than the first Revel 2 19. MARY also chose that good part which was not taken from her Luk. 10.42 And as for mee my foot hath held his steps his way haue I kept and not declined neither haue I gone backe from the Commandement of his lips Iob 23 11. But haue inclined mine care to performe his Statutes alwayes euen vnto the end Psal 119 112. And if you also saith CHRIST keepe my Commandements you shall abide in my Loue even as I haue kept my Fathers Commandements and abide in his Loue Ioh. 15 10. Hos 14 9. Ob. But I haue seene some in my dayes who haue beene lights and leaders of others in the way of Godlinesse and yet themselues proued Apostates 1 Tim. 1 19. Psal 36 3.78 57. Ioh. 5 35. Ier. 8 5. Hos 4 16. Ier. 2 32. Prov. 26 11. A. Verily verily I say vnto you whosoever committeth Sinne is the servant of sinne And the servant abideth not in the house for ever but the Sonne abideth ever Ioh. 8.34 For every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall bee rooted vp Math. 15 13. They went out from vs but they were not of vs for if they had beene of vs they would no doubt haue continued with vs But they went out that they might bee made manifest that they were not all of vs. 1. Ioh. 2.19 True it is some mens sinnes are open before hand going before to Iudgement and some men follow after 1. Tim. 5.24 And many of the first shall be last and the last first Math. 20.16 Neverthelesse the foundation of GOD standeth sure having this seale the Lord knoweth who are his 2. Tim. 2.19 Ob. While they stood I could not come neere them and now they are fallen what lesse can be expected but that my turne will be next A. You are not of them that draw backe vnto perdition but of them which beleeue to the sauing of the soule Heb. 10. â—â— For saith God I will make an euerâ—â—â—ting covenant with thee that I will not â—â—rne away from thee to doe thee good 〈◊〉 I will put my feare into thine heart â—ut thou shalt not depart from me Ier. â— 40 Now the Lord is faithfull who shall â—â—ablish you and keepe you from evill 2. Thes 3 3. For hee shall giue you another Comforter that hee may abide with 〈◊〉 for euer euen the Spirit of Truth whom the World cannot receiue because 〈◊〉 seeth him not neither knoweth him for hee dwelleth in you and shall bee 〈◊〉 you Ioh. 14.16 And you need â—ut that any man teach you but as the some annointing teacheth you of all things â—â—d is truth and is no lye and euen as it â—ath taught you you shall abide in him 1 Ioh. 2.27 Q. But what must I doe that this promise of perseuerance may be made good vnto me A. Pray saying O Lord GOD of ABRAHAM ISAACK and ISRAEL our father keepe this for euer in the thoughts of my heart and prepare my heart vnto thee 1. Chro. 29.18 Hold vp my goings in thy pathes that my foot-steps slip not Psal 17.5 And make me to increase and abound more and more and to establish my heart vnblameable in holinesse before thee even our Father at the comming of our Lord IESVS CHRIST with all the Saints 1. Thes 3.12 2 Let him that thinketh hee standeth take heed least hee fall 1. Cor. 10.12 Looking to your selues that you loose not those things which you haue wrought that you may receiue a full reward Ioh. 2. Epist 8. And hereof I giue you a charge in the sight of GOD who quickeneth all things and before CHRIST IESVS who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good Confession that you keepe the Commandements without spot and vnrebukeable vntill the appearing of our Lord IESVS CHRIST 1. Tim. 6.13 For our desire is that every one of you doe shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope vnto the end That ye be not slothfull but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises Heb. 6 11. Lifting vp the weake hands whâ—ch hang downe and the feeble knees and making straight paths for your feet lest that which is lame be turned out of the way but let it rather be healed Heb. 12 12. And grow in grace and in the knowledge if our Lord IESVS CHRIST 2. Pet. 3 18. That so he that is righteous may be righteous still and he that is holy may be holy still Revel 22 11. Heb. 10 23. Phil. 3.12 1 Cor. 9 24.2 Chron. 34 31.2 Cor. 6 1. Acts 13 43. 2. Tim. 3 14. Q. Why what is the danger of falling away A. When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousnesse and committeth iniquitie he shall even die for the some he shall even die for his iniquity which he hath done Ezek. 18 24 26. The Lord indeed is with you while you be with him and if ye seeke him he will be found of you but if you forsake him he will forsake you 2 Chron. 15 2. And will leade you forth with evill doers Psal 125 5. And feed you as a lambe in a large place Hos 4 16. Know therefore and see that it is an evill thing and bitter to forsake the LORD thy GOD Ier. 2 19 2 13. Heb. 10 38. Psal 73 27. Iud. 5.6 2 King 23 27. Ezek. 33 12 Ioh. 2. Epist 9. Ier. 2 17. Mat. 15 13. 2 Pet. 2 20. CHAP. XXV Of temptations in generall and in particuler of the Flesh Ob. IF this bee the danger of backsliding what will become of mee who am exposed to many temptations A. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but GOD is faithfull who will not suffer you to be tempted aboue that you are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape 1 Cor. 10 13. For in that CHRIST suffered and was tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2 18. And will establish you and keepe you from evill 2. Thes 3 3. As well as hee did PAVL who fought a good fight who finished his course and kept the faith 2 Tim. 4 7. Revel 3 10 And therefore pray you also that you enter not into temptation Luk. 22 40. Ob. But is not GOD said to lead men into Temptation how say you then that he will deliuer vs out of temptation A. Let no man say when hee is tempted I am tempted of GOD for GOD cannot bee tempted with evill neyther tempteth hee any man but every man is tempted when hee is drawne away of his owne Concupiscence and is entised 1. Iam. 13.14 Ob. If the case stand thus what shall I doe who haue so much flesh remaining in me A. Is there no balme in Gilead is there no Phisitian there Why then is not the health of the Daughter of my people recovered Ier. 8.22 Ob. Alas this corruption is growne to such a head as is not now to be subdued A. Though your iniquities prevaile
vse of these meanes Grace it selfe may decay A. In all places where GOD doth record his Name hee will blesse thee Exod. 20 24. The Lord shall blesse thee out of Zion Psal 128.5 So that thou shalt flourish like a Palme tree and like a Cedar in Libanon Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the Courts of our GOD they shall bring foorth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing to shew that the Lord is vpright he is my rocke and that there is no vnrighteousnesse in him Psal 92 12 84 7 65 4. 1 Cor. 15 10. Math. 13 â—1 32. Isa 61 11. Q. What is required of vs to the â—nd that these meanes of Grace may be thus continued with successe A. 1 Get Davids appetite after them â—aying As the heart panteth after the waâ—â—r brookes so doth my heart pant after â—hee O GOD. My Soule thirsteth for God for the living God when shall I come â—nd appeare before God Psal 42 1. My Soule longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh â—rieth out for the living God c. For a â—ay in his Courts is better than a thousand 〈◊〉 had rather be a doore keeper in the house â—f my God than to dwell in the tents of â—ickednesse Psal 84 1 10. verses 63 1 2 137 5 6. 2 A delight in them Reioyce with Ieâ—usalem and bee glad with her all you â—hat loue her reioyce for ioy with her â—ll you that mourne for her that yoâ— may sucke and bee satisfied with the breasts of her consolation that you may milke out and be delighted with the aboundance of her glory Isay 66 10. 3 Pray saying O send out thy light and thy truth let them leade mee let them bring mee vnto thy holy Hill and to thy Tabernacles Psalm 43 3. Send mee helpe from thy Sanctuary and strengthen mee out of Zion Remember all my offerings and accept my burnt Sacrifice Psalm 20 2 3. 