To the Saints and Angels nor in you They all make him the like answer Mat. 2.5.9 the fiue wise did to the foolish virgins goe thy way at the most we haue but enough for our selues Onely when he lookes vp to Iesus then he seeth sufficient for all though for the present he hath but receiued a little portion scarce any in his owne apprehension But as a voluntarie motion is an act of a living Creature So is Spirituall povertie of a gracious Christian Also if when men feele the want of it in iudgement they approue of it and in minde highlie esteeme of it is not the weakest argument that they haue it For do but demand of them what is good before God The best thing in Saint or Angell Their reply will be Grace grace Eph. 2.1.3 For what is the reasonable creature without it but a sencelesse blocke A dead carkasse And a child of wrath Defiling the earth infecting the ayre provoking the heavens neere vnto cursing Heb. 6.8 everlasting burning Want and worth are graces inseparable companions the contrarie corruptions ring-leaders and the evident tokens of gracelesse persons 3. After these two proceeds an earnest desire to be partaker of it and hungring and thirsting for it else for ought I know thou hast cause to question the truth of thy Sanctification A very cast-away say some may goe thus farre that is see the want and worth of it yea eagerly hunger and thirst after it But I am not of their opinion For hungring and thirsting are actions of a living not a dead man And is not the promise of blessednesse Mat 5.6 made to such Doest thou esteeme grace aboue thy appointed food Prize it more Iob. 23.12 than thousands of silver or ten thousand riuâ—rs of oyle Mich. 6.7 Account all things nothing in comparison of it And often and earnâ—stly cryest O how I long for grace Then be of good comfort the water of life the guest of grace is come to thy house 4. Adde to the former three care and constancie in the vse of the meanes whereby it is begunne and increased And that will seale vp all Dost thou heare the word in sâ—ason And out of seasâ—n Iob. 27 10. Call vpon God at all times in publike Private Meditate in the law of God night and day Come often to the table of the Lord Psal 1.2 to drinke the water of life Eate the bread of heaven Psal 16.3 Art thou a companion to the excellent Cryest thou to Ministers Sirs what shall I doe to grow in grace Then grace thou hast For these are not the motions of the flesh but of the Spirit 5. Art thou yet in doubt Then tell me what conflict thou hast within thee Gen. 25.22 Feelest thou twinnes strugling in thy wombe Cryest thou often why am I thus Is any Christians condition Lam. 1.12 like to my conition Then thou art borne of God grace is formed in thee indeed Fire and water will quarrell on the same hearth Gal. 5.17 So will grace corruption in the same heart for these latter as the former are contraries When all is peace at home the old-man possesseth the house A gracious man hath an vniversall strife within himselfe Mat. 12.29 for reason against reason iudgement against iudgement will against will and affection against affection will be at variance But if thou feele this kind of combate waxe not faint but gather heart for God hath begunne his good worke in thee Rev. 17.14 thou art called faithful chosen and thy captaine Christ hath led thee to skirmish against his and thine enemies in the sands of Sanctification 6. Finally doth Sathan now more tempt thee than in times past Why this is not the least marke of Christs sheep The Devâ—ll is like a gentleman thiefe who breaketh into a rich mans house not a poore naked cottage carrieth a way as the Israelites did from the Egyptians Exod. 12.35 Siluer plate golden eare-rings and the choicest Iewells Not as the Gibeonits are said to meete Ioshua withall Iosh 9.4.5 Mouldie bread rent bottels old shoes clowted This red Dragon like a bloodie butcher so long as we trudge the blind steps to the slaughter-house of hell as direct as he can guide vs and as fast as he would haue vs he keepeth himselfe a farre off whistleth some pleasant note in our eares for should he hallow out some feare full noise of temptation we like frighted cattell might stand still throw vp the head looke about snuffe and runne foorth of the road-way but when by the spirit of God our eyes are vnseeled we smell the danger before vs begin to stay our steps and altâ—r our paths then straight shall we haue a band of the cruell Mastiues of his temptations to fly in our faces plucke vs by the throat that if possible we might returne into the blâ—cke path of damnation wherein we had informer time walked Proue thy selfe now examine thy owne soule And if thou canst say in truth that the forenamed things are in thee and strong and strange temptations be fall thee be thou then assured in some degree thou art Sanctified question the matter no more but withal speed and diligence set thy selfe to increase it Now because as Elias said to Elishah 2. King 2.10 this is no easie taske which is required of thee take these rules following to direct thee to the better performance of this so commendable so profitable a dutie And first Helpes to grow in grace 1. Wouldest thou grow in gracâ— Then emptie thy soule of corruption These twinnes will not thrive in the same wombe 1. Cor. 5.7 For if the old-man increase the new must decrease the destructâ—on of the former is the generation of the latter This Ishmael must be throwne out else ill will it fare with brother Isaak This Barabbas is to be crucified or the Babe Iesus shall Plucke vp the cockell wil not the good graine flourish So mortifie the flesh and reviue the Spirit 1 Thess 5.22 2 Take heed of actuall sinne for a double wound followes such a blow It strengthens the old weakens the new-man what is that but fuell to the flesh quench-coale to the spirit Banish then all evill workes from thine hands rotten speech from thy tongue and vaine motions out of thy minde As Christ the money-changers whip all kinde of wickednesse cast it foorth of thy temple spare not any vnder what pretence soever 3. Neglect not the least meanes Heare reade meditate fast pray receiue the Lords supper and haue none of his ordinances in contempt Put not them a sunder Christ hath coupled together Col. 3.16 lest he stoppe that pipe roll a stone on that wells mouth wherat thou delightest to drinke most Iam. 6.13.14 God would haue all the Vessels and instruments of the Sanctuarie had in honour the water of life into the cisterne of our soule fl wes
soule descend not into their secret mine honor Gen. 49.6 be not thou vnited to them Make Christ thy wisdome righteousnesse 1 Cor. 1.30 sanctification and redemption Put him on with the eye of knowledge and the hand of faith by application Rom. 13.14 imitation Let him be all in all His word thy card his example thy compasse to saile the troubled and raging seas of thy spirituall voiage vnto the land of everlasting life Where thou wantest skill begge his Spirit obey his motion So shalt thou avoide the hazard of all shelues and sands Art thou in doubt Fearest thou ship-wracke Ioh. 16.13 Put him in minde of his promise and he will lead thee into all truth and at the last land thee safe where the stormes never arise waters swell or the windes blow The shops of error And here let me exhort you of this famous Citie to beware of the shops of all errour and prophanenesse But you will say which be they My answer is A playhouse A dicing-house A brothell-house and A tipling-house I had almost said of all these Gen. 20.11 as Abraham of Abimelechs the feare of God is not in them Rev 2.13 Or as Iohn writes of the Church of Pergamus I know their workes and their dwelling place even where Sathans throne is For what is a Play-house but the cheating Exchang where the sacred Scriptures are abused the glorious name of God blaspheamed lies and fables set to sale And all kindes of obscenitie scurrillitie bought and sould for readie silver Is it not the Devils forge where the bellowes blow the hammer beats on the bodyes of corruption vntill lust be enkindled smoake and burne to the bottome of hell And for the Dicing-house how should I describe it Paint it foorth in its propper colours It s the Common hall where Thieues and Robbers Gentlemen and Beggers meete together Sweare and lye Cozen and cheate Deceive and are deceived So that povertie arrests them or that which is worse often comes to passe a Ty-burne tippet with one cross-cast sends them to their longhome But what Will such reply are not lotts in recreation lawfull cautions being vsed we hope Cards and Dice are harmelesse creatures can murder no man I tell thee vpon such tearmes I may play with a Beare For cannot I pull out his eyes Dash foorth his teeth Cut off his clawes Muzzell his mouth Chaine him fast to a stake And keepe me a loofe Farre from his reach And then will he doe any man harme Prodigall know this that wise persons digge not pits wherein people may perish thinke they are excused when they forewarne men of the danger Nor feed on that dish having