historicall believing the trueth of the Gospell partlie by contemplation of the trueth credited Nowe historicall fayth is a taste of that heavenlie gift of justifying fayth because it is a good degree towardes it and contemplation of this trueth bringeth a taste of the thing credited and so of the heavenlie Gift revealed in the Gospell For the contemplation of everie trueth bringeth with it naturallie a delectation such as Philosophers doe finde in their studies And the more eminent the trueth bee no wonder the delectation bee the greater For manie heard Christ's gracious Sermons and wondered and believed his wordes to bee true but Christ did not commit himselfe vnto them for hee knew what was in them 6. Hee may bee made part-taker of the holie Ghost and haue his share of Church giftes distributed by the holie Ghost so as hee can from the light which the holie Ghost giveth him answere other mens doubtes comfort the feeble mynded and edifie others in their fayth by his speaches yea haue the gift of expressing his brayne light both in conference to men and in formall prayer to GOD if hee bee a private man onelie and if hee bee in publicke office may haue the gift of formall preaching and praying in publicke yea in those dayes of the Apostle might haue had the extraordinarie gifts of Tongues Prophesying and Miracles working Therefore sayth Christ Manie will say to mee in that day Lord Lord haue wee not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name haue casten out Devils and in thy Name done manie wonderfull workes To whome Christ will aunswrre I never knew you Departe from mee yee that worke iniquitie MATT. vij 22.23 Nowe this knowledge convincing light and giftes of vtterance c. are from the holie Ghost or else howe could such Apostates as heere are descrybed sinne agaynst the holie Ghost 7. Hee may taste of the good Word of GOD that is finde sweetnesse in the Doctrine of the Gospell and bee convinced of the Goodnesse and Mercie of GOD towardes sinners shyning therein yea and by beholding the possibilitie of his owne salvation vpon this condition If hee will sell all and buy the Pearle hee may taste of GOD'S Merchandize in the blocking for them besyde all the false joyes delusions which hee may get by presuming of the certayntie of his owne salvation and yet in the meane tyme as a foole will not lay downe the pryce will not renounce his earthlie and beastlie affections will not denye himselfe and his owne corruptions The care of this worlde and the deceatfullnesse of Ritches choaking the fruites of the Worde heard as they who receaue the seede amongst thornes Wherefore in tyme of persecution for the Worde hee may by and by bee offended and quyte the Trueth allbeeit with the stonie hearted hearers in tyme of prosperitie hee heard the Worde and anone with joye receaved it MATT. xiij 20.21.22 8. Lastlie hee may taste of the power of the worlde to come that is in contemplation of the Blessednesse promised to the Saynctes in Heaven bee taken with admiration of it yea and haue a naturall desire of it as Balaaâ— did when vpon such a speculation he did wish to die the death of the Righteous and to haue his last ende as his and yet loue the wages of Iniquitie so well as hee quyte not his greede for all his wish of Heaven In a word It is possible that a man impenitent and vnrenewed in his heart may bee a glorious Professour for his out ward behaviour and haue fayre giftes and yet make Apostasie from the trueth when hee getteth a fit Temptation or else how should it bee possible that the Devill should make glorious Professoures and Church-men in all Ages Apostates Persecuters Betrayers of the Trueth to the Adversarie Vnder-myners of the Church of Christ Except they vnder all their show did lodge in their heart the loue of Money and worldlie Ritches more than the loue of Heaven the loue of the prayse of men rather than GOD'S Approbation the lust of their fleshlie ease and pleasure more than the pleasure of OOD the fleshlie feare of those that can kill the Bodie more than of GOD who can cast both Soule and Bodie into Hell And therefore no wonder if for satisfaction of their Ambition Avarice Lustes and earthlie Affections they become readie to sell CHRIST and His Trueth and His Church and their Countrey and All when they find their Merâ—hand and the beloved Pryce offered vnto them 4. OBSERVE HEERE HOW glorious soever these Illuminations and Giftes and Tastinges seeme yet there is no farther heere graunted but Tastinges to such rotten Professoures That which they get is eyther onelie in the Brayne by Knowledge or if there bee anie Feelinges they are but sleeting Motions slowing from temporarie grounds which proceede not from anie Spirituall lyfe in the man nor from a roote in himselfe that is not from the Spirit dwelling in him Such feelinges doe neyther foster nor strengthen him for anie Spirituall Obedience but evanish without chaunging the heart It is true all that the Godlie get in comparison of what hee shall get is but Tastinges Yet in comparison of these fruitlesse tastinges of the vnsound Professoures that which hee getteth is true Eating and Drinking a reall Feeding holding his soule in lyfe and enabling him to worke the workes of GOD to mortifie his Lustes and serue GOD in his spirite 5. OBSERVE That heere hee doeth not challenge those who haue felt these Tastinges for vnsound nor threaten them if they holde on and make progresse THEN 1. The having of Illumination and spirituall Giftes and tastinges of heavenlie thinges is not to bee lightlie esteemed of but acaccounted as steppes and degrees vnto a farther progresse vvherefrae as it is possible some fall away so it is a piece of Advauncement to encowrage men to goe on that they fall not away 2. There is no daunger in having this Illumination oâ— these light Tastinges But all the hazard is to rest vpon them and not to tende towardes Perfection or to fall away after receaving so much Encowragement 3. And therefore wee must not rest on Illumination or common giftes howe glorious soever nor tastinges and feelinges howe sweete soever but seeke still in to a more neare Communion with CHRIST and still more to mortifie our lustes and still to abound in the Fruits of Loue to CHRIST and His Church Vers. 6. If they shall fall away to renewe them agayne vnto Repentance seeing they crucifie to themselues the Sonne of GOD a-fresh and put Him to an open shame 1. HEE sayeth not It is impossible they shall bee saved but that they shall bee renewed by Repentance THEN Apostates salvation is not impossible but because their repentance is impossible and where Repentance is there is no impossibilitie of salvation but a certayntie of salvation rather For Hee that giveth the Repentance Hee declareth His purpose to giue Remission also 2. Hee giveth a reason why
