carefull to vnderstand Gods content in our heart that it be done whatsoeuer be to vs denied of that we desire desiring that the creature may be for the creator that his name may bee glorified in all that wee are taught to pray for things or persons though we be not profited thereby acknowledging the authoritie the power and the glory to be his Fiftly When we seeke spirituall things specially Rom. 8.5 they that minde the things of the spirit are after the spirit It is of spirituall life that wee seeke and affect not things on earth but things in heauen Col. 3.1.2 Sixtly When not for our selues and ours onely but for all that we are to pray for friends and enemies in a due order specially for Saints and persons chiefe in place and power for Gods glory Seuenthly When such desires are setled so as wee neither forsake them nor change them for others knowing that they be after the will of God Psal. 27.4 One thing haue I desired of the Lord which I will require that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life that I may behold the beauty of the Lord. Naturall motion is not so it is not hard to make the opposition betweene it and spirituall motion by that which hath beene said of the signes of it For varying 1. Our Sauiour giues example when the matter is one to make no scruple of varying words God delights not in varietie of words that which he lookes to is specially the desires and groanes of heart whether we can expresse them or no being after his will as in singing the melody that pleaseth the Lord is that in the heart Forme of wholesome words is profitable gathered according to inspired word in the holy Scriptures wherin matter of our requests is contained either expressed or by iust collection inuention memory affection may be helped so If formes were vnlawful ny way as limiting the spirit then the prescribed formes by God appointed to be vsed and chosen yea commanded sometimes in the words to bee done in extraordinary occasion of praise as 2. Cor. 20.6 As he that praieth by another mans mouth praieth well though he be kept therein to the forme deuised according to the will of God for matter to be asked so may the forme written informe him for matter sometimes more then his owne heart and worke instantly with the apprehension true feeling of it and desire by the spirit whose work is specially inward Occasions being diuerse God reuealing other matter will surely inable you to make knowen your requests at least to looke to him as a sicke child to his father whose desires it may be the father knowes not nor can satisfie Our heauenly Father is full in both this ability may be in a man like the money he hath about him which he knowes not of till necessity makes him search and is glad to find It is good to meditate of matter needfull before we pray and to lift our heart to God to teach vs to aske what wee ought who know not of our selues and to giue what he knowes we ought to haue asked Obiection XII I finde my selfe so affected to the World in care for present things secondly in contentment in hauing them thirdly in feare of man fourthly in want of desire to bee with Christ that I feare that I haue no spirituall life Answere First calling is indeede a selection of men from the World vnto Christ and his Kingdome Iohn 15.19 The note is not to be of the World though in it dead to it liuing by another spirit then the spirit of the the World Both openning the minde to see better hope of calling and guiding the freed will to choose and tend to it Hebr. 6.11 with bent course following things aboue this World left in preparation of heart at least Secondly yet being in this World care is required euen where it may cause some distraction from more full attendance on the things of God As in a Christian husband and wife with intentiuenesse of minde to approue their faithfulnesse in the couenant mutuall betweene them 1. Cor. 7.33.35 They are to prouide for their owne 1. Tim. 5.8.2 Cor. 12.14 with forecast Prou. 21.5 Hiding things vnder their hand Prou. 27.23 Discretion in ordering affaires giuing necessaries places before delights and ornaments Prou. 24.27 To the good before God hee giueth wisedome vnderstanding and ioy Eccles 2.26 Cautions First the heart must bee watcht ouer that it bee not weighed downe with the cares of the World not the Word bee choaked Math. 13.22 Luke 21.34 Heb. 12.1 Secondly