his whole posterity as hauing receiued en estate for it into a most fearefull bondage of sinne and Satan and to all such punishments as were due to the breach of the Commandement The occasion hereto was the righteous law of God which the more indifferent it was and easie to be obeyed did 1 The more discouer the malice of Sathan against the Commandements And 2 the more conuince the breach of man and so 3 aduanceth the more the mercy of God in prouiding a redeemer The instrument of this fall and manner therof was the suggestion of Satan enuying mans happines working in him distrust of the word tickling him with the outward obiect the Apple but especially with a conceit of a more excellent estate And setting vppon the weaker vessell when she was alone Breeding discontent of the present estate and hatred of God as if he did enuy their happinesse did not therfore loue thē so being distracted in their iudgment to redeeme vs Math. 4. Luk. 2.49 2 In taking our nature vpon him Mat. 2 Luk. 1. 3 To the Law in fulfilling it perfectly which we had broken Esay 53. 4 In vndergoing the punishment when hee had fulfilled the Law Rom. 5.19 10.4 And by these his sufferings our redemption was secondly wrought out These sufferings of Christ were First either in the humility of his Natiuity or his whole life such miseries as sin had drawne vpon vs that hee might sanctifie them vnto vs as in the body Hunger Cold Pouerty c. Heb. 2.18 Heb. 4.15 2 In the soule 1 Ignorance Mat. 11.13 Mar. 13.32 2 Tentations Matth. 22.35 Matth. 4.1 3 Sadnesse Ioh. 12. 4 Ignominies Mat. 12. Secondly or at his Death such paines as we had deserued and here he suffered First in his body as 1 Preparations to death 1 Accused of Blasphemy 2 Buffetings by the Souldiers Mat. 27. 28. 3 Whipping and scourging 4 Crowning with Thornes 5 Carrying of his Crosse. 6 Nayling to his Crosse. Ioh. 19. Secondly death it selfe heere consider 1 The ignominious manner vpon the Cursed Tree Gal. 3. 2 The cruelty vsed vpon his dead body as being pierced to the heart by that mercilesse Souldier Ioh. 10.34 3 His ignominious buriall and detaining for 3 daies in the graue These were his sufferings in body Secondly he also suffered for vs in his soule that 1. In his whole life 1 Griefe for the sin of the world especially of his own countrymen who refused him Ioh. 1. 2 The mockings of the wicked 7 That by his death hee might ratifie the eternall Testament of grace Heb. 9. 8 That hereby sinne and death might be destroyed and the Diuell that had the rule of death Heb. 2.14.15 Rom. 6.20 9 As also taking away the feare of death 10 That sinne might not rule ouer vs but 11 That we might die thereto 12 That we might liue onely to Christ. 13 And liue for euer with him 14 And lay downe our liues for him Now because it was not possible that the Sonne of God should be holden of the sorrowes of death for then had he not been iustified and acquitted from our sins therfore by the power of his God-head he raised vp himselfe so accomplished yet further the work of our redemption Rom. 4.25 Act. 2.24 And so Christ Iesus our redeemer obtained a glorious conquest by his resurrection from the dead that First ouer the law in abolishing the curse dominion rigor therof Secondly ouer Satan hel chaining vp Satan destroying for euer the powers of hell 1. Cor. 15.57 Thirdly ouer sinne and that 1 In taking away the sting and guiltinesse thereof 2 Abating the rage fury of the same Rom. 7.24.25 3 Healing in some measure the corrupt fountaine of the same 4 Weakning the force and daily eating out the very corruption thereof Rom. 6.12.13 Fourthly death is also conquered and subdued and that 1 By taking away the sting therof 2 By destroying the dominion of the same Rom. 5.14 3 Sanctifying it to the Godly to whom it is the gate to euerlasting life 1. Thess. 4. 4 Raising vp our flesh from the graue 1. Cor. 15. And thus by this glorious conquest of our captaine Iesus Christ is recouered vnto vs Heb. 12 2· First the fauour of God our Father whose children we are now become in Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 5.18 1 Ioh. 3.1 Col 1.20 Secondly the fruits of this fauour which are 1 Faith in the Sonne of God whereby being iustified before God we haue 2 Peace of Conscience with God and man Rom. 5.1 Rom. 7.4 3 Ioy vnspeakeble in the Holy Ghost 1. Pet. 1.8 4 We become fruitfull in all good works and so therby become meet partakers of saluation Col. 1.12 The earnest whereof we haue in this life first by the inward testimony of the spirit 2. Cor. 1. Eph. 4. Secondly by our outward similitude conformity to our head Christ Iesus being changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2. Cor. 3.18 And wee shall fully enioy it in the life to come where shall be 1 Ceasing of all sinne infirmities sorrow Reu. 7.17 2 Perfect knowledge of God 3 Perfect righteousnesse and holinesse not to be changed Eph. 5.27 4 Fulnesse of ioy Psa. 16. 5 Excellent glory 6 Immediate fruition of and coniunction with God 1. Cor. 13.12 7 Continuall praising of God 8 God shall be all in all 1. Cor. 15. 9 Perfect loue to each other though in diuersity of glory 10 Knowledge spirituall of each other as they haue had fellowship in this life in good 11 Triumph ouer all enemies 12 Eternall happinesse and blisse for euermore 1. Pet. 1.4 All these hath the sonne of God purchased for vs CHAP. XI Of the Appliclication of this benefit by faith how it wrought in vs. THe meanes whereby all these are made ours This faith is wrought in vs by the preaching of the word Rom. 10.17 And that first of the Law First discouering our misery vnto vs in particular both From what a blessed estate wee are fallen Rom. 3. Rom. 7. as also Into what a woful and desperate condition we are now plunged not onely by reason of our sinne Being able to do nothing but displease God Gen. 6.5 And that in regard 1 Of the trangression of Adam which lies vpon vs Rom. 5. 2 The fruit of this transgression euen a generall infection corruption of all the powers and faculties of soule and body As First the substance of the soule 1 before being simple is now become double through hypocrisie 2 Before being mortall naturally and spiritually is now spiritually dead Eph. 2. Secondly the gifts of the soule As 1 the minde through ignorance become vaine in it discourses Eph. 4. Rom. 2.21 2 Of the vnderstanding filled with blindnesse and darknesse and not sauouring the things of God Eph. 4.17 3 The Conscience wounded seared defiled
