to make a bad building These indeed were Christs chief Enemies and could not away with him persecuted him prefer'd Barabbas before him crucified him forbade his Disciples to preach in his name yea imprisoned and scourged them for so doing How came this to pass They had a strong conceit that the Messiah should be an earthly Potentate and that he should continue Moses his Law and Ordinances When therefore they saw the contrary they would none of him but for all they were so expert in the Law yet they fulfilled it to their own destruction in rejecting him that was the fulfilling of the Law and the Prophets See what a strong conceit and prejudicate opinion will do Now their rejecting of him was 1. To shew that God had purposed the Salvation of his Church and building of his kingdom by a way that the wise men of the world never dreamed of 2. That their malice might appear to their punishment and Gods power in resisting them 3. To shew that great men are not always the greatest maintainers of the Truth but miss the cushion oftentimes they be not always friends and furtherers of the Truth but often great lets and arch enemies thereunto Thus it hath been for the manifestation of Gods power who can do his will not onely without the help but against the might of great persons Thus was it in Ahabs time Thus in Jeremiahs Thus in our Saviors They that should have been the first and chiefest entertainers of him preaching to the people hated him excommunicated him and persecuted the people for believing in him so hath it been of long time and is at this day with the chief of Rome Oh they boast themselves to be the onely Church and all that vary from them to be Hereticks and that they have all the marks of a true Church Unity Universality Antiquity with a perpetual succession of Bishops from Peter when yet they are the Enemies of the true Church of God and have still so been a pack of erroneous and pestilent Doctrines they hold contrary to Christs Truth whose Church they persecute with fire and sword The Church never found greater Enemies nor any so great as they that profess themselves to be the Church of Christ. For their succession which they boast of from the Apostles it s very idle and makes no more for them then that Ahab was right owner of Naboths Vineyard because he came into the possession of it or that a Thief having kill'd the master of the house sits down at Table in his chair and eats of his meat Succession is of Doctrine or Person Succession of Doctrine is good Therefore that company that continues in the Doctrine of the Apostles and Fundamental Points thereof though some errors should be mingled and hath the Sacraments pure for the substance that company is a church of God though there be defects in maners for so Christ said of them that sate in Moses chair for though both Doctrine and maners be necessary in a good Pastor yet if he hold the Fundamental Points of Doctrine though he erre in life and maners we reject him not from being a Pastor But as for succession of Person and Place it s nothing For Place Where hath God ever in the New Testament tyed himself or his Church to any particular place or doth he not call it Universal as being in the parts of it spread into all places For Person as though Thieves may not succeed good men and Wolves faithful Pastors Therefore though they could prove that there hath been ever since Peter a continual succession of Bishops in Rome yet this would do them small pleasure but this their Personal succession they cannot prove they agree not among themselves who was first after Peter Again it was broken off sundry times when some of their Popes were condemned for Heresie when there were many Antipopes and in the days of Pope Joan unless they will say that these were true successors of the Apostles But say they could prove this yet what would it avail them seeing they are altogether degenerate from the purity of the Apostles doctrine and are become enemies and persecutors of the same They have overthrown the foundation and almost all the Fundamental Points of Religion and left nothing sound brought in errors and laden the Church with an infinite rabble of idle and most frivolous Ceremonies by their Doctrine overturning almost every Article of the Faith and thereby violating every Commandment of the Law and for the Sacraments they have altogether abolished one and turned it into a Sacrifice and blasphemous Idol and the other they have so besmeared with their filthy inventions that it s nothing like it self Not at all to speak of their filthy maners that besides all other sins are wholly sold to blood and murther as being not from above but from the Devil Who is a murtherer from the beginning we therefore conclude that they are none of the Church of God but a Synagogue of Satan They be the rightful successors of the Apostles that being rightly called do build upon their foundation teaching the purity of Doctrine and administring the Sacraments for substance sincerely whether they have had long succession or have but lately come to their places Thus we see that they which boast themselves to be the Converters of the world the onely Church are the deadliest enemies thereto they which would challenge to themselves to be the great Fathers and Builders of the Church have not onely not built themselves but as the Scribes and Pharisees that kept back the key of knowledge have been the greatest lets to the building whose case is the more fearful seeing they both may and ought and profess to do great matters yet are so far from doing that they altogether hinder 1. This serves to teach us not to stand upon great mens opinion or hang upon their mouth approving and disallowing upon their testimony or example We must herein look onely to the Word of God yet the common saying is Do you think that such great or learned men would say or do so and so if it were not good and right 2. To magnifie the power and wisdom of God that hath used to build his Kingdom and uphold it not onely without the help but against the wills of great men that rather fret then rejoyce thereat Builders They would be so called so reputed But what did they build Errors their own Traditions and humane Ceremonies for which they were very zealous being enemies to the true Building and Builders They are so called not because they were so but because they should have been so their place and office did so require These should have taught the Law and offered Sacrifice in memorial of Christ till his coming and being revealed they should have preached him the Foundation and built up the Church on him But they did quite contrary Hence note 1. That none will take
acknowledge Christ Jesus and our Faith and Hope of Salvation in him as of whom the Prophets foretold and who did every way for time place maner c. fulfil their prophecies of him This we must believe with our hearts and confess with our mouthes in this Faith we must both live and dye The like might be instanced about Justification if by Papists we should be called to an account Thus Moses came often before Pharaoh to justifie his demand thus Elias did acknowledge and maintain the true God and his pure worship against Ahab and his false Prophets so Daniel and the three Children so the Apostles so the Apostle Paul so the Church of Pergamos so the holy Martyrs they could not be drawn from the truth either by promises threats or torments so in this Land in the days of Queen Mary Gods servants shewed good skill in the Word and made known their Christian courage Reasons hereof may be these 1. That it may appear God hath some that know and love and will defend his Truth as the Devil also the contrary 2. That we may declare we be not ashamed nor afraid of men to confess the cause of God 3. That we may confirm our own consciences and may also if possible win others to the truth as Paul had almost done Agrippa No doubt many standers by were won by Pauls defences and the Martyrs and not a few weak ones confirmed the rest being left without excuse 1. This condemneth that horrible wicked practice of the Church of Rome in keeping the people in miserable blindeness and holding it a deadly fin for them to read any part of Scripture in a tongue they understand or any book touching the true Faith and Religion nay read both Scriptures and Prayers to them in an unknown tongue and lock up all knowledge from them and means thereof like the Scribes and Pharisees that took away the Key of Knowledge How shall they then be ready to give an account of their Faith They must believe as the Church believes and that is all they can get onely they preach to them in their own language which yet is but lyes and errors for truth This is most gross robbery of the people Christ bid Search the Scriptures they charge the contrary and curse them that do It s cruel tyranny and murther of their souls they take away their weapons that they may make a prey of their souls as the Philistines did from the Israelites to keep them under Those are not of Moses his minde that wished That all Gods people might prophesie nor of St. Pauls That the Word of Christ might dwell in them richly in all wisdom c. None have need to be discouraged from seeking knowledge for most be too careless and lazy 2. This rebuketh the gross ignorance of most part of people that notwithstanding this light that we have and so many helps of preaching liberty of reading and so many Books of all kindes and of the grounds of our Religion yet know not what they hold nor what be the points of their Religion but as Market news they hear they must serve God and come to Church and must be saved by Jesus Christ but to prove that he is the true Christ or that they must be saved by him and by no other in whole nor in part or that the Scripture is the Word of God they are altogether ignorant and so might be carried away to any Religion This is an horrible sin especially considering the helps and liberty which we enjoy What notorious carelesness is this must we not buy the truth prize the truth know it hold it fast not part therewith Most have such skill in worldly businesses that they are altogether unskilful in the Word regard not the means of their Salvation This is condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darkness more then the light O how many perish for want of knowledge yet are there some which having knowledge but not the love of the truth nor Faith in God will flinch from it if ever they be tryed for there is no hold of him that loves not the truth though he have never so much knowledge as we may read of Dr. Pendleton and others in Queen Mary's time Such if they be in company of Papists of Cavillers or Railers they can stand or sit still and say nothing How would these confess the truth with peril of their lives when they be affriad of a great man c Let such know that Christ esteems them as his enemies For he that is not with him is against him they being ashamed of him in this world he will be no less ashamed of them on the last and great day 3. O then let all of us labor for knowledge and to be grounded in our Religion and to know the points of Catechism and be able to prove them by some place of Scripture so as we may