must bee with euery true penitent True it is in the time of our impenitency like wilde and mad horses we gallop in the way of sinne yet in the day of our repentance the spirit of God as with a bit or bridle giueth vs a checke and turnes vs backe and setteth vs as fast a going the other way insomuch that our olde companions stand wondering at the matter admiring that wee so suddenly breake off company 1. Pet. 4.4 and runne not with them to the same excesse of ryot so great is the change that not onely our selues but others also see it admire it Now then thou that talkest of repentance and of thy obedience to the commandements is this change in thee assure thy selfe if thou hast repented it is and all the world may see it Canst thou with a good conscience say of thy selfe as Paul did of the Corinthians 1. Cor. 6.10.11 I was once a thiefe a drunkard an adulterer a reuiler an extortioner a couetous person and the like but now I am washed now I am sanctified yea iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of my God canst thou thus say of thy selfe and that in truth why then to thy comfort be it spoken this is a notable euidence of the truth of thy repentance but if it be otherwise thou mayest deceiue thy selfe for if no reformation followes these are not signes of true repentance for this is true repentance Augustine saith Augustine so to bewayle sinnes past as that we commit them no more which wee haue bewayled It is to no purpose then for vs to bewayle our former courses vnlesse there follow amendment let not then this deceiue thee For where the Lord giues repētance there he giues the grace of reuocation whereby they becom new creatures for thou doest but mocke and not indeed repent when thou still doest that whereof thou hast repented this is true repentance so to repent that thou hast sinned as that thou doest so no more till therfore thou doest cease from sinne and reforme thy wayes vntill thou doest find this change in thy selfe so that thou canst truely say I was thus and thus but now the case is altered thou canst haue no comfort in thy repentance nor in the commandements for asure thy selfe that repentance and continuance in the old wicked courses can neuer stand together Lastly this may serue for the comfort of all such as doe finde this change in themselues who can say with that blinde man who had his sight restored one thing know that whereas I was blinde now I see Ioh. 9.25 whereas I was filthy and vncleane I am now washed and cleansed Oh happy is the condition of such a one thrise blessed is the estate of that man onely manifest this change vnto the world that others may also say How is this man cbanged from what he was that as others haue beene witnesses of thy sinne so they may bee also witnesses of thy repentance This may serue for reproofe Loose professors reprooued as being farre from keeping the commandements against our loose and leud hypocrites masked vnder the name of pure professors promising to thēselues though liuing and lying in their sins far frō keeping the cōmants the reward of glory no as thou sowest thou must reape as thou bruest thou must drinke if thou sowe tares neuer looke to reape wheate if thou Brue with crabs neuer looke to drinke milde Beere Can men gather figges of thorns or grapes of thistles so I comparing our workes to trees their rewards to the fruits say the like thinke you euer of the thorns and thistles of couetousnes pride vncleannes blasphemy swearing profanation of the Sabaoths euer to gather the sweet figges or pleasant grapes of glory and happines will this gall and wormewood euer make pleasant drinke◠will these wilde and sower grapes euer yeeld sweete wine Oh that wee could seriously lay this to heart that wee must all appeare before the iudgement seat of Christ 2. Cor. 5.10 11. to receiue according to that which we here haue done whether good or euill that hee that soweth of the flesh shall of the flesh reape corruption Gal. 6.8 and hee that soweth of the spirit shall of the spirit reape life euerlasting then would we presently begin to reason with our selues Alas how poore how how barren am I in good workes how fruitfull in ill it is true indeed that according to the quality of our works we shall be iudged alas what other works can I present the Lord withal besides the works of death and darknes if these had the promise of reward then were my case good let vs examine our hearts herein and thinke euer with our selues thus long haue I liued but what good haue I done eyther to my selfe or others where are my prayers fastings humiliations meditations well spent Sabaoths well gouerned children and seruants where are the workes of mercie to my brethren either to their soules in holy admonition reprehension exhortation or bodies in ministring reliefe to their necessities how can I look for the penny that hath stood idle in the market place all the day long for the crown that refused to runne Rom. 2.7 