Euerie one shal haue reward according to his worke We ought not to condemne or iudge any to bee reprobate albeit to bee without feare of GOD and reuerence of man are signes of reprobation Psal 64. vers 4. c. Because it is a secret only reserued to God therfore he hath said Iudge not that ye be not iudged Matth. 7.1 Iam. 4.12 Because the Lord is not so merciful in forgiuing as he is miraculous in calling making of a persecutor an Apostle as he did by Paule Acts. 9.3 Because the very godly haue been greatly ouergone in this matter as that great Prophet of the Lord Elias in iudging the people of Israel 1. King 19.10 These 3. steppes doo leade vs vnto destruction Barn The dissembling of our weakenes The ignorance of our wretchednes The excusing and perseuering in our wickednes The Scriptures are written for vs That we might knowe the will of God and followe it That wee might beleeue that Iesus is Christ the Sonne of God Ioh. 20.31 That in beleeuing wee might haue life through his name Ioh. 20.31 The whole scriptures are diuided into three parts Bar. Lawe Prophets Gospell The Lawe The Gospel consist in doing in beleeuing This may perswade vs to beleeue the authoritie of the Scriptures to be true Bib. The secret testimonie of the holie Ghost in our hearts which causeth vs to consent thereto The incomprehensible Maiestie of God appearing in the simple and sincere doctrine therein The godlie agreement of all parts together with the orderlie disposition certaintie and successe thereof The Scriptures do set forth vnto vs amongst many other three especiall matters which we ought to remember The frailtie of man and his prone inclination to euill The iustice of God and his seuere punishment appointed for obstinate transgressors The mercie of God and his free pardon promised to penitent sinners Euerie one ought effectually to know and search the holy Scriptures for Knowledge Confirmation Consolation Because the ignorance of them is the cause of all error Because wee must beleeue nothing but that which is approoued by them Acts. 17.11 Because in them is cōtained eternal life We may gather knowledge in the Scriptures three manner of waies By attendant hearing of the same well preached By diligent reading of the same with vnderstanding By continuall conference with such as can open thē Act. 8.30 The word of GOD then draweth vs vnto him Bib. When it is so preached and heard as we vnderstand and learne what is taught thereby When we receiue thankfullie that which is giuen promised and assured therein When we bee moued with desire and diligence to do that which it commandeth The word of God then hath his perfect worke when it is Preached truelie Beleeued faithfullie Followed effectuallie Such as will not beleeue the word of God what followeth If the righteous scarcelie bee saued where shall the vngodlie and sinner appeare 1. Pet. 4.8 Euerie vnfaithfull shall die in his vnfaithfulnes saith Esdras 2. Esdr 15.4 Euerie vnbeleeuer is condemned alreadie Iohn 3.18 and shall be punished with euerlasting perdition 2. Thes 1. Ignorance can no way be excusable For that which maie bee knowne of God is made manifest vnto vs. Rom. 1.19 For those that knowe not the lawe shall perish without the lawe Rom. 2.12 For the offering for ignorant sinnes in the Leueticall law argueth no excuse to be admitted Leuit. 4.2 Our Sauiour Christ describeth by the parable of the Sower three vnprofitable hearers of his word Matth. 13. Such a one as heareth it and vnderstādeth it not by reason the euill one commeth and catcheth it away out of his heart Such a one as heareth it and receiueth it presently with great ioye but when persecution or tribulation commeth by reason of the word hee is offended Such a one as heareth it but the cares of this world and the deceiptfulnes of riches choake it and the same is made vnfruitfull We ought to resort to the Church of God Because his holie mysteries are there laid open which are hid obscure to manie Because we may bee vnited and coupled together by receiuing the Sacraments Because if the Lord hath promised to grant our requestes where two or three bee gathered together in his name how much more will he bee mindfull of a multitude that so assemble themselues The Church of God hath three ancient and excellent ornaments Preaching Praier Sacraments Preaching ingēdreth faith Praier increaseth it Sacraments confirme it The Church or Congregatiō ought to pray for all men without anie difference of Nation kind age or order Beza 1. Tim. 2.3 4. Because the Lord by calling of all sorts yea sometimes those that are the greatest enemies to the Gospel wil haue his Church gathered together after this sort therfore praiers to be made for all Because God should not els bee manifested to be the onlie God of all mē vnles he should shew his goodnes in sauing of al sorts of men Because his Sonne Christ Iesus should not be seen to be the onelie Mediator between God and of all sorts of men by hauing taken vpō him that nature of man which is common to al men vnlesse he had satisfied for all sortes of men and made intercession for all Sacramēts are Signes or badges of christianitie Seales or pledges of our faith Assurances of our saluation whereof there be 2. Baptisme The Lords Supper The Sacrament of Baptisme Bib. Teacheth vs to put on Christ that his righteousnes may couer our sinfulnes Galat. 