the meaning of Gods holy Spirit in these and the like kind of speeches Vnto which question I had rather answere by Saint Augustine then mine owne mouth who disputing against Pelagius the same verie question which now wee haue in hand speakes after this manner Aug. de lib. Arbit cap. 16. Iubet Deus quae non possumus vt nouerimus quid ab illo petere debeamus Therefore sayth hee God commaunds vs often to doe those things which he knowes vs wholy vnable to performe thereby to teach vs what to aske begge and craue at his hand And againe Aug. de corrept grat cap. 3. O homo in praeceptione cognosce quid debeas habere in correptione cognosce tuo te vitio non habere in oratione cognosce vnde accipias quod vis habere O man in and by the commandement learne what thou oughtest to haue in punishment that thou thy selfe art the cause of all thy wants in supplication and prayer vnderstand from whence supply of thy defects is to be had for as a broken-winged Fowle by offering to flye perceiues the defect and decay of that part of her bodie which before shee thought to be sound so man being by diuine authoritie commanded to performe these and these spirituall duties in ipso conatu in the very attempt and enterprise it selfe he is informed of his owne inabilitie and weakenesse Come then vnto me doth not as the Papists falsely imagine argue any naturall or imborne strength in man for the performance of spirituall duties but is a means which it pleaseth the wisedome of Almightie God to vse for bringing of him to the knowledge and acknowledgement of his naturall and imborne frailtie and by consequence vnto a begging of things necessarie vnto endlesse and euerlasting happinesse from the Throne of his mercie according vnto that of S. Augustine Ideo Iubet vt facere iussa conati Epist 89. in nostra infirmitate sub lege fatigati adiutorium gratiae petere nouerimus Therefore saith hee God commands that in the enterprise and attempt of obedience by reason of our manifold infirmities wearied vnder the yoke of so absolute and perfect a law wee may learne to sue vnto the Throne of Gods mercie for the gracious assistance of his holy Spirit whereby we may be enabled to performe that which hee so iustly doth exact and require at our hands Vnto me The soule of man guiltie of many haynous abominations and vnderstanding both the fiercenesse of Gods wrath and indignation against the breach of his Law and great power which he hath to doe what he will for the ouerthrow finall subuersion of his enemies seekes nothing more then how to appease this consuming fire and be in fauor with this great and dreadfull Iudge of the World The Books and Learning of the Heathen are able to afford no direction in this case because they themselues blinded with a vaine conceit of Righteousnes were altogether ignorant of the great miserie by the fall of our first parents brought vpon the whole posteritie The Pen-men of Holy Scripture haue discouered two means for effecting and bringing this matter to passe which S. Paul calls the Law of Works the Law of Faith Where is boasting then Rom. 3.27 It is excluded By what Law Of Works Nay but by the Law of Faith The first howsoeuer it be in it selfe sufficiently able safely to conduct vs vnto the Hauen of euerlasting happinesse yet in regard of our inabilitie and weakenesse to performe the condition of perfect obedience contained therein it becomes rather an accuser and vpbraider of our miserie then a wholesome salue of sicke and diseased soules according to that of the Apostle Now we know that what things soeuer the Law saith Rom. 3.19 20. it saith to them who are vnder the Law that euery mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guiltie before God therefore by the deedes of the Law there shall no flesh liuing be iustified in his sight for by the Law is the knowledge of sinne And againe The Law worketh wrath for where no Law is Rom. 4.15 there is no transgression For this cause it was that the Prophets and Preachers of that ancient Church before the comming of Christ haue from time to time taught Gods people to appeale from this where no comfort was to be found vnto the Law of Faith in Iesus Christ Rom. 3.25 whom God hath set to be a propitiation for the remission of sinnes through faith in his bloud that Adam whom the voice of God summoning citing to appeare before the Tribunal of his iustice made afraid may by a more gentle and milde voice Gen. 3.10 15 The seed of the woman shall tread downe the head of the serpent be comforted and set on foot and Dauid in whose flesh there was no soundnesse Psal 38.3 because of the Lords anger nor rest in his bones because of his sinne might in the promise of the Gospel In thy seed shall all the Nations of the world be blessed Gen. 26.4 fully be strengthened raised vp These things in former ages more obscurely deliuered vnto the faithfull of those times at Christs comming into the world were publikely and plainely preached vnto the Church first extraordinarily from Heauen This is my welbeloued Sonne Matth. in whom I am wel pleased heare him and againe Feare not for behold I bring you good tidings of great ioy which shal be to all people for vnto you is born this day in the city of Dauid a Sauior which is Christ the Lord this shal be a sign vnto you Luk◠〈…〉 Ye shal find the babe wrapped in swadling clothes lying in a manger Secondly a great deale more at large by