militant and gives not quiet setling to unbeleefe in the heart but dislikes and mournes for it when the arguments and appearances against their faith are such as they can scarce cleare and answere But joy is sowen for the upright in heart the mourners in Syon shall bee comforted Onely let such as seeke the Lord bee exhorted to rejoyce Psal. 105 3. Be joyfull all yee that are upright in heart Psal. 32 11. Taste the sweetnesse of the Gospell the savour of it is quickening 2 Cor. 2 14 16. To rejoyce in Christ is a dutie Philip. 4. It is also a promise Iohn 16 24. It is the end of the Gospell that in the blessed fellowship with the Father and his Sonne Iesus Christ and all the faithfull our joy might bee full 1 Iohn 1 3 4. The Apostles care was even in the greatest persecutions to finish his course with joy Act. 20 24. Intimating that no heavinesse should hinder the chearefull living and dying to the Lord of them who have consecrated themselves to him The beleevers are said to walke in the consolation of the holy Ghost Act. 9 31. It is their priviledge above the world that they have in Christs stead the Spirit to bee their comforter Iohn 14 16 17. They have the Father the God of all consolation who hath given us that beleeve everlasting consolation 2 Cor. 1. 3 with good hope by grace 2 Thess. 2. 16. And the Sonne they have whose consolations are answerable to their tribulations for him 2 Cor. 1. 5. Heavinesse may bee irregular even in godly men subiect to passions our Saviour reproves his Disciples for suffering sorrow to fill their hearts for that which if they had well considered it should have beene their joy Iohn 16 6 7. He blamed something the sorrow of his mother when she found him not in the company because ignorantly and ere she was aware she set her selfe against God Knew yee not that I must goe about my Fathers businesse It may bee disagreeing with the season which in the occasions it offerres calls to joy Neh. 8 9 11 12. It may bee blameable that it is not governed by judgement the thought of foolishnesse is sinne and that foolishnesse that comes out of our heart desiles us Marke 7. 22. Greefe and thought taking is reproved from the unprofitablenesse of it It belongs to prudence to order the affections so as they stirre not without good reason It may bee blameable for the hurt of it to the body a merry heart doth good like a medicine but a broken spirit drieth up the bones An heavie heart drawes backe the spirits and consumes the moisture and to the soule heavinesse in the heart of a man makes it stoope depresseth it as it were out of his place Prov. 12 25. By the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken Prov. â—5 13 A man enjoyes not himselfe the spirits are so dulled as a man hath not perfect use of his senses Christs Disciples failed of their duty about inquiring of the state of Christ foretelling his departing from them None of you asketh me whither I goe but sorrow hath filled your hearts Iohn 16. when Moses brought a comfortable message to the people of Israel concerning their deliverance they hearkened not to him for anguish of spirit Exod. 6 9. It is required in Gods service that as it is with reverence in respect of Gods majestie so with rejoycing in his favour it is with more strength of spirit The joy of the Lord is your strength Neh. 8 10. Recollect the heart therefore to it selfe from the evils that provoke it to passion reproch it for offering indignitie to Christ in such dejection Why art thou cast downe O my soule why art thou disquieted within me O trust in God I shall yet give him thankes for the helpe of his countenance â—â—ould not our whole life be the keeping of a feast to the Lord in sinceritie and truth in remembrance 〈…〉 of that great deliverance by Christ our passover sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5 7 8. To exhort them that have received Christ with joy to maintaine their joy The cause remaines still and it is a note of the house of Christ to hold fast the confidence and rejoycing of the hope firme unto the end Hebrwes 3 6. God hath given everlasting consolation through grace and the Commaundement is Rejoyce in the Lord alwayes 1. Digest well the promises they quicken 2. Forget not the consolation whether against miserable or sinfull infirmities 3. Remember the words of Christ spoken to this very purpose that his joy might remaine in us Iohn 15 11. 4. Draw waters with joy out of the wells of salvation constantly exercising faith in Christ and draw benefits out of him as a never failing fountaine with such refreshings as the thirstie receive water 5. Take heed to the conscience that it bee not offended with sinne fighting against the light and peace of it wounded it interrupts the joy but kept cleane it is a continuall seast For warning to such as receive the word of Christ with joy To take heed of deceit least the cause of their Ioy bee not Christ received but some phantasticall apprehension As some receive Christ and perceive not with joy that they have recceived him As a sicke man receives nourishment by his meat but feeles it noâ— by reason of his malady so some that taste the word to be good receive not Christ the Gospell hath a sweete savour but it is with the perishing of some that regard not to receive the good of the Gospell The joy of Christ received and the ioy of the temporizer differ in kind That is the ioy of the Lord it comes from heaven wrought by the holy Ghost Nehem. 8 10 Rom. 14 17. 1 Thess. 1 6. As God is love so is hee ioy ioying in himselfe the Father ioying in his Sonne Prov. 8 30. The godly nature being communicated to them that receive Christ they have this godly ioy the holy Ghost sanctifying and governing their ioy the ioy of the temporizer is carnall of his owne moving not by the Spirit hee hath â—ot the new creation it is therefore but a fruit of the flesh which may appeare in their destitution of grace in other things which shewes them to bee naturall not having the Spirit They differ in the matter or object of the ioy The true receiver of Christ ioyes in him and the benefits by him as hee knowes he hath them present or in hope Philip. 3 3. We reioyce in Christ Iesus Philip 2 1. If there bee any consolation in Christ consolation of being in Christ. My beloved is mine and I am his that is the ioy They reioyce that by Christ Gods love is turned toward them and that God is theirs they glory in God Psalme 44 8. Rom. 5 11. They delight themselves in him as their full felicitie it is the true sauce that gives a good taste to the benefits which God bestowes upon them
