themselues The same is witnessed in Ezechiell And in the Acts of the Apostles the couenaunt made with Abraham for blessing al nations in his seede is said to be performed in Christ in turning euery one of his from their iniquity Act 3.26 Vnto you saieth the holy Ghost hath God raised vppe his sonne Iesus and him hath he sent to blesse you in turning euery one of you from your iniquities The Iews had this speciall ceremonie of rest to exercise them in the doctrine and practise of mortification the trueth of which ceremony is fulfilled in Christ For by the power of his death it is brought to passe Rom. 6.8 that sinne dieth in his It was necessary they should be acquainted with this doctrine for the Lord hath no seruice of vs that he wil accept of if we learne not to renounce and deny our affections Neither can we go truely to the obedience of him but in the deniall of our selues 48 How wee ought to profite by the Saboth THe Saboth day ought to serue vs as it were for a tower to make vs moūt on high to view the workes of the Lord from a farre when we are neither hindered nor occupied with any thing but that wee may applie all our senses and all our whole vnderstāding to reknowledge the gracious giftes and benefites which he hath bestowed vpon vs. And when wee shall haue well practised this on the Saboth daye that is to say when we shall haue deepelie considered the works of God we shall verilie all the rest of our time be giuen hereunto and these meditations shall so fashion and adorne vs that the next day Ex. 20.8 Deu. 5.12 and all the rest of the weeke we shall be ledde to thanke our God when so before hande wee shall haue premeditated on his workes to make our profit therein But when the Saboth day is spent not only in vnlawful games pastimes ful of vanitie but in things with are altogether cōtrarie vnto God that men thinke they haue not celebrated the same except God therein be by many and sundrie waies offended when men vnhallowe in this sort this holy day which God hath instituted to leade vs vnto himselfe it is no marueile if wee become brutish and beastly in our doinges all the rest of the weeke Wherefore let vs know that it is not sufficient to come to church on the Saboth day to receaue some good doctrine and to call vpon the name of the Lord but we must digest those things which we heare and receaue apply al our senses to the better vnderstanding of those benefites which God bestoweth vpon vs Mat. 7.24 Luk. 11.28 Ia. 1.22 c. and that by this meanes we bee so formed and fashioned to the same that the Monday and all the rest of the weeke following coste vs nothing to come and aspire to our God and that wee neede but call to minde that which wee haue learned before at good leasure when our mindes be as it were vnwrapped from all those thinges which hinder vs to receiue the workes of God 49 Of the second table of the law AS the Lord in the fower commaundements of the first table doth perfectlie instruct vs in al the dueties that appertaine directly vnto his worship and seruice euen so in the second table he doth giue vs rules and precepts for the duties that we do owe vnto men The dueties vnto God do admonish vs that al our doings towardes men are nothing where Gods glorie doth not goe before As it is written by S. Iohn In this we know that we loue the children of God when we loue God and keepe his commaundements As like as our dealing with men is nothing when the true seruice of God 1. Io. 5.2 is either not knowne or not regarded so that seruice that is giuen vnto God is not accepted when our brethren are neglected of vs. And therefore our sauiour Christ chargeth vs that whē our neighbour hath any thing against vs we should not presume to offer anie gift vnto God before we be recōciled Mat. 5.23 24. So greatly doth the Lord esteeme of this louing conuersation with men that the holy Ghost maketh it the proofe of our blessed estate We know saith S. Iohn that we are translated from death to life 1. Io. 3.14 Ex. 20 12. Ier 19.3 Col. 3.20 because wee loue our brethren Concerning that which we do owe vnto men the honoring of father and mother hath the first place To honour our parents is to yeelde vnto them all obedience reuerence and gratefulnes Children saith S. Paule Eph. 6.1 obey your parents in all thinges for that is well pleasing vnto the Lord. And our Sauiour Christ Math. 15 so likewise Mark 7. doth declare out of this commaundement how children ought to behaue themselues towardes their parents By father and mother all those are vnderstood who are the conueiers of any speciall goodnes of God vnto vs whom because he hath vouchsafed to be his meanes in conueying of the grace that we do enioy by him he cānot abide that they should be without honour at our handes 50 We must obey our Superiours GOd will proue our obedience and the loue we beare him whē he commandeth vs to walke in all equitie and vprightnes with our neighbours and that wee liue together in such loue and vnitie that anie one be not giuen vnto himselfe but that we communicate together and that euery one according to his abilitie to do well imploy and force himselfe thereunto This way God proueth vs to know whether we worshippe him vnfainedly and from our heart And this is the cause why our Lorde Iesus Christ saieth that the weightier matters of the lawe is iudgement Mat. 23.23 mercy fidelitie Therefore when we liue with men without hipocrisiy and dissimulation when wee are not geuen to our subtill sleightes nor malicious practises when wee studie to minister and to serue euery one in his commoditie when we maintaine right and resiste wrong as much as lyeth in vs wee then shall accomplish the chiefe and principall part of the lawe Not that the seruice of God ought in the meane time to be forgotten or that it is of lesse importaunce but because it is vnpossible that men acquite themselues in their duties towardes their neighbours except they be lead therevnto by the feare of God And although mention bee here expresselye made of father and mother yet there is no doubt but God meant to deliuer a generall doctrine Rom. 13.1 of hauing al superioritie in honour For if it had not touched any thing of the duetie we owe to other superiours as Princes Magistrates and those which haue the sword of Iustice if it had deliuered nothing concerning Masters it woulde haue seemed to haue bene vnperfect Therefore we must conclude that God hath commaunded that all they which are in honour and authority be honored and obeyed Neither ought we to
beare If a poore silly sparrow as Christ assureth theÌ„ falleth not to the grounde without their father that is in heauen 1. Cor. 10.13 Mat. 10.29 they are perswaded that they are far more pretious in the sight of god theÌ„ all the sparrowes in the worlde and therefore that an haire shall not fall from their head without his wil and pleasure The example hereof euidently appeareth in Iob and in the Apostles of Christ The deuel couldâ— not vexe Iob vntil it was graunted him by God Sathan desired to sifte the Apostles as men vse to sifte corne but Christ prayde for them that their faith might not fayle Yea a legion of deuils were not able to hurte a heard of hogges Luk. 12.32 but by the permission of Christ This comfort neuer faileth and when the faithfull betake themselues to this defence they maye be truely sayd to rest vnder the shadowe of the most highest Mat. 19.29 They which refuse persecution offered for Christ his sake cannot be his true disciples but shewe them selues to haue been hypocrites and dissemblers 147 The fauour of God the onelye foundation of consolation EXcept God be gratious vnto vs although all thinges looke pleasantly vpon vs yet no certaine trust can be conceaued And on the contrarie part his onely fauour is a sufficient solace in all sorrowe and a strong defence against all tempestes of aduersities And hereunto appertaine many testimonies of the scriptures where the Sainctes trusting to the only power of God dare despise what soeuer thing commeth againste them in this world Though I should walke through the valley of the shadowe of death I will feare no euill saith the prophet for thou art with me In the Lorde put I my trust Ps 11.1 how say yee then to my soule flye to your mountaine as a byrde I will not saith hee be afrayde of ten thousand of people that shoulde beset mee rounde about Ps 3.6 For there is no power vnder heauen or aboue heauen that can resiste the arme of the Lord therefore he being our defender noe harme at all is to be feared 148 The will of God is alwaye iuste although we see not the reason thereof THe wil of God although the reason therof be vnknowne vnto vs is to be counted iust For the Lord hath his right takeÌ„ from him if he be not at liberty to doe with his creatures as he seemeth best This seemeth hard to the eares of many And there are