2. And to be rich in faith 3. And heires with the mightiest amongst them of the Kingdome which he hath promised In one part of the Reward wee haue our paritie in all our partnership with the most eminent among Saints The motiue to recompence followeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seeing it is a iust thing with God Q. Is it of Iustice that God rewards the patience of Saints so as it is that he punisheth the crueltie of their persecutors Ans Confessedly it s true The recompense of the righteous is oft ascribed to Gods a Heb. 6.10 2 Tim 4 8. Iustice But 1. Iustice sometime denotes Gods b 1 Iohn 1.9 fidelitie promittendo se fecit debitorem He should doe wrong to himselfe to forget our worke and labour of loue which by promise he hath bound himselfe to reward Wrong also to vs whom with faire promise he hath led on to endure such hardship in his seruice But God is faithfull 2 In respect of Christs meriting not so much to himselfe as to vs with such a price Remission of sinnes esteeme of righteousnesse Crowne of righteousnesse it is of Iustice that our tolerance is rewarded as Paul intimates very b Rom. 3.26 pardon of sinne to be of Iustice in respect of Christs satisfaction equiualent to the violation of Gods Maiestie though in respect of vs it be of meere Grace 3 There is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rigorous Iustice let no man thinke his patience or suffering can at that barre of common pleas chalenge reward vae etiam laudabili vitae Hominum si remota misericordiâ discutias eam And there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 moderate Iustice as in a Court of Chancerie especially when a Church man sits in it Such as the Gospell propounds and according whereto the whole of Christianitie is censured According to rigorous Iustice the sinners selfe should satisfie According to moderate Iustice a Mediatour interposeth and his satisfaction is accepted According to rigorous Iustice nothing but perfect is tolerated in our workes According to moderate Iustice the weake endeauours of Gods Children are crowned Hence say some moderate Papists Though there be Iustice in Retribution to both kindes yet not like Iustice in dispensing the Rewards To euill workes is due eternall punishment out of the nature of the workes To good workes eternall life onely by positiue ordinance of God 4 Quoad genus It s of Iustice that it should be well with the Righteous Ill with the wicked hitherto there is agreement in generali ratione iusti That it should be so ill with the wicked heere is also exacta ratio iusti But that it should be so well with men vnperfectly righteous heere is apparent mixture of vnmerited mercy Vse 1 How doth it augment the comfort of Gods Children to meditate his very Iustice is ingaged for their refreshment We haue heard experimented his mercy and grace in our afflictions tempering them to our strength giuing c 1 Cor. 10.13 issue with the temptation granting d Ez. 9.8 reuiuing from our seruitude proportioning e 2 Cor. 1.5 comforts exciting manifesting increasing grace by afflictions filling vs with f Rom. 15.13 ioy and peace in beleeuing that we might taste how sweete the Lord is in this life and long to be satisfied with fulnesse of Ioy at his right hand If this be too little his very Iustice lies at gage for our refreshment and full redemption should not shall not the g Gen. 18.25 Iudge of all the world doe right Or shall not this make vs say Amen to Dauids Asseueration Verily there is a Reward for the Righteous that 's as verily true as it s doubtles there is a God that iudgeth the earth So saith Amen the faithfull and true witnesse 2. Serues it not also to terrifie and astonish all gracelesse men Especially those of h 1 Ioh. 3.12 the broode of Caine. Who ledd either with hatred of good men or goodnes or with fancie of vniust mercie in God i Iac. 5.5 6. nourish their hearts as in a day of slaughter euen when they condemne and kill the Iust Who shall stand before the Lord in the day of his fierce wrath and reuelation of his iust Iudgement least they who haue abused the bountifulnes long-suffering and tolerance of God No man blames them to thinke Gods mercy greate for its infinite rather for thinking his mercy not iust That Iustice of the mercifull God they may obserue sometimes to breake through the vaile of mercy and to wreake it selfe vpon the troublers of Saints The iust Lord sometimes awaketh as a Gyant refreshed with much wine as a Lyon tearing in peeces when there is none to helpe That by seuerity on some particulars hee might warne all to repent and minde them of the wrath kept in store for the impenitent some are heere punished saith Saint Augustine that we may know there is a Prouidence taking notice of all not all that we may know there is a iudgement to come Instances take Sodome the old world Angels you will see it is true k 2 Pet. 2.4 ad 10 God knowes to deliuer his out of temptation and to reserue the vniust to the day of Iudgement