and opportunity can permit that wee might by all meanâ— saue some yea and those that are g Vers 19. free from all men should make themselues seruants vnto all men h Gal. 5. 13 by loue seruing one another that they might gaine the more But say others i 1 Cor. 5. 12 what haue wee to doe to iudge them that are without Reproofe therefore is to be â—estrayned onely to brethren in religion at least in outward profession And others obiect that all who â—re not truly religious are dead in sinnes and tresâ—asses â— Eph. 2. 1. and therefore in exhortation we haue nothing to doe with them what say they must wee speake to carkases and dead men Archip. First I answere that S. Paul in the former place speakes of iudging by publique censure of the Church which can reach to none but to those that are within the Church which may not restrayne priuate l 2 Thess 3. 14. 15. admonition no not from such disorderly disobedient persons from whose company the brethren themselues are restrayned by the Apostle Nay by how much the lesse the censure of the Church can reach to those that arâ— without so much the morâ— must wee admonish them priuately as wee haue opportunity if wee intend the doing of any good vnto them as wee are bound to doe euen m Gal. 6. 10 to all though they be not of the houshold of faith Secondly they who are dead in sinnes trespasses according to the Apostles meaning are yet n 1 Tim. 5 6 liuing in the flesh though dead in regard of spirituall vegetation and may be quickned as o Eph. 2. 1. those were of whom the Apostle speaketh Nay wee al that now p Gal. 2. 20. liue by faith were dead as they by nature and may not they then as wel as we be quickned by grace As the Apostle pleading for the Iewes that were cut off saith to the beleeuing gentile q Rom. â—â— 18. 23. Boast not against them for God is able to graffe them in so say I to thee despayre not of these for God who quickned you in their case is able also soone to quicken them together with you Should a man that hath escaped danger of drowning by fauour of a draw-bridge afforded him pluck vp the bridge from his indangered fellowes following after him Behold r Ioh. â— 24 thou hast passed from death to life by the grace of him who is Å¿ Iâ—h 14 6 the way the truth and the life and wilt thou stop this passage of graâ—e from thy fellowes behinde thee Mayest thou not so prouoke the Father of mercies who t Exo. â—4 keepeth mercy for thousands to speake to thee in his wrath as the Lord saith in the parable u Mat. â—8 32 33 O thou wicked seruant c. shouldst not thou also haue had compassion on thy fellow as I had pitty on thee Doth thy soule abhorre those enuious vv Gen. 26. â—8 Philistins that stopped Abrahams wels wherewith cattell were watered and refreshed and wilt thou stop the x Ier. 2. 1â— fountaine of liuing waters the y Zac. â—3 â— fountaine that is opened for sinne and for vncleannesse to refresh thousands of mens weary soules O how are they branded that z Psal â—8 41 limited the holy one of Israell in his power and art not thou blame-worthy if in thy thought thou limit him in his rich mercy who is a Rom 10. 12 the same Lord ouer all rich vnto all that call vpon him who hath b Rom 11. 32 concluded all vnder sinne that he might haue mercy of all gentile as well as Iew and of the elect yet vn-called without aswel as of those within For this purpose must not c Maâ— 15. 15 the gospell be preached to euery creature in all the world and that d Mat. 28. 20 euen vnto the end of the world Now therefore as well as in the dayes of the Apostle e 2 Cor. 6. 1. is the accepted time behold now is the day of saluation and the houre is not yet expired whereof the Lord of life saith f Ioh. 5. 25 verily verily I say vnto you the houre is comming and now is when the dead shall heare the voice of the sonne of God and they that heare shall liue And if by hearing they that are dead in sinnes and trespasses shall liue then you see the dead must be spoken vnto that they mâ—y heare and liue Thou wilt say perhaps true and were I a preacher g 1 Cor. 9. 16 woe were to me if I should not preach the gospell to the dead h Act. 20. 28 of whom I am made an ouer-seer But say I thou art a neighbour though no preacher and if they that be dead in sinne be thy neighbours the royall law chargeth thee to loue them as thy selfe if their bodies which none will deny how much more then their soules Yea were it but thy neighbours nay thine i Exo. 23. 4. 5 enimies oxe straying or asse lying vnder a burden thou must in pitty help him What doth God take care for oxen and asses as the Apostle k 1 Cor. 9. 