134.3 4 Keepe thy foot when thou enterest into the house of God and be more neere to heare than to giue the Sacrifice of fooles Eccl. 5 1. For which end wash thy hands in innocencie and so compasse the Altars of God Psal 26 6. 5 When you come to worship the LORD in the beautie of holinesse Psal 96 9. Worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him GOD is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Iob. 4.23 6 Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy for the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Exod. 20.8 11. Wherefore if thou turne away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy will on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight and consecrate is as glorious to the LORD and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes not seeking thine owne will not speaking a vaine word then shalt thou delight in the LORD and I will feed thee with the hreitage of IACOB thy Father For the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it â—â—a 58 13. Blessed is the man that doth this and the Sonne of man which layeth hold on it Isa 56 2. And embraceth my Covenant him will I bring vnto my Holy Mountaine and make him ioyfull in mine house of Prayer Isa 56 6.7 Reu. â— 10. Q. If I should forbeare my worke on the Sabbath day I should come to beggery at the last A. See for that the LORD hath given you the Sabbath therefore hee giveth you on the sixt day the bread of two dayes therefore abide you every man in his place let no man goe out of his place on the seaventh day Exod. 16 29 16 5. CHAP XXXVII Of Temporall Blessings and in particuler of long life Q. ALl these promises you haue mentioned are of singular vse vnto the Soule but what provision shall we haue for the body A. You shall inherit the earth Math. 5 5. For as CHRIST so the world is yours 1 Cor. 3 22. Ob. What will the world profit vs if wee bee taken away by Death and be accounted among them that goe downe into the pit Shall Gods loving kindnesse bee declared in the Graue Or his faithfulnesse in destruction Psalm 88 4 11. A. If thou forget not my Law and thy heart keepe my Commandements length of dayes and long life shall they adde vnto thee Prou. 3 1. And the yeares of thy life shall be many Prou. 4.10 And there shall old men and old women dwell in the streets of Ierusalem every man with his staffe in his hand for very age Zach. 8 4. There shall bee there no more an Infant of dayes nor an old man that hath not filled his dayes for the Child shall dye an hundred yeares old For as the dayes of a Tree are the dayes of my people Isa 65 20 22. And with long life will I satisfie them Psalm 91 16. For they shall see their Childrens Children Psal 128 6. And come vnto their Graue in a full age like as a shocke of Corne commeth in due season into the Barne Iob. 5 26. As well as ABRAHAM who dyed in a good old age an old man and full of yeares Gen. 25 8. Psal 33 18 19. Ier. 45 5 39 17. Gen. 15 15 35 29 47 28 50. 23. Iudg. 8 32. 1 Chron. 29 28 2 24 15. 1 Sam. 25 29. Q. Is long Life a blessing of any worth A. The hoarie head is a Crowne of Glory if it be found in the way of Righteousnesse Prou. 16 31. For as the beauty of young men is their stregnth so the glory of the aged is their gray head Prou. 20 29. Q. Is this promise of long life a blessing common vnto all A. No for GOD shall bring the wicked downe into the pit of destruction the bloudy and deceitfull man shall not liue ouâ— halfe his dayes Psal 55.23 His confidence shall he rooted out of his Tabernacle and it shall bring him to the King of terrors Iob. 28 14. As the whirlewind passeth so is the wicked no more onely the righteous is an everlasting foundation Prou. 10.25 For as righteousnesse tendeth vnto life so he that pursueth evill pursueth it to his owne death Prou. 11 19 10 27. Psal 145 20. Ob. But doe you not see many of the wicked how theyr dayes are prolonged A. The woman that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth 1 Tim. 5 6 And men living â—ruitlessely are as trees twice dead and plucked vp by the rootes Iud. 12 And therefore though a sinner doe evill an hundred times and his dayes be prolonged yet surely I know that it shall bee well with them that feare GOD which feare before him Ecc. 8 12. Q What would you hence inferre A. Therefore bee thou not overmuch wicked neither bee thou foolish for why shouldest thou dye before thy time Eccl. 7 17. But set your hearts vnto all thâ— words which I testifie among you this day
euer them that are sanctified whereof also the holy Ghast is a witnesse Heb. 10.14 15. Not that Christ should offer himselfe often as the high Priests entred into the holy place euery yeere with the blood of others for then must he often haue suffered since the foundation of the world But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Heb. 9.25.10.18 Q. Is then the guiltinesse and punishment of sin taken away by Christ A. This is a faithfull saying and worthy all acceptance that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 And you know that he was made manifest that he might take away our sins 1 Ioh. 3.5 who his own selfe bare our sins in his own body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2.24 which was prefigured by the scape-gote Leu. 16.21 22. Thus it is written and thus it behoued Christ to suffer and that remission of sinnes should bee preached in his name among all Nations beginning at Ierusalem Luke 24.26.27 Be it knowne vnto you therefore men and brethren that through this man is preached vnto you the forgiuenesse of sinnes Act. 13.38 Math. 9.2 1.21 Reuelat. 1.5 6. Ioh. 1.29 Ob. By what authority did hee these thing And who gaue vnto Christ this authority to forgiue sinnes Math. 12.23 Mar. 2.7 A. As no man tooke this honour to himselfe to offer for sin but he that was called of God as was Aaron So also Christ glorified not himselfe to bee made an high Priest but hee that said vnto him Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten thee he gaue it him Heb. 5.4 And hath exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and Sauiour for to giue repentance vnto Israel and forgiuenesse of sinnes Act. 5.31 But that yee may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgiue sins he saith to one sicke of the palsie I say unto thee arise and take vp thy bed who immediatly arose and took vp his bed and went forth among them all Mar. 2.10 c. Q. What witnesses can you produce to conuince vs of remission of sinnes by Christ A. Caiaphas though his enemy yet being high priest professed that Iesus should dye for the Nation of â—he Iewes and not for that Nation only but that also hee should gather together in one the Children of God that were scattered abroad Ioh. 1â— 51 52. To whom also giue all the Proâ—hets witnesse That through his name whosoeuer beleeueth in him should receiue remission of sinnes Acts 10.43 This is hee that came bâ— water and blood euen Iesus Christ not by water onely but by water and blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spâ—rit is truth For there are three that beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one And there are three that beare witnesse in earth the Spirit and water and blood and these three agree in one Ioh. 15.6 c. Q. But wil God make good their testimony A. If we confesse our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinne 1 Ioh. 1.9 For when Dauid said vnto Nathan I haue sinned Nathan said vnto Dauid The LORD also hath put away thy sinne 2 Sam. 12.13 Isa 6.5 c. 2 Chro. 7.14 Mat. 18.26 27. Luk. 15.18 c. Q. Is there no forgiuenesse of sinne without confession A. Hee that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper onely hee that confesseth and forsakes his sins shall haue mercy Pro. 28.13 For saith Dauid When I kept silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long c. I acknowledged my sinne vnto thee and mine iniquity haue I not hid I said I will confesse my transgressions and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sinne Psalm 32.3 c. Luke 15.18 Q. What are the sinnes which God for Christs sake will forgiue A. He will cleanse them from all their iniquities whereby they haue sinned against him and he will pardon all their iniquities whereby they haue sinned and whereby they haue transgressed against him Ier. 33.8 And the blood of Iesus Christ his Son cleanseth vs from all sinne 1 Ioh. 1.7 Psal 130.8 85.2 Q. How farre foorth doth God forgiue sinnes A. To the vtmost extent thereof For 1 God was in Christ reconciling the world vnto himselfe not imputing their trespasses vnto them 2. Cor. 5.19 2 As not seene For he hath not beheld iniquity in Iacob neither hath hee seene peruersenesse in Israel Numb 23.21 Whereby when the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for there shall be none and the sinnes of Iudah and they shall not be found c. Ierem. 