sanctification Election Beza 2. Thes 10. 11 and according to the truth truth is gathered by calling throgh the preaching of the Gospell The Gospell assureth vs of a certaine hope of glorification Touching Election and Reprobotion Elestion and ReprobatioÌ„ M. Deut. this is to be considered That the only will and purpose of God is the chiefe cause of both That his free mercy in Christ is an inferior cause of saluation That the hardnesse of heart is an inferior cause of damnation This vndoubted perswasion wee ought generally to haue Euery one is elected or reiected at the begining Euery one is an vnprofitable seruant when hee hath done his best Euery one shall haue reward according to his worke Wee ought not to condemne or Condemne not Psal 64. 4. iudge any to bee Reprobate albeit to be without feare of God and reuerence of man are signes of reprobation Because it is a secret onely reserued to God and therefore hee Mat. 7. 1. Iam. 4. 12. hath said iudge not that ye be not iudged Because the Lord is not so mercifull in forgiuing as hee is miraculous in calling making of a persecutor Acts. 9. 3. an Apostle as hee did by Paul Because the very Godly haue 1. Kin. 19. 10. beene very greatly ouer gone in this matter as that great Prophet of the Lord Elias in iudging the people of Israell These three steps do lead vs into Barnard Destruction 3. steps destruction The dissembling of our weakenes The ignorance of our wretchednes The excusing perseuering in our wickednes The Scriptures are written for vs Scriptâ—res writteo That we might know the will of god and follow it That wee might beleeue that Iesus is Christ the Sonne Ioh. 20. 31. of God That in belieuing we might haue life through his name The whole Scriptures are diuided Barnard Scriptures deuided into three parts Lawe Prophets Gospell The Law consist in doing the Gospell consist in belieuing This may perswade vs to belieue the authority of the scriptures to be true The secret testimony of the Bib holy Ghost in our heartes which causeth vs to consent thereto The incomprehensible Maiestie of God appearing in the simple and sincere doctrine therein The godly agreement of all parts together with the orderly disposition certainty and successe thereof The Scriptures doe set forth vnto vs amongst many other three speciall matters which wee ought to remember The frailty of man and his prone inclination to euill The Iustice of God and his seuere punishment apointed for obstinate transgressors The mercy of God and his free pardon promised to penitent sinners Euery one ought effectually to know and search the holy scriptures for knowledge because the ignorance of them is the cause of all error for confirmation because we must belieue nothing but that which is approued by them for consolation because in them is Acts 17. contained eternall 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 Acts. 8. same with vnderstanding By continuall conference with such as can open them The word of God then draweth vs vnto him when it is so preached and heard as wee vnderstand and learne what is taught therby When we receiue thankfully that which is giuen promised and assured therin When we be moued with desire and diligence to doe that which it commandeth Word of god perfect word 1. Peter 4. 8. The word of God hath then his perfect worke when it is Preached truely Belieued faithfully Followed effectually Such as will not belieue the word of God what followeth If the righteous searcely be saued where shall the vngodly and sinners appeare Euery vnfaithfull shall dye in his vnfaithfullnesse saith Esdras Euery Esdras 15. 4. Ioh. 3. 18. 2. Thes 1. vnbelieuer is condemned already And shall bee punished with euerlasting perdition Ignorance can no way be excusable Ignrance vnexcusable Rom. 1. 19. for that which may be knowne of God is made manifest vnto vs For those that know not the Lawe shall perish without the law For the offering for ignorant sinnes in the Leuiticall law argueth no excuse to Leuit. 4. 12. be admitted Our Sauiour Christ describeth Mat. 13. A description by the parable of the Sower three vnprofitable hearers of the word Such a one as heareth it and vnderstaÌ„deth it not by reason the euil one commeth and catcheth it away out of his heart Such a one as heareth it and receiueth it presently with great ioy but when persecution or tribulation commeth by reason of the word he is offended Such a one as heareth it but the cares of this world and the deceitfullnesse of riches choake it and the same is made vnfruitfull We ought to resort to the Church of God because his holy ministeries Church of God must be vsed M. Fox are there laid open which are hid and obscure to many because wee may be vnited and copled together by receiuing the Sacraments because if the Lord hath promised to grant our requests where two or three bee gathered together in his name how much more will hee bee mindfull of a multitude that so assemble themselues The Church of God hath three Church 3. Ornaments ancient and excellent Ornaments Preaching Prayer Sacraments Preaching ingendreth Faith Prayer increaseth it Sacraments confirme it The Church or Congregation Congregation must pray without difference ought to pray for all men without any difference