many there be which goe in thereat But straight is the Gate and narrow is the way that leadeth vnto life and few there be that find it Mat. 7 13 7 19 5 29 30 31. Q. What must I do when vpon good ground I shall fiâ—d my selfe to bee deliuered from so great a condemnation A. Giue thankes to God and say Great is thy mercy towards me for thou hast delivered my soule from the lowest hell Psal 86.13 Q Why Is it not in mans power to purchase Heaven and to deliuer himselfe from Hell A. Verily verily I say vnto you except a man be borne againe of Water and the Holy Ghost hee cannot enter into the kingdome of Heaven Ioh. â— 3 And without holinesse no man can see the Lord Heb. 12 14. And yet who can say my heart is cleane I am pure from my sinne Prou. 20 9. Iâ—b 9 20. Isa 64 6. Iob. 9.30 31. Psal 93 5. CHAP. XIX Of Sanctification Ob. IF this bee our case who then can be saued Mark 10 26. A. With men this is vnpossible but with GOD all things are possible Math. 19 26. By whom there shall be a fountaine opened to the house of DAVID for sinne and for vncleannesse Zach. 13.1 And you shall be cleane from all your filthinesse and from all your Idols will hee cleanse you Ezek. 36.25 And will turne to you a pure language Zeph. 3 9. that hee who blesseth himselfe in the earth shall blesse himselfe in the GOD of Truth Isa 65 16 And shall serue the Lord their GOD and DAVID their King whom hee will raise vp vnto them Ier. 30 9. Hos 2.16 17. Zeph. 3 13. Psal 37.30 31. 2. Tit. 14. Ioh. 17 19. Heb. 10.7 10. 2. Cor. 13.8 Rom. 8 9. Zach. 8 3. Ezek. 37 28 1. Thes 5 23. Math. 13.33 Isa 4.2 Thus the heart of IEHOSAPHAT was lifted vp in the wayes of the Lord 2. Chro. 17 6. And ZACHARIE and ELIZABETH were both righteous and walked in all the ordinances of the Lord blamelesse Luk. 1 6. Act. 23 1.24 16. Heb. 13 18. Act. 10 22. Ob. Can the Blackmoores skin be changed or a Leopard his spots And can he bee good that is accustomed vnto evill Ier. 13 23. A. Yea for if the blood of Buls and of Goates and Calues and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the vncleane sanctifie to the purifying of the Flesh how much more shall the Blood of CHRIST who through the Eternall spirit offering himselfe without spot vnto GOD purge your Consciences from dead workes to serue the living God Heb. 9 13. Eph. 2 1. Gal. 1 23. Ob. I feele the dwelling of sinne in me still A. So did IOB Iob 9 20.9 30.31 and DAVID Psal 38 4.51 3. and ISAIAH Isa 64 6. and PAVL Rom. 7 18. 1. Tim. 1 15. And so though you also doe walke in the flesh yet doe you â—ut warre after the flesh 2. Cor. 10 3. Sinne shall not haue dominion over you for you are not vnder the Law but vnder Grace Rom. 6 14. For the law of the Spirit of Life which is in CHRIST IESVS shall free thee from the law of Sinne and of Death Rom. 8 2. 1. Cor. 12 3. Q. Why doth CHRIST wash vs who are so vncleane A. CHRIST loueth his Church and gaue himselfe for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word and that hee might present it to himselfe a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thâ—ng but that it should be holy and without blemish Ephes 5 25. Hos 14 4. Q. Is there nothing required of vs for the furthering of this Grace in our selues A. Hee that hath this hope purifieth himselfe as hee is pure 1. Ioh. 3 3. you shall therefore sanctifie your selues and â—ee shall be holy for I am holy neither shall you defile your selues with any manner of creeping thing Leu. 11.44 But if you walke in the Spirit you shall not fulfill the lusts of the Flesh Gal. 5 16. For every branch that beareth fruit hee purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit Ioh. 15 2. Rom. 6 12. Leu. 20 8.20.26 But his owne iniquities shall take the wicked himselfe and he shall be holden with the cords of his owne sinnes Prou. 5 22. For God will giue him vp vnto his owne hearts lusts whereby he shall walke in his owne counsels Psal 81 12. 2. He must pray saying O Lord why hast thou made mee to erre from thy wayes and hardened my heart from thy feare Returne for thy servants sake Isa 63 17. Create in me a cleane heart O GOD and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thâ— holy Spirit from me Psal 51 10. Keepe backe thy servant also from presumptuous sinnes let them not haue dominion over me Psal 19 13. Who can vnderstand his errours Cleanse thou me from my secret faults Psal 19 12. I will runne the wayes of thy Commandements when thou hast inlarged my heart Psal 119 32 41 4. Ioh. 17 17. Q. When wee find this grace of Sanctification to bee wrought in vs what must we then doe A. Because it is GOD which worketh in you both to will and to doe of his good pleasure Phil. 2 13. Theâ—eâ—ore sâ—y yee God bee thanked that we were the servants of Sinne but we haue obeyed from the heart that forme of Doctrine which was deliuered vs. Rom. 6 17. Q. But shall no Sanctifying grace of GOD be wanting A. GOD gaue not CHRIST the Spirit by measure Ioh. 3 34. For it pleaseth the Father thut in him should all fulnesse dwell Col. 1 19. And vnto every one of vs is given Grace according to the measure of the guift of CHRIST Ephes 4 7. So that you shall come behind in no guift 1. Cor. 1 7. But of his fulnesse you shall receiue and grace for grace Ioh. 1 16. Isa 11 2 3. Psal 68 19. Zach. 14 8. Ephes 1 3 4. CHAP. XX. Of Knowledge Faith Trust and Hope Q. WHich is the fiâ—st of those Graces A. To know the Truth Ioh. 8 32. I will saith God giue them an heart to know me that I am the Lord Ier. 24.7 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel c. I will put my Lawes into their minde and write them in their hearts c. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know mee from the least to the greatest Heb. 8 10. Ier. 31 33. And the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the LORD as the waters cover the Sea Hâ—b 2 14 Moreouer the light of the Moone shall be as the light of the Sunne and the light of the Sunne shall be seaven-fold as the light of the 7. dayes Isa 30.26 Wherby the people that sate in Darkenesse saw great light and to them which sate in the Region of the
against you yet he shall purge them away Psaâ— 65 3â— Moreover every valley shall be exalted and every mountaine and hâ—ll shall be made low and the crooked things shal be made straight and the rough places plaine Isa 40 4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mighty through GOD to the pulling downe of strong holds casting downe imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of GOD and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of CHRIST 2 Cor. 10 4. Acts 9 20. Ob. But doe not you as PAVL did of himse fe say of your selfe that what I would doe that I doe not but what I hate that doe I Rom. 7 15 23. Gal. 5.17 A. If I doe that I would not I consent vnto the law that it is good Now then it is no more I that do it but sinne that dwelleth in me Rom. 7 16. And though I walke in the flesh yet doe I not warre after the flesh 2 Cor. 10.3 For the Lord is that spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3 17 Therefore I thanke GOD through IESVS CHRIST our Lord hat with the mind I serue the Law of GOD though with the flesh the Law of sinne Rom. 7 25. Q. What is required of vs to be done for the furthering of this Grace in our selues A. Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and Pilgrims abstaine from fleshly lusts which warre against the Soule 1 Pet. 2 11. 2 Pray saying keepe backe thy Servant from presumptuous sinnes let them not haue dominion over me then shalt thou be vpright and innocent from the great transgression Psal 1â— 13. Ob. Notwithstanding doe what I can this burthen of sinne presseth me very sore A. Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy laden and I will giue you rest Mat. 11.28 For I am not come to call the Righteous but sinners to repentance Mat. 9.13 Ob. Behold we come vnto thee for thou art the Lord our God Ier. 3 22. But we haue gone astray like lost sheepe Psal 119 176. And the way of man is not in himselfe neither is it in man that walketh to direct his steps Ier. 10 23. A. I am not sent but to the lost sheepe of the house of Israel Mat. 15 24. Therfore I am come to saue that which was lost Mat. 18 11. and to bring againe that which was driven away Ezek. 34.16 For how thinke you If a man haue an hundred sheepe and one of them be gone astray doth he not leaue the ninety and nine and goeth into the Mountaines and seeke that which was gone astray c. Even so it is not the will of the Father which is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish Mat. 18 12 10 6. Luk. 15 8 c. Ob. The worst as yet remaines for though I see my way before me yet can I not walke therein A. The Spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weake Math. 26 41. Yet a bruised reed will he not breake and smoaking flaxe shall he not quench till hee send forth Iudgement vnto victory Mat. 12 20. And hee said vnto me my grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weaknesse 2 Corinth 12 9. Ob. All this while my appetite after 2Grace is not alayed A. I will powre waters vpon him that is thirsty and flouds vpon the dry ground Isa 44 3 For as the Scriptures haue said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of liuing water which bee spake of the spirit which they that beleeue on him should receiue Ioh. 7 38 39. I am also the bread of life he that coÌ„meth vnto me shal neuer hunger and he that beleeueth on me shall never thirst Iohn 6 35 4 13. Luke 1 53. Ob. It is not meet to take the Childrens bread and to cast it vnto Dogges Mat. 15 26. A. True yet the Dogs eate of the crums which fall from the Masters table Mat. 15 27. And therefore if any man thirst let him come vnto CHRIST and drinke Ioh. 7 37. And hee that hath no money come yea buy and eate yea come buy wine and milke without money and without price Wherefore doe you spend money on that which is not bread And your labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently vnto me and eate that which is good and let your soule delight it selfe in fatnesse Incline your eare come vnto him heare and your soule shall liue Isa 55 1. And the spirit and the bride say come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him take of the Waters of life freely Revel 22 17. Ioh. 4 10. Q. But in comming shall I not bee rejected A. All that the Father giveth mee shall come to mee and him that commeth to me I will in no wise cast off Ioh. 6.37 Ob. Sir giue mee then this water that I thirst not Ioh. 4.15 For notwithstanding all you haue said It is the very breaking of my heart to thinke that I can serue GOD no better A. The Sacrifices of GOD are a broken Spirit a broken and a contrite heart God will not despise Psal 51 17. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternitie whose name is Holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to reviue the spirit of the humble and to reviue the heart of the contrite ones Isa 57.15 To open the blind eyes to bring the Prisoners from the prison and them that sit in darknesse out of the prison house Isa 42.7 That they might bee called the trees of Righteousnesse the planting of the LORD that hee might be glorified Isa 6â— 2 3. Therefore turne yee to the strong holds ye prisoners of hope for even to day doe I declare that I will render double vnto thee Zach. 9 12. Isa 49.8.61 1. Psal 34.18.147 3. Ob. These are sweet promises I confesse but yet I want comfort still A. The Lord God hath given CHRIST the tongue of the Learned that hee should know how to speake a word in season to him that is wearie Isa 50 4 Blessed therefore are you that mourne for you shall bee comforted Math. 5.4 Ob. Yet for all this the distresses of my soule are such as bee intollerable to beare and how to bee deliuered I know not A. Who is among you that feareth the Lord that obeyeth the voyce of his servant that walketh in darknesse and hath no light let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay vpon his GOD Isa 50.10 and seeke vnto him that maketh the seaven Starres and Orion and turneth the shadow of Death into the morning and maketh the day darke with night that calleth for the waters of the Sea and powreth them â—â—t vpon the face of the earth the LORD â—his name Amos 5 8. CHAP. XXVI Of the Temptations of the Devill Ob. THough I should preuaile