50.20 Isa 38.17 Psalm 85.2 Ezek. 16.8 3. As not remembred For he will be mercifull vnto our vnrighteousnesse and our sinnes and iniquities wil he remember no more Heb. 8.12 4 As far away remoued For as heauen is high aboue the earth so great is his mercy towards them that feare him as farre as the East is from the West so farre hath he remooued our transgressions from vs Psal 103.11 12. 5 As swallowed vp He will turne againe hee will haue compassion vpon vs hee will subdue our iniquities and cast all their sinnes into the depth of the sea Micah 7.19 7 As a cloud vanished Hee hath blotted out as a thicke cloude our transgressions and as a cloude our sinnes Isai 44.22 7 As a writing defaced I saith God euen I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions Isai 43.25 Q. Why is the curse of sinne with the guilt taken away by Christ A. GOD sent not his Sonne into the World to condemne vs but that wee through him might bee saued Iohn 3.17 For surely hee hath borne our griefes and carried our sorrowes c. Hee was wounded for our transgressions hee was bruised for ouri-niquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed c. Isa 53.4.5 There is therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 For he hath redeemed them from the curs of the Law by being made a curse for them as it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on a tree Gal. 3.13 Rom. 5.14 c. Ioh. 3.17 Q. What moued the Lord through Christ to take away our sinnes A. We haue redemption through his blood the forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace Ephes 1.7 And for his owne names sake 1 Ioh. 2.12 If the Lord indeed should marke iniquities who should stand But there is forgiuenesse with him that he may be feared Psalm 130.3 4 Ezech. 20.44 Isa 43.21 Q. What would you infer vpon this so rich and plentious grace of God A. Euen as Dauid who describeth the blessednesse of the man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without works saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen and whose sinnes are couered Blessed is the man vnto whom the Lord will not impute sinne Romans
Abrahams seede and heyres according to promise Gal. 3.29 Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children but in Isaac shall thy seed be called that is they which are the children of the flesh they are not the children of God but the children of the promise are counted for the seede Rom. 9.7 Now wee brethren as Isaac was are the children of promise Gal. 4.28.3.7 1 Pet. 3.6.1.2.10 Luk. 19.9 Mat. 3.9 Ioh. 8.39.47 Hos 1.10.2.23 Isa 65.1 Ob. This priuiledge may concerne some great personages of the Gentiles but not such abiect and dispised persons as I am A. Hearken my beloued brethren hath not God chosen the poore of this world rich in faith and heires of the Kingdome which he hath promised to them that loue him Iames 2.5 For you see your calling how that not many wise men after the flesh nor many mighty nor many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of the world confound the things that are mighty aâ— base things of the world and things whâ— are despised hath God chosen yea thiâ— which are not to bring to nought thiâ— that are that no flesh should glory in presence 1 Cor. 1.26 Isa 66.2 Ob. If I could doe some thing woâ—thy of such a reward there were thâ— some hope A. God hath called vs not according workes but according to his own purpose aâ— grace whieh was giuen vs in Christ Iesâ—â— before the world began 2 Tim. 1.9 For 〈◊〉 promise made to Abraham that he shoâ— be the heyre of the world was not to â—braham and his seed through the Law 〈◊〉 through the righteousnesse of faith For they which are of the Law be heires faith made voyd the promise made of none â—fect Ro. 4.13.11.5 Luk. 17.7 Tit. 3.3 Ob. Notwithstanding it will not oâ— of my minde but that it is my well dâ—ing if at all that must enter mee in this estate A. This perswasion commeth not of him that calleth you Gal. 5.8 For God sent foorth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that are vnder the Law that we might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Gal. 4.4.5 And therefore tell me you that desire to be vnder the Law doe you not heare the Law For it is written Cast out the bondwoman and her sonne for the sonne of the bondwoman shall not be heyre with the sonne of the freewoman Gal. 4.21 Gen. 21.10 Q. How comes it then to passe that wee miserable creatures should be so highly exalted A. We haue not chosen him but he hath chosen vs Ioh. 15.16 And hath predestinated vs vnto the adoption of children by Iesus Christ to himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will Ephes 1.5.11 For behold the heauen and the heauen of heauen is the Lords the earth also with all things that therein is Only the Lord hath a delight in vs hath chosen vs aboue al people as it is this day Deu. 10.14 Isa 60.21 Rom. 11.5 Ob. Can it bee imagined that meâ— instamped with the diuels image should become the children of God A No For there are also giuen vnto vs great and precious promises that 〈◊〉 these ye might be partakers of the diuine nâ—ture hauing escaped the corruption that 〈◊〉 in the world through lust 2 Pet. 1.4 Wherby we haue put off the old man witâ— his deeds and haue put on the new maâ— which is renewed in knowledge after thâ— image of him that created vs Col. 3.9 Anâ— are changed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 Q. What are the causes by which this Image of God is wrought in vs A. 1 Principall efficient the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3 18. For we are borne not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Ioh. 1.13 That which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the Spirit is Spirit Ioh. 3.6.8 Tit. 3.5 2 Instrumentall the word For of his owne will begat hee vs with the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures Iames 1.18 Being borne againe not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liueth and abideth for euer 1 Pet. 1.23 3 Ministring the Preachers who do beget vs by the Gospell 1 Corinth 4.15 And doe trauell in birth vntill Christ bee formed in vs Gal. 4.19 Isa 66.8 1 Cor. 9.1.2 Q. How may we know our selues to haue this image and so to be the children of God A. By these markes wee know that we are of God when yet the whole world lyeth in wickednesse 1 Ioh. 5.19 1 God himselfe hath sealed vs and hath giuen the earnest of the spirit in our hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 which spirit beareth witnesse with our spirits that wee are the children of God Rom. 8.16 2 Hee that beleeueth on the Sonne hath the witnesse in himselfe that hee is borne of God 1 Ioh. 5.10.5.1 3 He that is of God heareth Gods word Iohn 8.47 And as new borne babes doâ— desire that sincere milke of the Word thaâ— he may grow thereby 1 Peter 2.2 4 If you know that hee is righteous you know euery one that doth