remained sure and both had and hath stil this seale The Lord knoweth who are his that is he so kâ—oweth them that he wil certainly preserue them to wit so many as shal truly â—orâ—ake their sinnes according to that which followeth in the same text let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquitie For the proofe of the second part read 2. Pet. 1 5. c. Therefore giue ye euen all diligence thereunto ioyne moreouer vertue with your faith and with faith knowledge and with knowâ—edge temperance patience c. And thus brethreÌ„ saith the Holy Apostle vse diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye doe these things ye shal neuer fal For by this meanes an entrance shal be ministred vnto you aboundantly into the euerlasting kingdome of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Notable to this purpose is the profession of the holy Prophet Ps 119 v. 166. and v. 1â—â— Where he ioineth this trust and longing after saluation with delight in obeying the law of God Lord saith he I haue trusted in thy saluation and haue done thy coÌ„mandements And againe I haue longed for thy saluation ô Lord and thy Law is my delight To this purpose also is that of the Apostle Paul Phil. 2.12 My beloued as ye haue alwaies obeied not as in my presence onely but now much more in my absence so make ye an end of your owne saluation with feare and trembling And Rom. 11 20 Thou standest by faith be not high minded but feare c. For the proofe of the third part of the answere read Heb 10 22.23 24 25 Let vs draw neare with a true heart in assurance of faith c. And let vs keepe the pâ—ofession of our hope without wauering for he is faithfull that hath promised And let vs consider one another to prouoke vnto loue and to good works not forsaking the felowship which wee haue among our selues c. Touching the 4. part read 1. Thess 4.1 c. Furthermore we beseech you brethren and exhorte you in the Lorde Iesus that yee increase more and more as yee haue receyued of vs how yee ought to walke and to please God c. And chapt 5.23.24 Nowe the verie God of peace sanctifie you throughout and I praye God that your whole spirit and soule and bodie may be kept blameles vnto the comming of our Lorde Iesus Christ. Faithfull is hee which calleth you who will also doe it Brethren pray for vs. For the proofe of the last branche reade Rom 12.6 All Prophesie must be according to the proportion of faith Reade also Galat 1.8 9. Though that wee or an Angell from heauen preache vnto you otherwise then that which wee haue preached vnto you let him be accursed As we said before so say we now againe c. And againe 2. Thes 1.2.2 We beseech you c. Be ye not sodainly mooued from your minde nor troubled neither by spirit nor by worde nor by letter c. let no man deceiue you by any meanes c. and verses 9.10.11.12 And 1 Iohn 2.21 No lye is of the truth Hetherto of the dueties of the particular comforts Question NOw what is the duety of all the comfortes of faith in our one onely very true God eternall and almightie infinite inuisible c. they being all put as it were together Answere It is our duty both generally in euery particular respect in most solemne reuereÌ„d religious maÌ„ner to magnifie the most glorious reuerend name of the Lord our God ExplicatioÌ„ proofe This is indeede a generall duety as it were belonging both iointly and severally to all the former comforts of faith The practise wherof we may read to our own instruction and for our example and imitation 1. Chro 29.10 c. King Dauid blessed the Lorde before all the congregation And Dauid saide Blessed be thou O Lord God of Israell our father for euer and euer Thine O Lord is greatnes and power and glorie and victorie and praise For all that is in heauen and in earth is thine Thine is the kingdome O Lord thou excellest as head ouer all Both riches and honour come of thee and thou raignest ouer all and in thy hands it is to make great and to giue strength vnto all Now therfore our God wee thanke thee and praise thy glorious name Read also Psal 47. and Ps 72.18.19 Ps 89.52 106.48 Rom. 16.25 27. 1. Tim. 1.17 and ch 6 15 26. and 1. Pet 5.10.11 and in the Epistle of Iude verses 24.25 and Reuel 5.13 Thus therfore according to the holy exhortation Psalm 34.3 Let vs euerie one for our owne parts praise the Lord with the rest of his faithfull seruants and let vs all magnifie his name together Yea let vs to this ende abound in all particular fruites of true thankfulnesse to his most plentifull honour and praise as much as wee may possiblie attaine vnto For assuredlie faith receiuing the manifolde and aboundant comforts of the manifolde and superabounding grace of God it standeth deeply bound to yeeld all the fruits of thankes that may bee neyther can it receiue the grace of our most gracious God in vaine THe last point of our inquirie now onely remaineth concerning this Article of our faith in one onely true God that is touching the danger of noâ— beleeuing in h m Question What is that Answere Such as will not beleeue in him to their comfort neither walke dutifully before him in the obedience of faith as a fruite thereof besides that they shall want that vnspeakeable peace and comfort of conscience which faith yeeldeth the which of it selfe is a heauy punishment they shall finde in the end that both the wisedome and power and iustice of God yea that euen God himselfe and all that he is in his eternall and infinite nature wil be armed against them to their euerlasting and most wofull destruction Beliefe in one 〈◊〉 God three dâ—stinct 〈◊〉 It shall certainly come so to passe indeede The Danger of not beleeuing If yee beleeue not saith the Prophet 〈◊〉 chap â— verse 9. sureâ—y yee shall not be established And further Ier chapt Exâ—â—â—cation 〈…〉 17. â— Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arme and withdraweth his heart from the Lorde For hee shal be like the heath in the wildernes c. And yet further Psal 73.27.28 Loe saith the Prophet they that withdrawe themselues from thee shall perish thou destroyest all them that go a whoring from thee And againe Psal 78.21.22 Wrath came vpon Israell because they beleeued not in God and trusted not in his helpe For they perished in the wildernes chiefly because of this their sin Likewise Hebr 10 38 39. They that withdraw themselues from faith doe it to their perdition Finallie Reuelat 21.8 The fearfull and vnbeleeuing shall haue their portion in the lake that burneth with fire brimstone which is the second death
