sins My soule is heauy vnto death yea he was astonished at his griefe at the very entry at it for his sweat was drops of blood falling from hâ—m and God sent an Angell from heauen to comfort him Was this for the death of his body His seruants that receiue of his fulnesse doe they not easily despise this death that either they desire to be with Christ or reioyce in the middest of it before the persecutor The Apostles did sing in prison Paule gloried in his tribulations which were many And did hee cry out my God my God why hast thou forsaken me Here is no comparisoÌ„ that which made him tremble wold haue crushed them that which made him sweate blood would haue made them sinke into the bottome of hel and that which made him cry would haue held both Angels and men vnder euerlasting woe But Christ was as water powred out and all his bones out of ioynt his heart like waxe molted in the middest of his bowels his strength was dried vp like a potsheard and his tongue cleaued vnto his iawes hee was brought with his sorrowes to the dust of death for hee bare our sinnes in his body he submitted himselfe to the death of them and by the wounds of his stripes we be healed For our sinnes deserued not onely a bodily but also a second death in hell fire hee suffered the torments of body and the anguish of the soule the wrath of his Father which wounded his flesh spirit vnto death would haue holden him in that condemnation for euer if he had not bene stronger then we that had deserued it but beeing the Sonne of God in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelled bodily the eternall Spirit that was within him did loose the chaines of death and hell of which it was impossible that hee should bee holden and hath left his enemies the Deuill death and hell in ignominy and darknesse and hath abolished them for euer CON. 76. We are presented faultlesse before the presence of Gods glory by beeing made one with Christ. EXPLA. Of Christ onely is it true This is my well-beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased this is the Saluation wee haue by him to bee grafted in him and made partakers of his life All the faithfull before Christ were righteous in him for wee must leaue all our works in the earth where they were done and they must dye with the corruptible hands and feete with which they are wrought we must go naked and bare and offer nothing but that which is Christs yea our selues wee must present in his body for in our owne persons wee cannot possibly be accepted Euen as the Vine branch can haue no life except it abide in the body of the Vine no more we either life or righteousnesse except wee be and abide in Christ. He is our substance and being in the inheritance of glory his righteousnesse is ours his loue ours his life our life his Spirit our spirit of his fulnesse we receiue all This is a great mistery which the eye seeth not nor heart can vnderstand yet it is a reall ioyning with him faith comprehendeth it and when wee shall see that wisedome which is called vnity in one person God and man wee shall see the wisedome which hath made vs all the body of that head and members one of another In him he is well pleased I say with vs. If that couenant wherin it was once promised to Abraham to giue a land vnto the Iews and all their rebellion could not falsifie his promise in him wee haue a couenant greater and better therefore let vs trust vnto his promise which cannot change his grace nor repent him of his mercy for euer for this is a holy couenant which shall not be broken but God will make all our enemies our footstooles and will surely take vs vp into his glory and briefly the presence of God to which Christ leadeth vs is a throne of Grace for by his merits we bee brought vnto God as before a Iudge who from his tribunall Seat doth acquit vs for euer of his own grace and free mercy For whosoeuer looketh to bee iustified by any other thing the Lord can no more shew mercy vnto him then he can change the property of his Iudgement seate to make it no more the Throne of Grace CON. 77. A perfect beauty of all excellent loue appeareth in the great worke of Christs mediation for hee became man Secondly Hee was ordained to accomplish whatsoeuer was betweene God and man Thirdly This was giuen to Christ by God both by word and by oath and all was to haue compassion on vs. EXPLA. Neither Angell nor Archangell nor Principalities nor Powers can doe this worke to present flesh and blood vnto the Maiesty of God when themselues are but spirits He tooke not the Angels nature but the seede of Abraham But in his sufferings his loue is most euident in that it was so feruent and so deepely rooted that neither feare nor trembling nor any anguish of spirit could make him shake nor the force of death nor any bloody sweats could pull it out of his bowels this is the depth of the Gospell which the Angels doe desire to behold it skilleth not how many our sins are and how great in our eyes the Lord will scatter them as the clouds from the heauens and they shall not turne away his louing countenance from vs if our sinnes bee as scarlet and not ours onely but the sinnes of the whole world they rested all vpon Christ he prayeth for deliuerance and hath obtained and therefore we may say with boldnesse forgiue vs our trespasses We then which are laden but with our owne sins should lift vp our hearts in the great assurance of hope and heare with ioyfulnesse the word of promise I will be mercifull to their vnrighteousnesse and I will remember their sins and iniquities no more There is nothing comparable to his passions by whose stripes we are healed and therefore may bee fully perswaded that nothing shall separate vs from the loue of God in Christ for the Lord hath appointed to giue to all that mourne in Sion beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heauinesse for hee was wounded for our transgressions and broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him his prayers are ours his supplications for vs availeable for more sins then we are able to commit This is the victory that shall ouercome the world euen our faith For his Father hath broken him with one breaking vpon another so he kindled his wrath against him and accounted him as one of his enemies hee cryed out aloud in silence he could finde no ease his face was wrinckled with weeping and the shaddow of death was vpon his eyes wheÌ„ he was the brightnesse of glory and the Sunne of Righteousnesse that
