and the direction of the holy Ghost should keepe the holy day upon that Lords day or Sunday Apoc 1.9.10.11 agreeable to the practise of the ancient Church and worthily solemnize it on the first day of the weeke in memoriall of the worlds redemption to the honour and praise of the Lord Jesus who rose from death to life upon that day This should stirre up all Christians to a thankfull remembrance of their redemption by Christ his resurrection from the dead Hebr. 2.5 2.11 5.9 And note that with the day the blessing of the day is likewise translated to the Lords day because all the sanctification belonging to this new world is in Christ and from and by him conveyed to Christians and because there cannot come a greater motive or cause then the new creation of the world therefore the worship of God is fitler solemnized on this day then on any other The holy Sunday is the Lords market day for the weeks provision Esa 55.1 2 3. wherein he will have us to come unto him and buy of him without gold or silver the bread of Angels and water of life the wine of the Sacraments and the milk of the Word to feed our soules tried gold to inrich our faith Apoc. 3.18 Gen. 2.2 3. Exo. 20.10 11. precious eye salve to heale our spirituall blindnesse and the white rayment of Christs righteousnesse to cover our filthy nakednesse Of Christs Ascension MEditate upon thy Saviours ascension by a holy contemplation Joh. 20.29 thou faithfull soule for Christ withdrew his visible presence from the faithfull to exercise their faith by holy contemplation and blessed are they that see not Mat. 6.21 Act. 8.21 Colos 3.2 and yet believe where our treasure is there let our heart be also Christ our treasure is in heaven let our hearts therefore be set upon those things that are heavenly and meditate upon those things that be above let us put our confidence in the pledge of the holy Spirit which the Lord left unto us at his departure let us put our confidence in the body and blood of Christ which wee receive in the mysterie of the holy Sacrament and let us believe that our bodies which are filled with this incorruptible food shall at length be raised up againe and that which we now believe in faith wee shall then see with our eyes and our hope wee have now in Christ shall then be reall fruition to our soules the Lord is present unto us here but in part Colos 3.4 but in the mansion of his heavenly kingdome Act. 1.9.10.11 12. we shall behold him in his glory and know him as hee is which is our life our Saviour ascended up from the Mount of Olives the Olive is the signe of peace and joy therefore not without great cause hee ascended up from Mount Olivet because by his passion and holy sufferings he hath purchased peace and tranquillity for amazed and terrified consciences not without cause did hee ascend up from the Mount Olivet for the court of heaven exceedingly rejoyce to receive him the Mount doth not onely put us in minde but doth also call and invite us to heavenly things and seeing we cannot follow him with the feete of our body let us follow him with the feete of our holy desires The disciples stood lifting up their eyes Vers 11. and looking towards Heaven so let all the true Disciples of Christ lift up the eyes of their heart to behold and desire heavenly things Sweet Jesus what a blessed and glorious alteration followed thy passion Oh happy and sodaine change how didst thou suffer on Mount Calvary for our sinnes and how doe I now behold thee in the Mount of Olives there thou wast alone here thou art accompanied with many thousands of Angels there thou didst ascend up to the Crosse in disgrace Luke 24.52 here thou didst ascend up into Heaven in a cloud and in glory there wast thou crucified betweene thieves here thou dost rejoyce amongst the company of Angels and Saints there thou wast nayled to the Crosse as a condemned man here thou art at liberty and dost deliver those that were condemned Eph. 5.23 30 there suffering and dying here rejoycing and triumphing Christ is our head and the Saviour of the body we are his members Rejoyce therefore and bee glad thou faithfull soule for though our sinnes doe hinder us yet the communion of nature doth not repell us where the head is there shall the members be also our head is in heaven therefore the members have just and great cause to hope for entrance there not onely so but they are assured already that they have possession there Christ descended from Heaven to redeeme us and againe hee ascended up into heaven to glorifie us unto us was he borne Note for us did he suffer and for us did he ascend our charity is confirmed by Christs passion our faith by Christs resurrection and our hope by Christ ascension Let us strive to follow Christ our Bride-groome not onely with our ardent desire but also with our good workes Acts 21.27 Acts 1.10 for nothing that is defiled shall enter into this heavenly City The Angels that came from heavenly Ierusalem appeared in white robes by purity and innocency is figured that no pride can ascend with the Doctour of humility nor no malice with the Authour of goodnesse with the lover of peace there ascends no discord and with the sonne of the Virgin there ascends no uncleannesse after the parent of vertue there ascend no vices and after the just person there ascends no sinnes Therefore he that desires to see God face to face let him so live here in this world as in his sight and hee that hope for celestiall things let him contemne terrestriall things Our Saviour Christ promised unto his Apostles that after his departure he will send unto them from his father a comforter John 14.26 15.26 Luke 24.47 Vers 47. John 24.17 the holy Ghost the Spirit of truth to testifie of him and to teach them all things and to endue them with power to preach repentance and remission of sinnes in his name among all Nations saying Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you Therefore let not our hearts be troubled neither let us feare but that our Saviour which redeemed us will also through his merits and mediation glorifie us in Heaven O sweet Jesus draw our hearts unto thee whether thou art gone before and that in the meane time wee may immitate thy goodnesse mercy truth and patience and follow thee in the same Amen Of the holy Ghost OUr Lord Jesus ascending up into the Heavens and entring into his glory Acts 2.4 Vers 1. Exod. 10.11 sent the holy Ghost upon the Apostles on the day of Penticost as in the old Testament when God proclaimed the Law in Mount Sinai he came downe unto Moses So when the Gospell was
are wee also Heires of God Psal 16.1 and coheires with Christ Lift up thy selfe O devout soule and long to come to the Lord the portion of thine inheritance and thy exceeding great reward Gen 15.1 What could the most ample mercie and bountie of God bestow more upon us He gives us life he bestowes his Son Act. 27.27.28 and bestowes himselfe if he had any thing greater in heaven or earth he would bestow even that also upon us In God we live Gods Temple we are 1 Cor. 3.16 God we possesse indeed here in the spirit and in a Mistery but in heaven in truth and indeed our hope there shall become our full fruition and dwell with him for ever Psal 42.1.2 Come Lord Iesus Come quickly and make us partakers of that heavenly glory Esteeme not thou faithfull soule the trifling pleasures of this life to bee the way to this everlasting worlds wealth nor the ignominious estate heere nor troubles and afflictions to be any barre to prevent thee from the injoying of the full use and joyfull fruition of the glory there prepared for thee bee assured that though thou want heere thou shalt have riches there though thou hunger heere thou shalt have fulnesse there though thou beest ready to faint heere thou shalt be refreshed there and though thou be heere abjected and cast downe and accounted as a dead man yet shalt thou there live in perpetuall glory and though thou hast run this comfortlesse race through this miserable earthly vaile yet there shalt thou raigne for ever the honour on this earth in comparison of that is basenesse the riches of this world is povertie the fulnesse of this life is want the joyes of this worlds Kingdome are sorrow woe misery sadnesse griefe and calamitie Psal 53.1 and yet the Foole saith in his heart that there is no other Heaven but this harmefull deceiving worlds happinesse no other Hell but this Worlds bitternesse no bitter torment then this worlds cares no further helpe then this worlds wealth thus is the wisedome of man become foolishnesse his glory turned into shame mans power made of no force and the faithfull poore that are heere despised are there advanced the sorrowfull are comforted and the cast-awayes of this world are received to that blessed being that cannot be expressed with the tongue described with the Pen nor conceived with the heart of man Psal 55.6 O that I had wings saith heavenly hearted David that I might flye away from this worlds vanities and to possesse Heavens eternall happinesse Phâ—lip 1.23 Oh that I were dissolved saith blessed Paul that I might bee with Christ Oh that I were in this place of such wished happinesse where I might rest from this Worlds labours earthly miseries and transitorie vanities Let us daily meditate of the greatnesse and Majestie of this high Heavens glorious and blessed estate where we shall one day blesse our God with the blessed Company of that most excellent Vnitie where wee shall one day sit secure and free from the dangers perils troubles crosses and afflictions which doe in this world assaile us on every side both within and without that wee are never free from one calamitie or other 2 Cor. 1.3.4.5.6.7 Oh blessed are all they that are thus assured blessed are the poore that shall have this Heavens riches blessed are the base that shall be thus exalted blessed are the low and cast downe that shall bee thus raised and advanced and blessed are the World 's despised that shall have this Heavens happinesse yea happy is this worlds unhappy man for he shall be happy for ever Now therefore O devout Soule stand up feare not faint not but give glory to this great God praise this high and helping God seeke him in time while it is to day drive not off to pray to this God notwithstanding any hope thou hast in mortall men pray for and reject not his gracious meanes who in favour infinite and mercie endlesse moveth the hearts of men in this life to doe good unto such as hee seeth distressed hee can finde out and afford infinite meanes to succour them that are his and will not leave them forsaken in danger 1 Cor. 10.13 for hee even here giveth his blessings as pledges of his never-failing love that being visited in his mercy with timely comforts here we may assure our selves of greater blessings in Heaven where they are prepared for his faithfull Elect beyond all that humane nature can aske or thinke Therefore O devout Soule sigh no more sorrow no more bee no more pensive at outward poverty fret no more at the worlds crosses grieve no more at the worlds miseries dismay no more for thy many sinnes but strive alwayes to stand in the favour of this high and helping God and hee will set thee free and banish thy feare and fill thy cup and feed thee with the hidden treasures of his never-failing love Vnto whom be given all Glory Praise Honour Power Might Majestie and Dominion now and evermore Amen Thus endeth our PROGRESSE The Conclusion NOw hast thou seene how glorious and perfect God is and how that all thy chiefe blisse and happines consisteth in having an eternall Communion with his Majestie therefore O impenitent Sinner in the bowels of Christ Iesus I intreat thee as thou tenderest thy owne Salvation seriously to consider with mee how false how vaine how vile are those things which still retaine and chaine thee in thy wretched and cursed estate wherein thou livest The vanitie and wretchednesse of this present life and doe hinder thee from the favour of God and the hope of eternall life and happinesse and seeing that likewise thou seest how great is thy happinesse in Christ and how vaine are the hinderances that debarre thee from the same Beware as the Apostle exhorteth of the deceitfulnesse of sinne Heb. 3.13 for that sinne which seemeth now to bee so pleasing to thy corrupt nature will one day prove the bitterest enemie to thy distressed soule and in the meane while harden unawares thine impenitent heart Sinne as a Serpent seemes beautifull to the eye but take heed of the sting behind whose venomous effects if thou knewst thou wouldst as carefully flye from sinne as from a Serpent To conclude all forasmuch as thou seest that without Christ thou art but a slave of sin deaths vassall and wormes meat whose thoughts are vaine whose deeds are vile whose pleasures have scarce beginning whose miseries never know end what wise man would incurre these Hellish torments though hee might by living in sinne purchase to himselfe for a time the Empire of Augustus the Riches of Croessus the Pleasures of Salomon the Policy of Achitophel 2 Sam. 17. the voluptuous Fare and fine Apparell of Dives Mat. 16.26 Mark 8.36 for What should it availe a man as our Saviour saith to win the whole World for a tiâ—â— and then to lose his Soule in Hell for ever FINIS Jmprimatur THO WYKES Septemb. 1. 1638.
