adde unto it eternal apprehensions and make them feel the fiercenesse of his anger Psal. 88.6 7. without any hope of being eased and after this can restrain and withhold them as he did Abimelech Gen. 20.6 For if one cease to be a Sonne because he commits a sinne that doth deserve eternal death then every sinne a child of Gods commits rends his relation or sonship off for every sinne deserves eternal death Rom. 6.23 and because in many things we offend all Jam. 3.2 we should be alwaies out of sonship and have neither certainty nor comfort in our estate unlesse he could give some ground out of Scripture to assure what sinnes put us out and what did not The Duke had sent to Doctor Preston to decline this clashing conference and assured him he was as much his Friend as ever and would have stopt it if he could but the Bishops had over-ruled it which the Doctor at the first believed and so was backward But when he saw the confidence of Doctor White and his Companion he doubted the sincerity of that assurance and was afterward informed that there had been a meeting at the Countesse of Denbies and the Duke had promised to leave him this gave him resolution and encouragement against the second conference which was managed in a manner by him alone against Master Mountague and Doctor White For when the Doctor saw the Duke begun to double with him he was less fearfull to offend him though the Duke still carried it with all the fairnesse that he could and appeared not in person When the time came for the second Conference the Doctor readily appeared and the first thing he charged Master Mountague withall was about his doctrine of Traditions which he affirmed he had delievered as grosly and erroneously as any Papist Gag pag. 38 39 40. For he justfied that place in Bazil where he saies The doctrine retained in the Church was delievered partly by written instructions partly by unwritten traditions having both a like force unto Piety which was so unlike to Bazil and the opinions of those times that it was generally believed to be put in by the Papists of later times Master Mountague confessed it was suspected by some of the preciser cut but Doctor Preston told him Bishop Bilson was none of them yet he did judge it supposititious and it must be so or Bazil acknowledged to be erroneous For he instanceth in praying towards the East and use of Chrisme or Oyl in Baptisme both which being rejected by the Church of England argues they held that place of Bazil not Canonical Master Mountague answered that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there used by Saint Bazil might signifie a thing that seemed so and so the sense might be that some things that seemed true of lesse esteem and consequence might be delivered by tradition as long as matters more substantial were taken from the Scriptures But Doctor Preston shewed that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signified oftentimes doctrine and was used here by Bazil for those Heads of doctrine that were more principal and lesse exposed comparing them unto those places in the Temple whereunto the people had not accesse Master Mountague answered farther that his assertion was hypothetical that if a doctrine came from the same author it was no great matter whether it were by writing or word of mouth for either had the same authority But Doctor Preston told him Bazil was positive and spake directly and him he justified and therefore could not be hypothetical as he pretended It is a great step unto victory for to divide Paul sets the Pharisees against the Sadduces Act. 23.6 7 8. that he might save himself The Jesuites are so good at it that though they have but one to be their adversary they will endeavour to divide him from himself by moving passion or compassion or some affection of his own against him Doctor White had openly in the Commencement house maintained that Election is not ex praevisis operibus and therefore Doctor Preston resolved to pinch Master Mountague in that particular that he might bereave him of his animating Champion Doctor White There were four several places that Doctor Preston had observed to make good this charge the first which he produced was Gag pag. 179. Some Protestants hold that Peter was saved because God would have it so without respect unto his faith and obedience and Judas damned because God would have it so without respect unto his sin And added this is not the doctrine of the Protestants this is not the doctrine of the Church the Church of England hath not taught it doth not believe it hath opposed it Now Doctor White was very fierce and eager to engage told him it was no doctrine of the Church of England but a private fancy of some that Judas was condemned without respect unto his sin for the wages of sin is death Rom. 6.23 The soul that sinneth shall die Ezek. 18.4 But Doctor Preston answered he did not charge that upon Master Mountague but the former part of the assertion that Peter was not saved without respect unto his believing and obedience and so Election should not be absolute but grounded upon faith and works foreseen Then saith Dr. White I have nothing against that but leave Master Mountague to answer for himself Dr. Preston was glad that he was eased of Dr. White and yet resolved to make advantage of it and therefore told Dr. White if he thought Election was not ex fide Praevisâ he desired to know whether saving grace were an effect and fruit of Election or no Dr. White acknowledged readily it was then said Dr. Preston Whosoever hath saving grace is Elected Now you know than an Elect person can never finally miscarry or fall away therefore whoever hath true grace can never fall away The old man saw the snare and would have avoided it by denying the consequence But the Dr. urged that wheresoever the Effect is there must be the Cause but Saving Grace is an Effect of Election This Dr. White would have denyed but the hearers murmured that the Effect could not be without the Cause as the day is not without the presence of the Sun Then Dr. White answered that Saving Grace was an Effect indeed but a common Effect But Dr. Preston urged that it was not more common then Election for all the Elect had Saving Grace and none but they and therefore they could never fall away But this said he is by the way I will now apply my self to Mr. Mountague But when Mr. Mountague perceived that his great Goliah Dr. White forsook him he was greatly troubled and cavilled at the words a while but the book adjudging it for Dr. Preston he said The Church of England had not declared any thing against it Dr. Preston alledged the seventeenth Article but told Master Mountague that he affirmed the Church of England did oppose it and he desired to know where But after one of the Lords had
