maisters commaundement Euen so doubtlesse the selfesame worke is sinne in the seruants and creatures of God which to God is no sinne but an ordinarie worke appointed for some special purpose either for the manifestation of his power as was the hardning of Pharao or for the declaration of his mercie as was the fal of Dauid of Peter of Mary Magdalen and all other repentant sinners 4 As the Sunne sending foorth his beames and heate to the carrion and so engendreth in some corruption draweth to it selfe neither corruption neither yet any filthinesse neither yet dooth the Sunne by his puritie and brightnesse so purge the carrion but that it remaineth stinking and corrupt So doth God so worke by the wicked that the iustice which is in him doth not iustifie theÌ„ neither yet is hee defiled by their wickednesse and corruption Godly men wants nothing good for them AS a naturall Sonne may assuredly trust that his Father will doo for him all things that may bee for his setting foorth and preferment Euen so we may vndoubtedly assure our selues that hauing Almightie God to our Father we shal lacke nothing neither in this world nor in the world to come which may be profitable and expedient for vs towardes the enioying of the euerlasting inheritaunce which our heauenly Father hath prepared for vs. God alone sufficient to his people AS the Sunne hath no neede to be holpen of the companie of any other lights to giue light to the world and as one soule is enough to keepe life and to gouerne the body Euen so is one God alone sufficient to his people yea to all the world for all things aboundantly without the helpe of any other God tempteth no man to sinne LIke as if a man haue a seruant which is a theefe yet neuerthelesse he wold be esteemed for an honest man and to trie and proue him his maister leaueth his purse ful of money before him If his seruant take steale it away is he a theefe and doth he not declare himselfe to be such a one Yes vndoubtedly And now who made him a theefe The maister or the mony which was left where he might come by it Surely neither of both for the money is the good creatuâ—e of God And when the maister put it before his seruant â—e did not compell him to take it and to steale it If this seruant had beene an honest man hee would not haue touched it or if he had taken it he would haue brought it vnto his maister and would not haue kept it But seeing that the seruaunt was then already a theefe and had his hart giuen to theft when hee had the occasion to put in execution the wicked affection of his heart he did it And whereas he did it no sooner that was because that he had not the occasion and meanes For if occasion had beene sooner offered to him and if hee had found whereto to reach out his hand he would not haue kept it in and when hee beganne to put foorth his hand he hath not onely then begun to be a theefe but hee hath onely begunne to declare himselfe what he was As wee haue the example in Iudas who was a theefe a long time but he neuer shewed it vntill he had opportunitie Euen so although that God hath giuen the occasion to man for to proue trie him and for to make him to make knowne that which is in his heart It followeth not therefore that God hath done the sinne nor yet is the author of it and that we must impute the fault to him and not to him which hath committed it Iohn 12.6 Gene. 50.20 Iob. 1.11 One God and three persons 1 AS there is in man the soule the spirit and the body three distinct substances which neuerthelesse doo make but one man and not three In the soule there is the mind the vnderstanding and the will but these doo not make three soules but one In the Sunne there is the very substance of it the heate and the light and yet these there be not thereby made three Sunnes but one If the light and shining be taken from the Sunne we should then see the body of it no more And if the heate or warmeth be taken from the Sunne we should then not feele whether there were any Sunne in the skie or no Euen so if the word and spirit be taken from God we should then come by no knowledge of him at all Therfore wheras the Son and the holy Ghost are ioyned vnto the Father it doth further nothing to the making of many Gods but to the manifesting of one true God in nature and essence and three in personnes and properties which was to bee spread throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospell 2 Like as the Sunne in the firmament hath three distinct and sundrie things of the which euery one differeth from an other as the Globe the light and the heate And although euery one of these keepe seuerally their properties yet it is but one Sunne and is not diuided into three Sunnes So in the Deitie the vnitie of essence is not taken away by the distinction of persons and yet for all that is there no confounding of persons nor chaunging of one into an other For as there is but one Sunne in through the whole world no more is there but one God And as the Sunne sheweth himselfe by his beames Euen so God as Father doth shew himselfe by his Sonne Iesus Christ which is his word and eternall wisedome And as the Sunne by his heate dooth make vs feele his force Euen so God maketh vs feele his vertue by his holy spirit which is his infinite power Deut. 6.4 32.39 Esay 43.10 11 44.6 45.5.18.22 1. Cor. 8.6 3 As reason will and memorie are not three but one and the same soule So the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost are three distinct in propertie and one God The holy Ghost compared to fire and water 1 AS the fire is pure and cleane and can suffer no vncleannesse So the holy Ghost dooth purge clense and lighten the consciences of Christians setting them on fire with the loue of God Math. 3.11 Luk. 3.16 2 As fire is an Element exceeding pure and cleane and so necessarie for mans life that we may in no wise want or forgo it So also the water is very needfull for vs being a very cleare pure and cleane nature and very meete for to represent and signifie the nature office and properties of the holy Ghost Or as the water doth renew and comfort the earth maketh it fertile causing it to bring foorth fruite and also dooth wash away the filthinesse of the body So the holy Ghost dooth wash purifie refreshe and water the harts and consciences of the faithfull moouing stirring perswading ruling lightning and finally comforting them and making them to bring foorth pleasaunt fruites acceptable to God Esay 55.1 44.3 Ezech. 36.25 Iohn 3.5
to whom it were sent wold not take it but refuse it despitefully or contemne it the man that sent it might well thinke he had contemned and disdained him and not his gift or present but what might hee thinke if hee should cast it into the dyrt and trample it vnder his feete Therefore if hee did as hee ought to do he should consider when he receiued the token the minde and good will of his friend that sent or gaue it and according therevnto to esteeme and receiue it So likewise if we do as we ought to do in beeing partakers of these holy Mysteries we should rather consider the minde and good will of our louer Christ then the Bread and Wine which we see yea if we do not altogither consider Christes minde and purpose in this behalfe we deale vnhonestly and strumpâ— like with him For it is the propertie of Strumpets to consider the things giuen and sent them rather then the good will and minde of the giuer and sender whereof the true louers doo not consider in any point the value of the things giuen or sent but the minde and good will of the partie So we if we be true Louers of Christ must not consider barely the outward things as the Bread and Wine which wee see and our senses perceiue but rather altogither wee must viewe and consider the minde of Christ and therafter and according to it to esteeme and account of the same 4 Like as if a wilfull and rebellious subiect should no more esteeme or regard his Princes seale then other common wax or haue it in no greater reuerence then the seale of some priuate man it might rightly be said that hee maketh no difference of his Princes person that is to say that he doth no more esteeme him then hee doth other men yet it needeth not that the Kings person bee there really present So when we come to the Lordes table if we take vnreuerently the misticall Bread and Wine as other common meates appointed for the bellie then make wee no difference of the Lordes Body wee doo not esteeme the worthinesse price and vertue of it which in the holy Mysteries is so freely and so liberally offered vnto vs. And therefore if we receiue this Sacrament vnreuerently not considering who is the Author of it nor who it is that offereth himselfe so mercifully and louingly vnto vs it is no maruell therefore that the holy Apostle saith that we are guiltie of the Body and bloud of the Lord that is to say that we are before the seate of Almightie God because of our vnthankfulnesse and vnreuerent handling of the holy Mysteries counted as guiltie as if wee had slaine the Body of the onely begotten sonne of GOD and shead his most precious bloud vpon the Crosse Or it is no maruell that in stead of grace in stead of forgiuegesse of our sinnes and of life euerlasting wee doo eate and drinke our owne damnation And yet it followeth not that the Body and bloud of Christ be really present there in the Sacrament Christes naturall and immortall Body can be but in one place at once and not in many places 1 LIke as the Soule of man vnited to his Body cannot be a Body because it is a spirit Euen so the like is of the Body and of the Soule of Iesus Christ and of his diuine and humaine nature of the which euerie one of them holdeth so continually his properties that the one cannot be that the other is For albeit that they be vnited together by personall vnion yet for all they remaine alway distinct