of such a one frees us from everlasting pains and hence himself saith if a man ' keep my sayingt he shall never see John 8. 51 52. Death nor taste of Death that is eternal for that onely indeed deserves the name of Death why because Christ hath tasted Death for him his Soul has been in his Souls stead and so Gods Word comes to be salved man saved And how can we now but cry out O the depth of the riches of the Wisdom of God and of the grace of God how unsearchable is his Wisdom and Grace and the wayes thereof past finding out this love indeed we may admire but reach its demensions we never can O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good Psal 107. 1 2. for his mercy indureth for ever let the redeemed of the Lord say so I they have infinite cause indeed so to say I shall conclude this first part of this 6th use with that of the Apostle Iude Now to the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen Again Secondly cannot the Scripture be broken then from hence are we further to be exhorted and provoked to be much in blessing and praising of God that those things that are of so great importance and of such infinite concernment and afford so great cause and ground of comfort yea upon which our whole happiness and comfort depends are according to Scripture which cannot be broken As that Christ died for our sins it is according to the Scriptures and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day is according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received how that Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buryed and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures mark according to the Scriptures For that he was delivered for our offences and raised again for our Justification Romans 4. 25. And that he ascended and now sits at the right hand of God and there makes intercession for us is according to the Scripture Iohn 20. 17. Romans 8. 34. And now what can be matter of greater comfort or sweeter consolation than this nay is not this that on which all our comfort and happinesse depends that Christ died for our sins and that he rose again and now sits at the right hand of God and there makes intercession for us is not this I say the sum of all our comfort and now blessed be God these they are according to the Scripture So 1 Peter 2. 6. It is contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in Syon a chief corner-stone elect precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded so he that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living Watter John 7. 38. And so the Scripture saith whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed Rom. 10. 1. So it is written it is Scripture that Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2. 9. So that God is merciful and gracious Exo. 34. 6. long-suffering is according to Scripture That he forgives iniquity transgression Verse 7. and sinn is according to Scripture That he will sub due his peoples iniquities Mich. 7. 19 and cast their Sinns into the depths of the Sea is according to Scripture That he delights in mercy and to Mich. 7. 18 Jer. 9. 24. exercise loving kindnesse in the earth is according to Scripture That he will heal his peoples back-slidings Hos 14. 4. and love them freely is according to Scripture That such as come unto Christ he will Joh. 6. 37 in no wise cast out is according to Scripture That a bruised Reed shall he not break Mat. 12. 20 and smoaking Flax will he not quench till he send forth judgement unto victory is according to Scripture That he will give the Holy Spirit to Lu. 11. 13. them that ask him is according to Scripture That they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength that they shall Isa 40. 31. mount up with wings as Eagles that they shall run and not be weary and walk and not faint is according to Scripture That he said unto the seed of Jacob Isa 45. 19. Seek not me in vain is according to Scripture That he will gather the Lambs with Isa 40. 11. his arm and carry them in his bosom c. is according to Scripture That the gates of Hell shall not prevail Mat. 16. 18 against the Church is according to Scripture That Christ holds his stars in his right Rev. 2. 1. hand is according to Scripture That he is with them alway even to Ma. 28. 20 the end of the World is according to the Scripture And now the Scripture being that which cannot be broken what a comfort is it what cause have we to bless God that these yea and innumerable more which are of like importance with these and make so much for our comfort are according to Scripture which cannot be broken Thirdly Again cannot the Scriptures be broken and it is easier for Heaven and earth to pass away than one tittle of Gods Word to fail then let such in the Third place be exhorted and provoked to be much in blessing and praising God whom he hath brought into such a condition for whom he hath done such great things Great things indeed as that they may be saved and the Scripture not be broken Let such I say be much in blessing and praising God for there is infinite cause for the Scripture cannot be broken for any it was not for Christ himself and for God to do that for thee to bring thee into such an estate and condition through Grace as that thou mayest be saved and the Scripture not be broken O what infinite cause hast thou to be much in blessing and praising God Now if thou art one who art regenerate born again become a new creature one who art holy and pure in heart thou mayst be saved and the Scripture not be broken So if thou art such a one who dost indeed believe and repent of thy sins and art fruitful in good works thou mayest then be saved and the Scripture not be broken nay let me tell thee to thy comfort that if being such an one thou shouldest not be saved the Scripture it would be broken it would not be fulfilled for that such shall be saved it is every where according to Scripture 1. That such as are regenerate and holy shall be saved is according to Scripture Matthew 5. 8. Rom. 6. 22. John 3. 3 5. And what doth this imply but that if a man be regenerate and born again he shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven 2. That
that the Scripture cannot be broken 3. To live continually in the sense of it which would be of singular use and advantage 4. To seal then and assent to what ever it saith and that really 5. To labour so to see and discern things as the Scripture saith of them for that cannot be broken that cannot erre or mistake 6. To be much in blessing and praising God the Scipture being that which cannot be broken 1. That God should contrive and find out a way for man to be saved and yet what he had said and threatned upon mans sining be salved and not be broken which if he could not have done he would never have saved him c. 2. That those things which are of so great importance and of such infinite concernment and afford so great cause ground of comfort yea upon which our whole happiness and comfort depends are according to Scripture which cannot be broken 3. That the Lord hath brought any of us into such a state and condition as that we may be saved and the Scripture not be broken nay in which if we should not be saved the Scripture would be broken 7. To try all doctrines by the Scripture for that cannot erre or be deceived 8. To judge so of things as the Scripture saith of them 9. Not to be offended not scandalized at the sufferings and afflictions of the Church and people of God 10. Several other duties which from hence we are to be exhorted and encouraged unto 4. Vse of warning and admonition to take heed of continuing in such an estate in which there is no being saved except the Scripture be broken A five fold state in which continuing therein there is no being saved except the Scripture be broken 1. A state of spiritual blindness darkness and ignorance 2. A state of unregeneracy 3. A state of unbelief 4. A state of impenitency 5. A state of fruitlesness and unprofitableness 5. Vse of terrour and trembling 1. To all wicked and ungodly men in general 2. To several in particular 6. Vse of Consolation to the Saints and all such as are Heirs of the promises THE SCRIPTURES STABILITY John 10. 