righteousnesse iâ— borne of him 1 Iohn 2.29 And being new borne hee doth not commit sinne because his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sinne because hee is borne of God In thiâ— therefore are the children of God knowne and the children of the diuell whosoeuer doth not righteously is not of God 1 Ioh. 3.9.3 Epist 11 Rom. 8.14 5 Loue is of God and euery one that loueth is borne of God and knoweth God 1 Iohn 4.7 6 Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God Mat. 5.9 But if you haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts glory not and lye not against the truth Iames 3.14 For your spot is not the spot of his children they that are such are a crooked and peruerse generation Deut. 32.5 Hosea 1.9 Deut. 32.32 33. Iohn 8.44 Isa 57.3 Q. What may this priuiledge of being the children if God teach vs A. 1 To pray that the eyes of your vnderstanding being inlightned ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance is in the Saints and what is the exceding greatnesse of his power to vsward who beleeue according to the working of his mighty power Ephes 1.18 2 To call no man your father on earth for one is your father in heauen Math. 23.9 But be yee followers of God as deare children For yee were once darknesse now are yee light in the Lord walke as children of the light Ephes 5.1.8 And let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heauen Math. 5.16 Mal. 1.6 1 Pet. 1.17 Ephes 4.30 3 To
before vs whâ—ch hope we haue as anker of the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that which is within the vaile whether the fore-runner is for vs entred Heb. 6.17 Q. Shew me then some marks wherby I may discerne whether or no my selfe am one of that number which shal be saued A. 1. This is life Eternall that wee know him to be the onely true God and IESVS CHRIST whom he hath sent Ioh. 17.3 2. GOD so loued the world that hee gaue his onely begotten Son that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Ioâ— 3.16 These things I write vnto you that beleeue in the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye haue eternall life 1. Ioh. 5.13 Ioh. 5.24.3.36 Acts 16.31 3. It shall be that whosoeuer shal call on the name of the Lord shall be saued Act. 2 21. 4. We know that we are passed from death to life because we loue the brethreÌ„ 1. Io. 3.14 5. Whosoeuer shall humble himselfe and become as a little child the same is great in the Kingdome of GOD. Mat. 18.4 Mat 5.3.19.14 6 The Kingdome of Heauen suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Mat. 11.12 and for ioy thereof depart and sell all that they haue to purchase it Mat. 13.44 5.10 7. There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth nor whosoever worketh abomination or that maketh a lie Reu. 21.27 For without are dogs and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murtherers Idolaters Reu. 22.15 Neither shall any that worketh abhomination enter into the Kingdome of GOD. Reu. 21.27 The sinners in Zion are afraid fearefulnesse shall surprise the Hypocrites Who among vs shall dwell with the devouring fire who among vs shall dwell with the everlasting burnings He that walketh righteously and speaketh vprightly he that despiseth the gaine of the oppressions that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes and stoppeth his eare from hearing of blood and shutteth his eyes from seeing of euill hee shall dwell on high Isa 33.14 And to him that ordereth his conuersation aright will I shew the salvation of GOD. Psal 5â— 23.15.1.119.155 Math. 5.19 Ier. 17.13 Ob. These things in some measure I doe find to be in my selfe yet my griefe is that I can be no more sencible of this happinesse A. 1. Now wee see through a glasse darkly but then face to face Now wee know in part But then shall wee know even as also wee are knowne 1. Cor. 13.12 2. We are saved by hope but hope that is seene is not hope For what a man seeth why doth hee hope for it But if we hope for that we see not then doe we with patience waite for it Rom. 8.24 As well as IACOB who said I haue waited for thy salvation O LORD Gen. 49.18 1. Pet. 1.9 3. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seene Heb. 11.1 Whom hauing not seene you loue in whom though you see him not yet beleeuing you reioyce with ioy vnspeakable and full of glory receiuing the end of your faith the saluation of your soules 1. Pet. 1.8 4. For this end pray saying Restore vnto mee the ioy of thy salvation and vphold me with thy free spirit Psal 51.12 And then with ioy shall you draw water out of the wels of saluation Isa 12.3 Ob. I am beset with so many enemies that my feare is I shall fall short of Heauen A. We are kept by the power of GOD through faith vnto saluation ready to bereuealed in the last times 1. Pet. 1.5 When Christ shall put downe all rule and all authority and power For he must reigne till he haue put all his enemies vnder his feet the last whereof that shall be destroyed is death For hee hath put all things vnder his feet but when hee saith all things are put vnder him it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things vnder him 1. Cor. 15.24 Q. Seeing GOD haâ—h prouided for vs such an inheritance what therefore are we to doe A. 1. We are bound to giue thankes alwayes to GOD because GOD hath from the beginning chosen vs to saluation through sanctification of the spirit and the beliefe of the truth Whereunto hee called vs by the Gospell to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord IESVS CHRIST 2. Thes 2.13 1. Pet. 1.3.4 2 Because the Scriptures are callâ—d the Word of the Kingdome Mat. 13.19 Search the Scrâ—ptures for in them ye thinke to haue eternall life Ioh. 5.39 In which because some things are hard to be vnderstood 2. Pet. 3.16 Let euery man be swift to heare Iam. 1.19 For after that in the Wisedome of GOD the World by Wisedome knew not GOD it pleased GOD by the foolishnes of Preaching to saue them that beleeue 1. Cor. 1.21 3. Seeing wee here haue no continuing City but we seeke one to come Heb. 13.14 And the time here being short it remaineth that both they that haue Wiues be as though they had none and they that weepe as though they wept not and they that reioyce as though they reioyced not and they that buy as though they possessed not and they that vse this world as not abusing it for the fashion of this World passeth away 1. Cor. 7.29 And wee according to his Promise looke for new Heauens and a new earth where dwelleth Righteousnesse 2. Pet. 3.13 Ioh. 6.27 4. Make you friends of the Mammon of vnrighteousnesse that when yee faile they may receiue you into everlasting habitations Luk. 16.9 Sell that yee haue and giue Almes and prouide your selues Bags which waxe not old and treasures in Heaven that faile not Luk. 12.33 Matth. 6.19 5. Hauing therefore these promises let vs cleanse our selues from all filthines of flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the feare of GOD 2. Cor. 7.1 And let vs feare left a promise being left vs of entring into his rest any of you should seeme to come short of it Heb. 4.1 Wherein we ought to giue the more earnest heed to the things which wee haue heard least at any time wee should let them slip For if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every transgression and disobedience receiued a iust recompence of reward how shall wee escape if wee neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the LORD and was confirmed to vs by them that heard him Heb. 2.1 Wherefore the rather brethren giue diligence to make your calling and election sure for if yee doe these things yee shall never fall For so an entrance shall be ministred to you abundantly into the everlast ng Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour IESVS CHRIST 2. Pet. 1.10 11. Râ—u 22.14 Heb. 12 28. 1. Cor 15 34 Râ—m 13.11 1. Cor. 6.9 Tit. 2.11 Q You tell me of Heaven and if these bee the condâ—tions of attaining it how shall I â—e animated to come there A. If any man will come after me let
