this world * And as Gehezy seruaunt to Elizeus ran priuily agaynst 2 Reg. 5. 21 his maisters wil after Naaman the Sirian for a bribe euen so doe many of Gods elect runne after Satan agaynst their fathers knowen wil as priuily as they can but all in vayue for they can not goe vnspied of him And the best reason of their excuse is a false opinioÌ„ of fortune as though some thing did chaunce or fall without Gods will forepointment which is a most grosse error For * if a Sparrow fall not on the Mat. 10. 29 30. Luc. 12. 6. 7 21. 28. ground nor an hayre perish which are of the least thinges without Gods wil and appoyntment then of necessity it must follow that the greatest thinges that concerne men cannot happen or chaunce without the same will and forepointment * for men are of more value then Sparrowes And when the Luc. 12. 7. effect of Satans attempt to haue Christ Iesus fall downe to worship him is considered it shall appeare that Satan toke him but for a mere man but wheÌ„ Christ Iesus rebuked him hee felt that hee was more then a man For few men refuse ritches and glory of the world if they may attayne them by easy meanes of craft deceipt or other synfull deuise especially if they may do it priuily And it is most certayne that whatsoeuer is gottten by violente wrong as extortion robbery theft murther by adultry fornication or by any other sinfull meane I say it is neuerthelesse the gifte of God indirectly For God doth distribute some tyme the ritches honor autority glory of this world by the ministery of Satan into whose power at his pleasure giueth those things to bestow on such as wil not reâ—use to doe any sinne or villanye what soeuer when they do perceaue a likelihood to obtayne their sinfull purposes which is the honor that Satan requireth of all sorte of men and not materiall fawlling downe as Idolaters doe to Images Examples of such worshipping of Satan the tymes past and present do set foorth innumerable First for the obteyning of Monarchies Kingdomes principalityes and other states of nobility auctorâ—ty by office and such like historyes of diuers countries make mentioÌ„ of multitudes that haue wrought most pestiferous conspiracies * by deuiâ—ish and subtle treason by open and priuy murther as wel by priuate violence as open and bloody battayles by brybery one wicked corrupting another with money by ignorancy enchauntment witchcraft empoysoning and by such wicked wayes haue gotten Kingdomes and other states of nobilities and gouerned the same by cruelty and tyranny All which obtayne their desires by sinfull deedes so woorshipping Satan who by Gods sufferance filleth theyr humors Moreouer such as are in high place may by neglecting their duties towardes God and his people ouer whom they gouerne in fulfilling theyr fleshly appetytes by fauouring vnwoorthy persons exalting such to high auctority suffering them selues to bee abused through flatterye and disceipt of such by following their wicked counsell to oppresse the people as did Salomon and Roboham by taxes impositions and extortions thereby encurring the hatred of the people ouer whom they gouerne to their owne confusion Such by obaying their owne vnlawfull lustes woorship Satan vnto their owne destruction as witnesseth Boccas of the fal of Princes Furthermore histories witnes and dayly experience verifyeth that many haue and doe obay ritches woorship honour and aspire to great auctority in woorshipping Satan Some by adultry and fornication some by being bawdes some by flattery and lying haue defaced others and brought themselues into credite and fauoure some by abusing the iudgement seats some by brybe taking to support false cases to the hindraÌ„ce of iustice some by buying selling and abusing the Princes offices some by abusing Princes commissions and lycences thereby deceauing both the Princes priuily by false accomptes and pilling and polling the subiectes by extortions some by monapolis engrosing the chiefe commodities of countries into their handes some bydisceiptfull buying and selling c. Great nombers by some of these sundry wayes of woorshipping Satan haue gotten and purchased such abundaunce of ritches and landes as haue made their houses woorshipfull in this world and left the same by succession to their posterities and by the same meanes as in time it was heaped togeather euen so in tyme it hath bene scattered abroad agayne in three or four generations their names cleane forgotten as though they had neuer bene sauing that their names may remayne in memory as his that burnt the Temple of Diana Such haue walked in vaine shadowes heaping vp ritches for they know not whom Psal 40. And some of those yea verie many for their filthines in worshipping of satan haue of him receaued his rewardes which are Gods iust punishmentes in this lyfe Some by pride ryot and prodigality haue and doe come to extreame beggery some for treason hanged drawne and quartered some for trechery banished their countries some for murther and theft hanged some for their wicked liues stricken with horrible diseases as the pockes some with leprosy some eaten with Woormes so ending their lyues in those or other horrible miseryes Yea mighty Emperoures Kinges Princes and many other great estates haue receaued of those rewardes for their seruice in woorshipping of Satan for with such doth hee recompence the seruice of his diligeÌ„t seruauntes and obedient subiectes some in short tyme and some after long seruice Deu. 13. c * For as hee is Gods instrument to proue his elect by temptations and allurementes to sinne his woorking in false Prophets Preachers flatterers bawdes and brokers to all kyndes of abhominations Euen so hee is Gods hangman What soeuer is falsly gotten is neuer theles the gift of God but not immediatly from God to punish the same as God hath forpointed by what meanes soeuer And as is aforesayd whatsoeuer is falsly or wrongfully gotten the same is neuerthelesse the gift of God to them that get it but not ymmediatly from God for God geueth on the right hand and on the lefte hand on the right hande immediatly through Christ Iesus Hee giueth vnto his elect all Worldly benefytes for sustentation of this life and in the resurrection and lyfe euerlasting eternall ioye and felicitye On the lefte hande I do call it indirectly from God because hee maketh Satan his Instruments who by himselfe and his cursed angels distributeth when God suffereth him the pretious things of this World to such as woorship him by committing all kyndes of sinne For the wicked want patience and cannot tarry the Lords leasure to get thinges by truth and honesty but spedily they giue dangerous attemptes and that by sinister meanes to get worldly ritches estimation and autority which is the glory of this World And possessing them confesse them to be the giftes of God wherin they say truly for they are indeed temporall blessings proceeding from Gods left hand to the reprobate which they