also some who alleadge that God is put to great reproch if such libertie be geuen vnto him as though they with their disdainefulnes were better diuines then the holy Ghost who hath appointed this rule of humility to the faithfull that they shoulde wonder at the power of God and not esteme it after their own iudgement The Apostle Paule represseth this arrogancie of striuing with God in his Epistle to the Ro. by a most fiue similitude wherein he seemeth rather to haue alluded vnto Esay then Ieremie Ro. 9.20 Esay 5.9 Ier. 18.9 6. For nothing else is taught in Ieremie then that Israel is in the hand of the lord so that for his sinnes he may breake him in peeces as a potter may his earthen vessell But Esay goeth higher saying wo bee to him the gainesayeth his maker namely to the pot that striueth with the potter shall the clay say to the potter what makest thou c. And surely there is no cause why a mortall man shoulde preferre himselfe before an earthen vessel wheÌ„ he compareth himselfe with God 149 Through faith our sinnes are forgiuen WHo soeuer beleeueth in Christ is not iudged that is to saye by the grace and mercy of God he is saued the sentence of deserued condemnation also being taken awaye So the Apostle sayth there is noe condemnation to those that are in Christe Iesus Ro. 8.1 Mar. 16.16 And whereas our sauiour Christe affirmeth that al the faithfull are out of perill of death we may therby gather howe necessarie the certainety and stability of faith is to take away the trembling and oppressing feare of conscience Hee pronounceth that there is no condemnation Io. 3.18 so soone as we beleeue and therfore if for faithes sake a man is not iudged as the truth it selfe plainely affirmeth where is then indulgences and pardons Where are the Romish satisfactions And where is the fayned fyre of purgatorie and such like humaine imaginations and deuises Surely they are vanished away and perished for euer For the truth hath said which ought neuer to be forgotten that who soeuer beleeueth in him hath euerlasting life Io. 6.47 150 Of the true knowledge of God THere is but one God in essence or nature which is the father of whom are all thinges and we in him Ier. 23.33 The same God is inuisible and immartall 1. Tim. 17. He is in al places seeth all thinges and filleth the heauen and the earth He is almightie infinite and eternall he is the maker and preseruer of all thinges He is onely wise gentle iust true merciful The Lorde Exo. 34.6 the Lorde sayeth Moses is stronge mercifull and gracious flowe to anger and aboundaunt in goodnesse and trueth In this deuine essence three persons doe subsist Mat. 3.16 28.9 being truely distinguished from euerlasting in their seuerall properties the Father the Sonne and the holye Ghost But the comforter which is the holy Ghost whome the Father will sende in my name hee shall teach you all thinges and bring all thinges to your remembraunce which I haue tolde you Io. 14.26 These three persons are not three Gods but they are coeternall and coequall 1. Io. 5.7 Act. 17.23 distinct concerning their properties and yet without any manner of inequalitie being by nature so vnited togeather that they be but one God eternall infinite and most perfect in it selfe 151 The power and godhead of God are seene and howe AMongest the properties and persons which are in God which is one there is such distinction that to the Father we must attribute the beginning of working and creating we must holde him for the fountaine and spring of all things To the son we must attribute wisedome couÌ„sell Ps 33.6 the gouernment of things that are made To the holy Ghost we must attribute the power and efficacie of working executing And although that the eternitie of the Father is also the eternity of the sonne and of the holy Ghost for God could neuer be without his wisedome power and in the eternitye there ought neither first nor last to be sought yet is it not a vaine thing nor superfluous to obserue this order in the eternitie â—â— namely that we set the Father first in order and in the second place the sonne which commeth of him in the third place the holy ghost which proceedeth from them both For also the mind of euery one inclineth to consider first God afterwards his wisdome which springeth
vs but one onely intercessor Christ in heauen they seeke for none other intercessor there because they haue the same full and perfectlye in Christ But they which do not beleue nor acknowledge Christ for their only and perfect intercessor aduocat such infidels shall neuer be holpen with any prayers of Aungels or saincts if the case stoode so that they did praye for them 191 The Papists will haue Christ to bee in part a Sauiour THe Papistes would weaken the ground of our Faith by a number of corrupt doctrines As first that in part wee haue saluation and remission of sinnes by the merites of sainctes for thus they pray Graunte vs O Christ by the blood of Thomas which he shed for thee thither to go whither he is ascended And to Saint George they pray thus Let him saue vs from our sinnes that we may reste with the blessed in heauen And touching Saint Anne they say thus O God thou which wouldest S. Anne to become the mother of thy mother grāt we beseech thee that by the meritts of the mother and the daughter we may obteine the heauenly kingdome Here are three Sauiours besids Christ in like manner doe they acknowledge a thousand moe Secōdly they say we haue remission of sins and saluation in part by our owne merits and good doings For thus writeth one of their champions that the passion of Christ may be the 1. and principle cause of attayning grace and opening the waye to heauen but it is neuer the whole cause for the euer there goeth with Christ some merit of him that receyueth grace Furthermore what shall bee saide of pardons of Pilgrimages of Purgatory of holy water and a number of such like superstitious and false errors by which not without blasphemy they match transitory things and vain deuises of men with the bloud of Iesus Christ the sonne of God our sauiour the most excellēt price of our redemption expreslye contrarye to the holye Ghost thus writing by S. Peter 1. Pet. 1. i8 Ye are not redemed with trāsitory things as with golde or siluer but with the bloud of that immaculat lamb Christ Iesus 192 Contrariety betweene the religion of Christ and the Pope WHereas the doctrine of Christ is spirituall altogether consisting wholly in spirit and verity and requireth no outward thing to make a true Christian man but onelye baptisme which is the outward profession of Faithe and receiuing of the Lordes Supper If the religion of the Churche of Roome bee examined it will easily bee founde wholly to consiste in nothing else but altogether in outward and ceremoniall exercises as outward confession absolution at the priestes hande outward sacrifice of the masse buying of pardons purchasing of obites externe worshipping of Images and reliques pilgrimage to this place or that building of churches founding of monasteries outward workes of the law outward gestures garments coulors choyse of meates difference of times and places peculiar rites and obseruancies set prayers and number of prayers prescribed fasting of vigiles keeping of holy dayes comming to church hearing of seruice externe succession of Bishops externe forme and notes of the church c. soe that by this religion to make a true christian and a good catholicke there is no working of the holy Ghost almost required 193 Succession is nothing without the doctrine of the Apostles THe aduersaries of the truth to the intent they might proue themselues to be the true church they obiect the succession of Bishops for the space of many hundred yeares in the Apostolicall sea whereas their doctrine being compared with the doctrine of the Apostles by the diuersitie and contrarietie thereof will easilye appeare to be the doctrine neither of the Apostles nor of anye apostolicall men Succession in deede with continuaunce of Apostolicall doctrine ought to be of great authoritie but without it nothing The sonnes of Aaron had more allowable succession from Aaron then the Bishoppes of Rome haue from Peter and yet because they brought strange fire into the temple of God they were reiected and perished Leu. 10.1 Those which in the church of God doe imitate them and contemning the truth deliuered by God desire strange doctrines and bring into the church the instruction of humaine ordinances them doth Christ sharpely reproue in his Gospell saying Mat. 15.3 you cast away the cōmandements of God to establish your owne ordinance Annas and Caiphas had full succession from Aaron yet it were hard thereupon to conclude that they had the right of the true church christ and his apostles to be Scismatickes 194 Succession proueth nothing THey greatly erre which thinke that any thing