9 10. saith No doubt for our sakes this is written that he that seeth his neighbourâ— soule lying vnder the burden of sin l Leu. 19. 17 must not as the Law saith hatâ— his brother in his heart but he shall in any wise rebuke his neighbour not suffer sinne vpon him Whereto cut off all such cauils as if onely brethren in religion or profession were to be rebuked the Lord himselfe makes brother and neighbour termes conuentible or of equall extent and in this case euery soule that thou seest to haue neede is thy neighbour though he be the man whose face thou neuer sawest before as m Luk. 10. 29 c. Christ sheweth at large in that parable where he tels the perâ— Lawyer who is his neighbour And heere n Deu. 15. 9 beware there be not a thought in thy wicked heart to o Zac. 7. 10. imagine euill against thy brother in thy heart saying he may be for ought thou knowest a vessell of wrath fitted to destruction and neuer to be quickned For p Deu. 29. 29 the secret things belong vnto the Lord our God but those things that are reuealed belong vnto vs and to our children for euer that wee may doe all the words of this Law Whither God will quicken this or that particular mâ—n or no is a secret yet known onely to him q â— Tim 2. 19 who hath this seale the Lord knoweth who are is thou seest thy duty of loue reuealed which thou must doe to helpe quicken him and it is thy want of r 1 Cor. 13 7 charity not to hope that he may be quickned till thou see God reueale the contrary for what knowest thou whither thou shalt quicken and saue him when the
our vse is to be limitted according to the same For z Mat. 12. 30 hee that is not with Christ the great Counseller of his Church is against him And therefore whatsoeuer the subtill serpent or the world or thy owne carnall wisedome by peeping and muttering shall say against it remember I praâ— that they are all dead in sinnes and trespasses and hearken to the liuing GOD that saith Should not a people a people that hath tâ—e a Esa 8. 16. tâ—sâ—imony bound and the laâ— sealed among them as the Lords Dâ—sciplâ—s should n 〈…〉 such a people b Vers 19. 2â— seeke vnto their God from the liuing to the dead To the law anâ— to the 〈…〉 imony if they speâ—ke not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them Ah my brethren why should any Disciple be here so amazed as tâ— say c Iohn â— 60 This is a hard saying who can beare it Why should any cry out of d Psal 2 3. bands cords like those e Luk. 19. â— enemies that would not haue Christ to raigne ouer them Aâ—aâ— why should the f Pet 2. â— chieâ—â— corner stâ—â—â— elâ—c◠〈…〉 bee â—adâ— a 〈…〉 bliâ—g that stuâ—blâ— at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being 〈…〉 unto a 〈…〉 〈◊〉 g Esa 30. 1. 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ous childâ—e◠〈◊〉 saith the Lord that take counsell but not of me h Verâ— 8. c gâ—e now write it before them in a table and note it in a booke that it may be for the â—ime to come for euer and euer that thiâ— is a rebellious people lying children children that will not heare the law of the Lord which say to the Seers see not and to the Prophets prophecy not vnto vs right things speake vnto vs smooth things prophecie deceits get yee out of the way turne aside out of the path cause the the holy One of Israel to cease from before vs. O what amazement will that bee to all that despise thiâ— Word when i Verse 12 13 14 this iniquity shall be to them as a breach ready to fall swelling out of a high wal whose breaking commeth sodainly at an instant and shall bee as the breaking of the potters vessell that is broken in pieces without sparing so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sheard to take fire from the hearth or to take water withall ouâ— of the pit Thirdly therefore concerning suspence and amazements I answere k Esa 8. 11. be thou instructed not to walk in the way of this people l Pro. 3. 7 be not wise in thine own eies but m Esa 33. 16 shut thine eyes from seeing euill and n Esa 45. 22. looke vnto Christ thy Counseller and then o Esa 8. 12. 13. 14 feare not their feare nor bee afraid Sanctifie the Lord of hoasts himselfe and let him bee thy feare and let him bee thy dread and hee shall bee for a Sanctuary vnto thee and in the waste howling wildernesse of this world where thou knowest not which way to take hee will goe before thee as p Exo. 13. 21 22. the cloudy pillar by day and the fiery pillar by night to leade thee in the way to q Deut 32. 10. to instruct thee and keep thee as the apple of his eye as r Vese 11 12. an Eagle stirreth vp her nest fluttereth ouer her young spreadeth abroad her wings taketh them beareth theÌ„ on her wings so will the Lord leade thee It was an olde tricke of sinners in Sion and of hypocrites that would not humble themselues to walk with God when they were Å¿ Esa 33. 