for a good crop in haruest that would not sowe in seed time let vs no longer deceiue our selues no glory honor and immortality can be found of any but such as seeke it by continuance in well doing and in keeping the commandements and delighting therein Seeing then the greater our zeal paines and trauell hath beene in Gods cause the greater shall bee weight of our glory the twelue Apostles shall haue twelue special thrones at the day of iudgement and whereas otherwise men shall but shine with the brightnesse of the firmament Dan. 12 3. they that turne others from their euill wayes with brightnesse of the starres Phil. 4.17 hee that soweth liberally shall reape liberally and euery good worke added to the number of the former helpeth to further our reckoning in the day of the Lord. Mat. 12. And here for our comfort let vs remember that God rewards euery one according to his worke for he will reward the least good worke euen a cup of cold water an t 5.1 eating not onely of our honey but of our hony-combe yea at the last day notice will bee taken of inferiour sorts of workes as giuing a peece of bread or a peece of cloath God forbid then that any should say with those in Malachy It is in vaine to serue the Lord therefore let vs feare Gods saying Behold I come quickely and my reward is with me When Mordecay had performed a worthy seruice to Ahashuerosh in discouery of a dangerous treason Est 6.10 hee had not his reward presently but yet his seruice was registred and so afterward when the king looked vppon the records it was royally recompenced Malachy teacheth vs that there are books of
remembrance written for them thar feare the Lord Mal. 3.16 and in this Chronicle all our good seruices euen euery action of obedience is recorded that it may bee rewarded our labour then shall not bee lost nor so much as our teares but they are blotted men may forget vs as Pharaoh did Ioseph Iudg. 9.17 Gen. 41 42. and Sechemites Gedeon but God wil not our reward is sure though not so speedy as wee desire Here is great comfort to all faithfull Ministers who spend their strength to turne sinners from their euill wayes great is their reward in Heauen We must liue the life grace heare if we meane to shine in glory hereafter God heere assures vs of reward in the Kingdome of Heauen Behold what comfort shineth from hence to all you who haue spent your strength in the seruice of God and conuersion of sinners great is your reward in Heauen you shall shine as starres in the Ftrmament for euer and euer From hence we learne that the degrees of glory heereafter shall bee according to the degrees of grace here so that if wee would then shine in glory now we must shine in grace therefore take the aduantage of this thy corruption shake of all spirituall sloth vse it as a goade in thy side to make thee sweat againe in Gods worke double paines shall bring thee double pleasure double deligence double delight double holinesse double honour Who will be a common stone in the building when he might be a Piller Who would be a Doore-keeper when he might be a Steward therefore let vs looke to the whole course of our liues God rewards vs not according to our good or euill worke but according to our workes to the ordinary course of them this must teach vs faithfully to walke before the Lord in the discharge of our seuerall callings let vs look well to our worke that wee doe it and God will looke farre better to reward our worke Oh then that instead of taking thought how to get this or that good thing promised wee would once take thought how to doe this or that good thing commanded and so doing our duty we should be happy for euermore In worldly affaires no weighty thing can bee done without diligence farre lesse in spirituall Cursed be he that doth the worke of the Lord negligently how shall hee looke for the penny that hath stood idle Oh that there were no such to bee found in these our dayes 2. Tim. 4 2. forgetting the rule of the Apostle Preach in season and out of season Hence it commeth to passe that their Sheepe belonging to their charge are like Pharoa his Kine so leane and euill fauoured and so weake as euery bush is able to entangle and euery ditch ready to drowne them and euery blast of vaine Doctrine able to blow them away Oh that this charge were considered and that we remembred that belongeth to them that preach not the Gospell Art thou a Steward Art thou an Ambassador Why then dost thou not distribute Gods food vnto his people How wilt thou be able to looke him in the face at whose barre one day all flesh must stand Luke 16.21 and if the rich man were cast into Hell who did not relieue poore Lazarus with his bread What shall become of those that haue famished the Soules of their people for want of holy admonition and instruction First to all bee it spoken both Minister and people let vs auoyd all sinne and endeauour our our selues to the vtmost of our power to keepe and delight in the