is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 Wee should neuer rest till wee could say it is the Lord our righteousnesse Ier. 23.6 We are vndone if we haue not such a faith as will iustifie vs. Quest. Tell vs distinctly what wee must doe about beleeuing which being done wee may bee sure we are iustified Solut. First thou must beleeue that Iesus of Nazareth is the promised Messias and the very Son of God Matth. 16.16 1. Iohn 4.15 Whosoeuer confesseth that Iesus is the Sonne of God in him dwelleth God and he is in God Secondly thou must rest vpon the passion and obedience of Iesus Christ as the onely sufficient meanes of thy happinesse receiuing the promises that declare thy liberty so to doe Rom. 4.23 24. Rom. 5.17 Thirdly thou must in thy praiers present Christ to God and make it knowne as a couenant of thy heart that thou doest relie vpon him onely and so giue glory to God against the feare of the Law sinne death and hell Fourthly thou must resolue to rest in this course and neuer to depart from thy confidence herein thus the iust must liue by their faith Thus of the third vse Fourthly we should bee stirred vp to shew forth daily the vse and power and truth of our iustification by the effects of it which we should striue to stirre vp in vs as namely wee should shew that we are iustified 1. By confirming our consciences in peace and tranquillitie 2. By going boldly to God and the throne of his grace as knowing in how much grace we stand with God 3. By comforting our selues in the hope of glory as knowing that we are heires of the world 4. By glorying in tribulation being neuer ashamed of our faith and hope Rom. 5.1.2.3.4.5 c. 5. The doctrine of our free iustification should teach vs to carie our selues with all compassion and meekenes toward other men that yet liue in their sins for we were such as they once till the grace of God appeared without any desert of ours Titus 3.1.2.3.4.5 c. Put them in remembrance that they be subiect to the principalities and powers and that they bee obedient and readie to euery good worke That they speake euill of no man that they be no fighters but soft shewing all meekenesse vnto all men For we our selues were in times past vnwise disobedient deceiued seruing the lusts and diuers pleasures liuing in maliciousnesse and enuie hatefull and hating one another c. 6. We should bee carefull of good workes to free the glorious doctrine of liberty from the aspersions of euill men and to shew our thankfulnesse to God and the truth of our faith Rom. 3.31 Doe we then make the law of none effect through faith God forbid yea we establish the law Iam. 2. the latter part of the Chapter Tit. 3.7.8 That we being iustified by his grace should bee made heires according to the hope of eternall life This is a true saying and these things I will thou shouldest affirme that they which haue beleeued in God might be carefull to shew forth good workes c. 7. This should make vs for euer to iudge of mens worth by their faith and to say Oh he or she is blessed that beleeued and to account highly of poore Christians that are rich in faith 8. For euer while we liue we should glory not in our selues but in the Lord acknowledging whatsoeuer we are we are by the grace of God 1. Cor. 1.31 That according as it is written He that reioyceth let him reioyce in the Lord c. Rom. 3.27 Where is then the reiâ—ycing It is excluded by what law of workes Nay but by the law of faith c. Secondlâ— this doctrine should worke in vs much consolation euen life from the dead Iustification is called iustification of life Rom. 5.18 It should quicken vs aboue many other doctrines and the rather if we consider 1. That in Christ there is a daily propitiation for all our sins Rom. 3.25 1. Ioh. 2.2 Hee will see our filthy garments taken off vs and clothe vs with change of raiment Zach. 3.3.4 2. That the very blessing of Abraham comes vpon vs we are heires of the world as well as hee Galath 3.9 They which bee of faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham Rom. 4.11.12 3. That though this be clogged with a condition of beleeuing yet wee are not excepted but may lawfully rest vpoÌ„ Christ yea wee are commanded to beleeue 1. Ioh. 3.23 This is then his commandement that wee beleeue in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ c. Yea God doth beseech vs to be reconciled 2. Cor. 5.20 Now then are wee Embassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you through vs wee pray you in Christs stead that ye be reconciled to God c. 4. That this beleeuing in Christ makes vs accounted as righteous as euer Adam was or we could haue been if wee had kept the morall law and God is as well pleased with vs our faith is accounted for righteousnesse and in stead of it Rom. 4.5 But to him that worketh not but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is counted for righteousnesse 5. That we may from hence gather also assurance of raigning with God in another world as the Apostle shewes Rom. 5.9 10.11 Much more then being now iustified by his blood we shall bee saued from wrath through him For if when we were enemies wee were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled wee shall