of our selues for it is the gift of God and commeth not of woorkes Ephe. 2. least any should boa st him self for we are his woormanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good woorks that wee shoulde walke in them so that none can looue Christe in purenes of hart but that of verry force hée will walke in good woorks as thinges that are vnpossible to bée seperated from him that is sanctified with the spirit of adoption and grace for as Christ is the fountaine of all holynes and righteousnes and of all grace and goodnes so it must needes followe that whome Christe hath sanctified with his Spirit that they must of necessitie doo the woorkes of grace and righteousnes so long as they labour and indeuour to be renued and confirmed in the spirit of grace which wée receiuing and takeing of Christe must of force confesse that without it wée haue no power to crucifie our fleshe and to resist sinne and therfore by it wée haue power to mortifie our earthly members and to doo the woorkes of righteousnes whereby it is moste euident and plaine that by the grace giuen by Christe through faith wée may assuredly and boldely perswade our s elues that wee are only iustified and saued Therefore saith Peter Pet. 1.1 blessed be God the father of our Lord Iesus which through his aboundant mercie begat vs againe to a liuely hope by the resurrection of Christe from death to inioy an inheritance immortall and vndefiled reserued in heauen for vs after which the prophets inquired and searched prophesying of the grace that shuld come vnto vs by the spirite of of Christ which testified before of the passions that should come vnto him and the glorie that should follow after for by Christ we are made spirituall and not carnall whose spirite doth certifie our spirite that we are the sonnes of God and heires annexed with him who was ordained before the worlde was made that by him our faith and hope might be in God so that our iustification come not by the deedes of the law but by the faith of Iesus Christ according to Paule Thess â—â— God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation through sanctifying of the spirite and through the beleeuing of the truth whereunto he called you by the gospell for Christe is the end of the law to iustifie all that beleeue Rom. 8 Gal. 6. walking not after the flesh but after the spirite for what soeuer a man soweth that shall he reape if he sow in the flesh hee shall of the flesh reape corruption but if he sow in the spirite he shall of the spirite reape life euerlasting for they that are Christes Gal. 5. haue crucified the flesh with the appetites and lustes thereof for Christ hath called vs to holynes and not to vncleannes and hath called vs out of bondage into libertie from the curse of the law vnto grace from darknes to light from death to life from the spirite of feare to a liuely hope from a earthly mansion to an heuenly kingdome from transitorie glorie to euerlasting glorification therefore stand grounded and established in faith not moued away from the gospell but stand fa st in the liuely hope to obtaine the glorie that commeth by Christ Rom. 8. being vnfainedly pers waded that there is no damnation to them that are in Christ Iesus walking after the spirite and hauing their conseruation in heauen For Christ our sauiour sitting now in the right hand of God in his maiestie Ephe. 1. was before the world was by whom wee are predestinated heires according to the purpose of him that worketh all things after the purpose of his owne will that through his gospell should be brought life and immortalitie to all that do beleeue in his sonne Iesus Christ the seede of promise to Abraham who now is declared openly whom we looke for to come shortly in the glorie of his Father and all holy Aungels with him in all power and maiestie And that all eies shall see him and they also that pearsed him so that al kindreds of the earth shall mourne when they behold Christ comming in the cloudes Reu. 1. to reward euery man according to his deedes therfore it behoueth vs to watch and pray and to become new creatures thereby making our election sure by holding fast his gospell in a stedfast faith by walking after righteousnes that we may ouercome and be found faithfull at the appearance of Christ comming in glorie that we also may be crowned with glorie ioyfully saying Blessed is the kingdome that commeth in the name of him Mark 11. that is Lord of our Father Dauid Hosanna in the highest Ephe. 1. BLessed be God the Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ which hath blessed vs with all maner of spirituall blessings in heauenly things by Christ according as he had chosen vs before the foundation of the world was laid that we shoulde bee Saintes through loue who ordained vs before through Christ to be heires vnto him selfe according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glorie of his grace wherewith hee hath made vs accepted through the beloued Iesus by whom wee haue redemption through his bloud euen the forgiuenes of sinnes according to the riches of his grace Therefore to him be all honor and glorie world without end Amen THE GLORIOVS and beautifull garland of mans glorification CAP. 2. How man shall bee chaunged at the sounde of the laste troump from mortalitie to immortalitie