as the worde importeth such as Friendes giue one to another whylâ—â— they are drawing neare to embrace one another after a long tyme separation 3. They confessed in their lyfe tyme that they were Strangers and Pilgrimes on the earth This wee reade onelie of Iaakob before Pharaoh But the mynde of one of the Faythfull in the mayne matters maketh evident what is the mynde of the rest THEN 1. It is the parte of true Believers to professe their Fayth before all even before Idolaters amongst whom they liue 2. They who know Heaven to bee their owne Home doe reckon this Worlde a strange Countrey Vers. 14. For they that say such things declare playnlie that they seeke a Countrey Vers. 15. And truelie if they had beene myndfull of that countrey from whence they came out they might haue had opportunitie to haue returned Vers. 16. But nowe they desire a better Countreye that is an Heavenlie Wherefore GOD is not ashamed to bee called their GOD For Hee hath prepared for them a Citie FROM their Profession That they were Straungers hee draweth Consequences thus That they desired an homelie Countrey And if a Countrey then eyther their owne earthlie Countrey or a better Not their owne earthlie Countrey for they might haue returned when they pleased Therefore they desired a better Countrey And if a better Countrey then an Heavenlie Countrey That is They desired even Heaven it selfe for their Countrey 1. This deducing of Consequences from the Profession of the Patriarches That they were Strangers TEACHETH VS 1. So to reade the Scriptures as wee may marke not onelie what is spoken but also what is thereby imported by consequence 2. That what is imported by a speach is a playne Declaration of the mynde of the speaker and not an obscure Deduction as Mockers call it They who say they are Strangers declare playnlie that they seeke a Countrey sayeth the Apostle 3. Yea that it is lawfull to proceede drawing one Consequence after another till wee finde out the full mynde provyding the Collection bee evident in the course of sound Reason as heere it is 2. The Apostle hath proven heere That the Patriarches sought Heaven for their Countrey Because they sought a better than anie on earth THEN 1. The Apostle knew no place for Residence of departed Soules better nor the earth except Heaven onelie If there had beene anie other place such as is feygned to bee his reasoning had not bene solide 2. The PATRIARCHES after the ending of their Pilgrimage heere on earth went Home to Heaven 3. Because they counted themselues Strangers till they came Home to Heaven GOD is not ashamed to bee called their GOD. THEN 1. GOD will honour them that honour Him 2. GOD will avowe Himselfe to bee their Portion who for His Cause doe renounce the Worlde 3. Yea that the LORD may honour such as honour Him Hee will even abase Himselfe to exalt them 4. When the LORD hath so done Hee thinketh it no dishonour to Himselfe to doe anie thing that may honour His Servants 4. GOD did prepare them a Citie which the Apostle before hath called Heaven or the Heavenlie Countrey THEN Heaven was preapared for the Patriarches and the rest of GOD'S Saynctes before they had ended their Pilgrimage on earth And to put them into Hell or anie other place there must bee a doctrine not from Heaven Vers. 17. By Fayth Abraham when hee was tryed offered vp Isaac And hee that had receaved the Promises offred vp his onlie begotten sonne Vers. 18. Of whom it was sayde That in Isaac shall thy Seede bee called ANother Commendation of Abraham's Fayth from the proofe given thereof in his tryall about ISAAC WHENCE WEE LEARNE 1. That where the LORD giveth Fayth there Tryall must bee expected And the greater Fayth the greater Tryall 2. That Fayth is most commendable when it standeth strong in tryall 2. Hee is sayde to haue offered vp Isaac by Faâ—th THEN 1. There is nothing so deare but Fayth in GOD will make a man quyte it at GOD'S Commaund 2. The LORD counteth that to bee done which a man is about to doe ISAAC is counted offered because so was hee in ABRAHAM'S Purpose 3. His receaving of the Promises is heere in another sense than verse 13. for there to receaue the Promises is to receaue the thing promised or the Promises in performance But heere it is to haue the Promises first and immediatelie made vnto him THEN The meaning of formes of speach in Scripture is to bee found by consideration of all circumstances of the place where they are spoken and not of some circumstances onelie 4. It serveth to the commendation of his Fayth that hee obeyed GOD'S Command when It seemed to make the Promise null THEN 1. To adhere to the Promise when by appearance of reason it is lyklie not to bee performed is tryed Fayth indeede 2. When Reason fighteth agaynst Fayth it is wisedome to quyte that Reason which would make vs quyte the Promise 3. When GOD'S Commaundementes and Promises vnto vs seeme to crosse one another it is wisedome for vs to justifie them both All His Wordes are trueth Vers. 19. Accounting that GOD was able to rayse him vp even from the dead from whence also hee receaved him in a Figure ABRAHAM'S looking to GOD'S Fidelitie and Omnipotencie made him victorious over everie difficultie and so to giue obedience to this harde Commandement THEN 1. When wee get hard Commaundementes wee must lay our reckoning howe wee may obey them and not howe wee may shift them 2. Difficulties and impossibilities as would appeare must bee rolled over vpon GOD. 3. GOD'S Omnipotencie maketh that His Promise can not misse but take effect 2. ABRAHAM as hee expected so hee found Hee expected Isaac's resurrection from the dead and in â— Figure or Similitude hee receaved Isaac backe from the dead that is from the jawes of Death no lesse vnexpectedlie than from the dead THEN 1. The Believer shall finde as much as hee can expect from GOD'S Worde 2. If the Performance bee not as hee doeth fore-cast yet it shall bee by a way as comfortable and profitable Vers. 20. By Fayth Isaac blessed Iaakob and Esau concerning things to come ISAAC'S blessing of his sonnes is sayde to bee by Fayth THEN Patriarchall Benedictions were given by ordinarie Fayth albeit from the ground of extraordinarie revealed Trueth For Fayth ordinarie believeth GOD'S Trueth revealed how-so-ever ordinarilie or extraordinarilie 2. In that this Example is propounded for ordinarie imitation in believing of GOD'S ordinarie revealed Word IT TEACHETH VS That hee who hath the ordinarie Word of GOD hath as sure a ground to rest vpon as if hee had a particular and extraordinarie Revelation Vers. 21. By Fayth Iaakob when hee was a-dying blessed both the sonnes of Ioseph and worshipped leaning vpon the toppe of his Staffe IAAKOB a-dying blesseth his Off-spring and worshippeth GOD in bodilie weaknesse THEN 1. Fayth can looke through the Clowde of Death and behold both its
acceptable as in His Well-beloved 3. Hee is OVER THE HOVSE OF GOD Hee hath Authoritie and Power to bring in whom Hee pleaseth and to giue foorth of the Treasure as much as hee will All the Mansions in his Father's dwelling house are his and all at his disposing to open so as none shall shuâ— To him belongeth to giue foorth the sentence of Admission to Heaven and to say Come you blessed of the Father Yea to make this his Authoritie manifest hee will come agayne and take vs vnto himselfe that where hee is wee may bee there also 4. WEE HAVE this high Priest that is hee is ours because 1. Taken out from AMONGST vs one of our number albeit not of our conditions of our nature but separate from our sinfull manners holie and harmlesse 2. Because hee is FOR VS in thinges appertayning to GOD to employ his Moyen and Power for our behooue towardes GOD. 3. Because bound in all Bandes WITH VS of Nature of Grace and Good-Will of the Father's Gift and Appoynctment and his owne Covenant and speciall Contract with vs. So that albeit an vncouth man may possiblie leaue a stranger in his journeye alone yet Christ can not choose to doe so to vs but for the Bandes betwixt him and vs hee will never leaue vs nor forsake vs. Vers. 22. Let vs draw neare with a true heart in full assurance of Fayth having our Heartes sprinkled from an evill conscience and our bodies washed with pure water FROM these Priviledges hee presseth an Exhortation To draw neare to GOD and prescrybeth the Disposition requyred of vs in our drawing neare 1. This Exhortation showeth 1. That true Christians are often tymes so sensible of their owne