said fifteene hundred yeres more since The day of the Lord is at hand and yet the world indure we must not suppose those words to be friuolous or frustrate for thereby the Lord doth make manifest vnto vs his infinite wisdome his exceeding mercie in computation of yeares in delaying of the day Because he doth not reckō or record the time according to our knowledge or reason for one day is with him as a thousand yeres and a thousand yeres as one day Psal 90.4 Because hee would not haue vs perish but would all men to come to repentance 2. Pet. 3.9 Because we doo not vse the bountifulnes of his patience long sufferance accordingly Ro. 2.4 in cōsideration thereof our impendent miserie We must yeeld accompt at the latter day of all our sinnes committed in cogitation communication action Our thoughts shall either accuse or excuse vs. Rom. 2.15 Our words shall either iustifie or condemne vs. Matth. 12.37 Our workes shall then haue their due reward Hebr. 9.27 Our great accusers at the yeelding vp of our last account shall be the lawe the diuell our conscience besides that We shall stand belples before so manie Iudges as haue excelled vs in good works We shal be cast by so many euidences as haue giuen vs example of good life We shall bee conuinced with 〈◊〉 witnesses as haue admonished vs with wholsome counsell and by their vertuous deedes haue been patternes for vs to imitate The Pope doth rather prefer than make himselfe equall with the excellencie of our Sauiour Christ He will bee the supreame of all the world exempting himselfe from al obedience to any earthly prince or reuerence to any people when Christ was content to acknowledge the authoritie of the Magistrate in paying toll yea euen to such as were enemies to Religion Matth. 17.27 He giueth out his feete to bee kissed of men euen of Kings and Emperours when Christ did neuer so lay foorth his feete but that hee washed and wiped his poore Disciples feete and that because they should doo as he had done to them Ioh. 13.5 15. He doth of pitie free one or other euerie daie from the parties of Purgatorie when our Sauiour Christ did free none at all from those hellish paines The soule of man doth after death goe either to ioy or paine immediatlie whereof there bee three examples besides manifest proofes that may flatlie refell the erronious opinions of such as falslie affirme there is a Purgatorie The soule of Lazarus receiued into Abrahams bosome Luke 16.22 The soule of the theefe ascending into Paradise Lu. 23.33 The soule of the rich man descending into hel Luke 16.23 These three things are worthie to be continuallie noted The secrets of God are vnsearchable The ioyes of heauen are vnspeakable The paines of hell are intollerable A vertuous man disposeth his waie in this world Prudentlie Penitentlie Prouidentlie To dispose and order things present To consider his misdeedes past To prouide and forsee for things to come S Paul diuideth man into parts Spirit Soule Bodie for then is man fullie sanctified when his minde thinketh nothing when his will couets nothing when his bodie executes nothing contrarie to the will of GOD. Thes 5.23 A godlie Christian ought to liue in this world Barnard Soberlie Iustlie Godlie concerning himselfe concerning his neighbour concerning God That he keep his bodie temperatly without abusing the gifts of God wantonlie or wastfullie That he deale plainly vprightly and charitablie without dissimulation That he presume not too much of himselfe but referre all to Gods good pleasure prouidence A man should not doo amisse saith Augustine If forgetfulnes confound not his memorie If error obscure not his vnderstanding If iniquitie depraue not his will The state of man is three waies to bee considered by creation by fall and sinne by regeneration he was made like to the image of God which image is expounded here Ephes 4.24 he became slaue vnto Sathan so procured the same thraldome to al posterities he is ingrafted into christ by faith and in him hath recouered his former right A man is happie in this world that can Reioyce in aduersitie Beare all crosses patientlie Lament his sinne sorowfullie following the example of Paul 2. Cor. 11.30 Iob. 1. verse 1. Peter Luke 22.62 Euerie man should alwaies bee mindfull of his Creation Conuersation Dissolution Because he is dust to dust he shall returne Gen. 3. Because hee must one daie yeeld accompt of his liuing Eccle. 12.24 Because his end is vncertain and as he falles such iudgement followes Eccl. 11.3 Herein consists the whole duetie of man towards God To feare him To loue him To keepe his commandements for his iustice for his goodnes to confirme it Because it is horrible to fall into his hāds Heb. 10.31 Because hee loued vs first 1. Ioh 4.19 Because those that loue him will keepe his cōmandements 2. Ioh. 5.3 S. Iames willeth euerie man to be Swift to heare Slowe to speake Slowe to wrath Iames. 