is set foorth by lifting vp our hands vnto the Lawe to meditate in it by searching and â—â—â—…inge c. Psal 119. 48. Also a bowing down to looke vnto it Iam. 1. 25. Psal 119. 15. To encline our heart to vnderstandinge to crye after wisedome to search for it as for hidd treasure Pro. 2. 3. Here againe our great coldnes wauering mindes and multitude of other like infirmities is condemned The end is that we may apply all vnto ourselues examine our hattes by it and so in callinge on the Lord wholy to endeuour our selues to put it in practise Psal 19. 26. 27. and 59. 60. Pro. 2. 1. Here is condemned the prophane abusinge of the same in iestes playes c. Pro. 13. 13. 14. In the order of the Church as the meanes are more glorious and exellent so wee muste prepare our selues more earnestly on euery side Eccle. 5. 1. To the Lord in the person of the Minister whoÌ„ wee must receyue as the Lorde Rom. 10. 15. 2. Cor. 5. 19. 20. Speaking his worde truely Deut. 18. 18. 19. Or admonissing or interpreting or censuring 1. Thes 5. 12. Deut. 17. 10. 11. Mat. 18. 17. In them selues that they sifte their heartes to receyue with pure affection the true vse of them seuerallie in the exercise it selfe reuerentlie behauing our selues accordinge to the nature of it and in our heartes to feele the power and force of them afterwarde also to vse all this to the seuerall profit and end for which these are ordained as wee will shewe in some of the principall particulars In the exercise of the worde preached beeing the way to open trueth to our iudgement and vnderstanding to plant it and roote it in our harts and affections We are commanded to put away all other things out of our minde and all superfluitie or malice or filthines whatsoeuer and be readie and swifte to heare yea and to receiue the word of the Lorde by his minister his husbandman is readie to engraft in our soules Iames. 1. 18. Luke 8. 18. Luk. 14. 27. 32. Rom. 10. 15. and 12. 8. Act. 26. In the action it selfe wee must with all attentiuenes so giue our hartes as we must haue a present touch feeling of those things whiche are deliuered that in promises wee may reioyce receyue comforte and strength in his threatninges we may throughly feele our owne estate and miserie so be humbled for the same Psal 78. 1. 1. Thes 2. 13. Nehe. 8. 8. 10. and 13. Actes 2. 37. The vse afterward is by repeating examining by the scripture and applyinge to bring to practise of life and conuersation Thes 5. 20 Act. 17. 11. In the preparation is forbidden the great loosenes and carelesnes of men once to thinke about what they are The vnreuerence little regarde of the mightie furniture of the Lorde in his seruants yea sometimes the captious proude stuborne and malicious purpose in hearing Eccl. 5 1. Exod. 19. 9. 2. Cor. 10. 5. 6. Act. 2. 13. 1. King 21. 20. and 22. 28. In the action it selfe we see by that is forbidden our heades full of other matters running vpon our profites pleasurs c. the great hypocrisie of manie who taking some delight in the thing outwardlie haue no true feelinge wrought by it when they heare Ezech. 33. 31. 32. The brawny and fat heart which being neuer a whit moued neuer or to small purpose repeateth examieÌ„th applyeth or practiseth Ezech. 33. 31. Zeph. 2. 1. 2. Sam. 12. Marke 6. 20. In the Sacramentes the preparation is an examination of our fayth in Christ 1. Cor. 11. 28. Iob. 1. 5. Of repentance Esa 1. 16. 66. 2. Specially also in reconciliation of our brother Math. 5. 2. Here great ignorance slouthfulnes blokishnes which without all awe and reuerence to presume to partake the same to our great iudgement 1. Cor. 11. 28. Gene. 4. 5. 7. In the Action or worke it selfe wee muste feele a most sweete and sure confirmation of our faith of receyuing of Iesus Christ with his wisedome righteousnes sanctification and redemption that by the liuely feeling of this we should bee throughly inflamed to giue prayse and thankes vnto the Lorde with the Church Mat. 26. 