14 surprised with fearefulnesse to cry out who shall dwell with the deuouring fire â— who among vs shall dwell with euerlasting burnings And sure t Heb. 10. 31 a fearefull thing it will bee to fall into the hands of the liuing God for any man that with such v Ier. 12. 8. hatefull out-cries shaâ— turn w Heb. 12. 25 away from him thaâ— speaketh from heauen For x Luk. 19 27 those mine enemies saith hee that would not haue me to raigne ouer them bring them hither and slay them before mee And those that will not binde vpon their hearts his law and testimony louing darkenesse more then light y Esa 8. 16. 22. shall be driuen to darknes where they z Verse 15. shall stumble and fall and bee broken and bee snared and be taken and so goe a Psal 49. 19 to the generation of their Fathers and neuer shall see light Yea seeing they refuse him in whom is all b Ioh. 1. 16. fulnesse that c Eph. 1. 23. filleth all in all without whom all creatures are as huskes without graine subiect to vanity and emptinesse therefore euen in earth where they will d Iam 5. 5. liue in pleasure and nourish their hearts as in a day of slaughter they shall e Hag. 1. 6. eate and not bee satisfied they shall f Pro. 14 13. laugh but their hearts the while shall bee sorrowfull and they g Esa 8. 21. 22. shall passe through it as hardly be-sted as hungerly vnsatisfied and their consciences being awakened whether they look vpward or looke to the earth they shall in desperate discontentednesse curse their God and their King whom they haue preferred before the Lord Iesus who will h Mat. 21. 44 grinde to powder all that fall on him as a stone of stumbling and rocke of offence But what of all this Is not Christ yet still the i Pet. 2. 6. 7 chiefe corner-stone elect and precious to all beleeuers Yea by all meanes as k Heb. 13. 8. yesterday and to day so the same for euer and as l Ioh. 1. 16. of this fulnesse wee haue all receiued so m 1 Pet. 2. 6 hee that beleeueth in him shall not be confounded God forbid therefore that any beleeuer should here in amazement cry out with Peter n Luk. 5. 8. Depart from mee for I am a sinfull man O Lord but seeing hee is our Councellor though wonderfull let vs in the midst of all back-sliders say with Peter when hee was better aduised being put vnto it o Ioh. 6. 68. Lord to whom shall wee goe thou hast the words of eternall life And therefore howsoeuer the p Esa 11. 4 rod of his mouth his word whereby he will counsaile and rule vs in things indifferent as in all things else may seeme at first terrible to bee thought on in respect of the perfection and extent thereof and Sathan would faigne perswade vs to keepe aloofe off as q Exo. 4. 9. Moses fled from the rod of the Lord when in his sight it became a Serpent yet at r Pro. 4. 13. Gods commandement let vs lay fast hold on it as Moses did on that and we shall finde and feele it not onely free from the sting of death and so
builders pull downe more by their ill-liues then euer they can build-vp by their good words For there is as well in ill conuersation as in ill doctrine a contagious power of infection p 1 Cor. 5. 6. Know ye not that a little leauen â—owreth the whole lumpe And q Eccl. 9. 1â— one sinner saith Salomon especially if he may be listened vnto destroyeth much good Let such Phisitians therefore first heale themselues and free themselues from sinne raigning before they presume to cast stones at others otherwise r Pro. 26. 9 a parable in such lewde mens mouthes is as a thorn going vp into the hand of a drunkard wherewith as they much trouble all about them so they most of all hurt themselues making hereby themselues the Å¿ Rom. 2. 1. more inexcusable and their vengeance so much the * Luk. 12. 47 more intollerable Then shall they feele the burthen of this question wherewith the Lord now poseth them according as it is written t Psal 50. 16 to the wicked saith God What hast thou to â—oe to declare my statutes or that thou shouldest take my couenant in thy mouth c. Arist Mr. Archippus we feele doubts and scruples so fast arising out of your directions that according to your owne wish we shall now bee bold to aske your full meaning in all wee shall doubt of First therefore resolue vs I pray if wicked Husbands Parents and Ministers take vpon them to exhort their Wiues Children or People whether their inferiours are bound to hearken vnto them who haue no allowance from God to exhort ill manner of attempting so good a worke will with woe be found speechlesse as the euill seruant when they shall be posed with this heauy question c Rom. 2. 