in their vnitie according to their properties and not confused in such sort that the one cannot be the other wherefore wee may not say at all that the Diuinitie is the humanitie or that the humanitie is the Diuinitie nor that the one is conuerted into the other For if there were such a conuersion they should no more be that which they are but should bee chaunged into other natures which thing cannot be For God can neuer bee but God Wherefore hee cannot be conuerted into man but he may vnite man to himselfe as he hath done in the person of his Sonne Iesus Christ Likewise man cannot bee conuerted into God for so much as he is a creature and that God which is the Creator of all cannot bee created but is without beginning as hee is without end and infinite the which thing cannot agree with any creature From whence it followeth that the Gods which are created are no Gods at all but are onely creatures or else vaine illusions or imaginations And as the substance of GOD cannot bee conuerted into that of man nor that of man into that of God for otherwise God should not be God nor man should not be man at all Euen so neither the one nor the other may be without his conuenient and naturall properties belonging to the diuine nature it is no more diuine nature but humaine In like sort if the Sacramentall signes of the Body and bloud of Iesus Christ haue the naturall properties which do belong to the Bread and to the Wine as they haue indeed if they haue their qualities and accidents and these same effects they are not then really and substancially the Body and bloud of him but Bread and Wine remaining alwaies in their substance with their accidents 2 As the bodie of the Sunne and light of it are so ioyntly ioyned together that the one cannot be seperated from the other yet it followeth not that wheresoeuer the light of the Sunne is there the body of the Sunne must be also For as the Sunne being still in the Element according to the order that God hath appointed among vs his creatures doth wtth his light refresh comfort and quicken all things here vpon earth So our Sauiour Christ Iesus who is the true Sonne of righteousnesse being still vntill the time that God hath appointed on the right hand of his Father touching his manhood that is to say aboue in heauen in the place of beatitude felicitie and ioy raigning there with the Father in equall glorie and maiestie doth continually assist aide and comfort his Church by his holy spirit being alwaies present with his elect and chosen by his diuine Maiestie prouidence and inuisible grace whom hee doth not cease through his almightie power the spirit being the worker of it to feede still with the wholsome foode of his most precious flesh and bloud Now as it were most noysome and hurtfull vnto all the whole earth if we had here belowe the Body of the Sunne so is it not expedient that the Church and Congregation of the faithful should haue Christ still present here touching his humanitie and manhood For so he saith Iohn 16.7 3 As no man can denie but that the eye and the sight of it be so ioyntly and inseperably ioyned together that as long as the eye is whole and sound the one cannot be seperated from the other yet
may not controll his Creator AS it is vnreasonable for a peece of clay to challendge the Potter for the forme shape or vse that it is made for Euen so it is an intollerable presumption of man to reason against his maker for the end that he is made for whether it be honour or dishonour Iob. 10.9 Psal 103.14 Rom. 9.20 21. Esa 64.8 The wonderfull Chaunge of Christians AS it is a great miracle for a dead man to be raised again So likewise is the chaunge that Christ hath made in those that be his wonderfull 1. Pet. 4.6 Christians in great miserie if God forsake them AS women traueyling in childe-birth and haue not strength to bring foorth their fruite are in great miserie So likewise are the Children of God in great distresse in the dayes of trouble and affliction if God leaue them and forsake them therein Esay 37.3 Contentious Spirits are daungerous AS we are to take heed of Dogges when they are fighting and brawling for a bone that we be not too busie in kicking them least we be caught by the shinnes Euen so are we to take great heede of such as be vnquiet troublesome spirits that are readie to wrangle and disquiet the Church about euery trifle Phil. 3.2 Christ the appointed Reconciler LIke as there was a certaine person by whom sinne entered into the world and by sinne death and so became as it were the cause and foundation of falling away from God and entering into league with the diuell So also must there be a certaine person appointed of God that might be the foundation cause of Reconciliation and of neuer breaking the same coniunction with God the fountaine of all happinesse Custome an other nature AS impossible as it is for a Black-moore to cast away his skinne and to become white and for a Leopard to put away his spots So impossible it is for them that noosell themselues and accustome themselues continually with euill doing to chaunge their custome and to endeuour to do well Iere. 13.23 Christians are to pray chiefly for spirituall graces AS Achsha begged of Caleb her Father a blessing to her dowrie and springs of water to her drie soyle So must all Christians intreate Almightie God to giue them the grace of his holy spirit with the gift of his heauenly Word that they may pay vnto him the tribute of honour Iosu 15.19 The benummed Conscience is senselesse of spirituall graces AS the sicke man lying vpon his bed is not able to go to the Phisition to seeke for his health but the Phisition is to be intreated to come to minister to him Euen so such people as are ignorant and sicke of sinne vnto death are not able to go to the spirituall Phisition the Preacher or haue any minde so to do because they neither vnderstand their disease nor the daunger they be in nor yet feele the griefe thereof so that oftentimes when the godly Preacher commeth vnto them and ministreth wholesome medicines and consolations yet are they not able to receiue the same Ephe. 2.12 2. Tim. 2.25 26. Good Counsell not to be refused of the wisest LIke as they that are giuen to gather wealth although they haue great store of wealth at home yet if Golde and Siluer be brought to them from other places they do not refuse it and the richer they be the more they desire So wise Magistrates whose treasure is to consist rather in the wisedome and faithfulnesse of good men then in the hugest masse of money that can be though they be most wise and rich that way yet they ought not to refuse the wise aduise of any but be willing glad to heare it whose soeuer it be Affectionate Admonitions vnfruitfull LIke as he that obserueth the wind shall neuer sowe So likewise they which haue an eye alwayes vnto the affections of men and will know what entertainment their admonitions and reproofe shall haue before they wil bestow them can neuer profit thereby for that in so doing they seeke rather to please men and feede their humours then that God should haue his glory increased thereby Prea 11.4 Gal. 4.10 Christ comforteth his AS the Raine maketh the new mowne grasse freshly to spring againe and showers so comfort the earth that it yeeldeth the fruites therof Euen so shall Christ refresh foster nourish and cherish his people Psal 72.6 Christ a sure Rocke AS hee that setteth the foundation of his house vpon a firme Rocke may be sure that the foundation shall be â—ble to beare the weight of that which shall be set vpon â—t and that no raine or flood shall wash it away So hee that buildeth his faith vpon Christ as hee is set out and preached vnto vs in the Gospell shall bee sure that hell gates that is al the power force and cunning of the diuel shall neuer be able to preuaile against him Math. 7.24.25 Mat. 16.18 The compleat armour of Christians 1 AS a Souldier if hee be not shod but barefooted shall quickly bee surbatted and vnable to trauaile Euen so a Christian not hauing the Gospel of peace cannot endure Ephe. 6.15.16.17 2 As it is an absurditie for a Souldier to put himselfe into the field naked without armour and weapon as well to strike the enemie as to defend himselfe So also is it alwaies necessarie for a Christian to be armed at all points especially to haue the shield of faith the helmet of saluauation the sword of the spirite which is the word of God Christian freedome AS seruants when they haue serued a time chaunge their maisters and are maisterlesse or serue others Euen so Christians are to remember that their condition is so vnstable and vncertaine in the Church of God except they haue the spirit of freedome namely the spirite of adoption of children and so by Christ and in Christ bee truely made free Ioh. 8.35.36 Christ our graund Captaine AS souldiers are to resort to their standard So faithfull Christians are appointed to flocke to Christ Esay 11.11.12 Contemners of the truth 1 AS Swine will moozell vp and downe in the mire whatsoeuer precious thing shall be offered them So wicked contemners and despisers of the word doe as it were treade vnder their feete whatsoeuer promise is offered or in iudgement threatned to them out of the word 2 As they which are displeased with all things that profit them not Or as a deafe man who seeing the lippes of speakers to moue thinketh them too lauish of their tongues Or as a blind man which groping by the walles and windowes of a faire house doth find fault with the windowes because they are not so smooth as the walles Euen so such are they that find fault with the Scriptures because they shew as well the spots as the beautie the vice as the vertue Math. 7.6 Comfort from Gods spirit AS water refresheth the thirstie and as floudes doo moysten the drie land and make it fruitfull so God by his spirite reioyceth
