Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	zeal_n	zealous_a	255	4	8.9667	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A46526	Compunction or pricking of heart with the time, meanes, nature, necessity, and order of it, and of conversion; with motives, directions, signes, and means of cure of the wounded in heart, with other consequent or concomitant duties, especially self-deniall, all of them gathered from the text, Acts 2.37. and fitted, preached, and applied to his hearers at Dantzick in Pruse-land, in ann. 1641. and partly 1642. Being the sum of 80. sermons. With a post-script concerning these times, and the sutableness of this text and argument to the same, and to the calling of the Jews. By R.J. doctor of divinity.	R. J.	1648 (1648)	Wing J27; ESTC R213600	381,196	433

to do and that in all fear and distrust of our selves and in all humility even because it is God which worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2 12 13. Neither must we trust to the strength of our own resolutions to do well And strength of our own resolutions purposes and promises or purposes and promises of our own though we intend therein never so well and do not of purpose make semblance of what we mean not No Peter did so before he had experience of his own weaknesse and so many others who in their sicknesse danger or otherwise do vow and resolve to become new men c. In all these we must take God along with us and Christ We must take God along with us doing all in his power and strength or otherwise we shall find our strength to be weaknesse Thus Paul Phil. 4.13 I can do all things yea and suffer all things through Christ which strengtheneth me This he saith who yet of himself was not sufficient so much as to thinke any thing as of himself 2 Cor. 3.5 When we thus deny our own strength and trust not to it we may be weak in our selves but yet never so strong in the Lord Eph. 6.10 as then So Paul found it 2. Cor. 12.10 For when we trust to our own strength God denieth us his and so we trust to a staffe of reed as many professing strong resolutions to become Martyrs and not to deny Christ or his truth have fouly failed and that because they denied not their own strength But when in any thing we undertake or resolve upon we deny our own strength and do all in Christs God will not be wanting to us In such case and in such case only Let the weak say I am strong Joel 3.10 3. Our own Righteousnesse and Holiness 3. Is it any righteousnesse or holinesse of ours which we have either from the Law in which Paul was unblameable or from the Gospel Phil. 3.6 2 Pet. 2.10 so far as through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ any of us have escaped the pollutions of the world and so are of civill conversation and life in the world Oh learn we to disclaim all in the sight and acknowledgement both of the perfection of that righteousnesse which is in Christ and which is needfull for us and of the inward pollutions of our souls hearts thoughts and affections boyling there and of secret pride opinion of merit and of hypocrisie and selfe-deceit raigning there which we must not stand upon as the Pharisaicall Jewes of old Be we far from the pride and hypocrisie of the Jewes of old who in regard of some legall righteousness of theirs as it might appear to their own eyes and to the eies of the world could say though otherwise they were incredulous Idolaters and vile hypocrites as God himself doth charge them Stand by thy self come not neer to me for I am holier then thou and of latter times Isai 65.2 3 4 5. Yea let us beware of the like pride hypocrisie and vain glory of the Pharisees in Christs time set out in the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican Luke 18 10 11 12. God I thanke thee saith he that I am not as other men are extortioners unjust adulterers or even as this Publican I fast twice in the week I give tithes of that I possesse Ah take heed These being ignorant of Gods righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousnesse have not by self-deniall submitted themselves unto the righteousnesse of God Rom. 10.3 If these Jewes in my text had still stood upon such termes with God when had they been converted we could not have expected such words savouring of so much self-deniall from them Men and brethren what shall we do and as many amongst ourselves No we should rather have heard what we may now daily hear I hope I am no contemner of holy things I reverence Gods sanctuary come to Church hear divine service diligently and carry my selfe there devoutly am uncovered Thus did not these Jewes in the Text bow at the very mention of the name of