30. The vse is after in all temptations to receyue comfort reliefe by them Psal 51. 9. Of one correction for the rest as of excommunication the preparation is by the authoritie and maiestie of Christ the action a fearfull sentence with Maiestie iustly prouounced the vse for the sleaing of the fleshe that the spirite might be saued in the day of the Lord 1. Cor. 5. 4. 5. The reason followeth for he will not holde him innocent that taketh his name in vaine That is he will condemne him as Saint Iames and Saint Paule write the one against rash swearing the other of the abuse of the Sacramentes interpreteth Aboue all things sweare not my brethren c. least you fall into condemnation Iam. 5. 12. 1. Cor. 11. 29. 34. 4. Commaund Hitherto those precepts which coÌ„mand dueties in the worship of the Lorde whiche we owe euery day vnto him Nowe followeth that duetie whiche one day in seauen must be giuen vnto the Lord in the sanctification of his Saboth Remember So he seemeth to speake because when as this commandement was before giuen they had neglected the same The Saboth day to sanctifie that is to separate it from a common vse and dedicate it to a peculiar and holy vse vnto the Lord. So the golde the vessels c. were saide to be holy and dedicated for the holy vse of the Temple and might not be giuen or put to any other vse To sanctifie a Saboth therefore is to call our selues not from our owne sinful wayes which we must doe euery day but froÌ„ out honest and lawfull callings that giuing our selues to godly and christianly exercises of our fayth wee may bee strengthened in the wayes of God and so in thought word and deede consecrate a glorious Saboth vnto the Lord. Therefore it is called the Saboth of God Exod. 20. 10. and Leui. 23. 3. He calleth it a holy conuocation that is dedicated to holy meetings So Esai 58. 13. Hereby is confuted their opinion that take it a Saboth kept if thei rest from their labours so in the meane time they labour in playes dauncings vaine songes and enterluds c. as though the Lord had called vs from our profitable labour commanded to displease him in these vanities Againe others also who if they be better then the former abstayning from those things haue notwithstanding their heades hartes and mouthes so full of worldly things as they doe not in deede performe the trueth of the Saboth when as it should be kept as the rest of the Lawe not onely in action but also in the thoughtes of the heart and wordes of the mouth Esa 58. Amos. 8. 5. But before wee come to the proper and peculiar exercises we will set downe reasons that proue it
of power goodnes iustice c. the distinction of three persons in one Godhead the actions or workes of God his constant decree from before all time of all things his wise and perfect execution of the same in the creation the gouerning of the world Iere. 24. 7. Ephe. 4. 13. Iohn 4. 24. Iam. 1. 17. Esay 33. 13. Iohn 1. chap. ver 8. 9. Dan. 4. 21. Rom. 11. 36. In this we should delight and growe as the chiefest knoweledge Iete 9. 23. 24. Here is forbidde firste Atheisme to perswade our heart there is no such true God in heauen Psal 14. 1. Exo. 5. 2. Mockers of him and his workes 2. Pet. 3. 4 5 c. 3. Those that oppone them selues to the true knowledge of God Matt. 12. 21. Actes 6. Not to acknoweledge the loue grace power c. of God Mal. 1. 2. Psal 82. 6. To denie his Iustice Mal. 3. 13. There forgiuenes of this sinne was bought by the slaunder of ignorance and blasphemie layde on Christe and the anguishe of his soule whiche he felt for our erroures laid on him by which also we die vnto this sinne and rayse this part of obedience Eph. 4. 13. After this true acknowledging of the Lorde out of his worde must proceed first a sure confidence in the Lorde with the fruites of the same Psal 100. 