offerings Isa 61 8 Wherefore let no man deceiue you hee that doth righteousnesse is righteous as he is righteous but he that committeth sinne is of the Divell 1 Ioh. 3 7. Hag. 2 11 12. Isa 29 1.58.4 66 3 1 11. Amos 2 8.5 25 21. Leu. 26 31. Zâ—ch 7 5 Mal 1 7 1 13. Ier. 6.20 7 22 14.12 Psal 50 9 40 6. Hos 6 6 4 19. Mark 12 33. Luk. 11.41 Ob. Blessed be thou of the LORD for I haue kept the Commandements of GOD 1 Sam. 15 13. Haue done many things Mark 6 20. And haue been zealous for the Lord of Hosts 2 Kin. 10.16 Hos 12 8. A. What meaneth then this bleating of the sheepe in mine eares and the lowing of the Oxen which I heare 1 Sam. 15.14 For in thee haue they set light by Father and Mother in the middest of thee haue they dealt by oppression with the stranger in â—hee haue they vexed the Fatherlesse and â—he Widdow Thou hast despised my Holy things and hast prophaned my Sabbaths In thee are Men to carry tales to shedde bloud in the middest of thee they commit Lewdnesse Ezek. 22 7. Wherefore I haue a few things against thee Revel 2.20 As well as against ISRAEL who feared the LORD and made vnto themselues the lowest of them Priests of the High-places They feared GOD the LORD and served their owne Gods they feared not the Lord 2 King 17 32. For the feare of the LORD is to hate evill as pride arrogancy and every evâ—ll way Prou. 8 13. And therefore cursed art thou if thou confirme not all the words of this Law to doe them and all the people shall say Amen Deut. 27 26 4 2.6.17.12.32.18.13 Iam. 1 26 2.10.3 9 10. Ezek. 18 10. 2 Cor. 8 â—1 2 King 22.2 Ob. I deny not but doe freely confesse Murther and Adultery to be grievous sins deseruing death now then if I can acquit my selfe of such sinnes I shall doe well enough A. You haue heard that it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the iudgment But I say vnto you that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the iudgement and whosoever shall say to his Brother Racha shall bee in danger of a Counsell and whosoever shall say thou Foole shall be in danger of Hell fire You haue heard also that it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not commit Adultery But I say vnto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart Math. 5 21 27. ver And for every idle word that men shall speake they shall giue an account thereof in the day of Iudgement Math. 12 36. Ezek. 16.49 1 Chron. 13.9.2.32.24 1 Sam. 6.19 1 King 20 35. Numb 20.12 Deut. 32.50 Ob. What a preciseâ—â—â—sse call you this For what if now and then I meeting with a good fellow or two doe make my selfe merry with them and doe follow some other trickes of youth A. Wo be vnto you that call evill good and good evill that put darknesse for light and light for darknesse that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter Isa 5.20 You are they which iustifie your selues before men but GOD knoweth the hearts for that which is highly esteemed among men is abhominable in the sight of GOD Luk. 16 15. The shew of your Countenance doth witnesse against you and you declare your sinne as Sodome and hide it not woe vnto you for you haue rewarded evill vnto your selues Isa 3.9 Ier. 6.15 2.35 Prou. 14.12.16.25 Ob. You are very rash in iudging for who but God knoweth the heart A. Doth not the Eare try words And the mouth tast his meat Iob. 12.11.34.3 Even a Child is knowne by his doings whether his worke be pure and whether it be right Prou. 20.11 For doth a Fountaine send foorth at the same place sweet water and bitter Can a Figge-tree beare Oliue berries Either a Vine Figges So can no Fountaine yeild salt water and fresh Iam. 3 11. Luk. 6 43. Math. 12 33 7.16 Ob. Notwithstanding your shew of precisenesse if your faults were written in your forehead we should haue much worse things to say of you A. Speake not evill one of another Brethren he that speaketh evill of his Brother and iudgeth his Brother speaketh evill of the law and iudgeth the law but if thou iudge the Law thou art not a doer of the law but a Iudge There is one Lawgiuer who is able to saue and to destroy who art thou that iudgest another Iam. 4 11. Iudge not that yee be not iudged For with what iudgement yee iudge yee shall be iudged and with what measure yee mete it shall be measured to you againe Math. 7 1. Ob Thou seemest to restraine wisdome to thy selfe but what knowest thou that we know not Or what vnderstandest thou that is not in vs Iob 15 8.15 2. A. If yee know these things happie â—re yee if yee doe them Ioh. 13 17. Thy Father iudged the cause of the poore and needy then it was well with him was â—ot this to know me saith the LORD Ier. 22 16. For behold the feare of the LORD that is Wisedome and to depart from evill is vnderstanding Iob 28 28. You professe you know him but in Workes you deny him being abominable and vnto every good worke reprobate Titus 1 16. And how doe yee say wee are wise and the law of the Lord is with vs Yee haue reiected the Word of the Lord nnd what wisdome is in you Ier. 8 8.5 4. Iam. 3 13. Prou. 3 17. Luk. 12 47. Iam. 4 16 3 17. Rom. 2 17. 1 Ioh. 2 4. Ioh. 15 22 9 1. Prou. 26.12.26 16. CHAP. LIII The wicked Convinced of judgement Ob. IT should seeme this man hath seene some vision or hath had some other extraordinary reuelation Therefore watch man what of the night Watchman what of the night Isa 21.11 A. The watch-man said The morning commeth and also the night Isa 21 12. And are yee come to inquire of mee As I liue saith the Lord GOD I will not bee inquired of by you Ezek. 20 3. Beware yee despisers and wonder and perish for I worke a worke in your dayes a worke which yee shall in no wise beleeue though a man declare it vnto you Acts 13 40. Habac. 1 5. Now therefore bee not mockers least your hands bee made strong for I haue heard from the LORD GOD of hostes a consumption even determined vpon the whole Earth Giue yee eare and heare my voyce hearken and heare my speech Isa 28 22. Then said I Ah LORD GOD they say of mee Doth hee not speake parables Ezek. 2â— 49. 14 7. Ob. But when went the Spirit of the LORD from our Ministers vnto thee 1. King 22 24. Who doe say to vs yee shall not see the Sword neither shall yee haue Famine but the LORD will
vntill some common Iudgement come vpon our whole Land I shall doe well enough A. If thou continue thus presumptuously to sinne the LORD shall separate thee vnto evill out of all the Tribes of ISRAEL according to all the Curses of this Covenant that are written in this booke of the Law Dâ—uteronomie 29 21. As well as he did ACHAN who for his sinne was by all ISRAEL stoned with stones and his goods with all that hee had burned with fire Ioshua 7 25. Woe therefore bee vnto thee wilt thou not bee made cleane When shall it once bee Ieremiah 13.27 CHAP. LIIII Of the Wicked Converted Q. IF our sinne guiltinesse deserue such inevitable Iudgements goe thou neere and heare all that the LORD our GOD shall say and speake thou vnto vs all that the LORD our GOD shall speake vnto thee and wee will heare it and doe it Deuteron 5 27. A. The LORD hath heard the voyce of your words and said vnto mee I haue heard the voyce of the words of this people which they haue spoken vnto thee they haue well said all that they haue spoken O that there were such an heart in them that they would feare mee and keepe my Commandements alwayes that it might bee well with them and with their Children for ever Deuter. 5.28 But yee dissembled in your hearts when yee sent me vnto the LORD your God saying Pray for vs vnto the LORD our GOD and according to all that the LORD our GOD shall say so declare vnto vs and wee will doe it And now I haue this day declared it vnto you but yee doe not obey the voyce of the LORD your GOD nor any thing for the which hee hath sent me vnto you Now therefore know certainly that yee shall dye by the Sword by the Famine and by the Pestilence in the place whether yee desire to goe and to soiourne Ier. 42 20. For yee cannot serue the LORD for hee is an holy GOD he is a iealous God he will not forgâ—â—e your transgressions and sinnes Ioshua 24.19 How long then halt yee betweene two opinions If the LORD bee GOD follow him but if BAAL then follow him 1 King 18.21 And hearken to mee yee men of ENGLAND that GOD also may hearken vnto you Iudg. 9.7 Giue glorie to the Lord your GOD before hee cause darknesse and before your feet stumble vpon the darke Mountaines while yee looke for light hee turne it into the shadow of death and make it grosse darknesse But if yee will not heare it my Soule shall weepe in secret places for your Pride and mine eyes shall weepe sore and runne downe with teares because the LORDS Flocke is carried away captiue Ierem. 13 16. Q. Wee haue indeed besides all other Sinnes dissembled with the LORD but now the Lord GOD of Gods the Lord GOD of Gods hee knoweth Iosh 22 22. that him will wee serue and his voyce will wee obey Iosh 24.24 The LORD bee a true and faithfull witnesse betweene vs if we doe not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy GOD shall send thee to vs. Whether it bee good or whether it bee evill wee will obey the voyce of the LORD our GOD to whom wee send thee that it may bee well with vs when wee obey the voyce of the Lord our GOD Ierem. 42 5. Iosh 24 21 24. A. Then gird your loynes and lament yee Priests howle yee Ministers of the Altar come lye all night in Sackcloath yee Ministers of my GOD c. Sanctifie yee a Fast call a solemne Assembly gather the Elders and all the inhabitants of the Land into the house of the LORD your GOD and cry vnto the LORD Ioel 1 13. Ier. 4.14 Zeph. 2 1. Ioel 2 12 â—5 Iona 3 8. Ioel 1 13. Psal 46 8. Lam. 2 14. Ioel 2 17. Iam. 4 8. Saying Wee acknowledge our wickednesse and the iniquities of our Fathers for wee haue sinned against thee Ierem. 14 20. Wee haue sinned and haue committed iniquitie and haue done wickedly and haue rebelled even by departing from thy precepts and from thy Iudgements Neither haue wee hearkened vnto thy servants the Prophets which spake in thy Name to our Kings our Princes and our Fathers and to all the people of the Land O LORD righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee but vnto vs confusion of faces as at this day because of our trespasse that wee haue trespassed against thee Dan. 9 5. O our GOD wee are ashamed and blush to lift vp our face to thee our GOD for our iniquities are increased over our head and our trespasse is growne vp vnto the Heavens And now O our GOD what shall wee say after this For wee haue forsaken thy Commandements Ezra 9 6 10. O LORD wee beseech thee let now thine eare bee attentiue to the Prayer of thy servants who desire to feare thy Name and doe confesse our sinnes which we haue sinned against thee both we and our fathers house haue sinned Nehe. 1.11.16 And haue gone astray like lost sheepe therefore seeke thy seruants for we will not forget thy Commandements Psalm 119.176 Turne vs againe O GOD of hosts and cause thy face to shine and we shall be saued Psal 80.7 Doe thou incline our heart vnto thee to walke in thy wayes and to keepe thy Commandements and thy statutes and thy Iudgements which thou commandedst our Fathers 1. King 8.58 That which we see not teach thou vs if wee haue done iniquitie wee will doe no more Iob. 34 32 13 23. Psalme 80.18 Psalme 143.8 2 Doe you take hold of his strength that you may make peace with him and you shall make peace with him Isa 27.5 And thereby good shall come vnto thee Iob. 22.21 And because no man commeth vnto the Father but by CHRIST Iohn 14.6 Nor vnto CHRIST except the Father draw him Iohn 6 44 Therefore pray saying Draw me we will run after thee Can. 1 4 3 Wash yee make you cleane put away the evill of your doings from before mine eyes cease to doe evill learne to doe well seeke Iudgement releeue the oppressed iudge the Fatherlesse plead for the Widdow Come now and let vs reason together saith the LORD though your sinnes bee as scarlet they shall bee as white as snow though they bee red like Crimson they shall bee as Wooll Isa 1.16 Yet the LORD will wait that he may haue mercy vpon you and therefore will he bee exalted that he may haue compassion vpon you for the LORD is the GOD of Iudgement Isa 30 18. Hosea 13.9 Ezekiel 33 11. Zach. 1.3.8.16 Ier. 18 11. Mal. 3.7 Psal 4 4. Eccl. 12.23 1 King 8 61. Isa 66 1.2 4 Beeing thus conuerted you should enter into a Covenant with the LORD your GOD and into his oath which the LORD your GOD shall make with you so shall he establish you this day for a people vnto himselfe and be vnto you a God as he hath said vnto you and as hee hath swore vnto your Fathers Deut. 29 12. Nehemiah 9.38 2 Chronicles 15.12.23.3 2 Chronicl 29.10.34.31 Ezra 10.3 Q. Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken Isa 39 8 Wee doe therefore enter into a Covenant that we will be the Lords people 2 Chron. 23.16 And wee our Wiues our Sonnes and our Daughters even every one of vs having knowledge and vnderstanding doe heere enter into a Curse and into an Oath to walke in GODS Law which was given by MOSES the Servant of GOD and to obserue and doe all the Commandements of the LORD our GOD and his Iudgements and his Statutes Neh. 10.28 The Lord our God will wee serue and his voice will wee obey Iosh 24.24 Nehem. 9.38 A. Then haue you delivered your selues out of the hand of the Lord Iosh 23 31. And as you haue avouched the LORD this day to bee your GOD and to walke in his wayes and to keepe his Statutes and Commandements and his iudgments and to hearken vnto his voyce so the LORD hath avouched you this day to bee his peculiar people as he hath promised you and that you should keepe all his Commandements and to make you high aboue all Nations which he hath made in praise and in name and in honour and that yee may be an holy people vnto the LORD your GOD as hee hath spoken Deuter. 26.17 And these very stones shall bee a witnesse vnto you for they haue heard all the words of the LORD which hee hath spoken vnto you they shall bee a witnesse vnto you least yee deny your GOD Iâ—sh 24.27 For this cause wee also will not cease to pray for you and to desire that yee may bee filled with the knowledge of his will in all Wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding that yee may walke worthy of the LORD vnto all pleasing beeing fruitfull vnto every good worke and increasing in the knowledge of God Col. 1 9. Now the GOD of peace that brought againe from the dead our LORD IESVS that great Shepheard of the Sheepe through the bloud of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good worke to doe his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through IESVS CHRIST Heb. 13.20 And our LORD IESVS CHRIST himselfe and GOD even our Father which hath loved vs and hath given vs everlasting consolation and good hope through Grace comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and worke 2 Thes 2 16. Now vnto him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding ioy to the onely wise GOD and Saviour be Glory and Maiesty Dominion and Power now and ever Iud. 24. And now Brethren I commend you to GOD and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are Sanctified Acts 20.32 The Grace of our Lord IESVS CHRIST bee with you all Amen Revel 22.21 FINIS
CHAP. I. The Preface or Introduction Question HOw was Man created Answer 1. In knowledge after the image of him that created him Col. 3.10 Who taught him more than the beasts of the earth and the fowles of the heauen Iob 35.11 2 He was created after God in righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4.24 3 In dignity he was made a little lower than the Angels and was crowned with glory and honour and was made to haue dominion ouer the worke of Gods hands who did put all things vnder his feet Ps 8 5.6 Gen. 1.28 Q. Did he continue so A. No for hee did eate of the tree of knowledge of good and euill of which the Lord said thou shalt not eat of it Gen. 2.17 3.6 whereby he like man transgressed the couenant and trespassed against God Hos 6.7 And so sinne entring into the world all men by him haue sinned Rom. 5.12 Q. What followed this his transgression A. 1 Mans vnderstanding is thereby darkned and hee is become a stranger from the life of God through the ignorance that is in him Ephes 4.18 Col. 1.21 Rom. 3.11 euen a beast by his owne knowledge Ier. 10.14 51.17 and like a wild Ass◠colt Iob 11.12 and much worse Isai 1.3 wise hee is to doe euill but to doe good hee hath no knowledge Ierem. 4.22 and in the thing he professeth himselfe to be wise hee is become a foole Rom. 1.22 and 8.5 2 Cor. 3.5 2 Mans will is thereby also peruerted for hereby the wickednesse of man is great in the earth and euery imagination of the thoughts of his heart is onely and continually euill Gen. 6.5 8.21 And there is no iust man on earth that doeth good and sinneth not Eccles 7.20 There is none righteous no not one c. they haue all gone out of the way they haue been made altogether vnprofitable there is none that doeth good no not one c. Rom. 3.10 12. And if any man say he hath not sinned hee maketh him a lyer and the truth is not in him 1 Iohn 1.10 For who can say I haue made my heart cleane I am pure from my sinne Prou. 20.9 And what is man that hee should bee cleane or the sonne of man that he should be iust Iob 15.14 This therefore haue I found that God hath made man righteous but he hath sought many inuentions Eccles 7.29 Iob 25.4 and 14.4 Isa 1.5 6. Rom. 7.18 3 The wages of sinne is death Rom. 6.23 For as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed vpon all men Rom. 5.12 and reigned from Adam to Moses euen ouer them also that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression Rom. 5.14 Iob 17.14 CHAP. II. Christ promised Q. DId God leaue man thus A. No For he made a promise afore by his Prophets in the holy Scriptures concerning his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Rom. 1.2 Q. Which was the first of that kind A. That which was made to Adam and Eue concerning whom God said vnto the Serpent I will put enmity betweene thee and the woman and betweene thy seede and her seede It shall breake thine head and thou shalt bruise his heele Gen. 3.15 Q. Shew me some more of them in the manner they were propounded A. 1 Without exception of doubt saying The Lord thy God will raise vnto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy brethren like vnto mee Deut. 18.15 Hee will bring foorth his seruant the branch Zach. 3.8 And the man whose name is the branch hee shall grow vp out of his place Zach. 6.12.13 and shall bee King ouer you and you shall haue one shepheard Ezech. 37.24.34.24 Ier. 33.17 2. As vncertaine when and long to come For saith Balaam I shall see him but not now I shall behold him but not nigh there shall come a Star out of Iacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel and shal smite the corners of Moab and destroy the children of Sheth Numb 24.17 3 In a time determined The Scepter saith Iacob shall not depart from Iudah nor a lawgiuer from betweene his feete vntill Shiloh come Gen. 49.10 And after threescore and two weekes 〈…〉 was the Messiah to be cut off Dan. 9.26 4 As neere at hand The Lord saith Malachi whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his Temple euen the Messenger of the Couenant whom yee delight in behold he shall come saith the Lord of hosts Mal. 3.1 5 As if already come For vnto vs a child is borne vnto vs a sonne is giuen and the gouernement shall be vpon his shoulders and his name shall be called wonderfull Counceller the mighty God the euerlasting Father the Prince of peace Isay 9.6 6 By the place where For saith Micah and thou Bethlahem Ephrath though thou be little among the thousands of Iudah yet out of thee shall hee come foorth vnto me that shall be ruler in Israel whose goings forth haue beene from of old from euerlasting Micah 5.2 7 By the manner how which was with much humility For saith Isaiah hee shall not cry nor lift vp nor cause his voyce to be heard in the streetes Isa 42.2 But he shall be poore and riding vpon an Asse and vpon a Colt the foale of an Asse Zech. 9.9 And he shall grow vp before him as a tender plant and as a roote out of a dry ground he hath neither forme nor comelinesse when we shall see him there shall be no beauty that we should desire him Isa 53.2 8 By his parentage I will saith God raise vnto Dauid a righteous branch Ier. 23.5 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Iesse and a branch shall grow out of his roote Isa 11.1 For behold a Virgin shall conceiue and beare a sonne and thou shalt call his name Immanuel Isa 7.14 16.5 Ier. 33.15 CHAP. III. Christ exhibited Q. VVEre these promises fulfilled A. This day these Scriptures are fulfilled in your eares Luke 4.21 For when the fulnesse of time was come God sent his Sonne made of a woman Gal. 4.4 And of the seed of Dauid hath he according to his promise raised vnto Israel a Sauiour Iesus Acts 13.23.3.18.13 33. Ob. These are but idle tales and who so foolish to beleeue them A. Behold ye despisers and wonder vanish away for I haue wroght a worke in your dais a work which ye shal not beleeue if a man would declare it vnto you Act. 13.41 Ob. All you can say in this matter is but by flying reports than which what is more vncertaine A. We haue not followed cunningly deuised fables when wee made knowne vnto you the power and comming of our Lord Iesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his Maiesty 2 Pet. 1.16 For the life was made manifest and we haue seene it and beare witnesse and shew vnto you that eternall life which was with the Father was made manifest vnto vs c. 1 Ioh. 1.2 c. Act. 26.23 Q.