habituall â—race bee in their hearts as the grace of magnificence and magnanimitie yet the want of abilitie unto their acts hinders the exercise of the habite till God give it and then they doe great workes Abrahams meeke and gentle mind had not appeared so much in giving Lot his choise to goe to which hand hee would for peace sake if he had not beene so rich neither had Ioâ—s patience in great losses beene so exemplary if hee had not had great substance Wisedome is good with an inheritance Eccles. 7. 11. It is more to have riches with grace than to have it with poverty for though respect of persons is a sinne and to esteeme men after the flesh yet among men the wisedome of a poore man is despised and his words are not heard Eccles. 9. 16. Wisedome indeed makes a mans face to shine but poverty as a cloud comming betweene obscures and darkens it When a rich man speakes gracious words which hee may more freely speake as he thinkes he is more easily beleeved and the things hee commands are sooner put in execution which appears in Iobs double condition When his glory was fresh in him the eare that heard him blessed him and after his words men spake not againe they that heard were as it were altered at his words and hung upon his talke as upon an irrevocable judgement but being once dejected hee was despised and when God let loose his cord base persons let loose the bridle before him Iob 30. 1. 11. Which may bee to stay rash censure of rich men even because of their riches Eccles. 10. 20. Curse not the rich in thy bedchamber If he bee wicked yet God may suddenly change him and then his richs are an honour to him and hee an ornament to them as Ioseph of Arimathea who was an honourable counseller and rich and a Disciple of Christ Math. 27 57. It is said of Tyrâ—â— that her riches should bee 〈◊〉 holinesse to the Lord Secondly for such as dwell before the Lord resting upon him with sincere confidence and serving him with pure conscience Thirdly for food to eate sufficiently and for durable clothing Esay 23. 18. It is indeed a greivous sinne dishonoring the most glorious Christian faith to preferre wealth so as to set up profane men for it to despite ignominiously to use poore men for their poverty though rich in faith Yet when a private rich man and a poore bee both godly the rich may bee honoured above the poore without any injury and ought to be and the poore is to give place to the rich as being able by Gods providence to doe some good both to him and to many as some image of God in his sufficiencie and liberalitie who is set before us in the Parable of a rich man Luke 16 1. Verse 3. And hee sought to see Iesus who hee was This is the occasion of Zacheus his conversion his earnest and unconquerable desire of seeing Iesus it is questioned whence his desire was whether of himselfe or of the holy Ghost of vanitie to satisfie curiositie or serious with respect to Christ both as a great Prophet and the Saviour of the world which may bee answered thus First as there may bee like words and deedes that proceed not from one and the same principle so may there bee like desires Maries words and Zacharies differed not much How shall this bee saith she seeing I know not a man Whereby shall I know this saith he for I am an old man and my wife well stricken in yeares her inquiry was out of admiration to learne his out of unbeleefe looking to nature hee measured the promise by common course Abraham laught at such a promise Sara laught also hee out of the joy of his faith Iohn 8 56. She of unbeleefe which yet shee overcame Heb. 11 11. David did that which was right in the sight of the Lord Amaziah did so likewise yet not with like hearâ— 2 Chron. 25. 2. So for desires Paul desires Salvation Balaam desires Salvation Balaam of a pang of despaire Paul of love to bee with the Lord. A scorner seekes wisedome Prou. 14 6. a godly man seekes wisedome Hee of perverse affection this of sincere intention to understand his owne way Verse 8. That hee may possesse his owne heart holding it firmely in the truth Herod desires to see Christ but of curiositie of hearing and seeing something strange to please a corrupt mind but hee was not vouchsased either doctrine or miracle not to see a sparke of his heavenly glory and the flesh of his mind declared it selfe in his sending him to Pilate mocked and despised So certaine Greeks desired to see Iesus and sought to Phillip that he would helpe them hee taking Andrew with him told Iesus But there is no mention of the Greekes made by him in his answere but he applied himselfe to cal off his Disciples from vaine expectation of earthly glory discoursing of his death and the fruite of it of hating our lives in the case of confession Iohn 12 21 c. Secondly now the desire of Zacheus was greatly respected and succeeded unto his Salvation though nature may incline men to novelties and to desire the sight of such of whose excellent fame wee have heard yet the end of his desire shewes that it was of spirituall beginning being blessed with such a change of the whole man there began to bud some seede of Salvation in him hee was caried with a singular affection to Christ which was by some impulsion of the holy Ghost more than common as the issue declares the Spirit of the Father drawing him to the Sonne And wee may observe in it that God begins his good worke in small things sometimes hee begun the second Temple so as they that had seene the former despised it as nothing in their eyes altogether unlikely to come to any glorious accomplishment yet of these conteÌ„ptible beginings he brought it forth to such glory as with joyfull shout they declared their gladnesse and with heartie wellwishings desired that as his grace not mans strength had finished it so his favour would maintaine and defend it Zach. 4 6. 7 10. The prophesie Esay 42 3 applied to Christ sheweth how with wonderfull meekenesse and tendernesse hee should bring forward his kingdome out of small beginnings notwithstanding the hostile opposition of Satan and all his wicked instruments Math. 12 20. A bruised reede shall he not quench till he send forth judgement unto victorie A bruised reede what more fraile smoking flaxe what more easily extinguished Esay 43 17. They are quenched as towe saith the Prophet speaking of the hoast of the enemies of God he will as easily extinguish them for ever as wee quench a little towe yet if men be not wicked but have some beginnings of pietie in them how weake soever he will not despise them but cherish strengthen and increase them with marveilous inâ—ulgence and mercie
of Christ when they shew some signes of flexiblenesse upon making meanes to them but persist not in a tractable spirit they seeme to come part of the way by some worke of conscience within them but are soone drawne backe againe the revocation of Satan being more effectuall with them than the vocation of God it is a signe that they are not called yet according to God purpose but with a more common calling that is accompanied with that grace which proceeds from election otherwise their calling would make them blessed men Revel 19 9. Blessed are they that are called to the mariage Supper of the Lambe for confirmation of their hope therein it is commanded to bee underwritten These are the true sayings of God 2 The efficacie of grace depends not on the will of man but Gods will making his words that hee speakes spirit and life giveing his Spirit with the word so as it is quickening 2 Cor. 3 6 The letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life The letter is dead and ineffectuall in it selfe not giving any power to fulfill it and so it kills as it accuseth men of guiltinesse of unrighteousnesse and condemnes them The Spirit by the Word begets faith in the hearts of the elect whereby they possesse Christ to justification of life and regeneration and cheerefull obedience unto the doctrine delivered The Apostle instanceth in the conversion of the Corinthians which in an elegant metaphore hee compares to a letter of commendation of his Ministerie in which hee notes the subject in which that worke is received their harts a. the adjunct adhereÌ„t the Churches acknowledging it seene and read of all men 3. the principall efficient cause Christ with his Spirit 4. the instrument himselfe 2 Cox 3 3. Yee are manifestly declared to bee the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with â—inke but with the Spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in fleshy tables of the heart The whole effect is ascribed to the Spirit of Christ according to the covenant I will make you a new heart and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh and I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes Ezech. 