her and that hauing restored the Iudges and Counsellers so as they had bene at the beginning it shoulde be called the righteous and faithful Citie Experience sheweth that in the prosperitie peace of the church many thrust in themselues sul of auarice ambition pride and of other corruptions and vanities to be short it hapneth euen as in a sweet rainie season that many weeds come vp amongest the good hearbes which should bee choaked of them if the Gardeiner pulled thē not out Thē when such people departe from the Church returning to their vomit it is as if God gaue a purgatiō to it to make it more holy more acceptable to her bridegrome Let vs further consider the causes of reuoltes If this hapned then when the Church was in peace prosperitie it shold seeme there were more occasion to call into dout our doctrine But it is in the time of persecution that these reuolts are seen so it is feare to leese their goods their dignities their parents their country their liues that causeth them to reuolt It is then the flesh it is the world it is the mistrust of God and not the allowing of the Papisticall doctrine that maketh them to change their religion 2. Tim. 4.10 As also S. Paule saith that Demas had forsaken him hauing loued this present worlde And indeed did this miserable Iohn Haren reuolt during the prosperous estate of the towne of Bruges wherein he was minister By no meanes But perceiuing the danger although he might yet haue exercised his ministerie he began to seeke the meanes as a hireling to forsake his flocke He knoweth what letters I writ vnto him reprouing his slothfulnes his crafts and euill conscience in the reasons which he put forth to haue some colour to withdraw himself He knoweth also what reproofes he had receyued by the letters of others that he should not defile his ministerie in intermedling so ernestly in the matters of war of policie After the Towne of Bruges was rēdred to the enemy he withdrew him self into Zeland Holand Where perceiuing that hee began as good reason was for many considerations to bee suspected in our churches and in no reputation he gote him out of the countrie So feeling in his conscience small apparance to be established in his Ministery againe hauing no hope of preferment in any other vocation and being pursued by the iust iudgement of God falling vpon euil consciences he reuolted thinking happilie that hee should receiue some recompence for the offence that he had offered against the holie Ministerie and at the least to enter againe into the possession of his goods This then is not the chaunging of doctrine which mooued him but as wee haue saide it is the flesh and the world it is enuie that maketh the Monke It is ambition the mother of heresie as saint Augustine sayth It is an euill conscience the rocke that maketh the shippewracke of Faith as Saint Paule sayth 1. Tim. 1.19 which hath made him to chaunge his profession To be short GOD could no longer suffer such an hypocrite in his church nor such a filth in his holie temple hee woulde bee sanctified in taking vengeance vpon him who so inordinately approched vnto him Hee hath set him foorth for an example of his iudgements that those that make profession of Religion and chieflie the Ministers of the worde may study more and more to walke with a good conscience to keepe themselues in their vocation to renounce the passions of the flesh the illusions of the world and so with feruent praiers to continue constantly in the grace of the Lorde Furthermore let him make as manie shewes as he wil let him sweare let him lift vp his hands and his eies to heauen let him weare a great paire of beads let him goe oft and deuoutlie to the masse yet shall hee not easily make the Iesuites who are cunninger than he to beleue that hee dooth it indeede and from his heart For those who among them haue any little more wit than the common sort vnderstand well enough if they wold confesse it that the change of the holy Supper into the Masse the worshipping of bread in it the fiery purgatory after death the opinion of meriting paradise by workes specially those of supererogation the setting foorth of God the father who is an inuisible and eternal spirit vnder the figure of an old man the worshipping of images the inuocation of Saints departed candles lighted at noone dayes borne in procession the great beads hanging at their neckes and other such idolatries superstitions are either so abhominable or so manifestly contrary to the word of God yea or so absurd that he that hath once knowne them by the light of the gospell can neuer allow thē in his heart But be it that by the inchantment of satan and iudgement of God he were indeed become a Papist and that S. Paule himself shuld reuolt preaching another gospell we ought as he himselfe protesteth to holde him accursed Gal. 1. and not to be mooued to doubt of our faith For our religion saith is not founded vpō the constancie or stedfastnesse of men but vpon the truth o our God and vppon the testimonie of the holy Ghost in our hearts If men be vnfaithfull saith S. Paule 2. Ti. 2.13 he remaineth notwithstanding faithfull and can not denie himselfe When Iesus Christ forsaken of his Disciples should aske vs if wee also would leaue him we are taught to answer with the Apostles Lord Ioh. 6.67 whether shall wee goe thou hast the words of eternall life The faithfull Pastormust without being astonished at the reuolt of manie say with Esai Esai 8.18 Behold I my children which god hath giuen me are for signes and wonders The horrible and fearfull vengeance which waighteth on and followeth these cursed apostates at the verie heeles should make vs to tremble to resolue to renounce all that is vppon the earth that we may get and hold fast all that is in heauen so leauing these poore reuolters to the iudgement of God to cast our eyes vppon those who euen in our time haue indured so constantlie the losse of their goods reproaches prisons to be short who chearfullie haue entered into the flaming fire by eruell death mounted into the kingdome of heauen to the ende that such autentique seales of the heauenlie doctrine may confirme our hearts to continue constantlie chearfullie to follow their steps and so be their companions in glorie Of the assu rāce of our adoption notwithstanding the reuolts We ought not to be troubled at these reuoltes as if we were not assured to continue in the faith whereby also it shall come to passe that wee shall be in doubt whether we are or shal continue the Children of GOD. For as the markes of our adoption set foorth here before are of two sorts the one inward before God and the other