Rom. 5.1 Who is our peace and hath broke downe the middle wall of partition betweene vs hauing abolished in his flesh the enmity euen the Law of commandements contained in ordinances for to make to himselfe one new man and so making peace Eph. 2.14 whereby in Christ Iesus we who sometimes were farre off are made nigh by the blood of Christ and by him we haue an accesse by one spirit vnto the Father Ephes 2.13 Col. 1.21.2.14 2 Cor. 5.19 1 Tim. 2.5 Isa 26.3 27.4 2 Thes 3.16 Q. May not this peace and agreement once made be againe lost A. Peace I leaue with you my peace I giue vnto you not as the world giueth it giue I vnto you Ioh. 14.27 For this is as the waters of Noah for as I haue sworne that the waters of Noah should no more go ouer the earth so haue I sworne that I will not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee for the mountaines shall depart and the hils shall be remoued but my kindnesse shall not depart from thee neither shall the couenant of my peace be remooued saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Isa 54.9 Numb 25.12 Isa 9.7 Phil. ◠7 Q. What other grace hath this peace with God attending it A. Ioy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 whereby the meeke shall ioy in the Lord and the poore among men shall reioyce in the holy one of Israel Isa 29.19 And shall be full of ioy with his countenance Act. 2.28 And be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse Psal 63.5 By meanes whereof Iob had songs in the night Iob 35.10 And Dauid was made exceeding glad with Gods countenance Psal 21.6 Nehe. 12.43 Psal 33.21 Ier. 4.2 Psal 104.34 Ioh. 15.11 17.13 Psal. 89.15 Isa 65.18 Acts 8.39 16.34.13.52 Psa 4.7 Isa 9.3 Q. What followeth vpon this our peace and ioy in God A. 1 Peace with men For then shall they beat their swords into plowshares and their speares into pruning hookes nation shal not lift vp sword against nation neither shall they learne warre any more Isa 2.4 The wolfe shal dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lie downe with the kid and the calfe and the young lyon and the fatling together and a little child shall lead them Isa 11.6 The hatred of Ephaim shall depart and the aduersaries of Iudah shall be cut off Ephraim shall not enuy Iudah neither shall Iudah vex Ephraim Isa 11.13.65.25 Micha 4.3 Zech. 3.10 Gen. 21.27 Zech. 9.10 Isa 66.12 2 Peace with all other creatures For they are at league with the stones of the field and the beasts of the field they are at peace with them Iob. 5.23 Because God hath established his couenant with them and with their seed after them and with euery liuing creature of the fowle of the cattell and of euery beast of the earth Gen. 9.9 and with the creeping things of the ground Hosea 2.18 And the feare of them and the dread of them shall bee vpon euery beast of the earth vpon euery fowle of the ayre vpon all that moueth vpon the earth vpō al the fishes of the sea into their hand are they deliuered Gen. 9.2 Ob. You tell me of peace and ioy but behold trouble and sorrow Ier. 4.10 A. You now haue sorrow but your hearts shall reioyce and your ioy shall no man take from you Ioh. 16.22 For light is sowne for the righteous ioy for the vpright in hart Ps 97.11 Marke the perfect man behold the vpright for the end of that man is peace Psal 37.37 And though now the earth be moued and though the mountaines fall into the middest of the Sea though the waters thereof rage and be troubled and the mountaines shake at the surges of the same yet there is a riuer whose streame shall make glad the Citty of God Psalme 46.2 Whereby they shall lift vp their voyce and shall shout for the magnificence of the Lord and shall reioyce Isa 24.14 Q. What are the means whereby this ioy and peace with God and the creature may be maintained A. 1 Pray saying The Lord of peace giue vs peace alwayes by all meanes 2 Thes 3.16 That wee may see the good of thy chosen that we may reioyce in the gladnesse of thy Nation that we may glory with thine inheritance Psal 106.5 Let the righteous be glad let them reioyce before thee yea let them exceedingly reioice Ps 68.3.51 8.5.11.40.16.48.11.122 6.7 1 Sam. 25.6 2 The worke of righteousnesse is peace Isa 32.17 And to as many as walke according to this rule Peace shall be on them Gal. 6.16 I will therefore heare what God the Lord will speake for he will speake peace vnto his people and to his Saints but let them not turne againe to folly Psal 85.8 For the wicked are like the troubled Sea when it cannot rest whose waters cast vp mire and dirt There is no peace saith my God to the wicked Isa 57.20.48.22 Rom. 8.6 14.17 Iames 3.18 2 Corinth 13.11 3 If you would haue peace with men prouide things honest in the sight of all men If it be possible as much as lyeth in you liue peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 And therefore seeke peace and pursue it Psal 34.14 And follow hard after the things that make for it Rom. 14.19 4 Would you haue peace with the creatures To the pure all things are pure Titus 1.15 And euery creature of God is good if it be receiued with thankesgiuing For it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer 1 Tim. 4.4.5 CHAP. VII Adoption and Regeneration Q. What followeth vpon our iustification and reconciliation A. To be the children of God through faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 3.26 For to as many as receiued him to them hee gaue this prerogatiue to be his sonnes euen to them that beleeue in his name Ioh. 1.12 Who came to redeeme vs that were vnder the Law that wee might receiue the adoption of sonnes Gal. 4.5 Behold therefore what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the sonnes of God 1 Ioh. 3.1 Math. 5.9 Reuel 21.7 Ob. This seemes to be no great matter for they liue in no such outward pompe nay their condition seemes to be worse than other mens Psal 73.5 A. The Kingdome of God is not of meat and drinke Rom. 14.17 nor commeth with obseruation neither shall they say Lo heere or lo there for behold the Kingdome of God is within you Luke 17.20 and is all glorious there Psal 45.13 Q. But what portion and inheritance hath God for such as be his children A. The Father loueth the Sonne and hath giuen all things into his hand Ioh. 3.35 In whom we also haue obtained an inheritance Ephes 1.11 For if we bee children then are we heyres heyres of God and ioynt-heires with Christ Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.7 Psal 16.5 Ob. This belonged vnto Abraham and to his seed but not to the sinners of the Gentiles A. If you be Christs then are you
euer them that are sanctified whereof also the holy Ghast is a witnesse Heb. 10.14 15. Not that Christ should offer himselfe often as the high Priests entred into the holy place euery yeere with the blood of others for then must he often haue suffered since the foundation of the world But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Heb. 9.25.10.18 Q. Is then the guiltinesse and punishment of sin taken away by Christ A. This is a faithfull saying and worthy all acceptance that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 And you know that he was made manifest that he might take away our sins 1 Ioh. 3.5 who his own selfe bare our sins in his own body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2.24 which was prefigured by the scape-gote Leu. 16.21 22. Thus it is written and thus it behoued Christ to suffer and that remission of sinnes should bee preached in his name among all Nations beginning at Ierusalem Luke 24.26.27 Be it knowne vnto you therefore men and brethren that through this man is preached vnto you the forgiuenesse of sinnes Act. 13.38 Math. 9.2 1.21 Reuelat. 1.5 6. Ioh. 1.29 Ob. By what authority did hee these thing And who gaue vnto Christ this authority to forgiue sinnes Math. 12.23 Mar. 2.7 A. As no man tooke this honour to himselfe to offer for sin but he that was called of God as was Aaron So also Christ glorified not himselfe to bee made an high Priest but hee that said vnto him Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten thee he gaue it him Heb. 5.4 And hath exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and Sauiour for to giue repentance vnto Israel and forgiuenesse of sinnes Act. 5.31 But that yee may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgiue sins he saith to one sicke of the palsie I say unto thee arise and take vp thy bed who immediatly arose and took vp his bed and went forth among them all Mar. 2.10 c. Q. What witnesses can you produce to conuince vs of remission of sinnes by Christ A. Caiaphas though his enemy yet being high priest professed that Iesus should dye for the Nation of â—he Iewes and not for that Nation only but that also hee should gather together in one the Children of God that were scattered abroad Ioh. 1â— 51 52. To whom also giue all the Proâ—hets witnesse That through his name whosoeuer beleeueth in him should receiue remission of sinnes Acts 10.43 This is hee that came bâ— water and blood euen Iesus Christ not by water onely but by water and blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spâ—rit is truth For there are three that beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one And there are three that beare witnesse in earth the Spirit and water and blood and these three agree in one Ioh. 15.6 c. Q. But wil God make good their testimony A. If we confesse our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinne 1 Ioh. 1.9 For when Dauid said vnto Nathan I haue sinned Nathan said vnto Dauid The LORD also hath put away thy sinne 2 Sam. 12.13 Isa 6.5 c. 2 Chro. 7.14 Mat. 18.26 27. Luk. 15.18 c. Q. Is there no forgiuenesse of sinne without confession A. Hee that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper onely hee that confesseth and forsakes his sins shall haue mercy Pro. 28.13 For saith Dauid When I kept silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long c. I acknowledged my sinne vnto thee and mine iniquity haue I not hid I said I will confesse my transgressions and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sinne Psalm 32.3 c. Luke 15.18 Q. What are the sinnes which God for Christs sake will forgiue A. He will cleanse them from all their iniquities whereby they haue sinned against him and he will pardon all their iniquities whereby they haue sinned and whereby they haue transgressed against him Ier. 33.8 And the blood of Iesus Christ his Son cleanseth vs from all sinne 1 Ioh. 1.7 Psal 130.8 85.2 Q. How farre foorth doth God forgiue sinnes A. To the vtmost extent thereof For 1 God was in Christ reconciling the world vnto himselfe not imputing their trespasses vnto them 2. Cor. 5.19 2 As not seene For he hath not beheld iniquity in Iacob neither hath hee seene peruersenesse in Israel Numb 23.21 Whereby when the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for there shall be none and the sinnes of Iudah and they shall not be found c. Ierem. 50.20 Isa 38.17 Psalm 85.2 Ezek. 16.8 3. As not remembred For he will be mercifull vnto our vnrighteousnesse and our sinnes and iniquities wil he remember no more Heb. 8.12 4 As far away remoued For as heauen is high aboue the earth so great is his mercy towards them that feare him as farre as the East is from the West so farre hath he remooued our transgressions from vs Psal 103.11 12. 5 As swallowed vp He will turne againe hee will haue compassion vpon vs hee will subdue our iniquities and cast all their sinnes into the depth of the sea Micah 7.19 7 As a cloud vanished Hee hath blotted out as a thicke cloude our transgressions and as a cloude our sinnes Isai 44.22 7 As a writing defaced I saith God euen I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions Isai 43.25 Q. Why is the curse of sinne with the guilt taken away by Christ A. GOD sent not his Sonne into the World to condemne vs but that wee through him might bee saued Iohn 3.17 For surely hee hath borne our griefes and carried our sorrowes c. Hee was wounded for our transgressions hee was bruised for ouri-niquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed c. Isa 53.4.5 There is therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 For he hath redeemed them from the curs of the Law by being made a curse for them as it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on a tree Gal. 3.13 Rom. 5.14 c. Ioh. 3.17 Q. What moued the Lord through Christ to take away our sinnes A. We haue redemption through his blood the forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace Ephes 1.7 And for his owne names sake 1 Ioh. 2.12 If the Lord indeed should marke iniquities who should stand But there is forgiuenesse with him that he may be feared Psalm 130.3 4 Ezech. 20.44 Isa 43.21 Q. What would you infer vpon this so rich and plentious grace of God A. Euen as Dauid who describeth the blessednesse of the man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without works saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen and whose sinnes are couered Blessed is the man vnto whom the Lord will not impute sinne Romans