36 26 27. If it depended on the will of man to make the grace effectuall or ineffectuall it would follow that I owe to God no more in my conversion and obedience to his word than the prayse of a power to convert but to my selfe the prayse that I actually doe convert and obey So when the Apostle saith It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God which sheweth mercie with the like supplement the speach might be converted it is not of God shewing mercie that is altogether but of mans internall act of willing and externall of running conversing with studie and diligence Which must needs offend godly eares So when hee saith who made thee to differ from an other man It might bee answered mine owne will another man had as much given him of God as I equall helpe of grace but hee would not bring his abilitie into act which I did But this excludes all boasting that the will and the deed is onely and wholy of God who hath wrought all our workes in us Grace is opposed to the fault in us which is both actuall and habituall deformitie in the will therefore is grace both habite and act in the will it ministreth spirituall vertue it giveth an effectiue principle of supernaturall operation In summe if efficacie of grace depend on mans will then there is no other efficacie of the grace of God in the faithfull to well doing than there is of a temptation of the Divell in sinners to evill doing if as the efficacie of the temptation depends rather of the will of the sinner than of the Divell temping so efficacie of grace rather on the will of the well doer than of God exciting to good Which is against the glory of his grace which is to bee maintained in all the good hee workes in us or by us That which I am saith the Apostle I am by the grace of God I laboured more abundantly than they all yet not I but the grace of God which was in me 1 Cor. 15. 10. Hee meanes not to give only part or the principall part to the grace of God and to take the rest to himselfe onely helped by grace but by correction gives the whole effect to grace having made himselfe improperly the author of the worke What good soever wee doe it is by the direction and impulsion of the holy Ghost wee speake but when it is godly it is the Spirit of the Father which speaketh in us Wee pray but praying as wee ought it is the worke of the Spirit making requests for us according to the will of God We worke good willingly and gladly but it is God which worketh in us both to will and to doe and fulfills in us the worke of faith with power Not onely the degree and quantitie of it to bee more which is the worke of Gods power but all actions of all vertues which it workes by love our indevours are none unto good if God excite them not even when wee are in grace Hee put the care of the Corinthians in the heart of Titus and made him accept the exhortation to finish among them the same grace which hee had begun in them about their ministration to the Saints 2 Cor. 8 6 16 17. And being excited are in vaine unlesse God assist and confirme the will to produce the act it is Gods unspeakeable gift and thankes for ever bee given unto him 2 Cor. 9 15. It cannot bee explicated in words according to the dignitie of it And hee made haste and came downe This is the gracing of obedience that it is readie and without delay thus is the obedience of the faithfull commended as Abrahams in leaving his owne Countrie at Gods calling readily following him though hee knew not whither he went without serupulous inquisition no place yet designed him not knowing so much as where to lodge at night Heb. 11 8 In circumcising his family all the males the same day that God commaunded him though they were many In his early rising to goe where God appointed him to sacrifice his sonne Isaack First against the use of the faithfull who had learned to sacrifice cattell not men this was unwontted Secondly against nature to kill his owne Child his onely begotten sonne for though Ishmael was also his sonne yet First hee was abdicated out of the family of Abraham by divine commandement and so in a sort none of his child but as it were dead in account Secondly hee was not by her who in full right was his wife but by his maide abondwoman who though she be called his wife yet improperly that hee
consolation with it where Christ comes there is joy So in the prophecie of his comming Zach. 9 9 and in the accomplishment Luke 19 37. The whole multitude began to reioyce and to prayse God with a lowd voyce When the people in Samaria gave heede to Philip preaching Christ unto them there was great joy in that Citie which was the fruit of their faith as of the Eunuchs who went on his way rejoycing Act. 8 8 39 And the Iaylers who rejoyced beleeving in Goâ— â—ct 16 34. Peter joy 〈…〉 〈…〉 th faith as the fruit of it joy unspeakeable either because the matter of it is such and so great as passeth facultie of humane speech to expresse it not possible for man to utter 2 Cor. 12 4. Or for the greatnesse of the contentment so as no words can declare it to another what hee feeles within as he said before Wherein ye greatly rejoyce The stranger medles not with his joy and full of glorie no affliction can destroy it nothing can frustrate it it ends not in shame as reprobates joy it is stable and solide and is a certaine participation of the Lords joy which shall bee in the state of glory 1 Pet. 1 6 8 All facultie failes for the commendation of it and it selfe is the fruit of the Spirit of glory which failes not but is everlasting joy gloriously given of Christ. It is one of the marks of a Christian to put his whole confidence for fulnesse of felicitie in Christ alone so as to rejoyce in him rejoycing in nothing but in his crosse Gal. 6 14. In which is the fullnesse of our redemption Philip 3 3. Wee which rejoyce in Christ Iesus and put no confidence in the flesh ascribe our whole salvation and whatsoever goodgift of vertue or pietie whatsoever a Christian as such rightly glorieth in unto his onely merit Both just and great cause of joy there is in their â—eceiving of Christ Abraham that saw his day but a farre off yet rejoyced to see it Iohn 8 56. And all the faithfull before his comming made him their consolation Luke 2 25. First the incomparable excellencie in himselfe is cause of great joy to them that receive him hee is from heaven and above all such a bridegroome is worthily the joy of the bride Iohn 3 29 31. As his excellencie above all other makes him desired being knowne it drawes hearts to him when the Church described him and concludes her description thus Hee is altogether lovely adorning her description with a redoubled exclamation to the daughters of Ierusalem This is my beloved and this is my freind They not onely justifie her passions of love for him but are themselves in love with him and inquire after him with her to joyne themselves to him so holds it them to him with delight who have him counting him their full felicitie Wee will rejoyce and bee glad in thee wee will remember thy love more than wine Nothing is there in the world that seemes not vile to them in comparison of him Canticles 1 4. 