22.19 and Iames 2.18 Abraham was approued for righteous when he beleeued Gods promise euen before Isaac was borne so it is as plaine as can be spoken Gen. 15.6 He beleeued in the Lord and he accounted it to him for righteousnesse But Saint Iames sheweth how he declared it and made it manifest in worke and deed by a rare obedience to God When he offered Isaac his sonne vppon the altar Iam. 2.21 His faith so rested on Gods promise that although Isaac were killed and burnt to ashes Yet God was able to raise him vp Heb. 11.19 euen from the dead from whence also he receiued him in a figure All that are taught of God know that faith worketh by loue Gal. 5.6 that it cannot be idle or fruitlesse Eph. 2.10 God hauing created vs anew vnto good workes which he hath ordained that we should walke in Though they go not before iustification yet do they follow it where the Lord forgiueth sinne he also giueth a power to resist sinne to hate and shun it with a sound desire to practise such holinesse as through Christ is pleasing to God Though some ignorant people say We are iustified for our good workes yet the holy Ghost saith otherwise namely that We are iustified freely by his grace Ephes 1.7 through the Redemption that is in Christ Iesus Euen that grace wherein he hath made vs accepted in his Beloued in whom we haue redemption through his bloud the forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace Euen that grace which is Gods eternall free bounty and loue to vs in electing calling adopting and iustifying vs in Christ who is the Lord our righteousnesse Ier. 23.6 not that infused grace which is but as a drop and fruit of the other consisting in the renouation of the new man which being but in part for they that haue greatest measure Rom. 7.16 do what they would not and leaue vndone what they would do is not able to stand before the Tribunall seate of iustice which exacteth entire absolute obedience Deut. 27.26 accursing euery one that confirmeth not all the words of the Law to do them Which moued Dauid to powre out this desire of his soule Psal 143.2 Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall none that liueth be iustified And Paul who as touching the righteousnes which is by the Law was vnrebukeable yet counted all things losse Phil. 3.8 and did iudge them as dung that he might win Christ and might be found in him that is not hauing his owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ euen the righteousnesse which is of God through faith A third obiection and doubt It is said of the godly professors in Sardis that had not defiled themselues Reu. 3.4 that they shall walke with me in white for they are worthie there is then say some a worthinesse in our faith or works or both together by which we merit our blessednesse That we may not mistake this place seeing no prophesie of the Scripture is of any priuate interpretation 2. Pet. 1.20 conferre it with Luke 20.35 They that shall be accounted worthy to obtaine that world and the resurrection from the dead and that in 2. Thessal 1.5 That ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdome of God for which ye suffer And we shall perceiue that these are worthy by acceptation in mercy worthy by the righteousnesse of Christ imputed not by holinesse inherent the reward of going clothed in white or to haue a kingly dignity and much beauty set on them is not a merit or a reward for the desert of their works but of the meere grace and mercie of God for the merits of Christ for whom we and our works wrought by his Spirit find acceptance and fauour the Law teaching that the reward is of mercie Exod. 20.6 And the Gospell telling vs That the sufferings of this present time are not worthy of the glorie which shall be shewed vnto vs. Rom. 8.18 The crowne of life is of Gods promise not of our deseruing Iam. 1.12 as it is said Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receiue the crowne of life which the Lord promised to them that loue him The things which some call merits very vnfitly and not according to the phrase of the Scriptures are the nurses of our hope the prouocations of loue the signes of our election the forerunners of our future happinesse the way of the kingdome not the cause why we reigne It is Iesus Christ the holy Lambe of whom it is properly spoken Reu. 4.11.5.12 Thou art worthy O Lord to receiue glorie and honour and power and Worthy is the Lambe that was slaine to receiue power and riches and wisedome and strength and honour and glorie and blessing He alone purchased his Church with his owne bloud Our robes are made white in the bloud of the Lambe Our persons Reu. 7.14 our seruice our works haue acceptance with God onely for Iesus sake as it is said Eph. 1.6 He made vs accepted in his Beloued and our spirituall sacrifice is acceptable to God by Iesus Christ 1. Pet. 2.5 As no mans free gift can bind him to giue more but he that receiues more is the more bound to him that giues it therefore hence it followeth that by the good deeds which God hath enabled vs to do he is not bound by the debt of his iustice to giue vs more that he should be vniust if he gaue it not but we rather are bound to him And if he giue any reward to our well-doings this is not that he is a debtor to the works but of his owne liberalitie How vnfitly are good works said to be meritorious seeing they are not ours originally but Gods Phil. 2.13 he working both the will and the deed and that of his owne good pleasure But as they are ours they are debts due to God by his holy Law binding vs to do them and more Iam. 3.2 they are imperfect For in many things we offend all they are faulty not done alwaies with sinceritie fulnesse of desire or not with whole strength zeale and continuance as the Lord requireth yea they are vnequall to the recōpence When ye shall haue done all those things which are commanded you Luk. 17.10 say We are vnprofitable seruants we haue done that which was our dutie to do Let not our hearts be lifted vp in conceit of the worthinesse of our doings Habac. 2.4 as is vsuall in all Hypocrites but desire we that as they that looke through greene glasse thinke all they see greene the Lord will looke vpon vs in the face of his Annointed and accept vs as righteous in him who is our righteousnesse Gen. 27.24 That as Iacob got a blessing which was not due to him in
the name of his elder brother and in his clothing so we putting on the Lord Iesus Christ Phil. 3.9 may be found in him not hauing our owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ and may say with the Church or seede which the Lord hath blessed I will greatly reioyce in the Lord Isa 61.10 my soule shall be ioyfull in my God for he hath clothed me with the garments of saluation he hath couered me with the robe of righteousnesse as a bridegroome decketh himselfe with ornaments and as a bride adorneth her selfe with iewels Now concerning faith we do not teach nor beleeue that we are iustified or saued for our faith or the worthinesse of it but we cleaue to the word and beleeue as therein we are taught namely Gal. 3.11 The iust shall liue by his faith We are iustified by faith haue peace with God Rom. 5.1 Gal. 3.26 We are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus To him that worketh not Rom. 4.5 but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is COVNTED to him for righteousnesse And that comfortable bill of acquittance Act. 13.38 Be it knowne vnto you men and brethren that through this man is preached vnto you forgiuenesse of sinnes and from all things from which ye could not be iustified by the law of Moses by him euery one that beleeueth is iustified Vnderstand for a fuller clearenesse in this point that like as it is said of Timothie continuing in holinesse and sound doctrine 1. Tim. 4.6 In doing this thou shall saue thy selfe and them that heare thee It is not meant that Timothie or any Minister doth saue otherwise then as instruments Who is Paul 1. Cor. 3.5 or who is Apollos but Ministers by whom ye beleeued So though no other faith iustifieth but that which worketh by loue the same neither iustifying together with loue nor faith hauing his efficacie from loue yet faith which saueth Eph. 2.8 Ye are saued by grace through faith and not of your selues it is the gift of God saueth not as it is a worke or as it worketh by loue but as it receiueth Christ Iohn 1.11 that in him we may be righteous Euen as fire giueth comfort to the frozen and be nummed with cold not by the light thereof but by the heate of it As God giueth his Sonne vnto vs and in him eternall life so giueth he also to euery of his faith to be as a hand to receiue the gift so that they which receiue abundance of grace Rom. 5.17 and of the gift of righteousnesse shal reigne in life by one Iesus Christ It is true that true faith is neuer alone that is it is not fruitlesse barren or idle as that in Hypocrites but it is effectuall or there is a worke of faith 1. Thes 1.3 and labour of loue Yet it alone and no other grace iustifieth as to them that