then by the law that when I would do good euill is present with me 22. For I delight in the law of God concerning the inner man Mal. 3. 17. I will spare them as a man spareth his son that reuerenceth him 7 When one sinne is forgiuen all the rest are remitted also for remission being giuen once without any prescription of time is giuen for euer Rom. 11. 29. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance Act. 10. 43. To him also giue all the Prophets witnesse that through his name all that beleeue in him shall receiue remission of sinnes 8 That grace and faith are not taken away by fals of infirmitie but thereby are declared and made manifest Rom. 5. 20. Moreouer the law entred thereupon that the offence should abound neuerthelesse where sin abounded there grace abounded much more 2. Cor. 12. 7. And lest I should be exalted out of measure c. there was giuen vnto me a pricke in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet me 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me 9. He said My grace is sufficient for thee 9 That all the workes of God are by contrarie meanes 2. Cor. 12. 9. My power is made perfect through weaknesse Lidia By the blessing of God I will not forget to practise these soueraigne remedies if Satan at any time seeke to take away my faith and to cut off this hand by which I must apply or to blindfold this eye by which I may behold Christ sitting at Gods right hand as Stephen did Let me heare I pray you the third assault and what it concerneth Paul The third assault is concerning Sanctification Lid. What is this temptation Paul The temptation is a prouoking to sinne according as the disposition of euery man and as occasion shall offer it selfe 1. Chron. 21. 1. And Satan stood vp against Israel and prouoked Dauid to number Israel Ioh. 13. 2. And when supper was done the diuell had now put into the heart of Iudas Iscariot Simons sonne to betray him Lid. Let me not be ignorant of Satans enterprises How will he allure to sinne Paul In this temptation the diuell doth wonderfully diminish and extenuate those sins which men are about to commit partly by obiecting closely the mercie of God and partly by couering or hiding the punishment which is due for the sin Besides there are helpes to further the diuell in this his temptation as first the flesh which lusteth against the spirit sometimes by begetting euill motions and affections and sometimes by ouerwhelming and oppressing the good intents and motions Gal. 5. 17. For the flesh lufteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrarie one to another so that ye cannot do the same things that ye would 19. Moreouer the workes of the flesh are manifest which are adulterie fornication vncleanenesse wantonnesse 20. Idolatrie witchcraft hatred debate emulations wrath contentions seditions heresies 21. Enuie murthers drunkennesse gluttonie and such like whereof I tell you before as I also haue told you before that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdome of God Iam. 1. 14. But euery man is tempted when he is drawne away by his owne concupiscence and is entised Secondly the world which bringeth men to disobedience through pleasure profite honour and euill examples Ephesians 2. 3. Among whom we also had our conuersation in time past in the lustes of the flesh in fulfilling the will of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath as well as others 1. Iohn 2. 16. For all that is in the world as the lusts of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father but is of the world Lid. How may I resist this temptation Paul Resistance is made by the desire of the spirit which worketh good motions and affections in the faithfull and driueth foorth the euill Gal. 5. 22. But the fruite of the spirit is loue ioy peace long suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith 23. Meekenesse temperancie against such there is no law 24. For they that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections and the lusts thereof 26. Let vs not be desirous of vaine glorie prouoking one another enuying one another Lid. Giue me here some preseruariues that I may resist Paul The preseruatiues are these 1 To account no sinne light or small Gal. 5. 9. Alitle leauen doth leauen the whole lumpe Rom. 6. 23. For the wages of sinne is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Iesus Christ our Lord. 2 To auoide all occasions of sinne To these rather agreeth the Prouerb vsed of the Plague longè tardè citò that is aloofe slowly quickly 1. Thessal 5. 22. Abstaine from all appearance of euill Iud. v. 23. And other saue with feare pulling them out of the fire and hate euen the garment spotted by the flesh 3 To accustome thy selfe to subdue the lesser sinnes that at the last thou maist also ouercome the greater Rom. 13. 4. 4. To apply thy selfe to thy appointed calling and alway to be busily occupied about something in the same 5 To oppose the law the iudgements of God the last iudgement the glorious presence of God and such like against the rebellion and loosenesse of the flesh Pro. 28 14. Blessed is the man that feareth alway but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into euill Gen. 39. 9. There is no man greater in this house then I neither hath he kept any thing from me but onely thee because thou art his wife how then can I do this great wickednesse and so sinne against God Lid. But alas I see Satan foyles me in many sins instruct me I pray you with some rules against them Say I be angrie vnaduisedly or desire to reuenge wrongs done vnto me how may I remedie this my sinne Paul Against vniust anger or priuate desire of reuenge Here meditate 1. iniuries they happen vnto vs by the Lords appointment for our good 2. Sam. 16. 10. 2. God of his great goodnesse forgiueth vs farre more sinnes then it is possible for vs to forgiue men 3. It is the dutie of Christian loue to forgiue others 4. We must not desire to destroy them whom Christ hath redeemed by his precious bloud 5. We our selues are in daunger of the wrath of God if we suffer our wrath to burne against our brother Forgiue saith he and it shall be forgiuen 6. We know not the circumstances of the facts what the mind was and purpose of them against whom we swell Bridles or externall remedies are these 1. in this we shall imitate the clemencie of the Lord who for a very great season doth often tolerate the wicked Learne of me for I am humble and meeke 2. There must be a pausing and time of delay betwixt our anger and the execution of the same Athenoâ—â—rus counselled Augustus that he being angrie
