from him Iam. 1.17 Euery good giuing and euery perfect gift is from aboue and commeth downe from the father of lights c. What are wee that so great a God should set his heart vpon vs to shew vs mercy Seeing hee is a spirit and so transcendently glorious and knowes all things we should resolue to serue him with all possible affection putting on all the beauties of the best holinesse we can get when we come into his presence Ioh. 4.24 God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Let vs for euer hate sinne and striue for all possible imitation of his holinesse Psal. 36.10 Extend thy louing kindnesse to them that know thee and thy righteousnesse vnto them that are vpright of hart 1. Pet. 1.15.16 But as he which hath called you is holy so be you holy in all manner of conuersation Because it is written Be you holy for I am holy c. 1. Ioh. 5.18.19 We know that whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and the wicked toucheth him not c. Iob 42.6 Therefore I abhorre my selfe and repent in dust and ashes Finally wee should striue to get and encrease in the true knowledge of our glorious God wee should study his glory but then wee must be warned when we go about this study to looke to diuers things 1. We must repent vs of our sinnes for this knowledge requires a cleane heart 2. Wee must bring an humble and teachable mind Psalm 25.9 Them that bee meeke will hee guide in iudgement and teach the humble his way 3. Let the Word bee thy guide looke for him in the Word Thou must captiuate thy Reason and aduance thy faith 4. Thou must goe to the Sonne to reueale the Father pray Christ to shew thee the Father Ioh. 1.18 No man hath seene God at any time the onely begotten Sonne which is in the bosome of the Father hee hath declared him c. 5. Pray for the spirit of reuelation to forme this in thee and resolue to get thy heart established in the knowledge of God by many prayers 6. Obserue him in his Image in his children get affection to them and liue much with them 1. Ioh. 4.8.12.16 Hee that loueth not knoweth not God for God is loue No man hath seene God at any time if wee loue one another God dwelleth in vs and his loue is perfect in vs c. Thus much for Instruction Here is also much matter of humiliatioÌ„ for those vile Atheisticall thoughts and base conceits which are in mens minds coÌ„cerning God and for the daily neglect of Gods presence forgetting him dayes without number and for daring to sinne in his sight but especially for want of those burning desires after God and that surpassing loue of his glorious nature Thirdly here is singular Consolation vnto all those that are assured they are in fauour with God Why doe not our hearts say Wee haue none in heauen but God and doe desire none in earth with him Psalm 7.3.23 seeing he is so all-sufficient able to doe vs so much good and our plentifull reward Genes 17.1 and knowes our wayes Psal. 1.6 and entertaines his people with so much grace Psalm 36.7.8 and the rather because he will neuer change and loue thee with an eternall loue Iam. 1.17 2. Tim. 2.13 Numb 23.19 This should be the life of our liues it is very eternall life to know him to be ours in Christ. Ioh. 17.3 Ierem. 9.24 Thus of the second principle The third Principle is that there be thre persons in the Trinity which may be proued two waies That there is more then one person Gen. 1.26 Furthermore God said Let vs make man in our owne Image according to our likenesse c. That there are three in number Mat. 3.16.17 And loe the heauens were opened vnto him and Iohn saw the spirit of God descending like a Doue and lighting vpon him And loe a voice came from heauen saying This is my beloued Son in whom I am well pleased c. Matth. 28.19 Goe therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Sonne and the holy Ghost 2. Cor. 13.13 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all Amen Ioh. 14.16.17.28 And I will pray the Father and hee shall giue you another Comforter that he may abide with you for euer c. Ioh. 15.26 But when the Comforter shall come whom I will send vnto you from the Father c. 1. Ioh. 5.7 For there are three which beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one c. These three were called in the old Testament the Lord the Angell of the Lord and the Spirit of God and in the new the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost The vse should be To teach vs to conceiue of God with all possible adoration of his glorious condition who hath in the manner of his nature what is beyond the reach of men or Angels thou must beleeue that this is so though reason cannot tell â—hee how it is let it suffice thee to know that it is Thou shalt know more how it is both when they knowledge is more growne on earth and when thou commest to thy perfect age in heauen When thou commest to worship God make conscience of it that thou rob not any of the persons of their glory But know that there are three persons not one person onely Learne thou in thy course of life from the word and works of God to giue to each person his glory as it is written of him or done by him This may be an vnspeakeable comfort to thee if thou consider what the blessed Trinity is to thee thy holinesse and happines was conceiued decreed framed purchased renewed and shall be for euer testified by â—â—ree in heauen 1. Iohn 5.7 For there are three which beare record c. Gen. 1.26 as before Thus of the third principle That there is but one God is proued in these places Deu. 6.4 Heare O Israel the Lord our God is Lord only c. Esay 44.6.8 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts I am the first and I am the last and without me is there no God You are my witnesses whether there be a God beside me c. Mark 12.29 Heare Israel the Lord our God is the only Lord c. Ephes. 4.5.6 1. Cor. 8.4 We know that an idoll is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but one c. The vses are these Adore him whom al creatures are bound to serue and acknowledge who hath no partners in his supreame Soueraignty Psal. 86.9.10 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee O Lord and shall glorifie thy name
