4.67.8 Ob. This blessednesse might belong to Abraham and such as hee was but not vnto mee and such as I am A. It was not written for his sake alone that it was not imputed but vnto vs also to whom it shall not be imputed if wee beleeue on him that raised vp Iesus our Lord from the dead Rom. 4.23 1 Tim. 1.16 Ob. Many alas are the duties I might haue performed which I haue foolishly omitted A. He will not reproue thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings to haue beene continually before him Psalm 50.8 Ob. Multitudes of actuall transgressions also haue I committed some of ignorance or without obseruation many whereof are out of minde and forgotten A. Who can vnderstand hts errours Therefore say vnto God Cleanse thou mee from my secret faults Psalm 19.12 For as the high priest vnder the Law went alone once euery yeere not without blood which he offered for himselfe and for the errours of the people Hebr. 9.7 Leu. 4.2 c. 5.15 c. So CHRIST Iesus by his owne blood entred into the holy place hauing obtained eternall redemption for vs Hebr. 9.12 Acts 3.17.19 1 Tim. 1.13 Luke 7.47 Psalme 78.40.41 Acts 13.18 Psal 78 38.39 Ob. But I haue sinned also of knowledge yea presumptuously and with an high hand A. Come now let vs reason together saith the LORD though your sinnes be as scarlet they shall bee as white as snow though they bee red like crimson they shall bee as wooll Isai 1.18 For verily I say vnto you all manner of sinnes and blasphemies shall be forgiuen vnto men Math. 12.31 Leu. 5.13.6.5.6.7 Leu. 19.20 c. Luk. 7.47 2 Chro. 33.9 c. 1 Tim. 1.3 Act. 9.1.26.9 c. 1 Tim. 1.13 15 Micah 7.18.19 Deut. 9.19 Luk. 15.13 Ob. But I haue long liued in the practise of these horrible wickednesses A. As the Labourer working but one houre had his penny Mat. 20.8 And the thiefe on the Crosse his paradise Luke 23.43 So when the wicked man turneth away from his wickednesse that hee hath committed and doeth that which is lawfull and right he shall saue his soule aliue Because hee considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions that hee hath committed hee shall surely liue hee shall not dye Ezekiel 18.27.28 Ob. Whatsoeuer you can say to the contrary my owne conscience tels me that I am no better then a condemned man A. As for the wickednesse of the wicked he shall not fall thereby in the day that hee turneth from his wickednesse Ezechiel 33.12 For when God saith vnto thee Thou shalt surely dye if thou turne from thy sinne and doe that which is lawfull and right c. thou shalt surely liue thou shalt not die c. Ezek. 33 14.15.19 Q. If the Lord should pardon vs many thousands of times yet shall wee continue to prouoke him still A. My little children these things I write vnto you that you sinne not And if any man doe sinne wee haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and hee is the propitiation for all our sinnes 1 Ioh. 2.2 For whose sake the Lord is slow to anger and plentifull in mercy Psal 103.8 Long suffering abounding in goodnesse and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiuing iniquity transgression and sinne Exod. 34 6. Yea for his names sake will he deferre his anger and for his praise will he refraine from thee that hee cut thee not off Isa 48.9 Psal 40.11 12 86 5 Neh. 9.26 c. Ob. There is no man liuing that will forgiue after this manner how then should I in the conscience of so much guiltinesse dare to looke God in the face A. Gods thoughts are not as your thougths neyther are his wayes your wayes For as the heauens are higher then the earth so are his wayes higher then your wayes and his thoughts then your thoughts Isa 55.7 8 9. For you say if a man put away his wife and she goe from him and become another mans shall he returne vnto her againe shall not the Land be greatly polluted Notwithstanding though thou hast played the harlot with many louers yet returne againe vnto mee saith the Lord Ierem. 3.1 Ob. But besides my sinne and guiltinesse my very righteousnesses are but as filthy ragges Isa 64.6 A. Christ Iesus he was holy harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners Heb. 7.26 And is the end of the Law for righteousnesse vnto euery one that beleeueth Rom. 10.4 For which cause this is the name by which he was called The Lord our righteounesse Ier. 33.6 Math. 3.15 Cant. 1.5 Zech. 3.3 4. Ob. But the Law seemes to impose a curse vpon those that performe not as well personall as perfect obedience vnto the same Deut. 27.26 A. The Law is not made for a righteou◠man but for the Lawlesse and disobedient For the vngodly and prophane for murtherers of fathers for murtherers of mothers for man-slayers for them that defile themselues with mankind for man-stealers for lyars for periured persons and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound Doctrine 1 Tim. 1.9 Q. These things were good indeed if my heart could be drawne to beleeue them A. Christ Iesus beeing ascended vp vnto the Father will send the Comforter vnto you And when he is come he will conuince you of righteousnesse and that vpon this ground Because he goeth vnto the Father and you shalt see him no more Ioh. 16.7 Q. What is our worke wee haue to doe for the furthering and procuring of our owne iustification A. This is the worke of God that yee beleeue on him whom hee hath sent Ioh. 6.29 And the iust shall liue by faith Hab. 2.4 For what saith the Scripture Abraham beleeued GOD and it was accounted vnto him for righteousnesse Rom. 4.3 Galathians 3.6.8 Iames 2.23 Rom. 3.21.22 For the Scripture foreseeing that GOD would iustifie the Gentiles through faith preached