to see Gods Children walking in the truth Ioh. 3. Epist 4. And are aliue if they stand fast in the Lord 1. Thes 3 8. Phil. 2.7 2. Chron. 29 36. 6 By loue towards Gods Ministers For Paul doth beare record vnto the Galathians that they would haue plucked out their owne eyes and given them to him Gal. 4 15. Priscilla also and Aquila haue for his life laid down their owne necks Rom. 16 3.4 2. Tim. 1.16 1. King 18 4. 7 Loue to Gods people I could wish saith Paul that my selfe were accursed from CHRIST for my Brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh Rom. 9 3. And if saith Moses to GOD thou wilt not forgiue their sins blot me I pray thee out of thy booke which thou hast written Exod. 32 32. 2. Cor. 9 1 2 8 1 2. 2 Zeale of disliking affections For Lot that righteous man dwelling among them of the old world in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous Soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deeds 2. Pet. 2.8 And doe not I hate them O Lord that hate thee and am I not grieved with them that rise vp against thee I hate them with a perfect hatred I count them mine enemies Psal 139 21. The zeale of thine house hath eaten mee vp and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen vpon mee Psal 69 9. Psal 119 53. Psal 119 136 139 158. vers Act. 17 16. Ier. 9 2. Exod. 32 19. Nehem. 13.21 25.1 4. Isa 30.22 Num. 25 8. Rom. 15 3 9. 2 Phil. 3 18. Ezra 9 3. Dan. 10 2. 1 Sam. 4 18 21 22. Q. What may wee learne from all this A. Not to be sloathfull to doe service but to be fervent in Spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12 11. And to be valiant for the Truth vpon the Earth Ier. 9 3. Knowing that if you loose your first loue God will remoue your Candlesticke out of his place Revel 2 4. And if you shall bee luke-warme hee will spew you out of his mouth Revel 3 16. CHAP. XXIII Of Charity Iustice and Content Q. BVt with our loue to GOD shall wee also haue charitable hearts vnto men A. You are taught of God to loue one another 1. Thes 4 9. whereby the Charity of every one of you all one towards another aboundeth 2. Thes 1 3. Q. Wherein shall our Charity towards our Brethren bee exercised and exprâ—ssed A. 1 Towards their Soules 1 As STEPHEN who prayed for his persecuters crying with a loude voyce Lord lay not this sinne to their charge Act. 7.60 And as DAVID who when his Enemies were sicke his cloathing was Sack-cloath hee humbled himselfe with fasting Psal 35 13. And as ABRAHAM for ABIMILECH Gen. 20 17. MOSES for PHARAOH Exod. 8 12. for Israel Exod. 17 11. and for MIRIAM Num. 12 13. 1. Sam. 12 18. 1. King 13 6. Dan. 9 20. Zach. 1 12 13. Acts 12 5. 2 As DAVID Psal 32 8. and SALOMON Prov. 1 2. and IOB who instructed many and strengthened the weake hands Iob 4 3 So to bee a guide of the blind a light to them which are in darknesse an instructer of the foolish a teacher of Babes Rom. 2 19. In meeknesse instructing those also that oppose themselues if God per aduenture will giue them Repentance 2. Tim. 2 25. 2 Towards their Bodies and therein first Let them be as thine owne bowels in the Lord Phil. 20. That so thy bowels may sound like a Harpe as for Moab and thy inward parts as for Kirharesh Isa 16 11. Saying looke away from me I will weepe bitterly labour not to comfort me because of the spoyling of the Daughter of my people Isa 22 4. For how can I indure to see the destruction of my kindred Esther 8 6. Iob 30 25. Ier. 9 1 48 31. Psal 35.13.14 2 Sam. 1 11 c. 2 In keeping Hospitalitie as did the old man of mount Ephraim who comming from his worke and lifting vp his eyes hee saw a way faring man in the street of the Citie hee brought him into his house and gaue provander to the Asses and they washed their feet and they did eate and drinke Iudg. 19 16 21 ver And as the Brethren of Ierusalem who gladly receiued PAVL with other Disciples of Samaria and of his company Acts 21.16 And as OBADIAâ— who tooke an hundred Prophets and hid them by fiftie in a Caue and fed them with Bread and water 1 King 18 4. 2 Sam. 6.19 Acts 16.34 3 In giuing Almes For TABITHA was full of good Workes and Almes-deeds which she did Act. 9.36 CORNELIVS also gaue much Almes to the people Acts 10.2 And the Disciples every man according to his abilitie sent reliefe vnto the Brethren which dwelt in Iudea and sent it to the Elders by the hands of BARNABAS and SAVL Act. 11.29 We doe you also to â—it Brethren of the grace of God bestowed â—n the Churches of Macedonia how that 〈◊〉 great tryall of affliction c. their deepe poverty abounded vnto the riches of their liberalitie For to their power I bare record yea and beyond their power they were willing of themselues 2 Cor. 8.1 2 Cor. 9.1 2 Tim. 1.16 Acts 20.34 Rom. 16.1 2. Act. 4.32 Psal 37.21 2 Chro. 28.15 Thus the righteous considereth the cause of the Poore but the wicked regardeth not to know it Pro. 29.7 For they will send the Widowes away empty and the armes of the Fatherlesse will they breake Iob 22.9 Iob 24 6. Amos 2.7 2 Sam 23.7 Prou. 12.10 Iudg. 5.23 2 Chro. 19.2 Isa 32 6. Q. What therefore must wee doe A. Seeing yee haue purified your soules in obeying the truth through the Spirit vnto an vnfained loue of the Brethren see that yee loue one another with a pure heart fervently 1 Pet. 1 22. And bee yee followers of God as deare children and walke in Loue as CHRIST also hath loued vs Ephes 5 1. That as you abound in every thing in faith in vtterance and knowledge so that yee abound in this Grace also For yee know the Grace of our Lord IESVS CHRIST that though hee was rich yet for your sakes he became poore that yee through his poverty might bee made rich 2. Cor. 8 7 Remembring also his words how that hee saith It is a blessed thing to giue rather then to receiue Act. 20 35. 1. Tim. 6 18. Pro. 17 17 14 21 14 31. Luk. 14 12. 1. Pet. 4 8. 1. Cor. 16 1 2.2 8 13. 1 Thes 4.9 10. Zach. 7 9 Iudg. 1 7. 1 Sam. 15 33 Leu. 19 33 25 35. 1 Ioh. 4 20. Nehem. 8 10. Deut. 15 7. Mâ—th 5.42 Ioh. 15 12. Of Iustice Ob. I haue obserued some men who haue beene very open handed in releeuing the poore who yet haue made no Conscience to defraud the rich A. Surely Righteousnesse and Mercy shall meete together Psal 85 10. For I will also make thy officers peace and thine exactors righteousnesse Isa 60 17. Yea thy people shall bee all Righteous Isa 60 21. And
ready to speake plainly Isa 32.4 For out â—f the mouthes of Babes and sucklings hath 〈◊〉 ordained strength because of his Eâ—â—mies that hee might still the enemy and â—avenger Psal 8 2. Say not then I am a Child for thou shalt â—nto all that I shall send thee and whatâ—â—ever I command thee thou shalt speake Ierem. 1.7 For who hath made mans Youth Or who maketh the dumbe and be deafe haue not I the Lord Now â—herefore I will be with thy mouth and â—uch thee what thou shalt say Exod. 4 11. When they therefore deliver you vp â—ike no thought how or what you shall â—eake for it shall be given you in that â—ime houre what you shall say Math. 10 19. Luk. 21.14 And I will giue you a â—outh and wisedome which all your adversaries shall not be able to gaine-say nor resist Luk. 21.15 Act. 6 10. For the Scripture saith Whosoever beleeveth on him shall not be ashamed Rom. 10 11. For with the Heart man beleeveth vnto Righteousnesse and with the Mouth confession is made vnto salvation Rom. 10 10 You having therefore the same spiritâ— of Faith according as it is written beleeved and therefore haue I spoken you also beleeue and therefore speake 2. Cor 4 13. And be not afraid and hold not thy peace for I am with thee and no maâ— shall set on thee to hurt thee Acts 18.9 But sanctifie the Lord God in your heart and be ready alway to giue an answere to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you and that with meekenes and feare 1. Pet. 3 15. Math. 10 32. Prou. 16.1 Acts 4.9 Luk. 12.12 Ob. If for the hope of Israel I should thus stand in defence of the truth I