who departeth from evil maketh himself a prey Isa. 59. 15. You only have I known of all the families of the earth therefore will I punish you for all your iniquities Amos 3. 2. Beware of men for they will deliver you up to the councels and they will scourge you in their Synagogues and ye shall be brought before governours and kings for my sake c. and the brother shall deliver up brother to death and the father the child c. and ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake c. The desciple is not above his master c. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master and the servant as his Lord if they have called the master of the house Belzebub how much more shall they call them of his houshold c Think not that I am come to send peace on earth c. A mans enemies shall be they of his own houshold Matth. 10. 17 18 21 22 24 25 34 35 36. chap. 24. 9 10. Then said Jesus unto his disciples If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me Matth. 16. 24. Wo to you who laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep wo unto you when all men shall speak well of you for so did their fathers to the false prophets Luke 6. 25 26. Jesus said unto him Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head Luke 9. 58. If the world hate you ye know that it hated me before it hated you If ye were of the world the world would love its own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Remember the word I said unto you The servant is not greater than his Lord if they have persecuted me they will also persecute you c. These things they will do unto you for my names sake because they know not him who sent me John 15. 18 19 20 21. 1 John 3. 13. These things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended But they shall put you out of their Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service and these things will they do unto you because they have not known the father nor me c. Ye shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoyce ye shall be sorrowful c. In the world ye shall have tribulation John 16. 1 2 3 20 22 33. Of a truth against the holy child Jesus c. both Herod c. were gathered together to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done Acts 4. 27 28. The Lord said of Paul I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my Name Acts 9. 15 16. Exhorting them to continue in the faith and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God Acts 14. 22. The holy Ghost witnesseth in evety city saying That bonds and afflictions abide me Acts 20. 23. But as then he who was born after the flesh persecuted him who was born after the spirit so it is now Gal. 4. 29. Unto you it is given c. not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake Phil. 1. 29. That no man be moved by these afflictions for your selves know that we are appointed thereunto 1 Thess. 3. 3. All who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3. 12. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth c. for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not but if ye be without chastisements whereof all are partakers then are ye bastards and not sons Heb. 12. 6 7 8. Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial c. as though some strange thing happened to you but rejoyce in as much as ye are made partakers of Christs sufferings judgment must begin at the house of God 1 Pet. 4. 12 13 17. The devil c. whom resist c. that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren 1 Pet. 5. 8 9. Behold the devil shall cast some of you in prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten days Rev. 2. 10. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten Be zealous therefore c. Revel 3. 19. Secondly That the Saints have been so exercised with afflictions in soul and body from God and in their bodies and outward concerns from men by persecutions 1st From God more immediately Job greatly afflicted in his out-things and his body Job 1. 13 to the end Job 2. 5 6 7 8. O that my grief were thorowly weighed c. for now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea therefore my words are swallowed up or I want words to express my grief for the arrows of the Almighty are within me the poyson whereof drinketh up my spirit the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me Job 6. 1 2 3 4. My soul is sore vexed O Lord how long c I am weary with my groaning all the night or every night make I my bed to swim I water my couch with tears mine eye is consumed because of grief c. Psal 6. 3 7. I am desolate and afflicted the troubles of mine heart are enlarged c. Psal. 25. 16 17. Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones thou hast broken may rejoyce hide thy face from my sin Psal. 51. 8 9. Save me O God for the waters are come in unto my soul I sink in deep mire where is no standing I am come into deep waters or depth of waters where the floods over-flow me I am weary of my crying my throat is dry mine eyes fail while I wait for my God Psal. 69. 1 2 3. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord my sore ran in the night and ceased not my soul refused to be comforted I remember'd God and was troubled I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed Selah Thou holdest mine eyes waking I am so troubled that I cannot speak c. Will the Lord cast off for ever will he be favourable no more Is his mercy clean gone for ever doth his promise fail Psal. 77. 1 2 3 4 7 8. My soul is full of troubles c. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit in darkness in the depths thy wrath lyeth hard on me thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves c. I am afflicted and ready to die I suffer thy terrors I am distracted thy fierce wrath goeth over me thy terrors have cut me off Psal. 88. 3 6 7 9 14 15 16 17. Out of the depths have I cryed unto thee O Lord Psal. 130. 1. Jonah cast into the sea and in the belly of the fish Jonah 1. 15. chap. 2. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you c. We are chastened of the Lord
a god and worshippeth it and prayeth to it and saith deliver me for thou art my god They have not known nor understood c. And none considereth in his heart neither is there knowledg or understanding to say I have burned part c. Shall I make the residue thereof an abomination shall I fall down to the stock of a tree Isa. 44. 14 15 16 17 18 19. They have not known me they are sottish children they have no understanding Jer. 4. 22. The word of the Lord is unto them a reproach they have no delight in it Jer. 6. 10. Though Nebuchadnezzar had acknowledged the God of Daniel to be the God of Gods and a Lord of Kings c. Yet he presently makes a molten image and commands his people to worship it c. And said who is that God who shall deliver you out of my hands Dan. 2. 47. ch 3. 1 4 5 6 15. Belshazzer and his princes c. Praised the gods of gold and of silver c. Dan. 5. 3 4. The Gergesons so ignorant that because of the loss of their swine The whole city came out to meet Jesus c. And besought him to depart out c. Matt. 8. 32 33 34. O Jerusalem c. How often would I have gathered c. And ye would not Luk. 13. 34. Christ was in the world c. And the world knew him not c. He came to his own and his own received him not John 1. 10 11. Light is come into the world and men love darkness rather than light Joh. 3. 19. Jesus said to the woman ye worship ye know not what John 4. 22. Ye will not come to me that ye may have life John 5. 40. Jesus said the world c. Me it hateth because I testify of it that c. John 7. 7. The spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him John 14. 17. The world c. It hated me before it hated you Because I have chosen you c. Therefore the world hates you c. These things will they do c. Because they know not him who sent me they hated both me and my father John 15. 18 19 21 24. Simon Magus so sottish that he offered money for power to confer the holy Ghost by imposition of hands Acts 8. 18 19 20. When Paul was at Athens c. He saw the city wholly given to idolatry or full of Idols c. Certain Philosophers c. incountred him and some said what will this habler or base fellow say Other some he seemeth to be a setter sorth of strange gods because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection c. I perceive saith Paul ye are too superstitious c. I found an Altar with an Inscription To the unknown God Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship him declare I Act. 17. 16 18 22 23. When Paul preached many believed not but spake evil of that way before the multitude c. Demetrius and his company cry up great is Diana the goddess c. And cryed out against Paul for saying that they were no gods which were made with hands and endeavouring to turn men to the true God c. The Town-clark said the whole city is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana and of the Image which fell down from Jupiter Act. 19. 9 24 25 26 to the end Certain questions c. Of one Jesus which was dead whom Paul affirmed to be alive Act. 25. 19. The way of peace they have not known Rom. 3. 17. The carnal mind is enmity against God for it cannot be subject c. Rom. 8. 7. The preaching of the cross is to them who perish foolishness c. After that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God 1 Cor. 1. 