workers of iniquitie who make a trade thereof who make you pillowes thereof to sleepe vpon Should we sinne Rom 6.1.15 sayth the Apostle that grace might abound God forbid Know ye not that vnto whom soever yee yeeld your selues servants to obey his servants yee are vnto whom yee obey be it of sinne vnto death or of obedience vnto righteousnesse Yee then that are servants of sinne who suffer it to raigne quietly in you what can you expect but death even eternall death But wouldest thou haue part in this promise to be eased of this burthen of sin Then confesse thy sinne freely vnto the Lord with sighes and teares So long as I held my peace sayth David my bones waxed olde thy hand was heavie vpō me my strēgth was changed into the drought of Sommer Psal 32.3.4.5 See him here as it were overwhelmed vnder his burthen I acknowledge my sinne vnto thee I sayd I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgavest the punishment of my sinne See how he is eased both of his sinne and punishment Say vnto him then with the Prophet Daniell I haue sinned Dan. 9. I haue done wickedly vnto thee belongeth righteousnesse but vnto mee confusion of face but Lord doe thou forgiue And doubt not but Christ will say vnto thy soule if thy soule speake truely Thy sinnes are forgiven thee goe in peace thy peace is made with GOD be at peace in thy Conscience for he also it is in whom this promise is yea and Amen In him who calleth vs Math. the 11.28 saying Come vnto mee all yee that travayle and are heavie laden if with afflictions I will refresh you Heb. 2.18 For as I haue suffered and was tempted so am I of power to succour those who are tempted If with perplexities alas are not your Callings properly my yoke My yoke is easie and my burden is light seeing I haue layd it vpon you yea if of sinne 1 Ioh. 3.8 am I not come to destroy the workes of the Devill to vnloose sinne and to saue sinners Come then and you shall finde rest vnto you soules To him therefore with the Father and the holy Spirit for the riches of his grace be given from our soules all honour and glory for ever and ever AMEN AN HOMILIE VPON THESE WORDS My peace I leaue with you my peace I giue vnto you not as the world giueth it c. Ioh. 14.27 OVR LORD IESVS approaching neere vnto his Passion making as it were his last will and testament among his Apostles he leaues and giues vnto them his peace it behooveth vs to knowe wherein this Legacie and gift consisteth seeing it extends it selfe vnto all who haue need thereof Ioh. 17. who by their Word haue beleeved in his Name and so much the more because that in the words of our Saviour there is alwayes a mystery a heavenly treasure hidden vnder the earthly sound of his words which we must search and looke into by examining of them proportioning the sence according to the worth and excellencie of his person who vttereth them For example When he speaketh of washing vs of nourishing vs and of healing vs wee must vnderstand himselfe to be our washing our nourishment our healing wee beeing taught thereby to raise the signification of these words vnto the pitch of his meaning who speaketh and thereby to apprehend both the effects of his holy spirit in vs but chiefely in our soules being naturally spirituall If thou didst content thy selfe with a lesse gift Alexander would answere thee that if it suffice thy base minde yet it is not worthy of his magnanimitie And our Saviour Christ would answere thee who wouldest content thy selfe with temporall blessings that he came not into the world nor suffered so many things to pamper thy belly or thee to giue to thy bodie all cōtentments And therfore the question is here of a blessing and comfort truly spirituall For his spirit whom he ordaineth the true Executor of this his Testament will sufficiently witnesse vnto vs the nature of this Legacie The Comforter sayth he who is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name A spirituall Executor as well both of a spirituall disposition as of a spirituall donation of the donation which hee hath granted vnto vs even of all that which he hath gotten and purchased for vs by his life and the price of his life I say of his life from the very first entrance whereinto even the heavenly Hosts haue sung Luk. 2.14 Glory be to God on high and peace on earth good will towards men Even his Passion whereof in so many preceding ages the Prophets did foretell vnto vs Esa 53.5 The chastisement of our peace was vpon him Both procuring peace betweene heaven and earth the onely reconciliation of the world I leaue vnto you sayth he my peace But what peace Truely vnder this word peace many blessings are comprehended and likewise many evills excluded And the strictest way wee take it it stretcheth it selfe very farre namely vnto the good of civill societie The which cannot be better cōprehended then by the representation of the contrary For example domesticall quarrels being the ruine of families publicke warre the combustion of States an abridgement of all calamities that either the malice of men or the mischiefe of ages can bring forth Here then he leaveth vnto vs a peace which preserveth vs therein such a peace as a Father may leaue vnto his Children by his Will and Testament setting bounds touching their portions curbing in their strifes and cōtentions Or like to those of a good Prince who in good pollicie passeth them over to his Subiects after his death vnder which peace every one sitteth quietly vnder his owne vine and figge tree Well then shall this peace be worthy to be vttered by the mouth of our Saviour of him who is King of Kings the Father of Spirits of the Prince of peace even of peace it selfe of our Saviour God and man God borne amongst vs God who dyed for vs Let vs looke for no greater nor more excellent thing Let it be graunted that hee leaue vnto vs the peace which Augustus himselfe had what will it profit thee if the fire consume thy harvest If the worme gnaw thy conscience If thy conscience torment thee Let vs graunt that thy fieldes bring forth plentifully that thy trade prospers that thy familie flourisheth that thy person triumpheth What will all that benefit thee if thy taste be gone thy spirit feaverish thy soule vpon the racke eternall death in thy bosome a hell in thy Conscience even then when thou thinkest most of all to haue made a covenant with death an agreement with hell to haue confirmed thy peace with every Creature yet art thou odious even vnto thy Creator Oft times there is an externall peace which causeth civill warres a bodily well fare which kindles in vs spirituall discases temporal good things which preiudice the