haue put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Secondly this image of God chiefly consisted in knowledge holinesse and righteousnesse Eccles 7.29 Onely loe this haue I found that God hath made man righteous but they haue sought many inuentions Ephes. 4.24 And put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Note that I say chiefly as that which is a principle for else man was created after the image of God First in respect of his substance and so man is the image either of the 1. Being of God or 2. Of the manner of his being 1. Of his being as he hath in him a spirit a nature 1. Spirituall incorporeall 2. Immortall 3. Inuisible 4. Intelligible 2. Of the manner of his being for as in man is one soule and yet diuers faculties as cogitation memory will c. so is there in God one essence and three persons Secondly in respect of his eminency excellency and dominion aboue and ouer all other creatures resembling thus the Lordship of God the Lord of all Genes 1.26 Furthermore God said Let vs make mā in our Image according to our likenesse and let them rule ouer the fish of the sea and ouer the foule of the heauen and ouer the beasts and ouer al the earth and ouer euery thing that creepeth and moueth on the earth Psal. 8.6.7.8 Thou hast made him to haue dominion in the works of thine hands thou hast put all things vnder his feete c. For if the man be Gods image for the Soueraigntie he hath in the family as 1. Cor. 11.7 and the Maiestrate for his superiority in the Common-wealth Psal. 82. much more man in generall for dominion ouer all Thirdly in respect of gifts and so three waies 1. In respect of knowledge for in the mind of man there is hid a-resemblance of Gods wisdome to know God his will and workes with the natures and properties of them 2. In respect of originall Iustice which stood in the rectitude of his nature the spirit subiect to God the soule to the spirit the body to the soule without any sinne 3. In respect of freedome of will There are foure sorts of free-willes 1. Onely to good so in good Angels and the blessed 2. Onely to euill so in diuels and the wicked 3. Partly to euill and partly to good so in the regenerate on earth 4. So to good as it might be to euill so in Adam c. The power of his freedome was such as he could doe all things conuenient to his estate whether Workes of nature as eate sleepe walke rise c. Workes of policie as gouerne his family obserue peace c. Or Workes religious 1. Internall to loue feare and trust in God 2. Externall to teach pray sacrifice c. The vses follow Wee should informe our selues of Gods maruelous loue to man in his Creation which appeares not onely in the time he made him last when hee had prouided all things made for him But in the place in Paradice And in the manner Both of making his body He did not say let it bee but as it were framed all with his owne hands the man of the dust the woman of the rib And of inspiring his soule he breathed the breath of liues into him Genes 2.7 The Lord God made the mā also of the dust of the ground and breathed in his face breath of life and the man was a liuing soule He begat his soule as it were a diuine sparke or particle of God therefore called the Father of spirits Heb. 12.9 Zach. 12 1. Acts 17.28 And in both he saith let vs make calling all the Trinitie to the care and workmanship But especially that hee should as it were be made like vnto God himselfe and therefore let vs sing as Psal. 8.3 What is man that thou thus mindest him c. Of true blessednesse wherein it consists viz. not in idlenes riches lust pleasure sports c. for none of all this was in paradice yet Adam happy perfectly c. The second vse is for instruction and so it should teach vs diuers duties 1. Vnto God and so first we should with all thankfulnesse affectionately acknowledge his loue to man 2. It should instruct man earnestly to study and endeuour To know God To feare To resemble him To praise his workmanship For these were the ends of mans creation no other creatures could reach it therefore God made man reasonable We doe not answere the end of our creation if we make not God in some sort visible by our holines and praise his workes c. The second duty is to our selues and so it should teach vs 1. First to care for the precious and immortall soule that God hath breathed into vs aboue all as Matth. 16.26 For what shall it profit a man though he should win the whole world if he lose his owne soule or what shall a man giue for the recompence of his soule What should wee dote on temporall things when our soules are created to the possession of eternall blessednesse 2. To bee patient and trust vpon God in distresse Psal. 22.11 Be not farre from me because trouble is neere for there is none to helpe me c. Psal. 139.14 I will praise thee for I am fearefully and wondrously made maruelous are thy workes and my soule knoweth it well 3. To lament our fall 4. To study our recouery and we see hence what to seeke viz. knowledge and goodnesse 5. To long for the time mentioned Psal. 17.15 When we shall be satisfied with his Image The third duty is towards men 1. First wrong not man for he is Gods image Genes 9.6 Who so sheadeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God hath he made man 2. Loue one another especially where this Image is repaired for we were created to this end that we should delight one in another The third vse is for reproofe confutation and humiliation 1. For our insensiblenesse forgetfulnesse and vncapablenesse of these considerations especially for our want of lamentation for the ruines in our nature 2. For our horrible neglect of knowledge and goodnesse without which man is more like a beast yea in respect of sinne like a Diuell 3. Of the Papists about pictures of God most dishonourably they would mend Gods draught by dumb pictures yet God hath heere giuen vs a picture his Image CHAP. VIII Of the fall of Man Eccles. 7.29 Onely loe this haue I found that God hath made man righteous but they haue sought many inuentions THe misery of man in his estate of corruption must be considered two waies In the cause of it In the parts of it The cause of it was the fall of our first parents concerning which are these principles That our parents Adam and Eue fel and lost speedily the happinesse in which