be bold to believe them and stand to the defence of them To this end we must give ear to Catechizing read the grounds of Religion and study the Scriptures in humility and with Prayer having a care to know the will of God and to be guided by it and to stand in the defence of it to Gods glory against such as oppose it This is the glory of a man of a Christian to make confession of his Faith in Christ and stand to the defence of it this God may justly expect of us it hath been performed by them which had not the hundredth part of the means which we have O let us both love and live in the Truth sticking close thereto whatsoever it cost us And if at any time we shall hear it spoken against we must have the zeal of God in us to stand in the defence thereof Thus confessing Christ here among men he will confess us before his Father in Heaven and his holy Angels Of the hope that is in you Faith and hope must be rooted in our hearts ere we utter the same with our tongues In vain do we talk of things whereof we have not the inward feeling With meekness and fear Here 's the maner for good things must be done in a right maner we must temper our courage and zeal in setting out the truth with meekness and fear we must avoid pride and insolency by forgetting our places or those we have to speak to or breaking out into violent speeches mockings gibings or such like for so we may do much hurt and this is unbeseeming the Spirit of Gods Servants Besides the things we speak of being the matters of God our speech and behavior must be sutable thereunto This rebuketh the preposterous zeal of some which defending the truth and a good cause forget duty and respect to their Superiors and break out into violent and unseemly speeches and be at defiance by and by and straight condemn
A GODLY FRUITFUL EXPOSITION Upon all the FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER BY That Pious and Eminent Preacher of the WORD of GOD JOHN ROGERS of Dedham in ESSEX JOHN 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testifie of me 2 PETER 1. 20 21. Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation For the prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost LONDON Printed by JOHN FIELD and are to be sold by Peter Cole at the Sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange 1650. To the Reader THe Name alone of the Author of this Exposition and Commentary doth put a great price and value on it yea command thy reading and study of it It is the work of John Rogers Minister of Dedham in Essex written by his own hand Being dead he yet speaketh that is his Name is as a sweet savour poured forth and his praise amongst the Saints in all the Churches of Christ wheresoever he is spoken of this may be said of him That he was a burning and a shining light having a heart inflamed with love to Christ Truth and the Souls of men his words were as sparks of fire As his light directed his zeal so his zeal wrought with his light and made it powerful Animum non faciunt qui animum non habent Some Books are like a frosty day clear but dry and cold and leave the Reader in the same temper As in preaching so in writing also the stirring of the heart and affections should be endeavored as well as Information and such words be used and so set as may rather make a Sermon then a Tract and beget rather a love to the Matter as this Author endeavoreth then an opinion or an esteem of the VVriters abilities He was a Scribe indeed taught of God instructed and prepared for the Kingdom that is the Church of God having yea being a Treasure of things both new and old that is of all sorts of Doctrine and all ways of Application of them He was a Boanerges a Son of Thunder for the power and efficacy God gave unto his Ministry and a Barnabas a Son of Consolation too As the Thunder shaketh the Pillars of the Earth overthroweth the Rocky Mountains causeth the wilde and savage Beasts to fear and as the Lightning powerfully insinuates it self breaking the bones but not the flesh So was it the pleasure of the Lord to bring down by his Ministry the high and stout hearts of many rebellious ones and to lead them in subjection to his wil through Christ To throw down and to build up by him even as high as Heaven As the Scriptures give us the Genealogies of the Saints so many came out of Adam Abraham c. How numerous are the Children whom this Author hath had given him by God Many Families persons of all sorts and ranks in many Counties and Nations even so far as his sound went forth will and do acknowledge him to have begotten them to God and call him Blessed Reader read his VVorks and thou shalt know him work what thou readest on thy own heart that thou mayst be like unto him one of his children also which is the hearty desire of him who cannot but make this honorable mention of the Author and is May 1650. Desirous of thy good in Christ SIDRACH SIMPSON THE CONTENTS OF THIS EXPOSITION Page THe scope of this Epistle both general and particular with the several parts thereof and matter contained therein 1 CHAP. I. Verse 1 2. 1. THe sum and parts of the Preface 2 2. The several names of this Apostle and why so named ibid. 3. What names Parents are to give to their Children ibid. 4. Such as set forth Books ought to set their names thereto ibid. 5 Why some worthy men have not done thus 3 6. Wherein the Apostles differed from all other Ministers ibid. 7. A Minister must have an inward calling and an outward ibid. 8. Why our Apostle nameth his Apostleship 4 9. Repentance wipeth away our sins 5 10. Why the Jews were called strangers ibid. 11. Among them there were sundry believers ibid. 12. Gods Church here on earth is under persecution 6 13. Lawful to fly in the time of persecution 7 14. The large extent of the Church under the New Testament ibid. 15. The Apostles diligence and care in his charge ibid. 16. God hath chosen some to salvation 8 17. How we may know the election of others ibid. 18. Christians must so live as that even others may be perswaded they belong to God 9 19. Why God decreed to save some ibid. 20. The ends why we were elected 10 21. Sanctification the end of our Redemption ibid. 22. Christs obedience and sufferings the meritorious cause of our Salvation 11 23. Christs death is to be particularly apprehended by faith 12 24. A proof of the holy Trinity 13 25. Election the work thereof ibid. 26. Why Gods favor is to be sought ibid. 27. Ministers must labor that their people may be brought into Gods favor ibid. And may grow in grace 14 Verse 3. 1. THe sum and substance of the whole Epistle 14 2. Gods blessing man mans blessing man and mans blessing God 15 3. Gods mercies to be thought on and spoken of with admiration ibid. 4. We must not think or speak of God but with reverence 16 5. Why God is termed the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ibid. 6. Gods Son why termed Jesus Christ our Lord ibid. 7. What meant here by Hope 17 8. Assurance of Salvation comes not by nature 18 9. The means whereby God works Faith ibid. 10. Why termed a lively hope 19 11. Gods free favor the cause of all our good 20 12. Man could not be saved without abundant mercy ibid. 13. The means whereby we are begotten to this hope 22 14. Benefits arising from Christs Resurrection ibid. Verse 4. 1. THe Kingdom of Heaven why termed an inheritance 23 2. The happiness of Gods people in heaven abideth for ever 24 3. Why termed undefiled ibid. 4. The Kingdom of Heaven always one and the same ibid. 5. God hath appointed to glorifie his Saints in Heaven 27 6. The prevention of a conceit of the Jews and of an Objection 28 7. Gods Children shall not miss of Heaven 29 8. To be particularly assured of Heaven a special comfort ibid. Verse 5. 1. THe prevention of another doubt 30 2. Gods Children have many Enemies to hinder their salvation 31 3. Christians cannot stand of themselves 31 4. Gods almighty power is sufficient to uphold us against all our enemies 32 5. Gods people are kept through Faith 33 6. How Faith bringeth us to Salvation ibid. 7. Christians must not look here for outward prosperity 34 8. The fulness of our happiness not to be had here 35 9. The
1. EVery natural man is like a beast 378 2. Every unregenerate man is out of his way 379 3. How they come to be misled 379 4. No natural man can of himself come home to God 380 5. The natural man is in continual danger ibid. 6. All believers are in a safe condition 381 7. The Ministers of the Word are Shepherds under Christ 382 CHAP. III. THe contents of this Chapter 385 Verse 1. 1. MArriage in Gods account an high and honorable state 385 2. Both husbands and wives must learn to know their duty ibid. 3. The duties of wives ibid. 4. Why the Apostle insisteth so largely about the same 386 5. Gods Ministers have been at all times liable to be slandered ibid. 6. The prevention of an Objection ibid. 7. Wives must be subject to their husbands ibid. 8. Wherein their subjection consisteth 387 9. Wives must be subject even unto bad husbands 388 10. Wives are not to marry irreligious husbands 389 11. Such as live in disobedience are unbelievers ibid. 12. Good examples excellent preparatives to conversion ibid. 13. Wives professing Religion must shew it by their behavior towards their husbands for their conversion ibid. Verse 2. 1. HOw bad husbands may be won 390 2. Chastity and reverence why required of wives ibid. 3. What chastity is and by whom it is to be observed 391 4. How wives ought to fear their husbands ibid. Verse 3 4. 1. A Preservative of subjection and chastity 392 2. What apparelling it is that the Apostle forbids ibid. 3. How far costly apparel is forbid and to whom and when 393 4. Rules about wearing of apparel ibid. 5. The matter and maner thereof considered 394 6. Reasons against access in apparel 395 7. Objections answered 397 8. An useful meditation upon the putting on and off of our apparel 398 9. A remedy for excess of apparel ibid. 10. Inward purity required ibid. 11. Our principal care should be to adorn the soul ibid. 12. The covetous and curious reproved 399 13. Grace is of an incomparable nature 400 14. A meek and quiet spirit the proper ornament of a good wife 401 15. The worth of grace ibid. 16. It s of great price in the sight of God ibid. Verse 5 6. 1. REasons of the forementioned Exhortation 401 2. The amplification of either reason ibid. 3. The examples of Gods servants are to be followed in all their vertues 402 4. Antiquity joyned with verity is to be esteemed ibid. 5. There have been always holy women as well as men 403 6. Why women are as forward as men ibid. 7. It s needful there should be good women 404 8. Holiness is that which commends one ibid. 9. Marriage no hinderance to holiness ibid. 10. Holiness cometh by faith in Christ 405 11. Holiness may be where there are weaknesses ibid. 12. Wives cannot perform their duty aright unless they be holy ibid. 13. Why more good men then women are mentioned in Scripture ibid. 14. Why wives must imitate Sarahs obedience and reverence 406 15. It s not enough to do duties unless done in a right maner ibid. Verse 7. 