hee that beleeueth not maketh Christ a lyer in that he will giue no credit and assent vnto the promises that he propoundeth and offereth vnto him But feare Q. Why then doth the Apostle bid the Gentiles feare If they must feare how then can they bee certaine A. First Paul directeth his speech here not to euery particular person but to the Gentiles in generall wherein and amongst whom there might be many proud and vnmortified professors and many doubling and dissembling hypocrites for whom this admonition was very necessary Secondly it is rather a Caue at then a Commination serueth not to astonish them but to stirre them vp to more carefullnesse and dilligence Lastly feare in this text is not to bee vnderstood of any troubling and tormenting feare but of a reuerend awe of Gods iudgements and of an holy care and indeauor to preuent and diuert the disfauor and wrath of God which may very well consist and consort with the certainty and assurance of faith for whosoeuer hath faith and hope hee purgeth him-selfe and keepeth him-selfe that the euill toucheth him not The naturall braunches How can the Iewes bee truly said to bee naturall braunches and consequently good seeing that euen they are by Adams fall sinners enemies to GOD and the children of wrath as well as others Ephes 2.3 Ans. The Iewes indeed had no naturall holynesse neither was it deriued from carnall succession neither was their nature better then ours but they are naturall braunches and were so called by reason of the couenant of grace made with them onely and their nation Secondly because they were seuered and seperated by GODS outward couenant and calling ceremonies and worshippe from all the world besides and were as a Fountaine sealed vp and as a Garden inclosed i. reserued and sanctified for Christ his owne vse and seruice If God spared not the naturall branches Q If the naturall branches bee not spared then they that are ingrafted into Christ by faith may bee cutte off Ans. The Argument followeth not for they are called naturall not by reason of their sound faith which they now had but because of Gods couenant and because naturally they had their beginning from the Fathers Secondly they were onely members of the visible Church wherein are many hypocrites but not of the Catholike and inuisible Church Take heed least he spare not thee i. least he disdaine thee and cast thee off Ques Can an elect or true member of the Church fallâ—way and so perish Ans. No for they onely haue the spirit of regeneration whereby they are sealed vnto the day of redemption they alone are indued with the spirit of constancie and Christ doth neuer cast them off Iohn 6.37 but the comforter doth abide with them for euer They may for the time bee depriued of the outward ministery and meanes of grace and saluation yet they were GODS people before in his eternall counsell Secondly benig regenerate and borne anewe of incorruptible seede they cannot perish nor fall away albeit the outward meanes bee remoued Ques What are wee then to thinke and iudge of those that from the profession of sound doctrine fall away to superstition or Atheisme and from outward and apparant holynesse to open prophanesse and licentiousnesse and thus liue and die were they euer of the number of the elect or any members of the inuisible Church Ans. No for the elect and members of the Catholike and inuisible Church are onely indued with sauing faith true repentance a liuely hope and the true loue of the godly their bretheren which graces neuer faile die or are vtterly extinct Whereas Apostates and they that degenerate to Atheisme and open Prophanes were neuer indued with true faith repentance and other graces that accompany saluation Well they might for the time haue the shadow of them but they neuer had the truth and substance Secondly Christ is alwaies and he alone an effectuall Mediator and Intercessor for the elect onely whereby they are so preserued in the state of grace that they cannot fall away Wherefore Apostates and backe-sliders were Christians and members of the Church in outward apparance and shewe onely and in their owne opinion and estimation of others and indeed all their holynesse and profession is nothing else before God but meere formalitie and hypocrisie And therefore all these temporall things and outward seemings in time of temptation soone fade and fall away and of such Christ pronounceth that he knoweth them not .i. he neuer did nor doth acknowledge them for any of his elect nor approue of them Ques Who and what kinde of persons fall away Ans. First they that are outwardly ingrafted into the couenant but yet are not inwardly called nor elected Secondly they that receiue the seed of the Gospel but without the roote of true faith and inward change renouation of heart and affection and these are onely the reprobate Math. 13. V. 19.20.21.22 Ques In what sort or in what regard doe they fall away Ans. First by their vnbeliefe and vnthankefulnesse refusing the promise made to them Secondly by corrupting and choaking the seed of the word either by want of memory or vnderstanding of defect of change and regeneration or absence of the full perswasion of the truth or finally either by troubles and persecutions or else by prosperitie profitt and pleasures Here-vpon the worde and Sacraments and the golden candlesticke of the Angelicall ministery as wholy taken from them as sometime it iustly commeth to passe or else if they haue no meanes continued they either as recusants and meere Atheists contemne them and refuse to vse them or else are thereby through their owne corruption more hardned blinded and darkened for the more good gifts and meanes of grace which offreth vnto them and the good motions he putteth into their mindes the more they do corrupt and abuse them The branches are cutte off that I might be grafted in Ergo. Our dignity and worthynesse is greater then that of the Iewes Wee must in Gods especiall works and iudgements dilligently weye and consider the true causes and distinguish and diffeâ—re them from those that are causes accidentally by occasion only as in this verse For the fall of the Iewes could not be properly any efficient or procreant cause of the saluation of the Gentiles the effect ariseth from the proper cause and resembleth reteyneth the nature of it The reason hereof is because the issue euent and consequent may bee good God so ordering directing and ouer-ruling it when the instruments that worke onely accidentally and ayme at their owne euill ends are euil and maliâ—ious Thus Ioseph was exalted after all his troubles and Iobs restitution and recouery 〈◊〉 redemption by Christ his death was in regard of the effect and euent good yet they wicked Instruments that onely accidentally and occasionally wrought it sinned heinously and are not to bee excused For if they would or had pleased God in