euer them that are sanctified whereof also the holy Ghast is a witnesse Heb. 10.14 15. Not that Christ should offer himselfe often as the high Priests entred into the holy place euery yeere with the blood of others for then must he often haue suffered since the foundation of the world But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Heb. 9.25.10.18 Q. Is then the guiltinesse and punishment of sin taken away by Christ A. This is a faithfull saying and worthy all acceptance that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 And you know that he was made manifest that he might take away our sins 1 Ioh. 3.5 who his own selfe bare our sins in his own body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2.24 which was prefigured by the scape-gote Leu. 16.21 22. Thus it is written and thus it behoued Christ to suffer and that remission of sinnes should bee preached in his name among all Nations beginning at Ierusalem Luke 24.26.27 Be it knowne vnto you therefore men and brethren that through this man is preached vnto you the forgiuenesse of sinnes Act. 13.38 Math. 9.2 1.21 Reuelat. 1.5 6. Ioh. 1.29 Ob. By what authority did hee these thing And who gaue vnto Christ this authority to forgiue sinnes Math. 12.23 Mar. 2.7 A. As no man tooke this honour to himselfe to offer for sin but he that was called of God as was Aaron So also Christ glorified not himselfe to bee made an high Priest but hee that said vnto him Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten thee he gaue it him Heb. 5.4 And hath exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and Sauiour for to giue repentance vnto Israel and forgiuenesse of sinnes Act. 5.31 But that yee may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgiue sins he saith to one sicke of the palsie I say unto thee arise and take vp thy bed who immediatly arose and took vp his bed and went forth among them all Mar. 2.10 c. Q. What witnesses can you produce to conuince vs of remission of sinnes by Christ A. Caiaphas though his enemy yet being high priest professed that Iesus should dye for the Nation of â—he Iewes and not for that Nation only but that also hee should gather together in one the Children of God that were scattered abroad Ioh. 1â— 51 52. To whom also giue all the Proâ—hets witnesse That through his name whosoeuer beleeueth in him should receiue remission of sinnes Acts 10.43 This is hee that came bâ— water and blood euen Iesus Christ not by water onely but by water and blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spâ—rit is truth For there are three that beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one And there are three that beare witnesse in earth the Spirit and water and blood and these three agree in one Ioh. 15.6 c. Q. But wil God make good their testimony A. If we confesse our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinne 1 Ioh. 1.9 For when Dauid said vnto Nathan I haue sinned Nathan said vnto Dauid The LORD also hath put away thy sinne 2 Sam. 12.13 Isa 6.5 c. 2 Chro. 7.14 Mat. 18.26 27. Luk. 15.18 c. Q. Is there no forgiuenesse of sinne without confession A. Hee that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper onely hee that confesseth and forsakes his sins shall haue mercy Pro. 28.13 For saith Dauid When I kept silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long c. I acknowledged my sinne vnto thee and mine iniquity haue I not hid I said I will confesse my transgressions and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sinne Psalm 32.3 c. Luke 15.18 Q. What are the sinnes which God for Christs sake will forgiue A. He will cleanse them from all their iniquities whereby they haue sinned against him and he will pardon all their iniquities whereby they haue sinned and whereby they haue transgressed against him Ier. 33.8 And the blood of Iesus Christ his Son cleanseth vs from all sinne 1 Ioh. 1.7 Psal 130.8 85.2 Q. How farre foorth doth God forgiue sinnes A. To the vtmost extent thereof For 1 God was in Christ reconciling the world vnto himselfe not imputing their trespasses vnto them 2. Cor. 5.19 2 As not seene For he hath not beheld iniquity in Iacob neither hath hee seene peruersenesse in Israel Numb 23.21 Whereby when the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for there shall be none and the sinnes of Iudah and they shall not be found c. Ierem. 50.20 Isa 38.17 Psalm 85.2 Ezek. 16.8 3. As not remembred For he will be mercifull vnto our vnrighteousnesse and our sinnes and iniquities wil he remember no more Heb. 8.12 4 As far away remoued For as heauen is high aboue the earth so great is his mercy towards them that feare him as farre as the East is from the West so farre hath he remooued our transgressions from vs Psal 103.11 12. 5 As swallowed vp He will turne againe hee will haue compassion vpon vs hee will subdue our iniquities and cast all their sinnes into the depth of the sea Micah 7.19 7 As a cloud vanished Hee hath blotted out as a thicke cloude our transgressions and as a cloude our sinnes Isai 44.22 7 As a writing defaced I saith God euen I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions Isai 43.25 Q. Why is the curse of sinne with the guilt taken away by Christ A. GOD sent not his Sonne into the World to condemne vs but that wee through him might bee saued Iohn 3.17 For surely hee hath borne our griefes and carried our sorrowes c. Hee was wounded for our transgressions hee was bruised for ouri-niquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed c. Isa 53.4.5 There is therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 For he hath redeemed them from the curs of the Law by being made a curse for them as it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on a tree Gal. 3.13 Rom. 5.14 c. Ioh. 3.17 Q. What moued the Lord through Christ to take away our sinnes A. We haue redemption through his blood the forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace Ephes 1.7 And for his owne names sake 1 Ioh. 2.12 If the Lord indeed should marke iniquities who should stand But there is forgiuenesse with him that he may be feared Psalm 130.3 4 Ezech. 20.44 Isa 43.21 Q. What would you infer vpon this so rich and plentious grace of God A. Euen as Dauid who describeth the blessednesse of the man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without works saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen and whose sinnes are couered Blessed is the man vnto whom the Lord will not impute sinne Romans
Rom. 5.1 Who is our peace and hath broke downe the middle wall of partition betweene vs hauing abolished in his flesh the enmity euen the Law of commandements contained in ordinances for to make to himselfe one new man and so making peace Eph. 2.14 whereby in Christ Iesus we who sometimes were farre off are made nigh by the blood of Christ and by him we haue an accesse by one spirit vnto the Father Ephes 2.13 Col. 1.21.2.14 2 Cor. 5.19 1 Tim. 2.5 Isa 26.3 27.4 2 Thes 3.16 Q. May not this peace and agreement once made be againe lost A. Peace I leaue with you my peace I giue vnto you not as the world giueth it giue I vnto you Ioh. 14.27 For this is as the waters of Noah for as I haue sworne that the waters of Noah should no more go ouer the earth so haue I sworne that I will not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee for the mountaines shall depart and the hils shall be remoued but my kindnesse shall not depart from thee neither shall the couenant of my peace be remooued saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Isa 54.9 Numb 25.12 Isa 9.7 Phil. ◠7 Q. What other grace hath this peace with God attending it A. Ioy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 whereby the meeke shall ioy in the Lord and the poore among men shall reioyce in the holy one of Israel Isa 29.19 And shall be full of ioy with his countenance Act. 2.28 And be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse Psal 63.5 By meanes whereof Iob had songs in the night Iob 35.10 And Dauid was made exceeding glad with Gods countenance Psal 21.6 Nehe. 12.43 Psal 33.21 Ier. 4.2 Psal 104.34 Ioh. 15.11 17.13 Psal. 89.15 Isa 65.18 Acts 8.39 16.34.13.52 Psa 4.7 Isa 9.3 Q. What followeth vpon this our peace and ioy in God A. 1 Peace with men For then shall they beat their swords into plowshares and their speares into pruning hookes nation shal not lift vp sword against nation neither shall they learne warre any more Isa 2.4 The wolfe shal dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lie downe with the kid and the calfe and the young lyon and the fatling together and a little child shall lead them Isa 11.6 The hatred of Ephaim shall depart and the aduersaries of Iudah shall be cut off Ephraim shall not enuy Iudah neither shall Iudah vex Ephraim Isa 11.13.65.25 Micha 4.3 Zech. 3.10 Gen. 21.27 Zech. 9.10 Isa 66.12 2 Peace with all other creatures For they are at league with the stones of the field and the beasts of the field they are at peace with them Iob. 5.23 Because God hath established his couenant with them and with their seed after them and with euery liuing creature of the fowle of the cattell and of euery beast of the earth Gen. 9.9 and with the creeping things of the ground Hosea 2.18 And the feare of them and the dread of them shall bee vpon euery beast of the earth vpon euery fowle of the ayre vpon all that moueth vpon the earth vpō al the fishes of the sea into their hand are they deliuered Gen. 9.2 Ob. You tell me of peace and ioy but behold trouble and sorrow Ier. 4.10 A. You now haue sorrow but your hearts shall reioyce and your ioy shall no man take from you Ioh. 16.22 For light is sowne for the righteous ioy for the vpright in hart Ps 97.11 Marke the perfect man behold the vpright for the end of that man is peace Psal 37.37 And though now the earth be moued and though the mountaines fall into the middest of the Sea though the waters thereof rage and be troubled and the mountaines shake at the surges of the same yet there is a riuer whose streame shall make glad the Citty of God Psalme 46.2 Whereby they shall lift vp their voyce and shall shout for the magnificence of the Lord and shall reioyce Isa 24.14 Q. What are the means whereby this ioy and peace with God and the creature may be maintained A. 1 Pray saying The Lord of peace giue vs peace alwayes by all meanes 2 Thes 3.16 That wee may see the good of thy chosen that we may reioyce in the gladnesse of thy Nation that we may glory with thine inheritance Psal 106.5 Let the righteous be glad let them reioyce before thee yea let them exceedingly reioice Ps 68.3.51 8.5.11.40.16.48.11.122 6.7 1 Sam. 25.6 2 The worke of righteousnesse is peace Isa 32.17 And to as many as walke according to this rule Peace shall be on them Gal. 6.16 I will therefore heare what God the Lord will speake for he will speake peace vnto his people and to his Saints but let them not turne againe to folly Psal 85.8 For the wicked are like the troubled Sea when it cannot rest whose waters cast vp mire and dirt There is no peace saith my God to the wicked Isa 57.20.48.22 Rom. 8.6 14.17 Iames 3.18 2 Corinth 13.11 3 If you would haue peace with men prouide things honest in the sight of all men If it be possible as much as lyeth in you liue peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 And therefore seeke peace and pursue it Psal 34.14 And follow hard after the things that make for it Rom. 14.19 4 Would you haue peace with the creatures To the pure all things are pure Titus 1.15 And euery creature of God is good if it be receiued with thankesgiuing For it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer 1 Tim. 4.4.5 CHAP. VII Adoption and Regeneration Q. What followeth vpon our iustification and reconciliation A. To be the children of God through faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 3.26 For to as many as receiued him to them hee gaue this prerogatiue to be his sonnes euen to them that beleeue in his name Ioh. 1.12 Who came to redeeme vs that were vnder the Law that wee might receiue the adoption of sonnes Gal. 4.5 Behold therefore what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the sonnes of God 1 Ioh. 3.1 Math. 5.9 Reuel 21.7 Ob. This seemes to be no great matter for they liue in no such outward pompe nay their condition seemes to be worse than other mens Psal 73.5 A. The Kingdome of God is not of meat and drinke Rom. 14.17 nor commeth with obseruation neither shall they say Lo heere or lo there for behold the Kingdome of God is within you Luke 17.20 and is all glorious there Psal 45.13 Q. But what portion and inheritance hath God for such as be his children A. The Father loueth the Sonne and hath giuen all things into his hand Ioh. 3.35 In whom we also haue obtained an inheritance Ephes 1.11 For if we bee children then are we heyres heyres of God and ioynt-heires with Christ Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.7 Psal 16.5 Ob. This belonged vnto Abraham and to his seed but not to the sinners of the Gentiles A. If you be Christs then are you
Abrahams seede and heyres according to promise Gal. 3.29 Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children but in Isaac shall thy seed be called that is they which are the children of the flesh they are not the children of God but the children of the promise are counted for the seede Rom. 9.7 Now wee brethren as Isaac was are the children of promise Gal. 4.28.3.7 1 Pet. 3.6.1.2.10 Luk. 19.9 Mat. 3.9 Ioh. 8.39.47 Hos 1.10.2.23 Isa 65.1 Ob. This priuiledge may concerne some great personages of the Gentiles but not such abiect and dispised persons as I am A. Hearken my beloued brethren hath not God chosen the poore of this world rich in faith and heires of the Kingdome which he hath promised to them that loue him Iames 2.5 For you see your calling how that not many wise men after the flesh nor many mighty nor many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of the world confound the things that are mighty aâ— base things of the world and things whâ— are despised hath God chosen yea thiâ— which are not to bring to nought thiâ— that are that no flesh should glory in presence 1 Cor. 1.26 Isa 66.2 Ob. If I could doe some thing woâ—thy of such a reward there were thâ— some hope A. God hath called vs not according workes but according to his own purpose aâ— grace whieh was giuen vs in Christ Iesâ—â— before the world began 2 Tim. 1.9 For 〈◊〉 promise made to Abraham that he shoâ— be the heyre of the world was not to â—braham and his seed through the Law 〈◊〉 through the righteousnesse of faith For they which are of the Law be heires faith made voyd the promise made of none â—fect Ro. 4.13.11.5 Luk. 17.7 Tit. 3.3 Ob. Notwithstanding it will not oâ— of my minde but that it is my well dâ—ing if at all that must enter mee in this estate A. This perswasion commeth not of him that calleth you Gal. 5.8 For God sent foorth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that are vnder the Law that we might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Gal. 4.4.5 And therefore tell me you that desire to be vnder the Law doe you not heare the Law For it is written Cast out the bondwoman and her sonne for the sonne of the bondwoman shall not be heyre with the sonne of the freewoman Gal. 4.21 Gen. 21.10 Q. How comes it then to passe that wee miserable creatures should be so highly exalted A. We haue not chosen him but he hath chosen vs Ioh. 15.16 And hath predestinated vs vnto the adoption of children by Iesus Christ to himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will Ephes 1.5.11 For behold the heauen and the heauen of heauen is the Lords the earth also with all things that therein is Only the Lord hath a delight in vs hath chosen vs aboue al people as it is this day Deu. 10.14 Isa 60.21 Rom. 11.5 Ob. Can it bee imagined that meâ— instamped with the diuels image should become the children of God A No For there are also giuen vnto vs great and precious promises that 〈◊〉 these ye might be partakers of the diuine nâ—ture hauing escaped the corruption that 〈◊〉 in the world through lust 2 Pet. 1.4 Wherby we haue put off the old man witâ— his deeds and haue put on the new maâ— which is renewed in knowledge after thâ— image of him that created vs Col. 3.9 Anâ— are changed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 Q. What are the causes by which this Image of God is wrought in vs A. 1 Principall efficient the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3 18. For we are borne not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Ioh. 1.13 That which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the Spirit is Spirit Ioh. 3.6.8 Tit. 3.5 2 Instrumentall the word For of his owne will begat hee vs with the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures Iames 1.18 Being borne againe not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liueth and abideth for euer 1 Pet. 1.23 3 Ministring the Preachers who do beget vs by the Gospell 1 Corinth 4.15 And doe trauell in birth vntill Christ bee formed in vs Gal. 4.19 Isa 66.8 1 Cor. 9.1.2 Q. How may we know our selues to haue this image and so to be the children of God A. By these markes wee know that we are of God when yet the whole world lyeth in wickednesse 1 Ioh. 5.19 1 God himselfe hath sealed vs and hath giuen the earnest of the spirit in our hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 which spirit beareth witnesse with our spirits that wee are the children of God Rom. 8.16 2 Hee that beleeueth on the Sonne hath the witnesse in himselfe that hee is borne of God 1 Ioh. 5.10.5.1 3 He that is of God heareth Gods word Iohn 8.47 And as new borne babes doâ— desire that sincere milke of the Word thaâ— he may grow thereby 1 Peter 2.2 4 If you know that hee is righteous you know euery one that doth righteousnesse iâ— borne of him 1 Iohn 2.29 And being new borne hee doth not commit sinne because his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sinne because hee is borne of God In thiâ— therefore are the children of God knowne and the children of the diuell whosoeuer doth not righteously is not of God 1 Ioh. 3.9.3 Epist 11 Rom. 8.14 5 Loue is of God and euery one that loueth is borne of God and knoweth God 1 Iohn 4.7 6 Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God Mat. 5.9 But if you haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts glory not and lye not against the truth Iames 3.14 For your spot is not the spot of his children they that are such are a crooked and peruerse generation Deut. 32.5 Hosea 1.9 Deut. 32.32 33. Iohn 8.44 Isa 57.3 Q. What may this priuiledge of being the children if God teach vs A. 1 To pray that the eyes of your vnderstanding being inlightned ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance is in the Saints and what is the exceding greatnesse of his power to vsward who beleeue according to the working of his mighty power Ephes 1.18 2 To call no man your father on earth for one is your father in heauen Math. 23.9 But be yee followers of God as deare children For yee were once darknesse now are yee light in the Lord walke as children of the light Ephes 5.1.8 And let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heauen Math. 5.16 Mal. 1.6 1 Pet. 1.17 Ephes 4.30 3 To