of Nation kind age or order because the Lord by calling of all sorts yea sometimes those that are the greatest enemies to the Gospell will haue his Church gathered together after this sort and therefore prayers to be made for all because God should not else be manifested to bee the onely God of all men vnlesse hee should shew his goodnesse in sauing of all sorts of men because his sonne Christ Iesus should not be seene to be the only mediator betweene God and of al sorts of men by hauing taken vpon that nature of man which is common to all men and made intercession for all Sacraments are signes or badges Sacraments of Christianity seales or pledges of our faith assurance of our saluation whereof there be two Baptisme and the Lords supper The sacrament of Baptisme teacheth Bib Baptisme vs to put on Christ that his righteousnesse may couer our sinfulnesse assureth vs that wee are grafted in Christ that all our corruption is cleane washed away chargeth vs to mortifie and dye to sinne that wee may become his seruants and liue in mutuall amity The sacrament of the Lords supper Bib Lords supper sheweth vs that the body and blood of Christ crucified is the only food for the regenerate assureth vs that Christ is wholy ours and that by faith our soules are fed and nourished in him vnto euerlasting life requireth a thankfull remembrance of his death with
drawn yet neerer vnto thee euen more to loue thee feare thee and obey thee that as thou art inlarged towards vs in mercy so we may bee inlarged towards thee in thanksgiuing and as thou dost abound towards vs in goodnesse so we may abound towards thee in obedience loue And sith deer father thou art neuer wearie of doing vs good notwithstanding all our vnworthinesse naughtines therfore let the consideratâ—on of thy great mercy and fatherly kindnesse towards vs euen as it were force our hearts compell vs to come into thy most glorious presence with newe songs of thanksgiuing in our mouths We pray thee O most merci-God to forgiue vs all our vnthankfulnes vnkindnes prophane great abusing of all thy mercies and specially our abuse contempt of thy Gospell together with all other sins of our life which we confesse are innumerable moe then can be reckoned both in omission of good things commission of euill We most humbly intreat thee to set them all ouer to that reckoning which thy sonne Christ hath made vp for them vpon his crosse and neuer to lay any of them to our charge but frely forget all forgiue al. Naile downe all our sins iniquities to the crosse of Christ burie them in his death bath them in his blood hide them in his wounds let them neuer rise vp in iudgment against vs set vs free of the miseries that are vpon vs for sinne keepe backe the iudgments to come both of soule body goods good name Be reconsiled vnto vs in thy deer Son concerning al matters past not once remembring or repeating vnto vs our old abhominable iniquities but accept vs righteous in him imputing his righteousnes to vs our sins to him Let his righteousnes satisfie thy iustice for our vnrighteousnes his obedience for our disobedience his perfection for our imperfection Moreouer wee humbly beseech thy good Maiestie to giue vs the true sight feeling of our manifold sinnes that wee may not bee blinded in them through delight or hardned in them through custome as the reprobates are but that we may be euen weary of them and much grieued for them labouring striuing by all possible meanes to get out of them Good Father touch our hearts with true repentance for all sins let vs not take any delight or pleasure in any sin but howsoeuer we fall through frailtie as we fal often yet let vs neuer fal finally let vs neuer lie downe in sinne or continue in sin but let vs get vp vpon our feet againe turne vnto thee with all our harts seeke thee whilest thou mayest bee found whilest thou dost offer grace mercy vnto vs. O Lord increase in vs that true and liuely faith whereby wee may lay sure hold on thy son Christ rest vpon his mercies altogether Giue vs faith assuredly to beleeue al the great precious promises made in the Gospell and strenghthen vs from aboue to walke abouÌ„d in all the true sound fruites of faith Let vs grow daily in the sanctification of the spirit and the mortification of the flesh Let vs liue holily iustly and soberly in this present euil world shewing forth the vertues of thee in all our particular actions that we may adorne our most holy profession and shine as lights in the midst of a crooked froward generation amongst whom wee liue being gainfull to all by our liues and couersations offensiue to none To this end wee pray thee fill vs with thy spirit and all spirituall graces as loue wisedome patience contentment meekenes humilitie temperance chastitie kindnes and affabilitie and stirre vs vp to vse prayer watchfulnesse reading meditating in thy Law all other good meanes whereby wee may grow abound in all heauenly vertue blesse vs in the vse of the meane from day to day make vs such as thou wouldest haue vs to be and such as wee desire to be working in vs both will deed purpose and power For thou O Lord art all in all thou wilt haue mercy vpon whom thou wilt haue mercie whom thou wilt thou hardnest Haue mercie vpon vs therefore