world which séemeth to haue no ende shall vanish the heauens shall ware old as doth a garment but as the word of the Lord continueth for euer so are the praises of the feare of God euerlasting Wheresoeuer the Gospell is preached saith Christ throughout all the worlde there shal also this déed of Mary Magdaline which annointed his bodie with costly Oyle and wiped his féete with the haire of her head this déed which she hath done shall be spoken of for a memoriall of her meaning thereby not the déed so much as her heart and affection And such shall be the memoriall of them that feare God according as it is said The name of the godly shall flourish and the remembrance of the wicked shall rot As the whirlewind passeth so is the wicked no more but the righteous is an euerlasting foundation The wise man after he had intreated of diuers and waightie matters and drawing to an end of his booke as though he had for gotten one principal point Let vs now saith he commend the famous men who were honourable in their generations and were well reported of in their times There are of them that haue left a name behinde them so that their praise shall be spoken of There are some also that haue no memoriall and are perished as though they had neuer bin and are become as though they had neuer bin born and their children after them But the former were such men whose righteousnes and feare of God hath not bene forgotten and whose commendation shall endure throughout all ages Their seede shall remaine for euer and their praise shall neuer be taken away their bodies are buried in peace but their name liueth for euermore There is a seed of man which is an honourable seed the honourable seede are they that feare the Lord. Diuerse other goodly sentences the scripture dooth affoord in commendation of the feare of God but I thought the waight of reasons alleaged would more preuaile then the multitude of words which do delight but for the present time Much like pleasant musicke which is no longer of force to moue our mindes but while it soundeth But the waight of the reasons continue in our remembrance when as the multitude of words may soone be forgotten as if we had séene our face in a glasse and when we are gone we remember it no more 2. That delight which is next to the feare of God and an The next delight to the feare of God is the knowledge of gods word excellent delight aboue all worldly delights I thinke good at this present not to stand much vpon but to referre you to a more ample declaration thereof because I haue spent so much time in setting downe the commodities and commendations of the feare of God vnto the which no perswasions can be too tedious But because the studie and knowledge of the word of God is the onely meanes wherby the feare of God is taught maintained and increased therfore doth it seeme a matter as worthie to be considered and to be perswaded as the other And so much the rather because we cannot come so perfectly to the fear of God as by the knowledge of his word To the proofe whereof we haue an excellent sentence Prou. 2. The words be these My sonne if thou receiue my words and hide my commandements with thee to incline thine eares to wisedome and to bowe thy heart to vnderstanding if thou call for vnderstanding and vtter thy voyce for knowledge if thou seeke her as siluer and dig for her as for her treasures Then shalt thou vnderstand A light to our vnderstāding the feare of the Lord and find the knowledge of God All the life of man without the knowledge of the word of God is but a wildernesse and that is the onely path to bring vs out all our vnderstanding is but darknesse and that is the onely lanterne that giueth vs light Our parents that beget vs they beget vs after their owne image and that is sinfull so that as wée are borne in sinne so all our The seed of life delight by nature is in sinne Therefore this séede and this begetting may well bee tearmed a mortall séede and a begetting vnto death But that we may haue a reuerent care and a great delight in the word of God we are giuen to vnderstand that it is the immortall séede the séede that begets vs vnto life As saith Saint Peter Epistle I. He hath begotten vs againe not of mortall but of immortall seede which hee affirmeth to be the word of God that endureth for euer And this is the singular commoditie thereof I. Iohn 3. 9. That hee that is borne of God sinneth not vnto death but if he fall hée riseth againe by repentance The reason because he sinneth not nor delighteth héerein nor suffereth it to raigne within him is for that the séede of Gods word ioyned with his feare remaineth within him neither can he sinne because hée is borne of God and begotten vnto life by his holie spirite As they that are in the fleshe cannot please God for the wisedome of the fleshe is enmitie to God so the word of God doth make the power of his spirite more effectuall within vs and teacheth vs how to please God and to liue in his fauour Blessed is the man that feareth God for his great delight is in gods word and hée maketh more account thereof then of any treasure For all precious things in the world they can continue with vs but while we liue in the world but the séede of gods word as it is euerlasting s◠it accompanieth the soule euen when it is departed from the bodie We are troubled about many things in this life but as our Sauiour Christ saith there is but one thing necessary and that is the hearing reading learning and meditating on the word of God And as wisedome is one of the VVisedome greatest commendations that can be giuen to the feare of god so doth the word of god deserue the selfe same commendation By thy precepts and commandements that is by thy word saith the Prophet Dauid I am wiser then the aged and my elders By thy word I haue gotten vnderstanding therefore I hate all wicked wayes This is your wisedome saith that holy man Moses vnto the Israelites Deu. 4. And this is your vnderstanding in the sight of the people which shall say Onely this people is wise and of vnderstanding and a great nation And this was the wisedome that god would should more preuaile with a King and highest gouernour in a realme then all the wisedome of his counsellours As we shall reade in the booke of Deutro 17. And when the King shall sit vppon the thorne of his kingdome he shall reade in this booke all the dayes of his life and it shall bee euer with him To what end and purpose Euen that he may go in and out wisely before his people That being taught and instructed
without spot that he might vndertake that punishment that was due vnto our sins and endue vs with his righteousnes So that now we are iust and righteous in him not that we can satisfie the iudgement of God by our owne workes but that we are accounted iust and righteous through Christ who is ours through faith Who is made vnto vs wisdome and righteousnesse satisfaction and redemption that he that reioyceth might only reioyce in the Lord for whose sake we are fréely accounted both iust innocent before god in whom are seene the glorious treasures of God that wée might bée inriched by him For if wée looke for saluation wée are taught by the very name of Iesus that it is in him if wée séeke for any other gifte of the spirit they are to bée found in his annointing if wée séeke for strength it is in his dominion if we séeke for cléerenesse it is in his conception if we séeke for tender kindnesse it sheweth it selfe in his birth whereby he was made in all things like vnto vs that he might learne to sorrowe with vs. If we séeke for redemption it is in his passion if we séeke for absolution it is in his condmnation if wée séeke for release of the curse it is in his crosse if we séeke for satisfaction it is in his sacrifice if wee séeke for clensing it is in his blood if wée séeke for reconciliation it is in his going downe into hell if we séeke for mortification of the flesh it is in his buriall if wée séeke for newnesse of life it is in his resurrection if for immortalitie it is in his victory ouer death if we seeke for the inheritaunce of the kingdome of heauen it is in his entraunce into heauen if wée séeke for defence for assurednesse for plentie and stoare of all good thinges it is in his kingdome And therefore this is the diademe and bewtifull crowne that is sette vpon our heads the fine linnen and the silke and the broidered worke wherewith wée are couered these are the ornaments wherewith wée are decked the bracelets on our hands and the chaine that is put about our neckes this is the frontlet on our face the earings in our eares this is the garment of siluer and gold wherewith wée are cloathed this is the fine flower the hony and the oyle whereby we become so bewtiffull Euen the remssion of our sinnes and the imputation of Christ his righteousnesse who hath put away our transgressions like a cloud and our sinnes like a mist and filled our harts with ioy and gladnesse that in a sure confidence we may break out and say Nowe there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus Reioice therefore O ye heauens at the goodnes and mercie of the Lord for he only hath done it shout ye lower partes of the earth brast foorth into praises yee mountaines 3. Sanctification The lawe is fulfilled of the regenerate by reason of Christ O forrest and euerie trée threin The third braunch is sanctification and holinesse of life whereby as before being vnregenerate we hated the lawe and the lawe was vnto vs the cause of death nowe being reconciled to God of our owne accord respecting our former rebellion we are readie and obedient to doe the will of God yea and all our delight is therein so nowe vnto vs it ceaseth to bee a curse and condemnation for the lawe of God is writte in our harts whereby we vnderstand the will of God and are stirred vp to the obedience thereof So then through faith the lawe is not made of none effect but it doeth rather establish the lawe For without Christ the lawe is not fulfilled yea it setteth our concupiscence on fire and maketh vs subiect vnto condemnation but in Christ we find the exact righteousnesse of the lawe for he is the end of the lawe to eucrie one that beleeueth by whom also we are sanctified and our hearts framed to the obedience of the lawe which though it be vnperfect yet doth it aime at perfection And this obedience procéedeth from faith which through the merit of Christ obtaineth the holie spirit which spirit doth make vs newe harts doth exhilarat vs doth incite and inflame our harts to doe the lawe willinglie Nowe the lawe in the regenerate that is in those whose sinnes are forgiuen vnto whom the righteousuesse of Christ is imputed who are sanctified bringeth foorth good frutes Therefore euill actions procéede not from the lawe and from The workes of the regenerate no cause of iustification the regenerate but from sinne and our corrupt nature Neither let vs thinke so highly of these frutes as though from thence our iustification were deriued For though we hate sinne in other men and especially in our selues although we delight in all things which are agréeable to the A true doctrine of good workes will of god although all our actions and conuersation do expresse the same yet are they but signes and tokens of our loue to God and arguments to vs of our election and frutefull examples to drawe others to that excellent knowledge which is in Christ The lawe in the regenerate a mind rightly formed and ruled perswaded on thing but corruption also which hath her seate in the regenerate an other thing for it striueth against the spirit and the lawe of the In the regenerate is a fight betwixt the flesh and the spirit An especiall comfort in this fight is that we are vnder grace mind so that they cannot either liue as wel as they would or be so voide of sinne as they could wish Neuerthelesse this is their comfort that they are not vnder the lawe but vnder grace whereby enioying the fauour mercie fréegoodwill and beneuolence of God towarde vs in Christ the reliques of sinne are not imputed vnto vs but we are reputed and accounted before God as men fullie and perfectly iust He hath giuen vs his spirit the fulnes whereof we do not enioy because in this life there will alwaies remaine in vs remnants of sinne which fight against the spirit Which conflict the Apostle plainly setteth forth before our eies hauing sufficient experience thereof in himself For the mind of a regenerate man is spirituall but he himself is carnall sold vnder sinne and that which he hateth that doth he in his flesh there is no good thing To wil is present but he findeth no means to perform that which is good yea euil togither continually is present with him and though his inner man delight in the lawe of God yet doeth he sée an other lawe in his members rebelling against the lawe of his minde and leading him captiue vnto the lawe of sinne which is in his members And that euen the godly might know that they are laden The profit of this fight with infirmities therefore is this sting left in their flesh that they might alwaies haue recourse vnto the Lord who is able to beate downe