There is a reward for the righteous Q. BVt suppose wee haue Gods acceptance is this all wee shall haue for our well doing A. Hee that soweth righteousnesse shall also haue a sure reward Prou. 11.18 And euery man shall receiue his owne reward according to his owne labour 1 Cor. 3.8 Whether hee be bond or free Ephes 6.8 So that hee which followeth after righteousnesse and mercy findeth life righteousnesse and honour Prou. 21.21 For behold the Lord God will come with strong hand and his arme shall rule for him Behold his reward is with him and his worke before him Isa 40.10 So that a man shall say verily there is a reward for the righteous verily he is a God that iudgeth the earth Psalm 58.11 Prou. 19.8.24.4.21.21 Iob. 34.7 c. Therefore Vzziah so long as he sought the Lord God made him to prosper 2 Chro. 26.5 Hezechiah also wrought that which was good and right and true before the Lord and prospered 2 Chro. 31.20 17.3 Numb 25.11 Math. 26.13 Exod. 1.21 Zech. 3.7 Gen. 22.16 Ierem. 35.18 Heb. 11.5 Gen. 18.17.19.24.12 with 26.2 Chro. 14.7 c. 2.13 18 Psal 18.20 Ob. Much good is done which God may neither see nor obserue A. The Lord searcheth the heart and tryeth the reines euen to giue euery man according to his wayes and according to the fruite of his doings Ierem. 17.10 For hee is the great and mighty God the Lord â—f host is his name great in counsell and mighty in worke for his eyes are open vpon all the wayes of the sons of men to giue euery one according to his wayes and according to the fruite of his doings Ier. 32.18 And doe runne to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16.9 Psal 111.5 Ob. But may not God forget our weldoing A. God is not vnrighteous to forget your worke and labour of loue which yee haue shewed towards his name in that you haue ministred to the Saints and doe minister Heb. 6.10 For he remembred his holy promise and Abraham his seruant Psal 105.42 And when they that feared the Lord and speake often one to another the Lord hearkened and heard it and a booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought vpon his name Mal. 3.16 I haue waited long and yet hauâ— no reward A. Yet bee not weary in weldoing foâ— in due season you shall reape if you faint not Gal. 6.9 For how euer the sonne of man be aâ— one gone into a farre countrey to receiâ—â— vnto himselfe a kingdome yet will he returne Luke 19.11 And come in the glory of his Father with his Angels and theâ— hee shall reward euery man according to hiâ— workes Mat. 16.27 Therefore turne thou to thy God keep mercy and iudgement and waite on thy Goâ— continually Hos 12.6 Ob. As for works of mercy wherein I doe part with my goods the more good I doe for others the lesse good remaines to my selfe A. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth The liberall soule shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himselfe Prou. 11.24.25 Hee which soweth bountifully shall reape bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 Giue and it shall be giuen vnto you good measure pressed down shaken together running ouer Luke 6.38 For God is able to make all grace to abound towards you that you hauing sufficiency in all things may abound in euery good worke As it is writen Hee hath dispersed abroad he hath giuen to the poore his righteousnesse remaineth for euer 2 Cor. 9.8 Psalm 112.9 1 Kings 17.16 Isa 32.8 Psalme 41.1 Q. Why will God thus reward our weldoing in this kind A Because the administration of this seruice not onely supplieth the want of the Saints but is abundant also by many thankesgiuing vnto God whiles by the experiment of this minsteration they glorifie God for your professed subiection vnto the Gospell of Christ and for your liberall distribution vnto them 2 Cor. 9.12 Math. 5.16 Q. What is the vse of this A. 1. To confute the scorner for what man is he then who drinketh vp scorning like water which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity and wâ—keth with wicked men For hee saith profiteth a man nothing that hee shouâ—â— delight himselfe with God Iob 34.7 And what profit is it that we haue kept hâ— ordinances and that we haue walked mourâ—fully before the Lord of hosts whicâ— call the proude happie and say that sucâ— as worke wickednesse are set vp yea theâ— that tempt God are euen deliuered Where as they that feare mee shall be mine saitâ— the Lord of hosts in that day when I maâ—â— vp my Iewels and I will spare them as man spareth his owne son that serueth him Then shall ye returne and discerne between the righteous and the wicked between him that serueth God and him that serueth him not Mal. 3.14 Thefore hearken vnto mee yee men of vnderstanding far be it from God that he should doe wickednesse and from the Almighty that hee should commit iniquity For the worke of man shall be render vnto him and cause euery man to finde according to his waies Iob 34.10 Mal. 2.17 2 Pray saying Remember me O my God concerning this and wipe not out my â—ood deedes that I haue done for the house â—f my God and for the offices thereof Neh. 13.14 Doe thou O Lord recompence my workes and giue vnto mee a full reward Ruth 2.12 And let thy mercy be vpon me according as I hope in thee Psal 33.22 3 Be strong therefore and let not your hands be weake for your worke shall be rewarded 2 Chron. 15.7 And as euery man hath receiued the gift euen so minister â—he same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God 1 Pet. 4.10 Because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall blesse thee in all thy workes and in all that thou puttest thine hand vnto Deut. 15.10 And shall also recompence thee at the resurrection of the iust Luke 14.14 Deut 14.29 Gal. 6.10 Eccles 11.1 Hebrews 13.2 Colloss 3.24 Prou. 3.28 1 Tim. 6.17 Isa 3.10 Q. Among other good works shew mee how the works of charity must be done that so I neither neglecting thâ— worke nor faile in the manner of doing them may bee sure not to faileâ— my reward A. Take heed that you doe not your almâ— before men to be seene of them otherwiâ—â— you haue no reward of your Father which in Heauen But when thou doest thiâ— almes c. let not thy left hand know whâ— thy right hand doeth that thine almâ— may bee in secret and thy Father whicâ— seeth in secret himselfe shall reward thâ— openly Math. 6.1.16 And whatsoeueâ— you doe doe it heartily as to the Lord aâ—â— not vnto men knowing that of the Lord yâ—â— shall receiue the reward of the inheritance for yee serue the Lord Christ Col. 3.23 2 Hee
him deny himselfe and take vp his crosse and follow me For whosoever shall saue his life shall loose it and whosever will loose his life for my sake shall find it For what is a man profited if hee gaine the whole world and loose his owne soule And what shall a man giue in exchange for his soule Math. 16.24 Know yee not that they which runne in a race runne all yet one receiveth the prize So runne that you may obtaine And every one that proveth masterie abstaineth from all things and they doe it to obtaine a corruptible Crowne but wee for an incorruptible 1. Cor. 9.24 Therefore indure hardnesse as a good souldier of IESVS CHRIST No man that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life that he may please him who hath chosen hâ—m to be a souldier And if a man also striue for a masterie yet is he not crowned except he striue lawfully The husbandman that laboureth must first be partakers of the fruits Consider what I say and the Lord giue thee vnderstanding in all things 2. Tim. 2.3 Math. 10.37 Q. When wee haue done what we can will our well-doing merit Heaven A. Not by workes of righteousnesse which we haue done but according to his mercy he saveth vs by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which hee shed on vs abundantly through IESVS CHRIST our Saviour that being iustified by his Grace wee should be made heyres according to the hope of Eternall life Tit. 3.5 Ephes 2.8 CHAP. XVIII Of eternall Death Q. YOu haue well satisfied me concerning the happinesse of the Saints after the day of Iudgment shew me also more fully what shall then bee the punishment of the wicked A. They shall see Abraham Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of GOD and themselues thrust out Luk. 13.28 2. They shall be delivered to the tormentors Math. 18 34. who shall bind them hand and foot Math. 22 13. and cast them into a furnace of fire Mat. 13.42 which is vnquenchable Math. 3.12 The place is deepe and large the pile thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the Lord of hosts like a streame of brimstone doth kindle it Isa 30 33. There they shall be scorched with great heat so as they shall blaspheame the name of God which hath power over these plagues There shall be great darknesse and they shall gnaw their tongues for paine Reuel 16.9 10. For they shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of GOD which is powred out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and they shall bee tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lambe And the smoake of their torment ascendeth vp for ever and euer and they shall haue no rest day nor right Reu. 14.10 For their worme shall not dye neither shall their fire be quenched Isa 66.24 Even as Sodome and Gomorrha and the Cities about them in like manner giving themselues over to Fornication and going after strange flesh are set foorth for an example of suffering the vengeance of Eternall fire Iud. v. 7. Iob. 21 30. Math. 13 42. Psal 119.155.9 17. Ier. 17 13. Math. 8 12. Ob. This is but a meere scar-crow and therefore wee will goe on and prosper A. O serpents the generation of vipers how can yee escape the damnation of Hell Math. 23.33 For doe you commit such things and doe you thinke to escape the Iudgement of GOD Rom. 2.3 Haue yee not asked them that goe by the way And doe yee not know their tokens That the wicked is reserved to the day of Destruction they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath Iob 21.29 Ob. It may be the base rabble cannot escape Hell but my greatnesse will beare me out well enough A. Riches profit not in the day of wrath Prou. 11.4 For Dives though rich went to Hell when as Lazarus though poore was caried into Heaven Luk. 16.23 Moreouer Tophet is ordained of old for the King it is prepared Isa 30 33. Therefore Hell hath inlarged it selfe and hath opened his mouth without measure and their glory and their multitude and their pompe and he that reioyceth among them shall descend into it Isa 5.14 For God accepteth not the person of Princes nor regardeth the rich more than the poore for they are all the worke of his hands Iob 34 19. Luk. 10.15 Ob. These teâ—rours may concerne Turkes and Papists and Pagans but for such as liue in the bosome of the Church they shall neuer as I hope be touched with them A. Euen in the Church also there are many called but few chosen Math. 20 16. As in a great house there are vessels not onely of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth and some to honour and some to d shonour 2. Tim. 2 20. And the children of the Kingdome shall be cast out into outer darknesse Math. 8.12 For the Sonne of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his kingdome all things that offend and them that doe iniquitie Math. 13 41. These are the tares which shall be bound in bundles to â—e burnt Math. 13 30.13 47.3.7 8.10 1â— Ob. Lord haue we not eaten and drunken in thy presence and hast thou not taught in our streets Luk. 13 26. And haue not most of thy mighty workes beene done amongst vs Math. 11.20 A. Woe vnto thee Corazin woe vnto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty workes which were done in you had beene done in Tire and Sidon they would haue repented long agoe in sack-cloathand ashes But I say vnto you it shall be more tollerable for Tire and Sidon at the day of Iudgement then for you And thou Capernaum which art exalted vnto Heaven shalt bee brought downe to Hell for if the mighty workes which haue beene done in thee had beene done in Sodome it would haue remained vntill this day But I say vnto you that it shall be more tollerable for the Land of Sodome in the day of Iudgement than for thee Math. 11.21 Ob. But Lord haue wee not Prophesied in thy Name and in thy name cast out Devils Math. 7.22 A. I professe vnto you I neuer knew you depart from me yee workers of iniquitie Math. 7.23 Q. What then may the condemnation of Hell teach vs A. Therefore dearely beloued avenge not your selues but giue place vnto wrath for it is written vengeance is mine I will repay it saith the LORD Rom. 12 19 Math. 7 1. Eccl. 3 17. 2 Knowing the terror of the Lord we perswade men 2. Cor. 5 11 to mortifie their members which are vpon the earth fornication vncleannesse inordâ—nate affection evill concupisence and couetousnes which is idolatry for which things sake the wrath of God commeth on the children of disobedâ—ence 3 Col. 5 And enter yee in at the straight gate for wide is the Gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and
to see Gods Children walking in the truth Ioh. 3. Epist 4. And are aliue if they stand fast in the Lord 1. Thes 3 8. Phil. 2.7 2. Chron. 29 36. 6 By loue towards Gods Ministers For Paul doth beare record vnto the Galathians that they would haue plucked out their owne eyes and given them to him Gal. 4 15. Priscilla also and Aquila haue for his life laid down their owne necks Rom. 16 3.4 2. Tim. 1.16 1. King 18 4. 7 Loue to Gods people I could wish saith Paul that my selfe were accursed from CHRIST for my Brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh Rom. 9 3. And if saith Moses to GOD thou wilt not forgiue their sins blot me I pray thee out of thy booke which thou hast written Exod. 32 32. 2. Cor. 9 1 2 8 1 2. 2 Zeale of disliking affections For Lot that righteous man dwelling among them of the old world in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous Soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deeds 2. Pet. 2.8 And doe not I hate them O Lord that hate thee and am I not grieved with them that rise vp against thee I hate them with a perfect hatred I count them mine enemies Psal 139 21. The zeale of thine house hath eaten mee vp and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen vpon mee Psal 69 9. Psal 119 53. Psal 119 136 139 158. vers Act. 17 16. Ier. 9 2. Exod. 32 19. Nehem. 13.21 25.1 4. Isa 30.22 Num. 25 8. Rom. 15 3 9. 2 Phil. 3 18. Ezra 9 3. Dan. 10 2. 1 Sam. 4 18 21 22. Q. What may wee learne from all this A. Not to be sloathfull to doe service but to be fervent in Spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12 11. And to be valiant for the Truth vpon the Earth Ier. 9 3. Knowing that if you loose your first loue God will remoue your Candlesticke out of his place Revel 2 4. And if you shall bee luke-warme hee will spew you out of his mouth Revel 3 16. CHAP. XXIII Of Charity Iustice and Content Q. BVt with our loue to GOD shall wee also haue charitable hearts vnto men A. You are taught of God to loue one another 1. Thes 4 9. whereby the Charity of every one of you all one towards another aboundeth 2. Thes 1 3. Q. Wherein shall our Charity towards our Brethren bee exercised and exprâ—ssed A. 1 Towards their Soules 1 As STEPHEN who prayed for his persecuters crying with a loude voyce Lord lay not this sinne to their charge Act. 7.60 And as DAVID who when his Enemies were sicke his cloathing was Sack-cloath hee humbled himselfe with fasting Psal 35 13. And as ABRAHAM for ABIMILECH Gen. 20 17. MOSES for PHARAOH Exod. 8 12. for Israel Exod. 17 11. and for MIRIAM Num. 12 13. 1. Sam. 12 18. 1. King 13 6. Dan. 9 20. Zach. 1 12 13. Acts 12 5. 2 As DAVID Psal 32 8. and SALOMON Prov. 1 2. and IOB who instructed many and strengthened the weake hands Iob 4 3 So to bee a guide of the blind a light to them which are in darknesse an instructer of the foolish a teacher of Babes Rom. 2 19. In meeknesse instructing those also that oppose themselues if God per aduenture will giue them Repentance 2. Tim. 2 25. 2 Towards their Bodies and therein first Let them be as thine owne bowels in the Lord Phil. 20. That so thy bowels may sound like a Harpe as for Moab and thy inward parts as for Kirharesh Isa 16 11. Saying looke away from me I will weepe bitterly labour not to comfort me because of the spoyling of the Daughter of my people Isa 22 4. For how can I indure to see the destruction of my kindred Esther 8 6. Iob 30 25. Ier. 9 1 48 31. Psal 35.13.14 2 Sam. 1 11 c. 2 In keeping Hospitalitie as did the old man of mount Ephraim who comming from his worke and lifting vp his eyes hee saw a way faring man in the street of the Citie hee brought him into his house and gaue provander to the Asses and they washed their feet and they did eate and drinke Iudg. 19 16 21 ver And as the Brethren of Ierusalem who gladly receiued PAVL with other Disciples of Samaria and of his company Acts 21.16 And as OBADIAâ— who tooke an hundred Prophets and hid them by fiftie in a Caue and fed them with Bread and water 1 King 18 4. 2 Sam. 6.19 Acts 16.34 3 In giuing Almes For TABITHA was full of good Workes and Almes-deeds which she did Act. 9.36 CORNELIVS also gaue much Almes to the people Acts 10.2 And the Disciples every man according to his abilitie sent reliefe vnto the Brethren which dwelt in Iudea and sent it to the Elders by the hands of BARNABAS and SAVL Act. 11.29 We doe you also to â—it Brethren of the grace of God bestowed â—n the Churches of Macedonia how that 〈◊〉 great tryall of affliction c. their deepe poverty abounded vnto the riches of their liberalitie For to their power I bare record yea and beyond their power they were willing of themselues 2 Cor. 8.1 2 Cor. 9.1 2 Tim. 1.16 Acts 20.34 Rom. 16.1 2. Act. 4.32 Psal 37.21 2 Chro. 28.15 Thus the righteous considereth the cause of the Poore but the wicked regardeth not to know it Pro. 29.7 For they will send the Widowes away empty and the armes of the Fatherlesse will they breake Iob 22.9 Iob 24 6. Amos 2.7 2 Sam 23.7 Prou. 12.10 Iudg. 5.23 2 Chro. 19.2 Isa 32 6. Q. What therefore must wee doe A. Seeing yee haue purified your soules in obeying the truth through the Spirit vnto an vnfained loue of the Brethren see that yee loue one another with a pure heart fervently 1 Pet. 1 22. And bee yee followers of God as deare children and walke in Loue as CHRIST also hath loued vs Ephes 5 1. That as you abound in every thing in faith in vtterance and knowledge so that yee abound in this Grace also For yee know the Grace of our Lord IESVS CHRIST that though hee was rich yet for your sakes he became poore that yee through his poverty might bee made rich 2. Cor. 8 7 Remembring also his words how that hee saith It is a blessed thing to giue rather then to receiue Act. 20 35. 1. Tim. 6 18. Pro. 17 17 14 21 14 31. Luk. 14 12. 1. Pet. 4 8. 1. Cor. 16 1 2.2 8 13. 1 Thes 4.9 10. Zach. 7 9 Iudg. 1 7. 1 Sam. 15 33 Leu. 19 33 25 35. 1 Ioh. 4 20. Nehem. 8 10. Deut. 15 7. Mâ—th 5.42 Ioh. 15 12. Of Iustice Ob. I haue obserued some men who haue beene very open handed in releeuing the poore who yet haue made no Conscience to defraud the rich A. Surely Righteousnesse and Mercy shall meete together Psal 85 10. For I will also make thy officers peace and thine exactors righteousnesse Isa 60 17. Yea thy people shall bee all Righteous Isa 60 21. And
Ioh. 1 47. Gen. 24 40. Psal 116 9. 2 King 20 3. Acts 24 16. Of Hypocrisie Q. Is this any common Grace A. Helpe Lord for the godly man ceaseth for the faithfull faile from among the children of men They speake vanity every man with his neighbor with flattering lips and with a deceitfull heart doe they speake Psal 12 1 28 3. Their mouth is ful of deceit and fraud they sit in the lurking places of the villages Psal 10 7. There is no faithfulnes in their mouthes their inward parts are very wickednes their throat is an open sepulture they flatter with their tongues Psal 5 9. Prou. 20 14. Dan. 11 34. Ier. 5 26. As Iudas who betrayed his master with a kisse Mat. 26 49. And as Ioab who tooke Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kisse him and slew him with the other 2 Sam. 20 9. Gen. 49 21. Ioh 12 6.1 Sam. 18 17. So the house of Iacob saith God doe seek me daily and delight to know my waies as a nation that did righteousnesse and forsooke not the Ordinances of their GOD they aske of me the Ordinances of Iustice they take delight in approaching to GOD Isa 58 2. and yet they bend their tongue like their bow for lyes but they are not valiant for the truth vpon the Earth Ier. 9 3. Neyther haue they cryed vnto me with their harts when they howled vpon their beds Hos 7 14. And though they say the Lord liueth yet do they sweare falsely Ier. 5 2. They returne vnto me not with their whole heart but fainedly saith the Lord Ier. 3 10 Isa 59 13. Hos 8 2. 2 Tim. 3 5. For when he slew them they sought him Neverthelesse they flattered him with their mouth and lyed vnto him with their tongue for their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his Covenant Psalm 78 34. c. Math. 23.5 14 25 verses 2 King 10 31. 1 Sam. 26 21 1 24 17. Ob. It should seeme this grace of Sinceritie is very rare and yet who wil not say my heart is vpright Stand apart come not neere me I am holier than thou Isa 65 5. A. Most men will proclaime every man his own goodnesse but a faithfull man who can find Prou. 20 6. All the wayes of a Man are cleane in his owne eyes but the LORD pondereth the spirits Pro. 16.2 He that is first in his owne cause seemeth iust but his Neighbour commeth and searcheth him out Prou. 18 17 25 14. And therefore if any man seeme to himselfe to be somewhat when hee is nothing hee deceiueth himselfe Galath 6 3.2 King 10 15. Q. What is the danger of Hipocrisie A. Shall not I visit for those things saith the Lord shall not my soule bee avenged on such a Nation as this Ier. 5 29. Yea cursed shall he be that smiteth his neighbour secretly and all the people shall say Amen Deut. 27.24 So that the Hypocrites hope shall be cut off and their trust shall be a Spiders web Hee shall leane vpon his house but it shall not stand hee shall hold it fast but it shall not endure Iob 8 13. Psal 12 3. Q. Wherein then lyes the difference betwixt the estate of the Hypocrites and the true Nathaniels in whom is no guile A. Hee that walketh vprightly walketh surely but he that perverteth his way shall be knowne Prov. 10 9.28 18. The integritie of the vpright shall guide them but the perversnesse of the transgressors shall destroy them Prou. 11 3 5 6. By the blessing of the vpright the Citie is exalted but it is overthrowne by the mouth of the wicked Prou. 11 11. For lying lippes are abomination to the Lord but they that deale truly are his delight Prou. 12.22 And therefore better is the poore that walketh in his Integritie than hee that is perverse in his lips and is a foole Prou. 10 29.14.2.19 1.14 5.13 6. Psal 84 11. Ob. But such become great and doe waxe rich they wax fat they shine Ier. 5.28 A. What is the hope of the Hypocrite though he haue gained when God taketh away his soule Will God heare his cry when trouble commeth vpon him Will hee delight himselfe in the Almighty Will hee alwayes call vpon God Iob 27.8.8.13 11 20. Pro. 10.28 Q. What may this teach vs A. Because as in the water face answereth face so the heart of man to man Prou. 27.19 Therefore let euery man proue his owne worke and then shall he haue reioycing in him selfe alone and not in another Gal. 6.4 2 Beware yee of the leauen of the Pharises which is Hipocrisie Luk. 12.1 Let loue bee without dissimulation Rom. 12 9. And be yee perfect with the Lord your God Deut. 18.13 Not to bee almost but altogether such as PAVL was Acts 26.29 That so you may bee able to say Search mee O God and know my heart and try mee and know my thoughts see if there bee any way of wickednesse â—â—me Psal 139.23.26 1. Math. 6 1. 