1.19 No man hath cause to glorie in himself if hee consider what he is of himselfe By Substance By Nature By Knowledge he was made of the dust Gen. 3.7 he is the childe of wrath Ephe. 2.3 he is but a beast Ier. 10.14 For a man to glorie or attribute anie praise to himselfe in anie good attempts it is Vanitie Arrogancie Iniquitie Because of himselfe he cannot think a good thought much lesse doo a good deed 2. Cor. 3.5 Because he attributeth that to himselfe which is proper to GOD for euerie good and perfect gift commeth from aboue Iam. 1.17 Because he doth not acknowledge the giuer thankfullie for all praise and glorie is to be giuen to God Colos 3.17 Herod by abridging God of his glory came to a most miserable end Acts. 12.23 This may abate the hie aspiring mind of man His birth being sinfull Eccl. 10.9 His life being miserable Eccl. 10.9 His body being worms meat Eccl. 10.9 Euerie man must haue a godlie care to liue in this world Because GOD hath commanded he should labour sixe daies Exo. 20.9 Because he is worse than an infidell that prouideth not for his houshold 1. Tim. 5.8 Because he may auoid the inconuenience of idlenes 2. Thessa 3.10 which bringeth much euill Prouer. 12.11 A good Christian ought to be Wise Simple Foolish wise vnto that which is good Rom. 16.19 simple concerning euill Rom. 16.19 foolish in respect of this world 1. Cor. 1.20 Heretickes and erronious persons are verie dangerous to be permitted amongst godlie christians considering Their condition Their corruptiō The season Because they thinke it not enough to erre and doo euill themselues except they drawe others with them as appeareth in Esa 30.10 Wisd 14.21 Because by cōtinuance they will defile manie Hebr. 12.15 For a little leauen leaueneth the whole lūpe 1. Cor. 5.7 Because in these latter times many shall giue heede to Spirits of errour and doctrine of diuels 1. Tim. 4.1 Wicked men are
some question concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper By whom we receiue it with whō we receiue it How oft wee receiue it we ought rather to receiue it at the hāds of the good Minister if it be possible yet we must not reiect the ministerie thereof by the wicked so it be done formallie Artic. pe we maie cōmunicate with euerie one so they be not such as are notoriouslie knowne to be dronkards adulterers and such like for that is prohibited 1. Cor. 5.11 we may receiue at al times so our faith and conformitie bee fit for the same otherwise it will turne to our condemnation saith Paule 1. Cor. 11.27 It is a pitifull nay rather a pestiferous thing to see such placed in the Ministerie as be Ignorant Negligent Impudent in learning in their calling in their liuing For where there is no vision the people perish Prouer. 29.18 For they are accursed that doo the worke of GOD negligentlie Ier. 48.10 For their lewdnes maketh the word of God worse liked of 1. Sam. 2.17 Idle Ministers vnpreaching Pastors and such like are called nothing els but blind watchmen Esa 56.9 domme dogges Esa 56.10 subtile foxes Eze. 13.4 who destroy Gods vine for their own aduantage Godlie Preachers and Pastors will be verie carefull of the sinceritie of their doctrine of the integritie of their liues of all their whole actions that it bee agreeable to the word of God they be cōformable to the same word they bee profitable to the example of others These sayings may moue preachers and such like to be verie carefull watchfull fearefull Because they must one daie yeeld an account of their stewardship Because his bloud shall be required at their hāds that dies in his iniquity thorow their negligence Ezek. 33.6 Because an hard iudgement shall trie him that beareth rule Wisd 6.5 Godlie Preachers Pastors are greatlie to be accepted loued obeyed for their office sake for their workes sake for commandement sake Because they represent the person of God Luk. 9.41 Mar. 10.41 Because they dispose his secretes mysteries 1. Thes 5.13 Because they are appoynted ouerseers and watchers for our soules as those that must yeeld accompt for them Heb. 13.17 S. Peter willeth preachets pastors such like to feed their flock caring for it 1. Peter 5.2 Not by constraint but willinglie Not for filthie lucre but of a readie mind Not as though they were lords ouer Gods heritage but as examples to them S. Paul shewed a most worthie example to preachers and such like by his duetifulnes painfulnes contentment in preaching in labouring in liuing For he ceased not by the space of three yeares to preach and warne euerie one both night and day with teares Acts 20.31 For he wrought with his own handes to minister to his necessities not onelie because he would bee chargeable to none but also to helpe to releeue others 1. Cor. 4.12 For although his liuing was little yet he well accepted of all estates without coueting any mans siluer gold or apparell Acts 20.33 Preachers must teach the word of God whether the people regard it or no Because it may be a testimonie against the vnbeleeuers or neglecters of the same at the latter day Deut. 18.19 Because the Lord will vse the means of his seruāts to make the wicked more faultie to proue his Iere. 7.27 c. Because it is their duetie to bee instant in season and out of season 2. Tim. 4.2 The spirit