Dauid behaued himself in all his extremities flying vnto God as a sure refuge Psa 91.2.3 I will say to the Lord O my hope my fortresse He is my God in him will I trust Hee will deliuer mee from the snare of the Hunter and from the noysome pestilence His eares are alwaies open to the cries of his children hee putteth their teares into his bottle So long therefore as we haue a voyce to call vpon GOD or a heart to sigh and groane vnto him wee haue comfort and assurance to be deliuered and that hee will not leaue vs nor forsake vs in danger Vse 2 Heere is matter of endlesse comfort vnto the Church and children of God that we know that the Lord Iesus Christ promiseth that hee will prouide a Lair for vs a place of comfort and refreshing a shadow euen at Noone day in the heate of bloudy persecutions Many indeed are our infirmities feares cares sorrowes and troubles yet in middest of them all the childe of God may say with the Prophet Why art thou cast downe O my soule and why art thou so disquieted within me O waite on God for I wil yet giue him thanks He is my present help and my God Psal 42.5 O then let vs be constant let vs comfort our selues in Christ Iesus let vs not for feare or danger deny CHRIST and his Gospell for CHRIST will be a shelter vnto vs to refresh vs and deliuer vs. This sheweth the most wofull Vse 3 and desperate estate of all wicked and vngodly men who being out of Gods fauour not beleeuing in Christ nor repenting of their sinnes in time of persecution when the Sunne waxeth hote Alas they shall not know where to hide their heads for they shall finde no shelter nor comfort nor no place of refuge For Christ is a shelter onely to them that beleeue in him and obey him And therefore thou which art a wicked man an impenitent sinner a prophane person Alas what wilt thou doe and which way wilt thou turne thee in the time of trouble and calamitie when the Sunne waxeth hote in the heate of persecution and scorching triall Whither then wilt thou runne for shelter Alas thou shalt then be as a mad beast which in the heate of the day runnes vp and downe and findeth no couert So shall all wicked and impenitent sinners haue no place of succour but lie open to all GODS iudgements be scorched Ezec. 9.4 yea euen consumed with the fire of Gods displeasure when the righteous those which are in Christ Iesus shall finde shelter Now followeth the Reason which shee vseth to moue the Lord Iesus Christ to graunt her request The churches reason of her request taken from the great perill and danger shee was like to fall into Namely lest being left without his direction and comfort shee be constrayned to Turne aside to the Flocks of the companions that is to say to leaue the true church and worship of God and ioine with the false church to commit idolatrie called heere the Flockes of the companions Not for that they are eyther Christ his companions or the companions of his church and people but because they account themselues so yea they thinke and call themselues CHRISTS companions And if this thing should come to passe through want of Christs assistance to direct her and to comfort her in persecution then it shall not bee for his honour not her good This is the summe and substance of her Reason Doctr. 5 Hence we are taught that it is altogether impossible for men and women It is altogether impossible for men to hold out in time of triall that are not assisted by God euer to stand out in the brunt of persecution vnlesse they be taught of God and comforted by his Spirite And hence it is that the Prophet Dauid a man after Gods owne Heart and indued with a singular portion of GODS Spirit doth earnestly begge and craue at Gods hand the enlightning of Gods Spirit and desireth to be taught of him Open mine eyes that I may see the wondrous things of thy Law Psal 119.8 And againe 27.34.73 Teach me thy Statutes And againe Make mee to vnderstand the way of thy Precepts c. Yea CHRIST tells the Iewes which murmured against him because he said that no man could come to him vnlesse his Father drew him that all the Elect are taught of God Ioh. 6.45 And this made Paul to pray for the Ephesians ch 1.17 that God would giue them the Spirit of Wisedome and to enlighten their mindes that they might know what is the hope of their calling and what the riches are of his glorious inheritance A notable direction vnto all sorts of men how to behaue themselues when they shall come into the house of God namely not to rest on any naturall gift whatsoeuer it be wisedome learning wit memory c. For the wisedome of the flesh is enmitie with God Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 1.21 But to goe out of our selues and to seek the Lord in humility and denial of them selues and then the Lord will giue vs a discerning spirit that we shall not be deceiued If any man saith Christ will doe my Fathers will he shall know of the Doctrine whether it be of GOD Iohn 7.17 And againe Christ promiseth his Disciples being now to leaue them and to go to his Father that the Spirit of Trueth should leade them into all truth Reasons And the reasons are First wee are all blinde and by nature can hardly see into the truth vnlesse Christ direct vs by his Spirit for so saith Salomon