made one with him in whom we are incorporated as members of his body we dwell in him and hee in vs and as a faithfull Mediator will performe the will of his heauenly Father For of all that he hath giuen him hee will lose nothing but shall raise it vp at the last Day CON. 12. Our saluation hangeth not vpon the sufficiency of our faith repentance or righteousnesse for they are neuer such as they ought to be EXPLA. It is not the valew or worth of any thing in vs that can merit pardon but in faith there is a sincerity and truth required For wee are Iustified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Iesus whom God hath set forth for an attonement for vs by faith in his blood onely by faith I say thaâ— it may bee of grace that the promise may be sure to the seede that through the name of Christ euery one that beleeued in him shall haue forgiuenesse of sinnes for as many as are vnder the workes of the Law are vnder the curse for it is written cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things that are written in the booke of the Law to doe them now the Law is not of faith but he sayth he that doth these things shall liue in them Yee are voyded of Christ yee are fallen from grace that will bee iustified by the Law for if they which bee of the Law bee heires then faith is made voyde and the promise is made of none effect if the inheritance bee by the Law it is no longer by promise but God hath giuen vnto vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne So eternall life is the gift of God through Iesus Christ our Lord. Neither yet shall we euer haue that fulnesse of grace here to keepe perfectly the commandements yet as grace increaseth so wee increase in keeping of them in this life and in the end sinne being wholly abolished for euer we shall bee fully conformed to the Image of righteousnesse that God desired in the Law Now Christ was circumcised for vs and he that is circumcised is made debter to the whole Law in the which circumcision hee entred bond for vs and shed fewe drops of blood as a pledge hee would shed all the rest for vs thereafter CON. 13. By the grace of God begunne in vs though mixed with many imperfections our faith receiued further confirmatioÌ„ that he which wrought this beginning of life will go forward therewith to the end EXPLA. God who made vs partakers of one part of his promises will also make vs partakers of the other while wee take these first fruits of sanctification as a pledge froÌ„ him of the performance of the whole for if wee hunger and thirst for righteousnesse hate sinne grone vnder the burden of it hanging so fast on this light of saluation shining in vs though not fully cleere may bee ouercast with clouds yet neuer shal haue any night for God doth accept our endeuour and pardon our defects and not onely by Christs death as by the death of our sacrifice by the blood of his Crosse as by the blood of the Paschall Lambe the destroyer passeth our vs and we shall not perish but also by his death as by the death of our high Priest for hee is Priest and sacrifice both we are restored froÌ„ our exile euen to the former forfeited estate to the laÌ„d of promise CON. 14. Our faith it selfe is as infallable as the word of God that assured vs of it but not alwayes so in our apprehension and feeling for though the principall be true which wee beleeue yet are wee iealous lest wee haue mis-applyed it to our selues EXPLA. There are diuers degrees of faith little faith great faith full assurance of faith euen as a weak eie a strong eie he weake eye seeth weakely and vnperfectly and the strong eye seeth strongly and more fully discerneth the thing seene a little faith beleeueth faintly though truely greater faith beleeueth more stedfastly full assurance of faith beleeueth vnder hope against hope they were as wel saued from the biting sting of the venimous serpents which were young and could not well perceiue and the old which were bleare and sore-eyed when they looked vpon the brazen Serpent as they that were vigorous strong and of most quick sight This we see in the Apostles We beleeue say they and know that thou art Christ the Sonne of the liuing God which 〈◊〉 was soone shaken and therfore our Sauior telleth theÌ„ that hee did forewarne them of his death and resurrection that when it was come to passe they might beleeue not with a new faith but repaired and increased Peter vpon Christs word beleeued that he should bee saued in the water but the faintnesse of his faith made him begin to sinke and said Master saue me to whom he answered O thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt and so another time to the Disciples which said Master saue vs we perish Christ answered Why are ye fearefull O ye of little faith So this little faith is not voyd of doubt or feare which is yet true faith and maketh vs run to Christ for sometimes the godly by hasty cogitations questioned their faith and are ouer-taken as Dauid in that case sayd I am cast out of the sight of thy eyes and therefore wee ought to pray Lord increase our faith that we may reioyce vnder the hope of the glory of God which is the proper effect of faith and to know by faith that wee haue eternall life howbeit by occasions wee bewray great infirmitie in the apprehension thereof CON. 15. Alwayes pray and by faith rest assured that vndoubtedly we haue that for which we pray according to his will EXPLA. We pray for forgiuenesse of sinnes not for that wee haue not assurance therof but for that we desire greater assurance that our hearts may bee enlarged that the testimony of the Spirit may more freely sound into vs Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee for our faith hath sometimes a full sometimes a wane as Peter confesseth Christ to be immortall another while he is afraid Christ should die Now here we walke by faith and not by sight and doe pray for the sight of that which we haue but by the comfort of faith hope so doe we beleeue that wee are redeemed both in body and soule and still yet we sigh in our selues wayting for the â—â—demption of our bodyes So the Lord hath taken away Dauids sinne and yet hee prayed Haue mercy vpon me O Lord according to thy great goodnesse according to the multitude of thy mercies doe away my offences then doe wee pray we may inioy by realitie possession that which we beleeue we already haue in Gods affection CON. 16. We must withdraw our eyes from our selues and assuredly beleeue that
