in qualibet re Bulling most beautifull and successfull in its season Davids blessed man brings forth fructum suum in tempore suo his fruit in due season and therefore all that he doth prospers Psal. 1. 3. Whilst then the day of thy youth the day of health and the day of grace lasteth whilst God stands knocking at the door of thy heart by the motions of his Spirit speedily entertain him embrace his motions suffer thy selfe to be led by his Spirit in waies of obedience resolve with David that God shall be thy God and that thou wilt seek him early Psal. 63. 1. Let it be your first work to seek his Kingdom else if you delay and Diaboli vox est Da peccato quod praesens est Deo quod futuruÌ„ peccato floremaetatis Deo reliquias Daven put off God from day to day your hearts will be hardened your sin increased Gods wrath provoked and Satan encouraged Learn wisdome then of the men of the world the Mariner observes his wind and tide the Lawyer his Term the Chapman his market the Husband man his seasons yea the Stork and the Crane and the Swallow know the time of their coming and the laborious Bee loseth no fair seasons Consider that time Nullus dum per caelum licuit otio perit dies Pliny it self is short but the seasons of grace are shorter and if you lose them you lose all This ruined Jerusalem because she knew not the day of her visitation See Madens Serm. on Luk. 19. p. 148 c. Gros Inducements to Christ. p. 25. 26. Luke 19. 44. Yea many that seek after heaven shall miss of it because they seek too late Luke 13. 24 God hath allotted to every man that lives in the bosoÌ„ of his Church a certain time for repentance and he that neglects that time comes not in to Christ then can never be saved and therefore be sure ever to second the Spirits motions with obedience lest if the Lord call and you will not hear the time come when you shall cry and shall not be heard Prov. 1 24. c. 2. Seek it earnestly with all thy heart and with all thy might with the highest intention of affection they are only wrastling Jacobs that become prevailing Israels Importunity will do much it made an unjust Judge to do justice no man ever sought God with his whole heart but he found him Deut. 4. 29. Ier. 29. 13. 2 Chron. 15. 15. God hath made many gracious promises that he will sanctifie and cleanse us urge them in thy prayers beseech him to remember the word which he hath spoken to his servants wherein he hath caused us to trust Ezek. 36. 25 26 27. Zach. 14. 20 21. Obad 1. 7. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Go unto Christ in him is a fulnesse of holinesse to answer for our unholinesse Christ is the Magazine and Store-house of all grace in him is not only a fulnesse of Plenitudo abundantiae Plenitudo redundantiae Abundance but a fulnesse of Redundance an overflowing fulnesse for me and thee and for all that come unto him 3. Seek it constantly never give over Non cepisse sed perfecissâ—… virtutis est but wait still in due time we shall reap if we faint not do not limit the holy One of Israel to thy time consider how long thou didst make him wait on thee before thou heardst him and then shouldst thou die in this waiting condition yet thou art blessed Deo confisi nunquam â—…onfvsi Isa 30. 18. Hold on thy suit take no deniall the comfort thou wilt meet with in the end will abundatly recompence all thy waiting and though hope deferred may make thy heart sick yet when it comes it will be as a Tree of Life Prov. 13. 12. II. If ever you would be holy you must take heed of offending and grieving Gods holy Spirit by your sins for sanctification is the most proper work of the Spirit and therefore he is called the holy Spirit for as the Father Elects and the Son Redeems so the holy Ghost doth most properly sanctifie 1 Pet. 1. 2. Titus 3. 4 5. 'T is the Spirit that must inlighten enliven strengthen quicken convince us of our spirituall See more Sibbs fount sâ—…aled p 112 c. nakednesse blindnesse poverty and misery it must enable us to all Duties and make all Ordinances effectuall and therefore as you love the In amore sempeâ—… cauâ—… tâ—…la nemo enim melius diligit quà m qui maximâ—… veretur offenâ—… dâ—…re Salv. Spirit of God and tender your own salvation quench not the motions of Gods Spirit in your souls when it would convince you of sin and humble you do not drink nor drive away those pangs of the New-birth but obey its motions surrender up all the keyes of thy soul unto him let him rule in thee and over thee and suffer thy self to be led by it and it will assure thee of thy Adoption III. Attend upon the Preaching See M Ant. Burg. Sers 83 of the holy word of God it is the ordinary means by which the Spirit of sanctification is conveyed into our souls Act. 10. 