that euer was and God hath bestowed the same on his Elect and hee requires nothing at their handes but that they would turne their faces from this world and walke vnto it in the way which hee hath chalked foorth vnto them in his word Therefore if they be desirous to haue Saluation life euerlasting they must come forth of the broad way that leades to destruction and enter into the straight way that leades to eternal life they must acqaint themselues with the guides which are the faithfull Ministers of the word that wil cry vnto them Here is the way walke ye in it when they shall goe to the right hand or to the left 2 As Simeon going into the Temple by the motion of Gods spirit met with Christ So if we will be ruled with the same spirit frequent holy assemblies we shal meete with our Saluation Christs Spirit 1 AS the light cannot match with darkenesse So likewise Christs Spirite cannot accord and match with sinne and lusts of the flesh 2. Cor. 6.14 2 As Raine with the moysture therof fatteth the earth to make it fruitfull Euen so the holy Spirit with his inuisible grace doth make vs fruitfull to produce the fruits of righteousnesse Ioh. 7.38 3 As fire consumeth euerie thing that it layeth holde on So the Spirit of God consumeth all the corruption of our hearts and originall sinne in vs. 4 As fire giueth light to the bodily eyes So the Spirit giueth light to the eyes of the soule Ephe. 1.17 5 As fire giueth life quickneth those that be benummed with cold So the Spirit of God doth quicken and put life into those that be dead in their sinnes Ephe. 3.5.16 6 As a man that made a bargaine will bee carefull to keep the earnest pennie that he loose not all his bargaine So also must we be carefull to keepe the Spirit of God the earnest pennie of our saluation that we bee not depriued of the same Ephe. 1.13 Sacraments AS Circumcision which was a Sacrament of the olde Law was a seale in that time to our Fathers of righteousnesse Euen so be our Sacraments to vs in these daies seales of Gods promises vnto vs and all haue one strength and vertue Rom. 4.11 Sinne of set purpose AS hee that striketh the King ignorantly not knowing him to be the King is nothing in so much fault as he that striketh him knowing it is the King Euen so hee that dooth offend God of ignorance is to bee lesse blamed then he that wittingly and willingly offendeth him Luk. 12.47 48. God giueth vs vnderstanding to know the Scripture EVen as the Disciples of our Sauiour Christ had no knowledge nor vnderstanding vntil God gaue it thē So fareth it with al the rest of Gods children that althogh they heare neuer so much his Apostles Preach yea Christ himselfe personally sounding in their eares yet except the Lord open their hearts and minds as he did Lydia it auaileth not one Math. 16.17 Act. 16.14 Sinnes are our greatest enemies 1 AS a huge and mightie fire will bee asswaged and at the length quite put out if the stickes and other matter that doth chearish and increase it be withdrawne and kept from it So in like manner our affections and troubles will come to an end if we doo cease to doo euill and giue ouer sinning before it giue ouer vs for our Sins are as drie stickes and stubble wherwith the fire not onely of the wrath and malice of Infidels and heretikes but also of the wrath and indignation of God is kindled increased and most mightily stirred vp against vs. 2 As wee wonder at the Creator not onely in great matters as heauen earth the Sunne Elephants c. but also in like creatures as pismires lice wormes flies c. So a soule giuen to Christ must as wel regard litle as great matters and Sinnes knowing that wee must giue an account for euerie idle word Math. 12.36 For the health of the Soule the bodie is to bee kept in subiection LIke as when one part of a man that is sicke is not capable of the remedie wherewith he may be holpen the Physition is wont to applie the same remedie to an other part as if one bee grieued with an extreame Ach of the head then the Phisition vseth to strike a vaine of the arme because the head will not abide Phlebotomie or bloud letting So that we may helpe and heale many diseases of the Soule wee must keepe the body in subiection to the spirit and tame the lusts of the flesh and labour to bridle our affections and to keepe them within the compasse of reason sobrietie and temporance Spirits that die in the Lord. EVen as the Spirit of Christ passed from the Crosse into Paradise at the verie same moment that it departed out of the body and thence returned into the body that whole Christ in respect that he was man might be afterwards glorified So likewise all good Christians doo beleeue that their Spirits and soules who die in the Lord doo straightway depart vnto God there to enioy that measure of glorie that is appointed for them vntill that they being adioyned againe vnto the same bodies which will be the very same in substance truly corporall though in a far more excellent estate shall liue vnder Christ their head for euermore Luk. 23.43 Reue. 14.13 The Lords Supper 1 AS Bread nourisheth and strengthneth man and giueth him abilitie to labour So the body of Christ eaten by faith feedeth and satisfieth the soule of man and furnisheth the whole man to all duties of godlinesse 2 As Wine is drinke to the thirstie and maketh merrie the hearts of men Euen so the bloud of our Lord Iesus drunken by faith dooth quench the thirst of the burning conscience and filleth the hearts of the faithful with vnspeakable ioy The holy Spirit the earnest pennie of our inheritance 1 AS in a thing that is bought there is sometimes giuen an earnest pennie to wit some part of the money agreed on as wel for the beginning of the payment as by consequent for the assurance that the bargain shal be held firme So likwise the holy ghost who by faith engendreth peace ioy in the harts of the faithful is the earnest penie assuring vs by this beginning of the spirituall blessings which God promiseth to his children that he holdeth vs for his possession purchased to the prayse of his glorie and that at the length he will gather vs into the full enioying of the inheritaunce of heauen Ephe. 1.13 14. Rom. 8. 29 30. 2 Like as when a man dooth purchase an inheritance he first giueth earnest that is some part of the money promised that serueth as a beginning to the payment of the totall Summe So God hauing redeemed vs by the bloud of Iesus Christ giueth the earnest pennie of his holy Spirit that is to say a beginning of knowledge of the true God of sanctification of loue to God of
discharge no one member can discharge the dutie of an other So also it ought to be in the Church of God 76 As all the seuerall members in the body of man are knit together and vnited to the head So all the seuerall members of the Church are knit and vnited vnto the head Christ 77 As in the naturall body euery seuerall member is as it were the member of euery other in seruing to their good as the eye will see the hand wil take the mouth will speake all for the good of any weake member Euen so it is in the Church of God 78 As the naturall members take spirit and sense from the head So the Church hath all her spirituall feeling and life of Christ who is able to quicken and giue life 79 As the husband that loueth his wife thinketh himselfe not well till she hath his company and he her presence So God loueth the Church his spouse that hee cannot abide to be without her company and thinkes her not safe except she be in his presence therefore it pleaseth the Lord Iesus not onely to call himselfe the head of his Church and the Church his body but also to tearme his Church the fulnesse of himself although he filleth all in all things as though he were imperfect without his Church Psal 41.12 Ephe. 1.23 80 Euen as the father or mother will haue that Infant in their sight which they loue most dearely So God will haue his Church in his sight which he loueth-most tenderly Esay 45.15.16 Christ our Righteousnesse 1 LIke as our sinnes appeared so horrible so great so monstrous and vgly in the presence of God that being once but imputed to Christ he could not notwithstanding that his vnspeakable loue but euen in iustice most seuerely punish our said sinnes in his sonne so surely such is the excellencie of the Righteousnesse of Christ that being once but imputed vnto vs in the presence of our heauenly Father he cannot notwithstanding all our former vnrighteousnes but be throghly pleased with vs and except such a discharge of our sins by his Son for our owne discharge none otherwise then the debt of a Banquerout discharged by some speciall friend is accounted and accepted with his creditor the discharge of the Banquerout himselfe 2 As the soule of a man doth so quicken the body that notwithstanding the mēbers thereof in themselues be but weake yet they are sure not to decay all the while they do hold any participation with the powers of the soule but appeare in the presence of men both lustie and strong So vndoubtedly our Sauiour Christ being that immortall soule of his mysticall body which inspireth spirituall life into all the members therof verily all those his said members are sure so long as they continue incorporate with Christ both to hold the substance of life and withall to be accounted as liuely members in the presence of God during their partitipation with that true life it selfe whereof they take sure hold by a liuely faith Iohn 14.6 1. Iohn 5.11 12. 