bee saued by his life 17. For if by the offence of one death raigned through one much more shall they which receiue the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnes raign in life through one that is Iesus Christ. Rom. 8.30 Whom he iustified them also he glorified c. 6. Lastly that nothing shall separate vs from this loue of God no accusation shall bee receiued against vs Rom. 8.33.34 35. Thirdly this may serue for great reproofe 1. First for the neglect of faith in many oh who hath bewitched thee that thou shouldest not beleeue why will yee still bee shut vp and liue vnder the curse Galath 3.1 O foolish Galathians who hath bewitched you 10. As many as are vnder the workes of the law are vnder the curse c. 23. Before faith came wee were kept vnder the law shut vp c. 2. Of the most of vs for leaning still too much to our owne workes we can hardly tell how in our either glorying or grieuing to quit our selues from the infection of pleading merit of workes 3. Of many deare seruants of God for their slothfulnesse and miserable neglect of the assurance of faith resting still in their weaknesse of faith and not striuing to be fully perswaded CHAP. XXV Of Sanctification 1. Thes. 4.4 For this is the will of God euen your sanctification HItherto of Iustification Sanctification followes Concerning Sanctification there are these principles 1. That whom God iustifieth
hearts bee sincere with God Esay 56.4.6 the abiect Gentiles are not excluded Esay 49.7 What should I say the whole world is inuited and worlds of people may bee reconciled to God 2. Cor. 5.19 And as this is comfortable at all times so there is comfort to be gathered out of it in speciall distresses as 1. In the case of sinne 2. In the case of affliction 3. In the case of death For the first in the case of sin after calling it is a memorable place 1. Iohn 2.1 My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous For the second in the case of affliction there are many Scriptures that haue recourse to this doctrine for cōfort If the godly bee grieued and oppressed and come vnto God and humble thēselues the Lord wil remember this couenant and heare them as Exod. 2.2.4.5 and Exod. 6. 4.5.6 Leuit. 26.41.42 c. The godly know in all afflictions whom they haue trusted and ought to beleeue that hee will keepe that which by couenant is committed to him 2. Tim. 1. 12. Christ hath commission from God by vertue of this couenant to say to the prisoners go forth and to them that are in darknes shew your selues Esa. 49.9.10 For a small moment God may forsake but with great mercy will hee gather vs In a little wrath he may hide his face but in euerlasting kindnesse will hee haue mercy on vs For this is as the waters of Noah c. The mountaines may depart but his kindnesse and the couenant of his peace shall not depart nor be remoued saith the Lord that hath mercy on vs Esa. 54. from the 7. to 11. For the third in the case of death it is a knowne instance of Iob how he comforted himselfe in his Redeemer in the middest of all his wonderfull distresses that seemed to threaten his death as it were euery moment Iob 19.25 For I know that my redeemer liueth and he shall stand the last on the earth Thus of the vses for consolation The instructions follow and may be cast into two sorts For this doctrine of the new couenant in the mediator may teach vs 1. both what to auoid 2. and what to doe The consideration of these principles should teach vs to shun two things 1. The conceit of merit of our owne workes and all boasting of any worthinesse in our selues For this were to make the promise of none effect and the grace of this new couenant void it were to stand to the old couenant Rom. 4.14 For if they which are of the law be heires faith is made void and the promise is made of none effect Rom. 3.27 Where is then thy reioycing it is excluded by what law of workes nay but by the law of faith Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousnesse vnto euery one that beleeueth c. 2. The forgetfulnesse of God whatsoeuer befall vs we should not forget God nor deale wickedly in his couenant Psal. 44.17 All this is come vpon vs yet doe we not forget thee neither deale wee falsly concerning thy couenant The duties we should do may be referred to two sorts for either 1. they are such as fit vs for this new couenant 2. or such as we should doe to walke worthy of it If we would haue any comfort by the mediator and this new agreement with God 1. We must turne from our transgressions else wee haue no redeemer Esa. 59.20 And the Redeemer shall come vnto Sion and vnto them that turne from iniquities in Iacob saith the Lord. We must bee new creatures al things in vs must now be new our old things must bee passed and giuen ouer 2. Cor. 5.17.18.19 c. Going and weeping we should goe and aske for the way Ierem. 