44. Whilst Peter was preaching the holy Ghost fell on those that heard the Word Gods Spirit breaths not in an Ale-house or in a Play-house but in the ordinances they are the vehiculum Spiritus the Spirits chariot God will be found in his own way and means and therefore we should sit in the winds way and though for the present we finde not that comfort we expect yet let us wait Lex sanctifiâ—…ationem promovet q. â—…ominem ad peccati agniâ—…ionem adducit Wendel I. 1. c. 26. Harsnet on Rep. p. 65. to 124. still the lame man that lay long at the Pool of Bethesda at last was cured Attend then to the whole Word of God to the Law as well as to the Gospel let its terrours humble thee and out thee of thy self that so the Gospel may comfort thee For Gods usuall method is to bring men to heaven by The Preaching of the Law not only preparatively but being blessed by God instrumentally works the conversion of men the gates of hell First to bring men to mount Sinai and then to mount Sion first to mount Ebal the mount of cursing and then to mount Gerizim the mount of blessing first the Spirit of bondage to convince men of sinne and make them fear and then the Spirit of adoption to cry Abba Father By the M. Ant. Burgess Vindie Legis p. 195. 261. assistance of the Spirit the Word will be a sword to kill our corruptions and a glass to discover our selves unto our selves for though morall truths may adorn the soul yet it is only Divine truth that purifies it Psal. 119. 9. John 17. 17. Nor is it all hearing that brings sanctification Quicquid recipitur id ad moduÌ„ recipientis recipitur Si vas est putiduÌ„ ci que
people whom out of ignorance I opposed under the notion of Puritans and set me at the feet of Learned Pious Orthodox Divines who instructed me in the way of the Lord and where the foundation of that little I have was laid To you therefore by way of Thankfulnesse do I Dedicate this Treatise it hath been Preached in your ear it now presents it self to your eye that by oft Reading and Meditation on it you may the better understand remember and practise that purity and Holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord. Remember therefore what you have received and heard and hold fast and repent for 't is not a bare speculative notionall knowledge of these things which will make you happy but it must be an affective practicall experimentall knowledge so as to love fear desire and obey this most holy God We must begin our heaven here there we shall be taken up for ever with the contemplation admiration and praise of this our God who is glorious in holinesse Prayer will then cease but Praise and Love will endure for ever This is the chief end wherefore we Nostrum est sanctâ vitâ sanctificare sanctitatem divinam omnaeesque ad eandem exhortari it aque sanctissimum Dei nomen gloriam apud omnes toto orbe propagare à Lap. came into the world viz. That by a pure inoffensive conversation we might bring glory to God do good to others and so spread his praise what in us lies over all the world Get publick spirits now in these daies of publick calamity be zealous for Gods glory valiant for his truth resolute against sin and sharp against errors Watch alwaies over your selves and over your families be industrious in catechizing and teaching your children and servants the way of the Lord by so doing you may propagate piety to posterity for when you have taught your children they will teach their children and their children will teach the succeeding generations Thus 2 Tim 1. 5. Magnum est Dei beneficium pios nancisciparentes ac praesertim matrem à quâ penè tota filiorum educatio pendet á Lap. Lois Timothy ' s Grandmother taught his Mother Eunice she instructs Timothy and Timothy taught the Church c. Dye cloth in the wool and the colour will be better and more durable Teach children when they are young and when they are old they will savour of it Prov. 22. 6. Off with those deformed long-locks those badges of Pride and vanity which See my Treatise against long hair you have been so oft warned of imprison the truth no longer hate not to be reformed lest the Lord put fire into the bush and by some Feaver Pox c. become your barbar as he hath been to some amongst us to their sorrow c. What I here prescribe to you it hath been my study and endeavour though in great weaknesse and many infirmities to practise amongst you I have not laid such burdens upon you as I would not touch my self my desire hath been to Preach to you vitâ voce by Practice as well as Precept The Subject that I present you with is one of the highest and choicest subjects in Divinity Justification and sanctification are the two main Pillars in the house of our God whereupon the whole building stands I have therefore handled this Attribute of Gods Holinesse the more fully 1. Because'tis omitted by the most * Zanchy M. Will. Burton M. Stock