18 21. The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know for they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel c. Should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4. 4. Act. 26. 17 18. Howbeit then when ye knew not God ye did service unto them who by nature are no Gods Gal. 4. 8. Walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance which is in them because of the blindness c. Ephes. 4. 17 18. Ye were sometimes darkness but now c. Ephes. 5. 8. Not in the lust of concupiscence even as the Gentiles who knew not God 1 Thes. 4. 5. See ignorance in Divine things Chap. 37. 3dly In servitude and subjection to Satan and Sin In the parable of the sower Christ saith the tares are the Children of the wicked one c. The enemy who soweth them is the Devil Matt. 13. 38 39. When the strong man armed keepeth his palace his goods are in peace but when a stronger than he shall come upon him c. Luk. 11. 21 22. Ye are of your father the Devil and the lusts of your father ye will do John 8. 44. To whom ye yield your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sin unto death c. Ye were servants of sin Rom. 6. 16 20. Them who are lost in whom the God of this world hath blinded the mind c. 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. The Prince of the power of the air the spirit who now worketh in the children of disobedience Ephes. 2. 2. Thanks be to God c. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness c. Col. 1. 12 13. That they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil who are taken captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2. 26. In this c. Are manifest and the children of the Devil whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God neither he who loveth not his brother and Cain who was of that wicked one c. 1 John 3. 8 9 10 12. The fad fruit and end of such a state When Adam and Eve had sinned they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God c. And was afraid because naked Gen. 3. 8 10. Aaron made Israel naked by sin Exod. 32. 25. If there be any among you c. That he bless himself in his heart saying I will have peace though I walk in the imagination or stubbornness of my heart to add drunkenness to thirst The Lord will not spare him but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousie shall smoke against that man and all the curses which are written in this book shall lye upon him and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven Deut. 29. 19 20. If a man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him They who despise me saith the Lord shall be lightly esteemed 1
the sheep followeth him for they know his voice and a stranger they will not follow but will flee from him for they know not the voice of a stranger c. I know my sheep and am known of mine c. my sheep hear my voice c. and they follow me John 10. 4 5 14 27. Simon Peter saith unto him Lord not my feet only but also my head and my hands c. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another John 13. 8 35. If ye love me keep my commandments c. He who hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is who loveth me c. If any man love me he will keep my words John 14. 15 21 23. chap. 15. 14. Every branch in me who beareth not fruit he taketh away and every branch which beareth fruit he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit c. If ye were of the world the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you John 15. 1 2 16 18 19. The world have hated them because they are not of the world even as I c. John 17. 14. Every one who is of the truth heareth my voice John 18. 37. When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men they marvelled and took knowledg of them that they had been with Jesus Acts 4. 13. Saul when Christ came to him and converted him he said Lord what wilt thou have me to do Acts 9. 6. God is no respecter of persons but in every nation he who feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him Acts 10. 34 35. When the priests of Jupiter would have done sacrifice to the Apostles Barnabas and Paul they rent their clothes and ran in amongst the people crying out and saying Sirs why do ye these things we also are men of like passions with you and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God Acts 14. 13 14 15. chap. 3. 12 13. Apollos that eloquent man was content to learn the way of God more perfectly of Aquila and Priscilla tent-makers Acts 18. 24 25 26. Many who believed came and confessed and shewed their deeds Many also of them who used curious arts brought their books together and burnt them and they counted the price of them and found it 50000 pieces of silver Acts 19. 18 19. None of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto my self so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have c. Acts 20. 24. I am ready not only to be bound but also to dye for the name of the Lord Jesus Acts 21. 13. I wist not that he was the High-priest for it is written Thou shalt not speak evil of c. Acts 23. 4 5. Paul confesseth freely thus I verily thought with my self that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus c. which thing I also did in Jerusalem and many of the saints I did shut up in prison c. and being exceeding mad against them I persecuted them c. I would to God that not only thou but all that hear me c. were both almost and altogether such as I am except these bonds Acts 26. 9 10 11 29. Gal. 1. 13. VVe glory in tribulation also knowing that tribulation worketh patience c. the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost Rom. 5. 3 5. How shall we who are dead to sin live any longer therein c. Ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine whereto ye were delivered being made free from sin ye became the servants of righteousness Rom. 6. 2 17 18. That which I do I allow not what I would that do I not but what I hate that do I c. I consent unto the law that it is good now then it is no more I that do it but sin which dwelleth in me c. To will is present with me c. The good that I would I do not c. I find then a law that when I would do good then evil is present with me For I delight in the law of God after the inner man but I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind c. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me c Thanks be to God through Jesus c. So then with my mind I my self serve the law of God but with the flesh the law of sin Rom. 7. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25. There is therefore no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit c. For they who are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they who are after the spirit the things of the spirit c. If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his and if Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin but the spirit is life because of righteousness c. As many as are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father c. We our selves groan within our selves waiting for the adoption the redemption of our body c. Rom. 8. 1 5 9 10 14 15 23. I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart c. For my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh c. Rom. 9. 2 3. ch 10. 1. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the holy Ghost For he who in these things serve Christ is acceptable to God and c. Rom. 14. 17 18. The preaching of the Cross is to them who perish foolishness but unto us who are saved it is the power of God c. Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block c. but unto them who are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1. 18 24. That no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12. 3. Though I speak with the tongue of men and of Angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal and though I have the gift of prophesie and understood all misteries and all knowledg and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains and have not charity I am nothing And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned and have not charity it profiteth nothing to me 1 Cor. 13. 1 2 3. We beholding c. the
