In the middest of his confessions vers 12. interponing a thanksgiuing and prayer Blessed art thou O Lord teach me thy statutes The third part is in the 15. and 16. Verses containing a foure-fold promise further according to his foure-folde former Confession which are first Meditation in his preceps secondly consideration of his wayes thirdly delight in his statutes and fourthly remembrance of his word The first part of the octonarie contained in this first Verse thereof is diuided againe in two parts a question and answere made therevnto albeit there bee some who make all the Verse a question onely thereby denoting the difficultie chiefly in yong men to liue according to Gods law framing it so according to the Hebrew Whereby shall a yong man cleanse his way that he may keepe the same according to thy word The Question Wherewith shall a yong man redresse his way In this question there are foure things to be considered First the person concerning whom this question is mooued described by his age A yong man Secondly the matter of the question A yong mans way Thirdly an action is set down Redressing or cleansing thereof in futuro of the contrary thereby signifying the present estate thereof to be vncleane and vnredressed in it selfe And the fourth meanes Wherein or wherewith this action should bee performed by way of interrogation denoting the difficultie thereof The answere hath reference vnto the question propounded so Wherewith shall a yong man redresse his way In taking heed thereto where the actions of redressing and taking heede hath their reference the rule of both is according to thy word The translation of the question according to the originall in the Hebrew is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in quo mundabit c. Wherein shall a young man cleanse his way as if hee would say seeing the way of all men is defiled with many enormities and much filthinesse of sinne in all ages but chiefly youth is polluted with great iniquitie and vncleannesse of the burning lustes of the carnall affections therefore sinne in them being most strongest and so most seuerely and soonest to bee repressed wherein or in what manner shall a young man purge the vncleannes of his youth and redresse these strong enormities of his life The vulgar translation is wherewith or by what way or meanes may or shall a yong man redresse and rectifie his way and course of liuing All to the same sense and meaning First that this admonition and exhortation of young men in this verse is propounded question-wise Wherewith c It teacheth vs first the difficultie of the redressing the way of our youth both in respect of the peruerse and aduerse nature thereof from hearing good counsell and the godly graue instructions of our elders as also of the vnaptnes of this age to follow or to embrace the same except by Gods speciall grace it be assisted seconded which is plainely manifested in the examples of those in the primitiue world that despised old Noahs instructions of the Sodomites and chiefly the two sonnes in law of old Lot to whom hee appeared to mocke when wisely and louingly hee warned them to flee Gods iudgementes of the two sonnes of olde Eli who despised their fathers reproofe and warning to abstaine from the filthy lustes and sinnes with sundry others whose ende was euer fearefull destruction and ouerthrow for youth like an vntamed or wild colt can hardly heare or will obey the strait bridle that restraineth libertie it cannot away with graue counsell of his Elders but as foolish Rehoboam despised his fathers olde counsellors and heard the furious and hote yong men that were brought vp with him So they thinke olde age doting and willingly hath a ready eare open to the intising Syrens of their owne affections and youthly lusts who are their young counsellors and Placebos hearing and beeing seduced by them till many of them haue lost a greater kingdom then Salomon could leaue to his sonne euen that kingdome of heauen which Christ hath purchased by his blood they will followe whether they draw them and saile as they blow in their sailes till on the pernitious rockes of fearefull destruction many of them make ship-wracke they will not be recalled nor awake but lye asleepe vpon the deceitfull knees of the delaying and dallying Dalilah of the filthy lustes and vaine poysonable pleasures vntill they haue lost their strength Gods graces and benefits bestowed vpon them become a mocking stocke for their enemies and a ready prey for Sathan that greedie deuouring Lyon Therefore let all yong men considering that the difficultie of youth is such to heare or obey good and graue instructions whereby their wayes may bee redressed desire and entreat earnestly of God Almightie to giue them his grace and the assistance of his spirit that their eares may bee willingly and readily open to heare his word and the godly admonitions of their Elders to giue them hearts to vnderstand aright that it is for their great only good to follow the same to shut their eares and hearts to all entising of sin or vice to direct their foot-steps into his holy way that by his grace they may the more easily walke from grace to grace truly such difficulty resisted ouercome maketh a greater and more glorious victorie to euery yong man who hath Gods feare before his eyes The second thing which wee note by the interrogatiue setting down of this exhortatiō of youth is not onely the fore-named naturall difficultie in them for redressing of their wayes but also the dutie of all Youth as the Prophet here in the person of a yong man plainly sheweth which is that euery one should enter into a diligent examination inquisition of his wayes and that not consulting with flesh and blood for then many excuses and delayes shall bee but with the Prophet heere with and before God alone enquiring of his waies according to his word The further cōmand of this duty beside the prophets example here is plainly set downe in the old testament Lam. 3. 40. Let vs search and trie our wayes and turne againe vnto the Lord the neglect and incommoditie whereof the same Prophet complaineth greatly vpon Iere. 8. 6. I hearkned heard but none spake aright no man repented him of his wickednesse saying What haue I done the incommoditie followeth euery one therefore turned to his race as a horse russheth into the battell In the new Testament also the Apostle commandeth the same dutie 2. Cor. 13. 5. Prooue your selues whether you are in the faith examine your selues know you not your owne selues how that Iesus Christ is in you except you bee reprobates So that this triall and diligent examination must be in the heart of euery true Christian yong and olde and indeed it is the very first step to saluation Marie Magdalen before euer she could come neere to Christ or found any comfort in him she tryed and with
his fellowes Therefore in our youth tender yeares if we would bee accounted or any way esteemed to bee the children of God to be the members of Iesus Christ to be temples of Gods Spirit to haue our names written in that booke of life or euer to exspect participation or enioying of the endlesse and infinite ioyes of heauen then let vs by the assistance and strength of that stronger man Iesus Christ who hath ouercome and subdued all and by the speciall grace of his blessed and powerfull spirit striue to binde expel that vsurping tyrant out of the precious house of our soule and to shut him out of the gates and doores of our hearts that we be none of his possessions or vessells in his house and with all our strength diligence and power seeke to redresse our soule and heart againe and make it fit and meete for the habitation abiding place of that cleane and holy spirit of Iesus Christ onely being sanctified by his grace in all the members of our body faculties of our soule that the Lord of rest may giue rest to our cesciences rest by his cōfortable presence in our harts cōtinually let vs lift vp the celestiall and euerlasting gates of our soules and let the king of glory enter in walke in his waies and redresse by his grace our vncleane and enormous waies of sinne and vnrighteousnes The second word to wit cleansing according to the original word in the Hebrew text which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mundabit is taken likewise by a metaphore chiefly from vessells which vseth to bee made cleane and purged when they are foule or polluted with any thing according to Christs words Matth. 