Euerie one shal haue reward according to his worke We ought not to condemne or iudge any to bee reprobate albeit to bee without feare of GOD and reuerence of man are signes of reprobation Psal 64. vers 4. c. Because it is a secret only reserued to God therfore he hath said Iudge not that ye be not iudged Matth. 7.1 Iam. 4.12 Because the Lord is not so merciful in forgiuing as he is miraculous in calling making of a persecutor an Apostle as he did by Paule Acts. 9.3 Because the very godly haue been greatly ouergone in this matter as that great Prophet of the Lord Elias in iudging the people of Israel 1. King 19.10 These 3. steppes doo leade vs vnto destruction Barn The dissembling of our weakenes The ignorance of our wretchednes The excusing and perseuering in our wickednes The Scriptures are written for vs That we might knowe the will of God and followe it That wee might beleeue that Iesus is Christ the Sonne of God Ioh. 20.31 That in beleeuing wee might haue life through his name Ioh. 20.31 The whole scriptures are diuided into three parts Bar. Lawe Prophets Gospell The Lawe The Gospel consist in doing in beleeuing This may perswade vs to beleeue the authoritie of the Scriptures to be true Bib. The secret testimonie of the holie Ghost in our hearts which causeth vs to consent thereto The incomprehensible Maiestie of God appearing in the simple and sincere doctrine therein The godlie agreement of all parts together with the orderlie disposition certaintie and successe thereof The Scriptures do set forth vnto vs amongst many other three especiall matters which we ought to remember The frailtie of man and his prone inclination to euill The iustice of God and his seuere punishment appointed for obstinate transgressors The mercie of God and his free pardon promised to penitent sinners Euerie one ought effectually to know and search the holy Scriptures for Knowledge Confirmation Consolation Because the ignorance of them is the cause of all error Because wee must beleeue nothing but that which is approoued by them Acts. 17.11 Because in them is cōtained eternal life We may gather knowledge in the Scriptures three manner of waies By attendant hearing of the same well preached By diligent reading of the same with vnderstanding By continuall conference with such as can open thē Act. 8.30 The word of GOD then draweth vs vnto him Bib. When it is so preached and heard as we vnderstand and learne what is taught thereby When we receiue thankfullie that which is giuen promised and assured therein When we bee moued with desire and diligence to do that which it commandeth The word of God then hath his perfect worke when it is Preached truelie Beleeued faithfullie Followed effectuallie Such as will not beleeue the word of God what followeth If the righteous scarcelie bee saued where shall the vngodlie and sinner appeare 1. Pet. 4.8 Euerie vnfaithfull shall die in his vnfaithfulnes saith Esdras 2. Esdr 15.4 Euerie vnbeleeuer is condemned alreadie Iohn 3.18 and shall be punished with euerlasting perdition 2. Thes 1. Ignorance can no way be excusable For that which maie bee knowne of God is made manifest vnto vs. Rom. 1.19 For those that knowe not the lawe shall perish without the lawe Rom. 2.12 For the offering for ignorant sinnes in the Leueticall law argueth no excuse to be admitted Leuit. 4.2 Our Sauiour Christ describeth by the parable of the Sower three vnprofitable hearers of his word Matth. 13. Such a one as heareth it and vnderstādeth it not by reason the euill one commeth and catcheth it away out of his heart Such a one as heareth it and receiueth it presently with great ioye but when persecution or tribulation commeth by reason of the word hee is offended Such a one as heareth it but the cares of this world and the deceiptfulnes of riches choake it and the same is made vnfruitfull We ought to resort to the Church of God Because his holie mysteries are there laid open which are hid obscure to manie Because we may bee vnited and coupled together by receiuing the Sacraments Because if the Lord hath promised to grant our requestes where two or three bee gathered together in his name how much more will he bee mindfull of a multitude that so assemble themselues The Church of God hath three ancient and excellent ornaments Preaching Praier Sacraments Preaching ingēdreth faith Praier increaseth it Sacraments confirme it The Church or Congregatiō ought to pray for all men without anie difference of Nation kind age or order