to be punished Then shall Iustice breake forth in furie thorough the cloude of mercy so long ouershading it so much the more furious by how much the mâ—re his mercy hath binne contemned Master said the Disciples when shall these things bee When the Lord Iesus shall be reuealed from heauen But till then is the full Recompence of the righteous and full vengeance of the wicked mercifully yet iustly deferred Art thou come to torment vs l Mat. 8.29 before the time say Spirits of Aire reserued to the Iudgement of the great day m Apoc. 6.10 How long Lord holy and true Soules vnder the Altar Not as if Diues now n Luke 16.25 receiued no paine nor Lazarus comfort But for that neither hath yet receiued the whole nor the whole of either their full retribution That made Bernard say Martyrs glorified in their soules haue yet some reflexion of loue vpon themselues for their bodies sake remaining vnder the dominion of death That makes me thinke damned soules in hell tremble and are more tormented at thought of the Iudgement to come because then their bodies instruments of their soules weapons of sinne to fight so stoutly for vnrighteousnesse shall be reunited to augmentation of their torture Of respiting full recompence of the iust conceiue these Reason 1. That o Heb. 11.40 they without vs might not be perfected Nor we without after-commers from Gentiles and Iewes receiue complement of our Beatitude 2. Besides though after death we be all extrastatum merendi aut demerendi for any personall performances yet a vertue operatiue of example or counsell we leaue behinde vs the sauour of the good as of Christs oyntment powred out p Cant. 1.2 drawing
many after vs And the stench of euill as that of Ieroboam reaching to the infection of many a soule yet vnborne This is Gods course the good is done before it s rewarded the euill committed before punished 3. Corpus quod corrumpitur aggrauat animam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by meanes of corruption Ergastulum Carcer Animae How many deaths haue passed in thorough those windowes by which the soule lookes out into the world How hardly hath that masse of flesh bin haled on to good duties Sleeping and turning vpon the Bed as Salomons sluggard with modo and modo quae non habent modum It 's iust with God to say to it in our Sauiours language Sleepe on now and take thy rest Ly brute sensles wormes-meat till for the better part sake thou be rowzed by the last trumpe out of the sleepe of Death proportionally conceiue Reasons of respiting the full vengeance of the wicked Vse 1 The wish is sweet of the Spirit and Bride q Apoc 22.17 Come Holy the according prayer of the Euangelist r 20. Euen so come Lord Iesus come quickly I cannot but approue the extaticall desire of the Apostle that hee might Å¿ Phil 123. bee dissolued thinke it most what generally true of all Saints that they t 2 Tim. 48. loue Christs appearing would presse the exhortation of Saint Peter to u 2 Pet. 3.12 hasten to the comming of the Lord yet would perswade all men patiently to waite for the appearing of that blessed hope 1. Fulnesse of Gentiles is not yet come in 2. Restitution of Iewes not yet accomplished 3. Our selues are reserued to doe more good that we may receiue more reward 4. Vertue of vs runs on in a continuall line till the heauens be rolled vp as a scroll and that to augment our glory I maruell not if Paul desired to be * 2 Cor. 5.1 clothed vpon with his house from heauen so rauishing is the taste of that beatitude yet doubt not but he daily receiues encrease of ioy vnspeakeable and glorious from the endlesse good inspired from God through him into vs in the heauenly doctrine of his writings and blessed example of his life left vs in record On which grounds I exhort all to patient their hearts vntil the comming of the Lord so to long for as yet they quietly waite for his blessed appearing But Oh death Oh Iudgement how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man liuing in his sinnes They say commonly Let all alone till that day Not all take taste a little in horrours of your conscience in life dreads no lâ—sse then astonishing in death torments vnsufferable at the separation yet there is a day of fuller Retribution comming when you shall run to the Rockes to hide you to the Mountaines to couer you from the presence of the Lambe and him that sits vpon the Throne These heere are but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thinke of him whose but soule cryed out I * Luc. 16.24 am horribly tormented in this flame What shall that torment be when body and soule come to be vnited for torture Intermissions God giues you in this life Respit to bodies till the last day But wo wo wo vnto you when the Lord Iesus shall be reuealed from heauen Tropically it s put to denote Christs comming to Iudgement this reuealing of the Lord Iesus being coniunct therewith Consider 1. The Style of Christs comming his Reuelation 2. His Attendants Angels 3. The manner of it in flaming fire 