Abrahams seede and heyres according to promise Gal. 3.29 Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children but in Isaac shall thy seed be called that is they which are the children of the flesh they are not the children of God but the children of the promise are counted for the seede Rom. 9.7 Now wee brethren as Isaac was are the children of promise Gal. 4.28.3.7 1 Pet. 3.6.1.2.10 Luk. 19.9 Mat. 3.9 Ioh. 8.39.47 Hos 1.10.2.23 Isa 65.1 Ob. This priuiledge may concerne some great personages of the Gentiles but not such abiect and dispised persons as I am A. Hearken my beloued brethren hath not God chosen the poore of this world rich in faith and heires of the Kingdome which he hath promised to them that loue him Iames 2.5 For you see your calling how that not many wise men after the flesh nor many mighty nor many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of the world confound the things that are mighty aâ— base things of the world and things whâ— are despised hath God chosen yea thiâ— which are not to bring to nought thiâ— that are that no flesh should glory in presence 1 Cor. 1.26 Isa 66.2 Ob. If I could doe some thing woâ—thy of such a reward there were thâ— some hope A. God hath called vs not according workes but according to his own purpose aâ— grace whieh was giuen vs in Christ Iesâ—â— before the world began 2 Tim. 1.9 For 〈◊〉 promise made to Abraham that he shoâ— be the heyre of the world was not to â—braham and his seed through the Law 〈◊〉 through the righteousnesse of faith For they which are of the Law be heires faith made voyd the promise made of none â—fect Ro. 4.13.11.5 Luk. 17.7 Tit. 3.3 Ob. Notwithstanding it will not oâ— of my minde but that it is my well dâ—ing if at all that must enter mee in this estate A. This perswasion commeth not of him that calleth you Gal. 5.8 For God sent foorth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that are vnder the Law that we might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Gal. 4.4.5 And therefore tell me you that desire to be vnder the Law doe you not heare the Law For it is written Cast out the bondwoman and her sonne for the sonne of the bondwoman shall not be heyre with the sonne of the freewoman Gal. 4.21 Gen. 21.10 Q. How comes it then to passe that wee miserable creatures should be so highly exalted A. We haue not chosen him but he hath chosen vs Ioh. 15.16 And hath predestinated vs vnto the adoption of children by Iesus Christ to himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will Ephes 1.5.11 For behold the heauen and the heauen of heauen is the Lords the earth also with all things that therein is Only the Lord hath a delight in vs hath chosen vs aboue al people as it is this day Deu. 10.14 Isa 60.21 Rom. 11.5 Ob. Can it bee imagined that meâ— instamped with the diuels image should become the children of God A No For there are also giuen vnto vs great and precious promises that 〈◊〉 these ye might be partakers of the diuine nâ—ture hauing escaped the corruption that 〈◊〉 in the world through lust 2 Pet. 1.4 Wherby we haue put off the old man witâ— his deeds and haue put on the new maâ— which is renewed in knowledge after thâ— image of him that created vs Col. 3.9 Anâ— are changed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 Q. What are the causes by which this Image of God is wrought in vs A. 1 Principall efficient the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3 18. For we are borne not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Ioh. 1.13 That which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the Spirit is Spirit Ioh. 3.6.8 Tit. 3.5 2 Instrumentall the word For of his owne will begat hee vs with the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures Iames 1.18 Being borne againe not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liueth and abideth for euer 1 Pet. 1.23 3 Ministring the Preachers who do beget vs by the Gospell 1 Corinth 4.15 And doe trauell in birth vntill Christ bee formed in vs Gal. 4.19 Isa 66.8 1 Cor. 9.1.2 Q. How may we know our selues to haue this image and so to be the children of God A. By these markes wee know that we are of God when yet the whole world lyeth in wickednesse 1 Ioh. 5.19 1 God himselfe hath sealed vs and hath giuen the earnest of the spirit in our hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 which spirit beareth witnesse with our spirits that wee are the children of God Rom. 8.16 2 Hee that beleeueth on the Sonne hath the witnesse in himselfe that hee is borne of God 1 Ioh. 5.10.5.1 3 He that is of God heareth Gods word Iohn 8.47 And as new borne babes doâ— desire that sincere milke of the Word thaâ— he may grow thereby 1 Peter 2.2 4 If you know that hee is righteous you know euery one that doth righteousnesse iâ— borne of him 1 Iohn 2.29 And being new borne hee doth not commit sinne because his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sinne because hee is borne of God In thiâ— therefore are the children of God knowne and the children of the diuell whosoeuer doth not righteously is not of God 1 Ioh. 3.9.3 Epist 11 Rom. 8.14 5 Loue is of God and euery one that loueth is borne of God and knoweth God 1 Iohn 4.7 6 Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God Mat. 5.9 But if you haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts glory not and lye not against the truth Iames 3.14 For your spot is not the spot of his children they that are such are a crooked and peruerse generation Deut. 32.5 Hosea 1.9 Deut. 32.32 33. Iohn 8.44 Isa 57.3 Q. What may this priuiledge of being the children if God teach vs A. 1 To pray that the eyes of your vnderstanding being inlightned ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance is in the Saints and what is the exceding greatnesse of his power to vsward who beleeue according to the working of his mighty power Ephes 1.18 2 To call no man your father on earth for one is your father in heauen Math. 23.9 But be yee followers of God as deare children For yee were once darknesse now are yee light in the Lord walke as children of the light Ephes 5.1.8 And let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heauen Math. 5.16 Mal. 1.6 1 Pet. 1.17 Ephes 4.30 3 To
thee Iob 22.27 In an acceptable time and in the day of saluation Isa 49.8 Thou shalt call and the Lord shall say heere I am Psa 58.9 At the voyce of thy cry when hee shall heare it hee will answer thee Isa 30.19 Yea it shall come to passe that before you call hee will answer and whiles you are yet speaking he will heare Isa 65.24 Math. 18 19 Ierem. 29.12 Ioh. 4 10. Gen. 20.7 For in my distresse I called vpon the Lord and cryed vnto my God hee heard my voice out of his Temple and my cry came before him euen into his eares Psal 18.6 And whiles Daniel was speaking in prayer the man Gabriel came vnto him said at the beginining of thy suppications the coÌ„mandement came forth and I am come to shew thee the vision Dan. 9.20 And so the Lord answerd the Angel praying for Ierusalem with good words and comfortable words Zec. 1.13 Gen. 19.20 21 20.17.24.12 c. Exod. 2.23 8.12 c. 12.30.9.33 10.18.15.24 25.17.11.32.9.10.33.17 Numb 21.6 7 8 14.19 20 Iosua 10.12 1 Sam. 1.27.7.9.12.18 1 Kings 13.6.17.21 18.38 2 Kings 1.9 6 â—7 1 Chron. 4.10 2.20 12.30.27 Ezra 8.23 Psal 6.8 Iona. 2.10 Acts 4.31 10.4 12.5 16.25 Heb. 5.7 Ob. I am sure there is no day wherein I doe misse prayer and yet I am neuer the neere A. You aske and receiue not because you aske amisse Iames 4.3 And your iniquities haue turned away these things and your sinnes haue withheld good things Ier. 5.25 Q. What is then required of a man that he may pray aright and with assurance of being heard A. 1 Concerning the person and first that he be in Christ who because hee prayeth not for the world but for those the Father hath giuen him Iohn 17 9. If yee abide in him aske what you will and it shall be done vnto you Ioh. 15.7 2 That hee be righteous the prayer of the righteouus auaileth much Iames 5.16 For the eyes of the Lord are ouer the righteous and his eares are open to their prayers 1 Pet. 3.12 If ye regard wickednesse in your heart the Lord will not heare you Psal 66.18 But if your heart condemne you not then may you haue confidence towards God and whatsoeuer you aske you shall receiue of him because you keepe his commandements and doe those things that are pleasing in his sight 1 Iohn 3.21 For the Lord is farre from the wicked but hee heareth the prayer of the righteous Prou. 15.29 The feare of the wicked it shall come vpon him but the desire of the Righteous shall be granted Pro. 10.24 Now because in many things wee sinne all Eccles 7.20 What praier and supplication soeuer be made by any man or by all the people Israel which shall know euery man the plague of his owne heart then will God heare in heauen his dwelling place 1 Kings 8.38 Psalme 145.19 Ioh. 15.7 1.3.22 CONTRA Iud. 10. 14.11.7 Isa 59. 1. Ier. 3.4.7.16 Hos 5.7.14 Micha 3.4 Prou. 1 24.21.1â— Iudges 11.7 2 The thing wee pray for must be good For they that seeke the Lord shâ— want no good thing Psalm 34.10 Fâ—â— what man is there of you whom if his sonâ— aske bread will he giue him a stone or if aske a fish will he giue him a serpent If then being euill know how to giue good gifâ— to your children how much more shâ— your Father which is in heauen giue goâ—â— things to them that aske him Mat. 7.9 3 The manner must be according tâ— Gods will For this is the confidence thâ— wee haue in him that if wee aske anâ— thing according to his will hee hearetâ— vs 1 Ioh. 5.14 Q. what is then the will of God concerning the manner of prayer that so praying wee may obtaine A. 1 You must aske in faith nothing wauerering for hee that wauereth is like â— waue of the sea driuen with the winde anâ— tossed neyther let not that man thinke that he shall receiue any thing of the Lord Iames 1.6 But if thou doe commit thy â—ay vnto the Lord and trust in him then â—hall hee bring it to passe Psal 37.5 2 In sinceritie For the Lord is nigh â—ll them that call vpon him to all that call â—pon him in truth Psal 145.18 3 Prayer shall bee auaileable if it bee â—ruent Iames 5.16 Open thy mouth â—ide and hee will fill it Psal 81.10 â—ry aloud and hee shall heare thy voyce Psal 55.17 And if with Iacob thou â—rastle with God thou as a Prince shalt â—aue power with God and man and â—halt preuaile Gen. 32.26 Hosea 12.4 Exod. 32.10 Luke 11.5 Heb. 5.7 4 Pray continually 1 Thes 5.17 euen â—uery day saying Giue vs this day our â—aly bread Mat. 6.11 and without ceaâ—ng praying night and day 2 Tim. 1.3 â—ea euening and morning and at noone â—hen you pray hee shall heare thy voyce Psalme 55.17 For Peter and Iames and Iohn with the â—est continued with one accord in praier and supplication Acts 11.4 And suddenâ— there came a sound from heauen as of a rusâ—ing mighty winde which filled all the houâ— where they were sitting And there appeâ—red vnto them clouen tongues like as of firâ—â— and it sate vpon each of them and they weâ—â— all filled with the holy Ghost and beganâ— to speake with other tongues as the Spirâ—â— gaue them vtterance Act. 2.2.9.2.3 5 We must submit our selues vntâ— Gods will for the successe as diâ— Christ who praied saying O my Father if it be possible let this cup passe from mâ— neuerthelesse not as I will but as thou wilâ— Math. 26.39 and was heard in that hâ— feared Hebr. 5.7 6. With charity towards men wheâ— yee stand praying forgiue if you haâ—â— ought against any that your Father alâ— which is in heauen may forgiue you Marâ— 11.24 For with what measure you meâ—â— it shall be measured to you againe Mat. 7. â— 7 Wee must doe all in the name 〈◊〉 Christ For through him wee both haue aâ— accesse by one spirit vnto the Father Eph 2.18 In whose name whatsoeuer yee shall aske the Father that will he doe that the Father may bee glorified in the Sonne Iohn 14.13 Ob. All these things I haue striuen for in prayer but I am so cumbred with sinne as may iustly moue the Lord to keepe good things from mee A Elias was a man subiect to the like passion as we are and hee prayed earnestly that it might not raine and it rained not Iames 5.17 Ob. That might be but a chance A. Hee prayed againe and the heauens gaue raine and the earth brought forth her increase Iames 5.18 Ob. But what is that to mee A. This was written for the generations to come Psal 102.18 And there is no difference betweene the Iew and the Greeke for the same Lord ouer all is rich vnto all that call vpon him Rom. 10.12 For which shall euery one that is godly pray vnto him in a time when hee may bâ— found Psalm 32.6 Iohn 17.20 Q. What are the