may be proued by succession whilest they leaue out that which is of most force therein that is that if like as they haue succeeded in the place of godly men they haue also succeeded them in the spirite of Christ in doctrine in faith grauitye godlinesse humilitie and patience Mat. 23.2 The high priestes and prelates who in the time of Christ did sit on Moses chayre coulde haue deriued the petigree of their succession from thē selues euē to Aaron but because their life and doctrine did not agree with the life and doctrine of Aaron and other godly priestes their succession auayled nothing against Christ and his Apostles neither were Christe and his Apostles false teachers or disseuered from the true Church because they were not able to proue their succession as the Pharesies could For the word of God and the institution of Christ was sufficient for them Wherefore sith euen we also now haue on our side the words of God and the institution of Christ there is no succession of Bishops that can proue vs to bee out of the true Church The histories of Popes and other like Prelates which are written yea euen by their deare frendes and defenders do sufficiently testify that almost all of them haue obteined this dignitie and place by most filthy meanes by simony wicked artes violence murthers and trayterous conspiracies Wherfore if it would please them a little more narrowely to consider hereof they should finde by better aduise there were no iust cause to brag of their succession but rather to burye the same in silence seeing by it their euils and horrible filthines is so clearely detected But God hath done this to th' end the truth might be reuealed and the godly warned to gather them selues together vnder our head Christ and into his true church 195 The description of the inuisible Church and visible THe church sometime in the scripture is taken for the whole number of the elect of God that are and haue bene from the beginning of the world in all places and ages euen to this day And this is that Church which is the piller of truth This is that church that neuer can abide in error Mat. 16.18 This is that church that by imputation of Gods mercy is the immaculate and vndefiled spouse of Christ but this
vnfaithfull vnto GOD and to his Church we shoulde be like them which suffer the sheepe to be deuoured in sparing the Wolues 73 Of true and false witnesses VVHEN we witnesse or speake truth against the wicked for to send him to death though we saue not his life Yet do we not cease to be true witnesses and to saue liues For in purchasing the punishment of the wicked wee are cause that diuers doe liue in peace and reste and thus doe wee preserue and saue liues the which is a very acceptable thing before GOD who will haue the Magistrates to punish the malefactor Deu. 17.9 Ro. 13.3 i. Tim. 2.2 vppon the othe of two or three witnesses that the euill being purged we might lyue in peace Nowe if the Lorde be carefull of such temporall and corporall sauing and preseruing Let vs vnderstande that by a farre stronger reason he taketh care for the spirituall and eternall sauing of liues as he hath alwayes shewed when he raysed vp true men which haue geuen themselues to shew the way of trueth vnto his people as were Noah Abraham Lot Moyses Iosua the iudges the holy kings and Prophets And not content heerewith Hee hath sent his owne sonne who not onely was a true and faithful witnes for to preache deliuerance as a minister and seruaunt but by himselfe hath made the purgation of our sins sheading his moste precious bloode for the eternall redemption of our soules And if the deliueraunce of our soules be so pretious before God Heb. 1.3 9.12 Ro. 8.32 that he hath not spared his owne sonne It folloeth therefore that we must be careful thereof before all other thinges Otherwise we are great contemners of God and renounce to be saued and redeemed by Iesus Christ the which is to do him great iniury and consequently to put our soules in bondage with the Deuill Nowe for to be carefull of our deliueraunce we must as Iesus Christ hath sent vs his Apostles and disciples for to be true witnesses vnto vs and asmuth as lay in their ministerye haue deliuered vs from death and dānation euen so still now we shoulde demaunde of him such Pastors and Ministers which wil be true witnesses and declare nothing vnto vs but the pure word of God to the which if we cleaue by faith repentance 2. Tim. 4.3 Io. 8.44 they shall deliuer our soules But as they are the most profitable witnesse which preach vnto vs Iesus C. euen so the most exquisit deceiuers ar they which vnder the shadow of religiō do set forth mens traditiōs doctrines of diuels vaine speculatiōs and subtil questiōs For such so much as they can do shut vp the kingdome of heauen from men and doe deliuer them vnto the Deuill 74 Wee muste not vpholde the slaunderer but beare with our brethrens infirmitie IN the worde of God not only those are charged with this sinne of false witnesse that first set on foote and erect a false tale to the discredite of their neighbour but those also that by their approuing of it and eares willingly opened vnto it doe vphold the same For notwithstanding it were set vp yet must it of necessity fal down againe if it shoulde finde none that would by the receiuing and approuing thereof vnderpropp it and as it wer lende their shoulders vnto it Therfore it is said by the holy Ghoste in Exodus Thou shalt not receaue a false tale Ex. 23.1 neither shalt thou put thy hande with the wicked to be a false witnesse It shall not excuse vs that we were not the first authors of it neither yet that many aswell as we did beleeue it but we are taught to take heede how we giue credite to report euen strengthened with the approbation of many whereof notwithstanding wee our selues haue no certayne knowledge that we be not so hasty to giue sentence in our hart and much lesse in place of iustice vse our testimonye against any vpon no sufficient ground moued onely by the speech reportes that runne abroad We are taught neither to goe nor ioyne with the mightie to witnesse a false matter for fauour or feare neither yet vpon a kinde of foolish pittie to honor the poore and to ioyne with them in their vniust cause so pretious woulde the Lorde that the regarde of his trueth should be It is not lawfull for vs to agree with any against God And as for the easie eare that so soone receiueth the slaunderers report the holye Ghost geueth the medicine for it in the prouerbes Pro. 25.23 As the North winde saith he driueth awaye the rayne so doth an angry countenance the slaundering tongue It is the ouer good entertainement that the slaunderous tongue findeth that cherisheth it for the heauie countenance driueth such guestes cleane away It is forbidden as a sinne against this ix commaundement to blaze abroad the infirmities of our brethren and therefore wee must admonish one another and so to hide sinne and iniquitie we desire you brethren saith S. Paule admonish them that are vnruly 1 The. 5.14 comfort the feeble minded beare with the weake be patient towardes all men It is forbidden to expounde thinges that might bee well taken into the worse parte and for some litle blemish to deface the whole It is commaunded vs to shew foorth our zeale against sinnes that be alreadye rype in our selues Mat. 7.3.4 and to turne it that way to be reuenged vpon them when it woulde be so gladly occupyed in suspecting and surmising euil in others which either is not so at all or at the least not so cleare as in our selues So that alwaies this bee our rule from the sight of our owne sinnes to proceede to the reprouing of others 75 The exposition of the last commandement IN the former commaundementes Ro. 7.7 Ge. 6.5 8.12 God would suppresse our will and affections but in this tenth commandement in playne wordes hee forbiddeth all inwarde desire whatsoeuer is vnlawfull to be done as the rebellion of the flesh all corruption of the olde man all blot of originall sinne he vtterly inhibiteth al euil thoughts light motions sodaine affections yea though we neuer fully purpose them neither consent willingly to do them Pro. 20.9 Ro. 7.23 Ep. 4.22 Col. 3.9 Ro. 6.6 Concupiscence wherewith wee loue our selues and seeke our owne cōmodity only not caring for others and are wholy in our nature corrupted is the very selfe same vice or originall sinne wherunto we are borne or subiect God requireth of vs holines and cleannes and not onelye outwarde righteousnes of works but the mind spirite and the powers of the mind perfection and holines such as he him selfe is indued withal And because that al mē are corrupted therfore vnperfect by nature in mind thought also in it selfe by this commaundement we are all conuicted and found guiltie of sinne before God as is more at large taught in the seauenth and eight chapters of S.