35. And the Scriptures cannot be broken The occasion of this discourse on these words THese words are brought in here only occasionly and are as it were but a Parenthesis and yet I think I may safely say of them that they are such as are as I hope afterwards to make appear of as great consequence and of as infinite concernment as any whatsoever Nay what indeed were all other Scripture were it not for what is said of it in this Scripture what is this but that which gives life and being to all that it speaks whether it â—e that which it promises or that which it threatens or that which it foretels or Prophesies that what ever it be it is that which cannot be broken but shall certainly come to pass and therefore expounding upon John and meeting with this Scripture and finding on a more slender view thereof to be of so singular use and concernment I afterward resolved for to take a more thorow view and to frame a more large discourse thereof which accordingly I did and that I must needs acknowledge not without much acceptance and I hope not without some success and so much briefly for the first occasion of this discourse The coherence scope and explication of the words themselves It is said in the 31. verse then the Iewes took up stones again to stone him again to stone him they are at their old trade as formerly Iohn 8. 59. they Habenâ—es corda lapidea ad lapides currebant 〈◊〉 lapidem â—ngularem impingâ—bâ—nt Tossan in locum had stony hearts and the stones in their hearts were they which put the stones into their hands against him who is the corner stone v. 32. Iesus answered them many good works have I shewed you from my Father for which of these works do you stone me as if Christ should have said seeing you can justly object no evill against me for what good is it that you thus deal with me many good works have I done for which of them is it that ye stone me and thus may God say to every impenitent sinner that goes on still by his sins as it were to stone God and to vex and grieve him and even as it were to cuâ— him to the heart as Psal 95. 10. Forty years long was I grieved or vexed and cut with this generation as some render the Hebrew they did as it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cut the Lord to the heart and now may God say for which of my kindnesses for which of my good works do you thus deal with me behold I at first made you and gave you your being and ever since have I preserved you and susteined you and taken care of you daily multiplying my benefits upon you and for which now of my good works do you stone me O me thinks the serious consideration hereof should help to melt the hardest hearted sinner Jer. 18. 20. Shall evil be recompâ—nced for good Deut. 32. 6. Do you thâ—s reqâ—itâ— the Lord O foolish people and â—nwise c. Prov. 19. 6. Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts Rom. 2. 4. or despisest thou the riches of his goodnes c. Even sinners do good to those that do good to them Luke 6. 33. Many good works have I shewed you from my Father or as some of my Father whereof my Father is the first Author I many good works indeed hath Christ shewed us of his Father many good works or excellent glorious works as the Greek signifies as his work of election 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to life and salvation before the world was his work of infinite great and unparalleld love in giving â—is only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish c. his work of justifying us freely from our sins of reconciling us to himself of adopting us to be his Sons and daughters of sanctifying us by his Spirit of glorifying us for ever with himself good works indeed yea stupendious such as will be matter of admiration and exultation to all eternity But it follows v. 33. The Jâ—â—s answered him saying for a good work we stone theâ—â—ot but for blasphemy and because that thou bâ—ing a man makest thy self God The fowlest practices want not a shew of fair pretences But v. 34 35 36. Jesus answered them is it not written in your law I said ye are Gods If he called them Gods unto whom the word of God came and the Sâ—riptâ—re cannot be broken Say yee of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world thou blasphemest because I said I am the Son of God Princes and Psal â—â— 6 Magistrates are said in some sense to be Gods not truly and properly but allusively not by nature but by office and because of their superiority and
complain of us as sometimes he did of Ephraim I have written to him the great things of my Law but they were counted as a strange thing Hosea 8. 12. they slighted them as if they did not concern them they scarce lookt into them but delighted more in their own fancies and devices other Books and writings of men we may indeed read but it is sad when the multitude of them hinders from reading the Scripture which is that which is so infinitely above all other Books and writings memorable to this purpose is that which I have sometimes read of Luther that he said he could wish those Books set out by himself utterly abolished because that he feared that by reading of them some might be hindred from spending their time in reading the Sacred Scriptures but this they should not do the Bible should be too us above all other Books and more perused than any other Book or Books for that cannot be broken we have also saith the Apostle Peter a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I we do well indeed while we take hced and converse much with that sure word which cannot be made voyd ye do well or worthily famously honourably Acts 17. 11. these were more noble than those of Thessolonica for they searched the Scriptures daily that man is pronounced Psa 1. 1 2. blessed who delights in the Law of the Lord and meditates in it day and night 2. Again cannot the Scripture be broken let us then believe this as concerning the Scripture that it is that which cannot be broken we have heard how abundantly it hath been proved both by Scâ—ipture and reason and from experience and therefore let us after all I say believe this that the Scripture is that which cannot be bâ—oken O that we could in truth say as the Apostle Paul does Act. 24. 14. That we believe all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets ther 's great cause we should do so being that which cannot be broken And therefore our Saviour sharply reproves those 2. Disciples for their slowness of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken Luke 24. 25. O Fooles and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoke Fooles because slow of heart to believe it being that which must be and cannot be broken 3. And Thirdly Let us not onely believe this but walk daily and continually under a sense and apprehension of this with this firmly fixt upon our Spirits and still in our minds that the Scripture cannot be broken and surely there is no one thing as concerning the Scripture that would or could be of greater use or more singular advantage to us than this to believe and daily to live in the sense and apprehension of this truth of the Scriptures impossibility of being broken O what a singular and sovereign way and meanes would this be to bring us much to profit by all Scripture by Prophecies by Promises by Threatnings yea by what ever it saith or affirmes As the Scripture saies and affirmes yea as good as sweares that except a Man be born again born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3. 