suggestions of Satan and the dulnesse of our owne flesh good Lord remoue these impediments and giue vs eueâ—â— â—ne grace to heare thy word in feare and â—â—uerence as in thy presence and to receiue the same not as from man but as from Iesus Christ and when we haue heard thy word graunt that it may be not the sauor of death to our deeper condemnation but the sauor of life to our eternall comfort and saluation For this cause write the same in euery one of our hearts and tranforme vs into the obedience of the same in our life and conuersation And because Satan is a deadly enemie to the ministerie of thy word good Lord confound Satan dissolue in euery one of vs the cursed workes of the Diuel worke thine owne good works shew thy selfe more merciful in blessing of thy word then Satan is or can be malicious in hindring of the same Heare vs we beseech thee in these requests and graunt these graces to euery one of vs not for our owne merits for vnto vs belongeth nothing but eternall shame and confusion for our sinnes but for the merites of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ in whom thou art well pleased to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be giuen of euery one of vs all praise honor and glory both now and for euermore Amen The voice of a person 1. Carnall of Euill I do it and will do Good I do it not nor will do 2. Regenerate of Euill I do it but would not do it Good I do not that I would 3. Glorified of Euill I do it not neither 〈◊〉 I do it Good I do it and will do it To the right Honorable and vertuous Ladies the Countesse of Cumberland and the Countesse of Warwicke grace and peace RIght Honorable in the former 〈◊〉 is the combat of Christ in this latter is set downe the combat of a Christian. He that fought with our head will fight with the members and he that assaulted Christ will assaile all Christians But Christ did beare troubles and was borne out of them we must haue troubles and shall be borne out of them If our afflictions were plagues as to the Egyptians curses as to Cham destruction as to Sodome desolation as to Israel then had we cause to flie from them as Moses did from that miraculous serpent But since they are but the trials of faith corrections of a father visitations from the Bishop of our soules since they are as Phlebotomie to a Pleurisie and a purgation to a Plethora they are to be endured with all patience How Christ did endure them you may reade in that Treatise how a Christian must you may see in this The former Treatise I presented to your honorable brother this latter to you most honorable sisters I desired to annex this to the former discourse because it is sutable to that present argument and I know not to whom I may better present it then to you who haue experience of this Christian warfare If it please you but to reade these holy meditations and to entertaine this poore mite into your rich treasury by the reading I doubt not but you shal haue much comfort and by your entertaining the church shal haue much good Now that good God who hath giuen your mind to know him giue you also an heart to loâ— him and as you are Honorable in the eyes of this world so he make you most honorable in the eyes of his Maiestie And thus crauing pardon I commit you to the grace of that God who will honor them that loue him and comfort them that seeke comfort from him Your Honors in the Lord Robert Hill A comfort for the feeble minded wherein is set downe that spirituall combat which is betwixt a Christian and Satan Lidia SIr I heard you with much comfort when you preached vpon the temptations of Christ. I pray you instruct me concerning the temptations of a Christian and giue me leaue to aske you certaine questicâ—s Paul Say on Lidia What is it which we call Christiâ—â— warfare Paul Christian warfare is concerning the right way of fighting in the spirituall battel Lidia Which be the parts thereof Paul The parts thereof are the preparation to battell and the combat it selfe Lidia How may I prepare my self vnto it Paul To the preparation you must vse the complete armor of God Eph. 6. 13. For this cause take vnto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to resist in the euill day and hauing finished all things stand fast Lidia How many parts hath this armor Paul The parts thereof are especially six 1. truth 2. iustice 3. Euangelicall obedience 4. faith 5. the word of God 6. continuall and feruent prayer with watching as you may reade Eph. 6. 14. Stand fast therefore your loynes girded about with veritie and hauing oâ— the brest-plate of righteousnesse 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace 16. Aboue all take the shield of Faith wherewith ye may quench all the fierie darts of the wicked 17. And take the helmet of saluation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God 18. And pray alwayes with all maner of prayer and supplication in the spirit and watch thereunto with al perseuerance and supplication for all Saints 1. Pet. 5. 8. Be sober and watch for your aduersarie the diuel as a roring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may deuoure Lidia What then is the combat Paul The combat is a mutuall conflict of them that fight spiritually Lidia Who are the warriors Paul The warriors are the tempter and the Christian souldier Ephes. 6. 12. For we wrastle not against flesh and bloud but against principalities against powers and against the worldly gouernors the princes of the darknesse of this world against spirituall wickednesses which are in high places Lidia Whom call you the tempter Paul The tempter is the Prince or his helpers The Prince is Satan and his Angels which are spirituall wickednesses in high things His helpers are the flesh and the world Lid. What is the conflict of these warriors Paul The conflict of all these is temptation whereby a man is prouoked to commit such wickednesse as is hurtfull to the saluation of his soule 1. Pet. 2. 11. Dearely beloued I beseech you as strangers and pilgrimes abstaine from fleshly lustes which fight against the soule Lidia What must I note in this Christian souldier Paul In the souldier two things are to be considered his resisting and his fall Lidia VVhat is his resistance Paul Resistance is an action whereby the souldier doth withstand temptation through grace working inwardly in him 1. Iohn 2. 14. I write vnto you babes because ye haue knowne the Father I haue written to you fathers because ye haue knowne him that is from the beginning I haue written to you yong men because ye are strong and the word of God abideth in you and ye haue ouercome the wicked 1. Pet. 5.