of prophecying or preaching is sometime giuen to the wicked aswell as the godlie as appeared by Caiphas Iohn 11.51 Saule 1. Sam. 10.10 Iudas the Apostle therefore wee must trie the spirits whether they be of God 1. Ioh. 4 1. The word of God ought not to be exempted from any estate neither ought to be cōtemned in any person in respect of his condition calling or vnworthines professing the same profitable considering God hath called Plowmen from the fields to be Prophets 1. King 19.19 20. Shepherds from the folds to be zealous professors Psal 78.7 Fishermē from their nets to be followers of him Mat. 4.18 We must not condemne or contemne the Ministers of God if by infirmitie they fall into horrible offences for Sathan hath beguiled the most godlie professors as Lot that ancient Patriarke became incestuous Gen. 19.30 Dauid that excellent Prophet committed homicid 2. Sam. 11.25 26 Peter that good Apostle prooued periured Iohn 18.27 It is verie dangerous to despise persecute or conspire the death of the ministers of GOD as may appere by these three examples Iezabel did threaten the death of Eliah yet hee liued and was taken vp into heauen when she died was eaten of dogges 2. King 19.35 36. Saul intended the death of Dauid yet hee escaped and became King but Saul procured his owne death most desperatlie 1. Sa. 31.4 2. Sa. 1.9 15. Herod put to death Iohn Baptist but as his deedes were detestable before God so his end was ignominious to the world for he was eaten to death with wormes Acts 12.13 Preachers Pastors such like of all others are most of all subiect to contempt and enmitie Because Sathan by policie procureth many to a disdaine of their persons as a meane to induce them to a disliking of their doctrine Because the Spirits of error are now spread abroad which wil deceiue the harts of many and cause them to become cursed speakers especially against Gods ministers 2. Tim. 3.2 Because these are those perilous daies wherin it was long sithence prophecied that manie should be despisers of thē which are good 2 Tim. 3 Peter was three times commanded to feede his flocke which is expounded 3. waies with sound doctrine with honest life with good hospitalitie Bar. Ich. 21. This worde behold doth commonlie import some great admiration vnto vs as it is vsed concerning Christ at his Natiuitie Passion Second comming Behold saith the Angel to the Shepheards I bring you glad tidings that vnto you is borne this day a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. Luk. 2.10 Behold at his yeelding vp of the ghost the vaile of the Temple was rent in twaine the earth shaked stones were clouen the graues opened c. Math. 27.51 Behold saith our Sauiour Christ I come shortlie my reward is with me to giue to euerie man as his worke shall be Apoc. 22.12 Christ Iesus came into the world Not as a Iudge but as a Phisition Not as a destroyer but as a Sauiour Not to call the iust but sinners to repentance Christ Iesus descended came as was promised Of the seede of Abraham Of the tribe of Iuda Of the stock of Dauid Beth-lehem brought him forth Nazareth brought him vp Capernaum was his dwelling place Theoph. Christ Iesus was transfigured vpon Mount Thabor Matth. 17.1 was crucified at Ierusalem Heb. 13.12 was taken into heauen at Bethania Luk. 24.50 He liues vpon the earth before his passion 33. yeres after his resurrection 40. daies Acts 1.8 Christ Iesus consisteth of three parts
Godhead Soule Bodie who as touching his humanitie had no father as concerning his diuinitie had no mother It was necessarie that Christ should die That the Scriptures might be fulfilled Matth. 26.56 That hee might bruse the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 That wee might haue life through him 1. Ioh. 4.9 Christ is said to die generallie speciallie valiantlie for all the world 1. Tim. 2.6 for those that beleeue Heb. 9.12 for that he ouercame death Christ had small cōfort of his Apostles when hee was taken prisoner for Iudas betraied him Peter forsware him Al the rest forsook him And a great multitude followed him to his death Some to hurt him Manie to mock him All to see the end of him The benefite wee reape by the death of Christ is great He reconciled vs to his father Colo. 1.20 1. Ioh. 2.2 He redeemed vs from the curse of the lawe Gal. 3.13 He shewed vs an easier way to heauen Matth. 11.30 Christ by his death became for man Curse Sinne Seruile considering The qualitie of his death Deut. 21.23 The integritie of his life Esau 53.9 The equalitie of his estate Phi. 2 It was requisite that Christ should rise againe after death Because he foreshewed it to his Apostle Matth. 