Forasmuch as that which may be knowne of God is manifest in them For God hath shewed it vnto them For the inuisible things of him that is his eternall power and godhead are séene by creation of the world being considered in his workes to the intent that they should be without excuse Acts. 14. 16. 17. God in times past suffered all the gentiles to walke in their owne waies Neuerthelesse he left not himselfe without a witnesse in that he did good and gaue vs raine from heauen and frutefull seasons filling our hearts with foode and gladnesse And Chap. 17. 27. That they should séeke the Lord if so be they might haue groped after him Through there owne default Ro. 1. 21. Because that when they knewe God they glorified him not as God neither were thankfull but became vaine in theire imaginations and their foolish heart was full of darkenesse Iohn 15. 22. If I had not come and spoken vnto them they should not haue had sinne but nowe haue they no cloake for there sinne verse 24. If I had not done workes among them which none other man did they had not had sinne that is they had not bene so greatly in fault Ro. 2. 12. For as many as haue sinned without the law that is without the knowledge of the written lawe shall perish also without the lawe their conscience being a lawe vnto them Iohn 3. 19. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loued darknes rather then light because there déeds were euill And surely that which they can attaine vnto in knowing God by their light or rather naturall darkenesse albeit they neuer failed in the way but so cōtinued yet were it in no wise sufficient vnto saluation For it is necessary for vs that shall be saued that we know God not onely as God but as our father in Christ Iohn 17. 3. And this is life eternall that they know thée to be the onely very God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ And chapter 3. 26. He that beléeueth in the sonne hath euerlasting life and he that obeieth not the sonne shall not sée life but the wrath of GOD abideth on him The which misterie flesh and blood doth not reueale but the sonne himselfe to them whom his father hath giuen him Matt. 11. 27. All things are giuen to me of my father and no man knoweth the same but the father neither knoweth any man the father but the sonne and he to whom the sonne wll reueale him Mat. 16. 16. 17. Simon Peter answered and said Thou art that Christ the sonne of the liuing God And Iesus said vnto him Blessed art thou Simon the sonne of Ionas For flesh and blood hath not reuealed it to thée but my father which is in heauen Iohn 1. 10. He was in the world and the world knew him not But as many as receiued him to them he gaue power to be the sonnes of God euen of thē that beléeue in his name Which are borne not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God And chap. 3. 5. 6. Iesus answered Nicodemus verily verily I say vnto thee except that a man be borne of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God That which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that that is borne of the spirit is spirit Secondly they are called by the preaching of the Gospell but because they are not of the number of the elect being called they heare not Luke 12. 47. That seruant which knewe his masters will and prepared not himselfe neither did according to his will shall be beate wiih many stripes Matt. 22. 14. For many are called but few are chosen Luke 13. 34. O Ierusalem Ierusalem which killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent to thée howe often would I haue gathered thy children togither as the henne gathereth her brood vnder her wings and ye would not Chap. 19. 44. They shall make thée euen with the ground because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation Iere. 7. 27. Therefore shalt thou speake all these wordes vnto them but they will not heare thée Thou shalt also cry vnto them but they will not aunswere thée Pro. 1. 24. 26. 28. 26. Because when I called yée refused I will laugh at your destruction and mocke when your feare commeth They shall call vppon mée but I will not answere they shall séeke mée earely but they shall not finde mée Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the feare of the Lord. And forasmuche as they are not able to receiue the spirit of truth Iohn 14. 16. 17. And I will pray the father and he shall giue you an other comforter that hée may abide with you for euer Euen the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receiue because it seeth him not neither knoweth it him but yée knowe him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you Chap. 12. 39. 40. Therefore could they not beléeue because that Esaias saieth againe hée hath blinded their eyes and hardned their heart that they should not sée with their eyes nor vnderstand with their heart and should be conuerted and I should heale them 2. Thess 3. 2. All men haue not faith Mat. 13. 9. 11. He that hath eares to heare let him heare To you it is giuen to knowe the secrets of the kingdome of heauen but to them it is not giuen 1. Cor. 2. 14. The naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can he know thē because they are spiritually discerned The word of life is folly vnto them and an offence 1. Cor. 1. 18. The preaching of the crosse is to them that perish foolishnesse but vnto vs that are saued it is the power of God Verse 23. 24. We preach Christ crucified vnto the Iewes euen a stumbling blocke and vnto the Grecians foolishnesse But vnto them which are called both of Iewes and Grecians we preach Christ the power of God and the wisedome of God And finally the sauour of death vnto death to their destruction 2. Cor. 2. 16. To the one wee are the sauour of death vnto death and to the other the sauour of life vnto life Thirdly their hearts are opened but they beleeue generally Iam. 2. 19. Thou beléeuest that there is one God thou doest well the diuels beléeue it and tremble Fourthly they are most miserable of all who climbe a degree higher that their fall may be the more greeuous For they are raised by some gift of grace and yet fall away Heb. 6 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. For it is impossible that they which were once lightened and haue tasted of the heauenly gift and were made partakers of the holy Ghost and haue tasted of the good word of God and of the power of the world to come if they fall away should be renued againe by repentaunce séeing they crucifie
this great benefit and high dignity is fully reuealed in such sort that they doo testifie euen to the ende of their liues that they looke for and earnestly desire the full accomplishment hereof Whereas the course of a good life is soone altered in the vngodlie who with the Dogge returne to his vomite and with the Sowe that was washed to her wallowing in the mire Shewing and giuing manifest proofe that the hope of adoption was neuer surely and certainly setled in them deceiuing others much more themselues with showes and shadowes imbracing the comfort of the worlde and setting light by the comfort of Gods good spirite which they should desire euen as hungry hearts which thirst for pleasaunt water-brookes There remaine diuerse other notes and markes betwixt Notes of the assurance of adoption the godly and vngodly concerning adoption to know who are adopted and who are not amongst the rest these two especially The first is heartie and feruent praier to god in the name of Christ The second is that they which haue an especiall testimonie and witnesse from the spirit of god of their adoption haue also in their hearts the same affections to god which children haue to their fathers and which the godly doo owe one to an other The same spirit that testifieth to vs that we are the adopchildren of god doth also make vs to vtter our praiers to Praier Almightie GOD with feruencie of heart and minde Now this hartie feruent and loude crying in the eares of God can the diuell giue to no hipocrite neither to any vngodly person For it is the speciall marke of the spirite of God Yea it is the thing that the diuel hateth most whereby we resist the diuel and whereby also he is driuen backe from vs which is a part of that spirituall armour whereby we are defended from him In all places where by the counsell of Christ and his Apostles we are admonished to take héede these are their words Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation For the diuel goeth about like a roaring lion seeking whome hee may deuoure This is such a waightie matter to ouerthrowe the workes of the diuell that he hath especiall care by all meanes to kéepe his children the vngodly from it Marke the vngodly at any time and sée whether they haue any minde and zeale to pray or if they do it at any time it is rather for fashion sake or any other consideration then willingly rather vpon an extraordinary necessitie and extremitie then vpon any ordinary dutie or dutifull affection Which is to small effect for not euery one that can say Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen Marke if they bee not giuen to anie thing else then to submit themselues to so godly an exercise Diuers hinderances can the diuell laie before vs to withdrawe vs from praier And in the vngodly especially the guiltinesse of their consciences doth make them afraid to remember God Or if at any time they can finde in their hearts to pray the remembrance of Gods iudgements and punishments for their hainous and vsuall offences hanging ouer their heades doth make them to thinke of Gods presence no otherwise then as of the presence of a fearefull iudge How then can they call him father whose consciences cannot as yet be throughly certified of the forgiuenesse of their sinnes Yea so farre off is it that the wicked and vngodly should be giuen to praier that euen the godly are oftentimes backward therein And therefore the spirits of God which beareth witnesse to the hearts and consciences of the godly that they are the children of God I say the same spirit helpeth our infirmities and remoueth our backwardnesse and by good motions doth stirre vs vp and incourage vs thereunto directing also our requests according to the will of God Yea although we know not how to pray or what to pray as we ought or with what earnestnesse of minde for all these matters are straunge to flesh and blood yet the spirit of God it selfe maketh request for vs and that with such sighs and grones which cannot be expressed We sée therefore how that praier is a true marke of the certaintie of our adoption and so much the more by that we shall féele our selues often giuen thereunto and often to vse it in all reuerence and humilitie and earnestnesse especially when we feele the motions of Gods good spirit to moue vs therunto As also the wicked and vngodly may know themselues to be farre from adoption because they neither féele any such motions being ouercome of the diuels temptations and are also most backward most vnwilling to bowe their knées and to humble their hearts The second especiall note or marke wherby they that are the adopted children of God are discerned and knowne from them which are not adopted is that in the harts of the adopted there are such affections to godward which children Godly and Christian affections ought to beare to their fathers Namely loue feare reuerence obedience thankfulnesse For they call not vpon god as vpon a terrible iudge but as vpon a mercifull and louing father And these affections they haue not whom sathanilludeth and abuseth with a phantasticall imagination of their saluation For it may be that through hipocrisie or through custome they may call god father but in truth and from the heart they cannot do so deceiuing themselues thinking that they belong to god when as another day they shall finde cleane contrary For the triall of these things I meane whether we loue and feare god aright as we ought to doo and as it becommeth the adopted children of god is perceiued in a godly and Christian life For they that féele their heartes set to séeke Gods honour and who studie to know his will and commandementes and frame themselues thereunto leading their liues not after the desire of the flesh to serue the deuill by sin but set their minds to loue honor obey and serue God for Gods owne sake and for his sake also to loue their neighbors whether they be friendes or foes doing good to euery one as oportunitie serueth and willingly hurting no man such may wel reioyce in God perceiuing by the trade of their liues that they vnfainedly haue the right knowledge of God a liuely faith a stedfast faith a true and vpright and sincere feare of God by which fruits they giue certaine declaration of that adoption whereby they are sealed vnto God But they that cast away the yoke of Gods commandementes from their necke giue themselues to liue without true repentance after their owne sensuall mindes and pleasures not regarding to know Gods word and much lesse to liue thereafter such sée not their own hearts thinking that they loue God and feare him and trust in him taking themselues to be the adopted children of God yet are farre wide and their foolish heart doth leade them far astray What is it for vs to thinke we