3. Then the other affections of loue reuerence feare of the Lorde Also a sure confidence in the Lord is from the assurance of his fauour to be assured from him onely for continual defence deliuerance and succour in soule and body Psal 27. 1. 3. and 3. 7. 9. Prou. 14. 26. From this confidence springes trust or hope whiche is to waite and looke for the helpe which in confidence wee assure our selues of from the Lord Psal 33. 18. 19. 20. 21. Yea although meanes be wanting wee giue glorie vnto God Rom. 4. 20. 2. Kings 6. 16. From hence commeth it that we feare not in greatest daungers Kin. 6. 16. Psal 3. 7. and 27. 3. That in the time of afflictiō we are patient Prou. 20. 22. Hebr. 10. 33. Without all murmuring to holde our peace Psal 39. 10. Receyuing them as from a father Iob. 1. verse 21. Psal 89. 39. 49. Reioycing in them assuredly Iam. 1. 2. Hence also in euery condition of lyfe to glory and reioyce vnspeakeably Psal 13. 6. and 16. 7. 8. 9. Ioel 2. 23. Zepha 3. 14. Here is forbidden first the want of these and the contrarie as to wauer or doubt Psal 13. 1. 3. 88. 15. To leaue our hope Heb. 10. 39. To dispaire Gen. 8. 13. Impatience Ierem. 20. 14. 18. To haue trust in ordinarie meanes and to make fleshe our arme is forbidden Iere. 17. 5. 6. 7 c. To glorie in these and bee proude of them Deut. 8. 17. 2. Chron. 16. 1. Ierem. 49. 3. 16. 2. 13. Ezech. 28. 2. 3. Esaie 30. 12. Diffidence in binding God to means Gen. 16. 2. Num. 14. 3. 2. King 7. 2. Luke 1. To feare for the signes of heauen Iere. 10. 2 To cleaue too much to the holinesse of places and persons distinct Ierem. 7. 49. 1. Kin. 12. 18. To hope in Astronomers Interpreters of Dreames Witches c. Dan. 2. 2. In Southsayers c. Leuit. 20 6. 7. Planet gasers c. Deu. 78. verz 11. To vse euil meanes to doo good 1. Kings 12. 25. 26. Rom. 3. 4. Out of this confidence farther proceedeth a continuall carefulnes that in all our wayes that is thoughtes wordes deedes c. we see his will and approoue it and so for that cause looke for hiis blssing and direction Prou. 3. 6 and 16 3. Gen. 5. 22 and 17 1. and 48. 15. Psal 146. 9. Numb 15. 39 Here is forbidden to walke according to our owne iudgement and wisedome Num. 15. 39. Gene. 11. 4. Also a distrustfull care Math. 6. 25. Luke 12. 26. To this last of all is adioyned humilitie when emptying our selues of all we giue God the whole glorie of all good thinges which are in vs Gene. 18. 27. 1. Pet. 5. 5. Esai 40. 3 4. Forbid loue of our honour Mat. 18. 3. 4. Vaine glorie Phil. 2. 3. Boasting of any thing in vs 1. Co. 4. 7. Presumption Zeph. 3. 11. 12. Hitherto of a sure confidence commanded in the lawe with those things which spring from the same the affections commaunded here the vse whereof is perpetuall are the true loue reuerence of God The true loue of God is whan with all our soule strēgth c. we cleaue to the Lord aboue all Matt. 22. 36. Hence is commanded to desire his presence more visible in heauen aboue all and reioyce in it aboue all Psal 16 10. 11. 2. Co. 5. 8. Here is forbidden the loue of men wyues children or any thing of this life to desire it more then the Lorde and his presence Phil. 4. 18. Iohn 12. 43. Reuerence of God is when being ouerwhelmed with the infinitnes and excellencie of his being wisedome strength goodnes mercie iustice puritie c. we are drawne to behaue our selues more shamefastlie and vprightly in his presence then before the greatest maiestie in the worlde Heb. 12 28. By this is forbidden no reuerence lesse reuerence vnto the Lord then vnto men as afore in loue The last is the feare of God the feare of God is when our heartes are moued troubled with this aboue all least by offence wee should displease our gratious Father and so purchase his wrath and punishment proceeding from it Phi. 2. 12. 1. Pe. 1. 11. and 2. 17. Heb. 4. 