great Mercie of God in the happy successe of the Forces of both Kingdomes against the Enemies of King and Parliament neere Yorke And that the said Mr. Vines be intreated to Print and publish his said Sermon which no man is to presume to Print or reprint without his authoritie under his hand as he will answer the contrary to this House Jo. Browne Cler. Parliamentorum Die Veneris 19. Iulij 1644. IT is this day Ordered by the Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT That Sir Robert Harley doe give the thanks of this House to Mr. Vines for the great paines he tooke in the Sermon he preached at the intreaty of both Houses at S. Margarets Westminster upon the day of publike Thanksgiving for the great Victory obtained against Prince Rupert and the Earle of Newcastles Forces and he is desired to publish it in Print H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. I appoint Abel Roper to print my Sermon RI VINES A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE the Right Honorable the LORDS And COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT At Margarets Church in Westminster upon Thursday the 18. day of Iuly 1644. It being the day of Publick Thanksgiving for the great mercie of God in the happie Successe of the Forces of both Kingdoms neer York against the Enemies of King and Parliament By Alexander Henderson Minister at Edinburgh Job 34. 29. When he giveth quietnesse who then can make trouble And when he hideth his face who then can behold him whether it be done against a Nation or against a man onely Published by Order of both Houses LONDON Printed for Robert Bostock dwelling in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Kings Head 1644. Die Veneris 19. Iulii 1644. ORdered by the Lords in Parliament assembled That Mr. Henderson hath hereby thanks given him by this House for the great pains he took in his Sermon preached before the Lords and Commons on Thursday the eighteenth of this instant Iuly in Margarets Church Westminster it being the day of Thanksgiving for the great Mercie of God in the happie successe of the Forces of both Kingdoms against the Enemies of King and Parliament neer York And that the said Mr. Henderson be entreated to Print and publish his said Sermon which no man is to presume to Print or Re-print without his Authoritie under his hand as he will answer the contrary to this House Io. Brown Cler. Parliament Die Veneris 19. Iulii 1644. IT is this day Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament That Sir Robert Harley do give the thanks of this House to Mr. Henderson for the great pains he took in the Sermon he preached at the intreatie of both Houses at St. Margarets Westminster upon the day of publique Thanksgiving for the great Victory obtained against Prince Rupert and the Earl of Newcastles Forces and he is desired to publish it in Print H. Elsyng Cler. Parl. D. Com. I appoint Robert Bostock to Print this Sermon Alex. Henderson A Catalogue of the Names of those Divines who have Preached before the Parliament beginning Ian. 18. 1644. to Iuly 18. 1644. At a Thanksgiving before the Parliament and City of London Jan. 18. Mr. Marshall 1 Chron. 12. 38 39 40. Jan. 31. Mr. Cawdrey Prov. 29. 8. Mr. Rutherfurd Dan. 6. 26. Febr. 28. Mr. Bâ—ylie Zach. 3. 1 2. Mr. Young Psal. 31. 24. Mar. 27. Mr. Gillespie Ezek. 43. 11. Mr. Bond Isa. 45. 15. At a Thanksgiving for the Victory over Sir R. Hâ—ptons Army Apr. 9. Mr. Ob. Sedgwick Psal. 3. 8. Mr. Case Dan. 11. 32. At the Thanksgiving for the Victory at Selby in Yorkeshire Apr. 23. Mr. Perne Exod. 34. 6. not printed Mr. Carryl Rev. 11. 16 17. Apr. 24. Dr. Staunton Deut. 32. 31. Mr. Green Neh. 1. 3 4. May 29. Dr. Smith Psal. 107. 6. Mr. Henry Hall Matth. 11. 12. June 26. Mr. Hardwick Psal. 126. 5 6 Mr. Hickes Isa. 28. 5 6. At the Thanksgiving for the Victorie over Prince Rupert and the surrender of York July 18. Mr. Vines Isa. 63. 8. Mr. Henderson Matth. 14. 21. Errata Page 1. line 3 for of r. in p. 6 l. 8 for in r for p. 7 l. 27 r. a time p. 11 marg. â—â—â— p. 15 l. 12 for he r. it p. 21 l. 4. for thus r. the To the KIRKE and KINGDOME of SCOTLAND Grace to you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Iesus Christ THree reasons have prevailed with me to set your Honourable and Reverend name before this Sermon One is That having Preached it before the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England I conceived it more convenient to send it to you in Print then to direct it to them the second time and in so doing I cannot apprehend any danger of censure Because the ground of my Calling to joyne in so solemne an action was rather a Nationall concernment then any personall respect to me or expectation of any thing that could proceed from my weaknesse worthy of such an Auditory as is one of the greatest and gravest on earth In this therefore if I mistake not I doe comply with their intentions and still follow their respects Another Reason is that after so long absence