Iesus my Saviour and honour the Altar the prime place of his holiness and honour all which I see others proud Pharisees as they are ●rofanely to neglect I wrong no man I am no adulterer extortioner or unjust person c. Thus they would put the Pharisee from them whilest they keep him close in their own bosoms and think to avoid him by chargeing others with him If Paul had persisted thus to do who once stood much upon himself that he was circumcised nor Paul of the stock of Israel of the tribe of Benjamin an Hebrew of the Hebrews as touching the Law a Pharisee concerning zeal persecuting the Church touching the righteousness which is of the Law blameless Gal. 1.13 14 15 16. I say when had he been converted having been especially so exceedingly zealous in his Religion as many are now in their own way of formality and of the traditions of his fathers But when it pleased God to call him by his grace and to reveal his son in him hee conferred no longer with flesh and blood he accounted all losse to him for Christ yea dung that he might win Christ and be found in him not having saith he mine own righteousnesse which is of the Law lo his self-deniall but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousnesse which is of God by faith Phil. 3.7 8 9. And this is that righteousnesse unto which these Jewes in my Text whilest they deny themselves are directed vers 38. as also the jaylor Acts 16.30 31. Let us then with the holiest otherwise of men next to Jesus Christ denie our own righteousnesse not stand to plead our civill life our morall righteousness our formall service and strict observation of outward duties traditions or injunctions of men Let us with Paul renounce all these nor Isaiah and with the holy Prophet Isaiah Isai 64.5 6. truly and from the heart confesse with him who puts himself into the number We are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags Whereas saith he Thou O God meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousness those that remember thee in thy waies The humble Publicans confession will better become us Luke 18.13 14. who standing a far off would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven but smote upon his breast saying God be mercifull to me a sinner The rather let us look to this nor the Publican because Publicans and harlots as being sooner convinced of their sins and unrighteousnesse go into the kingdom of God before proud Pharises and justitiaries Matth. 21.31 32. These beleeved John when those others beleeved him not who came unto him in the way of righteousnesse and when they had seen it repented not afterward

be humbled enough Sect. 5. The former exhortation further followed that our sorrow may be to repentance CHAP. XVII A Case shewing when a man is humbled enough Sect. 1. Directions what to do in case of a seeming defect in our sorrow Sect. 2. Signes of true sorrow 1. From the Antecedents of sorrow And 1. What sorrow is not sound scil That which is caused by envie anger natural causes whether outward or inward by melancholy and that which is grounded on any power of mens will CHAP. XVIII Signs of true sorrow from the true Grounds of it Sect. 1. And first If it be for sin and upon a true sight thereof more then for punishment Sect. 2. How to know whether our sorrow be for sin as it is sin And first If it be in our prosperity as well as adversity Sect. 3. If it be for all sin in our selves and others Sect. 4. True sorrow is occasioned by some hope and glimpse of mercy CHAP. XIX Other Trialls of a sufficient Humiliation from the Concomitants and Effects thereof Sect. 1. And first It is generally shewed what is sufficient Humiliation Sect. 2. The truth of sorrow shewed from two Properties seven Effects and six Concomitants of it Sect. 3. From other Concomitants gathered from the Text As 1. Confession of sin even to man Sect. 4. Detestation of sin an effect of true sorrow for sin Sect. 5. True Contrition in the heart fils the head with care and causeth Consultation about the Means of cure and is not cured but by spirituall means Sect. 6. Self-denyall accompanieth true Contrition Sect. 7. The contrite heart is an obedient heart CHAP. XX. AnVse of Comfort to the truly contrire CHAP. XXI Vses fourthly concerning All. 1. Instructing how to carry our selves towards such contrite ones 2. Reproving and censuring their censurers and persecuters Their doom CHAP. XXII An Exhortation to all of all sorts to get this mournfull disposition of soul for sin With moe Lets removed CHAP. XXIII Where is shew'd another effect of the word and what these yong Converts said And that the heart being once affected sheweth it self