truth goes further Shall I once name an Idoll â—…n my mouth much lesse set up an Idoll in Gods service Is not this much more but stay you there saith the carnall heart as it is with an old man that lyeth upon his â—…icke-bed when his eyes â—…re failing him hee cannot â—…oke on the Sunne when it â—…hines in his face and thereâ—…ore he desires them to draw â—…he curtaine for sayes he the â—…unne shines too full in my â—…ace give me a little light â—…old you there a weake â—…ght and a weake light so when the Word comes to â—…ne that would not part with sinne if it come to shine fuâ—… in his face and to pull dowâ—… his proud heart and to deprive him of libertie Oâ—… saith he Draw the Curtain for the Sunne shines too fâ—… in my face but so much 〈◊〉 serves the turne Christ aâ—… libertie Christ and tâ—… world oh hold you theâ—… saith he Deut. 12.31 Ye shâ—… not worship God as Hâ—… thens doe but as Christian Oh draw the Curtaine â—… and if thy neighbour off thee more for a commode then it is worth thou shoâ—… dest not take it Oh dâ—… the Curtaineâ—… the Suâ—… shines too full in my faâ—… saith he You must not 〈◊〉 off your Ware with lyâ—… Oh draw the Curtaine 〈◊〉 and so of drunkennesse c. â—…riefely I conceive you doe 〈◊〉 some measure know how â—…at they hinder the worke â—…f the light of the truth saith â—…remy I hearkned heard 〈◊〉 any laid their hands on â—…eir thigh and said What â—…ve I done Oh brethren â—…e truth of God comes to â—…ur doores and hearkens â—…hether any of you lay your â—…nd on your thigh and say What have I done Secondly whereby they under and hold down truth 〈◊〉 carnall heart labours to â—…pose this the powerfull â—…ication of this and that it â—…th thus A carnall heart â—…ses up an evill report on â—…e good truth of God that â—…night appear ugly to them that should lay hold of iâ—… The Spies when they weâ—… into Canaan they did not fâ—… much consider the plenty 〈◊〉 the land to perswade thâ—… people to come but raiseâ—… up lies there is strong holdâ—… and Iron Chariots anâ—… mighty men to dampe theâ—… hearts so it is with a carnâ—… heart the Saints reprove aâ—… Ministers preach every oâ—… comes to reprove him aâ—… yet he is not perswaded â—… Iohn 6.6 There was maâ—… that followed Christ 〈◊〉 loaves but when Chrâ—… pitched upon matter of 〈◊〉 actnesse say they it is a 〈◊〉 saying Carnall hearts wâ—… Christ is commended 〈◊〉 pleasantnesse nothing 〈◊〉 beauty full of comfort 〈◊〉 happy are they that can get him Grace here and glory â—…ereafter Oh say they it is a â—…ard saying they present him onely crucified contemned and mocked thus they â—…bour onely to hinder it Take notice and see the grounds why they profit so little it is because the worke of the Word is hindered by the businesse of our hearts we deale ill with the blessed truth of God it is with the Truth as with a Trade some â—…re borne to great estates â—…nd they are able to follow 〈◊〉 yet their estate it may bee decayes what is the reason they have been wonderfully hindered by many oppressions and cruell dealings at some Vsurers hand just so it is with the truth of God you have had good meaneâ—… Oh you have oppressed thâ—… Word of God and would not open if any would opeâ—… he would come in but yâ—… have quenched the motion of Gods Spirit Object Is it in our power to make the Word effectâ—… all Answ No but it is 〈◊〉 your power to doe what yâ—… are able to doe your legâ—… may as well carry you to tâ—… Word as to an Alcho use your eares may heare tâ—… Word as well as songs yâ—… may reade good Bookes 〈◊〉 well as Play Bookes Dâ—… you what you are able to dâ—… and cry to God and see whâ—… he will doe though you aâ—… not able to save your selves yet your corruptions are able to hinder the Word and this is the reason why the Word prevailes not with you the Lord may give what he will and deny what he will but destruction is from thy selfe thou hast free will to sinne learne from hence to see the reason and cause where the fault lies Luke 7.29 The Publicanes justified God being baptised with the baptisme of Iohn But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the Counsell of God against themselves the way of life was chalked out before them but the Scribes and Pharisees rejected the good counsell of God thou seest many are called Oh blame thy selfe Where am I all this while the Word would enlighten but I have contemned it the Word would quicken but I have neglected it I was almost converted but oâ—… wretch that I was company came and I choked it and would not walke in the way of God and the Lord hath often come to me by the Spirit and I have quenched the good motions of the same Brethren it is true Oh blame your selves goe home and say why may not my heart be made cleane the Lord wrought on such a one and why not on me Thirdly A carnall heart doth oppose the good Word of God by resisting the work of conviction if a man be so that he