called the house of God to giue vs to vnderstand Ephe. 2.19 that those that abide there are by good right accompted the childrē and household of God Furthermore when after wee haue protested in our Creede that wee beleeue the holie Church vniuersall we adde the communion of Saints the forgiuenes of sinnes the rising againe of the bodie and the life euerlasting is not this to assure vs that those that are the members of the Church haue a communitie in all these treasures and goods of it and consequently that they are the children of God and inheritours of euerlasting life According vnto this S. Luke also saith resolutlie Act. 2.47 that God ioyned vnto the Church those that should be saued The which is confirmed by the Prophet Ioel saying Ioel. 2.32 that there shall be saluation in Sion And S. Paule himselfe sticketh not at all 1. Thes 1.4 to call those that are the members of the Church the elect of God But yet so much the more to resolue vs let vs consider the marks of the true church touched here before The first is the pure preaching of the word of God Now Iesus Christ saith my sheepe heare my voyce and they follow me Ioh. 10.27 shewing thereby very manifestly that this is one marke to bee the child of God Ioh. 8.47 to heare the voyce of his sonne Iesus Christ As also he saith in another place 2. Cor. 5.18 Ephe. 6.15 Act. 14.3 Act. 20.32 Act. 13.26 Act 5.20 Phil. 2.15 that is of God heareth the voyce of God And indeed seeing that the preaching of the Gospell is called the ministerie of reconciliation the Gospell of peace the word of grace of saluation and of life as without doubt God by the ministerie of his word presenteth Reconciliation peace grace saluation and life So they that are the members of the Church heare and receiue the word shew therein that they are partakers of all these benefites and consequentlie the children of God The second mark of the Church consisteth in the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Lords supper As touching Baptisme it is a seale sure warrant that the sinnes of those that receiue it are washed away by the bloud of Christ Act. 22.5 Rom. 6.4 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 3.27 that they are ingrafted and incorporate into his death and resurrection that they are regenerate that they haue put on Iesus Christ Whereof it followeth as S. Paule affirmeth Gal. 3.26 that they are the children of God The like assurance of our adoption is giuen vs in the Lords supper For if the bread and the cup 1. Cor. 10.16 which are giuen to the members of the Church are the communion of the bodie and of the bloud of Iesus Christ it followeth that in this communiō of Christ they haue the foode and life of their soules And that consequentlie as the children of GOD they shall obtaine life euerlasting according to the protestation of Christ He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud Ioh. 6.54 he hath euerlasting life The third marke of the Church of God is the inuocation of the name of God in the name of that onlie one lesus Christ Now Psal 14 4. Gen. 12.7 Act. 2.21 Act. 9.14 as all the seruice of God is oftentimes signified by this inuocation So Saint Luke noteth the faithful and children of God by this description that they call vpon the name of the Lord. As on the contrarie side Psal 14.4 it is said of the reprobate that they do not call vpon the name of God And indeede when the members of the Church ioyne together and lift vp their praiers vnto God Matth. 6.9 saying Our Father which art in heauen and so calling him father by the commandement of Christ they may well assure themselues that God doth acknowledge them for his children and that he wil make them feele the fruit of their praiers according to the promise of Christ Mat. 18.19 that whatsoeuer they shall with one consent aske of GOD it shall bee giuen them By this that is aboue said it manifestlie appeareth how euerie member of the Church may and ought to assure him selfe to be the child of God and to acknowledge all other members of the Church with him in like manner to be the children of God If any alledge that we may thus accompt such a one for the child of God who possiblie is an hypocrite and may after shewe himselfe a reprobate we answere that such discourses are contrarie to charitie so much recommended vnto vs by Saint Paule 1. Cor. 13. noting amongst other properties of charitie that she thinketh not euill or is not suspitious but that she beleeueth all things and hopeth all things Wee ought then to hold the members of the Church for the children of GOD. vntill that departing from it or discouering their hypocrisie they shewe themselues reprobates Furthermore as GOD would that al those to whō he vouchsafeth to bee father should acknowledge the Church for their mother so let vs not doubt but being borne againe and nourished in the Church our mother we may call God our father and abiding vnited to the familie of