f *z ^ii < * •*** * "% PRINCETON, N. J. ft Collection of Puritan Literature. Divisic Sectic Nutnber : m * V * ' 5 , V * i I • iJ » <> 1 MM ; 5 tf THE REPENTANCE Of Peter And / rz> AS. i!^' TOGETHER WITH The Fhailt-ie Of The Faithfull , and the feare- full ende of wicked Hypocrites. P R o v E R. 24.1(5. f A in ft manfhUeihfeuen times, «nd rifeth a game : but the weired fill into mijehiefi. LONDON Printed by li'ittum Stansby , for Eleazstr Edgar > and are tc be iold in Pauls Church-yard at the figne of the lonaf. I 6 i 2. "" i " ' ' li n iiMJil< m iwp— m^mm wi n ■ ■ . h i w i »iw Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/repeteOOrich TO THE VERTVOVS AND RELIGIOVS LADIE, THE LAD IE OM1LDRED S AV2{pE R S N % WIFE TO THE HONOVRED SIR Nicholas Savnderson, Knight Baronet, cncreafc of grace in this life, and cternall g!or:e in the life to comes. O O D M A D A M r, there is fuch a fatietie, ifnotafiirfct of books at this day, that it may bee thought as fuperfluous to publifli any new worke, as to carrie timber to the r to h re- aped, 1 had neucr pre fumed to fct pen to paper, but only that I haue long dclired, to giue your Ladiihip ibmc teftimonieof my thankefuil heart , for the fa- uours I hauc receiucd at your hands. And the I know, that as riinics fa id o/ETraif* the Empcrour, A 2 you J^^ijf§ BeJHo %\ JpWNE p% *cbo ^gj^p Jkjp\ 1^©^ m&m I Wood , or wate jj the Sea. Itiwhicl EpiftU Dedicatorie. you arc moft fparing in prizing and valuing the be- nefits you beftow , becaufe you giue them freely and put them not out to vfurie : yet if I fhould di£ femble them, I might iuftly be condemned ofgrofle ingratitude. I acknowledge you haue opened euen the fountaine of your good opinion to me , which hath flowed as it were with a full ftreame of pietie: and Co many waies hath your vertue refrefhed and relieued me , that I may truly fay , as once Furnitu laid to Cafar , I (hall liue and die vnthankefulL For when I haue done all I can,I cannot fufficicntly con- ceiue the thanks which you deferue. I am bold therefore , to prefent thefe poore fruits of my la- bours vnto your Lad ifliip, to be a publike witnefle and pledge to all pofteritie of my dutifull afFe&ion towards you. And though this paper-gift bee too bafe a recompenfe for your vndeferued fauour - r Yet kbeingthebeftwhichmypouertiecanaffoorde , I doubt not, but according to yourmildcdifpofition, you will accept of it : refpefting rather the affection of the giucr, then the worth of the gift, for if I were able to giue more I would performeit.. I am not ignorant , that in publifhing thefe my weake Medi- tations, I (hall expofe my felfe to a thoufandcen- fures of curious and carping Readers : but I had ra- ther be taxed of rathnefle in this bchalfe, then iuftly. blamed for want of dutie. How meanefbeucr they be, if they may anyway benefit the Church of God; cfpccially, ifthey may be any fmall meanes , to fur- ther yonr godly endeauours in the way of Chriftia- r|itie, and to build you vp towards the Kingdomc of fteauens Ifhallgainethatwhichlmoftdefire. And thus Epiftle Dedicatorie. thus I commend your Ladifhipto God and to the Word of his grace :befeeching him , that what/be- uer good beginnings bee hath wrought in you, hee will perfit the feme, vntill the comming of le- fts chrifi , that your laft worldly day may be your allured entrance to cuerlafting glorie. (V) four Laitfhip in allChriJlian duties obliged, * Chames Richa&dson. To the Reader, Kno\vledge,Faitli, and Holincfie, the beginning of life EcernalJ. Tis charitietojeede with the bread of this life. It is more to feede with the Bread of life: becaufethefirjl nourijheth the mortal! flefh 5 and the other the immortal! Joule. Therefore bread, bee it ne iter Jo common, loofeth not its goo dneffe and Books of diuine learning, are not lejje valuable , becauje they are more plentiful!. It is profitable to write many Bookes ofoncfubiect,in the z* ni- ne of Faith and z ' arte tie of file , For in Scripture the law itjclfe was many times and many wayes z'ttered : and ex- amplesofonehnd are often remembredto diuerspurpo- fes\ which caujed S. Paul to write. Brethren let it not bee grieuous vnto you to heare the fame things againe. k^As our Sauiourput Peter and Iudas into one Barke , fo the Author of this workc hath put them both in one Booke. 'orthejamc caufe that Chrijl prejerued together a good and euill Apoftle, hath this skilful! workman, co?npi- ZCi her good and cm!! Repentance. Wherein example . ; - //, teacheth better then precepts : th t fat verified. Twofh.il! be in one houfe, one bereceme {the other refufed. It is a fatiour in the quefrion o r right and wrong, to • and (bewyrhat is right only, and not to declare the wrt To the Reader. or to manifejl what is wrongs only the one cannot demon- strate the right. But Almightie God and his Minijiers> doe not onelyjhew the one but teach the other : efpe daily in this doctrine of Repentance , without the knowledge whereof all 'knowledge in the mindeis but like a dreame^ and allpaines but the wafhing of the <**Optk. degrees < Ver -72 1 fit' l.Antmpre- cat to, he cur* fedbtmfelfif etter he knew [Chrift.y.'j^ 2. His Repentance, whereof afterward. Teterfte without &c. ) It was adutic of pictie in the Apoftle Peter, to follow his Matter to this place; and a great argument of his loue towardes him , aboue all his feJJowesFor it is faid before in this Chapter, that how- verfe^S foeuer Teter followed a firre off, yet hee came after to the high Prtefis haM and went m , and fate wtth the feruants to fee the end. It was an honed affe&ion in him , that he did not hide himfclfe, as the other Difciplcs did, who aU for- verfe jtf. jooketheW M after and fed : but did earncftly defire to fee what the iflue would bee, and what would become of Chrift. All thisj I fay, was commendable in the Apoftle. B 2 But The Repentance of Peter wdludas. DoEl.i. We mufl care- fully a'-'oute all occafions of £nne. Vemttaditut vifthfe. Wih'dmihicm- trarium c(t>nifi ego ipfeMecum tft quiqmtd mibi pot ere pot eft. But bccaufe our Sauiour had forewarned him of the weakneffeof his nature, and had plainely told him, that before the cocke crowe he fhottld denie him thrice*, he (hould rather haue kept himfelfc clofc in fome fecret place, then thus to offer and expofe himfelfc to temptation , and to the occafions of finne. He could not but know that euery body would oblcrue and take notice of him abouc all the refl, bccaufe he had bin fuch a tickler in his Mafters quar- relled had cut orTonc oftheir eares withhis fword, that came to apprehend him. Andbcfides, he had alvvayes ac- companied his Matter whethcrfocuer he went and there- fore there was no hope, that he fhouldefcapevnknowne* From hence then wee learne for our firft inftruc"tion , that he that would preferue himfelfe from Cm, mutt care- fully auoid all the occafions thereof. It is a true faying , He that vooM no euill doc ^ mufl doe nothing that belongs thereto. The occafion in euery thing is a great matter. The occafion of good preuaileth much to draw men to good, and the occafion of euill, to drawe them toe- uill, euen when before the occafion bee offered , there is no great defire to cither of them. But cfpecially occa- fions to cuill are mod forcible. The rcafon is, firft, bc- caufe of ourfelues we are fo prone to euill. Our nature is like drie wood, which is apt to kindle,aflbonc as eucr fire is put to it. So giue a man the leafi occafion, and prefent- lyheyeeldethtofinne. There is nofpeedier conjuncti- on of fire and gunpowder, or offire and towr, or tinder, or any other 1 uch combuftible thing,then theris between our corrupt nature and finnc vpon the leaft occafion, vn- leffe the grace of G&d doe prcucnt it. There needcth no Dcuill to tempt vs», let but any occafion be offered , and we flraight way become tempters to ourfelues* It is a true faying , No man is hurt but by himfelfe. The Dwell, and all the Dfuelsin hell could not preuaile againft vs, if our ownc hartcs, by ycelding to euery occafion of fa, did not betray ys. And this is that which the Apofilc J timet The Repentance of Peter andludas* 5 r — ' — ■ * — — — " ""• farxes(a\tb , Every mart is tempted , whenheeisdrawne a- J*m.iA+. way y andentifed by his owne concupifcence. Wee harbour a iecret cnemie in ourownc bolomes, without which wee could not {& eahlvbr ouercome. As wee ire in our Saui- our Chrifl , who i 3 i c h df bimfelfc, that the Prince of this Iob ^ M-3°* world eame to him but he found nothing in him. ThcDiucll Dia ^\P^ 1 < /r 1 i 1 • • 1 ? j l l confidit madm- tempted ana altoulted linn with might and mamCjbutbe- torio carnis aw cauic there was no corruption in his nature to worke niMmmays'no- vpon,he could not prcuaile. Yea holy lob, againft whom eet domefrcus Heaucn and earth might feemc to conipire To long as he bo ft' 5 ' l ^ A ve >* hurt not himfdfe by impariency, hee was not hurt by all ad M*"*/iw» 1 • en a- ill r i_ i_ rue am, am illo his afflictions, but ratnerbecame more famous thereby, fadus inut.Bent being fet forth as a patterneofpatience to all poflcrity. Med.cap.11. So would it be with vs, were it nor that we areas ready Um.iAi, to lay hold vpon cilery occafion of fin, as the Diuel or the world is to offer the fame vnto vs. The truth of this point appeareth in many examples in the Scriptures. Euah the Gcne >l^ % Mother ofvs all, had no iooncr an occafion of fin offered her, by the beholding the fairencfTe of the forbidden fruit, but prefmtly fhee confented to the fuggeftions of the Serpent. Neither did this corruption reft in her 5 but it hath likewile ouerfprcad all her pofteritie. when tht ene ' ,2, fonnes of God [aw the daughters of men that they were fatre , they toek* themfelues wines of all that they Itfydi To- <****•&<*& fephs UWfftns no footer cafiher eyes vpon lofeph and J awe that he was a fatreperfon , and welfauoured , but ftraight fhee intifed him to commit folly with her. When Dinah $'»f.34»i«*« the daughter of Jacob , in a curious humour, bcg3nne to walke out to fee the daughters of that countvie : though it is like (lice went not w ith any fuch purpofc , yet occa- fion bcinc offered, (he loft he r virsinitic. When Achan l0 fl-7' z i* ftwe in the fpotle a goodly B a by Ion ifh garment , and tw§ hundred fhektls of filuer , and a wedge of gold of fifty fie ~ l^eis watght.'pr e(cni\y hecouetfd them, and tookethem. Yez'Dauidz man othcrwife after Cjods ovtne hearty af- J Sam.ii.n„ fooneaseuerVic IzwBatbfieba wafJnngher felfe , by and i.5«0».ii«i.£4 B 3 by The Repent Attce of Peter mdludds* Viabolus dam hy lufied after her, fent for her , And lay with her . So vio- deciftre qiicn- j cnt j s mans corrU p t nature \ n apprehending enery occa- priusnaturam fi° n tnat may drawe himtofinne. Againe another rea- vmufcuiufyi*- f° n hereof is this , becaufe the Dcuill is fo ready to tendit^&indefe watch euery occafion, and whei:foeuerhee feeth ys any applicat,vnde wn j c inclining , there he takcth aduanta^c. and bendeth (pcxerit.BernJe This Doctrine lerueth nrit for admonition i. that wee ordinevitce. be carefull in performing this dutie. As the Marnner is Vfe. I. carefull to auoide all the rockes and fandes which might be occafion of ftiipwrackc : fo fliould wee with like care and diligence anoidc all the occasions of finne. To this end , we muft examine our felucs to what finnes we are mod addicted , and what haue beene the occafions , whereby we haue beene prouoked to the committing thereof : and when we haue found them out , wee muft Aniline them as wee would doc a Serpent. To giue in- flancc in fome particulars. li any man be giuen to whorc- lob.i i. U dome , he mu(t follow the pra£tife of lob', Who made*. couenam with his eyes , that he would not loeke vpon a maide. To which purpofe the fonne of Sirach giuech good counfell. ZJfe not faith hee, the companie of awo^ >Zccle$4.'i. ™ nin K int0 *tt* xce Jf e °f r y ot *"£ T»° r king allvnc/eanejfe, euen *P"[+ l * wtt /, greedmeffe , as the Apoftle faith. What madneffe is this for a man thustoexpofe himfelfe vnto danger, as if the flefh were not prone enough of it feJfe vnto that which is euill? There is no man wil bring a great deale of drie (haw, into an houfe where fire is, and leaue it there, vnlefTe hee mcanc to fire the houfc. So no man will wil- fully The Repentance of Peter and /ados* fully rufh vpon the occafions of finne, but hec that is carelefle of bis foule. Bleffed is the man , faith Salomon ^ ' l4< that fear eth a/way , but he that hardneth his heart fiat/ fall mtn chill. Andkis a^ood fpccch of Ecclefiafttcus , Hee Lcclejiajl. 3. 17. that lotteth danger Jhall pertfl? in it. It is in vaine for men in this cafe to boaft of their ovvne firength ; For as wee ice by experience ; that a wcakc man that is alwayes out of gunfhot, is likely to liue longer then a (hong man that is euer in the middeft of the pikes : (o a weakc Chri- stian , that by all good meancs guardcth himiVIfcfrom occailons of cuill, is more like to bee prelcrued from finne , thcnh.ee that prefumingof hisowne fhength, is carelciTe of danger, and therefore {hunncth no provo- cations whereby he may be oucrcome. In the Hall.'] This action otTcter in it felfe was not limplie euill. For howlocuer hee was among the pro- phane feruants of the high priefis, yet he bad nothing to doe with them ; there was no focietie at all betweene them : yea the end of his being there, was farre different from their*. For they were there to doe feruicetothc high Pried, in abufing and difgracingof our Sauiour Chrifl : but hec was there, as hath beene laid, in an honeft affection to hisMafler to fee what would become of him. Bat though the occafion of his being in this place was honed, and the end good: yet the very place it ielfe,and the companieishurtfulltohim, and minillreth diuerfe occafions and temptations of linne. Hec had prclerued himfclfcfrom this rcarefull fall, if hee had fledde with the rell ofbisfellowcs , and hidden himfelfe as they did. job iS 18 But when once he was bold to enter into the Hall of the wicked high Pricft , though hec did it not with any pur- pofe to denic his Mailer, yet there he met with temptati- ons, whci bv he was ouercome. He late among the pro- phanepcrfonsby thefirctowarmc himfelfe : but it had beene better for him to haue frozen with colde, rather then to indangcr himfelfe in this manner, C . This I o * The R epentiince of Peter and Iuda*. Dott, 2-,* Tms example doth teach vs , not to force our lelues , We muft fhun nor to conuerfc with wicked men euen in things other* the company w jf e noC ynlawfull , leatt by their familiarity wee bee of wicked men. drawncto f innc# This Apotilc Peter, who whiles he was Mat.i6.i6. in tne companie of his fellow Difciples, did confeflc (fhrtft lefts to be thefonne of God, and our redeemer, now Pr#.4.i4. ioyning himfelfe with thefc prophane and lewd perfons , j- is brought in fhamefull manner to denie him. For this VoluH nonDeus caufe the holy Ghoil preflcth this dutie in fo many pla- negligenterau* cesof the Scripture. It is the exhortation of Salomon , dire quod tarn Snternot into the way oft he wicked^nd walke not in the way nvwJsie** »f™' illmen - tAHoideit^ndgoemtbjit^turnefromit, mm nee folium *ndpaj[e by. Where we fee, the holy Ghofl cannot fatis- de arbore fine fie himfeife in vrging this dutic. We may not thinkc that caitfa nee vtms this is any idle repetition, to fet downe one precept in fo ex pajferibnsfine manv worc les. N Q j t were blafphemie to imagine an idle Tatrecxleftica- r „ ,'. , . , o • t • r u c htfupertenam "liable to be in the Scriptures. It is let downe therefore putemegodeore to teach vs, that the duty is of great moment, and chief- Sanfti Euange- Jy to bee regarded of vs. Yc a this Apotfle, labouring to list* fuperftimm C onfirme the new Conttertes, amongtt many other exhor- t ) Ci^tr U * tat ' ons ' nc vrgeth this with great vehemency. Save your M.uan-y.MifTus eft felt*es from this froward generation. Jmploying, that the Homti.cap.i. performance of this dune, was as much as their foules were worth. Which Salomon alfo infinuateth in ano- Att*t.AO. thef place, faying. Far fake the wicked , and yeefhall lme. And Dauid maker h itamarke of a true member of the Church, that in his eyes a vile perfon is contemned. And his ownepraclife was anfwerable hereunto , as himfelfe te- PA/.15.4 flificth, J haue not faith hee , haunted with vaine perfons, J>{al.i6,$. neither kept company With the dtffemblers. I haue hated the affemblte of the emk, and haue not compamed with the wic~ krd. K* 1 < And great reafon is there, why all the children of God fhould be carcfull to pcrforme this duty ; for firM , all wicked men are Gods enemies. As St. lames fokhswhefo- Zxod.ioj, euer will be afrstttd of the world ( as all vngodly perions are) pro.$.e, T. The Repentance of Peter and I ados* 1 1 f • ' • • - ■■ i - .1 . i . * ■ . , arc ) maketh himfelfe the enemte ofCjod. Yea they hate GodanJ hisfcruice and vsorfhip , as the Lord himfelfe faith.And therefore how can they that profeflc them- feluec to be the children of God, hold any familiarity with them? It weretreaibn in a fubieft, to liue in friend- ship with one that is a prof r (led encmie ro the King. Much more is it trcafon in the iLbieChofthcKingofhea- uen, to hancfocicty with thole that are deadly enemies to his maicl-ly. And therefore, when lehofhaphat , other- wife a good King , would ioyne in league with ^Abah a wicked wretch , lehtt the forme ofHanant chc fcer , wel- comed h:m home with this falutation. VVouldefl thou tChronjj.t. heipe the wicked, and lone them that hate the Lord? 2. They are odious to God , >s they hate him, fo he hates them , as Dauid faith , Thou hateft all them that worke iniquity. Now we fhould all b? p< rhr, as our Father which p Mf.f. is tnheattentsperfit. ss4ndwefhotildJh>'W forth the venues ^* r M*. of htm that hath called vs out of darhntfie into his maruel- i '*"*' low l'ght.~Xh\s therefore being a vertue in ihe Lord, wee ftiould labour to imitateit. As the I ord commendcth the Church of £phffus£or'\i. Thou hateft, faith he, the worses •fthe Ntcolattans, which I alfo hate And this i .otn 'Dautd ^° C ' 1 ' ' profeffe of himfelr. / hate the works of them that fal away. Pfal.ioi.}. Whereby rhe wav, hee teacheth vs , how our hatred muft be qualified : namely , that wee mttfl not hate the pcrfons, but the wotkes ofwicked men. For as tor their pcrfons, they are the creatures of God, yea and our ow ne flefh , asthePrrphct laith: And for a man to hate his owne flefh ,it is vnnaturall.But their vices and finnes we Ifa'iBj. arc to hate,cuen with a deadly and aperfit hatred. 3. They £phe(.i.i.9* are the Deuils weapons , whereby he doth more pre- ^M^*.*!.**: uailewith Gods children, then by any other meanes. Other occafions are dumbe and cannot plead for thern- felucs, but by our own tongues : But thefe will be irnpor- tunatc fuitcrstodrawc vsto fin : And therefore, they may be well called euen the Deuills ftrcngth without C 2 W'hofc 1 2 The Repentance of Peter and Iudas. vvhofe hclpe his aiiauits are but wcake. But then arc they mod powerful!, when tbey are ofour kindred , or fuch as we loue & fauour,then efpecially if they be wittie s they zSub (pecie in- are moil pemitious, a for whiles with their vvitte they cundiutU ve;ic» make vs merry , their words, as Salomon faith of the flat- mm mfundunt te rcr «oedowve into the bowels of the belly, and fill euen the. bon^.Ambrof. . &. . , , ,. /- '*. . OfRc lib. i.e. 10. inward parts witn deadly poylon. 4. I heir company is Pr. I 3 Salomon faith, they will entifeand draw on others to come P«.r,io.ii.i4« wththem^andtocaftifttheir/ot &cM\t\stlcD2ii\hi\C' ^i ego ho: ft. lire to make many partakers or his nwnc damnation : 10 aivbm fu Mains his inHrumenrs hauc the fame affection. They that are bohum iftalum bad would make the good bad alfo,that they maybe like cfevult^jt fit themfelues. As (they fay ) he that hath the plague run- foftnMu&auti Ding on him, hath a defirc to infedr. others :fo he that is ri ' mm - infected with any vice, Jabourcth to make others as bad ashimftlfc. As we fee in drunkards, and fwcarers , and filch hkcjthey louc none but faeh as will fwill and drinke, * oociles imi- and fweare and fwagger with them. And as wee hauc tandisturpibut heard before, the danger in this cafe is the greater, be- &prauii omncs caufe of our fefues we are * all fo apt and prone to fin we / //ww « &»«* are all of vs too apt fchollcrsto leame that that is naughr. ^'^ t ' cr - ma r u As the Painter with a light hand, and running pencill, cUesfumns.Scn. cancxpreflfe the wrinckJes , & warts, & moles in the face; Bpifl.97. but not fo cafily the face it fclfe :fowc are hardly brought to follow the vertues ofour friends., if any be; but for their vices we imitate them without any labour. It is with vs in this cafe, as with one that hath beene long weakened sMeca,Epi@.7. with fickcnefle :that as he can hircily come abroad , but Siqmt magijim be taketh fome cold,and is the worfc for it : fo it is as hard c *J li im P robu ™> for vs to come into lewd company, and receiue no hurt. ^ rotum a d de- Ifthey cannot caufe vs wittingly to yccld to (innc , yet tcrwrem partem they will giue vs fome ftaine at vnawares. And therefore, pbrumqueappU- Salomon giueth vs good counfell: Make nofriendjhip with **tX*W*AM* an angry man^ neither goe with the furious man , leafithou . T ' y..J' learne his waies, £?c. The like may be laid of all other, fins. %ua benitas ob- And Bernard uaih a good faying to tins purpofe. It is as fcfj'.i malUjton hard (or a man to prtferue hisgoodncfle, in the midde(t wagu quamf*- of euill men ; as it is hard to kcepe his health, in the mid- 1 *££^JSfj deli of lerpents. For there is a fecret poyfon both in their a ^l jfo^ words and deeds, which fretteth and infeiSeth whomfo- euer it toucethr as the Apoflle fpeaketh oiHymen&us and VhiletHs. Hence is it,that by reafon of the manifold finnes :hat beaiefway, the Apoflle faith, the times Mefertlons C 5 times l a The Repentance of Peter And Iudas. 1Tim.y1.x4. times , fuchasic (hould be hard for a man ro keepe fairl, & * Aliquidmali a g GO ,-) confcien.ee in the m. It is a trueproucrbc, * Much P Z P l7m!' lCl ™ m ** il1 comes fy an illneighbow.llz that dwcllcth by a man Eraf.adag, that halteth {hall learne to limpeof him. He thatliucth eraf.de Imgua. daily among them that flammcr, (ball in time learneto 7)umlpc8sttt ft uc like thern.And he that is much conucrfant with them duntl™&W. l ^ U ^ 3Uc ^ lcarc c y es -> ls ln danger to cat ch the difeafe Ouid. dc reined, himfelfe : So he that is familiar with wicked men , will in iHtreb'n tib> a- time become as bad as they. a Let a man hue with a bafc uaritia quart- couetous perfon^&couetoufneffe will tink vnto him. Let diuauaro fordi- ^^ k ee p company with whote-maflers,and it will fet his Imendentliblk- ^ s on fac And as Eccleftafticus fa \th y Hc that is familiar neitu** adulte with the proud, fhall be like vnto him. As it is hard for a rorum (odaltia. man to goe into a mill, and not to haue fome meale fiickc Scn.Ep.104. on hjs c ]oathes ; or to touch fitch and not be defiled with it; Ecc lei.\$ 1. ortowalkcmuch in the Sunne and not to be tanned and Pro.6^7! ' funne-burnt \or to take fire in his bofome, andhis cloathes not be burnt ; or to goe into a petf-houfe , and not take in- fection : fo it is as hard for a man to come into lewd and ptofane company , and net be tainted with fome vice or other.For this caufe the Lord gaue fuch (tra-.ghc charge to the people of Ifrael , that they Should haue no dealing Exod.tz.xi. 33. vvith the inhabitants of the laud of Canaan, Thou /7; alt ^;4.ii, * make no couenant with them, nor with their Gods. Neither 1 5.1 6. fhall they dwell in thy land , leaft they make theefmne agamft Deutl.i. me ^ n( ] a g a j ne> 7~ a J*e heed to thy (elf : e, that thou make x§ compatlwith the inhabitant* oj the land, whither thougoeft, leaft they be thecavje ofrmne among you Leaft when they go a whoring after their Cjods,fome man call thee ^andthou goe a whoring alfo. And againe , Thou [halt make no couenant With them : Neither floalt thou make manages with them, neither giue thy daughter to hisfonne.nor take his daughter to thyfonne* Tor they will caufe thy fonne to turne away from me, and to feme other (jods : And how true this was , the ?fal.lo6.tf.}6. euentmadeitmanifeli. For they nrglc&ing this tfri6t commandement of Godjvere minglcdamong the heathen, and Thereptntince of Peter and Iudas. I j andle *rned their yoorkes \ And ferned their I doles y -which were thtir r -nine, as D/m/u/ faith. And wehauctonmuch prootc of this, eucn in our ©wne experience. For as wee fee the riue rs, which otherwifc of themfclues are ivvect & frefh, yt't when they runne into the fca , become fait : fo many young men and \vomen,who in tneir young yeeres whiles they were kept in by good education, were of great towardnefle and good hoperafterwards falling into ili company, haue bin corrupted & grown molt diflolutc. And indeed a man though ethcrwife well affected : yet w hen bee fhall liue in fuch places , where hec fhall neuer hcare good word , but fwearing and lafciuious (peaking &c; neucrfee any good example, but open contempt of godlineffe, and all vile pradtifes that may be; by little and little it queileth his hatred of thefe things , and maketh them feeme lefle ofrenilue to him. For as a burning fire- brand, if it becaft into thcfnow,wilfoonebe tx:ingui(li- ed : fo euen a great meafure of zcale will foone be quen- ched among wicked company. Yea i t will come to paffe, that when men bauepaflthe day in vanity and foolifh de- Jights(fuch as euill companions willcontinuallyfuggeft,) they fhall be altogether vnfittc.with any reuerence,either to pray or reade, or performe any other good duety. And therefore D amd^s it were in a holy indignation, chideth wicked perfons away from him. Aw.fy from me ye wicked: ^> %l l * A l & for I 'willkeepe the common dements of my ty^.Infinuating that he could not fet himfelfc to the performance of any holy duty, with that feruency he ought, as long as fuch lewd companions were about him. And knowing his owne weakeneffe in this cafe, he prayeth earnefl'jv'tff/^ p, ■ , not mine heart to euill, that I ' fliouid commit wicked worses vpah men that worke iniquity , &c So that to conclude this point, wemay fay offrequenth.g ill company , as they were wonttoiay inacommon prouerbe in England of w \u a r wo , m going to Rome fa that goeth to T^ome once feeth a wick- contrtuerj. ^druan; lie that goeth twice 3 Icarncth to know him . hee qu* ft.io ftrt.