confusion 2 As the sonnes of Princes are in great account with men in this world Euen so the Children of God are in greater account with God and all godly men both in this world and in the world to come 3 As the Children of Kings are attended vpon by Noble men and guarded with strong men yet both but men whose breath is in their nosthrils and their hands cannot accomplish the deuice of their heart Euen so the Children of God are attended vpon by God himselfe whose eye is alwayes ouer the righteous they are guarded by the Angels of God who for their swiftnes are said to haue wings for their readinesse they are said to stand in the presence of God and for their strength incomperable 2. Kin. 19.35 Psal 34.15 4 As the pleasures of the sonnes of men are such as the world doth affoord carnall securitie worldly prosperitie fleshy delights beastly sensualitie with pride and ease wealth fulnesse of bread and such like Euen so the pleasures of the Children of God are such as the world can neither giue nor take as the loue of righteousnesse delight in the law of God patience in affliction loue of the Saints which excell in vertue and such like Psal 1.2 16.3 1. Cor. 2.9 5 Like as the riches and treasures of the sonnes of men are gold and siluer houses and lands Lorships and manners rents and reuenues and such like which theeues may steale or moathes may eate or rust may freate or fire may consume or water may ouerflowe or time may weare or death may end So likewise the riches and treasures of Gods Children are the word of GOD Gods fauour forgiuenesse of sinnes freedome from hell and the diuell libertie with the Saints the spirit of contentation peace of conscience continuall ioy in the holy Ghost and a Kingdome of glorie in heauen with such like which no theefe can steale no rust can freat no fire can burne or consume no water can drowne no plague can infect no time can weare nor death can end 2. Cor. 3 17. Gal. 5.22 Esa 11.2 6 As those are in most honour with Princes which are said to stand in their presence and attend vpon them in their Courts as Daniel did So Gods Children shall stand in the Courts of God and haue the full fruition of his comfortable presence and therefore on the contrarie side the vngodly are herein accursed in that they are shut from the presence of God to wit his gracious presence for otherwise all things whatsoeuer are in his presence The Children of God 1 LIke as a heathen man beeing asked why hee did weare such a long bushie beard answered that so often as he beheld it he might commit nothing vnworthy the grauitie of the same hee would not be like a Tauerne with a bush at the doore and no wine within So likewise if any man shall aske the Children of God why they are called Christians the Church of God the spouse of Christ Citizens of heauen and by such like names of loue and honour they are to answere that so often as they remember these names and titles they ought not to commit any thing vnworthy the grauitie and maiestie of the same 2 As many Papists and some Protestants too who be superstitious and Popishly affected doo not remember what titles they haue nor by what names they be called and therefore they must haue puppets and images in their Churches and houses to put them in minde of their dutie to God Euen so some mens Religion and holinesse is all in their titles of Gods Children and in naked names of Christians which onely they hold when indeed all Christianitie is banished from them 3 Like as it is counted a shame for a Citizen to go like a Courtier or for a man to put on womans apparell or a woman to weare on mans apparell which is an abhomination to the Lord Euen so it is a greater shame for the Children of God who are Cittizens of heauen to go after the fashion of the Courtiers of hell or after the manner of the world Rom. 12.2 4 As when Christ the Lord of life was put to death there was darknesse vpon the face of the earth the vaile of the Temple rent the graues opened and the dead arose c. at the sight whereof the very enemies of Christ which watched him were afraide for that they had done vnto him yea they were constrained to confesse and say Doubtlesse this man was the sonne of God Math. 27.54 So likewise the Children of God that be or ought to be dead with Christ their head vnto sinne as he died for our sinnes then there will follow a wonderfull alteration in their liues there will appeare such zeale in professing of the Gospell such pittie in relieuing the poore such patience in bearing the crosse such faithfulnesse in performing of promises such charitie in iudging their brethren such mercie in forgiuing offences such sinceritie in worshipping of GOD such constancie in defending of the truth such watching ouer all their wayes and such wisedome in winning men â—o God that their very enemies which before did mocke â—hem hate them and persecute them shall be constrained with shame to say These are no doubt the Children of God these are good men these are true professors inâ—eed c. Rom. 6.4 5. c. 5 Like as worldly men in their houses in their apparell 〈◊〉 their feastings in their furniture and in euerie thing â—hey striue to haue matches all their things sutable So â—â—kewise the ChildreÌ„ of God must striue to haue their titles â—nd names their liues and qualities their profession and practise sutable and answerable the one to the other and so to depart from iniquitie 2. Tim. 2.19 6 As carnall men desire to be gorgeously apparelled Euen so the Children of God desire to be cloathed with their house which is from heauen 2. Cor. 3 4. 7 Euen as plants trees do spread abroad their rootes in the earth from whence they haue their nourishment So likewise the Children of God because they be fedde with delicates and dainties from heauen and are norished with the grace fauour of God they hold vp their hands they turne vp their eyes they lift vp their hearts mindes to God that is in heaueÌ„ from whence their soules receiue comfort ioy saluation and euerlasting life Saluation onely to be had in Christ if men know how to finde him 1 LIke as if a man knew certainly that in such a wood an infinite masse of money were hid if the owner thereof would giue it vnto him yet if by no meanes hee could finde the same what should the gift of such a treasure profit him thogh it were of value to purchase a kingdome nothing at all Euen so standeth the case betweene Christ and vs though we know neuer so well and certainly that saluation and all kinde of treasure is permanent and to be found in him and do belong
all voide of Friends was compelled to seeke salue for his soare euen of his enemie So such as haue no faithfull Friends at whose hands they should be counselled are faine sometimes to heare their foes 6 As the concord in Musicke of fiue tunes two halfe tunes seemeth as it were but one voice and sound So for true Friends there ought to be but one mind yet so doth the flatterer obey the talke of the rich man in all things that a man would thinke one onely spake and not two but such are to be tried 7 As if the field might be made more fertile with praysing and lauding it then should it bee no lesse praysed then plowed or dunged So if your Friend may by praising him be made better good it is then to commend him if not to what auaileth such hatefull fond and vnprofitable flatterie 8 As in trying vessels we first doo fill them with water not with wine So in prouing of our Friends we ought first to trie them with trifling matters before we do commit vnto them our weightie affaires and secrets 9 Like as a Physition cureth a man secretly he not seeing it so should a good Friend helpe his Friend priuily when he knoweth not thereof 10 As mightie flouds by how much they are brought into small ryuers by so much they loose of their strength So friendship cannot be amongst many without abating the force thereof 10 As the man that drinketh poyson destroyeth himselfe therewith So he that admitteth a Friend erre he perfectly knowe him may hurt himselfe by too much trusting him Faith onely the meanes of Forgiuenesse of sinnes 1 AS no man can bee said to enioy and possesse riches who is himselfe vncertaine whether he hath any riches or no Or as he that cannot bee said to enioy regall honours and princely dignities which doubteth whether he shall euer or neuer obtaine them So in like manner neither must wee thinke that there is any felicitie in remission of sinnes if this certaine and vndoubted trust of Forgiuenesse of sinnes be wanting Psa 51.12 103.12 Math. 9.2 Mar. 2.5 Rom. 5.1 4.7 8.38 Esay 1.18 44.22 Mich. 7.19 1. Iohn 2.12 Iob. 13.15 2 Like as we apprehend colours by the sight sounds by the eare Euen so we apprehend by Faith Gods promises in which he offereth life vnto vs and all other graces Rom. 5.1 Abac. 2.4 Iohn 3.15 Flatterie 1 AS glasse a thing of no great regard is much like vnto the Christall a thing precious and deare So Flatterie a thing as well vile as wicked doth imitate friendship a thing worthie of due laud and commendation 2 As oyle is death and destruction vnto Flies Ants and such others So is Flatterie and adulation vnto Princes and Prouinces vtter ruine and cleane decay 3 Euen as Oyle doth cause the fire to flame So Flatterie doth minister nourishment to errors So that it is not good to belieue a Flatterer for vnder the person of a most sweete friend he is a most bitter enemie Pro. 29.5 4 As no vermine will breede where they finde no warmth no vultures sleepe where they find no pray no Flies swarme where they see no flesh no pilgrime creepe where there is no Crosse So there is no Parrasite or Flatterer will lurke where he finds no gaine Faith and obedience requisite in them that be baptised LIke as there bee in the doctrine of Christ two partes one concerning Faith the other obedience Euen so they be both also required of them that be baptised For baptisme is added to the doctrine of Christ so that a man may say aright in this case as the Apostle saith vnto the Galathians I doo testifie to euery man that is baptised that hee is a debter to accomplish and keepe the whole doctrine of Christ Gal. 5.3 Follie of some men great LIke as he deserueth not to be reputed wise that applying all his studie to the trimming of his garments suffereth his body to perish with hunger and diseases Euen so neither ought such men to bee accounted wise that pursuing and following the delights and vanities of the body abandon and neglect the care of their soules The bodies beeing none other but the apparell to the soules as the garments to the body 2 As Flies are busie in the Pothegaries shops and if they happen to get into his glasses of sweete Syropes and oyntments and there die they stinke and so spoyle his Syrope or oyntment Euen so doth a little folly him that was had in great estimation for his wisedome Prea 10.1 Faith without a particular appliance hath no comfort or commoditie in it LIke as if a man should belieue himselfe to be rich because many men possesse great riches himselfe to bee filled and satisfied because other men haue whereuppon to eate Or himselfe to see because other men haue eyes herein he should much deceiue himselfe Euen so it is impudencie or rather infidelitie for a man to belieue that other men haue their sinnes pardoned them and not hee himselfe Abac. 2.4 Ephe. 1. 14. Flesh and spirite 1 AS the Ayre in the dawning of the daye is not wholly light or wholly darke as at midnight and at nooneday neither is it in one part light and an other part darke but the whole ayre in the same Horizon is partly light and partly darke throughout Or as in a vessell of luke-warme water the water it selfe is not onely hote or onely cold or in one part hote and in an other part cold but heate and colde are mixt together in euery part of the water Euen so is the Flesh and the spirite mingled together in the soule of man this is the cause why these two contrarie qualities fight together Gal. 5.17 2 As a man doth feele a paine which is but in the top of his finger more sensibly thē the health of his whole body yet the health of the body is more then the paine of a finger Euen so a godly Christian doth more feele the Flesh then the spirite yet the power and efficacie of the spirite by the vertue of the holy Ghost is such that it is able to preuaile ordinarily against the Fleshe and therefore the Fleshe is not more then the spirite and as men feele corruption not by corruption but by grace So the more they feele their inward corruptions the more grace they haue 3 Like as if the wood bee taken from the fire and the embers quenched yet neuerthelesse the stones oftentimes remaine hote and burning So the Flesh though it be chastised with hote and drie maladies or consumed by many yeares in trauaile yet concupisence abideth still in the bones Forgiuing of others 1 LIke as a Seale put to a peece of waxe leaueth an Impression or marke like it selfe in the wax which when a man lookes on he doth certainely know that there hath beene a Seale the print whereof is left behinde Euen so it is in euery one that hath readinesse to
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
7.37 3 Like as water dooth put out fire and quench thirst So the holy Ghost doth quench the fire of the euill concupisences of the flesh and doth also quench the thirst of the poore troubled soules satisfying them for euermore Yea hee doth asswage ease and comfort the griefes and mourning of the godly which commonly are in this world most afflicted and whose sorrowes do passe all humane consolation whereof he hath the proper name Paraclet or the Comforter Ioh. 4.13 14. 16.7 4 Like as in this life it commeth to passe in the Elect and chosen as wee see it by experience in bladders the which if they bee emptie and throwne into the water foorthwith they sinke But if they bee blowne and filled with wind they fleete and swimme aboue like a bubble and sinke not vnder the water Euen so mens minds being as yet voide and destitute of the spirite of God are drowned in their inordinate desires sensualitie pleasures and other sundrie passions and worldly affections But when they are replenished and filled with the holye Ghost they triumph ouer sinne and are of it neuer ouercome So that by his meanes wee haue abilitie to will those things that are right and to do those things that are good 5 As it is the nature of fire to warme the body that is benummed and frozen with colde So when a man is benummed and frozen in sinne yea when hee is euen starke dead in sinne it is the propertie of the holy Ghost to warme and quicken his heart and to reuiue him Mat. 3.11 Ioh. 3.5 6 As it is the propertie of Water to clense and purifie the filth of the bodie Euen so the holy Ghost dooth spiritually wash away our sinnes which are the filth of our nature 7 As Oyle doth strengthen the members and make them more nimble and doth also restore and heale them being broken So much more doth the holy Ghost make vs chearefull and quicke readily and constantly to performe the duties of our calling 7 As fire altereth things sometimes by burning out sometimes by inflaming So the holy Ghost altereth man by regenerating burneth out by mortifying the old man inflameth by quicking and raysing vp the new man Great men full of cares AS the toppes of trees placed on great mountaines are mooued with the least blast of wind that bloweth Euen so those men which are set in high places of honour and dignitie are troubled with the report of euery messenger though neuer so base whereas men of low degree and calling for the most part liue quietly at ease without any molestation Grace wrought by degrees AS a man looking stedfastly on a Diall cannot perceiue the shadow mooue at all yet viewing it a while hee shall perceiue that it hath mooued So in hearing of the word but especially in the receiuing of the Lords supper a man shall iudge euen his own faith and other graces of God to be little or nothing increased neither can he perceiue the motion of Gods spirit in him at that present yet by the fruites and effects thereof hee shall after perceiue that Gods spirite hath by little and little wrought greater faith and other graces in him A Godly life AS it cannot by any meanes come to passe that hee which enioyeth the beames of the Sunne should be in darknesse Euen so it is impossible that he which hath his conuersation with God should not be immortall Holy Ghost worketh where and in whom he will 1 LIke as the wind bloweth in what quarter of heauen it listeth and where it beginneth blowing where it endeth no man can tell neither can any man deuise meanes to stop the course of it Euen so with like libertie and with the like open apparance worketh the holy spirit of God where and in whom hee will and no power nor abilitie of man is able to resist and withstand it Iohn 3.8 2 As of drie Wheate one lumpe cannot bee made without moysture nor one loafe So neither could wee that are many become one in Christ Iesus without water which is from heauen that is without the holy Ghost Good will not to be mocked AS a man hauing a seruant that is an idle fellow who forefloweth his businesse mindeth other matters and goeth to his worke lastly and like a Beare to the stake would not bee pleased with his seruice but rather would shift his hands of him and send him packing Euen so the Lord our God cannot abide that wee should worshippe him with our bodies when our soules are farre from him that we should honour him with our tongues when our hearts wander from him Or that we should serue him in part some peece of the Sabboth and to serue sinne and Sathan the rest for he will not be mocked hee is euer iealous of his owne glorie Gal. 6.7 God a spirit which cannot be represented by any bodily shape LIke as a bodyly Image which representeth vnto vs the face of man ought liuely to set before vs all his lineaments and proportions that by the counterfaiting or engrauing we might conceiue whatsoeuer might bee seene in him which the same representeth Euen so the image of God must through the same likenesse set before our senses a certain vnderstanding of the knowledge of God For this we are sure of that nothing may beare the image of God but that which is a spirit because in very deed God is a spirite and therefore this image of God in man can haue no abiding place but in the soule Gene. 1.26 27. 