Beza 1. Tim. 2.3 4. Because the Lord by calling of all sorts yea sometimes those that are the greatest enemies to the Gospel wil haue his Church gathered together after this sort therfore praiers to be made for all Because God should not els bee manifested to be the onlie God of all mē vnles he should shew his goodnes in sauing of al sorts of men Because his Sonne Christ Iesus should not be seen to be the onelie Mediator between God and of all sorts of men by hauing taken vpō him that nature of man which is common to al men vnlesse he had satisfied for all sortes of men and made intercession for all Sacramēts are Signes or badges of christianitie Seales or pledges of our faith Assurances of our saluation whereof there be 2. Baptisme The Lords Supper The Sacrament of Baptisme Bib. Teacheth vs to put on Christ that his righteousnes may couer our sinfulnes Galat. 3.27 Assureth vs wee are so grafted into Christ that all our corruption is cleane washed away Ephes 5.26.27 Chargeth vs to mortifie and die to sinne that wee may become his seruants and liue in mutuall amitie The Sacrament of the Lords Supper Bib. Sheweth vs that the bodie and bloud of Christ crucified is the onelie foode for the regenerate Assureth vs that Christ is whollie ours and that by faith our soules are fed and nourished in him vnto life euerlasting Requireth a thankfull remembrance of his death with vnitie amongst brethrē The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is vnworthelie receiued when we receiue it onelie by the visible signe without regard of the inuisible grace when wee receiue it more of custome than good consideration or more for feare than good affection when we receiue it disorderlie beeing dronken or with a corrupted conscience cōtinuing in malice or enmitie The Sacrament of the Lords Supper must be receiued reuerentlie eaten effectuallie digested thankfullie therefore let euerie one trie and examine his knowledge his faith his repentance Good Ministers are most fit to minister the holie Sacraments yet we may receiue them by the euill Articl Religio 26. Because they do it in Christ his name and not in their owne Because their wickednes cannot take away the effect of the ordinance Because of Christs institution promise so it be receiued rightly by faith These three things are to to bee noted whereof heretofore there hath arrise
verie fitlie compared in the Scriptures to thornes to chaffe to tares Because they be as prickes to procure hurt to the godlie Because as the winde doth scatter the chaffe so shall they be soone cut off from the face of the earth Because as tares are to bee bound in bundels burnt so shall they be in hell fire Wicked men are called by sundrie names and compared in the Scriptures to Foxes to Dogges to beastes Because they are subtill in vndermining doing of mischiefe in so much as the Church requireth to haue the foxes takē awaie Cant. 2.15 Because they are currish in controlling and barking against all goodnes Hereof Paule willeth the Phillip to beware of dogges Phil. 3.2 Because they are prophane in their liues and degenerate frō their kinde worse than beasts So Paule complaineth that hee fought with beastes at Ephesus after the manner of men 1. Cor. 15.32 The wicked and vngodlie are not to be Supported purposelie Accompanied willinglie Condemned vtterlie Because it is abomination before God to iustifie the wicked Prouer. 17.15 Because it is dangerous for hee that toucheth pitch shall be defiled Eccle. 13.1 Because the Lord wil haue mercie on whom he will and when he please Rom 9.15 These sayings maie terrifie such as attempt any euill The face of the Lord is against him 2. Pet. 3.12 Tribulation and anguish shall be vppon his soule Rom. 2.9 There shall be no ende of plagues to him Prouer. 24.20 God tempteth no man to euill but we are drawne to it By the diuell who watcheth to worke our ouerthrowe By our owne concupiscence to consent to his suggestions By vicious companie and ill perswasions of others when we be seduced The Diuell will vndermine vs in our musings if we take not great heed for in them Barn He talketh with vs wittilie He eggeth vs cunninglie Hee deceiueth vs craftelie whom if we resist by faith the Lord will Ouerlook vs fighting Succour vs fainting Crowne vs ouercomming The Diuells haue knowledge after a sort for They beleeue there is a God and feare and tremble Iam. 2.19 They can pleade Scripture for their owne purpose Matth. 4.6 They acknowledge Christes comming to iudgement Matth. 