vnworthinesse that vnder that sense they are enclyned of themselues to stand a-farre off and haue neede of encowragement and invitation to drawe neare 2. That such as are moste sensible of their owne vnworthinesse are moste called to come forwardes vnto GOD for Hee giveth grace to the humble 2. Hee layeth downe the Priviledges in the former Verses and in this draweth on the Exhortation TO TEACH VS 1. That such Priviledges as are graunted vnto vs in Christ must bee receaved and believed as Trueth 2. That wee must studie to make vse of our Priviledges and challenge them for our owne 3. That the weakest of true Believers in Christ may thrust in themselues at the Doores of Grace amongst the holie Apostles for the Apostle putteth the HEBREWES with himselfe in the Exhortation for this ende 3. For our disposition and fitting to drawe neare bee requyreth first That wee haue a true heart Hee sayeth not a sinlesse heart but a true heart that is such a heart as in the matter of believing mynâ—eâ—h no confidence but in GOD'S Grace through Christ onlie and in the matter of GOD'S Service myndeth onelie His will in its ayme and alloweth onelie that which is His will in its censure THEN An honest heart which honestlie acknowledgeth its owne sinnes and fleeth to Christ's Blood for sprinkling whose ayme is vpright endevour vpright and censure of it selfe vpright allowing in it selfe nothing but what GOD alloweth and displeased with that which dispeaseth GOD albeit manie wayes weake and imperfect yet hath libertie to draw neare vnto GOD. 4. The next thing hee requyreth is full assurance of Fayth That is a setled and full perswasion to bee accepted even through IESVS CHRIST THEN Albeit the LORD will not despyse the weakest measure of Fayth and will not quench the smoaking flaxe yet it pleaseth Him better yea it is His Commandement that men studie vnto the full assurance of Fayth for the more thou restest on GOD'S Covenant with thee in IESVS CHRIST the more thou sealest His Trueth glorifiest Him becommest the more lyke vnto faythfull Abraham and gettest the deeper rooting in CHRIST 5. The third is That the heart bee sprinkled from an evill conscience The heart is sprinkled when a sinner sensible of sinne maketh heartie application to himselfe of the Blood of IESVS for remission of sinnes after this heartie application of CHRISTS Blood the Conscience is furnished with a good Aunswere vnto all Challenges and so is made good a comfortable Conscience absolving the man through fayth in IESVS whome it tormented with Challenges before it ran to the Blood of IESVS for sprinkling THEN When-so-ever the Conscience is evill accuseth and vexeth let the vexed heart runne to CHRIST'S Blood and then shall it bee free from an evill conscience For the Blood of IESVS cleanseth vs from all sinne Let the Heart bee sprinkled and the Conscience will bee good 6. The fourth thing requyred in him that draweth â—are as hee should is That his bodie bee washed with â—â—re water That is That according to the sigification of that Legall Rite their outward conversation bee â—â—amelesse and holie sinne beeing so curbed within that it reygne not in their mortall bodie so foughten agaynst within as it breake not foorth in scandalous works of darknesse in the actions of the bodie THEN 1. With a sprinkled Conscience within men must joyne an holie and blamelesse conversation without 2. The washing of the conversation without must proceede from an heart sensiblie acquaynted with the power of the Blood of IESVS 3. And this outward holinesse of the bodie must bee wrought with pure water that is by the Spirite of Sanctification to distinguish the reformation of a Believer from a Counterfeyt who without may looke lyke a righteous man but within bee as a whyâ—ed Tombe full of rottennesse Vers. 23. Let vs holde fast the Profession of our Fayth without wavering for Hee is faythfull that promised ANother Exhortation to avowe the Fayth of CHRIST that is the Doctrine of CHRIST the Trueth receaved from CHRIST and believed and not to quyte it in the tyme of tryall vpon anie condition 1. The requyring to holde fast the Confession of our Fayth or Hope as the word importeth TEACHETH 1. That a true Christian must not onelie holde the Trueth of CHRIST secretlie but must confesse it professe and avowe it openlie where GOD'S Glorie and others good requyreth the same 2. That hee must looke for adversarie powers and Temptations to take that Trueth or at least the confession of it from him 3. That in these Tryals and Essayes hee must holde the faster grippe and avow it so much the more steadfastlie as hee is tempted to quyte it 4. That when hee is put to the Tryall of this Confession of anie poynct of his Fayth hee is also put to the Tryall of the Confession of his Hope Whether his hopes of the promised Salvation in IESVS bee stronger to keepe him steadfast or the Terrour and allurement from men stronger to make him quyte the poynct of Trueth controverted 5. That nothing but this Hope is able to make a man stand out in Tryall if hee bee hardlie vrged 2. Hee will haue the avowing of the Trueth of CHRIST to bee without wavering THEN 1. Men must so
with vs Vers. 10. This was praefigured in the Law Vers. 11. So was CHRIST'S contemptible vsage Vers. 12. And wee must followe Him and bee contented of reproach for Him Vers. 13. For wee haue no place of Rest heere but looke for it heere-after Vers. 14. Therefore let vs followe the Spirituall Signification of those Ceremonies and sacrifice vnto Him our Prayers and Prayse and good workes Vers. 15.16 Obey your Ecclesiasticall Governoures in their Office for their Charge is great and you haue neede not to grieue them Vers. 17. Pray for mee for I shall bee found an honest Man what ever bee mens speaches of mee Vers. 18. But pray you for mee for your owne good Vers. 19. And I pray GOD to finish His begun worke in you graciouslie Vers. 20.21 And because I haue but touched thinges briefelie in this short Epistle take Exhortation in good season when your Teachers doe preasse such Doctrine vpon you more at length Vers. 22. It may bee that TIMOTHIE and I see you shortlie Vers. 23. Deliver our Commendations Vers. 24. And Grace bee with you all AMEN Vers. 25. The doctrine of Chap. XIII VERS 1. LEt Brotherlie loue continue FRom this first Precept LEARNE 1. That the first Fruit of Fayth which GOD requyreth is Loue and constant loue amongst His Children 2. That our mutuall loue must be sincere kyndlie as if it were grounded on Bands of Nature Vers. 2. Bee not forgetfull to entertayne Strangers for there-by some haue entertayned Angels vnawares FRom this Precept LEARNE 1. That wee are readie to forget Charitie to Straungers especiallie to bee Hospitall vnto them 2. That the possibilitie of finding Straungers better men nor wee take them to bee should over-ballance the suspition of their sleightnesse and should set vs on to doe the duetie 3. That if a man intending to doe good doe more nor hee intended to doe it shall bee imputed vnto him no lesse than if hee had intended the same Vers. 3. Remember them that are in Bonds as bound with them and them which suffer adversitie as being your selues also in the bodie FRom this LEARNE 1. That it is no new thing for the World to put Bonds on them who seeke to bring them out of Bondage 2. That Prisoners for CHRIST are readilie forgotten of such as are at freedome 3. Such Mens Bondage should bee esteemed as our owne even vntill GOD set them free 4. That other distressed People also shall bee helped by vs if wee consider what may befall our selues before wee die Vers. 4. Marriage is honourable in all and