would honour and Haman himselfe was hanged on the same trée which he had prepared for Mordecay Was this Hamans destiny or was it Gods prouidence to bring it so to passe for the benefit of his people and for the ouerthrow of this proude and wicked Haman King Darius because the spirit was excellent in Daniel preferred him aboue all other rulers and gouernours in his kingdome and further thought in his mind to set him ouer the whole realme And because the king had so preferred Daniel his enemies being moued with enuy they sought occasion against Daniel and preuailed so farre against him that he was cast among the lions to be deuoured of them God shutteth the mouthes of the lions the hungry lions that Daniel may be preserued The accusers of Daniel and they which sought his blood by the kings commandement they their wiues and their children are cast into the denne of lions and the lions had the maistry of them and brake all their bones a pieces ere euer they came at the ground of the denne The righteous escapeth out of trouble and the wicked shall come in his stéed saith Salomon in his Prouerbes Looke into the selfe same history of Daniel and there shal ye read of Susanna the wife of Ioachim a beautifull and that which is rare a chaste and godly woman also Through her beautie two wicked Iudges were inflamed and hauing gotten time and occasion to come priuily into her presence néedes she must yeeld vnto them or else no way but death She refuseth and committeth her cause to God and crieth out The wicked Iudges they beare witnesse against her that she would haue bene naught with a yoong man And when she was led to death God raised vp the spirit of a yoong child to trie out the matter and the Iudges being founde guiltie were stoned to death and Susanna deliuered Was this their destinie or or was it the manifestation of the iustice of God in his iudgement God knoweth by his wonderfull prouidence howe to bring the mischieuous intents of the wicked to naught turning all to the setting forth of his glory by shewing his iustice on the one sort and declaring his mercy vnto the other to the comfort of the godly and to the terrour of the wicked For as god hath a prouident and fatherly care ouer the godly not only prospering their estate of life by his manifold blessings and helping them in all their necessities but furthermore asswaging their griefes and easing comforting them in all their miseries distresses so also hath he a stroke in the practises of the wicked that they shal be able to do no more then that which he hath determined shall giue thē leaue to do As our Sauior Christ answered Pilat when he said vnto him Answerest thou nothing knowest thou not that I haue power to loose thée and power to condemne thée Iesus answered said vnto him Thou couldest haue no power vnlesse it were giuen thée frō aboue Which also is confirmed by the sayings of the Apostles Act. 4. 28. concerning the death of Christ Doubtlesse say they against thy holy son Iesus whom thou haddest annointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the gentiles and people of Israel gathered themselues togither to doo whatsoeuer thy hand and thy counsell had determined before to be done Diuers waies hath god to restraine the mallice of the wicked and to breake their mightie purposes Sometimes he casteth a dumpe into their mindes and taketh away their vnderstanding sometimes although their sences be fresh and and their mindes currant and marnellous readie as a lyon to the praie yet before they come to the déede God casteth a feare into their hearts or stoppeth them some way or other that they cannot do as they would Sometimes god giueth them leaue a degrée further as to beginne and to put their mischiefe in practise but before their matters come to an ende he crosseth all and they stand amazed to thinke what was done Absolon he laieth his plot to put his father out of his kingdom and vseth flattering means and stealeth away the hearts of the people his minde was currant and his sences fresh he taketh counsell of the matter and it goeth forward The trumpet is blowne and the people rebelliously are vp in armes against their lawfull king the matter beginneth now to be set on foote Achitophel he giues mischéeuous counsell but god turneth it into foolishnesse The armies méete but vpon a sodain Absolon and his army are discomfited and dismaid and before he can come to the victory and to enioy his fathers kingdome and his crowne he hangeth vpon an oake being caught by the long locks and haire of his head and thus taken vp betwéen the heauen and the earth he hangeth til Ioab one of the chief captaines of his fathers army came and thrust thrée darts through him and dispatched him of his life King Pharaoh he cannot away with the people of god that dwell in his land hee is affraide they will be more mightie than his people He taketh vppon him to be wise and to stop the increase of the people and giueth commandement to slaie the men children the midwiues fearing god they kéepe them aliue Yea he that afterwarde was moste against him was preserued aliue by his owne daughter and daintily kept as one of the kings stocke so long as he would himselfe When this deuice failed he laieth vpon them sore oppression and gréeuous burthens and taskes them to the death belike to make them flie his land God taketh such order in their behalfe that they should depart out of his kingdome I know not how but the king will not giue them leaue and when they were going out he pursued after them to destroy them and in the pusuit lost his owne life and many moe of his people The histories of France can tell that although their persecuting king be in his complet harnes and in his roialtie shall shew his valour among his friends and subiects yet while he is Iusting a splinter of Momorance his speare shall enter as the arrow did betwéene the ioynts of king Ahabs Brigandine that he died and shall strike him through the holes of his eyes into the braines that he dieth euen a little before that he ioyeth to sée and beholde the death of a fewe poore Christians Marke and wonder at the estate of our Soueraigne and gratious Quéene Elizabeth whom pray we that God may long continue among vs to his glory and our comfort What mallice and mischiefe against her One curseth an other reioyceth to performe treachery the third in a holy and deuout minde counteth it religion to murther her whome God hath annointed and established to rule and gouerne vs. Poysoning assaied Sorcery and witchcraft put in practise She taketh them to be her friends which are come to dispatch her of her life Either in her countenance they sée Gods presence or in their hearts is a fainting feare that
sathan vnder their féete For this From whence is victory in this fight victory is in Christ and therefore S. Paul with a gladsome voice breaketh out I thanke God through Iesus Christ our Lord. Who indéed is sufficient wel able to endue vs with that strength that we may valiantly ouercome the assaults Armour of proofe and firy darts of satan For the weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mightie through God to cast downe holds principalities and powers euen the prince of darkenesse of this world and al spiritual wickednes which is in high places as it were on the higher ground and hath maruellous vantage ouer vs. Wherefore we ought to be more héedfull We ought to watch and be diligent and diligent alwaies and watchfull that the enemy take vs not at vnawares séeing not only our enemies without vs are very strong but also our owne flesh is ready to betraie vs and to take armour against vs. And who knoweth not how hard a thing it is to behaue himselfe wisely and warily in a ciuill warre Wherein although wee knowe not which part shall haue the vpper hand yet to fight with an expert and renowned Captaine it séemeth vnto vs that the victorie is written in our handes yea and our hearts are fully perswaded and reioyce in hope thereof In this fight we cannot want a wise and expert Captaine whiche hath borne the brunts of this warre and ouercome the daunger by a greater force from aboue then euer was séene to be in man Whose The best coūsel in this fight is continually to resist sinne and to meditate and practise mortification counsell is that by all meanes continually wee resist sinne giuing vs to knowe and vnderstande that hée that obeyeth sinne is the seruaunt of sinne vnto death But wée are neither seruants nor debters vnto the flesh to liue after the flesh for if wée liue after the fleshe wee shall die for euer but if wée mortifie and kill the déedes of the bodie by the spirite wee shall liue If wee desire to beare about vs the dying of our Lord Iesus Christ the life of Iesus shal be made manifest in our bodies euen in our mortal flesh We are baptised in Christ euen into his death that as he was raised vp from the dead to the glory of thy father so we should walke in newnesse of life that our olde man being crucified the bodie of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serue sin in that we are dead thereunto Therefore because our life is hid with Christ in God let vs set our affections on those things which are aboue and let vs mortifie our members which are on the earth fornication vncleannesse inordinat affections euill concupiscence couetousnesse which is idolatry As the victory ouer sin consisteth in the mortification of our sinfull flesh So the way to happinesse is viuification and holinesse of life togither with all those workes of the flesh which the Apostle nameth Galat. 5. 19. 22. or elsewhere yea and all those which are contrary to the wholsom doctrine of Christ knowing that the wrath of God commeth vppon the children of disobedience and that the end of sinne is death and that the frute of holinesse and the end therof is euerlasting life for the wages of sinne is death but the gift of God is euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Thinke ye therefore that ye are dead to sinne but are aliue to God in Iesus Christ our Lorde whome God hath raised vp and sent to blesse vs in turning euery one of vs from our iniquities that we might walke in the spirit and in all godlinesse of life whereby we may auoyd the lusts of the flesh and walke worthie of that vocation whereunto we are called being followers of God as deare children approuing that which is pleasing vnto the Lord By all meanes auoiding the fellowship of the vnfruitfull workes of darknesse and that as children of light we may fulfill the workes and bring forth the frutes of light and of the spirit in all godlinesse righteousnesse and truth hauing peace in our conscience and ioy in the holy Ghost to godward through Christ giuing thankes alwaies with spirituall songs singing and making melodie to the Lord in our hearts Now seeing we By this sanctification we are inabled to performe our dutie to are in Christ let vs be as new creatures for olde things are passed away behold all things are become new For whereas before we were haters of God and maliciously set against him now through his mercy who hath written his lawes in our harts and giuen vs a hart of flesh through the grace which we haue in Christ we are readie and willing to loue God to feare him and to kéepe his commaundements God whereby he dwelleth in vs and we in him ready to acknowledge him to be the giuer of all good thinges readie to giue him thankes for all his benefites readie in all necessities and agréeuances to pray vnto him and to séeke helpe at his hands to put our trust only in him Yea the image of God in a measure is renued and restored in vs that we might walke in newnesse of life because he is holy And as our life and conuersation is renewed to the glory of God so is it also profitable to the furtherance of our neighbour whome in all charitable order we are as Our neighbour willing to helpe as our selues being mercifull humble long suffering forbearing one an other forgiuing one an other as Christ forgaue vs. Prouiding for the necessities of one an other as Christ is plenteous toward vs in all good things hartily louing one an other laying aside all filthinesse not only for the loue of God and hatred of sinne but also for feare of offence least our brethren by our example should be drawne to euill Dealing in all simplicitie in that the old man is put off with his workes putting away all hatefull and cursed speaking for that the gospell and doctrine of Christianitie is in all kindnesse and brotherly loue which is euen the full accomplishment of the law submitting our selues one to another in the feare of the Lord. Having the peace of God ruling in our hearts the word of Yea we are instructed how to behaue our selues in all wisedome God plenteously dwelling in vs in all wisedome procuring all things honestly in the sight of God men hauing peace as much as in vs lieth with all men vsing this worlde as though we vsed it not neither being too much axalted in prosperitie nor cast downe in aduersitie but as the children of God we commit our waies vnto him yéeld our selues to the direction of his holy spirit in all obedience depend vpon his prouidence trust in his promises waite patiently for the day of reuelation the comming of Christ endure and perseuere vnto the end Yea we are mortified in the body because of sinne hauing our