Prou. 14.12 The waies that seeme right vnto vs the issues thereof are the wayes of death It is a part of our misery that we are turned euery one vnto his own way Esay 53.6 Secondly when we know it Alas wee are of our selues so weake and flesh and bloud will bee so vnwilling to suffer for Christ his sake that vnlesse the Lord do assist vs we shal not be able to vndergo the least temptation that shal be laid vpon vs. And lastly the enemies of Gods truth are in their generation so wise and so subtile coming vnto vs in Sheeps clothing to deceiue vs that of our selues we shall easily be drawne away to beleeue lies In all these respects we may safely conclude the former Doctrine that it is impossible for vs to holde out in the day of triall vnlesse wee be assisted by the LORDS holie spirit Vse 1 This sheweth that if tryall do come and persecution shall arise for CHRISTS sake and the Gospells sake Alas most men would yeeld to any Religion to Popery Idolatry Superstition to the flockes of the companions to the church of Rome to flatte Idolatry For alas they know not the trueth They are not taught of GOD They bee blinde and ignorant and will easily beleeue and embrace any Religion Vse 2 This must stirre vp euery true christian man and woman to
after this Kingdome of Heauen Surely it is none other in Heauen or earth but this our gracious King who being the onely immortall and wise GOD hauing the Key of Heauen and of the bottomlesse Pitte he alone can kill and make aliue hee alone can lift vp to Heauen and send to Hell hee alone and none but hee can saue and destroy O vvhat a comfort is this vnto all the poore Members of CHRIST IESNS For vvhat greater ioy and comfort can there bee to anie poore soule then this to know that he that is their Iudge is their Sauiour a sweet Redeemer a mercifull Iudge vnto them he will neuer condemne his owne members Nay he will crowne them with his ovvne Selfe and vvith his owne Glorie Vse What must this teach vs Surely seeing our Iudge is a King and that he alone is able to saue and to destroy this must teach vs euery man and woman in the feare of God to yeelde to this King that true loyaltie that sincere obedience and seruice which this our King requireth of vs in his blessed word Malac. 1.6 If I he a Father where is mine honour If I be a Lord where is my feare saith the Lord. So vvill Christ say If I be a King where is that loyaltie seruice and obedience that is due vnto mee Now Christ Iesus is a Spirituall King and therefore he will be serued in Spirit and Trueth O then let vs all with a godly purpose of heart yeeld and resigne our selues bodies and soules to honour this King and to performe vnto him true and spirituall obedience for euermore Alas it is not externall and outward seruice which hee expects he is not like an earthly king but he regards the heart and the soule that is a speciall thing in his seruice And if wee shall thus performe this spirituall seruice and obedience then wee shall shew our selues to bee his loyall and dutifull Subiects and then will he acknowledge vs for his Seruants But if wee denie to him this seruice of the heart and giue it to anie other he will then cast vs off for euermore Seueritie of the Iudge described Thus much of the Maiestie of the Iudge and of his sinceritie and vprightnesse in iudgement Now in the description of the Iudge it is further added that from the face of this Iudge both The Heauen and the Earth flee away And this doth shevv the wonderfull seueritie of this great Iudge of Heauen and Earth We know that men flie those things that they feare and dread So here the Heauen and Earth do feare the glorious presence of IESVS CHRIST the great iudge of the whole world and seeke to hide themselues that they may not appeare before him This flying of the Earth and the Heauens and hiding themselues that they dare not appeare in the presence of CHRIST this shews the wonderfull maiestie and the great seueritie and terror of CHRIST IESVS the Iudge from whence we obserue a three-fold instruction The Heauens and the Earth Vse 1 are voyde of sense they are great and mightie Creatures Agayne they be verie goodly and beautifull Creatures Besides all this they neuer committed anie sinne Hovv commeth it to passe then that they shal flie hide themselues from the glorious presence of the Son of God Ans They neuer sinned indeed but yet the sinne of man is of that force that it hath infected both the earth we treade on and the heauens ouer our heads many thousand miles aboue vs. Oh then see how monstrous a thing sinne is in the sight of Almightie God what a vile thing that the contagion and infection thereof should hurt infect the whole Heauens and make them that they dare not abide the glorious presence of God their Creator O should we not abhorre sinne as the vilest thing in the world Wee are afraide of the plague because it infecteth and killeth mens bodies But the plague of Sinne is a thousand times and more to be abhorred and fledde from seeing it poysons and infects both bodie and soule is so contagious that the creature is afraid to behold the face of the Sonne of God Seeing both Heauen and Vse 2 Earth shall flie and perish from before the glorious presence of Christ Iesus