4. The end to render vengeance 1. What is this reuelation of the Lord Iesus The same it may be which Paul calles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his y 2 Tim. 4.8 appearing Saint Iohn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his z 1 Ioh. 3.2 manifestation and somebodie some-where his glorious appearing 1. Heauen it selfe and the great Chasma betwixt it and vs cannot keepe from vs his heauenly a Mat 28.20 vertue and influence Yet must b Act 3.21 containe him till the time that all things shall be restored That though we feele his power daily in our protection and support his gratious operations in our foules in our Sanctification and Comfort yet an Interstitium there is which keepes from vs sight of his glorious person perfect fruition of his God-head and Manhood Then shall that veile be remoued and euery man shall bee able to point the finger and say Ecce Agnus Dei that Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah c Apoc. 1.7 Behold hee commeth with cloudes And euery Eye shall see him euen they that pierced him 2. Or what if wee thinke reference is to the daies of his flesh What time though he were Lord and Christ yet appeared he not so to the eyes of flesh His God-head sometimes peeping out thorough the viele in a miracle yet mostlie obscuring it selfe 1. Partly to embolden Satan to the encounter 2. Partly by concealing himselfe from forlorne Iewes to make way to calling of Gentiles 3. Partly to shew that his kingdome is not of this world 4. And which is not the least to magnifie and make more glorious the faith of them who in that state of abasure discerned him such as Thomas could not till after his Resurrection their d Ioh. 20.28 Lord and their God Thus pleased our Sauiour to liue in obscurity while he was vpon earth yet shall bee reuealed both Lord and Iesus when he comes from heauen in glory with his mighty Angels Vse Wee also haue our veile of Abasures by afflictions infirmities and imperfections such so great that the e Ioh. 3.1 world knowes vs not So God will haue it that the world may be blinded Yet Comfort we our selues in this We are predestinated to be f Rom. 8.29 conformable to the Image of Christ in affliction and glory in veiling and Reuealing Wee as the Sonne and Heire of the great God haue our day when the g Rom. 8.19 Sonnes of God shall be reuealed When God shall bring our Innocencie to light and our Righteousnes as the Noone-day Yea when we h Col. 3.4 shall also appeare with him in glory When all the world shall befoole themselues for thinking our life madnes and i Sap. 5.3 4 5. admire how we are accounted and aduanced as the Sons of God 2. His retinew are Angels Mighty Angels Whither as Assistant and approouing Iudges together with Saints I referre you to Schoolemen for resolution Their vse and imployment then is not onely to fill vp the Glory and Magnificence of the great Iudge but first to gather the k Mat. 24.31 Elect from the foure windes secondly to separate the Tares from the wheat thirdly to be executioners of Gods wrath vpon the wicked l 13.41.42 binding vp those Tares in sheaues and casting them into euerlasting fire Mighty Common place of the power of Angels and their might how farre it reacheth in workes of Nature or
from which we gather our title to the promises is our performance of the duties Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ So called either for that he is the adaequatum obiectum of it the whole of Euangelicall doctrine hauing him for the matter or because by him as the Angell of the Couenant reuealed out of the bosome of his father That clause seemes interposed either to dismay the more from disobedience or to shew equitie in extreamest vengeance inflicted on them that contemne him which speakes from heauen See Heb. 2.2 3. 12.25 VERS 9. Who shall be punished with euerlasting destruction from the presence or face of the Lord and from the glorie of his power SPecification of the vengeance where are 1. The Hotnesse of it destruction 2. The continuance Euerlasting 3. The worker or meane inflicting the Face of the Lord and the Glory of his power 1. Destruction vnderstand not an abolishing of their being Oh how shall they wish they had neuer bin or had bin bruits or might cease to be when the day of that vengeance commeth Rather of their well-being Non est vita vinere sed bene viuere Nor is it worth the name of being to be miserable so miserable as to liue a dying life to dye a liuing death 2. Euerlasting their miserie shall haue no end Their worme dieth not their fire neuer goethâ—out the fire is vnquenchable and euerlasting Mar. 10.43 44. Mat. 3.12 25.41 46. Reasons 1. That so in endurance sith it will not be in weight there may be proportion betwixt their punishment and sinnes wherewith they haue violated that endlesse Maiestie 2 They sinned in aeterno suo Its iust therefore they should be punished in aeterno Dei 3 Their desires to sinne were infinite endlesse they would liue euer that they might sinne