deere father neuer leaue vs to our selues nor to our owne willes lusts desires but assist vs with thy good spirit that we may continue to the end in a righteous course that so at length we may be receiued into glory and be partakers of that immortall Crowne which thou hast laid vppe for all that loue thee truely call vpon thee Further we intreat thee O heauenly Father to giue vs all thinges necessarie for this life as food raiment health peace libertie such freedome from those manifold miseries which wee lye open vnto euery day as thou seest meet Blesse our stocke store corne and cattell trades occupations all the works of our hands for thy blesssing only maketh rich it bringeth no sorrows with it Grant these thinges good father vnto vs heere present and to all thine absent praying the in speciall fauour to remember our friends kinsfolks in the flesh all our neighbors wellwiller all those for whom we are bound to pray for Iesus Christs sake our onely mediator aduocate Amen An Euening Prayer to be vsed in priuate Families O Eternall God and our most louing and deare Father wee thy vnworthy children doe here fall down at the foote of thy great Maiesty acknowledging euen from our hearts that wee are altogether vnworthy to come neere thee or to looke towards thee because thou art a God of infinit glory and we are most vile and abhominable sinners such as were conceiued and borne in sinne and corruption such as haue inherited our fathers corruption also haue actually transgressed all thy holy statutes and lawes both in thoughts words and deeds before we knew thee and since secretly openly with our selues with others our particular sinnes are moe then can be numbred for who knoweth how oftentimes hee offendeth But this wee must needs confesse against our owne selues that our hearts are full of pride couetousnes the loue of this world yea the very sinckes of sin and dunghils of all filthinesse so that thou hast hast iust cause to proceed to sentence of Iudgement against vs as most damnable transgressors of thy holy Commandements yea such as are suncke in our rebellios and haue many times and often committed high treason against thy sacred Maiesty and therefore thou mayest iustly cast vs downe into Hell fire there to bee tormented with Sathan and his Angels for euer and we haue nothing to except against thy Maiesty for so doing sith therein thou shouldest deale with vs but euen according to equity and our iust deserts Wherefore deere Father wee doe appeale from thy Iustice to thy Mercie most humbly intreating thee to haue mercy vpon vs and freely to forgiue vs all our sins past whatsoeuer both new and old secret and open knowne and vnknowne and that for Iesus Christ his sake our only Mediator and Redeemer Giue vs therfore deere father euery day more more sight and feeling of our sins with true humiliation vnder the same Giue vs also that true liuely faith wherby we may lay hold vpon thy deere son Christ all his merits applying the same to our owne soules so as wee may stand fully perswaded that whatsoeuer hee hath done vpon the Crosse he hath done for vs particularly as well as for others Giue vnto vs faith good father constantly to beleeue all the sweete promises of the Gospell touching remission of sins eternall life made in thy son Christ O Lord increase our faith that wee may altogether rest vppon thy promises which are all yea Amen Yea that we may settle our selues all that wee haue wholly vpon them both our soules bodies goods name wiues children our whole estate knowing that al things depend vpon thy promises power prouidence And that thy word doth support beare vppe the whole order of Nature Moreouer we intreat thee O Lord to strengthen vs from aboue to walke in euer good way and to bring foorth the fruits of true faith in all our particular actions studying to please thee in al things and to be fruitfull in all good works that wee may shew foorth vnto all men by our good conuersation whose children we are and that we may adorne beautifie our most holy profession by walking in a Christian course and in all the sound fruits practise of Godlinesse and true religon To this end wee pray thee sanctifie our hearts by thy spirit yet more and more sanctifie our soules and bodies and all our corrupt naturall faculties as reason vnderstanding wil affections so as they may bee fitted for thy worship and seruice taking a delight and pleasure therein stirre vs vp to vse prayer watchfulnes reading and meditation in thy Law and all other good meanes wherby we may profit in grace and goodnes from day to day Blesse vs in the vse of the meanes that wee may die to sin and liue to righteousnâ—â—â— Direct all our steps in thy word â—â— none iniquity haue dominion ouer vâ— Assist vs against our special infirmitieâ— and master sins that wee may get thâ— victory ouer them all to thy glory and the great peace comfort of our owâ— consciences Strengthen vs good Father by thy grace holy spirit againâ—â— the common corruptions of the worlâ— as pride whoredom couetousnes coÌ„tempt of thy gospell swearing yinâ— dissembling and deceiuing Oh dearâ— father let vs not be ouercome of those filthy vices or any other sinfull pleasures and fond delights wherewith thousands are carried headlong into destruction Grant these things and all other needfull graces for our soules or bodies for Iesus Christs sake In whose name we further cal vpon the as he hath taught vs saying Our Father which art c. FINIS