3 Pray saying Let my heart be sound â— thy statutes that I be not ashamed Psal 119.80 Draw me not away with the â—icked and with the workers of Iniquitie â—hich speake peace to their Neighbours but mischiefe is in their hearts Psal 28. â— O continue thy loving kindnesse to them that know thee and thy righteousnes in the vpright in heart Psal 36.10 4 Take yee heed every one of his neighâ—â—ur and trust yee not in any Brother for â—very Brother will vtterly supplant and â—very Neighbour will walke in slaunders â—â—d they will deceiue every one his neighâ—â—â—r and will not speake the truth They haue taught their tongues to speake â—yes and weary themselues to commit iniquitie Ier. 9.4 Put yee not confidence in a guide keepe the doores of thy Mouth from her that lyeth in thy bosome Micha 7.5 But learne of CHRIST who did not commit himselfe vnto the Iewes because hee knew all men for hee knew what was in Man Ioh. 2 24. The simple man indeed beleeveth every word but the prudent man looketh well to his goings Pro. 14 15. Esa 59 14. Ier. 12.6 Of Perseverance Q. Sinceritie I doe confesse to bee a singular Grace gracing all the rest but what assurance can you giue mee of perseuering therein Iob 27.10 A. The path of the Iust is a shining light that shineth more and more vnto the perfect day Prou. 4 18. If therefore that which you haue heard from the beginning shall remaine in you you also shall continue in the same and in the Father 1. Ioh. 2.24 who shall establish you an holy people vnto himselfe as hee hath sworne vnto you Deut. 28 9. And shall confirme you vnto the end that you may be blamelesse in the day of our Lord IESVS CHRIST 1 Cor. 1 8. Psal 84 7. For the Converts continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship and in breaking Bread and in Prayers Acts 2 42 And the Church of Thiatira Her last workes were more
reason of the enemy and avenger All this is come vpon vs yet haue wee not forgotten GOD neyther haue wee dealt falsely in his Covenant Our heart is not turned backe neyther haue our steps declined from his way Though hee hath sorely broken vs in the place of Dragons and covered vs with the shadow of Death Psal 44.15 Woe is me saith IEREMIE for my hurt my wound is grievous But I said truly this is a griefe and I must beare it Ier. 10 19. I IOHN am also your Brother and Companion in tribulation and in the Kingdome and patience of IESVS CHRIST Rev. 1 9. Take therefore my Brethren the Prophets who haue spoken in the name of the LORD for an example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Iames 5 10. 2 Timoth. 2 5. Psalm 119.83 141 143 39 9.123 2 38 12 13. Isa 26 8 39 8. 1 Sam. 26 19 2 15 25 2 16 11. Iob. 1.21 1 Corinth 4 12. Q. Why what will a mans patience profit him A. Behold wee count them happy which indure You haue heard of the patience of IOB and haue seene the end of the Lord that the Lord is verie pittifull and of tender mercy Iam 5.11 And so ABRAHAM after hee had patiently endured hee obtayned the promise Heb. 6.15 Blessed therefore are all they that wayte for him Isa 30.18 For the Lord is good vnto them that wait for him to the soule that seeketh him It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord Lam. 3.25 In your patience possesse yee your soules Luk. 21.19 And let Patience haue her perfect worke that yee may bee perfect and intire wanting nothing Iam. 1.4 And take my yoke vpon you and learne of mee for I am meeke and lowly in heart and you shall find rest vnto your Soules Math. 11.29 And it shall be said in that day loe this is our GOD wee haue waited for him and hee will saue vs this is the Lord wee haue waited for him wee will be glad and reioyce in his Salvation Isa 25.9 Therefore waite on the LORD bee of good cheere and hee shall strengthen thine heart waite I say on the Lord Psal 27 14. Saying why art thou cast downe O my Soule and why art thou disquieted within mee Hope in GOD for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God Psal 43 5.42.11.62.1.2 Q. By what meanes may this Grace of patience bee attained A. 1 If any of you lacke Wisedome let him aske of GOD that giveth to all men liberally and vpbraideth not and it shall be given him Iam. 1.5 2 This is my comfort in my Affliction for his Word quickneth me Psal 119.50 And if my delights had not beene in his Word I had perished in mine Affliction Psal 119 92. 3 I remembred his Iudgements of old haue comforted my selfe Psal 119 52 I haue considered the dayes of old and the yeares of ancient times I call to remembrance my Song in the night Psal 77.5 I remembred the yeares of the right hand of the most high I remembred the workes of the LORD surely I remembred his wonders of old Psal 77 10 11. And so strengthened my hand in GOD 1. Sam. 23.16 Psal 119 52 143 5. 2 Cor. 1.10 2 Tim. 4 17 18. 1 Sam. 17.37 Q. When comfort and deliuerance comes will it abide by vs A. Whereas thou hast beene forsaken and hated so that no man went through thee I will make thee an everlasting excellency a ioy of many Generations Isa 60.15 For a small moment haue I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Isa 54.7 Lift vp your eyes to the Heavens and looke vpon the Earth beneath for the Heavens shall vanish away like smoake and the Earth shall waxe old like a Garment and they that dwell therein shall dye in like manner but my Salvation shall bee for ever and my Righteousnesse shall not be abolished Isa 51.6 A woman when shee is in travell hath sorrow because her houre is come but as soone as shee is delivered of the Child shee remembreth no more the anguish for ioy that a Man is borne into the world And yee now also haue sorrow but I will see you againe and your heart shall reioyce and your ioy shall no man take from you Ioh 16.21 For you shall bee saved in the Lord with an everlasting Salvation yee shall not bee ashamed nor confounded world without end Isa 45 17. Amos 9.15 Ob. This your discourse imports much comfort notwithstanding all which I doe remaine but in the forlorne hope A. Are the Consolations of God small with thee Iob 15 11. Fooles because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted Their soule abhorreth all manner of meate and they draw neere vnto the gates of Death Psa 107.17 18. Wherefore then doth a living man complaine A man for the punishment of his sinnes Lam. 3.39 And why cryest thou for thine affliction Thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine Iniquities and because thy sinnes are increased I haue done these things vnto thee Ier. 30 15. Thine owne wickednesse correcteth thee and thy backslidings shall reproue thee Know therefore that it is an evill thing and a bitter to haue forsaken the Lord thy GOD and that his feare is not in thee saith the Lord God of hosts Ier. 2 19. Ob. If our transgressions and our sinnes be vpon vs and wee pine away in them how shall we then liue Ezek. 33.10 A. O Israel thou hast destroyed thy selfe but in me is thy helpe Hos 13.9 Therefore returne thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall vpon you for I am mercifull saith the Lord and I will not keepe anger for ever Onely acknowledge thine iniquities that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy GOD and yee haue not obeyed my voyce saith the Lord. Ier. 3.12 If thou were pure and vpright then surely hee would awake for thee and make the habitation of thy righteousnesse prosperous Though thy beginning was small yet thy latter end should greatly increase Iob 8.6 It is meete therefore to say vnto God I haue borne chastisement I will not offend any more Iob 34.31 32. Wherefore if iniquity be in thy hands put it farre away and let not wickednesse dwell in thy Tabernacles for then shalt thou lift vp thy face without spot yea thou shalt be stedfast and shalt not feare because thou shalt forget thy misery and remember it as waters that passe away And thine age shall be cleerer than the noone-day thou shalt shine foorth thou shalt be as the Morning Iob 11.14 Turne thou therefore vnto thy GOD keepe Mercy and iudgement and waite on thy GOD continually Hos 12 6. And acquaint thy selfe I pray thee
with him and be at peace thereby good shall come vnto thee Iob 22 21. For did not HEZIKIAH King of Iudah feare the Lord and the Lord repented him of the evill he had purposed against him Ier. 26 19.12 16. Hos 10 12.6 1. Ier. 26.3 12.6 18 8. Amos 5 4. Ezek. 18 27. Iob 33 23. Ob. I haue indeauoured my selfe in the worke of Repentance what I can and yet my Affliction continueth pressing mee very sore A. Then cry vnto the Lord and hee shall saue you out of your distresses Psal 107.19 Saying Haue mercy vpon me O Lord for I am weake O Lord heale me for my bones are vexed Psal 6.2 Take away thy rod from me and let not thy feare terrifie me Iob. 9.34 Turne thou vnto me and haue mercy vpon mee for I am desolate and Afflicted The troubles of my heart are inlarged O bring thou mee out of my distresse Looke vpon my Affliction and my paine and forgiue me all my sinnes Psal 25 17. O remember not my former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily prevent mee for I am brought very low Helpe me O God of my saluation for the glorie of thy name deliuer me Psa 79.8 I stretch forth my hand vnto thee my soule thirsteth after thee as a thirsty land Heare me speedily O Lord for my spirit faileth hide not thy face from me lest I be like vnto them that goe downe into the pit Psal 143 6. O Lord correct me but in iudgement not in thine anger lest thou bring me to nothing Ier. 10.24 I am like a flower that is cut downe which flyeth also as a shadow and continueth not and doest thou open thine eyes vpon such a one And bringest thou me to iudgement with thee Iob. 14.2 Thine hands haue made me and fashioned me together round about yet thou dost destroy me Remember I beseech thee that thou hast made me as the clay and wilt thou bring me into the dust againe Iob. 10.8 Are not my dayes few Cease thou and let me alone that I may take comfort a litle before I go whence I shall not returne Iob. 10.20 Psal 79.5.77.7.85 4 25 6 7 39 12 13.88.1.88 14.102.1 118 25.119 77 143 8.11 Iob. 10 1.13 24.14 6. Ier. 17 14.17 Psalm 42 6 119 107. Isa 64.8 Q. When by these meanes I haue found comfort and deliverance what am I then to doe A. In that day thou shalt say O Lord I will praise thee though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away thou comfortest me Behold God is my Salvation I will trust and not be afraid for the Lord IEHOVAH is my strength and my song he also is become my Salvation Isa 12.1 My soule wait thou onely vpon God for my expectation is from him He only is my rocke and my salvation he is my defence therefore I shall not bee mooved In God is my Salvation and my glory the rocke of my strength and my refuge is in God Psal 62 5. For thou hast taken away all thy wrath thou hast turned thy selfe from the fiercenesse of thine anger Psal 78 38. Thou hast delivered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my feet from falling Psal 116.8 My lips therefore shall greatly reioyce when I sing vnto thee and my Soule which ho u hast redeemed my tongue also shall talke of thy Righteousnesse all the day long Psal 71 23. I will say vnto thee thy Righteousnesse O GOD is very high who hath done great things O God who is like vnto thee Thou who hast shewed me great and sore troubles hast quickened me againe and hast brought me vp againe from the depths of the earth thou hast increased my greatnesse and comforted me on every side Psal 71.19 To the end that my glory may sing vnto him and not be silent O Lord my God I will giue thee thankes for ever Psal 30 12 49 15.22 22 63 7.66 8.30 3 103.1 4.85 2 3 116 7 9. Isa 61 10 49.13.38 20. Exod. 4 31. Luk. 17.15 Psal 35.18 85.9 116.5 CHAP. XXVIII Of Persecution Ob. I Know now that in the middest of Iudgement the LORD will remember Mercie notwithstanding the feare I haue of falling into the hands of men is the very breaking of my heart A. I Even I am he that comforteth you who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye and of a man that shall be made as grasse And forgettest the Lord thy maker that spreadeth forth the Heavens and layeth the foundations of the earth hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor as if hee were ready to destroy And where is the fury of the oppressor Isa 51 12 Behold I will make thy Face strong against their Faces and thy Fore-head strong against their Fore-heads is an Adamant harder than flint haue I made thy Forehead feare them not neither be dismayed at their lookes though they be a rebellious house Ezek. 3.8 Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father but the very haires of your head are numbred Feare ye not therefore for you are of more value then many Sparrowes Math. 10.29 So that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper I wil not feare what man can do vnto me Heb. 13 6. â— For the Lord God will helpe me therefore shall I not bee confounded therefore haue I set my face like a flint and I know I shall not be ashamed He is neere that iustifieth me who will contend with me Let vs stand together who is mine Adversary Let him come neere to usee Behold the LORD GOD will helpe me who is hee that shall condemne me Loe all they shall waxe old as a Garment the Moth shall eate them vp Isa 50 7. Numb 22 18.38 verses 24. 12 13 23 8. Heb. 11 27. Psalm 140.12 Ob. But doe I not with these eyes see many of my Brethren how cruelly they haue beene handled by them Psal 22 12 13 143 3 4. A. All that will liue godly in CHRIST IESVS shall suffer persecution 2. Tim. 3.12 As formerly he that was borne after the flesh persecuted him that was borne after the Spirit even so it is now Gal. 4.29 that the Brother shall betray the Brother to death and the Father the Sonne and the Children shall rise vp against their Parents and shall cause them to die And you shall bee hated of all men for my names sake Math. 10.21 These things haue I spoken vnto you that you should not be offended they shall put you out of the Synagogue yea the time commeth that whosoever killeth you will thinke that hee doth GOD Service And these things will they doe vnto you because they haue not knowne the Father nor me But these things haue I told you that when the time shall come ye may remember that I haue told you them Ioh. 16 1. Notwithstanding if the world hate you you know it
Ioh. 14.16 Whereby our hope of you is stedfast knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings so shall you be also of the Consolation 2 Cor. 1 7. And therefore thinke it not strange concerning the fierie tryall which is to try you as if some strange thing hapned vnto you 1 Pet. 4.12 But rather glory in tribulation Rom. 5 3. As well as others who were stoned who were sawne asunder who were tempted who were slaine with the Sword and otherwise tortured and yet not accepting deliuerance that they might obtaine a better resurrection Heb. 11 35 37. So that we our selues gloried in the Churches of GOD for the faith and patience of such in all their persecutions and tribulations which they endured 2 Thes 1 4. Mâ—th 10 28. Luk. 17 33. Dan. 3.16 Ob. If my torments should be as long as violent I shall shrinke vnder them A. The rod of the wicked shall not rest vpon the lot of the Righteous least the righteous put forth his hand vnto wickednesse â— Ps l 125,3 For except those dayes should be shortned there should no flesh be saved but for the elects sake those dayes shall be shortned Math. 24 22. For yet a very little while and the indignation shall cease and mine anger in theyr destruction Isa 10 25. 2 Tim. 3.9 2 4.17 Q. When deliverance comes shall the same last and continue A. For the oppression of the poore for the sighing of the needie now will I arise saith the Lord I will set him in safetie from him that puffeth at him Psal 12.5 And then there shall bee no more a pricking briar vnto the house of Israel nor any grieving thorne of all that are round about them that despised them and they shall know that I am the Lord Ezek. 28 24. Therefore heare now this thou afflicted and drunken but not with the Wine thus saith thy Lord the LORD and thy GOD that pleadeth the cause of his people behold I will take out of thine hand the Cup of trembling even the Cup of the Dregs of my fâ—ry thou shalt no more drinke it againe but I will put it into the hands of them that afflict thee which haue said to thy soule bow downe that we may goe over and thou hast layd thy body as the ground and as the street to them that went over Isa 51 21 c. Q. What may these comfortable promises concerning the persecution of the Saints teach A. To indure hardnesse as a good Souldier of IESVS CHRIST 2 Tim. 2 3. And be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospell according to the power of GOD 2. Tim. 1 8. And in nothing be terrified by your Adversaries which is to them an evident token of perdition but to you of Salvation and that of GOD Phil. 1 28. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence Tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with vs when the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels 2 Thes 1 6. Wherefore reioyce in as much as you are made partakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed you may be glad also with exceeding ioy 1. Peâ— 4.13 For when you are tryed you shall receiue the Crowne of life which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him Iam. 1 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things Neverthelesse I am not shamed for I know whom I haue beleeved and I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that which I haue committed vnto him against that day 2. Tim. 1.12 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of GOD commit the keeping of their soules to him in well doing as vnto a faithfull creator 1 Pet. 4.19 Reu. 20.6 7.13 Luk. 12 6. 1 Sam. 23.16.1.30.6 Act 14 22. 2 Pray saying O God the proud are risen against vs and the assembly of wicked men haue sought after our soule and haue not set thee before them Psal 86 14 Haue a respect vnto the couenant for the darke places of the earth are full of the habitation of cruelty Psal 74 20. Heare vs O Lord our GOD lighten our eyes least wee sleepe the sleepe of death Psal 13 3. Arise O LORD lift vp thy selfe because of the rage of our Enemies awake for vs to the iudgement thou hast commanded â— Psal 7 6. Psal 17 7 17 12 7 1 119 122 140 4 25 19. Lam. 3 47 c. Attend vnto our cry for wee are brought very low deliver vs from our persecutors for they are stronger than wee Psal 142 6 Consider our enemies for they are many Psal 25.19 Giue vs helpe in trouble for vaine is the helpe of man Psal 108 12 8 6 56 1. Psal 74 20. 2 Chron. 20 6 12. Act â—4 26. Our enemiâ—â— haue now compassed vs in our steps they haue set their eyes bowing downe to the earth Psal 17 1â— They haue hid a snare for vs and cords they haue spread a net by the way side they haue set grinnes for vs Psal 140 5. Rid and deliver vs from the hands of strange children whose mouthes speake vanity and their right hand is a right hand of falshood Psal 144 11 83 5 74 20. Wee haue done Iudgement and Iustice leaue vs not to our oppressors Psal 119.121 For they haue digged a Pit for vs which is not after thy Law Psalm 119 85 Let integritie and vprightnesse preserue vs for wee waite on thee Psal 25 21. O let the wickednesse of the wicked come to an end but establish the iust 〈◊〉 the righteous GOD tryeth the heart â—â—d the reynes Psal 7.9 Shall the 〈◊〉 one of iniquity haue fellowship with thee â—uch frameth mischiefe by a Law Psal â—4 20. Let none that waite on thee â—â—t ashamed but let them bee ashamed â—hich transgresse without cause Psal 5 3 119 6.35 23.43 1 7 3. Lam. â— 59. Thy Citie and thy people are called by â—y name Daâ— 9 19. Wee are thine â—ou never barest rule over them they â—re not called by thy name Isa 63 19. â—t now O Lord thou art our Father wee â—t the clay and thou art our Potter and we â—e all the worke of thine hand Bee not â— o th very sore O Lord neither rememâ—â—r iniquities for ever Behold see wee â—eseech thee we are all thy people Isa â—4 8. Why doth thine anger smoke aâ—ainst the Sheepe of thy pasture Rememâ—er thy Congregation which thou hast purâ—hased of old the rod of thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed this is mount Zion wherein thou hast dwelt Psal 74.1 O deliuer not the soule of thy turtle do vâ— vnto the multitude of the wicked forgeâ— not the congregation of the poore for ever Haue respect vnto the covenant Psal 74 19. Abba father all things are possible tâ— to thee Mark 14.36 2. Thes 3.2 Ier. 14.9 21. Dan. 9.17 Psal 79.10.13 Deut. 9.26 Psal 86.16 Ioel 2.17 Psal 74.20
