with courage and resolution for the purpose and to vertue knowledge meaning daily increase of knowledge and carefull vse of all good meanes to that end and to knowledge temperance or Christian moderation and sobrietie in the vse of all outward things as meate drinke apparell riches honour and such like not suffering our hearts to bee surcharged with surfeiting drunkennesse worldly cares pride of life or any thing of that nature and to temperance patience in bearing meekely whatsoeuer iniuries or insolencies of our aduersaries or infirmities of our brethren and fellow-Christians and to patience godlinesse endeauouring vnfainedly to grow euery day more conscionable in all our dealings with men and especially more deuout worshippers of God then other yea striuing what in vs is to double our deuotions in prayer exercise of the word and Sacraments due sanctification of the name of God and of his holy Sabbaths meditation conference and all such like duties and to godlinesse brotherly-kindnesse being as the Apostle a Rom. 12. 10. teacheth kindly or naturally affectâ—oned to loue one another with brotherly loue In honour preferring one another not slothfull to doe seruice mutually distributing to the necessities of the Saints giuen to hospitalitie ready according to the will of God b 1. Iohn 3. 16. to lay downe our very liues for the brethren after the example of Christ Iesus And to brotherly kindnesse charitie extending it selfe to do good vnto all friends foes Christians aliens being the Lady and Princesse of all those graces whereby we doe seruice one to another and as it were the mother of the maides directing and moderating all the gifts of God internall or externall to the best good of all especially of the houshold of faith all selfe-loue set apart Thus to be exercised alwaies vpon all occasions is rightly to build vpon the foundation to make our owne calling and election the highest fauours bestowed vpon mankinde sure and to be indeed wise Christians In the third place the good hearer is described by his outward condition he is lyable to most grieuous afflictions and persecutions which by diuine ordination vsually follow the hearer and doer of these sayings for his c Hebr. 12. 5 6. correction probation and purgation from the most dangerous humour of pride and haughtinesse especially As also that the Lord CHRIST his d 2. Co. 12. 7 8 9 strength may be made perfect in the weaknesse of his Saints This troublesome condition of the people of God is signified heere by the descending of the raine swelling of the flouds and blustering of the windes whereof he afterwards gaue his disciples warning in plaine termes In e Ioh. 16. 33. the world saith he you shall haue affliction but bee of good cheere I haue ouercome the world The experience of all ages maketh good that generall proposition of the Apostle f 2. Tim. 3. 12. yea and all that will liue godly in CHRIST IESVS shall suffer persecution The reason is apparant and giuen by CHRIST himselfe g Ioh. 15. 19. If yee were of the world the world would loue his owne but because yee are not of the world but I haue chosen you out of this world therefore the world hateth you Whosoeuer putteth not this into his accounts when hee giueth his name vnto CHRIST let him know that he taketh a wrong plough by the end as wee are plainly and peremptorily taught by our Lord and blessed Sauiour himselfe Luke 14. 27 28. Fourthly and lastly the good hearer is described by the fruit euent or successe which is his stabilitie and perseuerance in the greatest stormes when the Deuill and World haue done their worst It fell not saith the Text for it was founded vpon the rocke The good hearer is as wee heard founded vpon CHRIST IESVS and the promises of God which all h 2. Cor. 1 20. in him are yea and in him Amen apprehended by Faith and confessed with the mouth so that the gates of Hell cannot preuaile against him as we see Matth. 16. 16 17 18. Rom. 10. 9 10 11. This is therefore iustly placed among Salomon's prouerbiall speeches i Prou. 10. 28. As the whirlewind passeth so is the wicked no more but the righteous is an euerlasting foundation Questionlesse nothing is more sickle and vanishing then the irreligious rout seeme they neuer so well rooted and flourishing I haue saith k Psal 37 35. 37. 39. the Psalmist seene the wicked in great power and spreading himselfe like a greene Bay-tree yet he passed away and loe he was not But marke the perfect man and behold the vpright for howsoeuer he seeme to bee exposed to all dangers and miseries the end of that man is peace or happinesse And no maruell since their saluation is of the Lord he is their strength in the time of trouble They l Prou. 14. 32. haue also hope and a sure refuge euen in their death To conclude this point concerning the good hearer As a house well built vpon a rocke may bee and is commonly shaken but falleth not so the hearer and doer of these sayings well built vpon the rocke CHRIST IESVS through m Gal. 5. 6. faith that worketh by loue may bee and is diuers times fearefully shaken by reason of hard persecution and temptations but fall he cannot fully and finally The euill hearer is described Verse 26. 27. by the contraries to all the former First he ioyneth not practise to his hearing but is like vnto him n James 1. 