were the deliuerance too late but wee meane that hee deliuered him that hee should not bee hanged So likewise when the Scripture saith that Christ dyed to deliuer vs out of hell because hee saueth and deliuereth vs that wee come not there which else should surely haue gone thither and haue beene damned perpetually except Christ by his death had deliuered and loosed vs. Christ reuiueth vs againe that were dead LIke as the Pellican which hauing brought foorth her young ones dead or beeing stung or killed by Serpents shee pecketh foorth her heart bloud to reuiue them Euen so wee beeing conceiued and borne in sinne and altogether dead in our trespasses and offences stung of that olde and fierie Serpent the diuell which first beguiled our Parents in Paradise and so hauing the reward of sinne which is death we in this case are reuiued and quickned againe by the bloud of the true Pellican Iesus Christ which he from his heart hath shead and powred out for vs. Col. 2.13 14. Christs person consisteth of two natures 1 LIke as there must be both these two natures true and sound the properties of either being kept in one person of Christ to reconcile man to God and to strike this couenant So also to keepe this couenant that according to the promise and oath of God it may be euerlasting both natures must remaine for euer sound with their properties vnlesse we will haue the couenant in the piller and foundation to be shaken 2 Like as when the roote of a tree is hurt the braunches also doo wither and there can be no fruite hoped for Euen so the Doctrine beeing corrupt concerning the person of Christ and the two natures in the same person together with their distinct properties the doctrine also of the Priestly and Kingly office of Christ remaineth corrupt which are as it were the fruites of the doctrine concerning his person Christ though amazed and confounded with sorrowes and feares yet remained still sinlesse LIke as if you set two glasses filled the one with muddy water and the other with cleare Christall water and first let them stand till all the muddinesse in one be setled at the bottome then shake both these glasses in the one the mudde ariseth straightway and defileth all the water there in the other although you shake it neuer so much yet the cleare water though troubled likewise remaineth still all cleare as Christall Euen so if any of vs bee shaken and disquieted with any trouble our muddy affections arising doo presently defile vs all ouer but Christ in whom was mans true nature but not any the least defilement of nature beeing likewise shaken he remained still cleare from any the least spot of sinne at all Christ neuer lost his confidence in God LIke as those men do neuer loose their confidence and trust in God who by some violence are stricken into astonishment or naturally fall on sleepe their faith patience loue obedience decreaseth not in them for all that Euen so neither in Christ his assurance in God could neuer decay albeit his sinlesse nature might and did feare the paine and beeing astonished with excessiue paine might and did suddenly desire ease Math. 27.46 Mar. 14.33 c. He that Speaketh in the Church LIke as if the Harpe make a confused noyse and giueth no distinct sound it delighteth not it recreateth not because no man can tell what it is that is plaide So he that Speaketh in the Church in a language which other men vnderstand not cannot edifie because men vnderstand not what he speaketh Confessing of secret faultes LIke as he is vnwise that openeth his disease and committeth himselfe vnto an vnskilfull Phisition that will rather make him worse then cure him Euen so as vnwise is he that reuealeth his secret falls scapes to them whose mouthes are readie with the Pharisies to say See thou to that or to blabbe abroad their brethrens infirmities so making the matter rather worse then better Christ after a sort present with vs in bodie 1 AS the sun which thogh it remain stil in the firmamēt and therefore in verie deed toucheth not the eye yet the bodie of the Sunne is present to the sight notwithstanding so great a distance betweene So likewise the bodie of Christ which by his ascending is taken vp from vs and hath left the world and is gone to his father is indeed absent from our senses yet our faith is conuersant in heauen and beholding that sonne of righteousnesse and is verily in presence with it there present like as our sight is present with the body of the Sunne in the firmament or as the Sunne is present with our sight in earth Ioh. 14.19 16.28 Act. 7.55 Col. 3.1 Hebr. 4.16 10.28 2 As the Sunne with his light is present to all things So is also Christ with his Godhead Spirit and power present to all and filleth all Ephe. 1.23 Col. 1.17 18. How Christ sitteth at the right hand of God 1 AS it is the vse and custome of Kings and Princes which haue their deputies substitutes to whom they freely giue all authoritie to rule and gouerne and do cause that man to sit by him and at his right hand whom he will giue most honor and vnto whom he wil giue most authoritie and power Euen so we vnderstand by these words He sitteth at the right hand of God that our Sauiour Christ is exalted aboue all creatures and that hee hath dominion or gouernance in heauen and in earth and that he raigneth with his Father hauing equal power with him 1. King 2.19 Psal 45.9 110.1 Mat. 20.21 Phil. 2.9 10 11. 1. Pet. 3.22 Ephe. 1.20 21. 4.15 2 As those on earth that are set at the right hand of Kings do execute iustice in courts or Assises for the maintenance of the state and peace of the Kingdome Euen so Christ Iesus sitting at the right hand of his Father that is being made soueraigne Lord of all things both in heauen and earth is to hold a Court or Assise in which he shall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead Christ confounds his enemies AS Iosua dealt with the fiue Kings that were hid in the Caue he first makes a slaughter of their armes then he brings them foorth and makes the people to set their feete on their neckes and to hang them on fiue trees Euen so Christ deales with his enemies he treades them vnder his feete and makes a slaughter not so much of their bodies as of their soules And this the Church of God findes to bee true by experience as well as it findes the loue of Christ towardes it selfe Iosu 10.24 Luke 17.27 Psal 2.9 110.1 Corruption of truth by mans traditions AS sweete Dough is made sowre by a litle Leauen So is the sweetnesse and comfort of the doctrine of truth corrupted if it be neuer so litle entermedled with humane doctrine or mans traditions Mat. 13.33 16.6 The Creature
12 As when the bodies of men or rather of children do not grow vp to their full and naturall stature it argueth some secret distemperature and some naturall infirmitie in them So when Christians doo not grow on from one measure of grace to a greater it doth of necessitie infer an euil Diet and constitution of the Soule Ephe. 4.15 2. Pet. 3.18 13 As the holinesse of the Soule is nourished by the same thing by the which it is begotten So it is encreased by the same Diet by the which it is nourished 14 As there is required a greater verture and force both of nature and of Diet to augment the bodie in stature then to keepe and continue it in life and healthe So hee that desireth not onelye to continue but also to goe on in grace must indeed vse this conseruatiue Diet of spirituall foode and exercise that is to cleaue to God to his seruice and to all spirituall exercises without seperation or intermission to wit to the hearing reading and studying of the word of God to the considering of his workes and obseruing of his actions to prayer singing of Psalmes to the exhorting and instructing of others in the wayes of godlinesse And lastly and summarily to the daily performance of all Christian duties and the exercising of all those graces which he hath receiued 15 As we know by daily experience that many notable Physitians haue fallen into daungerous and mortall sicknesses and by them be brought to vntimely Death So it is not sufficient for our spirituall welfare that wee know how to Diet and order our soules as long as they are in health and strength it being also required that we know how by a conuenient and meete Diet to recouer them out of sicknesses and to heale all the maladies happening vnto them Deferring of Repentance 1 LIke as we would esteeme and iudge a man not to be wise or well in his wittes that trauelling on the way and hauing great choyse of lustie strong Horses should let them all go emptie and lay all the carriage vppon some one poore beast that could scarce beare it selfe or much lesse stand vnder so great a waight laide vpon it Euen so surely no lesse vnreasonable is that man who passing oueridlie and carelesly the lustie dayes and times of this life without amendment and reformation of his wicked life reserueth and deferreth the same vnto feeble olde age 2 Like as the holy Ghost accounteth them accursed who hauing whole and sound Cattell doo yet offer to God the lame the blind the sicke and that which they would be ashamed to giue to a mortall man Euen so how much more are they accursed before God that hauing so may dayes of youth strength and health doo yet dedicate and appoint vnto his seruice onely their limping old age allotting to God a little short maymed and vncertain time and vnto his enemie the greatest the fairest and the surest part thereof Mal. 1.8 Leuit. 3.1 6. Numb 18.12 Eccle. 12.2 3 Like as if a Captaine accompanied with other Souldiers did enter into a rich Citie to take the spoyle thereof and one Souldier should say I will stay and come in the next day after when all the spoyle is gone Might not hee be well reckoned to be both a coward and vnwise Euen so is it not great folly and peruersenesse in some men that passe ouer their youthfull daies in not seruing of God but liuing dissolutely and will not take time whilst time is Seeing that now is the time of fight for the obtaining of our Crowne Now is the day of spoyle to seaze on our bootie Now is the market to buy the kingdome of heauen Now is the time of running to get the game price Now is the day of sowing to prouide vs corne Pro. 20.4 4 Like as a Prince sometime pardoneth a malefactor when he is come to the verie place of execution yet were it not for euery malefactor to trust thereupon for that this is but an extraordinarie act of the Prince his fauour and neither shewed nor promised to all men Euen so no man ought to flatter and deceiue himselfe in Deferring his conuersion and reforming his life by alleadging the example of the good theefe saued euen at the last houre vpon the Crosse and carried to Paradise that same day with Christ for this act was a speciall Miracle reserued for the manifestation of Christ his power glorie at that houre vpon the Crosse and besides this act was vpon a most rare confession made by the theefe in that instant when almost all the world forsooke Christ Luk. 23.40 41 42 43. 5 As before the destruction of Ierusalem for that God desired to spare his people and the place of his habitation he sent his messengers betimes in the morning which ceased not to call them backe saying Returne yee wandring children confesse your iniquitie and your starting aside will I heale againe Euen so did the godly Preachers in the last yeare of King Edward the sixt before their sodaine chaunge of state neuer more often more earnestly more boldly and vehemently crie out and Preach Repentance then then fearing the people from their sinnes But neuerthelesse for all their threatning they could not make their stonie hearts to relent They would not turne to the Lord with all their hearts with weeping fasting and lamenting But being past shame with stiffe neckes and vncircumcised harts and eares continued still in their sinnes till desolation and confusion fell vppon them 2. King 21.12.13.14.15 23.27 Eze. 21.2.2 Chro. 36.6.19 Math. 24.16 c. Luk. 13.34.35 6 Like as the Iewes who scorned the messengers of God mocked his Prophets and derided their Sermons vntill such time as the wrath of God was kindled against them and no redresse or amendement could be had So likewise a great number with vs in England doo most shamefully scoffe and deride the word of God despise the ministers of Christ and account of them as mad men and most wickedly esteeme their preaching beeing the true Oracles of God to bee but vaine fables and lyes 2. Chro. 36.15.16 Desertion of Gods spirit LIke as God did not leade the Children of Israel the directest way into the promised land of Canaan So likewise we goe not directly to heauen but are carried about by the wildernesse of this world for the trying of our patience and exercising of other graces giuen vs of God Numb 33.1 c. Sound Doctrine doth cheare the spirits AS ripe Grapes doo relish sauourly and with their pleasant and toothsome iuce doo singularly refresh the palate and delight the throate Euen so sound Doctrine wholesome admonition and gracious speeches do cheare the spirites and comfort the mindes of Christians Esay 24.7 13. Dead in sinne 1 AS Dead men can do nothing that liuing men should doo So when we are Dead in sinne wee can doo none of those things which declare and shew foorth our life in Christ Ephe. 2.1 Col. 2.13
2 As a Dead man in his graue cannot stir the least finger because he wants the very power of life sense and motion So likewise no more can he that is Dead in sinne will the least good Nay if he could either will or doo any good he could not be Dead in sinne 3 Euen as a Dead man in the graue cannot rise but by the power of God So no more can hee that is Dead in sinne rise but by the power of Gods grace alone without any power of his owne Iohn 3.3 Ephes 2.10 4.24 Phil. 2.13 Deuise of the wicked AS the Egges of the Cockatrice hatched are full of poyson Euen so are the deuises of the wicked and the execution of their enterprises hurtfull Esay 59.5 The Diuell fearefull and enuious 1 LIke as if an enemie of great might hauing also an aduantage of vs by reason of the ground wherein he hath planted himself be dreadful to vs so as we haue good cause to feare him Euen so much more we ought to bee afraid of the Diuel hauing the like or greater aduantages of vs. Ephe. 6.11.12 2 As a good Midwife is carefull to helpe the woman in trauell and saue the child Euen so the Diuell contrariwise is ready to hinder and hurt the Church to destroy her seede Reue. 12.2.3 God Delighteth in the conuersion of a sinner AS a Father taketh great ioy and comfort when his Sonne who was wilde vnthriftie and vngodly becommeth modest thriftie and religous Euen so it is a Delightfull and acceptable thing to God when any sinner is conuerted from his wicked and lewde course and now liueth Christianly Luk. 15.23.24 Dissentions AS Bees when they striue together and are stirred vp through some vehement motion with throwing of dust are brought into order and appeased Euen so men when they are tossed and tormented with troublesome broyles perturbations and passions if they would remember dust whereinto of necessitie they must be turned and neuer forget death which they shall neuer bee able to escape they would easily bestayed pacified and quietted would represse keepe within compasse their strangling lusts and vnruly appetites which cannot indure to be tamed and ruled by reason How to encounter with Death 1 LIke as if a man were to fight with a Dragon his best way to deale with him is to pull out his venemous sting Euen so the Dragon wherewith euery Christian man is to encounter is Death whose sting is sinne therefore that we may not take the foyle of Death we are in all our life to labour to bereaue him of this his sting 1. Cor. 15.56 2 As the Philistines that they might the better deale with Sampson cut off his haire where his strength lay So also euery one of vs that wee may the better deale with Death are to cut off our sinnes which bee the strength of Death Iud. 16.5 c. Death 1 LIke as hee that is to passe ouer some great and deepe ryuer must not looke downeward to the streame of the water But if he would preuent feare hee must set his foote sure cast his eye to the banke on the furthest side Euen so he that draws neare Death must as it were looke ouer the waues of Death and directly fixe the eye of his faith vpon eternall life 2 Like as if a poore man should be commaunded by a Prince to put off his torne and beggerly garments and in steade thereof to put on royall and costly robes it would be a great reioycing to his heart Euen so much more ioyfull newes must this be vnto all repentant and sorrowfull sinners when the King of heauen and earth comes vnto them by Death and bids them lay downe their bodies as ragged and patched garments and prepare themselues to put on the princely robe of immortalitie No tongue can bee able to expresse the excellencie of this most blessed and happie estate 3 Euen when a man was to offer a Bullocke or Lambe in sacrifice to God he must leaue his offering at the Altar and first goe and be reconciled to his brethren if they had ought against him So much more must this bee done when men are in Death to offer vp themselues their bodies and soules as an acceptable sacrifice vnto God Rom. 12.1 4 As Trauellers not thinking of the Sunne setting are ouertaken with darkenesse before they be aware So doth Death sodainly come vpon many that neuer thought of it neither haue learned to die nor what shall become of them when they be dead so that it behooueth all Christians that wil be saued to watch to stand stedfast in the faith of Christ to quite themselues like men and to be strong and to do all that they do in loue 1. Cor. 16.13 5 As earthen vessels are alike subiect to danger breaking whether they be new or olde made So likewise all men are open and subiect to Death alike whether they be yong men and in their lusty and flourishing age or they be old men and well strooken in yeares 6 Like as if a man shal come into a Potters ware-house where he shall see a large Table set full of Pots some old and some new some little and some great and shall demaund of the Potter which of them all shall first be broken he may well say for answer That which shall fall first to the ground Euen so among men he dieth not first that is elder but he that first falleth to the ground that is commeth first to his graue Psal 2.9 Esay 30.14 Reue. 2.27 7 Like as if a Begger should be commaunded to put off his old ragges that he might be cloathed with rich costly garments he would not be sory though he should stand naked a while till he were wholly bestripped of his rags So likewise when God calls a man to Death and bids him put off his old ragges of sinne and corruption and be cloathed with the glorious roabe of Christes righteousnesse there is no cause why he should be loth to die seeing his abode in the graue is but for a space while corruption be put off 2. Cor. 5.1 2. 8 As bread of all other nourishment doth sustaine the body So aboue all things a continuall thought of Death is wholesome for the soule 9 As yong schollers who hauing spent their time diligētly at their bookes return from the Vniuersities to their friends and are welcommed home both of father mother brother and sister euery one preasing forward with great desire to kisse them and to make the greatest demonstration of ioy and gladnesse that may be for their happie returne So in like maner when true Christians die depart out of this world where they are as it were at schoole to returne to their fathers house God himselfe is the first that biddeth them welcome and willeth them to enter into the ioy of their Lorde and Father Iesus Christ is the next which taketh leadeth them into the Pallace of the
