that penalty which is due to these debts is death Instance b Gen. 2. 17. the first sinne that was committed And to shew that the like holdeth in euery sinner the Prophet without any limitation reseruation or exception at all saith c Ezek. 18. 4. The soule that sinneth it shall dye If it be a sinne in that it is sinne deadly it must needs be bee it great or small in thought word or deed For d Rom. 6. 23. the wages of sinne euen of whatsoeuer is sinne is death Being a sinne it is a transgression of the Law For these two words sinne transgression are conuertible and reciprocall termes one importeth as much as the other e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sinne is a transgression e 1. Ioh. 3. 4. And f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All vnrighteousness or euery transgression is sinne But euery transgression is deadly For g Gal. 3. 10. Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things that are written in the Law And all vnrighteousnesse is deadly For h Rom. 1. 18. the wrath of God is reuealed against all vnrighteousnesse And that not without iust cause For all vnrighteousnesse euery transgression euery sinne is against the good will of God who is of infinite excellency and Maiestie See my Treatise of the sinne against the holy Ghost §. 31. and in that respect it is of an infinite praultie and deserueth an infinite punishment eternall death Obiect Thus all sinnes are made equall A. Nothing lesse For neither doth the same kinde of punishment make all the crimes for which it is inflicted equall nor doth the same kinde presuppose the same measure of punishment Robbers and murtherers are put to the same kinde of death yet is murther a more hainous sinne then robberie Besides among such Malefactors as are put to death the kinde of death whereunto some are put is much more terrible then that whereunto others are put Will any thence inferre that all crimes which are capitall are equall Much more absurd is the inference of Papists that all sinnes are made equall because all are made mortall They themselues doe not hold all the sinnes which they iudge mortall Mat. 11. 22 24. to bee equall There are degrees of torment in hell Though all such in their nature and kinde if they be not forgiuen implunge men into death and damnation yet not into the same degree of torture §. 115. Of the distinction of Veniall and mortall sinnes Q. ARe then no sinnes at all Veniall A. The distinction of Veniall and mortall sinnes rightly and wisely limited may safely be admitted and that in foure respects especially 1. In regard of the order that God hath by his Word reuealed 2. In regard of the subiect or person in whom sinne is 3. In comparison of one sinne with another 4. In regard of the Churches manner of proceeding against sinners 1. Concerning the order which by Gods Word is reuealed there is an irreuocable Decree passed vpon the sinne against the Holy Ghost Math. 12. 31. that it shall neuer be forgiuen Heb. 6. 4. c. 10 26 c. Howsoeuer the secret Decree of God bee as inuiolable against all the sinnes of euery Reprobate yet because that determined doome is not reuealed against any one sinne but that of It onely it is said There is a sinne vnto death 1. Ioh. 5. 16. The sinne therefore against the Holy Ghost is mortall But in opposition to it Christ saith All sinnes shall be forgiuen Mar. 3. 28. that is they are remissible pardonable and in the respect veniall 2. Concerning the subiect or person in whom sinne is after that by faith the Elect are ingraffed into Christ though sinne remaine in them yet is it not imputed to them for condemnation There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus Rom 8. 1. All the sinnes therefore of true Beleeuers are veniall They shall be pardoned but all the sinnes of vnbeleeuers are mortall they shall be punished with euerlasting damnation Ioh. 3. 36. The wrath of God abideth on him that beleeueth not Quaedam peccata mortalia in poenitentia fiunt venialia Mag. Sentent lib. 4. dist 20. Besides the true Beleeuer though he may fall into many sinnes will impenitently lye in no sinne So as such sins as in another would incurre death and proue mortall in him by repentance become veniall and are pardoned 3. Concerning comparison of sinnes it cannot bee denied that some sinnes are very small as a by-thought in an holy duty an idle word a little tap with the hand and that other sinnes are very hainous as blasphemie periurie murther adulterie and such like Therefore comparatiuely smaller sinnes may bee stiled veniall in relation to hainous and notorious sinnes which are called mortall in that they doe more apparantly and more deepely implunge into death and damnation Thus all Ecclesiastical Writers both ancient and moderne haue vsed this distinction 4. Concerning the Churches manner of proceeding against sinners many sinnes doe dayly passe from men which though by Ministers they be reproued and Gods iudgements be denounced against them yet passe not vnder the Churches publike censure These haue been called veniall There are other sinnes which euen before men seeme so intollerable as the Church thinketh not the committers of them worthy to bee admitted to the holy ordinances of God but denounceth against them some publike censure of suspention excommunication or execration and anathema till publike repentance be manifested and satisfaction giuen to the Church Thus because one of the Church of Corinth had committed such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles 1. Cor. 5. 