not erre and be deceiued in iudgment A. Yes for first if that notable Prophet of the Lord Elias erred in iudgment of the Church and Samuell the Prophet was deceiued in the choise of Isâ—i his sonnes yea and the Apostles themselues for a time were ignorant of the Article of the resurrection of Christ and of his kingdome yea and Peter after that the holy Ghost in the day of Penticost had descended vpon him knew not that the Iudaicall differences of meates were already abrogated thought the Gentiles were not capable of the Gospel except withall they should admit of and receiue the ceremonies of Moses his law if these Prophets Pillars of the church were ignorant and did erre euen in matter of faith why may not much more other both Pastors and people erre that haue not nor neuer in this world shall haue any such extraordinary calling gifts and illumination Secondly the Church and the principall members of it sinne alwaies and are ignorant yea and many times erre in the right interpretation of the Scripture ergo they may erre in faith But herein lyeth the difference first the true Church buildeth her faith onely vpon the Canonicall Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles secondly shee neuer stiffely and obstinately as heretikes doe maintaineth any error against the maine principles and foundations of true religion Q. Hath God cast away his people A. Gods couenant and sauing promises are neuer made frustrate and voide by the vnbeliefe of the multitude nay if there were but one true beleeuer in the whole world God would not breake his promise and couenant with him for all the rest Thus Noah and his familie were saued when all the world besides perished Thus Lot was preserued when the Sodomites were suddenly destroyed with Fire and Brimstone from heauen Thus Simeon Anna and a few others were saued in a generall corruption of doctrine and manners and lastly in the mystie fogge and more then Aegyptiacall darkenesse of Poperie Christs two faithfull witnesses .i. the small number of his true Ministers and constant champions and confessors albeit cruelly massacred by the Romish Antichrist ascended vp to heauen in a clowde their enemies seeing them Nay amongst the vnbeleeuers themselues and Idolaters in the Papacie God saueth many by reason of the promise of his couenant pawned with them hence it is that he conuerteth many before the close and end of this life whom otherwise hee might iustly leaue in their idolatrie and so destroy them Reason The reason hereof is first because the truth and performance of Gods promises resteth in him-selfe and not in any man whatsoeuer Secondly all his sauing gifts are without repentance .i. constant and vnchangeable 1. Vse Let vs hang all our saluation on Gods couenant and promises onely for all other helpes and additaments of men are vaine false and will faile and deceaue vs. 2. Vse Secondly let vs lay hold vpon and apprehend them all by faith and so inclose and impropriate them to our selues for onely faith doth giue vs right vnto them yea and infeoffe vs in and giue vs liuery and seison of them I also am an Israelite From Pauls example and conclusion wee learne That euery godly and beleeuing man may be fully perswaded and assured by faith that hee is a member of the true church and that hee shall vndoubtedly bee saued and therefore it is his dutie firmely to beleeue so much Rom. 8. v. 23. 38.39 Reason The reason is the promise and assurance hereof is made to the beleeuer sanctified person Psal. 15.5 Psal. 24. v. 3.4.5 Secondly doubting and despaire of Gods loue and fauour and of our saluation is a great sinne and against the attributes of Gods truth mercy and goodnesse and if wee doe great wrong and iniurie vnto good and faithfull men when wee call their loue and loyaltie into question much more when we doubt of the goodnesse and truth of the infinite and vnchangeable good maiestie of God And particular doubting distrust and dispaire is often and much condemned in the Scriptures Math. 14. v. 31. Luke 12. v. 29. Heb. 12. v. 12. 13. Vse 1. Hereby is condemned that false and comfortlesse opinion of the Romanists that depriueth and dispoileth faith of his forme and of his firme apprehension and application and maketh it nothing else but a generall beliefe of the promised blessednesse of God and a giuing of an assent to other mysteries reueiled of God touching the same which the very diuels and reprobates haue or may haue 2. Vse Wee must labour and striue by the continuall and carefull vse of the word preached the Sacraments prayer and conference and obseruation of Gods fauours towards vs both in blessings spirituall and temporall to attaine vnto the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and full assurance of it and hauing once obtained it to norrish and cherish it by the same meanes Q. Hath God forsaken his people whom he knew before A. Here Gods fore-knowledge beeing taken for his speciall fauour for his Predestination and adoption of them which is alwaies firme and vnalterable wee are taught these two conclusions First that the Predestination and the Election of Gods Saints is firme certaine and vnmoueable and can neuer be lost and that not onely in Gods decree but also in their owne sence and feeling Rom. 8.33 Tit. 1.1 Rom. 9.11 Rom. 11.7.2 Pet. 1.10 For it is a foundation that cannot bee shaken Secondly it is grounded vpon the rocke and therefore the gates and power of hell cannot preuaile against it Vse It checketh the Papists who make predestination mutable and vncertaine and so would despoile and disarme vs of the maine ground of all comfort Whom he hath fore-knowne In that here the cause why God doth neuer finally reiect or forsake his people is onely ascribed to his fore-knowledge 1. to the pleasure of his good will inward fauour and eternall predestination it excludeth and remoueth all mans merites and all outward dignities prerogatiues and excellencies what-soeuer from beeing any cause of it And no maruaile for if man though regenerate cannot in respect of his finite and sinfull nature merite ought at Gods hands hauing a being both by nature and grace much lesse could he merite ought before hee had any being or existence at all Vse Ergo seeing there is no cause of glorying in vs or any outward ornament and seeing nothing mooued God to elect vs but onely his meere mercy and fauour let vs ascribe and returne with thankfull hearts all the glory and praise thereof to him to whom alone it appertaineth Know yee not what the scripture saith of Elias In that it is here presupposed if not granted that the Iewes to whom Paul especially addresseth his speach for by an Apostrophe hee afterwards speaketh to the Gentiles from the 13. verse to the 25. were most ready and expert in the scriptures we are aduertised how profitable nay how necessary the