$* that 1 6 The Repentance of Peter wdludas. that goeth the third time, bringeth him home with him, Lafl of all,if it doth fall out,that we be not infected by conuerfing with wicked perfons ( which is almoft impof- fible, without a great meafure of Gods grace) yet if there be any fparke or true goodneffe in vs, wee cannot chufe but be grieued aboue meafure with their yngodly pra- cVifes and finnefull courfes. As it is faid of Lot , who though by the grace of God he was preferued from .con- tagion in the middeft of Sodome , which was as it were a pitch-barrell , euen a finckc of finne : yet his righteous i.Pet.i.7$. foulewas vexed ( as though he had beene vpon the racke iC&ff&vi^iv ( for fo much the word fignificth) with the vncleanely Be\aibid. conuerfation of ~the wicked an din feeing and heartng their vnlawfulldeedes. And this was it that made T>auidbc- moane his efhtc , when he was banifhed from his coun- F/4.110.5. try, and conOraincd for the fafcty of his life y to abide a- mong vncircumcifcd people : Woe is me that Iremaine in Afejhech, and dwell in the tents of Kedar. In like manner Jfa>6.$. t j ie prophet Ifaiah cryed out as it were in great pafllcn, Woe is me :for I am vndone, becaufe I dwell in the middeft ofapeople of polluted lips. So great a griefe is it to the chil- dren of God, to be in fuch places, where their eyes fhall behold nothing but Gods difhonour 3 and their eares fliall be continually beaten with blafphemous fpecches a- ^ gainllGod and all goodnelTe. * ' ' And therefore to make vfe of this doctrine, itferueth fiiftto admonifh vs to take heed to our felues in this ref- taj, c intiia. p cc "i # if phi(lciansgauecounfell,that they that vvouldpre- ferue the health of their bodies, fhould haue a care to liue amongll found and healthfull perfons, and fhould auoid thclocieticof them that are fubie6t to contagious di- feafes : much more fhould w e be carefull to fhunne all fa- miliarity with thofe that are wicked 3 if we would preferue the health of our foulcs , becaufe the difeafes of the foule doe fpread fooncr, and infeel worfe, then the difeafes of the body. And therefore whciafoeuer we are in danger this The Repentance of Peter and Judas % I J this way, * thebeft remedy is euen to take vs to our hccles iHuwfmodl and run away as fa ft as wc can? when a mans houfc is on fire, »«**£*?**« cuen gouty and lame pcrfonsfindc their Icgges. If a fcrpent p^tiefm clam doe but hide , how raft doth cucry man runnc away ? when pedes, l* j»U wee come by a noyfome lake , thac iendcth out venemous tnirn Juga (alu- cxhaIations,wc ftnppe our nofcs,and hi ft away as faft as cur tit fits repopt* feet can carry vs. Much more (hold we make hafte to cfcape £ jl' E '^ m > lbhL lrom lewd company , became theie things cawnot be to a6 j ( p aYat - t dangerous to the body, as it is to the foulc. As in time of the quamfuntjKj dt peftilence,we would be loath to fit with a man that hath the Eccle/Ia prefugi. plague running vpon him , for feare of infection. So wee OjP^^-J-jP.M- ftiould be as loath to conuerfc with a wicked man, becaufe a ." * ***- his company is more contagious. Thetime was,when as s en je tranquil. in the purer ages of the Church, fuch was the zeale of Gods vita. children, that they would not fo much as in words haue any communion with vngodly perfous.To this purpofe it is re- corded o( Poly carpus, who was St. Johns Difciple,that mee- A ^°^gnofc6 ting Martian a damnable hcretike, who taking it ill that he satan^EuTb did not falutc him , and asking him if he did not know him: lib4.cap.14. yes faith he,I know thee well enough to be the firft borne of Sathan. And CMaresthz blind Bifhop of falcedon, rcpro- uing Julian the Apoftata for his idolatrie, when the Em- H'Jior.tripart:, perour in fcornc vpbraided him with his blindnes, he made "*•*•'"/>• 14. this bold anfweare, that he gaue God thankes for his blind- ncfle, that he could not fee fo wicked a man as he was. So fhould it be with vs, wee fhould be fo farre from appro- uing of wicked men by our company and familiarity, as that rather both by our words, and by our countenance wee fhould (hew our diflike of them. The prophet Jeremie profefteth what care hee had in thiscafe.Jfatenot, faith he, lerjifAfi in the ajfemblte of the mockers ^ but fate alone , and fomuft wee rather fit alone, then be in fuch company , where wee fhallbeein danger to be drawne tofinne. Let them returne j eri * J9m to vs ( if they will) for wee may not returne to them. Let them i.p^.4.4, (as their manner is) fyeake eutllofvs, bccaufeweevprilnot run D with IB The Repentance of Peter and Iudas. with them into the fame exceffe of ryot. Let them count vs fingular and vnfociable, Jet them count vs furly proudl, and difdainefull, as if no companie were good enough for vs. Better is it for vs to endure all thefereproches, ra- a Satius eosir- ther then by conuerftng with them to dishonour God . ritare tempe- [ a ] Better is it(as Saint sAugujiine faitb)in another cafe ; rantia, qutm t0 j ncen f e t h cm by our temperance, then to pleafe them bv platan luxunai yrr , ^ J , n *■ , , " U J &honeftate eti- dl{iol utenerTe: yea by our honefty to prouoke themeuen aminmicitias to enmitie, rather then to pacifie them by fuch deformi- prouoacare , tie. If wee would take this courfc , wee fhould not onely quam tantade-\ preferue our felues from the contagion of finne , but alfo dec'iJt.DaTb ^ Gods bleflfing wee might doe good euen to the wicked. s.cap.i7. ' So long as wee vfe them familiarly , and conuerfe ordinari- ly with them , wee make them thinke well of themfelues, and fo we flrengthen their handes, tharthey cannot repent of their finnes. Whereas , if wee would alwayes fkunne their companie, and browe bcate them wherefoeuer wee mcetc them, it might be we flionld make them afhamed at thclaft. I might be, they would think with themfelues, why doth fuch a man refufe my companie? Surely hee feeth fcmethingbyme that is amitTe. Itmaybeemyfwearing, it may bee my lafciuious talking , it may bee my prophanc- nerle doth offend him. If he that is but a mortall man , cannot endure mcc for thefe things : how much lefTe fliall the Godofheauen endure me, VVho'tsof pweeies , and cannot fee eu'tli And thus it might pleafe God , that this Hf^.ij. might bee a meanes of their cdnuerflon, which were a bap- pie thing. %;r e% «, Secondly , by this doctrine all they are rcprooued , that are carelefTc of their company. They vfe as much fami- haritie , and (hew as good a countenance to the worft and make them as welcome asthebefl. If hee will butkeepe them company^and helpe them to parte away the tima idlie and vnprofltable ( which if they could fee it , pa£ feth awaytoofaftofitfelfe) beethePapifts or Athcifl,bc hee Swaggerer or Swearer , yea bee hee as prophanc as £- Jau The Re pen tance of Peter and Ittdas. i y fan ; hee is tic for them. Yet thefc noiwithftanding would bee counted and reputed good Chriflians. But they little * ' knowe how they hazard their ellimation with God and aJl good men by this mcancs. For hereby they giuemenoc- cafaon to fufpect, that they arc not found at the heart, when thcycanbec haile fellowc well met withcucry bafcand levvdc companion. According to the old faying [ * J He a Xofcitur ex that cannot be knowne by bimfeifejnay be knomie by the com - £*£J T^' fanie that hee kjepes. For commonly eucry man is held to £ Ta/is quifyue be fuch as his companions are. As wee fee birdes of a fca fbkt hibtrLcum ther flockc together. And threforc , as men are carefull of qualibus agit fa- their godly credit and reputation in the Church, Co Jet millar j taem - themcake heed, what companie they frequent. Butfomc e '*&"** will perhappes obie^^profeiTeth , I amacompa- Tfal.\6>\* nion of all them thatfeare thee andkeepe thy precepts. And in an ot her plac e , All my delight is in thy Saints and in fuch as excellin vertue. Though Dauid were a King,yet hee icorncd n ot the company of the meanelt and poorett,if he were god* ly and vertuous, becaufe it would be a meanes to build him vp in- grace. And therefore to conclude : As Dauid was ?[al\o\.6. carefull in the choice ofhis feruants : LMme eyes fhall be to thefaithfulloftheland , that they may dwell with me: fo let vs be carefull of our companions. Let our eyes be to thofe that are godly and religious, to fuch as fearc God, that they may be our companions. aAndamaid] As the high c Prieftdoth perfecute our Sa- il iour Chrift : fo all his family doth further the matter/There is not one of any fort whatfoeuer, that doth not take part with theirmaifter againft the doctrine of the truth. They allfauour of impiety and frame themfeloes to the humour of the The Repentance of Peter and Indas. 1 1 the high Pricft. The feruarits alTiflcd'/W.&f in apprehending Mat, 1rf.47.51 Chrifl. They attended in the houfe for any further imploy- ^b?i.\>i.i2. ment.And when the Prtefl began to raile vpon him , and to fpitathim', the feruants were ready to finite him with their SWar.14.6^ rods € Yc2 we fee euenthe maids againft themodelhc of their iexe, grow fawcy and malepcrt , to meddle in thecaufe and bufincflc whereof they hauc no knowledge. Doflr. ?* They were al trained vp to perfecute religion &godIines. Wicked mak" Where we ice the picture of a wicked family.They all agree ** crs ^ auc to perfecute Chrifl & his Difciplcs. Wicked gcuernours of oAhe^ownc families for the mofl part haue all their feruants of their own difpofnion. 1 dipofition. According to thecommonprouerbe,^/^ w*?//&r P/^.133.1. *** ■ . 2 3 If they be good, it is an exhortation to the fcruants to draw them to good : but if they be cuill, it is a prouocation vnto cuill. Yea they cftcct as much in the ioule , as the light of lacobs rodiks wrought with it he Ewes, when in ram- GM.30.37.38- mine time they were laid before rhem in the watering ??• trou^hes.And therefore as the Queencol Sheba pronoun- ced the feruants'of Salomon happy, that ftoode euer before 1 Kj?jg.\o.9. him , and heard his wifdome 7 &c. So on the contrary fide, mifcrablc is the ftatc of thofe fcruants \ that dwell in pro- fane and w icked houfes , where there is nothing but exam- ples of impiety. Many parents and maiftcrs doe complaine, that their children and fcruants, though they hcare good Sermons euerySaboth day, yet they reapc no profit. And nomaruell, when as the euill example they lee at home, doth them more hurt, then all the Miniftcrs paines in the Church can doe them good, efpccially considering, that their nature is farre more 3pt and prone to euill, then to good.Andthisisthechiefedcaufe of all the diforder that is in families. Though fcruants were little acquainted with finne before , they may learne it of their maiftcrs. But let all Hebj.13. fuch matters take heed : forthe time will come, that they ^jf' 17 ' 1 ^" (ball giuc a Arid account to God, for all that are vnder their y^^fljl^ charge. O what a comfort would it be to their foules, if quid a'difcipv- when they fhall be called to this account , they could fay in lis deliquitur truth, 'Behold, here am I, and the children which God hath Bcrn./tplog.ad gtuenme; or as our Sauiour Chrift faith , Thofe that thou ^f^f^ gaueftme , and committedfito my charge, hanelkept, and p^m^tur'te none of them is /^.Otherwife , if by their rneanes , they hauc prefentejd tibi beene corrupted, their cafe will be fcarefull. Yea they fhall turpiusXem. make themfelues guilty of the finncs of their feruants, deconfid.Ub.*. which arc committed by their dcfalt. As if cither by their y* 'Pf mt * nm ... . 1 , • , rr • Uafluicume- cuill example, or by their conmuence and remiticncs inpu- mcn dare alium nifhing, they hauegiuen them occafion of finne , thofe fins pofttjieiligity are their owne, as if they had committed them themfelues. ptrticipcm (e As we fee, when the Ifraelttes had broken the Saboth in %T^£ ' going out to feekc for CM anna \ contrary to Gods cxprclTe ^er^dc^svi^ commandement 1 4 The Repentance of Peter militias. comrnandcrnent , the Lord faid to Aiofes : How long refufe ye to keepe my commandements and my /awes. OHofes had not profaned the Saboth but the people ,and yet he is rebu- ked for their finne, becaufethey were committed to his charge. No w there is neuer one of vs , but wee haue linnes p/d/,38,4 enough of our owne. Euen thofe which in our owneper- fons we haue committed , if wee had grace to feeie it , are lob.9.3. a waighty burden^ too beany for vs to beare , as Damd faith. And ifGodfhould call vsto account, onely forourowne perfonall finncs , we (hould not be able to anfwere one of a. thoptfand. And therefore , why fhould wee charge vpon our heads the finncs of our families ? Vfe.i* Secondly , it admoniflieth them, if they be godly them- felues,toendeuour that their feruants may be godly like- Lukeit.S. wife : elfe they (Ball not be fo wife as the children of this world are in their generation : who as hath beene faid , will haue all their feruants of their owne difpofition. For the ef- fecting of this, there is required 1. a diligent care in the chaife of them. Andfurelyour care in this cafe, fhould at leaf] be equall with our care in other matters. When we are to flocke our ground with fheepe,we are very carefull, both that they be of a good breed , yeelding wooll of a good fla- ple,and alfo that they come from found grounds. And when we begin to plant an orchard,we doe not gather plants and graftes in cuery hedge, but wee are carefull to prouide J/4.5.1. the befl p!ants,as the Prophet fpeaketh.Much more fhould \vc be carefull in the ftoring and planting of our families, to make choyfe of fuch as feare God , and are not infected with groffe finnes. And this was the pracVife of 'Damd, Td.iQi.6.7, which fhould be ourpatternc in this cafe. Mine eyes, faith he sfloallbe vnto the faith full of the land , that they may dwell with me : hee that walketh in a perfit way , heefoallferue me . TheKe fballno deceitfull per fon dwell xn my houfe^c. 2. Be- caufe fuch feruauts are rare aud hard to be found,there mufl be anendeauour, both by precept and by example to make them fuch. This hath bcene the care of all Gods children from The Repentance of Peter And Iudas • 2 j >■ " ■ — ■ — ■ - • from time to time. Abraham flitted oft, and had no fetlcd Gcn.ix-r.t. place of abode, yet whcrcloeucr he came, hee built an Al- e> 13.18. tar for him and his family to worfhip God. Hee did not ex- ^ lx, 33« cufe himfelfe by his vnictlcd eftatc , but howfocucr hec wandrcd vp and downe himfelfe, yet he kept a fctled courfe for the feruice of God. And Iacob \ returning from Tadam $Aram , purged his family from thecorruption cn *tf' x l>&c they had got in Labans houfe , and bringeth them to the fincere worfhip of God. lofhnah alfo thought it not enough Ig j for himfelfe to ferue God, but he was careful] alfo for his fa- i y lm ^ m milv. / andmy houfe faith he , will [erne the Lord. And lob lolm 4.5$. fanblified hi* fonnes y and offered burnt offerings for them. It is ^#.16.15.34. teihfied ofthe "P^ler, whofc fonne our Sauiour Chrift refto- red to his health , and of Lydia , and ofthe la'tlonr, that not themfelucs onely, but their houfhould alfo beleeued in God.But the example of Cornelia* , that godly Captaine, is ^#»i °« 2 -7« moil pregnant for this purpofe. It is faid of him , that not onely his houfhould feruants, but euen hisfoldiers alfo (a very rare thing in thefe daies ) feared God. It is very like they were not fo at thefirlt: but his good inftruclions and godly example had made them fo. As we fee in s/ibraham, who had in his houfe 318. feruants, and all of them in fome Ge ** l 4'*A* meafure religious : for they all fubmitted themfelucs to be &'illil[ circumcifedby him. But this was effected by his care in tea- ching them to keepe the way ofthe L or d y zsx\\c Lord himfelfe commendeth him for it. If we would confeionably vfe the fame diligence , wee fhould fee the fame blefling of God vpon our families, that it might be faid of them, as was faid ofthe houfes of Aqutla and Prifctlla, and Philemon , with others, that they arc fo many Churches cf God. But alas, Rom.it.f. God may dwell in our Churches if he will , but there is but ™ llcm > v ' l » cold intertainment for him in the mofl of our houfes, where all religion and godlinefTc is banifhed , and nothing to be fecnCjbut open impiety and profancnefTe.So that they arc fofarre from being the Churches of God, as that they are racher the Chappels ofthe Deuill.For there is no care in E chufing 26 The Repentance of Peter and In das* chufinggood feruants, and as little care in labouring by good mcancs to make them good.If they be perfonable and feruiceable,fucb as we may profitably imploy in our buiines, it is no matter what they are othervvife. Though they be neuer lovngodly, if they will doc their deed, as they fay, they will ferue the turne. HenceitcommethtopafTe, that maiflers are many times iuQly plagued in their feruants. For I. they are vnfaithfull in their buiintiTe, and deceiue their mailters whereinfoeuer they trufl them. And indeed if they be vnfaithfull to God (as all irreligious perfons are) how can it be expected , that they fhould be faithfull to man. Van 6 4 Whereas if they were fnch as feared God, they would makeaconfeienceoftheirbuiinefre , and bee faithfull and trufry in cilery thing committed vnto them. As Abrahams feruant , who being imployed by his maiftcr, in a matter of Cf#.»4.ii. great waight ,hce doth not loyter it, nor llacke it but firit he beginneth his bufinefle with prayer to God for good fuccefie ; and when God had guided himaright,to his iour- neyes end, he would neither eate nor drinke, till he had dif- patched that he came for.The like fatithfulnefTe flaewed la- cob to Laban i though an hard and vnconfcionable maiiterj in the twenty yeares (eruice which he performed to him, as himfe Ife tefhfied. 2. they being wicked, and their finnes crying vnto heaucn for vengeance, they endanger the whole family where they are vnto the curfe of God. For thereisafearefullcurfe hanging ouer that houfe , where fwearers and blafphemers are intertaincd. Where as ifthey were godly, the bleffing of God would be vpon all that they goe about. As euen Laban confefTeth , that he pcrcei- ued plainely , that God had blefled him in his e Hate for la- cobs fake. And when Pmiphar had entertained lofepb to bee his feruant , the Lord bleffedhis houfe for Iofephs/^f , and the blefsing of the {Lordwas vfon allthat he had , in the houfe and'm the field. 3. they infect the whole family , as we fee by too much experience; many children otherwifcofgood difpofition , haue bene poyfoned by conuerfing with dido- lute 33« Ce».3i. 38.39. 40. Gr ex tot us in agr'n Vnmfca. biecadit&^or- rigincporci, Juvenal [at. 1. The Repentance of Peter andludas. 1 7 lute feruants. There is none of vs, that would endure a fcald horfe in our ("tables leal} he fhould Infeft the reft. Nay wee will not admitte into our houfes, a feruant that hath the fal' ling fickneflc , or any other contagious difeafe in his body. Much IeiTe fhould vvc admitte him that hath his foulc loath- fomely infected with notorious vices. 4.8c laft of all they arc adifgraceand a reproach to their maifters. Salomon faith p y929 .i that touched the V***'Ml Prophet Ifatahs mouth with a coale from the Altar. So hee fliould goe from his w ife to his children , from them to his feruants, and labour to kindle in them a zcale for Gods glory.This care was in all the Patriarches , as St. ^Aughftine ^"^eciui. faith, who though in the difpenfation of their temporall QuivcliVturtt goods, they put a difference bctweene their fonncsand flTmiUttnt om- thcir feruants: yet in the thing that concerned their foules, ttibm in familia with equallloue and care they prouided for both alike, ("atanqam And they arc not worthy the name of houfhould eouer- -v 5 aa C(jleflm l 1 • r Al c 11 • dumDcum con* nours, that in this reipectnaue not as great care or all m (u i unt ^ their family , as of their children. Butbecaufe inftruclion J will doe little good , if their pra&ife be notanfwcrable; therefore the pcrfonofa maifter fhould fhine in his family as a lampe , by the light ofa good example : and he fhould • E 2 rcprefent 2 8 The Repentance of Peter and Iuda*. reprefent fuch vertues in his ownc conuerfation, as may fiirre vp his feruants to imitate the fame. Vfe. 2. Secondly, this Do&rine admonifhcth feruants not to frame themielues to the wicked humours of their Matters, nor to bee inflrumentes of euill for their p leafure. Rather let them remember that fpeech of the Apottles , Wee ought ■Aft f J9. rather to obey Cjod then man , As wee haue a commendable example in the feruants of Saul who vtterly refufed to exe- cute his cruell commandement vpon Abimelech and his fel- i,Sdtf7.i2.i7. lowes. They would not mooue their ha.nd.es to faH vpon the Trieflsof the Lord, Onely'Doeg , that dogged and curfed Edomtte , was a fit lnftrument for fuch a wicked purpofc. 1 Z, And indeed, though God commaund obedience to iupe- riours:yet it muft bee in the Lord. And ho wfoeuer fer- uants arc willingly & without grudging to performe what- Colllf-z'lz foeuer dutie belongeth to their Matters, yet it mutt be with this limitation ; that they mutt referue for God that that appertaineth to him. Othcrwife , if to pleafc their Matters , they will worke wickedneffe in defpite of God, they are fure to be damned with their Matters. And how- focuer their Matters fhall haue the greater damnation 3 be- fllat.iiM* caufc they were principalis the trefpafTe : yet they are like toperifhalfo in their finne. It will little auailea feruant, when heefhalbe in Hell, to accufe his Matter for it. I twill boote him little to fay, I may thanke my Matter for this. Woe worth the time that euer I knew him. Hee made no confeience of fwcaring, nor of prophaning the Sabbath, and his example made me thinke it was nothing. It was no difpenfation before God for ^Abfoloms feruants, that they v had their Matters peremptoriecommaundementrbrmur- *..S4/#.i3.»8. dering of thmke, that they that had fuchameaiurc of knowledge and grace, fhould neede no more : and yet the Apoftlc ad- dcth a third petition, that they may bee ftrengthned with all might through his glorious power , inhnuating, that though a n> man haue neuer lo much knowledge , and bee neuer (o throughly fanclified; yet if hce bee not ftrengthned alfo by the Lord, he cannot (land. In like manner, hee exhorteth the EphefiariSj Finally my brethren , faith he, be ftrong in the Epbcf.6, 10. Lord, andm the power of his might. So that without the power of God , our flrength is no better then vveakenelle. And for this caufe , the Apoftle T^r faith, that wee are ifet.i.f. keptbytbepowerofC^odtofaluation; vnlefle the Lord in ffxfxpivott . his mercy did watch ouervs by his grace , and defend vs a* n * parte th from vs fometimes, lead being with vs continually, dim contemna- he (hould be contemned. tur.Aug.vbi fn~ Fiftly, becaufe wee defire them no more earneftly. For if pra. we could pray earneflly to God for his grace, he that giueth to all men liberally and reproacheth no man , as Saint lames faith, would beftaw it vpon vs. But our negligence and F care 3 4 Tk Rcfent&nce of Peter And Iudas. 9 carclefTenetTe in this cafe , doth cucn defcrue that God fmmaf/et ^ ouldforfakevs > asthcramc Apoftle faith , Tee get nothing derttutydefi* becaxjeyee askenot. * Therefore God doth worthily wnh- deratns *uidm draw himfelfe from vs, that when wee fcele the want of his qu*ratur y diu prefence wee may more earnettly defirc him, and defi- qu* fttm tandem r j n p ma « imorc diligently feekc him, and hauingoncebe- tur Aug ibid, iought him may it the lall fiindc him to our greater cora- gummsfubin- tort. iefuii dm'mui Laft of all , the Lord doth it to make vsmore carneftJy in certmme ne to j on g a f ccr tnat f u jj p €r f c ftj on of grace, that (halbe in the t?T\uTtr\b^T Kmgdome of Hcauen. If the Lord fcould neucr denievs perm>ttltur ta- grace in this life,nor fhould be ouer ready to fct downe our menfatigan reft here, and fhould (bone groove outof loue with any propria inform*- better eftace. And therefore, that wee may not take the utn onerepr*- pl ace of ourbaniftiment for our countric as Saint *Art~ tas - fed cum in i^fl^ ne ki £ h s nor tnc Darnell of our inheritance for the full fe ip'fa mlium payment , the Bridegrome commeth and departeth by vtrtulh inuenit courfe : fome times miniitring comfort , and ioroetiroes frmmentumy changing our whole eftatc into weaknefle. He fufferetb vs diumJphtatis t0 n3UP a ilttlc tafl novv *" wcct nc is > buc ^ e ^ orc we can "% c iib recurrat ^ iC ^» nc with draweth himfelfe, and as it were fkuttereth auuliumSul- oucr vs* with his winges , to prouoke vs to Ate vp to hea- gent de oral & Uen , But howfoeuer the Lord for thefc and other caufes compunn.cordx. beflknowneto himfelfe , doth forfake his children, for a pin . while : yet this is our comfort, nee neuer roriakcth vs to- Vr*ttrea,ne tally nor finally. Yea euen when hee leemcth moil of all exiiom depute to forfake vs , htc ftandeth hehinde the wall, and lookcik msfrifatrkt ft vs t ^ raft ^ t y e ehwckjsrf the dote ^ as Salomon faith. fammJvemt * Wiiere he compareth the Lord to a nurfe , that fometimes (poxfut '& rcce- hid c rh herfclfe from her child, to fee what fhift it can make diti/ic'ifun-fiunc confolatiuncm afire* s , nunc vniucrfum (latum nottrum in infirmitatcm commutam'.paulilper tjos perm'itiit gujiare qudm (uauis e!i y & antequam pleni fentiamut , fefubtrabit, &q-;afis.lijs expanfnf.upra nosvolitam prouocat nes ad veiandum. ^Suguflmus ibidem. Cant.%.9. Quit non remijjm & tepiduU amet eum , quern fe cogitat necejjario deferturum? quand$ ne bomi- nem amicum.pdffit qmfquam amare fidehter , que m ftbi futurum newt mmicum. Augujiimts deCiuitatcVei.tib ii.Crtp.20. i.CflMQ.i$. without The Repentance of Peter And Iudas m 3 e without her : but ftill her eye W'atcheth oi'cr it, that it take no hurt. So though the Lord, feeme to hide himfelfe from vs in fome temptations : yet his gracious eye (till attendeth vs , and will not fuflfer vs to bee tempted aboue our ftrengtb, fant^.*, hut will giue an ijfue with the temptation. And if at any time wee feelc our felues in danger of fainting , then hec runneth to vs with all (peed , and putteth his left handvn- der our bead, and his right hand do. b embrace vs. This Doctrine fcruethfirfhfor admonition. For it ad- Vfc.\. monifheth vs to defpaire of our owne power , and of Foradraoni- all flrength of the flc(h , yea euen to renounce our felues lion * and all confidence in our felues. It is the Deuils pcl- licic to make- vs ouerweenc of our felaes,and to prefume of that that is not in vs, and all to bring vs«to confufion . For heeknoweth that a man is neuer nearer vnto frame , then when his heart is lifted vp with a fond conceit of his owne worth. As S alomon faith, Trtde goeth before deftruBion, Trou.i6 t \%. and an high mtnde before the fall. And whofocuer hee is that feemeth te himfelfe to bee fomewhat when hee is nothings Gal6,y hee dtceiueth himfelfe in bis owne imagination. And there- fore, acknowledging our owne want of flrength , and our owne inabilitie to fland without the afiiftancc of Gods grace, ktvsnotbe high minded but fcare^sthc Apoflle ex- Xmh.ii.20* horteth , yea let vsworkfout our owne falnation with feare p^-/ lx , and trembling. It is true indeed, in rcfpcdlof God we hauc no caufc to feare, For his foundation remainetb fure,and hath tbisfeale , The Lordknoweth who art his. But in refpeft of T - % « our felues and our owne frailtic , wee hauc great caufe to feare. For if it were not that the Lord doth eftablifli vs by his flrength, we fhould hazard the forfeiting of our faluati- on eucry day. And therefore,!