varietie of sound meates which will cause death if but mist in the dressing Goe thou and doe likewise lest a worse thing follow Now for a Brothel-house it s the Synagogue of Sathan the very suburbes of hell Or if you will the noysome Pest house of the Devill For such as tread her steps enter within her doores haue received the sentence of death not one of a thousand Pro. 2.19 that ever returnes againe For shall not God take vengeance of all those who burne in lust prostrate themselues to an whore And offer soule and body a living and acceptable sacrifice to the Devill I tell such in the Apostles owne words 1 Cor. 6.9.10 that they shal neuer inherit the Kingdome of heaven For whoremongers and adulterers the Lord will iudge And as for a Tiplâ—â—g-house its Nabals Inne whither fooles flocke and resort to drink smoak kindle quench shout roare as if Devils were come from hell in the shape and similitude of men A Tap-house now in England is like Purgatorie at Româ— There when men haue lead a lewd and loose life that they may escape a worse evill pardons are procured and they be sent to Purgatorie Here when Prodigalls haue mispent their portion shipwrackt their substance to a-voyde beggerie we grant them a Licence to sell â—le And if one godâ—y Iosiah pull them down we haue two gracelesse Iehoiachims to reare them vp againe lest the full tale of drunkards should be diminished But O yee men of God flee these things Set a crosse on all these doores step not over the thresh-houlds Psal 139.22 hate them as David the Lords enemies with a perfect hatred When the spirits of these Butteries intise thee consent thou not Say vnto them with indignation I will none of your waies Can men tread on Serpents and not be stunge Carrie coales in their bosomes and not be burnt Live amonge the infected and escape the contagion Swallow poyson and not dye the death Without controversie the fore-named places And the sinnes ascending from them haue infected the aire provoked heaven drawne downe the late great devouring Pestilence Are not some sparkes of this consuming fire yet smoaking in the corners of your Citie And if you by these abhomiations still incense the Lord Ier. 22.19.20 may not the bellowes of his iustice reinkindle them to burne you and your habitations to dust and ashes Is it not the mercie of God that you who heare me this day are left a live How comes it to passe that you fell not when so many thousands gaue vp the Ghost Are you not compounded of the same principles Formed in the same mould Did you not breath in the same aire Feed on the same foode To be plaine haue you not committed the same if not greater sinnes Let then the long suffering of God lead you to repentance Rom. 2.4 And diswade you from the least appearance of evill You haue heard what error is where it lodgeth 1 Thess 5.22 And being discovered how it is to be avoyded Now blessed are they and none but they who vnderstand the truth and keepe it VERS 18. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ The Logicall resolution THe Apostle in the precedent words having admonished the people to take heede or a double evill the former that they should not be led away with the errour of the wicked the latter nor fall from their owne stedfastnesse he in this verse now prescribeth a two fold remedie to prevent both The one is groweth in grace for that wil support them the other increase of knowledge for it will direct them Now because the most errours and heresies which shall spring vp and spread in the latter dayes may be and are about Christ Iesus he maketh mention of him Consider the words in themselves The Theologicall resolution and they containe a single act Grow And a double subiect Grace and Knowledge which knowledg is amplified by its obiect Iesus Christ And he described by a twofold relation Lord Saviour Grow This word is a metaphor and comprehends in it motion and augmentation the former as we see in the starres and planets may be without the latter but the second
brethren is there yet a Prophet gone out to declare when these things shall have an end But because this dolefull obiect is more remote therefore though it should not the lesse lamented Let vs draw neerer home And take a view of our owne Nation Hath not Death cruell death haunted the Court Citie Countrey Killed our King Slaine our Nobles And turned into small dust sixtie-six-thausand of the common subiects Call for the aged and let them if they can tell when so many in so short a revolution of time haue vealed the head And given vp the Ghost But what effect hath followed this dreadfull mortalitie Is not England London especially as proud covetous prophaine And secure as ever I doubt not but that some have laid these iudgements to heart brought foorth fruite worthie amendment of life Math 3.8 But as the Disciples sayd of the five loaves and two fishes what are they amonge so many Alas Alas The dead carkesses of neighbours kindred friends like rotten dung spread on the earth have caused the seeds of wickednesse in the lives of a huge multitude but to shoot vp grow the faster What then shall we can we expect without a change to be the end For will not God take vengeance on such a people as this Zeph. 2.2 You therefore before the decree come foorth Who make profession like Moses stand in the gappe pitition the Father of mercie And the God of all consolation not to enter into iudgement with this sinfull generation but to put the evill day farre from vs. Pray for the life of our King the peace of our Land And the continuance of the Gospell to vs and our posteritie from generation to generation Cry in the eares of the Lord of hoasts to powre downe the Spirit of wisdome and resolution vpon his own annointed that he may guide the great people committed to his charge in the way of truth be the ioy of all his chosen and a terror to all his enemies That the Sun of that morning may never rise or that day numbred to the Monthes of the yeere when it shall be sayd the Adversary hath invaded the land the Arke of God is gone from our English Israel If we sit secure take heede of a Spanish whip a Catholike scourge For what priviledge have we Iudah Ierusalem And our Neighbour kingdomâ—s have not inioyed Why then may we not feare the like correction Chiefly if we lye in the same sinnes Now that you may be prevented of or prepared for the invasion of Foes fiering of Beacons roaring of Cannons sacking of Cities ravishing of wives deflouring of virgins tossing infants on Pikes rending of members a sunder and resisting vnto bloud Heb. 11.37 Consider what I have sayd And write in this short succeeding Tractat. Heb. 11.37 Better Counsell to vndergoe the harshest torments to flesh and bloud than I have in these few lines I cannot give thee Read them for thy selfe Pray for me And the rather in that thou little knowest how short a time thou hast Thine in the Lord Iesus Iohn Barlow February 23. 1626. The particulars in this tractat prosecuted are in this Table related Doctrine 1. A Spirituall stedfastnesse may be obtained Pag. 6. Spirituall stedfastnesse defined Pag. Distributed into Habituall Vnderstanding Wil afections Pag. 12. Practicall Internall Externall Pag. 15. Doct. 2. Spiriuall stedfastnes may be fallen from Pag. 30. And it is Described Divided into Habit Totall Partiall Pag. 31. Acts Inward Outward Pag. 35 Causes of Apostasie Within vs. Without vs. Pag. 37 Symptomes of declining Pag. 55. Helpes to recover the deâ—lined Pag. 70. How to support him who standeth Pag. 78. Rules for yong Converts Pag. 85. Doct. 3. Error leadeth from stedfastnes Pag 89. Error defined in Generall Speciall Legall Evangelicall Pag. 90. And either may be in Iudgement Vniversal Partiall Pag. 93. Practise Weakenesse Willfulnesse Pag. 69. Doct. 4. The way of error is the way of the wicked Pag. 104. Doct. 5. By one error many may be seduced Pag. 108. Doct. 6. Error discovered to be avoided P. 114. The shops of error and prophanenesse Verse 18. Doct. 1. Admonition to be seconded with direction Pag. 131. Doct. 2. Growth in grace required of a Christian Pag. 146. 1. If grace be of a growing nature Pag. 138. 2. May he who hath it increase it Pag. 139. 3. Doth everie Christian grow Pag. 139. 4. Can its habit be decreased Pag. 141. 5. Is it possible to stand at a stay Pag. 144. 