D. Preston c. omit it wholly Learned who yet treat fully and excellently on all the rest of the Attributes 2. A right understanding of this Attribute will give us light into all the rest for what is said of Gods Holinesse is also true of his Wisdome Power Mercy Justice c. they are all in him Essentially Eminently Originally Causally Formally and Finally 3 As the knowledge of God in his Attributes is one of the sweetest choicest and most necessary kindes of knowledge so of all the Attributes this of his transcendent Purity deserves our most solemn and serious Meditation it being as I may so say the Attribute of all Sanctitas est attributum Dei nobilissimum ob quod ipse adoratione omnique veneratione obsequio cultu est dignissimus à Lap. Gods Atributes he is Holy in his Mercy Holy in his Iustice c. and that wherein the Lord himself glories most and therefore is so oft stiled The Holy One of Israel and is said to be Glorious in Holinesse c. This Tract such as it is I leave with you as a starre to direct you in your way to Canaan as a friend to comfort you in your spirituall distresses as a Counsellour to teach you and your children after you what is that good and pleasing Cum omnibus Christi ecclesiis omnibus quibus possumus modis teneamur consulere tum maximè obligamur illi Ecclesiae quacum Deus nos conjunxit ac ad quam nos secretâ suâ providentiâ destinavit vocavit Rollos Tota supellex mca est charace a. will of God and as a perpetual monument of my care and desire of your eternall welfare you being that people to which the Lord hath more especially called me and amongst whom he hath by an Almighty hand of providence for many years together protected me I have no better Legacy now that I am going out of the world to bequeath unto you then this Gold I have none and Silver I have but little besides I have made mine own hands the Executors of that little Omnia mea mecum porto but such as I have I give unto you viz. a spirituall Legacy which by the blessing of God upon it may prove better to you then mountaines of Gold and Silver You have been in my heart to live and to die with you This foure and twenty years have I been your servant in your School in your Chappel and Parish Church and have continued with you in the midst of many dangers tentations and difficulties when I could have had double and treble your Means with peace and freedom but 't is work that I prize not wages I seek not yours but you I have coveted no mans silver or gold or apparel yea your selves know that these hands of mine have ministred to my necessities and that I have kept my self in a single condition that I might every way be the fitter for your service But so long as you strive to walk answerable to the Gospel and shew forth the power of it in your conversations being willing to submit unto Christs yoke in this day of his power I am resolved that nothing shall separate us but death This Treatise hath cost me some paines and study and to tell you the truth I like it the better we should not offer to God his Church of that which cost us nothing 'T is the diligent hand which God delights to blesse when the idle shall be cloathed with rags
peccatum summe odit Les. or not at all Psal. 96. 9. there is no pleasing him without it and none that ever had it in truth but pleased him Obi. We are justified What need we then care for sanctification Christ hath redeemed us therefore now we may live as we list we may sing and be merry for Christ seeth no sin in us c. Ans. We must shew the truth of our justification by our sanctification for Frustra de fide gloriantur qui fidem sanctitate non ornant Sibel where the one goes before the other alwaies follows they are inseparable When the tree is good it cannot but bring forth good fruit Where Christ is Obedienta Christi non tollit obedientiam Christianam Thesit Cantab. 1652. See seven Arguments for this and al objections answered by M. Ant Burgess in his last Sermon Ser. 9 10 11 12 13 14. M. Bedford ag Antinomians Chap. 5. p. 41. M. Baxter S. Rest. p. 20. made righteousnesse to them he is made sanctification 1 Cor. 1. 30. Where he forgives sin there he cleanseth from sin 1. Iohn 1. 9. 1 Cor. 6 11. Where he pardons sin there he gives power against sin he first drowns and then subdues them Micah 7. 19. according to those promises Jer. 31 33 34. with 33. 8. Ezek. 36. 