dealt Satan with Eue he made shewe that hee had some good thing to tell her whereby their state might be bettered but it turned to theirs and our destructiō So did the foure hundred false Prophets of Baal contrarie to the true Prophet Michaiah prophecie good successe to Ahab in his war against the Aramites but his harkning to them cost him his life And so dealt Hananie with the Iewes when they were besieged by the King of Babels armie contrarie to Ieremies counsell he prophecied peace and safetie but it turned both to his owne and to their destruction Ier. 28. 1 2. c. The 7. pretence is boldnesse and constancie in suffering for their opinions for a man in obstinacie may liue and die for errour as well as the childe of God may doe for the truth Constancie in opinion is no sure note whereby to iudge a true Prophet for many heretikes haue suffered death confidently for the maintenance of their damnable heresies Thus we see the pretences of false Prophets now hereto wee must adde this second point to wit that for all this they bee but wolues because by their damnable doctrine they seeke to poison and corrupt the soules of simple men If it be said they haue no such intent they themselues thinke it to be the truth I answer that may be true in some but this cleareth them not from beeing wolues for the deuill that hath deluded them who is their Lord and master doth by them dangerously delude and deceiue the simple The Vse 1. Considering this danger of false Prophets we must practise Christs lesson Mat. 10. 16. Be simple as doues that is bee innocent and harmelesse thinking euill of none neither intending euil or offence to any in thought word or deede and yet we must be wise as serpents who haue great subtiltie in sauing and defending their head from harme so must euery one that lookes to be saued labour for so much wisedome whereby hee may preserue himselfe from the hurt of false prophets Now the beginning of this wisedome is to feare God in hi◠word beleeuing his promises obeying his commandements The true feare of God is not without knowledge and therefore euery one must labour to be instructed in the principles of religion for without knowledge we cannot feare God and so shall want true wisdome to eschew false Prophets II. In that the false teacher by so many faire shewes seekes to bring in false doctrine it is euery mans dutie in his place to labour to preserue wholesome doctrine and the puritie of true religion This dutie is necessary for we must be as forward for the truth as the enemie is for falshood and doe as much for God as they doe for the deuill Againe no poyson is more deadly to the body then false doctrine 〈◊〉 to the soule therefore seeing God hath long blessed vs with his truth let vs esteeme it aboue all outward blessings and by seeking to preserue the puritie thereof shew our selues thankfull to God for the same Verse 16. Ye shall know them by their fruits do men gather grapes of thornes or figs of thistles This verse those which follow to the 21. containe the third point which Christ laieth down concerning false prophets namely the means whereby we may discerne and iudge of them And herein he obserueth this order First he giues vs a notable rule to direct vs in iudging of false prophets Ye shall know them by their fruits Secondly hee explanes the same rule by a similitude drawne from trees Doe men gather grapes of thornes c. For the rule that we may vnderstand it the better wee are to search what is meant by the fruits of false Prophets A false Prophet must bee considered two waies First as he is a man taking vpon him the name profession of Christ for so false Prophets vse to do and secondly as he is a false prophet in both these respects hee hath his fruits As he is a man taking vpon him the profession of Christs religion hee may bring forth many outward duties of external obedience vnto the moral law but these fruits are not here meant for a false Prophet may dissemble much goe farre in the outward duties of religion so as he cannot be discerned by his generall profession or by the works of his ciuil conuersatiō There be other fruits which come frō him as he is a false prophet by them must he be discerned these therefore are to be considered Now we shall know them the better by searching out the fruits of a true Prophet 〈◊〉 he is a man of God appointed to teach Gods people The fruits of a true Prophet be principally three I. He teacheth and preacheth in the name of God by vertue of calling from God and otherwise dares not presume to teach Rom. 10. 14. How shall he teach vnlesse he be sent and the author to the Hebrewes saith Christ tooke not the honour of beeing the high Priest and Prophet of the Church to himselfe but was called thereto by his father Heb. 5. 5. And this stands with reason for euery true Prophet and teacher stands in Gods roome and is Gods embassadour to deliuer his will to his people which thing none can doe but he whome God calleth and sendeth for that purpose Yet the calling of Prophets and teachers by God is diuers Some are called by voice from God immediatly as were Abraham Moses and Samuel and all the Apostles in the new Testament by the immediate voice of Christ for Paul was called by the voice of Christ from heauen Act. 9. 4 5 6. Againe others haue their calling from God by the speciall message of some Angel or some men Thus was Aaron called by Moses Elisha by Elias and Philip by an Angel to preach to the Eunuch Act. 8. 26. Thirdly others be called by the instinct and motion of Gods spirit so Act. 8. Philip was by ordinarie calling a Deacon but by extraordinarie instinct he became an Euangelist and a preacher of the Gospel for the building of Gods Church These three kinds of calling men into the ministerie were extraordinarie and are now ceased and not to be looked for neither are they to be regarded which say they are thus called at this day A fourth way whereby God now calleth Prophets and teachers into his Church is by his Church for God hath giuen to particular Churches a particular ministeriall power and seruice whereby they may designe a place vnto the teacher and also make manifest that God hath called him Now this authoritie is but ministeriall to designe and manifest whome God hath called for the principall calling is from God for Act. 20. 28. the Elders of the Church of Ephesus are said to be made ouerseers by the holy Ghost when as they were designed thereto by men And by one of these foure waies are all true Prophets and Teachers called Here some may demaund what kind of calling
equitie it concerneth all people in all times and places What the Morall lawe is I will describe in three points First It is that part of Gods word concerning righteousnesse and godlinesse which was written in Adams minde by the gift of creation and the remnants of it be in euery man by the light of nature in regard whereof it bindes all men Secondly it commaundeth perfect obedience both inward in thought and affection and outward in speech and action Thirdly it bindeth to the curse and punishment euery one that faileth in the least dutie thereof though but once and that in thought onely Galatians 3. 10. Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things that are written in the law to doe them The summe of the Morall law is propounded in the Decalogue or tenne Commandements which many can repeat but fewe doe vnderstand That wee may further conceiue aright the Morall lawe wee must make a difference betweene it and the Gospel for the Gospel is that part of the word which promiseth righteousnesse and life euerlasting to all that beleeue in Christ the difference betweene them stands especially in fiue things First the Law is naturall and was in mans nature before the fall but the Gospel is spirituall reuealed after the fall in the couenant of grace Secondly the Law sets forth Gods iustice in rigour without mercy but the Gospel sets out iustice and mercie vnited in Christ. Thirdly the Law requireth a perfect righteousnesse within vs but the Gospel reuealeth our acceptance with God by imputed righteousnesse Fourthly the Law threatneth iudgement without mercy and therefore is called the ministerie of condemnation and of death but the Gospel shewes mercie to mans sinne in and by Christ if we repent and beleeue Lastly the law promiseth life to the worker and doer of it Doe this and thou shalt liue but the Gospel offereth saluation to him that worketh not but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly not considering faith as a worke but as an instrument apprehending Christ by whom we are made righteous The Church of Rome in a manner confound the Law and the Gospell sauing that the Gospel which is the new Law reuealeth Christ more clearely then Moses Law did which they call the old Law But this is a wicked opinion which ouerturnes all religion beeing the cause of many grosse points in poperie which could not stand if they would acknowledge a true distinction betweene the Law and the Gospel They say for their defence that the precepts of both are the same for substance that both require righteousnesse both promise life and threaten death both commaund faith repentance and obedience and therefore they are the same Answer First the laws and precepts of the Law and Gospel are not the same for Adam in his innocencie knew the Law but hee knewe nothing then of beleeuing in Christ and though both require righteousnesse promise life and threaten death yet the manner is farre different as before was noted So likewise they differ in the commaunding of faith for the Gospel commandeth faith not as a worke done as the Law doth but as an instrument laying hold on Christ. Againe the Law commaundes faith generally as to beleeue in God and to beleeue his word to be true but besides this the Gospel requires a particular faith in Christ the Redeemer whom the Law neuer knewe Thirdly the Law commandeth not repentance for the knowledge of the Law was in Adams heart when hee needed no repentance true repentance therefore is a sauing grace wrought and commanded onely by the Gospel And fourthly for obedience though it bee commaunded both by the Law and the Gospel yet not in the same manner The Law commaundeth obedience euery way perfect both in parts and in degrees and alloweth none other but the Gospel commaundeth and in Christ approoueth imperfect obedience that is an indeauour in all things to obey and please God if it be without hypocrisie Againe the Law commandeth obedience as a worke to bee done for the obtaining of saluation but the Gospel requires obedience onely to testifie our faith and thankefulnesse vnto God The Church of Rome therefore erreth grosly in cōfounding the Law and the Gospel which indeed are farre differing so we must beleeue if we would come into hold the right way that leadeth vnto life Now whereas Christ saith Thinke not that I came to destroy the Law by Law he meaneth principally the Morall law and in the second place the Ceremoniall law also Next obserue the opposition that Christ maketh betweene the Law and the Prophets thereby signifying vnto vs that by the Law hee meaneth that part of Gods word concerning Righteousnesse and Iustice which Moses penned by Gods commaundement and by the Prophets hee meaneth that part of Gods word which is contained in the writings of all the Prophets in the old Testament after Moses which bookes of the Prophets contained in them either an interpretation of Moses Lawe or predictions of the state of the Church in the newe Testament Againe by destroying the Law we must not vnderstand a breach of the Law such as is made by mans sin but such a dissolution as taketh from it all vertue and power whereby it is a Law and so to destroy the Prophets is to put an ende vnto them so as they should nothing auaile either to the interpretation of the Law or to the foretelling of the state of Gods Church vnder the Gospel But to fulfill them Christ fulfilleth the Law three waies by his doctrine in his person and in men By his doctrine he fulfilleth the Law two waies both by restoring vnto it his proper meaning and true vse as we shall see afterward where he correcteth the corrupt interpretations thereof by the Pharises as also by reuealing the right way wherby the Law may be fulfilled Secondly in his person he fulfilleth the Lawe two waies First by becomming accursed to the Lawe in suffering death vpon the crosse for vs. Secondly by performing perfect obedience vnto the Law doing all that the Law required for the loue of God or of his neighbour in which respect he was said to haue beene vnder the Law Thirdly Christ fulfilled the Law in men Men bee of two sorts Elect and Reprobates In the Elect he fulfilleth the Lawe two waies First by creating faith in their hearts whereby they laie hold on Christ who for them fulfilled it Secondly by giuing them his owne spirit which maketh them indeauour to fulfill the Law which in Christ is accepted for perfect obedience in this life and in the life to come is perfect indeede In vnbeleeuers Christ fulfilleth the Law when he executeth the curse of the Law vpon them for that is a part of the Law and the execution and enduring of the curse is a fulfilling of the Lawe And thus doth Christ fulfill the Law so that the
meaning of the words is this Whereas you thinke that I came to destroy the Law and the Prophets by making them of none effect you are deceiued nay on the other side know that the ende of my manifestation in the flesh was to fulfill the law both in my doctrine and person and also in the persons of men both good and badde In this Apologie of Christ for his behauiour towards the Law obserue what malice some of the Iewes especially the Scribes and Pharises bare vnto him for Christ was the Author of the Law and yet they maliciously suspect and charge him with the abrogation therof so as he is faine to cleare himselfe in this behalfe The like hath beene the malice of wicked men in all ages against the deerest seruants of God Act. 6. 14. Stephen is accused to speake blasphemous words against the Law Act. 21. 28. Paul is charged with the same crime And such is the malice of the Papists against all Euangelicall reformed Churches because wee denie Iustification by workes therefore they condemne vs for enemies to good workes and in many other points they fasten vpon vs notes of reproach for holding the truth Yea among our selues the like malice doth appeare in those that brand their brethren with odious names because they shew forth more care then others of their dutie to God but let all Gods children beware of this Pharisaicall practise Againe obserue the Titles vnder which he comprehendeth the whole Scriptures of the olde Testament The Law and the Prophets Luke 16. 31. they are called Moses and the Prophets Luke 24. 27. Christ beganne at Moses and at all the Prophets and interpreted vnto them in all the Scriptures there Moses and the Prophets containe all the Scriptures of the old Testament Here then we may note a propertie of the bookes of the olde Testament namely that euery one of them was written either by Moses or some other of the Prophets And by this wee may knowe the Canonicall bookes of the olde Testament and distinguish them from the bookes called Apocrypha for the Apocrypha bookes were not penned by any of the Prophets who spake and writ in the Hebrew tongue the natiue language of the Iewes but by some other in the Greeke tongue which was not the language of the olde Prophets These bookes may bee regarded in sundrie respects as containing many worthie Rules touching manners in which regard wee may preferre them before other writings of men so farre forth as they are consonant with the Scripture and so the Church of God hath of long time reuerenced them but yet they are no part of the Law nor of the Prophets And therefore the Church of Rome doth notably wrong and abuse the world in stiling these Apocryphall bookes for Canonicall Scripture Thirdly Christ in this his Apologie sheweth a sweet consent betweene the Law and the Gospel They are not contrarie one to the other for Christ who is the substance of the Gospel came to fulfill the Laweâ— and therefore Paul saith that by faith wee establish the Law and Hebrewes 9. 