3 As Cochlearia or Spoonewort the roote of the water Lilie and likewise Telephium and Gentian laid to the body taketh away blacke spots So Christ applied to the conscience purgeth it from dead workes 4 As Smilax aspera or rough Bindeweede serueth not onely against venome receiued aforehand but also against all poison taken after a man hath eaten it So Christ receiued by faith profiteth not onely against the sinnes which before hath bene committed but also done afterward 5 So long as a man stung with a Scorpion holdeth wilde Carthamus in his hand he feeleth no paine but so soone as he letteth it go the ache and paine taketh him a fresh So as long as a man stung with sinne holdeth Christ by faith he feeleth no torment of conscience but so soone as he letteth him go the terrors of death take him a fresh 6 As the people of Israel passing through the Wildernesse had to fight oftentimes against Serpents and when they were stung and smitten by them for to be preserued from the venome and from death they lifted vp their eyes toward the Brasen Serpent that Moses had set vp amidst their tents by sight whereof they were healed So we in like maner fighting against our concupiscences if it come to passe at any time that they giue vs any blow to the ende that this stripe may not be deadly vnto vs wee must lift vp our eyes towards Iesus Christ hanging vpon the Crosse and beseech him that hee would forgiue vs all our trespasses and be our Righteousnesse Iohn 3.14.15 7 As in a naturall body the power that the eye hath to see serueth more to the vse of the other members thē for it selfe because that seeing and marking them all it is watchfull rightly to guide them and to direct their actions not being able in the meane time to see themselues nor to serue it selfe Euen so the Righteousnesse innocencie and obedience of Christ Iesus stand vs in more stead then him seeing that notwithstanding he had all these things and was in his nature life and whole conuersation absolute and perfect yet for all this hee was condemned and crucified We on the contrarie part albeit his Righteousnesse innocencie and obedience be onely imputed vnto vs yet for all that by meanes of this imputation we are absolued iustified and discharged of all our sinnes and of all the accusations that all our enemies can bring against vs. 8 As it is inough that we gather the fruite of a tree and that it alwayes remaine in his place and that wee carrie it not away with vs So in like maner we must content our selues to be partakers of the fruites of Christ his Righteteousnesse albeit it be not essentially in vs but onely by imputation and in as much as through his onely mercie it is bestowed vpon vs. 9 Like as they do that go vp into an high Tower who looking downewards and seeing the depth are afraide to fall and that they may be the more sure they lay hold of the railes Euen so must we leane vpon the Righteousnesse and death of Christ Iesus and strengthen our selues in that to the end we may be preserued from falling 10 Like as in Winter we can no sooner be from the fire but we are cold nor out of light but we enter into darknesse Euen so we can no sooner be parted from Iesus Christ who is is our Righteousnesse and our life but straight we are in sinne and in death for as much as he is the life that quickneth vs the Sunne that giueth vs light and the fire that warmeth comforteth and refresheth all his members 1. Cor. 1.30 Rom. 5.19 Esay 53.4 5. Col. 1.20 11 As the Moone hath no light but that which it hath from the Sunne and as the light is little or great as it is neare or farre off in such sort that if it depart from it it remaineth altogether obscure
King and saith Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Then come the Angels who carry them like Lazarus into Abrahams bosome to reioyce for euer with them and with the other holy Fathers Math. 25.21 34. 10 Like as some pleasant companions and merily disposed will often say that God fauoureth a man when he taketh away his wife by Death especially if she be euil and of bad condition So likewise if this be true we may safely say that God bestoweth a maruellous grace vpon vs and doth vs the greatest pleasure that may be when as by Death he deliuereth vs froÌ„ our flesh which is the most treacherous and disloyal wife that can be and which doth so torment the poore mâ—nd with whom she is married that she vexeth disquieteth her silly husband with the greatest and most intollerable griefe that may be 11 As we see in the seasons of the year that from the beginning to the end they are appointed of God that in such sort that all the meÌ„ in the world thogh they shuld imploy all their whole force counsels and endeuours to the contrarie were not able to alter them Euen so likewise may we be assured that our liues are so limited and bounded by God that neither king nor Prince power nor Potentate can any manner of wayes shorten or prolong them Yea and that which may wonderfully comfort vs so often as we remember it that God doth oftentimes prolong our dayes by the meanes of wicked tyrants which would cut them off by Death As Moses and Daniel were Exod. 2.2.3 c. Dan. 3. toto 6.5 c. 12 As the brazen Serpent was so far from hurting the Israelites that contrariwise it healed them So after the same sort Death is now so farre from hurting any godly Christian that on the other side that if affliction as a firie Serpent sting vs or if any thing else hurt vs presently it is helped and redressed by Death 13 Euen as a Bee stinging a dead body takes no hurt but by stinging aliue body many times looseth both sting and life together So likewise Death so long as it stung mortall men which were dead in sinne was neuer a whit the worse but when it stung Christ once who is life it self by and by it lost both sting and strength 14 As they which wil needs play the hob-goblings or the night-walking spirits as wee call them all the while they speake vnder a hollow vault or leape foorth with an vgly vizard vpon their faces they are so terrible that hee which thinkes himselfe no small man may perhaps bee afrighted with them But if some lusty fellow chaunce to step into one of these and cudgel him well fauoredly and pull the vizard from his face then euery boy laughes him to scorne So it is with Death who was a terrible bulbegger and euery man afraid of him a great while but Christ dying buckled with this bulbegger and coniured him as we may say out of his hollow vault wheÌ„ as the dead comming out of the graues were seene in Ierusalem and puld the vizard from his face when as hee himselfe rising left the linnen cloathes which were the vizard of Death behinde him Math. 27.52 53. Ioh. 20.6 15 As that Asse called Cumanus asinus ietting vp down in a Lyons skin did for a time terrifie his maister but afterwards being descried did benefit him very much So in like manner Death stands now like a silly Asse hauing his Lyons skin puld ouer his eares and is so farre from terrifying any that it benefits all true Christians because by it they rest from their labours and if they be oppressed with troubles or cares when they come to Death they are discharged Death as an Asse doth beare these burdeÌ„s for theÌ„ 16 As he that felleth a tree vpon which the Sunne shineth may well cut the tree but cannot hurt the Sunne Or as he that powreth water vpon yron which is red hot may well quench the heate but he cannot hurt the yron Euen so Christ the Sonne of righteousnesse did driue away the shaddow of Death and as glowing yron was too hot and too hard a morsell for Death to digest 17 Like as all the while that Adam did eate any other fruite which God gaue him leaue to eate he was nourished by it but when he had tasted of the forbidden tree he perished So Death had free leaue to deuour any other man Christ onely excepted but when it went about to destroy Christ then it was destroyed it selfe 18 Euen as those barbarous people called Cannibals which feede only vpon raw flesh especially of men if they happen to eate a peece of rosted meate commonly they surfet of it die So likewise the right Canniball the only deuourer of al mankind Death I meane tasting of Christs flesh finding it not to be raw such as it was vsed to eate but wholesome and heauenly meate indeede presently tooke a surfet of it and within three dayes died 19 Euen as when Iudas had receiued a sop at Christes hand a non after his bowels gushed out So likwise Death being so sawcie as to snatch a soppe as it were of Christs flesh and a little bit of his body was by and by like Iudas choked and strangled with it faine to yeeld it vp againe when Christ on Easter day reuiued 20 As a fire goeth out when al the fuel is spent but burneth as long as that lasteth So Death died when sin ceaseth but where sinne aboundeth there Death rageth 21 As the little worme that groweth out of the tree gnaweth and consumeth the tree of whom it hath his beginning So Death groweth and waxeth out of sinne and sinne with the body it consumeth 22 Like as if one that is about to shoote a Gun bee vnsteadie at the letting of it goe he misseth altogether and al that he prepared for it afore is in vaine Euen so at the end of this life are the diuels most busie to turne vs from the right marke that our former trauaile and labour may be lost for as much as they know that there remaineth but a very small time of life So that if the soule escape theÌ„ now they shall afterward goe without it for euer 23 Euen as mightie enemies doo besiege lay assault to a Citie So the diuels compasse the soule of man at the houre of Death with violence subtiltie to take possessâ—on of the poore soule to apprehend it and bring it to hell 24 Like as if an old siluer goblet bee melted and new fashioned after a beautifull manner then is it better then afore and neither spylt nor destroyed Euen so haue wee no iust cause to complaine of Death whereby the body being deliuered from all filthinesse shall in his due time be perfectly renued 25 As the Egge-shell though it bee goodly and faire fashioned must bee opened and broken
knowledge and by Thummim holinesse So dooth hee hereby declare what vertues are requirred in a Preacher to wit knowledge and vnderstanding in the word of God and godlinesse in liuing manners and conuersation 24 As the Cocke in the darknesse of the night foretelleth the light to come So the Preacher in the darknesse of this present world foresheweth the light of the ioyes of life euerlasting to come 25 Like as when a man lies in his dead sleepe cannot awake except some noyse waken him or some other call him So in like manner wee cannot arise out of sinne except the spirit of God or his Preachers which are his watchmen with often crying vnto vs awake vs vp Esay 58.1 Proud through honour 1 LIke as Bucephalus the horse of Alexander the great beeing vnsadled would receiue on his backe the horse keeper but beeing adorned with Trappers and Barbes hee would suffer none other then Alexander himselfe to ride him Euen so many being poore and base wil suffer many things which they being in prosperitie wold despise and contemne 2 As a tree set vpon the top of a mountaine is mightily shaken and easily rent vp by the rootes with euerie blustering blast and storme of wind Euen so man in this world the more and higher he is exalted to honour the more and greater daungers is hee subiect vnto Luk. â— 52 53. Iam. 4.6 Preparation of the heart before holy exercises LIke as honestie and ciuilitie requireth that our bodie be well ordered and setled when we shall haue talke and communication with men of more honour then our selues Euen so it is much more meete that our mind be very well disposed when we shall pray and speake before God in the sight of his Angels Persons of men not to be regarded in iudging of vertues c. AS the little precious stone is but a small thing yet is it esteemed aboue all huge and greater stones So a little man but of excellent wit is more to be regarded then the long large and dull dolte Papists like the old heretickes LIke as if the Physiton should say to two men of one age of one disposition and sicke of one disease that the medicine that heales the one will kill the other Euen so the Papists thinke they are greatly iniured when they bee compared to the heretickes the Datians who denied matrimonie to all men but they prohibite it onely to the order of their Ecclesiasticall Ministers as though they condemned not matrimonie because they denie it not to all but to some but the Scripture is altogether against them Gene. 1.28 9.1 2.18 Leuit. 