Commandements not one but al and that we may not deceiue our selues herein let euery man examine himselfe at this marke and with a single eye and vpright heart take a view of his affections whether his ioy bee inward and spirituall that is in the assurances of God fauour in his word in his Children in Prayer and continuall practise of Godlinesse or outward and carnall that is in attainement of greatnesse and worldly pleasures in the encrease of our Corne and Wine and Oyle vvhether hee loue the peace of Conscience farre more dearely then the fauour of men or his owne life Whether hee bee more zealous for the honour and praise of GOD then his owne Whether hee bee more afraid of secret sinnes then open shame of offending God then outward afflictions Whether he bee more angry in the cause of Religion and concerning Gods glory or for our owne priuate wrongs and so throughout the rest of our affections Secondly wouldest thou repent thee of thy sinnes turne from them and haue them pardoned then labour to know them striue to find them out Consider of thy wayes make a stand for a while and examine thy courses put the question to thy soule what haue I done and againe propound it wherein am I fayling take the light of Gods Law that will shew thee thy filthinesse that will discouer vnto thee thy great corruptions and many faylings bee not backward in this duty the more backward thou art the greater cause thou hast to feare thy estate Bankerouts that are not worth a groat do not dare look into their state because they know they bee worse then nought bee then perswaded to call thy courses to account Consider the estate wherin thou art thy case is fearefull because thou art ignorant of it but it is desperate if thou wilt not be perswaded to looke into it but on the other side if thou wilt take thy selfe aside and commune with thy owne heart as Dauid speaketh Psal 4.4 surely then thou wilt be in a fayre forwardnesse to sound conuersion But heare some may aske Obedience to all the Commandements is an infallible signe of a true iustifying faith how shall I know if I be such a one or not I answere thou mayst easily prooue it in keeping the Commandements and delighting therein by this maist thou know and therefore try thy selfe whether thou hast respect to the first Table as well as to the second to the second as well as to the first dost thou performe good duties for conscience sake dost thou as well make conscience of dissembling with the world defrauding thy neighbour lying or equiuocating for aduantage as of blaspheming Gods name of prophaning Gods Sabbath of neglecting holy exercises Dost thou lament and bewayle thy dulnesse and deadnesse thy drowsinesse and heauines in the performance of holy duties to God and honest duties to men Art thou grieued and disquieted when thou findest not the efficacies and fruit of those good exercises in thy heart hast thou learned to make conscience of sinnes of omission as well of commission Dost thou as well open thy mouth to speake to his honour as keepe it shut from dishonouring him Dost thou as well make conscience of doing these good duties on the Sabbath Day hearing reading meditating and the like which God requireth as thou dost from abstaining of the workes of thy ordinary calling which hee forbiddeth
he himselfe expresseth the manner Behold I come quickly my reward is in my hand to giue euery man according to his workes Blessed is euery one that doth my Commandements that he may â—ate of the Tree of life and enter thoâ—ow the gates into the Citty In all which happines in this life that to come is confirmed vpon the liuing acts and exercises not vpon the dead habits of any grace whatsoeuer In all labour there is abundance but in the conceits of the braine and talke of the lips nothing but emptinesse and misery Next to Gods glory and a mans owne good a Christian placeth much happinesse in winning and edifying others 1. Cor. 12.10 to which purpose a speechles life hath more life in it then aliue speech So Chrysostome commends a good life aboue afarre profession For it is able saith hee to confute and conuert Pagans withall he tels vs they haue a louder language then the sunne and Moone whose sound yet goes ouer all the world publishing Gods glory therefore saith Christ to his Disciples goe and tell not what you haue heard me preach but saw me doe How the blind receiue sight c. If I doe not such workes as none other hath done before me The best course for vs to take to winne others is to be doers of that wee professe I desire not men to belieue in me By these courses Peter would haue Christians win their neighbours and wiues their husbands rather theÌ„ by tutering of them then would neighbours follow one another to the right Religion and true Church as TradsmeÌ„ do to those markets where they see them gather wealth fastest yea imitate their liues and bring forth fruits as Iacobs sheepe if they saw their rods speckled with works as well