together Euen so Faith grounded vppon Christes passion Faith giueth the sappe of loue loue blossometh foorth in good workes And therefore in Faith we must be constant in loue feruent in workes diligent and in doctrine we must keepe order we may not let the effect presume before the cause nor the daughter before the mother 3 As workes without Faith make but a Pharisaicall hypocrite Euen so Faith without workes maketh but a carnall Gospeller 4 Like as the flame of fire burneth the wood without helpe of the light and yet the flame cannot bee without the light Euen so is it assuredly true that Faith alone consumeth and burneth away sinne without the helpe of works yet that the same Faith cannot be without good workes And therefore if wee see a flame that giueth no light we know by and by that it is but vaine and painted Euen so when we see not some light of good workes in a man it is a token that he hath not the true inspired Faith which God giueth to his chosen to iustifie and glorifie them with all So that most certaine it is that the loue of God and a mans neighbour doo of necessitie goe ioyntly together with Faith 5 Like as with the rysing of the Sunne there goeth ioyntly of necessitie the spreading foorth of his beames and his light Euen so of necessitie loue and good workes follow Faith in those that are iustified in so much as hee that loueth not and liueth well abideth in death 6 Like as that body wherein there remaineth no feeling or moouing liueth not And yet it followeth not thereupon that feeling and moouing are the cause of life but life is the cause of moouing Euen so the efficient cause of our iustification is God for the obedience passion and death of Christ onely And Faith is the instrument wherby we take hold of Christ our righteousnesse So then the loue of God and a mans neighbour must of necessitie followe Faith in him that is iustified Like as moouing and feeling do of necessitie follow life But loue and good workes cannot proceede but of Faith like as there can grow no good fruites but of a good tree 7 As wee commonly say that white haires make an olde man and yet our meaning onely is that they declare him to bee an old man Euen so when we say that woorkes doo iustifie it is ment that workes do but declare whom is iustified Iam. 2.18 8 Like as in the fire the light and the heate are ioyned together for mans vse yet the heate onely warmeth So likewise Faith and workes goe together in mans life and conuersation But yet it is Faith alone without workes that saueth 9 As the hand hath a propertie to reach out it selfe to lay hold of any thing and to receiue a gift But the hand hath no propertie to cut a peece of wood of it selfe without a sawe or knife or some such like instrument and yet by the helpe of them it can either diuide or cut Euen so it is the nature of Faith to goe out of it selfe and to receiue Christ into the heart As for the duties of the first and second Table Faith cannot of himselfe bring them foorth no more then the hand can diuide or cut Yet ioyne loue to Faith and then can it practise duties commaunded concerning God and man 10 As in regard of substance although the eye bee neuer alone yet in regarde of seeing it is alone Euen so though Faith subsist not without hope and loue and other graces of God yet in act of iustification it is alone without them all 11 Like as when any one of the Israelites were stung to death by fierie Serpents his cure was not by any Physicke or Surgerie but onely by casting of his eye vp to the brazen Serpent which Moses had receiued by Gods commaundement Euen so in the cure of our soules when we are stung to death by sinne there is nothing required within vs for our recouerie but onely that we cast vp and fixe the eye of our Faith on Christ and his righteousnesse Iohn 3.14.15 Forgiuenesse of sinnes onely from God 1 LIke as the Prince onely hath power to Forgiue and pardon fellonie or treason in his subiects Euen so God onely hath power to Forgiue sinne Mar. 2.7 c. 2 As that man is a Traytor who being a subiect himselfe will take vpon him to pardon treason or fellonie in another subiect Euen so is he a Traytor to God that will take vpon him to pardon that sin that is committed against God 3 Like as no man can forgiue debts but the Creditor to whom the debt is due So no man can forgiue sinnes against whom there is no sin committed but he onely that is hurt and offended by the sin and that is God either immediatly or by meanes Esay 43.25 4 Like as if one doo forgiue an other mans debts the debtor is abused if he do belieue that he is discharged of the bond of his debt and the Creditor hath wrong done him without