to come earnest-pennies of euerlasting ioy and happinesse Nor doth this holy Spirit giue vs these graces in the first and least degrees onely but doth dayly nourish and increase them in vs from one degree to another till from infancy to child-hood and from thence to youth wee Psal 92. 14 15. doe at last grow vp vnto a perfect age in Christ bringing forth most Eph. 4. 13. fruit in our latter end For being assisted and comforted by the Spirit wee ouercome all difficulties and those duties which at the first seemed hard and almost impossible become familiar and pleasant that yoke of Christ which at first galled vs doth not hurt Matth. 11. 29. vs at all when we are anoynted with this oyle and his burthen which seemed intolerable hauing this Companion to helpe and assist vs becommeth light and easie yea sweet and delightfull And so on the other side when wee submit our selues to be guided and gouerned by the Spirit in the duties of a godly life and doe not grieue it by quenching the good motions which it suggesteth vnto vs we cause the good Spirit of God to take pleasure in his habitation and to delight in vs to doe vs good multiplying and increasing his graces in vs of which we haue brought forth such good fruits and redoubling our talents when as we haue rightly vsed them to our Masters aduantage according to that of our Sauiour To him that hath shall be giuen and he Matth. 25. 29. Luk. 8. 18. shall haue aboundance and from him that hath not shall be taken euen that which he seemeth to haue CAP. XLIIII Other singular priuiledges wherewith God in this life crowneth the godly which are the fruits and effects of his holy Spirit §. Sect. 1 That God sealeth vnto the godly the assurance of their adoption THe fifth priuiledge peculiar to the godly is the fruits and effects of the Spirit the first and chiefe whereof is this that the Spirit witnesseth and sealeth in their hearts and consciences the assurance of their adoption whereby of the children of wrath and firebands of hell they become the children of God and coheires with Iesus Christ of their heauenly Inheritance For as many Rom. 8. 14 15 16. as are led by the Spirit they are the sonnes of God For ye haue not saith the Apostle receiued the spirit of bondage againe to feare but yee haue receiued the Spirit of adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father The Spirit it selfe beareth witnesse with our spirit that wee are the children of God And if children then heires heires of God and ioynt-heires with Christ And againe Because yee are sonnes God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into Gal. 4. 6. your hearts crying Abba Father So the Euangelist Iohn saith that as many as receiued Christ to them he gaue this priuiledge to become the sonnes of God Ioh. 1. 12. euen to them that beleeue on his name So that whosoeuer lay hold vpon Christ by a true and liuely faith and bring forth the fruits thereof in holinesse and newnesse of life thereby approuing themselues to be such as are led by the Spirit they haue this high and honourable priuiledge that they are the sonnes of God and coheires with Christ in his Kingdome of glory The which should be a most effectuall regument to perswade vs to flee all maner of sin that we may not grieue the holy Spirit of God whereby we are sealed vnto the day of Redemption and to Eph. 4. 30. leade a godly Christian life that wee may walke worthy this high calling approue our selues to be Gods children by resembling our 1. Cor. 9. 25. heauenly Father in holinesse and righteousnesse For if wee would thinke no paines too much in the seruice of an earthly King if thereby wee could be assured that he would adopt vs for his sonnes yea make vs heires apparant to his Crowne and Kingdome though corruptible and momentany how diligent should wee be in seruing and pleasing God who hath of his free grace assured all those that feare and serue him that they shall be his adopted sonnes and heires of his incorruptible and glorious Kingdome which shall haue no end seeing this Crowne bringeth no care with it but all security and such surpassing ioy and glory as neither the eye hath seene the eare heard nor the 1. Cor. 2. 9. heart of man can possibly conceiue §. Sect. 2 The second speciall priuiledge is spirituall illumination The second speciall priuiledge and fruit of the Spirit peculiar to the godly is that he openeth their eyes blinded with naturall ignorance Psal 119. 18. Matth. 11. 25. 1. Cor. 2. 14. so as they see the wonderfull things of Gods Law and inlighteneth their darke mindes with supernaturall spirituall and heauenly Wisdome and prudence so as they not onely conceiue of the high and hidden mysteries of Gods Kingdome which the wisest of the world that are not thus illuminated are not capable of but also in a sauing manner are able to bring all they know to vse for their spirituall direction in all the waies of godlinesse which will bring them to heauenly happinesse For it is the oyle of the Spirit wherewith our eyes being anointed doe see and know all things It is this comfortable 1. Ioh. 2. 20 27. Ioh. 14. 26. Schoole-master that teacheth vs all things as our Sauiour speaketh without whose instruction wee remaine ignorant of Gods will For as no man knoweth the things of a man saue the spirit of man which is in him 1. Cor. 2. 10 11. euen so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God And whatsoeuer God maketh knowne vnto vs of his secret counsels he reueyleth it vnto vs by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deepe things Apoc. 3. 18. of God He is that spirituall eye-salue wherewith Christ anoynteth our eyes that wee may see It is he which by his secret whisperings as it were a voyce behinde vs teacheth vs the way of saluation saying Esa 31. 21. This is the way walke yee in it But yet this voyce is not heard of all but the faithfull onely whose eares God hath opened This heauenly Light shineth not to all in all places but onely in Goshen to the true Israel of God all others still remayning in a more then Egyptian darkenesse and to whomsoeuer it appeareth it teacheth them to denie Tit. 2. 11 12. vngodlinesse and worldly lusts to liue soberly and righteously and godly in this present world This spirituall and diuine Schoole-master teacheth not all men but those that truely feare God according to that of the Psalmist The meeke will he guide in iudgement and the meeke will he teach Psal 25. 12. his way And againe What man is he that feareth the Lord him shall he teach in the way that he shall chuse And to such alone who medirate in Psal 117. 99
our selues in the fruition of his loue lest comming vpon the sudden in an houre that wee thinke not Mat. 24. 44. and taking vs vnprouided without the lampe of profession or the oyle of grace or the light of an holy conuersation either hunting after worldly profits and preferments by vnlawfull meanes or with immoderate desires or wallowing our selues in fleshly delights he shut vs out of dores and vtterly exclude vs from hauing any communion or interest with him in those heauenly ioyes CAP. II. Of some speciall duties of a godly life which are to bee performed in our daily exercise And first of the renewing of our repentance §. Sect. 1 Of the daily renewing of our couenant with God by the renewing of our faith and repentance BY the testimonies and reasons before alledged wee haue made it euident that it is not sufficient to serue God by fits and at sometimes neglecting his seruice and seruing the world and our owne lusts at another but that the daily exercise of a godly life in the continuall performance of all Christian duties is most profitable and necessary And now it remaineth that we giue some directions for the well-performing of this daily exercise To which end wee are to know that these duties wherein wee are daily to be exercised are of two sorts First generall which are not onely euery day necessarily to be in some degree and measure performed but also to be obserued in euery part of the day and in all the particular acts and exercises of it as occasion serueth The second more speciall and belonging more principally and properly vnto the diuers parts and seuerall occasions of euery day The former are more internall and spirituall betweene God and vs seruing to set our hearts in due frame and to make them constant and resolute to consecrate our selues wholly to Gods seruice and in all things to please him The latter more externall for the most part and visible which are the outward exercises proceeding from the other and as it were the pleasant fruits which spring from those inward and hidden rootes The first mayne duty which ought to be of euery Christian daily and duly performed is to confirme and in some sort to renew the Couenant of grace betweene God and vs in Iesus Christ wherein God for his part doth of his free grace promise the remission of all our sinnes his spirituall graces his fauour and reconciliation iustification and adoption his holy Spirit with all spirituall and temporall gifts and graces in this world and euerlasting life and saluation in the world to come in and for his Sonne Christ And we for our part doe promise and couenant that we will receiue and imbrace Christ with all these benefits by a liuely faith and bring foorth the fruits thereof in hearty repentance and new obedience The which Couenant is the maine ground and foundation of all the good things we receiue from God in this life and of all the ioy and comfort which wee take in them and of our future hopes and happinesse in the life to come And therefore as Citizens doe chiefly looke to the preseruation and establishment of the grand Charter that containeth all their priuiledges And as Souldiers in time of a siege doe euery day looke vnto their mayne fortifications and bulwarkes and if they be any way shattered and shaken in the last assaults doe with all care and diligence repaire and strengthen them So must wee who professe our selues Citizens of the spirituall Sion and heauenly Ierusalem vse all good meanes to ratifie this Charter which is the chiefe assurance of all the good which we either now can haue or heereafter expect and seeing in the time of our spirituall warfare Satan with his assistants seeke to shake and weaken this chiefe Tower of our strength with the engines and Canon shot of their tentations therefore we must daily haue a speciall eye to this our principall Bulwarke and vse continually all good meanes whereby the breaches may be repaired and strengthened against the next assault And howsoeuer we are after a more principall manner to renew and confirme our Couenant with God at set and solemne times as generally before wee come to the Lords Table and specially in the time of thanksgiuing for some singular and extraordinary benefits or of extraordinary humiliation in respect of some sinnes into which after our conuersion we haue relapsed or some grieuous afflictions from which wee desire to be deliuered or some dangerous sicknesse the vsuall fore-runner of death and Iudgement as wee shall more fully shew heereafter yet seeing wee must daily and hourely liue by faith and seeing faith hath no other ground to rest vpon for the applying and appropriating of any of Gods benefits but the Couenant of grace which hee hath made with vs the which though on Gods part it be more immooueable then the rockes Esa 54. 10. and mountaines yet is often shaken in respect of our weake apprehension euen as a rocke may seeme to mooue when it is lightly touched with a trembling hand a mountaine to shake when as it is beheld with a weak and quiuering eye who seeth not how necessary it is to vse daily all good meanes whereby wee may make this couenant which is so strong in it selfe to be also strong vnto vs and a firme foundation whereupon we may build our ioy and comfort §. Sect. 2 Of the daily renewing of our repentance First by recalling our sinnes to remembrance And secondly by humbling our selues before God in the sight and sense of them Now the principall meanes of renewing and confirming this couenant of grace is daily to renew the condition on our part which is a liuely faith approued by the fruits of it in vnfained repentance The which latter because it is the infallible signe and touch stone of the former and the outward and sensible fruit which assureth vs of the hidden roote that it liueth and groweth I will in the first place speake of our daily exercise in renewing of our repentance vnto which is required first that we call to our remembrance our former sinnes together with the cursed roote of originall corruption from which they spring but especially the sinnes frailties and falls which haue ouertaken vs since the last time that wee performed this exercise to which purpose it behoueth vs to keepe a strict and narrow watch ouer all our thoughts words and workes that these spirituall enemies of our soules may not slily passe by or secretly lurke in vs vnespied and consequently vnrepented of and also to take speciall marke of them that they doe not slip out of our minde and memory For which end we must looke our selues often in the glasse of Gods Law examine our liues by this rule that so we may take notice of our spirituall spots and deformities of our errours and auersenes to good pronenesse to euill and so bring them into the Court of conscience that
chill and cold terrours of death cannot daunt and dismay vs. It calleth to our remembrance our former care to serue and please God and how we haue walked with him before him though not in legall perfection yet with integrity and vprightnesse Esa 38. 3. of heart how we haue done that which is good in Gods sight It witnesseth with our consciences that wee haue beene faithfull Stewards who haue well husbanded Gods talents intrusted vnto vs and that our accounts are euen so that we neede not feare now when we are called to a reckoning Yea it putteth into our hands a generall acquittance sealed with the blood of Christ that wee may haue it in readinesse when we appeare before our Iudge It telleth vs that now all our labours are ended and that nothing remaineth but to receiue our wages and to keepe with God his Saints and holy Angels a perpetuall Sabbath in all ioy and happinesse that now wee are safely passed thorow a sea of danger and are arriuing and entring into the heauenly Hauen of euerlasting rest that we haue fought a good fight and 2. Tim. 4 7. 8. finished it with an happy victory and that now nothing remaineth but to receiue the Crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge hath layde vp for vs and is now ready to set vpon our heads with triumph and glory Againe a godly life changeth the nature of death and of a curse for sinne maketh it to become a great blessing as being a meanes to free vs from all euils and to enter vs into the fruition of the chiefest good so that whosoeuer with the Apostle haue led their liues in the true feare of God may say with him For to me to liue is Phil. 1. 21. Christ and to die is gaine For the death of the godly puts an end to all their troubles that all teares may be wiped from their eyes It causeth them Apoc. 21. 4. cease to sinne which so long as they liue in the flesh hangeth vpon them as an heauie burthen and presseth out of them many a sorrowfull sigh and deepe grone It bringeth with it a ioyfull rest from all their labours which in this life are so tedious and troublesome and putteth an end to their wearisome pilgrimage It freeth them from all worldly miseries from pouerty and penurie sores and sicknesses slanders and disgraces and bringeth with it heauenly plentie and the riches of Gods Kingdome perpetuall health euerlasting glory It putteth an end to the spiritual conflict and to all the assaults of our many mighty and malicious enemies so as they shall neuer more be able to disturbe our peace It separateth vs from the society of wicked Psal 120. 5. worldlings which whilest wee liue is so irkesome and dangerous and from participating with them either in their sinnes or punishments It secureth vs from the euils to come and acquitteth vs from approching dangers Finally as it putteth an end to all our euils both of punishment and sinne so it serueth as an entrance into the full fruition of all good and for a straite gate whereby we passe into heauenly happinesse All which considerations should be effectuall reasons to perswade to the leading of a godly life which is alwaies attended vpon by such a blessed death that bringeth so many comforts with it when all other comforts faile and so many ioyes after it of all which they depriue themselues who neglect Gods seruice and spend their time and strength in the eager pursuite of worldly vanities §. Sect. 9 Of the inestimable benefits which a godly life will bring in the world to come Finally as a godly life is in this world profitable to all purposes so is it most beneficiall in respect of the life to come For thereby wee Rom. 8. 1. Apoc. 20. 6. are secured from that euerlasting woe and misery prepared for all those who liue and die in their sinnes seeing there is no condemnation to those who are in Iesus Christ which walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit and the second death shall haue no power ouer them who haue their part in the first resurrection to holinesse and newnesse of life Secondly we are assured hereby of heauenly happinesse For they that haue followed Matth. 19. 28. Christ in the regeneration shall accompany him in glorie They that haue liued like Gods children in holinesse and righteousnesse as in this life they haue the adoption of sonnes and the Spirit of adoption Rom. 8. 15. crying in their hearts Abba Father so shall they in the life to come receiue from their Father their heauenly inheritance whereas they who haue neglected these duties can neither haue this hope here nor that fruition hereafter seeing without holinesse no man shall see God For 1. Ioh. 3. 2 3. Heb. 12. 14. howsoeuer as one saith God made vs without our selues yet he will Augustine not so saue vs. But hauing giuen vs a Being reasonable soules and his Word whereby he hath made vs acquainted with his will and required our conformity and obedience he will haue vs ioyne with him in working out our owne saluation by performing those duties Phil. 2. 12. which he hath prescribed and to walke in the way of holinesse and righteousnesse which leadeth to euerlasting happinesse So that though our seruice of God in holy duties be not the cause of eternall life and glorie but the free mercies of God and merits of Christ yet being the way which leadeth vnto it all may be assured that they shall attaine to heauenly happinesse who goe constantly in it whereas contrariwise they who neuer goe in this way can neuer come vnto that glory vnto which it leadeth Finally a godly life is most profitable in respect of the life to come because God graciously crowneth his owne graces in his children and the fruits of them in their new obedience with a proportionable measure of glory and happinesse so that they who haue in this life shined brightest in the light of grace Dan. 12. 3. and godlinesse shall in that life shine brightest in glorie and blessednesse They who haue most glorified him by their holy conuersation he will impart vnto them the greatest measure of glory and both make them capable and replenish them with greatest ioyes So that if wee haue any care or desire to be secured from endlesse miseries or to be assured of eternall happinesse let vs be moued hereby to serue and please God in the duties of an holy life yea seeing the Lord in some proportion fitteth his wages to our workes and the rich rewards of his free grace according to those indeuours which he hath wrought in vs of seeking his glory let vs being transported with an holy ambition deuote our selues wholy to his seruice not only labour to keep an ordinary pace with others but striuing for the richest prize let vs indeuour to out-strip all that run with