by words and thereby may be discovered CHAP. XXIIII Shewing that in trouble of conscience for sin Means should presently be used Why withVses CHAP. XXV Sect. 1. That comfort to our troubled consciences is to be sought onely of Gods faithful Ministers Why Sect. 2. False Means of cure are to be abandoned What they are Where the Libertines Objection against us is answered Sect. 3. With two other Vses shewing 1. That few are pricked 2. A difference between the sound and unsound in trouble of soul Sect. 4. Three Directions to be in such case followed which the Apostles being sought unto do give And no other in effect to be given by Ministers With three other Directions to be followed in case of wrongs done by us to other men to regain our peace CHAP. XXVI The Apostles considered also according to their 1. Order 2. Number And that Direction and Comfort is to be sought of others as well as of Peter and much more then of Peters pretended Successor the Pope CHAP. XXVII Gods Word cures as well as kils CHAP. XXVIII Shewing how Gods Ministers and people are and shall be sought to and honoured at one time or other by those that now disrespect them Why With doubleVse CHAP. XXIX Shewing what Titles were given to the Apostes and what now are usurped by the Pope and kindely taken by others CHAP. XXX God teacheth us by Men the ground and Reasons why with diversVses concerning both Ministers and their hearers CHAP. XXXI Sheweth that Ministers are Brethren one with another and with their people WithVses CHAP. XXXII Consultation of many about the good of their souls is no Conventicle CHAP. XXXIII That there is the same means of cure in like case for all distressed in conscience CHAP. XXXIIII The chief care of Christians should be how they may save their Souls CHAP. XXXV How such as God will save must be qualified And first That they must question their estate and shake off security WithVses CHAP. XXXVI Such as are converted and saved must seek salvation out of themselves Where largely of Self-denyall Sect. 1. But first That men by sin bring themselves into great straits Sect. 2. Why we are to deny our selves and all goodnesse in our selves in the matter of salvation Sect. 3. Use 1 of Instruction and Exhortation to denyall of our selves as in other things so particularly in duties concerning Conversion Sect. 4. Containing a more generall Exhortation to self-denyall And shewing first In what things wee are simply and absolutely to deny our selves Sect. 5. Shewing secondly in what things otherwise lawfull wee are to deny our selves And first In things naturall and these of three sorts Sect. 6. Secondly In things spiritual as in Duties Gifts c. Sect. 7. Thirdly In things eternall as first In some accidentals of glory as in the degree and time of it Sect. 8. Secondly In glory it self And first In the salvation of others Sect. 9. Secondly That in some case wee should be ready to deny our selves in our own salvation Sect. 10. Containing a second Use or a reproof of such as being convicted by the Word do yet oppose it and are all for themselves Sect. 11. A third Use Incouraging and Directing what to own and shewing for what we are to deny our selves And first for God in his Attributes and glory Sect. 12. Secondly for Christ in his Excellencies and All-sufficiency by making him All and in all things to us Sect. 13. Thirdly Shewing we are to deny our selves in other things for the eternall good of our souls Sect. 14. Fourthly Shewing that the publick good of others of the Church and Common-wealth is to be preferred before our own private good CHAP. XXXVII Sect. 1. Shewing 3 That such as God converteth and saveth must be willing and plyable to Gods will and ready to submit to him in matter 1. of Salvation 2. Of Religion and worship 3. Of Obedience Why With Uses Sect. 2. An Exhortation to Obedience with the comfort of it at Christs coming contrà Terrour to the rebellious and disobedient The generall Method of the whole TREATISE on Acts 2.37 Where three things What these young Converts 1. Heard 2. Suffered 3. Said 1. What they heard where of 1 The time of their Conversion Now and not till now Chap. 1. 2 Persons They where their 1 Quality Chap. 2. 2 Number Chap. 2. 3 Means of their Conversion when they heard this where 1 The Act Heard Chap. 3. 2 Object This 1 general Chap. 4. 2 special Chap. 4. 2. What they suffered They were pricked in heart which passion is considered in a threesold relation 1 To Peters Sermon as an effect of it Chap. 5. Sect. 1 2. 2 To the sinners themselves as a fruit of their sin Sect. 3. 3 To the whole work of Conversion and as the first degree and beginning of the same Sect. 4.