21 Thou that teachest another teachest thou not thy selfe Or * Mat. 7. 4. how wilt thou say to thy brother let mee pull out the moate out of thine eye and behold a beame is in thine owne eye Aqu. But if no ignorant nor prophane men haue commission from God to meddle with the duty of Exhortation may not they deeme themselues happier then the righteous to be freed from such a burthen Arch. Happier say you then let theeues and rebels count themselues happier with their manacles and fetters because it is not for them in these cases to walk abroad and be doing good among their neighbours as true and loyall subiâ—cts O how much rather should they hereby take notice of their woful d Heb. 2. 15. Ioh. 8. 33. 34 bondage wherin they are so fettered in chaines of darkenesse and bonds of wickednesse that they haue not the power so much as to speake one good acceptable word either for the glory of God or the good of their neighbours soules or their owne e Mat. 12. 34 O ye generations of Vipers saith the Lord how can ye being euill speake good things f Mat. 7. 16. Doe men gather grapes of thornes or figges of thistles Aqu. Why then say they doe you so complaine of them for want of exhortation which they cannot performe Arch. It is true that g Rom. 6. 20 while men are the seruants of sinne they are free as S. Paul saith from righteousnesse How free so that they are not bound either to doe righteousnesse or to yeeld account for default of it God forbid the Lords owne h Rom. 6. 18. 22 free men vnto righteousnesse haue no such immunity much lesse the seruants of corruption Shal vntrusty seruants sent with money to the mâ—rket to buy and bring home their masters prouision wast all their money by the way among riotous gamesters and then say why doth our Master complaine for want of that prouision which wee were not able to buy i Eccl. 7. 29. Loe saith the Wise-man this onely haue I found that God hath made man vpright being k Gen. 1. 27. created in Gods owne image and thereby inabled vnto all l Eph. 4. 24. true holinesse righteousnesse but they haue sought many inuentions that is m Rom. 5. 12. by one man sinne entred into the world and in and by him all haue sinned and n Rom. 3. 23. come short of the glory of God o 2 Cor. 3. 18 of that same image of God wherein man was created No reason then that God should loose either the prerogatiue of his right in commanding or the glory of his iustice in punishing because men haue by their owne inuentions lost their ability in performing Nay seeing p Rom. 5. 18 by the offence of one iudgment is thus come vpon all men to condemnation God as wee see q Psal 51. 4. will be cleare when he iudgeth r Rom. 3. 19 iniquity shall stop her mouth O how should this moue all men that haue dyed in the first Adam and yet remaine Å¿ Eph. 2. 1. dead in sinnes and trepasses t Ioh. 15. 5. vnable without Christ to doe any thing that good is to pant and thirst after u 1 Cor. 15. 22. 46. Christ that second Adam and quickning spirit and in him to be made aliue and to liue by faith in him So shall they recouer in the last Adam a better a surer estate then that which they lost in the first Christ being made vnto them of God w 1 Cor. 1. 30. wisedome and sanctification as well as righteousnes and redemption they shall be inabled and accepted to exhort others to walke worthy of the Lord vnto all pleasing As therefore to all that are not thus quickned in Christ I must with griefe say as x Ezr. 4. 3. Zerubbabel said to the aduersaries of Iudah you haue nothing to doe with vs to build a house a spirituall temple I meane vnto our God so to all that are awakened stand vp from the dead I must say with earnestnes as y Ezr. 10. 4. Shecaniah did to Ezra in another case Arise for this matter belongeth vnto you be of good courage and doe it Aqu. Wee must confesse that though you haue made the way plaine before vs yet weâ— haue bin hindred by many thoughts arising in our hearts and sundry Scriptures that seemed to vs to stand in our way namely z 1 Cor. 7. 20 Let euery man saith S. Paul abide in the same calling wherin he was called a 1 Cor. 12. 29. Are al teachers And againe b Vers 28. God hath appointed some teachers to c Heb. 13. 17. watch for mens soules as they that must giue an account Teaching therefore being the proper calling of such as God makes watchmen what haue wee priuate men say some to doe with teaching Arch. To teach and preach publiquely in the church is the peculiar office of those whom the Lord sends and this honour d Heb. 5. 4. no man may take to himselfe no more then the priesthood but he that was called of God as was Aaron as it