/^/** that thmketh bee flan- Cqt deth take heed leafl befall. And indeed , who can hope to (land, being left to himfelfe, when as Peter who had made fuch an excellent confcfTion ©f Chnft twice before, Thou art Chriflthe fonne oftbelming God. vind, thonhaflthe Met.\6.\C m wordes of eternall life &c. Who had wrought fo many uh *M**9* F 2 miracles 3 6 7 he Repentance of Peter and Iuda*< uW*U7.i. miracles in the name oi Chrilt , and hadinforne mcafurc tailed of the ioyes of heauen , being prcfent when his Ma- fter was transfigured on the mount , could not ftand but fellfofrnmefully. Secondly, it admonifheth vs to trufl in the Lord, that that which we are not able to doe of our felues , wee may erTc£t it by his firength,and by the power of his might. Cor- roborat ion \szn herbc of grace (as I may tearme itj that groweth not in our gardens, but as all other good gifts , it UMA.17. is from aboue , and eommetb downe from the father of lights. And if at any time it be dead in refpcc-1: of our feeling, it can neuerbcquickned»againeby any blowing of ©ur ownc, but as it were by new fire giuen from heauen. And there- fore , when we fcele our ownc weaknefle,we muft haue re- courfe to God by earneft Prayer, as the Apoftle P*»/did in MaI**i%* the like cafe. And Dautd hauing experience of his great &i7^» frailtie by his grieuous fals, prayeth vnto Godtoflabli/h hint) and vndcrproppehim as it were with his free sfirit, and to ft ay his fteps in his paths that his feete might notJJide. AndourSauiourChrift, knowing the manifold temptati- ons wherewith we are belct;and our inabilitieco withftand M*tk.6.i\* them , hath taught vs in the Lordes Prayer to double that petition > Lead v snot into temptation > But delmcrvsfrom emll Vttmi ex ege- Thirdly , wee are here admonifhed , not to be too rafh gio pr*fumptere anc j \^[}y m our promifes which we make to God , further effcttMejf'Auz, tncn we knowe our ovvne ftrength.leaft it befall vs, as it did the Apoftie Peter in this place. He promifed great matters, but he was flackc in performance. I grant it is neceflary for vsto vowfometimes , that wee may be more tfri£tlytyed EcdefKi. to r ^ e P er ^ onnancc of our duties .-yetit isthecounfellof willt't contr .6* Salomon y i\\zt neither our mouthes be too raft , nor our hearts- qu*ft.^part.$. toohaftie in vowing.And among many conditions required in making ofvowes, this is one, which ischicfly to be re- garded, namely , chat it be in our power to performe them ; ©therwife, it is but a tempting ofGod, and giueth great aauanufc The Repentance of Peter aud IucLts. 3 7 aduancagc to the Df uill. As we lee in the Taptfts , who are verv forward to vowe finglc life ; but how they performe it, the euentfhcwethfor the gift of contincncy bci^gnot jtfAif.it. in their power , as our Sauiour Chrift faith, Allmenreceiuc not this thing , but they tovehom it is giuen : they defile them- felues with fornication, and all kind ofbealily filthineffe, yea eucn fuch as with modeftie cannot be named. Secondly, this doctrine ferueth for the confutation of a Vfi»2 maine doftrine, yea euen a pillar of Papiflry : namely, that For CORfut a- Peter is the foundation whereupon Chrift built his Churcb. ° n * But alas, they will make but a miferablc and a feeble Church , when the foundation is fo weake , that it fhaketh at the voice ofa girle. It is like that houfe that was built on thefand, which could not abide a (forme.* The maine ar- gument which they preflfe vpon eueroccafion , and which *'*'»7-**.»7» long fince is worne threcd bare , is that fpeech of our Sa- uiour to Peter y vpon that excellent cenfefTion of his. Thou artPcter, and vpon this rock? will I build my Church, &e. For why fay they, did Ghrifl giue Peter this name , more then any other of the Apofllcs , but to fhew that he was appoin- ted to be the foundation of the Church. -But this place is . monmaliciouflyabufed and wrefted by them: and there are diucrfe grofle elenches in the argument they frame out of it. For Firfi they change the M a fculine gender into r f&«« &&*- the Feminine , and the Apfcllatiue into a Troper name. For m ' Chrift did not lay, vpon this Peter : which yet hee might , x « haueiaid,feeingin the Grceke tongue tirpot &^ T <*afigni- WfcWf^tr fit :both one thing ; but he faith , vpon this r**^? , pJaincly VT. , \ 1 teaching vs , that wee mutt feeke for ar other fundation be- lrrt 7 * VT " mkr fide Peter, whereupon to build the Church. Secondly they do U% . ioynclyaffirmc thole things of Peter , which our Sauiour fitij^' ™^ Chnft ipake diftinetiy , both of the rdeke , whereupon the building of the Church is laid, and of

*dom- fa t \ on9 Bytherocke whereon our Sauiour Chrift pro- mgs ( me? r ?ajce mifed to build his Church is vndcrftood, 1. Chrift him- cuesmeas. u4*g. felfe : as euen the Apoftle /V ded of the faithfull , and confefled by faith. To conclude, it Ttrm'm&lat. is very well worth our marking to conlider, what Ferns y \6 t who was himfclfe a Papift , hath written concerning this point in his commentaries vpon this place of ijiiathew. This place faith be , is a chiefe place of all that Matbew hath written .-neither is there any place that doth more comfort thcconfcicnce. And this the aduerfarie of all goodneffe knew well enough : and therefore, he hath bent all his en- dcauour to wrefl it from the true , naturall and fimple mea- ning, andtodraweitto deputations and ftrife of words: w hich alio he hath tffcclcd. For concerning this place, wee doe nothing elie but contend for fuperioritie , who (hould be the gi eatefl j not confidenng, what our Sauiour faid to Mat*i:tl>i6* his Difciples in the like cafe , The Lodes of the Cj entiles toAHe domtmon ouer them, ejre. 'But ttfhall not befo mthyou. And a little after hte faith: wcemuir inquire what this rocke is, w hereon the Church is built. The word rocke in the fcrip- ture is fomc times taken for flrength , and firmentffe , and p£ #10 . 7 .j. fecurity : as in thofe ipeeches otDeuid, Hejhallfetmevpon ^40.1. 4 rocke , and hefet my feet vpon the rocke : where he meaneth nothing elie , but that hee was fet in a fure and fafe place, that is, in fecurity- And therefore, when Chrifl faith, vpon this rocke Willi build my Church.eJrc. hee meaneth nothing elie* 40 The Repentance of Peter And Iudas. clfe, but chat hec would build his Church vponafureand immouc3ble foundation, againfl which all theaflaultsof jq 9te the aduerfaries fhould not preuaile. Hereby it is euident that Chrifl built not his Church vpon 7.*f, haue fentBcarcs to haue tome him in prices, as hee did to &* 1 * 1 * G the 42 The Repentance of Peter andludas. Exod.3. the children that mocked Elifloa. But he vfeth none ofthefc rr;j„ a r ~ meanes,butonelyfendethfrog«es, and lice, and flies^ancl viae AeiuMtm. r , ... .♦ i t DD , , . , var.HisUib.14. inch like vile and weake creatures , to plague him and to cap. 4. checkc his pride. And indeede , euen thefe; things which in themfelues are contemptible , were a grciuous annoyance vcrfi. to him,and to the whole Land. For his very bed-chamber, yea his bed it felfc was pefhed with frogges &c. In like X.&MB.17.9.10, manner Goliah that mightic gyant of 6ath , that defyed all theHoft of Ifracl with proud and brauing tcrmes, as if none had beene able to fight with him and ouercome him, fudg.l.tf &. was quelled by little T>amd with a fling and a ftonc. So Sk* 4 , » I - [era the captaine of Iabtns Hofl that came againft the Ifra- ludqtx KA ^ ltes m ^ confidence of the victory , was ilaine by laela weak? woman with a nail e and a hammer. And jibtmelech in the hight of his pride, w as alfo brought to his death by a wcman,who from a tower cafx a peice of "a milflone vpon his head, and brake hisbraine pan. And Herod, who was lifted vp, and fvvelled in pride at the voice of thofc flatterers that. told him he fpake more like a God then a man, was fudden- ^#.11,24.13. ly fmitten by the Angellof the Lord , an^ was eaten vpof Brentm in Luc. formes. And indeed, this is a -worthy punifhrocnt for pride,, that the more arrogant a man is, the more heefriouldbee Lhc,\$.\a, flumed anddeiecled , as ourSauiour Chrifl faith, He that. exalteth himfelfe jhalbe brought low e* And therefore Peter is worthily more difgraccd then his fellowc*,bccaufe hee had arrogated more to himfelfe then they , though without caufe.. Vfe.i. This may adrnoniifh vs to labour for huwilitie, to think e bafcly of our felues and to bee lowly in our ownc eies , and (o fhall we be more acceptable to God. Our Sauiour Chrift hath eucr becne louingly affe&ed, towardes thofe that were of humble mind. When that good Centurion had fuch a bafe conceit of himfelfe, that he thought not himfelfe worthy that Chrift {hould come vnder his roofe , oh how Mat 8810 highly our Sau'iour'commendeth him! / hattc not found filth *iat.i.i\.&. hee, *"° great hith, no not in Ifrael. Iohn Baptifi confclled c^ 1 1 ?.* 1.. himfelfe in all humiluie 7 that he wasKotwHthj to beare the ft) QMS The Repentance of Peter andludas. 43 fhooes of our Saviour Chrift. But hec affirmeth of him , and that very carnefliy, that he vras a Trophetjea and mere then a Prophet , yea that among them that are begotten of women , there arofe not a greater then John Baptijt. The deeper the WelJis,the fweetcris the water: fo the more humble any man is in his owne conceit, the more acceptable hec is to God. And indeed, if we could ferioufly confider, howYnsu ble we are of our felues, to doe any thing that is gocd^ ith- outGods aiYillance , wecfhonld ice there were no caule for vs to be proud. Nay if wee had any found grace orvertuc at all in vs, there woulcbe no place left for pride. For as wee fee the iunnc the higher hee is in the firmament, the fhorter fliadovves he maketh, and the neercr he comes to the earth, the fhadowes of all things are the longer. So vcrtue & jzracc the higher and the more eminent it is,the lc(Te orientation it maketh. Whereas on the other fide, where grace is wan- ting, there is nothing but pride and arrogancie : euen as the eares of cornc j that haue nothing in them but light ftuftc, (land perking vpaboue all the reft; but they that are laden with iull come, hang downe their heads. Secondly, this may be a good warning to vs, not to con- Vfe t r % tcmne nor defpife the meaneft perfons,no nor the vileft crea- tures in the earth,becaufe we fee God can make them intlru- ments to correct our pride. The proud vncircumcifcd'P^/- i.s*»M7.4i. tifttm, whcnhecfawpoorc f Z>rf#/<5/ come to him withaflafFe 44-49. 5 *• in his hand, he difdatned him^ and threatned to give hisflefi to the foules of heaven , and to the beafls of the field. Yet this §*** vldlt Dtttid, by Gods affiftance brought him groucling to the dm^enumfu- earth , and afterward cut off his head with his owne fword. vUitliesTun- Yea wee fee how troublefome euen gnattes and fleas, are enuaccntcm. vntovs in Summer time. And indeed, there is not the wea. keft creature in the world, but if God arme it againfl vs,it is ftrong enough to chaftife vs for our finnes. As the Lord calleththe^i/^/^r, the canker woi me , the cat erf tiler and foel.i.iu the palmer worme (all of them in themfclues filly creatures ) his great hoft : nh/ch he fent among them. A nd there is a me- morable hillory of the Archbtfhop ofM'37« V p [ a irtis his daughter, Heftiffered ho man to follow him but Mat.i'/.i. Peter and lames and Iohn % And when he was tranfnguied in a glorious manner on the mount, Peter was admitted to be a beholder of it. Yea when he was in thar gricuous Agony in the garden, Teter was called tobea witnefle thereof. He & % \6.yj\ took* Peter and the twofonnes of Zebedcm with him. All the reft of the Difcipics were left at the dc ore. Yea more then this, he was cutn his God and his Lord, as himfelfc had be- fore a.&W.I*J7« The Repentance of Peter and Iuias. 4 5 fore conft fled. AJI this then doth aggrauatehis (inr.e , in a r Hc(cwanin that haumgfeeneour Sauiour vvorkc lb manic excellent mi- alterohoc & cnM ncles, astowilkc vpon the Sea, with a word to (til! the JJ^/SL/: rage of the winds , with a word to healeall manner ofd'l- ft, mbeatoPe- cnics, to reRorc (trength to the lame, fight to the blind, yea tra fuiffe man'u and life to the dead : all which conuinccd him in his confei- fdtok'ftJQgfi ence . that he was the Sonne of God ; yet notwithfianding fw"""/ 6 ^ he did foihamemlly acme him, * If \Peternza ncucrfcene cu tione^au'i nor knowncourSMiioiirChrift, if hcehad ncuer acknow- negaitit 'filmm ledged and conftdtdhim , if hce had neucr promiied him Deijncompira- the contraric, it had becne fometbing, but now after all this h [°? c Pclri ™- tod2n!ehim,itmaw£t 1 his Iinne lo hainous, asms hard tor ^ t i mi rr e : ff ngm any other man to commit the like. g amt quem non This example of the Ap^ftie Peters fearefu 11 fall doth vidit , fi negauit teach vs , thac there is no firne Co gricuous nor fo hainous, W m nm a & no ~ no wickedneflefo odious and abhominable, but euenthe mt J im t alil j; CM deare child of God , being left to himfclfe , may fall into it, &cXhtatvs, except the finneagainft the holyGhoft. It is moft true, that contra Donatift. there are the feedes of all finnc whatfoeuer, naturally roo- M.J. ted and inbred in vs, which if they bee nor prcucntcd, are D°™ K f- ready to brcakc out , vpon any occafion that fhalbe offered. Gods Chil- Who would haue thought , that the Apeltle Peter b Co ex- ti ™*' celtent in grace, fo deuout in loue , io ftrong in faith, could gneuous iins. euer haue beene brought to this pafTc, todeuic Chriftlefus b Petrusqui after this manner? So that hereby it is cuident , that in re- omnibus erat lpcti of their outward etfate, many times there is little or no f^ tUt€ P >tC ^ difference, betweene the child of God and a reprobate. deiwtior,fidero- And this is true, Firft before their conuerfion co God.Whcn bu(iior y &c. they liue in filch groMe and notorious iinnes as they may cfoiflumncga- feeme cucn to be Onckled by the foote with reprobates. As "J^^^decan, may apprarc in (Jlfary tJMagdalen 3 who before her con- . '* 7 * o uerfion was a common {Trumpet, andpoiTeffed withfeuen Mar. 16.9. Detiils. And in the ApohMePWhimfcIfe. who asheconfef- uT/m.1.13. feth, before he was called. Was abhjphemer , aperfeetttor, Gal.U}& .wdanoppreffor. Yea hee per [cent ed the (fbttrch of Godex- ireamely^ and made b/tftocke of it. And hee faith of himfclfe, ,Ir " andT//»/and theieitof Gods children. Wee ow [clues al[o r/r.3.3. G 3 were 4<5 The Repentance of Peter Andludas. were in times pafl vnwife i difobtdient , fermng lufts and dmcrft plea/ures, lining in malic ion fneffe andenute drc. So like wife, he x,#m\£.9.io. putteth the Corinthians in mmde , what manner of perfons **• they had beene, before they were fancfifyed , namely fomc of them had bcene Idolaters, Adulterers ,Buggercrs,Theeues t Epbq.*AA,$. j^Yun\ards , and as wretched fmners as could bee. And I ee concludeth both of levees and Cj entiles, that whiles they re- mained vnregenerate , they were by nature no better then «. the children of wrath. Indeed in refpcc"t of Gods decree, there is great difference. For the Lord Knoweth who are hts, though they be hid, as it were, oner head and eares 3mong reprobates.* butin rcfpe<5i of their outward conuerfation, there is no difference at all. Neither is this any whit pre- iudiciall to their faluation . Indeede if our faluation de- pended vpon any merits of ours , as the Papiftsfay, then it were much material!, what manner of perfons wee were. ' / ** 4 ' But according to his merciehe faueth vs, as the Apoftle faith, without refpeft of any thing in vs whatfoeuer. And there- in & *9}h dom cV Cjomcrr«b\)xt were both drunk in afhamcful maner, &Ct and. a 8 • The Repentance of Peter mdludas* and Lot to his drunkenncs ad^ed inceft, eutffi with his owne Numii. 7. daughters. In a word that Mofes wasfo faithful in the houfe Exod. 33. 1 1. jr g j . ne tnat found fuch grace in the fight ofGodjthat the Lord [pake to him face toface^ as a manfpeakethto his friend ; he that hadfo great experience of the mighty power of God, in fo many glorious miracles: yea himfelfe had beenc Gods inftrument in effecting them: he that had with fuch a great patience and meekenefle ouercome fo many prouocations of that froward and peruerfe people j yet at the laft was fo an- gred , and his fpirit fo vexed , that he [pake vnadnifedly with Vt'^zoioiz his tippes : which fume o£ his was fo hainous, as that the ©wr.34.4. ' Lord would not therefore fufTer him to enter into the land ofpromife. Many examples might be produced for the fur- ther confirmation of this pointrbutbythefeitmayfufrlci- ently appeare , that though a man be neuer fo deare to God, andhauercceiuedneuer fo great a meafure of grace and falsification , yet it hee be left to himfelfe , by violence of temptation he may fall into great and fearefullfinnes. - Butfomemayfay , God is able to (lablifh his children, hf ' as ^ 1C Apoflle iaitb. and to keepe them from cmtL Why then * doth he not alwaiespreuent them with his grace, but fuffer them to fall thus fearefully to the difhonour of his name, and the wounding of their owne foules? . r I anfwere as before , that God is not bound to followe a- •' * ny man with his grace, after he hath once regenerated and fandtified him. And herein God dealeth with his children, as a father doth with his prodigall fonne. Though he be able tofumifhhim continually with money, and to fupply all his idle and watifull expences : yet when hee feeth that no- thing will ferue his turne, but that flill hee lafheth it out without any meafure, he giueth himouer , and leaucthhim to himfelfe , to be beaten with his owne rod , as that prodi- £»&Mf.u U' S a ^ y ol,tn was in theGofpell that at the lartcomming home ^6. by weeping crofie, heemaylearnc to bee a better husband. And yetnomancondemneth this fat her of cruelty or hard dealing to fuch a fonne but rather comrr.endcth his wifdome. So in like manner , when the Lord perceiucth his children to The Repentance of Peter andlud.ts. 49 to waxccarelefTe, 111 husbanding the graces which he h?th Eiubir.adiau piuen them, when they bejiinne to be ncHi^cnc in vfing the r ^' tx ^' l °' ° r j • r l i_ -«ii • l u 1 Rom.l.iS. meanestopreierueand increalc them, nee iiiltly witholdeth v^ala en oro- bis grace from them , and leaueth them to fall intogrofle fjnt,qu orenof God are ouercomc or the temptaticn which they quara fibi vlacu- ftriue again(l , and fo fall intofomegreat finne, it maketh it^Hendopr*- themdiiplcafed withthemfelues, becaufe they haue fo dif- jumpfityiuxtaiL honoured God, and fo they beuid ei tarn tno!e[ium , & quid nobis effe poterat tarn in ■ cundum^quam vt etiam malum eius nobis coope~ returinbonum Bcrn.inTfal.$i. ferm. 1 1 . Kern 5.zd. JlkJv7 47. VAulii & ma- gnl fun: languo- rs mcijmulti & mflgti'y fed ampUor eft me- dicina tita. Aug. cmftff.Iib.io. Vfd.^i. The Repentance of Peter and Indus. J neth in a race , or traueilleth .in a ioumey , if hee happes to fall, he will not lye long , but will rife againe with fpeede, and beftirre himfelfe the faftcr , that he may not be hundred or cafl behind. LaH of all, it lettethvs fee our owne inabili- ty , that defpairing of out owne ftrength, we may more ear- neftly crane the aififtance of Gods grace. Asl)autd y after that fcarefull fall of his, fawe the corruption and weakenes pf a [ tU xl of his nature, and therefore prayethlvnto God to ftabhfh ejr-86.ii. htmwith his free fpirtt : yea to knit, and as it were, tochaine his hea-. tvnto him, that hee might f care his name. So that ma that beleueth in me, out of h/s bel- ly (hall flow riuers of waters of life. So that the graces of God in his children , are not like tbofebrookes,whcreunto lob comparcth his friends , that runne like riuers in winter , but H 2 but 5 2 The Repentance of Peter and Iud isauail- pcceaiafiidM:> afcer bis fal1 was in the ]ike cafe : y ct he had not ™Iupmlnel vcterlyloflthefpirit: for heprayeth vntoGod , take not thy quo dxmmodo holy far it from meTfaLfiA I . And to this purpoie Bernard cb.:ritas,advcbe harh a good faying a Peter when he finned , loll not chari- montem tenptx. t j e ^ becaufe he finned rather againfl the truth , then againft ' r j^> th^teo cn aritie; w ^en as with his mouth he denied himfelfe to bee nmuamxmfcL- ms whofe he was wholie in his heart. And , and therefore, Ux efl ibolitio, the truth of charitie, with teares wafacd away the deniall jed quafi qu 1 ^ iu J ^i c ' \ i j" i -r • ■ mrc (enteiiam. hnnes, therefore he cannot bee iaued.Tms is too great pre- Taceamusomn s fumptionin any man. a Itbclongcri^toGudonely to know homines. Solus who is guiltic in that manner , and it is hisprcrogatiue ( as Dcutiudicet one faith well ) to giue fentence. And therefore, let ail men pfteatorem Opt, keepefilence, and let God alone iudge who is a firmer. At ^^J^'* the day of judgement, the fonne of God (hall fit asludge, dicu fedebittu- whoknoweth what is his, and what is none of his. Itbe- dex films Dei, longeth to him to make choice , what hee will lay vp in his qui agnofcit quid barne, and what hec will con mittothe fire. Let vs all ac- e f i / ui{ m ) & quid knowledge ourlllues to bee men , and let none vfurpe the *#^1"' r '*j power and authoririe of God^ judgment. For if any man condat'mborrca fhall arrogate fo much to hirnfelfe , what (Tialbelcft for &qmdtradat Chrift to doe at the hi\ judgement. Let it bee better for a mcendio.Jgnof. mamnottobee euilticof his owne flnnes, rather then to cam " s nosom - • - l • i c \ r * j i c . nes homines effe. dehretobcaiudgeor other mens iinnes. And therefore in x em fibi vfur- this cafe let euery one of vs lay our hands vpon our moutl.es. pet dimm iuduij And let vs praebfe thecounfel of the Apoftlc, Brethren(fo\t\\ poteftatm.il am lie) If* man befallen by occApon into any fault , jee which are fipbi/aatun frntuallseftorefiicb aoncwtth tbefp:riirfmee(evcjfe, conf- ^Jjjyj* dering thyfelfe , leaft thoualfo bee tempted. Either wee hauc afturnseQ chi- committed as great finnes our fclucs, or if the like temptatt- Jius? Satins fit on were offered vnto vs , wee fhould as readily yeeld as they Domini fide pec- haue done, if God fhould leaue vs neuer fo little. And there- cat0 ^° reus fore wee mull bee piuiful! towardes them, and pray for their dc alien* wdtx amendement. As he that hath recouercd from iorr;e gricuous effedefidem. nckneiT: , pitticth thofe that are ikkeof the famedifeafe, G*L9j, and as he that is dcliucred out of prifon, hath compaffion on them that he bound in mifcry and yron : So the childeof Katidignara Godjiaiiing by Gods mercy recouered from his finnes. ; c.an- *»*//, mjerh notchoole buc piety thofe that are cucrtaken with firme, f«*< urre r* the falles of Gods children , by taking occafion thereby to Vctvus'paulb hearten our felues in our finncs : but rather bee made more ante commnni-^ waf y an( j c ircumfpe6t ouer our felues. As a weake old man cam sjrc aic a. f ee j n ^ a y un^ lutf ic man take a fall in the way before him, th n.inc locum. _ 1 » r \ t • n 1 n 1 r n 1/* o 1 Cmuh potest ac- takctn setter heede to his neppes,leaii he tall alio. So when cider ctftodcui- we (lull fee, that the Apoftle Peter, a man indued with fuch quam potejlSen. a meafure of grace , did notwithstanding fall fo fearefully, a Tpmo auae. wee j U( j ncec j c \ oa ^ well to our felues, or die whither mav bitae fitau/'iH- ewe » \ c • 1 r -1 , teconfidere u ' ce ***' '* we bee lcrt to temptation as hee was [_ a J who quando muhbl - dare IloW prefume of his ownc (trength , when thisblcfled litathpcr'icidum Apo-tic, that was a pillar, as it were, in the Church, is thus nee btatusVz fearefully fluken?Nay rather, a man fhould ajwayes ilifpedt l^JeTihfa h**k\fc, and bee afraid to fall, and when heefhall fee fuch o'ainir. fcarcfull tcmpeiis and fuch lamentable fhipwracke of fuch b cum vide At excellent men [ b ] as Saint *Augnftme faith. And to this tantortw v'trorS & cancndai temi>cjlaies i & flenda naufragiaM Doft.Cbrift.Ub.5. purpofe The Repentance of Peter and Iuda>s. 5 7 purpofc2? r lamu maiorum: beeno^ncouragement to them thatconttnually addennne f ee l fit cafia mx~ to finnc; making whorcdorne and drunkcnnefTe, and fucb forum, timer like horrible finnes, their ordinaric trade and common pra- minerum Aug. &ife. Thefe men finned indeede , but it was of infirmitic, wP Msi» through the violence of temptation .-and they did not lie along in their finne, but renued their repentance with griefc of hearty and therefore God recciucd them to mercy, and forgaue them their finnes. But this is nothing to thee, who- foeuer thou art, thatfinncft preliimptuoufly with an high band, and liucft and lyeftin thy finnc impenitently. God hath no mercy for thee , fo long as thou continuefl in this cftate. Againc for our felues, let vs confider what hurt wee re- ceiue , whenloeuer wee fall into any finne. For firft of all, that fpirituall comfort and ioy in the holy Ghort, which once wee felt, and which before was in vs vnfycakeable and i.PtM.8. glortotiSy vamfheth away, and our foules arc filled with hor- rour, by reaion of Gods difpleafure , and theconfcienceis made euer. the picture of hell. And therefore 'Dauid after his grieuousbll, dclueth the Lord to rcftore to him the ioy of TfaL%ux\. hufaluation. And a little before, in the fame Pfalme, hee 8. I faith, 5 8 The Repentance* of Peter and Iudte l faith , Make me to heare of toy and gladnejfe , tLit the bones which, thott haft broken mayreioyce. Infmuating, that the horrour of confcience, that followeth vpon the commit- ting of mines* is like the breaking of a mans bones, which is the greate/t paine that can be. Yea, hee faith in an other yfiliici* Pfalme, Om of the deepe places , kauc I called vnto thee , O Lord: as though for the time hee hadbeeneimhebottome of hell. Secondly, wee arc made vnfit to anything that is good: fo that till we be reflored againe by repentance , wee arc made vnprofitable burdens of the earth. There is no cheerefulneiTe in Prayer, no life in hearing the word, no de^ light in receiuingthe Lords fuppcr. Our foulesarcdulland lumpifh within vs , as if they were buried in the bottome of a dunghill, that we cannot lift them vp with any fcruencie, in the performance of any holy duetie. Thirdly, on the o- rhcr fide, we are made moll apt and ready to runne into a»y finne. Whiles we lie impenitent in any tranigrefllonjthc deuill cannot offer a tentation to vs , but wee arc ready to yeeld, as may appeare in this example otTeter, as wee fhall fee afterward. Fourthly, we^re fure to fmart for it,for God wiilcorreclrvs with one rod orother, till we bee throughly humbled, as the Lord faid to Daiiid : If thy children for fake my L*aw-, a&dwalke not in my lodgements: if they faeakemy flat at c-s and keepe not my comm an dements: Then will Ivifite i heir tranfgrefsian with the tod , and t heir imqiittie withfeottr- gcs. What a griefe rhinke we, was it to Noah 7 by reafon of his finne , to become a laughing flocke to his ovvne fonne ? What a heart breaking was it to Datiid, to bee thrufi out of his K-.ngdome by Abfalom his owne darling ? It is faid, that when he fled from him, hee had his head eonered, and went barefooted, arid-wept a* he went. Better were it therefore for a man to want ail the pleafure that hisfinnes can aflfoord, then to endure the fmart and fhame that followeth after, as the Apoftle faith : what finite had yee then in thofe things Zcm.f.2i» whereof yee are now afhamed. L,a(t of all, when a man by his finncs hath loft the feeling ofGods fauour, it is hard to reco- uer it againe. Peter wept bitterly, P^«/^crieth earnestly, yea he Pf*f.8>3o. 31.3*. Gftf.