Christ the greater glorie and gaue Sathan the greater shame Christ suffered and died as he was man AS the precious stone called the Carbuncle to see too is like an hotte burning cole of fire shining exceeding brightly the which feeleth no fire neither is it molten chaunged or mollified therewith If thou shalt take it and close it fast in a ring of lead and cast it into the fire thou shalt see the lead molten and consumed before thy face but the Carbuncle remaining sound and perfect without blemish as before for the fire worketh vpon the leade but vpon the Carbuncle it cannot worke Euen so Christ our Sauiour being in the hotte scorching fire of his torments suffered and died as hee was man but as hee was GOD hee neither suffered nor died the fire of his afflictions wrought then vpon his manhood but his diuinitie and godhead continued perfect and vtterly vntouched The Crosse maketh peace AS in a ciuell gouernment and common-wealth nothing is more occasion of war then ouermuch peace So in the Church and among Ministers of the Church as nothing is more pernicious then too much quietnesse so nothing more ceaseth priuate contentions oftentimes arising amongst them theÌ„ the publike Crosse of persecution The personall vnion of Christ. AS a certaine soule beeing ioyned to a certaine body maketh one certaine person as Peter Paul Iohn So the eternall word of the Father tooke vnto it that flesh of the virgine that is to say made the same so proper vnto it selfe that from hence commeth and proceedeth that person which is called Christ Christ the resurrection and life 1 LIke as in a perfect body when the head hath sense and motion the hand that is of the same body hath also sense motion conuenient for it So likewise Christ being the resurrection and the life as there is spirituall life in him so euery member of his shall feele in it selfe spiritual sense and motion whereby it is raised vp from sinne and liueth vnto God Ioh. 5.25 6.63 2 As the Burgesse of a Towne in the Parliament house beareth the person of the whole Towne and whatsoeuer he saith that the whole Towne saith and whatsoeuer is done to him is also done to al the towne So Christ vpon the Crosse stood in our place and bare our person and what he suffered wee suffered and when he died all the faithfull died in him and so likewise as hee is risen againe so are all the faithfull risen in him 3 As Christ by the merite of his death wipeth out our iniquities and by his bloud clenseth our consciences from all mortall sinne So in like manner by his resurrection from death he declareth himselfe to be righteous and in all respectes perfectly pure according to the law of God Rom 4.25 Psal 16.16 Christ hath prepared a place for vs in heauen LIke as if a man were assured that there were made for him a great purchase in Spaine or Turkie so as if he would but come thither hee might enioy it he would not forbeare to aduenture the daungers of the Sea and of his enemies also if need were that so hee might come to his owne Euen so seeing that Christ Iesus hath made a purchase for vs in heauen and there is nothing required of vs but that we will come and enioy it wee ought to refuse no paines or feare in the way but carefully to striue to get in Luk. 13.14 Christ our Intercessour LIke as he that would know whether the sunne shine in the firmament must not clime vp into the cloudes to looke but search for the beames thereof vpon the earth which when he sees he may conclude that the sun shines in the firmament Euen so if wee would know whether Christ in heauen make intercession for vs let vs ransacke our owne consciences and there make search whether we feele the spirit of Christ crying in vs Abba Father As for those that neuer feele this worke of Gods spirite in them their case is miserable whatsoeuer they be Rom. 8.26 Calamitie EVen as a cloud darkneth the ayre and couereth the sunne So Calamitie and miserie maketh cloudie the mind of man taking from him all his ioy it leaueth him bare and naked without comfort and full of sorrow 2 Like as lightnings do smite whatsoeuer they find in the earth except the Lawrel tree as Plinie affirmeth Euen so great Calamitie is able to take away and to ouerthrow whatsoeuer is in man or that hee hath saue onely firme and constant vertue for constant vertue is a goodly Lawrell tree euer flourishing and greene and will not be consumed burnt vp nor destroyed with any fire that breaketh out of the cloudes be it neuer so fierce nor with any violence of torments and troubles whatsoeuer Rude and wanton Children LIke as when any are stinged with the poyson-ful sting of Serpents foorthwith they labour for remedie against the same least the wound rot and put them to further annoyance Euen so such Children as bee infected and diseased with wanton Idlenesse being also destitute of good maners and learning must be sent to the schoole to be cured of their maister with the rodde of correction and vertuous education False Christians LIke as among a great sort which are striken with extreame sickenesse and diseases some doo alwayes scape as it pleaseth God So it is to be hoped that among an infinite number of false Christans God will touch some to bring them backe from the filthinesse and corruptions of the worlde and to leade them to the fearing of himselfe It is impossible to know who is a true Christian before he die LIke as in a ground sowed with diuers seedes no man can certainly knowe some seede from an other which shall bring forth fruite and which shall not yea though it haue alreadie put foorth yea and that more is though it be eared Euen so no one man can know an other man throughly to bee a Christian which is the greatest felicitie that is before the end of his race because no man is to bee counted happie before his deathes day by reason of many miseries and calamities which may befall him Christ the cause of our resurrection and life 1 AS the first Adam was the roote of all mankind and he conuyed sinne by sinne death to all that sprang of him Christ onely excepted So likewise Christ the second Adam which is the roote of all the elect conueyeth life both in body and soule to al that are vnited to him and by the vertue of his resurrection they shall rise againe after this life 2 Like as the power of the Godhead of Christ when â—he was dead in the graue raised his body the third day So also shall the same power of Christ his Godhead conuey it selfe vnto all the faithfull which euen in death remaine vnited vnto him and raise them vp at the last day Why God afflicteth his Children AS a godly and wise Surgeon purposing to cut
that the young chicken may slip out of it Euen so none otherwise doth Death dissolue and breake vp our body but to the intent that we may attaine vnto the life of heauen 26 As the mothers wombe carrieth the child seuen or nine moneths and prepareth it not for it selfe but for the world wherein wee are borne Euen so this present time ouer all vpon earth serueth not to this end that wee must euer be here but that we should bee brought foorth and borne out of the body of this world by Death into another and euerlasting life Ioh. 16.21 27 Like as a childe out of the small habitation of his mothers wombe with daunger and anguish is borne into this wide world Euen so goeth a man thorow the narrow gate of Death with distresse and trouble out of the earth into the heauenly life For to die is not to perish but to be first of all borne aright 28 As the brazen Serpent which hauing the forme and proportion of a Serpent was yet without byting without mouing without poysoning Euen so though Death be not vtterly taken away yet thorow the grace of God it is so weakned and made voide that the onely bare proportion remaineth 29 Euen as when the maister of the Shippe perceiueth that he is not wide from the hauen place where he must land and discharge he sayleth on forth the more chearfully and gladly So likewise the nearer we draw vnto Death where we must land the more stoutly ought wee to fight and withstand our ghostly enemies 30 Like as he that goeth a far iourney hath vncertaine lodging trauaile and labour desireth to return home to his owne country to his father and mother wife children and friends among whom he is surest and at most quiet by meanes wherof he forceth the lesse for any rough carefull path or way homeward Euen so all we are straungers and pilgrimes vpon earth Our home is Paradise in heauen our heauenly Father is God the earthly father of all men is Adam our spirituall Fathers are the Patriarkes Prophets and Apostles which altogether waite and long for vs. Psal 39.5 6. 