Nay they shall burne with fire as Peter saith 2. Pet. 3.10.11 All these goodlie houses all thy golde and siluer and costly apparell shal be burnt with fire this may teach vs moderation and sobriety in the vse of Gods creatures What folly is it to spend al that a man hath to build a stately house and yet in the end it must be consumed with fire and become nothing else but fevvell for the fire That seeing the heauens and Vse 3 the earth these great and mightie Creatures these beautifull and excellent works of almightie Gods power which haue no sense nor feeling nor neuer sinned if these shall flie before the Sonne of GOD as being not able to indure his presence Alas what shall wicked and hard-hearted sinners doe what shall become of the vile wretches of the world which liue and delight in sinne where shall the vngodlie and sinner appeare what will become of all ignorant soules what will become of the Blasphemer and Adulterer If the Heauens and the Earth these great and glorious creatures which sinne not shall not be able to stand in his presence Then what I say will become of all prophane and vngodly sinners Alas they shall be euen at their wittes end not knovving in the world which way to turne them nor where to flie for succour vvhere shall they seeke for refuge when as the Iudge himselfe is their enemy who dares pleade for them dare any Saint or Angell No no no Saint or Angell dares open their mouth to speake one word in their behalfe neyther can any creature deliuer them from the dreadfull vengeance of this terrible Iudge Verse 12. And I saw the dead both great and small THvs haue you seene the person of the Iudge described by his wonderfull maiestie and povver The persons that shall appeare before this Iudge described wherevvith he will come to iudgement and also by the great severitie and terrour that shal astonish both the heauen and the earth and make them to flie from before his presence Now in this Verse and that which follovveth is declared who be they that shall appeare before this great Iudge Namely I saw the dead both great and small c. Secondly the euidences that shall bee brought in and vvhat witnesses shall be produced either to excuse or accuse in these words And the Books were opened Obiect And I saw the dead both great and small c. Before we come to speake of the wordes heere may a question arise Namely How this can be true that Saint Iohn saith He saw the dead both great and small For we beleeue that Christ Iesus shall iudge both quicke and dead not onely the dead but the liuing and Paul
pray to CHRIST as the church doth heere That hee would teach vs by his Spirit that hee would open our eyes that wee might see the truth and that he would giue vs hearts to beleeue it to loue it and to liue and die in it That hee would giue vs the Spirit of Discerning 1. Iohn 4.1 To try the Spirits whether they be of God that so wee may discerne the truth from falshoode Yea wee must so labour to bee fast grounded in the Truth Matt. 7.26 that no winde nor weather may remoue vs That wee be sure to lay a good foundation that we do digge deepe into our owne hearts builde on the Rocke To hate Poperie and all Idolatrie to loathe it as the Doctrine of Diuells Though they say they be the true Church and the companion of Christ yet be they the Synagogue of Sathan The maine points of their Religion being cleane contrarie vnto the word of God as are their Doctrine of Merites Inuocation of Saints worshipping of Images praying for the dead Sacrifice of the Masse that so wee may for euer stand out against that cursed and damnable doctrine of the Church of Rome Yea let vs intreate the Lord that hee would neuer suffer it to get head againe in this Land notwithstanding wee haue deserued as great a iudgement but especially that hee keep vs that wee neuer ioyne with them in that bloudy Religion Vse 3 It condemnes all those who are ready either for feare of persecution or by blindnesse and ignorance to embrace any Religion or ioyne with any Church who to keepe their Liuings hold their Lands to enioy their honours and pleasures would turne as doth the winde and embrace any Religion ioyne with Papist Iew Turke yea the deuill himselfe for liuing sake Oh! the true Church of Christ feare themselues and their weakenesse that they should bee drawne away and seduced to embrace false religion And therefore they doubting the worst and fearing the corruption that is in their owne hearts pray vnto Christ that they may not bee left vnto themselues but that they may finde strength from him to withstand them The end of the first Sermon A Folde for Christs SHEEPE THE SECOND SERMON CANT 1.7 7 If thou know not O thou fairest amongst women get thee forth by the steps of the Flocke and feede thy Kiddes by the Tents of the Shepheards WEE haue heard before of the earnest request of the Church vnto Christ That he would in mercy shew her where hee feedes his Flocke and where he prouideth comfort for them in time of trouble Heere is the most kind louing and gracious answer of Christ Iesus vnto the Request of his Church Parts of the Text. in the which note three things 1 His exceeding loue and kindnesse in that he calls her the fairest among women 2 His gentle reproofe of