sometimes sorrye 1. Sam. 13 11. and that hee repenteth himselfe it is not as though GOD had anye such passions and affections of man But the holy Ghost applieth himself to our weaknesse because wee cannot comprehend God in his incomprehensible Maiesty 87 God hath his elect in all countries VVHereas it is saide that God will haue all men to be saued the meaning is not that God wil saue euery particuler man 1. Tim. 2.4 Ttt 2.11 but it is to be vnderstood of all countreyes and of all nations so that whereas in times past he chose but one certaine people to himselfe now he hath his elect in all places his mercy is shewed to all the world The promises which were giuen to the Iewes onely are now stretched vnto the Gentils which were separated from God Eph. 2.12 and cut of and banished from all hope of saluation 88 The foundation of God abideth sure WHen we see such turnings that they which seemed to be forwardes in religion do giue back and withdraw themselues from the kingdome of heauen 2. Tim. 2.19 yet for all that wee must not thinke that the Church is deminished And although the number of them whō we thought to be faithfull is by this meanes smaller yet let vs be assured that how soeuer the world go there is a sure foundation God will alwaye keepe his church and there shall alwayes bee some to call vpon him and to worshippe him Ps 72.5 and this may be sufficient for vs for asmuch as our saluation is so surely setled vpon the grace of our God in that it hath pleased him to choose vs before the world was made and so to account vs among the number of his children Ep. 1.4 89 We haue no power in our selues to serue God EXperience teacheth vs verye euidently that wee haue such imbecillitie and weakenes in our selues Ps 46.1.2 that we are not able to continue in the seruice of God vnlesse wee haue a greater strength then is to be founde in our mortal nature For such is our frailty that we are ready to fall at euery step and moreouer the deuil ceaseth not to assault vs daily which importeth that we could not bee able to resist him vnlesse wee had an higher vertue But God who seeth our imperfection doth not at any time bring vs out to combats but therwithall he giueth vs sufficient strength to withstand them 1. Cor. 10.13 and also our Lord Iesus Christ hath receiued al vertue power to fortify those that are his that they be not forsaken and yet notwithstanding we must prepare our selues to an inuincible courage if so bee that we will go on with our vocation and calling Mat. 28.18 but they especially that must lead the way to other I meane the ministers of the worde of God they haue neede of this heauenly helpe for Sathan wil more fiercely more dāgerously bende his assault towardes them then towards any other 90 God wil trie and proue our hartes WE muste not thinke to serue God at our ease and rest for he wil trie and proue what hartes we haue to employ our selues to his wil. And this is the cause why he letteth loose the bridle to the wicked granteth peace and rest to the naughtye persons Ps 44.21 and on the other side suffereth his children to bee molested by them and this is the matter that wee are so often exercised and tryed but we haue the remedy at hande for the scripture sheweth vs that the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ shal be cōmon vnto vs if so be 2. Tim. 2.1 we embrace it and cast it not away through our negligence 91 The word of God abideth for euer IF we will proue our faith and obedience towards god the truth of his word must thē raigne ouer vs 1. Pet. 1.23 we must frame our liues thereafter wee must know that it is an abiding and immortall truth not flitting nor changeable it is not a temporal doctrine to serue for a season but the mynde of God was that it should be of force in these dayes and vnto the ende of the world and that the world shoulde sooner perish and heauen and earth decaye then the authoritie of the law or of the prophets shoulde bee diminished Mat. 5.18 Luk. 16.17 2. Tim. 3.15 and therefore we must suffer our selues to bee gouerned by the holye scripture referring our selues thether without seeking wisedome in any other place 92 It is not sufficient onely to read the scripture THe scriptures are giuen vnto vs from aboue not to the ende wee might haue them onely in bookes and so laye them vp as our treasure as many men do neither yet are they giuen that we might simply and sleightly read them Mat. 7.21 Ro. 2.13 Ia. 1 22. as though it were sufficient to read either that by a superstitions opinion the reading of them might be in stead of worship and diuine seruice as the papistes doe and as the Iewes continuallye do on the Sabboth dayes but they are geuen to this ende that they might be read with diligence and with a minde desirous to finde out those things which belong to true knowledge and true godlines 93 The Scripture is profitable THere is nothing in the scriptures which may not serue to our learning and institution of our life there is no vaine or vnprofitable thing contained in the oracles of god and therfore we must profit in the reading of the scripture vnto pietie and holines of life 2. Tim. 3.16.17 What soeuer is set down therin we must labour to learne it for it were a reproch against the spirite of truth Io. 16.13 if wee shoulde thinke hee hath taught any thing which were not materiall for vs to know secondly whatsoeuer is taught in the scriptures let vs know that it tendeth to the encrease of godlines For hereunto specially do they serue Ro. 15.4 as namelye to erect the mindes of men being prepared vnto patience and strengthened by consolations vnto the hope of eternall life and to keepe them in the meditation thereof 94 The scripture is diuinely inspired THe scripture calleth no man but as is well agreeing either to his nature his affections or his maners It flattereth no man although it giue very honorable names and titles to the faithfull neither blameth it anye body but vpon iust cause For the scripture is diuinely inspired and endited by the holy Ghost which is a teacher of all trueth and a hater of lyes With feare and reuerence therfore with care and diligence wee shoulde reade the holy scriptures and heare the preaching of the Gospell for therin doth God open his mouth to giue vs wisedome Io. 4.24 And we must not imagine any carnall thing of God seeing hee is a spirite we must not resort to the preaching of his worde and to the publicke prayers slacklye or for customes sake or to auoyde the danger
motion and as they are selfe taught but it is God that giueth it and that of an especiall goodnes I will not the death of a sinner saith the Lord but that hee conuerte and liue Eze. 18.23 33 And how is that possible If we were able to turne our selues vnto the Lord it were a more excellent worke then to create vs and experience it selfe doth sufficientlye condemne vs. It is moreouer an vndoubted doctrine throughout the whole scripture For in euery place our Lord Iesus Christ giueth himselfe the prayse of turning vs shewing that he will soften our stonie hearts Eze. 11.19 20. Phil. 2.3 and make them bowe to obey him and it is his worke not onely to giue vs that we may but that we will and desire to obey his commandementes and to bee shorte there is nothing that the faithfull ought to doe so much as in this behalfe to giue God the glorie confessing that it is in him onely to turne vs that it is he onely that hath adopted vs in such sort that he must needes draw vs by the grace of his holy spirite The Lorde must open our eyes and eares also before we can attayne to this woonderfull wisedome which is conteyned in the gospell Deu. 29.4 Ro. 8.7 because the natural man vnderstandeth not any part of the secrets of God therefore it followeth that it is an especial gift of the holy ghost when he lighteneth our hearts in the faith of