the mother let vs not doubt but that wee bee the heires of the father Thus much for the outward markes Now let vs come to the inwarde markes As to the blind and deaffe the opening of their eyes and eares is needfull clearelie to see and heare the voyce of him that speaketh Of the inward marks of our adoption So being of our owne nature both blind and deaffe as touching vnderstanding the holie spirit is hee that openeth our eyes and eares to comprehend thereuelation of our adoption and to feele in our harts the assurance of it ingendring in vs faith which is as it were the hand by which wee apprehend this great benefite whereof also the fruites and effects as well of the holie ghost dwelling in vs as of the faith that is in vs are the principall most assured markes to giue vs knowledge of our adoption A ccording wherevnto Rom. 8.16 Saint Paule saith that the Holie ghost giueth testimonie to our spirits that we are the children of God so as hauing receiued this spirit of adoption wee crie with all assurance Abba father 1. Ioh. 3.24 This is it also which S. John teacheth vs saying we know that he abideth in vs by the spirit which he hath giuen vs. 1. Ioh. 4.13 Also By this we knowe that we dwell in him and he in vs because he hath giuen of his spirit vnto vs. In like manner the Apostle S. Paule affirmeth Rom. 5.1 that by the peace and quietnes which we feele in our consciences before GOD in the free forgiuenes of our sinnes by the bloud of Iesus Christ we shewe and prooue that wee are iustified by faith and so the children of God Wherein to confirme vs he saith in another place that after wee
haue beleeued wee are sealed by the holie spirit of promise which is the earnest penie of our inheritance Ephe. 1.13 vntill the redemption of the possession purchased to the praise of his glorie First he sheweth there that faith is as it were the seale whereby the Holie ghost imprinteth in our hearts for our assurance that wee are the children of God Furthermore as in a thing that is bought there is somtimes giuen an earnest penie to wit some part of the monie agreed on as well for the beginning of the paimēt as by consequent for the assurance that the bargaine shall be held firme so the holie ghost who by faith ingēdreth peace and ioye in the hearts of the faithfull is the earnest penie assuring vs by this beginning of the spirituall blessings which God promiseth to his children that he holdeth vs for his possession purchased to the praise of his glorie and that at the length he will gather vs into the full inioying of the inheritāce of heauen Hereunto it is also that goodly gradatiō leadeth vs which is proposed of the same Apostle Rom. 8.28 saying Those whō God hath before knowne those hee hath also predestinate to be made like vnto the image of Iesus Christ and those whō he hath predestinate he hath also called and those whom he hath called he hath also iustified and those whō he hath iustified those he hath also glorified For all will confesse that those that are elected and predestinated to be made like vnto the image of Iesus Christ are the children of God as also they who in his eternall counsel and decree are glorified Now they who being lightened with the knowledge of the Gospell beleeue that their sinnes are washed away by the bloud of Iesus Christ through his satisfaction and so are called and iustified are elected and glorified before God as S. Paule teacheth here it followeth then that they are the children of God And this is so certaine that the Apostle opposing the will power of GOD against all impediments addeth If GOD bee on our side who shall bee against vs Rom 8.30 Bern. ser 5. in dedica templi S Bernard teacheth the selfe same thing verie aptlie saying we are certain of the power of God to saue vs but what shall we say of his will who is he that knoweth whether he bee worthie of hate or of loue who is he that hath knowne the will of the Lord or who hath bin his counseller It behoueth that herein faith helpe vs and that trueth succour vs. That that which is hid concerning vs in the heart of the father may bee reuealed vnto vs by the spirit and his spirit testifying vnto vs may perswade vs that wee are the childrē of God that he perswade it vs I say in calling and iustifying vs freelie by faith which is as it were a meane or passage from the predestination of GOD to the glorie of the life euerlasting The same thing is it which S Augustine meaneth saying Aug Hom. in Ioan. 35. Wee are come into the way of faith let vs hold it constantlie it shall leade vs from degree to degree euen vnto the chamber of the heauenlie King where all the treasures of knowledge and wisedome beeing hid wee may learne and behold the reuelation of our election From hence proceedeth yet another fruite seruing vs for a marke to assure vs more more that we are the children of God when we loue God and our neighbours for his sake whereof also followeth the hatred of euill and an earnest desite to render obedience to God For if it be so as Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 4.19 that our loue to God commeth of this that he hath first loued vs The loue that we beare vnto him is a testimonie that he loueth vs. As also Iesus Christ maintaineth and sheweth that by the signes of loue Luk. 7.47 which the sinful woman gaue him God loued her greatly and had forgiuen her manie sinnes So the brightnes of the Moone is a certaine argument that the Sunne ministreth whollie to her for otherwise she hath no brightnes at all And in sommer the heate that is felt in the stones set against the Sunne is a signe that the Sunne shineth vppon them Of our owne nature and first generation we are vnprofitable to all goodnes and inclined to al euill Rom. 3.10 as Saint Paule very largelie setteth forth vnto vs