aduauncement of his Church so mightelie assailed on all sides and particularlie to bee mindfull of mee in your prayers that it may please the Father of light from whence all good gifts doo come to continue his mercies towards mee and to guide mee alwaies with his holie spirit with the increase of his giftes and graces to accomplish the rest of my life seruing faithfull and holilie to his glorie the aduauncement of the Kingdome of our Lord Iesus Christ Amen Holie meditations and praiers CHAP. 13. O Lord God almightie al good and all wise we are confounded before thy holy maiestie not ô Lord for the troubles and extreame calamities wherewith we are oppressed in these daies full of tribulations anguishes and teares but forasmuch as we haue offended thee for asmuch as our sinnes our ingratitude rebelliōs haue kindled thi wrath against vs and chiefly forasmuch as the wicked and infidels take occasion by thy iust iudgemēts corrections to blaspheme thy holy name Alas Lord wee yeelde our selues guilty before thee confessing that we are inexcusable and vnworthie to be named thy children yea wee are worthie to bee reiected of thee wee are worthie of hel to be creatures accursed for euer For ô our good God whē we were the children of wrath thine enemies abādoned to all euil thou hadst pitie vppon vs poore and abhominable sinners Thou hast cast the eyes of thy fauour vppon vs. Thou hast giuen thy welbeloued Sonne Iesus Christ to the shameful and cursed death of the crosse for vs. Thou hast giuen vs thy holy gospell that blessed and ioyfull tidings of our saluation Thou hast accompanied it with thy spirit to lighten vs to draw vs vnto thee to make vs partakers of the treasures of thy Kingdome of eternall life Thou hast stretched out thy hand from heauen to the depth of hell to pul vs backe and to make vs thy happie children Thou hast done according to the good pleasure of thy will inasmuch as thou shewest mercie on whom thou wilt shewe mercie Alas Lord ought not we to acknowledge the daye of thy visitation and the time of saluation Ought not we to feele the abundant riches of thy incomprehēsible grace towards vs to loue serue praise and adore thee to renounce our selues the world and the flesh and all that which is contrarie to thy glorie yea to abhorre all that doth displease thee to walke as the children of light and to consecrate our selues vnto thee to bring foorth fruites worthie of thy Gospell and becomming the Children of such a Father to be as bright lights in this darke world to giue light to the poore ignorāt ones to drawe thē with vs into the way of saluation But alas ô Lord our God we quite contrarie hauing brought into thy Church the world and the flesh haue kept in our selues these enemies of thy glory these plagues of our soules haue serued them Our infidelitie our flesh haue made vs loue the earth more than the heauen the world more than thy kingdome the filthines and dust of vaine riches more than the treasures of heauenlie and eternall good things the smoke of humane honors more thā the glorious estate to be thy childrē brethren of thy sonne Iesus Christ Couetousnes the roote of all euill hath hardened our harts to despise thy poore ones euen Iesus Christ in his members Wee haue slaundered thy holy Gospell by fraudes deceipts robbings occupying our traffique and doing our affaires as people hauing no knowledge of thee The aire in the Cities where thy word hath bin preached hath bin stinking infected with the whoredomes adulteries and other infamous acts that there haue bin committed Gluttonie drūkennes haue made brutish those that for thy blessings and bountie ought to haue praised thee Euerie man thinking onlie how to profit aduance himself in this world to the despising of thy holy seruice the building of thy Church The profession of thy holy religion hath serued many but for the cloke of their iniquities Wee haue put out trust in the arme of flesh in brokē reeds seeking cōfort for thy Church of the enemies of it in forsaking the fountaine of liuing waters and the almightie Crimes trespasses blasphemies and iniquities haue bin winked at supported in defiling the seate of thy iustice without punishmēt thy threatnings promises reiected as vanities the holy Ministerie of thy Word despised the chastisements which thou hast exercised on our brethren neglected without thinking what our selues haue deserued Wee haue not felt sorow for the afflictions of thy children to mourne with them and to feare thy iudgements And what shal we say more ô Lord Our iniquities are as mountaines our ingratitude and rebellions as the great deepe our whole life before thee being nothing else but a cōtinuall sinne and despising of thy holy Maiestie If they who neuer heard speak of thy sonne Iesus Christ and that haue not knowen thy will are iustly punished in thy wrath what iudgement what condemnation what hells and cursses haue we deserued hauing so villainously so long so obstinately despised thy holy instructions thy promises thy threatenings and the examples of thy iudgements which thou hast exercised before our eyes Also the voyce of our ingratitude is ascended before thee our iniquities haue and doo crie vengeance against vs. These are the procurers and aduocates of thy iustice soliciting these iudgements against vs. Our sinnes haue strengthned our enemies haue made them conquerours ouer vs. We haue sowen iniquitie and we haue reaped afflictions as thou seest ô Lord our God that thy children are banished spoyled and impourished that they are cruellie dealt withall trodden vnder foote and exposed to the laughter of thine enemies Our persecuters make a scorne of those ouer whō thy name is called on they make their boast of the euill that they doo They scatter thy flockes They throwe downe the scepter of thy sonne Iesus Christ They depriue thy children of the pasture of thy word Those temples O Lord those temples where not long since thy praises did sound in which thy holie Gospell was preached the Sacraments purelie ministred thy name religiouslie called on These temples O Lord are now defiled with Idols and idolatrie the abominable Masse is established againe false tales and lies are preached These temples where thy people assembled in so great number to praise thee and to behold thy louing countenance are now filled with people blaspheming thy holie name and treading vnder their feete the bloud and glorie of thy sonne Iesus Christ This youth of orphanes fondlings and others that went to schoole being brought vp in the knowledge of thee nourished in thy feare is now giuen vp to the enemies of thy trueth to be instructed in the damnable doctrine and seruice of Antichrist O good God our sunne is turned into darknes the Moone into bloud our health into sicknes our life into death And yet if thou shouldest