example of Paule Beare all 2. Cor. 11. 30 crosses patiently following the example Ioh. 1. 1. of Iob. Lament his sin sorrowfully following the example of Luke 22. 62 Peter Euery man should be mindfull of his Creation because he is dust and to dust he shall returne Of his Conuersation Gen. 3. Eccle. 12. 24. because hee must one day yeeld account of his liuing Of his Dissolution because his end is vncertaine Eccle. 11. 3. and as he falls such iudgement followes Heerein consists the whole duty of man towards God to feare him for his Iustice because it is horrible Mans duty to fall into his hands To loue him for his goodnes because hee loued Heb. 10. 31. vs first To keepe his Commandements 1. Iohn 4. 19. 2. Iohn 5. 3. to confirme it because those that loue him wil keepe his commandements S. Iames willeth euery man to be Iam. 1. 19. Swift to heare Slow to speake Slow to wrath No man hath cause to glorie in himselfe if hee consider what hee is of himselfe By Substance hee waâ— Gen. 3. 7. made of the dust By Nature hâ— is the child of wrath By Knowledgâ— Ephes 2. 3. he is but a beast Iere. 10. 14. For a man to glory or attribute any praise to himselfe in any good attempts It is Vanity because of himselfe hee cannot thinke a good 2. Cor. 3. 5. thoght much lesse do a good deed It is Arraganey because he attributeth Iam. 1. 17. that to himselfe which is proper to God for euery good and perfect gift commeth from aboue It is Iniquitie because hee doth not acknowledge Colo. 3. 17. the giuer thankefully for all praise and honor is to bee giuen to God Herod by abridging GOD of Acts. 12. 23. Herod end his glory came to a most miserable end This may abate the high aspiring Eccle. 10. 9. mind of man His birth beeing sinfull His life beeing miserable His body being wormes meat Euery man must haue a Godly Mans care to liue Exod. 20. 9. 1. Tim. 5. 8. care to liue in this world because God hath commaunded hee should labour Sixe daies because hee is worse then an Infidell that provideth not for his houshold because he may avoid the inconuenience of 2. Thes 3. 10. Prou. 12. 11. Idlenes which bringeth much euill A good Christian ought to bee wise vnto that which is good Symple Rom. 16. 19. 1. Cor. 1. 20. concerning euill Foolish in respect of this world Heretickes and erronnyous persons Hereticks dangerous are verie dangerous to be permitted amongst Godly Christians considering their condition Because they thinke it not enough to erre and doe euill themselues except Esa 3. 10. Wis 14. 21. they draw others with them as appeareth In considering their corruption Because by continuance they will defile many for a little leaven leaueneth the whole lumpe Heb. 12. â—5 Considering the season because in these latter times many shall giue 1. Tim. 4. 1. heed to spirits of error and doctrine of Deuilâ—s Wicked men are fâ—tly compared in the Scriptures To Thornes because Comparison they be as prickes to procure hurt to the Godly To Chaffe because as the wind doth scatter the Chaffe so shall the be soone cut off from the face of the earth To tares because as Tares are to bee bound in bundels and burnt so shall they in hell fier Wicked men are called by sundry names and compared in the A comparison of wicked men Scriptures To Foxes because they are subtill in vndermining and doing of mischiefe Insomuch as the Church requireth to haue the foxes Cant. 2. 15. taken away To Dogges because they are Currish in controlling and barking against all goodnes Heereof Paule willeth the Phillipians to Phil. 3. 2. beware of Dogges To Beasts because they are prophaine in their liues and degenerate from their kind worse then beastes So Paul 1. Cor. 15. 32 complaineth that hee fought with beasts at Ephesus after the manner of men The wicked and vngodly are Wicked men not to be supported not to bee supported purposly because it is an abhomination before God to iustifie the wicke Accompaned Prou. 17. 15. willingly because it is dangerous for hee that toucheth pitch Eccle. 13. 1. shall bee defiled Condemned vtterly because the Lord will haue Rom. 9. 15. mercy on whom hee will and when he please These sayings may terrifie such as attempt any euill The face of the 2. Pet. 3. 12 Rom. 2. 9. Lord is against him Tribulation and anguish shall be vpon his soule There shall bee no end of plaguâ—s Pro. 24. 20 to him God tempteth no man to euill God tempteth not any but we are drawne to it by the Deuill who watcheth to worke our ouerthrow By our owne concupiscence to consent to his suggestions By vicious company and ill perswasions of others when wee bee seduced The Deuill will vndermine vs in our musings if wee take not great Barnard The Deuill vndermineth heed for in them he talketh with vs wittily hee eggeth vs cunningly Hee deceiueth vs craftily whom if wee resist by faith the Lord will overlooke vs fighting succour vs fainting crowne vs overcomming The Deuills haue knowledge after Iam. 2. 19. a sort for they beleiue there is a God and feare and tremble They can pleade scripture for their owne purpose They acknowledge the Mat. 4. 