courses then our Aduersarie the Deuill 1. Pet. 5.8 who goeth about as a roaring Lyon seeking whom hee may deuoure vnmaskes whatsoeuer formerly he hath kept secret and amplifieth to the full those things which when hee did leaue he laboured greatly to extenuate and value at the smallest rate Come therefore vnto me all yee that labour and are heauie laden and I will giue you rest Esay 61.1.2.3.4.5 because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meeke he hath sent me to binde vp the broken-hearted to proclaime libertie to the Captiues and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound to proclaime the acceptable yeere of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all that mourne in Zion to giue vnto them Beautie for Ashes the Oyle of Ioy for Mourning the Garment of Praise for the spirit of Heauinesse that they might be called Trees of Righteousnesse the planting of the Lord that he might be glorified Fourthly because men to their endlesse and irrecouerable losse should not wrest or peruert that which goeth before in the seuen and twentieth verse No man knoweth the Father but the Sonne and he to whomsoeuer the Sonne will reueale him As if the grace of God were in Christ Iesus offered onely to some few of those that labour and are heauie laden vnder the burthen of their sinnes therefore all are mentioned Come vnto me all yee that labour and are heauie laden Esay 1.18 and I will giue you rest If your sinnes were as red as crimson come vnto me and I will make them as white as snow At what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his wickednesse and commeth vnto me though his sinnes be as scarlet they shall be as wooll If tenne Lepers come vnto me although they be euen tenne they shall all be cleansed of their loathsome and filthie disease although your soules be as blinde with the dust and durt of Iniquitie as was Bartimeus the begger come vnto me and yee shall receiue sight If your transgressions be such and so manie that euen a Legion of Deuills torture and torment your soules come vnto me and you shall finde rest If from the Wombe you haue been so lame and cripple that you are vnable to moue one hayre-breadth towards the Kingdome of Heauen come vnto mee and I will enable your ioynts If you haue so long lyen in the puddle of sinne that with Lazarus you stinke in the graue of Iniquitie come vnto me and I will breathe in your face the breath of life whereby you shall be made liuing soules where all are inuited there none is excluded where such as labour and are heauie laden vnder the burthen of Sinne and Iniquitie are willed to come there a secret reason is giuen why the mercie and fauour of God offered vnto all is not by all receiued because all doe not labour and are heauie laden vnder the burthen of their sinnes for Christ came not to saue the righteous but to call sinners to repentance the whole need no Physician but such as are maymed and lame vnder the intolerable weight of their transgressions Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shall be filled To the end then that comfortably and with profit wee may come vnto Christ it is necessary that we labour and be heauy laden vnder the burthen of sinne that our hearts be ready to melt because of our transgressions and our soules standing at the gates of death because of the intolerable weight of iniquity which can neuer sufficiently be effected without a distinct knowledge of the nature quality and condition of sin because the naturall and vnborn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and selfe loue which deepely lyeth rooted in the heart of man seconded with the malicious subtiltie of the common enemy of mans saluation so duls and darkens the eye and edge of his vnderstanding that he is more then blind in censuring and valuing of his owne actions whence it comes to passe that often he perswades himselfe that he is in a direct straight course or at least meanely to erre when as he lyes deepely plunged in a filthy sinke and lothsome puddle of all maner of wickednes now sinne is knowne by the Touch-stone of Gods Lawe according to that of the Apostle Rom. 3.20 7.7 By the Law is the knowledge of sinne I had not knowne sinne but by the Lawe for I had not knowne lust except the lawe had said Thou shalt not couet for whereas all other learning serues rather to blowe vp the heart of man with an idle opinion and vaine conceit of his owne worth founding nothing els in his eare but shrill and loud blasts of the excellency of his soule the wonderfull fabricke and making of his body the goodly sympathie and fellow feeling which euery part facultie and power hath one with another and the sweet harmonie and concord of the whole compound the Lawe of the Lord is that which bewrayeth and layeth open vnto man the vglinesse of his heart the nakednes of his imaginations and the peruersenesse of his wayes to the Law therefore and to the testimony if they soule spenke and thinke not according vnto this word Esay 8.20 it is because there is no light in it therefore DAVID speaking of this Lawe sayth that it is perfect conuerting the Soule that it is sure making wise the simple that it is right reioicing the heart that it is pure enlightening the eyes that it is true and righteous altogether Psal 19.7.8 9 10. 