earthly imploiment must bee seasonable not shutting out spirituall opportunitie Luke 14.18 21. Thirdly it must not bee seruice of worldly lust but of God requiring in our place and personall calling diligence 1. To eate our owne bread 2. To haue to minister to them that want 3. To honour God with that we haue to make our grace shine forth in good workes Prou. 12.24 Eccl. 7.13 Secondly It is not vnlawfull to take contentment in good things giuen of God to vs and our familie we may tast him sweete in his blessings and reioyce Deut. 26.11 He giues aboundantly all things not to lay vp but to inioy 1 Tim. 6.17 he giues food vnto gladnesse Act. 14.17 we may lawfully both see and bee affected with pleasure of the proper goodnesse of his creature First Cautions So we see God in his blessings and creatures be led to him mooued by his goodnesse to serue him cheerfully and with a ioyfull heart Deut. 28.47 Secondly That we dwell not in delight of the creature our heart not resting in it Iob. 31.25 buying as not possessing reioycing as not reioycing making the Lord our portion Psal. 119 57. resolued to keepe his law exalted or abased full or hungrie Phil. 4.12 Thirdly That sensible of the reeling of earthly heights vncertaintie of these changable cōditions we haue our minde composed through habituall resolution to depend on God to equabilitie of affection in all conditions content with Christ our true certaine and great gaine counting all losse dung seperate from him Phil. 3.8 Fourthly That wee be of like affection with others reioycing with them that reioyce and remembering Iosephs affliction to the moderating of our pleasures and to the exercise of loue and mercy First Nature feares things hurtfull to it seekes the perseruation of it selfe it is a part of true wisedome to foresee euills and to prouide against them beware of men Math. 10.16.17 Secondly There is a feare due from inferiors in subiectiō to superiors Rom. 13.7 with sense of Gods image in their superiority and conscience of their owne infirmitie to season obedience which requires feare and to preserue them from vndecent behauiour Thirdly There is a corrupt and inordinate feare whereby we sinne in not sanctifying the Lord in our hearts by depending vpon him and making him our dread and feare
for no feare of any creature to sin against him which is either full and occupieth the heart wholly which kinde of fearefull ones haue a fearefull place appointed if they doe not repent Reu. 21.8 Or it is of infirmity with loue to God and his commandement strife against it to glorifie God in resting on him which in the weaknesse of faith may preuaile yet not reigne Thus many godly men haue beene guilty and out of this passion done reprochfull things Confirme your heart against this feare 1. by Gods commandement in nothing feare your aduersaries Phil. 1.28 and call vpon the fearfull to be strong Esay 35.4 Secondly By promises considered and applyed by faith in Christ Esa. 51.12.13 Heb. 13.7 Ioh. 10.28 of Gods presence Psal. 91.15 of his protection against hurt or deliuerance or strength to beare the temptation 1. Cor. 10.13 of certain profit by affliction excellency of glory following sufferings for God for Christ both for matter and intention And with the promises consider them that by faith and patience now inherit them and specially look vpon Iesus the author and finisher of our faith consider him in his sufferings being such a person not onely innocent but the Sonne of God and the glory that he liues in and will bring them into that are faithfull in him Thirdly By weighing the prouidence of God in three degrees 1. In vnreasonable creatures sparrowes of meane price but haue the course of their life defined by it swine were not free to the deuills will but by diuine permission 2. In reasonable men vnbelieuing haue him their Sauiour he is the Sauiour of all men 3. His prouidence speciall towards beleeuers hauing their haiers in number custody Mat. 10.30 those three in the hoâ—â— fierie furnace had not a haire of their head burnt A Christian aboue other men neither liues nor dies at aduenture but to a Lord that will owne him in life and death If he giue quietnesse who can make trouble whether vpon nations or a man onely Iob. 34.29 Fourthly Thinking on the spirit you haue receiued not of the world not of feare but of power and a sound minde 2. Tim. 1.7 Fiftly Of