be signifying that hee is an eternall unchangeable being and all other creatures are temporary and mutable This name in the New Testament is given to our Lord Christ Apoc. 1.8 when he is called Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending which is which was and which is to come the Almighty for all time past and to come is aye present before God And to this name Christ alludeth Before Abraham was I am Iohn 8.58 this Name should teach us likewise to have alwaies present in our mind our first creation our present corruption and our future glorification The third Name is Jah Psal 112 c. Psal 113.1 2.3 4 5. which as it comes of the same roote so it is the contract of Jehovah and signifieth Lord because hee is the beginning and being of beings This Name is ascribed unto God so when this Name is absolutely given to God it answereth to the name Jehovah and so translated by the seventy Interpreters for God is so a Lord that he is absolute of himselfe and Lord of all This Name should alwaies put us in remembrance to obey his Commandements to feare his Judgements Mala. 1.6 to submit our selves in all things to his blessed will and pleasure saying with Ely It is the Lord 1. Sam. 3.18 let him doe whatsoever seemeth him good The fourth is God 600. times used in the New Testament which signifieth To burne or kindle for God is light and the Authour both of heate light and life in all Creatures either immediately of himselfe or mediately by secondary causes but when it is properly and absolutely used Note it signifieth the eternall essence of God being above all things and through all things and seeth all things in all places giving life and light to all creatures and preserving and governing them in their wonderfull frame and order therefore let us take heed every where what wee doe in his sight thus farre of the names which signifie the Essence of God The Name chiefely which signifieth the persons in the Essence is Elohim Elohim signifieth the mighty Judges Genes 3.22 Deut. 7.6 it is a name of the plurall number to expresse the Trinity of persons in the unity of Essence the mighty God or all the three Persons in the God-head Math. 21.37 It is derived of Alah hee swore because in all weighty causes when necessity requireth an oath to decide the truth we are onely to sweare by the Name of God which is the great and righteous Judge of Heaven and earth as oft therefore as we read or heare this name Elohim it should put us in mind to consider that in one divine Essence there are three distinct persons and that God is Iehovah Elohim Now follow the names which signifie Gods essentiall workes which are these five especially Math. 27.46 Math. 25.31 2 Chro. 32.8 The first El which is as much as strong God and teacheth us that God is not onely most strong and fortitude it selfe in his owne Essence but also that it is hee that giveth strength and power to all creatures therefore Christ is called El Gibbor the strong most mighty God therefore let not Gods children feare the power of enemies for El our God is more strong then they Secondly Shaddai that is omnipotent by this name God usually stiled himselfe to the Patriarchs I am El Shaddai the strong God Almighty because hee is perfectly able to defend his servants from all evill to blesse them with all spirituall and temporall blessings and to performe all the promises which he hath made unto them for this life and in the life to come This Name belongeth onely to God himselfe and to no creature no not to the humanity of Christ This may teach us with the Patriarchs to put our whole confidence in God and not to doubt of the truth of his promises and the performance thereof Thirdly Adonai which is My Lord this name Analogically is given to creatures but properly it belongeth to God alone it notes unto us the mysterie of the holy Trinitie if I be Adonim Lord Malac. 1.6 where is my feare this name is given to Christ when he saith Cause thy face to shine upon thy Sanctuary that is desolate Dan. 9.17 18. for Adonia the Lord Christ his sake The hearing of this holy name may teach every man to obey Gods Commandements and to feare him alone to suffer none besides him to raigne in his conscience to lay hold by a particular hand of faith upon his Word and Promises and to challenge God in Christ to be his God saying with Thomas Thou art my Lord and my God 4. Helion that is most high this name Gabriel giveth unto God telling the Virgin Mary Psal 9.2 Dan. 4.17.24.25 Act. 7.48 Luk. 1.32 that the childe that should be borne of her should be the Son of the most high This teacheth us that God in his Essence and Glory exceedeth infinitely all creatures of heaven and earth and that no man should be proud of any earthly honour or greatnesse but to desire true dignitie and to labour to have communion with God in grace and glory 5. Abba signifying Father Rom. 8.15 Esay 9.5 Jam. 1.17 2 Tim. 6.16 for God is Christs father by nature and Christians by adoption and grace Christ is called the everlasting Father the prince of Peace because he doth regenerate us under the new Testament God is also called father of Light because God dwelleth in inaccessible light and is the â—â—thour not onely of the sonnes light but also of all the light both of naturall reason and of supernaturall grace this name teacheth us that all the gifts which wee receive from God proceed from his meere fatherly love and that wee should love him againe as deare children and that wee may in all our troubles be bold to call upon him as a father for his helpe and succour thus should wee not heare of the sacred names of God but that wee should thereby be put in mind of his goodnesse unto us and of our duties unto him and then we should finde how comfortable a thing it is to doe every thing in the name of God a phrase usuall in every mans tongue but the true comfort thereof through ignorance knowne to few mens hearts it is a great wisedome and an unspeakable matter for the strengthening of a Christians faith to know how in the mediation of Christ to invocate God by such a name as whereby hee hath manifested himselfe to be most willing and best able to helpe and succour him in his present need and adversitie The ardent desire of knowing God is the surest testimony of our love to God and of Gods favour to us Psal 91.14 15 16. Because hee hath set his love upon mee therefore will I deliver him I will set him on high because he hath knowne my name he shall call upon me and I will heare him yea I will be with
one which is Gods soveraigne blessednesse or perfection Blessednesse is that perfect and unmeasurable possession of joy and glory which God hath in himselfe for ever and is the cause of all the blisse and perfection that every creature enjoyeth in his measure Of these Attributes we must hold these generall rules No Attributes can sufficiently expresse the Essence of God nor declare what he is because he is infinite and ineffable whatsoever therefore is spoken of God is not God but serveth rather to helpe our weake understanding to conceive in our reason and to utter in our speech the Majesty of his divine Nature so farre as hee hath vouchsafed to reveale himselfe unto us in his Word All the Attributes of God belong to every of the three Persons as well as to the Essence it selfe with the limitation of a personall propriety as the mercy of the Father is mercy begetting the mercy of the Sonne is mercy begotten the mercy of the holy Ghost is mercy proceeding Againe the essentiall Attributes of God differ not from his Essence because they are so in the Essence that they are the very Essence it selfe therefore in God there is nothing to bee found which is not either his Essence or Person to speake properly there are not in God many Attributes but one onely which is nothing else but the divine Essence it selfe but in respect of our reason they are said to be many different Attributes for our understanding conceives by the name of mercy a thing differing from that which is called Justice Gods essentiall Attributes are not therefore really inseparable for the Essentiall Attributes of God are not parts or qualities of the divine Essence nor accidents in the Essence as in a subject but the very whole and intire Essence of God so that such Attribute is not an other and another thing but one and the same thing There are therefore no quantities in God by which he may be said to be so much and so much nor qualities by which he may be said to bee such and such but whatsoever God is hee is such and the same by his Essence By his Essence he is wise therefore wisedome it selfe by his Essence hee is good therefore goodnesse it selfe by his Essence he is mercifull therefore mercy it selfe by his Essence he is just therefore justice it selfe c. in truth and in a word God is great without quantity good true and just without quality mercifull without passion an act without motion every where present without fight without time the first and the last Iam. 1.17 the Lord of all creatures from whom all receive themselves their being and all the good they have Of the Majesty Greatnesse and Qualitie of GOD. THe question here is not of any bodily quality How the question is of Gods quality and what manner of thing the quality of God is but of the Majesty of God for hee is wonderfull not in body which hee hath not but in godly Majesty which appeares in his goodnesse wisedome power glory and eternity the quality of Gods Majesty is such that it cannot be expressed though a man would say his goodnesse his power his wisdome and glory is the greatest of all for these words superlative because they doe include a certaine comparison of other that be good wise and strong doe agree better with men than with God unto whom they cannot bee attributed but so that they shall seeme to diminish his divine Majesty and excellency chiefly because hee is alone good alone wise and alone strong therefore when we consider the quality of the goodnesse wisedome strength glory and continuance of God wee must forbeare all comparisons and acknowledge that his goodnesse wisedome greatnesse majesty power and glory is incomparable passing great and his continuance infinite and this infinite excellency of Gods goodnesse wee must observe Rom. 1. and honour in his creation disposition and providence wherewith hee hath made disposed and governed all things passing well chiefly in his loving kindnesse that hee sent his Sonne into the world for our salvation the excellency of his strength and power appeareth in his word whereby he made Heaven and earth and all things of nothing his infinite wisedome is to be seene as well in his creation as in his marvellous ordering of all things Let this be sufficient to have touched somewhat pertaining to this matter now of the workes of God After those things that wee have briefly noted of the Essence Persons Nature and Majesty of God the next is to looke into his workes for it is best knowne by his workes both that hee is what hee is and of what quality he is and how great he is Wherefore every godly heart will yeeld all his endeavour to looke continually into the workes of God with the eyes of faith that hee may be perfectly instructed by them what he ought to judge of him God hee worketh continually and without ceasing Christ saith My Father worketh even till now Iohn 5.17 God is every where present both essentially and potentially and vertually for God is infinite as well in his Essence as in his Might Power and Working For as the Apostle saith Acts 17.24 25 26 27 28. God worketh all in all for all things be not onely of him and by him but in him through him also he is therefore generally present every where and in all and so preserveth directeth governeth all things but especially touching his speciall majestie and glory hee is and dwelleth in Heaven but by his goodnesse and grace he is dwelleth and abideth in his elect and faithfull people on earth such as doe love and obey him whom he doth especially love preserve defend and keepe which is called the presence of his grace Therefore what surer safeguard can there be unto man subject to so many dangers afflictions miseries and calamities than to have his God present with him by a certaine speciall grace and favour but in the wicked and the ungodly he is in them in his anger and wrath Psal 78.31 c. whom hee doth abhorre as reprobate and cast off For the presence of him which is the maker preserver For as much as the Essence of God is contained in no place yet it cannot be said that it is no where so that of necessity it is every where and governour of all cannnot be idle but worketh all in all and with the power might and working of him all things should lie dead and to no effect so that of necessitie God in his Essence and working is every where like as if a man should say of the soule that it is contained in no certaine place of the body yet for all that it is in every place and in all parts and doth fill the whole body so like as if our body were destitute of the operation of the soule it were dead therefore the soule is certainly present in the whole body and every