2. The benefits which they receive with Christ are all matters of great joy They have him as the first effect of their election the gift of the love of God wherewith hee loved them from the beginning of this they have abundantly to rejoyce that their names are written in heaven Luke 10 20. Secondly the reconciliation and peace which they have with God So as hee is now their God and all his attributes for their benefit that they have all parts and numbers of felicitie having him and which is the highest degree of all glorying they glorie in God Thirdly having Christ they have an everlasting righteousnesse the righteousnesse of God who being favourable unto man will render unto him his righteousnesse and grant him to bee arraied in fine â—innen cleane and white for the fine linnen is the righteousnesse of Saints Revel 19 8 Thus is the bride made readie to meet her beloved unto the solemnitie of their mariage and most joyfull imbracements Fourthly they receive dignitie to bee the sonnes of God a benefit evidencing the love of God beyond all that our thoughts are able to comprehend therefore the Apostle propounds it with admiration Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that wee should bee called the Sonnes of God 1 Iohn 3 1. Behold sometime im plieth experiment with pleasure with joyfullnesse and alacritieâ— of mind it calls upon us to apply our mind to waigh and looke duely into the greatnesse of the benefit that being perpensive wee might come to a right prizing and valuation of the blessings it containes to conceive some singular sweetnesse of Gods favour affected therewith unto rejoycing wee may study to walke worthy of God They have the nature of God borne nor of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Iohn 1 13. They have accesse to God a singular priviledge adduction into his presence by one Spirit Ephes. 2 18 Who makes requests for them according to the will of God Rom. 8 27. The sonnes of God are led by the Spirit of God who workes their workes in them and produceth their pleasant fruits exciting and confirming their will for good quickening and comforting them preserving and increasing the life of God in them causing strength to grow in their soules to victory over the world their standing in grace after all assaults and so is the Spirit of glory resting upon them 1 Pet. 4 The earnest of salvation with eternall glory They have interest in God for his speciall providence as David claimes I am thine save mee Psalme 119 94. The Church Esay 63 16. Doubtlesse thou art our Father thou O Lord art our Father 19. Wee are thine So his eye is over them Psal. 33 18. Hee withdraw es not his eyes from them Iob 36 7. Hee that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye he loveth them with the same love wherewith hee loveth his owne Sonne Iesus Christ Iohn 17 26. They have their right unto and dominion over all things restored all is theirs with Christ whom God hath appointed heire of all things and they coheires to inherit all things with him Rom. 8 17. 1 Cor. 3 22. Revel 21 7. This is no small part of the joy of their faith that whether they bee things present or things to come all are theirs Seeing Christ received by faith brings such matter of joy it is to their reproofe who have him and his blessing constantly offered yet receive him not 1 It is indignitie offered to Christ whom they refuse 2. It is the wronging of their owne soules Prov. 8 36. Hee that sinneth against me wrongeth his owne soule all they that hate mee love death Infidelitie is two wayes considered First of mere negation as in them who never heard of Christ called infidels of not having the faith which is a punishment rather than a sinne Such are damned
thing which another man challengeth to be his whom the judges condemne hee shall pay the double to his neighbour That judiciall law binds us but onely concerning equitie and sometimes it may bee needfull to restore not onely the principall but something for the dammage in wanting his owne while it was in our hands There must be a will of doing him right that hee bee no looser by us or if it bee judged wee are to restore as the judge giveth sentence unlesse the party will remit Then Iesus said to him This day is saluation c. Christ honoured this Publican both with his presence at his house as his guest and with his testimony of his gracious estate that hee was the Child of Abraham and so the blessing of Abraham was come upon him salvation came to his house that day Christ giveth testimony of the grace which hee workes in men As hee is the author so is a witnesse of it to him in whom it is hee testified of the Centurion that his faith was not onely true but matchlesse even in Israel Math. 8 10. Of the palsey mans faith and theires that brought him Math. 9 2. Of the Cananitish womans faith and degree Math. 15. 28. Of the womans saith healed of her issue of blood by touching the hemme of his garment Marke 5 34. Of Mary hee witnessed both faith and much love Luke 7 47 48 50. Hee testified after his Ascension by the gifts of the holy Ghost given to them that belâ—eved in him that their faith was not vaine in him As hee spake by his mouth Marke 16 17 so hee performed by his power Act. 10 44. When they beleeved God knowing their hearts bare them witnesse in giving unto them the holy Ghost as hee did unto us Acts. 15 7 8. Gal. 3 2 Hee testifieth of mens faith ordinarily to the end of the world by the Spirit of adoption giving the Godly nature dwelling in the beleever and testifying of his presence by gracious operations whereby he knowes that hee is the Child of God Rom. 8. 16 Sealed to the day of redemption Ephes. 1 13 14. and 4. 30. The effect of which testimony is to free the soule from feare and freely to call God Father Rom. 8 15 16. To know that wee are in Christ and Christ in us Iohn 14 20. Which may convince the Papists of false doctrine in teaching that a man by ordinarie way cannot bee infallibly certaine of his being in grace Is not the testimony of Iesus sufficient to bee rested upon Bellarmine hath foure positions concerning this point all false 1. That such infallible certaintie of our standing in grace or of our being righteous cannot bee had 2. That no man is bound to have it if it might bee had 3. That it is not expedient that ordinarily it bee had 4. That it is not in deed had but of a few unto whom God in a speciall sort reveales their justification Bell. de justif l. 3 c. 8. 