6. mat 829. comming of Christ to Iudgement The Deuill hath three euill properties he is subtill as a Serpent for hee can transforme himselfe into many shapes yea into an Angell The Diuels properties 3. M. Smith of Light and vse many shifts to deceiue withall Hee is sttong as a Lyon for he is not so busie in seeking daily for his prey as he is forcible to resist where he assaulteth He is cruel as a Tyger for where hee hath any entrance at al he will neuer rest vntill he bringeth to confusion The Deuill vseth three pollicies The Diuels pollicies 3. to tempt Christ in the Wildernesse perswading him to distrust in God To the desite of riches and honour To a vaine confidence of himselfe Wee haue three cruell foes that fight against the spirit in this life Three cruel foes The Flesh The World And the Deuill The fiercest foe in this fight is the Deuill whom wee may expell with these three weapons Faith Prayer The word of God Wee ought not to follow the lusts of the flesh but lead our liues holie Beza 1. Pet. 2. 11. because those lusts though they flatter vs yet they cease not to fight against our saluation Because wee are Cittizens in heauen and therefore ought to lead our liues thereafter although we be strangers heare Because the glory of God is greatly set forth by that meanes whilest by example of our honest life euen the most prophane men are brought vnto God and
Loue our enemies himselfe did so whose example wee ought to ymitate Because it is not Luke 3. 24. Mat. 5. 46. prayse worthy to loue where wee are beloued for so doe the Hypocrites and Publicanes Because it Rom. 12. 17. 20. is our duty not onely to suffer iniury but also to doe good Such as continue in malice and Mark 11. 25. hatred should consider their praiers are vnprofitable if they aske mercy and forgiue not The Lords supper 1. Cor. 11. 27 is prophaned if they receiue it vnworthyly They themselues are 1. Ioh. 3. 13. 15. but Manslayers if they liue not in charity These three thinges saith the Sonne of Syrach My soule loueth 3. thinges to be loued Eccle. 25. 1. Vnity of Brethren Loue of Neighbours And agreement of man and wife Euery one ought to know how Knowledge how to liue farre and in what manner he ought to loue A mutuall friend in God because in louing other he shall offend God for he that loueth father or mother much lesse a common friend more then mee saith our Sauiour Christ is not worthy of mee Mat. 10. 37. A malicious foe for the loue of God because he cannot loue God 2. Ioh. 4 20. whom hee hath not seene if hee loueth not his brother that hee hath seene A manifest sinner for humanity sake because wee ought to haue a consideration of his soule though we haue a detestation of his 2. Thes 3. 15. sinnes according to the councell of the Apostle who willeth vs to accompt such a one not as an enemie but admonish him as a brother There bee three things prohibited which ought not to bee vsed of 3. Things to be prohibited any to their very enemies To enuie their estate Because enuie turneth to a mans owne euil in the end Galat. 2. 21. according as it was written No enuious persons or such like shall not inherit heauen To reioyce at their full because it is dangerous Pro. 24. 18. least the Lord see it as Salomon saith and it displease him and hee turne his wrath from him to bee auenged on thee To render euill for evill because it is the part of a Rom. 12. 20. good Christian not to vse the meanes to further a mischiefe but to ouercome euill with good Dauid beeing both a Prince and Psal 78. 72. A Kings charge a prophet sheweth wherein a Kings charge standeth To prouide faithfully for his people To guide them by counsell To defend them by power Such as are called to bee Rulers Magistrats and Magistrates ought to bee men of courage fearing God Men Exo. 18. 21. dealing truly hating Couetousnes Deut 1. 13. Men of wisedome and vnderstanding Such as intend euill attempts or vse any rebellious meanes or mischiefe against Gods annoynted Kings and princes must remember Kings and Princes should remember the end of these three Examples 3. examples 1. Sam. 24. 5. 6. Dauid hauing but priuily cut off the lappe of a King Sauls garment was touched vehemently in his hart for it Absolon hauing betrayed King 2. sam 18. 14. Dauid his Father came to an vntimely death for he was hanged by the haire of his head vpon an Oake Achitophel being a coadiutor in preferring 2. sam 17. 23. the lewd practises of Absolon against his father when hee perceiued his counsell preuailed not hee went desperately and hanged himselfe Hee that will vse reuerent obedience to his Prince must bee very Daungerous to offend carefull to consider how dangerous it is to offend in thinking euill for the foule of the heauen shall carry Eccle. 10. 20. the voyce and that which hath wings shall declare the matter In Exod 22. 28. vttering euil for it is written Thou shalt not speake euill of the rule of thy people In committing euill for if the Lord doth detest the euill intent and forbid filthy speeches how much more doth hee abhorre his act of euill and will punish the Malefactors There bee three poynts commendable aâ—d necessary for him 3. Commendable points Hest 10. 