23. 25. in reprehending of the hypocriticall Scribes Pharises who did make cleane the outter side of the cup platter but within were full of hypocrisie and iniquitie So indeede all men young and olde wee are Gods vessells either of honour or dishonour appointed either continually to remaine in his sight or eternally to bee reiected and banished from his glorious presence there is no day also but we are polluted chiefly in youth and desiled with some vncleannes of sinne and our filthy lusts and affections euer doth infect vs therefore continually wee must endeuour and seeke with earnest praiers that wee may cleanse and purge according to Christs commandement first the inside of the cup and platter that the outside of them may be cleane also In our youth wee are as new vessells in Gods house if at any time a vessell be esteemed of or be cleane it is when it is new therefore in our youth let vs chiefly trie and know if wee be vessells of honour if we be surely then we must bee most cleanest for a precious vessell of honour ordained to be in the presence of the Prince is neuer defiled with filthines nor suffered to be put to an vncleane vse chiefly being as yet new but if we finde our selues polluted with filthines in our youth and newnes our soule made the receptacle of stincking lustes and of all impuritie of sinne let vs feare and suspect that except God of his free mercy and grace create and frame vs of a new againe and purge vs from all our iniquities that wee can iudge our selues to be no other but vessells of reiection impurity and dishonour Therefore in youth while the filth of sin sticketh not so fast vpon the vessels of our souls nor the old mā of iniquitie hath not taken so long strong possessiō of the house of our heart as he may plead long custome or defend it let vs purge by the teares of true repētance our filthy blots vncleannes of sin and desire that vnspotted Lambe by his precious bloodshed to purge vs likewise from the guilt thereof let vs by the strength of his gracious Spirit expell that vncleane spirit of sinne and pleasures of the flesh and redresse the roome and house of our soule with open gates to receiue retaine and entertaine with ioy that spirit of all cleannes of ioy and endlesse comfort As Iesus Christ our Sauiour hath commanded let vs first purge make clean the inside of the cup platter that the outside may be cleane also that is let vs begin purge the worme of sinne and corruption from the roote of our hearts and the branches with the fruite of word and deede shall prosper the better begin and purifie the spring and the streames that runneth therefrom shall be the clearer Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and according as the affection of the heart is so the workes proceed and the members executeth their command This purifying is by true repentance with Marie Magdalen in sorrowing truly for our sinnes and in all humilitie washing his feete with the teares of deepe remorse constantly endeauouring neuer to sinne no more and by a liuely faith in the armes of our soule embracing and apprehending the blood of Iesus Christ and his death as our onely righteousnes obedience and propitiatorie sacrifice before the Father and by good workes and a sanctified holy life shewing our faith and Gods mercy manifested in vs to our liues end to the good example of others and our owne soules saluation This action of cleansing or redressing is set downe in the future time Qui nam mundabit c. Wherewith shal a young man cleanse his way Noting thereby the present estate thereof to bee vnredressed and vncleane Whereby wee learne and may obserue first that howsoeuer we flatter or excuse our selues in any age but chiefly in our youth that our waies nor course of life is not so vncleane nor worthy of reproofe but may be easily borne with soone redressed oramended yet the spirit of God in this place of his sacred word dooth by the mouth of his holy Prophet shew vnto vs that our waies are so vncleane and filthy that it is a very hard difficult thing to redresse or cleanse them their pollutiō being so great which he would signifie by asking interrogatiuely how they shall bee redressed And therefore that in all humilitie and lowest submission of heart in our youth and in all ages wee should acknowledge the infinite greatnes of our transgressions and filthy vncleannesse of sinne which cannot bee cleansed but by an infinite purgation euen by the blood of Iesus Christ in his infinite and vnsearcheable mercy shed for mankinde which wee should daily begge and continually thirst after the same greedily walking worthy hereafter as those who are redeemed with so precious a price Secondly wee may obserue here the markes and difference betwixt a godly and vngodly young man the one consulteth and asketh at God Whereby he may redresse and purge his waies the other consulteth with flesh and blood and asketh counsell at Sathan and his owne filthy lusts and affections whereby hee may defile and pollute his waies The onely care and vigilant studie of the one
which leadeth to saluation presse hardly to thrust in at that narrow gate lay off and cast away far from thee all the impediments of sinne and the intising vanities and pleasures of youth and let thy onely care be with thee first to see thy Sauiour the way is narrow that leadeth to him delay not then till it be full but striue to be foremost the way is narrow that leadeth to life therefore not soone found in the beginning thē of thy life timely begin and search carefully and narrowly for it the true way is narrow and straight therefore thy steppes therein when thou hast found it must be strait and narrow thou must make a couenant with thy eye that it behold no vanitie thou must shut the gates of thy eares that thou heare no vaine prophane or idle speeches offensiue to God thou must not harken to them but let the sound of Gods word and healthfull admonitions be pleasant only vnto thy hearing thou must haue a watch-man before thy lips and Gods feare a bar vnto thy heart tongue that thou vtter nothing but may be to Gods glorie thy owne comfort and the edification of those that doe heare thee abstaining from swearing cursing lying backebiting slandering iudgeing idle or corrupt speaking and from all things that hath but the appearance of euill thou must exercise thy handes to doe good only thy feet to prosecute the same thy will must be made cōformable to thy Sauiours thy vnderstanding to perceiue and apprehend vertue and Gods mercy towards thee thy memorie to thinke vpon his iudgements to thine amendement vpon his mercy to thy comfort and his manifolde blessings and vndeserued benefites for encrease of thankfulnesse in thee Thy whole body and all the members thereof which is a member of Iesus Christ must no wise be made a member of Sathan by sinne or polluted to bee the member of an harlot thy soule and heart with all the powers and faculties thereof must be the temple and tabernacle of Gods sanctifying and holy spirit not a lodge for that vncleane spirit of sinne and his fellowes of thy filthy lusts and carnall affections in body and soule thou must walke so warily and narrowly in feare and trembling working out thy saluation The way is narrow feare then neuer so little to depart from the paths of the Lord this straight passage and path to saluation is soone lost by negligence but not so easily found out againe without great diligence care not for the scornefull and diuelish slander of the world to bee called precise but daily more and more labour so to be indeede striue to liue a pure and vnspotted life without an hypocriticall and externall shew onely thereof It is saide in a diuelish prouerbe A young Saint an olde diuell but endeuour thou being young to be a Saint of God and to dedicate thy youth to him and his seruice onely walking in this strict and narrow path the same God who hath giuen thee beginning shall also giue thee constancie and a ioyfull end that thou maiest liue an old Saint also as well as