24. that beholdeth his naturall face in a glasse and going away straight-way forgetteth what manner of man he was As if it were all Religion and not rather the greatest irreligion to heare and not to doe To simple ignorance this barren hearing addeth grosse contempt of the diuine Maiestie whose sacred sayings aâ—e by this meanes set at nought and cast behind men as altogether vnworthy to be followed Secondly the euill hearer is described by his propertie for he ranketh all such among starke Fooles who heare and doe not what they heare how sharpe-sighted and politicke soeuer they be in worldly things For whereunto may they be better compared then to patients dangerously and with out the Physicians helpe desperately sicke that make none other vse of their learned and well experienced Physicians counsell but onely to heare it letting the practise goe at their vttermost perill Or according to this present similitâ—de what can be deuised more foolish then for a man to lay out his whole estate and time vpon a building without a foundation which cannot but proue a castle of come-downe before it be long Not without cause doth the Prophet Ieremy breake forth into this vehement exclamation o Ier. 8 8. 9. How say yee that we are wise and the Law of the Lord is with vs Loe they hauereiected the Law of the Lord in respect of hearing and doing and what wisedome is in them meaning no wisdome at all in Gods account
indeed blessed euen such as naturall men iudge of all other to be most wretched and miserable whom he describeth together with their blessednesse Cap. 5. vers 3. to 13. First by their preparation to the kingdome of heauen and so to true blessednesse They are poore in spirit they mourne they hunger and thirst after righteousnesse Secondly by their inward disposition they are meeke mercifull pure in heart peace-makers Thirdly by their outward condition they are so farre from ciuill and worldly happinesse that they are forced to vndergoe many manifold crosses eue◠for their righteousnesse sake To take these things in order as they are layed before vs in the p Verse 3. text first hee pronounceth them blessed what frailties or calamities soeuer they labour vnder who are poore not so much in purse as in spirit being of a broken and contrite heart trembling at the word of God whose displeasure they feare not with seruile but reuerentiall feare aboue all dreadfull things and whose mercy through CHRIST IESVS they make their onely refuge disclaiming all affiance in themselues or any creature And being conscious of their owne wants and weaknesses they are much more vile in their owne eyes then they are or can be in other folkes as wee see plainely q Luke 18. 13. in the poore Publican The very heathen receiued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 know thy selfe as a diuine oracle and layed it downe as the foundation of true wisdome and happinesse as our Lord and Master here doth In the second place Verse 4. hee pronounceth them blessed not who are at ease in Zion and liue deliciously but that mourne not a thousandth part so much for their afflictions and miseries though they bee sensible of them and bewaile them also as very bitter fruits of that bitter root of sinne but as S. Iames teacheth r Iames 4. 9 10. they are afflicted sorrow and weepe they turne their carnall laughter into mourning and ioy into heauinesse casting downe themselues for their sinnes before the Lord In which respect they grieue at the heart that they can grieue no more This godly sorrow for sinne wheresoeuer it reigneth causeth repentance vnto saluation not to be repented of as was said before and therefore cannot but make him or her blessed in whom it is found what sorrow or anguish soeuer they meete withall in this present world for this word of Christ must stand for euer Blessed are they that mourne Onely let our study and care be rightly to discerne this godly sorrow from the counterfeit In godly sorrow the mourning is for sinne as it is sin and offence against the diuine Maiestie and not for by-respects as feare of punishment shame of the world losses and crosses Againe it is ioyned with hope of pardon and full purpose of an intire reformation It is also exercised not onely about our owne sinnes and euils but with ſ 2. Pet. 2. 7. 8. iust Lot and those holy mourners Ezech. 9. it maketh vs to be vexed in our soules by hearing and seeing the vnlawfull deedes of others And finally wheresoeuer it is there cannot but bee exceeding sorrow for the t Amos 6. 6. affliction of Ioseph that is of the people of God In the third place Verse 5. they are pronounced blessed not who are treafe and teachie◠irefull and snappish rendring euill for euill nor the rigorous exacters of their owne right but the meeke who haue learned in their greatest distresses and wrongs to submit themselues vnder the mightie hand of God as did patient u Job 1. 21. 22. and 2. 10. Iob in all the malicious most hostile incursions both of the deuill and vngodly men and x 2. Sam. 16. Dauid in Shimeis most bitter cursing and other villanous abuses of him so in all cases of the like nature to beare and quietly to passe by whatsoeuer iniuries of the aduersaries much more the frailties of their brethren and sisters in Christ giuing soft answers so much as may be making the best construction of euery thing and when need is forgoing their right Abram y Gen. 13. 