life in the spirite Spirit for righteousnesse sake Which spirit quickneth our mortall bodies beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God Whereby we are ridde from the spirit of bondage which is in feare and are indued with that of adoption which bringeth foorth good frutes which the father accepteth though indéed they be of small perfection not aunswerable to that high calling which is in Christ God doth not only by imputation accept our workes but Affliction the end of this fight also by affliction trieth our obedience before we come to that spirituall rest which he hath prepared for vs and we in hope enioy Yea we are heires with Christ Howe or in what respct If so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him Which affliction and persecution is the end of our spirituall fight the entraunce into glory Which in this world is to vs as a proofe of our patience our patience a helpe to experience our experience a furtherer of our hope which hope maketh vs not ashamed The proffite of affliction because the loue of God is shed abroad in our harts by the holy ghost which is giuen vs. Againe it maketh our infirmities and imperfections knowen vnto vs it correcteth our sinfull desires the euill lusts of our flesh it bringeth vs to a mutuall and harty loue one of an other it bréedeth in vs a couragious mind to withstand the assaults of Sathan it increaseth in vs the hope of our election frameth vs to immortality worketh a most effectual and gladsome Perseuerance in affliction is the stay of the spirituall man comfortable meditation of the life to come Only we are to take héede of this downfall that we faint not because the crowne of glory is not giuen but to him that ouercommeth and endureth vntill he come to the end of his race Moreouer vnto these commodities which come vnto vs by reason of these afflictions there are also added most Consolatiō in affliction comfortable consolations For it is the will of God that wée suffer affliction for his name sake and blessed are they that do so And if God be on our side who can be against vs All things come from the prouidence of God if with gladnesse wée receiue blessings from the Lord why should wée not in all obedience receiue punishment correction also Wée knowe also that al things worke togither for the best vnto them that loue God and to them that are called of his purpose Yea our afflictions indéed light afflitions which are but for a moment cause vnto vs a farre more excellent and an eternall waight of glory Not that wée in respect of those afflictions are worthy of the same but because it pleaseth the father to giue vnto his children the kingdome of heauen Let vs therefore with all patience wait for the perfection of our adoption euen the redemption of our soule and body And though wée sigh while wée are in the flesh yet are wée not alone for our bretheren also which haue the first frutes of the spirit sigh togither with vs yea euery creature groneth with vs also and trauelleth in paine euen to this present time vntill it be deliuered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God And séeing euen the creatures shall be restored how comfortable should our hope bée while wée looke not on the things that are séene for they are but temporal but on the things which are not séene which are eternall For the which with patience wée abide knowing that our hope is not of those things which wée sée and shall in time most certainly come to passe Not only our bretheren and euery creature sigheth with vs but also the spirit is partaker of our gronings and while wée offer vp our praiers to god in our afflictions and extremities the spirit helpeth our infirmities and in a greater measure maketh request for vs with infinite sighes which The spirit a helper of our infirmities ignoraunce cannot bée expressed Yea hée helpeth also our ignoraunce in that according to the pleasure and will of God he maketh request for the saints and he which searcheth the harts knoweth what the meaning of the spirit is Moreouer the finisher of our hope and the crowne of our glorie euen Christ Iesus which is dead yea or rather which is risen again who is also at the right hand of God he maketh intercession and request also for vs. Nowe then are there any accusers of whome we The assured confidence of saluation which wee haue in God through Christ ought to be affraied before God seeing that God absolueth vs as iust can sathan charge vs or doeth his accusations anie whit auaile séeing that through faith in Christ wée haue peace towards god and our conscience is deliuered from the guilt of sinne Who shall laie any nay the whole burthen of our sinnes to our charge It is god that cleareth it is god that iustifieth yea it is Christ that vnladeth vs. Come vnto me saith he ye that are heauie laden and I will ease you and refresh you Who shall condemne vs Is it not Christ that hath redéemed vs who also shall come to be A caueat our iudge Only let vs cast aside our high mindes which are lifted vp with merit and desert and confessing our vnworthinesse Humility is greatly requited to Iustification in all feare and humilitie let vs approach vnto the throne of grace there to receiue these bounteous almes and rich treasures which the gifts of Sheba nay the wealth of Salomon cannot accomplish which neither siluer gold or precious stones yea the delicatest treasure in the worlde nay the worlde it selfe may match and counteruaile Which heauenly treasure could by no other meanes be bought and purchased for vs but by the precious blood of Iesus Christ who as an innocent lambe without spot How our righteousnesse and iustification is accomplished was offred vp for our sinnes euen the iust for the vniust who being frée from sinne and knowing no sinne yet was made sinne for vs that is a sacrifise for sinne that we might receiue I say this rich treasure euen the righteousnes of God in him redemption and iustification So that the punishment of our sinnes is swallowed vp in victorie that with the Apostle we may in ioy burst foorth and say O death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie The sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the lawe But thankes be vnto God who hath giuen vs victory through our Lord Iesus Christ Who shal seperat vs then from the loue of Christ shall tribualtion or anguish or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword As it is written For thy sake are we killed all day long Wée are counted as shéepe for the slaughter Neuerthelesse in all these things wée are more then conquerers
25. 26. Instructing them with méekenesse that are contrary minded shewing their faults out of the lawe of God prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance that they may know the trueth And that they may come to amendement out of the snare of the diuell which are taken of him at his will Acts 2. 37. Now when they heard it they were pricked in their heart and said vnto Peter the other Apostles Men and brethren what shall we do Not that they should remaine in feare but beholding their danger might flie to Christ 1. Ihon. 2. 1. 2. My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an aduocat with the father Iesus Christ the iust And he is the reconciliation for our sinnes Ihon. 2. 12. As many as receiued him to them he gaue power to be the sonnes of God euen to them that beléeue in his name Ihon. 3. 16. 17. 18. God so loued the world that he hath giuen his onely begotten sonne that whosoeuer beléeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life For God sent not his sonne into the world that he should condemne the world but that the world through him might be saued He that beléeueth in him shall not be condemned but he that beléeueth not is condemned alreadie Mat. 9. 13. I came not to call the righteous but the sinners vnto repentannce Ro. 1. 16. The gospel is the power of saluation to euery one that beléeueth And so almost in euery leafe of the whole scripture Called they are to comfort by the preaching of faith Ro. 8. 17. Then faith is by hearing and hearing by the word of God Ro. 8. 1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Chap. 5. 1. Then being iustified by faith we haue peace towards God through our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Chor. 5. 18. All things are of God which hath reconciled vs vnto himself by Iesus Christ and hath giuen vnto vs the ministery of reconciliation For God was in Christ and reconciled the world to himselfe not imputing their sinne vnto them and hath committed to vs the word of reconciliation Now theÌ„ are we imbassadours for Christ although God did beséech you through vs we pray you in Christ his stéede that yée be reconciled to God For he hath made him to be in sinne for vs that knowe no sinne that we should be made the righteousnesse of God in him 1. Pet. 1. 23. Being borne anew not of mortall séede but of immortall by the worde of god who liueth and endureth for euer Coloss 1. 27. 28. God would make knowne which is the riches of his glorious ministerie among the Gentiles which riches is Christ in you the hope of glorie Whome we preach admonishing euery man in all wisedome that we may present euery man perfect in Christ Iesus Gene. 3. 8. Adam and Eue heard the voice of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the coole of the day So God chooseth his best time to winne vs not in the time of our offence when indéede he might iustly destroie vs but after we haue committed sinne in mercy he calleth vs that we shall remember and haue remorse for that which we haue done Iohn 6. 47. Verely verely I say vnto yâ—â— He that beléeueth in me hath euerlasting life The outward preaching profiteth not vnlesse the inward working of Gods good spirit be ioyned vnto it Ihon. 6. 44. No man can come to me except the father which hath sent me drawe him by the power of his spirit â—â—d v. 65. Iesus said no man can come vnto me except it be giuen vnto him of my father Mat. 13. 10. 11. His disciples said to him Why speakest thou to the people in parables And he said because it is giuen vnto you to know the secrets of the kingdome of god but to them it is not giuen Iohn 4 10 Iesus said vnto her If thou knowest the gift of god who it is that saieth to thée Giue me drinke thou wouldest haue asked of him and he would haue giuen thée water of life Iohn 3. 3. Iesus said vnto Nicodemus verely verely I say vnto thée except a man be borne againe he cannot sée the kingdome of god 1. Cor. 2. 11. 14. For what man knoweth the things of a man sauing the spirit of a man which is in him euen so the things of god knoweth no man but the spirit of god But the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of god For they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can he knowe them because they are spiritually discerned 2. Cor. 3. 5. Not that we are sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues but our sufficiencie is of god Ezek. 11. 19. The spirit of god worketh in vs by altering our hearts And I will giue them one heart and I will put a new spirit within their bowels and I will take the stony heart out of their bodies and I will giue them a heart of flesh Chap. 36. 26. Iohn 16. 13. When the spirit of truth is come he will leade you into all truth Psal 119. 18. Open my heart that I may vnderstand the wondrous things of thy lawe Ephe. 1. 9. 16. 17. 18. Hee hath opened vnto vs the mistery of his will according to his good pleasure which hee had purposed in him I make mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lorde Iesus Christ the father of glory might giue vnto you the spirit of wisedome and reuelation through the knowledge of him That the eyes of your vnderstanding may be lightened that ye may knowe what the hope is of his calling and what the riches of his glorious inheritance is in the saints And what is the excéeding greatnesse of his power toward vs which beléeue Esay 50. 5. The Lord God hath opened my eare and I was not rebellious neither turned I backe Psal 119. 73. Thine hanâ—s haue made me and fashioned me O giue me vnderstanding therefore that I may learne thy commandements Collo 1. 9. We cease net to pray for you and to desire that ye might be fulfilled with knowledge of his will in all wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding Iere. 31. 34. And they shall teach no more euery man his neighbour and euery man his brother saying Knowe the Lord For they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord for I wil forgiue their iniquitie and will remember their sinnes no more 2. Tim. 2. 25. Prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance and open their hearts Luke 24. 16. 45. When our Sauiour Christ talked with the two disciples that went to Emaus their eyes were holden that they could not know him Then opened he their vnderstanding that they might vnderstand the Scriptures Acts. 16. 14. And a certaine woman named Lydia a seller of purple of the citie of the Thyatirians which worshipped
God heard vs whose hart the Lord opened that she attended vnto the things that Paul spake Our election is made sure vnto vs by the testimony of the spirit 1. Cor. 2. 12. Now we haue receiued not the Spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are giuen to vs of God 1. Ihon. 3. 24. Hereby we knowe that he abideth in vs euen by the spirit which he hath giuen vs. 1. Ihon. 5. 20. We knowe that the Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs a mind to know him And by the testimony of our conscience Ro. 8. 15. 16. For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba father The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God Pal. 4. 6. And because ye are sonnes God hath sent forth the spirit of his sonne into your harts which crieth Abba Father Ko 8. 14. For as many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sonnes of God By the vertue of Gods spirit the elect are deliuered from the slauerie of sinne and it doth perswade and conduct them to will and worke the things which please God Phil. 2. 12. 13. Wherefore my beloued as ye haue alwaies obeied not as in my presence onely but now much more in my absence so make an end of your owne saluation with feare and trembling For it is God which worketh in you both the will and the déed euen of his good pleasure Ihon. 8. 36. If the sonne therfore shall make you frée by his spirit ye shall be frée indéed Rom. 6. 18. Being then made frée from sin ye are made the seruants of righteousnesse But because this faith is but weake and only begun in in this life that we may not only perseuere in it but also profit by it it is sealed in our hearts by the vse of the Sacraments Mar. 16. 16. He that shall beléeue and be baptised shall be saued but he that will not beléeue shall be damned Act. 2. 38. Then Peter said vnto them Amend your liues and bee baptised euerie one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for the remission of sinnes and ye shall receiue the gift of the holy Ghost Rom. 6. 3. 4. Know ye not that all we which haue bene baptised into Iesus Christ haue bin baptized into his death We are buried then with him by baptisme into his death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the father so we also should walke in newnesse of life Gal. 3. 26. 27. Ye are all the sonnes of God by faith in Christ Iesus For all ye that are baptised into Christ haue put on Christ verse 29. And if ye be Christs then are ye Abrahams séed and heires by promise Gal. 2. 11. 12. In whom also ye are circumcised with circumcision made without hands by putting off the sinful bodie of the flesh through the circumcision of Christ In that ye are buried with him through baptisme in whom ye are also raised vp togither through the faith of the operation of God which raised him from the dead Ephe. 5. 26. 27. 