19 20. c. When Moses had giuen the Lawe vnto the people hee offered sacrifices and sprinkled the blood thereof vpon the booke and vpon the people which was a type of the shedding of Christs blood as it is there expounded which did notably signifie this consent betweene the Law and the Gospel in so much as without Christ the Law could not stand Now this consent betweene them standeth herein The Law requireth perfect obedience and threateneth death to the least breach thereof not propounding any way for the fulfilling thereof out of our selues but the Gospel directeth vs to Christ who as our suretie hath fulfilled the Lawe for vs for which cause Christ is called the ende of the Lawe for righteousnesse to euery one that beleeueth And through Christ it is that the righteousnesse of the Law is fulfilled in vs which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Verse 18. For truely I say vnto you till heauen and earth perish one iot or one title of the Law shall not escape till all things bee fulfilled Here our Sauiour Christ propoundeth the second argument for the clearing of himselfe from their false imputation of destroying the Lawe and it is drawne from the nature of the Law which is immutable The Exposition For This sheweth the dependance of this verse vpon the former Truely I say vnto you This is a forme of speech which our Sauiour vsed when he would solemnely auouch any waightie truth and propounding this in his owne name herein he sheweth himselfe to bee the Doctour of his Church whome we must heare in all things for hee speaketh as one that cannot lie The thing hee saith is this Till heauen and earth perish one iotte or title of the Lawe shall not passe In which wordes he setteth downe the stabilitie and the vnchaungeablenesse of the Lawe and that hee might fully expresse his mindâ— hee borroweth a phrase from the Hebrewe Alphabet wherein Iod is the least letter One iot signifying that not so much as this little letter Iod shall passe out of the Lawe Againe by Title some thinke is meant the Hebrewe vowels but properly it signifieth a line bent crooked or the toppe of an horne so that here it properly signifieth the bending or bowing that is in the top of some Hebrew letters insinuating that not so much as the least part of a letter in the Law should passe away Now these things must not be taken properly for it hath beene and may be that in the Hebrew copies of the old Testament some letters should bee changed as may appeare by the diuers readings in sundrie copies for that may be without the losse of any sentence but Christs meaning is this That not the least parcell or sentence in the Law shall passe away making parts in the Law to be as titles in the Alphabet Till heauen and earth perish that is neuer so much this phrase insinuateth for though heauen and earth shall be changed in regard of their qualities yet the substance of them shall neuer passe to nothing and in this sense is the word Till vsed else-where 1. Sam. 15. 35. Samuell came no more to see Saul till the day of his death that is neuer Till all things be fulfilled that is till euery thing commanded in the Law bee done so as it shall no more vrge a man to any obedience which shall neuer bee for it must eternally bee fulfilled so that this phrase hath the like sense with the former importing thus much euen for euer and euer so that this is the meaning of this verse That the Law of God is vnchangeable not onely in the whole but for euery part thereof and the fulfilling thereof shall neuer haue an ende Christs reason then stands thus If the Lawe bee immutable and for obseruation eternall then I came not to destroy it but
lewdnesse nor frowardnesse in them yea the Law of the Lord is perfect his statutes are right and his iudgements true and righteous altogether Now the consideration of this integritie and perfection of the law and word of God must mooue vs to studie the Scriptures with great diligence so saith our Sauiour Christ Search the Scriptures that is shake and sift them as the word signifieth search narrowely till the true force and meaning of euery sentence yea of euery word and sillable nay of euery letter and iotte therein bee knowne and vnderstood conferre place with place the scope of one place with another things going before with things that come after yea compare word with word letter with letter and search it throughly This manner of studying the Scripture is most necessarie as beeing the thing indeede which preserueth and vpholdeth the Church of God and the puritie of religion for about foure or fiue hundred years agone men left off to studie the Bible after this sort and betooke themselues to the writings of men occupying their wits wholly in vaine quidâ—ities in Philosophie and in hid mysteries of Diuinitie by which meanes it came to passe that Poperie and Apostacie from the truth spread it selfe ouer the world for many hundred yeares together Afterward God of his meere mercie put into the hearts of some men to bee carefull searchers in the word of God by which meanes the truth appeared as light out of darkenesse Thus God stirred up Luther about the yeare of our Lord 1517. who by diligent search in the Scripture and especially by serious meditation with praier vpon these words of the Apostle Roman 3. 21. That now by the Gospel without the Law the Iustice of God is made manifest did finde that by the perfect obedience of Christ our iustification was wrought and thereupon began to maintaine and professe Iustification before God to be free through and by faith in Christ onely without helpe from the works of the law against the doctrine of the Church of Rome and so by further diligence and industrie in the Scripture the truth of God shone forth more and more Let all men but especially Students in diuinitie consider this effect of searching out the Scriptures as a spurre to diligence in this behalfe By this means also errors and heresies are auoyded and suppressed the will of God is plainly reuealed And here by the way we may see how profitable and necessarie the gift of Interpretation is It is a most excellent gift of the spirit pertaining to the Ministerie and therefore most commendable necessarie is the vse thereof in Schooles of Learning Eightly this immutabilitie ascribed to Gods law that euery part thereof shall be accomplished to the full teacheth all Princes and Magistrates not onely to be keepers of Moses law in their owne persons but also within their rule and dominions to doe their best indeauour that the same bee fulfilled and kept by others For this cause did the Lord command that the Prince of his people should haue the Law written before him in a booke to read vpon continually that hee may learne to feare God and to keepe all the words of the Law to doe them and that which is there enioyned vnto Princes belongeth also vnto all Magistrates Masters and Parents within their places and charges they must be carefull to see the whole law of God practised and obeyed both in their owne persons and of those that are vnder them Lastly by this immutabilitie ascribed to the Law wee may learne what it is to fulfill the law namely to keepe and obserue to the full euery particular thing which the law commaunds vs and vpon this wee may ground two conclusions against the Papists First that no man can come to life euerlasting by his owne righteousnesse and obedience for hee that would come to heauen by his owne righteousnesse must be able to fulfill the whole law perfectly in euery respect but since Adams fall no man could keepe the lawe in all things sauing our Sauiour Christ both God and man Secondly that our fulfilling of the law must be in the obedience of Christ for he onely was answerable to the whole law in all things and therefore if we would come to heauen we must not come in our owne righteousnesse but in his as Paul wisheth to be found of God Phil. 3. 