Behold I gaue him for a Witnesse to the people for a Prince and a Master vnto the people c. 7. Inwardly as well as outwardly to this end hee hath giuen vs the anointing euen his spirit in our hearts to teach vs all things 1. Iohn 2.27 But the anointing which ye receiued of him dwelleth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and it is true and is not lying and as it taught you ye shall abide in him 8. Compassionately with singular tendernesse fitting himself to euery ones nature and ability Iohn 10.11 I am the good shepheard the good shepheard giueth his life for his sheepe Ezech. 34.23 And I will set vp a shepheard ouer them and hee shall feede them euen my seruant Dauid he shall feede them and hee shall bee their shepheard c. Isaiah 40.11 He shall feede his flocke like a shepheard he shall gather the lambes with his arme and carry them in his bosome and shall guide them with young c. For the third It is exceeding comfortable that he will teach al that come vnto him euen al that are giuen to him of God all the godly of what sex condition or nation soeuer They shal be al taught of God from the least to the greatest A b c daries as well as they of higher formes Isaiah 54.13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord and much peace shall be to thy children Ier. 31.34 And they shall teach no more euerie man his neighbour and euery man his brother saying know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them vnto the greatest of them saith the Lord. And therefore let vs obserue these things and acknowledge this goodnesse and receiue his testimony for thereby we seale that God is true Iohn 3.33 Hee that hath receiued his testimony hath sealed that God is true c. Thus much of his propheticall office CHAP. XIX Of the Priestly office of Christ. THe Priestly office of Christ follows which is that part of his function whereby he maketh satisfaction vnto God for men This office in the execution of it hath in it three things or there be three things Christ must doe as the Priest of the Church 1. He must obey the Law of God perfectly 2. Hee must make expiation for our sinnes by sacrificing to God 3. He must make intercession for vs. First of the principles that concerne his obedience there are foure things wee are bound to beleeue concerning the obedience of Christ 1. First that he was without sin in his nature Ioh. 8.46 Which of you can rebuke me of sinne 2. Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sinne for vs which knew no sinne 1. Pet. 1.19 But with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spot 1. Pet. 2.22.23 Who did no sin neither was there guile found in his mouth c. Heb. 4.15 For we haue not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all things tempted in like sort yet without sinne c. 2. Secondly that he fulfilled the whole law of God perfectly in all his actions Hence called the holy one and the holy Child Iesus Act. 2.27 Because thou wilt not leaue my soule in hell neither wilt suffer thine holy one to see corruption Act. 13.35 Act. 3.14 But ye denied the holy one and the iust Act. 4.27 For doubtlesse against thine holy Sonne Iesus whom thou hast annointed c. 30. So that thou stretch forth thine hand that healing and signes and wonders may bee done by the name of thine holy Sonne Iesus 1. Ioh. 2.20 But yee haue an oyntment from him that is holy and ye haue knowne all things Thirdly that hee fulfilled the law not onely for himselfe but for vs for our sakes Rom. 8.3.4 For that that was impossible to the law in as much as it was weak because of the flesh God sending his owne Sonne in the similitude of sinfull flesh and for sinne condemned sinne in the flesh c. That the righteousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in vs which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousnes vnto euery one that beleeueth Rom. 5.18 Likewise then as by the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation so by the iustifying of one the benefit abounded toward all men to the iustification of life That this righteousnesse of his is an euerlasting righteousnes that is such a righteousnesse as serues for the Elect of all ages and such a righteousnesse as cannot be lost Dan. 9.24 Seuenty weekes are determined vpon thy people and vpon thine holy City to finish the wickednesse and to seale vp the sinnes and to reconcile the iniquity and to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse The vses may be For consolation for hereby all the faithfull may be assured that though they bee very vnrighteous in themselues yet they are made the righteousnesse of God in him Ierem. 23.6 In his dayes Iuda shall be saued and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby they shall call him The Lord our righteousnesse 2. Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sinne for vs which knew no sinne that we should be made the righteousnesse of God in him Hee is the end of the law to euery one that beleeueth wee haue as certaine iustification to life by his obedience as euer we were subiect to death by Adams disobedience Rom. 5.19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many also be made righteous And if his righteousnesse bee ours how rich are we and how ought our hearts to bee established in his well doing c. Secondly for instruction and so it should worke in vs two things 1. First an establishment of faith in our reconciliation and a willing yeelding of our selues to acknowledge this free gift of God in his Sonne 2. Cor. 5.21 Rom. 10.4 2. Secondly an imitation of his maruellous holinesse a striuing to expresse his vertues that we may be holy as he is holy for he communicates the benefit of his obedience onely to such as liue iustly and walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Rom. 8.4 That the righteousnes of the law might bee fulfilled in vs which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit 1. Pet. 2.9 But yee are a chosen generation a royall priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darknes into his maruellous light c. Matth. 11.29 Take my yoke on you and learne of mee that I am meeke and lowly in heart and yee shall finde rest vnto your soules c. 2. Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any man be in Christ let him be a new creature c. Thirdly for
he sanctifieth Rom. 8.30 Moreouer whom he predestinate them also hee called and whom hee called them also he iustified and whom he iustified them he also glorified Ezech. 36.26.27 c. A new heart also will I giue you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your body and I will giue you an heart of flesh And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and ye shall keepe my iudgements and doe them c. 2. That to be truly sanctified is to die to sinne and to rise againe to newnesse of life Rom. 6.1.2.3.4 What shall we say then shall we continue in sinne that grace may abound God forbid how shall we that are dead to sinne liue yet therein Know ye not that all wee which haue bin baptized into Iesus Christ haue been baptized into his death We are buried then with him by baptisme into his death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father so we also should walke in newnesse of life c. Or it is to repent beleeue the Gospell Mark 1.15 The time is fulfilled and the kingdome of God is at hand repent and beleeue the Gospell 3. That except wee be borne againe we cannot enter into the kingdome of God Ioh. 3.5 Iesus answered verily verily I say vnto thee except that a man bee borne of water and of the spirit hee cannot enter into the kingdome of God Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without the which no man shall see the Lord. 1. Ioh. 1.7 But if we walke in the light as he is in the light wee haue fellowship one with another and the blood of Iesus Christ his Sonne clenseth vs from all sinne 2. Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any man be in Christ let him bee a new creature old things are passed away behold all things are become new Fourthly that sanctification is Gods gift and worke in Iesus Christ we can no more conuert our selues then wee can beget our selues at first wee can no more create our selues new men then wee can create our selues men Act. 5.31 Him hath God lifted vp with his right hand to bee a Prince and a Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel forgiuenes of sins Act. 11.18 When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance vnto life 2. Tim. 2.25 Instructing them with meeknes that are cōtrary minded prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance that they may know the truth 1. Cor. 1.30 But ye are of him in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs wisdome and righteousnes and sanctification and redemption Ezech. 37.28 Thus the heathen shall know that I the Lord doe sanctifie Israel when my sanctuary shall be amongst them for euermore Tit. 3.5 Not by the workes of righteousnesse which wee had done but according to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of the new birth and the renuing of the holy Ghost Fifthly that our sanctification is vnperfect while wee liue in this world 1. Ioh. 1.8 If wee say that wee haue no sinne wee deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. Prou. 24.16 For a iust man falleth seuen times and riseth againe but the wicked fall into mischiefe Esa. 64.6 But we haue all been as an vncleane thing and all our righteousnes is as filthy clouts and we do all fade like a leafe and our iniquities like the wind haue taken vs away The vses may be for Information Instruction Humiliation and Consolation For the first wee may heere take notice of the wisedome of God in curing the posterity of Adam Wee receiued a double disease from Adam the one was guilt of eternal death the other was corruption of nature By Iustification the first was abolished and by Sanctification the other is healed by degrees For the second we may here learne many things The first is carefully to studie our owne sanctification compell vpon our selues a more constant endeauour of sound reformation To this end I propound two things 1. Certaine motiues which we should haue continually in our minds to stirre vs vp to the care of holines and to get true grace 2. Certaine rules which may exceedingly further vs about our Sanctification The motiues are these amongst many 1. The commandement of God 1. Thes. 4.3 This is the will of God euen your sanctification Ephes. 2.10 For wee are his workmanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them 2. The conscience of our debt which we owe heerein Rom. 8.12 Therefore brethren we are debters not to the flesh to liue after the flesh being redeemed by Christ. Tit. 2.14 Who gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquity and purge vs to be a peculiar people to him selfe zealous of good workes 3 The consideration of our owne dignity wee are the children of God the temples of the holy Ghost Kings and Priests vnto God Gods owne peculiar people and inheritance 4. The rich promises that belong to godlinesse 1. Tim. 4.8 For bodily exercise profiteth little but godlinesse is profitable vnto all things which hath the promise of the life present and of that that is to come 5. The assuring hereby of our calling and Election 2. Pet. 1.10 Wherefore brethren giue rather diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall neuer fall 6. The excellency of good workes they are sacrifices seasoned with the salt of faith kindled with the fier of the holy Ghost offered by the merit of Christ and accepted of God 1. Pet. 2.5 And yee be made a holy Priesthood to offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Iesus Christ. 