young on earth and in heauen he shal glorifie thee a blessed Saint for euer with himselfe It is saide and that most truely Temporis praeteriti bene impensi suauis est memoria The memorie of time by-past which was well bestowed is sweete and ioyfull to the minde of man And let any young man consider with himselfe if God bring him to age what greater ioy and comfort hee can haue then to remember that hee hath borne the yoake in his youth as the Prophet saith that hee entred and walked then in the narrow straight way and now is come to the easie passage and out-going thereof to receiue that promised reward of eternall ioyes and euerlasting life where hee seeth others who then entred a contrarie course giuing loose liberty to their flesh fulfilling their lusts and neuer caring to redresse their waies in their olde age to bee punished with pouertie punished with infamie and disgrace ouercome with sicknesse humbled greatly despised expelled out of all good companie a patterne of all miserie in great straightnesse the end of the way and compelled with the prodigall Sonne after they haue spent all abused Gods gifts to liue in a lamentable estate and to flie from Citie to City from Countrey to countrey wrestling if they may to come out of their straightnes but falling from pit to pit from Scylla to Charybdis And except God their father giue them a minde at last to returne to him aright and halfe way run and meete them that is to be feared they bee cast into an euerlasting straightnes of eternall death and condemnation which by their walking in that broad way of carnall libertie they iustly haue promerited What ioy I say shall this be to an aged man to remember his happy estate he is in And this wofull condition hee hath by Gods grace escaped when for age hee cannot so well eate his meate this remembrance that hee remembred his Creatour in the daies of his youth and redressed his waies according to his word shall be a continuall banquet vnto him this peace of a good conscience and ioy of an vpright heart shal be a staffe to vphold his soule when hee beholdeth the greene field and pleasant fruites and flowers of his well spent youth greater solace shall bee to his minde then the pleasure of the finest decked garden of the world could bee to the eye his soule shall flow with comfort and his heart pant and leape with ioy an infinite treasure shall he possesse see continually which shall neuer make him carefull or the feare of the losing thereof put sleepe from his eyes but from death to life it shall passe with him and leaue a perpetuall fame thereof in the world when he shall die in the Lord his works shall follow him Let euery yong man then spend and bestow his youth so in walking in this narrowe way and straight passage circumspectly precisely and as purely as hee can redressing his waies according to Gods word that in the haruest of old age he may pull and eate of the fruit of his youth and find refreshment after wearinesse rest after labour victorie after the battel easinesse after straightnesse and infinit eternall ioy after momentaneall mourning and teares for a season assuring himselfe that his fasting from sinne in youth shall be a feasting of comfort in age his sowing in teares shall bee a reaping of ioy And Christ the way the truth and the life who hath promised the reward is faithfull willing and sufficient to performe hee saith To him that ouercommeth will I giue to eate of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God He that ouercommeth shall not bee hurt of the second death to him that ouercommeth will I giue of the Manna that is hid and I will giue him a white stone and in the stone a new
must passe and ouercome many temptations of Sathan the flesh likewise walke in the strait and narrow way of holinesse sanctification before thou come to the easie and spacious end of thy way to the full possession of that heauenly kingdome and eternall glorification through Christ Iesus thou must bee in labours before thou rest from labours thou must liue in the Lord before thou canst die in the Lord thou must liue the life of the righteous if thou wouldest wish to die the death of the righteous and thy last end to bee like theirs All the holy Patriarks Prophets Saints and Martyrs of God haue trode this narrow way before they obtayned the recompence of their reward vnto which they had respect if therefore thou haue any respect vnto the same and by hope looke for that which they fully now possesse follow and insist in their footsteps if thou wouldest tryumph and glory with them thou must also couragiously fight with them against the diuell and thine owne corrupt affectionâ— and concupiscence of the flesh which fayne would haue libertie and draw thee in that broad way of destruction but assure thy selfe in thy youth and in the way thereof that the greater liberty of thy flesh and affections here maketh the most strait incarceration and feareful plunging of soule and body in endlesse and easelesse torments of hell hereafter which thou mayest plainely behold and learne by the example of Diues Lazarus whereof the one in the broad way had his pleasures in this life but not a drop of water to coole his tongue after death the strait ende of his way the other had his miseries here without necessaries scarce for the flesh but after death which opened the large end of his way he was carried into Abrahams bosome in eternall ioyes for euer to remaine in their life Lazarus was compelled to beg from Diues crumbes of his bread at their death Diues was compelled to beg from Lazarus a drop of cold water there did straitnesse follow after ease and ease after straitnesse in their seuerall wayes Albeit the rich man in the Gospell walking in the broad way did bid his soule Eate drinke and take it ease for it had much laid vp for many yeeres yet God from heauen had decreed that the strait end of his way shold be neerer then he thought they should fetch his soule froÌ„ him that same night Albeit Nebuchad-nezzar walking in the broad way also in the pride of his heart said Is not this great Babel that I haue built for the house of my kingdome by the might of my power and for the honour of my Maiestie glorying so in the flesh yet he was cast into a great and wonderfull straitnesse while the word was in his mouth and driuen from men as a beast to eate the grasse of the fields Albeit Belâ—hazzar likewise walking in the same large way in the exaltation of his heart against God proclaimed a banquet sitting with his Princes wiues and concubines pampring giuing all pleasure to the flesh drinking wine in the vessels consecrated onely to Gods seruice which were brought out of Ierusalem not glorifying GOD but praysing his Idols of gold siluer and stone yet the end of his way was this the Hand declared on the wall that hee was weighed and found too light his kingdome was ended and giuen to others and that same night he was slayne presently so when he was highest vpon the top of his reioycing hill most suddenly he did fall lowest in the valley of mourning and pit of teares by lamentable destruction the vnexpected strait end of his broad former way The Sodomites knew little how neere fire and brimstone was neere them the primitiue world how neere them was the Deluge and all such that walke in this way of libertie of the flesh how neere subuersion of soule and bodie is at hand Therefore let vs walke in the right way if wee would sitte at Christs right hand let vs be sanctified here if we would be glorified hereafter let vs walke in the true path if we would attaine to the true end thereof and subdue the slesh with the affections thereof to the spirit and yoake of Christs obedience if in body and spirit for euer wee would raigne with him Let vs redresse our owne wayes and let euery one that calleth on the name of the Lord depart from iniquitie as the Apostle commandeth Timothie and in his person all yong men Flie from the lusts of youth follow after righteousnesse faith loue and peace with them that call on the name of the Lord for if any man purge himselfe from these hee shall bee a vessell vnto honour sanctified and meet for the Lord prepared vnto euery good worke Seeing also our course of life here is compared to a Way