that which is infallibly promised in Scripture to those that believe and walke in the 〈◊〉 of the Lord but when we come unto the future happinesse promised unto us then shall wee have full security for in this life Religion and feare are coupled together neither can the one be without the other therefore thinke upon the grievous spots of thy sins and feare him that according to justice will judge thee for the same What are the afflictions of the godly but bitter arrowes sent from the sweet hand of God for their correction many that escape unpunished in this life God thinkes them unworthy of punishment whom notwithstanding he reprobateth for ever Outward felicity is often times a signe of eternall damnation nothing is more unhappy than the happinesse of sinners and nothing more miserable then hee that knowes no misery Augustin Whatsoever thou beholdest with thine eyes thou seest cause of griefe which duly considered are remedies against security Behold God above whom we have offended thinke upon hell beneath which we have deserved thinke upon the sin behinde the which wee have committed thinke upon the judgement before which wee dread and stand in feare of thinke upon the conscience within the which wee have defiled and thinke upon the world without which wee have too much loved consider whence thou camest and be ashamed consider what thou art and be sorrowfull consider whither thou goest and tremble Let a man therefore lament and grieve and shake off all security lest in the just and secret judgement of God hee be forsaken and left in the power of the divell to be destroyed if thou hast grace so delight thy selfe in it and acknowledge it to be the gift of God and that thou dost not possesse it by any hereditary righteousnesse of thine owne Security is a pernicious sin Happy shalt thou be if thou labourest with all care and diligence to avoid security the mother of all evill God will not forsake thee but take heed thou dost not forsake him God hath given thee his grace pray thou earnestly unto him that he would also give thee perseverance in that grace God bids thee be certaine of thy salvation but he bids thee not be secure therefore thou must fight valiantly 2 Tim. 4.7 8. that thou maist at length triumph gloriously thy flesh within thee fighteth against thee and the enemy the neerer he is the more to be feared the world about thee fighteth against thee and the greater the enemy is the more to be feared the divell about thee fighteth against thee and the more potent the enemy is the more to be feared through the power of God feare not to encounter with these enemies through the power divine thou shalt be enabled to obtaine the victory but thou canst not overcome these so great and potent enemies by security but by assiduity in fighting then doe the enemies most gather their forces together when they seeme to grant truce they are vigilant and watchfull and thou sleepy and sluggish they make themselves ready to assault and hurt thee make thou thy selfe ready therefore to resist Many faint by the way and never come home into their countrey Deut. 1.35 how many Israelites did there die in the wildernesse and never came to the promised Land of Canaan how many spirituall sonnes of Abraham doe perish in the wildernesse of this world and never come to enjoy the promised inheritance of the Celestiall Canaan Let it be therefore our onely desire to attaine to the glory which is in heaven wee live in security as we were past the snare of death and the day of Judgement Matth. 24.44 Christ saith he will come to judgement at such an houre that wee thinke not of this saith Truth it selfe And againe he repeats it heare and feare for the Lord will come at an houre wee thinke â—o of Wee have therefore great cause to feare that we come not to judgement unprovided for how shall we be able to endure the strict examination at the day of judgement Seeing we cannot recover for ever that which is lost in this one moment in the shortnesse of this one moment judgement shall passe either to mercy or condemnation what we shall be for all eternity in this one moment life and death damnation and salvation punishment and eternall glory shall be appointed to every one Lord thou that hast given us grace to that which is good give us also grace to persevere in that goodnesse least wee fall into the ensuing danger prepared for the reprobates and the ungodly which is hell and damnation and the torments thereof Of the knowledge of mans corruption and state of his misery in this world and the miserable state and condition in the life to come without we be renovated by Christ which Lord God grant us all grace so to be O Wretched man where shall I begin to describe thy endlesse miseries who art condemnable as soone as conceived lyable to eternall death before thou wast born to a temporall life A miserable change hapned to all posterities by the fall of Adam A beginning indeed I finde but no end of thy miseries for when Adam and Eve being created after Gods owne Image and placed in paradise that they and their posterity might live in happy and blessed estate of life immortall having dominion and rule of all earthly creatures and onely restrained from the fruit of one tree as a signe of their obedient subjection to their Almighty Creator though God forbad them this one small thing under the penalty of eternall death yet they believed the divels word before the Word of God making God as much as in them lay a lyar and so being unthankefull for all his benefits which God bestowed upon them they became male-content with their present state as if God had dealt enviously or niggardly with them and believed that the divell would make them partakers of farre more glorious things then ever God had bestowed upon them and in their pride they fell into rebellion and committed high treason against the most high Almighty and disdaining to be Gods subjects they affected most blasphemously to be gods themselves equall unto God their maker hence till they repented loosing Gods Image they became like unto the Divell and so all their posterity like a traiterous brood whilst they remained impenitent like them Math. 13.42 are subject in this life to all cursed miseries and in the life to come to everlasting fire and damnation prepared for the divell and his angels Consider therefore thou faithfull soule the miserable condition of man and thou shalt easily avoyd all temptations man is vile in his ingresse miserable in his progresse and lamentable in his egresse he is assaulted by divels provoked by tentations allured by delights cast down by tribulations entangled by accusations bestripped of vertues snared in all evill customes and drowned in all manner of vices Lay aside then for a while thy
Seeke the Lord while hee may be found and call upon him while he is nigh and let the ungodly man forsake his owne waies and the unrighteous his own imaginations and turne againe unto the Lord so shall he be mercifull unto him and to our God for he is very ready to forgive The Lord alloweth the righteous Psal 11.6 7. but the ungodly and him that delighteth in wickednesse doth his soule abhorre and upon the ungodly he shall raine snares fire and brimstone storme and tempest and this shall be their portion to drinke But if that people Jerem 18.8 against whom I have thus devised convert from their wickednesse I will repent of the plague that I devised to bring upon them For mercy and wrath is with him Eccles 16 11. hee is both mighty to forgive and to powre out displeasure like as his mercy is great even so is his punishment also and he judgeth a man according to his works Therefore feare the Lord 1 Sam. 12.24 25. and serve him in the truth and with all your hearts and consider what great things hee hath done for you but if yee doe wickedly then shall you perish O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodnesse Psal 107.31 43. and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men who so is wise will ponder these things and they shall understand the loving kindnesse of the Lord. But who so despiseth wisedome and nurture Wisd 3.11 is unhappy and as for the hope of such it is but vaine their labours unfruitfull and their workes unprofitable Blessed be the Lord God of Israel Psal 106.46 from everlasting and world without end and let all the people say Amen THE SECOND PART OF THE SOVLES PROGRESSE Leading the way to the Celestiall CANAAN or Heavenly JERUSALEM A divine Direction in the way of Life Declaring the Order and Causes of mans happinesse attained by the imputation of the Righteousnesse of Jesus Christ our Salvation Of the New Covenant of the Gospell or the Covenant of Grace THe whole Scripture of the Bible is divided into two Testaments The Gospel the Old and the New which Bookes be of divers natures some Legall some Historicall some Sapientiall and some Propheticall The Old teacheth by Figures Shadowes and Ceremonies Exod. 20. that the Law was given terribly in lightning and thundring to induce the people thereby to the observance thereof by feare The New Testament all Mercy or the Covenant of Grace came in more gloriously with the gentle name of the Gospell and good tidings to induce the people to the observation thereof by love The Story of the Bible from the first beginning to the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ doth for the most part declare the miserable condition of man-kind how hee hath falne from the innocency of his nature which God gave him in his first creation and how he hath continued in sin and the curse of God for sin having no power in himselfe to satisfie the justice of God How to use and apply the Scriptures or to reconcile himselfe to his favour therefore did God give the Law of the ten Commandements the particulars of his revealed Will both to provoke men to endeavour in the exercise of all godlinesse and also that by the knowledge of the Law men might know their owne defects of nature and the frailnesse thereof and by their humiliation might be prepared and made fit for the mercy of the Gospell for though Jesus Christ Gen. 3.15 12 3. Rom. 1.1 2 3 4 5. the substance of the Gospell was in the counsell of God from all beginnings determined to be the Redeemer of man-kinde being also promised to our first Parents and by whom all the faithfull before his incarnation had the pardon of their sins apprehending by faith the promise of his righteousnesse yet was not this grace declared unto them in such plaine and direct evidence as now it is to us in the preaching of the Gospell Hebr. 9. it being then delivered onely in Shadowes Ceremonies Prophesies and in the mysticall sense of Allegories so that few had capacity and grace rightly to understand them all which difficulties are now vanished in the preaching of the Gospell the Gospell presenting us in most familiar and easie demonstrations the Substance without the Shadowes and the Truth without the Figure withall giving directions and infallible rules not onely to know the meanes of our salvation but how to make it ours to apprehend and apply it to our owne particular comfort The great favour and liberty of the Gospel and this grace doth the Gospell give with such favour as that the necessary doctrines exceed not the understanding of men of meanest capacities but that all that will without respect or exception may reach their hands of faith to the crosse of Christ and freely apprehend the meanes of their salvation which is the Lord Jesus triumphing at the conquest of his death over sin hell and damnation This is a blessed alteration in the state of the world for in the time A happy alteration when the grace of the Gospell was hid in the clouds of the Ceremonies the observers of the ceremoniall Law did seldome understand the mysticall sense of the Ceremony which did alwaies allude to some particular grace in the Gospell Therefore The ceremonies of the Law did allude to the grace of the Gospel though God was pleased to accept of their carefull endeavours in the religious observing the Ceremony which indeed was but a Figure of the Truth included in the Ceremony yet they wanted a great part of that spirituall comfort which wee have in the observing the Covenant of grace the Gospell the grace of God appearing to them Tit. 2.11 c. as God himselfe did to the Israelites their fathers at the delivering of the Law in clouds in fire in smoke and thunders Exod. 19.16 but to us he doth appeare more familiarly by Jesus Christ his Sonne the most lively representment of himselfe assuming our nature and conversing with us did wound our sin and healed the wounds sin had made in our soules whose words taught salvation whose actions wrought it This is the difference betwixt the Law and the Gospel What the Law commandeth and what the Gospel the Law commandeth to doe and live if not to die the Gospell all mercy requireth to believe onely and live and this is a wonderfull degree of Gods favour that because wee are not able to keepe the covenants of the Law is pleased therefore to yeeld to our infirmities to alter our obligation and enter new covenant with us the covenant of grace The wonderfull love of God towards us whereby God doth indent with man and binds the justice of the Law in the bonds of his mercy promising salvation to all them that faithfully believe in the merits and mediation of his Sonne Jesus Christ Thus doth
Thus I wish to all in generall Of the Crosse of Christ and of his holy suffering for our sinnes BEhold thou faithfull soule the griefe of him that suffered Rom. 3.24 25 26. the wounds of him that hanged the torments of him that died on the Crosse that head at which the Angels tremble is crowned with thornes that face which was most beautifull above the sonnes of men is defiled by the spittings of the ungodly those eyes which were more brighter then the Sunne are darkned in death those eares which were wont to heare Angelicall praises did ring with the proud speeches and derision of wicked men Mat. 27 29 c. sinners that mouth which taught the Angels hath no other drinke but Gall and Vinegar those feete which are to bee adored those hands Iob 9.8 which stretcheth forth the Heavens are stretched forth and nayled on the Crosse that body which was the most sacred Temple of the Deity is whipped and wounded with the speare Iohn 19.34 37. neither remaines there any part in him whole save onely a tongue and that to pray for them which crucified him Christ declared himself to be the Sonne of God three manner of waies First by his power or working of miracles Secondly by the holy Ghost appearing in visible signes hee that raigneth with the father in the Heavens is grievously by sinners afflicted on the Crosse God suffers God dies God powreth forth his blood upon the Crosse and all for the redemption of man judge therefore the greatnesse of the danger by the greatnesse of the price judge the danger of the disease by the valew of the remedy Surely those wounds in sinfull man were great and dangerous indeed which could no otherwise be cured but by the wounds of the everliving and quickning flesh of Christ and the disease most dangerous which could not bee câ—red but by the death of the Physitian Consider thou faithfull soule the heavie and fierce displeasure of God against us after the fall of our first Father Adam and his posterity after him that nothing could appease his anger for our sins but the ignominious suffering of his deare and only begotten Sonne upon the corsse Christ his eternall and well beloved Sonne became suter to God his Father for us yet his anger was not turned from us he by whom the world was made Hebr. 1.2 Thirdly by his resurrection from the dead interceded for us became our advocate and tooke the cause of us miserable sinners upon himselfe and yet his anger was not turned from us our Saviour tooke upon him our flesh that by the glory of the divinity communicated unto the humanity hee might expiate and purge our sinfull flesh Eph. 2.13 c. that by the saving vertue of his most perfect righteousnesse communicated unto our nature he might wipe away that venomous quality of our sin which cleaveth so fast unto us and in stead thereof conferre grace upon us Esay 9. 2 Cor. 5.21 and yet the anger of his father was not turned away from us our sins and the punishment due unto them he taketh upon himselfe his body is bound whipped wounded pierced crucified and buried Matth. 27. Luk 22.44 his blood like a dew most copiously distilled downe all his members at his passion his most holy soule is made sorrowfull above measure even unto death hee feeleth the paines of hell the eternall Sonne of God cryeth out that he is forsaken of God so great was his anguish Vers 46. so great was his bloody sweat that he that comforteth the Angels stood in need of an Angel to comfort him hee dyed for us sinners who is the authour and giver of life to every living thing 1 Pet. 3.18 If God be so highly offended with the most just and holy One what shall become of us sinners how will God punish us for our sins who is so wrathfully displeased with his owne Sonne for the sins of others and if his Sonne was so grievously punished for us shall we his servants thinke to escape unpunished what shall the Reprobate suffer if such be the sufferings of his best beloved Surely if our hearts be not harder then the Adamant and more flinty than a stone they must needs be wounded and bleed within us to thinke how Christ was wounded for our sakes For Christ truely tooke our infirmities upon himselfe Esay 53.4 and bare our griefes and healed our sicknesses that which in us merited eternall punishment and condemnation Mat. 8.16.17 thou Lord Jesus tookest upon thy selfe that burthen which would have pressed us downe into hell thou tookest our sins upon thy selfe Rom. 3.24 c. and bestowedst thy righteousnesse upon us death which is due unto us thou undertookest thy selfe and conferredst life upon us we cannot therefore by any meanes doubt of thy grace or despaire by reason of our sinnes therefore if thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Rom. 10.9 10. and believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved for by faith we apprehend that Christ hath given satisfaction for us he bare the iniquities of those that are his he suffered for the sins of many he interceded for the transgressors Note 4 Esd 4.66 c. for he should have had very few just unlesse in mercy he had received sinners and remitted the sins of the unjust How then shall Christ judge according to severity the sins of the penitent which he hath taken upon himselfe how shall he condemne him that is guilty of sin for whom he dyed Joh. 15.13 will he condemne those whom hee loveth and calleth his friends will he condemne those for whom he hath intreated will he condemne those for whom hee dyed no Lift up thy selfe therefore Psal 42.14 43.5 Ezech. 18.22 O devout soule and forget thy sins for the Lord hath forgotten them hath forgiven them whom then dost thou feare as the punisher of thy sins but the Lord who himselfe hath made satisfaction for thy sins if any other had paid the price of my redemption I might have doubted Esay 53. whether the just Judge would have accepted of that satisfaction if either man or Angel had satisfied for my sins yet still I might have doubted whether the price of my redemption were sufficient but now there is no place for doubt all doubt is taken away and removed from the faithfull and penitent sinner how can it be that hee will not accept of that price which himselfe hath paid Psal 25.9 Psal 43.15 Psal 42.6 how can that but be sufficient which is from God himselfe Why art thou yet troubled O devout soule all the waies of the Lord are mercy and truth just is the Lord and just are his Judgements Why art thou so troubled O my soule let both the Mercy and Justice of God raise thee up if God be just hee will not exact double satisfaction for one
offence for our offences he hath smitten his Sonne how then can he smite his servants for them how can he punish our sinnes in us for which his Sonne hath already given satisfaction Psal 117.2 The truth of the Lord endureth for ever as I live saith the Lord I will not the death of a sinner Ezech. 33.11 but much rather that he may turne from his wickednesse and live Come saith our Saviour Mat. 11.28 unto me all you that are heavy laden and I will refresh you shall wee then make God a liar and labour with the weight of our sins to beare downe his mercy to make God a liar and deny his mercy is a greater sinne then all the sins of the whole world Mat. 27.5 Rom. 5.20 therefore Iudas sinned more in despairing of Gods mercy then the Jewes in crucifying Christ but rather where sin hath abounded there grace hath also much more abounded and over-weigheth our sins by infinite degrees Jude 21 c. for sins are but the sins of men but grace is the grace of God sins are but temporall but the grace of God is from eternity to eternity 2 Cor. 5.18 c satisfaction by Christ hath beene made for our sins and the grace of God is repaired in us by the death of Christ and is established in us through him for ever Of Repentance or sorrow of the Soule for sin VVHen Christian men have understanding by the Law of God of their miserable estate in respect of sin Joh. 15.22.24 Repentance what they were in innocency what they are in sin and what they shall be in judgement it bringeth a generall sadnesse on the soules of men dulleth the spirit and delight they have had in their prosperous fortunes for when God giveth grace to any one to examine his life God gives the first grace to repentance and to view his owne deformities consider his neglect in his dutifull and obedient service which hee oweth unto God the first knowledge thereof and apprehension of his miserie is most terrible because his conscience doth forcibly checke the former proceedings of his life and violently hale him against the currant of his owne affections for as rivers are not forced against their ordinary streame but by the tide which is more forcible than the streame it selfe so our sinfull actions The difficulty of repentance being in all men common and naturall motions is not reformed in us but by the spirit of God a power above our nature yet it is done with such contention and strife in our flesh and nature which for the time doth wonderfully distract the soule of the party repenting and needs it must for he that hath wasted and spent his time in the delicacie of fortune The reason glutting himselfe with variety of pleasures and in the hight of his vaine prosperity is admonished that he hath fed on poison and therby run himself into a desperate hazard wil doubtlesse hardly endure the extremity of griefe which sudden feare and amazednesse can lay upon him for so it is with sinfull man who not regarding the danger of their soule before they are warned and admonished by God and their conscience are taken unprovided with sudden griefe which doth alway inflict an unexpressible measure of sorrow The sorrow of a repentant soule and often times death and desperation when being taught by the Law to know our sinnes our miserable condition and the diseases of our soules so the Gospell teacheth us the cure both what and how to administer physicke to our sicke and diseased soules for else the knowledge of our sinnes were extreame misery without profit The sudden griefe is violent if wee should not also know the meanes of our recovery and to know also how to administer and apply them to our soules comfort for vertue hath no vertue but in use and that physicke which the sicke patient receiveth not cannot profit him bee it never so excellent or standeth never