3.27 Assureth vs wee are so grafted into Christ that all our corruption is cleane washed away Ephes 5.26.27 Chargeth vs to mortifie and die to sinne that wee may become his seruants and liue in mutuall amitie The Sacrament of the Lords Supper Bib. Sheweth vs that the bodie and bloud of Christ crucified is the onelie foode for the regenerate Assureth vs that Christ is whollie ours and that by faith our soules are fed and nourished in him vnto life euerlasting Requireth a thankfull remembrance of his death with vnitie amongst brethrē The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is vnworthelie receiued when we receiue it onelie by the visible signe without regard of the inuisible grace when wee receiue it more of custome than good consideration or more for feare than good affection when we receiue it disorderlie beeing dronken or with a corrupted conscience cōtinuing in malice or enmitie The Sacrament of the Lords Supper must be receiued reuerentlie eaten effectuallie digested thankfullie therefore let euerie one trie and examine his knowledge his faith his repentance Good Ministers are most fit to minister the holie Sacraments yet we may receiue them by the euill Articl Religio 26. Because they do it in Christ his name and not in their owne Because their wickednes cannot take away the effect of the ordinance Because of Christs institution promise so it be receiued rightly by faith These three things are to to bee noted whereof heretofore there hath arrise
verie fitlie compared in the Scriptures to thornes to chaffe to tares Because they be as prickes to procure hurt to the godlie Because as the winde doth scatter the chaffe so shall they be soone cut off from the face of the earth Because as tares are to bee bound in bundels burnt so shall they be in hell fire Wicked men are called by sundrie names and compared in the Scriptures to Foxes to Dogges to beastes Because they are subtill in vndermining doing of mischiefe in so much as the Church requireth to haue the foxes takē awaie Cant. 2.15 Because they are currish in controlling and barking against all goodnes Hereof Paule willeth the Phillip to beware of dogges Phil. 3.2 Because they are prophane in their liues and degenerate frō their kinde worse than beasts So Paule complaineth that hee fought with beastes at Ephesus after the manner of men 1. Cor. 15.32 The wicked and vngodlie are not to be Supported purposelie Accompanied willinglie Condemned vtterlie Because it is abomination before God to iustifie the wicked Prouer. 17.15 Because it is dangerous for hee that toucheth pitch shall be defiled Eccle. 13.1 Because the Lord wil haue mercie on whom he will and when he please Rom 9.15 These sayings maie terrifie such as attempt any euill The face of the Lord is against him 2. Pet. 3.12 Tribulation and anguish shall be vppon his soule Rom. 2.9 There shall be no ende of plagues to him Prouer. 24.20 God tempteth no man to euill but we are drawne to it By the diuell who watcheth to worke our ouerthrowe By our owne concupiscence to consent to his suggestions By vicious companie and ill perswasions of others when we be seduced The Diuell will vndermine vs in our musings if we take not great heed for in them Barn He talketh with vs wittilie He eggeth vs cunninglie Hee deceiueth vs craftelie whom if we resist by faith the Lord will Ouerlook vs fighting Succour vs fainting Crowne vs ouercomming The Diuells haue knowledge after a sort for They beleeue there is a God and feare and tremble Iam. 2.19 They can pleade Scripture for their owne purpose Matth. 4.6 They acknowledge Christes comming to iudgement Matth. 8.29 The Diuell hath three euill properties he is Subtill Strong Cruell as a Serpent as a Lyon as a Tiger For hee can transforme himselfe into many shapes yea into an Angell of light and vse manie shifts to deceiue withall For hee is not so busie in seeking daylie for his pray as he is forcible to resist where he assaulteth For where hee hath any enterance at all he will neuer rest vntill he bringeth to confusion The Diuell vsed three pollicies to tempt Christ in the wildernes perswading him To distrust in God To the desire of riches and honor To a vain cōfidence of himselfe Beza Mat. 20. Wee haue 3. cruell foes that fight against the spirit in this life the Flesh World Diuell The fiercest foe in this fight is the Diuell whō wee may expell with these three weapons Faith Praier the word of God We ought not to followe the lustes of the flesh but leade our liues holilie Beza 1. Pet. 2.11 Because those lusts although they flatter vs yet they cease not to fight against our saluation 2. Cor. 10.3 Because we are citizens in heauen and therefore ought to leade our liues thereafter although we be strangers here Because the glorie of God is greatlie set foorth by that meanes whilest by example of our honest life euen the most prophane men are brought vnto God and submit themselues vnto him There are many walk in this world saith Paul Phil 3.19 Whose God is their bellie Whose glorie is their shame Whose end is damnation The whole world lieth in wickednes 2. Ioh. 5.19 The wretchednes of this world made Salomon say Iob say Paule say The day of death is better than the day one is borne Eccle. 