3 5. And now this being Scripture and so that which cannot be broken did we but believe this and were our hearts but throughly perswaded of this and did we but daily walk in the sense and apprehension of this could we neglect this great work of Regeneration of being born again as we do And so I might instance as concerning Knowledge Isay 27. 11. Concerning Faith Iohn 8. 24. 3. 36. Marke 16. 16. Concerning Repentance Luke 13. 3 5. Concerning holiness Hebrewes 12 14. Iohn 13. 8. O did people but believe that in what the Scripture saies of the necessity of these it could not be broken could they slight and neglect them as they do So when the Scripture affirmes that every idle word that Men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of Iudgement Matthew 12. 36. O did Men but believe this and walk continually in the sense and apprehension of this that in this the Scripture cannot be broken Would they not be more circumspect in their words Would they be vain and frothy in their discourses as many times they are so when the Scripture affirmes that we must all appear before the Iudgement Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. Would they not have a greater Care what they did So the Scripture sayes straight is Mat. 7. 14. 1 Peter 4. 18. the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life and few there be that find it and the righteous scarcely are saved and now the belief and perswasion of this in the Heart and sense of it upon the Spirit would it not make people more studious and more industrious to be saved So it saies that a rich Mat. 19. 23 Man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and were there a belief and sense of this upon the Spirit that herein the Scriptures cannot be broken would Men be so studious and desirous to be rich as they are or having riches would they be less solicitous of entring into the Kingdom of Heaven than others who can hardlier enter in than other men And so I might very much inlarge my self herein to shew and demonstrate unto you of what singular use and advantage it would be unto us did we believe and withall walk in the sense apprehension of this truth that the Scriptures caÌ„not be broken how would Threatnings more startle terrifie the wicked and how would Promises more comfort and cheer the godly The God of hope saies the Apostle fill you Ro. 15. 13. with all joy and peace in believing I this is the way indeed for Christians to have their souls filled with joy and peace as concerning the promises by believing them and by walking in the sense and apprehension of this that they are such as cannot be broken this was the way indeed to suck and draw out the sweetness of them But of this I shall speak more afterward in the use of Consolation 4. Cannot the Scripture be broken can it not err or be deceived but is every thing so as the Scripture saies and affirms Let this prevail with us then to seal and assent to what ever it saies though it seemes never so strange unlikely or improbable to carnal sense and reason or cross and contrary to our own corrupt judgements and opinions for the Scripture cannot be broken as that in Luke 16. and the 31. verse It is said if they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rise from the dead No the world thinks otherwise O did but a Man rise from the dead did but a
is white and ruddy the chiefest of ten thousands his mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely he is more pretious than Rubies and all the things that can be desired are not to be compared to him O as that Martyr Gâ—leâ—cius Caracciolâ—s said None to him none to him and as that noble Italian Marquess let their Gold and Silver perish with them who count all the gold silver in the world worth one dayes communion with Jesus Christ So the Scripture saith of Gods testimonies that they are wonderful perfect pure holy just and good Psal 119. 129. thy testimonies are wonderfull therefore doth my soul keep them and 18. verse open thou mine eyes that I may behold the wonders of thy Law and Psal 19. 7. the Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul Rom. 7. 12. wherâ—fore the Law is holy and the Commandement holy just and good Of Gods Ordinances that they are amiable and desirable Psal 84. 1. 27. 5. c. How amiable are thy Tabernacles c. To behold the beauty of the Lord c. Of Gods Grace and of such as are gratious that they are excellent 1 Cor. 12. last Psal 16. 3. Prov. 12. 26. And yet shew I unto you a more excellent way And to the excellent c. The righteous is more excellent Of wisdoms wayes that they are wayes of pleasantness and of her paths that they are paths of peace Prov. 3. 17. Of man that he is vain yea at his best estate altogether vanity Psa 39. 5. Of fin that it is vile bitter filthy foolish bootless fruitless James 1. 21. Jer. 2. 19. Psa 28. 5. Rom. 6. 21. Of the world and all worldly things that they are vanity yea vanitie of vanities vainest vanity 1 Eccl. 5. Prov. 23. 5. Eccl. 5. 16. And so I might instance in many other And now the Scripture thus saying and affirming of them and it being certainly so as the Scripture saith of them it being that which cannot be broken O le ts labour and never rest till we come thus to see them for we are sure that what the Scripture saith is according to truth thus Psal 19. 10. the Scripture there saith of the judgements of the Lord that they are more to be desired than Gold yea than much fine God and sweeter also than the honey and the honey comb and thus David saw them thus they were to him Psal 119. 72. The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of Gold and Silver ver 103. How sweet are thy words unto my taste sweeter than honey to my mouth Shall I look upon things and judge of things rather as my own corrupt and erronious judgement fancies of them and not rather according to the unerring sentence of Gods word no let God be true let his word be true yea it is most true and unerring and therefore let all contrary opinions be lookt upon as false and erronious O let us never rest as concerning what the Scripture saith and affirms of things till we be able to say as the Queen of Sheba said in another case to Solomon 1 Kings 10. 6 7. and she said to the King it was a true report that I heard and behold the half was not told me so the reports I heard out of the Scripture were true reports what out of the Scripture was reported and made forth unto me of the goodness of God and the loveliness of Jesus Christ of the beauty of holiness of the Amiableness of Gods Ordinances of the pleasantness of Christs wayes of the vanity of the world of the vileness of sin O they were all true reports and behold the half was not told me Thus le ts never rest till our judgments and the Scripture agree till we and it come to be of an opinion not we and the world but we and the word this was the prayer of Paul in behalf of the Philippians that they might approve things that were excellent Phil. 1. 9 10 Est sapiens cui res sapiunt prout sunt cui vero ipsa jam in se prout est sapientia sapiâ— is non modo sapiens sed etiam beatus est Bernard That such things as were indeed excellent according to the unerring account of the Scripture of them they might so see them discern them understand them and accordingly approve them thus David saith in one place thy testimonies are wonderful Psal 119. 129. And in another he prayes v. 18. open thou my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law that I may see them as they are and so let us pray thou art good O Lord the Scripture so saith of thee and that cannot be broken Lord make me so to see thee that from my own experience I may say so too c. So Jesus Christ is lovely he is most pretious the chiefest of ten thousand Lord make me so to see him so to apprehend him that he may be so to me that I may say as the spouse a bundle of Mirrh is my wel-beloved unto me and my beloved is unto me a Cluster of Camphire he is so in himself and so he is to me I so see him apprehend him experience him That we may never rest till we come to say as Iob in another case Iob 42. 5. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear but now mine eye seeth thee so I have heard of thee and heard of Christ and heard of other things by the hearing of the ear Ministers have made such and such reports of them now I see them to be so indeed as the Minister said of them I can from my own experience say now as he said and as the Scripture saith now I believe his reports and truly we shall never believe the reports of the word till the Arm of the Lord be so revealed as that we come indeed not only to hear of them but to see them Isa 53. 1. Who hath believed our report c. And therefore blessed are their eyes who see as our Saviour saith in another case who so see and apprehend things to be as the Scripture saith and affirms of them for so indeed they are and must be the Scripture being that which cannot be broken which cannot err or mistake 6. Again cannot the Scripture be broken then from hence should we be exhorted and provoked to be much in blessing and praising of God First That God should find out a way to save man and yet what he had threatned for mans sinning be salved and not be broken c. Secondly that those things which are of so great importance and concernment and that afford so great cause and ground of comfort and on which our whole happiness depends are according to Scripture which cannot be broken And thirdly that the Lord hath brought any of us into such a state and condition as that we may be saved and the Scripture not be broken nay in which if
then we judge righteous judgement when we judge of things according to the righteous and unerring judgement of the word of God for we are sure that is according to truth and not according to the world or outward appearance There is a woe denounced against them that câ—ll evill good and good evill that put darkness for light and light for darkness that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter Isaiah 5. 20. That call that evill which the Scripture calls good and call that good which the Scripture calls evill that put that for darkness which the Scripture calls light and that for light which the Scripture calls darkness that put that for bitter the Scripture calls sweet that for sweet the Scripture calls bitter Woe to such because they say of things quite contrary to the Scripture which cannot be broken which cannot err and so judge not righteous judgement According to outward appearance such as are poor seem miserable and so the world judges of them but now let us judge of such as the Scripture saith of them for that cannot err and judging according to that we may judge of them as such as may be happy for all their poverty Luke 6. 20. Blessed be ye poor for yours is the Kingdom of God Jam. 2. 5. Hearken my beloved hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him So according to the outward appearance and as the world judges such seem the only happy men who are rich and great and in high place and in health and at ease but now judge we of such as the Scripture saith of them which cannot err and that tells us they may yet be miserable enough for all their riches and outward greatness as Luke 6. 24 25. But woe unto you that are rich c. James 5. 1 2 3 Go to now ye rich men weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you your riches are corrupted c. Job 20. 22 in the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straights c. Zach. 1. 15. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease c. So Amos 6 1 4 5 6. Job 20. 6 7. 5. 3. c. So according to the outward appearance and as the world judges it seems long before the Lord fulfills his promises prophecies threatnings but now judge hereof according to the Scripture and it is but a little while for yet a little while and he that shall come will come c. Hebr. 10. 37. surely I come quickly Rev. 22. 20. Rom. 16. 20. And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan shortly under your feet Rev. 1. 1. which must shortly come to pass and v. 2. for the time is at hand Psal 90. 5. for a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night Psal 37. 10. for yet a little while the wicked shall not be So Job 20 5. 24. 24. So according to outward appearance and as the world judges such seem enemies that reprove others and it is deemed hatred but let us judge of such as the Scripture judges of them and that speaks them friends that their reproof is love and the contrary hatred Lev. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him So to cause offences to lay stumbling blocks in peoples way heaven-ward to scandal such as are weak and infirm this seems as the world judges of it no great matter but let us judge of this as the Scripture judges of it and that saith woe to such a one and it was better a Milstone were hanged about his neck and he cast into the Sea than that he should offend any of Christs little ones Luke 17. 1 2. So to be saved to go to heaven this as the world judges of it and as men generally think is no such great matter it is no such difficult thing what needs all this ado say some I but let us judge hereof as the Scripture judges and saith of it and then we shall see it is otherwise for that saith strive to enter in at the straight gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able Luke 13. 14. and if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the sinner and ungodly appear scarcely not but that the righteous are wholly and altogether saved saved to the utmost Heb. 7. 25. but the meaning is not without much difficulty and much ado not without great pains labour and lassitude not without many trials afflictions the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used of such things as not without much labour and difficulty are brought about as Acts 27. 7. and scarce were come over against Guidus scarce the Greek is the same as here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scarce signifies not without a great deal of labour and difficulty so Hâ—b 4. 11. let us labour therefore to enter into that rest labour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word is very emphatical let us labour or study it notes both care labour and expedition setting our heads a work and hands a work all a work with all expedition too So Luk 21. 36. Watch yea therefore and pray alwayes that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that â—â—all come to pass and to stand before the Sâ—â— of man 1 Cor. 9. 24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all but one receives the prize so run that ye may obtain So that there must not be only running but such running 9. Again cannot the Scripture be broken then let us be exhorted from hence First Not to be offended nor scandalized nor overmuch troubled at the sufferings and afflictions of the Church and people of God when it seems to go ill with them as to their outward state and condition why because this is no other than what the Scripture hath spoken and foretold shall be and the Scripture cannot be broken Many are the afflictions of the righteous Psa 34. 19. and we must through many tribulations enter into the Kingdom of God Acts 14. 22. and in the world you shall have tribulation John 16. 33. yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3. 12. and if any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow me And the rather we should not be offended nor scandalized at them not only in regard that the Scripture which cannot be broken hath foretold them but likewise in that the Scripture which cannot be broken hath spoken so much of the good and comfort and benefit of them Rom. 8. 28. and we know that all things work together for good to â—hem that love God to them who are the called