8 9. Verse 19. Whosoeuer therefore shall breake one of these least commandements and teach men so he shall bee called least in the kingdome of heauen but whosoeuer shall obserue and teach them the same shall bee called great in the kingdome of heauen Our Sauiour Christ hauing plainely propounded in his Apologie for himselfe the stabilitie and eternitie of the whole law doth here laie downe two notable conclusions for the vpholding thereof 1. Because the Law is immutable and eternall therefore he that breaketh one of the least of the commandements and teacheth men so shall be called least in the kingdome of heauen 2. Because the Law is eternall therefore he that keepes the commandements and teacheth men so shall bee called great in the kingdome of heauen For the first by least commandement he meaneth the precepts of the Morall lawe though in the former verse by Law he vnderstood the whole law in three parts Iudiciall Morall and Ceremoniall And he calleth them litle not simply in regard of themselues as though they were so indeede for in it selfe euery commaundement of God is great and waightie but hee speaketh according to the opinion of the Iewes for the Scribes and Pharises had ordained certaine rites and ceremonies according to the tradition of their Fathers the obseruation whereof they made a greater matter of conscience then the keeping of some of Gods commandements and so esteemed them little Againe saying these least commaundements hee pointeth out what particular commaundements of the Morall law the Iewes esteemed lesse then the traditions of men namely those which afterward he expoundeth in this Chapter touching Murther Adulterie Swearing and the rest for they esteemed not all the commaundements of the law lesser then their traditions Shal be called least in the kingdome of heauen Here Christ sets downe the punishment of a false Prophet which breakes Gods commaundements teacheth men so to wit his base esteeme in the Church of God for the kingdome of God is two-fold the kindome of grace and the kingdome of glorie The kingdome of grace is the societie and companie of Gods faithfull seruantes here on earth The kingdome of glorie is the blessed estate of all the Saints in heauen Now here by kingdome of heauen he meaneth the kingdome of grace which is the militant Church on earth and so Iohn Baptist calleth it Math. 3. 2. Repent and amend for the kingdome of heauen is at hand that is the Church of the old Testament is now abolished and the Church of the new Testament is ready to take place
in sinne and feeles it not wee therefore must labour to feele in our selues this spirituall bondage vnder sinne and when we feele it we must bewaile it and so shew some life of grace to be in vs. This Paul did Rom. 7. 24. O. wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death Looke as the prisoner feeles his bolts and fetters so sensibly should we feele the chaine of sinne wherewith our soules are kept in bondage and till we feele it and bewaile it the kingdome of Christ doth not come vnto vs wee must therefore euery day crie vnto Christ our Lord that he would shew himselfe to be our Redeemer by breaking the fetters of sinne wherewith our soules are kept in bondage and giuing vs that free spirit which may fully erect his blessed kingdome in our hearts for where the spirit is there is libertie 2. Cor. 3. 17. Secondly wee must bewaile the sinnes of all the world in the transgression of Gods law whereby God is dishonoured and his kingdome hindered and the kingdome of darkenesse furthered 2. Pet. 2. 7 8. Iust Lot vexed his righteous soule with the vncleane conuersation of the wicked of his time 1. King 19. 10. When Elias saw the children of Israel forsake Gods couenant breake downe his altars and slay his Prophets with the sword then he became very zealous for the Lord of hosts Psal. 119. 136. Mine eies saith Dauid gush out with riuers of water because they keepe not thy Law Vers. 139. My zeale hath euen consumed me because mine enemies haue forgotten thy law Mark 3. 5. Christ mourned for the hardnesse of the hearts of the people and Luke 19. 41 42. Hee wept ouer Ierusalem for that they knew not the day of their visitation Now looke how these were affected with the raigning sinnes of their times so must we also mourne for their sinnes that raigne among vs as Atheisine and profanenesse contempt of Gods word blasphemie sabbaoth breaking oppression crueltie and pride all good subiects are grieued much when they see forraine enemies displaie among them banners of victorie how much more then ought the godly to grieue when they see impietie practised with an high hand which is as it were a flagge of defiance in the kingdome of Christ and a speciall ensigne of Satans triumphing in the increase of his kingdome of darkenes When the deuil sees one that hath liued in sinne but cast a looke toward the kingdome of Christ hee rageth greatly and labours by all meanes to turne him backe and when we see those that haue made profession of religion returne againe to the lusts of their former ignorance O it should grieue our soules and cause vs to pray thy kingdome come Doe we perceiue the Turke or Pope or any instrument of Satan either by subtiltie or tyrannie to hinder the Gospel preached which is the scepter of Christs kingdome and the aime of God whereby hee puls men from the kingdome of darkenesse O then we should mourne Or doe we see the want of Gods ordinance in preaching sacraments and discipline which serue for the furtherance of Christs kingdome or the Lords people committed to ignorant or idle Ministers to scandalous teachers either for life or doctrine In all these we haue cause of mourning and they should stirre vp our hearts to crie vnto the Lord Thy kingdome come Use 2. Graces to be desired As we must mourne for the wants and hinderances of Christs kingdome so we must hereby learne to haue our hearts inflamed with spirituall desires after all helpes and furtherances vnto Gods kingdome both in our selues and others as First for the preaching of the Gospel and all other diuine ordinances whereby Gods kingdome is erected and maintained our hearts desire to God must be that these may bee set vp and continued where they are wanting and that God may blesse them where they are vouchsafed Secondly that God would enlighten the eies of our minds that we may see the wonders of his Law as Dauid did that so the Lords ordinance may be blessed vnto vs. Thirdly that we may be wholly subiect vnto Christ and that of conscience not onely in our outward behauiour but in minde and heart in will in all our affections wee must make sure this holy desire bee in vs indeede and therfore must denie our selues and subiect our selues wholly vnto God as a willing people to serue him and none but him and then we may be sure his kingdome is come vnto vs. Fourthly we must desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ in the kingdome of glorie for this end that we may make an ende of sinning and become more obedient subiects vnto Christ yea wholly ruled by him though for the good of others we must be content to liue Fiftly that Christ would come in iudgement when all things shall be subdued vnto God and all his obedient subiects shall be fully glorified This wee may desire in heart though we must leaue the time to Gods good pleasure still waiting for it by faith in his promise Sixtly that God would inlarge his sanctuarie here on earth gather his elect more and more and still defend and maintaine his Church in euery place in the world when these desires affect our soules then doe wee truely say Thy kingdome come 3. Use. Duties to be practised Whatsoeuer we aske in praier that must we endeauour after in life and conuersation else we mocke God saying well and doing nothing First therefore as we say Thy kingdome come so must we seeke to meet it striue to enter into it for this end God giues vs time to liue in this world that here we might enter the gate of grace and wait for the fruition of glorie and therefore we must diligently frequent the suburbs of this heauenly Ierusalem euen the preaching of the word and therein labour both for true humiliation and conuersion or else wee cannot enter into this kingdome Math. 18. 3. Iohn 3. 5. First we must haue the pride of our hearts pulled downe and become as little children beeing humbled in our selues through the knowledge of our sinnes and the feeling of that miserie which is due vnto vs for them yea wee must confesse them vnto God and crie vnto him for mercie and by this meanes lay aside this burden which hinders our entrance into the gate of grace Secondly we must bee conuerted and changed by the renuing of our mindes our hearts must cleaue vnto God and we must carry therein a resolute purpose not to sinne when these things be in vs we enter into Gods kingdome but till we endeauour after them in some truth we say in vaine Thy kingdome come Secondly wee must bee carefull to bring forth the fruites of Gods kingdome for therefore doth he send it among men and for want hereof doth he take it from them Matth. 21. 43. Now these fruits are Righteousnesse peace