8.29 The Diuell hath three euill properties he is Subtill Strong Cruell as a Serpent as a Lyon as a Tiger For hee can transforme himselfe into many shapes yea into an Angell of light and vse manie shifts to deceiue withall For hee is not so busie in seeking daylie for his pray as he is forcible to resist where he assaulteth For where hee hath any enterance at all he will neuer rest vntill he bringeth to confusion The Diuell vsed three pollicies to tempt Christ in the wildernes perswading him To distrust in God To the desire of riches and honor To a vain cōfidence of himselfe Beza Mat. 20. Wee haue 3. cruell foes that fight against the spirit in this life the Flesh World Diuell The fiercest foe in this fight is the Diuell whō wee may expell with these three weapons Faith Praier the word of God We ought not to followe the lustes of the flesh but leade our liues holilie Beza 1. Pet. 2.11 Because those lusts although they flatter vs yet they cease not to fight against our saluation 2. Cor. 10.3 Because we are citizens in heauen and therefore ought to leade our liues thereafter although we be strangers here Because the glorie of God is greatlie set foorth by that meanes whilest by example of our honest life euen the most prophane men are brought vnto God and submit themselues vnto him There are many walk in this world saith Paul Phil 3.19 Whose God is their bellie Whose glorie is their shame Whose end is damnation The whole world lieth in wickednes 2. Ioh. 5.19 The wretchednes of this world made Salomon say Iob say Paule say The day of death is better than the day one is borne Eccle. 7 3. My soule is cut off though I liue Iob. 10.1 I desire to bee loosed from this life Phil. 1.23 What should we so accompt of this world seeing The fashion of it goes awaie 1. Cor. 7.31 The wisedome of it is mere foolishnes Iob. 37 The amitie of it is enmitie with God Ia. 4.4 Vse this world as though you vsed it not saith Paule 1. Cor. 7. These 3 things may withdrawe a man from desiring long life in this world The wretchednes of his life The grieuousnes of his sinnes The greatnes of his accompt because it is but a continual temptation and full of miserie because they will more increase by cōtinuance because it wil be the more fearefull at the yeelding vp The godlie desire to be out of this world Because it is variable and nothing but vanitie Because of the innumerable euills they are subiect to Because they long to be cloathed with the heauenlie habit Life is verie sweete and so sweete that it hath prouoked the godlie to prolong the safetie of it by shifts Dauid doubting of euill dealing fained himselfe mad to saue his life 1. Sam. 21.13.14 Paule perceiuing their crueltie that would kill him had rather in the night bee let downe in a basket than abide Acts 9.25 Peter fearing death did forsweare his master Iohn 18.27 The faithfull and godlie in this world doo dailie Fight Faint Fall by reason of their Aduersarie Infidelitie Infirmitie Yet they shall not be cast away Psal 37.24 These 3. things are worthie to be considered He that liueth best doth dailie sinne He is happie that hath grace to repent He is blessed to whom God imputeth no sin Although euery man is a sinner yet euerie sinne is not of like consideration for some sinne of Ignorance of Infirmitie of Malice as Paule did 1. Tim. 1.13 as Dauid did 2. Sam. 11.2 c. as Nebuchad-nezzer did Dan. 3.1 Euerie sinner must beware of these three things of procrastination presumption prouocation In delaying the time of repentance Matth. 24.50 In sinning still vpon hope Rom. 6.1 In sinning obstinatlie against the holie Ghost Sinne is nothing els but A sweet poyson A flattering death A destructiō of the soule wherof there be two sorts Original Actuall Adam did further his fall and increase his sinne in the garden three waies By ambition By hypocrisie By impenitencie because he thought to be as God knowing good from euill Gen. 3.6 because hee hid the cause of his nakednes which was the breach of Gods commandements Gen. 3.10 because hee was so farre from acknowledging his transgression that he burdened God with his fault in that hee had giuen him a wife Gen. 3.12 It appeareth by this that sinne is Excerable Detestable Intollerable because it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth Gen. 6.6 because hee destroyeth dumme creatures for our cause Zephan 1. vers 3. because hee would not spare his onelie sonne for our sinnes It is an exceeding comfort to a Sinner to consider That God is as well a father as a Lord. That Christ is as well a