assaulted by Satan and his instruments let all the people of God pray for their constancy patience successe of their ministery for their deliuery and preseruation and then no doubt the ministers shall speede and prosper the better and the comfort of their perseruation shall redound to the people And I am left alone Herein Elias if we diligently heed the story and time wherein he prophecied who a little before thought that he had conuerted most of the Israelites and now he thinketh that they haue vniuersally reuolted from true religion wee are taught that the most excellent seruants of God haue their errours and infirmities one while they conceiue ouer-well of men and another while ouer-ill Act. 15. ver 37.38.39 1. Vse If so rare and singuler men these many times erre and are deceiued let no man presume too much of his owne knowledge learning and iudgement but walke humbly and alwayes suspect his owne ignorance and weakenesse and let him iudge rashly or ouer-hastily of no man but reserue all secret iudement to God If none for the present ioyne with him in the open defense of Gods worship or if none such be knowne yea if they should all forsake him as all forsooke Paul when he was conuented before Nero let them not bee discouraged but goe on boldly trusting in God and the goodnesse of their cause and God will assist strengthen deliuer yea and glorifie them God being on a mans side who can be against him nay he hath more with him then against him and other mens generall Apostacie or starting aside from their dutie and obedience cannot possibly depriue him of his crowne for hee shall liue by his faith and the more temptations and discouragements hee findeth to hinder him the greater will be his praise preferment and exaltation in the end But what saith the answer or oracle of God to him i. We must rather in this Apostacie of the Church attend what the Lord the God of trueth saieth then rest vpon the coniecture of Elias â— haue left or reserued to my selfe i. I haue preserued from death and idolatry 7000. men i. a great number of men women and children for seauen a set number is put here as in other places of Scripture for one indefinite or vncertaine number that haue not bowed their knees to the image of Baall i. that haue not polluted themselues with idolatry no not so much as in outward gesture and action Euen so at this present time i. in the time of the new Testament there is a remnant i. a small remainder of Iewes in comparison of those that perish through the election of grace i. whom God of his grace and fauour hath elected to euer-lasting life and which shall be saued by faith in Christ. Questions out of the 4. 5. verses Doth the Church of God neuer faile or cease to be vpon the earth An. No for albeit many times and in many places the church ceaseth to be visible conspicuous and glorious yet the true Catholicke and inuisible Church which consisteth onely of the number of the Predestinate and Elect euer was is and shall be and shall alwayes remaine in the world in one place or other For first it neuer failed when it was brought to the greatest extremities but at length it hath alwayes lifted and put forth her head out of the darkenesse where-with it was oppressed Secondly Christ his kingdome is eternall and shall neuer end but shall last and indure for euer when other kingdomes shall bee ouerthrowne destroyed and extinct Thirdly Gods couenant made with the Iewes and Gentiles viz. that hee will be their God and the God of their seed is euerlasting and vnchangeable therefore there must needs be some in whom the couenant must bee ratified and accomplished Lastly Gods promises cannot lye and his power can doe althings and God doth nourish and preserue the church by his word and prouidence when impietie and idolatry euery where preuaileth 2. Que. Had God any church and people in the middest of the darkenesse of Poperie when tyrants and false Teachers laboured vtterly to roote it out An. Yes as may especially appeare Apoc. 12.16 where the woman the Church flying into the wildernesse i. to places vnknowne to the aduersaries had a place prepared of God that they should feed her there a thousand two hundreeh and three score dayes i. they were nourished by ordinary meanes by hearing some true things of their owne Teachers and partly by learning true faith and doctrine of other better teachers partly by reading the holy scriptures and by meditating and musing of it by themselues and by conferring with others Secondly the Papists had some things that appertaine to the true Church as Baptisme albeit not altogether purely administred the Scriptures the Apostles Creede the Commandements the Lords prayer and a certaine ministerie Thirdly in the ruinous state darkenesse and Apostacie of a Church the very reading and repeating of the word yea the very sound and report of it is by Gods extraordinary working sufficient and effectuall to saue all those whom God will haue saued Act. 11. v. 20. 21. Iohn 4.28.29.40.41 42. Rom. 10 18. Lastly God hath his Church and seed euen in Babylon albeit in faith and affection separated and disioyned from her Apoc. 12.7 and these the Dragon maketh warre with Likewise Apoc 18.4 where Gods people are exhorted to come out of Babilon c. ergo there were some elect and some of Gods people there Quest. Therefore may not we perswade our selues that many of our Ancestors and fore-fathers were saued in the middest of Poperie An. Yes doubtlesse as well as in the corrupt and Apostaticall time of Elias for nothing hath in the Papacie befallen the Church which hath not befallen vnto it in times past Secondly besides the reasons expressed in the answer to the former question many of them kept and held the principles and foundations of faith and so rightly enformed their children seruants and families therein Apoc. 13.8 Thirdly there haue beene some that haue alwayes and openly by preaching writing and disputation opposed and set themselues against the corruption of error Apoc. 11.3.4.5.6.11 12. and this is also manifest by Illyricus his catalogue of the witnesses of the truth Fourthly many thousand children Baptised and so holy dyed in their infancie and child-hood before they could be infected and poysoned with the pestilence of error and so were saued Fiftly God pardoneth many faults and infirmities in his children whose hearts and mindes are right with him Mal. 3. v. 17. Lastly many of our Ancestoâ—â— albeit transported with the common invndation of error did before the end of this life repent of their sin and vtterly renounce and disclaime their owne merites and all confidence in them and relied vpon Christ onelie by true faith and so were saued Q. Why doth God sometimes suffer his Church to bee brought into such affliction darkenes extremities that the