2.7 5.1 Col. 3.10 Eph. 4.24 All Good things come from heauen AS the raine and dew falling from aboue watering the ground makes it fruitfull So likewise the grace of the holy Ghost comming from God the father stirre vp our minds to all goodnesse 1. Cor. 4.7 Iam. 1.17 Gentlenesse rather to be vsed then rigorousnesse AS some disease which by no force can bee expelled oftentimes is with the iuyce of hearbes asswaged So some men you shall sooner ouercome and winne by clemencie and Gentlenesse then by rigorousnesse and extremitie The Gospell to bee mingled with the law in preaching 1 AS the strong purgine blacke Hedebore giuen vncorrected with other things to allay the power of it hurteth more thē profiteth So the terrible iudgement of the word when it is preached without some comforts intermingled will doo more harme then good 2 As bitter Wormewood and sweete Honie mingled together are very profitable to take away the dimnesse of the bodily sight and to make a man see worldly things clearely So the bitter threatnings of the law and sweete promises of the Gospel laide together are most fit to take away the dimnesse of spiritual eyes and to make them see clearely heauenly things So outward aduersitie prosperitie mingled together 3 As Pepper-woort once sowen continueth and can hardly be destroyed So the word once receiued continueth and can hardly be banished Gospell 1 AS the law because it is the
world and are come to heauen God the author of all callings AS the Generall in the field appointeth euerie particular man his particular standing and office in which he must liue and die Euen so it is God that appointeth euerie man his particular place and standing and function wherein hee must continue to the ende of his life vnlesse God call him to some other God forsaketh his children sometimes and leaueth them to themselues 1 AS a mother sets downe her young childe and hides herselfe suffering it to crie and breake the face not because shee hates it but that shee may teach it to depend vpon her and loue her Euen so God giueth grace to his children and yet againe sometime hee doth in part withdrawe it from them and then they faile in their duties sundrie waies and this he doth to make them ashamed of themselues and to cause them to put all their confidence out of themselues in the merites of Christ 2 Like as the Corne fielde that is plowed and sowne with good Corne but yet for a time it neither giues rooting beneath nor so much as a shewe of any blade appeares aboue Euen so God grauntes his seruaunts the holy meane of saluation namely preaching prayer Sacraments and yet holds backe the efficacie of his spirit for a time Can. 2.4 5. 3 Like as the prisoner who hath escaped the hand of his Gayler hath an affection to runne a thousand myles euerie hower But hauing happily his Boltes on his legges he cannot for his life but goe very softly galling and chafing his fleshe and so with much griefe falleth againe into the hands of his keeper Euen so God giueth his children a strong affection to obey his will but hee lettes them faile in the obedience it selfe Rom. 7.22 23 24. 4 As the trees in the winter season that are beaten with wind and weather bearing neither leafe nor fruite but looke as though they were rotten and dead because the sap doth not spread it selfe but lies hid in the roote Euen so the manner of Gods forsaking his elect is when hee hides his graces for a time not by taking them quite away but by remoouing all sense and feeling of them Psal 77.7 8 9. The Godhead of Christ. 1 LIke as when a man sleepeth the soule is not seuered from the body but lieth as it were dead and exerciseth not it selfe Euen so the Godhead of Christ lay still and did not manifest his power in his manhood but did as it were lie a sleepe for a time that the manhood might suffer and thus the manhood seemed to bee forsaken Math. 27.46 2 Euen as the Altar in the olde Lawe did sanctifie the sacrifice that was offered vpon it and made the same propitiatorie So also the Godhead of Christ the Altar whereon hee offered his humanitie sanctified the same and made it propitiatorie and meritorious for all mankinde 3 Like as in Christ incarnate there be seuerall things and not seuerall persons So in the Godhead there be seuerall persons but not seuerall thinges Philip. 2 6 7. Hebr. 1.3 4 As Honie and Oyle being mixed together cannot be called either Honie or Oyle because when things are mingled together they cannot retaine a name of one of the simples Euen so the Godhead of Christ cannot be chaunged into his manhood or yet mingled with his manhood Because the properties of the Godhead cannot agree with the properties of the manhood nor the properties of the manhood with the properties of the Godhead For as the Godhead cannot thirst no more can the body be in many places at once God the refuge of the comfortlesse 1 AS the Rockes that are hard to be clambred vnto are good refuges for the afflicted to flie vnto from the face of their pursuers So God is the safetie of all such as in distresse doo flie to him for succour Psal 18.2 2 Euen as the Birdes and foules of the ayre that they may escape the nets and snares of the fowlers are wont to flie vp on high So we to auoyd the infinite snares of innumerable temptations must flie to God and lift vp our selues from the corruptions lying vanities and deceitfull slights of the world God vseth the ministerie of all AS in a great house there bee many vessels of sundrie sortes to diuers vses not onely of Gold and Siluer but also of wood and earth some for honour some for dishonour So likewise in the outward societie of the Church there bee men of all sortes appointed for diuers ends as apt and meete vessels for the Lord and some otherwise c. 2. Tim. 2.20 21. God no partiall Iudge AS drie wood is apt to burne greene wood though not so quickly will bee consumed with fire Euen so both strong and weake high and low rich and poore one and an other goe to wracke when God punisheth impietie and wickednesse Ezech. 20.47 A Godly man is a mightie man though he be neuer so poore LIke as precious stones though they bee cast into the mire yet they loose not their bewtie nature and propertie So likewise men indued with honestie replenished with goodly vertues and well acquainted with the true worshipping of the most high and gracious GOD although they be silent as men in their graues and are had in contempt of the world yet haue they not lost their dignitie and the true honour proper to Christians which consisteth not in the wealth and renowne of this world but in holinesse in righteousnesse and in the faithfull imitation of Christ God the life of the soule AS the Soule is the life of the body Euen so God is the life of the Soule and his spirit is the soule of our soules and the want of fellowship with him brings nothing but the endlesse and vnspeakable horrors and pangs of death The holy Ghost God AS Christ is called the word of God not a word of Letters or Syllables but a substanciall word that is beeing for euer of the same substance with the Father Euen so the holy Ghost is called the vertue of the most highest not because hee is a created qualitie but because he is the substanciall vertue of the Father and the sonne and therefore God equall with them both Guiltie before God AS in the malladies and diseases of the body that disease is most dangerous that hath possessed and seazed vpon the body and yet the bodie feeleth it not So likewise in all Gods iudgements to stand Guiltie before God is most daungerous because a man standeth Guiltie befor God many yeares and yet neuer feeleth it The Graces of the holy Ghost cannot finally be abolished 1 AS coales vnder ashes and as Sappe in the roote of the tree in the winter season are hid and couered and appeare not for a time at all in the braunches Euen so the common gifts and Graces of the holy Ghost may bee lost and extinguished but the giftes proper to the Elect cannot they may indeed be diminished
that euer was and God hath bestowed the same on his Elect and hee requires nothing at their handes but that they would turne their faces from this world and walke vnto it in the way which hee hath chalked foorth vnto them in his word Therefore if they be desirous to haue Saluation life euerlasting they must come forth of the broad way that leades to destruction and enter into the straight way that leades to eternal life they must acqaint themselues with the guides which are the faithfull Ministers of the word that wil cry vnto them Here is the way walke ye in it when they shall goe to the right hand or to the left 2 As Simeon going into the Temple by the motion of Gods spirit met with Christ So if we will be ruled with the same spirit frequent holy assemblies we shal meete with our Saluation Christs Spirit 1 AS the light cannot match with darkenesse So likewise Christs Spirite cannot accord and match with sinne and lusts of the flesh 2. Cor. 6.14 2 As Raine with the moysture therof fatteth the earth to make it fruitfull Euen so the holy Spirit with his inuisible grace doth make vs fruitfull to produce the fruits of righteousnesse Ioh. 7.38 3 As fire consumeth euerie thing that it layeth holde on So the Spirit of God consumeth all the corruption of our hearts and originall sinne in vs. 4 As fire giueth light to the bodily eyes So the Spirit giueth light to the eyes of the soule Ephe. 1.17 5 As fire giueth life quickneth those that be benummed with cold So the Spirit of God doth quicken and put life into those that be dead in their sinnes Ephe. 3.5.16 6 As a man that made a bargaine will bee carefull to keep the earnest pennie that he loose not all his bargaine So also must we be carefull to keepe the Spirit of God the earnest pennie of our saluation that we bee not depriued of the same Ephe. 1.13 Sacraments AS Circumcision which was a Sacrament of the olde Law was a seale in that time to our Fathers of righteousnesse Euen so be our Sacraments to vs in these daies seales of Gods promises vnto vs and all haue one strength and vertue Rom. 4.11 Sinne of set purpose AS hee that striketh the King ignorantly not knowing him to be the King is nothing in so much fault as he that striketh him knowing it is the King Euen so hee that dooth offend God of ignorance is to bee lesse blamed then he that wittingly and willingly offendeth him Luk. 12.47 48. God giueth vs vnderstanding to know the Scripture EVen as the Disciples of our Sauiour Christ had no knowledge nor vnderstanding vntil God gaue it thē So fareth it with al the rest of Gods children that althogh they heare neuer so much his Apostles Preach yea Christ himselfe personally sounding in their eares yet except the Lord open their hearts and minds as he did Lydia it auaileth not one Math. 16.17 Act. 16.14 Sinnes are our greatest enemies 1 AS a huge and mightie fire will bee asswaged and at the length quite put out if the stickes and other matter that doth chearish and increase it be withdrawne and kept from it So in like manner our affections and troubles will come to an end if we doo cease to doo euill and giue ouer sinning before it giue ouer vs for our Sins are as drie stickes and stubble wherwith the fire not onely of the wrath and malice of Infidels and heretikes but also of the wrath and indignation of God is kindled increased and most mightily stirred vp against vs. 2 As wee wonder at the Creator not onely in great matters as heauen earth the Sunne Elephants c. but also in like creatures as pismires lice wormes flies c. So a soule giuen to Christ must as wel regard litle as great matters and Sinnes knowing that wee must giue an account for euerie idle word Math. 12.36 For the health of the Soule the bodie is to bee kept in subiection LIke as when one part of a man that is sicke is not capable of the remedie wherewith he may be holpen the Physition is wont to applie the same remedie to an other part as if one bee grieued with an extreame Ach of the head then the Phisition vseth to strike a vaine of the arme because the head will not abide Phlebotomie or bloud letting So that we may helpe and heale many diseases of the Soule wee must keepe the body in subiection to the spirit and tame the lusts of the flesh and labour to bridle our affections and to keepe them within the compasse of reason sobrietie and temporance Spirits that die in the Lord. EVen as the Spirit of Christ passed from the Crosse into Paradise at the verie same moment that it departed out of the body and thence returned into the body that whole Christ in respect that he was man might be afterwards glorified So likewise all good Christians doo beleeue that their Spirits and soules who die in the Lord doo straightway depart vnto God there to enioy that measure of glorie that is appointed for them vntill that they being adioyned againe vnto the same bodies which will be the very same in substance truly corporall though in a far more excellent estate shall liue vnder Christ their head for euermore Luk. 23.43 Reue. 14.13 The Lords Supper 1 AS Bread nourisheth and strengthneth man and giueth him abilitie to labour So the body of Christ eaten by faith feedeth and satisfieth the soule of man and furnisheth the whole man to all duties of godlinesse 2 As Wine is drinke to the thirstie and maketh merrie the hearts of men Euen so the bloud of our Lord Iesus drunken by faith dooth quench the thirst of the burning conscience and filleth the hearts of the faithful with vnspeakable ioy The holy Spirit the earnest pennie of our inheritance 1 AS in a thing that is bought there is sometimes giuen an earnest pennie to wit some part of the money agreed on as wel for the beginning of the payment as by consequent for the assurance that the bargain shal be held firme So likwise the holy ghost who by faith engendreth peace ioy in the harts of the faithful is the earnest penie assuring vs by this beginning of the spirituall blessings which God promiseth to his children that he holdeth vs for his possession purchased to the prayse of his glorie and that at the length he will gather vs into the full enioying of the inheritaunce of heauen Ephe. 1.13 14. Rom. 8. 29 30. 2 Like as when a man dooth purchase an inheritance he first giueth earnest that is some part of the money promised that serueth as a beginning to the payment of the totall Summe So God hauing redeemed vs by the bloud of Iesus Christ giueth the earnest pennie of his holy Spirit that is to say a beginning of knowledge of the true God of sanctification of loue to God of
