of faith and labour of love c. knowing beloved your election of God For our gospel came not unto you in word only but also in power c. and ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much affection c. ye turned to God c. to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son 1 Thes 1. 3 4 5 6 9 10. The word of God which effectually worketh also in you who believe for ye brethren became followers of the Churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus for ye also have suffered like things of your own country-men 1 Thes 2. 13 14. Ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief ye are the children of the light c. 1 Thes 5. 4 5. I thank Jesus Christ our Lord who hath enabled me c. who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious but I obtained mercy c. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the chief 1 Tim. 1. 12 13 15. Let every one who nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2. 19. A peculiar people zealous of good works Titus 2. 14. Ephes 2. 10. He who hath entred into his rest hath ceased from his own works Heb. 4. 10. They who believe desire a better country that is an heavenly c. Moses c. chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt c. Heb. 11. 16 24 25 26. Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12. 14. John 13. 8. We trust we have a good conscience in all things as those who count in all things to live honestly Heb. 13. 8. If any among you seem to be religious and bridle not his tongue but deceiveth his own heart this man's religion is vain Pure religion and undefiled between God and the Father is this To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction to keep himself unspotted from the world James 1. 26 27. What doth it profit my brethren though a man say he hath faith and have not works c. Faith if it have not works is dead c. I will shew thee my faith by my works c. Faith without works is dead 〈◊〉 James 2. 14 18 26. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom But if ye have bitter envying c. this wisdom desceadeth not from above c. But the wisdom which is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and eaâ—â—â— to be intreated full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisie and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace c. James 3. 13 14 15 16 17 18. Jesus 〈◊〉 whom having not seen ye love c. Seeing that you have purified your souls in obeying the truth c. unto unfeigned love of the breâ—men 1 Pet. 1. 8 22. Cant. 1. 3 4. As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word of God that ye may grow thereby if so be ye have tasted c. Ye are a chosen generation c. that ye should shew forth the vertues or 〈◊〉 of him who hath called you c. 1 Pet. 2. 2 3 9. Luke 10. 39 42. The time of our life may suffice c. when we waâ—ked in lasâ— viousness c. wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot 1 Pet. 4. 3 4. Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust Add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge c. for if these things be in you and abound they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus but he who lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off c. 2 Pet. 1. 4 5 6 7 8 9. Just 〈◊〉 vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked for that righteous man dwelling among them in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soul from day to day with unlawful deeds 2 Pet. 2. 7 8. Psal 119. 53 126 136 158. Jer. 9. 1 2. ch 13. 17. God is â—ight c. If we say we have 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 and walk in darkness we lye c. But if we walk in the light c. If we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves 〈◊〉 1. 6 7 3. 〈◊〉 we know that we know him if we keep his commandments He who faith I know him and keepeth not hâ—s commandments is a lyar and the truth is not â—n him c. He who abideth in 〈…〉 himself also to walk even as he walked c. He who â—aith he is in the light and 〈◊〉 hâ—s Brother is in darkness even until now 〈◊〉 who loveâ—â— his brother abideth in the light c. If any man loveth the world the love of the 〈◊〉 is not in him c. If ye know that he is 〈◊〉 ye know or know ye that every one 〈◊〉 righteousness is born of God 1 John 2. â— 4 6 â— 10 11 15 29. We shall see him as he is And every man who hath this hope in him 〈◊〉 himself as he is pure c. Whâ—soever abideth in him sinneth not c. He who committeth sin or giveth his labour to sin is of the devil c. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God In this the children of God are manifest and the children of the devil Whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God neither is he who loveth not his brother c. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren c. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murtherer and ye know that no murtherer hath eternal life abiding in him c. Whosoever hath this world's goods and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up the bowels of his compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him c. Let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth And hereby we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before God c. For if our hearts condemn us he is greater c. And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the spirit which he hath given us 1 John 3. 2 3 5 6 8 9 10 14 15 17 18 19 24. ch 4. 12 13. ch 5. 18. Whoso knoweth God heareth us those who are not of God hear us not By this we know the spirit c. Love is of God and every one who loveth is born of God and knoweth God c. God is love he who dwelleth in love dwelleth in God