cannot but say that he is in a good way he cannot gain say the power of the truth if it be so with him then he labours with all carnall cavils as much as in him lies to defeat the truth of God Oh that convicting Oh that powerfull Word the Word of the Lord commeth like a sword the Lord seemes to aime at a sinner that he saith it is my sinne that is now discovered Brethren all the shift they â—…ave is to put by the power of the truth As a man that is beset by an enemy labours to keepe off the blow lest he should be slaine so a carnall man laboureth to stop the evidence of the Word that it might not prevaile against his soule though it seeth the truth it is not satisfied therewith Numb 22. As when Balack fent to Baalam to curse the people thinking him to be a Witch therefore whom he blessed was blessed and whom hee cursed was cursed God saith to Balaam thou shalt not goe with them yet when they returned this answer to Balack and that Balack sent more honourable men theâ—… they and tels him hee wiâ—… promote him Marke the poore sinfull covetous wretch the sinfull man saith stay all night and I will seâ—… what the Lord will say heâ—… would faine have the Loâ—… change his minde Why dâ—… he bid him stay The Loâ—… saith in the Text going before Thou shalt not goe with them I but his affections were lingring after the hous-full of gold therefore hee would have God change his minde So there is many a carnall heart followeth the wages of Baalam as Saint Iude speaketh hearing the Word certainly saith hee this truth I will follow but when
Three Sermons I. The Wrath of GOD against Sinners II. GOD'S Eternitie and Mans Humanitie III. The Plantation of the Righteous By T. H. ROM 1.18 The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse of men who hold the truth in unrighteousnesse LONDON Printed by M.P. for Iohn Stafford dwelling in Black-Horse-Alley neere Fleetstreet 1638. THE VVRATH of God against SINNERS ROM 1.18 The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse of men who hold the truth in unrighteousnesse IN the fore going verses the holy Apostle by way of Preface prepareth way for 〈◊〉 truth that hee would deliver and the doctrine he purposed to dispence of and that all cavils might be removed and that the Word of God might take deeper root and better acceptance heâ—… uses these three particulars and first hee cleares the authority of his challenge hee came not before hee was sent of God and therefore being called it concerned him and was his duty to do good He discovers the tendernesse of his love and his marvellous readinesse to do them good in the 12 13 and 14 verses It was a deâ—… the Apostle ought the Râ—…â—…ans therefore hee ougâ—… to pay it and now way bâ—…ing made he comes to 〈◊〉 â—…aine point that is That a â—…an is not justified by doing â—…ut by beleeving and this â—…e confirmeth first by the â—…estimony of Scripture that 〈◊〉 man is justified by faith and â—…ot by workes ye shall live â—…y faith Secondly by force of Argument and that after this â—…anner If all men by the â—…orkes of the Law cannot â—…unne the wrath of God â—…en a man cannot be saved â—…y the workes of the Law This hee propounds in the words of the Text and proâ—…ecutes it in the Chapter following and affirmes that neiâ—…er of them can be saved by â—…e works of the Law First In the Text observe â—…ese two particulars first the dealing of wicked mâ—… with the truth of God thâ—… hold the truth of God in uâ—…righteousnesse Secondly Gods dealiâ—… with them they dealt rougâ—…ly with the truth they laâ—… violent hands on it and Gâ—… he deales as rigorously wiâ—… them And the reason wâ—… they hold downe the trutâ—… is because of some lustâ—… their soules that is beloâ—… of them Secondly The Apoâ—… shewes against whom Gâ—… wrath commeth Thirdly The universalâ—… in these words All. Gâ—… doth not deale partially 〈◊〉 all that misprison the trâ—… in unrighteousnesse sâ—… have the wrath of God deâ—…ounced against them Fourthly The place from whence it shall come from â—…eaven First we are here to know what is meant by truth For â—…e better understanding of â—…e Text Truth carries two â—…ings with it First The rule of righteousnesse which is that hoâ—…age and obedience we owe â—…nto God and this rule of â—â—ghteousnesse is the most â—…xcellent rule that is Secondly Truth carrieth 〈◊〉 it selfe the efficacy and â—…ower of truth and therefore â—…e Apostle Paul sharply â—…proves Peter Gal. 2.14 â—…rse that though he obâ—…ved the Gospel in the maine yet he did not walke with a straight foot Secondly What is meant by holding the truth of God in unrighteousnesse To hold the truth of God in unrighteousnesse is by a kind of violence and strong hand to hinder the operation and passage of it that the Word cannot performe that worke which otherwise it would in the hearts of them to whom it is sent Thirdly What is meanâ—… by the word unrighteousnesse