1.2 more to be desired then gold yea then much fine gold sweeter also then the hony and the hony-combe Blessed therefore is the man whose delight is in the Lawe of the Lord and in his Law doth meditate night and day Secondly because man naturally is so bewitched with the pleasures of sinne and glued to the alluring and entising sweetnes of wickednesse that a bare knowledge of the nature of transgression is neuer able to bring this labour and wearisomenesse vpon his soule therefore after that by the Lawe wee haue attained vnto the knowledge of sinne it is necessary that we vnderstand the value and esteeme which it hath in the eyes of the Lord by himselfe at great length reuealed in his Word sometimes by speeches and words full of dislike and disdaine My people aske counsell at their stockes Hos 4.12 and their staffe declareth vnto them for the spirit of whoredome hath caused them to erre and they haue gone a whoring from vnder their God God saw the wickednesse of man that it was great in the earth and that euery Imagination of the thought of his heart was onely euill continually Gen. 6.5 therefore it repented the Lord that he had made man vpon the earth and it grieued him at his heart your Incense and Sacrifices are abomination Esay 1.15 because your hands are full of bloud sometimes he denounceth heauy
the meaning of Gods holy Spirit in these and the like kind of speeches Vnto which question I had rather answere by Saint Augustine then mine owne mouth who disputing against Pelagius the same verie question which now wee haue in hand speakes after this manner Aug. de lib. Arbit cap. 16. Iubet Deus quae non possumus vt nouerimus quid ab illo petere debeamus Therefore sayth hee God commaunds vs often to doe those things which he knowes vs wholy vnable to performe thereby to teach vs what to aske begge and craue at his hand And againe Aug. de corrept grat cap. 3. O homo in praeceptione cognosce quid debeas habere in correptione cognosce tuo te vitio non habere in oratione cognosce vnde accipias quod vis habere O man in and by the commandement learne what thou oughtest to haue in punishment that thou thy selfe art the cause of all thy wants in supplication and prayer vnderstand from whence supply of thy defects is to be had for as a broken-winged Fowle by offering to flye perceiues the defect and decay of that part of her bodie which before shee thought to be sound so man being by diuine authoritie commanded to performe these and these spirituall duties in ipso conatu in the very attempt and enterprise it selfe he is informed of his owne inabilitie and weakenesse Come then vnto me doth not as the Papists falsely imagine argue any naturall or imborne strength in man for the performance of spirituall duties but is a means which it pleaseth the wisedome of Almightie God to vse for bringing of him to the knowledge and acknowledgement of his naturall and imborne frailtie and by consequence vnto a begging of things necessarie vnto endlesse and euerlasting happinesse from the Throne of his mercie according vnto that of S. Augustine Ideo Iubet vt facere iussa conati Epist 89. in nostra infirmitate sub lege fatigati adiutorium gratiae petere nouerimus Therefore saith hee God commands that in the enterprise and attempt of obedience by reason of our manifold infirmities wearied vnder the yoke of so absolute and perfect a law wee may learne to sue vnto the Throne of Gods mercie for the gracious assistance of his holy Spirit whereby we may be enabled to performe that which hee so iustly doth exact and require at our hands Vnto me The soule of man guiltie of many haynous abominations and vnderstanding both the fiercenesse of Gods wrath and indignation against the breach of his Law and great power which he hath to doe what he will for the ouerthrow finall subuersion of his enemies seekes nothing more then how to appease this consuming fire and be in fauor with this great and dreadfull Iudge of the World The Books and Learning of the Heathen are able to afford no direction in this case because they themselues blinded with a vaine conceit of Righteousnes were altogether ignorant of the great miserie by the fall of our first parents brought vpon the whole posteritie The Pen-men of Holy Scripture haue discouered two means for effecting and bringing this matter to passe which S. Paul calls the Law of Works the Law of Faith Where is boasting then Rom. 3.27 It is excluded By what Law Of Works Nay but by the Law of Faith The first howsoeuer it be