1. Pet. 2.11 2. Cor. 5.1.2 Phil. 3 2â— Heb. 13.14 31 Like as when a man liue in a darke miserable prison with this condition that he should not come forth till the walles of the Tower were fallen downe vndoubtedly he would be right glad to see the walles begin to fall Euen so our soule is kept in within the bodie vpon earth as in captiuitie and bonds now assoone as the bodie is at a point that it must needs fall we ought not to be sory therefore for by this approacheth our deliuerance when we out of the prison of miserie shal be brought before the most amiable countenance of God into the ioyfull freedome of heauen Psal 142.7 32 Like as it is no grief for a man to go sleep nor when he seeth his parents and friendes lay them downe to rest for he knoweth that such as are a sleepe do soone awake and rise againe So when we or our friends depart away by Death we ought to erect and comfort ourselues with the resurrection 33 As a good Housholder maketh prouision for himselfe and his familie and buyeth afore-hand fewell victualls and such things as he hath need of for a moneth or for a whole yeare c. according as hee is able Euen so much more ought a ChristiaÌ„ to prouide before his Death that which concerneth not onely one moneth or one yeare but an eternitie that hath no ende 34 Like as faithfull seruants waite for their maister So in like manner wee ought to looke for the comming of Christ when hee shall call vs out of this wretched world by Death Luk. 12.36 37 38 39 40. Math. 24.42 c. The time of our Death vnknowne LIke as Christ wold haue his last coÌ„ming to be hidden from men So also hee would haue the time of their Death for the very same cause to be vnknown vnto them vnlesse that he openeth the same vnto some either by particular reuelation or by probable coniectures Mat. 24.36 How to Draw neare vnto God LIke as hee is said to depart from God which doth abandon and giue himselfe to the lustes of the world by which he Draweth neare vnto the diuell So likewise he which departeth from these is said to Draw neare vnto God and so cleaueth vnto him by faith and true obedience Iam. 4.8 No Diuinitie except it be against God is prescribed to the Minister AS there is no Lawe by the which a Preacher for his doctrine may be punished if he speake not against the Prince So there is no Diuinitie by the which a Preacher is particularly prescribed or generally ordered if he speak not against God the mightie prince of peace Desires of heauen AS they that are straungers in a forraine countrie and haue parents and great wealth in their natiue soyle being hardly entreated where they soiourne and vppon the point to returne home into their countrie are vndoubtedly very glad thereof euen already they seeme to see their houses lands and possessions and in their conceites doo talke with their parents and feele a feruent Desire to be soone there Euen so we if wee remember that we haue treasures of eternall riches an vndefiled inheritance immortall incorruptible which is reserued for vs a heauenly Father that loueth vs in his welbeloued sonne our elder brother Iesus Christ in glory the Angels and holy Spirits inioy and that we their felow Burgesses haue our portion in al these goods and are euen vpon the point to be really in heauen with them we ought then to be rauished with a feruent desire to be lifted vp thither Phil. 1.23 Rom. 7.24 Daunces AS Apothecaries do couer their bitter Pilles with some sweete substance whereby to make them goe downe the easier So the Diuel vnder the sport and pleasure of Daunces maketh men to swallow lustfull desires and albeit they proceed to no greater iniquitie yet is this a mortall wounde to the soule considering that we knowe that such lusts are accursed in the sight of God Exod. 32.6 18.19 1. Cor. 10.7 1. Pet. 4.3.4 5.8 Rom. 12.2 2. Tim. 2.22 Iudg. 21.21 Ephe. 5.3 4 16.18 The Dutie of Parishioners to their Ministers 1 AS they that sit at a Table do eate chewe and digest their foode So they that be Parishioners and heare the word of God ought to listen vnto it meditate vpon it and print it in their hearts that so they may receiue the nourishment signified by the word and dutie to feede commended to the shepheards of Christs flock 1. Thes 5.12 Phil. 2.29 2. Cor. 7.15 Hebr. 13.17 2 As in meate we are not so much to seek licorousnesse as health So must it be in the preaching of the word for Ecclesiasticall assemblies be not lâ—ke to common Playes whereto men resort for pleasure but in Sermons we are to looke for that which is health
but seemeth very bitter to some sicke and distempered bodies So dooth the Law seeme burdensome but this commeth not by nature but through our weaknesse 22 As the debter not beeing able to paie his debt was freely forgiuen Euen so the Law in the act of iustification is vtterly idle as that which is neither the cause nor a part of our righteousnesse as it is wrought of vs. Math. 18.23 24. c. 23 Like as if I owe a man a hundreth pound and bee bound to pay him at a certaine day if I doo then pay it albeit mine hart be neuer so grudging and vnwilling thereto yet haue I fulfilled the Law and discharged my bond so that there shall no processe or iudgement passe against me But Gods Law requireth a thing to bee done with a chearefull and a well willing heart and minde and euen of pure loue for if I doo it either for feare or vnwillingly that shal be imputed vnto me for sinne If I do it for feare 〈◊〉 doo I it not of loue but rather hate both the thing 〈◊〉 I doo and also the Law that constraineth me to doo it and if I doo it vnwillingly then would I doo the contrarie and so would that there were no such Law neither yet any God that should iudge me in so doing and seeing that God iudgeth me after mine heart and will then must he needes condemne me for I would doo contrarie vnto his Lawe and will yea and doo wish in mine heart contrarie to that which I doo in mine outward deed 24 Like as if I see a poore man which is not of abilitie to doo me any pleasure and neuerthelesse doth all his diligence to seeke my fauour and would with heart and mind giue me some acceptable present if he were of power being also sorrie that hee cannot performe his will and mind towards me Now if there bee any sparke of humanitie or gentlenesse in me I wil count his good will as wel as though he had in very deed performed his will for his ability extendeth no further if his power were better better should I haue Euen so seeing we are not of power and abilitie to performe the Law of God and yet beare a good heart towards God and his Law bewayling our imbicilitie that we can do him no further pleasure then will God recount vs not as his enemies but as his deare children and beloued friends 25 As after sleepe the body beeing awaked it is fresh lustie strong and couragious to doo his worke So likewise after the fearefull threatnings of the Law when wee heare the glad tidings of the Gospell that God will be our Lord and dwell with vs the mind is comforted strengthned and mooued vp to doo his dutie 26 As a man is iudged and known to be waking when hee can doo the office of a man as talke worke write or such like Euen so is man awaked out of the sleepe of sins when he liues in charitie feares God and walks according to his Law in his vocation 27 As we see in iudgements here amongst vs there is a royall seate set where the Iudge sits hee that is accused stands at the Barre holds vp his hand heares his Inditement read witnesse is brought against him and hee iustlâ— condemned to death So likewise we shal see Iesus Chrisâ— the righteous Iudge of the world that will not be bribeâ— sit in his seate of maiestie at the last day and all the companie of Angels about him and we shall stand at the harre as accused and indighted for breaking that righteous Law of his word the diuel which intised vs so to do shall beare witnesse that to be true yea and our owne conscience also with the feare of that fearefull sentence Goe yee cursed into euerlasting fire c. shall make vs to tremble Math. 25.31 32 41. 28 Like as hee which cannot esteeme and discerne his sicknesse or the grieuousnesse of his disease the same must of necessitie haue a negligent care of seeking foorth a remedie and a wholesome medicine for the same Euen so hee which learneth not to acknowledge his sinnes by the Law the same doubtlesse knoweth not how to embrace grace by the Gospell Learning or vertue of transgression but improperly 1 AS the Date tree is most hard to be climed hauing yet fruit most pleasaunt So likewise the entrie or way vnto Learning and vertue is most vneasily when as yet they haue fruit all pleasaunt and profitable Prou. 3.13 14 15. 2 Like as nature hath hid verie deepe in the ground stones precious and of much value but others of no vertue are euerie where to bee found So things of estimation and price as vertue and Learning are knowne but vnâ—â— fewe nor they will not bee obtained without great labour and studie 3 As hee which hungereth or thirsteth can doo nothing vnlesse they quench his appetite and desire So all things ought we to lay aside vntill we doo obtaine Learâ—ing and wisedome 4 As the best Wine soone looseth his taste or colour if it bee powred into a vessell filthie and impure So is good Learning more then lost if it happen to a naughtie man for he will vse it most peruersly to serue his gaine and appetite To Liue well is to die well LIke as Balaam wished and had a great desire to die the death of the righteous but he would not immitate them in godly conuersation Euen so all men wish for a happie end of life but fewe care to Liue vertuously and honestly which doubtlesse is the readie way to die well Numb 23.10 Act. 8.19 20. 19.13 The Law our Schoolemaister to bring vs to Christ. 1 LIke as the Schoolemaister reproueth his Schollers wherby he grieueth them and maketh them heauie and yet not to the end that this bondage should alwayes continue but that it should cease when the children are well brought vp and instructed accordingly and that afterwards without any constraint of the Schoolemaister they should chearefully enioy their libertie and their Fathers goods Euen so they which are vexed and oppressed with the Law doo know that these terrours and vexations shall not alwayes continue but that therby they are prepared to come vnto Christ which is to bee reuealed and to receiue the libertie of the spirit c. Gal. 3.24 2 As the duties of a Schoolemaister bee especially three First to teach his Schollers Secondly to frame their manners And thirdly to punish offenders Euen so the Lawe of God first teacheth vs concerning God that there is a God and what manner of one hee is and what manner a one mans nature is by creation and what was that Image of God or originall righteousnesse in man namely agreeablenesse to the Law of God It teacheth also of sinne and the penaltie of sinne of the last iudgement of the resurrection of the dead and life euerlasting of outward discipline or honest gouernment of manners with many such other things Secondly it frameth our