Lord Jer. 31. 10 13 20 28. For the Lord will not cast off for ever but though he cause grief yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies for he doth not afflict willingly Lam. 3. 31 32. Therefore thus saith the Lord God Now will I bring again the Captivity of Jacob and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel and will be jealous for mine holy name after that they have born their shame c. Ezek. 39. 25 26. Come let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us he hath smitten and he will bind us up c. Hos. 6. 1. Rejoyce not against me O mine enemy though I fall I shall arise c. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him until he plead my cause c. he will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousness c. Who is a God like unto thee who pardoneth iniquity c he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy he will turn again he will have compassion upon us Mic. 7. 8 9 18 19. Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. Verily verily I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament c. but your sorrow shall be turned into joy c. ye now therefore have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce Joh. 16. 20 22. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. God is faithful c. but will with the temptation also make a way to escape 1 Cor. 10. 13. God who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver 2 Cor. 1. 10. It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them who trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jeus c. 2 Thes. 1. 6 7. What persecutions I endured but out of them all the Lord delivered me 2 Tim. 3. 11. The Lord stood with me c. and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion 2 Tim. 4. 17. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations 2 Pet. 2. 9. 11thly That afflictions and persecutions have been the lot of Christ himself and of the Saints in all ages The Disciple is not above his Lord nor the servant above his master it is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master c. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his houshold Fear them not therefore Mat. 10. 24 25 26. If the world hate you you know that it hated me before it hated you c. remember the word that I said unto you The servant is not greater than the Lord if they have persecuted me they will also persecute you Joh. 15. 18 20. We are made a spectacle unto the world and to angels and to men c. even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffetted and have no certain dwelling-place c. being reviled c. persecuted c. we are made as the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things unto this day 1 Cor. 4. 9 11 12 13. There hath no temptation taken you but what is common to man 1 Cor. 10. 13. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus sake 2 Corinth 4. 11. But as then he who was born after the flesh persecuted him who was after the spirit even so it is now Gal. 4. 29. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of Witnesses c. let us run with patience the race which is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith who for the joy which was set before him endured the Cross c. for consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest you be wearied and faint in your minds Heb. 12. 1 2 3. Take my Brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction and of patience Jam. 5. 10. Hereunto also are ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps 1 Pet. 2. 21. Your adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion c. whom resist stedfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world 1 Pet. 5. 8 9. How long O Lord c. dost thou not judg and avenge our blood on them who dwell on the earth and it was said unto them That they should rest yet for a little season until their fellow-servants also and their brethren which should be killed as they were should be fulfilled Rev. 6. 10 11. Fourthly What are the Duties of the Saints and how they ought to behave themselves under their afflictions and sufferings both towards God and men 1st Towards God 1st To eye God in them afflictions being sent of him Joseph said to his Brethren it was not you who sent me hither but God Gen. 45. 5 8. I will harden Pharoahs heart that he shall follow after them c. Exod. 14. 4. When Israel wanted water in the desert they did not eye God in it but chide with Moses Numb 20. 2 3. But Sihon King of Heshbon would not let us pass by him for the Lord thy God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate Deut. 2. 30. See now that I even I am he c. I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal neither is there any who can deliver out of my hand Deut. 32. 39. When Samuel had told Eli what the Lord would do against his house he said It is the Lord 1 Sam. 3. 18. Shimei cursed David c. David said So let him curse because the Lord hath said unto him Curse David who then shall say wherefore 2 Sam. 16. 6 7 8 9 10. Satan said Put forth thine hand c. Job said The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken Job 1. 11 21. Chap. 2. 5. Afflictions cometh not forth of the dust neither doth trouble come out of the ground c. the chastening of the Lord for he maketh sore and bindeth up he woundeth c. Job 5. 6 17 18. chap. 9. 12. I will say unto God c. wherefore contendest thou with me Job 10. 2. chap. 30. 11. God hath overthrown me c. he hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass c. Job 19. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. When he giveth quietness who then can make trouble and when he hideth his face who then can behold him Job 34. 29. I opened not my mouth because thou didst it c. when thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity thou makest his beauty to consume away c. Psal. 39. 9 11. Thou who hast shewed me great and sore troubles shalt quicken
the Prophet and none of them was cleansed saving Naaman c. Luke 4. 25 26 27. Christ called Zacheus to come down c. And he received him joyfully and Christ said to him this day is salvation come to thy house for so much as he also is the son of Abraham For the son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost Luke 19. 5 6 8 9 10. All which the father hath given me shall come to me and him who cometh to me I will in no wise cast out c. This is the fathers will c. That of all which be hath given me I should lose nothing c. There are some of you who believe not c. No man can come unto me except it were given him of my father John 6. 37 39 64 65. Jesus called the blind man whom he had healed and discovers himself to him John 9. 35 36 37 38 39. Other sheep I have which are not of this fold Them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold c. Ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep c. My sheep hear my voice John 10. 16 26 27. They believed not on him that the saying of Esaias the Prophet might be fulfilled c. Lord who hath believed c. Therefore they could not believe because Esaias had said again he hath blinded their eyes c. John 12. 37 38 39 40 41. I speak not of you all I know whom I have chosen John 13. 18. Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit c. I have chosen you out of the world c. John 15. 16 19. That he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him c. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me c. I pray c. but for them whom thou gavest me out of the world John 17. 2 6 9. The promise is made to you and your children and to all who are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call c. And the Lord added unto the Church daily such as should be saved Act. 2. 39 47. Phillip sent on purpose to meet the Eunuch and commanded to go neer his Chariot where he preached unto him and converted him Act. 8. 26 27 28 29 36 37. Paul was persecuting the Church c. And was converted in the middest of his rage c. And Christ said to Ananias go thy way for he is a chosen vessel to bear my name before the Gentiles c. And I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name Acts 9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 15 16. Acts 22. 14. God in a special manner calls Cornelius to the faith Acts 10. 1 2 c. Which extraordinary call Peter after declares at large to those of the Circumcision Act. 11. 2 3 c. When the Gentiles heard c. as many as were ordained to eternal life believed Act. 13. 48. Paul and others were forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia c. They assayed to go into Bithynia but the spirit suffered them not c. When Paul preached at Philippi c. Lydia heard him and the Lord opened her heart that she attended unto the things which were spoken c. was baptized Act. 16. 6 7 14 15. Paul came to Corinth c. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision be not afraid but speak and hold not thy peace c. For I have much people in this City Acts 18. 1 9 10. We know that all things shall work together for good to them who love God to them who are called according to his purpose for whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son c. Whom he did predestinate them he called whom he called he justified c. Them he also glorified Rom. 8. 28 29 30. When Rebeckah also had conceived by one Isaac the children not yet born neither having done any good or bad that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of works but of him who calleth it was said unto her the elder shall serve the younger as 't is written Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated c. Is there unrighteousness with God! God forbid for he saith to Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion so then it is not of him who willeth nor of him who runneth but of God who sheweth mercy for the scripture saith unto Pharaoh c. Thou wilt say unto me why doth he yet find fault For who hath resisted his will Who art thou who replyest or answerest against or disputest with God Shall the thing formed say to him who formed it why hast thou thus made me c. Rom. 9. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 c. God hath not cast away his people whom he fore-knew c. I have reserved to my self Seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace If by grace then it is no more of works otherwise grace is no more grace c. The election hath obtained it and the rest were blinded or hardened as it is written c. As ye in times past have not believed God yet have now obtained mercy c. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledg of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out for who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his Counseller c. For of him and through him and to him are all things Rom. 11. 4 5 6 7 8 30 31 32 33. 1 Kings 19. 18. God is faithful by whom ye are called into the fellowship of his Son c. For you see your Calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty c. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world c. That no flesh should glory in his presence but of him are ye in Christ Jesus c. As it is written he who glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1 9 26 27 28 29 30 31. I am c. not meet to be called an Apostle c. But by the grace of God I am what I am 1 Cor. 15. 9 10. He who hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God c. All things are of God who hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5. 5 18. When it pleased God who separated me from my mothers womb and called me by his grace to reveal his Son in me that I