^.iz.a}, i.Sam*i^^o, The Repentance of Peter and ludat # y p he can fed his bed euery night tofwtm , and watered his couch with his teares* So will it be with thee, whofoeuer thou art, that ha(i by thy fane loft the fauour of God, it will coll thee many a broken fleepe, many an aking heart, and many a file and bitter tcarc,. before thou can(t bee leconcilcd againe. And therefore, to conclude in all thefe rcfpe&s, wee fli ould bee carefull by all holymeanesto prcferue our felues frr:m finne,andn©t prcfume, becauie God Inthbccne merciful! in forgiumg many great and grieuous firmer* Before themMll.] This is the maner of his denial), that hce doth it openly and pubhkely, hecdid not whifper it in the niaideseare, butfpake it openly in the hearing of them al!. And this doth greatly aggrauate his finne, that l>ee is not a- fraid of a multitude of witnefTes. Heeiscome tothispatTe, thathecaremnotwhohearethhimdenicbisMafler. , Dotlr.rr. Here then we may learne, that as all fmnes are halnons: Thofehnnes fo efpecially that which is openly and publikely commit- aremofthai- ted.The very fight and prefence of men (hould fomewhat "°"V hat arc keepevs and rellrainevs from flnne. It is true that euen bur m i tte j C ° m * rnottfecret fmnes ate odious in the fight of God; becaufe he T/aLi $9.11. Teeth them as well as if they were open. Tor as ¥> arid U\th, The darkeneffchideth not from God > but the night fhineth as Icr.z1.i4. the day : the darkeneffe And light to him are both alike : he fe- ^M 1 ?-**. eth as well at mid-night as at noonc-day. Neither can there be any place fo fecret, wherein a man can hide his finnes rrom the Lord. And therefore , as Dattidpvzyeth for the par- Rq , z don euen of hisifecret fmnes : acknowledging, that God J/a.^[ could know and fee finnes in him , when hee could not fee VuUu morbum themhimfelfe. But when mens finnes breakeout as the wbe - V***i f™#<5 caufc God 'hereby is mod difhonored : efpecially, if they be ^^1^™™"* profeflors of religion that doe ofTend. For all that proteflc hern He coke. religion, liuc as it were vpon a ftage, where all men doe eye tiifaaf .j 1 , I 2 them 6o The Repentance of Peter and Iudas . them : and obfe ue their conuerfatUMV And if they commit any notorious finne; on the one fide, the godly , if they be weake are fcandalizcd and offended .It is a great temptation to one that is but newly conuerccd to Chrift, to fee one that for many yeeres hath made a great fliewe of Chriftianityjto fall into fuch andfuch finnes.lt weakeneth him execdingly, and doth greatly endanger the faluation of his foule.. If the Lord doe accurfe him,that (hall caufc a blind man to go out nent.17.it. ofh\s wa y , j low mucn morc {k a |i they be accurfed ,. that by their cuill example fhall turne any man out of the way of Mat.it Jf." righteoufneffe.And therefore , our Stuiour Chri A denoun- ceth a fearefull woe to him , that (hall by any meanes w hat- focuer offend or caft a tumbling blocke in the way of any of thofe that beleeue in him: he faith, It were better for him that a mil ft one were hanged about hU necke , and that he were drowned in the defth of the Sea. If they be flung they are i.Prt.i.& greiued : as Let was with the wickedneffe of the Sodomites. On the other fide, the wicked, if they bee yet indifferent, and not throughly confirmed , they arc mightly encouraged and flrcngthned in their wicked courfes by this meanes. Nay they thinkc themfclues iuflified , and as it werc,priuU kdged r when they fee men that would be counted Chrifti- ans ,liuc as diflblutcly as themfclues. And if they be fuch as are already fet downe in the feat of the (corners, their mouthes are opened to blafpheme the holy name of God Ezeob,\6.io. an ^ : ^ c p r °feflion of godlincfie. As the Prophet Eztchiel KrwiX.i^. charged the Iewes that were in captiuity , and Saint Paul to the Romanes, that they polluted the holy name ofCjod, %.Sam.iU4. anc j cau jf ec j j t to t> e UkBAmnd among the Cj entiles. And fo Nathan told Datiid , that by that deed of his , hee had canfed the enemies of God to blafpheme. And fo it is at this day. Let a man that profefleth the feare of God, and frcqucnteth Sermons, and feemeth to be more holy then the reft, let him I fay fall into any fin, and by and by all the vngodly and prophaneperfons are ready with open mouth to crye out: Loe, theft are your profeflbrs, there is no better in any of them. And this rnakcth the Papifls among vs to fpeake lo ill of The Repentance of Peter and Iud. is. 61 ofour religion (and yet they of all others haue leaf} caufe: foritwerepittyofourliues,ifwe were as bad as they )be- caufemanyofvs liucfo wickedly. But as this is moilhainous G> K \f unt \ n fa m in all , fo especially in thole that are fupcriours, and are fcr 7uUcu!minceon* in any eminent place aboue ethers. They can hardly fall $ituu y autphtr\. from their eflatc , but they doe much hurt. The hurt of one *f" f***** p*r~ principall member, or offome one ofthevitall paces of the t ZioTnvia(l body, dotli more endanger the body, then the hurt of ma- ( an: g C aumnr. ny others. So in like manner , the publike linnes of anyone Magna tales>aut principal! member, either in the commonwealth , or in the P** mantt > Church, orinthefamilie, doth farrc more hurt , then of a J^jE^-, great many befides. And firfr , for thofc that are rulers and a^mm aut gouernours in the commonwealth , their euill example is ve- gloria Ji multit ry dangerous. For as when a great Okefalleth in the wood, oflendant fancl* itbearcthdowncall the vnder-growth that is within the ^nuerfationis reach of it : So when a Magifime falleth , he drawcth after '^J^lt him by his example all that arc vnder him [a] As we fee by fiateaftcub experience that as the Prince is, fuch is the people. As when «iThcodor. foolifh T^eboboam, the fonne of wife Salomon , firfooke Senator cm-.ep.€. the lawe of the Lord , aUlfrael went with him. 2. fbron. 12. a ft - *"***' I.[ b] According to that common faying : All the country ^sfeUquifo^ followeth the example of the King : neither are his lawes in lent efe cmei fomuchforcein this cafe, as his life : whereunto agreeth cker.Ep. that fpeech of the fonne otStrach : what manner of man the bcomponitur or- ruler of the cttty is . fhch are all they that dwell therein, cap. 1 o. blsK fi ls ad **' t-l r • j l r l • 1 • tmplum , nee lie 2. Thereafon iseuident, becauie their very example is a ' m fkSUn fenfus fecretkind of la we : for this is the condition of Princes, as Humanosedi- one faith [c ] that what foeuer they doe" themfelues, they 0f valent, qua fecmeto command it to others : Yea and the people, for Vit * r that they that be drunken, are drunken in the night. And hereupon thefefinnes are cal- led by him workes ofdarkenejfe , becaufe men wCcd to fhunne the The K ef> en twice of Peter and In d. r . 6 the light, and feekeobfeurity in the Committing ofthem.[ a ] aTwibnemr For the night &darkncs do dimtmfhfhime. Bur now whore- ^wtntvoxq^Mtra maifiers and drunkards arc not afhamed to commit their vii- jJ^aT//*To" Janies with open face , eucn in the fight , and as it were , in tncusloditU cr contempt ofthc Sunnc. Thcycxpofc their filthinefle to the apertisimimbus vewe of thj world , and take plcafurc in no finne that is P (C( ^- Necfant not notorious. It if a /bame&'ith the teoiWecutnto f'peah &* ta t ^ audlA ^ r i /• /■ / j r t r wr L r qua Uier.t.Mar- of the thmges which arc dene of them in Jecret. tphej 5.12. tialJib.i.Epi- Marke I pray vou, there were fhamefull things committed in oram.is.de Leu thofedaics, and things which could net bee well named btamtretrite, with modefly ? but they were done in iecret ; they had a care db'gP*** **• to couer them and hide them frcm the eyes of menrvea Cam ^*??&' ir '% himielfe , though a reprobate , would not murther his bro- g«. 4 .8. ther openly , but callech him forth into the fields, where no Luccm ac *tbe- body fhould fee , wd there fewc him. But now men are ^ petit, &• ttfie growne (0 fhamclcfle in finne , that murder is committed e- w/'*ff*« of- uen in the open ftreers , and whoredome by the high-way j> k d etn ^°rr e fide,as we rcade otAhfalon: that he lay with his fathers Con- imp dent ci. An. citbmesm the fight ofrtU/Jraet. 2. Sam. 16.22, Yea many are co/i/ejfM.z. become defperate , thaz they would be afhamed , not to bee Koniolumnon part fliame in their finnes. For they vhrj in their fhame, Phil. 9cctilt ™**,yt- 1 a a 1 ri .1 1 j fr T^ir-A rum etiam tarn 3.19. and boajt tbcmjelucs in their wtckednejje . a s Dattid laid prxdicanda ac ofDoeg. Pfal.^z.i. They are fofarre from fecking to con- difftmandavi- ceale their finnes ,as they publifh and proclaimc them to the dwtur.Aug. world, as it were with a Trumpet. It is nothing for them to E * cinr - ca P7$. be wicked, 4 vnle(Te all the worldknow them to be fuch.They gg* ^ 1.V1 1 r 1 1 ; fata quod es °u^ glorythat they are Known to be common 1 wearers, and that lo(ns;&dicuu.. they are pointed at for drunkards and vnclear.cperfons. But p'u&cupisvide- alas, this isawofull pride, and a miferable boating, for a ri - Mart. lib. u. man to boaft of that , which without repentance, will be the ^f l p, am '^ l n deflation of his foule ^^ j^ § Secondly wee are all here admonifhed to followc the & dicier, Hie r'i counfeli of theApoftlc, who faith, Take heede that jeewa/ke Perf.fat.i. arcHmfheUly redeeming the time , becaufe the dayes are cwll. *Vfe, 2 It is true, that when wee haue done all wee can, wee cannot E j^ f /-5.i5.i6. . but finne ; for the curfed fiefh with the corruptions and Uiflcs thereof, rebclJcth continually againft the ipirit, and hale ih . 6\ The Repentance of Peter And Uda* t haicth vstoone finne or other. Neither arc wee to hope for better , fo long as wee carrie about with vs this body of finnc. But yet wee muft take heed, and vfe all holy mcanes, fo to fubdue and reitraine thefc corruptions of ours, as they may not breakc out into notorious fmnes , to the open dis- honour of God , and publikc fcandall of the Church* Yea if it bee poflible, as much as lycth in vs, wee muft labour to be free from all fufpition of euill. For if C A f ar the heathen Emperour t required this of his wife y much more ought it to be in all that profefle themfelucs Chriltians. As the Apo- {tle cxhprteth, Abftaine from all appearance of ' ettill.i.Theff. Sanewterejl $+&2* The £amc counfcll did Bernard giue to Eugen'ms the tux perfeftionis Pope, when hce told him , it made much to his perfection &mala$res,& to auoidc both euill, and the (hew of euill. Intheone, hee Ig* 1 !**^""! ftiould prouide for hisconfciencc, in the other forhiscrc- tero confe'ienti*, dite. And Saint Angufline hath a faying to the fame purpofe. in altera famx It is (faith he) a greater matter and a glorious thing , and cnnfulis.'De con- highly to be commended • neuer to baue giuen place to e- fdcratMb.$. ui j( decdes . but it is a matter of greater ftrength , neuer to %\Em&don- ^ auc kecne fubic&tofalfe fufpitions. Lctvsall therefore ofum,& vfqut take heed to our felues in this refpect, that fo wee may giue adcttumomniu no occafion of offence in any thing : nay rather, may take trcproferendum a)Va y 0jC cafion from them that fake oc capon ,as the Apoftle K y? m j * faith, thatcuen our greater! encmies,that prie moftnarrovy- dediffejed muhh Jy into our actions , may not bee able to nude an hole ir>our fortius esi, nun- coates. But that wee may gaine that telticRonie^which was quamfilfis fuf- giuen to Zacharte and Elizabeth , that they walked in all the picumtbuslabo' commaundements of the Lord without reproofe. Yea that in Veiil ° affurancc of our owne confeiences , wee m3y be able to fay Luklt.6. to our enemies in fome fort, as our Sauiour Chrift laid to Ich.%.46. \m,W hsch ofyoucan rebuke me of finne ? namely of noto- rious finnc. Saying &c] This is the ftrft degree of Peters finnc in denying his Matter. Some there arc that in aprepofterous Pmierro fauffe a flf c ft ion anc J a co r r upt fauour ( as Saint *A*rHftine calieth it; towards the Apoitle. Peter, doe labour to extenuate this hS. of his , and vvill by no meanes graunt that Peter could commit The Repentance of Peter andludas. 63 commie fo greiuous a finnc , as absolutely and flatly to dc- IlieCbmftlefus, But the blcflcd Apoiilcflandeth in no need of their apologie , being already reconciled to God, and re- cciued into fauour. And if hce did , their defence of" him could doe him little good againtffo many and fonianircft teftimoniesof the holy Ghrfl, that doth accufchim. In- deed charitie rcquireth , that wee (hould cotter even a multi- tude offmncs : but the obedience which we owe to God, will notfuftervs to extenuate that , which the holy Ghoft doth fo much amnlifie and aggrauate in the Scriptures. As this finne oiTeter (as was laid i \ the beginning) was both foretold by our Sauiour Chrid before hand , and alfo was afterwards recorded by all the Euangelifts.[ * ] And there- Br en tin Litem, foreeuerymm mayperceiue, how friuolous a thing it is to i/Prt.4.8. goe about to defend him. For if hee did not denic his Ma- i.P«.4.8. fler,tben Ghrift lefus lycd that foretold it , and all the Euan- LfJ^f gelitfs , nay rather the holy Ghott himfelfe , that recorded prudemle* k. Againe,the Apoflle himfelfe doth not acknowledge this flor wtefrgit. si vnfeafonable kindnefle : who by and by being fmittcn in his emm ifle non ne- foule with the greatnefle of his hnne , weepeth bitterly-, te- S au ^S,° mcn ' fliryine thereby, that hee had finned more hainoufly againfl Ume / dor "™ S Chriit, then he was able in wordes to exprciie,and 10 by his me ncvabu. teares hee reprooucth them, that take vpon them to bee his Aqitun locum Patrones. And to this purpofe is that faying of Optatw , though otherwifc much addicted to the Apoflle Peter [ b ] b ixubito due- I am afraid, faith hee, to fay,that fo grcatholincfledid finne. rcpeccaflctan- But he himfelfe proucth it to bee true , in that he forrowed tam ( a nclitaUm* bitterly, and wept abundantly, who would neither hatic Sed ipfe hoc fa- forrowed nor wept, if there had beene no offence. Here *?" ?***?. then wcleenrliin general!, that the Apoflle \Peter old hnne &fl e uitvber~ greatly, in that hceconfciTeth Chnft while he was in fafety, umiquimcdo- and now denieth him when he is in trouble. Whiles he was tetHi necRcrct, vndcrthc wing of his Maflcr,he maketh a moft excellent: and f r,l ^ a «*«*•- ramous confelTion of him , asweehaue fecne bclcrc, for MftaDBiiaufi which hce is highly commended cucn byGhrifl him'clfc. #£- Blejfedart thou Simon, the fonne of lonns , for ficfjaxd blond Ma: 16,17,- hath not revealed this vnto thee, but my Father which is in hci- K Ucih 6 4 7 be Repentance of Peter twdluda*, iter). And againe , when many of Chrifts followers began to fall off, and to forfake hirn; and hee asked the twelue , if tlicy alfo would goe away , wu8.i. whereby they are made bold andcouragious as Lions a- gaintl all oppofitions whatfoeuer : knowing, that whatfoe- ucrthe Deuill ordeuilifh tyrants are able to deuife againft them, can hurt or endanger them, no more then thofe great Gen % i\.\.&c. Gyants of &*£e [hewed vntovs. And in an other place , Our om> & fubdufto light affititon, faith he , which is but for a moment , caufeth " elk * cahlil ° *- vnto vs a moft excellent and an eternal weight of glory, i^vr. ^ B "\ * 4.17. Where hee maketh an elegant opposition betweene Quo Inngwvt* our afflictions here, and our glory in heauen : the one is but fir* pugna, hoc light, and eaiie to be borne , the other is maffie and waigh- corona fublim'wr. ty : the one is momentanie and foone at an end ( for what C ^ r ' l0 1,£ M» • i_ l 1 -i-r u l- c ,-v \ 1 c In momenta- is the whole lire or man but a moment in this relpec-t ; the neohec lata** other is eternall,and neuer fadeth away. To which purpofe ternhas>'mboc ^Bernard hath a very good faying [ c] In this momentanie ^uipondus fub* there is hid etemitic; and in this light,an exceeding waighc , & f u P ra abouemcafurc. And thus doth our SauiourChrift comfort 9I /J?[ * . his Difciples 3gainft all the afflictions of this life. Te are they, Luc. iz*%! faith he , which hauc continued with mee m my temptations : %$•}*% Therefore I anoint vntoyou a Kingdome &c. As a traueller, that goctha long iourney, though hec hauemany afoulc K 3 and 6% The Repent xuce of Peter md Iudxs-. and vvearie Itep , yetchcarech himfclfe, that his repaft at night will make amends for all, according to the common faying, hee neuer hath ill day that hath a good night : So fhould weeconftatiriy and patiently palTe through all the d; faculties of weelding, eucn through reproches, perfec- tions, (tripes, imprifonment, and death it felfe; inhopeof Apoc.z.ic* that crowne of life, which the I ord hathpromifed to all them that are conftant to the death. Vfe.i* Here then firftofall they are reprooued, that would bee Chrifli:.ns,and yet would ileepe in a whole skin : that would profeife religion , and yet keepe themfelues out of danger. As we haue many , thatfo long as all is quiet , will bee very hot and forwnrdcin profeifing truth : But when there ariferh the lea Ifeare of any danger, they pull in their homes , and fhrinke away , or if they doe any tHng , itisclofely andco- lobx x t* ucrtty, that no man may fee them. Like to Nicodemta^ that came to Iefus to be inthu&cd j but it was by mght. Though loh.i9.]kr& himfelfe were a ruler of the Iewes, yet he durft not auouch 9,zx. his lone toChrilt. And fofephof Arimathea ; was alio one of Iefus his Difcipics, but it was fecrctly for the Iewes, He dur$ not be to knoweof it. So the parents of the blind man to wheme Chrift had giuen fight , durft not confefle all that they knew of ChriH , for feare ofthe lewes. But this finne is Hffc.10.38. vcr y gneuotss , and therefore the Lord threatneth , that if 3ny man in faint-heartcdneffe* for want of patience doe wirh- drawe himfelfe, his [oulefhall hane no pleafure in him. And *4poc.u .8. tht fear e full and vttbeleeHing, which for want of faith in Gods promifes ( for that is the caufe offearefulnerTe) dare not (land to the profefTron of the truth , floall 'hone thetr portion among murderers, and whore-mongers, andforcerers : and fucblike perfons,in the lake which btirneth with fire & brimftont, which is thefecond flfe*f&. Neither is there any (in thatin this life doth . lie fo beany on the confeience as this , when a man for want of fpirituall courage, fliali cowardly betray and forfakcthe truth. As may be fecne in the lamentable example ofludge Fox.pag.ii$z a & Hales, who \r\ J2*eene Oifaries time, being called before 1352.. 13^3. the Bifhop of VVinchsfter then Lord Cbamcthr, for pro - ceedins The Repentance of Peter and lud.is, 69 ceeding again/} ccrcaine maiTePricfis,that were indited be- fore him , according to the lawes of King Henry the eight, and King Edward the fixe, being then yet in force : did Hand in defence of the truth with good conltancie. But aftcr- wardes being committed to the Fleet , hec was there either by threatnings or flatterie brought to yeeld vnco his aduer- faries. Which he had no fooner done, but he was gricuoufly afflicted in his confciencc, infomuch as he attempted to lay violent handes on himfelfc, and had killed himiclfe with his penknife,but that the mercifull prouidencc of Cod prcuen- ted him. But afcerwardes, being deliuered out of Prifon,and eomming home to his owne houie, he could neuer find reft, till hee had fearefully drowned himfelfe in a little riuer. To' co!iclude,ourSauiourChrilt exhorting his Difciples to con- aYi ' * d fbney vnderthe croffe , hee telleth them \Whofoeuer Jhalbe afhamed of me and of my wordes , among this adulterous and Jin full generation, him [hall the fon of man be afhamed of, when he commeth in the glory of his Father, with all his hcly Angels. Ifwc be afhamed of Chrift Iefus, before a company of fin- full men hke ourfelues,whatis he the worfe for it? or if wee confefle him before them, what addition of glory hath hee by it. He n cuery way abfolute in himfelfe,and can receiue neither diminution nor accclfe of honour by any thing that \vc can doe. But if he be afhamed of vs before his heauenly Father , and the holy Angels, if he doe not then acknow- ledge vs, what fhall become of vs? And therefore, in the fecond place, let vs be exhorted, to Vfe.i. be fledfaft and conftant in the truth , as well in time of perfe- ction , as in the daies of peace. Wee haue a prouerbe. that He ts but an idle Swatnc, that will let his torn ney for a fhower oframe.So he is but an idle Chriltian , that dare not (hew his head , when a little ltorme of perfecution bcoinneth to arife. He that is nuely godly indeed, will willingly vnder^oc whatfoeuer troubJe {hall accompany his profeffion • as CMo - fes did chufe tofujfer aduerjity with the people ofCfod > when , if lie would haue renounced his religion, he might haue liucd in great plcafure in Tharaos court. When wc once enter in,. He&.n.if. to 7 o The Repentance of Peter and Iudas. totheprofeflionof Chrilhamty, wee rnuft firftcaflourao L0t.14.1t. ji. counts to fee what it will toft vs to be Chritiians, as our Sa- uiour exhorteth. We may not dreame of eafc and fecuritv, for then we flialbe decerned, But wee muft knovve, that all that will hue godly in Chrtft I e fits mnfi fitffer perfection , ei- tXlm.%. in ther one way or other. And that wee cannot enterintothc - Kmgdome of heauen , but through many tribulations , and therefore,we mutt arme our felues againft them before hand that we may endure them. And toperfwade vsthebetterj Hcb.t.u. let vs remember,that ^hrtfl fefus our blejfed Sauiour ^though he were the knmortall and glorious God, yet in loue to vs, Was not afhamed to callus brethren ; Yea fuffcred all extre- •mitic for our fakes. It was great praife in Ctfofes that being ExHki.it. f highly cftecmed in ^haraos Court, yet hce would vouch - ^.7.13. fafe co vific his poore brethren the opprefled Hebrerves. It was lingular loue in lofiph , that being fet next to the King 6\1'* % * himfelfe ouer all the land of *s£gypt , yet hee was not a foa- med of his brethren and of fcm Fathers houfe , though they LUer 4 4* were heardfmen and fbepheards. It was great vertue in nu H Ham tations, the end of one is the be°inninq of another Tal For c ^ rtAm !^ de ' r . r y ■ > n \ ^ >•• o • J ^ font. Et qtlOCUm icing our felicity is a puniihment to the Dcuill as Saint An- c evict mens p'u guftme faith , therefore hee rcmooueth euery flone , to hin- Jempcr h&bet. der the fame, and to make vs partakers of his ownedamna- a r*Hcitas no- tion. Tbl And this he doth not in hope to recouer his former $ ra ? labol ° 9«; n.uu r - iL' 1 1 na.de Cuut.Dcu eliate , but became it gneueth htm, that we poore wretches, ^ AttCap 19 raifed outof the dull, fhoujd come to that glory, from b Nonvt/bi whence he is irrecouerably fallen. [c]For percciuing that men eedat t qitodami- by humble obedience might afcend thither, from whence he ^'^^'^ pauper de pubic- refufchatHS accedut, vnde'ipt in gloria condittajrrcparabilittr cecidit.Bcrnjn L'/al.ig.Scrm.f. c yidens diibolas hnm'mcm per obcdientice humilitattn: pojfe a\ctnderc{cnde ipfeper fnperbiarrt corrueiatimida si } & faftmtsi SatM.idc^aduerfariiu.fUag.fentwtJib.i dijlmfl.u. A. L 2 is 7 4 The Repentance of Peter and Indos. is fallen by his pride, he cnuieth him, and is become a Sathan, PA\t 5 8 tnac ™ » an ac *uerfary vnto Gta« Hereupon he is not content Lutpi.iV. tohauedrawncaman to one finne , but hee labourcth to d Jnflat a/ihe~ make him out of.meafure finfull. The ApofHe Peter hadal- hntijpehibctqi re gdy done enough to damne himfelfe,without the mercie of jSjftSS. God: and yet fee, the Deuill is not content with that , but c Tax lie n in- prefently hee renueth his temptation , that heemay plunge terdum efiyparls him , if it were poflible , as deepe into hell as himfelfe. Thus fidtui* mnqnZ. dealt theDeuill with our SauiourChrifl , though in vaine. f w Tr i? /' ^ s ^ oonc as eucr our Sauiouv had repelled and ouercome one quod vita tern. ^ m ^ > nee prefently beginnethafrefh with him : yea when piujnquomi be was foyled indeed , and forced to retire , he did not Jeaue wufcipxlam ten* him for euer , but as Saint Luke faith, he departed from him ditmmhus. ovtely for afeafon : for he tempted him all his life time , either b*^ 'B°~ niediatly by his curfed inftruments , the Scribes and Pharifes vDum-oimmus orelfe immediatly by himfelfe in the time ofhispam*on. If inter laquzoz he availed our Sauiour Chrift in this maner,much more will eurrim s: nuf- he aflaile vs< So that we are to looke for nothing all our life W*mt«ta.pax, \ on a ^ but a continuall intercourfe of tentations [ d J a perpc- mam mimes tDa ^ war ^ re » wherein [el there is no hope of truce with vn^bclluyvn- our encmy.[f jThere is no part of our life wherein he fetteth difyhojies.dc not fome tr;appc to catch vs : which caufed 'Bernard t© com- erdme vlte. phine in many places, [g] While we liue, faith he, we run in Heumibiquod thcmid j c fl offinners : .there is no fafety , there is nofecu. hividee vndiq rity;but on euery tide warres, on cuery fide enemies. Hence tela volant^ vn- the Deuill is called Sathan t that is an aduerfary , as the word di^tentamenu, j s generally vfed in the Scripture. As when the Princes of the wd^pcricuU. philiflimsoppofcd themfelues again!! D auid , whome the 'xHmVnlla ^ m S would haue taken to warre with him :they faid,/^ him fecurkas est. Et not goe downe with vs to battell, leaft in the battellhe~be an ad- qu.-e mulcerd & uerfary to vs. And when Abtfuai would haue had Shemci put qux trijh-atoru- co d catn for his railing againfl Dauid^ Dauid^iwered^hap m timeo. m» i JdUe j tQ £ oe w/ .