by their incredulitie the grace which GOD offereth them should their incredulitie make thee call in doubt the trueth of God and the testimonie of his good will towards thee If some few among these banished not trusting the pardon published by a true and faithfull Prince doo him this dishonor to compt him as a deceiuer or lier acknowledge thou that iustlie and by good right they remaine banished But thou seeing that faithfull Prince Iesus Christ hath sent to pronounce vnto thee a generall pardon and namelie hath giuen thee his letters sealed by the Sacraments commaunding thee to beleeue and promising thee that it shall bee vnto thee according to thy faith Assure thy selfe Matt. 9.29 that his will is that thou shouldest be his child and heire of euerlasting life See how euerie one should assure himselfe by the preaching of the Gospell and the vse of the Sacraments the true markes of the Church that being a member of it he is the child of God and consequentlie an inheritour of his euerlasting kingdome True it is that faith is the gift of GOD yea proceeding from the operation of the mightie power of his strength Phili. 1.29 Ephe. 1.19 as S. Paule speaketh And this is it which he maketh vs to feele in this difficultie of apprehēding by an assured faith so manie so cleare and so certaine testimonies of his good will towards vs touching our adoption It is therefore needfull that he worke farther with vs by his holie spirit which without ceasing asking of him in the name of Iesus Christ we are assured by his promise that he will giue vs and that so ioyning with the power and efficacie of his spirit the preaching of his Gospell and the vse of the Sacraments he will giue vs grace to applie vnto our selues by a true and liuelie faith the testimonies which he hath giuen vs of our adoption to our saluation and euerlasting life How although the markes of our adoption bee in vs but small and feeble yet wee ought and may assure our selues that we are the children of God CAP. 4. I See well will some say that I haue iust matter to beleeue it therefore am I the more sory that I feele not faith in my self to assure me without doubt that I am the child of GOD which thing troubleth mee greatly so as I feare least by this mine incredulitie I reiect the grace of God But vnderstand I pray thee for thy comfort that there is great difference betweene vnfaithfulnes and weaknes of faith The vnfaithfull man or infidell careth not for his saluation or The first temptation proceeding of the small feeling of our faith reiecting the saluation which is in Iesus Christ alone seeketh saluation other where Contrariwise the faithful desire saluation he knoweth that his saluation is in Iesus Christ alone he seeketh it in him and feeleth a desire to increase in assurance that he hath saluatiō in Iesus Christ though he doo not yet feele this peace ioy in the holie Ghost so manifestlie as faith bringeth it forth at the last Also it is not written he that feeleth but hee that beleeueth hath euerlasting life Iho. 3.36 Heb. 11.1 Rom. 8.23 And indeed as faith is of things that are not seene so the vnderstanding of it consisteth more in certaintie than in apprehensiō In this complaint of Dauid yea and of Christ himselfe My God my God why hast thou forsakē me Psal 22.1 Mat. 27.46 We heare the testimonie of faith by these wordes my God my God but without apprehēsion or feeling of fauour or ioy as this complaint why hast thou forsakē me sheweth Also our faith may bee so small and weake as it doth not yet bring forth fruites that may be liuelie felt of vs. But if such as feele themselues in such estate desire to haue these feelings if they aske them of God by praier This desire and praier are testimonies that the spirit of God is in them and that they haue faith alreadie For is such a desire a fruite of the flesh or of the spirit It is of the holie spirit who bringeth it forth onlie in such as he dwelleth in He dwelleth then in them In like manner is not this praier the worke of the holy ghost in thē For it is the holy ghost saith S. Paule which praieth for vs Rom. 8.25 and in vs with grones that cannot be expressed Againe none can come to God by praiers if he haue no trust in him Then these holie desires and praiers being the motions of the holie ghost in vs are testimonies of our faith although they seeme to vs small and weake As the woman that feeleth the mooning of a child in her wombe though verie weake beleeueth and assureth her selfe that she is with child and that she goeth with a liue child so if we haue these motiōs these holie affections and desires before mentioned let vs not doubt but that wee haue the holie ghost who is the author of them dwelling in vs and consequentlie that wee haue also faith And we must vnderstand that the faith of the children of God ceaseth not to bee a true faith although they feele doubts feares mistrusts For if they delight not in such infirmities Rom. 7. to nourish them but are sorrowfull and resist them with desire to feele their saluation in Iesus Christ behold a battaile in them and betweene whom Betweene the spirit and the flesh betweene faith and mistrust There is then in them faith assailed with doubts and the spirit fighting against mistrust and labouring to ouercome it These doubts mistrustings and incredulities are the fierie darts which Satan throweth against our faith the which bearing the blowes as a buckler as S. Paule saith thrusteth them back and quencheth them so as they pearce not to the heart Eph. 6.16 What deuises or assaults soeuer the diuel make against vs faith S. Augustine so he occupie not the place of the heart where faith dwelleth he is driuen backe Incredulitie then assaulteth vs without but woundeth vs not deadlie It troubleth onlie or so woundeth as the stroake is yet curable And such temptations and assaults are common to the most faithfull excellent seruants of God If wee consider the continuall course of the life of Dauid there is no mirrour of faith better to bee noted than in him And yet was not he assaulted with great feares and doubts What cōplaint maketh he in the 77. Psalm Hath the Lord forsaken for euer Psal 77.8 9 10 11 vers will he no more shewe me fauour Is his mercie cleane gone for euer Is his promise come to an ende for euermore Hath God forgotten to bee gracious Hath he shut vp his louing kindnes in displeasure And to conclude he holdeth such a course as a man desperate saying This is my death Where was then in Dauid the feeling of his faith For al this he had not lost it And indeed all these words were