CON. 3. The assurance of our saluation is many times accompanied with feares doubts which doe perplex the soule of the most righteous EXPLA. The true worke of Faith is to assure vs of Gods loue and to enioy that comfort without let to cherish the same and resist the contrary but the weaknesse of our faith and strength of corruption is such that we doe not alwayes attaine these but as in the practice of good actions we sometime reioyce and finding great infirmity in sinning wee mourne for them such change by turnes are in the most regenerate so in faith wherein we receiue a Testimony of Gods loue there is a change because we apprehend not this assurance immediatly as a principle but by collection or conclusiō so the alteration is in apprehēding of the premises wherupon the cōclusiō arose for Gods promises and effects of grace appeare not alwayes the same yea sometimes contrarie CON. 4. The seedes of vnbeliefe are naturally sowne in vs which euer casteth vp obiections EXPLA. Our heart by nature is full of mire dirt which trouble the springs of the water of life and therefore the dayes of faith are like the dayes of the yeere some faire some foule some times in hell as it were sometimes mounted to heauen some times triumphing sometimes striuing euer counting what it hath felt striuing to the same again euer in feares running vnto God expecting better seeing a glimpse of light in darknesse of hope in despaire of comfort in distresse of life in death of heauen in hell and if they lose the sight hereof yet recouered it soone againe CON. 5. Often God leaues vs to our selues that wee may take the faster hold when we returne againe EXPLA. The taste of loue is the sweeter and the ioy the larger when we come to it out of the flouds of tentations For afflictions brings forth patience and patience experiēce and experience hope while by this meanes the loue of God is spred abroad in our hearts by the holy Spirit which is giuen vs the more trees on the tops of hils are blasted the deeper roote they take CON. 6. True faith euer giueth assurance which is the greater by how much our faith is the greater and weakenesse of our assurance argueth the weakenesse of faith EXPLA. Euen in the true faith there is degrees for there is variety of gifts which how little soeuer it be yet is able to saue vs that thou mayst learne what it is whereunto thou art to striue reioycing in that thou hast atttained to already and to pray for that which is behinde that God would increase thy faith feeling of imperfections is the common frailety of all Gods children and faith that it may bee strong must haue time to grow and haply seemeth weake to thee when it is strong to God For the ioy of the faithfull is as a garden enclosed CON. 7. As faith is by hearing so it is ordinarily increased by preaching whereunto the weake beleeuer must attend EXPLA. Preachers are Proclamators which teach euery beleeuer their interrest in the matters of saluation which apprehend the promises vpon conscience of their owne repentance and faith for where the seede shall grow there it shall bring forth the fruite of faith and it shall bring forth eternall life for this assurance is giuen by the mouth of the Minister by the word of Christ which the faith of the hearer apprehendeth the man warmeth the bed the bed warmeth him euery man hath not accesse to the priuy seale but by the imprint there of in waxe he knoweth it to be the priuy Seale CON. 8. It is the Lord that giueth a heart to heare the voyce of Christ deliuered by the minister out of the Gospell EXPLA. My owne heart could neuer minister comfort vnto mee which is deceitfull aboue all things and is rather cast downe with acknowledgement of misery and therefore wee must dicerne betwixt the true assurance of the heart from carnall presumption floating fancies swimming in the head for true assurance is accompanied with the Spirit of grace and prayer by which the heart is conformed to the voyce of God with ioyfull acceptance and affectionate desire of that which is vttered thereby which is the fruite of the spirit of adoption which beareth witnesse vnto our spirit that wee are the sonnes of God and beareth record that God hath giuen vs eternall life for he is God that doth neitherly nor change whose foundation is sure for hee knoweth them that are his CON. 9. Thou mayst be assured of the perpetuity of thy faith for God will not forsake the worke which hee hath begunne EXPLA. The reason is because that he who beleeues in Christ shall neuer be confounded and his sheepe shall neuer perish but he will giue them eternall life and although the godly oft times fall yet God is faithfull in his promise to them I will put my feare in their hearts and they shall not depart frō me resting in this that they not onely apprehend Christ but much more that they are apprehended of Christ and not that they know God onely but that they are knowne of him for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance so that whether they liue or die they are the Lords for nothing can separate them from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus and therefore doe they boldly say thy louing kindnesse and mercy shall follow mee all the dayes of my life and I shall dwell in the house of God for euer CON. 10 Faith taketh hold of the particular apprehension as to beleeue that God is my God my life peace strength deliuerance and my saluation EXPLA. We must not beleeue only that he is these things in himselfe but that hee is indeed the same to vs for because God is ours whatsoeuer is his is ours for vs and for our vse his mercy his power his prouidence to watch ouer vs both in life and death for by couenant hee bound himselfe to the heires of promise I will bee their God and they shall be my people and againe Loe this is our God and wee haue wayted for him and hee will heare vs we will reioyce and be ioyfull in his saluation for that Christ hath already done for thee is a greater matter then that he promised so thou beleeue not onely that thy sin may forgiuen thee by his mercy which is a beginning or foundation of Christ but also that thy sinnes are forgiuen thee CON. 11. Faith is the fountaine of our loue towards God for while wee beleeue he is so mercifull vnto vs it swalloweth vp our affections and draweth our loue to him EXPLA. The loue arising of faith so much felt in vs assureth vs that wee are beloued of God who loued vs first and therefore place we the confidence of our saluation in him onely to whom wee are vnited and