not onely from my personall charge but from you my mother Church and Native Countrey I doe willingly take hold of this opportunity to tâ—stifie that we your servants for Christ who have the honour to be in this imployment doe bow our knees to the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ of whom the whole family of heaven and earth is named that hee would grant unto you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthned with might by his Spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith a And that wee cannot enough render thanks to God for you for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face and according to our calling and measure might perfect that which is lacking in your faith b The opinion of the merit of prayer is abomination but the principall Theam and matter of the solemnitie of the day wee take for an answer of the prayers of the godly in the three Kingdomes and in all the Reformed Kirks And the desire we have to see you is not onely that naturall instinct which is to be found in all of our Nation whom the cause of God hath brought from their owne homes and habitations but our longing to come unto you with rejoycing bringing our sheaves with us c and to find you such as we would for now we live if yee stand fast in the Lord d
but also have enjoyed all the Peace and plenty that the world could promise This I speak as a naturall man and this indeed is the iudgement of the naturall man looking no higher then this world and the second causes But as the Messenger of God I may say had yee dealt wickedly against his Covenant and blest your selves in your owne heart saying I shall have peace though I walke in the imagination of mine heart the Lord would not have spared you but the anger of the Lord and his Iealousie would have smoaked against you q The other thing that I would to this purpose commend is that ye would remember that besides Haeresie which opposeth the truth professed by the Kirk and beside Schisme which destroyeth the Unity of the Kirk Profanenesse of heart and life which is a third pâ—st hath ever spoiled the holinesse of the Kirk and is a most high provocation against the most holy Lord God which we are all to strive against as vvell as against Haeresie and Schisme by joyning the povver of Godlinesse with the Profession and forme thereof r and by holding the mystery of the Faith in a pure Conscience s which some sometime amongst you having put away and that with violence done to their conscience as the Word dimporteth concerning Faith have made shipwrack t and have endeavoured to bring others upon the Rocks that they might perish with them Spirituall judgements are to be observed no lesse then temporall both because there is more wrath in them and they are more hardly discerned Pelagianisme of old and Arminianisme of late is the just punishment of a formall Profession Socinianisme of the neglect of the Sonne of God Antinomianisme of turning the grace of God into wantonnesse Anabaptisme of Baptizing of Infants in private and of the slighting of the Baptisme in publick as if it did not concerne the whole Congregation and Separation of the despising of the true Government of the Kirk so doth the Lord send strong delusions upon them that receive not the love of the truth and take pleasure in unrighteousnesse u I will not excuse the length of this Epistle because I intended it I am not bounded to a time in writing as I behoved to be in Preaching I am bold with you because I know you To save you from spirituall judgements to deliver you comfortably from your present troubles and to make you walke worthy of the grace wherein the Lord hath abourded toward you that you fall not and that you may be presented faultlesse before Christ with joy is and shall be the humble and earnest desire and prayer of Your humble Servant and obedient Son in and for the Gospel of CHRIST A SERMON PREACHED Before the Lords and Commons at Margarets Church in Westminster upon Thursday the 18. of Iuly 1644. MATTH. 14. 21. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him and said unto him O thou of little faith wherefore didest thou doubt MUch is this day required of Your Honours much of You very Honourable and much of us all beloved of the Lord Iesus Christ In the times of the old Testament the Sacrifices of one Solemnity were much the same with the Sacrifices of another Yet when more feasts did meet together in one day as the Sabbath the first day of the moneth and the feast of Trumpets a all the Sacrifices of the severall dayes were offered in that one day which made the greater celebrity The Lord hath this day multiplyed his benefits upon us as the Loaves and Fishes were multiplyed in the hands of the Apostles in the time of the distribution b for no sooner is the day indicted to give thanks for one favour but we heare the newes of another that we may adde more fire and multiply our Sacrifices ALthough these words of our Lord at the first hearing