thinke to answere Goâ— with a cold assaye wheâ— God chargeth thee saying h Exo. 23. 4 5. Bringing thou shaâ— bring backe the one anâ— helping thou shalt helâ— the other that is as mucâ— as in thee lyeth if it be poâ—sible thou shalt bring baâ— the one and helpe vp the other Wherefore if there â—â— any bowels and mercieâ— any meekenesse and patience when thou seest soulâ— straying in the i Mat. 7. 13 wide waâ— of perdition or k 1 Ioh. 5. 19. lying witâ— the world in mischiefe heâ— is matter for them all tâ— set on worke namely l 2 Tim. 2. 24 c. tâ— be gentle vnto all of them apt to teach and patient in meekenesse instructinâ— those that oppose themselues if God peraduenturâ— will giue them repentance â— the acknowledging of â—e truth and they may 〈…〉 ouer themselues out of â—esnare of the diuell who â—e taken captiue by him at â— will Aqu. But say they the â—cripture it selfe saith m Pro. 9. 8. Reâ—roue not a scorner lest he â—â—e thee and n Pro 23. 9. speake not â— the eares of a foole for â—e will despise the wiseâ—ome of thy words And aâ—ine o Mar. 7. 6. giue not that which â—holy vnto dogs neither â—st ye your pearles before â—ine lest they trample â—em vnder their feete and â—ne againe and rent you Arch. I answere that â—ere are two sorts of dogs â—d swine of fooles and â—orners First some are such by in-bred corruption of nature and such were wee all by nature p Tit. 3. 3. noâ— onely vnwise and disobedient deceiued and seruing diuers lusts and pleasures but also liuing in malice and enuy hatefull and hating one another Such was the q Acts 2. 13. woman of Samaria who could checke and quip and taunt our blessed Sauiour such were those scorners who said the Apostles were full of new wine and such was Paul when in his ignorance he was r 1 Tim. â— â— 3 a blasphemer and a persecutor and so iniurious that hee was Å¿ Acts. 9. 11. exceedingly mad against the Saints And yet none ofâ— these was such but that as God would haue pearles and holy things tendered and giuen them so they after they were soundly conuinced and pricked to the heart and humbled most penitently imbraced them Secondly some are fooles and scorners by acquired wilfull blindenesse and scornefull obstinacy who after the light reuealed t Mat. 13. 13. winke with their eyes lest they should see and are â— the more blinde for the u Ioh. 9. 39. light not onely despising the words of wisedome and trampling pearles vnder their feete but will so much the more maliciously hate scorne and persecute all that shall offer to giue holy things vnto them These are not onely naturally dead in sinnes and trees without fruit but vv Iud. vers 12. trees whose fruit withereth twise dead pluckt vp by the rootes not onely dogs and swine by nature but such as to whom x 2 Pet. 20. after they haue escaped the pollutions of the world it is happened according to the true Prouerbe The dogge is turned to his owne vomit againe and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire Such were y Luk. 23. 8 9. Herod and z Ioh. 18. 19 20 21. Caiaphas and a Ioh. 19. 9. Pilate when Iesus vouchsafed not to answere them and such were those b Marke 11. 27. c. chiefe Priests and Scribes and Elders to whose question Christ gaue an answere answerelesse stopping their mouthes with another question It is not therfore euery rude and bruitish entertainment nor once or twice refusing of rebuke no nor scorne or inâ—â—rrection against the rebuker that may conclude men to bee such dogs and scorners for c 2 Chr. 15. 8. c. Asa himselfe a couragious zealous king whose heart was said to be perfect all his dayes did yet d 2 Chr. 16. 7. c. in wrath and rage kicke â—nd spurne against Hanani the Seer that reproued him and good King e 1 Reg. 22. 14. c. Iehoshaâ—hat when hee could sit-by with wicked Ahab and heare see the Lords Proâ—â—et Micaiah to be so snibbed and smitten on the â—heeke and committed to prison for speaking the â—â—uth in the name of the Lord and he all while sitting like f Acts 18. 17 Gallio cared for none of those things so much as to put forth a word for iustifying wisedome or deliuering the Prophet was not he also as * Obad. Ver. 11 12 one of them that scorned and persecuted him Nay and King Dauid g 2 Sam. 6. 8 c. when God himself by a sodain strange iudgement had actually reproued him for carting the Arke of the Lord which should haue beene h 1 Chr. 15. 2 carried on the Leuites shoulders how was he displeased and how vntowardly spake he as if the fault were more in God then in himselfe thaâ— there was such a breacâ— made in Vzzah Wherefore vnlesse wee would vnaduisedly condemne the generation oâ— Gods children we must be wary how wee condemne men for dogs and swine in the latter sence O consider I pray what terrible thunder-bolts from heauen are those threats when the Lord saith i Hos 4. 