her If thou know not q.d. This is very strange that thou which art the true Church shouldest not know where Christ feeds his sheep 3 His direct Answer to her request wherein hee doth answer her to the full If thou wouldst know where I feede my sheep that so thou maist feede with them and finde consolation vnto thy Soule then thou must go in the steppes of the Flocke That is thou must embrace the Faith Religion the worship and seruice of God the which my ancient church from the beginning haue imbraced The Faith Religion the Worship and Seruice of GOD which my ancient Seruants Abraham Isaac and Iacob haue done and tread in their steps Secondly thou must place thy Tent where the shepheards haue done the Patriarchs Prophets and Apostles of CHRIST their doctrine taught before This is the summe and substance of Christs answere vnto his Church First obserue heere how Christ describes his true Church and Spouse Hee giueth her a most kind and louing name expressing his kinde and singular loue vnto her O thou the fairest among women Quest Obiect But this may seeme strange for the Church confessed before that shee was blacke and Sun-burnt deformed c. How then can Christ call her the fairest amongst women Ans The Church Resp and euery true Beleeuer are black and deformed in themselues vile and vncleane and they can see no beautie in themselues but are blemished yea and stained with sins originall and actuall But as they be sanctified by his Spirit washed in his Bloud and clothed in his Righteousnesse they be faire and beautifull in the sight of Almighty God because Christ hath washed them from all their sinnes in his Bloud and couerd them with the pure roabes of his owne Righteousnes decked and adorned them with the holy and heauenly graces of his Spirit knowledge faith repentance zeale patience c. According to that speech that the Lord himselfe vseth Ezech. 16. thou art faire through that beauty of mine which I haue put into thee Doctr. 6 Here marke the endlesse loue of Christ Iesus vnto his poore church and people Christ esteemes of his church as if they had no sin that esteems so highly of them as if they had no spot of sin or vncleanenesse though they in themselues bee blacke deformed and polluted yet all those who doe truely repent embrace Iesus Christ and beleeue in him that are washed from their sinnes sanctified by his Spirit and obey his will all these are faire yea most beutifull in his eyes Hee will not looke vpon their sinnes and blemishes but wincke at them so long as they endeuour and desire to doe his will This is confessed by wicked Balaam when he saw that no policie or deuice could take any place against the Church of God He seeth no iniquitie in Iacob he beholdeth no transgression in Israel Nu. 23.21 Againe how goodly are thy tents O Iacob and thy tabernacles O Israel as the vallies that are stretched out c. Num. 24.5 So that the nature and condition of the true Church farre exceeds all other societies of men whatsoeuer and is pretious and deere vnto Christ Hereunto cometh the titles and commendations giuen vnto the Church so often in this most excellent booke of the Canticles Cant. 2.2 She is as the Roe of the field the Lillie of the Valley the Fairest amongest Women an Orchard of Pomegranats a Fountaine of Gardens and 4 13. and 5.9 a well of springing waters the Spouse and Sister of Christ the Beauty of the Earth the Glorie of the world a Lillie among Thornes c. And againe Thou art all faire my Loue and there is no spotte in thee These and the like examples whereof the Scripture is full all serue to confirme the euerlasting trueth of this Doctrine vnto vs how deare and precious the Church is in Christs sight that of al Societies and Assemblies of men in the world none are more excellent and worthy none more amiable and louely none more beutifull and precious then the Church of God the Spouse of Christ Reason 1 And the Reason of
and by certaine markes and testimonies in our owne hearts to prooue that we are in the number of Gods Elect. For as Salomon saith Pro. 27.19 As water sheweth face to face Euen so the heart sheweth man to man Euen as a glasse sheweth what a mans face is so will a mans heart and conscience shew what man is in the sight of God Then if you would now know whether your names be written in the Booke of Life that is whether you bee the elect of God and heires of eternall Life you must now enter into your owne soules 2 Cor. 13 proue your selues and you shal certainly know whether you shall bee saued or damned For if thou finde in thee the true marks and notes of Gods childrē thou needest not feare but that thy name is in this Booke and thou shalt certainely be saued But as for wicked and prophane men and women that make no conscience of sinne they shall in spite of their teeth vpon this examination sing the dolefull tune I am a damned sinner I know not what will become of my poore soule at the day of Iudgement And therefore that we might in some measure trie our selues and iudge whether we be in this booke and so shall be saued let vs search out of the holie word of God some certaine marks of Gods children The first marke whereby we may know whether we be elect or not is the inward testimony and witnesse