her and that hauing restored the Iudges and Counsellers so as they had bene at the beginning it shoulde be called the righteous and faithful Citie Experience sheweth that in the prosperitie peace of the church many thrust in themselues sul of auarice ambition pride and of other corruptions and vanities to be short it hapneth euen as in a sweet rainie season that many weeds come vp amongest the good hearbes which should bee choaked of them if the Gardeiner pulled thē not out Thē when such people departe from the Church returning to their vomit it is as if God gaue a purgatiō to it to make it more holy more acceptable to her bridegrome Let vs further consider the causes of reuoltes If this hapned then when the Church was in peace prosperitie it shold seeme there were more occasion to call into dout our doctrine But it is in the time of persecution that these reuolts are seen so it is feare to leese their goods their dignities their parents their country their liues that causeth them to reuolt It is then the flesh it is the world it is the mistrust of God and not the allowing of the Papisticall doctrine that maketh them to change their religion 2. Tim. 4.10 As also S. Paule saith that Demas had forsaken him hauing loued this present worlde And indeed did this miserable Iohn Haren reuolt during the prosperous estate of the towne of Bruges wherein he was minister By no meanes But perceiuing the danger although he might yet haue exercised his ministerie he began to seeke the meanes as a hireling to forsake his flocke He knoweth what letters I writ vnto him reprouing his slothfulnes his crafts and euill conscience in the reasons which he put forth to haue some colour to withdraw himself He knoweth also what reproofes he had receyued by the letters of others that he should not defile his ministerie in intermedling so ernestly in the matters of war of policie After the Towne of Bruges was rēdred to the enemy he withdrew him self into Zeland Holand Where perceiuing that hee began as good reason was for many considerations to bee suspected in our churches and in no reputation he gote him out of the countrie So feeling in his conscience small apparance to be established in his Ministery againe hauing no hope of preferment in any other vocation and being pursued by the iust iudgement of God falling vpon euil consciences he reuolted thinking happilie that hee should receiue some recompence for the offence that he had offered against the holie Ministerie and at the least to enter againe into the possession of his goods This then is not the chaunging of doctrine which mooued him but as wee haue saide it is the flesh and the world it is enuie that maketh the Monke It is ambition the mother of heresie as saint Augustine sayth It is an euill conscience the rocke that maketh the shippewracke of Faith as Saint Paule sayth 1. Tim. 1.19 which hath made him to chaunge his profession To be short GOD could no longer suffer such an hypocrite in his church nor such a filth in his holie temple hee woulde bee sanctified in taking vengeance vpon him who so inordinately approched vnto him Hee hath set him foorth for an example of his iudgements that those that make profession of Religion and chieflie the Ministers of the worde may study more and more to walke with a good conscience to keepe themselues in their vocation to renounce the passions of the flesh the illusions of the world and so with feruent praiers to continue constantly in the grace of the Lorde Furthermore let him make as manie shewes as he wil let him sweare let him lift vp his hands and his eies to heauen let him weare a great paire of beads let him goe oft and deuoutlie to the masse yet shall hee not easily make the Iesuites who are cunninger than he to beleue that hee dooth it indeede and from his heart For those who among them haue any little more wit than the common sort vnderstand well enough if they wold confesse it that the change of the holy Supper into the Masse the worshipping of bread in it the fiery purgatory after death the opinion of meriting paradise by workes specially those of supererogation the setting foorth of God the father who is an inuisible and eternal spirit vnder the figure of an old man the worshipping of images the inuocation of Saints departed candles lighted at noone dayes borne in procession the great beads hanging at their neckes and other such idolatries superstitions are either so abhominable or so manifestly contrary to the word of God yea or so absurd that he that hath once knowne them by the light of the gospell can neuer allow thē in his heart But be it that by the inchantment of satan and iudgement of God he were indeed become a Papist and that S. Paule himself shuld reuolt preaching another gospell we ought as he himselfe protesteth to holde him accursed Gal. 1. and not to be mooued to doubt of our faith For our religion saith is not founded vpō the constancie or stedfastnesse of men but vpon the truth o our God and vppon the testimonie of the holy Ghost in our hearts If men be vnfaithfull saith S. Paule 2. Ti. 2.13 he remaineth notwithstanding faithfull and can not denie himselfe When Iesus Christ forsaken of his Disciples should aske vs if wee also would leaue him we are taught to answer with the Apostles Lord Ioh. 6.67 whether shall wee goe thou hast the words of eternall life The faithfull Pastormust without being astonished at the reuolt of manie say with Esai Esai 8.18 Behold I my children which god hath giuen me are for signes and wonders The horrible and fearfull vengeance which waighteth on and followeth these cursed apostates at the verie heeles should make vs to tremble to resolue to renounce all that is vppon the earth that we may get and hold fast all that is in heauen so leauing these poore reuolters to the iudgement of God to cast our eyes vppon those who euen in our time haue indured so constantlie the losse of their goods reproaches prisons to be short who chearfullie haue entered into the flaming fire by eruell death mounted into the kingdome of heauen to the ende that such autentique seales of the heauenlie doctrine may confirme our hearts to continue constantlie chearfullie to follow their steps and so be their companions in glorie Of the assu rāce of our adoption notwithstanding the reuolts We ought not to be troubled at these reuoltes as if we were not assured to continue in the faith whereby also it shall come to passe that wee shall be in doubt whether we are or shal continue the Children of GOD. For as the markes of our adoption set foorth here before are of two sorts the one inward before God and the other