the written word to be right Scripture and the ground of that which is in the heart for the word written carries a most certen sense beeing both text and glosse whereas their inward Scripture varieth as men doe vnlesse it be grounded on the written word II. Use. The certentie of Scripture must teach vs to beleeue Gods word and not to feare to rest our selues vpon it The Author of Scripture by his prouidence preserues his owne word so as all the men in earth for substance cannot corrupt the same and therefore whatsoeuer it saith we neede not doubt but it is the will of God III. Point From this reason we may also gather the Authoritie of Canonicall Scripture for we must doe as we would be done to because the law and the Prophets say so and hence it followes that the law and Prophets haue an high soueraigne and absolute authoritie This authoritie of Scripture stands in two things I. in power to giue iudgement II. in the all-sufficiencie thereof in and of it selfe and both these are noted here by our Sauiour Christ in this reason For the first the power of giuing iudgement is that whereby Scripture doth fully and absolutely determine of all things needfull to saluation concerning faith and maners and for this cause the laws of God are oft in Scripture called iudgements There be diuers iudgements ascribed to sundrie sorts of persons in Scripture First it giues a iudgement to euery priuate man The spirituall man discerneth or iudgeth all things and Saint Iohn biddes the beleeuers in the Church pâ—â—â—â—â— the spirits that is trie by iudgement the doctrines deliuered Secondly the Scripture giues iudgement to publike persons as to Pastors Ministers and to the gouernours of the Church Let two or three propheciâ— and the rest iudge 1. Cor. 14. 29. and the spirit of the Prophets is subiect to the Prophets v. 32. Thirdly Iudgement is ascribed to the Prophets Apostles in Scripture Act. 15. 28. It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to vs and this is an high Iudgement which befals not any priuate man or any ordinarie minister or general Councel ordinarily but is peculiat to extraordinarie Prophets that were the pen-men of holy Scripture And these three kindes of Iudgements must be distinguished the two first kinds are inferiour ministeriall kinds of Iudgement depending on an higher and more soueraigne Iudgement for priuate men and ordinarie ministers and Councels giue Iudgement yet not of themselues but by their rule which is the word of God and this Iudgement is nothing else but a ministerie pronouncing and declaring the meaning of the will of God reuealed in his word But besides this there is a soueraigne kind of Iudgement you câ—safed to the Prophets and Apostles determining absolutely in matters of faith conscience what is to be done what is not and this is the Iudgement of God himselfe whereupon the Apostles might say It seemâ—th good to the holy Ghost and to vs Act. 15. 28. And that this their Iudgement is absolute appeares by Scripture He that heareth you heareth me saith Christ to his Apostles he that refâ—sâ—th you refuseth me Luk. 10. 16 and Paul deliuering the Gospel of Christ to the Galatians bids them hold him accursed that teacheth theÌ„ otherwise Gal 1. 7. and the promise of sending the spirit of truth Ioh. 16. 13. was directly intended to the Apostles and onely in them fully accomplished For our better conceiuing hereof wee haue a resemblance of this soueraigne iudgement in the common wealth the high Court of Parliament giues iudgement of matters in law and so doe Lawyerâ— and Iudges in common Courts but yet there is great differenâ—e betweene these two the court of Paliament makes the lawe and determines absolutely in ciuill matters without controlement what must be done and what not but the Lawyers make not the law but pronounce the meaning of the law vnto men Now the Scriptures the Prophets and Apostles they are like to the courâ— of Parliament in giuing iudgement priuate men and ordinarie ministers giue iudgement like vnto the Lawyers which is not absolute but ministeriall depending on an higher iudgement Vses 1. If the Prophets Apostles haue soueraigne power to giue absolute iudgement in matters of faith and manners then we must here learne to make choice of a right Iudge for vnto one must wee appeale in matters of faith and conscience and this right Iudge is Gods word which wee must sticke vnto and to none other The commandement is plaine for matters of difficultie that concerne the conscience Isay 8. 20. To the law and to the testimonio and our Sauiour Christ referres vs to Scripture for all matters that concerne saluation Ioh. 5. 39. Search the Scripture If you would know what is true in religion what is erroneous what is equitie in any matter of conscience wee must haue recourse to Scripture It will be said Scripture is an vnfit Iudge it cannot speake I answer It speakes sufficiently to determine of all matters of faith and conscience wee see in common experience a man may resolue his friend in matters of doubt as well by letter as by word of mouth why then may not the word of God sent from heauen vnto his Church resolue mens consciences in all matters of doubt for faith and manners And indeed let any man come in humilitie seriously search the Scripture and he shall finde resolution therein for any matter of conscience whatsoeuer Vse 2. By this authoritie of Scripture in giuing soueraigne iudgement we are taught to take heed of an incompetent Iudge which men for many hundred years haue set vp in their hearts to relie vnto in matters of faith and conscience and that is to put the Church in roome of the word for soueraigne iudgemeÌ„t The Church of Rome teacheth that the Church must iudge of the Scripture yea without Scripture giue soueraigne determination in matters of conscience as hauing more authoritie then Scripture because it giues authoritie thereunto but this is the ground of Atheisme and heresie and the path way to Popery the true Church of God must haue the honour of Christs spouse but yet the authoritie of soueraigne iudgement must not bee giuen to her but onely to the word of God himselfe The second part of the authoritie of Scripture is that euery part of Canonicall Scripture is Authenticall that is of sufficient authoritie of it selfe though it bee not confirmed by any other testimonie for Scripture is the word of God and the testimonie of Scripture is the testimonie of God himselfe then which none can be greater as Saint Iohn saith If wee receiue the testimonie of men the testimonie of God iâ— greater 1. Ioh. 5. 9. For the better conceiuing of this point conferre all the bookes that are or euer were together and thereby it will appeare that the Scripture is of it selfe Authenticall There be three sorts of
had they who were the first restorers of true religion vnto vs in this our age for they were by profession either Popish Priests or Schoole doctors I answer their calling was partly ordinarie and partly extraordinatie for in the ministerie of a Prophet there be two things his office and the vsing or exercise of his office Our first ministers that restored the truth vnto vs had but an ordinarie office beeing either Readers in Schooles or publike preachers also they had their outward calling thereto from the church of Rome so as if there bee any part of good calling in that Church then was their calling good which may serue to stop the mouthes of all Papists that carpe at our Church as though our ministers had no calling But for the vsing of their office they were extraordinarily raised and stirred vp to doe that which they did in regard of the manifolde abuses wherewith the ministerie of the Church was generally corrupted in their time for God gaue vnto them grace and knowledge to discerne to teach and to maintaine the right and true vse of the ministerie And that they were thus extraordinarily stirred vp by God may appeare by the extraordinarie gifts and graces where with they were endued for God that hath alwaies a care ouer his Church when he saw the same so fearefully corrupted by Antichrist did stirre vp these men to reforme the same and besides their singular gifts of knowledge and wisdome he gaue them extraordinary graces of true pietie whereby they were inabled to seale and confirme with their own blood the truth of that doctrine which they did prosesse teach which was an euident argument they were called of God Now opposite to this wee must make the first note of a false Prophet namely to come on his owne head and to preach not beeing sent And by this marke are false Prophets noted Ier. 14. 