before the Gospell vnto Abraham saying In thee shall all the Gentiles being in themselues full of all vnrighteousnesse Rom. 1.29 be blessed Gal. 3.8 Ob. But was not Abraham our Father iustified by workes when hee had offered Isaac his Sonne vpon the Altar Iames 2.21 And will you heerein so include faith as wholly to exclude workes Iames 2.24 A. By workes Abraham was manifested but not made iust Iames 2.18 Moreouer that no man is iustified by the Law it is euident for the iust shall liue by Faith Galathians 3.11 And when wee were yet of no strength CHRIST dyed for the vngodly Romanes 5.6 to declare at this time his righteousnesse that he might be iust an◠a iustifier of him which beleeueth in Iesu◠Rom. 3.26 By whom all that beleeu◠are iustified from all things from whic◠they could not bee iustified by the Law 〈◊〉 Moses Acts 13.39 And to him tha◠worketh not but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is accounte◠vnto him for righteousnesse Rom. 4.5 Moreouer the Law is weake through th◠flesh Rom. 8.3 And all hauing sinnes
Rom. 3.23 by the Law comes the knowledge of sinne Rom. 3.20 Whereby sâ— many as are of the workes of the Law arâ— vnder the curse Gal. 3.10 Whereupon the Gentiles which followed not righteousnes haue attained to righteousnes euen the righteousnesse which is of faith But Israel which followed after the Law of righteousnes hath not attained the Law of righteousnes wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the workes of the Law For they stumbled at the stumbling stone Rom. 9.30 And if Abraham were iustified by workes he hath whereof to glorie but not before GOD Rom. 4.2 Seeing then it is one God which shall iustifie the circumcision by faith and vncircumcision through faith Rom. 3.30 Therefore wee conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the deeds of the Law Rom. 3.28 1 Cor. 4.4 Rom. 3 21 22. Gal. 2.16 3.8.4.3.2 Ob. But there rose vp certaine of the sect of the Pharises which beleeued saying That it was needfull to circumcise them and commanded to keepe the whole Law of Moses Acts 15.5 A. Men and brethren you know how that a good while agoe God made choyce among vs that the Gentiles by my mouth should heare the Word of the Gospell and beleeue now therefore these men did but tempt God in putting a yoke vpon the necke of the Disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to beare Acts 15.7.10 Ob. Moses himselfe describeth the righteousnesse which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall liue by them A. But the righteousnesse which is 〈◊〉 faith speaketh on this wise Say noâ— thou in thine heart Who shall ascenâ— into Heauen that is to bring downe CHRIST from aboue Or who shalâ— descend downe into the deepe that is to bring CHRIST from the dead But what saith it The Word is nigh thee euen in thy mouth and in thine heart that is the Word of faith which wee preach And which with the heart wee beleeue vnto righteousnesse Rom. 10.6 Q. Is the Law then against the promise A. GOD forbid For if there had beene a Law giuen which could haue giuen life verily righteousnesse should haue beene by the Law but the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise of the faith of IESVS CHRIST might bee giuen to them that beleeue Gal. 3.21 Q. If righteousnesse be not by the Law why was it exhibited The Law was added because of transgressions till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made Galathians 3.19 And it was our Schoolemaster to bring vs to Christ Gal. 3.24 Moreouer the Law entred that the offence might abound but where sinne abounded grace did much more abound that as sinne had reigned vnto death so might grace reigne through righteousnesse vnto eternall life by IESVS CHRIST our Lord Romanes 5.20 21. Ob. But if while wee seeke to bee iustified by CHRIST wee our selues are found sinners Is therefore Christ the minister of sinne Gal. 2.17 A. GOD forbid For if I builde againe the things which I destroyed I make my selfe a trespasser For I through the Law am deade to the Law that I might liue vnto GOD Gal. 2.17 You therefore are as free anâ— not vsing your liberty for a cloke of maliciousnesse but as the seruants of God 1 Pet 2.16 But if ye are lead by the spirit ye arâ— not vnder the Law Gal. 5.18 The fruitâ— whereof is loue ioy peace long-suffering gentlense goodnes faith meeknes teÌ„perance against such there is no Law Gal. 5.22 Q. You haue well satisfied me in the article of iustification tell me therefore what vse I am to make thereof A. 1 Let the wicked forsake his way and the vnrighteous man his thoughts and let him returne vnto the Lord for hee will haue mercy vpon him and to our God for hee will abundantly pardon Isai 55.7 and will blot out their sinnes when the time of refreshing shall come Acts 3.19 But if they will not obey his voyce let them beware of him for hee will not pardon their transgressions Exo. 23.21 But the soule that doth presumptuously shall be cut off from among his people Numbers 15.30 31. 