things he had somtimes inioyed he doth not only expresse the great affection he had to be restored vnto his former estate but also giueth the atteÌ„tiue reader to vnderstand a secret worke of that grace of God from the remembrance of that which had been insinuating an hope of that which shold be as the eueÌ„t it self afterward declared which issue of his troubles S. Iames would haue vs diligently to consider when he saith Ye haue heard of the sufferings of Iob and haue seene the ende of the Lord. But it fareth in this case with the afflicted soule many times as it doth with those that gredily striue for the goods of this world Their affection of hauing more is so strong doth so violently possesse and carry them as it not only depriueth them of the vse of that they haue but also maketh them forget the same which is yet moâ—e protest against it as if they had it not at all So the humbled afflicted spirit ouerborne for the time with present griefe and anguish of minde not onely vseth not the comforts it hath cannot presently discerne but also causeth an vtter forgetfulnes of them and which more is protesteth against them as if they were not yea as we se often in Iob he so complaneth of the contrary as if the Lord had not only forsaken his seruant but had armed himselfe and did fight against him to destroy him Here therfore we must bridle chastise our impatient and murmuring spirit and remember that of Iob so farre contrary to the other that though the Lord should destroy him yet he will trust in him Neither must we so much vexe and vnquiet our haâ—ts for that we want as labour to make vse of that we haue which though it seeme little vnto vs for the present yet in truth is more then Sathan by all his force is able to ouercome as may appeare vnto vs by that endles resistance which the spirit of god dwelling in vs maketh against him For he that so fighteth is not yet captiue he that standeth in face of the enimie and endureth all his assaults is not yet vanquished Yet that he holdeth out in so great weaknes of his owne against so strong furious assaults of the enimy it plainely argueth that he standeth by a greater strength then his owne by which as he is presently preserued that hee fals not into the hand of his aduersary so nede he no doubt therby to be finally deliuered be crowned with victory tryumph in despite of Sathan all hee is able to worke against him But if the enimie whose quarrelling with vs is endles as his malice is vnsatiable will not thus leaue vs giue vs rest then as I said before it is our best safest way at once to end all disputation with him And we cannot better shake him of theÌ„ by exercising our selues in prayer reading and meditâ—tion of the word of God by diligent walking in the works labours of our callings for there is no greater oportunitie nor aduantage that can be giuen vnto the aduersary then if he shal finde vs idle vnoccupied If the minde be alreadie possessed of occupied in good things it cannot so easily be trsaÌ„ported vnto that which is euill But if he finde the house emptie and fit for him he then entreth without difficultie In the question of faith wee haue comfort also from the works effects therof in our selues For as the tree is knowne by the fruits so faith wanteth not her fruites wherby she may be discerned These are of diuers sorts sorow for sinne past hatred of euill care and indeauor to auoide it both in generall and in particular the loue of God of his righteousnes desire care with labour contention to please him both in generall perticular duties And here againe wee haue a lawful necessary recorse vnto the time past For albeit wee haue nothing to glory in before God when the question is of the cause of our saluation yet the effects of this grace and fauour of God towards vs in the former fruites of our faith may yeeld vs noe small comfort in the time of our heauinesse and of the anguish of our spirites here of it is that the Prophet in the psalmes doth so often protest his obedience vnto God care to doe his commaundements hereof it is that Iob vnto the comforting of his distressed conscience remembreth the course of his former life led in the feare of God and obedience of righteousnes For although we may not attribute any merit vnto our workes but must giue the whole glorie of our saluation vnto Christ alone yet our works doe witnes for vs that we are the children of God because wee are guided by his spirite and as the Apostle saith though the body be deade in respect of sinne yet the spirite is life for righteousnes sake Also the gratious effectes of Christ himselfe dwelling in our heartes by faith are sure and certaine testimonies that we are members of his bodie doe belong vnto him because as branches implaÌ„ted into him which is the vine we bring forth fruite according vnto the nature of the vine If it be said we doe yet sin our answere is that that happeneth vnto vs not from the new creature but from that other part yet remaining in vs stil subdued vnder sin in which the Lord of mercy doth not esteeme vs but in that new man which is fashioned againe according vnto his own image In so much as S. Paul doubteth not to say that the sins of the faithful proceding froÌ„ the remaÌ„der of corruption yet abiding in theÌ„ are