so neere him and as in corporall so in spirituall sicknesse the disease must first be knowne the physicke then administred for hee that ministreth before hee knoweth the cause or knoweth onely the cause and administreth not or administreth and taketh not away the cause of the disease can never recover his patient be he never so skilfull or industrious so in repentance and sorrow for sinne which is a sickenesse of the soule What must cure diseased soules must necessarily bee considered these two particulars the cause the cure The cause is either the materiall cause or the moving cause the materiall cause is sinne The cause of repentance that being the matter of our offence for which wee so sorrow and grieve at the time of our repentance This is proved in the examples of all men that have had the grace of true and unfeyned repentance every penitent child of grace having sorrow and affliction in his soule because of his sinne by which hee hath provoked his God and his Creator against him Thus did Iob and thus did David repent them and so doe and will doe all that would profit by their repentance Iob 42.6 2 Sam. 12 13. And here is necessarily to bee considered and observed that though our repentance have respect to the benefits of our owne estate as being a most necessary service in our salvation yet the maine respect we ought to have to God whose glory we must preferre God must be respected before our soules even before the salvation of our soules making him the principall and our selves but secondary respects of our repentance And herein appeareth the difference betweene true and false repentance for the false and Godlesse repentance sorroweth for their sinne onely because God doth punish and afflict them for their sinne Exod. 9.27 1 Sam. 15.24 25 King 21.27 Math. 27.3 4. and therefore their sorrow is chiefly for the punishment and but respectively for their sinne Thus did Pharaoh Saul Ahab and Iudas repent them and so doe all false and feyned repenters that feare God for their owne respects and not themselves for God Note A true and godly repentance sorroweth for sinne because it is sinne and not because it deserveth punishment and here the maine respect is to be had to God and to our selves onely for Gods sake for though the feare and dread of punishment be sufficient to move any mans repentance yet wee must not make that the cause of our spirituall sorrow but much rather because we have offended so gracious a God who hath declared himselfe to us in so many and great demonstrations of his love to mankind this ought to be more sensible to our wounded soules then the horror wee have of our condemnation thus are holy men moved in their griefe and passion of their repentance the maine difference then betweene true and false repentance is this Note true repentance is caused by reverence wee have of the love of
Christ was as verily separated from his body upon the Crosse for the remission of thy sinnes and that this is a seale of the new covenant which God hath made to forgive the sinnes of all penitent sinners that faithfully believe in the merits of his bloud-shedding Iohn 6.54 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood saith our Saviour Christ shall live forever Exceeding great was the bounty and goodnesse of our Saviour in that hee did not onely assume our flesh and exalt it to the Throne of celestiall glory The saving participation of the body and blood of Christ Vers 56. but also feedeth us with his body and blood unto eternall life Oh the saving delicates of the soule Oh the Heavenly and Angelicall food to bee desired above all the delicates upon earth for He that eateth the flesh and drinketh the blood of Christ dwelleth in Christ and Christ in him This is meate indeed when wee eate it wee are changed not into the nature of our body but into the nature of it wee are the members of Christ By it we are sanctâ—fied and are united by his Spirit and fed with his body and blood This is the bread which came downe from Heaven and giveth life unto the world hee that eateth thereof shall never hunger this is the bread of grace Psal 34.10 Iohn 6.58 this is the bread of Life whosoever shall eate thereof shall live for ever neither is it onely heavenly but thou that eatest thereof art heavenly that is they that eate it savingly in the Spirit shall become heavenly This is the true Fountaine of life be that shall drinke of this water Iohn 4.14 shall never thirst but it shall become in him a fountaine of water springing up unto eternall life Esay 55.1 2 3 All yee thaâ— thirst come unto these waters and yee that have no silver make haste come buy without money let them that thirst come and come thou soule thâ—t â—rt vexed with the raging heate of sinne and if thou wantest the silver of thy merits make haste the rather if thou hast no merits of thine owne make haste the more ardently to the merits of Christ Vers 1. Make haste therefore and buy without money or money-worth here is Christ the habitation of the soule from which let not thy sinnes deterre thee and into which let not thy merits enter for what can be our merits our labours doe not â—â—tiate neither is the grace of God bought with the silver of our merits Therefore heare O ye devout soules and eate that which is good and thou shalt be delighted with fatnesse John 6.63 These words are spirit and truth and the word of eternall life the cup of benediction 1 Cor. 10.16 is the communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 6.17 and the bread which we breake is the participation of the Lords body wee cleave unto the Lord therefore we are one Spirit with him For wee are united unto him not onely by the communion of nature but also by the participation of his body and blood John 6. â— let us not therefore with the Jewes say How can this man give us his flesh to eate let us not pry into his power but let us admire his benevolence let us not examine his Majesty but reverence his goodnesse the manner of his presence I know not but his presence I believe and am certainely perswaded that it is inward and neere unto us for we are members of his body Eph. 5.30 John 6.56 flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones he dwelleth in us and wee in him My soule desireth to dive by cogitation into the secrets of this most profound abysse but cannot finde with what words to set forth and declare that infinite goodnesse and therefore am altogether amazed at the sight of the greatnesse of the grace of the Lord and the glory of his Majesty In this Supper of the Lord there is set before us a mystery to be trembled at and by all meanes to be adored of us there is the treasury and treasure of divine grace Gen. 2. â— We know in Paradise there was a tree of Life planted by God whose fruit might have conserved our first parents and their posterity by the fertility and felicity thereof There was also placed in Paradise a Tree of knowledge of good and evill but even that which was appointed by God for their life and salvation and for to exercise their obedience became unto them an occasion of death and condemnation Ezech. 47.12 while they obeyed their owne desires and the divels allurements Here is also prepared a Tree of Life whose wood is sweete whose leaves are for medicine and whose fruit for meate Revel 22.1 2. the sweetnesse thereof doth take away the bitternesse of all evill yea of death it selfe Unto the Israelites was given Manna that they might be fed with heavenly food here is that â—râ—e manna of our soules which came downe from Heaven to give life unto the world Iohn 6.51 this is the heavenly bread and Angelicall meate of which whosoever eateth shall never hunger Col. 2.3 5. here is the true Arke of the Covenant that is the most sacred body of Christ wherein the treasures of all science knowledge and wisedome are layd up in store for all penitent soules that faithfully believe in his merits here is the true Mercie-seat in the bloud of Christ Rom. 3.25 which makes us happy and beloved in the most deare and beloved Christ Gen. 28.15 17 12. here is the gate of heaven indeed here is the Angell sladder Can heaven be greater than God can heaven be more united unto God than the flesh of humane nature which he hath assumed unto himselfe Heaven indeed is the throne of God but in the humane nature assumed by Christ resteth the holy Spirit Esay 11.2 God is in heaven but in Christ dwelleth the fulnesse of divinity Col. 2.9 Certainly this is a great and infallible pledge of our salvation by assuming our humane nature into the fellowship of the most holy and blessed Trinity in which all heavenly good is layd up in store for us how can hee forget those unto whom hee hath given the pledge of his owne body We are deere unto Christ how then can Satan be able to overcome us because Christ bought us at so deare a price we are deare unto Christ because he feeds us with his most deere and precious body and blood wee are deere unto Christ because wee are flesh of his flesh Ephes 5.2 3. and members of his body this is the only soveraine and precious Balmesome of all spirituall diseases this is the onely soveraigne medicine of immortality for what sin so great that Gods sacred flesh cannot expiate What sin so great that the quickning flesh of Christ cannot heale What sin so mortall that is not taken away by the death of the Sonne of
holy and heavenly minded towards God we must be friendly and loving to our neighbours slow in taking advantages renewing or revenging of wrongs wee must be humble and lowly in our owne eyes meeke and sober in all our actions and because herein are exhibited and offered things of such wonderfull valew and price to the worthy receivers wee must bee cleansed of our spirituall leprosie before wee presume to communicate in the company of Saints We must therefore assure our selves that we are in the number of those to whom these holy things doe appertaine for whosoever is prophane in his person and an unsanctified creature let him forbeare to come to this holy banquet till he have first used the meanes of better assurance by repentance for his sinnes and amendment of his corrupt and sinnefull life let him often call upon God by zealous and faithfull prayers for the remission of his omissions and transgressions let him earnestly crave the assistance of his holy spirit to assist him in the mortifying and beating downe of sinne and that his heart and conscience may be sanctified and made fit for so holy an exercise When he is thus cleansed let him shew himselfe to the Priest his Pastour and let him take knowledge by his outward confession of his inward contrition And then in all reverence and in the feare of God let him come to this holy Table let him eate the body and drinke the blood of that Lambe that taketh away the sinnes of all penitent sinners and will present him pure unto the Lord for the Lords eye is pure and can abide no wickednesse the Sacrament is holy touch it not rashly if thou have not the wedding garment of sincerity come not thereto Math. 22.11 12 13. for the Lord will finde thee out and thrust thee forth out of his presence among the unbeleevers whose portion shall bee with the divell and his angels Let us therefore search and examine our waies let us lift up our hands with our hearts unto God and feed on this holy mystery 1 Cor. 11.25 26 the life of our soules in remembrance that Christ died for us untill his second comming Blesse me O Lord so that my sins may wholly be remitted by thy blood my conscience sanctified by thy Word my mind enlightened by thy Truth my heart guided by thy Spirit and my will in all things subdued to thy blessed Will and pleasure Blesse mee with all graces which I want and increase in mee those good gifts which thou hast already bestowed upon mee Of the Ordinance of Christ concerning the translation of the Sabbath THe Primitive Church had farre greater reason to celebrate Sunday in memory of Christs resurrection then to keepe the Sabbath because that by his resurrection from the dead Isay 65.17 66.12.13 there is wrought a new spirituall creation of the world without which all the sonnes of Adam had beene turned to everlasting perdition and destruction and so all the workes of the first creation had ministred no consolation unto us In respect of this new spirituall creation 2 Cor. 5.17 18. Rev. 21.1 Gal. 6.15 1 Pet. 2.10 Ephes 4.24 Colos 3.10 Matth. 