and strengthen vs in the worke of grace Therefore hauing now laide downe the true Patterne of Holinesse and liuelie practise thereof my purpose is GOD willing shortly to furnish thee with such variety of helpes as may serue both to vphold and encrease this blessed condition And seeing wee shall not want many Lettes and Hinderances to interrupt and so to linger vs in if not quite to breake off this holy course Therefore by GODS grace I doe intend in the third place to discouer those seuerall Rubbes and impediments and withall to instruct how wee may encounter and subdue the same And withall As GOD shall lend health and liberty to adde such motiues and encouragements both from the present benefites of this constant walking as also from the future recompence which waits the same as may throughly settle vs in the practise thereof Meane while let vs in the name of GOD bee faithfull in a little that so wee may bee fitted to further blessings being thankfull for the meanes wee enioy to this end and labouring thereby to serue one another in loue praying for the peace of Ierusalem and seeking the same aboue our chiefest ioy that so in the peace thereof wee may haue peace euen a gracious liberty to walk with our God in constant obedience to whom in Iesus Christ through the blessed Spirit bee praise and Dominion in all the Churches Amen FINIS * Greenham Perkins Rogers Downam and Arthur Dent c. Reasons of â—â—â—he Deity Alexander Vse Natures vse for the knowledge of GOD. Vse Intelliâ—â—â—ent Vse Eternall Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Rom. 1. Psalm 81.1 Vse Note Ephes. 4. Eph. 4.1.2 Sect. 1. What a person is Vse Trinitie what Persons how they differ Order of Persons Order of workes Vse Vse Note Ends of Creation Vse Time 1. Cor. 2. Vse Body Soule in regard of the Analogy betweene the Creaation and Regeneration 2. Cor. 12.11 Vse Sect. 6. 2. By sufferings where what they were 1 In whole life 2 In death 3 In body 4 In soule Sect. 7. Conquering and how Vse of his death Sect. 8. The benefit of our Redemption 1 By sence of our misery fall from our first estate The greatnes therof 1 By sinne 2 By fruite of sin what they are 1 In this life 2 In the life to come 3 Particulars of hell torments Sect. 1. The word the guide of this direction Sect. 2. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 1. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 2. This course to be known though impossible to be kept Sect. 3. It is not impossible Sect. 4. It is necessary 3 To encrease in righteous 4 To recouer out of euil 5 To further our callings Sect. 5. It is most conuenient for all sorts 1 For Babes 2 For strong men 3 For men in prosperity 4 For the time of offliction Sect. 6. And profitable Sect. 7. And pleasant where The benefite of constant godlines there in the priuiledge of Christians Sect. 2. Repentance how performed 1 By knowledge 2 Sorrow 3 By confession In generall In particular 4 By iudging 5 By flying to Christ. 5 Forsaking sin how Section 3. Helpes to repentance Sect. 4. Markes of Repentance Vse of Repentance Note Sect. 7. Trial hereof Ahab Rom. 2. Sect. 2. The degrees of this worke Sect. 3. The markes of particular assurance Sect. 4. The degrees thereof Weakenesse of Faith How knowne The grounds hereof Sect. 1. The heart a sleepe and by what meanes Sect. 2· The heart to be awakened and how Sect. 3. The heart awakened must be examined And how 1 By a true rule 2. An holy manner 3. To a right end Sect. 4. The heart examined must be established in the worship of God And how How to know the beloued sin How to conquer it Sect. 7. Trial hereof Sect. 1. The parts of the spirituall armour and first of the girdle of Truth Its parts are Sect. 2. 1 A rectified Iudgement The benefit thereof Sect. 3. The sanctified conscience and how discerned How put on The benefit thereof Sect. 4. The sinceri-of the will It markes It measure The benefit hereof Sect. 5. The well ordering of the affections how discerned The benefit thereof Sect. 6. The sinceritie of the Tongue Wherein it is seene Sect. 7. Of speech and 1 Of the preparation to it 2 And bee hath promised to blesse this meanes to this end 3 And the Saints haue practised this duty profitably Sect. 8. The matter of speech Sect. 9. How to speake of God Sect. 4. How to speake of our neighbour Sect. 15. What heere to be auoyded How to speake in dispraise of our selues Sect. 14 Of things to be spoken How to speake of what wee know Sect. 15. The maner of speech 1 It must be gratious Sect. 16.2 Our speech must be true Sect. 17. Of the bonds of truth 1 Euidences How to affirme in doubtfull cases 3 The matter 4 The manner 5 He that may sweare 6 The ende and causes of an oath 6 Before whom we must sweare 7 When 8 How an oath binds 9 The abuses of an oth Sect. 21. Of flattery Sest 22. Concealing of truth Sect. 23. The third grace of speech Reuerence and that 1. In respect of God 2. Of man Sect. 24. To giue holy names to to our children Sect. 25. Reuerence to our superiour Here forbidden 1. Blasphemie 2. All abuse of scripture 2. Abuse of our selues Sect. 26. A fourth grace of speech Sobrietie and Modestie And where in Sect. 27. Of saluatioÌ„s Popish blessing to bee moderated Sect. 28. Of soft ananswering Sect. 28. Of reproofe of sinne Sect. 30. A fit grace of speech is cheerfulnes and ioy It conditions How fitted to the boord How for bed Here to bee auoyded 1 Iesting with it bounds 2 Laughter Sect. 31. A sixt grace of speech care of our neighbours good name 1 How performed 2 What auoyded Sect. 32. The seuenth grace of speech slownesse briefnes Rules herein Sect. 33 Of silence and the right vse thereof Things to be conceald And first wherein silence is to be vsed 1 Concerning God 2 Concerning our selues 3 What to be conceald Aug. lib. ad conser 4 Before whom we must keepe silence Sect. 34 Last part of the Girdle Conformiâ—â—â—ie of outward actions The end what 1 Gods glory 2 Edification how accomplished How applied Benefite of this part of the Girdle Sect. 35. The Breast-plate of righteousnesse 1. What it is 2. The vse of this part How to bee attained and preserued Sect. 37. A fourth part of the Armour the shield of faith It vse Sect. 38. The fifth part the helmet of hope Sect. 39. The last part the sword of the Spirit 1. It vse 2 How obtained 3 Triall â—â—â—ereof 4. How kept on Sect. 40. The general benefit of the whole armie Sest 1. Difference of euill Sect. 2. What the euill of sin is Sect. 3. The vse of this knowledge Sect. 4 How farre sinne hath taken hold on man The benefit of this knowledge Sect. 4. Gods