King and saith Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Then come the Angels who carry them like Lazarus into Abrahams bosome to reioyce for euer with them and with the other holy Fathers Math. 25.21 34. 10 Like as some pleasant companions and merily disposed will often say that God fauoureth a man when he taketh away his wife by Death especially if she be euil and of bad condition So likewise if this be true we may safely say that God bestoweth a maruellous grace vpon vs and doth vs the greatest pleasure that may be when as by Death he deliuereth vs froÌ„ our flesh which is the most treacherous and disloyal wife that can be and which doth so torment the poore mâ—nd with whom she is married that she vexeth disquieteth her silly husband with the greatest and most intollerable griefe that may be 11 As we see in the seasons of the year that from the beginning to the end they are appointed of God that in such sort that all the meÌ„ in the world thogh they shuld imploy all their whole force counsels and endeuours to the contrarie were not able to alter them Euen so likewise may we be assured that our liues are so limited and bounded by God that neither king nor Prince power nor Potentate can any manner of wayes shorten or prolong them Yea and that which may wonderfully comfort vs so often as we remember it that God doth oftentimes prolong our dayes by the meanes of wicked tyrants which would cut them off by Death As Moses and Daniel were Exod. 2.2.3 c. Dan. 3. toto 6.5 c. 12 As the brazen Serpent was so far from hurting the Israelites that contrariwise it healed them So after the same sort Death is now so farre from hurting any godly Christian that on the other side that if affliction as a firie Serpent sting vs or if any thing else hurt vs presently it is helped and redressed by Death 13 Euen as a Bee stinging a dead body takes no hurt but by stinging aliue body many times looseth both sting and life together So likewise Death so long as it stung mortall men which were dead in sinne was neuer a whit the worse but when it stung Christ once who is life it self by and by it lost both sting and strength 14 As they which wil needs play the hob-goblings or the night-walking spirits as wee call them all the while they speake vnder a hollow vault or leape foorth with an vgly vizard vpon their faces they are so terrible that hee which thinkes himselfe no small man may perhaps bee afrighted with them But if some lusty fellow chaunce to step into one of these and cudgel him well fauoredly and pull the vizard from his face then euery boy laughes him to scorne So it is with Death who was a terrible bulbegger and euery man afraid of him a great while but Christ dying buckled with this bulbegger and coniured him as we may say out of his hollow vault wheÌ„ as the dead comming out of the graues were seene in Ierusalem and puld the vizard from his face when as hee himselfe rising left the linnen cloathes which were the vizard of Death behinde him Math. 27.52 53. Ioh. 20.6 15 As that Asse called Cumanus asinus ietting vp down in a Lyons skin did for a time terrifie his maister but afterwards being descried did benefit him very much So in like manner Death stands now like a silly Asse hauing his Lyons skin puld ouer his eares and is so farre from terrifying any that it benefits all true Christians because by it they rest from their labours and if they be oppressed with troubles or cares when they come to Death they are discharged Death as an Asse doth beare these burdeÌ„s for theÌ„ 16 As he that felleth a tree vpon which the Sunne shineth may well cut the tree but cannot hurt the Sunne Or as he that powreth water vpon yron which is red hot may well quench the heate but he cannot hurt the yron Euen so Christ the Sonne of righteousnesse did driue away the shaddow of Death and as glowing yron was too hot and too hard a morsell for Death to digest 17 Like as all the while that Adam did eate any other fruite which God gaue him leaue to eate he was nourished by it but when he had tasted of the forbidden tree he perished So Death had free leaue to deuour any other man Christ onely excepted but when it went about to destroy Christ then it was destroyed it selfe 18 Euen as those barbarous people called Cannibals which feede only vpon raw flesh especially of men if they happen to eate a peece of rosted meate commonly they surfet of it die So likewise the right Canniball the only deuourer of al mankind Death I meane tasting of Christs flesh finding it not to be raw such as it was vsed to eate but wholesome and heauenly meate indeede presently tooke a surfet of it and within three dayes died 19 Euen as when Iudas had receiued a sop at Christes hand a non after his bowels gushed out So likwise Death being so sawcie as to snatch a soppe as it were of Christs flesh and a little bit of his body was by and by like Iudas choked and strangled with it faine to yeeld it vp againe when Christ on Easter day reuiued 20 As a fire goeth out when al the fuel is spent but burneth as long as that lasteth So Death died when sin ceaseth but where sinne aboundeth there Death rageth 21 As the little worme that groweth out of the tree gnaweth and consumeth the tree of whom it hath his beginning So Death groweth and waxeth out of sinne and sinne with the body it consumeth 22 Like as if one that is about to shoote a Gun bee vnsteadie at the letting of it goe he misseth altogether and al that he prepared for it afore is in vaine Euen so at the end of this life are the diuels most busie to turne vs from the right marke that our former trauaile and labour may be lost for as much as they know that there remaineth but a very small time of life So that if the soule escape theÌ„ now they shall afterward goe without it for euer 23 Euen as mightie enemies doo besiege lay assault to a Citie So the diuels compasse the soule of man at the houre of Death with violence subtiltie to take possessâ—on of the poore soule to apprehend it and bring it to hell 24 Like as if an old siluer goblet bee melted and new fashioned after a beautifull manner then is it better then afore and neither spylt nor destroyed Euen so haue wee no iust cause to complaine of Death whereby the body being deliuered from all filthinesse shall in his due time be perfectly renued 25 As the Egge-shell though it bee goodly and faire fashioned must bee opened and broken
knowledge and by Thummim holinesse So dooth hee hereby declare what vertues are requirred in a Preacher to wit knowledge and vnderstanding in the word of God and godlinesse in liuing manners and conuersation 24 As the Cocke in the darknesse of the night foretelleth the light to come So the Preacher in the darknesse of this present world foresheweth the light of the ioyes of life euerlasting to come 25 Like as when a man lies in his dead sleepe cannot awake except some noyse waken him or some other call him So in like manner wee cannot arise out of sinne except the spirit of God or his Preachers which are his watchmen with often crying vnto vs awake vs vp Esay 58.1 Proud through honour 1 LIke as Bucephalus the horse of Alexander the great beeing vnsadled would receiue on his backe the horse keeper but beeing adorned with Trappers and Barbes hee would suffer none other then Alexander himselfe to ride him Euen so many being poore and base wil suffer many things which they being in prosperitie wold despise and contemne 2 As a tree set vpon the top of a mountaine is mightily shaken and easily rent vp by the rootes with euerie blustering blast and storme of wind Euen so man in this world the more and higher he is exalted to honour the more and greater daungers is hee subiect vnto Luk. â— 52 53. Iam. 4.6 Preparation of the heart before holy exercises LIke as honestie and ciuilitie requireth that our bodie be well ordered and setled when we shall haue talke and communication with men of more honour then our selues Euen so it is much more meete that our mind be very well disposed when we shall pray and speake before God in the sight of his Angels Persons of men not to be regarded in iudging of vertues c. AS the little precious stone is but a small thing yet is it esteemed aboue all huge and greater stones So a little man but of excellent wit is more to be regarded then the long large and dull dolte Papists like the old heretickes LIke as if the Physiton should say to two men of one age of one disposition and sicke of one disease that the medicine that heales the one will kill the other Euen so the Papists thinke they are greatly iniured when they bee compared to the heretickes the Datians who denied matrimonie to all men but they prohibite it onely to the order of their Ecclesiasticall Ministers as though they condemned not matrimonie because they denie it not to all but to some but the Scripture is altogether against them Gene. 1.28 9.1 2.18 Leuit. 21.7 1. Cor. 7.2 9. 1. Timo. 3.2 4.3 Hebr. 13.4 The Pastor not aboue the Prince 1 LIke as if the King should commaund his Guard to keepe his Nobles out of his Court or Pallace yet were not the Guard superiour or aboue the Nobles So though the Pastor should restraine and keepe the Prince from receiuing the Communion it cannot hence bee concluded that the Prince is inferiour to the Pastor as Doctor Bilson truly saith Pag. 222. 2 Like as if the Prince doo yeeld to the instruction of his Pastor out of Gods word this yeelding is to bee accounted to God not to his Pastor for the Pastour as Minister in Gods steed doth speake vnto him So when by the commaundement of God any Church censure is exercised against a Prince it is God and not the Pastor that doth it 2. Cor. 5.20 Peace of conscience 1 AS all men naturally in Adam are corrupte so all men naturally haue corrupt and defiled consciences accusing them and arraigning them before Gods iudgement for their sinnes in such wise that euerie suspition of death and feare of imminent daunger maketh a naturall man stand agast at his wits and knowing not what to doo but by faith in Christ the Christian is perswaded of remission of his sinnes and so the disquietnesse of his conscience is appeased and hee hath an inward Peace in al extremities which cannot be taken from him Hebr. 10.22 Rom. 5.1 15.16 2 As he that drinketh quencheth his thirst So likewise he that thirsteth after the Peace of conscience with God and righteousnesse to bee allowed at his iudgement seate findeth it and quuencheth his thirst by drinking of the bloud of Christ Ioh. 6.54 55. 3 Euen as after great showers and stormes of rayne the ayre is clensed and cleared So after great troubles sorrowes afflictions and temptations cleannesse of heart quietnesse of mind and Peace of soule and conscience doo follow Precepts of godlinesse LIke as to the sicke persons there is not only ministred medicines but there be also Precepts or diets prescribed vnto him to follow least the operation of the medicine should bee hindered Euen so Christ commaunded that his Precepts which do serue to the following of true godlinesse should be laid vnto them that be baptised least they should fal from his grace vnto the Sacrament wherof they be admitted and consigned Plague or Pestilence AS the Lyon is a most rauenous and cruell beast who teareth all other beastes in peeces especially then when she hath yong the shee Lyon spareth as they say no pray Euen so the Plague or Pestilence spareth no sorts of men 2 As there is none comparable in strength to the Lyon Euen so the Plague or Pestilence of all other diseases is most strong and deadly and brings downe to the earth as well the strongest as the weakest 3 As the Lyon is a beast of a most hotte and fierie nature Euen so is the Plague for the infected complaine much of their extreame burning Praysing God 1 AS in a Garland it sufficeth not that the flowers bee fine vnlesse the hands of him that maketh it be faire and cleane Euen so in Praysing God it is not sufficient that our words be godly and religious vnlesse our hearts agree with our words 2 As nothing is more tedious and displeasing to the eares of a good Musition then gerring of strings So nothing in the eares of the Lord can be more displeasing then not to sing and vtter Prayses vnto him with vnderstanding Deut. 32.1 Iudg. 5.1 c. Luk. 1.46 Psal 98.1 103.1 Prince or Pastor 1 AS the flowers of Sysynriehion be many whereof one alwayes is open that standeth at the top So though in a Common-wealth or Church there bee many or all good men yet they which are in the chiefest places as the Prince and Pastor must be most vigilant 2 Like as the Sunne shineth not more vnto the rich then vnto the poore but is vnto all alike So a Prince or Magistrate ought not to haue respect vnto the person but vnto the cause or controuersie Exod. 23.3 Leuit. 19.15 3 As a Horse for the leannesse is not to be blamed but the horse-keeper So the rudenesse and ignorance of the people is to be imputed vnto their Prince and Pastor 4 Like as a little Wart or blot is sooner perceiued in the face
Isarel that were their brethren and gaue an outward profession of the name of God with them were the greatest and most daungerous So likewise among the enemies that Syon Gods Church hath the most vehement and bitter are the false hearted and counterfeited Israelites carnall Protestants Papists heretickes and other prophane men 2 As one enemie within the Citie is more daungerous then ten without Euen so carelesse Professors and prophane men as they haue most power to hurt so are they furiously enraged against the truth of the wayes of God and being set on fire to remaine in their sinne euen sell themselues to worke wickednesse Persecutors are often giuen ouer themselues AS God in great mercie stayeth the rage of our enemies that they cannot so spoyle and make waste of the bodies and liues of the godly minded and such as daily labour and profit in true feare of God as is like they would So yet they remaine themselues euen men vowed and giuen ouer to the wil of Sathan hauing their harts set on those things that are euill and their feete swiftest to commit sinne Prou. 1.16 The three Persons coequall in eternitie AS fire is not before heate and light no more is the Father before the Sonne and the holy Ghost Against Prayer for the dead AS they that are departed out of this life bee past our Prayers being either in ioy or misery Euen so we hauing no word of God whereupon faith leaneth to Pray for the dead cannot but sinne in doing it and that we do it not of faith Rom. 14.23 2. Cor. 5.10 Ioh. 3.18 The godly profit much by cruell Persecutions AS a man much mooued with anger and through indignation and wrath intending to kill his brother should throw at him precious stones goodly Pearles and rich Iewels should not damnifie nor hurt his brother because hee would gather them vp keepe them and inrich himselfe with them Euen so tyrants disposed to kill and with fire and sword to put to death the Saints and true seruants of God which doo excell in true pietie and vnfained loue to God and man doo Persecute and torment them with diuers sorts and sundrie kindes of true martyrdome of which things the children of God are glad and doo reioyce and grow stronger and richer in Christ and being throughly armed with a godly patience they doo take and beare Persecutions most quietly for Gods sake without murmuring or grudging euen as their crosse wherwith most willingly they follow their Lord and Sauiour Christ and doo account such tortures inestimable riches and themselues happie that they be thought worthie to suffer such things for the truth sake and in the Lords quarrell Act. 5.41 Peace and vnitie of the Church AS in a true perfect and certaine Clocke the wheeles beeing tempered and in equall and due proportion diuided do performe their courses and doo keepe their seuerall compasses without iarring or differing one from an other euenly and alike so that one mouing the others are mooued and one standing the rest are still and stirre not so that though they bee many in number in forme fashion and agreement they are but one Euen so in a Christian Common-wealth and Church there ought to be one and the selfesame will and so great a concord and likenesse of minds reconciled and drawne together with the infringible band of sincere loue in Christ that though in bodies they be infinite innumerable yet in vnanimitie consent and good agreement in the Lord Iesu they should be all as one man Psal 133.1 Luk. 1.79 Ephe. 4.3 Rom. 14.17 Promises made to particular persons appertaine to their successors LIke as what league truth or Promises of fauour soeuer is made to any King in the same is his kingdome contained and his subiects are also partakers of the same So the Promises made to Abraham Isaac Iacob and Dauid belong not to them onely but to their children also their successors heires people and subiects Amo. 9. Physicke commendable 1 AS pure Corral will receiue no colouring Or as pure Ciuet will neuer leese his fauour Euen so Physicke is so exquisitely excellent that it need not haue any counterfeit helpe and the Physitions haue their commission so lawfull that they cannot bee condemned nor iustly disdained 2 As it is to bee prooued by Gods word damnable sinne for a man to kill himselfe with fire water sword or such like So likewise it is sinne for a man to destroy himselfe in not seeking after Physitions and Chirurgions when time and opportunitie is offered for recouerie It is our dutie to be present at publike Prayer LIke as when a whole Burgesses of a Citie doo come before their Prince and with one voice craue pardon for some offence or beg some grace or fauour the Prince will bee more mooued then if they being absent some one man should speake for the whole Euen so when the whole Church assemble together dooth with heart and mind in presence of God accompanie the Prayers which the Preacher as the mouth of the congregation powreth foorth let them be assured that those Prayers doo penetrate the heauens and that God is mooued to heare them Matth. 18.19.20 Act. 16.13 21.5 Zacha. 8.21 Psal 65.2 Ioel 2.15 The dutie of the Poore AS the prodigall childe hauing goods in the wasting of them gaue himselfe to the worlde and the flesh but hauing fallen into pouertie thought vpon his fathers house and returned thereto So should the discommodities and wants which the Poore doo finde in their estates loosen their harts from the earth and cause them to aspire to the house of their heauenly Father where they shal enioy all spirituall and euerlasting treasures Luk. 15.12 c. Iam. 2.5 1. Cor. 4.11 Hebr. 11.24 25. The dutie of Pastors and Ministers 1 AS they which shall be saued by the Ministerie of Pastors shall be their crowne and ioy in the day of the Lord and they which shall win most to righteousnesse shall shine as the starres for euer So contrariwise the bloud of such as shall perish through the negligence of Pastors shall be required at their hands Phil. 4.1 Dan. 13.3 Ezech. 3.17 Hebr. 13.17 2 As he is knowne to be a Taylor that cutteth out and soweth garments he a Shoe-maker that maketh shoes he a Phisition that imployeth himselfe in curing of sicknesses and so of others Euen so likewise is a Pastor and a Minister knowne in that he preacheth and teacheth the word of God 1. Tim. 4.16 1. Pet. 5.2 Mar. 16.15 2. Tim. 4.1 1. Cor. 9.6 Math. 28.19 20. Ier. 1.6 c. 3.15 3 As the Phisition who ordeineth a potion which in stead of health procureth death is not a Phisition but a murtherer Euen so is it with the Pastors that do preach lyes in stead of truth Ezech. 22.27 28. Iere. 25. toto 4 As a Housholder cutteth out bread at meale times to his children So in like manner a faithfull Pastor must be apt and fit to teach and