himselfe and his Apostles I am the Dore of the sheepe Ioh. 10.9 8.10 7.37.38 by me if any man enter in hee shall be saued and shall goe in and out and finde pasture I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darkenesse but haue the light of life If any man thirst let him come vnto me and drink he that beleeueth in me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow Riuers of liuing water The Law iustifieth no man without perfect obedience according to that of Moses Cursed bee hee that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to do them Deut. 27.26 our works euen when they are at the best being fowly bedawb'd with the blots and blemishes of the old man can deserue nothing but vengeance from him who in Iustice rewardeth nothing comming short of the least circumstance and title of his Lawe Come therefore vnto me all yee that are weary and heauy laden and I wil giue you rest by faith then in the Sauiour of the world Iesus Christ all our sinnes are forgiuen and we againe receiued into the fauour of God All vniuersality of grace by vertue of this
Iudgements against the children of disobedience thereby to testifie his great dislike of Iniquity The end of all flesh is come before me for the earth is filled with violence through them Gen. 6.13 behold I wil destroy them with the earth If thine heart turne away so that thou wilt not heare Deut. 30.17 18. but shalt be drawne away and worship other gods and serue them I denounce vnto you this day that yee shall surely perish and sometimes againe hee inflicts exemplary punishments vpon such as delight and take pleasure in the waies therof as the destruction of the primitiue world the ouerthrow of Sodome and reiection of the Iewish Nation sufficiently witnes Thirdly because then commonly men take most to heart offences committed and feare to belch out mischiefes wherein otherwise they could be content at randome greedily to wallow when as they vnderstand their courses to bee odious and displeasing vnto men of great power and might for heerein stands the difference betweene Princes and peasants that all feare to offend or giue distaste to the one whereas no man will restraine or curbe any of the meanâ—st of his desires for auoiding the offence of the other therefore it is requisite and necessary to the end that we may labour and be heauy laden vnder the burthen of our sinnes that we be not ignorant of the vnspeakeable power might and maiesty of Almighty God For this cause it was that at the giuing of the Lawe whereby we come vnto the knowledge of sinne Exod. 19.18 the Lord appeared after so fearefull and terrible a manner that all the people that were in the campe trembled for feare that thereby seeing the greatnesse of his power in whose sight sinne is lothsome and abhorred they might feare to commit iniquity and tremble at the remembrance of by gone transgressions yea commonly when as the Almighty publisheth and proclaimeth vnto the world his dislike and detestation of sinne there are still let fall some flashes and apparant significations of his might maiesty and power Thus sayth the Lord the Lord of Hosts Esay 1.24.20 the mightie One of Israel I will ease mee of mine aduersaries and auenge me of mine enemies If ye refuse and rebell ye shall bee deuoured by the sword for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Fourthly and lastly because the nature of man is euer to put from him the euil day blessing himselfe in his heart and saying I shall haue peace Deut. 29.19 though I walke in the imagination of my heart to adde drunkennesse to thirst therfore for attaining the effect aforesayd it is expedient that men thorowly bee perswade that the Lord hath appointed a day of recompence wherein euery man shall bee rewarded according to that which he hath done in the flesh Rom. 2.6 whether it bee good or bad Now these things thorowly learned 1. Cor. 5.5 2. Cor. 1.14 cannot but bring vs to a true sense and feeling of the heauy burthen and intolerable weight of sin and iniquitie and consequently to labour and be heauie laden vnder the burthen of our transgressions wherby we come to haue interest in this comfortable inuitation and are made capable of the large and ample promise annexed thereunto Come vnto mee all ye that labour and are heauy laden and I will giue you rest not immunity and freedome from the temptations of Sathan the troubles of the world and crosses incident vnto vs whilst wee liue heere vpon earth No no for through many tribulations we enter into the Kingdome of heauen if wee be without chastisements whereof all are partakers we are bastards and not the Sonnes of God for the Lord whom he loueth he chastiseth and he correcteth euery Sonne whom he receiueth but the words that I speake vnto you are spirit and truth in the world ye shall haue tribulation but in me peace be of good comfort I haue ouercome the world Ioh. 16.33 14.27 15.11 Peace I leaue with you my Peace I giue you not as the world giueth giue I vnto you these things haue I spoken vnto you that my ioy might remaine in you and that your ioy might be full For the rest which Christ here promiseth vnto such as come vnto him must of necessitie be of the same nature with his Kingdome because of temporall felicity he himselfe publikely professed that the Foxes had holes and the Fowles of the heauen had nests but the Sonne of man had not whereon to lay his head Come