the godly the slaues at the perill of the children the Philistime vnto the shame of the Israelite reprobate Saul vnto the confusion of faithfull David He delivers them into their hands he forsakes them And therefore we are not to thinke it strange if the request of David passeth from a prayer vnto a cry from a cry vnto a hideous noyse from a hideous noyse vnto a tempest Psal 55. 2. And yet though he casts not off his burthen may he not be sayd to shake it off Hee shakes it off who to deliver himselfe from affliction makes a Covenant with death and hell takes counsell of flesh bloud trades with the world though it be with losse of the glory of God redeemes himselfe he cares not how from them who persecute him David doth not so for saith he death as a tyrant shall sease vpon them Psal 55.15 But as for me I will call vpon the Lord and he will saue mee Vers 16. Why so Verily because hee knoweth that the Church is Gods building that the faithfull are his true children and are the only living stones therof that amongst these stones some are hewen some polished for the corner-stone for the maister-piece for Corinth c. All that come vnder his hand must endure the mallet the chislell and so much the rather by how much they are destinated to a higher place to wit to stand in the forefront of the building Seest thou any exempted from the hammer then say boldly they are not fit for his building Vpon our corner stone he layeth no other but chosen precious 1. Pet. 2.5 yea himselfe to be layd as the head stone of the Corner by what hammers chislells c. hath he not passed Namely calumnies false witnesses of Pharisies of Priests the cruelties of the Romanes of the Iewes themselues his brethren according to the flesh Vpon this stone thinkest thou vnskilfull builder that there may be set any ruffe ones And thou vntamed member dost thou thinke it strange that to make thee capable thereof he make thee passe vnder the playne makes thee smooth through hacking and hewing Therefore David who had passed through such trials who knew what and how many hewings are needfull for the faithfull to make them fit for this building what were the vses and benefits of affliction which God sends vs is not ashamed to say Psal 119. vers 67. that before he was afflicted he went astray but now it had brought him backe to his Law He casts not off his burden through despaire but cryes vnto the Lord and waiteth for his answere because he assures himselfe that that spirit which cryeth in him Abba Father the same eternall spirit doubtlesse will giue him this answer behold I am with thee neerer vnto thee then thy selfe He knowes that the Lord doth willingly draw neere vnto the broken hearted contrite spirits Psal 34. 18. He delights rather to be in the prison of sorrow then in the wedding chamber in a soule withered with bitternesse then spread out in deliciousnesse And in deede seldome you see such a one powre out his soule before God but presently shee gathereth vp againe her selfe in faith and confidence and her cry is turned into thanksgiving this swounding into a sacrifice of praise Hath David said Psal the 6. vers 3.4.5 9. My bones are vexed and my soule is astonished By and by also followes Depart from mee yee workers of iniquitie the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping And vpon the calumnies of Cusse the Beniamite prayeth he Psal the 7. vers 1.2.11.13 15. 17. Lord I draw neere vnto thee defend mee that he teare mee not in peeces like a Lyon He resolues with himselfe verses 10.11.12 The Lord is my Buckler if he turne not he will whet his sword There he finds both his weapons offensiue and defensiue hee shall travayle to bring forth wickednesse but shall bring forth a lye his travayle shall fall vpon his owne head I said saith he elswhere when I began to slide when I began to be swallowed vp with feare I am cut off in thy sight Psal 31. vers 22.23.24 But thou hast heard the voice of my supplication when I did cry vnto thee glorying therevpon by way of triumph saying Loue the Lord all yee his Saints for he keepeth his faithfull ones be of good courage and he will strengthen your heart And so in this place having felt himselfe discharged of the burthen of his griefes he encourages others saying Cast thy burthen vpon the Lord c. Psal 55. Is he hid in the Desert of Ziph flying from the fury of Saul his King being ready to be delivered vp into his handes by those of that place He hath no sooner sayd Psal 54.13 O cruell people a people that haue not set God before their eyes do even seeke my life But he presently resolues God is my helpe Vers 4. He even burnes with zeale to offer him sacrifice I will sayth he Vers 6. sacrifice vnto thee with a free heart for thou hast delivered me Even thou hast delivered me He holds his deliverance for accomplished he sees it with his faith with the eyes of his soule though a farre off yet most certaine For the holy History tells vs that as Saul and his people went pursuing him a messenger met Saul saying 1 Sam. 23.27 Make hast for the Philistimes are come into thy Dominions Saul presently breakes off his Chase and behold David in an instant beyond all expectation delivered by meanes of the Philistimes And hereunto belongs that of the Psal 57.4 1 Sam. 24. ver 1. at what time he hid himselfe in the caue of Hengedi When Saul also sent to kill him in his house we see him troubled 1 Sam. 19.9.11 He obserues their practises their plottes their watches he opposeth his integritie and his innocency but with what peace vnto his soule Psal 59. ver 9.12.16 Lord God thou wilt laugh at them and yet Lord slay them not least my people forget it He is now more carefull of their life then of his owne Lord I will sing of thy mercy in the morning I will not loose one houre of my ordinary exercises The like examples wee haue also in the Psalmes 64.69.140 and many the like against those who eyed him watched him in his wayes in his words if they could even to his very thoughts But even in the greatest perill he concludes all in certaine hope of Deliverance saying The iust shall reioyce in the Lord and shall draw neere vnto him and all that are true of heart shall be glad and reioyce as touching his Iustice which he will manifest to the one and will doe to the other The flouds are risen vp even vnto my soule I am afflicted and in griefe but thy deliverance shall lift mee vp on high so high that no waters no not a deluge shall attaine thereto I know that the Lord will execute Iustice for