should say that he had in vaine asked helpe at their hands Euen so much more wil God the great king of heauen and earth who is as able as the richest and as willing to giue as the frankest yea and hath as great care and that not without cause of his glorie as any man hath of his worldly worship renowme thinke scorne that any man should say there is no helpe for me in God I haue in vaine afflicted my soule humbled my selfe at his footestoole by Prayer cleansed my wayes in his sight repaired to the place of his presence and called vpon him there is nothing to be hoped for or gotten at his hands 29 Euen as the Smith striketh the yron while it is hote and fit to receiue any forme or impression So God although he could imprint his grace in the coldest hardest and flintiest disposition of the heart yet he rather doth it when as the affections of men are stirred vp and enflamed either by the ministerie of the word and publike Prayer during the which regeneration is ordinarily wrought in men or else by some priuate Christian exercise as reading the Scripture and serious meditation but especially by praying and singing Psalmes to God in the time of the which actions it pleaseth God sometimes to send his spirit into the hearts of his elect 30 Like as a medicine or playster cannot heale a wound if there be any yron sticking in the same So in like manner the Praier of a man profiteth him not as long as there is sorrow in his mind or hatred in his brest for if charitie want all things be void 31 Euen as a child when he feareth any euill or harme towards runneth to his father for helpe and succour So in like manner the children of God they runne to God by Prayer in all their daungers and distresses Gene. 16.11 21.17 32 As a louing Father in regard of his ignorant and somtimes negligent child doth giue him things vnasked but not to the rebellious Euen so God doth oftentimes bestow his graces and benefites vpon vs without Prayer 33 As parents rather take pleasure to heare their children stammer then to heare some other speake eloquently Euen so doth the Lord take pleasure in the Prayers of his Saints because in Christ hee taketh them for his children 34 As the knowledge of God ought not to be vnperfect or doubtfull So Prayer should not be faint or slacke without courage or quicknesse 35 Like as he that is in prison desireth euer to be deliuered whether hee be eating drinking or sleeping and as he that is sicke desireth alwayes to bee whole euen so dooth euerie Christian man pray continually yea euen when hee seemeth not to pray for Prayer consisteth not in much babling Math. 6.7 But in spirit and veritie Iohn 4.24 and in vehement desire of the heart towards God 36 As a Sonne being pinched with any griefe or want doth straight way runne to his Father for reliefe So doo the faithfull in the manifold miseries and crosses of this present life seeke for helpe at the hands of their heauenly father by Prayer Ephe. 5.1 37 As the exercising of the body doth not onely preserue it in the naturall vigour but also increaseth strength of it and keepeth it from sicknesse So by the daily vse of Prayer wee shall find that the Lord will increase in vs all spirituall graces farre aboue our owne expectation or the opinion of any other Ephe. 6.18 It is no Presumption to be assured of our saluation 1 LIke as if a king should make a promise vnto some one of his seruants whom he fauoreth and the same partie should aunswere againe I stand in doubt of your promise or I hardly beleeue the performance of your promise might not the King well thinke himselfe greatly dishonoured to haue it doubted whether he be a man of his word But if he should sweare for the Performance of his promise yet the partie would not credit him he would neuer put that vp or suffer such an iniurie Euen so after the same manner it must needes follow that seeing God hath bound himselfe both by promise and by oath that it is great presumption for vs not to beleeue him yea it is all one as to thinke that God may lie or that he may be forsworne which is horrible blasphemie Hebr. 6.17 18. 2 Like as it is al one if a man be cōdemned for treason to haue his pardon sent him being but one man alone or hauing a great sort moe cōdemned vnto death with him as if a general pardon be sent for them all Euen so it is betwixt God and vs we were all condemned he hath sent a general pardon to as many as beleeue his promise which he offereth and sendeth vnto all in generall as hee also offereth and sendeth vnto euerie one in particular saying that whosoeuer beleeueth and trusteth in Christ shall be saued God therefore hath told some men that is such as beleeue that they shall be saued and such as doubt of his promise and his oath that they shall be damned So that it is no presumption to be sure and certaine of our saluation Mar. 16. Iohn 3.16 17 18. 5.24 Act. 15.11 Pure mind AS the Sunne is not defiled by shining vpon a puddle or dunghill but doth rather drie vp and driue away the stinch Euen so a Pure and chast mind striueth against the vncleannesse of the world and ouercommeth it but is not defiled it selfe Proceeding in Religion LIke as the young child must not looke to bee fed alwayes with the Teate or pappe but as it groweth in yeares so to feede on stronger meate Euen so good Christians must not content themselues to haue learned the principles of Religion but they must labour also to Proceed and come to perfection by learning the substantiall and higher points of Religion and not to bee like truants alwayes sticking at one lesson Hebr. 5.13 14. 1. Pet. 2.1 2 3. Prayer must be made to God alone LIke as if a King would send out a Proclamation that all his subiects whensoeuer they had any suit or trouble should come to himselfe and let him vnderstand their case to the intent to winne his subiects fauour and to make knowne his good will towards them then that man might well bee counted foolish that knowing this would seeke and sue to some Noble man to get him to speake to the King for him and this King might iustly be offended and displeased at him for so doing Euen so it standeth betwixt God and vs who hath commaunded vs to call vpon him in the day of trouble so hee will deliuer vs and therefore those that make Saints their mediatours doo robbe him of his honour and glorie that is due vnto him c. Psal 50.15 Profession abused AS wee doo not condemne the Art of Physicke because some Physitions haue giuen poyson for Apothicarie drugges but those that abuse the Art Or as wee
life with their bodies taken their owne pleasures ioy and delight Euen so in the life to come at the Resurrectiō of the dead they shal be plagued and punished with euerlasting paine torment in the same bodies Mat. 25.41 c. 2. Cor. 5.10 Act. 24.15 Ioh. 5.29 21 Like as when the Corne is cast into the ground it seemeth to bee lost for it rots and wasteth in the ground but afterwards it springeth faire 1. Cor. 15.36 37. So when the body hath beene corrupted it tarrieth the time appointed by God to come out of the earth and to be altogether perfect 22 As the Corne by meanes of the seed taketh againe a new shape and that more fayrer So the faithfull which dieth and goeth to rest with the seede of Iesus Christ which is the spirit of God is raysed againe by the same spirit which rayseth the Sonne of God from death 23 Like as Christ rose againe in the selfe-same body in which he suffered So we also shall rise againe in the selfe-same flesh which we carrie about with vs. 24 Euen as Christ after his Resurrection had an other glorie much greater then he had before So we shall bee farre otherwise after our Resurrection and so renued into a more glorious state 25 As the Sun and the Moone being of one substance differ in dignitie and excellencie So likewise in the Resurrection our bodies shall haue more excellent qualities then they haue now Regeneration 1 As there is need of no Lawe to compell the bodie to eate or drinke to digest to sleepe to goe to stand to fit and to doo their workes of nature for it is readie to doo them of it owne nature when the case so requireth and when it is meete without all respect either of reward or punishment and may not vnfitly be said as concerning these things not to be vnder a Law notwithstanding thereupon nothing lesse followeth then that it doth therefore abstaine from such workes vnto which in deed it so much more applieth it selfe as they are lesse commaunded and are more naturall vnto it Euen so after the same sort altogether dooth the godly man behaue himselfe concerning the workes of godlinesse he is carried to the doing of them by that his newe nature of the spirit albeit there were no Law at all and all both hope of reward and feare of punishment were away 1. Timo. 1.9 Reue. 6.14 2 Like as if a man haue all his mind set vpon drinking and gulling in of Wine and strong drinke hauing little delight nor pleasure in any thing else it argues a carnall mind and vnregenerate because it effectes the things of the flesh and so of the rest Euen so on the contrarie hee that hath his mind affected with a desire to doo the wil of God in practising the workes of charitie and Religion he I say hath a spirituall and a renewed heart and is Regenerate by the holy Ghost Rom. 8.14 Gal. 5.17 3 As God in the beginning created vs after his owne Image So also must hee Regenerate vs according to the same which he doth by the holy Ghost the third person in Trinitie one and the same euerlasting God together with the Father and the Sonne Iohn 3.5 Math. 16.17 Ioh. 8.36 15.5 4 As a liuing body although naturally it bee the subiect of sense yet some one part of it may bee benummed and senselesse So the soule of one Regenerate hath in it at least the beginnings and seeds of all graces howsoeuer some of them at sometimes doo not worke or