In some places it signifiesâ—… sinne that is committed against the second Table onely but here in this place 〈◊〉 implies all sinful distempers and corruptions of heart anâ—… this word in unrighteousnesse It carries the cause and authority as when a man sayes stop such a man in my name 1 Doct. The truth of God is operative 2 Doct. That wicked men are enemies to the Word of God 3 Doct. That the corruptions of mens hearts is the cause of the hinderance of the word But I will draw them all into one Doct. That carnall and corrupt hearts hinder the power of the truth from working upon them or prevailing with them as much as in them lies It is true that truth is powerfull and will prevaile 〈◊〉 when he sends his truth to worke upon any corruptâ—… heart he doth not stand to aske our wils whether we will receive or not but hee will make it effecâ—…uall hee will shake off all oppositions and he will drive all before him but let the Lord do what he will yet the carnall heart will resist and stand out and as much as in him lies labour to keep out the Word Rom. 2.14 15. Though Heathens be strangers from the life of God and from the Covenant of Grace yet this little remainder of the Law of God in their hearts which remaines will be a working in them so that murder and uncleannesse they will punish with death The truth is discovered â—…ree wayes First when a man is about 〈◊〉 commit any sinne as to â—…eale c. his conscience wil â—…mite him and so in other â—…innes Secondly the power and efficacy of God may be observed in the Creation yet â—…he darknesse of mens eyes â—…r the foggishnesse of their understandings do interpose themselves Thirdly by truth is meant the preaching of the Word when the truth is never so â—…pparant and prooffes never â—…o pregnant and arguments never so invincible yet their hearts will not yeeld nor â—…onsent when the light of â—…he Gospel is plainly dispensed and promulgated theâ—… must needs be a marveiloâ—… light and yet men will noâ—… yeeld to it as Paul and Barnabas the word they taught the Jewes put it away wheâ—… it gripes the heart and begins to worke effectually then they vomit it up againeâ—… Act. 7.57 Yee stiff-necked in heart yee doe alwayes resist the Holy Ghost as your Fathers did so doe yee Gen. 19.9 so the Sodomites did to Lot when the old and the young were gathered about thâ—… house and would have theâ—… out and when Lot said I pray you my brethren doe not so wickedly Stand back say they we will doe worse with theâ—… then with them As they did to Lot so you doe to Gods Ministers when Gods Messengers come and intreat you O brethren do not so wickedly profane the Sabbath and curse instead of praying be not so malicious against the wayes of God take heed of persecuting the servants of God Stand backe say they we will doe worse and thus they take up armes against the blessed truth of God when it comes to pull them off from their cursed practises c. For the discovery of the point give me leave to expresse three particulars First What is that worke which the truth would discover Secondly How wicked men hinder it Thirdly The reason why they doe so Quest 1. What is the power of the truth or what would it doe that wicked men oppose it Answ It appeares in foure particulars First it is a word of Information
that is the first worke to discover all things to us in their proper colours Prov. 6.23 the Text tels us the Commandement is a Lamâ—â— and the Law is Light and the reproofes of instruction are the way of life as a Lamp in he night so the way may be discovered so it is with the power of the Word of Truth and he that hath a minde carefully to attend may be able to judge and see right from wrong a man cannot miscarry so long as he is directed by the light of truth as the Sunne shewes all the Moates in the house and the blemishes so this is like the Sunne to discover and shew every moate and blemish and to discover every privie and corrupt corner Ephes 5.14 All things that are reproved are made manifest by the light for whatsoever doth make manifest is light Thou canst not enquire to doe any thing but that will advise thee Secondly As it is of Information so it is of quickâ—…ing a word of power that not onely telleth the way but enableth us to walke in it it puts vertue and ability to walke on chearefully It is not onely as the Sun to shew us the way but as a streame to carry us in that way God would have uâ—… walke Luke 24.22 there is not a light in the shining Sun Christ but is a warning to make nimble ouâ—… benumbed joynts 1 Tim 6.3 He cals it the wholesomâ—… word of Truth whereoâ—… Saint Paul speakes Timâ—…thy was nourished up with Psalme 119 I will nevâ—… forget thy Commandementâ—… because that thereby then hâ—… quickned me Thirdly In the third plaâ—… it is a coard though thou 〈◊〉 dull it will plucke thee oâ—… So in the fourth place it is a word of conviction with power to