not their workes but the works of the flesh which being already wouÌ„ded vnto death by the power of the death of Christ languisheth more more shal finally be abolished by death which is the end accomplishment of our mortification fully endeth the battell betweene the flesh the spirit What shall I say of the loathing of this life and the vanitie thereof of that desire which is in the children of God to be dissolued to be with Christ of conteÌ„meÌ„t in all estates patience in afflictions constancie in the truth loue towards those that loue the Lorde pitie towardes those that are in misery and the desiring of the good euen of their enimies and those that hate them Which vertues though they beare not an equall saile by reason of the weaknes of the flesh and of the malice and resistance of the enimie yet are they vndoubted testimonies of our loue towards God which is not but in those who are first beloued of him and haue tasted how good and gratious hee is If wee shall looke vnto the exercises of pietie and of the worshippe of GOD though wee may here as els where complaine of our wants and defectes yet wee shal through
starte for the best Wee had reason to say for our selues courage to defend our selues against all them that did deale with vs but now the spirite draweth vs into the presence of God it letteth vs see that we haue to doe with God and that our strength is weakenesse in respect of him Then doth our harte beginne to fayle vs then doe wee lay our handes on our mouthes and dare not answere nay then doe wee quickly take vp our crosse because the Lord himselfe hath done it Beholde here how the spirit worketh beholde how sinne is corrupted and who so can beholde here this in himselfe may assuredly say that the spirit of God is in him that it is not in vaine within him nay that it is mightie and liuely in operation in his heart The third note and effect is the bringing on forwarde of this worke vnto iustification for when the spirite hath brought vs thus farre then doth it beginne to open vnto vs a doore vnto the graces and fauour of God it doth put into our mindes that there is mercie with God and therefore stirreth vs vp to seeke mercie at his handes afterwarde it doth let vs see how Christ suffered to take away the sinnes of the worlde that in the righteousnesse of Christ wee may looke to be iustified before God And this it doth not let vs see only but doth effectually worke a sure perswasion of it in our heartes and confirmeth the same by two notable effectes The first is a ioy most vnspeakeable and glorious wherewith our hearts must needs be wholly taken vp and rauished when wee see our selues by the righteousnes of Christ of the free mercy and grace of God redeemed from death deliuered from hell and freede from the fearefull condemnation of the wicked The second is the peace of conscience which indeede passeth all vnderstanding While sinne and the guilt of sinne remained there was no peace nor rest no quietnesse to be founde but feare within terrours without and troubles on euery side But when sinne is once nailed to the crosse of Christ when the guilt of sinne is taken out of our consciences and the puninshment thereof farre remoued then must needes ensue great peace for our accusers dare not proceed against vs our sinnes are forgiuen vs and God is at one with vs and for this we haue the warrant and testimonie of the spirit Can flesh and bloode perswade vs of it can any creature assure vs how God is affected towardes vs no doublesse And therefore where this ioy and peace is there must needes be the holy ghost the author and worker of the same for as no man knoweth what is in man but the spirit of man which is in him so none knoweth the will of God but the spirit of God and therefore it is the spirit of God that must certifie our hearres and spirites of the same And hereof there doth arise that which wee take as the fourth note when we finde it in our selues to wit The life and nemblenes that is in vs to doe good for when a man doth finde fauoure from God for the forgiuenesse of sinnes then the loue of God constraineth him that ioy which hee conceiueth inforceth him and putteth life into him for the performance of those thinges which are pleasing vnto God then hee beginneth to finde himselfe not onely reclamed from euill but also applyed and framed to that which is good then is his vnderstanding inlyghtened to see into the mysteries of godlinesse and into that great worke of his redemption and into whatsoeuer concerneth the sauing health of his soule then is his iudgement reformed and he is made able to iudge betweene false religion and trewe betweene the workes of the fleshe and of the spirit betwene that which is good and that which is euill and displeasing in the sight of God Then are his affections in some good measure altered his desire is set not vpon earthly but vpon heauenly thinges his ioyes are not in the eaâ—th but in the heauens his anger is wasted and spent not vpon his owne priuae cause and quarrels but vpon his owne sinnes and vpon whatsoeuer hindereth the glory of his God This is the life of God in him thus he liueth that hath receiued the spirite and thus he leadeth his life continually for they that haue receiued the spirite are led by the spirit