euer 4 Their impenitencie is endlesse obstinacie of will in euill is one of the sinfull penalties of the damned Vse Millenaries erred through too much pietie and mistake of some Scriptures when they promised some to very Pagans and Diuels others to impenitent Christians release from their Hell-torments But fooles may I tearme them or mad men amongst vs who hearing daily and professing to beleeue what we teach of extremitie and eternitie of Hell-torments yet to enioy the momentanie pleasures of sinne willingly depriue themselues of that eternall hyperbolicall weight of Glorie yea desperately plunge body and soule into euerlasting paine Oh consider you that forget God if yeares as many as there are starres in the skie millions of yeares as many as there are sands by the Sea shore might bring end to the paine yet there were hope But when eternitie shall be added to extremitie of the Torment the Recouerie is hopelesse Whom should not these terrors pierce 3 From the presence of the Lord c. At first sound the words seeme to intimate the good such are depriued of the presence of Christ and fruition of his Glorie and may be conceiued to import that paenam damni as it s called their losse and depriuation of eternall beatitude which they suffer whosoeuer know not God or disobey the Gospell But attentiuely considered rather signifie the cause or meane inflicting their vengeance I he very looke or face of Christ His power the glorie or excellencie of his power easely procures it y Apoc. 6.15 16 Hide vs they crie euen Potentates from the face of the Lambe so terrible and full of Maiestie shall be his second appearing with such z See Psa 2.9 ease euer with his looke shall they be tumbled downe together into the bottome of Hell Vse What meanes the insolencie of the mightie the guilded Potsheards of the earth to looke and speake so big why triumph they ouer the Impotent how dare they a 1 Cor. 10.22 prouoke the Lord Are they stronger then he Haue they forgotten who said hee that is higher then the highest regardeth and there be higher then they Eccl. 5.8 You that pride your selues in your frowne and call it your glorie that multitudes tremble at your presence suffer the thought to put an appall to your pride and power and pompe that there is a countenance at which Angels tremble a power to which Seraphims stoope a presence so maiesticall a face so full of glorie before which you must stand to be iudged whose very frowne can cast bodie and soule into hell fire I say as Dauid tremble and sinne not Psal 44. VERS 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that beleeue because our Testimonie was beleeued among you at that day A Repetition and new remembrance of the Time when this vengeance shall be inflicted set out by another concomitant of it the glorious aduancement of Gods Children Considerable therein are 1 The generall Glorification of Saints 2 The fountaine of it the Lord Christ who is glorified in the glorifying of Saints 3 The measure Admîred 4 Persons to whom intended and their qualification Saints and all that beleeue interlined there is in a parenthesis application of the Comfort to Thessalonians 1. There is then a glorious estate reserued for Gods children against the day of Christs second appearing b Rom. 2.7 10. Glorie honour and immortalitie to euery one that continues in well doing Schoolemen will a little fill you with particulars when they minde you of the Dotes 1 Animae vision delectation comprehension c. 2 Corporis Impassibilitie subtiltie spiritualtie claritie with the like Ad 4um dist 49. See them ad 4um distinct 49. Their glorie here seemes that which presents it selfe to the eyes of the wicked in their 1. Association vnto Christ they also sit on c Luc. 22.30 Thrones 2 Participation of d 1 Cor. 6.2 3. iudiciall power ouer the World yea Angels not onely by comparison but by suffrage of approbation What may if this will not cause vs to digest the infamie and abasures we are subiect vnto Proud nature of man and vaine-glorious how makes it good men sometimes more loue the praise of men then the glorie of God Iohn 12.43 Had we Pauls wisedome to looke from things temporall to things eternall from our present contempt to our future glorie we should easely resolue to be yet more vile for the Lord. Gods Spirit in Scripture thus armes vs against the Temptation 1 Minding vs how God from amongst the basest and most e 1 Cor. 1.27 28. contemptible of the world hath pleased to make his election to glorie 2 Remembring vs of the many more f Heb. 12.2 Indignities Christ for our sakes endured 3 Sending vs to consiâ—er our conformitie herein g Mat. 5.12 to Prophets and righteous men which went before vs. 4 Putting vs in minde of what it euidenceth the h 1 Pet 4.14 resting of the glorious Spirit of God vpon vs. 5 Withall of the high account God makes of vs honouring vs with his protection interessing himselfe in our contempt dignifying vs