land and our soules as prepared for the fire of hell by reason of sinnes in the common sort of horrible crueltie in many of them that are mightie and of the generall ignorance of Christ according to his Gospell in euerie sort Iere. 9.17 18 19. Ezech. 32.1 2 3. Hest 4.3 Iere. 9.12 Ezech. 32.4 6. Math. 7.19 13.42 49. Hos 7.3 4 5. Saluation is from God alone AS the vertue attractiue to draw Iron is not in the Iron but in the Adamant Euen so the vertue and power of Saluation lyeth not in the Minister but in the power of the word wrought by the spirit of God By our words deedes gestures and moouings Sathan knoweth the secrets of our hearts AS a man holding in his hand an Angling rod and with a baited hooke fishing in an obscure and troubled ryuer although he doth not see the fish rush vpō the baite yet hee perceiueth verie well that the fish is taken and hanged vpon the hooke because the Corke or barke of his fishing line is pulled downe and hid vnder the water So Sathan that most subtile and wily fisher although he seeth not our thoughts beeing in the secrets and bottomes of our hearts yet notwithstanding by outwarde signes he many times doth know them as by our words for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh by our actions and by the gestures of our bodies Math. 15.19 20. Prou. 6.18 Our dutie to read the Scriptures 1 AS Artificers with their tooles and instruments doo finish their worke So by reading of the holy Scriptures our selues are corrected formed and renued Col. 3.16 2. Pet. 1.19 Ephe. 6.17 Rom. 15.4 2. Timo. 5.16 Act. 17.11 Psal 119.105 Dan. 9.2 2 As Artificers cannot transforme earth or wood into siluer or gold onely they can by their Art and workmanship giue forme and shape vnto things But by the reading of Gods word thou maist of a woodden or earthen vessell make a vessell of gold or siluer as saith the holy Apostle Saint Paul 2. Timo. 2.20 21. 3 Like as there are some spices which without brusing do yeeld no smell but the more they be chafed the sweeter they are Euen so is it with the holy Scriptures such as read but little can find no taste but the more they be pervsed and read the more doo they yeeld foorth the treasures and pleasant fruits hidden in them Psal 25.14 Iohn 7.17 6.45 4 As increase of strength groweth to the body by meate Euen so the like groweth to the soule by the reading of the holy Scriptures 5 As a barre of yron by long lying in the fire waxeth hot red and of the nature of burning fire Euen so that soule that daily imployeth it selfe in reading and meditating the word of God groweth to bee spirituall diuine heauenly and kindled in the word of God Ioh. 5 3◠6 As some Birds vse to sit by the waterside that seeing the shaddow of rauening foules flying in the ayre they may escape them by leaping into the water So must Christians bee euen conuersant in the hearing and reading the word of God that so they may behold as in a Glasse the sleights of the Diuell may escape them and so maketh it their Glasse to see their own sinnes in all which would without vnfained repentaunce bring condemnation The Subiects dutie to their Magistrates 1 AS Saint Peter admonisheth seruants to be subiect to their Maisters albeit froward and peeuish So are Subiects bound to obey their Magistrates albeit an infidell a wicked man or an Idolater 1. Pet. 2.18 Rom. 13.1 Tit. 3.1 1. Pet. 2.13 14. 2 As Christian Religion dooth not subuert the order of Policie So the wickednesse and impietie of the Magistrate dooth not depriue him of his right to commaund neither dooth it exempt the Subiects from their dutie to obey 3 So long as there remaineth in Princes the Image and ordinance of God Euen so long continueth the bond of Subiects to yeeld obedience to Magistrats not as to men but as to God Exod. 9.16 Dan. 2.37 1. Sam. 21. 1. c. Iere. 26.7 29.7 35.9 Ezech. 29.18 1. Sam. 26.9 4 As God armeth the Magistrate with the sword for the preseruation of his Subiectes against the violence of their enemies and to enforce rebels to yeeld obedience to their lawfull decrees So when alone or with his Sargeants Officers he is not able to performe this dutie he may and ought to command his Subiects to helpe him to execute his office and they are bound at his commandement to take armes to employ themselues Iudg. 5.9 23. 5 As by naturall affection the handes and other the members of the body doo stand bound to employ themselues for the saftie of the body but especially of the head against all violence and iniurie So likewise ought all Subiects to thinke vpon the naturall bond and affection and in dutie vnder the conduct of their head to preserue the body of the Comminaltie but especially the person and authoritie of their Prince and Magistrate against the violence and endeuours of their enemies 1. Sam. 11.6 7. Iudg. 21.8 c. 6 As the Magistrate is by God authorized to leauie tolles taxes tributes and many other Subsidies of the people So are the Subiects bound to furnish and pay them Rom. 13.6 7. Math. 22.21 17.25 26 27. Saluation is desired of the godly AS all men of themselues be sinners throgh sin are in Gods wrath banished far away from him condemned to hell euerlasting damnation and none is clearely innocent but Christ alone So euerie soule inspired by God is desirous to bee deliuered from sinne and hell and to obtaine at Gods hands mercy fauour righteousnesse and euerlasting Saluation Free from Sinne by faith AS wee being in the seruitude of Sinne demonstrate and make knowne our seruice by giuing ouer our member by the obeying of Sinne from iniquitie Euen so wee being made free from Sinne by faith in Iesus Christ indued with Gods spirit a spirit of libertie must needes demonstrate this freedome and libertie by giuing ouer our members to the obedience of the spirit by the which we are lead and guided from vertue to vertue and al kind of holinesse No Sanctification except we be vnited to the Church EVen as the spirit of man dooth not strengthen the members of the body vnlesse they bee fast and surely ioyned together So the holy Ghost doth not reuiue and comfort the members of the Church when they fall away and will not continue in league and fellowship with the seruants of God longer then they are fast bound and knit to the congregation of Gods people in loue and peace in Christ the holy Ghost doth minister no strength no consolation no comfort vnto them there remaineth nothing else in such men but a numnesse and extreame blindnesse in heauenly things And whiles in their arrogancie and pride they forsake and condemne the church of God because they cannot drawe it
into subiection to their fond and fantastical humours they become of men diuels incarnate Sinne is to be reproued in all estates AS those which haue Corne fields thinketh it not a thing vnmeete to be told by their seruants of thistles and weedes which would hinder and marre the Corne if they prouide not to haue them plucked vp Euen so it is not an vnworthie thing to shew vnto those which are of high calling the hurtfull and daungerous weedes which would ouergrow and choake the heauenly seede of the Gospell sowne in the Lords field Sathan inflameth wicked cogitations into our minds by his temptations AS the Smith doth not make himselfe the hote coales that be in his Forge but doth blow the fire with bellowes and so the coales are kindled and made hote and fierie So the Diuell doth blow and inflame those daungerous and wicked cogitations which are conceiued in our hearts minds with the bellowes of manifold temptations and so labouring to kindle the fire of all iniquitie he ministreth nourishment to all our wicked and damnable purposes For the heart of man is like vnto a Smithes Forge his euil bad cogitations are hote burning coales he that doth blow the bellowes to make them burne vp and to consume both our soules and bodies is the Diuell that auncient enemie of our happinesse and saluation Sathans craft to deceiue Eue and the world EVen as a Fouler doth lay abroad and spread his net to take the Birds where baite is there they may feede So the Diuell when he would take Eue spread his net in gluttonie and tempted her with a beautifull Apple till at the length to the harme and woe of all their posteritie both shee and her husband were taken and trapt to our woes Gene. 3.1 2. c. Ose 13.6 Luk. 6.25 Similitudes in the Scripture AS Images and Pictures are not in all points alike or correspondent to that which they represent but differ in colours bignesse or thicknesse So the things and Similituds in the Scripture are not in all points alike to that which is likened vnto them Seruice of man AS that Seruice of men which is done by constraint carelesly and negligently is iustly hated reiected So the Lord hateth reiecteth all Seruice of man which proceedeth not from a chearefull loue and earnest zeale of his glorie 1. Cor. 13.13 16.14 Tit. 2.14 Sathan called God AS the belly is called a God because they which are giuen to the pleasures thereof make more account of it then of God So after the same sorte is Sathan called a God and the Prince of this world 2. Cor. 4.4 Iohn 12.3 14.30 Sinne is noysome to Gods spirit AS the smoake of any filthie smelling thing driueth away Bees So the smoake of the dunghill of our corruptions namely our Sinnes will driue away the holy Ghost out of our hearts Swearers LIke as if we see a man hold vp his hand at the barre of an earthly Iudge wee pittie him and we are sorrie for him Euen so much more ought wee to pittie common Swearers blasphemers who are no better before God then rebels that hold vp their hands at the barre of his iudgement seate as guiltie malefactors Exod. 2.7 Little Sinnes to be regarded AS a man may die as well by the choaking of a Flie as by the deuouring of a Lyon Or as a Ship may as well be sunke by too much weight of Mustard seed as of great stones and lumpes of lead So likewise little Sinnes will sinke a man to hell as soone as great Sinnes Strength LIke as through wickednesse mans mind is ouercome and brought into a base slauerie vnto all euill So likewise by Strength it ouercommeth and hath the victorie and is aduaunced vnto freedome and dignitie The State of man AS the good estate of a Subiect or seruant consisteth in this that hee liuing in the fauour and good liking of his King or Maister procured by his loyall obedience and faithfull seruice is free from all euils and iniuries and enioyeth al things either needful or pleasant So the State of man being pure from sinne is good and happie otherwise if by sinning and rebelling against God he incurre his displeasure most wretched and miserable Thankfulnesse for Gods graces and benefits 1 LIke as a Husband louing his wife tenderly to make his affection knowne vnto her by bestowing vpon her many great presents of Gold and costly Iewels is much grieued if shee dissemble the giftes which hee hath bestowed vppon her and say shee hath purchased them by her owne money Euen so God can in no wise be pleased with vs if we will conceale or else attribute to our selues the graces which he hath bestowed vpon vs which he would haue to be testimonies tokens and demonstrations of the inuiolable loue and fidelitie that he beareth vnto vs. Deut. 8.1 2 c. 9.1 c. 2 As a Hare or a Conie cannot chewe their cud vnlesse they haue champed it before Euen so if a man bee presently Thankfull after a benefit receiued so shall hee be the more able to call it to mind afterwards Tale-bearers AS wood serueth to kindle keepe fire Euen so Tale-bearers stirre vp kindle and nourisheth strife Prou. 26.20 Humane Traditions AS the flowers of Lysimachus are faire to see yet vnsauorie So humaine Traditions make a faire shew but there is no spiritual sauour or sweetnesse in them Time seruers 1 AS the Apple tree which in the Spring time buds and openeth it selfe so that it dooth as it were become white by reason of the blossomes but a shower falling vpon it many of the blossomes are shaken off and the frost also dooth much more consume them afterward when the fruite beginneth to spring foorth some great winde much of it being come forth falleth downe and when it waxeth ripe the Cater-piller commeth which with other wormes gnaweth spoyleth it so much that scarce the twentieth part yea scarce the hundreth part many times remaineth Euen so it commeth to passe with the hearers of the Gospell in the beginning therof euery one coueteth to be a Protestant and a good Christian euerie one liketh of it verie well and the first fruites thereof are very pleasaunt but when winde a shower or tentation commeth many fall away from it by companies afterward sects and seditions arise which like vnto woormes and cankers gnawe and infect the fruites of the Gospell and so many false opinions spring vp that very fewe doo perseuere in the true profession thereof Math. 13.21 21. 2 As the Reed is tottering shaking and yeelding euery way with the least winde that bloweth So likewise be all such as are weather-cockly Temporizers as in their words deeds be wauering vncōstant slippery changeable fickle faint-hearted and dare not stoutly persist in their conceiued opinion but as turn-coates say and vnsay doo and vndoo Math. 11.7 Luk. 7.24 3 Euen as luke-warme water doth annoy the stomack so farre that the
Euen as the Grape that it may yeeld wine is brought to the presse that it may be throughly pressed so man is brought to calamitie that being pressed with sorrowes and exercised with afflictions he may bring forth the sweete and pleasant liquor of obedience and vertue and so be aduanced to true Christianitie which is the greatest and highest dignitie in the world Miseries penuries and tribulations do for the most part keepe vnder and stay our vnruly lusts and daungerous desires and are meanes that we lift vp our hearts and mindes vnto God and that we be strengthened and confirmed in true pietie and vnfained godlinesse And on the other side prosperitie worldly wealth dignitie and honours are oftentimes meanes to hinder vs in holy exercises and to puffe vs vp with pride and vaine-glorie and to draw vs to disloyaltie and rebellion against God Numb 21.6.7 2. Chro. 33.11.12 Nehem. 