will Ezech. 34. 22 to 31. set one Shepheard ouer them and he shall feede them euen my seruant Dauid that is Iesus Christ the Sonne of Dauid hee shall feede them and he shall be their Shepheard And I the Lord will be their God and my seruant Dauid a Prince among them I the Lord haue spoken it And I will make with them a couenant of peace and I will cause the euill beasts to cease out of the Land and they shall dwell safely in the Wildernesse and sleepe in the Woods c. §. 2 The causes of spirituall securitie respecting our selues The causes of this spirituall securitie on our part are those vertues and graces receiued from God which haue the promise of it and make vs fit and capable to receiue and apprehend it when as the Lord of his free grace doth offer it vnto vs. The principall whereof is the Spirit of adoption crying in our hearts Abba Father which sealeth vp Rom. 8. 15 16. in our hearts the assurance of Gods loue and beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are children of God And if Children then Heires and Heires of God and Co-heires with Christ who as we suffer together so shall we be glorified together The which Spirit of adoption is opposed to the Spirit of bondage and freeing vs from all seruile feare doth inuest vs with the priuiledge and together with it the peace of securitie of the Children of God And this Spirit also is accompanyed with an whole Armie of spirituall Graces which taking vp and as it were manning the Fort of our hearts doe keepe them and vs safe and secure in all assaults of danger and the spirituall encounters of tentations so as they shall neuer bee able to make vs fall away or alienate vs from Gods vse So the Apostle Peter telleth vs that if we giue all diligence 2. Pet 1. 5 6 10. to make our Calling and Election sure by adding one Grace and Vertue to another this golden Chaine will so keepe and strengthen vs that we shall neuer fall that is neither from the estate of Grace in this life into the state of sinne and death nor from our assurance of the state of Glorie in the life to come into that miserable condition of condemnation and destruction §. 3 Of the particular causes of spirituall securitie first sauing knowledge But besides these Graces in generall there are speciall Graces which are the causes of this spirituall Securitie both because the promise of it is made by God vnto them and because in this respect wee become capable of it and fit to apprehend and receiue it when the Lord in mercy bestoweth it vpon vs. The first of these is the sauing Knowledge and remembrance of God and his sauing Attributes of Wisedome Power All-sufficiency Mercy Goodnesse Loue and Truth not onely as they are infinitely in God and of his Essence and Nature but as they extend and are exercised towards vs. For when we acknowledge and remember that God is infinite in all goodnesse and perfection is our God and we his Seruants and Children that he is infinite in wisedome and knoweth what is best for vs how to preuent all dangers to supply most fitly and fully all our wants and to deliuer vs most seasonably from all euill both of sinne and punishment that he is infinite in power and able to doe whatsoeuer he will and can at pleasure destroy our Enemies and defeate all their projects and purposes and arme vs with strength in our greatest weaknesse so as we shall be able to ouer-come them and withstand all their tentations that he is al-sufficient and by himselfe able to supply all our wants as well without as with meanes and a rich portion which is sufficient to make them who inioy him happy in the absence of all earthly good and presence of all temporall miseries that he is infinite in mercy goodnesse and loue towards vs in Christ and therefore as willing as able to doe that for vs which he knoweth to be best and most fit to make vs eternally happy and that he is also infinite in truth most infallibly verifying and accomplishing his Word and gracious Promises made vnto vs of Grace and Glorie temporall protection and euerlasting saluation then doe wee cast our selues securely vpon his prouidence for supply of all our wants protection from all dangers and deliuerance out of all miseries and afflictions So that as carnall securitie is caused through the ignorance and forgetfulnesse of God and his Attributes so Christian securitie which is opposite vnto it is caused by the knowledge acknowledgement and remembrance of them §. 4 The second cause a liuely Faith in Christ The second cause which produceth this spirituall securitie as the fruit and effect of it is a liuely faith in Christ and firme affiance and Rom. 5. 1 3. confidence in God For being iustified by Faith we haue peace with God and peace of Conscience and with them inward securitie and spirituall ioy euen in afflictions and tribulations So being by Faith ingrafted into Christ and become members of his body we may be secure in his power and protection assuring our selues that hee will preserue his owne members from all euill prouide for them all necessaries and defend them from the malice and power of all Enemies so as they shall not be able to hurt and destroy them which were to suffer a mayme in his owne blessed Body If we by Faith relye our selues vpon this Rocke of strength then though the Rayne descend and the Floods come and the Winds blow and beate vpon vs yet we are secure Matth. 7. 26. from all danger because wee cannot sinke or fall being founded vpon a Rocke If wee beleeue Gods Promises of preseruation and protection there is no cause of feare in the greatest extremities because we are sure of helpe and deliuerance which is certainly promised to all the faithfull according to the saying of Iehosaphat Beleeue 2. Chron. 20. 20. in the Lord your God so shall yee bee established beleeue his Prophets and yee shall prosper If beleeuing in God we put our affiance in him and cast our selues wholly vpon his prouidence and protection this will worke in vs this spirituall securitie For he that dwelleth in the secret of Psal 91. 1 2 3 c. the most High shall abide vnder the shadow of the Almightie Hee that maketh the Lord his refuge fortresse and trust shall bee deliuered from the snare of the Fowler and from the noysome pestilence Hee will couer him with his feathers and vnder his wings shall he trust his Truth shall be his shield and buckler He shall not be afraid for the terror by night nor for the arrow that flyeth by day c. because hee hath made the Lord his refuge and the most high his habitation There shall no euill befall him neither shall any plague come neere his dwelling For hee will giue his Angels charge ouer
afflictions 728 7 That hee inwardly guideth them by his grace and holy Spirit 730 CAP. XLIIII Other singular priuiledges wherewith God in this life crowneth the godly which are the fruits and effects of his holy Spirit 731 Sect. 1. That he sealeth vnto the godly the assurance of their adoption 731 2 The second speciall priuiledge is illumination 732 3 The third is sanctification of the Spirit 733 4 The fourth is internall and spirituall ioy 733 5 The last is Christian liberty 734 CAP. XLV Of foure other maine priuiledges wherewith God crowneth a godly life both in this world and the world to come 735 Sect. 1. That hee bestoweth vpon them the Spirit of prayer 735 2 That he giueth them meanes to build them vp in grace vnto saluation 736 3 That they shall perseuere in the state of grace to saluation 737 4 Of their inestimable priuiledges in the world to come 739 THE SIXT AND LAST Booke of a godly life intreating of the impediments which vsually hinder and discourage men from entring into proceeding in the Christian duties which are required vnto it and of the helps and meanes whereby they may be remoued 742 CAP. I. Of those impediments which are cast into our way to hinder vs in the duties of a godly life by Satan the arch enemy of our saluation 742 Sect. 1. That Satan bendeth all his forces against vs to hinder vs in the duties of a godly life 742 2 How we may remooue the former impediments 743 3 That Satans might and malice must not discourage vs and the reasons hereof 744 4 Of Satans tentations whereby he impugneth our faith 745 5 Satans tentations whereby he seeketh to hinder vs from entring into the wayes of godlines or from proceeding in them 747 CAP. II. Of impediments which the world casteth in our way to hinder vs that wee may not leade a godly life and first such as are publike 749 Sect. 1. The first impediment arising from euill Magistrates 749 2 Of the impediments which arise from euill Ministers 750 3 4. The meanes to remoue this impediment respecting both Ministers and people 752 5 Of the impediment which ariseth from the euill liues of Ministers 754 6 Of the publike impediments which respect the people 755 CAP. III. Of such priuate impediments as the world vseth to hinder vs in a godly life and first those on the right hand 757 Sect. 1. Of the tentations of prosperity and that they are most dangerous impediments of a godly life 757 2 Of impediments arising from honours riches pleasures and from euill company 758 CAP. IIII. Of impediments on the left hand arising from afflictions and persecutions 761 Sect. 1. How the world seeketh to hinder our course in godlines by afflictions and persecutions 761 2 3. Of the worlds professed hatred whereby it discourageth vs in Christian duties 761 4 Of the false iudgement of the world shewed in the bitter censures of the godly 764 5 Of worldly contempt vnto which the godly are lyable 765 CAP. VI. Of externall impediments whereby the world hindreth vs in the duties of a godly life and first slanders and derision 767 Sect. 1. How we may be armed against slanders of the world 767 2 Of derision and scoffes which the world vseth to discourage the godly in all good courses 769 3 How we may be armed against them 769 4 Of the necessity of Christian Apologie and profession of the truth 771 CAP. VIâ— Of worldly persecutions and how wee may be strengthened against them 772 Sect. 1. Of the worlds cruelty in persecuting the godly 772 2 That it hath alwayes beene the lot of the godly to bee persecuted of the world 773 3 That our Sauiour Christ hath foretold these persecutions 775 4 Of the patience which the Saints haue shewed in suffering persecutions 776 5 That our persecutions for righteousnesse sake shall be richly rewarded 777 CAP. VIIâ— Of the impediments of a godly life which arise from scandals and offences 778 Sect. 1. The first scandall arising from the prosperity of the wicked 778 2 The second scandall arising from iudgement deferred 779 3 The third scandall arising from hypocrites 781 CAP. IX Of the impediments of a godly life arising from the flesh and first from the intellectuall faculties 784 Sect. 1. That the most dangerous impediments arise from the flesh 784 2 That ignorance is a great impediment to a godly life 785 3 That vaine curiosity is also a great impediment 787 4 5. Of impediments arising from an erronious iudgement 788 6 That infidelity is a great impediment to a godly life 793 CAP. X. Of manifold impediments arising from our corrupt hearts and affections 793 Sect. 1. The first impediment is an heart hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne 793 2 The second impediment is the loue of the world 794 3 The third impediment worldly cares 795 CAP. Xâ— Of impediments arising from carnall hope and presumption 797 Sect. 1. That carnall hopes are great impediments to godlinesse 797 2 That carnall presumption is another great impediment 799 3 Of the meanes to remoue the former impediment 800 4 Of presumptuous neglecting the meanes of holinesse 802 CAP. XII Of the third sort of carnall affections which are impediments to a godly life as superstitious scrupulosity deiection of mind feare and desperation 803 Sect. 1. That scrupulosity is a great impediment to a godly life 803 2 Of the meanes to be freed from it 805 3 That carnall feare is a great hindrance vnto godlinesse and the meanes to be freed from it 806 4 That carnall sorrow is another great impediment and how wee may bee freed from it 807 5 That desperation also hindreth vs and how we may be armed against it 809 6 That pride also is a great impediment and how to remooue it 810 7 That sloth also much hindreth vs and how we may arme our selues against it 811 8 Of wearinesse in well doing and how it hindreth vs and first that which proceedeth from an ill disposition of the body 812 9 Of that wearinesse which ariseth from the auersnesse of our willes vnto good duties 813 CAP. XIII Obiections against a godly life made by the flesh answered and first such as pretend impossibility and difficulty 814 Sect. 1. That a godly life is possible vnto vs. 814 2 To whom a godly life is difficult and the causes of it 816 3 The causes why the duties of a godly life seeme difficult and tedious euen to the regenerate and the causes of it 817 4 That the difficulty must not discourage vs from it 819 5 That the recompence of reward must incourage vs against all difficulties 820 6 That a godly life in it owne nature is not difficult and tedious but sweet and delightfull 821 CAP. XIIII That the godly life is not tedious and troublesome to the regenerate but easie and familiar 823 Sect. 1. That the regenerate haue a new nature vnto which a godly life is easie and pleasant 823 2 That
Sect. 9 That the duties of a godly life must spring from the fountaine of loue The fifth thing required is that all the duties of a godly life which we performe doe spring from the fountaine of loue which is a fruit of a liuely faith wherby being assured of Gods loue towards vs in Iesus Christ we begin to loue him againe and our neighbours for his sake and receiuing the bright beames of his fauour into our hearts haue them illightened and warmed thereby and so reflect them backe againe towards God in our loue of his Maiesty and zeale of his glory abhorring whatsoeuer is displeasing and louing and practising that which is acceptable in his 1. Tim. 1. 5. Matth. 22. 40. Rom. 13. 10. sight For this loue is the end of Gods commandements and compriseth in it the whole summe and substance of the Law and therefore it is the base and foundation of all true obedience and whatsoeuer proceedeth not from loue cannot be accounted any seruice vnto God seeing it is not done for his sake but out of selfe-loue and for worldly respects which being sinnefull and corrupt doe pollute all the actions which doe spring from them §. Sect. 10 That the duties of a godly life must proceede from thankfulnesse The sixth thing required vnto a godly life is that we performe all holy and Christian duties out of our thankefulnesse towards God as for all his benefits spirituall and corporall bestowed vpon vs namely our election creation preseruation and the rest so especially for that maine benefit the great worke of our redemption by Iesus Christ whereby he hath made vs of the slaues of Satan his owne seruants of the children of wrath his owne children by adoption and grace of the seruants of sinne the seruants of righteousnesse and of the heires of hell and condemnation coheires with Christ and inheritours of heauenly happinesse The which benefits being rightly considered must needs make vs truely thankefull vnto him of whom we haue so great saluation and out of this thankefulnesse truely zealous of his glory to whom we are so deepely indebted and to expresse both the one and the other by our earnest indeuour and conscionable care to glorifie his holy name by shining before men in the light of a godly life And that this ought to be the maine motiue to incite vnto the practice of an holy conuersation it appeareth heereby in that the Apostles doe so frequently vse it as a forcible argument to prouoke vs vnto it You are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in 1 Cor. 5. 20. your Spirit which are Gods Ye were sometimes darkenesse but now are ye light in Eph. 5. 8. the Lord walke as children of light And therefore we must take heede that we doe not performe holy duties out of an opinion of merit to make God beholding vnto vs or to satisfie his iustice which is onely done by Christs perfect righteousnesse and obedience or to leaue our workes of supererrogation as a treasure vnto the Church to be sold vnto those who most wanting them will buy them at the highest price or to purchase by them Gods heauenly Kingdome which is a free inheritance and the meere gift Matth. 25. 31. Rom. 6. 23. of grace which God hath of his sole bounty and good will giuen vnto vs in and for Iesus Christ but let vs doe what wee are able and be sorry in our hearts that we can doe no more out of vnfained thankefulnesse vnto God for the many and inestimable benefits which of his free grace and vndeserued goodnesse he hath multiplyed on vs. §. Sect. 11 That the duties of a godly life must bee done in humility The seuenth thing required vnto a godly life is that all the Christian Esa 57. 17. duties which we performe bee done in humility and lowlinesse of spirit for this is a grace most acceptable vnto God which will mooue him to inhabite in vs as his Temples by his holy Spirit for hee dwelleth with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit to reuiue the spirit of the humble and to reuiue the heart of the humble ones It mooueth him to bestow all other graces and inlargeth our hearts that they may be fit to receiue them for the meeke will he guide in iudgement and the meeke will he teach his way And Psal 25. 9. this Argument the Apostle Peter vseth to perswade vs to bee clothed with 1. Pet. 5. 5. humility Because God resisteth the proud and giueth grace vnto the humble It is the ornament and signe of all other graces and of all Christian duties whereby we may know whether they be counterfeit and hypocriticall or in sincerity and truth for the oyle of sauing grace and the water and winde of pride will not mixe together and therefore we must bee emptied of the one before we can be replenished with the other According to the song of the blessed Virgin He hath filled the hungry with good Luk. 1. 53. things and the rich he hath sent empty away So that if we would be inriched with Gods graces and be strengthened by his Spirit vnto the duties of a godly life we must as we increase in them increase also in humility and as our Sauiour hath taught vs When we shall haue done all those things which are Luk. 17. 10. commanded vs we must acknowledge that we are vnprofitable seruants who haue done nothing but that which was our dutie to doe To which purpose let vs often meditate of the imperfections and corruptions of our best actions which might iustly mooue the Lord to reiect them and vs also for them if in the seuerity and strictnesse of his iustice he should looke vpon them Let vs thinke not onely of the good we doe but also of the euill which we commit and the good which we leaue vndone and then there will be no place for pride but rather for that bitter and lamentable complaint of the Apostle That which I doe I allow not for the good that I would I doe not Rom. 7. 15 19 24. but the euill which I would not that I doe O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death Let vs consider not so much how farre we haue proceeded in the Christian race but rather how much remaineth and how farre we yet come short of the goale of perfection according to the Apostles example I count my selfe saith he not to haue apprehended but this one thing I doe forgetting those things which are behind Phil. 3. 13 14. and reaching foorth to those things which are before I presse towards the marke for the price of the high calling in Christ Iesus Finally though we had attained vnto some perfection yet there were no place for pride but rather for the greater humility seeing wee are the more indebted vnto God for his aboundant grace and bounty for as the Apostle saith
causeth vs not in pride and selfe-conceit to content our selues with that we haue but seeing our imperfections to labour in the vse of all good meanes after a greater measure till by attaining to one degree after another wee doe in the end obtaine with perfection of knowledge perfect happinesse But yet in this imperfect knowledge there are diuers degrees which accordingly are diuersly required that they may be acceptable vnto God and sufficient for vs and our saluation First in respect of the diuers times of illumination for in the twy-light of the Law when as the Sunne was not yet risen there was not so great a measure of knowledge required as in the broad day of the Gospel when as God requireth some proportion between our sight of knowledge and the light of his truth shining vnto vs. Otherwise wee can haue no assurance that we are in the number of his Church and of those Esa 11. 9. Ier. 31. 34. Ioel. 2. 28. with whom the Couenant of grace is made vnlesse the Prophecies foretold of such be verified in vs and among the rest that we who are taught by his Sonne and Spirit shall know God and his will in farre greater perfection then they did which were vnder the Pedagogie of the Law So in respect of the meanes God requireth a greater measure according to their greatnesse expecting much where he hath giuen much as more of those where the Gospell is freely and openly preached then of those who liuing in times of persecution haue it only by stealth and with many difficulties and dangers And in a flourishing Church such as ours is hee requireth the greatest measure where hee hath planted the most faithfull Ministerie And therefore in this cleere light of the Gospel and liberall meanes which God alloweth vs wee are to labour after a like measure of knowledge as the Apostle exhorteth the Colossians Let the Word of Christ Col. 3. 16. dwell in you richly in all wisedome to which end we must not cease to pray for our selues as the Apostle for them that wee may be filled with the knowledge Col. 1. 9. of Gods will in all wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding Finally that our knowledge may be acceptable there is a diuers measure required in respect of diuers callings As that the Ministers must exceed the people seeing they are appointed their teachers and guides and the Priests lips Mal. 2. 7. must preserue knowledge that the people may seeke the Law at their mouth That the rich exceed the poore because they haue more leasure liberty and opportunity to vse the meanes that the husband exceed the wife and the father the children because they are bound by their places to teach and instruct them And finally that they who haue beene long Schollers in Christs Schoole doe excell those who are nouices and but newly admitted for want of which proficiencie the Hebrews are sharply reprooued by Heb. 5. 12. the Apostle But yet wee are to know that in all true members of the Church who are of age and capacity it is required that they vnderstand the maine principles of Christian Religion which are contained in ordinary Catechismes that they may bee able to render an account of their 1. Pet. 3. 15. 1. Thes 5. 21. 1. Ioh. 4. 1. Act. 17. 