1. SUperiority exempts not from duty 407 2. Wherein the husbands duty consisteth ibid. 3. Husbands stand in no less need of instruction then wives ibid. 4. Husbands are to dwell with their wives ibid. 5. In what cases they may be absent 408 6. Husbands must be men of understanding 409 7. In what particulars the same will appear ibid. 8. What honor the husband is to give to his wife 410 9. The particulars implyed therein 410 10. The Reasons thereof 411 11. Sundry sorts of husbands reproved ibid. 12. Objections answered 412 13. Wives are the weaker vessels 14. Wives are no less heirs of the grace of life then their husbands 414 15. Husbands should pray with their wives ibid. 16. Whatsoever may interrupt our prayers is to be avoided 415 Verse 8 9. 1. THere must be between Christians unity in Religion ibid. 2. Who disagree from the truth in the foundation 416 3. Who holding the foundation do yet erre from the truth ibid. 4. Differences for matters of ceremony 417 5. The evils which ensue hereupon ibid. 6. Differences about private Opinions ibid. 7. There must be unity in our conversation ibid. 8. Christians must be of like affection each to other 418 9. That Christians may love one another what they are to do and what to avoid 420 10. What pity is and that we must pity our selves ibid. 11. We must pity the souls of others 421 The Reasons 422 12. Why we must pity the bodies of others 423 13. Means conducing hereunto 424 14. We must be pitiful to our beasts ibid. 15. What courtesie is and that Christians are to be courteous 425 And how it shews it self ibid. 16. Christians must not revenge themselves on their Enemies 426 17. Lawful revenge on our selves and others 427 18. Gods children must even outwardly differ from the wicked ibid. 19. We must requite evil with good ibid. 20. An Objection Answered ibid. 21. Another Objection Answered 428 22. Reasons why we are to requite evil with good ibid. 23. The effectually called are willing to do any thing for God 429 24. The excellency and worth of effectual calling ibid. 25. How to discern hereof ibid. 26. Why many Christians are unsetled herein ibid. 27. The word always perswades us to our good 430 28. Christians are a blessed people ibid. Verse 10 11. 1. VVHy we ought to be patient and requite evil with good 431 2. A peaceable and patient man shall live the longer and the quieter ibid. 3. Life and long blessings of God which his children may desire 432 4. Why the godly are at sometimes taken away by death ibid. 5. Long life proveth not a blessing to the wicked and yet might ibid. 6. In what respects it may be lawful to desire to live 433 7. Whence it is that most are desirous to live long 433 8. In what respects days may be said to be good here and in what evil 434 9. Mens days be usually evil ibid. 10. Mans life short ibid. 11. Good days are a blessing of God ibid. 12. The wicked may live long yet have not good days 435 13. Prosperity why denyed for the most part to Gods children ibid. 14. Whether we may pray for prosperity ibid. 15. Whether we may pray for afafliction 436 16. Whoso would be happy must refrain from evil speaking 437 17. Means whereby to bridle the tongue ibid. 18. Reasons inducing thereunto ibid. 19. We must abstain from the close and covert evils of the tongue 438 20. Guile to be avoided in Religion towards God ibid. 21. Guile to be avoided in carriage towards men 439 22. What the evil of sin is and that we must avoid it 440 23. The evil of sin worse then the evil of punishment ibid. 24. All sins are to be eschewed ibid. 25. They are to be eschewed at all times in all places with all the kindes thereof under
have some extraordinary motion of the Spirit of God to the contrary as it 's written of some of the Martyrs or finde themselves as yet not strong enough to endure their rage Those I say may slie to be reserved as a seed to propagate the Church afterward Throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bythynia The places whereunto they fled for habor were Regions and Countreys in Asia the less where there were then famous Churches Note hence 1. The large extent of the Church of God in the time of the New Testament that whereas before it was kept within the pale of Judea in the New since our Saviours ascension it 's dispersed over all Nations far and wide from the Sun-rising to its going down that it might be fulfilled which God spake to Abraham that in his seed all the Nations of the world should be blessed But what 's become of those Churches of Asia now They are all lamentable to be spoken under the tyranny of the Enemy of God and Christ Jesus the Turk They are now no Churches but Synagogues of Satan cages of unclean birds so are also the Churches to whom Saint John wrote in his Revelation Be we not therefore high minded but fear for if God hath not spared the natural branches take heed lest he also spare not us yea considering our luke-warmness unthankfulness contempt of the Word and such other our crying sins we have cause to fear the like judgement 2. The singular diligence and care of this holy Apostle over the charge committed to him Not onely did he preach to them being present with them but wrote also being absent being in persecution and scattered throughout strange Countreys he encourageth them unto constancy and that they should not faint under their troubles of such helps there is great need in such cases and at such times He was careful not onely to gain them to God and the Faith but to hold them fast that as they were begotten so they might be nourished up in the faith as they were converted so he was careful to confirm them this being no less necessary then that For Non minor est virtus quam quarere parta tueri having offended but again put in trust with the sheep he is now careful of his Commission which is set down for the example of all Ministers even as we love Christ so will we must we feed his sheep and lambs We must labor by all diligence and faithfulness to convert and build up yea in times of sickness or any affliction when Satan waits to tempt them and they be weak we are to come and strengthen them we are to shoar them up that they reel not to comfort them that they despair not But how do they perform this duty that never come at their charges seldom or never preach put it off to another though never so unfit how also they that either preach not or but unprofitably which come not to a poor or mean mans house upon any occasion How shall they be able to answer the great Shepherd of the sheep when they shall be called to an account See Heb. 13. 17. Elect c. Here he describes them by their inward estate to God-ward I will not here handle the common place of Election I have done it at large and I reserve such things to Catechizing onely now of such things as are necessarily occasioned by the text whereof this may be one That God hath chosen out some men to salvation as he did of the Angels which are called the Elect Angels Before the world he Ordained and decreed some persons to obtain salvation even the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory See to this purpose Acts 13. 48. Eph. 1. 4. 1 Thess. 5. 9. This must needs be so for whatsoever falls out in the world universally or particularly God in his eternal and unchangeable decree Ordained the same And if wise men do not especially great things whereof they have not before deliberated much lels doth God Let us hold fast this truth inviolable according to the Scriptures casting away all carnal conceits of cruelty or the like in the Lord and with the Apostle Paul what we cannot understand learn we to adore and admire Q. But how could the Apostle know they were Elect may one know the Election of another A. For our own we may as we shall hear by an by for others we may also though not with the same knowledge and judgement of certainty because the heart of man is known to none but to God only and a man may go far who yet may fall away but with the judgement of charity which hath degrees according to the fruits we see in them if they only profess Religion and be in the Church we may hope but it is but weak hope where we see no fruits where we see some good likelihoods of religion some good beginnings we may more strongly be perswaded for to such a man may say If these things be in you in truth you are the very Elect of God Now when we see the fruits of faith sanctification and godliness in men and that they shew it not by fits but constantly not in some things but in all not in prosperity onely but in adversity too in persecution and under the Cross we may the more yea very boldly judge of them as the Elect of God and so doth out Apostle here as appears by the next words Unto Sanctification of the Spirit He saw good signs of Sanctification in them and that they suffered persecution for Religions sake therefore he so hoped of them he so stiles them We should not onely labor to have sound testimonies to our selves of our Election and Salvation but so live as we may get a good and full testimony thereof in the conscience and minde of the Church and Brethren with whom we live For a good name in the Church is a precious thing and much to be desired The voice of the Church is the voice of God We are so to live that whatsoever befalls us as to die suddenly or strangely or to have great and extraordinary afflictions while we live our lives notwithstanding may have spoken so well for us as we may have good report while we live and when we be dead So have many poor godly ones in Scripture and in our times when great and mighty ones that have been wicked their names be rotten and so not at all or else stinking and so as a dunghil or puddle which the more it is stirred the more it stinketh They therefore that live vilely in their lusts bring an ill name upon themselves who can judge they are Elect or shall be saved yea many be desperate they care not what men say as bad a sign as can be such also as walk hollowly and by halfs in some things well and in some other taking