should repeate all the letters of the Alphabet or A B C before he against another did either speake or do any thing 3. To depart out of those places where those are with whom we are angrie 4. To auoide contention both in word and deed Do nothing through contention Lidia Say I sinne by couetousnesse and ambition what must I do P. Remedies against those bad desires of riches and honor are 1. God doth euen in famine quickeÌ„ and reuiue them which feare him Psal. 33. 18. 19. The eye of the Lord is vpon them that feare him to deliuer their souls from death and to preserue them from famine 2. Godlinesse is great gaine if the mind of man can be therewith content 1. Tim. 6. 6. 3. we do waite and looke for the resurrection of the bodie and eternall life therefore we should not take such carking care for this present mortall life 4. We are seruants in our fathers house therefore looke what is conuenient for vs that will he louingly bestow vpon vs. 5. The palpable blindnesse of an ambitious mind desireth to be set aloft that he may haue the greater downe-falle and he feareth to be humbled lest he should not be exalted 6. Adam when he would needes be checke-mate with God did bring both himselfe and his posteritie headlongâ—â— destruction 7. He is a very ambitious rob God which desireth to take that commeâ—dation to himselfe which is appropriate only to the Lord. Lidia Admit Satan allures me to carnal vncleanenesse how may I preserue my selfe that I may with the wise virgins enter with the bridegrome Pa. Preseruatiues against the desires of the flesh are 1. He that will be Christs disciple must euery day take vp his crosse Luk. 9. 23. 2. They which are according to the spirit sauour of such things as are according to the spirit Rom. 8. 5. 3. We ought to behaue 〈◊〉 selues as citizens of the kingdom of heauen Philip. 3. 20. 4. We are the temple of Godâ— 1. Cor. 3. 6. Our members they are the meÌ„bers of Christ. 1. Cor. 6. 15. And we haâ—â— dwelling within vs the spirit of Christâ— which we should not grieue Eph. 4. 30. Lid. How may I fall in this temptations Paul When you being preuented fall 〈◊〉 some offence Gal. 6. 1. Lidia What doth Satan when one is thus â—â—llen Paul Here Satan doth wonderfully aggrauate the offence committed and doth acâ—use and terrifie the offender with the iudgements of God Mat. 27. 3. Then when Iudas which betrayed him saw that he was condemâ—â—d he repented himselfe and brought againe the thirtie peeces of siluer to the chiefe Priests and Elders 4. Saying I haue sinned betraying the innocent bloud but they said What is that to vs see thou to it 5. And when he had cast downe the siluer peeces in the Temple he departed and went and hanged himselfe Lid. What remedie is there if that I fall Paul The remedie is a renewed repentance the beginning whereof is sorrow in regard of God for the same sinne the fruites hereof are especially seuen 2. Cor. 7. 9. Now I reioyce not that you were sorrie but that ye sorrowed to repentance for ye sorrowed godly so that in nothing ye were hurt by vs. 10. For godly sorrow causeth repentance vnto saluation not to be repented of but worldly sorrow causeth death 11. For behold this thing that ye haue bene godly sorrie what great care hath it wrought in you yea what clearing of your selues yea what indignation yea what feare yea how great desire yea whâ—â— zeale yea what punishment in all things 〈◊〉 haue shewed your selues that ye are pure in this matter Lid. Repeate out of this place those seuen fruites of repentance Paul First a desire of doing well Secondly an Apologie that is a confession of the sinne before God with a requiring of pardon for the offence Psalm 32. 5. Then I acknowledged my sin vnto thee neither hid I mine iniquitie for I thought I will confesse against my selfe my wickednesse vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the punishment of my sinne 2. Sam. 12. 13. Then Dauid said vnto Nathan I haue sinned against the Lord and Nathan said vnto Dauid The Lord also haâ—â— put away thy sinne thou shalt not die 3 Indignation against a mans selfe for his offence 4 A feare not so much for the punishment as for offending the Lord. Psal. 130. 3. If thou streightly markest iniquities O Lord who shall stand 5 A desire to be fully renewed and to be deliuered from sinne 6 A feruent zeale to loue God and to embrace and keepe all his commandements 7. Reuenge whereby the flesh may be taâ—ed and subdued lest at any time afterward such offences be committed Lidia Blessed be God that thus teacheth â—e by you Let me speake yet vnto you concerning calamities I reade in the Scriptures of the patient bearing of the crosse what wil it teach me Paul The patient bearing of the crosse teacheth how Christians should vndergo the burden Lidia VVhat I pray you is the crosse Paul The crosse is a certaine measure of afflictions appointed by God to euery one of the faithfull Math. 6. 24. If any man wil follow me let him forsake himselfe take vp his crosse and follow me Col. 1. 24. Now reioyce I in my sufferings for you and fulfill the rest of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his bodies sake which is the Church Lidia How must this crosse be taken vp Paul We ought to take vp this crosse willingly euen with both hands when it shall please God to lay it vpon vs. And after we haue taken it vp we must beare it with patience and perseuerance Col. 1. 11. Strengthened with all might through his glorious power vnto all patience and long suffering with ioyfulnesse Luke 21. 19. Possesse your soules with patience Lidia How may I preserue patience Paul The preseruatiues of patience are first strength by the holy Ghost Phil. 4. 13. I am able to do all things through the helpe of Christ which strengtheneth me Phil. 1. 20. It is giuen to you for Christ that not onely ye should beleeue in him but also suffer for his sake 2. An holy meditation which is manifold 1. That the afflictions of the faithful come not by chance but by the counsell and prouidence of God which disposeth all things in a most excellent sort Gen. 45. 4. 5. It was God that sent Ioseph into Egypt 2. Sam. 16. 10. The Lord biddeth Shemei curse Dauid Psal. 119. 71. It was good for me that I was afflicted that I might learne thy statutes Hence it is euident that afflictions to the godly are ineuitable Act. 14. 21. By many afflictions you must enter into the kingdome of God Mat. 7. 14. The gate is streight and the way narrow that leadeth vnto life and few there be that find it Iohn 16 20. In the world ye shall haue troubles 2 That albeit afflictions are grieuous yet are they good and profitable For they