2. Take vnto you words and turne vnto the Lord and say vnto him Take away all iniquity and receiue vs graciousty Hosea 14.2 Pardon I beseech thee mine iniquities according to the greatnesse of thy mercies Numb 14.19 And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified Psal 143.2 and 41.4.51.1 c. 25.11 3 Because when you haue thus praied the Lord wil say I haue pardoned according to thy words Num. 14.20 therfore hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plentifull redemptionâ— Psal 130.7 131.3 4 Say Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgresions of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for euer because he delighteth in mercy Micah 7.18 Psal 103.1 c. Isa 44.23 5 Say Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods children It is God that iustifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that is dead yea rather that is risen againe who is euen at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8.33 For in the Lord shall the seed of Israel be iustified shall glory Isa 45.25 61.10 6 Account therefore all things but losse for the excellent knowledge of Christ Iesus your Lord. For whom Paul also suffered the losse of all things and did account them but dung that he might winne Christ and be found in him not hauing his owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousnesse which is of GOD through faith Phil. 3.8.9 and 3.3 c. 7 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free and be not intangled againe in the yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 8 What shall wee say then shall wee continue still in sinne that grace may abound God forbid Rom. 6.1 2. And shall wee sinne because we are not vnder the Law but vnder grace God forbid For brethren you haue beene called vnto liberty onely vse not your liberty for an occasion to the flesh Gal. 5.13 Romanes 7.5 6 2 Cor. 5.14 15. 1 Peter 4.1 c. Rom. 7.1 c. 8.12 9 Be ye kind one to another tender hearted forgiuing one another euen as God for Christs sake hath forgiuen you Eph. 4.32 For if you forgiue men their trespasses your heauenly Father will also forgiue â—ou But if you doe not forgiue men their trespasses no more will your heauenly Father forgiue you your trespasses Math. 6.14.15 Col. 3.13 Mat. 18.22 Math. 18.33 CHAP. VI. Reconciliation Q. YOu hauing thus dispatched the promise of iustification tell me what grace is that which doth next and immediately flow from it A. Beeing iustified by faith wee haue peace towards God through our Lord Iesus Christ
on a plaine testimony of Scripture two or three he should not bee moued with every wind of contrary Doctrine but stand firme and vnmoueable as Mount Zion and having withall the loue of the Truth in his heart all the men and meanes in the world could nor should not remoue him from his stedfastnesse which is the honour of a Christian endeed And this wisedome skill and abâ—lâ—ty every man may see by this his worke to bee in the Author of this Booke who hath brought foorth so innumerable places of Scripture for his severall purposes with that soundnesse of Iudgement singular dexterity and great vnderstanding as is not to be expected from a private Christian But hee having beene a dayly hearer of the word and that from Zealous and fruitfull Teachers having made vse also of the same with great dâ—lâ—gence and constancy in his Famâ—ly and besides these spent very much time in private reading and study hee hath obtained a great degree in the Faith and is higher by head and shoulders as it is said of SAVL than the rest of his owne ranke For I count that Interpretation and giving the sense of Scriptures as it is a dâ—fficult so a peculiar worke to the Ministers of God ordinarily and not to be adventured vpon by Chrâ—stâ—ans in their Families or private meetings any further than they haue good bottome from that which they haue learned by the Ministery of the Word nor to write such Bookes as this wherein is occasion of the vse of so much Scripture least there should be found many mistakings therein which were both sinfull and dangerous and yet most likely But God hath very mercifully guided this Author in this his worke which may and I hope will be of much fruitfull and good vse in the Church of God For as it may helpe any ordinary Christian yea or Minister with more paralell places than may bee hee would haue at hand of himselfe so it will helpe well to the vnderstanding of many places of Scriptures seeing heere in what sense and to what purposes they are brought and applyed The paines hath beene very great no doubt to one man but if the Benefit may be much and good to many and so God be glorified the Author no doubt will thinke his labour happily bestowed and aboundantly rewarded which is my great desire and humble and earnest prayer also who is the true though weake and vnworthy Servant of the Church of God IOHN ROGERS CHRISTIAN READER IN the perusall of this Treatise thou shalt find that the Author threof hath taken very great paines and that which is more great paines to good purpose Great paines are but a small Commendation where they proue not beneficiall to a common good There are not wanting in the world that take paines more than enough in the Composing and writing of some Bookes of whâ—ch when they haue done it may bee truely said as of IEREMIES Girdle That they are Good for nothing Ier. 13 7. The curious trifles of many ill imployed wits want happily for no paines but consider whether such persons may not in another sense take vp SALOMONS words Eccles 2 11 I looked on all the workes that mine hands had wrought and on the labour that I had laboured to doe and behold all was vanity and there was no profit The a Non cernis quòd propterea animalium gloriosissima est apâ—s non quia laborat â—ed quia alijs laâ—orat Etiam aranca laborat fatigatur tenues per panetes extendit textur as omnem mulieris sapientiam excedentes sed est ignobile animal quia opus ejus est nulla ènus vâ—â—â—â— â— ales 〈◊〉 libi laborantes se defatigantes Chrysost ad Pop. Antioch Hom. 12. Spider is industrious in her kind and takes paines in making of her Web as well as the Bee in making of her Hony and Combes And yet who