21.7 1. Cor. 7.2 9. 1. Timo. 3.2 4.3 Hebr. 13.4 The Pastor not aboue the Prince 1 LIke as if the King should commaund his Guard to keepe his Nobles out of his Court or Pallace yet were not the Guard superiour or aboue the Nobles So though the Pastor should restraine and keepe the Prince from receiuing the Communion it cannot hence bee concluded that the Prince is inferiour to the Pastor as Doctor Bilson truly saith Pag. 222. 2 Like as if the Prince doo yeeld to the instruction of his Pastor out of Gods word this yeelding is to bee accounted to God not to his Pastor for the Pastour as Minister in Gods steed doth speake vnto him So when by the commaundement of God any Church censure is exercised against a Prince it is God and not the Pastor that doth it 2. Cor. 5.20 Peace of conscience 1 AS all men naturally in Adam are corrupte so all men naturally haue corrupt and defiled consciences accusing them and arraigning them before Gods iudgement for their sinnes in such wise that euerie suspition of death and feare of imminent daunger maketh a naturall man stand agast at his wits and knowing not what to doo but by faith in Christ the Christian is perswaded of remission of his sinnes and so the disquietnesse of his conscience is appeased and hee hath an inward Peace in al extremities which cannot be taken from him Hebr. 10.22 Rom. 5.1 15.16 2 As he that drinketh quencheth his thirst So likewise he that thirsteth after the Peace of conscience with God and righteousnesse to bee allowed at his iudgement seate findeth it and quuencheth his thirst by drinking of the bloud of Christ Ioh. 6.54 55. 3 Euen as after great showers and stormes of rayne the ayre is clensed and cleared So after great troubles sorrowes afflictions and temptations cleannesse of heart quietnesse of mind and Peace of soule and conscience doo follow Precepts of godlinesse LIke as to the sicke persons there is not only ministred medicines but there be also Precepts or diets prescribed vnto him to follow least the operation of the medicine should bee hindered Euen so Christ commaunded that his Precepts which do serue to the following of true godlinesse should be laid vnto them that be baptised least they should fal from his grace vnto the Sacrament wherof they be admitted and consigned Plague or Pestilence AS the Lyon is a most rauenous and cruell beast who teareth all other beastes in peeces especially then when she hath yong the shee Lyon spareth as they say no pray Euen so the Plague or Pestilence spareth no sorts of men 2 As there is none comparable in strength to the Lyon Euen so the Plague or Pestilence of all other diseases is most strong and deadly and brings downe to the earth as well the strongest as the weakest 3 As the Lyon is a beast of a most hotte and fierie nature Euen so is the Plague for the infected complaine much of their extreame burning Praysing God 1 AS in a Garland it sufficeth not that the flowers bee fine vnlesse the hands of him that maketh it be faire and cleane Euen so in Praysing God it is not sufficient that our words be godly and religious vnlesse our hearts agree with our words 2 As nothing is more tedious and displeasing to the eares of a good Musition then gerring of strings So nothing in the eares of the Lord can be more displeasing then not to sing and vtter Prayses vnto him with vnderstanding Deut. 32.1 Iudg. 5.1 c. Luk. 1.46 Psal 98.1 103.1 Prince or Pastor 1 AS the flowers of Sysynriehion be many whereof one alwayes is open that standeth at the top So though in a Common-wealth or Church there bee many or all good men yet they which are in the chiefest places as the Prince and Pastor must be most vigilant 2 Like as the Sunne shineth not more vnto the rich then vnto the poore but is vnto all alike So a Prince or Magistrate ought not to haue respect vnto the person but vnto the cause or controuersie Exod. 23.3 Leuit. 19.15 3 As a Horse for the leannesse is not to be blamed but the horse-keeper So the rudenesse and ignorance of the people is to be imputed vnto their Prince and Pastor 4 Like as a little Wart or blot is sooner perceiued in the face
againe Psal 51.2 5 As bleaching and whiting weareth the cloath So a man must be worne before he can bee cleane washed by true Repentance 6 Like as in an assurance or euidence a man may leaue out such words as be effectuall in the conueyance to their great preiudice Euen so sure it is that many things in Repentance may be found out to a mans hindrance which were forgotten at the first Esra 10.2 c. 7 As it is the nature of the children of God in the reading of the Scriptures to take all with them not a peece only but as wel that which humbleth them as that which lifteth vp Euen so it is the part of them which will repent truely not to play the Mice and Rats to nible a little so much as maketh for them but to take all and not to leaue out that which maketh against them 8 Like as a man that is strayed far out of his way must turne quite backe againe the contrarie way So those that haue strayed from the wayes of godlinesse to the way of sinne must by vnfained Repentance turne quite backe againe into the right way 9 As it makes a glad Father and delights him to haue a child like himselfe especially both in place and liniaments of body Euen so more glad is God when one is spiritually borne and sheweth himselfe like vnto God in all his actions by vnfained Repentance 10 As dead men in their graues although they be helped neuer so much can not rise from thence Euen so men that are weake but dead in trespasses and sinnes can doo nothing that may further their Repentance or conuersion though they be helped neuer so 2. Timo. 2.15 11 Like as if a man build a house which doth cost him much labour and great charges and not hauing laide a sure foundation when a tempest commeth his house doth fall then will he be verie sorrie and repent that hee hath so vnaduisedly bestowed his money and labour Notwithstanding for al this his great sorrow and Kepentance yet it cannot set vp his house againe which is fallen but onely it taketh occasion by the ruine of the house to teach the owner more wit against another time that when he buildeth againe he may make a sure foundation Euen so though thou Repent neuer so much yet that can not get remission for thy sinnes that are past but that must be pardoned onely by the faith of Christes bloud neuerthelesse it doth teach thee wit and learneth thee to tame thy body and subdue it and to cast a low foundation that in time to come thou maist the better resist the assaults of the diuell the world and the flesh 12 As the Angels in heauen doo reioyce ouer man when he repenteth So the diuell is throughly imbrued with highest delights and as it were with most pleasant pleasures when hee seeth men specially those which haue giuen their names vnto Christ to liue without Repentance Regeneration necessarie in all men AS trees growing on the top of hilles haue a rough barke crooked knots long bowes and therefore vnmeete for any building vntill they be cut downe pilled squared drawne home and yet can doo nothing of all those themselues So we likewise as long as we hee wandring in the mountaines and wilde woods of this world being highly minded and in great wealth and authoritie aboue others as on an hill wee by nature haue froward and proud mindes and not meete for Gods house vntill we be made lowly in our owne sights and fall flat downe at Christes feete and haue the rough barke of our olde Adam pulled off and our crooked affections out away be mortified and drawne home by the preaching of his word and working of his holy spirit Agge 1.8 2. Cor. 3.5 Iohn 6.44 Recreation AS the Land which is sowne euerie other yeare for the rest in the one yeare is more fertile in the other So quicke wittes and dayly studies doo sometimes desire Recreation and rest wherewith they bee much refreshed againe Regenerate man falleth not fâ—â—atly 1 AS a man in trauelling from Barwicke to London it may be that now and then hee doth goe sometimes amisse and out of his way but he speedily returnes to the way againe and his course generally shall bee vpright Euen so it is the propertie of the Regenerate man to walke according to the spirit which is not now and then to make a step forward for to keepe his ordinarie course in the way of godlinesse Rom. 8.1 1. Iohn 5.19 2 As it is the practise of a sicke man who hauing recouered of some grieuous sicknesse walkes a turne or two about his chamber saying Ah I would faine walke vp and downe but I cannot meaning not that hee cannot walke as hee would being soone wearied through faintnesse Or as a Souldier that with a blowe hath his braine pan cracked so as be lies groueling astonished not able to fight Or like him that hath a fit of the falling sicknesse who for a time lies like a dead man Euen so the Regenerate man although the fleshe for a time vanquisheth and subdueth the spirit not onely in thoughtes in inward motions and in some particular offences but also in the generall practise of this dutie or calling and through the whole course of this life Yet the spirit preuailes in the ende and getteth the maisterie Rom. 7.15 c. 3 Like as a prisoner that is gotten foorth of the Gaile and that hee might escape the hand of the keeper desires and striues with all his heart to runne an hundreth myles in a day but because hee hath straight and weightie Boltes on his legges cannot for his life creepe past a myle or twaine and that with chasing his flesh and tormenting himselfe Euen so a Regenerate man and the seruants of God doo heartily desire and endeuour to obey God in all his commaundements as it is said of King Iosias That hee turned to God with all his heart with all his soule with all his might according to all the lawes of Moses c. Yet because they are clogged with the boltes of the fleshe they performe obedience both slowly and weakly with diuers slips and falles 2. King 23.25 Reformation AS Elecampane beeing greene hath in it a superfluous moysture which must he first consumed before it be occupied about the body So many men haue in their superfluitie of euill which must bee first Reformed before they be employed to matters of the Church Regeneration increase by degrees 1 AS seed cast into the earth doth not by and by sprout encrease and come to perfection but by space and length of time it attaineth to his perfection and ripenesse in that season that God hath appointed As a tree likewise is not perfect as soone as it is planted Nor an infant is not straight-wayes vppon the suddaine as soone as it is conceiued in the wombe of his Mother become a man but with time Euen so we are not all at