Minister Yet long life how full of troubles soever it be is to be esteemed amongst the blessings of God seeing his promise implies so much and not only so but because our lives may many waies serve to his glory and long life is not only an honour but a pledge of his favour Even as it is to him whom a Prince long implies in his service having had experience of his fidelity many years together Hereupon he earnestly requested her to pray that if it was the will of God he would imploy her yet longer in his service for the further enlargement of his Gospel and that he would grant unto her such recovery of health and such a good disposition of body that with renewed strength she might be enabled to finish her course much more nobly then ever heretofore To this she replied That in regard of her own particular her life was not dear unto her seeing so long as she lived in this frail flesh she was still prone and apt to sin against God only she said her care was somewhat for her Children which God had given her in respect that they should be deprived of her in their young years yet saith she I doubt not but though he should please to take me from them himself will become a Father to them and a Protector over them as he hath ever been to me in my greatest afflictions and therefore I commit them wholly to his government and fatherly care Then the Minister blessed God for working in her Majesty this assurance of Faith and ability to cast her care upon the Providence of God intreating her still to persevere therein which would sufficiently seal unto her the truth of her Faith And thus saith he did the Patriarchs in times past commit the care of their posterity into the hands of God as may appear by the severall blessings of Abraham Isaac and Jacob But yet he told her that it was very requisite that she should make choice of such who for their sincerity both in life and Doctrine might continue to water in these young Princely Plants the seeds of Piety that had been sown in them by her so great pains and industry seeing it was to be hoped that the example of her Faith and constancy in the service of God wherein she had gone before them would serve as a perpetuall inducement to them to follow her noble vertues And whereas she had declared that death was not terrible to her because it was the way by which she was to passe to her eternal rest he told her that Christians had little cause to fear death in regard that they should not die at all according to that of our Saviour He that lives and believes in me shall never die Joh. 8.51 For saith he to speak properly death is no death to them but a sweet sleep being often so called in the Scriptures and therefore Christ for their sakes hath overcome and triumphed over it in his own person so as now we may cry out with St. Paul O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory After this he admonished her to make confession of her sinnes before God shewing that bodily diseases tend to the dissolution of nature and that death was the wages of sinne further declaring that by this her chastisement she might discern what she had deserved if God should enter into judgment with her not only in regard of the fall of our first Parents in which guilt she was enwrapped as well as others but also by her own personall sins seeing the best in the world are in themselves but poor miserable and wretched sinners yea if the Lord should punish us according to our demerits we could expect nothing at his hands but eternal death and damnation At these words she began with her eyes and hands lifted up to Heaven to acknowledge that the sins which she had committed against the Lord were innumerable and therefore more then she was able to reckon up but yet she hoped that God for Christs sake in whom she put her whole trust would be mercifull to her From hence the Minister took occasion to declare at large upon what ground she was to expect the fruit of this mercy of God in Christ Adding The whole have no need of a Physician but the sick And Christ saith He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance And that he is ready to fill the hungry with good things whereas in the mean while he sends the rich empty away Of these things saith he you ought so much the rather to be perswaded in your counscience by how much the more the holy Spirit of God witnesseth to your spirit that you are the Child of God and enables you to cry Abba Father For what is Faith else but a firm trust and assurance of the good will of God manifested towards us in his blessed Son But the Minister fearing lest by his long discourse he might be troublesome or cause her too much to spend her spirits would have given over which she taking notice of earnestly requested him not to forbear speaking to her about these matters of life and eternal salvation adding that now she felt the want of it in regard that since her coming to Paris she had been somewhat remisse in hearing such exhortations out of the Word of God And therefore I am the more glad said she to receive comfort out of it in this my great extremity Then did the Minister endeavour to set before her the happinesse of heaven and what those joys were that the faithfull possesse in the presence of God which the Scriptures intending to discover tell us that Eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive what those things are which God hath prepared for them that love him For saith he it is as if a King minding greatly to honour some Noble personage should bring him to his Court and there shew him his state and attendance his Treasures with all his most precious Jewels Eved so will the Lord one day reveal to all his Elect and faithfull people his magnificence and glory with all the Treasures of his Kingdom after he hath gathered them home to himself decking and adorning them with light incorruption and immortality Therefore saith he since this happinesse is so great your Highnesse ought to be the lesse solicitous about leaving this transitory life and know that you are to change this earthly Kingdom for an heavenly Inheritance These temporall good things which vanish and come to nothing in the using to enjoy for ever those things which are eternal and everlasting For your faith being now firmly set upon our Lord Jesus Christ you may be assured to obtain eternal salvation by him Then did he proceed to propose to her this question Madam Do you verily believe that Jesus Christ came into the world to save you and do you expect the full forgivenesse