the Bed vndefiled But Whoremongers and Adulterers GOD will judge FROM THIS WEE LEARNE 1. That Breakers of Wedlocke and vncleane persons in a single lyfe are both reserved vnto GOD'S â—udgement howe lightlie soever men let them passe 2. That Marriage beeing provyded of GOD for a Remedie of Incontinencie maketh Vncleannesse the heavier sinne 3. That seeing it is GOD'S DOCTRINE to commende Marriage for Honourable and hath pronounced it not onlie Lawfull but Commendable in all persons of what-so-ever Place or Calling and hath justified it for Vndefiled to traduce this estate of lyfe as not holie or not beseeming an holie man or an holie Calling and to forbid Marriage to persons of anie calling must bee as it is called I. TIM CHAP. iiij vers 1.2 The doctrine of the Devil Vers. 5. Let your conversation bee without covetousnesse and bee content with such thinges as you haue For Hee hath sayde I will never leaue thee nor forsake thee HEre wee are TAVGHT 1. That the enlargement of our Desires to haue more and more worldlie goods whether wee bee rich or poore is disallowed of GOD. 2. That GOD requyreth Contentation with our present estate howe meane soever it bee and counteth it Covetousnesse not to bee contented 2. To make vs contented hee giveth vs GOD'S Promise made to IOSHVA Chap. 1.5 for our provision innecessaries THEN 1. The Promises made to IOSHVA or anie other holle Man in Scripture for Furniture in his Calling may bee verie well applyed vnto vs for Helpe and Furniture in our Calling 2. Fayth in GOD'S Promise for our Mayntaynance must both stay our feare of want in tyme to come and giue vs contentment with that which wee haue for the present 3. A generall Promise of GOD'S beeing with vs and assisting of vs is as sufficient for all particulars whereof wee stand in neede as if they were expressed Vers. 6. So that we may boldlie say The LORD is my Helper and I will not feare what man shall doe vnto mee BY applying of the Promise made to IOSHVA hee concludeth Warrand to apply DAVID 'S gloriation agaynst all perils PSAL. 118.6 THEN 1. Hee that can apply one Promise to himselfe may confidentlie apply another also 2. The weakest true Believer hath as good ground of confidence in GOD for everie good needfull for Soule or bodie as the LORD' 's chiefe Prophets and as good Warrand to apply the Scriptures to their own vse which speake of them 3. Hee who believeth in GOD needeth not to feare what flesh can doe vnto him 4. Fayth then doeth its parte duelie when it glorieth in the LORD agaynst all opposition Vers. 7. Remember them which haue the rule over you who haue spoken vnto you the Word of GOD whose Fayth follow considering the ende of their conversation THat they may bee steadfast in the Fayth hee setteth before them the Example of GOD'S Messengers who had instructed them in the Trueth and led a lyfe conforme there-vnto WHEREIN HEE TEACHETH VS 1. Who is worthie to bee a Guyde to a People to wit the man who speaketh the Word of GOD and not his owne Dreames believeth the Trueth which hee teacheth and hath his conversation answerable 2. The best respect that a Preacher can craue or that a People can giue to a Preacher eyther in his lyfe-tyme or after is to remember the Trueth of GOD taught by him and to make vse thereof 3. In as farre as Preachers haue spoken the Word of GOD and made it the ende of their conversation People are commanded heere to remember Them and imitate Their Fayth but no farther Vers. 8. IESVS CHRIST the same yesterday and to day and for ever THis Sentence SERVETH FIRST To show the aeternitie and immutabilitie of IESVS CHRIST in Himselfe and all His Properties of Trueth and Loue and Pittie c. AGAYNE It serveth for a Reason of keeping fast the Doctrine taught from Him by our faythfull Leaders because IESVS CHRIST will still allowe and mayntayne that Trueth once given out by Himselfe and can not choose to change His Trueth being first and last lyke Himselfe AND THIRDLIE It serveth to encowrage vs to bee constant in the Fayth because IESVS CHRIST is vnchangeablie the same in loue and care towardes those who belieue in Him in all Ages for their preservation and deliverance in all Cases wherein they can fall for His Trueth as Hee hath given proofe in
and judge againe If prophane Despysers of holie SCRIPTVRE vvho disdayne to reade or obey what GOD commaundeth therein bee not to bee ranked in the same Roll. For GOD draweth so â—igh vnto vs in His Word speaking vnto vs as a king vnto his Subjects or a Master vnto his Servauntes that the obedience or disobedience which wee giue to His Speaches resolveth directlie and immediatelie vpon GOD HIMSELFE For vvhat is it else to heare and belieue and obey GOD but To heare and belieue and obey His Speaches And vvhat is it Nor to take notice of GOD to despyse and disobey GOD but Not to take notice of His Speaches not to reade His Wrytings and not to care for anie thing that Hee commaundeth promiseth or threatneth Therefore hath the LORD written the Great thinges of His Lawe vnto vs even to bee a Touch-Stone not onelie to trye all mens Doctrine there-by but also to trye all mens disposition towardes Himselfe and howe they stand affected to His Honour whether as Foes or as Friendes For What readier way is there to get evidence of a man destitute of the Knowledge Fayth Loue Feare and the rest of the partes of the Image of GOD than to finde him destitute of the Knowledge and Loue of the SCRIPTVRE What surer Signe of a man who for the present is enemie to GOD and to the enlargement of His Gracious Kingdome than to find him traducing the perfect Law of the LORD and marring to his power the free course of the Scriptures light which is the Scepter of CHRIST'S Kingdome Agayne What surer Signe of a Chyld of Promise begotten of GOD than to see him with DAVID PSAL. 119. making more of the Scriptures nor of a kingdome and powring out all his Affections vpon it as vpon the nearest Meane where-by GOD'S Spirit may be conveyed into his soule for perfecting of Holinesse and the readiest Chariot to carrie vp his spirite to dwell in GOD for perfecting of his happinesse Wee shall find also answerable to GOD'S Purpose of trying men by His Scripture His Wisdome giving a due meeting vnto men as they doe make vse of His Scripture Doe they not reade it or doe they reade and not consider it Doe they not weygh what is imported by it in sense and meaning It fareth with them as with those to whom CHRIST sayd MATTH 22.29 You erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Doe they not loue it Behold their Plague 2. THESS 2.10.11.12 Because they receaved not the loue of the Trueth that they might be saved for this verie cause sayeth the Text God shall send them strong delusion that they should belieue a Lie that they might be damned Doe they not steadfastlie belieue what they learne in Scripture In God's judgement with the foolish and vnstable they are suffered to wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction were they never so great wits 2. PET. 3.16 Doe they not studie to giue obedience vnto the knowne Trueth of it He dealeth with them as with Israell PSAL. 81.11 My people would not hearken vnto My Voyce and Israell would none of Mee Hee counteth Himselfe rejected because His Word was rejected But what followeth Vers. 12. So I gaue them vp vnto their owne heartes lust and they walked in their owne counsels But to such as will bee Christ's Disciples indeede Students seeking to grow in Knowledge Beliefe and obedience of His Word seeking to loue Him and keepe His Sayings Hee promiseth IOHN 14.26 to sende vnto them The Spirit of Trueth the Comforter the holie