11 to this litle flocke it is geuen to know the secrets of the kingdome of God but vnto them that are without all thinges are done in parables that they may see and not discern heare and not vnderstand c. Neither wil they * come to the Lords Luc. 14. 16. 10 24. Psal 115. 5. c. Esai 6. 9. Mat. 13. 14. Mark 4. 12 Luc. 8. 10. Iohn 12. 40 Act. 28. 26. Rom. 11. 8. Supper when he calleth * Therefore they are as dead images they haue mouthes and speake not any thing to Gods honor and their own saluation therefore they speake not at all For it is written * Yee shal see indeed but not perceaue yee shall heare but not vnderstand make their Hartes fatte their eares heauy and shut their Eies least they should sâ—e with their eies heare with their eares and vnderstand with their hartes and be conuerted that Christ Iesus might heale them Reade all those places coated in the margent Beleeue and repent which if yee cannot doe aske faithfully of God yee may haue it for the asking if a man may haue meat at his request and wil sterue rather then demaund it hee is woorthy to die of hunger and none to bewayle him Saynt Peter wrote * vnto the elect according to the foreknowledge 1 Pet. 1. 2. 10. 18. read all of God that wee were not redeemed with golde and such corruptible thinges nor by traditions of the fathers but by the precious bloud of Christ Iesus which was ornained to yâ— end before the foundations of the world * we are called 2 20. Iud. 1. 4. 6. to follow him in suffering afflictions * Saynt Iude saith the vngodly turne the grace of God into wantonnes euen ordayned to damnation so were the angels that kept not their Eph. 1. 4. 5. first estate * But God hath chosen vs in Christ Iesus before the foundations of the world to the ende wee should bee holy and without blamâ— before him in loue he forepointed vs to be adopted in Christ Iesus according to the good pleasure of his will * Hee hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling 2 Tim. 1. 9. not according to our woorkes but according to his own purpose and grace which was giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus before the world was Paul the seruant of God and Apostle of Christ Iesus according to the faith of Gods elect in knowlâ—dge of the truth in god â—iues vnder the hope of eternall life which God that can not lye hath promised before the world began * Which forepointment of God as a secret was kept Rom. 16. 25 26. Colos 1. 26 closse from the beginning except here and there one in euery age but now is opened published by the holy Scriptures at the commaundement of the euer liuing God that thereunto fayth might giue obedience * For in Christ Iesus wee Ephes 1. 16 2. 10 were chosen when wee were predestinat according to the purpose of him that woorketh all thinges after the counsell of his owne will * and wee are his woorkmanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath ordayned for vs to exercise our selues in them And what soeuer God hath forepointed and established shall neuer bee altred for it is written * My counsell shall stande and I wil do whatsoeuer Esai 26. 10. Rom. 15. 4. I will * Seeing all holy Scriptures are written for our learning then ought we to seek know all the secrets therein contayned and make our profite of them for so is our Iohn 5. 39. maysters will and commaundement * Search the scriptures which testify of mee This foresayd litle flocke chosen of God were forepoynted to suffer all kindes of iniuries and afflictions of the wicked people which God hath not chosen during this lyfe in euery age from the beginning to the ending of the Mat. 23. 3â— World That vppon all the wicked may come the gyltinesse of all the innocent bloud of righteous Abel vnto the blood of Zacharias spilt betweene the temple and the aulter But likewyse the giltines of all the innocent bloud which hath bin is now or shall bee shed from the first to the last in the world Luc. 18. 7. * For shall not God reuenge his elect that cry vnto him day night yes though hee suffer long for them I tell you hee wil reuenge them quickly that is to say â—ffectually euen with the twinckling of an eye Those four rehersed sentences are notes of the true plain song of Gods holy and eternall forepoyntment prickt downe in holy Scriptures by Moses by the holy Prophets and by Christ Iesus himselfe vppon which most pleasant and infallible grounde the concorde of Diuine Musitions the Apostles and their most true followers sithence theyr tyme haue song pleasant and sweet descant each one according to the measuâ—e of this gift receaued of God and prononuced as the holy Ghost wrought in them and gaue them vtterance not varying a note from the firme grounde If men would fall into consideration of this doctrine that God is all in all and worketh all in all and that there procedeth from him both right iustice and tender mercy surely they would feare him for his iustice and they would loue and obay him for his mercy yea they would magnify his eternall and almighty power * and declare the wonders that hee doth among Psam 107. the children of men CONCERNING NATVRES LAWES for all creatures visible and inuisible reasonable and vnreasonable sencible and incensible CAP. 12. THat there bee angels which are spirits both good and euill and that they are the inuisible messengers of God and woorkers of his wil both secret and manifest it is not for any man to doubt thereof seeing holy Scriptures do so largely testify of the same As for their beginning they are the creatures of God as man male and female are And they liue vnder Gods holy laws and ordinaÌ„ces