1. This feare differeth from the feare of the wicked Firste in that it proceeding from faith hath alwayes comfort with it and sure hope in perswasiō of the loue of God Actes 9. 31. whiche the wicked haue not Secondlie this is chiefly least by our infirmitie we should iustly displease our God where the wicked only trēble because of the punishment 2. Cor. 7. 1. Here is forbidden hardnesse of hearte no feare to feare any thing as the losse of lyfe goods friendes displeasure of men c. equally or more then the displeasure of the Lord Mat 10. 26. 28. 13. 1. Phil. 1. 18. Act. 16. 9. Apoc. 21. 8. And the vse of this shall ende when all infirmitie weaknesse shall be taken away Apoc. 21. 4. 5. 6. Our remedie for this our sinne is in the death and righteousnesse of Christ who beinge condemned as proude making him self equall with God as louing him selfe more then God was founde meeke humble faithfull and reuerent towardes his Father at all times 1. Pet. 2. 22. 25. yet so as when wee receyue him thus our righteousnes wee must receyue him our sanctification that in all these things we may be holy 1. Cor. 1. 30. 1. Pet. 1. 13. to the end Thus much of that commandement whiche hath prescribed dueties directly teachinge to the person of the Lorde Now followeth that we owe him but in the outwarde worship
A brief Treatise vpon the first Table of the Lavve orderly disposing the principles of Religion whereby we may examine our selues Written by Maister DVDLEY FENNER Minister of the Gospell ROM 7. 7. I knewe not sinne but by the Lawe To the Reader GEntle Reader thou hast heare a briefe and plaine exposition of the firste Table of the Lawe of God Made by Master Dudley Fenner for the profite of his own particular charge and some other his friendes The whiche comming to my handes I thought good to make the profit thereof more generall And the rather in that it was the first fruites of his labours being made by him before the twentieth yeare of his age Whereby thou mayest see with what an excellent spirit he was indued euen in his tender yeares Accept it therefore as it is men◠thee and if thou reape thereby any profit giue God the glorie A short and plaine Table orderlie disposing the Principles of Religion and first of the first Table of the Lawe whereby vve may examine our selues ALl being lost in Adam by our nature corrupted and much more by the fruites thereof they who shal be saued must bee restored by beinge one with Christ and so with God Rom. 3. ver 9. to 20. Rom. 5. 14. Ephe. 2. ver 3. Rom. 5. 12. 14. 6. 21. 23. 1. Iohn 1. 3. To obtaine Christ 2 meanes are ordained the Lawe preached 2. Cor. 3. 5. 6. Gospell preached 2. Cor. 3. 5. 6. By these two Instrumentes the holy Ghost worketh two things necessarie to be in vs for the obtayning of Christ 2. Cor. 3. 6. 7. Rom. 8. 15. 8. c. By the first a true knowledge and feeling of sinne the punishment due to the same whiche maketh vs seeke Christe Rom. 7. 5. to the 15. Mat. 5. 6. Gal. 3. 19. to the 25. Mat. 9. 12. 13. By the second a true knowledge and feeling of grace with power by faith to receyue Christ Ephe. 3. 8. to the end and 4. 11. to 17. Rom. 10. 14. 15. 16. Gal. 3. 26. to the ende The Lawe is a doctrine giuen of God commaunding to the whole man perfect obedience in doing those things onlie which in the Lawe are commaunded and fleeing those only which there are forbidden Deut. 5. 28. Rom. 10. 5. soule and body c. Deut. 26. 16. 30. 2. Deu. 6. 24. 25. and 28. 5. Deut. 12. 32. Num. 15 39. Eccle. 12. 15. Deut. 12. 28. 2 Giuen And therfore euery thing taught out of the Lawe rightlie interpreted is to be receyued Rom. 7. 7. 2 Commaunding to doo One difference betweene the Lawe and the Gospell which to apprehende Christ and so iustification c. asketh but beliefe Rom. 10. 15. Galat. 3. 10. 11. 12. 