she declared her willingnesse to obtain the recovery of her former health and for that end she refused no good means prescribed for her by her learned Physicians Again when she perceived her sicknesse to increase upon her and that she grew worse and worse she was no whit appaled thereat but shewed her self to be armed with an invincible constancy to undergo the utmost that death could do against her preparing her self willingly for that last conflict And when she saw her Ladies and Gentlewomen weeping about her bed she blamed them for it saying Weep not for me I pray you for as much as God doth by this sicknesse call me hence to enjoy a better life and now I may enter into the desired Haven towards which this frail vessel of mine hath been a long time steering Yet she shewed her self grieved that she wanted opportunity to reward them and many more of her Family and Train which had done her faithfull service as she could have wished excusing her self to them and professing that it was not want of good will but her being prevented by this her suddain sicknesse But said she I will not fail to give order about the same to the utmost of my ability In the end perceiving her strength to decay more and more she gave order to have her last Will and Testament made and thereby setled her outward estate And the 8 of June which was the day before she died she called for a Minister and finding that she was drawing nigh unto her end she desired him to speak somewhat largely of the temptations which Satan is wont to assail Gods Elect withall in their last conflict To this the Minister answered Indeed that is the hour wherein the sworn enemy of all the faithfull doth most busily bestirre himself if possible to deprive them of the comfort of their salvation not sparing especially at that time to set upon them with might and sleight but yet even then the Lord is not nor will be wanting to his filling their hearts with such joy and comfort of the Holy Ghost as shall make them in the end more then conquerours His first Engine wherewith he would drive them to despair is by presenting before their eyes the innumerable heaps of their sinnes and pollutions wherewith they have been any way defiled in their whole life and then he presents to them Gods justice before which no flesh can be able to subsist unlesse it were pure and spotlesse whence he infers that such miserable sinners can expect and look for nothing but utter death and condemnation But against these assaults we must as David Psal. 52. set the infinite multitudes of Gods compassions which do infinitely surpasse the multitudes of our sinnes And as for the justice of God we confesse that no creature that is defiled by sinne can abide to be strictly examined by it if God should call us to a severe account but we know that God will never enter into judgment with those that believe in his Son but imputes unto them that righteousness and obedience which was accomplished by him which is sufficient to oppose against the justice of God therefore in it alone we must expect to stand before his face and not by our own dignity and worthinesse Indeed if we were to appear before the seat of Justice to receive there what we have deserved we had good reason to be overwhelmed in utter despair but turning our eyes upon him who being the eternal Son of God hath clothed himself with our humane nature to bear on him the same punishment that was due to our sinnes and thereby hath acquitted us then Gods justice doth no whit affright us but rather yields us assured comfort because God being just cannot require the same debt twice Having therefore received full and perfect satisfaction from Christ whom he hath ordained to be our surety and who hath paid our debts for us thence we gather assurance that he will no more require it at our hands To which purpose these sentences are to be well observed It is Christ who hath born our grief and carried our sorrows The chastisement of our peace was upon him and by his stripes we are healed That we all like sheep have gone astray and have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid upon him the iniquity of us all Christ is our peace and the propitiation for our sins The Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world Upon these considerations Gods justice need not terrifie such as believe in Christ of whose righteousnesse and redemption they are made partakers seeing that Jesus Christ who knew no sin was made sin that is an oblation for sin for us that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him I grant said he that these things belong not to all indifferently but only unto such as believing in the Son of God do wholly cast themselves upon the merit of his death and passion which as St. Peter saith is sufficient for their salvation Act. 4.12 Then did he ask her whether she placed her whole trust and confidence on Christ crucified who died for her sins and rose again for her justification To this the godly Queen answered that she neither expected salvation righteousnesse nor life from any else but only from her Saviour Jesus Christ being assured that his merit alone did abundantly suffice for the full satisfaction for all her sins albeit they were innumerable This being your faith Madam quoth the Minister you cannot come into condemnation but are passed from death to life neither need you fear Gods Seat of Justice since it is turned into a Throne of mercy and grace unto you and therefore the hour of death will be exceeding welcome to you being but a sweet passage into a far better life as also the time in which all tears shall be wiped from your eyes therefore I beseech you Madam think often of that sweet Text Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord for they rest from their labours and their works follow them Now the time approaches wherein you shall enjoy the beatificiall vision the society of your Husband Christ the fellowship of the blessed Angels and celestial Spirits with the holy Patriachs Prophets Apostles and Martyrs of Christ partaking with them in the same felicity and glory He also further said Madam If it should please God by this your sicknesse to put an end to this weary Pilgrimage of yours and to call you home to himself as by some evident signs it appears that he will Are you willing to go unto him To this she answered with much Christian courage Yea with all my heart Then said he Good Madam Open the eyes of your Faith and behold Jesus your great Redeemer sitting at the right hand of his Father reaching out his hand to receive you to himself Are you Madam willing to go unto him Yes I assure saith she most willing and much more willing