^ fames of Zermah , that this day yee miru?n vtrouiq. . ... , r . •* c c 1 r i- l J \ bellam-vtrobici jhomdbee aduerjartes vnto me ? So Salomon fpeaktng or the per>.cH!i(,v!ri)b>q s great peace that God had bleffed his raigne withall, he faith, nmnultm.Bcrt. there was neither aduerfary nor euillto refitt.hnd when Jacobs SMeditit.ca.14. f cruan is had digged a well, which they could notcnioy 1 Sam.z? 4. 7 Ne fitlejfuwi. i*Sam.\$>ii.Cttrc(ltimibUet[ittan, i.Kingj.^En.Satan. Genc.zo.n. without The R epent.tr? ce of Peter and Indas, 7 j - ' r- without much enmity and ftrife , they called the name of it Sttnah : which cometh from the fame roote.Novv the Dcuill Mat ,. is called by this name , after a peculiar mancr, becaufeheis Apoc.1r.17. thegreatefraducrfaryofall, with might and mainc impug- i Pet. 5.%. ning our faluation. And therefore our Sauiour Chriflcal- ^otidianis dip. lcth him theenemte , by an cxcellencie, becauie there is no amn "*P m ™- cnemielo mahciouily and with men a deadly hatred cent a- ucttidclibcrant gainrtvsas he is. But as he is generally an cnemie vnto all, & tentari graui- foefpecially he is an encmie to the godly. Hehad great rage us a concupifccn- againftall men, but as the Apolile hkufatb, he wasmoftef ******&?*' aU rpYoth with the vc oman (which was a type of the Church) t e rituTli!t!&°' and with herfeede,rvhtcb k. ee p c the commandements of Cjod y latcris^quiSzyp- Andhatte the tcjlimonic of I e fas fhrift. And therefore Saint tumegrcdi& Teter exhorting the faithfull to watebfulnefle , faith , Tour Fbaraonis wipe, adver/ane the demUvoeth about &c. becaufe heis their aduer- r/// 7 c ft"£ cre lane aboue all others. As experience teacheth vs, that they de Conucrf.ad that begin to be conucrted vnto God, are more gricuoufly Stholares, tempted of the lufts of the flefh : euen as the Ifracliteswere more gricuoufly opprcfTcd in the labour of Bricke a^nd Clay, Fit inimicuscon* w hen once they began to thinke of departing out of Egypt, uerj . 0i "f 11 P uca '- &offorfakingPW*0£/gouernment. As the deuill is friend- f*f t an ***** ly and flattering to a man,fo long as he continueth in his fin : ftfitf3.1f.17, fo he is a flerne enemy to him when he is conuertcd. Hence am 4.1. &c. is it,that aflbone as eucr our Sauior Chrifl was Baptiied .pre- Mat.6.1}. fently the deuill beginneth to tempt him without delay. And ^fS^ lo heedealeth with all Gods children. Afloone as a man be- ^ \eflitcuerte- ginnerh toprofefle godlines, & hath once giuenvp his name requos iamfuos to Chriftjhc muft inlbntly looke to be tempted. And this we fecit Immkus& are taught in the order or the petitions of the Lords Prayer, bofas Ecclefix, Where we fee the petition for nWth againft temptation,is f 05 * 1 ™*™*!* let atcer ah the rcH,hgnifying,rhat they that are moll careful! ^i HxltiVt cam- to lecke the glory of God, and theaduancement of his King- uos&vifiot dome, to doe his will and to depend vpon hisprouidence for contimmt,&- the things of this life, they that haue any comfortable am>- Patent: in ranee of the forHueneilc of their finnes : thevof all ether are ^^-.L*zfli* moli lubiect to temptation. Hereupon, our Sauiour told his p um tfrmtha- Difciples, that the Dcuill had thegreateft fpite at them of aU bitartfrfrian other men; Sathan hath defied you faith he, 1 winnow you a-s £'*.i.Jty#.i yvheate. L ; And lh ^ zz -3- 7 6 The Repentance of Peter and Iudat, And becaufe Peter was an excellent Apo(tle,one that had made fuch a glorious confeflion of Chrift Iefus, that he was MAtb*i6 % \6. thefonne of the lining <^od : and had receiued fo high com- I7 ' x " mendation from the mouth of Chrift % one that was a pillar G / a 9 in the Church of God; therefore, the Deuill finglcd him out firrt of all, and aflaultcd him as we haue heard, and brought him to this fearefull finnc. Vfi.im This doclrine ferueth firftfor the reproofe of two forts For reproofe. of people. Firft , fuch as foolifhly *nake their boaft , that they were neuer tempted. No , they thanke God, the De- uill neuer troubled them , they know not what temptation mcaneth •, But alas, if they could fee it , they haue little caufe to boaft in this cafe,but rather they may fufpe& them- felues , that they arc yet vnder the power and dominion of Lwkeuii the Deuill. As our Sauiour faith, when aflrong manarmed keepeth his Wallace s the things hee poffeffeth are inpeace. So long as the Deuill hath peaceable pofleflion of a mans heart, f© long he neuer malelteth him : hee willingly obcy- eth the Deuill and deligbteth in his feruice , and therefare what neede the Deuill oppugnc him. A King neuer lifteth vphisfword againfthis owne loyall fubiecls , but if once they begin to rebell , then hee rayfethapower tofubdue them to his obedience. Inlikcmanner,folongasmenare fworne fubie6ts to the Deuill,he neuer flirreth againft them: but if once, by the grace of God, they begin to rebell a- gainft him, and tofhake ofFhisyoake, then hcerageth and labourethbyallmeanes poflible to reduce them into fub- ie&ion. A dogge though neuer fo fierce, doth not barke at thofe of the houfhold , but at ftrangers; hee fawneth on all that belong to the houfe. Sothedogges of hell will ne- uer barke at men , as long as they are of the Dcuils hou- fhold , but when once they are made citizens with the Ej>hcf.i.i9. Saints , and of the houfhold of Cfod : then they begin to take on. We fee therefore , that their cafe is very fearefull, that arc ncucr molefted by the Deuill. ** A (ceond fort of people to bee here reproued , are they that thinke the Deuill is neuer ncare them , but when they fee — T— The Repentance of Peter and Iudat • 77 fee him. So long as they fee him not to appcare in fome vi- able fhape, they care not. Indeed that they cannot indurc at any hand, oh no they ipit at the very name of him, and crieout vpon him foule feind e*c. but for his temptations they make no matter at all of them. But poore foulcs, they are much deceiued. For the Deuiil is alwayes prefent in ail places , though they fee him not. And his temptations are farre more fearefull then his apparitions. For thefe are not fo terrible to the eye, as they are to the foule. Secondly, it ferueth for the comfort of them that are prr f ,, much tempted. They thinkc it a great difcouragement to Forcomforc. bee alwayes buffeted by Sathan , asthc Apoftle faitfv But i.Cor.uj. indeed, they haue rather caufe to reioyce : For there is no grearer token of Gods loue* For vvhome the Lord loueth mod, them the Deuiil hatethmoft, and out of his hatred moleftcth moft. Thirdly it ferueth for our admonition. Firft that wee be V[ e -* not fecure, when one temptation is pall, whether wee haue For admonitio got the viclory or no. For the Deaill will returne andfet vpon vs a frefh. The vncleane [pint , as our Sauiour faith, Lul^e 11.24. will fomctimes goe out of a man : but if we take not heede, M.^6, he vftllreturne with feauen sfmts worfe then htmfelfe. As the enemy if he bee repelled in one place, labourcth to make a breach in another : fo the Deuiil, if hee cannot preuaile by one temptation , hee will trie an other. For as the Apofile 'Teter faith, he doth continually go e about , without intermif- i.Prt.?.8- fion, feeing to demure vs. Yea many times hee feemeth to T) m bolus cum be ouercome and vanqnifncd , when there is no fuch mat- ccrtaminimam- tcr. Sometimes he will retire and giueouer the combat, and fi(!eccdit,ad make as if hee w ere ouercome, that hee may more cafily o- ^ oc f ev ' 1 ^^ uercomevs. Sometimes he will counterfeit to runne away, emon j tra ^ vt but 11 is to this end, that it weepurJue him, he may caft Lis fttgam jtmiiUt fiery darts behinde him (as the Panhians \\ ere wont to doc vt perfequemtm in fight) and kill vs. And it he haue ouercome vs wee may ml N s pro ttrgH notthinke he will lcaue vs fo , for it is nothing with him to j!®fj!l § f ct ? at ' bring vs to one finncjbut by degrees he wil labour to bring J^humil *:ad^' ys to the height of finne , that fo without Gods mercy? our vroban Bpifo* condemnation may be the greater, And y 8 The Repentance of Peter and lud.ts. Cauere non mi~ And therefore, in the iccond place wee are to bee admo- ni'AneceJfecft, nifhed, to takehcedeto our felues in regard of hisaiTauks. VcmmTfli9u Ic 1S noc cnou g n t0 be a ^ raid °f^^ttlj but we muft carefully ferm. " auoide them. We vnuftwatch and pray, is our Sauiour Chritf Mat.i6.$i. exhortcth, that Wee enter not into temptation. And indeed* Si tot tentaao- \c wec b ee [) e f et w } tn fo many temptations, that our whole tubus pleni e } l ^ iscalledacontinuall temptation , weeftand in necdeto viUnotra 9 vl . r . . t < nonmmcriioto- be very watchtull and circumlpect, and to pray that we may ta ipfa tcntatio not be led into temptation. And the rather are wee to per- dkatu^peruigi- forme this dutie ♦, becaufe of the Deuils nature. For firft of 11 *t € ™t&' allneeismo ^ malicious » andmortdeflroustocioehurt - As ^raaonene in- himfclfe confeffeth in that anfwere hee made to the Lord. ducamur in ten- I come, faith he , from compafsing the earth to and fro , and utione.Bcrn. in from walking mtt Job, 1.7. Now thecaufe of this his toyle Pfal.9i.ferm.i. ( as s a j lK p e ter faith in the place before ajleadged ) is to a l ™ mlcuiJ feekc whome hee may deuoure. [ a "1 Shall our enemy watch v'w'ht hmtom- in this manner for our deliruction, and ihall not wee watch m-.&nosvt for our pieferuation ? hee putteth into our hearts euill cusiodiamus nos y thoughts, into our mouses lewd fpeeches , into our mem- 7e1iTfoZf a ~ bers iinfuI1 aaions - Whcn we are awake,heftirreth vs vp to r JtLjoliloq ck*. vnlawfull deedes, when wc are afleepe,to filthy dreames. If b icce tetendit we be merry, he maketh vs diffolute, and if wee bee fad hee ante pedes no- laboureth to driue vs to defperation. [ b ] He hath fet in- ftros laqueosm* finite fn ares before our feet (as Saint ssfuguftinecomphl- i°'u9ftra!va- nctn ») and natn filled all our wayes with trappes to catch rus decipulU re- our foules , and who (hall efcape them? he hath fet fnares in plcuitadcapien- riches , and fnares in poucrtie. Hee hath laid fnares in our dasammas no- m:at j \ n our drinke , in our pleafurc , in (leepe and in our fhas.&quisef- yy^jug . fj ce nat h j a jj c fnares in our wordes and in our polttit in diuit'js ^ vor kes , and in all our wayes. Yea hee hath not onely laid laqiicospofu'itin fnares, buc birdlime, [*] as Bernard faith : whereby hee pMpcrtate : U- cnfnarcthvs in manyfinnes. Though men neuerfow tares queos tetendit m nor coc ^] e> y e ^ we fee, as all ill weedes doe, they ^ rowe of C ^%T &C ' ^emfelues. But the Deuill both foweth and harroweth c Xccfolumla- moftbufily, that hee may haue a plentiful! harueli of finne. queum pofuit/ed But his malice doth mod of all appearein this , that hee &i*(citmBe,-n. layeth fnares for ys eueninourbcfl vvorkes , and in the du- ticdit.cap.14. t ; es The Re Pettr And lua : . 79 *— — ■■"" — * — — ■■ ■* — ■* tics of godlincflc wi-ich wee performe. Let a man betake himielfe to prayer, the dcuill will belt hisclbowe to hinder him as wee fee m the example of lchojhu/i che high prieH, who when he began to pray, S.uban flood, at his right h^nd zccb^.i* to refijl him. Let a man come to the hearing of the worde, thecrowes of hell w ill be buhe about bin , to picke Vp and ftcale the blefied feed of the word out of his heart, leafi he fhould bclceue and beiaued,as our Saviour iaicb L$k^%.\2. And if it come to parte , that bv Gods arTilhmc: wet doc re- pell the Dcuill , foas hec cannot preu-atlc agniuli vs :but m dei'piteof him and all his malice, wee performe thelc and o- ther hoiy duties in lome acceptable ma .ur. :hc. he labou- reth co make vs ouer wcrne r our i -jiues, and to bee proud of thole good things when arc none of our ownc And nmdmt'h of all other temptations this is moft dangerous, as the mus piouoct children of God find by too much experience. For as one w quw* fi paUm faith v\eil [ * ] he prouokcth vs bv apparant fmnts, wher- I^crcturjUxQ in ir he be openly ouercome.by and by moll dan&erouflv he { u ^^tnptni- caltctn priacinto our hearts : and being the auchour or vi- ^y . & vltlQ _ ccs , where hec cannot oucrccmc vs by his ownc vices, hce rum author jn to ouercommcMh vs by our vermes. Hec rifeth with the wea- quod vine ere non pons wherewith hceiscaft dowre and foylethvs with the pouft v'n^i fun, vertue whereby hce is fovled. Hec commendeth the force, ?**** , , , , : r ,,- , II- alums. Armn Whereby he perceiuar. hirmelre to be cuercome,that being „uibus eliditur conquered, hce roay captiuatc thecojiquerour. Hee filleth furgit.&TArtute the heart withboalhng, that he may call them downe from fiadiijiitttrdc- high with a greater fall, whom he feeth in humihtie to fight ffchXaudatqita morefloutly : So that weekc,theDeuill hidech his fubtile 'l£l£^J2[\ 1 • 1 r n n rail l/iriUiCr/lyui inrrcs, not onely m the workes of the Hcih, which are ea- viRus poffit tab- illy dikerned, not onely in vices, but euen in fpirituall exer- t'uurc vinctUm, cifc-s alio , and in the very bctt workes which we performe. lni/cticordii&- AtDauid faid of his bodily enemies, In the way wherein I ^vitum^tgr^ walkedbauetbey prmtly laida fnare forme.Pfal. 142.3. to tofo /p t da , CLiCt dealtth the Dcuill with vs. He doth not onely labour to ft quos in bumik leadevsoutof the way by manifc(t errour, but where hee bus yidet grad feeth vs walking in "ood workes, therchcefeckethtocn- f"™"'" i fnare vs Ful^nt. Fp>jt. : *, o adVr.b.xw. M Secondly 8 o The Repentance of Peter and Iudax. Secondly as the Dcuill is thus malicious and defirous to hurt: foishec exceeding ftrong , and ( if God giue him leauej able to doe much hurt. For this caufe he is called** i.rw.5.8. ramping andaroartng Lion. And the Apoftle fetting ouc our ipirkuall conflict, hee iaich , weewreflle not again]} fif) u)cj. .12. andbloud^ that is , againit weake and fraiie menlikeour felucs , for then there were lome hope to make our partie good, ( for there is no man fo ftrong, but another may bee as (Irong, to match himj but again]} principalities and powers, and againft worldly gouernours &c. Our Sauiour Chritt who buckled with him and ouercaae him , hee acknowledged that hee is ftrong : for hee calleth him a flrong man armed, Lm^.um. And in thefe latidayes , his rage being increafed , becaufe zlpoc. ii.u. heeknoweth bee hath but a Jhort time ; hisilrengthis alio in- creafed: for anger we fee is the whetlionc of (trcngth. But a Omnia fatt mo ft f a ll our circleflcnefle g'ueth him great aduantage rotcmulu^qna anu o„ r negligence armeth his diligence. [ * ] For, as one xeghgeiiawflra, faith,theDeuiI!preuaileth not fo much by his owne power, b f^i'.tutbm as by our negligence. Andicishelde for a rule in militaric foftc dcjpicttur; poijjcje [ b ] that it is not fafe to defpife any thing in an ris> earthly enemie ; for if wee contemne him , wee make him valet or cm ncg- ■ ' , Igentta fa's o Wronger by our rechlefieneile. Chftms i !b.6. Againe as hee is ftrong, fo hee is valiant and (tout,daring i.cbvm.xi.i. to encounter with any aducrfarie. Dauid was a puilTant warriour, victorious in many battels, andbeiidcs, for his godli neflfe a man after Cjods owne heart ; yet the Dcuill was not afraid to grapple with him, but brought him to a feare- fullfa.ll, lob was a man of rare and excellent venues, com- lob. 1 8.1 i.&c. mended by the Lord himftlfc to be a tuft man ; one that feared A**S'h Cjod and efchewed eutll : yet the Dcuill afTailed him very feircely.and though he could not bring him to finallApofla- cy, yec he caulcd him to vtter in his paflion many wordes of ini.^a,iency. In the Primitiue Church there was great god- linclTc : yet the Deuill was not afraid to put in his foote there, but filled the heart of Ananias and Saphira to lie a- 40.9.15. gains! the holy Ghoft. The ApoHIcTW was a chofen v effeli i.Cor. 1 z.i 2. vnt0 CjqA^ to carry his name before the Cj entiles : and yet the Deuil! The Repent.tr? ce of Peter and Ittdas. 8 1 Dcuill buftettcc) him gricuoufly , as himfelfe complaineth. The Difciples liued alwayes vndcrthc winge of theirMa- fter, ancihad him to protcd them, yet the Dcuill was not afraidc to winnowethem^ as a man winnoweth wheat e; and Lnl^iz.^i. how hee preuuilcd, wee ice in this lamentable example of c Sl ln c" ■ 7) # r ■ i r l, tr, i ,,, ir QYCicm doming vpon Saint \Betnard huh, [ c J It the Wolfe were not %,Cimdc dnodc- atraidcto enter into the Lords flocke, and to kill and de- cmJampauculo ftroy one fheepe of t\vciue,lo imall a number, what v\ ill he numerojnactare doc with that tfockc that is committed to a fhrphcard . ? Nay ££***%]*** to fay more, though <*Adam in his innocency did beare the L e Meommiffi Image of God in right eoufnejfe and true holinejfc , as the pafter'uBern de Apoftlc faith, and had ftrcngtbiunScient to repel all aiTjuks; cam dom.fer.i. yet the Dcuill let vpon him , and gauc him fuch a wound as E^fo/.4. l 4. neither he nor any of his poftcrkie could euer haue rccouc- red , had not God in the riches of his mercy fent Chrift Ie- fus, that blejfedfeedofthe woman y to breake the Serpents head Gtn.-$ .i.ijr. Nay to fay yet more , though the Deuill kne we our Sauiour Chrift to be God as well as man, and therefore by his diuine A f att 8.19.^41 power to be able to crufhhim inpeices, yethee cntred the i.&c* lids with him , and aflaulted him in a fingle combate hand to hand* But there he met with his match, and was forced to rctyre to his fhame. So that we fee , the Deuill is no co- ward , but of a flout and vndaunted courage. And if hee were not afraid to deale with thefe perfons before named: much lefle will he be afraid to deale with vs, that are weake and feeble in comparifon of them. Laft of all as theDeuill is thus ftrong and valiant: fo is he furnifhed with exceeding pollicy and fubtilty,which maketh it a farrc more dangerous thing to encounter him. If men of grcarcft valour were alio w ife and politique; and men of greateft wifedome were ftrong and valorous , no men were c.j^-l- ..m able to re fi Ik hem. And therefore, for the mod part thefe cere proaptum, properties in men arefeuercd : and commonly wee fee, that u^ecfictree(i they that arc of c»rcatcft ftrenenh, arc not alwayes the wife ft ^AmiK/j/Jh men, and they that arc indued with greateft wifedome , arc la ' \*rv™ 1 c \ a la c re 1 VMS ruaui& line not alwayes or the greateft courage. As zA tax confefleth p c ft or( m n CSm M z of g i The Repentance of Peter And Iudas. . of himfelfe and &>/)$*/, when they flroue for tAchi'des his tpdexurabelb annour. But inthcDeuill boeluhefeareioyned , and that in a high degree. For as he is flrong as a Lion, Co he is fub. cf},q-to:i egctmv- tile and crafty as a Serpent. And therefore he is called a Ser- ierammiulho. p c „ t and an aide Serpent Apoc.\ 2.9. [ § ]' Whole fubtiltie n/„i and craft is much increafed by his long experience and con- ■ -crn.OHi'l. , J J? r Meum.i.ib.13. tiuuall cxcrciic : heehath a thouJand wayes and letches to 5 Own A///, deceiuc and circumvent vs, if wee take not heed, as the A- fccittjm natm* p [|l c faith, we are not ignorant of hit entciprifes.2 t (for.2. 1 1. fubuluquam Yea le is very prompt and expert this wav. He hath the art maUcia hum. an d method or decerning , he can doc that molt compenoi- BevmJUtd c.\<. ouflv which others muO efrcc-t by many circumflances. And a SicutdcVro- therefore, the Apolhc exhorting vs to labour for the whole tco dipum t(l, 3rm -, ur f Cod , vfeth this as a rcafon, that wee may fond in owmes heftili- a S a,n " tnc aflanlrs ■> or rather, agamlt the wifes arte traftie \uemfil- fetches of the D.viil!. Ep'os flans 6. 11. Yea the better to 'cs clonic his fubtiltic , and ro blcarc the cye c of men, hee can vtrobiq { nocois. aj|f j ( j or ^ 11)3nv tj [m -s trans forr/:e himfe 'fe into an Angel/ cf nSte.Slr.i©. / '^ t ' 1 ^'• IT - I 4- Jnav\oui,l a ] Rfc an ot h C r r Portem y b f/ trifles de'* riebati c; -angc himlc-fr into all fhapes; fometimes purftnng eipiatytriftatMr as an cncmi^lon-K times pretending to helpe as a friend^ut &iffe\ vtgau* both wayes hm ting and cridaflgerhhig ¥5. [ b ] To decciue ientesjlkdat, ^ Q j- . ^ Q coL)ntcr f e i cec h fadneiTe; to beguile thof'e that re- fl/lZlt few n>'e , r . , . j /- i » r i wuUere'vi • , hecounterreucth reioycmg; to defraud thole that are ■nail, he transformed) himfelfe into an Angell of light; bmlucis co fubdue the valiant , hee pppesreth like a Lambe ; to dc- "\ uoure the meeke , hee apnearcth like a Wolphe. \ < 1 Ye3 mat apparel ar* u hatloeuer wit and reaion he hath naturally to beguile and ttns' } vtmUci !ll e, he Oretcheth and ttraineth it fomuch the more ve- uefet^pparet hemently and fiercely ,by how much the more he is poflcfled- ><4ugn(l wimadchre ro doc hurt. And therefore , hee is compared '; r _ toahunter.Tp/.pi^.beingasSaint^r^^iaith [ * ] a . moft lewd wretched and craftie hunter, a hunter that wind. . /*- cthuohorne, lca(t he Should bee heard, but (liootcth in fc- lutaii n4* m I ■! atr 'a 1 bu 'cnd'it \qa inib eum wagis poffldet nscendi cup)dita% Aug de Cut'iU /;. d Vetotw vtiq } bejfaus i & ncquijfimusy & callid~ffimus.ya.ator qui co)mi I rm ewfiAlurJedfayltat m oa iritis &c, Bern, in Pfat.pi.SsrM,^ crctr The Re- pen tance of Peter And Indas. 8 3 cret. So that as the bcoft is before the hunter, To is euen the iubtilefl man in the world before the Deuill , eafily Strap- ped ,* vnlciTc God open his eyes to fee and to auoicie the fnare. Now as the Deuill is thus malicious , and thus furnifhed both with power and craltto doc hurtifo he is much furthe- red by the corruption of ourovvnecur/ed flefh, which is io prone of it felfe to finne, as hath bcenc faid already; as alfo by the allurements of the woild. He vleth the plcafures,the profits and the honours of the world , as Jo many bakes to catch vs. As wee feethe Ioueofthc world made Demos z,r; w . 4 , I0 . forfakehis profclfion. Andth refore, theApoftle callcth \ttbefref S 4 The Repentance of Peter and fudas, is no Lion fa feirce , not the fhee Lion robbed of her w he J pes :no Serpent fo terrible, or that hath fo venomous and povfonfulla (ting, as the Deuill hath. But it is in vainc to watch, vnleffe alio we bend our {clues to refitf theDeuiil 8 T>:: : .. !icn hcaflaultcthvj. As the Apottle lames zv.d Teterdoe ixbort vs. lam:AS7 t i.Pet.<.0. And that wee may doeic "ilL maino Lcorii u ltn better courage. Saint John telletn vs that enery one that r3 y cr< F rasS*I »™nfa\th,TbeKamcofthe Lordis aftrong ioremvrdemut towre^ the rtghtcom runneth to it, and is exalted, Prou.i 8. 1 o. Dulo'ifotcfla- They that by Prayer and confidence commit themfelues to 'utcm- his protection, they are furc to bee as fafcly kept out of the '^ reach of Satan, as if they v\ ere taken vp into an high and in- Dc annate Dei i]UKl ^ Q Turret. And therefore, as Saint *Atignfttne well cx- .W\i8. rap.iS. horteth, [ a J the greater we pcrceiue the power of the deuill, Tec The Repentance of Peter and lud.is . 85 let vscleaucfo much the fatter Vnto ourMrdiatour. And the rarher i_ b ] becaufe our aduerfaric is none other, dun he hath b Aduerfarm ouercome before, that we abiding in him, might alfoouer- nofter efcqrum come him through him. f c l Lee vs not therefore RaggcrJet ^omhmnpfier c . 1 • l 1 / 1 ' *" n j prior vtciUzt e« vs not taint, let vs not 2111c oucr tnccombate: but Jet vsiiand '■ ,_„ • ' ■„ • .1 1 r y 11 11 ji 1 turn tin miUo to it Itoutly, fight valiantly, play the men, and let our hearts *ermanentes bee comforted , for the Lord wiilcomefpeedily , ard with vinsammfer ftrong hand brcake the power of themahcious. For as God ipfom Aug.de exhorteth vs to fight io he helpeth vs to oucrcome : He be- a & 0tte c " r ^ M 1111 -i n cl j 1 c c ■ 1 c N on tit abet holdethvs m the conflict and combate; it we taint, lice ay- Ath[Ua chii n j dethvs j if we oucrcome; hecrowneth vs. And therefore, in non Uccfoat.non all tcntations let vs haue recourfc to him by carnefiPiayer, diked.it a \>ra- that being ftrengthned with all might by his glorious power, &3 i*P*tfM~ we may be able to refill in the cuill day, as the Apom'e faith, 'M»*W*- r 1 r J enter, zmlitcr hptjej.0 .13. agat,& corifir- Axdagaine he dented.~\ Hee thought his difTembling and teturcar ems, lying would haueferued the turne. Butperceiuing it would q«od citb venici not bc,.but ftill they prefTed him and vrged him further, now t{om ' im h& w«- for his credit fake hee will not recall his former denial] - but nu J° int * ce,ltCm tieth Jt,as we lee, and rrntmcth it with an Oath. As he made malifni.Btrn.de noconfeience of lying before, iohee maketh no bones of ctnaDom.Str. fwearingnow. Where we fee what a dangerous thing it is T>eusnos horta- for a man to giue himfeife to lying. They that haue once ^.^WWfi cr:.ckt the bonds ofconfeience in hope of any benefit or ad- camw Cenar>- uantage,they will not fiicke to goe further. rather then miiTe tesinbellqjbe- of their purpofc. The end which the Apoftlehererefpccted fiat, dtfictenies in his former dcniall , was his owne fafetie : but feeing, that M^uat 9 vm- Hill he could not be quiet , he proceedeth further, and ncuer ^TwdtT ccafeth till with thcperill ofhisfoulehe hath fatisficd his ad- ftf * ,* 4j ucrfaries. When mens affections are bent and fet on a mat- DoFt.w ter, rather then they will bee fruftrate , they are cai icd into It is dangc- many inconuenicnccs, their tongues, as Saint lames faith, roustobegi- being inflamed with the fire of hell. As wee fee by common uen co ty in g* experience, when men haue once ouer-fhot themfelues in telling a lie, it is fearefull to fee , how for fauing their credit, they will out-face the matter with horrible Oathcs and exe- crations* And g 6 The Repentance of Peter and Ittdas. Vfe.i, And therefore, we are herefirrt of ail to be admoni" flied (not to profecutethis point any further) diligently to take hcede of lying, as the Apoftle exhortech , Caft off lying t M- 49td fpeake eueYj man the trueth to his neighbour. And the ra- ther, becaufc either, ifthc matter be knowne, our faces fhall be coucrcd with {Lame; or clfc we fhall bee drawne to hnnc more gricuoufly , by aucrring and auouching our vntruth with fwearing and flaring: whereas otherwife, truth though it may be blamed, yet it {"hall neuer be (hamed : and we fhall find to our comfort, that the bare tcitimonieofone man that vfeth to lpeakc rhe truth, fhall bee of more waight and credit then a thoufand Ouhes. Vfh 2. Secondly, we mtafl not bee too egerof ourwils , nor toodelirous with tooth and nayle to maintainc our credit. But if it doe fall out , that we hauc made a lie , let vs not be afhamed to rcuoke that we haw a f firmed,leaft wee ran inr greater rmne, as we fee the Apolilc Peter doeth in thisplac* «n Wtth avoatb.