are helpes whereby men being humbled for their sinnes before God obtaine peace and holinesse of life 2. Cor. 1. 9. We receiued sentence of death in our selues because we should not trust in our selues but in God which raiseth the dead Esa. 26. 16. Lord in trouble haue they visited thee they powred out a prayer when thy chastening was vpon them Hos. 5. 15. I will go and returne to my place till they acknowledge their fault and seeke me in their affliction they will seeke me diligently Psal. 78. 34. When he flue them they sought him and they returned and they sought God early Ierem. 31. 18. I haue heard Ephraim lamenting thus Thou hast corrected me and I was chastised as an vntamed calfe conuert thou me and I shall be conuerted Heb. 12. 11. No chastisement for the present seeâ—eth ioyous but grieuous but afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousnesse vnto them which are thereby exercised Psa. 30. 5. Weeping may abide at euening but ioy commeth in the morning Iohn 15. 2. Euery branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it that it may bring forth â—â—re fruite 1. pet 1. 6. Wherein ye reioyce though now for a season if need require ye are in heauinesse through many temptations 2. Cor. 1. 4. The God of all comfort which comforteth vs in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort them which are in affliction by the comfort wherewith our selues are comforted of God Rom. 5. 3. We glory in afflictions knowing that affliction bringeth patience Heb. 2. 10. He did consecrate the Prince of their saluation through affliction We permit Chirurgians that they both bind vs lying diseased in our beds and seare vs with hot irons yea lanch and search our members with rasors and lastly we send them away vsually with friendly and kind speeches often with a golden fee for their thus handling vs. Shal we theÌ„ suffer so many things of a Chirurgian to cure a bodily disease and will we not giue God leaue to cure by afflictions the most festered diseases of our sicke soules Lidia What is to be gathered hence Paul By this we may gather that the afflictions of the godly are signes of their adoption Heb. 12. 6. Whom the Lord loueth he chasteneth and he scourgeth euery sonne that he receiueth 7. If ye endure chastisement God offereth himselfe vnto you as vnto sonneâ— And that they are to them the Kings high way to heauen Iames 1. 12. Blessed 〈◊〉 the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receiue the crowne of life which the Lord hath promised to them that loue 〈◊〉 2. Cor. 4. 17. For our light affliction which iâ— but for a moment causeth vnto vs a farre more excellent and an eternall waight of glory 3 That God hath promised fauour mitigation of punishment his presence and deliuerance Philip. 1. 29. 1. Cor. 10. 13. God is faithfull who will not suffer you to be tempted aboue measure but with temptation will giue deliuerance 2. Sam. 7. 14. Psal. 50. 15. Call vpon me in time of trouble and I will deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me Psal. 121. 4. He that keepeth Israel will neither slumber nor sleepe Esa. 43. 2. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the flouds that they do not ouerwhelme thee when thou walkest through the very fire thou shalt not burne neither shal the flame kindle vpon thee 3. For I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel thy sauiour 4 That in all troubles of the faithfull Christ is a companion 1. Pet. 4. 13. Reioyce that ye are partakers of the afflictions of Christ. 2 Cor. 4. 10. Euery where we beare about in our bodie the dying of Christ that the life of Iesus might also be made manifest in our bodies Col. 1. 21. 5 That the Angels are readie to defend such as feare God Psal. 34. 8. 2. Kings 6. 16. Feare not there are more with vs then against vs. Lidia But of all calamities the remembrance of death is fearful vnto me giue me I pray you some few preseruatiues against it Paul Against the feare of death note these preseruatiues First death it freeth the godly from the tyrannie of Satan sinne the world the flesh and eternall damnation yea froÌ„ infinite both perils and losses and doth place vs both safe and happie vnder the shadow as it were of Christs wings Secondly Christ by his death hath sanctified vnto vs both death and the graue 3 Christ is both in life and death gaine to the godly Phil. 1. 12. 4 Those consolations which the spirit of Christ doth suggest to the soules of the faithful do by many degrees surmount the dolors of death 5 The desire of that most bright and glorious beholding of God and the presence of those Saints which are departed before vs. 6 In stead of our bodies we shall be clothed with glory 2. Cor. 5. 1. 7 The sting of death namely sin is then so taken away as that that serpent can no more hurt vs. 1. Cor. 15. 55. O death where iâ— thy sting O graue where is thy victory Heb. 2. 15. That he might deliuer all them which for feare of death were all their life time subiect to bondage 8 We should not so much thinke of our death as to take an exact account of our life For that man cannot die ill who hath liued well and he seldome dieth well that hath liued badly 9 The Angels they stand at our elbowes that so soone as a Saint departeth they may with al speed immediatly transport his soule into heauen Soules being once in heauen remain therâ— till the last day of iudgement where they partly magnifie the name of God and partly do waite and pray for the consummation of the kingdom of glory and ful felicitie in body and soule Reu. 5. 8. And when he had taken the booke the foure beasts and the foure and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb hauing euery one harpes and golden vials full of odours which are the prayers of the Saints 9. And they sang a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the booke and to open the seales thereof because thou wast killed and hast redeemed vs to God by thy bloud out of euery kinred and tong and people and nation Reuel 14. 2. I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harpes 3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne and they cried with a loud voice saying How long Lord holy and true doest not thou iudge and auenge our bloud on them that dwel on the earth Lidia Yet for all this Satan in the time of temptation and at the houre of death wil go about to perswade me that these things do not belong vnto me what must I do then Paul Descend into your owne heart see whether you haue Gods spirit or no testifying vnto you that you are Gods child for as many as haue the spirit