regard of the stabilitie of the whole church and euery true member thereof according to that of the same Apostle 2. Tim 2.19 The foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seale The Lord knoweth who are his And thus as it is written Heb 6.18.19 The stablenes of the counsell of God afordeth vs strong consolation vpon the which the ancre of our soules that is the hope which is set before vs may bee sure and steadfast in heauen against all the stormes and tempests which we shall meete withall while we sayle as it were in the discomfortable and dangerous Sea of this wicked troublesome world Read also Mat 16.18 The gates of hell shall not ouercome the Church There be likewise many comfortable testimonies in the holy Prophets As Psal 46.5 c. God is in the midest of it therfore shall it not be moued And Ps 125 1. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion c. Isai 54.17 All the weapons that are made against thee shal not prosper c Ioel 2 32. In mount Sion and in Ierusalem shal be deliuerance And chap 3 20. Likewise Obad verse 17. And Micah 7.20 God will performe his truth to Iaakob and mercie to Abraham c. But to the end we may haue our part in this so singular a comfort How may we be assured Question that wee are in the number of the elect of God and consequently true members of the holy catholike Church of God Hereby may we knowe that we are the elect of God Answer if so be we haue receiued his Spirit of adoption and sanctification ExplicatioÌ„ proofe We may doe so indeede For so saith the Apostle Iohn 1 Ep ch 4 13. Hereby we knowe that we dwell in God and God in vs because hee hath giuen vs of his Spirit The which Spirit also as wee haue seene before is as the earnest or seale of our election to salution And therefore it beareth the name of the Spirit of adoption c. Question But that we faile not nor be deceiued in this our comfort how may we know that God hath giuen vs of his Spirit and that wee are sealed thereby vnto redemption and saluation Answer We may know it certainly by the inward effects which the holy Spirit of God worketh in vs and by the outward effects of holines which the same Spirit inableth vs to performe and causeth our Spirits to take delight and pleasure therein from a pure heart with a good conscience and through faith vnfeined ExplicatioÌ„ proofe You answer truly and well For so doth the Apostle Iohn mentioned euen now teach vs 1 Ep ch 2 v. 3. Hereby we are sure that we knowe him if we keepe his commandements And ch 3 23.24 This is his commandement that we beleeue in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ and loue one another as he gaue commandement For he that keepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he in him hereby we know that he abideth in vs euen by the Spirit which he hath giuen vs. Now this Spirit leadeth vs into the obedience of Gods commandements whereby also it is discerned to be in vs. Prouided alwaies that our obedience be as was answered out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith vnfained According to that of the Apostle Paul 1 Tim 1 5. Moreouer the fruits of the Spirit whereby his abiding in vs may be assured vnto vs are in many particulars reckoned vp by the Apostle Paule Gal 5 22 23 And Eph 5. v. 9 in many other places Wherein if we take delight with care to practise them in our liues we may assure our selues that God hath giuen vs his Spirit And namely The Duties if we shall be carefull to acquaint our selues with prayer and supplication to God for the increase of these his good gifts and graces For this is a speciall propertie of the Spirit of adoption and sanctification as the same Apostle teacheth vs Rom 8 15. Whereby and by the other fruites of sanctification before mentioned the Apostle doth in the same place verses 14 and 16.17 assure vs that we are such as belong to God and to whom the inheritance of the kingdome of God doth belong For saith he as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sonnes of God For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but yee haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God If wee be children we are also heires euen heires annexed with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that â—ee may also be glorified with him And marke this well that among many other things the holy Apostle sheweth vs that our willing suffering with Christ that is while wee walke in the holy waies of God is a sure token that wee are in the number of the elect children of God For as he saith further verse 29. of the same chapter Those whom God knewe before he also predestinated to be made like to the image of his Sonne to wit euen in the induring of afflictions c. And to the same purpose of comforting and incouraging of all such that they are the vndoubted children of God tendeth all that which followeth euen to the end of that most comfortable chapter Whervnto also the testimonie of the Apostle Peter serueth notably in the first chapter of his 2. Epistle verses 5 6 7 8.9 10 11. Therefore giue all diligence therevnto ioyne moreouer vertue with your faith and with vertue knowledge And with knowledge temperance and with temperance patience and with patience godlines and with godlines brotherly kindnes and with brotherly kindnes loue c. For as the Apostle saith hereby we shall make our calling and election sure And he assureth vs in the name of the Lord that if we doe these things we shall neuer fall but that an enterance shall bee ministred vnto vs aboundantly into the euerlasting kingdome of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Read also Ps 15. where the Spirit of God by his holy Prophet maketh the same conclusion from a rehearsall of sundrie like vertues in the former part of the Psalme And thus we see that the comfort of faith coÌ„cerning the Article of the holy catholike Church of God is very great and manifold in respect both of the vniuersalitie and holines of it and chiefly in regard of the holy election of God Hetherto therefore of the vse of the doctrine of this Article for the comfort of faith WE are now to inquire likewise after the vse of it touching the fruites of obedience and that in the same order wherein we haue inquired of the Comforts Question First therefore what is the dutie belonging to the comfort of faith concerning the vniuersalitie of the Church Answer Insomuch as there is but one Church of God and that without it here
and bright clearenes were it not that our owne darknes and ignorance with the confusion that is in our disordered minds did stand in need of the same For so writeth the holy Apostle S. Paul 2. Tim. 3.16.17 The whole Scripture saith he is giuen by diuine inspiration and is profitable to teach to improue to correct and to instruct in righteousnes That the man of God may be absolute and made perfect to all good workes And againe Rom. 15.4 Whatsoeuer things are written afore time to wit in the holy Scriptures as we may perceiue by that which followeth they are written saith the Apostle for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope All mens writings whatsoeuer they be specially such as doe concerne religion they ought to be nothing else but meere seruants to the holy writings of God to the ends here mentioned This therefore is the first thing which I doe earnestly desire of all such as shall thinke good to acquaint themselues with the reading of these or any of the best worth that they will in no wise haue any other estimation of them but as of dutifull seruants to the holy Scriptures of God Now the second thing which I doe to the same ends and with like earnestnes desire as a meete consequent of the former request is this that none would by the reading of these or any other bookes be any whit withdrawne or hindered from the reading or hearing of the word of God it selfe The which being first written by most holy inspiration as was euen now alledged is thereby manifestly cōmended vnto vs as that which euen by the ordinance of God himselfe is to be euery way and at all times in season and out of season night and day both in reading preaching hearing and meditating most reuerendly to be regarded Psal 1. ver 2. and 2. Tim. 4.1 2. And the same also not without iust cause seeing they are