and from an erthly nature to an euerlasting nature and appeare before the iudgement seat of Chris t to be rewarded according to his deedes eyther with eternall reproufe or els with euerlasting glorification SVch is the eternall ordenance of the Almightie God touching our saluation in his Sonne Iesus Christe that all men ought too knowe that as by a man came death so by a man come the resurrectioÌ„ of the dead for as by Adam all dye so by Christe shall all bee made alyue according to Iohn Iohn 5. The houre shall come in the which all that are in their graues shall heare Christes voice and shall come foorth they that haue done good to the resurrection of lyfe and they that haue done euill to the resurrection of dampnation Esdras 22. as the Lord sayd by the Prophet Those that be dead will I rayse vp againe from their places Daniell 12. bring them out of their graues and they that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake some to euerlasting lyfe Acts. 17. some to perpetuall shame and reproufe as it is in the Acts that the Lord hath appointed a day in the which hée will iudge the world according to righteousnes by that man Christe whome hee hath appointed and hath offered faith to all men after that reysed him from death to whome saieth Iohn the Father hath coÌ„mitted all iudgement because that all men should honor the sonne euen as they
and true that it would moue any hart willingly to die for the Lambs sake and to suffer all afflictions rather then declyne from the companie of these heauenly Ladies which leadeth to eternall saluation Then these virgins pointed a righteous man farther to the top of Sion and there hée might sée and come to the company of them that were got vp to this fourth golden staire in Iacobs house walking boldely in perfect stablenes of all righteousnes vpon the pure glaciall sea of perseuerance patience long suffering and immutablenes as men s hewing them selues able to stand by the grace which was now giuen them and to abyde the batell to the end obteining the victory then were they redy ioyfully to enter to the high goldeÌ„ stair there to stand with the elect before Christ hauing garlands palmes of victory in their hands for a moste beautifull and glorious 5. Victory by fayth and bright Queene did sit vpon that transfulgent stayre thrusting out her heauenly hand being godly victory accompaned with eternall gladnes drawing them vp that had perseuered to the end into the glaciall sea of glorie before the Lamb Saying now come sée with Esay GOD sitting in his glorious seat and also Esdras vision performed Esay 6. When Esdras saw vpon the mount Sion a great People whome hée coulde not number and they praysed the Lord with songs of thanksgeuing and in the mid st of them Esdras 4.2 there was a young man of an high stature more excellent then all they and vpon euerie one of their heades hée set a crown and was euer higher and higher and the Angell sayd to Esdras that they were those that haue put of the mortall clothing and haue testified and knowledged the name of God vnto death therfore are now crowned and receiue the reward of immortalitie he which crowneth them and giueth them the palmes in their handes is the sonne of God whome they haue knowledged in the world and therfore they receiue glorious garments of the Lord which now beholde how Christe dooth performe it saying to you all that hath ouercum and béene faithfull vnto death in his name Reue. 3. come take you the crown of lyfe and sit with me in my seat of glorie And thus these Princes of Righteousnes dooth perswad euerie man by godly conuersation of lyfe to preace forward to obteine the mark appointed the high calling in Christe euen the very beautifull rewarde of eternall glorification For which cause that goodly Virgin and vndefiled Lady called the light of the Gospell came foorth in her golden Charriot to passe thorow out all the world saying I must go gather all Nations be they neuer so farre vnto Christe And then shée sayd Ary se ye Kings and Princes and worship the holy one of Israell who biddeth you that bee in darknes to coÌ„e into the light that you may se glorious IerusaleÌ„ the Tabernacle that neuer shall remoue for the glorious maiestie shall there bee present among vs. Therefore vp and come to the hill of the Lorde Esay 35. and to the house of the God of Iacob that you may walke in the light of the Lorde And then she passed through the middes of heauen with an euerlas ting testament preaching to all the inhabiters of the earth saying Seeke the Lorde all yee meeke hearted Sophon 1. ye that worke after his iudgoment seeke righteousnesse s eeke lowlines that ye may be defended in the wrathfull day of the Lorde Esay 66. for the hande of the Lord shall be knowrn among his seruants and his indignation among his enemies For which cause walke as it becommeth you according to the Gospel of Christ in true holinesse and purenes of conuersation that you may be found to laude honour and glorie at the great day of resurrection And then she did set vp righteousnesse in the balance and iudgement in the weightes saying Thus standeth it betweene the righteous people and the vngodly as followeth and therefore be carefull to make your election sure Esay 3. THe righteous shall enioye the fruites of their labours and