righteousnesse and so holding meerely of mercy Let him measure Gods mercy not by time present but eternity And so let him forget all present measure in comparison of what is to come that so hee may bee partaker of Gods euerlasting mercies Yea let him freely loue God as God freely loues him not as an hireling for his wages but as a sonne in obedience not for what God will giue but what he hath commanded that so he may rightly intitle himselfe into the mercies of his God when hee preferres his glory euen aboue his own good 3 Comforting himselfe that he can bee no looser where the Lord gaines glory Sixeteenthly our God is bountifull 1 Because he createth and gouerneth all things Psal. 95. 2 He is the onely fountaine of all good things Zach. 13.1 3 Euen which befall to all Creatures 4 Yea to his enemies Math. 5. 5 And that of his owne meere loue goodnes and free mercy to the creature 6 But especially to mankind 7 And among them especially to his Church 8 And herein to Angels and the Elect principally 9 Yea euen in his anger he is exceeding good as ayming onely thereby at the defect and corruption of the creature to amend purge it still louing the substance and nature it selfe 10 And though he inflict many euils vpon the creature yet doth he withall sustain it in those euils and bestoweth many excellent blessings vpon it to inuite to repentance and if it do repent remoueth the euils and perfiteth the good And therefore 1 This reproueth the prophane person that despiseth the bounty of God by continuing in sinne and also 2 The proud person that challengeth this bounty as due vnto him 3 And is not the weake Christian here taxed that doubts of and distrusteth this bounty of the Lord especially in afflictions 4 And this condemneth the wicked that measure Gods fauor by prosperitie And therefore coÌ„demne the generation of the iust because of their afflictions as if God had forsaken them Psal. 71.11 Psal. 7.3 5 And also they are here iustly reproued that complain of Gods bounty and condemne him of cruelty as if he delighted in their destruction and made a sport at their torments laying the falt on God that they are iustly condemned seeing themselues are the choosers and executioners thereof 2 This instructeth to obserue the bountie of God wisely in all his workes as not to neglect it in the least seeing the least may be an hand to lead vs to greater therefore we must often meditate on our creation preseruation and so especially to take notice of the works of his speciall prouidence in the Church and so to confirme our faith thereby as that wee rest not so much vpon what is performed neither measure the fauour of God by any present or particular action but rather looke forward yea a farre of into that which is promised laboring if by any means we may attaine the resurrection of the dead Pil. 3.13 2. Pet. 1.8 Psal. 119. 3 Hereby we are comforted 4 That as all this bountie properly belongs to vs so wee must liue by faith in the discerning and enioying of the same preparing our selues thereto by emptying our hearts of al sâ—â—â—fe-loue and coÌ„ceite of our owne righteousnes and assuring our selues then to haue the greatest measure when we haue haue most need when the world seekes most to strippe vs thereof Seuenthly our God is most Free 1 Because his nature is free from all 1. misery 2. bond 3. subiection 4. constraint 2 He doth will and execute all things most freely and iustly when as much and in what manner he will 3 Neither can hee bee constrained by any law of others nay his Will is the Rule euen of his owne Law And therefore 1 Though second causes worke necessarily yet 1 Because this necessity is not absolute but conditionall according to the good pleasure of God therefore are they freely ordered from him though necessarily they worke in themselues 2 And though our God himselfe be necessarily good yet is this necessity not of constraint our mindes we delight in the law of God yet in the law of our members we are still led captiue vnto sinne yet so as that wee daily discerne the weakning of this body of sinne and hunger daily the putting off therof comforting our selues that our head Christ Iesus is ascended vp on high and shall in due time drawe vs vp after him that we may enioy perfect liberty in his glorious kingdome Lastly our God is a Iealous God hating sinne being angry against it and in his Iustice will certainly punish the same both with temporall and eternall plagues And therefore 1 Though the wicked cannot discerne hereof 1 Because they neither can nor indeed desire to know sin 2 Neither are acquainted with that price of the bloud of the son of God yet both doe they for the present partake thereof in that they are Iustly giuen vp to a reprobate sence and to their owne lasts to commit sinne with greedinesse that so they may be prepared thereto and are not without some present pangues of conscience and outward plagues concerning their estate and shall when sin is ripe drinke the full vials of Gods indignation by the worme of conscience and those endlesse torments that are prepared for them in hell 2 Labour we therefore to discerne the power of this wrath Psalm 9.10 euen in the death of Christ that so wee may hide our selues therein to auoyd the same 3 And neglect we not the least checks of conscience within or outward stroakes vpon our selues or others that so we may auoyde the entrance thereof 4 Assuring our selues that seeing the anger of th' Almighty is spent vpon his Sonne therefore the waight thereof shall not lie vpon vs. 5 And therefore comforting our selues that though our God may seeme to be angry with vs if we measure him by such outward meanes as are common to the wicked yet doth he in anger remember mercy because mercy pleaseth him yea his tokens of anger are meanes to preuent the same and so proue occasions to prepare vs to his mercy to make vs capable thereof 6 Yea he doth not in any thing more reueale his loue vnto vs then by these corrections which vnto the wicked are messengers of hell because when we are iudged we are chastened of the Lord that we may not bee condemned with this wolrd 1. Cor. 11.31.32 CHAP. IIII. Of the knowledge of God in Vnitie THus is Iehoua knowne by his Attributes and hence ariseth this necessary conclusion That there is but one God As appeareth not onely by Testimonies of the word Deut. 6.4 32.39 Isai. 44.6 1 Cor. 8.4 Ephes. 4.5 1 Tim. 2.5 Deut 4.31 Psal. 8.31 Isay 37.16 45.21 Hos. 13.4 Malach 2.10 Mark 12.32 Rom 3.30 Gal. 3.20 But also by such euidences as none else can performe 1 As beeing reuealed in the word to worke miracles to foretell things to come which