Where 1 How they came to be pricked Chap. 6. 2 That all true Converts must first be pricked in heart Where The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or that it is so and there the 1 Explication Chap. 7. Sect. 1. 2 Illustration Sect. 2 3 4. 2. The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Demonstrations or Reasons why God will have it so Chap. 8. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the manner order and degrees of Conversion 1. As it depends on love in God chap. 9. 2. As it depends on the power of God and that in regard 1. Of the meanes and persons working it Chap. 10. Sect. 1. 2. 2. Of the work it self where the works 1. Of the Law § 3. 2. Of the Gospel Sect. 4. 4. The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Uses and Application The Vses and Application Where USES of four sorts 1. Generall of Triall and as preparative to the rest Chap. 11. 2. Such as respect those who as yet have not been pricked 1. Of Instruction Chap. 12. 2. Of Terror Chap. 12. 3. Of Exhortation where 1. Motives Chap. 13. 2. Meanes to be used 1. Le ts removed 1. Such as hinder the words to pierce Chap. 14. Sect. 1. 2. Such as keep the soul from being sensible of pricking Sect. 2 3 4. 2. The Means to be used are 1. Gods Word C. 15. § 1. 1. Heard 2. Recalled 3. Applied 2. Consideration of sin sect 2 1. Originall 2. Actuall 3. Gods judgements 1. On our selves § 3. 1 Past 2 present 3 tocome 2 On others c. § 4. 4. Gods high Majesty well thought on Sect. 5. 5. Earnest prayer Sect. 6. 3. Such as respect those that have been pricked in heart who are 1. Instructed 1. Not to return to sins sorrowed for chap. 16. § 1 2. 2. To go forward with this work of Humiliation sect 2. 2. Exhorted § 3. where 1. Reasons why we are not to rest in every slight sorrow Sect. 4 5. 2. A Case resolved shewing when a man is humbled enough where 1. Directions to such as seem not humbled enough Chap. 17. Sect. 1. 2. Signes of true sorrow 1. From the grounds of sorrow 1. Negatively § 2. 2 Affirmatively c. 18. § 1 2 3 4 2. From the Concomitants and Effects of it cap. 19. in seven Sections 3. Comforted cap. 20. 4. Such as concern all who are 1. Instructed how to carry themselves towards mourners Chap. 21. 2. Such reproved as censure and reproach them Chap. 21. 3. All of all sorts exhorted to get mournful hearts Chap. 22. 3. What they said And said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren What shall we do Where four thing 1. Who said Such as were pricked Chap. 23. 2. When Presently Chap. 24. 3. To whom and so of whom do they seek direction namely of the Apostles who are considered in relation 1. To God where 1. The nature of their Office Chap. 25. § 1 2 3 4. 2. Their order of naming Chap. 26. 3. Their number Chap. 26. 2. To these Converts as the same who 1. Wounded them C. 27 2. Were derided by some of them Ch. 28 4. What they said where 1. A Compellation 1. Men Chap. 30. 2. Brethren Chap. 31. 2. A Consultation where 1. Who consult who 1. For number Chap. 32. 2. For inward motive Chap. 33. 2. About what even the saving of their souls Ch. 34. 3. The Consultation it self Shewing how such as are converted must be qualified namely They must 1. Consult and shew care of the main shaking off security Chap. 35. 2. Deny themselves 1. Specially in matter of salvation and in duties belonging to Conversion Chap. 36. Sect. 1 2 3. 2. Generally in all things else where 1. In what things 1. Absolutely Section 4. 2. In some case only as in things 1. Natural Sect. 5. 1. Faculties of soul 2. Things of this life 3. Life it self 2. Spirituall in 1. Duties § 6. 2 Gifts § 6. 3. Eternall as 1. In some accidentals of glory as 1 Degree Sect. 7. 2 Time Sect. 7. 2. In glory it self that concerning the salvation 1 Of others Sect. 8. 1 dead 2 living 2 Our own Sect. 9. With a Generall Reproof Sect. 10. 2. For what we are to deny our selves namely for 1. God in his 1. Perfections Sect. 11. 2. Glory Sect. 11. 2. Christ in his 1. Excellencies Sect. 12. 2. Alsufficiencie Sect. 12. 3. Our own souls considered in their 1. Worth § 13 2. Salvation § 13 4. Publick good of 1. Church § 14. 2. Common-wealth § 14. 3. Publick persons § 14. 3. Be ready to do Gods wil and to submit to it in matter of 1. Salvation Ch. 37. § 1 2 2. Religion and Worship Ch. 37. § 1 2 3. Odedience with the comfort of so doing at Christs coming Ch. 37. § 1 2 A TREATISE OF COMPUNCTION OR Pricking of Heart Acts 2.37 Now when they heard this they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we doe CHAP. I. Concerning the time of mens Conversion With Vses The good fruit of Peters Sermon THese words and the following shew the fruit and good effect of the Apostles teaching on the day of Pentecost especially of Peters Sermon which was the conversion of many Jewes Conversion even three thousand soules the beginning and preparation whereunto is contained in these words Where we have first Where 1 The Meanes Instrument of Conversion Gods word preached The Instrumentall cause of their conversion expressed which was Peters Sermon from the fourteenth verse to this verse but the vertue and power of the principall Worker which is God and Christ by the Spirit