shall for my labour be cast into some Dungeon Ier. 38.6 be bound with a chaine Acts 28.20 And my feet hurt with fetters of Iron Psal 105.18 Ezek. 19.9 Iohn 21 28. A Though you suffer trouble as an evill doer yet the word of God is not bound 2. Tim. 2.9 You may be a bondman in deed yet the Lord God will not forsake you in your bondage Ezra 9 9. No more than he forsooke PAVL and SILAS who â—ing psalmes in Prison Acts 16 25. For the Lord heareth the poore and desâ—seth not his Prisoners Psal 69.33 â—et hath broken the Gates of Brasse and â—â—t the Barres of iron in sunder Psal 107. â—6 And bringeth out those that are â—â—und with chaines Psal 68 6. For the iron gate opened vnto Peter of its owne â—ucord whereby hee escaped the hands of Herod Acts 12 10. Ier. 38.13.52.31 Psal 102.19.116 16. Ob. It may be they will not alwayes deâ—aine me a prisoner but which is worse 〈◊〉 may bee banished into the Land of Strangers abroad Reu. 19.10 Heb. 11.38 Act. 8 1. A. Although they shall cast you a far off â—mong the Heathen and although they do scatter you among the Countries yet will the to you as a little Sanctuary in the Countries where you shall come Exek 11.16 And when you are in the Land of your Enemies I will not cast you away neither will I abhorre you to destroy you vtterly and to breake my Covenant with you for I am the Lord your GOD Leuit. 26.44 But I will giue you a reviuing there Ezra 9 8. And make you to be pittied of all those that shall carry you Captiue Psal 106 46 And make the Enemy to intreat you well Ier. 15.11 And I will be with you as with IOSEPH in Egypt who was a prosperous man Gen. 39 2. forgat all his toyle and all his Fathers house and became fruitfull in the Land of his Affliction Gen. 41 51 52 46 3 47 27 23 11. Ier. 40.4 37 21. Deut. 4 29. Reuel 1.9 10. Psal 105 12. Ier. 31 10. 2 Moreouer heare the Word of the Lord and declare it in the Isles a farre off and say hee that scattered Israel will gather him Ier. 31.10 Feare not for I am with them I will bring their seed from the East and gather them from the West I will say to the North giue vp and to the South keepe not backe Bring my Sonnes from farre and my Daughters from the ends of the earth even every one that is called by my name for I haue created him for my glory Isa 43 5. For as the Shepheard seeketh out his flocke in the day that he is among his Sheepe that are scattered so will I seeke out my Sheepe and will deliver them out of all places where they haue beene scattered in the cloudie and darke day And I will bring them out from the people and gather them from the Countries and I will bring them to their owne Land Ezek. 34 12. So that the redeemed of the Lord shall returne and come with singing vnto Zion and everlasting ioy shall bee vpon their head they shall obtaine gladnes and ioy and sorrow and mourning shall flee away Isa 51 11. Say ye therefore turne againe our captivity O Lord as the streames in the South Psal 126 4. O that Salvation were come out of Zion when the Lord bringeth backe the captivity of his people Iacob shall reioyce and Israel shall be glad Psalm 14 7 53.6 81 5 68 22. Deut. 30 1. Gen. 15.15.48 21. Isa 14 12 26 2 â—9 10.30 10 27 13 49.25 60 15. Ier. 23 3 24 5. Ezek. 36 24. Amos 9 14. Zach. 10 10. Exod. 12.41 Ob. But in the meane while would it not greeue a man to part with his deare friends with what else he hath Ier. 5 2. Lam. 5 15 3 45 46. Dan. 9 15. A. No moâ—e than it would haue grieved Leui who said vnto his Father and to his mother I haue not seene him neither did he acknowledge his Brethren nor knew his owne Children Deut. 33.9 Or than others who tooke ioyfully the spoyling of theyr goods knowing in themselues that they haue in Heaven a better and an induring substance Heb. 10 34. For I say vnto you there is no man that hath left house or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my sake or the Gospell but he shall receiue an hundred fold now in this world Houses and Brethren and Sisters and Mothers and Children and lands with Persecutions and in the world to come life everlasting Mark 10 29 Luk. 14 26 14.33.17.32 Ob. But more greevous things than these are imposed for for his sake are we killed all the day long and are counted as sheepe for the slaughter Psal 44 22 74.4 Lam. 3.42 A. Yet I will not leaue you comfortlesse Ioh. 14 18. But as my sufferings abound in you so your consolation also aboundeth 2 Cor. 1 5. For I will pray the Father and hee shall gâ—ue you another comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receiue because it seeth hâ—m not neither knoweth him But ye know him for hee dwelleth with you and shall bee in you
shall be taken by her Eccl. 7 26. As was Herod by the dancing of Herodias Math 14.6 Numb 31 16. Dan. 11 32. Q. But what meanes must bee vsed that so I be not overtaken by such inticements as these A. 1. Concerning the workes of men by the words of his mouth thou shalt be kept from the path of the Destroyer Psal 17.4 For when wisedome entreth into thine heart and knowledge is pleasant vnto thy Soule discretion shall preserue thee and vnderstanding shall keepe thee to deliver thee from the strange woman even from the stranger that flattereth with her words Pâ—â—â— 2 10 2 16. 2. Because as he that walketh with a wise man shall be wiser so the Companion of fooles shall be destroyed Prou. 13.20 Therefore from such turne away 2 Tim. 3 5. And say O my Soule come not thou in to their secret vnto their assembly mine honour bee not thou vnited Gen. 49.6 But depart from mee O yee will doers for I will keepe the Commandeâ—ent of my God Psal 119.115 I will not â—â—t with vaine persons neither will I goe 〈◊〉 with dissemblers Psal 26 4. Prou. 23 10 24 1 2 22 24 25. 1 Cor. 5 9. Psal 120.5 6.106 35.143 10. Numb 25 1. Deut. 4 28. Prou. 1 10. 3 Because wee cannot altogether avoyd their company but by going out of the world 1. Cor. 5.10 See therefore that yee walke circumspectly not as fooles â—â—t as wise Ephes 5.15 working out our saluation with feare and trembling c. that yee may be blamelesse and â—â—rmlesse the sonnes of GOD without â—ebuke in the middes of a crooked and â—eruerse Nation among whom you shine is lights in the world holding foorth the word of Life Phil. 2.12.15.16 Leu. 18 3 4. 4 Pray Incline not my heart vnto aâ—y evill thing to practise wicked workes with men that worke iniquitie and let me not eate of their dainties Let the Righteous smite me it shall be a kindnesse and let him reproue me it shall bee an excellent oyle which shall not breake my head Psal 141.4 5. CHAP. XXX Of temptations by false Teachers Ob. IF neither the tyrannie of Persecutors nor the practices of prophane ones shall vnsettie vs from our stedfastnesse then are wee safe and out of danger A. But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall bee false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies euen denying the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2 1. And many of them shall come in my Name saying I am CHRIST and shall deceiue many Math. 24 5. Act. 15.1 1. Ioh. 4 1. Ob. You teatme such Seducers who â—ill not sticke to say the same of you A. This I confesse vnto thee that afâ—â—r the way which they call Heresie so worâ—â—ip I the GOD of my Fathers beleeving â—ll things which are written in the Law â—nd the Prophets Act. 24 14. Ob. Many of these being learned in the Scriptures and as they say grounâ—ing their opinions on the same how â—hould they swarne from it A. Some of these speake lyes in Hypoâ—risie having their Consciences seared with a hote Iron 1 Tim. 4.2 2 Oâ—hers of them God hath shut vp â—heir eyes that they cannot see and their â—earts that they cannot vnderstand Isa â—4 18.6.10 1. Cor. 1.19 Rom. 11.8 3 The God of this world also hath blinded the mindes of some of them which beâ—eeue not least the light of the glorious Gospell of CHRIST who is the Image of God should shine vnto them 2. Cor. 4.3.4 â— Chro. 18.21 4 Some things in the Scriptures themselues are hard to be vnderstood which they that are vnlearned and vnstable wrest vnto their owne destruction 2 Pet. 3 16. Q. How commeth it to passe that these broaching abroad Errour in stead of Truth should be so readily receiued A. Such are deceitfull workers transforming themselues into the Apostles of CHRIST and as the Ministers of righteousnesse 2 Cor. 11.13.15 Who through Couetousnes doe with fained words make marchandise of men 2. Pet. 2.3 And come in sheepes cloathing though inwardly they are ravening Wolues Math. 7 15. Iude 12. 