the good that comes by such sufferings to others many glorifie God in seeing such grace shine forth in such as the spirit of glory rests vpon Elect not called are prepared to conuersion they that are called are confirmed becomming more hold in Gods cause Phil. 1.13.14 and for reprobates a testimony is left on Gods side against them whose iudges the beleeuers shall be with Christ at the day of iudgement You haue not yet resisted vnto blood in striuing against sinne you must resolue and prepare for it whether God will call you to it or not it is a fellowship with Christ greatly argueth faithfullnesse Act. 15.26 Lesser sufferings are the markes that are vpon Christs faithful seruants a great worke of our loue to God and our brethren Ioh. 14.31 Ioh. 15.13 a glorious victorie ouer the world flesh and deuill Reu. 12.11 leauing glory on the names of such and making their example perswasiue Ephes. 3.1 Fourthly To be with Christ whether by death or by change is best of all we desire by chang if that might be not to put off the substance of our bodyes but the qualities 2. Cor. 5.4 but that not granted to vs but to such as shall be aliue remaine at Christs comming 1. Thes. 4.15.17 It is a holy choise with suctiection to God to desire rather to be out of the body with Christ then in the body absent from him 2. Cor. 5.8 Secondly Yet for the vse of a good mans life to others it may make a stop in this choise Phil. 1.23.24 Thirdly Good men are not alwaies in such case as to dare to dy their soule is troubled Psal. 6.3 2. They would doe God more service Psal. 119.17 they desire to mourne more for their sinnes which heauen admits not there is no sorrow Fourthly The godly haue their graces mixt with their contraries in remisse degrees the loue of Christ and the loue of being in this world may bee together no man here followeth the guidance of the spirit without sensible hinderance of the flesh the comfort is that we giue not the reignes to the flesh you do not make present things your treasure desiring to liue in the body onely to enioy them as if you thought your felicity ended with your life Doth it not afflict you that your loue to Christs presence is no more full and flaming feare not What gather you of Lots lingering in Sodom till God being merciful to him the Angel led him out by the hand that he had no spirituall life or that some earthly thoughts and affections striuing against his grace held him Kindle your loue to Christ and coole it to the world compare them and the gaine by them together Cant. 8.7 Phil. 3.8 and come vp more out of this wildernesse to cleaue to your welbeloued who makes his to be the glory aboue all societies in the world to their admiration that swim in earthly pleasures pray to see the felicity of the chosen the worth of your hope in immediate communion with Christ that he may be all in all to you you may keepe you chast in loue to him from adultery with this world and greatly desire the sweetnesse of his familiaritie Consider what account he makes of the loue of his set vpon him Cant. 4.10 and be prouoked to get more of it into your heart that is so precious with him Go forth in contemplation of his incomparable excellency glory and honour wherewith he is crowned Cant. 3.11 you shall find him wholly desireable Cant. 5.10.16 Labour to know his loue that passeth knowledge and be drawen to it as souldiers to their banners all the world cannot giue an example of such loue Rom. 5.8 He is tied in his desire to the presence of his Church his loue in pleasures Cant. 7.5.6 his prayer to his father a little before his death was that they which beleeued in him might be where he is he gaue his promise for their comfort that hee would come againe and take them to 〈…〉 be where he is Let this further your desire to be with him In the meane time continue in his loue in keeping his commandements Ioh. 15.10 stand on his side against Antichrist in his battailes with him Reu. 17.14 He iudgeth and fighteth righteously and the victory is certaine on his side Reu. 19.11.16.20 Be diligent in making him knowen in opening his excellencies that his name being as an oyntment powred out others may loue and seeke him speake forth his praise declare his will confesse him before the world It is not without fruit Cant. 8.13 The companions harken to thy voice Now the God of hope fill you with all ioy and peace in beleeuing and the Lord guide our hearts into the loue of God and patient waiting for of his Sonne Vnto God the Father Sonne and holy Ghost be honour Thanksgiuing obedience and subiection Whose is the kingdome power and glory for euer and euer Amen FINIS Numb 20.21.24 Psal. 56 10. Act. 27.25.36 Esa. 45.19 Esa. 49.23 2. Thess. 