which wee must redresse according to Gods word therefore let vs walke in this life as in a way warily and working out our saluation in feare and trembling Considering with ourselues 1. First as in a way or iourney no rest is to be expected that is permanent vntill wee come to the end thereof so neither must wee looke for any permanent citie or solide rest in the way or course of this life vntill we come to Iesus Christ being dissolued to be with him who is the true end and rest of the true and narrow way the temple of that spirituall Ierusalem and Citie of all perfect light and ioy For the estate of his Church here is as the Boat wherein vpon the sea hee was with his Disciples euer tossed vp and downe in continuall labour so that except hee were our stay our rest and refuge wee should surely perish Our life here is a Warfare our enemie is euer pursuing as a raging Lyon seeking to deuoure vs therefore wee must be in continual defence of the life of our soules by his strength being armed who gaue his life for our soules vntill vnder his defence hauing fought a good fight and finished our course we be victorious and tryumph with him hauing receyued that immortall and incorruptible crowne of glory which is layd vp for vs and for all them that loue the comming of the Lord Iesus in glorie to glorifie vs with himselfe 2. Secondly in a way we euer goe forward and one step followeth another sicut vnda impelli tur vnda as one waue is enforced by another so also in the way of this our life wee poast to our end and our dayes passe more swiftly then a weauers shittle our life is as a flower that now springeth vp and with a blast fadeth as a water bubble now vp and now downe with an aire of wind as a smoake seene and gone presently as the fat of Lambes which suddenly is dropped away so that whether wee sleepe or wake whether we eate or drinke whether we go or sit still as in a ship wee are caried speedily with full sailes thorow the sea of this
them lost a kingdom to the which he was called by the wicked and furious hote counsellers of our lusts and affections in our youth let vs not also loose the glorious kingdome of heauen to the which wee are likewise called by Gods word Neither as the yong mans loue to his riches made him to forsake Christ let the vncleane loue or desire to follow our youthly pleasures or to fulfill our filthy lusts and affections draw vs from following Iesus Christ our Sauiour and these godly examples and patterns of youth which in his word wee haue here set before our eyes but with yong Samuel when the Lord calleth vs in his Church to heare and do his word let vs so oft answere Lord here am I thy seruant to doe thy godly will speake for thy seruant heareth while the spring and seed time is of our tender yeeres let vs so sowe as wee would reape and so bud as wee would ripen our youth is the day to doe our works in the night of age commeth wherein wee cannot worke in that time wee shall say onely I might haue bin learned I might haue bin so or so if I had vsed my time aright but winter is come before I thought on seed-time and Times bald backe-side is turned to mee but the heary forehead which I might haue caught holde by is already past therefore the wise man saith Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth whiles the euill dayes come not nor the yeeres approach wherein thou shalt say I haue no pleasure in them whiles the sunne is not darke nor the light nor the moone nor the starres nor the cloudes returne after rayne when the keepers of the house shall tremble and the strong men shal â—ow themselues the grinders shall cease because they are few and they waxe darke that looke out by the windowes c. describing so metaphorically the infirmities of old age They who stept in first when the Angel came downe and troubled the waters of the poole Bethesda were cured of their disease so if we would be cured of our soules disease and leprosie of sinne wee must striue to step in first before others in our youth without lingring to be washed with the blood of Christ and liue a pure vnspotted life Ioseph before the time of famine came laid vp aboundance of corne prouidently for the same so before the leane and crinkled yeeres of age come we must prouidently in the Sommer of youth with the Bee and Ant gather and lay vp food for our soules filling the store-houses of our heart full with the knowledge and true feare of God to be our comfort and ease in that time that here in the world to come we may bee accounted among the number and of the sort of those forenamed who dedicated their youth and first fruites thereof to God their heauenly Father and now do enioy the ioyful recoÌ„pence of their labours with Iesus Christ in the presence of the Lambe for euer to remaine The answere that is made vnto this question is this In taking heed thereto according to thy word that is by these meanes a yong man may redresse his wayes and course of life if according to the rule and prescript of thy holy worde O Lord hee take heed thereto diligently and straitly marking examining and iudging the same and rectifying all his waies and actions by the direct line and rule of thy commandements This answere is made by way of prayer or confessioÌ„ to God or as it were by resolution froÌ„ God In taking heed thereto according to thy word thereby shewing and teaching all men that to know will or doe aright as God hath commanded according to his word is not of our strength neither can flesh and blood reueale it vnto vs but our heauenly Father it is the gracious worke of his glorious Spirit who as the knowledge of Gods will proceedeth of his speciall Illumination so the acting and doing of the same in an holy and vpright life is of his speciall grace and powerfull operation also who giueth thee knowledge will and power to doe the same Velle perficerâ— by enlightning our vnderstanding reforming our wicked will and conforming the same vnto the holy and perfect wil of God and with his coÌ„mand to rise from the sleepe and death of sinne to a new and sanctified life giuing vs a power and flowing light and life from himselfe to doe so as when Christ our Sauiour said Talitha cumi or Lazarus arise c. and at that last day when it shall be said Rise dead folke come to iudgement and so in all Gods word when hee commandeth to repent beleeue bring forth good fruit or so we must not thereby thinke because God commandeth so therefore that we haue knowledge or free-will to doe or not doe so but with the command there floweth a concomitating power and vertue from Gods spirit to the hearts of the faithfull predestinate for saluation to doe this command as a further induration to harden the hearts of the sonnes of reprobation in their stiffe-necked disobedience to Gods will euen as at the words of Christ the fig-tree withered free wil then and strength of our selues to know and doe euill wee haue for it is according to our nature for by nature wee are the children of wrath and all the imaginations of our heart are onely euill continually from our very infancie and it is the worke of our flesh for the flesh coueteth against the spirit but to know will or to do well we haue no power at all but it is Gods sanctifying Spirit who giueth both and it is aboue nature yea it is the worke of the Spirit against nature Therefore let vs not trust to our owne knowledge or wisedom for it is darkenesse foolishnesse nor thinke of our owne will or strength that we can doe or truely desire or know that which is good being so peruerse and wicked but with the Prophet after his example acknowledg al our knowledge of his will or of the right way to saluation to proceed onely from the illumination of his good spirit and that the will or strength to doe and performe the same is onely his owne free worke in mercie also and let vs by earnest prayers as in all ages so chiefly in our youth implore his holy helpe to teach vs according to his word how to walke in his wayes and to take heed to our owne in greatest difficulties consult with him who is true light and wisedome and in whom is no changing in greatest tentations by continuall prayer let vs flie to him that with his all-sufficient grace he may euer assist vs when Sathan would not only buffet but kill deuoure our soules with the poyson of sinne and our owne lusts and in all things let him be our onely refuge resolution and comfort continually In taking heed thereto c. this action of taking heed to our wayes in the answere