2 They speake of the World and therefore the world heareth them Ioh. 1 4 5. 3 Many are laden with sinnes and led away with divers lusts and therefore are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth and so are led captiue by such 2 Tim. 3 6. Q. Why then doth God permit such dangerous Heretickes to remaine in the Church A. There must be heresies among you â—hat they which are approved may be made â—anifest among you 1 Cor. 11 19. Q. But are not wee also in danger to â—e seduced by them A. Wee are of GOD he that is of God beateth vs although he that is not of God â—eareth vs not Hereby we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of Error 1 Ioh. â— 6. And you also little Children being if God haue overcome them because greater is he that is in you than he hath is in the world 1 Ioh. 4 4. Moreouer CHRIST â—alleih his owne sheepe by name and leadeth them out And when he putteth forth his â—â—ne sheepe he goeth before them and the sheepe follow him for they know his voyce and a stranger will they not follow but will â—ee from him for they know not the voyce of strangers Ioh. 10 3. And therefore such Heretickes shall proceed no further for their folly shall be manifest vnto all men And you for your part haue fully knowne my Doctrine and manner of life c. Onely evill men and seducers shall waxe worse and worse deceiuing and being deceiued 2. Tim. 3.9.13 Ob. Notwithstanding it staggereth mee not a little to see and heare what miracles some such haue wrought A. I haue confidence in you through the Lord that you will be none otherwise minded Gal. 5.10 For who should so bewitch you that you should not obey the truth before whose eyes IESVS CHRIST hath beene evidently set forth and Crucified among you Gâ—â— 3 1. Kâ—owing this that Antâ—christ his comming is after the working of Sathan with all power and signes and lying wonders and wâ—th all deceiueablenesse of vnrâ—ghteousnesse in them that perish 2. Thess 2 9. Q. How may I bee preserued from thesâ— impostures A. Beleeue not every Spirit but try the spirits whether they are of GOD 1. Ioh. 4 1. prouing all things and bolding fast that which is good 1 Thess 5 21. As did the Church of Ephesus who tryed them which said they were Apostles and were not and found them lyars Reu. â— 2. 1 Cor. 14 32. Prou. 14 15. Isa 8 â—0 Acts 17.11 Q. Shew vs then the markes whereby they may be knowne A. You shall know them by their fruits â—ath 7 16. 1 By their Entrance For hee that â—ntreth not in by the doore into the sheepefold but climbeth vp some other way the same is a Thiefe and a Robber but he that â—â—treth in by the doore is the Shepheard
of the sheepe Ioh. 10 1 2. 2 By their Doctrine For heereby know yee the Spirit of GOD every spirit â—hat confesseth that IESVS CHRIST is â—ome in the Flesh is of God And every spirit that confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that Spirit of Antichrist whereof you haue heard that it should come and eâ—en now is already in the World 1 Ioh. 4 2.1 2 22 23. 3 By their opposing of faithfull Ministers For as IANNES and IAMBRES withstood MOSES so doe these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the Faith 2 Tim. 3.8 4 By their euill liues vngodly men they are turning the grace of God into wantonnesse and doe defile the flesh Iude 4 8. 5 If thou say in thine heart how shall wee know the Word which the LORD hath not spoken When a Prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord if the thing follow not nor come to passe that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken but the Prophet hath spoken it presumptuously Deut. 18.21 Ob. Some of these men haue foretold vs of things which haue come to passe A. If there arise among you a Prophet or dreamer of dreames and giueth thee a signe or wonder and the signe or the wonder come to passe wherof he spake vnto thee saying let vs goe after other Gods which thou hast not knowne and let vs serue theÌ„ thou shalt not harken vnto the words of that Prophet or that dreamer of dreames for the Lord your God prooveth you to know whether you loue the Lord your God wâ—th all your heart and with all your soule Deut. 13.1 Therefore to the Law and to the testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8 20. Q. What is the danger that such Heretiques doe expose themselues vnto A. As they haue sowne the wind so they shall reape the whirlewind Hos 8 7 For they being before ordained to condemnation Iud. 4. Their iudgement now a long time lingereth not and their damnation slumbereth not 2 Pet. 2 3 Gal. 5 10. Reuel 22 18. Mat. 23 â—5 Ier. 28 16.17 ver 29 31 32. Q. These Heretiques being a people so dangerous what may thence bee learned A. Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware least you also being led away with the errors of the wicked fall from your owne stedfaslnes 2 Pet. 3 17. And be taken in a snare after them Deuâ— 12 30. By beeing carried about with divers and strange Doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace but not with meats which haue not profited them that haue beene exercised in them Heb. 13 9. But hath occasionâ—d them to erre concerning the faith 1. Tim. 6 20. 1 Cor. 3 11. 1 Ioh. 5 21. Prou. 19 27 30 6. 2 Tim. 2 1 2 2.1 13 14. Col. 2 6. Math. 24 26. Q What doe you account Heresie Is every little swaruing from the truth damnable A. If any man buildeth vpon Christ the foundation gold silver precious stones wood hay stubble every mans worke shall be made manifest For the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every mans worke of what sort it is If any mans worke abide which he hath built therevpon he shall receiue a reward If any mans worke shall he burnt he shall suffer losse but he himselfe shall be save yet so as by fire 1 Cor. 3.12 Gal. 5.9 Q. You haue then said enough for my setling but because the time will come when other men will not endure sound doctrine but after their owne lusts shall heape to themselues Teachers hauing itching eares and shall turne away theyr eares from the truth and shall be turned to Fables When these things come to passe what am I to doe 2. Tim. 4 3. A. Say vnto such a one I marvaile that you are so soone removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ vnto another Gospell which is not another but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospell of Christ But though we or an Angell from Heaven preach any other Gospell vnto you than that which we haue preached let him be accursed 〈◊〉 1 6. Q. What if such a one shall yet not onely persist in his errour himselfe but shall seeke to pervert others also A. Then set thine eyes vpon him and say O full of all subtilty and all mischiefe thou child of the Divell thou enemy of all righteousnes wilt thou not cease to pervert the right wayes of the Lord Now therefore the hand of the Lord shall be vpon thee Act. 13.9 Q. What if hee shall yet continue to despise my admonitions and these fearefull menaces of Iudgement A. A man that is an Heretike after the first second admonition reiect knowing that hetâ—â—â— is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himselfe Tit. 3 10. And if such a one come vnto you receiue him not to house neither bid him God speed Iob. 2. Epist 10. But he shall be slaine because hee hath spoken to turne you away from the Lord your GOD to thrust thee out of the way wherein the LORD thy GOD commanded thee to walke so shalt thou take the euill away forth of the middest of thee Deutrinom 13 5 27 18 13 14 15 18 20.7 2. Hos 8 7. Iosh 23 12. Ob. Though I haue not proceeded against such Heretiques after this manner yet haue I kept my selfe found in the faith A. Notwithstanding I haue a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Iezabel which calleth her selfe a Prophetesse to teach and to seduce my Servants to commit fornication and to eate things sacrificed vnto Idols Reu. 2 20. Ob. Shall I in this my neglect of dutie bee as sorely punished as they in these their damnable Heresies A. Nâ— for behold I will cast her into a Bed and them that commit Adultery with her into great tribulation except they repent of their deeds c. But vnto you I say and vnto the rest of them of Thiatira as many as haue not this doctrine and which haue not knowne the depths of Sathan as they speake I will put vpon you none other burthen Reu. 2 22. CHAP. XXXI Of Temptations by Prosperity Q. I Doe now see there is much danger to bee feared from earthly men but is the like danger to be expected from earthly things A. Yea for Vzziah when he was strong his heart was lifted vp to his destruction 2. Chron. 