judgements of God against Kings and against Nations after them the Apostles sent to Preach the onely word of salvation vnto the ends of the world to the ruine of false gods and of their Idolls the pretended protectors of States and of Common-weales Those Prophets and Apostles being consequently bound to defend their cause against the persecution of those who disgraced them And so in like manner those who in the Church as they are dispensers of the Gospell hold their place at this day For with what confidence and with what wisedome did Elias and Elizeus with their cloakes stand against Kings Princes and the Priests of Israel Iohn Baptist with his garment of Cammels haire withstood King Herod The Apostles being poorefishermen and vnlearned vndertooke the ruine of Sathans kingdome the Conquest of the world vnder the Crosse of Christ Therefore let those who succeede them in this office accept of this Commission in all humilitie and say Lord who am I that thou hast called mee therevnto And what man is he though never so great that is sufficient for it But yet as vncapable as I am even the least in my selfe yet being assisted by thee who art the greatest what am I not able to doe For so Esay sayth Isa 6. Woe is me for I am vndone because I am a man of polluted lips no sooner had God touched his lips with a liue coale from the Altar but he changeth his speech Who shall I send sayth the Lord he answeres chearefully behold I am here send mee But with what Commission Say vnto this people in hearing you shall heare and not vnderstand c. Make fatte the heart of this people c. Let a man haue ten times as many naturall gifts as Esay had could he without this assistance from the Lord haue vndergone this Charge In like manner the Prophet Ieremy I haue set thee this day sayth the Lord over Nations and over Kingdomes that thou shouldest plucke vp and pull downe that thou shouldest build and plant A pooresilly Priest of Anothoth Iere. 1.1 Therefore he that will wonder let him yet wonder at it Ah Lord God beholde I cannot speake saith he for I am but a childe And behold he had no sooner touched his mouth but presently he girdeth vp his reynes and is resolved that whereas be-before he acknowledged himselfe to be but a childe now he begins to be a man and the terror of men So likewise Christ tells the Apostles Math. 10.19 Yee shall be brought before Kings and you shall beare witnesse of mee even to the ends of the earth being but men of meane condition to stand astonished at the onely looke of a man of authoritie the boldest amongst them at the word of a poore silly mayd But take no care sayth the Lord I will put that into your mouth at the very instant which you shall say Feare not saith he also vnto S. Paul hold not thy peace Act. 18.10 for I am with thee And what he sayd to them let vs take as spoken vnto all vnto all who are Ministers of the same word being never destitute of his spirit nor of his strength to the pulling downe s yth the Apostle of strong holds 2 Cor. 10. casting downe all counsells and every high thing which exalts it selfe against the knowledge of God bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ having vengeance ready prepared against all d sobedience What can be said more And be not dismayd at this that the liue coale hath not touched thy lippes nor the breath of Christ breathed vpon thee the signes of his word and spirit provided that thou hast his Commission with thee and his word in thy mouth Those signes had their place once for all Timothy had not received them whom notwithstanding the Apostle summons before God and before the Lord Iesus vnto whom he shall giue an account 2 Tim. 4.1 2. Where he sayth Preach the word But how in season and out of season reproue rebuke exhort doe the worke of an Evangelist It may be thou shalt be hated of those which are without and despised sometimes of those within wilt thou haue it bteter cheape then the Mr of the Vineyard Which of the Prophets or which of the Apostles were not abused stoned and vexed Say with David Psal the 31. I haue beene a reproach vnto my adversaries vnto my neighbours much more and those of my acquaintance seeing mee fled from me But Lord I haue sayd thou art my God I trust in thee Learne thou also with the same great Apostle 2 Cor. 6.7.8 to goe through honour and dishonor through good report and evill report by the word of truth by the power of God by the armor of righteousnesse on the right hand and on the left Be not discouraged also if thou fallest vpō a barren ground as it were sowed with salt vpon a brutish and stiffe-necked people Who hath beleeved sayth Esay our report And after him our Saviour himselfe Ioh. 12.36 And of sixe hundred thousand which went on t of Aegypt with Moses ready armed how few of them entred into the Land of promise Of so many people whom our Lord had healed had preached vnto even the eternall word how few of them did beleeue and continued following him How many thinkest thou were there of them who helpt to blaspheme him at his death And notwithstanding did God therefore cease to devide Canaan by lyne vnto his people The word of the Crosse did that cease to subdue the world yea to triumph in the world and over the world Heare our Saviour Christ himselfe in Esay the 49.4 complaining and in his consolation receiue thou thine I sayd I haue laboured in vaine and spent my strength for nothing notwithstanding my reward is with the Lord and my worke with my God The Lord who answeres him afterwards I haue heard thee hold it as if it were already done in an acceptable time in the day of salvation haue I succoured thee It must be a long time after least thou shouldst waxe weary yet in his time in an acceptable time in a time by him eternally pre-ordained And thus of this word which thou publishest to the clearing of his truth to the convincing of errors to the advancement of the kingdom of his Christ to the dissolution of the tyranny of Antichrist waite for the fruit and expect the effect in his time but in the meane time be not thou carelesse but vse all the means to manure the ground which he hath committed vnto thee And say vnto him Lord this ground will be but Iron if the heaven be of Brasse From thy onely blessing I waite for the fruit of my labour by thy Commandement I plant and in this hope I water And thus beholde how in the difficulties of our Callings we are to comfort our selues in the Lord. Is there no other burden which we are to cast vpon the Lord Yes verily the weightiest doth yet
the spirit of Christ dwelling in vs sets downe first Gal. the 5.21 Ioy peace meckenesse Being now prisoner at Rome where they are wont to be impatient or where commonly they find neither ioy nor peace yet he tells vs that his bonds in Christ did confirme his brethren Phil. 1.14 that he reioyceth to be offered vpon the service of the faith of the Philippians prayeth them to reioyce with him But how even by the vertue of this peace of God Phil. 4.7 which passeth all vndo standing and keepeth our beaies and mindes in Christ Iesus which consequently ought to hold the chiefe place in our hearts to subdue all other affections with all other passions Collo 3.15 Such peace as proceedeth from the loue of God shed abroad in our soules such a loue which hath his roote in that reconciliation made onely by the death and Passion of Christ wherein being guiltie wee are absolved of sinners made righteous of enemies familiar friends of servants children redeemed by the death of that well beloved Sonne by whose spirit wee cry Abba Father And here ô Christian remember each one in his Calling how many Combats how many perplexities thou meetest with Publicke private without within corporall and spirituall and in the middest of the strongest of them yet holding tranquilitie possessing the peace of thy soule From whence hadst thou this but from this onely peace of God which alone can pacific