14. I will not punish your Daughters when they commit whoredome nor your Spouses when tâ—ey commit adultery and againe k Micah 2. 6 they shall not proâ—â—ecy vnto them that they shall not take shame For * Pro. 6. 23. reproofes of instruction being the way of life needs must this iudgement bee most fearefull for a man to be in the way of damnation to haue all reproofes â—ept from him whereby he should bee reduced into the way of life What for a man to bee poysoned or deadly wounded and to haue all physicke chirurgerie kept from him For a man to be blinde and to haue all guides restrained from him and yet to walke there where the treading awry is the tumbling into hell O how wonderfull is this case If in capitall offences where mens liues were to pay for it GOD charged the Israelites to l Deut. 13. 14. 17. 4. make search and to aske diligently and to see that it were truth and the things certaine before they should proceede to any execution how much more in this case where mens soules lye at stake without meanes of recouery to bee ministred vnto them should wee by all diligent means of inquisition see it to be truth and the thing certaine that men are dogs and swine and such fooles and scorners to whom our pearles and holy things are not to be giuen till euer wee execute this fearefull sentence on any man God forbid therefore that wee should yeeld vp our brethren vnto such a dreadfull case of m Pro. 29. 1. destruction and that without remedy before they harden their neckes against often reproofes and that in such manner that they not onely
because that is as the mother â— Pet. â— 8. of this For bâ—ing awakened out of the deaâ—â—y sleepe of sinne to liue in holinesse and righteousnes by watching taking heed to our waies according to the word wee keepe our selues waking that we may walke circumspectly soberly temper and keep our selues from q 1 Cor. 6. 12 being brought vnder the power of any lawful or indifferent thing wheÌ„ it is not expedient that wee may r 1 Cor. 7. 31 vse this world as not abusing it We must therefore be sober and watch as many as purpose to liue holily and righteously yea Å¿ Luk. 21. 36 watch alwaies saith our Sauiour in t 2 Tim. â— 5. all things saith S. Paul and why so watch For first the v 1 Pet. 3. 8. diuel your adueâ—sarie as a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whoÌ„ he may deuoure as he is a Lyon for strength roaring for greedines and circuiting for diligence and seeking to deuoure not yours but you so he is a w 2 Cor. 11 3. serpent for subtilty an x Reu. 12. 9. old serpeÌ„t for experience for efficacy such a cheater that he y Verse the same deceiueth the whole world And no meruaile for to this end z 2 Cor. 11. 14. he is transformed into an Angel of light holding forth the present pleasure profit credit of sinne by a Gen. 3 6. which traines he first beguiled Eue as a false Draper sheweth forth the faire end of his cloath but keepee back out of sight the middle the other end inward remorce of conscience here eternal punishment hereafter Secondly there is the b Ioh. 15. 19 world that hates vs a world of vngodly men â— 2 Pet. 2. 5. that d 1 Ioh. 5. â—9 lyeth in wiâ—kednes whose e Eph. 2. 2. course is according to the prince of the power of the ayre whose office it is to be the diuels Factors in f 2 Tim. 3. 13 deceiuing others as themselues are deceiued who by their terrours and allurements customes and multitudes raise dust in our eyes that wee might not discerne things that differ but be inuolued and carried away with the sway and currant of the euill times Thirdly there is in our selues g Gal. 5. 17. the flesh lusting against the spirit and h 1 Pet. 2. 11 warring against the soule and the wisedome of the flesh is i Rom. 8. 6 death to vâ— as it is k Verse 7. enmity against God in respect whereof the l Ier. 17. 9. heart of man is said to be desperately wicked and deceitfull aboue all things that is of greater efficacy to deceiue our selues then all other men or deuils For m Mark 7. 21 c. from within out of the heart of man arise euill thoughts and all things that defile a man as naturally as sparks out of a furnace which of themselues without the diuell or the world are able to set on fire the course of nature whereas they both with all their temptations without this are but as fuell and bellowes that could neuer make sinne to flame â—ut of vs if they had not the sparke of n Iam. 1. 14. our owne concupiscence to kindle it Now hauing in all our wayes to deale with such crafty deadly enemies had wee not neede vnlesse it were good taking of our worst foes to bee our best guides had wee not need I say to stand vpon our watch and ward and o Pro. 4. 