may seem not to be much important to the solemnity of the day yet a twofold consideration hath led me to this choice One is because for some time past where I had occasion to speak in publike I have been expounding and applying to our present Troubles this part of the holy History expressing the dangerous tempest which tossed the Disciples of Christ at Sea as an Embleme and representation of the condition of the Church of Christ on earth especially in the time of great trouble herein following the example beside many other interpreters of a worthy instrument of Reformation who in the Idolatrous and bloody times of Queen Mary did upon this Text in the evidence and power of the Spirit write a large Admonition to the Professors of the trueth in England c And now being by Providence brought on to these words expressing the deliverance of Peter out of his speciall tentation and leading us toward the ceasing of the winde and calming of the tempest I judged them not unfit for the present condition which God by his mercifull Providence hath brought our affaires into at this time The Lord who stretched forth his hand and caught Peter when he was beginning to sinke and soon after made the winde to cease which moved them that were in the Ship to come and worship him saying Thou art the Sonne of God the same Lord even the Lord of Armies and the God of battells hath stretched forth his hand for our deliverance and when he will he can rebuke the windes and by his Word make a comfortable calme that all the three Kingdomes may fall downe and worship him saying with one minde and one mouth to the hearing of all the Christian world Of a truth thou art the Sonne of God which would prove a ground of reforming the House of God according to his own will For if they had knowne the Son of God the King of glory they would not have crucified but submitted unto him and done his will Another consideration also made me to fix upon this Text although it doth not hold forth a formall thanksgiving which is so ordinary in other places of Scripture that nothing more and that which followeth here afterward is liker unto it yet it containeth the materialls and layeth a foundation of the duty for it is a notable and seasonable deliverance out of a great distresse together with a most powerfull argument to enforce the duty of Thankesgiving taken from the unworthinesse of the party on whom it is bestowed Why diddest thou doubt O thou of little Faith The depth of our distresse the greatnesse of our Deliverance and the weaknesse of our Faith which hath made a great deale of doubting are fuell to enflame our hearts and to make the fire of the Sacrifice to ascend In the words going before Peter had not so much Faith as that when the winde became boysterous he was able any more to walke on the water for through the weaknesse of his faith he beginneth to sinke yet he hath so much faith that when he beginneth to sinke he
heads there is one kind of it like unto that in Ioshua Numb. 11. 27 28. and in the Disciples of Christ Mark 9. 38 and in the Disciples of Iohn Ioh. 3. 26. We are not free of this kind of envy There is another kind of it like that of the Philistims Gen. 26. 14 15. which is most diabolicall But besides these there be other two sorts of it set on worke by Satan at this time and which all good men would beware of One is of those that cannot admit an equall that would engrosse all alone Mat. 20. 11. Acts 13. 44. Another of those that cannot permit any to be preferred unto them as in Cain Gen. 4. 3. 4. In the brethren of Ioseph Acts 7. 9. In Miriam Num. 12. 2. In Saul 1 Sam. 18. It was foolishnesse in the women and people yet it was truth in the Nobles of the Medes and Persians Daniel 6. 4. 5. The Scribes Pharises Sadduces and people of the Jews Matth. 23. 13. Acts 5. 17. Acts 13. 44. 45. We have an example of both sorts in the Courtiers of Saul against David and in Pompey the great and Iulius Caesar f As it is one of the most common so it is one of the greatest evils in the world it being not only most opposite unto Charitie but the cause of Contention Mutinies Lies Slanders Sedition and bringeth a world of miseries from the justice of God No sort of persons have more need to be upon their guard against this Enemy then brethren amongst whom if once Emulations Hatred and Envy find place to worke division they become irreconciliable Like unto fragments of Crystall glasse which after breaking cannot be demented againe Because the smallest injurie where kindnes is deserved and expected and much more envie is judged to be ingratitude which is acknowledged by all who know the nature of it to be a manifest injurie and as intollerable as any other And of all sores of Brethren none have reason to take greater heed unto this evill then such as naturally are strangers one to another and of divers nations but are sworne Brethren if the fire of envie and hatred once begin to burne in their breasts they want the affection of