1 5. Saint Paul deliuered him to Satan These sinnes worthy of such censure haue been called mortall But as our Aduersaries vse the distinction of veniall and mortall sinne Sinne not veni all in its owne nature it cannot stand with the forenamed nature of sinne implyed vnder this Metaphor Debt They say that many sinnes are a Rhem. annot on Rom. 1. 32. veniall because they are pardonable of their owne nature and not worthy of damnation They giue these and such like instances of veniall sinnes Sudden motions of lust b Bâ—llar de Stat. pecl 1. cap. 3. anger and enuie Immoderate laughter an idle word deceit in a small thing as an halfe-peny c. Their great Champian doth thus expresse the meaning of their Church in this point Veniale peccalum ex natura sua distinguiturà mortali ac sinc vlla relatione vel ad Praedestinationem vel ad miscricordiom Dei vel ad statum renâ—lorum est eiusmodi vt poenam aeternam non mereatur Bellar. de Stat. pec lib. 1. cà p 9. Veniall sinne is in its owne nature distinguished from mortall and without any respect to predestination or to the mercy of God or to the state of the regenerate it is of that kinde as
full discharge The promises of God being the ground of our faith good ground we haue to beleeue that according to the forenamed promises our sinnes which we haue humbly and penitently confessed and for which wee haue craued pardon are freely and fully discharged If vpon our owne true humiliation and heartie supplication we did beleeue this what comfort what peace might be brought to our soules thereby Let vs the efore oft meditate on the fore-named grounds of faith that our faith thereby may be the more established and our consciences the more quieted The thing acknowledged DEBTS The appropriation of them OVR The kinde of discharge FORGIVE haue hitherto bene handled The parties to be discharged VS are now to be considered §. 134. Of praying for the pardon of our owne sinnes especially Q. VVHo are comprised vnder this particle Vs A. We our selues and others The first person includeth our selues The plurall number extendeth this Petition to others Q. What doctrine may thence be gathered A. Pardon is to be sought for our owne and others sinnes Of seeking pardon for our owne sinnes no question can be made Holy men of God guided by the Spirit of God haue done this in particular euen in the singular number for themselues Put away MINE iniquitie Psal 51. 1 2 7. Cleanse ME from MY sinne wash ME Purge ME saith the Psalmist Loue begins at home If any dutie of loue be to be shewed to our selues then this especially aboue all other For if sinne bee not pardoned what can be comfortable what can be beneficiall and profitable to vs The application of this point concerneth not onely such as through ignorance of that fearefull estate wherein they lie by sinne or a prophaine neglect of this holy and heauenly dutie of prayer neuer call vpon God for this or any other blessing in their owne or others behalfe but also and that more especially such as through some violent temptation and deepe apprehension of Gods indignation against them are afraid to pray for pardon of their owne sinnes and yet can heartily pray for the pardon of others sinnes These must bee well instructed in this priuiledge that is here afforded vnto vs and in that respect which God hath to the particular prayer which is made by a penitent soule in his owne behalfe Ezek. 14. 15. God oft heareth one praying for himselfe when he heareth him not praying for others but we neuer heard of any accepted for others that were not accepted for themselues Euery ones prayer is most auaileable for himselfe Let the mind that such haue to pray for others prouoke them to pray first for pardon of their owne sinnes For till a mans sinnes be pardoned hee cannot expect any blessing on others by his prayers §. 135. Of praying for pardon of others sinnes THat prayer is to bee made for others hath beene * §. 14. 92. before shewed If for any other blessing we ought to pray in the behalfe of others then most of all for the pardon of their sinnes the greatest blessing if the extent of it be well obserued that in this world can be obtained for them This was it for which Moses so earnestly prayed in the behalfe of the Israelites Exod. 32. 