so glued to these things that they savor and minde no other life nor offer of any such thing A number of prophane people will not part with their sins though to obtain such a benefit And there be such a number of other Comes that calls and carry them away that though Christ call Come few follow him The Devil saith Come and they flock after him The World saith Come and they flock after it The flesh saith Come and they follow it thick and threefold even striving who shall follow it fastest But if they had wit to see whether these Comes tend they would not be so forward The Devil calls Come as the Fowler calleth the Bird into his Net The World calls Come and serves her followers as Dalilah did Sampson and Jael Sisera The flesh calls Come but all that follow it shall dye The Harlot also hath a Come but her Chambers go to Death and Hell and he that goeth in into her is led as an Ox to the slaughter the like might be instanced of others So that Christ by his Ministers might cry Come but few hear and follow O what woful unthankfulness is this Did Christ come down from Heaven to us and will not we come to him one whit Hath he taken so long a journey and come to offer himself and do we refuse O horrible ingratitude Yea what mischief is this to our selves Is it not to seek our own destruction If a King should send a gracious Pardon to a company of Traytors that had deserved Death and they should go on and set light by it would he not send an Host of armed Soldiers to destroy them So may the Lord justly deal with us You are told you are undone without Christ that he can and will save you if you come to him if you will not you cannot but perish and whom then will you blame O whose heart should not leap at such an offer and coming in yield himself and say O it s the first bargain I 'le make the best that ever I shall make How many thousands would be glad to hear such things as these that do not nor are vouchsafed the favor Do you think ever to have a better offer to make any better of your sins then to renounce them and embrace Christ O consider of this and renounce all other Comes which you have already followed and at last ere it be too late embrace this most blessed offer O fall down and humble thy self O but will he ever pardon and receive me who have been thus and thus It s no matter what thou hast been not number nor greatness of sins can let if thy heart could be truly humbled there 's the greatest doubt He as the true Samaritan will pour wine and oyl in thy wounds He is the true pool of Bethesda now the water is stirred step in and though thou hast been Thirty and eight years yea Forty eight and more sick of deadly sin thou shalt be cured Christ is a perfect Physitian what disease is there that he cannot cure The Urinals that stand so abundantly in Physitians and Apothecaries houses may condemn the world seeing there be so few seek to the spiritual Physitian labor to see thy misery understand and apply the Law to make the soul sick as some make themselves sea-sick When thou art touch't deeply with thy misery come to Christ he will do thee good If being burthened with thy sins thou goest to the Devil for councel he will tell thee thy â—ins be unpardonable no mercy better rid thy self out of the way as Judas If thou go to the world they will bid thee be merry and put away these melancholly dumps and thoughts Ride abroad go to Cards Dice haunt Ale-houses c. and go to no more of these Preachers and Sermons they put folks out of their wits that 's the good they do People that were honest folks and lived at quiet since they have used to go after them are grown full of fancies But if you come to Christ he will take pity on you ease comfort and save you O be perswaded will you perish rather then humble your selves will you cast away your souls for love of your lusts We will hereafter for we know that else there is no Salvation O that 's the Devils word Hereafter he knows delays to be dangerous Accept it whilst it is offered lest thou never come to it again If thou despise it thou shalt hear a fearful Go ye cursed If thou wilt embrace it thou shalt hear a comfortable Come ye blessed The Lord perswade your hearts and cause many to come this day if it be his blessed will As unto a living stone The next priviledge of a Christian by Christ is that being come to him he conveyeth of that spiritual Life and Grace that is in himself into every of them which is here set down under the similitude of a building of which there be two parts 1. The Foundation 2. The rest of the House raised and built thereupon which be so coupled as they make but one building For the Foundation which is Christ Jesus he is compared to a stone because as that 's used for a foundation in an house of moment as being sure lasting firm and perpetual So is Christ Jesus the Foundation that bears up his Church and by which it is saved a sure firm and perpetual Foundation without whom there is no hope of Salvation he being the way the truth and the life He that brings another Gospel let him be accursed If he come like an Angel spit on his face defie him to Hell Adam and all since have been saved by him and all that are or ever shall be what he did no other could do and that he did which was needful for our Salvation 1. This condemns all that build not upon this Foundation but on another either in whole or in part as 1. The Jews that look for a Savior in the Ayr that will come they know not when 2. The Turks that build on a deceitful cursed Mahomet that will never come till he be hailed before the Judgement-Seat of Christ for his Blasphemies 3. The Papists who though they acknowledge Christ in word to be the Redeemer and Savior of the World yet they so pull from him and adde to him as they leave him but a bare Name and Title for then is Christ the Foundation and so acknowledged when we acknowledge Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification Redemption Satisfaction Life and Glory to be in him and in him alone Contrarily they attribute part of these to their own Merits Masses Pardons Satisfactions and so they rake together a deal of Rubbish to joyn with the Foundation which will not be for he is an whole Foundation or none of them some few whose eyes God opens in their end as finding no certainty nor sure rest in any thing of their own do renounce themselves and all
so great names to themselves as those carnal minded men who do least good of all nay rather do hurt Yet will these ever challenge most to themselves as the Popish Priests I warrant you ascribe more to themselves then the most faithful Pastors and so do a number of lazy Ministers at this day 2. That such have been ever greatest enemies to faithful Builders which have challenged to themselves the name of Builders being indeed nothing less The Churches enemies are often in her bosom and godly Ministers as Micaiah Jeremiah the Apostles have lightly no greater enemies then those of their own coat and calling so the Popish rabble hate all good Protestant but especially godly and painful Preachers The Jews had no greater enemies then they that seemed desirous to help them in building 3. That its the duty of Gods Ministers to be Builders of Gods Church so they are stiled they are also called Laborers and Workers We must build by all means with both hands Doctrine and Conversation All must be done to Edification and not to Destruction in the Church all must be done for nothing against the truth We must build by preaching Christ the Foundation and build thereon not Wood Hay Stubble false Doctrine but Gold Silver Precious Stones answerable to the nobleness of the Foundation We must daily edifie by Preaching dividing the word aright which was signified by that Urim and Thâ—mmim written on Aarons breast light of Doctrine and integrity of Life we must keep the Faith even soundness of Doctrine in a good Conscience 1. This rebukes those that build with neither hand but rather destroy like the foolish woman in the Proverbs Thus the Papists who be woful Builders They overturn sound Doctrine and build trash of their own devising as if one would come to an house to build and would put up the groundsels and rear up a house of leaves sticks and boughs so do they Toys and Ceremonies So also those that would build with one hand live honestly but Preach not These be willing guides but know not a step of the way A man cannot be an honest man in that calling that is not an honest Preacher His goodness must appear in his particular calling A Minister ought not only to be a Sheep in the Fold but a Pastor of the Flock not only a stone in the Building but a Builder So those that build by Preaching but pull down by Life O pitiful people and O dreadful answer that such have to make which have undertaken to Build and yet pull down The curse will light on such No Minister can do this as he ought Who is sufficient for these things O le ts labor to Build worthily 2. There 's comfort to them that unfeignedly strive to build both ways As it s a special work they do to help up the Lords Spiritual Temple so their reward shall be great in the Kingdom of Heaven O happy is he that layeth but one stone into the building and holds in the rest Oh it s the greatest honor in the world other men deal about mens bodies or goods we about their souls others build houses for men what though for Kings we a Spiritual house for God himself who would not be encouraged hereby against whatsoever discouragements this world their 's especially which should most encourage us gives us 3. We must pray to God to furnish and send out many wise and able Builders into his Church that may be workmen that need not be ashamed that may lay the Foundation well and build answerably thereupon The Lord send such into his Church But though Ministers be chiefly Builders of the Church yet we are to know that every man also must be a Builder and help the work forward both of himself by working the things that are publikely delivered on himself in private and by other private means as also one of another by Admonition Exhortation Consolation example of Life and Prayer For we are not born for our selves only but to help to save as many as possibly we can Every man must put his hand about this work Being converted we are to help forward the conversion of others As formerly we drew others to vanity so must we now draw them to grace But alas great is the Impiety and carelesness of the times this way Impiety How few seek to build up but rather to destroy by their vile example yea by reproaches discouragements and logs laid in the way of any that would come forward and desire to do better then they have done O how few helpers do Gods poor servants finde There 's none so simple but hath somewhat whereby to discourage and hinder them yea oftentimes even Husbands and Wives prove lets and discouragements to each other O these wicked scatterers from Christ That will neither enter into the Kingdom of Heaven themselves nor serve God nor suffer them that would If they that win men to God shall shine in Heaven what shall become of the enemies of Christs Kingdom which do daily turn men from God he will be fearfully revenged on them These be like Devils that turn'd our first Parents out of the way Herein I may yet go more particularly thus 1. By example they destroy altogether 2. For admonition for any thing amiss they are rather content thereat and if men did otherwise these would not like it so well If any of Gods servants do amiss their admonition is to blaze it abroad in hatred of their persons and profession 3. For consolation if any be afflicted they can say little to it but I pray be of good comfort nay haply utter much idle talk If any be humbled for sin either they give it out that they are mad and that through running to Sermons or at the furthest bid them be merry put away melancholly thoughts ride abroad to their Friends Drink Play c. Miserable comforters in-indeed 4. For Exhortation to them that be going on well they do quite contrary though they loved them never so well before now they hate revile and discourage them all they can Yea the carelesness even of those that profess Religion is to be lamented It s a very lamentable thing to see how every one casts off the care of others as though it concern'd them not who admonisheth comforteth exhorteth c. And for example is it not grievous that some that make great profession of Religion yet walk so loosly or have so foul things fall from them as that in stead of edifying the godly are wounded the weak daunted the wicked hardened in their courses against goodness nay occasioned to speak ill of the Gospel and Profession and professors thereof Such have lived to an ill pass it had been better they had been taken away at the best if ever there were any soundness in them These had need