beleeuer in the midst of temptations It is written Here we see whence our Sauior Christ tooke his answer though that 〈◊〉 could haue confounded Satan by the leaâ—â— word of his mouth and could if he had 〈◊〉 pleased called for many legions of Angelâ— from heauen to haue guarded him being thâ— true and onely son of God yet he makâ— choise of this weapon It is written And thâ— he did to teach vs that the most sufficienâ— weapon to beat back all Satans temptationâ— and to quench all the fierie darts of the diueâ— is the word of God written therefore 〈◊〉 bids vs take vp the sword of the spirit whiâ— is the word of God both to defend our seluâ—â— and also to put Satan to flight Ephes. 6. 16. Hence from the example of Christ we maâ— learne sundry instructions First seeing thâ— he made choise of the word of God as thâ— most sufficient weapon to repel Satan it condemneth that vaine and vile practise of thâ— Church of Rome who instead of this 〈◊〉 into mens hands other weapons not worâ— a rush as holy water the signe of the crossâ— c. and affirmeth that these be sufficient weâ—pons to skarre away the Diuell Alas thâ— Diuell is not so childish to feare a drop 〈◊〉 water or the shaking of a straw but our Saâ—iour Christ shewes what is that which is abâ—â—◠〈◊〉 a most sufficient weapon to beate back all â—atans temptations which he can hurle aâ—ainst vs. And therefore wicked is the praâ—tise of the Papists who locke vp the word of God from the people keeping it in an vnâ—nowne tong and so betray the poore soules â—f the people into the hands of the Diuell We see here the miserable estate of all such â—en or women which do either contemne â—r neglect the knowledge of the word of God they do wilfully betray themselues inâ—o the hands of the Diuell lay themselues oâ—en as a prey vnto him so as they hauing no â—eapon to defend themselues nor to repell â—atan thus he smites them wounds them â—ea euen cuts the throat of their poore soules â—efore they be aware We may heÌ„ce gather what is the cause why â—o many sins abound in euery place namely â—e vile and grosse ignorance of the word of God Hos. 4. 1. 3. The want of the knowledge of the Gospell and the word of God is the â—ery cause that sin so abounds in al places for â—he word of God should be vnto vs as Sauls â—eare which he vsed to set at his beds head 〈◊〉 that if any enemy set vpoÌ„ vs on the sodain â—ur weapoÌ„ might be euer at hand in readines â—hat we might answer the Diuel in his instruments if he tempt vs to any sin whatsoeuâ—â— that as here Christ said It is written so 〈◊〉 must say I may not lie sweare commit adâ—â—tery c. for it is written c. Seeing Christ by his own practise teacheâ— vs that the word of God written beleeueâ— vnderstood truly applied is the most alâ— and all-sufficient weapon to resist the diueâ— how ought this to stirre vp all men to serioâ—â— studie of the word of God How should moue euery man as he loueth his soule to â—â— bor for a sound knowledge vnderstanding of the holy Scripture seeing this is the bâ— weapon to foile the diuell If we knew thâ— any man had vowed our death and soughâ— our liues how careful wold we be to prouiâ— the best weapons we could get and also 〈◊〉 learne how to handle them and to vse theâ— so as we might be able to defend our selueâ— when we meet with our enemy Wel we 〈◊〉 not be ignorant that the diuell is the swoâ—â— enemy of our soules he lies in waite contiâ—â—ally seeking our bloud oh then if men 〈◊〉 that care of their poore soules that they ougâ—â— to haue how prouident would it make theâ— to store themselues with this most sufficieâ—â— weapon eueÌ„ the true knowledge of the wâ—â— of God! and therfore it must moue all of vâ— â—eare the word continually to study it to lay â—t vp in our hearts against the time of need â—o resist the diuell when he assaults vs. It is lamentable to consider how poore ignorant people deceiue them selues they â—ooth themselues and say they defie the diâ—uel they spit at him but alas what if two men that be enemies meet together the one well appointed with weapons of death the other hauing nothing in his hand to defend himself but defies his enemy spits at him wil this do him any good will not the other wound him and kil him And so though poore ignorant people say they defie the diuell spit at him he wil shew them no pity but giue them their deadly wound and they shall neuer know who hurt them till it be too late Now follow the words of Christs answer Man shall not liue by bread onely c. This answer of Christ is taken out of Deut. 8. 3. where Moses shews the children of Israel who were now in great extremitie pinched sore with famine and had nothing to eate that the Lord fed them with Manna to teach them that man liues not by bread only but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Man shall not liue That is man shall not preserue his naturall or temporall life in tâ—â— world I say his natural or temporal life foâ— is not meant of his spiritual life by bread 〈◊〉 that is all things necessary for the naturallâ— of man as meate drinke clothing sleep pâ—â— sick c. euen all naturall and ordinary meaâ— vsed of man for his temporall life is meant bâ— bread But by euery word He saith not in generaâ— by the word but by euery word Now 〈◊〉 hath diuers acceptions in the scriptures first it is takeÌ„ for the second person in the Trinity Iohn 1. 1. Secondly for the word of God Isâ— 40. 6. but neither of these is vnderstood iâ— this place Thirdly the word is taken for thâ— decree and wil of God for his prouidence 〈◊〉 the good wil pleasure of God and so mâ—â— we vnderstand it in this place where our sauiour Christ saith man shall liue by eueâ—â— word that is euery decree and blessing oâ— God for the life of man so it is taken Heb. 1. 3 where Christ is said to beare vp all things by his mightie word that is as the Lord haâ— created al things so doth he vphold and preserue them by his decree and prouidence Now Gods word and decree concerning the life of man may thus be distinguished namely that God hath decreed that some men should liue by bread that is by ordinary meanes secondly some should liue without ordinary bread that is without all ordinary meanes thirdly that some should liue without any means at al either ordinary or extraordinary as Moses Eliah our Sauiour Christ in their fortie dayes fast fourthly that some should liue against meanes and contrary to the course of nature as Daniel