Ghost to teach them all things That is To perfect their knowledge more and more by His Spirit to fill their hearts with joye and comfort according to His Trueth and to make them holie more and more And why are all these styles given Even to show that such as will haue Christ's Spirit to worke anie of these must seeke Him to worke all of these joyntlie or not to haue Him for working anie of them at all Neyther Comfort without Trueth nor Comfort without Holinesse The same is it which Wisdome cryeth PROV 8.34.35.36 Blessed is the man that heareth Me watching daylie at My Gates wayting at the Posts of My Doores For who so findeth Mee findeth Lyfe and shall obtayne favour of the Lord. But hee that sinneth agaynst Me wrongeth his owne Soule all that hate Mee loue Death Therefore howe thou doest hate Death and loue thyne owne Soule howe thou standest affected towardes GOD and the fellowship of the COMFORTER the holie SPIRIT the SPIRIT of TRVETH and towardes the enlargement of the Kingdome of CHRIST let thy affection TOWARDS the SCRIPTVRES more aboundant dvvelling in thy selfe and FOR the SCRIPTVRES more free course amongst others beare witnesse Fare-well THE EPISTLE OF PAVL TO THE HEBREWES WHen Peter wrote his second Epistle to the scattered Hebrewes there was extant an Epistle of Paul to those same scattered Hebrews also received in the Church for a part of Canonicall Scripture distinguished from Pauls â—ther Epistles 2. Pet. 3.15.16 Therefore amongst other reasons this may bee one to make vs thinke this Epistle must be it For it is without reason to thinke that the Churches should bee negligent in keeping such a Iewell commended vnto them by the authoritie of two chiefe Apostles or lose Pauls Epistle and keepe Peters which maketh mention of it The summe of the Epistle BEcause the Hebrews were hardlie drawne from the observation of Leviticall Ordinances vnto the simplicitie of the Gospell and in danger of making Apostacie from the Christian Fayth by Persecution the Apostle Paul seueth before their eyes the Glorie of Iesus Christ in His person farre aboue men and Angels by whose Ministerie the Law was given not onelie as God Chap. 1. but also as man Chap. 2. and in His Office aboue Moses Chap. 3. Threatning them therefore if they should misbelieue Christs Doctrine Chap. 3.4 and aboue the Leviticall high Priest Chap. 5. Threatning them agayne if they should make Apostacie from Him Chap. 6. yea aboue all the glorie of the Leviticall Ordinances as Hee in whom all those thinges had their accomplishment and period of expyring Chap. 7.8.9.10 Threatning them agayne if they should not persevere in the Fayth of Christ vnto which perseverance through whatsoever difficulties hee encowrageth them by the example of the Faythfull before them Chap. 10.11 and by other grounds of Christian comfort Chap. 12. That so in the fruitfull obedience of the Gospell they might follow vpon Christ seeking for that Citie that is to come and not for their earthlie Hierusalem anie more Chapter 13. The summe of Chap. I. IF you shall make comparison O Hebrewes the Ministerie of the Gospell shall bee found more glorious than the Ministerie of the Law For the manner of Gods dispensing His Will before Christ came was by part and part and subject to His owne addition not after one setled manner but subject to alteration and by the Ministerie of men the Prophets Vers. 1. But
anie Angell 2. The Father hath sayde to Christ Sit Thou on my right hand vntill I make thyne enemies thy Foote-stoole THEN 1. Christ's Kingdome will not want enemies 2. Yea his enemies shall bee such as there shall bee neede of divine wisedome and power to overcome them 3. GOD professeth himselfe Partie agaynst all the enemies of Christ's Church and Kingdome 4. GOD will put them at vnder piece and piece and altogether at length 5. Their opposition and overthrow shall serue to glorifie Christ's Kingdome and Governament they shall bee his Foote-stoole 6. In the meane time of this Battell Christ in his owne Person shall continue equall in Glorie and Majestie with the Father beholding the Victorie brought about and bringing it about with the Father vnto his Souldiours comfort Vers. 14. Are they not all ministring Spirits sent foorth to minister for them who shall bee Heyres of Salvation 1. THE Angels are all ministring Spirites THEN 1. Angels are not bodies but their substance is invisible 2. They are all of them even these that are called Arch-Angels the greatest of them but servantes to Christ and none of them must haue their Master's honour that is anie religious worship of prayer or invocation made to them 2. They are sent foorth for Service or Ministring THEN Their employment is about God's Children to attende vs and serue vs at Christ's direction not to bee served by vs by anie devotion 3. Christ's Subjects are called Heyres of Salvation THEN 1. They are Sonnes 2. And what they get is by Heyrship by vertue of their Adoption and Sonneship not by merit of their workes 3. And they shall surelie get Salvation as an Heritage never to bee taken from them The Summe of Chap. II. FRom the former Doctrine hee inferreth seeing Christ is so glorious let his Gospell bee steadfastlie believed Vers. 1. For if the disobedience of the Law given by the Ministerie of Angels was punished Vers. 2. Farre more the disobedience of the Gospell so gloriouslie confirmed Vers. 3.4 For Christ is greater than the Angels even as Man and hath all thinges in subjection to him Vers. 5. As David witnesseth speaking of elected Men with their Head the Man Christ Vers. 6.7.8 And albeit wee see not that subjection yet fullie accomplished Vers. 8. Yet it is begun in Christ's personall exaltation And for his short humiliation vnder the estate of Angels by suffering wee must not stumble For it is both glorious to himselfe and profitable for vs Vers. 9. For God's glorie requyred that our salvation should bee wrought by sufferinges of the Mediator Vers. 10. And to this ende hee behoved to bee part-taker of our nature as was foretolde Vers. 11.12.13 That hee might take on our due punishment that is Death Vers. 14. And deliver his owne from the feare thereof Vers. 15. And herein wee haue a Priviledge aboue the Angels in that hee tooke on our nature and not theirs Vers. 16. And by his sufferinges a ground of so much greater Comfort in Him Vers. 17.18 The Doctrine of Chap. II. Vers. 1. Therefore wee ought to giue the more earnest heede to the thinges which wee haue heard lest at anie tyme wee should let them slip 1. THerefore wee ought to giue heede c. From the Excellencie of Christ's Person hee vrgeth the Beliefe of his Doctrine THEN 1. CHRIST must bee esteemed of as becommeth the Excellencie of His Person 2. The way howe CHRIST will bee respected of vs is by respecting His Doctrine And the Excellencie of His Person should procure our reverend receiving of His Word and steadfast holding of it 2. Hee will haue vs to take heede lest wee should let it slip The word is borrowed from rent and leking Vessels or sandie ground THEN 1. The Gospell is a precious Liquor worthie to bee well keeped And wee of our selues are as rent Vessels readie to let it slip when wee haue heard it or lyke sandie ground which keepeth not the rayne 3. For this wee ought to giue the more earnest heede THEN The Conscience of the worth of CHRIST and His Gospell and of our owne vnfitnesse to retayne it should sharpen our Vigilancie and Attendance to keepe it else wee will doubtlesse let it slip 4. Hee sayeth not lest shortlie but lest at anie tyme. THEN It is not sufficient to belieue the Word for a whyle and for a whyle to remember it