that euer was and God hath bestowed the same on his Elect and hee requires nothing at their handes but that they would turne their faces from this world and walke vnto it in the way which hee hath chalked foorth vnto them in his word Therefore if they be desirous to haue Saluation life euerlasting they must come forth of the broad way that leades to destruction and enter into the straight way that leades to eternal life they must acqaint themselues with the guides which are the faithfull Ministers of the word that wil cry vnto them Here is the way walke ye in it when they shall goe to the right hand or to the left 2 As Simeon going into the Temple by the motion of Gods spirit met with Christ So if we will be ruled with the same spirit frequent holy assemblies we shal meete with our Saluation Christs Spirit 1 AS the light cannot match with darkenesse So likewise Christs Spirite cannot accord and match with sinne and lusts of the flesh 2. Cor. 6.14 2 As Raine with the moysture therof fatteth the earth to make it fruitfull Euen so the holy Spirit with his inuisible grace doth make vs fruitfull to produce the fruits of righteousnesse Ioh. 7.38 3 As fire consumeth euerie thing that it layeth holde on So the Spirit of God consumeth all the corruption of our hearts and originall sinne in vs. 4 As fire giueth light to the bodily eyes So the Spirit giueth light to the eyes of the soule Ephe. 1.17 5 As fire giueth life quickneth those that be benummed with cold So the Spirit of God doth quicken and put life into those that be dead in their sinnes Ephe. 3.5.16 6 As a man that made a bargaine will bee carefull to keep the earnest pennie that he loose not all his bargaine So also must we be carefull to keepe the Spirit of God the earnest pennie of our saluation that we bee not depriued of the same Ephe. 1.13 Sacraments AS Circumcision which was a Sacrament of the olde Law was a seale in that time to our Fathers of righteousnesse Euen so be our Sacraments to vs in these daies seales of Gods promises vnto vs and all haue one strength and vertue Rom. 4.11 Sinne of set purpose AS hee that striketh the King ignorantly not knowing him to be the King is nothing in so much fault as he that striketh him knowing it is the King Euen so hee that dooth offend God of ignorance is to bee lesse blamed then he that wittingly and willingly offendeth him Luk. 12.47 48. God giueth vs vnderstanding to know the Scripture EVen as the Disciples of our Sauiour Christ had no knowledge nor vnderstanding vntil God gaue it thē So fareth it with al the rest of Gods children that althogh they heare neuer so much his Apostles Preach yea Christ himselfe personally sounding in their eares yet except the Lord open their hearts and minds as he did Lydia it auaileth not one Math. 16.17 Act. 16.14 Sinnes are our greatest enemies 1 AS a huge and mightie fire will bee asswaged and at the length quite put out if the stickes and other matter that doth chearish and increase it be withdrawne and kept from it So in like manner our affections and troubles will come to an end if we doo cease to doo euill and giue ouer sinning before it giue ouer vs for our Sins are as drie stickes and stubble wherwith the fire not onely of the wrath and malice of Infidels and heretikes but also of the wrath and indignation of God is kindled increased and most mightily stirred vp against vs. 2 As wee wonder at the Creator not onely in great matters as heauen earth the Sunne Elephants c. but also in like creatures as pismires lice wormes flies c. So a soule giuen to Christ must as wel regard litle as great matters and Sinnes knowing that wee must giue an account for euerie idle word Math. 12.36 For the health of the Soule the bodie is to bee kept in subiection LIke as when one part of a man that is sicke is not capable of the remedie wherewith he may be holpen the Physition is wont to applie the same remedie to an other part as if one bee grieued with an extreame Ach of the head then the Phisition vseth to strike a vaine of the arme because the head will not abide Phlebotomie or bloud letting So that we may helpe and heale many diseases of the Soule wee must keepe the body in subiection to the spirit and tame the lusts of the flesh and labour to bridle our affections and to keepe them within the compasse of reason sobrietie and temporance Spirits that die in the Lord. EVen as the Spirit of Christ passed from the Crosse into Paradise at the verie same moment that it departed out of the body and thence returned into the body that whole Christ in respect that he was man might be afterwards glorified So likewise all good Christians doo beleeue that their Spirits and soules who die in the Lord doo straightway depart vnto God there to enioy that measure of glorie that is appointed for them vntill that they being adioyned againe vnto the same bodies which will be the very same in substance truly corporall though in a far more excellent estate shall liue vnder Christ their head for euermore Luk. 23.43 Reue. 14.13 The Lords Supper 1 AS Bread nourisheth and strengthneth man and giueth him abilitie to labour So the body of Christ eaten by faith feedeth and satisfieth the soule of man and furnisheth the whole man to all duties of godlinesse 2 As Wine is drinke to the thirstie and maketh merrie the hearts of men Euen so the bloud of our Lord Iesus drunken by faith dooth quench the thirst of the burning conscience and filleth the hearts of the faithful with vnspeakable ioy The holy Spirit the earnest pennie of our inheritance 1 AS in a thing that is bought there is sometimes giuen an earnest pennie to wit some part of the money agreed on as wel for the beginning of the payment as by consequent for the assurance that the bargain shal be held firme So likwise the holy ghost who by faith engendreth peace ioy in the harts of the faithful is the earnest penie assuring vs by this beginning of the spirituall blessings which God promiseth to his children that he holdeth vs for his possession purchased to the prayse of his glorie and that at the length he will gather vs into the full enioying of the inheritaunce of heauen Ephe. 1.13 14. Rom. 8. 29 30. 2 Like as when a man dooth purchase an inheritance he first giueth earnest that is some part of the money promised that serueth as a beginning to the payment of the totall Summe So God hauing redeemed vs by the bloud of Iesus Christ giueth the earnest pennie of his holy Spirit that is to say a beginning of knowledge of the true God of sanctification of loue to God of
the sea which of his name is yet called the Icarian sea Euen so the Ambitious the higher they rise in glorie the more they approach the heate of Gods wrath and so do melt and fall into the gulfe of eternall confusion Act. 12.21 1. Pet. 5.5 4 As he that is condemned to be hanged hath no liking of the Ladder because he knoweth that the higher hee climbeth the nearer he is to his death and therfore could be content the ladder should be either broken or burned if he might haue his desire Euen so ought wee to detest Ambition and pride and endeauour to denie and mortifie the same as knowing that to desire greatnesse is to desire mishap and that pride and arrogancie is the highest step where-from man is cast headlong into vtter ruine Math. 23.12 2. Sam. 18.9 2. King 11.1.15 5 As a man hath no cause to boast of his wickednesse and miserie So in his vertues doth his Ambition pride grow take encrease and nourishment causing him many times the more vertue he is endued with the more to be proud 6 As poison put into good and wholesome meate maketh it mortall so Ambition and pride taking occasion of Gods graces to boast it self doth by such sacriledge turne vs vnto destruction 7 As the Peacocke so full of faire feathers hauing only two foule feet standing proudly in the circle and contemplation of his bewtiful traines so soone as he seeth his feet which he thinketh to be foule straight humbleth himself and abateth and seeketh to hide his feathers euen so much more ought euerie good Christian by the feeling sight and apprehension of many his foule sinnes and vices and corrupt and peruerse passions that raigne in him to humble himselfe and to abate his Ambition and pride ingendered of a few feathers which haue onely some small beginning and appearance of bewtie 8 As the more directly that the Sunne lieth vpon vs the lesse is the shadowe of our bodie as at noone wee may see by experience and a little before and after Euen so the lesse that we arrogate and ambitiously boast of our selues the greater gifts and graces of God are wee endued withall 1. Cor. 4.7 9 Like as men would laugh at a poore man if hauing precious garments lent him to act and play the part of some honourable personage vpon a stage when the play were at an ende he should keepe them as his owne and bragge vp and downe in them Euen so such are they to whom God imparteth his gifts and graces when in lieu of yeelding the praise and glorie of the same to him that is the author and giuer of them they ambitiously assume and take it to themselues 10 As a tree the higher it is the greater force the winde hath of it and euerie little blast will bee puffing at it so that the sooner and greater is the fall thereof So the Ambitious man the higher he climeth the greater is his fall Of sumptuousnesse and excesse in Apparell 1 AS those that build faire Sepulchers for their dead corps whereas it should be a warning to them that they must die and therevpon cause them to reiect all Ambition pride and vanitie yet thereof they take occasion to vaunt and boast So likewise whereas our garments should be a continuall memorie of sinne to humble vs yet we as if we would euen spite God do procure sumptuous and gorgious Apparell to testifie our Ambition and pride 2 As a Theefe by lawe burned in the forehead for theft ought so oft as he looketh in a glasse and perceiueth the skarre thereof to thinke vpon and detest his inclination to that vice So our garments being as the skarre in the forehead of our first parents and our selues for their Ambition in that they sought to be like vnto God should by the onely sight of them put vs in minde to renounce all pride and Ambition Gene. 3.7.21 Esay 3.18 3 As euerie seede bringeth forth hearbes or fruite according to his kinde as Lettice seed Lettice Thistle seede Thistles Euen so if the heart be humble and modest the garment for the body will be euen so but if the heart be proud and Ambitious it will shew forth some kinde of excesse and pride in Apparell notwithstanding whatsoeuer lawes to the contrarie 4 As the body being of more valew then the garment we will sell or pawne forth the garment for to feede the body Euen so ought we to leaue all affection to bewtifie our bodies the better to tend to the adorning of our soules 1. Pet. 3.3.4.5 1. Timo. 2.9 5 Like as if wee dwell in a borrowed house looking weekely when we must depart we will neuer trouble our selues with any cost or fitting of it as we would do if we were sure to remaine in it all the dayes of our liues Euen so for so much as the body is but a house lent vnto the soule from whence it looketh daily to depart there is no reason then why we should be so carefull to cloathe this body with braue and costly Apparell which shortly must rot and perish and so to neglect the soule which is immortall 6 As men commonly do care to be more honestly apparrelled when they are to meete at some banquet or marriage or to come before some honorable personages then ordinarily when they company with inferiours Euen so in like manner wee as concerning our bodies doo accompanie with men like vnto our selues but as concerning our soule with God and his Angels to whom it is lifted vp now by faith but at death really therefore it is repugnant to all order and reason to care more for the bewtifying of the body with sumptuous Apparell then adorning of the soule 7 Like as if a Taylor when he hath made a garment a great deale too long and large being reproued shall haue no excuse but that he had too much stuffe but this shift will not be accepted for they would tell him that he should haue made the garment after the measure of the body but not according to the quantitie of the stuffe Euen so they that haue plentie of goods and do not imploy them after the measure of their vocation and as beseemeth the profession of a reformed Religion but wasteth them in superfluitie and excesse do expose and set themselues to the skorne and greeuous reprehension both of God and his Angels Luk. 16.1.2 Sopho. 1.8 Application of Gods word 1 AS Phisitions do heale diuers diseases with diuers things as necessitie requireth So the word of God must be rightly applied according to the qualitie of the sinnes of the people 2 As a carefull and skilfull Surgion who hauing Patients that are diseased with sundry greeuous woundes and sores and hauing prouided drawing Plaisters and Corasiues for the same dooth not commit them to his Patients that they should lay and applie them to their sores and wounds least they should withdraw and keepe backe the same plaisters from their sores and wounds and
discharge no one member can discharge the dutie of an other So also it ought to be in the Church of God 76 As all the seuerall members in the body of man are knit together and vnited to the head So all the seuerall members of the Church are knit and vnited vnto the head Christ 77 As in the naturall body euery seuerall member is as it were the member of euery other in seruing to their good as the eye will see the hand wil take the mouth will speake all for the good of any weake member Euen so it is in the Church of God 78 As the naturall members take spirit and sense from the head So the Church hath all her spirituall feeling and life of Christ who is able to quicken and giue life 79 As the husband that loueth his wife thinketh himselfe not well till she hath his company and he her presence So God loueth the Church his spouse that hee cannot abide to be without her company and thinkes her not safe except she be in his presence therefore it pleaseth the Lord Iesus not onely to call himselfe the head of his Church and the Church his body but also to tearme his Church the fulnesse of himself although he filleth all in all things as though he were imperfect without his Church Psal 41.12 Ephe. 1.23 80 Euen as the father or mother will haue that Infant in their sight which they loue most dearely So God will haue his Church in his sight which he loueth-most tenderly Esay 45.15.16 Christ our Righteousnesse 1 LIke as our sinnes appeared so horrible so great so monstrous and vgly in the presence of God that being once but imputed to Christ he could not notwithstanding that his vnspeakable loue but euen in iustice most seuerely punish our said sinnes in his sonne so surely such is the excellencie of the Righteousnesse of Christ that being once but imputed vnto vs in the presence of our heauenly Father he cannot notwithstanding all our former vnrighteousnes but be throghly pleased with vs and except such a discharge of our sins by his Son for our owne discharge none otherwise then the debt of a Banquerout discharged by some speciall friend is accounted and accepted with his creditor the discharge of the Banquerout himselfe 2 As the soule of a man doth so quicken the body that notwithstanding the mēbers thereof in themselues be but weake yet they are sure not to decay all the while they do hold any participation with the powers of the soule but appeare in the presence of men both lustie and strong So vndoubtedly our Sauiour Christ being that immortall soule of his mysticall body which inspireth spirituall life into all the members therof verily all those his said members are sure so long as they continue incorporate with Christ both to hold the substance of life and withall to be accounted as liuely members in the presence of God during their partitipation with that true life it selfe whereof they take sure hold by a liuely faith Iohn 14.6 1. Iohn 5.11 12. 3 As Cochlearia or Spoonewort the roote of the water Lilie and likewise Telephium and Gentian laid to the body taketh away blacke spots So Christ applied to the conscience purgeth it from dead workes 4 As Smilax aspera or rough Bindeweede serueth not onely against venome receiued aforehand but also against all poison taken after a man hath eaten it So Christ receiued by faith profiteth not onely against the sinnes which before hath bene committed but also done afterward 5 So long as a man stung with a Scorpion holdeth wilde Carthamus in his hand he feeleth no paine but so soone as he letteth it go the ache and paine taketh him a fresh So as long as a man stung with sinne holdeth Christ by faith he feeleth no torment of conscience but so soone as he letteth him go the terrors of death take him a fresh 6 As the people of Israel passing through the Wildernesse had to fight oftentimes against Serpents and when they were stung and smitten by them for to be preserued from the venome and from death they lifted vp their eyes toward the Brasen Serpent that Moses had set vp amidst their tents by sight whereof they were healed So we in like maner fighting against our concupiscences if it come to passe at any time that they giue vs any blow to the ende that this stripe may not be deadly vnto vs wee must lift vp our eyes towards Iesus Christ hanging vpon the Crosse and beseech him that hee would forgiue vs all our trespasses and be our Righteousnesse Iohn 3.14.15 7 As in a naturall body the power that the eye hath to see serueth more to the vse of the other members thē for it selfe because that seeing and marking them all it is watchfull rightly to guide them and to direct their actions not being able in the meane time to see themselues nor to serue it selfe Euen so the Righteousnesse innocencie and obedience of Christ Iesus stand vs in more stead then him seeing that notwithstanding he had all these things and was in his nature life and whole conuersation absolute and perfect yet for all this hee was condemned and crucified We on the contrarie part albeit his Righteousnesse innocencie and obedience be onely imputed vnto vs yet for all that by meanes of this imputation we are absolued iustified and discharged of all our sinnes and of all the accusations that all our enemies can bring against vs. 8 As it is inough that we gather the fruite of a tree and that it alwayes remaine in his place and that wee carrie it not away with vs So in like maner we must content our selues to be partakers of the fruites of Christ his Righteteousnesse albeit it be not essentially in vs but onely by imputation and in as much as through his onely mercie it is bestowed vpon vs. 9 Like as they do that go vp into an high Tower who looking downewards and seeing the depth are afraide to fall and that they may be the more sure they lay hold of the railes Euen so must we leane vpon the Righteousnesse and death of Christ Iesus and strengthen our selues in that to the end we may be preserued from falling 10 Like as in Winter we can no sooner be from the fire but we are cold nor out of light but we enter into darknesse Euen so we can no sooner be parted from Iesus Christ who is is our Righteousnesse and our life but straight we are in sinne and in death for as much as he is the life that quickneth vs the Sunne that giueth vs light and the fire that warmeth comforteth and refresheth all his members 1. Cor. 1.30 Rom. 5.19 Esay 53.4 5. Col. 1.20 11 As the Moone hath no light but that which it hath from the Sunne and as the light is little or great as it is neare or farre off in such sort that if it depart from it it remaineth altogether obscure