28. Christ so loued the church that he gaue himselfe for it that he might sanctifie it and cleanse it by the washing of water through the word that he might make vnto himself a glorious church not hauing spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it shuld be holy without blame The note thereupon Baptisme is a token that God hath consecrated the church to himselfe and made it holy by his word that is his promise of frée righteousnesse and holinesse in Christ 1. Pet. 3. 21. Noahs flood To the which also the figure that now saueth vs euen Baptisme agreeth not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but in that a good conscience maketh request to God by the resurrection of Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10. 16. 17. The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we breake is it not the communion of the bodie of Christ For we that are many are one bread and one bodie because we all are partakers of one bread Rom. 4. 11. After he receiued the signe of circumcision as the seale of the righteousnesse of the faith which he had For this occasion it is mentioned that we being iustified by faith haue peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. Then being iustified by faith we haue peace toward God through our Lord Iesus Christ By whō also we haue accesse through faith vnto this grace wherein we stand and reioyce vnder the hope of the glory of GOD. Neither do we so only but also we reioyce in tribulations Where faith is there is also perseuerance and a stedfast purpose to continue Phil. 1. 6. And I am perswaded of this same thing that he that hath begun this good worke in you will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ Nomb. 23. 19. God is not as man that he should lie neither as the sonne of man that he should repent Hath hée said and shall he not do it And hath he spoken and shall he not accomplish it Psal 23. 6. Doubtlesse kindnesse and mercy shall follow me all the daies of my life and I shall remaine a long season in the house of the Lord. Psal 27. 4. One thing haue I desired of the Lord that I will require euen that I may dwell in the house of the Lorde all the daies of my life to beholde the beautie of the Lord and to visit his Temple Mat. 24. 24. And except those daies should bee shortened there should no flesh be saued but for the elects sake those daies shall be shortned Lest they should fall away as it is said of Enoch that he was taken away lest he shuld be deceiued by wickednesse and sinne Iohn 6. 37. All that the father giueth men shall come to me and him that commeth to me I cast not away Iohn 17. 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou kéepe them from euil Iohn 10. 27. 28 My shéepe heare my voyce and I know them and they follow me And I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any plucke them out of mine hand Iohn 13. 1. As he loued his owne which were in the world vnto the end he loued them Hebr. 10. 23. 24. c. Let vs kéep the profession of our hope without wauering For he is faithfull that promised And let vs cōsider one an other to prouoke vnto loue and to good workes Not sorsaking the fellowship that we haue among our selues as the manner of some is but let vs exhort one an other and that so much the more because ye sée that the day draweth neare For if we sinne willingly there remaineth a fearefull
looking for of iudgement Vppon this gift of faith and perseuerance the godly doubt not to call vpon God in all afflictions Rom. 8 38. 39. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor any creature shall be able to seperate mée from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. 2. Cor. 1. 21. 22. It is God which stablisheth vs with you in Christ and hath annointed vs who hath also sealed vs and hath giuen the earnest of the spirit in our hearts Iom 1. 6. 7. 8. 9. He that wauereth is like a waue of the sea tost of the winde and carried away Neither let that man thinke that he shall receiue any thing of the Lord. A wauering minded man is vnstable in all his waies Hebr. 4. 16. Let vs therefore go boldly vnto the throne of grace that we may receiue mercy and find grace to help in time of néed Hehr. 10. 21. 22. Séeing we haue a high Priest which is ouer the house of God let vs drawe neare with a true heart in assurance of faith sprinckeled in our hearts from an euill conscience and washed in our bedies with pure water 1. Iohn 4. 17. Herein is the loue perfect in vs that we should haue boldnesse in the day of iudgement by reason of this perseuerance wherewith he hath inabled vs. Yet the godly may swarue and fall as did Moses Aaron Dauid Peter but at length by Gods grace they returne againe 1. Iohn 3. 9. Whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not finally For his séed remaineth in him neither can he sin because he is borne of God Through the power of his word and the operation of his holy spirit 2. Pet. 1. 10. Wherfore brethren giue diligence to make your calling and election sure For if ye do these things ye shall neuer fall No man is made righreous but hee that is made holie and framed to good workes Ephe. 2. 10. For we are his workemanship created in Christ Iesus to good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them Ephe. 1. 4. He hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy without blame before him in loue The way whereby God by his mercy doth prepare his elect to his kingdome is by the mediation of our sauiour Christ while they stedfastly beleeue not onely that he is their perfect sacrifice but their aduocate and intercessor to God for them Heb. 9. 13. 14. 15. 16. For if the blood of Bulls Goates and the ashes of an heifer sprinckling them that are vncleane sanctifieth as touching the purifieng of the flesh How much more shall the blood of Christ which through the eternall spirit offered himselfe without spot to God purge your conscience from dead workes to serue the liuing God And for this cause is he the mediatour of the newe Testament that through death which was for the redemption of the transgressions that were in the former Testament they which were called might receiue the promise of eternall inheritance 1. Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one Mediator betwéene God and man which is the man Christ Iesus As concerning infants which die assoone as they are borne who are elected and chosen vnto life by Gods secret purpose the way is more speedie For they are presently in the hands of God Because he accepteth the children of the faithfull Gene. 17. 7. Moreouer I will establish my couenant betwene me and thée and thy seede after thée in their generations for an euerlasting couenant to be god vnto thée and to thy seede after thée Exo. 20. 6. Shewing mercy vnto thousands to them that loue me and kéepe my commandements 1. Cor. 7. 14. For the vnbeléeuing husband is sanctified by the wife and the vnbeléeuing wife is sanctified by the husband else were your children vncleane but nowe are they holy Chap. 5. After what sort almightie God doth execute and effectually declare his counsaile touching Reprobation BY these things whereof we haue spoken it may easily The old Adam is the foundation of the reprobation which mans iudgement can attaine vnto appeare howe God maketh them to goe to their owne place whom he created to that end that he might be glorified in their iust condemnation For as Christ the second heauenly Adam is the foundation very substance and effect of the elects saluation so also the first earthly Adam because he fell is the first author of the hate and so consequently of the damnation of the reproued For whē god moued with these causes which he onely knoweth had determined to create thē to this end to shewe foorth in them his iust wrath power he did likewise orderly dispose the causes and meanes whereby it might come to passe that the whole cause of their damnation might be of themselues as hath bin declared before in the third chapter Whē man then The iudgement of God towards infants that are reprobate was fallen willingly into that misrable estate whereof we haue spoken in the chapter before God who hateth iustly the Reprobate because they are corrupt in part of thē he doth execute his iust wrath assoone as they are borne and towards the rest that be of age whō he reserueth to a more sharpe iudgement he obserueth two waies cleane contrary one to the other For as concerning some he sheweth How Reprobaton is first manifested No calling to the Cospell them not so much fauour as once to heare of Iesus Christ in whome onely is saluation but suffereth them to walke in their owne waies and runne headlong to their perdition And as for the testimonies that God hath left to thē of his diuinitie serue them to no other vse but to make thē without all excuse yet through their owne default séeing their ignoraunce and lacke of capacitie is the iust punishment of the corruption wherein they are borne And surely as touching that they can attaine vnto in knowing God by their light or rather naturall darkenesse albeit they neuer failed in the way but so continued yet were it not in any wise sufficient for their saluation For it is necessary for vs that shall be saued that we know God not onely as God but as our father in Christ The which misterie flesh and bloud doth not reueale but the sonne himselfe to them whome his father hath giuen him As An vnprofitable calling or of none effect concerning others their fall is more terrible For he causeth them to heare by preaching the outward worde of the gospell but because they are not of the number of the elect being called they are not And forasmuch as they are not able to receiue the spirit of truth therefore they cannot beléeue because it is not giuen vnto them Wherefore when they are called to the feast thy refuse to come so that the worde of life is folly vnto them and an offence finally the sauour of death to their destruction There
God for if righteousnesse be by the lawe then Christ died without a cause Rom. 10. 4. For Christ is the end of the lawe for righteousnesse vnto euery one that beléeueth And chapter 11. 5. 6. Euen so then at this present time is there a remnant through the election of grace And if it be of grace it is no more of workes or else were grace no more grace but if it be of workes it is no more grace or else were worke no more worke Ephe. 2. 4. 5. 8. 9. 10. But God which is rich in mercie through his great loue wherewith he loued vs euen when wee were dead by sinnes hath quickened vs togither in Christ by whose grace ye are saued For by grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of god Not of woorkes least any man should boast himselfe But that we should be carefull to shewe foorth good workes therefore hée speaketh in the next verse Verse 10. For we are his workemanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them 1. Tim. 1. 9. Who hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his own purpose and grace which was giuen to vs through Christ Iesus before the world was 1. Pet. 2. 12. And haue your conuersation honest among the gentiles that they which speake euill of you as of euill doers may by your good workes which they shall sée glorifle god in the day of the visitation Perseuerance in faith is requisite vnto saluation Mat. 10. 22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name But hee that endureth to to the ende shall be saued Mat. 24. 45. Blessed is that seruant whom his maister shall finde so doing Now we need not feare lest this doctrine make vs negligent or dissolute For this peace of conscience whereof we speake ought to be distinct and seperate from foolish securitie and he that is the sonne of God seeing he is moued and gouerned by the spirit of God wil neuer through the consideration of Gods benefit take occasion of negligence and dissolution Rom. 5. 1. 2. Then being iustified by faith we haue peace toward god through our Lord Iesus Christ By whom also we haue accesse through faith vnto this grace wherin we stand and reioyce vnder the hope of the glory of god Rom. 8. 12. 13. 14. 15. Therfore brethren we are debters not to the flesh to liue after the flesh For if ye liue after the flesh ye shall die but if ye mortifie the déeds of the body by the spirit ye shall liue For as many as are ledde by the spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Ephe. 1 4. Aâ— he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in loue 2. Tim. 1. 7. For God hath not giuen to vs the spirit of feare but of power and of loue and of a sound mind 1. Iohn 3. 20. 21. 24. If our heart condemne vs God is greater then our hearts and knoweth all things Beloued if our heart condemne vs not then haue wée boldnesse towards God For he that kéepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he in him And hereby wée know that he abideth in vs euen by the spirit which hée hath giuen vs. This matter of Predestination is obscure aboue all others vnto the wit of man but opened and reuealed vnto vs by the word of God The Scripture therfore witnesseth that they that are predestinate vnto saluation are first called and that so effectually that they heare and beleeue and fructifie then also are they iustified and sanctified and in the life to come glorified Iohn 6. 44 45. No man can come vnto me except the father which hath sent me drawe him by the force of gods word and by the secret working of his spirit And I will raise him vp at the last day As it is written in the Prophets And they shall be taught of God Euery man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the father commeth to me Acts. 2. 47. And the Lord added to the Church by the Apostles preaching from day to day such as should be saued Iohn 10. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. â—ée beléeue not for ye are not of my shéepe as I said vnto you My shéepe heare my voice and I knowe them and they followe me And I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall ueuer perish neither shall any plucke them out of my hand My father which gaue them me is greater then all and none is able to take them out of my fathers hand Acts. 13. 48. And when the Gentiles heard it they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord and as many as were ordained vnto eternall life beléeued And chap. 16. 14. And a certaine woman named Lidia a celler of purple of the city of the Thyatirians which worshipped God heard vs whose heart the Lord opened that she attended vnto the things that Paul spake Hebr. 3. 7. 8. Wherefore as the holy Ghost saith To day if ye shall heare his voice harden not your hearts as in the prouocation according to the day of temptation in the wildernesse And. chapt 42. For vnto vs was the Gospell preached as also vnto them but the word that they heard profited not them because it was not mixed with faith in those that heard it Consider by litle and litle and try diligenly if thou be iustified and sanctified in Christ through faith For these two be the effects or ftuites whereby the faith is knowne which is their cause 2. Cor. 13. 5. Proue your selues whether ye are in the faith examine your selues knowe ye not your owne selues except ye be reprobates Rom. 8. 30. Moreouer whom he predestinate them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom he iustified them he also glorified As for this thou shalt partly knowe by the spirit of Adopion which crieth within thee Abba father Gal. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. That hée might redéeme them which were vnder the lawe that we might receiue the adoption of sonnes And because ye are sonnes God hath sent foorth the spirit of his sonne into your hearts which crieth Abba father Wherefore thou art no more a seruant but a sonne Nowe if thou be a sonne thou art also the heire of GOD through Christ Rom. 8. 15. For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba father And partly by the vertue and effect of the same spirit which is wrought in thee Rom. 16. 17. The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God If we be children we are also heires euen the heires of god and heires annexed with Christ 1. Iohn 3. 24. For he that kéepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he
11. 12. According to the eternall purpose which he wrought in Christ Iesus our Lord. By whom we haue boldnesse and entraunce with confidence by faith in him 1. Thes 5. 24. Faithfull is he which calleth you which will also do it Hebr. 10. 23. Let vs kéepe the profession of our hope without wauering for he is faithfull that promised Rom. 8. 38. 39. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor thinges present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to seperate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. And therefore I cannot nor I may not doubt of my saluation So farre then it is against reason to say that this doctrine maketh men negligent or dissolute that contrariwise this alone dooth open vs the way to search out and vnderstand by the power of the holy Ghost Gods deepe secrets 1. Cor. 2. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. The things which eye hath not séene neither eare hath heard neither came into mans hart are which God hath prepared for them that loue him But God hath reuealed them vnto vs by his spirit For the spirit searcheth all things yea the déepe things of God For what man knoweth the things of a man saue the spirit of a man which is in him Euen so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God Now we haue receiued not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are giuen to vs of God It maketh vs painfull in good workes Ephe. 2. 10. For we are his workemanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them 1. Iohn 3. 24. For he that kéepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he in him and thereby we know that he abideth in vs euen by the spirit that he hath giuen vs. Gal. 5. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary one to the other so that we cannot do the same things that we would Knowing this infirmitie to be in vs it stirreth vs to good workes And chap. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Be not deceined God is not mocked For whatsoeuer a man soweth that also shall he reape For he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reape corruption And he that soweth to the spirit shal of the spirit reape life euerlasting Rom. 6. 1. What shall we say then Shall we continue stil in sin that grace may abound God forbid Hebr. 10. 24. And let vsconsider one an other to prouoke vnto loue and to good workes Iam. 3. 17. The wisedome that is from aboue is first pure then peâ—â—eable gentle easie to bee intreated full of mercy and good workes without iudging and without hipocrisie It maketh vs inuincible against all temptations and vexations For how shall he stand sure and constant against so many grieuous temptations both within and without against so many assaults of fortune as the world doth terme it that is not well resolued in this point of Gods predestination toward him and of his election in Christ Iob. 13. 15. Loe though hée slaie me yet will I trust in him Rom. 8. 28. Also we know that all things worke togither for the best vnto them that loue God euen to them that are called of his purpose Verse 31. What shall we then say to these things If God be on our side who can be against vs Verse 35. 37. Who shall seperate vs from the loue of Christ Shall tribulation or anguish or persecution or famine or nakednesse or peril or sword In all which things we are more then conquerours through him that loued vs. Iohn 16. 33. Maruell not though the world hate you In the world ye shall haue affliction but in me ye shall haue peace Be of good comfort I haue chosen you out of the world and none shall take you out of my hands Rom. 15. 3. Through Christ we reioyce in tribulations that we may say with the Apostle We are persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but we perish not Ia. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. My brethren count it exceeding ioy when ye fall into diuerse temptations knowing that the trying of your faith bringeth forth patience And let patience haue her perfect work that ye may be perfect and intire lacking nothing Of the which number of the elect he is that findeth himselfe in this daunger and trouble Rom. 8. 16. 17. 18. The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God If we be children we are also heires euen the heires of God and heires annexed with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him For I count that the afflictions of this present time are not worthie of the glorie which shall be shewed vnto vs. Luke 23. 43. Iesus said to the théefe on the crosse Verily I say vnto thée To day shalt thou be with me in Paradice This part is to be considered and weighed and that with great modestie principally in these two considerations First that the height of Gods iudgements may at all times bridle our curious fancies Secondly that we doo not apply it to any man particularly or any certaine company For the first let it be sufficient that we vnderstand generally that there be vessels prepared by Gods iudgement and appointed to destruction The which séeing God doth not reueale vnto vs who they are we ought both in example of life and praier diligently to endeuour to winne and recouer to their saluation yea euen very such of whom by séeing their horible vices we almost dispaire Mat. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may sée your good workes and glorifie your father which is in heauen 1. Pet. 2. 12. Haue your conuersation honest among the Gentiles that they which speake euil of you as of euill dooers may by your good workes which they shall sée glorifie God in the day of the visitation And chap. 3. 15. 16. Sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts and be readie alwaies to giue an answere to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you And that with méekenesse and reuerence hauing a good conscience that when they speake euill of you as of euill dooers they may be ashamed which blame your good conuersation in Christ 1. Cor. 9. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. For though I be frée from all men yet haue I made my selfe seruant vnto all men that I might winne the moe And vnto the Iewes I become as a Iewe that I may winne the Iewes to them that are vnder the lawe as though I were vnder the lawe that I may win them that are vnder the lawe to them that are without the lawe as though I were without the lawe when I am not without the
hath appeinted vs in the fourth commandement to kéepe holy the Sabboth day and therein Prophane to heare and meditate in his word But fewe there are that haue this care as they ought to haue nay are there not many that say in their hearts Let God depart from vs for we desire not the knowledge of his waies Iob. 21. Who is the Almightie that we should serue him and what profit shall we haue if we pray vnto him They that haue no inward taste and féeling of Gods benefits and from whence all goodnesse commeth but are puffed vp with the conceit of their wealth and worldly helpes they carry this vngodly minde as though they had it not from Gods hand Haus not I built this house for the honour of my maiestie saith Nabuchodonosor Who is the Lord saith King Pharao Exod. 5. 2. that I should heare his voice I know not the Lord. Againe some perceiuing that their praiers are not presently heard grow to this vngodlinesse as to say What profit shall we haue if we pray vnto him Certain it is that God doth not heare all requestes but those that are agréeable to his will And therefore the Apostle S. Iames dooth well take them vp Ye aske saith he and receiue not because ye aske amisse that ye might coÌ„sume it on your lusts The Prophet Dauid also putteth in this eaueat That the Lord doth only heare the praier â— and requests of them that feare him Some thinking yâ— there is no resurrection giue ouer the mselues to all vngodlinesse and 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—nesse VVisd 2. As the wise man vttereth their spéechâ—â— The 〈◊〉 godly say as they falsly imagine with themselues Our life is short and tedious and in the death of a man there is no recouery neither was any knowne that hath returned froÌ„ the graue For we are borne at all aduenture and we shall be hereafter as though wee had neuer bene The breath is a smoake in our nosthrils and the wordes as a sparke raised out of our heart which béeing extinguished the bodie is turned into ashes and the spirit vanisheth as the softe aire Our life shall passe away like the trace of a cloude and come to naught as the mist that is driuen away with the beames of the Sunne Our name also shall be forgotten in time and no man shall haue our workes in remembrance Our time passeth away as a shaddowe Come therefore and let vs enioy the pleasures that are present Let vs fill our selues with costly wine and oyntment and let not the floure of life and youth passe by vs. Let vs crowne our selues with rose buddes afore they be withered Let vs be partakers of our wantonnesse and let vs leaue some token of our pleasure in euerie place For that is our portion and this is our lot Let vs oppresse the poore that is righteous Let vs not spare the widdow nor reuerence the white haires of the aged that haue liued many yeares Let our strength be the lawe of vnrighteousnesse Concerning the latter day of iudgement this vngodlinesse shall be in the minde of many that they shall thinke there is no such day nor no such time 2. Pet. 3. 3. This first vnderstand that there shall come in the last daies mockers which will walke after their lusts and say Where is the promise of his comming For since the Fathers died all things continue alike from the beginning of the creation For this they willingly know not that the heauens and earth are reserued vnto fire against the day of iudgement and of the destruction of vngodly men No god no heauen no iudgement no hell This is the mind of many If any thing fall out amisse with vs if any crosse or affliction come vppon vs wee are readie with Iobes wife to murmure against God If the world go well with vs and if we be in prosperitie we attribute all our welfare not to Gods good blessing but to blinde fortune and chaunce If our enemies doo hurt vs and doo vs any wrong and iniury we are stirred vp and inflamed as it were in a rage to reuenge it to the vtmost This vngodlinesse is rife in the world and ruleth in our corrupt nature But the grace of God doth teach vs and perswade our harts to deny this and all other kind of vngodlinesse and to haue a reuerent opinion of all matters which concerne God and godlinesse The grace of God it teacheth that there is no heauenly gift where with we are indued but commeth of God who is the fountaine from whence godlinesse learning wisedome and all other excellent gifts doo flow When Gods outward blessings be in aboundance with vs by his grace we know that his prouidence doth enrich vs and not our labour our wisedome or wealth but the bountifull hand of God which is all in all Whereby we are perswaded to loue and feare God to haue a reuerent regard of him to make our praiers vnto him séeing all our welfare and good estate dependeth on his blessings Whereas being voyd of Gods grace and wanting his holy spirit to direct vs and our thoughts with king Pharao we aske who is God and with the wicked sort we say What profit shall we haue if we serue him and pray vnto him because our vnlawfull and vngodly requests be not granted vs. Being throughly instructed by Gods spirit we then learne that there is no meane so effectuall to make God our friend as praier is especially if it be well and rightly vsed as it ought to be And when the feare of God by his grace is planted in our hearts then begin we to know that there is a heauen and the ioyes of heauen reserued for those that doo well and hell and gréeuous torments prepared for them that follow euill waies and are delighted with doing euill And when we knowe and are taught by Gods spirit that all both heauenly and worldly benefits come to vs from God so also we learne that when any crosse or any affliction and trouble and losse and casualtie dooth befall vs that it is gods hand and his pleasure to strike and to punish vs for our sinnes It is the powerfull effect of gods grace to bréede in vs a charitable minde euen towardes our enemies and which teacheth vs that it is Gods will and commaundement that we should forgiue others as we our selues would bee forgiuen But if this alteration and sanctification be not bred in vs by Gods grace that teacheth vs to denie vngodlinesse howe were it possible but that with the world we should be most prophanely minded and as a people without God in this present world This word vngodlinesse toucheth not only the prophanesse of our mindes and our heathenish imaginations but hath respect also vnto superstition and all heresies in religion For the darkenesse of our deceiued mindes doth herein go farre astray and are so mightily ouercome by it that diuers nay insinite multitudes are vtterly ouerthrowne hereby As we reade in the