1. The reasoning out of which a man concludes the certaintie of his owne justice is this The word of God witnesseth that all which are truely converted and seriously repent their sinnes obtaine grace But my true conversion is evident to mee and my repentance therefore I know with certaintie of faith that I have found favour and grace The assumption faith Bellermine is not onely false but impossible unlesse revelation bee present That which God promiseth may bee had for he is true and cannot lye but hee promiseth this certaintie of our grace Iohn 14 20 Yee shall know that you are in mee and I in you Bellarmine putts it off with this answere that wee shall know that Christ is the head of the Church and so Christ is in his Church and the Church in Christ. But the scope is consolation to particular soules that beleeve in Christ but see him not because hee is in heaven What comfort to me that I know Christ to bee the head of the whole Church doe not the Divels know that what peculiar favour is this that even reprobates partake Revel 2 17 I will give him a white stone and a new name in it that none know but hee that receives it Ergo hee knowes it 2. That which God giveth ordinarily to beleevers may bee had But hee giveth this certaintie of their standing in grace Rom. 5 5. He shedds his love abroad in their hearts by the holy Ghost they feele it with certaintie and truely acknowledge it Rom 8 16. Gal. 4. 6 God certifieth or maketh their hearts certaine of their grace even because they are in grace So certaine that they are made holylie secure from that which they feared by the spirit of bondage And they make their hearts quiet before God and have boldnesse before him certaine of his favour to heare their prayers 1 Iohn 3 19 21. Bellarmine objects though by the Spirit moving us wee pray and call God Father yet wee are not infallibly certaine that it is the Spirit but by conjectures which may deceive us The use of witnesses among men is to end the controuersie by their testimonie and shall God give testimony to lesse purpose than mans Christ saith of his that though the world know not the Spirit yet they know him because hee dwells in them Bellarmine There is no more implied but that they are certaine that if they know God by faith they know not but by his ayd It is given as a reason why they know him because he dwells in them They are sure it is the Spirit of truth by his sensible operation in them therefore they feele such holy force in them as they are sure they are not deceived in their perswasion of the Spirit of truth given unto them 3. That which God commaunds us to have may bee had by their owne confession his commaundemens are made possibile by his Spirit We say so for some measure though not for perfection Ezech. 36. 27. The ministerie of the Gospel is a ministery of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. In some degree inabling us to that which is commanded 2 Tim. 1 7. but God hath commaunded us to make our calling and election certaine 2 Pet. 1 10. Ergo to prove our selves whether wee bee meete to receive the Lords Supper which cannot bee without certaintie of our grace 2 Cor. 13 5 Prove your selves whether you bee in the faith know ye not your owne selves that Iesus Christ is in you 2. A man is bound to get certainetie of his grace knowing it may bee had 1. By necessitie of precept Heb. 6 11. Shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end Heb. 10 19 22 Seing wee may bee bold to enter into the holy place let us draw neere with full assurance of faith in a true heart let us keepe the profession of our hope without wavering for hee is faithfull that hath promised 2. By evident reproofe of doubt and feare
all according to the Oracle A father of many nations have I madethee He is the father of all the faithfull not effectually to beget them and to worke their faith and conversion so God onely is their Father begetting them by his Spirit But analogically and by proportion that as fathers doe transmit to their naturall Children inheritance and other rights of theirs so hee for the grace of the covenant given to him should as a father transmit to the beleevers the righteousnesse and blessednesse promised and given to him That which is proper to Christ is spoken of him In him shall all the Nations of the earth bee blessed Gen. 18 18. In thy seed that is Christ as Paul interprets shall all the Nations of the earth bee blessed Gen. 22 18. So he is called the heire of the world Rom. 4 13. Act. 7 Of Canaan a type of heaven and as the best part of the earth as a type of the whole world to bee possessed of Abraham and his seed specially the head of that seede Christ. This inheritance of heaven and earth he receiveth from God through the righteousnesse of faith and transmitts it to all his Children in all the Nations of the earth that is such as beleeve unto righteousnesse and so are adopted Children and heires of heaven and earth Psal. 37 20. 1 Cor. 3 21. So in death the faithfull were gathered into the bosome of Abraham their father and sitte with him in the kingdome of heaven the Church gathered out of the universall as his Children for number like the starres of heaven In this is set forth the dignitie and felicitie of Abraham in his paternitie that all the Nations of the world beleeving should bee his Children whereby appeares that all have not equall honour and felicitie that have saith equally precious Abraham and all the faithfull are equally just by imputation of the righteousnesse of Christ unto them But they are not in this honour with him to have the place of paternitie to all the faithfull The Pope usurpes in calling himselfe the head of all the faithfull it was never given him of God it is his miserie that so many flatter him in his unjust usurpation It implyeth that there is but one faith and way of salvation under the Law and Gospell Heb. 13 8. Acts 15 11. Heb. 6 12 and 11. By faith they obteined testimonie y t they were righteous and stand as so many witnesses that onely by beleving in Christ resting the soule wholy on his obedience for our whole felicitie is the way to life from that promise The seede of the woman shall breake the Serpents head By what faith Abraham was saved his seed are saved There is one saith both for that which is beleeved common faith once given to Saints Titus 1 4. Iude. v. 3. And in respect of that kind of faith by which wee doe beleeve though for number there bee so many faiths as there bee beleevers yet for kind Abrahams faith and all that have savingly beleived is one and the same for ever not in degree his measure was strength in faith most beleevers now are weake in faith Papists are to prove their right in claiming to be children of Abraham seing they have not nor teach twice damnable teaching contrary to the faith of Abraham applying Christ the blessed seed to himselfe laughing in joy of his felicitie of which his Sonne was called Isaack and Christ in whom hee beleeved testifyeth that hee saw his day with rejoycing though a farre off yet with gladnesse in respect of his owne salvation in him To that purpose Christ urgeth his example to the Iewes that would not beleeve their owne salvation in him you will not come to mee that you might have life Iohn 5. They make two other claimes to heaven merit of person in Children or such as newly converted are taken away by death that working is prevented and merit of workes both concurring augments they say glory and the latter confirmes the former that it is not lost a straunge voyce not heard of Gods people that will not go after a straunger because they know not his voyce They blaspheame imputed righteousnesse It followes that to have comfortable assurance of salvation we must prove our sâ—lves Children of Abraham that proved the other is sure that is 1. By being of faith to rest on Christs merit inherent in his owne person without any worke done out of grace or in grace of ours trusted in as any part of cause to salvation As God preached the Gospell to Abraham and hee beleeved Gal. 3 7 8 9. Rom. 4 1 2 5. To be borne by vertue of the promise as Isaack Gal. 4. Rom. 9. 