Neh 1.10 Thy holy Cities are a wildernesse Zion is a wildernesse Ierusalem a desolation Our holy and our beautifull house wherâ— our Fathers praised thee is burned vp witâ— fire and all our pleasaâ—t things are laid wast Wilt thou refraine thy selfe for these things O Lord Wilt thou hold thy peace and afflict vs very sore Isa 64 10. know that for thy sake wee haue suffered rebuke Ier. 15.15 Arise O God pleade thine owne cause remember how the foolish men reproach thee daily Forget not the voyce of thine Enemies the tumult of those that rise vp against thee increaseth continually Psal 74.22.74.7.8.83.12 Ios 7.8 O Lord though our iniquities testifie aâ—â—inst vs doe thou it for thy names sake 〈◊〉 our backslidings are many we haue sinâ—ed against thee Ier. 14.7 Yet doe not â—â—horre vs for thy names sake doe not disâ—race the throne of thy glory Ier. 14.21 â—et thy worke appeare vnto thy seruants â—â—d thy glory vnto their children Psal 90. â—6 Let our mouthes bee filled with thy â—aise and with thy honour all the day Psal 71 8. That men may know that thou â—hose name alone is Iehovah art the most â—igh over all the earth Psal 83.18.106 â—7 22.25.79.13.9.13.43.4.22.22.74 â—â— Deut. 9.26 Bring our soules out of prison that wee â—ay praise thy name the righteous shall â—mpasse vs about because thou hast dealt â—â—untifully with vs. Psal 142.7 And 〈◊〉 men shall feare and declare the workes â—f God for they shall wisely consider thy â—oings The righteous shall bee glad in â—he LORD and shall trust in thee all the vpright in heart shall glory Psal 64. â— Let not them that waite on thee O Lord GOD of hosts be ashamed for ouâ— sakes let not those that seeke thee be coâ—founded for our sakes O God of ISRAEL Because for thy sake wee haue bornâ— reproch shame hath couered our faces Psâ—l 69.6 Ah Lord God behold thou hast made thâ— heauen the earth by thy great power anâ— stretched out arme and there is nothing tâ— hard for thee Thou shewest louing kindnesse vnto thousands c. the great thâ— mightie God the Lord of hosts is his name great in counsell and mighty in worke Ier. 32.17 And is thy hand shortned that it cannot helpe or is thy eare heauy that thou canst not heare Isa 59.1 Thou O Lord remainest for euer thy throne is from generation to generation Wherefore doest thou forget vs for euer and forsakest vs so long time Lâ—m. 5.19 why shouldest thou be as a man astonished As a mighty man that cannot saue Ier. 14.9 For thou art the God of our strength why doest thou cast vs off Why goe wee mourning because of the oppressions of the Enemie Psal 43.2 Our Fathers trusted in thee they truâ—ed and thou diddest deliuer them they â—yed vnto thee and were deliuered 〈◊〉 trusted in thee and were not conâ—unded But I am a worme and no â—â—n a reproach of men and despised â—f the people Psal 22.4 Thou hast also â—rought thy people out of the land of AEGYPT with a mighty hand and hast gotâ—â—n thee renowne Dan. 9.15 Lord where â—â—e thy former louing kindnesses which thou diddest sweare vnto DAVID in truth Psal 89.49 Thou diddest make me hope when I was vpon my mothers breasts I was â—â—st vpon thee from the wombe thou art â—y GOD from my Mothers belly be not farre from vs for trouble is neere and â—here is none to helpe Ps 22.9.71.5 Cast vs not off in the time of old age forsake vs not when our strength faileth Psâ—l 71.9 22.20 Isa 33 2. Ier. 32 21.14 8. Isa 51 9. 2 Chron. 20 6 12. Psalm 22 21. Exod. 32 11. Remember Lord the reproches of thy servants how we doe beare in our bosome the reproches of all the mighty people wherewith thine Enemies haue reproached O Lord wherewith they haue reproached the footsteps of thine anoynted Psal 89.50 Grant not O Lord the desires of the wicked further not their wicked deuices least they exalt themselues Psal 140.8 And let them not reioyce over vs let them not say in their heart ah so would we haue it let them not say wee haue swallowed them vp Psal 35.24 35.19 25.1.2.13.4.36 11.86 17. Lam. 5.1 Deut. 9 26. Psal 79.10 Exo. 32.12 Ioel 2.17 Psal 68.3 O satisfie vs early with thy mercy that we may reioyce and bee glad all our dayes Make vs glad according to the dayes wherein thou hast afflicted vs and the yeeres wherein we haue seene evill Psal 90.14.15 O that the saluation of ISRAEL were come out of Zion When the Lord bringeth backe the captivity of his people IACOB shall reioyce and ISRAEL shall bee glad Psal 14.7.43.3.83.3.86.17.40 10. But thou hast couered thy selfe with a Cloud that our Prayers shall not passe through Lam. 3 44. Thou hast vtterâ—y reiected vs thou art very wroth against it Lam. 5 22. Awake why sleepest thou O LORD Arise cast vs not off for ever wherefore hidest thou thy face and forgettest our afflictâ—on and our opâ—ression Psaâ— 44 23. Hast thou vtterly reiected Iudaâ— Hath thy soule loathed Zion Why hast thou smitten vs and there is no healing for vs We looke for peace and there is no good and for the time of healing and behold trouble Ier. 14 19. O thou sword of the LORD how long will it bee ere thou bee quiet Put vp thy selfe into the scabberd rest and be still How can it bee quiet seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Zion there hath hee appointed it Ier. 47 6. Now therefore our GOD the great the mighty and the terrible GOD who keepest Covenant and mercy let not all the trouble seeme little before thee that hath come vpon vs. Neh. 9.32 But redeeme Israel O God out of all his troubles Psal 25 22 40 1 40 17. Ier. 15 18. Psal 119 84.119 123.89 46.13 1.80 4 74 9.22 1. Q. When God giueth deliuerance vnto his Church what shall become of their cruell persecutors A. When the Lord hath performed his whole worke vpon mount Zion and on Ierusalem I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high lookes Isa 10.12 They that hate thee shall be cloathed with shame and their dwelling places shall come to nought Iob 8.22 and perish the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of Lambes they shall consume into smoake shall they consume away Psal 37 20. They that devoure thee shall be devoured they that spoyle thee shall be spoiled and they that pray vpon thee I will giue for a pray Ier. 30.16 As they haue shed the blood of Saints and Prophets so they shall haue blood to drinke for they are worthy Reuel 16 6. For the Lord will plead the cause of his Servants and spoile the Soule of those that spoiled them Prou. 22 23. So that the wicked shall be a ransome for the righteous and the transgressors for the vpright Prou. 21 18. Isa 33 1.49 26.51.23 Numb 24 8. Psal
53 5 7 15.37 13. Ioel 2 20.3.1 3.19 Amos. 1 2. Zach. 2 8. Obad. 10. Mich. 7 10. Zach. 12 6 14 12 10 5. Reu. 18.5 12.13 Deut. 32 41. Mal. 4 3. Ier. 20.11 49 12 Psal 57 6. Thus Absalon persecuting David was himselfe slaine 2 Sam. 18 15. And in the place where Dogs licked the bloud of Naboth the Dogs licked the bloud of Ahab did eate Iezabel by the wall of Iezrael 1 King 21 19 23 1 22 38 1.13 4 2 2 24 2 9 35. Acts 12 23 Dan 6 24 3 22. Gen. 12 17 19 11. Exod. 7 20 8 6.8 17 8 24. 9 6 10 9 24 25 10.13 10.22.12.29 12.33 Esth 7.10.9.10.9.25 Numb 21.3 Therefore fret not thy selfe because of evill dooers neyther bee thou enviâ—us at the workers of iniquitie for they shall soone bee cut downe like the grasse and wither as the greene hearbe Psal 37.1 Ob. But doe you not see how the limbes of Antichrist doe still prevaile against the Church A. The ten hornes vpon the beast which are ten Kings which haue received no kingdome as yet but receiue power as Kings one houre with the beast These haue one mind and shall giue their power and strength vnto the beast These shall make war with the lambe and the lambe shall overcome them for he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings c. And then these ten hornes shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eate her flesh and burne her with fire For God shall put in their hearts to fulfill his will and to agree and giue their Kingdome vnto the Beast vntill the words of God shall be fulfilled Reu. 17.12 c. Q What vse is to be made of these promises A. 1. Therefore O yee cruell persecutours What meane you that yee beate my people to peeces and grind the faces of the poore saith the LORD GOD of Hosts Isa 3 15. Touch not mine anointed and doe my Prophets no harme Pâ—alm 105 15. And refraine from these men and let them alone for your counsell and your workes being of men shall come to nought but this being of God you can not overcome it least happily yee be found even to fight against God Acts 5 38 And let my sonnes goe that they may serue me and if yee wâ—ll refuse to let them goe behold I will slay your Sonnes even your first borne Exod. 4 23. Prou. 22 22. 2 King 19.21 Psal 2 1. 2. Come out of Babylon my people that yee be not partakers of her sinnes and that yee receiue not of her plagues Revel 18 4. 3 Pray saying Arise O Lord let notman prevaile let our enemies be iudged in thy sight put them in feare O Lord that they may know themselues to bee but men Psal 9 19. Fill their faces with shame that they may seeke thy name O Lord. Psal 83 16. Otherwise let them be turned backe and brought to confusion that devise our hurt Let them be as Chaffe before the Wind and let the Angell of the Lord chase them Let their way be darke and slippery and let the Angell of the Lord persecute them Psal 35 4. As smoake is driven away so driue them away as waxe melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of God Psal 68 2. Bring vpon them the day of evill and destroy them with a double destruction Ier. 17.18 For they haue eaten vp Iacob and devowred him and consumed him and haue made his habitation desolate Ier. 10 25. Therefore render vnto them a recompense O Lord according to the worke of their hands Giue them sorrow of heart thy curse vnto them Persecute and destroy them in anger from vnder the Heavens of the Lord Lam. 3 64. Doe vnto them as to the Midianites as to Scisera as to Iabin at the Brooke of Kison which perished at Endor they became as dung for the earth Make their Nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb yea all their Princes as Zeba and Zalmunna who said let vs take to our selues the houses of God in possession O our God make them like a wheele as the stubble before the Wind. As the fire burneth Wood and as the flames set the Mountaines on fire so persecute them with thy tempest and make them afraid with thy storme Let them be confounded and troubled for ever yea let them bee put to shame and perish Psalm 83 9. Psal 68 1 129 5.40 14. Psal 79 10 35 1 45 3 68 1. Iudges 5 31. Q. What are wee to doe when our Persecutors are thus destroyed and wee thereby delivered A. Breake forth into ioy and sing together because the Lord hath comforted his people because he hath redeemed Ierusalem and made bare his holy arme in the eyes of all the Nations Isa 52 9. And sing yee the Song of MOSES the Servant of GOD and the song of the Lambe saying great and maruailous are thy works Lord God Almighty iust and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Who shall not feare thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name For thou onely art holy for all Natâ—ons shall come and worship before thee for thy Iudgements are made manifest Reu. 15 3. And as the Angels of the Waters say vnto God thou art righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast iudged thus even so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy iudgments R u 16 5 Wherefoâ—e we giue thee thankes O Lord God Almighty because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned Reu 11.17 And in the day that I called vpon thee thou saidst feare not O Lord thou hast pleaded the cause of my Soule thou hast redeemed my life Lam. 3 57. Yea many a time haue they afflicted me from my youth yet they haue not prevailed against me The Plowers plowed vpon my backe and made long their furrowes The Lord is righteous he hath cut a sunder the Cords of the wicked I. Psal 129 2. c. 97 10 66 13.14 2 Cor. 1.3 4. Psal 31 23.18 16 9 11. Isa 26.13 Reu. 19 1 c. CHAP. XXIX Of Temptations by evill Examples Ob. WEll haue you satisfied me concerning temptations on the left hand but I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets and her hands are bands Eccl. 7.28 Prou. 23.27 A. Notwithstanding who so pleaseth God shall escape from her Eccles 7 26. For Ioseph hearkened not to his lewd Mâ—stresse Gen. 39.10 Noah also was a iust man and perfect in his generation Gen. 6 9. And Lot being righteous and dwelling among the wicked in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deeds 2 Pet. 2.8 And we know that we are of God when yet the whole World lyeth in wickednesse 1 Ioh. 5 19. Dan. 11.32 Oâ— the contrary the mouth of the strange woman being a deepe Pit he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein Prou. 22 14 And the sinner
that â—well in the land of the shadow of death â—pon them hath the light shined Isa 9.2 For God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in your hearts to giue the light of the knowledge of God in the face of IESVS CHRIST 2 Cor. 4 6. I haue indeed spoken vnto you in Proverbes but the time commeth when I shall no more speake to you in proverbes but I shall shâ—w you plainely of the Father Ioh. 16 25. In that day shall the deafe heare the words of this Booke and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscuritie and out of darknesse Isa 29 18 35 5 32 2 50 4. Prou. 1 1 4 8 9. 1 Cor. 2 10 12. Nehem. 8 8. Luk. 24 45. Tit. 1 3. Mal. 2.7 Deut. 17 8.9 Reu. 5.5.8 Now therefore thankes bee vnto God which alwayes maketh manifest the sauour of his Knowledge by vs in every place 2 Cor. 2.14 For there is Gold and a multitude of precious Stones but the lips of Knowledge are a precious iewell Prou. 20.15 Neh. 8.12 Math. 11.25 Ob. But I am so hard-hearted that I can not be affected with the Word A. I will put a new Spirit within you and I will take the stony heart out of thy flesh and I will giue thee an heart of Flesh Ezek. 11.19 As well as to the Iewâ—s who wept when they heard the words of the Law Neb. 8.9 For is not my Word lâ—ke a fire saith the Lord and like a hammer that breaketh the Rockes in pieces Ier. 23 29.26.18 Ioh. 5.25 Act. 2.37 16.29 2 His wordes were found and I did eate them and they were vnto me the ioy and reioycing of my heart Ier. 15 16. I will therefore delight my selfe in his Statutes Psal 119.16 How sweet is his Word vnto my taste Yea sweeter then honey to my mouth Psal 119.103 Therefore my Sonne eate thou honey because it is good and the honey combe which is sweet to thy tast So shall the knowledge of wisedome be vnto thy soule when thou hast found it Prou. 24.13 Act. 15.31.13.48 Iob 23.12 Act. 2.41 Psal 119.16.17.111.174.162 verses Luk. 24.32 Ob. I am no sooner gone from the Word but all is forgotten A. The Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoeuer I haue said vnto you Ioh. 14.26 Wherby MARY kept all those things in her heart which were told her by the Shepheards Luk. 2.19 Neither did I forget Gods word Psal 119.16 2. Pet. 1.12.13 Ob. The hardest taske is yet behind to wit to put in practise what we heare A. I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not I will leade them in the pathes that they haue not knowne I will make darknesse light before them and crocked things straight saith the LORD Isa 42.16 Who hath opened mine eares and I was not rebellious neither turned away backward Isa 50.5 Yea I haue refrained my feet from every evill way that I might keepe his word Psalm 119.101 So that when hee said seeke yee my face my heart said vnto him thy face LORD will I seeke Psal 27.8 For this is the loue of GOD that we keepe 〈◊〉 Commandements and his commandements are not grievous 1 Ioh. 5 3. Hag. 1 12. Psalm 119 15 48 57 104 â— 68. Math. 13 8.23 Col. 1 6. Luk. 1.5 â— 2. Chron. 17 6. CHAP. XXXIII Of Ministers Ob. YOu tell me of the Word and the great benefit thereof but how â—â—ould I either know or doe what the Word teacheth without a guide Act. â— 31. A. When CHRIST ascended vp on high he gaue guifts vnto men c. and he gaue some Apostles and some Prophets â—nd some Euangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the worke of the Ministerie for â—he edifying of the Body of CHRIST till we all eome in the vnity of faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God vnto a perfect man vnto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ Eph. 4.8.11 And therefore though the LORD giue you the bread of Adversitie and the water of Affliction yet thy Teachers shall not be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy Teachers Isa 30.20 For the Lord giveth the Word great is the company of Preachers Psal 68.11 Ier. 33.18 Leuit. 10 11. Isa 41.27 Isa 62.6 Q. But shall wee haue such Pastors as will deale faithfully with vs A. I will giue you Pastors according to mine owne heart which shall feed you with knowledge and vnderstanding Ier. 3 15. Who will very gladly spend and bee spent for you 2. Cor. 12.15 As Moses who was faithfull in all his house Heb. 3.5 And as of Leui it was said the Law of truth is in his mouth and iniquity was not found in his lips he walked with me in peace and equitie and did turne away many from iniquitie Mal. 2 6. Moreover yee know from the first day that Paul came into Asia after what manner he hath beene with you at all seasons serving the Lord with all humblenesse of mind and with many teares and temptations which befell him by the lying in wait of the Iewes and how he kept backe nothing that was profitable vnto you Act 20.18 And you know the proofe of Timothie that as a Sonne with the Father he hath served with Paul in the Gospell Phil. 2 22. And for the worke of Christ he was nigh vnto death not regarding his life Phil. 2 30. And dayly in the Temple and in every house the Disciples ceased not to teach and to preach IESVS CHRIST Acts 5 42. These are not as many which corrupt the Word of God but as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God speake they in Christ 2 Cor. 2 17 11 23 1 9 27 1 9.19.2 Chron 17 9 8 13. Col. 4 7 10 11 1 7. Act 20 23.30 31 18 24. Ezek. 34 23. Hag. 1 13. 1 Thes 5 6 7. Ier. 23 4 4 19. 8 21 9 1 3 17. Ezra 7 6 10. 1. Sam. 3 21. Q. Wherefore are these promises recorded in Gods word concerning his Ministers A. 1. That they may be apt to teach 1 Tim. 3.2 And therefore giue attendance vnto reading 1. Tim. 4 1â— And study to shew â—heÌ„selues workmen that need not to be ashamed dividing the Word of truth aright 2 Tim. 2 â—5 For every Scribe taught vnto the Kingdome of Heaven is like vnto a man that is a housholder which bringeth forth out of his treasurie things both new an old Math. 13 52. 2 That they be diligent to know the state of their flockes and to looke well to their heards Prou. 27 23. Taking the oversight thereof 1 Pet. 5 2. For they are set for a defence and fortresse among the people that they may know and try their wayes Ier. 6 27. 3 That they feed the flocke of GOD which is among