overthrow all the gaine-sayings of a man it meetes with every cavill it stoppes all the base trickes and devises of our sinfull mindes Luke 21.10 when the Disciples should bee brought before Magistrates saith Christ take no care what you shall speake in the 15 verse For I will give you a mouth and wisedome which all your Adversaries shall not be able to gainesay nor resist And in Acts 7. the Adversaries of Steven were not able to gainesay the wisedome of Steven the Word will convince thy minde though a cavilling and distempered mind 1 Cor. 5.25 Better speak one word in a knowne language then a thousand in unknowne And therefore said Saint Paul I was made manifest to your consciences Iob 36.10 He opens their care to discipline and commandeth that they returne from iniquitie though stubborne hee makes them give way to truth Fourthly In the fourth worke of truth there is a soveraigne supreame authority the word hath it beaâ—…es downe all and carries all and makes all to yeeld obedience when the Lord pleases to accompany it therefore there is such a power that iâ—… is not carnall but mighty through God to cast downeâ—… strong holds because hee takes place onely so this is the fourth worke it carries on a man and commands the soule 2 Cor. 10.4 The weapons of our warfare are not carnall feeble and weake but mighty through God to the pulling downe of strong holds His Commandements are mighty and what will yee doe when you set up strong mountaines of pride and bulwarkes of resolutions when yee are resolved yee will have your sinnes as drunkennesse covetousnesse c. though yee perish for it So that the truth of God carries the heart and eye and foot A mighty operation The Apostle 2 Cor. 13.8 said Wee can doe nothing against the truth so that when God will make good his truth wee can doe nothing against Gods truth Company comes provocations comes friends wife though life comes his resolution stands firme hee sides with the truth thus you see that truth will worke Secondly for the second particular And that is how a carnall man doth hinder this workeâ—… of the Word that it may noâ—… prevaile the soule would have the sinnes and the word would have the soule now a corrupt heart opposes the truth in foure particulars First A carnall heart is marvellous unwilling to listen to the truth of God so as to be informed and instructed in those things that would be too tedious first it is not willing to know what it should doe lest it should doe what it would not therefore it keepes a loofe off he is a stranger to the truth of God nay if it be brought home to their doores and God set open his mercies the truth is they will not so much as take notice of his mercies To examine every thing what need a man thus tediously trouble himselfe thus they hinder the first worke of the truth it is a Schoolemaster but they stop their eares Carâ—…all hearts when they see it comming towards them comming to tie them to obedience if he heares the Word comming hee slides away he is loth to heare the cause and loth to be perswaded he will not be at home on that day Esay 30.10 The people say to the Seers see not and to the Prophets prophesie not right things speake to us smoothe things prophesie deceits Get yee out of the way turne aside out of the path cause the holy One of Israel to cease from before us They say to the Seers see not to the Prophets prophesy not right things Doe not speake that they cannot heare but speak faire and smooth things Iob 21.14 Therefore they say unto God Depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes The covetous oppressors cannot endure to heare of the gringding of the faces of the poore Actes 28.27 They stop their eares and winke with their eyes least they should see with their eyes and heare with their eares and understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heale them I beseech you observe it as carnall men that are loth to know the truth but if they search they seeke after the Word â—…s a Coward doth after his enemy with a hope he shall not finde him and a feare lest he should finde him So a carnall man is loth to finde and feares to know and if â—…e doe know and search hee will search no more theâ—… shall serve his turne hee will not suffer truth to have the whole sway as a prisoner in chaines so carnall hearts keepe truth in Chaines and no more then he doth know he would know Luke 4.42 And when it was day heâ—… went into a desart place aâ—… the people sought him anâ—… came unto him and stayeâ—… him that he should not depaâ—… from them Hee made 〈◊〉 though hee would goe further but they stayed him bâ—… a morrall kinde of perswaâ—… on so carnall men doe thâ—… truth of God they stop aâ—… stay truth Rom. 12.1 2 vâ—… ses Fashion not your selvâ—… after the world and in tâ—… Law Ye shall not take tâ—… name of an idoll in your mouth The meaning is ye should not give honour to them but