9. like to buy peace good will Finally not to be ouercome of euill but to ouercome euill with their goodnesse This is to become followers of him who z Isai 53. was brought as a sheepe to the slaughter and as a sheepe before the shearer is dumbe so opened hee not his mouth who when he was reuiled reuiled not againe when he suffered he threatned not but committed it to him who iudgeth righteously and in the meane season not only prayed but dyed for the transgressors This is indeed to a Rom. 8. 14. be led by the doue-like spirit of God and to approue our selues to bee the sonnes of God Verily the Lambe whereunto CHRIST IESVS is resembled and the Doue wherevnto the Holy Ghost is resembled beeing Emblemes of meeknesse as wee know are the Coate or Cognizance for euery true Christian to bee knowne by in his spirituall warfare In the fourth place they are pronounced blessed not who are Gold-thirstie or full with the wind of ciuillo Pharisaicall righteousnesse or with the swill of worldly pleasures and delights but which hunger and thirst after righteousnesse desiring most vehemently and eagerly for hunger will breake through stone-walls further knowledge apprehension and sence of their most happy restoring to the fauour and image of GOD by the bloud and spirit of CHRIST IESVS That they may be able with the holy Apostle out of their owne experience to glory and say b Gal. 2. 19 20. I by the Law meaning the morall Law especially being accused condemned and driuen to CHRIST IESVS am dead to the Law am vnder the malediction and condemnation of it no longer that I might liue vnto God through his Sonne CHRIST by whom I haue now receiued the attonement and his holy Spirit withall I am crucified with CHRIST by vertue of mine vnion with him by Faith which inestimable benefit was sealed vp in my Baptisme I partake the sweet fruit of his Death and Passion as verily as if I had satisfied for my sinnes in mine owne person Neuerthelesse I liue spiritually which before mine effectuall calling to the knowledge of the Gospell was spiritually dead yet not I as of or in my selfe but CHRIST liueth in me by his Spirit assuring my spirit of the forgiuenesse of all my sinnes and moreouer quickening me vnto all righteousnesse and the life which I now liue in the flesh while I am in this present World I liue by the faith of the Sonne of GOD whereby to mine vnspeakable comfort whatsoeuer Law of Rebellion I find in my members I rest perswaded that hee hath loued mee his poore creature being by nature now wholy depraued the child of wrath and by life without measure abominable Yea euen when I stood in this damnable and desperate estate hee c 2. Cor. 5. 21. gaue himselfe for me to become sinne and d
the Prophets r Verse 17. I came saith he to fulfill them he fulfilleth them by his doctrine merit and efficacie by his doctrine as our Prophet by his merit as our Priest and sacrifice also by his efficacie as our King For as our great Prophet hee restored them to their true sence freeing them from the most corrupt glosses of the Scribes and Pharises As our high Priest offering vp himselfe in sacrifice to God vpon the crosse for the sinnes of the whole world he fulfilled all that was promised and typified in the Law and the Prophets concerning our purgation from sinne and reconciliation with God And as our King by the efficacie of his spirit concurring with his word he openeth the eyes of our vnderstanding and worketh faith in our hearts whereby we conceiue receiue and apply to our soules and consciences the merit of his sacrifice for our purgation and reconciliation with God By which efficacie he reneweth vs also after the image of God in knowledge in righteousnesse and true holinesse So that hee came to fulfill the Law not so much in himselfe he had no neede of it as in vs when Å¿ Rom. 8. 3. 4. by sinne or by his sacrifice for sinne hee condemned sinne in the flesh that the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled in vs which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit his meaning is that all we which fulfill not the lusts of the flesh but mortifie the deedes of the body by the spirit approue our selues thereby to be in Christ Iesus by faith and in him to fulfill the Law because for vs and in our place he fulfilled it doing all righteousnesse and dying for our vnrighteousnesse according to the tenour of the Law This his fulfilling of the Law is the very Basis or ground-worke both of our euerlasting saluation and of our consolation in present in that thereby wee recouer all our losses by the wofull fall of our first parents hee being t 1. Cor. 1. 