will be wise according to the word it is very manifest Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ euen we haue beleeued in Iesus Christ that we might be iustified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the Law for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be iustified This needeth no further declaration but is as cleare as that short speech of Christ to the same effect Mar. 5.36 Onely beleeue And that also Luke 8.50 Feare not beleeue onely and she shall be made whole And this doctrine maintaineth Christs honour and extolleth his bountie who giueth to the thirstie of the fountaine of the water of life freely Reu. 21.6 And it giueth to the broken in heart and sorrowfull soule much and sound comfort in greatest conflicts and terrors of conscience and when for sinne Satan would draw vs to despaire Let vs then cheare vp our hearts refresh our fainting spirits with the holy harmonie of the Apostles all of thē so sweetly sounding out this learning of our blessednesse by faith in Iesus Christ Saint Iude thus exhorteth Iude 21. Build vp your selues on your most holy faith looking for the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life Iames requireth we aske in faith Iam. 1.6 nothing wauering Iohn assureth vs that it is the commandement 1. Ioh. 3.23 that we should beleeue on the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ Paul setteth downe very briefly the summe of the Gospell Beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ Act. 16.31 and thou shalt be saued Peter in a great assembly taught Act. 15.9 that God put no difference betweene them and vs after that by faith he had purged their hearts Why tempt ye God to lay a yoke on the disciples necks which neither our fathers nor we are able to beare but we beleeue through the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ to be saued euen as they do Yea To him giue all the Prophets witnesse Act. 10.43 that through his Name whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall receiue remission of sinnes A fourth obiection If good works do not answer the righteousnesse of Gods Law nor iustifie nor satisfie nor merite before God it may seeme they are vile in your eyes or at least you make small account of them and you set a doore wide open to carnall liberty and all licentiousnesse of liuing O be it farre from all that professe Christianitie so to thinke or speake for good workes are a maine part of that worship of God which he commandeth and will call vs to account for they are the end of our Election assurances of our Calling companions of our Iustification the practise of Sanctification forerunners of Glorification the effects of grace the life of Religion the beauty of Christianitie witnesses of faith nurses of hope fruites of loue euidences of thankfulnesse our sacrifice to God our acceptance with men the difference betweene Saints and reprobates the truth of repentance a turning from dead workes preseruatiues from scandals a lasting debt and dutie they adde honour to our profession peace to our consciences further our reckning they are seales of saluation the way to the kingdome follow vs to Gods tribunall they are our walking in the waies of God and our blamelesse conuersation without which we are as fruitlesse trees fitted for the fire and hypocrites that without all helpe shall be cast into hell for as the word of truth teacheth Heb. 12.14 Without holinesse no man shall see the Lord. Take knowledge then and be minded that we beleeue and teach both a necessitie of good works and sundry excellent vses of them A necessitie of good works we do beleeue First because of Gods commandement Psal 119.4 Thou hast commanded that we should keepe thy precepts diligently Leu. 19.2 Be ye holy for I am holy This is the will of God 1. Thes 4.3 euen your
sanctification Secondly it is Gods ordination We are his wormāship Eph. 2 10. created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath before ordained that we should walke in them Thirdly there is a necessity of the doing and presence of good workes for the manifestation of the righteous iudgments of God when he will come to be glorified in his Saints and crowne his owne works in them Mat. 25.35 Reu. 22.12 For he will iudge all men according to their deeds And giue to euery man as his worke shall be Fourthly a necessity is imposed vppon vs because we are debters as it is said Luk. 17.10 We haue done what was our dutie to do Rom. 8.12 And Paul saith Ye are debters but not to the flesh but to God our Creator Redeemer and Sanctifier Euer thinke we on it Tit. 2.14 that Iesus Christ gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purifie vs to himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes The obligation and bond of our debt is our Baptisme We are buried with him by Baptisme into death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glorie of the Father so we should walke in newnesse of life Fiftly because there is no other way to eternall blessednesse but by the practise of holinesse For though good workes cannot be the cause of saluation but onely Iesus Christ as it is said Isa 49.6 I will giue thee for a light of the Gentiles that thou maist be my saluation vnto the end of the world yet are they the way and path vnto life and blessednesse Pro. 12.28 In the way of righteousnesse is life and in the path thereof there is no death Ye haue your fruite in holinesse Rom. 6.22 and the end euerlasting life The vses of good works are many and great in regard of God our selues others and our holy profession First God is glorified by our good workes which are being rightly performed a speciall part of his holy worship and seruice Ioh. 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bring forth much fruite His grace is manifested by enabling vs vnto a measure of obedience Eze. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and ye shall keepe my iudgements and do them God is honoured and praised for them and by them They glorified God for me Gal. 1.23 1. Pet. 2.9 Ye are a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him which hath called you out of darknesse into his maruellous light 1. Pet. 4.11 Do it as of the abilitie which God giueth that God in all things may be glorified through Iesus Christ As a father delighteth in a dutifull sonne so God delighteth in all those that beare his image imitate his holy nature that take pleasure in well doing Ioh. 4.34 whose meate and drinke it is to do their fathers will Secondly by our blamelesse and good conuersation we become followers of the example of Christ of his Saints Ioh. 13.15 I haue giuen you an example that ye should do as I haue done to you As Christ forgaue you Colos 3.13 so also do ye Take the Prophets who haue spoken in the name of the Lord Iam. 5.10 for an example of suffering affliction and of patience Thirdly by our holy life and obedience to God we gaine assurance that God hath chosen vs to be heires of saluation 2. Pet. 1.10 Giue diligence that ye make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall neuer fall If we loue in deed and truth We know we are of the truth 1. Ioh. 3.19 and shall assure our hearts before him Thus the truth of faith is knowne for faith that hath no works is dead Gal. 5.6 being alone Neither Circumcision nor vncircumcision auaileth any thing but faith which worketh by loue Thus also is the soundnesse of repentance knowne Act. 26.20 I shewed to them that they should repent and turne to God and do works meete for repentance Fourthly by carefulnesse of well performing our dutie we are heartned to looke for the performance of Gods free promises made vnto vs. So Moses had respect vnto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11.26 Godlinesse hauing the promises of this life 1. Tim. 4.8 and that which is to come We may looke for obtaine if God see it expedient for vs long life a blessed posterity peace plentie ioy of heart preseruation in the euill day and whatsoeuer good is 1. Cor. 15.58 Be ye stedfast vnmoueable alwaies abounding in the worke of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vaine in the Lord. Gal. 6.9 Let vs not be wearie of well-doing for in due time we shall reape if we faint not Know that whatsoeuer good thing any man doth the same he shal receiue of the Lord. Fiftly they that liue righteously escape curses and calamities when the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience 2. Pet. 2.5 For when God spared not the old world he saued Noah the eight person a preacher of righteousnesse God said he would spare Sodome and Gomorha Gen. 18.32 Isa 65.14 for ten sake that were righteous Behold my seruants shall sing for ioy of heart but ye shall crie for sorrow of heart and shall houle for vexation of spirit Sixtly they that are of vpright conuersation and are studious to abound in good workes shall auoid offences Giue none offence 1. Cor. 10.32 neither to the Iewes nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God Mat. 18.7 2. Cor. 6.3 For wo vnto the world because of offences Giuing none offence in any thing that the Ministerie be not blamed Seuenthly by our good deeds we win others to God or make way and prepare some to conuersion I am made all things to all men 1. Cor. 9.22 that I might by all meanes saue some Haue your conuersation honest among the Gentiles 1. Pet. 2.12 that whereas they speake against you as euill doers they may by your good workes which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation Rom. 11.14 I magnifie mine office if by any meanes I may prouoke to emulation them which are my flesh and might saue some of them 1. Pet. 3.1 Ye wiues be in subiection to your husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be wonne by the conuersation of the wiues Eightly righteous behauiour stoppeth the mouthes of the aduersaries that they cannot speake ill of vs. So the loyall and iust cariage of Dauid towards Saul ioyned with loue and meeknesse preuailed so far that he made this acknowledgment Thou art more iust then I. 1. Sam. 24.17 1. Pet. 2.15 So is the will of God that with well doing ye may put to silence the