called the house of God to giue vs to vnderstand Ephe. 2.19 that those that abide there are by good right accompted the childrē and household of God Furthermore when after wee haue protested in our Creede that wee beleeue the holie Church vniuersall we adde the communion of Saints the forgiuenes of sinnes the rising againe of the bodie and the life euerlasting is not this to assure vs that those that are the members of the Church haue a communitie in all these treasures and goods of it and consequently that they are the children of God and inheritours of euerlasting life According vnto this S. Luke also saith resolutlie Act. 2.47 that God ioyned vnto the Church those that should be saued The which is confirmed by the Prophet Ioel saying Ioel. 2.32 that there shall be saluation in Sion And S. Paule himselfe sticketh not at all 1. Thes 1.4 to call those that are the members of the Church the elect of God But yet so much the more to resolue vs let vs consider the marks of the true church touched here before The first is the pure preaching of the word of God Now Iesus Christ saith my sheepe heare my voyce and they follow me Ioh. 10.27 shewing thereby very manifestly that this is one marke to bee the child of God Ioh. 8.47 to heare the voyce of his sonne Iesus Christ As also he saith in another place 2. Cor. 5.18 Ephe. 6.15 Act. 14.3 Act. 20.32 Act. 13.26 Act 5.20 Phil. 2.15 that is of God heareth the voyce of God And indeed seeing that the preaching of the Gospell is called the ministerie of reconciliation the Gospell of peace the word of grace of saluation and of life as without doubt God by the ministerie of his word presenteth Reconciliation peace grace saluation and life So they that are the members of the Church heare and receiue the word shew therein that they are partakers of all these benefites and consequentlie the children of God The second mark of the Church consisteth in the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Lords supper As touching Baptisme it is a seale sure warrant that the sinnes of those that receiue it are washed away by the bloud of Christ Act. 22.5 Rom. 6.4 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 3.27 that they are ingrafted and incorporate into his death and resurrection that they are regenerate that they haue put on Iesus Christ Whereof it followeth as S. Paule affirmeth Gal. 3.26 that they are the children of God The like assurance of our adoption is giuen vs in the Lords supper For if the bread and the cup 1. Cor. 10.16 which are giuen to the members of the Church are the communion of the bodie and of the bloud of Iesus Christ it followeth that in this communiō of Christ they haue the foode and life of their soules And that consequentlie as the children of GOD they shall obtaine life euerlasting according to the protestation of Christ He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud Ioh. 6.54 he hath euerlasting life The third marke of the Church of God is the inuocation of the name of God in the name of that onlie one lesus Christ Now Psal 14 4. Gen. 12.7 Act. 2.21 Act. 9.14 as all the seruice of God is oftentimes signified by this inuocation So Saint Luke noteth the faithful and children of God by this description that they call vpon the name of the Lord. As on the contrarie side Psal 14.4 it is said of the reprobate that they do not call vpon the name of God And indeede when the members of the Church ioyne together and lift vp their praiers vnto God Matth. 6.9 saying Our Father which art in heauen and so calling him father by the commandement of Christ they may well assure themselues that God doth acknowledge them for his children and that he wil make them feele the fruit of their praiers according to the promise of Christ Mat. 18.19 that whatsoeuer they shall with one consent aske of GOD it shall bee giuen them By this that is aboue said it manifestlie appeareth how euerie member of the Church may and ought to assure him selfe to be the child of God and to acknowledge all other members of the Church with him in like manner to be the children of God If any alledge that we may thus accompt such a one for the child of God who possiblie is an hypocrite and may after shewe himselfe a reprobate we answere that such discourses are contrarie to charitie so much recommended vnto vs by Saint Paule 1. Cor. 13. noting amongst other properties of charitie that she thinketh not euill or is not suspitious but that she beleeueth all things and hopeth all things Wee ought then to hold the members of the Church for the children of GOD. vntill that departing from it or discouering their hypocrisie they shewe themselues reprobates Furthermore as GOD would that al those to whō he vouchsafeth to bee father should acknowledge the Church for their mother so let vs not doubt but being borne againe and nourished in the Church our mother we may call God our father and abiding vnited to the familie of the mother let vs not doubt but that wee bee the heires of the father Thus much for the outward markes Now let vs come to the inwarde markes As to the blind and deaffe the opening of their eyes and eares is needfull clearelie to see and heare the voyce of him that speaketh Of the inward marks of our adoption So being of our owne nature both blind and deaffe as touching vnderstanding the holie spirit is hee that openeth our eyes and eares to comprehend thereuelation of our adoption and to feele in our harts the assurance of it ingendring in vs faith which is as it were the hand by which wee apprehend this great benefite whereof also the fruites and effects as well of the holie ghost dwelling in vs as of the faith that is in vs are the principall most assured markes to giue vs knowledge of our adoption A ccording wherevnto Rom. 8.16 Saint Paule saith that the Holie ghost giueth testimonie to our spirits that we are the children of God so as hauing receiued this spirit of adoption wee crie with all assurance Abba father 1. Ioh. 3.24 This is it also which S. John teacheth vs saying we know that he abideth in vs by the spirit which he hath giuen vs. 1. Ioh. 4.13 Also By this we knowe that we dwell in him and he in vs because he hath giuen of his spirit vnto vs. In like manner the Apostle S. Paule affirmeth Rom. 5.1 that by the peace and quietnes which we feele in our consciences before GOD in the free forgiuenes of our sinnes by the bloud of Iesus Christ we shewe and prooue that wee are iustified by faith and so the children of God Wherein to confirme vs he saith in another place that after wee
