I meane largely whatsoeuer hath causalitie or is a motiue to induce the Lord to choose Resp Thus I conceiue these gifts and their exercise to fall vnder the same ordinance of God with our saluation as meanes destined and so conducing to that end how then causes moouing to elect He hath chosen vs to bee holy Ephes 1.4 To be faithfull 1. Cor. 7.25 Vt essemus non quia eramus aut futuri erimus is Saint Augustines glosse 2 What sanctitie is that which mooues 1 That of nature It affordes none Quis dabit mundum ex immundo conceptum semine 2 That of grace Whither the measure incident to this life Or that perfect in the life to come 1 That of this life imperfect Isai 64.6 nor could it bee foreseene otherwise then it was to be 2 The holynesse of another life Wee are then extra statum merendi demerendi as being in termino quiescentiae where wee receiue and enioy rewards procure not reward or ought tending thereto 3 These all q Mat. 11.25 Exod. 1.4 flow from election as their cause And for sanctitie Arminians consent it had no causalitie in respect of election yet for faith foreseene are peremptorie that on it rests election and is ex fide praeuisà And why I wonder faith rather then charitie or other sanctitie 1 Is it more excellent Not saith the Apostle 1. Cor. 13.13 2 More perfect as it is in vs Nor that Luke 17.5 Mar. 9.24 3 Next is not it also part of sanctitie A prime ingredient Especially apprehended as they conceit it respected as a qualitie or act in vs and so auailing to election iustification saluation for that it iustifies or saues as an instrument and by vertue of the obiect it apprehends Christs righteousnesse they belieue not 4 Else how pleased it God out of his freedome to respect it more then other gratious qualities and to assigne it motiue to election Audio Indeed in iustification it auailes more then charitie hope penitence any other holy qualitie or action Accordingly its fitted to doe what its appointed vnto more then any other part of sanctitie that is to r Rom. 5.17 receiue the gift of righteousnesse for and by which we stand iust in Gods sight But that the Lord hath assigned it causalitie in respect of election where finde wee Rather an effect and fruit of election therefore no cause or reason or condition of it Take them therefore here mentioned and ment meanes of saluation not merites or so much as conditiâ—â—s of election And thence learne that howsoeuer the decree of election flow not from meanes yet implies it meanes congruent and hath execution thereby See Rom. 8.30 Eph. 1.3 4 5 c. 1 Wherefore obserue necessitie of them absolute to the obtaining saluation Hebr. 12.14 Marke 16.16 Luke 13.3.5 2 The decree is not onely of the end but also the meanes elect to bee holy predestinated to the adoption Eph. 1.4 5. and not onely to the inheritance 3 Knowledge of the decree suspended on the meanes 2 Pet. 1.10 2. Tim. 2.21 4 Vessels of mercie though for the time aliens from the life of God yet in the day of visitation called with a holy calling 2. Tim. 1.9 and so made meet to partake in the inheritance of the Saints in light Col. 1. Vse It wonders me to here the desperate inference Vse if I bee predestinate I shall bee saued though I neglect scoffe at sanctitie Reduce it thou shalt easily see a contradiction in the termes the predestinate vnsanctified or the vnsanctified of the elect shall be saued There are none such finaliter tales it implies to say it God elects to holinesse and not onely to saluation to saluation but by sanctification of the spirit More to see men professing knowledge of the decree and order of it assurance of their owne personall election yet to walke after the flesh By our studie of sanctitie we know our election 2. Tim. 2.21 2. Pet. 1.10 They lie to God and men who professe to know their owne election while they are Å¿ Tit. 1.16 abominable disobedient and to euery good worke reprobate yea from any good worke abhorrent of any holy gift destitute to any knowne sinne addicted The meanes specified are first sanctification Secondly iustification implied in faith The order seemes inuerted but thus conceiue sanctification though posteriour in order of nature yet is first in euidence and our knowledge trueth of faith title to iustification being not knowne of vs till wee feele the power of Gods Spirit sanctifying That sanctitie is a meane Scriptures are plentifull See Heb. 12.14 1. Pet. 1.2 Congruitie you will easily discerne if you consider 1 The t 1 Pet. 1.15 16. caller and chooser is holy 2 The habitation so holy that it u Apoc 21.27 admits no vncleane thing to enter 3 To damne deuils for vnholinesse to saue men though vnholy how had it lien open to exception and quarell of damned spirits There is sanctitie first * 1 Cor. 7.14 ciuile So children borne in vnequall wedlocke to Theophylact are called holy id est legitimate not spurious 2 Faederall so x Num. 16.3 all Gods people holy all of the Church visible 3 Sacramentall so Apostataes y Heb. 10.29 sanctified with the blood of Christ the Sacrament of it Baptisme 4 Opinatiue of Phariasicall hypocrites in their owne and other mens opinion holy 5 Reall and true called here the Sanctification of the spirit vnderstand not ours but Gods as Rom. 1.4 This the marke of election meane of saluation The nature of it is in two things 1 Purging our hearts from those vitious propensions naturall z 2 Cor. 7.1 from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit 2 Planting in vs as seedes of vertuous life holy qualities and inclinations a Gal. 5.22 fruites of the spirit as Paul stiles them This habituall holinesse according are their actes and exercise for they b 2 Pet. 1.8 suffer vs not to bee idle and vnfruitfull 1 A constant care and endeuour to c Iac. 1.27 keepe our selues vnspotted of the world 2 d 1 Pet. 1.9 Shewing forth the vertues of him that hath called vs in being zealous of euery good worke or as Paul to Titus expresseth it e Tit. 2 12. denying vngodlinesse and worldly lusts walking godly iustly soberly in this present euill world this they call actuall holinesse Beginnings onely are here vouchsafed the f Rom. 8.23 2 Cor. 11 22. first fruites and earnest of the spirit Consummation we expect according to Gods promise in the g 2 Pet. 3.13 new heauens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousnesse its comfortable if wee finde truth though we want perfection of holinesse Notes of it thus number and so make election sure 1 It goes ouer the whole man the h 1 Thes 5.23 whole spirit soule body sanctified throughout else no part truely sanctified As the leprosie deriued from the first Adam hath defiled the whole so the purification procured by the second Adam extends to the whole man 2 The more humble the more holy
2. And to be rich in faith 3. And heires with the mightiest amongst them of the Kingdome which he hath promised In one part of the Reward wee haue our paritie in all our partnership with the most eminent among Saints The motiue to recompence followeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seeing it is a iust thing with God Q. Is it of Iustice that God rewards the patience of Saints so as it is that he punisheth the crueltie of their persecutors Ans Confessedly it s true The recompense of the righteous is oft ascribed to Gods a Heb. 6.10 2 Tim 4 8. Iustice But 1. Iustice sometime denotes Gods b 1 Iohn 1.9 fidelitie promittendo se fecit debitorem He should doe wrong to himselfe to forget our worke and labour of loue which by promise he hath bound himselfe to reward Wrong also to vs whom with faire promise he hath led on to endure such hardship in his seruice But God is faithfull 2 In respect of Christs meriting not so much to himselfe as to vs with such a price Remission of sinnes esteeme of righteousnesse Crowne of righteousnesse it is of Iustice that our tolerance is rewarded as Paul intimates very b Rom. 3.26 pardon of sinne to be of Iustice in respect of Christs satisfaction equiualent to the violation of Gods Maiestie though in respect of vs it be of meere Grace 3 There is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rigorous Iustice let no man thinke his patience or suffering can at that barre of common pleas chalenge reward vae etiam laudabili vitae Hominum si remota misericordiâ discutias eam And there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 moderate Iustice as in a Court of Chancerie especially when a Church man sits in it Such as the Gospell propounds and according whereto the whole of Christianitie is censured According to rigorous Iustice the sinners selfe should satisfie According to moderate Iustice a Mediatour interposeth and his satisfaction is accepted According to rigorous Iustice nothing but perfect is tolerated in our workes According to moderate Iustice the weake endeauours of Gods Children are crowned Hence say some moderate Papists Though there be Iustice in Retribution to both kindes yet not like Iustice in dispensing the Rewards To euill workes is due eternall punishment out of the nature of the workes To good workes eternall life onely by positiue ordinance of God 4 Quoad genus It s of Iustice that it should