6. Or be augmented and not discerned Pag. 145 Doct. 3. All graces to be increased Pag. 195. May one grow and not another Pag. 198. An obiection removed Pag. 169. Doct. 4. Christians are to grow in the knowledge of Christ Iesus Pag. 208. This knowledge is Intellectuall Of his person Offices Pag. 214. ExperimeÌ„tal To our selves To others Pag. 222. Severall hereticall opinions concerning Christs Person and Offices confuted Pag. 224 Divers texts of Scripture perverted are cleared Pag 225 Doct. 5. Christ Iesus mans Saviour Pag. 24â— And that in respect of his two Natures Divine Humane Pag. 244 Obedience Actiue Passiue Pag 248 Salvation Defined Explicated Pag. 253 Obiections produced refelled Pag. 258 A forcible exhortation in the conclusion Pag. 260. A SEASONABLE DISCOVRSE OF Spirituall stedfastnes 2. Pet. 3.17 Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before take heede lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your owne stedfastnesse THE Apostle Peter The Logicall resolution having the Spirit of prophecy in the beginning of this Chapter foretelleth that in the last dayes shall come Scoffers walking after their owne lusts saying where is the promise of Christs appearing for are not all things as they were since the Creation The which hereticall opinion hee by many strong arguments confuteth And so with severall admonitions and exhortations concludeth this his Epistle Wherefore to speake as the thing is in these verses are contained both an admonition and a direction and in the admonition these following particulars may be considered observed First the persons to whom it is directed next the ground and thirdly the matter of it For the Persons they are layd downe Collectiuely Yee or by an adjunct tytle beloved The ground is implyed in the word therefore and expressed in this sentence Seing ye know these things And the matter hath a twofold branch ignorance and backesliding both which properly adhere to the wicked yet by occasion may cleaue to the godly Lest ye also being led away with the errour of these Mockers fall from your owne stedfastnes Ye my Countrymen beleeving Iewes The Theologicall exposition and all succeeding Churches and grounded Christians Beloved the object of my affection I being an agent but you patients Therefore in this word is closely implyed the ground of this admonition it being a word of relation Seeing you know these things here is plainely expressed the full foundation of the admonition for the
Apostle doth not intend the things hard to be vnderstood in the Epistles of his beloved brother Paul but the mis-interpretations which the vnlearned and vnstable deduce and draw from them to their owne perdition Take heede beware watch haue an eye a kind of presidiarie or Martiall guarding of a mans selfe Lest yee also being led away or led away together a Metaphoricall speach it seemes borrowed from a traueller who by the wandring of others is subject to be seduced With the errour mistaking false opinion or wandring from the true way the Apostle continueth on in the Metaphor Of the wicked the proper signification of the word is one Lawlesse or as some will for whom no law is put and appointed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 answereth to the Hebrew word rashang which is by interpretction restlesnes for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 privativa and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if we should say in English vnsetled Fall slyde or goe downe as starres Your owne that which in the vse of the meanes you haue obtained and the Lord conferred â—mparted Stedfastnes Strength stablenes confirmation and that Spirituall not Corporall Whereas in the last dayes shall arise scoffers The Metaphrase walking after there owne lusts and perverting the word of truth to their owne perdition I doe therefore admonish you my well affected Countrymen and by you all succeeding Churches especially knowing these things before that you be circumspect and set a Martiall watch ouer your selues lest you together with these erroneous and vnsetled persons through ignorance or weaknes be seduced and led away from the right path the doctrine of godlines and so be deprived of the Lords ordinances he hath imparted and you your owne selues obtained Now in the deduction of doctrines we will begin with the last words of our text first and as Ruth after Boaz his reapers gleane and gather the fullest and best fed eares which the hand of the Holy-Ghost hath let fall for the Spirituall bread and nourishment of our soules Doctrines deduced Fall from your owne stedfastnes From this sentence we in the first place collect that Doct. 1 A Spirituall stedfastnes may be obtained Psal 27 vlt. and 51.12 and 112.7 The Prophet David commands it prays for it and confesseth that some did obtaine it possesse it And doth not the Apostle also perswade to the same 1 Cor. 15. vlt. crying be stedfast immooueable For this end did he not desire to see the Romans Rom. 1.11 Send Timotheus to the Thessalonians And doe not his fellow-labourers Vrge 1 Thes 3.2 presse the same thing Iam. 5.8 Who then hath cause to question the truth of this Doctrine If any shall Rev. 3.2 reason may releeue him Reas 1 For is not man a Subject capable of it may he not be fitted to receiue it Is not the facultie of his vnderstanding in respect of its essence Sound his will of power strongly since his fall bent to action And hath he not affections violent passionate Memorie too to retaine iniuries things done of old Fallow ground Ier. 4.3 may be manured receiue good seed and bring foorth fruite fifty an hundred fold Waxe if the signet be imposed will it not take a faire stampe a semblable impression a slip rent from the tree may liue bud beare in abundance if set into a flourishing stocke the Body though dead the soule re-infused will reviue mooue and performe its naturall operations And what if we affirme Ephe. 2.1 that man by nature is as a liuelesse log a sencelesse stone Iohn 15.5 and a withered branch Yet this must be vnderstood in regard of Spirituall motion not graces and stedfastnesse reception Reas 2 Againe shall we thinke any thing impossible with God In no sort Matth. 19.26 except it crosse his owne nature and contradict the truth of things and doth this we haue in hand either of them What or who is he dares say so From a privation to a habit there is no regresse or returne by the rule of Philosophie Ioh. 9.6.7 but in the Art of Theologie Ioh. 11.44 it may be found Hath not God opened the eyes of him that was borne blind raised the dead to life and could if he would haue made stones reasonable men Heb. 11.3 Did he not at the beginning make al things of nothing And be there any greater opposites Contradictions then these Where may they be had Is not Logick the Art of reason Silent or dare we imagin that the hand of Iehovah is shortned His power weakned What a height of blasphemie were this Without controversie to Create is little lesse difficult then to remake and amend Reas 3 And if this were not thus for what end was preaching appointed Sacraments ordained and Prayer commanded are these giuen in vaine For no end What greater impietie Deeper degree of indignitie can be offered against God and his holy powerfull Ordinances Is not the word mightie in operation Heb. 4.12 able to pull downe strong holdes And repaire his decayed image Rom. 1.17 His ruinated Temple Is it not Spirit and life Ioh. 6.63 And hath not Christ promised that the dead hearing it shall liue Certainely this seede Iohn 5.25 being sowne in the Lords chosen closes will prosper not a corne thereof shall miscarie Wherefore let Sathans plots not Gods purpose be frustrate and brought to naught Reas 4 Finally let me aske thee a question Shall not Christ be of abilitie to recouer what Adam of imbecillitie lost The Holy-Ghost to build what the vncleane Spirit did destroy What if Sathan be strong Is not the Archangell able to match him breake his head and grinde him to powder Shal not the Creator conquer the Creature Gen. 3.15 the yonger here shall serue the elder What a depth of infidelitie were it to dispute Doubt of this Why then let it euer remaine as an infalible truth that a Spirituall Stedfastnes may be obtained For what the sonne hath purchased by the Spirit shall be applyed Ioh. 16.15 Now for our further information it may thus be defined Stedfastnes defined Spirituall stedfastnes is afirme retention of the degree of grace received In this definition two things are chiefly to be considered the Genus a firme Retention and the Difference of the degree of grace received We call it a firme stable or setled retention the which truth is in the holy letters pressed though vnder various termes 2. Timo. 1.14 That worthy thing which is committed to thee keepe Rev. 2.25 hold what thou hast Let no man take away thy Crowne and many the like And it is a firme retention or setled conseruation of grace and Sanctification not of gold silver place promotion for these we catch as the living hold as men dead nothing shall plucke them out of our hands We adde of the degree or portion For all the regenerat haue not one