each in their kinde as mankind ought to doe There is a law for holy Angels in their kinde or nature A law for euill angels in their kinde or corrupt nature A law for man male and female contrary to their kinde and corrupt nature Natures law in the firmament in the elementes in the creatures that liue and moue in the waters in creatures that goe and creepe on earth and with fethers flye in the ayre Each of these according to their kindes haue lawes established in them by nature This woord all creatures are to follow the Law of nature moue and to doe as God in the creation did forepoint to each thing in his kind to kepe their natural courses wherin they are bounde and can not erre except monsters come foorth Example The honny Be sucketh the iuice of sweet flowers which turneth into his owne substance that is poison The lyke smell is of Gods elect and the reprobate The holy Scriptures are most precious and sweete flowers out of
Saul Sam. 16. 14 2 Par. 18. 19 Iob 1. 12 2. 6. And * God sent an euill spirit to 〈◊〉 king Ahabâ— God sent Satan to plaâ—ue Iob he could 〈◊〉 touch him before hee was sent to that end as hereafter shall appeare by a short recitall of their histories For euil spirits moue not neither do they seaze vpon any thing except only by Gods commaundement and woorking of his secret power Thus it appeareth how Angels became Deuils because they kept not their first estate as sayth Saint Iude as likewise man kept not his first estate and therefore the whole masse of mankind was vtterly damned as the wicked angels were which was the secret that God had purposed in himselfe before the world was that hee would bring to passe by the fall of Angels and men that Christ Iesus the seed of the woman should redeeme againe so many of the damned seed of Adam as hee had euerlastingly forechoseâ— and forepoynted to lyfe which secret was not opened to many men in the former ages But now sayth Saynt Paule * God hath opened vnto vs Ephe. 1. 9. 11. Tim. 1. 9. the secrete of his will according to his good pleasure purpoposed in him selfe who worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will * who hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace which was giuen vs in Christ Iesus before the world was * This mistery and secrete was Col. 1. 26. hidden from the beginning from all ages except here and there one vntill our Lord Iesus made it manifest vnto his saintes to such as were forepointed to receaue and distribute the same to others euen to such as God hath forepointed to receaue it and make their profite of it * To some it Mar. 4. 11 12. is giuen to vn 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of the kingdome of God but Mar. 4. 11. 12. Luk. 8. 10. Mat. 13. 14. 15. Iohn 12. 40. vnto them that not without all thinges are done in parables to the 〈◊〉 they should se 〈…〉 not discerne they should heare and not vnderstand least they should turne and haue their sinnes forgiuen And 〈◊〉 * God hath blinded the eies and hardned the hartes of the wilfull wicked to the ende they shall neithe◠〈◊〉 vnderstand nor be conuerted to be saued by Christ Iesus those are plaine speeches against the which none 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ng God â—are reply OF THE KNOVLEDGE OF THAT MAN may haue of the Godhead in this bodily life CAP. 3. THere are twoo waies to know the almightie maiestie of the eternall God as much as hee may bee knowne of mankind in this transitory life the one way is generall and the other is speciall The generall way is the consideration of his woorkes from the beginning by muzing on their creation and of the infinite variety of nature in creatures of their continuall course and conseruation wrought by the most instant and incomprehensible power of this almighty Monarch that worketh all in all things And is the first mouer of whatsoeuer moueth in Heauen Earth and hell Thus by obseruation of the naturall courses of the treatures diuers Philosophers obtained wonderfull and great worldly wisedome mâ—tuallous knowledge in the nature cours of things by such means came to this generall knowledge of God euen such as Turks Ethiopians Barbarians Tartaryans Catayans and many other nations of infidels haue at this day and euer haue had And yet there are other some that cannot reach so high but some imagine to themselues the Sunne some the Moone some other one of the Rom. 1. 23. 6. 9. 7. Starres others some earthly creature * as men foure footed beastes birdes creeping thinges euen vile woormes which they haue and doe woorship for Gods The speciall man to know God is preaching waiting reading hearing beleeuing and exercising his holy woord with the consideration of his infinite woorkes as aforesaid euery one according to thâ— gift which he hath receiued And this special way is professed outwardly of al that are called and to accompt themselues Christians whereof there are two sorts as hath bene of marckinâ— from the beginning as 〈◊〉 and Abel 〈…〉 nely of those which God made a peculiar people â—â—th himselfe as the offspring of Abraham the sonnes of Issack Esaâ— and Iacob and their posteritie from age to age who albeit they were all of the naturall seed of Abraham 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the law * yet they are not th 〈…〉 all 〈◊〉 alites â—beâ—ause they came of Israel No 〈◊〉 all they loue Christians because the aâ—e baptised in 〈◊〉 of Christ Iesus And this article of two sortes of people is neither new nor strange but professed confessed expressed and taught by Mâ—ses and the Prophets of whom Iesus 〈…〉 ach 〈…〉 her â—o iâ— and held the 〈◊〉 for an infallible truth who was a man most excellent bâ—câ— in heauenly Diuinitie and worldly Philosophie 〈◊〉 a certaine 〈◊〉 Egipâ— in the raigne of king E 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnto him 〈◊〉 any age before Christ Iesus thâ—◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so much Godly wisedome holes 〈…〉 〈◊〉 as hyâ— the 〈◊〉 of canonicall Scripture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same 〈◊〉 most earnestly taught most streng 〈…〉 〈◊〉 into and vndoubtedly 〈◊〉 by the * 〈◊〉 If 〈◊〉 Christ Iesus himselfe and his apostles of Mat. 24. 31 Mar. 13. 30. Luk. 18. 7. 