outward face of it cannot be seene and discerned A. For two causes first because the world the wicked is altogither vnworthy of the fellowship of Gods Saints and the ministery of the word and therefore God hath most iustly depriued them of it Secondly God for the preseruation of the Church will haue it sometimes to bee secret and vnknowne for otherwise the world seeing it would inuade and destroy it Apoc. 12.6 Q. Is it not lawfull yea and sometimes expedient for a true and sound Christian for the auoding of offence and the preseruation of his life to dissemble his religion and to goe to Masse and Idoll seruice A. No for first it is not sufficient for vs to keepe our mindes free from assent vnto and from approbation of idolatry but wee must keepe our bodies vndefiled also 2. Cor. 7.1 Secondly God created and Christ redeemed both soule and body therefore wil be serued with both Thirdly God requireth not only the beliefe of the heart but also the confession of the mouth yea and the outward gesture and action also Rom. 10.9 Luk. 9.26 otherwise wee play the Hypocrites and God will discouer and detest vs. Forthly the offence that Idolaters conceiue is by them taken and not by vs giuen and therefore we are not in this regard to respect them at all Math. 15.12.13.14 And if we should communicate with them in their Idolatrous worship we should both harden them in their error and destroy or at least weaken the faith of others touching preuention of danger we must vse no vnlawful means to diuert it but commit our selues and cause vnto the power prouidence and goodnesse of the almighty who will dispence and dispose of all things for our good and knoweth how to deliuer vs. Lastly in respect of maintenance of Gods glory our liues yea if neede should require our saluation should not be deare and pretious vnto vs. Apoc. 12.11 and it is giuen vnto the true members of the Church as a speciall priuiledge not onely to beleeue in Christ but also to suffer for him I haue reserued vnto my selfe It belongeth vnto God only to preserue his church and children from Idolatry sinne and temptation euen then when the greatest number perish Hosea 13.9.2 Pet. 2.9 Rea. The reason hereof is because it is not in the power and ability of any mortal man to saue himself but it must proceed from the power and promise of God onely Vse It condemneth all conceite of our owne excellency and presumption which wee see how God correcteth in his owne deare children as in Dauid Peter and others 2 Vse Secondly in all temptatious and dangers we must depend onely of Gods omnipotency goodnesse and mercie and by earnest praier and supplication craue assistance and strength from God who will denie vs nothing thaâ— we aske in faith and in his Sonnes name Luk. 11.13 Ioh. 15.16 Ioh. 5.14 To my selfe 7000. Hence we learne the perpetuitie and euerlasting continuance of the true Church of Christ vpon the earth vnto the worlds end Math. 28. vers 19 and 20. It is not in the power and policy might or malice of the diuil and all his instruments whether tyrants or Seduceâ—â— and false Prophets to roote it out and extinguish it It is built vpon Christ and the gates of hell cannot preuaile against it it is the mount Syon that shal neuer be remoued and the ship tossed and turmoiled in the waters billowes tempests and windes of this malignant world and yet shal neuer sinke Math. 8. vers 25. and 26. Reason For Gods couenant is an euerlasting couenant his mercie endureth for euer his truth shal neuer faile towards the Church he is alwaies with them to the end of the world is both able and ready to helpe and releeue them in all dangers and difficulties The vses hereof are manifold and most comfortable 1 Vse We must learne hence neuer no not in the most dead desperate and declining state of the Church with Elias rashly to condemne it for if the most Eagle-eyed sharpe-sighted Prophets haue beene deceiued herein much more may wee that are in so many respects so farre behind them and inferior to them 2 Vse We must not bee daunted and disheartned much lesse despaire of Gods Church and the preseruation of a seed and remnant when the Godly are diminished yea and sometimes non inuenti sunt and the wicked braue it out tyranize ouer the Church and are exceedingly multiplied for many that seeme good are but hypocrites and dissemblers and the Godly themselues albeit liuing amongst vs are not alway knowne vnto vs. It is proper to God onely to know the heart and to know his 2. Tim. 2 19. and God in the corruptest estate of a Church that can bee immagined reserueth a remnant to himselfe 3 Vse In this case wee must walke by faith and not by sight and iudge not by the outward apparence wherein the wisest and the best may be and are oft deceiued but iudge by the written word and where that determineth not to suspend our opinion and reserue secret iudgement vnto God who wil further manifest the truth in his good time Deut 15.15 Which haue not bowed their knees to Baal From the authoritie and force of this place I obserue That the Godly must not in the least things expresly forbidden consent vnto and communicate with Idolatry no not in the outward gesture of kneeling kissing gazing bodily presence Daniel 3.15.16.17.18 The first reason hereof is because wee are to make a conscience of all Gods commandements and to abstaine from all appearance or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. kinde of euill Secondly they that carelesley assent and yeeld vnto that which is apparently euill are many times and may be drawen vnto greater cuills and sinnes euen as he that walketh to neere the pit-brinke or riuers side may sometimes fall in and be drowned especially if God to punish his rashnesse and presumption leaue him to himselfe as he left Aaâ—on and Peter for the time Vse Hereby the wisdome zeale and practise of those Christians is highly commended who choose rather to hide themselues in Denâ—es Caues Mountaines yea and wander vp and downe in sheepe skinnes and in goates skinnes being destitute afflicted and tormented then in Churches and the Groues of Idolatry to shew any countenance by any out-ward gesture or behauiour 2 Vse It condemneth the fearefulnesse and hypocrisie of such who thinke it sufficient if they haue as they say faith in their hearts and keepe their consciences to themselues and so outwardly communicate with Idoll and false worship but the commandement of God the practise of Christ the Prophets Patriarkes Apostles Confessors Martirs and of all sincere Churches is directly against it 3 Vse Thirdly we must bee so farre from condemning Gods blessed seruantes and martyrs for tendernes of consience and scrupulosity herein that wee must our selues