questionlesse the onely true ground and perfect Canon of all holy instruction And because the right vnderstanding of them is as the aiming point whereunto all instruction and teaching ought to tend insomuch as they onely are able to make vs perfectly wise vnto saluation This therefore is my second sute that none would by any other writings suffer themselues to be drawne away to slack the reading or the hearing of the preaching of the holy Scriptures of God but rather that they would double yea multiply their diligence that way Thus if any shall at conuenient leisures reade these writings prepared for them I doubt not but through the blessing of God they shall finde them among other of the same argument no vaine helpe and furtherance both for light of knowledge and also to further the comfort obedience of their faith And now these cautions being obserued I beseech ye giue mee leaue to vtter that which I haue among these prefatorie thoughts conceiued further in my minde that is that I haue good trust that there is no iust and important cause why it should offend any though after many former excellent bookes there be stil now and then more set forth prouided alwaies that they be sound and orthodoxe and in some respects of speciall good vse moreouer and beside the former For herein the common prouerb currant in all other things of good vse may haue a chiefe place that Store is no sore The rather also may this stone of offence be remoued if we consider that none are inforced to buy this or that book but it is left to their own free choice to take or to leaue as they please themselues or shall be aduised by the counsell of their godly friends Wherevpon may we not discerne that if we should not thankfully accept the manifold good and industrious labours of our louing brethren the faithfull seruants of God we may easily or we be aware of it not onely complaine of that which might be for our owne ease from other mens labours but also grudge at that which GOD hath prepared for a necessarie helpe and benefit to many other though we should for our parts thinke our selues to stand in no neede of them Wherefore that I may pleade this cause of the new publishing of good and profitable writings such as we speake of Be it that the Church of God is alreadie inriched with a goodlie varietie of all sortes of good bookes blessed be the name of our good God for it both of lesser and greater volume larger and more briefe as well by Question and Answere as in continued speech some more fit for learned Srudents in a more exquisite method and stile and some for Schollers of lesse vnderstanding c. Yet this wee cannot but easilie conceiue that not all good bookes of all sorts no not of the smallest and most easie price doe come to anie one mans hands no nor anie one kinde of booke to all but rather to a very few in comparison of those that doe very seldome or not at all heare of them God no doubt who setteth his seruants to worke will dispose also of their labours as it seemeth best to the eye of his most gratious and all-seeing Prouidence To some one helpe to some another to some at this time to other afterward Yea doubtles so wisely and prouidently will God dispose of the labours of his faithfull seruants that the least of them shall not bee altogether in vaine And yet moreouer and beside that which hath beene saide in this case this may be added further that seeing God hath manifested his wisedome in the varietie of his goodnes and mercie euery other way in his works of creation to be seene felt tasted c. for the manifold comfort of the outward man why should we think it vnsutable to the same his goodnes and to the bountie of his mercies that hee should fit and furnish his seruants with such varietie of spirituall graces as might be euerie way delightfull and beneficiall to the inward Man Verilie there is no reason why wee should thinke so Let no man therefore goe about to straighten that bountie of God which he hath so gratiouslie inlarged toward vs nor grudge against that for the which we cannot be chearefull enough in our praising of him But that we may hasten to an end of this plea Shall false-teachers by an infinite often renued variety of hereticall bookes vtter their counterfet wares and marchandise their Pseudo-chatholike counterfet Treasuries and shall not the faithfull ministers of the truth of GOD vse all holie diligence to promote the same by all kinde of good and sound writings and by laying forth therein the true pretious catholike Treasures of the onely true Church of God Farre be so vnfaithfull and secure negligence chased away from amongst vs. And the rather also because thousandes of poore soules haue so much the more neede of such renued helpes by good writinges lest they should be peruerted by the bad specially
Redeemer Deliuerer and Sauiour of his people as he is often called and as he himselfe calleth himselfe in the writings of the Prophets and euery where else in the holy Scriptures Explicatiō proofe We shall finde it to be true for a good taste if we doe call to minde the testimonies alledged before out of Isaiah to proue that there is but one onely God who there is called the onely Sauiour And likewise The God of our saluation Psal 68.19.20 and Psal 25.5 and 27.9 Moreouer Isaiah chap 41.14 The Lord calleth himselfe the redeemer and the holy one of Israel And chap. 44.6 and chap 47.4 and chap 48.17 and chap 49.7 and chap 59.20 I know that my redeemer liueth saith Iob chap 19.25 This redeemer as well writeth F Iun is the father in the sonne by the spirit And to this end and purpose is the Lord also called the God who onely worketh wonders for the deliuerance and safety of his people Psal 77 14 and Psal 72 18 and 136 4. And Dauid for his part calleth God his deliuerer out of all his trouble and from all his enemies 2 Sam 4 9. and Psal 18 48. And otherwhere a present helpe in time of neede c. And againe Great are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord deliuereth them out of all He is the King of Saints Reuel chap 15 3. In all which respects he is called The blessed one that is he that is for his incomparable goodnes to be blessed and praised aboue all yea euen the wicked being Iudges Marke chap 14 61. And thus we haue holpen our selues with some distinction of the manifold titles of God that from thence we might learne what manner a one our God is in whom onely wee are to beleeue There are some places of Scripture wherein the principall of these titles are purposedly set downe together It were therefore to good purpose that you doe rehearse some one or two of them Question Which may they be Answere In the 6 and 7 verses of the 34 of Exodus God himselfe proclaimeth his owne diuine name and nature in these words The Lord the Lord strong mercifull and gratious slow to anger and aboundant in goodnes and truth reseruing mercie for thousands forgiuing iniquitie transgression and sinne but not making the wicked innocent visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children and vpon childrens children to the third and fourth generation The same almost word for word is repeated by Moses Numb 14.18 which he maketh the ground of that his prayer whereby he intreated and obteined mercy for the people who had greeuously prouoked the Lord to anger against them by their infidelitie Reade also Deut. 10.17.18 and Psal 103.7.8 