God canst thou say in good earnest and uprightnesse before the Lord is there any more truthes and more good will of thine of thy worship good Lord let me know it that I may love it and practice it Brethren is it so take then this in you and answer it is 〈◊〉 Lord. Brethren if there â—…e a sight of God in heaven â—…nd thou doest truely subâ—…it to the word it is a true â—…gne that if any under heaven hath the worke of grace â—…ought in him thou hast it â—…hn 8. If any man love the â—…th and obey the Commandeâ—…ents the truth will make him 〈◊〉 Dost thou then love and obey the truth it will make thee free it will make thee a freeman of heaven hold this truth Heaven and earth shall passe but that work of grace cannot passe This was the joy of the Apostle Iohn 5.4 I have no greater joy in the world then that my children walke in the truth in the light comfort and power of it If the Apostle Iohn could have no greateâ—… truth what great joy will it be to thy selfe no greateâ—… joy have I saith some maâ—… not that my sonne is ricâ—… but that he is upright Hoâ—… mayest thou joy then 〈◊〉 ever thou see the face 〈◊〉 God with comfort try 〈◊〉 thou beest upright if thâ—… lovest the truth the Saint can see no greater joy then this Oh goe your wayes you blessed Saints ye walke after the truth you that have this can have no more God himselfe loveth truth in the inward parts hee is a spirit and will be worshipped in spirit and truth Dost thou love the truth of Christ then it will say as well of thee as of Demetrius Iohn â—… 12 Demetrius hath a good report of the truth So I say doth the truth report well of thee Doe not feare what the world thy friends enemies or adversaries say of thee that will bring thee comfort when all false witnesses shall lye aside but all you wicked of the world you are they that bend your selves against the Saints of God It is true the poore Saints of God as poore as they be they shall lift up their heads when you shall hang downe and turne aside because they have the truth for them when you shall see the poore dispised Saints of God poore Goodman such a one c. You that have made no care of Gods Commandements when yee shall see them ye shall wonder to see them lift up thither when the Divell shall say Lord how comes such a man to such a place he was a finner I Lord saith the poore soule I know I have many weaknesses Lord thou knowest that many a sad spirit I have carried about yet never a truth was made knowne but I entertained it never a sinne was made knowne but I entertained it never a sinne was made known but I loathed it then comes the blessed Truth I beare witnesse Lord he loved me and entertained mee though with many groanes and teares and persecutions hee would have me saith the truth hee is a blessed Saint of God You that are willing to receive every truth oh get you to heaven then you will be past the worst the Devill himselfe confesses and the damned spirits He is a holy and sincere hearted man Why Brethren who would not labour for the truth I say God and Christ 〈…〉 good spirit shall 〈…〉 such a soule God 〈…〉 of truth Jesus Châ—… 〈…〉 Word of truth 〈…〉 Ghost is a spirit of 〈…〉 they will embrace 〈…〉 God and Christ 〈…〉 Spirit all bids you 〈…〉 so you shall have 〈…〉 pinesse the Lordâ—… 〈…〉 you to it and you 〈…〉 it hereafter FINIS A GODLY AND PROFITABLE SERMON Of Gods Eternitie and Mans Humanitie OR The striving of the Lord with Sinners By T. H. LONDON Printed by M.P. for Iohn Stafford dwelling in Black-Horse-Alley neere Fleetstreet 1639. THE STRIVING of the LORD with SINNERS GEN. 6.3 My Spirit shall not alâ—…ayes strive with man for that 〈◊〉 also is flesh yet his dayes â—…all be an hundred and twenty yeares THe scope of this Chapter discovers it selfe in two parts first the divers conditions of them before the Floud Secondly the carriage of God towards thâ—… in the second part of 〈◊〉 Chapter First the carriâ—… of the people is double 〈◊〉 their