3. aec that is in authority To haue the fauour of the people To procure their wealth To bee gentle and louing towards them Good and Godly Magistrates Magistrats obeyed Rom. 3. 5. ought to bee obayed in respect of Conscience Because they are ordeyned of GOD whose will is they should bee obeyed Feare because they are his Ministers to take vengeance Rom. 13. 4. Iudg. 16. 6. on them that doe euill Necessitie because where no rule is all things goe to ruine Heerein consists the whole duty Magistrats duty Wis 6. 8. of Magistrates That the higher they are placed the sorer is their tryall That their negligence in suffering euill is their iniquity That the ill example of themselues is a double sinne There bee three thinges not tollerable in any Magistrate Partialitie Leuit. 19. 15. Deut. 1. 17. in respect of persons for that is abhomination in the sight of god Mat. 4. 24. Crueltie in ministring Iustice for such measure as they meete shall be met to them againe Bribery in detayning right for fire shall consume Ioh. 15. the houses of bribes Hee that will bee Master ouer a Masters duty Godly Houshold must know his owne duty to his Family Wife Children and seruants and how to â—se them being well disposed or euill enclyned The duty of the Housholder is Pro. 27. 23. Psal 78 5. 1 Tim. 5. 8. To know the state of his flocke To instruct them in the feare of GOD. To prouide carefully for his family The Husband ought to haue a Honsholders care speciall honest care and loue to his Wife in three respects Because she commeth of his owne flesh and therefore who will bee biteer to his owne body Because they are the weaker vessels and therefore who will not beare with their infirmities Because shee was made a comforter to man and therefore hee is worse then a beast that will bee cruell to her There bee three causes should Wife obedient moue and make the Wife obey honour and submit herselfe to her husband The Priority of mans 1. Tim. 2. 14. Creation Because Adam was first foâ—med Eue afterward for his sake The Superiority of his placing because man was made to beare rule Ephe. 5. 23. Superioritie Whereunto Paule very well alludeth and saith That as Christ is the head of the Church so is the man of the woman The iniquitie of the womans procuring because the 1. Tim. 214. Gen. 3. 16. man was deceiued by the woman whereupon God inioyned her amongst other this punishment of subiection Parents must haue a great regard Parentes of their children in obseruing three thinges That they bring them vp Ephe. 6. 4. carefully in the Information of God least they growe gracelesse That they bridle them discreetely Pro. 22. 6. while they are young least
world but they cannot deceiue Hypocrites these three GOD For hee seeth their secrets and will one day reueale all DEATH For hee commeth of a suddaine and will destroy them with all The DEVIL For he waites for their Soules to reward them for all An Hypocrite is resembled to these three thinges A sheepe in Wo to you Hipocrits skinne Hee talketh smoothly A Foxe in subtiltie Hee intendeth craftily A Wolfe in crueltie He attempteth villany Truth is a most excellent treasure Truth excellent and worthy to bee Honoured Because it ouercommeth all thinges Embraced Because it defendeth all things Aduanced Because it indureth for euer Such as delight in Lying should but remember the Author of it It Lying is a seed of the Deuills sowing The euill of it It is abhomination before the Lord And the end of it It procureth sorrow to his owne soule at the last This discommodity commeth of lying when one doth accustome it hee shall seldome leaue it when Lying the discommodity hee saith truth hee shall hardly bee beleeued when hee is knowne to be such a one the better sort will abhorre him Hee is happie that in his communication hath an eye in feare to Heb. 10. 3. Feane of God Gods Maiesty because it is fearefull to fall into his handes To his Brothers frayltie Because it is the easiest thing of a Thousand to offend him To his owne safetie because he must giue accompt of euery Idle word Our Communication ought to Communication what Esa 19. Heb. 6. 16. bee yea and nay yet wee may lawfully Sweare For the glory and worship of God For confirmation of truth and equity For discharge of our conscience being lawfully called The Magistrate may lawfully require Oathes an oath so it bee done for the manifestation of Iustice Iudgement and Truth But wee ought not to sweare vainely when there is no cause at all Lightly vpon euery smal occasion Rashly without good consideration Who shall inherit heauen saith Psal 24. Dauid He that hath cleane hands a pure hart He that hath not lift vp his mind to vanity He that hath not sworne to deceiue his neighbour The Mischeifes that insue of Lechery Lechery are many if we confer the beginnig with the end at first it tickleth the flesh with touching afterwards it poisoneth the mind with filthy delights and last of all by consenting to sin both body soul are ouercome The sin of Lechery is the pleasāts to the deuill because it hurteth body soule because he was neuer touched with it being a spirit because it bringeth a heape of other sinnes withall The Lecherous man in this life Lechery tormented is three waies tormented with the heat of the Harlot with the paine of his hurt with the worme of his owne conscience The Sonne of Syrach saith there Eccle. 