c. The like is in many other places The which we must not think tedious to search out and to obserue more diligently from time to time For when men of this world are exquisite in seeking out and blazing and setting forth the titles and stiles of earthly Princes shall not the seruants of God much rather vse all holy diligence to seeke and enquire after the knowledge of the excellency of God what his diuine stile is infinitely exceeding all the multiplied titles that can be attributed to all the Princes of the world Yes the rather are we to vse al diligēce herein for the reproofe of the sottish rudenes of a number who notwithstanding they are carefull to obserue the titles of men they wil not wholie and right out as some vse to speake or with any reuerence vtter one title of God He is not God Almightie in the mouthes of many but God a might as if they might bee haile-fellow well met with him Here therefore we will by the grace of God staie yet a little longer in this point For seeing it hath pleased God to expresse his owne nature not only simply and entierly in it selfe but also in way of comparison and that partly negatiuely and by an infinite inequalitie partly by similitudes in a certaine proportion of resemblance for a further helpe of our weaknes we wil also cōsider of these things And first of this that by an infinit disparagement as it were the Lord expresseth himselfe after this sort that he is such a one as none may be compared or matched with him As Psal 89.6 Who is equall to the Lord in the heauens and who is like the Lord among the sonnes of the Gods that is of the most mightie vpon the earth Wherevnto we may make that for a true answere which we reade Psal 97.9 The Lord is most high aboue all the earth and much exalted aboue all gods that is aboue all the Angels of heauen And againe Psal 86.8 Among the Gods that is to say among any of those to whom the name of God is giuen whether to Angels or men of magistracy and power aboue the rest or to false Gods such as are so onely by Idolatrous conceit there is none like thee ô Lord and there is none that can do like thy workes And Psal 135.5.6 I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is aboue all Gods Whatsoeuer pleased the Lord that did he in heauen earth in the sea and in all depthes Herein therefore the Prophet Isaiah is earnest cha 40.18 To whom then will ye liken God or what similitude will ye set vp vnto him And v. 25. To whom now will ye liken me that I should be like him saith the holy one And Exo chap. 1◠11 Who is like vnto thee ô Lord among the gods who is like thee so glorious in holines fearefull in praises doing wonders c And Deu 32.31 Their God is not as our God euen our enemies being iudges And also Psal 115.3 c. Our God is in heauen he doth whatsoeuer he will Their Idols are siluer and gold euen the work of mens hands They haue a mouth and speake not c. And Ier. 10.16 The portion of Iaacob is not like them for he is the maker of all things and Israel is the rodde of his inheritance The Lord of hostes is his name And Gal 4 8. The gods of the heathen are not gods by nature as our God is to wit of a most spirituall diuine nature infinite and eternall as hath bene declared before To this kinde of expressing the Lord in way of comparison negatiuely belongeth that which is written Numbers 23.19 God is not as man that hee should lye neither as the sonne of man that hee should repent Likewise 1. Samuel 15.29 The strength of Israel will not lye nor repent for hee is not man that hee should repent Moreouer Hosh Chap. 11.9 I am God and not man the holy one in the midst of thee c. And Rom 3.4 Let God be true and euery man a lyar As though he should say howsoeuer man is found light and inconstant yet this is a principle which ought to be aboue all exception that God is alwaies and in all things
nostrills mouth hands feet c they are so frequeÌ„t in the Scriptures that it is needles and would be ouerlong to rehearse in what respect the Lord doth thus speak of himselfe We may read them to very good purpose in the beginning of the first booke Of the substance of religion by Amandus Polanus who hath diligently gathered them together and learnedly interpreted them to our hand The eyes of the Lord note his wisedome and prouidence his mouth the declaration of his will his arme and right hand his invincible power and gouernment his feete and footesteppes the proceeding and execution of his iudgements c. Psal 68.24 and Psal 77.18 and 89 51. But in all such speaches we must beware that we conceiue in our mind nothing carnally of the diuine and Spirituall nature of God For as it is said in the book of Iob ch 10.4 that he hath no carnall eyes neither seeth as man seeth so is it to be acknowledged concerning the rest For in so much as our Sauiour Christ saith of Spirits that are creatures that they haue not flesh bones Lu 24 â—9 much lesse is the Creator of Spirits to be thought to haue so or to bee any substance of any shape and outward forme And thus if we seek to know God according to the instructions and testimonies of the holy Scriptures we shall by the grace of God know him as he is to be known a thousand fold more perfitly theÌ„ by all Philosophicall conceit discourse of reason accordingly we shal rightly beleeue in him Yet wheÌ„ we haue vsed all good holy diligence we must rest our selues in that knowâ—â—dge which is vnto sobrietie For as touching the nature of God as he is in hâ—mselfe we cannot knowe it but by his backe parts as hee himselfe speaketh As for his most perfect glorie which shineth aboue all visible brightnes as it were in his face we cannot possibly behold or looke vpon it It belongeth to euery Christian saue onely as hee hath reuealed himselfe in the face of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 4.6 And yet this knowledge also is passing knowledge as touching the full perfection of it Ephes 3.19 And Galat 4.9 Wee cannot know God as wee are knowne of him Hitherto therefore of the meaning of the Article I beleeue in God NOwe let vs inquire of the third pointe to witte what promise wee the Gentiles haue that this onely true God who was in speciall manner the God of Israell wil be likewise our God Question What proofe haue you for this Answere In the first chapter of the Prophesie of Hosea verse 10 thus we read In the place saith the Lorde where it was said vnto them yee are not my people it shall be saide vnto them yee are the Sonnes of the liuing God And againe chapt 2. the last verse I will haue Mercie on her that was not pitied and I will say to them that were not my people Thou art my people and they shall say Thou art my Lorde This is indeede a generall promise concerning the calling of vs the Gentiles including euerie one of euerie Nation whosoeuer shall in the time and season of this calling haue grace truelie to beleeue in God Reade Rom 9.24.25.26 c. Question But what proofe haue you that the time of this generall calling is all readie come Answere In the 3. chapt to the Rom verse 29. the Apostle Paul affirmeth that euer since the Gospell hath bene Preached to all Nations by the Commandement of our Sauiour Christ God is to be acknowledged not onely the God of the Iewes but also of the Gentiles For saith hee it is one God that shall iustifie the Circumcision of faith and vncircumcision through faith ExplicatioÌ„ proofe By Circumcision of faith the Apostle vnderstandeth the beleeuing Iewes that were circumcised as by vncircumcision the Gentiles beleeuing though they were not circumcised His meaning is therefore that the same Faith in Christ doth iustifie them both in the sight of God And let vs marke to our comfort seeing the greatest cause and title that wee haue is pleaded howe earnest the Apostle is in auerring and affirming the calling of vs the Gentiles into the fellowship of the couenant of grace and saluation togither with the Iewes Is God saith he the God of the Iewes onelie and not of the Gentiles also Yes euen of the Gentiles also Read also 1. Corint ch 12. verse 13. and Ephes 2.11 c. And Act 11.1 c. and chap 15. 