therefore vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy laden and you shall haue my ioy fulfilled in you howsoeuer as concerning the things of this life Ioh. 17.13 you must resolue to take vp my yoke and learne from the intertainment which I haue had in the world that the Father in this life will not haue his children free from temptation and trouble Verely verily I say vnto you Ioh. 15.16 the seruant is not greater then his Lord neither he that is sent greater then he that sent him if they haue called the Master of the house Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his houshold if they haue persecuted me they will also persecute you take vp therefore my yoke and learne of me for I am meeke and lowly in heart Ier. 11.11 I was like a Lambe or an Oxe that is brought vnto the slaughter and being in the forme of God made my selfe of no reputation took vpon me the forme of a seruant and was found in fashion as a man humbling my selfe vnto the death euen the death of the Crosse Phil. 2 7 8. learne therfore of me for I am meek and lowly in heart but because I haue sayd these things vnto you sorrow hath filled your hearts neuerthelesse I tell you the truth Ioh. 16.6 7. it is expedient for you to stand in the waies and see and ask for the olde pathes and walke therein Ier. 6.16 and yee shall finde rest for your soules for though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day whosoeuer then will come vnto me let him take vp his crosse and follow mee for my yoke is easie and my burthen light because God is faithfull who will not suffer you to be tempted aboue that you are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to beare it 1. Cor. 10.16 for the Almightie by the gracious influence of his holy Spirit comforts vpholds and strengthens his children in the time of trouble whereby that becomes easie and light vnto them which otherwise they could neuer possibly bee able to beare according to that of the Apostle Blessed be God 2. Cor. 1.1.3 4 5. euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort who comforteth vs in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them that are in any trouble by the
are naked and are buffeted and haue no certaine dwelling place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and labor working with our owne hands 1. Tim. 4.10 And againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for therefore wee labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the liuing God who is the Sauiour of all men especially of those that beleeue Mat. 26.9 and in the 26. of S. Mathews Gospell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Why trouble ye the woman for shee hath wrought a good worke on mee In like manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in wearinesse and painfulnesse 2. Cor. 11.27 in watchings often in hunger and thirst in fastings often in coldnesse and nakednesse and againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neither did wee eate any mans bread for nought 2. Thes 3.8 but wrought with labour and trauell night and day that wee might not be chargeable vnto any From hence then it is easie to vnderstand who and what manner of ghuests they be whom Christ so friendly exhorts all by-respects set aside directly to come vnto him First such as either in the Ceremonies of the ancient Law the traditions of men or precise and strict performance of the Morall Law with great labor perplexitie trouble seek the fauor of God peace of conscience and euerlasting happines but after vnexpressible anguish finding rather further torture torment of conscience then any least beginnings of ease are ready to giue ouer as men by their owne endeuours wholly and altogether vnable to stand in the presence of a consuming fire those our Sauiour Iesus Christ louingly inuites not to despaire in this their wrestling with the wrath of God nor any longer to confide and trust in their owne righteousnesse whence no comfort at all is to be expected but altering their course to come or beleeue in him vnto whom all things requisite and necessary for the safegard and saluation of mens soules are giuen of the Father vnto which sense the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or heauy laden fitly doth agree for the Law is by the Prophet Esay 9.4 compared to a burthen Thou hast broken the yoke of his burthen and the staffe of his shoulder the rodde of his oppressour as in the day of Midian and againe They binde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heauy burthens and grieuous to bee borne and lay them on mens shoulders but they themselues will not moue them with one of their fingers Mat. 23.4 such then as confident in their owne strength haue earnestly endeuoured the atonement of Righteousnesse by the workes of the Lawe but by experience finding the heauinesse of this yoke and greatnesse of their inability by their owne endeuours to stand in the presence of so great and terrible a Iudge are truly humbled and cast downe vpon the sense and feeling of this their weakenesse such I say are fit ghuests for CHRISTS Table as appeareth by his reply vpon the Pharises modest and discreete speech Marke 12.34 Thou art not farre from the Kingdome of Heauen The second sort of ghuests whom by these words Christ so fauourably inuites to come vnto him are those who vpon a sense and feeling of their manifold transgressions