32. Iob 1. 5. and for which Iob offered vp sacrifices in the behalfe of his children That expresse precept which the Apostle giueth of praying for others hath especiall relation to their sinnes as the reason importeth in these words Iam. 5. 14 15 16 If he haue committed sinnes they shall be forgiuen him That reason is a reason of great weight Iam. 5. 20. for by obtaining pardon of sinne for another ae soule is saued from death What a priuiledge what an honour is this to a Christian that he should be a meanes of sauing his brothers soule What a benefit doth he thereby bring to his brother The Scripture giueth vs many instances of the benefit of prayer in this kinde namely that it hath bene a meanes of obtaining pardon for many sinners and of preuenting or remouing many iudgements from them Witnesse the e Exo. 32. 11. c many prayers which Moses made for the Israelites when they had sinned against God Num. 14. 19 20. and in particular for f Num. 12. 13. Miriam Witnesse also g 2. Chro. 30. 18 20. the prayer which Hezekiah made for the people that came vnprepared to the Passe-ouer and h Iob 42. 8 9. the prayer which Iob made for his friends that spake not of God the thing that was right No doubt but i Cōpare Luke 23 24. with Act. 2. 38 41. 4. 4. the prayer which Christ made on the crosse for them that so euilly entreated him was a meanes that many thousand Iewes anone after his ascension were conuerted and had their sinnes pardoned The like may be said of k Act. 7. 60. Stephens prayer Not onely to others may much good be brought by a conscionable performance of this dutie but to our selues also For our faith in the pardon of our owne sins will be much strengthned thereby By praying for the pardon of others sinnes wee shall the better acquaint our selues with the extent of Gods promises which are the holy oyle to make the lampe of our faith to continue her light Learne we hereby to take notice of others sinnes as well as of our owne Take we notice of the publicke open sinnes of the times and places where we liue of those among whom we conuerse but especially of those who are vnder our charge And as we obserue them we ought to be humbled for them to make confession of them to God and supplication for pardon of them Ezra 9. 3. c. Hereof we haue m Rom. 14. 19. many excellent patternes in Gods Neh. 1. 6. c. 9. 16 c. word Dan. 9. 5. c. In performance of this dutie let our minds be especially fixed on the sinnes of those who are vnder our charge and to whom we are by some speciall bonds linked as Iob who prayed for his n Iob 1. 5. children and o 42. 9. friends and p Exo. 32. 32. Moses for the people vnder his charge It is meete also to enlarge our prayer so as the inhabitants of the Parish Towne Citie and Nation wherein we liue may be comprised therein as * Dan. 9. 7 8 9. Daniel who confessed the sins of Ierusalem Iudah and all Israel and craued pardon for the same Here we ought especially to be mindfull of the sinnes of our Gouernours and Ministers as q Neh. 9. 34. the Leuits were of the sinnes of their Princes and Priests Finally our prayers in this respect must be extended to our enemies for which we haue both the r Mat. 5. 44. precept and ſ Luke 23. 34. patterne of Christ and the patterne of the t Acts 7. 60. first Christian Martyr Hitherto of the substance of the fift
and members which make vp that Summe Of these therefore wee must take notice and for these wee must giue thankes Now because that Summe is implyed vnder the negatiue we are answerably to giue thankes for freedome from the contrary which the Apostle stileth power of darknesse Vnder darknesse he compriseth sin death diuell and damnation While wee are vnder the power of these we are their vassalls It is therefore a blessing worthy of all praise to be freed from them Other particulars seuerally concerne the distinct parts of this Petition §. 198. Of the particulars for which thankes is to bee giuen by virtue of the first part of the last Petition Q. VVHat are the particulars for which the first part of the sixt Petition requireth thankes to bee giuen A. 1. Vnder standing of the law whereby we know what sin is when we are tempted thereto how fearefull a thing it is to yeeld to such temptations how wretched their case is that are left to the power of temptation Rom. 3. 20. By the Law is the knowledge of sinne That therefore which giueth vs notice of so great danger is a thing praise-worthy especially if we haue vnderstanding thereof Psal 119. 99 100 In way of thankfulnesse doth Dauid oft acknowledge this 2. Wisedome to discerne our enemies and their assaults This proceedeth from the former and goeth a degree farther and in that respect it bindeth vs to more thankfulnesse With thankfulnesse saith the Psalmist to God Psal 119. 