writing to the Romanes If then on the contrarie wee walke in the feare God giuing our selues to his seruice and occupying our selues in all good works is not such a chaunge a testimonie of our regeneration and consequentlie of our adoption The tree is knowne by his fruit saith Iesus Christ Matt 7.17 If then wee beare the fruit of iustice holines and of charitie wee are trees planted in the garden of God by his holie spirit and so consequentlie the childen of God Charitie saith Saint Iohn 1. Ioh. 4.7 is of God and he that loueth is borne of God and knoweth God As then the heate and light of a coale is a signe that it hath fire and as the moouing and actions of the bodie are certaine signes that it liueth that the soule is within it so the testimonie of the holie ghost in our hearts the peace quietnes of our consciences before GOD feeling our selues iustified by faith this loue towards God and our neighbour this chaunge of our life and desire to walke in the feare and obedience of God are assured tokens of our adoption as also this that we are members of the Church of Christ hearing his word participating with the holie Sacraments and calling vppon God in the name of Iesus Christ are testimonies that wee are the children and houshold seruants of God and heires of eternall life How euerie member of the Church ought to applie vnto himselfe the tokens of it to assure himselfe of his adoption and saluation CAP. 3. NOw although the tokens before mentioned are certaine to assure vs that wee are the children of God yet there are two sorts of temptations which aboue all other tend to shake vs. The one proceedeth of our selues either for lacke of applying to our selues the testimonies which God giueth to the members of his Church to assure them of their saluation or through the feeling of a want as wee thinke but rather of the smalnes or weaknes of those tokens of adoption here aboue alledged The other temptation commeth vnto vs frō some other where and cōsisteth speciallie in two points To wit in the reuolt of some hauing made profession of the true religion and in the grieuous and long afflictions which are ordinarie to those that followe the doctrine of the Gospell Now as there is nothing of greater importance than the saluation of the soule so there is nothing that doth more grieuouslie afflict and trouble the tender consciences desirous of eternall life than the doubts feares not to
true faith cannot be without good works Now I feele my selfe so miserable a sinner that it maketh me to doubt of mine adoption Indeed this is a thing greatlie to be lamented that we render no better obedience vnto God that there is in vs no greater zeale of his glorie nor more feruent charitie towards our neighbours and to be short no better amendement of life But if thou hast begun to hate flee sinne if thou feelest that thou art displeased at thy infirmities and corruptions If hauing offended God thou feele a sorrowe and griefe for it if thou desire to abstaine if thou auoidest the occasions if thou trauailest to doo thine indeuour if thou praiest to God to giue thee grace All these holie affections proceeding from no other than from the Holie ghost ought to be vnto thee so manie pledges and testimonies that he is in thee Rom. 8.5 As also Saint Paule teacheth vs saying that as those that delight in the workes of the flesh are of the flesh So on the other side those that delight in the workes of the spirit are of the spirit These holie desires then to the workes of the spirit are testimonies of the spirit dwelling in thee So as being thus led by the spirit of God thou art the child of God saith Saint Paul Rom. 3.14 Rom. 3.10 And indeed seeing the children of Adam are naturallie inclined to all vices and corruptions it is a marke of regeneration so of being the child of God when contrarie to nature we are displeased with our infirmities and fighting against them wee desire and indeuour to fashion our selues according to the will of our GOD. Mat. 22.37 God hath commaunded vs to loue him with all our heart with all our vnderstanding and with al our soule Now as we cannot know God in this life but in part and darklie so we can not loue him but in part 1. Cor. 13.9.12 Aug. ad Bonif lib. 3. ca. 7. yea verie little The perfection is reserued for heauen as also S. Augustine saith All the faithfull ought earnestlie to aspire to this that they may once appeare before God pure and without spot But for as much as the best and most perfect estate that we can attaine vnto in this present life is no other thing than to profite from day to day then shall we come to this marke when after putting off this sinfull flesh wee shall cleaue fullie to our God Therefore also as the same author saith when men speake of the perfection of the children of God in this life to this perfection is required the acknowledging of their imperfection It is as well in trueth as in humilitie that the Saincts acknowledge how imperfect they are God deferreth the accomplishment of our holines and charitie vntill the life to come to the end that this pride which taketh force through the increase of vertue should not ouerthrowe vs but that walking in humilitie God might accomplish his mercie in pardoning vs 2. Cor. 12.9 his power in sustaining vs and his truth in sauing vs. And in deede there is nothing more weake saith S. Augustine than the proude nor more strong than the humble For as the proude trusting in himselfe who is nothing but vanitie hath God his aduersarie who resisteth the proude 1. Pet. 5.5 Iam. 4.6 so the humble mistrusting himselfe hath God for his strength and saluation God indeede in his lawe requireth a perfect obedience But that which he looketh for of vs his children in this life consisteth more in the desire to obey than in