you 1 Pet. 5 2. And preach the word and be instant in season and out of season to reprooue rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine 2 Tim. 4 2 Not shunning to declare the whole Councell of God Acts 20.27 But to cry aloud and lift vp their voice lâ—ke a Trumpet to shew my people their transgression and the house of Iacob their sinnes Isa 58 1. And in the Spirit and power of Elias to turne the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust to make ready a people prepared for the Lord Luk. 1 17. Exhorting them that with full purpose of heart they would cleaue vnto the Lord Act 11.23 Exorting the elder women as mothers the younger women as sisters with all purity 1 Tâ—m 5 2. Wherein if any man speake let him speake as the Oracles of GOD 1 Pet. 4 11 The Prophet that hath a Dreame let him tell a Dreame and hee that hath my Word let him speake my Word faithfully what is the Chaffe to the Wheate saith the LORD Ierem. 23 28. 1 Coâ— 9 16. 1. Pet. 5 4 Iob 21 15. Math. 28 19 20. Isa 62 1 2. 2 Timoth. 2 24. Amos 3 7. 4 Not to bee as Lords over Gods heritage but as ensamples to the flocke 1 Pet. 5 3. Giving no offence in any thing that their Ministrie be not blamed but in all things approving themselues as the Ministers of God 2 Cor. 6 3. Performing the same not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind 1 Pet. 5 2. 1 Timoth. 3 1. Math. 23 8. Q How doth GOD taxe the negligence of his Priests vnder the Law A. I haue seene saith GOD foolishnesse in the Prophets of Samaria that prophesie in Baal and caused my people Israel to erre I haue seene also in the Prophets of Ierusalem filthinesse they commit adultery and walke in lies they strengthen also the hands of the wicked that none can returne from his wickednes Ier. 23 13. They prophesie lyes in my name saying I haue dreamed I haue dreamed yea they are Prophets of the deceit of their owne heart Ier. 23 25. They haue healed also the hurt of the Daughter of my people slightly saying Peace peace when there is no peace Ier. 6 19. Others they bite with the teeth and he that putteth not into their mouthes they even prepare warre against him Mich. 3 5 1â— Some of them also are blind they are ignorant they are dumbe Dogs they cannot barke sleeping lying downe loving to slumber yea they are greedy Dogs which can never haue enough and they are Shepheards that cannot vnderstand they all looke to their owne way every one for his gaine from his quarter Isa 56 10. All these shut vp the Kingdome of Heaven against men for they neither goe in themselues neither suffer them that are entring in to goe in Math 23 13. Ierem. 10 21 8 11. 23 16 17 5 30 31. Ezek. 13 6 7. Zephan 3 4. Mal. 2 9. Q. How doth GOD threaten such Priests vnder the Law A. Tâ—aâ— their way should bee vnto them as slippery wayes in the darknesse and haâ— they should bee driven on and fall therein for I will bring evill vpon them even the yeare of their visitation saith the Lord Ier. 23 12. And I will require my Flocke at their hands Ezek. 34.10 And mine hand shall be vpon the Prophets that see vanity and divine lyes they shall not be in the Assembly of my people neyther shall they bee written in the writing of the House of Israel Ezek. 13 9. And they shall beare their punishment the punishment of the Prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that asketh Ezekiel 14 10. And because they make many to stumble at the Law and haue corrupted the Covenant of â—eui therefore will I make them contemptible and base before all the people Mal. 2 8 Night shall bee vnto them that they shall not haue a Vision and it shall be darke vnto them and they shall not dâ—vine and the Sunne shall goe downe over the Prophets and the day shall bee darke over them Then shall they bee ashamed and confounded yea they shall cover their lips for there is no answere from GOD Mich. 3 6. Ob. But are not Gods Ministers even now vnder the Gospell discouraged by theyr people and flickr for theyr deadnesse and dulnesse in their workes of piety and devotioâ— Sonne of man I haue made them Watchmen to the house of Israel therefore they should haue heard the Word at my mouth and haue given them warning from mee So that when I haue said vnto the wicked thou shalt surely dye and thou hast not given him warning nor spakest to admonish the wicked from his wiked way that hee might liue the same wicked man shall dye in his iniquitie but his bloud will I require at theyr hand Yet if they had warned the wicked and hee turne not from his wickednesse nor from his wicked way he shall dye in his iniquitie but such Ministers should haue delivered theyr owne soule Ezek. 3 17 33 2 2 8 2 4 5. Isay 49 4 5. Ob. Some of these might haue beene more faithfull in their Ministery if in the discharge thereof they did with godly Zeale and discreet courage expresse themselues and theyr Consciences A. Therefore say vnto such a one thus saith the Lord If thou take away the precious from the vile thou shalt be according to my word let them returne vnto thee but returne not thou vnto them And I will make thee vnto this people a strong brasen Wall and they shall fight against thee but they shall not prevaâ—le against thee for I am wâ—th thee to saue thee And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked and I will redeeme thee out of the hand of the tyrants Ier. 15.19 Thou therefore trusse vp thy loynes and arise and speake vnto them all that I â—â—mmand thee be not afraid of their faâ—â—s least I destroy thee before them Ier. â— 17 20.11.26 24. Ezek. 2.6 3 9 2 4 5. Q. I now see the worke of a Minister to bee of importance what therefore is the peoples dutie towards â—im A. Against an Elder receiue not an â—ccusation vnder two or three witnesâ—es 1 Tim 5 19. 2 Say to A chippus looke well to thy Minâ—sterie thou hast received in the LORD that thou fulfill it Colos 4 17. 3 Becausâ— the Harvest is great and the labourers are few therefore pray yee to the Lord of the Harvest that he would send forth more Labourers into his Harvest Math. 9 37. 2 Say let thy Priests bee clothed with righteousnesse and let thy Saints showt for ioy Psal 132.9 3 As of LEVI it was said Let thy Vrim and thy Thummim be with thy holy ones Deut. 33 8. That vtterance also may be giuen â—eÌ„ that they may open their mouthes boldly to make knowne the mysteries of the Gospell Ephes 6.19 Col. 4.3 4
Heb. 6 1. Q It neyther the frequent vse of tongues nor humane eloquence nor deepe and profound teaching bee of esteeme with you I pray tell me wherein you Ministers are in your teaching most praise worthâ— A. Doe we begin againe to commend our selues or need we as some others Epistles of commendations to you or letters of commendations from you Ye are our Epistle written in our hearts knowne and read of all men For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by vs written not with Inke but with the spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in the fleshy tables of the heart And such trust haue wee through Christ to Godward not that we are sufficient of our selues but our sufficiencie is of God who hath also made vs able Ministers of the new Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit for the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life 2 Cor. 3 1. And are not you my worke in the LORD If I be not an Apostle vnto others yet doubtlesse I am to you for the Seale of my Apostleship are yee in the LORD 1 Corinth 9 1 2. Q But why should GOD vse the Ministrie of men and not of Angels A. Wee haue this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of GOD and not of vs 2 Cor. 4 7. 2 Every high Priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God that he may offer both guifts and sacrifices for sins who can haue compassion on the ignorant and of them that are out of the way for that hee himselfe also is compassed with infirmity Heb. 5 1 2. Ob. The case so being Christ Iesus himselfe being both God and Man had beene a Minister without all exception A. I tell you the truth it was expedient for you that hee goe away for if hee had not gone away the Comforter would not come vnto you but in that hee departed he hath sent him vnto you c. Who beeing come hee doth guide you into all truth c. Ioh. 16 7 13. Let men therefore teach to obserue all things whatsoever hee commandeth you and loe hee is with you even vnto the end of the World Mathew 28 20. CHAP. XXXIIII Of the Sacraments Ob. IF the Ministrie of the Word be no lesse efficatious then as you haue said it is what further need is there of the Sacraments A. Circumcision verily profiteth Rom. 2 25. For Abraham received the signe of Circumcision a Seale of the righteousnesse of Faith Rom. 4.11 Act 7 8. In whom you also are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of CHRIST Col. 2 11. Deut 10 16. Q What promise hath GOD made to Bâ—ptisme A. Thaâ— he will baptize thee with the Holy Ghost and with fire Math. 3 11. For by one spirit we are all baptized into one body whether wee be Iewes or Gentiles whether we be bond or free 1 Cor. 12 13. Whereby Baptisme doth now saue vs not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the Resurrection of IESVS CHRIST 1 Pet. 3 21. Acts 16 14. Luk. 7 29 30. Q. Vnto whom doth this belong A. 1 To the Ministers that they teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Math 28 19. 2 To the people to doe as the publicans who iustified GOD being baptized with the baptisme of Iohn And not to â—o as the Pharisies and Lawyers who reiected the counsell of God against themselues being not baptized of him Luk 7 29.30 Gen. 17 14. Q. See thâ—n here is water what doth hinder me to be baptized Acts 8 36. A 1 If thou beleevest with all thine heart thou mayest Act 8 37 For can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized who haue received the Holy Ghost as well as we Actâ— 10.47 2 You must amend your liues Act. 2 38. And circumcise the fore-skin of your heart Deut. 10.16 And then be baptized every one of you in the name of IESVS CHRIST Acts 2 38. Ob. If Faith and Repentance bee necessary vnto Baptisme seeing Infants cannot actually beleeue nor repent are they therefore to bee excluded from this Sacrament A. Suffer little Children to come vnto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdome of God Math. 19.14 And if the root be holy so are the branches Rom. 11 16. For the promise was made to Abraham and his seed Gal. 3 16. Gen. 17 2 7 17 12 21 4. Acts 2 39. Q Doth the efficacie of Baptisme depend on the worthinesse of the Minister A. No but on whom thou shalt see the Spirit descend and remaine on him the same is he that doth Baptize with the Holy Ghost Ioh. 1 33 Iohn in deed baptized with Water but yee shall bee baptized with the Holy Ghost Math. 3 11. Q. What need then is there of the Supper of the Lord A. The Cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the Communion of the bloud of Christ The Bread which we breake is it not the Communion of the body of Christ For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread 1 Cor. 10 16. Therefore saith Christ take eate this is my body and of the Cup drinke yee all of it for this is my bloud of the new Testament which is shed for many for the Remission of sinnes Math. 26.26 This doe as often as yee doe it in remembrance of me For as often as yee eate of this bread and drinke of this Cup yee doe shew the Lords Death till hee come 1 Corinth 11 25 11 23. Q. May any prophane person bee admitted vnto the Supper of the Lord A. No for if any shall eate of this bread and drinke of this Cup of the Lord vnworthily he shall be guiltie of the body and Bloud of the LORD and he eateth and drinketh Iudgement to himselfe not discerning the Lords body 1 Cor. 11.27 29. Moreover they cannot drinke the Cup of the Lord and the Cup of Divels they cannot be partakers of the Lords Table and the Table of Divels 1 Cor. 10 21. For thus saith the LORD GOD no stranger vncircumcised in heart nor vncircumcised in flesh shall enter into my Sanctuary that is among the Children of Israel Exek 44 9. Ezod 12 48. Leuit. 2 13. Q. What is then to bee done before our comming vnto this Sacrament A. Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eat of that bread and drinke of that cup 1 Cor. 11 28 Also if a stranger shall soiourne among you and will keep this Supper vnto the Lord according to the ordinance and according to the manner thereof so shall he doe Numb 9 14. Who if he doe also iudge himselfe he shall not be iudged 1
vse of these meanes Grace it selfe may decay A. In all places where GOD doth record his Name hee will blesse thee Exod. 20 24. The Lord shall blesse thee out of Zion Psal 128.5 So that thou shalt flourish like a Palme tree and like a Cedar in Libanon Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the Courts of our GOD they shall bring foorth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing to shew that the Lord is vpright he is my rocke and that there is no vnrighteousnesse in him Psal 92 12 84 7 65 4. 1 Cor. 15 10. Math. 13 â—1 32. Isa 61 11. Q. What is required of vs to the â—nd that these meanes of Grace may be thus continued with successe A. 1 Get Davids appetite after them â—aying As the heart panteth after the waâ—â—r brookes so doth my heart pant after â—hee O GOD. My Soule thirsteth for God for the living God when shall I come â—nd appeare before God Psal 42 1. My Soule longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh â—rieth out for the living God c. For a â—ay in his Courts is better than a thousand 〈◊〉 had rather be a doore keeper in the house â—f my God than to dwell in the tents of â—ickednesse Psal 84 1 10. verses 63 1 2 137 5 6. 2 A delight in them Reioyce with Ieâ—usalem and bee glad with her all you â—hat loue her reioyce for ioy with her â—ll you that mourne for her that yoâ— may sucke and bee satisfied with the breasts of her consolation that you may milke out and be delighted with the aboundance of her glory Isay 66 10. 3 Pray saying O send out thy light and thy truth let them leade mee let them bring mee vnto thy holy Hill and to thy Tabernacles Psalm 43 3. Send mee helpe from thy Sanctuary and strengthen mee out of Zion Remember all my offerings and accept my burnt Sacrifice Psalm 20 2 3. 134.3 4 Keepe thy foot when thou enterest into the house of God and be more neere to heare than to giue the Sacrifice of fooles Eccl. 5 1. For which end wash thy hands in innocencie and so compasse the Altars of God Psal 26 6. 5 When you come to worship the LORD in the beautie of holinesse Psal 96 9. Worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him GOD is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Iob. 4.23 6 Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy for the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Exod. 20.8 11. Wherefore if thou turne away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy will on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight and consecrate is as glorious to the LORD and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes not seeking thine owne will not speaking a vaine word then shalt thou delight in the LORD and I will feed thee with the hreitage of IACOB thy Father For the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it â—â—a 58 13. Blessed is the man that doth this and the Sonne of man which layeth hold on it Isa 56 2. And embraceth my Covenant him will I bring vnto my Holy Mountaine and make him ioyfull in mine house of Prayer Isa 56 6.7 Reu. â— 10. Q. If I should forbeare my worke on the Sabbath day I should come to beggery at the last A. See for that the LORD hath given you the Sabbath therefore hee giveth you on the sixt day the bread of two dayes therefore abide you every man in his place let no man goe out of his place on the seaventh day Exod. 16 29 16 5. CHAP XXXVII Of Temporall Blessings and in particuler of long life Q. ALl these promises you haue mentioned are of singular vse vnto the Soule but what provision shall we haue for the body A. You shall inherit the earth Math. 5 5. For as CHRIST so the world is yours 1 Cor. 3 22. Ob. What will the world profit vs if wee bee taken away by Death and be accounted among them that goe downe into the pit Shall Gods loving kindnesse bee declared in the Graue Or his faithfulnesse in destruction Psalm 88 4 11. A. If thou forget not my Law and thy heart keepe my Commandements length of dayes and long life shall they adde vnto thee Prou. 3 1. And the yeares of thy life shall be many Prou. 4.10 And there shall old men and old women dwell in the streets of Ierusalem every man with his staffe in his hand for very age Zach. 8 4. There shall bee there no more an Infant of dayes nor an old man that hath not filled his dayes for the Child shall dye an hundred yeares old For as the dayes of a Tree are the dayes of my people Isa 65 20 22. And with long life will I satisfie them Psalm 91 16. For they shall see their Childrens Children Psal 128 6. And come vnto their Graue in a full age like as a shocke of Corne commeth in due season into the Barne Iob. 5 26. As well as ABRAHAM who dyed in a good old age an old man and full of yeares Gen. 25 8. Psal 33 18 19. Ier. 45 5 39 17. Gen. 15 15 35 29 47 28 50. 23. Iudg. 8 32. 1 Chron. 29 28 2 24 15. 1 Sam. 25 29. Q. Is long Life a blessing of any worth A. The hoarie head is a Crowne of Glory if it be found in the way of Righteousnesse Prou. 16 31. For as the beauty of young men is their stregnth so the glory of the aged is their gray head Prou. 20 29. Q. Is this promise of long life a blessing common vnto all A. No for GOD shall bring the wicked downe into the pit of destruction the bloudy and deceitfull man shall not liue ouâ— halfe his dayes Psal 55.23 His confidence shall he rooted out of his Tabernacle and it shall bring him to the King of terrors Iob. 28 14. As the whirlewind passeth so is the wicked no more onely the righteous is an everlasting foundation Prou. 10.25 For as righteousnesse tendeth vnto life so he that pursueth evill pursueth it to his owne death Prou. 11 19 10 27. Psal 145 20. Ob. But doe you not see many of the wicked how theyr dayes are prolonged A. The woman that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth 1 Tim. 5 6 And men living â—ruitlessely are as trees twice dead and plucked vp by the rootes Iud. 12 And therefore though a sinner doe evill an hundred times and his dayes be prolonged yet surely I know that it shall bee well with them that feare GOD which feare before him Ecc. 8 12. Q What would you hence inferre A. Therefore bee thou not overmuch wicked neither bee thou foolish for why shouldest thou dye before thy time Eccl. 7 17. But set your hearts vnto all thâ— words which I testifie among you this day