50.4 Secondly wee must come to Christ being wearie and laden and receiue him and lay hold vpon him by faith This new agreement is chiefly published for the obedience of faith Rom. 16.26 Rom. 3.25 That wee may walke worthy of this couenant we must looke to diuers things First we should inflame our hearts to the loue of the Lord Iesus be ready to acknowledge his wonderfull loue to vs that dedicated this Testament with his blood Heb. 9.16 Esa. 59.16 c. God should bee our portion for euer Psalm 73.26 My flesh faileth and my heart also but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer What now should bee our hope our hope should euen be in God Psal. 39.7 And now Lord what waite I for my hope is euen in thee We should for all other things of this life confesse our selues to bee strangers and pilgrims and imbrace onely these new promises of a better happinesse Heb. 11.13 We should neuer be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of this doctrine of the mediator for all the Papists in the world but partake willingly of all the afflictions may befall vs for this glad tidings in the Gospell 2. Tim. 1.8 to the 13. But rather glory in our singular riches which is Christ in vs Colos. 1.27 We should striue to liue like such as are now againe confederates of God and as may become the singular prerogatiues of our new estate This is briefly comprehended in those few words Walke before God and be vpright Genes 17.1 Esa. 59. 17.18.19 Wee should bee in a speciall manner carefull that the salt of the couenant of God bee not lacking Leuit. 2.13 This is the salt of discretion and of mortification Gods confederats should bee a wise and humble people Mark 9.50 If euer wee fall into distresse we must runne to God and vrge him with his couenant and deprecate his displeasure Ier. 14. 21. Doe not abhorre vs for thy names sake cast not downe the throne of thy glory Remember and breake not thy couenant with vs. Wee should for euer cleaue vnto God with full purpose of heart in a perpetuall couenant neuer to be forgotten Ier. 50.5 We should learne of God how to carry our selues in all agreements and couenants with men We should be easie to be reconciled and keepe our promises though made with disaduantage Ministers also may learne from these principles how to diuide the word The Law is to be preached to the vnrighteous and this new couenant of promise in Christ to the penitent and humbled soule 1. Tim. 1.9 Luk. 4.18 The last vse may be for terrour vnto all wicked men that liue in the Church and securely sinne on without regard of reconciliation or seeking the benefits of this new couenant Who can expresse their misery which receiues aggrauation from their neglect of this grace offered these are children of the bond-woman Galath 4.24 Vpon these God will fearfully auenge the quarrell of his couenant Leuit. 26.25 Esa. 24.5 Ier. 34.18 Ezech 20.36.37 Though they cry vnto God he will not know them Hos. 8.1.2.3 Their couenant with
company out of coÌ„mpanie Hypocrisie pride security vnbeleefe impenitency c. In prosperity aduersity c. Partaking with others sinne Our owne righteousnesse as Esa. 64.6 is as filthy clouts and we all doe fade like a leafe and our iniquities like the wind haue taken vs away Besides personall faults as drunkennesse vsury swearing whoredome c. workes of the flesh Galath 5.19.20.21 Moreouer the workes of the flesh are manifest which are adultery fornication vncleannesse wantonnesse c. The vses of these principles are fourefold First for information and that in 9. things For hereby we may know 1. That there can be no iustification by our workes Rom. 9.20 Therefore by the workes of the law shall no flesh hee iustified in his sight for by the law commeth the knowledge of sinne Psalm 130.3 If thou O Lord straitly markest iniquities O Lord who shall stand For euery mouth must bee stopped and all the world bee guilty before God 2. That the cause of all Gods dis-regard of vs and the miseries that befall vs is in our selues How can we murmure at our crosses if wee looke vpon our sinnes There is mercy in the greatest Iudgement for it is his mercy wee are not consumed Lam. 3.22 It is the Lords mercy that we are not consumed because his compassions faile not c. If Adams one sinne deserued it what doe all these in vs. 3. That it will neuer goe well with the wicked though God forbeare for a long time Eccles. 8.11.12 Because sentence against an euill worke is not executed speedily therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set to doe euill But it shall not be well to the wicked neither shall hee prolong his dayes he shall be like a shadow because he feareth not before God 4. That no man hath cause to brag of his good nature there are so many springs of sin within vs. 5. That the things that defile a man are from within in himselfe it is not any outward deformitie ill cloathes naturall foulenesse c. 6. That a little repentance will not serue the turne 7. That there is difference betweene the wicked and the godly in sinning 8. Concerning Gods prouidence in the death of Infants we kill young snakes and adders because they will sting as well as the old because they haue stung 9. Say not God is the cause of our ruine nor is it thy chance or ill lucke or onely the diuell that brought thee into this or that mischiefe it is thine owne ill nature Secondly for humiliation First to the godly in two respects 1. Because they find so many of their old corruptions hauing receiued such graces and mercies from God 2. Because they yet are the meanes of the conueiance