that onely might appeare and shine forth in all his workes Yet certaine it is that God for just causes albeit unknowne and hid to us hath rejected a great part of men The causes I say of reprobation are hid in the eternall counsell of God and knowne to his godly wisedome onely They are secret and hid from us reserved in his eternall wisedome to be revealed at the glorious appearing of our Lord Iesus Psal 36. Rom. 11. His judgements saith the Scripture are as a great deepe and his wayes past finding out It is as possible for us to comprehend the Ocean in a little dish as to comprehend the reason of Gods counsell in this behalf Antil What reason justice or equitie is there that sentence of death should be passed upon men before they be borne and before they have done good or evill Theol. I told you before that we can never comprehend the reason of Gods proceeding in this behalfe yet wee must know that his will is the rule of righteousnesse and must be unto us in stead of a thousand reasons For whatsoever God willeth in as much as hee willeth it it is to be holden just Wee cannot conceive the reason of many naturall things and things subject to sense as the motion of the celestiall bodies their unconceiveable swiftnesse their matter and substance their magnitude altitude and laâ—itude Wee cannot throughly finde out the causes of the thunder lightnesse winds earth-quakes ebbings and flowings of the sea and many other things under the Sun how then can wee possibly ascend up into the privie Chamber and Councell-house of God to sift and search 〈◊〉 the bottome of Gods secrets which no wit or reach of man can any wâ—â— attaine unto Let us therefore learne in Gods feare to reverence that which we cannot in this life comprehend This one thing I must say unto you that whatsoever God decâ—â—eth yet doth he execute no man till he hath ten thousand times deserved it For betwixt the decree and the execution thereof cometh sinne in us and most just causes of condemnation Antil If God have decreed mens destruction what can they do withall who can resist his will why then is he angry with us For all things must needs come to passe according to his decree and determination Theol. First I answer you with the Apostle Rom. 9.22 O man who art thou that pleadest against God Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it Why hast thou made me thus Hath not the Potter power of the clay to make of the same lumpe one vessell to honour and another to dishonour Moreover I answer that Gods decree doth not enforce the will of man which worketh and moveth of it selfe It hath in it selfe the beginning of evill mâ—tâ—on and sinneth willingly Therefore though the decree of God imposeth a necessity upon all secondary causes so as they must needs be framed and disposed according to the same yet no coâ—ction or constraint for they are all carried with their voluntary motion Even as we see the plumbe of a clock being the first mover doth cause all the other wheeles to move but not to move this way or that way for in that they move some one way and some another it is of themselves I meane of their owne frame so Gods decree doth move all secondary causes but takes not away their owne proper motion For God is the Authour of every action but not of any evill in any action As the soule of man is the originall cause of all motion in man as the Philosophers dispute but yet not of lame and impotent motion for that is from another cause to wit some defect in the body so I say Gods decree is the root and first cause of motion but not of defective motion that is from our selves Likewise that a bell soundeth the cause is in him that ringeth it but that it jarreth the cause is in it selfe Againe that an instrument soundeth is in him that plaieth upon it but that it jarreth is in it selfe that is in its own want of tuning So then to shut up this point all instruments and middle causes are so moved of God being the first Mover that hee allwayes doth will holily and justly in his moving But the instruments moved are carried in contrary motions according to their owne nature and frame If they be good they are carried to that which is good but if they be evill they are carried unto evill So that according to the double beginning of motion and will there is a double and divers work and effect Antil But from whence comes it that man of himselfe that is of his own free motion doth will that which is evill Theol. From the fall of Adam whereby his will was corrupted Antil What was the cause of Adams fall Theol. The Divell and the depravation of his own will Antil How could his will incline unto evill it being made good and hee being made good Theol. He and his will were made good yet mutably good For to be immutably good is proper onely to God And Adam