together with an additament if it seemed good of somewhat of his own It hath been reported by some of those Ministers who frequented these exercises that when they could get this our Brother into that number or into the chair which latter he could hardly be drawn into he was observed to have a reach still beyond the rest and in regard of his depth of judgment and dexterity in due ballancing of points controverted and differences in opinion concerning the same he was commonly stiled among them The weighing Divine as hath been attested by that worthy Servant of Christ now at rest with him Master Oliver Bowles from the mouths of some of them who in his hearing related it For his ordinary manner of teaching it was in some kinde somewhat different from the usuall Method of the most Teachers in those times For he seldome made any excursion into the handling of common places or drew his subject matter out at length by any prolixly continued discourse But the main frame both of his publick Sermons and private Exercises for the most part if not wholly consisted after some brief and genuine resolution of the context and explication of the termes where need required of notes and observations with much variety and great dexterity drawn immediately from the text and naturally without constraint issuing and flowing either from the main body or from the several limbs of it with some usefull application annexed thereunto which though neither of them long insisted upon yet were wont with that vivacity to be propounded and pressed by him as well might and oft did pierce deep into the hearts of his hearers and not only rectifie and clear their judgments but have a powerfull work also upon their affections Nor was it his manner to quote many Scriptures finding it troublesome to his memory and supposing it would be so to his Auditours also that which was the practice and opinion also of Doctor Chaderton as they well know that heard him on Matth. 21.13 besides deeming it the lesse needfull in regard that his Observations being grounded immediately on the Scripture he handled and by necessary consequence thence deduced seemed to receive proof sufficient from it A constant form of prayer he used as in the Family so in his publick Ministry only varying or adding upon speciall accasions as occurences intervening required the reason he gave thereof was this because hesitation which he said he was much subject unto was in prayer more offensive then in other discourse unto prophane ones especially whereof in mixt multitudes and meetings some lightly too many usually were that which he affirmed also to have been Master Cartwrights practice with whom sometime he conversed In such manner of teaching he went over divers portions of Scripture Among others the fifty first and the hundred and nineteenth Psalms the story of Hanna 1 Sam. 1. and of Naaman the Syrian 2 Kings 5. Part of Christs Sermon on the Mount Matth. 5. the Parable of the Sower Matth. 13. and of the rich man and Lazarus Luk. 16. the relation of Christs Temptations recorded by two of the Evangelists the whole History of Christs apprehension araignment and execution together with Judas his end the four first Chapters of the Epistle to the Romanes the three last Chapters of the Epistle to the Hebrews beside many other more particular parcels of Scripture Of this sort was by himself published in his life-time A Preparation to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper at first written out at the request of that right religious Lady Darcy for her private use and by importunity afterwards made more publick for the farther benefit of others Therewith many have been much taken by means whereof it hath oft been reprinted and among others one Thomas Foster a Mercer by trade living at Shefford in Bedfordshire a very honest humble-minded and sincere-hearted Christian hath been heard to professe that that Book and that part of it more specially wherein are laid down certain marks and signs of Faith and Repentance was as farre as he was able to deem the only outward Instrumentall means of his Conversion through the gracious co-operation of Gods Spirit working powerfully and efficaciously upon his heart in the reading thereof And since his death have been published A Nuptial Sermon entituled A Marriage Feast on Joh. 2.1 12. A Meditation of Mans mortality on Psal. 90. His Sermons on the second Epistle to the Thessalonians A Treatise of Christian Reproof on Matth. 18.15 17. And another of the Sin against the Holy Ghost on Matth. 12.22 32. which in his life-time he had been by that worthy Knight Sir Robert Darcy who died not long before him much pressed to publish but could not prevail with him being very backward in that kind much undervaluing his own works and very rarely if ever satisfying himself in ought that he undertook For the use of the Family wherein he lived he drew up a twofold Catechism as they term it the one somewhat large the other more brief for young beginners extracted out of the former which latter to save labour of transcribing he permitted to be printed What spare time he had from his constant imployments either private or publick when not taken off by occasionall Occurrences he spent most of it principally three waies First In labouring to clear some Points about the Doâ—trine of Faith and Justification Concerning the latter whereof after many debates first occasioned by some Lectures of Doctor Grey sometime Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge then reading on that Subject at Gresham Colledge in London that passed to and fro by reciprocall Letters between him and a special friend of his he began to set upon an exact Treatise of that Argument Which being upon the first draught of it communicated to that friend of his upon some advertisements from him he in divers particulars farther cleared and being afterward imparted to divers of prime note in either University he was by them not much encouraged only but earnestly incited to divulge it that which though by much difficulty drawn unto yet at length he did And howsoever that accurate piece was but coursely entertained by one of his Brethren in the Ministry then living in the City traducing it publickly in a Lecture at Pauls quarrelling with him who had licensed it for the Presse and framing a bitter Invective against it which upon perusall was found so virulent that he could not get it permitted to passe to the Presse yet was the work so well approved by many learned and judicious in both our Universities that divers of them have professed to have received more light thence in that Point then they had ever before from the writings of any that had dealt in that Argument Hence it was that having occasion to be sometime on the Act-day at Oxford one of those that had seen it and deeming not underservedly of the workwan by the work seeing him passe along in a plain