30. made vnto vs of God wisdome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption wisdome by his most sound and plenarie doctrine righteousnesse by his most meritorious and sufficient sacrifice once offered sanctification in this present life and redemption in the life to come by the effectuall operation of his almightie spirit freeing vs from the dominion not only of sinne but of the graue and cloathing vs with glorie and immortalitie in due time That no flesh should glory in his presence not the superstitious rabble in their traditions will-worships opus operatum or bodily exercises not the iustitiarie pharisaicall or papisticall in their legall righteousnesse or merit of workes nor the Pelagian Papist or Arminian in their free will but hee that glorieth let him glorie in the Lord Iesus Christ ascribing all to his most sacred word bloud and spirit alone Hence the perpetuitie of the Law of God and of euery part and parcell thereof is auouched with a vehement asseueration and laying the weight of his authoritie vpon it u Verse 18. Amen or verily I say vnto you till heauen and earth passe one iote or one title shall in no wise passe from the law till all be fulfilled meaning that both all Euangelicall promises and types should most certainely haue their accomplishment in due time and all the precepts morall ceremoniall and iudiciall in regard of the truth and equitie of them should endure for euer To this effect the Prophet with a holy admiration extolleth the word of God for the constancie and perpetuitie of it by comparing it with the most eminent and durable creatures x Psal 119. 89 90. O Lord saith he thy word indureth for euer in heauen Thy truth is from generation to generation thou hast layed the foundation of the earth and it abideth They remaine to this day by thine ordinances Teaching vs not to measure the word and truth of God by the wheeling about of things which we see in this world it standerh firme and shall stand firme for euer by the vnchangeable decree of God in heauen And if the earth with the fulnesse of it remaine still in that estate wherein it was created at the first by vertue of Gods word how much more shall that word stand for euer which he hath spoken concerning his Church Wherefore most assuredly blessed are all they that resting vpon it y Psal 103. 18. and 119. 1 2 3. keepe his couenant and thinke vpon his commandements to doe them as the same Prophet testifieth elsewhere And woe be to the transgressers because of necessitie it must at the length befall them according to Ioshuas premonition or forewarning giuen to the people of Israel vpon experience of Gods former workes z Iosh 23. 14. 15 ye know saith he in all your hearts in all your souls that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you all are come to passe vnto you and not one thing hath failed thereof Therefore it shall come to passe that as all good things are come vpon you which the Lord your God promised you so shall the Lord your God when you haue transgressed his couenant bring vpon you all euill things vntill hee haue destroyed you c. All which afterward as we know they found most true to their great cost Wee also vpon whom the ends of the world are come may in like manner now reason As no one thing hath failed of all that which God had spoken before concerning the first comming of his Sonne concerning his incarnation manifestation death buriall resurrection glorification all things haue come to passe in due time iust acording to the predictions of the Prophets though theâ—e weâ—e the greatest vnlikelihood and opposition that could be so can nothing faile which he hath foretold in the holy Scriptures concerning his second comming in maiestie and great glorie to iudge both the quicke and the dead and to render to euery one according to his workes And concerning his perpetuall presence and presidencie among his people for their defence and comfort in all their tribulations and temptations and his iudgements vpon his and their enemies how flourishing and well-rooted soeuer they seeme to bee in this present world Let this suffice for the second passage contayning the three meanes of ataining to blessednesse to wit the ministerie of the Gospell the Law and the Prophets and Christs fulfilling of the Law and the Prophets The third part of this Sermon followeth concerning the righteousnesse of all those who are to be accounted worthy to partake this blessednesse This righteousnesse is first described secondly commended thirdly explained It is most shortly but most pithily both described and commended Verse 19. and then explained in the rest of the Sermon The whole nineteenth verse is inferred vpon his former speeches to this effect Since I came not to destroy the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them againe since no one
mercifulnesse and truth in prouiding for his owne we bee no more secure of our earthly sustenance then they The Apostle would not haue vs k 1. Thes 4. 13. mourne for the dead as men without hope and shall wee professing our faith and hope to be in God be of no better practice or comfort about these smallest matters then the very Pagans who l Eph. 2. 12. are without GOD in this world The second reason is drawne from the knowledge or regard of God your heauenly Father knoweth that you haue need of all these things meaning that hee knoweth perfectly and that with more then a Fatherly respect and regard of vs. For stiling him our heauenly Father because his glory chiefly shineth there he would haue vs to vnderstand and remember that hee is most willing and able to succour vs in all extremities as Parents in high place can and doe their children So that wee are heere taught to stay our selues in the greatest temptations of this nature with this meditation which can neuer faile or deceiue vs That God our heauenly Father is priuie to all our needs and that he hath the greatest power and propensitie also to relieue and helpe vs and will doe it also in due time when it may doe vs most good If this comfort were seated in our breasts as it ought to be wee might safely sing care-away and take vp that of the Prophets m Psal 3. 