23. aboue all keepings keepe our hearts that we take not vp from them the choise or vse of any indifferent thing before wee trie it by the light of the Word examining both ends with the middle and circumstances of it Nay when in things indifferent most of all Satan sets his snares for Gods seruants knowing how p Psal 97. 10 they that loue the Lord abhorre euill and all things simply vnlawfull as hee met with q Gen 34. â— â— Dinah and r 2 Sam. 1â— 2 3. Dauid in their walking with Å¿ Gen. 9. 21. Noah and t Gen. 19. 33 Lot in their drinking of wine and with u Luk. 22. 25 Ioh. 18. 25. Peter in warming himselfe at the fire had we not neede watch and ward most in those things wherein the diuell most makes assault vnlesse it were wise watching to watch against enemies a farre off and to neglect such as are nearest at hand to cut our throats Now for directions how to take heed all that looke to doe any thing well and acceptably vnto God in the choise and vse of things indifferent must looke first of all to that which is the roote and foundation of all good actions since the fall of the first Adam namely to that w Ioh. 6. 29 worke of God that they beleeue on him whom he hath sent and be x Phil. â— 9. founâ— in Christ as y Iohn 15. 2. c branches in the Vine that so z Col. 3. â—7 whatsoeuer wee doe in word or deed may all bee done in the name of the Lord Iesus for hee is that u Reu. â— 3. Heb. 13. 10. 15. golden Altar on and by whom we must offer vnto God all our spirituall sacrifices 1 Pet. 2. 5. and seruices that being perâ—â—med with his lâ—cense they may w Phil. 4. 18 as odoâ—s â—â— a sweet smell bee acceptaâ—â—e and well-pleasing vnto God by him For hee being tâ—e onely begottâ—n and beloued Sonne in x Mat. 3 17. whom God is well-pleased and he being y Heb. 1. 2. appointed heire of all things through whom wee being his by faith â— things z 1 Cor. 3. 22 23. present things to come are all ours As wee a Ioh. 15. 5. Heb. 11. 6. can doe nothing without him to please God so without him we haue no more right in Gods sight to the vse of any thing then a thiefe hath to the vse of a true mans purse Secondly being in Christ we must know that as for al things necessarie simply good we haue warrant out of the Word by * Deut 6. 5. 25. expresse command or iust consequence so for things indifferent wee haue a warrant by Gods permission either directly expressed as in the particular matter of â—meats or thence necessarily b Deâ—t 12. 15. 20 21. collected as in all things of the like nature whence the Apostle concludeth that not onely meats but all things of like indifferent nature are c 1 Cor. 6. 12 10. 23. all lawfull d Rom. 14. 20 all pure and e Tit. 1. 15. all cleane to the cleane whose f Rom. 14. 22 23. consciences are purged from dead workes by the bloud of Christ to serue the liuing God And of this warrant of the Word wee must bee perswaded that the particular indifferent matters we meddle withall are not vncleane of themselues but pure else whatsoeuer
is not of this faith is sinne euen in things indifferent sinne I say to any that doubtingly and vnnecessary shall aduenture thereon Thirdly being in Christ and hauing knowledge of the lawfulnesse of the particular matters wee must trie whether the doing of them bee g 1 Cor. 6. 12 10. 23. expedient that is helpe to the maine end of the Law which is h 1 Tim. 1. 5. loue out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith vnfaigned For God commanding i 1 Cor. 16. â—4 all our things to be done in loue k 1 Cor. 10. 3 all to his glory and l 1 Cor. 14. 26 all to edifying that is so as all may helpe and further our selues and our neighbours in holines and righteousnesse whatsoeuer choise or vse bee made of things indifferent â—f it bee not expedient to these ends m 1 Cor. 10. 23 24 expedient I say for our selues and n 1 Cor. 6. 12 expedient for our neighbors it must needes be sinne because it o 1 Ioh. 3. 4. transgresseth the Law in these respects howsoeuer the thing chosen vsed bee of it selfe lawfull So that that rule of our Sauiour p Mat. 12 30 he that is not with me is against mee must of necessity holde as well in the vse of things indifferent as of things necessary Fourthly when being in Christ wee know our warrant for the lawfulnesse of the matter and see the expediency of it to the foresaid ends then that which before was indifferent in nature become now * Roâ— 19. 21. good and * Acts 15. 18. necessary in vse and we must set about it as thus in the right manner and end so with obseruation of all due circumstances namely that we do it q Rom. 13. 