Apostle I know whom I haue beleeued and I am sure that hee is able to keepe that which I haue committed vnto him against that day euen my selfe my faith my hope my prayer my soule my life knowing my selfe to be a very vnsure keeper of my selfe Thus faith yeeldeth a man to say Behold O Lord for I am thy seruant I am thy seruant O giue me vnderstanding that I may keepe thy commandements enter not into iudgement with thy seruant And because the faithfull is willing to beleeue that hee shall haue that that hee prayeth for hee prayeth for perseuerance because Christ saith Beleeue that yee shall haue it and it shall bee done vnto you For God giueth to them that beleeue so that hee that receiues beleeueth himselfe to receiue For this is the assurance that we haue in him that if we aske any thing according to his will he heareth vs and if we know that hee heareth vs whatsoeuer we aske wee know that we haue the petitions that we haue desired of him CON. 42. God euen in the very first entrance to his seruice offereth vs assurance of his favour and our saluation EXPLA. At the first entrance hee saith to thee as to the Iaylor Beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shall be saved And from the beginning as our faith is greater or lesse so either strongly or weakely apprehendeth and embraceth this assurance and in this assurance we labour and endeauour to grow and to goe on from faith to faith from strength to strength till wee learne to set the world at defiance saying Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect Who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ CON. 43. Our faithfull seruice or good behauiour can neuer make vs assured of our saluation EXPLA. God made that promise by former couenant Hee that doth these things shall liue in them and it auailed not for they continued not in my couenant And I regarded them not saith the Lord. Therefore the Lord made another couenant or promise not like the former or conditionall vpon faithfull seruice or good behauiour but absolute and without condition the performance whereof should depend wholly and onely vpon mercy So that he would not expect as of vs but doth vndertake to giue vs and to worke in vs whatsoeuer faithfull seruice and good behauiour should be necessary thereunto Therefore he saith I wil put my Law in their minds and in their hearts will I write them and I will bee their God and they shal be my people they shal all know me for I will be mercifull to their vnrighteousnesse and I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more And so if wee intirely consider the whole worke of our saluation it issueth absolutely out of the purpose and promise of God who intending the end disposeth and worketh himselfe whatsoeuer belongeth to the accomplishment and attainement of the end CON. 44. By beleeuing the Gospel I beleeue that Christ is giuen a Sauiour vnto me to saue me being one of his people from my sinnes frō the wrath to come EXPLA. The Gospell is the glad tidings of great ioy that vnto vs a Sauiour is borne vnto vs a child is borne vnto vs a Son is giuen that is vnto vs that beleeue and how beleeue I vnto vs if I beleeue not vnto me The Gospell is that through the name of Christ euery one that beleeueth in him shall haue remission of sinnes euery one that beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue euerlasting life If I beleeue the Gospell I beleeue this For hee that beleeues not God makes him a lyar because hee beleeues not the record that God witnessed of his Sonne and this is the record that he hath giuen vnto vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne If then I beleeue in the name of the Sonne of God and do not beleeue that God hath giuen me eternall life I make God a liar in not beleeuing the report that God hath witnessed of his Son Therefore he addeth These things haue I written vnto you that beleeue in the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye haue life eternall CON. 45. Faith beleeueth the promises of God concerning our happinesse and hope waiteth and looketh for the Lord to reueale his righteousnesse and to make the truth of his word and promises fully to appeare and in this expectation is content with patience to beare the crosse which is incident to the profession of the name of Christ. EXPLA. Confidence and reioycing of hope groweth from the full assurance of faith whereby seeting aside the respect of our own impeachments of our selfe wee beleeue with Abraham vnder hope against hope resting vpon his promise who had taken vpon him to be the shepheard and Bishop of our soules and is able to doe exceeding abundantly aboue all that wee aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs. Whereby as he hath already wrought in vs the like great worke as hee hath wrought in Christ whē he raised him from the dead in that he hath raised vs vp being dead in sinnes and trespasses vnto the life of God So wee rest perswaded that hauing begunne this good worke in vs he will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ not for our sakes but for my owne sake will I doe it saith the Lord. CON. 46. Christ immediately and wholly is our saluation and righteousnesse in whom and not in our selues wee are made the righteousnes of God his obedience was wrought in our name and for our behalfe is imputed vnto vs by faith in his blood EXPLA. For Christs sake and in him God blessed vs with al spirituall blessings in heauenly things for he is made vnto v◠of God wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption that is all in all that hee that reioyced may reioyce onely in the Lord. And this saluation vnto which hee entitled vs by faith in Christ consisteth not onely in the remission of sins but also in destroying the body of sinne and restoring in vs the Image of God in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth hee hauing giuen himselfe to purge vs to bee a peculiar people vnto himselfe and to make vnto himselfe a glorious Church not hauing spot or wrincle or any such thing And all this is begun and in doing but is not yet finished and done in vs it shall be fully perfected in vs at the Resurrection of the dead In the meane time he giueth not vnto vs a full immunity from sinne that he may take away from vs all reioycing in our selues that we may know at that day that not for the workes of righteousnesse which we haue done but of his owne mercy hee hath saued vs. And yet no man is iustified by the righteousnes of Christ who is not also sanctified by the Spirit of Christ.