is included Secondly A double Effect First Their being wounded in heart Secondly The expression of their inward sorrow and care to be saved by their words Or we may referre all to these three Heads What these Converts First heard Secondly suffered thirdly said SECT 1. Concerning the change in Conversion NOw when they heard this The summe of what they heard is in the thirty sixth verse namely first The dominion of Christ Secondly Their sin in crucifying him This heard and beleeved Where 1. Time 2. Persons 3 Meanes of Conversion is made the ground of their conversion Where we may take notice of first the Time Now when secondly Persons They thirdly Meanes Heard this Where first the Act heard secondly Object this All which being expressed in the English are implyed in the Originall The Time Now and not till now The time of their conversion Now and not before though formerly these Jewes heard not only the Apostles but Christ himselfe often preach unto them Now they are pricked and cry out when before no word would pierce their hard hearts nothing was heard from them then but such like speeches as these Thou art a Samaritane and hast a Devill Away with him crucifie him c. but now they are inwardly wounded

own private and particular cause of joy should not be thought on but laid aside when it goes not well with Jerusalem and Sion as it was with the Wife of Phinehas as in divers examples Phinehas his Wife who for grief to hear that the Ark of God was seized on by the Philistims fell in labour and would not be comforted in a son which she bare she set not her heart to that neither did she regard it But to shew what she most laid to heart she named the childe Ichabod that is Where is the glory or There is no glory saying The glory is departed from Israel for the Ark of God is taken and so she died 1 Sam. 4.20.21 22. Nehemiah The like we see in that worthy Nehemiah Neh. 1.3 4. who understanding the misery of Jerusalem though he himself was in great favour with Artaxerxes the King and that it was well with himself yet sate down and wept and mourned certain days and prayed before the God of heaven on the behalf of his distressed brethren The like I might shew in Abraham interceding for Sodom Abraham and specially for Lot and in all likelihood not sleeping the night before Gen. 18. Ezekiel Moses Paul Joshua Josh 7 5 6 9. So in Ezekiel and the mourners Ezek. 9.4 8. In Moses and Paul of whom before And in Joshua and the Elders sorrowfully complaining in fear the enemies should environ them round and cut off their name from the earth so that God should not have a Church on earth to serve and honour him And thus by Gods blessing and mercy the care of our dread Soveraign Our own Land at this time and of this our Nation hath shewed it self concerning the distressed estate of Gods Church and people in Ireland not onely by and in the monthly exercise of prayer not sparing either Prayers fasting and supplication for them to draw down a blessing from God upon them and themselves but by supplies made both of money Money or munition and men who to represse those Popish and Romish Rebels and inhumane monsters have hazarded their lives Lives for Ireland yea many of them for the publick good and peace of that Church and people and re-establishing of the true Religion among them and securing it to our selves have already spent their best blood and lost their lives and as we see it in nature Thus in the humane Body the hand will expose it self to save the head and the whole body yea in Nature and in the Vniverse the water and fire will forsake their own proper motion and nature fire will descend and water ascend rather then there be any discontinuity or vacuity in the whole Yea every creature is ordained of God to be serviceable to the more superiour and not for it self alone The Earth is for the corn wine and oyle and these for Gods people Birds beasts bees are fruitfull not for themselves but for us men neither is every man born for himself but for others also and for the more publick good of State and Church Every good man is a common good and of a publick spirit for the good of many This makes such an one a Man among men one of a thousand Let us thus conceive as of the naturalnesse and necessity so of the excellency of this publick spirit Private interests to be denyed for publick persons Example in the Galatians once that so for the publick good of many especially of those that are good and publick persons we may be content to deny our selves in our own particular interests as the Galatians were once so affected to Paul that to have done him good or that it had been possible they would have plucked out their own eys and have given them to him they had him in such love and estimation in Priscilla and Aquila Gal. 4.15 as also had Priscilla and Aquila who for Pauls sake laid down their own necks Rom. 16.4 so ingaging in acknowledgment of thankfulnesse not onely him but also all the Churches of the Gentiles whose Apostle he was However as the need of such requires in an high estimation of them as publick good things and profitable to many let us be willing so far to deny our selves for them as in our wealth and