haue beleeued wee are sealed by the holie spirit of promise which is the earnest penie of our inheritance Ephe. 1.13 vntill the redemption of the possession purchased to the praise of his glorie First he sheweth there that faith is as it were the seale whereby the Holie ghost imprinteth in our hearts for our assurance that wee are the children of God Furthermore as in a thing that is bought there is somtimes giuen an earnest penie to wit some part of the monie agreed on as well for the beginning of the paimēt as by consequent for the assurance that the bargaine shall be held firme so the holie ghost who by faith ingēdreth peace and ioye in the hearts of the faithfull 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 praise of his glorie and that at the length he will gather vs into the full inioying of the inheritāce of heauen Hereunto it is also that goodly gradatiō leadeth vs which is proposed of the same Apostle Rom. 8.28 saying Those whō God hath before knowne those hee hath also predestinate to be made like vnto the image of Iesus Christ and those whō he hath predestinate he hath also called and those whom he hath called he hath also iustified and those whō he hath iustified those he hath also glorified For all will confesse that those that are elected and predestinated to be made like vnto the image of Iesus Christ are the children of God as also they who in his eternall counsel and decree are glorified Now they who being lightened with the knowledge of the Gospell beleeue that their sinnes are washed away by the bloud of Iesus Christ through his satisfaction and so are called and iustified are elected and glorified before God as S. Paule teacheth here it followeth then that they are the children of God And this is so certaine that the Apostle opposing the will power of GOD against all impediments addeth If GOD bee on our side who shall bee against vs Rom 8.30 Bern. ser 5. in dedica templi S Bernard teacheth the selfe same thing verie aptlie saying we are certain of the power of God to saue vs but what shall we say of his will who is he that knoweth whether he bee worthie of hate or of loue who is he that hath knowne the will of the Lord or who hath bin his counseller It behoueth that herein faith helpe vs and that trueth succour vs. That that which is hid concerning vs in the heart of the father may bee reuealed vnto vs by the spirit and his spirit testifying vnto vs may perswade vs that wee are the childrē of God that he perswade it vs I say in calling and iustifying vs freelie by faith which is as it were a meane or passage from the predestination of GOD to the glorie of the life euerlasting The same thing is it which S Augustine meaneth saying Aug Hom. in Ioan. 35. Wee are come into the way of faith let vs hold it constantlie it shall leade vs from degree to degree euen vnto the chamber of the heauenlie King where all the treasures of knowledge and wisedome beeing hid wee may learne and behold the reuelation of our election From hence proceedeth yet another fruite seruing vs for a marke to assure vs more more that we are the children of God when we loue God and our neighbours for his sake whereof also followeth the hatred of euill and an earnest desite to render obedience to God For if it be so as Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 4.19 that our loue to God commeth of this that he hath first loued vs The loue that we beare vnto him is a testimonie that he loueth vs. As also Iesus Christ maintaineth and sheweth that by the signes of loue Luk. 7.47 which the sinful woman gaue him God loued her greatly and had forgiuen her manie sinnes So the brightnes of the Moone is a certaine argument that the Sunne ministreth whollie to her for otherwise she hath no brightnes at all And in sommer the heate that is felt in the stones set against the Sunne is a signe that the Sunne shineth vppon them Of our owne nature and first generation we are vnprofitable to all goodnes and inclined to al euill Rom. 3.10 as Saint Paule very largelie setteth forth vnto vs writing to the Romanes If then on the contrarie wee walke in the feare God giuing our selues to his seruice and occupying our selues in all good works is not such a chaunge a testimonie of our regeneration and consequentlie of our adoption The tree is knowne by his fruit saith Iesus Christ Matt 7.17 If then wee beare the fruit of iustice holines and of charitie wee are trees planted in the garden of God by his holie spirit and so consequentlie the childen of God Charitie saith Saint Iohn 1. Ioh. 4.7 is of God and he that loueth is borne of God and knoweth God As then the heate and light of a coale is a signe that it hath fire and as the moouing and actions of the bodie are certaine signes that it liueth that the soule is within it so the testimonie of the holie ghost in our hearts the peace quietnes of our consciences before GOD feeling our selues iustified by faith this loue towards God and our neighbour this chaunge of our life and desire to walke in the feare and obedience of God are assured tokens of our adoption as also this that we are members of the Church of Christ hearing his word participating with the holie Sacraments and calling vppon God in the name of Iesus Christ are testimonies that wee are the children and houshold seruants of God and heires of eternall life How euerie member of the Church ought to applie vnto himselfe the tokens of it to assure himselfe of his adoption and saluation CAP. 3. NOw although the tokens before mentioned are certaine to assure vs that wee are the children of God yet there are two sorts of temptations which aboue all other tend to shake vs. The one proceedeth of our selues either for lacke of applying to our selues the testimonies which God giueth to the members of his Church to assure them of their saluation or through the feeling of a want as wee thinke but rather of the smalnes or weaknes of those tokens of adoption here aboue alledged The other temptation commeth vnto vs frō some other where and cōsisteth speciallie in two points To wit in the reuolt of some hauing made profession of the true religion and in the grieuous and long afflictions which are ordinarie to those that followe the doctrine of the Gospell Now as there is nothing of greater importance than the saluation of the soule so there is nothing that doth more grieuouslie afflict and trouble the tender consciences desirous of eternall life than the doubts feares not to