7. c. This verilie is worthie our speciall obseruation For in so much as it is certaine that wee the Gentiles were cut off from Gods conuenant it is necessarie that wee should haue ground and warrantise of our insition and ingrafting againe To this purpose the testimonies alledged are infinitely more worthe then their weight in Golde as a man may say Question BVt that we may proceed seeing the faith of Gods elect as it is called Tit 1.1 is common to all the people of God whether Iew or Gentile as hath bene shewed and there is but one Faith Ephes 4.5 Why doe wee in the profession of our faith single out our selues as it were euery one for his owne part saying I beleeue in God c And not We beleeue Answere First because it is of the verie nature of the true Iustifying Faith to make particular application of the Promises of Almightie God to euerie one whom God hath indued with it Secondlie because it is the duety of euery true beleeuer to make profession of his owne Faith rather then of any other mans in so much as no man knoweth the truthe and certaintie of the saith of any other so vndoubtedly as hee may doe of his owne Thirdly because no man can be saued but by his owne Faith Finallie to the ende that euery beleeuer might be admonished and prouoked each by the example of other to seeke to haue the ground of faith firmely setled in him selfe and euerie one to trie and examine himselfe concerning the truth of his owne faith lest hee should at vnawares deceiue himselfe in a vaine opinion and imagination of faith in steade of faith it selfe Explication and proofe These are verie good reasons in deede for the particular confession and profession of euerie Christian his owne Faith For the proofe wherof touching the first let vs consider that it is the vsuall manner of the publishing of the Gospell to applie it particularlie as Roman 10.9 If thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord IESVS and shalt beleeue in thy heart that GOD hath raised him vp from the dead thou shalt be saued Gal â— 7 Act ch 16. 14. 15. and verse 31. Belieue and thou shalt be saued Likewise Chapt 8.37 Philip saith to the Eunuch Lord Treasurer to Candaces the Queene of the Aethiopians If thou beleeuest with all thine heart thou maiest be baptized And hee answered I beleeue that IESVS CHRIST is the Sonne of GOD.
the almightie goodnes of God in prison then they had before when they were at libertie And generally the goodnes of God is so bounteous that for one or a fewe troubles and discourâ—gements he giueth many comforts Neither is any of his faithfull children at any time so destitute and miserable but euen in their outward miserie they haue beene spiritually very blessed and happie Nowe that according to the 8. branch speciall troubles may put vs in hope of speciall comforts at hand Wee may consider it from that speech of King Dauid whereby hee comforted himselfe against the extreame and raging railings of Shimei 2. Sam 16.12 It may be saith the King that the Lord will looke on my affliction and doe me good for his cursing this day Yea we may consider and behold it as it were with our eyes in that effect which shortly ensued Read also Psalm 109 28. Though they curse yet thou wilt blesse they shall arise and bee confounded but thy seruant shall reioyce c. And verse 31. For hee that is God will stand at the right hand of the poore to saue him from them that would condemne his soule Reade likewise Psalm 102.13.14 Thou wilt arise and haue mercie vpon Sion for the time to haue mercie thereon for the appointed time is come And Isay 40.1.2 Comfort yee Comfort ye my people wiâ—l your God say Speake comfortably to Ierusalem and cry vnto her that her warre-fare is accomplished that her iniquitie is pardoned for shee hath receiued of the Lordes hand double for all her sinnes Compare it with Luke 1 â—1 c. Reade also Heb 10.37 Yet a very little while and hee that shall come will come and will not tarrie The Diuel rageth most and accordingly hee inflameth the rage of his instruments when their time is but short and their destruction draweth neere In which respect it is saide Psalm 76.10 Surely the rage of man shall turne to the praise of God It is a Psalme of thankesgiuing for the destruction which God sent vpon the raging and railing Assirians 2. King 19.28 c. 35 36 37. Read also Mark 1.26 and Luk 4 35. and Reuel 12.12 The Diuel hath great wrath knowing that he hath but a short time There is none of vs that vse any diligence in the obseruation of Gods workes but we may of our owne knowledge within the space of fewe yeeres remember that God hath cast his heauie burthen and iudgement vpon such as haue beene fierce against his seruants So then vpon our owne experience we may iustly say as we read in the booke of Iob chap 9.4 Who hath bin fierce against God and hath prospered It is a worthy saying of learned Beza that wee may take it for a shewe-token that God is about to worke some strange and vnwonted worke when he layeth the raines loose as it were vpon the neckes of the wicked so that all things are hasting to confusion through their wicked and outragious dealing as saith he experience in all ages doth confirme This is the effect of that learned mans sentence His wordes are these Quando animaduertimus Deum suis hostibus laxas vt ita dicam habenas permittere omniaque in peius ruentia susque deque ferri c. tum norimus a Domino nouum aliquod extraordinarium opus expectandum vt seculorum omnium experientia satis id testatur Homil 9. in Hist Passionis Finally if there were nothing else to comfort in time of extremitie yet this may suffice that death endeth all And so haue the holy Martyres comforted themselues when they were going to the stake yea so haue they one comforted another that though they were to take a sharpe breakfast yet they shoulde haue a ioyfull supper For as the Apostle writeth 2. Thes 1.6 c. God accounteth it a righteous thing to giue his seruants rest the one with the other in due time for euer as also to recompence tribulation to them that trouble his seruants Wherefore that wee may conclude according to the 9. branch of the Answere this may iustly be as the sealing vp and ratifying of all comfort that all afflictions of longest continuance and the same also the greatest that may be are but short and light in comparison of that heauenly glory whereunto they guide vs. For so the Apostle Pauâ— expresly affirmeth 2. Cor. 4.17 Our light affliction saith he which is but for a moment causeth to vs a farre most excellent and an eternall weight of glorie It is as was answered the onely beaten way to the kingdome of God Act. 14.22 and 2. Tim. 3.11 12. Wherefore they are not without cause pronounced blessed euen by the sacred mouth of our Sauiour Christ whosoeuer walke in this way Matth. 