ignorance of foolish men Ninthly by charitable works the poore distressed are much releeued and such are commended and commanded in the word of God Philem. 7. We haue great ioy and consolation in thy loue because the bowels of the Saints are refreshed by thee brother Iob saith Iob 29.12 I deliuered the poore that cryed and the fatherlesse and him that had none to helpe him the blessing of him that was readie to perish came vpon me and I caused the widowes heart to sing for ioy To do good Heb. 13.16 and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Tenthly when we do such works as beseeme them that repent we countenance the Gospell of Christ and our holy profession Therefore euen seruants are commanded so to walke Tit. 2.10 That they may adorne the doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things And this precept is giuen to all the faithfull Phil. 1.27 Let your conuersation be such as becometh the Gospell of Christ Furthermore let it be well remembred that to the wel doing of a good worke all the foure causes must meete together the two externall the Efficient and the End the two internall the Matter and the Forme By the Efficient is meant the Author worker or doer of a good worke who is no meere naturall man for he doth not perceiue the things of God 1. Cor. 2.14 much lesse do them No hypocrite who doth all for himselfe euen when he pretendeth most holinesse as Iudas could say Ioh. 12.5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence and giuen to the poore This he said not that he cared for the poore but because he was a theefe and had the bag and bare that was put therein No wicked man Pro. 15.8 whose very sacrifice is abhomination to the Lord. But he must be in Christ a new creature a regenerate man one that hath faith purifying the heart Act. 15.9 and which giueth him assurance that for Christ both his person and his worke is accepted with God As God had first respect to Abel and then to his offering Gen. 4.4 So it is Gods chosen that he hath ordained to bring forth fruite Ioh. 15.8 and be glorified that they beare much fruite He being the true author of all good works working in his both the will and the deed Secondly the End and principall scope of all our works is the glorifying of God Whether ye eate or drinke 1. Cor. 10.31 or whatsoeuer ye do do all to the glorie of God Pro. 3.9 Honour the Lord with thy riches and with the first fruits of all thine increase Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heauen There are also other lawfull subordinate ends of good works as in those nine seuerall vses before mentioned is made plaine Thirdly the Matter and substance of good workes is not euery deuised worke of man vpon his good meaning and good intent Our Sauiour reproueth the Pharisies for their traditions and seruices of God of their owne deuising Mat. 15.9 saying In vaine do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandements of men Whatsoeuer I command you Deut. 12.32 take heede ye do it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought therefrom So that nothing can be a good worke with God will allow but onely what he hath commanded The Law of God teacheth what good works we must do as Christ out of it answered to the yong man that would know What good thing he should do Mat. 19.16 Phil. 4.8 to haue eternall life Whatsoeuer things are true honest iust pure louely of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise thinke on these things these things which ye haue learned receiued and heard in me do and the God of peace shall be with you Fourthly the Forme and manner of doing them must be as the Lord commandeth 1. In faith Rom. 14.23 1. Pet. 2.5 the heart hauing a well grounded perswasion that for Christ they are pleasing to God 2. In loue as the precept is Let all your things be done in loue 1. Cor. 16.14 Tit. 3.8 Whence springeth 1. A carefulnesse They which haue beleeued in God be carefull to maintaine good workes Also 2. Readinesse and forwardnesse Tit. 3.1 Gal. 2.10 Be readie to euery good worke Onely they would that we should remember the poore the same which I also was forward to do 3. Timely for the good of the receiuer Pro. 3.27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due when it is in the power of thy hands to do it say not to thy neighbour Go and come againe and to morrow I will giue thee when thou hast it by thee 2. Cor. 9.7 4. Chearefully for God loueth a chearefull giuer Thirdly discreetly and with iudgment Eccles 8.5 For a wise mans heart discerneth both time and iudgement And as in the Psalme Psal 112.5 A good man sheweth fauour and lendeth and will guide his affaires with discretion Doing first good to them that excell in vertue and then to others after the example of the Samaritan Yea prouidently to take occasions of doing good As we haue opportunitie Gal. 6.10 let vs do good vnto all men especially to them who are of the houshold of faith Fourthly Plentifully The praise of Tabitha is Act. 9.36 that she was a woman full of good workes and almes deeds Charge them that be rich 1 Tim. 6.18 that they do good that they be rich in good workes readie to distribute willing to communicate Fiftly zealously and earnestly must good workes be done with feruent desire of heart and outward diligence He gaue himselfe for vs Tit. 2.14 to purifie vs to himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes Sixtly Constantly also and not for twice or thrice and then giue ouer Let vs not be wearie of well doing Gal. 6.9 for in due time we shall reape if we faint not Thus we teach good workes thus we practise thus we encourage all thereto Colos 1.10 yea We ceasse not to pray that we may walke worthy of the Lord vnto all pleasing being fruitfull in euery good worke and increasing in the knowledge of God The second vse and fruite Which we are to make by our knowledge of holy Maries blessednesse is to be informed and taught that it is the nature of true faith to apply to our owne selues apart personally particularly the promises of saluation and to put on Christ as a man putteth on his owne garment vpon his body not onely to beleeue that Christ and all his riches is ours but also that Christ is mine and I am his So said the Spouse of Christ My beloued is mine Cant. 2.16 and I am his so said the holy mother of Christ Luke 1.47 My soule
the necessitie of it for receiuing Iesus our Sauiour to be our owne and in him to haue and enioy free full and eternall saluation Looke we carefully into the gracious dispensation of our blessednesse and we shall find it both plainly and plentifully taught in the word of grace Life is primarily in the Father from him in the Sonne and that for as many as receiue him The Father hath life in himselfe Ioh. 5.26 and he hath giuen to the Sonne to haue life in himselfe but not onely for himselfe but for all that beleeue on him This is the record 1. Ioh 5.11 that God hath giuen TO VS eternall life and this life is in his Sonne Now if it be giuen to vs we must receiue this life and blessednesse and Christ the giuer to dwel in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 By it we haue a neare vnion with his person as members of his body whereof he is Head giuing vs life as feeling and motion are from the head to all the naturall bodie And communion with all his graces to our full blessednesse And that it is the proper act of faith alone to RECEIVE is thus taught The true Light came vnto his owne and his owne receiued him not Ioh. 1.12 but as many as RECEIVED him to them gaue he power to become the sonnes of God euen to them that BELEEVE on his name Paul thus speaketh Gal. 3.14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Iesus that we might RECEIVE the promise of the Spirit THROVGH FAITH In the same sence the word of laying hold on is vsed expressing the nature and act of true faith in this exhortation Fight the good fight of FAITH 1. Tim. 