of compassion in him do yearne vpon vs more then in a mother towards her children and hee seeketh thereby to do vs good 23 As a Noble man will haue all his seruants to weare one liuerie that they might be knowne So the Lord would haue all his children knowne by one badge euen the badge that he put vpon his eldest sonne Christ which was the crosse therefore none of vs the yonger brethren must refuse it Couetousnesse 1 AS the subtil fawning Spaniel oftentimes fetcheth his Maisters gloue in hope to chaunge it for a better morsell Euen so many men shew great kindnesse and giue rewards to the end to reape them double againe 2 Like as the infected member of a man vexed with an itch is alwayes clawing and rubbing Euen so the couetous minde is restlesse in seeking and gathering together 3 As fire is neuer sufficed with wood nor the earth with water Euen so the couetous man is neuer satisfied with money 4 As the graue is open to receiue dead Carkasses or as hell is neuer full Euen so the coffer of the couetous cormorant is neuer contented 5 As the stiller the water runneth the deeper is the Riuer and the more deepe the more daungerous Euen so the longer Almightie God suffereth the Couetous man to sinne vncontrolled the greater is his sinne and the more greeuous is the punishment that attendeth thereon in the day of account Haba 2.9 6 As Couetousnesse is euill yea the euill of all euils So likewise it maketh those men as bad as it is which are infected with the same and as hatefull in Gods sight as that sinne it selfe for that the effect is like the cause 1. Timo. 6.10 Psal 10.3 Exod. 18.21 Luk. 12.15 Mar. 10.22 7 As Cattell do keepe the Pastours bare with continuall grazing vpon them so doth the couetous ouer awe the poore by endlesse oppression and mercilesse dealing Iere. 6.13.15 Amo. 8.4 c. 8 Like as if a sicke man be laid in a bedde of Iuerie or gold or of wood his disease forsaketh him neuer the sooner Euen so whether you entreat the Couetous by these sweete promises made by Almightie God in his holy Gospell or threaten them by his dreadfull Iudgements pronounced in his fearful Law they make neuer the more haste to repentance Ezech. 18.1 tote 9 As the Waxe is plyable to euery print Euen so the Couetous mans hand is readie to receiue euerie bribe 10 As the Asse that notwithstanding hee carrieth the meate for his maisters belly and the cloathes for his backe yet himselfe doth feede vpon grasse and contenteth himselfe with one haires skinne Euen so the Couetous man whose Chests are stuffed with money and his wardrope with apparrel such miserie hath assaulted his soule that he can hardly affoord his belly a good meales meat or couer his backe with a good coate 11 As the Bee bringeth sweet honey in his mouth and a sharpe sting in his tayle Euen so Couetousnesse hath pleasure in this life and paine in the life to come 12 Like as they that will tame wilde bulles must weare no redde garments So likewise they that will no euill doo through Couetousnesse must doo nothing that belongeth thereto 13 As God punished both Ely the Priest and his two soones the father for not correcting them and the sonnes for sinning so grosely So likewise will he plague both the Couetous man for the euill getting of his money and his children for possessing that which is none of their owne 1. Sam. 2.12 c. 3.11 c. 4.14 15. c. 14 As the glutton that ouerchargeth his stomacke with meate is compelled to spew and cast it vp againe So the greedie couetous Cormorant that gathereth great riches and deuoureth and swalloweth vp great substance shall loose it againe for God shall euen drawe it out of his belly Psal 37.16 39.6 15 As a Riuer whose spring is small yet by receiuing other brookes and streames groweth strong and violent Or as they that are sicke of the Dropsie who by drinking are neuer satisfied but stil increase in thirst Or as a flame which is neuer abated with quantitie of wood how much so euer a man layeth on well may it for a while be suppressed and yeeld forth nothing but smoke but breaking out it waxeth greater according to the aboundance of wood So likewise the heart of a Couetous man neuer regardeth that it hath to bee therewith content but what it hath not to couet thereafter Esa 56.11 Ier. 6.13 8.10 2. Tim. 3.2 2. Pet. 2.3 16 As the Fish swallowing the hooke togither with the baite is taken and killed So in like maner Couetous men doo pierce themselues thorow with a thousand sorrowes which do entangle them in death euerlasting 2. King 5.27 1. Sam. 8.3 Ioh. 12.6 Act. 16.16 19. 19.24 c. Ier. 22.17 17 As the Indian Ants or Emets who gather the golde and keepe it yet neither can vse it neither wil suffer men to haue it so farre forth as they may Euen so Couetousnesse which with care and labour slayeth the man that is subiect therto it draweth him through fields and woods sea and land in the cold of winter and in the heat of sommer night and day in raine winde and danger admitting no rest and all to seeke and hunt after goods yet doth it graunt him onely the sight but not the vse of them Prea 4 â— 6.1 2. Ephe. 5.3 Mat. 13 22. 18 As the good corne of Gods word is a sanctified seed of saluation and life So the falshood and deceit of Coueâ—ousnesse and riches doo in such sort draw men to abounâ—ance and withall to the peruerse vse of the same that hereby this seede of saluation and life euerlasting is choked vp Luk. 16.9 19 As charitie is the gift of God proceeding from his fauour and grace So contrariwise Couetousnesse is a vengeance which he powreth vpon those whom for their sins he hath giuen ouer into a reprobate sence Ro. 1.28.29 1. Cor. 5.11 6.10 Iam. 5.1 20 As Aesops Dogge who swimming with a peece of flesh in his mouth and seeing the shadow thereof taking that to be an other peece of flesh opening his mouth to catch that also lost the same which hee before had So likewise the Couetous man being vnsatiable and euerie way seeking to encrease that he hath dooth many times loose that which is in his hand Pro. 15.27 28.16 21 As Gold of it selfe can neither feed nor cloath vs So that which the Couetous man buyeth with gold or siluer proceedeth not out of the gold or siluer but from Gods prouidence neither can it minister any helpe without Gods grace blessing Heb. 13 5. Col. 3.5 Mat. 6.26 22 As the remedie to quench his thirst that is vexed with a hotte feauer commeth not of giuing him drinke but of taking away his feauer which causeth his thirst Euen so the way to grow rich is not by heaping of riches but by
confusion 2 As the sonnes of Princes are in great account with men in this world Euen so the Children of God are in greater account with God and all godly men both in this world and in the world to come 3 As the Children of Kings are attended vpon by Noble men and guarded with strong men yet both but men whose breath is in their nosthrils and their hands cannot accomplish the deuice of their heart Euen so the Children of God are attended vpon by God himselfe whose eye is alwayes ouer the righteous they are guarded by the Angels of God who for their swiftnes are said to haue wings for their readinesse they are said to stand in the presence of God and for their strength incomperable 2. Kin. 19.35 Psal 34.15 4 As the pleasures of the sonnes of men are such as the world doth affoord carnall securitie worldly prosperitie fleshy delights beastly sensualitie with pride and ease wealth fulnesse of bread and such like Euen so the pleasures of the Children of God are such as the world can neither giue nor take as the loue of righteousnesse delight in the law of God patience in affliction loue of the Saints which excell in vertue and such like Psal 1.2 16.3 1. Cor. 2.9 5 Like as the riches and treasures of the sonnes of men are gold and siluer houses and lands Lorships and manners rents and reuenues and such like which theeues may steale or moathes may eate or rust may freate or fire may consume or water may ouerflowe or time may weare or death may end So likewise the riches and treasures of Gods Children are the word of GOD Gods fauour forgiuenesse of sinnes freedome from hell and the diuell libertie with the Saints the spirit of contentation peace of conscience continuall ioy in the holy Ghost and a Kingdome of glorie in heauen with such like which no theefe can steale no rust can freat no fire can burne or consume no water can drowne no plague can infect no time can weare nor death can end 2. Cor. 3 17. Gal. 5.22 Esa 11.2 6 As those are in most honour with Princes which are said to stand in their presence and attend vpon them in their Courts as Daniel did So Gods Children shall stand in the Courts of God and haue the full fruition of his comfortable presence and therefore on the contrarie side the vngodly are herein accursed in that they are shut from the presence of God to wit his gracious presence for otherwise all things whatsoeuer are in his presence The Children of God 1 LIke as a heathen man beeing asked why hee did weare such a long bushie beard answered that so often as he beheld it he might commit nothing vnworthy the grauitie of the same hee would not be like a Tauerne with a bush at the doore and no wine within So likewise if any man shall aske the Children of God why they are called Christians the Church of God the spouse of Christ Citizens of heauen and by such like names of loue and honour they are to answere that so often as they remember these names and titles they ought not to commit any thing vnworthy the grauitie and maiestie of the same 2 As many Papists and some Protestants too who be superstitious and Popishly affected doo not remember what titles they haue nor by what names they be called and therefore they must haue puppets and images in their Churches and houses to put them in minde of their dutie to God Euen so some mens Religion and holinesse is all in their titles of Gods Children and in naked names of Christians which onely they hold when indeed all Christianitie is banished from them 3 Like as it is counted a shame for a Citizen to go like a Courtier or for a man to put on womans apparell or a woman to weare on mans apparell which is an abhomination to the Lord Euen so it is a greater shame for the Children of God who are Cittizens of heauen to go after the fashion of the Courtiers of hell or after the manner of the world Rom. 12.2 4 As when Christ the Lord of life was put to death there was darknesse vpon the face of the earth the vaile of the Temple rent the graues opened and the dead arose c. at the sight whereof the very enemies of Christ which watched him were afraide for that they had done vnto him yea they were constrained to confesse and say Doubtlesse this man was the sonne of God Math. 27.54 So likewise the Children of God that be or ought to be dead with Christ their head vnto sinne as he died for our sinnes then there will follow a wonderfull alteration in their liues there will appeare such zeale in professing of the Gospell such pittie in relieuing the poore such patience in bearing the crosse such faithfulnesse in performing of promises such charitie in iudging their brethren such mercie in forgiuing offences such sinceritie in worshipping of GOD such constancie in defending of the truth such watching ouer all their wayes and such wisedome in winning men â—o God that their very enemies which before did mocke â—hem hate them and persecute them shall be constrained with shame to say These are no doubt the Children of God these are good men these are true professors inâ—eed c. Rom. 6.4 5. c. 5 Like as worldly men in their houses in their apparell 〈◊〉 their feastings in their furniture and in euerie thing â—hey striue to haue matches all their things sutable So â—â—kewise the ChildreÌ„ of God must striue to haue their titles â—nd names their liues and qualities their profession and practise sutable and answerable the one to the other and so to depart from iniquitie 2. Tim. 2.19 6 As carnall men desire to be gorgeously apparelled Euen so the Children of God desire to be cloathed with their house which is from heauen 2. Cor. 3 4. 7 Euen as plants trees do spread abroad their rootes in the earth from whence they haue their nourishment So likewise the Children of God because they be fedde with delicates and dainties from heauen and are norished with the grace fauour of God they hold vp their hands they turne vp their eyes they lift vp their hearts mindes to God that is in heaueÌ„ from whence their soules receiue comfort ioy saluation and euerlasting life Saluation onely to be had in Christ if men know how to finde him 1 LIke as if a man knew certainly that in such a wood an infinite masse of money were hid if the owner thereof would giue it vnto him yet if by no meanes hee could finde the same what should the gift of such a treasure profit him thogh it were of value to purchase a kingdome nothing at all Euen so standeth the case betweene Christ and vs though we know neuer so well and certainly that saluation and all kinde of treasure is permanent and to be found in him and do belong
is broken in peeces the stone remaining whole Euen so euery man which striketh against Christianitie hurteth himselfe and cannot preuaile against the same Christ became poore to make vs rich LIke as the poore birds haue their neasts to flie vnto and to rest themselues in So contrariwise our Sauiour Christ being base and poore had no place of his owne in the earth to rest his head in that so he might enrich vs. Math. 8.20 2. Cor. 8.9 Christ the bread of life 1 AS bread perishing nourisheth vs in this life for a small time Euen so Christ the bread that perisheth not but endureth for euer nourisheth to euerlasting life Iohn 6.48 51.58 2 As hee that will bee nourished by bread must eate it So likewise hee that will be benefited by Christ must beleeue in him Iohn 6.55 1. Cor. 10.17 Iohn 6.35.40 3 As the Diuell is the foode of the wicked which hee nourisheth in all iniquitie and bringeth vp into euerlasting damnation So is Christ the very foode of all them that be the liuely members of his body and them he nourisheth feedeth bringeth vp and cherisheth vnto euerlasting life Christ reiecteth not a weake faith LIke as the week or match of a Candle Link or Torch which either wanting Oyle Tallowe Waxe or Rosen or hauing thereof not sufficient yeeldeth foorth at sometime but a darke blinde snuffe and vnperfect â—ight Euen so Christ our Sauiour reiecteth not a weake slender and wauering faith which yet notwithstanding so long as any sparke of godlynesse apâ—eareth is not quite quenched and extinct albeit at â—ometime it be very neare therevnto Esa 42.3 Math. â— 20 Contentious men 1 AS wee see one coale kindle an other and wood to be apt matter to make a fire Euen so those that be disposed to Contention and brawling be apt to kindle strife and to set men together by the eares 2 As a litie sparke many times setteth a whole house on fire Euen so a Contentious and froward person of a litle matter of nought maketh much debate and diuision among louers and friends The Cup of Gods wrath LIke as we see men take the Cup one at an others hands and drinke in course Euen so we when wee haue tasted of the Cup of Gods wrath for our sins if wee repent we are to comfort our selues that it shall bee taken out of our hands and giuen to our enemies euen to those which hitherto haue made a spoyle of vs and they shall suck out the dregs thereof Esa 51.21 22. Iere. 51.7 Ezech. 23.31 32 33 34. Death of Christ 1 AS the Bands of Matrimonie are set free by the death of the marryed couple So are wee made dead to the Lawe by the death of Christ and freed from the yoake seruitude and bondage of it Rom. 7.3 4. 5.12 2 As a strong Corasiue laide to a sore eates out all the rotten and dead flesh Euen so Christs death beeing applied to the heart of a Patient sinner by saith weakens and consumes the sinne that cleaues so fast vnto our natures and dwels within vs. 3 Like as in the common destruction of the first borne in Egypt they whose doores were sprinckled with the bloud of the Passeouer were safe So likewise if there shall come a common destruction vpon any land for their sinnes yet they that haue their soules sprinckled with the bloud of the Lambe Christ Iesus by his death shall be saued 4 As the life of Christ is the life of life So the Death of Christ is the death of death 5 As the Libard vseth a straunge kinde of pollicie to kill the Ape he lieth downe vpon the ground as though he were starke dead which the Apes seeing come all togither and in despight skips vpon him this the Libard beareth paciently till he thinkes they haue wearied themselues with their sporting then suddenly hee likewise leapes vp and catches one in his mouth and in each foote one which immediately he killeth and deuoureth Euen so such was the pollicie of Christ hee was laid in the dust for dead the diuell then insulted ouer him and trampled vpon him but he like a liuely Lybard starting vp on Easter day astonied the souldiers set to keepe him which were the diuels apes and made them lie like dead men euen as he tolde them before by his Prophet Math. 28.7 Ose 13.7 6 As the Cameleon when he espies a Serpent taking shade vnder a tree climbes vp into that tree and le ts down a threed breathed out of his mouth as small as a Spiders threed at the end whereof there is a litle drop as cleare as any Pearle which falling vpon the Serpents head kils him Euen so Christ climbes vp into the tree of his Crosse and le ts downe a threed of bloud issuing out of his side like Rahabs redde threed hanging out of her windowe the least drop whereof beeing so precious and so peerelesse falling vpon the Serpents head kils him Iosua 2.18.21 7 As the wilde bull of all things cannot abide any red colour therefore the Hunter for the nonce standing before a tree puts on a redde garment whom when the Bull sees he runnes at him as hard as he can driue but the hunter slipping aside the Bulls hornes sticke fast in the tree as when Dauid slipped aside Saules speare stucke fast in the wall Euen so such a hunter is Christ who standing before the tree of his Crosse puts on a red garment dipt and dyed in his owne blood as one that commeth with redde garments from Bozra therefore the diuel and his angels like wilde bulls of Basan runne at him but he shifting for himselfe their hornes sticke fast in his Crosse 8 Like as when Mahomet the second of that name besieged Belgrade in Seruia one of his Captains at length got vp vpon the wall of the Citie with banner displayed another Bohemian espying this ranne to the Captaine and clasping him fast about the middle asked one Capistranus standing beneath whether it would be any daunger of damnation to his soule if he should cast himselfe downe headlong with that Dogge so he tearmed the Turke to be slaine with him Capistranus answering that it was no daunger at all to his soule the Bohemian foorthwith tumbled himselfe downe with the Turke in his armes and so by his owne death onely saued the life of all the Citie Euen such an exployt was this of Christ The Diuel like the great Turke besieging not onely one Citie but euen all mankinde Christ alone like this noble Bohemian encountred with him and seeing the case was so that this Dogge the Diuel could not be killed starke dead except Christ dyed also therefore hee made no reckening of his life but gaue himselfe to death for vs that he onely dying for all the people by his death our deadly enemy might for euer be destroyed 9 As it was bootelesse for Golias to brandish his speare against Dauid So it little auailed the Diuell to shake his speare likewise in
and by the hand of the souldiour against the heart of Christ when he suffered death 10 As Dauid hauing heard Golias prate and talke his pleasure when they came to the poynt at the first stroke ouerthrew him So Christ with that very selfsame speare which at his death gaue him a litle venny in comparison or if it bee lawfull so to speake but a philip on the side which was soone after recured gaue the diuell a deadly wound in the forehead which with all his pawes he shall neuer be able to clawe off 11 As Dauid onely with his sling did vanquish and ouercome Golias So Christ onely by his death and by the power of his crosse did conquer and subdue the diuel 1. Sam. 17.51 54. 12 As Penny-royal being hung vp in the larder-house yet buds his yealow flower Or as Noahs Oliue tree being drowned vnder the water yet keepes his greene braunch Or as Aarons rod being clung and drie yet brings foorth ripe Almonds Or as Moses bramble-bush being set on fire yet shines and is not consumed Or as the Palme tree though it haue many waights at the toppe and many snakes at the roote yet still it sayes I am neither oppressed with the waights nor distressed with the snakes So Christ the right Penny-royall the true Noahs Oliue Tree the right Aarons rodde the true Moses bramble-bush and the true Palme tree though all the Iudgements of GOD and all the sinnes of the world like vnsupportable waights were laid vpon him yea though the cursed Iewes stood beneath like venemous snakes hissing and byting at him yet hee was neither so oppressed with them nor so distressed with these but that euen vpon his crosse he did most flourish when he was most afflicted 13 As Epaminondas being sore wounded in fight demaunded of his souldiers standing by whether his enemies were ourthrowne or no They answered yea Then whether his buckler were whole or no They answered all I. Nay then said he all is well This is not the end of my life but the beginning of my glory For now your deare Epaminondas dying thus gloriously shall rather be borne againe then buried So Christ likewise was sore wounded but his enemies death and the diuel were ouerthrowne and spoyled his buckler which was his Godhead was whole and vntouched therefore there was no harme done his death was no death but an exaltation vnto greater glorie Iohn 12.32 14 As Gedeons fleece when it was moyst the earth was drie but when it was drie the earth was moyst So when Christs fleece was moyst as a greene tree then were all we drie like rotten sticks but when his fleece was drie all the bloud and water being wroong out of his precious side then were we moystned with his grace Iudg. 6 37 38 39. 