the obedience it selfe Rom. 8.5 According whereunto hee saieth by his Prophet Malachi I will spare them Mal. 3 17. as a father dooth his owne sonne that serueth him If a child take paine to write well or to do as he should do anie other seruice that his father hath commaunded him although there be great want both in the writing and in the other seruice yet in bearing with him hee praiseth him and saieth that hee hath written well hee had doone his duetie Godlines the loue towardes God and the obedience that we owe vnto him is often signified by the feare of God the which also Dauid calleth the beginning of Wisedome Psa 111.10 And those that haue this feare of God are acknowledged called the children of God Then if thou feel such loue reuerēce toward God that thou feare to offend him thou art the child of God Psa 112.1 But then thou fearest to offend God when thou shunnest the occasions and inticements to sinne and when hauing offended thorough ignorāce ouersight or other infirmitie thou feelest sorrow and displeasure to raise thee vp againe being resolued to sin no more and praying to God that he will cōduct thee by his holy spirit that thou maist walke constantly according to his worde 1. Iohn 3.9 S. Ihon saith that the children of God sinne not not that they offend not God euery day or that they commit not sometimes most greeuous offences as Dauid and Saint Peter 2. Sam. 11 Mat. 26.74 And as dailie experience dooth too much conuict euerie one of vs. But he saith that they sinne not because they loue God and are afraideto offend him and doe not willingly giue themselues to doo euill but haue sinne in such detestation that they feele in themselues that conflict which Saint Paule setteth foorth vnto vs in his owne person Rom. 7 in as much as they woulde doo the good which they cannot doo and doo vnwillingly the euil which displeaseth them whereof it followeth as the Apostle concludeth that if they doo that which they would not doo it is no more they which do it but sinne which dwelleth in them which on the one side ought to giue thē occasion to mourne and to crie wyth the Apostle Alas wretch that I am who snall deliuer mee from the bodie of this death But on the other side they ought to feele the comforte which hee addeth saying I thanke my God through Iesu Christ And wherefore Rom. 8.1 Because there is no condemnation to those who thus fighting against the flesh walke after the spirit and consequently are in Iesus Christ For therest when thou feelest a doubt of thine adoption through the want of rendering to God such obedience as thou oughtst knowe that Satan is at hand with thee falsifying the gospel in persuading thee that thou shouldest bee saued by thy workes or willing to make thee blaspheme Iesus Christ in making thee beleeue that thou mayest and oughtest to be at the least in some part a Sauiour of thy selfe and so a companion of Iesus Christ Answere to this temptatiō that thou arte a poore sinner 1. Tim. 1.15 Matt. 9.13 Rom. 8.5 Rom. 8.1 Rom. 7.22 but that Christ came to saue sinners and that there is saluation in none but in hym Furthermore if thou feel a desire to the works of the Spirit thou art of the
Then thou must cōtinue also accustome thy selfe to read heare the word of God thinking alwaies that God speaketh to thee for the saluation of thy soule praying him that he will giue thee grace by his holie spirit to profite to his glorie and thy saluation And thou shalt feele at the last that which is said to sicke men that haue lost their tast that thy appetite will come to thee by eating And that the word of God and the participating of the bread and wine in the holie supper shall be to thee more sweet Psalm 119.103 than honie to the mouth Psal 19.11 as Dauid saith Manie sicke persons hauing neither taste nor appetite eate notwithstanding and receiue noriture So though in reading and hearing the word of God and communicating at the Lords supper thou feelest not any tast or appetite yet in continuing thou shalt receiue some noriture for thy soule And if it seemeth to thee that thou forgettest by by that which thou hast read or heard practise for thy soule that which thou dooest for thy bodie because the meates digest abide not in the bodie thou returnest to eate meat again euerie day So be thou so much more diligent to heare and reade the word and to communicate at the holie supper without leesing anie one meale for thy soule when GOD offereth it thee And as the corporall meate though it passe away yet there remaineth alwaies some noriture for the bodie so shall this spiritual meate be to thy soule Yea it may be that at one sermon thou shalt heare and remember one sentence which shall serue thee as it were for a passeport a ladder or wings at thy neede to conduct thee by and by comforting strengthening thee to lift thee vp into heauen If then when thou goest to reade or heare the word of God or to communicate at the Lords supper thou praiest to God as thou oughtest daylie to do that he will giue thee his spirit that thou maiest profite and so doest continue cōstantlie in these spirituall exercises This disposition this holy affection obedience shal serue thee for sure testimonies of thine adoption thou shalt without doubt feele increase of the graces of God Finally there are some who hauing had liuely feelings of their faith with cōfort ioy in their cōsciences The fift temptation by the interruption of the graces of God walking besides in the feare of God are afterwards greatlie troubled when these graces seem to be dead in them falling into doubt mistrust of their saluation or into crimes sinnes too vnworthie the childrē of God For satan hereby indeuoureth to perswade them either that they neuer had the true faith or that God hath cast them off taking from them