riches and honours come then he will search the Word to see for a Dispensation this is a carnall stopping of the truth of God he will search all the wayes and try all the conclusions he can whereby he may cavill against the truth this is not the meaning of the Text however a man may cause labour to a weake Christian but marke thine owne heart if it be so I shall be vexeâ—… therewith therefore I will have some cavill I will noâ—… embrace this course therefore I will invent a way thâ—… it may not be lawfull to meâ—… When Saint Paul disputeâ—… with the Athenians divers oâ—… them encountred with Paulâ—… they had Argument for Argument against him that thâ—… Lord Jesus Christ was noâ—… the Saviour of the world This is the generall course 〈◊〉 a carnall heart if it may dâ—… vise a course against it hâ—… is contented if so be theâ—… can be no prevailing againâ—… it it sends farre and neeâ—… and gathereth Towne aâ—… Countrey to seeke it as 〈◊〉 Vsurer that is resolved to continue in it hee goes to fourty Ministers about it and if hee bee told of the sinne of it hee will say hee will thinke of it hee will search the devils Skull but he will invent some carnall Argument hee conferred with such a man and he told him such reasons but they blew away as a blast of wind Marke my Brethren the Lord sent Moses to convince Pharaoh and when Pharaoh said I will not let the people goe God saith Lay downe thy rod and it shall bee turned into a Serpent what doth Pharaoh then hee doth not sit downe under the miracle but sends for Magicians and they cast downe roddes and they were turned into Serpents also but Moses his rod devoured theirs yet Pharaoh hardened his heart So when the Word comes home this Word I must yeeld to this Truth I must entertaine and when the Word commeth by a mighty power they send for Magicians carnall Arguments though the Arguments out of the Word doth eat up all yet a carnall heart doth goe away satisfied and it shall be so Fourthly and lastly if by carnall reason they cannot defeat the truth they fall to flat resisting they will have their way and so Brethren they lay violent hands upon the truth 1 Sam. 8.18 The people were set a madding upon a King they would have a King as all other Nations had they thought that to be a meanes of their prosperity that would be a cause of their destruction Samuel makes a gracious Sermon to them that they might be disswaded when he had discovered all saving Arguments they doe not reply a word reasoning nay say they but we will have a King they are resolved of it as a wretched man said when one complained hee could not doe such a thing for his conscience I am master of my conscience I can doe what I will for all that Numb 24.1 2. When Balaam saw that the Lord did not give him leave it did not please him he went not as at other times but set his face towards the Wildernesse and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him It was his devise before hee would curse the Lords people he made seven Altars and seven Altars before to aske God but now hee would put it to adventure he would curse what ever came of it and thus it is with a carnall man when he sees that all his carnall Arguments fall he saith I will not pray in my Family c. Know thou that castest away the command of God here hereafter the Lords command with a curse shall prevaile against thee say hereafter I will not goe to Hell the Lord saith Matth. 25.46 These shall goe into perdition c. Reas 1. The first ground of the point why carnall men doe so is namely they cannot endure to have their sinnes removed the refore of necessity the blessed Word must be resisted every sinner loveth his sinne therefore ye shall observe when a man speaketh against drunkennes pride c. he saith he met with me he speaks against my sinnes why he spoke against sin against drunkennesse Sabboth breaking c. Nay he speakes against my person sinne is as neere as the soule will not any man strive for his life I beseech you observe it his sinne is his life therefore when the Word of the Lord would pluckeâ—… the cup from the drunkard the Whore from the adulterer he plucks his life every thing seekes to preserve his life and will not sin doe so too to contend for hiâ—… life so sinne seeks to preserve it's life If that the Ministers prevaile you and 〈◊〉 must part therefore doe all you can to stop it the reason is because a mans sinne isâ—… mans soule Here is the very ground as it was in thaâ—… remarkeable passage of Hâ—…rod touching his brother wife hee reformed many things but when Iohn said It is not lawfull for thee 〈◊〉 have her when he must either kill or be killed Heredias must downe or Iohn he loses his Harlot therefore he would part with all If the Minister meet with a man though he never knew him the Word meets with him his heart then rises and either he must be gone or the Minister gone Why Brethren what doe you doe it is your sinne