7. The silencing of the ignorant from speaking euill 1. Pet. 2.15 For so is the will of God that by well doing yee may put to silence the ignorance of the foolish 8. Because else 1. The name of God will bee blasphemed Rom. 2.24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you 2. Sam. 12.14 Howbeit because by this deed thou hast caused the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child that is borne vnto thee shall surely die c. 2. The spirit of God will be grieued and the workes of the spirit deaded Ephes. 4.30 And grieue not the holy spirit of God by whom ye are sealed vnto the day of redemption 3. The iudgement of God will be prouoked Psalm 89.31.32 The rules we had need to bee put in minde of that concerne Sanctification either shew vs what to take heed of or what to doe That wee be not deceiued in this great worke of true grace we must take heed First of wretchlesnesse and security whereby a man liues so as he is insensible and carelesse of reformation altogether Awake thou that sleepest
Ephes. 5.14 Secondly of the daily baits and methods of sinne be not insnared with the pleasures of sinne which are but for a season but circumcise betimes the soreskins of your hearts Ier. 4.4 Thirdly of procrastination and delaying of time in the businesse of reformation For thy life is vncertaine Matth. 25.13 and euery day addes to the heap of sinne and of wrath Rom. 2.5 Sinne not against thy purposes of amendment lest thou grow more hardened Fourthly of hypocrisie and fained holinesse Esa. 58.2 Iam. 4.8 Fifthly of the perswasion of the merit of your owne works Rom. 10.3 For they being ignorant of the righteousnesse of God and going about to stablish their owne righteousnesse haue not submitted themselues to the righteousnesse of God c. Sixthly of temporary righteousnes Hosh. 6.4 Ephraim what shall I doe vnto thee O Iuda how shall I intreat thee for your goodnes is as a morning cloud and as a morning dew it goeth away Or being weary of well doing Gal. 6.9 Let vs not therefore be weary of well doing for in due season we shall reape if we faint not c. Seuenthly of the precepts of men Mat. 15.9 In vaine they worship me teaching for doctrine mens precepts Ezech. 20.18 But I said vnto their children in the wildernes walk ye not in the ordinances of your fathers neither obserue their manners nor defile your selues with their idols Eighthly of looking after the example and fashion of the world Rom. 12.2 Frame not your selues like vnto this world Ninthly neglect of prayer for the particular furtherance of reformation and grace Lam. 5.21 shall he not giue vs his holy Spirit if we aske him as our Sauiour sheweth in the parable Tenthly let the best of vs take heed of a strange deceit and that is to rest in faire words and attentiue hearing How is it that men that heare many precious counsels comforts reproofes goe away without any reformation and thinke they doe well if they commend the Sermon c. Oh how common is this disease to be awake to heare of the disease or medicine and fall a sleepe before it be applied like those hearers in the Gospell of whom it is said They heard they maruelled and they went their waies Thus much of what we should auoide that the worke of sanctification be not hindred On the other side there be diuers things to be obserued by vs as First wee must looke to the matter to bee done which hath two considerations in it 1. That in generall whatsoeuer things are true honest iust pure louely and of good report that haue vertue and praise in them that we should thinke on those things and study how to glorifie God and enrich our selues by well doing them Phil. 4.8 Eph. 58. c. 2. That we striue to keep our selues free from or speedily mortifie such euils as vsually staine the profession of religion after calling Besides the mortification of grosse euils which the first repentance puts away wee must watch carefully against other sinnes such as are lying rotten communication deceit anger wrath and all bitternesse and cursed speaking Col. 3.8 Ephesians 4.25 Secondly wee must looke to the end of all our actions the end I say both of intention and continuance For 1. Wee must propound the glory of God as the maine ende of all our actions 1. Cor. 10.31 Whether therefore ye eate or drinke or whatsoeuer yee doe doe all to the glory of God Philip. 1.11 2. Wee must so begin reformation and good workes as we be sure also to endeuour with all constancy to hold out to the end Luke 1.75 All the daies of our life in holinesse and righteousnes before him Psalm 106.3 Blessed are they that keepe iudgement and do righteousnesse at all times Thirdly we must looke to the manner of our reformation that it be done with all sinceritie and so we doe 1. If wee turne from all sorts of our transgressions Ezech. 18. 