11. faith to those that aske them to instruct those who are vnder their gouernment and to know and discerne the voyce of Christ from the voyce of a stranger to try the spirits whether they bee of God or no and not hand ouer head receiue whatsoeuer is deliuered by those who are in the habit and place of a Minister but to discerne at least in maine points necessary to saluation the sound doctrines of their faithfull teachers from the errours and vntruths of false seducers §. Sect. 2 Of the quality of our knowledge that must be effectuall The last thing required in our knowledge respecteth the quality of it that it be sanctifying effectuall and sauing knowledge Neither doth euery kind of knowledge make vs and our liues acceptable vnto God for 1. Tim. 1. 4. 6. 20. there is a false knowledge consisting in vaine speculations fables quirkes and conceits of wit endlesse and vselesse genealogies which minister questions rather then edifying which is in faith and making men rather more proud and contentious then more holy and religious which is odious vnto God And there is a litterall or speculatiue knowledge swimming in the braine which not being effectuall for the sanctifying of the 1. Cor. 13. 2. 8. 1. heart and amendment of the life doth not profit but rather hurt those that haue it pussing them vp with pride and making them disdaine those that want it The which as it increaseth their sinne because it is committed against knowledge and conscience and leaueth men without excuse so doth it make their punishment more grieuous and their condemnation more intolerable for the seruant that knoweth his masters will and doth Luk 12. 47. it not shall be beaten with many stripes and it shall bee more easie for Sodom Mat. 11. 21 22. Iohn 9. 41. and Gomorrah at the day of Iudgement then for Corazin and Bethsaida because hearing Christs Word and seeing his workes they repented not This knowledge though it be true in respect of the obiect which is the Word and truth of God yet is it vaine in regard of the effect being vneffectuall to a godly life and to the assuring vs of life eternall in which when we excell neuer so much yet shall wee come short of many wicked men who are in the state of death and condemnation yea of the deuils themselues who in theory and speculation know more then wee Yea in truth such knowledge is no better then ignorance in Gods estimate seeing we know onely so much in Christianity as we bring into vse and practice according to that of the Apostle Heereby we doe know that wee know God if we keepe his Commandements he that saith I know him and keepeth not 1. Iob. 2. 3. his Commandements is a lyer and the truth is not in him And againe Whosoeuer abideth in him sinneth not whosoeuer sinneth that is in whomsoeuer 1. Iob. 3. 6. sinne ruleth and reigneth hath not seene him neither knowne him §. Sect. 3 That sauing knowledge is necessary to a godly life And therefore if we would be accepted of God and haue our liues and wayes pleasing in his sight wee must not content our selues with such a Stude non vt plus alijs scias sed vt melius Seneca Tit. 1. 16. 1. Tim 4. 8. Ioh. 4. 24. Psal 16. 8. Gen. 5. 24. Gen. 17. 1. knowledge as swims in the braine but labour after such a sauing effectuall knowledge to be the guide of all our works and actions which maketh vse of all we know for the sanctifying of our hearts and affections and the reforming of our liues and conuersations For example
the Lord hath done for vs which will make vs thinke that we can neuer be too earnest in seeking his glory nor too intent and feruent in all holy duties of his seruice That it is an inseparable propertie of all grace to be zealous in them and therefore there can be no grace at all where zeale is wanting That is an vndoubted signe of those who are the redeemed of the Lord to be zealous of good works therfore where there is no zeale there can be no Tit. 2. 14. signe of redemption by Christ finally that luke-warmenesse is most lothsome vnto God and that those who are so he will spue out of his mouth Apoc. 3. 17. §. Sect. 3 Of reioycing in God what it is and the meanes wherby we may attaine vnto it The second vertue arising from loue is ioy and reioycing in God when being assured of his loue towards vs and louing him againe tasting for the present how good the Lord is and perswading our selues of the full fruition of him in the life to come we are exceedingly delighted and euen glory in the assurance and sense of Gods fauour For it is the nature of loue to make vs reioyce in the thing beloued and as the more excellent any thing is in our conceite the more our loue exceedeth so according to the measure of our loue such also is our ioy when we inioy it And therefore needes must our ioy and reioycing in God exceed all other ioy because our loue ought to bee proportioned to his goodnesse and excellency and our ioy to our loue In which respect this diuine ioy swalloweth vp all worldly griefe and causeth vs to glory not onely in worldly prosperity but also in persecution and tribulation Rom. 5. 3. And this is that ioy vnto which the Scriptures exhort vs Reioyce in the Phil. 4. 4. 1. Thes 5. 16. Psal 37. 4. Lord alway and againe I say Reioyce Reioyce euermore Delight thy selfe in the Lord and he will giue thee the desires of thine heart Which if we attaine vnto then haue wee euen in this life the first beginnings of our heauenly happinesse For as the Apostle teacheth vs the Kingdome of God Rom. 14. 17. consisteth in righteousnesse peace and ioy in the holy Ghost Now the meanes to obtaine this ioy is to labour after assurance that wee are vnited vnto Christ for we cannot haue it in our selues but in and through him according to that of the Apostle We ioy in God through our Lord Iesus Christ Rom. 5. 11. by whom now we haue receiued the atonement Secondly if we would haue this ioy we must labour after the assurance of our iustification and remission of our sinnes for peace with God followeth our iustification by faith Rom. 5. 1 3. and ioy this peace Thirdly let vs labour after this assurance that wee are the sonnes of God by adoption and grace and to haue it sealed vnto vs in our hearts and consciences by his holy Spirit that so our assurance of our heauenly inheritance may vphold our ioy and reioycing in the middest of temporary crosses and afflictions Finally let vs labour to feele Gods loue shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost which wee shall best discerne by finding them inflamed with feruent loue towards God approoued to bee sincere by our care to flee all sinne which is odious vnto him and imbracing all vertue and goodnesse which is acceptable in his sight And if wee inioy God in this mutuall loue wee shall in all estates glory and reioyce in it and in the middest of all worldly extremities comfort our selues with Dauid in the Lord 1. Sam. 30. 6. 1. Thes 1. 6. our God §. Sect. 4 Of thankfulnes vnto God what is required vnto it and the meanes of it The third vertue arising from the loue of God is vnfained thankfulnes for when in consideration of Gods goodnesse mercy and bounty towards Psal 116. 12. vs our hearts are inflamed with his loue and replenished with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious then doe we thinke with Dauid what wee may returne vnto him for all his benefits and finding no possible meanes of making the least requitall in regard of our impotency and Gods all-sufficiency we doe at last resolue to remaine for euer thankfull debters and to expresse our thankefulnesse both by our words in praysing and magnifying and in all our actions by glorifying him our Benefactour who hath beene so infinitely gracious vnto vs seeing wee haue nothing else to returne vnto him So that our loue of God proceeding from his loue towards vs is the roote of our thankefulnesse and our reioycing in his loue and goodnesse an inseparable companion of it For this thankefulnesse is a vertue whereby knowing acknowledging and reioycing in the sense and feeling of Gods loue goodnesse and bountie towards vs wee are inwardly thankefull vnto him for all his benefits and outwardly expresse it by praysing and glorifying his holy Name both by our lips and liues whereby it appeareth what is required to this vertue of thankefulnesse First that wee apprehend Gods loue and inwardly reioyce in it hauing our hearts thorowly affected with the sense of his goodnesse and bounty towards vs. Secondly that wee doe not ascribe the blessings and benefits which wee inioy vnto any Jam. 1. 17. thing else but onely vnto God as our supreme and chiefe Benefactour who is the principall Author of all our good Thirdly that wee doe not smother our thankefulnesse in our hearts but cause it to breake forth first in our words by praysing magnifying Gods holy name for as the Psalmist speaketh It becommeth the righteous to be thankefull and secondly in Psal 33. 1. our workes by doing those things which are pleasing vnto God in whom our soule delighteth that so the light of our godly liues shining before men we may cause them also to glorifie our Father which is in heauen Mat. 5. 16. The which ought to be performed of vs in all things and at all times both in prosperity and aduersity plenty and penury health and sicknesse according to that of the Apostle But be filled with the Spirit speaking to your selues in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall songs singing and making melodie Eph. 5. 18 19. in your hearts to the Lord giuing thankes alwayes for all things vnto God the Father in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ An example whereof wee haue in Iob who blessed the Lord when he was depriued of all his substance Iob 1. 21. and in the Church grieuously afflicted who in the middest of all her calamities did acknowledge Gods mercies in that they were not vtterly Lam. 3. 32. consumed Now the meanes whereby vve may be stirred vp to this duty and inabled to performe it are first to consider that this thankfulnes and thanksgiuing is good pleasant and comely according to that of the Psalmist Praise ye the Lord for it is good
full of imperfections and weake in those graces 2. Chro. 30. 19. which are necessary vnto the worthy receiuing of this holy Sacrament we will in that part of our liues which remaineth striue after more perfection and conscionably labour in the vse of all good meanes whereby we may increase our knowledge faith repentance and charity towards our neighbours And lastly earnest and hearty prayer vnto God for the remission of our sinnes for the assistance of his Spirit in our intended action for a new supply of sanctifying graces and for his blessing vpon his holy Ordinances the Word and Sacraments that they may be effectuall for the renewing and increasing of them in vs and for the strengthening of vs vnto the duties of a godly life In the action of receiuing wee are to be exercised both by meditation and action We are to meditate on the outward signes Bread and Wine and the things signified by them the precious Body and Blood of Christ as also of the Analogie and relation betweene them When we see the Bread and Wine set apart from a common to an holy vse we are to be put in mind thereby that so Christ was set apart and sealed to the office of Mediatourship that he might bee our Ioh 6. 27. Esa 49. 1 5. Prophet Priest and King and so worke that great worke of our Redemption When we see one Bread and one Wine consisting of many Graines and Grapes we are to be put in mind thereby that there is but 1. Tim. 2. 5. one Mediatour betweene Gods vs euen the man Iesus Christ and that he hath but one body the Catholike Church consisting of many members When 1. Cor. 12. 12 13. wee see the Bread broken and the Wine powred out wee are to call to mind that so the body of Christ was broken and crucified and his blood shed for our sinnes that it might be spirituall food for our soules to nourish them to life euerlasting When we see the Minister giue and deliuer the Bread and Wine we are to remember that so God offereth the Body and Blood of his Sonne to be receiued spiritually by faith of euery worthy receiuer The actions to be performed are first to receiue the Bread and Wine at the hands of the Ministers and to eate and drinke them with our bodily mouthes Secondly to performe an inward action answerable thereunto namely by the hand and mouth of faith to receiue and feed vpon Christs Body and Blood for our spirituall nourishment Thirdly to remember the infinite loue of God and his Christ to vs the one in giuing his deare Sonne the other his precious Body and Blood for our Redemption and being truely thankefull vnto them in our hearts for these inestimable benefits to set foorth their praises both by our lips and liues songs of Thankesgiuing and holy conuersation After the receiuing of the Supper we are to performe these duties First to bee perpetually thankefull vnto God the Father Sonne and holy Spirit as for all his benefits so especially for that great worke of our Redemption and for deriuing and assuring vnto vs the fruit of it by his Word Sacraments and holy Spirit Secondly wee must examine how wee haue profited by receiuing of the Supper for the satisfying of our spirituall hunger and the replenishing of our empty soules with the gifts and graces of Gods holy Spirit which were the maine ends for which we came to the Lords Table Lastly we are to performe carefully our purposes and promises made vnto God and our selues that we will conscionably and diligently vse all good meanes for the furthering of vs in the duties of repentance and a godly life CAP. VIII Of the duties required in the third and fourth Commandement §. Sect. 1 Of the sanctifying of Gods Name which is taken diuersly in the Scriptures c. and how it ought to be done THe third Commandement requireth that wee sanctifie Gods Name and glorifie him out of his publike and solemne seruice in the whole course of our liues and conuersation The Name of God signifieth diuers things in the Scriptures as first God himselfe and his attributes which are his Essence Secondly his Glory Thirdly his Titles as Iehouah Elohim Iah Fourthly his Word Fifthly his Religion Sixthly his Workes And to take it in vaine is to vse it in our thoughts words and workes rashly lightly and without iudgement or in vaine and to no end or falsly wickedly and contumeliously to his dishonour which is heere forbidden Contrariwise in this Commandement God requireth that we sanctifie and glorifie his holy Name and as it is Holy Reuerend and Glorious in it selfe so to vse it holily and reuerently in all our thoughts words and actions And on the other side he forbiddeth vs to vse Gods Name that is his attributes Titles Word Religion and Workes vainely that is rashly irreuerently and lightly vpon no iust cause or else prophanely falsly and contemptuously to Gods dishonour The mayne duties required of vs are first that wee effectually know beleeue and remember God and his attributes and also often thinke and meditate on them holily and Rom. 10. 10. reuerently that wee make profession of God and his attributes and vpon all occasions speake of them in like manner and that wee walke worthy such an holy knowledge and profession in our liues and conuersations Deut. 28. 58. Secondly that wee desire Gods glory in our hearts and indeuour Psal 50. 23. 1. Cor. 10. 31. to set it foorth by all meanes making it the matter of our speech and glorifying him by our praises and thankesgiuing and the end also of all our words and actions Thirdly that we vse Gods Titles and Names iudiciously in matters of waight and importance after a serious and reuerent manner and to a good end Fourthly that wee vse Gods Word religiously and holily reading meditating and conferring of it with a desire studie and indeuour to know remember and practise it That we make it our Schoolemaster to teach and instruct vs in all truth our chiefe 2. Tim. 3. 16. guide for the directing and reforming of our hearts and liues and the Luk. 11. 28. squire and rule according to which wee frame all our words and actions Fifthly that wee walke worthy our high calling and by our holinesse and Psal 119. 1. Act. 23. 1. 24. 16. righteousnesse adorne the Religion which we professe carrying our selues in all things vprightly in respect of God and inoffensiuely in respect of men Sixthly that in our thoughts words and actions wee make an holy and religious vse of all Gods workes both of creation and gouernment and both meditate and speake of them so as it may redound to Gods glory knowing him by his workes and glorifying him in them by Rom. 1. 19 20 21 Ps 19. 1. 139. 14. acknowledging them his workemanship and his wisedome power and goodnesse shining in them And also to our owne good imitating
something of the method and right disposing of the parts The parts of prayer to be vsed ordinarily of vs are three confession petition and thanksgiuing In our priuate confessions of our sins we are hauing first a true sense and feeling hatred detestation of thē to acknowledge them bewaile them not only generally but also specially and particularly and those aboue the rest which we haue last committed and with which we haue most often and grieuously displeased and dishonoured God and wounded our owne consciences according to the example of Dauid in the one and fiftieth Psalme and withall aggrauate them by their seuerall circumstances especially the consideration of the person against whom they were committed our glorious God and gracious Father in Iesus Christ adiudging and condemning our selues in regard of them to bee lesse then the least of Gods mercies and worthy of his greatest plagues and punishments Vnto which we are to adioyne petition and first that God for his mercies sake his promise sake and his Christs sake will forgiue vs all our sinnes and neuer lay them to our charge seeing our Sauiour hath fully satisfied his Iustice for them and so that being iustified and freed from the guilt and punishment of our sinnes he will be reconciled vnto vs and receiue vs into his loue and fauour Secondly that God will be pleased to seale vp the assurance hereof in our hearts and consciences by the gracious testimony of his holy Spirit and giue vnto vs the spirit of Adoption crying in our hearts Rom. 8. 15. Abba Father and witnessing to our spirits that wee are his children by adoption and grace Thirdly that he will sanctifie vs by the same Spirit mortifying and crucifying in vs more and more our sinfull corruptions so as they may not rule and raigne in vs as at former times and that he will also quicken vs vnto holinesse and newnesse of life and inable vs to yeeld obedience to his holy and heauenly will Fourthly that he will to these ends graciously vouchsafe vnto vs the meanes which may inable vs vnto them and make them effectuall by his good blessing vpon them Especially that he will indue vs with the sanctifying gifts and graces of his holy Spirit as sauing knowledge a liuely faith vnfained repentance firme affiance feruent loue and ardent zeale hope patience humility the true feare of God and the rest Fifthly that God will daily increase his graces in vs and our strength and ability to serue him that wee may grow from one measure to another vntill we come to a perfect age in Christ Sixthly that he will establish vs with his free Spirit that we may constantly perseuere in the profession and practice of true godlines vnto the end and in the end and that he will thereby so assist and strengthen vs against all the assaults of our spirituall enemies that we may haue victory ouer them and not be hindred by their tentations from proceeding in our course of godlinesse or from finishing the great worke of our saluation Seuenthly we must heereunto adde petitions for speciall benefits whereof wee stand in neede concerning things either temporall or spirituall and eternall and particularly such as are necessary and profitable for the well passing of the day following especially preseruation from all dangers direction in all our courses our thoughts words and actions and the blessing of God vpon all our labours with a right vse of all Gods benefits and chastisements Finally we must pray for the good estate of the whole Church of that in which wee liue and for all the principall members of it for our friends and benefactours for the afflicted for those of the same family and such vnto whom wee are bound by any speciall bond of duty And lastly we must from petition descend to thanksgiuing praysing God for all his blessings both corporall spirituall and eternall and especially for those peculiar benefits which he hath vouchsafed vnto vs in the whole course of our liues for those of late receiued and namely the night past in our preseruation and quiet rest And this I hold to bee the best method and order to bee obserued in our prayers ordinarily although I would tye no man vnto it but that he may herein vse his discretion beginning with confession thanksgiuing or petition as his heart leadeth him and fit occasion shall be offered §. Sect. 5 What duties are to be performed after wee haue prayed And these are the duties which are to bee daily performed in this holy exercise of prayer Now after wee haue thus prayed there are certaine other things required of vs. First a liuely faith whereby we doe not onely giue our vnfained assent vnto our prayer made but also rest perswaded that the Lord hath heard vs in the things for which we haue prayed and will assuredly accept of our humiliation and thanksgiuing and grant all our suites and requests as it will best stand with his owne glory our spirituall good and eternall happinesse And this our Sauiour requireth What Mark 11. 24. things soeuer yee desire when yee pray beleeue that yee shall receiue them and ye shall haue them Secondly hope patience and humility whereby we make no haste nor prescribe vnto God any time of doing the things which we haue desired but meekely acknowledging his infinite wisedome in himselfe and goodnesse towards vs doe resigne wholly our selues and suites vnto his good pleasure expecting with all patience his leasure when as he shall thinke it fittest to bestow vpon vs those gifts and graces which wee haue begged at his hands Thirdly there is required of vs after prayer an earnest indeuour in the vse of all good meanes whereby we may obtaine those things which wee haue prayed for whereby wee shall serue Gods prouidence and be his instruments to further the accomplishment of his promises and also make it manifest that in our hearts we sincerely desired those things which we begged with our mouthes For example after we haue prayed for the pardon of our sinnes we must vse carefully all good meanes whereby we may be further assured that God hath forgiuen them after we haue craued sanctification we must labour and indeuour that we may be sanctified and exercise our selues in the duties of holinesse after we haue desired spirituall and sauing graces we must vse all the helpes and meanes whereby we may attaine vnto them For otherwise we shall discouer our selues to be but meere hypocrites who with our lips haue prayed for those things which we haue neither esteemed in our iudgements nor affected in our hearts and therefore receiue nothing at Gods hands who giueth his gifts not to idle loyterers but vnto such as pursue them with thirsting desires and earnestly labour and indeuour in the vse of all good meanes whereby they may obtaine them §. Sect. 6 Of the time in the morning when we are to vse priuate prayer The last direction which I will set downe