the torments of the soule On the contrary O thou prophane wretch how many times even in the height of thy prosperities and in thy safest and surest haven hast thou found rest to thy soul And why onely because the Lord sayth by his Prophet Esay 57.19.20 that vnto them which mourne I giue consolations peace yea even peace vnto him that is neere and to him that is farre off I willingly draw neere vnto them though they seeme never so farre off But the wicked sayth he are like vnto a troubled Sea which cannot be appeased her waues cast vp myre and durt The Sea which when all winds be still yet is mooved by his owne proper motion So the wicked hath his owne heart vexing him and in the height of his prosperitie susters him not to bee quiet Also he by and by addes I giue not vnto you my peace as the world giveth it The world giveth that which is outward but I my selfe that which is inward The world giueth it you in your fields in your vineyards and in your gardens but I giue it you in your soules Now that peace which the world giues it giues it by with-holding now to giue and yet to keepe backe is vsually of no esteeme But I giue it you without sorrow without grudging absolutely absolute even for ever and ever But peace commonly amongst men is onely held by some reciprocall interest or vnder a mutuall feare where somewhat is wanting on either side and therefore soone disquicted But that peace which I giue you is not subiect to such accidents yee haue it altogether from me altogether freely what can all of you giue vnto mee poore silly Creatures Am not I the living God what can I looke for from you Where of should I be afraid This then is the peace which our Lord Iesus leaveth here vnto his Apostles vnto his Disciples and vnto all those which haue beleeved their word Peace with God peace in their Consciences for as much as the good pleasure of the father was to reconcile vs vnto himselfe and to make this peace by the bloud of the Crosse of his Sonne Truely his good pleasure Coloss 1.10 for whence else could it be expected Peace which dischargeth vs of our sinnes in as much as hee beareth them and clotheth vs with his righteousnesse 2 Cor. 5.21 for as much as wee are made the righteousnesse of God in him Peace which delivers vs from the evill of the fault in as much as it is forgiven vs from the evill of punishment because they turne to our good pacifying our Consciences against his anger In as much as of enemies we are received into his favour our soules partakers of his glory in as much as wee are incorporated not onely into his alliance but also into his familie In him I say who of God is made vnto vs wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption To whom with the Father the holy Spirit be glory for ever and ever AMEN AN HOMILIE VPON THESE WORDS One thing is needfull Luke 10.41 TWo Sisters receiue our LORD into their house to wit Martha and Mary And Martha makes her Complaint vnto him that whilst shee was busie to giue him good entertainment Mary her sister sits downe at his feete to heare his Preaching not caring to put to her helping hand whereunto our Lord answeres Martha Martha which name twice repeated advertiseth her to take the greater heede to that he had to say vnto her thou art troubled about many things but one thing is necessary not reproving her for the offices of loue shee went about being such as were both seemely and commendable and where I pray you could they be better bestowed then vpon our Lord But our Saviour recalleth her vnto a more principall necessary and onely necessary worke being a thing vsuall with the sonne of God who descended from heaven to lift vs vp thither alwayes to weane vs from too much minding our belly our worke and to draw vs from this earthly life vnto the heavenly from these inferior and humane offices vnto those benefits which bring vs vnto the everlasting Mansions One thing then sayth he even one thing is necessary To the meaner sort how many things seeme necessary To those of higher ranke many things are wanting vnto the wise many things passe from pleasant vnto things profitable from profitable to things necessary and even amongst these necessary things how many of them are chosen or refused and yet Lord thou sayst that one thing onely is necessary thou who being man conversest amongst men couldest not be ignorant that in a house where there are a number of imployments if but one thing be wanting we think we are halfe if not wholly maymed In like manner in a store-house after wee haue imagined whatsoever can be devised yet many things are still wanting Thou O God and man in one person who didst giue thine assistance at the Creation of things thou hast made an infinite number of things as the Elements Mineralls Plants living Creatures Planets Starres and all for the vse and necessities of men nay rather of one man And yet thou here tellest vs That One thing is necessary what then are all other things therefore superfluous Hath nature made ought in vaine or thou LORD so many things in vaine As though thou wert lesse then thy Creature What then would become of that manifolde wisedome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that wisedome of thine who tookest pleasure to create varietie of things Varietie then not vanitie seeing it came from and
saying and worthie of all acceptation therefore waver not neither dispute but with him confesse that Iesus Christ came into the world to saue sinners of whom say thou I am chiefe Here thou hast thy part take it home vnto thee it is Maries part which cannot be taken from her Cleaue therefore vnto Christ and cast downe at his feete by her example the pride of thy flesh the opinion of thy owne righteousnesse make thee a seat at his feete by humilitie in seeking his favour which is thy reconciliation with the Father And then say thou but not as David thy Law O Lord Psa 119.98 but rather thy Gospell which is the end of the Law Faith in thy Christ Rom 10.4 hath made mee more learned and wiser then all the learned men in the world Faith if of the right stamp is operatiue But learne also that this faith is not an emptie imaginary or idle opinion but an inward and found perswasion which hath a substance which manifests it selfe by workes makes a deepe Impression in thy soule engraues Christ in thy heart in thy spirit begetting in thine vnderstanding a feeling of the loue of God towards thee in thy will a holy fire of loue towardes God nourished by the same his loue which quencheth in thee all other loues Note that dependeth not thereon but aboue all the loue of thy selfe And therefore even as when thou hast grafted a grift vpon a wilde stocke and a while after commest to see if it hath taken findest the barke greene some budds and a little after both leaues and fruit thou reioycest and holdest it as yâ—â—nne so in like manner wilt thou see if the saith of Christ be rooted in thee and that vnto salvation review thy selfe from time to time if it hath imprinted in thee a hunger after the knowledge of God an ardent desire to please him a feare to offend him to order thy sences thy moovings thy actions thy passions to governe the faculties both of body and soule as instruments of puritie of integritie of charitie of justice to renew thee from day to day in thy inward and outward man casting forth a good savour in thy life and conversation then say boldly that faith hath taken roote in thee and the gift is past the worst but aboue all if shee renounce her first sape to receiue it from Christ this grafting being of another nature then ours are because these turne the wilde sape into them contrarily this conveyeth vs to Christ converts vs into Christ whence wee may then say with S. Paul Galat. 