wicked and sinfull liâ—… from the first verse to 〈◊〉 end of the seventh Secondly the holy dâ—… meanor of Noah in the 8 aâ—… 9 verses But Noah fouâ—… grace in the eyes of the Loâ—… Noah was a just man and pâ—…fect in his generation and wâ—… ked with God Noah in thâ—… wicked time in that wickâ—… place and among those wiâ—… ked people was a holy maâ—… saith the Text. Secondly we have the â—…vers dealing of God wiâ—… them First he threatens desâ—…lation to the wicked secondly he promises to preserve Noah and for the â—…guise of the wicked First consider the haiâ—…ousnesse of their sinnes that they broke all the Lawes of God and lust was their Law in the first â—…nd second verses the Text sayes When men began to multiply on the face of the â—…rth and daughters was borne unto them that the sonnes of God saw the danghters of men that they were faire and â—…ookt for wives of all that they â—…hose The sonnes of God the â—…eaning of that is they that professed the truth Secondâ—…y they saw the daughters of men they saw Caine and they that were of God did what they list and chosâ—… crosse way and so caâ—… strange generations as 〈◊〉 ants they were growne 〈◊〉 the height of sinne Secondly in the 3 6 aâ—… 7 verses is the sentence 〈◊〉 God against them hee sâ—… they come to this and thâ—… sets downe a sentence 〈◊〉 doombe as it were he sayâ—… My Spirit shall not alwayâ—… strive with man in that 〈◊〉 is but flesh yet his dayes shâ—… be an hundred and tweâ—… yeares The Lord wâ—… strive no longer with theâ—… from whence by the wâ—… we may note Object That when theâ—… is a mingling of diuers maâ—…riages it makes way to 〈◊〉 struction prooved in Solâ—… mon when hee tooke him â—…ange wives then his â—…owne was taken from 〈◊〉 so this old World â—…en they gave themselves â—…strange marriages First In the sentence there 〈◊〉 two things first the â—…rds resolution second 〈◊〉 the reason of Gods deterâ—…nation First the resolution and â—…t is first generally hee â—…th strove but will strive no â—…re Secondly particularly he â—…l not strive and will strive 〈◊〉 hundred and twenty â—…res here is the resolutiâ—… of God though he strive 〈◊〉 hee will not strive alâ—…yes Secondly the reason of Gods determination hee is also flesh In the Text two things are to be observed First what is meant by spirit secondly what it is to strive first Gods Spirit we may understand to be the holy Ghost the third person in Trinity hee is said to strive not miraculously but mediately by his meanes the Word of God Ministers he is said to strive with
this generation by the Ministery oâ—… the Word and Noah and Enock in that Ministery Gods Spirit strives with wicked men they spake noâ—… in their owne words but iâ—… the 2 Pet. 2. holy men spakâ—… Gods Word as they doe the Lord doth put his hand to â—…he worke the meaning is I â—…ave sent Noah and Enock â—…hey spake not their owne â—…ords onely but yee have â—…ven against my good â—…pirit what it is to strive â—…e Lord will not strive alâ—…ayes the meaning is not 〈◊〉 judgement Eccles 6.10 â—…he Lord he deales with â—…oore sinners after their naâ—…re as a reasonable creaâ—…re he enters to reasons â—…nd goes to Law and makes â—…ite to draw them home to â—…im for this I take to be the â—…eaning his Ministers came â—…metimes to exhort someâ—…mes to comfort and someâ—…mes to reprove and so wee â—…e to Law with God aâ—…aine From whence observeâ—… foure points Doct. 1. The Spirit oâ—… God doth ever accompany the Word and the Ministeâ—… thereof Here he ascribâ—… it My spirit shall not alwayâ—… strive Doct. 2. That the Loâ—… strives with rebellious sinners for their good who as they strive against tâ—… power of the Spirit aâ—… their owne good Noâ—… strove to draw them homâ—… and they strove and wouâ—… not come Doct. 3. When men dâ—… abuse the Word long Gâ—… will cease to strive in the 〈◊〉 of the meanes he will striâ—… no more as he said here Aâ—… 〈◊〉 Lord said I will not alâ—…ayes c. Doct. 4. Though the â—…ord will strive no more â—…t he strives long hee gives â—…ng time of repentance as 〈◊〉 did to the old world an â—…dred and twenty yeares Doct. 5. That Gods Spiâ—… doth ever accompany the â—…ord and the Ministery â—…ereof by the Spirit of â—…od I meane the eternall â—…pirit the Holy Ghost doth â—…speciall manner accompaâ—… the Word know that â—…od is every where and â—…oweth all things but in a â—…eciall manner hee is with â—…is with the Word Come â—…ecomes with the Word â—…rbid he forbids Rom. 1. 