studyes but wooe be to the vngodly and vnrighteous for they shall bee heauily rewarded after their workes Psalme 1. Blessed is the righteous man whose delight and exercise is in the Lawe of the Lorde for he is like a trée planted by the water side whose leafe shall neuer wither for the Lorde dwelleth among them that are righteous But as for the vngodly they are as chaffe that shall not be able to stande in the iudgement neither the sinners in the Congregation of the righteous for the way of the vngodly shall periâ—h Psalme 11. The Lorde loueth the righteous and his countenance beholdeth the Iust but the vngodly and him that delighteth in wickednesse doeth his soule abhorre yea vpon the vngodly and the vnrighteous persons he will raine fire and brimstone storme and tempest this shall be their portion to drinke Psalme 34. The eyes of the Lorde are ouer the righteous and his eares are open vnto their prayers and though great be the troubles of the righteous yet the Lorde deliuereth them out of all But the countenance of the Lorde is against the wicked and hee will destroy the vngodly and vnrighteous man Psalme 37. The Lorde knoweth the dayes of the righteous and their inheritance shall endure for euer but as for the vngodly they shall perishe for the armes and power of the vngodly shall be broken but the Lorde vpholdeth the righteous Psalme 37. The Lorde loueth the thing that is right and neuer forsaketh the godly but will haue them kept and preserued for euermore but the vnrighteous shall be punished and the seede of the vngodly shall be rooted out Galathians 6. The Righteous doeth walke after the spirite and therefore shall reape life euerlasting but the wicked doe fulfill the lustes of the flesh and sowe carnally and therefore shall reape destruction Psalme 112. The Righteous shall be had in euerlasting remembrance he shall not be afraide for any euill tidinges his heart standeth fast and beleeueth in the Lord but the wicked shall consume away and the des ire of the vngodly shall perish Esay 28. The Lorde of hostes shall be a ioyfull crowne and glorious Garlande to the remnant of his righteous people Esay 14. but he shall make the generation of the wicked to be without honour for euer Malachie 4 The daye commeth that shall burne as an Ouen and all that doe wickednesse shall be as the strawe but vnto them that feare God and seeke righteousnesse shall be health and saluation and they shall be preserued vnder the winges of the Sonne of righteousnesse Reuel 22. Blessed are the righteous for they shall taste of the wood of life and enter the gates of the holy Citie of newe glorious Ierusalem but the wicked and euill dooers shal be shut out and not suffered to come to the holy Citie Matthewe 25. Vnto the Righteous the Lorde
his children to be thy brethren Therfore learne looue pacience and mercy by Christe that in whatsoeuer estate you be to bee therewith contented holding fast the faith and patience of Christe Phil. 4. béeing assuredlye perswaded that the ready and compendious way to come vnto Gods fauour is to looue and imbrace Christe and his woord with a pure and faithfull hart and to loue one an other for if we loue one an other sayeth Iohn God dwelleth in vs and his looue is perfect in vs Iohn 14. for he that loueth God mu st loue his brother also though he be an enemie for sayeth Christe looue your enemies blysse them that cursse you doo good to thē that hate you Math. 5. and in so dooing we shall follow the example of our sauiour Christe and be Gods Children in conuersation of holynes and goodnes And thus Christe the Author and finisher of our redemption hauing performed his Fathers will by preaching first him selfe the Commaundements of his Father and by diuers signes wounders and miraclrs done according to his will to confirme the power of his Father Heb. 5. did in his fleshe offer vp prayers and supplications with strong crying and teares vnto him that was able to saue him from death and was also heard because of his godlynes and now vpon the Crosse yéelded vp his soule into the hands of his Father who reysed him from death and he is ascended vp to heauen and is set on the right hand of the Maiestie of the Father according to the saying of the Prophet The Lord sayd vnto my Lord sit on my right hand till I make thy enemies thy footestoole Wherby conceiue how Christe béeing promysed afore by God and his holy Prophets in the holy Scriptures to come of the seede of Abraham as perteining to the fleshe Psalme 19◠and declared to be the sonne of God with power of the holy Ghoste that sanctifieth was borne of the Virgin Mary by the imbracing of the holy Ghos te the holy Virgin being eternally appointed to this great mistery to be the Mother of Iesus for the inuisible power of the Godhed did ouer s hadowe the whole body and mynde of the most holy Virgin without any hurt or detriment of her chastitie so that the worke of his conception was not of man but of the holy Ghoste by the in comprihensble power of insperation for saieth the Lord by Esay Esay 7 Beholde a Virgin shal be with chylde and shall bring foorth a sonne and they shall call his name Emanuel God with vs and so the Angell sayd to Ioseph that which is conceiued in her is of the holy Ghoste shee shall bring foorth a sonne and thou shalt call his