bee deemed strange 6. Or why not of that small yet competent number of Ministers raised in all times to oppose vnto Anti-Christ There is left probability that its meant of Henoch and Elias whose priuiledge it was y Heb. 11.5 not to see death a goodly priuiledge to bee taken from the malice of their times that they might bee reserued for the more cruell Rage of Antichrist and was this so notable a crowne of Henochs Faith and Walking with God Heb. 11.5 To the fourth Persecution so violent notorious that al publique Seruice of God shall cease Mat. 24.21 Apoc. 20.7 Dan 12.11 Resp That peerelesse persecution mentioned by the Euangelist is by Saint Lukes exposition the necessity and tribulation Iewes were to endure at the siege and surprisall of Ierusalem by Titus and Vespatian See Luk. 21. and compare circumstances in Matthew together with what Iosephus reports of the accomplishment thou wilt be forced to say it s meant of Iewes of those times not possibly intended to Iewes or Christians from Antichrist 2. Yet none denies but persecution by Antichrist should be hath bin extreme But 1. of soules rather then of bodies when they are starued for want of knowledge z Apoc. 9.5.6.10 Artic. 40. racked by tortures of Conscience transmitted by Cartloads to Hell by him to whom no man saith cur ita facis 2. Of bodies of Saints also if we will ponder cruelty rather then number Martyrs in vaine doth the Cardinall from Hierom and Eusebius cite the multitude of Saints Massacred by Domitian c. for how should Antichrist match them in multitude When the names left are so few and the whole world performes vassalage vnto him Yet vpon the Saints falling vnder their tyranny what Phalaris hath exceeded his cruelty Reade our Martyrologies As touching the issue or effect of his persecution Cessation of publique worship Resp 1. If thereby hee meanes lawfull and prescribed worship I contradict not Antichrist brings it with him for many yeeres together what but bauling and meere Bablisme was heard in our Temples What seene but horrible superstition and Idolatrie in worshipping of Images inuocation of Saints adoration of Hostes c Whereto if any shewed himselfe opposite or vnwilling sauadge cruelty was esteemed lenitie in his torture The place of Daniel at first view disclaimeth their glosse To the fift sixt The Reigne of Antichrist to endure only for three yeeres and halfe at the ending of the world within some daies Resp Except a few faces and names of men what hath this dreame to support it I confesse I haue no heart to doe what is done by others suffer me therefore to referte you to diuines forecited In my Conscience I thinke their learned thus speaking speake against their owne conscience for 1. Can they thinke a man so base in his birth as they suppose Antichrist should in so few yeeres suppreste the whole Church Subdue Rome it selfe erect his Temple in Ierusalem expell the Turke What All this in the space of three yeeres and a halfe of Alexanders exploits and victories great things are written yet equall they not in speed the one halfe of what this Leopard must worke 2. Why am I long The praise and crowne of Saints is that they had not worshipped the beast nor his Image nor receiued his Character in forehead or hand during the space of the thousand yeeres Apoc. 20.4 whereof But of his raigne the misery of the world that they lay dead vnder him that whole time lasting ver 5. A dreame therefore that his whole Age is but of three yeeres and halfe As to the immediate succeeding of the worlds end to the fall of Antichrist and that within 45 daies quid attinet mulia Resp 1. It s a little peece of my Faith that after Antichrists ruine shall follow 1. The calling of Iewes 2. The destruction of Gog and Magog 3. The Raigne of the Church flourishing on earth for some hundreds of yeeres howsoeuer we presume the thousand yeeres to denote an indeterminate space of time 2. But out vpon impious curiositie when the a Act. 1.7 Father hath reserued times seasons in his owne power b Mat. 24.36 Mar. 13.32 the Sonne professeth hee knew neither day nor houre of his comming shall man presume to point out the day 1. Suppose my skill so good as to calculate the precise time of Antichrist entring his raigne day of his Ruine I haue learned from Rome might I not also know the exact day of Christs second comming 2. There shall be that shall see Antichrist in his Throue Papists themselues confessing they then shall be more of Gods priuie Counsell then the sonne of his owne bosome knowing the selfe day of Christs second appearing O yee heauens be astonished at this But such must be the pride of Antichrist What hath bin said in answer sufficeth to euidence that Antichrist hath bin already reuealed 3 When is the next question Bellar. de pont Rom. lib. 3. cap. Resp pretie play the Cardinall makes with the varietie of opinions touching his time amongst our Diuines Thus yee may reconcile all some speake of his Conception some of his sharpe throes in the wombe of his Romish mother some of his birth some of his ascending the