and those that confesse their sinnes as for the proude and them that vaunt and boast and make so great account of their good workes God beholdeth them a farre off A lowly an humble and contrite spirit is the onely sacrifice that god accepteth The grace of god worketh lowlinesse and humblenesse in our hearts it frameth vs to confesse our sinnes and by all meanes to endeuour to amend and neuer boast our selues of our good workes or to trust to be saued by them but rather by the mercy of god Although questionlesse they that do not practise good workes and as much as in them lieth labour to lead a holy and godly life shall neuer enter into the kingdome of god nor into the rest of blessed soules And therefore it followeth very well in my text The grace of God teacheth vs to deny vngodlinesse and worldly lusts Which are nothing else but the workes of the flesh which cannot agrée or at lestwise ought not to be séene in them that are sanctified by the grace of God These worldly lusts and workes of the flesh are such that no man can be ignorant of and they are too too manifest Which are as the Apostle reckneth them vp adultery fornicatiō vncleannes wantonnes idolatry witcheraft hatred debate emulatiōs wrath cōtention seditions heresies enuy murthers drunkennes gluttony and such like Whereof saith he I tolde you before as I also haue told you before that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of god For the performance of our inordinate affections and euil concupiscences the wrath of god commeth If we be led by the works of the flesh we shall die the death Well are they called in the Epistle to the Ephesians 4. 22. Deceiueable lusts because they deceiue vs in the end In the beginning is ioy and pleasure but in the end is destruction According as we reade Prou. 14. 12. There is a way which séemeth right to a man but the issues therof are the waies of death Let euery one of vs thinke that the grace of god dooth thus perswade vs that forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for vs in the flesh wee should arme our selues with the same minde as to mortifie the déeds of the flesh and to cease from sinne That hencefoorth wee should liue as much time as remaineth in the flesh not after the lusts of men but after the will of god For it is sufficient and more then should haue béene that wee haue spent the time past as the wicked doo in this world Wherein it will séeme straunge to them that we runne not with them vnto the same excesse of riot And therefore they wil not spare to speake euill of vs to defame vs and to cast out many slaunders against vs. Wherein let vs be patient and referre the matter to God they shall answere for their ill deeds and giue accounts to him that is readie to iudge them All the punishments of this life death and death again in another world the seuere iudgement of God who is it that hath any sparke of grace that will not relent and haue remorce that will not now learne to deny their worldly lusts knowing that it shall cost them deare Who in this life would leape into the sea knowing he shall be drowned Who is it that would throw himselfe into the fire knowing that he shall be consumed All worldly lusts are vnderstood by the vncleannesse of the flesh because principally and aboue the rest we are giuen thereunto And therefore 1. Thess 4. 3. This is the will of God euen our sanctification and that we should abstaine from fornication That cuerie one of vs should know how to possesse his vessell that is his bodie in holinesse honour and not in the lust of concupiscence euen as the Gentiles and Heathen and wicked persons which know not God 1. Cor. 3. 16. Know ye not that we are the Temple of God and that the spirit of God dwelleth in vs If any of vs destroy the temple of God him shall God destroy For the temple of God is holy which we are For our soules our hearts and consciences are the place wherein God should dwell They that follow their worldly lusts and delight in the workes of the flesh and are led by them it is a token that they are past grace and that God hath deliuered them vp to a reprobate minde Rom. 1. So when we do refraine and frame our selues another way it is a token that gods grace doth worke with vs. And that we may say as the Apostle that no fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers buggerers théeues railers extortioners shall inherit the kingdome of God And such were some of vs yea such by nature are we all and who can say that either he is not or at leastwise was not in the number So that if it be otherwise we are washed we are sanctied and made clean in the name of the Lord Iesus Christ and by the spirite of our gracious God who sendeth his grace into our hearts For such is the vertue of that spiritual fellowship which we haue with Christ that as the soule naturally ioyned to the bodie bringeth forth her effects so Christ dwelling in vs by faith and by the holy Ghost after a spirituall maner and by a spirituall vertue doth shew his power in vs to inable vs to resist sinne and to bridle the corrupt desires of the flesh Christ by his death hath abated the power of sinne that it can no longer be rancke in vs to do what we wil but dooth by little and little die vntill it be wasted and worne away For as when y◠hart of a man hath receiued a deadly wound he is accounted for dead although he liue a while because he cannot escape death so sinne in the death of Christ hath receiued a deadly wound And by reason of that neare coniunction which by faith we haue with Christ we are said to be dead with him vnto sinne I beseech you therfore brethren saith the Apostle Rom. 12 by the mercies of God that you giue vp your bodies a liuing sacrifice holy and acceptable vnto God As indéed it cannot be that where the grace of God doth worke effectually but that we should deny our worldly lusts or at leastwise by little and little cause them to die in vs. They who by a true faith laie holde of Christ and his merits and do apply vnto themselues the death of Christ with all his benefits are also desirous to offer themselues acceptable vnto god For they that by the grace of god are made righteous by the same grace are also made holy séeing that Christ is made vnto vs both righteousnesse and sanctification as we read 1. Cor. 1. 30. Holinesse is a necessary consequent of the grace of god whereby they that are truly touched in all thankfull sort shewe themselues to god and doo approue themselues vnto him in all vprightnesse and innocencie of life Our minds our
anie other comfort in the world And thus hauing signified my good wil and testified my dutie praying your worship to vouchsafe the reading of that wherein I haue taken some paines although it bee not so much worth I commit you to the tuition of the Almightie and humbly take my leaue Your VVorships in his praiers to God for you and yours S. I. ⧠The Comforte of ADOPTION Rom. 8. 15. 16. 17. For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption wherby we cry Abba Father The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that wee are the children of God If we bee children wee are also heires euen the heires of God and heires annexed with Christ. This Text standeth on three parts 1 The greatnesse of this benefit by comparison of contrarietie Ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage but of adoption 2 The assurance of adoption The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit 3 The worthinesse of adoption If wee be children we are also heires THe Methode that the Apostle vseth in this Epistle to the Romanes is first concerning Iustification and Righteousnesse Secondly concerning Sanctification Holinesse And after that according to his order he intreateth of Adoption which is a gift a priuiledge and dignitie added to the former Through repentance and a liuely faith taking hold of the promises of God we are made righteous and so taken and so accounted before God by the means of Christ and being made righteous we are also indued with a measure of Gods spirit grace to holinesse of life So the hauing receiued these two excellent gifts we haue a ful assurāce of Gods fauour towards vs and that is performed by adoption Which is a seale certain token vnto vs that we deliuered from the curse of the law which is the ministration of death and condemnation Whereas the assurance and full perswasion of our adoption is the ministerie and doctrine of all comfort and consolation The text which I haue reade vnto you may be deuided into thrée seuerall parts Whereof the first conteineth the greatnesse of the benifit of adoption in consideration of the fréedom we reap therby being deliuered from the slauery and feare of the lawe in these words Ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but the spirit of adoption whereby we crie Abba father The second part containeth the assurance of our adoption in these words The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God The third part sheweth the worthinesse of our adoption in these words If we be childrē we are also heires euen the heires of God heires annexed with Christ The greatnesse of the benefit of adoption in consideration of the fréedome we reape therby being deliuered from the slauerie and feare of the lawe is verie well expressed by that place of scripture set downe in the Epistle to the Heb. 12 agréeing with this For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but the spirit of adoption ye are not come saith the Apostle to the mount that might be touched nor vnto burning fire nor to blacknesse and darknes and tempest Neither vnto the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words which they that heard excused themselues that the word should not be spoken to them any more for they were not able to abide that which was commanded And so terrible was the sight which appeared that Moses said I feare and quake But ye are come vnto the mount Sion and to the citie of the liuing God the celestiall Ierusalem and to the company of innumerable Angels and to the congregation of the first borne which are written in heauen and to God the iudge of all and to the spirits of iust and perfect men They that are vnder the lawe are also vnder the curse of the law and where the curse is there is nothing to be looked for but death condemnatiō which bringeth foorth trembling feare And so much the more are we in feare in bondage and slauery subiect to the curse condemnation of the lawe to death and gods dreadfull iudgement because we are borne the children of wrath Wherefore God sent his natural sonne Christ into the world that through his grace he might adopt vnto himselfe many childrē of vs which otherwise were but miserable castawaies Who by the grace frée fauour of God being adopted haue not only their sinnes pardoned and forgiuen but also are cladde with the innocencie and righteousnesse of Christ whereby they are brought into fauoure and are made of fearefull captiues being vnder the bondage of sinne and Sathan the ioyfull sonnes and children of God set at libertie to doo the workes of God and to liue in his holie obedience What greater feare can there be to our consciences then when this is pronounced against vs Cursed is hee that continueth not in all the workes of the lawe to doo them And he that offendeth in one point of the lawe is guiltie of all Who is it amongst vs all that can say my heart is cleane And who is it that cannot iustly condemne himselfe in the breach of euery particular point of Gods lawe and of his commandements And if our heart condemne vs God is greater then our hearts and knoweth all Here hence therfore can nothing arise but feare and such a feare which is beyond measure leading vs vnto desperation making vs to thinke no better of our selues then as miserable wretches forlorne destitute of all comfort as Cain was who in fearful sort went alwaies mourning and crying out saying My sin is heauier then I can beare The punishment of God is stil vpon me and my conscience is neuer at rest So is the sinfull and fearful conscience alwaies in the estate of a seruant stil fearing the whip and the scourge and as a gally-slaue vnder Turkish thraldom whose life is no better then a torment And if the deliuery of the law were so fearful that he that had least cause to feare and was beloned of God did tremble quake how much more fearefull and terrible shal the execution of that law be Moses the blessed seruant of God in a fright the onely beloued son of God in déep agonies the one trembleth the other for anguish sweateth bloud And how should not the children of wrath be ouerwhelmed with horror considering our heauy burden of sin which bréedeth within vs especially them that are truely touched as it were a sea of sorrow whose waues as they cannot be numbred so are our sorrowes neuer at an end vntil God send fréedome one waue still ouertaking another one feare in the necke of another Being possessed with the spirite of bondage how may it be that we may auoid our dolefull dumpes So is it with them that haue any féeling of that fearefull estate y◠hangeth ouer their heads Whereas by nature we are all of vs