appeare Whereas a carnall man is altogether destitute yea vncapable of them 5 Euen as we know that the trees haue heate and life in their rootes in the middest of the coldest and sharpest winter yea as many beastes lie all the winter long in holes of the earth without eating drinking stirring or hauing any iotte of heate sense or life in any of their outward parts and yet there is a remnant of life and of heate lurking in the heart which being in Summer stirred vp doth reuiue the beast so that it is able to goe or runne vp and downe and to performe all naturall actions in the manner as it did before So likewise a totall decrease or an vtter decay of holinesse as whereby nothing is left cannot happen to any one who is truely Regenerate who in the greatest extremitie and depth of his fal retaineth some reliques of Gods spirit and of grace receiued yea some life of faith whereby he liueth to God in Christ howsoeuer he be to the eyes of all men and euen in his owne conscience a dead rotten stocke 6 Euen as a man being sodenly taken with the plague or any infectious sicknesse sayeth he knoweth not how it happeneth onely hee seeth the effects of it Euen so the action of Regeneration in it selfe is secret and vnknown but manifest in the effects which follow of it Regeneration not without sinne LIke as the Israelites suffered the Iebusites to dwell amongst them to their great harme Euen so sinne remaineth in our mortall bodies conquered in deed that it dooth not raigne ouer those that serue the Lord yet not cleane taken away but left for our exercises who hauing our mortall enemie dwelling in vs should fight against sinne vnder the banner of faith in Christ Iesus who onely hath can and will continually defend his people subdue their enemies and giue his children the victorie Repentance AS a prisoner will striue to get out of prison by all kind of means he can thogh he grate off some of his flesh Euen so a man that is out of the fauour of God must trie by all kind of wayes that he can that if hee cannot come to Gods fauour by one way he may yet by an other Psal 51.1 c. The Redemption of Christ vniuersall 1 AS the Sunne is the generall giuer of light to the whole world though there bee many which doo receiue no light at all of it Or as there was among the Iewes vppon the yeare of Iubylee a generall deliuerie of all bond men although many abode still in their bondage and refused the grace of their deliuerie Euen so the Redemption of mankind by Christ is auaileable for all although reprobate and wicked men for want of the grace of God doo not receiue the same yet there is no reason that it should leese his title and glorie of vniuersall Redemption because of the children of perdition seeing that it is ready for all men and all be called vnto it 1. Tim. 2.6 Col. 1.13 14. 1. Pet. 1.18 Tit. 2.14 2 As they who beeing taken in warre are wont either to be slaine or to bee condemned vnto perpetuall bondage except they bee redeemed and ransommed Euen so such were wee all being taken prisoners of the diuell who had vs body and soule in his owne power from whose kingdome and tyrannie Christ hath most mercifully Redeemed vs. Rom. 14.8 1. Cor. 3.22 Phil. 1.21 1. Pet. 1.18
taking the signes for the thing it selfe 15 As Siluer and Gold beeing not coyned is nothing else but Siluer or Gold but if by her Maiesties commaundement a new forme or stampe bee added by a print it is made currant money which it was not before although it bee the very same substance which it was before Or as if one take waxe which is fastned to a writing or publike instrument and it differeth not from other wax of it selfe but onely because of the vse to the which it is appointed that is to say to serue for a testimonie that the instrument is effectuall and auaileable the which it hath not by nature but by the ordinance of man Euen so the signes of the Sacraments to wit water in baptisme and bread and Wine in the Lords Supper although they be not chaunged concerning their substance meane quantitie or qualitie but onely in the vse of them and doo differ from common water bread and Wine in that they are ordained of God to serue vnto vs as gages and pledges of those benefits which Christ by his death and â—â—ssion hath purchased for vs yet they bee ordained of God for an excellent couenant to represent vnto vs most great and excellent things And albeit that this mutation here spoken of changeth not the substance of the signes neither of bread water or Wine but only the vse of them and is done and wrought by the holy Ghost according to the ordinance of the good will of God which is testified to vs by that promise whereto the signe is ioyned and not by the pronunciation of words after the manner of Sorcerers and Charmers but the promise is the soule of the signe so accordingly the water the bread and the wine become Sacraments that is to say true and veritable signes of those things which the word promiseth and which be presented by them so that this alteration is onely in the vse therof for before and after the administration of the Sacrament it taketh no place but onely during the action and vse to the which this chaunge or mutation tendeth 16 Like as the word serueth to no purpose except it be so preached that it may be vnderstood and further except that which it declareth and representeth to vs that is to say Iesus Christ with all his goodnesse be receiued by the faith of those which heare it Euen so also ought wee to vnderstand of the Sacraments if wee bring not faith which is the onely meanes to receiue that which is preached to vs represented and offered by the same word but contrariwise in dispising them by our incredulitie and reiecting that goodnesse which God offereth with the same to vs we seale our owne condemnation 17 Like as the Gospell ceaseth not of his owne nature to be the word of life and saluation although the wicked through their contempt turne it into the sauour of death and damnation Euen so the Sacraments cease not to be true Sacraments although they be either ministred by vnworthie persons or receiued vnworthily 11 As the seede how good so euer it be bringeth not foorth fruit at the same instant that it is sowne but continueth a certaine time in the earth So is it not meete to restraine the fruit and vertue of the word of God to the same houre that it is preached or the Sacraments to the same instant that they be ministred but the fruit shall be shewed in the elect when it pleaseth God 19 As water is not the water in Baptisme nor a signe nor consequently a Sacrament thereof but so farre forth as they bee ioyned with the word of Iesus Christ by the which it is dedicated and consecrated to that vse and so being applyed to those persons which are to be Baptised according to his commaundement So the verie like is of the Bread and Wine of the Lords Supper for they can no more bee the signes thereof then may the water of Baptisme if being ioyned together with the word of Iesus Christ whereby they are dedicated and consecrated to this Sacrament they bee not giuen and distributed to those which should bee partakers of the same as it dooth appeare by the expresse word of Iesus Christ in that hee saith of both the signes Take yee and eate yee likewise Drinke yee all of this For it is plaine that these wordes may not bee spoken either to the Breade or to the Wine but onely to the persons which might vnderstand them and execute the commaundement that our Sauiour Christ gaue vnto them by the same For the Bread and the Wine can neither eate nor drinke themselues Math. 28.19 Math. 26.27 Mark 14.22 23. Luk. 22.19 20. 1. Cor. 11.24 20 Like as louing and tender hearted parents are not content to procure for their children costly possessions and liuely-hoodes but take order that the same may bee conserued and come to their vse Euen so our Lord and Sauiour thought it not sufficient to purchase for vs his Fathers fauour againe which is the deepe fountaine of all goodnesse and eternall life but also inuented the wayes most wisely by the institution of his holy Sacraments whereby the same might redounde to our commoditie and profit 21 Like as of olde time God decreed his wonderous benefits of deliuerance of his people in memorie by the eating of the Passeouer with his rites and ceremonies So our louing Sauiour hath ordained and established the remembrance of his great mercy expressed in his Passion in the institution of his heauenly Supper wher euery one of vs must be guests and not gazers eaters and not lookers on feeding our selues and not hiring other to feede for vs that wee may liue by our owne meate and not perish for hunger whiles others deuour all Exod. 12.1 c. 22 As of necessitie we must be our selues partakers of the Lords Supper and not beholders of other So wee must addresse our selues to frequent the Sacrament in reuerent and due maner least as Physicke prouided for the body being misused more hurteth then profiteth so this comfortable medicine of the foule vndecently receiued tend to our greater harme and sorrow 23 Like as the Supper of the Lord is a spirituall meate and sweete to those that bee incorporated and made one body with Iesus Christ and with their neighbour Euen so of the contrarie it is a mortall poyson to them which put not their whole trust in Iesus Christ and be seperated from their neighbour 24 As it is not enough for a child to be borne and that hee haue life by his parents which begot him if that afterwards they doo not also nourish him to conserue him and to the ende that hee may grow and become tall and strong in the same Euen so God our Father dooth not content himselfe to haue begotten vs for his children in his Church by the incorruptible seede of his word and to haue giuen vs life in his Sonne Iesus Christ by the vertue of his holy spirit but will