the gifts and graces of his holie spirit but both the one and the other conclusion is as false as the author of them is a great lier And indeede if the trees which haue flourished borne their fruite in sommer are in winter without fruite without leaues yea and without apparance of life dooth it followe therefore either that they had not life in sommer or that they are dead in the winter When men go to bed they rake vp the fire which did burne if thou marke it verie neere there is no apparance either of heate nor of brightnes dooth it followe therfore that there had been no fire or that it is then quenched or dead Contrariwise hauing been couered ouer night men kindle againe in the morning the same fire that was hid couered and the trees that seemed to be dead in the winter flourish and beare fruite a while after If thou seest a drunken man not hauing for a time the vse of reason nor anie feeling of it wilt thou say therefore that he neuer had a reasonable soule or that hauing had it it is now dead A bide a fewe houres and thou shalt be conuict of the contrarie And so of that that thou hast not presentlie the feeling or effects and fruites of faith can it followe that thou neuer hast had them or that hauing had them thou hast lost them Matt. 26.74 When S. Peter renounced Iesus Christ three times cursing himselfe was his faith quenched On the contrarie Iesus Christ hauing praied to God that his faith should not faile Luk. 22.31 and being without doubt heard faith remained in him but verie weake and sore beaten but not destroyed nor quenched Dauid hauing committed adulterie murther Psal 51. acknowledged his sinnes and offences praying to God that he would not take his holie spirit from him Then he had not lost it rather it abode in him but as a fire couered with ashes so as it is said without hauing anie feeling of it to keepe him from such a headlong fall Faith then may bee in a man without kindling and being kindled it is not out although it be not perceiued for a time Yea but wilt thou say the Apostle to the Hebrues sheweth that there be some Heb. 6 4 5 6. who hauing been lightened hauing tasted the heauenlie gift hauing been partakers of the holie ghost and tasted the good word of God and the power of the world to come fall backe and leese these graces yea without hope euer to recouer them againe What assurance then can I haue that faith abideth in me and that GOD will yet make me to feele it hereafter For as he hath shewed mercie vnto Dauid and to Saint Peter so dooth hee exercise his iust iudgemēts vpon other as vpon those of whome the Apostle spake before Wee denie not but that there bee reprobates that are greatlie lightened in the knowledge of the mysteries of saluation which the Apostle termeth here to bee partakers of the holie ghost and yet that such apprehensions tastings and feelings as he proposeth followe not thereof For reading or hearing the testimonies and representatiōs of the mercies of God toward his Church of the loue of Iesus Christ towards his elect and of the excellencie and felicitie of eternall life they conceaue these things in their vnderstanding for the greatnes of them they are after a sort moued and when they talke of them they seeme to be partakers of them But the difference that there is betweene them the children of God lieth chieflie in this that the apprehensions and feelings of the reprobat are such as a mā may haue in the reading or telling of an historie which toucheth vs nothing at all but the feelings of the children of God are as of a matter that toucheth themselues Let vs consider for example the historie of Ioseph Who is hee that reading attentiuelie how Ioseph was sold of his brethren Gen. 37. carried into Aegypt put in prison and the sorrowe that Iacob had Gen. 39. vnderstanding that he was deuoured of a wilde beast that would not bee mooued with compassion towardes Ioseph and Iacob Who is hee that reading how Ioseph
beeing able to containe himselfe no longer Gen. 45. made himselfe knowne to his brethren and how weeping and crying out hee saide vnto them I am Joseph is my father yet aliue and causing thē to come neere vnto him said I am Ioseph your brother whō ye sold but be not sorie Shew to my father al my glorie Then throwing himselfe vpō the neck of Beniamin his brother he wept and in like manner Beniamin wept vpon his necke after kissing all his brethren hee wept vppon them Who is he I say which is not touched and weepeth not with them But because this is a historie of the fact of an other these motions feelings soon passe away so as hauing turned the lease or talked of another matter all these feelings are vanished and gone So is the feeling of the reprobate hearing or reading the testimonies of so great a mercie of God towards men and of the greatnes of the happines of the kingdome of heauen The vnderstanding apprehension of these things causeth some motions or feelings in them as the Apostle saith But for as much as these good things appertaine not vnto them neither do the feelings that they haue take anie seate or roote in their hearts but are easilie quenched and vanish away On the contrary the feeling that the children of God haue is as of the good things that appertaine vnto them therefore it may well bee colde and drowsie but not die As also the feelings that Ioseph and his brethren had were such as although they had thē not when they slept yet when they awaked they returned againe And although that by the death of their father they were as it were interrupted yet the benefite and the comfort abode by them still Following this that is aboue said we say boldlie that what feelings what illuminations or apprehensions so euer the reprobate haue so it is that they neuer feele the holie ghost in them giuing thē testimonie