they may the rather depend on his mercie The godlie think that day ill spent wherein they Do nothing Say nothing Think nothing that may make To the glorie of God To the comfort of themselues To the edifying of others Tribulations afflictions are to the godlie and faithfull a Confirmation of Gods loue a ProbatioÌ„ of their faith patience a PurgatioÌ„ of their liues Because he will not suffer them to bee condemned with the world and therfore hee chastiseth those he loueth Hebr. 12.6 Iob. 5.17 Because he will see if they will stand as strict to him now as they promised in prosperitie not that God is ignorant of the issue but because hee would haue it appeare to others that he doth crown such with his glorie as continue constant Mat. 24.13 Because hee vseth these crosses to make them remeÌ„ber their miserable estate that by these meanes they may bee made perfect against the daie of restauration The godlie do reioyce in tribulations knowing that Rom. 5.3 Tribulation bringeth forth patience Patience experience Experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed The afflictions of the godlie differ from the wicked Beza 1. Pet. 4 Because the godlie communicate with Christ in their afflictions and therfore shall in time also be partakers of his glorie Because in suffering these crosses their adoption is sealed in them by the spirit of GOD although the infidels thinke farre otherwise who in afflicting the godlie blaspheme God Because they are not afflicted for their euill doings but for righteousnes sake which ministreth vnspeakable ioye to them The faithfull in their afflictions haue this confidence in God That hee will lay no more vppon them than he will make them able to beare 1. Cor. 10.13 That hee will deliuer them out of their troubles in a good time That hee will giue them a Crowne of life in the end Apoc. 2.10 Such as suffer affliction may take comfort by the consideration of these sayings Wee must by manie afflictions enter the kingdome of heauen Acts. 14.22 All that liue godlie in Christ shall suffer persecution 2. Tim. 3. All the afflictions in this life are not counted worthie the glorie of the life to come Rom. 8.18 Afflictions are verie necessarie for the godlie Beza Iam. 1.3.4 Because their faith is tried through afflictions which ought to be most pure for so it is behouable for them Psal â—â— Because patience a farre passing more excellent vertue is by this meanes ingendred in them Because the Crosse is as it were the instrument wherwith God doth polish and fine them therefore the worke and effect of afflictions is the perfecting of them in Christ Patience is very expedient for Christians That by it their faith may bee confirmed Phil. 4.5 That thereby they may be made perfect and entire Iam. 1.4 That after they haue done the will of God they might receiue the promise Heb. 10.36 There be three worthie examples of patience set forth vnto vs. The example of Christ himselfe the onelie patterne of patience of Iob whose patience yee haue heard of Iaâ— 5 10. of the Prophets whose patient examples appeare vnto vs. These 3. points are required of the faithfull That their talke be godlie That Gods law be in their hart That their life be vpright Psal 37.30.31 c. There be three things very dangerous for the godlie Prosperitie of themselues of the wicked Extremitie of affliction Because it maketh them to forget God Hereof saith Dauid I said in my prosperitie I should not bee moued Psal 30.6 Because it maketh theÌ„ dispute with God thinking he doth not rightlie consider of them as the same Prophet did Psal 73.13 Because it maketh them dispaire of God thinking bee would destroye them vtterlie In so much as the same Psalmist burst foorth with these sayings Stay thine anger froÌ„ me that I may recouer my streÌ„gth before I goe hence and bee not Psal 39.13 Cornelius was called a deuout man in 3. respects Act. 10.2 He feared God with al his houshold He gaue much almes to the people He praied to God continuallie And Iob a iust man likewise in 3. respects He feared God Iob. 1. He eschewed euil Iob. 1. Hee did good workes Iob. 31.16 He that will be acceptable to God must be Iust in word Vpright in deed Vndefiled in thought Barnard The iust do reioyce at the punishment of the wicked Because therby God sheweth himselfe Iudge of the world and by this meanes continueth his honor and glorie Psal 94.2 Because hereby he sheweth he hath care ouer his children in that hee punisheth their enemies Psal 41.11 Because by their example others may feare and be reformed in some measure Deut. 17.13.2 Thes 3.14 We ought to loue and do good to our enemies Because Christ himselfe did so whose example we ought to imitate Luk. 3.24 Because it is not praise worthie to loue where we are beloued for so doo the hypocrites and publicans Matth. 