say as Christ of the Fig-tree never fruite grow on thee more But as once borne ever borne So once gracious ever gracious though not in equall degree For the variety of graces existence prevents not the perpetuitie of its essence May not all the members of the body consume yet not totally So may everie part of the New-man and not wholy be wasted A truth it is that the beleever may thus fall First that the Church may question the soundnesse of his heart 1 Cor. 5.5 vse her publicke authoritie and deliuer him vp to Sathan Witnesse the incestuous person Also that he himselfe may haue strange and loose conceipts of his spiritual estate What did David Psal 51. And so that he may hardly if ever recover his former strength haue that neere and sweet communion with God 2 Chro. 16.10 and his Saints which he hath had Was not this the condition of Asa Yet for all that hath or can be said the seedes of grace shal never totally wast and perish Neither is it impossible but that he who hath fearefully fallen may recouer his former strength doe his first workes Iudg. 16.22 Haue we not an example of this in Sampson For God can and will too restore the declined Rev. 2.5 if no time be omitted meanes neglected And experience of this so great a dammage may perswade the Prodigall in the vse of his talent to be the better husband He who hath gone astray when he seeth his wandring and returning into his right path will he not trudge on the faster A bone being broke if once knit say Chiâ—urgions is the stronger After a long languishing disease nature hath recovered and that body receiued her former force bin the more healthfull a long season When the Sunne had gone backe many degrees who can tell 2. King 20.11 but in his re turne he gained what he had lost that all daies and nights might be of equall proportion according to the season as at the creation But beloved though this may be so it likewise may not A relapse is with great hazard recouered for nature is weakened the peccant humour strengthened So is it in this For when the New-man decreaseth the old increaseth both of which breed danger It s more easie to keepe the weake on foot than being fallen to lift him vp againe How ever yet is it possible Vse 4 And may Spirituall stedfastnes be fallen from Then try thy selfe if thou be or not revolted Tradesmen keepe a register of all their proceedings cast vp their accompts yeerely take a strict view how they decreased or increased their substance and should not Christians be as wise in their generation Make proofe therefore by the former Symptomes related Is thy spirituall eie grone dim in seeing Dost thou behold Christians as the person who receiued his sight did men walking like trees Isa 65.5 Saist thou to such stand a part come not neere me I am holier than thou Is thine eare dull in hearing what the spirit speaketh to the Churches Covet'st thou frothy windy stuffe Rev. 2.7 Contentest thy selfe at home with a printed paper And delightest in some new odde invention Canst not thou as in times past relish Angels food Bread from heauen Absentest thou thy selfe from the Lords table Or comming feedest on the sacred bodie of Christ without an eager appetite Are the actions of grace feeble And willingly omitted Wantest thou power in Prayer Is that pulse weake Trembling And yet thou never challengest thy selfe in that regard Is vnwholesome food well enough affected No way disturbant or better diet receiued not into the veines distributed but passeth thorow the draught vndigested Concoctest thou the word with wambling Feelest no reluctation of weaker sinnes heretofore distasted And for all this canst thou not admit of Physicke sharp and keene reprehensions Wilt thou quarrell with the man who seekes thy recouerie account him rash indiscreet and but thine enemie Then in good sooth thou art gone backe carried with the tide and fallen from thy stedfastnes But and if thou allowest this that thou dost mournest not for it neither striuest to returne to thy former strength motion thy declining is will full and thou maist feare an apostasie For these symptoms Characters as luskish reachings of a lazie body are the certaine forerunners of a finall revolting Wherefore as by this search examination thou maist try thine estate So if thou finde thou hast fallen labour to returne to thy former stedfastnes And to recover thee according to the order premised what helpes we can we will afford thee And they are of Direction Perswasion 1. We must call to remembrance what truth in the vnderstanding or in our conversation we haue fallen from and so returne vnto them 2. We are to consider what sinne we haue imbrased whether it be an errour in iudgement or practise and if we clearely discerne any then to cease from it For all our failings will and may be ranked vnder these two heads of Omission or Commission When the naturall body is weakened by refusing of wholesome meat or receiuing of noisome diet is not the way of corporall recoverie to feed on the former and to reiect the latter Even so must it be in the regaining of our spirituall strength we haue fallen from He who hath erred from the true way must take knowledge of his wandrings and returne to his wonted walke Wherefore begin though at the first faintly to heare reade meditate pray And also to cease from sinne avoide the occasions of evill then shalt thou by degrees be restored to thy Spirituall stedfastnes as a weake-sickly body by good diet moderat exercise to its former strength This is the way of direction that of perswasion being compounded of many particulars followeth 1. Cast in thy mind what an vncomfortable condition thou art fallen into compare it often with the times of olde Doe not slavish feares vpon the least occasion arise in thy soule Art thou not suspicious how the best question thy soundnesse be privie to thy secret slips Hidden failings Who would be reputed a prodigall Gal. 3.1.3 Or having bin accounted rich thought to banke Did not Paul on the same ground call the Galatians fooles Persons be-witched Will you saith he having begunne in the spirit end in the flesh 2. Consider that greater evils than these may attend thee For shall not the Lord with-draw his loving kindnesse from thee Change his countenance and seeme though he be not thine enemie Would not this like the divisions of Reuben Iudg. 5.16 cause thoughts of heart What will sooner make the Lover sigh Any thing than the angry frownes of his best affected friend Of all the burthens befell good Iob Iob. 29.2.3 it seemes the disaquaintance with his God did the most breake him therefore cried O that my soule were as in mouth spast As in the daies when the Lord preserued me His candle shined vpon me And by his
not without the first For all augmentation doth presuppose aforegoing motion Grace Grow is the act grace the obiect of it And grace is appropriated to God and Man When to God it is either of election or acceptation But here it is referred to Man the which is the grace of Sanctification or confirmation Obserue that in God and man the former preceades the latter For God in order first elects then accepts choosing the creature to make it good not in that there is any goodnes to allure the Lord to choice of it orriginally in it Againe man is first Sanctified then established The latter is here intended Knowledge That is in a more cleare and compleat vnderstanding For in some measure their spirituall eye was opened to apprehend the Lord Iesus Our In this word is included the Apostles personall and speciall faith he had in Christ Iesus And also his favourable opinion that his countriemen were partakers of the same Lord The hebrew word ordinarily thus reÌ„dred springeth from a root which signifieth abase or piller the greeke one who hath rule or diminioÌ„ being a word of relatioÌ„ our English word Lord as the learned gather hath much like force with the hebrew being coÌ„tracted of an old SaxoÌ„ roote Laford which is by interpretation a sustainner Saviour This word as formerly I tould you is also a word of relation Of Saviours they be generall or speciall principall or instrumentall Christ as God 1. Tim. 4.10 saveth all men as God man them onely who beleeve in him Iesus Mat. 1.22 This name comes of an Hebrew word which signifies to make safe And it was giuen our Lord at his birth with the notation thereof by the command of an Angell Christ The Greeke roote from which this springs implyeth as much as to anoyn Now of Christs there be two kindes true or false And of the former sort they are typicall or reall The which are here meant And it is not improbable but that he assumed both a Greeke and an Hebrew name closely to teach that he came to saue the Iew and Gentile For vnder these titles are his offices comprehended The Metaphrase As I haue foretold you my beloved Countreymen that in the last daies shall arise mockers men wa king after their owne lusts and bringing in many damnable heresies to their own others destruction And also admonished you with all succeeding Churches in you to beware that you be not seduced and vnsetled by their evill example So d e I in like manner exhort you to prevent the former related evills to grow and increase in grace and the knowledge of Christ Iesus who is my Lord and yours my saviâ—ur yours For increase of grace will support you and knowledge direct you that you neitheâ— be seduced or vnsetled Before we proceed to the words themselues Doctrines deduced from the connexion of this verse with the former we may safely obserue that Doct. 1 Admonition is to be seconded with direction All the Prophets and Apostles beare witnesse to the confirmation of this doctrine neither need