30.31 Therefore I will iudge you O House of Israel euery one according to his waies returne therefore and cause other to turne away from all your transgressions so iniquitie shall not be your destruction Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye haue transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die O House of Israel 2. If wee labour for a sanctification that is throughout in all parts in soule in body and in spirit that is in our outward man and in our affections and in our iudgements and thoughts Fourthly we must bee exceeding mindfull of the meanes of sanctification and so we must especially thinke of 1. The Word to subiect our selues to the power of it for if we heare our soules shall liue we are sanctified by the truth and God wil haue his Law magnified and the Word is able to build vs vp still further till we come to heauen Isai. 55.4 Iohn 17.19 Isaiah 42.21 Acts 20.32 2. The Sabbath for that is the signe of our sanctification It is a signe to assure that God will not faile vs in his blessings and it is a signe that we are indeed a holy people if we be carefull to keepe the Sabbath It is the market day for our soules and by the right keeping of the Sabbath we shall be the better able to serue God all the weeke after Exod. 31.13 14. Keepe ye my Sabbaths for it is a signe betweene me and you in your generation that ye may know that I the Lord doe sanctifie you Ye shall therefore keepe the Sabbath for it is holy vnto you he that defileth it shall die the death therefore whosoeuer worketh therein the same person shall be euen cut off from among his people Isaiah 56.2 Blessed is the man that doth this and the sonne of man which laieth hold on it he that keepeth the Sabbath and polluteth it not and keepeth his hand from doing any euill c. Thus of the vses for instruction Thirdly these principles may terrifie all men that are vnsanctified that haue not true grace that liue in their sinnes Woe vnto worlds of men because of sinne for thereby they may gather that there is no cure done to their natures that they are not at all iustified before God that they haue no part with Christ and that all they doe is still impure Mat. 7.18 Tit. 1.15 Yea and that the wages of their sinnes will be death and that in the state they are in they cannot bee saued Rom. 6.23 Iohn 3.5 and in the meane time what know they how soone the whirle-wind of the Lord may fall vpon the wicked Ier. 23.19 Behold the tempest of the Lord goeth forth in his wrath and a violent whirle-wind shall fall downe vpon the head of the wicked And for all the things they haue done in the flesh they must come to iudgement and the rather because they haue not taken warning Acts 17.31 Because hee hath appointed a day in the which he will iudge the world in
learne diuers things First it should teach vs not to mourne immoderatly for the dead since when Christ comes againe he will bring them with him and the earth and seas shall make a true account of their dead in the day of Christ 1. Thes. 4.13.14 Secondly it should teach vs to haue the very body in honor and not to transgresse against it seeing it is redeemed by Christ and shall be raised to immortality at the last day Now men sin against the body 1. When according to the traditions of men and through wil-worship they withhold from the body due sustenance Col. 2.23 2. When men pollute their bodies that should be prepared to immortality with filthinesse such as is whoredome drunkennesse sodomitry and such like abominations 1. Cor. 6.13.14 3. When the bodies of the Saints are not carefully and with meet honour buried or their burying places vnciuilly dis-regarded Thirdly the consideration of this great worke of the resurrection of mens bodies should teach vs to trust God in lesser matters and beleeue his promises though there bee neuer so great vnlikelihood of the accomplishment in respect of outward meanes and appearance Rom. 4.17.18 Fourthly we should especially be careful to get the assurāce that our bodies shall haue a glorious resurrection Act. 24.15 And that we may be so assured 1. Wee must pray God to giue vs his holy spirit as the pledge of it For then if the spirit of Christ be in vs the same spirit that raised Christ will raise vp our naturall bodies at the last day Rom. 8.11 2. Wee must bee sure of the first resurrection that the body be dead in respect of sinne and the soule raised vp to a liuely care of newnesse of life they that haue their part in the first resurrection shall neuer taste of the second death Rom. 6. Reuel 20.6 3. In particular we must bee sure to get faith in Iesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life and in whom whosoeuer beleeueth he shal not die for euer Ioh. 11.25 Fifthly we should resolue to liue like such as beleeue a glorious Resurrection and to this end 1. We should be stedfast and vnmoueable in all conditions of life 1. Cor. 15.58 2. Wee should liue as men deuoted wholy to the seruice of Iesus Christ whose we are both in life and death Rom. 14.7.8 3. We should striue to abound in the worke of the Lord 1. Cor. 15.58 rousing vp our selues to the care of well doing 1. Cor. 15. 34. studying to keepe a conscience void of offence toward God and man Acts 24.16 4. Our minds should run on that time and our conuersation should bee in heauen Philip. 3.20 Thus much of the vses for instruction Thirdly the doctrine of the resurrection hath singular comfort in it and Christians are charged to comfort themselues and one another with these things 1. Thes. 4.18 And Dauid did reioyce and was glad at heart for this reason Psalm 16.9 For that is the time of the refreshing of all Christians Acts 3.19 And so the godly haue been wont to comfort themselues against diuers maladies as 1. Against the paines and tortures of the body so did Iob Iob 19.25.26.27 For I am sure that my Redeemer liueth and he shal stand the last on earth And though after my skin wormes destroy this body yet shall I see God in my flesh Whom I my selfe shall see and mine eies shal behold and none other for me though my reines are consumed within me And so did the godly mentioned Heb. 11.35 The women receiued their dead raised to life other also were racked and would not bee deliuered that they might receiue a better resurrection 2. Against the troubles and generall miseries of this life and so Gods people are comforted Dan. 12.1.2 And at that time shall Michael stand vp the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people and there shall be a time of trouble such as