of Gods spirit Rom. 8.15 Yee haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue c. Whereby Saint Paul tells vs that wicked and vngodly sinners which haue not the spirit of God to guide them but liue in sinne they haue onelie the spirit of Bondage they haue no tru peace in their souls but they that be the children of God haue the Spirit of Adoption who seales vnto our harts the assurance of our adoption and election and doth make it knowne vnto vs that we are the Sonnes of God For his Spirit doth witnesse to our spirits that we are the Sonnes of God Romans 8.16 And that no man might deceiue himselfe and thinke hee hath the testimonie of GODS Spirit when hee hath it not Saint Paul giueth vs two most excellent notes to know whether wee haue the testimonie of GODS Spirit yea or not It maketh vs crie Abba Father Where the Spirit of God doth witnesse to any mans soule that hee is the childe of God It will make him cry to God and euen fill heauen and earth with crying and teares with sobbes and sighes for the pardon of his sins And hee which hath not this in him that hee cannot crie vnto GOD for pardon of his sinnes this man can not truely assure himselfe that hee is the Childe of God And though men say they hope to be saued yet alas they seldome or neuer pray vnto God for the pardon of their sinnes Secondly if wee finde the testimony of GODS Spirit that wee are the children of God It will make vs not onely to bee earnest with God for pardon of our sinnes but it will make vs cry Abba Father that is it will make vs beare the tender affection of a duetifull childe so as we shall be afraide to offend so louing a Father And therefore all those which delight in sinne and are not afrayde to offend GOD Surely they can find no assurance that they be the children of God And therefore if you desire to be assured that the names be in this Booke labour to finde this testimony of Gods Spirit to witnesse vnto your Soules that you belong vnto God and labour to be earnest in prayer vnto God for that is a speciall worke of Gods Spirit 1. Cor. 2.12 The second means whereby we may know whether our names be written in the Booke of Life is by the word of GOD. For the word of God tells vs whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ Iesu shall be saued But the childe of God hearing this promise opened and applied by the Ministerie of Gods word is able to say I beleeue and am able to apply this promise to my selfe For no man hath faith but hee knoweth that hee hath it and therefore can say seeing I beleeue with all my heart surely I know I shall be saued Thirdly besides the blessed testimony of Gods Spirit which cannot deceiue and the witnes of the word of GOD wee may know our election by the fruits and effects thereof As wee say a man is aliue so long as we see him breathe and can iudge of the Tree by the fruits Euen so by the effects of Election wee may know whether our names be in the Booke of Life or not Now the fruites of Election bee set downe by the Holie-Ghost that al men might be able to examine and try themselues and know whether they bee ordayned to Life or not Whom GOD predestinated Rom. 8.30 them also hee Called and whom he Called them also he Iustified and whom hee Iustified them also he Glorified Where we may beholde the markes of our Election For all that be elected to Life Eternall and bee written in this Booke they are first called secondly iustified and thirdly sanctified So then if you would know whether you bee elected to life looke to these three effects of Election Art thou Called art thou Iustified art thou sanctified Then sure thou art Elected But if thou hast not these three then canst thou not assure thy selfe of thy saluation So then the first fruite of our Election is our effectuall Calling when as God doth by the Preaching of the Gospell call vs out of the world from our olde sinnes to be of the number of his people to liue as his children Againe when a man cometh to the preaching of the Word to see his sinnes and Gods anger for them dislikes them is grieued for them bewailes them and begs the pardon for them and beginnes to become a new man to beleeue in Christ Iesu to seeke after Gods Kingdome Hee which findeth this effectuall calling in him he may assure his Soule that hee is Predestinated to Eternall Life But wee must take heed that wee deceiue not our selues with an outward calling for our Sauiour saith Mat. 22. Many are called but few are chosen Many doe heare the word of God with the eare but wee must labour to finde the Spirit of God to preach vnto our Soules to applie the Word to our conscience to beleeue it and to obey it And therefore they which liue in their old sinnes as blind ignorant and prophane as euer before alas how can they thinke to be saued seeing God chooses none or saues not any but whom he calles effectually by the Gospel 2 Thess 2.13 and seuers from the rest of the world Secondly the fruit of Election is Iustification For whom he predestinated them hee called So then heere is an other token and marke to know whether we be Elected namely or Iustified Now this is