be well with the Righteous Ill with the wicked hitherto there is agreement in generali ratione iusti That it should be so ill with the wicked heere is also exacta ratio iusti But that it should be so well with men vnperfectly righteous heere is apparent mixture of vnmerited mercy Vse 1 How doth it augment the comfort of Gods Children to meditate his very Iustice is ingaged for their refreshment We haue heard experimented his mercy and grace in our afflictions tempering them to our strength giuing c 1 Cor. 10.13 issue with the temptation granting d Ez. 9.8 reuiuing from our seruitude proportioning e 2 Cor. 1.5 comforts exciting manifesting increasing grace by afflictions filling vs with f Rom. 15.13 ioy and peace in beleeuing that we might taste how sweete the Lord is in this life and long to be satisfied with fulnesse of Ioy at his right hand If this be too little his very Iustice lies at gage for our refreshment and full redemption should not shall not the g Gen. 18.25 Iudge of all the world doe right Or shall not this make vs say Amen to Dauids Asseueration Verily there is a Reward for the Righteous that 's as verily true as it s doubtles there is a God that iudgeth the earth So saith Amen the faithfull and true witnesse 2. Serues it not also to terrifie and astonish all gracelesse men Especially those of h 1 Ioh. 3.12 the broode of Caine. Who ledd either with hatred of good men or goodnes or with fancie of vniust mercie in God i Iac. 5.5 6. nourish their hearts as in a day of slaughter euen when they condemne and kill the Iust Who shall stand before the Lord in the day of his fierce wrath and reuelation of his iust Iudgement least they who haue abused the bountifulnes long-suffering and tolerance of God No man blames them to thinke Gods mercy greate for its infinite rather for thinking his mercy not iust That Iustice of the mercifull God they may obserue sometimes to breake through the vaile of mercy and to wreake it selfe vpon the troublers of Saints The iust Lord sometimes awaketh as a Gyant refreshed with much wine as a Lyon tearing in peeces when there is none to helpe That by seuerity on some particulars hee might warne all to repent and minde them of the wrath kept in store for the impenitent some are heere punished saith Saint Augustine that we may know there is a Prouidence taking notice of all not all that we may know there is a iudgement to come Instances take Sodome the old world Angels you will see it is true k 2 Pet. 2.4 ad 10 God knowes to deliuer his out of temptation and to reserue the vniust to the day of Iudgement to be punished Then shall Iustice breake forth in furie thorough the cloude of mercy so long ouershading it so much the more furious by how much the mâ—re his mercy hath binne contemned Master said the Disciples when shall these things bee When the Lord Iesus shall be reuealed from heauen But till then is the full Recompence of the righteous and full vengeance of the wicked mercifully yet iustly deferred Art thou come to torment vs l Mat. 8.29 before the time say Spirits of Aire reserued to the Iudgement of the great day m Apoc. 6.10 How long Lord holy and true Soules vnder the Altar Not as if Diues now n Luke 16.25 receiued no paine nor Lazarus comfort But for that neither hath yet receiued the whole nor the whole of either their full retribution That made Bernard say Martyrs glorified in their soules haue yet some reflexion of loue vpon themselues for their bodies sake remaining vnder the dominion of death That makes me thinke damned soules in hell tremble and are more tormented at thought of the Iudgement to come because then their bodies instruments of their soules weapons of sinne to fight so stoutly for vnrighteousnesse shall be reunited to augmentation of their torture Of respiting full recompence of the iust conceiue these Reason 1. That o Heb. 11.40 they without vs might not be perfected Nor we without after-commers from Gentiles and Iewes receiue complement of our Beatitude 2. Besides though after death we be all extrastatum merendi aut demerendi for any personall performances yet a vertue operatiue of example or counsell we leaue behinde vs the sauour of the good as of Christs oyntment powred out p Cant. 1.2 drawing
trauell night and day that we might not be chargeable to any of you THE enforcement of the duetie from quallitie or degree of the offence in the disorderly from two circumstances aggrauating their sinne 1 Knowledge of the constitution and equitie thereof 2 Example of the prescriber where is subioyned explication of Pauls exemplary practise 1 You know 2 how ye ought to follow vs. You not only innocent but delinquents know and are conuinced of the duetie c. So doeth Paul amplifie their sin circumstances they are both which adde much to the degree of the transgression 1 Knowledge See Iames 4. vlt. Iohn 9.41 15.22 24. Luke 12.47 Rom. 1.21 32. 2 Wilfully and halfe presumptuously such are interperted to sinne Vse h 1 Cor. 8.1 Knowledge puffeth No reason it should encreasing our obligation to duetie adding to the degree of euery sinfull act or omission Take heed we be not i 2 Pet. 1.8 idle or vnfruitfull in the knowledge of duetie 1 We shall sinne k Ioh. 15.22 excuselesse 2 l Tit. 3.11 Damned of our selues 3. Haue punishment m Luke 12 47. greater 4 More not onely wast conscience and for the present stupifie it but make it raging when once feare or wrath shall awake it To follow vs. As knowledge of duetie so examples therein aggrauate our neglect Noahs faith and obedience in building the Arke n Heb. 11.7 condemned the faithlesse and impenitent World See Matth. 12.41 42. What colour or pretense haue such for disobedience To Whom God hath giuen eyes to see guides to goe before them in difficultest parts of duetie Remarkeable in all things is the wisedome of diuine prouidence view it in this particular Scattering abroad his Saints in such sort that in the most extrauagant congregations of people ouer whom his name is called there want not more or fewer of his Saints shining as lights in the way of life That either by light of their o Phil. 2 15.16 example they may bee guided to pietie else haue their p Heb 11. condemnation more iust and heany Vae mundo a scandalis vae vae vae ab exemplis bonis 1 Factibile ostenditur quod suadetur Vse That impossibâ—litie or difficultie may not bee pretensed 2 And way-guides we haue had tracing out vnto vs and beating the path that leades to life men of our owne mould whose foot-prints haue left impressions of matter manner meanes of atchiuing duties prescribed For we behaued not our selues disorderly The explication of the example 1 Generall 2 With application to the particular dutie inioyned in the Canon 3 Where also are specified ends of Pauls submitting himselfe to the Ordinance De primo We behaued not c. So if not necessary yet auaileable it is the prescriber to exemplifie his prescripts in his owne practise Giue me a Law-giuer a teacher exemplary Such an one exhibits himselfe the q Exod. â—0 11. great Law-giuer Such r Ioh. 13 15. Christ his Å¿ Iac. 5.10 Prophets and Apostles Prescript is the same to t 1 Tim. 4.12 Ministers all u Philip. 2.15 16 Christians especially Superiours 1 Pharisaicall it heares to * Mat. 23.4 lay burthens heauy on others shoulders and not to mooue our owne fingers to helpe forward the carriage 2 And how seemes it all but fabula that we teach de inferno de caelo when our selues are seene faulting in those duties which we presse vpon others vnder paine of damnation or with promise of eternall reward Vse Its gladsome to see the people taught by penaltie that its criminous to take Gods Name in vaine the Land x Ier. 23.10 mournes because of oathes to bee lamented that the Law-makers are knowne many so ouer familiar with the Name of God as to contemne it Suppose ye they of all men shall y Rom. 2.3 escape the iudgement of God Who likes not the vrging of Pauls canon on vs countrie drones to z 2 Tim. 4 2. preach the world with instance How doe we blesse those our fathers of the Church who excite vs by their example But is not the dispensation committed to all How shall they escape the a 1 Cor. 9.16 woe belonging to non-preaching who punish others neglects and yet feed themselues onely b Ezech. 