did so stand that he might fall as the event declared Antil Was not the decree of God the cause of Adams fall Theol. No but the voluntary inclination of his will unto evill For Adams will was neither forced nor by any violence of Gods purpose compelled to consent but he of a free will and ready mind left God and joyned with the Divell Thus then I doe determine That Adam sinned necessarily if you respect the decree or event but if you respect the first mover and inherent cause which was his owne will then he sinned voluntarily and contingently For the decree of God did not take away his will or the contingency thereof but only order and dispose it Therefore as a learned Writer saith Volens peccavit proprio mâ—tu Bâ—â—â— He sinned willingly and of his owne motion And therefore no evill is to be attributed unto God or his decree Antil How then doe you conceive and consider of the purpose of God in all these things Theol. Thus That God decreed with himselfe â—no actu at once That there should be a world That Adam should be treated perfect That he should fall of himselfe That all should fall with him That he would save some of the lost race That hee would doe it of mercie through his Son That he would condemn others for sin Antil How doe you prove the decree of reprobation to wit that God hath determined the destruction of thousands before the world was Theol. The Scripture calleth the Reprobates Rom. 9.22 The vessels of wrath prepared to destruction The Scripture saith 2 Thes 5. God hath not appointed us unto wrath Therefore it followeth that some are appointed unto wrath The Scripture saith of the Reprobates that they were even ordained to stumble at the Word 1 Pet. 2.8 The Scripture saith They were of old ordained to this condemnation Jude
glory and the great peace and comfort of our owne consciences Strengthen us good Father by thy grace and holy Spirit against the common corruptions of the world as pride whoredome covetousnesse contempt of thy Gospel swearing lying dissembling and deceiving O deare Father let us not be overcome of these filthy vices nor any other sinfull pleasures fond delights wherewith thousands are carried head-long to destruction Arme our soules against all the temptations of this world the flesh and the Divell that wee may overcome them all through thy help and keep on the right way to life that wee may live in thy feare and dye in thy favour that our last dayes may be our best dayes and that wee may end in great peace of conscience Furthermore deare Father we intreat thee not onely for our selves but for all our good brethren thy deare children scattered over the face of the whole earth most humbly beseeching thee to blesse all them to cheere them up and glad them with the joy of thy countenance both now and alwayes Guide them all in thy feare and keep them from evill that they may praise thy Name In these dangerous dayes and declining times wee pray thee O Lord raise up nursing Fathers and nursing Mothers unto thy Church Raise up also faithfull Pastours that thy cause may be carried forward Truth may prevaile Religion may prosper thy Name onely may be set up in the earth thy Sons Kingdome advanced and thy will accomplished Set thy selfe against all adversary power especially that of Rome Antichrist Idolatry and Atheisme curse and crosse all their counsels frustrate their devices scatter their forces overthrow their armies When they are most wise let them be most foolish when they are most strong let them be most weake Let them know that there is no wisdome nor counsell power nor policie against thee the Lord of hosts Let them know that Israel hath a God and that thou which art called Jehovah art the onely Ruler over all the world Arise therefore O most mighty God and maintain thine owne cause against all thine enemies smite thorow all their loines and bow downe their backes yea let them all be confounded and turned backward that beare ill will unto Sion Let the patient abiding of the righteous be joy and let the wicked be disappointed of their hope But of all favour wee intreat thee O Lord to shew speciall mercie to thy Church in this Land wherein wee live Continue thy Gospel amongst us yet with greater successe purge thy House daily more and more take away all things that offend Let this Nation still be a place where thy Name may be called upon and an harbour for thy Saints Shew mercy to our posterity deare Father and have care of them that thy Gospel may be left unto them as a most holy inheritance Defend us against forraigne invasion keep out Idolatry and Popery from amongst us Turne from us those plagues which our sins cry for For the sins of this Land are exceeding great horrible and outrageous and give thee just cause to make us spectacles of thy vengeance to all Nations that by how much the more thou hast lifted us up in great mercy and long peace by so much the more thou shouldest presse us downe in great wrath and long warre Therefore deare Father woe most humbly intreat thee for thy great Names sake and for thy infinite mercies sake that thou wouldest be reconciled to this Land and discharge it of all the horrible sins thereof Drown them O Lord in thy infinite mercy through Christ as it were in a bottomlesse gulfe that they may never rise up in judgement against us For although our sins be exceeding many and fearfull yet thy mercie is farre greater For thou art infinite in mercy but wee cannot be infinite in sinning Give us not over into the hands of the Idolaters lest they should blaspheme thy Name and say Where is their God in whom they trusted But rather deare Father take us into thine owne hands and correct us according to thy wisdome for with thee is mercie and deep compassion Moreover wee most heartily beseech thy good Majestie to blesse our most gracious Soveraigne King Charles Queene Mary Prince Charles and the rest of the Royall Progenie We beseech thee also to blesse his Majesties most honourable privie Counsellors counsell them from above let them take advice of thee in all things that they may both consult and resolve of such courses as may be most for thy glory the good of the Church and peace of this our Common-wealth Blesse the Nobility and all the Magistrates of the Land giving them all grace to execute judgement and justice and to maintaine truth and equitie Blesse all the faithfull Ministers of the Gospel increase the number of them increase thy gifts in them and so blesse all their labours in their severall places and congregations that they all may be instruments of thy hand to enlarge thy Sons Kingdome and to win many unto thee Comfort the comfortlesse with all needfull comforts Forget none of thine that are in trouble but as their afflictions are so let the joyes and comforts of thy Spirit be unto them and so sanctifie unto all thine their afflictions and troubles that they may tend to thy glory and their owne good Give us thankfull hearts for all thy mercies both spirituall and corporall for thou art very mercifull unto us in the things of this life and infinitely more mercifull in the things of a better life Let us deeply ponder and weigh all thy particular favours toward us that by the due consideration thereof our hearts may be gained yet neerer unto thee and that therefore we may both love and obey thee because thou art so kind and loving unto us that even thy love towards us may draw our love towards thee and that because mercy is with thee thou maist be feared Grant these things good Father and all other needfull graces for our soules or bodies or any of thine throughout the whole world for Jesus Christs sake in whose Name wee further call upon thee as he hath taught us in his Gospel saying Our Father which art in Heaven c. A Prayer to be used at any time by one alone privately O Lord my God and heavenly Father I thy most unworthy childe do here in thy sight freely confesse that I am a most sinfull creature and damnable transgressour of all thy holy Lawes and Commandements that as I was born and bred in sin and stained in the womb so have I continually brought forth the corrupt and ugly fruits of that infection and contagion wherein I was first conceived both in thoughts words and workes If I should goe about to reckon up my particular offences I knew not where to begin or where to make an end For they are more then the haires of my head yea far more then I can possibly feele or know For who knoweth the height and depth
of his corruption Who knoweth how oft he offendeth Thou only O Lord knowest my sins who knowest my heart nothing is hid from thee thou knowest what I have been and what I am yea my conscience doth accuse mee of many and grievous evils and I doe daily feele by wofull experience how fraile I am how prone to evill and how untoward unto all goodnesse My mind is full of vanity my heart full of profanenesse mine affections full of deadnesse dulnesse drowsinesse in matters of thy worship and service Yea my whole soule is full of spirituall blindnesse hardnesse unprofitablenesse coldnesse and security And in very deed I am altogether a lump of sin and a masse of all misery and therefore I have forfeited thy favour incurred thy high displeasure and have given thee just cause to frowne upon me to give me over and leave me to mine own corrupt will and affections But O my deare Father I have learned from thy mouth that thou art a God full of mercy slow to wrath of great compassion and kindnesse towards all such as groane under the burthen of their sins Therefore extend thy great mercy towards me poor sinner and give me a