holdeth on his iourney so in this life wee are pilgrims wee are trauailers and howsoeuer we do seek another countrie and striue to come vnto the Cittie of rest yet in this iournie wee wander often out of the way wee take many falles wee haue many impediments neither is it possible the light of our Faith should still hold out and neuer bee darkned in this pilgrimage till in the life to come we be made Citizens of that heauenly Ierusalem which is aboue Wee conclude then with the sweet and modest saying of good Saint Augustine Haec est perfectio Christianorum vt agnoscant se nunquam esse perfectos Herein stands the perfection of a Christian to acknowledge himselfe neuer to be perfect The Conclusion Now it remaineth as was promised in the beginning to shew the mutuali coherence of these words and to knit vp againe the Lincks of this Chaine together HEre in foure words are contayned the foure causes of our saluation In Predestination there is the efficient cause which is Gods loue In Calling there is the materiall cause which is Christs death opened in his word In Iustifying there is the formall cause aliuely faith in Glorifying there is the finall cause which is euerlasting life Thus in Predestination we behold God the Father chosing of his loue in Calling we heare God the Sonne teaching by his word in Iustifying wee feele the comfort of God the holy Ghost sealing by his spirit The fruite of all which of Gods loue chosing of Christs word Calling of God the holy Ghost comforting the effect of all these is our Glorifycation So that as we do see farre with our bodily eye yet reach farther with reason which is the eye of the mind but Faith which is the eye of the soule out-strippeth both So Calling enlightneth the mind with spirituall knowledge Iustifying goeth further and sealeth vp the heart with heauenly comfort Glorifying out-strippeth all and doth rauish the soule with immortalitie Euery one of vs after this life wee desire and hope to inioy eternall Glorie Behold Conceditur Ber◠in Predestinatione promittitur in vocatione ostenditur in Iustificatione percipitur in Glorificatione In Predestination there is the first grant In Calling it is directly promised in Iustifying it is plainely shewed in Glorifying there is liuerie and seisin the full possession of all In Predestination God bestoweth vpon vs his loue in Calling he graunteth the blessing of his word in Iustifying he yeelds the fruit of his spirit in Glorifying he doth wholy giue vnto vs himselfe Here are the sweet springs issuing out of Nilus the head whereof cannot be found here are the foure pleasant riuers which water Paradise which runne through the Soule with a Diuine vertue and comfortably coole all our spirituall heat Here is the holy and precious oyle powred vpon the head of Aaron the exceeding loue and fulnesse Ioh◠Of◠nes◠all of grace powred vpon our head Christ Iesus and running downe to the skirtes of his clothing to euery particular and penitent member of his Church Here wee may see the spirituall regeneration of the Soule shadowed out in the first creation of the World In Predestination there is the huge and vast deepe the darke forme whereof could not be discerned in Calling the separating of light from darknesse of knowledge from ignorance in the Soule in Iustifying the Sunne is created the 〈…〉 6 bright beames of his grace shine in our hearts in Glorifying we may behold the new Adam framed 〈…〉 6 after the Image of God and placed in the paradise of immortall ioy Obserue here if you please the kindnesse of alouing Father who hauing many sonnes beareth secret affection to some one there is Predestination this affection in his good time hee declareth by making his will knowne and his loue manifest there is Calling after this Calling he causeth him to take vp his inheritance in Court and giueth him earnest in token of assurance there is Iustifying lastly he enters into his fathers ioy and is made neire of all there is Glorifying Againe in Predestination the heauenly husband-man chooseth out a plot of ground at his owne pleasure in Calling hee soweth it with the seede of his word in Iustifying hee waters and cherisheth it with his spirit in Glorifying hee reapes and carrieth into the barne Lastly behold apparantly in Predestination 〈…〉 5.5 how Ioseph long before was sold into Egypt by the determinate Counsell of God by Calling how hee was loosed out of prison and deliuered from the bondage of sinne by Iustifying how his cause was made knowne and so acquitted innocent in Glorifying how hee was clothed in Purple placed in the Kings Chariot and made the chiefe of his Kingdome Now then as Saint Paul saith to the Romans What shall wee say to these things in like sort what shall we say to these so excellent so sweete so diuine misteries to these so comfortable testimonies of Gods loue to this Ladder of Iacobs whervpon none but Angels do ascend to this inward working of the Spirit which bloweth where it listeth to this Diuine and hidden purpose which can not be deceiued to this ineffable