the kingdom of heaven but he who doth the will of my father which is in heaven c. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise man who built his house upon a rock c. and every one who heareth these sayings of mine and doth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand c. Matth. 7. 21 24 25 26 27. James 1. 23 24 25. Matth. 5. 18 19 20. John 9. 31. Whosoever shall not receive you nor hear your words when ye depart c. shake off the dust of your feet It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom Matth. 10. 14. 15. Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven the same is my brother and sister and mother Matth. 12. 15. Zacharias c. walking in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless Luke 1. 5 6. Why call ye me Lord and do not the things which I say Luke 6. 46 47 c. But the pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against or within themselves Luke 7. 30. Yea rather blessed are they who hear the words of God and keep it Luke 11. 28. Rom. 2. 13. James 1. 25. And that servant which knew his master's will and did it not shall be beaten with stripes Luke 12 47. James 4. 17. If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God c. John 7. 17. He who is of God heareth my word but ye hear not my word because ye are not of God c. Verily verily I say unto you If a man keep my sayings he shall never see death John 8. 51. If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them John 13. 17. James 1. 22 23 25. If ye love me keep my commandments c. He who hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is who loveth me c. Jesus said If any man love me he will keep my words c. He who loveth me not keepeth not my words John 14. 15 21 23 24. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love even as I kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love c Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I have commanded you John 15. 10 14. Now therefore are we all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God Acts 10. 33 Yet have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered unto you Rom. 6. 17. The law is holy and the commandment holy just and good Rom. 7. 12. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the commandments of God 1 Cor. 7. 19. To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts Heb. 4. 7. Psalm 95. 7 8. Therefore to him who knoweth to go good and doth it not to him it is sin James 4. 17. That righteous man dwelling among them in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soul from day to day with unlawful deeds 2 Pet. 2. 8. Hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments He who saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a lyar and the truth is not in him and whose keepeth his word in him verily is the love or God perfected Hereby know we that we are in him c. He who doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2. 3 4 5 17. Love not in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth c. And whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his commandments c. This is his commandment That we believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another c. And he who who keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him and he in him 1 John 3. 18 22 23 24. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments For this is the love of God That we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous 1 John 5. 2 3. And this is love that ye walk after his commandments 2 John ver 6. Blessed are they who do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in thorow the gates into the city Rev. 22. 14. See that ye refuse not him who speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him who spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him who speaketh from heaven whose voice then shook c. Heb. 12. 25 26. See God's threatnings of and Judgments for disobedience after in this same Chap. See the great Day of Judgment Chap. 36. Worship God and sanctifie him therein GOD had respect to Abel and to his offering but not unto Cain's Gen. 4. 3 5 7. Hebr. 11. 4. Thou shalt have no other God before me Thou shalt not make any graven image c. thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God a jealous God c. In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee Exod. 20. 3 4 5 24. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods nor serve them c. ye shall serve the Lord your God c. Exod. 23. 25. There will I meet with thee and commune with thee above the mercy seat At the door of the tabernacle of the congregation c. where I will meet you to speak there unto thee And there will I meet with the children of Israel and the tabernacle or Israel shall be sanctified by my glory c. Exod. 25. 22. chap. 29. 42 43. chap. 20. 24. Thou canst not see my face for there shall no man see my face and live Exod. 33. 20. Thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord whose name is jealous is a jealous God Exod. 34. 14. Deut. 6. 15. When the tabernacle was set up the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle Exod 40. 33 34 35. When Aaron's sons were consumed for offering strange fire Moses said unto Aaron This that the Lord spake saying I will be sanctified in them who come nigh me and before all the people I will be glorified Levit. 10. 1 2 3. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and him serve c. Thou shalt not go after other gods c. The Lord our God is one Lord c. Deut. 6. 4 13 14. And now Israel what doth the Lord require of thee but to fear the Lord c. and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul c. Behold the heavens and heaven of heavens is the Lord 's thy God the earth with all that therein is c. For the Lord your God is God of Gods and Lord of Lords a great God a mighty and a terrible who regardeth not persons c. worship him Deut. 10. 12
and God in him c. It a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a lyar for he who loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen 1 John 4. 6 7 16 20. ch 5. 1. Whsoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and whosoever loveth him c. Whosoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that c. Whosoever is born of God sinneth not but he who is begotten of God keepeth himself and that wicked one toucheth him not 1 John 5. 1 4 18. He who doth good is of God but he who doth evil hath not seen God 3 John Vers 11. He who abideth in the doctrine or Christ hath both the Father and the Son 2 John Vers 9. Those whose names are written in the book of life they will not subscribe to Antâ—christ Rev. 13. 8. ch 14. 4. ch 17. 8. ch 21. 27. See more in the Fruits of the Spirit Chap. 21. See more in the Fruits of Faith Chap. 11. See more in Duties Chap. 10. under each Duty And Chap. 22. under each Duty in Affliction And Chap. 24. Duties to Magistrates CHAP. XIII Saints Believers the Children of God themselves may be overtaken with Faults are not altogether free from sinful Dispositions and Inclinations in this Life and may be corrected of God for them I. In general it is affirmed FOR there is no man who sinneth not 1 Kings 8. 