7 3. My soule is cut off though I liue Iob. 10.1 I desire to bee loosed from this life Phil. 1.23 What should we so accompt of this world seeing The fashion of it goes awaie 1. Cor. 7.31 The wisedome of it is mere foolishnes Iob. 37 The amitie of it is enmitie with God Ia. 4.4 Vse this world as though you vsed it not saith Paule 1. Cor. 7. These 3 things may withdrawe a man from desiring long life in this world The wretchednes of his life The grieuousnes of his sinnes The greatnes of his accompt because it is but a continual temptation and full of miserie because they will more increase by cōtinuance because it wil be the more fearefull at the yeelding vp The godlie desire to be out of this world Because it is variable and nothing but vanitie Because of the innumerable euills they are subiect to Because they long to be cloathed with the heauenlie habit Life is verie sweete and so sweete that it hath prouoked the godlie to prolong the safetie of it by shifts Dauid doubting of euill dealing fained himselfe mad to saue his life 1. Sam. 21.13.14 Paule perceiuing their crueltie that would kill him had rather in the night bee let downe in a basket than abide Acts 9.25 Peter fearing death did forsweare his master Iohn 18.27 The faithfull and godlie in this world doo dailie Fight Faint Fall by reason of their Aduersarie Infidelitie Infirmitie Yet they shall not be cast away Psal 37.24 These 3. things are worthie to be considered He that liueth best doth dailie sinne He is happie that hath grace to repent He is blessed to whom God imputeth no sin Although euery man is a sinner yet euerie sinne is not of like consideration for some sinne of Ignorance of Infirmitie of Malice as Paule did 1. Tim. 1.13 as Dauid did 2. Sam. 11.2 c. as Nebuchad-nezzer did Dan. 3.1 Euerie sinner must beware of these three things of procrastination presumption prouocation In delaying the time of repentance Matth. 24.50 In sinning still vpon hope Rom. 6.1 In sinning obstinatlie against the holie Ghost Sinne is nothing els but A sweet poyson A flattering death A destructiō of the soule wherof there be two sorts Original Actuall Adam did further his fall and increase his sinne in the garden three waies By ambition By hypocrisie By impenitencie because he thought to be as God knowing good from euill Gen. 3.6 because hee hid the cause of his nakednes which was the breach of Gods commandements Gen. 3.10 because hee was so farre from acknowledging his transgression that he burdened God with his fault in that hee had giuen him a wife Gen. 3.12 It appeareth by this that sinne is Excerable Detestable Intollerable because it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth Gen. 6.6 because hee destroyeth dumme creatures for our cause Zephan 1. vers 3. because hee would not spare his onelie sonne for our sinnes It is an exceeding comfort to a Sinner to consider That God is as well a father as a Lord. That Christ is as well a
Sauiour as a Iudge That the Scripture include as well a Gospell as a Law Sinners should not dispaire of Gods mercie if they did but perceiue his goodnes which apeareth vnto them By his readines in calling By his worthines in sparing By his vnwillingnes in striking before they crie saith the Lord I will answere and whilest they are yet thinking what to speake I will heare Esa 65.24 he maketh as though he sawe not the sins of men because they should amend Wisd 11.20 he taketh no pleasure in the destruction but in the cōuersion of sinners Ezek. 18.23 What greater comfort can sinners haue sith Christ himselfe saith Aske and ye shall haue Seeke and ye shall finde Knock it shal be opened vnto you I stande at the dore knock c. Apoc. 3.20 He that wil obtaine mercie by true repentance Must acknowledge his sinnes sorowfullie with the prodigall sonne Must shewe a heartie contrition for the same and loath them Must do good workes worthie amendment afterward Asts. 26.20 He that is fullie perswaded of the forgiuenes of his sinnes it behoueth him to remember these three things the mercie of God the subtiltie of Sathan the frailtie of himselfe That he be thankfull vnto him for his gratious goodnesse shewen vnto him by remitting his offences receiuing him into his fauor That hee watch and praie continuallie for the diuell goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whō hee maie deuoure 1. Pet. 5.8 That seeing his own infirmities hee may the rather depende vpon God craue his mercie to increase his faith and strengthē his weaknes or els he shal not be able to withstād the opposite euills he is subiect to God sheweth himselfe to all his people Merciful Good Iust to the elect to the reprobat to both of them In pardoning their sinnes Albeit they cannot feele the sweete comfort of the same In giuing iudgement The Lord wil not reiect the suite of a Sinner neither accept of it vnlesse in asking hee hath a special regard of these three things Of the time Of the manner Of the end For the Lord will not bee found at all times but requireth oportunitie Hereof faith the Prophet Esai seeke the Lord while hee may be found cal vpon him while he is nere Esai 55.6 The fiue foolish virgins cōming too late were excluded Matth. 