14. I haue not sent them neither did I commaund them yet they prophecie in my name And no lesse do these words of Christ import when he saith here they come vnto you that is of themselues without a calling from God though they pretend a calling which is one of their cloakes and therefore by Saint Iude vers 4. they are said to creepe into the Church as also Acts 20. 29. grieuous wolues shall enter in among you without calling from God or from the Church Here some may aske how shal we iudge of such and know that they haue no calling Answ. For this purpose I adde a second note of a true Prophet which is the most principal it standeth in the right wholsome haÌ„dling of the Scriptures of God This is the propeâ— fruit of a true Prophet 1. Cor. 14. 3. He that prophecies speakes vnto men edificatioÌ„ exhortation comfort 2. Tim. 2. 15. Shew thy selfe a good workman by diuiding the word of God aright 2. Tim. 3. 16 17. the scripture vsed in teaching coÌ„â—incing correcting instructing vnto righteousnes serues to make a man fit to euery good worke of a Prophet Now this wholesome handling of the word stands in two things in a right interpretation and opening of the true sense of scripture and in a due and sound collection of wholesome doctrine from the fame for the edifying of the Church both in sound iudgement and Christian life On the contrarie the second fruit of a false Prophet is to deliuer and maintaine corrupt doctrine contrarie to the wholesome doctrine of holy Scripture and by this principally hee is to be knowne for a false Prophet that intrudeth himselfe For the better conceiuing of this note we must know that in the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles there are two things principally to be considered the scope the parts thereof the scope of all their doctrine tendes to maintain Christ Iesus God man the alone perfect Sauiour of the Church And indeede he which teacheth any doctrine tending to ouerthrow Christ either in regard of his natures or of his offices the same is a false Prophet 1. Ioh. 4. 3. Euery spirit that confesseth not that Iesus is come in the flesh is not of God The parts of Propheticall Apostolike doctrine are the commaÌ„dements of the Law and the promises of the Gospel he which ouerturnes either directly or by iust consequent any commaÌ„dement of the the Law or article of faith must needes bee a false Prophet so that a false Prophet must be tried by the analogie of faith coÌ„prised in the articles of the Apostles Creed and in the Decalogue which containes the summe of all the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles and he which goeth against them is a false Prophet The 3. fruit of a true Prophet is noted by our Sauiour Christ namely in his ministery to seeke Gods glory Ioh. 7. 18. Where also he noteth out a false Prophet who in teaching and preaching seeketh not Gods glorie but his owne The same note doth Paul giue Phil. 3. 19. calling them earthly minded seeking their own honour wealth glory not the things of God and they serue not the Lord but their own bellies Thus we see the notes of a false Prophet among which the second is the principall whereby he is to be tried as wee may see plainely Deut. 1â— 4. If a false Prophet come and worke a true signe yet hee must die If by his false doctrine he seeke to withdrawe Gods people from the true God So when the Iewes asked Christ by what authoritie he did those things that is what warrant and calling he had to doe as he did hee answers them by another question touching Iohns ministerie thereby shewing that that which hee did was warranted by the testimonie of Iohn and Iohns testimonie was true because his calling was from God and his calling he iustifies because his doctrine signified by his baptisme was from God So Galat. 1. 8. He which teacheth otherwise then they had learned out of the Prophets from the Apostles let him bee accursed though he were an angel from heauen And thus much for the meaning of this rule Uses 1. From this rule wee haue to answer the Papists and all popish persons who vse to plead in defence of their religion after this sort If our religion be false shewe vs the time when it was corrupted the man that corrupted it and the manner howe it was corrupted for once we had the pure religion Wee might answer them by the like that a man might say as well of a shippe that is sunke on the sea that it is not sunke because no man can tell where and when and by what meanes it tooke water But yet further wee haue here to answer that though wee knewe not when their religion was corrupted and by whom yet seeing their teachers and people haue in them and among them the necessarie fruits of Antichristian Prophets and people wee can thereby assure our selues they are corrupt and
and matters of faith necessarie to saluation is so plaine that it may be vnderstood of the simplest â—ls Christ would neuer haue sent the Iewes to the Scriptures for the certen knowledge of the Mâ—ssias Which notably discouers the fraudulent dealing of the Romish teachers who in matters of controuersie in religion send vs for resolution to the Church calling it the stay and pillar whereto we must leane in all doubts of doctrines The church I graunt is to be reuerenced but yet we must not build our faith vpon the doctrine of men Our Sauiour Christ sent the Iewes vnto the Scriptures and hereby the Bereans tried Pauls doctrine and are commended And indeede though men be neuer so vnlearned yet if they come in humilitie to search the Scripture and in obedience vnto God praying for knowledge they may be able by Gods word to discerne of false teachers vers 21. Not euery one that saith vnto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen but he that doth my fathers will which is in heauen From this verse to the 24. is conteined another portion of Christs sermon beeing the seauenth part of this chapter wherein he intreateth of the state of those that professe his holy name in his Church here on earth And his maine scope drift herein is to shew that men must not content themselues to professe religion outwardly but there-with they must ioyne true godlines and sincere obedience This point is as wayghtie and of as great importance as any of the former respecting the maine point of mâ—ns saluation and it conteineth two parts A maine conclusion in this verse And a proofe and explanation of one part thereof ver 22. 23. The conclusion it selfe hath two parts 1. that some men professing the name of Christ shall not be saued which part is afterward explaned and confirmed the 2. part is this that some professors of religion shal be saued which is not onely propounded but the parties also are plainely described The first part is a most fearfull sentence against many that liue in the Church that notwithstanding their profession of the name of Christ yet they shall neuer be saued And this is most true beeing spoken by him that hath the power of life and of death who is also the God of truth that cannot lie saying Not euery one that saith Lord Lord that is that professeth God to be his God shall enter into the kingdome of heauen There be two kinde of professors in the Church of God that shall neuer be saued the first are grosse hypocrites which professe Christ with their mouth and yet in heart and life they renounce him of this sort is first the common Atheist who onely for feaâ—e of the magistrates lawes professeth religion secondly the Epicure that is such a one who beares Christs name for fashions sake and yet his bellie and pleasure is his God thirdly the worldling who spends the strength of bodie and mind and all he hath on the world for earthly things Now none of all these if they thus liue and die can be saued The second sort are more close hypocrites which professe the name of Christ in some truth and haue in them some good gifts of God by reason whereof both before men and in their owne conceite they are reputed members of the Church and yet for all this they are indeed but hypocrites which shall neuer be saued And that we may somewhat discerne of them I will note the gifts which they may haue whereby they may come to professe Christ truly they may be reduced to fiue heads The first is the spirit of bondage to feare Rom. 8. 