and do liue accordingly bringing forth the fruites of the spirite But this hath weakenes ioyned with it and men through frailtie may sone fal and therefore their life is sayde To be hid in Christ because in full and perfect manner it doth not appeare Therefore if notwithstanding these frailties and falles wee will know whether wee still retaine the spirite of God wee must search our selues and trye our hearts by these rules First if when through frailtie wee haue fallen for who is hee that falleth not We will then know whether by our fall we haue lost the spirite of God or no let vs see what liking or mislykinge wee haue of sinne for it after our fall wee doe holde our former hatred of sinne and the oftenner wee fall the more thorough and deadly hatred wee conceiue against sinne vndoubtedly that frailetie hath not as yet depriued vs of the spirite Secondly come and see how it standeth with thy sorrow for so long as thy sorrow encreaseth for thy sinnes it cannot bee thought that sinne and the fleshe haue ouercome and vtterly quenched the spirite in thee Thirdly try thy care and if thou grone in a godly care both how thou mayst bee able to wage battaile against sinne in the plaine fielde and how thou mayst preuente sinne in all his pollicies thou hast a further assurance that sinne although it be as great as Goliah yet it hath not hitherto preuailed against thy poore and little Dauid I say against those fewe and small graces which the good spirite of God hath bestowed vppon thee but the last is most certaine and that is this When thou art carefull to redeem that which by thy fall thou hast lost hast a care to runne so much faster forwarde by how much more thou hast beene letted by thy fall then it doth appeare that the spirite is in thee yea liuely and mighty in operation and such as shall neuer be taken from the vntill the day of Christ. Thus may wee in some good and competent measure try and prooue whether wee haue the spirite of GOD or noe for where these fruits are to bee founde there is also the spirite of GOD. For further confirmation whereof wee may note the manner of speach where hee saith Quenche not the spirite Wee doe commonly vse to say the fire is quenched when the light and heate thereof is taken away and indeede nothing can properly be saide to be quenched but the fire Now whereas the Apostle saith Quench not the spirite he giueth vs to vnderstande that the spirite is in some respect like vnto
but becommeth eternall For euen the heathen men thought that death was the end of all misery the perswasion whereof made them beeing in some misery to make an ende of themselues and hasten their owne death as Sathan doth make many now a daies to doe who are ignorant of the hell which is a place of farre greater paines than any they can suffer in this worlde whatsoeuer Howebeit a tormented conscience if before it was begun is now continued or if it was not before now beginneth and neuer endeth world without ende For though true it is that sicknes pouerty imprisonmeÌ„t or banishmeÌ„t haue ended their term in death yet a wouÌ„ded hart which was teÌ„poral in this life is nowe eternall after this life that which before death was in hope recouerable is after death made vncurable vnrecouerable It is good therefore to consider if euen in this life the torment of conscience be so fearefull how much more grieuous it is to susteine it in hell where that is infinite which here is finit where that is vnmesurable which here is mesurable where is the sea of sorow wherof this is but a drop where is the flame of that fire wherof this is lesse then a sparke But to shut vp this argument Some there haue beene who through out all their life time haue been free from all other troubles so as either they felt them not at all or else in very small measure and by that meanes neuer knewe what outward trouble meant As for example some men there haue beene who for sicknesse neuer knewe there headeach for pouertie neuer knewe what want meant who for discredite were neuer euill spoken of who euer put farre from them the euill daye of the Lorde who made a league with death as it were a couenant with hell who thought they could crucifie euery crosse rather thaÌ„ come vnderany crosse yet they could neuer escape a wounded conscience either in this life or in the life to come True it is that Gods Children by faith repentance do often escape it but the wicked and such as are borne vnto it as to their sure inheritance the more they flie from it the more it pursueth them If we haue transgressed the Ciuil Lawes the Iudge by bribes may be corrupted if a man haue committed some capitall offence by flying his Country he may escape the Magistrates handes but our consciences telling vs that we haue sinned against God what bribe shall we offer or whether shall wee flie whether shall wee goe from his spirit or whether shall we goe from his presence If we ascend into heauen is not he there If wee lie downe in hell is hee not there If we flie to the vtmost parts of the sea is he not there also There needeth no apparitor to summon vs there needes no Bayly arraunt to fetch vs there needes noe accuser to giue in against vs sinne will arrest vs and lieth at the Doore our owne Conscience will impannell a Quest against