46. How should man be just with God or before God If he will contend with him he cannot answer him one of a thousand c. Whom though I were righteous yet would I not answer I would make supplication to my Judge c. If I justifie my self my own mouth shall condemn me If I say I am perfect it shall also prove me perverse Job 9. 1 2 3 15 20. Who can understand his errours Cleanse thou me from secret faults keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins let them not have dominion over me Psal 19. 12 13. If thou Lord shouldest mark iniquity O Lord who shall stand Psal 130. 3. The rod of the wicked shall not rest c. lest the righteous put forth their hands to iniquity Psal 125. 3. Who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my sins Prov. 20. 9. A just man falleth seven times a day and riseth up Prov. 24. 16. For that there is not a just man upon earth who doeth good and sinneth not Eccles 7. 20. The flesh lusteth against the spirit c. so that ye cannot do the things that ye would Gal. 5. 17. Rom. 7. 14 15 16 17 c. If any man be overtaken in a fault ye who are spiritual restore such c. considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Gal. 6. 1 2. I have no man like-minded c. for all seek their own not the things which are Jesus Christ's Philip. 2. 20 21. Paul saith I count not my self to have apprehended but this one thing c. I press towards the mark c. Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded Philip. 3. 13 14 15. For in many things we offend all If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man James 3. 2. If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us It we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins c. If we say that we have not sinned we make him a lyar and his word is not in us 1 John 1. 1 8 9 10. If any man see his brother sin a sin not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them who sin not unto death There is a sin unto death I do not say that he shall pray for it 1 John 5. 16. II. Particular Instances of the Saints Failings recorded NOah was a just man perfect in his generation Noan walked with God Gen. 6. 9. ch 7. 1. Noah drank of the wine and was drunken and was uncovered within his tent Gen. 9. 21. Abraham believed the Lord and he counted it to him for righteousness c. Abraham my Friend He staggâ—red not through unbelief Gen. 15. 6. Isa 41. 8. Rom. 4. 16 18 19 20. They will kill me they will save thee alive Say I pray thee thou are my sister c. And when God had promised him to inherit the Land he said Lord God Whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it c. When the Promise was made to him of a Child he fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart Shall a child c. Oh that Ishmael might live before thee c. He said of his Wife She is my sister again at Gerer for fear of being slain Gen. 12. 12 13. ch 15. 8. ch 17. 16 17 18. ch 20. 2 11. Sarah laughed at the Promise and then denied that she had laughed Gen. 18. 12 13 15. Good Isaac said of his Wife also She is my sister for fear of the Men of the place lest they should kill him for her Gen. 26. 7. Just Lot vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked for that righteous man c. 2 Pet. 2. 7 8. He lingered the men laid hold upon his hand c. and said Go escape for thy life c. And Lot said unto him Oh not so my Lord c. I cannot escape to the mountains lest some evil take me and I die Behold this city is near to flee unto Is it not a little one c. He afterwards drinks Wine and then lay with his two Daughters Gen. 19. 16 17 18 19 20 33. 34 35 36. Jacob when he heard his Brother Esau was coming with four hundred men against him he was greatly afraid and distressed c. Gen. 32. 6 7. He was sore distressed when one of his Sons was kept by Joseph and another sent for Gen. 42. 36 37 c. Moses was very meek above all the men upon the face of the earth c. Moses my servant is dead c. Who is faithful to him in all his house c. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant Numb 12. 3 7. Jos 1. 2 13 Heb. 3. 2 5. When God was sending Moses he saith O my Lord I am not eloquent c. And the 〈…〉 unto him Who hath made man's mouth c. And he said O my Lord Send I pray thee by the hand thou wilt send or shouldest send And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses c. Moses returned unto the Lord and said Wherefore hast thou so evilly intreated this people Why is it that thou hast sent me c. Moses was very wrath c. Now ye rebels Must we fetch water out of the rock c. I am not able to bear this people c. If thou deal thus with me kill me I pray thee out of hand
vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men Matth. 15. 3 4 5 6 8 9. Mark 7. 3. 4 5 7 8. Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Matth. 18. 20. That which is highly esteemed with men is an abomination in the sight of God Luke 16. 15. Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Matth. 28. 20. Acts 10. 33. When Paul according to Advice had observed some Jewish Ceremonies the Jews came upon him and laid hold on him the very thing his Advisers proposed to prevent by it Acts 21. 20 21. 22 23 c. After the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my fathers believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets Acts 24. 14. That ye may prove what is that good that acceptable will of God Rom. 12. 2. Ephes 5. 10 17. He who doubteth is damned if he eat because not of faith for whatsoever is not of faith is sin Rom. 14. 23. Now I praise you brethren that you c. keep the ordinances or traditions as I delivered them unto you c. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you That the Lord Jesus the same night c. 1 Cor. 11. 1 2 23. If we or an angel from heaven preach unto you other than that which we have preached c. let him be accursed Gal. 1. 8. Ye did run well Who did hinder you or turn you back This persuasion cometh not of him who called you Gal. 5. 7 8. That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness c. Ephes 4. 14. Those things which ye have learned and received and heard and seen in me do Philp. 4. 9. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the world c. If ye be dead with Christ why as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances Touch not taste not handle not which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrine of men which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship Col. 2. 8 20 21 22 23. We beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God so ye would abound c. 1 Thes 4. 1. Prove all things held fast that which is good 1 Thes 5. 