in it selfe sufficiently able safely to conduct vs vnto the Hauen of euerlasting happinesse yet in regard of our inabilitie and weakenesse to performe the condition of perfect obedience contained therein it becomes rather an accuser and vpbraider of our miserie then a wholesome salue of sicke and diseased soules according to that of the Apostle Now we know that what things soeuer the Law saith Rom. 3.19 20. it saith to them who are vnder the Law that euery mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guiltie before God therefore by the deedes of the Law there shall no flesh liuing be iustified in his sight for by the Law is the knowledge of sinne And againe The Law worketh wrath for where no Law is Rom. 4.15 there is no transgression For this cause it was that the Prophets and Preachers of that ancient Church before the comming of Christ haue from time to time taught Gods people to appeale from this where no comfort was to be found vnto the Law of Faith in Iesus Christ Rom. 3.25 whom God hath set to be a propitiation for the remission of sinnes through faith in his bloud that Adam whom the voice of God summoning citing to appeare before the Tribunal of his iustice made afraid may by a more gentle and milde voice Gen. 3.10 15 The seed of the woman shall tread downe the head of the serpent be comforted and set on foot and Dauid in whose flesh there was no soundnesse Psal 38.3 because of the Lords anger nor rest in his bones because of his sinne might in the promise of the Gospel In thy seed shall all the Nations of the world be blessed Gen. 26.4 fully be strengthened raised vp These things in former ages more obscurely deliuered vnto the faithfull of those times at Christs comming into the world were publikely and plainely preached vnto the Church first extraordinarily from Heauen This is my welbeloued Sonne Matth. in whom I am wel pleased heare him and againe Feare not for behold I bring you good tidings of great ioy which shal be to all people for vnto you is born this day in the city of Dauid a Sauior which is Christ the Lord this shal be a sign vnto you Luk◠〈…〉 Ye shal find the babe wrapped in swadling clothes lying in a manger Secondly a great deale more at large by himselfe and his Apostles I am the Dore of the sheepe Ioh. 10.9 8.10 7.37.38 by me if any man enter in hee shall be saued and shall goe in and out and finde pasture I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darkenesse but haue the light of life If any man thirst let him come vnto me and drink he that beleeueth in me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow Riuers of liuing water The Law iustifieth no man without perfect obedience according to that of Moses Cursed bee hee that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to do them Deut. 27.26 our works euen when they are at the best being fowly bedawb'd with the blots and blemishes of the old man can deserue nothing but vengeance from him who in Iustice rewardeth nothing comming short of the least circumstance and title of his Lawe Come therefore vnto me all yee that are weary and heauy laden and I wil giue you rest by faith then in the Sauiour of the world Iesus Christ all our sinnes are forgiuen and we againe receiued into the fauour of God All vniuersality of grace by vertue of this
the seed Rom. 4.10 not to that onely which is of the Law but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham who is the father of vs all And in the will faith leaueth an assurance that God is both able and in due time wil make good in our particular the generall promises of Mercie and Grace according to that of the Apostle I am persuaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angles Rom. 8.38 39. nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Therefore it is that almost euery where the Holy Ghost speaking of things for Christ his sake in due time to be conferred and bestowed vpon vs he speaks of them in the time past as if alreadie we were in full possession thereof Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ Ephes 1.3 who hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heauenly places in Christ Iesus in whom we haue edemption through his bloud the forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace but God who is rich in mercie Ephes 1.7 2.4 5 6. for his great loue wherewith he loued vs euen when we were dead in sinnes and trespasses hath quickened vs together and hath made vs sit together in heauenly places in Christ Iesus Such then is the assurance which faith leaues in the heart that the beleeuer speakes and thinkes of the promises of mercie and saluation as of things present whereof alreadie he is in full possession againe that in faith there is not onely a sure and certaine knowledge of the Historie of Gods holy Word but also an assurance of the loue and fauour of God in and for the mediation of Iesus Christ these