of high or lowe degree in this world ought continually to haue his faith and hope surely built and grounded vppon Christ and to haue his heart and minde fast fixed and setled in him and to follwe him through thicke and thinne through fire and water through warres and peace through hunger and colde through friendes and foes through a thousand perilles and daungers through the surges and waues of enuie malice hatred euill speeches railing sentences contempt of the world flesh and diuell and euen in death it selfe bee it neuer so bitter cruell and tyranicall yet neuer to loose the sight and viewe of Christ neuer to giue ouer our faith hope and trust in him Can. 8.6 Psal 16.8 9. Heb. 12.2 38 As all Riuers of waters go into the Sea because they came out of it and so returne to the place whence they came So likewise euery good Christian ought to go and prease towards GOD with all his heart strength and power because hee came out from him and was created of him Hee ought therefore to looke vppon him with the eyes of a steadfast and constant faith grounded vpon his word Eccle. 1.7 39 Euen as in the midst of the Sphere is the Centre from which all lines beeing drawne doo tend towards their circumference So a good Christian man hath God for his circumference for whatsoeuer he thinketh speaketh or dooth it tendeth to Christ of whom hee is compassed round about Psal 32.10 91.4 c. 125.2 40 As some Infidels that know not Christ but are meere strangers vnto him do thinke it better to loose their liues then to violate their promises and oathes made to their enemies euen so much more Christians in such cases ought to be true and constant Ezech. 17.18 19. Iosu 9.14.18 41 Euen as mens hands were made that the one might helpe the other and the feete also because they be members of one the same body So is it the dutie of all Christians one to succour and to relieue an other in afflictions and troubles seeing the Church of God is a certaine body whereof wee are members 1. Cor. 12.26 27. Ephe. 5.30 42 As it should be against nature that one foote should hinder or smite an other So it is very vnreasonable and vngodly that one Christian should not comfort and relieue an other in their tribulations and wants Gal. 6.2 43 Like as if Hearbes watered do stil continue drie we iustly say they are dead So likewise we cannot aduow or assure our selues to be Christians watered with the spirit of Christ so long as in stead of bearing fruite by amendment of life we continue drie and withered 44 As he is not rightly called a rich man that can tell how and by what meanes a man may be exceeding rich but hee that hath riches of his owne and dooth possesse them So hee is not a good and right Christian man that can according to knowledge dispute and reason of vertue and godlinesse and can describe and define of the same but hee that is endued with vertue and possessed with true godlinesse and doth most willingly practise the same in the whole course of his life both with his friends and with his foes that man and such a woman is rightly called and is indeede a true Christian in whom the Lord hath great delight 1. Cor. 8.1 45 As burning candles doo giue light vntil they be consumed So likewise godly Christians must bee occupied in doing of good so long as they shal liue Gal. 6.9.10 46 As vnto the vngodly man said God why doest thou Preach my Lawes and takest my couenant in thy mouth whereas thou hatest to me reformed and haste cast my words behinde thee So we may be wel assured that it is not inough for Christians to haue the Gospell in their mouthes but they must expresse the truth thereof in their liues for is not inough to haue the name of a Christian but to be found a Christian indeed 47 As nature helped not Abrahams owne children but because they lacked Abrahams workes they are called Diuels sonnes So likewise the bare and naked name of a Christian without vertue is a bare title without veritie and profiteth not any at all 48 As the Paschall Lambe was eaten with sowre hearbs and vnleauened bread So the faithful Christian ought to repent him of his euill life past and to giue himselfe to puritie of life Exod. 12.8 49 Euen as a man that passeth through a strong floud or streame on foote least he stumble and fall downe setteth his eye steadily vpon the firme Land which he mindeth to attaine vnto and marketh not the swift course of the water and so goeth ouer safely and is nothing dismayed So likewise a sound and good Christian passing the raging waues of present troubles turneth away his sight his thought and all apprehension that he might otherwise haue of the miserie of them and lifting vp his eyes to heauen beholdeth there with a spirituall regard the inestinable treasures of the heauenly inheritance which hee striueth vnto and by this meanes easily surmounteth all horrour and feare of torments and griefes which commonly make alterations in mens heads and casteth them headlong into desperation 50 Euen as euery beast that is striken with lightning turneth his face toward the lightning So likewise if Christians will haue regard to God when he pleaseth them he will compel them also to haue an eye to him when hee strikes them Psal 78.34.5 51 Like as the deawy drops after great heate doth cherish the grasse Euen so good Christians do bring forth workes of mercie pittie comfort and refreshing to the people amongst whom they do liue and are conuersant Mica 5.7 Common-wealth 1 AS they which do learne Musicke at the first doo leese breake and marre sundrie Instruments as Gitterns and Lutes So the Common-wealth susteineth great detriment and losse wherein Magistrates rude and vnskilful do rule 2 As it is a thing most hard and daungerous to roote vp olde trees and to plant them of new So without great tumult and vprore you cannot alter the olde custome and vsage of the Common-wealth 3 As water mingled with wine maketh it more moderate So olde men ioyned with young men in the administration of the Common-wealth is most necessarie 4 Euen as a body without a soule is dead because it vseth not the sinewes ioynts nor members So that Common-wealth or that Citie may well and truly be said to be dead where good Lawes godly Statutes and holy Ordinances are not vsed and put in practise which are the sure binding bands of mans societie and the principall parts of a Common-wealth Common people AS they which frequent and haunt the schoole of defence do liue striue contend and fight one with an other So of the Common-people one loueth the other spoileth each other Carelesse men who forbeare to do well because others will not do so 1 LIke as if an Housholder hauing many seruants and much worke
with a Palsie hand can stretch it out as well to receiue a gift at the hand of a King as he that is more sound though it bee not so firmely and stedfastly Euen so wee must know that a weake Faith will as truely apprehend Gods mercifull promises for the pardon of sinne as a strong Faith though not so soundly 24 Euen as it little profiteth the wounded man to haue the best medicine lying by him except he had a hand to lay the plaister vppon the soare Euen so the mercies of God can doo vs small good except wee haue Faith to applie them vnto our sinfull soules Habac. 2.4 2. Cor. 1.24 5.7 25 As our hand is to our mouth and the mouth to the stomacke and the windpipe to the hart so that if thou hast not a hand to feede thy month and a mouth to feede thy stomacke thy body must needs soone perish And againe if the windpipe should be cut asunder presently thy heart dyeth and al thy members fall downe because they want the breath of life Euen so if thy Faith which is the onely meane whereby thou receiuest the breath of Christs spirit into thy soule and whereby thou liuest that new life in Christ Iesus of which the Prophet Habacucke speaketh The iust shall liue by his Faith If this pipe and Cunduit bee perished or broken in thee by thine owne negligence or cut off by thine aduersarie the diuel who seeketh nothing else night nor day but thy euerlasting poyle then certainly both thy soule and body must needs perish too 26 As the Fig tree that bare no fruit was threatned to be cut down or as a Sun without light is but a painted Sun Or as a coale without heat is dead Or as a body without motion liueth not Euen so Faith without workes is dead and the Christians that bringeth not foorth the fruites of the spirite of Christ belongeth not to Christ and so is no Christian Luk. 16.6 Iam. 2.17 27 As Infidelitie is the head-spring of all wickednesse and vice So on the contrarie side Faith is the originall well and fountaine of all vertue and godlinesse Which Faith is declared not onely by words but by such deedes and workes as God hath commaunded vs in his holy and sacred Scriptures and where no such workes bee speake they neuer so godly there is no true liuely Faith Tit. 1.1 3 1 6. 28 As Beggers which not being woorth one farthing wil yet boast of great wealth So many brag of great Faith and holinesse but haue little or none euen as though they could remooue mountaines out of their places and yet know not what true Faith is Luk. 18.8 29 As the Sunne except it shine and beate vppon the face of the earth there will no fruite spring increase or riâ—â—pen Euen so except Faith shine in the soules of men they shall neuer be acceptable to God 30 As the Sunne shining in the firmament auaileth him not that hath none eyes to see the same neither him that winketh with his eyes and will not see but onely him that doth behold the light thereof So doth the death of Christ profit him nothing which lacketh true Faith to lay hold vpon the same but onely such as by a liuely and fruitfull Faith applie the same vnto themselues Gal. 2.20 Iohn 3. 