25 26. As the effect alway followeth the cause light the sun and fruit springs from the root so sanctification ever attends on justification Where Gods Spirit dwels it is never idle but is alwaies changing us into the image of God from glory to glory working in us a detestation of sin with a love and delight in newnesse of life This is matter of singular Consolation to many gracious souls who doubt of their justification and yet they shew it by the fruits of sanctification they walk humbly with their God they have respect to all his Commandments they hate every false way they are fearfull to offend carefull to please they desire not only pardon for sin which a carnal man out of self-love may do but also power against sin they would be sanctified as well as justified they desire as freely to forgo their sins as they desire God should forgive them and to part with them as to have them pardoned they would be freed not only from the evil but from the filth of sin not only from the damnation but also from the dominion of sin When we see a man walk and move we conclude he lives when we see a tree bear fruit though it be but small we conclude there is life in the root it is not yet dead and therefore who ever thou art that findest the graces of Gods Spirit wrought in thy soul though they be but weak yet if they be there in truth and sincerity thou maist with comfort conclude that thou art justified for though works of Sani hominis act ones non sunt sanitatis causae sed indicia sanctification be not meritorious causes of our salvation yet they are signes and evidences of it so love and good works are not causes of our justification but * Non à Parte ante sed à Parte post signes of a man that is justified Christ only is the way by which we come good works are signs that we are in that way Hence the Apostle exhorts us to give all diligence to get assurance by doing the things named 1 Pet. 1 5 6 7. with 10. and blessednesse is pronounced to the doers of Gods commands Rev. 22 14. Psal. 15. 1 2. and the sentence at the day of judgement of absolution or condemnation will be pronounced according to our works because they best show our faith or infidelity Matth. 25. so 1 Iohn 3. 14. 2 Tim 2. 19. The foundation i. Gods decree of election stands firm and sure so that his elect shall never fall away But how shall we know that we are such By the effects if you be such as call on the name of the Lord and 2. depart from sin these may be a foundation evidentiall as 1 Tim. 6. 19. Though Christ only be a foundation fundamentall So that I conclude It is a safe and sure way to labour after assurance of our interest in Christ by the fruits of sanctification it is safe reasoning from the Effects to the Causes Here is heat therefore there is some fire the trees flourish therefore the spring is come here is light then the sun is risen here is good fruit growing therefore the tree is good here are spiritual desires spiritual affections spiritual ends and aims spiritual acts and operations therefore here is spiritual life These marks may See 20 Arguments for this Baxter cc. p. 74 75. contribute much to our Consolation though nothing to our Justification Obi. The Spirit will witnesse assure us of our salvation though we want these Marks Ans. It is a meer delusion to talk oâ—… the Spirits witnessing when men live remisly walk contrary to the word The spirit of the devil and the spirit of delusion may speak peace to them but Gods Word and spirit never will they never speak peace to presumptuous sinners nor to unmortified carnall loose professors Away then with those prophane Libertines Familists Antinomians c. These would be wiser then James or John who make works of sanctification evidences of our justification Iames 2. 1 Ioh. 2 3 4 5. See twelve convincing Arguments for the Necessity of works of holinesse Mr. Ant Burgess Vindic. Legis p. â—…0 11 c. Ruâ—…erf ag Antinom 2. part ch 38. p. 30. 61. 77. 81. See Ruthers ag Antinom 2 part ch 43. p. 46. of our times who under pretence of crying up justification do cry down sanctification They would have Christ for a Saviour but not for a sanctifier they would have him for a Jesus to save them but not for a Lord to rule them as a Priest to mediate for them but not as a Prophet to teach them or a King to â—…eign over them They separate what God hath joyned but they must know that he will not be Jesus to save where he may not be Lord to rule Heb. 5. 9. He will not justifie the persons when he may not sanctifie their natures It is therefore a very dangerous error to separate or confound justification sanctification as our Antinomians do whereas they are two distinct things differ in many particulars as you may see in B. Ushers Body of Divinity p. 202. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rem ag Satans Devices p 205. c. We must not expect our Rest here Baxter Saints Rest p. 559. and Sibelius on Jude v. 1. p. 40. 2 As for your singing comfort joy and merriment you are too hasty we are yet but in the fight the warfare is not ended he that puts on his armour must not glory as he that puts it off We are but in the way we are not yet at home and therefore let none be mistaken