his truth 212 Howe we ought to repent THe true preparatiue to repentāce is to be pricked so nearely as we may feele the euill that is in vs condemne our selues for it we must learne to streine our selues to hold our selues as prisoners although the same fall out contrarie to our desire yet neuerthelesse wee must goe on still further that God may winne the vpper hand of vs. We must learn to hate our selues to take displeasure against ourselues and to be reuenged of our owne naughtinesse 2 Co. 7.11 according as the Apostle sayeth 2. Cor. 7. For repentance importeth that men should condemne thēselues and take vengeance on themselues when they see their whole life corrupted and that they should vse an holy anger against it In steede of desiring to bee reuenged of our enemies when they haue doone vs any harme wee should be chafed and angry with our selues yea and punish our selues for faultes when wee cannot frame our selues vnto the will of God Wee should euery man enter into his owne conscience acknowledge howe corrupt and damnable sinners wee are of our selues Mar. 1.15 confesse our sinnes and when we haue doone so let vs enter from them and behold the great mercie of God 213 The qualities of repentance ONe speciall qualitie of repentance is alwayes to bring with it remission of sinnes for where true repentance goeth before there remission of sinnes must necessarily followe after not that repentance deserueth remission of sinnes but because where God worketh repentance there he pardoneth sinne because of his promise Eze. 18.27 When the wicked sayth the Lorde turneth away from his wickednesse that he hath committed and doth that which is lawful and right Esay 55.7 he shall saue his soule a liue And againe let the wicked forsake his wayes and the vnrighteous his own imaginations and returne vnto the Lorde and he will haue mercy vpon him Here we see to whom forgiuenes of sinnes the mercie of God belongeth as namely to the penitent sinners to those that leaue sinne imbrace godlinesse to those that forsake their owne waies and imaginations and turne vnto the Lorde And as for such as walke on in their own waies and folowe the delightes of sin without any sorrowe or purpose to leaue them they haue nothing to doe with the mercie of God and though Iesus Christ had suffered an hundred deathes which could not be yet shall no vnpenitent sinner haue remission of sinnes by his death nor any other benefites of his passion for they belong onely to his Church and chosen people here vpon the earth He therefore that is not of the church he that is not grafted into Christ by faith he that is not a member of his misticall bodie can enioy nothing by Christs death If a mā abide not in me saith our Sauiour Christ he is cast foorth as a branch and withereth Io. 15.6 and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they burne We may reade also in an other place howe God barreth all stubborne sinners from his mercie Deu. 29.18.19 and doth most terriblie shoot out against them He that heareth the words of this curse and blesseth himselfe in his heart saying I shal haue peace although I walke according to the stubbornenesse of my owne heart thus adding drunkennesse to thirst the Lorde will not be mercifull vnto him but then the wrath of the Lord and his iealousie shall smoke against that man euery curse that is written in this booke shal light vpō him 214 Of Sacraments and what a Sacrament is THE Lorde hath added vnto the preaching of the Gospell most holy Sacramentes as namely Baptisme and the supper of the Lorde The Sacramentes are holy actions of the faithfull in the church of Christ ordeyned by the Lorde himselfe to be signes and seales of true doctrine first doubtlesse bearing witnesse that we are receaued of God into grace and into the couenaunte and that he is our God that he clenseth vs from our sinnes regenerateth and reneweth vs and adopteth or chuseth vs as sonnes and receaueth vs vnto the partaking and fellowship of all good thinges which of vs must bee kept holy and we must liue godly and innocently before him They are also testimonies that the true Messias in times past promised vnto the old Fathers from the beginning of the worlde is nowe exhibited or giuen of God vnto the Church of Christ I meane Christ our Lorde who truely gaue his flesh and bloud vnto death to redeeme vs with his flesh bloud to nourish vs vnto eternall life that we againe as the Church by him redeemed Lu. 22.19 should keepe in continuall memory the death of our Lord 1. Cor. 11.26 praise him extoll him and giue thankes vnto him The Sacraments are also to admonish vs of our duties that wee should lead our liues in true godlines brotherly loue hold that one religion with whose sacramentes we are separated also frō al other religions 215 A Sacrament consisteth of three partes SAcramentes doe consist of three partes the first is the outwarde signe the seconde is the spirituall or inwarde grace and the thirde part is the worde of Christes institutiō or promise which is as it were the life and soule of the Sacrament Water in Baptisme signifieth that as water naturally hath a propertie to wash and clense the filth from the bodie Io. 1.7 so doth the grace of God through Christes bloude wash away
of the lawe as do the hypocrites the superstitious and Idolaters but to th' end we may receaue and learne wisedome of God through his grace and goodnesse whereby we knowing him maye walke in his feare 95 The scripture must be read with reuerence THe readers of the scriptures must be searchers and not corrupters wresters dreamers or superstitious murmurers For the Scriptures do not require anye searching but that which is godlye humble and desirous to knowe and embrace one trueth onelye otherwyse a man maye fynde some whiche reade the Scriptures but not to searche out Gods trueth but rather to hinder the same Euen soe Herode inquired out the trueth out of the scriptures concerninge the place where Christ should be borne Mat. 2.4 not to the end he might worship him but rather to destroy him Also the Pharesies said not to Nicodemus beholde what is writeÌ„ in the scripture coÌ„cerning christ but they said search looke for out of Gallilye riseth no Prophet So in like manner wicked and vngodlye Io. 7.52 men do search the scriptures to corrupt the same to their owne destruction 96 Faith in Christ IT is very necessarie for christians to know first wherof faith in christ doth come what wee must beleeue concerning Christ and in what faith in Christ is to be continued and confirmed Ro. 10.17 Faith the Apostle saith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God Secondly if so be faith commeth by hearing of the worde of the Lord and if it be our parte to abide in the same and that wee ought not to beleeue anye other thing then the verye same which is set before vs by the worde whereby wee conceaue faith and beleeuing in the which wee abide very foolish are they which at this day say they knowe not what to beleue and what not for if so be they were abiding in the word of the Lord they shoulde knowe what to beleeue but because they haue already applyed their eares and minde to humaine doctrine it commeth to passe that they being ignorant of Gods trueth are carried about with euery winde of doctrine the which is forbidden by the holy ghost Eph. 4.14 Thirdly this also is manifest in what christian fayth ought to bee maintained and confirmed Io. 8.31 when our sauiour Christ saith that they which continue in his worde are his true disciples So that we must abide in that from which wee haue conceaued our faith We are begotten by the worde of truth thorough faith Iam. 1.18 by the same we are strengthned and confirmed 97 Christ hath freed vs from the lawe OVr Lorde Iesus Christ was sent to redeeme them that were vnder the lawe that wee might receaue