And the Magistrate is especially bound to looke to this seeing it is the law of God that the blasphemer should be stoned to death now this law is perpetuall And if a man for speaking a word of disgrace against the person of the Prince wittingly and willingly shall iustly lose his life then he that is a blasphemer and speakes to the disgrace of the eternall God is much more worthie to die a thousand deaths Secondly by this answer of Christ we learne how to behaue our selues when any shall go about to perswade vs to depart froÌ„ his Church to renounce true religion we must accompt of them in that respect as the instruments of Satan If the father should seeke to withdraw his owne child from the true religion the sonne must not spare the father but must cast the first stone at him Deut. 13. And when Peter would haue disswaded Christ from going to Ierusalem he saith Get thee behind me Satan though he was an excellent Apostle yet in this Christ accompts of him as of the very diuell Againe in that Christ bids Satan now auoide and will dispute no longer with him we must hereby learne how to answer the diuell in his temptations though at the first when his temptations be more mild we may reply by the word of God yet when Satan shall be more violent in his assaults we must imitate our Sauior Christ bid him auoide and dispute no more with him And whatsoeuer he shall bring against vs when we are not able to answer him yet let vs hold the maine conclusion in the word of God not vouchsaâ—ing him an answer It is written Seeing our Sauior Christ now the third time answers the Diuell by the scriptures saying It is written we learne that the written word beleeued and vnderstood is the most sufficient weapon to confute to confound Satan his vile teÌ„ptations else Christ wold not now eueÌ„ the third time haue made choise of this weapon It is written againe This confutes the Papists who make two Scriptures one vnwritten and inward which is traditions the consent of the fathers which haue liued in all ages the other written in the holy scriptures Now they do make their vnwritten scriptures as they call them and the consent of fathers to be of equall authoritie with the written word of God which our Sauior Christ doth shew here to be the most powerfull meanes to repell all Satans temptations And the holy scriptures which they call a dead letter and make as though it had no power in it eueâ— this alone is the sword of the spirit to confound satan and therefore damnable is that their doctrine which so abuseth the holy Scriptures sets vp the erronious tradition of sinfull men For if the written word had bene but a dead letter our sauiour Christ would neuer haue made choise of it abouâ— all other weapons three seuerall times to confute Satan euery time answering It is written Secondly by this answer of Christ saying It is written we learne how to behaue our selues when any shall seeke to turne vs from true Religion to embrace false Religion though we cannot answer their arguments but they set such a colour on them by their wit and eloquence and seeme to dazle our eyes that we can not see their deceits yet we must sticke to the scriptures and cleaâ—â— fast to the text of the Bible and if we find but one sentence in al the Bible to perswade vs of the truth of Religion we must hang vpon it with both hands and let not oâ— hold go nay it must be of more force credit with vs then a thousand arguments that tend to the contrary Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God only In these words is contained the answer of our sauiour Christ to the third temptation of the Diuell The words are takeÌ„ out of Deut. 6 13. where they are read thus Thou shalt feare the Lord thy God and serue him Now there may seeme to be some difference in the words as they be alleaged by Christ for in that place of Deuteronomy it is said Thou shalt feare the Lord thy God our sauiour Christ saith Thou shalt worship Againe our sauiour Christ addes a word which is not added by Moses in that place namely Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God onely this word onely is not in that text of Moses But if we vnderstand two points concerning the alleaging of scripture there will appeare to be no difference the first is this that Christ and his Apostles in their alleaging of scripture do not so much sticke to the very â—illables as aime at the sense of the scriptures which they alleage The second thing is this that our sauiour Christ in alleaging scripture seekes to expound scripture and to open it in alleaging of it and so doing he may well adde a word when as the word he addeth maketh much for the meaning of the text And thus Christ in this place chaungeth the word not mistaking of it but rather to expound Moses for whereas Moses saith Thou shalt feare the Lord he meaneth that religious feare whereby we feare God and worship him Now our sauiour Christ he saith Thou shalt worship shewing Moses meant that feare whereby we do with reuerence and bowing of the body and adoring of God worship him moued thereunto by religious feare either in praying for some mercy we want or giuing thankes for some benefite receiued Againe Christ in alleaging this text of Scripture he addes a word yet so as he doth it without any fault for though this word alone be not in Moses his text expresly set downe yet it is included and in sense it is vnderstood for where he saith in the thirteenth verse Thou shalt feare the Lord and ads no more in the fourteenth verse he saith Thou shalt not walke after any other gods so that a maÌ„ may easily perceiue he did in seÌ„se include it though not expresse it in words and thus we see our sauiour Christ cleared In the text of scripture alleaged by Christ note two points first what this worship and feare is secondly to whom worship is due First worship taken generally signifieth the giuing of honor and reuerence to another Now this honour is either ciuill or diuine Ciuill honour is that outward reuerence we giue to men by â—rostrating of the body or bowing of the knee and the end of this ciuill worship is that thereby we might acknowledge another to be our superiour therfore it is giuen of subiects to Princes or of inferiours to those that by some meanes are their superiours And thus Iacob worshipped that is gaue ciuil worship to Esau seuen times Genes 33. 3. This reuerence Abraham gaue to the Hittites Gen. 23. 7. Lot to the Angels bowed himselfe to the ground Gen. 19. 1. where he gaue them onely ciuill worship and honour So then it is manifest by these examples that we may lawfully bow and bend the