respects the Spiders web as the Bees worke The profit that comes of the labour of the Bee is it that makes her labour to be in more esteeme than the Spiders Now in this Treatise thou shalt find the Author to haue beene a diligent Industrious Bee that hath brought a great deale of profitable sweet Hony to this his hiue it being a Treasurie and Collection out of the Word of GODS Promises which are sweeter than the Hony and the hony Combe Thou shalt in this Authors Industry see how much is to be gotten by the diligent and observant reading of the Scriptures I wish with all mine heart that his Industry may proue exemplary and that many may hereby be provoked to the like religious diligence in acquainting themselues with the word It was good counsell that a godly old man gaue b In vita Musculi apud Melch. Ad. pâ— 370. MVSCVLVS when he first began to Preach That Si bonus velit fieri Concionator det operam vt sit bonus Biblicus That if ever he would proue a good Preacher hee must take paines to be well acquainted with the Bible And it were to be wished that all Preachers would follow that counsell Preaching would proue the more solid savourie and successefull But I will goe further than that old man and I say Si bonus velis fieri Christianus des operam vâ— sis bonus Biblicus If thou wilt proue a good Christian thou must be well skilled in the Holy Bible How happy were it if the Scriptures were more carefully read then they are It is said of c Nunquam Cyprianus absque Tertulliani lectione vnum diem praeterijt crebro dicere solirus Da Magistrum Tertullianum significans CYPRIAN that he let no day passe without reading TERTVLLIAN was wont often to say Giue me my Master meaning TERTVLLIAN Such diligence in reading the Scriptures would do well Especially they being GODS owne Epistle and letter from Heaven vnto vs that we should know his mind And if Princes letters are to be read thrice over then how much more sayes d De Principum Epistolis prouerbio dicitur ter eas legendas sed profecto Dei Epistolae sic enim Scripturam appellar Gregorius septies ter imo septuagies septies seu vt plus dicam iâ—finities legendae sunt c. Luther in Gen. 16. LVTHER should the Scriptures bee read seaven times thrice yea seaventy times 7. times thrice yea infinite times over We are commanded Prov. 2 4. To seeke for Knowledge as for Silver and to search for her as for hid treasures If it be asked where we must seeke the Prophet tels vs Isa 35 16. Seeke in the booke of the Lord and reade If it be asked where we must search our Saviour tels vs Ioh. 5.34 Search the Scriptures Those are indeed the Mines where the veines of this silver and these hid treasures are to be found And yet to see how silly men are in wearying themselues by digging in those earths which yeeld little precious treasure and in the meane while neglect
so it is And when ye see the South wind blow yee say that it will bee hot and it commeth to passe Luke 12.54 So likewise yee when yee shall see all these things know that it is neere euen at the doore Math. 24.33 But of the day and houre knoweth no man no not the Angels of heauen but my Father onely Math. 24.36 Eccles 8.5.7 Act. 1.7 Q. What shall bee the manner of CHRISTS comming to judgement A. Hee shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the foure winds from one end of heauen to the other Math. 24.31 Then the Heauens shall passe away with a great noise and the elements shall melt away with fervent heat the earth also with the workes that are therein shall be burned vp 2. Pet. 3.10 And there shall bee a great earthquake the sonne shall become blacke as sackcloth with haire and the Moone become as blood and the Starres of Heauen shall full to the earth and the heauens shall depart as a scrâ—ule Reuel 6.12 And there shall be signes in the Sunne and in the Moone and in the Starres and the Sea and the waues roaring the powers of the Heauen shall be shaken and then shall they see the signe of the sonne of Man comming in the Cloudes with power and great glory Luk. 21.25 Who shall be reuealed from heauen in flaming fire 2. Thes 1.7 With ten thousands of his Saints in glory and all his holy Angels with him Mat. 25.31 Thousands thousands shall minister vnto him and ten thousand times ten thousands shall stand before him and the Iudgement Seat shaâ—l be set and the bookes opened Dan. 7.9 And euery eye shall see him Reu. 1.7 Q. How shall men in the sâ—nce oâ— these things stand affected A. Vpon the earth there shall be distresse of Nations with perplexity mens hearts shall faile them for feare and for looking after those things which shall then come on the earth Luk. 21.26 And alâ— the kindreds of the Earth shall waile because of him Reuel 1.7 And in those dayes shall men seeke Death and shall not find it and shall desire to dye and death shall flye from them Reu. 9.6 Then the Kings of the earth and the great men and euery bondman and euery free man shall hide themselues in the Dennes and in the Rockes of the Mountaines shall say to the Mountaines and Rockes fall on vs and hide vs from the face of him that sitteth vpon the throne and from the wrath of the Lambe for the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand Reuel 6.15 Isa 2.19.13.7.33.14 Hos 10.8 Q. But shall the godly bee thus perplexed at the beholding of these things A. Beloued if our heart condemne vs not then shall we haue confidence towards God 1. Ioh. 3.21 For God hath not giuen vs the spirit of feare but of Power of Loue and of a sound Mind 2 Tim. 1.7 And therefore when these things begin to come to passe then shall we looke vp