an eye at the last trumpe for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed 1 Cor. 15.51 Q. Now I know that wee shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day Ioh. 11.24 What therefore would you thence inferre A. 1 Concerning them that sleepe that ye sorrow not euen as others without hope For if we beleeue that Iesus died and rose againe euen so them also which sleepe in Iesus wâ— God bring with him 1 Thes 4.13 2 Though I walke in the valley of tâ—â— shaddow of death I will feare no euill foâ— thou art with mee thy â—od and thy staâ— comfort mee Psalm 23.4 Therefoâ—â— also my heart is glad my glory reioycetâ— my flesh also shall rest in hope for thou wiâ—â— not leaue my soule in hell Psal 16.9 3. Let vs therefore which haue the firâ— fruites of the spirit groane within our selueâ— waiting for the adoption to wit the redemâ—tion of our bodies Rom. 8.23 4 Let none of vs liue or die to our selueâ— for whether wee liue wee liue vnto thâ— Lord or whether we dye we dye vnto thâ— Lâ—â—â— For to this purpose Christ dye◠〈…〉 and reuiued that he might be the Lord both of the dead and liuing Rom 14.7 Wherefore labour we that whether present or ahsent wee may be accepted oâ— him 2 Cor. 5.9 Q. When this dust returneth to thâ— earth Eccle. 12.7 who knoweth the spiriâ— of a man that goeth vpward and the spirit oâ— the beast that goeth downeward to the earth Eccles 3.21 A. Wee know that if this earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolued wee haue a building of God an house not made with hands but eternall in the heauens 2 Cor. 5.1 For the spirit shall returne to God that gaue it Eccles 12.7 and shall bee with Christ in Paradise Luke 23.43 And with Lazarus in Abrahams bosome Luke 16.22 Q. How stand you affected with this A. I am in a straite betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better Pbil. 1.23 For in this wee groane earnestly desiring to be clothed vpon with our house which is from heauen if so be that being clothed wee shall not be found naked For we that are in this tabernacle doe groane being burdened not for that we would be vnclothed but clothed vpon that mortality might be swallowed vp of life 2 Cor. 5.2 Therefore wee are alwaies confident knowing that whilest wee are at home in the body wee are absent from the Lord for wee walke by faith and not by sight wee are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord 2 Corin. 5.6 Math. 17.4 CHAP. XVI Of the last iudgement Ob. WHat we shall haue after death I cannot say but in these daies of my vanity I haue seen there is a iust man that perisheth in his righteousnesse and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickednesse Ecces 7.15 yea the tabernacles of robbers prosper and they that prouoke God are secure for into their hand God bringeth abundantly Iob 12.6 Behold these are the vngodly who prosper in the world they increase in riches verily I haue cleansed my heart in vaine and washed my hands in innocency For all the day long I haue been plagued and chastened euery morning Psal 73.12 13. Ier. 5.27.12 1. Eccl. 8.14 A. God hath appointed a day in which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom hee hath ordained whereof he hath giuen assurance vnto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Acts 17.31 So that we shall all stand before the Iudgement seat of Christ Rom. 14.10 Who shall iudge his people Heb. 10.30 Vnto whom they also must come to giue an account 1. Pet. 4.5 Heb. 9.27 Psal 96.13.98.9 Eccles 11.9 Ob. Where is the promise of his comming For since the Fathers fell a sleepe all things continue as they were from the beginning 2 Pet. 3.4 A. This you are willingly ignorant of that by the Word of GOD the Heauens were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water whereby the world that then was being ouerflowed with water perished But the Heauens and the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserued vnto fire againsâ— the day of Iudgement and perdition of vngodly men But beloued be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as â— thousand yeares and a thousand yeares a one day The Lord is not slacke concerning his promise as some men couâ— slacknesse but is long suffering to vs ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2. Pet. 3.5 Q. Tell vs then when these thing shall be and what shall be the signes oâ— the end of the World Mat. 24.3 A. 1 Before the end come many shall come in CHRISTS name saying I am CHRIST and many false Prophets shall arise Mat. 24.5.11 2 The day shall not come except there come a falling away first 2. Thes 2.3 and many be deceiued Mat. 24.5.11 3 That man of sinne shall first be reuealed the sonne of perdition who opposeth and exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called GOD or that is worshipped 2. Thes 2.3.4 4 You shall heare of warres and rumors of warres for Nation shall rise against Nation Kingdome against Kingdome but the end shall not be yet Mat. 24.6.7 5 Because iniquity shall be increased the loue of many shall waxe cold Mat. 24.12 6 This Gospell of the Kingdome shall be preached in all the world for a witnesse vnto all Nations and then shall the end come Mat. 24.14 7 When the fulnesse of the Gentiles is come in all Israell shall be saued as it is written The deliuerer shall come out of Sion and shall turne away vngodlinesse from Iacob Rom. 11.25 8 As it was in the dayes of Noah so shall it be also in the dayes of the Sonne of Man they did eate they dranke they married wiues they were given in marriage vntill the day that Noah went into the Arke and the Flood came and destroyed them all Likewise also as it was in the dayes of Lot they did eate they dranke they bought they sold they planted they builded but the same day that Lot went out of Sodome it rained fire and brimstone from heauen and destroyed them all euen thus shall it bee in the day when the Sonne of man is reuealed Luke 17.26 And when they shall say peace and safety then sudden destruction commeth vpon them as trauell vpon a woman with child 1. Thes 5.3 Or as a thiefe by night 2. Pet. 3.10 Reuel 16.15 Math. 24.38 Now learne a parable of the Fig tree when his branch is yet tender and putteth foorth leaues ye know that summer is nigh Math. 24.32 And when ye see a cloud rise out of the West straite way yee say a shower commeth and
before vs whâ—ch hope we haue as anker of the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that which is within the vaile whether the fore-runner is for vs entred Heb. 6.17 Q. Shew me then some marks wherby I may discerne whether or no my selfe am one of that number which shal be saued A. 1. This is life Eternall that wee know him to be the onely true God and IESVS CHRIST whom he hath sent Ioh. 17.3 2. GOD so loued the world that hee gaue his onely begotten Son that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Ioâ— 3.16 These things I write vnto you that beleeue in the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye haue eternall life 1. Ioh. 5.13 Ioh. 5.24.3.36 Acts 16.31 3. It shall be that whosoeuer shal call on the name of the Lord shall be saued Act. 2 21. 4. We know that we are passed from death to life because we loue the brethreÌ„ 1. Io. 3.14 5. Whosoeuer shall humble himselfe and become as a little child the same is great in the Kingdome of GOD. Mat. 18.4 Mat 5.3.19.14 6 The Kingdome of Heauen suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Mat. 11.12 and for ioy thereof depart and sell all that they haue to purchase it Mat. 13.44 5.10 7. There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth nor whosoever worketh abomination or that maketh a lie Reu. 21.27 For without are dogs and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murtherers Idolaters Reu. 22.15 Neither shall any that worketh abhomination enter into the Kingdome of GOD. Reu. 21.27 The sinners in Zion are afraid fearefulnesse shall surprise the Hypocrites Who among vs shall dwell with the devouring fire who among vs shall dwell with the everlasting burnings He that walketh righteously and speaketh vprightly he that despiseth the gaine of the oppressions that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes and stoppeth his eare from hearing of blood and shutteth his eyes from seeing of euill hee shall dwell on high Isa 33.14 And to him that ordereth his conuersation aright will I shew the salvation of GOD. Psal 5â— 23.15.1.119.155 Math. 5.19 Ier. 17.13 Ob. These things in some measure I doe find to be in my selfe yet my griefe is that I can be no more sencible of this happinesse A. 1. Now wee see through a glasse darkly but then face to face Now wee know in part But then shall wee know even as also wee are knowne 1. Cor. 13.12 2. We are saved by hope but hope that is seene is not hope For what a man seeth why doth hee hope for it But if we hope for that we see not then doe we with patience waite for it Rom. 8.24 As well as IACOB who said I haue waited for thy salvation O LORD Gen. 49.18 1. Pet. 1.9 3. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seene Heb. 11.1 Whom hauing not seene you loue in whom though you see him not yet beleeuing you reioyce with ioy vnspeakable and full of glory receiuing the end of your faith the saluation of your soules 1. Pet. 1.8 4. For this end pray saying Restore vnto mee the ioy of thy salvation and vphold me with thy free spirit Psal 51.12 And then with ioy shall you draw water out of the wels of saluation Isa 12.3 Ob. I am beset with so many enemies that my feare is I shall fall short of Heauen A. We are kept by the power of GOD through faith vnto saluation ready to bereuealed in the last times 1. Pet. 1.5 When Christ shall put downe all rule and all authority and power For he must reigne till he haue put all his enemies vnder his feet the last whereof that shall be destroyed is death For hee hath put all things vnder his feet but when hee saith all things are put vnder him it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things vnder him 1. Cor. 15.24 Q. Seeing GOD haâ—h prouided for vs such an inheritance what therefore are we to doe A. 1. We are bound to giue thankes alwayes to GOD because GOD hath from the beginning chosen vs to saluation through sanctification of the spirit and the beliefe of the truth Whereunto hee called vs by the Gospell to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord IESVS CHRIST 2. Thes 2.13 1. Pet. 1.3.4 2 Because the Scriptures are callâ—d the Word of the Kingdome Mat. 13.19 Search the Scrâ—ptures for in them ye thinke to haue eternall life Ioh. 5.39 In which because some things are hard to be vnderstood 2. Pet. 3.16 Let euery man be swift to heare Iam. 1.19 For after that in the Wisedome of GOD the World by Wisedome knew not GOD it pleased GOD by the foolishnes of Preaching to saue them that beleeue 1. Cor. 1.21 3. Seeing wee here haue no continuing City but we seeke one to come Heb. 13.14 And the time here being short it remaineth that both they that haue Wiues be as though they had none and they that weepe as though they wept not and they that reioyce as though they reioyced not and they that buy as though they possessed not and they that vse this world as not abusing it for the fashion of this World passeth away 1. Cor. 7.29 And wee according to his Promise looke for new Heauens and a new earth where dwelleth Righteousnesse 2. Pet. 3.13 Ioh. 6.27 4. Make you friends of the Mammon of vnrighteousnesse that when yee faile they may receiue you into everlasting habitations Luk. 16.9 Sell that yee haue and giue Almes and prouide your selues Bags which waxe not old and treasures in Heaven that faile not Luk. 12.33 Matth. 6.19 5. Hauing therefore these promises let vs cleanse our selues from all filthines of flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the feare of GOD 2. Cor. 7.1 And let vs feare left a promise being left vs of entring into his rest any of you should seeme to come short of it Heb. 4.1 Wherein we ought to giue the more earnest heed to the things which wee haue heard least at any time wee should let them slip For if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every transgression and disobedience receiued a iust recompence of reward how shall wee escape if wee neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the LORD and was confirmed to vs by them that heard him Heb. 2.1 Wherefore the rather brethren giue diligence to make your calling and election sure for if yee doe these things yee shall never fall For so an entrance shall be ministred to you abundantly into the everlast ng Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour IESVS CHRIST 2. Pet. 1.10 11. Râ—u 22.14 Heb. 12 28. 1. Cor 15 34 Râ—m 13.11 1. Cor. 6.9 Tit. 2.11 Q You tell me of Heaven and if these bee the condâ—tions of attaining it how shall I â—e animated to come there A. If any man will come after me let