5. 4. 8. I will both lay me downe in peace and sleepe whatsoeuer streights I be in for the present because thou Lord onely susteinest mee and makest mee dwell in safetie Whereas contrariwise the staggering heerein is the cause of all discomfort and euen of despaire and death it selfe for n 2. Cor. 7. 10. worldly sorrow arrising from thence causeth death Thus wee see what patheticall Inhibitions and Reasons this diuine Teacher hath vsed to beate vs from the inordinate seeking of the very necessaries of this present life In the three and thirtieth Verse he interlaceth an exhortation to seeke the things of a better life But first seeke the Kingdome of GOD and his righteousnesse annexing for our incouragement an ample promise thereto and all these things shall be ministred vnto you Wherein because contraries are cured by contraries he laboureth to draw men from vndue yea vngodly carefulnesse about earthly matters by stirring them vp to most due religious and necessarie carefulnesse about heauenly As Physicians to stay the inward bleeding by reason of some rupture in the bodie vpon a veine so Christ heere to stay our spirituall bleeding and languishing by reason of that fearefull rupture of couetousnesse or worldly carefulnesse openeth a veine as it were to turne the bloud of our soules quite another way He taught vs before o Verse 10. to pray for the comming of the Kingdome of GOD that is for the setting vp and aduancement of his Kingdome of Grace vpon Earth and manifestation of his Kingdome of glorie in Heauen but especially for the aduancement and inlargement of the much expected Kingdome of the Messiah then beginning to appeare whereby the Name of God was chiefly to be hallowed or glorified which glory of God is as we know the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end of our whole life and euery action of it Wherefore this Kingdome of God being the primary meanes of it is primarily before and aboue all other things not onely to be sued but to bee sought for knowing that suing without seeking is idle as seeking without suing to God by Prayer is presumptuous and speedeth thereafter Againe as this Kingdome of God is to be sued and sought for so his righteousnesse * 1. Iohn 3. 23. 5. 3. or doing his will by Faith in Christ Iesus and Charitie expressed by obedience to all his Commandements So that his present exhortation is thus much in effect Insteed of hauing the World and the things of the World in chace as most haue carking and caring about this present life onely to no purpose God knoweth but to their extreame annoyance and vtter vndoing if God be not mercifull vnto them to make the Kingdome of God and his righteousnesse their gaine and sport imploying all the powers and faculties of their soules and bodies in the pursuite of it studying and labouring by all meanes that the Gospell and Church of Christ commonly in the New Testament called the Kingdome of God and of Heauen may spread and be glorified and that obedience of Faith at all hands especially of their owne selues may bee yeelded thereto more and more Now if men knew the gift of God and what it is to haue him reigne in them and ouer them by his Sonne Spirit Word and Ordinances there would bee no great need to vse many Reasons to perswade hereunto The more is it to bee lamented that insteed of this seeking the Kingdome of God and his Righteousnesse in the first place the Cart is set before the Horse and the World with the lusts of it must first be serued Quaerenda pecunia primum virtus post nummos Money and things of like nature must haue the primacie Religion and vertue find for the most part the poore Christians entertainment p Iam. 2. 3. stand thou there or sit heere vnder my footstoole And againe whereas Christ putteth the Kingdome and Righteousnesse of God together and it holdeth in this especially What GOD hath ioyned together let no man put asunder a most impious Diuorce of these is commonly attempted attempted I say not made that cannot be to seeke haue and hold his Kingdome without his Righteousnesse As when Boaz q Ruth 4. 7. made offer of Elimelechs Land the next Kinsman answered I will redeeme it but when the condition was added What day thou takest the Land thou must take Ruth the Moabitesse to wife to rayse vp the name of the dead vpon his inheritance that made him shrinke in the wetting I cannot redeeme it saith he lest I marre mine owne Inheritance so let an offer of Christ our Sauiour of forgiuenesse of sinnes and of euerlasting life through Faith in his name be made many are most readie to strike vp a match but tell them what day they meddle with Christ they must meddle with his Righteousnesse r 2 Cor. 5. 17. they must turne new creatures howsoeuer they dare not professedly disclaime yet inwardly they shrug at it and are readie to plucke off their shooe and giue it to any that will take it Å¿ Ruth 4. 7. they will not marre their Inheritance by parting with their paultry profits and pleasures But let vs now come to see wherein this seeking chiefly consisteth First vndoubtedly in searching for the knowledge of it who Christ Iesus is and what hee hath done for the saluation of man what that great mystery of godlinesse is t 1. Tim. 3. 16. GOD manifested in the flesh iustified in the Spirit seene of Angels preached vnto