might preach c. Gal. 1. 15 16. Blessed be God c. according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world c. Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of children by Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace c. Having made known to us the mistery of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself c. Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will Ephes. 1. 4 5 6 9 11. Which in other ages was not made known c. That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ Ephes. 3. 5 6. Work out your own salvation c. for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Giving thanks to the father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the saints in light who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1. 12 13. Knowing c. Your election of God for our Gospel came not unto you in word but also in power c. 1 Thes. 1. 4 5. God hath not appointed us unto wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord 1 Thes. 5. 9. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation c. Whereunto he called you by our Gospel 2 Thes. 2. 13 14. God who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 2 Tim. 1. 8 9. I endure all things for the elects sake c. Who concerning the truth have erred c. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2. 10 18 19. If they shall enter into rest although the works were finished from the foundation of the world Heb. 4. 3. To the strangers c. Elect according to the foreknowledg of God the father 1 Pet. 1. 1 2. Being disobedient whereto they were appointed but ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood a peculiar or a purchased people that ye may shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness c. 1 Pet. 2. 8 9 10. The God of all grace who hath called us into his eternal glory c. 1 Pet. 5. 10. They went out from us c. That they might be made manifest that they were not all of us 1 John 2. 19. All who dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the Book of life of the Lamb Rev. 13. 8. And they who dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names were not written in the Book of life from the foundation of the World when c. Rev. 17. 8. CHAP. X. Pardon and remission of sins reconciliation and peace with God Justification and Sanctification before God eternal-life and Salvation free through the grace of God only by the death sacrifice and sufferings of Christ without Works In General THis is the true grace of God wherein ye stand 1 Pet. 5. 12. The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ John 1. 17. If by grace then is it no more works otherwise grace is no more grace but if it be of works then is it no more of grace otherwise work is no more work c. That he might have mercy on all O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom c. Rom. 11. 6 32 33. We are the Circumcision who worship God in spirit rejoyce in Christ have no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3. 3. We are come c. to the blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12. 24. Who testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory which should follow 1 Pet. 1. 11. In Particular Pardon of Sins The Lord proclaimed himself The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth c. Forgiving iniquity transgression and sin Exod. 34. 6 7. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Psal. 32. 1 2 5. As for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away Psal. 65. 3. But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared Psal. 130. 4. Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red as crimson they shall be as wooll Isa. 1. 18. I am he who blotteth out thy transgression for mine own sake and will not remember thy sins Isa. 43. 35. I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions and as a cloud thy sins Sing O Heavens for the Lord hath done it Isa. 44. 22 23. He was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities c. the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all c. he shall bear their iniquities Isa. 53. 5 6 11. Let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and unto our God for he will abundantly pardon or multiply pardons for my thoughts are not your thoughts c. Isa. 55. 7 8 9. I will make a new Covenant c. for I will forgive their iniquity and will remember their sins no more Jer. 31. 31 34. Heb. 10. 17 18. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned against me and whereby they have transgressed against me Jer. 33. 8. In those days and in that time saith the Lord the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for and there shall be none and the sins of Judah and they shall not be found for I will pardon them whom I reserve Jer. 50. 20. Seventy weeks are determined c. to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins and to make reconciliation for iniquity c. the Messiah shall be cut off but not for himself c. Dan. 9. 24 26. Who is a God like unto thee who pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage c. thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea Mic. 7. 18 19. In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness Zech. 13. 1. Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins Mat. 1. 21. Jesus said to the sick of the Palsie Son be of good cheer thy sins be forgiven thee c. Ye may know that the Son
A crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them who love him James 1. 12. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised unto them who love him James 2. 5. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not c. and he prayed again and the heavens gave rain and the earth brought forth her fruit James 5. 16 17 18. Blessed be God c. who c. hath begotten us to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus c. 1 Pet. 1. 3. Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ c. ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood a holy nation a peculiar or a purchased people that ye should shew forth the praise or virtues c. 1 Pet. 2. 5 9. Rev. 1. 6. Rev. 5. 10. Ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing c. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayer 1 Pet. 3. 9 12. Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you 1 Pet. 5. 7. According to his divine power hath given us all things which pertain to life and godliness c. whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature c. so an entrance shall be administred unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. 3 4 11. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation 2 Pet. 2. 9. Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ 1 John 1. 3. We have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous c. he who doth the will of God abideth for ever c. ye have an unction from the holy one and ye know all things 1 John 2. 1 17 20. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God c. Beloved now we are the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be 1 John 3. 1 2. Ye are of God c. greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world 1 John 4. 4. This is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us 1 John 5. 14. The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass c. he hath made us kings c. Rev. 1. 1 6. Hurt not the earth c. till we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads Rev. 7. 2 3. And it was commanded them they should not hurt c. but only those men who have not the seal of God in their foreheads Rev. 9. 4. The Lamb shall overcome them c. and they who are with him are called and chosen and faithful Rev. 17. 14. See the advantage of faith Chap. 11. See more of their priviledges in afflictions and persecutions Chap. 22. In common calamities Chap. 23. In the glory believers shall have Chap. 36. In the next Chapter of their relation to Christ. CHAP. XV. The Union and Relations between Christ and his Church and the mutual love and esteem each of other and the manifestation thereof I Will declare thy name unto my brethren c. Psal. 22. 22. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for thy love is better than wine c. Thy name is as ointment poured forth therefore do the Virgins love thee Tell me O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest c. For why should I be as one who turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions If thou know not O thou fairest among women go c. A bundle of myrrh is my beloved unto me he shall lye all night betwixt my breasts c. Behold thou art fair my love c. Cant. 1. 2 3 7 8 13 15 16. As the Lilly among thorns so is my love among the daughters as the Apple-tree among the trees of the wood so my beloved among the sons I sate down or delighted and sate down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit sweet c. I am sick of love his left hand under my head and his right hand doth embrace me c. O my dove let me see thy countenance let me hear thy voice for sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is comely Cant. 2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 14. By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth I sought him but I found him not I will rise now and go about the City c. I will seek him whom my soul loveth c. Saw ye whom my soul loveth I found him c. I held him and would not let him go Cant. 3. 1 2 3 4. Thou art all fair my love there is no spot in thee come with me c. Thou hast ravished or taken away my heart my sister spouse thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes c. How fair is thy love my sister spouse how much better is thy love than wine c A garden inclosed is my sister c. Let my beloved come into his garden c. Cant. 4. 7 9 10 12 16. It is the voice of my beloved who knocketh saying open to me my sister my love my dove my undâ—…filed c. I opened to my beloved but my beloved had withdrawn himself was gon my soul failed when he spake I sought him but could not find I called him but he gave me no answer c. Tell him I am sick of love c. My beloved is c. He is altogether lovely Cant. 5. 2 6 10 16. I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine c. Thou beautiful O my love c. my dove my undefiled c. Who is she who looketh forth as the morning fair as the moon clear as the sun Cant. 6. 3 4 9 10. I am my beloveds and his desire is towards me Cant. 7. 10. Set me as a seal upon thine heart as a seal upon thine arm for love is strong as death Cant. 8. 6. Behold I and the children whom the Lord hath given me Isaiah 8. 18. Heb. 2. 13. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me c. When saw we thee an hungry c. and did not minister c Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these ye did it not to me Matt. 25. 34 35 40 45. Go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee and there shall they see me Matt. 28. 10. He
but Jesus called them unto him â—…nd said Ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them and they who are great exercise authority upon them but it shall not be so amongst you but whosoever will be great among you let him be your minister c. even as the son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister Mat. 20. 24 25 26 27 28. chap. 23. 11. 12. Luke 22. 24. One is your Master Christ and all ye are brethren c. whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted Matth. 23. 8 12. When Christ had said one should betray him each disciple said Is it I Is it I Matth. 26. 22. Peter fell down at Jesus knees and said Depart from me for I am a sinful man O Lord Luke 5. 8. When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding sit not down in the highest room lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden Luke 14. 8. When ye have done all c. say ye are unprofitable servants Luke 17. 10. He spake this parable unto certain who trusted c. that they were righteous and despised others c. the Publican standing afar off would not lift so much as his eyes to heaven but smote upon his breast saying Lord be merciful to me a sinner Luke 18. 9 13. This my joy therefore is fulfilled he must increase but I must decrease John 3. 29 30. Jesus washed his disciples feet c. If I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet ye also ought to wash one anothers feet for I have given you an example John 13. 4 5 14 15. Ye men of Israel why marvel ye at this or why look you so earnestly at us as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk c through faith in his name hath made this man strong Act. 3. 12 13 16. ch 4. 9 11. Cornelius met Peter fell at his feet and worshipped him but Peter took him up saying Stand up I my self am a man Acts 10. 25 26. When the Priests of Jupiter and the people would have done sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas they said We are men of like passions with you and preach to you that you should turn from these vanities c. Acts 12. 13 14 15. Apollos an eloquent man and mighty in the Scripture yet submits to be taught the way of God more perfectly by Aquilla and Priscilla Tent-makers Acts 18. 24 25 26. I have been with you c. serving the Lord with all humility of mind Acts 20. 18 19. The Apostle blames the Jews for boasting of the Law and of their knowledg and ability to instruct others c. Rom. 2. 17 18 19 20 21. For I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing Rom. 7. 18. Boast not against the branches but if thou boast thou bearest not the root but the root thee Thou wilt say The branches were broken off that I might be grafted in well because of unbelief they were broken off and thou standest by faith be not high-minded but fear c. Rom. 11. 18 19 20 21. For I say c. to every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith c. mind not high things but condescend to men of low estate or be content with mean things be not wise in your own conceits Rom. 12. 3 16. God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise c. that no flesh should glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1. 27 28 29. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool that he may be wise for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God c. therefore let no man glory in men 1 Cor. 3. 18 19 21. That ye might learn in us not to think above that which is written that no one of you be puffed up for one against another for who maketh thee to differ or distinguisheth thee and what hast thou which thou didst not receive now if thou didst receive it why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it c. the kingdom of God is not in word but in power 1 Cor. 4. 6 7 20. If any man think he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing as he ought to know 1 Cor. 8. 2. Wherefore let him who thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10. 12. To one is given the spirit the word of wisdom c. but all these worketh that one and the self-same spirit dividing to every man severally as he will c. The eye cannot say unto the hand I have no need of thee nor again the head to the foot I have no need of you c. 1 Cor. 12. 8 9 10 11 20 21. Charity vaunteth not it self or is not rash is not puffed up 1 Cor. 13. 4. I am the least of the Apostles who am not meet to be called an Apostle c. but by the grace of God I am that I am 1 Cor. 15. 9. 10. Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3. 5. We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4. 7. Some who commend themselves but they measuring themselves by themselves c. are not wise but we will not boast of things without our measure c. but he who glorieth let him glory in the Lord for not he who commendeth himself is approved but whom the Lord commendeth 2 Cor. 10. 12 13 17 18. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations there was given to me a thorn in the flesh c. 2 Cor. 12. 7. God accepteth no mans person Gal. 2. 6. Eph. 6. 9. Let us not be desirous of vain glory provoking one another c. Gal. 5. 26. For if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing he deceiveth himself Gal. 6. 3. Unto me who am less than the least of all Saints is this grace given Eph. 3. 8. Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with all lowliness and meekness c. unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4. 1 2. Submiting your selves one to another in the fear of God Eph. 5. 21. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself look not every man on his own things c. Let the same mind be in you which also was in Christ c. He humbled himself c. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2. 3 4 5 8 10. I know how to