naturall brethren to extinguish it The best remedy for such is the right embracing of one true Religion and religiously to remember their Covenant by which they are joyned to Jesus Christ and amongst themselves which will make them forget that they be of divers Countreys and Kingdoms and timely to resist all divisive motions the mother whereof is Emulation and envie which I heartily wish may be as farre from us all as it was from the Disciples of Christ at this time Setting aside therefore with the Disciples all Emulation and Envie all Admiration and Adoration of men Let us follow the example of the Apostles in that twofold dutie performed by them the one is the Adoration of Christ the other the Confession of Christ They have not spoken amisse who conceave that there be foure parts of the Morall worship of God according to the parts of the first and great Commandment Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul and with all thy minde and with all thy strength Mark 12. Luk. 10. The first of them is the attentive consideration of the works of God by the outward and inward senses The second is the right judging of the works of God by the minde and understanding The third is the congruous and sutable affection of the soule by the heart which is the seat of the affections The fourth is the testification of this affection in our whole life by the actions of the will Amongst which for they be many these two in the Text are to be numbred Adoration and Confession which were the thanksgiving of the Disciples at this time and now upon our Deliverance are required of us And who is it that beholding the power of Christ in the greatnes of the Deliverance the wisedome of Christ in the seasonablenesse of the Deliverance the jealousie of Christ who will not give his glory to another in the sensiblenesse of his hand in working it the truth of Christ in hearing prayer according to his promise and the mercy of Christ in passing by so many sins and so much doubting would not adore this mightie wise jealous true and mercifull Lord When the children of Israel had heard that the Lord had visited them and that hee had looked upon their affliction Then they bowed their heads and worshipped Exod. 4. 31. After that the Lord had spoken to Moses of the Religion of the Passeover and the smiting of the first borne of Egypt The people bowed the head and worshipped Exod. 12. 27. When Iehoshaphat upon his Fast and Prayer heard from the Spirit of the Lord which came upon Ichaziel that the Lord was to fight for Iudah and that they were onely to stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord he bowed his head with his face to the ground and all Iudah and the Inhabitants of Ierusalem fell before the Lord worshipping the Lord 2. Chron. 20. 18. At the restoring of Religion and cleansing of the house of God the King and all that were present with him bowed themselves and worshipped 2. Chron. 29. 29. And shall not wee when the Lord hath visited us and looked upon our affliction when he hath foughten for us and slaine the strength and first-born of our enemies when he is about the restoring of Religion and the cleansing and building of his Temple shall not we in all feare and reverence fall downe and adore before him acknowledging his Soveraignitie and our owne basenes and unworthines Let the whole Church Militant and Triumphant the twenty foure Elders and the foure living creatures men and angels fall downe and worship him that liveth for ever and ever saying Blessing honour glory and power be unto him that sits upon the Throne and unto the Lambe for ever and ever The other part of their thanksgiving is their Confession of Christ They give him this testimony of a truth thou art the Sonne of God This they all confesse and were ready to confesse before all the world which they also did afterward Of this testimony Iohn saith Whosoever shall confesse that Iesus is the Son of God God dwelleth in him and he in God 1 Joh. 4. 15. which is not so to be understood as if no other truth were to be confest of him but because that maine and fundamentall truth was then controverted and denyed by Seducers and Antichrists The Lord requireth of each one of us according to our place and calling that wee confesse and give our testimonie unto such truths as are most called in question At this time it is required of the Honourable Houses of Parliament that they give unto Jesus this testimonie which is a necessary consequent of the testimonie of the Apostles That Iesus Christ is the King of