4. 5. conscionably and r Eph. 6. 6 â—7 Col. 3. 22. 23 willingly as to the Lord who commandeth the doing of it as it is expedient Å¿ Eccl. 8. 5. 6 seasonably â— decently and t 1 Cor. 10. 30. circumspectly according to all other â— Eph. 5. 15 knowne rules of the Word not conformed to v. Rom. 12. 2 this world but transformed by the renewing of our minde that we may prooue what is that good â—â—at aâ—ceptable aâ—d perfect will â—f God And heere let no man say that 〈◊〉 destroy the whole nature of all indifferent things câ—â—ctions for schoolemâ—n themselues confesse that x Gâ—rsâ—â— in â—ogul mor. no action though it be indifferent as it is considered in it's naked nature can be indifferent as it is â—â—ad with it's particular circumstances in doing And y Tho. Aquisum paâ—t 1. q. 18. â— 9. no particular morall action or no action of the reasonable soule proceeding from reason can possibly be so indifferent but it must of necessity be good or euill and either conformable to the rules of Gods holy Word or disconformable thereunto Now if any man notwithstanding all that hath beene said shall loue to range where he list after the sight of his own eyes z Eccl. 11. 9. with the young man or to bee turned loose to the wayes of his owne heart with the a Luk. 15 12 13. prodigall Sonne and say the indifferent things wee meddle withall are for the most part sports and trifles or petty matters and in such light matters at least men haue sufficient warrant to make choise and vse according to their own discretion so that nothing bee done against the generall rules of Gods Word or else men shall be left in perpetual suspence and amazements First I answere that b Psal 119. 168. all our wayes being before God wee cannot play out of Gods presence no more then pray and if in play or other wayes any man draw backe sequestring himselfe from Gods presence as c Heb. 10. 38 Gods soule shall haue no pleasure in him so hee may looke to haue the diuell for his play-fellow And when God hath branded such for d Psal 106. 13 14 exceeding lust that waited not for his counsell must not we set God alwayes before vs as did e Psal 16. 7 8 Dauid that hee may giue vs counsell whereby we may be directed as well to play as to f 1 Cor. 10. â—0 eate and drinke and to doe whatsoeuer wee doe to the glory of God as hee commaundeth vs. And when we reade that g 1 Sam. 13. 14 23. rebellion in not obeying the voyce of the Lord is as the sinne of witchcraft though in a light matter as Saul esteemed it as the sparing of a few cattell Nay when we heare of such wrath reueiled from heauen against petty matters as mâ—n would deeme as h 2 Sam. 6. 6 â— touching and i 1 Sam 6. 19 looking into the Arke k Num. 15. 32 36. gathering a few sticks oâ— the Sabbath and l Gen. 3. 6. c. eating of an Apple alas what meane men yet thus to talk of things so fearefull as but of trifles and petty matters Wee know him who saith He that breaketh the least Commandement c. For the authority of the commander is violated in the wilfull breach of the least tittle as of the waightier matters and one m Iam. 2. 10. poynt wilfully offended makes a man guilty of the whole Law as one little leake let alone may sinke the whole shippe one little hole in a shooe may make the whole foote watershod and one little claw held fast in the sâ—are brings the whole bird into the Fowlers hands And why doth the Scripture tell vs of n 1 Tim. 1. 19 shipwracke of faith of o Eph. 6. 15. feet shâ—d with the preparation of the Gospell of peace and of p 2 Tim. 2. 22 men taken captiue in the snare of the diuell but that men should fore see if happily they might feele those spirituall dangers by such earthly similitudes Secondly concerning mens owne discretion iâ— choise and vse so that nothing bee done against the generall rules of the Word I answere that if herein they intend to lean to their owne wisedome and not to acknowledge God in all their ways they haue already broken the pale of the Lords q Pro. 3. 5. 6. direction r Hos 5 10. like them that remooue the bound and are Å¿ 1 Tim. 6. 9. fallen into temptation and a snare whereby they may fall into many foolish and noâ—some lusts which drowne men in perdition and destruction But if herein they intend to take heed according to the Word as that which must be bound continually t Pro. 6. 21. vpon their heart to bee their u Psal 19. 1 1 admonitor their â— counseller and their w Psal 119. 24. â— leader Then they must x Pro. 6. 22. acknowledge with reueâ—â—nd â— Caluin that seeing the Calu. inst lib 3. cap. 10. sect 1. Scripture giues generall rules for the lawfull vse of actions and things indifferent