throne some of his higher aduancement and there are that denote with the finger his very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the top and vigor of his pride 1 c 2. Thes 2.7 Conceiued in the Apostles time yea then animated d 1 Iohn 4.3 The spirit of that Antichrist was then in the world 2. Striuing to see light abortiue would he had bin within a few Centuries after the Apostles what time ambition of superioritie no lesse then Papacie shewed it selfe in some Saint Bishops of that See 3 Borne vnder Constantine what time the voice was heard from heauen e Platina in vitâ Syluest Seminatum est venenum in Ecclesiâ 4 Set in his throne and reuealed if Gregorie may be iudge what time Phocas that parricide granted to Boniface the third Platina Sigebert Ivo Blonetas stile of Bishop Oecumenicall to the Romish Church handship ouer all other Churches 5 Yet higher aduanced when encreased with temporall dominion and fully possessed of both swords 6 At his top and neare his first fall what time by the counsell of Lateran hee is decreed superiour to generall Councels Anno 1516. 5 Where may we finde him Resp Where the Carrion is thither will the Vultures be gâ—thered together Where but in that Sedes summa Petri quae pastoralisâ—onâ—ris Facta Caput mundi quicquid non possidet armis Relligione tenet Let this be our Rule where we finde concurrenâ—e of all these properties mentioned by the Apostle there is that Antichrist And if they all suite not to the Papacie as a coat cut out for that bodie freely I confesse my selfe stifly erroneous in that little piece of my Faith View them in their order 1 That man of sinne Allusion
trauell night and day that we might not be chargeable to any of you THE enforcement of the duetie from quallitie or degree of the offence in the disorderly from two circumstances aggrauating their sinne 1 Knowledge of the constitution and equitie thereof 2 Example of the prescriber where is subioyned explication of Pauls exemplary practise 1 You know 2 how ye ought to follow vs. You not only innocent but delinquents know and are conuinced of the duetie c. So doeth Paul amplifie their sin circumstances they are both which adde much to the degree of the transgression 1 Knowledge See Iames 4. vlt. Iohn 9.41 15.22 24. Luke 12.47 Rom. 1.21 32. 2 Wilfully and halfe presumptuously such are interperted to sinne Vse h 1 Cor. 8.1 Knowledge puffeth No reason it should encreasing our obligation to duetie adding to the degree of euery sinfull act or omission Take heed we be not i 2 Pet. 1.8 idle or vnfruitfull in the knowledge of duetie 1 We shall sinne k Ioh. 15.22 excuselesse 2 l Tit. 3.11 Damned of our selues 3. Haue punishment m Luke 12 47. greater 4 More not onely wast conscience and for the present stupifie it but make it raging when once feare or wrath shall awake it To follow vs. As knowledge of duetie so examples therein aggrauate our neglect Noahs faith and obedience in building the Arke n Heb. 11.7 condemned the faithlesse and impenitent World See Matth. 12.41 42. What colour or pretense haue such for disobedience To Whom God hath giuen eyes to see guides to goe before them in difficultest parts of duetie Remarkeable in all things is the wisedome of diuine prouidence view it in this particular Scattering abroad his Saints in such sort that in the most extrauagant congregations of people ouer whom his name is called there want not more or fewer of his Saints shining as lights in the way of life That either by light of their o Phil. 2 15.16 example they may bee guided to pietie else haue their p Heb 11. condemnation more iust and heany Vae mundo a scandalis vae vae vae ab exemplis bonis 1 Factibile ostenditur quod suadetur Vse That impossibâ—litie or difficultie may not bee pretensed 2 And way-guides we haue had tracing out vnto vs and beating the path that leades to life men of our owne mould whose foot-prints haue left impressions of matter manner meanes of atchiuing duties prescribed For we behaued not our selues disorderly The explication of the example 1 Generall 2 With application to the particular dutie inioyned in the Canon 3 Where also are specified ends of Pauls submitting himselfe to the Ordinance De primo We behaued not c. So if not necessary yet auaileable it is the prescriber to exemplifie his prescripts in his owne practise Giue me a Law-giuer a teacher exemplary Such an one exhibits himselfe the q Exod. â—0 11. great Law-giuer Such r Ioh. 13 15. Christ his Å¿ Iac. 5.10 Prophets and Apostles Prescript is the same to t 1 Tim. 4.12 Ministers all u Philip. 