the adoption of sonnes Hee was moreouer our peace when hee shedde his bloud to wype out all our sinnes Gal. 4.5 to deliuer vs from all our debtes when he became a curse for vs and was become subiect to all reproch to couer all the faultes which we had committed And whereas God was our enemie as also we on our partes were enemies to him in Christ may wee beholde our agreement Eph. 2.14.15.16 and so likewise the attonement which was made and accomplished 98 There is no chaunge in God WHereas it pleased God to hide the witnesse of his Gospel for a season from the Gentilles and afterwarde to haue it preached throughout all the worlde and chuse such a fitte time for it as hee had determined in his secrete Counâ—â—â— we must not saye that he is chaungeable therefore Iam. 1.17 but wee must learne to worshippe and reuerence him in his prouidence with all humblenesse confessing that nothing proceedeth from him but most iustly and most wisely 1. Tim. 1.17 and that whatsoeuer hee hath once determined and whatsoeuer he doth cannot be controlled 99 The will of God must be our rule WE must not giue our selues too much to our lustes as by nature we are prouoked thereunto but alwayes wayte vpon God to see what his good will and pleasure is and with patience and quietnesse wayte for the same and although manie thinges fall not out as wee would haue them but wee thinke to our foolish reason that God shoulde haue doone other wise yet must we bridle our selues and shewe that obedience vnto God that his counsell may be a sufficient rule for vs 1. Ti. 2.7 remembring also that God hath his due time and it is not for vs to appoint him a time when hee shall doe what he hath to doe this authoritie and office of commaunding is not in our handes Act. 1.7 neither is it in vs to knowe the times and seasons which the father hath put in his power 100 Howe the way is opened for vs to pray AS often as the goodnesse of God is witnessed vnto vs and be promiseth vs his grace although we be wretched sinners As oft also as wee heare that our sinnes were forgiuen vs by the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ and that then payement was made for all our debtes Col. 2.14 and the obligation that was against vs dispatched and rent in peeces and God made at one with vs. We haue the way opened vnto vs to pray vnto God as also the Lorde sayeth I will saye vnto them which were not my people Hos 2.23 thou art my people and they shall say thou art my God therefore so soone as our Lorde GOD maketh vs to taste his goodnesse and promiseth vs that euen as he sent once his onely sonne vnto vs so nowe he will accept vs in his name wee neede not doubt to come vnto him for it is asmuch as if he commaunded vs to praye and the one hangeth vppon the other 101 The drift of the Scripture THe whole course of the scripture teacheth vs especially and aboue all thinges that wee shoulde not doubt but assure our selues and vndoubtedly beleeue that God is mercifull louing and patient Iam. 1.6 that he is neither dissembler nor deceauer but that he is faithfull and true and keepeth his promise yea and hath performed that he promised in deliuering his onely begotten sonne to death for our sinnes Luk. 1.69 that euerye one that beleeueth in him might not perishe but haue euerlasting life Io. 3.16 Here we cannot doubt but GOD is pleased with vs that hee loueth vs in deede that the hatred and wrath is taken away Ro. 4.25 seeing hee suffered his sonne to die for vs wretched sinners 102 We are assured of the fauour of God GReat cause haue wee to yeelde most heartye thankes vnto our good God forasmuch as it hath pleased him to deliuer vs from this monstrous doctrine of doubting wherein we were noussed in the time of ignorance so that wee can nowe assure our selues that the holy ghost cryeth bringeth foorth in our harts groninges that cannot bee expressed Ro. 8.26 We are commanded in the gospell to beholde not our owne
no outwarde deede at all 118 The blasphemy of the Papistes concerning sinne THE Papistes can say well ynough that if a man consent vnto euill that is to say if be lust after it in such wise as he would faine doe it if occasion serued they graunt that such a consent is a damnable sinne But if a man haue anie euill liking so hee consent not throughly to it the Papistes saye it is no sinne at all which is false It is sayde thou shalt loue the Lorde thy GOD Deut. 6.5 Mat. 21.37 Mar 12.30 Luk. 10.27 with all thy heart and with all thy strength What is meant by minde and strength God hath not limited the loue that wee owe vnto him that it should be onely in our heartes and mindes but he sayeth that our witt reason and vnderstanding and all our strength that is to saye all our powers and abilities that wee haue in our nature must bee also thoroughly applyed thereunto Nowe then if a man conceaue anye euill although he consent not to it nor yeelde his affection fully thereunto can he bee sayde to loue God with all his mind No if a man haue neuer so little a peece of himselfe inclyning to corruption although with all the rest hee endeuour himselfe to accomplish the lawe yet doeth hee loue GOD as he ought to doe No vndoubtedly for sinne is nothing else but a transgressing of Gods lawe Therefore wee may conclude that all the vayne thoughtes which prouoke vs vnto euill are sinne and that we are guiltie of them to God warde vnlesse he beare with vs of his infinite goodnesse But he forgiueth them to those that are his Neuerthelesse it be hooueth them to acknowledg it for sinne and whosoeuer doth flatter himselfe hee doeth but prouoke Gods wrath and couer the mischiefe to his owne damnation For in the ende his hypocrisie must be discouered and made manifest to be punished with all the rest 119 Sinne doth bring death with it WHere sinne raigneth we shall finde nothing but the wrath of God which bringeth with it death Therefore it is only mercie which reconcileth vs vnto God that therewithall we might be restored to life God so loueth the worlde that he gaue his only begotten sonne Io. 3.16 that all that beleeue in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Ro. 5.10 If any demand in whom this loue is founded the Apostle Paule answereth that it is founded in the purpose of his will Notwtstanding this maner of speech seemeth to be contrarie to many places of the scriptures Eph. 1.5 which place the first principall foundation of Gods loue towardes vs in Christ and doe shewe that without him we are displeasing and hatefull vnto God But we must remember that the hidden secret loue with which God hath loued vs because it springeth from his eternall purpose is aboue all other causes but that his grace which hee would haue to be made manifest vnto vs and by which we haue assurance of saluation beginneth at the reconciliation made by Christ For seeing we must needes graunt that hee hateth all sinne and wickednesse howe can we assure our selues to be in his loue and fauour vntill our sinnes are cleane put awaye for the which he is iustly angrie with vs Thus the bloud of Christ must be the meane to make God fauourable vnto vs before wee can haue any maner of feeling of his fatherly loue and clemency 120 We must confesse our sinnes vnto God GOd it is alone whom wee haue and do offende who knoweth our hearts deedes and determinations remitteth or punisheth sinnes and hath giuen his sonne vnto vs an high priest and one eternal sacrifice Therefore must we come to God the Father through Christ and that with the same wordes which hee hath giuen vs teaching vs to confesse our sinnes saying Mat. 6.12 Luk. 11.4 Forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And after this sorte may all the faithfull in all their trobles and at all times and in euery place confesse themselues to God both secretly and openly Secretly when ech man prayeth alone