the Duke of Buckingham to peruse and give his sense upon it Master Shervil the Recorder of Salisbury was a Bencher of Lincolns-Inne and a very good friend of his he had divers Friends at Dorchester and was desirous to be sea-sick and was still enticed forward and at last resolved to wait upon the King and Duke at Plimmouth whether they were gone to see the Navy set sayl Whilest he was there the Rochel fleet was broken by those ships the King lent and Mounsieur Sabeeza came into Falmouth with the remainder and thence to Plimmouth with most lamentable out-cries against the Duke who seemed to be very much affected with it and made mighty Promises of wonderfull repairs but Doctor Preston failed not to set that businesse home he did believe the Duke was over-ruled to lend them and sorry when he saw the sad effects But whilest the Duke was thus detained in the West the Earl of Bristol and the Lord Keeper Williams combined against him and drew in many to their Party among others the Earl of Pembroke and divers great ones in the House of Commons and was so incouraged and heartned in it that the Earl of Bristol May 1. 1626. preferred in the House of Lords twelve Articles against the Duke of Buckingham tending to prove That the Duke had promised unto the Pope and Ministers of Spain to make the King a Papist and over-ruled him against the judgment of the Earl of Bristol to write unto the Pope with the title of Sanctissime Pater That his carriage in the matters of Religion was so offensive that he stuck not to kneel before the Host as often as he met it That he was so licentious and unchast in his behaviour that the Spanish Ministers resolved not to have any thing to do with him That when he could not bring about the Match to his own particular advantage he used means to obstruct it and break it off That he had informed King James of all these things who promised to hear him and leave the offender unto Justice and that not many daies before his sicknesse The Duke had now reason to look about him and was very able so to do and first he labours to divide the Party by drawing off the Earl of Pembroke by promising his Daughter to the Earl of Mountgomeries Sonne which afterward he did accomplish then he endeavoured to oblige the Puritans by gratifying Doctor Preston all the waies he could and particularly in the businesse of the Colledge-suit by depriving Bishop Williams of the Seal and giving it to Sir Thomas Coventry who was one of the Colledge-counsel yea he went so far as to nominate the Doctor to the King to be Lord Keeper and the King was so firm to him that the Earl of Bristol could do no good and so withdrew his Articles Doctor Prestons Friends were Newters all this while and looked on neither engaged for him nor against him which was sadly represented to the Duke by the Bishops and that Party who wondered he should dote upon a man that either could not or would not own him in his need bad him consider whether Puritans were like to be his Friends whose waies were toto coelo different and told him plainly he could not have them both If he adhered to those that sought their ruine they must adhere to such as would support them so that the Duke was in a great strait and knew not what to do Doctor Preston also was importuned to put it to an issue and if he would not leave the rotten and corrupted Clergy then to leave him and because there had been informations against that Book of Master Mountagues they propounded it might come to a debate and not remain as now it it did unsetled The Doctor and the Duke were both of them unwilling to an open breach loved for to temporise and wait upon events But Doctor Prestons friends would not be satisfied but urged a conference whereunto they were incouraged by some Orthodox and very learned Bishops and at last it was concluded by two religious Noble-men that a conference there should be the Bishop of Rochester and Doctor White then Dean of Carlisle on the one side and the Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield and Doctor Preston on the other A day was set a Satturday in Hillary-Tearm at four of the clock in the afternoon the place was York-house and Doctor Preston sent to in the morning for to attend it The Noble-men came unto the Bishops lodgings about two of the clock and sent for Doctor Preston to them who gave many reasons why he could not go but they were resolute and taking the Bishop with them went without him but the Doctor considering and fearing his absence might betray the cause and give encouragement unto the other side went afterward himself unto the place and sate by as an hearer silent untill all was done but talking afterwards occasionally of falling from grace the Bishop shewed that a godly man might go far and yet return by the instance of the Prodigal Luk. 15. but Doctor White exclaimed against any that should think the Prodigal in acts of drunkennesse and whoredome not to be fallen from grace and urged that of the Apostle Rom. 1.32 That those that do such things are worthy of death that is said he in a state of everlasting death and therefore fallen from grace so 1 Cor. 6.9 10. shall not inherit the Kingdome of God that is are not sons for if sons then heirs Rom. 8.17 But Doctor Preston answered that these sins made indeed a forfeiture of all their interest into the hands of God and he might make the seisure if he pleased but did not unto those which were his children and in Covenant with him as two Tennants by not paying of their Rent or keeping Covenants forfeited their Leases yet the Lord might seize the one and not the other as he pleased But the Bishop and the Dean both cried out this was the way to all licentiousness and looseness To which the Doctor answered That the seed of God as the Apostle calls it 1 Joh. 3.9 remained in the sinning Saint or Sonne and would repair him as in water there remains a principle of cold even when it boyleth over that will undoubtedly reduce it when the heat and fire is removed as in Peter David Sampson and others was apparent so that they could not run out into all licentiousnesse for the spirit lusted against the flesh that they cannot do the things they would Gal. 5.17 and though he did not disinherit them and blot their names out of the Book of life Phil. 4.3 yet he might and would withdraw his favour imbitter all their comforts Mat. 26.75 raise trouble to them from their dearest interests 2 Sam. 12.11 fill them with anguish Psal. 38.3 4. which in reason will keep them from running out seeing the evil is commensurable unto that good of pleasure or profit their sinne afforded and if need be he can