6.12 lay hold of eternall life whereto thou art called Faith is not a disposition to holinesse or a beginning of other vertues which vnited together might be meritorious of life and glorie as some haue greatly mistaken it but it is a receiuing apprehension laying hold on and applying of Christ vnto vs for whom and by whom we are acceptable to God and heires of blessednesse Our iudgement and faith must be grounded on Gods holy word which is most plaine and cleare in this great mysterie It is no where said thy faith hath begun vertues in thee though indeed there is no true vertue but which floweth from faith but it is said by the Lord himselfe Luke 7.50 Thy faith hath saued thee as also 1. Ioh. 5.24 He that beleeueth hath passed from death to life And the holy Apostles in like manner set forth the sweete and comfortable fruites of faith Heb. 10.39 We follow faith to the conseruation of the soule In another place he saith Rom. 3.24 We are iustified freely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Iesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud to declare his righteousnes for the remission of sinnes that are past through the forbearance of God to declare at this time his righteousnesse that he might be iust and a iustifier of him which beleeueth in Iesus To this agreeth that in Peter 1. Pet. 1.9 Receiue the end of your faith euen the saluation of your soules Christ Iesus is the obiect of our faith which assureth vs of our adoption iustification and full blessednesse and hath his seate partly in the vnderstanding partly in the heart In the mind and vnderstanding faith is a sure knowledge and apprehension that Iesus Christ the sonne of the Virgine Marie is the eternall Sonne of God the long promised blessed seed the Sauiour of all his chosen And in the heart it is a true and sure perswasion wrought also in vs by Gods spirit a confident application that I haue right to him as giuen to me waiting for all my blessednesse through him relying and casting my selfe wholly vpon him So I put to my seale Ioh. 3.33 that God is true iust and gracious infinitely good that extendeth such mercie to me freely for his beloued Sonnes sake neither dare I do that wrong to God and my selfe as to mistrust and doubt of his gracious promises He that shall beleeue and be baptized Mar. 16.16 shall be saued Ye are of God in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs 1. Cor. 1.30 wisedome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption Hauing Christ to be ours in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelleth we haue by him free pardon of all our sinnes and vnrighteousnesse the imputation of Christs righteousnesse to be ours by his free gift redemption through his bloud freedome from the curse and rigor of the Law from guiltinesse bondage and punishment of sinne from condemnation and hell torments By him we haue Reconciliation and Attonement sure sweet and lasting peace with God boldnesse with confidence to come to the throne of grace the spirit of Adoption whereby as deare children of God we call him our Father ioying in his presence desiring to do his will we haue prosperitie and aduersitie sanctified vnto vs to further vs to grow vp to full holinesse we haue peace of conscience sense of Gods loue ioy in the holy Ghost the Spirit of Christ dwelling in vs teaching enlightning guiding vpholding and comforting vs repairing the image of God in vs setting beauty vpon our soules giuing grace to be fruitfull in holy desires and meditations in all good words and workes strength to perseuere in the knowledge loue of the truth and carefull practise of all pietie to fight the Lords battels valiantly prosperously to get Satan trampled vnder our feete to triumph in Christ and finally with him to bee partakers of glorie and eternall blessednesse An obiection and doubt From these words of the Apostle Now abideth faith 1. Cor. 13.13 hope charitie these three but the greatest of these is charitie If charitie be greatest say some how then doth faith iustifie and assure euery beleeuer of his blessednesse Let such be put in mind that although charitie in two respects be greater then faith yet is it not that grace which receiueth iustification and life but the excellencie and greatnesse of it is seene in other things First charitie is greater then faith in continuance of time neuer falling away neuer ceassing but lasting euer more as may appeare in the words going before from 8. verse Faith and hope bring vs to Christ possessing him and with him full blessednesse there will be no more vse for them twaine Like as a man got into his countrey arriued where he will euer abide needeth no more a ship to passe ouer the seas Faith hope end with time Charitie ouer liueth all time When faith and hope ceasse with the world charitie then commeth to a fuller perfection Secondly charitie is greater in fruitfulnesse to do good to Gods people the proper worke of faith being to fetch comfort from Christ and conuey it into our owne soule
Faith casteth her eyes on God and all his gracious sweete promises Charitie looketh on men compassionatly to helpe and comfort thē and euen this good fruite springeth from faith as an apple from middest of blossome that grew before it Faith is the ancient and the true mother both of hope and charity and worketh by loue Gal. 5.6 All these three graces are excellent but faith is first hath preeminence first in giuing all glorie to God that in his loue he made a free Couenant of saluation and that in his truth he performed the same Secondly it is greatest by giuing to man hold and possession of the promised mercies so that by it as with a hand he taketh hold on receiueth and locketh fast into his heart the Couenant of saluation yea receiueth Christ to dwell in the heart Ier. 23.6 who is the Lord our righteousnes Faith is like to the root of a tree that frō the earth sucketh in nourishment to beget and continually to preserue and nourish the life and fruitfulnesse of it but charitie is like the branches of the tree which hauing receiued vitall sap do put forth their fruits in due season and according to their kind Faith may be cōpared to the Magnes or loadstone that draweth iron to it and keepeth it fast Charitie to Hematites that putteth out a vertue to stay bleeding Faith is a Receiuer Gal. 5.5 We through the spirit wait for the hope of righteousnesse by faith Charitie is a Giuer for hauing much giuen and forgiuen by Christ we loue much Luke 7.47 and giue back a reflexe of our loue euē true thankfulnesse to God and sundry fruits of hearty loue for his sake especially to them that excell in vertue As in the body the eye and eare haue their seuerall powers and offices the one to see the other to heare so in the soule haue faith and charitie Faith clingeth fast to Christ to haue in him iustification from sinne and his imputed righteousnesse to be ours Charitie sheweth forth the measure of our sanctificatiō to hallow Gods name to make sure our election and calling and willing and doing good to the Saints that are on earth And this may suffice for answer to the first doubt but fasten we yet our eyes more fully on the beautie of faith whose fairenesse and worth we cannot sufficiently admire That one place which is in the third of Iohn and may be called the summe of the Gospell openeth the treasure of grace to our view and the excellencie of sauing faith in these words God so loued the world Ioh. 3.16 that he hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue life euer lasting Consider we aright the true causes of our blessednesse and how great a gift it is and to whom it befalleth The first mouing cause is the free loue of God his rich grace mercy bountie The second cause is the Sonne of God giuen vnto vs who also gaue himselfe to be our ransome perfectly able to saue them that come to God by him The third is the meanes or instrumentall cause which is faith or beleefe the very hand and mouth of the soule to receiue Iesus Christ and all his riches to be ours The fourth cause is the end for which the Father gaue his Sonne hath two branches the one remouing of euill deserued That we should not perish the other the bringing in of our blessednesse purchased expressed in these words But haue euerlasting life When the Law accusing sheweth vs our sinnes and Gods angry countenance and iust wrath against vs euen eternall damnation when sinne and iniquities separate betweene God and vs then must we apply by faith to our fainting soules this glad tidings vttered by Christ the like to keepe vs from despaire True it is that the wounds of sinne are deadly but it is true also that the salue and remedies to heale and helpe are very soueraigne to euery one that is sound in the faith and layeth them to his soule Rom. 13.14 as a man putteth on his garment to keepe him from the cold As our sinnes are deformities that make the soule foule and vglie we haue Christ purging them by himselfe Heb. 1.3 As they keepe vs in bondage we haue Christ redeeming vs with his