liues also for their behoofe which is the righteousnesse of the Gospel whereof Christ our Sauiour is both the author and patterne or president who loued vs his enemies aboue himselfe and layde downe his life for vs h 1. Ioh. 3. 16 and 2. 6. Phil. 2. 5 c. whose example is often set before vs for imitation To this doing of the sacred will of our heauenly father wee stand bound as we may and ought to remember by our baptisme wherein our renouncing of the flesh world and diuell our faith in Christ and our new obedience according to the tenour of the Law and of the Gospell was restipulated and vowed on our parts in the presence of God Angels and Men. The performance whereof in trurh though in much weaknesse is the doing of the will of God and the certaine and infallible way to the Kingdome of heauen the contrarie leadeth to perdition which perdition will proue so much the more sore and grieuous as the sinne of receiuing so inestimable a grace of God in vaine is heinous In the third and last place he forewarneth of the great danger of presumption and carnall securitie through eminencie of gifts and Prerogatiues which might and would occasion many to bee lesse carefull to enter in at the strait gate and to walke in the narrow way as fancying themselues to bee in farre better estate then many others by reason of their very extraordinarie graces and operations as to prophecie in his name that is to interpret the holy Scripture and to preach the Gospell by reuelation from heauen at his appointment and through his spirit and in his name by his power and authoritie or through calling vpon his name ae wee see Act. 19. 13. to cast out deuils from such as were possessed and by his name i Act. 3. 16. by faith in his name to doe many wonderfull workes or miracles while it pleased God at the beginning in such manner k Ioel. 2. 28. to poure out his spirit vpon all flesh for the gracing of the Gospell and gathering together of the Saints from among the Iewes and Gentiles And there is the more danger herein because it would be the case of many liuing vnder the Gospell and famous also not onely for Lord Lord which theyin like manner should haue in their mouths making shew of no small forwardnesse but for those their speciall endowments before mentioned for the good of the Church though to their owne great cost l Verse 22. Many shall say vnto mee in that day Lord haue wee not prophecied c The wide gate and broad way as wee heard before is the hardlier to bee shunned because many walke in it Examples moue much especially tending to libertie and loosnesse of life but aboue all the examples of men notable for their great gifts labours and miraculous operations being also many in number What is more readie with diuers then to thinke and speake also if such worthy persons miscarrie what will become of vs who haue not the tithe of their graces what will become of many thousands of inferious rank But our Lord Christ readeth vs a Lecture heere worthy and necessarie to be learned of all that looke to be saued not to liue by examples but by Rules euen the infallible Rules of the holy Scriptures let the examples bee what they will excepting that of Christ Iesus The blessed Apostle will haue vs m 2. Cor. 21. 1. followers of him as hee is of Christ Iesus and none otherwise And in his striuing after perfection with all his might he exhorteth the Philippians and all others n Phil. 3. 17 18 to be followers together of him and make them which walke so as they haue him for an example For many walke as he then complained and the Church in all ages may as the enemies of the Crosse of Christ what face soeuer they set on it whose end is destruction whose God is their belly and whose glory is their shame and who minde earthly things Wherefore it lyeth vs in hand to hold on our way euen the narrow way as they that o Phil. 3. 20. haue their conuersation or Burgeship in Heauen resoluing with our selues that how many soeuer they be that walke otherwise whatsoeuer their calling profession gifts and operations be howsoeuer they be applauded and magnified of men as false Prophets Time-seruers and mealy-mouthed Preachers haue beene before them and whatsoeuer apparent Reasons they vse to beat vs from the streight gate and narrow way yet through Gods grace according to Christs bidding and the Prophet Ieremies exhortation we will p Ier. 6. 16. stand in the wayes and see and aske for the olde pathes where is the good way and walke therein that so indeed we may find rest for our soules And know wee that that olde and good way is plainly chalked out by our Lord Christ in this Sermon vpon the Mount All they that are carefull to walke according to these Rules may know themselues assuredly to be in it but contrariwise they that complaine of them to bee ouer strict or are readie to say It were well indeed if we could doe them but where is the man who can and so will needs be despensed withall for the whole or at the least for some part let such set their hearts at rest they haue no part nor fellowship in this businesse Whosoeuer is in the narrow way they are in the broad and whosoeuer commeth to life they are in the high-way that leadeth to destruction And their corrupt Teachers what eminenceie of gifts soeuer they haue shall doe them no good but perish with them euerlastingly at the last day when Christ the Iudge shall solemnely q Veese 23. professe vnto