8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O 〈…〉 tors 〈◊〉 and â—â—eachers in the holy Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vntill these oâ—â— dayes I haue lear 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tir 〈…〉 of the Pope taught 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 of life And now most sincerely taught vnto vs by writing printing and preaching for the infallible truth of God the Father euen the misterie the secret hidden since the world began from all ages but now is opened vnto his Sainctes First by his naturall Soâ—ne after wardes by his Disciples 〈◊〉 consequently by â—â—â—heir 〈◊〉 followers in euery age 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—yes Sâ— that 〈◊〉 and so many as theire had bene â—aw or hereafter shall haue Gods fauour and gift to beleeue Moses and the Prophets Christ Iesus and his disciples to them Isay there can be no doubt nor contradiction against this infallible truth that God hath 〈…〉 ided mankinde into two sortes â—â— ordained the one sort to saluation and the other doth damnition The causes why he hath so done are declared iâ— this 〈…〉 tice so farre forth as is probable and allowed by holy scripture and no further God is to be knowen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 said in general by consideration of his woorkes 〈◊〉 way 〈◊〉 saluation except by true within Christ Iesus â—â—rongâ—â—â—aring beleeuing and exercising his body woord which conceiueth two thinges especially to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The first is good promises of of 〈◊〉 for well 〈◊〉 The second is 〈◊〉 threatninges of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is written For the incomprehensible Deut. 28. 〈◊〉 of God 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ther bee seen with freshly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
to obserue it no sorrow for breaking it and although the threatning of the lawe sounding in theyr eares make theÌ„ sometyme afrayed yet they seeke not the righte way to be helped because they followe the suggestions of Satan and theyr owne lustes Therfore I call this blessed lawe the ballance of mans life for by examinatioÌ„ of his life how it agreeth with this lawe euery one may see weygh and know himselfe whether hee bee in tht right or in the wrong in fauoure or out of fauoure with God For whoso regardeth not the lawe * God casteth them of into Rom. 1. a reprobate sence that is into SataÌ„s gouernment to work most filthy and most horrible euils as are recited in the first to the Romaynes And no maruell for the stubberne wicked do wilfully disobey and breake the lawe as it were in dispite of his almighty maiesty which with one blast of winde might consume all enemies And all are Gods enemies great and small so long as they walke not in fayth feare and loue and obedience of his holy lawe And although the whole world is altogeather set on wickednes 1 Ioh. 5. yet Gods Maiesty is neyther endomaged nor trobled thereby For what detriment susteyned God by Adams eating the forbidden fruicce what domage or hindraunce hath God by all the filthy villenyes horrible beastlines comitted by mankinde on Earth As Idolatry Blasphemy Murther Adultry Fornication Periury Theft c. I say none at all for the godhead is not moued with passions neyther troubled with all the vprors and confusions done by Satan and his adhetents in the world but most louingly exersiseth mercy on his elect and most quietly his iustice on his reiect people which hee hath not chosen And albeit he hath ordeined rewards for weldoing punishment for il doing yet man by weldoing brings God no profit nor hindraunce by ill doing For the good and euil that man doth redoundeth to himselfe for the good that man doth hee deserueth nothing because it commeth not of himselfe but the holy Ghost worketh it in him And yet by grace hee Luc. 17. 10. receiueth the rewarde as though it came of himselfe * For when wee haue done all the good that is possible for vs to do wee shall yet be founde vnprofitable seruantes towards God because wee do not that which the lawe comaundeth Contrarywise for the euill that man doth he iustly deserueth damnation for it is his owne worke by yelding to the motions of Satan through infidelity pryde and disobedience and such lyke vices which are the causes of strife betwixt God man And for these causes God did execute his forethreatened sentence vppon Adam and his posterity For Adam had then before his fall freewill as many falsely affirme that all men haue yet that is to say hee had free choyce in himselfe to keepe or breake the holy commaundement wherein hee wilfully refused God rashly chose the Deuill neglected Gods truth and imbraced the lies of the Deuill whereof hee is the father * and the only tempter of mankind to all euill mischiefe Iohn 8. 38. For hee perswaded Eue that the punishment which God had threatned should not bee performed whereupon she enticed Adam And so committed the offence whereby he lost his freewil from him and his posterity for euer 1 Tim. 2. And yet Satan told them truth in one thing as is the common vse of his ministers in this Worlde to mixe truth with falshed the rather to make his lies take place For in eating the forbidden fruicte they knew euil whereas before they knew but good only Satans promise was they should be as Gods knowing good and euill the last poynt was true in in some sence but the chiefe poynt was altogeather false that was how yâ— punishment which God had threatned should not bee performed and that they should bee as Gods But they were sone ashamed of that credite which they had yelded vnto Satans Suggestion and of the breach of that obedience which was commaunded them by their Creator As then it was so is it manifest that now Satan and his worldly adherentes his instruments wicked people by whom he worketh amongest the multitudes namely such as preach false doctrine do many tymes speake the truth and rightly recite sentences of holy Scripture neuer to the good end but either to their owne gayne or to some other wicked purpose such is their nature they can do none otherwise then vpon recital of true and holy sentences make false conclusions And who can resist natâ—râ— except such as are lead by the holy Ghost And yet though mans reason cannot blame them in following nature Neuerthelesse God by his lawe hath ordayned death for such naturall offenders which lawe Kinges Princes and rulers of Nations Countries and Prouinces ought to obay and execute as God commaundeth in his Lawe how iustice from him ought to bee executed Deut. 13. 