whispered with Mr. Mountague he confessed that for Arminius he had never read him and that he had written some things negligently in that book which he never thought should thus be scanned among friends and therefore promised to write another book in Butter and Honey and therein more exactly for to acquit himself Some of the good Lords proposed that in stead of this Book which Mr. Mountague had promised to write the Synod of Dort might be received and established as the doctrine of the Church of England seeing there was nothing there determined but what our Delegates approved But Dr. White opposed this mainly for said he the Church of England in her Catechism teacheth to believe in God the Sonne who redeemed me and all mankind which that Synod did deny Dr. Preston answered That by Redemption there was only meant the freeing of mankind from that inevitable ruine the sin of Adam had involved them in and making of them savable upon conditions of another Covenant Joh. 3.16 17. so as now salvation was not impossible as it was before the death of Christ but might be offered unto any man according to the tenor of that Commission Mark 16.15 16. Which could not be unto the devils for they were left in that forelorn condition whereinto their sin and disobedience put them Heb. 2.16 2 Pet. 2.4 that the Jaylor was a boisterous bloody fellow Act. 6.24 27. yet Paul makes no doubt for to tell him vers 31. That if he believed on the Lord Jesus he should be saved with his house But Dr. White in no sort received this but affirmed earnestly that Christ died for all alike in Gods intention and Decree for Cain as well as Abel for Saul as much as David for Judas as much as Peter for the reprobate and damned in hell as well as for the Elect and Saints in heaven But Dr. Preston answered That there was a speciall salvation afforded to Believers 1 Tim. 4.10 That Christ was indeed a ransome for all 1 Tim. 2.6 but the Saviour only of his body Eph. 5.23 that he redeemed all but called and justified and glorified whom he knew before and had predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Sonne Rom. 8.29.30 that to whom in this sense Christ was given to them were given also all things appertaining unto life and godlinesse 2 Pet. 1.3 as faith 2 Pet. 1. â— Phil. 1.29 Eph. 2.8 Repentance Act. 11.18 2 Tim. 2.25 A new heart Ezek 36.26 His Spirit Gal. 4.5 6. So that nothing can be charged on them but Jesus Christ hath undertaken and is engaged to discharge them Rom. 8.31 32 33 34. So that they can never perish nor be taken out of Christs hand Joh. 10.28 29 30. but as they are begotten again unto a lively hope 1 Pet. 1.3 so they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation vers 5. whereas Judas was lost Joh. 17.12 and is gone to his own place Act. 1.25 and there are many nations and people of the world that have no outward offer made unto them in the Gospel Psal 147.19 20. Act. 16.6 7. and those that have it have not hearts given them to understand it and believe it Deut. 29.2 3 4. Esa. 6.9 10. Mat. 13.13 14 15. and therefore they are lost 2 Cor. 4.3 4. and are damned 2 Thes. 2.10 11 12. For he shewed that in Adam all men were lost Rom. 5.12 and none recovered but by Christ therefore such as had not Christs intercession could not recover but Christ prayed not for some Joh. 17.9 and therefore such could not be saved Heb. 7.25 Dr. White acknowledged there was a difference for though all had so much as by good improvement might serve their turn yet the Elect had more for God abounded towards them Eph. 1.8 9. Rom. 5.15 17 20. As all the Troop have horses but the Officers have better Both Travellers have staves to leap over the ditch but the one a better and stronger then the other The worst had grace enough to keep corruption and the renitency of their natures down but the Elect such as would do it easily for Christ had tasted death for every man Heb. 2.9 and died for those which yet might perish 1 Cor. 8.11 and bought those that yet brought upon themselves swift damnation 2 Pet. 2.1 because they did not husband and improve the favour offered to them Dr. Preston answered That Christ was in himself sufficient to save all and might be said to be provided for that end and use as a medicine is to cure infected persons though it cure none actually but those that drink it as Prosper Habet in se quod omnibus prosit sed si non bibitur non medetur As 1 Joh. 5.11 12. but many did not thus apply Christ because they had him not so offered and exhibited as others had Mat. 11.21 Luk. 10.13 for God gave some faith and repentance as we have shewed as the Serpent Moses was commanded for to make was in it self sufficient to cure those that were bitten Numb 21.8 9. yet cured none but only those that looked on it So as Moses lift up the Serpent in the wilderness shall the Son of man be lift up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have life everlasting Joh. 3.14 15. But Dr. White urged that place Esa. 5.4 that God had done all he could but they neglected and rejected the counsel of God against themselves Luk. 7.30 Dr. Preston answered That God had done all that they could challenge of him for he had given them in Adam power Eccl. 7.29 and proposed another way of mercy in a Mediatour and therefore he appeals to any one that was indifferent Esa. 5.3 but this was unto Israel he dealt not so with other nations Psal. 149.20 Beside he had done what he could without reversing and rescinding his Decree Joh. 12.38 39 40. for otherwise he could have given them the same spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 the like gift that he did unto others who believed on the Lord Jesus Act. 11.17 could have wrought in them both to will and to do according to his good pleasure Phil. 2.13 could have healed them as he promised Esa. 57.18 and as he did persecuting Saul 1 Tim. 1.6 but God had other ends Rom. 9.17 and attributes Rom. 9.22 which he was willing to discover Prov. 16.4 But Dr. White asked how then he could require faith and repentance Mark 1.15 Act. 17.30 which was all one as if he should require one to give his judgment and opinion of a colour that had his eyes shut and then shut his eyes as fast as he could Dr. Preston answered That he might do it to shew and discover our impotency as we bid our little children rise that by their own fault fell that we may let them know their inability and be the more beholding unto us to help them up as Mark. 9.23 24. and because the call and command of Christ is the Vehiculum