whose knowledge and will the debts belonging vnto him are forgiuen and his debtor discharged which forgiuenesse he doth make void immediatly and doth neuerthelesse claime the debt vpon his debtor Euen so likewise if any man doo forgiue sinnes which be not done against himselfe he deceiueth him whom he forgiueth and sinneth against him also to whom the offence was done which hath the power only to forgiue or withhold the offences done vnto him and so he doth both not discharge the party that is guiltie and doth offend him also into whose right he doth vnaduisedly intrude 5 As men do not giue almes at any time to a stout begger who although he haue need yet will not confesse it and craue almes gently acknowledging his pouertie Euē so no more will the Lord giue vnto vs any spirituall almes to wit Forgiuenesse of sinnes vnlesse we shall humble our selues before him with true feeling of our pouertie and miserie Math. 9.13 11.28 False Doctrine 1 AS the herbe Blattaria wheresoeuer it bee strewed or laide the Mothes and Bats incontinently find it out and come vnto it So corrupt Doctrine wheresoeuer it be dispersed by and by such people as are corrupt wil flocke vnto it 2 As a dramme of the roote of Solanum somniferum causeth Idle imaginations two drams causeth madnesse and fower drams killeth one So a litle False Doctrine maketh an idle head Feeling of Faith and other good graces which we are indued with is not alwaies alike and the same in vs. 1 LIke as we are not alwaies alike disposed at one time as at an other So we haue not alwaies alike desire to see or to heare the word of God or to read it or to confer with our brethren which are more aduaunced in the knowledge and zeale of the true and right maner of worshipping of God then we are And likewise the spirite of God doth not touch and stirre vs vp alwaies
as diseases that are vniuersal throughout the whole bodie as a burning ague thogh they weaken all the parts of the same and specially the stomack more then all the rest yet neuerthelesse hinder not but that it may take a medicine yea rather the disease is an occasion vnto it to prouoke it vnto it Euen so also it ought to be so far of that the weaknesse of our Faith should keepe vs from embracing righteousnesse and the other benefits of Iesus Christ that it must prepare vs to the contrary Luk. 5.31 32. 2 Like as our diseases and infirmities let not but that our Faith be it neuer so weake is yet capable of the graces of God and of al the righteousnesse of his sonne Euen so the litlenesse of Faith maketh it not lesse caple to be able to apprehend and embrace the righteousnesse of Christ c. 3 And like as the Apple of the eye which is so litle and yet for all that can apprehend the light of the Sun which is spred ouer al the horizon yea and the Sun it selfe which is farre greater and more ample then all the earth Euen so the eye of Faith albeit that it be verie small yet it ceaseth not to lay hold of the Sonne of righteousnesse together with his light and other giftes which are as great and as many in number 4 Like as a woman with childe though she feele not the childe alwayes stirre yet because she hath sometimes felt it she comforteth her selfe that she is with childe and as she is with childe a good while before she can sensably feele it moue and at the first she feeleth it but weakly yea after she hath felt it strongly sometime she feeleth it not againe a good while and when she doth in much weaknesse sometimes in comparison of the former and yet for all this hath in the ende a happie trauayle Euen so Faith is not felt to mooue strongly assoone as it is bred and when it beginneth once it continueth not alwayes alike motions So that it is with Faith and with all other the Graces of the Spirite as it is with the Sunne which sometime setteth sometime riseth sometime shineth sometime is couered with cloudes or shaddowed from vs by thick and foggie mysts arising out of the earth Euen so Faith and other vertues sometimes seeme to be set and gone downe in vs but when the morning comes they arise againe sometimes they are couered from our eyes by such mysts and cloudes that arise out of the flesh that we cannot espie them but yet for all this as he reasoneth ilfauouredly and vntruly that saith The Sunne cannot be seene now for cloudes therefore it is not in the firmament so he that saith I cannot see and perceiue Faith and the Spirit in me now for the fruites of the flesh therefore they be not in me 5 Like as it doth not follow that a litle childe hath no reasonable soule because he hath not the vse of it or that the Trees be dead in winter because they beare no fruite or that there is