that they are the children of God For according to this testimonie they should be and should abide the children of God seeing the holie ghost can neither deceiue nor lie As also after that God hath made vs once feele by the testimonie of his holie spirit that wee are his children wee are certaine that wee cannot perish but that wee are indeed and shall continue the children of God For it is the testimonie and reuelation of the spirit of trueth Also he that giueth faith Mal. 3.6 doth not change therefore his gifts are without repentance Ro. 11.29 The second difference may bee taken from this word Heb. 6.4 tast which the Apostle vseth To wete that the reprobate are like to him who hauing tasted a good peece of wine making shewe as if he would buy it vnderstanding the price not willing to giue so much leaueth it there without buying or drinking of it any more So the reprobate hauing tasted the heauenlie good things finding them good and praising them exceedingly after they vnderstād the price that is that they must renounce themselues and beare the crosse of Christ to goe to take possession of the kingdome of heauen which he hath purchased for thē with his precious bloud They will none of it at this price so renounce these good things without drinking or imoying them But the children of God on the other side hauing neuer so little a taste of these heauenlie treasures desire in such sort to haue the enioying of them that they make resolution to forsake all to inioye it We will adde this third reason That as those that haue their stomackes charged with euill humours cease not to eate sometimes for all that yea and to find tast in some good meates but are constrained after through the euill disposition of their stomacke to cast it vp againe to vomit So some reprobates hauing within them an euill conscience may well taste the good heauenlie gifts but this euil cōscience not being able to agree with the true sure faith of the hart stoppeth that these gifts take no root to fructifie to saluation so that finallie they cast it off or let it wither come to nothing And this reasō with those before are the principall causes for the which many that seemed to bee the children of God do reuolt as we will shew hereafter more at large On the cōtrarie those who haue faith are assured that though the graces of the holy ghost are oftē weak in thē like fire couered with ashes trees in the winter yet it cā neuer come to nought or die rather they recouer strength at the last whereby they are certaine to be and to continue the children of GOD and heires of euerlasting life Furthermore let vs remember that these foule and grosse faults of Dauid and of S. Peter of others are set before vs first that they should bee to vs as a mirrour of the fragilitie of man to acknowledge that if we be exempted it is by the grace of our God Secondlie that wee should so much the more stand vppon our garde As if in walking thou shouldest see him fall that goeth before thee thou goest not to fall with him but thou art to be so much the more circumspect that thou fall not as he did Thirdlie that vnderstanding that faith abideth in them although very weake feeble thou maiest take courage beleeuing certainlie that faith which was once giuen thee cannot bee quenched nor die And therefore continue in assurance that thou art the child of God raising vp thy selfe by their example and resoluing with thy selfe to walke constantlie as the child of God in true holines and righteousnes before him all the daies of thy life Luke 1.75 See how wee ought to bee resolued that although the markes feelings and testimonies of our adoption set forth here aboue be in vs but small and weake and accompanied with great infirmities conflicts yet wee may and ought to assure our selues that these marks are truelie in vs and that therefore wee are certainlie the children of God inheritours of euerlasting life That the Apostacie and reuolt of some hauing made profession of the true religion ought not to make vs call in doubt neither our religion nor our adoption CAP. 5. WE haue vnderstood here before how we may and ought to resist the doubts of our adoption proceeding from our selues Now we must shewe how wee may ouercome the temptatiōs which come from others There are two things principallie which trouble the consciēces of many to make them doubt whether they be the children of God and in the way of saluation of eternall life or no. First the horrible offence or stumbling blocke of those which abandon this church renouncing the doctrine of it and returning to the puddle of idolatrie and speciallie when any persons hauing sometimes held any honorable place in the Church do reuolt and become persecutors of the doctrine which they haue
aduauncement of his Church so mightelie assailed on all sides and particularlie to bee mindfull of mee in your prayers that it may please the Father of light from whence all good gifts doo come to continue his mercies towards mee and to guide mee alwaies with his holie spirit with the increase of his giftes and graces to accomplish the rest of my life seruing faithfull and holilie to his glorie the aduauncement of the Kingdome of our Lord Iesus Christ Amen Holie meditations and praiers CHAP. 13. O Lord God almightie al good and all wise we are confounded before thy holy maiestie not ô Lord for the troubles and extreame calamities wherewith we are oppressed in these daies full of tribulations anguishes and teares but forasmuch as we haue offended thee for asmuch as our sinnes our ingratitude rebelliōs haue kindled thi wrath against vs and chiefly forasmuch as the wicked and infidels take occasion by thy iust iudgemēts corrections to blaspheme thy holy name Alas Lord wee yeelde our selues guilty before thee confessing