generall pardon for all mine offences whatsoever seale it in the bloud of thy Son and seale it to my conscience by thy Spirit assuring me more and more of thy love and favour towards me and that thou art a reconciled Father unto me Grant that I may all time to come love thee much because much is given and of very love feare thee and obey thee O Lord increase my faith that I may stedfastly beleeve all the promises of the Gospel made in thy Son Christ and rest upon them altogether Enable me to bring forth the sound fruits of faith and repentance in all my particular actions Fill my soule full of joy and peace in beleeving Fill me full of inward comfort and spirituall strength against all temptations give me yet a greater feeling of thy love and manifold mercies towards me work in my soule a love of thy Majesty a zeale of thy glory and hatred of evill and a desire of all good things Give mee victory over those sinnes which thou knowest are strongest in me Act me once at last make a conquest of the world and the flesh Mortifie in mee whatsoever is carnall sanctifie mee throughout by thy Spirit knit my heart to thee for ever that I may feare thy Name renue in mee the Image of thy Son Christ daily more and more Give mee a delight in the reading and meditation of thy Word Let me rejoyce in the publike Ministery thereof Let me love and reverence all the faithfull Ministers of thy Gospel Sanctifie their doctrines to my conscience seale them in my soule write them in my heart give me a soft and melting heart that I may tremble at thy words and be alwayes much affected with godly Sermons Let not my sins hold back thy mercies from me nor mine unworthinesse stop the passage of thy grace Open mine eyes to see the great wonders of thy Law Reveale thy secrets unto me be open-hearted toward mee thy unworthy servant Hide nothing from me that may make for thy glory and the good of my soule Blesse all meanes unto me which thou usest for my good Blesse all holy instructions unto my soule Blesse me at all times both in hearing and reading thy Word Give me the right use of all thy merciâ— and corrections that I may be the better for them Let me abound in love to thy children Let my heart be very neerly knit unto them that where thou lovest most there I may love most also Let me watch and pray that I enter not into temptation give mee patience and contentment in all things Let me love thee more and more and the worldlesse and lesse So draw my mind upward that I may despise all transitory things Let mee be so rapt and ravished with the sight and feeling of Heavenly things that I may make a base reckoning of all earthly things Let me use this world as though I used it not Let me use it but for necessity as meat and drinke Let me not be carried away with the vaine pleasures and fond delights thereof Good Father worke the good worke in me and never leave mee nor forsake mee till thou hast brought mee to true happinesse Oh deare Father make mee faithfull in my calling that I may serve thee in it and be alwayes carefull to doe what good I may in any thing Blesse me in my outward estate Blesse my soule body goods and name Blesse all that belong unto mee Blesse my goings out and comings in Let thy countenance be lifted up upon mee now and alwayes cheere me up with the joyes and comforts of thy Spirit make me thankfull for all thy mercies For I must needs confesse that thou art very kind to mee in all things For in thee I live move and have my being of thee I have my welfare and good being thou art a daily friend and speciall good benefactour unto mee I live at thy cost and charges I hold all of thee in chiefe and I find that thou art never weary of doing me good thy goodnesse towards me is unchangeable Oh I can never be thankfull enough unto thee for all thy mercies both spirituall and corporall But in such measure as I am able I praise thy Name for all beseeching thee to accept of my thanksgiving in thy Son Christ and to give me a profitable use of all thy favours that thereby my heart may be fully drawne unto thee give me O Father to be of such a good nature and disposition that I may be won by gentlenesâ— and faire meanes as much as if thou gavest me many lashes Pardon all mine unthankfulnesse unkindnesse and great abusing of thy mercies and give me grace to use them more to thy glory in all time to come Strengthen me deare Father thus to continue praising and glorifying thy Name here upon earth that after this life I may be crowned of thee for ever in thy Kingdome Grant these petitions most mercifull God not onely to mee but to all thy deare children throughout the whole world for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I doe further call upon thee saying as he hath taught mee O our Father which art in Heaven c. FINIS