5.10.11 12. Neither is it in vaine that in the same respect he doth incourage all such to reioyce and to be glad yea euen as it were to skip for ioy seeing their reward in heauen is exceeding great Luke 6.23 And thus we may clearely and certainely perceiue that the comforts belonging to all the afflictions of Gods children to speake generally of them yea euen of those for sinne when they cause repentance to saluation but chiefely for those that are indured for Christ and his Gospels sake that they are and accordingly ought iustly to bee accounted many waies of exceeding good and comfortable vse BVt there are some comforts which may seeme more proper and peculiar to death the which is an affliction naturally more feareful then any other though by the grace of God it is to the faithful not only a final end of all affliction but also a speedie enterance into eternall blessednes and glorie I desire therefore so much the more gladly to heare you rehearse some of those speciall comfortes which are as the most specificall and proper medecine to the godlie to helpe against all feare of death whether naturall feare or feare as wee may say supernaturall and aboue nature through the guiltinesse of our sinne in our wounded consciences Question Which I pray you may these speciall comforts be Answere As all afflictions and sufferings for the Lords cause and in the way of righteousnes so death especially is to all those which in that respect doe endure it a most comfortable warrantize and as it were a sealing vp of the truth of their faith and obedience to God for euer Death is also to the godly the ending and abolishing of all euill not onely of the euill of punishment or chastisement but also of the euill of sinne the ceasing whereof is to the godly most comfortable to thinke vpon Furthermore death bailing our soules for euer out of the prison house of this our corruptible vile and sinfull bodie it doth lay wide open the way and passage into the kingdome of heauen to the most comfortable presence of God the Father to whom wee die and to the Sonne of God our Lord Iesus Christ who hath died for vs that hee might bee our
the glorious presence of the most high god And therefore also on the other side no true christian ought to be discouraged although they be poorely borne nor any christian woman though shee be poorely brought in bed as if her childe were of lesse account before God because of that For doe we not see that Marie was so yea like enough more poorely then the poorer sort of women are wont to be and with lesse comfortable helpers and in a lesse commodious and seemely place for such a busines as the poorest chamber in a base cottage But what should we speake of Marie thus poorely brought in bed in comparison of the childe it selfe that was borne of her For the matter is infinitely more admirable in respect of him the naturall Sonne of God then of her by nature the daughter of Eue yea it is not much admirable in respect of her saue onely in regard of him Fourthly who shall not be ashamed to murmure at his wants or on the other side to be prowd when hee is in wealthie and honourable estate in the world if he doe with a right and well aduised eye looke vpon the birth of the Son of God without whom it had bin vnpossible but we must haue bin both borne in most extreame dishonour also haue continued in misery for euer Finally how should wee be iustly offended at any outward basenes of the Church or any true members thereof if we do aduisedly looke to the outward basenes of the most glorious head Prince and gouernour of them Is it not meet that the Church here vpon earth which are as the members of the body should be sutable to the head such as it was while it remained here on the earth It may suffice vs that we know it is glorious with in though it be outwardly somewhath browne or blacke Psal 45.13 Cant. 1.4.5 Thus then we see that many outward duties from a great inward dutifulnes of heart doe belong to the comfort of faith concerning the birth of our Sauiour Christ duly weighed considered both more generally also more specially as hath already bin laid forth in diuers particulars in such sort as that which hath beene hetherto obserued might seeme to suffice Neuertheles for the further clearing of so worthy a point it shall not be superfluous for vs as I suppose to endeuour to gather a further direction herein from the examples and practise of those to whom the birth of our Sauiour was first manifested and whom we know to haue beene guided by the holy Ghost therein as hath beene obserued at large in the sermons made vpon those parts of our text Of these duties I desire that you doe as briefely as may be make some rehearsall againe according to those examples which God hath set before vs to the same end Question Which may they be Answere From the example of the holy Angels we may iustly learne that in so much as they to whom the incarnation birth of our Sauiour Christ did not so properly belong did neuertheles to the glorifying of God on our behalfe most earnest blesse and praise the Lord much rather ought we our selues to doe so seeing for our sakes it was that the Son of God thus humbled and abased himselfe From the example of the Sheepheards we are taught that it is our dutie to vse all diligence both in seeking after the knowledge of our Sauiour Christ borne into the world and of the right ends and vses of his comming and abiding in it and also in mutuall exherting incouraging one another therevnto We may likewise learne from thē that according as we our selues haue learned found out Christ Iesus in his word by the instructiōs therof so it is our dutie as much as lieth in vs to make him known to al other And further both from the example of the Sheepheards and also of those which heard the things which they reported vnto them concerning the birth of our Sauiour we may well learne that it is our dutie to esteeme reuerently of the same things and of all other of like holy record and to praise and glorifie God therein What the dutie is which the exāple of the vir Marie teacheth vs it hath bin answered before Frō the exāple of the wisemen who came out of the East a long iourny to worship our Sa Christ we may profitablie learn diuers notable lessons of good christiā dutie First that we ought to esteeme most highly and honourablie of our blessed Sauiour Secondly that we ought to refuse no labour or cost in our seeking to know him Thirdly that no feare of danger with-hold vs from diligent inquiring after him Fourthly that we be in no wise offended at the basenes of his comming into the world but on the contrarie that wee doe reioyce in our Sauiour so much the more as in him that therby giueth vs so much the more assurance that we shal be aduanced through his abasing of himselfe so lowe for vs. Fiftly that we vse all good circumspection that we giue no furtherance or aduantage to the wicked against our Sauiour or his Church and Gospel Finallie that wee doe most willinglie yeelde our selues and all that wee haue to his most honourable seruice From the example of Simeon wee learne likewise that it is our dutie to preferre the true knowledge of our Sauiour Christ made man and sent into the world before all things in the whole world yea