1.8 Ioh. 3.23 1. Ioh. 5.10 Ioh. 3.33 2. Cor. 5.20 2. Cor. 6.1 Psal. 112.7 Iob. 5.22 Ioh. 5 42 Deut. 30.6 2. Thess. 3.5 2. Chr. 19.9 Psal. 144.15 Hos. 2.15 1. Pet. 2.5 Luk. 17.16 17. Math. 7.18 Rom. 2.9 Math. 21.44 Math. 10.23 Reu. 5.2 3 5. Rom. 5.6 Reu. 3.4 Ezech. 36.31 1. Tim. 1.16 Rom. 3.22 23. 10 12. Hos. 14.15 Mark 3.28 Esra 10.2 Math. 22.9 10. Luk. 14.23 Ioh. 17.9 Gal. 2.20 Ioh. 3.5 Rom. 8.13 Eph. 5.5 6. Math. 9.21 22. Psal. 119.106 Ioh. 5.40 Ioh. 4.48 Mark 4.40 Ioh. 20.29 Ioh. 8.31.66 Act. 15.8.1 Ioh. 1.12 2. Cor. 5.17 Rom. 5.1 Rom. 7.25 2. Cor. 4.13 Act. 4.32 Eph. 4.16 Ioh. 6.64 Cant. 2.2 1. Pet. 2.2 Ioh. 14.5 Neh. 1.11 Esa. 40.11 Psal. â—7 9 10. Esa. 8.17 1. Ioh. 1.7 1 Pet. 1.2 Rom. 7.6 1. Pet. 4.11 Rom. 13.8 Phil. 1.21 Heb. 6.4 5 6 9. Math. 6.23 Col. 2.20 Mark 8.24 Iob 9.3.20 Iam. 3.13 Zeph. 2.3 Ioh. 1.12 Deut. 29.19 Ier. 7.8 Rom. 7.9.11 2. King 10.16 Luk. 18.21 Dan. 5.6 Rom. 5.9 10. Rom. 8.33 34 35. Act. 24.16 Psal. 18.22 1. Ioh. 3.9 Act. 8.23 Rom. 7.14 1 Ioh. 5 19 2. Tim. 7.2 Math. 4.11 Psal. 119.29 c. Vers. 32. Psal. 119.161 Iob 17.9 1. Sam. 25.34 Rom. 8.14 Psal. 40.12 Psal. 119.157 Cant. 4 13 14 16. Hosh. 14.6 7. Ioh. 14.28 Cant. 5.2 1. Tim. 6.11 Heb. 10.25 1. Pet. 2.3 Pro. 10.24 Numb 12.13 14. Gal. 6.18 2 Tim. 4.22 Iob 16.17 Rom. 7. â—1 Ioh. 3.8 Col. 3.16 2 Cor. 12.14 Psal. 112.5 Pro. 13.23 2 Thess. 3.8 Eph. 4.28 Prou. 3.9 Eccles. 17.13 Psal. 26.3 1 Cor. 7.30 Rom. 12.15 Amos 6.6 Esa. 8.13 Esa. 43.2 3. Heb. 12.20 2. Cor. 4.18 Heb. 6.12 Heb. 12.2 Mat. 10.29 Mark 5.12 1 Tim. 4.10 Rom. 14.8 1 Thess 5.10 Gal. 6.17 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Esa 38.18 19. Gen. 19.16 Cant. 6.8 9. Ioh. 17 2â— Ioh. 14.3 Cant. 1 2. Rom. 15.13 2. Thess. 3.5
it comes to challenge the aduersaries of our happinesse with a holy insultation either as it were at the barre for accusation or condemnation or in the field for force to separate vs from the loue of God in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.33 34 35. cannot be without faith in Christ. We haue by him entrance vnto God with boldnesse and confidence through faith in his name Ephes. 3.12 Him God raised from the dead and gaue him glory that our faith and hope might bee in God 1. Pet. 1.21 That a man may stay vpon God hee must know that hee is his God committing the care of his safetie and the charge of his happines to belong to him being both able and willing to helpe him which necessarily requires faith in Christ that hee may haue right to that couenant I will bee thy God So knowing whom hee hath beleeued he with quietnesse and confidence commits himselfe to him as Paul 2. Tim. 1.12 Diffidence and thereby feare are found in godly men and that in good causes by defect of faith much more in them that haue no faith whose hearts by the sound of feare are mooued as the trees of the forrest by the winde Esay 7.2 or are hardned against threatnings by flatterie trust in lying words making falsehood their refuge Secondly Loue of God whereby we are mooued towards him and cleaue to him as soueraignely good in himselfe 2. the authour and maintainer of all our good had or hoped for 3. and for him doe loue such persons and things as hee hath commended to our loue 4. giue our selues to him to bee at his will seeking his glory and hating our selues as wee are against him 5. cannot be satisfied but in fruition of him and therein rest with delightfull contentment cannot bee in an vnbeleeuer 1. In such the loue of God is not 2. Gods loue preuents vs and mooues ours 1. Iohn 4.19 3. Hee circumciseth our hearts to loue him his spirit is called the spirit of loue because it works it in vs and guides our hearts into it 2. Tim. 1.7 4. It is one speciall note by which the heires of the grace of life are described 1. Cor. 2.9 8.3 Eph. 6.24 Rom. 8.28 Iam. 1.12 The vnbeleeuer is an enemy to God Coloss. 