~] See hcere the progrcfle- of finnc.. Fir' HethacfallcTh the Apoftle maketh a lye , fecondly hee binds it and conttts into a (mall methitwith an oath , and laft ofall., hee addeth curfinj fume, is eafily Whence we may obferue, that he that fallcth into oi;c hni: brought to a though neuer [q fmall, is eafily carried into a greater : am grcatci. he that bcginncth but with a trifle, as he accounts it, man\ tunes rufheth headlong into foule and haynous wickedncf fes,cuen fucfi as before he loathed and abhorred. If the De mil had at the fir ft da(]\ bidden ^Peter forfweare, andcuifi a . em z h, m j- c tf e j n t j,j s manncr no doubt hee would haue dcteflei ,, it cxrreamcly. And therefore, he is moie iubtile then io 3 h . btginneth with him in a fmaller offence , and fo at the la r &ad*m brnigeth him to that without anv ftay,which at the firfl 1 ^exo-rdk . vou ; d ncucr h weyec 4aed to. Itistiue thatFal no ma ■y.dciiin. com:n tnto the height or hnnc at the nril. |_ b J As no ma lib li.lruo. OI1 thcfodaincbccommethm-oO txrcllentm Vertue , bi, m eueryman afccndethby degrees rfeno man on thefociair repentefitfum \ § m2c j c ( },< , cr . uc in eu ,i| b m defcendeth by little and litth mtl^ c - fir- 1 1 1 . i 1 ' iim n >i(-mc a(- Slnnc lsi 'kca fretting canker,rhat ouerfpreadeth the wnoi ctnditi fie lummpgm jit petftmw/ed 'pattUtim deft, endit.Bcrn.de grxdibMml;tatis. bod The Repent. wee of Peter and Judas, 8 J body fecrctiy before it be difcerncd. It is like alcrpent, if it get in but the head onclv, it will winde in the whole body, Thcreisfuch acombination of finne , thatasinthc linkes ofa chainc, if amandraw one, ail the refl follow ;fcif a mangranta little finne, a greater will come after. And in this refpeel , the d:feafcs of the loule are farre worfe then thofe of the body.For they that arc troubled with the ftone, Eraf.dc Vnmtsu are commonly free from other maladies. But there is no difeafe of the foule,buc it bringeth with it a troopc ot vices. If a man cart a Hone info the water, there arileth prefently a circle in the place, and prefently after that another, and (6 another, till at lallall the water be full of circles from bank to banke. In like manner, if a man commit one finne, ano- ther will follow vpon it, and after that another, vnlefle the grace of God preuent him, till he bee out of meafurc finfull. Sinne cannot indure to be 3lone, but it mu(l haue company [ c ] yea the lead finne, if it bee not done away by repen- c Peceatu-quod tance, will with the weight of it draw on another. Where- P e> P?* 1 }™***"* ioeuer itnndeth entertainment, it enlargcth and Ipreadctn r uop - oc i ere a ^ iC i it felfe.If wee giue itan inch, it will take an ell, [ a J yea the ttabitJer*. longer weeontinue in it, the more it waxeth fweeter and d Quomagis fwectcr to our corrupt nature: ( c )fo thatthe more we tall homines peccat, it, the more wedefire it. As in the matter of theft, men be- i° m *"J- "if"* gin fir (^ with a pin, (as we fay) and then with a point, till at tatm laftthcy make no bones of any thing; So in all other finncs e Quo plus (*nt a man firftbeginncthwithalittleone, after that hee com- pott^plusfitutn- meth to a greater, till atlafi nothing be too hot or toohea- tHrac l H£ * 0ul ^* uy for him. The fcripcures are plentifull in examples for the proofcofthis point, both in the wicked and in the Godly. fain wasfuflan hvpocritc offering facrificc indeed to God Gc/7.4.3.4^. 8. but oncly for fafhion fake .-after that, when hee perceiued that God refpecled his brother better then he did him , hee began to be angry and U'roth, and heefufTered that anger to boyle within him, till it became a deadly hatred , though moil vnnaturall againtf hisbrother,and in the end he mur- thercdhim. Abjalom wzs firfi a wanton, after that moll i,Cbrm.cip.i$ t cruelly he butchered his owne brother, and at the lad, re- iS^fd*. N belled The Repentance of Peter andluda*. belled againflhisowne Father, ami droue him out of his Mil. 1 4.3.4.7. kingdome. Herod Rrf\ liued in inccfl with his brothers wife 9.10. to the breach of the feuenth commandement, after that hee made a propbane and rafh oath, againll the third comman- dement; and in the e,nde caufed innocent Iohn'Bapttfl to be M *t%6 \\ \6 beheaded, contrary to the hxc commandement. ludzs was firft a damnable hypocrite, after that he was extrearoeiy ce- uetous,in fuch fort, as carrying the bagge ofprouifion fot Chrift and his difciples , hee many times played the theefc, and peruerced it to his ownc priuate vfe, and IaH of ail hee wnsatraytor, andbetraied htsmaifter. And as this is true in the wicked, fo likewife euen the children of God , when they giue way to one hnne , vnleflc the Lord in mercy by his grace reflraine them , they fall further to the wounding of their conftiences, and the endangering o! - their foules,as appeareth in the examples of Noah, Lot, Damd, and di- ners others, whereof we haue ipoken betore. And this is a very fearefull thing,when God fo forftketh a man , as that he letteth him fall without reftraint, from one degree of fin yfil.6^17' to another. So the Lord alwaies dealeth with the repro- bate, as Dautd.h\tt\^Laj iniquity vpon their iniquity y or as "it is m our vulgar translation, Let- them fall from owe wkkednes to another. Audhowfoeuer the Lord iuffereth not his chil- dren to continue in this eflate,but mercifully reduceth them by his grace and fpirir,yet as I laid, it is fearefull to enter in- rrr llJ it. iPcuittiiiut/ii And therefore,this,do£trine fcrueth to admonifli vs of gjeoparuumeft two neceffiry duties. Firft,that webecarefullco cake heed yudnoti crcjc.it cucn of the leaft finne that can be* For as S.Auguftine faith, ncnJiU.,;,).^:^, < n j there v no finne fb little, butifitheeneglefted'ttwillm- ! . ■>. [ b ] And he that defpifcthf^llfimes, doth tafifyfa/I betquMma »' [0 ?/™ ter ' VVc may not then contcmnc anyfmnebecaufe afpernitjadit in it is Itcclc , but rather . fe.are, leaititincreaie to beraany. It .1 may be, the finnewe arc addicted to, is not like a Lion, to dcuourc our foules at one morfell : yet we fee that [ c ] wa- rtimes little bc^^ m.y.kiij a man (a; m I ne grair.es or hrA arc very f mall, &yet too much waight m&* <\ Ang(k decern chordi.u o£ The R:p:n tame of Peter and Ittdas. 89 of it will firtkc the fhippc. ( c ) The droppes of rainc arc but c Alumina m „ m little in quantity,and yet they make great fhourcs indcaiifq ntvides parua mighty floods which bearcdown all before them, (f) VVcc de fontibm orta fee that many times a little lprkc of fire neglected, cdufeth' 0u ^ti>id. a graat burning, and altttlefire,zs S. fames faith, hihdteth k ) c ^ t ' l ^ j^ t \ great matter. I am. 3. 5. And therefore ifwee defire topic- ta, magnum ex- ferue our fekics from camming to the height of fintic , to citauit mcendiH* commit all ' vncleatincjfc with greedincjfe, as the Apofllc faith, g*i<»Curt lib. 6. £p^4.ic.(s)\Vcemuthiotonciytake heedc of grofte § Menschrifi* - j ~ )- t_ d ■ ur .v • n dcata pcc«ue~ andhamous hnnes,but ciicn orimall linnes. Yeawccmuli ai mm „ ra vt as well beware ofthc leaf* as of the grcatefl, for according ma iota: quia a. to the pr overb, CM any littles mah^e a great, and they rftal minimis mcipiut begin Vv'ith little finncs, we fee by cxperience.do often rufh °i ulln maxima. L proruunt.Bern. into greater. *. , SccondIy,wee muftbecarcfull topreuent tne nrftbegin- Nontolumgra- ning of firine,and labour to kill it in the firft fprouting. ( h ) uia(ed& tenia Phificions giue vs counfell in the difeafes of the body, to pcccatacauenda flop the beginnmgs,kafl by continuance of time, they grow J unt ' Multa e- v /• u • w at r l mmleuia xnum wuetcratcaswee teeby experience. Many a dtipafe that nrande ifficiunt might eafily hauc been cured at the firfl, and many a wound Bem.de mnje. eel that might foone haue beenc healed-, if it had beene looked d/.cap 46. to in time, afterward beeingfuff.rcd to* continue ouerlong Vfe.2. doe prooue incureablc. So fhould we doc in the difeafes of b Pmcipijs ob- the loule,cucn labour by all good meaner to preuent them, ' ' lero m * utm . .. /D . i r ,1 w napxratur.Dum when we perceiue them growing vponvsat the hrll. Men m j a per i omas are careful) to kill ferpents in the fhcll , and rauens in tke involucre mo- neafl,andcubbes in theearthbeforc they begin to run, and ras.Oud.dere- al! to preurnt the danger which otherwife might grow by me d,&c.Oppri- thenvftbey were let alone.(&)Somufl wee doe without f c ?"?■ t mu * . r . t 7 ,1 11 -il-i i t I -at itbtta mala. linnes, labour to Wrangle them euen in the birth, that they (tmuiamorbi may behke an abortiucfruit,and neuer come to perfection. Nam mora dat The fire when it is newly begun to burners cafily quenched yires&.lbid. with a little v\ater, but if by negligence and delay it gather 1 Cural ^ t fi 9Vm n 1 • t j- 1 j 1 ji l • tetop ffimama- I1rength,it ragetn excccdmgly,and can hardly be cxcingui- triswafycari fhcd.In like maimer, finne at the firfl beginning might ea- germ en. Bern. de. fily beouercomebut if it be fuffercdto grow to any height coufidir lib.3. kwiilbcaraofl hard matterto fuppreflc it. AstheCrowe GualmHoj. N 2 beinc timillu 2 o The Repentance of Peter and Indus* b Ann about to breed 7 flrlt gathcreth little Micks and other matter to make a neaM,and then layeth egges, which by her heat (he cherifhcth,nl her yong ones be hatched & 'brought forth. So the Deuill being about to produce finne , firflhee gathcreth a great many vaine and idle thoughts , whereof he miketh his neafl in the heart of man, and there layes de- lights, as it were his egges, which hee fo long nouriflieth & fofkreth, till his young brood of finne bee hatched by con- fcnt,and after brought foorth by operation, as S James liue- lydelcribeth the beginning and birth of finne. Suery man faith hee, // temped, when he is drawne away by his owne con- cny licence, and is entifed. Then when lufl hath concerned, it brwgeth forth fin, and finne when it is per fit ted, bringeth forth death. lam. 1. 14. ( 5. Now as hee that would hinder the breeding of the Crowe , doth either pull downethe neaft as foone as it is made, or breake the egges , or at lead kil- leth the birds before they can flie : fo if we defire to flay the birth of finne, we muit refi fl it in the very firft thought of it, not giuing entertainment thereunto, and if the Diucll doe buzze illthoughts into our harts againfl our wills, wc muft takeheede weeyeeld not confentvnto them*, at the leaf!, ifwchaueconfented,letvs vfe all good mcancs to preuent it before it come to a£tion.And the rather,becaufe the lon- ger wc giue entertainement to any f. nne , the harder it will bctoouercome it. The fpreading of finne is like the fprea- diflg of the peflilence,which fir ft infeclcth the aire, the aire becing infected corrupteth our breath, and that conuaieth the infection into the vital fpirits and the bloud,and fo it o- ucr-fprcadeth the whole body,and is paii recoucry; fo jinne by little and littlc,and by degrees getting hold in the heart, difperfeth it felfc into all the parts both of body and foule, fo as, without the grace ofGod, there is no meanes to bee Freed from it. The longer that the Diuell or any finne hath had poffciilon in the heart, the harder will it bee to difpoA feffc them. Wood that hath long hine foaking in the vvcttq will bee long before it receiuefirc : fo the longer that any mans heart hath becne foaked or beeped in finne, the lon 7 get The Repentance of Peter and fudas • p x ger will it be before ic receiue any impreffion of grace/*,) ^ , A young plant may eafily be plucktvp by the mots ; but if fata? arbor fba* it grow till it be a great tree, it can hardly be rcmoucd : So tidktibusvm- long as there is nothing but dull in our floores, a light brat, Quo pe fit* broome will fcrue to fwecpe it away: but if it be ftiffe clay 'ft t™? t *"> **m- a broome w ill doc no good, there mult bee a ipade to Jpit- r Tunc p ^ Urat tie it out. In like manner, fo long as our finnes are young, manibus fumma they may with little labour be rooted out: but if once they tdlurereucU;, be confirmed in our hearts, wee fhall findeit a very hard N**c fiat m.im- matter to dilnlace them. Hence it is that the prophet Icre- w ^*f . vv i! bli } my faith, Can the black* Cnioore change his sktnne , or the deremed. Leopard hisffottes} then may yon al(o doe goodjhat areaccti- Nil afJiictudUe fiomsdto daeeutll. Ierem.12.21. Giuingvs thereby tovn- ttiaim.O-idde derftand,that it is the mofi difficult thing in the world, for f te am * n & 1 ? a man to leaue a cullome or an habite ot (inning 5 euen as tcneris crimen for a blacke Moore to be made white, who is naturally fo- condifcitur amis blackeasthercis nomcanes to alter his- hewe. Though a- Ouid.Epijl. man fhouid wafli him with nitre and much fope, yet it ^fficulter reci- would notpreuaile. And therfore.it is grown to a prouerb, """*"' Vltta W* 1 11 • & /tli i_. * . • 1 r.obicumcref- that when a man vndertaKeth any lmpoihble tnin^, which C unr.SenJeir.t' cannot bee efte6ted,hee is laid to rvajh a blacks Moore ( b ) Difficile tfibn* Thole vices which haue growne vp with a man from bis gwfibito defo* childhood, it is a hard matter to leaue them.( c ) And itis nere ^ morcm ^ a matter of great difficulty to forget that which a man hath *" ' ^ ram ' long learned. Sinne before it gro wc to a cuflome,ii in com- T>edifch animus parifon like a thred of tow when it fceles the fire , as it is [ero,auod didicit faid of che cords that Samfon was bound withall, Ifidg. 16. &*&* 7road. o. But after it be once confirmed by cuftome, itisflrongas , ,f^?'J 2 V a cart rope //*.$. 10. Nay as a threefold cable , that is not remedtolocm v„ eafily broken. Ecclefq.i 2 ( d ) when a mans vices are once hi q«.C'urtii z 9> many men, and their tongues are fo inured with it, as many hcionmardo t i 1Ties chey Tweare when they neuer thinkeofit. As many *°T1 Sr}™ Dodoes doe barke T a 1 more of cuflome then of any fierce- Mr/J.iOi tain t~>3? r x • -1 r \ \ \ r ?? i. i>u). more nefieor their nature, lo I am peri waded , a number or peo- p' finne, is firft, becaufc when G\mc hath had long enter- babuiirfntV' tamementin a mans heart , [ b ] it is loth to part with him i Mm non anc j ne j S as ] ot h to part with it. It is betwecne finne and a mnn.asir is betweene two friends. If their acquaintance J; , tr> naue becne but of lhort continuance, it neucr gneueth them Tmcnd's volup- to p3rt one with another : but if they haucbeene auncient taiih'ii oacu friends, fuch as haue long conucrfed together w ith mutuall cr,aididu'o,. comfort and delight, if it fall out that ihcy mufibcefepera- V iit.i. - b - L P'>l tcc ] oh it 00c th fore with them, and they Cm? loath to de- c RetwrbaiU » 1.1 1 1 1 b • 1 . , 4 *t*m P arr * So whenaman hath becne buc little acquainted with ucLiitic.' iinnc, it is no great gnefe for htm to leaue it ; Hut ifhe haue b.int vejbm me- ftued long in it,and made it his darling finne,and felt fweet- am,a,mam,& ncffc ifl ■ ns hcc t hmkcth , then it is a erieft to him to for- iw.confc, » a kctt. j c j And therefore, Saint esfugtt/rwe \z\ih, That hb.x. ' when bee began to repent , his oldleuerr 7 meaning his finncs, would The Repentance of Peter wdt all iinner s(for he maketh himasit were a type of the rcit;hc bringeth him in lyiog in Wis bed, and loath to rife, yet a tittle jhepe, a little /lumber , a It: tic folding of the h amies to fleepe. ¥***•%$»$$• So iaith the voluptuous perlon, yet a little more of this twectefmne. The c opi q it vpon his arme, and it will bee heauie. In like manner, fo etl J m dclcff.i* long as hnne is ramiliar to a man , that his hrartis, as it bitJtapaulatim were, the proper feat of it, bee neuer fecleth any WJRghtof ia C0Y ^ IS dunti- it, though it bee ready to prelle and finke him downeto ^fa'^f' hell,ycthcgocth away with it, as if it were as light as a adEutenim' feather. But ifeucr it pleafc God to open his eyes, that hee Vapam. may p 4 The Repentance of Peter and Judas. may fee the hanioufnefle of his finnes, then he will crie otic with Dauid.that they are a watghty burden y too heauy for him to beare, ?[a 8.4. Saint Bernard hath a very good lpcech to this purpofe. How many are there faith hce , to whome that fame thing which at the firfl was fo bitter that they abhorred it, by vfets become frveet? At the firlt a thing will feeme fo heauy to thee as thou canft not bcare it ; in proceffe of time .. . . if thou vfc to carry it thou wilt not thinkc it fo heauy; with* wlbilititVe" in a wnile tnou ^ aJt ^* ecle ic Mghtjwithin a while thou fhalc pulit^ amorem, not feele it at all ; and in the end ic will delight thee. And tutm ac viftor thus by little and little a man comes to hardnefTc of heart. extnu.Sai.in ^ n( j t \ 1crc fbre, to conclude this point, if wee defire to bee Trlmacoitio eft preferued from this height of finne, let vs be carefull to rc- tjbertim t t fi fift l innc betimes. Let vs watch efpecially in the beginning tarn Juftmicru, of the temptation. For then, as one faith, is the enemie fo'li'u-itamu ca fJiy ouercomCjif wee doe not fuffer him to enter into the Utbet iMdM Ucct ( | oorc Q c our j neart ^ b ut a {f oone as euer nee knocketh, goe Vborm. oUcr tnc threfhold to mecte him without. And indcede, finne is mo(l furious in the firfl aflaults, if it bee ftoutly refi- fted then, it will neuer get fuch held in our hearts as other- wife it would. DoB 13. So after awhile &c.~\ This is the third degree of the A- All wicked poiile Teters finne, and the occafion thereof. The firfl and men agree to fecond allault was made againtt him by one alone, and that pcrfccutcthc adamofcll: but now ail that were prcfent come together, ^ againMhim. Where in a word wee may obferue that all wicked men agree together to perfecute Gods children. Bccaufe they perceiued that Peter was one of Chrills Difci- pics, out of that malice they had againdChrirt , they all fet vpon him tag and rag, andbaitc him hkeaBeare at the Make. Thus hath it beene in all ages from time to time. D<*/W complained) of it in diuerfe places why faith he, doe the heathen rage, and the people murmnre in vaine}The Kings of the earth band themfelnes , and the Princes are a ffembled together agamft the Lord and againft his Chrtft. Where wee fee that Nations and peoples , Gentiles, Iewcs , Kings and Rulers, men of all forts., both within and without the Church I'AU.I.2. The Repent wee of P iter and In das, ,e birds of that vipereus brood w ill violently flocke to- gether, and take part wuh him. When the high Prteftsoy- pofed themf lues againfl Paul, how many were there that il S' ll >*l» were read ie to ioyne with them? Yea there were fortie of a con fpiracy , that bound themfelues by a fclemne v©we to kill him before they did either eatc or drinke. And when Demetrius the filucr fmitli was incenfed againflhim, the , ! i i— it- J P n - • n &*9M-' l 9. whole Citty tooke his parr, and raged molt tunouily g, c% againft him and hisfcllowes , yea a great number of them not knowing what the matter was. Yea though they haue beeneatenmitic andatoddes before, yet in this cafe they are ibone reconciled. As wee iec that Pilate and Herod inhcii,\i, were made friends in perlecuting of Chrift , though they had beene enemies one to another long before. The (lo- ries of tint bloudy raigne of Queene cJ^wdocafToord vsplenty of examples for the confirmation of this point. And therefore , forthevfe of this Doctrine, we are here T r fe, admonifhed to con fid er , what manner of Religion it is that we take vpon vs to profeffe; euen fuch, as hath both the Sun, Moonc and Stars againfl it, Wc mult take notice ofthis.be- O rorc p g T/tf Repentance of Peter and Iudas. fore we giue vp our names to Chnd , that fo wee may arrne and fortifie our felues againd it. We mud not looke for ma- nie to a fli(l vs, and to take our parts , but rather to haue aU mod all the world againd vs. When the Apodle Trftf/came into trouble for the profeffisn of the truth, he complaineth, ».riw,4.i£. 7^' #* *»*» afstftedhtm, but allforfooke htm. Wee mud not looke that it (hould be better with vs . Then began hee t$ curfe himfelfe*, ejre.'] Thcfc enemies of the Apodle Peter were not yet fatisfied : hee had diflembled before, and forfwornc himfelfe: yet that would not ferue their tunics, but dill they prede him further, and that with greater violence then before: and therefore, hee feeing their importunitie, is determined to feedc their humours, though it fhould cod him his foule. Do&.fst- And therefore, now he curfeth himfelfe if cuer hee knew When men Chnd Iefus. Thedcuill could haue caricd hiai no further, begin once to except it had been to defperation. Hercthen we are taught, follfromGod, t hat they that once begin to faU from God, haue no flay of they haue no f / . , b . . J / ftay of them- themlelues, but witnout Gods reltrammg grace , run hcad- fctfCb-A c. long into the depth of iniquitic. It is a true faying, HemuFl needes runne whom the dined drineth. And God kno wcth, we are all wauering and ready to fall, as oft as the deuillfhall thrud vs forward. Neither fiiall wee euer make any day, nam qitis. vnleflc God flretch out his hand, and holdvsbicke. Asa Pcccandi fitum r0 ut>d done tumbled downc from the top of a decpe hill, is JtEie-' car ' c ^ w ' tn violence till it come to the bottome 5 So when a Hum (em el at- man ' natn on ce giuen way to any linne, there is no hoc with tritadefieate Inn, nil become to the bottome of hell, vnleffe God pull ruborem? Quif h,m backc. After that once the vigour and liudyhood of the nMmhommm r im vvas cxtingu ifh c d in thc Apo fl| e Pcter jf Gocl had m tcHtum videris Ic ' c ' r ' ni Co himlelrc, if a thoufand ieuerail perlons had quedi- vm F la git 10? oned with him about his Mailer, he weuid haue denied him a thoufand times. Ffc 1 . This Docli ine ferueth to admonifh v$ , fird to take dilU gent heede to our fclues, that we tali not into linne , lead ws bee caricd headlong without day.. Whofe heart doth not quake and tremble ? to confider how farre thc Apodle Peter hath The Repentance of Peter tindludus. 91 hath fallen? And v\ ho are we then, that wee fhould prcfumc of our ownc tf rength? There are lome men that in a conccite of themfelues , will ftint themfelues how farre they will goc in the committing of finne. As they will go to the Alchoufe, and fit among good icllowes ; and diinkc what they thinkc good, but thev Chall not all make themdrunke. But alas, we lee that many times for all thclc vaine bragges, they are fouJcly and fhamtfully ouertaken ere they be aware. Secondly, wc nn\i\ pray earneflly to God, to rcrtraine the malice and n^e of Satan , and not to for fake vsouer tong,zs Vauid iVith, but to eft airlift vs with afieefpirit , that we may not fail in thisfcarefull maner. Othciwifc, it weby our carc- JeiretTe, and neglect of the good meanes which God hath fan6lified,do grieuc and quench the holy fpirit ofGod,itfhaI beiiiftforthc Lord, euen to leauc vsouer to the dominion of Satan, to be held captiues of him, and to bee caricd head- long into all vngodlineffe. Hetherto we haue heard the fearcfull and lamentable fall of the Apolllc c Peter. Now followeth his repentance and fi- fing 3gaine, w hicb with like diligence is alfo recorded by all Vfe.z. jr. a. the Euangehfts for our comfort. Wherein we arc to confider. r fi. The occafions or the meaner of it. < 2. His Repen- tance it (~\. Outward /viz,, .The crow- fi. From^s ingot the Cocke. without <^2. Inward. , viz,, Chriftes htmfclfe.J looking back vpon him, V- exprejfed, Luke 22.61. 2. From within himfelfe , but oc capo- ned by the former /viz,. That hee re- membred the words of Icfus, efrc. His preparation to it. He went out of that wicked place. 1 he maner of it. Hce wept, and that bitterly. O 2 And og The Repentance of Peter and Ind.is, J. Imc Nd immediately the C GC k$ crew.'] This is the fiift •ancs which God vfeth for the repentance of the A- Tcter. For feeing in what a defperate Rate he flood, he makcth halt to deliuer him* He knew that if bee fhould hnue continued in this cafe, his heart would hauebeene lUb.}.i$. hardened by the deceitfulnefe of finne, as theApofiie faith. As it falleth out w ith the wicked, who hauing once tafted i.F«t.4 I. the f.?eettKfTeofhnne,doe s\o\znt\\YMne to all exceffe of Efbef.^19. YtGt aK dworke all vncleanneffe , euenwith greedmeffe* And therefore the Lord being moll carefull of his children, de- layeth no time , but prefently vfeth all rneanes to reco- uer them. Uotf.tf' From hence then we lcarne, that God will not fuffer his God will not children to perifh in their finncs, but endeauoureth to re- dren'ro'" nfc daimC them * This the Lord confirmcth b Y thc Prophet £- iiTtheir iinncs. **k&U ^f'Pgj wby -will ye dyefiye houfe oflfrael ? For I de- £^4.18,31.31. fire not the death of htm that dieth. And hcebindethit with &.$ J.xi. an oath. As Jltuefmh he,/ defire not the death of the wicked . , but that the wicked turnefrom his way and line. And our Sa- uiour Chnfl faith, the Sonne of tnan, came to feek^andto faue I u\t 1 .79. that which was lofl. And this we fee firfl before their conuer- fion, whiles they Hctc a« it were in dazfouffeandinthefha- dow of death , the Lord in mercy vihtcth them, andgiueth light vnto them^andgutdeth their feete into the way of peace, Acisit.rt* andcaufeththemto turne from the power of Satan vnto God, Abraham along while liued in grofle Idolatry in his Cai 11.1.4- Fathers houfe, eucn till he were feuenty andfiue yeeresold. But at thc lafl, the I ord in mercy called him out of his Con? try,and from his kindred, & brought him to thc true know- im 9.1. IctJge of God. The Apoftle Taul before his conuerfion was a grieuous enemy to the Church of God , hee breathed out thveatmngs and flaughter agatnft the Dtfcip/esofthe Lord. But in themiddeflor his rage the Lord tooke pittyvppon him ; and as he was furnifhed with authority from the high Pricrtjto bind all both men and women that were of thac way: fodainelyChrifl Iefus called vnto him from heauen, -,nd reclaimed him, and made him of a bloudy and cruell peife= 3, 3. 4. The Repentance of Peter and lud. is. p p perfecutor a moH excellent Apofllc , and a inoflpainefull preacher of that raidi which before he deftroyed. Gal,\ % \% % Againe after their conuerfiotvf through frailty they fall into finnc(asGod knoweth, there is no man that hnncth ViOUttSalomonzo\\\<&-)\\ in his prayer, at the dedication of j^vg ^ the temple) the Lord will not furfcr themto lye along ther- in , and as it were to flccpe in dcath,but in his tcndci com- panion, "iu\ in the riches of his mercy he raifcth them vp a- gaine, AsDdWfaithofthcgodlviTnn. Though bee full he pfaln9.17.iA jhalhiot be csft off: for the L ordfvtteth vndcrhis hand, And & 1 4>.i 4, again e, The Lord vpholdcth all that fall, and lifteth vp all that areready tofall.And this our Sauiour Chiilt doth teach vsplaincly in the parable of the loft fheepe, which the good lhepheard will not fufTer toperifh, nor to wander out of £*£f 17.4.7. the way to deftruition 3 but hee leaueth the reft, and as though all his care were oncly for that which was lofl, hec goeth after it, and fecketh it, and when he hath found it,he Jayeth itonhisfhoulders , and bringeth it home with ioy. For which caufe, Dautd prayeth vnto the Lord faying. / Vfal.uq n6 haue gone affray like a lofl iheepe y fecks thy fcruant. And the ApoiiJe Peter conteficth Gods goodncs to himfclfe , and o- thcrs in this caic.