these great Masters extraordinarily gifted and officiating accordingly much more to ordinary Teachers I neuer knew you or approued of you for mine owne no more then I did of Iudas whom otherwise I knew from the beginning to be a Reprobate hitherto yee haue holden a kind of communion with mee in my Kingdome of grace and I haue made vse of your persons and gifts for the conuersion and edification of others but now depart yee and be yee separated for euer from all fruition of my Kingdome of glorie Take your parts among Hypocrites your associates according to your demerits in the Lake that burneth with fire and brimstone For howsouer you made a profession of godlinesse and imployed my gifts and graces to serue your owne ends that you might seeme some-bodie in my Church yet in your hearts and practice also open or secret you were workers of iniquitie turning your selues into the courses of this sinfull World balking and beating downe the streight wayes of the Lord and causing all others to do the like so much as in you was But letting them alone and leauing them to their Lord and Iudge bee it spoken to all that are indeed Religious and with full purpose of heart cleaue vnto the Lord how streight and narrow soeuer the gate and way be as the Apostle spake to his Scholer Timothy r 1. Tim. 6. 11 12. Thou O man of GOD flee these things meaning the inordinate loue and pursuite of worldly wealth and follow after righteousnes godlines faith loue patience meeknesse fight the good fight of faith lay hold on eternall life And as in the same Epistle Å¿ Ibid. 4. 8. he opposeth godlinesse to all bodily exercises auouching that it is profitable for all things which nothing in the World is besides so may and ought it to bee opposed to all excellencie of gifts ministrations and operations knowing that without godlinesse which comprehendeth the awfull feare and loue of God proceeding from faith and causing a dutifull obseruation of all his Commandements without this godlinesse I say all common graces of the Spirit as Prophesie casting out Deuils miraculous operations strange languages deepnesse of learning and knowledge eloquence to bee able t 1. Cor. 13. 1. to speake with the tongues of men and Angels the greatest largenesse of Almes also or any other thing of the like nature are of none esteeme with God yea tend rather to the heauier condemnation of all them in whom they are found But godlinesse either without or with these hath the vndeceiueable promises of this life and that which is to come One dramme of it is of more worth and will stand vs in more steed at the last day then many talents of knowledge that puffeth vp and of other endowments of the Holy Ghost so highly prized and not vnworthily among men Wherefore to conclude this passage as all the rest I humbly intreate all good people to take Christs yoke vpon them and to hold on constantly in the narrow way what sloughes and rubs soeuer they meete withall Heauen will pay for all and in the meane season God that cannot lie hath promised not to leaue nor forsake them Giue no way either to the inchantments of false Prophets or to any vaine opinion or shew of zeale without the substance and truth of it beware of ouer-weaning or to any conceit of your owne or other mens worth by reason of ordinary or extraordinary great gifts Whatsoeuer is not godlinesse as Faith Hope Charitie Zeale Humilitie Meeknesse Temperance Patience Watchfulnesse Heauenly mindednesse vse it so far forth as God appointeth it for vse and labour euer to make the best vse of the best graces and Ordinances of God but rest not therein Rest only in those gifts and workes make them the sole matter of your reioycing which make an assured way for you into your heauenly countrie and will shine as Pearles in your heauenly Crowne I say againe forget not to follow euer and earnestly such u Reuel 14. 13. workes as will follow you at the houre of death and grace you at the Day of Iudgement besides that will comfort you also in the euill day euen while you are in your iourney The God of peace and Father of all consolation guide and vphold vs in the wayes of peace euermore with all that call vpon his Name in truth Amen Amen FINIS
6. 17. Obeying from the heart as the Apostle testifieth of the Romanes that forme of doctrine whereunto he is deliuered or whereby he is as it were new minted or moulded So farre forth that as the same Apostle teacheth in the same g Rom. 12. 2. Epistle he is now no more conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing not of his manners alone but of his very minde that hee may proue by his owne daily practise and experience which is the best Commentary of all other What is that good that acceptable and perfect will of GOD reueiled in his Word and more particularly in this most wise and holy Sermon This effectuall hearing and doing will cleerely demonstrate a man to bee that good ground commended in the Parable of the Sower because h Luke 8. 15 hauing heard the Word with an houest and good heart hee keepeth it and bringeth forth fruit with patience not suffering himselfe to bee beaten from it by any troubles or vexations which accompany either mortification of sinne or persecution for righteousnesse And which is a most notable branch of practise without which all commeth to nothing hee is not ashamed but counteth it his glorie vpon iust rebukes to suffer himselfe to bee reclaymed from whatsoeuer errour in his iudgement or aberration in his life i Prou. 9. 