9.27 Aduersitie bettereth the godly but maketh the wicked worse 1 EVen as full wheate in the eare falleth out with the least motion of the sheafe that which is somewhat shrunke more hardly leaueth the huske but that which is altogether shrunke will rather go to the Chaffe then go out of the eare So a sincere hearted Christian with the least Affliction leaueth his sinne and flyeth to God the weaker Christian more hardly doth the same but the Apostata will rather burne with vnquenchable fire then forsake his beloued sinne that so hee may turne to God How a man may be assured of his Adoption 1 LIke as fire is knowne to be no painted but a true fire by two notes by heate and by the flame now if the case fall out that the fire want a flame it is still knowne to be fire by the heate Eeen so there bee two witnesses of our Adoption Gods spirit and our spirit now if it fall out that a man want the principall which is the spirit of Adoption hee must then haue recourse to the second witnesse and search out in himselfe the signes and tokens of the sanctification of his owne spirit by which he may certainly assure himselfe of his Adoption as he may know fire to be fire by the heate though it want a flame 2 Like as when the Angell shewed vnto the Shepheards the natiuitie of Iesus Christ saying I shewe vnto you great ioy that this day is borne to you a Sauiour in the Citie of Dauid which is Christ the Lord hee addeth you shall haue these signes ye shall finde the childe wrapped in swadling cloathes and laid in a maunger now if these Shepheards beeing come to Bethelem hadde founde the holy Virgine in an honourable Pallace and the Childe in a magnificall and royall cradle they might haue had iust occasion to doubt of the tidings of the Angell this estate not agreeing with the signe that he had giuen but hauing found the Childe in poore estate in a maunger as the Angell had foretold they were confirmed to beleeue that it was the Messias Euen so God hauing reuealed vnto vs by his word that he hath chosen vs to be his children hauing sealed it in vs by the testimonie and effects of the vnction of the holy Ghost and hauing also giuen vs the markes in this that hee hath made vs the members of his Church hee hath foretold and hath giuen one signe more of our Adoption that wee shall bee reproached and persecuted if then the world did make much of vs loued and honoured vs wee might after some sort doubt of the word of God and of our election and Adoption but seeing the accomplishment of that that was foretold vs wee ought to bee so much the more confirmed in this assurance that wee are not of the world but appertaine vnto our good GOD. Iohn 15.19 3 Like as if we aske the way to go to any place and that one tell vs for a signe of the right way that it is at the beginning dyrtie and afterwards full of hills wee will leaue the other wayes which seeme straight drie faire and easie and finding in that way which wee take dyrt and hills foretold and giuen vs for a signe wee will bee so much the more confirmed that wee are in the right way So the holy Ghost hauing foretold that through many tribulations wee must enter into the Kingdome of heauen and that the way leading to eternall life is narrow and difficult if wee finde the way of the Gospell narrow and full of troubles let vs acknowledge that wee are in the right way to the Kingdome of heauen and that we ought therefore to be so much the more confirmed in assurance that we are the Adopted children of God Act. 14.22 Math. 7.13 Of the inward markes of our Adoption 1 AS to the blinde and deafe the opening of their eyes and eares is needfull clearely to see and heare the voyce of him that speaketh Euen so we being of our owne nature both blinde and deafe as touching vnderstanding the holy Spirit is hee that openeth our eyes and eares to comprehend the reuelation of our Adoption and to feele in our hearts the assurance of it engendering in vs Faith which is as it were the hand by which wee apprehend this great benefite whereof also the fruites and effects as well of the holy Ghost dwelling in vs as of the faith that is in vs are the principall and most assured markes to giue vs knowledge of our Adoption Rom. 8.16 1. Iohn 3.24 4.13 Rom. 5.1 Ephe. 1.13 Baptisme may not be denied to Infants Deut. 10.16 30.6 Iere. 4.4 Rom. 2.28.29 4.11 1 AS Circumcision was a Sacrament of repentance as Moses and the Prophets do witnesse and also a Sacrament of Faith as the Apostle teacheth and yet God did not debarre Infantes from receiuing of the same Euen so no more ought Baptisme to be denied to our litle children Exo. 12.48 Nom. 9.14 2 Like as in the old Law when any stranger forsaking his Idolatrie would be ioyned vnto the people of God and professe the same religion that they professed both he and all his men children were circumcised were they neuer so young Euen so in the Apostles time and many yeeres after when any were conuerted vnto the faith of Christ not onely they but al their whole housholds both old and yong were sealed vp with Baptisme which is the seale of the people of God Act. 16.31.33 1. Cor. 1.16 Baptized but once 1 AS the Israelites were but once circumcised So wee are but once Baptized onely because we are but once borne onely As Circumcision was the first beginning of Iudaisme So Baptisme is the first of beginning Christianitie Baptizing by a Midwife 1 AS a priuate man condemning or killing a murtherer because the lawfull Magistrate is not then at hand to do it hath himselfe murthered and executed no iustice because he had no calling therevnto Euen so the Midwife or any other which without all calling do take in hand to Baptize children
affection and the reason is because they haue one spirit to guide them all Act. 4.32 Esay 11.6.7 56 Euen as in the field there groweth vp not onely sound corne but also tares cockell and darnell Or as in the Floore there is not onely pure Wheate but also Chaffe and as in the Nette there is not onely good things but bad as filth and such like So in the militant and visible Church the field floore and Nette of the Lord there are not onely sincere and faithfull but also hypocriticall and faithlesse worshippers of GOD not onely constant and vpright dooers of the word but also vaine and idle talkers of the same yea not onely such as with good consciences pure hearts and faith vnfained do serue the Lord and his Church but such also as be reprobate to euerie good worke whose ende is to bee cast eternally from the presence of God and to bee burned as chaffe in the fearefull furnace of Gods wrath and euerlasting indignation 57 As the appetite of a woman ought to be to her husband so the appetite of the Church ought to be to Christ Cant. 5.7 58 As the woman bringeth forth her children in sorow and paine Euen so the Church bringeth forth in griefe of member and losse of limmes 59 As a woman must be obedient to the voyce of her husband and learne of her husband at home euen so the Church that is good must be ruled by Christ and not rule Christ Christes scholler and not Christs schoolemaister 60 Euen as Iohn that bare witnesse of Christ did confesse that he was not worthy to loose Christes shoo-latchet Euen so the Church though it beare witnesse of Christ in respect of credit and authoritie is not worthy to loose Christes shoo-latchet 61 Like as when Christ put forth himselfe and began to be knowne to the people Iohn said It behoueth me to wax lesse and him to wax greater So when the Church hath giuen a man to vnderstand of Christ and that Christ beginneth to appeare vnto vs the Church decreaseth in authoritie and estimation like Iohn and Christ encreaseth and waxeth greater in authoritie and credit 62 As the light of the Sun auaileth not him that lieth in a darke and close dungeon where is alwayes night and neuer day Euen so the graces of God doo nothing helpe those that lie in darknesse and shadowe of death vntill they haue accesse into the Church of Christ and so to be of the number of the faithfull Ephe. 2.19 Rom. 5.10 63 As a builder or chiefe maister of any workes doth not offend in building but because it hapneth sometimes that being occupied with other thoughts and fantasies not pertaining to the building he doth sometimes slide and faile in his worke Euen so it cannot be gathered by the force of the promise made to the Church that all things alwayes are rightly defined in the Church for the greater part ouercommeth the lesser and the worst the better 64 Like as when Hester had procured safetie for the Iewes and libertie to reuenge themselues vpon their enemies it is said that many of the people of the Land became Iewes Hest. 8.17 Euen so considering Christ hath procured freedome from hell death and damnation for all that beleeue in him we should labour aboue all things to become new creatures ioyning our selues alwayes to the true Church of God 65 As the body is blinde that wanteth eyes to see withall and lame maymed or deformed whereof the shoulders armes hands or other principall parts are wanting or displaced and disordered So in like maner that body of a Church cannot be said to be perfect and entire wherein there are not Ministers of the word who by the light thereof may direct the people in the wayes of God or Elders that may discouer and descrie euery matter that may threaten any daunger to the body or Deacons who may distribute liberally according to that that is in their hands for the reliefe of the poore 66 As Christ himselfe when he was rayled vpon gaue no euill words againe Euen so the true Church of Christ is knowne in this that it suffereth persecution and doth not persecute againe 67 As wise King Salomon iudged her to be the true mother of the child which had such compassion on it that she had rather forgo the whole then haue it diuided and dismembred and the other to be the harlot that had ouer-laine her childe which had also consented to the death of the other childe Euen so in like maner we may discerne euidently the Romish Church of Antichrist by her bloodie persecutions from the true Church and spouse of Christ the one with sworde and fire seeketh alwaies to quench the truth the other through the spirit of lenitie to win men to the same the one by compulsion violent oppression the other by perswasion meeke intercessiō the one by the sword the other by the word the one goeth about to peruert and depraue the other seeketh all meanes to conuert and saue 68 As a King is stablished in his Kingdome when his godly Lawes are taught and kept and that Realme is strongly builded and blessed of God where good order is mainteined So is Gods Church and congregation well and surely builded where Gods word and Religion is purely taught sinne punished and vertue embraced 69 Like as whatsoeuer is in the body receiuing no life nor power from the body is not properly a part of the body howsoeuer it seeme to be ioyned to the body So the wicked although they be in the outward face of the Church yet because they are not partakers of the spiritual life thereof by Christ are not truly to be iudged members of it 70 As in euery well ordered Kingdome the whole Realme should be of more authoritie then the King So the Church ought to be of more authority then the Pope though he were Prince thereof 71 As the Arke was carried from place to place and neuer rested in one certaine place So likewise the millitant Church here on earth hath no certaine place but is posted from piller to post Iosu 3.14.17 1. Sam. 4.3.4 c. 72 As in the body of a man there is a full furniture of all members needfull to the discharge of their seuerall duties which are knowne both how many they are and what they are Euen so likewise is it in the Church 73 As the want of a member as one eye or a hand breedeth griefe So in like maner the want of a member in the Church as a faithfull Minister which is the eye or of a Deacon which is the hand must needes be greeuous 74 As the disorder of a member in the body as to haue an eye where a nose should be or a foot for the hand c. causeth both horror and griefe So the like disorder in the Church of God must needes be horrible and greeuous 75 Like as in the body of man euery member hath his seuerall function to
rather putrifie within him by couering and defending them then heale by repentance and confession it is to be feared that such a one shall not finde repentance at commaundement when he wisheth for it Rom. 2.3 4. Carnall men 1 AS a childe borne and brought vp in a dungeon will not beleeue if his mother tell him of the light of the Sunne and such other pleasant commodities that there are such things or very hardly Euen so no more will Carnall men beleeue either the immortalitie of the soule or the mercie and iudgement of the Lord c. 2 Like as in other matters it commeth daily to passe that meÌ„ being in processe of timâ— brought by experience to see their owne errors wherein they haue done amisse are displeased with themselues for so dooing wish they had done otherwise and so are said to repent of this or that action So Carnall men hauing all their liues liued in vaine and sinfull pleasures altogether carelesse of the seruice of God and of their owne saluation at length see the vanitie of their liues past are greeued for it and wish although too late that they had taken an other course 3 As Adam by comming out of the state of holinesse into the state of sinne had his eyes opened to see the filthinesse of sinne and his owne nakednesse wherevpon he beeing ashamed desired to hide and couer himselfe So in like manner Carnall men comming out of the state of senselesse securitie wherein they neither knew nor considered what sinne is into the state of repentance wherein they conceiue of sinne as it is indeed and iudge themselues in regard of it the most abiect men of all other vnworthie of their company or to come in their sight and therefore they decline and shun it wherin this shame doth consist Couetousnesse in old men 1 AS wayfairing men the lesse way they haue to go the lesse carefull neede they to be either of spending their money or victualls Euen so for olde men who haue as it were one foote in the graue to be couetous is a verie absurd thing Christ our Prophet 1 AS the print of a Seale is more plainely perceiued in the soft waxe then in the Seale it selfe So likewise the knowledge of God is more manifest to vs in Christ who is the liuely image and engrauen forme of his Father 2 As the Moone dooth naturally receiue her light of the Sunne So all the light all the true wisedome and vnderstanding or heauenly knowledge that the Church hath it hath it of our Sauiour Iesus Christ Christ was in our person iustly cursed of God and executed for vs. 1 AS the Suretie is by the iust sentence of the Lawe condemned to pay his debt for whom hee hath willingly and aduisedly vndertaken Euen so it is meere and true iustice and no wrong that Christ by the iust sentence of the Lawe was hanged on a tree and so hee bare indeed the true curse of the Lawe 2 As the Suretie although hee be vtterly cleare obnoxious and guiltie to none yet by his suretiship is a debter and obnoxious to the Creditor and the Law So likewise Christ tooke our person on him and presented himselfe therein before his Father and so hee became by our sinnes sinfull defiled hatefull and accursed 3 Like as if a tender Ladies only child should by some casualtie be all tumbled in bloud or mire most stinking filth the child so berayed loathsome would breed great abhorring loathing in the eyes of the delicate Lady yet the childe 's own person shuld be neuerthelesse beloued of the mother but rather the more if it may be So such two persons or conditions are found in Christ according to one he was alwayes beloued according to the other which he tooke vpon him whilst he had not finished that office he was iustly accursed Christs Merits 1 AS the Iebusites Gods enemies could not fully be coÌ„quered vntil Dauid came Euen so no more could the Kingdome of Sathan bee cleane ouerthrowne vntill Christ Iesus the King of glory was borne of the seede of Dauid who conquered sinne hell and the diuel and possessed the holy hill Sion and made his people Citizens of the heauenly Ierusalem 2. Sam. 5.6 7 8 9. Iosu 23.7 8 9 10 11 12 13. 2 Euen as the Oyntment that was powred vppon the head of Aaron rested not there but went downe also vpon his beard yea to the skirts of his cloathing So likewise the righteousnes of Christ and his Merite is giuen and attributed to euery one that be his members Psal 133.2 3 As Christs righteousnes is made ours really by imputation to make vs righteous Euen so we by the Merite of his righteousnes imputed to vs do merite and deserue life euerlasting Christ a King 1 AS King Dauid when hee had raigned 33. yeares in Ierusalem died with great victorie Euen so Christ â—esus our Lord and graund Captaine after hee had preached the Kingdome of his Father gat this noble victorie â—gainst death and all his enemies in the 33. yeare of his â—ge by suffring death and tryumphantly ascending into heauen where he raigneth a glorious King for euer Christian a generall name for all that are baptized LIke as euery man and woman hath a seueral proper name whereby hee is discerned and knowne â—rom another Euen so there is one name that is generalâ—y apperteining vnto all men namely Christian which is â—eriued vnto vs from Christ our Sauiour as the Authour 〈◊〉 whom we beleeue in whom we are baptized whose word we esteeme whose redemption and righteousnesse we doo reuerence by whose spirit wee beeing annoynted with holy oyle by him are made ioyfull and glad Act. 11.26 26.28 1. Pet. 4.16 Gods Children 1 LIke as natural Children are like their naturall fathers in fauor in speech in laughter or in some lineaments of their bodies Euen so the spirituall Children of God are like vnto him their Father in righteousnesse and holinesse of life 2 AS we loue them which loue our Children and our hearts and hands too arise against them which misvse theÌ„ Euen so the Lord our God who exceedeth all fathers in loue much more loueth those which loue his Children and his heart and hand too arise in his heauie wrath and displeasure against such as harme and misvse them 1. Iohn 5.1 Psal 15.4 Mat. 10.40 41. Luk. 10.16 Zach. 2.8 3 As a woman in trauaile in the middle of her sorrow crieth in her paines Euen so such is the estate of God his Children in the midst of persecution Esa 26.17 The excellencie of Gods Children 1 LIke as Dauid said when hee should haue married Saules daughter Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a Kings sonne seeing that I am a poore man and of small reputation So seemeth it to any a light thing to bee sonnes and daughters of GOD the King of all Kings seeing wee are sinfull men and of no reputation but haue deserued rather eternall