34. and not the flocke 2. Neither did we eate any mans bread for nought The application of the example to the particular prescribed carried in that forme which Rhetoricians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Question Had it beene for nought if Paul had not wrought with his hands labouring onely in the Word and doctrine Resp 1 The spirituall things we sow 1 Cor. 9.11 are they not equiualent to your best carnals your gold that perisheth 2 And in the worke of the Ministery is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c 1 Tim. 5.17 labour toylesome tiresome d Isai 49.4 enfeebling Physitians accord that minde labours more feeble spirits animall and naturall more wast naturall heat and moisture then toile of the body Diuines can minde you how the more spirituall faculties had greatest wound by originall sinne especially when they are bent to spirituall things in serious meditation opposition they finde from malignant spirits so strong and oft so violent that they seldome beare vp without some wound in the encounter that if either pretium or opera may be though equiualent to our maintenance on free cost we eate not any our heareres bread but buy it many at deerest rate How then saith Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if without manuall labour Resp Commonly he is apprehended to speake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the opinion of earthly minded people What thorough I their vnderpricing spirituall blessings through earthly mindednesse 2 And what for not considering their conueiance linked by ordinance to our Ministery which is their ignorance or infidelitie 3 And what thorough little experience in mentall labours especially for spirituall things generally the voyce of the people is our liuing comes in easily we sweat not for it and what giue or doe we for all they pay vs Whereto the answere is ready from the Apostle 1 We e 1 Cor. 9 11. Gal. 3.2 sow you spirituall things reach to you as Gods hands the graces of his spirit the f 1 Tim 4.16 saluation of your soules 2 g Heb. 13.17 Watch for your soules as they that shall giue accounts 3 Spend sacrifice our selues many vpon the seruice of your faith Philip. 2.17 How soone would this errour vanish If men were either so happy as to 1 feele h Iob. 33 22. misery of want 2 To i 1 Pet 2 3. tast sweetnesse of grace 3 Or so wise as to consider that by vs as k 1 Cor. 3.5.9 Gods co workers they receiue whatsoeuer they are or haue in grace And how without vs they are l naked Pro. 29.18 and lye open to Gods wrath and eternall destruction As to our labour
Bernard thinkes none in state of this life can attaine nor Martyrs themselues compleatly till the day of Resurrection to loue neither selues nor ought that 's ours but propter Deum or if any thing in loue may be thought a transcendent to this the modus sine modo as Bernard cals it non gratuitus impenditur sed rependitur debitus Congruence of equitie heare from the same Authour a 1 Iohn 4.19 Prior ipse dilexit nos b Isai 5.7.15 tantus c Iohn 3.16 tantum d Eph. 1.6 gratis e Psal 8.4 tantillos f Rom. 5.8.10 tales Vse 1 Melanchthons wonder sleighted by the Cardinall still holds me that euer thought of supererogating should enter the heart of man that euer creature should thinke he yeelds his whole debt to his Creatour Nedum the vassal bought with such a price plus quà m debitum to such a Redeemer Tell me you blessed Spirits of iust men now made perfect in heauen Euer thought you your best deuotions your longest and most serious vacations to the contemplation of the God-head or any thing thereto auailing more then your commanded dutie Mee thinkes I see them all casting their crownes downe to the ground before the throne and saying Worthie art thou O Lord to receiue glorie and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created Apoc. 4.11 confer Apoc. 5.12 There is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though wee yeeld you your virginitie or pouertie or blinde obedience gifts of perfection can you forget they g Iac. 1.17 descend from aboue vse them to their best improuement can you say of them other then Dauid of his substance contributed to the Temple h 1 Chro. 29.14 of thine owne we haue giuen thee as Isai i Isai 26.12 thou Lord hast wrought all our good workes in vs as Austine God crowning our good workes crownes not our merits but his owne gifts And can you thinke it a Counsell no Precept to vse our Talent though of fiue to the best behoofe of our master Mat. 25.15 27 30. There is no doubt a latitude of commanded dutie But within that compasse fals whatsoeuer our best abilities extend vnto in loue to our God Suppose we therefore no precept particular or peremptorie for chastitie in single life yet to those that haue the gift is not the precept giuen to choose it vnder reason of that state that is most furthersome to Gods seruice And grant wilfull Pouertie no inioyned dutie quis dixerit yet preparation of the minde to abdication of goods when God cals for it fals vnder precept Can th'Acting be forborne in case God cals for it Is it not sinfull when it wants his Call Pride I see swelling in most Popish doctrines in none more then this of workes supererogatorie exceeding duetie chalenging libertie from debt and obligation to performance 2 Yet how doth this worme of Pride insinuate into our weake seruices we performe to God In such sort that for them we are Ready as proud Iewes to expostulate with God and aske k Isai 38.3 why he regards not quarrell if he withhold his blessings murmure and little lesse then churle at him if in the least sort he afflict vs yet said th'Apostle who hath giuen him first and l Rom. 11.35 what hast thou that thou hast not receiued 1 Cor. 4.7 I like the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of faith and allow to the beleeuer not conscious of insinceritie m 1 Pet. 3 21. Saint Peters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I say as Austine we may exigere Dominum but its onely quatenus promittendo se fecit debitorem what thoughts of other obliging the Lord to vs by any dignitie of our workes arise I cannot but impute to damnable pride Oh consider 1. the n Iac. 3.2 many sinnes through ouersight or otherwise passing from vs 2. the blemishes no lesse then o Isai 64.6 menstruous cleauing to our best performances 3. The many Nouerints vniuersi thou standst bound in to thy God thou wilt thinke it duetie which Saint Bernard saith apud paucos inuenitur Magna facere inutilem te reputare Whence accrues the debt from precept in this particular Romanists themselues confessing but withall from Congruence such as not Paul onely but euery Christian most of all Ministers must acknowledge most equall We are Brethren partakers all of the same p Rom. 8.15 spirit of adoption and Regeneration linked all into q Eph. 1.22 one body whereof Christ is the head from whom is deriued to vs our Son-ship our Coheire-ship both with Christ and one with another Further congruence would you see 1. View the glory accruing to God in rescuing soules out of power of Satan which r Luk. 15.10 1. Angels though not so nearely linked to vs ioy to behold 2. And which more nearely concernes a Minister thereby 1 ſ 1 Cor. 9 2. God seales to him his sending 2 for this augments his glorie Dan. 12.3 Vse Monsiers to me they seeme I say not of men but of Ministers repining at the riches of Grace powred downe vpon their people by their owne or other mens Ministerie Murmuring at nothing more then the t Phil 3.9 10 11. plentie of knowledge and abilitie of discerning or fulnesse of fruits of righteousnesse appearing in the people u Mat 20.15 1 Is thine eye euill because the Lords is good so good to thy people 2 Knowest thou not * Heb 13 17. thou watchest for their soules and so as one that must giue accounts 3 Neuer readest thou the bitter wallings like to that of Rachel for her children of x See Ier. 15. 20. Isai 49. Micah 7.1 Prophets and Pastors ouer their obstmate people not onely from compassion of their miserie but for griefe of their owne fruitlesse Ministerie De nullo ita sentio Deum mihi propitium as for this that my ministerie hath no where bin barren I neuer trauailed but where I could say through Gods great mercie y Isai 8.18 Lo me and the children which thou hast giuen me For my part I say as Moses z Num. 11.29 would God all the Lords people were Prophets As Paul that a Act. 26.29 all who heare me were as I much more then I in Christianitie It should be my ioy and crowne of reioycing Because that your faith groweth exceedingly c. The matter of Pauls thanksgiuing the encrease of their faith and loue amplified by the measures faith ouer-increaseth Loue ouerfloweth 2. the issue Pauls boasting thereof in the Churches ver 4. In Pauls opinion not beginnings of Grace onely but euery encrease thereof is of God else why thankes he God for it The beginner prosits Phil. 1.6 hence Peter stiles him b 1 Pet. 5.10 God of all Grace because giuer of all kinds of all degrees of Grace wherefore it s added he cals