be acceptable unto thee and break off thy sins by righteousness c. that is by repentance shewing forth the happy signs and fruits thereof and how often doth the Lord call and invite sinners to this not only as being most acceptable to him but as knowing full well how much it concerns themselves Prov. 1. 23. Hosea 14. 1 2. Isay 55. 7. Ezek. 33. 11. turn ye turn ye from your evill wayes for why will ye dye God doubles his call for they must if they do not turn inevitably dye and that eternally and therefore why will ye be so sottish as through your wilfull impenitency to bring eternal destruction upon your selves for if ye still go on as you have begun nothing can betide you but that you must needs dye and perish in your sins Again secondly cannot the Scripture be broken can it not err or mistake then this it further informs us gives us to see who are indeed blessed and who cursed who are indeed happy and who miserable who why those whom the Scripture pronounceth so and why why because the Scripture it cannot be broken and therefore they whom the Scripture pronounceth blessed must needs be blessed and those whom the Scripture pronounceth cursed must needs be cursed what Balack said of Balaams blessing or cursing I am sure I may truly say of this Book 's blessing or cursing of the Scriptureâ— blessing or cursing Numb 22. 6. for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed and he whom thou cursest is indeed cursed so may I truly say of the Scripture he whom the Scripture blesses is indeed blessed and he whom the Scripture curseth is indeed cursed and therefore O it's good getting among the number of Scripture-blessed-ones the Lord make us of the number of those blessed ones and keep us from being among the number of Scripturecursed-ones for they whom the Scripture pronounceth blessed or cursed are indeed so the Scripture being that which cannot be broken as the Apostle Iames saith in another case so say I Do not err my beloved Brethren nor mistake as concerning who are blessed for 1. Who are blessed not such who it may be think and apprehend themselves blessed no men may think themselves blessed and happy and yet be miserable enough as Christ tells the Angel of the Church of Laodicea Rev. 3. 17. thou sayest thou art rich and increased with goods and hast need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable poor blind and naked and that rich man in the 12th of Luke he no doubt thought himself wise and happy but God called him fool and shews him that he was miserable vers 20 21. A man may bless himself in his own heart though he be such a one as against whom God threatens all the curses that are written â—n his Book Deut. 29. 18 19 20. And therefore he is not the blessed man who meerly thinks and accounts himself so neither secondly is he blessed whom others count and will say are blessed for others may count and call us happy and blessed and yet for all that we may be miserable and cursed as it is said of the wicked he blesses the covetous whom God abhorreth Psal 10. 3. and Malachy 3. 15. and now we call the proud happy c. And men will praise thee when thou doest well to thy self saith the Psalmist as the men of the world count well dost well or dost good that is pamperest cherishest makest much of thy self so good is sometimes used for worldly pleasure and emoluments Psal 4. 6. Ainsworth I but what follows though whil'st he lived he blessed his soul and men will praise thee when thou dost well to thy self it follows Psal 49. 19. he shall go to the generation of his Fathers they shall never see light he shall go whither wicked men are gone before him and shall never see the light of life the light of glory Thus it is not that we account our selves blessed or others account or call us so that indeed speaks us so but it is when the Scripture calls and pronounceth us so when we are among the number of the Scripture-blessed-ones for that cannot be broken that cannot err or mistake so that if we be but indeed and in truth such as that doth pronounce blessed we are indeed blessed for we are sure that the judgement of the Scripture is according to truth and therefore as not he that commends himself is approved so not he that blesses himself or others bless is blessed but he whom the Scripture blesses Now the Scripture pronounces several blessed and it 's good observing who they are and never to rest till we come to be and to be in truth of the Number of them for the Scripture being that which cannot be broken such and indeed only such are truly blessed Now the Scripture pronounceth such blessed 1. Who find wisdom and who get understanding Prov. 3. 13. n Qui sapiâ—ntiam veram inveniunt qui intelligentiam factis exprimentes coram in medium afferunt Cartw in loc i. e. true wisdom who attain to the saving knowledge of God in Christ and produce it into practice so as to fear God and depart from evill Iob 28. 28. 2. Who believe in Christ who close with him and put their trust in him Psa 2. 11. blessed are all they that put their trust in him or that shrowd themselves under him that rely confidently on him or that betake themselves for refuge and safety to him so Ainsworth o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Est recipere se aliquò tanquam in locum â—â—tum deinde etiaâ— in â—o secure conquiescere where indeed is their safety but only in him Acts 4. 12. So Gal. 3. 9. So then they which be of Faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham now to be of Faith it is to believe and apply the promise of Righteousness and life and Salvation by Jesus Christ and to rest on him alone for Justification and Salvation as they are said to be of works who look to be justified by works so they are said to be of faith who believe in Christ and look to be saved and justified by Christ alone So Psa 72. 17. men shall be blessed in him that is in believing in him and so in getting interested in him who is the blessed one and in whom the promise of blessedness and all blessings is made these the Scripture pronounceth blessed living and these the Scripture pronounces blessed dying Rev. 14. 13. Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord from hence forth yea saith the Spirit they rest from their labours and their works follow them 3. Who are turned away from their iniquities Acts 3. 26. Unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities then are people indeed blessed and that with the blessedness of Christraised from the dead when