we oppose a day will come when yee shall be content to part with them oh the time will come when yee shall be content to be rid of your money the drunkard would faine be rid of his cups and the adulterer of his Harlot No then these will goe downe to hell with you you cannot abide them that would kill that which would kill you the faithfull Ministers of God would kill your sinnes that to a corrupt heart is his life Reas 2. If they cannot have their sins it is a vexation to them it is a plague vexation to wicked men that they cannot have their sinnes inquiet and so as they would not be moved they would not have their conscienceâ—… troubled but if a man would have his sinne and cursed practise hee shall have the curse of the Lord to goe with it Revel 11. vers 10. When the two witnesses were slaine they made merry in Towne and Countrey Why because the two witnesses that tormented men were slaine the Word of God tormented men it is able to make them madde why alas you naturall men damne your selves we doe not damne you but we tell you of your sinnes that will damne you one day Thirdly Note Brethren that for ever you cannot have these sinnes but they will cost you sore for these men cannot endure to bee crossed and overthwarted they would goe on smoothly in their course Acts 19.25 Paul had there preached against Idolatry c. especially against Diana Demetrius beginning to see his commodity going down marke what he saith You know that by this we have our livings therefore they came with a great out-cry Great is Diana of c. There is some
speciall corruption that is a speciall hinderance of the truth a company of carnall men speake of the Word at whose suite it is the suite of Drunkennes uncleannesse c. So it carries a man against the blessed truth of Christ a corrupt heart cannot indure to be brought in Vse 1. Is of examination is it so that corrupt hearts doe hinder the worke of the Word of the Lord hecrâ—… theÌ„ we have a ground of examination It is an undoubted evidence of a carnall and an unrighteous heart and there is not a better argument art thou such a one that doest oppose the truth of God according to the former exâ—…ession Know thou hast a false heart a wretched heart 〈◊〉 soule that cannot be saved while thou continuest so I â—…now in a child of God there 〈◊〉 sometimes a secret resisting and when ever they observe this base distemper â—…hey fall out with their hearts they take up armes against these base corruptions it is one thing to have â—…hese sinnes remaining and â—…other to have the soule â—…oysoned with them When 〈◊〉 wicked man hath poyson lives on poyson carrying a secret opposition against the word it is an Argument â—…hee hath a poysoned base heart The best of Gods servants may finde these thâ—… Devill the flesh and thâ—… world having about with them in this case thou maiâ—… be carried whither thoâ—… wouldest not Oh it is 〈◊〉 heart-breaking to a godly man he could almost pul oâ—… his heart saying Oh what 〈◊〉 wretched heart have I Thâ—… Minister this day met with my soule but what a heaâ—… have I Here my Brethren let this enter into our mindeâ—… the case is true take it home to every soule goe aside tâ—… your owne soules communâ—… with thy conscience in secret say there 's no body heâ—… betwixt God and my selfe 〈◊〉 deale truely hast thou opposed the good Word of the Lord Oh you rent in pieces the flesh of Christ with the prophanations oathes â—…ursings yea the very walls of your houses cry shame on you for it and yet to this very day you will not be reformed You see what it is I â—…eseech you for the Lord Jesus Christs sake resolve against it The former truth it specially meeteth with three sorts of false hearts 1 Discreet hypocrites 2 Wrangling hypocrites 3 Whyning hypocrites This discovereth that all these doe fight against God First the discreet hypocrite I know that discretion is a good and blessed worke of God if it be used as iâ—… ought to be upon good ground in a good manner and to a good end but thâ—… same Idoll Discretion thâ—… creepeth in the world is thâ—… delusion of a mans conscience therefore I call himâ—… discreet hypocrite indeeâ—… that maketh truth his underling that can hunt with thâ—… Hound and runne with thâ—… Hare by Discretion a mâ—… that will be sure to be on thâ—… safe side whether on the trâ—…side or not he wonders 〈◊〉 other men to see them opposed because they want 〈◊〉 discretion There are a company of wise judicious professors that perish wisely 〈◊〉 Demas followed Paul 〈◊〉 when he saw he might 〈◊〉 better advantage he forsooke â—…aul and followed the present world This discreete â—…ypocrite letteth profession â—…e as the time goeth they â—…ill take occasion of wholeâ—…me communication and â—…ffer occasion I say hee â—…n conforme himselfe to all â—…nes but then againe if hee â—…e among carnall prophane â—…en this is a man safe that â—…eth out Religion and pulâ—…th