of Saints wherefore ye may obserue it intreated earnestly by e Eph. 6.19 Chiefetaines in the Church and witnesse Saint Iames It f Iâ—c 5.16 preuaileth much if it be feruent Particulars of the text you may number these 1 Their fact amplified by circumstance of time wee pray alwayes in statis precibus 2 The occasion or intention 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 The matter of three memb rs First that God would vouchsase them his calling Secondly fulfill the good pleasure of his goodnesse Thirdly and the worke of faith c. 4 The end or issue that so the name of the Lord may be glorified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnto which that is that Christ when he comes may be glorified in glorifying you we pray by our prayers desiring to further you to the attainment of the Glory prepared for you So doth no certaintie of saluation whither of the obiect or subiect frustrate our deuotions inasmuch as they are meanes sanctified and prepared as well to procure what is prepared as to ascertaine vs the more of our sharing therein The soundation of the Lord stands sure who can I say not raze but shake it Yet let all the vessels of honour call vpon the Lord and depart from iniquitie by this meanes they further execution of the decree and hereby know themselues to be vessels of honour prepared to glorie 2 Tim. 2.19 20. See 2 Pet. 1.10 Vse Apagesis Athee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who thinkest neglect of deuotion or sanctitie islues natiuely out of the doctrine touching certaintie of Saluation Whither certaintie insistest thou on that of the obiect Ans It puts it implies deuotion sanctitie for whom hee predestinateth he g Rom. 8.30 calleth with a h 2 Tim. 1.9 holy calling a calling that makes holy he i Eph. 1 4. chooseth to be holy he chooseth to saluation to be atchieued by sanctification of the Spirit and faith of Truth 2 Thes 2.13 That of the subiect Ans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that a man should be assured of Saluation and neglect deuotion and sanctification for hence ariseth his assurance Longer then he knowes and exerciseth Sanctitie he is not nor can be assured of his title to Saluation Longer then he feeles the Spirit of Grace and deprecation actuous in him in one vertue or another he cannot be assured of his Election to glorie I confesse there is what may stay the soule from despairing in particular miscarriages or in the cessation of sensible operatiuenesse of Grace as calling to minde the former testimonies of Grace in the heart Howbeit in that state the assurance is tremulous the minde pendulous and not able firmely to hold perswasion of being in state of Grace till the blessed restitution to doing first workes be vouchsafed But hereof alibi We pray c. that our God Generals belonging to all three members of the matter are That to God 2 They pray 3 And in the note of application our seeme to apprehend a fauour of God to themselues in case the blessings were vouchsafed to this people It sauours of Grace to finde pleasance in others gracious estate to count it our owne benefit from God that our brethren are enriched with graces that accompanie Saluation It argues our k 1 Cor. 12.26 fellow-vnion in the body of Christ our fulfilling the Royall Law of louing our neighbour l Iac. 2.8 as our selues when we loue him ad idem bonum eternall beatitude as Saint Augustines exposition runs Vse Emulation I like well if well interpreted Suppose the imitation of vertue and eager desire to partake it yea though it be with griefe that we want what others enioy in goodnesse so we grieue not at their enioying but for our owne want But let enuie rot their bones on whom it fastens griefe I meane and spight at other mens gracious estate for what doth it impeach our owne how doth it not rather further it adding lustre to the body mysticall whereof we professe our selues members Their censure is by the Apostle that they m Iud. ve 11. walke in the way of Cain hee might haue said of the diuell with whom they may expect to haue portion in punishment sith they resemble in what is most diabolicall most abhorrent from gracious disposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vouchsafe you his calling the matter of his Petition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dignetur deigne vouchsafe of fauour grant you the calling What is the Calling Answ Sometimes vnder that tearme comes the terminus ad quem of Calling the thing whereto we are called so some conceiue it here meant his calling that is the glorie whereto he hath called you that in Pauls tearme is the n Phil. 3.14 price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus 2 Sometimes it denotes the Act of Calling as Rom. 8.30 2 Tim. 1.9 If we follow the first sense this Paul meanes that the Lord would of fauourvouchsafe them fruition of heauenly happinesse sharing with Saints in their inheritance Must that be begged of God as a boone to Saints beleeuers halfe-Martyrs as were Thessalonians And when it s giuen is it but deigned vouchsafed them of fauour from God Certainly it was Pauls opinion There is no reall worthinesse in our persons or actions or qualities inherent whereby we may claime eternall glorie 1 Then why beg we it 2 Why as a boone and sauour vouchsafed Why rather is it not exacted as due ex Regula Iustitiae Truely said the Apostle Eternall life is o Rom. 6.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a free gift of God there being no obligation accruing from worth of our workes that should binde him to render it By promising he hath made himselfe our debter and Christ hath merited to vs our Crowne But shall we dare to plead our owne worthinesse of that weight of Glorie Consider 1 the p Rom. 8.18 infinite disproportions betwixt the best seruices and that glorie 2 The imperfection q Isai 64.6 pollution of our best obedience 3 The no r Iob 22.2 3. profit we bring to the Rewarder 4 The many Å¿ Iac. 3.2 interruptions of our most constant obedience thou wilt say as Bernard meritum meum misâ—ratio Domini pray as Paul when thou hast done and suffered all thou hast bin called vnto Lord deigne me of fauour grant me share in the price of the supernall calling But what shoâ—ld hinder to interpret the Act of calling Is that it that they were already called to faith efficaciously so reason some learned Interpreters But calling we know is not all perfitted in the first instant of Conuersion still we haue neeâ—e of Gods call his inuitement and â—fficatious perswasion to bring vs more and more out o power of darkenesse into the Kingdome of Iesus Christ Else why said Paul The Ministerie is giuen not onely to gather vs but to t Eph. 4.12 13. perfit vs euery one according to our measure hee that is washed hath still o need
perhaps is to that so frequent in Old Testament Asher Belial 1 Sam. 2.12 1 Reg. 21.10 and rendring of it Saue that the Article taken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 points him out the first born amongst the sonnes of Belial a primate no lesse then superlatiue amongst them which perhaps gaue occasion to some Ancients to deeme him the great Diuell himselfe or a Diuell Incarnate Saint Hierome thus explicates Homo in quo fons omnium poccatorum est Hieron Epist ad Algatiam Aquinas omnium Hominum pessimus vt Christus omnium optimus Ours thus a man whose very composition is of sinfulnesse notoriously peerelesly vicious not onely in his owne person but as another Ieroboam making Israel to sinne Sancte Sancte Sancte May wee finde such a miscreant amongst our holy Fathers at Rome whose stile is as inscription on the high Priests forehead Holinesse It s pittie to wrong sanctitie A man so peerelesly vicious me seemes must be as Paul describes Gentiles f Rom. 1.29 full of ali vnrighteousnesse 2 Scrupling no sinne nor degree of sinne 3 Clamantia peccata must be to him leuiora delicta 4 Intended to the highest pitch that kinde degree or circumstance may bend them vnto Saint Paul is too nice and professeth puritane when he reckons g 1 Cor. 16.9 10 fornicators adulterers effeminate couetous extortioners among the damned crue propitius sit Papae Deus if in these onely he be tainted Let not the Lawes Curse touch him except he be found h 1 Tim. 1.9 10. vnholy prophane murtherous parricide Sodomite periured Nor he reputed the man of sinne except he be found amongst Bishops Christian as Ahab amongst Kings of Israel a i 1 Reg. 21.25 none-such that hath sold himselfe to worke wickednesse in the sight of the Lord. 1 Lye their owne Chroniclers or were their Popes many such 1 Necromancers in expresse league with the Diuell purposely sacrificing vnto him 2 Masters of that hellish Art to others Siluester the second Gregorie the seuenth 3 Poysoners and otherwise murtherous of all that stood in their way to the Popedome one Hildebrand in thirteene yeares thus cruelly made away Clement the second Damasus the second Leo the ninth Benedict the tenth Nicolas the second Alexander the second 4 Prophane euen to horror k Bennâ— Vspregensis Matth. Paristensis Hildebrand is angry at his breaden God for that he answers not how the good Emperour Henry the fourth might be destroyed throwes him into the fire 5 Luxurious to Incest Sodomie bestalitie Iohn the twelfth but why rake I in this dunghill when Bellarmine confesseth these and many others amongst Popes to haue bin so tainted as Stories describe them That now me thinkes if a man might be so bold with him as Iohn Baptist with our Sauiour to aske l Mat. 1â— 3 Art thou he that should come or doe we looke for another like answer should be returned Goe and tell what you haue heard and seene Diuels worshipped God contemned Religion prophaned Superstition hallowed beastiall lust practised Marriage scoffed at as vnholy Treason Rebellion bloudshed crueltie parricide not committed onely but defended meritorious parum probi Homines saith the Cardinall these were beast he so mincing their horrid hellishnesse yet welfare Platina that cals them monstra and portanta Hominum Worthiest of all Christians that euer I read of to be stiled Antichrist sith so without peere a man of sinne Vse Must we for all this thinke hee cannot erre in faith needs vnder paine of damnation commit our selues to him as to the chiefe Shepheard Bishop of our soules It was wont to be said Gods spirit dwels not in the soule that is subiect to sinne Gentiles for lesse sinnes were m Rom. 1.28 giuen vp to a reprobate minde delusion n 2 Thes 2.11 strong delusion sent as punishment on all them that had pleasure in vnrighteousnesse the priuiledge of this monster is in depth of vassalage vnder Sathan to be infallibly guided by Gods Spirit I say as Paul If any will yet be so ignorant o 1 Cor. 14.38 let him be ignorant for my part I resolue as Iacob into their secret p Gen. 49 6. let not my soule come my glory be thou not ioyned with their assembly 2 His second propertie a sonne of perdition or if they will that sonne of perdition 1 Actiuely some take it and thus explicate the Hebraisme a destroying son one that as a wilde Boare makes hauocke of the Lords Vineyard spoyle of the Church of God so crueltie is his ensigne Saint Iohn indeed stiles him q Apoc. 9.