Yea and the elects sinnes doe euen worke for their good which are made a Triacle or preseruatiue against sinne for they neuer so fall but that his seede remaineth in them and his hand is vnder to lift them vp againe Thus the Lord is our righteousnesse Christ is to vs a Iesus a Sauiour by sauing vs immediately himselfe not by giuing vs power to saue our selues or to be our Sauiours CON. 47. The worth of Christs merits is most cleerely seene in the true acknowledgement of our vnworthinesse EXPLA. Gods light is most cleerly seene in our darknesse his power in our weakenesse his goodnesse in shewing vs mercy that are euill his righteousnesse in the confession of of our shame God hath appointed vs to be for the glory of his grace and therfore he disposeth that no flesh shal reioyce in his presence and that he onely may be exalted in that day and reioyce that we haue found mercy with the Lord who couereth our sinnes with the mantle of his righteousnes who seeth no iniquity in Iacob nor beholds transgression in Israel God seeth sinne with the eye of his knowledge but by reason of that couerture will not see it with the eye of his iudgement he seeth it with a discerning but seeth it not with a reuenging eye for the iustified man delighteth in the Law of God as touching the inner man yet hee hath still in his members the law of sinne hanging fâ—â—st on and lusting and rebelling against the Law of the spirit of life For though he hath within him an army of vicious desires yet hath hee a will and desire of righteousnesse hee hungreth and thirsteth wayting to be satisfied because according to his promise wee looke for a new heauen and a new earth wherin righteousnesse dwelleth the purpose of his life tendeth wholly to it it is grieuance to him that he failed to performe it and maketh him to cry out Wretched man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the body of death And therefore though he sinne he sinneth not maliciously purposely and with desire and delight in sinne but of ignorance and infirmity by occasion and by the creeping and stealing of sin vpon him CON. 48. By the Law of faith God pardoneth sinne EXPLA. God is a iust iudge as wel when hee iudgeth by lawes of mercy as when he iudgeth by the lawes of extremity as well in the law of faith as in the law of workes by the law of faith God forgiueth and considereth with fauour and if there bee a willing minde it is accepted according to that a man hath not according to that that hee hath not And all this hee doth as a iust Iudge because by law he doth whatsoeuer he doth but in the rigor of the Law which is the law of workes he remitteth nothing but requireth all to the vttermost farthing nothing pleafeth but what is exact and perfect and fully answerable to the rule So Paule expected that God as a iust iudge would yeeld vnto him the Crowne not by the Law of workes but by the Law of faith wherin God crowneth in mercy louing kindnesse because his crowne is a crowne of Iustice not of Pauls owne Iustice but of the Iustice of God for it is iust with God to pay that he oweth and he oweth that which hee hath promised which is mercy to the beleeuing penitent for Christs sake For all wee like sheepe haue gone astray and the Lord hath laid vpon him the iniquities of vs all for hee bore our sinnes in his body vpon the tree Thy righteousnesse couereth in mee a multitude of sins but in thee O Lord what but the treasures of piety the riches of Goodnesse CON. 49. Wee are reputed iust by the forgiuenesse of our sins and this is iustification in the sight of God EXPLA. What are wee but iust in the sight of God when there is taken from vs the imputation of all sinne To be iust is the same as not to be a sinner and in the way of faith they to whom their sinnes are not imputed are accounted not sinners and therfore are accounted iust for all the commandements of God are reputed to bee done when that which is not done is pardoned and hee who is reputed to haue done all the commandements of God is reputed iust Hee therefore to whom God pardoneth that which hee hath done is reputed iust and that which God determineth not to impute is all one is if it had neuer beene for wee are iustified through the redemption which is in Christ and redemption is by forgiueness of sinnes and the not imputing of sinne is the imputing of righteousnesse without workes now forgiuenesse of our sinnes is yeelded vnto vs by vertue of the merit and righteousnes which Christ hath wrought for vs who was giuen for vs and gaue himselfe for vs who was made vnder the Law to redeem vs and therefore is iust and righteous for vs and whatsoeuer he hath done he hath done for vs hee hath shed his blood for vs died for vs rose againe for vs and hath fulfilled all righteousnesse and obedience to his Father for vs and so very iustly is accounted ours Whatsoeuer hee hath done for vs is no lesse then if wee our selues had performed the same for our selues And thus by the imputation of Christs righteousnesse our sinnes are couered pardoned and forgiuen and we are reputed iust by the righteousnesse of Christ because in the righteousnes of Christ is the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and thereby no accusation is liable against vs either as hauing done that which we ought not to haue done or done that which we ought not to doe for who shal lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect And as Adam did beare the person of all mankinde and wee all were that one man and therefore what hee did was as done by all and euery one So did Christ beare the person of all the Elect and faithfull and was accounted as them all in one not one that made the forfeiture and another the satisfaction because one Christ is both the head and the body and therefore what hee did is likewise as done by all and euery one of vs. CON. 50. In the Elect with sanctification there is still a remainder of originall corruption EXPLA. Iustification in the sight of God by the imputation of Christs merits is alwayes accompanied with the sanctificatioÌ„ of the holy Ghost whereby the inward quality of the man though not wholly yet in part is altered and changed and is thenceforth further to bee renued from day to day In part I say because together with their sanctification there is still remnants of originall corruption by the touch staine whereof the holinesse newnesse that is wrought in vs is defiled for although originall corruption hath receiued a deadly wound yet it is not wholly