15 As a Lambe is much more nimble and liuely for shearing So Christ the Lambe of God by this shearing of his death which was a kinde of quickning to him and onely a trimming to him before he ascended to his Father as Ioseph was trimmed and polde before he appeared to Pharaoh 16 When Adam slept his side was opened So wheâ— Christ died his side was opened 17 As Adams side being opened flesh and bone were taken out So likewise Christs side being opened wateâ— and bloud were taken out 18 As of Adams flesh and bone the woman was builtâ— So of Christs water and bloud the Church was built so that the death of Christ is nothing but the sleepe of Adâ—â— 19 As Iacob trauelling towards Haram when hee had laid an heape of stones vnder his head and taken a nap by the way was much reuiued with it after his tedious iourney So Christ trauelling towards Heauen when he had slept a litle in that stony Sepulchre which was hewen out of a Rocke liued then most princely after his painfull passion Gen. 28.10 c. Math. 27.60 20 Euen as when many birds are caught in a net if a Pellican or any other great bird that is among them get out all the rest that are litle ones follow after So likewise Christ by his death as a great bird hauing broken throgh the net of death all we escape with him 21 As Honey being found in a dead Lyon the death of the Lyon was the sustenance of Sampson So Christes gall is our honey and the bitter death of Christ by reason of his righteousnesse is the sweete life of man Iudg. 14.8 9. 22 As Debora reioyced when Barack put Sisera to flight Euen so we haue great cause to reioyce seeing Christ by his Death hath put death to flight Iudg. 5.1 c. 23 Euen as a noble Champion hauing alreadie had a legge and an arme slasht off when all the stage in admiration of his vallour and manhood cries Saue the man saue the man yet puts out himselfe and standing vp on one legge and striking with one arme fights still as stoutly as if he had neuer bene hurt at all So Christ hauing bene scorned scourged already when the whole Theater of heauen and earth wept for him yea when the powers aboue the heauen came down and the dead vnder the earth rose vp to mone and pittie him onely he himselfe would neither aske any fauour of others nor yet shew any fauour to himselfe but was very angrie and called him Sathan that gaue him such counsell yea though all the Saints in heauen and earth did bleede at the very heart in a maner as much as himselfe did vpon the crosse to see so good a man so shamefully despited yet nothing could stay him but still he went on forward as pleasantly and as chearefully as to any banket or feast to this most rufull and dreadfull death 24 As when the heart of a man hath receiued a deadly wound he is accouÌ„ted for dead because he cannot escape death So sinne in the Death of Christ hath receiued a deadly wound so that by reason of that neare coniunction which by faith we haue with Christ we are said to be dead with him Rom. 6.3 4 c. Christ betrayed and sold AS Ioseph was sold of his owne brethren into the hands of straungers Euen so was Christ our Sauiour betrayed and solde of Iudas his owne Disciple and deliuered of his owne Nation into the hands of Pilate and the Heathen Math. 26.15 16. Christ dyed to deliuer vs. 1 AS Sampson who dyed himselfe to deliuer his people from the Philistines So likewise Christ to deliuer vs from the Diuels dyed himselfe Iudg. 16.30 2 Like as if a man should go to prison for debt or any such matter and one of his friendes should come in the meane season and pacifie the Creditor by satisfying and paying the debt then wee may well say that hee hath deliuered this man out of prison although hee came not there but should haue gone thither Or as when wee say such a man hath deliuered his friend from the gallowes wee meane not that hee was already hanged for then
alike And this is the cause that in our Faith as in all other qualities there is sometimes more sometimes lesse and that oftentimes it is more strong and liuely and then sometimes againe more remisse and faint 2 Like as we see the water is more hote or cold according as it is neare or farre off from the fire Euen so is it with vs according as wee are more or lesse exercised in the word and driuen by Gods spirit wee haue more or lesse zeale and affection 3 And altogether like as the disposition of the body followeth the qualitie and temperature of the ayre Elements and exercises to which wee giue our selues Euen so according to the places where we liue and the nourishment that wee there take is the estate of our soules and consciences But bee it that water is sometime hote and sometime colde and that it chaunge his qualities sometimes one way sometimes an other yet it is alwaies water Euen so the man that is elect after his regeneration is alwayes faithfull howsoeuer in that he is the childe of Adam he bee sometimes enclined to euill and that his Faith be not alwayes in one and the selfe same estate and that hee is not alwayes accompanied with the like zeale and affection For oftentimes it commeth to passe that we feele Iesus Christ to stirre and mooue himselfe in vs and by and by after wee haue no manner of Feeling at all But therefore hee ceaseth not to dwell in vs no more then our soules doo dwell in our bodies when we sleepe although in sleeping wee neither Feele them nor any of their operations Feeling of sinnes greater in some then of the merite and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ. 1 LIke as we Feele the calamities and miseries of warre more then the fruites and pleasures of peace and the griefes and diseases more then the quietnesse of health and the hardinesse of pouertie more then the profites and commodities of aboundance and riches Euen so we ought not much to maruaile if wee Feele the stingings and prickes of sinne a great deale more then the consolations of the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ seeing that sinne dwelleth in vs and not righteousnesse which thing is the cause that the one is more sencible then the other Notwithstanding for all this wee must not thinke that sinne is greater and stronger then righteousnesse or that it can in anye respecte bee compared vnto it or can bee more able to condemne and destroye vs then the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ and the grace of GOD is to iustifie and saue vs. Rom. 6.1 c. 2 Like as we haue sometimes in the ende of our finger some pain or grief which we feele a great deale more then the health that is all ouer the rest of the body yea thogh it be much greater then the paine of our finger Euen so we must not esteeme the greatnesse or the strength whether it be of righteousnesse or sinne according to that feeling we haue because the one that is sin is more sencible then the other and specially forasmuch as we embrace righteousnesse onely by Faith which is of those things that are not outward and sencible Feeling and finding not alwayes in our selues good desires to holy Exercises yet we must not be discouraged therefrom AS a man that taketh bread meate and eateth it without any great appetite hath not such a pleasure in eating as if he were well an hungred notwithstanding that which he receiueth ceaseth not to profit and sustaine him as we see in sicknesse Euen so do prayers and other Christian Exercises to which such cold persons do giue themselues And therefore it only remaineth for them to search the meanes how to encourage themselues and to do euen as a man would do to fire when it is almost out which he would haue kindled againe he bloweth it and layeth matter about it wherwith to kindle the same or as a man that putteth Oyle to a Lampe when the light is going out Babling of Foolish men and women AS there is no beast that more loueth his Whelpes or yonglings then the Asse or Ape So some Foolish women and fond men do more regard their owne tale and blind babling then all other mens Faith as God giueth vs it so he encreaseth the same in vs. AS it is the part of a naturall Father to nourish and set forth the childe which he hath begotten Euen so no doubt God is so faithfull that as he giueth Faith vnto his deare children so he doth furder feede and conserue the same also in them Psal 68.28 Luk. 17.5 Faith the onely trueth which reciueth the bodie of Christ crucified 1 AS the sustenance of bread and drinke being holden onely in the hand or gazed vppon with the eye nourisheth not except the same be inwardly receiued and conueyed into the stomacke and yet neither againe the receiuing of euery thing sustaineth mans bodie except it be meate and drinke which haue their condition properly to nourish So in like sort it is with Faith for as the beleeuing of euery truth and Faith of euery obiect saueth not but that Faith onely which is in Christs blood so neither againe doth the same blood of Christ profit vs except by Faith it be inwardly receiued Mat. 11.28 Ioh. 3.15 16 18. 14.1 11 12. 15.4 5 7. Act. 10.44 2 As the Sunne the fountaine of all light shineth not but onely to such which haue eyes to see nor yet to them vnlesse they open their eyes to receiue light Euen so the body of Christ crucified being the materiall sustenance onely of our soules it followeth that the same sustenance must be receiued by Faith into our inward hearts or else it is not effectuall 3 Like as Iustifying Faith goeth euer with his obiect Christ Euē so to the same faith also must be required that it stand not only in outward profession in words in tong and talke as swimming onely in the lippes nor in inward formes in shewes and gestures only which is but a dead and an idle Faith making an Hypocrite before men rather then a iustified man before God but must enter further into the inward heart and as the sustenance of the soule must inwardly be receiued and digested Forgiuenesse of sinnes to be preached to all men 1 LIke as God hath shut vp all in vnbeliefe that he might haue mercy vppon all Euen so hee will haue this grace of Forgiuenesse of sinnes of his mercy to be set forth and preached to all mankinde Rom. 11.32 Ioh. 3.16 1. Ioh. 2.1 2. 2 As the hungry stomacke is able to receiue meate but yet for all that vnlesse he which is hungry do receiue and eate the meate he is not refreshed So likewise the contrite and humble heart is able indeed to receiue Forgiuenesse of sins but yet vnlesse he do receiue it in very deed the conscience of sinne is not quietted but it dooth receiue it indeed when it receiueth the word
7.37 3 Like as water dooth put out fire and quench thirst So the holy Ghost doth quench the fire of the euill concupisences of the flesh and doth also quench the thirst of the poore troubled soules satisfying them for euermore Yea hee doth asswage ease and comfort the griefes and mourning of the godly which commonly are in this world most afflicted and whose sorrowes do passe all humane consolation whereof he hath the proper name Paraclet or the Comforter Ioh. 4.13 14. 16.7 4 Like as in this life it commeth to passe in the Elect and chosen as wee see it by experience in bladders the which if they bee emptie and throwne into the water foorthwith they sinke But if they bee blowne and filled with wind they fleete and swimme aboue like a bubble and sinke not vnder the water Euen so mens minds being as yet voide and destitute of the spirite of God are drowned in their inordinate desires sensualitie pleasures and other sundrie passions and worldly affections But when they are replenished and filled with the holye Ghost they triumph ouer sinne and are of it neuer ouercome So that by his meanes wee haue abilitie to will those things that are right and to do those things that are good 5 As it is the nature of fire to warme the body that is benummed and frozen with colde So when a man is benummed and frozen in sinne yea when hee is euen starke dead in sinne it is the propertie of the holy Ghost to warme and quicken his heart and to reuiue him Mat. 3.11 Ioh. 3.5 6 As it is the propertie of Water to clense and purifie the filth of the bodie Euen so the holy Ghost dooth spiritually wash away our sinnes which are the filth of our nature 7 As Oyle doth strengthen the members and make them more nimble and doth also restore and heale them being broken So much more doth the holy Ghost make vs chearefull and quicke readily and constantly to performe the duties of our calling 7 As fire altereth things sometimes by burning out sometimes by inflaming So the holy Ghost altereth man by regenerating burneth out by mortifying the old man inflameth by quicking and raysing vp the new man Great men full of cares AS the toppes of trees placed on great mountaines are mooued with the least blast of wind that bloweth Euen so those men which are set in high places of honour and dignitie are troubled with the report of euery messenger though neuer so base whereas men of low degree and calling for the most part liue quietly at ease without any molestation Grace wrought by degrees AS a man looking stedfastly on a Diall cannot perceiue the shadow mooue at all yet viewing it a while hee shall perceiue that it hath mooued So in hearing of the word but especially in the receiuing of the Lords supper a man shall iudge euen his own faith and other graces of God to be little or nothing increased neither can he perceiue the motion of Gods spirit in him at that present yet by the fruites and effects thereof hee shall after perceiue that Gods spirite hath by little and little wrought greater faith and other graces in him A Godly life AS it cannot by any meanes come to passe that hee which enioyeth the beames of the Sunne should be in darknesse Euen so it is impossible that he which hath his conuersation with God should not be immortall Holy Ghost worketh where and in whom he will 1 LIke as the wind bloweth in what quarter of heauen it listeth and where it beginneth blowing where it endeth no man can tell neither can any man deuise meanes to stop the course of it Euen so with like libertie and with the like open apparance worketh the holy spirit of God where and in whom hee will and no power nor abilitie of man is able to resist and withstand it Iohn 3.8 2 As of drie Wheate one lumpe cannot bee made without moysture nor one loafe So neither could wee that are many become one in Christ Iesus without water which is from heauen that is without the holy Ghost Good will not to be mocked AS a man hauing a seruant that is an idle fellow who forefloweth his businesse mindeth other matters and goeth to his worke lastly and like a Beare to the stake would not bee pleased with his seruice but rather would shift his hands of him and send him packing Euen so the Lord our God cannot abide that wee should worshippe him with our bodies when our soules are farre from him that we should honour him with our tongues when our hearts wander from him Or that we should serue him in part some peece of the Sabboth and to serue sinne and Sathan the rest for he will not be mocked hee is euer iealous of his owne glorie Gal. 6.7 God a spirit which cannot be represented by any bodily shape LIke as a bodyly Image which representeth vnto vs the face of man ought liuely to set before vs all his lineaments and proportions that by the counterfaiting or engrauing we might conceiue whatsoeuer might bee seene in him which the same representeth Euen so the image of God must through the same likenesse set before our senses a certain vnderstanding of the knowledge of God For this we are sure of that nothing may beare the image of God but that which is a spirit because in very deed God is a spirite and therefore this image of God in man can haue no abiding place but in the soule Gene. 1.26 27. 2.7 5.1 Col. 3.10 Eph. 4.24 All Good things come from heauen AS the raine and dew falling from aboue watering the ground makes it fruitfull So likewise the grace of the holy Ghost comming from God the father stirre vp our minds to all goodnesse 1. Cor. 4.7 Iam. 1.17 Gentlenesse rather to be vsed then rigorousnesse AS some disease which by no force can bee expelled oftentimes is with the iuyce of hearbes asswaged So some men you shall sooner ouercome and winne by clemencie and Gentlenesse then by rigorousnesse and extremitie The Gospell to bee mingled with the law in preaching 1 AS the strong purgine blacke Hedebore giuen vncorrected with other things to allay the power of it hurteth more thē profiteth So the terrible iudgement of the word when it is preached without some comforts intermingled will doo more harme then good 2 As bitter Wormewood and sweete Honie mingled together are very profitable to take away the dimnesse of the bodily sight and to make a man see worldly things clearely So the bitter threatnings of the law and sweete promises of the Gospel laide together are most fit to take away the dimnesse of spiritual eyes and to make them see clearely heauenly things So outward aduersitie prosperitie mingled together 3 As Pepper-woort once sowen continueth and can hardly be destroyed So the word once receiued continueth and can hardly be banished Gospell 1 AS the law because it is the
contrariwise the godly doo acknowledge and confesse their faultes when they are reprehended as Dauid 2. Sam. 12.13 Ezechia Esay 38.8 And as the men did that heard Peters Sermon Act. 2.37 22 As children that are of such heauie sad moulde as that they are neuer mooued with mirth nor with the crying of other children Euen so such is the dulnesse of a number of people in Hearing of the word who are no more mooued with the iudgements of God to feare nor allured with the sweete promises of God to loue and like then if they were so many stockes or stones Mat. 11.16 23 As the fruitfulnesse of the earth when the raine dooth fall vppon it and when it yeeldeth to them that labour in it fruites for them that dresse it is a testimonie of Gods good blessing vpon it Euen so when men profit by the labours which is bestowed vppon them in the preaching of the word it is a testimony of Gods good blessing vpon them Hebr. 6.7 Rom. 1.20 Act. 6.7 24 As he that looketh his bodily face in a Glasse and by and by departeth away about other businesse and forgetteth his fashion and forme Euen so such are the forgetfull Hearers of the word which neuer practise that which is taught them Iam. 1.23 24 25. 25 As in the time of Ezechiel those people that came to offer sacifice might not goe out of the same doore wherby they came in So those that come to Heare Gods word should not come forth againe vnchaunged in their affections which were euill Ezech. 46.9 26 As the Cocke did crow three times before Peter repented Euen so the Lord hath much to doo with vs before wee profit effectually by the Hearing of his word Math. 26.45 27 As the next way to purchase fauour with Princes is to honour their person and fulfill their commaundements So likewise the chiefest way to haue Gods fauour is to honour his maiestie and to doo his will reuealed vnto vs in his word preached Preach 8.2.4 28 As where the dead carkasse is thither do the Eagles resort So when Gods word is truely taught to that place should Christians repaire to Heare it Math. 12.42 29 As when the dam feeds her young euerie Bird gapeth and strugleth and stretcheth the necke to receiue the foode So when wee come to Heare Sermons euerie man must reach and stretch out his heart to receiue the word preached 1. Pet. 2.2 30 As the Eagle continually soareth till shee come to the highest So also Christians must still increase in knowledge through and by the Hearing of the word till they come to perfection Hebr. 6.1 31 As Pharaohs ill fauoured Kine which deuoured the fat Kine but yet remained as ill fauored and leane as they were before So likewise many that haue Heard Sermon vppon Sermon now the space of 36. yeares are yet neuer the more reformed for all their Hearing but as leane in knowledge and godlinesse as they were before Genes 41.3 4. 32 As a Carpenter that should square all by his Rule but stickes it at his backe and workes all by ayme So many haue heard much preaching and remember many things but yet make no profit or practise of it so that it had beene better that they had neuer heard Ioh. 15.22 33 As Bees passing ouer other things take pleasure only in flowers and forsaking the rest doo crop them So likewise some Hearers of the word preached doo onely desire to haue their eares fed with fine phrases delicate flowers of eloquence daintie Similies prettie comparisons and pleasant Histories as for sound Doctrine they contemne it and hate to haue it a bridle for their lustes a reproouer of their vanities and a Glasse to see themselues in they seeke rather after flatteries and fables and they loath the truth which should doo them good 2. Tim. 4.3 Act. 17.21 34 As God in some part did rebuke the Sonnes of Ely for their wickednesse but yet they would not obey and the reason is there set downe because the Lord would destroy them Euen so in like manner howsoeuer wee may not iudge of any mans person yet this may be said that if men will not learne but remaine ignorant still and refuse to Heare the word of God preached when they may or if in Hearing they will not obey it is a fearefull signe that God will at length destroy them 1. Sam. 2.25 35 Like as when a Tumpet is sounded in a mans eare and he lies still not stirring at all hee is certainely dead So surely when the trumpet of the Gospell is sounded in the eares of our hearts if wee awake not out of our sinnes to newnesse of life wee are no better then dead men before God 36 As it is very requisite that a Pastor set ouer a congregation should be continually resident to Preach vnto them and Chatechise them at the least on euery Saboth and not to leaue them to straungers whose voice they know not Euen so euerie Christian Hearer of the word ought ordinarily and vsually to Heare such a Pastor and not to goe from him on the Sabboth day especially if he be desirous to grow and increase in faith and knowledge 37 Like as in times past those trees which did beare fruit might not be cut downe So those Christians which haue a care to leade a vertuous life according to the prescript rule of Gods word are not in daunger of S. Iohns Axe to wit of the iudgement of God for sinne Deut. 20.19 Math. 3.10 38 As of many men comming into a Gold-smithes shop one buyeth a chaine of Gold an other a costly ring some a rich Iewell and some buy plate cunningly and curiously wrought and some one among the rest stoupeth downe and taketh vp a blacke cole which he turneth and tumbleth in his hands til it foule and make blacke his fingers Euen so verie many doo come to the Church to Heare the word preached and doo learne and beare away exceeding good and heauenly lessons and doo gather great strength to their faith and much comfort to their soules and peace to their consciences and some againe doo come without any good purpose intending to take some occasion to quarrell with the Preacher and to marke if any thing fall from him vnwisely vndiscreetly or barbarously wherewith they may sport themselues and scorne him such as they came with wicked purposes and cauilling mindes so they depart with hearts as hard as Adamants seared consciences and brazan faces so bloudlesse that they cannot blush far worse then when they came 39 Like as when a man casteth an handfull of Corne vpon a very hard and smooth path it is all one as if it were cast vpon a pauement So also through the custome and deceitfulnesse of sinning the diuell hath made the hearts of some Hearers vnmeete to receiue the heauenly seede of the word of God Math. 13.4 40 As the men in the olde world were disobedient to Noe and contemned the preaching of righteousnesse So