and lift vp our heads because our Redemption draweth nigh Luk. 21.28 For CHRIST was once offered to beare the sinnes of many and vnto them that looke for him shall he appeare the second time without sinne vnto saluation Heb. 9.28 And herein is our loue made perfect that wee may haue boldnesse at the day of Iudgment because as he is so are we in the World Ioh. 1.4.17 18. Rom. 10.11 Q. When Christ is set downe vpon his throne of glory what is the first work he shall doe A. He shall seperate the sheepe from the Goats and he shall set the sheepe on his right hand and the goats on his left Mat. 25 32. Among whom there shall be two in one bed one shall be taken and the other left Two women shal be grinding together the one shall be taken and the other left Two men shall be in the field the one shal be taken and the other left Luk. 17 34. Q. What shall follow vpon this seperation A. Such as haue followed CHRIST in the Regeneration when the Sonne of Man shall sit in the Throne of his glory they also shall sit vpon twelue thrones iudging the twelue tribes of Israel Mat. 19.28 Know yee not also that the Saints shall iudge the Angels 1. Cor. 6.3 Q. What are the things wherof Iudgment shall be giuen A. GOD shall bring euery worke into Iudgment with euery secret thing whether it be good or whether it be euill Eccl. 12.14 Moreouer I say vnto you that for euery idle word that men shall speake they shall giue an account thereof in the day of Iudgement For by their words they shall be iustified and by theyr words they shall be condemned Matth. 12 36. Ioh. 3.18 Iude v. 15. Q. What is the euidence which shall be produced A. Hee shall not iudge after the sight of his eyes neither reprooue by the hearing of his eares Isa 11.3 but by the Bookes which shall bee then opened Reuel 20.12 their Consciences also bearing witnesse and their thoughts accusing one another or excusing Rom. 2.15 Q. What are the rules according tâ— which CHRIST shall iudge A. 1. As many as haue sinned with out law shall perish without law and â— many as haue sinned in the law shall be iudged by the law Rom. 2.12 2. GOD shall iudge the secrets of men by IESVS CHRIST according to mâ— gospell Rom. 2.16 The words also whicâ— CHRIST hath spoken shall iudge them iâ— the latter day Ioh. 12.48 Iam. 2.12 Q. What is the sentence it selfâ— which CHRIST shall pronounce A. Hee shall say vnto them on his righâ— hand come yee blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the word Then shaâ— he say vnto them on his left hand Deparâ— from me yee Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devill and his Angels Math. 25.34 And vnto his servants hâ— shall say binde them hand and foot Mat. 22.13 and cast you these vnprofitable servants into outer darknesse Math. 25.30 Q. What shall bee the issue of this sentence A. God will then render to every one according to his deeds To them who by patient continuance in well doing seeke glory and honor and immortality eternall life But vnto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth but obey vnrighteousnesse indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish vpon euery soule of man that doeth evil to the Iew first and also to the Gentile But glory and honour and peace to euery man that worketh good to the Iew first and also to the Gentile Rom. 2.7 2. Cor. 5.10 Mat. 25.46 Q. What may the consideration of these things teach vs A. 1. Reioyce O young man in thy youth and let thy heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth and walke in the wayes of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know thou that for all these things GOD will bring thee into
him deny himselfe and take vp his crosse and follow me For whosoever shall saue his life shall loose it and whosever will loose his life for my sake shall find it For what is a man profited if hee gaine the whole world and loose his owne soule And what shall a man giue in exchange for his soule Math. 16.24 Know yee not that they which runne in a race runne all yet one receiveth the prize So runne that you may obtaine And every one that proveth masterie abstaineth from all things and they doe it to obtaine a corruptible Crowne but wee for an incorruptible 1. Cor. 9.24 Therefore indure hardnesse as a good souldier of IESVS CHRIST No man that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life that he may please him who hath chosen hâ—m to be a souldier And if a man also striue for a masterie yet is he not crowned except he striue lawfully The husbandman that laboureth must first be partakers of the fruits Consider what I say and the Lord giue thee vnderstanding in all things 2. Tim. 2.3 Math. 10.37 Q. When wee haue done what we can will our well-doing merit Heaven A. Not by workes of righteousnesse which we haue done but according to his mercy he saveth vs by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which hee shed on vs abundantly through IESVS CHRIST our Saviour that being iustified by his Grace wee should be made heyres according to the hope of Eternall life Tit. 3.5 Ephes 2.8 CHAP. XVIII Of eternall Death Q. YOu haue well satisfied me concerning the happinesse of the Saints after the day of Iudgment shew me also more fully what shall then bee the punishment of the wicked A. They shall see Abraham Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of GOD and themselues thrust out Luk. 13.28 2. They shall be delivered to the tormentors Math. 18 34. who shall bind them hand and foot Math. 22 13. and cast them into a furnace of fire Mat. 13.42 which is vnquenchable Math. 3.12 The place is deepe and