precious bloud 1. Pet 1.19 As they are euill deeds that cannot be vndone we haue Christ couering thē Psal 32.1 As they are debts greater then we can pay we haue Christ forgiuing them Rom. 4.7 As they are offēces against God making vs worthy of eternall death we haue Christ not imputing our sins vnto vs. Rom. 4 8. As they are disobedience against God and his law reuealed to vs from heauen we haue Christ fulfilling the law for vs. Rom. 10 4. Yea we haue from the same neuer failing fountaine of grace Rom. 4.11 Christs righteousnesse imputed to vs by which we are accounted and are righteous as if we had wrought all righteousnesse our selues euen as one friend setteth another free fully paying his debts for him As Caiphas ouerruled by Gods spirit well prophesied That Iesus should die for that nation Ioh. 11.50 saying Ye know nothing at all nor consider that it is expedient for vs that one man should die for the people and that the whole nation perish not And Paul very comfortably teacheth describing the faith of Abraham Rom. 4 23. And it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for vs also to whom it shall be imputed if we beleeue on him that raised vp Iesus our Lord from the dead How cleare is it in the word that as Adams disobedience made vs all sinners so the obedience of Christ maketh all true beleeuers righteous the words of the holy Ghost are these As by one mans disobedience Rom. 5.19 many were made sinners So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous For like as our sinnes were imputed to Christ when he suffered for vs and bare our sinnes in his body on the 1. Pet. 2.25 tree so his righteousnesse is imputed and reckoned to be our righteousnesse through Gods gracious acceptance most iust and wise dispensation Which also to the Galathians Gal. 3.13 is thus set forth Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law being made a curse for vs. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Iesus Christ that we might receiue the promise of the Spirit through faith And yet more plainly to the Corinthians 2. Cor. 5.21 God hath made him to be sinne for vs who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Now for the bringing in of blessednesse mentioned in the second branch called euerlasting life it is so great so good and glorious a treasure as no heart yet can sufficiently conceiue of the worth excellency thereof where he
shall alwaies behold God in his glorie and be satisfied with his likenesse Psal 17.15 yea conformed vnto him and partakers of a ful and endlesse glorie It is the bounty and kindnesse of the Highest to all his chosen little ones Tit. 3.7 That we should be iustified by his grace and be made heires according to the hope of eternall life Rom. 8.15 that we be annexed heires with Christ Psal 16.11 and possesse the pleasures at Gods right hand for euermore Now let it be carefully obserued and well remembred that while we so highly commend the sauing-faith that ascribeth glorie to God and bringeth such comfort to mans soule we arrogate nothing to our selues as if it were in our owne power to beleeue but we acknowledge it meerely to be the free gift of God as we are taught Heb. 12.2 That Iesus is the author and finisher of our faith We may not say that it is attained by mans skill and industrie but that it is a peculiar gift to Gods elect as the holy word teacheth vs Phil. 1.29 To you it is giuen to beleeue in his Name It is a work of God neither common nor small Ye beleeue according to his mightie power Eph. 1.19 And when God by the ministerie of his word and power of his Spirit hath wrought it in vs yet through our infirmitie it is weake imperfect such as standeth in need of daily increasing and confirming so as that the Apostles of Christ prayed Luk. 17.5 Lord increase our faith Euen where faith is in truth and sound it is but as a beggers hand to receiue a Kings bounty or if you would haue a gayer similitude to expresse it it is like the firie chariot that caried Eliah vp to heauen or like a gold ring that hath a pearle or rubie set into it the worth of the ring not being from the gold but from the precious pearle in it Excellencie of faith is in apprehending and applying to vs the most precious Obiect of it that is Christ Iesus and in him eternall life which the word doth plainly say is the gift of God Rom. 6.23 giuen onely to beleeuers yet not for the worthinesse of their persons or faith but meerly of Gods loue and free fauour as inheritances befall to men for whom they are prepared 2. Sam. 9.7 As lame Mephiboseth was set continually at the kings table not for any worth in him being also a deformed cripple but onely for Ionathans sake so we find acceptance with God but altogether because he hath loued vs in his beloued So that both the blessing Ephes 1.6 to be made capable of it is his most free gift We see that Kings suffer their Nobles to enioy much honor and great prerogatiues yet they will suffer no fauourite to weare their crowne So the Lord out of his infinite and most rich grace bequeatheth to vs in his holy Testament the legacie of eternall life and putteth faith into our hearts to seale the assurance thereof vnto vs yet the honor for the exceeding gift he reserueth to himselfe Isa 45.25 and will giue it none other We are all equally vnder the curse but when God calleth outwardly by his word and inwardly by his Spirit giuing to vs faith to beleeue in Christ our righteousnesse our hearts are much comforted and we greatly reioyce in the Lord. He that spared not his owne Sonne Rom. 8.32 but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall he not with him also freely giue vs all things Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect It is God that iustifieth who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen againe who is euen at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for vs. If the Sonne of God obey the Law for vs die for vs make intercession for vs why should we doubt of blessednes by him seeing he casteth off none but such as cast him off through their vnbeleefe Heb. 3.18 To them that beleeued not he sware they should not enter into his rest Dare man commit his life that is so precious vnto him to a ship made by the skill of man in it to passe ouer the wide stormie seas and shall we not boldly commend the whole safegard of our soules and bodies to the Sonne of the euerliuing God that laid downe his life for the sauing of vs Dare Benhadad put his life into the hands of his enemy vpon this ground that he had heard that the Kings of Israel were mercifull 1. Kin. 20.31 and shall not we that are professed Christians and desire to be accounted for the children of the Highest confidently fully and ioyfully resigne our selues to Iesus Christ to claime the mercifull promises made vnto sinners especially seeing he is at peace with vs is our peacemaker and taught vs that he came to saue sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Gal. 3.26 and that he hath made vs the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Ioh. 6.47 with a Verily verily I say vnto you he that beleeueth on me hath euerlasting life Among all the seuen nations of the Cananites that for their abhominations were destroyed the Gibeonites onely were wise and escaped deserued destruction Ios 9.13 for they sought and obtained peace with the Israelites and yet had nothing to pleade for themselues why they should be spared but put themselues vpon their mercie pretending that they came from a very far countrie shewing their old garments old shoes old bottels mouldie bread So of all the people on the face of the earth they onely will be found wise and happy that distrusting their owne works done before grace as altogether sinfull and those done after grace receiued as very faulty for not right vsing of them wholly despaire in themselues relie vpon trust to and cast themselues fully on the rich mercy of God and the holy merits of Iesus Christ and firmly beleeue that it is a true saying 1. Tim. 1.13 and worthie of all men to be beleeued that Iesus Christ came to saue sinners As Ionas was willingly cast into the sea Ionas 1.12 to stay the raging of it that all in the ship with him might not perish and they vpon his suffering enioyed a calme and desired safetie so Christ Iesus to appease the wrath curse that would haue fallen on vs suffered and gaue himselfe for vs Ephes 5.2 an offering to God for a sweete smelling sauour by it Gods iustice is satisfied his wrath appeased and all beleeuers reconciled As he that was guiltie of manslaughter though he could make no satisfaction for the bloud he had shed yet if he sought to the appointed citie of refuge by Gods mercifull dispensation and pardon he was set free Num. 35.28 but it was at the death of the High-priest So we that can pleade nothing for our selues being guiltie of many and great sins