to such as can find him yet if we can by no meanes find him what shall the vnderstanding hereof profit vs nothing at all 1. Cor. 28.10 Esa 55.6 Christ to be found by hearing the word preached and read 1 LIke as if one haue a Moyne of Copper Tinne or Leade he vseth great paine and diligence to come by the same but if it proue a veine of Siluer or Gold then the owner thereof setteth Pyoners on worke who with great care courage and comfort labour night and day in hope to be greatly enriched thereby and albeit the veine sinke downe verie deepe and proue most hard and difficult to winne yet do they not cease or slacken their labor but rather adde so much the more diligence in hope that their gaines will double their paines when the Moyne is once wonne for this they holde as a rule infallible that the lower any mettal doth lie in the earth the better and more gainful it prooues in substance Euen so it is in the studie of the Scriptures and in hearing the same read and preached the more paines and diligence one vseth therin the more increase of sound knowledge wisedom comfort is gotten in the ende being that most rich and vnvaluable Moyne wherein all the treasures of wisedome and vnderstanding are to be found conteining and comprehending all the counsels and commaundements of the Lord c. 1. Chro. 28.10 Pro. 3.13 14 26. 8.18.19 Ioh. 30.31 Mat. 7.7 8. Children dying before they be baptized are not damned 1 AS by Circumcision which was a cutting off of the the fore-skin the Children of the Hebrewes were brought vnto God were sealed vp with the Seale of his Couenaunt and receiued into his Church to the great comfort and ioy of the Parents which were certified by the same that God was not only their God but also the God of their posteritie and seede and yet if any thing had happened vnto them afore they could bee circumsized they mistrusted not but that GOD would by the vertue of his Testament saue them So by Baptisme the Children of Christians are brought vnto Christ are sealed vp with the Seale of the people of God receiued into his Church as members of his sonne Iesus Christ and fellow-heires with him of his heauenly Kingdome which thing vnto the faithfull parents must be a heauenly comfort For by it they are certified and assured that their sinnes be not only washed away with the bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ but also the sinnes of their posteritie and Children But if it be not the pleasure of God that the fathers and mothers should see their Children aliue for to offer and present them vnto him by Baptisme yet there is no cause why they should thinke that they should be damned because the grace of is not bound to the Sacraments For if there were some good man among the Turkes or else among the Idolaters and Infidels which had the knowledge of the Gospell and a true faith in our Sauiour Christ and yet could by no maner of means come by the Sacrament of Baptisme or be baptized yet no man ought so much as to thinke that such a one for want of a little water should be damned seeing he hath the chiefe and principall that is to say a true iustifying faith else the water should haue more vertue and efficacie then the bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ or at least as much and the Minister that should minister the outward Baptisme should be of as much power as Iesus Christ himselfe 2 Like as the Water and Minister can do nothing without the spirit and bloud of our Sauior Christ So it should follow if Children be damned that die before they be baptized that Iesus Christ his spirit and bloud should be able to do nothing without the water and Minister And so by this means our Sauior Christ and his Spirit should be as subiect vnto the Minister and Water as the Water and Minister should be subiect vnto Christ and his holy spirit and so consequently his grace and mercie should be alligated and bound vnto corruptible elements and made subiect vnto men Whereby it should come to passe that Iesus Christ should be no more true God nor yet true Sauiour 3 As the fleshly Children of Abraham and such as came of his flesh which departed this life before the eight day of Circumcision were not damned but by the vertue of the promise and couenant of God were saued So also after the same maner the spirituall Children of Abraham that is to say the Infants of all the Christians are not condemned if they decease before Baptisme but are saued by the efficacie of the promise of God and by inuisible Baptisme wherewith our Sauiour Christ Baptizeth them who by his death and precious bloud hath redeemed them Cares of this world coole the loue and desire of heauenly things 1 AS the Sea that the winde hath laine sore vpon is yet tossed and troubled after the winde is laid and the tempest gone Euen so mans mans minde lately comne out of the businesse and Cares of the world still casteth and studieth the same things and panteth after them and cannot after this come straight to it selfe and so to meditate and exercise spirituall matters Math. 13.22 Luk. 8.14 2 Like as when a Riuer or Fountaine is troubled there can no water be taken or drawne out of them but such as is full of mudde Euen so when the minde is troubled and choked with the ouer carefull and vnquiet sauour of the mire and dyrt of this peeuish world there can neither holy prayers nor any godly exercises be found there The breach of Gods Commaundements 1 AS many worldly men deale with their Creditors who will hardly let slip one houre or day but will take the aduantage and forfeiture of their Bondes and Obligations without any more delay Euen so if our good God and mercifull Father should deale as precisely and stricktly with vs in taking aduantage of the Bonds forfeytures and penalties wherein wee daily fall into by breach of his Commandements many wayes then our estate should be most miserable Iob. 9.2 3. 2 As euill debters when their day of payment draweth neare and when their Creditors are at hand to demaund the same doo seeke to hide themselues and to shunne their Creditors presence So likewise the most part of the world bee so carelesse in keeping that couenant vowe and promise which they made to God at their Baptisme that euen wilfully they throw themselues indebted vnto GOD and thrall vnto Satan some by one sinne and some by an other through violating and breaking of Gods Commaundements that when by sicknesse or death they are summoned to render an account of their bayliwicke then they wish that the mountaines would fall vpon them to hide them from the presence of God but all in vaine Esa 2.19 Hose 10.8 Luk. 23.30 Reue. 6.16 Luk. 16.2 Christ is not a Redeemer but
alike And this is the cause that in our Faith as in all other qualities there is sometimes more sometimes lesse and that oftentimes it is more strong and liuely and then sometimes againe more remisse and faint 2 Like as we see the water is more hote or cold according as it is neare or farre off from the fire Euen so is it with vs according as wee are more or lesse exercised in the word and driuen by Gods spirit wee haue more or lesse zeale and affection 3 And altogether like as the disposition of the body followeth the qualitie and temperature of the ayre Elements and exercises to which wee giue our selues Euen so according to the places where we liue and the nourishment that wee there take is the estate of our soules and consciences But bee it that water is sometime hote and sometime colde and that it chaunge his qualities sometimes one way sometimes an other yet it is alwaies water Euen so the man that is elect after his regeneration is alwayes faithfull howsoeuer in that he is the childe of Adam he bee sometimes enclined to euill and that his Faith be not alwayes in one and the selfe same estate and that hee is not alwayes accompanied with the like zeale and affection For oftentimes it commeth to passe that we feele Iesus Christ to stirre and mooue himselfe in vs and by and by after wee haue no manner of Feeling at all But therefore hee ceaseth not to dwell in vs no more then our soules doo dwell in our bodies when we sleepe although in sleeping wee neither Feele them nor any of their operations Feeling of sinnes greater in some then of the merite and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ. 1 LIke as we Feele the calamities and miseries of warre more then the fruites and pleasures of peace and the griefes and diseases more then the quietnesse of health and the hardinesse of pouertie more then the profites and commodities of aboundance and riches Euen so we ought not much to maruaile if wee Feele the stingings and prickes of sinne a great deale more then the consolations of the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ seeing that sinne dwelleth in vs and not righteousnesse which thing is the cause that the one is more sencible then the other Notwithstanding for all this wee must not thinke that sinne is greater and stronger then righteousnesse or that it can in anye respecte bee compared vnto it or can bee more able to condemne and destroye vs then the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ and the grace of GOD is to iustifie and saue vs. Rom. 6.1 c. 2 Like as we haue sometimes in the ende of our finger some pain or grief which we feele a great deale more then the health that is all ouer the rest of the body yea thogh it be much greater then the paine of our finger Euen so we must not esteeme the greatnesse or the strength whether it be of righteousnesse or sinne according to that feeling we haue because the one that is sin is more sencible then the other and specially forasmuch as we embrace righteousnesse onely by Faith which is of those things that are not outward and sencible Feeling and finding not alwayes in our selues good desires to holy Exercises yet we must not be discouraged therefrom AS a man that taketh bread meate and eateth it without any great appetite hath not such a pleasure in eating as if he were well an hungred notwithstanding that which he receiueth ceaseth not to profit and sustaine him as we see in sicknesse Euen so do prayers and other Christian Exercises to which such cold persons do giue themselues And therefore it only remaineth for them to search the meanes how to encourage themselues and to do euen as a man would do to fire when it is almost out which he would haue kindled againe he bloweth it and layeth matter about it wherwith to kindle the same or as a man that putteth Oyle to a Lampe when the light is going out Babling of Foolish men and women AS there is no beast that more loueth his Whelpes or yonglings then the Asse or Ape So some Foolish women and fond men do more regard their owne tale and blind babling then all other mens Faith as God giueth vs it so he encreaseth the same in vs. AS it is the part of a naturall Father to nourish and set forth the childe which he hath begotten Euen so no doubt God is so faithfull that as he giueth Faith vnto his deare children so he doth furder feede and conserue the same also in them Psal 68.28 Luk. 17.5 Faith the onely trueth which reciueth the bodie of Christ crucified 1 AS the sustenance of bread and drinke being holden onely in the hand or gazed vppon with the eye nourisheth not except the same be inwardly receiued and conueyed into the stomacke and yet neither againe the receiuing of euery thing sustaineth mans bodie except it be meate and drinke which haue their condition properly to nourish So in like sort it is with Faith for as the beleeuing of euery truth and Faith of euery obiect saueth not but that Faith onely which is in Christs blood so neither againe doth the same blood of Christ profit vs except by Faith it be inwardly receiued Mat. 11.28 Ioh. 3.15 16 18. 14.1 11 12. 15.4 5 7. Act. 10.44 2 As the Sunne the fountaine of all light shineth not but onely to such which haue eyes to see nor yet to them vnlesse they open their eyes to receiue light Euen so the body of Christ crucified being the materiall sustenance onely of our soules it followeth that the same sustenance must be receiued by Faith into our inward hearts or else it is not effectuall 3 Like as Iustifying Faith goeth euer with his obiect Christ Euē so to the same faith also must be required that it stand not only in outward profession in words in tong and talke as swimming onely in the lippes nor in inward formes in shewes and gestures only which is but a dead and an idle Faith making an Hypocrite before men rather then a iustified man before God but must enter further into the inward heart and as the sustenance of the soule must inwardly be receiued and digested Forgiuenesse of sinnes to be preached to all men 1 LIke as God hath shut vp all in vnbeliefe that he might haue mercy vppon all Euen so hee will haue this grace of Forgiuenesse of sinnes of his mercy to be set forth and preached to all mankinde Rom. 11.32 Ioh. 3.16 1. Ioh. 2.1 2. 2 As the hungry stomacke is able to receiue meate but yet for all that vnlesse he which is hungry do receiue and eate the meate he is not refreshed So likewise the contrite and humble heart is able indeed to receiue Forgiuenesse of sins but yet vnlesse he do receiue it in very deed the conscience of sinne is not quietted but it dooth receiue it indeed when it receiueth the word
God may reward and deale with his creatures as liketh him AS the Clay is in the Potters hand to order it at his pleasure So are men also in the hand of their Creator so that hee may reward them as liketh him best Esay 45.9 Rom. 9.20 21. God is a Husbandman to his people AS the Husbandman dungeth his land Tilleth and dresseth it that it may bring foorth good Corne So Almightie God tilleth and clenseth the hearts of his people the which bee prone vnto euill that they may bring forth good workes and not tares Ioh. 15.1 2. 1. Cor. 3.9 God is present euerie where but yet not with all alike AS a sound or noyse is hard more of some and lesse of other some beeing of equall distance from it as they bee of quicke or dull hearing So albeit God be present with all things yet he is in some more plentifully in some lesse not with partialitie but according to the diuersities of their capacities The holy Ghost is maker of the world AS the Hen is borne of her Egges and sitteth vppon them and so hatcheth her young Euen so the holy Ghost was borne vpon the waters sat vpon them brought foorth and hatched all creatures which are called waters Gene. 1. 