5.46 Because it is our duetie not onelie to suffer iniurie but also to do good Rom. 12.17.20 Such as continue in malice and hatred should consider Their praiers are vnprofitable if they aske mercie and forgiue not Mark 11.25 The Lords Supper is prophaned if they receiue it vnworthelie 1. Cor. 11.27 They themselues are but manslaiers if they liue not in charitie 1. Iohn 3.13 15. These three things saith the sonne of Syracke my soule loueth Vnitie of brethren Loue of neighbours Agreement of man and wife Eccle 25.1 Euerie one ought to knowe how farre and in what manner he ought to loue A mutual friend A malitious foe A manifest sinner in God for the loue of God for humanitie sake because in louing otherwise he shall offend GOD for hee that loueth father or mother much lesse a coÌ„mon friend more than me saith our Sauiour Christ is not worthie of me Matth 10.37 because hee cannot loue God whom he hath not seene if hee loueth not his brother that he hath seene 2. Iohn 4.20 because wee ought to haue a consideration of his soule though wee haue a detestation of his sinnes according to the counsell of the Apostle who willeth vs to count such a one not as an enemie but admonish him as a brother 2. Thess 3.15 There be three things prohibited which ought not to be vsed of anie to their verie enemies To enuie their estate To reioyce at their fall To render euill for euill because enuie turneth to a mans owne euill in the ende according as it is written no enuious persons or such like shall enter heauen Gala. 5.21 because it is dangerous lest the Lord see it as Salomon saith it displease him and hee turne his wrath from him to be auenged on thee Prouer 24.18 because it is the part of a good Christian not to vse the meanes to further a mischiefe but to ouercome euil with good Ro. 12.20 Dauid being both a Prince and a Prophet sheweth wherein a Kings charge staÌ„deth To prouide faithfullie for his people To
Prouer. 11.4 Couetousnes is contemptible in any especiallie in such who God hath sent plentie vnto Because it is a plague to a rich man to want a liberall heart Eccle. 6.2 c. Because it is the root of al euil 1. Tim. 6.10 Because it will bee their owne destruction in the end Ephe. 5.5 Riches should not make a maÌ„ high minded if he did think vpoÌ„ god Because he is but his steward ouer theÌ„ for a time Because hee can impouerish him as hee did Iob. 1.12 Because hee can punish him as hee did Herod Acts 12.23 God hath chosen in this world Foolish things to confound the wise 1. Cor. 1.27 Weake thinges to confound the mightie 1. Cor. 1.27 Vile things things which are not to bring to naught things that are 1. Cor. 1.27 Although begging be a miserable life yet we must not despise the poore For hee that despiseth them despiseth him that made them Pro. 17.5 For God hath made them as his instruments for the triall of our hearts and charitie Deut. 25.21 For God hath chosen the poore in this world that they should bee rich in faith heires of his kingdom Ia. 2.5 Aduersitie and pouertie is oftentimes sent of God For triall of our faith For amendmeÌ„t of our liues For neglect of our vocation it appear by Iob whose satietie of substance was taken awaie Iob. 1. by the prodigal sonne who by these crosses was reclaimed by Salomons saying Loue not sleepe lest thou come vnto pouertie Pro. 20 13. We ought to giue to the poore For the glorie honor of God Prouer. 8.9 For good example to others Matth. 5.16 For a signe of the sinceritie of our profession Iam. 2.18 Giue for Commandement sake Necessitie sake Nature sake It may appeare vnto vs by way of comparison we ought to giue to the poore for If a good man will haue pitie on his beast how much more ought wee to respect a Christian Prouer. 12.10 If wee ought to lay downe our liues for our brethreÌ„ how much more ought we to relieue the with our goods 1. Ioh. 3.16 If a factor ought to dispose his goodes where his temporall master pleaseth how much more ought we to distribute theÌ„ where our eternal master appointeth He that giueth to the poore must bestowe his beneuolence Secretlie Liberallie Cheerefully without ostentation Mat. 6.2 according to his abilitie Ro. 12.8 without grudging Eccle. 