farre as hath been good for them Thus godly Abraham and Lot were rich Gen. 13. 1. to M. Ant. Burgess Ser. 107 7. 24. 35 c. Jacob had at first but a staff yet increase to two bands Gen. 32. 10. Holy Job a very wealthy man Job 1. 3. David a great King and full of riches Iehosaphat walking in Gods wayes hath riches and honor in abundance 2 Chron. 17. 4 5 6. * V. Aug deâ—… Civit. Dei l. 5. c. 24 25 26. ConstantinuÌ„ Imperator The Christian Emperors that preserved Religion did flourish and had riches in abundance Piety both brings and blesseth riches When the Ark came to the house of Obed Edom it non supplicantem Daemonibus sed ipsum vâ—…rum Deum colenâ—…em tantis terrenis implevit muneribus quanta opâ—…are nullus aderet Id. ibid. brought a blessing with it Piety teacheth men how to order their affairs with discretion quickens us to diligence in our vocations and callings breeds contentment and so is great gain 1 Tim. 6. 6. Godlinesse with contentment is gain yea great gain none like it for other things may be good for something but godlinesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 illa piorum maximis opibus est praeserenda Pauper est ille quicum multa habeat plura desiderâ—…t nos contemnere malumus opes quà m contieâ—… Min. Felix is profitable to all things having the promise of this life and that which is to come it brings both inward and outward temporal and eternal blessings It takes not away our riches but our confidence in them and makes us look on them as losse and dung in comparison of Christ Phil. 3. 8. So that I do not know a more compendious way to riches and honour then to be truly pious What advanced Joseph Nehemiah David Daniel c. but their piety and fidelity The devil hath taught men a proverb That piety and plain dealing is a jewell but he that useth it shall die a beggar when all these were pious and plain-dealing men yet died in Riches and Honour 3. Shew me that godly man that ever could say that reall godlinesse did hurt him even in his temporals let any good man when he comes to die cast up all his losses on the one hand and see how God hath made up all in some better way on the other hand and then he may well conclude Godlinesse is to Per vinculâ—… cresco me great gain Though Job lost all yet his latter end was better then his beginning 'T is David's observation and he never saw it fail in his time * Psal. See the large Annot. 37. 25. I have been young and now am old yet have I not seen the righteous for saken nor his seed begging bread If any be extreamly poor the fault usually lies in the Professor and not in the Profession either they are idle or hypocritical and neglect their callings or breed their children idly or delight in fine fare c. Some reigning corruption usually brings this misery on them 4. I Answer by way of concession Pauperâ—…s diâ—… cimur haec non est infamia nostra sed gloria animus enim ut luxu solvitur ita frugalitaté firmatur Min. Fel. Mat. 19. 29. Suppose thou shouldst lose all by professing Christ his truth yet the Lord is able to give thee much more then that 2 Chron. 25. 9. The way to save all is to venture all for Christ He that will thus lose his goods shall save them yea he shall have an hundred fold in this life God will supply all thy wants and for Centuplicia i. multiplicia Si non eodem genere tamenvalore non possessione sed usu Perde te ne pereas Salv. Ob. Captivi sunt Sol. Hoc essâ—…t miserrimum sâ—… aliquó duâ—…i 〈◊〉 ubi Dâ—…um suum non invenerunt tres pueri fuâ—…runt in cap ivitate fuit Daniel fuere Propâ—…ae Nec Deus defuit consolator Aug. See Mr. Aut. Burgess Serm. 31. Non est pâ—…na militia est fortitudo enim infirmitatibus robâ—…ratur â—…alamitas saepâ—…ùs disciplâ—…a vâ—…rtutis est Min. Felix thy temporall estate it may be thou shalt have more then ever thou hadst or ever shouldst have had in thy naturall condition However God by his Spirit will make an in ward supply of all thy losses with such peace joy contentment c. as shall be better to thee then a thousand lives or livings Oh that men were throughly convinced of this truth that we never lose by serving God We may lose by serving the world and by serving men as Cardinal Wcolsey complained Had I been but as carefull to please God as I was to please my Soveraign I had never come to this miserable end 5. 'T is one thing to be poor and another thing to be overcome of poverty for Gods dearest servants for their triall especially in times of common calamity for these temporall blessings are promised but conditionally so farre as may make for Gods glory and the good of his people may be brough low they may be as having nothing and yet possessing all things 2 Cor. 5. 9. 10. He will give them contentment with their little and such swet joy in the sense of his favour that shall farre excell the Harvest and Vintage See this Oâ—… more fully answ Pemblâ—… Ser. stiled The Benefit of Gods service in â—…ol p. 671. 