2. Psal 104.30 God is all sufficient perfection 1 EVen as the Sunne although it enlightneth all the world yet doth it not loose any of his light So God now after that hee hath made all things is not any whit hereby the lesse powerfull or perfect 2 Euen as any King or tyrant when he graunteth vnto one that which hee hath taken away from an other may be said to play the part partly of an vniust and partly of a liberall man Euen so God if vsing his power onely hee had restored man it had beene on the one part derogation to his Iustice and on the other part too much had beene graunted to mercy Therefore it was needfull to find such a way to saue man that these fower properties in God without the which God could not be or bee called God might stand together and consist in the highest degrees Namely most high or perfect power Perfect righteousnesse Perfect mercie and Perfect wisedome God draweth out some goodnesse euen out of the wicked LIke as if thou commest into a Smiths or Ioyners shop and seest many tooles some crooked some bowed and hooked and some sawed in Now in this case thou wilt not condemne the Smith or Ioyner of vnskilfulnesse and his tooles all to bee naught but rather thou wilt acknowledge thy ignorance in the vse of them So in like manner must we doo in beholding the creatures of God in this world First acknowledge our owne ignorance Secondly reuerently esteeme of the Creator and lastly giue him all praise that hee hath not placed vs in the number of those that seeme confused Spirituall Generation AS euery man by carnall Generation of Father and Mother is carnally begotten borne into this mortall life So is euery good Christian spiritually borne by Christ vnto eternall life God vnchaungeable 1 EVen as the Sunne which vnto eyes being sound and without disease was very pleasaunt and wholesome vnto the same eyes when they are feeble sore and weake is very troublesome and hurtfull and the Sunne euer all one and the selfe same that it was before So God that hath euer shewen himselfe benigne and bountifull to those that are kind and tender harted towards his Saints and mercifull to those that shewe mercie vnto the same men when they fall into wickednesse and grow to be full of beastly crueltie the Lord sheweth himselfe to bee very wrathe and angrie and yet still one and the same immutuall God from euerlasting to euerlasting Psal 18.24 25 26 27. Iam. 2.13 2 As a looking Glasse dooth shewe whatsoeuer thou shalt set against it if thou shew thy selfe pleasant and milde vnto it it also sheweth it selfe milde pleasant vnto thee and if thou beest angrie and full of wrath and indignation thou shalt perceiue in like manner the countenance of the Glasse to be as it were furious and cruell to be holde whereas notwithstanding the Glasse is one and the same So God whereas hee is one and the selfe same immutable and euerlasting God who is a Glasse without spot or blemish and compared to a gentle Lambe sometimes to a fearce Lyon Esay 53.7 Iohn 1.29 Reu. 5.5 God by his spirit purifieth vs. AS there can bee no fire without warmth or light So cannot God be by his spirite in vs or with vs but hee will also sanctifie and purifie vs from all vice and corruption that he may consecrate vs vnto God Rom. 8.9 God rewardeth his faithfull seruants c. 1 AS a Maister when his seruaunts obey him and doo his will commaundeth his steward or gouernor of his house to minister vnto them all things necessarie and that nothing bee wanting but if they offend him and deale vnfaithfully with him he giueth a contrarie charge Euen so God the true and right owner of all things of whom the kingly Prophet Dauid saith The earth is the Lords and all that therein is the world and they that dwell therein If wee doo obey him and serue him faithfully and giue vnto him due honour hee commaundeth the earth his auncient steward to minister vnto vs great store of necessaries and to giue vnto vs all good rich and pleasant things in due time but on the other side if wee disobey him rebell against him and bee not afraid to doo those things which hee forbiddeth vs and will commit wee care not what sinne euen with greedinesse ioy and delight then hee commaundeth his steward the earth to denie foode vnto vs and to afflict vs with penurie and extreame want of all those things whereof it was wont to yeeld vs great aboundance and not to be so bold as to relieue or comfort vs vntill we be conuerted and flie vnto him confessing and acknowledging our sinnes from the bottome of our heartes and most heartely bewayling them shall prostrate our selues before the throne of grace crauing and crying for remission of sinnes in the death bloud-sheading of our Sauiour Christ crucified Psal 24.1 2 Euen as a Columne or Piller is sometime on thy right hand and sometime on thy left hand because thou dost chaunge thy standing sitting or walking for it is vnmooueable and keepeth one place So God is sometime fauorable and bountifull vnto thee and somtime seemeth to be wrath and angrie with thee because thou doest fall from vertue to vice from obedience and humilitie to pride presumption for in the Lord there is no chaunge no not so much as any shaddow of chaunge He is immutable alway one and euerlasting If thou wilt bend thy selfe to obedience and to a vertuous and godly life thou shalt buâ—â— haue him a strong rocke wherupon thou maist boldly build a Castle and Tower of defence He will bee vnto thee a mightie piller bearing vp
good part and doo of his owne free will although shee had spoken nothing thereof and when shee knoweth what her husbands will is in things shee gladly talketh with him thereof and accordingly as shee seeth him disposed to doo shee will often desire him to doo it Euen so the godly Christians which vnfainedly loue God in that they know his wisedome and will is best cannot forbeare but often pray and talke with him and desire him to doo that which he knoweth is best and which they know also he would do if none should aske or pray for the same 8 As Rebecca when two twinnes stroue in her wombe was troubled and said why am I so Wherefore she went to aske the Lord namely by some Prophet So when we feele this inward fight betwixt the fleshe and the spirit the best thing is to haue recourse to God by Prayer Gene. 25.22 9 As the children of Israel by compassing the Citie of Ierico seuen dayes by sounding Rams hornes ouerturned the walls thereof So by serious Prayer and inuocation of Gods name the spirit is confirmed and the Turrets and Towers of the rebellious flesh battered Ios 6.34 Math. 26.41 1. Pet. 4.7 10 As the preaching of the word serues to declare and to conuey vnto vs Gods graces Euen so in Prayer wee come to haue a liuely feeling of the same in our hearts for it is the key whereby we open the treasures of God and pull downe his mercies vpon vs. Psal 106.23 Ephe. 6.18 11 Like as if a man be to come before an earthly Prince he will order himselfe in apparell gesture and word that hee may doo all things in seemelinesse and dutifull reuerence Euen so much more are Christians to order themselues when they are to appeare before the liuing God in Prayer Eccle. 5.1 12 As a child cannot without blushing call him Father whom he cares not continually to displease through his lewd conditions neither can his Father delight in such a child Euen so with what face dare any man in Prayer call God his Father whome hee makes no conscience to offend and displease most rebelliously by word and deed 13 As that Citie which is not fenced with Wals may be easily brought vnder subiection of the enemie because it wanteth that which should withstand the force and encounters of the enemie So likewise the diuell will easily bring our soules in subiection vnto him and with no great paines lead them to all kind of lewdnesse vnlesse they be fenced by often and feruent Prayer vnto God 14 Like as the Sunne giues light to the body So Prayer giueth light to the mind for as it is daungerous for a man neuer to see the Sunne So it is much more perillous for a Christian man neuer to pray 15 As trees bring foorth no fruit vnlesse they receiue Sap and nourishment from the rootes Euen so wee can neuer increase in godlinesse vnlesse we bee continually watred by our Prayers 16 As theeues and robbers beholding a man florish his sword about his eares will not then set vpon him Euen so the wicked spirits seeing vs fenced by our Prayers will straightway giue backe and leaue vs vnassaulted 17 As waues of water are tossed and carried away by force of wind So likewise hee that prayeth without faith must needs be carried of euery forcible affection therefore cannot looke to obtaine his petitions Iam. 1.6 7. 18 As women preuaile with men in their suits by great importunitie Euen so godly Christians by Prayer without ceasing do obtaine their requests of God Luk. 18.3 7. 19 Like as the poore Captiue is alwayes creeping to the prison doore often labouring to get off his bolts and fetters and to escape out of prison So likewise must wee alwayes creepe to the Lord for his spirit by Prayer to free vs out of this bondage and prison of sinne and corruption and euerie day come nearer the prison doore looking when our blessed Sauiour will vnbind vs of all the fetters of sinne and Sathan and fully erect his kingdome in vs. 20 As a Mother that carrieth her child in her armes if it crie for the Dugge and suckes the same it is aliue but beeing obserued many dayes together if it neither crie nor stirre it is dead So in like manner it is an vnfallible note of a true child of God to crie to his Father in heauen by Prayer but hee that neuer crieth nor feeleth himselfe stirred vp to make his mone to God is in a miserable case and he may well be thought to bee but a dead child 21 Like as we see green wood lying in the fire sobbing and smoaking long before it wil burne Euen so no doubt all Gods children doo feele a strife and combat in their spirits in many of their Prayers Esay 38.41 c. 22 Like as euery Fencer or florisher proueth not a valiant and couragious man when hee commeth to fight in good earnest Euen so no more are those Prayers found effectuall neither can such men speake a word to the purpose when affliction hath laid hold on thē in deed wheras a true Christian neuer sheweth his manhood nor his cunning in this weapon of Prayer more then when he is to fight for life and death and the greater the daunger is with so much the stouter courage is he endued Psal 32.6 23 As he that truly loueth delighteth in nothing more then in the often talking conference with him whom he loueth Euen so where there is true and vnfained loue vnto God there is a burning desire by often Prayer to talke with God so as no perill nor danger no not of losse of life can stay or hinder it as may appeare by Daniel Dan. 6.10 24 As the more wood is laid on the fire the greater is the flame So likewise is the continuall talking with God by Prayer a great increasing of our loue towards him as on the contrarie the seldomer we common with him by Praier the more doth our loue towards him from time to time abate slake vntil in the end it be cleane quenched 25 As a certaine kind of Serpent when hee commeth to drinke doth vomit vp al his poyson So a godly Christian when he commeth to pray must banish and cast away all anger malice and hatred of his heart 26 Like as the Ship with prosperous wind is speedily carried in her course So our Praier is more profound and is better hard when our minds are feruent with some desire Psal 17.1 27 As Elizeus did cast salt into the waters of Iericho to make them sweete So must wee salt and season our Prayers with teares to make them fauorie and delightsome to God 2. King 2.21 28 Like as if men of great and loftie spirits who to God are as silly wormes creeping on the earth stand so much vpon their reputation that as it is recorded of the Senatours of Rome in old time they thinke it a great disgrace vnto them that any man
same Prouidence of God 5 As Philip the Father of Alexander the great being reprooued for that he slept too long in the Morning considering the multitude of those affaires which he had dayly to dispatch answered that hee might safely sleepe so long as his Lieutenant Antipater was awake So in like manner may wee rest at our ease so long as the heauenly eye of the Poruidence of God which seeth all things is open and carefull to guide vs our affaires whensoeuer we commit them into his hand Psal 3.3 4 5. 6 As Gods Prouidence doth first worke and bring to passe good things Secondly it permitteth euill things to bee done but then thirdly it directeth and ordereth all things both good and bad in his owne glorie and to the saluation of his children So God turned Adams fall to the manifesting of his owne glorie and to Adams good for by this meanes had Adam experience of Gods great and infinite mercie and might say By this I know that thou fauourest me because thou forgauest me and didst not suffer the Diuell to triumph against me Psal 41.11 So all the slips and falls of Gods children are turned to their good in as much as by them they are made more fearefull of sinne and more watchfull ouer their wayes as the child is fearefull of the Candle when he hath once burnt his finger in the flame Rom. 8.28 Poperie AS a sticke that hath lyne long in water will very hardly burne when it commeth to the fire So likewise those that are plunged in the dregs of Poperie will hardly be set on fire with the zeale of Gods spirit Faith and Gods Promises must be ioyned LIke as the Speare and shield sword helmet and dagger are not profitable weapons vnto him that cannot vse them or wil not when good occasion is offered Euen so the Promises of God doo nothing profit them that cannot rightly applie them and wil not beleeue thereon or will not vse them Papist craft in composing their Prayer AS Rat-catchers vse to take good bread cheese and butter and to mingle the same with poyson or Rats baine the good bread cheese and butter is nothing else but to allure the Rats to eate the secret and hidden poyson to their destruction Euen so the Papists in the beginning of al their Prayers they say Almightie and euerlasting God and at the latter end of their Prayers they say Through Iesus Christ our Lord but betweene the beginning and ending there is set in the merites passions sufferings intercessions and meditations of Saints that through through them their sufferings bloud-sheddings merites and holinesse we should obtaine heauen and life euerlasting to our saluation c. Parents 1 AS arrowes are an excellent weapon of defence to a strong and a mightie man that can shoote them with courage Euen so children godly brought vp are a speciall protection defence to their Parents Psa 127.4 2 As the strong mans quiuer the better it is furnished with chosen shafts the better defence hee hath So likewise the moe godly children that Parents haue the greater is their ioy and happinesse 3 As arrowes are at the commaundement of the owner to be vsed Euen so children are at the commaundement of godly Parents Peace and prosperitie AS a building set vp with vntempred morter the morter crumbleth and washeth away with euery storme Euen so is the Peace and prosperitie that false Prophets promise the people and preach vnto them out of their owne hearts when God hath not sent them Ezech. 13.10 11. Eternall Punishment AS there is no comparison betwixt the painted fire and the true fire So there is none betwixt the Punishments of this present life and that to come for the torments of the life to come are eternall and vnspeakeable Lying Prophets AS Dawbers that dawbe walls with morter which was neuer tempered cannot make those walles continue for that the morter crumbleth away Euen so false and lying Prophets that speake in the name of the Lord that which he neuer commaunded them cannot make their words true or to come to passe as they haue promised Ezech. 22.28 The Pride of Idolaters 1 AS the morning deawe soone after the Sunnerysing vanisheth away Euen so the strength glorie prosperitie Pride of the Idolaters is by God soone brought to nought Hose 13.3 Papists 1 AS the Iewes alleaged that they had plentie of all things when they serued the Queen of heauen Euen so likewise our Papists say and alleadge that it was a merrie world when yet they were plunged ouer head and eares in Idolatrie and then they had 24. Egges for a penny Iere. 44.17.18 2 As the Philistines when they had put out the eyes of Sampson did then lead him whither they would So likewise the Papists when they had subtilly put out the eyes of the people in taking froÌ„ them the light of Gods word and the Gospell of Christ they brought them where they listed made them beleeue what they would Iud. 16.21 3 Euen as Vipers doo eate out and teare in peeces the bâ—llies of their breeders that themselues may get out So not the Iewes onely but the Papists also doo mangle and teare in peeces the lawe of God and do rent and corrupt the words doctrine of the holy Prophets of God euen as it were a belly bowels that they may creepe out and escape from a liuely perfect and a sauing faith and that they may be confirmed in their errours heresies and infidelitie 4 As the Iewes haue from time to time slaine the gracious and wise Prophets of God Euen so the Papistes now where they beare any sway of rule and authoritie doo most cruelly torment and murther the Saintes of God 5 As Mice will be still in the house but neuer be acquainted with the maister of the house Euen so such are Papists for they will drawe neare vnto Christ with their lips but deny him with their deeds they will kisse Christ with Iudas and giue him gentle outward entertainment but it is for thirtie pence or thirtie pound vantage or money more or lesse 6 As the children of Israel grudging and murmuring against God in the wildernesse wheÌ„ any temptatioÌ„ arose and would goe backe againe into Egypt died in the wildernesse and were not suffered to enter into the land of Canaan Euen so such are all Papists vnfaithfull and fleshly liuers who are superstitious and cannot abide to haue their Idolatries and lewd lusts restrained and reprooued by the word of God to worship him according as hee hath appointed but would goe after straunge Gods worshipping him after their own inuentions all these vnlesse they repent and bee conuerted shall not enter the kingdome of God but shall lie in the wildernesse that is a place of euerlasting trouble and vexation Numb 11.1 c. Psal 78.24 c. 7 As the Gentiles fashioned their Gods with what figures they listed So doo the Papists to declare God to be strong they