and Conduit-pipe of strength and power Act. 14.10 Joh. 5.8 9. as Lazarus Joh. 11.43 44. Thus God by bidding and commanding men to take grace doth thereby fit them and enable them to do it as that Creeple Act. 3.6 7 8. was by the command inabled so Saul Act. 22.13 being commanded to receive his fight was inabled the same moment to look upon him and so vers 16. being commanded to wash away his sins had the blood of Christ provided ready for to do it So these commands are not like those the Apostle speaks of Jam. 2.16 for here is something given when God bids he doth not Verba dare sed rem But it was further urged by the Doctor that God had no pleasure in the death of wicked men Ezek. 33.11 but that he would rather they should repent and leave their sins Ezek. 18.23 and vers 32. if therefore God were not ready to the utmost of his power to give them grace he could not be excused from dissembling and double-dealing But Dr. Preston answered That superiours may command unable persons for many reasons but cannot be said for to dissemble unless they refuse to give when the required condition is performed As if I bid one come unto me and I will give him six-pence if I refuse when he is come I did dissemble but if he comes not he cannot charge me for their not coming may be for want of will Joh. 5.40 as well as for want of power Joh. 6.44 Now if I know a Creeple will not come though he could I may punish him for it It 's true God delights in nothing but himself his joy and comfort is terminated only in himself not in the creature but as some way served and represented by it for God made all things for himself Prov. 16.4 yea for his pleasure Rev. 4.11 That is the exercise and illustration of some one of his attributes as his power Exod. 9.16 Rom. 9.17 his wrath Rom. 9.22 Never did strong man glory of his strength more then God doth of his Soveraignty and Omnipotency Job 40.9 10 11 12 13. Now if it fall out that in the illustration and exercise of these his glorious attributes and excellencies some creatures smart yet he delights not in their smart and sufferings but in the demonstration of his own Omnipotency Ahashuerus makes a Feast to all the States and Orders of his Kingdome to shew the riches of his glorious Kingdome and the Honour of his excellent Majesty Esth. 1.3 4. This was not done without the smart and suffering of many of the creatures yet he delights not in their sufferings but in his own magnificence and bounty When Christ was at the Feast Joh. 2.1 2. he doth not condole the death of all those innocents that went to make it up Qui fruitur poena ferus est but rejoyced in the good cheer and good will of the Friend that bade him There were few present of Doctor Prestons Friends and accordingly this conference was represented and reported with all the disadvantage that could be to him insomuch that many Parliament men that were his friends were much offended at it which occasioned him as soon as he came to Cambridge to write the several passages and send them to those friends that were unsatisfied But it was an evidence that the Duke and Dr. Preston were not so great but that he sticked to the Prelates and would in the issue leave Dr. Preston and the Puritans which much abated good mens affections to the Duke and it was believed that he had no such footing in the Kings affections as he did pretend unto Posteà Maecenas speciem potius quam vim tenuit in amicitia Principis They thought his greatnesse began to languish and it was believed in the University that there was another favourite in being though yet obscure for the Earl of Suffolke much about this time died who had been a long time Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and great meanes was used to set the Duke up for to succeed him but good men were fallen off because of his deserting Dr. Preston and others did believe his glory was departed and so the Earl of Berkshire the former Chancellors second Son was set up against the Duke and many visited for him that loved greatnesse and were servants good enough unto the times and it 's believed it had been carried for him against the Duke if the wisdome of Dr. Goffing then Vice-Chancellor and some others in the scrutiny had not prevented it but it was pronounced for the Duke and great care was taken for the investing of him in a very solemn manner A representative of the University is designed to attend him at York-house in their habits and a sumptuous Feast provided for their entertainment the Duke sate in the midst of the Table among the Doctors where by some body there was an health begun unto the King When it came to Dr. Preston for to pledge it he was uncovered and bowed as others had done but drank but very little and so delivered it unto the next but one of the Doctors took notice that he drank not all and told him he had seen him drink as great a glass of wine and did believe he could have drunk this if he would but that he loved to be singular The Dr. acknowledged he was not skilfull in the laws of drinking healths and therefore if he had offended he desired it might be imputed to his ignorance but he thought the end was to shew respect unto the persons named which was done best by the Ceremonies that preceded as being bare standing up and such like wherein he said he had not willingly offended but if it were an Engine to Court-intemperance and engage men unto greater quantities then themselves liked it fell short of that modesty and freedom of the Heathens Esth. 1.8 and was a sin in all but in men of their degree and rank and an abominable wickednesse The Duke misliked this incivility and frowned on the Doctor that occasioned it but it was believed it could not have been done without assurance that the Dukes affections were ebbing towards Dr. Preston And no wonder for his end being to make impressions of good upon the Court he could not but see if they did not succeed they would recoil If you manure and sow your land if the seeds subdues it not and conquers it it is enabled to bring forth the stronger weeds Heb. 6.7 8. If your Pearles be cast before swine they will also turn again and rend you Mat. 7.6 The Duke had now seen the worth and way of Dr. Preston he had found that he could not winne him and make him his he could not therefore in the way of policy but labour and resolve to wrack and sink him When Herod was convented by prevailing conquering Augustus for his great assistance of Mark Anthony his adversary and knew it would be in Augustus power to take his head off he setled his