8. Rebuke a wiseman and he will loue thee giue admonition as our Lord Christ doth many in this Sermon to the wise and he will be wiser saith the most wise Teacher And againe k Prou. 28 12. As an eare-ring of gold and an ornament of fine gold so is a wise reprouer vpon an obedient eare He reioyceth no lesse in such reproofes then people especially children doe in their earings and rich ornaments Yea how weake soeuer the reproouer bee and how great soeuer the partie reproued yet hee will bee readie with right noble Dauid to breake forth and say l 1. Sam. 25. 32 Blessed be the Lord God which sent thee this day to me and blessed bee thine aduice and blessed bee thou Giue me such an one and I will say that hee is a good hearer indeed of whom that of the Psalmist may truly bee taken vp m Psal 87. 3. Glorious things are spoken of thee For Christ Iesus the onely begotten Sonne of God and Lord of glory pronounceth and that with great earnestnesse him to be n Luke 8. 21. his brother sister and mother to bee blessed o Ibid. 11. 28. rather then the wombe that bare him and the pappes which he sucked Secondly the good hearer is described by his propertie which is wisdome hee likeneth him to a wiseman This propertie euery one is most liquorish of taking after their great grand-mother Eue who though she were made wise enough if she could haue seene it yet would needs sing a note aboue Ela and bee made wiser by the counsell of the old Cheater the Deuill speaking in the Serpent whereby it came to passe that instead of attayning to an higher pitch of knowledge to bee like vnto God as hee bare her in hand shee lost that which she had and plunged herselfe withall her miserable posteritie into extreme folly and vanitie ending in vtter perdition Heere our Lord and Master being most wise and euen wisdome it selfe and p Luke 19. 10. comming also to seeke and to saue that which was lost prescribeth vnto vs the onely antidote or souereigne remedie against this deadly poyson to wit the constant hearing and doing of these his fayings So Moses the seruant of the Lord most diuinely taught the people of Israel Heare saith hee q Deut. 4. 6. and doe these statutes and indgements which the Lord my God hath commanded for this is your wisdome and vnderstanding And Dauid found the truth hereof by most sweet and comfortable experience as euery one that taketh his course shall r Psal 119. ver 98 99 100. Thou saith he through thy Commandements hast made me wiser then mine enemies for they meaning those commandements are euer with me I haue more vnderstanding then all my Teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation I haue vnderstood more then the ancients because I kept thy precepts Obserue in this worthy example how they weâ—e alwayes with him hee set them before the eyes of his minde they were his meditation he kept them in practise and so became passing wise which he heere humbly acknowledgeth to the prayse and glorie of God and for our instruction and incitation to take the like course in hope and certaine expectation of the like successe in a degree suitable to our holy endeuours But we are further to vnderstand that by comparing this Text with Luke 6. 47. where our Sauiour Christ shutteth vp his Sermon with this very conclusion we shall find wherein the life and excellencie of his wisdome consisteth not in resting vpon the righteousnesse of the Law or of workes much lesse vpon the traditions of men or vpon morall and ciuill virtues but in digging deepe and laying the foundation on a rocke which is when we labour with all our might to come to the true knowledge of our selues how sinfull and damnable we are by nature through the right vnderstanding of the Law of God to come also to the sound and sauing knowledge of Iesus Christ crucified for our sinnes through the right vndeâ—standing of the Gospell So farre forth that being driuen by the Law spiritually vnderstood to IESVS CHRIST wee fall downe at his feet as it were and from the very bottome of our hearts cry with the poore Publican Å¿ Luke 18. 13. Lord be mercifull to me a sinner and withall so receiue our Lord and Sauiour IESVS CHRIST in his holy Gospel by a true and liuely faith that wee can and doe in all truth with Thomas the Apostle breake forth and say t Ioh. 20 28. Thou art my Lord and my God This is indeed to dig deepe and to lay the foundation on a rocke For u 1. Cor. 3. 11. none other foundation can any man lay saue Iesus Christ because x Act. 13 38. 39 through him alone is preached the forgiuenesse of sins and by him all that beleeue are iustified from all things from which they could not bee iustified by the law of Moses much lesse then by any traditions or deuises of mans braine The foundation being thus layed there must follow a contibuilding vpon vntil the house or Temple be perfected Of the materiall Temple it was said Fortie and sixe yeares was this Temple in building but for vs comming to Christ by faith as y 1. Pet 2. 4 5. to a liuing stone to be built vp a spiritual house it requireth vnweariable labour paines all our life long That z See for all this giuing 2. Pet. 1. 5 6 7. all diligence we may ad to our faith whereby the fountion was layed vertue or an honest and good heart and life ioyned