glorie of the Sonnes of God which they do expect and looke for what shall wee say more effectuall and more comfortable Can any thing bee set downe more plainely or knit vp more briefly can any demonstration be concluded more soundly Whom the Lord hath Predestinated before all time those doth hee Call in time whom he Calleth those hee doth Iustifie and whome he Iustifieth those doth he Glorifie Thus then may euery true Christian conclude for the comfort of his Soule and the assurance of his saluation for euer I am Iustified truely by aliuely and working Faith therefore I am Called I am Called effectually by his word therefore I am Predestinate I am Predestinate and chosen of his free loue from eternitie and therefore I shall bee Glorified vnto all eternitie againe Osetled comfort Osweete conceiued hope of ioy That ioy which strength of Hells ten thousand can neuer take away Wherefore should we feare whereof shall we be afraid No no force so mightie so puissant able to ouerthrow vs. No terror of sinne no plagues of death no rage of the world no power of the Diuell himselfe In all these we are more then conquerors For al things shall turne to the best to them that are setled in Gods feare That wicked and most dangerous conspiracy plotted against the Lords annointed whē it came to the very pinch when it was brought to the very height was not all turned topsie-turuie and vtterly disapointed This day wee do acknowledge it with thankefull remembrance this day wherein wee are all met together in a most happie and blessed peace this day doth plainely witnesse that hee had the deliuerance wee feele the comfort the Church hath an endlesse blessing and God hath his euerlasting praises O behold what it is to bee knit vnto God For whome he doth
â—h P. 7. the meanes of the end must go together The ende which euery one of vs doth desire and ayme at it is eternall glory we must be sure then to lay hold vpon Calling and Iustifiyng as the meanes ordained to come vnto this end For this is a certaine and sure ground in diuinity and Religion Whom-soeuer God hath appointed to eternall life he hath also appointed that man to vse the meanes whereby he may come vnto the same To make this more plaine let it please you to vouch safe the hearing of an accident which fell out very fitly to this purpose One Ludouicus a learned man of Italy yet wanting the direction of Gods good spirit and so neuer considering aduisedly of the meanes of our Saluation he grew at last to this resolution Si saluabor saluabor It bootes not what I doe nor how I liue For if I bee saued I am saued Thus Ludouicus bewitched with this desperate opinion continued a long time till at length hee grew very dangerously sicke wherevpon he sent for a cunning and learned Phisition and earnestly requested his helpe The Phisition before-hand made acquainted with his former lewd assertion how in his health hee would vsually say If I bee saued I am saued he likewise directed his speech to the same purpose and said Sure it shall bee needlesse to vse any meanes for your recouery neither doe I purpose to minister vnto you for if the time of your death bee not come you haue no cause to feare you shall liue and do well inough without Phisicke and if the time of your death bee nowe come it is vnpossible to auoide it Ludouicus musing in his bed of the matter and considering aduisedly of the phisitions speech finding by reason that as meanes were to be vsed for the health of the body so God also had 〈…〉 ordained meanes for the saluation of the Soule vpon further conference with shame griefe he recanted his former opinion tooke phisicke and so was happily cured both of soule and body at one time By this doctrine of Gods loue so manifestly Calling vs we directly learne that if a man doe thirst after his saluation if a man would bee throughly 〈…〉 assured in his heart and conscience that God hath chosen him to eternall life hee must not rush presently into Predestination into Gods secret Counsell but he must enter into himselfe to trie and examine whether hee bee rightly Called for as the surest way to come vnto the sea is first to finde out 〈…〉 a riuer so concerning our saluation the plainest surest way to finde out the depth of Gods counsell is first to come vnto Calling vnto Iustifying which are as sweet and liuely springs flowing from the same We know and see dayly by experience wee are not able to discerne wee cannot pierce with the eye to see what matter the Sunne is of but we can plainely see and manifestly perceiue both beames and heat and light proceeding from the same So heere concerning the first point of Predestination alone wee cannot conceiue it wee are not able to pierce it for it is the way which the Eagles eye hath not seene but Calling and Iustifying which are as heate and light proceeding from the same those we may as comfortably perceiue as wee doe sensibly feele the heate and operation of the Sun Here then is the duty of a true Christian heere is the part of a religious and good man indeede not