that yee may command them vnto your Children that they may obserue and doe all the words of this Law For it is no vaine word concerning you but it is your life by this word yee shall prolong your dayes Deut. 32 46 47 4 40.6 1 2 16.20 Q. Why doth God for the sinnes of his owne Children shorten theyr dayes also A. Yea for Moses because hee trespassed against the LORD died in the Mount Nebo Deut 32 50 For this cause also many of the Corinthians were weake and sicke and falne asleepe 1 Cor. 11 30. 1 Sam. 2 30 31. But yet when they are thus iudged they are chastened of the Lord that they should not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11 32. And be taken away from the evill to come Isa 57 1. For Iosia was gathered to his Fathers in peace that his eyes might not see all the evill that was to come vpon the Nation of the Iewes 2 Chron. 34 27. CHAP. XXXVIII Of preservation from Dangers Ob. THough my dayes vpon earth should bee many yet the many dangers attending them will make my life without comfort A. Who so hearkeneth vnto me shall dwell safely and shall bee quiet from the feare of evill Pro. 1.33 Remember I pray thee who euer perished being innocent or where were the righteous cut off Iob. 4.7 The humble person shall deliuer the Iland of the innocents and it is deliuered by the purenesse of thine hands Iob. 22.30 Whereby thou shalt walke in thy way safely and thy foote shall not stumble when thou lyest downe thou shalt not be afraid yea thou shalt lye downe and thy sleepe shall bee sweet Prou. 3 23. Surely thou shalt not be moued for euer Thou shalt not be afraid of evill tidings thy heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Thy heart is established thou shalt not be afraid Psal 112 6. But shalt bee as Mount Zion which cannot bee removed but abideth for ever As the Mountaines are round about Ierusalem so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever Psal 125.1 Therefore hearken vnto me O house of Iacob and all the remnants of the house of Israel which are borne by me from the belly which are carryed from the wombe and even to your old age I am hee and even to your hoarie haires I will carry you and so will deliver you Isa 46 3. Psal 34 4 4 8 27 5.121 3 4 8 16 8 63 8 7 10.11.3 4. Zach. 10 12. Acts 2 25. Prou. 18 10. Deut. 33 12. Isa 4 5. Ob. I know the rage of our enemies to bee such as they will leaue no meanes vnattempted for our hurt A. The wicked watcheth the righteous and seeketh to slay him but the Lord will not leaue him in his hands nor condemne him when hee is iudged Psal 37 32. Hee shall hide him in the secret of his presence from the pride of men he shall keepe them secretly in a pavilion from the strife â—f tongues Psal 31 20. As Birds â—y flying so will the Lord of Hosts defend Ierusalem defending also he will deliver it and passing over hee will preserue it Isa 31.5 Whereby no man shall set â—n thee to hurt thee Acts 18.10 Neither shall one haire of your head perish Luk. 21 18. For the Lord will deliver â—ou from every evill worke and will preâ—erue you to his heavenly Kingdome 2 Tim. 4 18. Therefore feare you not stand still and â—ee the Salvation which the Lord will shew â—â—u Exod. 14 13. And be not afraid of â—heir faces for I am with thee to deliâ—er thee saith the Lord Ier. 1 8. Behold I haue grauen thee vpon the palmes of my â—ands thy walles are continually before â—e Isa 49 16 54 17 27 2 3. Exod. 14 10 23 22. Ier. 1 18 15 20. Psal 12 8 108. â—3 Acts. 9 24 25.9 29 30 31. Numb 22 12 18 24 1. 2 King 6 10. Neh. 4 15. Deut. 20 3. Isa 31 4. Ob. My enemies doe so much ouermatch mee as that before the combate they doe promise vnto themselues the conquest saying Let her be defiled let our eye looke vpon Zion Micha 4 11. Exod. 15 9. A. Who hath despised the day of the small things Zâ—ch 4 10. Let not him that girdeth on his harnesse boast himselfe as hee that putteth it off 1 King 20 11. Wee haue heard of the pride of Moab he is exceeding proud his loftinesse and his arrogancie and his pride and the haughtinesse of his heart I know his wrath saith the LORD but it shall not be so Ierem. 48 29. But because â—hey rage against mee and theiâ— tumult is come vp into mine eares therefore will I put my hooke into their nose and my bridle into their lippes and I will turne them backe by the way by which they come Isa 37 29.29 8. For hee powreth contempt vpon Princes and causeth them to wander in the Wildernesse where there is no way yet setteth hee the poore on high from affliction and maketh him families like a flocke Psal 107.40 Hee frustrateth the tokens of lyers and maketh Diviners mad and turneth wise men backward and maketh their Knowledge foolishnesse Isa 44 25. Therefore bee strong and of good courage feare not nor be afraid of them for the Lord thy GOD he it is that doth goe with thee he will not faile thee nor forsake thee Deut. 31 6. With them is an arme of flesh but with you is the Lord your GOD to helpe and to fight your battels 2 Chron. 32 8.20 15. Ios 1 5. Isa 50 1.44 25 18 7.9 15 16. 2 Sam. 16 23. 17 14. Ierem. 1 18.15 26. Iob 41 34. 2 Kâ—ng 19 32. Zach. 12 7. Examples 1 Sam. 18 11.1.21 1.1.25 10.1.23 14.1.23 25.14 44. 2 Sam. 21 16.2.20 22. Acts. 14 5.14 19 20. 26 21. Psal 105 12. Ob. Though GOD should preserue vs once and againe from our Enemies yet if they bee suffered to stand in their strength ours is the feare and theirs is the hope of their preuailing at the last A. But they know not the thoughts of the LORD neither vnderstand they his councell for hee shall gather them as the sheaues into his floore Micha 4.12 Behold they shall gather together but not by me whosoeuer shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake Isa 54.15 Now will I arise saith the LORD now will I be exalted Now will I lift vp my selfe they shall conceiue chaffe they shall bring foorth stubble their breath as fire shall deuoure them And the people shal be as the burning of lâ—â—e as thornes cut vp shall they bee burnt in the fire Isa 33.10 And as ashes vnder the soles of your feete in the day that I shall doe this saith the Lord of hosts Mal. 4.3 Thus when SIHON gathered all his people together to fight against Israel Israel smote him with the edge of the sword Num. 21.23 Also OG the King â—f Bashan with his sonnes and all his peoâ—le vntill none was left
vs of and said Did not the LORD deliver vs from the Spanish Inuasion in the yeare LXXXVIII But now the LORD hath forsaken the Palatinate and delivered it into the hand of the SPANIARD Iudg. 6 13. 1 Sam. 4 13. Deuteronomie 28 25. Nahum 3 11. A. ISRAEL hath sinned and they haue also transgressed my Covenant which I commanded them for they haue taken even of the accursed thing c. Therefore they could not stand before their enemies Ios 7 11. And because they served not the LORD their GOD with ioyfulnesse and with gladnesse of heart for the aboundance of all things therefore doe they serue their enemies which the Lord hath sent against them in hunger and in thirst and in nakednesse and in the want of all things Deut. 28.47 Who then gaue IACOB for a spoyle and Israel to the Robbers Did not the Lord hee against whom they haue sinned For they would not walke in his wayes neyther were they obedient vnto his law Therefore he hath powred vpon them the fury of his anger and the strength of Battaile and it hath set them on fire round about yet they know not and it burdeneth them and they lay it not to heart Isa 42 24. Therefore the Emperour before and the Spaniard behind haue devoured ISREAL with open mouth and yet for all this his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still For the people turneth not to him that smiteth them Neyther doe they seeke the LORD of Hosts Isa 9 12 65.12 10 â— 4 66 24. Leuit. 26 17 25 26 32. 32 26.36 Ier. 7.30 19.9.2 King 21 1. Amos 6 8.1 Sam. 28 19. Lam. 4 11. Thus when Israel did that which was evill in the sight of the Lord c. The anger of the Lord was hote against Israel and hee delivered them vp into the hands of the spoylers that spoyled them c. so that they could not any longer stand before their Enemies Iudg. 2 11. Likewise the armie of the Syrians came with a small company of men and the LORD delivered a very great Host into their hand Because they had forsaken the Lord GOD of their Fathers 2 Chron. 24 23. Iudg. 3 7.8.3.12.4.1.2.6.1.13.1.16.20 1 Chron. 10 13.2.16.7 1 Sam. 4.2.10 1 King 14.25.2.13.1 Exod. 32.25 Q. But haue the sinnes of the Palatinate beene so great as that there is â—o way left whereby they may escape the Enemies hands A. If yet they shall confesse their iniquity the iniquities of their Fathers with their trespasse which they trespassed against me and that also they haue walked contrary vnto me and that I also haue walked contrary vnto them c. If now their vncircumcised hearts be humbled and they doe accept of the punishment of their iniquity then will I remember my Covenant with them and also my Covenant with Abraham will I remember and I will remember the Land â—euit 26.40 And when they shall walke after mâ— I will roare like a Lion when I shall roare then the Spaniard and Emperour shall tremble They shall tremble as a Bâ—rd out of Aegypt and as a Doue out of the Land of Assyria and I will place them in their Houses saith the LORD Hos 11 10. Vp therefore and let them sanctifie themselues against the morrow Ios 7 13. Psal 81 13. Which that you may doe remember then the King of Aegypt came vp against Ierusalem because they had transgressed against the LORD c. Therefore hee left them in the hand of Shishak Wherevpon the Princes of Israel and the Kings humbling themselues saying the LORD is righteous And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselues the Word of the Lord came to Shemaiah saying they haue humbled themselues therefore will I not destroy them but I will grant them some deliverance and my wrath shall not bee powred out vpon IERVSALEM by the hand of SHISHAK 2 Chron. 12 2. Yea many times did hee deliver them but they provoked him by their Councell and were brought low for their iniquities neverthelesse hee regarded theyr affliction when hee heard theyr crie And he remembred for them his Covenant and repented according to the multitude of his Mercies Psal 106.43 Thus also will the LORD waite that he may bee gracious vnto you and therefore will he be exalted that hee may haue mercy vpon you for the LORD is a GOD of iudgement Isa 30.18 For he will iudge his people and he will repent himselfe concerning his Servants Psal 135.14.2 Chron. 15 3 33 9 32 25.1 King 21 27. Iona. 3 10.4.2 Hos 10 12. Deut. 4 29. Iudg. 6 11 33 1 Sam. 12.7 Q. What vse are we and they of the Palatinate to make hereof A. Therefore feare not for though yee haue done all this wickednes yet depart not from following the Lord but serue the Lord with all your heart neither turne yee backe for that should be after vaine things which cannot profit you nor deliver you for they are but vanity 1 Sam. 12 20. And if ye doe turne vnto the Lord with all your hearts then put away the strange Gods and Ashtaroth from among you and prepare your heart unto the Lord and serue him onely and he will deliver you out of the hand of your Enemies 1 Sam. 7 3. Hosea 13 1. Lament 3 40 41. Deut. 13 17. Ieremiah 3 12.2 Chronicles 30 8. 2 Sanctifie you a fast call yee a solemne assembly gather together the Elders and all the Inhab tants of the Land into the house of the Lord your GOD and cry vnto the Lord Ioâ—l 1 14. And say take away all iniquitie and receiue vs graciously so will we râ—nder the Calues of our lips Ashur shall not saue vs we will not ride vpon Horses Neither will we say any more to the worke of our hands yee are our GODS For in thee the Fatherlesse find mercy Hos 13 1. O Loâ—d our God other Lords besides thee haue ruled over vs but we will remember thee onely and thy Name Isay 26 13. Rise vp Lord and let thine enemies bee scattered and let them that hate thee flee before thee and returne O Lord vnto the many thousands of Israel Numb 10 35. Or if thou wilt nâ—eds afflâ—ct vs let vs now fall into the hand of the Lord for his Mercies are great and let vs not fall into the hands of men 2 Sam. 24.14 Whose tender mercies are cruell Prou. 12 10. Neh. 1 5 9.32 2 Kâ—ng 9 â—5 Psal 10 35 8 1 2. 1 Kings 8 â—3 Q. When GOD hath delivered vs â—om our enemies what are wee then 〈◊〉 doe A. Awake awake Deborah awake â—â—ake vtter a song arise Barak thou Son Abâ—â—oam Iâ—dg 5 12. Come and beâ—â—ld the workes of the LORD what desoâ—tions he hath made in the earth Hee â—aketh the Warres to cease vnto the ends of â—he earth he breaketh the bow and cutâ—th the speare in sunder he burneth the â—hariots in the fire Psal 46 8. Sing â—nto the LORD for hee hath triumphed â—â—â—riously the
young men shall vtterly fall bâ—â— they that wayt vpon the LORD shall râ— new theyr strength They shall mount vâ— with wings as Eagles and they shall runnâ— and not bee wearie and they shall walk and not faint Isa 40 29. Thus MOSES being one hundred anâ— twenty yeares old his eyes were not dimmâ— nor his naturall force abated Deut. 34 7. IOSHVA also at Eightie and fiue yeares was as strong for Warre both to gâ— out and to come in as when MOSEâ— sent him to search the Land Ios 14 11. It is GOD also that girdeth mee with strength c. Hee teacheth my hanâ— to warre so that a Bow of steele is brokeâ— by mine arme Psalm 18 32 34. Iudâ— 14 6.15 14 16 3.16 12 16 14.16 3â— Num. 23 22. Q. What may this teach vs A. Therefore ascribe yee strength vnâ—â— GOD his Excellencie is over Israel anâ— hâ—â— strength is in the Clouds The God of â—â—el is hee also that giveth strength 〈◊〉 power to his people blessed be GOD â—l 68 34. Q. What is the case of such as doe aâ—e their strength A. Those that imagine mischiefe aâ—st GOD who had bound and strengâ—â—ed their armes Hos 7 15. Their â—ngth shall be hunger bitten and deâ—â—ction shall bee ready at their side It â—ll devoure the strength of their skinne 〈◊〉 the first borne of Death shall deâ—â—re their strength Iob 18 12 13. Q. Which are the eighth and ninth â—â—thly Blessings A. The eighth is Beautie For the â—ORD of hostes shall bee for a crown◠〈◊〉 Glory and for a Diadem of beauty vnto 〈◊〉 people Isa 28 5. And will giue 〈…〉 to them beauty for ashes Isa 61 3. â—â—d bee as the dew vnto Israel they shall 〈◊〉 as the Lillie and fasten their rootes â—he trees of Libanon Hos 14 6. Psal â—13 Thus IOSEPH was a goodly persoâ— and well favoured Gen. 39 6 Sâ— was also MOSES Exod. 2 2. Aâ— DAVID was ruddie and withall of Beâ—tifull countenance and goodly to looke tâ— 1 Sam. 16 12. SARA also was veâ— faire Genes 12 14 24 16.29 1 Esther 2 7. Notwithstanding the LORD seeth 〈◊〉 as man seeth 1 Sam. 16 7. For fauoâ— is deceitfull and beauty is vaine but Woman that feareth the Lord shee shall 〈◊〉 praised Prou. 31 30. The ninth is Wisdome For DAVIâ— went out whither SAVL sent him aâ—â— behaved himselfe wisely 1 Sam. 1 5. And that in all his wayes 1 Saâ— 18 14. Yea with more Wisdome thâ— all the servants of SAVL 1 Sam. 1â— 30. Deut. 34 9. Psalm 105 22. Ecclâ— 1 16. And vnto SALOMON was given wise and vnderstanding heart so 〈◊〉 eyther before or after him there was noâ— like him 1 King 3 12. For there wâ— Wisdome of GOD in him to doe Iudgeâ—ent 1 King 3 28.1.10 1 24.2 Sam. â— 20.2 20.16 22. Moreouer see saith GOD I haue calâ—d by name Bezaleel and I haue filled him â—ith the spirit of GOD in Wisdome and â—nderstanding and in Knowledge and in â—ll manner of workmanship to devise cunâ—ing workes Exod. 31 2. And haue put 〈◊〉 his heart that hee may teach Aholiab Exod. 35 34.30 30. And in all matters of Wisedome and â—nderstanding that the King inquired of DANIEL HANANIAH MASHAEL and AZARIAH he found them tenne times better than all the Magicians and Astroâ—ogers that were in all his Realme Dan. 1 â—0 2 14 5 12. And doth the Plow-man plow all the â—ay to sow Doth he open and breake the â—lods of his ground When hee hath made â—laine the face thereof doth hee not cast â—broad the Fitches and scatter the â—ummin and cast in the principall â—heat and the appointed Barley and the Rye in their place For his God doth instruct him to discretion and doth teach him Isa 28 24. Q. Is humane Wisdome of any great worth A. Wisdome maketh a mans face to shine Eccles 8 1. And is good with an inheritance and by it there is profit to them that see the Sunne Eccles 7 11. For it strengtheneth the wise more than tenne mightie men which are in the Citie Eccles 7 19. For there was a little Citie and few men within it and there came a great King against it and besiedged it and built great bulwarkes against it now there was found in it a poore wise man and hee by his wisedome delivered the Citie Then said I Wisedome is better then Strength Eccles 9 14 9 16 18. verses Q. What then is the worth of Wisdome more than of Folly A. As the light is more excellent than darknesse Eccles 2 13. For the Wisdome of the prudent is to vnderstand his way but the folly of Fooles is deceit Prou. 14.8.13 16. A wise mans heart is at his right hand but a fooles heart is at his left Eccles 10 2. The words of a wise mans mouth are gracious but the lips of a foole will swallow vp himselfe The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishnesse and the end of his talke it mischievous madnesse Eccles 10 12. Prou. 15 2. Every wise woman also buildeth her house but the foolish plucketh it downe with her hands Prou. 14 1. Q. What may this concerne the children of Wisdome A. That they blesse the GOD of heaven saying Blessed bee the name of God forever and ever for Wisdome are his Hee giveth wisedome vnto the wise and knowledge to them that know vnderstanding He revealeth the deepe and secret things hee knoweth what is in the darknesse and the light dwelleth with him Dan. 2 19. Q. What is the contrary judgement denounced against the wicked A. The LORD shall smite them with madnesse and blindnesse whereby they shall grope at noone-dayes as the blind gropeth in darknesse and they shall bee mad for the sight of their eyes which they shall see Deut. 28.28 Iob 5.14 And they shall haue no delight in vnderstanding but that their heart may bee discouered Prou. 18.2 Isa 29.14 Ob. The councell of ANITOPHEL though wicked was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of GOD 2. Sam. 16.23 And the men of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light Luk. 16.8 A. 1 Therefore behold the LORD will doe a marueilous worke in this people even a marveilous worke and a wonder for the wisedome of their wise men shall perish and the vnderstanding of their prudent men shall bee hid Isa 29 14. For the Lord turned the counsell of Aâ—ITOPHEL into foolishnesse 2 Sam. 15 31 17 14. And so hee taketh all such wise men in their owne craftinesse and the counsell of the froward is carried headlong Iob 5.13 2 As dead flyes cause the oyntment of the Apothicarie to send foorth a stinking savour so doth a little follie him that iâ— in reputation for Wisdome Eccles 10 1. 3 Such are foolish they haue not knowne mee saith the LORD they are sottisâ— children they haue none vnderstanding they are wise to doe evill but to doe good they haue no knowledge Ierem. 4 22. For they want the feare
of GOD which is the beginning of true Wisedome Psalm 111 10. And they haue reiected the Word of the LORD and what Wisedome is in them Ierem. 8 9. CHAP. XLV Of Wealth Q. WHat is the tenth Temporall blessing A. Wealth and riches also shall bee in the house of the man that feareth the LORD Psal 112 3. Hee shall lay vp gold as dust and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brookes Yea the Almighty shall bee his defence and he shall haue plenty of silver Iob 22 24. For brasse I will bring him gold and for iron I will bring silver and for wood brasse and for stones iron Isa 60 17. Prou. 8 21. Thus ABRAHAM was rich in Cattle in Silver and Gold Gen. 13 2 6. verses 26 13.30 43.32 10. Iob 1 3 42 2. Q. When GOD hath fulfilled this promise vpon any what is to bee done A. Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high minded that they doe good and be rich in good workes 1. Tim. 6.17 2 Therefore thou shalt remember the LORD thy GOD for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth Deut. 8.18 And it is his blessing that maketh rich and addeth no sorrow with it Prou. 10.22 Q. Doth not GOD in this kind blesse the wicked liuing wickedly as well as his owne children in the vse of lawfull meanes A. In all labour there is profit but the talke of the lippes tendeth onely to povertie Prou. 14 23. Hee that oppresseth the Poore to increase his riches and hee that giveth to the rich shall surely come to want Prou. 22 16. Hee that hasteth to bee rich hath an evill eye and considereth not that povertie shall come vpon him Prou. 28 22. Hee that loveth pleasure shall bee a poore man and he that loveth Wine and oyle shall not be rich Prou. 21 17.24 30.21 5 10 4 13 11 12 27. Ob. I doe obserue the wicked to thriue more than many of GODS owne children A. Better is a little with righteousnesse than great revenues without right Pro. 16 8. For treasures of wickednesse profit not Prou. 10.2 And what good is there to the owners thereof saue the beholding of them with their eyes Eccles 5 11. Prou. 12 27.19 22. 2 As in the house of the righteous is much treasure so in the revenues of the wicked is trouble Prou. 15.6 Therefore much better is a little with the feare of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith Prou. 15 16. Eccles 5 19 3 12 13. verses 8 15. Psal 39 6. 3 There is an evill which I haue seene vnder the Sunne namely riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt Eccles 5.13 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man but afterward his mouth shall bee filled with gravell Prou. 20 17. The increase of his house shall depart and his goods shall flow away in the day of Gods wrath Iob 20 28. when the rust of their Gold shall bee a witnesse against them and shall eate their flesh as it were fire Iam. 5.3 Prou. 28 20.21 6. Math. 6 24. Psal 49 11. Luk. 12 17 20. 4 They are disquieted in vaine hee heapeth vp riches and knoweth not who shall gather them Psal 39 6. And though they heape vp silver as the dust and prepare rayment as the clay they may prepare it but the iust shall put it on and the innocent shall divide the silver Iob 27 16. For to the sinner GOD giveth travaile to gather and to heape vp that hee may giue to him that is good before GOD Eccles 2 26. And the wealth of the Sinner is layd vp for the Iust Prou. 13 22. Psalm 49 10. Isa 23 18. Genes 31 1 31 8 9. Exod. 3 22.12 35 22 12. Esther 8 1 2. Psal 105 43. Ios 24 13 11 23. Deuter. 6 11.2 35 3 3 4.3.12 1 King 10 10. Eccles 5 13.2 22. Q. What vse is to bee made hereof A. 1 Goe to now yee rich men weepe and howle for your miseries that shall come vpon you Iam. 5 1. 2 Therefore let not thine heart who art righteous bee envious against sinners but let it bee in the feare of the LORD continually Prou. 23 17 Neither chuse thou any of his wayes Prou. 3 31. CHAP. XLVI Of favour with Men a good Name and Honour Q. WHich are the eleuenth and twelfth and thirteenth temporall blessings A. The tenth is the fauour of Men. Hee that loveth purenesse of heart for the grace of his lips the King shal be his friend Prou. 22 11. And when the wayes of a man please the LORD hee will â—ake his enemie to become his friend Prou. 16 7. Ier. 15.11 Prou. 28. â—3 For when ESAV saw IACOB comming towards him he ran to meete IACOB and embraced him and fell on his â—ecke and kissed him Gen. 33.4 â—0 GOD gaue the people favour also in the sight of the Aegyptians Exod. 3 21.11.3.12.36 And extended mercie vnto EZRA before the King and his Counsellors Ezra 7 28 ARTAXEREXS the King also granted vnto NEHEMIA according to the good hand of his GOD vpon him Neh. 2 8. And ESTHER obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked vpon her Esth 2 15. Gen. 26.26.11 verses 39 4 39.21 33 4. Ruth 2 13.1 16 17. 1 Sam. 2 26 1 18 1.3 1 18.16 1 19 1 1 24.16.1.26 17 1 20.17.31.1.27 6. 1 Chron. 12 38. Ezra 6 22.7 28 Esth 8 17 Ier. 39 11. Dan. 1 9. Act. 21.40 24.23 27.3 The twelfth is a good Name for thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue Iob. 5 21. And thy good name shall bee better than a precious oyntment Eccl. 7 1. And though for thy transgression I doe giue IACOB to the curse and Israel to reproches Isa 43 28. Yet vpon thy repentance I will bring foorth thy Righteousnes as the light and thy Iudgement as the noone day Psal 37 6. When the name of the wicked shall rot Prou. 10 7 12.8 Hosea 12 14. But woe be vnto the wicked when all men shall speake well of them for so did their Fathers to the false Prophets Luk. 6 26. The thirteenth outward blessing is Honour If any man will serue mee him will my Father honour Iohn 12 26. And it shall come to passe that if thou shalt hearken diligently vnto the LORD thy GOD to obserue and doe all his Commandements which I command thee this day that the LORD thy GOD shall set thee on high aboue all the Nations of the Earth Deuteron 28 1. And thou shalt ride on the â—igh places of the Earth Isa 58.14 And I will make you a name and a praise â—boue all people of the Earth saith the LORD Zeph. 3.20 The LORD â—â—all make thee the head and not the taile Deut. 28.13 And many shall make â—â—ite vnto thee Iob. 11 19. And bow â—efore thee Prou. 14 19. Numb 24.7 â—sa 45 14. Reu. 3.9 Iob. 36 7 11.9.1 Sam. 24 20. Thus IOSEPH was set over all the Land of Aegypt