with him and be at peace thereby good shall come vnto thee Iob 22 21. For did not HEZIKIAH King of Iudah feare the Lord and the Lord repented him of the evill he had purposed against him Ier. 26 19.12 16. Hos 10 12.6 1. Ier. 26.3 12.6 18 8. Amos 5 4. Ezek. 18 27. Iob 33 23. Ob. I haue indeauoured my selfe in the worke of Repentance what I can and yet my Affliction continueth pressing mee very sore A. Then cry vnto the Lord and hee shall saue you out of your distresses Psal 107.19 Saying Haue mercy vpon me O Lord for I am weake O Lord heale me for my bones are vexed Psal 6.2 Take away thy rod from me and let not thy feare terrifie me Iob. 9.34 Turne thou vnto me and haue mercy vpon mee for I am desolate and Afflicted The troubles of my heart are inlarged O bring thou mee out of my distresse Looke vpon my Affliction and my paine and forgiue me all my sinnes Psal 25 17. O remember not my former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily prevent mee for I am brought very low Helpe me O God of my saluation for the glorie of thy name deliuer me Psa 79.8 I stretch forth my hand vnto thee my soule thirsteth after thee as a thirsty land Heare me speedily O Lord for my spirit faileth hide not thy face from me lest I be like vnto them that goe downe into the pit Psal 143 6. O Lord correct me but in iudgement not in thine anger lest thou bring me to nothing Ier. 10.24 I am like a flower that is cut downe which flyeth also as a shadow and continueth not and doest thou open thine eyes vpon such a one And bringest thou me to iudgement with thee Iob. 14.2 Thine hands haue made me and fashioned me together round about yet thou dost destroy me Remember I beseech thee that thou hast made me as the clay and wilt thou bring me into the dust againe Iob. 10.8 Are not my dayes few Cease thou and let me alone that I may take comfort a litle before I go whence I shall not returne Iob. 10.20 Psal 79.5.77.7.85 4 25 6 7 39 12 13.88.1.88 14.102.1 118 25.119 77 143 8.11 Iob. 10 1.13 24.14 6. Ier. 17 14.17 Psalm 42 6 119 107. Isa 64.8 Q. When by these meanes I haue found comfort and deliverance what am I then to doe A. In that day thou shalt say O Lord I will praise thee though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away thou comfortest me Behold God is my Salvation I will trust and not be afraid for the Lord IEHOVAH is my strength and my song he also is become my Salvation Isa 12.1 My soule wait thou onely vpon God for my expectation is from him He only is my rocke and my salvation he is my defence therefore I shall not bee mooved In God is my Salvation and my glory the rocke of my strength and my refuge is in God Psal 62 5. For thou hast taken away all thy wrath thou hast turned thy selfe from the fiercenesse of thine anger Psal 78 38. Thou hast delivered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my feet from falling Psal 116.8 My lips therefore shall greatly reioyce when I sing vnto thee and my Soule which ho u hast redeemed my tongue also shall talke of thy Righteousnesse all the day long Psal 71 23. I will say vnto thee thy Righteousnesse O GOD is very high who hath done great things O God who is like vnto thee Thou who hast shewed me great and sore troubles hast quickened me againe and hast brought me vp againe from the depths of the earth thou hast increased my greatnesse and comforted me on every side Psal 71.19 To the end that my glory may sing vnto him and not be silent O Lord my God I will giue thee thankes for ever Psal 30 12 49 15.22 22 63 7.66 8.30 3 103.1 4.85 2 3 116 7 9. Isa 61 10 49.13.38 20. Exod. 4 31. Luk. 17.15 Psal 35.18 85.9 116.5 CHAP. XXVIII Of Persecution Ob. I Know now that in the middest of Iudgement the LORD will remember Mercie notwithstanding the feare I haue of falling into the hands of men is the very breaking of my heart A. I Even I am he that comforteth you who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye and of a man that shall be made as grasse And forgettest the Lord thy maker that spreadeth forth the Heavens and layeth the foundations of the earth hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor as if hee were ready to destroy And where is the fury of the oppressor Isa 51 12 Behold I will make thy Face strong against their Faces and thy Fore-head strong against their Fore-heads is an Adamant harder than flint haue I made thy Forehead feare them not neither be dismayed at their lookes though they be a rebellious house Ezek. 3.8 Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father but the very haires of your head are numbred Feare ye not therefore for you are of more value then many Sparrowes Math. 10.29 So that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper I wil not feare what man can do vnto me Heb. 13 6. â— For the Lord God will helpe me therefore shall I not bee confounded therefore haue I set my face like a flint and I know I shall not be ashamed He is neere that iustifieth me who will contend with me Let vs stand together who is mine Adversary Let him come neere to usee Behold the LORD GOD will helpe me who is hee that shall condemne me Loe all they shall waxe old as a Garment the Moth shall eate them vp Isa 50 7. Numb 22 18.38 verses 24. 12 13 23 8. Heb. 11 27. Psalm 140.12 Ob. But doe I not with these eyes see many of my Brethren how cruelly they haue beene handled by them Psal 22 12 13 143 3 4. A. All that will liue godly in CHRIST IESVS shall suffer persecution 2. Tim. 3.12 As formerly he that was borne after the flesh persecuted him that was borne after the Spirit even so it is now Gal. 4.29 that the Brother shall betray the Brother to death and the Father the Sonne and the Children shall rise vp against their Parents and shall cause them to die And you shall bee hated of all men for my names sake Math. 10.21 These things haue I spoken vnto you that you should not be offended they shall put you out of the Synagogue yea the time commeth that whosoever killeth you will thinke that hee doth GOD Service And these things will they doe vnto you because they haue not knowne the Father nor me But these things haue I told you that when the time shall come ye may remember that I haue told you them Ioh. 16 1. Notwithstanding if the world hate you you know it
of the sheepe Ioh. 10 1 2. 2 By their Doctrine For heereby know yee the Spirit of GOD every spirit â—hat confesseth that IESVS CHRIST is â—ome in the Flesh is of God And every spirit that confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that Spirit of Antichrist whereof you haue heard that it should come and eâ—en now is already in the World 1 Ioh. 4 2.1 2 22 23. 3 By their opposing of faithfull Ministers For as IANNES and IAMBRES withstood MOSES so doe these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the Faith 2 Tim. 3.8 4 By their euill liues vngodly men they are turning the grace of God into wantonnesse and doe defile the flesh Iude 4 8. 5 If thou say in thine heart how shall wee know the Word which the LORD hath not spoken When a Prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord if the thing follow not nor come to passe that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken but the Prophet hath spoken it presumptuously Deut. 18.21 Ob. Some of these men haue foretold vs of things which haue come to passe A. If there arise among you a Prophet or dreamer of dreames and giueth thee a signe or wonder and the signe or the wonder come to passe wherof he spake vnto thee saying let vs goe after other Gods which thou hast not knowne and let vs serue theÌ„ thou shalt not harken vnto the words of that Prophet or that dreamer of dreames for the Lord your God prooveth you to know whether you loue the Lord your God wâ—th all your heart and with all your soule Deut. 13.1 Therefore to the Law and to the testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8 20. Q. What is the danger that such Heretiques doe expose themselues vnto A. As they haue sowne the wind so they shall reape the whirlewind Hos 8 7 For they being before ordained to condemnation Iud. 4. Their iudgement now a long time lingereth not and their damnation slumbereth not 2 Pet. 2 3 Gal. 5 10. Reuel 22 18. Mat. 23 â—5 Ier. 28 16.17 ver 29 31 32. Q. These Heretiques being a people so dangerous what may thence bee learned A. Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware least you also being led away with the errors of the wicked fall from your owne stedfaslnes 2 Pet. 3 17. And be taken in a snare after them Deuâ— 12 30. By beeing carried about with divers and strange Doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace but not with meats which haue not profited them that haue beene exercised in them Heb. 13 9. But hath occasionâ—d them to erre concerning the faith 1. Tim. 6 20. 1 Cor. 3 11. 1 Ioh. 5 21. Prou. 19 27 30 6. 2 Tim. 2 1 2 2.1 13 14. Col. 2 6. Math. 24 26. Q What doe you account Heresie Is every little swaruing from the truth damnable A. If any man buildeth vpon Christ the foundation gold silver precious stones wood hay stubble every mans worke shall be made manifest For the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every mans worke of what sort it is If any mans worke abide which he hath built therevpon he shall receiue a reward If any mans worke shall he burnt he shall suffer losse but he himselfe shall be save yet so as by fire 1 Cor. 3.12 Gal. 5.9 Q. You haue then said enough for my setling but because the time will come when other men will not endure sound doctrine but after their owne lusts shall heape to themselues Teachers hauing itching eares and shall turne away theyr eares from the truth and shall be turned to Fables When these things come to passe what am I to doe 2. Tim. 4 3. A. Say vnto such a one I marvaile that you are so soone removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ vnto another Gospell which is not another but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospell of Christ But though we or an Angell from Heaven preach any other Gospell vnto you than that which we haue preached let him be accursed 〈◊〉 1 6. Q. What if such a one shall yet not onely persist in his errour himselfe but shall seeke to pervert others also A. Then set thine eyes vpon him and say O full of all subtilty and all mischiefe thou child of the Divell thou enemy of all righteousnes wilt thou not cease to pervert the right wayes of the Lord Now therefore the hand of the Lord shall be vpon thee Act. 13.9 Q. What if hee shall yet continue to despise my admonitions and these fearefull menaces of Iudgement A. A man that is an Heretike after the first second admonition reiect knowing that hetâ—â—â— is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himselfe Tit. 3 10. And if such a one come vnto you receiue him not to house neither bid him God speed Iob. 2. Epist 10. But he shall be slaine because hee hath spoken to turne you away from the Lord your GOD to thrust thee out of the way wherein the LORD thy GOD commanded thee to walke so shalt thou take the euill away forth of the middest of thee Deutrinom 13 5 27 18 13 14 15 18 20.7 2. Hos 8 7. Iosh 23 12. Ob. Though I haue not proceeded against such Heretiques after this manner yet haue I kept my selfe found in the faith A. Notwithstanding I haue a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Iezabel which calleth her selfe a Prophetesse to teach and to seduce my Servants to commit fornication and to eate things sacrificed vnto Idols Reu. 2 20. Ob. Shall I in this my neglect of dutie bee as sorely punished as they in these their damnable Heresies A. Nâ— for behold I will cast her into a Bed and them that commit Adultery with her into great tribulation except they repent of their deeds c. But vnto you I say and vnto the rest of them of Thiatira as many as haue not this doctrine and which haue not knowne the depths of Sathan as they speake I will put vpon you none other burthen Reu. 2 22. CHAP. XXXI Of Temptations by Prosperity Q. I Doe now see there is much danger to bee feared from earthly men but is the like danger to be expected from earthly things A. Yea for Vzziah when he was strong his heart was lifted vp to his destruction 2. Chron. 26.16 And the Israelites assembled themselues for Corne and Wine and they rebelled against the Lord Hos 7 14. For because they did ride on the high places of the earth did eate the increase of the fields and did suck the hony out of the Rocke oyle cut of the flinty Rocke butter of Kine and milke of Sheep with fat of Lambs c. Therfore