and confesseth his sins to God Openly when anye man in the Church togeather with the whole congregation prayeth and confesseth the same And there are manye examples in the holye Scriptures of those who confessed themselues vnto God and not onely craued but also obteyned of him forgiuenesse of their sinnes But on the contrary part there are no examples of anye which confessed themselues to Laye men or Priestes for this honour belongeth to GOD alone whiche hath giuen vs his sonne to bee our highe Priest who heareth sufficiently the confession of all the faithfull so that there is no neede to substitute any in his roome to heare them For who so euer with a true fayth from the bottome of his heart confesseth his sinnes in this manner to God the Father and to his sonne our only chiefe Priest Christ Iesus crauing his grace and mercye they vndoubtedly receaue ful remission of all their sinnes If wee confesse our sins 1. Io. 1.9 sayeth S. Iohn he is mercifull to forgiue vs our sinnes Wherefore seeing it is thus as by the truth it is confirmed they then which confesse their sinnes to God and to his sonne our Lorde haue obteyned full remission of the same so there is no neede to vse the Popish confession of the romish Synagogue 121 Faith is the meanes whereby remission of sinne is promised FOrasmuch as God hath promised remission of sinnes to the repentant sinner by no other meanes nor condition but only faith in christ therfore excluding al other meanes conditions of mans working we saye that what repenting sinner soeuer beleueth in Christ hath already to himselfe and needeth not to seeke to any preist perpetuall assurance of remission not for this time or that time onely but for euer Ro 8.1 For the promise saith not he that beleeueth in Christ shal be pardoned this time so he sin no more neither doth say that the law is staied or the sentence repriued but saith plainly that the lawe with the condemnation thereof and sentence is condemned shall neuer ryse again to them that be in C. Iesus Act. i0 43 and promiseth indeterminatly without limitation forgiuenes of sins to all that beleeue in his name And likewise in an other place the scripture speaking absolutelye saieth sin shal not haue dominion ouer you and addeth the reason why saying Ro. 6.14 for ye are not vnder the lawe but vnder grace Adding this lesson withall as it followeth in the same place not that sinners shoulde sin more therefore beecause they are vnder grace but onely that weake infirmity might bee relieued broken censciences conforted and repenting sinners holpen from desperation to the praise of Gods glory for as God forgeueth not sinners because they should sin so neither doeth infirmity of falling diminish the grace of Christ but rather
his will that men are afflicted with sicknesse with pouertie with hunger and cold with slaunder and reproch and with all the miserie that maye befall in the life of man But because the same Lorde and God whiche as a iust Iudge sendeth all these thinges is also a most tender louing and kinde father vndoubtedly he wil not suffer any thing to happen vnto vs 1. Cor. 10.13 but that which shall be profitable and a furtherance to our saluation Wherefore in all troubles and afflictions seeme they at the first neuer so greeuous and intollerable the godly receaue them and abide in them not only with patience but also with ioy and gladnes For they perswade themselues as trueth is in deede that God chasticeth euery sonne that he loueth and â—â—â—rfoâ— with cheerefulnes they reioyce in their afflictions knowing that tribulation bringeth foorth patience Heb. 12.6 Ro. 5.3 patience experience experience hope and hope confoundeth not nor maketh ashamed This comforte it was that made Iob patiently to abyde the losse of his goods the spoyle of his landes and the miserable destruction of his children The same comforte caused Ioseph patientlye to abide bondage imprisonment slaunder reproche and daunger of his life for he was certainely perswaded that nothing was done without the prouidence of his heauenly Father Ro. 8.28 which caused him to be resolued that it would fall out to the best in the ende 138 The prouidence of God is a great secrete WHen wee come vnto God and talk of his works we ought to consider that they be too high secrets for our weak wit to reach vnto And it behoueth vs to haue the same perswasion aswell of Gods prouidence generally Ps 36.6 as of the thinges that belong to his spirituall kingdome When wee heare that God ordereth all thinges Io. 5.17 Act. 17.28 and that there is not any thing done in this world without his will let vs knowe that it is a secret which we ought to marke well For although euery man graunt that God is soueraigne Lord gouernor yet notwithstanding when wee come to this point that the thinges which we see to be so troblesome and out of order cease not to bee guided by the secret prouidence of god who holdeth the sterne aboue turneth thinges to such end as he thinketh good we must reuerently consider that wee be not able to mount vp to so high a secret and therfore honor God in the things we know not vntil he reueale vs the things that as yet are hidden from vs. 139 Gods prouidence is ouer all WE might learne in al that we see to confesse the greatnes of the Lord. Why doth not the strength of his workes make vs to confesse his power and all the delight wee haue in them why doth it not make vs acknowledge all his goodnesse to the children of men The Prophet Dauid saith Ps 8.3.4 wheÌ„ I behold the heauens which are the workes of thy hands the Moone and the starres which thou hast ordeyned What is man saye I that thou art mindfull of him or the sonne of man that thou so regardest him Our sauiour Christ declareth Ma. 6.26.28 that when we see howe God feedeth the sparrowes and clotheth the Lillies We are a faithlesse people except wee see hys prouidence ouer vs to feede vs and to clothe vs in all our necessities And sure the truth is except wee see with such eyes the creatures of GOD wee are become creatures degenerat from that image wherein wee were firste formed If we see nothing in the heuens but that they are lighte and aboue our reach the Horse and Mule see this aswell as wee If wee see nothing in the earth but a place to walke in or to take our rest vppon it the beasts and foules se this aswell as wee If in our apparell wee see nothing but pride of a goodly colour If in our meate and drinke wee knowe nothing but the pleasure and sweetnesse of the taste If hearing seing smelling tasting and such like be all the delight we can finde in the workes of God wee haue geuen our preheminence to the domme creaturs which haue these sences more exquisit then wee and wee haue turned the hartes of men into the harts of beasts who with wisedome vnderstanding knowledge reason and prudence can do nothing And the words of the Pr. are fulfilled in vs Ps 49.20 Man when he was in honor had no vnderstanding hee was compared to the bruite beastes and was made lyke vnto them 140 The prouidence of God IN sixe dayes the creation of the world was finished but the gouernement thereof is perpetuall and God doth continually work in preseruing and mantayning the order thereof Act. 17.28 Ps 104.29 Io. 5.17 euen as the Apostle teacheth saying In him we liue moue and haue our beeing Therefore when wee see the Sunne rising the course of the Moone and of the starres the force of nature in seedes and the encrease of our bodies and of the bodies of bruit beasts Wee muste then consider the prouidence of God and the continual working of the Father and of the sonne Neither doth hee by his generall prouidence onely defend the nature which he hath created but doth order and frame euery parte thereof Pro. 30.5 But especiallye hee defendeth and preserueth the faithfull whome hee hath taken into his protection 