7 Read the Chapter Mat. 5. 17. 18. Luc. 16. 17. saying * Thyne Eye shall not pitty a false Prophet Preacher or teacher thou shalt not kepe secret his false doctrine but accuse him by order that hee may dye the death thou mayst shew him no mercy * Christ Iesus came not to breake one iot of this Law of Iustice but to fulfill for his elect that which was not in mans power to doe so to make an end of the ceremonies of the Law * which were shadowes Col. 2. 15. of good thinges to come euen figures of the comming of the Messias who came to doe his forepointed office to redeeme the miserable state of mankinde in his elect * whom God saw Ezec. 16. 6. ly weltring in their owne blood past recouery by his owne strength which was the fall of Adam whereby all mankind was damned body and soule * And then God had compassion Exo. 33. 15. Rom. 9. 19. and shewed mercy on whom it pleased him that is to say on those whom hee had forechosen and forepointed For it was Gods pleasure to make Adam of such miraculous complection quality and freedome of will as hee put it freely in his own power and choise to keepe or leaue his blessed state to obay or disobay the holy commaundement And further of a fatherly loue God forewarned him by a terrible threatning to feare him from offending And then seeing Adam would and did wilfully offend God could doe no lesse of his iustice hauing spoken the woord then executed his terrible forethreatned sentence once for all vppon Adam and his posterity for euer * The holy Scripture the woord of God which is as Galat. 3. 22. true as God himselfe hath concluded all vnder sinne which conclusion was decreed in his eternall counsell before this world began And all to bring the rest of his eternall purpose to his forepointed end to haue iust matter for himself to shew mercy and execute iustice Behold the profit that Adam got by knowing good and
the Lord sent an euill spirit to deceaue king Ahab euen a lying spirit into the mouthes of his iiii â— prophets whose persus ion he followed in despite of Michâ—as to his owne destruction and so it was forepointed of God By those and such lyke examples of holy Scriptures it is euident that God sindeth the spirites both good and bad to whom it pleaseth him in whom is no partiality Princes and Sap. 6. 1. 10. 9. Subiectes are equall in his fight * The Lord eareth for all alyke sauing they that abuse auctority shall haue the greatter punishment Moreouer wee reade in holy Scriptures of many euil and vncleane spirites that in euery age haue diuersly vexed many people by sondry qualities Some to commit blasphemy idolatry perâ—â—y sowe murther adultery fornication theft some draknesse frenzy and vtter madnes And some to dispayre of theyr saluation and so destroy themselues and of these and such lyke wee haue examples by dayly experience All which miseries with other infinite wicked and carnall motions * are not straunge but euen such as by Gods ordinance Cor. 10. 13. follow the corrupt nature of man as punishments for his infidelity pride and disobedience euen by sinne to punish sinne through mans owne inuentions and abhominations Therefore Gods predestination his forepointment of some to saluation and some to damnation ought to bee familiar to all men 〈◊〉 â—â—th come to 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is an infallible truth declare 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the woord of God fro◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wh 〈…〉 discâ—nesâ— of his holy scriptures 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 of the law the prophets of the new Testament by Christ Iesus himself the doctrine thereof 〈…〉 firmed by miracles and sealed with his precious blood and 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 and blood of his Apostles and Disciples and 〈◊〉 theâ— sithence by an infinite nomber of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 death by diuerse torments for the confirmation of the same And it is nâ— small 〈◊〉 nor 〈◊〉 part of the glad tydings which the Lord did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bee preached to all none excepted by â—â—sse such as of 〈◊〉 will doe refuse it for a witnesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Apostles well commaunded Matth. Mark 6. 11. Luk. to shake the dust of the in 〈…〉 〈◊〉 depart from them because it shal be harder with such stubberne malicious in the day of iudgement th 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me had Gomorâ—â—h Therefore it 〈◊〉 be not tâ— hee kept in silence but freely preached euery where for by that meanes the prayer of king Dauid and all he◠〈◊〉 of God is to bee 〈…〉 yned That his Psalm 67. 2. way may bee know◠〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and his sauing health among all nations This forepoyntment of God is a Luk. 10. secret * which God hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the most part of the wise and learned of the Worlde and hath opened them vnto the poore and simple soules * This is the secret which in other Ephes 3. ages was not opened to 〈◊〉 as it is not reuealed vnto his holy 〈◊〉 and Prophets 〈◊〉 The secret that God Rom. 16. 25 26. 2 Tim. 1. 9 had chosen the Gentils before the Worlde began was kepâ— close vntil it was reuealed by the Gospell preached Then called â—ee the Gentils with an holy calling not according to their woorkes but according to his owne purpose and grace which was giuen theÌ„ through Christ Iesus before the world was giuen to them is not to all ingenerall but especially to 2 Thess 3. 2 Heb. 11. 6. those that rightly beleue in Christ Iesus * For all men haue not fayth * And without fayth it is impossible to please God Naturall fayth as some speake is in all men but fayth to saluation is speciall to Gods elect â— Euery good gift is froÌ„ Iam. 1. 17. 1 Co. 4. 7. Iohn 14. 6. Iohn 6. 