21. Therefore brethren stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught whether by word or our epistle 2 Thes 2. 15. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me 2 Tim. 1. 13. Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures c. 2 Tim. 3. 14 15. Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth Titus 1. 14. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip Heb. 2. 1. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning 1 John 2. 24. It was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints for there are certain men crept in c. Jude Vers 3 4. The children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God c. and had walked in the statutes of the heathen whom c. and of the kings of Israel which they had made c. Also Judah kept not the commandments of the Lord their God but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made 2 Kings 17. 7 8 18 19. That which is highly esteemed amongst men is abomination in the sight of God Luke 16. 15. Some affirm that we say Let us do evil that good may come whose damnation is just Rom. 3. 8. To pray unto God Of Prayer at large ABraham prayed for Abimelech unto God and God healed him and his Gen. 20. 17. O Lord God of master Abraham I pray thee send me good speed this day c. Let it come to pass that the damosel to whom I shall say c. Gen. 24. 12 13 14 15. And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wise because she was barren and the Lord was intreated of him and Rebeccah his wife conceived Gen. 25. 21. Jacob prayed unto God in his distress about Esau and prevailed Gen. 32. 9 10 11 12 24 25 26 28. ch 33. 4. Hos 12. 4 5. Moses prayed unto God for Pharaoh to remove their plagues Exod. 8. 12 13. ch 9 33. ch 10. 18. Moses prayed hard and often for Israel and prevailed Exod. 32. 11 12 13 14 31 32. Numb 14. 13 to 20. The Forms Moses and Aaron and his Sons used in blessing the people and in their march Numb 6. 23 24 25 26. ch 10. 35 36. I besought the Lord at that time saying O Lord God thou hast begun to shew thy servant c. Deut. 3. 23 24 c. It from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God thou shalt find him if thou seek him with all thy heart c. Deut. 4. 29. Joshua prayed when Israel had fled before the men of Aâ— Josh 7. 6 7 8 9. Go and cry unto the god ye have chosen let them deliver c. Deliver us only we pray thee this day Judges 10. 14 15. Then Manoah intreated the Lord and said O my Lord let the man of God whom thou didst send come again unto us and teach us what we shall do unto the child c. And God hearkned unto the voice of Manoah Judges 13. 8 9. Sampson called on the Lord and said Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hands of thy servant and now shall I die for thirst And God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw and there came water thereout Judges 15. 18 19. And Sampson called unto the Lord and said O Lord God remember me I pray thee and strengthen me I pray thee only this once O God c. Judges 16. 28. Hannah prayed unto the Lord and wept sore c. She spake in her heart only her lips moved but her voice was not heard 1 Sam. 1. 10 11 12 13. As for me God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you 1 Sam. 12. 23. David prays that it might be with him and his House as God had said to him by Nathan the Prophet 2 Sam. 7. 17 to 29. While the child was alive I fasted and I said Who can tell whether God will be gracious 2 Sam. 12. 22. Jonah 3. 8 9. Exod. 32. 30 Acts 8 20. God
6 7. ch 9. 16 17 c. Job saith I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou preserver of men Job 7. 20. ch 9. 2 3. If any say I have sinned and perverted that which was right and it profiteth me not He will deliver his soul c. Job 33. 27 28. Job answered the Lord and said Behold I am vile what shall I answer thee I will lay mine hand upon my mouth Job 40. 3 4. I acknowledged my sins unto thee and mine iniquity have I not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Psalm 32. 5. I will declare mine iniquity I will be sorry for my sins Psalm 35. 18. For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me Against thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight c. Psalm 51. 3. 4 5. We have sinned with our fathers we have committed iniquity c. Psalm 106. 6 7. Horror hath taken hold of me because of the wicked who forsake thy law c. Rivers of water run down mine eyes because they keep not thy law c. I beheld the transgressions and was grieved because they keep not thy word Psalm 119. 53 126 136. 158. Nehem. 13. 7 8. Jer. 9. 1 2. Gen. 34. 7. Mark 3. 5. Jer. 13. 17. Psal 139. 21 22. If thou shouldst mark iniquities O Lord who shall stand Psalm 130. 3 He who covereth his sin shall not prosper but whose confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy Prov. 28. 13. Behold thou art wroth for we have sinned c. We are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousness as filthy rags c. Isa 64. 5 6 7. Yet thou sayest Because I am innocent surely his anger shall turn from me Behold I will plead with thee because thou sayest I have not â—nned Jer. 2. 35. Go and proclaim these words c. Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you c. Only acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God and hast scattered thy ways c. Jer. 3. 12 23. 1 Sam. 12. 9 10. If ye will not hear it my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride and mine eyes shall weep sore Jer. 13. 17. O Lord though our iniquities testifie against us do thou for thy name's sake for our back-sltidings are many We have sinned against thee c. We acknowledge O Lord our wickness the iniquity of our fathers for we have sinned against thee Jer. 14. 7 20. The Lord is righteous for I have rebelled against his commandments c. My heart is turned within me for I have grievously rebelled Lam. 1. 18 20. ch 3. 42. The crown is fallen from our heads we unto us that we have sinned Lam. 5. 16. Set a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh who cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof Ezek. 9. 4. Ye shall remember your ways c. and ye shall loath your selves in your own sight for all your evil which ye have commited Exek 20. 43. chap. 16. 63. I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my confession c. We have sinned and committed iniquity c. Dan. 9. 3 4 5 6 15. I will go and return to my place till they acknowledge their offences and seek my face Hosea 5. 