vs our owne heartes will giue in sufficient Euidence and our owne iniquitie will plead vs to be guiltie to our owne faces Thus we se both by the experience of theÌ„ that haue suffered the wound of the spirit and by the comparinge of it with other euils what a waight most grieuous and burden intollerable it is to haue a tormented conscience Now let vs shew how we may preuent by what meanes Gods children falling into some degrees of it for if it rage in extremity it is an euill vnrecouerable may safely and quietly be deliuered from it And here a iust complaint is to be taken vp it is a wonder to be marked if we may wonder at Gods works that we se many so carefull watchfull to auoide oâ—her troubles and so few or none take any paines to escape the trouble of minde which is so grieuous We se men louing health and loathing sicknes in diet temperat in sleepe moderate in Phisicke expert skilful to purge to auoide such corrupt humors which in time may breed though presently they do not bring forth some daÌ„gerous sicknes yet to auoid the diseases of the soule no man abateth his sleep no man abridgeth his diet no man prepareth Phisicke for it no man knoweth when to be ful and when to be emptie how to want and how to abound Others carried away with the loue of riches very â—ly to fall into pouerty will not sticke to rise early to take sleep lately to fare hardly to teare taw their flesh in labour by land by water in faire foule wether by rocks and by sands from farre and from neare and yet to fall into Spirituall decaies to auoid the pouertie of conscience no man taketh such paines as though saluation and peace of minde were not a thing worthy the labouring for Some ambitiously hunting after honor not easily digesting reproaches behaue themselues neither sluggishly nor sleepely but are actiue in euery attempt by loue by counsell by prudence prowesse by wit by practise by labor learning by cuÌ„ning diligence to become famous to shun a ciuill reproach yet to bee glorious in the sight of God and his Angelles to fall before the heauens and in the presence of the Almightie to bee couered with shame and confusion of Conscience we make none account as they who neyther vse any means to obtaine the one nor auoide those occasions which may bring the other Others vnwilling to come within the reach and daunger of the Lawe that they may escape imprisonment of bodye or confiscation of goodes will be painefull in penall statutes skilfull in euery branch of the ciuill law and especially wil labour to keepe themselues from treasons murthers fellonies and such like offences deseruing the punishment of death yet wheÌ„ the Lord God threatneth the seazure both of soule and body the attaching of our spirits the confiscating of our consciences the banishing of vs from heauen the hanging of vs in hell the suspending of our saluation the adiudging of vs to condemnation for the breach of his CoÌ„maundements no man searcheth his eternall Lawe noe man careth for the Gospell neither the sentence of euerlasting diuorsement from the Lord neither the couenant of reconciliation is esteemed of vs. And to reach our Complaint one degree father Behold the more we seek outward pleasures and to auoide the inward trouble of minde the more we hast and runne into it suddainely plunge our selues in a wonded spirite ere we be aware VVho posteth more to become rich who hopeth lesse to be come poore than the marchant man who aduentureth great treasures who hazardeth his goods who putteth in ieoperdie his life and yet sodenly he either rusheth vpon the rocke of hardnesse of heart or else is swallowed vp of the gulph of a desparing minde from which afterwards he cannot be deliuered with a ship ful of golde Woful profe hath confirmed how some men wholly set on
gifte in that kinde who by conference writing or otherwise hath not bestowed some parte of his trauaile vnto your comforte I coulde my selfe name a greate number besides those aboue mentioned but your selfe can remember many more nowe the testimonie of so many faithfull seruantes of Christ witnessing the grace and goodnesse of GOD towardes you must bee as the voyce of GOD himselfe who is not as man that hee shoulde lie or as the sonne of man that hee should repente or alter that which hee hath once testified And if Iob doe acknowledge that the comforte of one faithfull witnesse on the behalfe of GOD is enough to the erecting and chearing of the heauiest minde what can Sathan say vnto the testimonie not of 2 or 3 witnesses which the lawe onely requireth but vnto the testimony of 2 or 3 score the meanest and weakest whereof should be able to answere in your behalfe vnto all that the enemie is able to obiect against you The second thing I note is that these haue not come vnto you by errour or by chance but by speciall addresse of Gods mercifull prouidence as sent from the throne of grace to binde vp your wounde and to minister comfort vnto your conscience The third that these speake not their owne wordes nor of themselues but are the faithfull interpreters and declarers of the will and counsell of God not indeede immediatelie from himselfe but by viewing and esteeming of the worke of God and the fruites of his grace in those that are his The fourth that as they declare