that is but duty to contribute to them and communicate to them in all good things or in all our goods Gal. 1.6 and afford them double honour 1 Tim. 5.17 and in our names by answering for them in our lives if need be by speaking or pleading for them as did Queen Esther Thus to do namely to subordinate a mans self to the more publick and generall good of the Church Signes of self-denyal gathered from the four generall things named cause and people of God is an evident expression of one that denies himself truely as is also the practice of those other things formerly mentioned as Greater care to gain a mans own soul then the world High estimation of Christ of his excellency fulness and All-sufficiency with a true sence of a mans own emptiness worthlessness folly especially an high estimation of Christ with a mean conceit of our selves impotency wretchedness basenesse or in want of the sence of these with a true desire to know the worst by a mans own self as in Eli 1 Sam. 3.17 18. Job 34.32 and Psal 139.23 and by being well-affected to the means of discovery of him to himself and not willingly and willfully ignorant of what may debase him and advance Christ and respect to Gods glory Lastly Subordination of a mans self and all unto Gods will and glory of a mans wealth liberty name yea life rather then deny God in his truth glory worship as wee see in Daniel Dan. 6.10 and in the holy Martyrs of Jesus Christ not being ashamed to confess Christ and to advance Gods glory in any company or upon any occasion The conclusion of this point of self-deniall But now it may seem high time to leave this discourse of self-deniall in this place where it is not so directly and by way of precept taught as gathered and presupposed in these who were so savingly touched by the word and driven out of themselves so as to cry out Men and brethren what shall we do But as I have said the uncertainty of my long abode with you and of having occasion more purposely to handle the argument together with the exceeding great usefulness and profit as I hope of the duty have drawn me on to be so large This if it seem to be prolixity shall be recompenced with brevity in the dispatch of the third and last observation concerning the qualification of those whom God doth save with which all shall be finished CHAP. XXXVII SECT 1. Shewing thirdly that such as God converteth and saveth must be willing and pliable to Gods will and ready to submit to him in matter of 1. Salvation 2. Religion and

long inwardly groane under the burthen of it till they feel it as fire hid and smothered within them or their consciences as a close-stopt burning oven whereby at length they are forced through Gods goodness to them to give vent to the fire to seek ease to their consciences by acknowledgement of their sin to God and also to men as the case may require which they might much sooner have attained unto if they had sooner sought to or made use of the remedy This was Davids case Psal 32.3 4.5 This may teach such when with these converts here they are inwardly smitten and pricked in their heart to take heed of bleeding inwardly which is ever dangerous It s dangerous to keep the divels counsel let them rather without denying or concealing any longer their sins seek after the meanes of helpe and cure And if they have any doubts or temptations within themselves let them be sure not long to conceal or smother the same or to bleed inwardly This were to keep the Divels counsel which hath had in some very fearfull and dismall effects whereas the making known of such doubts and inward close temptations upon suggestions of Satan hath both defeated him and freed them of their anguish and many desperate feares The longer such things are concealed the longer at the best are the patients held in torture and the more doubtfull if not desperate the cure will prove 2. Hearers once made to tremble and troubled by the word must take and make use of the season 2. A more generall Use is for hearers whose consciences doubtless are often touched so that whilest with Felix they hear discourses of righteousnesse temperance and judgement to come their guilty consciences make them to tremble and do inwardly prick smite wound and sting them Now what should they do in this case Shall they with Felix shuffle off the businesse this great and weighty work till they have a convenient season God forbid so did Felix indeed but that season never came yet so that his trembling proved to him but a summoner to hell and a harbinger to Gods judgement as the like trembling neglected will prove now to others who make no better use of it then he did Oh no the only season is now when God by his word faithfully taught and brought home to the soul doth begin to trouble the conscience For as when the Angel Joh. 5.4 went down at a certain season into the pool of Bethesda and troubled the water whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had So the season would be watched and presently taken when the Angel or messenger and minister of God by the word smites wounds and troubles the conscience to procrastinate or put all off to another season till sickness dispatch of other business