15. Turn ye unto me with all your-heart with fasting with weeping and with mourning Rent your hearts and not your garments Joel 2. 12 13. Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted Matth. 5. 4. Peter remembred the words of Jesus which said unto him Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice and he went out and wept bitterly Matth. 26. 75. The prodigal Son said I will arise and go to my father and I will say unto him Father I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy son c. Luke 15. 18. 19 21. And many who believed came and confessed and shewed their deeds Acts 19. 18. Paul made confession of his being a persecutor of the Saints Acts 22. 4 5 19 20. I rejoice not that ye were made sorry but that ye sorrowed to repentance for ye were made sorry after a godly manner or according to God c. for godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation never to be be repented of but the sorrow of the world worketh death c. ye sorrowed after a godly sort What carefulness it wrought in you yea clearing of your selves yea indignation yea fear yea vehement desire yea zeal yea revenge 2 Cor. 7. 9 10 11. And lest when I come again my God will humble me among you and that I shall bewail many who have sinned already c. 2 Cor. 12. 21. Many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you weeping the enemies c. Phil. 3. 18. Delivered just Lot vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked for that righteous man dwelling amongst them in seeing and hearing vèxed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds 2 Pet. 2. 7 8. If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness If we say we have not sinned we make him a lyar and his word is not in us 1 John 1. 8 9 10. Be afflicted mourn and weep humble your selves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up James 4. 9 10. See Confession of Sin in time of Affliction Chap. 22. In time of Common Calamity Chap. 23. See Prayer Chap. 16. Saints Duty confess one to another Chap. 17. Depart from Sin and all appearance of it hate it and avoid the Occasions of it The reasons thereof THere shall not be found among you c. who useth divination an observer of times an inchanter or a witch or a charmer or a consulter with a familiar spirit c. All who do so are an abomination to the Lord c. Deut. 18. 10 11 12 14. When Adam had sinned he hid himself was afraid because naked Gen. 3. 8 10. Exod. 32. 25. Abimelech said unto Isaac What is this thou hast done unto us one of the people might lightly have lain with thy wife and thou shouldst have brought guiltiness upon us And Abimelech charged all his people saying He who toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death Gen. 26. 8 9 10. ch 20. 2 3 4 c. When Joseph had been tempted to sin by Potiphar's Wife he answered her How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God c. when she laid hold on him he fled from her Gen. 39. 7 8 9 10 11 12. See the Ten Commandments Exod. 20. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to
c. This greatly displeased God and he said to Samuel They have not rejected thee but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them c. The people said Nay but there shall be a king over us 1 Sam. 8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 19 20. Ye have this day rejected your God who c. Ye have said But set a king over us 1 Sam. 10. 19. Samuel afterwards tells them their wickedness was great in the sight of the Lord in asking a King Which Sin the people acknowledged when God had sent Thunder and Rain in Harvest 1 Sam. 12. 16 to 19. They have set up kings but not by me they have made princes and I knew it not Hosea 8. 3 4. And thy judges of whom thou saidst Give me a king and princes I gave thee a king in mine anger and took him away in my wrath Hosea 13. 10 11. See the Kings of Israel c. Chap. 44. CHAP. XXV Of an Oath for Testimony Confirmation and Ending of Controversies and other Occasions And evil Oaths ABraham said unto the king of Sodom I have have lift up my hand unto the Lord the most high God that I would not take c. any thing lest thou shouldest say c. Gen. 14. 22 23. Abiâ—â—elech c. spake unto Abraham saying God is with thee c. Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsly with me nor with my son c. And Abram said I will swear c. They swore both of them Gen. 21. 22 23 24 31. Josh 2. 12 13 14. Abraham said unto his servant Put I pray thee thy hand under my thigh and I will make thee swear by the Lord the God of heaven and the God of the earth that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites c. And the servant did swear Gen. 24. 3 4 9. Abimelech and Isaac sware each to other not to hurt one the other Gen. 26. 28 29 31. Jacob and Laban made a Covenant and swore to it Jacob did swear by the fear of his father Isaac Gen. 31. 44 50 to 53. Joseph swore by the Life of Pharaoh Gen. 42. 15 16. Israel called Joseph his son to him and desired him to swear unto him that he would bury him not in Egypt but in his Father's Burying-place Joseph did swear unto him Gen. 47. 29 30 31. ch 50. 5. Joseph had straitly sworn the Children of Israel saying c. Ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you Exod. 13. 19. Gen. 50. 25. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour Exod. 20. 16. ch 2. 1. Prov. 24. 28. 〈◊〉 25. 18. If a man deliver to his neighbour an ass c and it die or is hurt c. no man seeing it then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods and the owner of it shall accept thereof Exod. 22. 10 11. If a soul sin and hear a voice of swearing and is a witness whether he hath seen or known it if he do not utter it then he shall bear his iniquity Levit. 5. 1. And ye shall not swear by my name falsly neither shalt thou prophane the name of thy God Levit 19. 12. Prov. 14. 5. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God c. and shalt swear by his name Deut. 6. 13. ch 10. 20. At the mouth of two witnesses or three witnesses shall he who is worthy of death be put to death At the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death The hands of the witness shall be first upon him Deut. 17. 6 7. One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity or for any sin At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses shall the matter be established If a false witness rise up c. the judges shall make diligent enquiry and if the witness 〈◊〉 a false witness c. then shall he do unto him c. Deut. 19. 