1.21 Thirdly Feare of God whereby we sanctifie him in our hearts stand in awe of him his word hate to sin against him euen where no eye but his can take notice of vs giue our selues to good duties with strife to doe them so as pleaseth him aspire to full sanctification 2. Cor. 7.1 cannot be in an vnbelieuer For it is wrought in regeneration by vertue of Gods Couenant with such as haue their sinnes forgiuen Ier. 32.40 by the spirit of God that rests vpon Christ for his members Esa. 11.2 is prouoked by Gods mercy Psal. 130. vers 4. and holds a man with a perpetuall will to God The vnbeleeuer either contemnes God and declares it by lewdnesse in his waies Prou. 14.2 Or if he feare it is either penall Esa. 33.14 like the diuells trembling or meere seruile to be a bridle to work some ciuility the chiefe obiect of it is euill of punishment The feare of the belieuer is ingenuous voluntary with confidence and ioy the chiefe obiect of it is euill of sinne not his owne distresse but Gods offence Fourthly Obedience a voluntary subiection of minde and heart to God to hearken to and to doe his will after that manner and to that end which hee appoints is not in an vnbeleeuer whose wisedome is enmitie against God Rom. 8.7 He is a seruant of sinne addicted to the wils of the flesh and minde to fulfill them not subiect to God nor can be Faith is the Mother of obedience by it wee receiue the spirit renewing our nature vnto delightsome agreement with Gods Law Ioh. 5.3.4 mouing vs by Gods mercies impelling vs by the loue of Christ to die to our selues to liue to him Fiftly Patience whereby vnder euills wee adide in Gods waies possesse our soules waite for God and giue him glory acknowledging his hand authoritie ouer vs and ours his wisedome righteousnes and goodnes is not in an vnbeleeuer for it is the daughter of faith and hope 1. Thes. 1.3 a fruit of the spirit Gal. 5.22 and is wrought in meditation and application of Gods promises of the gift of his sonne the pledge of all promises Rom. 8.31.32 and his presence with vs in trouble Psal. 91.15 moderating the temptation to the strength he giues that we may be able to beare it working our present good and promoting our future glory 2 Cor. 4. Vnbeleefe hath either senselesse stupiditie Ier. 5.3 or hardening and making the courage stout to indure the vttermost or a counterfeit humiliation whereby men flatter God to get out of his hands which if it succeed not their pride opens their mouth against God vnto stout words and their heart frets against the Lord. Esa. 58.3 Mal. 3.13.14 Sixtly Prayer an action of the heart wherein acknowledging the author of all goodnesse we inforce the powers of our soules to doe an immediate seruice to him to bring forward his decrees into execution no vnbeleeuer can rightly performe for it requires faith not onely of Gods essence and power but of his loue and good will to vs accepting our person and receiuing our prayer Mar. 11.24 Rom. 10.14 Heb. 11.6 Iam. 1.6 and it must be by the holy Ghost Iud. 2.20 It requires an vpright person Prou. 15.8 the oder of Christs sacrifice Reue. 8.4 And so is a note of saluatition Ioel. 2.38 Which is farre from an vnbeleeuer Seuenthly thanksgiuing or sacrificing praise to God cannot be rightly performed without faith for it requires a heart affected with this aboue all benefits that the Lord is our God which was declared by giuing thanks before the Ark the testimonie of Gods presence with his people it goeth thus thou art my God and I will thanke thee Psal. 118.28 With tast of his loue in the benefits as pledges of more to come as the valley of Achor for a dore of hope with pleasure in the commandement consecration of our selues and that we haue to God offered in the mediation of Christ for acception Vnbeleeuers though formally they may giue thanks conuinced that all good is from God carried by pride in preferment of their gifts before other men as the Pharisee Luk. 18.11 yet they bee more in prayers then in praises As they cannot giue thanks for spiritual benefits which are giuen onely in Christ to such as beleeue on him so neither for temporall freely feelingly with loue of the duty with tast of Gods loue and delight in him As a iudge that feasts a malefactor by the way who feares his hanging at a place appointed gets but heartlesse thanks of him so God for his bounty to an vnbeleeuer who still feares that he will destroy him after he hath done him good Vnbeleefe disables