8â—… Bur. Moses Choice p. 114 c. Spiritus Calvinianus Spiritus Melanchoâ—…cus of all the ungodly The second Objection Obj. THis will make us sad and melancholy we shall never see merry day more if once we tread this path farewell delights and pleasures for ever c. Ans. This is a meer slander which the devil and his agents have raised to affright men from piety But you must know that wisdomes waies are waies of pleasantnesse and all her paths are peace Prov. 3. 17. No joy like the joy of a good conscience which is a continuall feast Prov. 15. 15. A feast at home and a feast abroad a feast in prosperity and a feast in adversity c. in so much that Gods servants in their deepest distresses and darkest tentations in their prisons and dungeons have had more comfort and joy then all their enemies in their Princely Palaces God allows us to be merry but not mad and dissolute Grace doth not abolish but rectifie Laeâ—…emur iuâ—… giter â—…dò innocenter Sa lv Relâ—… est laeta non dissoluta our joy it brings it in to order and sets it on right objects it turns out carnal into spiritual mirth God doth not envy our delights only he would we an us from low base beastly sensuall pleasures nor doth he directily call for fraeuum duntaxat affâ—…cti-bus injicit ne á via pietatis exorbitent Sibel these but only so farre as they are inconsistent with thy eternall good If a Physitian should perswade thee to forbear such and such dishes as tend
Schismes though it is true the Magistrate should not tolerate them in the Church of God Yea 't is not only there May be but there Must be not only Schismes and lesser rents but Heresies and such Tenents as strike at the very Foundations of Religion and why is all this That they that are approved might be made manifest and their sincerity appear in their constancy 1 Cor. 11. 19. Schismes will creep in to disturb the Churches unity heresies to corrupt the doctrine but God will so dispose ofall that the issue shall be prosperous D. Prideaux Ser. on 1 Cor. 11. 19 God suffers false Prophets to come in amongst us to try and prove us that men may see who are for Christ and who for Baal Deut. 13. 3. There will be a Jannes and a Jambres to oppose Moses and an Hananael against the Prophet Jeremiah View all the Acts of the Apostles and see what uproars attended the Preaching of the Gospel for though the Gospel per se in it self bring that peace which passeth all understanding yet per accidens accidentally meeting with mens corruptions it causeth tumults in so much that there are sometimes dissentions amongst Gods own people as between Peter and Paul Gal. 2. 11. and Paul and Barnabas though they were holy men and Apostles Acts 15. 39. So Luther and Zuinglius c. Now these divisions must not make us cast off Religion he was never sound that will forsake Christs Church for them but make us more carefull what we receive 1 Thes. 5. 21. When we come to a Market and hear of Pick-purses we do not run from the Market because of them but we are moâ—… watchfull because we hear of so many varlets abroad So though our divisions be great and the errors amongst us many which is our grief yet if they were ten thousand times more they would be no ground for us to dislike Religion but only be matter of caution to us to make us walk more humbly and watchfully before the Lord. II. Whereas you say there is unity in other Religions unity amongst Turks Jews Papists c. I answer 1. It is no wonder all is at peace amongst them because the devil who is the strong man keeps house there the devill is wiser then to disturb his own Unitas 1. Satanica 2. Ethnica 3. Belluina 4. Iscariotica 5. Tyrannica 6. Herodiana 7. Ventris causa Illyricus See Whitcs Way p. 154. Mortons Apol P. 1. p. 300. Illyricus hath observed a seven-fold unity in the Papacy 1 A divellish 2. Heathenish 3. A beastly 4. A trayterous 5. A tyrannicall 6. An Herodian and 7. A selfish unity This they make one chief mark of their Church but unity without verity can be no note of a true Church for there may be unity amongst a company of thieves the Jews with one consent cry Crucifie him and all the world was mad after the beast Rev. 13. 16. 