no fire because there is no flame Euen so whosoeuer hath a certaine testimonie of his Faith and saluation in all his life may be assured that it is there still and shal be vnto the end although for a time he feele it not nor perceiue the working of it c. Ioh. 13.1 Phil. 1.6 Rom. 11.29 6 And like as whē fire is raked vnder the ashes it sheweth not his brightnesse or heate outwardly vntill it be vnraked and kindled in a flame Euen so it oftentimes falleth out with our Faith which is hidden couered with many vices which the most holy Saintes of God themselues doo many times themselues commit euen as to fall into diseases the which continueth till it please God to stirre vs vp anew by his spirite and to kindle vs againe euen like as when a candle is put out 7 Like as Rebecca when she felt the Twins striue in her wombe though it payned her yet she knew both that she had conceaued and that the children were quick in her Euen so they who haue these motions and holy affections in them to wit that their sinnes are pardonable desiring mercie and pardon of God in Christ by hartie prayer for them may assure themselues that the spirit of God dwelleth in them consequently that they haue Faith though a weake faith 8 As a poore diseased begger with a lame hand hauing the Palsie also is able neuerthelesse to reach out the same and receiue an almes of a King Euen so a weake and languishing Faith is sufficiently able to reach out it selfe and to apprehend the infinite mercies of our heauenly King offered vnto vs in Christ 9 As an Infant taketh and holdeth with his little hand a whole Apple though he doth it not so strongly or surely as a man Euen so Faith how little so euer it bee taketh hold on Christ and receiueth him not by halfes but all whole Math. 17.20 10 As the apple of our eye though maruellous little we see very great mountaines and the very body of the Sunne much greater then the whole earth So likewise our Faith though very litle taketh and receiueth al whole Iesus Christ the sonne of righteousnesse Iohn 3.16 11 As a little child doth as truely hold a precious Ring with his finger as a Giant with all the force of his hand and fist being one and the selfe same Ring So our Faith whether it be weake or strong apprehendeth and taketh hold vpon the merits of Christ Iesus the Sonne of God Mar. 9.24 Faiths obiect LIke as the act of healing the eyes of the Israelites and the brazen Serpent went together So in the act of iustifying these two Faith and Christ haue a mutual relation and must alwaies concurre Faith as the action which apprehendeth Christ as the obiect which is apprehended So that neither the passion of Christ saueth without Faith neither Faith helpeth vnlesse it bee in Christ his obiect Faith how it is alone and not alone without workes 1 AS the Queenes Maiestie though in her state and office shee bee alone yet shee goeth not without her maides of Honour after her Or as the office of the eye alone is in the head to see yet the eye is not without other members of the body which haue also their offices to them assigned appropriate Euen so it is with Faith for most true it is that by Faith alone in respect of other workes of the Lawe we are iustified And yet the same Faith being alone shee is not alone In her office alone but in practise not alone So that as euery thing must stand in his proper charge and office so also must euery thing neede in some respect the societie and helpe of an other 2 Like as the roote sucketh of the ground the body receiueth of the roote the braunches taketh of the body the fruite shooteth out of the braunches these successiuely goe
bondage of their Maisters with all their labours their force and diligence yea euen vnto bloud Euen so forasmuch as both our selues and all that we haue belong to God by right and hee possesseth vs as slaues and bondmen therefore what seruice soeuer we endeuour to doo him it is certaine that he can owe nothing vnto vs. Iob. 9 3 15 20. Psal 143.2 16.2 3. 