then must be my remedy Paul The remedie for this is subiection which must be made to the iudgement and censure of the brethren and Ministers Reuel 3. 15. I know thy workes that thou art neither cold nor hote I would thou werest cold or hote Gal. 6. 2. 1. Tim. 1. 20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I haue deliuered vnto Satan that they might learne not to blaspheme Lid. What is the second assault Paul The second assault is concerning faith Lid. How may one be thus assaulted Paul By an illusion which the Diuell casteth into the hearts of godly ones as when he saith Thou art not of the number of the elect thou art not iustified thou hast no faith thou must certainely be condemned for thy sinnes as Mat. 4. 3. Then came to him the tempter and said If thou be the Sonne of God command that these stones be made bread Now as he dealt with Christ so will he with Christians Lidia What helpes doth the Diuell abuse for the strengthening of such illusions as these Paul 1. He abuseth Aduersitie as dangers losses persecutions iealousie grieuous offences c. So in Dauid Psal. 73. 12. Loe these are the wicked yet prosper they alway and increase in riches 13. Certainely I haue cleansed mine heart in vaine and washed mine hands in innocencie In Iob 13. 23. How many art mine iniquities and sinnes Shew me my rebellion and my sinne 24. Wherefore hidest thou thy face and takest me for thine enemie 25. Will thou breake a leafe driuen to and fro and wilt thou pursue the drie stubble 2 The remembrance of sinnes past Iob 13. 26. For thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth 3 A feeling of death euen alreadie at hand Lidia How may I withstand these Paul By a true faith applying Christ with all his merits particularly after this manner I assuredly beleeue that I shall not be condemned but that I am elected and iustified in Christ and am out of all doubt that all my sinnes are pardoned Esa. 53. 11. He shall see the trauell of his soule and shall be satisfied by his knowledge shall my righteous seruant iustifie many for he shall beare their iniquities Rom. 8. 38. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come 39. Nor heighth nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Lidia Giue me a preseruatiue that I may resist Paul Your best preseruatiue is in temptation not to behold faith but the obiect of faith which is Christ. So did Paul Philip. 3. 12. Not as though I had alreadie attained vnto it either were alreadie perfect but I follow that I may comprehend that for whose sakâ— also I am comprehended of Christ Iesus 13. One thing I do I forget that which is behind and indeuour my selfe to that which is before 14. And follow hard toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus So must all Ioh. 3. 14. And as Moses lift vp the Serpent in the wildernesse so must the sonne of man be lift vp that he that beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting Lid. What is my falling in this assault Paul Your falling is doubtfulnesse and distrust of your election of Gods mercie Psal. 77. 6. I called to remembrance my soâ—â— in the night I comâ—â—ned with mine own heart and my spirit searched diligently 7. Will in Lord absent himselfe for euer and will he shew no more fauour 8. Is his 〈◊〉 cleane gone for euer doth his promise faile for euermore So Dauid of himselfe saith Psalm 22. 1. My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and art so farre from my health and from the words of my roaring Lid. What is my remedie Paul The remedie is double First the operation of the holy Spirit stirring vp faith and increasing the same Philip. 1. 6. I am perswaded of this same thing that he that hath begunne this good worke in you will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ. Luk. 17. 5. And the Apostles said vnto the Lord Increase our faith The second is an holy meditation which is manifold 1 That it is the commandement of God that we should beleeue in Christ. 1. Ioh. 3. 23. This is then his commaundement that we beleeue in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ and loue one another as he gaue commaundement 2 That the Euangelicall promises are indefinite and do exclude no man vnlesse peraduenture any man do exclude himselfe Esa 55. 1. Ho euery one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and ye that haue no siluer come buy and eate come I say buy wine and milke without siluer and without money Mat. 11. 28. Come vnto me all ye that are wearie and laden and I will ease you Ioh. 3. 15. That whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue eternall life Also the Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper do to euery one seuerally apply indefinite promises and therefore are very effectuall to enforce particular assurance or plerophorie of forgiuenesse of sinnes 3 That doubtfulnesse and despaire are most grieuous sinnes 4 That contrarie to hope men must vnder hope beleeue with Abraham Rom. 4. 18. Which Abraham aboue hope beleeued vnder hope that he should be the father of many nations according to that which was spoken to him So shall thy seed be 5 That the mercie of God and the merit of Christs obedience being both God and man are infinite Esa. 54. 10. For the mountaines shall remoue and the hils shall fall downe but my mercie shall not depart from thee neither shall my couenant of peace fall away saith the Lord that hath compassion on thee Psal. 103. 11. For as high as the heauen is aboue the earth so great is his mercie toward them that feare him 1. Ioh. 2. 1. My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the iust 2. And he is the reconciliation for our sinnes and not for ours onely but also for the sinnes of the whole world Psal. 137. 7. Let Israel waite on the Lord for the Lord is mercie and with him is great redemption 6 That God measureth the obedience due vnto him rather by the affection and desire to obey then by the act and performance of it Rom. 8. 5. For they that are after the flesh sauour the things of the flesh but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit 7. Because the wisedome of the flesh is enmitie against God for it is not subiect to the law of God neither indeed can be Rom. 7. 20. Now if I do that I would not it is no more I that do it but the sinne that dwelleth in me 21. I find