preach that cutting out directly and skilfully the bread of Gods word so as the Church may therewith be nourished and edified 1. Tim. 3.2 2. Tim. 3.16 Tit. 1.9 5 As the office of the Phisition coÌ„sisteth in two points first to prescribe things meete for the health and to preuent diseases and secondly to cure such as fall into any sicknesse So it is the office of the Pastor in such sort to accommodate and apply his doctrine that it may serue to preuent the snares and stumbling blockes of sin as also to reproue redresse and comfort such as are fallen 6 Like as the curing of the plague requireth more forcible and violent medicines then the preuenting therof Or as it is necessary to haue more helpe to pull a man out of the water when he is fallen in then to hold him from falling in Euen so must the Pastor vse more sharpe vehement admonitions in the raising vp of such as are fallen into sin theÌ„ in preuenting the fall neither is he to imploy himselfe in his function slightly and as it were for a fashion but as S. Paul protesteth of himselfe he must be carefull diligent and constant in preaching admonishing Act. 20.31 7 As Phisitions albeit when they haue tried many receipts for recouery of a sicke person they perceiue no amendment yet doo they not desist from vsiting him and continuing the imployment of their Art so long as there is any hope of life Or as when a man taketh vpon him to fell a great Oke with thirtie or fortie of the first blowes it may seeme that he looseth his labour because the tree wil not stir but stand stifly without stouping yet in continuance it commeth at length downe and so sheweth the effect of the first blowes conioyned with the last Euen so the like custome are the Pastors to vse for the soule as the Phisition doth for the body and still to perseuere in due admonitions exhortations and consultations in hope that finally God will blesse their diligence and constancie in this dutie 8 Euen as Fishermen doo often cast their nets into the Sea and take nothing yet are not discouraged but cast so long vntill they light vppon some fish So are Pastors the fishers of men patiently constantly to proceed in their duties in hope that it will bee with them as it was with S. Peter who when hee had taken nothing all the night yet notwithstanding so much labour lost did againe cast foorth his nets at the commaundement of Iesus Christ and tooke a great multitude of fishes Ioh. 21.3 c. 9 As the Husbandmen when they are disappointed of their expected haruest haue not any to recompence their losse but all is gone both seed labour but notwithstanding the labour of the Minister doth not profit with men in respect of their incredulitie yet hath hee his reward in heauen Act. 20.26 27. Ezech. 33.9 10 Euen as the false Prophet that hauing endeuoured to seduce diuert the faithfull from the truth but throgh their coÌ„stancie cannot compasse his purpose is notwithstanding worthie to be punished So likewise the true Pastors when they haue constantly employed themselues to reduce those that be strayed into the way of saluation albeit in respect of this constancy they cannot profit yet are they worthy their hire and recompence in the sight of God Esa 49.4 5. 2. Cor. 2.15 11 As the Springs do not cease from giuing forth their waters or the riuers their streames albeit no man come to take vp any or to sayle vpon them So must not the Minister cease from preaching admonishion and reproouing albeit in manner no man make profit of his doctrine and admonition Esay 58.1 Iere. 1.17 12 Like as when the Apostles said vnto Iesus Christ Lorde wilt thou that we commaund that fire come downe from heauen coÌ„sume these Samaritans that deny thee lodging as Elias did He answered Ye wote not of what spirit yee are Euen so there are some Ministers that think to imitate the Prophets in bitter sharpe reprehensions but they are not led by the like spirit for they do it either to purchase a reputation of zeale and to be thought such as will spare none or for some other peruerse passioÌ„ God saith S. Paul hath not giuen to vs the spirit of feare but of power of loue and of sound mind thereby shewing that Pastors truly must not feare the appearance of persons to dissemble their sinnes and offences but must be strengthened by the spirite of Christ to discouer open their woundes that they may be healed but to this power boldnesse they must ioyne on the one side discretion soundnesse of mind wherby to be able to yeeld a reason of their power and boldnesse and on the other side such loue and charitie that their reprehensions and threatnings may proceed from a heart not prouoked bitter or flowing with reuenge but as hauing compassioÌ„ on such as do amisse and seeking by loue to reclaime and reduce them into the way of saluation Lâ—k 9.54 1. King 1.10 2. Tim. 1.7 Esay 59.7 8. Micha 3.8 13 Like as if a sick body troubled in mind shuld spit in the Phisitions face yet wold he not be so displeased as to forsake giue him ouer Or like as if the nipples of a womans brest should be so sore that she could not suffer her child without great paine to take them yet would she endure all to suckle her childe Euen so must Pastors deale with their flocks though they be wronged slandred for the truths sake eueÌ„ of some of their owne people yet with pâ—tience they must bear it seek to cure reduce them to amendment of life 2. Tim. 2.24 4.2 2. Cor. 6.4 14 Euen as when the Phisition hath prescribed some potion or other receit for the cure of his ficke patient returning the next day he enquireth of the operation therof and feeleth his pulses that he may learne his disposition and thereafter order himselfe So likewise it is not ynough that the Pastor preach reproue exhort and comfort his charge but he must also seeke to vnderstand how euery member therof is disposed and what his preaching and catechising hath wrought in them Eze. 3.14 Hebr. 13.17 Act. 20.28 15 As at a feast when one that sitteth at the Table eateth nothing we vse to demand whether he be wel or no Euen so if any of those that are committed to the Pastors charge doo not eate of the spirituall foode vnto him offered by preaching and catechising it is to be feared 〈◊〉 he be crased or not well at ease and therefore without delay the Pastor is to harken out the cause and diligently to see to his cure and to procure him an appetite 16 As Iesus Christ requireth that his sheep should not onely heare his voyce but also follow him Euen so it is the Pastors dutie to learne whether his parishioners doo follow the doctrine preached vnto
men which are not well setled in vertue nor grounded in godlinesse nor armed with the holy word and spirit of God but to winne and ouercome if hee could men that are furnished with a strong and liuely faith and such as are stayed and do relie vpon the Lords protection he vseth sundry subtilties and most daungerous and forcible temptations Math. 4.1 c. 3 Euen as the Fisher when he taketh some great Fish doth not by by violently strike and twitch her but letteth his fishing line go at the length vntill the fish do swallow downe the hooke and so worke her owne destruction least if at the first he should twitch her too hard the fishing line or thrid should break and his baite and hooke lost the fish should escape Euen so Sathan the Diuell when he hath gotten a poore sinner fast vpon his hooke and hath intangled fettered him in the chaines of some daungerous and deadly sinne and hath bewitched him with the forceries of the flesh and the world he doth not sodeinly oppresse exasperate him least at the first dash he play the Diuel openly and roughly like a Diuel as hee is the sinner shuld break his bands and escape his snares But he doth cherish him and maketh much of him and doth suffer him now and then both to speake and to doo some things that sauour of vertue that by little and little hee being made fast and dead sure vppon the hooke of sinne and wickednesse hee may by degrees worke his owne woe and vtter destruction So that the diuell doth stretch out his angling rod threed and all not that hee may let the sinner escape but that hee may make him the surer and hold him the faster 4 As Achfah who when shee had begged of her Father an inheritance of the South countries then shee must haue certaine grounds with Wells and Springs Euen so such a shamelesse begger is Sathan the diuell that he will still haue a little sinne and a little and neuer leaue till by little and little he getteth both body and soule into hell Iosu 15.18 19. 5 As little Children who know not what is good for them for if they begin to taste Honie once they will not leaue eating by their good wills till they be sicke with eating Euen so so sweete hath Sathan made sinne to the taste of the wicked that they crie still a litle more of it and finde no fault with it but that there is too little and they cannot haue enough 6 As Flies are alwayes busie about a sore place So that is a sport or pleasure to Sathan which is a sore or a paine to man 7 As an Oxe will eate no kind of grasse but that which is greene and fresh Euen so the diuell will be sure to haue his foode of the finest and best Spirituall graces from God LIke as the earth engendereth not raine nor is able by her owne strength labour or trauell to procure the same but receiueth it of the meere gift of God from aboue Euen so faith grace forgiuenesse of sins or Christian righteousnesse are giuen vs of God without our workes or deseruings 2 As the earth of it selfe is not able to get or procure to it selfe seasonable showers of raine to make it fruitfull Euen so much lesse are we able by our owne strength works and deseruings to winne procure to our selues faith grace forgiuenesse of sinnes or Christian righteousnesse vnlesse God himselfe by meere imputation and by his vnspeakable gift do bestow the same vpon vs. Swearing LIke as he that maketh a custome of striking with his hand it is likely that he should sometime strike vniustly Euen so he that maketh a custome of Swearing in true matters will at the length euen forsweare himselfe in matters of no importance by reason of his custome and vse which he hath got in Swearing Sonnes by adoption 1 LIke as if a King or Noble-man should of meere loue and fauour take in a begger nay a Traytor and make him his heire Euen so God did with vs and such fauour did he freely shewe to so many of the sonnes of Adam as it pleased him to adopt and so to make them his children 1. Iohn 3.1 Iohn 1.12 Rom. 8.14 2 As Iaball the sonne of Adah the wife of Lamech is called the father of such as dwell in Tents for he was the first inuenter of Tents And Iuball his brother is also called the father of such as play vpon Harpes and vpon Orgains or Pipes yet we may not therefore call the Tentes Iabales children and the Orgains and Pipes the sonnes of Iuball Euen so God is called the father of the reprobate but metaphorically because hee first created them but yet they can no more be called the adopted Children of God then the Tents might be called the Children of Iaball or the Harpes and Organes the children of his brother Iuball Gene. 4.20 21. 3 As the Sunne which sometime shineth and sendeth foorth her light dispersing the clouds and sometimes againe is hidden vnder the cloudes Or as the Sea is one while ebbing and an other while flowing Or as the Moone is sometimes waxing and sometimes waning Euen so the adopted children of God by reason of their manifolde corruptions imperfections and rebellious thoughts of their harts haue not the spirit of God alwaies felt in themselues nor perceiued in them by others in a like measure but it is in them somtimes in a greater measure sometimes in a lesse 4 Like as Trees planted by the water side which doo bring foorth fruit in due season yet the same Trees haue both a summering and wintring a spring time and a fall of the leafe when Winter comes they seeme as though they were dead but in Summer they shall waxe fresh and greene againe and yet the fruit of the same Trees are first in the sap onely then it commeth into buds and so into blossomes whereof some are smitten with blastings some are nipped with frost and cold and some are eaten with Wormes but if they escape all these then from blossomes they come to bee Apples and at the first they are greene and liuely and some doo lust to eate them but they are still hard and harsh but in time they come to their full growth And when they are ripe then are they either shaken downe with the wind and Swine deuour them Or if they bee fairely gathered yet are they pluckt from the Tree that hath borne them then are they bought and solde whereof some perishe and are cast out of doores The fairest and the sweetest are brought either to the fire to bee roasted or to the Table to be pared and cut in peeces and so to be eaten then the tree is naked and seemeth to be dead but the next Spring doo fetch all againe So likewise are the fruites of the spirit in the adopted children of God first in the sap of faith onely which is hidden in the heart then it
are to bee abhorred not to the intent to teach and commaund the same but to the end wee might knowe them the better and iudge thereof not according to the flesh but according to the spirit of God and also that wee might warily auoid them 4 As the precious stone called Drachonites cannot bee polished nor needeth any Art or cunning to make it either trimmer or fairer for it is both pleasant and bright of it selfe Euen so the holy Scriptures hath her glorie and brightnesse of herselfe and needeth not the artificiall colours and shewes either of Phylosophie Rhethoricke or any other Art 5 Euen as the cogitation and senses of man are most hard to bee knowne yet notwithstanding our frindes whome we feruently loue and with whome we are continually conuersant doo oftentimes euen by a becke open vnto vs the cogitations senses of their minds without any token of words and speech by them spoken So shall it come to passe in the holy Scriptures so that a man loue them and be continually conuersant in them hee which seeketh findeth vnto him that knocketh it shall be opened Deut. 30.11 12 13 14. Prou. 14.6 Math. 11.25 13.11 6 Like as in a Marchants Ship are caried diuers things necessary for mans life So in the Scriptures are contained all things needful to saluation Ioh. 5.39 16.13 20.30 31 2. Timo. 3.15 16 17. 7 As whatsoeuer Gold is without the Temple is not sanctified So whatsoeuer sense is without the holy Scripture although vnto some it seeme wonderful yet it is not holy because it is not contained in the sense of the Scripture Math. 12.3 4 5. 15.7 8. 22.31 The Soule that sinneth shall die LIke as euerie man that eateth sower Grapes his owne teeth shall be set on edge So likewise shall euerie one that committeth iniquitie die not for others but for his owne sinne Ezech. 18.2 Iere. 31.30 A Sorrowfull man AS the Pellicane is wont to keepe alone and without companie of other Birds and whose voice or singing hath no pleasantnesse in it So likewise such is the estate of a Sorrowfull man and an heauie hart forsaken of all men euen of those whome sometime he tooke to bee his deare friends Psal 102.6 Impossible to Serue God and riches AS impossible as it is at one and the same time for one man to serue two diuers and sundry Maisters for that he cannot be diligent and imploy himselfe about and vpon the businesse of the one but hee must needes neglect the others affaires So likewise impossible is it for a man to addict himselfe to Serue God and riches or that which belongeth to them Math. 6.24 Slouthfull 1 AS a hedge or good fence of Thorne is hard to passe through So is euerie way of gaining or getting to the Slouthfull Prou. 15.19 2 As Viniger is bad hurtful to the teeth and smoake noysome to the eyes Euen so much more hurtfull then either of both is a Slouthful seruant to them that sendeth or setteth him about any businesse Prou. 10.26 How to carrie our selues in Sicknesse and death AS a man that is to passe through a great water dooth not so much cast his eyes vppon the water as on the bancke that is on the other side So we also in the time of Sicknesse and death are not so much to respect the grieuousnesse of the same as that which followeth death namely life euerlasting Sorrowes 1 LIke as when a man by bleeding at his nose is broght into danger of his life the Physition lets him bloud in an other place as in the arme and turnes the course of the bloud an other way to saue his life Euen so wee must turne our worldly Sorrowes for the losse of goods or frindes to a godly Sorrow for our offences against God 2. Cor. 7.10 2 As the Moaths doo hurt garments and Wormes the wood Euen so doth Sorrow and heauinesse hurt the hart of man 3 Euen as filthie matter or rottennesse of a boyle blaine or push being within the flesh doth greatly grieue and vexe sore the body that is sicke but if it breake and runne out the paine is mittigated So Sorrow being closed and shut vp in the heart of man dooth mightily torment him but beeing thrust out with teares and grones the heart is somewhat eased and the mind a litle pacified Ezech. 