44. God * What hast thou that thou hast not receiued hast thou fayth to saluation Then thou hast receiued it of God for all men haue it not For * no man can come to the Father but by the Sonne * And no man can come to the Sonne except the Father draw him It is giuen to some of Gods elect though not to all to Mat. 13. 11 know the secrets of the kingdome of Heauen but it is not giuen to any of the reprobate to know them rightly * Their Esai 6. 9. 11 hartes bee hardned and their eies bee blinded how doth God blind the Eies of his refused people euen by the ministery of Satan called the God of this World Therefore if the Gospell be yet hidden * it is hidden from 2 Cor. 4. 3. wicked questions them that perish of whom the God of this World hath blinded the eyes of their myndes so farre as they dispite God most horrible saying if Gods predestination bee such as euery man is elected or reiected before the world began then if I bee elected I shal bee saued If I bee reiected I shall be damned what skils it what I do why should I not do what I list and take my pleasure in all thinges whyle I am here or why should I fast pray giue almes obserue the Law or doe any goodnes seeing it helpeth not to saluation These are motions of the Spirit what Spirit of Satan not of God For these and such blasphemous argumentes procede not from a corrupt mouth only as from a mere man but as from one possessed by the diuill which holdeth him captiue from beleuing and obeying the truth In such the spirit of God is not for a time while they commit wickednes as it was in King Dauid while he comitted Adultery and Murther but through repentance wrought in such by Gods grace the holy spirit ouer cometh and sheweth it selfe And then such se themselues as King Dauid did what they were while the spirit of the Lord was as it were absent or stayed his woorking to direct them Now if such lewd people as before mentioned could beleue the holy scriptures and contenâ— themselues with the true interpretation there of the 〈◊〉 they should finde this treatis by Gods true experience to bee the infallible truth of the eternall almighty and most glorious God the only Monarch of Heauen and Earth GODS ETERNALL PVRPOSE PROued by the holy Scriptures and how by his will each thing is brought to his forepointed end CAP. 7. FIrst that God hath chosen and blessed al yâ— Ephes 1. 4. 5. 11. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Titus 1. 2. 3. faythfull in Christ Iesus before the foundations of the world vere layde and did forepoynte them to be his children adopted in Christ Iesus in whom and by whom hee hath opened vnto vs the secret of his will according to his good pleasure purposed in him selfe before hee beganne to frame the world And it is playne that God deuideth if I may so speake his wil in respect of vs one part thereof is reueled in his word by holy scriptures
accomplishmeÌ„t of his eternall purpose By the story it appeareth that satan the God of this world and Prince that ruleth in the ayre hath the handling at God his appoyntment of all those thinges to execute Gods iustice so hath hee lykewyse of the swoord with all engins and munitions for wars whensoeuer they are abused in any euil cause For in euery controuersie right stryueth agaynst wrong and wrong agaynst right So hath it bene from the beginning is now shall continue to the end of the world And whosoeuer mayntayneth the wrong cause is led and guyded by Satan yea though hee winne the field So that whensoeuer any thing is done such as men cal mischaunce misfortune ill lucke mischiefe or what soeuer whereby any of mankinde is hurt in bodie or goods eyther by warres by fyre water storme or tempest heate of the Sunne cold of the Moone constellation of the Starres opposition of the Planets corruption of the ayre dampe of the Earth the abundance of Snow the extremity of frost the want of Rayne or too much wet the fury of beastes the venim of Serpentes or what soeuer else whereby God punisheth a people or nations in generall or some in particuler for sinne or other cause onely knowne to himselfe all is done by Gods almighty power and forepoyntment Satan being his instrument and executioner when it pleaseth God to vse him Thus appeareth that Satan and his angels are Gods instrumentes to execute his iustice where when and vpon whoÌ„ it pleaseth God to appoint Not that Satan can desire to serue God or hath any zeale to doe iustice for hee is as naturall an enemy to mankynde as the Wolfe to the Sheepe the Catte to the Mouse c. But God vseth his naturall malice vnknowne to him to execute his iustice And although that Satan is called the God of this Worlde and Prince that ruleth in the ayre yet hee hath not the Elimentes planets and signes to vse otherwise then God hath forepoynted Neither doth hee knowe that hee serueth Gods holy purpose for these as incencible ignorant of Gods secrets as a dogge of mans secrets And as the water spaniel watcheth the shot to fetch the fowle being stricken or as the Iaylers watch at the iudgement seates and the hang man for the dayes of excution to doe their offices Euen so doth Satan and his angels wayt incessantly on the maiesty of God to be set a worke in theyr naturall offices which is to seeke whom they may deuoure For further proofe hereof wee neede not seeke of Histories seeing it is manifest in holy Scriptures and proued by daylie experience in our knowledge as well among our selues as other nations both neare and farre of how the wicked doe abuse the Godly some by priuy deceipt some by theft robbery some by open extortions some by culler of Law and autority spoile the goods and somtyme kill the bodies of godly and quiet people And for a recompence of their pestiferons wickednes against the godly and quiet people we see also how God maketh the wicked deuour one another among themselues And al by the ministery of satan working and ruling as a king among them his subiectes and children to whom they obay as vnto their king and father for so doth Christ Iesus call the wicked saying * yee are of your father the Deuil and yee doe the Iohn 8. 