98. Thou thorew thy commandements hast made me wiser then mine enemies 3. The victory which Christ hath goâ—ten ouer spirituall enemies It is in praise of Christ that the Psalmist saith to him Thou hast led captituity captiue Psal 68. 18. By captiuity hee meaneth the world the flesh sinne death the diuell and all other enemies of our soule Were not these by Christ made captiues and so chained restrained and kept in we could not stand against them they would soone leade vs captiues For our sakes did Christ enter combate with them and get victory ouer them We reape the benefit thereof wee therefore must giue the thankes to Christ and say as the heauenly Spirits doe we giue thee thankes because thou hast taken to thee thy great power Reu. 11. 17 18. and hast raigned and destroyed them that destroy the earth 4. Strength to withstand our enemies As Christ himselfe hath ouercome them so by his spirit hee giueth vs power to ouercome 2 Tim. 1. 7. in which respect it is said Hee hath giuen to vs the Spirit of power On which ground saith the Apostle I thanke him who hath enabled me 1 Tim. 1. 12. 5. Resolution to yeeld to no allurements whether they come from the flesh or the world Gratias deo qui iam harum rerum in vobis gloriâ— transitoriae gloriosum est operatus contemptum Bern. Epist 23. A true setled resolution is a great meanes to keepe vs safe This comes from God For by nature our disposition is wholy inclined to the world and to the flesh Wherefore as a 1. Sa. 25. 32 33 Dauid blessed God for asswaging his passion and keeping him from shedding blood so wee must praise God whensoeuer our minde is alienated from the world and flesh for that alteration of our disposition 6. Patience to beare out all brunts Afflictions to our weake flesh are soare temptations but by patience wee are kept from being swallowed vp by them In which respect the Apostle saw great cause to thanke God for the patience of the Thessalonians 2 Thes 1. 3 4. 7. Power in all conflicts to ouercome Such though they bee led vnto temptation are not led into temptation It is expressely noted of them that had gotten victory that they sang a song of praise Reu. 15. 2 3. §. 199. Of the particulars for which thankes is to be giuen by virtue of the last part of the last Petition Q. VVHat are the things for which the second part of the last Petition requireth thankes A. 1. Repentance after sinne committed This is a sure euidence of deliuerance from a great euill Therefore the Church glorified God because hee had granted repentance Act. 11. 18. 2. Rescue out of Satans clutches If Satan haue at any time got any aduantage against vs as he getteth great aduantage against witches and sorcerers yea and against other impudent and audacious sinners whom he hath fast in his clutches to bee rescued and recouered out of his hands affordeth iust cause of much thankes Luk. 8. 2 3. which Mary Magdalene out of whom went seâ—en diuels well knew to be most due and therefore in testimony of thankfulnesse shee followed Christ and ministred to him of her substance 3. Recouery out of the world Gal. 1. 4 5. The Apostle ascribeth glory to Christ for deliuering vs from this present euill world 4. Conquest of the Spirit ouer the flesh For by the Spirits conquest Rom. 7. 25. are we freed from the dominion of the flesh For this therefore the Apostle giueth expresse thankes 5. Remouall of iudgements Iudgements and all manner of crosses are in their kinde euills and remouall of them is a deliuerance from those euills Whereupon the Saints haue beene thankfull for such deliuerances Exod 15. 1 c. The Israelites giue thankes to God for freeing them from the Egyptian bondage 1. Chro. 21. 28. And Dauid for causing the Plague to cease And Hezekiah for taking away a deadly disease Isa 38. 9. c. And the Church for returning her captiuity Psal 126. 1 2. 6. Victory ouer death Death in it selfe is a dreadfull euill the very eâ—trance into damnation But by Christ the sting of it is pulled out the nature of it is altered It is made a gate into eternall glory 1. Cor. 15. 57. This is that victory for which Saint Paul giueth thankes 7. Hope of resurrection to life 8. Hope of eternall glory These are full and small deliuerances from all euill Gods promise of these to such as beleeue is as a performance of them Our hope therefore resting on Gods promise for these affordeth iust occasion of reioycing and praising GOD 1. Pet. 1. 3 4. as Saint Peter doth and Saint Paul also Col. 1. 12. §. 200. Of duties required in the last Petition Q. VVHat duties are we to endeauour after by virtue of the last Petition A. 1. To abstaine from all sinne For this is the maine thing heere prayed against This is it which maketh temptation so hurtfull as it is The more we forbeare sinne the lesse damage shall we receiue from any temptations a Psal 34. 14. Many Am. 5. 15. many therefore are the dehortations of Scripture against sinne Rom. 12. 9. 2. c 2. Cor. 7. 1. To perfect holinesse For vnder the auoiding of any euill an endeauouring after the contrary good is alwayes in Scripture implyed Yea d Isa 1. 16 17.