name Iesus Math. 1. for hee shall saue his people from their sinnes hee shall be great called the sonne of the highest and sonne of God and the Lord shall giue vnto him the seat of his father Dauid and hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer and of his kingdome shall be no end Luk. 1. euen as hee promised to our fathers Abraham and his seede for euer So that wée haue such an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christe the mercifull as hath put down through his death and passion the deuill that hath the Lordship ouer death and hath s poyled rule and power and triumphs ouer them in his owne person and hath nayled the cursse of the law to his crosse and hath caryed captiuitie captiue vp to heauen beeing their set down on the right hand of God Colloss 2. being able to saue them that come to God by him séeing he euer lyueth to make intercessiō for vs Heb. 7. who with one offering made perfect for euer thē that are sanctified Heb. 10. Wherfore wee may clearely as by the light of the Sun beames sée conceiue that they doe lay another foundation then the Apostle Paul dooth héere lay that teache the people to vse any other Aduocat or intercessor then Chist or to vse intercessors to Christe which euermore is him self an intercessor for vs whōe we know apparently by euident scriptures that he liueth and is with God in glory their making intercession for vs able to doe it by power of his victory and because he euer liueth and was ordayned to that eternall misterie for it is written that the whole kingdome doe lye on his shoulders the paines of our sins rest vpon his woundes and stripes and our whole redemptiō is only by him so that it repugneth against Christes glory who is crowned with glory and honour for suffering death for vs to offer intercession and meditation to Saincts to pray to Ladies and Churrh-roodes and to wāder a pilgrimage to offer to picturde images of Sainctes which is strong delusion and horrible abhomination and verry stubble and straws of a strauge foundation of erronious doctrin perniciously sowen amōg the people which the Lord in one day shall consume with fire And besides séeing wée are made perfect with one only offering made by Christe him selfe through the spirit that sanctifieth Heb. 10. then consider from what foundatiō those vain erronious masses doe come and be not deceiued with thē for Christe hath once offered him selfe a sufficient sacrifice for vs the iust for the vniust for to bring vs to God whose blood clenseth vs from all sinne for Christe hath deliuered vs from the cursse of the law and was made accursed for vs that the blessing of Abraham might come vppon the Gentles Gal. ◠Therfore let vs be thankfull and pray only vnto God by Christe and vse no other intercessors of our owne conceites imagined Pet. 13. but let vs consider how much God setteth out vnto vs his aboundant looue that while wée were enemies sinners his only begotten sonne Iesus should dye for vs being killed as perteining to the fleshe quickned in the spirit who thus suffered for vs to reconcile vs to God and yet did no sinne neither was there guyle found in his mouth who when hée was reuiled Pet ◠reuiled not againe when hée suffered hée threatned not but patiently cōmitted and delyuered the only cause vnto him that iudgeth righteously and thus his owne self bare our sinnes in his body on the trée that wée should bee delyuered from s inne and lyue in righteousnes Esay 53. for whosoeuer dooth truely and purely looue Christe and imbrace the faithe of his Gos pell can not but doo the woorkes of righteousnes and obedyence lyke to righteous Abraham otherwise perswade thy conscience and be not deceiued in thy conceit but that thy looue to Christe is colde faint and brickle if thou hast imbraced the knowledge and faith of the Gospell and yet doost not the woorkes of righteousnes and holynes for then thou art yet carnall and not spirituall hauing not yet crucified the olde Adam wherfore consider that by grace wée are made safe through faith and that not
saying Ye men and brethren girde you with the girdle of Gods veritie for through his abuÌ„dant mercie he hath begotten you again Peter 1.1 not with golde siluer but with the precious blood of his owne deare Sonne Iesus Chris t as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spot that ye should enioy an inheritance immortal and glorious prepared in heauen for you Therefore trust perfectly to the grace that is brought by Iesus Christ walking after the spirit abstaining froÌ„ fleshly lustes and fighting against the workes of darkenesse that your conuersation may be holy in the grace of Christ whereto hee hath called you through faith to saluation thus she neuer ceaseth making such godly perswasions to allure men to winne the glorie of Christes kingdome 2. True Religion And then preasing forwarde to come to the seconde staire after the veritie of the trueth receiued there stoode another beautifull Ladie arayed with all the shining garments that the first ladie conteined in her treasure house of trueth Reuel 12. for she was clothes with the brightnesse of the Sonne the cleare worde of God and the moone vnder her feete the righteous life of the true congregation and Church of Christ was her foote-stoole and the glorie of twelue starres ouer