commeth into good thoughts then into good workes by degrees but many times they are nipped and smitten in the bud or in the blossome that is either in thoughts or words that they neuer come to workes The workes likewise of the Sonnes of God are at the first faire and fresh but yet hard and harsh and when they are come to any perfection they are either wind-shaken and deuoured by beastes or smitten with persecution then are they bought and sold and euerie man handleth them as they list In a word the fairest the pleasantest and the best of our workes must be pared and picked for daintie mouthes and queasie stomackes and in the end consumed of all and then are our labours come to their perfection whether they bee of the Church or Common-wealth and then do many of Gods children thinke themselues naked and dead and there is no cause why they should for their fruits whether they perish in the bud or in the blossome or in the ripening or howsoeuer they be handled yet they prooue that the sap of Gods spirit is in them the next spring of Gods grace will fetch all againe Psal 1.3 5 As men say of fruit this is but little but it is good here be not many of them but those that are of them are very daintie they are right of such and such a kind Euen so the adopted children of God may say My faith is but litle and weak my loue is not so much as I would it were my zeale is but little and my patience is but small but it is true faith and true loue and true zeale and true patience euen from the very heart roote without dissembling O Lord encrease it and strengthen it Luke 17. 5. Mark 9.24 6 As the adopted Sonnes of God are planted by the ministerie of the word and spirit Euen so they florish and abound in fruit by the same meanes as also by the Sacraments and prayer c. Psal 92.13 14. Rom. 1.17 7 Like as if a King Prince or Nobleman should make a poore begger borne his louing Sonne and heire by adoption hee were greatly bound to loue him and to bee thankfull vnto him for euer Euen so much more wee ought to loue the Sonne of God Christ Iesus that hath made vs Sonnes and heires to his Father by his death and redemption Saluation 1 AS an Helmet saueth the head of a Souldier in the day of battaile So Saluation which commeth from the Lord saueth and protecteth vs from the deadly wounds of our spirituall aduersaries Ephe. 6.17 2 As the Pismire prouideth foode in Summer time to liue by in Winter So in like maner we must labour to attaine and get Saluation with the meanes thereof in the Summer of prosperitie that so wee may liue spiritually in the Winter of aduersitie 2 As a supper is made when the day draweth to an end Euen so is full Saluation giuen to the godly about the end of the world 4 Like as the Infant cannot liue without a Nurse So neither can we haue Saluation without Christ The Spirits to be tried AS Marchants credite men so farre as their wealth and money will reach but yet trust not them that do not keepe their day and credite Euen so in the promises that deceiuers make vnto their fellowes wee must regarde what ground they haue for them and how they can bee performed Saluation to be preferred before either profit or pleasure 1 AS the eye is marueilous necessarie for the guiding of the whole body and a member that hardly may bee spared yet if there come daunger vnto the rest of the body by it wee must rather suffer the losse of it then the whole body should perish for it Euen so wee are to loose with contented minds our dearest friends or whatsoeuer commodities of this life though wee can as hardly spare them as our right eye if they hinder vs in the way of life and Saluation Math. 9.47 2 Like as when a mans foote is so soare that it cannot be healed and putteth the other parts of the body in danger to be infected by it is wont to be cut off for the preseruation of the rest Euen so when our friends or any earthly commoditie whatsoeuer shall become hurtfull to our soules and endaunger vs to loose life euerlasting we must then reiect them Math. 18.8 They whom God setteth on worke must needes Speake AS when the Lyon roareth whosoeuer is within his daunger cannot choose but bee afraid So when the Lord Speaketh what Prophet or preacher of his can hold his peace Iere. 47.2 Amo. 3.8 Securitie is the high way to destruction AS the Oxe when hee is driuen to the Butchers stall goeth willingly because his hope is that he shall bee driuen to some better Pasture and neuer feareth vntill the Axe bee readie to be laide vppon his head Or as a foole when he is led to the stockes goeth chearfully and neuer feareth vntill his feete bee fast snared therein So likewise many men goe securely forwards weltering in the broad way without remorse of conscience perswading thēselus that that is the perfect way because the greatest number do walke therin and neuer perceiue their owne folly vntill till they snared in the traps of destruction A Spirituall man discerneth all things AS a man of cleare eye-sight is able to iudge of colours and to know one colour from an other Euen so such as are indued with the grace of God doo as plainely and euidently iudge of Gods word trie out the truth thereof from the deuises and doctrines of men Scriptures 1 AS the Lawes must bee interpreted not according to the censure and iudgement of them to whome they were giuen but after the will and meaning of the Iudge and Lawgiuer which made them So the Scriptures must bee interpreted by the Scriptures and the word by the word and that which is spoken obscurely in one place by that which is declared and vttered more plainely in an other place 2 As the Carpenter knowes his Rule to be straight not by an other Rule applied vnto it but by it selfe for casting his eye vppon it hee presently discernes whether it bee straight or no So likewise wee knowe and are resolued that Scripture is Scripture euen by the Scripture it selfe though the Church say nothing so be it we haue the spirit of discerning when wee read heare or consider of the Scripture And yet the testimonie of the Church is not to be despised for though it breede not a perswasiton in vs of the certaintie of the Scripture yet it is a very good inducement thereto 3 Like as the Physitions in their bookes doo most diligently discribe euen such diseases as are most filthy not to the intent to praise commend them or els alow thē but to the end they may bee exactly knowne and the more perfectly cured So the holy Scripture in sundrie places doth most manifestly rehearse mischieuous deedes euen such as
doo saue and keepe the same Euen so ought wee to deale in the holy Word of God wee must passe ouer nothing therein lightly nor despise one Word of al the sacred and diuine Scriptures but eagerly and earnestly to doo our best and greatest endeuours yea and to call and to crie most mightily to the Lord to aide assist and enable vs to dig out of the same VVord whatsoeuer is requisite necessarie for the saluation of our soules and eternall life The Workes of the three persons be vnseperable AS Reason cannot discern good euil truth falshood plainnesse and craft and sophistication without either will or memorie neither Will chuseth what him liketh without the other nor memorie remembreth not things gone without reason and will These actions and VVorkes which are said properly to belong onely to memorie and onely to reason and will in very deede are done by the workmanship of all three So the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost worke all things vnseperably not that each of them is vnable to Worke by himselfe but that they all three are one God one spirit one nature as reason will memorie are one soule Ioh. 5.17 19. Mans Wisedome often erreth AS in a fruitfull fertile ground among many wholesome and very medicinable hearbes some that bee daungerous and ful of poyson doo grow So the wits and Wisedome of men together with some profitable and wholesome counsels and admonitions doo bring foorth perilous and pestilent errors and are therfore with Wisedome and great discretion to be regarded euen as hearbs are to be gathered and vsed Wit 1 AS a Bee is oftentimes hurt with his owne Honie So is Wit not sildome plagued with his owne conceit 2 As emptie vessells make the loudest sound So men of least Wit are the greatest bablers Spirituall Warfaire 1 AS men may haue an ende of bodily warre either by making peace with their enemie by flying far from him or by ouercomming in fight But in the spirituall Warfaire wee cannot lawfully make any peace or agreement with our enemies the Diuell the world the flesh but in so doing it would be our ouerthrow and destruction for they be euen so many traytors and irreconciliable murderers yea it would bee worse for vs then for the sheepe to make peace with the Wolfe neither can we flie and so get from these enemies for the Diuell will follow vs into all places who hath a whole armie of Souldiers within vs euen our affections and couetous lusts that we beare about vs. 2 As God in olde time commaunded Iosua that hee should not feare the Cananites and assured him that hee would bee with him and that by ouercomming them he would bring his people into the land of promise So likewise wee must giue eare vnto God that calleth vs to this spirituall battell with assurance that he will stand with vs and in vs to the end that couragiously fighting vnder his banner against our enemies that labour to turne vs backe and to recoyle wee may finally by his grace and power obtaine full and perfect victorie and so ending his blessed voyage attaine to the fruition of the heauenly and Citie and our true countrey that wee may liue with him in glorie for euer Gods Wisedome may be knowne by the ordering of his creatures AS when thou seest a great and godly Citie consisting of many and sundry sorts of men some of great reputation and very many