because God hath giuen his sonne to take with the nature of the elect their death Heb. 2.9.14 and thereunto their sinnes He made him to be sinne for vs that knew no sinne that wee might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2. Cor. 5.21 God laid vpon him all the sinnes of the Elect figured in the goat that escaped by lot Leuit. 16.21.22 Ouer which Aaron confessed all the iniquities of the children of Israel and all their trespasses in all their sinnes putting them vpon the head of the goat sending him by appointment into a land not inhabited that the sinnes and curse might not reside among Gods people prophecied in Esa. 53.6 Not onely the punishment of our sinnes but our sins were made to meete vpon him whether past present or to come and the equall valew to all the wrath that they did deserue he indured 1. Tim. 2.6 He his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body to or on the tree 1. Pet. 2.24 By his stripes or wailes we are healed all haue sinned and are depriued of the glory of God he that is Lord ouer all is rich vnto all that call vpon him Be it ten thousand talents fiue hundred or fiftie pence he for Christ that hath as the suretie made satisfaction to the full for the whole debt counts it as if he had no wrong by vs but that we are iust cleare not guilty puts away his anger loues vs freely we neede not for feare beleeuing in Christ paine and torment our soules in respect of punishment to come for any sin or blasphemie committed Verily I say vnto you all sinnes shall be forgiuen vnto the children of men and blasphemies wherewith they blaspheme Christ appointed forgiuenesse of sinnes to be preached in his name without distinction of many or few small or great Thus Gods people are incouraged to follow the Lord and to sett vpon reformation of sinners because there is hope in Israel for this 1. Sam. 12.20 3. God inuites to his feast sinners of vilest sort such as are as miserable in soule as they be in body that by high waies and hedges Church porches or any meetings to make their aduantage shew and offer to pitie faces gnawen eyes noses and members eaten with rottennesse Whosoeuer accepteth truely his inuitation comes and eats of his prouision is allowed cleansed from all his sinne cloathed with righteousnesse as a robe and adorned with graces as with Iewels Esay 61.10 Luk. 15.21 Reuel 19.7 Come receiue Christ he shall cloath you and decke you vnto admiration Who is shee Cant. 6.9 that comes out of the wildernesse to ioyne her selfe to her welbeloued Cant. 8.5 Obiection III. Redemption is not vniuersall in Gods purpose mercy is limited Rom. 9.11.14 according to his will is all the difference betweene them that are saued and them that perish Math. 11. 25.26 Christ came to doe the will of his father in giuing eternall life to them that were giuen him Iohn 6.37 Hee gaue his life for his sheepe Iohn 10.15 dyed for the children of God scattered in all the world Iohn 11.52 But hee did not pray nor speake a good word for the world to his father his sacrifice was the foundation of his intercession they must needes therfore bee of one extent How shal I know that Iesus Christ by the will of God gaue himselfe for mee that I may stay vpon him Answer First Hee prayed for all and therefore dyed for all that beleeue in him Ioh. 17.20 None come to him but whom his father drawes he drawes none but whom hee had before giuen to him Iohn 7.37 Faith is peculiar to the elect Iohn 10.26 Acts 13.48 Titus 1.1 The election obtaines it Romanes 11.7 Beleeue and you haue a cleare resolution whereby you may say he loued me and gaue himselfe for mee Secondly Suspition arising of a certaine preiudice without ground inclining a man to the worst part if it bee but towards a man is sinne for charitie thinks not euill beleeues all things 1. Cor. 13. To haue God in suspicion when he cals me to receiue his grace in Christ Iesus is much more sinfull both for iniury to God and hurt to my selfe God hath prouided against such putting of stumbling blocks to a mans selfe Esa. 56.3.5.7 Whosoeuer loues the name of God and to be his seruant is assured of acceptance and ioyfull experience thereof for person and seruice The spirit of God makes no perswasion to a man of his reprobation as he doth of his Election Neither can it be gathered from sinne of nature or Action internall or externall Where Christ is esteemed truely the spirit of grace not dispited if an Angel should pronounce your damnation you should suspect him for a lying spirit Or if you knew an Angel from heauen to say so much that you shall bee damned you are to beleeue him no further then vnder this condition if you beleeue not in Christ Iesus and repent towards God the written word in the true sense knowen is to be rested in aboue the testimonie of an Angel from heauen Galath 1.6 Thirdly You haue inducements to beleeue that thou ought not to neglect You are borne holy 1. Cor. 1.14 brought forth to God by the Church Gods wife Ezech. 