but wee must gripe it so as never to quyte iâ— by misregarde or misbeliefe For Fayth and loue of the Trueth is the good memorie that speciallie hee requyreth heere Vers. 2. For if the word spoken by Angels was steadfast and everie transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward 1. HEe reasoneth from the Law spoken by Angels THEN The Angels were employed in giving of the Law they did blow the Trumpet they from GOD vttered the Word to Moses 2. The word spoken by them was steadfast THEN What GOD delivereth by the Ministerie of Messengers is authorized and ratified by GOD. 3. Everie transgression was punished THEN The punishment of transgressours of His Law is a proofe of GOD'S authorizing the Doctrine 4. Hee calleth the Punishment a just Recompense THEN There is no evill befalleth sinners more than they doe deserue None hath cause to complayne of injustice Vers. 3. How shall wee escape if wee neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to bee spoken by the LORD and was confirmed vnto vs by them that heard Him 1. HOw shall wee escape The Apostle joyneth himselfe with them in the Threatning THEN So should Preachers threaten their people as willing to vnderlye the same punishment except they flee the sinne for which they threaten others 2. Hee reasoneth from the punishment of the Law breaking to proue the punishment of misbelieving the Gospell THEN 1. The not-embracing of the Gospell is a greater sinne than the breach of the Law The despysing of Forgiuenesse is much worse nor the making of the fault 2. Examples of judgement vpon Transgressours of the Law are Evidences of greater judgementes to come on the misregarders of the Gospell 3. Hee calleth the Gospell so great a Salvation because of the free Offer of Remission of sinnes and eternall Lyfe in it THEN The greatnesse of the Benefit to bee gotten by the Gospell aggreageth the sinne of the misregarders of it 4. Hee sayeth not If wee reject denye or persecute the Gospell but if wee neglect THEN The neglect of the Doctrine of the Gospell the carelesse receiving of it the not-studying to know it is sufficient to draw downe heavier judgementes than ever fell on the breakers of the Law albeit a man bee not an Vnder-myner or open Enemie to the Gospell 5. Hee descrybeth the Gospell to bee that Doctrine which Christ himselfe preached and his Apostles from him THEN Wee are not bound to belieue anie more for Gospell than that which is made cleare vnto vs by His Apostles word And the misregarding of other doctrine which is not
distinguisheth the Olde Covenant from the Newe by descrybing the Olde what it was howe broken and howe punished For the first the ten Commaundements and the rest of the Lawe delivered vnto them when they came out of Aegypt was the Covenant of olde wherein GOD promised To bee their GOD vpon Condition That they did all that hee commaunded them and they accepted the Condition So Albeit there was Grace heere in sundrie Articles covenanted yet the forme of the Covenant was lyke the Covenant of Workes Compare Ierem. xvij 23 with Ierem. xxxj 31.32.33 c. 2. For the next They continued not in it through leaning to their owne strength and seeking to establish their owne Righteousnesse beeing ignorant of the Righteousnesse of GOD. They dealt deceatfullie in the Covenant and fell to open Idolatrie from tyme to tyme. SO By the Covenant of Workes no man will bee found steadfast 3. For the punishment of it I regarded them not In the Hebrew it is as much as I Lorded it over them That is Vsed My Husbandlie and Lordlie Authoritie over them and so misregarded them Whereof wee haue to learne 1. That as GOD'S Lordship and Husbandship is an Obligation of doing well to the Covenant keeper So is it a Declaration of his just Freedome and Authoritie to punish the Covenant breaker 2. That when GOD is pleased to exercyse his Dominion and Authoritie over Covenant breakers the transgressour falleth in missregarde with GOD that is As little account is made of his lyfe as of one without the Covenant 3. That to bee missregarded of GOD is the summe of all Iudgement 4. That the impotencie of the people to keepe the Olde Covenant did not exeeme them from the punishment due to the breaking of it 4. The LORD maketh their instabilitie in the Olde Covenant the Reason of his making of a Newe one Wherein the Lord's Bountie is verie remarkable Who out of our evill taketh occasion to doe vs so much more good And because of mens instabilitie in the Olde Covenant maketh another Covenant whereby hee maketh vs to persevere in obedience Vers. 10. For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israell after those dayes sayeth the LORD I will put My Lawes into their mynde and wryte Them in their heartes and I will bee to them a GOD and they shall bee to Mee a People THIS is the better Covenant contayning better Promises whereof CHRIST is Mediatour and Suretie vnto all them that belieue in Him Wherein consider 1. That all the Articles are Promises and so doe requyre in the partie that will joyne in the Covenant Fayth to embrace the Promises that the Covenant may bee agreed vnto on both sides GOD promising and the needie Sinner heartilie accepting 2. That what is requyred in the Olde Covenant as a Conditoin is heere turned into a Promise by GOD in the Newe In the Olde Covenant hee requyred obedience to his Commaundementes and heere hee promiseth to wryte his Lawes in our heartes GOD vndertaketh to doe our parte in vs if wee will belieue in Him 3. That the sense of Wantes and the feeling of our Imperfections yea of our heartes wickednesse and carelesnesse both of heart and mynde yea the feeling of the inlacks or defects of repentance fayth are not just hinderances to make a soule that gladlie would bee reconciled with GOD in CHRIST stand abacke from embracing this Covenant But by the contrarie the feeling of sinfulnesse in mynde and heart are Preparations to fitte vs and set vs on to joyne in this Covenant wherein GOD vndertaketh to helpe and remede all these felt evills through His CHRIST by putting His Lawes in our Mynde and wryting them in our Heartes For what is this else but to illuminate our Mynde more and more with the vnderstanding of His Will and to frame our Heart and Affections to the obedience of the same 4. That by the Covenant Comfort is provyded for sinners who are humbled in the sense of their sinnes and no doore opened for presumption nor rowme given to prophane persons to goe on their wayes blessing themselues For the maker of the Newe Covenant praesupposeth two thinges First That His partie renounce his owne righteousnesse which hee might seeme able to haue by the Olde Covenant Next That hee flee for Reliefe to GOD in CHRIST to haue the Benefites promised in this Newe Covenant Which if hee doe it is impossible that hee can eyther leane to his owne Merites or liue in the loue of his sinfull Lustes 5. That by this Covenant such an Vnion is made betwixt GOD and the Believer that the Believer is the LORD'S Adopted Chylde and the LORD is the Believer's GOD All-sufficient for ever promising to bee All to the Believer which TO BEE OVR GOD may importe and to make the Believer All that one of HIS PEOPLE should bee Vers. 11. And they shall not teach everie man his neyghbour and everie man his brother saying Know the Lord For all shall knowe Mee from the least to the greatest 1. WHyle Hee sayeth They shall not teach every man his neyhgbour hee doeth not meane that his Word and Ordinances and Ministerie appoynted by him or brotherlie communion for mutuall edification shall bee missregarded or not made vse of But by the contrarie That hee will