reioyceth in God MY Sauiour It was no affectation of singularitie in that gracious woman to say MY Sauiour as though he had bene hers alone But so she well expressed the life of true and liuely faith vnto vs. And after her example euery Christian for himselfe is to beleeue his owne saluation building his assurance first on Gods loue in Christ 2. Cor. 5.19 reconciling vs to himselfe Secondly and on the truth of Gods free and vnchangeable promises sealed in our hearts by the spirit of adoption We receiued not the spirit of the world 1. Cor. 2.12 but the spirit which is of God that we might KNOW the things that are freely giuen vs of God It is a conceit without warranty to think this was a prerogatiue granted to her alone or to Peter Paul or some few that haue it by reuelation for euery one that is effectually called doth particularly with such application to himselfe so beleeue as she did and hath no sound and certaine comfort till he so beleeue Marke it heedfully how Paul so applieth to himselfe the promise of life and then to all euery of the faithfull that loue Christs coming I haue kept the faith 2. Tim. 4.8 henceforth is laid vp for ME the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue ME at that day and not to ME onely but to ALL them also that loue his appearing He that doth not beleeue particularly and faithfully that Christ Iesus is His Sauiour his beleefe is no better then the faith of diuels they beleeue Christ is a Sauiour to some men but they beleeue not that he is their Sauiour As of old euery one that sprinkled his dore posts with the bloud of the Paschall Lambe Exod. 12.13 was assured by the promise of God that he should escape the destroying hand of the Angell so euery one is baptized seuerally that he may haue a personall beleefe that His sinnes are washed away in Christs bloud and He shall escape the wrath to come Philip will not baptize the Eunuch till he professe such a faith Act. 8.37 Thou mayest be baptized if thou beleeuest with all thine heart We haue a cloud of witnesses of the holy ones that thus apart to themselues applied the promises of God whose steps we must follow if we wil haue true peace in our soules Iob expresseth his faith apartly and particularly thus Iob. 19.25 I KNOW that MY redeemer liueth In Isaias we reade My soule shall be ioyfull in MY God Isa 61.10 In Abacuk I will reioyce in the Lord Abac. 3.18 I will ioy in the God of MY saluation In Zacharie I will say it is my people Zach. 8.8 and they shall say the Lord is MY God So Dauid Psal 27.1 The Lord is MY light and MY saluation Elizabeth the mother of Iohn Baptist Luke 1.43 Whence cometh this to me that the mother of MY Lord should come to me Thomas the Apostle after he was healed of his vnbeleefe could say MY God MY Lord. Ioh. 20.28 Paul most holily acknowledgeth I liue by the faith in the Sonne of God Gal. 2.20 who hath loued ME and giuen himselfe for ME. It is no presumption to beleeue all that God hath promised nor to waite for all he intends to giue vs. But it is the great sinne for which the holy Ghost will reproue the world Because they beleeue not on Christ Ioh. 16.9 As a wounded man hath not comfort of his incarnatiue plaister till it be laid on his sore so haue we no fruit of Gods sweete promises till we apply theÌ„ close to our soules Who knoweth not that the commandements Thou shalt not kil nor commit adulterie nor steale are giuen to euery of vs as if he had said Thou Iohn Thomas Peter c. shall obey me when I say Thou shalt not kill c. So the promises of saluation for comfort are spoken to vs as if he named euery beleeuer seuerally It will do thee no good nor put any comfort into thy soule to beleeue the resurrection of the dead and life euerlasting except thou beleeue that thou thy selfe shalt at the end of the world rise againe and enioy life euerlasting â—â—ias prophecying of the coming of the Messias into the world Isa 9.6 saith not onely A Child is borne but vnto VS a childe is borne vnto VS a sonne is giuen So the Angels that were messengers of glad tidings say Luke 2.11 Vnto YOV is borne this day a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. So the Prophets and Apostles lay downe to their hearers their particular sinnes particular punishments and particular comforts when they repent Our dutie and comfort it shall be where God speaketh to all his generally to apply it our selues particularly As Seeke ye my face my heart answered vnto thee O Lord Psal 27.8 I will seeke thy face The third vse and fruite Is comfort and reioycing for the certainty of blessednesse by faith in Christ Iesus So the Virgine Marie hauing much assurance of her owne saluation Luke 1.47 Her spirit reioyced in God her Sauiour So the Lord bad his seauentie disciples Luk. 10.20 Reioyce that their names were writtten in heauen Now reioycing which God commandeth is for good things that are certaine and not vncertaine Be it so that such as know not that the Lords loue is towards them are euer full of doubting and vncertaintie and say the Apostles Disciples of Christ by Christs reuelation might be sure and certaine of their owne personall and seuerall saluation but so cannot others Let such be put in mind that where true faith is there is also a true assurance of blessednesse the holy Ghost teaching vs that faith assurance and reioycing in the Lord go together Rom. 5.1 Iustified by faith we haue peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ by whom also we haue accesse by faith into the grace wherein we stand and REIOYCE in hope of the glorie of God Phil. 4 4. Againe Reioyce in the Lord alway Agreeable whereto is that in Peter 1. Pet. 1.8 In whom though ye now see him not yet beleeuing YE REIOYCE with ioy vnspeakeable and full of glorie And for assurance and certaintie the holy exhortation is Heb. 10.22 Let vs draw neare with a true heart in full assurance of faith We could not attaine to this assurance of Gods loue But that we haue receiued the Spirit which is of God 1. Cor. 2.12 that we might KNOW the things that are freely giuen to vs of God He it is that perswades our hearts infallibly enabling vs to beleeue the power truth and loue of God to vs. 1. Pet. 1.5 We are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation What more assurance can we desire or what surer ground of reioycing then to know that we are kept for saluation and saluation kept for vs as it is there also said
1. Pet. 1.4 That the inheritance incorruptible is reserued in heauen for you Yea that we might haue strong consolation we haue the Lords oath Heb. 6.18 abundantly to shew to the heires of promise the immutabilitie of Gods counsell for blessing vs. And as the Lord is true in his promises so is he cōstant in his loue the word witnessing that Iohn 13.1 Hauing loued his owne which were in the world he loued them vnto the end Hence it is that we haue boldnesse Ephes 3.12 Heb. 4.16 Rom. 5.2 1. Thes 1.5 and accesse with confidence by faith of him Knowing the power of the word The Gospell comming vnto vs in power and in the holy Ghost and in much assurance and the power of faith that it is a ground or confidence Heb. 11.1 A substance of things hoped for the euidence of things not seene The phrase or speech of Scripture is not to doubt of Gods loue to weene trow or thinke well but to haue cōfidence assurance to beleeue and to know Iohn 6.69 We beleeue and know that thou art Christ the Sonne of the liuing God Rom. 4.21 Abraham was strong in faith fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to performe Most comfortable are the words in Iohn Behold what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the sonnes of God Now are we the sonnes of God 1. Ioh. 3.2 and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be but WE KNOW that when he shall appeare we shall be like vnto him for we shall see him as he is Paul vseth much vehemencie herein 2. Cor. 13.5 Proue your selues whether ye be in the faith examine your selues KNOW YE not your owne selues how that Christ Iesus is in you except ye be reprobates And in another place 1. Cor. 3.16 KNOW YE not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you Martha speaking of her brother Lazarus that was dead saith Ioh. 11.24 I KNOW that he shall rise againe in the resurrection at the last day Can we know a certainty of the resurrection of the dead and may we not as well know the other parts of our faith which we confesse a particular and true assurance of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and of our liuing euerlastingly in the kingdome of Christ Sure we are the Lord checketh doubting and reproueth staggering mistrust fearefulnesse vnbeleefe and wauering where we haue any promise to stay vpon Iam. 1.7 Let not him that wauereth thinke that he shall receiue any thing of the Lord. Mat. 21.21 Mat. 14.3 If ye haue faith and doubt not O thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt and Why are ye fearefull Mat. 8.26 O ye of little faith If it be obiected that very faithfull and holy men haue doubted bene deiected and bewrayed their lacke of this assurance of faith as Ionas Ionas 2.4 when he said I am cast out of thy sight Dauid when he brake out Is his