16.20.21 You are a child of the kingdome Math. 8.12 yours is the adoption Rom. 9.4 at least externally as belonging to you The couenant is propounded Sacraments ministred not onely as notes of profession but as testimonies of Gods good will in Christ. Men hauing written their couenants sett their seales to them and deliuered them they that deale with them vse to rest as secured conceiuing they deale with wise honest and able men God hath written his couenant set his seale to it and by a minister authorized by him set you as it were in possession If you reiect it not not onely spirituall things but the application of them is represented in the Sacraments you are sprinkled with Sacramentall water you haue giuen to you and receiue Sacramentall bread and wine which by Gods appointment haue Sacramentall vnion with and relation vnto the spirituall thing represented It is such an obligation to faith and consecration of a mans selfe to God that if a man excite not his faith and yeeld himselfe he shall account to God aboue others that neuer had these testimonies Ezech. 20.37 I will cause you to passe vnder the rod and bring you into the bond of the couenant Obiection IIII. God will not cleare the guilty nor acquite the wicked he ioynes perishing vnto impenitency how shall I beleeue his promise of mercy to my pardon that cannot cleare my conversion to my conscience None can enter into the kingdome of heauen but borne of the spirit liuing after the flesh I shall die I am commanded to let no man deceiue me with vaine words to secure me from such danger Answere These two questions are distinct must not be confounded what
sinne and their works dead their Will is not free then to any spirituall work death depriues not onely of action but facultie They are said to serue sinne if their will be in a full bondage they are not free all that are not freed by Christ remaine in spirituall bondage to sinne they must be in him whom he freeth and that is by a true faith they are gouerned by the prouidence to some workes that are good for their matter but in them they are intrinsecally guilty they haue no will to obey honour the Lord therein they proceed not from an inward frame of goodnesse and conformitie of heart to Gods law their will is worse then their deed they receiue the Gospell but not with an honest heart purely for it selfe but with corrupt respect They forbeare some sins but not for loue of God and that they haue chosen Gods law whereof sin is a violation their will is not turned against it out of any inherent holines contrary to it but as contemned by light of the minde as reprochfull for one that professeth true religion or some way daungerous as appeares by their partialitie in the law Iam. 2.4 The true beleeuer is by the spirit of Ghrist in part truely and for euer freed in his will from the spirituall bondage and seruitude of corruption and his libertie is brought forward by degrees The change is by a supernaturall worke as if a stone which a hundred times forced vpward falls downe againe should haue a new inclination put into it the change were aboue nature But now the inclination is naturall so in this worke of God in taking away the stonie heart and giuing the will a new inclination the diuine power hauing made this alteration by infusion of grace and holinesse into it the action of it in willing to belieue to be iustified to be healed in nature of the sinfulnesse perceiued to be quickened vnto good workes to doe them more spiritually is naturall and free by reason of the godly nature Search your selfe according to this difference in minde conscience and will and be a true witnesse of the worke of God in you Obiection VII I find such corruption in my minde conscience and Will especially that I feare I am vnder the dominion of sinne not onely hauing damnable matter in me from which Gods children be not free but damning for sinne reignes vnto death Answere First If you