himselfe bee their Teacher in these his owne Means First giving his Children a greater measure of the Spirite and a more neare communion with himselfe than of olde 2. Making his Children so wyse vnto Salvation as they shall not hang their Fayth vpon man's authoritie but search by all meanes till they vnderstand the Mynde of GOD the infallible Teacher as hee hath revealed himselfe in his Worde 3. So clearing the Trueth which is outwardlie taught vnto them by his owne Instrumentes after so sure and perswasiue a manner by his Spirit inwardlie that the outward Teaching shall bee no Teaching in comparison of the inward Concurrence according as wee heare those Samaritanes were taught who believed indeede the Womans reporte that they might goe to Christ but when they were come to him got so great satisfaction from himselfe that they sayde vnto her Now wee belieue not because of thy saying for wee haue heard him our selues and know that this is indeed that Christ IOHN IV. 42 So will the LORD inwardlie make his Trueth powerfull vnto Salvation to his owne that they may say to those that are his Instrumentes Nowe wee belieue not because of your saying but because wee haue heard him our selues THEN 1. It is not GOD'S will that other mens Beliefe should bee the Rule of our Beliefe but that wee all search to vnderstand the Scriptures and GOD'S Will revealed therein 2. It is easie from this Ground to aunswere that famous Question How know you such and such Grounds of Salvation Wee aunswere It is an Article of the New Covenant They shall bee all taught of GOD. 2. Hee sayeth They shall all knowe Mee from the least
learne the Trueth that they neede not to change agayne That is Must studie to know the Trueth soundlie and solidlie 2. And having learned it must not say and vnsay one day avowe it and another day quyte it For so GOD getteth not His due Glorie Beholders are not edified the man's Testimonie wanteth weyght with the Adversarie But hee must bee invincible in the Trueth who will neyther alter nor change or diminish anie thing of it for fead or favour 3. Hee giveth this for a ground of Constancie For Hee is faythfull who hath promised That is The Promises which IESVS hath made to such as constantlie belieue in Him shall bee surelie informed that no constant Professour of His Trueth shall bee ashamed THEN 1. Where wee haue a Promise of anie thing made vnto vs in Scripture wee may bee confident to obtayne it and bolde to avowe our hope thereof agaynst such as would teach vs the doctrine of Doubting wherevnto we are of our selues prone and enclyned and agaynst such as shake the assurance of the Sayncts perseverance 2. The ground of our Confidence is not in our selues but in the faythfulnesse of IESVS CHRIST who hath promised such Graces to His Children 3. Our bolde avowing of our Hope is not a bragging of our owne strength but a magnifying of CHRIST'S Faythfulnesse Vers. 24. And let vs consider one another to provoke vnto loue and to good works HEE strengtheneth his former Exhortation by giving of Directions to farther their Obedience therevnto And first for mutuall vp-stirring one of another WHEREOF WEE LEARNE 1. That mutuall Edification of Christians amongst themselues and sharpening one of another is a speciall helpe to Constancie in true Religion and a Preservatiue agaynst Apostasie 2. Prudence is requyred heerevnto that mutuallie wee obserue one another's Disposition Giftes Experience Vertues and Faultes that wee may the better fitte our selues to doe good each one of vs to another and to receaue good each one of another in our Christian conversing together 3. A Godlie stryving one with another who shall bee first in loue and well-doing is better than the ordinarie stryfe who shall exceede others in Vanitie and superfluitie of Apparrell and Fare Vers. 25. Not forsaking the assembling of our selues together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as yee see the Day approaching ANother Meane to this same ende is the frequenting of Christian Assemblies and Meetinges which may farther this purpose of mutuall edification AND THEREFORE 1. Church Assemblies must bee well keeped by such as doe mynde to prooue constant in the true Religion 2. Christian Meetinges also of private Christians for mutuall conference and exhorting one of another is not to bee neglected nor forsaken but to bee vsed for keeping vnitie in the Church and not to foster Schisme or hinder the publicke Assemblies 2. Hee taxeth the fault of some amongst them who in Schisme or purpose of Apostasie with-drewe themselues from all Church Assemblies and Christian Meetinges and fell backe agayne or were in the way of falling backe to the denyall of CHRIST openlie THEN 1. Separation from the true Church and Christian Societie of the Faythfull is a remarkeable evill 2. The Schisme or Apostasie of others should not weaken vs in following anie good Meane of Edification but rather stirre vs vp vnto more diligence lest by negligence wee fall piece and piece backe after their example 3. Hee maketh the approaching of the Day to wit of GOD'S Iudgement a speciall motiue to vse the Meanes diligentlie and make vs constant in the Fayth THEN 1. The Day of GOD'S Iudgement should still bee looked vnto as a thing neare-hand even at the doores because it is but a verie LITTLE and our Day shall come yea and but a LITTLE time till our LORD shall come to Iudgement 2. The consideration of the Daye of Iudgement is a fitte Meane to sharpen vs vnto all good Dueties which may make our reckoning to bee farthered at that Day and to make vs boldlie mayntayne the Trueth agaynst all feare of men Vers. 26. For if wee sinne wilfullie after that wee haue receaved the knowledge of the Trueth there remayneth no more sacrifice for sinnes ANother Motiue to constancie in the trueth of Religion taken from the fearfull case of wilfull Apostates who sinning the Sinne agaynst the holie Ghost are secluded for ever from Mercie I say the Sinne agaynst the holie Ghost because wee shall finde the Sinne heere descrybed not to bee anie particular sinne agaynst the Lawe but agaynst the GOSPELL Not a sinne agaynst some poynct of Trueth but agaynst CHRIST'S whole Doctrine Not of infirmitie but wilfulnesse Not of rashnesse but of deliberation wittinglie and willinglie Not of ignorance but after Illumination and Profession Such as Iewes turned Christians revolting from Christianitie backe agayne to their former hostilitie agaynst CHRIST did commit It is true manie who commit lesser sinnes get never grace to repent and manie who make defection in some poynct of their profession may bee secluded from Mercie there-after but this sinne heere descrybed is a wilfull rejecting of CHRIST and the Benefite of His Sacrifice after Illumination and Profession of the Fayth of CHRIST THEN 1. As Apostasie from the true Religion lyeth nearest vnto this Sinne so they who desire to bee fred of this Sinne must bee the more carefull to bee constant in the profession of everie poynct of the Trueth of the Gospell 2. If a man reject the Benefite of that ONCE OFFERED SACRIFICE of CHRIST there is no other Sacrifice for Sinne after that nor anie other meane to helpe him But if a man seeke vnto IESVS CHRIST and will not quyte Him what-so-ever hee may thinke of the haynousnesse of his owne sinnes the Sacrifice which IESVS offered for sinnes remayneth where-by hee may bee saved Vers. 27. But a certayne fearfull looking for of judgement and fierie indignation which shall devoure the Adversaries HAving secluded the Apostate from Mercie hee goeth on in these wordes to showe his miserable estate WHERE-OF WEE GATHER 1. That the wilfull Apostate from the Fayth of CHRIST is also a wilfull Adversarie to CHRIST of the highest sorte Part-taker of Satan's sinne and Satan's profession 2. That everie Apostate of this sorte is destitute of GOD'S Peace selfe-condemned desperate of Salvation hopelesse of Reliefe without all purpose of Repentance or vsing meanes of helpe stricken with the fore-sight of the Wrath comming vpon him and made to expect it although hee should dissemble it never so much 3. The Apostate's feare shall come vpon him judgement aunswerable to his sinne the indignation and wrath of GOD yea fierie â—ndignation the most terrible that can bee thought vpon which hee shall not escape but it shall devoure him swallowe him vp and feede vpon his bodie and soule even for ever 2. In that hee maketh this the judgement of CHRIST'S Adversaries WEE LEARNE That the soule which loveth CHRIST and can not quyte Him can not