25. Sirach his hatred are three thinges which his soule hateth A poore man that is proud A rich man that is a lyer An old Adulterer that doteth There bee three speciall reasons that fornication should be eschewed Because it defileth the body with a peculier kind of filthinesse Because Fornicators Sacriligious persons a fornicator is sacriligious for that our bodies are consecrated to God Because we ought both in body and soule to serue him who hath saued vs. This briefly is to bee obserued in Eccle 26. A Whores Comparison a Whore Shee brings a man to a morsell of bread therefore compared to a Dogge Shee hunts for the precious life of him therefore compared to a Sowe Shee leades him the high way to Hell she is therefore compared to Dung A whore is to bee abandoned if A Whore abandoned Deut 23. 17. Pro. 23. 28. 2. Esd 16. 42. it were but for these causes because God hath forbidden any such to be suffered Because shee increaseth the transgressors among men Because shee enuieth honest and vertuous women There bee three thinges may terrifie A Theife terrified by 3. things Bradford a Theife in his lewd attempts the precept GOD hath set downe that is Thou shalt not steale The Positiue Law of this Land that is Death of body The ymportable iudgement to come destruction both of body and soule A theife by following one that is the Deuill hee offendeth three Hee displeaseth God by breaking his commaundement Hee hurteth his neighbour by taking away his right He hateth his owne soule Pro. 29. by following sinne This inconuenience commeth of Idlenesse when one is rooted in it Idlenesse the inconuenience it will hardly be◠remoued when he hath the end of his lust it will bee most loathsome when he is so idle the deuill is most occupied There be 3. things that grieued the wise man A man of warre that Eccle 26. 29. Wiseman grieued suffered pouerty Men of vnderstanding that are not set by When one departeth from righteousnesse to sinne God punisheth his people for their sinnes with 3. kinds of plagues Plauges 3. kinds which commonly goe together Warre Famine and Pestilence And where hee blesseth there followeth three benefits Peace Plentie and Blessings 3. kinds Salubrity Christian Souldiers fight but faintly if they want these weapons Ephe. 6. 12. Souldiers weapons The Sheild of Faith The Helmet of Hope The Sword of the Spirit Euery Christian Souldier hath 3. Souldiers enemies Iam. 4. 1. Ephe. 6 12. enemies to incounter with the lewd affections of themselues The euill prouocations of the people The dayly suggestions of Sathan There were three persons spared Persons spared from the Warres Deut. 20 7. Deut. 24. 5. Deut. 20. 8. in the old Lawe from going on warfare hee that was betrothed to a maid he that was but new married he that was faint hearted God sendeth Raine Cold Heate Tempest and such like oftentimes Iob. 37. 13. Weather to punish man to profit the earth to declare his fauour towards man One may eate flesh at all times so it be done without scruple or doubting Flesh without offence of our brother without breach of Godly orders For euery creature of God is good and nothing ought to bee refused if 1. Tim. 4. 4. it bee receiued with thanksgiuing Our meats are sanctified vnto vs Beza 1. Tim. 4. 5. Meates by the word of God and prayer because wee confesse and acknowledge that God is the maker and giuer of those creatures which wee vse because we are of the number of those who through Christs benefits haue recouered that right ouer al cretures which Adam lost by his fall Because by our Prayers wee craue of the Lord that wee may vse those meates with a good conscience which wee receiue at his hands Such as by their Doctrine will Difference made of meates Fox make difference of meates the same may bee called Deuillish or deceitfull in three respects 1 Because the teachers of them make lawes of thinges which are not their owne for God
vnity amongst brethren The sacrament of the Lords supper Sacraments M. Dent. is vnworthyly receiued when wee receiue it onely by the visible signe without regard of the invisible grace when wee receiue it more of custome then good consideration or more for feare then good affection when wee receiue it disorderly being drunked or with a corrupted conscience continuing in malice or enmitie The sacrament of the Lords supper must bee receiued reuerently therefore let euery one try and examine his knowledge Eaten effectuall therefore let euery one try and examine his faith Disgested thankfully and therefore let euery one try Article Religio 26. and examine his repentance Good Ministers are most fit to minister the holy Sacraments yet Good Ministers most fit wee may receiue them by the euill because they doe it in Christ his name and not in their owne because their wickednesse cannot take away the effect of the ordinance because of Christs institution promise so it bee rightly receiued by faith These three things are to bee noted whereof hitherto hath arisen some question concerning the sacrament Note three things of the Lords supper By whom we receiue it we ought to receiue it at the hands of the good minister if it be possible yet wee must not reiect the ministrie thereof by the wicked so it bee done formally With whom we receiue it wee may communicate with euery one so the 1. Cor. 5. 