large the pile thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the Lord of hosts like a streame of brimstone doth kindle it Isa 30 33. There they shall be scorched with great heat so as they shall blaspheame the name of God which hath power over these plagues There shall be great darknesse and they shall gnaw their tongues for paine Reuel 16.9 10. For they shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of GOD which is powred out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and they shall bee tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lambe And the smoake of their torment ascendeth vp for ever and euer and they shall haue no rest day nor right Reu. 14.10 For their worme shall not dye neither shall their fire be quenched Isa 66.24 Even as Sodome and Gomorrha and the Cities about them in like manner giving themselues over to Fornication and going after strange flesh are set foorth for an example of suffering the vengeance of Eternall fire Iud. v. 7. Iob. 21 30. Math. 13 42. Psal 119.155.9 17. Ier. 17 13. Math. 8 12. Ob. This is but a meere scar-crow and therefore wee will goe on and prosper A. O serpents the generation of vipers how can yee escape the damnation of Hell Math. 23.33 For doe you commit such things and doe you thinke to escape the Iudgement of GOD Rom. 2.3 Haue yee not asked them that goe by the way And doe yee not know their tokens That the wicked is reserved to the day of Destruction they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath Iob 21.29 Ob. It may be the base rabble cannot escape Hell but my greatnesse will beare me out well enough A. Riches profit not in the day of wrath Prou. 11.4 For Dives though rich went to Hell when as Lazarus though poore was caried into Heaven Luk. 16.23 Moreouer Tophet is ordained of old for the King it is prepared Isa 30 33. Therefore Hell hath inlarged it selfe and hath opened his mouth without measure and their glory and their multitude and their pompe and he that reioyceth among them shall descend into it Isa 5.14 For God accepteth not the person of Princes nor regardeth the rich more than the poore for they are all the worke of his hands Iob 34 19. Luk. 10.15 Ob. These teâ—rours may concerne Turkes and Papists and Pagans but for such as liue in the bosome of the Church they shall neuer as I hope be touched with them A. Euen in the Church also there are many called but few chosen Math. 20 16. As in a great house there are vessels not onely of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth and some to honour and some to d shonour 2. Tim. 2 20. And the children of the Kingdome shall be cast out into outer darknesse Math. 8.12 For the Sonne of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his kingdome all things that offend and them that doe iniquitie Math. 13 41. These are the tares which shall be bound in bundles to â—e burnt Math. 13 30.13 47.3.7 8.10 1â— Ob. Lord haue we not eaten and drunken in thy presence and hast thou not taught in our streets Luk. 13 26. And haue not most of thy mighty workes beene done amongst vs Math. 11.20 A. Woe vnto thee Corazin woe vnto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty workes which were done in you had beene done in Tire and Sidon they would haue repented long agoe in sack-cloathand ashes But I say vnto you it shall be more tollerable for Tire and Sidon at the day of Iudgement then for you And thou Capernaum which art exalted vnto Heaven shalt bee brought downe to Hell for if the mighty workes which haue beene done in thee had beene done in Sodome it would haue remained vntill this day But I say vnto you that it shall be more tollerable for the Land of Sodome in the day of Iudgement than for thee Math. 11.21 Ob. But Lord haue wee not Prophesied in thy Name and in thy name cast out Devils Math. 7.22 A. I professe vnto you I neuer knew you depart from me yee workers of iniquitie Math. 7.23 Q. What then may the condemnation of Hell teach vs A. Therefore dearely beloued avenge not your selues but giue place vnto wrath for it is written vengeance is mine I will repay it saith the LORD Rom. 12 19 Math. 7 1. Eccl. 3 17. 2 Knowing the terror of the Lord we perswade men 2. Cor. 5 11 to mortifie their members which are vpon the earth fornication vncleannesse inordâ—nate affection evill concupisence and couetousnes which is idolatry for which things sake the wrath of God commeth on the children of disobedâ—ence 3 Col. 5 And enter yee in at the straight gate for wide is the Gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and
shadow of death light is sprung vp Mat 4 16. And we know that the Sonne of GOD is come and hath giuen vs an vnderstanding that we may know him that is true 1. Ioh. 5.20 Which in other ages was not made knowne vnto the Sonnes of men as it is now reuealed vnto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the spirit Eph. 3 5. Ioh. 1 18 Pro. 2 6 Iob. 32 8. Pro. 18 15 14 6. Thus the Romanes were filled with all knowledge able also to admonish one another Rom. 15 14. 