141 Nothing commeth by fortune but by Gods prouidence AS God of his vnestimable goodnesse made the worlde and all that therein is for the benefitte and commodity of man that he might vse al the inferiour creatures to Gods glory so doth the same Lord and maker by his almightye power and infinite wisedome continuethe same My father stil worketh saith our sauiour Christ Ioh. 1.17 Ps 104.29 and I worke when thou hidest away thy face saith that P. they ar trobled when thou takest away their breathe they die and are turned to their dust When thou lettest thy breath go forth they shal be made thou shalt renue the face of the earth That which wee call and esteeme nature is nothing but the very finger of God working in his creatures Ps 104.29 much more the alteration of naturall courses and thinges done extraordinarilye wherefore wheÌ„ rayne falleth excessiuelie to hurte the earth Gen. 7. or hinder mankinde as it did in the time of Noah or when the cloudes be cleane dried vp that there is no raine at all as it fell out in the tyme of Achab 1. King 17 It is moste euident to bee the worke of GOD according to his iustice punishing the breaking of hys Law and vnthankfulnesse of his people In like manner I might speak of the Earth and water the Sunne and Moone with the residue of the starres in all and euery of which as it is the finger of GOD that keepeth them in their naturall order so is it his power that doth alter and change them and for
hardened against the grace of God yet let him heare this worde of God and let it often fall into his eares Ier. 3.29 for it is as the Prophet saith a hammer which breaketh the stone in peeces and is able in the power of God to mollifie his heart or if the sinner be suncken downe so deepe that he will not rise it will crush him downe deeper that he may perish in sinne and so God saith to his Prophet Ieremie I will put my words into thy mouth and it shall be as fire Ier. 5.14 and this people shall be as wood and it shall deuour them And this is it S. Paule expresly witnesseth to be the onely meanes to glorifie God to preach the truth of his word vnto all for so saith hee we are alwaies a sweet smelling sauour of Christ vnto God as well in those that perishe as in those that be saued 2. Cor. 2.16 to the one a sauour of life vnto life to the other of death vnto death 237 The cause why the worde of God is despised BEcause the word of God is simple and teacheth vs not high and excellent thinges in the opinion of the world for this cause it is despised and men make no accompt to follow the way which it teacheth thinking it a great dishonour to be conformable to the same and that they should be scarce woorthy to liue Likewise men persecute at all times those that followe it as wicked and esteeme them vnworthy of life But those which despising the worde seeke out thinges which are in price with the worlde and follow them are reputed honest men and are placed alwayes in the most honorable place amonge worldlinges Which is the cause that they thinke themselues to be in good estate and of such force as they shall neuer perish Wherein they deceaue themselues Deu. 4.6 Leu. 18.5 Mat. 22.32 Mar. 12.27 for seeing the worde of God is our wisedome and vnderstanding and that he which doeth the thinges appointed by the same shal liue it foloweth that without this wisedome there is nothing but death 238 It is not for vs to knowe the times and seasons which the father hath put in his owne power BY the woorde of God wee are taught and instructed that the day of the Lorde shall come vpon vs as a theefe in the night When the light of the trueth is taken away when the heart of the good man of the house is at rest and his eyes are darkened that they cannot see and all his sences drowned in worldlye pleasures When wee care for nothing that is godly when we saye peace and rest then will the sonne of man come to iudgement then shall destruction sodainely fall vppon vs. Act. 1.7 1. Thes 5.2 Therefore let vs be readie for in the houre that wee thinke not will the Sonne of man come Of that daye and houre knoweth no man sayeth our Sauiour Christ no not the Angelles which are in heauen Mar. 13.32 neither the sonne himselfe but the Father What may wee thinke then of them that write Bookes and Almanackes and say and teach expresly that such a yeare and at such a time Christe shall come and with these speeches fraye and mocke the worlde Let men know that they are but mortall and that by nature they are vtterly blinde God hath giuen vs knowledge in measure we can not know asmuch as we would Let vs know that which is fitte for vs and speake that that is lawfull to be spoken Let vs thinke vpon the commandements of God to followe them and not search into his workes Luke 21.25 Esa 13.10 Eze. 32.7 Ioel. 2.31 3.15 to be curious in them for he that is curious in searching the maiestie of God otherwise then he hath reuealed in his word shall be oppressed and confounded by his glory Thus much we may well know that the Lorde will come that all fleshe shall appeare before him that the worlde the heauen and the earth the Sunne and the Moone shall haue an end Math. 24.29 42. that the day of the Lord shall come sodenly as a theife in the night This warning God hath giuen vs that we should not be taken vnawares but that we repent and stand in readinesse continually watching and praying euery minute of an houre that we may be caught vp into the cloudes to meete our Redeemer 239 Of the second comming of Christ THe Sonne of God shall come downe with maiesty from heauen the Trumpet of God shal sonnde and be hearde from the one end of the heauen to the other Then shall he be the iudge ouer al flesh Then shall hee shewe himselfe to be king of kinges Lord of Lordes Then shall he not come in humilitie meekenesse and mercye but with dread terror of iudgement and iustice Not with 12. poore Apostles but with so many thousande Angelles to attende vpon him Not in the preaching of the gospel and calling sinners to repentance but in the sound of a trumpet wherwith all the corners of the earth shall be amazed Then shall hee not saye Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauie loaden Mat. 11.28 Mat. 15.24 and I will refresh you I am sent to the lost sheepe of the house of Israell He shall not say Father forgiue them for they know not what they doe but he will saye you haue beene ashamed of mee and my worde before men therefore now wil I be ashamed of you before my heauenly Father Then shall they that despised the woorde of God knowe what they despised and the blasphemers shall reape the fruite of their blasphemy Then the carelesse Shepheard and idle Minister which hath not to his power fedde the Lordes sheepe but neglected them and left them at al aduentures which folowing the lustes of his owne heart hath betrayed his flocke and giuen them to be a pray vnto the wolfe shall receaue a iust recompence for his treason Then the aduterer oppressour and vsurer shall haue their life layde open before them They shall see him whome they pearced thorough Reu. 1.7 They shall see his sworde readie drawne to slaye all his enemyes and shall fall downe for feare of him that sitteth vpon the throne But the hearts of the righteous shall reioyce They shall lift vp their heades see him in whom they haue trusted Then shall they say This is the day which the Lorde hath made Ps 118.24 let vs reioyce be glad in it Let vs reioyce vnto the Lorde let vs come before his face with praise let vs sing loud vnto him with Psalmes Such shal be the state and countenance honor maiestie of our God when he shal come down from heauen for our deliuerance 240 Christ is the Apostle and high Priest of our profession IF we be Christians we must learn to professe no other teacher nor no other Sauiour but Iesus Christ onely 1. Cor. 1.30 We must beleeue and