his Church and that it must be ruled by his Scepter That the Government is upon his shoulder without which all our adoration and Hallelujah is but like the mocking of him by his enemies when they cloathed him sometimes in purple and sometimes in white and did put a Crowne of thornes on his head and in his hand a reed for a Scepter No duty better beseemeth the Honourable Houses of Parliament then thankfulnesse for in thankfulnesse there be three very eminent vertues sutable to their place and eminencie 1. Truth when wee acknowledge and professe who it is from whom we have received the benefit 2. Justice in rendring mutuall duties As receiving is joyned with giving so is rendering with receiving which naturall men have considered when they spoke of the three Graces 3. Wisdome because gratitude procureth the continuance of favour as ingratitude not seeing and discerning favours neere unto us moveth the Lord to remove them that we may behold them afarre off So that gratitude hath Truth Justice and Prudence in it but ingratitude is an Untruth Injustice and Foolishnesse Of all men in the world ungrate men unto God are the most false most unjust and most foolish men Farre must this be farre I hope this shall be from the Honourable Houses and from both Kingdomes The second dutie which I recommend is obedience to the Commands of Christ against all difficulties and temptations in the way When the Lord commanded the Disciples to enter into the ship they obeyed although hee went not with them and the darknes of the night was approaching and when they met with a stormy and contrary winde it never so much as entred into their hearts to turne backe againe When our Lord commanded Peter to come unto him upon the water he gave absolute obedience Obedience is a principall part of selfe denyall by other vertues and graces wee deny things of the world and the naturall delights of the flesh which concerne the body but this maketh us to deny our owne will and our naturall reason and to do the will of God As a wilde stocke when a sprigg of good fruit is graffed in it bringeth forth fruit according to the nature of the tree from which the graffe was taken and not such as the stock would have borne if it had not been graffed So doth the wild stock of our old Adam when the will and commandement of God by the hand of the Spirit is graffed on it bring forth fruit after the will of God and not after our owne naturall will The occasionall and particular commands of Christ for such a time and upon such occasions must be obeyed no lesse then universall and perpetuall commands and the transgression of such commands is no lesse dangerous in the sad effects which it produceth The examples of Abraham Gen. 22. of Moses Num. 20. 8. of Saul 1 Sam. 15. of Ahab 1 Kings 20. of the two men whereof the one did wound the other refused to wound the Prophet 1 King 20. of Iehu 2 Kings 10. of Amaziah 2 Chron. 25. and of many others are evidences of this truth My humble desire therefore and earnest exhortation is that in your great wisdom ye may consider what the Lord requireth of you at this time and in your Zeale set your selves to the performance thereof without discouragement or delay against all difficulties although you should be tossed with waves and contrary windes at the command of Christ yet in the fourth watch he shall come to you and comfort you and in the end shall bring you safe to the shore Doe not that which seameth good in your owne eyes but obey his voyce Adde not to the Law nor detract from it but doe all that is written turning neither to the right hand nor to the left And because nothing doth the Lord at this time more require then the Reformation of Religion which is long and earnestly expected at your hands by all the godly go about it speedily and put it not off upon carnall reason or worldly respects We do distinguish betwixt open hostilitie and secret treachery but we are also to distiuguish betwixt profane policie and pious prudence As the worke of God is opposed by open hostilitie and which is more dangerous by secret treacherie so is it hindered by carnall reason and worldly policie Men may apprehend that if they should settle religion presently many would fall off and your affaires should not succeed so prosperously But I beleeve the contrary to be true that the policie which Ieroboam and the Jewes used in the time of Christ Ioh. 11. a case not unlike unto ours brought this same very evill upon them which they feared and did endeavour to avoid by their policy Luther used to say that three things would prove mightie hinderances to Christian religion 1. Forgetfulnes of the worke of God 2. Security which he found prevailing already in his time and 3. Policie and worldly wisedome which would bring all things in order and câ—â—e the publike stirs with the counsell of man to determine the present controversies by humane reason was in his judgement to go mad with reason Hezekiah was not guided by policy in his reformation but removed the high places and brake the Images and cut downe the groves and broke in pieces the brasen Serpent that Moses had made For unto those dayes the children of Israel did burne incense to it and he called it Nehushtan 2. Kings 18. 4. This hee did in the first year of his Raigne in the first moneth and suddenly 2. Chron. 29. 