35.10 This assurance hath he that giueth to the poore He lendeth to the Lord. Prouer. 19.17 He shall not lacke Prouer. 28.27 He shal not want his reward Matth. 25.40 The poore ought rather to be hidden to feastes than the rich because such haue most need Mat. 25. because they can make no recoÌ„pence Mat. 25. because it is most acceptable to God Mat. 25. Feasting is not amisse so it be vsed In remembrance of Gods benefites Nehe. 8 For the maintenaÌ„ce of mutual friendship Nehe. 8 Towards the reliefe of the poore Nehe. 8 We would bee more mindful of the poore if we did but remember how dangerous it is To hide our eyes from them To stoppe our eares at their crie To shew no mercie at all Such shall haue many curses Pro. 28.27 crie and not bee heard Prouer. 21.13 haue merciles condemnation Iam. 2.13 Pure religon consists in this To visite the fatherles and widowes in aduersitie Barnard To followe the example of Christ Barnard To keepe thy selfe vnspotted of the world Barnard Such as will bee perfect Christians in religion ought not to be Hot Cold Luke-warme but zealous professors Reuel 3.19 It is is very dangerous to deale craftelie in this world because it greatlie offendeth God who is the author of truth because it defraudeth a mans neighbour with a shewe of honest meaning because it destroieth the deceiuer in the end Pro. 19 Hypocrites may well iuggle with the world but they cannot deceiue these three God Death the Diuell For he seeth their secrets and will one day reueale all For he commeth of a sodaine and will destroy them with all For hee waites for their soules to reward them for all An hypocrite is resembled to these 3. things Barn A Sheepe in skinne A Foxe in subtiltie A Wolfe in crueltie He talketh smoothlie He intendeth craftelie He attempteth villanie We be to you hypocrites Truth is almost excellent treasure and worthie to be Honoured Imbraced Aduanced because it ouercommeth all things because it defendeth all things because it in dureth for euer Such as delight in lying should but remember the Aâ—â—â—or of it Euill of it End of it Iâ— is a â—led of the diuels sowing It is abomination before the Lord. It procureth sorow to his owne soule at last This discommoditie commeth of lying When one doth accustome it he shall seldome leaue it When he saith troth he shall hardlie bee beleeued When he is knowne to be such a one the better sort will abhorre him He is happie that in his communication hath an eye in feare to Gods maiestie to his brothers frailtie to his own safetie because it is fearfull to fall into his hands Hebr. 10.13 because it is the easiest thing of a thousand to offend him because he must giue accompt of euerie idle word Our communication ought to be yea and nay yet we may lawfullie sweare For the glorie and worship of God Esai 19. For coÌ„firmation of truth equitie Heb. 6.16 For discharge of our conscience being lawfullie called The Magistrate maie lawfullie require an oth so it be done for the maintenance of Iustice Iudgement Truth but wee ought not to sweare vainlie lightly rashlie when there is no cause at all vpon euerie small occasion without good coÌ„sideration Who shall inherite heaueÌ„ saith Dauid He that hath cleane hands and a pure heart He that hath not lift vp his mind to vanitie He that hath not sworne to deceiue his neighbour Psal 24. The mischiefes that insue of Lecherie are manie if we conferre the beginning with the end Barn At first it tickleth the flesh with touching Afterward it poysoneth the minde with filthie delights And last of al by coÌ„senting to sinne and willingnes to worke wickednes withall both bodie and soule are ouercome The sinne of Lecherie is the pleasantest to the diuell Because it hurteth both bodie and soule Because he was neuer touched with it being a spirit and no bodie Because it bringeth on a heape of other sinnes withall The lecherous man in his life is three waies tormented with the heate of the harlot with the paine of his hurt with the worme of his owne conscience The sonne of Syracke saith there are 3. things which his soule hateth A poore man that is proud A rich man that is a lier An old adulterer that doteth Eccle. 25. There be three speciall reasons that fornication should be eschewed Beza 1. Cor. 6.18 Because it defileth the bodie with a peculiar kinde of filthines Because a fornicator is sacriligious for that our bodies are consecrated to God Because wee ought