be abased and I know how to abound Every where and in all things I am instructed c. Phil. 4. 12. Put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved c. humbleness of mind meekness c. Col. 3. 12. Let us therefore fear lest a promise being left of entering into his rest any of us should seem to come short of it Heb. 4. 1. The rich in that he is made low because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away James 1. 10 11. Have not the faith of our Lord Jesus with respect of persons for if there come into your assemblies a man with a gold ring in goodly apparrel and there come in also a poor man in vile rayment and ye have respect unto him who weareth the gay clothing and say unto him Sit thou here in a good place or well or seemly and say to the poor Stand thou there or sit here under my footstool are you not then partial in your selves c. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith c Ye have despised the poor James 2. 1 2 3 4 5 6. My brethren be not many masters knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation For in many things we offend all c. James 3. 1 2. God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble Submit your selves therefore to God c. humble your selves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up James 4. 6 7 10. Likewise ye younger submit your selves to the elder yea all be subject one to another and be clothed with humility for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble Humble your selves therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time 1 Pet. 5. 5 6 Thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked Rev. 3. 17. See more Chap. 22 Of submission to God in affliction See Death Chap. 33. To be moderate meek patient and quiet in all things And the encouragements thereto Simeon and Levi are brethren instruments of cruelty or their swords are weapons of violence O my soul come not thou into their secret c. for in their anger they slew a man and in their self-will they digged down a wall Cursed be their anger for it was fierce and their wrath for it was cruel Gen. 49. 5 6 7. Gen. 34. 25 26 27. Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men upon the face of the earth Mumb. 12. 3. David had rashly and hastily resolved to have avenged himself upon Nabal and his house And he blessed God for Abigails counsel which hindred him 1 Sam. 25 22 32 33 34. With the froward thou wilt shew thy self unfavoury or thou wilt wrestle 2 Sam. 22. 27. The meek shall eat and be satisfied Psal. 22. 26. The meek will he guide in judgment and the meek will he teach his way Psal. 25. 9. Fret not thy self because of evil doers neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity Fret not c. because of the man who bringeth wickekd devices to pass c. Cease from anger and forsake wrath fret not thy self in any wise to do evil c. But the meek shall inherit the earth Psal. 37. 1 7 8 11. The earth feared c. when God arose to judgment to save all the meek of the earth Psal 76. 8 9. It went ill with Moses for their sakes because they provoked his spirit so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips Psal. 106. 32 33. The Lord liftteh up the meek Psal. 147. 6. Put away from thee a froward mouth and perverse lips put far Prov. 4. 24. They who are of a froward heart are an abomination to the Lord Prov. 11. 20. A fools wrath is presently known but a wise man hideth shame Prov. 12. 16. He who is soon angry dealeth foolishly c. he who is slow to wrath is of great understanding but he who is hasty or short of spirit exalteth folly Prov. 14. 17 29. A soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stirreth up anger c. a wrathful man stirreth up strife but he who is slow to anger appeaseth strife Prov. 15. 1. 18. A froward man soweth strife c. he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he who ruleth his spirit than he who taketh a city Prov. 16. 28 32. Chap. 25. 28. He who hath a froward heart findeth no good and he who hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief Prov. 17. 20. The discretion of a man deferreth anger his glory to pass over a transgression c. a man of great wrath shall suffer punishment for if thou deliver him yet thou must do it again Prov. 19. 11. 19. It is an honour to a man to cease from strife but every fool will be medling Prov. 20. 3. As coals to burning coals and wood to fire so is a contentious man to kindle strife Prov. 26. 21. A stone is heavy c. but a fools wrath is heavier c. wrath is cruel and anger is outragious but who is able to stand before envy or jealousie Prov. 27. 3 4. Wise men turn away wrath c. Seest thou a man who is hasty in his words or matters there is more hope of a fool than of him c. an angry man stirreth up strife and a furious man aboundeth in transgression Prov. 29. 8 20 22. Better c. the patient in spirit than the proud in spirit be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry for anger resteth in the bosom of fools Eccl. 7. 8 9. The meek also shall increase or add to their joy in the Lord Isa. 29. 19. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth c. Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God Mat. 5. 5 9. Learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart and ye shall find rest Mat. 11. 29. Behold thy King cometh unto thee meek c. Mat. 21. 5. In your patience possess ye your souls Luke 21. 19. Who will render unto every man according unto his deeds to them who by patient continuing in well doing seek for glory c. eternal life Rom. 2. 7. Tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope c. Rom. 5. 3 4 5. If it be possible as much as lieth in you live peaceable with all men Dearly beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath for it is written Vengance is mine c. Be not overcome of evil Rom. 12. 18 19 21. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace Rom. 14. 19. Charity suffereth long and is kind charity envieth not c. is not easily provoked c. Rom. 13. 4. 5. The fruits of the flesh c. are wrath strife c. but the fruits of the spirit
call the poor the maimed the lame the blind And thou shalt be blessed for they cannot recompence thee for thou shalt be recompenced at the resurrection of the just Luke 14. 13 14. Sell all that thou hast and distribute to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven Luke 18. 22. The multitude of them who believed were of one heart c. neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things common c. Acts 4. 32 34. Cornelius a devout man c. who gave much alms to the people c. thy prayer and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God Acts 10. 1 2 4. Then the Disciples every man according to his ability determined to send relief unto the brethren who dwelt in Judea Acts 11. 29. I have shewed you all things how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak and to remember the words of our Lord Jesus how he said It is more blessed to give than to receive Acts 20. 35. He who giveth let him do it with simplicity or liberality he who sheweth mercy with cheerfulness c. distributing to the necessity of the saints given to hospitality c. Rom. 12. 8 13. ch 16. 1 2. It hath pleased them of Macedonia c. to make a certain contribution for the poor Saints which are at Jerusalem Rom. 15. 26. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him 1 Cor. 16. 2. As ye abound in all things c. see that ye abound in this grace also I speak c. to prove the sincerity of your love for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be rich c. As there was a readiness to will so there may be a performance also out of that which you have for if there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not 2 Cor. 8. 7 8 9 10 11 12. He who soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly and he who soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully Every man according as he purposeth in his heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a cheerful giver And God is able to make all grace abound towards you that ye always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work 2 Cor. 9. 6 7 8 9. As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men especially unto them who are of the houshold of faith Gal. 6. 10. Rather let him labour working with his hands the thing which is good ' that ye may have to give to him who needeth Eph. 4. 29. Paul commends the Philippians for their sending to his relief and said Not because I desire a gift but I desire fruit that may abound to your account c. My God shall supply all your needs c. Phil. 4. 14 15 16 17 12. This we commanded you that if any would not work neither should he eat c. We command c. that with quietness they work and eat their own bread 2 Thess. 3. 10 11 12. If any widow have children or nephews let them learn first to shew pity or kindness at home to requite their Parents for that is good and acceptable before God c. And if any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house or kindred he hath denyed the faith and is worse than an infidel c. If any man or woman who believeth have widows let them relieve them and let not the Church be charged 1 Tim. 5. 4 8 16. Charge them who are rich in this world c. that they do good that they be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate laying up in store a good foundation 1 Tim. 6. 17 18 19. The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus for he oft refreshed me c. and in how many things he ministred unto me at Ephesus c. 2 Tim. 1. 16 17 18. God is not unrighteous to forget your works c. which ye have shewed towards his name in that ye have ministred unto the Saints and do minister Heb. 6. 10. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained Angels unawares c. To do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13. 2 16. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom c If a brother or sister be naked c. and one of you say to them depart in peace c. and ye give them not c. what doth it profit James 2. 