to venter his saluation vpon a bare speech presumption of Predestination but to vse all meanes possible which God hath ordained That he may truely be Called to heare the word of God and to ioy in hearing of it with loue and with a desire to profit that hee may bee Iustifyed when he hath heard to be feruent in prayer zealous of well doing and abundant in all good works of Charity that he may be Glorified in the life to come to consecrate both soule and body and all the whole course of his life vnto God that so growing vp from faith to faith from vertue to vertue from hearing to beleeuing from Calling to Iustifiing at length Gods spirit may satisfie our spirits that we are his our bodies his our soules his wee setled and sealed vp in a Christian ioy for euer Wherefore I beseech you all by the mercies of God and I intreate you as you hope to stand with comfort before God and his Angels at the last day euery man lay hold vppon his soule betimes do not esteeme the loue of any thing in this World more then the loue of God purchased in his sonne Christ Iesus Take heede and beware of this profane speech If I be saued I am saued vtter it not in word thinke it not in heart away with it 〈…〉 For God is not the cause of our condemnation it is our selues Woe vnto vs wretches we our selues are the workers of our owne destruction Wisedome 1. 13. O seeke not Death in the error of the soule 〈…〉 13. and destroy not your selues with the workes of your owne hands Bis interimitur qui suis armis interimitur Euery man catch hold vpon this Chaine worke and make sure his saluation and striue to walke before 〈…〉 the Lord in trueth with a perfect heart On the one side let no man passe on in a secure and carelesse course of life nor on the other side curiously prie into the hidden counsell of the Lord but euery good Christan with an humble spirit with an honest minde with a cheerefull and good heart 〈…〉 seeke to apprehend those meanes which God hath appointed for his saluation Iustification The third Lincke of this Chaine is Iustification Whom he hath Called those he hath Iustified IT is a principle in reason Actio perfect a non recipitur nisi imperfectè primò An habit is not gotten at the first the work of our regeneration is not wrought on a sodaine But as the Psalmist saith The Codly grow from strength to strength and the wise Psal 8â— man sheweth how The light of the righteous shineth more and more to the perfect day So here the Apostle Pr. 56. â— foote by foote leadeth vs from one degree vnto another till at length we may come to make our election sure This Iustification it goeth a step farther then Calling For Calling is an enlightning the mind with spiritual knowledge Iustifying an establishing the heart with a grounded perswasioÌ„ Calling is the beginning of conuersion but Iustifying is a full clearing of the heart Calling is the first change of one that is regenerate but Iustifying is the full perswasion of the Soule when the spirit of grace resteth in vs and we setled and truely sanctified in an holy christian course of life So then when we haue not onely sorrowed for sinnes past which is the first step of our Calling but further when wee are renewed in spirit and so changed in our life
in time it may be forgiuen it may be taken away if we let it go on to two or three with vnfained repentance with bleeding teares with vncessant outcryes vnto a gratious God they may be rased out and wiped away but with greater difficulty at length if a man giue ouer himselfe vnto sinne so that it take deepe roote in the heart and bee setled in the soule he shall neuer be able to pull it vp nor to arise from the death of sinne Application TO draw then to an end forasmuch as God desireth not the death of any sinner but most louingly offereth his grace meanes of saluation vnto all seeing sinne doth proced from our owne vile concupiscence and we neuer striuing to stay the course of it in our thoughts do secretly fall away seeing by degrees against their own knowledge men do wound their soules with many actuall sinnes and thervpon God doth withhold his grace and so forsake them and this forsaking is such a forlorne estate that as Iob saith 12. 14. God shutteth a man vp and he can neuer be loosed O how feruent ought we to be in prayer thereby to kindle in vs the heat of Gods spirit how deuout in sweete heauenly meditations to stir vp in vs the good graces of God how diligent to shewe the fruits of our faith euer stirring in the workes labours of our calling giuing no aduantage to our aduersary how carefull when wee heare the word of God to do it with a humble spirit with great reuerence therby to keepe a tender heart a minde and cogitation that may easily bee touched with remorse how desirous secretly ioyfull at this holy time to prepare our selues to the receiuing of the blessed sacraments to haue our hearts stripped off worldly vanities to cal home our affections to appease our thoughts and so peaceably to bath our soules afresh in the precious blood of our euerlasting redeemer