〈◊〉 Gospel is the power of the Lord to the salvationâ—… man Quest But how doâ—… this appeare to be so Answ I answer it aâ—… peareth in two things 〈◊〉 God doth please to set tâ—… worke apart to save and saâ—…ctifie our soules which 〈◊〉 the learning in the woâ—… cannot doe Secondly the Lord by 〈◊〉 power of his Spirit doâ—… constantly and continuaâ—… accompany this worke asâ—… thinkes good to be a conâ—… tation to the wicked anâ—… consolation to the godâ—… 2 Cor. 2. the two last verâ—…to the one it is a favour death to the other it is a 〈◊〉 vour of life it either 〈◊〉 the soule or saves the soâ—… though it ever accompanies â—…e Word yet this worke 〈◊〉 the Spirit is a voluntary â—…orke Thirdly It doth alwayes company the Word but â—…oth not alwayes worke â—…or some after twenty or â—…irty yeares are converted 〈◊〉 that it doth not alwayes â—…orke Looke as the brazen â—…erpent was lift up in the Wildernesse that whoever â—…oked on it that was stung â—…ith the fiery Serpents â—…ould be healed there was healing vertue in it he set it part for that purpose for â—…at had no vertue of it selfe 〈◊〉 because God would â—…orke by it so that whosoeâ—…r looked on it might bee â—…aled so it is with the Word of God for they aâ—… no more able to conveâ—… then others but because Goâ—… hath promised to accompany them in dispensation of iâ—… Reas 1. First taken from tâ—… fruit and effect of his Woâ—… that it is able to doe 〈◊〉 things in the beginning 〈◊〉 is able to doe that whiâ—… Men and Angels cannot doâ—… Hebr. 4.12 The Word 〈◊〉 God is quicke and powerfâ—… and sharper then any two 〈◊〉 god sword piercing even to 〈◊〉 dividing asunder of the soâ—… and spirit and a discovery 〈◊〉 the thoughts of the heâ—… It is Gods faithfull workâ—… the reason why carnall 〈◊〉 fall out with the Ministerâ—… the Word and say you spâ—… against men I know yâ—… â—…eane me No no wee â—…now not your hearts but God doth and the Word of God knowes them Iohn 5. The dead shall heare the voyce â—…f the Sonne of God the meaâ—…ing is they that are dead 〈◊〉 sinnes for by nature every â—…an is dead in sinne It must â—…e more then all men can do 〈◊〉 our Saviour said to Lazaus when men stood weeâ—…ing by but Christ said Lazarus come out It must be Gods Word that must raise 〈◊〉 from the death of sinne 〈◊〉 the life of righteousâ—…esse Vse First of instruction 〈◊〉 take heed of taking up of â—…mes against the Spirit of God we see the haynous â—…nne of them that despise the Ministery of the Goâ—… pell men may thinke it nâ—…thing but alas you knoâ—… not what it is for the Woâ—… of God and the Spirit 〈◊〉 God goeth together as 〈◊〉 blessed Martyr Steven saâ—… in the 7 of the Actes Yâ—… stiffenecked and uncircumâ—… sed in heart and eares yâ—… have ever resisted the gâ—… Spirit of God as did your 〈◊〉 thers so do you therefore taâ—… heed You are neere to 〈◊〉 sin against the Holy Ghoâ—… for it is not the Word 〈◊〉 Man but the Word of Goâ—… it is the Spirit that thâ—… shouldest be saved by thâ—… thou hast opposed you gâ—… away with the contempt 〈◊〉 the Gospel and make thâ—… nothing thou hast sinnâ—… â—…gainst God and his Spirit â—…at accompanies the Word Counsel one another say do â—…ou know what you do It 〈◊〉 Gods Spirit must not that â—…mfort you must not that â—…ve you It is that that you â—…ppose take heed for this 〈◊〉 above Incestuous sinnes â—…ke 3.20.21 Herod was an â—…cestuous sinner but above â—…his fins he added this that â—…put Iohn in prison he was a â—…cestuous adulterer yet putâ—…g Iohn in prison was â—…ove all Matth. 