of small estimation some exceeding rich and infinite others extreamely poore some in their fresh and flourishing youth and some crooked with olde age where all these though among themselues they be diuers and sundrie do liue in great concord and agree well together and are kept all within the bounds and limits of good and godly discipline thou wilt by and by iudge that the Prince or gouernour of the same is iust and very mightie and wise though thou seest him not Euen so in the huge greatnesse of this world and the agreement and well hanging together of the things contained in the same though differing in their natures and the apt and fit placing of the whole it cannot bee but that thou wilt presently conceiue in thy mind that there is a great a wise and mightie Creator and preseruer of these things For not onely the mightie workes of God in this great world that is in man himselfe for so he is called of some doo teach vs the wonderfull knowledge of God Gods Word the more it is searched the sweeter it is AS precious Iewels made of most pure Gold wrought cunningly and curiously with great workmanship the nearer thou shalt come vnto them and the more stedfastly and clearely thou shalt behold them the finer the brauer and more excellent thou shalt iudge them Euen so as thou shalt come nearer in vnderstanding and knowledge vnto the secrets and misteries of God contained in his written Word with the greater puritie of mind the more strength of faith and the brighter light of the grace of God thou shalt looke into them the profounder the deeper the more diuine and heauenly yea and the more comfortable to thy soule will they seeme and appeare vnto thee euerie day In so much that thou wilt iudge thy selfe to haue beene little better then blind and to haue seene nothing as thou ought in the mysteries of the diuine Word Psal 119.18 Wicked men die miserably 1 EVen as those Birdes and soules which fall to the ground to take the foulers baites are taken themselues So likewise those men which doo relie vppon the suggestions and inchauntments of the Diuell world and flesh and are taken in their traps doo die a most miserable and as it may well be called an immortall death 2 As there is neuer a man that beareth the name of a Christian but he will confesse that his great Grandfather Adam was expulsed and thrust out of Paradise for eating one Apple forbidden him by the Lord vppon paine of death and yet the same man that with open mouth will make that confession will euerie day eate seuen Apples as bitter and as straightly forbidden as that that is offend God seuen times as much as that and yet he will thinke to escape better cheape and easier then his Graund-father did that eate but one that is offended God but once but the eater of seuen shall finde the way into euerlasting life as hard yea harder to enter as the way into Paradise was to his Graund-father being once thrust out vnlesse hee speedily earnestly and truly repent him and giue ouer the eating of such fruits as the Lord hath forbidden him 3 Like as no water will sticke nor abide vpon Leapers by reason of the foulenesse and greasie matter of their Leprosie Euen so such Leapers and farre worse are we vpon whom no deawes nor any droppes of the grace and word of God will cleaue abide and continue Ouerweening Wittes despise Gods wisedome LIke as the Iewes said to him
also conserue and nourish vs in the same by the right vse of his holy Sacraments and wil make vs to grow and wax strong and accomplish the worke which he hath begunne in vs and al this by his Sonne Iesus Christ 25 As it is not enough that a shepheard doo onely gather his sheepe into the fold or sheepecoate but also that hee prouide meate for them and pasture Or as it is not sufficient that a Maister doo onely entertaine his seruant into his seruice by giuing him his Liuerie coate badge whereby hee is openly knowne to be his man but also that hee prouide and giue him meate and drinke dayly to feede him So surely dooth the Lord with vs in these Sacraments For by baptisme doth hee admit vs to his seruice and by the Supper doth hee feede vs that we perish not with hunger 26 Like as mans body is nourished and sustained by bread and Wine So also our soules are sustained spiritually with the body of Christ giuen for vs and with his bloud shed for our sakes Iohn 6.32 33 35. 1. Cor. 11.24 25. 27 As bread nourisheth our bodies So thereby we learne that Christes body hath most singular force spiritually by faith to feede our soules Ioh. 6.50 55 56. 28 And as with Wine mens hearts are cheared and their strengths confirmed So we learne also that with his bloud our soules are refreshed thorow faith 29 And further as surely as we know that we haue receiued the bread wine with our mouths and stomacks So surely thereby we are assured that Christ maketh the faithfull beleeuers partakers of his body and bloud Ioh. 6.54 63 64. 30 As those which haue eaten sweete Comficts and seede for the most part on delicate Cates haue sweete breathes Euen so must there needes bee found a sweete smelling Odour in all the words and workes of those which are fed with this spirituall and heauenly foode the bodie and blood of Christ and in whom Christ dooth dwell for they do all things for the profit and edification of their brethren and the glory of God 31 Euen as the Gospell which of it owne nature is the word of life and saluation is yet turned by the wicked vnto the sauour of death So the Sacraments also which are instituted by God vnto the saluatioÌ„ of men are notwithstanding receiued by the faithlesse and the vnwoorthie communicants vnto their condemnation and iudgement and yet do they not desist in respect of God to be true Sacraments still 32 As a sicke man feeles no comfort or nourishment when he eateth meate and yet it preserueth his life So the weake Christian though he feele himselfe not nourished at the Sacrament by Christs bodie and blood yet he shall see in time that his house shall be preserued thereby vnto euerlasting life 32 Like as Souldiers when they receiue their pay do binde themselues to their Captaine by solemne oath Euen so we when we are partakers of the holy Sacraments which God hath appointed in his Church by the which he bestoweth vpon vs spirituall gifts do bind our selues to him by the same oath 34 As we see with our eyes that the bread is broken for vs So we are certainly confirmed in our faith that the bodie of Christ was giuen vnto death for vs. 35 As certainly as we see that the bread and wine to be present So certainly do we beleeue that the bodie and blood of Christ is present with vs also yea we do not beleeue that it is the Supper of the Lord except his bodie and blood be present with vs. 36 As things set before the eyes do mooue the sight Euen so the Sacraments moue the heart to beleeue 37 Euen as sure as we take the bread in the Lords Supper and eate it with the mouth of the bodie and drinke the wine So verely certainly euen at the same instant with the mouth of our faith we receiue the verie bodie and blood of Christ and there it doth as actually comfort and sustain the soule as doth the bread and the wine nourish and comfort the heart and the outward man 38 And as verely as the most soueraigne plaister and salue laid to a wound or soare draweth out the filth and healeth it so verily and really doth the bodie and bloud of Christ thus receiued put away the soares and deformities of the soule and not only maketh it whole but also pure clean without scar wrinkle and spot and so maketh it a delectable louely faire spouse in the sight of God 39 As when many Windows be opened in an house the more light may come in then when there is but one opened Euen so by the perception and receiuing of the Sacraments a Christian mans conscience hath more helpe to receiue Christ then simply by the word preached heard or meditated and therefore the Sacraments may well be called seeable sensible taste-able and touchable words 40 As the Diuel entred into Iudas by the soppe which Christ gaue him yet not that he receiued an euil thing of him but because he did receiue it badly and with an euill mind Euen so the vnworthie communicants eate and drinke their owne damnation not by the eating of the bread and wine which are holy signes but because they receiue the same without faith and repentance hauing in euil conscience 41 As the word Sacramentum was a form of a solemne â—â—h in war wherby the soldier did vow destinat himself to serue his Generall and the Generall in like manner did binde himselfe to his souldiers So also by the vse and institution of the holy Sacraments after that God hath promised that he will be our God and giue vnto vs saluation he doth in like manner binde vs as it were with a solemne oath before himselfe before Angels and men that we will serue him and none other Soule 1 LIke as to be healthie in our bodies it is not inogh not to haue the plague or a plurasie but generally to be free from all diseases Euen so to be holy in our Soules we must be clean from all spots and defilings and we must take the whole lawe of God as an vniuersall rule of all our thoughts affections words and deeds to the end to keepe it from point to point and not to omit any thing which is there commaunded vs. 2 As sweete Oyle powred into a fustie vessell looseth his purenesse and is infected by the vessell So the Soule created good and put into the corrupt bodie receiues contagion thence Rom. 5.13 3 Like as if a man should borrow a thing of his neighbour and vse it so as he doth quite spoyle it he would be ashamed to bring it againe to the owner in that manner and if he doo the owner will not receiue it Euen so vngodly men in this life do so staine their Soules with sinne as that they can neuer be able to giue them vp into the hands of God at the day of death