26.28 2 Pet. 3.13 Isay 66.12.13 Chro 4.9 c. the Scripture saith that old things are passed away and all things are become new new creatures new people new men new knowledge new Testament new Commandements new Heaven new Earth and therefore there is in stead of the old a new holy day to honour and praise our Redeemer and to meditate upon the workes of our redemption and to shew the new change fo the old Testament because that on this day Christ rested from all the sufferings of his passion and finished the glorious worke of our redemption If the finishing of the worke of the first creation whereby God mightily manifested himselfe unto his creatures deserved a Sabbath for to solemnize the memoriall of so great a work Esay 58.13 to the honour of the worker and therefore God calls it mine holy day much more doth the new creation of the world effected by the resurrection of Christ whereby he mightily declared himselfe to be the Sonne of God Rom. 1.3 4. deserve an holy festivall for the perpetuall commemoration thereof to the honour of Christ and therefore most worthily called the Lords day Apoc. 1.10 for as the deliverance out of the captivity of Babylon being greater tooke away the name from the deliverance out of the bondage of Egypt Jer. 23.7 8. 16.13 so the day whereon Christ finished the redemption of the world did more justly deserve to be kept holy than that day wherein God ceased from creating the world Gen. 2.2 as therefore in the creation the first day wherein it was finished was consecrated for a Sabbath Lev. 23.32 Neh. 13.19 so in processe of time after our redemption the first day wherein it was perfected was dedicated to a holy rest The Jewes kept their Sabbath on the last day of the week beginning it with the night when God rested from finishing the worke of his creation but Christians honour the Lord better on the first day of the weeke when the Lord arose They kept their Sabbath in remembrance of the worlds creation but Christians celebrate it in memoriall of the worlds redemption Matth. 28 1. Acts 20.7 2.46 yea the Lords day being the first day of the creation and redemption puts us in minde both of the making of the old world and redeeming of the new world Many godly Writers doe record many memorable things which were done upon the first day of the weeke as so many types that the chiefe worship of God should under the new Testament be celebrated upon this day Exod. 31. as that on this day the cloud of Gods Majesty first sate upon his people Aaron and his children first executed their Priest-hood God first solemnely blessed his people the princes of his people first offered publikely unto God the first day wherein fire descended from heaven the first of the world of the yeere of the moneth of the weeke all shadowing that it should be the first and chiefe holy day of the new Testament Gen. 17.12 and circumcision being commanded on the eighth day which was foreseene by the holy Fathers and Prophets to be a type of the Lords day Esay 58.13 that the Sabbath should cease and give place to the eight or first day of the weeke If this mysterie were so clearely seene by the Fathers and Prophets under the shadowes of the old Testament 2 Cor. 4.4 surely the God of this world hath deepely blinded their mindes who cannot see the truth thereof under the cleere shining light of the Gospel This change of the Sabbath under the new Testament was nothing but a fulfilling of that which was solemnly prefigured and fore-prophesied under the old 1 Cor. 14.36 37 therefore all true Christians according to the Lords minde and Commandement
Apostle doth call the election made in Christ wherefore wee must consider of this mystery of our election as it is whole and sound with both the parts of it joyned together with sincere faith with all devotion honour and thankfulnesse in Christ our Mediatour Head and Saviour and for the confirmation of the certainty of our salvation in our hearts wee must ponder also in our selves how that the election and choosing of us is grounded and builded upon the same purpose and counsell of God 1 Pet. 1.20 21 22. in the same eternity yea and the very same certainety that the mystery of Christ is but concerning those which be chosen of God they be chosen generally to this purpose to be made happy for evermore To this point of true felicity those things doe belong which be rehearsed particularly by the Apostle Psal 32. for what can we make of it else but to bee holy and blamelesse then to bee adopted to be the children of God to be beloved redeemed and favourably pardoned of our sinnes to be lightned with the wisedome and knowledge of Gods will and purpose to be called to the portion of inheritance and to be signed with the holy Spirit as the earnest-penny of our inheritance but to bee made happy forever and to be the heires of God and coheries with Christ and to be taken into the glory of his children If the Prophet pronounce him happy whose sinnes bee forgiven Vers 1 2. how much more are they to be counted happy which bee chosen to that intent from everlasting that they should be adopted the children of God made holy and blamelesse and partakers of the heavenly inheritance this grace of Gods election is incomprehensible and therefore can never be so esteemed of us as it ought to be This certainty doth beget exceeding joy in the elect for what can raise a greater joy in faithfull hearts then this that wee know and believe verily that we shall see the infinite good pleasure of the Lord Psal 27.15 The infinite joy of the faithfull in the Land of the living and shall have an inheritance not earthly but eternall in the heavens and what greater joy can any man desire to enjoy then to believe himselfe to be elected to eternall joy This assurance in the elect is the more excellent Note considering the woe of the reprobates which want it and the wearisome sighs and inexplicable terrors of such as are swallowed up in despaire This privilege is the more to be accounted of because wee may enjoy it daily thoroughout our life and that the longer we be partakers of it the sweeter it is unto us for this assurance is infallible so long as we have true faith in us Rom. 4.20 Heb. 11.1 by which we come to Christ approach to the Father and hasten to Heaven for faith is an undoubted certainty or perswasion in us and an enemy to doubting and incredulity This election of God is most free without obligation compulsion externall instigation For hath not the Potter liberty over his clay c Who can compell the Almighty who can resist his power Rom. 9.21 or what is before his will for the election of God is constant perpetuall immutable inviolable and unresistable Esay 43.13 it is firme grounded stable and unmovable for those things which be contingent mutable and uncertaine are barred and utterly excluded from being an originall cause or ground thereof Now the decree of election is the foundation and scaturidge of salvation and is certaine stedfast and unchangeable therefore God the authour of election Jam. 1.17 18. Mal. 3.6 doth seriously and effectually separate and elect the faithfull unto himselfe and the reprobate unbelievers therefore his decree must be fulfilled the Scriptures are manifold and evident in avouching this truth In the beginning saith the Lord I shew the end of things Esa 46.10.11 and I tell before things that are not yet come to passe my device standeth stedfastly stablished and I will fulfill all my pleasure as I have spoken so will I bring to passe as soone as I deviâ—â— thing I doe it The foundation of God saith Saint Paul remaineth sure 2 Tim. 2.19 having the seale the Lord knoweth them that are his Therefore this decree of election is the foundation because it is the wel-spring and beginning of our salvation and of all the meanes tending to salvation and is sure and firme and never shaken but remaines immutable for ever for whosoever are elected shall still remaine elected and shall never be rejected Joh. 6.39 This is my Fathers will saith Christ that of all which he hath given mee I should lose nothing John 13.1 those whom he ever loved hee loveth for ever For neither any of those can perish whom God hath predestinated unto the kingdome of heaven nor that any of those can come whom hee hath not predestinated unto life neither doth God offer the least injury to any though he doth not choose all because he is not tied to choose any his Lordship is above all Rom. 9.18 his authority is absolute hee may doe with his owne what hee will who can hinder him the doctrine of election doth manifest the glory of God Thes 1. for it sheweth that we are elected to the honour of God and to the praise of his glorious grace and it argues and illustrates his essentiall properties as his omnipotency omniscience eternity and mercy and doth both demonstrate and defend the free grace of God against all contrariant heresies and errors and will arme us against impetuous enemies of the truth therefore it is worthy to be learned Now the love of God is the ground of election and Gods love is best knowne by his best gifts the best things he reserveth for those he best loveth as Joseph sent unto Benjamin more messes of meat Gen. 43.34 and gave him richer gifts and more costly apparell than to the rest of his brethren Gen. 45.22 So the Lord bestoweth the best gifts upon the elect his owne children Now the graces of regeneration and spirituall gifts of faith hope and love are without comparison the most principall therefore hee that hath faith hope and love may assure himselfe of Gods love and that hee is in the number and ranke of Gods elect these being infallible tokens and undoubted effects of election and fore-runners of eternall life Now this knowledge in God brings â—orth another knowledge in us Gal. 4.5.9 whereby we know God to be our God and this election of God workes in the elect another election whereby they choose God for their God and the love whereby God loveth us works in us another love whereby we love God for Christ first apprehends us and this apprehension of his Rom. 4.20 workes in us the apprehension of faith wherby wee lay hold upon him and his promises If these things therefore be in us wee may conclude infallibly
salvation to the Elect. The necessity of mortification doth require in every one an exact diligence in that Christian office for seeing the hazzard of eternall life dependeth upon the death or not dying of sinne and that necessarily there is no man of that simple understanding but will thinke it expedient nay necessary wisedome rather to destroy his sinne then himselfe for one of the two must of necessity be mortified suffer death and die and if any man thinke to devise a meanes to save both himselfe and his sinne and in the reformation of himselfe to over-leape the duty of mortification as a duty too precise and of grievous performance and shall thinke that mortification is not of necessary substance but rather a severe circumstance which may be safely avoyded to him may bee said as Saint Paul saith to the Corinthians with admiration O foole 1 Cor. 15 36. that which thou sowest is not quickned except it die and let him be sure that if hee either faile or faint in this endeavour there is no endeavour can purchase him the favour of God and the salvation of his soule Therefore it most neerely respecteth all men not to esteeme their sinne which is their enemy and would destroy them more then God which is their friend and would save them nay more then their soules and their salvation Therefore let every man make warre upon himselfe and his owne flesh To subdue our owne sinfull affections is the greatest conquest in the world and let him bee valiant to conquer himselfe and triumph in the spoile and death of his sinfull actions and affections for there is no warre can gaine our names a greater glory then to victor our selves and he is most redoubted and most valiant that can conquer his owne affections the which all men must doe before they can have the garland of holy victory from the hand of God Againe seeing that in our mortification there is no respect of favour had to any sinne but that all