Pro. 17. 28. that euen a foole when hee holdeth his peace is counted wise and he that stoppeth his lips prudent therefore the wise man of this age is pictured with a padlock vpon his lips for as of an arrow vnshot so of a word vnspoken as wee say proceeded neuer harme 3. Speake not before thy elders or betters but patiently wait without interruption or carping at their speech till they haue fully spoken according to the example of Elihu Iob. 32. 46. now Elihu had waited till Iob had spoken for they were more ancient in yeeres then he Therefore Elihu the sonne of Barachel the Buzite answered and said I am yong in yeeres and yee are ancient therefore I doubted and was afraid to shew you mine opinion suspecting and fearing his owne wisedome in humilitie and giuing place vnto his Elders as all yong men should for I said the daies shall speake and the multitude of yeeres shall teach wisedome The contempt of this when young men would take vpon them to giue better couÌ„sell to Rehoboam being wise in their owne conceit then the old beaten counsellers of Salomon 1. Kin. 12. and the forsaking of the experienced wisedome of these ancient and graue men for the rash vnexperienced foolishnesse of these young giddy heads that were brought vp with him made him to loose the kingdome of Israel to him and his posteritie thereafter Not excluding but sometimes more wisedome may bee learned from the mouth of a yong man then of the most ancient as it pleaseth God to distribute his gifts extraordinarily or in greater mesure as he did to yong Dauid Salomon Daniel c. and sometimes according to the Prouerbe Qui plus menti non etiam plus mentis habet hee that hath the whitest beard hath not euer the ripest wit nor soundest iudgement alwaies let none that is ancient bee therefore despised nor none that is yong so presume 4. Speake as moderately so modestly and bee not hastie or sudden therein for of them that bee hasty Salomon saith Pro. 29. 20. that there is mâ—re hope of a foole then of such and as the wise man hath commaunded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ne lingua pracurrat menti let not thy tongue runne before thy minde seeing it should be the minds interpreter onely and the mind should speake inwardly to an ende before the voyce expresse outwardly the sense meaning thereof not setting the cart before the horses or the plough to runne before the oxen Periculosa temeritas rashnesse or hastinesse in word or deed is perilous And in all thy speech or conference take heed according to Gods word to speake the trueth onely abhorring from lying as from Sathan the father thereof to speake euill of no man albeit thou mayst truely and to abstaine not onely from euill words which corrupteth good manners as the Apostle saith but also from ieasting which is not comely and all idle words of euery one whereof wee must render account at the day of Iudgement as Christ the trueth testifyeth speake all to edification in knowledge or godlinesse giue to none the least offence iustly by thy speech and desire to profite all men thereby and so as euery one is knowne to be such a Countrie man or of such a Kingdome by his tongue or speech so by thy good speech and language thou shalt be knowne to belong to God the wel-spring of goodnesse and to the kingdome of Heauen the land and countrie of that spirituall Canaan To this effect desire God by his holy Spirit to purge and sanctifie thy heart first which is the root and out of the abundance whereof the mouth speaketh and then with the Prophet Dauid to set a watch before thy lips and a barre before thy tongue that as wel in thy speech as actions his will may bee done in earth as it is in heauen In thy gesture also take heed to behaue thy selfe dutifully comely towards al meÌ„ according to Gods word without all rudenesse on the one part or curious affectation of apish noueltie on the other part rather to bee contemned then any way imitated by any ingenious young man or person whatsoeuer 1. As thou art commanded Leuit. 19. 32. thou shalt rise vp before the hoare-head and honour the person of the old man not rudely sitting or not giuing place to them whom God hath blessed with many and good yeeres but so doing to them and honouring such as thou wouldst be of thy yongers if God so long prolong thy life and respecting their infirmitie by weak old age with consideration of thy better abilitie in thy yong stroÌ„g yeeres who may better stand then they as also before thy betters thou shalt rise or them to whom thou art bound in dutie according to Salomons example 1. King 2. 19. 2. Stand where thy beters sit according to the example of Abraham Gen. 18. 8. And he tooke butter and milke and the calfe which he had prepared set before them and stood himselfe by them vnder the tree while they did eate where notwithstanding iâ— he had pleased hee might haue commanded a seat for himselfe 3. When thou commest to appeare before thy betters or elders in a comely fashion shew the reuerence of thy heart towards them by bowing the knee of thy bodie before them according to the example of sundry in the Scripture as Abraham Genes 18. 2. when hee saw the Angels a farre off he came to them and bowed himselfe to the ground also Gen. 23. 7. 12. And he bowed himselfe before the people of the land of the Hittites so Lot to the two Angels Gen. 19. 1. Iacob to Esau Gen. 33. 3. Iosephs brethren to him Gen. 42. 6. Salomon to his mother 1. King 2. 19. with many others but châ—efly that example of the yong man who came to Christ Mark 10. 17. And when â—ee was gone out on the way there came one running and kneeled to him and asked him Good Master what shall I doe that I may possesse eternall life shewing so the honour of his heart to Christ by this outward gesture of his body and reuerent speech of his mouth in calling him Good Master 4. Set not thy selfe downe in the chiefest place any where but rather take the lowest roome that those that haue authoritie may rather set thee vp with honour and thou be called humble then displace and set thee downe with dishonour and shame and thou bee called proud according to the Parable of Christ to the guestes in the Pharises house Luke 14. 8. When thou shaâ—t be â—idden of any man to a wedding set not thy selfe downe in the chiefest place c. But when thou art bidden goe and sit downe in the lowest roome c. for whosoeuer exalteth himselfe shal be brought low and he that humbleh himselfe shall be exalted Fiftly and lastly as for the vncouering of the head and all other points of good manners in Christian and ciuill societie according to the rule
of the Apostle generally Let all things be doâ—â— decently in loue without dissimulation being as the spring from whence our reuerence and honouring one of another should proceede and the end likewise to bee loue out of a pure heart and of good conscience and of faith vnfaâ—â—ed Thirdly and last of all let euerie young man according to the prescript rule of Gods worde take heede vnto his way of godlinesse and religion to redresse cleanse the same which indeed is the most profitable vocation of all others for as the Apostle saith Godlinesse is great gaine and for bodily exercise it profiteth little but godlinesse is profitable vnto all things which hath the promise of the life present and of that that is to come Salomon also Prou. 14. 