2. and 20. I liue yet not I but Christ liues in mee and whilst I liue now in the flesh I liue in the faith of the Sonne of God who hath loved mee and given himselfe for mee Being readie to cast away whatsoever is in vs and of vs whatsoever seemes to be most precious in our eye to keepe and to preserue this onely even this one onely necessary thing which is worth them all being then every way fit to say vnto Christ with all confidence and boldnesse I haue sinned but I know that thou art my JESVS the Sonne of God my redeemer this onely word sufficeth let vs therefore keepe it pure and without mixture with this Word let vs passe the night of this world let vs passe over his Barricadoes and Watches if we meete with some rubbes though it be with some danger yet let vs goe forward till breake of day even of our day of our rest there wee shall see our IESVS raigning in heaven to liue with him where wee shall raigne gloriously glorifying him for ever to whom with the Father and the holy Spirit be glory for ever AMEN FINIS ERRATA PAge 112. line 21. and 113. l. 2. for amongst read in P. 136. l. 5. for conversest read conversedst
the afflicted and howsoever it be the vpright shall dwell before his face But some prophane person may here say is David thus confident the burthen notwithstanding lieth still vpon his neeke he is slandered abused watched pursued by Saul by his most familiar friends yea by his owne sonne but he is lightened of this his burthen comforted in soule because of his liuely faith which represented vnto him the helpe of his God both certaine and present because his loue by his holy Spirit was powred into his soule because a divine light shining vpon it scattered the darknesse thereof And thou Christian whosoever thou art if ever thou hast called vpon the Lord in the like anguish how often before thy burthen the cause of thine anguish of thy griefe was eased hast thou notwithstanding felt thy spirit eased by thy prayer God without doubt holding his hand invisibly and insensibly vnder thy burthen as it were hidden from thee The burthen continuing and yet the paine diminished because we haue now two to beare it because it pleaseth God to beare one part of the burthen and that the greatest part also suffering vs to redouble our strength that he might lend vs his owne For example Ioseph being cast into the pit by his brethren Gen. 37. ver 27. it was some reliefe to be solde vnto the Madianites and then vnto Potipher Captaine of the Guard Gen. 39.1 his burthen encreaseth when the slander of his mistris caused him to be cast into the dungeon but Moses addes presently that the Lord was with Ioseph ver 20. he shewed his mercie vpon him in giving him favour in the sight of the Maister of the Prison Such favour as made him way to Pharaoh even to the supplying of the necessities of Iacob his Father and all his house yea even to be ruler over Egypt Who now in the meane while would haue beleeved that GOD was with him in prison In like manner he saith to Iacob that is to his Church to all the members thereof Esa 43.2 When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee they shall not drowne thee and when thou goest through the fire it shall not burne thee because I will be with thee Even I who commandes the elements who rules over the waters of the Floud Psal 29.10 who makes my Ministers a flame of fire Psal 104.4 I am with thee because I haue redeemed thee Esa 43.1 I haue called thee by name thou art mine and by consequent I haue Interesse in thy ruine in thy losse Is God with vs in the fire and in the water Isa 43.2 if he said it not himselfe who durst beleeue it And indeed we see it in the waters of the red Sea which gaue place vnto the Children of Israell Exod. 14. when in the meane while they overwhelmed Pharaoh and his hoste Also in the three Children in the Furnace Dan. 3. being heated more then ordinary it consumed them who cast them in Dan. 3.27 but of those that were cast in it singed not a haire an Angell ioyning himselfe vnto them in the middest of the fire who kept them One sayth the Prophet like to the Sonne of God These things you see being performed both really and visiblie in them whence wee may learne that God who was with his in the middest of dangers out of the which there appeared no issue is invisibly and no lesse really with all those who call vpon him in true faith he compasseth them about with his mercy and assisteth them with the presence of his Angels yea of his owne presence also Whence it is that David hiding himselfe from the wrath of Saul in the Caue makes his prayer vnto God Psal 57.4 saying My soule is amongst Lyons I lye amongst these that are set on fire amongst men whose teeth are speares and arrowes he assures himselfe notwithstanding that God will send from heaven and deliver him yea out of this danger and in this faith he wakens his tongue and all his musicall instruments to giue him praise This deliverance being vnto him no lesse reall nor lesse miraculous Dan. 6.22 then that of Daniell in the denne of Lyons in which denne the Angell of the Lord did shut their mouths but what if not so visibly because such miracles are wrought visiblie but once or very rarely to try our weaknes as also to show that God can doe it ceasing not in the meane while invisibly to continue according to his word promise which assures vs that he will do it And herein the faithfull cōsider that so often as they finde themselues amongst such Lyons thirsting for their bloud and hungering for their life yet can they doe them no hurt And in such appetite and such fury seing themselues a prey can they doubt of him who restraines them who mussels them thus invisiblie Therefore tell me not here that wee now see no more miracles We see them not indeede because wee want eyes for what doe we see in effect but miracles Thou Christian if the creation of the world if the vniversall change of the course of the world by the power of Christ if the death of so many Martyrs beleeving the Resurrection of a God crucified so many ages past tell me if so sweete a harmony of all and every particular thereof be not a sufficient myracle In vaine will it be for thee to see the lame to goe the dumbe to speake the dead to rise Thou shalt alwaies find in thy discourse matter of doubt they will be