to be refused and hated but that which should procure Gods fauour toward vs there is nothing but that which is his and none of ours Which is his mercy and louing kindnesse whereby he calleth vs imbraceth vs closeth and adopteth vs as those for whom he reserueth a kingdome So much for the first part of this text that as touching the greatnesse of of the benefite of adoption in consideration of the fréedome we reape therby being deliuered from the slauerie and feare of the lawe and being altogither eased of the burden which commeth by the spirit of bondage Where also you haue heard howe and in what order and manner we are made and adopted the children of God 2. The second part sheweth the assurance of our adoption The assurance of adoption in these words The same spirit meaning the spirit of adoption beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God And verie necessarie is it that the weake spirits and doubting minds of Gods children should thus be strengthned and confirmed who haue many a thousand thought to cast them beside the stedfastnesse of their hope still giuen to wauering still giuen to distrusting For how can it be otherwise séeing the diuell hath diuers pollicies to cast vs into feares which vnlesse we were mightily susteined by the spirite of God were inough vtterly to ouerthrow vs our mindes and consciences being most easie to be cast downe Because as the Apostle witnesseth to the Heb. cap. 2. 15. All their life time they were subiect to bondage for feare of death sitting in darknesse and in the shadow of death looking rather for their destruction then for their saluation Carnall Gospellers wordly professors can perswade themselues any thing but they that are truly touched and humbled in so ioyful a change as from the feare of destruction to be made partakers of adoption liue as it were betwixt feare and hope wondring howe they should be made partakers of so excellent an estate as from the children of captiuitie to be made the children of freedome from the the children of wrath to be mads the children of mercy Weake minds faint harts vntill the assurednesse of faith hath banished all distrust The testimonie of their adoption may bee somewhat setled in them and although not in all yet in most of them it is but weake and can scarcely be perceiued by reason that they find in themselues a great strength of sinne and féeling also the grace of God to be in a smal measure as it were a fewe sparkes vnder a great heape of ashes and which as yet is more the continuall accusations of the diuell mouing our consciences to dispaire The strength of sinne was so great in that elect vessell of God S. Paule who had such an euident token of Gods adoption that he was wrapt into the heauens and sawe those thinges which were not to be vttered so that the loue of God was confirmed toward him in miraculous sort the strength of sinne was so great in him that he was in a manner violently drawne to do that which he hated What I would saith he that doo I not but that which I hate that doo I. And I finde such motions in my sinfull flesh rebelling against the lawe of my minde which preuaile so farre with me that they leade me captiue vnto the law of sinne The reward and wages wherof wee knowe is death By which reason it séemeth we should be greatly daunted and dismaied in respect of our adoption vnto life Againe the want of the féeling of the graces of God dooth worke such a coldnesse of spirit and such a dulnesse in our sences which may well bréede a doubfulnesse in our mindes and to make a wauering conscience to pleade against it selfe Which made the Prophet Dauid who was so highly in fauour with God greatly to faint because the graces of God in respect of his gréeuous sinnes laie as it were buried within him So that with griefe of minde he cried out for so great a want O Lord create in me a cleane heart and renue thy graces within me Restore me to the ioy of thy saluation hide thy face from my sinnes and put away all mine iniquities make mee to heare of ioy and gladnesse and let the certaintie of thy adoption and of my comfort be established in my heart Finally the diuell mouing our consciences to dispaire may bréed the greatest doubt in our harts and make vs beléeue that though we are adopted yet that we are not Gods children but rather that we are forsaken of him Wherein we must alwaies remember the propertie of the diuell which is that he goeth about like a roaring lion séeking whom he may deuour Whom saith the Apostle Resist being stedfast in faith and hold fast the hope of your adoptioÌ„ It is sathans desire to wiâ—â—ow vs as wheat but he that hath procured vs to be adopted and by whose means we are made the sonnes and children of God praieth for vs yâ— we might be strengthned and also sendeth his spirit into our harts to help vs in our praiers and maketh requests for vs with sighes which cannot be expressed Wherefore although the accusations of of the diuell be of great force to throw vs downe yet are the helpes which it pleaseth God to graunt vs more auailable to raise vs vp againe Whereby it commeth to passe that our hearts and consciences being setled in the assurance of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and we being sanctified by the blood of Christ are inwardly and fully perswaded of our adoption in such sort that all doubting is remoued away and all distrust banished Yet neuerthelesse because by the meanes aforesaid that is by the strength of sinne which dwelleth within vs the weakenesse of gods graces the troublesome accusations of the diuell the stedfastnesse of our adoption may sometime or other be called in question therefore God of his goodnesse to support our féeble spirites and weake thoughts hath giuen vs his owne spirit to be a fellow witnesse with our spirit fully to perswade and assure vs. For the elect chosen childreÌ„ of God haue in themselues the spirit of Iesus Christ testifying vnto them and perswading them that they are the adopted children of god The same spirit of god his fatherly goodnesse and that he wil be a father vnto vs and that he would haue vs so to account of him beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of god For this cause amongst diuerse other names wherewith the holy ghost is intituled this is one especiall name and title that it is called the spirite of adoption because it worketh in vs the assurance of our adoption Also it is called a pawne or earnest as we may reade 2. Corinth 1. 22. It is God who hath sealed vs and hath giuen the earnest of the spirit in our hearts Thus by two most effectuall parables â— similitudes are the children of god confirmed in the certaintie of
belong to God and yet liue in sin what is it if we come to the church and in an outward shew of good works would haue others to thinke vs to be Gods deare children when neither our owne heartes and consciences neither yet the spirite of God can testifie that we are such as we would séeme to be both before God and in the sight of men S. Iohn saith plainly 1. Ioh. 1. If we say that we haue any company with God and walke in darkenesse doing that which displeaseth God we lie and the trueth is not in vs. Loue and obedience to God shew forth our adoptiō but they that passe not for the commandementes of God shew that there is no loue and obedience in them 1. Ioh. He that saith he knoweth and loue God and yet keepeth not his commandements is a lier Some falsly perswaded themselues that they loue God when they hate their neighbours but the same Apostle telleth them If any man say I loue God and yet hateth his brother he is a liar He that saith he is the light and hateth his brother he is still in darkenesse he that loueth his brother dwelleth in the light but he that hateth him walketh in darknesse and knoweth not whither he goeth for darkenesse hath blinded his eies And moreouer he saith Hereby we manifestly know the children of god from the children of the diuel he that doth not righteously is not the child of god neither he that hateth his brother As the tree is knowne by his frute so is our adoption made knowne vnto vs by godly and christian affections Let vs not therfore any further deceiue our selues in thinking we are the adopted children of god when as yet we haue a greater delight in sin then in god For then our sinful liues shall declare the contrary against vs and shall make vs to be ashamed of our boasting whatsoeuer we shall think or say for our selues It is not our fond and vain imaginations that the spirit of god doth witnesse vnto but a sanctified heart and a cleane soule and a pure life is the house that the spirit of god doth dwel in and which also doth giue such manner of people a full assuraunce that they pertaine to god and that as they are the sonnes of god in this life so shall they be the saints of god in another life Also this is no small token of our adoption when we féele our hearts inclined and our minds maruellous desirous Hearing God◠word to heare the word of god preached According as we read Iohn 8. He that is of God heareth Gods words ye therfore heare them not because ye are not of God For who do more scorne and disdain to heare gods word and do make a iest of it then they who as we terme thē are gracelesse and make litle reckoning whether they be accounted the children of god or no. So that by the contrarie it may euidently appeare that they in whome the grace of god hath taken effect do greatly reuerence and greatly regard the word of god Because not only from time to time it is a meane to seale gods promises in our hearts and to make vs more and more to reioyce in the Lord but also by little and little the selfesame marke in their foreheads And although I might recite more I wil adde but one other token of Gods adoption in his children and that is that they are sorrie Sory to see others offend whē they see other do wickedly and endeuour to withdraw them from their wicked waies giuing them counsell and admonishing them to the contrary hating their sinnes and louing their soules Exhorting also their brethren and sisters to continue in the grace of God according to the counsell of the Apostle Let vs exhort one another and prouoke vnto good workes Take héede brethren lest at any time there be in any of you an euill heart and vnfaithfull to depart away from the liuing God But exhort one an other daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Praying continually that the spirit of God which hath assured vs of our adoption may rule and raigne in vs and that from so holy a roote may spring godly blossomes as faith loue mercy patience humilitie chastitie desire of Gods word hartie good will to his ministers diligence in praier togither with all increase of righteousnesse They that earnestly and with a good heart heare Gods word and bring foorth worthie frutes they that reuerence and regard the ministers of Gods word they that exercise themselues in all good workes they whose delight is in them that feare God and who make much of the Godly and who also are sorrie to sée others fall from God they no doubt are such who may certainelie assure themselues of their adoption and of the loue and fauour of God So much for the second part of this text noting out vnto vs the assurance of our adoption and confirming vs in the same set downe in these words The same spirit beareth witnesse wiih our spirit that we are the children of God 3. The third part which followeth is nothing else but ioy and comfort honour and dignitie If we be children we are also heires euen the heires of God and heires annexed with The worthinesse of adoption Christ In which words are conteined the worthinesse of our adoption and that in as high degrée of honour as may be Nowe we are no more seruants subiect vnder the feare and bondage of the lawe but the sonnes of God hauing obtained his fauour through the meanes of our elder brother Christ Iesus If sonnes we are more then sonnes and that is heires and that not of an earthly patrimonie Heires but of the kingdome of heauen Heires of kings or emperours nay more then that heires of God yea and fellowe heires with Christ our Sauiour which sitteth at the right hand of God far aboue al principallitie might and power and dominion in most excellent dignitie A seruant lightly is neuer preferred to that dignitie as to be made an heire and how should it come to passe y◠wee being seruants and bondslaues vnder the spirit of bondage feare should obtaine so great a fréedome and dignitie as to be the heires of God but only through the bountifulnesse of God which passeth all the preheminence and dignitie y◠man can gine or is or would be willing to giue especially to a seruant And how should we that are seruants sinners perswade our selues of so great a dignitie as to be made heires if it were not that the spirit of God did assure our hearts y◠our reconciled God had made vs his children his sonnes and of sonnes heires It is not a thing vsuall in the world that the sonnes of any one man should all be heires no although their progenitors were nobles Our prouerbe is that a man of smal wealth is called bnt ayonger