Spirit and there is no condēnation to thee as is saide If thou delight as touching the inward man in the obedience of the commaundements of GOD hee accepteth thee for holie and iust receiuing this desire to obey him for an obedience acceptable vnto him He accepteth his owne worke in thee and pardoneth thee thine Continue in this holie desire fighting against the flesh and the world strengthening thy self by feruent praier to the Lord. And behold the certaine testimonies of thine adoption But thou wilt say 3. Temptation because the seeling of the fruit of our prayers is so long deferred because of the weakenesse of them I haue of long time asked of God and do daylie aske his holie Spirite the encrease of faith and grace to be obedient vnto him yet I feele no manner of fruite of my prayers If GOD loued me and accounted mee for his childe woulde hee not heare mee It is the same complaint that in old time past Dauid made saying I am wearie of crying my throat is hoarse mine eies are failed Psa 6◠4 while I wait on my God And in another place My God I crie by day Psa 22 2 and thou answerest not and by night and I haue no rest Now in saying he had no rest he sheweth that he did continue in prayer Also Iesus Christ exhorteth vs to this diligence by the example or similitude of the importunate widdow Luke 18.1 crying still vpon the wicked Iudge to do hir right and at the last obtaining by her importunacie And besides that hee waketh vs vp saying Heare what the wicked Iudge saieth Because shee troubleth mee I will doe her iustice And God which is your Father and Sauiour who is iust and loueth righteousnesse Psal 11.7 shall not hee heare the crie of his children crying vnto him night and day Verely I saie vnto you Luke 11.5 that hee will doe it and that quickely Hee that went by night to his neighbor to borow bread continuing still his request though the other alleadged many excuses yet at the length he obtained what he would Continue then in praying to GOD without discouragement This perseuerance in prayer is an euident and vehement testimonie of thy faith For that is not founde but in the children of God guided by his Spirite especially seeing thou askest the holie Ghost Luk. 11.13 whom Iesus Christ promised thee thou askest that which by his promise is due vnto thee without doubt he will giue it thee And seeing thou askest the increase of faith and grace to obey him thou askest that which he commandeth thee to haue and so that which he liketh and is pleased withall Be then assured that thou shalt be heard Beholde sayth Saint John Iohn 5.14 the confidence that wee haue with GOD that if wee aske anie thing according vnto his wil he heareth vs. And if wee know that he heareth vs whatsoeuer we aske wee knowe wee shall obtaine the requests that we haue asked His promises can not faile nor deceiue Yea bee thou certaine that before thou hast ended thy prayer hee hath heard thee as Esay saith Esa 65.24 For our God is a God that heareth prayers sayth Dauid But thou owest him this honour to submit thy selfe to his wisedome as touching the time of feeling or receiuing the fruite of thy prayers If Iesus Christ had healed the daughter of the Cananite at the first petition Mat. 15.22 her Faith had not beene so kindled in her nor so commended in the Church vnto the ende of the worlde The fruites of all trees are not ripe in one daie In some they doe ripen sooner and men waite patiently for the other which ripen in the latter season Luke 1.13 Zacharie and Elizabeth thought that they had prayed in vaine asking of GOD posteritie in their youth And when they were olde and without all hope for to obtaine it the Angell of the Lorde saide vnto Zacharie Thy prayer is heard not that prayer which hee made then for he thought not nowe to haue issue but the prayer which hee made long time before That which is more doe wee not aske of GOD manie graces the which wee knowe well that wee obtaine either in part or in hope onelie the enioying or full accompliss ment whereof is deferred either vntill death or euen vntill the day of the resurrection In the Prayer of all Prayers taught by Iesus Christ wee do aske of GOD that his name may be sanctified Matth. 6.9 his Kingdome may come his will may bee doone in Earth as it is in Heauen And when shall wee see the full accomplished effect of this prayer but in Heauen when Christ hauing gruen vp his kingdome to GOD his father wee shall loue him perfectlie and praise him euerlastinglie Furthermore he oftentimes heareth vs so as Saint Augustine saith not according vnto our will but as is most for our profite giuing vs better thinges than those that wee expresselie aske The Iewes desired the comming of the Messias and asked it of God He deferred it of long time at the last hee sent him but not such a one as al as it were and the Apostles themselues looked for Act. 4.6 to wete victorious in battaile as Dauid to deliuer them from the yoake of the Romans triumphing in riches worldlie glorie as Salomon but such a Messias as obtaining victorie against the diuell death and sinne hath established a spirituall kingdome in euerlasting life and glorie Iesus Christ feeling and apprehending the terrible gulphes of the fearful wrath of God vpon him for our sinnes Mat. 26.39 prayed with strong cries teares to God his Father that he might not enter into the deepe pit of death The Apostle to the Hebrewes saith Heb. 5 7. that he was heard and yet notwithstanding he entred and dranke the Cup of the wrath and of death which the Father had giuē him But he was heard saith the same Apostle as touching that which in making his praier he fered to wit frō being swallowed of death In like manner S. Paul praieth to God oftentimes that he 2. Cor. 12. would deliuer him from the Angell of Sathan that buffeted him but GOD much better as he himselfe confesseth gaue him to vnderstand that the power of God was made perfect in his infirmity so as he protesteth as it were enioying the frute of his praiers thogh otherwise than he thoght that from that time forth he would reioice in his infirmities woulde take delight in them forasmuch as being weake in himselfe he was strong in God So wee will demaund manie times commodities concerning this life as health goods parents friends or our country and God depriuing vs of them giueth vs spirituall graces patience faith contentment in God and other like yea and our prayer tending onely vnto the preseruation and enioying such commodities appertaining vnto this life alone GOD contrariwise depriueth vs of them to keepe them