sinne must die the sinnes that have gained us either our profit or our pleasure for all sinne being in hatred with God all sinne is therefore commanded to die without dispensation proviso or exception of any It therefore behooveth all men to hate as God hateth even all sinne because all sinne is in Gods hatred lest they provoke God as Saul did and with Saul to declare themselves reprobates God commanded Saul to destroy the Amalekites 1 Sam. 15.1 c. a sinfull and God-lesse people Saul performed his Commandement but in part for though he destroyed many yet he spared some for which God cast him from his favour and rent his Kingdome from him Our sinnes are those Amalekites God hath commanded us to destroy them utterly if therefore any man presume against Gods Commandement to spare any God will certainly cast him with Saul from the hope of salvation This doth admonish all to avoyd the common custome of men that commonly hate the sinnes and infirmities of others but flatter and feed their owne with saturity the usurer hee condemneth the prodigall the prodigall condemneth him the drunkard condemneth the glutton Every contrary despiseth one another the glutton he condemneth the drunkard age and youth have each their particular sinnes yet doe they despise one another and so doe every particular his contrary so that many can abhorre those sinnes to the which they are not naturally addicted but few doe mortifie them that are neerest and dearest unto them These are they that our Saviour Christ calleth hypocrits Math. 23. that point at little sinnes in others but flatter and foster maine ones in themselves this evill custome is farre short of the duty of mortification which requireth a loathing and detestation nay a death not of some sinnes not of other mens sinnes but of our owne sinnes and of all our owne sinnes without exception of any and seeing that the holy Ghost doth move this grace in our hearts and doth give us spirituall power in the office of mortification It behoveth all men to addresse their prayers to God that he will give them the direction of his grace to guide them in so needfull a performance and that when they finde in themselves a desire to mortifie their sinnes and sinnefull affections Titus 1.12 c. then let them assure themselves that they are called by the divine and efficatious power of God to the performance of that duty that then they yeeld their endeavour with all diligence to doe as the holy Ghost directs them lest by neglecting the admonishments of Gods Spirit they bring upon themselves a greater condemnation The life and soule as it were thereof is the illumination and reformation of the minde and an efficatious bending conforming and working of the heart and will whereby it becomes obedient to the voyce of God and returnes as it were an audible and lively eccho into their eares the end thereof is first the glory of God and the commendation of his mercy to whom wee must ascribe both grace and nature and of whom wee have received our soules and bodies yea and the very soule of our soules which is his spirit The second end of this vocation is our deliverance and translation out of ignorance infidelity sensuality and rebellion The soule of our soules is the Spirit of God 2 Thes 2 14. unto spirituall grace and glory for wee are called out of darknesse into light that we might walke in light and no longer serve the Prince of darknesse wee are called out of the world unto God to the end that wee should relinquish the lusts of the flesh the pleasures of the world and to serve God in newnesse of life that walking uprightly before him in this world we may live and raigne with him for ever in the world to come The meritorious cause of this effectuall calling is Christ and his merits for Christ hath merited in our behalfe and hath promised that the holy Ghost should had sent into us John 15.26 16.7 8. even the Spirit of truth to illuminate and adorne our hearts with his graces and is wrought in us by a speciall powerfull and inward worke of the holy Spirit For like as when a skilfull Musitian hath once strung tuned and strucke his instrument it sends forth many pleasant and sweet sounds so when the Lord hath once breathed his spirit of life into the nostrils of our soâ—les and when hee hath once tuned the jurring strings of our sinnefull hearts and hath toucht them with the finger of his spirit he makes them send forth many delectable and harmonious sounds Tokens of mortification Rom. 1.6 6.17 18. 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. wherein he takes delight So then it as with the Romans wee performe hearty obedience to the Word of God if with the Corinthians wee be rich in spirituall graces and have purged our hearts by true repentance from our former iniquities and if wee be mortified and renued
eternall life and wee are sure and believe that thou art Christ the Sonne of the living God and Christ said unto them which believed in him John 8. if you abide in my word you be verily my Disciples and you shall know the truth thereof commeth that assurednesse of faith Note whereof mention is made before In Gods case and Religion all things are blind and doubtfull to mans naturall reason but unto faith they be certaine and cleare and thereby we know that wee be the children of God faith doth take hold of the gifts of God which we doe request of him in prayer the attainment of the which cannot be hoped for nor trusted upon without wee aske in fayth James 1.6 wherefore Saint Iames saith Let him aske in faith doubting nothing for hee that is doubting and wavering is like a wave of the Sea tost to and fâ—owith the wind and carried with violence And Christ sayth Verily I say unto you Mark 11.23 24 whatsoever you request in your prayers believe that you shall obtaine it and it shall befall unto you Againe fayth doth worke in him that is justified a peaceable quiet good and contented conscience towards God through Christ so the Apostle testifieth saying Therefore being justified by faith Rom. 5. we have peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ without this fayth it is impossible that wee should have a quiet conscience towards God for as is sayd before that by fayth wee doe apprehend the grace of reconcilement and justification purchased for us in the blood of Christ fayth must needs therefore worke in us the invocation adoration Rom. 10. and worship of him whom wee doe believe in How shall they call upon him sayth the Apostle in whom they have not believed and the blind man which our Saviour made to see when he had sayd Lord I doe believe John 9.38 The confessiâ—n of truth hee worshipped him immediately in whom he beleeved For by fayth wee doe confesse the truth that is once beleeved and knowne of us So the Apostle doth joyne fayth and confession together for to beleeve with the heart justifieth and to acknowledge with the mouth maketh a man safe having the selfe-same spirit of faith At the poynt of death wee doe by fayth commend our soules and spirit unto the Lord. So did the thiefe upon the Crosse Math. 27. Acts 7.59 and Saint Stephen also when he was stone this is the last worke of faith towards God for after the yeelding up of the Spirit once there is no longer place nor use of faith These bee therefore the workes of fayth towards God first the love of God a good conscience towards our neighbour hope of things to come a boldnesse to repaire by prayer to the Throne of grace invocation adoration and worship confession of the truth obedience perseverance and the yeelding up of the Spirit to goe immediately unto God the faithfull are comforted in the Lord by the benefit of fayth whereupon Christ also when hee admonished his Disciples from whence they should seeke their comfort in adversity he said John 14.1 c. Let not your hearts be troubled believe in God believe also in me for there is in none greater goodnesse in none greater mercy in none greater knowledge of those things wherewith all our hearts be tormented in none more knowledge and power to helpe and ayde then is in God himselfe 2 Cor. 1.3 so that he is justly called the father of mercies and God of all comfort For he that is faythfull doth apply himselfe to the goodnesse of God and by it wee doe perceive the efficacy and sence thereof and it bringeth comfort unto the troubled heart By fayth wee doe believe the promises of grace and doe by it embrace those things which be spoken of God in his word fayth doth also mortifie the concupiscence of the flesh and maketh a mans mind humble and lowly and worketh many other notable matters in the hearts of the beleevers This excellent and rare jewell is faith the excellence whereof is surpassing precious wherewith we must of necessity be endued to become perfect men Heb. 11. Saint Paul sayth that Faith is the ground of things hoped for and the evidence of things which are not seene This is a speciall jewell and happy is the man that hath it but in quantity comparable to a graine of Mustard seed it is the ground of things hoped for as if it were sayd whatsoever crosse or calamity vexeth us if wee hope for reliefe and ease wee must ground it upon fayth otherwise our hope is no hope It is the evidence of things not seene Note it is the patefaction or laying open as it were of the very thing though farre from our sight which is expected and longed for in hope the thing hoped for through it is as it were Eph. 1. evidently seene and layd before our eyes wee may upon this ground build so certaine a foundation of hope of the joyes to come as if we were setled in Heaven it selfe with Christ It is indeed the assurance of all our comforts in the promises of God and whensoever wee lay this evidence before the celestiall Judge by prayers for therein it appeareth to be fayth or not to be he cannot but allow it so current lawfull and effectuall as that whatsoever wee aske though wee see nothing to answere our hope yet wee may assure our selves that wee shall obtaine our desires at such time and in such sort as shall bee most fittest for our necessities in so much as wee may be bold to say wee are already partakers of that we looke for before it come Psa 34.8 9 10. because comming it will come and our fayth which is the ground and the evidence of things hoped for shall not be in vaine and therefore in what danger so ever we are we must open this evidence even our fayth unto the Almighty in humble suit and hearty prayer that as his promises are manifold for the releefe of his children and his meanes infinite so will he accept of our faith Psal 91. wherein wee stand assured that hee is God al-sufficient full of mercy and truth able and willing to grant what we aske and first we must consider that there is no dissembling with God neyther can wee bragge of this rare jewell and yet bring forth the fruits of infidelity which then appeareth when wee shew our selves impatient at the chastisements and corrections of the Lord and when we grudge to stay the Lords leasure for helpe and when leaving the meanes commanded by God wee runne to worldly and forbidden meanes these things can we not shroud nor cloake under any colour or pretence for hee that searcheth the heart findeth every dissimulation Acts 5. he found out Ananias and Saphyra in their hypocrisie and gave them the reward of death because they would seeme to have faith and dissembled Learne of the