That so feeling our selues as it were newely created againe soule body heart hand tongue may neuer cease to sound praises vnto him who doth neuer cease to renew his mercies vnto vs. The holy kingly Prophet Dauid he is a worthy example for this roial presēce set him before your eies obserue the whole course of his life How sweet and mild was his spirit in forbearing to take reuenge for himselfe how couragious inuincible his faith whē it stood in the quarrel of gods honour how dearly affected to his people when he said to the destroying Angel not these sheep but it is I that haue offended what melting kinde affection did he shew towards Ionathan those whō he loued what a mournful repentāt heart whē he knew that he had offēded how full of diuine meditations to better his thoughts how frequent in praier falling frō him as a continual streame how ioyfull in Gods seruice dancing before the Ark how reuerend in Gods house kneeling bowing in the tēple before al the people what a thankfull heart in offering to build a glorious temple to the Lord what an hūble minde saying what am I what was my fathers house that thou hast brought vs hitherto what a chary tender care of Gods glory whersoeuer he became how abundant in praises thanksgiuing calling euery member of himselfe all the creatures both of heauē earth to make one quire in setting forth singing sounding the euerlasting praises of his God But why did Dauid thus to what end was al this that he might be sure stil to hold fast by God to be intirely knit vnto him by al means possible to retaine his loue for feare least God hauing raised him to the height of renowne deliuered him miraculously out off many eminent and bloudy dangers so set a crowne of blessings vpon his head if Dauid should haue showne any vnthankfulnes any cōtempt or the least neglect of his loue a mighty ielous god he also vpon iust cause might haue withdrawne his loue laid al his honour in the dust againe Now therfore with al humblenesse duety I intreat you by the tender mercies of Christ Iesus in the name of the liuing God I chalenge euery christiā which hopes for any ioy in the life to come take heed of actuall and presumptuous sinnes in no case let them haue dominiō ouer you Psal 19. 1 do not woūd your soules as Pharao did with wilfull offences against your own knowledge try examine all your thoughts how wherin they stand affected aboue al grieue not the blessed motions of that cōfortable spirit which keepes the very Life and Being of the soule To conclude let al slaunderous mouthes be stopped all the factious scismatiques in the land ashamed in beholding your christian and Princely example continue still to be louingly and kindly affected one towards another celebrate this holy time in a true religious maner Sanctifie the ioyful beginning of this new yeares raine with new deuotion vnto God lay all your Honors downe at the foote of the altar receiue the holy Sacraments ioyntly together and so bee faithfully knit in loue and in one head Christ Iesus go cheerefully on delight still in doing good the Lord God of our Fathers increase in you good desires giue you zeale to performe them confirme vnto you to your seede all his good promises and vnto euery one of vs here graunt pardon for offences past giue vs comfort and strength in temptations to come change all our liues more and more to a better course euen for his blessed Sonne Christ Iesus sake who with the Father and the holy Ghost be blessed and praysed for euer Amen FINIS
1. to the Romans and the 20. vers No man can excuse himselfe Neither the Turkes who acknowledge Mahomet their great prophet nor the Indians that worship the Sunne nor the Egiptians who offer sacrifice to all manner of beasts neyther they or any other remote and barbarous people that 〈…〉 do worship strange Idols of their owne inuention none of these can excuse himselfe and say he is not Called because the inuisible things of GOD his eternall power and Godhead are sâ—ene by the creation of the world being considered in his workes to the intent all men might be without excuse Thus 〈…〉 we see by this Philosophy lecture all people whatsoeuer are instructed to know God But to his own people God reades Diuinity Lecture hee Calleth and teacheth them by his word In the 146. Psal and the two last verses GOD hath giuen his word 〈…〉 vnto Iacob his statutes and his ordinances vnto Israell Hee hath not dealt so with euery Nation neither haue the heathen knowledge of his Lawes So then as in the 1. of King 6. 