hath he likewise said Their transgressions will I also punish with a rod it cannot stand with any reason that wee should set the measure of our punishments and prescribe to God how great or how long our sufferings shold be we are blind and altogether ignorant what is best for vs wee sue for many things very vnaduisedly and vnwisely against our selues thinking we aske fish when indeed we craue a serpent when we thinke wee aske that is good and yet God seemeth slow to grant it he denyes not but defers our petitions to the end we may learne to desire great things greatly CON. 68. We must learn to strengthen our faith by experience which heretofore wee haue had of Gods great goodnesse towards vs. EXPLA. By those things you haue knowne performed learne to hope for those things that are promised if thou knowest that thou hast receiued much thou maist bee sure to receiue more for to him that hath shall bee more giuen When thou meditatest what thou wouldst haue then search what thou hast had at Gods haÌ„ds make this reckoning that the benefits thou hast had and hee bestoweth vpon thee are bils obligatory and sufficient sureties that hee will bestow further his present mercy is still a warrant of his future loue because whom he loueth he loueth to the end CON. 69. The frailty of our nature the subtilty of Satan the force of our deceiueable imaginations are such as doe threaten euery moment the subuersion of our faith yet it is not hazarded by them EXPLA. If wee could reckon vp as many euident cleare vndoubted signes of Gods reconciled loue towards vs as there are yeeres yea dayes yea houres past ouer our heads all these set together haue not such force to confirme our faith as the losse and sometimes the only feare of losing a little transitory goods credit honor or fauour of men a smal calamity or a matter of nothing can breâ—d a conceit and such a conceit as cannot easily be remoued as that we are cleane cast out of Gods Booke that hee regardeth vs not that hee looketh vpon others but passeth by vs like a stranger to whom we are not knowne When we thinke looking vpon others and comparing them with our selues Their tables are furnished day by day earth ashes is our bread they sing to the Lute their children dance before them our hearts are heauy in our bodyes as lead our sighes are many our teares doe wash our beds wherein wee lye the Sunne shineth faire vpon their foreheads we are hanging like bottles iâ— the smoake cast into cornâ—rs like sheards of a broken pot c This is our great weaknesse and policy of Satan which maketh vs measure God and good things according to our corruptions when there is no such thing CON. 70. The faithfull must vse ordinary meanes for the strengthning and kindling of his faith EXPLA. Simon Simon sathan hath desired to winow thee as wheat here is our painfull tentation but I haue prayed for thee that thy faith faile not this is our safety no mans condition so sure as ours The prayer of Christ is more then sufficient both to strengthen vs be we neuer so weake and to ouerthrow all aduersarie power bee it neuer so strong and potent Yet his prayeâ— must not exclude our laborâ— their thoughts are vaine who thinke that their watching can preserue the City which God himselfe is not willing to keepe and are not theirs as vaine who think that God will keep the City for which they themselues are not careful to watch The husband man must not burne his plough nor the Merchant forsake his trade because God hath promised I will not forsake thee and the faithfull Christian must attend hearing reading praying that he fall not into temptation The meaning of Christ in these words Father keepe them in thy name is not that wee should bee carelesse to keepe our selues and so happy is he whose faith hath made him the child of God nothing shall change his heart ouerthrow his faith alter his affection towards God or the affection of God to him Who can make a separation betweene him and God Hee knoweth in whom hee hath beleeued and who hath shed his blood for him Labour then to keepe the assurance of thy faith vnto the end and by labour through the gracious mediation of Christ keepe it CON. 71. Wee neede not feare sin for Christ hath abolished it for euer EXPLA. This is true and euerlasting verity hath folded it vp for howsoeuer wee feare and tremble yet before the Lord with whom our life is hid there is not perill but peace not feare but righteousnesse without end let our sinnes be neuer so great neither wee nor our sins can change the new Testament that God is mercifull to our sinnes and will remember our iniquities no more Therefore this care is past that our sins be many the more they are the greater is his mercy who hath forgiuen them And this is the token which God hath giuen vs that wee are his because wee are grieued with our sinnes for Christ ouercame sinne with sufferings which belong vnto it and this is the badge of our redemption to be made like him in afflictions we haue sinne and abhorre it we haue sense and feeling of Gods anger against it and hell gapeth vpon our soules because of it all is well this is a blessed state this was the Image of Christ when hee ouercame sinne a mark of my redemption in my owne flesh that I should not faint for as the Sunne maketh day and the night darkenesse so this affliction for sin is the badge and cognisance of our certaine forgiuenesse And now see the good of God which turneth all things to the best to those that loue him through feare of sinne the Deuill fighteth against vs without feare of sinne wee could neuer haue boldnesse through anguish of heart the Deuill would ouerwhelme vs with sorrow without anguish of heart wee could neuer haue ioy In feeling Gods anger the Deuill would make vs to despaire without feeling his threatning and trembling before him wee could neuer haue strength of faith that his mercies are for euer In all suffrings I am like to Christ they are marks of my adoption that I am his child for if wee bee without chastisements then are we bastards and not sonnes and what chastisements be these He saith If wee bee planted with him in the similitude of his death then shall wee bee also partakers of his Resurrection Then as thou needest not care for sinne for it is abolished so needst thou not care for hell for the nearer wee feele it the further wee are from it Let them feare sin that feele it not and let them bee afraid of condemnation that know not what it is our eies haue bene kept waking and we haue feene our sins our hearts haue fainted before the anger of the Lord and wee haue