2 By being in Christ by faith Gal. 3 29. If yee be Christs then are ye Abrahams seed and heires by promise Which is to bee knowne by having the Spirit of Christ in us to doe the workes of Abraham Iohn 8. 39. Michah 2 7. Iames 2 22. By the illumination of the Spirit annointing and healing our minds to discerne difference of things true or false good or evill 1 Iohn 2 20 27. To preserve us from evill wayes and evill men Prov. 2. 2 By regeneration in giving and increasing the godly nature 3. By governing or leading Rom. 8 14. 4 By consolation Iohn 14. The comforter 5 By confirmation giving a constancie in the worke of righteousnesse to worke righteousnesse at all times Ps. 106. Verse 10. The Sonne of man is come to seeke and save that which was lost This is a defence of the action of Christ in his going in to Zacheus hee came for lost sinners Zaccheus and his household are such Ergo he offends not he doth nothing against his office in going in to him Though wee may not for a passive scandall which is 1. By ignorance of some 2. By malice in others forbeare the duties enjoyned us by the Lord as appeareth Math. 15 Yet as occasion is wee are to give a reason of our doing in generall for holding and professing truth contrary to the worlds opinion as why wee are not as the Pagans as the Iewes as the Papists as prophane men in the number of them that are in profession of true religion 1 Pet. 3 15 Bee readie to give a reason of the hope that is in you Our Saviour submitts himselfe to this order Mat. 9 11 12. Why eates your Master with Publicans and Sâ—ners his defence is it is the calling of Phisitians to be with the sicke that have neede of him 2. Mercie is preferred to Sacrifice 3. I am come to call sinners to repentance verse 13. So Luke 15 By three parables hee justifieth his mercie to sinners by their diligence that seeke things lost which they would recover and that graduallie 1. The woman her groat lost out of ten the sheepeheard his sheepe out of an hundred the father and the fathers joyfull receiving of a dead and lost sonne His answere and defence of the womans
7 25. The life and kingdome and glory of Christ are destinated to this end as their scope the salvation of the beleevers not onely by his kingly power but by execution of his preistly office in glory making requests for us thus the Apostle comforts the Elect of God beleeving in Christ Rom. 8 33. 34. Against feare of condemnation yea of accusation to secure them of salvation And to lay the comfort downe in the best force of it whereas the direct opposition is of accusation and Christs patronage or intercession of condemnation and Gods justification but hee makes a traiection willing to fence Gods Children from the toppe to the bottome and to arme them with such confidence as may chase away to the furthest anxieties feares Hee gathers more emphatically that they are not obnoxious to any accusation of guiltinesse that may hurt them before God by Gods justifying of them then by Christs intercession for the way to judgement is shut up aforehand when the judge hath pronounced them just and guiltlesse clearing them from all faults that any would lay to their charge And so in the second opposition It is not to bee feared that they should bee condemned for whom Christ by his death hath satisfyed divine justice and expiated their sinnes to prevent that judgement of God and by his intercession not onely abolished death but brings their sinnes to bee forgotten so as never to come into account How doth Christ make intercession now for us being in heavenly glory in his humiliation hee prayed for us Iohn 17 20. For all which shall beleeve in him through the word of the Apostles doth he so now Being our high Priest it is his office still to pray for us as it were by name whereof the high Priest under the Law was a type who going in to the most holy place had by appointment the names of the Children of Israel in the names of the tribes under the heads were all contained So answering to the type Christ is entred into the true holy place into the very heavens within the veile Heb. 6 20 and 9 24. Not in his owne name onely but in the name of every particular beleever Exod. 28 12 Hee shall beare the names of the Children of Israel before the Lord upon his shoulders for a remembrance that hee might remember them to Godward and for this there were two Onix stones set and imbossed in gold and in either stone sixe names graven according to the names of the Children of Israel He had also in his Brest plate foure rowes of stones three in every row with the names of the twelue tribes to beare them upon his heart when hee goeth into the holy place I doe not say I will pray for you Christs intercession considered whether as vocall The praying of Christ in heaven may bee understood this presenting his humane nature assumed unto unitie of person with the Sonne of God unto his father for that end to save his A body hast thou ordained me By the which will we are saved by the offering of the body of Christ. 2. Setting his merit of obedience to the Law and crosse in the sight of God for remembring him of them whom hee hath reconciled Though God suffers not oblivion of those whom he hath justifyed yet thus Christ mediates for them still by presenting to God his sacrifice his obedience for them with the everlasting vigor and merit of it 1 Iohn 2 2. 3. As God declaring his will as man desiring of God that as his sacrifice is of a sweete savour so they that beleeve in him may be such by the merit of it in his acceptance he delightes in them his love and pleasure is in them 4. And as the incense and sweete perfume ascended and gave a sweete smell so the workes and specially the prayers and prayses of the faithfull through the odour of his sacrifice and the intercession of Christ are sweete to God Thy voice is sweete Cant. 4. How much better is the savour of thine oyntments than all spices Thy lipps droppe honie combes and thy plants are as an Orchard of Pomegranets and sweete fruites and with all the cheife spices in themselves they are not so sweet but in Christ who obtaines by his intecession pardon of the corrupt mixture as the high Priest having on his forehead a plate of pure gold with this graven in it Holinesse to the Lord that hee might beare the iniquitie of the offerings which the Children of Israel should offer in all their holy offerings to make them acceptable before the Lord Exod. 28 36. 38. 2. As Christ saveth by his merit so hee saveth by his Spirit and efficacie application of his merit It is required that unto the enjoying of benefits purchased by Christ we bee first partakers of and possessed of himselfe Here is the comfort of a soule that the testimonie of God is within it so as it can truly say my beloved is mine We must bee in Christ before hee bee to us that which hee is made of God 1 Cor. 1 30. Hee is the Saviour of his body Ephes. 