That so for the gift bestowed vpon vs by the meanes of many persons thankes may bee giuen by many on our behalfe 2. Cor. 1.11 4 That they may be deliuered from vnreasonable and wicked men because all men haue not faith 2. Thess 3.2 Rom. 15.30 5 That their seruice may bee acceptable to the Saints Rom. 15.31 6 Finally pray that the word of the Lord may haue a free course and bee glorified 2. Thâ—ss 3 1. 4 Let him that is taught in the word communicate vnto him that teacheth in alâ— good things Gal. 6.6 For the scripture saith thou shalt not mousle the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the coâ—ne And the laborer is worthy of his reward 1. Tim 5.18 If ye be made partaker of their spirituall things your duty is also to minister vnto them in carnall things Rom. 15 27. For will a man robbe GOD Mal. 3.8 Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reape For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reape corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reape Life everlasting Gal. 6 7 8. 1 Cor. 9.7 Mal. 3 9 10. Gen. 47.22 Deut. 12.19 2 Chron. 31 4 5. 5 Let the Elders which rule well bee â—ounted worthy of double honour especiâ—lly they who labour in the Word and Doâ—trine 1 Tim. 5.17 And let no man despâ—se such 1 Cor. 16 11. but esteeme â—hem very highly in loue for their workes sake 1 Thess 5 12. 6. Obey them that haue the rule over you and submit your selues for they watch for your Soules as they that must giue an account that they may doe it with ioy and not with griefe for that is vnprofitable for you Heb. 13.7 1 Cor. 16.16 Therefore doe according to that thing which they shew you according to the Law which they shall teach you and according to the iudgement which they shall tell you shall you doe you shall not decline from the thing which they shall shew you neither to the right hand nor to the left Deut. 17 10. Heb. 13 7. Q. What is the danger of such as doe not honour but doe offer wrong and dishonour to their Minister A. If any man will hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their Enemies And if any man will hurt them hee must in this manner bee killed For these haue power to shut Heaven that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesie and haue power over Waters to turne them to Blood and to strike the Earth with all plagues as often as they will Reu. 11.5 Ob. I would bee loath to hurt our Minister but yet what if his life be not answerable to his Doctrine A. Though hee be as wicked as were the Scribes and Pharises yet hee sits in MOSES seate all therefore whatsoever hee bids you obserue that obserue and doe but after his workes doe not because hee saith and doth not Math. 23 2. Ob. But hee is also so vnlearned a man that in one Sermon of many you shall not heare one word of Latine or Greâ—ke to come out of his mouth A. Brethren if your Minister come vnto you speaking with tongues what shall he profit you except hee shall speake to you eyther by Revelation or by Knowledge or by Prophesying or by Doctrine And even things without life giving sound whether Pipe or Harpe except they giue a distinction in the sounds how shall it be knowne what is piped or harped For if the Trumpet giue an vncertaine sound who shall prepare himselfe to the battell So likewise wee except we vtter by the tongue words easie to be vnderstood how shall it be knowne what is spoken For we shall speake into the ayre There are it may bee so many kindes of voyces in the world and none of them are without signication Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voyce I shall bee to him that speaketh a Barbarian and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian vnto me 1. Cor. 14.6.1.14.2.14.21 Ob. It seemes you are an English Preacher you plead so much against tongues A. I thanke my GOD I speake languages more then they all yet in the Church I had rather speake fiue words with my vnderstanding that by my voyce I might teach others also then ten thousand words in a strange tongue 1. Cor. 14.18.19 Ob. Whatsoeuer you alledge against the vse of tongues yet as I hope you will not deny vnto such Ministers the greatest praise as are most eloquent A. The things of GOD we speake not in the words which mans wisedome teacheth but which the holy Ghost teacheth comparing spirituall things with spirituall 1 Cor. 2 1â— that your faith should not stand in the wisedome of men but in the power of God 1. Cor. 2.5 For CHRIST â—nt mee to preach the Gospell not with wisedome of words least the crosse 〈◊〉 CHRIST should bee made of none â—fect 1. Cor. 1.17 But seeing the â—orld by wisedome knew not GOD 〈◊〉 pleased GOD by the foolishnesse of â—reaching to saue them that beleeue â—1 Cor. 1.21 Wee haue therefore reâ—â—unced the hidden things of dishoneâ—ie not walking in craftinesse nor â—â—ndling the Word of GOD deceitfulâ—â— but by the manifestation of the â—ruth commending our selues to every â—ans Conscience in the sight of GOD. â— Corinth 4.2 Not Preaching our â—â—lues but CHRIST IESVS the LORD and our selues your serâ—â—ants for IESVS sake 2. Cor. 4.5 â— 2.1 Ob. Then as it seemes to you euery Minister as well for matter as manner of â—eaching must suite himselfe to the capacity of his auditorie c. A. True For we haue many things to say and hard to bee vttered Not because wee cannot speake them but because you are dull of hearing For when for the time you ought to be Teachers you haue need that one teach you againe which bee the first principles of the Oracles of God and are become such as haue need of milke and not of strong meate For every one that vseth milke is vnskilfull in the word of Righteousnesse for he is a Babe Heb. 5 11. And I brethren could not speake vnto you as vnto Spirituall men but as vnto Carnall even as vnto babes in CHRIST I haue fed you with Milke and not with Meate for hitherto yee were not able to beare it neither yet now are yee able 1. Cor. 3 1 2. Q. Are wee therefore alwayes to be deaâ—t withall like Children and to bee fed like Babes A. No longer than while yee become vnto full age and are such as haue your sences exercised to dâ—scerne both good and evill Heb. 5.14 Whereby it appearing that you are become strong men then leaving the principles of the doctrine of CHRIST let vs goe on vnto perfection not laying the foundation of Repentance from dead workes and of faith towards GOD of the Doctrine of Baptismes and of laying on of hands and of the Resurrection from the dead and of eternall Iudgment
Heb. 6 1. Q It neyther the frequent vse of tongues nor humane eloquence nor deepe and profound teaching bee of esteeme with you I pray tell me wherein you Ministers are in your teaching most praise worthâ— A. Doe we begin againe to commend our selues or need we as some others Epistles of commendations to you or letters of commendations from you Ye are our Epistle written in our hearts knowne and read of all men For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by vs written not with Inke but with the spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in the fleshy tables of the heart And such trust haue wee through Christ to Godward not that we are sufficient of our selues but our sufficiencie is of God who hath also made vs able Ministers of the new Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit for the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life 2 Cor. 3 1. And are not you my worke in the LORD If I be not an Apostle vnto others yet doubtlesse I am to you for the Seale of my Apostleship are yee in the LORD 1 Corinth 9 1 2. Q But why should GOD vse the Ministrie of men and not of Angels A. Wee haue this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of GOD and not of vs 2 Cor. 4 7. 2 Every high Priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God that he may offer both guifts and sacrifices for sins who can haue compassion on the ignorant and of them that are out of the way for that hee himselfe also is compassed with infirmity Heb. 5 1 2. Ob. The case so being Christ Iesus himselfe being both God and Man had beene a Minister without all exception A. I tell you the truth it was expedient for you that hee goe away for if hee had not gone away the Comforter would not come vnto you but in that hee departed he hath sent him vnto you c. Who beeing come hee doth guide you into all truth c. Ioh. 16 7 13. Let men therefore teach to obserue all things whatsoever hee commandeth you and loe hee is with you even vnto the end of the World Mathew 28 20. CHAP. XXXIIII Of the Sacraments Ob. IF the Ministrie of the Word be no lesse efficatious then as you haue said it is what further need is there of the Sacraments A. Circumcision verily profiteth Rom. 2 25. For Abraham received the signe of Circumcision a Seale of the righteousnesse of Faith Rom. 4.11 Act 7 8. In whom you also are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of CHRIST Col. 2 11. Deut 10 16. Q What promise hath GOD made to Bâ—ptisme A. Thaâ— he will baptize thee with the Holy Ghost and with fire Math. 3 11. For by one spirit we are all baptized into one body whether wee be Iewes or Gentiles whether we be bond or free 1 Cor. 12 13. Whereby Baptisme doth now saue vs not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the Resurrection of IESVS CHRIST 1 Pet. 3 21. Acts 16 14. Luk. 7 29 30. Q. Vnto whom doth this belong A. 1 To the Ministers that they teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Math 28 19. 2 To the people to doe as the publicans who iustified GOD being baptized with the baptisme of Iohn And not to â—o as the Pharisies and Lawyers who reiected the counsell of God against themselues being not baptized of him Luk 7 29.30 Gen. 17 14. Q. See thâ—n here is water what doth hinder me to be baptized Acts 8 36. A 1 If thou beleevest with all thine heart thou mayest Act 8 37 For can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized who haue received the Holy Ghost as well as we Actâ— 10.47 2 You must amend your liues Act. 2 38. And circumcise the fore-skin of your heart Deut. 10.16 And then be baptized every one of you in the name of IESVS CHRIST Acts 2 38. Ob. If Faith and Repentance bee necessary vnto Baptisme seeing Infants cannot actually beleeue nor repent are they therefore to bee excluded from this Sacrament A. Suffer little Children to come vnto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdome of God Math. 19.14 And if the root be holy so are the branches Rom. 11 16. For the promise was made to Abraham and his seed Gal. 3 16. Gen. 17 2 7 17 12 21 4. Acts 2 39. Q Doth the efficacie of Baptisme depend on the worthinesse of the Minister A. No but on whom thou shalt see the Spirit descend and remaine on him the same is he that doth Baptize with the Holy Ghost Ioh. 1 33 Iohn in deed baptized with Water but yee shall bee baptized with the Holy Ghost Math. 3 11. Q. What need then is there of the Supper of the Lord A. The Cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the Communion of the bloud of Christ The Bread which we breake is it not the Communion of the body of Christ For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread 1 Cor. 10 16. Therefore saith Christ take eate this is my body and of the Cup drinke yee all of it for this is my bloud of the new Testament which is shed for many for the Remission of sinnes Math. 26.26 This doe as often as yee doe it in remembrance of me For as often as yee eate of this bread and drinke of this Cup yee doe shew the Lords Death till hee come 1 Corinth 11 25 11 23. Q. May any prophane person bee admitted vnto the Supper of the Lord A. No for if any shall eate of this bread and drinke of this Cup of the Lord vnworthily he shall be guiltie of the body and Bloud of the LORD and he eateth and drinketh Iudgement to himselfe not discerning the Lords body 1 Cor. 11.27 29. Moreover they cannot drinke the Cup of the Lord and the Cup of Divels they cannot be partakers of the Lords Table and the Table of Divels 1 Cor. 10 21. For thus saith the LORD GOD no stranger vncircumcised in heart nor vncircumcised in flesh shall enter into my Sanctuary that is among the Children of Israel Exek 44 9. Ezod 12 48. Leuit. 2 13. Q. What is then to bee done before our comming vnto this Sacrament A. Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eat of that bread and drinke of that cup 1 Cor. 11 28 Also if a stranger shall soiourne among you and will keep this Supper vnto the Lord according to the ordinance and according to the manner thereof so shall he doe Numb 9 14. Who if he doe also iudge himselfe he shall not be iudged 1