vnto the afflicted that fauour of God towardes them which themselues are not able for the present to discerne so they commend them by praier vnto the Lorde who hath promised to heare and to graunt their requestes The fift that for comfort in this cause we must passe out of our selues in whom there is nothing that may ease our griefe and cast our eye and cogitation onelie vpon Christ in whom all fulnesse of saluation doth dwell considering that this is one of the meanes whereby Sathan doth most distresse and anguish the afflicted soules that he holdeth them in the cogitation of their sinnes and transgressions against GOD and suffereth them not to see that length breadeth height and depth and to knowe that loue of Christ that passeth all knowledge that they might be filled with all the fulnesse of God The sixt that the Lorde both mercifullie blesseth the labours of his seruantes in comforting his children and also graciouslie heareth their prayers and supplications made in their behalfe vnto his maiestie And the last that God in his good time erecteth the mindes of the afflicted and openeth their mouthes to praise his name and to protest his goodnes that hee hath brought againe their soule from the pitt and hath shined vpon them with the light of life Which effect of the grace of GOD because you haue both seene in others and felt in your selfe manie times you haue greate cause to hope and expecte the returne of his comforting hande in due season who also shall once determine these conflicting daies and set vs in that peace which shall neuer bee interrupted and wherein all teares shall be wiped awaye from our faces for euer The malice of the enemie during this life hath no ende nor measure at all and therefore wee may iustlie feare all extremity of attempt against vs but we must strengthen our selues in him who can and will inable vs vnto all thinges The Last and most grieuous assaulte of sathan against the afflicted is that he calleth into doubt their election For because that saluation is onely of the elect he laboureth by all meanes to shake this grounde and pillar of comfort and if it be possible to subuert and ouerthrowe the same It behooueth vs to take heede howe wee carrie our selues as in that temptation which all others is moste difficulte and dangerous First therefore wee muste beware of that gulfe wherein the enemie hopeth to deuoure vs that we enter not into the secrete and hidden counsell of GOD. For the secretes of the Lorde are for him selfe But the thinges that are reuealed are for vs and our posteritie after vs for â—uer as Moses saith what then hath the Lorde reuealed concerning our election First the spirite of GOD witnesseth vnto our spirites that wee are the Children of GOD. Then it teacheth vs to crie Abba Father and stirreth vp in vs those gronings that cannot bee expressed From these let vs descende vnto faith it selfe the voyce whereof if it bee not suppressed by the grieuousnesse of temptation soundeth cheerefully vnto vs that wee are beloued of GOD redeemed be Christ and fellow-heires with him of his fathers kingdome If heere also the enemye haue darkened our senses and obscured our light Wee muste of necessitie with Iob releeue our selues from the fruites of our faith these what they are hath alreadie beene sayde If necessitie doe soe compell vs wee must flye vnto the times that are past referre our selues vnto the testimonies of the faithfull ministers of GOD who as they are for their wisdome and manyfolde experience better able to iudge of our estate then our selues so haue they power and authoritie from GOD to decide the controuersie betweene vs and our enemie and to pleade our cause against him Also where the enemie from our presente trouble and torment of minde seeketh to driue vs vnto dispaire wee are to vse against him his owne weapons for amongest manie testimonies of our state in grace and fauour with GOD there is none more euidente and sensible then is that conflicte which wee finde and feele in our selues of the spirite againste the fleshe of faythe against vnbeliefe of a sanctified minde against that parte that is vnregenerated and finally of the newe creature against the olde man and of Christ himselfe in vs against the power of Sathan If hee replie that this is not so but the contrarie Wee may answere that albeit there haue beene many times wherein wee haue had a more presente and mightie hande of the Lorde vppon vs yet euen nowe Sathan himselfe cannot denie but wee hate sinne and loue righteousnesse that we loue God and to our power obeye his will and flie the baites and occasions of euill whereof if if there were for the presente no manifest and apparant effectes as yet by the grace of GOD there are notwithstanding the onelye affection and desire of the heart thirsting and longing after God his kingdome and righteousnesse are sufficiente argumentes of the worke of grace begunne in vs which shall so longe be continued by the good hande of our heauenlie father vntill it be consummated and perfected in the life to come For if it be God as the Apostle faith that giueth both the will and the deede hee that hath giuen vs to desire to obey his wil will also inable vs vnto the doing of the same And seeing the worke of sanctificatioÌ„