not despised our heauenly calling therefore in the day of trouble we shal haue rest when destruction shall come vpon the secure like an armed man God most glorious Lord of lords although hee make sicknesse his messenger and death his minister till he shall destroy them both yet his mercies are vnspeakeable that forgiueth vs all our sinnes his goodnesse is great who hath regard to the children of men CON. 72. All trouble should be rather matter of ioy then displeasure EXPLA. This is our prayer thy will be done we must be contented with all hee hath done that our hearts may beare vs witnesse that of all things the Lord is most deare vnto vs for if wee giue our heart to loue the Lord our troubles shall seem neither great nor strong vnto vs for what can be great if our heart bee prepared to say We reioyce in afflictions because they shall breede in vs a hope which shall neuer make vs ashamed oâ— what can bee great if God hath taught vs that the momentany afflictioÌ„s of this world they are not worthy of the glory that shall be reuealed vnto vs or what can be great if wee can reioyce in afflictions reioyce exceedingly when we fall into many and great tribulations All is but vanity what should dismay vs Nay how should we not be glad if death were euen at our bed sides that we might euen once see the vtmost malice of the Deuill and after for euer bee deliuered from him O! how God is delighted with vs when we bee faithfull to abide these light chastisements How many things haue all the â—odly suffered are we not ashamed to refuse the crosse which they haue borne yea weight well thy case what it is and thou shalt fee little cause of sorrow in it or if thou compare it with others none at all and it all things were as euill as thou couldst imagine what then Where is our loue to Iesus Christ that gaue his pretious blood to the death vpon the Crosse for our sakes if we will not leaue all for him One haire cannot fall from our head but at his commandement He is head of his Church and all things happen they not vnto vs as he will Onely when wee sin let vs bee sorrowfull to offend such a Sauiour let it grieue vs more then death it selfe but to remember againe so assâ—red hope we cannot but reioyce in the Lord and alwayes reioice so let Gods wil peâ—swade you that whether you liue or whether you die you may bee wholly his The world hath taken vp enmity against vs and striueth dayly to separate vs from the Lord but there is no ioy to this that wee know our selues to bee the children of God to bee ioyned to Iesus Christ and made a chief member of a glorious body with whom we shall be ioyned for euer And what is this world to immortality What are fulnesse of delights to the grace of God the fellowship of Saints the forgiuenesse of our sins the loue of Gods countenance the assurance of our life the brightnesse of his glory and these vnutterable eternall blessings Let vs count then all things dung that wee may winne Christ desire to be dissolued and be with Christ that we may say O death where is thy sting All things of the world are but seruants of death and serue to make his power more fearefull vnto vs vanquish death and thou hast vanquished all height and depth life and death all is ours and we are Christs CON. 73. To confesse sin and not to hide it is a ready way to saluation aduancement of Gods glory EXPLA. Satan is enemy to vs and his sleights are many tread Satan vnder foote and triumph with Christ so shalt thou shame the Deuill For hee that hideth his sinnes shall neuer prosper but hee that confesseth and forsaketh them shall haue mercy To Achan Ioshua said I beseech thee giue glory to God and shew mee what thou hast done This is to giue glory to God to confesse So did Dauid acknowledge his iniquity the Israelites before their absolution and forgiuenesse confessed to the Priest and thereafter their sinnes were layd on the beasts Adam did cloake his sin but we must be borne anew So did Cain but wee are of a better kinred then he God will once reueale the â—ecrets of hearts and then wee shall reioyce that there is nothing of ours hid better to receiue the reproach of flesh and after receiue the glory of God Iohn his preaching began at confession the prodigall Son called heauen and earth to witnesse his impiety Paul did euer tell vs hee was a persecutor the Theefe entred not into Paradise til he first in the hearing of Israel sayd We are rightly punished and receiue things worthy of that wee haue done This then touched the glory of God and therefore wee must forsâ—ke the loue of our selfe we must not dissemble with him that cannot bee mocked in the middest of the congregation I will praise thee I will declare thy Name vnto my Bretheren saith Christ. Gods graces must neither be locked vp in our hearts but will burne within like fire I haue beleeued therfore I spake A fire I say shut vp in our bones wee shall bee weary with forbearing I will speake thy name before Kings and will not be ashamed CON. 74. God hath giuen his Elect as a free gift to Christ. EXPLA. The Apostle telleth vs Behold the children which thou hast giuen me This teacheth vs to acknowledge his gift and grace and not any wisedome in vs why hee would choose vs or any constancy in vs by which wee would cleaue vnto him but God in his grace drew vs that we might come vnto him and with his power he strengthneth vs that we should abide with him All that my Father giueth vnto me commeth vnto me and the reason is because my Father hath giuen them to me and he is greater then all and hee prayeth oftentimes in that long prayer for them that beleeue because his Father hath giuen them vnto him that we may be taught humility that in vs that is in our flesh ther dwelleth no goodnesse but that he chose vs he did it of his free grace and mercy which he would shew vnto vs and as wee know that once God hath freely giuen vs vnto Christ so wee know our election standeth sure because it is according to his promise who hath loued vs for euer CON. 75. To know the sufserings of Christ aright is our greatest consolation EXPLA. Christ suffered the death ouer which the Deuil had power the same death which is the reward of sinne by bearing it he ouercame it and he conquered no more then hee submitted himselfe vnto for by death hee ouercame death and he hath brokeÌ„ the force of it no further then he had felt the sting of it in himself for body and soule hee was made a sacrifice sor our