2. Recrimination is no purgation their accusing us will not excuse them for were we fuller of divisions then we Quis tuleris Gracchâ—…s c. be yet they are the unfittest of any to accuse us for who knows not that their erroneous Religion abounds with divisions Pappus hath observed 237 differences amongst them Bishop Hall in his Peace of Rome 300. The Thomists are against the Scotists they against the Occamtsts the Dominicans against the Franciscans yea Pope against Pope what one hath set up another hath pulled down they differ not only in V. Paraei 〈◊〉 Bernards â—…ag p. 1â—…8 circumstantials but in fundamentals about God about Christ Scripture Angels Originall sinne Free-will Predestination Justification Antichrist Images the Pope the Church the Sacraments c. 3. Yet must we labour after unity and bury our own private opinions as low as hell and not broach them in a season that cals so much for union for though heresies and scandals will arise See more Bur. Moses Choice p. 295. c. p. 308 309. yet wo to those that raise them Let us walk humbly keep the bounds of our callings receive the truth in love c. So shall Gods spirit lead us into all truth and preserve us from Soul â—…estroying errours The tenth Objection Obj. VVE see many of your holy ones as vile as any they can for a need lye cozen dissemble be drunk covetous cruel Whore c. Ans. If there be any such that cause Religion to be evil spoken of as there are too many in all paces yet Vitiuâ—… 〈◊〉 non transit in 〈◊〉 1. You must know that this is the fault of the Professor and not of the Profession It is the fault of the Person and not of the Religion The principles of our Religion give no toleration of Stews no prophanation of the Sabbath by gaming dancing c. but teach all men to live soberly godlily and righteously to do to all men as we would be done by wine in it selfe is good though some abuse it to drunkennesâ—…e and our Religion in it selfe is good though some prophane persons abuse it to licentiousnesse 2. We must not condemn all for some there was Iudas an hypocrite amongst the Apostles it doth not follow that therefore all the Apostles were hypocriâ—…es Suppose one of thy kinsmen were a thief a drunkard c. it doth not follow that all are so You would count him a simple man that should judge of London by the sinks and filthy gutters that are there and should over-look the curious building c. Yet thus do many in Religion they over-look such as are truly-godly and if there be any prophane scandalous person they cast their eye presently on him like beetles that fly over all the fine flowers and if there be any dung they creep in that Or like flies that passe over the sound places and light on that which is galled Be not thou offended to see tares amongst the wheat hypocrites in the Church it ever hath been so and will be so to the end of the world Christs Church on earth is a mixt society there wil be some false brethren amongst them some that are carnal and cause Gods name to be blasphemed Rom. 2. 24. only we should be carefull to give no just cause of offence remembring that of Solomon Pro. 25. 26. The righteous falling before the wicked are as a corrupt and troubled spring i. They offend and poyson many and do much mischief The eleventh Objection Obj. THese precise ones are the troublers of our Israel enemies to Caesar pestilent fellows movers of sedition mad men such as turn the world up-side-down c. Ans. This hath been an old slander of the devil his agents against the people of God as appears Mark 3. 21. John See Watsons Charter chap. 15. p. 778 Si Tiberius non ascendit ad maenia si Nilus non ascendit in arva c. Statim Christianos ad leones Tertul. Apolog. c. 40. See Prideauâ—… Ser. on Luke 7.
two is easie Christ draws in this yoke with us and bears the heavier part of the yoke for us and by his Spirit strengthens us to bear it 4. It is easie to such as have an eye to Nihil Christi iugo gloriosius the recompence of reward Great honours and great rewards make hard things light easie What is all our obedience or sufferings to that eternall weight of glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. 5. It is easie to such as love Gods waies Love makes hard things easie it is oyl to the joynts it adds wings Am â—…nti nihil est diff cile amatori fervido juâ—…um estlevissâ—…muÌ„ to the soul and makes it speedily to fly the way of Gods commands they are not grievous 1 John 5. 3. Abraham loved God and he is ready to sacrifice his son at his command Jacob loved Rachel and therefore his seven hard years of labours and servitude seemed to him but as a few daies Fourthly It is a peaceable life Purity breeds peace as sin doth troubles When the conscience is once * See Sheffield on Conscience chap. 3. c. purified usually it is pacified Hence peace is called the quiet fruit of righteousnesse Heb. 12. 11. This is a never fading well-grounded peace a peace that shall never be taken from them Iohn 14. 27. It may for a time be eclipsed by * Quo quis est sanctior hoc plerunque afflictior tentations afflictions desertions but never totally lost They shall have perfect peace Isa. 26. 