27. saith that The feare of the Lord is a well-spring of life to auoid all the snares of death it is a most precious jewell the comfort glory and value whereof surpasseth all vnderstanding the straight way whereof albeit displeasant hard to the flesh for a time yet it is most delectable pleasant to the spirit and soule for euer It is a tree hauing albeit gall in the roote yet hony in the top whose fruit endureth for euer And in the feare of the Lord is an assured strength Therefore seing it is more amply spokeÌ„ of before I cease now with this exhortation only of th' Apostle to al yong men concerning the same Let euery one embrace the grace of God that bringeth saluation vnto all men which hath appeared and teacheth vs that wee should denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and that we should liue soberly and righteously and godly in this present world looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the mighty God and of our Sauiour Iesus Christ who gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purge vs to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe zealous of good workes forgetting that which is behinde and endeuouring our selues to that which is before and following hard toward the marke for the price of the hie calling of God in Christ Iesus hauing our conuersation in heauen continually from whence wee looke for the Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ counting all thinges dung that wee may win him and may bee found in him endeuouring onely that wee may know him and the vertue of his resurrection and the fellowship of his afflictions and bee made conformable to his death that at last we may be fashioned likewise vnto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able euen to subdue all things vnto himselfe In the meane time whatsoeuer things are true whatsoeuer things are honest whatsoeuer things are iust whatsoeuer things are pure whatsoeuer things pertaine to loue whatsoeuer things are of good report if there bee any vertue or if there be any praise let vs thinke on these things to doe the same and the God of peace shall be with vs here by grace and wee with him for euer hereafter in glory We must redres our waies the Prophet saith here In taking heede thereto according to Gods word We must not then read heare or know onely the word of God but practise do the same in purging taking heed to our waies according thereunto It is that good seed that Christ speakes of which must not only be receiued with ioy but must be retained and laid vp in a good and honest heart to bring forth good fruite according to the measure of Gods grace We must doe as Israel did Exo. 19. 7 8. and 24. 3. when Moses proposed Gods Commandements vnto them they answered All that the Lord hath commanded wee will doe not heare or know them onely So Moses commandement and exhortation to the people Deut. 4. 6. Behold I haue taught you ordinances and lawes as the Lord my God hath commanded me that yee should doe euen so within the land whither yee goe to possesse it keepe them therefore and doâ— them for that is your wisedome c. The peoples desire to Moses againe was chap. 5. 27. Goe thou neare and â—eare all that the Lord our God saith and declare thou vnto vs all that the Lord our God saith vnto thee and wee will heare it and doe it The condition also that God maketh by Moses that hee will exalt blesse them is chap. 28. 1. If thou shalt obey diligently the voyce of the Lord thy God and obserue and doe all his Commandements which I command thee then the Lord thy God will set thee on high and all these blessings shall come vnto thee c. So 19. 9. Keepe therefore the wordes of this couenant and doe them that yee may prosper in all other thinges that yee shall doe So 30. 14. The word is very neare vnto thee euen in thy mouth and in thy heart for to doe it Iohn the Baptist Matth. 3. 8. said vnto the Pharisies that which all men shoulde doe Bring forth fruits therefore worthy of amendement of life And now also is the axe put to the roote of the trees therefore euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruite is heweâ— downe and cast into the fire And Christ our Sauiour saith Matt. 7. 17. Euery tree is knowne by his fruites for euery good tree bringeth forth good fruit and a corrupt tree bringeth forth euill fruits A good tree cannot bring forth euill fruit neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit For doe men gather grapes of thornes or figges of thistles Therefore so let our light shine before men that they may see our good workes and glorifie God our heauenly father For as in Morall Philosophie it is said Omnis virtus in actione consistit all vertue consisteth in action so truely in diuine and true Philosophie it may be likewise said that all Religion and Christian vertues consisteth in practise and not in pratling of them onely The figge-tree that Christ accursed had a faire shew by his leaues a farre off that he was like to haue fruit also but because he had none therefore by Christs curse hee withered presently It is not a faire shew likewise or pretence and profession of religion that God doth accept but wee must with our outward shew haue the inward substance and life of Religion good workes proceeding of true faith and loue Wee must not onely professe in word but in deede and action also imitating not onely Christs sayings but his holy life and doings Luke 6. 46. hee saith But why call you mee Master Master and doe not these thinges which I speake A seruant not onely acknowledgeth his Maister in word but must also in deede hee must not onely heare and know his Masters will but except hee doe it also hee shall be beaten with many stripes Luk. 12. Mat. 7. 21. Not euery one that saith vnto me Lord Lord saith our Sauiour shall enter into the Kingdome of heauen but hee that doth my Fathers
will which is in heauen Many will say vnto me in that day Lord Lord haue we not by thy name prophesied and by thy name cast out diuells and by thy name done many great workes And then will I professe to them I neuer knew you depart from mee yee that worke iniquitie Whosoeuer then heareth my words and doth the same is like the wise man that buildeth his house vpon a rocke c. Seeing God soweth the seede of his word in our hearts hee looketh for a ripe haruest of good works if he hath planted vs as vines in his vineâ— yard or oliue branches in the stock Christ he looketh that in him wee should bring forth sweete grapes and shew that wee liue in him by bringing forth good and pleasant fruit in him Gal. 5. 25. If we liue in the spirit let vs walke also in the spirit Wee must not like that barren and vnprofitable fig-tree Luk. 13. 7. delay to giue fruite to our Maister from yeare to yeare lest we be cut down and throwne ouer the hedge for euer in his fierce wrath but in our youth and tender age we must bud and bring forth sweete pleasant fruits such as he expecteth Christ Iesus abolished the curse of the Law by his comming but hee came not to take away the Law it selfe and the Prophets but to fulfill them As hee therefore perfitly obeyed Gods Lawe so that there was no sinne at all found in him so must his members here on earth striue in some measure to obey Gods Lawe and to come to that perfection that is here permitted by Gods Spirit to the elect to attaine vnto and that there be no sin found raigning in them For there is none no not one man in this world but sinne is found in him neither was there euer any other waies except Iesus Christ God and man but wee must striue and endeuour by the powerfull operation of Gods sanctifying Spirit assisting vs euery one of vs that if sinne abide in vs and the law of sin bee in our flesh yet that it beare not dominion or ouer-rule ouer vs but that in the spirit wee may haue the law of righteousnesse subiugating and weakening the other daily more and more till at the last by grace both soule and body bee captiuated vnto Christs obedience and take on his yoake that both likewise hereafter may bee in and with Christ victorious and triumphant in glory Amongst Pastours Whosoeuer shall obserue and teach Gods Commandements their reward shall be great they shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen so amongst the hearers and flocke Blessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it The true Pastour maketh his voice sound like Arons bells before his flocke And the sheepe heare his voyce and hee calleth his owne sheepe by name and leadeth them out And when hee hath sent forth his owne sheepe hee goeth before them and the sheepe follow him for they know his voyce Where to see the necessity of good works doing of Gods word therin we may consider the dutie both of the true Pastours of Christ and of the true sheepe of Christ with both their markes whereby so they may bee easily knowne the one not to bee Woolues in Lambs skins theeues robbers and hirelings the other not to bee sheepe of another Pastour or pasture True Pastours here then must goe before their sheepe first by an incorrupt doctrine or voyce and secondly by the footesteps of an incorrupt conuersation and life Concerning the first Christs charge to Peter is Louest thou me tâ—en feede my flocke So that Pastours loue to Christ is approued before God to their owne conscience and before men by feeding only his flocke the woe of the contrary whereof is set downe plainely Ezek. 24. 