aliue Numb 21.35 So shall yee also know that I am the LORD your GOD dwelling in Zion my holy Mountaine then shall Ierusalem bee holy and there shall no Stranger passe through her any more Ioel 3 17. Isa 41.10.41.15.16 Deut. 9 3 7.22 3.21.22 33 17. Ios 21 44. Psal 89 23. Isa 63 3.26 1. Examples Numb 31 7 8. 1 Sam. 19 8 1 27 8 1 30 16. 2 Sam. 3 1 2 5 25. 8 1 2 6 13 14.2 12 26. Exod. 17 13. 14 30. 2 Chron. 32 21. 2 King 19 35. Ios 10 40.12 20. Ob. But our Enemies are many and mighty and therefore not to bee subdued A. GOD shall breake in pieces mightie men without number set others in their stead Iob 34 24. Hee is wise in heart and mighty in strength who hath hardened him selfe against him and prospered Which removeth the Mountaines and they know not which overturneth them in his anger which shaketh the Earth out of her place and the pillars thereof tremble c. Behold hee taketh away who can hinder him Who will say vnto him what doest thou If GOD will not withdraw his anger the proud helpers doe stoope vnder him Iob. 9.4 12. But your Enemies are men and not GOD their Horses flesh and not spirit when the Lord shall stretch out his hand both hee that helpeth shall fall and hee that is holpen shall fall downe and they shall all faile together Isa 31. â—3 For there is none like vnto the GOD of Iesurâ—â— Who rideth vpon the Heavens in thy helpe and in his Excellencie on the skie The Eternall GOD is thy refuge and vnderneath are the everlasting armes and hee shall thrust out the Enemy from before thee and shall say Destroy them Deut. â—3 26 Whereby thou shalt know that the Lord is greater than all Gods for in the thing wherein they deale proudly hee is aboue them 〈◊〉 18 11. For the Chariots of the Lord are twenty thousand even thousands of Angels the Lord is among you as in Sinai in the holy place Psal 68 17 And hee shall bring them downe that dwell on high the loftie Citie he layeth it low he bringeth it low even to the ground he bringeth it even to the dust The foote shall tread it downe even the feet of the poore and the steps of the â—eedie Isa 26 5. For a people great and many and tall as the Anakins the LORD destroyed before Israel Dâ—ut 2 21. Of whom it was said who can stand before the Children of ANAâ— Deut. 9 2 Were not the Aethiopians also and the Lubimâ— an huge Host with very many Chariots and Horse-men yet because ASâ— did rely on the Lord hee delivered them into his hand 2 Chron. 16 8. If therefore thou shalt say in thine heart These Nations are moe then I how can I dispossesse them Thou shalt not bee afraid of them but shalt well remember what the Lord thy GOD did vnto PHARAOH and vnto all Aegypt the great temptations which thine eyes saw and the signes and the wonders and the mighty hand and the stretched out arme whereby the LORD brought thee out So shall the Lord thy God doe vnto all the people of whom thou art afraid c. Deut. 7 17. Numb 23 23. Psal 91 13. 1 Sam. 2 9. Deut. 20.1.33 29.11.22.23.2 Sam. 5 20. Isa 40 12.40 22 40. â—8 63 3. Psal 108.10.60 12. Examples Deut. 4 37.3.8 Ios 23.9.11 1. Iudg. 7 12. 1 Sam. 13 5. Ob. You tell me of great things the Lord will doe for his people but I see no meanes to effect the same A. He will haue Mercy vpon the house of Iudah and will saue them by the Lord their GOD and will not saue them by Bow nor by Sword nor by Battaile by Horses nor by Horsemen Hos 1 7 But by a sling and a stone 1 Sam 17.49 With trumpets of Rams-hornes Ios 6 20 With an Oxe goade Iudg. 3 31. By Iâ—el Hebeus wife Iudg. 5.27 By Ehud a man lame on his right hand Iudg. 3.15 By Gedeon whose family was least in his Fathers House 6 15. And that when there was no Smith in Israel 1 Sam. 13.19 One man shall chase a thousand and two put tenne thousand to flight Deut. 32.30 Ios 23.10 As with Ionathan and his armour bearer 1 Sam. 14.13 And in the want of other meanes one enemie shall helpe to destroy another 2 Chron 20.22 Iudg. 7.22.2 Chron. 20.17 2 King 19.6 For hee will send his feare before thee Exod. 23 27. And he will put the dread of thee and the feare of thee vpon the Nations that are vnder the whole Heaven who shall heare report of thee and shall tremble and bee in anguish because of thee Deutrinom 2 25. They shall licke the dust like a Serpent they shall mooue out of their holes like Wormes of the Earth they shall bee afraid of the LORD our GOD and shall feare because of thee Micha 7 17. As well as SAVL who was afraid of DAVID because the Lord was with him 1 Sam. 18 12. So the hearts of all the Kings of the Amorites fainted Ios 5.1 And were in great feare for GOD is in the generation of the Righteous Psal 14 5. Isa 19 17.33.14 Zach. 12.1 Deut. 11.25.28 10. Ios 29. Num. 22 3. Psal 53 5. Gen. 35.5 Q. Seeing the promises of Preservation from Enemies are such and so many what may this teach vs A. Therefore say yee not a Confederacie to all them to whom all these people shall say a confederacie neither feare you their feare nor be afraid Sanctifie the LORD of Hosts himselfe and let him bee your feare and let him be your dread 〈◊〉 8.12 And strengthen yee the weake hands and confirme the feeble knees Say to them that are of fearefull heart Be strong feare not Isa 35 3. â—1 13 Deut. 20 3. Num. 14 9. 2 King 19 6. â—oh â—4 1. 2 Trust yee in the LORD for euer because in the Lord IEHOVAH is everlasting strength Isa 26.4 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in Man it is bettter to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in Princes Psal 118 8. O Israel trust thou in the LORD hee is their helpe and their shield O house of AARON trust in the Lord hee is their helpe and their shield yee that feare the Lord trust in the Lord hee is their helpe and their shield Psâ—l 115 9. 3 Arâ—se and thresh O Daughter of Zion for I will make thine horne Iron and I will make thy hooves Brasse and thou shalt beate in pieces many people saith the LORD Micha 4 13. Bee of good courage and let vs play the Men for our people and for the Cities of our GOD and let the Lord doe that which seemeth him good 2 Sam. 10 12. CHAP. XXXIX Of Deliverance out of the foresaid evils Ob. AH my LORD if the Lord bee thus with vs Why then is all this come vpon vs And where bee all his Myracles which our Fathers told
7 15. Numb 23 20. Q. What are the reasons of this vnchangeable dealing of God towards his people A. 1. Hee himselfe changeth not Mal. 3 6. He is the first and with the last even the same Isa 41.4 2 IESVS CHRIST also the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13 8. 3 Whom he once loveth he loveth vnto the end Ioh. 13.1 Who is the LORD GOD of your Fathers the God of Abraham the God of Iâ—aac and the God of Iacob this is his name for ever and this is his memoriall vnto all Generations Exod. 3 15. Isay 49 1. 4 The gifts and callings of GOD are â—ithout repentance Rom. 11 29. Q. What would you inferre vpon this â—nchangeablenesse in GOD A. Say not thou what is the cause that the former dayes were better than these for thou dost not enquire wâ—sely concerning this Eccl 7 10. 2 Therefore my beloved brethren bee yee stedfast vnmoueable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord for as much as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord 1 Cor. 15 58. And turne yee not aside for then shall yee goe after vaine things which cannot profit nor deliver you for they are vaine 1 Sam. 12 21. Q. Why Is God able to make his word good A Behold saith GOD I am the Lord the God of all flesh is there any thing too hard for me Ier. 32 27. The Lord of Hosts hath purposed and who shall disanull it And his hand is stretched out and who shall turne it backe Isa 14 27. The voyce of the LORD is powerfull the voyce of the Lord is full of Maiestie the voyce of the Lord breaketh the Cedars yea the Lord breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon Psal 29.4 neither by arme nor strength but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hostes Zach. 4 6. Yea whatsoever the Lord pleased that did hee in Heaven and in Earth and in all deepe places Psal 135 6. And now behold the Lords hand is not shortened that in cannot saue neither is his eare heavie that it cannot heare Isa 59 1. And though it be marveilous in the eyes of the remnant of his people in these dayes shall it also be marveilous in my eyes saith the LORD of hostes Zach. 8 6. Gen. 18 14. Isa 40 26 48 13 50 2 3 43 13. 1 Ioh. 4 4. Mark 10 27. Q. What shall wee then say to these things Rom. 8.31 A. 1 Ascribe yee strength vnto GOD his excellencie is over Israel and his strength is in the Clouds Psal 68 34. 2 Pray saying Thou O GOD who commandest our Strength strengâ—hen O God that which thou hast wrought for vs Psal 68 28. 3 Because I know whatsoever GOD doth it shall be for ever nothing can be put to it nor any thing taken from it Eccles 3 14. If GOD be for vs who can be against vs Rom. 8 13. Therefore against hope beleeue in hope not staggering at the Promise through vnbeliefe c. But bring strong in the Faith let vs giue glory to GOD being fully perswaded that what hee hath promised hee 〈◊〉 able also to performe Râ—m 4 18 20. Eccles 3 14. Psal 62 10 â—1 Gen. 17 1. CHAP. L. The objects of the Promises Q. I Know now that GOD can doe every thing Iob 42 2. What therefore is required at my hands that all things also may bee possible vnto mee A. As thou beleevest so it shall be done vnto thee Math. 8 13. And if thou canst beleeue all things are possible to him that beleeveth Mark 9 23. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that wee through Faith and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Rom. 15 4. And that the blessing of ABRAHAM might come on the Gentiles through IESVS CHRIST that wee might receiue the promise of the Spirit through Faith Gal. 3 14. So then they which hee of Faith are blessed with faithfull ABRAHAM Gal. 3.9 For the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by the Faith of IESVS CHRIST might be given to them that beleeue Gal. 3 22 Blessed therefore is hee that beleeveth for there shall bee a performance of those things which were told him from the LORD Luk. 1 45. Habac. 2 4. 1 Tim. 4 10. Psal 34 8. Hebr. 11 29. Ierem. 17 5. Dan. 6 23. 2 Hold the mysterie of the Faith in a pure Conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 For bodily exercise profiteth little but Godlinesse is profitable vnto all things having the Promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Hee therefore that hath cleane hands and a pure heart who hath not lifted vp his Soule vnto vanitie nor sworne deceitfully hee shall receiue the blessing from the LORD and righteousnesse from the GOD of his Salvation Psalm 24 4. For the Lord GOD is a Sonne and a shield the LORD will giue Grace and Glory and no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walke vprightly Psal 84.11 Know therefore that the LORD thy GOD hee is God the faithfull God which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that loue him and keepe his Commandements to a thousand generations Deut. 7 9. For the righteous LORD loveth Righteousnesse his Countenance doth behold the vpright Psal 11 7. And therefore blessed are they which keepe Iudgement and he that doth Righteousnesse at all times Psal 106 3. 119 1. 73 1. Prou. 12 28.16 7.14 27. Isa 58 13.56 2. Deut. 7 12. 1 King 6 12. Ioh. 13 17. Exod. 39 43. Psal 4 3. Ob. I haue long liued in want notwithstanding all my care and indeauour in the study and practise of Godlinesse Iob 35 3. A. But are there not with you even with you sinnes against the Lord your God 2 Chro. 28 10 For GOD is good and doth good Psal 119 68. And withdraweth not his eyes from the Righteous Iâ—b 36 7. Psal 125 4. O thou therefore that art named the house of IACOB is the spirit of the Lord straitned Are these his doings Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly saith the Lord Micha 2 7 All the pathes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth vnto such as keepe hâ—s Commandements and his testimonies Psal 25 10. To the pure all things are pure but vnto them that are defiled is nothing pure Titus 1 15. For the hand of our GOD is vpon all them for good that seeke him but his power and his wrath is against them that forsake him Ezra 8 22. 2 Chron. 19 11. Q. What vse then are wee to make hereof A. 1 Take heed therefore brethren least there be in any of you an evill heart of vnbeliefe in departing from the living GOD Heb. 3.12 For to whom sware hee that they should not enter into his rest but to them that beleeved not So we see then that they could not enter in because of vnbeliefe Heb. 3 18. Let vs therefore feare least a promise being left vs of entring into his rest