we any ample proofe for it onely let the places annexed be pervsed Mat. 6.33 Gal. 5 16. Acts. 3.19 2. Tim. 3 5. Reas 1 For are not Preachers guides Watchmen Physitians Ezek. 33.7 Mat. 9.12 Wherefore as they admonish So they must prescribe remedies What folly were it for a guide to bidde the passenger beware and never to tell him what Or where the danger is For a waâ—chman to cry looke about yee yet not point to the place Or person For Physitians to admonish their Patients to take heed of a surfeit And to prescribe them no diet Neither make mention of noysome vnwholesome meates And were it not as great simplicitie for a Preacher to call vpon his people to beware of this and that yet never informe them what they are to follow Neither affoord them necessarie helpes to eschew the evill Ministers must divide the word of truth aright 2. Tim. 2.15 deliver the whole counsell of God Acts. 20.27 But if admonition be not seconded with instruction direction how is their dutie discharged Or their flock thorowly informed Edified Reas 2 Againe What would or could the silly people doe in such a case Either stand astonied or returne home never the better wisâ—r Tell a travailer he is out of his path and shew him not the right way is he ever the neerer Say to the steeresman beware of shelues and sandes Yet giue him no signe to turne on this or that hand may he not split and sinke his vessell for all that Admonish the late recovered patiâ—nt to take heede of a relapse but leaue him there how should he in all possibility escape it Or conserue his health Surely if Pastors doe not both premonish direct exhort and giue sound receipts it argueth ignorance negligence and leaues the sheepe liable to perill to be torne in pieces Vse 1 Hence may the Minister receiue both warrant and incouragâ—ment for matter and method in his proceeding He may admonish and direct without commission of the least errour Deut 14 31 abberation Did not Moses Ioshua and all the wise Iudges Iosh 24. tread in the forementioned steps Iethro prescribed what kinde of Magistrats were to be elected Exod. 18.22 describes them by severall evident Charracters Isa 58.2 How often did the prudent Prophets and sage Seers Ier. 21.12 as to command the people what to avoide what to doe So giue them when they came into the heathen Countries directions how to behaue themselues Our Lord Iesus Mat. 6.8.9 as he taught the people to abstaine from evill So did he prescribe them remedies for all their preceedings Else what meaneth all this Mat. 5.29 If thy right eye offend thee plucke it out Thy right hand cut it off Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees Mat. 7.6 Cast not holy things to doggs Neither peâ—rles before Swine Wherefore when we diswade from sinne provoke to good remedies must be adioyned 2. Tim. 2.15 rules annexed Thus to doe is to be a workeman who needeth not to be shamed Vse 2 Neither is this without vse to the common Christian For it may direct him how to read and heare to his further profit edification What more frequent in the vulgar sort ignorant auditorie than to heare by halfes Listen without regard to direction Let but a Preacher say this and that is lawfull they never respect caution but runne on without any eye to limitation The neglect of this hath made the best things often abused and many a person Suffer the vengeance of eternall fire Sweare we may Iud. 7. but what then are the common peoples conclusions To abuse this holy ordinance vpon every trifeing occasion Many are not vnlike to foolish patients who having receiued sound recipts never inquire how to vse them whence it falls out when they should be cured they are often killed Who
the forme of godlines 2. Tim. 3.5 they cry out against such as the Edomites of the Israelites Psal 137.7 downe with them down with them even to the ground But let these know that though their consciences be growne sencelesse God shall bring vpon them swift damnation For 2. Pet. 2.1 he is wise in heart mightie in power Iob. 9.4 who ever grew fierce against him and hath prospered And we haue an evill beast a slow-belly growne vp among vs how should we define him He is one who selleth time vseth his money as though he vsed it not striues to prevent the contingent acts of Gods prouidence And rather than the forfeiture of a band will forfeit his freedome in the kingdome of heaven And if you demand why he doth so he replies like him who being found breaking of his neighbours hedge and reprooued answered is it not better to doe thus than to be idle Certainely if David the which he never will prooue not a lyer Psal 15.5 a vsurer shall never inherit the mountaine of holinesse And what Is not the weaker sex growne mightily in wickednesse Haue we not some so masculine that they walke in their doublets Ride in their coates And salute with their caps Were but their hearts answerable to their habits their spirits proportionable to their apparell why might they not at our common musters be prest foorth for souldiers I will nor can giue such any precise precepts for cloth or colour forme or fashion yet take this in generall Suppose that now thou wert to come vnto iudgement to hold vp thy hand before the ancient of daies And to receiue thy last doome thy finall sentence of life or death eternally Wouldest thou appeare in a pointed body With embroydered haire A curled head A painted face A French ruffe And a naked brest Then as the Prophet to Naaman the Syrian 2. King 5.19 I say vnto thee goe in peace But if thou wouldst not change thy garments alter thine attire lest death on the sudden strike thee the Iudge come in an houre thou art not a ware of weigh thee in the ballance of the sanctuarie strip thee naked and cloath thee with shame eternall Shall not the husband grow iealous of that wise who at his returne is abaâ—hed to meete him in her daily habit I appeale vnto thee But alas For all that can be said according to the Apostles prediction we grow worse and worse 2. Tim. 3.13 deceiving and being deceiued The truth is we are so growne that the heavens grow blacke the earth barren and the whole frame of nature groanes for our growth Rom. 8.22 What should I tell you of the late Famine The blazing starre The invndations of waters The bloudie warres The late Plague wherein so many thousands haue vealed the head and given vp the Ghost Yea doth not the spirit grieue and groane for our vnnaturall growth Eph. 4.30 Wherefore let vs by vnfeined repentance and new obedience ease him of this burden or we shall groane vnder the direful wrath of the most high for ever Psal 50.22 ever O coÌ„sider this you who forget God lest he teare in pieces there be none nothing to deliuer you Vse 3 The vse of this doctrine also serues soundly to lesson some of the better sort For doe they grow in grace increase in goodnesse I wish the Lord had not iust cause to say of our nation Rev 2.4 I haue somewhat against thee Haue we not them amongst vs who haue bin as zealous as Peter in appearance but now haue cooled their harts in warming their hands at â—aiaphas his fire Others who seemed as strong and vpright as an oake are growne weake fitting themselues to everie forme and figure in the congregation like water in a vessell Haue we not many who in times past put foorth their fingers to all pious vses But now plucke them backe draw them in as the slug her hornes Ranne well and now are letted Began in the spirit end in the flesh It s a disputable question whether we haue more Bankers in goods or grace Prodigalls who haue mispent their corporall or spirituall portioÌ„ England as Ephesus hath left though not lost her first loue Our affections were hardly kindled but soone cooled our coale glowes a while and anon ends in smoake and smother 1. King 1.1 We resemble David in his olde age little heat is within vs not any will begot into vs. Few like Caleb Iosh 14.11 are at this day as able to fight the battailes of the Lord as in former time What a weake pulse beats in all places Scarse sensible We are like a forc't peece of land whose second crop is worse then the former We heare and reade much yet in shape as Pharaohs cattell are lanke and leane deformed and ill favoured But beloved this should not ought not to be so Let but a man lye speechles fall into a consumption and become a bankrupt Oh! this like a passing bell in the eares of the world rings a dolefull sound And all who heare it smite their hands shake their heads at it send foorth deepe sighes heavie groanes But the meane while Prayer may be tongue-tyed Faith ship-wrackt and a good Coâ—science split in shivers yet few for these things haue the least thoughts of heart no sorrow doth pierce vs losse of this kind pinch vs. What the Apostle forewarned in these last daies is come to passe for we are plucked away with the errour of the wicked and are fallen from our owne stedfastnesse Vse 4 Are Christians to grow in grace Let vs all then looke about vs weigh the proficiencie we haue made in this Schoole Hast thou no grace It s high time to gather some Anie Striue to increase it Art thou declined Recover thy losse Hitherto hast thou growne Why adde to thy stocke still augment thy store For this dutie concernes all and therefore we will presse the point so as every person may reape profit by it You well know that a thing must be had before it can be increased For who prunes a liuelesse plant Waters a dead stake Tryall then is in the first place necessarie if we haue any seeds of grace at all 1. Signes of found grace Dost thou find and feele an emptinesse of grace in thy selfe A great want of it Then in truth tho not in full measure thou hast it For blessed are the poore in spirit Mat. 5.3 And what is this povertie but an act arising from grace whereby we sensiblie apprehend an emptienesse thereof in our soules By grace we feele grace as with one hand we doe the other Dead men perceiue no want when living persons behold their penurie Let him who is truly gracious cast his eye whither he will he seeth a vacuitie of grace in all creatures an insufficiencie to relieue him Iob. 28.14 To the depth he saith it s not to be found in thee