11. bee not such as are not notoriously knowne to be Drunkers Adulterers and such like for that is prohibited How ought we receiue it we may rereiue 1. Cor. 11. 27 at all times so our faith confirmity bee fit for the same otherwise it will turne to our condemnation saith Paule It is a pitifull nay rather a pestiferous thing to see such placed in Apittifull thing the ministry as bee Ignorant in learnning for where there is no vision the Prov. 29. 18. people perish Negligent in their calling for they are accursed that doe Iere. 48 10. the worke of God negligently Impudent in their liuing for their lewdnesse maketh the word of god worse liked of 1. Sam. 2. 17. Idle Ministers vnpreaching Pastors and such like are nothing else Idle Ministers Esa 56. 9. 10. Ezek. 13. 4. but Blind watchmen Dumme dogges Subtill Foxes who destroy Gods vine for their owne advantage Godly Preachers will bee very Godly Preachers carefull of the sinceritye of their doctrine that it bee agreable to the word of God Of the integrity of their liues that they bee confirmable to the same word Of all their whole actions that they bee profitable to the example of others These sayings may moue Preachers and such like to bee very carefull Sayinges to moue Preachers Because they must one day yeeld an accompt of their Stewardshippe Watchfull Because his blood Ezek. 33. 6. 1 shall be required at their hands that dies in their iniquity through their Wisd 6. 5. negligence Fearefull Because an hard Iudgement shall try him that beareth rule Godly Preachers and Pastors are greatly to bee accepted for their office sake Because they represent Luke 9. 41. Mark 10. 41. 1. Thes 5. 13. the person of God Loued for their workes sake Because they dispose his secrets and misteries Obayed for Commandement sake Because they are appointed Ouerseers and watchers for our soules as those Heb. 13. 17. that must yeeld accompt for them S. Peter willeth preachers pastors 1. Pete 1. 18. and such like to feede their flocke caring for it Not by constraint but willingly Not for filthy lucre but of a willing mind Not as though they were Lords ouer Gods heritage but as examples to them S. Paule shewed a most worthy example to preachers and such like by An example to preachers Acts 20. 31. his dutifulnesse in preaching For hee ceased not by the space of three yeares to preach and warne euerie one both night and day with teares by his painefulnesse in labouring For he wrought with his owne hāds to minister to his necessities not 1. Cor. 4. 12. onely because he would be chargeable Act. 20. 23. to none but also to helpe to relieue others by his contentment in liuing for although his liuing was little yet hee well accepted of all estates without coueting any mans siluer Gold or apparell Preachers must teach the word of God whether they regard it or no because it may bee a Testimony against Deut. 18. 19 the vnbeleeuers or neglectors of the same at the latter day Iere. 7. 27. because the Lord will vse the means of his seruants to make the wicked more faulty to proue his because it is their duty to be instant in season 2. Tim. 4. 2. and out of season The spirit of Prophesiyng and Io. 11. 51. 1. sam 10. 10. 1. Ioh. 4. 1. preaching is sometimes giuen to the wicked aswell as to the Godly as by Caiphas Saule Iudas the Apostle Therefore we must try the spirits whether they be of God The word of God ought not to Gods word not to be exempted to any be exempted from any estate neither ought to be contemned in any person in respect of his condition calling or vnworthynesse profesing the same profitably considering God hath called Plowmen from the fields to be Prophets Shepheardes 1. King 19. 19 Psal 78. 7 Mat. 4. 18. from the folds to be zealous professors Fishermen from the nets to be followers of him We must not condemne or contemne Ministers not to bee contemned the Ministers of God if by infirmity they fall into horrible offences for Sathan hath beguiled the most Godly professors as Lot Genes 19 30 that ancient Patriarke became incestious Dauid that excellent prophet 2. Sam. 11. 25. committed Homicide Peter that good Apostle proued periured Ioh. 18. 27. It is very dangerous to despise pensecute or conspire the death of A dāgorous thing the Ministers of God as may appeare by these three Examples 1 Iesubel did threaten the death 2. Kin. 19. 35. 36. of Eliah yet hee liued and was taken vp into heauen when shee died and was eaten of Dogges 2 Saule intended the death of Dauid yet he escaped became King 1. sam 31. 4. but Saule procured his owne death 2. sam 1. 9. 15 most desperately 3 Herod put to death Iohn Baptist Acts. 12. 13. but as his deedes were detestable before God so his end was ignominious to the world for he was eaten to death with wormes Preachers Pastors and such like Preachers subiect to contempt M. Gray of all others are most of all subiect to contempt and enmity Because Sathan by pollicy procureth many to a disdaine of their persons as a meane to induce them to a disliking of their Doctrine Because the spirits of error are now spread abroad 2. Tim. 3. 2. which will deceiue the hearts of many and cause