3. They shall have Peace Peace Heb. i. a Rarae immuvitatis est à nemine turbari à nemine laedi posse constant peace and abundance of peace all manner of peace peace externall peace internall peace eternall This is heaven upon earth the singular priviledge of all the godly to Arcem quietissâ—…mam 〈◊〉 quisquis se totum ad divinam voluntatem conâ—…ormat Caelum extra caelum repeâ—…sti Drexel Heliotrop enjoy a sweet serenity and calm within when all the world about them is in an uproar Psal. 46. Prov. 1. ult They are gotten into that upper region where no storms nor tempests breed Fifthly it is a safe life he thatwalks holily and uprightly walks safely Prov. 10. 19. They receive the truth in love and therefore God will not give them up to the errors of the time they walk humbly with him and therefore he will reveal his secrets to them they have an Unction i the holy Spirit of God which shall teachthem all things shall lead them into all truth Astor unsanctified hypocrites they may fall totally and finally there is no sin so vile but they may run into it no error so damnable but they may swallow it they have no foundation and therefore they know not when or wherethey shall stay The best preservative that I know against the errors of the times is to be not Almost but Altogether thorow Christians following the Lord fully professing Religion in the power of it and then we have Gods promise that we shall never be moved Psal. 15. ult Sixthly 'T is a gainfull life This is argumentum cogens a prevailing argument Piety saies to us as Balak did to Balaam Num. 22. 37. See Bifeilas Marrow p. 403 c Men are all for gain yet care not for godlinesse which is the greatest gain What is said of Homer That he by his learning had given more men their living then either Sylla Caesar or Augustus ever did notwithstanding their great gifts is most true of piety How many hath it raised from the dust to great dignity and honour as Joseph David Hester c. Hence the Apostle cals godlinesse 1. Pietas est quaestus 2. Ingens quaestus 3. Talis quaestus quipart ex se 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scultet Amiserunt Sancti omnia quaehabebant Nunquid fidemâ—… nunquid pietatem nunquid interioris hominis bâ—…na hae sunt opes ChristianoruÌ„ pietas quaestus ingens Aug. in the power of it not in the foâ—…m great gain 1 Tim. 6. 6. i no gain like it Bodily exercise may do something if rightly used toward the preserving of the health and taming of the flesh but godlinesse is profitable to all things 1 Tim 4. 8. nothing to be compared unto it it brings with it contentment joy peace pardon of sin power against sin boldnesse at the throne of grace and freedome from condemnation All the gain and riches in the world cannot purchase one of these Piety hath the promise of all things both temporall spirituall and eternall it procures the blessing and gives us a true Right to it also and that doubles the mercy for a wicked man may have good things but they are not good to him because he hath but a civil right to them when the godly have a sanctified right the blessing of the Lord makes them rich and he adds no sorrow with it * God giveth to his wealth without wo store without sore gold without guilt Trapp in loc Prov. 10. 22. They have no sting of conscience with their riches We should therefore plead for piety and make apologies for it What bringsmen gain they will plead for that and cannot endure that it should be spoken against Acts 19. 24. 25. Demetrius made shrines for Diana these brought no small gain to the craftsmen by it they got their wealth Paul opposed their silver Trade but how were they affected with it the Text tels us v. 28. 34. they were 1. Full of wrath 2. They cried out 3. Not one or two but all of them 4. Not dividedly but unanimously with one voice 5. Not for a moment but for the space of two hours they cry Great is Diana of the Ephesians If these were so violent for false and base gain how zealous should we be for the true gain If they plead and cry out so as they will hear See the gain of Godliness more fully set forth M. Gataker Ser. in Folio p. 127. nothing against their Diana much more should we plead for piety which only brings true profit and in defence of it out-cry all the out-cries in the world against it The more Pure and refined any thing is the better it is Refined gold Silver Wine c. is prized by all The Heathen saw some excellency in this which made them so much to praise Moral virtue which hath some shadow of holinesse Hol nesse is the most admirable of all things in the world as far surpassing wit and learning and riches and otherearthly vanities as learning surpasseth ignorance and wealth beggery Whatly New birth p. 22. Seventhly It is the most excellent life Piety makes men to excell their wicked and prophane neighbours Prov. 12. 26. What makes Gods people more excellent then the men os the world it is not riches strength outward beauty c. it is only their piety The wicked live the life of nature but these live the life of grace they have grace