25.12 For the Lord will not onlie haue such as call vpō him depart from iniquitie but wil also haue their praiers proceed frō the verie hart Then shalt thou call saith the same Prophet to the hypocrites and the Lord shall answere thou shalt crie and he shall say here I am Esai 58.9 For God requireth not only importunitie of vs in asking as appeareth by the woman of Canaan Matth. 15.28 but also respecteth the end of our requestes in asking according to his will otherwise wee maie aske and receiue not because wee aske amisse to consume it on our lustes Iam. 4.3 Hee that will reclaime a sinner must obserue three things in handling of him which the Apostle S. Peter practised with the Iewes Acts. 3.13 14 15 17 29. Demonstration of the matter Reprehension of the offence Exhortation to the sinner In shewing him by the word of God it is a sinne that it may so appeare vnto him whereby he may the better acknowledge it before God In reproouing him by the iudgements of GOD pronounced against the same that hee may both heare the punishment he hath worthelie deserued and also thereby be the more terrified from attempting euill In perswading him by the promises of Gods mercie that he may not onelie bee driuen from dispaire but also by that meanes bee drawne to amendement The same notable example of Manasses in his conuersion doth minister singuler matter to euerie Sinner wherein he may note three speciall causes for his comfort 1. That GOD will punish the wicked that he intendeth to saue that by this meanes they may seeke him by repentance according to that same saying of the Psalmist When he slew them they sought him and returned and sought God earlie Psal 78.34 2. That the mercie of GOD is verie great who although he will not suffer sinne to passe vnpunished yet hee is readie to forgiue though it be verie grieuous as he hath promised by the Prophet Esaias to such as heartilie repent Esai 5.7 8 9. 3. That those whom GOD hath thus called are not to returne to their sinnes as the dogge to his vomite but as becommeth newe borne children to liue in holines and righteousnes all the daies of their life Luke 1.75 The manifold examples in the Scriptures of the falling and rising of the godlie were done of God amongst other considerations to this end For the glorie of himselfe For the good of them For the profite of others Because he will haue his power knowne to preuaile aboue his Creatures that it is hee that can make them rise and fall at his good pleasure Because he wil haue their owne imperfections infirmities appeare vnto them what they are of them-selues if hee doth faile them but a little to the ende they should not presume of themselues but altogether depend vppon his prouidence and mercie Because such as bee almost drowned in the deapth of their sinnes should not fall into desperation cōsidering the verie elect haue offended most horriblie but that they should bee incouraged therby to call for grace seeing his hād is not yet shortned but that he can helpe others as hee did those Esai 59.1 Euerie particuler example is not sufficient to prooue or establish a generall doctrine for then wee might beleeue 3. things lawfull which are not to be allowed That women might minister the Sacramēts because Zipporah did circumcise her sonne Exod. 4 25. That wee ought to praie for the dead because Iudas did so 2. Mac. 12.44 That wee may desperatlie kill our selues because Razis did so whō the author of the Maccha much commendeth 2. Maccha 14.41 God sometimes suffereth his seruants yea the most godlie to bee vexed with Sathan That they should not be puffed vp with any presumption of themselues That they may be made perfect by that continuall exercise 1. Cor 12.9 That they ought the more earnestlie to be instant in praier God trieth his children many waies in this world sometimes By prosperitie By pouertie By persecution To see if they will repose more felicitie in their goodes than in him that gaue them as he did by Abrahā in offering his sonne Gen. 22.1.2 To see if they wil not as patientlie depart from their goods as he was willing to bestow them as he did by Iob by taking away all he had Iob. 1. To see if they will rather denie him than die in his defence as hee did by manie Prophets Apostles and godlie Martirs God keepeth his children commonlie in this world sparinglie That they may not be too proud with prosperitie That by this meanes they may the better fee their owne miserie That thereby