old age or time of death is desperately to neglect a mans self and soul If then thou wilt follow wholsome advice Wholsome advice which is presently to get the sting and thorn removed so soon as thou findest thy conscience struck by the word and thy heart pierced so soon after hearing retire thy self into thy closet withdraw thy self from vain company examine wel thy conscience help to drive and strike home these nails to the head defer not to step in presently for cure into these waters which are healing look up forthwith being thus stung to Christ figured by the brazen Serpent put it not off till some other time least thou die of the wound and stinging Be here in this case as the shot or wounded Hart which presently seeks to dittanie as his only remedie to cause the dart fall out If you have received into your bosome any such dart seek presently to get it pulled out least otherwise it be your death Learn of Paul who not only at his first conversion being struck and charged in conscience with his sin of persecuting of Christ in his members Acts 9.6 sought to Christ for direction but afterward having some sting prick and thorn left sticking in him 2 Cor. 12.7.8.9 deferred not but early and late sought to Christ by earnest prayer to have it plucked out and he received a gracious Answer of which he had comfort Yea learn of these here who when upon heating they were pricked in heart presently seek for direction and remedy and not so only but wisely also they seek to the true meanes of cure of their consciences and betake themselves to Peter and to the other Apostles seeking help ease and direction from them which is the third point to be considered CHAP. XXV SECT 1. Where and of whom to seek comfort to our troubled Consciences only of Gods faithfull Ministers And said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Third Point The parties of whom they sought cure and direction Considered according to a threefold relation 3. THis is the third circumstance concerning the parties to whom they spake and of whom they sought help and cure Now these here are to be considered in a threefold relation 1. To God as his messengers or as the Apostles of Christ 2. To these converts and as the same that wounded them 3. To some of these again as being the same who formerly had beene neglected yea mocked and derided by them 1. To God and as his Apostles and Ministers Who are considered 3. wayes 1. These here sought unto are the Apostles of Christ Peter and the rest whom according to the Text we will consider First and chiefly according to the quality of their persons or nature of their office Secondly according to their Order here mentioned Thirdly Number 1. These Apostles here were properly the eleven with Matthias added unto them by lot in the room of Judas 1. According to their office who were Apostles Acts 1.16 who were immediatly chosen and called by Christ whilst he remained on earth Matth. 10.2 3 4 c. First specially to preach to the Jewes only or to the lost sheep of the house of Israel vers 5 6 7. to prepare them to receive Christ himselfe and his doctrine What is that Mat. 28.17 20 then after his resurrection and ascension to preach to the whole world and to plant Churches among the Gentiles being first commanded to wait at Jerusalem for the promise of the Father untill they should be endued with power from on High Acts 1.4 and Luke 24.49 Which accordingly the tenth day after his Ascension on this day of Pentecost they received whilest the Holy Ghost was in visible manner poured out upon them and they thus solemnly inaugurated ordained and declared to be the Apostles of Christ as it were then given from heaven by Christ unto the Church These were to be speciall witnesses of Christs Resurrection Ephes 4.7 11 Acts 1.22 and Ambassadors sent of him into the whole world there to plant Churches being immediatly inspired by the Holy Ghost both to

teach and write so that their doctrine now written was to be the only Canon and rule of all Christian doctrine and religion to the end of the world Though the office cease who had speciall gifts of miracles to confirm the same whose office though in regard of the speciall priviledges of it which were many was temporary and ceased with them yet their doctrine unto which the Church of God ever since is tied and ministery which was as to pray so to preach the Gospel and to administer the Sacraments ceaseth not yet not according to the common duties of it prayer preaching c. which continue still but is to continue in such as succeed them therein to the end of the world Mat. 28.19 20. God promising the direction and assistance of his Spirit to them and to all such as shall teach the same doctrine These were they who by preaching Christ unto these Jewes and by the extraordinary work of the holy Ghost now sent down upon them pricked and wounded their consciences unto whom accordingly they seek for direction ease and comfort as to their only spirituall Physitians Doctr. The only way to be directed and eased in conscience is to seek to Gods faithfull ministers Whence from their example men are taught how to get ease to their wounded consciences namely by having