15. This is a certaine gift of God whereby a man doth discerne the right meaning and iudiciall vse of the law in himselfe concerning sinne and the punishment thereof for though a man by nature know something of the law yet he knowes not all nor the right vse thereof now by reason of this knowledge he sees himselfe in bondage and in regarde thereof doeth feare from whence may proceede many good things as griefe for sinne confession and humiliation for the same and praier for pardon Thus wicked Pharaoh confessed the righteousnesse of God and that he and his people had sinned Exod. 9. 27. And so did Ahab at the heauie message of God by Eliah 1. King 2. 27. he rent his clothes and put sackecloath vpon him and fasted and lay in sacke-cloath So Iudas when he sawe that Christ was condemned he repented of his fact beeing gâ—ieued for it and ashamed to looke any man in the face and also confessed the same before God and men Matth. 27. 3 4. A second gift which a close hypocrite may haue is faith as had Simon Magus for he beleeued and was baptized Act. 8. 13. neither was it a false and dissembling faith altogether but in some sort a true though not a sauing faith for he beleeued and yet was in the gall of bitternesse So Ioh. 2. 23. it is saide certaine beleeued in Christ but he durst not commit himselfe vnto them And that we be not deceiued herein we must know that this faith of an hypocrite hath in it three things knowledge of the truth approbation thereof with assent vnto it and a kinde of perswasion that Christ is his redeemer Of the second degree of this faith we haue example 2. Pet. 2. 18. where some are said to be beguiled with wantonnesse through fleshly lusts who had cleane escaped from them that be wrapt in â—rror that is in idolatrie And of the third degree we haue example in the same chap. vers 1. where some false prophets are said to denie Christ that bought them because for a time they professed themselues to be redeemed and were also perswaded in a generall sort that he had bought them yet herein they failed that they did not truly apprehend the merit of Christ and applie it effectually vnto themselues The third gift of a close hypocrite is a taste of Gods fauour Hebr. 6. 6. it is saide of some that fall quite away That they were inlightned by Gods spirit and had a taste of the good word of God and of the powers of the world to come though they were neuer â—ed nor filled therewith The fourth gift is good affections good I say not in them but in their kinde and so farre forth as we can iudge they haue ioy in the good things of God Luk. 8. 13. They that are on the stones are they which when they haue heard receiue the word with ioy They haue zeale for Gods glorie as had Iehu 2. king 11. 15. and yet he departed not from the sinnes of his forefathers v. 32. Thirdly they haue reuerence to Gods Ministers as Herod to Iohn Baptist Mark 6. 20. Herod knowing Iohn to be a iust and holy man feared and reuerenced him The fifth gift is an outward reformation of life the stonie ground
how to correct and reforme our foolish conceite we haue of men in the world We thinke of those that haue worldly wisdome to be able to goe beyond others in the greater affaires of this life that they are the onely men deseruing best place of gouernment both in Church and common wealth But we must know that these men though they haue neuer so good heads for the things of this life yet if they faile in the knowledge of this dutie to God or in the practise thereof are here by our Sauiour Christ noted with the brand of follie The rich man in the Gospel had notable forecast for the augmenting of his wealth when his substance increased he could pull downe his barnes and make them greater but yet because he failed in the maine point of his saluation he is noted for a rich foole Luk. 12. 20. And therefore in all sorts and estates of men he is the wisest who hath grace to know and answerably to obey the will of God II. This must excite vs to a carefull endeauour after true obedience to God in all his commandements We all desire to be freed from the reproach of folly among men and we take it for a great disgrace to be counted fooles well if we would auoid this ignominie indeede let vs be willing to heare and carefull to obey the word of Christ both in thought word and deede otherwise let men iudge as they list God will account vs fooles III. Point The practise of this follie which consists in this that he builds his house vpon the sands whereby is signified another thing concerning the soule namely to build our saluation vpon insufficient foundation and that doth euery hearer of Gods word that makes not conscience of obedience for profession is as it were the erecting or rearing of an house and the not performing obedience withall is the setting of this house vpon the sands There be three sorts of men that thus build vpon the sands I. The Papist that will be iustified and saued by Christ but yet withall he must haue works of grace to concurre for the increase of his iustification and for the accomplishment of his saluation Now this is to build vpon the sands when we ioyne workes with Christ in the matter of saluation for though Christ be a sure rocke in himselfe yet if we will fortifie him by our works we fall from this rocke into perdition and our foundation is no better then sand Gal. 5. 2. Behold I Paul say vnto you that if you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing and v. 4 Ye are fallen from Christ whosoeuer will be iustified by the law in which â—laces the Apostle labours to ouerthrow the opinion of the Galatians learned of the false Apostles which was to ioyne works with Christ in the matter of iustification Rom. 9. 32. Christ became vnto the Iewes a rocke of offence when as they would be saued by the works of the law A second sort that build vpon the sands are the common Protestants by whome I meane such as beare the name of Christians and yet rest themselues contented and satisfied with their ciuill liues thinking that because they abstaine from outward euill and grosse sinnes and doe no man wrong therefore God will hold them excused whereupon they professe religion more for obedience to the lawes of men then for conscience to God But this will not serue the turne these men though they professe Christ outwardly yet in deede they denie him for by their course though it may be they thinke not so they will needes become Sauiours and so Christs vnto themselues which thing they doe when as they stay themselues on their owne ciuill life The Scribes and Pharisies for outward actions were very godly and many of them liued vnblameably but yet Christ saith to his Disciples Math. 5. 20. Except your righteousnes exceede the righteousnes of the Scribes and Pharisies ye cannot enter into the kingdome of heauen 1. Cor. 4. 4. I know nothing by my selfe saith Paul and yet I am not thereby iustified this was a notable thing for a man to walke so vprightly in his calling that his conscience could not accuse him of any offence against God or man and yet this is nothing in the matter of Iustification because euery man therein must answer to God The third sort of those that build vpon the sand is the Protestant that is more forward in religion then the former I meane such as doe heare the word and receiue it with ioy bringing forth some good fruit thereof It had beene hard I must confesse to haue called such men foolish builders vnles Iesus Christ had reuealed them to be such and yet that these doe build on the sand it is plaine in the parable of the seede that fell on stonie ground Luke 8. 