applie the Apostles phrase 2. Cor. 6.12 We are not made straight in God but in our owne bowels David could pen more Psalmes in time of warre than we haue leisure to read in these daies of peace Luk. 7.9 The Centurion in gleaning gathered more faith than we reape who haue the full harvest I speake it to thy shame henceforward make no such complaints but see what God doth for thy soule and let thy growth and the meanes be equall He who thus doth Rom. 2.4 doth well And whereunto the Lords bountifullnesse should I am sure ought to induce him III. Neither will I omit thee O thou decaied and declin ng Christian who hast wasted part of thy stocke diminished thy store What merchandise of more worth What gaine to the increase of grace Shall not then the losse be equall The dammage proportionable Will it not grieue the husbandman to see his tenderest plants wither The rankest corne become blasted Doth not a consuming body breed sorrow Presage death and what patient in such a case if not growne desperat seekes not recoverie The Prodigall Gamster doth he not sigh at his losse And with an eager mind play at get againe Shalt thou then suffer this precious treasure to waste Permit the buds of grace to pine Perish O see thou doe not so but seeke to the Physitian betimes take restoratiues to recover thy former health thy wonted strength Hos 2.7 Returne to thy first husband For at that time was it not better with thee than now What content comfort canst thou finde in praier that 's cold Short And not mixed with fervencie Will flesh halfe boyled delight the palate Nourish the body Hath not the Lord threatned Rev. 3.16 to spue the luke-warme Christian out of his mouth Can he away with a sluggard A non-proficient in his service Doth not our master expect to receiue his talents with advantage And shall not the idle servant be condemned Awake therefore Eph. 5.16 thou who sleepest stand vp from the dead And Christ shall giue thee light more increase of grace Consider how thou art fallen into what a pittifull case thou hast plunged thy soule And tye thy selfe to thy ancient taske vse a constant course in holy actions every day reade some portion of Christs loue-letters See his great affection how friendly he invites thee and be allured Psal 119.25 Call and cry Lord quicken me cause thy face to shine giue me the spirit of life and power restore me to the wonted ioy of thy salvation Psal 80.3 Psal 51.12 Wash thee seven times in the river Iordan bath thy selfe in the poole of repentance sing Psalmes in secret And get thee into the company of the strongest hotest Christians So shall thy flesh become as a childs the leprie of sinne weare away thy vigour returne thy hart waxe warme burne within thee Loue-songs no more inflame lust than the song of songs increase stirre vp grace What bangling kite with a loftie flier mendes not her pitch What fainting beleeuer with one who staggers not but will grow in fa th Suppose thou findest in thy selfe a backwardnesse to good duties Shall not the omission thereof make thee more vnfit the next season Vse limmes and haue limmes is our English proverbe vse grace haue grace a Christians experiment But if all this moue thee not to recouer thy decaied stock to do thy former workes then thus reason why may not I shrinke backe Retyre Proue an Apostate Or Iob. 31.14 how shal I answer God when he returns to iudgement Sure I am that if thou be his he will not long suffer thee to sit on thy lees but remoue thee from vessel to vessell How long Ier. 48.11 thinkest thou will the Lord indure thy lingring Brooke thy wambling Take heed lest one of these daies he boyle thee vp by some sharpe schorching fire of afflictioÌ„ What if the spirit of feare should re-fall thee 1 Sam. 16.14 The sword of thine enemie pierce thee The spreading plague infect thee The food of thy soule be taken from thee Or thou Amos. 8.11 by some foule publicke offence left to scandalize thy profession Then hast thou not spunne a faire threed Will not thy ill husbandrie prick thy fingers Shalt thou not goe mourning all thy life long And at the last leaue a weake evidence a feeble testimonie of thy soundnesse of thy salvation behind thee 1. Cor. 15.34 Awake therefore to do righteously Think and thinke againe of these things set them before the eye of thy soule Iudg. 16.3 So shalt thou as Sampâ—on when he saw the Philistines approach neere him gather thy forces together vp begâ—n and fâ—â—e for thy life IIII. Now in the conclusion I haue a word of exhortation vnto thee thou thou who hast kept what thou hast And nâ—t consumed the least mite of thy stocke Psal 87.4 Thinke not that this is all which Gâ—d requireth of thee but grow still Proceed from strength to strength be rooted deeply grounded in the grace of Christ Iesus Col 1.23 and 2.7 Spreade thy branches farre and wide shoote vp and sprout on high be strong as an ell-boare Let no vacuitie as nature admits not any be in thy vessel but be filled to the brimme Be a mightie valiant man exceed the godly 1 Sam. 10 23. as much in this spirituall growth as Saul the common subiects in corporall who was higher by the head and shoulders Christians should resemble the most honorable of Davids worthies equall the first three Yea 1. Chro. 11 21. like the brethren of Gedeon every one be as the child of a king Iudg 8.18 A waster of his stocke is much condemned So is a Dwarfe in stature derided Shall we then decrease our heavenly substance Or with the North-pole be still at a stand Let the motion of other men somewhat incite thee provoke thee who are never satisfied Eph. 5.18 When Drunkards are filled with wine be thou with the spirit When thou seest an Elimas a Sorcerer full of the Devill with Barnabas Acts 13.9.10 be thou filled with faith and the holie Ghost When worldlings whose portion is in this life ayme at stately buildings Large possessions great ruffes cuffes let thy care and scope be to excell in this one thing necessarie Luk. 10.42 exceed them as much in grace as they thee in the contrarie graine For thus to doe is acceptable to God Mat. 16.28 profitable for thee For all men What if a man could winne the whole world yet want grace would it be any benefit vnto him Whereto may I compare him who hath much many things yet without grace But to a peece charged with shot not equalled with powder Will Can such a person discharge his calling Be liberall to pious vses No no his coine lyes rusting in his chest Luk. 7.5.9 Acts. 9.39 2 Tim. 1. vlt. his corne rotting in
thy gracious stocke never once dreame of enough nor of being rich for that is the high way to bancke to loose all Came not Christ to lay the hilles equall And to raise vp the vallies Luk 3.5 To make the crooked pathes streight And to fill the emptie vessells was not the Church in an error which said shee was incrâ—ast Had all things Rev. 3.17 Nay was shee not poore 1. Cor. 5.7 Naked Blinde Miserable And wanted all things O that we could purge out the old leaven abstaine from all actuall sinnes be conversant in the vse of all Gods holy ordinances 1 Thes 5.22 entertaine all the motions of his spirit And be poore in our owne apprehension Then would grace grow Luk. 1.53 the new-man flourish And the old receiue his deaths-wound be pierced thorow his sides and broken in peeces Then then should we be rare Saints on earth shining lights in this darke world Phil. 2.15 leade our liues in righteousnesse Luk. 1.75 holinesse And doe more than gracelesse men imagine can be done by any created nature Wherefore when thou feelest thy soule to mourne thy Spirit to faint thy heart melancholy dumpish all a mort then looke vp to heaven rouse thy selfe fall to meditation minde the daies of old And call vpon thy God Cry Lord helpe me quicken me a wake my soule So shalt thou like the dead child neese seuen times 2 King 4.34.35 c. waxe warme and returne to thy former life and strength This course if thou constantly obserue the power feeling comfort and all the