before whom we are to present our selues that we may heare him speaking vnto vs not of ordinary matters of small importance but such as meerely concerne his glory and the euerlasting saluation of our owne soules Whereby we shall be preserued from rushing rashly into the holy assemblies and be made carefull to looke vnto our feet before we enter into the House of God For if worldly men Eccles 5. 1. duely considering that they are going into the presence of an earthly King to heare him speake of the waighty affaires of the Common wealth or such things as neerely concerne them in their owne particular prepare themselues accordingly that they may bee fit to come into such a royall presence how much more should wee vse the like and greater care when we are to come into the presence of the King of Kings and to heare him speaking vnto vs of such things as much more concerne vs and the euerlasting good of our soules and bodies Secondly being to come vnto this spirituall feast we are to prepare our selues by getting a good appetite that we may not idlely fit by and looke on when others feed on these spirituall delicacies for the refreshing and strengthening of their soules To which end wee must by renewing our repentance purge and clense our soules from sinfull corruptions as our stomacks from clogging and hurtfull humours which otherwise will take away our appetite and make vs lothe and refuse or eating against stomacke not able to disgest our spirituall nourishment Of which kinde are wrath maliciousnesse guile dissimulation Jam. 1. 21. 1. Pet. 2. 1. hypocrisie preiudice and forestalled opinions and such like seeing if these beare sway in vs it is not possible that the Word of God should take any effect or become profitable nourishment for the preseruing and increasing of our spirituall health and strength So also wee must banish out of our minds worldly cogitations about our pleasures or profits which wil distract vs from hearing the Word with any attention and out of our hearts earthly cares which like thornes will choake the seed of the Word and make it vtterly vnfruitfull in vs. Moreouer we must stirre vp our appetite by considering our spirituall wants which can no otherwise be supplied then by comming vnto this feast for as hunger and sense of our emptinesse maketh vs to long after our bodily food so if we duly consider how empty we are of all Gods graces and feeble vnto all good duties it will much increase our appetite to the food of our soules and wee shall goe to this Market with all cheerefulnesse if we consider that heere and no where else wee may fit and furnish our soules with all necessaries Againe we must examine our sinnes which beare sway in vs that repenting of them we may receiue the assurance of pardon in the publike ministery to our inestimable comfort and may also bee strengthened against the power of them that we may subdue them and not suffer them to raigne in vs as in former times being armed against them and the tentations of our spirituall enemies alluring or forcibly drawing vs into them with the whole armour of God and especially the sword of the Spirit And this will also prouoke our appetite and make vs goe with cheerefulnesse to the hearing of Gods Word like the malefactour to receiue his pardon or the Souldier that hath beene often wounded and foyled by reason of his nakednesse to put on sufficient armour and to receiue from his Commander defensiue and offensiue weapons Finally we must prepare our selues and stirre vp our appetite by considering the properties of the Word which we goe to heare As first the excellencie of it as being the Word not of man but of God the Word of truth life and saluation Secondly the power and efficacie of it as being the power of God himselfe to our saluation Rom. 1. 16. Heb. 4. 12. sharper then any two-edged sword pearcing euen to the very deuiding of the soule and the Spirit the ioynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart A Word that hath alwayes its operation and returneth Esa 55. 11. neuer in vaine but bringeth that to passe for which it is sent and is either the sweete sauour of life vnto life or of death vnto death Thirdly the great 2. Cor. 2. 15 16. vtility and profit of it being a perfect and pure Law that conuerteth the soule Psal 19. 7 8. a light that shineth vnto vs who sate in the shaddow of death and guiding our feete into the way of peace heauenly wisedome that giueth vnderstanding vnto Luk. 1. 79. the simple and maketh the wise more wise our Counseller to aduise vs our food to nourish vs our weapon to defend vs and repell our enemies an effectuall meanes to worke in vs all sauing graces and the way that bringeth vs to eternall blessednesse Finally let vs prepare our selues and whet our appetite by considering the necessity of it seeing without it wee can attaine vnto no good nor escape any euill in which regard our Sauiour saith to Martha that this one thing is necessary as though there were no Luk. 10. 42. necessity of any other thing in comparison of it The which necessity lyeth not only vpon weakelings and those who are simple and ignorant that they may learne the truth but also vpon those who haue made greatest progresse in Christianity and are richest in knowledge that they may bee mooued to practise what they know and bring it to holy vse and that the graces of God may be confirmed and preserued in them Vnlesse any man would foolishly imagine that he is so strong in grace that he needeth not to eate any more food for the restoring of that spirituall strength which is daily abated and impaired through our corruption and the assaults and tentations of our neuer-resting enemies Satan the world The last duty to be performed in our preparation is that we feruently pray vnto God for his grace and the assistance of his holy Spirit both to his Ministers in speaking our selues with the rest of his people in hearing that he may be so inabled therby to speak the Word truly sincerely powerfully profitably and we to heare in a Christian and holy maner that God may be glorified and we edified in our holy faith and strengthened more and more vnto all the duties of a godly life §. Sect. 2 Of duties to be performed in the hearing of the Word In the hearing of the Word diuers duties are to be performed As first we must set our selues in Gods presence that we may heare all things that are Act. 10. 33. Esa 66. 2. 1. Thes 2 13. commanded vs of him according to the example of good Cornelius in which regard we must not heare the Word after a carelesse and cold maner but with feare and trembling if we would haue God that speaketh take any
Body a bloody sweat And his externall sufferings as his betraying by his owne Apostle his apprehension by his cruell enemies who haled him before the Iudgement seat as a malefactour who was the Lord our righteousnesse falsly accused him who had committed no sinne and in whose mouth there was no guile vniustly condemned him who was iust and innocent mocked and scorned him blindfolded and buffeted him reuiled and spit vpon him clothed him with purple and crowned him with thornes whipped and tormented him crucified and killed him And here we may meditate of this kind of death which was most bitter and painfull ignominious and shamefull accursed and vncomfortable seeing he suffered not only a bodily death but the wrath of God which is the death of the soule and was vtterly emptyed as the Apostle speaketh Phil. 2. 8. of all diuine comfort and was as a man forlorne and forsaken of God in his owne sense and apprehension which made him to cry out vpon the Crosse My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Thus also wee haue matter of meditation from those things which followed his death as from his triumph vpon the Crosse ouer the wrath of God the curse of the Law Satan death hell and all the enemies of our saluation in respect of the vertue of his merits From his descension and buriall whereby he was held for a time vnder the arrest of death From those things likewise which were done by him in his state of exaltation as his Resurrection mansion vpon the earth for the space of forty dayes teaching and instructing his Disciples in those things which appertained to his Kingdome His Ascension sitting at the right hand of God and there making intercession for vs. And that which followeth of all these as the generall effect and fruit of them all the great worke of our Redemption So haue we matter of meditation from Christs Kingly Office by which sitting at the right hand of his Father in all glory maiesty and power hee raigneth ouer all the world and more peculiarly ouer his Church And heere we may meditate vpon the parts of his Kingly Office which are his speciall administration and generall and last Iudgement In the former wee may consider the gouernment of his Church and the abolition of the kingdome of darknesse In that we may meditate on his calling and gathering of it out of the world and the consecration of it being gathered by his presence and protection prouiding for it all necessaries and preseruing it from all dangers where we may take occasion to meditate vpon all Gods blessings and benefits both temporall spirituall and eternall which he hath and will bestow generally vpon his whole Church and also vpon those which he hath particularly and in speciall manner vouchsafed vnto vs both in our preseruation from euill and fruition of good The abolition of the kingdome of darknes is the ouerthrow and destruction of all his enemies and especially that grand aduersary Antichrist the whore of Babylon §. Sect. 7 Of the externall meanes of executing Gods Decree of Election Moreouer we may haue plentifull matter of meditation from the externall meanes of executing the Decree of our Election As from the Couenant of grace made with vs in Christ wherein the Lord hath promised that he will be our God and wee shall be his people the remission of our sinnes and saluation of our soules grace and all good things in this life and euerlasting happinesse in the life to come vpon the alone condition of faith which being liuely and effectuall bringeth forth the fruits of vnfained repentance So also from the meanes whereby this Couenant is administred namely the ministery of the Word and administration of the Sacraments Baptisme and the Lords Supper both which affoord vnto vs plentifull matter of meditation From the degrees likewise of the executing Gods Decree of Election and Reprobation As the loue and free grace of God in Christ and the degrees of the declaration of this loue both in this life and afterwards The first degree in this life is our effectuall calling the parts whereof are our election and separation from the world Gods donation giuing Christ vnto vs to be our Sauiour and vs to Christ to be saued by him and finally our insition into Christ and vnion with him From the meanes of executing this our calling which is the sauing hearing of the Word the softening of our hard hearts making them humble contrite penitent and sorrowfull for sinne which are all preparatiues to our sound conuersion and regeneration whereby wee who were dead in sinne are quickened and reuiued by the Spirit of God effectually applying vnto vs the vertue of Christs death and Resurrection From the worke of grace thus begun in vs we may haue much profitable matter of meditation As of the illumination of our minds with sauing knowledge of iustifying faith with the causes effects degrees properties and signes of it our iustification by faith in Christ our reconciliation and adoption and manifold other priuiledges of the faithfull of which I shall haue occasion to speak hereafter The speciall fruits of faith respecting our Iustification as our entrance into grace by which wee stand the loue of God shed abroad in our hearts confidence free accesse to the Throne of grace peace of conscience ioy in the holy Ghost and an holy glorying in Gods benefits The fruits of faith respecting our adoption as the Spirit of adoption hope Christian liberty So also we haue excellent matter of meditation from our sanctification the causes effects degrees properties meanes and signes of it and from the speciall parts of it our mortification vnto sinne and vinification to newnesse of life From the imperfection of our sanctification which is but begun in this life and to be perfected in the life to come and that by reason hereof the reliques of all sorts of sinne doe still remaine in vs blindnesse in our mindes errour in our iudgments impurity in our consciences forgetfulnesse in our memories rebellion in our willes security impenitency infidelity and hardnesse in our hearts corruption and disorder in our affections and by reason of all these many sinnes breaking out into our actions And heere we may meditate of those speciall sinnes and corruptions whereunto our natures are most prone and wherewith wee are most often ouertaken and of the meanes whereby we may mortifie and subdue them that they may no longer beare this sway in vs as in former times So also wee haue heere occasion to meditate of our begun sanctity in all our parts and actions of the internall holinesse of our natures and the change that is wrought in vs by repentance from euill to good from corruption to grace the which is to be obserued in all our inward faculties as the holinesse of our minds and vnderstandings in their spirituall illumination whereby they become wise and prudent in the things appertaining to God and our saluation the purging of our
thee by bringing forth the fruits of new obedience but I shall be able to better my speed and to runne the way of thy Commandements when thou shalt Psal 119. 37. inlarge my heart O thou therefore who chiefly delightest in the sacrifice of an humble heart and contrite spirit create in me a soft and tender heart and renew in me a right spirit Frame me according to thine owne will that thou maist delight in me and dwell with me yea according to thine owne couenant for thou hast promised to giue me a new heart and a new Ezek. 11. 19. and 36. 26. spirit and that thou wilt take away from me my stony heart and giue vnto mee an heart of flesh Thou art glorified in me when I bring forth much fruits of Iob. 15. 8. new obedience O be not wanting vnto thine owne glory by suffering me to be defectiue in fruitfulnesse but after I haue brought forth some purge me againe and againe that I still bringing forth more fruits thou maist be more glorified §. Sect. 7 Inforcement Yea Lord my wants are not small and therefore my suit must not bee slight I must still wrastle with thee by my prayers and strong cryes and not let thee depart without a blessing I am weake to preuaile but I haue thy truth to support me who hast promised that I shall obtaine if I follow Luk. 18. 1. 8. my suit without fainting O then make good thy word vnto thy seruant Psalm 119. wherein thou hast made me to put my trust Giue me a melting heart which will relent and resolue easily into teares of repentance I am much defiled with the filthinesse of my sinnes and a little washing will not make me cleane Purge me thorowly therefore O my God and multiply my washings first and chiefly in the blood of Christ which will cleanse mee from the ingrained guilt of my crimson and scarlet sinnes and wash mee in the lauer of Regeneration and in the waters of vnfained repentance which will by vertue of the former washing helpe to purge mee from the filth of my corruptions Turne me O turne me vnto thee my God and Lam. 5. 21. Cant. 1. 3. so shall I be turned draw me and I will runne after thee Rectifie and fructifie my more then ordinary barrennesse with the extraordinary showres of thy grace and warme my heart with the beames of thy loue that whatsoeuer good seed of thy Word shall fall into it may take deepe root and bring forth plentifull fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse that as I haue heretofore more then many others dishonoured thee by my sinnes so also I may now glorifie thee in some good degree by bringing forth in more then an ordinary manner and measure plentifull fruits of new obedience §. Sect. 8 Confidence And now comfort thy selfe O my soule for thy God hath granted what thou hast so feruently craued Yea it is the end why hee would haue thee to aske because he hath a desire to giue and that by discouering thy beggery and pouerty he might take occasion to discouer the riches of his bounty He that hath inlarged thine heart with these feruent desires hath done it purposely to this end that hee may fill it and satisfie them Thou couldest not so much as aske this grace of repentance if the Spirit Rom. 8. 26. of God did not helpe thine infirmities and inable thee to pray with sighes and grones which cannot be vttered and how can thy God reiect that prayer which his Spirit inditeth and is made according to his owne will Yea be confident my soule for thou canst receiue no repulse in this suit seeing he himselfe hath commanded thee to aske it and promised to giue it He who is true of his promise and omnipotent in performance hath bound himselfe by his gracious Couenant that hee will take away thy stony heart and giue thee an heart of flesh that thou shalt looke vpon Zacb. 12. 10. him whom thou hast pierced and shalt mourne for him as a man mourneth for his onely sonne and be in bitternesse for him as one is in bitternesse for his first-borne That he will write also his Law in thine heart that louing and obeying Jer. 31. 33. and 32. 42. it thou maist neuer depart from him And his Word is yea and Amen his promises as good as present payment Yet my soule to helpe thy weakenesse he hath giuen vnto thee already some first beginnings of repentance Phil. 1. 6. Rom. 11. 29. as an earnest of the rest that yet is wanting Hee hath begun this worke of grace in thee and therefore his gifts being without repentance he will surely perfect it Wait vpon him then O my soule by faith yea wait vpon him not onely with patience but also with ioy and comfort for he that hath promised will come and will not tarry and will Habak 2. 3. worke in thine heart such sorrow for thy sinnes as he himselfe shall accept as sufficient and cause thee to bring forth such plentifull fruits of new obedience as shall glorifie him and seale vp in thine heart the assurance of thine owne election and saluation §. Sect. 9 Congratulation and thanksgiuing Thrice happy then my soule art thou now in thy God who wast in in thy selfe wretched and miserable for he hath not onely made with thee the Couenant of grace wherein hee hath assured thee of the pardon of thy sinnes and of his fauour in which consisteth thy life and blessednesse but also hath inabled thee to performe the condition of faith and repentance whereby thou art assured that thou hast thy part and interest in all his promises Reioyce therefore in the Lord and againe reioyce Praise and Phil. 4. 4. magnifie his great and glorious Name who hath been so good and gracious vnto thee Thou wast in wofull misery by reason of thy sinnes and the punishments due vnto them but hee hath deliuered and made thee happy and hath both offered vnto thee ioy and blessednesse and also the meanes whereby thou maist attaine vnto it Hee hath shewed vnto thee the way of life and hath giuen vnto thee both will and ability to walke in it What wilt thou now returne vnto him O my soule for all the Psal 116. 11. good that hee hath done vnto thee Yea what canst thou returne that is worth acceptance but that which thou hast receiued from this fountaine of all goodnesse yet though hee hath giuen all vnto thee something there is which he will be pleased to receiue from thee as though it were thy gift euen the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiuing Nothing else canst thou giue but this free-will offring nothing else doth he require who is so absolute in all perfection that hee needeth nothing A fit oblation my soule frō such a child to such a Father from so meane poore a subiect to so rich and high a Soueraigne Take then into thine hand the Cup