13. whereby are resembled such men as heare Gods word and receiue it with ioy and bring forth some fruit but yet in the time of temptation doe fal away for though they professed Christ yet they were not founded on him they wanted sound humilitie and true faith which want in the time of peace they could not espie Uses I. Seeing that men which heare and receiue the word of God with ioy may build on a fandie foundation we must pray to God for this one blessing that he would write his word in our hearts by the finger of his spirit as he writ the law on the tables of stone in Mount Sina for our hearts are deceitfull and will counterfeit grace till the time of triall come now God hath promised this blessing to his Church in the new Testament and therefore we must pray for it that hauing his law written in our hearts we may be the doers of it II. This must mooue vs to looke vnto the deceitfulnes of our hearts for faire shewes will not serue the turne in time of triall and our hearts be deceitfull aboue all things for when a man shall receiue the word with ioy and bring forth some fruit thereof how should he not thinke himselfe to be in a good case and yet in time of triall this will disappoint him and deceiue him Wherefore we must looke that in our profession we carie a true heart vnto God and to our selues and for this cause must see that we be throughly humbled in our selues for our sinnes that we may make God and his feare to be our chiefe treasure for which cause we must remember that we are not our owne but Gods and so must not haue the disposing of our selues but subiect our selues wholly to his will in all things and if thus we make him our treasure we shall be sure to make him our rocke also III. We must not content our selues only to know Christ to be our Sauiour and to imbrace religion in profession but we must labour further to feele in our selues the power of Christs death to mortifie sinn in vs and
apparell checked 386. b Professors of religion that shall be saued 515. b. professors that shal not be saued 512. c. the true wisdome of professors 537. m. the folly of some professors 541 Prophet how God calleth Prophets and teachers 501. m. notes of a true Prophet ib. b. 502. c. what makes a false prophet 491. c. societie with false prophets must be auoided 495. m. why god suffereth false prophets 497. b. daÌ„ger of false prophets ib. m. theâ—r pretences 497. c. fruits notes of false prophets 520. m. 503. punishment of false prophets 510. m. 79. m. of discouering a false prophet 500. m. what it is to prophesie 521. m Prosperity a fruit of Gods kingdom 274. m Prouidence of God rightly conceiued of 164. m. 165. m. particular prouidence prooued 169. b. 379. m. preseruing prouidence 207. b. how to rest on Gods prouidence 379. m. a rule for prouision of worldly things 344. m. mans spirituall prouidence 358 Publicans described 201. b Purgatory confuted 105. b. 476. m Pure in heart 30. how it is gotten 31. Q QVarelling a note of a badde man 91. m R RAca 91. m Raine a common blessing of God 208. m. â—nseasonable raine is Gods punishment 209. c. of astrologicall predictions of raine ibid. m. sorcerers cannot cause raine 209. m Reconciliation to God 108. c. of brotherly Reconciliation 110. m. 301. b Reregeneration signes of it 402. m Religion how to know true religion 430. e. and a truth in religion 494. m. it must not be tempered to mens humors 175. b. naturall mens behauiour in religion 334. b. 337. b Remission of sinne goeth with repentance 299. m Repentance the grounds of it 516. e. the nature of it ibid. the practise of it 300. m. motiues thereto 76. b. 534. m Repetition in Scriptures implie importance 118. e Reprobation how we maintaine it 133. m. God is not cruell to his creatures therein 526. m. Reprobaâ—es neuer haue true faith 530. e Reproofe of the manner of reproouing 429. b Restorers of true religion ought to be reuerenced 4â—4 b. of their calling to preach the truth 501 Restraint of our nature by Gods word 484 c. Reuenge twofold 176. m. desire of reuenge must be auoided 301. b priuate reuenge vnlawfull 176. e reasons against it 177. e. kinds of priuate reuenge ib. b. lawfull reuenge handled 179. m. when reuenge may be sought by the magistrate 180. m Reuiling forbidden 95. e. it is a kind of peâ—sequution 43. e Reward whether it implie merit 45. m. 221. m Riches a great lord 368. e. when rich men forsake God 370. b. how the rich may continue their wealth 400. e Right to earthly things two-fold 18. m Righteousnes true and sauing 86. m. mans naturall conceit thereof 85. m gods righteousnes notes Christs obedience 395. b. how it is made ours ib. â— Rome no true part of Chr. Church 81. m. 168. m. separation from Rome no scisme 496. m Rules of expounding the law 93. â— 110. e S SAbbath of the change of it 74. e. how trades men may sel thereon 193. e Sacrifice what the giuing thereof signified 103. e Sadduces 84. e Salt three properties therof resembling the ministerie 47. m Salutation must be friendly 212. m Sanctification of the creature 291. b. sanctification goeth with iustification 87. e. a comfort against doubting thereof â—1 m Sathans policies against Gods children 310. m. his malice against the Church 492. m. he is limited in tempting 308. m. how to resist him 312. e Schooles of the Prophets approoued 5. 200 Scismatikes differ from false Prophets 492 Scripture excelleth all other books 11. b. the certentie of Scripture handled 466 467 468. authoritie of Scripture handled 469. how it giues iudgement ibid. 470. how some take offence at Scripture 127. m. popish distinction of Scripture into inward and outward 469. m Scribes what they were 84. m. Sects among the Iewes 84. e Securitie in sinne 295. m. 423. m. carnal securitie coÌ„demned 488. e. their excuses remooued 489 Selling how made a worke of mercie 187. m See God the secret seer 228. b Senses what senses must be the instruments of mercie 16. m. how to ground our senses 119. b Separation from our Church vnlawfull 552. b Seruice preparation to Gods seruice 104. m. what it is to serue God 367. m. the error of the ignorant herein 368. m Silence in hearing Gods word 548 Sinnes differ in degree 422. m. sinne goeth not alone 224. b. it raigneth not in Gods child 371. m. maine sinnes in all men naturally 425. e. most secret sins knowne to Christ. 533. e. purpose of sinning must be auoided 534. e. how to perceiue the grieuousnes of our sinnes 426. e. how to reforme our sinne in our selues 425. m Slacknes in the better sort reprooued 490. e Speaking of others how to behaue our selues 403. m Spirits whether we may goe into places haunted by euill spirits 315. e Stewes falsly grounded on lawes of toleration 142. m Students in diuinitie their dutie 537. b. studie of Scripture should be diligent 77. b Successe how to leaue it to Gods blessing 375. m Suffer how they that suffer deseruedly may be blessed 43. b. suffering wrong examples 180. e. 182. e. it is the state of a Christian to suffer 185. b Suits in law how lawful 36. b. common suits in law vnlawful 108. m. 183. m Sunne the benefit of it 208. b Superiours their dutie 537. b. a note of euill superiours 184. e Suspition of suspecting euill of others 414. b Swearing how farre forth forbidden diuers opinions 155. b. ordinarie swearing forbidden ib. e 171. m. pretences for swearing answered 156. m. times cases wherein an oath is lawfull 157. m. the right maner of lawfull swearing 158. m. swearing by faith troath c. vnlawfull 161. m T TEacher properties of a badde teacher 175. e. 200. b Temporall blessings how they must be sought 399. m. how rightly vsed 292. their dependance on Gods kingdome 400. e Temptation kinds thereof 303. m. degrees therein 304. b. it is the state of Gods children 302. m. whether euery temptation come from Satan 171. e. how God leades into temptation 305. m. helps against temptation 306. e Testament how to know the bookes of the old testament 72. e. 463. in new testament is diuine scripture 464. e Thankesgiuing should be frequent with Gods children 266. m. 319 Toleration of false religion vnlawfull 469. b Tongue abuses thereof 95. m Traditions vnwritten 473. m Treasure heauenly what it is 347. 348. how we lay it vp 347. m. 349 Trees how some become euill 508 Trust in God a notable ground thereof 318. e Turcisme a false religion 481. b Tyrant priuate men may not kill a tyrant 182. m V VAnitie of the creatures 346 Ueniall sinnes what they are with Papists 93. b. how the father 's called some sinnes veniall 42â— Uniuersall grace confuted 244. m. 246. m. 392. m. 459. e. 482. e Vnmerciful men their number and miserie 25 m