that we should be sure of if we unfeignedly sought it Speaking of Davids penning the 51 Psalm after his murther and Adultery he put this glosse upon it That hearty and true repentance shall have cause to praise the Lord for his pardoning mercy He said Afflictions were Gods Potions which we might sweeten by Faith and faithfull Prayer but we for the most part made them bitter putting into Gods Cup the ill ingredients of our own impatience and unbelief He gave this reason why many of Gods people lived uncomfortably for that they shut their ear against what God said where they should open it and they opened their ear to what their carnal reason and Satan and the world said where they should shut it But said he the Psalmist was wiser Psal. 85.8 He would heare none of them all I will heare what the Lord God will speake His preaching was searching and when some did suppose that he had Informers and Spies because he came so close to them he answered that the Word of God was searching and that if he was shut up in a dark vault where none could come at him yet allow him but a Bible and a Candle and he should preach as he did He had an excellent gift in similitudes which did flow freely and frequently from him as all those knew who either heard him preach publiquely or discourse privately He called death the friend of grace though it were the enemy of nature and whereas the Word and Sacraments and Prayer do but weaken sin death kills it Speaking of Prayer he said a man was never in a hard condition unlesse he had a hard heart and could not pray Having preached out of that text O woman great is thy Faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt he invited some women to dinner and told them it was a usuall saying Let a woman have her will and then she would be quiet Now the way for a woman to have her will is to have a strong Faith and to pray as that woman in the Gospel did Upon a time when he had preached long so that it was somewhat late before he went to dinner he said you shall have some Gentlemen will follow hounds from seven in the morning till four or five in the afternoon because they love the cry of dogs which to me was unpleasant hearing so if we love the Word we should be content though the Minister stood above his hour And he added methinks it is much better to hear a Minister preach then a Kennell of hounds to bark Speaking of Recreation he said he marvelled what the vocation of many was who were so eager for recreation And if we should come into a house and see many Physick-boxes and glasses we would conclude some body is sick so when we see Hounds and Hawks and Cards and Dice we may fear that there is some sick soul in that Family He told some Friends that if he were to passe sentence who was a rich man he would not look into his purse or chest how much gold he had laid up but look into his heart what promises were treasured up there For we count him rich that is rich in bonds and the pleading of the Promises in Prayer is suing of the bonds Speaking to a Minister who was to go to a place where there was but small means he told him that his care was to preach and do God service and then God would provide for him When he preached at Fausley and was much resorted unto as it was with him in other places he told a godly man of his acquaintance that if the Countrey knew so much by him as he knew by himself they would not have him in so much admiration Speaking about going to Law his Opinion was that it was better to buy Love then Law For one might have a great deal of love for a little whereas he could have but a little law for a great deal He would frequently say That was well which ended everlastinly well and that was ill which ended everlastingly ill And that a man was never undone till he was in hell This was a speech which he often used that if it were lawfull to envy any he would envy those that turned to God in youth whereby they escaped much sin and sorrow and were like unto Jacob that stole the blessing betimes This was a remarkable passage of Providence that upon a time when it was late at night it came into his mind that he must see a Friend of his some two miles off he had businesse and would have put it off but his thoughts were restlesse whereupon he went and when he came to the place all the Family were in bed but only his Friend who was esteemed truly godly but at that time was overwhelmed with tentations the occasion whereof was some cruelty offered to his Children Master Dod knew nothing either of the tentation or occasion of it But knocking at the door his Friend opened the door to him to whom he said I am come to you I know not why my self but I was restlesse in my spirit untill I had done it To whom his Friend answered You know not why you came but God knew why he sent you and withall pulled out a halter wherewith he had intended self-murder at that time which by Gods goodnesse was by this means prevented Speaking of losing for Christ he testified from his own experience that for the losse of one carnal Brother he had two hundred spiritual Brethren Before he was married he could not maintain himself and thereupon he was thinking how he should maintain a Wife and Children his living not being great but looking out of his study window he saw a Hen and Chickens scratching for their living and he considered thus with himself The Hen did but live before and had nothing to spare and now she had as much with that great Family When he saw a Christian to look sad he would use that speech which Johnadab did to Amnon Art not thou a Kings Son He would say to those that complained of losses and crosses that which Eliphaz did to Job Do the consolations of God seem small to you God hath taken away your children your goods but he hath not taken away himself nor Christ nor his Spirit nor Heaven nor eternal life He used to instruct Christians how they should never have a great affliction nor long and that was by looking upon things which were not seen which are eternal 2 Cor. 4.17 18. What can be great to him that counts the world nothing And what can be long to him that thinks his life but a span long To perswade them that are Christians not to return railing for railing he would say that if a dog bark at a sheep a sheep will not bark at a dog In these times of war at the first beginning of them when