2. Wo â—ee to the shepheards of Israel that feede themselues should not the sheepheards feed the flockes Also 2. Tim. 4. 1. Pauls charge to Timothie I charge thee therefore before God and before the Lord Iesus Christ which shall iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing and in his kingdome Preacâ— the word be instant in season and out of season improue rebuke exhort with all long suffering doctrine So here is Christs charge and the Apostle of Christs charge the one to Peter the other to Timothy and so to all Ministers that they should make their flockes heare their voice and sound the same before them For as Iohn was a voice in the wildernesse to prepare the way of the Lord at his first comming in humilitie so they must bee now voices crying in the desart of this world to prepare the way against the Lords second comming in glorie by Repent bringing low euerie high vnhumbled hill and by Beleeue exalting and comforting againe euery low valley and humbled soule in Gods presence so they must loose and binde open and shut set life and death before euery one and Wâ—e bee to them if they preach not the Gospell or therein loue their owne glory and praise of men more then the glory of God seeing the King hath sent them out to call all men to his banquet to eate of the fat calfe God hath made them Angells to cry before that last day Rise dead folke in sinne prepare to come to Iudgement cast off the corruption of the lustes of the flesh put on renouation of the spirit be sanctified in body and soule that in both hereafter you may be also glorified they haue concredit to them the trumpet of Gods voice at whose sound the high and proud walles of the Iericho of euery mans heart must fall and therefore must compasse them blow the trumpets diligently and often They are sent that they should preach the Gospell to the poore heale the â—roken hearted preach deliuerance to the captiues and recouering of sight to the blind that they should set at libertie them that are bruised and that they should preach the acceptable yeare of the Lord. This then is the voyce that they should vtter and this is the voyce the true sheepe should follow and know Concerning the second marke of true Pastours to wit their going also before their flocke in good example and holy life according to their owne voyce doing the same Christs charge likewise to his Apostles is Matt. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heauen The neglect and transgression whereof hee sheweth in the Scribes and Pharisies whose righteousnesse except theirs exceeded hee telleth his Disciples they should neuer enter in the kingdome of heauen Matt. 23. 2. in these wordes saying The Scrbes and Pharisies sit in Moses seate and therefore whatsoeuer they bid you obserue that obserue and doâ— but after their workes doe not for they say and doe not as alas too many such in these our daies doe The Apostlte Paul also Rom. 2. 21. to this effect saith
and doe not then follow the chiefe Pastor Iesus Christ onely who hath gone before vs in a most perfect and holy example of life as for him hee riseth or falleth to his owne Master and is to be left to God whose seruant he is For that the hearing and knowledge onely of Gods voyce and word is improfitable to our saluation without the practising of the same in an holy life and conuersation by a true faith in Christ the Apostle Paul testifieth Rom. 2. 13. For the hearers of the law saith hee are not righteous before God but the doers of the law shall bee iustified And the Apostle Saint Iames 1. 22. giueth an expresse coÌ„mandement to all Christians saying Be ye doers of the word and not hearers onely deceiuing your owne selues so that we deceiue our selues greatly when we thinke that we haue done our dutie when we haue heard and knowne Gods word no the diuell and reprobates doe so also but to vs who looke to bee saued by Christs blood passion the word of God must bee powerfull to saluation God working with it in our hearts begetting and increasing a liuely and true faith in vs which must shew it selfe by the fruite of charitie and good workes when God speaketh vnto vs vttereth his voyce by our ordinary Pastors we must take heed if we haue that inward feeling which the Apostles confessed they had at the hearing of Christ Luke 24. 32. for the same spirit which wrought in them then worketh so now also in the hearts of the Elect And they sayd betweene themselues did not our hearts burne within vs while hee talked with vs by the way and when hee opened to vs the Scriptures Let vs consider if we haue this fire of the mouing and quickning spirit of God who worketh together with his word in our hearts let vs examine if by this powerfull operation of hearing Gods word faith and repentance bee begotten or encreased in our hearts Let vs try againe if this repentance bee true by abstaining by Gods grace euer thereafter from sinne that it raigne not in vs and if our faith bee liuely by not onely abstaining and abhorring so from euil but also doing good and godly workes according to our power the measure of our faith and Gods grace in vs following the example of the poore widow albeit we haue but little yet thereof to impart somewhat to Christs members laying it vp so in his treasurie then we are the truesheep for the Pastour maye preach and we duely heare his voyce but except he goe before in a holy life and we follow after in a sanctified conuersation talke that wee haue faith as wee will yea that thereby wee could remooue mountaines cast out Diuells and worke many miracles as many reprobates shall pleade at that day in Christs name wee are notwithstanding but as tinckling cimballs if wee haue not charitie and good workes and shal receiue that fearefull Away from mee I know you not Christ is offered to vs in his word we must not onely take him in our mouth by hearing but by a liuely and true faith wee must chew and eate him by vnfained loue charitie digest him and by our good workes holy conuersation shew that we are renewed ingrafted and growne in him so that hee may be not onely ours but vs and wee not only his but him he is that fruitfull vine if we be then in him we must bee fruitfull branches the fig-tree was commanded to be cut downe because it did beare no fruit the naturall Oliues were reiected because they lost their fatnesse if they had beene the sonnes of Abraham they had done the workes of Abraham if we be the sonnes of God by adoption and true members of Christ wee must learne of him for hee was humble and meeke wee must be holy as he is holy else wee haue no parte in him It is not enough to heare the Kings seruants message but without excuse wee must come to his supper and eate of the fat killed calfe in the white wedding garment of holinesse and a godly life Hee that saith that hee loueth God and yet hateth his neighbour he is a lyar and he that saith that hee loueth God and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyar also the reason is giuen by the Apostle plainely 1. Iohn 5. 3. For this is the loue of God that we keepe his Commandements and his Commandâ—ments are not greeuous And also In this wee know that wee loue the children of God when wee loue God and keepe his Commandements The thing that Iesus Christ the first the last sheweth that hee tooke notice and knowledge of in the seuen Churches to whom he writes in the Reuelation and vnder their name to his whole Church militant to the end is I know thy workes Reuel 2. 2 9 13. 19. and 3. 