the height and the measure of her iniquitie is once full according to that of Sainct Iohn in the Reuelation Shee is fallen shee is fallen euen Babylon that great Citie c. God put it into the hearts of all christian princes to rise vp against her * By suppressing of Poperie that their warre with them may assure them of a peace with themselues and with their Lord God For how dangerous they be vnto a christian common-wealth euen theyr hellish Attempts do shew Neyther is it an error in practise as many would beare men in hand but it is an error in doctrine teaching yea and maintaining it that they may safely kill and take away the life of a christian Prince that will not yeelde and subiect himselfe vnto the Pope of Rome * Therfore traitors to Christian Princes in action or affection and so much the more dangerous to be sufferd And no maruell then though they can not endure the manifestation of God his Word which is a Lanthorne vnto our feete and a Light vnto our Paths directing vs to heauen For this Light if the Pope did not smother it euen little children in the Streetes would long ere this haue cryed Fie vpon them fie vpon them Jt is my care both in publike and priuate out of my small reading to discouer as much as in me lieth the mysterie of Iniquitie and to lend one blast to the sounding of that Horne The word that shall at last shake downe the walles of this Iericho Jt is the old and ancient Doctrine of Faith and Repentance that I heere intreate of As for the plainenesse of the manner of deliuery of it I do trust you will acknowledge that the power of the spirit is best seene in weakenesse and that plainelinesse do best answere a straight and euen Leuell the euidence of the spirit is best seene in plainenesse J haue presumed to prefixe your Worshippes Name vnto this small Worke Jt shall by Gods good blessing increase your loue vnto the truth and gospell of Iesus Christ A zealous professour whereof you haue shewed your selfe to be these many yeares and worke in you a further detestation of Poperie As you haue begun well so proceed and let your workes be more at last then at first Be still for God in all his wayes and God will be still for you in all your waies aduance him still and hee will aduaunce you Thus I adde this poore Mite to the treasurie of the Church ascribing the Patronage to your selfe the vse to the world and the successe of it to God I pray God to keepe you in his holy feare and fauour vnto the end and so remaine Your worships in the surest bond SAMVEL SMITH A Table of the Doctrines contained in these two Sermons THE FIRST SERMON CANT 1. v. 6.7 Doctrine 1. CHRIST IESVS must bee loued with the strongest affection of Loue. p. 234 Doct. 2. True note of a Sheepe of Christ to hunger and thirst after the word of God p. 225 Doctr. 3. The church of God doth acknowledge Christ to bee her chiefe shepheard p. 267 Doctr. 4. The church of GOD sometimes is in the very heate of persecution p. 274 Doctr. 5. Christ leaueth not his church in the heate of persecution but prouideth comfort for them p. 285 Doct. 5. It is altogether impossible for men to holde out in time of triall that are not assisted by God p. 296 THE SECOND SERMON CANT 1. v. 7. Doctrine 6. CHRIST esteemeth of his church as if they had no sinne p. 308 Doctr. 7. The church of GOD sometimes may bee at such a streight as not to discerne the truth p. 317 Doctr. 8. A direction to know which is the true church p. 324 A Fold for Christs SHEEP THE FIRST SERMON CANT 1.6.7 6 Shew thou me O thou whom my soule loueth where thou feedest and where thou liest at noone For why should I bee as shee that turneth aside to the Flocks of thy companions 7 If thou know not O thou the fairest among women get thee forth by the steps of the Flocke and feede thy Kiddes by the Tents of the Shepheards BEFORE I enter into the Text it selfe which I haue now read vnto you it shal not be amisse for my better proceeding and your vnderstanding to speake something concerning the order of placing this Booke the Title of it and the subiect matter therein contained Touching the order of placing this Booke wherein king Salomon labours to build vp the Spirituall Temple of the Soule It is the same hee obserued in building the materiall temple 1. Reg 6. where he framed three Courts the vtmost for the Common People the second for the Priests and Leuites and last of all that Sanctum Sanctorum the Holiest of Holies onelie for the High Priest to enter in at and that but once a yeare euen so in this Spirituall Temple of mans Soule hee hath likewise framed three Courts First an vtmost Court which is his Booke of Prouerbes where all sorts and degrees of men whatsoeuer are taught instructed a ciuill course of maners Next to that he hath a second Court which is his Ecclesiastes leading men on further in the wayes of godlinesse and Christian piety And last of all hee hath a Sanctum Sanctorum which is his Canticles wherein not euerie one but onely those which delight in heauenlie and Diuine Mysteries may behold the pure free perfect eternall and constant loue of Christ Iesus towards his Church and euerie faithfull Soule as also the loue of his Church towardes him and what great and princely benefits she reapeth by him Secondly for the Title and subiect matter of this most excellent Booke as there is Sabbatum Sabbati so this is a Song of