what ever it speaks shall certainly come to pass then this further informs us and gives us to see the Blasphemy and desperate folly and madness of those who walking after their own lusts profanely deride at the Scriptures and scoffingly demand as those in the 2 Peter 3. 4. Where is the promise of his comming i. e. the fulfilling of the promise and prediction of his coming for since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation thus they scoffingly demand and this demanding is no better than denying and what Blasphemy yea what desperate folly and madnesse is it thus scoffingly to question and deny that which being Scripture cannot but come to pass for the Scripture as hath most fully and abundantly been made good cannot be broken why the very Devils themselves in this shall condemn these for they believe and assent to the truth of this Scripture that the Lord will come yea and are so affected with it and so much under the dread of it as that they tremble at it Iames 2. 9. The Devils believe and tremble w 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Horrescunt Contremiscunt The word seemes to imply an extreme fear and horror which causes not onely trembling but also a roaring a shricking out or quiver and shake what do they believe why this the truth of Scripture among other that Christ will certainly come again and that there will be a day of Judgement which will occasion more torment unto them and therefore they tremble because of the fearful Judgements of God whereunto they are reserved 2 Peter 2. 4. And O what desperate folly and madness is this to be below even the very Devils to be such as even they shall condemn as all such prophane Scoffers are who laugh and slight and make light of that which the very Devils themselves believe and are so far under the dread of it that they shake and quake and thou art stupid and senseless they believe and fear the promise of his coming and thou jeeringly demand'st where is the promise of his coming this is not onely to come short of Felix for it is said he trembled when he heard of this Doctrine Act. 24. 25. but of the very Fiends the Psalmist saith Man that is in honour and under standeth not is like the Beasts that perish Psalm 49. 20. But not to believe this is to below the Devils they shall condemn such at the great day Lord these came short of us that which we believed and trembled at that they denyed and laugh'd at and what blasphemy and desperat folly and madness is this Of such we likewise read Isay 5. 18 19. Wo unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity and sin as it were with a Cartrope that say let him make speed that we may see it and let the counsell of the holy one of Israel draw nigh and come that we may know it O horrid Blasphemy and desperate madness thus in a jeering flouting way as it were to mock at Gods word which cannot possible be made voyd as if they should have said you have oft told us of the holy one what he would do but when comes he when shall we see his work threatned men live long You threaten us but we see nothing effected of what you threaten but certainly such shall see it soon enough to their cost for the Scripture cannot be broken and then they shall discern whose word shall stand Gods or theirs as the Lord tells those in the 44. Jer. 28. That is they shall find shortly to their smart and by woful experience the truth and stability of my word which shall undoubtedly and unavoidably take effect and be fulfilled as also the folly and vanity of their own presumptions which shall be frustrated and disanulled as God tells those in the 5. Ier. 12 13 14. they have denyed the Lord or belyed the Lord and said it is not he neither shall evill come upon us neither shall we see the sword or famine And the Prophets shall become wind i. e. their Prophecy shall never be accomplished nothing shall come of them they are but wind the threats which they utter shall never hurt us but mark what follows in the 14. verse wherefore thus saith the Lord God of Hosts Because ye speak this word behold I will make my words in thy mouth fire and this people wood and it shall devour them such as esteem the word of God but wind shall find it to be fire and such as will not believe and give credit to it so as to be warmed by it shall be consumed by it and they shall know saith God Ezek. 6. 10. that I am the Lord and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evill unto them But we are sure saith the Apostle that the judgement of God is according to truth against them that Commit such things it is so if we interpret it of Gods adjudging to punishment as all profane scoffers shall at length find these things hast thou done saith God and I kept silence and therefore thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thy Psa 50. 21 22. self but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes consider this thâ—refore ye that forget God and profanely slight and make light of his word lest he tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver They who now most Question and scoff at what God in his word threatens shall be forced another day to say as those Lament 2. 17. the Lord hath done that which he had devised he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the dayes of old and as those Zach. 1. 6. like as the Lord of Hosts thought to do unto us according to our wayes and according to our doings so hath he dealt with us and as Dan. 9. 12. he hath confirmed his words which he spake against us Again is the Scripture that which Use 2. Humiliation cannot be broken then from hence is matter of much Humiliation that the Scripture being that which cannot be broken we have so often and so many wayes made as if it could or would be broken that we have not walkt nor lived up to this truth that our behaviours carriages and demeanors have been such as have as it were contradicted the truth of this point and made as if the Scripture were that which might be broken or did err or mistake it may be verbally we have assented to it and acknowledged it but really and practically have denyed it and how exceedingly should it humble us that we can give credence to the word of a man that we can really seal and assent to what they say as truth make their word firm if they promise we can rely upon it if they threaten we can dread it but we make as if the word of God would fail as if that were not firm the fool it
wicked man come from Hell and tell others what he there suffers and what they were like to suffer if they did not mend their manners O this would prevail with them by this they would be perswaded no they would not for the Scripture sayes and that cannot be broken if they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead such as are not perswaded by the Word preached such would not be perswaded though one rose from the dead So Isay 27. 11. There it is said It is a people of no understanding therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no favour Now the World thinks otherwise O say they he that made us will save us but let this prevail with us to seal to this truth because it is Scripture and cannot be broken So Matthew 19. 23. Then said Jesus unto his Disciples Verily I say unto you that a rich Man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven And again I say unto you it is easier for a camel to go through c. So 1 Cor. 1. 26 27. For ye see your calling Brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called c. So Matthew 16. 25. Whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall finde it So Mark◠10. 29 30. Verily I say unto you there is no Man that hath left house or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time houses and Brethren and Sisters and Mothers and Children and Lands with Persecutions and in the world to come eternal life Now these and many the like are Paradoxes to the World but what ever they be to the World let this prevail with us for to seal to them they being Scripture and the Scripture being that which cannot be broken And let us seal to these and the like not not onely Verbally but really not onely in point of Judgement and opinion but of practice as when it is said Straight is the gate narrow is the way that leadeth unto life and few there be that finde it Matthew 7. 14. And the righteous shall scarcely be saved 1 Peter 4. 18. i. e. not without much difficulty and ado not without great labour the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used of such things as with much labour are brought about as Acts 27. 7. Now it being certainly thus let us really and practically seal to the truth hereof by labouring so much the more to be saved and to enter in at the straight gate Thus when it is said What is a Man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul i. e. a Man is no whit at all profited let us really seal to the truth hereof by more minding our souls and less regarding the profits of the World so that we must appear before the judgement seat of Christ 2 Cor. 5. 