is ended the promised Rewarde is given Vers. 37. For yet a little whyle and hee that shall come will come and will not tarrie HEE encowrageth them to patience by promise of the LORD' 's comming to relieue them shortlie THEN 1. The tearme of Patience is vntill the LORD come to deliver 2. The patient attender on His comming shall not bee disappoyncted For Hee will come and will not tarrie beyonde the due tyme of our necessitie 3. It should strengthen vs vnto patience that the tyme is short and the Deliverie certayne Vers. 38. Nowe the Iust shall liue by Fayth but if anie man drawe backe my soule shall haue no pleasure in him HOw shall they fende in the meane tyme Hee aunswereth from HABAC 2.4 The Iust shall liue by Fayth That is The man who will bee found righteous must not looke to present sense but sustayne his soule with the Word of Promise THEN 1. In the midst of Troubles and GODS felt absence Fayth will content it selfe with the onelie Promises of GOD. 2. Looking to GODS Word by Fayth is able to keepe a soule in lyfe and patience 2. Hee threatneth the missbelieving Apostate that chooseth to drawe backe and not to liue by fayth The wordes of the Prophet are He whose soule is lifted vp in him is not vpright The Apostle betaketh him to the meaning which beeing compared with the Prophet's wordes DOETH TEACH VS 1. That hee who refuseth to liue by Fayth is lifted vp with the false confidence of some other thing than GOD hee hath some strong holde within himselfe wherein hee doeth trust 2. Hee that lifteth vp himselfe in his vayne confidence will drawe abacke from believing in GOD'S Word in the tyme of tryall 3. Hee that draweth backe in the tyme of tryall bewrayeth the want of this sinceritie 4. A back-slyder from the profession of the Trueth is loathsome both to GOD and to His Sayncts Vers. 39. But wee are not of them who draw backe vnto perdition but of them that belieue to the saving of the soule HEE mittigateth the Threatening lest hee should seeme to suspect them of inconstancie THEN 1. Such Threatninges and Exhortations as haue bene given heere doe not importe the vncertayntie of their perseverance who are threatened but standeth with the assurance of the contrarie 2. Hee who threateneth should bee as warie to weaken his hearers fayth as his owne 3. Hearers must vnderstand that the right vse of threatening is to rowse men out of securitie and not to discowrage them 2. Wee are not of them sayeth hee who drawe backe vnto perdition THEN 1. They who drawe backe from constant avowing of the Fayth drawe neare vnto perdition Hee that forsaketh the Crosse runneth himselfe on the Rocke of his owne destruction which is worse 2. The Elect are not of that kynde or sorte of men who fall into Apostasie vnto perdition They may fall for a tyme but are not of them that drawe backe vnto perdition 3. Wee are of them sayeth hee who belieue to the salvation of the soule THEN 1. True Believers are of that kynde of whom all doe persevere 2. Persevering in the Fayth is a going on to Salvation The summe of Chap. XI NOw that you may know the better howe to liue by Fayth consider that Fayth apprehendeth thinges to come as present and subsisting by gripping them in their originall Fountayne which is the Word of Promise and beholding in the Mirrour of the Word the cleare certayntie of thinges as yet not seene to sense Vers. 1. For so were the Elect Beholders and Part-takers of CHRIST before Hee came and were justified Vers. 2. And so haue wee certayntie of the Creation of the World of nothing Vers. 3. By it was ABEL'S person and sacrifice accepted and preferred before his elder Brother Vers. 4. By it was ENOCH made readie for Heaven Vers. 5.6 And NOAH by it saved both in bodie â—nd soule Vers. 7. Fayth made ABRAHAM leaue his â—ountrey in hope of Heaven Vers. 8.9.10 By it SAâ—IA beeing olde got strength aboue the course of nature to become a fruitfull Mother Vers. 11.12 All these vnto their dying day were contented with the fore-sight of the Performance of GOD'S Promises and in hope thereof renounced the Worlde therefore GOD honoureth them as His Confederates Vers. 13.14.15.16 Fayth made ABRAHAM to offer his onelie sonne Vers. 17.18.19 ISAAC and IAAKOB and IOSEPH by Fayth at their death comforted themselues and others also in hope of the Performance of GOD'S Trueth Vers. 20.21.22 The Parentes of MOSES overcame the feare of man by Fayth Vers. 23. MOSES by Fayth got strength to choose the Crosse of CHRIST before the Riches and Honoures and Pleasures of AEGYPT Vers. 24.25.26 Fayth made him constant in his choyse and patient Vers. 27. By Fayth hee got the People of ISRAELL to bee saved when the first-borne of AEGYPT were slayne Vers. 28. By Fayth the deepe Sea gaue open way Vers. 29. High walled Townes were throwne downe Vers. 30. Rachab was saved when others perished Vers. 31. By Fayth numbers of GOD'S Children did wonderfull thinges and receaved wonderfull Comfortes and overcame all Persecutions Vers. 32.33.34.35.36.37.38 All these died in the Fayth of CHRIST and were justified albeit CHRIST was not yet come Vers. 39. GOD having reserved the accomplishment of the Prophesies and Types in the comming of IESVS CHRIST vntill our tyme that the Fathers might not get Salvation except by looking to our tymes and joyning with vs in the Fayth of IESVS in whome they and wee also are perfected Vers. 40. The Doctrine of Chap. XI VERS 1. NOw Fayth is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of thinges not seene HEE poyncteth out the nature of Fayth to helpe them to liue by it THEN Hee that would liue by Fayth had neede skilfullie to search out the nature thereof 2. In descrybing Fayth hee ascrybeth vnto it the propertie of the Worde which Fayth layeth holde vpon For it is the Word properlie which is the substance of thinges not seene THEN There is such an vnion betwixt Fayth and the Worde that what the Worde is in force and effect that Fayth is sayde to bee in force and effect also As Fayth honoureth the Worde so GOD honoureth Fayth in giving it the lyke commendation for force with the Worde What is the originall of the beeing and existence of anie thing but this GOD willeth it to bee or promiseth it shall come to passe or commaundeth that it may bee Therefore let Fayth get a grip of the Promise or Worde and it taketh holde of the thing promised by the foote thereof And in the hand of Fayth doeth Trueth budde out and flowrish vnto the type Fruit of full satisfaction in performance 3. The word EVIDENCE in the Originall is a tearme of Logicke importing that it is the nature of Fayth by Disputation to convince THEN It were wisedome for helping of our weake Fayth to make Syllogismes from the Worde and to reason so convincinglie