cattes and dogges which haue bene brought vp any long while in their houses Euen so much more they ought to loue and fauour their seruants that haue done them long and faithfull seruice 3 As it is vnpossible that he that hath no skil in Musick can make an other man a Musitian Or as it is hard for a Scholler to learne that thing well that his Maister teacheth ill Euen so it is vnpossible that a Maister that is naturally negligent should make his seruant diligent Marriage euer esteemed for encrease of the Common-wealth AS he is counted no good Gardiner that being content with things present dooth diligently proine his old trees and hath no regard either to impe or graffe yong fettes because the selfe-same Orcharde though it be neuer so well trimmed must needes decaye in time and all the Trees dye within fewe yeares Euen so he is not to be accounted halfe a diligent Citizen that being content with the present multitude of Citizens hath no regard to encrease the number by lawfull Matrimony Mercie LIke as he that is without compassion in beholding an other mans wounds shall haue no bodie to pitie him if at any time he be hurt himselfe Euen so he that with pitie doth raise vp his neighbour being fallen shall haue many to relieue and comfort him if he himselfe fall into any calamitie Iam. 2.13 Mat. 5.7 Rom. 12.8 Prou. 3.3 4. 14.22 31. 16.6 19.17 The Miserie of worldlings 1 LIke as we see the Mules of Princes go all the day long loaden with treasure and couered with faire cloathes but at night shaken off into a sorrie stable much brused and gauled with the carriage of those treasures Euen so rich men that passe through this world loaden with gold and siluer and do gaull greatly their soules in carriage thereof are dispoyled of their burthen at the day of death and are turned off with their wounded consciences to the loathsome stable of hell and damnation 2 As we be iustly moued to pitie by beholding the momentany miseries of men and the distressed state of their bodies being consumed with sores and sicknesse and euen at deaths doore Euen so much more ought we to be grieued at the most fearfull state of worldlings for the eternall miserie of their soules not dying but being alreadie cleane dead in sinne and yet liuing in that state which leadeth to vnspeakable torment and the hotte burning furnace of the wrath of God Mercies of God 1 AS a riuer continueth running still Euen so the Mercies of God do daily light on the faithfull 2 As the ryuer hath a swift course So the Mercies of God helpe at a pinch Psal 46.1 c. 3 As a ryuer is deepe Euen so the Mercies of God are great neither can the bottome of them be sought out of any man 4 And as the ryuer hath this propertie as hath also all other water to binde and therfore doth not the earth dissolue because as the Phylosopher saith the water bindeth it in Euen so the Mercies of God do bind vs vnto himself or else we should dissolue and become Sathans sinke and puddle 5 As a begger will neuer goe foorth a begging vntill such time as hee can haue prouision or maintenance at home So wee will neuer come to Christ for Mercie so long as we see any goodnesse in our selues Psal 32.4 6 As a sparke of fire is in comparison able to drie vp all the water in the Sea Euen so no more is all the wickednesse of man vnto the Mercies and mercifulnesse of God 7 As no man is so thankfull for health as he that hath beene in continuall sicknesse So no man feeleth the Mercie of God that is not truly humbled in his owne sight Mans nature to be mortified 1 AS the seede of right Artichoke if the point of it bee not broken bringeth foorth the prickley Artichoke or Thistle So the best Mans child if his corrupt nature be not mortified wil bring forth nothing but vngodlinesse 2 Knecholme growing of it selfe bringeth forth fruit but being planted it bringeth foorth none But Mans nature if it bee suffered to grow of it selfe is vnfruitfull but beeing planted in Christ becommeth fruitfull in good workes 3 The superfluous moysture of Elecampane beeing dried vp it commeth fittest to his full vertue and is hot in the third degree but though the superfluitie of euill bee mortified in vs yet wee our selues will neuer come to our first perfection except we be quickned by Gods spirit c. A Mind troubled 1 LIke as a great and deepe wound cannot bee touched with ones hand thogh neuer so softly but with some griefe to the partie Euen so a troubled wayward Mind hard to please thinketh scorne of euery thing and is offended with the least word spoken 2 As the sicke-man cannot away with the sight of his wife blameth the Physition is grieued at his friend that comes to visite him yet being gone is displeased againe at their departure Euen so is the wauering way and trade of life and the wandering and inconstant mutabilitie of the Mind which seldome doth arriue at the quiet and desired port and hauen 3 Euen as they are queasie stomacked and are disquieted with vomiting doo leape from one Ship to an other that they might find some ease thereby vntill they perceiue themselues nothing the better but yet doo the same still that they did before carrying their vomite as we may say still about with them where euer they goe So in like manner they which euer anon choose now one and now an other trade of life doo rather entangle themselues in cares troubles of a discontented Mind then be discharged and rid there from 4 As it sometime falleth out that one receiueth an iniurie is grieued and studieth to reuenge an other beeing author of a wrong reioyceth at other mens harmes and fecks to keepe him stil vnder whom he hath once opprest Euen so is the Minde it selfe at warre with it selfe and through contrarie repugnant affections is rent and in a manner torne in peeces Magistrates dutie to their subiects 1 AS that medicine is more to bee allowed which healeth the parts of a mans body then that which vtterly burneth away the same So is that Magistrate more to be praysed which by correction causeth euill doers to amend then hee which by death and execution vtterly taketh the same away 2 As God is aboue all men the soule more excellent then the body and the kingdome of heauen more precious then earthly treasures So likewise doth the chiefe principall end of the Magistrates charge and office consist in the establishing and maintaining of the puritie of doctrine in the holy ministerie seruice of God the holy administration of the sacraments the inuocation of Gods name the order of Ecclesiasticall Discipline Rom. 13.4 1. Chro. 15.1 22.6 2. Chro. 14.3 c. 15.8 c. 17.6 c. 29.1 c.
Gene. 21.14 11 As the virgin Marie wept so sore for the death of her Son Iesus as though her tender heart had bene stabd and pearst through with a sharpe sword Euen so there is nothing in the world that ought to cause vs to bee more sorrowfull then this that Christ beeing blessed in himselfe â—as cursed for vs being exalted in himselfe was imbased for vs being iustified in himselfe was condemned for vs being a liue in himselfe was dead for vs. 12 As a Ship being neither too heauily burdened nor â—o lightly balaÌ„ced feareth neither waues nor winds but sayleth safely to the hauen So wee beeing neither too heauie for our owne sinnes and miseries nor too light for Christs mercie but ioyning Weepe not for me but weepe for your selues Luk. 23.28 Both together shall neither bee drowned with waues of desperation nor puffed vp with the winds of presumption but we shall sayle safely in the Arke of Noah vpon the sea of this world till we arriue at the hauen of all happinesse in heauen 13 As a Father pittieth his owne child and if hee see him crie doth what hee can to still him and takes out his hand-kercher and wipes the infants eyes himselfe Euen so after the same fashion God our heauenly Father will with his owne holy finger wipe away all teares from our eyes and take vs most louingly by the hand and leade vs out of the house of Mourning into the house of mirth then though we haue sowne in teares yet wee shall reape in ioy Psal 103.13 Reue. 7.17 Psal 126.5 Naturall thing AS the salte water being for drinke vnprofitable yet susteineth and beareth vp the Ship better then the sweete which for drinke is more apt and meete So euerie Naturall thing hath his owne vse whervnto if it bee applied then it worketh his effect Good Name 1 AS fire once kindled is soone preserued but beeing extinct it is not easie to kindle the same againe So is it easie to defend a good Name but if it be once blotted and lost hardly shall we restore it againe 2 As the Lord by the eight commaundement bindeth our hands as it were with a manacle or hand shackle from stealing robbing or any wayes diminishing of our neighbours goods So also by the ninth Commaundement he bridleth our tongue that we should not hurt or impaire the good Name credit or estimation of our brethren but by loue to vphold and maintaine the same Prou. 22.1 Eccle. 7.3 3. As a precious Oyntment being poured foorth casteth out spreadeth abroad a sweete a fragrant and an oderiferous smâ—ll far and neare Euen so the good Name and fame of such Christians as are annoynted with the holy Ghost dooth cast out and spread it selfe farre and neare very sweete to the nosthrils of the Almightie and verie delightfull to the members of Christ Cant. 1.2 1. Ioh. 2.20 27. Noble men and housholders 1 LIke as the Sunne in the Firmament giueth light to all the regions round about him and by his bright appearing expelleth the darknesse comforteth and cheareth the world So likewise should Noble men Magistrates Gentlemen Ministers and housholders labour to banish sinne and corrupt Religion and bee a lanthorne of godly life to comfort and shine to others that they might direct their liues after their good ensamples Phil. â— 15 Math. 5.16 2 As Cyprian let no day passe without reading of Tertullian nor Alexander without reading of Homer nor finally Appelles without some line proportioned So is it meete that no degrees should loose any opportunitie or occasion graunted to the meditation of Christian Religion but rather being taught by the example of the Emperour Constantine would repose their whole study in the word of God Deut. 17.19 20. Iosu 1.8 Psal 1.2 Deut. 3.11 12 13. Neglect of heauen for earthly things LIke as if a Golden game of inestimable value should bee proposed for such as would run could win the same and when the course or race were begunne if some should step aside and followe after flies or feathers that passed in the ayre without any regard of the prize and gole proposed who would not maruaile and take pittie of their folly Euen so is it with men of the world who are placed together in a course or race and that the kingdome of heauen is propounded vnto vs for the game or prize but few endeuour to enter therein and why For that most men doo step aside and leaue the marke Most men doo run awry and doo follow feathers vp downe in the ayre most men doo pursue vanities and hunt after pleasures and doo wearie themselues therewith vntill they can neither runne nor goe nor mooue their limmes any further and then for the most part it is too late to amend their folly 1. Cor. 9.24 25 26 27. Psal 4.2 3. Iere. 2.13 18. The Name profiteth none in whome vertue is n◠〈…〉 1 AS neither they yearely reuenueâ—â—or the glorious titles and Names â—â—â—â—cessors and to discend of noble parentage maketh men noble and renowmed indeed vnlesse they themselues be godly honest and wise Euen so neither the godly Names no nor yet the faith and vertue of Fathers auaileth wicked and vngodly children any thing at all vnlesse they repent and become faithfull as their Fathers were Iohn 8.39 Math. 3. â— Gal. 3.7 2 Like as those children which are named and called by and after any of the names of Patriarkes Prophets Apostles or by the Name of other Saints man or woman are not any thing the better because they haue such godly and Christian Names vnlesse that they doo immitate and follow them in faith vertue and godly behauiour Euen so on the other side they that be not called by such Christian Names as are mentioned in the sacred Scriptures are not in respect of their Names any thing the worse hauing an assured faith in the merites of Christ his death passion and bloud-shedding and leading their liues agreeable to the same Iosua 10.3 Daniel 1.7 To what ende proper Names were giuen vs in baptisme LIke as infants in times past amongst our auncestors had their Names giuen them when they were Circumcised to this end that the Circumcised might be admonished by the calling by their Names at what time and place they had their Names giuen them and should thinke that they are written in the number of the children of God and ioyned in league with him and made partakers of the couenant So after the same maner must we remember that haue had proper Names giuen vnto vs at our baptisme for this vse and end both to distinguish betwixt man and man and also to put vs in mind that we are by grace adopted to bee the Sonnes of God and receiued into his fauour and therefore that wee are Gods owne and as it were his goods and riches as they which beare his Name as proper vnto him Luk. 1.59 2.21 Wicked Neighbours LIke as Thornes cannot be touched nor handled except mens
is onely by the Preaching of his word but this they doo not seeke to lay hold of But contrarily they cast themselues head-long into the snares of temptation by ioyning in fellowship with the workers of iniquitie 1. Cor. 1.18 21. Rom. 1.16 10.17 4 As there is not a greater blessing giuen of God to any nation or people then the gift of his holy word there to be sincerely taught and preached So likewise no greater curse from God can be laid vpon any nation or people then when the word of God and the true Preaching thereof is taken away from them Amo. 8.11 12. 5 As there is much difference betwixt a drawne plat and the builded house betwixt the figure and the thing figured the naturall and the thing presented So is there much more difference betwixt the hearing of a Sermon preached and the reading thereof afterwards in writing for the heart is more mooued by hearing the word preached then read 6 As the Hen clocketh and calleth her chickens together and louingly spreadeth her wings to keepe them vnder and to protect and defend them from all things that would hurt or harme them Euen so the Lord most louingly by the continuall Preaching of his holy word doth call men to the imbracing of his mercie Mat. 23.37 7 As Christ when hee raysed vp dead men did onely speake the word and they were made aliue and at the day of iudgement at his voice when the trumpe shall blow all that are dead shall rise againe So it is in the first resurrection they that are dead in their sinnes at his voice vttered in the ministerie of the word shall rise againe 8 As Christ raysed three from the dead Iairus daughter newly dead the widdowes Sonne dead and wound vp lying on the Hearse Lazarus dead and buried and stinking in the graue and all this he did by his very voice So also by the Preaching of his word he rayseth all sorts of sinners euen such as haue lien long in their sinnes as rotting and stinking carrion 9 As the dayes of our life they arise with the Sunne and goe downe againe with it So the day of our saluation it springeth in the Preaching of the Gospell and it is shut vp againe with the ceasing of that voice Math. 4.16 10 Euen as a fruitful field bringeth two kinds of fruits for mans bodily sustenance wherof one must be dressed sodden baked or rosted c. the other may be eaten raw as it commeth from the ground So Gods word hath two kinds of foode for the soule whereof the one must needs be dressed and minced as it were by Preaching and rightly diuiding it the other may bee vnderstood and digested by reading 11 As a Mother doth not giue her child a whole Nut in the shell but breaketh and cracketh it and so giueth it the kernell Euen so must a Minister doo with the word and open it by plaine Preaching 12 Like as they that refuse Pearles because they are brought offered vnto them in homely and base vessels or as they that had rather sit in the darke then to haue a light brought them vnlesse it were put in a Siluer candlesticke or as the baker that refuseth good and pure wheate because of the basenesse of the bag in which it is brought may all be accounted fooles So in like manner such men as refuse to heare the Preaching of Gods word because it is preached by simple base men in regard of the countenance of the world are much deceiued Prayer 1 LIke as in worldly things it makes no matter concerning the sustentation of our bodies where we eate or drinke so it bee wholesome profitable and conuenient So in Religion it skilleth not where any man prayeth so that his Prayer bee deuout zealous and godly in spirit and truth 1. Timo. 2.8 Ioh. 4.21 22 23 24. 2 Like as if a man should tel a tale before a King he had need chiefly to be careful if he intend to speed of his suit that he do not onely speake that is true but that he doo also behaue himselfe after a modest and comely manner in telling of his tale without either gazing about or running into by matters Euen so much more ought wee to haue regard when wee speake vnto God that our speech and Prayer be so adorned and garnished with all circumstances of good meanes and behauiour that it may be acceptable to the eyes and eares of Gods maiestie not suffering our harts to be carried away with wandring thoghts and worldly imaginations or otherwise occupied and to forsake him in the midst of our Prayer For how shall God heare vs when wee heare not our selues Or how would we haue him to remember vs when wee doo no whit remember our selues This is euen to watch with our eyes and to sleepe with our hearts 3 Like as the comelinesse of a Father is to giue vnto his children all such things as becommeth a Father to giue and so the seemelinesse of a Prince is to deale fauourably with his subiects in those things which are seemely and meete for a good Prince to do for like as it falleth out diuers times that children do vnaduisedly aske some things of their Fathers the subiects of their Prince which cannot be graunted to saue the countenance comelinesse of the person of whom they be requested Euen so also it falleth out oftentimes that wee doo aske those things of God by Prayer which hee cannot as God giue vnto vs with the countenance and comelinesse of God 4 As none that is a suter to any other wil do or vse any thing which might offend or hinder his suit So no man that vseth Prayer will flatter himselfe in any thing that may or will displease God to whom by Prayer he mooueth suit when and so often as he prayeth 5 Like as it happeneth oftentimes that those that bee sicke doo wish and desire to haue of their Physition those things that be vnwholesome and vnprofitable for them Euen so many times wee desire by Prayer of God some things which if they should be giuen vs would be to our great hurt and vtter ruine and which are contrarie for vs. Math. 20.20 21 22. 1. Iohn 5.14 Iam. 4.3 6 As men do eate drinke which is a meane ordained of God for the conseruation of their liues not looking thereby to lengthen their dayes aboue their bounds which already the Lord hath appointed but as becommeth them to vse that meanes which hee hath ordained to serue his prouidence Euen so doo the godly as men not curious to know Gods prouidence further then hee reuealeth it vse Prayer as a meane by the which hee is accustomed to worke many of his childrens desire that according to his good will he may dispose the same 7 Like as a louing and well manered wife will not take vpon her to aske any thing of her husband at all but that which shee hopeth he will take in