their hearts and lives and are more cunning in points of Church Government then in points of Sanctification yet we doubt not but some true servants of God have been misled and their tender consciences have stumbled whom God hath enlightened and brought from among them and who have had more peace in a day in coming to the Word from them and joyning with the Church again then they had before in a whole year 10. Some say There be so many Religions in the world that they cannot tell which to take There be Jews Turks Anabaptists Familists Papists Protestants Lutherans Calvinists Brownists c. every of which say they have the truth and what should such plain men as I do for my part I think it the wisest course to meddle with none of them all but follow my own business till they all agree which is the Truth not troubling my self at all with any thing they say I may come to Church because of the Law but I will never greatly regard what is said or spoken there A. A bad excuse is better then none at all but this will not serve mens turn Though there be many that say They have the Truth yet there is but one Truth and this is to be found out of such as are not willing to be ignorant as these Objectors commonly be Its no marvel that there hath been ever and will be that envious one that soweth Tares where the good husbandman soweth Wheat There have ever been Hereticks and false Teachers in the Church that they which are approved may be known but by the light of the Word which is able to shew men the Truth the servants of God willing to learn the same have found it out Zachary Elizabeth Mary Nathaniel and thousands of others found it out though the Jews at that time were rent into many Sects Scribes Pharisees Sadduces Essenes c. They did the will of God and were Christ sheep therefore heard his voyce and were instructed in the Truth And it is extream madness in any to neglect the finding out of the Truth because there is some difficulty seeing without the knowledge hereof they perish eternally The more falshood there is the more it stands them in hand to search for the Truth or else they shall perish in their ignorance as others do in their error We must buy the Truth we must strive both to finde it and maintain it The Truth must be had else we dye In worldly things men be wiser As if one dwell some distance from the Market and in the way to it he must go over a great Common where lie a great number of by-paths some to one place some to another will he for this stay at home and want necessaries and say I will never go lest mistaking my way I lose my Market No but he will rather get one that knows the way to conduct him therein whereto he will take good heed that he may not mistake at any other time Or will he neglect to buy necessary provision because there be so many deceitful people in the world and so starve at home No but he will say There be false wares and deceitful men but I le learn skill to know the one from the other to discern the good from the bad so that some difficulty taketh not away mens care but rather whetteth and increaseth it This worldly wisdom will condemn mens folly and madness in heavenly things We must therefore get skill in Gods Word whereby to try Doctrine and that by earnest prayer unto God there be plain places of Scripture that will confute the errors that shall be broached by them we must be judge These things I speak because I would have all get over these logs if they have hitherto stumbled and if we have got over we may be able by good Arguments to help over others our weak brethren that are willing to learn that they may be able to confute any caviller or answer any that shall kick at these things And I pray and beseech you look to it let there be none here so ill minded toward himself that having stuck at any of these he be willing and still content so to do concealing the same neither desiring to be rid out of the fetters thereof This is dangerous indeed especially take heed that there be not such an ill minde and vile disposition in any as not to be content alone to cast off Religion upon these occasions and pretences but labor to lay them in the way of others to draw them from God O fearful thing Cannot you your selves be content to cast off God but will you labor to bring others also to destruction O these enemies to God and his kingdom what will be their end and where shall they appear For if they that win souls shall shine as the stars what shall they do that destroy souls As the ten Spies that went with Caleb and Joshua bringing up an ill name and slander upon the Land of Canaan whereby they discouraged their Brethren from going toward it were shut out and perished so they that bring up an ill name upon the zealous Profession of Gods true Religion and discourage their Neighbors from it will assured perish in endless confusion Against the Preachers of the Word Offences also are taken as 1. Some say There is a deal of preaching indeed and crying out against sin and calling men to this and that strictness of life and that it is such an hard matter to be saved but you must give us leave to regard none of this that is said for we see none worse then the Ministers themselves they must say somewhat when they be in the place but they are as proud and covetous and as bad as any other and were there any such matter as they teach would they dare to go clean contrary A. It cannot be denied but that some in the Ministery both of them that do not and of them that preach that yet live so grosly and dissolutely contrary to their teaching that they give a grievous offence to those that wait for such things yea and make many ignorant with Elies sons loath the sacrifice of the Lord and think that Religion is no such matter as we tell them of because they observe the contrary in their Teachers But what though they do thus yet notwithstanding is the Word of God holy and good Is Physick nought because the Physician is a bad man or the meat because the Cook is a swearing hasty fellow There is no calling wherein there are not some bad But there be many Ministers that make conscience to live according to that they teach and as well to be examples to the Flock in holy conversation as to preach which is but one part of a Ministers duty and who setting humane frailties aside may bid their adversaries write a book against them For common frailties who can say his heart is clean even between
Paul and Barnabaâ— arose dissention and Paul complaineth That when he would do good evil was present But for gross things that are reported of godly Ministers usually upon tryal they have proved lyes raised of Malice and not deserved by them And shall the whole calling of Ministers be blemished because some be bad And though it were as they say that Ministers were like Cooks that prepare good meat for others and taste not of it themselves yet the Word is good and it may be profitable to others as Gods Ordinance which is appointed for the Salvation of his people the blessing whereof dependeth not upon the Ministers good life but Gods blessing Noah was saved in the Ark whereof the makers were in likelihood drowned It was our Saviors direction that the people should be ruled by the Doctrine of the Scribes and Pharisees sitting in Moses chair that is preaching his Doctrine though they were not to do after their works And though Ministers know the will of God yet let it offend none that they straight do it not for knowledge is one thing and sanctification another which two are often severed 2. Some say There be contentions among the Ministers themselves and they cannot agree in points What then shall we do I le see them agreed ere I le regard any of them A. It s not to be wondred at if there be differences in some things for here the best know but in part and there still remains scales to be rub'd off and God doth not reveal all his will in all points at once but by degrees and in time and if any would tarry to be Religious till all men jumped in all Points they should never be Religious but perish and will this serve mens turns But what contentions and differences are there between the Ministers of the Church of England True its pity there should be any and we should desire God to cause his truth to break out and to remove the occasions of strife and till they can agree about those few things to proceed by one rule in peace But what differences are they not about the Essential points of Religion or matters of necessity to Salvation but of matters besides the main namely The Government of the Châ—rch or rather the persons by whom and the maner how the same is to be govern'd about which indeed there 's diversity of opinions So about Ceremonies which are not of the Essence of Salvation neither doth the Kingdom of God stand in them So that as the Church is a true Church that is governed either way so may they of each and both opinions yet be the servants of God and be saved both holding the foundation though differently building thereon If therefore they shall agree in all Fundamental Points and all things necessary to Salvation as in the Doctrine of their own Misery Christ Faith Repentance and the like though they leave the other till God shall further reveal they shall do well enough and its more seemly for Christians to minde the Doctrine of Faith Sanctification Love c. then to busie themselves about the Government of the Church The Devil calls them from things most needful to other things less needful more uncertain and dangerous If because of some smaller points of difference they shall shake off all Religion what answer shall they make What if Clothiers should all agree in the main points of Cloth-making till they came to the maner of making up and to the Tillers and herein they should differ should any need stumble hereat and say I le be no Clothier they cannot agree among themselves Why they may be good Clothiers though they differ in this and that of both fashions Let a yong man then go and practice as far as they agree and when they come to the winding up do as he is perswaded best and he shall be Clothier good enough 3. Others say The Minister speaks too fast or too slow or stands too long c. A. Most is his own pains They have thought longer time but short at Cards Tables Feasts Plays and do still Two or three hours at a Feast for the body and as much at play yea an whole day from one sport to another as a Fly from one box to another is usual with most 4. He is rich and then he must needs be covetous or else poor and then contemptible A. Men will finde a very poor excuse rather then none at all so was Christ contemned of his Countrey men But can any Minister so walk but that some which have no love to Religion and to be reformed will cavil against him to colour over their contempt Could John Baptist But he had a Devil Could our Savior Christ No he was a Winebibber a companion of Publicans and Sinners Against Professors of