Vse Hereby is condemned the errour and ignorance of such who are of opinion that God did not freely of himselfe before Adams fall determine of all things persons accidents circumstances c. where as GOD doth effect and execute nothing in time but that which hee most wisely and holily determined before all times The spirit of pricking or comâ—unction Taking the word in this sense and signification we are taught this lesson and conclusion That God doth most seuerely and grieuously punish those that distast contemne and reiect his grace offered and tendered to them in Christ namely they are so giuen ouer of God and so possessed by Satan that they pure and powerful ministery of the gospell and testimonies of Gods word applied against them doth nothing but vex gall enrage and torment them Act. 7.54 Apoc. 11. v. 10. Nay they are so offended at and so enuie the successe and prosperity of the gospell and the true professors of it that they cannot rest and do to the consuming of themselues and hastining of their owne speedy and iust damnation nothing but breath out gall and bitternesse against good mâ—n and designe Gods Church and children to death and destruction Act. 4.16.17.18 Ioh. 9.22 Math. 2. v. 3. Apoc. 20. v. 9. Rea. The reason is that they might to their greater damnation haue some checks and inward torments of conscience whiles they trouble and persecute the Godly which is to them but a beginning and a fore-runner of euerlasting damnation Vse Let vs beware that we do not foster and norrish any roote of gall and bitternesse in our selues against Gods truth and seruants least otherwise wee in time become indurate senselesse and desperate but let vs feare God and his iudgments for hee that alwaies feareth in blessed but he that hardneth his heart shall fall into euill The spirit of slumber Thus it is in the originall and perhaps as it is well gessed at by some the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is deriued of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth might to signifie some deepe sleepe wherewith men are vsually possessed in the dead of the night this senselesse slumber may well be an effect and the issue of a pricking and enraged conscience The Doctrine which I raise hence is this that God in his iust iudgements doth many times to punish mens vnthankefulnesse and contempt of the truth depriue them of all sense both of their sinnes and of Gods anger and displeasure against sinne in so-much that neither by plagues nor promises they will suffer themselues to bee awakened out of this deepe sleepe and dead securitâ—e Isay 28.15 The reasons hereof in respect of the wicked themselues are first because they reuolt and depart from the word of God and hence become so blockish that they haue no sense at all neither acknowledge Gods hand and counsaile in their paines and punishments Secondly enioying long peace and prosperity and hauing no open and professed enemies they like the secure citty of Laish and the proud carelesse whore of Babylon thinke they are farre from al danger and shall see no euill Thirdly they vainely imagine that they haue sufficient defense and prouision against imminent euils and if they fall out they haue waies and meanes enough to elude and escape them Let vs be aduised from the consideration of Gods hand vpon the Iewes and beware and take heed that we neuer despise nor reiect the gospell and blessings of Christ propounded and offered vnto vs least with them wee bee left and forsaken in our naturall blindnesse and by continuing stubbernely and stifly in our sinnes wee become worse and worse and so die in our sinnes and bee damned Eyes that they should not see God as a iust iudge doth deliuer vp the reprobates being destitute of his grace vnto Satan and their owne lusts to be blinded more and more Ioh. 9. ver 39. Math. 13.13 and this God doth not by iniecting new blindnesse into them but by withdrawing his grace from them and by leauing them to their naturall blindnesse and so it must of necessity be encreased when men are forsaken of God The reasons hereof are first because they are none of his people and elect and hee is not indebted any way vnto them therefore he sheweth his power and iustice in their blinding and hardning Secondly because for the abuse of the gifts and graces of God and for the ill imployment of their talents God depriueth them of the knowledge and preaching of the word and so they ranne daylie into great blindnesse and obstinacie God in his iust iudgment forsaking them or els if they enioy the ministery of the word their hearts are so hardned and starkned with wicked desires and lusts and by the custome of sinne draweth as it were such a thicke skinne vpon it that it can by no warnings and admonitions be bent or bowed and they so hate the doctrine of the gospell that they neuer heed it much lesse meditate vpon it 1 Vse Let vs not maruaile at this iudgement as though it were some new thing that they that doe stubbernely and stifly reiect the gospell be thus blind seeing that the Prophets so long before complained of it and fore-told it but let vs rather beware of it and pray that we be not for our naughtinesse and negligence giuen ouer to the same iudgment 2 Vse Let vs be truly thankfull vnto God and giue glorie and praise vnto him that leauing and forsaking many others in the blindnesse of their minde and hardnesse of their hearts hee hath by his spirit opened our eyes and eares to vnderstand the doctrine of the gospell and to receiue it by faith vnto saluation for hee hath not done so with euery person neither haue the most knowne his lawes V. 9. And Dauid saith let their table bee made a snare and a net and a stumbling block euen for a recompence vnto them V. 10. Let their eyes be hardned that they see not and bowe their backe alwaies And Dauid as a figure of Christ saith Let their table i. their meat drinke law scripture sacraments of out-ward worship and all their prerogatiues and excellencies bee made i. turned into a snare That is as vnhappy birds are ensnared in that wherein they sought releife and comfort so let the fore-named benefits wherein they outwardly rest and which by their wicked opinions and errors they haue peruerted and abused and their preposterous zeale against the gospell turne to their destruction Let it bee a stumbling blocke and recompence vnto them i. Let them stumble against the Law and holy Scripture as against a stone that they may not bee builded thereby to saluation but may runne head-long to their owne destruction and let it as a recompence turne to their more grieuous punishment and iudgement and leaue them without all excuse Let their eyes of their vnderstanding be darkned i. blinded that they may not admit and receiue the sauing