10. by labouring that we may be accepted of him and found in peace To that that Satan goes up and down like a roaring Lion c. 1 Peter 5. 8. by being as the Apostle exhorts the more sober and vigilant And so I might instance as concerning what the Scripture saies of the upright Psalm 84. 11. 37. 37. Of Godlinesse 1 Tim. 4. 8. Hebrews 12. 14. Of Christ washing us of Christ being in us John 13. 8 2 Cor. 13. 5 Let us really seal to these by labouring so much the more to be upright to be godly to have Christ wash us and to get Christ in us c. And thus should wecome to reap the fruit and benefit of Scriptures those happy ends would be made good for which they were written 5. Cannot the Scripture be broken can it not err or mistake or be deceived but are things so as the Scripture affirms of them if the Scripture saith that Princes are Gods in some sense are they so as our Saviour here affirms and proves because the Scripture cannot be broken then let us labour so to see and so to discern things to be as the Scripture saith of them as the Scripture affirms concerning them why why because the Scripture cannot be broken it cannot err and therefore they most certainly are as the Scripture saith of them and therefore let us labour yea and never let us rest till we come so to see them and so to be able to say of them as the Scripture saith of them till we and the Scripture come to be of a judgement and opinion and that however at present they may seem quite otherwise but as the Apostle saith give me leave a little to Rom. 3. 4 allude to it let God be true but every man a lyer i. e. let God be confest and acknowledged true so let his word let the Scripture be acknowledged and assented too as true for that cannot be broken but all contrary thoughts and apprehensions of things lookt upon as false and lying for as the same Apostle affirms we are sure the judgement of God is according to truth his sense and sentence of things and so the sense and sentence of the Scripture of his word we are sure that is according to truth that cannot be broken that cannot err or mistake and therefore never let us rest till we come to see things as that saith of them and then we shall certainly see things aright see things as they are indeed As to instance in some particulars the Scripture saith and affirms of God that he is good it saith and affirms so often Nahum 1. 7. The Lord is good Psa 106. 1. O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever and so Psal 107. 1. O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good c. And now he is so for the Scripture cannot be broken cannot err and therefore let us labour to see him so and never rest till we come so to see him till we be able from what we our selves see and experience to say as David Psal 86. 5. For thou Lord art good c. and how great is his goodness and how great is his beauty Zach. 9. 17. and O taste and see that the Lord is good blessed is the man that trusteth in him Psa 34. 8. So the Scripture saith of Jesus Christ that he is most pretious that he is fairer than the Children of men that he is the 1 Pet. 2. 4. 6. 7. Psa 45. 2. Hag. 2. 7. desire of all Nations that he is altogether lovely and the Scripture saying so of him and it being that which cannot be broken O let us never rest till we come so to see him till we can say from what our selves see perceive as the spouse in Cant. 5. 10. my beloved
such as do indeed believe shall be saved is according to Scripture Acts 16. 31. Rom. 10. 9. 16. Mark 15. 16. Heb. 10. 39. 1 Pet. 1. 9. John 3. 36. 3. That such as repent shall be saved is according to Scripture Ezek. 18. 30. Acts 11. 18. 2 Cor. 7. 10. Job 33. 23 24. Prov. 28. 13. 4. That such as are fruitful in good works shall be saved is according to Scripture Iohn 5. 28 29. Rom. 2. 7. Matth. 26. 21. Thus if this be thy condition indeed if God hath brought thee into such an estate as this is if he hath done so great things for thee as these thou maist be saved and the Scripture not be broken nay let me tell thee again as I told thee before if thou shouldst not be saved the Scripture would be broken which the point tells thee cannot be and O how happy art thou then to be brought into such an estate and condition as that if thou shouldst not be saved the Scripture would be broken how much shouldst thou be in blessing and praising God and confess with David thou hast dealt well with thy servant O Lord I well indeed he hath dealt better with thee and done more for thee than if he should have made for thee and given to thee many worlds and therefore be thankfull unto him and speak good of his name Col. 1. 12. giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light 2 Thess 2. 13. But we are bound alwayes to give thanks to God for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth 1 Pet. 1. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 7. Again Cannot the Scripture be broken can it not err mistake or be deceived is it an infallible and unerring rule then le ts be exhorted from hence to try all doctrines and opinions by Scripture to bring all to this touchstone to this adaequate measure of all divine truth for that cannot err 2 Tim. 3. 16. all Scripture saith the Apostle is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine it being given by divine inspiration and so being that which cannot err it is profitable to teach us what is truth and what is error what is sound doctrine and what is false b Scripturis tuto inniti passumus neâ— est quod fraudem ullam metuant qui harum lucernâ—m sibi proponunt revera impii qui adversus â—as dispâ—tare audent This is the true touch-stone and publique standard as it were for the triall of all doctrines set up for this end to reveal truth and discover error And this is that unto which God himself doth demit us and send us to try opinions for the finding out of truth from error and discovering error from truth as you may see Esay 8. 20. To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them to the Law c. To the Scripture as to the touch-stone whereby you are to try all doctrines that cannot be broken that 's unerring infallible immutable unalterable ever the same truth it self and the standard of truth such a rule as cannot deceive and therefore whereas the Apostle bids us prove or try all things we must bring them to this touch-stone what saith the Scripture this man it may be saith this another that a third the other thing I but what saith the Scripture that must determine the Bible must still be the umpire all are to be examined by this we are sure the judgement of that is according to truth As it is said of those Acts 17. 11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so and search the Scriptures Joh. 5. 39. Christ tells the Saduces Ye do err not knowing the Scriptures they did not search nor enquire there for if they had that would have discovered to them their error and by this it is that the Church hath still tryed and condemned all Heresies as the Arrian the Pelagian and others c Solis divinis literis verâ— doctrina a falsa discerni potest Pet. Mâ—râ— in Rom 16. 17. and this the Apoâ—tle Peter makes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a more sure word and way to evidence truth than a revelation from heaven as 2 Pet. 1. 