the Word and their Profession of Religion there be that take offence 1. Some say There 's but a small number of these Professors that be so precise most be not so and such as are usually are of the meanest not of the greatest and wisest men of whom but a few are carried after these Preachers to run after Sermons or be so precise in themselves and their families and a contemptible company they be hated of all for the most part A. 1. For their number its small if they be compared with the multitude but by themselves a worthy company and being such a small number it s an Argument that they are approved of God and walk in that way which leadeth to Heaven And hath not this been always told That the way to Heaven is strait and few finde it and so on the contrary The greatest number have ever been deceived and joyned in evil most cryed against Christ Crucifie him for one Elias one Micaiah there were Four hundred Priests of Baal 2. For their baseness that 's not always true though the Church consisteth most of them that are mean yet God hath had and will have of all sorts not excepting the greatest as David Solomon Asa Jehosaphat Hezekiah Ahikam and before them the Patriarchs Job and others So hath not our own Land wanted worthy men of the greatest place as there are at this hour many right godly Noblemen Knights and others of great state and place If this will draw them to the love of Religion there be not such wanting though their number be not the greatest For not many mighty are called And its hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God from whom for the most part heavenly things are hid and by whom God will not uphold his Kingdom but by mean ones that the glory may be his The poor he hath chosen 3. For their contemptibleness they are not the worse but the better to be liked for the Devil and wicked men will ever hate that which is good They did so by the Prophets our Savior and his Apostles and will do so by their followers let
this therefore be a mean rather to draw men on to Religion then set them off from it 2. Some say They make a great shew and be very hot for a while and after they fall off and become as others as bad as who is worst which we think is because having begun they see nothing in it and so they return to their old courses as that which is better A. You might have guessed many truer Reasons It s not that a true Christian is fallen away or one that hath truly tasted of the goodness of the Lord and finding no sweetness in it returns to his old byas as the better state but it is that he that was but an hypocrite though he made a shew is discovered now he hung to the bark but was never ingrafted went out from us but was not of us and Christ coming as is foretold shal make the thoughts of many hearts to be opened It s the easiest thing in the world to be deceived and few build sure and God will have some such Revolters both for the good of his servants which are thereby made the more wary to build sure and look to themselves better then otherwise they would and for the just falling of the wicked that they which will take no benefit by any thing as by Preaching and by the godly lives of the servants of God but rather seek for lets may meet with such blocks falling in their way to their Destruction If some fall away what then The Word hath foretold there shall be hypocrites in the Church yet there be some have held out constantly yea to the death in Prison and flames and loved not their lives so well as the Truth who have found indeed the sweetness of that Christian life from which they would never part Let us therefore begin in Truth and we shall never fall from it as the hypocrites do le ts look to our selves there may be times of tryal wherein many will fall away 3. Some stumble at the falls of Professors We see not say they but they be as bad as other folks and seeing they make a shew of forwardness more then others I would have them shew it by their lives but they are as Covetous as others as Froward Hasty and Furious if they be stirred A. I see you can tell how others should live though you have no minde to it your selves True they should lead their life answerable to their Profession and do not a great many so even their Neighbors that live by them with Eagles eyes yea even their Adversaries being Judges Why doth not this provoke them and you and what if some having boisterous natures and strong corruptions which for want of heedfulness and care prevail over them for a time and so they fall to do something uncomely yea and for a long time walk not so watchfully as they ought is this matter enough for you to mislike Religion The Gospel teacheth not this but the contrary therefore is it not in fault that you should fall out with it Doth any man dislike a Trade because some of the Trade be bad persons and are at sometimes overshot therein Christianity and the denying of our selves is not so easie a matter as that it should be expected a man should straightway as soon as he hath entred upon the profession of Religion be perfect although we ought to look and labor thereto diligently 4. Some stumble at the great humiliation of some Professors who by going to Sermons have been even at their wits end and so troubled as that all their friends could not comfort them yea some have been in such dispair as they have been almost besides themseves and some have made away themselves by drowning hanging or otherwise and they that have not been so yet though they were as merry before they went to Sermons as one would wish after have been so dumpish and heavy as that they would never be merry and I would be loth will some such say to come to this pass therefore I do not mean to trouble my head about such matters A. Many through Gods goodness be truly humbled and yet in short time finde comfort others more deeply cast down and longer held without comfort whom though they walk heavily as they have cause yet God sustains and in due time they get comfort who if they should be held under all their life and yet obtain it at last were much bound to God and their estate infinitely more happy then to live as before in security Yea if any should be so deeply cast down and for want of means of comfort living in desert places wanting publique and private helps or having them be troubled also with the humor of melancholy and the Devil subtilly watching his advantage when both these meer should draw them into some temptation to lay violent hands upon themselves yet I had rather a thousand times be in the case of such a one that being lost hath sought after mercy and salvation and had it in chase and yet were held off by unbelief Satans temptations and their own distemper Being in seeking of it their state could not but be good what ever became of the body For Blessed are they that hunger and thirst c. Better I say is the case of such a one though it be somewhat grievous then either of prophane ones or civil persons that never make question about their salvation but God be thanked such examples are few and very rare Many indeed there be that make away themselves by hanging drowning cutting their throats c. of whom we hear ever and anon but not one of a thousand of those upon any such cause but upon Covetousness Pride Discontent Worldly grief meeting with such Afflictions and Persons as cross their Wills and having no Grace nor Faith to bear them up in them they sink under them and yield to the Devils temptations as Achitophel So that you need not keep away from Sermons lest you should be troubled in your wits and make away your selves but rather hear the Word and labor for Faith or else you may be more likely a thousand times for want of Faith when Afflictions come to hang your selves then otherwise And is it not strange that if one of an hundred upon trouble of Conscience come to such an end that should be a stone to stumble at and all the other should be leapt over and be no means to provoke people to the Word and to Faith a sign they are willing to stumble And whereas there are some that are upon some occasion or naturally distracted in their Wits and craized in their brains and so miscarry people must be so wise as to know that this is no trouble of Conscience yet a number are so foolish that they put no difference Therefore never fear being troubled at the Word for if thou beest not troubled in this World for thy sins thou shalt howl in Hell for them eternally And where
bad behavior without dislike especially being with their betters But he that is not with me is against me and though often we cannot do good as we would no nor stop evil yet at least let our righteous souls always grieve thereat yea and as much as may be shew our dislike by hasting out of the company and silence if we may not speak and if we be askt our mindes le ts speak though wisely and humbly lets not dare to turn our backs upon God and his cause for any mortal mans sake whether our Landlords betters or otherwise le ts come as little in such dangerous places as may be but being there le ts take heed we deny not our Master with Peter and hear goodness or Gods Servants railed on or slandered and we consent or not shew our dislike 4. If God would have us live well among the wicked what would he then in the midst of all good means what then is their sin and where shall they appear that break out and live badly in the midst of the means of good the Ministery of the Word good company and the like wherewith they are shoared up on every side what would these do if they were far from such means 5. It rebukes those that professing Religion more then ordinarily yet remember not with whom they live but as if they were onely among the good which would hide all their frailties or interpret them to the best not as if they were among the wicked that seek occasion against Gods Servants Canaanites and Perezites that desire no better booty then the fall of a Professor that not regarding this nor the Gospel by their careless and ill life and the bad actions they break into set open the mouthes of ill men not upon themselves that were the less but upon the holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus for that they will flie upon straight when alas the Gospel is not in fault the contrary was in Abraham Wo be to the world because of offences but especially wo to them by whom they come For hereby the good are grieved the weak hindred the wicked strengthened in their dislike of the Gospel and some of whom there might be some good hoped by this means held off O you that have thus done thus hurt repent heartily and labor to make amends and you that are as yet free pray God that ye may never live to that day if it be his blessed will wherein ye should shame your selves blemish the Gospel and grieve the rest of Gods faithful Servants but that living and dying ye may credit it That whereas they speak against you as evil doers Now follow the Reasons to provoke to godly life 1. We shall cause the wicked to speak well of us and of the Gospel of God yea though they have spoken ill of us and it before yet upon a serious consideration of our innocent and constant conversation they will change their mindes 2. They shall by that means be