will Rom. 9. 11. 2 To aduance in him the greatnesse of his iustice So also Rom. 9. 3 The riches of his mercy 1. Cor 10.31 Ephes. 2. in bestowing saluation on him 4 And also to aduance his bountie in communicating his goodnesse vnto him And so 5 To manifest and reueale his wonderfull wisedome and power and goodnes in the preseruation and gouernment of him and 6 Thereby to procure the glory and praise hereof to bee giuen to him alone And therefore 1 As wee must not thinke that we were made to serue our owne turnes to eate and drinke and so let vs labour to answer these ends of our creation 1 in striuing to aspire to our first estate by being recreated in Christ 2 sanctifying all things vnto vs by the word 3 returning the strength in obedience to our God These were the ends and caâ—â—â—ses of mans Creation The manner whereof was this 1 In respect of the workeman the whole Trinitie consulted of and concurred therein thereby implying the excellence of the worke 2 Concerning the work consider 1 The Time euen when God had made all the rest for mans vse then the Lord made him to partake thereof 2 And when he had made him rested from all his workes of creating any thing anew that it might appeare how the Lord would euen repose and quiet himselfe in this worke and communicate himselfe especially thereto Pro. 8. the world were laid such as eye neuer saw neither can enter into the heart of man to bee enioyed of vs in an eternall kingdome And comforting our selues in our choyce of God and heauen howsoeuer if wee measure it by the present we may stumble as looking not onely behind to what was prouided for vs before wee were but also looking before vs to what we do enioy nay looking a far off to what is set before vs that so we may not be weary nor faint in our minds And so vsing all good blessings in this life as to lay vp a good foundation by them against the day of Christ. Labouring still if by any meanes we can attaine to the resurrection of the dead Thus of the time 2. Obserue we the Authour of our Creation which was the holy Trinitie hee it is that made vs not wee our selues Psalm 95. no we cannot so much as make one haire of our heads Math. 6. And this 1 Reproueth naturall wisedome which not appreheÌ„ding the omnipotency of God who could make all things of nothing out of that false conclusion that nothing could bee made of nothing inforced a more absurd that the world and man was eternall and so denyed the Creation As also the Atheism of the world which out of these false grounds place onely happinesse in this life denying the resurrection and condition of a better 2 This teacheth to worship this God alone and to haue relation dependance onely to him as being the worke of his hands 2 As also to be implyed in our selues for his glory who of nothing made vs for the same 3 And so depend vpon him for our preseruation and perfection 3 Consider wee the matter of our Creation Which was generally of nothing such is properly Creation Particularly of nothing like to what we are such is properly generation when like begets like as being made of the 1 Dust of the earth concerning our bodies 2 But touching our soules the Lord breathed into vs the breath of life and so man became a liuing soule Genes 2. And this Composition of both body and soule from Such diuers matter Reproueth 1 the Anabaptist which vnder pretence of spirituall liberty denieth subiection to earthly gouernors seeing concerning the body outward earthly things we are bound to man As also the 2. Liberine that onely dreames of such an vse of the soule which might serue to satisfie the flesh as if the happines therof coÌ„sisted only in this as to serue the body for the coÌ„mitting of sin whereas the soule was principally created to serue the Lord and so to informe the body as that the members also thereof might bee giuen as weapons of righteousnesse to serue the liuing God Rom. 6. 2 This teacheth a diuersity of subiection of the same creature as in regard of the body and such things as belong thereto he is ought to be subiect to man but in the soule onely and immediately to the Lord and to man for his sake and yet so as these may not be diuided in either respect wee cannot so giue man the Body but from and by the Soule euen for conscience sake Neither can wee so reserue the Soule vnto God but that it obedience must be expressed in and by the body Rom. 12.2 least our seruice be plaine hypocrisie only the mater is in the diuersity of order respect as the body to man immediatly by the soule the soule to God immediatly expressed in the body yet both immediatly intirely from God and for God Rom. 11. As also this comforteth in this diuersity of subiection 1 That what is yeelded vnto man for Gods sake is not lost but safely put to keeping to the Lord and so by him profited either here to be restored better or to be repaied so at length as to bee onely in subiection to the Lord to be for euer with him 2 What is reserued intirely vnto God in truth though it be not for the present answered with that correspondency of the outward man yet shall this neither be imputed if there bee a willing minde as to challenge the sincerity of the inward man but rather to try and aduance the soundnesse thereof and it shall further still be a meanes of more gratious conformity of the outward that so both at length may concurre in perfect obedience to the Creator Thus of the composition Now if we particularly yet further weigh the seuerall matter of each First that man was made of nothing that is of no pre-existent substance This 1 Confoundeth infidelity that we cannot depend on God without meanes And 2 Informeth faith to restore God beyond without and contrary to meanes 3 Confirmeth the faith of the Resurrection though all may seeme to bee resolued 〈…〉 nothing And 4 Instructeth in the discerning of the nature practise growth of sanctification which as it began of nothing in vs as of our selues so it is daily led forward by denying of our selues that in vs that is in our flesh dwelleth no goodnesse discerning that wee haue to be as nothing both in coÌ„parison of what we shall haue as also in respect of any thing as of our selues furthering thereto but especially emptying our selues of all confidence therein or glory thereby that the Lord alone might bee honoured in his onely worke Secondly in that man was made of the dust of the earth we learne 1 Not to be puffed vp in regard of nature seeing it came from no better then the earth 2 Neither to despise