5 As it hath bene sometimes said and truly reported of the Athenians namely that they knew what was meet to do but they wholly neglected to do the same Euen so many Christians know what is meete and right to doo but yet for the most part wholly neglect to do the same Luk. 12.47 Iam. 4.17 6 Like as the Lord according to his iustice and truth hath threatened terrible punishments to wicked and impenitent sinners Euen so contrariwise he hath promised rewards to them that do good Workes and worke righteousnesse Mat. 5.16 Rom. 13.9 1. Cor. 15.58 Ephe. 2.10 Phil. 4.8 Tit. 2.12 3.8 7 Like as if a man should say the Vine is made more fruitfull by bearing grapes or that the internall light of the Sunne is augmented by the externall emission of the beames So likewise for a man to say that inherent righteousnesse is by good Workes namely the fruites of righteousnesse augmenteth so to to say is not onely erronious but also ridiculous 8 Like as if a rich man not constrained but of his own good will should adopt one to be his sonne whome hee knoweth not and to whom he oweth nothing and shuld appoint him to be the heire of all his landes and goods and certaine yeares after that he hath bestowed this benefit vpon him he should lay vpon him a lawe to do this or that he cannot now say that he hath deserued this benefit by his owne works seeing that many yeares before he asking nothing had receiued the same freely and of meere fauour So God could not respect our Works and deserts going before righteousnesse for the promise and the gift of the holie Ghost was 430. yeares before the Lawe Gal. 3.16 17. 9 As it is impossible to seperate washing from water and burning from fire and good fruites from a good tree Euen so vnpossible it is to seperate good Workes from a true and a liuely faith Iam. 2.22 10 As Marchants or Chapmen doo oftentimes prise and esteeme their wares marchandise more then they be worth Euen so do we of our doings vertues and good Works but when they are examined and prised by those which know them as by the Spirite of God and his Prophets they are altogither iudged as old ragges torne tied togither and patched vp againe 11 As old Images new gilded ouer which outwardly hath some glistering shew but within are nothing but dust and durt Or as counterfeit mony which is of ill and naughty mettal how good a print soeuer it haue Euen so is the good that we do and al the righteousnesse vertue which is in vs is nothing but shame reproch Rom. 10.3 12 As the Temple sanctified the Golde that was vpon it but was not sanctified by the Gold or as the Altar sanctified the offering that was vpon it but was not sanctified by the offering Euen so good VVorkes do not beautifie a Christian man in the Lorde but the man in the Lorde doth beautifie the VVorkes Mat. 23.17 19. Reu. 14.15 13 As the Apple is not the cause of the Apple tree but a fruite of it Euen so good VVorkes are not the cause of our saluation but a signe and a fruite of the same Math. 7.17 14 As Caterpillers sometimes and blasting do fret and annoy the branches that the sap cannot haue his course and so the fruite faileth which seemed faire to the eye So rancour and displeasure diuision schisme and seperation among men being no lesse then noysome windes and Caterpillers to our Christian faith eate vp and drie away many times the sappe or iuice of loue and charitie whereby the expected fruite of good VVorkes is withered in the braunches 15 As sauoury water cannot come from a stinking puddle or sweete fruite from a sower roote Euen so no more can any good VVorke come from an vnregenerate man from a corrupt sinfull soule who although he giue his bodie to the fire for the profession and maintenance of the trueth and all his goods to the poore in a tender compassion of their miserie yet he being destitute of faith loue and the rest of the parts of regeneration dooth not by these workes please God or fulfill his Lawe 16 As the channel which is polluted and defiled doth pollute and defile the water that is without defilement in the fountaine Euen so the mind and will of man defiled by the remnant of sinne defile the Workes which as they come from Christ are vndefiled 17 As in fire there is both heate and light yet doo wee not say that the light dooth burne but the heate So in a man iustified there is both faith and good Workes inseperably yet dooth not good Workes iustifie but faith oâ—ely 18 As one Torch doth giue more light carried before then foure borne behinde So likewise our good Worke or deed done in life time and perfect health is more welcome vnto God then fortie after death 19 As the greene leaues outwardly sheweth that the tree is not drie inwardly So the good Workes openly testifie the zeale of heart inwardly Wise men 1 AS the olde naturall Phylosophers doo say that the Sunne feedeth on the salt water and that the Moone taketh her foode vppon the sweete water Euen so Wise men do seeke things bitter so as they be profitable when fooles onely passe for things pleasant and delightfull 2 As the Bee out of the most bitter things doth gather most sweet Honie So a Wise man out of things hard and vnpleasant picketh gaine and vtilitie 3 Like as Alexander did cause Bucephalus his Horse being olde to be carried on other horses to the battaile that he might be fresh for the fight So ought graue olde and Wise