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and somewhere cals the false Prophet the beast I am sure hath clad that whore of Babilon r Apoc 17.4 Ver. 6. in Scarlet to denote her bloudy sins her drunkennesse Canniball like with the bloud of Saints Will this Scarlet suit the whore or the beast of Rome she rides witnesse be all Historie What bloudy warre hath bin in Christendome since that whore bestrod the Beast whereto she was not the sonne of Bichri if stories should hold their peace the stones of Paris and our Gunpowder treason would speake I say nothing of bloud of soules which yet crieth lowder then the bloud of Abel Thus I haue learnd the wisedome that is from aboue is first pure then peaceable Å¿ Iac. 3.17 Gentle easie to be intreated full of mercie and good fruits here is a Religion whose foundation is like that of new built t Iosh 6.16 Ieriâ—hâ— laid in bloud continued enlarged by bloud nor pure nor peaceable shall I thinke it to proceed from that God of pure eyes the father of mercies and God of all consolation and passiuely I rather take it the allusion is to what our Sauiour spake of u Ioh. 17.12 Iudas whose successour he seâ—mâ—s who is here described vnto vs and so the speech sounds a man deuoted destinied to destruction 1 of body Apoc. 18.2 2 of soule Apoc. 19.20 Meâ—test he â—hould whose * Apoc 9 11. originall is from the bottomelesse pit his proper element Once disputing the question whither the Pope were Antichrist I was thus pressed then 1 euery Pope damned 2 then possible for vs to say of some man liuing he is a reprobate the childe of hell Resp Thus was the answer 1 Non sequitur for why not God rescue out of the mouth of the Beare as the shepheard a piece of a legge or an eare Papacie is a lâ—rge body there may sit in that See some bewailing and desiring to reforme iniquities of it as Caelestine 2 And why not know when the knower of secrets reueales that some particulars are reprobates 1 Knew not Disciples so much of Iudas 2 the Church Primitiue of Iulian 3 We of all knowne x 1 Iohn 5.16 Apostataes 3 Nor yet of this or that particular may we so conclude sith who knowes whether God may grant Regressum in viam 4 But take him a
any necessary Euangelicall truth capable of saluation may impenitents hope for saluation or is it penitence to delight in sinne or rather as g 2. Cor. 7. Gregorie Comissa flere flenda non committere Thus I conclude When Heretiques Infidels Impenitents are saued then shall Papists also be partakers of saluation In hac fide viuo spero moriar And of Antichrist thus farre as also of the two first maine parts of the Chapter Cauâ—at and Confutation of Errour followes the Comfort occasionally subioyned VERS 13 14. But we are bound to giue God thankes alwayes for you Brethren Beloued of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation through sanctification of the Spirit and beliefe of the Truth Whereunto he called you by our Gospell to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Iesus Christ TExt apparently intended to preuent the discomfort and feare of Gods people likely to arise from meditating 1 heauy wrath falling vpon sectaries of Antichrist 2 And potency of Antichrist to entangle in the Snare The ground of Comfort is their election forme the comfortable Argument thus if you please those whom God hath chosen to saluation shall not be seduced by Antichrist God hath chosen you to saluation Ergo feare not seducement by Antichrist The maior hath not onely amplification but as I conceiue implicite proofe from meanes which Election to saluation puts in all the vessels of honour to prepare them to glory they are 1 sanctification of the Spirit and 2 faith of Truth Graces opposite to the quality of Antichrists sectaries They are all 1 falsified in their faith 2 faithlesse towards Truth 3 such as finde pleasure in vnrighteousnesse and by consequent not elect to saluation Thus you may conceiue the frame Men sanctified by the Spirit and belieuing the Truth are out of gunshot of seducement by Antichrist sith he preuailes onely with men faithlesse and vnsanctified But all the elect are sanctified and belieue the Truth Ergo The minor whither of the principall or of the prosyllogisme hath proofe ver 14. They are called to sanctity and faith Ergo elected or ergo sanctified and faithfull supposing the calling to be effectuall Out of the text in grosse arise these documents 1 How carefull a Minister in prudence should be to anticipate the feares and discomforts of Gods children arising or likely to issue from mention of things so frightfull Speake to the heart of Ierusalem h Iude ver 22. put difference comfort the feeble minded so is the charge such the practise of the i Luke 12.32 great Shepheard of the sheepe of his holy Apostles and Prophets especially when iudgements spirituall that coast vpon certaine damnation are mentioned see Heb. 6.9 10.39 2 Tim. 2.18 19. 1 Iohn 5.16 18. Reasons 1 this part of the k 2 Tim. 2.15 Right cutting of the word sharing to euery one his owne portion 2 Necessity in respect of Gods children in whose cares the noise of things so frightfull is as the sound of thunder partly 1 through conscience of merits to share in like Iudgements 2 partly through feare of owne infirmity and naturall mutability 3 Remembrance or sight of many eminent in gifts become Apostles 4 Weake apprehension and assurance of Gods loue and their owne sharing in election 5 Dwelling too much on thought of potent Aduersaries weake measure of Grace 6 Forgetfulnesse or not considering the potency of their supporter with the like 3 And it s not our least inducement that hereby they are occasioned and excited to glorifie the grace of God in exempting them from that fearefull condition Vse The times I confesse are such as require the spirit of Iames and Iohn the l Mar. 3.17 sonnes of thunder to be doubled vpon Ministers so not secure onely but senslesse are most growne of spirituall misery and danger Howbeit there be that mourne in Sion that tremble at the word of God for such is requisite the temper and spirit of Barnabas the m Act. 5.36 sonne of consolation promiscuous promulgation of terror or comfort sorts not with that prudence God requires in his Ministers Next you may notice the maine ground of comfort Election so often in like case applied see 2 Tim. 2.19 Rom. 8.30 Luk. 12.32 Most fitly to seale vp solid comfort to Gods children sith they easely apprehend that n 2 Tim. 2.19 foundation sure that decree immutable and of infallible accomplishment Vse That me thinkes they are imprudently proudly cautionate who by their good wils will haue all mention thereof enclosed to the chaire in Schooles not once to be whispered in our Homiles ad Populum when yet 1 Gods Spirit is plentifull in publishing this part of Gods counsell to the people 2 Nothing more 1 deiects mans pride or 2 extols glory of Gods Grace in our saluation 3 Nothing is greater incentiue to Sanctitie 4 nor filles the new soule with more solid comfort Prudence in publishing none but allowes But they are ouer wise who wholly conceale it Nor doe they lesse erre and hinder comfort of Gods people who make the knowledge of it impossible in state of this life for then how comforts it It s not the decree but our apprehension of owne sharing in that grace that yeelds comfort to the soule what when the Maior is assented to the Elect shall not be seduced except I may assume I am elected how feeles my soule the comfort But de bis alibi The generall of the ground for comfort is this the Elect are out of gunshot of seducement by Antichrist and other heretiques compare 2. Tim. 2.17.19 Apo. 13.8 Mat. 24.24 1 Against such gates of hell preuaile not Mat. 16.18 2 Such sinne not vnto death Yet thus vnderstand 1 In matters of inferiour nature they may be mistaken building hay and stuble vpon the foundation 1. Corinth 3.12.15 2 In fundamentals also erre for a time but herein if they mistake sooner or later God reduceth See promise Phil. 3.15 Iohn 16.13 Finaliter they erre not in truths of necessary faith Vse I say as Peter o 2 Pet. 3.10 giue diligence to make calling and election sure that ye may haue comfort to hold fast the hope set before you p 2 Tim. 2.19.20 c. The foundation stands sure But haue eye to the seale it leaues this stampe or impression they depart from iniquitie purge themselues from these who are vessels of honor prepared to glory Thus of generals from the body and scope of the text particulars you may thus number 1 Besides the manner of propounding with 1 thankesgiuing to God and acknowledgement of obligation to that dutie whereof before There is 1 The blessing Election 2 The authour God 3 The time from the beginning 4 The motiue Loue. 5 The meanes of execution sanctification and Faith To which you may adde 6 The euidence effectuall Vocation verse 14. Q. What is election Resp The generall notion of the word in common apprehension is the