2.15 16 Christians especially Superiours 1 Pharisaicall it heares to * Mat. 23.4 lay burthens heauy on others shoulders and not to mooue our owne fingers to helpe forward the carriage 2 And how seemes it all but fabula that we teach de inferno de caelo when our selues are seene faulting in those duties which we presse vpon others vnder paine of damnation or with promise of eternall reward Vse Its gladsome to see the people taught by penaltie that its criminous to take Gods Name in vaine the Land x Ier. 23.10 mournes because of oathes to bee lamented that the Law-makers are knowne many so ouer familiar with the Name of God as to contemne it Suppose ye they of all men shall y Rom. 2.3 escape the iudgement of God Who likes not the vrging of Pauls canon on vs countrie drones to z 2 Tim. 4 2. preach the world with instance How doe we blesse those our fathers of the Church who excite vs by their example But is not the dispensation committed to all How shall they escape the a 1 Cor. 9.16 woe belonging to non-preaching who punish others neglects and yet feed themselues onely b Ezech. 34. and not the flocke 2. Neither did we eate any mans bread for nought The application of the example to the particular prescribed carried in that forme which Rhetoricians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Question Had it beene for nought if Paul had not wrought with his hands labouring onely in the Word and doctrine Resp 1 The spirituall things we sow 1 Cor. 9.11 are they not equiualent to your best carnals your gold that perisheth 2 And in the worke of the Ministery is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c 1 Tim. 5.17 labour toylesome tiresome d Isai 49.4 enfeebling Physitians accord that minde labours more feeble spirits animall and naturall more wast naturall heat and moisture then toile of the body Diuines can minde you how the more spirituall faculties had greatest wound by originall sinne especially when they are bent to spirituall things in serious meditation opposition they finde from malignant spirits so strong and oft so violent that they seldome beare vp without some wound in the encounter that if either pretium or opera may be though equiualent to our maintenance on free cost we eate not any our heareres bread but buy it many at deerest rate How then saith Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if without manuall labour Resp Commonly he is apprehended to speake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the opinion of earthly minded people What thorough I their vnderpricing spirituall blessings through earthly mindednesse 2 And what for not considering their conueiance linked by ordinance to our Ministery which is their ignorance or infidelitie 3 And what thorough little experience in mentall labours especially for spirituall things generally the voyce of the people is our liuing comes in easily we sweat not for it and what giue or doe we for all they pay vs Whereto the answere is ready from the Apostle 1 We e 1 Cor. 9 11. Gal. 3.2 sow you spirituall things reach to you as Gods hands the graces of his spirit the f 1 Tim 4.16 saluation of your soules 2 g Heb. 13.17 Watch for your soules as they that shall giue accounts 3 Spend sacrifice our selues many vpon the seruice of your faith Philip. 2.17 How soone would this errour vanish If men were either so happy as to 1 feele h Iob. 33 22. misery of want 2 To i 1 Pet 2 3. tast sweetnesse of grace 3 Or so wise as to consider that by vs as k 1 Cor. 3.5.9 Gods co workers they receiue whatsoeuer they are or haue in grace And how without vs they are l naked Pro. 29.18 and lye open to Gods wrath and eternall destruction As to our labour
Cor. 9.2 Grace being euer accompanied with holy emulation and striuing to equall excell others 4 Not onely our personall goodnesse is taken notice of to be rewarded but whatsoeuer good thing others haue bin occasioned to doe by our example or other excitement that also is set on our score See Dan. 12.3 Vse Lord that Pauls spirit were in vs that Moses prayer might preuaile with God that his not vrim onely but t Deut 33.8 Thummim might be vpon his holy ones that Lawgiuers might become as he in their practise liuing or walking Lawes But how haue we mostly all giuen occasion to haue Mercuries statue our fittest Embleme Read with best attention Rom. 2.21 22. c. ad finem To you to follow or imitate vs. Pauls maine intention in typing or linying out in his own practise what he prescribed bed to others Coward let be his stile who seconds not his Captaine in the dangerousest aduenture vnworthy the name of a Christian whosoeuer followes not such way-guides in vertuous practise It s the duetie and honour people owe to their Pastors to walke in the steps of their vertuous conuersation see 1 Cor. 11.1 Phil. 3.17 Heb. 13.7 Iac. 5.10 Imitation implies three things 1 Factum semblable or rather reall acting of what we pretend to imitate Not to commemorate or encomiastically to declaime of Abrahams faith or obedience but to u Rom. 4.12 walke in his steps is to imitate Abraham see Ioh. 13.15 Laudamus veteres est nostris vtimur Annis 2 Studium or propositum imitande Casually or by naturall propension may a man fall on Saints practise as children sometimes on fathers gestures or gange of body Sic ille oculos sic ora ferebat yet say we not such imitate though they resemble because their aime is not to expresse their Actions 3 