neuer soundly peaceable Tim. 4. 1. Cor. 1.2 Esay 57.1 4 The Memory fit to retaine euill to forget good Heb. 10.22 5 The Will captiuated to euill yet running headlong thereto but to choose or do good altogether auerse Rom. 8.5.6 Ioh. 8.39 Rom. 6.16.17.20 7.14 6 And so the Affections led violently after the sway thereof As also 7 The Conuersation most lothsome to God and Man 1. Tim. 1.15 8 The Thoughts impotent and vnsatiable to euill and infinite therein 9 The Members seruants of Iniquitie 10 His best actions greatest abominations Prou. 28.9 Io. 3.31 Psalm 50.16 11 His glory also lost 1. In that he hath lost his soueraignetie ouer the Creatures 2 And that reuerend maiestie of his Person A second part of mans misery is the fruite of his sinne Namely that First He is most odious to God and most iustly accursed of him Col. 1.21 and this curse is mainfest First vpon his Person which is subiect to all infamy 2 Vpon his Body by those fearefull and innumerable plagues diseases iudgements of famine c. which lie vpon men and consume them in this life Deut. 28.15 Gene. 3.17 3 By that horrible abuse of Gods blessings which are bestowde on him making the creature to grone vnder this bondage of corruption and so to increase the score against the life to come Ro. 8.19 Secondly Vpon his Soule and that first in this life 1 In being giuen vp to a reprobate sence Rom. 1.23 2 Depriued of the knowledge of God but so farre as shall make him without excuse Psal. 49.15 3 To bee past feeling through the hardnesse of his heart Ephes. 4.19 4 Thence to commit sin with greedinesse and so to make vppe the measure thereof 5 Thence to fall into wofull and irrecouerable despaire Gen. 4. and to discouer the same by madnesse blasphemies c. Secondly In the life to come by 1 Vtter separation from the presence of God and happinesse for euer 2. Thess. 1.21 2 Perpetuall communion with Satan and the infernall spirits so of all torments Esay 34. Especially First Desperate sorrow for an irrecouerable losse Secondly Insufferable waight of the wrath of God Thirdly Sensible torment yet not to be expressed Math. 3. 1 Without intermission Reu. 14 2 Without end Apoc. 20. Fourthly the worme of conscience accusing and gnawing continually Esay 66. Esay 50. Fifthly Bitter enuy at the happinesse of the elect expressed by gnashing of teeth Mat. 13.22 Sixthly vnsatiable desire of sinne without hope or ability to commit the same Seuenthly Restlesse content in this fearfull condition Thus the law discouers to man his misery And therefore First it is to be preached to sinners 2 Tim. 4.2 Secondly Men are to be acquainted with the particulars of it Thirdly And to yeeld to the power thereof that so driuing men out of themselues it may lead them to Christ who is properly reuealed vnto vs in the preaching of the Gospell which doth especially beget and perfect the worke of iustifying Faith and that 1 Because the Gospell reueales God in Christ not as he is in the law auenging sinne but reconciling the world vnto him by not imputing sin thereunto 2 Hence a sinner is enabled to iustifie Gods righteousnesse and mercy in pardoning sin 3 And so hence proceedeth to apprehend in particular the pardon of his sin And that in this manner 1 By making vs to beleeue our miserie through a particular application thereof vnto our selues Rom. 7.9 Rom. 15.4 Mat. 9.12 2 By working anguish and sorrow in spirit for the same Act. 2.37 Ier. 21.18 Iudg. 2.3.10 3 Aduising what to do Luk. 15.17 Ierem. 8.6.7 and considering deepely what we haue done Reu. 7.24 4 Submitting to Gods will to be guided hereafter according to the same Luk. 17.9 Eze. 36.2 Act. 9.6 9 Heauenly conuersation Phi. 3.20 10 Readinesse and patience to and vnder the crosse Rom. 5. Phil. 1.27 11 Desire to bee dissolued and to be with Christ Phil. 1.23 Thus is Faith wrought in vs thus may we discerne the work therof And this is properly iustifying faith it differs from all the rest 1 Because it onely is the certaine confidence whereby we apply Christs merites vnto our selues that we may bee esteemed righteous before God 1 Cor. 1.11 2 It onely concernes spirituall gifts such as belōg to saluation 3 It comprehendeth all other kindes of faith but is not comprehended by them 4 It only obtaineth the inheritance which the rest may see though not apprehend nor attaine vnto Rom. 3.28 Rom. 4.5 And this faith is thus effectuall and discerned by these markes 1 Acknowledging what is in the Scriptures to be true 2 Finding our selues bound to beleeue them 3 Applying principally the promise of grace Ioh. 8.36 4 Boldnesse on this confidence to rely on this present grace 5 Ioy in the present blessing but especially in the saluation to come 6 Desire to bring forth the fruit of an holy life whereby wee are made partakers of the diuine nature and so made meete to that happines wherinto no vncleane thing shall enter Iam. 2. 2. Pet. 1.3 Col. 1.11 Reu 21.27 Hence we may learne 1 That there is no holinesse in nature and therefore no happinesse from thence Rom. 3.9 2 Though Christ be offred to al yet all do not receiue him Rom. 5. 3 No man knoweth iustifying faith but he that hath it 4 Our righteousnes is of faith laying hold on Iesus Christ. Phil. 3 9 5 Being redeemed by Christ we must be zealous of good works which God hath ordained vs to walke in 6 That wee may not erre in wel-doing nor be weary thereof we must haue a Guide to direct vs therein Ioh. 11.9 7 Certainty vpon the assurance of Gods promise that though his faith may languish and be ecclipsed yet it shall neuer faile finally 8 And therefore still striuing with doubts and tentation and getting the conquest ouer them CHAP. XII This Guide is onely the perfect word of God 1 BEcause it is the briefe of Gods reuealed will Psalme 40.7 2 It reacheth not onely to the outward but inward man also is a discerner of the secret thoghts and reins Heb. 4.12 3 It is that will of God which the Lord would haue to this ende communicated vnto all Colos. 1.6 Ioh. 5.35 4 It is sufficient and absolutely perfect to accomplish whatsoeuer concernes our entrance or perfection to eternall life 2. Tim. 3.16 5 It is a sure and euerlasting word able to accomplish that which it promiseth or threatneth and giuing grace to perform that in some measure which it enioyneth Eph. 6.17 1. Pet. 1. 2. Pet. 1.19 Psal. 19.7 Psal. 119.93 6 It is most plaine and easie to be apprehended as being a light shining in a darke place 2. Pet. 1. Pr. 8.2 2 Cor. 4.4 Hence it followeth 1 That whatsoeuer is not warranted by the word is sinne Apoc. 22 18. Deut. 4.2 Prou. 30.6 2 That the Law of nature