6. tot 31 As some kind of medicines are so composed that they will serue for a generall helpe for all diseases So Catholike Faith doth serue against all diseases of the soule 32 As a Traueller which iourneying into a Countrie where he might liue delightfully profitably doth leaue the right and straight way and followes by paths which will leade him into daungerous places to the losse of his life is vnwise So euery one that thinketh to please God without Faith taketh a wrong course and deceiueth him selfe to the destruction and losse of his soule 33 As a shielde or buckler is the chiefe defence of a Souldier wherby he beateth backe his enemies weapons So likewise Faith in time of spiritual conflict repelleth the diuels weapons or instruments Psal 5.12 34 As the superstitions Pagans thought that an Idoll which they termed Vibilia kept them from erring out of their way So Faith which is our Vibilia will not suffer vs to wander out of the way so long as we doo all things according to that patterne which was shewed vs in the mount Exod. 25.40 35 As the argument is alway good for the subsistance of any subiect vnto the natural propertie of the same and contrariwise the propertie being set the subiect of necessitie must be seene So Faith which iustifieth man being set good workes which are the properties of the spirit of of Faith are necessarily set 36 Euen as good works being set Faith froÌ„ which they doo spring must needs be set So whersoeuer Faith is not good works are not where good works be not there is not faith the cause of good works 1. Tim. 1.18 19. Ma. 25.34 37 Euen as without eyes no man seeth without eares no man heareth without smelling no man smelleth without tasting no man discerneth tastes without touching no man toucheth any thing So without Faith can no man see heare smell taste eate and finally touch Christ 38 As by the preaching of the Gospell the holy Ghost doth kindle Faith in vs So he increaseth feedeth cherisheth confirmeth the same by the vse of the Sacraments Gen. 17.10 Exod. 12.13 Math. 26.26 27. 1. Cor. 11.23 39 As the bodie hath his hand mouth and stomacke whereby it taketh receiueth and digesteth meate for the nourishment of euery part So likewise in the soule there is a Faith which is both hand mouth and stomack to apprehend receiue and apply Christ and all his merites for the nourishment of the soule Gal. 3.14 40 As in the litle tender budde is infolded the leafe the blossome and the fruite So where men are displeased with themselues for their offences and do withall constantly from the heart desire to beleeue and to be reconciled to God there is Faith and many other graces of God infolded Isay 42.3 Math. 6.6 41 Euen as in a childe when he growes to be a man remains to be the same substaÌ„ce that was in the child before but now is made stronger by age and castes away all childish toyes So in the same Faith which we professe in our Baptisme must we grow learn the full vnderstanding of it that it may he felt sweeter vnto vs daily more and more while we liue euen to our last end and by which Faith we also grow in the feare of God and by which we be saued Faith is Faith though it be weake or small or lye hidden 1 LIke as a litle child who with his litle hands or as a pore man who with his rugged scabby hands refuse not to take bread other alms that men wil bestow vpon them aswel as if they were greater hole And like
haue made conscience to vse such things as God hath left free and at their libertie Fained Friends 1 EVen as a brooke in winter is carried with great violence and runneth with a mightie force flowing ouer with abundance of waters on euery side when there is no want nor neede of waters but in the heate of Summer is dried vp and emptie when water is scant and hard to be had wherto thirstie passengers as they trauaile running in hope of water to drinke are vtterly deceiued So a fayned and hollow hearted Friend in the time of thy prosperitie and rich estate will promise thee many things when thou hast neede of nothing but if the winde shall turne and blow the contrarie way and thou shalt be turned and tossed with many sharpe brunts and blustring blasts of troubles aduersitie penurie and pouertie thy Friends as thou thought will bee like a tree withered through want of sap and like a ditch without water dried and parched with the heate of the Sunne 2 As a shaddow doth follow that man which is lighted with the bright beames of the Sunne but if the Sunne be hid or couered with a cloud the shadow vanisheth is cleane gone So a fained and counterfaited Friend doth follow and plie that man whome he perceiueth to bee rich to be famous honorable in the Princes fauour at whose hands hee hopeth that some thing will be gotten But if he shall fall into calamitie bee despoyled of his riches and shall tumble downe from the toppe of his honour into the lowevallie of disgrace hee presently forsaketh him and maketh no reckoning nor account of him Prou. 17.17 3 As a Swallow whose companie may be had in Summer but not in winter So likwise Friends as they go now a dayes will swarme about thee so long as thou art able and willing to feede their humors and serue their turnes but that ended they will leaue thee in the middest of a thousand surges and wants of what troubles soeuer shall light vpon thee Forgiuenesse of sinnes 1 AS the Serpent or the Toade when they die are not in so miserable a state as sinfull men because there is the ende of their woe and miserie So contrariwise when men dieth out of the fauour of God and without the benefit of Forgiuenesse of sinnes there is thē the beginning of his woe and miserie 2 Like as when Benhadad king of Syria was discomfited and ouercome by the king of Israell by the counsell of his seruants who told him that the kings of Israell were mercifull men he sent them cloathed in sackcloath with ropes about their neckes to intreate for peace and fauour Now when the King saw their submissiō he made couenant of peace with him So likewise we by our sinnes most iustly deserue hell death and condemnation euery day and therefore it standeth vs in hand to come into the presence of God to humble ourselues before him in sackcloth ashes crauing and intreating for nothing in the world so much as for pardon of our sinnes and that day by day without ceasing till the Lord giue his blessed answere to our consciences that all our sinnes are put out of his remembrance 1. King 20.32 Psal 32.1 Esay 38.17 44.22 Mich. 7.19 3 Like as a man that for some misdemeanour hath beene cast into prison and lyen there many yeares winter and Summer in cold yrons when he obtaines libertie he will often bethinke himselfe of his old miserie and take heede for euer least hee fall into the same offence againe So likewise he which hath seene his owne sinnes and felt the smart of them and withall by Gods goodnesse obtayned assurance touching the pardon and Forgiuenesse of them will neuer willingly and wittingly commit the like sinnes any more but in all things chaunge the course of his life Faith must not wauer in prayer AS the waue of the Sea is driuen sometimes into this coast somtimes into that according as the wind the raging of the Sea is So likewise a mā doubting now thinketh this thing shortly after his mind being chaunged he thinketh an other thing euen as he is driuen on with erronious doctrine and blind affections Such a man prayeth in vaine because hee is destitute of true Fayth Iam. 1.6 7. Forgiuenesse of sinnes free yet requireth thankfulnesse 1 EVen as the King his seruant owing him ten thousand Talants yet when he fell downe and besought him he forgaue him the whole debt freely and of his meere liberalitie So also God the Father dooth freely forgiue them all debts that is sinnes which flie vnto him for succour with trust and confidence in Christ Math. 18.23 c. Luk. 7.41 42. 2 But euen as the king called againe vnto punishment that seruant being vnthankfull and cruell toward his fellow seruants and that which before he forgaue him when he humbly besought him now hee requireth againe of him being stubborne and cruell towards his fellowes So God after he hath receiued vs being sorrie for our sinne into fauour will haue vs imitate his example in liberalitie and goodnesse towards our neighbour Math. 18.32 33. Faith without workes is vaine 1 EVen as that speech is vaine wherein it is said to the needie warme your selues and fill your bellies when as helping hands are not also put to So that Faith is vaine and deade which is in the mouth without the fruite of workes Iam. 2.15 16. 2 As a Carkas wherin is no liuely spirit deserueth not to be called a liuing creature Euen so Faith that is dead and without workes deserueth not to bee called Faith Iam. 2.17 3 Euen as the spirit which is inwardly in a lyuing creature quicke and lusty doth bewray it selfe by moouing feeling and by the outward actions So likewise a liuely Faith doth shewe it selfe by good workes otherwise it is like a tree without a roote by which it is nourished held vp and adorned Iam. 2.18.26 4 As Almes and liberalitie to the poore which is but in faire speeches is cold and doth not helpe So in like manner the Faith which is but in words and outward profession of speech although it be with neuer so great brags is dead so that wee must vnderstand that a thing which is weake and dead in it selfe can by no meanes haue power to giue life and to saue 5 Like as if that liberalitie which is onely in words be cold dead and doth not profit the poore nor make him a liberall man which vseth it Euen so that Faith which is onely in speech is dead and therefore cannot saue or profit him which hath it For if words onely could profite or cause it to bee Faith then should words also profite the poore man or woman which is destitute But words onely can not make a faithfull man nor onely words make a liberall man 6 As a man is knowne to be dead when hee doth not breath cannot stir see heare such like and contrariwise when