men be spared from labour that their good counsel might be onely regarded and had in necessities Wits 1 AS the vessell with a narrowe mouth of a long time may not bee filled but then at the length it holdeth the liquour more furer So Wits that be dull in receiuing learning wil most stedfastly remember the same once obtained 2 Like as too great a noyse hurteth the eare Or as too much meat annoyeth the stomack Or as heauie burdens hurt the bearers of them Or as too much raine doth more hurt then good to the ground Euen so weake Wits and weake consciences may soone bee oppressed with ouer hard questions Wisedome 1 AS that vessel can neuer be filled which alwayes powreth foorth and leaketh So may hee neuer receiue Wisedome which continually speaketh and at no time harkneth Prou. 17.27 Iam. 1. 19. 2 As the Asse Colt which of all other beastes
life with their bodies taken their owne pleasures ioy and delight Euen so in the life to come at the Resurrectiō of the dead they shal be plagued and punished with euerlasting paine torment in the same bodies Mat. 25.41 c. 2. Cor. 5.10 Act. 24.15 Ioh. 5.29 21 Like as when the Corne is cast into the ground it seemeth to bee lost for it rots and wasteth in the ground but afterwards it springeth faire 1. Cor. 15.36 37. So when the body hath beene corrupted it tarrieth the time appointed by God to come out of the earth and to be altogether perfect 22 As the Corne by meanes of the seed taketh againe a new shape and that more fayrer So the faithfull which dieth and goeth to rest with the seede of Iesus Christ which is the spirit of God is raysed againe by the same spirit which rayseth the Sonne of God from death 23 Like as Christ rose againe in the selfe-same body in which he suffered So we also shall rise againe in the selfe-same flesh which we carrie about with vs. 24 Euen as Christ after his Resurrection had an other glorie much greater then he had before So we shall bee farre otherwise after our Resurrection and so renued into a more glorious state 25 As the Sun and the Moone being of one substance differ in dignitie and excellencie So likewise in the Resurrection our bodies shall haue more excellent qualities then they haue now Regeneration 1 As there is need of no Lawe to compell the bodie to eate or drinke to digest to sleepe to goe to stand to fit and to doo their workes of nature for it is readie to doo them of it owne nature when the case so requireth and when it is meete without all respect either of reward or punishment and may not vnfitly be said as concerning these things not to be vnder a Law notwithstanding thereupon nothing lesse followeth then that it doth therefore abstaine from such workes vnto which in deed it so much more applieth it selfe as they are lesse commaunded and are more naturall vnto it Euen so after the same sort altogether dooth the godly man behaue himselfe concerning the workes of godlinesse he is carried to the doing of them by that his newe nature of the spirit albeit there were no Law at all and all both hope of reward and feare of punishment were away 1. Timo. 1.9 Reue. 6.14 2 Like as if a man haue all his mind set vpon drinking and gulling in of Wine and strong drinke hauing little delight nor pleasure in any thing else it argues a carnall mind and vnregenerate because it effectes the things of the flesh and so of the rest Euen so on the contrarie hee that hath his mind affected with a desire to doo the wil of God in practising the workes of charitie and Religion he I say hath a spirituall and a renewed heart and is Regenerate by the holy Ghost Rom. 8.14 Gal. 5.17 3 As God in the beginning created vs after his owne Image So also must hee Regenerate vs according to the same which he doth by the holy Ghost the third person in Trinitie one and the same euerlasting God together with the Father and the Sonne Iohn 3.5 Math. 16.17 Ioh. 8.36 15.5 4 As a liuing body although naturally it bee the subiect of sense yet some one part of it may bee benummed and senselesse So the soule of one Regenerate hath in it at least the beginnings and seeds of all graces howsoeuer some of them at sometimes doo not worke or appeare Whereas a carnall man is altogether destitute yea vncapable of them 5 Euen as we know that the trees haue heate and life in their rootes in the middest of the coldest and sharpest winter yea as many beastes lie all the winter long in holes of the earth without eating drinking stirring or hauing any iotte of heate sense or life in any of their outward parts and yet there is a remnant of life and of heate lurking in the heart which being in Summer stirred vp doth reuiue the beast so that it is able to