11. It shall 〈◊〉 easier for Sodome and Goâ—…rah in the day of judgeâ—…ut then for you that oppose 〈◊〉 Word of the Lord. So â—…ch for the first point Doct. 2. The Lord strives â—…ith poore sinners for their good when as they striâ—… against the power of the Sâ—… rit and their owne gooâ—… God enters into Law with sinner Sin and Sathan saiâ—… the soul is theirs God entâ—… into Law and saith it is hâ—… and he made it every mâ—… by nature takes paine that 〈◊〉 might have no good frâ—… God he goes to Law to gâ—… to hell as it were Matth. 2â—… 37. Oh Ierusalem thou tâ—… killest the Prophets and stoâ—… them that were sent to thâ—… There is the thing marâ—… How often would I have gâ—… thered thy children togethâ—… as a Henne her Chickens 〈◊〉 yee would not Here is a cuâ—… tention the Lord wouâ—… have revealed his wiâ—… his Spirit would have 〈◊〉 â—…ed you home but you would â—…ot yee resisted his good Spirit yee take hold of wicâ—…ednesse as the Prophet â—…ere sayes and Iohn 5.4 You will not come to me that 〈◊〉 may be saved saith our â—…aviour to the Pharisees â—…any perish and shal
Three Sermons I. The Wrath of GOD against Sinners II. GOD'S Eternitie and Mans Humanitie III. The Plantation of the Righteous By T. H. ROM 1.18 The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse of men who hold the truth in unrighteousnesse LONDON Printed by M.P. for Iohn Stafford dwelling in Black-Horse-Alley neere Fleetstreet 1638. THE VVRATH of God against SINNERS ROM 1.18 The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse of men who hold the truth in unrighteousnesse IN the fore going verses the holy Apostle by way of Preface prepareth way for 〈◊〉 truth that hee would deliver and the doctrine he purposed to dispence of and that all cavils might be removed and that the Word of God might take deeper root and better acceptance heâ—… uses these three particulars and first hee cleares the authority of his challenge hee came not before hee was sent of God and therefore being called it concerned him and was his duty to do good He discovers the tendernesse of his love and his marvellous readinesse to do them good in the 12 13 and 14 verses It was a deâ—… the Apostle ought the Râ—…â—…ans therefore hee ougâ—… to pay it and now way bâ—…ing made he comes to 〈◊〉 â—…aine point that is That a â—…an is not justified by doing â—…ut by beleeving and this â—…e confirmeth first by the â—…estimony of Scripture that 〈◊〉 man is justified by faith and â—…ot by workes ye shall live â—…y faith Secondly by force of Argument and that after this â—…anner If all men by the â—…orkes of the Law cannot â—…unne the wrath of God â—…en a man cannot be saved â—…y the workes of the Law This hee propounds in the words of the Text and proâ—…ecutes it in the Chapter following and affirmes that neiâ—…er of them can be saved by â—…e works of the Law First In the Text observe â—…ese two particulars first the dealing of wicked mâ—… with the truth of God thâ—… hold the truth of God in uâ—…righteousnesse Secondly Gods dealiâ—… with them they dealt rougâ—…ly with the truth they laâ—… violent hands on it and Gâ—… he deales as rigorously wiâ—… them And the reason wâ—… they hold downe the trutâ—… is because of some lustâ—… their soules that is beloâ—… of them Secondly The Apoâ—… shewes against whom Gâ—… wrath commeth Thirdly The universalâ—… in these words All. Gâ—… doth not deale partially 〈◊〉 all that misprison the trâ—… in unrighteousnesse sâ—… have the wrath of God deâ—…ounced against them Fourthly The place from whence it shall come from â—…eaven First we are here to know what is meant by truth For â—…e better understanding of â—…e Text Truth carries two â—…ings with it First The rule of righteousnesse which is that hoâ—…age and obedience we owe â—…nto God and this rule of