before our owne life and beeing in it His doctrine also teacheth vs that not all in the world but they onely that doe truelie beleeue in him and dutifullie obey him shal be partakers of his appearing Last of all from the example of Anna we are taught in like manner that it is the dutie of one as well as of another of women as well as of men with all readines to acknowledge and confesse that our Sauiour Christ is verily in truth come in the flesh Explicatiō proofe These things which are lightsome in themselues haue bene more fully laide forth for a helpe to our weakenes by the interpretation and opening of the text in the Sermons made vpon the same First concerning the holie Angels Luke 2.13.14 from these words And strait way ther was with the Angela multitude of heauenly souldiers that is of other Angels as it appeareth verse 15. praising God saying Glorie be to God c. And touching our owne dutie Read Isai chapter 12. Secondly concerning the Shepheards as it foloweth in the same ch vers 13.16.17.18.20 And it came to passe when the Angels that is the multitude of heauenlie souldiers before mentioned were gone away from them into heauen that the Shepheards said one to another Let vs go then into Bethlehem c. Thirdlie concerning those that heard the Shepheardes make report of the birth of our Sauiour Christ we read likewise in the same chap verse 18. Of whom this is testified that they did all wonder
to carrie speedily to his Disciples that they ouercomming their feare doe also drawe neare to the sepulchre by that time our Sauiour had withdrawne himselfe from Mary Magdalene and so sawe the second vision of Angels and after that also the second appearance of our Sauiour This is most likely to haue beene as you say Question But what became of Mary Magdalene after that shee had receiued her message from our Sauiour at that his first appearance Answer I haue heard it very probably coniectured vpon a diligent pondering of the holy Storie that so soone as Mary Magdalene had receiued her message shee went forthwith to deliuer the same and that after this the other women comming to the Sepulchre and being likewise assured of our Sauiours resurrection both by the second testimonie of the Angels and also by the appearance of our Sauiour after the same doe second the former message of Mary Magdalene according to the commandement both of the Angel and also of our Sauiour himselfe Yet not with so great speed but that they were preuented by some of the companie who for feare fled from the sepulchre before the rest as wee may perceiue Luke 24. verses 22.23 as wee are hereafter further to obserue ExplicatioÌ„ It seemeth to stand with good reason that it should be so For thus the holy Euangelists may well be accorded and the course of the holy Storie orderly and distinctly considered in the naturall course of it by the mutuall testimony of al foure of them Neither doth it make any thing against this that Saint Luke chap 24.10 reckoneth Mary Magdalene with the rest of those who did the like message to the Apostles because as we saide before of the visions so here we are to vnderstand that he speaketh ioyntly of the messages though according to the report of the Euangelist Iohn it is most like that these messages as well as these visions are to be distinguished of vs. Question But seeing all these things are matters of faith how may it agree with the doctrine and subiect matter of it that it should be so propounded and set down as we must goe by likelihoods and sâ—â—posals that it was thus and thus and cannot say certainly that in respect of euery circumstance it was vndoubtedly and out of all question thus Answer Yeâ— as I haue heard you teach it may well stand with the assurance of faith and with all hoâ—y and commendable obedience thereof firmely to beleeue those thinges to haue beene verily dâ—ne whatsoeuer the holy Scriptures doe affirme although wee through weakenesse of iudgement or feeblenesse of memorie cannot for the present di cerne or remember the perfite manner or order of the performance of them but do rest in that which so farre as we can perceiue is nearest to the truth vntill it may please God to let vâ— by some meanes see more clearely into all the circumstances of the same ExplicatioÌ„ It is indeed well agreeable to the holy doctrine of faith and to that modestie also which well beseemeth euery scholler in the schoole of our Sauiour Christ And herein faith is as we may say so much the more faithfull and dutifull both before God and men when it beleeueth without all doubting the substance and truth of the matter it selfe notwithstanding any scruple that may arise either from a circumstance thereof or from a diuerse interpretation or vnderstanding which the text it selfe may seeme to admit For it is the pleasure of God no doubt to exercise the obedience of our faith this way and to stirre vs vp to vse the more diligence in our studie and search after his truth and to teach vs to hold our selues fast to that knowledge which we haue alreadie receiued as to a very precious inheritance c. It is onely the propertie of infidels and hypocrites so to stumble and to bee offended vpon such occasions as these may be The proofe of his resurrection by his second appearance that thereby they be confounded and fall away All true beleeuers stay themselues vpon this sure foundation that all things contained in the holy Scriptures are most certainly true in themselues and consonant ech thing with other yea euery circumstance with circumstance howsoeuer wee cannot for the present in this or that see what is most exactly to be resolued vpon So that worthily may euery Christian hold and the learned diuine maintaine and defend as a question worthy the commencement that Sancti Euangelistae eodem Spiritu sacro-sanctissimo Spiritu sc veritatis dictante omnia verissimè sumaque cum concordantia euangelicam historiam Domini nostri Iesu Christi conscripâ—èâ—e That is to say that the holy Euangelists guided by one most holy Spirit euen the Spirit of truth haue most truly and with perfect concordance and agreement penned the holy Story of the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ Now therefore these things thus obserued for the clearing of the course of the holy story so far as God vouchsafed vs his grace let vs come to the words of the text Wherin we haue to consider first the coÌ„ming of these women to the sepulchre and then the second vision speech of the Angels to them so soone as they were come and thirdly that second appearance and speech of our Sauiour whereby he made himselfe knowne to them also as well as he had done before to Mary Magdalene Question First therefore in what wordes doe the holy Euangelists declare these things vnto vs Answer Their comming to the sepulcher is with some specialtie recorded by the Euangelist Marke The vision and speech of the Angels is most fully reported by S. Luke The second appearance or manifesting of our Sauiour and his second speech are onâ—ly set down by the holy Euangelist Matthew So it is indeede But let vs heare their seuerall wordes and so shall wee more fully informe our selues concerning the whole Question And first which are the words of the Euangelist Marke Answer Chap 16.2 Therefore saith he early in the morning the first day of the weeke they came vnto the sepulcher when the Sunne was yet rising 3. And they saiae one to another who shall roule vs away the stone from the doore of the sepulcher 4. And when they looked they sawe that the stone was rowled away for it was a very great one Explication proofe These words indeed shewe vs the comming of these women to the sepulcher yet so as the first comming of Mary Magdalene is included in the same as it is euident from the first verse And as touching these wordes who shall rowlâ— vs away the stone from the doere of the sepulcher This consultation was also while Mary Magdalene was yet with them Concerning the which consultation two things may noâ— be a little marueled at First that they did not thinke to prouide for this before they would set forth out of doores Secondly that they doe not doâ—bt much rather how they should come