of God they are the children of God Lidia But how shall I know whether this testimonie come from Gods spirit or from carnall presumption Paul First by a full perswasion which you shall haue for the holy Ghost will not barely say it but perswade you that you are Gods child which the flesh cannot do Secondly by the maner of perswasion for the holy Ghost draweth not reasons from the works and worthinesse of man but from Gods fauour and loue and this kind of perswasion differeth much from that which Satan vseth Thirdly by the effects of that testimonie for if the perswasion arise from presumption it is a dead perswasion but contrariwise it is most liuely and stirring if it come from the holy Ghost for such as are perswaded that they are elected and adopted the children of God they wil loue God trust in him and cal vpon him with their whole heart Lidia Alas I find this testimonie maruellous feeble in me are there not other meanes by which I may be comforted in this temptation of Satan that I am not Gods child Paul Yes verily if you feele not the flame of Gods spirit in you then must you iudge of it by the heate and if you find the effects of sanctification in you you are without doubt in the state of grace Lidia Which I pray you be they Paul Of all the effects of sanctification you may iudge of your adoption by these that follow First if you feele your wants and with griefe bewaile the offence to God in euery sinne 2. If you striue against the flesh that is resist and hate the first motions thereof and with griefe thinke them burthenous and troublesome Thirdly if you desire earnestly and vehemently the grace of God and merite of Christ to obtaine eternall life 4. When you haue obtained it to account it a most precious iâ—well and all things to be as dung in respect of it Phil. 3. 9. 5. If you loue a Minister of the Gospell as he is a Minister and a Christian as he is a Christian and if need require can be readie to giue your life for them 1. Iohn 3. 16. 6. If you call earnestly vpon God euen with teares 7. If you desire Christs comming to iudgement that an end might be made of these dayes of sin 8. If you flie all occasions of sin and endeuor to come to newnesse of life 9. And last of all if you perseuere vnto the last gaspe in these things For as one saith he that wil serue God must beleeue that which he cannot see hope for that which is deferred loue God when he shewes himself an enemie and thus remaine to the end Lidia These indeed are sure effects of sanctification but euen these are weake in me as the former Paul Are they so Then know that God tameth you yet so as you must not therewith be dismaied for it is certaine that if you haue faith but as a graine of mustard-seed and be as weake as a yong infant it is sufficient to ingraft you into Christ and therefore you must not doubt of your owne election by reason of your weaknesse A child holding a staffe in his hand holdeth it as well as a man though not with so much strength and you laying hold vpon Christ by faith though you do it neuer so weakely it will suffise for your saluation Nay if one haue not yet felt these effects in his heart he must not conclude he is a reprobate but must rather vse the word of God and the Sacraments that he may haue inward sense of the power of Christ drawing him vnto him and an assurance of his redemption by Christs death and passion Lidia He that opened the heart of Lidia to heare Paul open my heart to know and do these things Paul Amen Sundry necessarie obseruations meete for a Christian published long since by some religious man I. THat you keep narrow watch ouer your heart words and deeds continually Psal. 93. 1. Mat. 24. 42. Luke 12. 36. 1. Cor. 10. 13. 15. 34. 16. 13. Col. 3. 17. II. That with all care the time be redeemed that hath bene idly carelesly and vnprofitably spent Eph. 5. 16. Col. 4. 5. III. That once in the day at least priuate prayer and meditation be made Psal. 119. 164. Dan. 6. 10. Luke 18. 1. Ephes. 6. 18. Col. 4. 2. IV. That care be had to do and receiue good in companie 1. Thess. 5. 11. V. That your familie be with all diligence and regard instructed watched ouer and Christianly gouerned Gen. 18. 19. Deut. 4. â— 5 6 7. Pro. 31. 27. Eph. 6. 4. VI. That no more care be spent in matters of this world then must needs Mat. 6. 31. Col. 3. â— 1. Iohn 2. 15. VII That you stirre vp your selues to liberality to Gods Saints Gal. 6. 10. Heb. 13. 16. VIII That you prepare your selues to beare the crosse by what meanes soeuer it shall please God to exercise you Mat. 16. 24. Luke 9. 13. 24. 27. IX That you giue not the least bridle to wandring thoughts Iob 31. 1. Eph. 5. 3. X. That you bestow some time in mourning not onely for your owne sinnes but for the time and age wherein you liue Ezech. 9. 4. Psal. 119. 136. XI That you looke dayly for the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ for your full deliuerance out of this world Mat. 24. 44. XII That you acquaint your selfe with some godly person with whom you may conferre of your Christian estate and open your doubts to the quickning of Gods graces 〈◊〉 you Iames 5. 16. XIII That you obserue the departure of men out of this life their mortalitie the vanitie and alteration of things below the more to contemne the world and to continue your longing after the life to come Esay 57. 1. Phil. 3. 3. 1. Pet. 1. 24. Reu. 22. 20. XIIII That you meditate often vpon your death and going out of this life how you must lie in the graue go to dust leaue all glorie and wealth and this will serue to beate downe that pride of life which naturally is in you Eccles. 7. 4. 12. 1. XV. That you reade something daily of the holy Scriptures for the further increase of your knowledge Math. 22. 29. Iohn 5. 39. Act. 17. 11. XVI That you make a couenant with the Lord to striue against all sinnes especially against the specialsins and corruptions of your heart and life wherein you haue most dishonored God and that you carefully see that your â—ouenant be kept and continued Neh. 9. 38. â— Chron. 34. 31. XVII That you marke how sinne dieth and is weakened in you and that you turne not to your old sinnes againe Matt. 18. 8. 1. Thess. 5. 22. 2. Pet. 2. 22. XVIII That you fall not from your first loue but continue still your affection to the liking of Gods word and to all the holy exercises of religion diligently hearing it and faithfully practising it that you may prepare your selfe