â—â—ghteousnesse is the most â—…xcellent rule that is Secondly Truth carrieth 〈◊〉 it selfe the efficacy and â—…ower of truth and therefore â—…e Apostle Paul sharply â—…proves Peter Gal. 2.14 â—…rse that though he obâ—…ved the Gospel in the maine yet he did not walke with a straight foot Secondly What is meant by holding the truth of God in unrighteousnesse To hold the truth of God in unrighteousnesse is by a kind of violence and strong hand to hinder the operation and passage of it that the Word cannot performe that worke which otherwise it would in the hearts of them to whom it is sent Thirdly What is meanâ—… by the word unrighteousnesse In some places it signifiesâ—… sinne that is committed against the second Table onely but here in this place 〈◊〉 implies all sinful distempers and corruptions of heart anâ—… this word in unrighteousnesse It carries the cause and authority as when a man sayes stop such a man in my name 1 Doct. The truth of God is operative 2 Doct. That wicked men are enemies to the Word of God 3 Doct. That the corruptions of mens hearts is the cause of the hinderance of the word But I will draw them all into one Doct. That carnall and corrupt hearts hinder the power of the truth from working upon them or prevailing with them as much as in them lies It is true that truth is powerfull and will prevaile 〈◊〉 when he sends his truth to worke upon any corruptâ—… heart he doth not stand to aske our wils whether we will receive or not but hee will make it effecâ—…uall hee will shake off all oppositions and he will drive all before him but let the Lord do what he will yet the carnall heart will resist and stand out and as much as in him lies labour to keep out the Word Rom. 2.14 15. Though Heathens be strangers from the life of God and from the Covenant of Grace yet this little remainder of the Law of God in their hearts which remaines will be a working in them so that murder and uncleannesse they will punish with death The truth is discovered â—…ree wayes First when a man is about 〈◊〉 commit any sinne as to â—…eale c. his conscience wil â—…mite him and so in other â—…innes Secondly the power and efficacy of God may be observed in the Creation yet â—…he darknesse of mens eyes â—…r the foggishnesse of their understandings do interpose themselves Thirdly by truth is meant the preaching of the Word when the truth is never so â—…pparant and prooffes never â—…o pregnant and arguments never so invincible yet their hearts will not yeeld nor â—…onsent when the light of â—…he Gospel is plainly dispensed and promulgated theâ—… must needs be a marveiloâ—… light and yet men will noâ—… yeeld to it as Paul and Barnabas the word they taught the Jewes put it away wheâ—… it gripes the heart and begins to worke effectually then they vomit it up againeâ—… Act. 7.57 Yee stiff-necked in heart yee doe alwayes resist the Holy Ghost as your Fathers did so doe yee Gen. 19.9 so the Sodomites did to Lot when the old and the young were gathered about thâ—… house and would have theâ—… out and when Lot said I pray you my brethren doe not so wickedly Stand back say they we will doe worse with theâ—… then with them As they did to Lot so you doe to Gods Ministers when Gods Messengers come and intreat you O brethren do not so wickedly profane the Sabbath and curse instead of praying be not so malicious against the wayes of God take heed of persecuting the servants of God Stand backe say they we will doe worse and thus they take up armes against the blessed truth of God when it comes to pull them off from their cursed practises c. For the discovery of the point give me leave to expresse three particulars First What is that worke which the truth would discover Secondly How wicked men hinder it Thirdly The reason why they doe so Quest 1. What is the power of the truth or what would it doe that wicked men oppose it Answ It appeares in foure particulars First it is a word of Information