5 As the woman is first possessed of the person of her husband and thereby becometh partaker of his dignitie and riches The promise of blessednesse is made to Abrahams seed not seedes That is Christ Gal. 3 16. We must be parts of Christ as the seed before wee bee blessed v. 29. Vnto this 〈…〉 ion with Christ there bee certaine joynts and bands Coloss. 2 19. As the members of the body are tyed to the head These bands by which the Elect are tyed to Christ are the Spirit and faith Children that cannot actually beleeve are united to him as to their head by an unspeakeable way by his Spirit so as they are of his body of his flesh and bones one spirit with him Ephes. 5 30. 1 Cor. 12 13. They that are of yeares and capable of faith are knit unto him by the Spirit and faith To both Christ is given of God Who is the gif◠of God in two respects 1. As hee was sent into the world to worke our redemption so God loved the world that hee gave his Sonne Iohn 3. and Rom. 8. Hee gave him for us all to death Secondly particularly unto union with us that is in our calling by the first our redemption was wrought by the second wee enjoy him and all things with him Rom. 8 32. And this gift of Christ is the cause why God first before wee seeke it giveth us faith By his merit and on his behalfe it is given us to beleeve in him as also to suffer for his name Philip. 1. And because we cannot beleeve unlesse wee be chosen to it faith is of Gods Elect the Election being in Christ. For execution of the decree saith is given to them that are given him as the hand to take hold of him as the mouth to take him in to dwell in us for life and nourishment
uprightly and hee preserveth the wayes of his Saints Hee watcheth over them to keepe them from sinne as well as from any other danger he doth not so keepe alwayes as not to bee tempted no nor that they should not fall into temptation but either he preserves them from temptation when they have opportunity or if there bee temptation that they shall want opportunitie or if there bee both opportunitie and temptation hee so shines into their minds by divine and bowes their hearts to his commaundement that they stand or if they fall hee rescues them from the power and guiltinesse of their sinne and from the rage of the Divell that the evill shal not fasten upon them to destroy their grace or deprive them of salvation 1 Cor. 10 13. That they may bee able to beare it 2 Cor. 12 7. His grace shall bee sufficient for them 1 Iohn 5 18. They are said to bee reserved to Iesus Christ Iud. 2. Being called and sanctified they are kept as a speciall portion treasure possession unto Iesus Christ the true heire of the world conserved in Christ because our safetie is not in our hands either our deliverance from evill or perseve ring in good but our King the author and finisher of our faith Christ Iesus given us of God the Father to whom is given all power in heaven and in earth and all iudgement Math. 28. Iohn 5. keeps in the purchased salvation most powerfully and loseth not one of them whom his Father gave him Iohn 6. It lyeth on Gods faithfullnesse to keepe them from evill 2 Thess. 3 3. To confirme and perfect them God hath promised it Ier. 32. 40. Ezech. 36. 27. Christ hath prayed for it Luke 22 32. Iohn 17. 11. Holy Father keepe them in thy name I pray not that thou take them out of the world but that thou keepe them from evill hereof the Spirit works perswasion as in â—â—ul Rom. 8. 2 Tim. 4 18. Hee will deliver mee from every evill worke and preserve mee to his heavenly kingdome the weake in faith shall bee established because God is able to make them stand Rom. 14. This abilitie is used unto faith to keepe it that it faile not that the worke of faith may be fulfilled with power as the Apostle prayeth 2. Thess. 1. And by faith wee stand 2 Cor. 1 24. This is the effect and nature of faith to make us stand It keepes us as a towne is kept from enemies by garison lying in it 1 Pet. 1 5 Which are kept by the power of God through faith It is victorious it overcomes the world 1 Iohn 5 4. This is the victory which hath overcome the world even our faith to note the certaintie of the victorie it is delivered not in the present nor future tense you doe or shall overcome but in the preterperfect tense you have overcome 1 Iohn 4 4. Little Children yee are of God and have overcome them It is said to quench the fierie darts of the Divell Ephes. 6 16. Though his darts be not onely sharpe and peircing but also fierie faith shall both blunt them and extinguish them Hee seemeth to allude to the ancient custome among souldiers poysoning their darts and cast them at the enemie who wounded with them were so inflamed as to bee hardly cured so the temptations of the Divell as fire inflame the heart but faith beates them backe and quencheth them wee are commanded to resist the Divell and he will flie from us That is our incouragement to resist him stedfast in the faith 1 Pet. 5 9. implying that in a stedfast faith there is strength to overcoÌ„e him Râ—vel 12 11. Because faith possesseth us of Christ 〈◊〉 keeps us in the possession thereof it rests upon God by 〈…〉 â—â—ans of Iesus Christ so 〈…〉 â—bâ—aiâ—e and do things impossible to nature If thou casst beleeve all thing are possible Gods people have prevailed by faith with Christ to put forth his power to their cure of diseases incureable to man and unto their obtaining of great blessings above the course of nature as appeares Heb. 11 11 33 34 35 c. And doing things above all naturall strength When the faithfull have beene overthrowne by Satan in sinne by faith they have obtained strength to recover themselves and gotten victorie over Satan and sinne have overcome their owne guiltinesse and feare of Gods deserved wrath so that their sinnes have beene so farre from separating their hearts from Christ that they have drawne neerer to him Cant. 7. 10 11 12. As in David Psal 73 Peter they perceive that their sinnes have not removed Gods favour from them Gods Children when they are compelled to wrestle with God himselfe as with their enemie yet stand fast by faith and say as Iob. 13 15. Though hee stay me yet I will trust in him the power of God is exceeding great in beleevers in so much that they are stronger than the Divell himselfe than all powers and principalities of darkenesse Math. 16. Ephes. 6. They are insuperable invincible more than conquerours It is called the good fight of faith not onely because it is for a good cause and from a good author but it hath a good issue It is victorious What Angells by nature could not do in heaven nor Adam in Paradise a poore weake servant of Christ is made able to do by him that loved him the weakenesse of God is stronger than men and Angels Faith is mightie by the word of God which is mightie in operation Heb. 4. 12. The power of God to salvation Rom. 1. graffed in us is able to save our Soules Iam. 1. By this young men redresse their wayes and overcome the wicked one 1 Iohn 2. 14. It is prevailes by love which is strong as death which overcommeth all And by prayer is this continuance in goodnesse unto the end obtained as we are taught by our Saviour in the petition Leade us not into temptation but deliver us from evill Math. 6. watch and pray least ye enter into temptation Math. 26. Christ giveth his Spirit to make requests for the Saints according to the will of God and what hee in heaven intercedes for they by his Spirit request of God in his name and it is given them abundantly Christ tells his Disciples that they had asked nothing in his Name but requires them to bee more in their requests assuring them they shall receive vnto the fulnesse of their joy Hee knew the necessity and the utilitie of prayer and how slow and dull the Disciples were to it then when hee was with them they had such satisfaction in his presence he excites them therfore to this duty They the godly did pray in the name of the Mâ—ssiah for the Spirit indited or dictated no other prayer than in the name of the mediator but they asked obscurely as the knowledge of Christ was then but obscure and ordinarily they did aske nothing so as after Christs manifestation and more plentifull giving