44. lustes of your father who is a murtherer from the beginning and shall bee to the ending in Cain hee murthered Abell hee abode not in the truth there is no truth in him he speaketh lyes by nature for hee is the father of lying and of lyers whyle they continue and delyte in lying God dealeth with Satan his angels and worldly adherentes as a Father deaâ—eth with a rodde the which after he hath corrected his Children therewith hee casteth into the fyre or elswhere carelesse what becoms of it euen so doth almighty God deale with Satan his angels and all the reprobate people of the World for when hee hath vsed them as scourges to punish other in this lyfe wherof some were as wicked as themselues so he reyseth vp wicked after wicked to punish one another that one may bee the end of another which cruelty and tyranny as they haue dealt with others and so by course one after another as worne rods hee casteth them into hell fyre * which before the World was begonne Mat. 25. 41 was prepared for the Deuill and his angels and consequently for the reprobate seede of Adam HOW THE MOST PARTE OF mankinde serueth Satan and of his rewards for their seruice CAP. 9. IT is an olde saying the Deuil is good to his Children for commonly they triumph in the world and beare the greatest sway both of high and lowe degree some continue long in their wickednes and some are cut of in short tyme. And all both by the appointment of God * who hath appointed the water of the Seas their baâ—ndes which thâ—y shall not passe * Who hath nombred Psal 104. 9. the Starres and calleth them all by their names Then must hee also oÌ„r none but hee can do it appoint the nomber of dayes that euery one of mankind both elected and reiected chosen and refused hath to liue in this world which Eccles 3. 1. c. none can ouerpasse * For God hath appoynted to euery thing his conuenient tyme a tyme to bee borne and a tyme to dye both by his forepointment And touching the wicked reprobate that tryumphe in this World * they haue their portions in this lyfe they leaue yâ— Psal 17. 4. 23. 2. c. rest of their substaunce vnto their Children * Dauid erred with griefe to see the wicked excell in prosperity to what they list to corrupt others to speake blasphamie without correction or aduersity And when hee sought to knowe the cause hee could not reach it vntill the holy ghost wrought in him to the end * who reuealed vnto him by comparing vertue 1 Cor. 2. 10 with vice which hee calleth the going into the sanctuary of the Lord the ende of those men whom God doth set in slippery places to cast them downe to a fearefull end Thus the reprobate serue Satan their father and God of Iohn 8. 24. this World * and his lustes they obay to obtayne their fleshly desires the ritches the honor and glory of this world which is the kneeling downe to * worship Satan that he required Matt. 4. 9. of Christ Iesus But the reprobate whom God hath not chosen doe daily kneele and woorship Satan to obtayne their filthy lustes and couetous desires Yea they doe it with ten tymes more diligence then the elect children of God doe the will of their good father Yea and very many of Gods elect do often tymes yea too to often kneele and woorship satan come after him by obaying their wicked lustes in couering the ritches pleasures and glory of
poyson euen from their mothers wombe Esau before his birth was refused and froward from his mothers Gen. 25. Mal. 1. 2. Rom. 9. 11. wombe when hee came to discretion hee furiously reiected the blessing of God which afterward hee could not recouer though hee sought it with teares It is an ancient opinion that euery man had his good and euill angel which albeit it wanteth sufficient warrant of holy Scripture yet most true it is that God by his holy spirite doth gouerne his elect who also haue by God his appoyntment holy angels to minister vnto them when it pleaseth God to his glory and their own saluation There are few of the reprobate that liue to years of discretion that haue bard by any means of the Law and the Gospel but they are some tyme put in mynde by the mations of God his Spirite to leaue their wickednes to the which because they do not obay their owne consciences shall condemne theÌ„ And because they yeelde no obedience vnto the motions of the spirit of God therefore hee giueth them ouer vnto their owne lustes and temptations of the Deuil To his temptations God his chosen are some tyme subiect * To the ende that the light of Gods elect in honesty of life Matt. 5. 16. and good woorkes may shyne amongst men to the good ensample of others and glory of their father which is in heaueÌ„ * That the tryall of their fayth much more precious then 1 Pet. 1. 7. Gold might bee to theyr prayse at the comming of the Lord Iesus to iudge the quicke the dead Great are their troubles and their temptations very greeuous but God deliuereth them out of all Oh that men would therefore feare the Lord Iehouah that almighty Monarch of Heauen Earth and Hell and shew foorth the wonders that hee doth among the children of men Whereas the * Apostle sayth that flesh lusteth contrary to Gal. 5. 17. the spirite hee meaneth contrary to the spirite of God For otherwise the flesh lusteth very agreeable to the spirit that is the mynde and soule of Man vntill the holy Ghost which is the same spirite that Paul meaneth worke in man * so doth Eze. 36. 28 God put his spirite in man according to his promise and then beginneth the battayle betwene the spirite and the flesh which is the whole man and which is compact of body spirite of lyfe mynde and soule c. And al that rest on Christ Iesus 2 Gor. 5. 17. are willed to become new creatures * which is that new and second birth without the which none shall inherite the kingdome of God * Satan is the strong man which possesseth the house of Mat. 12. 29. mans mynd and the holy Ghost is the stronger man that driueth Satan from his possession And when an vncleane spirit is displaced hee wandreth about a whyle and returneth to proue if hee can enter agayne which if hee do then hee bringeth in with him seuen woorse then himselfe so is his ende woorse then the beginning except hee bee the chosen of God to whom Satan geueth many foyles And when they haue fallen into sinne by Satans slightes they can not ryse they cannot repent they cannot returne to God of their owne power * For no man can come the Sonne Iohn 6. 44. 14. 6 except the Father draw him * Christ Iesus his Sonne is the way the truth and the lyfe and no man can come to the Father but by him Many are called but few are chosen But all those that Mat. 20. 