24.16 17. 4 As a great and thicke smoake vapouring out of a foule blacke fire vnlesse it haue free passage and some vent or way where through it may goe out will all too darken bestinch and make blacke the house Euen so Sorrow and griefe proceeding out of the hot fire of aduersities and calamities beeing shut vp in the house of mans heart doth make it exceeding blacke and dooth corrupt it with blacke and bitter choller vnlesse through the mouth or eyes there be a breathing out of sighes fet from the bottome of the heart and streames of teares trickling downe the cheekes Yet an effeminate and desperate wayling either for the dead or for any other cause as of men without hope is vtterly to bee misliked and that Stoicall opinion also that a wise man should neuer bee mooued neither with mercie Sorrow mirth or anger is to be auoided Securitie causeth contempt of Christ. AS they that are in health and haue no neede of the Physition and therefore seeke little or nothing after him So they that know not the daungerous diseases of their soules but think themselues in case good enough doo seeke little after Christ and set little by him Math. 9.11 Mark 2.17 Luk. 5.31 Striuing against God AS he that beateth his heeles and kicketh against sharp prickes dooth nothing but hurt his owne heeles So he that Striueth against God preuaileth nothing but harmeth himselfe Act. 9.5 The Stewards reward 1 AS men be bountiful vnto such seruants whose faithfulnesse and deligence they haue good triall off as well in their absence as presence and on the contrarie side they are angrie seuere and sharpe to them which deceiue their expectation and doo not answere the trust which is reposed in them Euen so much more iustly will God put the like difference in rewarding or punishing the good endeuours or negligence of them to whome hee hath committed seruices of trust in his people and Church Math. 24.45 46. c. 2 As men haue iust cause with more sharpnesse and greater seueritie to punish those seruants to whome they haue shewed their mind and will and yet their businesse is neglected then to others who therefore doo it not because they know it not So likewise God to whome so euer he hath reuealed most and vppon whome hee hath bestowed most greatest giftes of knowledge if notwithstanding they bee negligent in vsing their giftes to the profit of Gods Church them will he most seuerely and sharply aboue all other punish Luk. 12.47 48. Seruants of sinne AS men are their seruants to whose commandements they yeeld all obedience Euen so if
Christians obey sinne they are the Seruants of sin whose wages is death Rom. 6.16 22 23. Gods Spirit purified 1 AS cleane water washeth and maketh cleane our bodies So the Spirit of God maketh our hearts and soules cleane in the eyes and sight of God Ezech. 36.25 2 As no man that hath the Spirit of God can blaspheme Christ and worship Idols So none can acknowledge Christ for Lord and God without the same Spirit 1. Cor. 12.3 3 As Iohn by the fire and Spirit meaneth nothing but the Spirit of God which purgeth and purifieth as the fire doth Math. 3.11 Euen so our Sauiour by Water and the Spirite meaning nothing else but the Spirit of God which cleanseth the filth of sinne and cooleth the boyling heate of an vnquiet conscience as water washeth the thing which is foule and quencheth the heate of the fire Iohn 3.5 Sinne maketh our bodies the Diuels dungeon LIke as if a man had a faire house wherein he must entertaine a King and should make thereof a Swinstie or a stable all men would say that hee did greatly abuse both the house and the King Euen so mans body being at the first made a Pallace for the euerliuing God if a man shal abuse it by drunkennesse swearing lying fornication or any vncleannesse he doth make it in stead of a Temple for the holy Ghost to be a stie or stable for the Diuell For the more filthie a mans body is the more fit it is to bee a dwelling place for Sinne and Sathan 1. Cor. 6.15 Sathans subtiltie 1 AS Naab the Ammonite warring against the men of Iabes Gilead would not raise his siege but vpon condition that hee might thrust out all their right eyes So Sathan the enemie of our soules who seeketh by all meanes possible our destruction neuer ceaseth to assault vs vntill hee haue depriued vs of the eye of right iudgement that wee may not see our saluation in Christ Iesus onely 1. Sam. 11.2 1. Pet. 5.8 2 Like as if men by long experience and obseruation of the naturall causes can attaine vnto such great knowledge of things to come that they can tell twelue yeares before the change of the Moone the Eclips of the Sunne what day hower and minute it shall bee Euen so much more Sathan who is a more excellent nature then man and greater experience hath knowledge of things to come for that he hath beene practised therein from the beginning of the world and is also more circumspect in obseruing of causes because thereby he deceiueth man a poore simple soule 3 As Amalek resisted the children of Israel that they might not enter into the land of Promise So dooth the Diuell with Christians that they should not enter into heauen Deut. 25.17 Exod. 17.8 9. Spirituall man AS a man sore wounded and diseased may for a time or season bee depriued almost of all operations of the naturall life to the outward shewe of his owne indument and feeling Euen so may a Spirituall man be soare wounded by Sathan and diseased by the present sight and feeling of his sinfull corruption specially in temptation that he may thinke yea appeare to others that the life of the spirit is not in him Impenitent Sinners LIke as a Captain that hath taken some hold or Sconse doth rule and gouerne all therein and disposeth it at his wil and pleasure Euen so it is with all blind ignorant and impenitent Sinners not one Diuel alone but euen legions of Diuels possesse them and rule their hearts and therfore how soeuer they may sooth themselues and say all is well for God is mercifull yet their case is far worse then Mary Magdalens was who had bene possessed with seuen Diuels Mar. 16.9 Preuenting of Sinne. 1 EVuen as a Father when hee sees his childe too bolde and venterous about Fire Water takes and holds it ouer the fire or ouer the water as though hee would burn or drowne it wheras his purpose indeed is nothing else but to preuent daunger for the time to come So in like maner Christs subiects are bolde to sinne by nature and therfore to preuent a mischief he doth exercise them with affliction and seemes for a season as thogh he wold quite forsake his Church but his meaning is only to preuent offences in times to come Hosea 2.6 2 As Beasts which going in the way see green pastures and desire to enter in and therefore go to the hedge but feeling the sharpenesse of the thornes dare not venture to go in So likewise Gods people like vnto wilde beasts in respect of sinne viewing the green pastures of this world which are the pleasures therof are greatly affected therewith and if it were not for the sharpenesse of crosses and temptations which are Gods spirituall hedge by which he keepeth them in they would raunge out of the way and rush into Sinne as the Horse into the battell Sentence of condemnation why set downe AS a wise Father of a family will check his seruant and if the cause require correct him in his childes presence and that the child it selfe may learn therby to feare and stand in awe of his father So likewise Christ the most carefull and wise gouernor of his Church hath set downe the Sentence of condemnation against the wicked that the children of God in this world when soeuer they shall heare or read the same might be moued thereby to stand in great feare of God and more dutifully performe obedience to his commaundements Mat. 25.41 The holy Spirite regenerateth not all AS the Sun doth not warme euery thing that it lighteneth So neither doth the Spirit regenerate nor draw to the loue of wisedome all which it illuminateth and to whom he giueth the knowledge of his doctrine but onely the godly and the faithfull Math. 24.46 Mot to grieue the Spirit of God 1 AS men vse their guests friendly curteously shewing vnto them all seruice dutie So likewise must we do to Gods Spirit which is to come to dwell abide in vs dooing nothing in any case which may disquiet or molest him Ephe. 4.30 2 Like as when the Arke of the couenant which was a signe of the presence of God was in the house of O bed Edom then the Lord blessed him and all his house Euen so much more when the holy Ghost dwelles in any mans heart there is more then the Arke of the Lord present euen God himselfe and therfore such an one may looke for a greater blessing if he grieue not him by sinning 2. Sam. 6.11 1 Thes 5.19 The vse of all prescribed meanes to Saluation is necessary 1 IF a King should giue vnto one of his subiects a Princely Pallace vpon condition that he shall goe vnto it in the way which hee shall prescribe hee would no doubt take what pains he could to know the way and afterward endeuour to keep continue in it So likewise the kingdome of heauen is the most glorious and royall Pallace
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
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
righteousnesse and of peace and ioy in the holy Spirit attending vntill hee finish in vs the communication of that light ioy holinesse and glorie that we shall haue perfectly in heauen Ephe. 1.13 14. 3 As among men when things that passe too and fro though they bee in question yet when the Seale is put too they are made out of doubt Euen so when God by his Spirit is said to seale the promise in the heart of euerie particular beleeuer it signifieth that hee giues vnto them euident assuraunce that the promise of life belongs vnto them Ephe. 4.30 Sluggards AS the Drunkards drinketh till he hath drunke all the money out of his purse and all the wit out of his head and all goodnesse out of his heart that there is no difference between him and the beast except it be in this that the beast can goe and keepe his way which the drunkard cannot doo So the Suggard sleepeth in all securitie and neglecteth his businesse and puts off all care for doing of all his duties vntill he hath slept all thrift out of his shop and all his friends out of his companie and all Gods graces out of his hart and all comfort out of his soule and all strength out of his body and all conscience out of his dealing till his stocke be spent and his occupying decayed and his customers gone and Gods spirit gone and all be gone and till nothing be left but feare and shame with pouertie penurie and a bare head and feeble shoulders to beare off the blowes Singing of Psalmes 1 AS that is a godly sorrow that driueth vs to prayer a blessed heauinesse that maketh vs seeke vnto the Lord So that is a godly mirth that endeth with Singing of Psalmes and heauenly ioy that at the least wise maketh vs more fit to serue God 2. Cor. 7.10 Col. 3.16 Ephe. 5.18 Iam. 5.13 2. Chro. 35.25 2 As no man can truely pray without the feeling of his wants So no man can Sing from his heart vnlesse he haue some perswasion of Gods fauour and so as affliction driueth him to pray so mirth mooueth him to Sing Act. 15.25 3 As all knowledge is increased especially by hearing reading and conferring about the Scripture So all affections are most of all stirred vp by meditation prayer and Singing of Psalmes Psal 147.1 4 Like as when the light of the Gospell came first in Singing of Ballads that was rise in Poperie beganne to cease and in time was cleane banished away in many places So likewise the sudden renuing of them and hastie receiuing of them euery where maketh vs to suspect least they should driue away the Singing of Psalmes againe seeing they cannot stand together of which wee are so much the more iealous because we see that in other places also where these bee not receiued in yet the Singing of Psalmes is greatly left ouer that it had wont to be 5 As the vngodly haue a grace in their wickednesse and are the better liked of among the vngodly though indeed they are then most deformed So this singing of Psalmes maketh vs comely before God and louely in the eyes of his Church when we hauing prepared our harts therevnto do sing with affection with reuerence with vnderstanding Psal 331. Reue. 14.3 6 Euen as a costly garment may be comely in it selfe yet shall it not become vs vnlesse we be fit for it and it be well put vpon vs So though to sing be neuer so comely in it owne nature yet it becommeth not vs except we be prepared for it and do sing Dauids Psalmes with Dauids spirit Ephe. 5.19 Colloss 3.16 2. Chro. 29.30 7 Like as the expert Phisitions vse for the most part to annoynt the brinks of the Cuppes with hony when they minister their bitter potions to sicke children least they should abhorre their health for the bitternesse of theyr drinkes Euen so the holy Ghost perceiuing that mankind is hardly trained to vertue and that we be very negligent in things concerning the true life indeed by reason of our great inclination to worldly pleasures and delectations hath inuented and mixed in his forme of doctrine the delectation of Musicke by the Psalmes to the intent that the commoditie of the doctrine might secretly steale into vs whilst our eares be touched with the plesantnesse of the melodie so that for this ende be these sweete and harmonious songs deuised for vs that such as be children either by age or children by maners should indeed haue their soules wholesomely instructed though for the time they seeme but to sing onely Sinne the cause of affliction AS no man ought to accuse and blame the Phisitian as though he were the onely occasion of the corrupt humours within the bodie notwithstanding that he hath brought and driuen them out that a man may euidently see and perceiue them but the misbehauiour and vntemperate diet of the man himselfe is the very right occasion and the onely roote thereof Euen so we ought not to ascribe any blame or fault vnto God if he send vs heauinesse paine and trouble but to thinke that it is a medicine and remedie meete for our sinnes and euery man to ascribe the veâ—ie cause and occasion thereof vnto himselfe and his owne sinnes and to referre blame to nothing else Dan. 9.5 6 7. Ionah 1.12 Our Spirit must striue to ouercome the flesh LIke as the Spirite farre passeth and ouercommeth the flesh in Christ Euen so must it do in vs also that we haue more respect vnto God and vnto life euerlasting then vnto this our worm eaten flesh Sinnes of others are not to be imitated or to be our excuses LIke as if in walking thou shouldest see him fall that goeth before thee thou goest not to fall with him but thou art to be so much the more circumspect that thou fall not as he did Euen so we are to remember that those foule falles and grosse faults of Dauid and of S. Peter and of others are set before vs first that they should be to vs as a mirror of the frailtie and weaknesse of man to acknowledge that if we be exempted and freed it is by the grace of God and secondly that we should so much the more stand vpon our guard and be watchfull least we likewise fall Sorrow for imminent daunger of death warre hell c. AS there was great lamentation in Syon because of Gods iustice for their sinnes Or as there was great lamentation for Pharao in Egypt because hee was a Lyon in the land and a Dragon in the Sea and as there was great Sorrow fasting mourning and weeping among the Iewes because the King had decreed their deaths Euen so wee the inhabitants of England haue great cause of lamentation fasting mourning and weeping because death is scaling our windowes the beastes of the fields to wit the Pope and the Spaniard hungring to deuour our bodies to spoyle our Countrie and to shed our bloud as water vpon the