the Gentiles to whom hee was an Apostle they also were the called of Iesus Christ though by nature Gentiles sinners vile yet by calling highly advanced to the dignitie of Gods Children Worke out your salvation follow till ye apprehend it bee diligent in adding graces follow hard towards the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus Phil. 3 12. 1 Tim. 6 12. Nothing can give us more courage to strive to eternall life to fight for it than this that we know God hath called us to obtaine it for wee gather from thence that our labour shall not bee in vaine but God will bee with us and prosper us reach us his hand To this house Gods mercie is such that calling the Master of the family the household have salvation come neere to them Luke 10 5 6. Into what house soever ye come say peace to this house if the Sonne of peace bee there your peace shall rest on him The sonne of peace one that favours the Gospell of peace or is worthy of the prosperitie wished to the house as Math. 10 11. Inquire who is worthy in it and there abide not y t there is inherent dignitie in any man living but the elect in Christ are counted worthy Thus gets hee the blessing into his house not onely for himselfe but to his thus many times God joynes the household in faith with the householder Iohn 4 53. Act. 10 2 and 16 15 33 34. Acts 18 8. The Apostle Paul speakes of Baptising not onely some particulers as Crispus and Gaius but the household of Stephanas 1 Cor. 1. 14. 16. He saluteth Philemon and the Church in his house Philem. verse 1 2. So Aquila and Priscilla with the Church in their house Rom. 16 3 5. And sends salutations from them to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 16 19. Aquila and Priscilla with the Church that is in their house salute you greatly in the Lord the Church understand their household whether godly children servants kinsfolks which living together in one house do together worship the Lord and privately exercise all offices of pietie that it may well bee called a private Church God blesseth the indevours of the Master of the family that they submit at last to outward duties as Abraham found all his males subject to Gods commandement that day in which God commaunded it It may bee they are not alwayes internally and from their hearts obedient Câ—in was for outward sacrifice subject and conformed as Abel was so Cham for forme of religion as Shem and Iapâ—et It seemes neither Lot in Sodom nor Noc had their servants in obedience to God because Noc had none in the Arke nor Lot brought any out of Sodom yet it is like they had servants at least Genes 19. The husband may beleeve and the wife remaine an infidell the wife may beleeve and the husband continue in insidelitie yet there is hope which must move indevour to winne the contrary minded 1 Cor. 7 16. 1 Pet. 3 2. Let us exhort men to strive to place themselves in families where the Master is the Sonne of peace it may be better for body and soule the household partaking in the blessing of peace with him As they that live in a visible Church though yet they bee not sound at heart yet for the time partake of diverse blessings for the faithfuls sake among whom they live Yet it is not safe to trust in being in such places for fellowship of persons unlesse they bee in fellowship of faith two in a house shall be devided yea two in a bed one taken and another left Every man must live by his owne faith It is daungerous to bee willingly under a wicked governer or one of his house for as the creature is subject to vanitie for the sinne of man Rom. 8. And the creatures except the fishes perished in the flood with man that by his sinne abused them Gen. 6. So it is not safe being a wicked mans beast Exod. Yet there may be Christians in a family where the familie is not Christs Paul salutes them of Aristobulus but not him as it seemes as remainiug still in infidelitie and they which are called in the household under an infidell husband or Master are not easily to forsake their place but to honour their Master in the superioritie in which Gods providence hath placed him over them 1 Tim. 6. There were Saints in Neroes house 2. Let beleeving governers of families set themselves with hope about the reducing of them that bee under theÌ„ to the Lord God does much for their sakes specially toward such as belong to Gods Election in his house 1 Iohn 5 16. The covenant of God includes his with him 1 Cor. 7. In so much as he also is become the Child of Abraham To be the Child of Abraham is to bee freely elected Rom. 9 8. To walke in the steps of the faith of Abraham Rom. 4 12. To do the workes of Abraham Iohn 8 39. Whereof is rightly collected the expectation of salvation Rom. 8 29. That Salvation and being the Child of Abraham put one the other none but the Child of Abraham saved none the Child of Abraham but is saved The blessing that commeth upon men in Christ is called the blessing of Abraham Gal. 3 14. The promise is made to Abraham and his seed Gal. 3 16. He saith not seeds as speaking of many but seed as speaking of one which is Christ. The blessing of Abraham is righteousnesse everlasting life which proceeds of the redemption by Christ from the curse of the Law he being made a curse for us So as now malediction sinne hell have no authoritie over us Christ redeemed us and for us bare the curse due to all our sinnes Christ is the storehouse of the blessing of Abraham the promise of which blessing was made to Abraham and his seed that is Christâ— Heavenly blessednesse in the blessed seed And all both Iewes and Gentiles by faith implanted into him and becomming one with him are the seed Gal. 3 29 and heires of all the promised blessings Abraham is called the father of all that beleeve either Iewes or Gentiles Rom. 4 11 12. Faith was imputed to him when hee was uncircumcised for righteousnesse and after hee was justified hee received the signe of circumcision as the seale of the righteousnesse of the faith which hee had when hee was uncircumcised that hee should bee the father of all them that beleeve not being circumcised that righteousnesse might bee imputed to them also and the father of the circumcision not unto them onely which are of the circumcision but unto them also that walke in the stepps of the faith of our father Abraham which hee had when hee was uncircumcised verse 16 17. All the seed have the promise assured according to grace not onely the Iewes that are of the Law but the Gentiles that are of the faith of Abraham the father of us