was neuer since there began to be a nation vnto the same time and at that time thy people shall be deliuered euerie one that shall bee found written in the booke And many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake some to euerlasting life and some to shame and perpetuall contempt Isaiah 26.19 Thy dead men shall liue euen with my body shall they rise Awake and sing ye that dwell in dust for thy dew is as the dew of hearbs and the earth shal cast out the dead 3. Against death it selfe and so the Apostle triumphs 1. Cor. 15.55.56.57 O Death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie The sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the Law But thankes be vnto God which hath giuen vs victorie through our Lord Iesus Christ. Obiect Now if any aske What in the doctrine of the resurrection should comfort vs in those cases Solut. I answere The consideration of the maruelous glory of our bodies in which they should rise should fill vs with sweet refreshings Phil. 3.21 Who shall change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie according to the working wherby he is able to subdue al things vnto himselfe For sixe things shal befall our bodies at that day 1. Immortalitie so as they can neuer die againe 1. Cor. 15.42.43.44.53 2. Incorruptiblenesse they shall neuer be inclined to putrefaction or any corruption 3. Spiritualnesse our bodies shall bee raised spirituall bodies they shall be like spirits as it were and that in diuers respects 1. Because they shall be possessed fully by the Spirit of God so as they shall be both gouerned by the Spirit and be subiect to the Spirit wholly 2. Because they shal liue as the Angels in heauen do without meate or raiment or any other bodily helpes or sustenance 3. Because they shall be for nimblenesse as it were spirits they shall bee able with incredible swiftnesse to passe into all the parts of the world earth or aire c. for they shall meete Christ in the aire 1. Thessal 4.17 4. Power for of bodies full of weakenesse and subiect to many calamities and distresses and paines they shall bee raised in power that is strong able and impassible 5. Perfection for they shall be freed from deformitie vnhandsomnesse maimes lamenesse c. and become most faire and comely neither infancie nor old age hindring them but shall appeare in full age and beautie 6. Shining and splendor as the Sunne or Starres in the Firmament the bodie being clothed with a celestiall glory and diuine light 1. Cor. 15.40 Dan. 12.3 And they that bee wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse shal shine as the Starres for euer and euer Matth. 13 43. Then shall the iust men shine as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father Hee that hath eares to heare let him heare c. And as we may comfort our selues by the meditation of these distinct
and not to mee onely but vnto all them also that loue his appearing Reuel 21.24 And the people which are saued shall walke in the light of it and the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour vnto it Which as it imports a perfection of splendor in euery Saint so it doth not dissolue the degrees or orders of glory euery man shall bee aduanced in his owne lot Dan. 12.13 But goe thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand vp in thy lot at the end of the dayes 1. Cor. 15.40 There are also heauenly bodies and earthly bodies but the glory of the heauenly is one and the glory of the earthly is another Patriarches Prophets Euangelists Martyrs shall not want their eminency in heauen The fourth is dominion and rule ouer all creatures that which we lost in Adam shall be perfectly restored in heauen after the last iudgement Reuel 2.26 For hee that ouercommeth and keepeth my words vnto the end to him will I giue power ouer nations The fifth is possession of all the pleasures which are at Gods right hand vnutterable ioyes riuers of pleasures This is that which in a sparing language is called the time of refreshing Act. 3.19 Amend your liues therefore and turne that your sinnes may be put away when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Psalm 16.11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore For if the ioy of the godly in this life be called 1. Pet. 1.17 A ioy vnspeakable and glorious And if the Lord giue them drink out of the riuer of thy pleasures in this world as Psal. 36.8.9 How much more shall it exceed all language in heauen called the masters ioy The felicities which I haue here mentioned are for the most part common both to soule and body Now there is a peculiar felicity in heauen belonging to the bodies of men which consists in that maruellous transfiguration of them to a condition in respect of qualities farre aboue what they are or can be in this world Our bodies in generall shall be made like the glorious body of Christ though on earth they are but vile Philip. 3.21 Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious body according to the working wherby hee is able euen to subdue all things vnto himselfe They shall enioy eternall health but of the glory of the body I haue entreated before in the vse of the doctrine of the Resurrection Thus of the parts of this glory The Adiuncts of it follow And so there bee foure things in the consideration of the glory to come should much affect vs. First that it is a glory vnspeakable that is it is so great that no language on earth can describe it For though we mention those foresaid parts of it yet our narrow hearts and mouthes are infinitely straitned in comparison of the full glory of man in these things 1 Cor. 2.9 But as it is written The things which eye hath not seene neither eare hath heard neither came into mans heart are which God hath prepared for them that loue him c. Secondly that it is certaine and we cannot be disappointed of it else it were vncomfortable to heare of so much felicitie and holinesse and yet not bee sure to possesse it The certaintie of it that God will bestow such glory may appeare diuers waies 1. There is an act or ordinance for it in Gods eternall Counsell 2. Tim. 2.19 But the foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seale The Lord knoweth who are his and Let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquitie Ephes. 