subsequent Scriptures sufficiently witnesse Rom. 5.1 Being iustified by faith we haue peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ Now this is certaine that the knowledge of the Historie of Gods holy Word is so farre from quieting and bringing peace vnto the soules of men that on the contrarie it serues rather more and more to encrease amazement feare and terror in their hearts according to that of S. Iames Iam. 2.19 The Deuils beleeue and tremble they beleeue that is by the Historie they know the wrath of God to be so fierce against Sinne and Iniquitie that it can be expiate and done away by no other meanes but by the death of his onely begotten Sonne by the knowledge of the Historie of Gods holy Word they vnderstand themselues finally and without all hope of redemption wholly to be reiected and cast off by the Historie they know that IESVS is appointed Iudge both of Men and Angels and that for euer they shall haue their abode in euerlasting miserie and torment therefore they beleeue and tremble Man likewise in the knowledge of the Historie what can hee see but euery where manifest tokens of the wrath of God against sinne as Death Disease and diuers other calamities vsually ensuing and befalling vs whilest we liue here vpon earth and which most of all encreaseth our feare that the wrath and indignation of the Almightie is such and so great against all manner of iniquitie that it could by no other meanes be appeased but by the death of his onely begotten Sonne IESVS CHRIST all which bringing rather matter of horror and feare then peace vnto the soules of men there must be something else besides Historicall knowledge in that faith whereby being iustified we haue peace with God which can be nothing else but an assurance of the loue and fauor of Almightie God in and for the mediation and all-sufficient sacrifice of his dearely beloued Sonne IESVS CHRIST by whom also wee haue accesse by faith into this grace wherein wee stand Abak 1.4 To the same purpose makes that of Abbakuk The iust shall liue by faith No man liueth by an Historicall knowledge of the Word of God which as euen now at great length hath been deliuered furnisheth rather matter of horror desperation and feare then of life health happinesse and the like therefore the faith spoken of by the Prophet must besides knowledge be an assent vnto and assurance of the loue and fauour of God in and for the mediation of his Sonne Thirdly S. Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians so plainely maintaines and powerfully auoucheth the assurance of faith which now we haue in hand that if there were no more this one Scripture may well serue for confirmation of the same Eph. 3.12 In whom we haue boldnesse with confidence by the faith of him and againe Let vs therefore come boldly vnto the Throne of grace Heb. 4.16 that we may obtaine mercie and find grace to helpe in time of neede Who knowing onely the Historie of Gods holy Word dare presume boldly and with confidence to approach and draw neere vnto the dreadfull Maiestie of Almightie God whom as an angrie seuere Iudge he seeth readie to powre downe the viols of his fierce wrath and indignation vpon the transgressors of his Law that faith then whereby with boldnesse confidently we present our selues before God besides knowledge of the Historie must of necessitie haue an assurance of reconciliation in IESVS CHRIST Gen. 4.4.5.24 49.20 This is that faith whereby Abel became more acceptable in the sight of the Lord then his brother Cain Enoch walked with God and was seene no more Iacob dying tooke order for his buriall in the promised Land Luke 7.48 and Marie Magdalene obtained free pardon and forgiuenesse of all her transgressions If therefore yee haue this faith Come vnto me all yee that labour and are heauie laden and I will giue you rest Come From this and other Texts of holy Scripture Psal 50.15 of the same or like nature as Call vpon me in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me Mal. 3.13 Returne vnto me and I will returne vnto you Turne ye now from your euill wayes and from your euill doings Wash yee Zach. 1.4 make you cleane put away the euill of your doings from before mine eyes cease to doe euill learne to doe well seeke iudgement Esay 1.16.17.19 relieue the oppressed iudge the fatherlesse plead for the widow if ye will be obedient ye shall eate the good of the Land The Sanballats and subtle Sophists of these last dayes gather I cannot tell what naturall and imborne abilitie and power in man ex puris naturaelibus as they say to performe obedience vnto the Commandements of God because first it were in vaine to exhort aduise request and beseech such as wholly and altogether are impotent and vnable to hearken and obey againe the large promises of health and happinesse in case of obedience were mockages rather then true promises if there were no power at all in man to performe