mercie cleane gone for euer Psal 77.9 doth his promise faile for euermore Iob when he ran into extremitie of passion Iob 6.9 O that God would destroy me that he would let his hand go cut me off To these and the like we returne this answer that like as the beautifull Sunne is sometime eclipsed and the light of it to vs-ward is diminished for a time and as Iacob when he had preuailed with God and got a blessing Gen. 32.31 yet halted on the one thigh so the holiest vpon the earth fall faile in dutie and yet recouer thēselues through the seed of grace which God hath put in them 1. Ioh. 3.9 and so constantly to the end persist in grace and sanctimonie Yet to make it plaine by a fuller manifestation know First that at the first conuersion of a sinner he hath not full assurance of Gods loue to him but beleeuing his sinnes are pardonable afterward by spirituall growth he cometh to perswasion they are pardoned lastly to an infallible assurance and certainty thereof as we reade of Abraham Rom. 4.21 8.38 and Paul Faith is first like a bud then a blossome and after fruite of a full growth Eze. 47.3 As the waters that issued out from vnder the Temple first tooke the Prophet to the ancles thē to the knees after to the loynes lastly became a riuer that could not be passed ouer so are the graces of God in his children small at the first and haue their growth both by degrees and by attending to the word of his grace 2. Thes 1.3 So Paul thanked God that the faith of the Thessalonians grew daily 2. Secondly by some fall into a heinous sinne faith is much weakned euen as a mans body is by a sharpe and sore disease which moued Dauid to cry Psal 51.11 Cast me not away from thy presence take not thy holy spirit from me restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish me with thy free spirit 3. Thirdly in time of grieuous tentations when Satans suggestions moue him to thinke hardly of God and to thinke of himselfe that he is but an hypocrite deceiuing both himselfe and others though God be good to his Saints yet hath he forsaken him that he is no true member of Christs Church but as a dead branch Notwithstanding this fall in the spirituall combate there is a recouerie Psal 37.24 God putting his hand vnder that though he fall yet he falleth not away In such fearefull skirmishes it is with Gods elect as it was with the Patriarch Iacob in his trials for he once thought that he had lost three of his children Ioseph is not Gen. 42.36 and Simeon is not and ye will take Beniamin yet through the kindnesse of his God he receiued them all three againe to the great ioy and gladnesse of his heart So when faith seemeth to be quite lost and extinguished or at the most like a sparkle of fire couered with embers yet where it once was in truth it is recouered fully as in Dauid and Peter and manifesteth it selfe Mat. 8.25 somewhile in 1. Prayer for though fainting faith said We perish yet strugling and recouering faith cryed Ionas 2.7 Lord saue vs. Ionas soule fainted in him Yet remembred the Lord and his prayer came to him in his holy Temple Otherwise by 2. Hope On thee O Lord do I waite Psal 38.15 thou wilt heare me my Lord my God Why art thou cast downe my soule why art thou disquieted within me Waite on God for I will yet giue him thankes he is my present helpe and my God In 3. Humiliation also 2. Sam. 15.26 If he say I haue no delight in thee behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good in his eies The perplexitie of some in sundrie temptations is not vnlike Dauids and his men at Ziglag
who in their owne sense were miserable when their wiues and children and all that they had were caried a way captiues and yet behold after carefull vsing of good and discreete meanes 1. Sam. 30.3.19 recouered all that the Amalekites had taken away So though for a moment we are deiected and seeme to be forlorne yet God in his time Psal 63.5 which is alwaies simply best giueth a recouery with comfort and reioycing in the Lord. Noahs arke may be much tossed rocked and shaken but drowned it cannot be so the faith of the Saints is assaulted weakened and battered but neuer finally and wholly ouercome 2. Cor. 4.8 We are troubled on euery side yet not distressed perplexed but not in despaire persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but not destroyed The bush burned and consumed not Exod. 3.2 for God was in the middest of it To draw to an end that the called chosen and faithfull may haue sincere rest tranquillitie comfort of mind and conscience a true and vndoubted assurance of eternall blessednesse by Iesus Christ God that is the giuer of the gift giueth also witnesse thereof Rom. 8.16 Gods Spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God 1. Ioh. 3.24 And as Iohn saith who most clearely and often teacheth this infallible certainty Hereby we know he abideth in vs 4.13.5.13 euen by the Spirit which he hath giuen vs. Now the fruits of our spirit renewed by his Spirit though they are not all in all beleeuers in like measure and at all times yet are they of such power as giue vs comfort and discerne vs from the vngodly and wicked they are to vs pledges of Gods loue and as the gate of heauen as namely a searching out of our sinnes and defections a groning vnder the burthen of them an hatred and abhorring of them a striuing against them a labour and watchfulnesse to preuent sinnes and timely to cut off the occasions of them a mourning for the sinnes of the land an hungring after righteousnesse true loue to God and his children and the word of his grace patient hope waiting on God knowing that he will blesse both prosperitie and aduersitie vnto vs a desire aboue all things to please God vprightnesse of heart without hypocrisie and endeuour to keepe a good conscience to walke in our calling faithfully and chearefully boldnesse with God in humble prayer thankfulnesse for all his goodnesse to vs these and the like do assure vs that we are borne of God As for our certainty to perseuere in grace the foundation of it is not on the earth for so it would fall but on the Lords faithfulnesse He now hath the keeping of vs and of our blisse it is not in our hands as it was in Adams who quickly lost it He will confirme you to the end 1. Cor. 1.8 that ye may be blamelesse in the day of our Lord Iesus Christ God is faithfull by whom ye are called vnto the fellowship of his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Yea he hath made a sure Couenant so to renew vs Iere. 32.40 that He will put his feare into our hearts that we may neuer depart from him Maruellous is the light that God hath put into mans eye whereby he seeth the earth about him and the heauens aboue him without paine in a moment but more admirable is the sight of faith which can see before the world God electing vs to saluation in his Sonne our head in the world redeeming vs by his Sonne our Mediator after the world glorifying vs with his Sonne our King in the heauens for euermore The loue of God which is our life is ancient free sweete constant great vnspeakable incomprehensible and eternall God hath giuen his Sonne to be our Sauiour his Spirit to be our Comforter Isa 60.19 and he will be our glorie eternally Let all the Lords redeemed say and that continually with deuout and religious hearts My soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit reioyceth in God my Sauiour Blessing and glorie Reu. 7.12 and wisedome and thanksgiuing and honour and power and might be vnto our God for euer and euer Amen The comfort of a Christian by assurance of Gods loue to him MY peace of heart my happinesse My sweetest ioy is this Ephe. 1.4 That God me lou'd ere world was made And purpos'd me to blisse Iohn 13.1 This sure decree for lasting life This bountie great and free Ephe. 1.5 Iohn 6.39 Rom. 5.12.17 He hath fulfild in Christ his Sonne Whom he hath giuen for me Our fall in Adam fearefull was We left a cursed race Yet Christ our King the Lord of life Act. 15.11 Iohn 5.25 Hath sau'd vs by his grace A powerfull voice his Gospell hath To raise vp dead in sinne 2. Thes 2.14 Act. 11.17 Whom he doth call effectually Are strongly brought to him I call'd I come I runne with ioy I haste Lord vnto thee Mar. 10.49 As Bartimeus boldly went When Christ said Come to me Act. 11.18 Repentance thou doest giue to life The seale of thy sure loue Mat. 21.32 By it I stand in state of grace As new-borne from aboue When Law doth giue me sight of sinne Rom. 7.7 1. Chro. 34.27 My soule doth melt and rent My troubled sp'rite and broken heart Doth grieue and much lament Iob 33.27 Ier. 31.19 Psal 32.5 1. Tim. 1.13 I am asham'd of all my faults To God I them confesse I iudge my selfe a wickedwretch And of my selfe helplesse When sinne and Satan bid despaire Gods voice speakes to mine eare Beleeue in Christ his grace is great Act. 16.31 Shake off mistrustfull feare He mercie shewes to humbled men Heart-wounded he doth cure Luk. 4.18 Luke 1.53 He fils the fainting soule with ioy Their comfort he makes sure He great he good he slow to wrath Exod. 34.6 He kindnesse shewes to all He casts-off none that seeke to him Iohn 6.37 Yea he doth sinners call All ye that wearie are of sinne Whom it doth lode and quell Come ye to me I will you ease Mat. 11.28 My peace with you shall dwell These gracious words of Christ my Lord Cant. 5.2 Ier. 31.3 These comforts strongly pierce This Gospell moues my heart to bleed My sobs for sinne increase Psal 51.4 That I my God my Father deare With sinnes should so prouoke Gen. 39.9 And hauing found such mercy rare Should so cast off his yoke Iere. 9.1 A floud of teares I do desire To weepe both night and day Ephe. 4.30 Thaâ— I haue grieu'd the spirit of grace And turn'd his face away In stead thereof some holy flames Are kindl'd from aboue Luke 7.47 And many sinnes to me forgiuen My God I do much loue My selfe my seruice ioyfully Psal 119.106 A fresh to him I vow With setl'd heart to tread the path That he doth best allow Gen. 5.22 My