as with words thus saint Augustines famous mother taught one of her neighbour Gentlewomen complaining of her churlish Nabal wondring how she won her peruerse husband why sayes she I obserued his mind and pleased him in all indifferent things forbore him in his passions gaue him all content in dyet and attendance and so haue made him first Gods and then mine by degrees These are the Arts and charmes that if they were now vsed by one Christian to another would couer multitudes of sins and conuert multitudes of sinners These things mind and exercise these things if you know and doe you shall saue your selues and those you liue withall and so be euery way blessed men The doers of the Commandements are only blessed Thus wee see that doing the Commandements only brings in the blessednes without which all our knowing makes and leaues vs but dishonorable to God vncomfortable to our selues scandalous to others in no neerer keeping the Commandements then Balaam Iudas and the diuell himselfe who the more they know the worse for them the more sinne and the more punishment If knowing made vp blessednes England were an happy Nation out times as happy as euer any but if doing be required great is the felicity of both questionlesse the more any man knowes or professes to know and the lesse they doe the more they doe dishonor God And what are such themselues the better for their knowledge They which know them do them not they do increase their sorrow but as the Preacher speaketh in another sence Hee that encreaseth such knowledge addeth sorrow What a misery is it for a man to haue no inward faithfull knowledge or affection to the Gospell nor better proofe of his loue thereto then that hee carried it alwayes about him at his Girdle My meaning is not to taxe Bible carrying Christian conference which I hold a better grace then Bootes Spurres and Rapiers on Sundayes or Fannes of Fethers top-gallant Ensignes of vanity euery day but only to shew the foppery of them that carry Gods word and law not in their hearts but only in their heads or in their memories or vnderstandings Let these bee as wise as they may in their own conceits to me they are no better then Asses which carry dainty burdens but taste not of them Verily a man knowes no more rightly then he Practises it is said of Christ hee knew no sinne because he did no sinne and in that sence hee knowes no good that doth no good Hee that will obey shall know my Fathers will and such as will not doe what they know to bee good The abuse of that wee know will be the chiefe cause to depriue vs of it shall soone vnknow that which they know it being iust with God to punish shipwrack of a good conscience with the fraught of knowledge according to that imprecation in the Epistle to the Hebrewes that if they should abuse their skill in musicke their right hand might forget his cunning and their tongue cleaue to the roofe of their mouth from which iust Iudgement it comes to passe that many become colder in matters of Religion and keeping the Commandents For a good vnderstanding haue all they that doe thereafter and cursed are all such as know these things and doe the cleane contrary Cursed I say are they because they not onely cast away themselues but also lay a stumbling block before others both weake ones within and bad ones without such as these know God and yet deny him in their liues and are reprobates to euery good worke such as buy by one Ballance and sell by another haue a forme of knowledge which they pretend in themselues prescribe to others with all seuere seuerity and liue themselues in secret by contrary rules Friends in shew but indeed Enemies to the Crosse of Christ Phil. 3.18 vncleane beasts for all the chewing of the Cud which makes men mislike not only their persons but the very religion which they professe in the highest streine of stricktnesse I wonder with what face such can call themselues Christians or vvith vvhat eares can heare themselues so called doth any man looke to bee accounted a Carpenter that calleth himselfe so but neuer squares timber nor erected frames therefore to all hearers and goers to Sermons I say play not the fools as most doe heare not to heare goe not to Church as many now adayes do for fashioÌ„ sake or to get an opinion of zeale or as boyes go into the water to play and paddle there onely not to wash and be cleane Therefore let vs all that lay clayme to that honourable name Let vs therfore doe the workes of Christians and so approue our selues doe the workes of Christians and thereby approue your selues to God and man as the Angell to Manoch who being asked of his name made answer It was wonderfull and did wonderfully ascend in the flame and made good his name by his action The art of doing is that which requires study strength and diuine assistance do the sinnes that swarm in our times proceed from ignorance or incontinence rather and wilfulnes It were happy if men had that plea if the