5 15 16. Use hospitality one to another without grudging As every man hath received the gift so let him minister the same one to another as good stewards c. If any man minister let him do it as of the ability which God giveth that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus c. 1 Pet. 4. 9 10 11. Whosoever hath this worlds goods and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him My little children let us not love in word or in tongue but in deed and in truth 1 Joh. 3. 17. 18. See more of the relief of the poor of the Churches c. Chap. 27. See more of giving to enemies Chap. 22. See shewing mercy to all men Chap. 19. CHAP. XVIII The Duties of Saints Believers each towards other as they stand related one to another in the flesh 1st Husbands to Wives and Wives to Husbands Of Marriage c. AND the Lord said It is not good that the man should be alone I will make him a help meet for him c. Adam said This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of man Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh Gen. 2. 18 23 24. Jacob loved Rachel more then Leah c. and when the Lord saw that Leah was hated he opened her womb but Rachel was barren Gen. 29. 30 31. And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children Rachel envied her sister and said unto Jacob Give me children or else I die And Jacobs anger was kindled against Rachel and he said Am I in Gods stead who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb Gen. 30. 1 2. Moses sanctified the people c. and he said unto them Be ready against the third day come not at your wives c. Exod. 19. 14 15. None of you shall approach unto any who is near of kin unto him or remainder of his flesh to uncover
Silas chief men among the brethren Acts 15. 22. Phebe our sister who is a servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea Rom. 16. 1. Because of false brethren unawares brought in who came in privily to spy c. Gal. 4. 2. Epaphroditus my brother c. but your messenger c. I send him therefore the more carefully that when ye see him again ye may rejoyce c he was nigh unto death c. Phil. 2. 25 26 27 28. Onesimus c. who is one of you c. Epaphras who is one of you c. salute you Col. 4. 9 12. Our friends salute thee greet the friends by name 3 John ver 14. Of Letters commendatory or the Churches receiving of such who were recommended them from others by word or Letter Barnabas took Paul and brought him to the Apostles and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord c. and he was with them c. Acts 9. 26 27 28. When Apollos was disposed to pass into Achaia the brethren wrote exhorting the Disciples to receive him who when he was come helps them much Acts 18. 27. I commend unto you Phebe our sister c. that ye receive her in the Lord c. Rom. 16. 1 2. If Timotheus come see that he may be with you without fear for he worketh c. 1 Cor. 16. 10 11. Need we as some Epistles of commendation to you or of commendation from you 2 Cor. 3. 1 2 3. He remembreth the obedience of you all how with fear c. ye received him 2 Cor. 7. 14 15. Whether any do enquire of Titus he is my partner c. or our brethren they are the messengers of the Churches wherefore shew ye to them c. 2 Cor. 8. 22 23 24. Marcus c. touching whom ye received commandment if he come unto you receive him Col. 4. 10. The brethren c. whom if thou bring forward c. we therefore ought to receive such c. I wrote to the Church but Diotrephes c. received us not c. and forbiddeth them who would c. 3 John 3. 6 8 9 10. Of the Order of the Churches in their Assemblies and Meeting what they did there as their Duty and how they should order it in their constant Worship Christ said The Scribes and Pharisees c. love the chief seats in the Synagogues c. but he who is greatest among you shall be your servant c. Matth. 23. 6 11 12 17. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication c. Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples c. about one hundred and twenty c. Acts 1. 13 14 15. They were all with one accord in one place c. and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers c. And all who believed were together c. and they continued daily with one accord in the temple c. Acts 2. 1 42 44 46. The Apostles being let go they went to their own company c. and they lift up their voyce with one accord and said Lord c. Acts 4. 23 24 c. The Church c. and they were all with one accord in Solomons porch Acts 5. 11 12. Barnabas and Saul a whole year assembled themselves with the Church and taught much people Acts 11. 25 26. Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him c. many were met together praying Acts 12. 5 12. When ye come together into one place this is not to eat the Lords Supper c. wherefore my brethren when ye come together to eat tarry c. 1 Cor. 11. 20 33. If therefore the whole Church be come together into one place c. If all prophesie c. How is it then brethren When ye come together every one hath a Psalm hath a Doctrine c. let all things be done unto edifying c. for God is not the author of confusion but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saints 1 Cor. 14. 23 24 25 26 31 33. I am with you in the spirit joying and beholding your order Col. 2. 5. Comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do 1 Thess. 5. 11. Let us consider one another to provoke one another to love and good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another Heb. 10. 24 25. My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons for if there come into your assembly or Synagogue a man with a gold ring in goodly apparel and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment and ye have respect unto him who weareth the gay cloathing and say unto him sit thou here in a good place and say unto the poor stand thou there or sit here under my footstool are you not then partial c hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom c If ye fulfil the royal law c. thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self ye do well but if ye respect persons ye commit sin James 2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Of the gifts which the members of Churches received Of Prayer Prophecying Psalms Tongues c. and how they did use them in the Church-assemblies and elswhere for the edification and good one of another and of others the order how they should be used directed such gifts to be desired for this end Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp and there ran a young man and told Moses and Joshua c. said My Lord Moses forbid them and Moses said unto him Enviest thou for my sake would God that all the Lords people were Prophets and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them Numb 11. 26 27 28 29. Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the Congregation and spread forth his hand toward heaven and said Lord God of Israel c. 1 Kings 8. 22 23 c. Jehoshaphat stood in the Congregation c. in the house of the Lord c. and said O Lord God of our fathers art not thou God in heaven c 2 Chron. 20. 4 5. 6 7 c. Then they who feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned c. They shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts Malachi 3. 16 17. John said Master We saw one casting out devils in thy name and he followed not us and we forbad him but Jesus said Forbid him not for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me for he who is not against us is on our part Mark 9. 38 39 40. The Jews used to have such speak in their Synagogue who were not either Priests or other officers as appears in these instances Luke 4. 16
21. The parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus Luke 16. 20 c. Take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life and so that day come c. Luke 21. 34. How can ye believe who receive honour one from another and seek not the honour which cometh from God only John 5. 44. Labour not for the meat which perisheth but for that which endureth c. John 6. 27. He is of age ask him c. These words spake his parents because they feared the Jews for the Jews had agreed already That if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the Synagogue therefore said his parents c. John 9. 21 22 23. Among the chief rulers also many believed on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God John 12. 42 43. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the world John 16. 33. I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil John 17. 15. Jesus answered My kingdom is not of this world if my kingdom were of this world then would my servants fight that I should not c. John 18. 36. Pilate sought to release Jesus but the Jews cryed out saying If thou let this man go thou art not Cesars friend c. When Pilate therefore heard that saying he brought Jesus forth c. John 19. 12 13 15 16. What house will ye build for me saith the Lord c Hath not my hand made all these things c Acts 7. 48 49 50. chap. 14. 15 17. When Saul had cast out the evil spirit out of the damsel and her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone they caught Paul and Silas c. and said That they did exceedingly trouble the City c. Acts 16. 18 19 20 21. God who made the world c. he is Lord of heaven and earth c. He giveth to all life c. and all things Acts 17. 