brought to glorifie God and both like and speak well of the truth which they shall then do when God shall graciously visit their hearts and work by his Word and Spirit true conversion in them then being prepared before by our good life they shall be made to glorifie God for his truth and for us and for opening their eyes and moving their hearts to embrace it Forcible Reasons We shall by our constancy in a good life 1. Provide well for our own credit the credit of the Gospel and the wickeds conversion 2. Which is the main we shall provide for the glory of God In the first place is set down the nature disposition and practise of the wicked towards Gods children as they speak evil of the truth of God and Religion so do they of those that truly profess the same It s in mens nature to mislike all that be of another Religion and Practise then themselves for such is our inbâ—ed pride we think best of our selves and our own Religion and all others to be in error and to be deceived The Crow thinks her own bird the farest But though men mislike all differing Opinions yet none so much as the truth that we naturally hate as black blew and green differ yet not so much as black and white which are opposite so wicked ones hate the truth especially for that is our nature to do and the more sincere any is in professing the truth the more the wicked naturally hate him Thus have Gods children ever been ill spoken off Ishmael mocketh Isaac as his brood yet do Elias was reputed A troubler of Israel One of the children of the Prophets counted a mad fellow Micaiah smitten on the mouth as one that spake without God Jeremiah with them is as one that raveth and fit to be put in the stocks yea they speak ill of the truth and goodness it self The Jews were accused for nothing but doing that which God required and Cyrus had permitted namely to build the City and Temple wherein to worship and serve God and they were a poor contemptible company in the others eyes So we read of them that called the Gospel Heresie sore eyes cannot abide the light Thus was our Savior Christ the most innocent and blessed Son of God reproached and spoken ill off as if he had been a glutten a winebibber was a Samaritan and had a Devil So the Apostle Peter and the rest were termed drunk and Steven that he had blasphemed God and Moses They cannot indure the wrath of God because it crosseth their humors and vile lusts which they set so much by See Acts 17. 18. and 19. 13. and 19. 6. and 24. 5. To come down to the Primative Church were they not most horribly slandered as if they had been Canibals and lived of mans flesh and eat their own children That they met in caves in the night to worship and that then the candles being put out they committed filthiness promiscuously without respect of Kindred c. and if any plague came as that Tyber did overflow to great hurt and that Nilus did not overflow her banks as it used to do or any the like it was because of them and by their means thereupon they fell upon them and killed them like Dogs Thus have they used always to incense great persons against Gods servants with such false suggestions and to make them odious to the common people It hath ever since been the maner of the Church of Rome which hath a mouth that speaketh blasphemies to call the Truth Error and the Gospel Heresie and with them we that profess it be all Hereticks cursed to Hell and who should have nothing but fire and faggot if they could help it and the sincerest Professors and godliest men they hate most and have ever particularly devised horrible lyes against the great men in the Church whom God hath raised
what ground they know not there can be no reason rendred why Peter should hide the name or dissemble it But this is that they might get some place of Scripture proving Peter to have been at Rome but if they can get no plainer then this the Pope may sit besides his Chair They have no place to prove it by and yet they say he sate there as Bishop five and twenty years which that it was not the Learned have proved by divers Reasons But thus the Pope comes by his Supremacy Peter had it and he left it to his Successors the Bishops of Rome But neither had Peter any such Supremacy or if he had it was not tyed to place but to Truth and Religion now the Popes is clean contrary to Peters hating and persecuting the same But where by Babylon Rome indeed is meant as Rev. 14. 17 18. so called mystically for the likeness to Babylon in Idolatry and vexing the Church and Servants of God that they cannot away therewith See Dent on this Question Thus Hereticks wrest Scripture at their will to their own purpose where it may make for them though it have no such meaning it shall yet be used where it s against them though it be never so plain yet it may not be allowed This is a vile taking of Gods name in vain and it will be to their own destruction 1. Therefore we must not believe that is confirmed by Scripture of their or any Hereticks alledging but try their allegations 2. That we never dare to bring a sence of our own to the Scripture but fetch the sence thereof out of the Scripture by humble and diligent search Elect together with you A Church chosen of God as you are out of the world to bestow his Gospel upon and reveal his truth unto Election is taken largely or strictly Largely for choosing a People or Nation out of the world to bestow his favors upon and make Covenant with as Israel from all other Nations You onely have I chosen So to choose to an Office as our Savior Christ saith I have chosen you twelve and one of you is a Devil Strictly for the Election of any to Salvation before the world When God chooseth out a Church and bestoweth his mercy upon it though no doubt there be numbers of Gods Elect in it as in the Church of England yet many may be Reprobates especially in such a Church where Religion is enjoyned by authority in such a company as this of the Jews where they were voluntary there was likelyhood of the more and yet even among such were Hypocrites that voluntarily joyned themselves to the Church as Ananias and Sapphira 1. Know we that its a great mercy to live in an Elect Church as the Church of England is when most of the world sit in darkness and be Synagogues of Satan 2. Yet must not we content our selves herewith but be able to prove our own particular Election which is an unspeakable favor and for which we ought to be exceedingly thankful Now in that the Apostle calls them an Elect company it was because he knew there was a number of Gods chosen among them as he saw by their fruits but who they were particularly and who were not that he could not justly tell because its unknown what the heart of the one is and what God may do in time for the other We must not take upon us precisely to determine of other mens Election or Reprobation but judge modestly and charitable thanking God for being sure of our own and laboring more and more for assurance herein Saluteth you wisheth all good unto you What would the Apostle trouble himself or his Epistle with such a trifling matter as sending of commendations It s no idle or small matter but of very good use So that as it hath been an ancient custom in the Church of God so being Christianly performed its worthily continued and is of great use For 1. It testifieth to our selves that we are of the number of Gods faithful ones that we not onely love the brethren with us but even those which are absent yea not onely no kindred but not known by face onely heard of that we so love God that we love his grace wheresoever 2. It s no small encouragement to the Servants of God that be thus saluted against the many unkindnesses yea hatred they meet with from the world that yet they see themselves regarded loved and prayed for of Gods people 1. This should provoke us to perform this Christian duty to the Servants of God for our own discharge and both their and our comfort we must not be all to our selves nor to those we be with but even have our hearts with the Church of God elsewhere rejoycing to hear of the free passage of the Gospel the zeal of any embracing it and that we help them forward the best we can 2. If we have salutations sent us by any of Gods Servants we should make special account thereof and be much comforted thereby and set the same against all the scoffs ill will and hard measure that the world affordeth and if we be in any heaviness that we stir up our selves and be thankful to God that we are remembred of him and his Servants and make more account of commendations from a mean Christian then from a great Knight or Noble man that 's not in Christ. 3. They that are Messengers hereof must not forget nor deal carelesly herein even civil and courteous Salutations onely of friends or kindred each to other are of use and not to be omitted but much more such as those here who knoweth how seasonably they may come what good they may do what heaviness they may remove They must not count so lightly of them being sent as to forget them or let them as they say flye away by the way but as a token wherewith they were entrusted and which it were no honesty to keep back Marcus my son It s like its that Mark spoken of Col. 4. 10. who was Cozen to Barnabas about whom there was a breach between Paul and Barnabas He calls him his Son not in the flesh but in the faith as having begotten him thereto by his Ministery as the Apostle Paul useth the same word on the same ground See Tit. 1. 4. 1. Tim. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 4. 14. Philem. v. 10. Here note that The Preaching of the Word is the instrument of Regeneration to beget men again to God 1. This rebuketh those that disgrace either simply or under colour of magnifying praying and reading so also those that withdraw themselves from this and staying at home say They read good Books c. They do as the Israelites who having Manna allowed them by God which should have been unto them in stead of all the food in the world yet would have Quails but they had leanness sent into