these words which are part of the cause it euidently appeareth what a great iudgement of God it is for men otherwise of iudgement cunning subtill politicke to bee ignorant of the waies of GOD and to vnderstand nothing well and to fight and rebell against God and his blessed truth and yet to perswade themselues they haue vnderstanding This was the case and condition of Corah and his complices who bragged and boasted of their sharpe sight and would haue put out other mens eye in so much that they accused Moyses and Aaron Gods blessed seruants as though their sinnes were notorious and open to all men Thus the Scribes and Pharises with whom our Sauiour so often disputed and by name in the 9. of Iohn were made more blinde by our Sauiour CHRIST his preaching doctrine conference miracles life innocency and therefore hee saieth that hee came vnto iudgement in this world that they which see might bee made blinde i. They that see by their owne iudgment and thinke that they neede not the sight of grace for their pride and contempt are more blinded `according to the threatning and complaint in Isay. Who is so blinde as my seruant and messenger And thus the Popes Bishoppes Priestes Iesuites Seminaries of the Romish Church who when they are told of their errours demaund if the Church may erre falsely perswading themselues that they are the Church and therefore they cannot bee deceiued The reason of this iudgement is for that this obstinate and malicious blindnesse is the beginning and progresse to eternall damnation 1. Vse When we see such things and iudgements come to passe let vs not bee offended nor wauer in our faith but rather bee confirmed and strengthened in it for as much as such iudgments are inflicted vpon the opponents and contemners of it It must bee an admonition against those conceited persons who deceiuing themselues thinke they see and to bee of all most quick eyed when all their consultations and proceedings are against Gods reuealed will and nothing indeed but workes of darkenesse and the Deuill 3. Vse Wee must bee thankfull to the Lord for the light and knowledge imparted vnto vs and supplicate vnto his diuine Maiestie that hee would not punish our sinnes with so great a punishment And euer bowe downe their backes Obser. Seeing the curse of God hangeth ouer the enimies heads wee haue no cause to bee afraide and affrighted at their malice furie and frensie but rather to confirme and comfort our selues in our holy profession for God will at length bring them to confusion and will bring and procure ioy and deliuerance to his The reason hereof is for that it is in the hands of God to breake their strength and to smite them with a spirituall blindnesse as he smote the Syrians the Aegiptians and Elymas the Sorcerer with materiall blindnesse Vse The vse hereof serueth to reprooue the faintnesse and want of faith in such who because they see no present likelyhoods beginnings and possibilities of the wicked mens ruine and ouer-throwe begin to call in question Gods iustice and to frame and conforme themselues to their ill wayes and practises not knowing that the candle of the wicked is soone put out and their pompe and brauery soone commeth to naught and that in the meane time the godly are onely proued and tried whether that they will abuse Gods patience and bounty as the wicked worldlings and Atheists doe or not Bowe downe their backs The weakning of the strength is a speciall iudgment of God Psalm 102. vers 24. that is if at that time for their sinnes they were diuersly afflicted and banished out of their countrie and cut off in the middle of their race that they should not see the longed for time of the Messias nor bee partakers of the promised and expected glorie much more are they and so remaine to bee afflicted and captiuated since the Incarnation and Ascension of Christ for as much as they would not haue Christ to raigne ouer them nor would bee ranged vnder his banner nor submit themselues to the Scepter of his Gospell Bowe downe their backes alwayes or make their loynes to stagger as in the originall or Hebrew i. cause them to tremble in their consciencesâ— From both these translations considered together we may obserue how grieuous and violent is the inward vexation and perplexities of an euill conscience especially in mighty calamities and sore temptations so that often-times it weakneth and shaketh the strength of the whole body It maketh them feare where no feare is and with Caine to thinke that euery body that meeteth them is their enemie and will kill them They in their sports and iollities with Balthazer oftentimes obserue the hand-writing of Gods iudgement extant against them and being aliue they are already dead and being in earth they are in the very suburbes of hell Vse If wee would bee free from the torments and trouble of an euill conscience wee must repent vs vnfainedly of all our sinnes and with faith and holy zeale embrace and constantly follow and professe the Gospell of Christ. For this is the meane and way both to procure and to retaine ioye and peace of conscience in all trials and troubleâ— whatsoeuer The third Section or part of the Chapter Vers. 11. I demand then haue they stumbled that they should fall God forbid but through their fall saluation commeth to the Gentiles to prouoke them to follow them Vers. 12. Wherefore if the fall of them bee the riches of the world and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles how much more shall their aboundance Sense I Demand then haue the Iewes stumbled viz. at Christ the Rocke and stone of offence that they should fall viz. should in Gods euer-lasting counsell be wholy cut off and so perish God forbid i. let no man thinke or iudge so for the couenant is not vtterly abolished but they many of them remaine in possession of it But through their fall i. accidentally and indirectly saluation is befallen to the Gentiles i. A doore and way of Gods grace is opened vnto them so that they are hereby called and brought into Gods Church and kingdome If the fall of them i. their fewnesse and small number bee the riches of the world i. so further the calling of the Gentiles how much more shall their aboundance doe i. when the greatest number of them shall bee called and embrace the Gospell then they shall much more further it And the further meaning hereof is that if their fall can against nature doe it much more their fulnesse raysing vp and calling according to nature will effect it for faith is of greater power and validity then infidelitie and grace then corruption and the Iewes if they had beleeued had both confirmed the trueth of God and by their doctrine and example wonne many whome now by their obstinaciâ— they haue estranged and lost Question Through their fall