in Religion as the time 〈◊〉 in a word you shall finde 〈◊〉 to admire at mens perâ—…ns and yet keepes under 〈◊〉 word This I call a disâ—…et hypocrite that goes to 〈◊〉 wisely these discreet â—…pocrites have their religiâ—…as in a screw at any side â—…y will set Religion and upon any termes after any fashion this is the discreâ—… Professor Secondly the wranglinâ—… hypocrite he pretends nothing but favourablenesâ—… all love and liking nay hâ—… makes Religion his aymâ—… to scope the end of 〈◊〉 course he doth not say aâ—… thing against the truth yâ—… he is a secret underminer 〈◊〉 Truth to shew you 〈◊〉 playes this same hypocâ—… hath one that we will maâ—… it appeare he is a grosse 〈◊〉 pocrite Hee pleadeth especiaâ—… against the common truâ—… that he desires first to kâ—… the will of God 〈◊〉 how God may be glorifâ—… he seekes not ease or qâ—… nesse but he pretends hee â—…ekes the liberty of the Gospel but he seekes his owne liberty the liberty of his state As Saul when God â—…ave him a Commission to â—…ill all the Amalekites when â—…muel commeth What saith â—…e Blessed art thou of the Lord If a man take Sauls â—…wne word Saul is an honest â—…an I but saith Samuel What â—…anes then the bleating of â—…ese sheepe and oxen in mine â—…es he saith the people â—…d it I but thou art the Goâ—…mour They were good for sacrifice â—…th he Alasse did he love â—…rifice so well no it was this owne ends so many 〈◊〉 man pretendeth much â—…ctification and exactnesse of a Christian Course Faith and new obedience not bâ—… cause he loves God but 〈◊〉 owne end But a man should be zealous in sanctification to the utmost even toâ—… hoofe as Moses Againe you shall find hiâ—… to pretend marvellous humility He is content to bâ—… subject to God in every caâ—… but marke he submitteth 〈◊〉 these courses The last plea hee haâ—… Good men doe as I doe aâ—… any reason propound a argument what mooves hiâ—… none at all hee brings 〈◊〉 truth in subjection to hiâ—… selfe and the falsenesse his heart is marvellous pâ—… and is in the state of unreâ—…neracie I reason thus He that is not content to part with all for the Lord Jesus Christ is not worthy of Christ Hee that loves father or mother more then me is not worthy of me saith Christ to this very day he never had the spirit of grace prevaile in him Psal 119. David sayes I shall never be ashamed nor confounded when I have respect to all thy Commandements Now this wranging hypocrite hath not respect to all Gods Commandements therefore shall hee â—…e confounded Thirdly Hee that under â—…retence of whyning and â—…rying for sinne loveth â—…nne this man oppresseth himselfe for under pretence of love hee opposetâ—… and resisteth the truth 2 Vse The last use is a ground of admirable comfort it may rellish in yoâ—… hearts and mouthes it is unspeakeable comfort to every soule whose heart lyeth levell doest thou submit 〈◊〉 the powerfull Word of thâ—… Lord to the blessed truth art thou willing to have 〈◊〉 to know it to delight in it and submit unto it to be a servant to the world canâ—… home this blessed Word 〈◊〉 there any soule that can teâ—…fie it is so with him If mistake not my selfe it 〈◊〉 one of the soundest Arguments in all the Booke 〈◊〉 God it must be love that answerable to the truth when the soule is willing to heare to welcome and entertaine every truth of
God canst thou say in good earnest and uprightnesse before the Lord is there any more truthes and more good will of thine of thy worship good Lord let me know it that I may love it and practice it Brethren is it so take then this in you and answer it is 〈◊〉 Lord. Brethren if there â—…e a sight of God in heaven â—…nd thou doest truely subâ—…it to the word it is a true â—…gne that if any under heaven hath the worke of grace â—…ought in him thou hast it â—…hn 8. If any man love the â—…th and obey the Commandeâ—…ents the truth will make him 〈◊〉 Dost thou then love and obey the truth it will make thee free it will make thee a freeman of heaven hold this truth Heaven and earth shall passe but that work of grace cannot passe This was the joy of the Apostle Iohn 5.4 I have no greater joy in the world then that my children walke in the truth in the light comfort and power of it If the Apostle Iohn could have no greateâ—… truth what great joy will it be to thy selfe no greateâ—… joy have I saith some maâ—… not that my sonne is ricâ—… but that he is upright Hoâ—… mayest thou joy then 〈◊〉 ever thou see the face 〈◊〉 God with comfort try 〈◊〉 thou beest upright if thâ—… lovest the truth the Saint can see no greater joy then this Oh goe your wayes you blessed Saints ye walke after the truth you that have this can have no more God himselfe loveth truth in the inward parts hee is a spirit and will be worshipped in spirit and truth Dost thou love the truth of Christ then it will say as well of thee as of Demetrius Iohn â—… 12 Demetrius hath a good report of the