**V»Wtf, faith he.asjheepegotngajlray^tit i.Tet.i.ir, are now returned to thefhepheardand r Biflwp four fouler. And thus the Lord dcaleth wkh all his childi en. Though hefuf- fcr them for a time to follow their owne fantafics , and to walkc after the defircs of their ovvne hearts, yet he forfaketh. them not for euer,but in his good time he tfrctchetb out his hand to helpe and fuccour them. HeefufFered Teterto fall fearefully as we haue heard , but with all fpeede hee raiferh him vp againe. So he fuflcred Damd to commit very hni- nous and horrible finnes , and to continue and lye in them 1 * t »i*»t*&* without repentance along while : yet in the end , hauing compalTion on him,as a tender hearted father hath compaf- P/^io^.i^. (ion on his childrcn,he fent the Prophet Nathan to him to awake him out of his finnc, and to call him to repentance. And afterwards when his heart was lifted vp by reafon of i.Sam.i^io, the flrcngth of bis people, that hee mult needs haue them u.ii, O 3 mitfe I o The Repentance of Peter md Iudas. numbred; the Lord caufcdfirft his owne heart to fmite him and then fent the Prophet Cjad vnto him to humble him for the fame. Yea the Lord is fo rich in mercy, that he effc- reth this grace euen to the wicked alfo, though they in their prophanelTe contemncand reied the fame* When Cainet heart boylcd with malice againft his brother Abel y the Lord faid enough to him , if hce had had grace, to haue preuented Gene.^.j. any further mifcbiefe; Why art thou wroth, faith he , and why is thy countenance cafi downed If thou doe wel^fhalt thou not be accepteddrc. And after hee had (laine hjm indeed, the Lord 9.10. lelthim not, but laboured to bring him to remorfe, when he asked him what was become of his brother , and told him Gene.6.3, cnat fa bloudcriedvnto him from the earth* When the Lord had purpofed to deftroy the olde world, becaufe the wickednelle thereof was very great, hee did fir/1 rfe all meanes to reclaimc them. He gaue them an hundied and twentie yceres to repent in, and in the meane while,fent i.Pet.t.i. JSfoah a Preacher of rigbteoufeffe , to forewarne them of the H 7 * danger , both by vetball and alfo vifible Preaching, in ma- king an Arke for the fauing of himfelfe and bis houilioJd. So Gcae.i^.&c. hee dealt with the filthy Sodomites , placing iuft Lot am^ng them to labour their conucrhon, if it might be. When Saul bad ftubbornely tranfgreffed the commaundements of the Lord, and had thereby caufed him to reieel: him; yet hee left him not fo , but fent Samuel to put him in mind of the hei- lio.tffrreffe of his finne. When Ahab by horrible crueltie had I.!TJ0£.ii.x8. bereft poorc Nabaoth of his life and liuing, the Lord few E- l 9* lias the Prophet to reproue him , and to aggrauate his finne againft him, that fo hee might be humbled. In a word, the lohn 13.15. Lord offered his mcrcic to Iudas , when as before cuer hec had efTLded any thing , our Sauiour put him in mind of the hornblenciTe of his bloudy thoughts againft him, making itmanifeft.that hee was the man thatfhould betray him. If the ! ord bee thus mercifnll, to make fo large a proffer of his cYace to fuch as he knoweth will ds fpifc it$ how much more will hce 6ifer the farfit to his children , who wiii thankfully embrace it? And 17 &c The Repentance of Peter and ludas* I o i And hereof we haue yec a mod liucly example in Adam, Gen. $.6.2. 9,11 and the Lords dealing with him. When hce had difobcyed the comniaundcmentof God in eating the forbidden fruit, and perceiued , thac thereby he had forfeited that excellent t'lory of his creation, tor (hame and fcare hee was ready to runne away from God if it had bccnepofliblc.But the Lord would not loofe hit.nforall chat , but fought him out in the garden, and preached vrtohim the glad tydings of falua- tion by Iefus Chrtfl. And hence is it that Itauid faith , Hee p^/ #llI ^ th it keepeth IJnddoth neither flumber norjleepe , but conti- nually watchcili for the prcicruation of their foulcs;and cl ercfo-c vfethcdlgood meanes whereby it maybe effected. As heere the crowing of the Cocke was a meanes to bring Teter to the fight of his finne, for this was the fignc that £Mat.i6.n. our Sauiour had gitien him of his denial! , that before the cocke crewe hee fhould deoie him thrice. And it was fo much the more erTecvtuall, becaufe it fell out in the very mo- ment and inflant of his finne. He had no fooner denied his Matter, but as the Euangelitt faith here , intmediatljtke cocke cr&ve. Yea Saint Luke faith , thai it was d >ne before the worde was out of his mouih. zSlnd immediatly , faith tithe ii.6o t \\zq ^Whtles bee yn [pake the co die crewe. Now' hereby are fi unified all outwarde meanes whatfoeuer they bee , which God vfeth to awake vs out of our finnes . that fhakins off that drowfineiTc, which for the mod part poflcfleth the fiefh , wee may bethinke our felues of our finnes , and of the wrath of God due vnto them , and of fonie courfe to pacific the fame. Which meanes if the Lord /houldenot vietowardes vs, wee wouldc for euer licfecurely in our finnes, and thinke our felues in befi cafe , when our faluati- on is in ^reateft danger. Many and diuerfe are the meanes which it pleafech the Lottt to vfe for this purpofc. As firft and chiefely the Minifirie of his word. Hee fendeth his Mi- Mattb.i.z, fiers as cryers, as John Raptifl faiiih o^ himfclfc , commaun- ^/d.58.1. ding them to crie aloud, and to lift vp their voices like trtim- Pi'ou.i. zo.n. pets, to preach the Doctrine of repentance, and to tell the ^-^ 8 x •*'■*• people of their finnes. And Salomon in many places bring- ^! «th IQ2 The Repentance of Peter and luda*. eth in Chritt Icfus the wifedorr.e of God, fometimcs crying a!owd,in his owneperfon , fometimes fending his meffen- rersto fummon men to repentance. And for this caufe, the i- ■^4.11.11. Apoftle faith , that the Lord hath furnifhed Miniffers with gifts, for the worke of the {JMwifterie\ etten for the gathering together of the Saint s^and the edification of the body ofQhrifl iSam.ii*i*& fefus. Thus dealt the Lord with ^Dautd^s wee haue heard -4-1- before, fending the Prophets Nathan and (fad vntohim after his two great finnes , to bring him to rhe fight of his z.chron. 3^.14. finne. And thus dealt he with the rebellious IfraeUts^hen 1 ?. they had treffaffed wonderfttllie againji htm he had compafsion on them , and fent to them by his meffengers to call them to re- pentance. Yea hee fent the Prophet Ionah to preach repen- fcr.3.4. tance to the Nmimtes. And hence is it, that the Apoftle cal- leth the Minifxrie of the word , the power of God to faluati* ^ onto ettery one that belestieth. And howioeuer the wifemen of the world doe account it no better then fooli/hneffe : yet 1 Cut i.i3.n« ithathplcafed God euen by that foohfhneffe of preaching ts fane them that beleeue. Secondly the manifolde bleffings and Pp/.68.i8. benefits wherewith he daily ladeth vs, and which he renueth Oam.yiy tovoardes vs etiery morning; As there is neueraone of vs, that haue not good experience hereof continually, both in our foulcs and in our bodies. How liberally and bountiful- ly doth the Lord fuftaine and fecde vs from time to time? How carefully doth the eye of his prouidence watch oucr vs^and how powerfully doth the hand of his mightic prote- ction prefcrue vs from many dangers, wherein by reafon of our finncs wee might haue perilhed eucryday?Befides all Mpbe( 1.3. thofe fpiritH.ill blcfsings ^therewith hee hath bkffed vs in hea- v en ly things ix ChriFl Icfus. All which, as the Prophet cal- Hofi 1.4. lech them, arc fo many bonds of loue^ whereby the Lord la- < bourcth to drawc and allure vs vnto him. As parents la- boui to winnc their young children by promifing andbe- ftowing gifrs vpui them : fo dealcth the Lord with vs; knowing our weaknefff, hee doth fas it were) woevsby KoKi S. many benefits. And therefore Chlofcs tcllcth the people of $&cb.\6$$* Jfrae/, that the end why God bcltowedfo many and fo great The Repentance ofP?teraud Iudas. j o 3 great benefits vpon them was this , that they fkonld lone the Veut.\o.iz. Lord with all their heart , and with all t heir foxle. And Nd~ than y being fent to Dan;d after his adulter ie 3 vpbraideth him with the great kindneflc which rhc'Lord had Shewed him. Namely, f^u/ Cjod had annotated him King oner Ifrael, and haddelmeredhim out of the hand of Saul, ^Andhadgi- 1 * Sam - 11 7 s - nen him his Lords houfe , and his Lords wines in to his bofome &c. And would (if that had beenetoo little) banc gtnen him much more: and therefore, his vnthankfulnciTe was the greater, to trefpaiFefo hainoufly agaiufi (0 good and mer- cifullaGod. So doth tyihijab the Prophet vpbraide lero- i.KJng.14.79, boam that whereas God had exalted him from among the people, and made him Prince oner his people Ifrael eye. Hee notwithstanding rebelled againfl him. Thirdly the corre* <5lions and chafiifements which God layeth vpon vs. As the Lord himfele tolde T>auid faying. If thy children forfake Pyrf.8p.30.31.?* my lawe and walke not in my iudgments &c, Then will I vi- ft their tranfgresfon with the rod , and their iniejmtie with ftrokes. And lob faith, that the Lord openeth the eares of men* enen by their corrections whxh he hath fe ale d, Whenfoeucr fob.u.it. God layeth any rod vpon our backes, eit-her in our one per- fons, in our bodies, in our goods, or in our names : or in our wiucs and children, or any othsr that are deare vnto vs, it is for this end; that feeling the fmart, we may humble our felues vnder his hand. And whenfoeucr our fiubborncfle driueth the Lord to take this courfe with vs, it is not with- out his great griefe. As the Prophet bringcth him in rea- soning and debating the matter with the people of Ifrael. How ( faith he ) jhall I giue thee vp, O Ephraimf how Jhall I n r u% % m deltuer thee Ifrael? hew pall I make thee as Ad?nah? how Jhall I fet thee asZeboim ? my heart it tawed within me; my repent wgs are roaied together. We fee how the L ord is per- plexed in himfclfe, when the finnes of his people (lirred vp his difpleafure. He cannot tell what courfe to take. On the one fide, the hainoufneffe of their finnes pro- uoked him to punifh them, yea to deRroy them as once hec did Sodom and Gomorrah , and the Cities about them j but P on licb.ii.t.ii. i o ^ The Repentance of Peter and Iudas. on the otherfide his Fathers loue and tender companion moucd hinuo holdc his hand , and to May his Judgements. His mercy did (triucagainlt their wickedneiTc. And when indeed he had brought euill vpon them, and deliuered them vp vnto the power of their enemies, it is faid , that his fonle *' wasgrienedfor the mifery of Ifrael; as a tender hearted Fa- ther many times corredleth his fonne,when the teares Hand in his ovvnc eyes. And therefore , thefe alfo may bee called bondesof loue. For they doe not proceed from the wrath of God , neither are they any tokens of his difpleafure. No, he hath promifed, that though hee whippe and fcourge his children peraduenture fometimes till the bloud followe ?[al. 9.33. (cheirflubbemerTe fo requiring it) vet his mercy he willnc- Her takeaway from them. And the Apoitle lath that whom the Lordloneth he chafteneth i and fcourge nh euery forme that herecemcth. And hoAfoeuer, for theprefent, itbc not ioy- ous, but gneuous; yet if wee haue grace to fubmitte our felues vnto it , it bringeth with it the quiet fruit of righteouf. neffe Yea therefore doth the Lord nurture and Difciplinc vs here with one rod or other , that wee may not bee damned l.Corji.yi, with the wtchedworld. Fourthly, priuate and gentle admo- nitions, either by a mans friends, or any other that haue au- thorise ouer him,as the Maoifkate in the common-wealth, the Miniftcr in the Church, the father or Matter in the fami- ly. And this our Sauiour Chri(t fheweth,when he faith tnat Jfo/.iS.i ?. ){ a man vfe a kinde admonition to his brother in priuare, if it bee done with godly diicretion and holy grauitie,itmay bee a meanes to »>/»»* him. And Saint lames faith , that if a man by good counfell iTiall conuert a (inner from going nllray, he Jha/be an mflrument to faae his fonle. c Dautd knew thebcnerlteof this toil well, and therefore hecfo much de^- ,, firethit. Letthertqbteons fmitemsfi'iihhc, for that is abe- nefit : Ut him reprouz me, andit/httlbe a precious eyie &c. Fift- ]y, the reuilings and backbitings of a mans enemies; which howfocuer they procccde of malice in them, and a defire to 4mrc£curit\n reucn ? e 0' ct tnerc ma y beca good vfe madecf them. For \9([nodama[. ourfriends, cither for the loue they bearevs, doenotfee our Umj.ic The Re pen tame of Peter and Iud&s. I c j ©nr faults, or if they doe , in a kind cf nicenefle they dif- fembJe them, and will not reprouc them. But our enemies SicutamlcU* will not halt w ith vs in this caie , but will 3£orauate all our dulantei H*** m m faults againft vs, as much as they can. Ann thoughperaa p\ trutrq (ittwM* ucnturewec bee not guilty of that particular crime which ta ccrrigunit. theycharge vswitlnll; butthat with fob , wee maytal^eit Aug.confef itb.? Vpon onr [holders and weare it as acrowne-. yet it may bee, ^b.i\^b% wearefaukic in other things, which God would challife in vsby this meanes. Andthisvfo did T) amd make of She* i.Sam. 16.7.H. nieiWis rayling ogiinll him. For howfoeuer that hcemoft vniuftlvaccufed mm to haue becne a bloudy man againft the houfe of Saul: yet Dantd bad let him al©ne,F^r the Lord had bidden him doe that he did. Sixtly, the pubiike Judge- ments v\hich God excrcifeth in the world. Thoughperad- uenture wefcele them not our felues I yet if we tither fee them, or hcaie cf them , they are to many warning peales to call vs to repentance 5 as the Prophet faith, Seeing thy lfa.i6.9. lodgements are in the earth , the inhabitants of the world [hall learne rtghteoujneffe. L aft of all, the in * aid motions which the holy Ghofi raileth vp in vs , and the good defire which God puttcth into our hearts. As we fee when Damd had **Sam. 14.10. finned, God cauled hts orvne heart 1 [mtte htm. And there- fore he faith, that the Lord did gme him connjeU , andcaufed P M J * 7* his reines to teach him in the night. When he was in his bed in the night, and could not flecpe, then the Lord filled his heart wirh holy meditations. This Doctrine ieuieth firrtto commend vntovs the great ^7* *• goodneile of GOD, whodoothnot by and by c^ft cfT allcareol hischi!dren , when they fall into fin i\t\ Neither PjkLioiao, dealethrvtth them according to their deferts , but fo loutngfy rccalirth them by one meanes or other* Yea, it is as impof. fible for the Lord to forfake his children, as it is for the moll tender hatred mother in the world, to forget her own chiJd, and not to haue compafston on the fonne of her owne wombe, Ifa.w \ f . Secondly, it feructh to admomfh vs , that whenfoeuer Vfcz. the Lord lliail call vs by what meanes loeuer,wec willingly obcy,and labour to reape profit by all hisgratious admini- P 2 - Illations 1 06 The Repentance of Peter and Iuda*> i.Sjw.3.10. ^rations towards vs. Which way fceuer the Lord in mercy vlcch to reclaime vsfrom our finnes. Ictvsbe ready toan- i a cr with young Samuel, Speake Lord, for thy feruant hea- reth. There fhould be an Eccho (as it were)betwecn the heart of euery Chrillian man, and the Lord, to anfwer him pfaUo.7. ac eucry call ,Lo I come Lord^sT* auid faith. V(e. 3. Thirdly,it ferueth for the iuit reproofe of a] thofe that re- bell and refift the Lord when hee calleth. As there are too many thit giue the Lord caufe to complaine,as once he did o\Ierufdem. O lerufalem lerufalem.&c. How oft en would I JW4M3.37. h.me gathered thy children together, as the Hen gatherethher cbickensvnder her wings } andye would not . ? They fruftrate al the meanes that God can vie towards them for their good. If hee calivpon them by the miniflery of his word , either F/am} 4-f- [^ t be deafe adder they ft oppe their eares , and refufetoheare the voice of the charmer \though he bemoft expert in charming'. or clfe, tor fafhion faks they harken to it, andattaine to fome knowledge , yet they fcornefuily c aft it behindtheir backs, and hate to be reformed by it. If hee allure them by bis gratious benefits,they doc mo ft wretchedly abufe them,«0* z.Ckron.$i. *$• rendrtng vnto the Lord according to the reward beftowed vp~ on them( as it was faid of Hez^e^iah) but) turning the grace of lade X.\. q q ^ intowantonne(fe,and defpifing the riches of his bountiful- rt^m. 2.4. ^jr ^ nQt fuffering it to lead them torepentance. Yea when Deftf.3t.1v God hath tedde them to the full, that they are waxen fatte, they fpurne with the \\ze\z, a* d regard not the ftrong Godof Tfal.-tf 11. their filiation. Thus as Dauid fo\th of his enemies, they ren- te 109.4. dervnto the Lord euill for good,andh atred for his great good will. If he be angry with them tor their hnnes , and correct afldchaflicc them,they are ncuer the better. But with ex^- i.cbron.iZ.n. b***> wicked *s4haz, , in the time of their tribulation^*/ trefpaffeyet more againft the Lord. As the Prophet Icremy ifr.i.;o j^j o: t | )e (} UD b orne Icwes,Tbey haue beene fmtttentn vain, Ifr,5.3. they haue receiuedno corretlton.The Lord hat hftricl^en them but they haue not (err owed; they haue made their faces harder then a /lone and haue refufed toreturne. If hee bring publike iudgemcntsYponthc land^theydoc not regard them. If a Lion The Repentance of Peter and Iud.ts • 107 Lion doe but roare in the forrcfl, all the beafls arc afraid, as the prophet aAmos faith. But the Lord hath roared from '* Heauen in his fcarerull judgements , and yet no man trcm- bleth.Neuer age had more experience hecreof then this, wherein we Hue. How long hath the noyfome pcitilence ranged in all countries of the land? what fearefiill inundati- ons of water? What horrible fires in many places ? And yet as though all were nothing, the molt of vs naflc our time in carnall fecurity and finfull pleafurcs , neuer regarding the J> a ^ tl1 ' worke of the Lord ^nor confidertng the operation of his hands. In a word, though G'06 did raife vp in vs neuer fo many good motions and holydehrcs, yet by our carelefle negli- gence we Strangle and extinguish them, not Suffering them to haue that blefled effect of grace in our harts w hich other- wife they might. So that now the Lord may iuftly take vp that complaint againllvs, which once he did againft the levees, I haue ff re ad out my hands all the d.iy long vnto arc- Jfa.6^.z. hellions people &c. And thetefore we may teare, that as hee hath called vponvs,and we haue refufed, as hee hathftret- chedotit htshand, and we would not regard-, fo the time (hall comcthat \\c [hall cry and callvpon him, euen till our harts Fro.i, 14.16.1$, ake, and hee will not heare vs. Yea he will be fo farre from pittyingvs, that he will laugh at our deftru&ion, as Salo- mon faith, And therefore,wnenfoeuer or howfoeuer it fhal pleafe the Lord to offer vs grace,let vs ptay vnto him to en- large our hearts , that wee may willingly and readily cm- brace it. Then the Lord turned backe , *nd looked on c Petcr,~] This is omitted by our Euangelifljbut is recorded by Saint Lnkc. lu\t\iM, And it is the fecond meanes ofPetcrs repentance. After the crowing of the cocke , our Sauiour looked backe vpon Peter j and by his beholding him prouoked him to bitter teares. The cocke had crowne already , and yet Petemc- uer awaked ,nor remembrcd what Chriii had faid vnto him, till hee lookedbackc. Now wee are not to thinke, that Chnftsbare looking backe did effect this. Fpr then Indus Ioh t i$,z6.i7, m;ght haue bcenc conucrted too. For (no doubt) our P 3 Sauiour I o 8 The Repentance of Peter And Iudas. l»hn 13. 16.17. Sauiour Chrift looked vpon him , both when hee gaue him thclbppc, and madeitknowne thac hee was the man that mould betray him ; and aXo when hee vttered that i'wecte andmildefp^echvntohim, when hee came withfouldiers Mitth.i6.io. to apprehend him Friend faith he , wherefore art thou come) and after when hee offered to kide him, Indus faith hee, be- Lu\e 11.48. tray eft thou the fonne of man with a ktffc ? [ a ] words thac ^•U (uHe) imvl' m, »hc haue broken hi* heart if hee had not beene more fhire voluit. then obdurate. So the Lord looked vpon Cain, when hee Bern (eria.6.in did fo louingly admonifh him, both before and after his .Parafc. bloudy fadt, but without any profit. But here as the out- ward and bodily eye ofChrift beheld Peter, (o the influence b Nonenimfie* °^ n ' s g race and fpirit tcil vpon his heart. By looking vp« ripteratyVt m pon him he deriued into him the fecret efficacy of his fpirit, negations tene- and peirced his heart with the beames of his grace , and bm permanent, tna£ p reuai { C( j vv j ln him to bring him to repentance. [ b J For Ibcxemmundi ]t cou ^«°t bee , that hee mould remame in the darke- Glofpiordwaria. neflcof hisdenyall, whom the light of the world had fo gracioufly looked vpon. DoB.lf*- Where we mayobferue that all outward meanes which All outward tnc Lord vfeth towardes vs , will doe vs no good , vnlcfle meanes can do tne y be accompanied with the powerful! operation of his our Gods bLi- no ty fyi r * c » The Mmifkrie of the worde is of all other fing. meanes moll likely todoe moft good, becaufe it is Gods owne i'acred ordinance , which himielfe hath fancrhfied for Rom.1.16. the working of grace : as the Apoltle faith, Iamnotafha- med of the Gofpellof Chrtfl ; for it is the power of God to fa/- I.Ctf.I.li. union, to eueryo^ethat hcleeueth. £iw,fthath p l eafedGod by the fool \hncffe of preaching Jo fane them that beleeue. And yet we fee by experience , that ti err is no profit by it with- out Gods bicfling. Wholoeuer he bee that is the preacher, Ub. 33.^3. though he bec neucr fo rare and excellent for his gifts, euea oneofarh.nfand, as /^ faith; though his learning bee ne- * ri *' ' tier lo profound, that ha k^newe all fecrets and all knowledge E-Kraj 6. which the world can affoord: though hee beenetter fo prompt n . and expert in the law of Cjod, as is laid of Ezraihzi learned Scnbejthough hee bec as aimghiie and as well inflru&cd in the The Repentance of Peter And lucUt. J o I the Scriptures as cuer was Apollos : though h-ebrc a Scribe neuet fa well taught vnto the kmgdome ofUcanen, Me te bring forth of his tre afire M aJ tunes things both new ardolde; x j-i«.i,if. A a aine, though hee bee indued with ncuer lo good a dcx- tcritic inopening and dtaiding the word of CJod aright , like a ^4-3 • workman that needtiot be aflame d: though God haue ope- x *w" r * l 3 *- ned vnto him neuerfuchadooreofvtterance ; yea though hee coxl L fpeake with the tongues of men and Avgets; And though belidc all thelc excellent gitcs , hispaines were as great as could be imagined; Though hee were neuer To in- 2 * im '* tlm > ftant in his labour preaching the word vpon ail occafions, in ^ fcafon^andoutoffeafon, and that not openly in the congre- oation , but eiften frvm hottjc to honfe> as the ApofllePW did; And whatfoeusrthe diligence ofthe people be in hea- nig of the word: though they all fiand vpon their feetc, K.u m %* whih the worde is in deliucring, the better to fhakeoft drowlmefle, as the hearers oi Ezra did ;and though all their L**k e 4- 10 » cies be fafined vpon the Prcacher,as the eies of the Naz-a- rites were vpon our Sauiour ChrifyThough after they haue heard it, they fearchthe fcripturcs neuer io diligently, as «<*#* 17.11.' the noble men or llerea did, andvfe neuer (o many other good meancs of meditation and conference &c, tohelpc their memories; 1 aOofall though the dotftrin that is taught bee neuer foheauenly and gracious: yet there is no good fruitcanbee looked for without the bkiTmg ofGod. As eutry good giumg^and euery per fell gift \ fo alfothe fruite and profit? ofthe mimUry of the word isfrom above, andcom* JamA.Jj. meth doxvnc from the father of lights. Hence it is that the Lord iaith,/ create the frhit ofthe Uppes to be peace, peace to Ifa.s7.j9* them that arefarre off y and to them that are neare. The mini- flery ofthe worde cannot mintikr any found peace or comfort to a difheflcd confciencc, nor work any other gra- cious effect in a mans heart,vnle{Te the Lord giue a blefling vnto it. And therefore the Lord hath promifed to giue his holy fpirite as an infeparable companion to the worde, to make it efTe&'i.ill. homimbus adhi- 127.3.8. He giueth tncmand deniethtbem to whome hee bentur , nonnift will. And the Prophet fettcth a note or attention before it. tjs prefnnt , qui- Behold,zs if he would hauc all men to take notice of it. And bia Dcrn opera, therefore, when Rahelbemg barren, and cnuying the fruit- turtalutem - t qia ^^ of hw f]fkr d l out to hcr husband Hi a foolifli & \IAC IMS trie- 1 1 .n 1 rr ,-, lit is* ▼ I dy spot eft , c«w and dmemper ed paflion, (7/»* Wf children or elje I dye Jacob fmeipfo ilia mn was exceeding angry with her, and iM,Amlin Godsfiead y pojfunt:ettamen W / Jic h hath w it hh olden from thee the f mite 9 f the worn be} ltrw?eZt & il Whcn God h3th fluK VP thy worobe and made thee barrc{1 teToleramilri is ll in irs V power to open it and make thee fruitfullr gen. 30 cor thatjheeat- /J/:/^ .7// f.v/;i- **»«'« '* ™ e things that Paul (pake. tAlt. 1 6\ 14. And as the irt, quifacitnt eye and the obiecTt are notfufficient tocaufe actual! feeing, dewet,&atiud, vnlcflc the eye be eniightned; lo befidesthc inflruftionof V ei P?*l( at ! u the outward teacher, it is nccefTary that the bleffcd Smne jUfiecy'oirJh of right eoufneffe CMaL^.2. doe fhine in our hearts by the do£tiorjtati» & gracious beames of his holy fpinte [ a ] He that fhe vveth a dator erit bom mm the way as^r^rJfiith^heedoth not by and by fur* quodcunque do* nift him with neceffaries for his iourney. It is one thing to ^duofunt r-'hi ^irrft a man tnat nc g oc noc out °f nis wa y > an( ^ another ■, ce . thing to hclpe him that he faint not in the way. So neither rl,& luHnri.ru is euery Teacher by and by the giuer of the good that hee qmdem hem) tcachcth.Morcouer, tw'o things arc ncccflary for me, to be refte confulisig* taU oht,aud to bcrcliencd. Thou Oman deft indeede pro- . warn (entit A- ult ^ e wc] l ror mv ignorance ; but if the Vpolile think anghr, poftolut, fp'mtus it is the fpirit that helpcth our infirmities. And therefore ediuuatinfirmi- it is faid^that when the Apoitlcs by vcrtueofChriftscom- t.itcm noflram. m jffi^n went forth & preached euery where \the Lord wrought Vfoaxi hrh W}t ^ t ^ >em * n ^ g auca bieffing to their cndeauours.y^r. 16 b foanneope* 20. [ b ] We are onely infiruments in the hands ofGod^hee rantedabatDe fir ike th ihcftrokcand workeththe effe&, making our la- )non boiircfte£rua!lin the hearts of our hearers. There rnuft bee defml it mnc two p icac h ers to the working c-f erac » in the heart. The ells bum:::, i Minuter to preach to trie care, and the {pint or God to ap- fuut opera, (ul ply it cad bkflc it to the foule. And hence it is that the prea - Delfunt tnunera cher is not called the giucr,but the Minifier cf °nce. who Qptatusin Do- „ cpMfxth the Apoitle, or who is Apilloi , but eJWivtfers WliTe hce in- *J ' ,v ' Jomc J e beleeued,euen as the Lord gave to euery man? 1 . trcateth large- Cor.