vnto thee illusiōs slights and trickes of Sathan well then let vs cast our burthen vpon the Lord and let vs the rather consider of his grace and of his helpe in vs and towards vs. And after we haue seriously called vpon him feeling our selues in effect either discharged of this burden of this crosse which crushed vs or incouraged to beare it more ioyfully let vs then boldly say The Lord hath here put to his hand for from no other but him could come ease of paine or increase of strēgth Therefore let vs freely acknowledge in the healing of our stroake and of this issue of bloud that vertue is gone out from Christ yea albeit we haue but touched the hemme of his garment this touching this hemme which is as it were but to giue a body vnto their invisible and spirituall vertue thereby to make it vnto vs flesh and bloud as we are not more efficacious but more sensible Well then if the Lord as in some temptations seemes to thee that himselfe takes part against thee and by consequent thou thinkest that he himselfe is become the burthen so farre off is it that thou canst hope he should beare thy burthen vnto whom then shouldest thou haue recourse And here lyeth the highest point of the triall Take an example in Abraham when God commanded him to offer vp his sonne whom he had long time waited for his Isaac his onely sonne by that so expresse a
their bowells issuing forth and yet lifted vp their eyes to Christ by prayer nay rather by singing brake through the noyse of the flames Therefore O flesh and bloud tell me here if Christ were not there if he assisted them not effectually or clothed them not really with his power against the violence of that Element and against the crueltie of those who sharpens it against them thinkest thou that there could be any one found that could stand And from whence then came so many millions Yea where could there haue beene found any one that should resolue with himselfe to die for one dead to suffer himselfe to be tortured for one Crucified and from whence then could this come if it were not in that Christ liveth in them and in them with them is crucified Verily in them who cast their burden vpon the Lord the Sonne coeternall with the Father not to shake off their burthen but the more couragiously to beare it being incouraged by his presence strengthened by his hand And therefore in other crosses the wonder consisteth herein that the Lord being called vpon in faith doth graciously deliver thee But loe here the myracle is in that the faithfull against sence reason and nature offer themselues vp in sacrifice vnto God their flesh and bloud their humaine reason altogether flesh and bloud renouncing themselues to confesse Christ And seeing it is impossible of themselues whence is it then for the honor of God but by God The burden of our Calling And so much for the burthen of the Crosse and affliction when it overchargeth vs. Now followes that crosse which concernes our calling and function vnto which God calleth vs. A true burthen also for there is none so small in regard of the weaknesse of our nature vnder the which our shoulders doe not bow yet be it never so great in his power who calls vs thereunto wee need not feare to passe provided alwayes it be a true calling by which he makes it his owne And therefore the Apostle exhorts every one Ephes 4.1 to walke worthy his calling according to that grace which is given vs according to the measure of the gift of Christ To walke is not simplie to goe but to hold a certaine way and to ayme at the true end thereof and besides in a mans Calling to looke he haue it from God who is a God of order who ordaines and who imployes all his Creatures every one to some certaine thing every stone to haue a certaine place in his building He that walkes in his Calling sets all his paths vnto profit walkes alwayes well though he halt in it he that strayeth from thence what speed soever he makes goeth the further out of his way and for the most part goes backward Well then every calling hath his labour or rather his crosse yet not without some inward comforts and helpe from aboue even from him who hath created all things He I say with the same power bountie and wisedome preserveth them and directs all things For let vs not thinke that he hath lesse care or takes more pleasure to comfort an Artificer in his shopp then he doth a Prince in his Throne a family as well as a Common wealth for every where where his name is called vpon he hearkens he heares he puts to his helping hand without exception without acception of persons vnto him who hath equally made them the brasse is as deare as the gold the hempe as the flax the course cloth as the scarlet But in the callings of those whom hee calleth to the conducting of his people of his Church this bountifull providence doth more appeare because shee is set as it were vpon a hill because they are or ought to be the light of the world as also because the Lord in his holy Scriptures hath left them for our examples Art thou then in a publicke Calling 1. In the Magistracy be it either polliticke or ecclesiasticke and dost thou meete with a stiffenecked people being ready every houre to murmure with gyants advancing their heads against heaven against whom thou art every houre to pronounce and lay open Gods judgements A hard Commission troublesome rough hard to vndergoe if thou onely looke into thy selfe but looke vnto God who hath imposed this Calling vpon thee doe not thou therefore shake off thy burthen as another Ionas Who fled vnto Tarsis from the presence of the Lord and shipt himselfe at Ioppa who meets with him amōgst the waues Whether shall I goe from thy spirit sayth the Prophet Psal 39.7 or whether shall I flie from thy presence Therefore rather humble thy selfe before his face acknowledg thy imbecillitie seeke thy strength from him take thy warrant from his Commission What oh Lord is dust and ashes that thou shouldest expect such strength such service if thou put not to thy helping hand if thou worke not in it There needs no greater matter then lyce to confound the wise the ruine of the pride of Egypt Well then Lord worke thou Who am I Lord saith David 2 Sam. 7.18 19.22.23.24 and what is my house that thou hast brought me hitherto is this the manner of men is there any thing here whereof man can presume or promise ought vnto himselfe But he takes him at his word wherein his glory is interressed And sayth for thy promise sake and according to thy heart thou hast done all this greatnesse c. to get thee a name and a people for evermore And where his calling meets there his promise secretly comes betweene Who am I also saith his Son Salomon 1 Kings 3. to iudge this so great a people c. Alas I am but a childe who knowes not how to goe in and out before them And further the Lord from whom every good gift comes giues him to him I say who acknowledging his owne incapacitie seekes the supply thereof in his grace a wise and an vnderstanding heart a habit very necessary for a King he giues him more then he requireth riches and honour things very seemely Also who am I saith Moses Exod. 3.11 that I should goe vnto Pharaoh and that I should bring the Children of Israel out of Egypt c. Exod. 4.10 Alas Lord saith he neither yesterday nor before yesterday am I a man of cloquent speech but on the contrary of a slow mouth and tongre Now the businesse was to speake vnto a great Prince to perswade him of strange offensiue things but I sayth the Lord will be with thee and beholde the signes Who made the mouth of man who made the dumbe c. Exod. 4.12 I will be with thy mouth and will teach thee what thou shalt say or rather by thy hand I will doe that which thou shalt haue to say that we might know the great priviledge those haue whom God sets on worke in respect of all others Those whom the Princes of the earth imploy in their services if they be not adorned with exquisite