desire healing of your nature grone in desire to grace perceiue your fowlenesse vnto a lothing of your selfe feare not sinne hath not dominion ouer you True grace and sense of sinne may be together in a true beleeuer who by new light perceiueth what is sinne by renewed selfe-loue more impartially iudge themselues and their doings by spirituall life feel that which they that are blind dead in whom self loue is fully corrupted neither see nor feel Prou. 30.2.3 Rom. 7.24 That wee see abhorre confesse lament as our exceeding miserie sinne dwelling working in vs hindering the good wee would corrupting our best workes carrying vs to hated euill That we earnestly desire deliuerance frō this bondage That we may do Gods will in earth as it is done in heauen No measure that is ioyned with imperfection satisfieth vs but we contend further that we indeuour our selues to get more grace and the exercise of it apply our hearts to fulfill Gods statutes bid battell to all vices purge our selues imbrace crosses as meanes of mortification and profit in holinesse loue a wise reprouer beare malicious reproofes and that we rest not in aliuelesse conformity in the externall action to Gods law it is of the grace of God giuen vs in Christ Iesus Rom. 7.14.15.24 Phil. 3.13.14 1 Chro. 28.7.9 Hos. 6.3 Psal. 119.101 1 Ioh. 3.3 Heb 12.7.10.11 Prou. 25.12 2 Sam. 26.10.12 Psal. 119.93 For sinnes past 1. That we voluntarily remember them to afflict our selues taking greife and shame for offending of God 2. That we willingly beare the punishment of them loathing our selues for our deeds that were not good hold our selues wholly damnable open not our mouth in defence or extenuation but confesse our selues vile to Gods glory with indignation at our follie and brutishnesse 3. that by rememberance of our seruice of such hatefull and now hated sinnes wee keepe our selues from our iniquitie and prouoke our selues to the study of innocencie that we are carried to labour in Gods worke with greater impulsion of loue considering Christs loue dying for vs Gods loue giuing him for vs and forgiuing so great debt 4. that we are humble modest in opinion and speech of our selues whatsoeuer graces we haue receiued that considering our change by the grace of God we bee humane compassionate toward sinners louing to make them iust waiting for their repentance deuouring indignities from them in hope and desire that they which are such as we were may be such as we are by the grace of God louingly and gladly receiuing them repenting is of grace Esay 54.6.7 Ezech. 16.63 Leu. 26.42 2 Sam. 15.26 Mich. 7.9 Iob. 42.6 Psal. 73.22 Psal. 18.23 1. Pet. 4.2.3 1 Cor. 15.9.10 2. Cor. 5.14 Eph. 3.8 2 Tim. 2.24.25 Tit. 3.3 It is a token that is pacified is moued in his bowels towards vs as his deare children Ier. 31.20 will meete vs with tokens of peace and loue Luk. 15.20.23 and defend vs as now deliuered from our sinnes not being that wee were being that we were not Luk. 7.44 and iustifie the ioy of good men in our returning from death to life Luk. 15.31 Secondly Where sinne reigns the man is but flesh merely carnall Gen. 6.3 Ioh. 3.6 distitute of the spirit Iud. v. 19. in the full power of sinne Rom. 7.5 wholly replenished with it as it were buried in it If the Spirit of Christ be in you it freeth you from the law and force of sinne and the hurt of death You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit for the Spirit of Christ dwelleth in you Rom. 8.2 9. Though you haue and shew forth much more corruption in affection and manners then many other christians doe yet the new man liueth in you as a babe 1 Cor. 3.1 infirme and feeble to keepe the olde man vnder and to bring forth the actions of a christian And because of the seede of God in you though in comparison of stronger christians you may bee counted carnall yet compared with meere carnall men you are spirituall you are not wholly carried by the desires of the flesh as they but contrary lusts striue in you to destroy one another Galath 5. verse 5.17 The perfectest Christian in this life compared with the spiritualnesse of Gods Law may well pronounce himselfe carnall Neither nature nor action is fully conformable to it but though there bee much in him contrary to the Law yet the roote of the matter is in him Iob 19.28 You should say why doe wee persecute him seeing the roote of the matter is in him Where