any of you should seeme to come short of it Heb. 4 1. For hee that commeth to GOD must beleeue that GOD is and that hee is a rewarder of them that diligently seeke him Heb. 11 6. Here mee therefore O IVDAH and yee inhabitants of Ierusalem beleeue in the Lord your GOD so shall yee be established beleeue his Prophets so shall yee prosper 2 Chron. 20 20. For these things are written that yee might beleeue that IESVS is CHRIST the Son of GOD and in believing yee might haue life through him Ioâ— 20 3â— Now the GOD of hope fill you with all ioy and peace in believing that yee may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost Rom. 15 13. 2 Having therefore these Promises dearely beloved let vs cleanse our selues from all filthinesse of the Flesh and Spirit perfecting holinesse in the feare of GOD 2 Corinth 7.1 And bee not conformed to this World but bee yee transformed by the renewing of your mind that yee may prooue what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of GOD Rom. 12 2. And he that will loue Life and see good dayes let him refraine his tongue from evill and his lippes that they speake no guile Let him eschew evill and doe good let him seeke peace and pursue it 1 Pet. 3 10. For this is a faithfull saying and these things I will that thou affirme constantly that they which haue beleeved in GOD might bee carefull to maintaine good Workes for these things are good and profitable vnto Men Titus 3 8. Obserue therefore and heare all these things which I command thee that it may be well with thee and with thy Children after thee for ever when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord thy GOD Deut. 12 28.6 17 18 4 39 40. 10 12 13. Iosh 3 5. Therefore giue diligence to adde to your Faith vertue and to Vertue knowledge and to Knowledge temperance and to Temperance patience and to Patience godlinesse and to Godlâ—nesse brotherly kindnesse and to Brotherly kindnesse Charitie 2. Pet. 1 5. And let vs heare the conclusion of the whole matter feare GOD and keepe his Commandements for this is the whole duty of Man Eccles 12 1â— Which if yee doe yee shall never fall 2 Pet 1.10 Now if it seeme evill vnto you to serue the Lord choose you this day whom yee will serue c. But as for me and my house wee will serue the LORD Iâ—sh 24 1â— For all people every one wâ—ll walke in the name of his GOD and wee will walke in the name of the Lord our GOD for ever and ever Mâ—cha 4 5. O house of IACOB come yee also and walke in the light of the Lord Isa 2 5. Provoking one another vnto Loue and good Workes Heb. 10 24 And exhorting one another daily while it is called to day Heb. 3 13. CHAP. LI. Of the Wicked and of their Reward Q MAy it bee expected that all should be mooued by these promises vnto the exercise of faith and new obedience A. Nothing lesse for there are some who walke after their owne vngodly Lusts these be they who seperate themselues sensuall having not the Spirit Iud. 18. Of whom I haue told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are Enemies to the Crosse of CHRIST Phil. 3 18. For as they that are after the spirit doe mind the things of the Spirit so these being after the flesh the things of the flesh Because their carnall mind is enmitie against GOD for it is not subiect to the Law of GOD neither indeed can be Rom. 8 5.7 But are wicked and sinners before the Lord Gen. 13 13. Rebelling against the Commandement of the LORD their GOD not beleeving nor hearkening to his voice Deut. 9 23. They are corrupt and haue done abhominable works Psal 14 1. I haue called them transgressours from the wombe Isa 48.8 A perverse and crooked generation Deut. 32 5.20 Their vine is of the vine of Sodome and of the fields of Gomorah their grapes are the grapes of gall their clusters are bitter their wine is the poyson of Dragons the cruell venome of Aspes Deut. 32 32. Behold their sinne is come before mee Iona. 1 2. And I am pressed vnder them as a Cart is pressed that is full of sheaues Amos 2 13. And their sinnes are written with a pen of Iron and with the point of a Diamond and it is graven vpon the tables of their hearts and vpon the hornes of their Altars Ier. 17 1. They haue a whorish fore-head they will not be ashamed Ier. 3 3. But are obstinate and their necke is an iron sinew and their brow brasse Isa 48 4. For they haue sold themselues to worke wickednesse in the sight of the LORD 1 King 21 20. GOD is not in all theyr thoughts Psal 10.4 And though I earnestly protested vnto their Fathers rising early and protesting saying Obey my voice yet they obeyed not nor enclined their eare but walked every one in the imagination of their owne evill heart Ier. 11 7. Ezek. 16.49 Ier. 44.9 16 11. Gen. 38.7 Exod. 5 2.14.11.15.24.16 3 17.2.32.7 Iudg. 2.11 Psal 53.2.78.10 Prou. 21.10 Hos 10 4. Q. Is there no reward for such men as these from God A. Is not destruction to the wicked and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquitie Iob. 31 3. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressours Prou. 26 10. According to his wayes and according to his doings will hee recompence him Hos 12 2. The transgressours shall bee destroyed together and the end of the wicked shall be cut off Psalm 37.38 GOD shall raine snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest this shall bee the portion of their Cup Psal 11 6. And the heritage appointed vnto them by God Iob. 20 â—9 For is not this laid vp in store with mee and sealed vp among my treasures saith the Lord Deu. 32 34. Even as I haue seene they that plow iniquity and sow wickednesse reape the same Iob. 4.8 Trouble and anguish shall make them afraid they shall prevaile against them as a King ready to the battell Iob. 15.24 And I will feed them with wormewood and giue them water of gall to drinke Ier. 9.15 Yea I will bring such evill vpon them that whosoever heareth of it both his eares shall tingle 2 King 21 11. And if they will not for all this hearken vnto me then I will punish them seven times more for their sinnes Leu. 26 18. And if they walke contrary vnto mee and will not hearken vnto me I will bring seven times more plagues vpon them according to their sinnes c. And if they will not be reformed by these things but will walke contrary to me then will I also walke â—â—ntrary to them and will yet punish them â—ven times more for their sinnes Leu. â—6 21. Terrours shall take hold of them 〈◊〉 waters a
shall not bee delivered Amos 9 1. But it shall be with you as if a man did flye from a Lion and a Beare met him or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall and a Serpent bit him Amos 5 19. Isa 30.16 Amos 2 14. Ob. If we cannot escape by flying we will then hide our selues in some darke Corner of the earth Iob. 22 12 13. Psal 94.7 Isa 29 15. A. I know Ephraim saith GOD and Israel is not hid from me Hos 5 3. Neither is there any creature which is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open vnto the eyes of him with whom we haue to doe Heb. 4.13 Whereby it shall come to passe that though you die into Hell thence shall my hand take you though you climbe vp to Heaven thence will I bring you downe and though you hide your selues in the top of CARMEL I will search and take you out thence and though you be hid from my sight in the bottome of the Sea thence will I command the Serpent and hee shall bite you Amos. 9.2 Hos 7 2. Zach. 4. 10. Iob. 12.22 Ob. If this be our case wee will then cease from open sinning against GOD and what wee doe wee will doe in such sort as no eye shall see vs A. Woe vnto you that seeke deepe to hide your Counsell from the LORD and your workes are in the darke and you say who seeth vs And who knoweth vs Surely your turning of things vpside downe shall bee esteemed as the Potters clay For shall the worke say of him that made it hee made mee not Or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it he had no vnderstanding Isay 29.15 You take Counsell but not of me and you cover with a covering but not of my spirit that you may adde sinne to sinne Isa 30 1. But the spirit of man is the candle of the LORD searching all the inward parts of the belly Prou. 20.27 And his eyes behold his eye-lids try the Children of men Psalm 11.4 To giue every Man according to his wayes and according to the fruit of his dooings Ierem. 17 10. Psalme 139.2 c. Ob. But will not a guift in the hand pacifie Gods wrath A. The LORD your GOD is the GOD of Gods and LORD of Lords a great GOD a mighty and a terrible which regardeth not persons nor taketh rewards Deut. 10 17. For every Beast of the Forrest is his and the Cattell vpon a thousand Hils Hee knoweth all the Fowles of the Mountaines and the wild Beasts of the Feild are his If he were hungry he would not tell thee for the world is his and the fulnesse thereof Psal 50.10 Wherefore then doe you harden your hearts as the Aegyptians and PHARAOH hardened their hearts 1 Sam. 6 6. For because there is wrath beware least hee take you away with his stroke then a great ransome cannot deliver thee Will hee esteeme thy riches No not Gold nor all the Forces of strength Iob. 36 18. Ob. Whatsoeuer you can say I know that GODS mercies doe surpasse the measure of our sinnes and hee that made vs will saue vs. A. He that made you will not haue mercy on you and hee that formed you will shew you no favour Isa 27.11 But it shall come to passe when you heare the words of this curse and you blesse your selues in your heart saying Wee shall haue peace though wee walke in the imagination of our hearts to adde Drunkennesse to thirst the LORD will not spare you but then the anger of the LORD and his iealousie shall smoke against you and all the curses that are written in this booke shall lye vpon you and the Lord shall blot out your Name from vnder Heaven Deut. 29.19 Ob. I know that God is not so much without pitty but that if when trouble commeth wee doe crie vnto him hee will heare and haue Mercie vpon vs. A. You shall then cry vnto the LORD indeed but hee will not heare you hee will even hide his face from you at that time as you haue behaved your selues ill in your doings Micha 3 4. And hee will say vnto you goe and cry vnto your GODS which yee haue chosen let them deliver you in time of your Tribulation Iudges 10 14. Not that the LORDS hand is shortned that it cannot saue neither his eare heavie that it cannot heare But your iniquities haue separated betweene you and your GOD and your sinnes haue hid his face from you that he will not heare For your hands are defiled with bloud and your fingers with iniquity your lips haue spoken lyes your tongue hath muttered perversenesse Isay 59 1. Wherfore behold he will bring evill vpon you which you shall not bee able to escape and though you cry vnto him yet hee will not hearken vnto you Ier. 11.11 Hosea 5.6 Iudg. 11.7 Ier. 14.12.7.13 Ob. If Mercie cannot bee had for our owne sakes yet by the Prayers of the Righteous and for their righteousnesse sake wee shall bee deliuered A. Though these three men NOAH DANIEL and IOB were in it they should deliver but there owne soules by their righteousnesse saith the LORD GOD Ezek. 14.14 And though MOSES and SAMVEL stood before mee yet my mind could not be towards this people cast them out of my sight and let them goe foorth Ierem. 15.1 Therefore they shall not pray for this people nor lift vp crye or prayer for them neither intreat mee for I will not heare them saith the LORD Ierem. 7.16.14.11.11.14.15.5.16.5 Ob. But will GOD destroy the righteous with the wicked Genes 18.23 Or shall one man sinne and will hee bee wrath with all the Congregation Numb 16.22 A. Did not ACHAN commit a trespasse in the accursed thing and wrath fell on all the Congregation of ISRAEL And hee perished not alone in his Iniquity Iosh 22.20 2. Chron. 28.19 Notwithstanding runne yee to and fro through the streets of IERVSALEM and see now and know and seeke in the broad places thereof if yee can finde a man if there bee any that executeth Iudgement that seeketh the Truth and I will pardon it Ier. 5 1. But from the least of you to the greatest of you every one is given to Covetousnesse and from the Prophet even to the Priest every one dealeth falsely Ieremiah 6 13. The good Man is perished out of the Earth and there is none vpright among them they all lye in waite for bloud they hunt every man his Brother with a Net that they may doe evill with both hands earnestly The Prince asketh and the Iudge asketh for a Reward and the Great man hee vttereth his mischievous desires so they wrap it vp The best of them is as a Brier the most vpright is sharper than a thorne Hedge therefore the day of thy Watchmen and thy Visitation commeth now shall bee your perplexitie Micha 7 2. Numbers 16 26. Ezekiel 22.25.22.30 Ob. If I may be sure to escape so long