he doth any of these he is knowne to be aliue Euen so is it with Faith if it can or doo bring foorth no good workes then is it dead on the contrarie part the actions and stirring thereof doo shewe it to bee aliue 7 Euen as we see some painter so skilful that he can cast such colours in painting fire that at the first blush it might make a man iudge it to bee fire indeed But if a man hold his hand to it to feele for some heate and to make triall by the effects a child will be able to iudge easily that it is but a dead image because the effectes are wanting Euen so there bee very many men as cunning as any Painter to make a shew of Faith through great bragges and vaunts that God is their God and that they put all their whole trust in him that they looke to be saued as well as the best yea though but a fewe yet they hope to bee of the number of those 8 As an vnfaithfull seruant which doth his businesse deceitfully and hypocritically to his Lord and Maister whose wages hee taketh and in the meane time fauoureth his enemie and laboureth by all the meanes that hee may to please him and with his diligence to serue him Euen so in like manner hee which boasteth of Faith in Christ and in the meane time liueth loosely and wickedly hee dooth no otherwise then to speake outwardly those things with his mouth from which both the heart it selfe and all the studies and actions of his whole life doo disagree Ioh. 8.40.44 For the loue of Christ wee must Forsake all 1 AS a faithfull wife hauing her husband in a straunge Countrie who sending for her dooth foorthwith Forsake Father and Mother Friend and acquaintaunce goods and landes not regarding either perill or pouertie that maye happen vnto her so that shee may bee in the fellowshippe and companie of her husband because shee loueth him and hath her sure confidence and trust in him and is sure that she shall participate with him whatsoeuer he hath Euen so wee that are faithfull Christians ought vnlesse we would be reputed vnnaturall braunches vnkind louers and insolent persons to abandon and Forsake for the loue of Christ who hath married vs vnto himselfe with the Ring of Faith all worldly and fleshly pleasures what and how many so euer they be yea and our liues too Mat. 10.37 Luk. 14.26 2 As a weake woman will not refuse to forsake all and to follow her louing husband who is nothing else but earth ashes flesh bloud and corruption hauing yet no certaintie of his life nor no full assuraunce of his person nor presence Euen so much more wee ought to Forsake all when our heauenly husband Iesus Christ for our saluation and commoditie and because hee would make vs like vnto himselfe doth call vs out of our owne countrie and to follow him which is the author of life the preseruer from perils the giuer of all good giftes and the most faithfull louer of our soules 3 Like as a husband that hath diuers mansion places the which also by the common right of marriage belong vnto his wife who causeth her to dwel in what house it pleaseth him and when he list he causeth her to remoue and to chaunge habitation as he thinketh best which shee willingly is contented with beeing a dutifull wife and delighting in the companie of her husband So likewise Iesus Christ who is the Lord of the vniuersall world who also hath married vs to him by Faith will haue this prerogatiue ouer vs namely to place vs in which of his houses it pleaseth him best So that it is our part for his loue to Forsake all and to obey him and willingly to dwell in what place he will haue vs and there to remaine in leading a Christian life till such time as he shall call vs thence vnto some other place Superstuitie in Feastes and banquets 1 LIke as if a Horse by eating too many Oates should grow heauie dull and slacke to goe or draw the owner would beware of giuing him too much least hee should both loose his prouender and weaken his horse Euen so in meate and drinke and long sittings at Feasts if the plentie make vs heauie and slowe in our vocations namely in the seruice of God we haue iust cause to cut it off and so to take away the abuse which is especially hurtfull and to be condemned 1. Cor. 10.31 2 As men vse to put water into their wine for feare of drunkennesse and to put salt in their meate to season it Euen so must our speeches and talke sauour of sobrietie Christian reformation at Feasts and other meetings Iob. 1. 4.5 Math. 12.36 Fauourers and furtherers of wicked actions and sinne EVen as when some huge and great Fish is drawne out of a ryuer in a net many small ones which are about him are taken and drawne out with him Right so it is the Lords manner not onely to tangle and to trap within the infringible net of his indignation heauie iudgements the first Authors and chiefe bruers and brochers of Idolatrie treason treacherie or any kind of euill whatsoeuer But all those also will hee censure with the same weight and measure of punishment which haue any pleasure in those forbidden euils and are so farre from beeing offended and grieued at the same that they wish in their harts good successe continuance vnto thē Eze. 29.4 5. A fellow-like Feeling LIke as there is no one part in our carnall body that is hurt but that all the rest of the members Feele smart by the same Euen so ought wee to haue compassion one vpon an other when hee is in trouble and suffereth any sorrow and our neighbours businesse ought no lesse to be ours then our owne Rom. 12.10.15 16. Free-will lost in Adam 1 AS he which killeth himselfe doth it whilst he is aliue but being dead cannot reuiue himselfe againe So we had Free-will to doo good before we lost it in Adam but hauing lost it we cannot recouer it 2 As a man that is in close prison must needes thereabide and cannot possibly get forth and walke where hee will Yet can he moue himselfe freely and walke within the prison So likewise though mans will be chained naturally by the bonds of sinne and therefore cannot but sinne and thereupon sinneth necessarily yet doth it also sinne Freely 3 As that prisoner that is not onely sicke and weake but euen starke dead Which cannot stirre though the keeper vntie his boltes and chaines nor heare though hee sound a trumpet in his eare and if the said keeper would haue him to moue and stir he must giue him not only his hand to helpe him but euen soule and life also Euen so such a one is euery man by nature not onely chained and fettered in his sinnes but starke dead therein as one that lyeth rotting in the graue not hauing any abilitie or
power to moue or stir and therefore he cannot so much as desire or doo any thing that is truely good of himselfe but God must first come and put a newe soule into him euen the spirit of grace to quicken reuiue him and then being thus reuiued the will beginneth to will good things at the very same time when God by his spirit first infuseth grace Iere. 10.25 4 As a Ship when the Sterne is broken is driuen hither and thither where the tempest will Euen so by the diuel we are driuen from one sinne to an other neither hitherto can doo any thing but euen as the diuell will and except God doth deliuer vs with his strong hand of his mercie we shal remaine in the bonds and chaines of sinne vnto death Gene. 6.5 8.21 20.6 Prou. 16.1.9 20.24 21.1 5 Like as if a man should fall into a myrie deepe and stonie place and so should both be drowned bee arrayed with myre and also be hurt So wee by originall sinne are drowned in the darknesse of ignorance wee are so defiled with lusts concupiscence and wee are wounded as touching the powers and faculties of the mind Iere. 31.18 Ezech. 36.26 27. Ioh. 6.44 45. Rom. 9.10 6 As the vnderstanding doth see nothing of it selfe but that which is carnall Euen so the will of man doth hate and abhorre of it selfe all things which are good and loueth that which is euill carnall and nothing durable 1. Cor. 2.14 7 Like as when a man taketh a knife and cutteth bread with it the knife also doth cut but not without the hand of him which holdeth the knife for the knife is not Free of it selfe either to cut or not to cut yet for all that when a man doth cut any thing with a knife hee saith this knife cutteth well or ill although of it selfe it dooth cut nothing at all but by the power and force of the cutter So we likewise can do nothing of our selues that is good and right except the spirit of God worketh it in vs So that all godly Christians wil confesse and say we haue laboured we haue preached we haue praied c. knowing yet them selues to be nothing else but the instruments of the Lord which worketh Prou. 16.1.9 21.1 Iere. 10.25 13.23 34.7 Ezech. 36.26 Godlinesse the beginning and foundation of righteousnesse 1_LIke as before the comming of our Sauiour Christ in the fleshe when sacrifices were vsed as God had then commaunded it was appointed that the same sacrifices should bee seasoned with salte or else the Lord would not allow of them So likewise vnlesse we be seasoned with the the salt of true Godlinesse we and all our doings shall be vnsauerie to the taste of the Lord yea whatsoeuer wee doo this being wanting though it seeme neuer so glorious before men yet shall it be loathsome in his sight as a thing defiled and as a counterfeit righteousnesse Leuit. 2.13 Mar. 9.49 50. 2 As the buyer while hee is in buying disprayseth the thing which hee buyeth and saith it is naught it is not worth the price which yee aske but when he hath bought it so soone as he is gone he boasteth of his peniworthes and saith it is better then his money Euen so Godlinesse before a man haue it he saith it is not woorth his labour and thinks euery houre too much that he spendeth about it but when he hath found it he would not loose it againe for all the world because it maketh him contented with that he hath Prou. 20.14 1. Tim. 6.6 3 As a Syence or impe that is grafted into a tree doth in such wise drawe away the sap and force thereof that it bringeth foorth fruite according to his owne kind and not after the kind of the tree whereinto it is grafted But with Iesus Christ it is contrarie for they that are grafted in him doo in deede gather strength from him yet so that they alter their nature and bring foorth fruit not after the kind of Adams children but of Iesus Christ into whom they are grafted Ioh. 15.5 Good mens estate amongst the wicked AS the good corne may not grow nor encrease vnlesse the vnprofitable weedes be weeded away So except vicious men and vagabounds were punished good men might not prosper nor liue in peace Grace 1 AS where Sothernwood Lysimachus Poley Calamint Dictam Nigella Peutidanum are laide or growe there venemous beastes flie away So where the Grace of God is Sathan and euill motions depart Math. 12. 