true Church yet that he himselfe may be as Ioseph was in the house of Potiphar Gen. 39. 2. a faithfull member of the true Church a free-hearted subiect of the kingdome of God and for this end euery one ought to pray that in his person he may be sanctified throughout and his whole spirit and soule and bodie be kept blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ 1. Thes 5. 23. This is that true and proper vse which wee are to make of those bonds whereby we are outwardly linked one to another that as we are more nearely knit one to another so more specially and instantly to pray that they to whom we are in outward bonds linked may with vs be fast knit to the bodie of Christ and as true members thereof may beautifie and honour it Col. 2. 19. and that all the bodie by ioynts and bands hauing nourishment ministred and knit together may encrease with the encrease of God Thus we see how our desire ought to be ordered for the militant Church It ought in generall to be extended to the whole bodie wheresoeuer more particularly applied to the seuerall parts of it as we haue any notice thereof and more earnestly extended for such parts as wee our selues are more nearely knit vnto §. 52. Of the things to bee desired for the Church triumphant Q. VVHat are we to pray for in regard of the triumphant Church the kingdome of glorie A. The full perfection and consummation thereof Whereunto tend these particulars following 1. That we which liue in this kingdome of Grace 1. Pray to be fitted for heauen may be fitted and prepared for that kingdome of Glorie that we may be presented as a chaste and pure Virgine to our Husband Christ 2. Cor. 11. 2. Such a prayer did the Apostle vse to make for the members of the militant Church 1. Thes 5. 23. 2. That we may be loosed and be with Christ in that glorious place 2. Pray to be in heauen For the gathering of such into the kingdome of Glorie Phil. 1. 23. as belong thereunto helpeth forward the consummation of it Hoc optamus vt finem nostris faciat malis nos assumat in regnum Aug. de Temp. Serm. 126 How we may pray for death Votum affectus magis quam effectus Obiect How can this desire of being dissolued stand with the vnchangeable decree of God concerning the appointed time of mans death Answ This kind of prayer rather sheweth what we could desire if the will of God were so then what we would whether it were Gods will or no. Neither is it made to alter Gods determined purpose but to manifest our longing desire after that which God in his eternall counsell hath purposed for vs. Thus did many of the faithfull Israelites Math. 13. 17. that liued long before the Messiah was exhibited 1. King 19. 4. Ionah 43. desire to see him An absolute desire of present death as was the desire of Eliah and Ionah is not warrantable but a longing after death to be in the kingdome of Glorie as was the desire of Paul is very commendable Phil. 1. 23. 3. That the number of those whom God hath ordained to 3. Pray for accomplishing the number of the Elect. make full the body of Christ may be accomplished For there is a certaine number ordained vnto eternall life Rom. 8. 29 30. till that he be full the kingdome of Glorie cannot in all the parts thereof be consummate 4. That the signes which in Gods word are fore-told to goe before the comming of Christ may accordingly fall out 4. Pray for the signes of Christs comming that by the sight of them we may be the more erected to looke for the glorious appearing of Christ Math. 24 29 c. There are signes fore-told these therefore must be prayed for 5 Pray against enemies of the Church 5. That all the obstinate enemies of the Church which any way hinder the full and perfect consummation thereof may be destroyed and those not only wicked men and cruell tyrants and persecutors but also death and him that hath the power of death 1. Cor. 15. 15. the diuell The destruction of these is promised so as there is good ground to pray for it 6. That the bodies of all the Saints which from the beginning haue slept 6. Pray for the resurrection may be raised from death to be vnited to their soules 1 Thes 4. 16. and brought vnto the kingdome of Glorie For this is absolutely promised Obiect This is to pray for the dead Answ Not for this or that particular friend departed whose estate we certainly know not How prayers to be made or not to be made for the dead but in generall for all the true members of Christs celestiall bodie nor to obtaine that for them which was to be obtained in the times of their life remission of sinnes nor yet to alter their finall estate the doome whereof passed vpon them at the moment of their dissolution but onely as their resurrection is a degree to the perfecting of the kingdome of Glorie we being taught to pray for the full perfection of that kingdome pray indefinitely for the resurrection of the Saints which is a degree thereto 7. That Christ would come in his glorie to iudgement 7. Pray for Christs coming Reu. 22. 