15 to 19. Joshua made peace with the Gibeonites c. and the princes of the congregation sware unto them c. The princes said We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel therefore we may not touch them Joshua 9. 15 19. ch 2. 12 14. ch 6. 22. The men of Israel had sworn c. saying There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wise c. How shall we do seeing we have sworn by the Lord c. Judges 21. 1 7 18. Jonathan said unto David Go in peace â—orasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord saying The Lord be between me and thee and between my seed and thy seed for ever 1 Sam. 20. 13 17 42. Saul said unto David Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord that thou wilt not cut off my feed c. And David sware unto Saul 1 Sam. 24. 21 22. ch 30. 15. The king sware to Shimei that he should not die 2 Sam. 19. 23. God brought a famine upon Israel for the sin of Saul in staying the Gibeonites with whom Israel had made a covenant to which the princes swore 2 Sam. 21. 1 2 3. David had swoâ—n to Bathsheba his queen by the Lord his God that Solomon his son should reign after him c. And the king sware and said As the Lord liveth c. even as I sware unto thee by the Lord c. even so will I do 1 Kings 1. 17 29 30. They set up false witness against Naboth 1 Kings 21. 10 13. Matth. 26. 59. Acts 6. 11 15. Jehojada sent c. the rulers and captains c. and made a covenant with them and took an oath of them in the house of the Lord and shewed them the king's son c. 2 Kings 11. 4 5 6 c. Asa with Judah made a solemn Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Fathers with all their heart c. That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death c. And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice c. And all Israel rejoyced at the oath for they had sworn with all their hearts 2 Chron. 15. 8 9 12 to 15. Ezra made a covenant c. He made the chief priests the Levites and all Israel to swear that they should do according to this word And they sware Ezra 10. 3. 5. Nehemiah called the priests and took an oath of them that they should do according to this promise Nehem. 5. 11 12. The king shall rejoyce in God every one that sweareth by him shall glory Psal 63. 11. These six things doth the Lord hate c. A false witness who speaketh â—yes Prov. 6. 16 19. A false witness shall not be unpunished c. Prov. 19. 5 9. Keep the king's commandment and that in regard of the oath of God Eccles 8. 2. He who
and by his Instruments Wicked Men False Teachers Deceivers and Seducers The Description of them And what concerns the Saints therein First Of Satan the Devil himself NOW the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made And he said unto the woman Yea because or hath God said Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden The woman said c. We may eat c. but of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden God hath said Ye shall not eat of it neither shall ye touch it lest ye die And the serpent said unto the woman Ye shall not surely die for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be open and ye shall be as gods knowing good and evil And the woman saw that the tree was good Gen. 3. 1 to 7. Satan was a lying Spirit in the Prophets to persuade Ahab c. 1 Kings 22. 21 22 23. 2 Chron. 20. 21 22. And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel 1 Chron. 21. 1. 2 Sam. 24. 1. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan or the adversary came also among or in the 〈◊〉 of them c. The Lord said to Satan From whence comest thou Then said he c. From going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it c. He said Doth Job serve God for nought Hast thou not made an hedge about him c. Put forth thine hand and touch that which he hath and he will curse thee to thy face c. Then Satan having leave given him destroyed all he had Job 1. 6 7 to the end ch 2. 1 2 3. Hast thou considered my servant Job c. still he holdeth fast his integrity although thou movedst me against him to destroy him without a cause And Satan answered the Lord and said Skin for skin yea and all that a man hath will he give for his life but put forth thine hand now and touch his bone and his flesh and he will curse thee to thy face And the Lord said He is in thine hand but or only save his life So went Satan c. and smote Job Job 2. 3 4 5 6 7. And he shewed me Joshua the high-priest standing before the Angel of the Lord and Satan standing on his right hand to resist him And the Angel said unto Satan The Lord rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord who hath chosen c. Zech. 3. 1 2. Jesus c. in the wilderness to be tempted of the devil When he had fasted c. the tempter came to him He said If thou be the Son of God command that these stones be made bread But he answered and said It is written c. Then the devil taketh him c. and setteth him on a pinacle of the temple and saith unto him If thou be the Son of God cast thy self down For it is written He shall give his Angels charge c. Jesus said It is written again c. The devil c. shews him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them and saith unto him All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me c. Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Matth. 4. 1 to 12. When Jesus was come on the other side c. there met him two possessed with devils c. they cried out saying What have we to do with thee Jesus thou Son of God Art thou come hither to torment us before our time c. So the devils besought him saying If thou cast us out suffer us to go away into the herd of swine And he said unto them Go c. The whole city came out and besought him that he would depart out of their coasts Matth. 8. 28 to 35. Mark 5. 2 3 4 5 c. Luke 8. 27 28 c. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest and finding none Then he saith I will return to my house from whence I came out And when he is come he findeth it empty swept and garnished then goeth he and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself and they enter in and dwell there and the last state of that man is worse c. Matth. 12. 43 44 45. When any one heareth the word c. and understandeth it not then cometh the wicked one and c. The tares are the children of the wicked one the enemy who sowed them is the devil Matth. 13. 10 38 39. Jesus rebuked the devil and he departed out of him and the child was cured c. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting Matth. 17. 18 21. Christ suffered not the devils to speak because they knew him Mark 1. 