Scriptures and other religious bookes yea though we were like many of the Iewes so conuersant in the Booke of God that we could say the most of it by heart and were able to tell precisely how many words and letters were contained in it all this would yeeld vnto vs no spirituall nourishment nor make vs to thriue any whit in grace and godlinesse §. Sect. 3 That we must come with a purpose to make good vse of all we reade Finally in our preparation we must come to reading with a purpose and resolution to draw all we reade vnto our owne particular vse either for the informing of our iudgements or sanctifying of our affections or reforming of our liues by putting those good duties in practice which we know and learne The which purpose Dauid expresseth in these words Teach me O Lord the way of thy Commandements and I will keepe them vnto Psal 119. 33. the end Otherwise wee can haue no assurance that God will by our reading inlighten our mindes and increase our knowledge for why should be giue vs more if we make no good vse of that we haue Yea why should he not rather take away his Talent if we hide it vnprofitably in a napkin or at least leaue it with vs to increase our account and with it our punishment for the seruant that knoweth his Masters will and doth it not shall bee Luk. 12. 47. beaten with many stripes Let therefore as one exhorteth the holy Scriptures Sint ergo diuine Scripture semper in manibus tuis iugiter mente volâ—â—ntur c. Hyer a 〈…〉 Iâ—â— Scripturas sacras lege vt semper memineris Dei illa verba esse qui legem suâ—m non solùm sciri sed etiam impleri iubet c. Ad Demetriad be alwayes in thy hands and meditate on them in thy minde yet doe not thinke it sufficient for thee to haue Gods Lawes in thy memory if thou forgettest them in thy workes but therefore know them that thou mayest doe what thou knowest for not the hearers of the Law are iust before God but the doers of it are iustified And as the same Author perswadeth in another place So reade the holy Scriptures as that thou alwayes remember them to be the Word of God who requireth not onely that we should know his Law but also fulfill and obey it For it profiteth not to know such things as ought to be done and not to doe them Thou vsest well thy reading of Diuinity if thou settest it as a glasse before thee that thy soule may behold it selfe by looking in it and may either amend deformities and blemishes or more adorne it selfe where it is already beautifull §. Sect. 4 That we must pray before we reade Lastly that we may performe both the preparation and action the better we must lift vp our hearts and when in respect of place and company we conueniently can our voyce also desiring in some short and pithy prayer that the Lord will assist vs in this exercise by his grace and holy Spirit that thereby it may become effectuall for the inlightning of our mindes with sauing knowledge the informing of our iudgements the sanctifying of our affections the nourishing and increasing of our faith repentance and all sanctifying graces and the strengthening of vs in the inner man vnto all the duties of a godly and Christian life to the glory of his holy Name and comfort and saluation of our soules through our Lord Iesus Christ The which inuocation of Gods holy Name is necessary before the reading of the Word for we are naturally blind and therefore had need to pray with Dauid Open mine eyes O Lord that I may see the wonderfull things of the Law Naturally we vnderstand not the things Psal 119. 18. of the Spirit of God neither can we know them because they are spiritually discerned 1. Cor. 2. 11 14. and it is onely the Spirit of God that knoweth the things of God and Luk. 11. 13. reuealeth them vnto vs which we can no otherwise hope to obtaine then by feruent and effectuall prayer CAP. XXX Of the duties required in the action of reading that we may profit by it §. Sect. 1 Of the ends at which wee must ayme in our reading ANd thus much concerning those things which are required in our preparation In the action of reading diuers points are to be considered The first is the ends which wee must propound vnto our selues in it Which are either principall or subordinate The principall end which wee must ayme at in this exercise is the glory of God namely that heereby knowing his will we may glorifie his holy Name by yeelding obedience vnto it and by putting in practice the things which he requireth in the whole course of our liues and conuersations The subordinate end is generally the edification of our selues and our brethren and the saluation of their and our owne soules according to that of the Apostle Attend vnto reading 1. Tim. 4. 13 16. and continue therein for in so doing thou shalt both saue thy selfe and those that heare thee More especially wee must reade the Scriptures to those ends for which the holy Ghost hath commended them vnto vs as vsefull and profitable And first for doctrine and instruction in which regard 2. Tim. 3. 16. we are to reade them for the further inlightning of our minds and informing of our iudgements in the knowledge and acknowledgement of Gods will that we may be directed thereby in all our wayes for the leading of our liues in such a course as may in all things bee acceptable vnto God For we are naturally blind and ignorant and walking in darkenesse and in the shaddow of death we know not what to chuse and what to refuse but the Word of God is a lampe vnto our feet and a light vnto our Psal 119. 105. paths which shining vnto vs in this darkenesse guideth our feet into the way of peace Of which light if we depriue our selues we shall passe our Luk. 1. 79. liues in a more then Aegyptian darkenesse and groping at noone day shall easily be mis-led into all sinne and errour according to that of Salomon for the soule to be without knowledge it is not good and he who wanting Pro. 19. 2. this light to guide him hasteth with his feet sinneth being ready to deceiue and be deceiued The second end at which wee must ayme in our reading is that we may be established in the truth being inabled to defend it and also to refute and conuince the errours and false doctrine which are contrary vnto it especially those wherewith it is most oppugned in the times and places wherein we liue For if wee be conuersant in the Scriptures we shall be able to try the Spirits whether they be of God or no 1. Iob. 4. 1. and not receiue all we heare hand ouer head and so be carried away with euery wind
vnto vncleannesse but vnto holinesse that the grace of 1. Thes 4. 7. Tit. 2. 11 12. God which bringeth saluation appearing or shining vnto vs in the ministery of the Gospell teacheth vs to deny vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and to liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world which lesson if we learne not we had been better to haue sate still in darknesse seeing our knowledge will but aggrauate our sinne and increase our condemnation according to that of the Apostle To him that knoweth to doe good and doth it not to him it is sinne and that of our Sauiour The seruant that knoweth his Ioh. 9. 31. Jam. 4. 17. Luk. 12. 47. Masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes Finally our Sauiour telleth vs that if we be grafted in him we must bring forth fruit seeing euery branch that beareth not fruit he taketh away and casteth forth as a branch that is dead and withered and men gather them and cast them into the Ioh. 15. 2 6. fire and they are burned And therefore if wee would haue any assurance that we are effectually called that Christ is ours and we his and that being vnited vnto him as liuely members of his body we haue right vnto him and all his benefits let vs as the Apostle exhorteth walke worthy the vocation Ephes 4. 1. 2. Pet. 1. 10. wherewith we are called and as the Apostle Peter perswadeth Let vs make our Calling and Election sure by adding one vertue vnto another and bringing forth the fruits of them all in a godly and Christian life §. Sect. 2 The second reason taken from our Iustification and the fruits which follow it Finally the benefit of our Iustification with all the fruits that doe follow it are so many strong motiues to incite vs vnto the duties of a godly life for God in our Iustification of his free grace imputing vnto vs the death and obedience of Iesus Christ hath forgiuen vs all our sinnes and pronounced vs iust and righteous in his righteousnesse By which inestimable benefit he hath bound vs to serue and glorifie him in all holy duties who hath done so great things for vs. For seeing there is no euill like the euill of sinne no tyranny and bondage alike miserable therefore when God of his free grace hath freed vs from it wee must with all care flee sinne and take heed that wee doe not againe come into this thraldome And seeing he hath forgiuen vs so great a debt let this make vs Luk. 7. 47. loue him much and expresse our loue by seruing and pleasing him in the duties of holinesse and righteousnesse The which vse the Apostle maketh of this benefit namely that being dead vnto sinne that is freed from Rom. 6. 10 12 18. the power and tyranny of it and aliue vnto God we should not let sinne any longer raigne in our mortall bodies that we should obey it in the lusts thereof but that we should yeeld our selues vnto God as those that are aliue from the dead and our members as instruments of righteousnesse vnto God and that being made free from sinne we should become the seruants of righteousnesse Which if we doe not we can haue no assurance that wee are redeemed by Christ and iustified seeing the same vertue and power of Christs death and Resurrection which taketh away the guilt and punishment of our sinnes in Ephes 5. 25 26. 1. Pet. 2. 24. our Iustification is as effectuall to sanctifie vs in the killing and crucifying of our corruptions and our spirituall quickening to holinesse and newnesse of life in our sanctification and as well did there issue out of his pierced side the water of ablution to cleanse vs from the pollution of sinne as the blood of Redemption to free vs from the guilt and punishment The fruits also which follow our Iustification doe effectually perswade vs to serue God in all the duties of a godly life For seeing wee are reconciled vnto God by the death of Christ our care must bee to walke in such a course as may preserue vs in his loue for Christ hath as the Apostle speaketh reconciled vs in the body of his flesh through death to present Col. 1. 21 22. vs holy vnblameable and vnreprooueable in his sight We haue receiued the Spirit of Adoption crying in our hearts Abba Father that it may be also Rom. 8. 15. in vs the Spirit of Sanctification and inable vs to please God in al things as it beseemeth his children And in whomsoeuer this Spirit is them it regenerateth raising them from the death of sinne to the life of righteousnesse Ephes 3. 12. So our free accesse to the Throne of grace should make vs take heed of sinne which will be as a wall of separation betweene God and vs and to liue in such holinesse of life as may still preserue our confidence in making our suits knowne vnto God The loue of God shed abroad in Rom. 5. 5. our hearts by the holy Ghost will inflame them with loue towards him and make vs carefull to approue it by liuing according to his will The peace of God following our Iustification by faith and passing all vnderstanding Rom. 5. 1. must make vs diligent in shunning those things which might disturbe it and imbracing and practising such vertues and holy duties as will preserue it Our spirituall ioy and reioycing in God will make vs auoyd all knowne sinnes which would interrupt our ioy and turne it into Rom. 5. 3. sorrow and to please the Lord in all things that his face and fauour may make vs still glad Our hope of heauenly happinesse will also much incourage vs in the worke of our sanctification for as many as haue this 1. Ioh. 3. 2 3. hope that they shall be like Christ in glory purge themselues as he also is pure as the Apostle teacheth vs. In a word there is no benefit accompanying grace and saluation which may not serue as an effectuall reason to moue vs to the practice of all holy duties both out of thankefulnesse towards God for such inestimable gifts and for the better assuring our selues that we haue receiued them seeing God hauing giuen them all vnto vs for this end we haue no reason to perswade our selues that wee haue any interest in them vnlesse they further vs to it and stirre vs vp in some measure to glorifie God in all the duties of an holy life And therefore if wee haue any loue towards God wrought in vs by so many rich mercies or any true loue towards our selues which is chiefely shewed in seeking the assurance of such inestimable benefits let vs aboue all things labour and indeuour to serue and pleased God by bringing forth the fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse in the whole course of our liues and conuersations CAP. XXXIX Other motiues arising from those duties which we owe vnto God and our neighbours §.
the mind are not onely preserued but also much improoued by continuall exercise so vertuous actions and workes of piety and righteousnesse being the exercises of our faith doe tend much to the strengthening of it whereas contrariwise by the neglect of these duties it is much weakened and by the contrary vices and acts of sinne exceedingly shaken and grieuously wounded In which regard the Apostle ioyneth the holding of faith and a 1. Tim. 1. 19. 1. Cor. 15. 58. good conscience because the one will not stay without the other being such louing twins as cannot be diuided but liue and die together More especially the duties of a godly life doe confirme our faith in the assurance of our election not as causes for the election of God is free of grace and Rom. 11. 6. Eph. 1. 4. not of workes but as the effects and fruits of it and as the end vnto which wee are elected for wee are not chosen because wee were holy but to the end that wee might bee holy as the Apostle sheweth Thus the Apostle Peter exhorting vs to make our calling and election sure 2. Pet. 1. 10. prescribeth this as the onely meanes the ioyning of one vertue and Christian duty with another telling vs that if wee doe these things wee shall neuer fall The Psalmist likewise setting downe the markes and signes whereby wee may know whether God hath chosen vs to dwell in his holy mountaine maketh this the first chiefe to walke vprightly and work righteousnesse Psal 15. 2. 24. 4. and to haue cleane hands and a pure heart Secondly hereby our faith is perswaded of Gods grace and loue in Christ For by keeping of Gods Commandements we are assured that we loue God according to that of the Apostle Iohn Whoso keepeth his Word in him verily is the loue of God perfected 1. Ioh. 3. 6. 1. Ioh. 4. 19. and consequently that he loueth vs seeing we loue him because he loued vs first our loue being but a sparke of that diuine and infinite flame Thirdly of our effectuall calling this being the meanes which the Apostle prescribeth to make it sure For heereby we know that the grace of God 2. Pet. 1. 10. Tit. 2. 11 12. bringing saluation hath shined vnto vs when as we are taught thereby to deny vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and to liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world that wee haue in a sauing manner heard Gods Word when hauing receiued it into honest hearts wee haue brought foorth fruits Luk. 8. 15. with patience That wee are ingrafted into Christ the true Vine when Ioh. 15. wee bring foorth the ripe Grapes of holinesse and righteousnesse That wee are trees of righteousnesse of Gods owne planting when like the tree planted by the riuers of waters wee bring foorth fruit in due season That wee are good men when out of the good treasure of our heart Psal 1. 2. Mat. 7. 17 18 20 we bring foorth that which is good That wee are of God and the Sheepe of Christ when we heare Gods Word and follow him And that wee are truely Luk. 6. 45. a kinne to Christ when wee doe the will of his Father which is in heauen Ioh. 8. 47. Mat. 12. 50. Fourthly by a godly life and the workes of piety and righteousnesse our faith is assured of it selfe that it is liuely and vnfained for as our good workes doe shew it vnto others so also they approoue it vnto our selues as being the fruits of this tree and the very breath of this body without which it is but a dead stocke and rotten carkasse For as the Apostle Iames Iam. 2. 17 26. telleth vs Faith if it haue no workes is dead being alone And as the body without the spirit is dead so faith without workes is dead also Fifthly our faith is heereby assured of our iustification and of all the fruits and benefits that doe accompany it As that we are freed from our sinnes both in respect of their guilt and punishment by the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ when as by the vertue and power of them we feele our selues deliuered from the corruption of them so as they doe not rule and raigne in vs as in former times and quickned in the inner man vnto holinesse and newnesse of life That we are reconciled vnto God when as we feele an earnest desire and constant indeuour wrought in vs of pleasing him in all things That we are his children by adoption and grace when we liue as it becommeth his children and resemble our heauenly Father in holinesse and righteousnesse That we are sanctified by his Spirit when as wee bring forth the fruits of our sanctification in a godly and Christian life That we haue vnfainedly repented of our sinnes when as wee bring forth fruits worthy amendment and doe daily exercise our selues in good workes Finally that we are Citizens of heauen and heires of euerlasting happinesse when as we haue our conuersation there setting our hearts and affections on things aboue and not on things beneath and when hauing Phil. 3. 20. Col. 3. 2. Joh. 3. 2 3. this hope that we shall be made like vnto Christ we haue purged our selues as he also is pure §. Sect. 4 That a godly life strengthneth and increaseth our hope and confidence in God The second spirituall benefit of a godly life is that it strengtheneth and increaseth our hope and confidence in God grounded vpon this assurance Psal 34. 15. that hee will preserue all those that feare and serue him from all euill all perils and dangers and the malice and might of all their enemies and that he will prouide for them all things necessary seeing he who is so bountifull euen to his enemies will not let his owne children want any thing that is good who haue a desire to serue and please him So that they which feare the Lord haue great cause to trust in the Lord as the Psalmist Psal 115. 11. exhorteth because he is their helpe and shield And this made the three Children so confident that they cared not for the rage of the Tyrant nor for the fiery Furnace though seuenfold hotter then ordinary because they had serued God with a good conscience and thereby were assured that the God whom they serued was both able and willing to deliuer them Dan. 3. 17. This made Daniel to serue God constantly whom hee had formerly serued notwithstanding the cruell edict of the King because he well knew that the God whom he serued was able to deliuer him from the Lions as Dan. 6. 16. Darius also acknowledged From which confidence there arise diuers other singular benefits as inward ioy and comfort in all estates seeing in this confidence we haue cast all our care vpon God patience in all troubles seeing we trust assuredly in God for helpe and deliuerance in that time which shall be most seasonable both for his glory