the end Thirdly that nothing shall be able to withstand the course of the preaching of the Gospel till it shall be published in all the world according to the holy will and appointment of God for a testimony against all vnbeleeuers but to the comfort and reioycing yea euen to the honour and glory of the faithfull preachers and professours of the same This is the briefe of the first part of the answer of our Sauiour Let vs consider somewhat more fully of them to the further opening applying of them to our manifold vse and comfort In the rest we will be more short First of all our Sauiour as was said doth admonish vs to beware of the instruments of the diuell whosoeuer shall at any time goe about to peruert vs and to withdrawe our hearts from the truth of the Gospell The which as it standeth in two points to wit the truth of the Person of Christ who he is and the truth of his doctrine what it is so there want not two sorts of instruments which cease not to labour to peruert the mindes of the vnstable either way And therefore it is that our Sauiour giueth so earnest warning both against false Christes and also against false Prophets and Teachers whether seruants to the false Christes or arch heretikes and Masters of any sect contrary to the direction and doctrine of our Sauiour Take heed therefore saith he that no man deceiue you For many shal come in my name c. that is to say not onely with pretence of authority from mee but euen in effect arrogating to themselues my name as if they were the true Christ indeede These as our Sauiour the only true Christ saith shall deceiue many So that by two very forcible reasons he doth warne to take heede of all such First because there should be many of them And secondly because many for want of taking heede shall be deceiued by them But who haue beene such false Christes And who haue at any time beene deceiued by them There haue been many such among the Iewes and many also of the Iewes haue bin deceiued by such not only before our Sauiour gaue this warning but also sithence some whereof are mentioned by S. Luke in the booke of the Acts of the Apostles ch 5.36.37 one Theudas and Iudas of Galile and cha 21.38 a certaine Egiptian Of which sort more are recorded by Iosephus who writeth the Iewes storie as we may read in his bookes both of their Antiquities also of their warrs But though there were no record yet ought we vndoubtedly to beleeue that the word of our Sauiour hath beene fulfilled according to that he said Ioh. 5.43 I come in my Fathers name and ye receiue me not if another shall come in his owne name him will ye receiue And euen to this day so many as vnder the name of Christ doe seeke to draw the mindes of any from the true Christ to themselues who may iustly be in that respect called Antichrists such of whō the Apostle Iohn saith that there were many euē in his time all these may iustly come vnder the name of false Christs Yea whosoeuer doth seeke to draw away from Christ either vnder the name of Christ professedly or by promising those thinges to such as will cleaue vnto thē which none can performe but our Sauiour Christ alone they are according to the mind of our Sauiour false Christes Such false Christes and that in the highest degree are those in the East that drawe all vnder subiection to Mahomet and his Alkoran and here in the West all the Popes of Rome in their Antichristian succession who hold all to their Portuise Masse-booke c. adding detracting changing as they list the lawes ordinances doctrine of the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ Yea euery arch-heretike that draweth from Christ by promising safety and saluation by the imbracing of him his doctrine though contrary or swaruing frō the truth of the doctrine of Christ they may all be reckoned false Christes Such as were in former times Praxeus Valentinus Ebion Cerinthus Nouatus Arius Donatus c. of latter times H. N. and his successours great false Christes though more secret and lurking then many of the rest And thus wee may perceiue how the word of our Sauiour is fulfilled that there should be many false Christes And that infinite multitudes haue beene deceiued by them and are yet to this day none can be ignorant that will not willingly shut their eies Now beside these false Christes there are another sort of deceiuers with like circumspection to be auoided of vs as the same our Sauiour the onely true Christ of God doth aduertise vs that is to say false Prophets These we may account to be all such as are seruants to false Christes by their seruile flattery for lucres sake to set vp and aduance their power and excellencie as if all outward peace or spirituall reliefe and safety were to be found in submission and subiection vnto them and as if no other but such were worthy to haue liberty to buy or sell or liue vpon the earth False Prophets therefore are such as preach Mahomet or the Pope or H. N. or the heresie of any other to draw any to be of the sect of their Master heretike And consequently all their deceiueable doctrines must be with like care watched against and reiected as our Sauiour giueth warning ver 11. To the which end purpose our Sauiour vseth the same reasons which he had rendered before to wit the multitude of such deceiuing Prophets which come out of the bottomlesse pit by companies like locusts Reue. 9. as we may take the wicked Iesuits Seminarie Priests in these our daies for example in one kind and because as we haue experience multitudes are through their neglect of this our Sauiours admonition deceiued and peruerted by them O therfore I beseech ye let vs be yet more more carefull to seeke to know our Lord Iesus the onely true Christ the onely begotten sonne of God more perfectly then yet we haue done not onely from the holy prophesies giuen forth of him from the beginning and so from time to time but also in the accomplishment of all thinges in his conception in due time in his birth in his life in his doctrine in his miracles in his sufferings and in his whole most high exaltation euen from the graue to the right hand of God in the highest heauens the which things haue beene from the holy Scriptures in some measure for our parts faithfully opened and declared vnto you And I beseech ye to the further quickening of your diligence let vs consider that the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ and of his blessed Gospel is a most high and deepe mystery and of another nature then is all humane literature and learning So that we are ready to imagine too soone that we know all wel enough c wheras we ought