Conformitas ad exemplar which is the life of imitation and wherein especially is required prudence in the follower least he turne Ape in imitation Giddie was that Ideat because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when he pretended Gideon for patterne in demolishing Images for had he like calling or instinct like eye must be had to other circumstances of time place manner motiue occasion end in those actions of Saints which we pretend to imitate the least swaruing from our patterne disables our imitation More what concernes this duetie of imitation and discretion therein Read at leisure in those notes on the former Epistle ad cap. 1. ver 6 7. VERS 10. For euen when wee were with you this wee commanded you that if any man would not worke neither should hee eate WHither any or what the reference is which this verse hath to the former Scripture is a little difficult to discerne Erre I or is it alledged to prooue their knowledge of duetie charged on them vers 7. q. d. You cannot be ignorant of the duetie for you may remember what charge we gaue you in presence In the text it selfe a part considered wee haue Pauls sanction or ordinance for manuall labour enforced by penaltie prouided for willing or wilfull loiterers 1 The maine intention is to vrge to labour 2 The penaltie of neglect Idlers must not eat To which adde as appertinences 1 The generalitie of the iniunction collected from extent of the penaltie siquis 2 Description of delinquents whom the penaltie toucheth not those who cannot but such as will not worke Labour here inioyned you must vnderstand manuall by interpretation of the Apostle himselfe 1 Thes 4.11 Ephes 4.28 2. Is the ordinance vniuersally binding for all persons times place states of the Church Resp 1. For labour and industrious imployment in some honest vocation it bindes all in all times and states The Church of no time may affoord hiuing for drones whither to manuall labour is another quaere Consent goes thus farre 1. Manuall labour is amongst those Acts or offices which are precepted not propter se as simplie good and necessary in like sort as worship of God and honouring parents 2. Rather propter aliud and therefore bindes not all men in all times and states but onely in casu suppose when the ends of such labour cannot be otherwise atchieued 3. Those ends suppose to be 1 Supplying our owne wants and necessities of such as depend on our Care 1 Thes 4.11 1 Tlm. 5.8 2 Easing the Church or Common-Wealth of vnnecessary charge 1 Tim. 5.16 3 To preserue body in health and vigour 4. And which is spirituall to auoid the legions of sinnes that waite on lazie idlenes But where without labour of the hands these ends with the like may all be attained the iniunction bindes not Ratio who so liues out of the Reason of the Law liues out of the stroke and censure of the Law Thus therefore conceiue the ordinance for that kinde of labour personall or particular to that Church in state now of distresse binding vs no farther then ends of labour forementioned and like state may enforce it How then concernes it vs of these times Resp 1. Many many are amongst vs whose liuely-hood and necessarie maintenance depends on manuall labour whose calling and abilities binde them to such imployment who but by it cannot further the weale publique doubts any man whither the iniunction bindes them The Reason of the Law toucheth them therefore the Law it selfe 2. But to the generall of labour and industrious imploying our selues in some honest calling whereby we may further common good equity of this inunction and other passages of Scripture binded al of all sorts times estates quid statis hîc otiosi * Mat. 20.6 Idlers the Lord of the Vineyard beares not And to all of any office is the charge giuen x Rom. 12.7 to waite on that office to a Minister is not inioyned manuall labour prohibited rather as both an indecorum for the person he sustaines and a meanes of y Act. 6.2 distraction and hinderance to his labouring in z 1 Tim. 5.17 the word and doctrine yet a Ezech. 34.2 woe to the idle shepheard as heauy as to any that are at ease in Sion Like thinke of Superiour Magistrates c. Withall let this be considered preparation to a Calling is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to a calling as when a man liues as young Prophets of Iuric in Schooles of Prophets though yet not exercising prophecie he is presumed to liue in Ranke neither without calling nor idlie in his station but what followes not vnder one of these lies vnder Censure of the Apostle and is violation of his Canon Vse Yet beware yee thinke not Pauls sanction toucheth Popish Monkes and Fryers mendicant that were picked wresting the Apostles sentence Indeed now I minde it Erasmus said of Luther Estius ad locum he meddled with two perillous things when he touched the Popes Crowne and his Monkes bellies But why sauours it so strong of hereticall prauitie to impleade them guilty of breaking Pauls Canon if Socrates said true Monachus qui