the apprehension of the wrath of God and horror of the last day are at the pit and pinch of desperation it selfe wherunto also the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very fitly doth accord and agree for Esay speaking of the burthen of sin and wrath of God sayth He hath borne our griefes Esa 3.4.11 and carried our sorrowes yet did wee esteeme him stricken smitten of God and afflicted he shall see the trauell of his soule and shall be satisfied by his knowledge shall my righteous Seruant iustifie many for hee shall beare their iniquities Zach. 5.7 and Zacharie speaking to this same purpose sayth that Wickednes sitteth vpon a talent of lead and Dauid speaketh of transgression as of a heauy burthen Mine Iniquities are gone ouer mine head Psal 38.4 as an heauy burthen they are to heauie for me so that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without either violence or strayning are properly vnderstood of such as labour and are heauy laden vnder the weight and intolerable burthen of their sinnes Thirdly such as vnder the heauie burthen of crosse and calamitie are grieuously perplexed and borne downe but finding no ease nor way to escape are ready well-nigh to sinke vnder the burthen those Christ louingly and friendly exhorts not because of their present calamities to thinke themselues cast off of God or debarred from the Kingdome of Heauen but all such extremes set aside to come vnto him where vndoubtedly they shall finde rest vnto their soules either by a finall remouall of their calamitie as Hanna Mordecai Rebecca and diuers others or mitigation and asswaging the heat of their tribulation Gen. 39.21 Dan. 6.12 3.23 as Ioseph whilst hee liued in Pharaohs Iayle Daniel in the Lyons denne or if their further good require continuance in tribulation by the sweete influence of his holy Spirit quieting and calming their distressed and perplexed spirits in the agonie and greatest heate of the fiercest temptations as Stephen in his martyrdome Dauid in the dayes of his ttouble and the blessed Apostles in their seueral persecutions for the Gospels sake These then being the ghuests whom so louingly Christ bids and comfortably inuites to come vnto him it is easie from bence to vnderstand who they be that debar and make themselues vncapable of the grace of Christ First such as drunke with a vaine conceit and opinion of their owne righteousnesse thinke themselues sufficiently able to performe and obey the commandements of the Lord and consequently feele not themselues labouring and heauie laden vnder the burthen of their sinnes Secondly Epicures and all such as weigh not nor regard their sinnes thinke not vpon the wrarh of God and terror of the last Iudgement but carelesly contemne neglect and despise the same of whom the Apostle speaking sayth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ephes 4.19 who being past feeling haue giuen themselues ouer vnto lasciuionsnesse to worke all vncleannesse with greedinesse Thirdly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such as besotted with the dainties and soft allurements of the world feele not their miserable and wretched estate in regard of their manifold transgressions and dreadfull Iudgement of Almighty God nor think vpon the fauour and grace of God here and euerlasting happinesse in the life to come Fourthly and lastly such as vpon the sense and feeling of their sinnes and apprehension of Gods wrath and indignation against them for their transgressions beeing thorowly humbled and cast downe choose rather to sink in the bottomlesse pit of death and desperation then to come vnto Christ Iesus the Spirituall Physicion and Comforter of sicke and diseased soules And I will giue you rest Feare of punishment and hope of reward are two maine motiues whereby man is either encouraged in the wayes of godlinesse or restrained from transgressing the Commandements of the Lord
and therefore in the booke of the Law where summarily and in generall is set downe whatsoeuer elsewhere throughout the Text of holy Scripture is more at length deliuered Moses vnder those two comprehends all the motiues which possibly can be deuised and found out eyther for animating and encouraging of man vnto the better things or disswading of him frō the worst See I haue set before thee this day life and good death and euill Deut. 30.15 16 17 18. in that I command thee this day to loue the Lord thy God to walke in his wayes and to keepe his commandements and his statutes and his iudgements that thou mayest liue and multiplie and the Lord thy God shall blesse thee in the Land whither thou goest to possesse it but if thine heart turne away so that thou wilt not heare but shalt be drawne away and worship other gods and serue them I denounce vnto you this day that yee shall surely perish and that yee shall not prolong your dayes vpon the Land whither thou passest ouer Iordan to goe to possesse it And againe It shall come to passe Deut. 38.1.15 if thou shalt hearken diligently vnto the voice of the Lord thy God to obserue and doe all his commandements which I command thee this day that the Lord thy God will set thee on high aboue all Nations of the earth but if thou wilt not hearken vnto the voice of the Lord thy God to obserue and doe all his commandements and his statutes which I command thee this day that all these curses shall come vpon thee and ouertake thee In like