truth So I say doth the truth report well of thee Doe not feare what the world thy friends enemies or adversaries say of thee that will bring thee comfort when all false witnesses shall lye aside but all you wicked of the world you are they that bend your selves against the Saints of God It is true the poore Saints of God as poore as they be they shall lift up their heads when you shall hang downe and turne aside because they have the truth for them when you shall see the poore dispised Saints of God poore Goodman such a one c. You that have made no care of Gods Commandements when yee shall see them ye shall wonder to see them lift up thither when the Divell shall say Lord how comes such a man to such a place he was a finner I Lord saith the poore soule I know I have many weaknesses Lord thou knowest that many a sad spirit I have carried about yet never a truth was made knowne but I entertained it never a sinne was made knowne but I entertained it never a sinne was made known but I loathed it then comes the blessed Truth I beare witnesse Lord he loved me and entertained mee though with many groanes and teares and persecutions hee would have me saith the truth hee is a blessed Saint of God You that are willing to receive every truth oh get you to heaven then you will be past the worst the Devill himselfe confesses and the damned spirits He is a holy and sincere hearted man Why Brethren who would not labour for the truth I say God and Christ 〈…〉 good spirit shall 〈…〉 such a soule God 〈…〉 of truth Jesus Châ—… 〈…〉 Word of truth 〈…〉 Ghost is a spirit of 〈…〉 they will embrace 〈…〉 God and Christ 〈…〉 Spirit all bids you 〈…〉 so you shall have 〈…〉 pinesse the Lordâ—… 〈…〉 you to it and you 〈…〉 it hereafter FINIS A GODLY AND PROFITABLE SERMON Of Gods Eternitie and Mans Humanitie OR The striving of the Lord with Sinners By T. H. LONDON Printed by M.P. for Iohn Stafford dwelling in Black-Horse-Alley neere Fleetstreet 1639. THE STRIVING of the LORD with SINNERS GEN. 6.3 My Spirit shall not alâ—…ayes strive with man for that 〈◊〉 also is flesh yet his dayes â—…all be an hundred and twenty yeares THe scope of this Chapter discovers it selfe in two parts first the divers conditions of them before the Floud Secondly the carriage of God towards thâ—… in the second part of 〈◊〉 Chapter First the carriâ—… of the people is double 〈◊〉 their wicked and sinfull liâ—… from the first verse to 〈◊〉 end of the seventh Secondly the holy dâ—… meanor of Noah in the 8 aâ—… 9 verses But Noah fouâ—… grace in the eyes of the Loâ—… Noah was a just man and pâ—…fect in his generation and wâ—… ked with God Noah in thâ—… wicked time in that wickâ—… place and among those wiâ—… ked people was a holy maâ—… saith the Text. Secondly we have the â—…vers dealing of God wiâ—… them First he threatens desâ—…lation to the wicked secondly he promises to preserve Noah and for the â—…guise of the wicked First consider the haiâ—…ousnesse of their sinnes that they broke all the Lawes of God and lust was their Law in the first â—…nd second verses the Text sayes When men began to multiply on the face of the â—…rth and daughters was borne unto them that the sonnes of God saw the danghters of men that they were faire and â—…ookt for wives of all that they â—…hose The sonnes of God the â—…eaning of that is they that professed the truth Secondâ—…y they saw the daughters of men they saw Caine and they that were of God did what they list and chosâ—… crosse way and so caâ—… strange generations as 〈◊〉 ants they were growne 〈◊〉 the height of sinne Secondly in the 3 6 aâ—… 7 verses is the sentence 〈◊〉 God against them hee sâ—… they come to this and thâ—… sets downe a sentence 〈◊〉 doombe as it were he sayâ—… My Spirit shall not alwayâ—… strive with man in that 〈◊〉 is but flesh yet his dayes shâ—… be an hundred and tweâ—… yeares The Lord wâ—… strive no longer with theâ—… from whence by the wâ—… we may note Object That when theâ—… is a mingling of diuers maâ—…riages it makes way to 〈◊〉 struction prooved in Solâ—… mon when hee tooke him â—…ange wives then his â—…owne was taken from 〈◊〉 so this old World â—…en they gave themselves â—…strange marriages First In the sentence there 〈◊〉 two things first the â—…rds resolution second 〈◊〉 the reason of Gods deterâ—…nation First the resolution and â—…t is first generally hee â—…th strove but will strive no â—…re Secondly particularly he â—…l not strive and will strive 〈◊〉 hundred and twenty â—…res here is the resolutiâ—… of God though he strive 〈◊〉 hee will not strive alâ—…yes Secondly the reason of Gods determination hee is also flesh In the Text two things are to be observed First what is meant by spirit secondly what it is to strive first Gods Spirit we may understand to be the holy Ghost the third person in Trinity hee is said to strive not miraculously but mediately by his meanes the Word of God Ministers he is said to strive with