goe or runne vp and downe and to performe all naturall actions in the manner as it did before So likewise a totall decrease or an vtter decay of holinesse as whereby nothing is left cannot happen to any one who is truely Regenerate who in the greatest extremitie and depth of his fal retaineth some reliques of Gods spirit and of grace receiued yea some life of faith whereby he liueth to God in Christ howsoeuer he be to the eyes of all men and euen in his owne conscience a dead rotten stocke 6 Euen as a man being sodenly taken with the plague or any infectious sicknesse sayeth he knoweth not how it happeneth onely hee seeth the effects of it Euen so the action of Regeneration in it selfe is secret and vnknown but manifest in the effects which follow of it Regeneration not without sinne LIke as the Israelites suffered the Iebusites to dwell amongst them to their great harme Euen so sinne remaineth in our mortall bodies conquered in deed that it dooth not raigne ouer those that serue the Lord yet not cleane taken away but left for our exercises who hauing our mortall enemie dwelling in vs should fight against sinne vnder the banner of faith in Christ Iesus who onely hath can and will continually defend his people subdue their enemies and giue his children the victorie Repentance AS a prisoner will striue to get out of prison by all kind of means he can thogh he grate off some of his flesh Euen so a man that is out of the fauour of God must trie by all kind of wayes that he can that if hee cannot come to Gods fauour by one way he may yet by an other Psal 51.1 c. The Redemption of Christ vniuersall 1 AS the Sunne is the generall giuer of light to the whole world though there bee many which doo receiue no light at all of it Or as there was among the Iewes vppon the yeare of Iubylee a generall deliuerie of all bond men although many abode still in their bondage and refused the grace of their deliuerie Euen so the Redemption of mankind by Christ is auaileable for all although reprobate and wicked men for want of the grace of God doo not receiue the same yet there is no reason that it should leese his title and glorie of vniuersall Redemption because of the children of perdition seeing that it is ready for all men and all be called vnto it 1. Tim. 2.6 Col. 1.13 14. 1. Pet. 1.18 Tit. 2.14 2 As they who beeing taken in warre are wont either to be slaine or to bee condemned vnto perpetuall bondage except they bee redeemed and ransommed Euen so such were wee all being taken prisoners of the diuell who had vs body and soule in his owne power from whose kingdome and tyrannie Christ hath most mercifully Redeemed vs. Rom. 14.8 1. Cor. 3.22 Phil. 1.21 1. Pet. 1.18
is carried vpward by the vessel and at the same time goes downward because he walkes downeward in the same vessell at the same instant Euen so the Will of a man regenerate partly willeth and partly nilleth that which is euill because it is partly regenerate and partly vnregenerate Worldly wise men LIke as a woman who hauing so much worke to doo that shee could not tel where to begin sat her downe and left all vndone Euen so Worldly wise men who seeing many things out of order both in Church and Common-wealth and so little hope of any redresse or reformation thereof that they cannot tell which or what to correct or amend first and therefore they leaue sinne vnpunished and let men doo what they list Workes follow faith in euerie good Christian AS in materiall buildings after the foundation is laid ther remaineth the greatest labor time cost cunning diligence to be bestowed vpon the framing furnishing of other parts that must ensue Euen so the heauenly edifice or building of our soule haue laide on the foundation ground of true belief the rest of all our life time labour studies is to be imployed in the perfecting of our life and actions as it were in raising vp the wals and other parts of our spirituall building by the exercise of all vertues and diligent obseruatioÌ„ of Gods commandements without the which it will be to no more purpose for vs to bragge of our faith or knowledge in the scriptures or to say that we haue faith and looke to bee saued as well as other men then it will be to purpose to haue a foundation without a building vpon it Iam. 2.26 Mat. 3.8 Wickednesse and the fruites thereof 1 AS the godly when they die leaue not onely behinde them a good name and fame vnto themselues but also to their kindred Euen so contrariwise the wicked and vngodly when they die leaue not onely a reproach and shame to themselues but also to their kindred Math. 11.39 2 Like as when Grapes be full ripe and readie for the presse then we know