26.16 And the Israelites assembled themselues for Corne and Wine and they rebelled against the Lord Hos 7 14. For because they did ride on the high places of the earth did eate the increase of the fields and did suck the hony out of the Rocke oyle cut of the flinty Rocke butter of Kine and milke of Sheep with fat of Lambs c. Therfore
7 15. Numb 23 20. Q. What are the reasons of this vnchangeable dealing of God towards his people A. 1. Hee himselfe changeth not Mal. 3 6. He is the first and with the last even the same Isa 41.4 2 IESVS CHRIST also the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13 8. 3 Whom he once loveth he loveth vnto the end Ioh. 13.1 Who is the LORD GOD of your Fathers the God of Abraham the God of Iâ—aac and the God of Iacob this is his name for ever and this is his memoriall vnto all Generations Exod. 3 15. Isay 49 1. 4 The gifts and callings of GOD are â—ithout repentance Rom. 11 29. Q. What would you inferre vpon this â—nchangeablenesse in GOD A. Say not thou what is the cause that the former dayes were better than these for thou dost not enquire wâ—sely concerning this Eccl 7 10. 2 Therefore my beloved brethren bee yee stedfast vnmoueable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord for as much as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord 1 Cor. 15 58. And turne yee not aside for then shall yee goe after vaine things which cannot profit nor deliver you for they are vaine 1 Sam. 12 21. Q. Why Is God able to make his word good A Behold saith GOD I am the Lord the God of all flesh is there any thing too hard for me Ier. 32 27. The Lord of Hosts hath purposed and who shall disanull it And his hand is stretched out and who shall turne it backe Isa 14 27. The voyce of the LORD is powerfull the voyce of the Lord is full of Maiestie the voyce of the Lord breaketh the Cedars yea the Lord breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon Psal 29.4 neither by arme nor strength but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hostes Zach. 4 6. Yea whatsoever the Lord pleased that did hee in Heaven and in Earth and in all deepe places Psal 135 6. And now behold the Lords hand is not shortened that in cannot saue neither is his eare heavie that it cannot heare Isa 59 1. And though it be marveilous in the eyes of the remnant of his people in these dayes shall it also be marveilous in my eyes saith the LORD of hostes Zach. 8 6. Gen. 18 14. Isa 40 26 48 13 50 2 3 43 13. 1 Ioh. 4 4. Mark 10 27. Q. What shall wee then say to these things Rom. 8.31 A. 1 Ascribe yee strength vnto GOD his excellencie is over Israel and his strength is in the Clouds Psal 68 34. 2 Pray saying Thou O GOD who commandest our Strength strengâ—hen O God that which thou hast wrought for vs Psal 68 28. 3 Because I know whatsoever GOD doth it shall be for ever nothing can be put to it nor any thing taken from it Eccles 3 14. If GOD be for vs who can be against vs Rom. 8 13. Therefore against hope beleeue in hope not staggering at the Promise through vnbeliefe c. But bring strong in the Faith let vs giue glory to GOD being fully perswaded that what hee hath promised hee 〈◊〉 able also to performe Râ—m 4 18 20. Eccles 3 14. Psal 62 10 â—1 Gen. 17 1. CHAP. L. The objects of the Promises Q. I Know now that GOD can doe every thing Iob 42 2. What therefore is required at my hands that all things also may bee possible vnto mee A. As thou beleevest so it shall be done vnto thee Math. 8 13. And if thou canst beleeue all things are possible to him that beleeveth Mark 9 23. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that wee through Faith and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Rom. 15 4. And that the blessing of ABRAHAM might come on the Gentiles through IESVS CHRIST that wee might receiue the promise of the Spirit through Faith Gal. 3 14. So then they which hee of Faith are blessed with faithfull ABRAHAM Gal. 3.9 For the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by the Faith of IESVS CHRIST might be given to them that beleeue Gal. 3 22 Blessed therefore is hee that beleeveth for there shall bee a performance of those things which were told him from the LORD Luk. 1 45. Habac. 2 4. 1 Tim. 4 10. Psal 34 8. Hebr. 11 29. Ierem. 17 5. Dan. 6 23. 2 Hold the mysterie of the Faith in a pure Conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 For bodily exercise profiteth little but Godlinesse is profitable vnto all things having the Promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Hee therefore that hath cleane hands and a pure heart who hath not lifted vp his Soule vnto vanitie nor sworne deceitfully hee shall receiue the blessing from the LORD and righteousnesse from the GOD of his Salvation Psalm 24 4. For the Lord GOD is a Sonne and a shield the LORD will giue Grace and Glory and no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walke vprightly Psal 84.11 Know therefore that the LORD thy GOD hee is God the faithfull God which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that loue him and keepe his Commandements to a thousand generations Deut. 7 9. For the righteous LORD loveth Righteousnesse his Countenance doth behold the vpright Psal 11 7. And therefore blessed are they which keepe Iudgement and he that doth Righteousnesse at all times Psal 106 3. 119 1. 73 1. Prou. 12 28.16 7.14 27. Isa 58 13.56 2. Deut. 7 12. 1 King 6 12. Ioh. 13 17. Exod. 39 43. Psal 4 3. Ob. I haue long liued in want notwithstanding all my care and indeauour in the study and practise of Godlinesse Iob 35 3. A. But are there not with you even with you sinnes against the Lord your God 2 Chro. 28 10 For GOD is good and doth good Psal 119 68. And withdraweth not his eyes from the Righteous Iâ—b 36 7. Psal 125 4. O thou therefore that art named the house of IACOB is the spirit of the Lord straitned Are these his doings Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly saith the Lord Micha 2 7 All the pathes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth vnto such as keepe hâ—s Commandements and his testimonies Psal 25 10. To the pure all things are pure but vnto them that are defiled is nothing pure Titus 1 15. For the hand of our GOD is vpon all them for good that seeke him but his power and his wrath is against them that forsake him Ezra 8 22. 2 Chron. 19 11. Q. What vse then are wee to make hereof A. 1 Take heed therefore brethren least there be in any of you an evill heart of vnbeliefe in departing from the living GOD Heb. 3.12 For to whom sware hee that they should not enter into his rest but to them that beleeved not So we see then that they could not enter in because of vnbeliefe Heb. 3 18. Let vs therefore feare least a promise being left vs of entring into his rest