of originall sinne to their children Secondly to such wicked men as liue in open sinnes yet repent not Why doth their hearts cary them away Iob 15.12.14 Haue the workers of iniquitie no knowledge are they guiltie of so many reasons and fallen into the hands of a righteous Iudge and yet secure Psal. 82.5 They know not and vnderstand nothing they walke in darkenesse albeit all the foundations of the earth be moued To ciuill honest men for here they may learne how vild their estate is though God haue restrained some euils in them for 1. They want the Image of God 2. They haue an infected nature in all the former fourteene things 3. There is in them a disabilitie in the manner of all holy duties 4. They partake of other mens sinnes many waies 5. They are guiltie of many omissions 6. They abound in inward sinnes by which God is vexed as Genes 6.5 When the Lord saw that the wickednesse of man was great in the earth and all the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart were onely euill continually and Satan by theÌ„ can set vpâ—â— strong holds 2 Co. 10.5 7. They are guilty of many outward euils against the least commandements The third vse is for instruction so strong Christians should learne to admire and praise God 1. That could bee pacified Oh what is maÌ„ that God should here looke vpon such a dounghill 2. That hath so vouchsafed to make vs cleane in part from such filthinesse taking away the body of sinnes and seasoning the fountaine and drying it vp Secondly weake Christians should neuer bee at rest till they get assurance of their pardon in the blood of Iesus Christ. Thirdly all the godly 1. Sould striue after the contrary holinesse and to expresse the reformation of their natures and liues Ephes. 4.22 and cast off concerning the conuersation in times past the old man which is corrupt through the deceiueable lusts c. 2. Should walke humbly all their daies because of the many remainders of corruption as Rom. 7.15.16 c. For I allow not that which I doe for what I would that doe I not but what I hate that doe I. and looke to their hearts Heb. 3.12 Taking heed lest at any time there be in any of them an euill heart and vnfaithfull to depart away from the liuing God And looking to it that sin raigne no more Rom. 6.16 c. 3. It should worke in all the godly a wonderfull desire of finall redemption Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shalt deliuer me from the body of this death Psalm 14.7 Oh giue saluation vnto Israel out of Zion when the Lord turneth the captiuity of his people then Iacob shall reioyce and Israel shall be glad Oh how should wee desire to get out of the world seeing all so leprous the plague sore running vpon euery man so as we are in danger to be infected in all places and by all persons 4. It should worke in wicked men a feruent desire of remission and constant indeuour in the confession of sinne crying out daily with the leper vncleane vncleane The last vse is for consolation 1. First to all men for the Lord vseth this as an argument of pitie and mercy Genes 8.21 And the Lord smelled a sauour of rest and the Lord said in his heart I will hence forth curse the ground no more for mans cause for the imaginations of mans heart is euill euen from his youth neither will I smite any more all things liuing as I haue done Isaiah 48.8.9 I knew that thou wouldest grieuously transgresse therefore haue I called thee a transgressor from thy wombe yet for my name sake will I deferre c. 2. Chro. 6.35.36 Then heare thou in heauen their prayer and their supplication and iudge their cause If they sin against thee for there is no man that sinneth not and thou be angrie with them and deliuer them vnto the enemies and they take them and carry them away captiue vnto a land farre and neere c. 2. To the godly they should admiringly reioice in their priuiledge in the blood of Christ and in the remission of all their sins CHAP. X. Of the punishment of sinne Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as
the subiect of grace viz. the Church the degrees of grace in this life are two First Iustification Secondly Sanctification Concerning Iustification there are these principles First that al men haue sinned and the whole world is guilty before God naturally and in themselues Rom. 3.19.23 Now wee know that whatsoeuer the Law saith it saith to them which are vnder the Law that euery mouth may be stopped and all the world be culpable before God For there is no difference for all haue sinned and are depriued of the glory of God Gal. 3.22 But the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ should bee giuen to them that beleeue Secondly that by mens owne workes no flesh can be iustified Rom. 3.20 Therefore by the workes of the Law shall no flesh be iustified in his sight for by the Law commeth the knowledge of sinne Titus 3.5 Not by the workes of righteousnesse which wee had done but according to his mercy hee saued vs by the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the holy Ghost Gal. 3.11 And that no man is iustified by the Law in the sight of God it is euident for the iust shall liue by faith Phil. 3.9 And might be found in him that is not hauing mine own righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ euen the righteousnesse which is of God through faith Iustified I say before God for by workes wee may bee iustified before men of which iustification the Apostle Iames speakes in his second Chapter c. Thirdly that the righteousnesse which maketh vs iust is in Iesus Christ being made ours by imputation 2. Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to bee sinne for vs which knew no sinne that we should be made the righteousnesse of God in him 1. Cor. ◠30 But ye are of him in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs wisedome and righteousnes and sanctification and redemption Rom. 5.18.19 Likewise then as by the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation so by the iustifying of one the benefit abounded toward all men to the iustification of life For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many also bee made righteous Phil. 3.9 And might be found in him that is not hauing mine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ euen the righteousnes which is of God through faith Ier. 23.6 In his daies Iuda shall be saued and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby they shall call him The Lord our righteousnesse Rom. 4.7 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen and whose sinnes are couered c. 4. That this righteousnesse is made ours onely by faith and so we are iustified onely by faith as it apprehends and laies hold vpon and relies on the righteousnes of Christ Rom. 3.28 Therfore we conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the workes of the Law Gal. 2.16 Know that a man is not iustified by the works of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ euen we I say haue beleeued in Iesus Christ that we might be iustified by the faith of Christ and not by the workes of the Law because that by the works of the Law no flesh shall be iustified Rom. 1.26.17 For I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ for it is the power of God vnto saluation to euery one that beleeueth to the Iew first and also to the Grecian For by it the righteousnesse of God is reuealed from faith to faith as it is written The iust shall liue by faith Heb. 11.6 But without faith it is vnpossible to please God 5. That this faith is the gift of God Ioh. 6.29 Iesus answered and said vnto them This is the worke of God that yee beleeue in him whom he hath sent Rom. 12.3 For I say through the grace that is giuen vnto me to euery one that is among you that no man presume to vnderstand aboue that which is meet to vnderstand but that he vnderstand according to sobrietie as God hath delt to euerie man the measure of faith Phil. 1.29 For vnto you it is giuen for Christ that not onely yee should beleeue in him but also suffer for his sake Ephesians 2.8 For by grace are yee saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God Hebrewes 12.2 Looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith c. Sixthly that all men haue not faith Isaiah 53.1 Who will belieue our report and to whom is the arme of the Lord reuealed 2. Thess. 3.2 For all men haue not faith And therefore this faith is called the faith of Gods Elect Titus 1.1 Paul a seruant of God and an Apostle of Iesus Christ according to the faith of Gods Elect Seuenthly that there is but one kind of faith by which all the elect of God are iustified Ephes 4.5 There is one Lord one Faith one Baptisme c. Eighthly that being iustified by faith wee haue peace with God and forgiuenesse of all our sins Rom. 3.25 Whom God hath set forth to bee a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousnesse by the forgiuenesse of sinnes that are passed through the patience of God c. Rom. 5.1 Then being iustified by faith we haue peace toward God through our Lord Iesus Christ. The consideration of these principles should worke in vs First a speciall care of diuers duties as 1. The detestation of that doctrine that teacheth men to rest vpon the merits of their owne works contrary to these expresse Scriptures Rom. 3.20 Therefore by the works of the Law shall no flesh be iustified in his sight for by the Law commeth the knowledge of sin Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the workes of the Law are vnder the curse for it is written Cursed is euery man that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to doe them Ephes. 2.8.9 For by grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God Not of workes least any man should boast himselfe Titus 3.5 Not by the works of righteousnesse which we had done but according to his mercy he saued vs. All which we should carrie in our minds 2. The inflāmation of the loue of Christ in vs and the admiration of the riches of Gods grace Rom. 5.6.7.8 For Christ when we were yet of no strength at his time died for the vngodly Doubtlesse one will scarce die for a righteous man but yet for a good man it may be that one dare die But God setteth out his loue toward vs seeing that while we were yet sinners Christ died for vs. 3. An especiall care aboue al things to beleeue accounting all things but dung in comparison of the knowledge of Christ herein Without this faith it