and condemne the couetous idle worldly vitious vnteaching dumbe absent and negligent ministers who because either they do not Gods worke at all especially in preaching or els execute their functions very negligently are subiect and lie open to Gods curse and are to answere for the damnation of so many soules as perish through their default Hier. 48.10 Ezek. 33. vers 6. and 8. Acts 20 26.27 2 Vse Secondly ministers neglecting all other by-matters that nothing concerne them and the hunting and hauking after worldly goods and glory must striue with all diligence to performe their duties and to make this their onely scope and marke to spread Christ his gospell farre and neere and so to conuert and saue soules 2. Tim. 4. ver 2. and 3. Act. 26. ver 18. V. Which are my flesh and chap. 9. ver 3. my brethren my kinsmen Out of these words the instruction naturally ariseth viz. the spirit of Christ doth not make men stockes and blockes or bereaue them of naturall affection for these are of God they are in themselues good and without the helpe and ministery whereof we can neither truly serue God nor performe the duties of righteousnesse and loue to men but it rather causeth and confirmeth them This sympathy and indulgent affection appeared most notably in Christ Iesus in weeping ouer the Cittie Ierusalem and bewayling the aproching ruine of it it manifestly also discouered it selfe towards Mary his Mother whom hee so much respected and had such a prouident care of and here it as in other places appeared most eminently in Paul who with the often hazard of his owne life labored the Iewes conuersion Vse Let vs haue a due regard to procure good spiritual and corporall to our country and kinsfolkes for this both nature and religion requireth and commendeth If nature bind vs to prouide for and doe good to our parents children and kinsfolke much more must grace and religion bind and vrge vs to care for their spiritual good and comfort And might saue some of them Obs. 2. We learne here that the preaching and ministerie of the gospell is not a matter onely of ciuility credit or a bare letter but the power of God the worlds saluation the immortall seed and to the Elect the sweet sauor of life vnto life Act. 13.46.47 2. Cor. 2.16 1. Pe. 1.23 and this it was that specially exalted Capernaum to Heauen and filleth citties and townes full of spirituall ioy Acts 8.8 The reason hereof is because God hath annexed a promise therevnto and is effectuall and powerfull hereby to draw and saue all that belong vnto him Mat. 28.19.20 â— 1 Vse It condemneth the Swink-feldains and the Atheists of the world that thinke the word preached is not of force and power to conuert any for they looke vnto the outward sound and letter onely and not to the poweâ— and promise of God who worketh effectually in it and by it in all them that belong vnto him Romanes 1.16 1. Cor. 1. ver 24. 2 Vse Let not men despise contemne and reiect the holy ministery but thinke and speake alwaies honorably of it let men herein acknowledge Gods goodnesse towards them and accept of the riches and treasures of his grace hereby offered vnto them For albeit it cannot profit and auaile any thing to saluation without the assistance of the holy spirit Yet by the helpe of it which alwaies accompanieth it in the elect al that are to be saued are ordinarily won Hence no Eunuch conuerted without a Philip no Cornelius without a Peter and no Lydia without a Paul V. 15. For if the casting away of them bee the reconciling of the world what shall their receiuing bee but life from death V. 16. For if the first fruites bee holy so is the whole lumpe and if the roote bee holy so are the branches If the casting away of them viz. i. the greatest part of the Iewes bee the reconciling of the world i. serue and tend to the calling of the Gentles whereby they are reconciled vnto God what shall the receiuing be i. the calling of the fulnesse of the Iewes by which they that before were cast off shall againe be admitted and receiued into the Church but life from death i. a recouery and bringing of spirituall life againe to the Iewes that were so many hundred yeares dead in their sinnes and also their restitution fulnesse shal giue an occasion of quickning to the Gentiles and of enriching many with the knowledege of Christ and saluation so of enlarging Gods kingdome both amongst Iewes and Gentiles and hence by reason of the common felicity shal be the true and perfect â—oy of the world For if the first fruites be holy so is the whole Lump i. For as then when the Israelites had offred the first fruites of their bread and loaues vnto God all the whole Lumpe and rest of the fruites were hereby blessed and sanctified vnto them that they might with good conscience bake knead and feed vpon them Euen so if Abraham Isack and Iacob their stock fathers and founders of their Nation were especially by reason of Gods couenant holie and accepted with GOD so shall the elect of their posterity bee in some sort fauoured for their Fathers sake And if the roote bee holy i. full of the iuice and sappe of grace so shall the branches i. The holie remainers by force of GODS couenant shall receiue and drawe iuice grace and goodnesse from it Q. If the conuersion of the Iewes shal be not onely vnto them but also vnto the Gentiles a spirituall resurrection and life from the dead and this must needes bee a little before Christ his second comming how can this place then agree to and accord with that in Luke where it is sayd But when the Sonne of man commeth shal hee finde faith on the earth Luk. 18.8 and with that towards the end of the world Sathan must bee loosed Apoc. 20.17 and seduce the people of the world Ans. They may very well and aptly bee thus reconciled by distinction That the last times of the world shal be happie in respect of the benefits of Christ and the light of the Gospell and likewise in regard of the gathering togither of the Church of Iewes and Gentiles throughout the world But they shal be vnhappie and miserable by reason of the worlds vnthankefulnesse and the seducement of Antichrist who shall not be wholy abolished before Christ his commming Secondly the number of Atheists Hipocrites Apostataes and prophane persons shall incomparably farre exceed the number of those that truely feare God and sincerely serue him yet that Church shall neuer wholy cease but vnder the tirany of Antichrist there shall remaine not a few that shall rightly call vpon Gods name and all the elect shal be saued whom the Lord out of all the families nations and kindreds of the earth hath marked with a certaine marke of Election and adoption Or thus in that generation or