7.3 Iob. 42. 6 They both decay and loose their first loue but yet the hypocrite counts this to be his wisedome and the true measure of holinesse esteeming his former zeale to be rashnesse c. whereas the regenerate acknowledgeth it was better before then now and mourning vnder his estate labours the recouery and in some measure obtaines it 2. Sam. 12. Mat. 26.2 Hos 7 7 They both may refuse the means also but yet the hypocrite in pride and obstinacie falles at length from loose meanes to none and so to a despising and persecuting the same the elect though he leaue in his heart yet he returnes with shame and cleaues more conscionably to the meanes and is profited thereby 8 They both may be loosers by their fall and not recouer all their life long But with these differences 1 The reprobate looses all graces and becomes a very beast Psa. 49. without knowledge ciuility c. The regenerate recouers necessary graces as faith in some measure of vse and feeling but that full perswasion ioy in the Spirit c. hee happily recouers not againe all his life long 2 The reprobates losse is without feeling causing him to set vp his rest more securely in this life and so prepares him to suddaine destruction that of the elect humbles him in all things causes him to worke out his saluation with feare and trembling to goe downe with sorrow to his graue and to bee weary of the world and to desire to bee with Christ Phil. 2.12 This may wee discerne betweene the falles of Gods children and the wicked And this serueth 1 To preuent wrong iudgement concerning the falles of our brethren And so 2 To labour with all meekenesse their recouery Gal. 6.1 3 To condemne the world that makes no difference herein betweene the Saints and the wicked 4 To prouoke the Saints to repentance 5 To preuent repining and murmuring at Gods wisedome leauing corruption in vs. As also 6 To esteeme more highly of Christ our Sacrifice 7 To try vs in our decayes and to comfort vs in the same Prou. 24.16 8 To iustifie Gods faithfulnesse who neuer forsakes his children 1. Cor. 10.13 9 To stop the mouthes of the wicked who reioyce at our falles Mich. 7.8 10 To assure vs of constancie and perseuerance to the end 2. Tim. 4.18 11 And to hunger after heauen Helpes hereunto are 1 The keeping of the light of iudgment cleare and sound Phi. 2.8 And that because 1 Hereby the exorbitant practise is eft-soones reformed 2 The true state and measure of sanctification is discerned and so finding our shortnesse we are prouoked to go forward Phil. 2.9 3 The conscience hereby is assertained of the truth of it well-doing and so faith is confirmed and sanctification therby renued 4 Repentance also is hereby renued in that the conscience by the light of iudgement discerning it daily failings is thereby conuinced and so prepared to repentance And this is obtained and preserued 1 By submitting the iudgement in all things to the rule of the word Esay 8. 2 Hearkning to the voyce of conscience checking for sin and approuing for wel-doing 3 Labouring a daily encrease of knowledge Philip. 1.9.10 Ephes 3. 4 Yet auoyding curiosity and vnnecessary speculations 1. Tim. 4. 5 Submitting to reproofe and continuall afflictions 6 Resoluing that sin is foolishnesse to God and holinesse foolishnesse to the world A second helpe to perseuerance is The wel-ordering guiding of the heart of which heretofore And Thankfulnesse for what wee haue receiued Col. 1.12 A third is the daily maistering and subiection of our affections Of which also before A fourth is the continuall remembrance of Gods mercies towards vs. Ios. 24.1.2.3 A fift is a continuall feare of our selues Rom. 11. 6 We must also labour the establishing confirming of others 7 Meditation of the shortnesse of our life and vncertainty of the comming of Iesus Christ. 8 As also waiting patiently the accomplishment of the promises Col. â—â—â— 9 Spirituall wisedome in auoyding troubles and disposing affaires Col. 1.9 10 considâ—â—â—r we the Saints who haue finished their course and yet without vs shall not be perfected Heb. 11. 11 Look we vnto Iesus the Author and finisher of our faith who hath finished his course and wee shall follow him Hebr. 12.1.2.3 12 Comfort wee our selues in our former experience and if we haue ouercome the Lyon and the Beare we shal also ouercome the Philistim 1. Sam. 17. 2. Cor. 1.10 2 Tim. 4.17.18 13 Looke we by faith vnto the recompence of the reward so shall wee swallow vp and ouercome all difficulties and tediousnesse whatsoeuer Hebr. 11.25.26 CHAP. IX Of Watchfulnesse A Notable helpe to Perseuerance is Watchfulnesse ouer our hearts and wayes that they may continually be acceptable to God Eph. 6.15 And that because 1 Hereby wee are prepared to tentations Luk. 21.34 Mat. 13.25 2 Enabled to vnder-goe them Eph. 6.11.12 3 And also to haue a good issue out of them Luk. 21.36 4 Without this our whole life and best actions are either rashnesse vncertainties or security Prou. 28.14 5 By it we attaine certainety and resolution in well-doing Ephes 6.13 6 We preuent some euil which may make all other comforts vnsauoury which wee are sure to looke for in well-doing Math. 26.41 7 Hereby the other graces of God are much beautified and increased in vs. 8 And our infirmitie very happily auoided or couered Ps. 119.9 9 The best without it haue been deceiued as Adam Dauid Gen. 3.6 2. Sam. 12. 10 Hypocrisie in well-doing and spirituall pride is preuented or maistered 11 Dulnesse and wearisomnesse also in good things is much holpen and preuented 12 Especially hereby we are enabled to powerfull prayer Math. 26.41 13 As also kept sober and humble in well-doing 1. Pet. 5.7 14 The whole body of sinne is hereby daily weakned 15 The Spirit of God is kept liuely in operation 16 And so we prepared happily to perfection Now this Watchfulnesse is performed First and principally by obseruing the heart and yoaking it 2 Keeping vnder also the outward man 3 And this not for a spurt but all our life long Psal 101. Psal. 119.73 most fearing our abuse of Christian liberty and so bounding the same within it true compasse Gal. 5. especially that wee be not brought in subiection to any thing 4 And that obseruing and suspecting our greatest strength 1. Cor. 10.12 5 Aiming especially at the sins which we haue most delighted in Psal. 19. Psal. 25. 6 Looking especially to the sins that do most annoy vs. 7 Examining the best graces of God in vs left some dead flye bee in them Prou. 28.9 Mat. 6. 8 Behauing our selues in all things as weaned childreÌ„ Ps. 131.3 9 More depeÌ„ding on the watchfulnesse of our God ouer vs then in any thing we can do 10 And therfore continually renouncing our selues and resigneing our selues into the protection of the Almighty 11 In performance of holy duties