1 Cor. 1 5. Psal 119 98 99 100. ver Ioh. 15 15 Ioh 17 25 17 6. On the contrary a Scorner seeketh wisedome and findeth it not Pro. 14 6 he is ever learning and neuer able to come to the Knowledge of the truth 2. Tim. 3 7. His way is as darkenesse hee knowes not at what he stumbleth Prou. 4 19. Hee shall dye without instruction and in the greatnesse of his folly he shall goe astray Pro. 5.23 Prou. 18.2.14.18.3.32 Iob 17.4 Pro. 14.8 15.14 Hos 4.6 Q. What may this teaeh vs A. 1. Not to be as the Horse and Mule which haue no vnderstanding Psal 32.9 No nor yet to bee as children but in vnderstanding to be men 1. Cor. 14 20. Suffering the Word of CHRIST to dwell in you richly in all wisedome Col. 3.16 2. Pray that GODS wayes may bee knowne vpon earth and his sauing health among all Nations Psal 67.2 And for your selues that you may vnderstand the wayes of â—his Commandements Psal 119.27 and behold the wonderfull things of his Law Psal 119.18 Psal 119.7 33 34 73 125 169.171 ver 2. Tim. 2 7. Of Faith Q. Which is the second sanctifying Grace A. GOD will fulfill in you all the good pleasure of his goodnesse and the worke of Faith with power 2. Thes 1 11. Wherby euery one that hath heard and learned of the Father commeth vnto CHRIST Ioh. 6 45. For STEPHEN was a man full of Faith Acts. 6 5. And the Faith of the Romanes was spoken of throughout the whole world Rom. 1 8. Acts 24 14 27.25 Ioh. 10 42. Q. What may hence be learned A. Because all men haue not Faith 2. Thes 3 2. Therefore build vp your selves in your most holy Faith praying in the holy Ghost Iud. 20. and saying Lord increase our Faith Luk. 17 5. Lord wee beleeue helpe our vnbeliefe Mark 9 24. Of Trust Q. It beeing long betwixt the promise and the accomplishment of it how may wee in the meane while bee vpheld A. Thou shalt stay vpon the holy one of Israel in truth Isa 10 20. Vnder his Wings shalt thou trust Psal 91.4 For he is the confidence of all the ends of the earth and of them that are a farre off vpon the Sea Psal 65 5. Whereby they that know his name will put their trust in him Psal 9 10. Math. 12 21. Isa 51 5 Psal 40 4 84 12. Thus Dauid trusted in the Lord Psal 31 6. And the people rested themselues vpon the words of Hezekiah King of Iudah 2. Chro 32 8. Psal 20 7 11 1 18 2 52 8.144 1 2 56 3 4. Iob. 13 15. Q. What would you hence inferre A. Commit thy wayes vnto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe Psal 37 5. thy thoughts shall be established Pro. 16 3. And happy shalt thou be Pro. 16 20. For it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in Princes Psal 118 8. Surely men of low degree are vanitie and men of high degree are a lie to be laid in the ballance they are altogether lighter than vanitie Psal 62 9 115 9 146 3 4 34 22. Isa 2 22 26 4 31 1 36 6 Pro. 3 5. Of Hope Ob. GOD may not onely delay his promise but also by some euill occurrent vnsettle my confidence A. The wicked indeed is driven away in his wickednesse but the righteous hath hope in his death Pro. 14 32 For Abraham against hope beleeued in hope Rom. 4 18. so Christ is in you the hope of glory Col. 1 27. Thou hadst saith Iouâ—â— cast me into the deepe in the midst of the Sea and the Flouds compassed me about all thy billowes and thy waues passed ouer me Then I said I am cast out of thy sight yet I will looke againe towards thy holy temple Ion. 2 3.4 And now Lord what waite I for my hope is in thee Psal 39 7 46 2 33 22 119 81 Psal 119 166. Lam. 3 24. Isa 8 17. Micha 7 7. Tit. 2 13 Acts 26 6. Iob 5 16. Q. What vse is to be made hereof A. Therefore looke you also for the mercy of our LORD IESVS CHRIST vnto eternall life Iud. 21. And waite on thy GOD continually Hos 12 6. For happy is he that hath the GOD of IACOB for his helpe whose hope is in the LORD his GOD which made Heauen and Earth Psal 146 5 33 22 Lam. 3 25 26. Hos 12 6. Ob. Then is euery one happy for who will not say that his Hope is in GOD A. The hope of the Righteous shall be gladnesse but the expectation of the wicked shall perish Pro. 10 28. The eyes of the wicked shall faile and they shall not escape and their hope shall bee as the giving vp of the Ghost Iob. 11 20 8 13. c. Iob. 27 8 9 10. CHAP. XXI Of Loue Feare Sorrow Humility and Repentance Q. WHat other Sanctifying Grace will GOD bestow vpon us A. He will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to loue the LORD thy GOD with all thine heart and with all thy Soule that thou maist liue Deut. 30 6. Pro. 8 17. Cant. 1 4 3 10. Psal 26 8. Psal 116 1. 1. King 3 3. Thus MARY MAGDALEN shee loved much Luk. 7 47. I also loue the LORD Psal 18 1. Yea LORD thou knowest all things thou knowest that I loue thee Ioh. 21 17. And if any man loue not the LORD IESVS CHRIST let him be Anathema Maranatha 1. Cor. 16 22. Q. What may this teach vs A. To pray that the Lord would direct your hearts into the Loue of GOD 2 Thes 3 5. And that your loue may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all Iudgement Phil. 1 9.1 Thes 3 12. 2 Labour to keepe your selues in the loue of GOD Iud. 21. Of Feare Q. But that our loue be not exorbitant wherewith shall it be swaved A. He will giue you one heart and one way that you may feare him for euer for your good and the good of your Children after you Ier. 32 39. And you shall feare the LORD and his goodnesse in the latter dayes Hos 3 5. Psal 34 11. Deuâ— 4 10. Isa 2â— 22 23. Hos 3.5 For thus the Midwiues feared God Exod. 1 17 And OBADIAH feared the LORD from his youth 1. King 18 3 12. So did CORNELIVS with all his houshold Acts 10 â—