that vintage is at hand So likewise when VVickednesse aboundeth Gods vengeance cannot be farre of Ioel. 3.13 Wife AS the glistering beames of the Sunne when it ariseth decketh the heauen So the vertuous dispositions of a good VVife adorneth the house The Workes of the world declare God the workeman thereof 1 AS a prisoner in a dungeon may easily by a litle beam that shineth in at a chinke conceiue there is a Sun from whence that beame descendeth Or as a Trauayler in the wildernesse that falleth vppon some Channell or Brooke may ascend by the same to the VVell or Fountaine Euen so he that beholdeth considereth the wonderfull VVorkes of the world may therby conceiue also the wonderfull Artificer or workeman that made them 2 Like as if a man do passe by sea into some forraine straunge or sauadge Countrey where nothing else but birds and beasts do appeare yet if hee should espie some exquisite building or other worke of Art and reason in the place hee would presently assure himselfe that some men dwelt or had bene in that Countrey for that such things could not be done by beasts or vnreasonable creatures Euen so if we cast our eyes in the view and consideration of the heauens with the Sunne Moone Starres and the rest of the creatures of this world we may then easily iudge that there is a God that hath made all these and so from time preserueth the same Psal 19.1 Iob. 38.4 c. 3 As in a Quiar or company of singers when the foreman hath giuen the first tune or note there cnsueth presently a sweete harmony and consent of all other voyces both great and small sharpe and meane So likewise God in the creation of this world hauing giuen once the first push or motioÌ„ to the highest heauen called the first moueable there ensueth vpon the same al other motions of heauens Planets Elements and other bodies in most admirable order concord and congruitie for conseruatioÌ„ and gouernment of the world 4 Like as if a man that stood a farre off vpon a Mountaine should see in a fielde vnder him a great huge and maine Armie of souldiers most excellent wel appointed eache one in order agreeing with other diuided into Rankes Squadrons Companies and Offices subordinat the one to the other by degrees and yet all rending one way all their faces bent vpon one place all mouing marching turning together all endeuoring with all cheerfulnesse towards the performance of one common seruice by mutuall assistance without dissention or clamour he that should see this as he could not but imagine some generall high Captaine to be among these souldiers whom all obeyed and from whose supreame commaundement and order this most excellent subornation agreement and vnion proceeded Euen so much more vpon consideration of the former coherence consent and miraculous subornation of creatures among themselues in their operations must we inferre that they haue some generall commaunder ouer them all by whose supreame disposition each creature hath his charge and peculiar taske appointed which he must performe for the common and vniuersall seruice of the whole Workes good 1 LIke as when we mingle water with wine in a Cup or in a Glasse that which is powred in there is called wine though water be mingled with it and albeit there be more water then wine yet that which is the more principall and most precious part of all beareth the name Euen so the good Workes which we doo by the grace of God be it that they haue a great many spottes and imperfections as they proceede from vs yet for all that they hold alwayes the name and reputation of him who is the principall author 2 As sweete water issuing out of a pure Fountaine is by a filthy channel made corrupt So likewise Workes of Grace euen the best of them are mixt Workes partly holie and partly sinfull whereby it is euident to a man that hath but common sense that they are not answerable to the righteousnesse of the Lawe and that therfore they can neither merite life nor any way iustifie a man before God Phil. 2.13 Luk. 17.10 Esay 64.6 Rom. 3.20 Gal. 2. â—6 Ephe. 2.8 9. Tit. 3.5 3 As it is of necessitie that the tree be made good before she bring foorth good fruite and therefore the fruite maketh not the tree good but is rather the sign of a good tree Euen so it followeth that Workes doo not iustifie because they are done of those which before were made righteous through Grace So that a good Woorke maketh not a good man but a good man maketh a good Worke. Math. 7.17 18. 12.33 4 Like as bond men and slaues who were in such state in old time so in bondage to their Maisters that thogh they laboured toyled neuer so much yet they got nothing for themselues but were held and kept vnder the