100. his Testimonies and keepe his Precepts he giueth more wisdome and vnderstanding then to the ancient or then to their teachers The which should be a powerfull reason to mooue vs vnto the practice of all holy duties in a godly life seeing hereby wee are assured of this spirituall illumination and heauenly Wisedome which is so high a priuiledge that it farre exceedeth all worldly treasures in so much as he who best knew it could not tell how to value it or to equall it with any price Happie saith he is the man that findeth wisdome and the Pro. 3. 14 15. 8. 11 19. 16. 16. man that getteth vnderstanding for the merchandize thereof is better then the merchandize of Siluer and the gaine thereof then fine Gold She is more precious then Rubies and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared vnto her c. So Iob But where shall Wisdome be found And where is the Iob 28. 12 13. c. place of vnderstanding Man knoweth not the price thereof neither is it found in the Land of the liuing It cannot be gotten for gold neither shall siluer be weighed for the price thereof It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir with the precious Onix and the Saphir c. And therefore if men thinke no paines too much to obtaine gold and precious treasures how much more should wee labour without wearinesse for the getting of this Spirituall Wisdome which in true worth doth so farre exceed them What care should we take to be in the number of the godly to whom this diuine Light onely shineth Yea to be richly stored with this treasure of godlinesse wherein this heauenly Wisdome chiefly consisteth For the feare of the Lord is Wisdome and to depart Iob 28. 28. from euill is vnderstanding Or as the Psalmist speaketh The feare of Psal 111. 10. Pro. 9. 10. the Lord is the beginning of Wisdome a good vnderstanding haue all they that doe his commandements §. Sect. 3 The third speciall priuiledge is Sanctification by the Spirit The third speciall priuiledge bestowed vpon the godly is that the Spirit of God sanctifieth them changing and renuing their natures from sinnefull corruption to sanctity and holinesse For it so inlighteneth their mindes that they behold sinne as it is in it owne nature most vgly and deformed and causeth them to condemne it as the greatest euill It worketh their wills hearts and affections to a loathing and detestation of it so that they consent not vnto it so farre forth as they are renued euen when the Law of their members warring Rom. 7. 23. against the Law of their mindes doth leade them captiue Neither can they sinne as in former times with full consent of will because it is in part sanctified nilling that which the flesh willeth in which regard the Apostle Iohn saith that he who is borne of God sinneth not for 1. Ioh. 3. 9. his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is borne of God And as being thus sanctified they are inwardly kept from sinne in respect of the loue of it and free and full consent vnto it so also from innumerable outward acts of sinne into which others fall partly because they looke more carefully conscionably to their waies but especially because the good Spirit of God dwelling in them quencheth the fiery darts of Satans tentations by his holy motions and monitions Gal. 5. 17. which oppose and fight against them and so stayeth them when they are ready to slip and vpholdeth them when they are ready to fall Yea by renuing and changing of our natures it worketh in vs so farre forth as we are sanctified an vtter auersnesse to sinne and maketh vs spiritually to hate it as much as euer we naturally loued it so that it is no paine to vs nor any violence offered vnto our will when wee resist and flee from sinne as it is to the wicked and vnregenerate who naturally drinking in iniquity as the Fish water are as it were tormented Iob 15. 16. with thirst when they are forced to to forbeare it But though there were no shame nor punishment to restraine them no law to condemne them nor heauen or hell to reward or punish them yet they would be a law to themselues and with all cheerefulnesse flee and forsake sinne out of that hatred and detestation which they haue conceiued of it And as they are thus preserued from sinne so beeing quickned by the Spirit of God dwelling in them they receiue power and spirituall strength whereby they are inabled to doe Gods will and to serue and please him in the duties of a godly life that not with that irkesome tediousnesse which the vnregenerate feele in themselues because Gods will and theirs are opposite and contrary one to the other but with cheerefulnesse and delight as the Angels in heauen because their wills being changed and renewed are conformed to the will of God so that in doing his will they doe their own in which regard it is their meate and drinke when as with our Sauiour they Ioh. 4. 34. performe the will of their heauenly Father Now what a singular priuiledge is this to bee freed from the tyranny of sinne and Satan so as they haue no dominion ouer them to rule and carry them which way they list to their vtter ruine and destruction To leaue sinne not as wicked men for feare of punishment though they loue it better then the first borne of their bodies yea then their owne liues but out of meere Micah 6. 6. hatred and detestation of it because there is an auersenesse of their renewed nature vnto it To yeeld obedience vnto Gods Law not out of terrour and constraint but out of loue and liking To long and Psal 84. 2. thirst in our soules after Gods presence and the fruition of his holy ordinances and euen to breake with longing after Gods Iudgements at all times Psal 119. 20. that wee may yeeld vnto them that perfect obedience which he requireth and we desire To esteeme sinne the greatest bondage and to complaine most bitterly when we are led captiue by it Finally to be freed from all burthen and wearisomenesse in our obedience and to esteeme Christs yoke light and easie yea sweete and pleasant seeing Gods glory and our saluation our obedience and eternall Psal 1. 1 2. Luke 11. 28. blessednesse are inseparably linked together All which inestimable priuiledges accompanying a godly life may as effectuall reasons moue vs to imbrace it §. Sect. 4 The fourth speciall priuiledge is internall and spirituall ioy The fourth speciall priuiledge which the Spirit of God bringeth to the godly is internall ioy which the Apostle numbrâ—â—â— among the fruits of the Spirit and is a grace that ariseth out of our iustification Gal. 5. 22. and reconciliation with God peace of conscience and assurance of our saluation which cannot be crossed by any
occurrent The which ioy far exceedeth all the ioyes of the world For they satisfy not but leaue the soule empty so that the ioy of one pleasure doth but stirre vp the appetite to hunger after another which if it should not be inioyed leaues nothing but sorrow behind whereas this as our Sauiour speaketh is a full ioy in the fruition of God partly in sense and feeling according Iohn 15. 11. to that of the Psalmist O taste and see that the Lord is good Psal 34. 8. and partly in the assurance of faith which maketh vs reioyce in expectation of full fruition Worldly ioy is short and momentany like the crackling of thornes vnder a pot which causeth a suddaine blaze as suddenly Eccles 7. 6. goeth out but the ioy of the Spirit is lasting and permanent and Iohn 16. 22. no man as our Sauiour saith can take it from vs. That consists in eating and drinking and the inioying of such company as are like our selues but this in the soules fruition of her beloued Spouse whose loue is Cant. 1. 2. better then wine seeing his fauours are so full of rauishing delight that the heart is not able to containe them as we see in the example of the Spouse in the Canticles who being brought by her Bridegroome into his banketing house was so filled that she euen surfeted of his delicacies which forced her to cry out Stay me with flaggons Comfort me with Cant. 2. 4 5. apples for I am sicke of loue Of which sweete and gracious entertainment of the faithfull soule the Psalmist also speaketh They shall bee abundantly Psal 36. 8. satisfied with the fatnesse of thy House and thou shat make them drinke of the riuer of thy pleasures Finally the ioy of worldlings accompanieth their prosperitie but when the euill day commeth it leaueth and forsaketh them and is turned into sorrow and griefe of heart but the godly reioyce euen in their tribulation affliction in their assurance of Gods loue and because they know that they shall worke together for their good these light and momentany afflictions causing vnto them a farre Rom. 5. 3. Rom. 8. 28. 2. Cor. 4. 17. Iam. 1. 2. most excellent and an eternall waight of glory They account it all ioy as the Apostle Iames speaketh when they fall into diuers tentations knowing that the tryall of their faith worketh patience And when they are persecuted for righteousnesse sake they being blessed in their sufferings reioyce Matth. 5 10 11 and are exceeding glad because their reward is great in heauen And thus the Apostle saith that the Thessalonions receiued the Word in much affliction 1. Thes 1. 6. and with ioy in the holy Ghost And that the Hebrewes tooke ioyfully the spoyling of their goods knowing themselues that they had in heauen a better and induring substance The which ioy is a supernaturall gift and fruit of the sanctifying Spirit which all cannot attaine vnto but the faithfull only and therefore the Apostle prayeth for the Romans that Rom. 15. 13. the God of hope would fil them with all ioy and peace in beleeuing that they might abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost It is a priuiledge wherin wicked men haue no portion but is peculiar to the godly in whom the Kingdome of God is begunne in this life which none inioy but they Matth. 6. 33. which seeke also his righteousnesse seeing it consisteth not onely in peace Rom. 14. 17. and ioy in the holy Ghost but also in righteousnesse as the Apostle speaketh and therefore seeing those things cannot bee separated which God hath conioyned we must labour after righteousnes if we would be partakers of this ioy vnto which if we doe attaine we shall assuredly be filled with it For if the Apostle reioyced in it as in his Crowne Phil. 4. 1. 1. Thes 19. 20. and ioy when he had beene a meanes of conuerting others and bringing them into the way of truth and righteousnesse and if the Apostle Iohn reioyced so greatly that he professeth he had no greater ioy in any outward Ioh. Epist 2 4. and Epist 3. 3 4. thing then when he saw his children walking in this way then what inestimable ioy must this needs cause vnto vs when our selues by walking in the way of holinesse and righteousnesse doe attaine vnto the assurance of our owne happinesse §. Sect. 5 The last speciall priuiledge is Christian liberty The last speciall priuiledge peculiar vnto the godly which the Spirit bringeth is Christian liberty whereby being freed out of the hands of all Luk. 1. 74. our spirituall enemies we serue the Lord in holinesse and righteousnesse without feare and so attaine vnto the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God seeing his seruice is perfect freedome and haue power and dominion ouer all the creatures so as wee may vse them to all purposes both for necessity and comfort hauing full right and interest in them by our adoption The which priuiledge also is a fruit of the Spirit according to that of the Apostle Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty And is deriued vnto 2. Cor. 3. 17. vs when as the holy Ghost by a liuely faith applyeth vnto vs the vertue and efficacy of Christ Iesus his death and satisfaction whereby this liberty was first purchased for vs in which respect our Sauiour also challengeth vnto himselfe this power and prerogatiue of setting vs at liberty as being our alone Redeemer who hath deliuered vs out of the hands of all our spirituall enemies If saith he the Sonne shall make you free you shal be free Ioh. 8. 36. indeed We were subiect to the wrath of God but our Sauiour hath freed Gal. 3. 13. vs from it and by satisfying his Iustice hath reconciled vs vnto him We were vnder the curse of the Law but hee hath freed vs by being made a curse for vs. Wee were the wretched slaues of Satan and in the state of death and condemnation but hee by his death hath destroyed him that had Heb. 2. 14 15. the power of death that is the deuill that he might deliuer them who through the feare of death were all their life time subiect to bondage Wee were seruants to the world and the vassals of the earthly Mammon but Christ hath ouercome the world both for himselfe and all his Elect Ioh. 16. 33. and so set vs at liberty out of this thraldome Wee were the seruants of sinne which made vs slaues to all other enemies and obeyed it in the wicked lusts thereof for as our Sauiour saith Hee that committeth sinne Joh. 8. 34. is the seruant of sinne For his seruants wee are whom wee obey whether of sinne vnto death or of obedience vnto righteousnesse And though with the Rom. 6. 16. Iewes wee were ready to boast of our freedome and as it were out of our store to promise liberty vnto
rewards How coldly carelesly how dully drowzily how irreuerently and negligently do I performe them How soone am I weary of these holy exercises and desire to returne to my worldly imployments How little sweetnesse doth my aguish taste feele in thy loue though it be better then wine and in feeding vpon thy spirituall delicacies in thy banqueting-house thy Word and Sacraments How little delight haue I had in thy Sanctuary and Sabbaths and how haue I consecrated the least part of them as an holy Rest vnto thee and misspent the greatest part in thinking mine owne thoughts in thinking mine owne words and doing mine owne workes How much and often haue I abused thine holy ordinances through my worldlinesse and prophanenesse and after that I haue long inioyed them how little haue I profited by them Mine heart is still full of grosse infidelity which is the cause that I am not much raised and comforted with thy sweet promises nor deiected and humbled with thy terrible threatnings It is full of impenitency being vnapt to mourne for sinnes past or to resolue vpon amendment for the time to come It is full of carnall security making mee to apprehend no danger when as I walke in the middest of pernicious snares which are in euery place laid in my way by my spirituall enemies and to put the euill day farre from me when as pulling it on with my sins it approcheth neere and is ready to seaze vpon me It is much hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne custome in sinning depriuing mee of the sense of it There is much spirituall pride that lyeth lurking in it which maketh me ready to arrogate the good things I haue not to ouerweene those I haue and to attribute the praise of both vnto my selfe and so to rob thee of the glory of thine owne gifts Hypocrisie also still hangeth vpon me being ready like a slie thiefe to steale in when I open the doore of mine heart to let in any grace or religious duty I am still tainted and poysoned with carnall selfe-loue which maketh mee oftentimes to incurre spirituall hurt and damage whilest I labour ouer-eagerly after worldly good and earthly aduantage Yea as hereby I am made apt to neglect my soule for the seeming and present good of my body defrauding it of all dues that belong vnto it so likewise the duties of righteousnesse and loue which I owe to my neighbours when as they are in my partiall affection ouer-ballanced with some worldly profit pleasure or preferment O that my head were a fountaine of teares that I might wash my defiled body and soule in the floods of vnfained sorrow O that I could mourne for my sinnes as a man mourneth for his onely sonne and be sorry for them as a man is sorry for the death of his first-borne O that I could looke vpon him whom I haue pierced with bitter griefe and be thorowly displeased with my selfe because I haue by my sinnes so much displeased thee who hast been euer vnto me so gracious a God and so louing a Father O that thou wouldest come downe and strike my rocky heart that out of it might flow wholesome streames of repentance But alas the filthy staines and deepe dye of my sinnes cannot bee washed cleane with these waters It is onely that Fountaine which thou hast opened to the house of Dauid and the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sinne and for vncleannesse that is sufficient to purge me from my ingrained filthinesse It is those bloody streames alone which so plentifully flowed out of my crucified Sauiour that can clense me from all my sins And therefore O Lord for thy mercies sake and for thy Christs sake wash my leprous body and soule in the streames of this thy Iordan Yea Lord seeing they are so deepely stained with the double double dye of imputed and inherent originall and actuall sinnes that no slight and ordinary washing can purifie and restore them to their created cleannesse multiply thy washings drench and diue me thorowly in the streames of this liuing Fountaine that being cleansed from my Scarlet and Crimson sinnes both in respect of their guilt and punishment I may become as white as Snow and that no spot remaining of spirituall defilement I may be iustified when thou iudgest and stand righteous in thy sight And together with the staine of sinne take away also the sting of conscience and worke in it sound and secure peace by perswading me by the infallible testimony of thy Spirit that my sinnes are remitted I reconciled through the death and satisfaction of thy Sonne and that of the child of wrath and heire of perdition I am now become thine owne child by adoption and grace And to this end let me finde and feele it in mee not only the Spirit of Adoption perswading me of thy fatherly loue and sealing me vp vnto the Day of my Redemption but also the Spirit of Sanctification mortifying in me all my sinfull corruptions by applying vnto mee the vertue of Christs death and quickening mee in the inner man vnto holinesse and newnesse of life by the power and efficacy of his Resurrection Let me put off concerning the former conuersation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts and being renewed in the spirit of my minde let me put on the new man which after thine owne glorious Image is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Let me continually keepe a narrow watch ouer my selfe that I bee not againe intangled in the snares of the diuell nor circumuented and mis-led through the deceitfulnesse of my corrupt flesh but being freed from sinne let me now become the seruant of righteousnesse Let mee make conscience of all my wayes and shunne not onely open and notorious but also secret sinnes yea all the occasions of euill and hate euen the garment which is spotted of the flesh Let mee put on daily the whole armour of God that being weake in my selfe I may bee strong in thee and in the power of thy might and bee inabled to withstand the wiles of the diuell and resist all tentations in the euill Day praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseuerance Weane mine heart and affections more and more from the loue of the world and earthly vanities and being a pilgrim on earth let my conuersation be in heauen from whence I expect a Sauiour and Redeemer Begin and worke in me all spirituall gifts and sauing graces which yet are wanting and daily increase and confirme those that are begun and let me daily bring foorth the fruits of them all throughout my whole life and conuersation in new obedience labouring to performe vnto thee faithfull seruice in all my thoughts words and deeds Let me delight in the wayes of thy Commandements and performe all the duties of holinesse righteousnesse and sobriety with all cheerfulnesse and inward ioy Let me daily seeke thy face and fauour aboue all
misery and hast pulled vs out of this wretched thraldome working in vs some desires resolutions and indeuours to serue and please thee wee confesse that the reliques of sinne doe still remaine in vs in great strength and howsoeuer the old man and body of sinne haue by thy holy Spirit receiued their deadly wound yet haue they in them such life and strength and are so animated and reuiued with the suggestions of our old aduersary the deuill breathing as it were a new life into them that they doe still much vexe and trouble vs making continuall warre against our soules and oftentimes leading them captiue vnto sinne Much blindnesse and vanitie doe still remaine in our mindes so that we haue but a dimme sight of thee and thy will and wayes Our memories are weake and slippery and like riuen vessels let the precious liquor of the Word of life and grace runne out as soone as it is put into them Our consciences are defiled and impure loaded with the guilt of sinne and yet oftentimes senslesse of their burthen Our iudgements are full of errour and ignorance and very weake in spirituall discerning Our wills peruerse and obstinate in euill and very auerse and awke to good things and doe not incline to the doing of thy will with cheerefulnesse and delight Our hearts remaine still hard and full of carnall security vntractable and inflexible and doe not relent and melt either with thy mercies or iudgements Wee are still assaulted with much doubting and infidelity and our faith is often shaken with dangerous tentations Our repentance is weake and full of wants our sorrow for sinne slight and soone ouer and our resolutions and indeuours to amend subiect to much inconstancie and broken off with euery small impediment There is much poyson of corruption still remayning in our affections which draweth vs from thee when we sell our selues to seeke and serue thee vnto the world and earthly things Wee are still full of carnall selfe-loue and loue of the world which quencheth and cooleth in vs the loue of thee and of spirituall and heauenly things our affiance in thee is weake and after much experience of thy power and sufficiencie goodnesse and truth we can hardly trust thee vnlesse wee haue inferiour meanes and helpes as pawnes in our hands and wee are too too prone to relie vpon the creatures and our owne policies and strength our hopes are faint and wauering one while inclining towards presumption and soone after forsaking vs indanger vs to despaire Wee oftentimes feare men and neglect thee and hazzard thy loue to auoyd their displeasure Our zeale is lukewarme in seeking thy glory and our deuotion cold in holy duties There still remaineth in vs much pride hypocrisie impatiencie vniust anger couetousnesse voluptuousnesse and all other sinnefull lusts which continually fight and striue against the good motions of thy holy Spirit and oftentimes ouercome and quench them And notwithstanding that the flesh and the corrupt lusts thereof doe still remaine so strong in vs yet we acknowledge to our shame that we are carelesse and negligent in fighting against them and in vsing those good meanes whereby we might be enabled to subdue them and to purge our hearts from these carnall corruptions whereof it is that residing in vs in great vigour and strength they disable vs in doing the good wee would and make vs to doe the euill we would not oftentimes wholy hinder