28 verse there is mention made of three Courts of the Temple at Ierusalem wherein God was worshipped so here are three Courts First we behold God in the frame and composition of the Heauen and the Earth as the great and outtermost Court then we see God in our selues in the workemanshippe of the body in the powers of the minde and soule there is the inner Court Lastly with the high priest wee enter into Sanctum Sanctorum that is wee behold God and learne to know him in his sacred and heauenly Word All the Prophets Apostles all the Ministers of God they are Diuinity Lecturers and all Nations people and kinred to whom they haue do preach the Gospell of Iesus Christ all these haue their outward Calling and vnto all these grace mercie and saluation in Christ Iesus hath beene offered And hereof is that place vnderstood in the 20. of Mat. 16. vers Many are Called but few are chosen i by the outward Calling both of the workes of God of his word many are Called for this outward Calling is common both to good and bad but by the inward Calling effectually working in them a liuely faith apprehending Christ so very few are Called Here in this place of Saint Paul is ment a more speciall powerfull and inward Calling which is wrought by Gods spirit and ioyned with faith so doth Saint August expound it in his booke de Predestinatione sanctorum Non quacunque sed qua vocatione fit credens Whomsoeuer God hath chosen to life him hee hath also Called by that Calling whereby hee is made and becomes faithfull Acts the 16. and 14. A certaine woman named Lidia heard vs. There is the outward Calling and the Lord opened 〈…〉 14. 13. her heart she attended to the things which Paul spake and she was baptised there is the inward Calling 〈…〉 This then is the sound and plaine meaning of these words Wbom he hath predestinated those hee hath called that is those whom hee hath chosen to eternall life hee hath also ordained to vse the meanes of saluation which is an effectuall Calling by his word and spirit Hauing discussed this second point whereby it appeareth how all men liuing are Called both by 〈…〉 the workes of God and by his word we may here see how the dissolute liuers and prophane Atheists of these our times deceiue themselues It is a common conceit fostred in the bosome of many yea vile and sensuall men they will not sticke to say If I be saued I am saued If I be chosen to life I 〈…〉 am sure of saluation If otherwise I cannot auoide it Assuredly such men they doe speake as peruersly and as senselessely as if a man should say that hee would gladly be at Yorke and yet will vse neither horse foote nor Wagon but will flie thither For the determinate counsell of God it doth not take away the nature and property of secondary causes it doth not take away the meanes of saluation but rather Gods secret counsell it doth set those causes in order and doth dispose of those meanes to their appointed end Gods purpose his eternall decree is not to be sought out in his botomelesse counsell For then Ro 〈…〉 33. we must all cry out with Saint Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O the deepenesse of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God how vnsearchable are his iudgements and his waies past finding out But Gods purpose his eternall decree is to bee sought out in the meanes and in the manifestation appointed for the same The course and order of mans Saluation is like a Golden Chaine And this verse may fitly bee called Iacobs Ladder whereupon the Angells and Saints of the Church doe discend and ascend vnto God Iacob wrestled with the Angel at the foote of the Ladder wee must not bee so hardye as to wrestle with God at the top of the Ladder Wee see here God hath set downe not onely Predestination as though wee should stay there but Iustification and Calling as middle steppes and degrees whereby we must ascend vnto God Wee must not pull downe the Ladder and thinke to iumpe into heauen To say If I be saued I am saued it is the Diuells Diuinity When our Sauiour was vpon the Pinacle hee bad him cast himselfe downe headlong for saith hee God hath giuen his Mat. 〈…〉 Angels charge ouer thee least at any time thou dash thy foote against a stone He left out the chiefe point in all his wayes it was not the right way from the pinnacle to cast himselfe downe headlong No more is it here the way to stand vppon this high point and dangerous pinnacle of Predestination to cast a mans selfe downe headlong desperately saying If I bee saued I am saued In the 2. of 〈…〉 11. Oze 11. ver the Lord there promising temporall blessings setteth downe an order a course howe they hang togither I saith the Lord will heare the Heauens and the heauens shall heare the Earth and the earth shall heare the Corne and wine and Oyle and the Corne VVine oyle shall heare Israell So likewise in the spirituall blessing of the Soule there are 〈…〉 meanes an order how we come vnto the same God by his sonne Christ Christ by his Word his Word worketh by his Spirit his Spirit doth certifie our hearts our hearts stand fast by faith Faith catcheth hold vppon Christ and so backe againe Christ presenteth vs vnto God Heere likewise in this Scripture God hath Chosen vs from euerlasting there is Predestination he doth not there leaue vs but then he doth teach vs by his word there is Calling this word through his spirit engendreth faith there is Iustifiyng this Iustifying faith lifts vs vp vnto God there is Glorifiyng Common sense and reason doth teach vs. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In euery action the end