3. and 36. Hee cared neither for the Philistines nor the king of Assyria both of them rising against him nor for the Idolaters in the land but which was all his policy he trusted in the Lord God of Israel 2. Kings 18. 5. Some conceive that because I am a stranger I may speake more freely then others but for this very cause that I am a stranger I am the more sparing in my expressions Yet this much I may say that there be three things which seeme very strange to mee 1. That any should be found to speake against all the Reformed Churches and to draw Disciples after them unlesse they had great evidence of Scripture or convincing reasons for the novations which they would introduce 2. Although some such arise yet it is a wonder that so intelligent a people should be carried away with every winde and scattered into so many Sects and divisions which is a great scandall to Religion a great sin and shame to such a people a spirituall judgement in it selfe and the cause of many other judgements spirituall and temporall and an argument that this miserable warre is not yet drawing to an end 3. That reformation is suspended because the people are distracted Reformation being the onely meane to reduce them to Unitie The third duty which I recommend is confidence in Christ against doubting This was the Apostle Peter his
weaknesse both at this time and afterward that he doubted and was afraid which made him begin to sinke and there can be no full and through Obedience without faith and confidence Two things are necessary for this 1. Self-deniall and renouncing all confidence in your selves or your owne wisdome courage strength or multitudes all which are but the arme of flesh Psalm 44. 3 4 5 9 7 8. Wisdome will have us to use all good means but faith will not have us to trust in them 2. A firm perswasion and full relying upon Christ holding the eye of our soul upon him continually Iohn the Baptist Iohn 3. 33. useth two words to expresse the nature of faith and confidence One is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Syr. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Cabala the word of receiving which in the Syriack is not every receiving but a receiving of a Doctrine sent from God as Divine and sent from him The other word is more {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Syr. Obsignavit conclusit hath set to his Seal when the word is used of God toward us wee know the meaning but when it is ascribed unto us in relation to God and his truth it expresseth the testing of our conscience on the truth of God that as the Lord sealeth his testimony unto us by the Sacraments and by his owne Spirit so upon our part our faith and affiance sealeth the truth of God that we acquiesce in it and close with God and the matter is concluded betwixt the Lord and our souls The writing thus sealed cannot be reversed for while the seal is at it it abides firm and the seal is keeped by the Lords faithfulnesse for our benefit This confidence will make us submit to the will of God and to say I will beare the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him untill he plead my cause and execute judgement for me Hee will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousnesse Then she that is mine enemie shall see it and shame shall cover her which said unto me Where is the Lord thy God Mic. 7. 9 10. Woe is me for my hurt my wound is grievous but I said Truly this is a grief and I must beare it Iere. 10. 19. This will carry us through all discouragements because it maketh us to see greater things then the World It opposeth the wrath of God against the terrors of the world and the love of God against the love of the world This assureth us of the presence of Christ in all our troubles It is I be not afraid The most terrible word to the enemy and the most comfortable to the godly It perswadeth us that God cannot denie himself nor forsake his own cause and for our selves that although this life and all things in it should fail us yet our happinesse waits for us Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoyceth my flesh also shall rest in hope Psal. 16. 9 Much might be spoken here and to good purpose of the notes whereby to try our faith and confidence whether it be weak or strong and of the means to encrease it that it may come to a full assurance but I have troubled you too much already and therefore I shall only desire that the recent proof of the mercy of God in our deliverance may be added to your Calendar of former deliverances to make your experience the stronger that your hope and confidence may be the stronger for all time to come FINIS An Excellent Allegory taken forth of this History by Augustine In his 14. Sermon Upon the Words of our LORD AS Christ going to the Mountain to pray gave commandement to his Apostles to get into a ship and to goe to the other side so after his ascending into heaven at his commandement the Gospel was to be carried through the Sea of this world As the Ship wherein the Apostles of Christ were Passengers meeteth with a great tempest so the