3 Wholeman Therefore in the commaundementes not the body onely but the iudgement will and affections in the soule must be taught what to doe and leaue vndone 4 Perfect obedience A seconde difference of the Law and Gospell is gathered for the Gospell asketh but a true faith not perfect Marke 9. 24. 1. Thes 3. 10. Also by this not onely the thing but the necessarie meanes to the things is commaunded and forbidden Prouerb 31. 5. and 8. 5 Commaunded forbidden So that euerie precept doeth not onely commaunde the good or forbid the euill but both Mat. 22. That the firste worke may better bee wrought the Lawe hath two properties Deut. 28. 3. 15. Curse or punishment whiche is the firste which punisheth the least offence with the wrath of God to be felt for euer sin soule body called death Gal. 3. 10. Rom. 6. 23. 5. 12. 13. Deut. 27. 26. Gene. 2. 17. Blessing or rewarde which is the seconde giuing to the perfect obedience of all the fauour of God to be felt with all blessing in soule and body for euer called life Deut. 6. 24. 25. Leuit. 18. 5. Deut. 30. 19. 20. Thus much of the Lawe with the properties and vse of it Nowe followeth the interpretation of it where is declared what is commaunded and forbidden In the interpretation of the Lawe must be seene what is commaunded and forbidden Prou. 2. 9. Generally Iointly in the whole body of the law ioyned togither and in the generall diuision of the Lawe of God Specially what is in euery particular cōmandement In the whole body of the Lawe iointly considered two thinges are commaunded Knowledge 1. Col. 10. and Practise 1. Col. 10. Concerning the first is commanded the true knowledge of good and euill which is for the age of euery man Col. 1. 9. 10. Phil. 1. 9. Heb. 5. 14. Luke 2. 52. To desire it delight in it loue it Pro. 2. 3. 4. 4. 10. Pro. 2. 10. Psa 119. 24. Cōrarie is forbidden generall ignorance of good and euill Hos 4. 6. Ephe. 4. 17. To loue it desire it delight in it Prou. 1. 22. Practise is the following or flying of the thing known to be cōmanded or forbiddē it hath Inwarde feeling Phil. 1. 9. 2. 13 Outward workes Ephe. 5. 10. By feeling of the heart we choose loue desire delight are zealous in the good thing it selfe that it may be done to refuse hate abhorre and are zealous against the knowne euil Amos. 5. 14. Phil. 1. 9. 1. Thes 21. Amongst these zeale is an earnest affection of the minde whereby we doe followe the good or flee the euill so much as wee are vehementlie grieued with that which hindereth it 2. Cor. 7. 11. Mat. 3. 7. 1. King 19. 10. Act. 18. 25. Num. 25. 13. Here is forbidden the contrarie as no feeling Ephe. 4. 17. Zeph. 1. 12. In zeale forbidden wante of true zeale Apoca. 3. 15. Zeale for euill Mat. 10. 21. Zeale for good beyonde knowledge Luke 9. 53. In feeling the affections must bee so ordered as that they may bee equally more slacke or stronge as the good or euill shall be greater or lesser The order of the Lawe confirmeth this when God is prouided for first than man first particular boundes thē generall Hee that loueth Father and Mother more then me Mat. 10. 37. So we must desire more the presence of God in the life to come than his fauour in this life 1. Corint 17. And loue and reuerence more the teaching Elders than gouerning onely 1. Tim. 5. 17. c. For the better doing of this is required Perfectiō Mat. 12. 37. and 37. vers 5. Sobrietie Mat. 12. 37. and 37. vers 5. Perfection is when the affections in dooing are both strong enough and also sincere or vpright 1. Chro. 29. 9. Strength is whē according as the good or euill is there lacketh no earnestnes of affection Deut 6. 5. Mat. 22. 37. Here is forbidden the least remission or weaknes Reuel 2. 4. Vprightnes is when the affection loueth desireth c. In a single heart onely because GOD commaundeth and for that ende this is called simplicitie trueth a single hearte Deut. 18. 13. Iohn 1. 47. Ephe. 6. 14. and 6. 6. 1. Chron.