remaine the burden of sinne Sinne The burden of sinne as light as it seemes vnto vs which by no meanes can stand in the ballance of so just a God must needs be very heavie most waightie because it provokes his anger presseth vs downe to hell by an offence against an infinite Maiestie against an infinite anger Sinne which lyeth vpon the conscience being the liueliest the most sensible and tenderest part of the soule doth vexe and disquiet it Whereas the griefe of afflictions lyeth properly vpon the senses perplexities in our Callings lyes vpon our spirits But sinne was the cause that made our first father after the commission thereof to hide himselfe from the Lord and to tremble at the very shaking of the leaues As also that Caine having perceived his offence was smitten with a deiected pale countenance and the sentence being pronounced was as a burthen and punishment vnto himselfe My iniquitie sayth he is greater then I am able to beare Gen. 4. though he had all the world at command yet he findes himselfe in a straight in his soule Even so the best men though more tender in Conscience couragious and patient in all sorts of afflictions yet are here impatient stooping vnder this burthen lie distressed in and by themselues David who so often repeateth in the Psalme 56. I trust in God and will not feare what the arme of flesh can doe vnto me yet findes himselfe pressed downe vnder the burthen of his olde man My finne O Lord Psal 51. saith he is continually before mee I see nothing else I haue sinned against thee O turne thy face from mine iniquities Not content with this as else-where to say vnto God haue pittie on me but here he calls to his succour the greatnesse of his compassions the full depth of his mercies to purge wash and wash againe to blot out his sinnes to create in him a cleane heart to renue in him a right spirit feeling nothing in himselfe which might abide the light of his countenance which turned not vnto him in steade of a pleasing light a countenāce iustly inflamed with wrath And thus that great Apostle also who was joyous and triumphing over all sorts of afflictions shrunke at this those others being pledges of helpe from God but this a kindler of his wrath those calling vnto him as it were from heaven and causing him to hasten his pace towards vs as at the cry of his Children But this which turneth away his eye and sequesters his presence from vs makes him forget yea and to renounce his Creature I repont that I haue made man Gen. 6. my spirit shall not alwayes striue with him it makes him to consent or rather resolue to blot out his Image with a curse and to determine in himselfe to destroy even all flesh from the earth with a Deluge And therefore let vs not thinke it strange that he changeth here both tune and voice that he who said Phil. 4.12.13 I know and am instructed how to be full and how to be hungry as well to abound as to want I am able to doe all things in Christ who strengthens me But now with a languishing speech changing his tune sayth Sinne dwelleth in me and in mee there dwelleth no good thing I haue not the power to performe that which is good I finde this Law in me that when I would doe good evill is present with mee How far off was he here from doing all things But on the contrary addeth Rom. 7. There is a law in my members which leades me captiue to the Law of sinne delivers me bound hand foote my feete fettered with sinne and consequently to death hell the rewards of sinne What burthen thinke we then he felt who before was so valiant vnder all other burdens when he cryes out in the end Vers 24. wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Well then seeing sinne in it selfe is so heavie in regard of God who is puritie and justice it selfe yea to hideous and so odious who shall be so bold then as to cast this burden vpon the Lord Shall we say vnto him as Adam did after his fall Gen. 3.12 The woman whom thou gavest me gaue me of the tree to eate Or as the prophane ones mentioned by the Apostle Rom. 9 19. Why hast thou not made vs better Whereof complainest thou for who can resist thy will Thus covering their sinne with blasphemie a sort of creatures who Contest against the Creator whose judgement sleepeth not What then is there no remedy to ease this burden Is it exempted from the lesson which here the Prophet giveth vs And if wee must lye downe vnder this burthen what will it profit vs to be relieved vnder any other burden yea rather here principally hath it place here it is wherein God meaneth properly to shew that his mercy is aboue all his workes to powre out his mercy and to open his bowels of compassion that by executing justice he may make his chiefe worke to appeare To vs sayth the Prophet a childe is borne Isai 9.5 to vs a sonne is given and his government is layd vpon his shoulder His government that is his power to saue his people from their sinnes vpon his shoulder for as much as he hath layd the Crosse vpon himselfe and vnto the Crosse hath nayled our sinnes And therefore the same Prophet sayth Esay 53.5.6.7 He hath borne our griefes and taken on him our sorrowes he was bruised for our iniquities The Lord hath made to come vpon him the iniquities of vs all the chastisement of our peace was vpon him Vpon him even vpon his shoulder therefore is it also added that his name shall be cased Wonderfull Counseller the mightie and strong God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace No other but he could be capable of such a burthen our Emanuell God with vs. The Lambe of God Ioh. 1.29 sayth S. Iohn Baptist that taketh away the sinne of the world hath borne them sayth S. Peter 1 Pet. 2.24 in his bodie vpon the tree being made sinne sayth S. Paul 2 Cor. 5.21 that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him and made a curse for vs vpō the crosse Gal. 3.13 that the blessing of Abraham might come vpon vs by him But thinke not here that thou who delightest thy selfe in thy sinnes and flatterest thy selfe therein who makest triumphs who art iolly and merry vnder this burden that thou hast any part in these benefits or that Christ should burden himselfe with thy sins wherewith thou feelest not thy selfe burdened thou must first feele them Vnto whom shall I haue respect sayth the Lord Esay 66.2 vnto him that is afflicted and hath a bruised spirit and trembleth at my word to such a one is it sayd Rom. 5.20 that where sinne aboundeth grace doth more abound On the contrary he sayth away from mee yee