2 As we see the leaues fall from the trees in a boystrous wind So the Graces of God shall decay and drop away in the wicked one after an other as though they were in a consumption Luk. 8.18 3 As those that were out of the Arke though they had witte glorie riches and learning were drowned in the floud So likewise no wit nor learning nor riches without Grace can saue a man from perdition Gene. 7.21 4 As that which is not in the vessell is not of the vessel nor commeth thereof yet it is drawne out of the vessell So Grace is not of the Sacramēts nor commeth of them but springeth of the eternal fountaine of the which fountaine the soule seeketh in the Sacraments 5 As a man doth runne to the vessell when he seeketh the lycoure So must hee which seeketh the lycoure of Grace and hath it not runne to the Sacraments 6 As when the West wind bloweth with her pleasant blastes the foulenesse and sadnesse of winter is put away and the whole face of nature waxeth new and young againe as the trees are beautified with boughes and the greene grasse is distinguished with the sight of diuers flowers and the Sunne it selfe and the shewe of heauen dooth delight the eyes with a pleasaunt aspect Euen so soone as the Grace of the holy Ghost doth blow vpon the mind of man foorthwith doth the deformitie and foulenesse of the former life passe away And in the steede of vices the whole life shineth with vertues of comelinesse So that man may be counted to be borne againe luckely to waxe yong 7 As fire is kindled and stirred vp by often blowing and putting too of wood So the Grace of God must daily be stirred vp by the vse of the word Sacraments and prayer and by meditating striuing asking seeking and knocking Math. 25.26 2. Timo. 1.6 Gene. 17.1 Psal 119.57 8 Euen as they are liker to retaine and recouer their health who are carefull in vsing a competent diet of meate and medicine then they who doo carelesly distemper themselues in sicknesse and in health nor regarding what things are wholesome or hurtfull for them So likewise those Christians who are carefull and painefull in seeking seruing God are farre liker to attaine to Grace then they who are otherwise 9 As it was the peoples dutie to come to the visible Arke and there to waite and looke for the Grace of God So no man may
good part and doo of his owne free will although shee had spoken nothing thereof and when shee knoweth what her husbands will is in things shee gladly talketh with him thereof and accordingly as shee seeth him disposed to doo shee will often desire him to doo it Euen so the godly Christians which vnfainedly loue God in that they know his wisedome and will is best cannot forbeare but often pray and talke with him and desire him to doo that which he knoweth is best and which they know also he would do if none should aske or pray for the same 8 As Rebecca when two twinnes stroue in her wombe was troubled and said why am I so Wherefore she went to aske the Lord namely by some Prophet So when we feele this inward fight betwixt the fleshe and the spirit the best thing is to haue recourse to God by Prayer Gene. 25.22 9 As the children of Israel by compassing the Citie of Ierico seuen dayes by sounding Rams hornes ouerturned the walls thereof So by serious Prayer and inuocation of Gods name the spirit is confirmed and the Turrets and Towers of the rebellious flesh battered Ios 6.34 Math. 26.41 1. Pet. 4.7 10 As the preaching of the word serues to declare and to conuey vnto vs Gods graces Euen so in Prayer wee come to haue a liuely feeling of the same in our hearts for it is the key whereby we open the treasures of God and pull downe his mercies vpon vs. Psal 106.23 Ephe. 6.18 11 Like as if a man be to come before an earthly Prince he will order himselfe in apparell gesture and word that hee may doo all things in seemelinesse and dutifull reuerence Euen so much more are Christians to order themselues when they are to appeare before the liuing God in Prayer Eccle. 5.1 12 As a child cannot without blushing call him Father whom he cares not continually to displease through his lewd conditions neither can his Father delight in such a child Euen so with what face dare any man in Prayer call God his Father whome hee makes no conscience to offend and displease most rebelliously by word and deed 13 As that Citie which is not fenced with Wals may be easily brought vnder subiection of the enemie because it wanteth that which should withstand the force and encounters of the enemie So likewise the diuell will easily bring our soules in subiection vnto him and with no great paines lead them to all kind of lewdnesse vnlesse they be fenced by often and feruent Prayer vnto God 14 Like as the Sunne giues light to the body So Prayer giueth light to the mind for as it is daungerous for a man neuer to see the Sunne So it is much more perillous for a Christian man neuer to pray 15 As trees bring foorth no fruit vnlesse they receiue Sap and nourishment from the rootes Euen so wee can neuer increase in godlinesse vnlesse we bee continually watred by our Prayers 16 As theeues and robbers beholding a man florish his sword about his eares will not then set vpon him Euen so the wicked spirits seeing vs fenced by our Prayers will straightway giue backe and leaue vs vnassaulted 17 As waues of water are tossed and carried away by force of wind So likewise hee that prayeth without faith must needs be carried of euery forcible affection therefore cannot looke to obtaine his petitions Iam. 1.6 7. 18 As women preuaile with men in their suits by great importunitie Euen so godly Christians by Prayer without ceasing do obtaine their requests of God Luk. 18.3 7. 19 Like as the poore Captiue is alwayes creeping to the prison doore often labouring to get off his bolts and fetters and to escape out of prison So likewise must wee alwayes creepe to the Lord for his spirit by Prayer to free vs out of this bondage and prison of sinne and corruption and euerie day come nearer the prison doore looking when our blessed Sauiour will vnbind vs of all the fetters of sinne and Sathan and fully erect his kingdome in vs. 20 As a Mother that carrieth her child in her armes if it crie for the Dugge and suckes the same it is aliue but beeing obserued many dayes together if it neither crie nor stirre it is dead So in like manner it is an vnfallible note of a true child of God to crie to his Father in heauen by Prayer but hee that neuer crieth nor feeleth himselfe stirred vp to make his mone to God is in a miserable case and he may well be thought to bee but a dead child 21 Like as we see green wood lying in the fire sobbing and smoaking long before it wil burne Euen so no doubt all Gods children doo feele a strife and combat in their spirits in many of their Prayers Esay 38.41 c. 22 Like as euery Fencer or florisher proueth not a valiant and couragious man when hee commeth to fight in good earnest Euen so no more are those Prayers found effectuall neither can such men speake a word to the purpose when affliction hath laid hold on thē in deed wheras a true Christian neuer sheweth his manhood nor his cunning in this weapon of Prayer more then when he is to fight for life and death and the greater the daunger is with so much the stouter courage is he endued Psal 32.6 23 As he that truly loueth delighteth in nothing more then in the often talking conference with him whom he loueth Euen so where there is true and vnfained loue vnto God there is a burning desire by often Prayer to talke with God so as no perill nor danger no not of losse of life can stay or hinder it as may appeare by Daniel Dan. 6.10 24 As the more wood is laid on the fire the greater is the flame So likewise is the continuall talking with God by Prayer a great increasing of our loue towards him as on the contrarie the seldomer we common with him by Praier the more doth our loue towards him from time to time abate slake vntil in the end it be cleane quenched 25 As a certaine kind of Serpent when hee commeth to drinke doth vomit vp al his poyson So a godly Christian when he commeth to pray must banish and cast away all anger malice and hatred of his heart 26 Like as the Ship with prosperous wind is speedily carried in her course So our Praier is more profound and is better hard when our minds are feruent with some desire Psal 17.1 27 As Elizeus did cast salt into the waters of Iericho to make them sweete So must wee salt and season our Prayers with teares to make them fauorie and delightsome to God 2. King 2.21 28 Like as if men of great and loftie spirits who to God are as silly wormes creeping on the earth stand so much vpon their reputation that as it is recorded of the Senatours of Rome in old time they thinke it a great disgrace vnto them that any man
men which are not well setled in vertue nor grounded in godlinesse nor armed with the holy word and spirit of God but to winne and ouercome if hee could men that are furnished with a strong and liuely faith and such as are stayed and do relie vpon the Lords protection he vseth sundry subtilties and most daungerous and forcible temptations Math. 4.1 c. 3 Euen as the Fisher when he taketh some great Fish doth not by by violently strike and twitch her but letteth his fishing line go at the length vntill the fish do swallow downe the hooke and so worke her owne destruction least if at the first he should twitch her too hard the fishing line or thrid should break and his baite and hooke lost the fish should escape Euen so Sathan the Diuell when he hath gotten a poore sinner fast vpon his hooke and hath intangled fettered him in the chaines of some daungerous and deadly sinne and hath bewitched him with the forceries of the flesh and the world he doth not sodeinly oppresse exasperate him least at the first dash he play the Diuel openly and roughly like a Diuel as hee is the sinner shuld break his bands and escape his snares But he doth cherish him and maketh much of him and doth suffer him now and then both to speake and to doo some things that sauour of vertue that by little and little hee being made fast and dead sure vppon the hooke of sinne and wickednesse hee may by degrees worke his owne woe and vtter destruction So that the diuell doth stretch out his angling rod threed and all not that hee may let the sinner escape but that hee may make him the surer and hold him the faster 4 As Achfah who when shee had begged of her Father an inheritance of the South countries then shee must haue certaine grounds with Wells and Springs Euen so such a shamelesse begger is Sathan the diuell that he will still haue a little sinne and a little and neuer leaue till by little and little he getteth both body and soule into hell Iosu 15.18 19. 