particulars implyed herein Gen. 31. 4. 1 King 5. 14. Gen. 21. 14. Reasons hereof Eph. 5. 25. Col. 3. 19. Use 1. Sundry sorts of husbands reproved 1 Sam. 25. 17. Eccles. 7. 9. Prov. 14. 29. Objections answered The 1. The 2. Gal. 6. 2. Iames 3. 17. The 3. Exod. 4. 14. Wives are the weaker vessels Reasons Use 1. Use 2. Simil. Use 3. Simil. Wives be no less heirs of the grace of life then their Husbands Use 1. Use 2. Use 3. Husbands should pray with their wives Reasons Use. Psal. 14. 2. Whatsoever may interrupt our prayers is to be avoided Use. Simile See 1 Cor. 1. â—0 There must be between Christians unity in Religion 1 Cor. 3. 11. Iohn 14. 6. Prov. 23. 23. Iohn 17. 3. Reasons 1 King 12. 27. Who disagree from the truth in the foundation 1 Iohn 2. 23. Who holding the foundation do yet erre from the truth 1 Cor. 13. 9. Difference amongst our selves for matter of Ceremony Note The evils which ensue hereupon Differences amongst Christians about private opinions Mal. 2. 7. There must be also unity between us in our conversation Eph. 4. 2. Rom. 15. 5. Simil. Acts 4. 32. Eph. 4. 26. Isa. 11. 6. Psal. 133. 1. Gen. 13. 8. 2 Cor. 13. 11. Christians must be of like affection each to other Rom. 12. 15. Psal. 122. 6. Gal. 5. 21. Psal. 37. 1. Gal. 6. 2. Heb. 13. 3. 1 Cor. 12. 26. See Acts 9. 4. Neh. 1. 4. 2. 1 2 3 c. Use 1. Psal. 137. 7. Prov. 17. 5. Iob 31. 29. Pro. 24. 17 18. Use 2. Use 3. Amos 6. 4. That Christians may love one another What they are to do 2 Cor. 16. 14. What they must avoid Use 1. Use 2. Use 3. Gen. 13. 7. See 2 Thess. 1 2. What pity is We must pity our selves Use. Simile We must pity the souls of others Isa. 49. 23. Psal 78. 72. Rom. 13. 3 4. See Eze. 34. 4. 2 Tim. 2. 15. and 4. 2. 1 Pet. 5. 2. Eph. 6. 4. Reasons Psal. 103. 13. Iohn 3. 16. Phil. 2. 8. Luke 19. 41. Mat. 9. 36. See Mat. 16. 26. Use. 1 King 16. 26. Simile Exod. 21. 24. Iames 2. 13. See Ier. 20. 6. Hos. 4. 6. Matth. 5. 7. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Dan. 12. 8. 2 Tim. 4. 8. 2 Cor. 2. 15. We must pity the bodies of others See Isa. 58. 6. Luke 14. 13. Rom. 12. 15. Heb. 13. 3. Simil. Reasons Psal. 112. 9. Signs Use 1. 1 Iohn 3. 17. and 4. 20. Iames 1. 27. Prov. 21. 13. Matth 5. 7. Use 2. Luke 6. 36. Pro. 11. 24 25. Eccles. 11. 1. Acts 8. 2. Psal. 37. 26. Matth. 5. 7. and 25. 21. Use 3. Means conducing hereunto Luke 10. 33. We must be pitiful to our beasts Prov. 12. 10. Exod. 23. 4. Psal. 104. 21. and 147. 9. Deut. 25. 4. Exod. 20. 10. Use. What courtesie is and that Christians are to be courteous How it shews it self Rom. 16. 16. 1 Pet. 5. 14. Psal. 129. 8. Rom. 12. 10. Luke 14. 8. Ephes. 4. 2. Col. 3. 12. Num. 12. 3. Iohn 18. 23. 2 Sam. 15. 6. Use 1. 2 Sam. 15. 6. Christians must not revenge themselves on their enemies Lawful revenge on our selves On others Gods children in respect of their outward conversation must differ and be contrary to the wicked We must requite evil with good See Iohn 31. 16 17 18. Rom. 12. 20 2 1 Thess. 5. 1â— Mat. 5. 44. An Objection answered Another Objection answered Exod. 17. 14. Reasons why we are to requite evil with good Mat. 5. 45. Mat. 5. 46. Prov 15. 1. 1 Sam. 24. and 17. 2 Sam. 1. 24. See Psal. 35. 13 14. Acts 7. 60. Luke 23. 34. Use 1. 2 Sam. 9. 7. and 19. 38. Gen. 40. 23. Use 2. See Iohn 7. 7. and 10. 32. Whoso findes himself effectually called what will he not be willing to do for God Luke 9. 23. The excellaâ—â—cy and worth of effectual calling How to discern hereof Why many Christians are often unsetled herein The Word always perswades us to our good Christians are a blessed people Psal. 85. 8. Use. Why we ought to be patient and requite ill with good Psal. 34. 12. The parts herein considerable A patient and peaceable man shall live the longer and the quieter Psal. 140. 11. Isa. 29. 20. Gen. 16. 12. Use 1. Use 2. Life and long life are blessings of God which Gods children may desire Phil. 2. 27. Reasons An objection answered Why the godly are at sometimes taken away by death 1 Cor. 11. 30. 2 King 22. 19. Isa. 57. 1. Iob 21. 7. Long life unto the wicked might prove a blessing but doth not Phil. 1. 23. In what respect it may be lawful to desire to live Whence it is that most men are desirous to live long 1 Iohn 2. 15. Iob 14. 5. Use 1. 2. 3. 4. What we are to understand by good days In what respects days may be said to be good here In what and to whom evil Psal 94. 12. Hos. 6. 3. Mens days be usually evil Mans life short Good days are a blessing of God Deut 29. 9. Psal. 119. 165. Gen. 39. 2 23. 2 Sam. 5. 10. The wicked may live long yet have not good days Prosperity why denyed for the most part to Gods Children See Deut. 32. 15. 2 Chron. 12. 1. and 26. 16. Isa. 1. and 5. Prov. 1. 32. Isa. 5. 17. Use 1. See Deut. 8. 10. Iob 62. 9. Use 2. Whether we may pray for prosperity Gen. 28. 20. Prov. 30. 8. Mark 10. 23. Use 3. Whether we may pray for afflictions Whosoever would be happy here and hereafter must refrain from evil speaking Iames 1. 26. Rev. 21. 8. Use 1. Psal. 12. 4. Matth. 12. 34. See Prov. 10. 20. and 23. 33. Iam. 3. 6. Mat. 12. 36 37 See Iude 14 15 See of these examples in the Book of Martyrs Use 2. Means whereby to bridle the tongue Psal. 141. 3. Psal 39. 1. Reasons inducing thereto Iames 3. 3 4. Iames 3. 7. Mat. 12. 35. See Psal. 37. 30 31. We must abstain from such evils of the tongue as be close and covert Guile to be avoided in religion toward God Psal. 51 6. and 32. 2. Mat. 7. 21. Deut 5 28 29. Psal. 78. 36 37 In carriage towards men Acts 12. 22. Prov. 27. 14. Veritas odium parit Psal. 28. 3. Mat. 22. 16. Psal. 55. 21. Ier. 9. 8. See Downâ— on Psal. 15. Two objections answered Psal. 34. 13. Use. Amos 3. 6. Isa. 45. 7. What sort of evil is here meant Iam. 1. 17. 1 Iohn 3. 4. What the evil of sin is and that we must avoid it Reasons 1 Sam. 15. 23. Psal. 106. 29. Ier. 7. 19. Psal. 5. 4. Deut. 28. 15. Lev. 26. 14. Rom. 6. 23. The evil of sin worse then the evil of punishment Psal. 97. 10. Iob 1. 1. All sins are to be eschewed Mat. 12. 36. Of all persons At all times Eccles. 3. 2 c. Luke 1. 75. In all places With all the kindes
up to be hammers of their false Religion and defenders of the Truth as of Luther Calvin Beza Junius and others so in the powder Treason they had devised and purposed to spread it abroad by Proclamation if their detestable villany had taken effect That the Puritans blew up the Parliament House c. Among our selves also Gods Truth and servants especially have enemies enough and none that hate the faithful Ministers and Christians worse then such as be in the bosom of the Church How are they traduced ill spoken of railed on universally in great places in mean places on Alehouse-benches where not If they can finde any fault of theirs its that they rejoyce in above anything and they lie in wait for the same If they can observe no sin but understand of any infirmity which yet they strive against daily yet this shall be set abroad and encreased as some ugly thing when themselves and theirs have many filthy sores running on them horrible sins which yet they account nothing If any of themselves have never so many faults if he have but a little odde good quality as to be somewhat courteous a Good housekeeper and the like O he shall be magnified as a right honest man indeed If any of Gods children have never so many graces and but one infirmity this shall be set on the tenters all the other hidden If they can know nothing they will devise something if not yet if they do but hear any thing flying though never so unlikely and from no ground yet it goes for good wares with them and is received nay though they turn their own vices into vertues yet the vertues of Gods servants they make vices for want of other matter If they be couragious in a stout cause they be stout and stomackful if they be patient and gentle then they be blockish if wise and prudent in handling their matters crafty subtile fellows if diligent very officious if they take pains in the offices they be called to they be busie fellow meddlers and trouble their neighbors If they differ from others upon never so good ground they be Scismaticks Proud Singular Humerous Giddy If they dare not run with others into the same excess of riot then precise fools Puritans Oh we must have a new world made for you you are so holy a company of proud peevish fellows c. 1. Seeeing the wicked are so apt to speak evil and lie so in the catch we should give all diligence to look so to our ways as we give them no just occasion so to do but take away occasion from them that seek occasion for is it time for us to be heedless and our Enemies as it were lie in wait that they may look till their eyes dazle and they be weary of looking ere they have that they would and that if they speak ill of us it may be unjustly falsly as none can escape their ill tongues not our Savior Christ innocency it self therefore we may look for it but let it be without cause as Hypocrites yet such as labor for sincerity hating Hypocrisie as troublers yet such as seek the peace of Church and Common-wealth 2. That we think it not strange to be ill spoken of it s the nature of the world thus to do as for the birds to fly and we must not be discouraged at it and say I have striven to do as well as I can and yet I am ill spoken of I cannot tell what to do and so faint and melt as wax as some do O no but let it be as a whetstone to sharpen you on more as David said to Micol I will yet be more vile if spoken ill of falsly study innocency the more being thus used thou art blessed Thus were the Prophets served thus Christ himself And if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub much more will they them of his houshold 3. This might make men not too ready to believe reports and think ill of men by and by upon flying reports seeing the world are so apt to speak evil wrongfully especially of Gods children 4. For them that be ill speakers of Gods Servants they cannot bear a worse badge as ill a sign as can be of any for if he be translâ—ted from death to life that loves the Brethren what then he that hates them he is no true member of the Church nor led by Davids Spirit but is of Ishmaels generation and will be cast out as he worse then Balaam nay of Satans brood who is the accuser of the brethren How shall they escape the curse threatned Isaiah 5. 20. Prov. 17. 15 The Lord hath prepared a day when he will judge them of these things Therefore if you will not joyn with them yet cease to speak ill of them The time will come when you would be glad to joyn with them but it will be too late They may be your good works c. These words shew the inducement whereby we shall bring these ill speakers to think and speak well of us and of Gods truth and so glorifie him namely when they shall see us constant in good works So that The strongest defence of our selves or confutation of ill speakers is not by words but by good works for the world will not much regard words they think they be cheap and themselves will speak any thing and therefore think others wil do so too and what can words do while the works are not seen or are contrary Thus David confuted Saul and quitted himself a good Subject How not by telling Saul he meant him no hurt he might have said so as long as he would it should never have been regarded but by his good works and innocency towards him that he never sought his hurt no not when he might as when he cut off the skirt of his Rayment and took the pot of water from his head This made Saul say Thou art more righteous then I and for the time broke his heart This often doth good The constancy of mens carriage overcomes them that have thought and spoken ill Many are carried away easily to think and speak ill of Gods Servants that know not why as upon false suggestions that after having observed their lives have changed their mindes as a Papist having heard that Junius had a cloven foot as it was currant among them coming to the sight of it and that it was contrary he began to suspect their Religion and it was one means of his conversion therefrom This rebukes them that being evil spoken of will take it very hotly and by great words or protestations clear themselves or shift when it may be they are faulty and give glorious speeches when deeds answer not and such as will be very angry and rate others even before company Now if it be a matter of great weight and that the Gospel hear ill also we