16 are and shal bee enhâ—ritours of the kingdome of heauen were chosen therunto before the world began and after birth comming to years of discrecion they are called so effectually that they cannot chose but come to the Lord notwithstanding the pestiferous malice of Satan and his ympes both bodily and ghostly The meanes of calling are commen to all in places where the truth is professed as reaâ—ing and hearing the holy Scriptures preached taught or talked of the chosen receaue it by fayth to their saluation The refused of God are called by yâ— same meanes but they are so effectually holden backe by Satan and his impes bodily and ghostly that when they haue beleeued they 〈◊〉 no power to hold it but let it slip agayne in the end to their daÌ„nation Concerning such as liue not to yeares of discretion and such as are not called by the meanes aforesaid I leaue them to the secrete meanes which God at his pleasure may vse Rom. 11. 36 For * of him through him and for him are all thinges to him be all honor foreuer Amen For hee is all in all hee woorketh all in all and is not tyed vnder any lawe by his owne decrees neither can any other ympose statutes vnto him and therefore hee cannot doe euil what soeuer hee doth because all is his owne and hee onely and none but hee may doe with his owne as hee list CONCERNING THE VARIETY of Spirites that woorke diuers effectes in mankinde CAP. 13. IT shall eskape mee very much agaynst my will if I put downe any thing that is not to be found in holy Scriptures or gathered of the same by tru interpretation or souÌ„d argument grounded on the holy text Genesis chapter 41. verse 14 Ioseph had the Spirite of interpretation of Dreames Daniell 2 19. the interpretation of Nabuchadnezers dreame was opened vnto Daniell in a vision Exodus 28. 31. 2. 6. God filleth men with the suirites of conning in artes sciences handy occupations and all worldly wisedome Nombers 5. 14. 15 the spirite of Ielousy 27. 18. eod libro the spirit of gouernment in Iosua Iudges 6. 34. the spirit of boldnes and hardines in Gedion Iudges 9. 23. God sent an euil spirite between the King and his Subiectes And 11. 29. The Spirite of hardines in Iephta and 13. 25. the Spirite of strength in Sampson 1 Samuel 10. 6. Spirites of prophecie and 16. 13. a good Spirite came vppon Dauid 14. the good Spirite departed from Saul and the Lord sent an euill spirit to vexe him 1 Kinges 22. 21. to 28. Spirites of enticementes and lying In Esai 19. 3 Spirites of diuination 28. 6. 29. 10. Spirits of slumber and amasednes Ecclesiastious 39. 28. Spirites created for vengeance c. Math. 10. 1. vncleane spirits 12. blind dumbe spirits Mar. 9. 17. to 29 dumbe and deafe Spirites Actes 23. 8. 9. Spirits and Angels haue some time spoken vnto men The Saduces say there is no resur rection nor Angell nor Spirite the Pharisies confesse both 1 Tim 4 1. Spirites of error and Deuilish doctrine 2 Tim. 1. 7. Spirites of feare and loue And as there are dreamers of dreames and seers of visions so are there spirites both good and euill to moue dreames to shew visions and stirre vp phantasies in folks myndes some to good and some to euill * One man as wee reade had a legion of Deuils in him Marc. 5. 9. which by some mens accompt is 12500. and by other some 6000. footmen 732. horsmen what an infinite nomber of legions let euery man thinke are among so many mad men as presently liue in the world of all degrees high and lowe rich and poore I grant many are worldly wise but few haue right wittes in Godlines * For many are called but few are Mat. 20. 16. chosen Another reason they esteeme not of Gods woord they haue no desire to obay it nor to refrayne their couetous desires and wicked lustes they haue no wil to praye to fast nor geue almes to shew their loue and obedience to God who hath ordayned those thinges to exercise all such as wil bee his Our Sauiour Christ sayth it is the spirite that quickenneth Iohn 6. 63. the flesh profiteth nothing who knoweth not that the body without the spirite is deade and can doe neyther good nor euill But while the Spirite of lyfe the mynde and yâ— immortall sowle are ioyned with the body the man is continually woorking speaking or thinking good or euill So that it is the Spirite that quickeneth both wayes yet not one and the same spirite but a good or euill spirite Among the diuersity of Spirites there are none more perillous then the spirites of hipocrisy dissimulation and flattery For by the allurementes of those pestiferous subtlâ— spirites Satan who by those meanes * doth seem an angel 2 Cor 11. 14 of light can so finely frame his worldly ministers by whom hee woorketh as Gods elect euen they that walke most seuerely can not make a fayrer shew of Godlines then they And all to disceaue such as will not warely walke in the fear of God Yea such pernitious wicked spirites shall worke in some that shall auouch falshed for truth * And therfore called false Christes and false Prophets which shall shew signes wonders Mar. 13. 22 to disceaue if it were possible the very elect of their saluation Therefore wee must watâ—h and pray take heed because wee know not the moment of the Lordes comming nor the day of our death Certayne creatures on earth haue the Spirites of life the minde and bodily sences as seeing hearing smelling tasting feeling knowledge memory and agility of bodie common with mankinde If man had receaued no more hee had differed but in shape onely from other seemly beastes but vnto vnto man onely was giuen a reasonable and an immortal Spirite euen a reasonable soule whereby hee exceedeth all other earthly creatures Therefore to mankinde onely it is sayd * Bee not lyke horse and mule which haue no vnderstanding whose mouthes must be holden with bit bridle Psal 32. 9. Therefore most happy for euer blessed are they to whom God hath geuen true vnderstanding godly wisedome right iudgement and grace to follow the motions of God his most holy spirite by whose assistance wee are made able to eschew euill and doe good to seeke peace and keepe our soules in paâ—ience walking in holines and righteousnes till wee receaue the reward of our fayth euen the saluation of our soules and bodies for euer