17. 20. Mat. 13. 41 49. 25. 32. c. and make a perfect separation betwixt the elect and reprobate For so much is foretold and promised 8. That all the members of Christs mysticall bodie being glorified with him 8. Pray for the full glorificatiō of the Church He may deliuer vp the kingdome to God the Father that God may be all in all For so much is also foretold 1. Cor. 15. 24 28. §. 53. Of the things for which thankes is to be giuen by reason of the second Petition Q. FOr what are we to giue thankes by vertue of the second Petition A. Euery thing that maketh to the good of Gods Church whether directly by blessings bestowed on it or consequently by restraining or ouer-throwing the enemies of it ministreth iust matter of thanks-giuing We are therefore to be thankfull in the behalfe of the Church in these cases following and others like to them 1. Acts 11. 18. When Churches are planted where none were before Thus the Iewes glorified God when they heard that the Gospell was embraced of the Gentiles 2. When such Churches as are planted do thriue and prosper For this did S. 2. Thes 1. 3. Paul giue thankes in the behalfe of the Thessalonians 3. When good Magistrates are raised vp In which case the Queene of Sheba blessed God for setting Salomon on the throne of Israel 1. King 10. 9. Much more are we to blesse God for good Ministers of his word and that not onely when they are first raised vp but also when
to haue their hearts turned from it as the heart of Amnon was from Tamar so that the hatred wherewith they hate it 2 Sam. 13. 15. may bee greater then the loue wherewith they loued it This wee ought to pray for in regard of lewd company vnlawfull games vndue honours vniust gaine immoderate pleasures or any other like thing wherewith wee haue beene bewitched Till our hearts bee alienated from the world we shall neuer bee throughly deliuered from the euill of the world 4. Suppression of all the lusts of the flesh after they are risen vp Preuention of them is implied in the former part of this Petition If that be not obtained but that the flesh doth rise vp lust and rebell against the Spirit our desire ought to bee to haue those lusts beaten downe againe and we freed from the thraldome of them Saint Paul reckons vp 17. particular lusts of the flesh together Gal. 5. 19 20 21. Those and other like to those are all simply euill such euills as if they be not beaten downe and we deliuered from the bondage of them will bring vs to eternall death 5. Remouall of iudgements Such afflictions as come from the wrath of God and so long as they lie vpon vs manifest his indignation against vs are as euills to be prayed against In which respect thus prayeth the Church Turne vs againe O God and cause thy face to shine Psal 80. 3 4. O Lord God of Host how long wilt thou be angry Such a iudgement was that Plague for the remouall whereof Dauid built an Altar 2 Sam. 24. 25. and offered Sacrifice Among these spirituall iudgements are most earnestly to be prayed against such as were mentioned in the end of the last § If the preuention of them be to be prayed son much more deliuerance from them For they are doubly euill 1. As they are sinnes 2 As they are punishments of sins and effects of Gods wrath To this head may be also referred all manner of crosses as a Psal 46. 9. war b Ioel. 2. 19. famine c 2 Sam. 24. 25. plague d Pro. 30. 8. pouerty e Dan. 9. 17. captiuity f Act. 12. 5. imprisonment g Psal 119. 22. reproach h 2 King 20. 3. sicknesse i Psal 38. 1 c. paine and such like afflictions for remouall whereof we may pray as was shewed * §. 124. before 6. A blessed departure out of this world So long as wee are in this world we are subiect to many euills which lie and presse sore vpon vs. But by death we are deliuered from them all at lest if our death be in the Lord. For they only are blessed that die in the Lord. They which die not in the Lord are not deliuered from euill but like the fish which leapeth out of warme water into flaming fier Reu. 14. 13. go from the lesse euill into the greater by many degrees Q. May a man then pray for death A. Not simply and absolutely with desire to haue the time appointed by God preuented but with submission to the good pleasure of God Concerning our departure out of this world two things are here intended 1. That we be willing no depart 2. That our departure be in the Lord. Both these are manifested in old Simeons swanlike-song where hee sheweth his willingnesse to depart Luke 2. 29. and his desire to depart in peace So much also is euident in Saint Pauls desire Phil. 1. 