effects of grace in a short time by little and little will strangely grow wonderfully thriue vntill thou come to that period full perfection the Lord hath appointed for thee and promised to thee in Christ Iesus Incentiues to grow in grace And as no meanes are to be omitted neglected So all motiues inducing to this growth must be minded remembred thus therefore expostulate with thy selfe What Doe not plants grow Animats thriue And are the covetous or ambitious ever satisfied Will not Citizens aime at the most honorable place Merchants venture for the choicest commodities And all tradesmen desire the greatest gaine Shall not a Christian then striue for perfection Let theirs yea Pauls resolution be emulated imitated of thee Phil. 3.11 who if possible would haue attained to the resurrection of the dead As some will to haue bin as perfect as the glorified persons in the day of iudgement In the estate of nature wast thou not insatiable Did sinne ever giue thee full satisfaction I tell thee that champions of Sathan must be champions of Christ Such as haue bin full of corruption Eph. 5.18 must be filled with the Spirit And the more we grow in grace will not corruption the lesse burden vs Shall we not with the more ease if not wholly cast it off beare it The bird which hath the most feathers mounteth highest conserues her bodie from many brusings So surely by this increase we should soare vp to heaven be freed from innumerable heart-breakings Why haue we inioyed so great meanes Seene so many good dayes But to grow strong And grace Why should not thy excellencies allure all men to affect thee Procure thee What Art thou not of a soule-curing qualitie care in this present world And onely to be found in the vessels of honour Where thou pitchest thy Tent like a Priâ—ce thou art attended with royall companions as Wisdome Faith Hope Loue and what not As in the absence and presence of the planets all elementarie bodies heate and coole lighten and darken reviue and dye So by thy contrarie motion doth every christian Thou art as the spring and oyle which turne all the wheeles of soule and body to run the pathes of Gods precepts Rev. 22.2 the vine which beareth all kindes of fruits Thy branches feed the tender Roes being cropped thy iuyce wil heale all diseases when once applied Where thou fallest like the showers in May the barren fields grow fruitfull bring foorth in great abundance And multiplie the seed of the word to an hundred fold Never was covetouse chuffe when his garners were full of good graine more glad the Grasier having his lands stockt with the choicest cattell more merrie Nor the Prodigall with his purse extended with pieces more iocunde than the man is whose heart is replenished with grace O grace glorie is thy vnseparable companion as shame the inevitable consequence of sinne Where thou openest the eye all the divine attributes of God as his omniscience omnipresence omnipotence yea his very iustice smile vpon it are delectable vnto it For if grace be with vs who or what can be against vs Grace in thy soule will assure thee of mercie in Christ And if thou be secured of that what needest thou to feare What can be terrible or dreadfull vnto thee The more Wiâ—e Iust Potent thy friend 〈◊〉 will it not the more comfort â—hee Reioyce thee And is not El-shaddai the Lord of earth and heaven thy fast friend Thy everlasting Father Let them then feare who haue cause For thou hast none Grow in grace and thou maist goe thorow the world as a man whose minde is in a deepe studie Like Ahimahaz who had speciall hast of a waightie businesse gaze on nothing heare nothing 1. Cor. 7.30 31. vse it all things in it as though thou vsedst them not Thy conversation shall be in heaven thy thoughts on him who is invisible Phil. 3.20 that never man saw and lived And having as Peter past the first and second watch thou shalt come to thy selfe in the presence of God Acts. 12.10.11 where is fulnesse of ioy Psal 16.11 al variety of pleasures at his right hand for evermore O thou who readest hearest these lines binde them to thee thinke often on them And till thou be stronâ— in Grace which is in Christ Iesuâ— let them never depart from theâ— Now if all that we haue said caâ— not allure thee I say no more vnto thee but wish when it is too late thy carelesse neglect of graces increase may not repent thee Whereas our Apostle exhorts to grow in grace vers 5.6 more is included then mentioned For what in the first chapter in particulars he named Gen. 3.2 and 4.20 here in the bulke are comprehended And as a tree is for trees chaâ—et for charets Psal 78.2 parable for parables So is Grace put for al the gifts of the spirit Mat. 13.35 Whence it will follow that Doct. 3 An increase of all graces is required of Gods children Name what grace you will and an augmentation is required vrged Rom. 1.17 1 Thes 4.10 Eph. 4.15 Are not the Romanes incited to grow in faith The Thessalonians in loue And the Ephesians in all things Paul in other places calls for it prayes for it Iude. 2. So doe his fellow-Apostles in their Epistles Reas 1 For is there
minded quencheth Sathans fierie darts ouercomes the world It bringeth good tydings from God to man vniteth the creatures to the Creator and saveth the sinner What is faith but the choicest Grape in Canaan The prime fruite of the spirit The essentiall forme of a Christian And the pâ—râ—e which purchaseth heaven It s like the poole of Bethesda which cureth the cripples 1 Sam. 2.22 the sword of Saul that never came emptie And the bow of Ionathan which never bended backe from the blood of the slaine the fat of the mightie For crosses faith will assure thee that the Lord sends them their burden shall not exceed thy abilitie and that like a thunder clap they rattle more than hurt That they are the cognisance of Christ the Physitian of the soule shall handle thee gently stay but a very little whilâ— and at their departure leaue a blessing behind them This baulme heales all diseases helpes at a dead lift and cures when nothing can And what shall I more say For the time would be too short for me to tell of Gedeon Barak Heb. 11.32 c. and of Sampson of Iephtah David Samuel and of the Prophets who thorow faith subdued kingdomes wrought righteousnes obtained promises stopped the mouthes of Lyons quenched the violence of fâ—re escaped the edge of the sword of weake were made strong waxed valiant in battell resolute in warre and put to flight whole armies of their enemies For when reason presents these things vnto thee as so many shee bearer roaring Canons implacable Divells And the promises of God the acts of divine providence And the kingdom of heaveÌ„ no better than fate destinie broken notioâ—s at the best but like some ruinated and forraged Countrie thâ—n will faith giue them luster make them shine And as it were with open face appeare and stand foorth in a most glorious forme and order Grow in faith and thou shalt be able to breake a bow of steele lift vp the wing soare on high sleight temptations defie the devill and bid death doe his worst A great faith will fill thy soule with ioy thy life with good works and the whole world with prayses Faith if big and strong will make thee a noble warriour in the Lambes campe one of a thousand A man as David according to Gods owne heart It will ascend to heaven lay hold on thy suretie satisfie thy creditor And bring thee a quittance for an vniversall an everlasting discharge of all thy debts originall actuall past and to come But I must confesse that what I presse is hard to practise For Sathan daily desires doth winnow it When its seed is first sowne in the soyle of our soules faine would he rend it vp by the roots but finding that a matter impossible because it is of Gods planting then will he by his subtile suggestions tempt vs to question the truth of its obiects And when this wil not serue his turne neither that we may proue graine for his garner then with his sieve he will tosse tumble vs vp and down to prevent faiths act separate it from its proper obiect and keepe vs in a continuall intercourse of doubting staggering Beloved of all the strings which be on the instrument of my soule I finde none more to iarre than this of faith O how hardly is it turned How suddenly out of temper It will proue a pretie peece of service in the time of tryall day of temptation to rely on God to cast all our care on him However yet there is hope for the Lord hath blessed Faith once And it shall be blest for ever the elder shall serue the yonger And in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ Having finished the first thing wherein we are to grow we proceede to the second From the which we are instructed that Doct. 4 ChristiaÌ„s are to grow in the knowledge of Christ Iesus Who better acquainted with Christ than Paul th'apostle yet did he not striue to increase his knowledge of him His desire was among the Corinths to know nothing but Christ Iesus 1. Cor. 2.2 and him crucified No time would he omit meanes neglect that he might apprehend him Phil. 