pleading noueltie impossibilitie c. Gal. 1.16 4 That we trie the Lord who is wonderfull in blessing the vnfained endeauours of his children Hag. 2. Malach. 3.10 5 Then let vs make trial at first in one of these and grow readie therein so shall wee with more willingnesse and skilfulnesse proceed in the rest Iames 2.10 Iames 3.2 6 Let vs not faile to meete the Lord with vnfained thankefulnes when we see him comming effectually in the weake performance thereof Psal. 81. 7 And so condemne and prouoke thy selfe as before and thou shalt see by Gods mercy a good encrease Yea thou shalt not only be able to performe these dueties with comfort but also thou shalt be able to entertaine each seueral occasions of the day to Gods glory thy exceeding profite and benefit of others Motiues and Helpes hereunto thou shalt find 1 A dayly discerning of thine owne inabilitie And 2 So renouncing of thy selfe to be found in Iesus Christ. 3 When thou hast found thy selfe in Christ yet still to deny thy best righteousnesse that thou maist wholly liue by and in the life of thy Sauiour in whom thy person shal be accepted aboue all worth of thy seruice 4 And meditate often not so much on the ioy the Saints haue in heauen as in the matter there of their constant and free glorifying of God 2 Cheering vp thy heart that thou hast so far communion with them in that heauenly worship as that now thou performest that in truth which they doe in perfection and so hast thy conuersation also in heauen yea thou art hastening to that perfection by dayly denying of thy selfe and growing in Christ thy head and hast both their examples to encourage and prayers to further thee thereto yea seeing without thee they shall not be perfected Therefore thou shalt also aspire to perfection that so the body of thy Sauiour may be fully compleate 1. Cor. 1.24 Neb. 11 40· 6 And seeing all lets shall by Gods mercie proue furtherances hereunto thy very sins shall prouoke thee much lesse then affliction shall hinder therefore learn to liue by faith in the discerning of thy estate and wrastling with these oppositions that so not yeelding to tentation or not lying vnder the burthen thereof thou maist still goe forward more humbly with thy God and bee more then conquerour through Christ that hath loued thee Rom. 8. 7 Adde hereunto a dayly meditation of the time vnprofitably spent heretofore and hence wee shal be prouoked to redeeme it in this constant manner for the time to come Romanes 6.22 1. Pet. 4.4.5 8 Especially if we weigh withal the wonderfull mercy of our God that hath not yet called vs to an account for our former abuse and vnprofitablenesse surely if wee make a right vse hereof wee cannot choose but resolue to answer this loue of God in our more earnest and constant endeauors for the time to come Rom. 2.4 9 And if we shal now withal wisely lay to heart what litle assurance we haue of any time to come how that there is not any howre nay moment wherin we shall promise security to our selues and put the euill day farre from vs that wee may approach to the seat of iniquitie whereas we may say to our soule Now soule cast care away be bold a litle with God remit off thy sinceritie c. But that euen in that moment it may bee said vnto thee Thou foole thy soule shall bee taken from thee surely this would moue vs rather to this dayly and continuall seruing of God to adde somewhat vpon euery occasion to the making sure of our election Luke 12.21 11 Especially if we consider that our aduersary the diuell goeth about continually to entrap deuoure vs 12. and our owne wicked and trecherous hearts are neuer a sleepe to sinne to entertain Satan ought wee not continually to stand vpon our guard that so we may resist the diuel preserue our soules frō bondage 1. Pet. 5.8 13 Surely if we did but consider that while wee do not serue our blessed God in this holy constāt maner we in that meane time are seruants vnto sin so both break the peace of our consciences interrupt hinder our sweet felowship with our God grieue his blessed Spirit so expose our selues not onely to many secret wounds of conscience but also to many outward blowes and reproachfull buffetings not onely tending to bring some heauie affliction vpon our selues but especially to lay reproach vppon our profession to cause the name of our glorious God to bee blasphemed This if either wee loue our selues or haue any zeale to the glory of our God must certainly constrain vs to the conscionable performance of this duty euen daily to endeauour somewhat to maintain our peace with God 14 And had we no other respect but this how wee might lay our selues downe in peace how wee should sleep sweetly how to lay al our cares vnder our pillow preuent filthy fearfull dreams how to auoide feares of worldly casualties as fire theeues c. Surely we would settle our hearts by this course in the day that they might not be vnsetled in the night 15 Nay must we not be guilty of despising the blood of the couenant and esteeming of the Son of God as a prophane thing If seeing the Lord Iesus makes continuall intercession for vs at the throne of grace that wee might dayly offer vp our soules and bodies as a liuing sacrifice in obedience vnto our God wee shall notwithstanding neglect this holy dutie either not serue our God at all or serue him at our pleasure 16 Will not this proue euen plaine wil-worship and so abominable to God! 17 And shal we not be condemned of horrible in gratitude that when our God bestowes such blessings on vs and renues his mercies euery morning vnto vs especially reuiues our liues to make vs capable thereof wee shall yet despise this bountie of our God and riote out his blessings to the dishonour of the giuer 18 See that thou praise God for these that walke thus constantly not enuying their strictnesse but imitating the same delighting in their company c. So the Lord giue vs vnderstanding in these things And this shall be thy triall that thou hast profited by this direction 1 If thy conceit and iudgement concerning the excellencie and benefit of a christian life be more confirmed and comfortable 2 If thou findest more ease and delight in the practise thereof 3 And yet by this practise attainest to a greater sense of thy corruption shortnes of perfection 4 And canst go with more boldnesse and assurance vnto thy God to begge mercie and strength against thy corruptions 5 If thou canst now more deny thine owne righteousnes that so still thou maist bee found in Christ Iesus feeling in him more comfortably the acceptance of thy person 6 And dayly drawing new vertue from him to walke more constantly with thy God