19. we also have a more sure word of prophâ—cy whereunto you do well that you take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dâ—wâ— aâ—d the day-star arise in your hearts the Apostle in the three verses immediately going before had been speaking of a revelation from heaven and that the clearest that ever was revealed namely that in the transfiguration of Christ of which the Apostles themselves were eye-witnesses and heard that voyce from heaven then uttered and yet verse 19. we have saith he a more sure word of Prophecy than Gods own audible voyce in the Mount i. e. more sure as to us of greater perspicuity and certainty besides inspiration it being both written and sealed for the former vision and revelation being from God was in it self most sure and therefore some interpret it a most sure word or very sure a comparative for a superlative hence the Scripture is called a Canon or Canonical that is as much as a rule and the use of a rule is to discern that which is right from that which is distort and crooked Recto i. e. canone nam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rectum idem sunt ipsum rectum obliquum cognoscimus regula namque judex est utriusque and this is most true of the Scripture that in this sense is a canon or canonical per excellentiam by way of excellency and therefore let us upon all occasions have still recourse to this as an unerring rule or canon to try all Doctrines and opinions by d Hoc universae Scripturae tribuendâ—m est quod sit linea regula amussis ad quam omnis de fide moribus doctrina est examinanda referenda comformanda judicanda sicuti ad legem in republica civium mores negotia sunt referenda constituenda exigenda dirimenda ad quam propterea tanquam ad Lydium lapidem fidei ac vitae Christianâ— documenta omnia probanda sunt Rivet in Isag ad scripturam sacram Again eighthly cannot the Scripture be broken can it not err then let us so judge of things as the Scripture saith of them Iudge not saith our Saviour Iohn 7. 24. according to the outward appearance but judge righteous judgement and
Pro. 16. 16 4. 7. principal thing therefore get Wisdom and with all thy gettings get Vnderstanding Acquaint now thy self with him and be at peace so shall good come Job 22. 21 unto thee There is sayes Elihu a Spirit in Man and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them Vnderstanding Job 32 8. Go to God therefore for it For it is he that is a God of Knowledge 2 Sam. 2. 3. There is a promise the earth shall be full of the Knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea O desire the Isa 11. 9. Lord to fill thy Soul with Knowledge 2. Again Secondly if continuing in a state of Unregeneracy thou be saved the Scripture must be broken you cannot continuing in such an estate be saved except the Scripture be broken for the Scripture in several places speaks quite contrary as to such being saved continuing such As John 3. â— And again the 5. Verse Jesus answered and said unto him Verily verily I say unto thee except a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God and except a Man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God I say unto theâ— I who am the Amen the faithful and true Witnesse yea truth it self and cannot lie I who came to open and give an entrance into the Kingdom of God yet I say yea he does as good as swear Verily verily I say unto thee except a Man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God So Heb. 12. 14. Without Holinsse no Man shall see the Lord. No Man no without being sanctified ther 's no being saved Blessed indeed are the pure in heart for they shall see God but without purity ther 's no seeing God No however it may be at present thou maist scoff at Purity and Holinesse and call it Preciseness yet know it is that without wch thou canst never be saved except the Scripture be broken And rather than the Scripture should be broken God will break ten thousand such as thou art the Scripture cannot be broken And therefore canst not thou but be broken continuing such So Iohn 13. 8. If I wash thee not thou hast no part with me i. e. If I make thee not clean from thy sins freely pardoning them and sanctifying thee if I wash thee not from sinsguiltiness by my blood and from sinsfilthiness by my Spirit thou hast no part with me in Heaven in eternal happinesse in glory in everlasting life in that celestial Paradise And therefore let such harken to that sovereign counsel of the Apostle in Heb. 12. 14 Follow Holinesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 follow hard press with an eager pursute after Holinesse as one who will not leave till he hath what he followes h Est magno studio annit ut assequaris to follow as a Hunter his prâ—y who persues it till he take it and is there not cause when as if ever without it we see God the Scripture must be broken 3. Again Thirdly if continuing in a state of Unbelief if not coming to Christ and believing on him you be saved the Scripture must be broken for the Scripture absolutely and indispensably requires Faith in all that are saved and excludes all such from salvation who do not believe Mark 16. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned and that though he be baptized so Iohn 3. 36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him and he that believes not is condemned already verse 18. and Iohn 8. 24. If ye believe not that I am he ye shall dye in your sins a sad threatning Rev. 21. 8. The Vnbelieving shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone which is the Second Death so that if thou continuing still in Unbelief shouldest see life or be exempt from the wrath of God abiding on thee which is a burthen so exceeding grievous and intollerable or shouldest not be damned and dye in thy sins the Scripture must be broken if continuing shut up in Unbelief thou shouldest not be shut out of Heaven and have thy part in the lake which burneth with fire brimstoné which is the second Death the Scripture must be broken therfore harken to that blessed Counsel our Saviour gives Jo. 12. 36 Whilest you have light believe still in the light while ye have the light of the Gospel believe in the light who is the Son of God while ye have the light of the Word of God believein the Word which is God let these beams lead you to that Sun these streames to that Ocean this is the great Gospel-work Ioh. 6. 29. and the great Gospel-command 1 Ioh. 321. This is the great business both of the light of life Joh. 11. 26. and the light of the Gospel except while we have the light we believe in this light we must unless the Scripture be broken be cast into utter darknesse 4. Again Fourthly if continuing in a state of impenitency you should be saved the Scripture must be broken for the Scripture is absolutely and indispensably for repentance in all that are saved affirms except we repent we shall certainly perish Luke 13. 3. Except you repent you shall all likewise prish and again V. 5. Except you repent you shall all certainly perish aut poenitendum aut pereundum there is no way but repenting or perishing according to what the Scripture holds forth we must either repent of our sins and turn from them here or burn in Hell for them for ever hereafter So that though you now it may be make a mock of sin you must come to mourn for it though you now it may be sport with it you must come to be in pain with it and for it or else if you do not perish the Scripture must be broken though thy heart now be never so stony never so hard and impenitent yet this stony hard and impenitent heart of thine must come to relent must become an heart of flesh it must come to be broken for sin and from sin or else if ever thou beest saved the Scripture must be broken And therefore sovereign Counsel is that which God gives to sinners Ezek. 18. 30. Repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity shall not be your ruine else it will and James 4. 8 9 10. Clense your hands you sinners and purifie your hearts ye double-minded be afflicted and mourn and weep c. And that of the Apostle Acts 3. 19. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord This made John the Baptist and our Saviour and his Disciples so much to preach and press Repentance making it the Sum of their preaching because though