i Rom. 4.17 enabled to do what it s exhorted to do Ps 27.8 My heart answered thy face Lord wil I seek k Rom. 6.17 ye haue obeyed from the heart that forme of doctrine into the which you were deliuered The phrase seemes purposely chosen to expresse the efficacie of diuine doctrine in the hearts of his children as if they were cast into it as into a mould and came forth bearing the stampe and figure of it See 2 Cor. 3.18 Vse Say not now in thy heart who shall ascend into heauen to search those court roles whither thy name bee written in the Booke of life the word is neere thee euen in thy heart That if thou haue selt it such as Paul describes it Spirit and Life enabling to be and doe what it prescribes leauing impressions of holinesse mercy loue and such like heauenly properties as it selfe breathes thou maist rest assured of thy Calling and Election Blessed is that soule that discernes impressions of the Word and Spirit of God in it selfe It s sealed to the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 Instrument of vocation our Gospell vnderstand not an Euangelicall storie written by Paul and his Associates as by Matthew and the rest But their preaching of the Gospell their publishing the glad tidings of remission of sinnes reconciliation with God saluation purchased by Christ to all beleeuers The Gospell is 1 Gods as the Author and sender of it 2 Christs as the matter and next reuealer of it out of the bosome of his Father He is the Angell of the Couenant 3 Pauls as l 1 Cor. 4.1 a dispenser amongst others of the mysteries it containes Our Gospell that is tropically our preaching of the Gospell That the instrument and meane of their of our vocation two things commended to our notice 1 the matter or quality of the doctrine whereby our effectuall calling is wrought its Gospell 2 The Act conuersant about it or the manner of propounding it when its powerfull to our calling that 's preaching Of the first that its Gospell and not Law Scriptures plentifully witnesse 1 That 's the m Rom. 1.16 17. power of God to saluation for it onely reueales the righteousnesse of God the meanes of reconcilement vnto him therefore stiled the n 2 Cor. 5.19 word of reconciliation 2 That o 2 Cor. 3.6 9. Spirit not Letter the ministration of the Spirit the ministery by which the Spirit giues life and ability to doe what it prescribes Howbeit in the conuersion of a sinner there is vse of the Law and that ministery of condemnation 1 to humble the soule swelling with conceit of righteousnesse by p Rom. 3.20 conuincing it of sinne 2 To make it q Rom. 7.9 sensible of miserie to which for sin its lyable 3 That so it may be our r Gal. 3.24 Schoolemaster to Christ preparatiue therefore it is to conuersion yet as Moses brought onely to the borders of the promised land Ioshuah set them in possession So the Law prepares vs a people to Christ the Gospell makes vs so Iohn 1.17 Of the second In what manner propounded Resp Preached vnto vs. What call we preaching Resp Not euery telling a faire tale in a pulpit or singing a piece of descant vpon a Text But the 1 opening and interpreting of the doctrine of the Gospell and 2 the applying of it to the state and vse of the hearers Compare these Scriptures Neh. 8.8 Luk. 24.27 32. Iob 33.23 2 Tim. 4.2 1 Cor. 14.24 25. Whither this be done publiquely e suggestu in the Congregation or in priuate Conference de Scripto or memoriter with a set Text or without matters not to the nature of preaching But that this is the meane ordinary of vocation the meane ordinary sine quo non Scriptures are plentifull Rom. 10.14 17. How shall they heare to belieue without a preacher 1 Cor. 1.21 It pleased God by foolishnesse of preaching to saue them that belieue Hence the charge so strict to Timothy deliuered with solemnest adiuration to preach the word 2 Tim. 4.1 2. and woe to vs to whom the dispensation is committed if we preach not the Gospell 1 Cor. 9. see also Ezech. 3.18 34.2 But is not reading the Scriptures to the people preaching Resp In large sense it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a publike proclaiming of the word of God But shall we say that preaching which in strict sense Scripture so cals for shame when Paul bids Timothie preach the word meanes he read it distinctly see his owne explication and drawing that whole into parts 2 Tim. 4.2 when he commands to study to show himselfe approued a workman that needs not be ashamed ment he reading distinctly 2 Tim. 2.15 rather right diuiding the word When Christ ascended on high and gaue ſ Eph. 4.8 11. gifts to men fitting them to the worke of the ministerie in their seuerall degrees was this amongst their habiliments Mistake not as if I would vilifie publique Reading I know it Gods ordinance vsefull and efficacious to the ends whereto it s assigned And haue so farre expressed my iudgement in my rude notes on the former Epistle Howbeit would haue no man in loue of his ignorance or ouer-loue of ease so farre mistaken as to thinke he hath done the whole of that worthy that t 1 Tim 3.1 5.17 18. toylesome worke of the ministery when he hath read faire seruice vnto the people Nor be so erronious against sense as to thinke reading that kinde of preaching which Scripture makes instrument of effectuall calling Of Gods selecting it and separating it to this vse other Reason we can giue none saue his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 1.21 Howbeit Congruence you may obserue 1 Cor. 14.25 2 Tim. 4 2. 2.15 And would you please seriously to view and compare Congregations wanting this meanes with those to which God hath granted constant preaching of his Truth the greatest Antipreacher shall be forced to see as great oddes as betwixt Sodome and Sion in her beautie betwixt ignorance and knowledge betwixt ciuility and sanctity betwixt corruption and grace betwixt the sonnes of God and the children of Belial Vse 1 On which ground I hope I may without presumption minde my reuerend Brethren of the Ministery of what Paul with solemnest adiuration chargeth vpon Timothie to u 2 Tim. 4.2 preach the word to be instant in season out of season 1 the * 3. itch of the eares hath infected the people that 's little 2 x Acts 20.29 Wolues enter or insideate not sparing the flocke 3 We watch for their soules as those that y Heb. 13.17 shall giue account 4 Bloud of soules cries lowder then that of Abel which yet God threatens to z Ezech. 3.18 require of vs in case of our negligence 5 a 1 Cor. 9.16 Ezech. 34.2 Woes are many to rouse vs with all comfortable promises many to animate and encourage 1 the b Mat 28.10 Lord shall
Aristotle and Plato must not illustrate onely or explicate but affront Saint Paul Of all I most wonder how the Barbarisme of Schoolemen hath regained reputation of highest learning and their mysteries seene higher then those Paul f 2 Cor. 12.4 heard in the third heauen their Sectaries more learned then hee that as g Acts 18.24 Apollos is mightiest in Scriptures Mine errour if yet an errour I le confesse Much pretious time I haue spent in them led thereto by these reasons 1 The high esteeme I saw them in with men whose learning and sanctitie I could not but reuerence 2 Next their promise of enabling rationally to conceiue highest mysteries of Theologie at least to defend them as more rationall then their contradictories 3 I found them in Moralities exact and distinct farre aboue the ordinarie rate of our Diuines 4 Why should a Papist in Schoole language be a Barbarian to me as I to him in the language of Canaan 5 Competently I seemed enabled to discerne betwixt good and euill 6 Conuersed in them not vt transfuga but vt explorator especially willing to see the harmonie like that of harpe and harrow twixt themselues and Controuersists of this time 7 Yet euer with this minde to subiect them to highest censure making Scripture my gnomen and canon after which to exact them Herein what I haue erred Lord pardon mee but sure it was farre from me to make them Lords of my faith or of my reason Nouices and Neophites onely I monish to bewarre of their inchantments lest their mindes bee corrupted from the simplicitie of the Gospel 2 Cor. 11.3 As to the people the monition is this to beware of h 2 Tim. 4.3 itching after nouelties and turning their eares from wholesome doctrine Where will you finde it but in Scriptures What when they tell you of fabulous traditions pretensed reuelations miracles and apparitions of Angels and men deceased Shall any mislead you from the written doctrine Gal. 1.8 9. Deut. 13.1 2 3. Luke 16.31 Oh fooles and blind 1 Here is i 2 Pet. 1.