children sicke and old folkes are excepted aâ—â—â— also such which by reason of the constitution of their bodies cannot endure fasting Rom. 14. Tit. 1.15 7 Wee must also come before the Lord in our meanest attire as a signe of our humilitie Ion 3. Est. 4. 8 Here must be a more solemne confession of sins both in generall and particular with more strong cries and grones to obtain pardoÌ„ for the same as also a more publike profession of our faith and apprehension of the fauour of God in Iesus Christ. Dan. 9.6.7 9 Lastly concerning plenty of teares and lementation putting on sacke-cloth bowing of the body and going crooked renting of garments lying in the dust Ioel 2. Mich. 1. couering the head with ashes c. These being rudiments of the Iewish Church are now left arbitrary in Christian liberty and are to bee vsed according to the manner of the Churches where we liue Math. 5.27 And this 1 Condemneth Popish fasting which admitteth delicate and riotous dainties howsoeuer it denie grosse meats 2 As also teacheth vs the true manner of fasting Fiftly obserue we the right Ends of fasting Which are 1 To subdue the flesh and bring downe the bodily lusts into subiection to the will of God Luk. 21.24 2 To stirre vp deuotion and attention to holy duties Luke 2.37 1. Cor. 7.5 So did Anna vse it because the heart and affections are lighter and in better order c. 3 To testifie the humilitie and contrition of our hearts namely our inward sorrow for sinne and worthinesse to bee cut off by the hand of God Ioel. 2.12.13 To this end do we deny our selues the vse of Gods creatures to signifie that wee haue deserued death which would fall vpon vs if we were not nourished by the creatures 4 To put vs in minde of our guiltinesse before the Lord that we are vnworthy to liue breathe the aire c. To these wee may adde the notable effects of Fasting which haue beene and are 1 Great blessings haue bene obtained and retayned to the Church 2 Grieuous iudgements haue bene kept out and remoued and turned into blessings Ion. 3. Iud. 20.2 Chron. 20. 3 Gods children haue beene confirmed and assured of their saluation 1. Cor. 9.23 2. Cor. 6. 4 And enabled the better to holy duties Act 1. Act. 14. and Mat. 17.21 5 And the like may the Church and Saints exspect in the conscionable performance of this duty to the worlds end 6 Satan this meanes is especially defeated and cast out Math. 17.21 And thus farre of the publicke vse of spirituall societie The priuate followeth which is seene 1 In the priuate exercise of religion in our families as Prayer Catechizing reading of the word Meditation c. Of which at large in the second part of the Dayly Sacrifice 2 In priuate Fasts and Thankesgiuings for family and personall yea in the failing of the Church for publike occasions also Wherein obserue 1 That they are to bee performed by the authoritie of the maister of the familie it being not lawfull for any priuate person therein vnlesse hee bee free and at his owne libertie to performe these duties to the hinderance of his ciuill Calling which is subordinate to the profite of his maister without speciall licence from him contenting himselfe otherwise with his inward desires and priuate times which are left him from his vocation vnlesse his master be meerely prophane and wil allow no libertie at all to holy duties then is he rather to submit to the chastisement of a wicked master then by neglecting holy duties to incurre the wrath of God Dan. 6. Eph. 6.1 2 These fasts are to be kept as Sabbaoth 3 That which is allowable in publik may here be faulty Namely shew and ostentation of that openly which we doe in priuate Math. 6. Thirdly spirituall societie is seene in holy conferences And that First betweene the Minister and his flocke This is necessarie 1 To breed acquaintance and so loue of the minister and consequently of the word 2 To enable vs the better to the vnderstanding of the word 3 To the better informing of the conscience and subduing of the affections thereto 4 To acquaint the Pastor with the 〈◊〉 of his flocke that so hee may giue vnto each his portion in due season Isa. 5.6 And this 1 Condemneth the Pride of Pastors who guilty to themselues of ignorance or prophanenesse refuse to conuerse with and resolue their people 2 As also the pride and security of the people who either are strange to their Pastors or rather vse them for worldly respects as Law Physicke Craft c. then for the resolution of the conscience Here obserue 1 To auoyde high and curious speculations 2 To reason of such things as concerne each others estate 3 And that not so much for desire of knowledge as conscience sake 1 That we conferre of our owne principally and not of others estates 2 That we auoyd as much as may bee speech of worldlinesse c. 3 That we conferre of spirituall things seasonably and within compasse 4 Though it be lawfull to speake of things indifferent yet we make choyce to speake of what directly concernes holinesse 5 That we meddle not with state or secrete domesticall occasions 6 That we be not discouraged if wee profite not by conference contenting our selues in the good purpose of our hearts that wee haue done the good will of God and that our labour will returne into our owne bosome or else we may do good hereafter 7 That wee entend the glory of God and each others profite 8 That we be swift to heare and slow to speake Iam. 5. The triall of holy conference is That 1 If our desire of profiting others grow cold through carnal ioy theÌ„ are we to suspect that ioy Act. 20. Ioh. 4. 2 That either both depart better hereby or else we at least haue the testimony of a good conscience herein and giue not ouer the hope of good successe 3 That wee so part with company as that wee be fit to be alone Thus farre of the spirituall vse of societie concerning principally the worship of God 2 The Accessory meetings concerning religion follow Namely such as tend to the furtherance thereof And that 1 In the establishing of truth 2 Conuincing of error 3 As also in the correction of the offend or by the discipline of the Church And these are either more generall 1 Such as are the generall councelles Synods and appointed and gathered by the Christian magistrate for the maintenance of true religion and the rooting out of heresies Here obserue these rules 1 That the Christian magistrate is the chiefe moderator 2 The word of God must bee the rule and Iudge Mat. 27. Ioh. 7. 3 The end must bee to mainethe vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4. Secondly some are lesse generall As 1 The nationall and prouincial Synods of particular Churches