24 25. So Demetrius a Silver-smith and others of the same trade who made silver-shrines for Diana c. complained against Paul for prâ—…aching the Gospel cryed up Diana because they were like to lose their gain if men esteemed not of Diana as a goddess Acts 19. 24 25 26 27. Your selves know that these hands of mine have ministred to my necessities and them who were with me I have shewed you all things how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak and to remember the words of our Lord Jesus how he said It is more blessed to give than to receive Acts 20. 33 34 35. The carnal mind is enmity against God it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be Rom. 8. 7. Make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof Rom. 13. 14. Ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise c. that no flesh should glory c. 1 Cor. 1. 26 27 28 29. The time is short it remaineth that both they who have wives be as though they had none and they who weep as though they wept not and they who rejoyce as if they rejoyced not and they who buy as though they possessed not and they who use this world as not abusing it for the fashion of this world passeth away c. He who is marryed careth for the things which are of this world how he may please his wife 1 Cor. 7. 29 30 31 32 33. The Devil is called the god of this world 2 Cor. 4. 4. The sorrow of the world worketh death 2 Cor. 7. 10. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be rich 2 Cor. 8. 9. God is able to make all grace abound towards you that ye always having all sufficiency c. 2 Cor. 9. 8. Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God c. Gal. 1. 4. The flesh lusteth against the spirit c. so that ye cannot do the thing that ye would Gal. 5. 17. God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom or whereby the world is crucified to me and I unto the world Gal. 6. 14. Covetousness let it not be once named among you as becometh Saints c. for this ye know that no whoremonger c. nor covetous man who is an Idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God Ephes. 5. 3 5. Whose end is destruction whose God is their belly whose glory is in their shame who mind earthly things Phil. 3. 19. Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication c. let your request be made known to God c. I have learned that in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content I know how to be abased and how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and suffer need c. but my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ Phil. 4. 6 12 19. Set your affections or mind on things above not on things on the earth c. Mortifie therefore your members c. inordinate affections evil concupiscence and covetousness which is Idolatry Col. 3. 2 5. Meats which God hath created to be received c. for every creature of God is good and nothing to c. 1 Tim. 4. 3 4. She who liveth in pleasure or delicately is dead while she liveth 1 Tim. 5. 6. Godliness with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into the world it is certain we can carry nothing out and having food and raiment let us be therewith content but them who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition for the love of mony is the root of all evil which while some coveted after have erred from the faith and pierced themselves thorow with many sorrows but thou O man flee these things c. Charge them who be rich in this world that they be not high-minded nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who giveth all things richly to enjoy that they do good that they be rich in good works ready to distribute c. laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come 1 Tim. 6. 6 7 8 9 10 11 17 18 19. Endure
hardness as a good soldier of Christ no man who warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier 2 Tim. 2. 4. In the last times c. men shall be lovers of their own selves c. lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God 2 Tim. 3. 4. Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world c. 2 Tim. 4. 10. The earth c. bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed receiveth blessing from God Heb. 6. 7. Ye c. took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in heaven a better and enduring substance c. Hebr. 10. 34. By faith Moses when he came to years refused to be called the son of Pharoahs daughter chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt Heb. 11. 24 25 26. Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee so that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper c. Heb. 13. 5. 6. Let the brother of low degree rejoyce in that he is exalted but the rich in that he is made low because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away for the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat but it withereth the grass and the flower thereof falleth and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth so also shall the rich man perish in his ways c. James 1. 9 10 11. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith c but ye have despised the poor Do not rich men oppress you and draw you before the judgment-seat do not they blaspheme that worthy name c James 2. 5 6 7. Know ye not that the friendship of this world is enmity with God whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God c. Go to now ye that say To day or to morrow we will go into such a City and continue there a year and buy and sell and get gain whereas ye know not what will be on the morrow for what is your life it is even a vapour c. for that ye ought to say If the Lord will we shall live and do this or that but now you rejoyce in your boastings all such rejoycings are evil James 4. 4 13 14 15 16. Acts 18. 21. Go to now ye rich men weep and howl for your misery which shall come upon you your riches are corrupted your garments moth eaten your gold and silver cankered and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire ye have heaped treasures together for the last days Behold the hire of your labourers who reaped down your fields which is of you kept back by fraud cryeth c. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth ye have been wanton ye have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter c. ye have condemned the just James 5. 1 2 3 4 5 6. All flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass the grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away 1 Pet 1. 7 24. Humble your selves therefore under the mighty hand of God c. casting all your care upon him for he careth for you 1 Pet. 5. 6 7. Love not the world neither the things which are in the world if any man love the world the love of the father is not in him for all that is in the world the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father but is of the world and the world passeth away and the lust thereof 1 John 2. 15 16 17. Greater is is he who is in you than he who is in the world they are of the world therefore speak they of the world and the world heareth them 1 John 4. 4 5. Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the World and this is the victory which overcometh the World even our faith Who is he who overcometh the World but he who believeth that Jesus is the Son of God 1 John 5. 4 5. The kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the chief Captains and the mighty men c. hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains and said to the mountains and rocks Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne c. Revel 6. 15 16 17. Heaven and earth shall pass away all these things shall end Psal. 102. 25 26. Isa. 51. 6. Matth. 24. 35. 2 Pet. 3. 7 10 11. 1 John 2. 17. CHAP. XL. Of Idolatry setting up and worshipping of strange gods graven Images LAban said to Jacob Wherefore hast thou stollen my gods Gen. 31. 30. Jacob said unto his houshold Put away the strange gods that are among you c. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hands and all their ear-rings which were in their ears and Jacob hid them under the Oak Gen. 35. 2 4. I am the Lord thy God thou shalt have no other god before me thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image or any likeness that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God c. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold Exod. 20. 2 3 4 5 23. Psal. 81. 9 10. He who sacrificeth unto any god save unto the Lord only he shall be utterly destroyed Exod. 22. 20. Make no mention of the names of other gods neither let it be heard out of thy mouth c. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods nor serve them c. Thou shalt utterly overthrow them and quite break down their Images c. Thou shalt make no covenant with them nor with their gods c. if thou serve their gods it will surely be a snare unto thee Exod. 23. 13 24 32 33. The people gathered themselves together unto Aaron and said unto him Up make us gods which shall go before us for as for this Moses c. we wot not what is become of him And Aaron said unto them Break off the ear-rings c. and bring them unto me c. and he received them at their hands and fashioned it with a graving-tool after he had made it a molten calf and they said These be thy gods O Israel which brought thee up c. Aaron saw it he built an altar before it c. and they rose up early in the morning