that we are inexcusable and vnworthie to be named thy children yea wee are worthie to bee reiected of thee wee are worthie of hel to be creatures accursed for euer For ô our good God whē we were the children of wrath thine enemies abādoned to all euil thou hadst pitie vppon vs poore and abhominable sinners Thou hast cast the eyes of thy fauour vppon vs. Thou hast giuen thy welbeloued Sonne Iesus Christ to the shameful and cursed death of the crosse for vs. Thou hast giuen vs thy holy gospell that blessed and ioyfull tidings of our saluation Thou hast accompanied it with thy spirit to lighten vs to draw vs vnto thee to make vs partakers of the treasures of thy Kingdome of eternall life Thou hast stretched out thy hand from heauen to the depth of hell to pul vs backe and to make vs thy happie children Thou hast done according to the good pleasure of thy will inasmuch as thou shewest mercie on whom thou wilt shewe mercie Alas Lord ought not we to acknowledge the daye of thy visitation and the time of saluation Ought not we to feele the abundant riches of thy incomprehēsible grace towards vs to loue serue praise and adore thee to renounce our selues the world and the flesh and all that which is contrarie to thy glorie yea to abhorre all that doth displease thee to walke as the children of light and to consecrate our selues vnto thee to bring foorth fruites worthie of thy Gospell and becomming the Children of such a Father to be as bright lights in this darke world to giue light to the poore ignorāt ones to drawe thē with vs into the way of saluation But alas ô Lord our God we quite contrarie hauing brought into thy Church the world and the flesh haue kept in our selues these enemies of thy glory these plagues of our soules haue serued them Our infidelitie our flesh haue made vs loue the earth more than the heauen the world more than thy kingdome the filthines and dust of vaine riches more than the treasures of heauenlie and eternall good things the smoke of humane honors more thā the glorious estate to be thy childrē brethren of thy sonne Iesus Christ Couetousnes the roote of all euill hath hardened our harts to despise thy poore ones euen Iesus Christ in his members Wee haue slaundered thy holy Gospell by fraudes deceipts robbings occupying our traffique and doing our affaires as people hauing no knowledge of thee The aire in the Cities where thy word hath bin preached hath bin stinking infected with the whoredomes adulteries and other infamous acts that there haue bin committed Gluttonie drūkennes haue made brutish those that for thy blessings and bountie ought to haue praised thee Euerie man thinking onlie how to profit aduance himself in this world to the despising of thy holy seruice the building of thy Church The profession of thy holy religion hath serued many but for the cloke of their iniquities Wee haue put out trust in the arme of flesh in brokē reeds seeking cōfort for thy Church of the enemies of it in forsaking the fountaine of liuing waters and the almightie Crimes trespasses blasphemies and iniquities haue bin winked at supported in defiling the seate of thy iustice without punishmēt thy threatnings promises reiected as vanities the holy Ministerie of thy Word despised the chastisements which thou hast exercised on our brethren neglected without thinking what our selues haue deserued Wee haue not felt sorow for the afflictions of thy children to mourne with them and to feare thy iudgements And what shal we say more ô Lord Our iniquities are as mountaines our ingratitude and rebellions as the great deepe our whole life before thee being nothing else but a cōtinuall sinne and despising of thy holy Maiestie If they who neuer heard speak of thy sonne Iesus Christ and that haue not knowen thy will are iustly punished in thy wrath what iudgement what condemnation what hells and cursses haue we deserued hauing so villainously so long so obstinately despised thy holy instructions thy promises thy threatenings and the examples of thy iudgements which thou hast exercised before our eyes Also the voyce of our ingratitude is ascended before thee our iniquities haue and doo crie vengeance against vs. These are the procurers and aduocates of thy iustice soliciting these iudgements against vs. Our sinnes haue strengthned our enemies haue made them conquerours ouer vs. We haue sowen iniquitie and we haue reaped afflictions as thou seest ô Lord our God that thy children are banished spoyled and impourished that they are cruellie dealt withall trodden vnder foote and exposed to the laughter of thine enemies Our persecuters make a scorne of those ouer whō thy name is called on they make their boast of the euill that they doo They scatter thy flockes They throwe downe the scepter of thy sonne Iesus Christ They depriue thy children of the pasture of thy word Those temples O Lord those temples where not long since thy praises did sound in which thy holie Gospell was preached the Sacraments purelie ministred thy name religiouslie called on These temples O Lord are now defiled with Idols and idolatrie the abominable Masse is established againe false tales and lies are preached These temples where thy people assembled in so great number to praise thee and to behold thy louing countenance are now filled with people blaspheming thy holie name and treading vnder their feete the bloud and glorie of thy sonne Iesus Christ This youth of orphanes fondlings and others that went to schoole being brought vp in the knowledge of thee nourished in thy feare is now giuen vp to the enemies of thy trueth to be instructed in the damnable doctrine and seruice of Antichrist O good God our sunne is turned into darknes the Moone into bloud our health into sicknes our life into death And yet if thou shouldest