care is now to walke with God To trust in him for aye On him to hope and him to loue In all things to obey 1. Cor. 10.31 Psal 145.2 Psal 16.3 His glorie I will soundly seeke His praises forth will tell In Saints on earth will I delight In vertue that excell Psal 119.111 His holy word will I esteeme As rule of life most pure And striue to liue as it directs To make my calling sure 2. Pet. 1.10 The life of grace as way to blisse I wholly will embrace And shun allwaies of wickednesse That may my life disgrace Yea I will warre against all sinne 1. Tim. 6.12 Ephe. 6.10 And stoutly still will fight Perswaded sure through Christ my King To conquer by his might And though through frailtie of my flesh I faile I fall or sinne Mine inward man doth it detest Rom. 7.15 And loath to lie therein My heart can witnesse that by me When Gods Law was transgrest It was not I but Adam old Rom. 7.17 Indwelling-sinne my guest Which like vnto Goliah strong Doth daily vexe and rage Whereas mine inward man is weake Like Dauid yong of age Yet shall mine inward Dauid once 1. Sam. 17.51 Triumphantly preuaile And great Goliah ouerthrow Who doth so sore assaile Meane while each conquest ouer sinne Makes Gods loue to appeare Psal 116.17 And I new thankes and praise to him Will offer in his feare Another signe of Gods sure loue I cannot chuse but know In that both Diuell and foes did rage Psal 41.11 Yet could not me downe throw For God my strength did me vphold And kept me safe and sure 1. Sam. 12.22 Psal 136.1 He is no changling now to shrinke His mercies still endure And though my fals bring griefe and feare I shall not fall away Iohn 8.28 The sheepe of God cannot be lost Although they go astray Eze. 34.11 For Christ doth go to wildernesse When one sheepe he doth lacke He seekes it there vntill he find Mat. 18.12 And brings it on his backe The Couenant old to do vs good And put in vs his feare Ier. 32.40 That we from him should not depart It doth my soule much cheare Luk. 22.32 That Peters faith might neuer faile Christ here on earth did pray He now in heauen my Aduocate Will me vphold and stay A surer seale a sweeter pledge God giues me inwardly His holy Spirit which in my heart Rom. 8.16 Doth Abba Father crie My free Adoption he makes knowne 1. Ioh. 2.20 My deare Redemption seales My full Attonement with my God Rom. 8.16 He inwardly reueales He bends my heart vnto his will Eze. 36.27 He guides me by his Law To trust in him to loue him still On him to stand in awe His pow'r sometimes though I feele not Through sinne and fleshly feare Yet seede of grace sowne in my heart 1. Ioh. 3.9 In time doth me vpreare His loue so old so sweete so firme My heart with ioy doth fill Whom once he loues he neuer leaues Ioh. 13.1 But doth embrace him still The legacie of lasting life Rom. 6.23 His gift it is most free How then can any thing debarre Or keepe the same from me Wherefore were seales to Couenant set Mat. 26.28 Isa 34.9 Why did our Lord oft sweare But to cheare vp the fainting soule And make his loue appeare Hence I by faith vnto my selfe Gods promises apply Gal. 2.20 And say with Paul Christ so lou'd me That he did for me die Ioh 18.17 Ioh. 20.24 Mat. 12.20 And though with Peter I fall farre Or do with Thomas doubt Thou that breakst not the bruised reede Nor smoking flaxe put out As thou didst them restore in grace And made them to abide So wilt thou me who onely art Ioh. 20 28. My King my God my guide So whether it be thy holy will Rom. 14.8 That I shall liue or die I am thine owne and so shall be Now and eternally Luke 1.47 Wherefore in God my Sauiour My soule do thou reioyce In praysing of his holy Name Lift vp a chearefull voice Psal 107.22 In offering vp such sacrifice Lord make me spend my daies Make it my studie and my ioy To giue thee thankes and praise The Complaints of a Sinner The Comforts of our Sauiour SINNER COnceiu'd in sin in sin brought forth Psal 51.5 Rom. 7.14 Rom. 5.12 Gen. 8.21 Sold vnder sinne I was Seede of all sinne in me vile vaine I vglie am alas SAVIOVR A Sauiour I am to that flocke 2. Cor. 6.17 Ioh. 1.13 1. Cor. 6.11 Whom I anew create Thou borne of God by new-birth art Through me in happie state SINNER The Law of God as iust and good Rom. 7.10.7.12 Doth blesse who it fulfill But me for my foule faults and sinnes It doth both curse and kill Gal. 3.10 SAVIOVR The holy Law of God most high I haue fulfilled for thee Rom. 10.4 Heb. 8.10 Act. 16.31 Beleeue the Couenant of my grace And blessed thou shalt be SINNER The guilt of sinne breeds griefe dread Rom. 6.21 7.11 It woundeth as a sword Psal 38. An hell on earth it seemes to me What helpe for this O Lord SAVIOVR 1. Pet. 3.18 1. Pet. 2.24 When I the iust for vniust died And bare your sinnes on tree From guilt of sinne I clearly set Eze. 18.27 Repentant sinners free SINNER Rom. 6.23 1. Cor. 10.5 Sharpe punishments with wrathfull rods By each sinne we procure What mortall man can them escape Or yet the stripes endure SAVIOVR Iohn 1.29 Ioh. 3.16 Deut. 8.2 The Lambe of God your sinnes hath borne Beleeuers are made free To worke amendment rods are sent To trie and humble thee SINNER Rom. 7.23 Sinnes bondage blinds besots my mind My heart to euill bends Rom. 8.7 To hate the good to loue the bad To aime at sinfull ends SAVIOVR Rom. 6.22 Thou seruant made to righteousnesse By my grace art set free 2. Cor. 10.4 Though yet a while thou tug and toile Till warfare ended be SINNER Through flesh so fraile I oft am foild Rom. 7.15 What I would not I do What good I would I leaue vndone Rom. 7.19 This weakenesse works my wo. SAVIOVR Yet spirit oft the flesh doth courbe Rom. 7.22 1. Cor. 9.27 Rom. 8.13 And shall in time all sway This battell will a conquest bring To perfect peace make way SINNER The wicked world on euill set 1. Ioh. 5.14 Allures me vnto sinne Hath sundry snares and fearefull plagues Iam. 4.4 And oft wraps me therein SAVIOVR Thy home is heauen seeke after it 2. Cor. 5.2 Vaine worldly pleasures flie A friend to world is foe to God Iam. 4.4 Loue thou the things on hie SINNER The vglie Diuell sweld with spite Reu. 12.17 To sinne doth tempt me still And Lion-like seekes here and there 1. Pet. 5.8 Whom to deuoure and kill SAVIOVR Iam. 4.7 Ioh. 12.31 By faith resist and he will flie From heauen he is out cast Rom. 16.20 And vnder foote he shall be trod Through my great power at last SINNER Heb. 2.15 Vnwelcome death so gastly grim Vntimely comes with speed Heb. 9.27 My precious life it will cut off And keepes me in much dreed SAVIOVR 1. Cor. 15.55 Philip. 1.21 I conquer'd Death Deaths sting is gone It ends thy cares and sinne To lasting life it s as a gate By it thou entrest in SINNER Luk. 16.24 Hell-torments are a liuing death The paines of easelesse wo Reu. 19. â—0 For sinners these prepar'd of old These fright my heart also SAVIOVR Iob 42.6 Mourne for thy sinnes abhorre thy selfe Haue stedfast faith in me Reu. 20.14 I vanquish'd death and hell also For all that faithfull be SINNER The dreadfull day of doome drawes on When all men must appeare 2. Cor. 5.10 The Iudge is iust our sinnes are great Act. 17.31 What will then ease my feare SAVIOVR The righteous Iudge thy Sauiour is Iohn 5.27 Who will thee surely blisse But hypocrites will send to hell Mat. 24.51 The righteous doome is this SINNER O Sauiour sweete my life my light Instruct me to know thee What is thy will what is that good Thou hast laid vp for me Vnfained faith in me increase And make me strong therein To vanquish Satan doubts and feares And each presumptuous sinne Teach me with patient hope to waite On thy good pleasure still With true submission of my heart And conquest of my will My frozen heart set thou on fire With loue of thee my Lord With loue of grace of heauen of Saints With loue of thy sweet word The holy feare of thy great Name So put into my heart As may cause me from wickednesse And from all sinne depart The sacrifice of daily thankes From ground of heart I giue To thee my God with ioyfulnesse By whom my soule doth liue Let all my life set forth thy praise And therein neuer ceasse O grant me growth in godlinesse O let mine end be peace FINIS