3.12 of whom he was apprehended The charge he gaue his sonne Timotheus may serue further to confirme the proposition Doth he not command him 1. Tim 4.13 to attend vnto reading Doctrine Exhortation And may not reason inforce it Reas 1 For is not Christ the Being of Beings The naturall Sonne of God the Father The brightnesse of his glorie Heb. 1.3 And the ingraven forme of his person Are not all the treasures of Wisdome and Holinesse Col. 2 3. hid in him Doth not the fulnesse of the God-head dwell in him bodilie Is he not coeternall Coessentiall And coequall with the most high Will you heare his owne testamonie I Ioh. 10.30 and the Father are one The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his waies before his workes of old Pro. 8.22 c. when there were no depths I was brought forth no fountaines abounding with waters yere the mountaines were setled or the hills created while as yet he had not made the earth nor the fields neither raised the highest part of the dust of the world When he prepared the heavens set a coÌ„passe vpon the face of the deep And established the clouds aboue I was there When he gaue the Sea his decree commanded the proud waues should not passe their boundes and when he appointed the foundations of the earth then was I by him as one brought vp with him and I was daily his delight reioycing alwayes before him And this being thus Phil. 2.6 is it any robbery for Christ to be equall with God Was not the Word made flesh 1 Ioh. 1.1.2 Dwelt amongst vs And did we not behold his glory as the glorie of the onely begotten of the Father Ioh. 1.14 full of grace and truth What obiect more wonderfull Better deserues our knowledge Did not the Angels desire to peepe into this mysterie 1 Pet. 1.12 And shall not we Then are we blame worthie Reas 2 Consider also what he hath done for vs. Hath he not elected vs Ioh. 15.16 before the world was In these good daies created vs of nothing Beautified vs in a comely manner Iob. 10.10 Imprinted his owne image vpon vs Psal 8.6 And we by sinne having spoiled our selues with no lesse price than the shedding of his sacred bloud 1 Pet. 1.19 redeemed vs Recovered the great damage we lost in Adam our father And restored vs to a farre better condition Psal 103.1.2 than was allotted to vs at our first creation It is he who pardoneth all our sinnes healeth all our infirmities delivers our soules from hell And from whom all the good we inioy we haue receiued Are not all things from him Ioh. 1.3 For without him was not made Ioh. 5.17 any thing that was
to know him Ioh. 6.35 Thy Bread and Wine do represent him thy apparell put thee in mind of Rom 13.14 him and thy lying downe resemble his lying downe of his life for thee Is not thy rising vp Rom. 13.14 a type of his resurrection Or by way of allusion might be When thou peâ—pest into thy well-stored Chest it will call to remembrance the Arke of the Couenant for Christ Ioh. 10 7. Ioh. 15.10 Cant 2.1 as it kept the Law of righteousnesse for vs. I am the doore saith he that thy out-going and in-coming might be in his name with his leaue Let the trees of the forrest teach thee the Roses of the field tell thee the light instruct thee and the Rocks Ioh. 1.9 giue thee to vnderstand What obiâ—ct lyable to sence Christ assumes not to himselfe that he might gaine some Or leaue them without excuse who will not lâ—arne Princes and poore persâ—nes point at him Hilles and Valleys are not without referâ—nce to him Bulles and Heifers Rams Lambes Kine Calues when they low and bleate giue some glimpse of him call vnto him Doth God all this for no end No no he would haue vs to looke thorow the creatures as so many opticke glasses more clearely to apprehend the Lord Iesus Christ should be still in our hearts and hands words and actions all Christ nothing but Christ. He who desires to know or affect any person before him equall to him or without him is but carnall For in all relations of husbands Mat. 22 49 wiues children friends We should minde him And where he is formed we must fix our affection on nothing ese no where else Let but a gracious man walke in the desart thus he saith to himselfe in the like place was my Lord tempted Mat 4.1 rest on the toppe of an hâ—lâ— he mindes the mornâ— from whence he ascended Acts. 1.10.11 throw vp his head behold how the winde driues away the darke cloâ—des then he thinkes these are the Charioâ—s which carried away my master And one of these daies he wi l râ—turne rydâ—â—g on them They reioyce his soule as much as Iosephs waggon did his aged father Gen. 4 5.27 when he saw it came to fetch him his Spirit is stirred reviued in him What can I more say How should I mooue thee Induce thee No Satisfâ—ction but by Iesus going to the father without him or hope of heaven but in him Consider now what I haue said 2 Tim. 2.7 and the Lord g ue thee vnderstanding in these things Amen Of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ Not to collect all we might from this two-fold relation we will only insist of this doctrine that Doct. 5 Christ Iesus is mans Saviour I say mans not the Angâ—lâ— 1. For the good they are the elect of God kept their station 1 Tim 5.21 obeyed his command and so are confirmed in a condition of everlasting blessednesse 2. And for the bad they as some will fell from God without any tempter And therfore he left them without a mediator Or as others hold sinned vnto death And so are secluded from all grace mercie Iud. 6. reserued in the everlasting chaines of darkenes against the iudgement of the great day Heb. 2.16 Howeuer it be sure I am that Christ assumed not their nature and therfore he is none of their Saviour And Christ Iesus is mans saviour if we consider his Sufficiencie Efficiencie His Sufficiencie is that whereby he is able to saue the lapsed posteritie of Adam And it consisteth in his two natures the God-head Manhood God our Saviour must be for these following reasons 1 Tim. 2.6 1. That Adams sinne and his satisfaction might be proportionable an infinite iustice being ofended requireth an equall satisfaction Mans sinne was infinâ—te in regard of the obiect Person he offended Christs sufferings are infinite in respect of the dignitie of his Person who satisfied And as finite sinnes infinitly offended the infinite God So finite sufferings infinitly satisfied the infinite God 2. And had not our Saviour bin God how could he haue overcome Sathan Death Hell and all the Churches enemies Luk. 11.22 If a strong man possesse the house a stronger than he must dispossesse him take the spoyle from him This is he Isa 63.1.2 who came from Edom with Garments dyed from Bozrah travailing in his strength speaking in righteousnesse mightie to saue whose apparell was red like him who treadeth the wine fat 3. And what May a suretie vndertake a debt the discharge whereof would bring damage to himselfe were not this Eccle 7.16 to be iust overmuch To exceede and goe beyond our bounds Now of Christ had not bin God how should he haue layd downe his life which tooke was part of the payment and tooke it vp againe without detriment losse to his owne person But being God he might he did And gained glorie by so doing 4. This also was necessarie that the iustice of the Father might certainely be satisfied and mans salvation not contingent doubtfull For Christ the suretie being God it was impossible he should sinne be seduced or fayle in the performance of his promise keeking of his covenant had he bin as Adam was but a meere man he might haue bin overcome by temptation and then the Creditor had come short of his paymenâ— the debtor of his Salvation â—er 17.5 And is not a curse threatned to him who trusteth in man Iob. 15.15 Maketh flesh his arme And was there any stedfastnes found in the very Angels And man Christ must be else no sufficient saviour 1 Iob. 19.25 1. That being our kinsman according to the flesh he might haue a true title and proprietie to redeeme vs who by sinne like Esau haue sold our inheritance Lev. 25.24 And this the Law required for the redemption of a brothers land Ier. 32 7. recovering his possession And raising vp of seed vnto him Ruth 4.4 2. And in that he might be subiect to the Law lyable to passion Gal 4.4 for the God-head is not bound to obedience is impatible neither in any tollerable sence may be reputed accursed 3. It was the Humane nature Heb. 7.22 whereby God was offended that suffered and through the which his iustice was to be satisfied And is not this equall Rom. 3.26 4. Finally he must be man Heb. 2.27 and 4.15 else how could he haue a fellow-feeling of our infirmities Comfort vs in all our miseries And succour them who are tempted It remaineth therfore for an infallible truth that the sufficiencie of our Sav our consisteth in his two natures the man-hood made subiect to passioÌ„ passion And the God-head gaue dignitie to his sufferings Now we are to speak of Christs efficiencie what it is wherin it consisteth The efficiencie of Christ is that wherby he worketh all in all things necessar ly required for mans salvation And it