17.9 Because his flesh might not see corruption Acts 2.31 Because we might bee iustified thorow him Rom. 4.25 It was necessarie that Christ should ascend after he was risen That he might be fullie glorified Ioh. 7.39 That hee might send downe the Comforter Ioh. 16.7 That he might become our Mediatour Ioh. 17.3 Christ said that the Comforter at his comming should reprooue the world of Sinne. Righteousnes Because they beleeue not in him Iohn 16.8 Because he is gone to his father c. vers 9. Because the prince of this world is iudged 10. Iudgement Christ hath shewen vs a worthie and wonderfull good example of Patience Humilitie Because being oppressed and afflicted hee did not open his mouth but was like a sheepe dumme before the shearer Esa 53.7 Because he tooke vpon him the shape of a seruant being equall with his father Phil. 2.7 Because he laid downe his own life for vs than this what loue can be greater Loue Christ is verie fitlie called a Priest King Because by his onelie sacrifice hee appeased his fathers wrath Because he raigneth ouer all Ioh. 5.22 Because he declared his fathers will Acts. 7.37 Prophet There be 3. things that beare record of Christ in heauen the Father the Word who sent his Sonne which became flesh which proceedes frō both the Holie Ghost 2. Ioh. 57. There be three things that beare witnes of Christ vpon earth Spirit Water Bloud This assureth vs of our Adoption Rom. 8.16 Regeneration Iohn 3.5 Redemption Ephes 1.7 Those that loue Christ must followe after him passe through him drawe neere him because he is the truth because he is the way because he is the life Christ being the truth the way the life manifesteth to vs his Beza Nature Will Office So that in him we must begin continue ende He that will come after Christ must denie himselfe take vp his Crosse followe him wherin is laid before vs Bondage Basenes In denying himselfe In taking vp the Crosse In following Christ Hardnes Barn Christ amased and appeased his enemies three manner of waies By his sound doctrine By his strange miracles By his mild answers Christ descended into hell as may appeare by these places Articl Relig. 3. Psal 16.10 Iohn 20.17 Ephe. 4 9. For so wee cōfesse in the Creede of Nicene Athanasius The Apostles Many produce these directions to approue that the power and not the soule of Christ descended His speach to the theefe vpon the Crosse this daie shalt thou be with me in Paradise His yeelding vp the ghost when he said It is finished Luke 23.43 His agonie in the garden in sweting drops of bloud water For in hell is no redemption Luke 26.26 Christ spake most by parables to the multitude Because by seeing they should see and not perceiue Because by hearing they should heare and not vnderstand Because it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet Matth. 13.35 Mat. 13.13 The great miracles and wonders Christ wrought in this world were done partlie to this end To shewe the great power glorie and goodnes of his father Matth. 15.31 To approue himselfe the sonne of God Acts 2.22 And that he was sent of him Ioh. 11.42 To confirme the authoritie and excellence of his doctrine to winne the vnbeleeuers to it Iohn 2.23 Miracles are often called in the Scriptures Beza Hebr. 2.4 Signes Wonders Signes because they appeare one thing and represent another Wonders because they import some strange vnaccustomable thing Vertues because they giue vs a glimse of Gods power Vertues Three singuler benefites shewen to man by the Father the Sonne the Holie Ghost He sent his sonne for our reconciliation His righteousnes is ours by imputation This proceedeth frō both for our sanctification yet all one vnion It is a singuler comfort vnto vs to consider the exceeding loue of Christ towards vs by that he hath done he still doth Because he did not onelie sacrifice himselfe vpon the crosse for our sakes but also satisfied his fathers wrath for our sins Because he did not onelie suffer for vs but became also a continuall intercessor for vs. Because he hath not onlie saued vs but shall also come to iudge vs. he will doo Such as will presume of the time that Christ shall come to iudgement may be reproued by these places Math. 24.36 Mark 13.32 1. Thess 5 1. For it is not for vs to knowe the times and the seasons the Father hath put in his owne power Acts 1.12 The comming of Christ is of 3. sorts Vnto men Into men Vnto men in the flesh Ioh. 1.14 Into men by his spirit Ioh 14.18 Against men in iudgement Apoc. 22.12 Against men It stands vs not vpon so much to vse disputation of the time of Christes comming to iudgement as to be in a daylie preparation and reformation of our liues considering Euerie mans end is imminent and vncertaine Iam. 4.14 Euerie mans death is his latter daie Hebr. 9.27 Euerie man as he dieth shal be iudged Eccle 11.3 The comming of Christ to iudgement will be fearefull ioyfull to the wicked to the godlie Because that daie is to them the beginning of their woe Because it is to them the full fruition of their felicitie Because of the sodaine alteration of all things to both wonderfull These things doo argue the world to drawe to an end the Figtree charitie Because it florisheth Mat. 24.33 Because it waxeth cold Ma. 24 Because it aboundeth Ma. 24 iniquitie The comming of Christ to iudgement will be of a sodaine As a woman trauailing with child As lightning from the East In the houre we thinke not Be sober and watch for happie are those seruants which the Lord when he commeth shal find waking Luk 12.37 Although it was