nothing else but the soules travelling unto God It is the sword of our defence Eccles 35.17 18. for the soule of him that continueth in prayer is secure and safe from all the assaults of the divell for God doth alwaies heare the prayers of the faithfull if not according to their desire yet to their salvation and profit and we may assuredly hope that either he will give us that which we aske or else that which he in his wisdome knoweth to be more profitable for us for God gave us his onely begotten Sonne that infinite and most excellent gift wee being not worthy of it nor hee being not intreated thereunto what will he then deny us if hee be intreated by earnest and faithfull prayer We cannot doubt of the Fathers hearing or the Sons interceding upon all occasions wee may with Moses by prayer enter into the Tabernacle Numb 7.89 and consult with the Lord our God and we shall speedily heare his divine answere Luke 9.29 Our Saviour Christ was transfigured when hee prayed so are there many changes wrought in the soules of the faithfull in the time of prayer for prayer is the light of the soule and oftentimes leaves him in joy whom shee found in despaire With what face canst thou behold his Majesty unlesse thou dost first worship him Eccle. 53.1 2. who sends that glorious light for thee to looke upon how canst thou at thy table fall to thy meate unlesse thou doest first worship and give praise unto him who in his bounty bestowes those good creatures upon thee with what hope darest thou commit thy selfe to the darknesse of the night and bee safe from the dangers of the day unlesse thou dost first fore-arme thy selfe by faithfull prayer what fruit canst thou expect of thy labours and successe in thy travels unlesse thou dost first worship him and commit thy selfe to his gracious care and providence by prayer Math. 7.7 without whose blessing all labour is unprofitable and vaine If therefore thou wantest temporall blessings aske in faith and it shall bee given you if thou desirest Christ seeke him by prayer and thou shalt finde him if thou desirest that the gate of divine grace and eternall salvation should be opened unto thee knocke and it shall be opened and if in the desert of this world the thirst of tentations the penury and want of temporall things afflict thee come with devotion unto the spirituall rocke 1 Cor. 10.4 which is Christ and strike it with the rod of prayer and thou shalt feele the streames of divine grace to coole the thirst of thy penury Gen. 8.21 offer the sweet smelling and acceptable sacrifice of prayer unto God and his wrath shall cease from thee converse with him every day by faithfull prayer which is the spirituall conference betweene God and the devout soule prayer pleaseth God therefore invite the Lord to the house of thy heart by earnest prayer and he will be thy guest and not forsake thee Psal 29.2 Whosoever desireth to be heard let him pray with wisdome with fervency with humility with faith with perseverance and with confidence let him pray with wisdome for such things as tend to the glory of God the good of his neighbour and the salvation of himselfe God is omnipotent therfore do not thou in thy prayers tie him to means God is most wise doe not thou in thy prayers ascribe him an order let not thy prayers breake forth rashly but let the conduct of faith guide thee which hath respect unto the Word therefore such things as God hath absolutely promised in his Word pray for absolutely and such things as he hath promised with condition as temporall things To the reprobate and ungodly person pray for with condition and such things as hee hath not promised in his Word in no wise pray for God doth often give in his wrath that which in his mercy hee doth deny therefore follow the example of Christ who resigned his will wholly unto God pray with fervency for how canst thou desire that God should heare thee when thou hearest not thy selfe but the tongue out-runneth the minde Wouldst thou have God mindfull of thee when thou art not mindfull of thy selfe God will not heare thy prayers without the affection of the heart John 4.23 Luke 6.12 John 17.1 the minde must be so inflamed with the heat of cogitation that it may farre surpasse what the tongue expresseth and this is to worship in spirit and truth for such worship the Lord requireth Christ prayed in the mount and lifted up his eyes toward heaven So must wee turne away our minde from the creatures and turne them unto God for otherwise thou dost injury unto God to pray unto him to attend unto thee when thou art not attentive unto thy selfe And seeing God dwelleth in the hearts of the faithfull and godly there needeth not alwaies words because hee is present even with the thoughts Luther oftentimes one sigh moved by the holy Ghost and offered in the spirit is more acceptable to God then long repetitions of prayers where the tongue prayeth and the heart is plainly dumbe let him pray with humility and place no confidence in his owne merits but onely in the grace and mercy of God Christ being the Temple of the divinity at his passion he cast himselfe to the ground Marke 14 35. and prayed behold how that most holy soule humbled it selfe before the divine Majesty let us pray with faith the sooner one prayeth the more profitable the oftener the better the more fervently 2 Cor. 6. the more acceptable with God let us pray with perseverance for if God delay his benefits and doth not presently give them he commends them unto us and doth not deny them the longer things are desired Matth. 21.22 The efficacy of faithfull prayer the sweeter and the more acceptable they are being obtained let us pray with confidence of heart that is aske in faith without doubting and thou shalt have what thou desirest either ease reliefe redresse or comfort the examples are many they are infinite set forth in Scripture of our godly Fathers Prophets and Apostles amongst which is declared the wonderfull effect of prayer Josh 10.12 13. that at the instant request of Joshua made unto God the Sunne stood still in the middest of the sky the space of one whole day untill the people of God had revenged themselves upon their enemies and Elias prayed unto the Lord that it might not raine upon the earth 1 King 17 1. 18.1 Jam 5.17 18. 1 King 17.22 and it rained not for the space of three yeeres and sixe moneths and againe he prayed and the sky gave raine and the earth yeelded her fruit Againe Elias by prayer unto God 1 King 18.37 38. raised up the dead child of the widow of Sarepta and at his prayer fire falleth from heaven and consumed the burnt offering the wood
strangers Job 30.25 and the innocents are oppressed in this world without care and conscience Eccles 8.11 and doe reigne without regard or looking to the poore lieth oppressed in every corner without reliefe or redresse of their wants or wrongs Psal 69 21 22 the Apostle maketh mention of many other afflictions as tribulation anguish perill persecution hunger Rom. 8.35 nakednesse Verse 18. 2 Cor. 4.17 all which shall not separate us from the love of God for saith he I am certainly perswaded that the afflictions of this world are not worthy of the glory which shall be shewed upon us in the life to come the occasions of these evills wherewith we be afflicted doth proceed of our selves By the providence of God Psal 89. because of our sins therefore the Prophet saith I wil visit their wickednesse with the rod and their sinnes with stripes neverthelesse my loving kindnesse will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my truth to faile as the Lord said to him that was sicke of the palsie Matth. 9.2 Be of good cheere my sonne thy sins be forgiven thee Againe hee said to him that had beene diseased thirty eight yeeres Joh. 5.5.14 Lo thou art made whole sinne no more lest a worse thing happen unto thee Every man must be fully perswaded Afflictions be sent from God that troubles crosses losses and all manner of afflictions doth come and fall upon us by the disposition and ordinance of God and no otherwise this is confirmed by the testimony of God himselfe Esay 45.5 saying I am the Lord and without we there is no God it is I that created light and darkenesse it is I make peace and trouble yea Verse 7. even I the Lord doe all these things whereby we doe perceive that wee be scourged of God for our sins and iniquities and by them wee doe provoke the wrath of God upon us besides there be some sins that of nature A covetous minde is never satisfied nor thinkes any thing unlawfull they doe afflict both our bodies and soules as drunkennesse doth trouble and marre mens bodies and minds and covetousnesse and envie the mind and soule one saith that every disordered affection is a punishment to it selfe There be also many afflictions wherewith the godly just and innocent be oppressed by the wicked in this world by their ungodlinesse malice anger hatred enmity envie pride and delight in strife and variance in which they doe hate and trouble them without desert Iob 37.23 it is not the property of God to afflict but to deliver and save the afflicted for hee is good gentle milde and loving towards man-kind so that he delighteth in doing good to them according to the saying of Jeremy Ierem. 1.19 I will rejoyce in them when I shall doe them good but it is wrought by the malice of our nature that hee is compelled like a most loving father to chasten and instruct us by the rod of discipline Afflictions are sent as chastisments temporary to the elect but eternall to the reprobate to the intent to save them which otherwise should perish to this intent hee did often times afflict and scourge the people of Israel because of their intollerable sins and rebellion to bow and turne them unto himselfe so he doth punish sinners to the intent they should leave off their trade of sinning and turne unto him and amend their lives thus the godly be exercised in the faith of Gods providence to the intent that knowing their owne weaknesse they may put their trust in their Lord God and have hope upon him Eccles 51. whose aid doth comfort them in all their afflictions and who in his good time will bring them out of all their troubles thus they be trained up to call upon the Lord in whom they doe depend in stedfast trust and hope and not in the vaine hope and trust in man or worldly meanes and to offer the sacrifice of continuall praise unto God by whom they have hope to be delivered out of all their afflictions Afflictions do confirme the faith of the godly Patience and sufferance of afflictions maketh our faith strong whereupon commeth our hope which doth not confound this is the assurance of our salvation when a man hath a tryed faith towards God and an assured hope against all temptations as armed against the very gates of Hell Againe Iob 5.15 c. wee be not onely allowed and well tryed by afflictions to be the sonnes of God By affliction we be brough to be the children of God and be assured of his care of us 2 Cor. 1.3 4. but the very care of God is commended unto us whereby hee doth marvellously comfort the afflicted of this the Apostle maketh mention saying Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which is the father of mercies and the God of all comfort which doth comfort us in all our tribulations like as the passions of Christ doe abound in us so by the grace of Christ our comfort doth more abound and David saith According to the multitude of the sorrowes in my heart thy comforts doe rejoyce my soule Psal 93.19 so that by the grace of God the troubled and afflicted are comforted in all their troubles and afflictions in these extremities the afflicted have great need to be strengthned and cōfirmed in the grace of Christ Without faith wee cannot have the comfort of the Spirit to believe that they be chastened exercised reformed tryed and saved from ruine and destruction by the immediate hand of God their heavenly father unlesse that they have this faith they cannot have the comfort of the Spirit wee must have also stedfast hope whereby wee must not doubt but that God in his mercy and in his good time shall once deliver us from all our tribulations crosses and afflictions which by his chastening hand and in his love he hath laid upon us this hope cometh of faith in that we doe believe that God is faithfull standing to all his promises and able to performe what he hath promised and that he will not suffer us to be tempted further than we be able to beare and that this hope is not vaine it appeareth by that which God himselfe faith Psal 91.1 c. For as hee hoped upon mee I will deliver him out of all his tribulations and afflictions after his stedfast faith and strong hope there followeth that unknowne and exceeding commendable vertue Patience of these three most excellent vertues doth come the rejoycement of the spirit Acts 5. So St. Paul doth testifie that he doth not onely rejoyce in the hope of the glory of Gods children but also rejoyce in their troubles James 1. and Saint James saith My brethren Rom. 5. count it all joy when yee fall into divers temptations knowing that the triall of your faith worketh patience therefore we must so beare our