for vs in heauen and to giue vs euerlasting enioying of them as when wee are depriued of them being persecuted for his name And that which more is when wee feele weakenes in faith negligence to heare the worde of GOD coldnesse in charitie impatience in our afflictions and we hauing asked of God graces cōtrarie vnto these feele no amendment his wil is to make vs feele that these graces are the gifts of God seeing we haue them not when we will and that he wil keepe vs in humilitie by the feeling of our infirmities and trie our patience faith in waighting patiently vntill hee make vs feele the fruite of our praiers I thinke well wilt thou say that those that pray vnto God feruentlie and continue constantlie in such praiers haue therin testimonies that they are the children of God are assured to be heard But what comfort may I take therein seeing my praiers are so colde and with so litle feeling of zeale faith required in them But is it not in the name of Iesus Christ that thou prayest And it is for the loue of his welbeloued Sonne Ioh. 16.23 our aduocate and mediatour that God heareth vs and not for the excellencie of our praiers It is as it were Exo. 28.38 by the mouth of Iesus Christ that we present our praiers to God to be sanctified by him and acceptable to God for his sake in whom he hath delight Mat. 17.5 Satan the enemie of our praiers by the feeling of this infirmitie would make thee leaue praying to thy God Resist thē this tēptation Thinke that it is not a thing indifferent or left in thy liberty to pray to God or not Mat. 6.9 God hath cōmāded thee to pray 1. Th. 5.17 thou owest him obedience it is an honour he requireth of thee thou canst not denie it him Mat. 22.37 God cōmandeth thee to loue him with al thy hart Wilt thou say I will not loue God at all because I loue him so coldly I will help the poore no more because I cannot doo it with a feruent charitie To conclude what infirmitie or coldnes soeuer thou feelest thou art bound to pray and to continue in thy dutie Ro. 12.12 In the mean time acknowledge thy infirmitie and in thy prayers aske double pardon first of thy sinnes which thou hast committed before secondly for this sinne that thou prayest to God so negligently See how GOD supporting the infirmitie of thy prayers will smell a sweete sauour of them as incense offered by our high Priest Iesus Christ Psal 141.2 and shall make thee at last feele the fruite of thy praiers Manie cōplaine of another infirmitie that hardly they begin their praiers but in stead of thinking of God of that which they aske of him their minde is wandring other where And for this they are vexed and troubled and in truth it is a great infirmitie for the which we ought gretly to be displeased with our selues Notwithstanding it is common to all the children of God in general Chrisostome reproouing those of his time for this infirmitie sheweth quickly the first originall and after the remedie Chrisost Homil. of the Canaanit Mat. 13 Whence commeth this saith he that if we talke of warre of merchandize or of other things of the world wee can discourse a great while without thinking of anie other thing and so soone as wee set our selues to praye vnto God our mindes wander It is because the Diuel knoweth well that in speaking of things of this world thou deost him no hurt therefore he suffereth thee to talk at thy pleasure but when he seeth that thou settest thy selfe vpon thy knees to pray to God he knoweth that thou goest to procure that which is against his heart to the ruine of his kingdōe Therfore he thrusts himself in by by trobling drawing thy thoughts hither thither to hinder the fruite of thy praiers Say then to satan who is hard by thee and fighteth against thee go behind me satan for I must pray to my God And if hee bee importunate yet must thou pray to god to driue him away frō thee So thinking to whom thou speakest to wete to the Maiestie of God and how great things thou askest of him be displeased with thy infirmity fight against it lifting vp thy hands to heauen cōtinue in praier and doo it so much the more couragiouslie and constantlie for that satan feareth nothing more thā the praiers of the children of God showeth sufficiently in going about to troble and turn away their mindes to other things that he feeleth himselfe hindred by their praiers and that hee feareth the fruite of them On the other side if it happen that by affliction either of body or of spirite thou art so cast downe that thou cast not make a framed praier vnto God bee not discouraged for that for at the least thou canst desire thine owne health saluation There is neither sicknes nor yet tyrant that can let thee to desire now desire is praier before God saith Saint Augustine according whereunto Dauid saith that God heareth the desire of the humble Psal 10.17 Say thou then with Dauid Lord all my desire is before thee Psa 38 10. and the sighs of my thoughts are not hid from thee Ezechias King o Iuda in his affliction Esai 38.14 could not distinctly pray vnto God but chattered as a Crane or a Swallowe and mourned as the Doue yet so lifting vp his eyes on high hee was heard What prayer maketh the little Infant to his mother Hee weepeth and cryeth not beeing able to expresse what hee lacketh The Mother offereth him the breast or giueth him some other thing such as shee thinketh his necessitie requireth Much more then the heauenly father heedeth the sighes the groanes the desires and teares of his children and dooing the office of a Father he heareth them and prouideth for them The 4. temtation because of the little increas of grace by the exercises of religion Mat. 13.19 There are some also that doubt of their adoption saluation because they feele not anie comfort or increase of the graces of GOD neither by reading or hearing the word neither by communicating at the holie Supper of the Lord. Now if thou feele thy selfe afflicted and troubled in this respect vnderstand that when thou goest to employ thy selfe in these spirituall excrcises satan followeth thee to make it vnsauerie to thee yea and to take out of thy minde the word of GOD that thou hast heard Pray then to GOD that he driue him away from thee Secondlie this commeth forasmuch as thou art not yet much accustomed to the language of the holie Ghost so as it is to thee as if thou didst heare an excellent sermon but of one whose language thou didst scarce vnderstand whereby thou canst neither feele taste nor pleasure and so thou canst receiue but small pro sit