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereon your soules may build 2 Here is k Rom. 14.4 comfort solid and what affords l Ier. 6.16 rest to the soule 3 m P Psal 119 9. Isai 8. Direction perfect for guiding the whole life what else seeke we Yet how wild and wanton are our heares growne Hee is no body now that tels what Peter and Paul Moses and Prophets haue spoken Who so can bring to their Athenian eares things strange and vnheard off though neuer so impertinent who so will walke in the Spirit and lye falsely hee shall bee a Prophet for this people So gat Antichrist footing amongst our forefathers and if euer by a postliminium he recouer his possession amongst vs by this meanes it will bee Hold fast the traditions you haue extant in Apostles and Prophets writings before them Poperie falles as Dagon before the Arke VERS 16 17. Now our Lord Iesus Christ himselfe and God euen our Father who hath loued vs and hath giuen vs euerlasting consolation and good hope through grace Comfort your hearts and stablish you in euery good word and worke THE second part of the prescript for preuention of seducement prayer vnto God The carriage seemes to present it as a voluntarie act of Pauls loue on behalfe of this people The intention bends it farther to the forme of a prescript and is so to bee apprehended in as much as Paul on this occasion falles to his deuotion In his example hee prescribes what is most conuenient for them to procure their establishment Certainely it is a principall amongst our compleate Armour auailing to our standing in the euill day n Ephes 6.18 Praying alwayes with all manner prayers and supplications in the Spirit watching thereunto with all perseuerance as if it gaue life and strength to the whole of our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Luke 17.1 2.5 Psal 51.12 1 Not onely the first infusion of grace is of God but to euery act and exercise of grace receiued is necessarie nouum auxilium 2 The giuer of grace the same is the perfecter confirmer stablisher of it 1 Pet. 5.10 1 Cor. 1.8 3 What feathers are we left to our selues when the least blast of temptation takes vs 1 Chron. 35.31 Mat. 26.74 Gal. 1.6 4 When we would doe good euill is most present with vs. Rom. 7.21 5 Not onely Iehoshuah but we all haue Satan standing at our right hand to resist vs Zach. 3.1 The Lord rebuke him had need bee our prayer ver 2. else whither fall we Luke 22.32 Vse It much ioyed mee amids the wauing and wauering of our winde shaken vulgus to heare the protestations and vowed resolutions of my people rather to die for Christ then to denie him Howbeit mee thought I wanted the eleuation and ascent of the minde vnto God Oh my deere brethren first thinke of the little o Rom. 7.18 hold fast goodnesse hath in our nature the no nourishment more then God is pleased to supply Secondly weigh how Adam and p Iude 6. Angels greater in power and dignitie fell left to themselues Thirdly consider how the q Mat. 26.74 Rocke of faith failed of an egregious presumer becomming a frequent denier of his Master Fourthly how soone g Galat. 1.6 Galatians were transported to another Gospel Fiftly minde who said it s a blessed thing to ſ Pro. 28.14 feare alwayes our owne infirmitie Sixtly how soone Dauid t Psal 30.6 7. was troubled when hee but fancied hee should neuer be moued Pray rather as Dauid hold thou mee vp and I shall bee safe and Lord u Psal 51.12 stablish mee with thy free spirit Humble deuotion preuailes rather then proud presumption See 2 Corinth 12. To it God giues answere my grace is sufficient for thee and * 2 Cor. 12.9 I will perfect my power in weakenesse To the rest thus let him that thinkes hee stands of all men take heede least hee fall 1 Cor. 10.12 Particulars obserueable in the prayer are first the persons to whom it s directed Secondly the grounds of assurance for audience Thirdly the blessings prayed for 1 Persons the Lord Iesus Christ and God our Father In Athanasius his time the inference was found Christ is prayed vnto as the Father therefore God equall with the father With good leaue of Papists it may passe current if to him as donour of grace the prayer be preferred 1 His stile is x Rom. 9.5 God ouer all blessed for euer 2 His properties the fame with those of the Father y Apoc. 2.23 ommiscience searching the heart and reines omnipotencie infinite wisedome c 3 Workes the same z Iohn 13. creation a Heb 12 3. sustentation b Iohn 5.17 gouernement of the creature Hold the conclusion firme against Arians 1 It assures thee of the c Heb. 9.14 1 Iohn 17. all sufficient value of the price
paid for thy redemption 2 That he is able to saue and set in possession of the purchased inheritance maugre all the spight craft power of hell 2 The grounds of assurance for audience 1 Gods fatherly loue 2 The testimonies of his loue already giuen comfort and hope more perswasiue to worke assurance of obtaining more are extant in holy writ 1 Power wee cannot but presuppose in God and d Ephes 3 20. abilitie to doe abundantly ouer and aboue all that wee can aske or thinke All the doubt is of his will What more swayes it then loue Whose very nature is velle Amato bonum See Mat. 7.9 10 11. Specially what our Sauiour hath Iohn 6.26 27. Where a little hyprobolically hee seemes to exclude the necessitie of his intercession to impetration and mindes vs of the fâ—lse propension that is in the Father to grant whatsoeuer we pray for Vse Blatterers and bablers in prayer they would make vs who allow vs no assurance of Gods speciall loue in our adoption 1 How then shall wee fulfill Saint Iames his item e Iam. 1.6 7. to aske in faith nothing doubting 2 Or how haue certaine and firme hope of obtaining When the doubtfull or disputant about certainetie of obtaining may not thinke to obtaine any thing of God 3 And how dare they call God Father who know not they haue f Rom. 8.15 receiued the Spirit of adoption 4 And hath God g 1 Ioh. 5.14 15. promised in vaine Or h Mat. 7.7 8. precepted vs in vaine to aske with assurance of audience They say this certainetie quels deuotion inhibits care of sanctitie See supra For my part I know none euer prayed with i Heb 5.7 more feruency of Spirit then our Sauiour None that was euer more k Heb 7.26 holy harmelesse separate from sinners Nor any that was more assured of Gods loue Wherefore my aduise is to euery man desirous to bee feruent and hopefull in deuotion labour for assurance of Gods loue It s not assurance but doubtfulnesse that quencheth or quels deuotion The second ground of assurance of audience is the gifts already bestowed for these ascertaine vs of Gods loue There is a generall loue of God hee hates nothing that hee hath made doeth good for nature sake his workemanship to good and bad But there is a speciall loue and assurance of it required in him that will pray with assurance to bee heard Testimonies thereof are not outward blessings l Eccles 9.1 none knowes this loue by any thing that is before him But gifts there are that testifie it two here specified 1 Comfort 2 Hope Which m Iohn 15.17 none receiue but the people of his loue Particular explication expect anon I apply now to the Apostles purpose Noticing these and like gifts of the spirit as pledges of obtaining more or in more abundance the blessings wee pray for Hence called the n 2 Cor. 1.22 Arrha or Arrhabo earnest peny of Gods contract testifying that hee is voluntarily bound to giue more if we aske more of him Wherefore Saints are not ashamed to promise themselues more because the Lord hath already done so great things for their soules See 2 Cor. 1.10 2 Tim. 4.17 18. 