lesurum waxed fat grew thick was covered with fatnesse c. Then he forsooke God which made him and lightly esteemed the rocke of his Salvation Of the Roâ—â—e that begat them they were vnmindfull and did forget him that formed them Deut. 32 13. Wherby it appeares to be more easier for a Camell to goe through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Math. 19 24. Isa 26 10. Hosea 4 7 4 11 10 1.13 6. Daniel 5 4. Iob. 21 14 21 7. Iam 2 6. Prou. 23 29. Eccl. 3 11. Ob. Who then can bee saved Math. 19 25. A. With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible Math. 19 26. For by faith Moses when he was come to yeeres refused to be called the Sonne of Pharoahs daughter chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season esteeming the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Aegypt Heb. 11 24. For the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning though the heart of the foole is in the house of mirth Eccl. 7 4. Isa 32 5. Gen. 24.35.22 12. Iob. 1 1. Dan. 1 12. Q. Because of this and such like examples are we altogether to be without feare in the inioyment of earthly things A. When thou hast eaten and art full beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God in not keeping his Commandements and his iudgements Dâ—ut 8 10. For which enâ— remember Lots wife Luk. 17 32. Gen. 19.26 Deut. 6 10 11. Q. How may wee then bee preserved from the danger of earthly things A. 1. Loue not the world neither the things that are in the world 1 Ioh 2 15. For wilt thou set thine eyes vpon that which is not Prou. 23 5. 2. Vse this world as if you vsed it not 1. Cor. 7 31. For no maÌ„ that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life that hee may please him who hath chosen him to bee a Souldier c. 2 Tim. 2 4. Iam. 1.10 11. Cant. 2 10. Gal. 6 14. Prou. 23 1 2 3. 3 Pray saying Turne away mine eyes â—â—om beholding vanity and quicken thou â—â—t in thy way Psal 119 37. Two things â—â—ue I required of thee deny me them â—ut before I dye remoue farre from me vaâ—itie and lyes giue mee neither Povertie â—â—r Riches feed me with food convenient for mee least I be full and deny thee and â—â—y Who is the Lord Or least I be poore â—nd steale and take the name of my God in â—aine Prou. 30 7. Q. What further incouragement can â—ou giue me to stand out against these â—o many Temptations of the Flesh the Deuill and the World A. He that indureth to the end shall it saved Math. 10 22. And to him that overcommeth will I giue to eate of the â—ree of Life which is in the middes of the Paradise of GOD Reuel 2 7. And to â—â—te of the hidden Manna and I will giue â—im a white stone and in the stone a new â—ame written which no man knoweth saving hee that receiueth it Reuel 2 17. He shall also bee cloathed in white rayment and I will not blot out his Name out of the booke of Life but I will confesse his name before my Father and before his Angels Reu. 3.5 And will grant him to sit with mee in my Throne even as I also overcame and am set downe with my Father in his throne Reuel 3.21 3 12.21.7 Luk. 22.28.29.30 verses Q. What should this so rich and plentifull a reward moone vs vnto A. To walke circumspectly not as fooles but as wise Ephes 5.15 And to ponder the pathes of thy feete that thy wayes may be establâ—shed and turne not to the right hand nor to the left but remooue thy foot from evill Prou. 4 26 27. 2. Pray that you fall not into temptation Math. 26 41. But that hee would grant vnto vs that wee being deliuered out of the hands of our enemies might serue him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of â—â—r life Luk. 1.74 CHAP. XXXII Of the Word of GOD. IN the middes of so many Temptations on the right hand and on â—e left what one meanes of vpholding â—â—th GOD left vnto his Church A. When all Israel is come to appeare â—â—fore the Lord thy GOD in the place â—here hee shall chuse thou shalt reade this â—â—w before all Israel in their hearing â—oth of Men and Women and Chilâ—â—n and thy Stranger that is within â—y Gates that they may heare and that â—â—y may learne and feare the Lord your â—OD and obserue to doe all the words 〈◊〉 this Law and that their Children â—hich haue not knowne any thing may â—â—re and learne to feare the LORD â—â—r GOD as long as yee liue Deut. â— 11. Exod. 24 7. Ios 8 34 35. Q. Why what excellencie is there in this law of GOD more than in other writings of men whereby to worke such a feare of God in our hearts A. The law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soule the of testâ—mony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple the statutes of the Lord are right reioycing the heart the Commandement of the Lord is pure inlightening the eyes Psal 19 7. Not comming vnto you in Word only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance 1 Thess 1 5. Being able to make thee wise vnto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Iesus and is profitable for Doctrine for reproofe for correction for instruction in Righteousnes that the Man of GOD may be perfect throughly furnished vnto all good workes 2 Tim. 3 15. For as the raine commeth downe and the snow from Heaven and returneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it to bring foorth and bud that it may giue seed to the Sower and Bread to the eater so shall my Word bee that goeth forth out of my â—outh it shall not returne to me voyd â—â—t it shall accomplish that which I â—ease and it shall prosper in the thing â—hereto I send it Deut. 32 2. Isa 55 10. â—9 2. Iob 6 25. Eccles 12 11. Act. 26 â—8 Heb. 4 12. Rom. 10 17. Thus the Churches were by the Word established in the Faith Acts 16 5. And I am sure also that when I come vnto you I shall come in the fulnesse of the blessing of the Gospell of CHRIST Rom. 15 29. Col. 1 6. Acts 4 4.18 8. 17 11 12 34. verses 12 24 17 4 15 32 8. 12 24 25. Ioh. 15 3. Q. Whence hath the Scripture this power and efficacie A. Thus saith the Lord thy Redeemer the holy One of Israel I am the Lord thy GOD which teach thee to profit which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest goe Isa 48 â—7 I create the fruit of the lips peace peace to him that is farre off and to him that is neere Isa 57 19. It is