23. I haue saith he a desire to depart This was not an absolute prayer for death It was a manifestation rather of what he could willingly haue wished Votum affectus non effectus in his owne behalfe then of what he peremptorily or absolutely would desire Now where hee addeth and to bee with Christ hee sheweth what kinde of death hee desired And this we must absolutely desire that when we dye we may dye the death of the righteous an happy death which is a finall deliuery from all the euill whereunto in this world wee are subiect 7. Resurrection of the body For death in it selfe is an euill holding the body in the graue as in a prison where it rotteth and consumeth The resurrection of the body is it that maketh a mans dissolution to be a blessing Thus is his body by death as seede sowne in the ground which bringeth forth an haruest This Christ hath promised Ioh. 5. 28. this therefore wee may and must pray for 8. Absolution at the day of iudgement When our bodies are raised they together with our soules shall be presented before Christs tribunall seate There to bee condemned for our sinnes is a farre greater euill then any that in this world can befall vs. And better it were that our bodies should neuer be raised then bee raised to condemnation Oft therefore doth the Apostle pray for the Saints that they may be kept blamelesse vnto the comming of Christ 1 Thes 3. 13. 5. 23. 9. Aeternall glory in heauen They who are aduanced thereunto are fully deliuered from all euill and from all feare of all euill Reu. 21. 4. In which respect it is said that God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes that is hee shall take away all occasions of mourning therefore by way of explication it is added There shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying c. This was it that the penitentiary thiefe prayed for in these words Lord remember me when thou commest into thy Kingdome Luk. 23. 42. Thus we see how this prayer directeth vs to pray for al things that are needfull for vs from that corruptible bread whereby our mortall bodies are nourished to that glory of soule and body which endureth for euer Quando dicimuâ— libera nos à malo nihil remanet quod vlâ—ra adhuc debeat postulari Cypr. de Orat. Dom. §. 19. For when we say Deliuer vs from euill there remaineth nothing that further we may aske §. 197. Of the things for which we ought to giue thankes in the last Petition Q. VVHat are the things for which thanks is to be giuen by virtue of the last Petition A. 1. Euery sanctifying Grace 2. Freedome from the power of darknesse For both these we haue the expresse patterne of the Apostle 1 Cor. 1. 4. In regard of the former hee saith I thanke my God for the grace of God 5. Vnder this indefinite word Grace he compriseth euery particular sanctifying grace Wherefore hee addeth In euery thing that is in euery grace ye are euriched 7. And yee are not destitute of any gift Col. 1 12 13. In regard of the latter he also saith I giue thankes to the Father who hath deliuered vs from the power of darknesse We heard * §. 169. before that Sanâ—lification was the Summe of this Petition But particular sanctifying graces whereof nine are reckoned vp together Gal. 5. 22 23. are the parts
our many forfeitures of couenant the forenamed directions are daily to be obserued §. 111. Of Popish indulgences for sinnes to come and Shriuing in Lent COntrarie to this branch of this Petition are the blasphemous Indulgences which by Popes and popish Priests are giuen for sinnes to come See §. 126. and that not onely for some particular sinnes Vid. Hadrian in tract de Indulg Nauar. de Iubil Cornubens de Indulg Ioh. de Turrecr in Comment de Poen Bell. de Indulg whereby they eag on and embolden men to commit those sinnes but also for all manner of sinnes not for a day or a weeke or a moneth or a yeare but for many yeares yea all their life And lest they should feare vengeance and punishment for their sinnes after this life in Purgatory with which fiction they much affright their people they extend their indulgences farre beyond the times which they themselues doe set for Purgatorie euen vnto * Indulgentiae interdum continent condonationem poenitentiae quindecim vel viginti millium annorum Bellar. de Iudulg l. 1. c. 9. Auditum sub coelo non legitur quod corum voce depromitur Date nobis veniam dum tamen nos in errore manemus Gelas Epist ad Faust Concil Trid. §. 14 c. 5. 6 7. 8. fifteene and twenty thousand yeares Are not flood-gates hereby wide opened to all manner of licentiousnesse are not men hereby made not onely secure but also impudent in committing sinne By those indulgences men are taught to say Grant vs pardon euen while we commit sinne Was euer the like heard To the like licentious libertie doth their superstitious custome of Auricular confession and of absolution thereunto giuen by a Priest once a yeere in Lent bring men Yet this is not onely by ordinarie custome practised but by their great Councell at Trent warranted §. 