her head the doctryne of the Apostles and the righteousnes of their lyfe was her glorie wherewith shée decked and that came vp to her vpon this staire for shée was the nurcing mother of Christes little Children her name was true Religion Iohn 6. whome the righteous branch of Dauid did holde faste by the hand and lynked her with a chaine of golde of vnseperable loue vnto the first virgin her sister called the light of the Gospell that whosoeuer came to imbrace the first Lady with true sincere loue mu st also by the golden chaine of feruent loue come vp higher vnto this swéet virgin of true Religion Heb. â— to imbrace her giftes of grace hope and peace to professe stedfastly the true profession of Christe with all humblenes reuerence and obediynce vnto God then these being not all the stayres that confirmed a verteous man in the way to euerlasting life 4. Godlynes and perfect Righteousnes These Ladies pointed him to looke vp to the third golden stayre and there was a trym méek virgin very demure and humble euen as white and as méek as a dooue being rayed clothed with pure goodly raines of silke the garments of righteousnes down to the ground and she stood vppon the corner stone of Sion and shée was rich and had no end of her treasures Reue. 22. Pet. 1.1 she was fast linked with the golden chaine of vnseperable looue to the other two virgins her sisters that who so came vp to them she for her goodly raines and treasures sake stirred them vp with feruent spirit to come vp higher to s tandde with her and walke vpon the corner stone of Sion wher she by name being true godlines did set vp righteousnes in the ballance and filled all commers to her with the frute therof for she was as the shining light her beautie as the burning lamp did giue them the rich garments of righteousnes which the two first Ladies had made ready for them to weare which notwithstanding without this virgins asistance did shew in them naked and bare for shée being by name true and pure Godlynes did deck all men that had receiued the light of the Gospel and the profession of true Religion with the garments of health and precious armour of God Ephe. 6. putting vppon them the breast plate of righteous nes the sandalles of peace the shéeld of faith the helmet of saluation the bond of looue swoorde of the spirit saying Now walke yee as Children of the light Thess 1.5 and Children of the day for they that are Christes haue crucified the flesh with the appetites and lusts therof Gal. 5. and so walke in the spirit and doe the frutes therof and be not weary of well dooing but tread down the lustes of the fleshe which woorketh contrarie to the spirit to kéepe you back from this golden staire vnto whiche you are come wherin shine as lights in the world Iohn 1 5. holding fast the word of life and then aske any thing at Gods hand according to his will and he heareth your petitions Phil. 2. thus she reioyced all commers with the aboundant swéetnes of heauenly conuersation 4. Constancie perseuerance in righteousnes to the end And now preasting vp to the mark appointed the high calling in Christe these Virgins appointed a righteous man to go vp to the fourth golden stayr wher was a pure modest and méek Virgin clothed with a garment dipt in blood setting her feet very fast vpon the precious corner stone of Sion being lynked with the vnseperable and inuincible golden chaine of perfect loue stedfastnes of faith Reue. 19 impugnable patience vnto the other thrée Ladies her Sisters and her name was called Constancie perseuerance in the trouth vnto the end And then you might see many come running feircely out of the house of Esaw Pet. 1 1. Iames. 1.4 to make sharpe battels and ass aultes against this virgin shooting many arrowes of persecutions afflictions temptations and tribulations to beate her of that golden stair and to kill her and there you might see that shée was sore wounded that her garments were blooddie for the Lambs sake â—â—pe 3. Rom 8. Heb. 12. Cor. 2.1.52 and shée did holde fast the treuth and her faith did coÌ„tinue vnshaken of all the darts of persecutions and shée had a great Adamant in her hand and vppon it was written the wordes which the Lamb of glorie spake to Iohn from heauen to draw thereby all them that were come by grace in Christe to the other thrée stayres to come vp to her Reue. 23 to walke with constant faith and patience vpon the glaciall sea of perseruerance to the end and then shée sayd to them that were belowe come vp hether boldely and feare none of those thinges which you shall suffer for beholde the holy one of Israell that set vppon Dauids stoole byddeth you be of good cheare for I am with you saieth hée to the end of the world and hée saieth vnto Iohn Feare not I am the first and the last Reu. 1. and am aliue and was dead and beholde I am a liue for euermore and haue the keyes of hell and death Holde therfore fast the patience of my woordes to the end and thou shalt be safe Reu. 2. for whosoeuer ouercommeth and is faithfull to mée vnto death I wil giue him a crowne of lyfe and will make him a glorious piller in the Temple of my God Reu. 3. and shall sit for euer with me in my seat in new Ierusalem and thus this goodlie Ladie did comfort all commers with such heauenly consoation of Christes owne wordes who is faithfull