34. Lord even the devils are subject to us through thy name And he said unto them I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven Luke 10. 17 18. And he was casting out a devil c. Some of them said He casteth out devils by Beelzebub the chief of the devils c. If Satan also be divided against himself how shall his kingdom stand c. If I by Beelzebub cast out devils by whom do your children cast them out Luke 11. 14 15 17 to 21. Mark 3. 22 23. Ought not this woman c. whom Satan hath bound c. be loosed c. Luke 13. 16. Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired you that he may â—ift you as wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Luke 22. 31 32. Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye wiâ—â— do He was a 〈◊〉 from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him when he speaketh of a lye he speaketh of his own for he is a lyar and the father of it John 8. 44. The devil having now put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot Simon 's son to betray c. After Jesus had given the sop to Judas satan entred intoâ— him John 13 2 26 27. Luke 22. 3. The prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me John 14. 30. When the Spirit is come c. he will reprove or convince the world of c. of judgment because the prince of this world is judged John 16. 8 9 11. I pray c. that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one John 17. 15. Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lye to the Holy Ghost Acts 5. 3. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. Then come together again lest Satan tempt you for your incontinency c. 1 Cor. 7. 5. Confirm your love towards him c. left Satan should
of the simple Rom. 16. 17 18. There must be also herenes among you that they who are approved might be made c. 1 Cor. 11. 19. How say some among you That there is no resurrection from the dead 1 Cor. 15. 12. We are not as many who corrupt the word of God c. 2 Cor. 2. 17. Them who desire occasion c. for such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ c. Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed into the ministers of righteousness whose ends shall be according to their works c. Ye suffer fools gladly c. ye suffer if a man bring you into bondage if a man devour if a man take if a man exalt himself c. smite you on the face 2 Cor. 11. 12 13 14 15 19 20. There be some who trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ Though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that we have preached unto you let him be accursed As we have before so say I now again If any man preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed Gal. 1. 7 8 9. False brethren who came in privily to spy out our liberty c. that they might bring us into bondage to whom we gave place by subjection no not for an hour that the truth of the Gospel may continue with you but of these who seem to be c. Gal. 2. 3 4 5 6. They zealously affect you but not well yea they would exclude you that you might affect them Gal. 4. 17. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh they constrain you to be circumcised only left they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ for neither they themselves that are circumcised keep the law but desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh Gal. 6. 12 13. Philip. 3. 2. Be no more children tossed c. with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive Ephes 4. 14. This I say lest any should beguile you with enticing words c. Beware lest any one spoil you through philosophy and vain deceits after the traditions of men after the rudiments of this world and not after Christ c. Let no man judge you in meat or for eating c. intruding into those things which he hath not seen c. and not holding the head c. Why are ye subject to ordinances c. Touch not c. Col. 2 4 8 16 to 24. Let no man deceive you by any means c. That man of sin c. who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God c. Then shall that wicked one be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them who perish Because they received not the love of the truth c. for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned c. 2 Thes 2. 2 3 4 8 to 13. Rev. 13. 13 14. Charge some that they teach no other doctrine neither give heed to Jewish fables c. Some have swerved having turned aside to vain janglings desiring to be teachers of the law understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm 1 Tim. 1. 3 4 6 7 8. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter days some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils speaking lyes in hypocrisie having their consciences â—eared with a hot iron forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats c. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. If any man teach otherwise c. he is proud knowing nothing but doting or sick about questions and strifes of words whereof cometh envy c. perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth supposing that gain is godliness from such withdraw thy self Some c. have erred 1 Tim. 6. 1 2 3 4 5 20 21. Strive not about words to no profit to the subverting of the hearers c. Shun prophane and vain babling for they will increase to more ungodliness and their word will eat as doth a canker or gangrene Of whom is Hymeneus c. Who concerning the truth have erred saying That the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure c. 2 Tim. 2. 14 16 17 18 19. Perilous times shall come for men shall be lovers of their own selves covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankful unholy without natural affection truce-breakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those who are good traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away for of this sort are they who creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins led away with divers lusts ever learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobate or of no judgment concerning the faith c. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived but continue thou in the things c. 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 14. The time will come when they will not endure found doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap up to themselves teachers having itching ears and they shall turn away their ears from truth and shall be turned unto fables But watch thou c. 2 Tim. 4. 3 4 5. A bishop must be blameless c. holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught or in teaching that he may be able by found doctrine both to exhort and convince the gain-sayers for there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers especially they of the circumcision whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucre sake Rebuke them sharply c. not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth c. They profess that they know God but in works they deny him being c. Titus 1. 7 9 10 11 13 14 16. Be not carried about with divers and strange dectrines for it is a good thing that the heart c. Heb. 13. 9. But there were false prophets also among the people even as there shall be
sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth Isa 65. 16. Jer. 12. 16. And thou shalt swear the Lord liveth in truth in judgment and in righteousness Jer. 4. 2. ch 12. 16. ch 5. 2. How shall I pardon thee for this Thy children have forsaken me and sworn by them who are no gods Jer. 5. 7. Because of swearing the land mourneth c. Jer. 23. 10. Hosea 4. 1 to 5. The king sware secretly unto Jeremiah saying As the Lord liveth who made us this soul I will not put thee to death Jer. 38. 16. God threatned the Jews King for breaking his Covenant and despising his Oath he made to and with the King of Babylon and saith Surely mine oath which he hath despised and my covenant which he hath broken even it will I recompence upon his own head c. I will bring him to Babylon Ezech. 17. 15 16 18 19 20. I heard the man cloathed in linnen c. when he lift up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven and sware by him who liveth for ever that it shall be for a time c. Dan. 12. 7. God threatens to cut off them who swear by the Lord and that swear by Malchâ—â—n Zephania 1. 5. Every one who sweareth shall be cut off c. I will bring it forth saith the Lord of hosts and it shall enter into the house of c. and into the house of him who sweareth falsly by my name c. Zech. 5. 3 4. Love no false oath for all these are things which I hate saith the Lord Zech. 8. 17. Swear not at all neither by heaven for it is God's throne nor by earth for it is his foot-stool c. But let your communication be yea yea nay nay for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil Matth. 5. 33 to 37. James 5. 12. Herod swore rashly to Herodias her daughter Matth. 14. 6 7 8 9 c. They sought false witness against Christ and two came Matth. 26. 60. Prov. 14. 5. They suborned false witnesses against Stephen Acts 6. 11 13. Men verily swear by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife Wherein God willing more abundantly c. confirmed it by an oath Heb. 6. 13 16 17 18. Jer. 22. 5. Numb 14. 21 22. And the Angel c. lifted up his hand to heaven and sware by him who liveth for ever c. that there should be time no longer Revel 10. 5 6. CHAP. XXVI Of Preachers in general Gospel-Ministers of what Spirits they should be their Duty and Recompence HOW shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard how shall they hear without a preacher how shall they preach except they shall be seat Rom. 10. 14 15 c. And though the Lord gave you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy teachers Isa 30. 20. The Lord said unto Jeremy Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak Be not afraid c. Jer. 1. 7 8. If thou take forth the precious from the vile thou shalt be as my mouth Jer. 15. 19. The word of the Lord was made a reproach c. and a derision daily then said I I will not make mention of him nor speak any more in his name but his Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones and I was weary with forbearing and I could not stay c. Jer. 20. 8 9. If thou speakest not to warn the wicked c. to save his life c. he shall die c. but his blood will I require at thy hand c. Ezek. 3. 17 18 19 c. Freely ye have received and freely give provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses c. for the workman is worthy of his meat c. I send you forth as sheep c. be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves Mat. 10. 7 8 9 10 16. John 20. 21. Luke 10. 1 2 3 4 c. Go ye therefore teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost â—eaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you c. Matth. 28. 19 20. John 20. 21 22 23. He who despiseth you despiseth me and he who despiseth me despiseth him who sent me Luke 10. 16. He who speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory but he who seeketh his glory who sent him the same is true c. John 7. 18. The Apostles were very desirous to do good to the souls of others and therefore took all occasions possible to preach the Gospel every where Acts 2. 13 14 c. ch 3. 12 13 c. ch 4. 8 9 10 11. ch 5. 29 30 31 42. ch 7. 1. 2 3 c. When the Apostles were forbid to preach Christ they answer Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye for we cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard Acts 4. 19 20. We will give our selves to prayer continually and preaching of the Word Acts 6. 4. These are the servants of the most high God who shew unto us the way of salvation Acts 16. 17. Paul being a tent-maker abode with Aquilla being of the same craft and wrought with him c. He reasoned in the Synagogue every Sabbath c. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ c. Apollos shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ Acts 18. 1 2 3 4 5 28. Paul preached three months disputing and perswading about the kingdom of God but when divers were hardned c. he separated the disciples c. Acts 19. 8 9. Paul said I kept back nothing which was profitable unto you but have shewed you and have taught you publickly and from house to house c. testifying c. repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ c. Neither count I my life dear so that I might finish c. the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testifie the Gospel c. I am pure from the blood of all men for I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God c. I have coveted no man's silver or gold c. ye your selves know that these hands have ministred to my necessity and to them who were with me Acts 20. 20 21 24 26 27. 33 34 35. The Gentiles to whom I now send thee to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light c. Acts 26. 17 18 c. Gal. 1. 10 11 12 15 16. Paul dwelt two years in his own hired house and received all who came in unto him preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those