high to shew forth thy loving kindnesse in the morning and thy faithfulnesse every night Psal 92 1. For many O Lord my God are thy wonderfull workes which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to vs ward they cannot be reckoned vp in order vnto thee if I would declare and speake of them they are moe than can be numbred Psal 40 5. Thy mercy also O Lord is in the Heavens and thy faithfulnesse reacheth vnto the Clouds Thy righteousnes is like the great Mountaines thy iudgements are a great Deepe Psal 36 5. How precious are thy thoughts vnto mee O GOD how great is the summe of them â—f I should count them they are moe in number than the sand Psalm 139.17.31.19 â—2 4.5 Blessing and glory and wisdome and thankesgiuing and honour and power and night bee vnto our GOD Râ—u 7.12 For ever and ever 1. Tim. 1.17 and from everlasting to everlasting and let â—ll the people say Amen Psalm 106.48.63.3.4.69.30.31 Isa 63.7.25.1 Psalm 104.33.34.1.35.28.116.13.40.9.45.17 Exod. 15.11 Psalm 57 7.147.1.33.1.34.3.97.1â—.68.4.30.4.47.6.7 Psalm 72.18.135.1.19.136.1.103.20.150.6.72.19 CHAP. XLIX The properties of GODS Promises Q. GReat cause indeed haue we thus to giue thanks for here are many Promises and for all purposes both great and precious if they be as true as good A. These things saith the Amen the faithfull and true witnesse Reu. 3.14 are the true sayings of GOD Reuel 19.9 I IESVS haue sent mine Angell to testifie these things in the Churches Reu. 22.16 Therefore write these words are true and faithfull Reu. 21.5.22 6. For GOD will performe his truth to IACOB and his mercie to ABRAHAM which hee hath sworne to our Fathers from the dayes of old Miâ—h 7. â—0 Hee confirmeth the word of his Serâ—â—nt and he performeth the counsell of his Messengers Isa 44 26. Hee said not vnto the seed of IACOB Seeke yee my face in vaine I the LORD speake righteousnesse I declare the things that are right Isâ— 45 19. For it is GOD that cannot lye who hath thus promised before the World began Titus 1 2. Whe efore let GOD be true and every man a lyar as it is written that thou mightest be Iustified in thy sayings and ouercome when thou art Iudged Rom. 3.4 2 Cor. 1.18 Pâ—al 58.11.33.5.12 6.30 5. Num. 23 19. Q. What good witnesses can you produce that may conuince vs of the truth of these things A. Though saith CHRIST I beare record of my selfe yet my record is true I am one that beare witnesse of my selfe and the Father that hath sent mee beareth witnesse of mee Ioâ— 8 14 18. who is true and I speake to the world the things which I haue heard from him Ioh. 8 26. The Disciple also whom IESVS loued testâ—fied these things and wee know that his testimony is true Ioh. 21.24 IOHN indeed did no miracle but all things that IOHN spake of this man were true Ioh. 10 41. And every one that hath received his testimony hath set to his seale that GOD is true Ioh. 3 33. 1. Ioh. 1 5. Q. Who haue at any time vpon their owne experience proued them so to be A. Behold this day I am going the way of all the earth and you know in all your hearts and in all your soules that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your GOD spake concerning you all things are come to passe vnto you not one thing hath failed thereof Ios 23 14.21.45 For it came to passe at the end of foure hundred and thirty yeares as was promised Gen. 15 14. even the selfe-same day it came to passe that all the hostes of the LORD went out from the land of Aegypt Exod. 12 41. vnto whom the LORD gaue all the Land which hee sware to giue to theyr Fathers and they possessed it and they dwelt therein And the â—ORD gaue them rest round about acâ—â—rding to all that hee sware vnto their â—athers and there stood not a man of all â—heir enemies before them There failed â—ot ought of any good thing which the LORD hath spoken vnto the house of ISRAHL all came to passe Iosh 21 43. So that he hath dealt well with his servants according to his Word Psal 119.63 And all his counsels of old are faithfulnesse and truth Isa 25 1. 1 King 8 20. 2 Chron. 6 15. Q. What then may this truth of GOD in promising teach vs A. 1 To beleeue for if wee receiue the witnesse of men the witnesse of GOD is greater For this is the witnesse of GOD which hee hath testified of his Sonne 1 Ioh. 5 9. Wherefore sirs bee of good cheere for I beleeue GOD thus it shall bee even as it was told mee Act. 27 25. For shall mortall man be more iust than GOD And shall a man bee more pure than his Maker Iob 4 17. Rom. 3 3 4. Luk. 11.13 2 To say Lord GOD of Israel there is no GOD like thee in Heaven aboue or on Earth beneath who keepeth Covenant and mercy with thy servants that walke before thee with all their hearts 1 King 8 23. Wherefore blessed bee the LORD which spake with his mouth vnto DAVID my Father and hath with his hand fulfilled it 1. King 8.15.20 3 To Pray saying Remember the word vnto thy seruant vpon which thou hast caused me to trust Psal 119.49 4 Thou also shalt keepe my couenant therefore thou and thy seed after thee in their generations Gen. 17 9. As well as the Iewes who did according to their promise Else as the Prophet shooke his lappe and said so GOD shall shake out every man from his house and from his labour that performeth not his promise even thus be he shaken out and emptied vnto which say Amen Nehem. 5 13. 5 For which and also say Lead me in thy truth and teach me for thou art â—e GOD of my saluation Psal 25 5. Ob. I doe now acknowledge GOD to â—ee true of his Word but was he not â—ooued to make these promises for â—ame thing of speciall worth he see to â—e in vs deseruing the same A. Were yee not as the Ethiopians vnto â—e O children of Israel saith the LORD Amos 9.7 For even TERAH the Father of ABRAHAM and the Father â—f NACHOR they serued other Gods Iosh 24.2 So hath the LORD also called thee being a Woman forsaken and afflicted in spirit and as a young wife when thou wast refused saith thy GOD. Isa 54 6 And when he passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thy owne blood he said vnto thee when thou wast in thy blood liue Yea he said vnto thee when thou wast in thy blood live Ezek. 16.6 Isa 51.1.2 Hos 14.4 Ob. Though hee did finde vs wicked yet doth he not leaue vs so and therefore for some fore-seene good that would bee in vs hee might be moued hereunto A. Can a man be profitable vnto God as hee that is wise may be profitable vnto himselfe Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art
there is neither male nor female for yee are all one in CHRIST IESVS Gal. 3 28. 1 Tim. 2.15.1.2.7 Rom. 15.15 Math. 22.2.23.37 Acts. 14.2 Ioh. 1 11. Isa 65 2. Rom. 10.21 Ob. What aduantage then hath the Iew Or what profit is there of Circumcision A. Much every way chiefly because that vnto them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3 2. Ob. We see not onely the Nation of the Iewes but many others of the Gentiles also to be without the benefit of the Gospell A. This is because of their vnbeliefe Rom. 11.20 For they will not receiue CHRIST Ioh. 1.11 But are disobedient and a gain-saying people Rom. 10.21 For as I liue saith the Lord God I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turne from his way and liue Ezâ—k 33 11. And I would haue all men to bee saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2 4. Ioh. 1 5. Q. Whereunto may the generality of the promises be of vse A. Let not the Sonne of the stranger that hath ioyned himselfe to the LORD speake saying The Lord hath vtterly separated me from his people neither let the Eunuch say behold I am a drie tree For thus saith the LORD to the Euâ—â—ches that kâ—epe my Sabbaths and choose the things that please mee and take hold of my Covenant even vnto them will I giue in mine House and within my Walles a place and a Name better than of Sons and of Daughters I will g ue them an everlasting Name that shall not bee cut off Isa 62 2. Sing O barren thou that didst not beare breake forth into singing and crie aloud thou that didst not travaile wâ—th Child for moe are the Children of the Desolate than the Children of the married wife saith the LORD Enlarge the place of thy Tent and let them stretch foorth the Curtaines of thine habitations spare not lengthen thy Cords and strengthen thy Stakes for thou shalt breake foorth on the right hand and on the left and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate Cities to bee inhabited Isay 54 1. 1 Corinth 7 21 22. Iâ—a 45 22. Math. 22 2. Tit. 2 11. Heb. 1â— 13 Ob. Now of a truth I perceiue that GOD is no accepter of persons but in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousnesse shall be accepted with with him Acts 10 34. But will it not be very long betwixt the promise and the time of theyr accomplishment A. Hee which testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly Revel 22.20 And my reward is with me to giue every man acording as his worke shall bee Reu. 22 12. Ob. Long haue I waited and yet haue not obtained A. Beloved be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the LORD as a thousand yeeres and a thousand yeeres as one day The LORD is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slacknesse 2. Pet. 3.8 And he that beleeueth shall not make hast Isa 28.16 For the vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speake and not lye though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tary Hab. 2.3 For so ABRAHAM after hee had patiently endured he obtayned the promise Heb. 6.15 Amen even so come LORD IESVS Reu. 22.20 Q. But may not GOD alter his mind A. The Counsell of the LORD standeth for ever the thoughts of his heart vnto all generations Psal 33.11 With him is no variablenesse nor shadow by turning Iames 1.17 Concerning his testimonies I haue knowne them of old that he hath founded them for euer Psal 119.152 The words which hee hath commanded to a thousand generations Which couenant hee made with ABRAHAM and his oath vnto ISAAC and confirmed the same vnto IACOB for a law and vnto ISRAEL for an euerlasting Covenant Psal 105.8 For thâ—â— saith the Lord If yee can breake my Covenant of the day and my covenant of the night and that there shall not be day and nâ—ght in their seasons then may also my Covenant bee broken Ier. 33.20 I haue sworne by my selfe the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousnesse and shall not returne Isa 45.23.46 10. 2 Cor. 1 18 Ierem. 4 28. Hos 13 14. Numb 23 20. 1 Sam. 12.22 Haggai 2 6. Num. 18 19. Psal 22 6.105 8. 117 2.119 90. 93 5. Heb. 6 17. Ob. I haue seene an end of all perfection Psal 119 96. A. But his Commandement is exceeding large Psalm 119 96. The strength of ISRAEL will not lye nor repent 1 Sam. 15 29. When your Father and Mother forsake you then the LORD will take you vp Psal 27 10. For GOD is not as Man that hee should lye or the Sonne of man that hee should repent Num. 23 19. Lift vp your eyes to the Heavens and looke vpon the Earth beneath for the heavens shall vanish away like smoake and the earth shall waxe old like a garment and they that dwell therein shall dye in like manner but my Salvation shall bee for ever and my Righteousnesse shall not be abolished Isa 51 6.40 8. 2 Sam. 7 24. Math. 24.35 Ob. Why hath not GOD cast away his ancient people the Iewes A. GOD forbid For I also am an Israelite of the seed of ABRAHAM of the Tribe of BENIAMIN God hath not cast away his people which hee foreknew c. But even at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of Grace Rom. 11 1 5 1. For what if some did not beleeue Shall their vnbeliefe make the faith of GOD without effect Rom 3.3 And haue they stumbled that they should fall â—od forbid But rather through their fall â—alvation is come to the Gentiles for to â—ovoke them to iealousie Now if the â—ll of them bee the riches of the World â—nd the diminishing of them the riches of â—he Gentiles how much more their fulâ—esse Rom. 11 11. For afterwards â—hall the Children of ISRAEL returne â—nd seeke the LORD their GOD and DAVID theyr King and shall feare the Lord and his goodnesse in the latter dayes Hos 3 5. 2 Cor. 3 15. Isa 11 12 19 24 25 50 1. Zach. 2 12. Rom. 11 20 26 28. verses Ob. Though GOD should neuer alter with vs yet shall wee by our sinnes breake Couenant with him Isa 63 10. Exod. 32 33. A. If you breake my Statutes and keepe not my Commandements then will I visite your transgression with the rod and your iniquities with stripes neverthelesse my loving kindnesse I will not vtterly take from you nor suffer my faithfulnesse to faile My Couenant will I not breake nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Once haue I sworne by my Holinesse that I will not lie vnto David His seed shall endure for ever and his Throne as the Sunne before mee It shall bee established for ever as the Moone and as a faithfull witnesse in Heaven Psalm 89 30. 2 Sam.
7 15. Numb 23 20. Q. What are the reasons of this vnchangeable dealing of God towards his people A. 1. Hee himselfe changeth not Mal. 3 6. He is the first and with the last even the same Isa 41.4 2 IESVS CHRIST also the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13 8. 3 Whom he once loveth he loveth vnto the end Ioh. 13.1 Who is the LORD GOD of your Fathers the God of Abraham the God of Iâ—aac and the God of Iacob this is his name for ever and this is his memoriall vnto all Generations Exod. 3 15. Isay 49 1. 4 The gifts and callings of GOD are â—ithout repentance Rom. 11 29. Q. What would you inferre vpon this â—nchangeablenesse in GOD A. Say not thou what is the cause that the former dayes were better than these for thou dost not enquire wâ—sely concerning this Eccl 7 10. 2 Therefore my beloved brethren bee yee stedfast vnmoueable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord for as much as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord 1 Cor. 15 58. And turne yee not aside for then shall yee goe after vaine things which cannot profit nor deliver you for they are vaine 1 Sam. 12 21. Q. Why Is God able to make his word good A Behold saith GOD I am the Lord the God of all flesh is there any thing too hard for me Ier. 32 27. The Lord of Hosts hath purposed and who shall disanull it And his hand is stretched out and who shall turne it backe Isa 14 27. The voyce of the LORD is powerfull the voyce of the Lord is full of Maiestie the voyce of the Lord breaketh the Cedars yea the Lord breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon Psal 29.4 neither by arme nor strength but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hostes Zach. 4 6. Yea whatsoever the Lord pleased that did hee in Heaven and in Earth and in all deepe places Psal 135 6. And now behold the Lords hand is not shortened that in cannot saue neither is his eare heavie that it cannot heare Isa 59 1. And though it be marveilous in the eyes of the remnant of his people in these dayes shall it also be marveilous in my eyes saith the LORD of hostes Zach. 8 6. Gen. 18 14. Isa 40 26 48 13 50 2 3 43 13. 1 Ioh. 4 4. Mark 10 27. Q. What shall wee then say to these things Rom. 8.31 A. 1 Ascribe yee strength vnto GOD his excellencie is over Israel and his strength is in the Clouds Psal 68 34. 2 Pray saying Thou O GOD who commandest our Strength strengâ—hen O God that which thou hast wrought for vs Psal 68 28. 3 Because I know whatsoever GOD doth it shall be for ever nothing can be put to it nor any thing taken from it Eccles 3 14. If GOD be for vs who can be against vs Rom. 8 13. Therefore against hope beleeue in hope not staggering at the Promise through vnbeliefe c. But bring strong in the Faith let vs giue glory to GOD being fully perswaded that what hee hath promised hee 〈◊〉 able also to performe Râ—m 4 18 20. Eccles 3 14. Psal 62 10 â—1 Gen. 17 1. CHAP. L. The objects of the Promises Q. I Know now that GOD can doe every thing Iob 42 2. What therefore is required at my hands that all things also may bee possible vnto mee A. As thou beleevest so it shall be done vnto thee Math. 8 13. And if thou canst beleeue all things are possible to him that beleeveth Mark 9 23. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that wee through Faith and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Rom. 15 4. And that the blessing of ABRAHAM might come on the Gentiles through IESVS CHRIST that wee might receiue the promise of the Spirit through Faith Gal. 3 14. So then they which hee of Faith are blessed with faithfull ABRAHAM Gal. 3.9 For the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by the Faith of IESVS CHRIST might be given to them that beleeue Gal. 3 22 Blessed therefore is hee that beleeveth for there shall bee a performance of those things which were told him from the LORD Luk. 1 45. Habac. 2 4. 1 Tim. 4 10. Psal 34 8. Hebr. 11 29. Ierem. 17 5. Dan. 6 23. 2 Hold the mysterie of the Faith in a pure Conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 For bodily exercise profiteth little but Godlinesse is profitable vnto all things having the Promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Hee therefore that hath cleane hands and a pure heart who hath not lifted vp his Soule vnto vanitie nor sworne deceitfully hee shall receiue the blessing from the LORD and righteousnesse from the GOD of his Salvation Psalm 24 4. For the Lord GOD is a Sonne and a shield the LORD will giue Grace and Glory and no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walke vprightly Psal 84.11 Know therefore that the LORD thy GOD hee is God the faithfull God which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that loue him and keepe his Commandements to a thousand generations Deut. 7 9. For the righteous LORD loveth Righteousnesse his Countenance doth behold the vpright Psal 11 7. And therefore blessed are they which keepe Iudgement and he that doth Righteousnesse at all times Psal 106 3. 119 1. 73 1. Prou. 12 28.16 7.14 27. Isa 58 13.56 2. Deut. 7 12. 1 King 6 12. Ioh. 13 17. Exod. 39 43. Psal 4 3. Ob. I haue long liued in want notwithstanding all my care and indeauour in the study and practise of Godlinesse Iob 35 3. A. But are there not with you even with you sinnes against the Lord your God 2 Chro. 28 10 For GOD is good and doth good Psal 119 68. And withdraweth not his eyes from the Righteous Iâ—b 36 7. Psal 125 4. O thou therefore that art named the house of IACOB is the spirit of the Lord straitned Are these his doings Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly saith the Lord Micha 2 7 All the pathes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth vnto such as keepe hâ—s Commandements and his testimonies Psal 25 10. To the pure all things are pure but vnto them that are defiled is nothing pure Titus 1 15. For the hand of our GOD is vpon all them for good that seeke him but his power and his wrath is against them that forsake him Ezra 8 22. 2 Chron. 19 11. Q. What vse then are wee to make hereof A. 1 Take heed therefore brethren least there be in any of you an evill heart of vnbeliefe in departing from the living GOD Heb. 3.12 For to whom sware hee that they should not enter into his rest but to them that beleeved not So we see then that they could not enter in because of vnbeliefe Heb. 3 18. Let vs therefore feare least a promise being left vs of entring into his rest