as pietie makes vs receiue it all from God and as from a father makes vs to take sicknesses afflictions of the body as a purgation for the health of the soule for as much as but one dramme of the loue of God manifested vnto vs by his spirit is of power to dissolue a sea of griefes there needing but one sparke of the spirit of God to cōsume all Of such as are learned In a word art thou learned I will further instruct thee for know thou that whatsoever thou knowest is not the thousand part of that whereof thou artignorant for he who was most expert in the knowledge of the matters of this life acknowledged that all his knowledge was but vanitie yea vanity more apt to puffe vp then to fill to make thee proud rather then truely glorious A learned ignorance There is also a certaine learned ignorance that one who is truly learned would preferre before all thy learning And therefore in praysing God for his graces referring them to their right end namely vnto pietie to the service of God without the which they are nothing be not then I pray thee too wise in thy selfe But art thou ignorant Of such as are ignorant or esteemest thou thy selfe to be so who darest not speake before others and art ashamed of thy selfe Be not therefore troubled I am about to teach thee how to be both better learned and wise if thou wilt beleeue me nay if thou wilt but beleeue even that great learned Apostle who 1 Cor. 2.2 determined among his Corinthians to know nothing but Iesus Christ and him Crucified was notwithstanding rapt vp into the third heaven into Paradice where he both heard and sawe things not to be vttered and yet of all that he makes no reckoning in respect of this onely knowledge the knowledg of this one thing which is onely necessary on which they are all either grounded or confounded Let vs see then how pietie suffers not riches to make vs proud nor to turne favour into oppression greatnesse into violence health into disorder knowledge into vanitie but extracting these from it as it were poyson from Vipers to make thereof good Treacle turning it into the medicine of humaine societie being without this both dangerous and deadly to meddle withall It supplies also all our wants poverties infirmities afflictions and necessities as onely necessarie like vnto that hearbe Tobacco so much extolled in the New-found-Landes which alone is sufficient for meate and drinke for Clothes and for Physicke Wee say like to that Manna in the Wildernesse according to the Iewish Rabbines which fitted every mans taste whatsoever he desired else were there never so little of this drugge it would convert to it selfe and into it selfe every other thing See another Example in Saint Paul Phil. 4. ver 11. I haue learned sayth he to be content with that I haue I know how to want and how to abound every where and in all things I am taught as well to be satisfied as to hunger as well to abound as to want But heare how I am able to performe all things in Christ who giues me strength Phil. 4.13 in and by this his onely grace This onely grace of Christ doth furnish all being apt onely of it selfe both to pare away our excesses and to supply our wantes to make vs finde contentment in povertie and glory in shame And therefore sayth he elswhere God forbid that I should glory in any thing but in the Crosse of Iesus Christ A poore glory wilt thou say in one Crucified He is dead indeede but is risen againe ascended into heaven and raigneth there Of which glory of which kingdome hee that is a member of Christ feeles himselfe alreadie partaker of Who thinketh it strange that the head being in heaven the feete should not haue a feeling therewith should not glory therewith though creeping here belowe on the earth And from this glory it commeth that the Apostle stiles himselfe putting it in the front of one of his Epistles Philem. 1. Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ in bondes for his Name Might hee not rather wilt thou say haue stiled himselfe with a more honourable title namely Rapt vp into Paradise as if he had beene equall to the Angells Note But his pietie this faith in Christ honours him and sanctifies his bondes so that to suffer in Earth for Christ is more vnto him then to be taken vp into heaven this ravishment being of short continuance but his sufferings which assure him of his promise to haue there an everlasting being and to raigne there for ever with him What is meant by this one thing But heere O Christian it may be thou desirest to knowe wherein this one thing properly consistes which hath so many vertues and onely can doe all things but thinkest and fearest that this knowledge is too laborious who seest so many bookes of so long studies written so many degrees to passe through to attaine to so high a knowledge And verily the mystery of godlinesse is great as Saint Paul telleth vs. 1 Tim. 3.16 That God was manifested in the flesh iustified in spirit seene of Angels preached vnto the Gentiles beleeved on in the world and received vp into glory For of every one of these Articles there might Volumes be made The Angels themselues sayth Saint Peter desire to prie thereinto 1 Pet. 1.12 But for all this be not dismayd For God the Creator of man in his mercies would that this mystery should of right belong as well vnto the ignorant as vnto the learned by very Idiottes he hath converted Orators in the netts of poore Fishermen he hath taken Philosophers In one and the same Sea both great and small fish liue and swimme depths for the one and shallownesse for the other thou hast thy part in this mystery or rather thy priviledge though thou couldest not reade Vnder the Law it was sayd doe this fulfill the Commaundements of God and thou shalt liue A lesson proportioned according to that integritie wherein our first parents were created After so great a fall which displaced which bruised all his faculties and ours in him as over-matched For where is the man that ever did or could performe it But Christ our Lord by his perfect obedience not content onely to satisfie for vs but therewithall giues vs a lesson both shorter and easier that is this mystery of faith If thou confesse sayth the Apostle the Lord Iesus with thy mouth and beleevest in thy heart that GOD hath raysed him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10.9 Wilt thou haue it in other words These things are written sayth S. Iohn these Gospels Ioh. the 20. and last verse that thou mightst beleeue that Iesus is the Christ the sonne of God and that in beleeving you might haue life in his Name And wilt thou make it thine and appropriate it vnto thy selfe say then with S. Paul 1 Tim. 1.15 It is a true