1.4 As he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world that wee should bee holy and without blame before him in loue Rom. 8.30 Moreouer whom he predestinate them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom hee iustified them he also glorified Matth. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father inherit ye the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world 2. Christ purchased it with his blood Ephes. 1.14 3. Christ hath made intercession when he was on earth vnto his Father that hee might haue his redeemed Ones to be where he is Iohn 17.11 And now am I no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee holy Father keepe them in thy name Vers. 24. Father I will that they which thou hast giuen mee bee with me euen where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast giuen me for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world 4. God hath made vs many promises and giuen vs not onely his word but his oth to assure it vnto vs Heb. 6.17 So God willing more abundantly to shew vnto the heires of promise the stablenesse of his Counsell bound himselfe by an oath Vers. 18. That by two immutable things wherein it is impossible that God should lie we might haue strong consolation which haue our refuge to hold fast the hope that is set before vs c. 5. He hath sealed to it not only in the Sacrament but by his spirit which will bee our witnesse and is our earnest Ephes. 1.13 Wherein also after that yee beleeued you were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Vers. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the possession purchased vnto the praise of his glory 6. He hath begun eternall life in vs already 7. Christ is gone into heauen of purpose to prouide a place ready for vs Ioh. 14.3 And though I goe to prepare a place for you I will come againe and receiue you vnto my selfe that where I am there may ye be also Heb. 10.19 Seeing therefore bretheren that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place Vers. 20. By the new and liuing way which he hath prepared for vs through the vale which is his flesh Thus of the certaintie of it The third thing is the eternitie of it all this glory were the lesse if it were thought it would euer end but it shall neuer end for 1. Nothing of it shall be lost or decay 2. There shall bee no death there for death and hell are cast into the lake of fier 3. There shall be no old age or withering condition in men that possesse it it withers not 1. Pet. 1.4 To an inheritance immortall and vndefiled and that fadeth not away reserued in heauen for you 4. God being all in all there shal be no wearinesse no fulnesse of affections or satietie no loathing Diuines are wont to shadow out eternity by the similitude of a little bird drinking vp a drop of water out of the sea if euery ten thousand yeeres the bird should come drink vp but one drop yet the sea might bee dry at length but yet this lasting of the sea is nothing in comparison to the lasting of the glory of heauen Fourthly and vnto these may bee added the proximity of it the day of the Lord is at hand It were some lessening of our happines if it were a long time to it FINIS ERRATA Pag. 4. lin 22. for Praises reade Oracles p. 51. l. 4. r. by a perpetuall decree p. 74. l. 16. put out a. p. 107. l. 17. r. vp for vpon p. 108. l. 16. for Sould r Should p. 407. l. 4 r. wrinckle p. 434. l. 17.21 and p. 435. l. 8 put out Sol and r. Secondly Thirdly Fourthly p. 486. l. 11. put out all the Chapter p. 499. l. 11. r. or secondly 3 Things intended in this Treatise The benefit of attending to this course The warrant of this course Question Answere Principles may bee knowne three waies The diuision of Principles according to their chiefe heads Two principles about the Scriptures The Scripturs are the very word of God proued by testimonies externall and internall Iohn 1.7 Prou. 30.6 Reuel 22.18 The vses 1. For instruction 2 For reproofe 1 Of the Papists in 4. things 2 Of Carnall Protestants 3 Of the godly 3 For triall 4 For consolation 4 Principles concerning God That there is a God is proued first by testimonies internall 2 By testimonies externall and so either in the world or in the Church 10 Glories in the nature of God The vses 1 For instruction If wee would study the glorious nature of God we must obserue 6. rules For humiliation For consolation Proofes for the Trinity Vses of the doctrine of the Trinity That there is but one God proued The vses 5 Principles concerning the Creation Vses 1 For information 6 Vses for instruction Vses for reproofe 7 Principles concerning Gods prouidence The vses 1 For information 11 Things admirable in Gods prouidence Vses for reproofe 8 Vses for instruction Vse for consolation Man was after the Image of God three waies The vses The speciall fauour of God to man in his Creation Duties 1 To God 2 To our selues 3 To other men 3 Principles concerning the fall of man 7 Things to shew the greatnesse of Adams sinne Obiect Answ. 3 Occasions of Apostasie 5 Degrees of the diuels tentation 4 Principles concerning sinne 14 Foule blemishes in euery mans nature 9 Vses for information 7 Things make ciuill honest men miserable 17. sorts of punishments inflicted on man for his sinne Eph. 5.14 1. Cor. 15. Act. 17.31 Rom. 5. â—2 c. andâ— 1 Mat. 11.29 1. Ioh. 2.1 Gal. 3.13 2. Cor. 5.17 Psa. 22.24 Question Answere Question Answere Question Answere Quest. Answ. Obiect Solution Obiect Solution Obiection Solution Iam. 2.5 What these things meane is vnknowne Rise first in soule