recourse to the messengers of God and faithfull ministers of Christ For so the Apostles are to be considered here namely as preachers of the Gospel and such as under Christ did know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary Isai 50.4 Quest Why did not these here seek to their own Rabbines to the chief Priests learned Scribes Quest Why did not these here seek to the Scribes and Pharises devout and zealous Pharisees as they would be taken who sate in Moses seat Answ Alas They could expect poor comfort or direction from them whom they saw to be in the same condemnation with themselves Answ They were guilty Mat. 27.3 4 and the crucifiers of Christ more then they were They might consider what little comfort Judas in the distresse of his conscience found from them he might go hang himself for any comfort they either could or would give him and so he went from them immediately to the gallows or Tree Where the heart is truly touched it seeks only to Gods faithful messengers for cure and help It is ill seeking comfort to our consciences from such as are deep in sin yea in the same sins as we our selves Such great Rabbies as these in all ages know better how to wound and intangle mens consciences then to heal them and knew better to intangle consciences then to cure them They care least for men of scrupulous and tender consciences Such as make no conscience at all of sin unlesse in hypocrisie like themselves who Matth. 27.6 seemed to make some conscience of putting into their Treasury the price of blood but none at all of taking it out such I say are fittest for their turnes Only the faithfull Ministers of Christ can afford true comfort Why No they must be the faithfull Ministers of God and of Christ that can afford true comfort to troubled Consciences and that for these Reasons 1. This comfort and cure of Consciences is originally only in God and Christ that good Samaritan who was sent to heal the broken in heart 1. They only are in Christs stead who is the author of comfort as we have heard out of Isai 61.1 2 c. and Luke 4.18 19. Yet thus he is not alwaies in person or yet by his Spirit alone but by his word and the preaching of it which is the ministration of the Spirit So that those only and they are rare that dispense the Gospel most faithfully as the Ministers of Christ in his name and according to his will and word are they by whom Christ affords true and solid comfort to wounded consciences and by whow he refresheth the weary soul See Job 33.19 20. to 26. The blessing to be expected only from Gods ordinance These and none but these have commission from him and the power as to bind so to loose Mat. 16.19 John 20.23 Gods ordinance then is to be looked unto who having appointed the preaching of the Gospel to the same end hath also annexed his promise thereunto where his word is faithfully dispensed from which ordinance only of his we may expect a blessing 2. The same hand of the Surgeon which wounds is fittest to heal 2. The same hand that wounds is fittest to heal seeing the wounds made by the word are not the wounds of an enemy but friend Surgeon and Physitian If the Surgeon lance and cut as he doth it with intention to heal so he onely is the fittest to undertake that cure he that pours in wine is fittest to pour in oyl also Such an ones words are like if any truth be in it the sword which making the wound doth also the cure if the weapon-salve be applyed unto it or as they say concerning the wounds made by the darts of Achilles which could no otherwise be cured but by his salves Onely Gods faithful Ministers are the men that savingly both wound and heal We had need then be well directed and guided yea know well to whom or to what to have recourse for comfort to our grieved hearts SECT 2. False means of cure to be abandoned Vse 1 1 IN such case then when thou art pricked in conscience or inwardly troubled in soul To seek for cure of conscience only to Gods faithful Ministers seek onely to such as have been named and seek directions chiefly from Gods faithfull Ministers not neglecting the advice of godly faithful and experienced Christians and not 1 To merry company and drinking And here take heed Satan is a Mountebank and his Apothecaries will prescribe poysons Some yea thine own false heart perhaps will bid thee go to mirth and merry company so to drink away sorrow which yet will return and prove like the hand-writing to Belshazzer on the wall 2 To musick some to other sports and to musick as Saul when the evill spirit came on him must have a Musician to play unto him 3 To sleep some lie down and sleep that they may forget their sorrow 4 To their wealth some seek to comfort themselves in the sight or thought of their gold and silver store and abundance which no more can cure these prickings of conscience then the stone or gout or not so much some in trouble of conscience 5 To physick as if it were but meer melancholy fly to physick and to the bodily Physician with neglect of the spirituall as King Asa 6 To the Divell and witches some will send thee to the god● of Ekron with King Ahaziah 2 King 1.2 or to the witch of Endor with King Saul in his great straits 1 Sam. 28.15