1 8 15. Also when that glorious Iudge of all flesh shall come and all his holy Angells with him and shall sit vpon the throne of his glorie there to iudge and reward all the Nations of the earth that shall be gathered before him hee shall iudge euery one according to his workes for in that great and last day he shall say vnto the sheep at his right hand Come yee blessed of my Father inherit yâ—e the kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world the reason For I was hungred and ye gaue me meate I thirsted and yee gaue me drinke I waâ— a stranger and you lodged me I was naked and you clothed me I was sicke and you visited me I was in prison and you came to me And the contrary shall hee say to the reprobate goates at his left hand who did not the same and must depart into euerlasting paine For albeit it be most true that faith onely iustifieth before God whosoeuer beleeueth that Christ is the Sonne of God shall bee saued because God he seeth the heart and searcheth the most inward deepest cogitations thereof and many hath beleeued with the theefe at the last houre and in Gods mercy haue beene saued so onely by faith Yet as the Apostle saith Iam. 2. 24. Wee see that of workes a man is iustified and not of faith onely because wee cannot enter into the heart to perceiue and behold the inward faith but by the fruits wee see it onely and that a man by such a fruitfull true liuely faith is iustified for good workes which alas in these daies are rare as faith loue their roote is colde and almost none left vpon the earth are the way wherein wee must walke to iustification albeit not the matter or cause thereof they are not the euidence of our faith as saith the Apostle Iames 2. 18. Shew me thy faith out of thy workes and I will shew thee my faith by my workes There is their nature vse they are the assurance to vs of our election and the makers sure of the same and
whosoeuer hath time meanes and opportunitie as few are but hath in some measure to doe good workes whereby their election may be confirmed to their owne conscience their faith in Christ shewed and testified before the world God their heauenly Father thereby glorified and his children their brethren therby strengthened and yet notwithstanding doth not verily howsoeuer they say that they haue faith Gods Spirit word testifieth the contrarie and that it is a dead faith they brag of which Sathan himselfe hath and trembleth verse 19. which being dead in it selfe can neuer apprehend nor apply that true life of the soule Iesus Christ and his righteousnesse the godlies onely comfort for faith worketâ— with by works as the fire doth by heate through workes is faith made perfit as the Apostle testifieth and as hee reasoneth Iames 2. 14. What auâ—â—leth it my brethren though a man saith hee hath faith when he hath no workes can the faith saue him For if a brother or a sister be naked and destitute of daily foode and one of you say vnto them depart in peace warme your selues and fâ—ll your bellies notwithstanding you giue them not those thinges which are needefull to the body what helpeth it Euen so the faith if it haue no workes is dead in it selfe And after confirmation of this by the example of Abraham Rachab he concludeth For as the body without the spirit is dead euen so the faith without workes is dead Wee see then that as workes without faith iustifieth not For whatsoeuer is done without faith is sinne euen so faith without workes being dead iustifieth no maÌ„ before God and that it is neither sufficient to Pastour to preach and know Gods word except in practising it he go before his flocke by good workes nor that it is sufficient to the people or sheepe who would bee accounted of Christs sheep-folde to heare or know Gods voyce except they also follow and practise the same by good workes following the holy and vnspotted life of Iesus Christ the Lambe in whom they hope to bee saued Let therefore Pastor and people old and yong from the highest to the lowest striue by a holy life and fruitfull of good workes to shew themselues to bee true branches in Iesus Christ the vine and liuely members of his blessed body and as he who hath called vs is holy so let vs be holy in all manner of conuersation as becommeth the Gospel of Christ zealous of good workes Not hearing or knowing our Masters will onely but in taking heed to our wayes to redresse the same according to his word and will reuealed therein executing and doing the same and when we haue done all that we can doe confessing and acknowledging our selues to be vnprofitable seruants so shall we be assured in our owne consciences by Gods spirit that we are sheepe of his pasture and children of his inheritance so shall wee bee knowne by the world by our confession and profession of Christ in an holy and christian life to be members of his Church and Kingdome also and so at last we shall be found worthy in Christ to walk with the Lambe when he who gaue his life for vs here shall giue vs eternall life with himselfe for euer hereafter According to thy word that is making thy holy word O Lord the rule and square according vnto the which we may take heed vnto our wayes and redresse the same We see then here first the excellencie and great vertue and vse of the word of God It is a rule according vnto the which wee may and should redresse purge and rectifie our sinfull vncleane and erronious wayes It is that breath of God which breatheth life in the face of the soule of man as by the word of God in the first creation was man raysed out of the earth and placed in the garden of Paradise so by this word of God which is neere vs in our mouth and heart is the new creation and regeneration of the heart of man whereby his soule is raysed from earthly and carnall affections and placed in the pleasant garden of Christs church to eate of the tree of life and liue with him for euer It is the voyce of God that is dayly heard in the garden of his Church not onely asking euery Adamite and sinner but shewing him also where and in what estate he is by sinne and Sathan calling him not to a curse for sinne but a blessing and inuiting him to come to the seed of the woman to that tree of life and second Adam Father and Sauiour of our spirits Gods word is a Lampe that shineth euer in the candlesticke of his true Church to direct our footsteps in the path to life euerlasting with himselfe It is that two-edged Sword that powerfully proceedeth out of his owne mouth which pierceth thorow the inward cogitations of the heart to redresse the same and diuideth the marrow of the bones to giue fatnesse to the soule It is that seed which beeing sowed and layd vp in a good and honest heart maketh euery Christian to bring foorth acceptable fruit vnto Gods glory and their owne soules comfort It is the Power of God to saluation to all them who beleeue the same It is that Instrument or Spade which diggeth about the rootes of our hearts to make vs sweet and fruitfull to our long suffering and patient Master lest we should be pulled vp by the rootes ere the axe of Gods wrath should bee put to our rootes and wee be cut downe and throwen ouer the hedge of the vineyard into vnquenchable fire Gods word is that Snedding knife which cutteth away the rancke leaues of sinne which with their darkenesse doe ouer-shadow our soules and keepe away that comfortable ripening sunne of Gods fauour to shine vpon vs that our sowre grapes may become sweet It is a Hammer to beat downe euery high exalted hill or proud cogitation of the heart that as Gyants would rebell and fight against God It exalteth euer the low valley or humbled dejected soule euen to the throne of God in confidence boldnesse It is that sâ—â—ngstone of the sonne of Dauid whereby euerie Christian and souldier of Israel must kill that mighty Gyant the reuiler of God and enemie of his seruants who seeketh not to giue their bodies to the fowles of the ayre but their precious soules to the hell-crowes of sinne and the deuouring vultures of eternall torments It is the knife whereby the fore-skin of euery Christians heart is circumcised and cut away before hee can be in the new couenant of grace or be counted a true Israelite in spirit it is the gladdest tidings that euer came to the soule and the true testimony or witnesse-bearer of Iesus Christ search the Scriptures for they testifie of him it is a Christians life My words are life saith light and life and without the comfort of the same our life is death and our light Cimerian darknesse