112. Of neglecting to seeke discharge of sinne till Easter or till a day of visitation or death VVHat now shall wee say of such among vs as put off all serious and thorow examination of themselnes confession of their sinnes and renewing of repentance of Easter when they intend to receiue the holy Communion Though they forbeare the superstitious practise of Auricular confession yet they make as wide a gap for licentiousnesse and wickednesse as Papists doe For such commonly make little o◠no conscience of any sinne till about Easter time And is there not iust cause to thinke that that shew of conscience which they then make is but a meere shew and that it sauoureth more of fond superstition then of sound Religion Can it be imaginned that such as all the yeare long let loose the raines to impietie and iniquitie can once in the yeare make a thorow examination of their soules and confession of their sinnes Neither will they haue any minde to diue to the depth of such a sea neither if they had a will thereto could they possibly doe it Such mens soules must needs fester for want of timely and due search thereinto Much more desperate must there case needs be The danger of putting oft exa mination and repentance too long who are so farre from a dayly yea and yearely searching of themselues and seeking to be discharged of their sinnes as all their life long they neuer thinke of any such matter vnlesse God by some extraordinarie iudgement bring them as hee brought Pharaoh Exod. 10. 16. generally and confusedly to acknowledge that they haue sinned or vnlesse they obserue death to haue seased vpon them at which time if their sinnes bee laid before them either their heart is like 1. Sam. 25. 37. as Nabals to die in them and to become sencelesse as a stone or else their conscience to be as Iudas his conscience was Math. 27. 5. was a racke or rather an hell vnto them vncapable of comfort For at the time of death the bodie is weake the heart faint the spirits dull yea to him that hath not before made his peace with God the thought of death can not be but very terrible a meanes euen to astonish him that is otherwise feeble dull and heauy Satan that is not ignorant hereof taketh great aduantage there at and is then most busie to tempt and most fierce and forward to assault when man is least able to resist And whereas all our hope of standing against Satan is in Gods helpe such as haue all their life long prouoked Gods wrath and vsed no meanes to be reconciled to him can haue little hope in the last act to receiue helpe from him §. 113. Of the wofulnesse of the debt of sinne Q. WHat doctrine doth the resemblance of sinne to debt imply A. Sinners debters to God iustice Sinne maketh man bound to the reuenging iustice of God He that thus prayed to God Psal 143. 2. Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant well knew as much Euery sinne is a breach of Couenant betwixt God and man It maketh forfeiture thereof As a debter therefore that hath made forfeiture of his bond stands liable to the reuenge of the Creditor or rather as a malefactor that hath transgressed the Law of his Soueraigne is liable to the penaltie of the Law so a sinner to the iust reuenge of Gods Law Take notice hereby of the horrible nature of sinne Horriblenesse of sinne It kindleth the wrath it prouoketh the reuenge of the Creator Who knoweth the power of his anger Psal 90. 11. As his greatnesse is so is his anger Infinite insupportable Hence is it that the creature on whom it lyeth lyeth vnder it eternally For hee is no way able to ease himselfe of that burden If this were duely weighed and seriously thought of when we are tempted to any sinne would we be so foolish as for a little momentany delight to runne into such a debt as will cast vs into that prison out of which there is no release and in which there is torture and torment endlesse and easelesse We count them miserable that fall so farre into mans debt as they are neuer able to discharge it What may we then thinke of such as fall into this debt of sinne Take also hereby further notice of the necessitie of such a Surety as Iesus Christ is Necessitie of Christs Suretiship God-Man in one person For such is the debt of sinne as no creature in heauen or in earth was able to discharge it If Christ had not vndertaken the discharge thereof our case had been like to the case of those Angels who are reserued in euerlasting chaines vnder darknesse Iude verse 6. vnto the iudgement of the great Day §. 114. Of euery sinne being mortall yet not equall Q. WHat doth the penaltie whereby sinne is made a debt import A. Sinne is mortall Yea because this Metaphor Debts being of the plurall number is indefinitely vsed and compriseth all manner of sinnes vnder it I may further inferre that Euery sinne is mortall For