Seeing that GOD is vnchangeable true and cannot deceiue in word or deede we are put in minde of our duty namely to trust in GOD who neuer faileth nor forsaketh them that relye vppon him and not in men who are lyars hollow hearted and lighter then vanitie it selfe Psalme 62 9. Psalme 146.3.4.5 Vse 2 Lette vs then by our pietie godlynesse and goodnesse labour to bring a blessing vppon our posteritie For the children and posteritie many times fare the better and are respected for their beleeuing and holy fathers sake woe then to ignorant Popish Atheisticall lewd licentious blaspheming and filthy minded and liuing parents who by their ill example not onely peruert and poyson their children but also bring vppon and deriue the cursse of GOD vnto them who doth visit the iniquitie of the Fathers vpon the Children vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate him Vse 3. Wee must bee admonished and aduised hereby that wee doe not from mens vnworthynesse and present condition take occasion rashly to condemne them and imperiously to insult ouer them But rather ascend higher and consider the roote and foundation of the couenant and proceed to their holy Ancestors that wee may know that the blessing of the couenant remaineth in them For no mens sinnes and vnworthynesse can make GODS faith and couenant frustrate yea many times where sinne abounded grace by GODS mercifull disposition abounded much more not to incourage any man in sinne but that it might appeare that in the matter of iustification and saluation Gods mercy is all in all Vers. 17. And though some of the branches bee broken of and thou being a wilde Oliue tree was graft into or for them and made partaker of the roote and fatnesse of the Oliue tree Vers. 18. Boast not thy selfe against the branches and if thou boast thy selfe thou bearest not the roote but the roote thee Though some of the branches that are hypocrites and voyde of good workes bee broken of id est reiected and cease to bee a Church by reason of their vnbeliefe and thou being a wilde Oliue i. a branche and bough of it and therefore naturally barren vnfruitfull and bearing nothing but bitter leaues was graft in for them and partaker of the roote i. of the iuice that commeth from the roote Abraham and floweth vnto all the branches and of the fatnesse i. of the graces promises and all the benefits and good things spirituall and outward made vnto vs in Abraham of the Oliue tree the Church of the Israelites which sprang from him Boast not thy selfe against the branches i. according to the meaning of the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do not shake thy necke against them by insulting triumphing and crowing ouer them for if thou boastest thy selfe thou bearest not the roote i. if you proudly glory and vaunt that some branches being broken of thou art ingrafted into the tree of the Church know thou that the Church of the Iewes receiueth nothing from thee but the roote thee i. thou hast thy foundation and sustentation and whatsoeuer thou hast from this that thou without any merite of thine art ingrafted into the Church of God neither doth the Church need thee but thou needest the Church that thou maiest be a member of it therfore thou must not for the vnbeliefe of some Iewes scornefully and proudly contemne and rage against the whole body of the people Q. Some of the branches bee broken off Can the true members of the Church become Infidels and so bee broken off from the fellowship of the Church Ans. No if they be liuing members and be truely by faith ingrasted into Christ for Christ will loose none of those that the Father hath giuen him to bee saued Iohn 17. but these that fall away and are broken off are onely branches and members in regarde of the couenant and in their owne conceit and the charitable opinion of the Church but not truely and really and before God seeing they are none of Gods elect and are destitute of faith and the spirit of Christ. Quest Who and how many sortes of people are or may bee cut off and fall away from the Church Ans. Two sorts First those that be ingrafted into the Church by the tenor and authoritie of the Generall couenant onely whereby God promiseth that hee will be their God and the God of their seede but yet are not elected for euery one that is Abrahams sonne according to the flesh is not a sonne of promise Secondly they that indeed receiue the seede of the word as many reprobates doe but they mixe it not with faith and it hath no roote in them neither are they renued and inwardly changed by it The word in these may be and soone is either vtterly lost or else choaked and peruerted and so they may be cut off and fall away finally and wholy And to conclude all in a word they are only alone cut and broken off that are Abrahams sonnes according to the flesh onely as the body of the Iewes generally were in Saint Pauls time and sithence but the sonnes of promise or Abrahams sonnes by faith neuer are nor euer can bee broken off bee their number neuer so small nor their temptations neuer so great and permanent 3. Quest. How are men ingrafted into the Church Ans. First by an outward calling and by an outward profession and approbation of the word and sacraments Secondly by Baptisme as a seale of our adoption and entrance or matriculation into the Church Thirdly by the testimony and in the opinion of the Church and so may a reprobate or hypocrite be ingrafted Fourthly in Gods secret counsell and by the spirrit of faith and seale of Gods holy and spirit hereby men with a prepared and sanctified hart receiue Gods word and keepe it these alone Christ draweth vnto him and inwardly changeth and transnatureth them vntill hee perfect them and bring them to the end of their hope that is the saluation of their soules and thus are the Elect onely ingrafted and therefore can neuer perish Some branches are broken of Seeing that Christ cannot abide barren and fruitlesse vines that are deuoid of faith and repentance and hath by reason hereof cut off and reiected not onely the nation of the Iewes generally for the time but also many countries and kingdomes amongst vs Gentiles wee must make vse hereof and learne hereby both to abound and increase in faith and good workes Iohn 15.2 The reason hereof is for that the anger and indignation of God goeth with it and temporall plagues and punishments which are but forerunners of euerlasting iudgement otherwise surprize and ceaze vppon vs. Math. 3. V. 8. Math. 7.21 Math. 21 41.43 Secondly all our faith and profession without works and fruites is not sincere and sound before God but copper and counterfeyt For true faith and regeneration can no more in their proper time opportunity be without