1 Sam. 17.37 Nor to encourage vs to aske more euen therefore because the Lord hath already beene so liberall to vs. 1 God is not as man that the fountaines of his bountie should be exhausted 2 Nor as the sonne of man to o Iam. 1.5 vpbraid vs with curtesies already conferred 3 His bonum is sui diffusiuum and delights to haue it selfe extorted by importunate prayer that indeed hee requires 1 That hee may bee acknowledged Authour of gifts 2 That he may see vs fitted and disposed to receiue 3 That he may reape thankes as a tribute from those that are his beneficiaries But aske what thou wantest thou mayest bee assured to receiue shall I say Though thou haue already receiued much nay therefore bee encouraged to aske more because thou hast experimented the Lord so liberall in bestowing Vse Grace sometimes seemes p Ezra 9.8 10. ouer modest through conscience of vnthankefulnesse and q Iam. 32.10 1 Chron. priuitie of no worth in it selfe to obtaine Oh rouse vp your selues you beloued of the Lord and know 1 the Lords delight is to doe good to the sonnes of men 2 You are Å¿ Apoc. 3.4 worthy by acceptation in Christ 3 There is in our God a selfe propension to deale bountifully with vs. 4 What inclines him rather to pitie our indigence then to exact our worthinesse 5 And haue you forgotten the consolation t Heb. 4.15 16. our high Priest hath experimented our sorrowes and now appeares at his Fathers right hand making continuall intercession for vs. Thus thinke the fauours already bestowed are pledges of more prouided alwayes we bee 1 not vnthankefull for what 's receiued 2 Nor proud of what is gratuitously conferred 3 Nor slothfull to doe him seruice or to vse our talent to the glory of the bestower and benefit of our brethren The gifts instanced in and noticed as meanes to assure vs to be heard are 1 Comfort 2 Hope Both amplified 1 By seuerall Epithites Comfort euerlasting Hope good 2 By common fountaine Grace Comfort vnderstand the lighting or easing the heart of that sorrow or feare where with it s surcharged Here specially disburthening the soule of that anguish or feare arising from conscience of sinne It hath for the harbinger pouertie of spirit mourning for sinne and liablenesse to wrath See Mat. 5.4 Isai 57.15 61.3 2 Instrument the Interpreter that one of a thousand to declare vnto the weary soule Gods righteousnesse Iob 33.23 3 Sound euidences whereby it s brought home to the soule 1 Performance of conditions Faith and Repentance 2 Consequents 1 Cheerefulnesse and u Psal 119. Alacritie in Gods seruice 2 Courage and sometimes no lesse then ioy in tribulation The stile it hath is euerlasting See Iohn 14.14 The comforter abides with vs for euer How When it s often interrupted and Gods children groane vnder the burthen of griefe or feare Resp 1 In Causis though not in our sense because of our infirmitie See Psal 77.10 Those cause are 1 Gods * Mal. 3.6 vnchangeable loue 2 x Heb. 8.6 New couenant stablished on better promises 3 Christs merit and y 1 Iohn 2.1 intercession 2 Quantum ex parte Dei it bides with vs the interruptions which befell vs issues from our owne default 1 Churling at Gods hand in our afflictions Iob 6. c. 2 Securelie Psalme 30.6 7. 3 Scandalous sinnes Psal 51.12 3 Yet I say not but God remoues sensible comfort 1 For triall of faith who but belieues what he feeles Then is faith glorious when against or aboue sense it rests on naked promise of God See Matth. 27.46 Iob 13.15 2 Sometimes for preuention See 2 Cor. 12.7 most vsually for chastisement 4 As we
to spare speach of what Gods spirit m 1 Cor. 3.9 1 Tim 5 18. resembles it by would they please but to experiment a little in what seemes easiest in our taske informing the minde with distinct notice of the mystery of godlinesse or fastning it as â—s their n Ephes 6.4 duetie in their ignorant families they would change their minde and say husbandry were a play-game a recreation to the toyle of a faithfull Minister To conclude where tell me haue you seene a painefull Pastour not too maturely made old Though by naturall temper choisest temperance and manner of education framed to greatest vigour sitted to extend life to the vtmost terme of nature Our Sauiour in his prime and slower of age little past thirtie is deemed by lewes a man towards o Ioh. 8.57 fiftie such showes of ouer age had care and paines to win souâ—es as some opine cast vpon him But what lets to conceiue the Apostle speaking 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and as the thing was That his meaning may be hee bought at deerest rate in the eye of flesh it selfe wherewith to sustaine himselfe if opera hardy labour of the hardest may bee thought equiualent to price or to things which for price passe in exchange from man to man For so himselfe addes the explication 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but wrought with labour and trauell night and day Like was his practise in some other Churches though on other occasions and to other ends See Act. 20.33 34. 2 Cor. 11.12 Bindes the example vs Or doe they well who presse it vpon Monkish predicants from Pauls example Ans Apish imitation of Saints hath filled the world with superstition with errours some no lesse then hereticall With what caution wee should heed examples of Saints hath beene treated in the former Epistle wither I remit the reader Disparities bâ—twixt Paul and vs you may obserue these 1 His extraordinary instincts and inspirations added to his ouer measure of gifts acquired by industry aduantaged aduanced him to facilitie of performing his Apostolique function in teaching who doubts but oft without study and premeditation so that other his necessary or occasionall imploiments brought not by distractions impediment to his preaching or other ministeriall offices Of vs to our enabling to the worke is required attendance to priuate p 1 Tim. 4.16 reading and meditation dwelling vpon and being in these things a day or houre otherwise spent may giue vs iust occasion to say as he Amici perdidimus diem and with that day part of our full furnishing to the worke of the Ministery Except we be imployed in some thing coniunct with and subordinate to the maine or when perhaps necessitie and infirmitie of body or minde forceth to remit and loosen the ouer bent spirits 2 Nor is it with our Churches as was with this of Thessalonica that we should feare at this day ouercharging our people Scantingly it should seeme the Lord had distributed to these poore Artisans as learned deeme them the good things of this life which small portion also lay open and was liable daily to be preyed vpon by violent rapine of persecutours Whereas God hath pleased to seat vs in another Canaan a land flowing with milke and hony where we sit mostly all vnder our owne vine and figtree eating the fat and drinking the sweet sated shall I say Surfetted rather with the plentie of all Gods gracious blessings That wee of all Churches may seeme vnworthiest of the Corne if wee shall offer to put the q 1 Tim. 5.18 muzzle on the oxe his mouth which treads it out Howbeit where exacting of due maintenance is indeed a burthen to the Church let art or industry or owne possessions or other imploiments supplie our necessities incline to part with right rather then to bee ouerpressing in exacting it compassion teacheth it and so farre vrgeth the example of the Apostle VERS 9. Not for that we haue not power but that we might make our selues an example vnto you to follow vs. THE second end of Pauls prouiding for himselfe by manuall labour that hee might make himselfe a paterne to this people and by his owne performance of what he prescribed win the people to obedience To explicating whereof the passage is by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Obiect Perhaps reason of such forbearance to exact maintenance c. was want of right to demand Sol. Not so power we haue and lawfull authoritie to aske and receiue it That therefore is not reason of not vrging to yeeld it but that wee might make our selues an example Not that we haue not power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iust right title lawfull authority Qu. To be burthensome thinke you Resp He meanes to take maintenance from his Auditors which 1 either for that it seemes burthensome to earthly mindes or 2 for that in extreame pouerty of the Church it s really so he stiles pressure or burthen Quest But when it s so really burthensome hath hee power or right to claime it Resp Right dies not or decaies by disability of the debtour the r See 1 Cor. 9.5.15 Collat. vse of right ceaseth for the time according to the rules of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and mercy see Isai 58. But that Ministers haue power and authoritie to claime maintenance from their people we haue clearelly from this Text. Quest On what Law founded Resp Of Nature Nations Moses Christ see 1 Cor. 9. a vers 4. ad 15. Vse Base aboue measure and vnbeseeming Christians is the conceit entertained by the people that our maintenance is from beneuolence only and ad placitum to be measured out by our Auditors As if it had no foundation in Iustice but meerely in Charity Liberè dico reclamante mundo pronuncio as Hierome in another case speakes clearer prescript affords no Iustice for any title then for Ministers to their maintenance that is to their Tithes The more vniust are they who detaine it and Å¿ Col. 4.25 who so doth the wrong shall beare the wrong that he doth But that wee might make our selues an example c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as 1 Tim. 4.12 when applied to denote what tends to exemplary it signifies the liueliest expression and as I may tearme it effigiation of that vertue or vertuous practise which we desire to exemplifie To the Nature of such an example in vertue or vertuous practise concurre three things 1 eminence in the vertue 2 precedency 3 liueliest expression of what we desire to commend to other mens imitation An honour whereof Paul was euery Minister and other prescriber should be a little ambitious See 1 Tim. 4.12 1 Pet. 5.3 1 It s a hallowing of the name of God a meanes to procure him glory Mat. 5.16 2 Forcible aboue prescript to win aliens by this without the word they are won preparatiuè 1 Pet. 3.1 2. 3 Allures nothing more men of gracious inclination to resemble to equall to outgoe precedents in goodnesse 2