Songs because of all that Salomon did endite this is most Diuine and most excellent In the which hee doth most liuely and affectionately by Allegoricall and Parabolicall Speeches cipher out and describe vnto vs the most holie and perfect loue of Christ Iesus towardes the Church his blessed Spouse For CHRIST and his Church are heere brought in in this worthie Booke as two Paramours Psalme 45 who are in loue the one with the other as a time of wooing euer goeth before the solemnization of Matrimonie and which in due conuenient time haue a purpose to marrie Math. 1.11 as Ioseph and Mary were first espoused before they came together So the same order is obserued in this Spirituall Vnion betwixt Christ and his Church Iohn 3.29 They must first bee contracted then after married The Contract is when a man is regenerate and borne anew Reuel 21 9. translated out of Nature into Grace depending only vpon Christ for saluation and finished and made vp in the day of Iudgement when all the Elect shall fully enioy Christ For so witnesseth the Holy ghost where it is said Let all be glad and reioyce and giue glory to him for the Marriage of the Lambe is come and
their owne traditions and constitutions Vse How should this stir vp euery christian man and woman to study the word of God so that knowing the truth beleeuing the doctrine of God we may be able to discerne betweene light and darkenesse truth and falsehood idolatry and the seruice and worship of God Secondly to intreate the Lord in all humilitie to open our eyes to discerne the truth to giue vs his holie Spirit to leade vs into all truth to giue vnto vs the Spirit of Discerning to trie the spirit and the doctrine whether it be of God or not for otherwise we may be ledde awry and take light for darkenesse and darkenesse for light Let vs then confesse our ignorance and blindenesse and bewayle it Let vs striue against our carelesnesse Let vs prooue the Doctrine by the touch-stone of the Word if they be according to the law and the Prophets else abhorre them Acts 17. Let vs doe as the men of Berea did intreate the Lord to giue vs the Spirit of Discerning that we may trie all things and hold the truth And if euer wee had neede to pray for the Spirit of Discerning now is the time we see how bold the Diuell is how diligent to deceiue vs and the Papists they be impudent and shamelesse euen to thrust vpon vs their cursed Idolatrie and tell vs it is the true worship of God their abominable Masse their Merites Purgatorie prayer for the dead worshipping of Images calling vpon Saints vnwritten Verities their vile Traditions and filthy abhominations their Constitutions and vile Decrees as if they were the written word of God Now vnlesse we haue knowledge and bee able by Gods Spirit to discerne the spirits alas wee shall drinke in poyson idolatry and superstition O then let vs labour to know the Word of God beleeue it obey it bee reformed by it confesse our ignorance and with all humilitie pray vnto God to open our eyes to giue vs the spirit of discerning to know true Religion from false which if wee do certainely the Lord will reueale his Truth vnto vs. And thus much shall serue for Christs gentle reproofe of his Church 3 Christs answere vnto his church The third and last point is the direct answere of Christ to the request of the Church shee desired to know of Christ where he fed his flocke and comforted them in the time of persecution that so shee might ioyne with them and be defended by him from false worship and the idolatrous Church Heere Christ doth answere her to the full If thou know not Oh thou fairest among women get thee foorth by the steppes of the Sheep and feede thy Kids by the Tents of the Shepheards His counsell standeth in two parts to shew her where he feedeth q. d. Wouldest thou know where I feede my Sheep and where I cause them to lie downe at Noone that thou mightest feed with them and be in my Fold to be defended and protected by mee then I counsell thee First to walke in the steppes of the Sheepe that is thou must walke in the steppes of the faithfull seruants of God Abrabam Isaac and Iacob thou must embrace that faith religion worship of GOD which they beleeued and embraced that is meant by the steppes of the sheep Secondly thou must feede thy Kids that is thou must receiue and embrace that Doctrine which the ancient Shepheards Pastors Prophets and Apostles haue taught and deliuered And if thou shalt thus treade in the steps of the sheepe Abraham Isaac and Iacob and embrace and obey the doctrines taught by the Prophets and Apostles in the old and new Testament thou shalt then know where I feed my sheepe that thou maist feed with them and take mee for thy true Shepheard Doctr. 