of kindnes of humility of meeknes of longsuffering forbearing one another and forgiuing one another if any man haue a quarel with another euē as Christ hath forgiuen you Loue one another 1. Ihon 10 as God hath loued you For herein is the difference betwene the children of God and the children of the deuil wherein ye may be knowne to be the true disciples of Christ Ye are al members of one body Iho. 13.35 let there be no diuision or parts-taking among you 1. Cor. 12 25 but feele the afflictions of those that weepe to weepe with them and to comfort them reioyce with those that reioyce to praise God with them If yee be the Citizens of the City Ierusalem wil haue a sure dwelling in it walke in integritie Psal 15 labour to deale iustly speake the truth from your harts keepe you from slandering couetousnes and all other corruption Acknowledge in al men the image of God whereunto you owe honor loue and in your brethren acknowledge the renuing of this image Gala. 6.10 and the brotherly coniunction in Christ in doing good to al men 1. Pet. 4.10 loue honor and help especially those that are of the houshold of faith Ye are debtors to your neighbors of all that ye haue 1. Pet. 4.8 or are able to do to be disposers of it with condition that ye render to God an account Iam. 1.19 Honor the graces of God in your brethren and couer their infirmities by charitie be quicke to heare but slowe to speake and slow to wrath For the wrath of man worketh not that which is righteous in the sight of God Do not desire hope or imagine any other means to prosper by thā by the blessing of God And do not looke that hee stould aduaunce by the ayde of his blessing that which he hath accursed by his mouth So go forward in the amendment of your liues that this day may passe yesterday Seale to the puritie of the doctrine with the holines of your life that the ignorant seing your blameles conuersatiō 1. Pet. 2.12 esteming you by your good workes may glorifie God and imbrace the gospel with you Luke 7.1 when it shall please GOD to call them Haue mind of that great curse pronoūced by the high Iudge 2. Cor. 13 11 against such as offend any of the very least Furthermore reioyce in the Lord indeuour to be perfect be comforted be of one consent liue in peace Phil. 2.13 and the God of loue and peace shall be with you But as it is God which worketh in vs both to will in worke to accomplish according to his good pleasure 6. To pray to God So aboue all thinges imploy your selues to pray feruently continually Prayer saith Chrysostome is the soule of our souls For it also is the soule which quickneth al the actions of the children of God It was the lifting vp of Moses hands to heauen Exo. 17.11 which strengthned Iosuah his army gaue him victorie ouer the Amalckites And in deede without the grace of God the which we obtaine by prayer all that we do is but vanitie Faith is the key that openeth the coffers of the treasures of our God Prayer is the hand to draw it out to inrich our selues Prayer lifteth vp our hearts from earth to heauen it renueth the memorie of the promises of God to confirme vs it assureth vs against all that wee can feare it obtaineth all that we can desire It giueth rest and contentment to our soules It keepeth and strengtheneth the feare to offend God It increaseth the desire to go vnto him whom in praying we feele to be the spring and heape of all good things It ingendreth in vs a stedfast despising of the world and renouncing of the flesh it representeth vnto vs the heauenly and euerlasting felicitie that we may aspire to the inioying of them There is nothing to bee more desired than to be conuersant with him without whome we can not be happy But he that wil alwayes be with GOD he must alwaies eyther pray or reade For when we pray we talke with God and when wee reade Aug. in Psal 85. God talketh with vs. The more we are exercised in prayer to God the more we increase in godlines Therefore also we may not be weary or faint-hearted in prayer although the Lord deferre to make vs feele the fruite of our prayers For we haue a promise of him that can not lie that whatsoeuer we aske of GOD in the name of Iesus Christ it shal be giuen vs. If he deferre for some time to make vs feele the fruit of our praiers it is for our greater benefite Let vs continue still and waight knowing assuredly that he who according to his fatherly loue bounty desireth our good can according to his infinite power giue that which we aske of him and according to his truth will hear vs he also according to his wisdōe knoweth the fittest time as is before said and the meanes most apt to make vs feele the fruite of our praiers When we aske of God saith S. Bernard euen those thinges that concerne this present life our praiers are not so soone gone out of our mouth but they are written in his booke and we ought saith he to be assured that hee will either giue the thing it selfe which we haue asked or other things which hee knoweth to bee more profitable for vs. To conclude Praier is the most mightie and fruitfull worke of charitie seeing by it we helpe our neighbors present absent knowen and vnknowen great and little and that both with spirituall and corporall good things drawing by our praiers the blessing of God vpon them And in this confidence my very deare and worshipfull Brethren I will continue in this dutie and office of charitie earnestlie to pray to God for you and particularlie I will water with my praiers to God this Exhortation which I haue directed vnto you beseeching him with all my heart that beeing comforted and strengthened thereby in the doctrine of the truth which yee haue receiued yee may continue constantly in it sealing it by the works of godlinesse and charitie comforting your selues in the Lord in that yee are his welbeloued Children in Iesus Christ and surmounting al temptations and assaults to the ende that by the power of the holy Ghost departing Conquerors out of all conflicts ye may attaine at the last to the crowne of glorie which God hath prepared to all his childrē 1. Thess 5.23 through Iesus Christ our Lord. Now the GOD of peace sanctifie you throughout and preserue your whole spirit and soule and bodie blamelesse vntill the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ He that hath called you is faithfull who also will doo it I also beseech you my brethren to imploy your seiues more and more in feruent and continuall praiers for the preseruation prosperitie and