vs from the duties of thy seruice and oftentimes so disturbe and distract vs in them that we performe them with much weakenes wearinesse with great dulnesse and deadnesse of heart and spirit and whilest wee are delighted in thy Law in the inner man this Law of our members rebelling against the law of our mindes leadeth vs captiue to the law of sinne O wretched men that we are who shall deliuer vs from the body of this death Gracious God we beseech thee giue vs more and more a liuely sense and feeling of these our wants and imperfections frailties and corruption that we may wholy deny and disclaime our selues and our owne righteousnesse in the worke of our iustification and saluation to the end that we may intirely rest vpon thine infinite mercies and the all-sufficient merits and perfect obedience of Iesus Christ For whose sake we most humbly beseech thee to pardon graciously all our wants and weakenesses couering our imperfections with his most perfect righteousnes washing away all our sinfull corruptions in his most precious blood Yea Lord forgiue and forget for his sake not only our errours and infirmities but also those manifold and grieuous sinnes which we haue committed against thee in the whole course of our liues whether in the dayes of our ignorance or since wee attained the knowledge of thy truth wash them all away in the blood of Christ and heale our soules with that soueraigne salue of sinne which is as sufficient to cure deepe and deadly wounds as small sores and slight scratches Yea Lord not onely remit and forgiue vs all our sinnes but let vs also haue comfort and peace in our consciences in the assurance of our pardon through the infallible testimony of thy holy Spirit and thereby sanctifie vs thorowout that wee may deuote and consecrate both our soules and bodies wholy to thy worship and seruice Mortifie our corrupt flesh with the lusts thereof and let them haue no longer dominion in vs. Yea holy Father not onely lop the branches of our corruptions but pull them vp by the very roote and not onely wound and weaken the Old man and body of sinne but kill and crucifie destroy and abolish it in thy good time that no reliques of it may remaine in vs to disturbe our peace and distract vs in thy seruice Quicken vs with the Spirituall life of grace that being made strong and vigorous wee may couragiously ouercome all lets and difficulties which oppose vs in our Christian course and may performe vnto thee all duties of piety righteousnesse and sobriety all the dayes of our liues with all cheerefulnesse and delight Let thy Spirit dwelling in vs replenish our hearts and soules with all sanctifying and sauing graces Inlighten our mindes with a sound sauing and experimentall knowledge of thee and thy Truth and let vs draw whatsoeuer wee know into vse and practice Take away from vs our naturall doubting and infidelity and worke in vs a true liuely and iustifying faith that wee may apply vnto vs all thy gracious promises made in Christ and rest onely vpon his merits and thy mercies for our iustification and saluation Giue vs hearty and vnfained repentance for our sinnes that wee may not onely bewaile them with godly griefe but also leaue and forsake them and serue thee in holinesse and newnesse of life Confirme our affiance in thee and let vs firmely resolue that though thou shouldest kill vs yet we will still trust in thee Let vs confidently expect the performance of all thy gracious promises
this day past in all the duties of thy seruice which we haue performed vnto thee But seeing we doe acknowledge our wants and weaknesses and doe bewaile them with vnfained sorrow we beseech thee deare God accept of vs in Iesus Christ according to thy gracious promises couering all our imperfections with his most perfect obedience and washing away our corruptions in that pure Fountaine of his precious blood In him accept of our poore desires and indeuours to doe thee seruice seeing what is wanting in vs is abundantly supplyed by his absolute and all-sufficient righteousnesse which is made ours by faith And that we may for the time to come performe seruice vnto thee with more diligence and cheerfulnesse let thy Spirit witnesse vnto our spirit that thou hast forgiuen all our sins past passed by and couered all our infirmities and frailties and doest graciously accept of vs in thy Best-beloued And with the same thine holy Spirit prosper and perfect thine owne good worke of grace and sanctification which thou hast begun in vs. Thou seest Lord how we are hampered and fettered in the chaines of our corruptions which so distract and hinder vs in all holy duties that we performe them with much discouragement and little ioy Helpe vs O God of our saluation and breake in sunder these chaines of sin that being set at liberty we may with all alacrity and delight run the way of thy Commandements and esteeme it our meate and drinke to doe thy will To this end assist vs good Lord by thine holy Spirit thereby sanctifie vnto vs thine holy Ordinances and meanes of our saluation that they may be effectuall for the effecting perfecting of thine own good work of grace and sanctification in vs. Apply vnto vs powerfully thy Word which either this day or any other time we haue heard that it may inlighten our minds with sauing knowledge sanctifie our hearts and affections that they may be more and more weaned from the loue of the world earthly vanities and fixed vpon spirituall heauenly things and may be effectuall for the reforming of our liues and conuersations and the strengthening of vs vnto all duties of a godly life that so being not only hearers of thy Word but also doers of it we may be assured of eternall blessednesse Let vs walke worthy our high and holy calling and in all things adorne our Christian profession that by our holy and vnblameable liues we may gaine others to thy Kingdome Let vs exceed all others as much in spirituall graces and in bringing foorth the fruits of new obedience as we are preferred before them through thy free grace in outward priuiledges and in the gracious meanes of our saluation and as thou doest continually sow in our hearts the seed of thy Word and water it with the dew of thine holy Spirit so let vs answerably grow in grace from one measure to another till we come to a perfect age in Iesus Christ Do not only pardon graciously all our wants and weaknesses which either this day or heretofore we haue shewed in the duties of thy worship seruice but inable vs for the time to come to performe them daily with more more perfection and grant that we may so sanctifie thy Sabbaths heere vpon earth as that we may be assured that we shal keep an eternall Sabbath with thee in thy glorious Kingdom Finally we beseech thee for thy Christ his sake to take vs this night euer into thy gracious protection therby preserue vs from all perils and from the malice of all our enemies spirituall and temporall Leaue vs not now vnto our selues but still assist vs with thy grace holy Spirit that we may performe the duties of thy Sabbaths which yet remaine in some good acceptable maner Season our hearts with those holy instructions and comforts which thou hast imparted vnto vs this day past make them faithful treasuries of these precious Iewels Let our minds whilst we are waking be so wholy taken vp with heauenly Meditations that euen our dreames may sauour of them in our deepest sleep let our minds and soules watch waite vpon thee Thou hast sowne good seed in our hearts O let not the enemy steale it away nor whilst we sleepe sow in them the malicious tares of euill and vaine thoughts and imaginations and so hinder the growth thereof Giue vs quiet moderate rest for the better refreshing of our bodies minds that so to morrow we may be inabled to perform such faithful seruice vnto thee in the generall duties of Christianity the speciall duties of our callings as may tend to thy glory and the euerlasting saluation of our owne soules And together with vs blesse thy whole Church and euery member thereof c. And vouchsafe both to them vs these and all other blessings which in thy wisdome thou knowest needful euen for Iesus Christ his sake to whom with thee thy blessed Spirit we acknowledge to be due frō our hearts desire to giue all glory and praise both now euermore Amen A Prayer before receiuing the Sacrament of the Lords Supper O Lord our God who art infinite in goodnesse grace and mercy most true in all thy promises and most iust and powerfull in performance thou hast when we were strangers and enemies subiect to the curse of the Law and liable to thy wrath by reason of our manifold and grieuous sinnes and vtterly vnable to free our selues out of the state of death and condemnation giuen vnto vs thine onely and deare Sonne to worke the great worke of our Redemption by his perfect satisfaction death and obedience By whom thy Iustice being fully satisfied and thy wrath appeased thou hast made with vs in him thy Couenant of grace wherein thou hast promised the free pardon of our sinnes and the saluation of our soules grace in this life and glory and happinesse in the life to come vpon the alone condition of faith laying hold vpon Christ and his righteousnesse and bringing forth the fruits thereof in hearty repentance and amendment of life The which though it be in it selfe of most infallible truth yet hauing respect to our weakenesse doubting and infidelity thou hast beene graciously pleased to confirme it vnto vs by adding thereunto thy Seales the Sacraments So that nothing hath beene wanting on thy part either for the perfecting the great worke of our Redemption or the effectuall applying of it vnto vs for our vse and benefit But O Lord wee humbly confesse that as wee haue shamefully broken the Couenant of workes by fayling in the condition of perfect obedience and haue made voyd thy promises of life and happinesse by our grieuous and innumerable sinnes both originall and actuall so also as much as in vs lyeth wee haue depriued our selues of the benefits which thou offerest vnto vs in the new Couenant of grace in Iesus Christ by our manifold faylings wants and imperfections in
bodies afresh euen in the Fountaine of Christs precious Blood and in the teares of vnfained sorrow mourning with bitter griefe because wee haue pierced him with our sinnes and caused the Lord of life to bee put vnto a shamefull death Inflame our hearts with most feruent loue towards thee and our neighbours yea euen our enemies for thy sake and lincke our hearts together in an holy Communion as it becommeth the true members of Iesus Christ Let vs also approoue our loue to bee sound and sincere by the fruits of it and especially by forgiuing and forgetting all our wrongs and iniuries as heartily as wee desire to bee forgiuen of thee and by performing all workes of mercy and Christian charity towards all those who neede our helpe not onely by comforting and refreshing their bodies but also by performing all Christian duties for the eternall saluation of their soules And being thus prepared let vs when we come to thy Table performe that dutie of thy seruice in some good and acceptable manner with all reuerence faith and inward feruencie and deuotion Let vs with the outward signes receiue the things signified Iesus Christ and all his benefits that being more and more vnited vnto him we may receiue from him the Spirituall life of Grace and those holy vertues of his diuine nature that we may grow vp in him vnto a perfect man Let vs bring with vs the hand and mouth of faith and let it be more and more strengthened in the assurance of all thy gracious promises by these seales of thy couenant communicated vnto vs. Make vs partakers of Christs merits by imputation of his nature and essence by coniunction and of his power and efficacy by thy holy Spirit and let vs shew his death till he come gratefully remembring this great worke of our Redemption by his bloud that we may be thankfull and prayse thee the blessed Trinity in vnity all the dayes of our liues Finally as we doe by these meanes professe our selues thy seruants in taking vpon vs thy liuery and cognizance so giue vs grace that we may constantly striue and indeuour to walke worthy this high calling and to glorifie thee in the duties of holinesse and righteousnesse whilest we haue any breath or beeing Heare vs and helpe vs O God of our saluation and answer vs graciusly in these our suits and petitions for Iesus Christ his sake to whom with thee and thine holy Spirit be rendred of vs and thy whole Church all glory and prayse power and dominion both now and euermore Amen A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper O Lord our God most glorious and most gracious infinite in bountie and goodnesse vnto all thy children and seruants in Iesus Christ we doe here offer vnto thee the sacrifice of prayse and thankesgiuing and doe laud and magnifie thy great and glorious Name for all thy mercies and fauours vouchsafed vnto vs especially because thou hast loued vs with an euerlasting loue yea so loued vs that thou hast of thy meere grace and free good will euen when we were strangers and enemies giuen vnto vs thy Best-beloued and onely Sonne to worke the great worke of our Redemption and by his death and precious blood-shed to deliuer vs out of the hands of all our spirituall enemies and to free vs from euerlasting death and condemnation that we might be heires through him of eternall glory and happinesse in thy Kingdome We prayse thee also for the free couenant of grace and saluation which thou hast made with vs in him whereby thou hast assured vs of the remission of our sinnes our reconciliation with thee and of endlesse happinesse in the life to come and for confirming this couenant vnto vs by annexing thereunto the seales thy Sacraments that thereby our weake faith might be strengthened and increased and wee more and more freed from doubting and incredulity We thanke thee holy Father for renewing this thy couenant with vs this day and for confirming our vnion with Iesus Christ our head and one with another by giuing vnto vs his precious body and blood as the Spirituall food of our soules whereby they are nourished vnto euerlasting life O Lord our God it is thy great mercie that thou nourishest our mortall bodies with food that perisheth but how wonderfull is this thy bounty and goodnesse in that thou feedest our soules with this bread of Life that came downe from heauen and with this food that endureth to life eternall If thou shouldest permit vs but to gather vp the crummes that fall from thy Table we must needes acknowledge that it were a fauour farre aboue our deserts O then how should wee admire and magnifie thy mercie and bountie in vouchsafing such vile and vnworthy wretches this high and holy priuiledge to be feasted at thine owne Table not with ordinary cheare but with such spirituall and diuine delicacies euen the precious body and blood of thine onely deare Sonne whereby he becommeth one with vs and we with him euen as thou holy Father and he are one in that holy and happie vnion O that our narrow hearts were inlarged that we might in some measure apprehend this thine infinite and incomprehensible goodnesse O that being cold in themselues they were warmed and inflamed with the fire and flame of this diuine loue that with the liuely sense and feeling of it wee might be mooued to returne loue for loue and expresse it by our feruent zeale and indeuour in all things to please and glorifie thee throughout the whole course of our liues and conuersations Which because it is not in our owne power O thou the rich fountaine of all grace and goodnesse inspire and inflame our cold and frozen hearts with the beames of thy loue shed abroad in them by thine holy Spirit that we may loue thee with vnfained loue and contemning all things in comparison of thee may long and labour after nothing so much as to enioy thee in this life by grace and the presence of thy blessed Spirit and by full and perfect vision and fruition in the life to come To this end gracious God blesse vnto vs thine holy Ordinances and meanes of our saluation and by the inward assistance of thy good Spirit make them powerfull and effectuall to the attayning of those ends for which thou hast giuen and wee receiued them Let vs finde hereby our vnion with Christ strengthened and confirmed by feeling the Spirituall life and sap of grace deriued vnto vs and increased in vs from this roote of righteousnesse not onely for our further assurance of our iustification but also for the perfecting of our sanctification and the strengthening of vs vnto all Christian duties of a godly life Let vs by this Spirituall food of our soules finde our selues nourished and inriched with all sauing graces especially let vs feele our weake faith confirmed and increased that wee may without wauering be perswaded of all thy gracious promises made
liueth an entrance into thy Kingdome not onely by the assurance of faith and hope but also by letting him haue a liuely taste of those heauenly ioyes which thou hast prepared for him Moderate his griefes and paines that they may not hinder his soule from mounting aloft in diuine contemplations and secretly whisper vnto his heart sweet comforts by thy Spirit when as he is through weaknesse insensible of outward consolations Inflame his heart with feruent loue towards thee and his brethren yea euen his enemies for thy sake that he may bee assured that his sinnes are forgiuen of thee because thou giuest him grace to forgiue all men Strengthen him against the tentations of all his spirituall enemies and manifest thy power in his weaknesse by giuing vnto him a full and finall victory ouer them Frustrate the malice of Satan defeat his policies and confound his power that he may not preuaile against him in this last conflict Arme him against the feare of thy wrath and seuere iustice by assuring him that Christ hath appeased the one and satisfied the other Comfort him against the feare of death by perswading him that Christs death hath swallowed it in victory pulled out the sting thereof and made it harmelesse yea exceeding profitable as seruing now for a passage to glory and happinesse and by strengthening him to apply vnto himselfe these consolations by a liuely faith Weane his heart from worldly cares that they may bee no distractions to hinder him in his heauenly iourney and let the assurance and taste of immortall ioyes take away all lothnesse to leaue earthly comforts Set a guard of thy blessed Angels about him and let them serue as thy Messengers and Ministers to conuey his soule as soone as it is separated from his body into thy Kingdome that it may bee there crowned with glory and immortality Finally wee beseech thee giue vs all heere present an holy vse of these examples of our mortality that thereby our hearts being weaned from the world wee may make it our chiefe businesse to prepare our selues against the day of death and Iudgement that so wee may with ioy and comfort appeare before thee when thou shalt bee pleased to call vs to giue vnto thee an account of our Stewardship Heare vs we beseech thee in these our suits and supplications for thy Sonne and our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit be ascribed all glory and praise power and dominion both now and for euermore Amen A Prayer for Children O Almighty God and my most gracious Father in Iesus Christ I humbly confesse that I am a most wretched sinner and altogether vnworthy to bee in the Couenant of grace and saluation For I was not onely conceiued and borne in sinne and corruption whereby thy glorious Image was defaced in me but I haue added thereunto many actuall sinnes by breaking thy Commandements in thought word and deed whereby I haue deserued thy iust anger in this life and eternall death in the world to come But seeing thou hast vouchsafed to receiue me into thy Couenant of thy free mercy giuing me the signe thereof the Sacrament of Baptisme and hast sent thy Sonne Iesus Christ to dye for and by his death to redeeme the young as well as the old I beseech thee for his sake to pardon all my sinnes and to wash them all away in his most precious blood to receiue me into thy loue and fauour and to make mee thine owne child by adoption and grace Giue me thine holy Spirit to sanctifie rule and gouerne me that according to my age and small ability I may labour to serue thee Make me daily to increase in grace as I increase in yeeres inlighten my mind with the knowledge of thee and my Sauiour Christ and his truth Sow in me the seeds of faith and let it shew it selfe assoone as I am capable thereof in repentance and true obedience Make mee louing dutifull and awfull to my Parents and Gouernours and let mee learne by obeying them in my tender youth to obey thee in my riper age Giue me grace to hearken to their good admonitions and instructions and to profit and amend by their reproofes and chastisements Make me humble courteous and meeke modest and sober diligent to please in all good things and vertuous in my whole course of life that so I may increase in fauour with thee and all good men And as I beg these benefits at thy hands so I yeeld vnto thee all humble and hearty thankes and praise for all benefits both spirituall and temporall vouchsafed vnto me and namely for that it hath pleased thee to giue mee quiet rest and sleepe this night past and hast safely preserued mee from all perils and dangers to which my fraile life is daily subiect Continue O Lord thy loue and fauour towards mee for euer and especially this day take mee into thy fatherly protection preserue mee from sinne and perill and grant that being diligent and industrious in learning such good things as are taught me I may increase in knowledge and profit by instruction in such vertues and good qualities as are fit for me O Lord blesse and preserue my father and mother my brethren and sisters with all other my kindred and friends together with thy whole Church and grant that we may liue in thy fauour dye in thy faith and after death inherit the ioyes of thine euerlasting Kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit be all honour and glory both now and for euermore Amen FINIS Faults escaped in Printing Page 27. line 23. reade be in the Church p. 29. l. 12 r. internall booke p. 30. l. a fin 8. r. he hath made p. 33 l. 5. r. The will of God and l 7. r. will and most free p 28. l. 11 r. and make men p. 42. l. 12. r. Sunne p 30. l. 17. r. strong corruptions p. 52. l. 7. r. act of p. 57. l a fin 11. read end that we may p. 62. l. 23. returne to their p 66. l. 30. r. for the scanning l. 36. r. yet it neuer l. 39. r. bare act 41. Thesi p. 71. l. 3. r. strong wind l. 37. r. freed from p. 73 l. 4. r. when ceasing and l. 38. r. vpon vs. p. 74. l. 5. r. carry it quietly p. 75. l. 35. r. in a storme p. 85. in Margine l. 15. 16. r. bons viri p. 95. l. 24. r. not deuided and line 2◠r. Chap. 2. Of piety which is the summe of the first Table § Sect. 1. page 125. line 17. reade dominion ouer all p. 125. l. 17. r. one lawfully and l. 33. r. not men p. 128. l. 16. r. God and vs. p. 138. in Margine l. 2. r. The manner p. 140. l. 13 r. dampe it p. 142. l 4 r in our neighbours p. 156. l. a fin 9. r. Frier like affectation p. 179. l. last r. any intercision p. 181 l. 7 r. in