shined in the world yet to see his dayes as it were at an end and his enterprizes broken his carefull thoughts to bee so deepe grauen in his breast that they changed euen the day into night vnto him and al light that approched into darkenesse When his excellency was such aboue all creatures that the world was not worthy to giue him breath yet hee to bee made a worme and not a man a shame of men and contempt of the people all that saw him to haue him in derision and to shut vp his life in shame and reproches so vnworthy a reward of so precious a seruant He was righteous aboue measure yet was he accouÌ„ted among the wicked and briefly hee was called a glutton but had his appetites bridled with all holy moderation his behauiour without all reproofe yet slandered as a friend of Publicans hee loued the Law of his Father that he would not suffer one iot or title vnaccomplished yet accused as enemy to Moses he loued his Father with all his heart and was obedient vnto him to the death euen the death of the Crosse yet they said he blasphemed He was an enemy to Sathan euen to death and by death ouercame him that brought death into the world he hated him with so perfect hatred and held stedfast the enmity that was betweene them vntill hee had spoyled his principalities and powers and trampled ouer them in an euerlasting victory yet they said he had a deuill such a loathsome sinke was couered in the heart of man and now the thoughts of many hearts made open And if Moses Ieremiah Isaiah and Paule had sorrow for the Iewes of their time how did Christs great loue boyle in sorrowes of heart to see their destructions ouer whom before hee had wept but prayed still Father forgiue them for they know not what they doe Behold therefore his person here and know his loue it was griefe to see all vertue troden vnder feete by them and yet it was more infinite to behold Satan to preuaile against man to his euerlasting condemnation and which is more the sin that he hateth bee must take it vpon his owne body and beare the wrath of his Father that was powred out against it the anger of his Father burned in him euen vnto the bottome of hell O! who can stand before his wrath or who can abide the fiercenesse of his wrath his wrath is powred out like fire and the Rockes are broken before him Yea maketh the forlorne wildernesse to tremble For thus the Sun is darkened the Moone doth not shew her light the Stars of heauen doth fall away and the powers of heauen are shaken Heere then is the picture of perfect loue being full of goodnesse is rewarded of euill full of obedience is punished as wicked full of faith yet had the reward of a sinner Lord of all yet nothing to doe him duty the God of glory yet compassed with shame the Author of life yet wrapped in the chaines of death the onely begotten and best beloued of the Father yet cast off as a stranger the beauty of the highest heauens yet throwne down into hell well might he say The snares of death compassed me and the paines of hell tooke hold vppon me I haue found trouble and sorrow he did say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me CON. 78. We know then best how we loue the Lord when we feele by experience what we will suffer for hts sake EXPLA. It is an easie thing to bee valiant before the combate to dreame of a good courage before the heart bee tried but indeed to be vnshaken in the middest of the tempest to stand vpright when the ground trembleth vnder thee this is to know assuredly thou art strong indeede The heauen earth elements were Christs enemies his Father in whom he trusted shewed him an angâ—y countenance yet said he still Thy will be done O Father We must account it for an exceeding ioy when we salâ— into sundry troubles for what can be more ioyfull to the heart oppressed then to giue this in experience that neither height nor depth shall remooue him from the Lord This was Abrahams glory that hee would forsake his Countrey and kinred and fathers house at the commandement of God to goe whither hee would shew him Iob his patience was not thorowly knowne till all his goods were spoyled and wee must haue witnesse that our election is sure when wee may speake by experience that neither life nor death can remooue vs from the loue of God Thus the good ground is knowne what it is when the heate cannot scorch it nor briers and thornes turne the good corne into weedes but through all stormes it will giue nourishment vnto the seede till it giue greater encrease to Gods honor and glory This is a profitable experience for before it come vnto vs we know not how great the rebellion of the flesh will be The Apostles bragged they would neuer forsake their Master he alone had the words of eternall life and they would not change him for another they beleeued him that they knew him to be the Christ the Sonne of the liuing God and there was no other Sauiour but wheÌ„ they saw the Crosse at hand their courage fell downe they forsooke him all Peter said he would dye for him drew his sword that he had almost slaine one but this boldnesse was but a blast of words he swore hee knew him not So experience is the greatest warrant to know what our selues can beare The Lord and our duty requireth that wee shold approue our selues the witnesses of the Gospell in patience in afflictions in honour in dishonour in shame in life in death but how violently the flesh will fight against vs wee cannot well declare till wee haue made the triall And therefore in griefe of body learne to say with patience I haue held my peace O Lord because thou hast done it If thy minde bee full of sorrow say I will waite patiently vpon the Lords leasure he will heare my prayer CON. 79. We should not be discouraged vnder the Crosse since Christ is the patterne whose similitude we beare EXPLA. Those whom God hath fore-knowne hee hath also predestinated to be made like vnto the image of his Sonne Death once reigned through sinne and hee hath found a way to rise from it again into greater glory This victory because it was too great for Sainct or Angell to obtaine he had appointed it to be the worke of his onely begotten Sonne hee tooke vpon him our nature to make and in his owne person hee filled it with the fulnesse of miseries with all sorrowes of flesh with all anguish of minde with persecutioÌ„ with death with sinne with hell with condemnation and from all these by the mighty power of his Godhead hee is risen againe in our flesh ascended vp into glory and sitteth on the right hand of Maiesty being a mighty Sauiour vnto