8 From this answere of Christ we learne a cleere direction A directiō to know which is the true Church to know true Religion and the true worship of God from false religion and false worshippe If men doe desire to know where Christ feedeth his sheepe and where GOD is truely worshipped where is true religion we must then treade in the steppes of the Sheep That is we must worship God as Abraham Isaac and Iacob did as Moses and the Prophets did treade in their steppes and follow their godly examples beleeue repent and walke with GOD as they did whom by the iudgement of Faith wee may conclude of that they were the Sheepe of Christ for of them doth Christ speake heere and not of a company of Popes Cardinalls Iesuites and the like of that rabble of whom to thinke that they should belong to this Folde I know not whence I should fetch my charity Againe wee must embrace and beleeue the doctrine taught by Moses and the Prophets Christ and his Apostles who were the true Shepheards and faithfull Pastors of the Church of GOD To the Law Esay 8.20 and to the Testimony if they speake not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them Iere. 6.16 And againe Thus saith the Lord stand in the wayes and behold and aske for the olde way which is the good way and walke therein and you shall finde peace and rest for your soules So then if we desire to know true Religion and the true worship and seruice of God this is the way which I heere teach and deliuer from the Lord IESVS CHRIST against the doctrine of all the Shauelings of Rome namely this and none but this To inquire of the faith Religion and maner of the worshipping of God performed by Abraham Isaac and Iacob Patriarkes and Prophets Preached and published by Christ and his Apostles beleeue that imbrace that and rest our soules on that This may serue to decide a great question and long controuersie betweene vs and the Papists They affirme that they are the true Church and we are Heretickes wee beleeue and hold that we are the true church of God and that they bee not but Babylon and the Synagogue of Sathan This then is the maine Question whether they or wee bee the true Church Who shall iudge euen Christ Iesus himselfe in his owne word wee rest vpon him and flie vnto him which if the Papists would do likewise they would neuer haue runne into a labyrinth of controuersies as they haue euen at this day For Christ would quickly haue put an end vnto all For he saith that they be the true Church which Treade in the steps of the Sheep and feede by the Tents of the Shepheards That is that people that beleeue and worship God as Abraham Isaac and Iacob did and also that old Religion which they beleeued and embraced as the true Religion for that was taught by the holy seruants of God who were the faithfull Shepheards and Pastors sent of God to his Church Now let triall be made whether the Papists or Protestants the Church of Rome or the Church of England do thus For the Papists although they call their Religion the old Religion yet alas it is newly deuised the gteatest parts of it within these foure or fiue hundred yeares It is such as was neuer knowne to Abraham Isaac Iacob Moses or the Prophets it was neuer knowne to Christ or his Apostles they haue lost the Steps of the Sheepe and the Tents of the Shepheards that Doctrine manner of Religion the worship and seruice of God which was vsed by the Patriarkes Abraham Isaac and Iacob taught by Moses and the Prophets Christ and his Apostles and they haue got a new Religion of their owne deuising They walke not in the steps of the Flocke but in the steps of their proud Popes couetous Cardinals filthy Friers mangy Munkes They haue deuised a thousand things in the seruice and worship of God against his Word and against the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles Where shall we euer finde that Abraham Isaac Iacob and the Prophets did euer pray to Angells or Saints worshipped Images prayed for the dead looked to bee saued by their owne workes or merites If they can shew me any foule-mouth'd Iesuite of them all but any one example in the whole booke of God of any of all Gods children that haue performed them I will then lay my hand vpon my mouth In the meane time giue me leaue O ye Papists to tell you that you are none of Christs Church you are none of Christs Sheepe for you haue left the Steppes of the sheepe and the Tents of the shepheards the Doctrine taught by the Prophets of God Christ and his Apostls and are no better then the whoore of Babylon the Synagogue of Sathan But as for the Church of England wee doe beleeue and embrace that olde and true Religion that same Faith which Abraham Isaac and Iacob did vse we holde that Doctrine taught by the ancient Prophets and holie Apostles of CHRIST IESVS without either adding or detracting And if wee should dare to deuise a new kinde of Faith Religion and worship of God not vsed nor knowne to the ancient Prophets Patriarkes and Apostles as the Church of Rome doth it were to leaue the Steps of the Sheepe and to ioyne with the Flockes of the Companions euen to shake hands with Idolaters Vse 2 Well let vs then euer stand out against the Antichrist of Rome Reu. 18.4 and as Christ saith Come out of her ioyne not with her in her false Religion and Idolatrous seruice of God lest you partake of her plagues but let vs hold fast still the true Religion of God Treade in the steps of the Sheep Feed by the Tents of the Shepheards Let vs liue and die in the true Church of God for euer hold fast the true ancient holy religion which we haue receiued frō the holy Patriarks Abraham Isaac Iacob Moses the Prophets and the holy Apostles of Iesus Christ then we shall be safe and sure yea blessed and happy for euermore FINIS