manner haue the Lords proceedings beene with particular persons Gen. 4.6 7. And the Lord said vnto Cain Why art thou wroth and why is thy countenance fallen if thou doe well shalt thou not be accepted and if thou doest not well sinne lyeth at the dore 2. Sam. 7.14 I will set vp thy Seede after thee which shall proceed out of thy bowels and I will establish his kingdome I will be his father and he shal be my sonne if he commit Iniquity I will chasten him with the rodde of men and with the stripes of the children of men 1. Kings 3.14 If thou wilt walke in my wayes to keepe my statutes and commandements as thy Father Dauid did walke then I will lengthen thy dayes And here in the Text which now we haue in hand Christ friendly inuiting such as labour and are heauie laden to come vnto him the exhortation is enforced by an ample and large promise of reward Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauie laden and I will giue you rest For as the elements of the world naturally incline each of them to his owne Region and place of abode so the soule of man by transgression hauing fallen from his rest is so perplexed and wearied wandering to and againe that it hearkens vnto nothing more willingly then motions and means seruing for that purpose Confess lib. 1. cap. 1. according to that of S. Augustine Cor nostrum creasti ad te Domine nisi te nunquam satiari potest O Lord thou hast created our soules to thine owne image so that but in thee they neuer receiue content Which our Sauior well considering vseth the same as an vnfaileable argument to induce and perswade vs to come and drinke freely of the waters of life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and I will giue you rest The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is commonly vsed when as after labour and toyle we betake our selues vnto tranquillitie and ease for refreshing of our wearie ouer-spent and decaying strength as in that of Lucian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after long and tedious sicknesse receiuing or enioying rest and Suidas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who would not out of miserie and tedious employment come vnto rest And thus the Greeke Translation vseth the word in expressing the Lords speech vnto Dauid concerning his sonne Salomon 1. Chron. 22.9 Behold a sonne shall be borne vnto thee who shall be a man of rest and I will giue him rest from all his enemies round about him But most frequently in the text of holy Scripture this word is vsed to expresse the tranquillitie and calmenesse of the mind as in the fift of Genesis and nine and twentieth verse old Lamech supposing that his sonne had beene the Messias promised in the Garden calls him Noah saying This sonne shall comfort vs concerning our worke and toile of our hands because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed Where the Greeke Translations vse the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whereunto our Sauiour alluding saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Come vnto me and I will giue you rest Giuing vs thereby to vnderstand that he is that true Noah from whom the holy Patriarchs labouring vnder the burthen of sinne and iniquitie did expect and looke for rest vnto their soules In like manner the day of festiuitie and ioy which the Iewes celebrated vpon the newes of their deliuerance from the trecheries of wicked Haman and sentence of death formerly passed vpon them is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a day of rest and tranquillitie And againe the refreshment which Saul vexed with the euill spirit receiued by Dauids Musike the Greeke Translation expresseth it by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Sam. 16.23 so Saul was refreshed and was well and the euill spirit departed from him From hence then it is easie to vnderstand the nature of this promise which Christ here in the Text makes vnto such as labouring and heauie laden vnder the burthen of their sinnes come vnto him for reliefe and comfort viz. in this life refreshment rest and ease vnto their soules from the consuming heat of Gods wrath the rottennesse of sinne and heat of the torment and torture of conscience which formerly they haue endured and in that which is to come perfect ioy felicitie and happines being freed from all miserie whatsoeuer Therefore S. Peter calls the time of Christs comming vnto iudgement 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the times of refreshing or rest What paines are answerable vnto so great a reward Shall not the children of this life rise vp and condemne vs in the last day who refuse no trauell perplexitie and trouble for attainement of worldly preferment Which gotten is first corruptible and subiect to the out-wearing power of time secondly vncertaine and doubtfull after a world of miserie and trouble vndertaken for attainement of the same I will not now speake of Alexander his trauailes in subduing Asia of Annibal his labours in passing from Spaine ouer the Alpes into Italie Xerxes his perplexitie during his abode in Europe together with many other of that nature whereof some after vnspeakable paines haue come short of their ends as Xerxes of the conquest of Europe Annibal of Italie Crassus and Antonius of Persia others after great labor and paine haue still continued vncertaine fearefull and in doubt till the very moment