Church of Christ sustaineth waves of persecution and is opposed by the various blasts of haereticall winds As the Disciples doe not straightway forsake the Ship but did toyle in rowing so the confession of our faith is not to be forsaken but the teachers of the Church both by word and writing in the midst of the contrary windes of the world and of the blasts of tumultuous Haereticks are to discharge their office faithfully Let the crosse yard be set up and Christ crucified be looked upon and let us not make defection from him but follow his steps let us through suffering and death it self presse toward eternall glory Let also white sailes that is a pure and honest conversation be laid hold of Moreover although the sea do rage the wind withstand strongly and the surges rise and make a noise so that the ship be sore tossed and covered with the waves yet is shee not drowned but runneth to the Haven so may indeed the Church be pressed but can never be oppressed for Christ is praying on high and beholdeth his own mightily wrestling with the contrary winds He therefore intercedeth for them that their faith fail not but that they may carry unto the Nations these Noble but to humane reason forein wares of remission of sinnes and the Kingdome of heaven through faith in Christ freely offered to all that earnestly repent and amend their lives Furthermore this small Ship shal be tossed and float on the water till the Lord come who alone is able to make a weighty body to walk upon the face of the liquid element which shall come to passe about the fourth watch of the night that is in the end of time when the night of this world is almost spent In the meane while although the roaring Sea doe murmur and repine under the feet of the Lord yet nilling willing it is constrained to beare him so although the swelling pride and powers of the world arise together never so high yet our Head shall trample on their head But when Christ cometh neer unto the ship before he be clearely seene and known of his owne he striketh their hearts with a new terrour that they seeme to themselves to see a Ghost for in the darknes of this night wee are not able rightly to understand the worke of the Lord But when the darknes is scattered and all the storme calmed we shall know him aright and shall worship him as the true Son of God our Redeemer and Saviour It is our part who do live about the fourth watch upon whom the ends of the world are come 1. Cor. 10. 11. to provide lest that by the sudden and unlooked for coming of the Lord we be surprised and confounded for as Christ in one moment and with one thrust brought the ship into the harbour so before we can look about us or turne our selves Eternitie shall come upon us for the Elects sake these dayes shall be shortned Matth. 24. 22. FINIS a Ephes. 3. 14 15 16. b Thes. 3. 9. 10. c Psal. 126. 6. d 1. Thes. 3. 8. e Eccles. 7. 10. f Rom. 11. 22 g Rom. 11. 33 34. h Ier. 10. 23. i Pro. 19. 21. k Iohn 21. 18. l Iob 29. 18. m Mat. 26. 39. Ier. 20. 3. n Micah 4. 5. o Ephes. 4. 14. p Psal. 44. 17 18 19. q Deuâ—. 29. 20. r 2. Tim. â— 5. s 1. Tim. 3. â— t 1. Tim. 1. 19. u â— Thes. 2. 10 11 12. a Numb. 28. 29. b John 6. VVhy this Text chosen c The admonition of Iohn Knox to the professors of the truth in England Paraphrased Divided Doct. 1. Reason 2. Reason 3. Reason Similes The greatness of Peters deliverance The seasonablenesse thereof The sensibleness of the hand of Christ in it The Relation it had to the prayer of Peter It was from free goodnes a Quid aliud â—â—t Christum sequi in atrium pontisicis quam super eisdem fluctibus ambulare cum Christo et quid aliud erat tentatio Ancillae quam ventus adversarius et quid aliud tentatio ex timore quam hic submertio ex timore Musculus in Matth. 14. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Etym. The five circumstances of Peters deliverance applyed to ours The use of this worke of Diuine Providence Use 1. Thankfulnesse in Adoration and Confession c Quid ergo est qd Iudaei dicu â—t cum virum quidem Dei Prophetam fuisse filium vero Dei non fuisse Si filius Dei non fuit certe neque vir Dei neque Propheta fuit cum non fit viri Dei ad exhibitum honorem divinitatis conticescere Quiâ— dicat cum Caesarianum esse prâ—bum ac geâ—uiâ—um Caesari fidelem qui honorem Casari â—oâ—â— compâ—â—entem ob aâ—um non repudiâ—verâ—t sed agâ—ovoris Muscul. in Matth. 14. Take heed to Emulation and beware of envie Difference betwixt Emulation and Envy d Plut. in Apo. e Ambae {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} sorores aâ—rae noctis siliae Hesiod Illa amulatio est laudabilis quae non est rivalitui similis Cic. f Caesarâ—e priorem Pompeiusve pâ—râ—m The Adoration of Christ The Confessing of Christ Charitum numâ—râ—s significâ—t â—râ—â— actus distinctos in beneficiis dare aeccipere referee carum nomen affectus quibus in benefice aâ—â— c. Heming de lege naâ— Use 2. Obedience to the voice of Christ Own ratione in sanite Use 3. Confidence in Christ