the hand of his mercie hee will thrust from him with the hand of his iustice and that the greater mercie he hath shewed to mooue vs to repentance the more fearefull iudgements will he inflict vpon vs if we neglect it through our carnall securitie and because wee haue not onely wilfully wounded our soules with sinne but also haue despited our heauenly Chyrurgeon by casting away the plaisters which hee hath applied for our cure hee will let vs rot in our corruptions laugh at our destruction and mocke when Apoc. 22. 11. Pro. 1. 24 26. our feare cometh §. 9 The eighth remedie is to vse carefully the meanes of saluation The eighth meanes is that wee diligently vse the meanes of saluation seeing they are also the meanes of implanting the feare of God Ier. 3. 4. in our hearts and so remoouing and rooting out of this carnall securitie As first the carefull and conscionable hearing of the Word which is that Plow and Harrow that breaketh vp the fallow grounds of our hearts and that bruiseth and maketh them contrite so as they are fit to receiue the seeds of all spirituall graces that Hammer which breaketh these rockes in pieces and that Fire which melteth and dissolueth those mettals that cannot be broken as Ieremie speaketh and Ier. 23. 29. finally that Sword of the Spirit which giueth a deadly wound to carnall securitie whilest it layeth open the hainousnesse of sinne the wrath of God and curse of the law due vnto it the rewards promised vnto those who feare the Lord and the punishments denounced against those who liue in their securitie both in this life and the life to come Neither is it possible that we should long sleepe in carnall securitie if we leaue our eares open to receiue the voyce of these sonnes of thunder speaking vnto vs. Especially let vs withall diligence hearken vnto those admonitions and exhortations which are purposely vsed by the holy Ghost to rouze vs vp out of this sleepe of securitie As that admonition of our Sauiour Watch therefore for yee know not Matth. 24. 42. what houre your Lord doth come And againe Take yee heed watch and Mar. 13. 33. pray for yee know not when the time is Let your loynes be girded about Luk. 12. 35 36. and your lights burning and yee your selues like vnto them that wait for their Lord when he shall returne from the wedding that when he commeth and knocketh yee may open vnto him immediatly Blessed are those Seruants whom the Lord when he commeth shall find watching So let vs hearken vnto and with all care meditate vpon those admonitions and exhortations of the Apostles Awake thou that sleepest and stand vp Eph. 5. 14. from the dead and Christ shall giue thee light It is now high time to awake from sleepe for now is our saluation neerer then when wee beleeued The night is farre spent and the day is at hand let vs therefore cast off the workes of darkenesse and let vs put on the armour of light Let vs not Rom. 13. 11 12. 1. Thess 5. 6. 1. Cor. 10. 12. Phil. 2. 12. sleepe as doe others but let watch and be sober He that thinketh he standeth let him take heed lest hee fall Worke out your saluation with feare and trembling Take heed lest there be in any of you an euill heart of vnbeliefe in departing from the liuing God But exhort one another daily whilest it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Be sober be vigilant because your aduersarie the Deuill as Heb. 3. 12 13. a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may deuoure So also meditating in Gods law which in it selfe is sufficient to cause our hearts 2. Kings 22. 10. to melt like the heart of Iosias with true compunction and contrition so as the frozen dregs of securitie can haue no harbour and in the Gospell which will implant in them the feare of God arising out of faith and loue To this purpose serueth also the often receiuing of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper whilest labouring to come prepared that we may receiue it to life and saluation and not to iudgement and condemnation it giueth vs occasion to examine our estate and to call our selues to a strict account before Gods Tribunall and to renew our couenant with him by renewing the condition of faith and repentance And finally holy conferences whereby wee stirre vp Gods graces in one another keepe and vphold them from falling and raise them vp being fallen exuscitate and re-enliue the gifts of Gods Spirit which are readie to be cooled and quenched and by mutuall exhortations preserue one another that wee bee not hardned Heb. 3. 13. through the deceitfulnesse of sinne §. 10 The ninth remedie is to heare the Word with faith The ninth meanes is that we receiue the Word with faith without which it cannot profit vs for the shaking off this carnall securitie For as vngratious Children and Seruants proceed in their euill courses though they heare their Parents and Gouernours encouraging them to obedience by many promises and indeauouring to terrifie them by threatning punishment if they giue no credite to their word so vnlesse we beleeue Gods gratious promises made to those that feare him and his threatnings against those who securely neglect him his mercies and judgements wee will neither entertaine this feare nor banish securitie out of our hearts Whereas contrariwise if wee giue credite to the things wee heare namely that thete is a just God who beholdeth all our workes who will call all that we doe to judgement euen our vnknowne actions and secret thoughts either to crowne them with euerlasting rewards or to punish them with intolerable and endlesse torments it is not possible that we should be secure For if no man can liue in securitie who is perswaded that being liable to the Law his necke is daily in danger of the halter or that a sword hangeth ouer his head in a weake thread though these are but temporall euils which when they haue done their worst doe but hasten that death with nature would bring vnto vs with a little slower pace much lesse could they bee secure if they thought themselues indeed endangered to hellish torments and euerlasting death and condemnation §. 11 The tenth remedie is to applie the Word vnto ourselues The tenth meanes is that we doe applie vnto our selues the Word which we heare and not if we dislike it shift it off from our selues to others saying vnto our soules when wee heare reproofes this is my sinne which is reprooued seeing I haue either committed it or hauing the seeds of it in me may bring forth the fruits of it in outward act if God by his Word and holy Spirit nippe and restraine them not This admonition belongeth vnto me and I will take warning and grow wiser and more watchfull by it This instruction is mine for my better
it alwayes produceth euill and pernicious effects as hath sufficiently beene shewed in the former discourse But besides this there is a Securitie which is good and warrantable commendable and to be desired and imbraced of vs grounded on iust causes and rightly assumed of those vnto whom of due it appertayneth namely the securitie of the faithfull hauing its foundation not vpon any thing in themselues or any inferiour meanes and secundarie causes but vpon God alone his Power Prouidence and Promises made vnto them in Iesus Christ For after that wee are regenerate by the Spirit of God and being reconciled are become his Children by adoption and grace and so like Children in the fauour of our heauenly Father and receiued vnder the couert of his protection then beginneth that created Securitie which was in the state of Innocency to be renued in vs the which though we cannot attayne vnto in the highest perfection in this life because our knowledge faith and loue which should cast out all feare are imperfect yet is it much firmer surer and more permanent then that of our first Parents because that rested on the condition of their obedience and this vpon the freedom of their will which was mutable and changeable but this renued securitie resteth vpon the couenant of Grace made in Christ and his Righteousnesse and Obedience which are vnchangeable and euerlasting and hath no condition on our part but a liuely faith bringing forth fruits of vnfayned repentance and these Graces also are the free gifts of God which after he hath once bestowed he neuer againe taketh Rom. 11. 29. from vs. And this securitie euery Christian ought to labour after and so much the rather because we shall neuer be freed from that carnall securitie which is so dangerous and pernicious before we haue giuen entertaynment vnto this other in our hearts For some shelter Man naturally desireth and will haue vnder which shrowding himselfe he may be safe either in Truth or in Opinion and so freed from horrors and feares which otherwise like hellish Furies would haunt and vexe him Which was the cause as I haue shewed why our first Parents being depriued through their fall of their created securitie grounded vpon the knowledge and remembrance of God and his sauing Attributes were so apt to be abused by Satan imposing in stead thereof a false and counterfait securitie contrariwise grounded on ignorance and forgetfulnesse which whilest through the blindnesse of their minds it freed them from feare because the causes of their feare could not be discerned by them it did expose them to much the greater danger because they were in the case of those who are in the time of their sleepe assaulted with many mightie and malicious Enemies and doe not so much as dreame of their approching But yet such is mans nature that he had rather be couered with Fig-leaues then haue no clothing and haue in his hands a Reed and paper Buckler which haue no strength to defend him but what he giueth them by a false opinion rather then no weapons at all and will choose rather a counterfait securitie which may serue for the present to preserue him from true horrors and feares that he may not be tormented before the time rather then hee will haue none at all In which respects it is the onely way when we would perswade men to cast off carnall securitie to offer them in stead thereof Christian securitie which deliuereth from all dangers not onely in shew and opinion but also in Deed and Truth excelling the other in worth more then massie gold a rotten gilded post and in strength more then Armour of proofe a painted shadow or an impregnable Fort a paper Wall §. 2 The description of spirituall Securitie And to this purpose I thought it necessary to adde something of it to the former discourse hoping that men wil with more ease be moued to cast away that intoxicating and pernicious poyson which maketh them to sleepe out the tortures of an euil conscience depriueth them of their senses that with them it may take away their feares when in stead thereof I offer vnto them this soueraigne Cordiall which will expell them and arme the heart with true Christian courage and resolution In speaking whereof I will first shew what it is the nature causes and effects of it and then the meanes whereby wee may be enriched with this inestimable treasure Concerning the first it may be thus described Christian securitie is a grace of God following our regeneration iustification and peace with him through Iesus Christ whereby acknowledging beleeuing and remembring the all-seeing wisedome omnipotent power infinite goodnesse and mercie of God towards vs in Christ wee doe without carnall and seruile feare in all estates and at all times rest quietly and contentedly vpon his promises and prouidence for the supplying of all our wants protection from all dangers and deliuerance from all euils §. 3 That God is the authour of spirituall securitie In which description I shew first the Fountaine from which it springeth not from nature whose poisonous breasts doe now giue no such milke not from our owne wisedome power endeauours or any worldly causes or secundarie meanes but from God himselfe the Author and Fountaine of euery good and perfect gift who of his free grace bestoweth this blessing vpon those that feare and serue him And Iam. 1. 17. as it proceedeth from him so vpon him as the only sure foundation it resteth and relyeth and not on humane pollicie and strength or any creature or earthly thing whatsoeuer So the Lord propoundeth this ground of Christian courage and securitie and no other Feare thou not for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen Esa 41. 10. 13. Ier. 30. 10. 46. 27 28. Heb. 13. 5 6. Psal 3. 5 6. 4. 8. thee yea I will helpe thee yea I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand saying vnto thee feare not I will helpe And vpon this alone holy Dauid securely resteth I layd mee downe and slept I awaked for the Lord sustained mee I will not be afraid of ten thousand of people that haue set themselues against me round about And againe I will both lay me downe in peace and sleepe for thou Lord onely makest mee dwell in safetie Yea though I walke through the valley of the shadow of death I will feare no Psal 23. 4. euill for thou art with mee thy rod and thy staffe they comfort mee And elsewhere The Lord is my light and my saluation whom shall I feare Psal 27. 1 3. The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid Though an host should encampe against mee my heart shall not feare though warre should rise against mee in this will I be confident And in another place What time I am afraid I will trust in
in the greene pastures and be led by him by those still waters of peace and securitie yea though he lead vs into places of feare and danger euen through the valley of the shadow of death yet may we be secure and feare no euill seeing hee is with vs and with his rod and staffe doth comfort vs. Yea wee must labour after a neerer vnion with Christ and to be espoused vnto him and then wee being his Spouse and hee being our Bridegroome wee may rest securely vnder his powerfull protection seeing by the institution and law of marriage he is bound both to defend and prouide for vs and because hee that toucheth vs toucheth him hee that offereth any iniurie vnto vs doth offer it as it were to his owne person then may we with the Spouse in the Canticles sit downe securely vnder his shadow Cant. 2. 3 6. with great delight and sleepe in safetie when his left hand is vnder our head and his right hand doth embrace vs. Or if we would be neerer vnto him for our greater safetie and securitie let vs labour to become members of his blessed body vnited vnto him by his holy Spirit and a liuely faith seeing then there will be no place for feare because hee that toucheth vs toucheth the apple of his eye hee that doth Zach. 2. 8. vs any hurt hurteth and offereth violence against his owne bodie and he that seeketh to plucke vs from him shall goe about an impossible worke euen to plucke a member from the bodie of Christ which he tenderly loueth seeing he hath all power in heauen and earth committed vnto him so as no creature is able to preuaile against him §. 3 The third meanes is that we labour to be in the Couenant of Grace Thirdly if wee would obtayne this spirituall securitie wee must labour to be within the compasse of the couenant of Grace which God hath made with vs in Iesus Christ For such onely as are in the Couenant haue right vnto the Promises of Gods grace and prouidence watching ouer them for the endowing them with all good and of his power and protection to shield and defend them from all euill Such onely haue God for their Lord and King and are the peculiar People and Subiects of his Kingdome ouer whom hee hath taken charge and receiued them vnder the safegard of his protection As for others they are strangers vnto him whom he respecteth not yea they are no better then Rebels and Out-lawes who haue no benefit by his protection and therefore can haue in them no true securitie but may well feare with Cain that being exiled out of Gods presence they shall be like Fugitiues and Vagabonds vpon the earth and that it shall come to Gen. 4. 14. passe that euery one that findeth them shall be ready to slay them Whereas if we haue the Seale of the Couenant stamped vpon vs we are thereby secured from all euill for when the destroying Angell is purposely sent from God to spoile and make hauocke of all yet his commission is restrayned so as hee may not hurt those which are in the Couenant but those onely who haue not the Seale of God in their foreheads Now the meanes to be in this Couenant with God is to performe the Apoc. 7. 3. 9. 4. condition of Faith bringing forth the fruits thereof in heartie repentance and amendment of life which wee must therefore aboue all things labour after that we may haue interest in the former priuileges And because through our frailtie and infirmitie we are apt to wound and weaken our Faith by our sinnes and this shield is oftentimes shrewdly battered with beating backe the fierie darts and bullets of Satans tentations And our repentance also is ready to grow faint and languish both in respect of our griefe for sinne past and resolution to leaue and forsake it for the time to come and so by weakning the Couenant not in it selfe but in our apprehension wee are ready to lose our inward peace and to haue our securitie disturbed with feares therefore as we often sinne so doth it become vs often to renew our Couenant with God by renuing the condition of Faith and Repentance that so also with them wee may renew our securitie according to that in Iob If iniquity be in thine hand put it farre away and let not Iob 11. 14 15 18 19. wickednesse dwell in thy Tabernacles For then thou shalt lift vp thy face without spot yea thou shalt be steadfast and shalt not feare And thou shalt be secure because there is hope yea thou shalt digge about thee and thou shalt take thy rest in safetie Also thou shalt lye downe and none shall make thee afraid yea many shall make suite vnto thee §. 4 The fourth meanes is to labour to haue the causes of it in vs. As first the Spirit of adoption and the chayne of sauing graces Fourthly if we would haue spirituall securitie we must indeauour by all meanes to haue those causes of it in our selues of which I haue spoken As first the Spirit of adoption whereby being assured that we are Gods children through Christ we may securely rest vpon the prouidence and promises of our heauenly Father for the prouiding of all things necessarie for the supplying of all our wants preseruation from all dangers and protection from all enemies For if earthly Parents according to their power performe all these things to their children so as they are secure and without feare when they are in the sight and presence of their able friends how much more will our heauenly Father who infinitely exceeds them in power and loue For if he be so infinitely gracious that he preserueth those which are strangers vnto him how much more those who are of his owne Family if hee doth good vnto all how much more those who are of the Matth. 5. 45. Gal. 6. 10. house-hold of Faith if he prouideth for the yong Lions and Rauens that call vpon them and richly clotheth the Lillies and Flowres of Matth. 6. 26. 30. the Field how much more will hee defend and preserue feede and clothe his owne Children whom hee hath loued so deerly that hee Rom. 8. 32. hath not spared to giue his best beloued and onely begotten Sonne to the death for their redemption and saluation So also we must labour after the gifts and graces of the Spirit which haue the promises of Gods protection made vnto them so that if we haue them we may be secure in his helpe and assistance because if he be with vs it mattereth Rom. 8 31. not who oppose against vs if we are destitute of them then being hopelesse and helplesse there is no place for peace and securitie Againe these sauing graces are the only meanes whereby we may make our Calling and Election sure which if we doe no worldly thing can 2. Pet. 1. 10. disturbe our peace or dampe our ioy but if for