againe Psal 51.2 5 As bleaching and whiting weareth the cloath So a man must be worne before he can bee cleane washed by true Repentance 6 Like as in an assurance or euidence a man may leaue out such words as be effectuall in the conueyance to their great preiudice Euen so sure it is that many things in Repentance may be found out to a mans hindrance which were forgotten at the first Esra 10.2 c. 7 As it is the nature of the children of God in the reading of the Scriptures to take all with them not a peece only but as wel that which humbleth them as that which lifteth vp Euen so it is the part of them which will repent truely not to play the Mice and Rats to nible a little so much as maketh for them but to take all and not to leaue out that which maketh against them 8 Like as a man that is strayed far out of his way must turne quite backe againe the contrarie way So those that haue strayed from the wayes of godlinesse to the way of sinne must by vnfained Repentance turne quite backe againe into the right way 9 As it makes a glad Father and delights him to haue a child like himselfe especially both in place and liniaments of body Euen so more glad is God when one is spiritually borne and sheweth himselfe like vnto God in all his actions by vnfained Repentance 10 As dead men in their graues although they be helped neuer so much can not rise from thence Euen so men that are weake but dead in trespasses and sinnes can doo nothing that may further their Repentance or conuersion though they be helped neuer so 2. Timo. 2.15 11 Like as if a man build a house which doth cost him much labour and great charges and not hauing laide a sure foundation when a tempest commeth his house doth fall then will he be verie sorrie and repent that hee hath so vnaduisedly bestowed his money and labour Notwithstanding for al this his great sorrow and Kepentance yet it cannot set vp his house againe which is fallen but onely it taketh occasion by the ruine of the house to teach the owner more wit against another time that when he buildeth againe he may make a sure foundation Euen so though thou Repent neuer so much yet that can not get remission for thy sinnes that are past but that must be pardoned onely by the faith of Christes bloud neuerthelesse it doth teach thee wit and learneth thee to tame thy body and subdue it and to cast a low foundation that in time to come thou maist the better resist the assaults of the diuell the world and the flesh 12 As the Angels in heauen doo reioyce ouer man when he repenteth So the diuell is throughly imbrued with highest delights and as it were with most pleasant pleasures when hee seeth men specially those which haue giuen their names vnto Christ to liue without Repentance Regeneration necessarie in all men AS trees growing on the top of hilles haue a rough barke crooked knots long bowes and therefore vnmeete for any building vntill they be cut downe pilled squared drawne home and yet can doo nothing of all those themselues So we likewise as long as we hee wandring in the mountaines and wilde woods of this world being highly minded and in great wealth and authoritie aboue others as on an hill wee by nature haue froward and proud mindes and not meete for Gods house vntill we be made lowly in our owne sights and fall flat downe at Christes feete and haue the rough barke of our olde Adam pulled off and our crooked affections out away be mortified and drawne home by the preaching of his word and working of his holy spirit Agge 1.8 2. Cor. 3.5 Iohn 6.44 Recreation AS the Land which is sowne euerie other yeare for the rest in the one yeare is more fertile in the other So quicke wittes and dayly studies doo sometimes desire Recreation and rest wherewith they bee much refreshed againe Regenerate man falleth not fâ—â—atly 1 AS a man in trauelling from Barwicke to London it may be that now and then hee doth goe sometimes amisse and out of his way but he speedily returnes to the way againe and his course generally shall bee vpright Euen so it is the propertie of the Regenerate man to walke according to the spirit which is not now and then to make a step forward for to keepe his ordinarie course in the way of godlinesse Rom. 8.1 1. Iohn 5.19 2 As it is the practise of a sicke man who hauing recouered of some grieuous sicknesse walkes a turne or two about his chamber saying Ah I would faine walke vp and downe but I cannot meaning not that hee cannot walke as hee would being soone wearied through faintnesse Or as a Souldier that with a blowe hath his braine pan cracked so as be lies groueling astonished not able to fight Or like him that hath a fit of the falling sicknesse who for a time lies like a dead man Euen so the Regenerate man although the fleshe for a time vanquisheth and subdueth the spirit not onely in thoughtes in inward motions and in some particular offences but also in the generall practise of this dutie or calling and through the whole course of this life Yet the spirit preuailes in the ende and getteth the maisterie Rom. 7.15 c. 3 Like as a prisoner that is gotten foorth of the Gaile and that hee might escape the hand of the keeper desires and striues with all his heart to runne an hundreth myles in a day but because hee hath straight and weightie Boltes on his legges cannot for his life creepe past a myle or twaine and that with chasing his flesh and tormenting himselfe Euen so a Regenerate man and the seruants of God doo heartily desire and endeuour to obey God in all his commaundements as it is said of King Iosias That hee turned to God with all his heart with all his soule with all his might according to all the lawes of Moses c. Yet because they are clogged with the boltes of the fleshe they performe obedience both slowly and weakly with diuers slips and falles 2. King 23.25 Reformation AS Elecampane beeing greene hath in it a superfluous moysture which must he first consumed before it be occupied about the body So many men haue in their superfluitie of euill which must bee first Reformed before they be employed to matters of the Church Regeneration increase by degrees 1 AS seed cast into the earth doth not by and by sprout encrease and come to perfection but by space and length of time it attaineth to his perfection and ripenesse in that season that God hath appointed As a tree likewise is not perfect as soone as it is planted Nor an infant is not straight-wayes vppon the suddaine as soone as it is conceiued in the wombe of his Mother become a man but with time Euen so we are not all at
letter as hee had wont to doo and that were a great bondage and wearisomnesse to binde him vnto it still nay it were altogether rediculous and childish in him indeed So now though we be charged to rest vpon the Saboth yet when we are not ouercharged with those Iewish ceremonies which they being children had giuen thē as furtherances vnto them let vs not complaine before we haue cause neither murmure against God because we cannot be so licentious as we would seeing we be at such libertie as we be and as it pleaseth the Lord to bestow vpon vs and let vs bee so much the more carefull to rest by how much we haue but this one thing to attend vpon and are made free from many other which might hinder vs. Deut. 6.8 9. Gal. 4.3 10 As they preposterously labor to reform the church that haue no care to reforme themselues and vndiscreetly complaining of wants and disorders there do not practise better orders in their houses vpon themselues and theirs do hinder it and keep them backe Euen so they that labour for more meanes to sanctifie the Sabbath and are carelesse in practising those that they haue doo stay such good blessings as God might otherwise bestow vpon his Church this way Notorious Sinnes LIke as a man is much more to be blamed which goeth out of his way in the cleare Sunne at noone-tide then he which goeth by night with a candle Euen so such men deserue much more to be punished for committing of foule and notorious Sinnes now vnder the cleare light of the Gospel then in the time of the Lawe Sinne couered by Christs innocencie AS a garment or cloake do serue to couer our bodies Euen so the innocencie iustice holinesse of Christ Iesus doth serue to couer our Sins before the iudgement of God to the end that there appear no one spot of them in his sight Gal. 3.27 Sinner 1 LIke as God is much pleased with the praier of the iust Euen so much more he doth delight in the amendment of the Sinner for it doth little profit for the one to multiply his prayers if the other do not diminish his sinnes 2 As an earthly Father when his childe is sicke he will not cast him away but take pitie vpō him So much more our heauenly Father when a Sinner humbleth him selfe before him and lamenteth his sinnes wil shew his fatherly affection towards him that repenteth 3 As the night in the first dawning of the day in which though the darknesse remaine and be more in quantitie then the light yet when the Sun hath alreadie cast some beames of light in the aire then the breaking of the day appeareth Euen so the conuersion of a Sinner is not wrought all at one instant but in cōtinuance of time and by certaine measures and degrees So that he that is in the first degree of his conuersion when the holy Ghost by the meanes of the word inspires him with some spirituall motions and begins to regenerate and renue the inward powers of his soule Sinne. 1 LIke as that mans disease is most perillous which lyes sicke and feeles not his sicknesse nor cannot complaine of one part more then an other for then the disease hath equally troubled the whole bodie So likewise they which lie wallowing in sin so forgetting God and all goodnesse that they feele no remorse of conscience for their sinnes are desperate and almost past all recouerie 2 As vertue must be imbraced in heart in affection in countenance word and deed or else we are found breakers of the Lawe of God So likewise Sinne must be abstained from as wel in heart in affection in countenance and word and also in deed 3 Like as the dead body lies rotten and stinking in the graue fearefull and loathsome to looke on and grieuous to remember Euen so when we lie buried in Sinne wee stinke in the sight of God he cannot abide to looke on vs nor will remember vs. 4 And as when the body lyeth on sleepe in the bed which is an Image of our graue can neither see feele heare taste smell vnderstand nor yet mooue out of the place vntill it be awaked nor can take any pleasure at all in any one creature of God So we when we lie sleeping and wallowing in Sinne wee neither see the maiestie of God with the eyes of our faith nor feele his mercies offered vnto vs in and by his deare Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus nor yet can taste at all how sweete the Lord is our eares are stopped from hearing good counsell wee perceiue nothing at all of Gods goodnesse towards vs his word is not sauerie vnto vs neither yet be wee mooued or stirred vp to doo any one good worke of charitie Rom. 13.11 5 Like as Carrion dooth not onely smell euill it selfe but infects all that come neare it So likewise that man that is defiled with any notorious Sinne doth not onely defile all things that he takes in hand but all such as keepe him companie so that Sin hath greater force and strength to defile other things then goodnesse hath to make other things holy 1. Cor. 15.33 2. Timo. 2.16 17. Rom. 6.23 6 As a beast ouer-laden is readie to sinke vnder his burden except there bee present helpe at hand to ease him Euen so wee are in daunger to sincke into the pit of perdition by reason of our great and grieuous burden of Sinne except wee flie to Christ who onely and alone can vnburden vs and ease and refresh vs. Math. 11.28 7 Like as if wee doo suspect any vncleannesse in vs wherefore the Prince or any Noble man should loath or abhorre the sight of vs wee would take great paines to remoue put it away Euen so much more we ought with all diligence and speede that may bee to put away that vnclean Sinne and filthinesse that doth seperate and make diuision betwixt vs and God and that hideth his face from vs that he will not heare vs. Esay 59.2 Iere. 5.25 8 Like as if there were an Apostume about the stomack of a man or in his bowells it would be neuer a whit the worse for him if it were seene that it might be launced Euen so that man that thinketh himselfe to be whole and sound because he wil not see his sinne and disease he must needs be voyd of all wit and reason 9 Like as a man that hath a disease or soare in his bodie before hee can be cured of it hee must see it feele the paine of it and be in feare least it bring him into danger of death after this hee shall see himselfe to stand in need of phisicke and he longeth til he be with the Phisitian when he is once come to him hee desireth him of all loues to help him and to shew the best skil he can he wil not spare for any cost then hee yeelds himselfe into the Phisitians hands perswading himself that by Gods blessing
men which are not well setled in vertue nor grounded in godlinesse nor armed with the holy word and spirit of God but to winne and ouercome if hee could men that are furnished with a strong and liuely faith and such as are stayed and do relie vpon the Lords protection he vseth sundry subtilties and most daungerous and forcible temptations Math. 4.1 c. 3 Euen as the Fisher when he taketh some great Fish doth not by by violently strike and twitch her but letteth his fishing line go at the length vntill the fish do swallow downe the hooke and so worke her owne destruction least if at the first he should twitch her too hard the fishing line or thrid should break and his baite and hooke lost the fish should escape Euen so Sathan the Diuell when he hath gotten a poore sinner fast vpon his hooke and hath intangled fettered him in the chaines of some daungerous and deadly sinne and hath bewitched him with the forceries of the flesh and the world he doth not sodeinly oppresse exasperate him least at the first dash he play the Diuel openly and roughly like a Diuel as hee is the sinner shuld break his bands and escape his snares But he doth cherish him and maketh much of him and doth suffer him now and then both to speake and to doo some things that sauour of vertue that by little and little hee being made fast and dead sure vppon the hooke of sinne and wickednesse hee may by degrees worke his owne woe and vtter destruction So that the diuell doth stretch out his angling rod threed and all not that hee may let the sinner escape but that hee may make him the surer and hold him the faster 4 As Achfah who when shee had begged of her Father an inheritance of the South countries then shee must haue certaine grounds with Wells and Springs Euen so such a shamelesse begger is Sathan the diuell that he will still haue a little sinne and a little and neuer leaue till by little and little he getteth both body and soule into hell Iosu 15.18 19. 5 As little Children who know not what is good for them for if they begin to taste Honie once they will not leaue eating by their good wills till they be sicke with eating Euen so so sweete hath Sathan made sinne to the taste of the wicked that they crie still a litle more of it and finde no fault with it but that there is too little and they cannot haue enough 6 As Flies are alwayes busie about a sore place So that is a sport or pleasure to Sathan which is a sore or a paine to man 7 As an Oxe will eate no kind of grasse but that which is greene and fresh Euen so the diuell will be sure to haue his foode of the finest and best Spirituall graces from God LIke as the earth engendereth not raine nor is able by her owne strength labour or trauell to procure the same but receiueth it of the meere gift of God from aboue Euen so faith grace forgiuenesse of sins or Christian righteousnesse are giuen vs of God without our workes or deseruings 2 As the earth of it selfe is not able to get or procure to it selfe seasonable showers of raine to make it fruitfull Euen so much lesse are we able by our owne strength works and deseruings to winne procure to our selues faith grace forgiuenesse of sinnes or Christian righteousnesse vnlesse God himselfe by meere imputation and by his vnspeakable gift do bestow the same vpon vs. Swearing LIke as he that maketh a custome of striking with his hand it is likely that he should sometime strike vniustly Euen so he that maketh a custome of Swearing in true matters will at the length euen forsweare himselfe in matters of no importance by reason of his custome and vse which he hath got in Swearing Sonnes by adoption 1 LIke as if a King or Noble-man should of meere loue and fauour take in a begger nay a Traytor and make him his heire Euen so God did with vs and such fauour did he freely shewe to so many of the sonnes of Adam as it pleased him to adopt and so to make them his children 1. Iohn 3.1 Iohn 1.12 Rom. 8.14 2 As Iaball the sonne of Adah the wife of Lamech is called the father of such as dwell in Tents for he was the first inuenter of Tents And Iuball his brother is also called the father of such as play vpon Harpes and vpon Orgains or Pipes yet we may not therefore call the Tentes Iabales children and the Orgains and Pipes the sonnes of Iuball Euen so God is called the father of the reprobate but metaphorically because hee first created them but yet they can no more be called the adopted Children of God then the Tents might be called the Children of Iaball or the Harpes and Organes the children of his brother Iuball Gene. 4.20 21. 3 As the Sunne which sometime shineth and sendeth foorth her light dispersing the clouds and sometimes againe is hidden vnder the cloudes Or as the Sea is one while ebbing and an other while flowing Or as the Moone is sometimes waxing and sometimes waning Euen so the adopted children of God by reason of their manifolde corruptions imperfections and rebellious thoughts of their harts haue not the spirit of God alwaies felt in themselues nor perceiued in them by others in a like measure but it is in them somtimes in a greater measure sometimes in a lesse 4 Like as Trees planted by the water side which doo bring foorth fruit in due season yet the same Trees haue both a summering and wintring a spring time and a fall of the leafe when Winter comes they seeme as though they were dead but in Summer they shall waxe fresh and greene againe and yet the fruit of the same Trees are first in the sap onely then it commeth into buds and so into blossomes whereof some are smitten with blastings some are nipped with frost and cold and some are eaten with Wormes but if they escape all these then from blossomes they come to bee Apples and at the first they are greene and liuely and some doo lust to eate them but they are still hard and harsh but in time they come to their full growth And when they are ripe then are they either shaken downe with the wind and Swine deuour them Or if they bee fairely gathered yet are they pluckt from the Tree that hath borne them then are they bought and solde whereof some perishe and are cast out of doores The fairest and the sweetest are brought either to the fire to bee roasted or to the Table to be pared and cut in peeces and so to be eaten then the tree is naked and seemeth to be dead but the next Spring doo fetch all againe So likewise are the fruites of the spirit in the adopted children of God first in the sap of faith onely which is hidden in the heart then it