5 As little Children who know not what is good for them for if they begin to taste Honie once they will not leaue eating by their good wills till they be sicke with eating Euen so so sweete hath Sathan made sinne to the taste of the wicked that they crie still a litle more of it and finde no fault with it but that there is too little and they cannot haue enough 6 As Flies are alwayes busie about a sore place So that is a sport or pleasure to Sathan which is a sore or a paine to man 7 As an Oxe will eate no kind of grasse but that which is greene and fresh Euen so the diuell will be sure to haue his foode of the finest and best Spirituall graces from God LIke as the earth engendereth not raine nor is able by her owne strength labour or trauell to procure the same but receiueth it of the meere gift of God from aboue Euen so faith grace forgiuenesse of sins or Christian righteousnesse are giuen vs of God without our workes or deseruings 2 As the earth of it selfe is not able to get or procure to it selfe seasonable showers of raine to make it fruitfull Euen so much lesse are we able by our owne strength works and deseruings to winne procure to our selues faith grace forgiuenesse of sinnes or Christian righteousnesse vnlesse God himselfe by meere imputation and by his vnspeakable gift do bestow the same vpon vs. Swearing LIke as he that maketh a custome of striking with his hand it is likely that he should sometime strike vniustly Euen so he that maketh a custome of Swearing in true matters will at the length euen forsweare himselfe in matters of no importance by reason of his custome and vse which he hath got in Swearing Sonnes by adoption 1 LIke as if a King or Noble-man should of meere loue and fauour take in a begger nay a Traytor and make him his heire Euen so God did with vs and such fauour did he freely shewe to so many of the sonnes of Adam as it pleased him to adopt and so to make them his children 1. Iohn 3.1 Iohn 1.12 Rom. 8.14 2 As Iaball the sonne of Adah the wife of Lamech is called the father of such as dwell in Tents for he was the first inuenter of Tents And Iuball his brother is also called the father of such as play vpon Harpes and vpon Orgains or Pipes yet we may not therefore call the Tentes Iabales children and the Orgains and Pipes the sonnes of Iuball Euen so God is called the father of the reprobate but metaphorically because hee first created them but yet they can no more be called the adopted Children of God then the Tents might be called the Children of Iaball or the Harpes and Organes the children of his brother Iuball Gene. 4.20 21. 3 As the Sunne which sometime shineth and sendeth foorth her light dispersing the clouds and sometimes againe is hidden vnder the cloudes Or as the Sea is one while ebbing and an other while flowing Or as the Moone is sometimes waxing and sometimes waning Euen so the adopted children of God by reason of their manifolde corruptions imperfections and rebellious thoughts of their harts haue not the spirit of God alwaies felt in themselues nor perceiued in them by others in a like measure but it is in them somtimes in a greater measure sometimes in a lesse 4 Like as Trees planted by the water side which doo bring foorth fruit in due season yet the same Trees haue both a summering and wintring a spring time and a fall of the leafe when Winter comes they seeme as though they were dead but in Summer they shall waxe fresh and greene againe and yet the fruit of the same Trees are first in the sap onely then it commeth into buds and so into blossomes whereof some are smitten with blastings some are nipped with frost and cold and some are eaten with Wormes but if they escape all these then from blossomes they come to bee Apples and at the first they are greene and liuely and some doo lust to eate them but they are still hard and harsh but in time they come to their full growth And when they are ripe then are they either shaken downe with the wind and Swine deuour them Or if they bee fairely gathered yet are they pluckt from the Tree that hath borne them then are they bought and solde whereof some perishe and are cast out of doores The fairest and the sweetest are brought either to the fire to bee roasted or to the Table to be pared and cut in peeces and so to be eaten then the tree is naked and seemeth to be dead but the next Spring doo fetch all againe So likewise are the fruites of the spirit in the adopted children of God first in the sap of faith onely which is hidden in the heart then it
commeth into good thoughts then into good workes by degrees but many times they are nipped and smitten in the bud or in the blossome that is either in thoughts or words that they neuer come to workes The workes likewise of the Sonnes of God are at the first faire and fresh but yet hard and harsh and when they are come to any perfection they are either wind-shaken and deuoured by beastes or smitten with persecution then are they bought and sold and euerie man handleth them as they list In a word the fairest the pleasantest and the best of our workes must be pared and picked for daintie mouthes and queasie stomackes and in the end consumed of all and then are our labours come to their perfection whether they bee of the Church or Common-wealth and then do many of Gods children thinke themselues naked and dead and there is no cause why they should for their fruits whether they perish in the bud or in the blossome or in the ripening or howsoeuer they be handled yet they prooue that the sap of Gods spirit is in them the next spring of Gods grace will fetch all againe Psal 1.3 5 As men say of fruit this is but little but it is good here be not many of them but those that are of them are very daintie they are right of such and such a kind Euen so the adopted children of God may say My faith is but litle and weak my loue is not so much as I would it were my zeale is but little and my patience is but small but it is true faith and true loue and true zeale and true patience euen from the very heart roote without dissembling O Lord encrease it and strengthen it Luke 17. 5. Mark 9.24 6 As the adopted Sonnes of God are planted by the ministerie of the word and spirit Euen so they florish and abound in fruit by the same meanes as also by the Sacraments and prayer c. Psal 92.13 14. Rom. 1.17 7 Like as if a King Prince or Nobleman should make a poore begger borne his louing Sonne and heire by adoption hee were greatly bound to loue him and to bee thankfull vnto him for euer Euen so much more wee ought to loue the Sonne of God Christ Iesus that hath made vs Sonnes and heires to his Father by his death and redemption Saluation 1 AS an Helmet saueth the head of a Souldier in the day of battaile So Saluation which commeth from the Lord saueth and protecteth vs from the deadly wounds of our spirituall aduersaries Ephe. 6.17 2 As the Pismire prouideth foode in Summer time to liue by in Winter So in like maner we must labour to attaine and get Saluation with the meanes thereof in the Summer of prosperitie that so wee may liue spiritually in the Winter of aduersitie 2 As a supper is made when the day draweth to an end Euen so is full Saluation giuen to the godly about the end of the world 4 Like as the Infant cannot liue without a Nurse So neither can we haue Saluation without Christ The Spirits to be tried AS Marchants credite men so farre as their wealth and money will reach but yet trust not them that do not keepe their day and credite Euen so in the promises that deceiuers make vnto their fellowes wee must regarde what ground they haue for them and how they can bee performed Saluation to be preferred before either profit or pleasure 1 AS the eye is marueilous necessarie for the guiding of the whole body and a member that hardly may bee spared yet if there come daunger vnto the rest of the body by it wee must rather suffer the losse of it then the whole body should perish for it Euen so wee are to loose with contented minds our dearest friends or whatsoeuer commodities of this life though wee can as hardly spare them as our right eye if they hinder vs in the way of life and Saluation Math. 9.47 2 Like as when a mans foote is so soare that it cannot be healed and putteth the other parts of the body in danger to be infected by it is wont to be cut off for the preseruation of the rest Euen so when our friends or any earthly commoditie whatsoeuer shall become hurtfull to our soules and endaunger vs to loose life euerlasting we must then reiect them Math. 18.8 They whom God setteth on worke must needes Speake AS when the Lyon roareth whosoeuer is within his daunger cannot choose but bee afraid So when the Lord Speaketh what Prophet or preacher of his can hold his peace Iere. 47.2 Amo. 3.8 Securitie is the high way to destruction AS the Oxe when hee is driuen to the Butchers stall goeth willingly because his hope is that he shall bee driuen to some better Pasture and neuer feareth vntill the Axe bee readie to be laide vppon his head Or as a foole when he is led to the stockes goeth chearfully and neuer feareth vntill his feete bee fast snared therein So likewise many men goe securely forwards weltering in the broad way without remorse of conscience perswading thēselus that that is the perfect way because the greatest number do walke therin and neuer perceiue their owne folly vntill till they snared in the traps of destruction A Spirituall man discerneth all things AS a man of cleare eye-sight is able to iudge of colours and to know one colour from an other Euen so such as are indued with the grace of God doo as plainely and euidently iudge of Gods word trie out the truth thereof from the deuises and doctrines of men Scriptures 1 AS the Lawes must bee interpreted not according to the censure and iudgement of them to whome they were giuen but after the will and meaning of the Iudge and Lawgiuer which made them So the Scriptures must bee interpreted by the Scriptures and the word by the word and that which is spoken obscurely in one place by that which is declared and vttered more plainely in an other place 2 As the Carpenter knowes his Rule to be straight not by an other Rule applied vnto it but by it selfe for casting his eye vppon it hee presently discernes whether it bee straight or no So likewise wee knowe and are resolued that Scripture is Scripture euen by the Scripture it selfe though the Church say nothing so be it we haue the spirit of discerning when wee read heare or consider of the Scripture And yet the testimonie of the Church is not to be despised for though it breede not a perswasiton in vs of the certaintie of the Scripture yet it is a very good inducement thereto 3 Like as the Physitions in their bookes doo most diligently discribe euen such diseases as are most filthy not to the intent to praise commend them or els alow thē but to the end they may bee exactly knowne and the more perfectly cured So the holy Scripture in sundrie places doth most manifestly rehearse mischieuous deedes euen such as