or perfume in the ayre which in some mens nosthrils is sauorie and pleasant and doth reuiue them and others it striketh starke dead Euen so the Word preached by Gods Ministers lawfully called by him therunto hath the same power and force in it which Christ himselfe shewed when he spake on earth for it is the sauour of life vnto life to saue those that heare it Or it is the sauour of death vnto death to those that contemne it Ioh. 18.4 5 6. 2. Cor. 2.16 75 As it is the vse of Physicke to cure men of diseases when they are falne into them so also to preserue them from sicknesse before it haue taken hold of them Euen so it is the power of the Word to asswage the trouble of conscience when it dooth once presse vs as also to preuent it before it hath ouertaken vs. 76 As it profiteth nothing to graffe a plant if with a whirle wind or storme it bee pulled vp by the rootes before it beare fruit So the Word of God being preached heard and laide vp in our minds shall doo vs no good if before it bring forth fruit with some blustering blasts and sturdie storme of temptations it shall be rooted out of our hearts Psal 1.2 77 Euen as a twig or braunch taken from a very good and fruitfull tree and graffed into the trunke or stocke of some wilde tree as a Crab Thorne or such like dooth drawe the stocke or trunke to the nature of the twig or braunch that now it beareth other leaues and other fruit then it was wont to doo So the Word of God wel planted and surely graffed in our barren hearts by preaching and Catechising doth draw vs and conuert vs vnto and into it self and causeth vs to beare other goodly leaues of holy and godly Words and other most pleasaunt and wholesome fruits of vnfained vertues and graces but by the way we must needes crop and cut off the boughes of our olde sinnes that Christ may be graffed in vs and then no doubt our fruit shall bee such as God for his Sonnes sake wil accept and take in good part at our hands 78 As men are wont accustomed to make account of precious things and not to cast them at randome but to keepe them safe vnder locke and key Euen thus safely and surely must the Word of God when it is heard and preached bee kept in our hearts if we will euer come by true wisedome Psal 119.11 Luk. 2.19 Heb. 2.1 Iam. 1.21 79 Euen as we cannot feele the fauour and taste of any meate vnlesse we chaw the same So also wee neuer feele any fruit of Gods Word vnlesse the same abide in vs and we doo as it were chaw and ruminate the same 79 As the Sun at sometime of the yeare in some place dooth afford his shine and light vnto the people and yet dooth little or nothing warme them So the knowledge and vnderstanding of the Word and will of God preached dooth not by and by worke an hungring and thirsting to lead a vertuous and godly life in all those whom it hath instructed and most perfectly taught what they should doo and how they ought to liue They receiue knowledge and vnderstanding from it but they refuse the grace and denie the power of it 80 As the Iewes which crucified the Sonne of God euen Iesus Christ were conuerted by hearing Peter preach but one Sermon But we are worse then they who haue heard many hundreds of Sermons and yet are many of vs neuer touched with any remorse of conscience nor moued to any serious or true repentance Act. 2.37 38 39. 81 Like as we see Crowes and other foules follow the heeles of the sower to picke vp and deuour such graine and Corne as doo lie vncouered So in like manner doo the Diuels come like greedie foules into the assemblies wher the Word of God is preached to take it away from the hearts of the people that it may not growe there Math. 13.4 82 As a Purgation made for the body many times worketh not his operation by reason of the ill temperature of the body or else of the region that too much by reason of her draweth humours of man into the exteriour parts of the body So likewise the Word of God powred into the eares and vnderstanding of man worketh not many times his operation in cleansing the soule from the humours and corruption of sinne by reason of the ill temperature and disposition of the persons that vseth to read and heare the Scripture 83 As the child before he is borne into the world abideth in the Mothers wombe and taketh all nourishment of her So we must learn what God is within the bounds of his Word not at rouers vntill he mercifully deliuered vs from this bondage and out of the dungeon of the body and graunt vs to behold him face to face 84 As playsters except they bee applied in order and time and be laid vpon the wound though they be neuer so good yet they cannot heale Euen so it is with the Word of God and the parts of it which except they bee vsed in order and time conuenient will not humble and receiue vs as their vertue is 85 Like as the red Sea was a safe passage for the Israelites comming out of Egypt and a drowning to the Egyptians Or as the fire of Babylon hurt not the three children cast into the Ouen but yet burnt the Ministers which cast them in Or as the Lyon saued Daniell aliue but quickly did deuour his accusers Euen so such is the nature of the VVord of God that as it is a condemnation to the wicked so it is the power of God vnto saluation to all those which beleeue the same Exod. 14. toto Dan. 3.21 25. Dan. 6.22 24. Rom. 6.16 86 As there was in the Arke the tables of the Law the pot of Manna and Aarons rod So in the Word of God there are Commandements mercies for the faithfull and iudgements for the impenitent and vnfaithfull 87 Euen as salt is good both for the keeping of dead flesh from corruption and for the healing and purging of that which is aliue So the Word is profitable for them that be dead in trespasses and sinnes to make them aliue and for them that bee aliue in Christ to heale and purge them of sinne 88 Like as the Sunne shining on the earth is not polluted or hurt thereby but rather cleanseth all things So the holy Word of God is not polluted by a sinfull body but purifieth it 89 As Honie through the sicknesse and heate of a Feuer dooth make the bitter things that are taken into the mouth to seeme straunge and worse then they are indeed So Gods VVord beeing digested and receiued into our soules dooth make vs more abhorre the bitternesse of sinne lust vanities c. 90 As we make great account of our Charters whereby we hold our earthly liberties yea we gladly read them and acquaint our selues
with them So likewise we ought to make more account of the Word of God which is the Law of spirituall libertie Iam. 2.16 91 As Mariners vse by the starres to direct their courses on the Sea So must wee make Gods Word a starre to direct vs to Christ 92 As wee account much of Rings Iewels or such like things which are left vs of parents and friends beeing dead So must we account make much of Gods Word left vs by Christ 93 As the Sunne shining vpon filthy sinckes dunghils and puddles draweth out loathsome smells yet it selfe is pure and not defiled with them Euen so the VVord of God which though it draw sinne and wickednesse from sinfull men yet it selfe is pure and holy Psal 12.6 19.8 94 As we may see many mens faces but not know their minds except wee conferre long with them So it is with the VVord of God if we onely barely and carelesly read it and doo not earnestly meditate in it and studiously search it 95 Euen as the naturall man conceiued of naturall seede is nourished with bloud in his Mother wombe and fed afterward with Milke when hee is once borne as all creatures are nourished with that whereof they are engendred So in like manner the regenerate man conceiued and begotten of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God is nourished fostered by it receiuing the same simply and purely without any mixture and hotch potch of any other mans inuentions with it Wicked 1 AS the third sort of Canterburie belles beeing planted in Gardens prosper ouermuch for it dooth spread abroad and multiply that it hurteth other hearbs and will not easily bee weeded out or ouercome Euen so the Wicked in the Church 2 As if one and the same wormewood the common wormewoood is hote in the first degree Sea wormwood hote in the second and yet both wormwood So among the Wicked some lesse hote in profession some more and yet both Wicked some lesse cruell some more cruell and yet both vngodly c. 3 As the wilde Boores and Swine which are wont to eate and destroy other Wheate and Corne will seldome feede vpon Triticum Romanorum or bearded wheate because of the prickie beards which doo them hurt So the VVicked which liue by deuouring and oppressing other the Children of God will seldome assault them which can hurt them 4 Polimanie held in the hand keepeth a man from beeing stung or hurt with any Scorpion but the more vertues a man hath the sooner the VVicked will vexe him therefore are worse then Scorpions 5 As the great Raifort or mountaine Radish being planted neare the Vine causeth it to starue and wither away So the VVicked beeing too neare the godly make them to decay and fall away 6 As the Salamander that is euer in the fire and neuer consumeth So be the souls of the reprobate and vngodly men euer dying in hell and yet neuer dead 7 As water lighting vppon a hard stone falleth away because there is no entrie open into the stone So the VVicked doo with their hardnesse of heart driue backe the grace of God that it cannot pearce into them 8 As the flint stone are made of such matter that neither water can moysten them nor fire can melt them Euen so the VVicked and obstinate are so stonie hearted that neither the heauenly deaw of the sweete promises of the Gospell or the feare or furious threatnings of the law can mollifie their hearts Ezech. 3.9 9 As long as a sicke man can walke and stand there is some hope that he will recouer and amend but if he must needes lie downe then there is little hope of his health Euen so a man that walketh in the counsell of the VVicked or standeth in the way of sinners there may be some hope of him but if hee once sit downe in the Chaire or seate of the scornfull then there is no hope at all of his repentance Psal 1.1 10 As the disease of a Canker infecteth alwayes the next part vnto it vntill it haue runne through and infected the whole body Euen so the VVicked neuer cease vntil they haue drawne them all such as keepe them companie 1. King 11.3 4 5. Deut. 7.3 4. Iudg. 16.16 17 18. 11 As fire is of this nature qualitie that it will burne vp whole houses and faire places euen with a sparke if it be letten alone which otherwise might bee put out with ones finger Euen so the VVicked yea but one Wicked member in a Towne if he bee suffered will at length doo much hurt to the whole Towne c. 12 As that Mother cannot but be greatly afflicted who hauing many children weeping and crying at once for meate and she not hauing sufficient or none at all to giue them Euen so the VVicked man beeing greedily called vppon without ceasing but almost infinite passions to yeeld to their desires must needes be vexed and pitifully tormented especially being notable to satisfie any one of the least of their petitions 13 Like as the stone of Sycila the which the more it is beaten the harder it waxeth Euen so the VVicked the more that the terrours and threatnings of Gods iudgements are denounced against them the more hard harted they bee 14 As the Graue alwayes craueth for more and is neuer satisfied Euen so such is the vnsatiablenesse of the throates of the Wicked Rom. 3.13 15 As the Milner doth muffle and blindfold his horse that draweth his malt Mill whereby the horse supposing that he goeth right forward is deceiued for that hee turneth round Or as the Faulconer doth put hoods vpon the heads of his Haukes that so they may sit the quietter on his arme Euen so Sathan muffleth and hoodwinketh the Wicked by ignorance and by the delights pleasures vaine inticements of the world that so he may possesse them the quietter to their vtter ouerthrow 16 As the Adder is by nature enclined and desirous to sting and hurt with his poyson whome so euer hee may Euen so all the counsels of the Wicked tend to the encrease of wickednesse and mischiefe Psal 58.4.5 83.5 17 As the poysonfull nature of an Adder can by no means be redressed no not by enchauntment for he stoppeth his eares against the charmer Euen so there is no hope of the conuersion of obstinate Wicked ones who stubburnely refuse to heare all wholesome doctrine and good counsell that proceedeth out of the word Act. 7.57 18 As the Axe is in the hands of the hewers or workemen Euen so the Wicked whose miserie and seruice the Lord vseth to destroy and to plague others are also in the hand of God Esa 10.15 19 As men throwe away their tooles when they are worne and broken Euen so God when he hath finished his worke then he casteth away the Wicked whom onely he vseth as instruments of his wrath Esay 12. 20 As Anakins or Giants were driuen out of the land of Canaan for their sinnes
252. Crueltie Folio 496. 499. 784. Conference Folio 554. Sirituall Combate Folio 735. D. DEath of Christ Folio 164. 179. Directing Folio 1â—7 Doctrine Folio 215. 220. 231. 278. Fleshly Desires Folio 216. Deceites of the world Folio 216 Dissention Discord Folio 216. 232. Diseases of the mind Folio 216. Death Folio 217. 219. 232. 233. 241. 450. 721. 771. Decree of God Folio 217. Decrease of holinesse Folio 218. Displeasure of God Folio 219. Delight Folio 219. Discipline Folio 220. Drunkards Drunkennesse Folio 221. 222. Diet of the soule Folio 223. Desertion spirituall Folio 231. 331. 412. 848. Death of sinne Folio 231. Diuell Folio 232. Desires heauenly Folio 241. Dauncing Folio 242. Diuines Folio 244. Damnation Folio 558. 727 Prayer for the Dead Folio 581. Deferring of repentance Folio 631. Death in the Lord. Folio 731. Deliuerance from trouble Folio 763. E. EXamination Folio 245. 554. Election Folio 246. 253. 257. 258. Enemies Folio 247. 262. Enuie Folio 248. Enterludes Folio 252. Eyes Folio 252. Eares Folio 252. Example Folio 253. 517. 522. 735. Edifying of others Folio 255. Epicurisme Folio 255. Errour Folio 256. 707. Eloquence Folio 261. Excesse Folio 262. Euill Folio 313. F. FAith dead Folio 297. Faith Folio 73. 262. 270. 273. 274. 281. 282. 289. 290. 291. 335. 550. 739. 751. 557. Forgiuenesse of sinnes Folio 276. 282. 287. 300. 301. 656. 689 Feeling Folio 278. 279. 280. Friendship Folio 286. 293. 296. 299. Flatterie Folio 288. Folly Folio 288. Flesh and spirit Folio 289. Forgiuing of others Folio 290. 632. Feare of God Folio 292. 296. 393. Frailtie of nature Folio 293. Fauour of God Folio 294. 348. 349. Faithfull Folio 294. Fall of man Folio 295. Famine of the soule Folio 295. Face of God Folio 296. Fornication spirituall Folio 298. Fasting Folio 298. Forsaking the world Folio 303. 386. Fellow feeling Folio 305. Free will Folio 306. Finall falling Folio 479. 619. Fancies of men Folio 686. G. GLuttonie Folio 256. 305. 659. Godlinesse Folio 308. 315. 320. 324. 334. 345. 456. Grace Folio 309. 320. 335. Good turnes Folio 311. Goodwill Folio 312. 321. God Folio 316. 321. 329. 343. 345. 350. 351. 415. 518. Holy Ghost Folio 318. 320. 334. 343. All good things come from God Folio 321. Gentlenesse Folio 322. 395. Gospell Folio 322. Gifts and graces of God Folio 325. 327. 335. 336. 783. Glorie of God Folio 328. 349. Guiltinesse Folio 334. Glorie of the elect Folio 337. Generation spirituall Folio 344. Glorie and renoume Folio 347. Greatnesse in the world daungerous Folio 400. Grieuing of Gods spirit Folio 727. H. HYpocrites Folio 191. 370. 382. 388. 593. 849. Hearers Folio 242. 348. 351. 393. 394. 844. 848. 851 Hardnesse of heart Folio 257. 383. Hope Folio 290. 401. Hearing of the word Folio 364 Humilitie Folio 366. 393. 394. Heretickes Folio 382. 388 Hatred Folio 384. Husbands Folio 387. 388. 399. Heauen Folio 391. Houses of the wicked Folio 391. Hell Folio 391. Hoste of God Folio 392. Horrour of sinne Folio 392. Helpe of man Folio 392. Holy dayes Folio 392. Holinesse Folio 393. 651. Heires with Christ Folio 395. Heart of man Folio 396. Health Folio 399. Housholders Folio 509. Earthly Happinesse Folio 523. I. IVdgements of God Folio 61. 421. Impenitencie Folio 181. 596. 726. Iudgement day Folio 218. 412. 418. 500. Inuentions of men Folio 220. 231. 417. 494. 686. 783. Good Intents Folio 254. Idlenesse Folio 256. 407. 721. 732 Iustice of God Folio 333. 412. 414. 499. Ingratitude Folio 401. 414. 779. 781. Imperfections Folio 402. 412. 420. Infirmities Folio 703. 786. 793. 827. 841. 845. Iustice Folio 403. 415. Ignorance Folio 403. 410 Iniurie Folio 403. Instruction of children Folio 405. Inconstancie Folio 406. 417. Iudges Folio 407. Idolatrie Folio 413. Incorporation with Christ Folio 413. 790. Image of God Folio 414. Ioy of the elect Folio 417. 418. Illumination by Christ Folio 419. Iudgement Folio 419. Iournie to heauen Folio 419. Iewes Folio 420. Infidelitie Folio 421. K. KNowledge of God Folio 423. Knowledge Folio 424. 425. 427. King Folio 425. 429. Kingdome of heauen Folio 425. Knowledge of our selues Folio 428. L. VNknown Language in Gods seruice Folio 173. Christian Libertie Folio 178. 456. Loue of the world Folio 429. Loue of God to his children Folio 429. 438. 453. 456. Life variable Folio 430. 452. 495. 499. Learning Folio 431. 449. 452. 455. Lying Folio 432. 454. Loue to God Folio 501. Loue of our neighbour Folio 437. 453. Law of God Folio 442. 450. 455. 523. 667 Lawes of men Folio 452. 538. Labour Folio 452. 453. 587. 579. Lending Folio 456. Lust Folio 458. Liberalitie Folio 459. 771 Going to Law Folio 707. M. MInisters Folio 183. 241. 468. 484. 485. 489. 491. 493. 497. 498 502. 503. 584. Marriage Folio 255. 460. 463. 483. 496. Magistrates Folio 311. 467. 485. 503. 522. Man Folio 460. 495. Maisters Folio 463. Mercie to others Folio 464. 499. Miserie Folio 464. Mercie of God Folio 464. 488. Mortification Folio 465. 505. Mind Folio 479. 480. 551. Mind troubled Folio 466. 486. Meane estate Folio 400. 468. 497. Memorie Folio 480. Merite Folio 481. Murder Folio 488. Militarie discipline Folio 495 Meditation Folio 496. 554. Malice Folio 497. 498. Manners Folio 498. Masse Folio 501. Misteries of God Folio 502. Meanes to be vsed Folio 504. 654. 669. 762. N. NOnresidents Folio 483. 484. Nursing of children Folio 496. Nature of things Folio 508. Good Name Folio 508. Noblemen Folio 509. Names in baptisme Folio 511. Neighbours Folio 511. Nobilitie Folio 512. Newters Folio 721. O. ORiginall corruption Folio 65. 198. 385. 462. 496. 514. 516. Opinions diuers Folio 245 Obedience to God Folio 513. 553. Obedience of Christ Folio 514. Old age Folio 514. Order Folio 517. Office Folio 518. 519. Oppression Folio 518. Obedience to superiours Folio 518. Offence Folio 519. Obstinacie Folio 537. P. PRouidence and Prudence Folio 521. Persecution Folio 122. 566. 581. Persecutors Folio 125. 564. 581. Pope Folio 130. 571. Poperie Folio 557. Prouidence of God Folio 160. 555. Prayer Folio 176. 301. 351. 542. 551. 553. 554. 569. 580. 583. 591. Prishioners Folio 242. Promises Folio 569. 583. 598. Promises of God Folio 315. 554. 557. 594 Peace of conscience Folio 396. 534. Pride Folio 400. 532. 537. 568. 575. 599. Preaching Folio 422. 5â—â— 564. 577. 594. 653. 840. Pleasures Folio 458. 597. 548. Pluralitie of liuings Folio 484. Principles Folio 521 Persons not to be regarded Folio 521. 533. Princes Folio 422. 533. 535. 570. 601. Prosperitie Folio 523. 552. 558. 564. 570. 579. 580. 595. 631. Patience Folio 524. 572. 578. 765. 768. Preachers Folio 525. 565. 566. 718. 596. 774. Preparation before good exercises Folio 532. 554. Papists Folio 533. 558. 572. Precepts of godlinesse Folio 534. Plague or pestilence Folio 535. Praysing of God Folio 530. Pastors Folio 533 535. 584. Praise Folio 536. 539. Power Folio 536. Parents Folio 537. 557. Peruersnesse Folio 538. Popish priests Folio 538. Poyetrie Folio 538. Poyson Folio 538. Presumption Folio