^^At is the Lords prerogatiuc,which he hath referued ly on das to himiclfe, to be the giuer of allgr ace, as S.Peter faith. 1. point. Pet.^, 10. [ c ] So then we fee that the conueriion ofloules Won potcft mu. bclon«'cthto the voice of God.and not ot : m.?n. As the A- nm ab bomme ° dart quo J dtuinum cfljbid. c ltd phnc cornier flo ammarum diuiruc zocis efl non bumifue.SU mon pifcator I) minwmjn hoc ipfnm vocattU & co-ijl'itutus eft a domino : thtaffum tamen & ip~ fi toboram lota nofte nil ' capien^dmec invti bo donamrettia£taris t tompnbcndcrc piffitmulti* tydincm copioj.im.BemMconucrf.ad $cb?l poftle,, The Repentance of P iterated Judas. 1 1 3 poft'e Teter laboured all night in flfhing and caught no- thing; hue when as in the word of Chrift hecletdowne his nee, he Artrighrway i iclofed a great mulcitudc of fifhcsX*^, 5. 5". 6. So the Minifters of the word, whome God luth caJr led to bee fifhers o p men (Jftiat.q 19. may long letdowne their nets and make but a bad draught , vnlcflc the Lord vo'.'chfcfe hisblefling vpon their labours. This doctrine ferueth,rir(} for the Mi n tilers, and fecond- _ Jf.'}jt lyfor the hearers of the word. For vs that bee Minifters, firft it fernefh to abate that pride and high conceit that might anfc in our hearts , when itpleak-ch God to woike by our Minill ric. Wee nittft acknowledge that it was not our painefulneflc, but Gods blefTing that brought it to paiTe, z,Cor.i.\6* if any good be effected thn :by. For as the Apoftle faith, Who is fufficient for the fe things} There is no man that of •• c * r «M« himfclfe is able fufficicntly to difrhargc his dutie in the worke of the Minifterie : much leflfe is hec able to make his Minifterie crre&uall. No, all our fufficiency in this cafe is of God. And this the Apoftle confefTeth, where fpeaking of his great paines in Preaching the word, namely that he laboured more Abundantly then all the reft of his fellow cs, hec ftraight way corrcdeth himlclfe as if nee had arrogated more then became him, Tct net /, faith he , but the grace ofGodwhicb is with me ,\.(for.\ 5 .10. And in another place he lairh, The weapons of our -warfare are not carnall , but might te through God toe aft downc holds, 2. Cor. 10. 4. All thole tfrange ef- fects that were wrought by the word in the hearts ot men, to conuince their confeiences and to humble them, come net from the great gifts and paines of the Minifter, but it is God that maketh his word thus powerful!. Wee reade of a great wonder that was wrought by the Apoftle Peters Ser- mon. Three thoufand Soules were conuerted by it. But it ^#»M*» was not Peters zeale , or learning, or any thing elle In him that wrought it , but it was Gods worke. As the Apoftle fa id of another miracle, that was wrought by him vpon the (freeplcthtt lay begging at the beautifully ate of the Temple. 0^2 Whf ! i ^ The Repentance of Peter and Iuda*. Why lookeyeefoftedfaflly on vs , as though by our owne power orgodlineffewehadmade this man to goe? The name of the Lordlefw hath made this manfound.&c. So hec might fay ofchis. It was not my endcauor that conuerted thefc men, but it was the Lord that gaue a blefTing to his ownc ordi- nance. And therefore; whenfoeuer we fee any comfortable fruit of our labours , Ietvs take heede wee bee not lift vp to ouerweenc of our fclues , but let vsfay with Dautd , P/tf.i ij.i. Not vntovs Lord , not vnto vs , but vnto thy name g'tue the glory &c. ». Secondly, itferuethtoadmonifhvs, that wee doe not contemne our brethren, though peraduenture their gifts be farre meaner then ours. For wee lee by experience, that Gods blefling is not tyed to great gifts, but many times ic pleafcth him to work mod effectually by weake and (Imple meanes, and all for this end, that the excellency of that power x r or 47 might beeof Cjodandnot of vs^ as the Apolile faith . Yea s.£Vr.i« 17.19. God many times choofcth the foottfh thinges of the world to confound the wife , and weake thinges to confound the might ie thinges, to the end, that nofle/h fhouldreioyce t* hisprefence. As wee fee that many a weake and wearifh man begettcth. more children, then hee that is Itrong and lurtie: fo many a godly Minifter of (mall gifts, making a confeience of dutie, doth conuert more foules to God, then many a man of great and profound learning ; which is not fpoken to dero- gate any thing at all from the gifts of learning , which arc neceffarily required to the fumifhing of a man with abilitie for his calling, but oncly to admonifln all thofe with whom the Lord hath dealt liberally that way , not to defpife them that are inferiour vnto them in gifts, but rather in the fpirit of mcckenciTc and loue to embrace thcm.and giue them the Calx 9. right hands offellowfh'tp , that fo they may all ioyne together in the edification of the body of Chrift. As S c . Paul though Wtiuu be were a man of mod excellent gifts , n© way inferiour to i.Tbef.i.i* thegrcateflof the Apoftlesryct hee thinketh notfeorneto %.Tbef.i.i. ioyne with, in the preaching of theGofpell , Syluanus and Timet heus, that were but Nouiccs,as it wcrc,in comparifon ofhimfelfe. Third 'y The Repentance of Peter and ludxs. 1 1 5 Thirdly for the people chat heare the word it fcructh to Vft.$. admonifh them to take heede , that they afcribc not that to Fonh^« the inflrument, which is onely proper to the efficient caufcj namely , that they attribute notthat to the Minifter which- isduetothe Lord. It isa groflc kindcof Idolatrie which many men commit in this cafe, todoteoffome one man more then of all the reft , and to haue fuch an high conceit of his oifts aboue others,as to place him in a mancr in (lead of God. It was a fault among the Corinthians , which alfo i.^r.i.u. the Apoftle rcprooueth in them, that one faid, I am of Paul Another fatd, I am of ApoWos, and a third, I am of Cephas. &c. They were too much addicted, fome to one Minifter and fome to another , and in that refpeel did defpifc all the reft,and did rcuerence men rather then Chrift himfelfe. So it is at this day. Such a man faith one for my money, nay hcefor mine faith another; and lo cuery man as his ownc ptiuatc attentions lead him, doateth of one Minifter more then another. It is true, that God feldomeorneuer wor- ker h grace but bv hisowne ordinance as the Apoflle faith. T aith commetb by bearing, and hearing by tb ewer de of God. ° m ,' ' l7 ' And the greater that any mans paines and faithfulnefTe is in preaching the word, the more likely it is that he fhould doe good in his place : But yet notwithstanding , whatfoeuer good effect is wrought by any mans Minifterie , you muft turne your eyes from the man to the Father of light ,from whom all good things doe proceed, as hath beenefaid. I doe not denie, but that if men feeJe anybleftcd workc of grace begunne in their hearts by any mans Minifterie, or if ithauepleafedGodtomake any Minifter an inflrument of their conuerfion; they arc bound inconfeience to make much of that man , and to bane him tn fmgnlar lone for his Tbil.i.*?. vorkes fake\ but Hill they muft giue God the glorie and ***fl*f , praifc of all. For as one faith well to this purpofe. The %?!fJZ%Z M- •/! i_ r^ i r . r * bulled inw.t a n- iniiiersarebut Gods fcruants to attend vpon theguells tl& pafcenti that fit at his table. All thankes and praifeisdue to the refer end* (unt Lord, that lo kindly inuiteth vs , and fo bountifully feedeth *> rat ' ia -°r t * tlt * vs , and not to the Minifters whome hee hath appointed to con - VonatMb * frruevs. Q^ Lftft 1 1 6 The Repentance of Peter and ludus t l r fe.<\. Lall of ail, this doctrine ferueth to admonifh both vs ForMimfters that bee Minifters , and you that bee hearers of the word, and people to- t foatforafinnch as all the fuccelYe of our paines in preach- l^i"" -.— ins, and of your mdeauourin hearing, depend ethondf iu1uumT>ci& vpon Goas bleiimg ; inerctore, betore either wee come to gloria Vi 7 "- preach, or you come to heare, weeomendbothour hbours rtmits:effc8um to God by p/avcr. [ a ] For though wee fpeake therigh- ? m ln&°a{ e) teoufncnc of God as Bernard faith, and feeke nothingbut ire mettft tne z) ov y °^ God : vct wee n)U ^ necdes hope for a blefTing eLvtvQcino- from him alone, and wee muiiintrcate of him alone, that p,\t (it* vocem the voice of his grace may accompany our voice. And to ******* accom- t kj s j nwarc j voyce muft you Jift vp the cares of your foules, autemvocemin- 2nd ^ e ^ rc rather to heare God fpeaking inwardly , then teriorem aures man fpeaking outwardly. The negleclof this dutieisthe cordis trip ad- caufe , why the word is io ineftec't.uall in many places •, as it mtnemur-yUlo- \ St For firf}, many of vs that be MiniHers , come to preach fff ntemD . e ™ our felucs, and not Chrift Iefus : and to vent our owne gifts, d*re> qJamfer'ts and * cC tncm ta k c vvinde , and not to feeke the faluation of bommemftudtA" our hearers; and therefore , God deuyeth to vvorke by our mus, Bcm.de Minifterie. Againe a number of you thatb?e hearers come chietf adsM,\ for gapefeede, to gaze the Minitier in the face,or Co fee the variety of mens gifts, or togleanevp fome quaint phrafes and witty fentencess and not with any deiire to further your owr.e faluation ^ and therefore, you goe away as you come without Gods bleffing. Andfoihe word is ujadefruitletfe and vnprofitable vnro ^ou. W.ureas ifwee would account FbiUip.i*. l ^ c ^" ou ^' s °f Gods people der;r e and precious in our light, and long after the faluation of them nH from the very heart rootes, as the Apol-He ia.th, and therefore, before wee come todeliucrhis word , craue Gods blotting by earner! prayer vpon our labour; and if you would come to heare the word with a defirc to profit and to growe in grate by it J and for that end would pray to God to openyoarheartes , as heedid the heart of Lydia > that y oil may diligently attend to that that flulbcc tsughr, it would appcare , that you fhould rcapc more profit then by one farnon , then you doenovv by twciKic. Then The Repc:Jt our conucrf.on is from God alone. There is not theleaft *<• | whole endeauour in any man to further the worke ofgrace in him- ^onucrfio^ felfe, as the Apoflle faith. It is not in him thatwillethnor in fro God alone, him tb*t runneth , but in God that fheweth mercie. And for Rom. 9.16. thiscaufe, ourSaui'ourChriit iscallcd bcih the authour and Hf/>.n z. alfi thefnipocr of our faith. Yea whatioeucr good worke is wroughr in any of Gods clvldren , the Lord by his holy p^ -. fpirit doth both begin and perform: the fame. Y ea if there bee but any will or defire to doe good , it is from the Lord. For it is God tbst.vcrketh m vs both the will and the deidi of P' J;: ' z ' l 3* hit good plea Jure. And therefore wee read , (hat in the Pri- Ailj..\j. mitinc Oi.tYch 1 he Lord added to the (fburcb from dry to da/ fuch as f.-juld bee fined. It was not in their power to ioyne themie'ues with the Church of God , and to become true members thereof: but ic was the gratious worke of the holy fpirico'"G id. Bjt mofl fully and clearely doth the prophet £*^/.$4. and went away neuer confidering what he had done:fofor any thing we find to tbe contrary, Dauid neuer felt his hart toimitehimfor hisfinne , but flept fecurely in it , till the Lord fent the Prophet Nathan,by the miniltry of the word to awake his drowfy confeience. Vfe.i. This doctrine ferueth firfl to refell a maine point of Po- pery concerningfreewill. The ^Papifls doe mflfely maintain that there is in mans will a natural! power to that which is truely good, whereby or it felfe it cooperareth with Gdds grace in the firft a6t of mans conuerfion. They fay that God onely firft perfwadeth the will, as a man may perfwade his friend to take a iourney,whereto he is vnwiliing. But in the accomplifhing of any wcrke,God is onely an afliftant, and man by hisownc power workcth together with him. But this is iniurious to match the doing of man with the pow- er of God. Indeed man bath no power ouer the heart, but draweth onely by perfwafionibut the Lord by his diuine power,doth not onely perfwade, bntalfo bendcth and tur- neth the heart as it pleaieth him. And therefore Salomon m that excellent prayer of his defireth the Lord , to bow their hearts vnto himjhat they may walke in his waies&c. 1 . Kings 8,58. Sq that it isblafphemous to hold, that the wil of man fhould worke with Gods grace in any thing that is goocL Indeed as they arc works and anions, fo they proceed from the will of man:but as they are good workes,they are onely the works of grace,as our Sauiour ChriU told his Difciples, without mee ye can doe nothing John .1 5.5. And foiaith'Z),*- mdohhe worke of J?nkv } Thouprepareft their hearts, and bendeji The RepenUnce off "tcratid hid a*. j i p bendejl thine earcto them. Pf aim. 10.17. And the Prophet //4w6 fpeakech generally of all good works, Thou alfo hjft wrought allow works for vs. I fa. 26.12. And to this purpofc a ParaturvalU' \.hcMafteroffcmences\vuh2£ooL\ laying, " j M.i-s will ^^muua is prepared otGod,and his Heppcs directed cfuie Lord, not noereffiueim becaufc this is done without our will , but becaufc dinguntur.Nen our will cannot doc anv thing that is good , without quia boe fine no- "Gods afliftancc. And Fulgent W4 is very plentifuJl in the ! Atea ~ 6magit t ni$ " preucnt jt by feckmg it yp,and lay it on his (Tioulders.&c. dmimtus admue So Bernard 2nd slugujhne &c\\o\\Cocucr the Papifls boaft turj.% di 16. A. that they make wholly tor them. But to the ende that the h , N«"1"*mrc- 1 1 r u J n j n- n ! dire vclle toteft truth hecrco: may belter appeare, wee mull diilinguiih the eiHS cnans>yjl n adtions of man into three forts. Someadions of men are fucritbcmipafio- naturalljiiamehe fuchas are common to him with other ns mquifttione crcatures,astoeate,drinke,walkc,flccpe,and fuchhke. In P rxi{ f nta & hu ' all v\ hich it is true that man hath frccdomc of will : but yet pi/u^f^^ *' 10, as he is not able t© doe any of thefe things, to any good &gra.Cbr.c.ix or godly cnd.Yea,though mens thoughts be free, yet their Tij'icra & vt actions are not free. It is not as free for a man to doe or not zc ^ m ^h miferi- doc,as it is to will or not to will. And therefore, the Pro- cordlx V'™™- * T c\-r\T in 1 1 r cnusiUumina- pnet Ieremy{*\\x\fJ Lord I know that the way of man is not murdonu&%4 in h imfelfe, neither is it in man to walhe and dtrccl his fteppes. cm ramu y, tm[e~ /er,io.2?.The Apoftle /*#»£/ reproueth them that lay, To "cord{opcrUucrar\tio bona conucrfatwm.Fulg. ad ?>oiarn. epifi.a. Hemws (0S ?** ad bonK&affifioittf a gr.ta non adwucnlui \ & nallji van exceteu- i..r Bcrn.de gra.& 'tb.-ir 1 it. Spintusfanttiti cflommpotws artif(x 9 cream bowptH fid du bo* nam vahntatem formam *ffcttiQ7itm>dans v'ututem^uuam aperatieritm.Bern dcviirfolitaria 'Virmiffime xcn.d litnts rr.andatxs $1 tdire ncminem pofllt , wfi qucm bds gratia fuapxue- ntrh.&cAugdejide ad VctsVianm.cflp.x^ R 2 this a Video melh or a proboq^' 1 2 o The Repentance of Peter and Ittdas. this or that. Iam y q.i 3.15. Againe,fome actions of man are Morall, as all Occonomical and Politicall duties,& fuch like. In thefe hce hath no free will of himfelfe to chafe the good and refufe the euiil ,to embrace the vertue and decline from vice,but as he is wholly directed and gouerned by the fpirit ofGod. For the mind is overwhelmed with much darknes, the judgement is not found, the will is not chearcfull , and theQrengthisvnable to performc any thing. So that bee may fay as Medea faid.[ a ] I fee what is good and approue Damora^equor fr$ut I follow that which is euili.If it be obie$ed, that the OuidMetam. Heathen men wrought many excellent duties, and were jn- ^•7. dued with many worrhy morrall vertues, I anfvvere, Firfl Splendid* pec- t ^ at t j ie corrU p t i on of their nature was not purged,but on- to^ 13. lyinwardlyreflrainedbythe Lord , leaft like bruite beafls b Pucamillc theyfhould haue becne carried headlong to the deftruclion qui fine peccandi of mankind. Secondly, the vertues which were in them neccjjitatecrea* Werc no g^f cs of n ature,but fpeciall graces ofGod, beftow- animtfJutcm ec * v P on tncm ^ or tnc g 00 ^ °^ humane fociety, though they dclinqucn&Qper- came not from the fan6tifying fpirit. Thirdly, whatfoeuer didit; etiamilla. commendable thing was in them,it was ftained andblemi- cogitaxdiqu* flied -with ambition, and arfe<5htion of vaine glory. In a *"D c umpernj word, all their vertues and all the duties they performed, nent, amijit pro- 7 . J r t'musfhcultatem were no better then lo many glorious fumes , became they Expoliatui eriim were riot done in Faith* For Whatfoeuer is not of faith isfinne. veftimentofidei, \ a ft Q f all, fome actions ofman are fpiritual. Wherein wee tarnalwm&co*- 3rcto confider man with a threefold difference. Firft as hec tupifcentiarum . . r , . - , , . ... . , , vulneribus fat- ^ before his conuerhon. Where his will is altogether cor- tiatus-ypc Ucuit rupt, inclining onely to that which is euilJ. Indeedc the foul vpprcjjusditione with all the faculties thereof in refpc# of their eflence re- peccatiyvt ml- ma j ne( j found,cuen after the fal ofu4dam,bm their flrength UnTvtlZiltis a nd ability to any fpirituall good is vtterly loft. To which mtmm habere purpofe one faith very well. [ b ] He that was created with- potuilje^nifihoc out necefTity of finning,falling into finne j as by his fall hce Deo gratis do- loftthefaluationofbis foule: fo alfo he quite loft the facul- ^v%TZ t% £ y ©thinking of thofe things which appertaine to God.Fot turn.&gra. being berertot the garment ot faith, and wounded with ckr'hca? -: the wounds of carnall coacupifcence ; hee lay fo opprefled The Repentance of Peter and ludwhenyewerc the feruants of fane y ou were free from righteoufneffe. 'Rom. 6. 20. And another fclManbeeincfalicn bv his ownc will, it was not ;n like c Ltpfusbmi LUtfaefe him to rile ag.ine by the la.nc. Bccaufc — ^ though it were grauntcd to his will, that hee might Hand Y fi ur y reum and not fall, vet it was not grauntcd him to rife againe ifhe Merumbabit. fhouldfai). Reft aman cannot fo eafily come out of a pit, as j®u\a&(ida* hecmav fall into it. Man by his will alone fell into the pit turn fat vo> un . orfmnc;but his will is not iuhVient to make him able to ca / ir ^ ngnU . rife againe. And S.<^#£tf/aW,ipeaking of Adam, hee faith m(U r efnrgere t that man abufing his free wiiljoix both himfelfe and it. And ficadcret,&c. this is cleare alio in the whole coarfe of Scripture. For be- Bcmdcga.& fide that the vnderftandingis (o darkned, that the natural ^[JaWitrii m an cannot per c ewe the things of '6ods fptrtt : the will alfo is ma i ev tmbo- w'nolly turned away from God, and man hath no (trcngth mo, &[epcrdi- at all for the performance of any hoi v dutie. As the Apolllc dit&ip(*w. h\ih,ivbenwewere ofvoftrengtb, fin ft died for vs. But it fj^^J** will bee obiccted,that God in many places commaundeth ^ om \'e. vs to dtretl our hearts vnto the Lord) to breakevp our fallow iSam.7.3. ground, and take away the foreskmne of our hearts, to wafl? our lcrc.a,^.\^& hearts from wtckedneffe, that we may be faued: to amend our 7.3-# M *- 11, wates and our worses ,to ret urn e euery one from his euulway } cr v ' to make our waies and our workesgood : to makevs a new harr and a newfptr/t&c. Now either a man hath power in him- felfe to doc thefe things, or elfe to what purpofe doth the Lord command themrhe may feeme to mocke vs, if hee re- quire fuch things at our hands , as wee are no way able to performe. Ian(were,that the Lord in commanding thefe things,hathnointcntatallto eftablifh free will. Neither doth he teach vs what we arc able t© performe , but what himfelfe may iuillyexa$ of vs. And wee are bound to doe them,thowgh wee bee ncuer fo vnable. For there is no res- fon,but the Lord may demand his debt, though we be vna- ble to pay it. AgaiHe the Lord vrgcth the performance of thefe things R 3 for na The Repentance of Peter and Iuddt. for this end tn fhew vs our weakncffe and mfirmitie, which before wee knew not, and to by this mcanes euenagainft our will driueth vs to the throne of grace, that we may fin de Heb.4.16, grace to helps in time of neede. Furthermore, theie precepts for the moll part , are intended to fuch as haue the grace of God in them, whereby they are inabledtodoemuch in the furtherance of their ownc faluation. As Saint lohn faith 1 .John 3 .3. Every man that hath this hope m him , purgeth himfelfe etien as Chrtfi upftre, Laft of all , they are inioyned in refpe6t of the e odeauour wee fhould vfe , and the meanes which wee fbould apply our felues vnto for the effecting thereof. For when a man doth carefully vie thofe holy meanes which God hath appointed, then hee may bee faid in fome fore to wafli himfelfe &c. So that God doth not mocke vs in com- GualtM Zecha. maunding thefe things , but they rather ir.ockeGod, that UomiLi. boaft of their owne weake and feeble mrength , and waxe proud again!} his grace, euen of thofe gifts which hee hath giuen them. Secondly wearetoconfider man as hee is in the very a& of his tonuerfion, where in refpect of the grace which out- wardly pTcuenteth him, his will is merely pafiuie: hee being Rom^.u. in the hands of God , euen as the clay in the handes of the potter; for all his ftrengrh isextinguifhed, whereby hee might either prepare himiclfe vnto grace , or receiue it of himfelfe when it is offered. For as the ApoHle faith, hee is tyhef.1.1. deadm treffrjjfes andfinnes. Now a dead man is merely pai- C0/0/.2..13. Hue in the worke ofhis viuification , and hath no abilitie to fhrre hand or foote in the furtherance thereof,no more then Iofe.11.43. 44* Lazarus had power to come out or the graue rill Chrift called him. Yea a man is nor onely dead, but alfo flubborne andfroward of himiclfe, and can doe nothing but rcbell a- gainft God till hee bee wrought vpon by his grace. As our Sauiour faith. TV* man can come to me except the father draiv himjoh.6^. But yet in rcipei'tof the time, wherein his conueriion is wrought, a nun is not like a ftocke, but while he is healed by the holy Gbofl, he is alfo acliue. In the ve- rie a£fc of conuerfiou the will o( man is not idle , nor with- out Dei eft, \nqnam> Dei eft omne qHodpoffumiti. Cypnan.lib.z. The Repentance of Peter and hid. uS 113 out all motion and fenfe as a dead Mtiagc, but ic fdloweth the fpirit of God tliat draweth ic* for in one and the lame moment, God moueth andboweth the \\ ill , andcaulcth vs to bee willing indeed : but ycc lo, as all the ifricacy of the a Van v'totmu worke is from the fpirit of God, who 6f unwitting maketh ncc(iL : !j!c,fcd obedient, ©f flow and dull hce msketh v S runnc. As the A- ™^f jT pohMc faith oC himfelfe, that how focucr hec did w holly cp- rit l m fl pofc himfelfe againHGod before his conucrhon : ycc when Epiff.P.Diaconi the Lord had Wrought vpon his heart , hee was not dtfobe- &aliorumad diets t to the heavenly vtfiou . t/^#.ip.] 0. a i : or God Pukentium,&c. doth not drawvs by any violent neceiTuie, but by facet- , l>euiC "' Mi 1 t- r • 1 I t • i i r • a'i t • Y^ttml£ TliTl (ft ning ana iortning our heaitc soy his holy fpirit And to this n*memvH?er« purpofe is that fpcech of Saint lAwnftme [ b ] God, faith mmus,& cuius he,whofc power is infinite and boundlefie, and whole mcr- milmcordta ju- cy is oner all his workes , fometime etien of Hones raifcth f ^ m ^fp a vp children vino Abraham, whiles hec maketh them that uJ^kulnlu^ ij j n- r jl •„• uywjbuslulcitat are hard and vnwillmg , to content and become willing, film Abrab* t Thirdly, man is to bee confidcrcd as hce is after his con- dumdum & ucrfion . Where becaufe the grace of God bearerh rule, Rentes acquis there is a readincfle to obey and aconHancv to nerfeucr , c J cercc0 J>' ut l all J- r i r- ■ k 1 ■ i ni VCllHt.JUg.m but. Mill proceeding from die ipinte. A? the Apottlc fcilivarad.Am* faith, I am able to doe all t binges through Chrtfl which bruf.de zoc at. flrengthneth mee: And exhorrcth vs 10 m or ti fie the deedes gent mm A. 1,0.9, oftbefleJb i but not by any power of our ownc, but by the « t' 1 ^' fpirit. And thus wee fee that man of himfelfe hath no free- * ' *' will to any thing that is good , nor any 'abilitic to coope- rate with the grace of God. Secondly, this doctrine ferueth for our humiliation and Vfe.i, to beatc downeour pride. For if there be no goodnefTe nor any aptnefleto that which is good in vs , whyihould wee bee lift vp with any conceit of our felues? Rather let vs glorifie God with acknowledgment of our poucrty, and by earned prayer crane the aftiltancc of Gods grace , for efte<5t ing the worke of our conuerfion , and fot the performance of thofc duties which God rcquireth of vs. Andnhusdoth the Church of God in diucrs places, (fowert thou me and I Icre.31^8. fiall be connerled. t/tndturnthotivsvmotbee O Lord,*nd Ummt*S**U< I2 4 The Repentance of Peter wdludas. Da domme quod iubes,& tube quod vis.SilUotf caf.i*. Deut.i94< Theremenu brancc ©f the word of God willrccouer a. roan from his (inncs. i John 3.9* T fain 9 9. 7{ebem3.\S. wee {hall bee tttrtted. And Saint ^uguftine had that fwecte prayer oft in his mouth. Lord giue grace to doe what tbou commaundeft, and then commaund what thou wilt. Other- wife there can bee no good looked for in any of vs. And therefore ^Mofes maketh thisjthe caufc why the people were no more mooued to repentance , by all the grade us proceedings and adminiftrations of God towardes them in the wildernelTe ; namely , that the Lord hadnot giuen them an heart toferceitte i nor eyes to fee* nor eares to heare vntothis day. Remembred the wordes of Iefus. ] This is the lafl occasi- on of the Apoltle Peters repentance. Hee remembred the wordes of Chrift wherein he forewarned him of his fall and withall considered that hee had done accordingly ; and this wrought vpon his heart to moue him to repentance, which doth teach vs that the remembrance of the worde of God is an excellent meanes to recouer Gods children from their falles. This is confirmed by the teftimony ©f the Apoflle Saint lohtt 9 where he faith, thatwhofoeuer is borne of God jlnneth not : for his feed remaineth in him y &c. that is to fay hee finneth not impenitently , hee lyeth not along in finne: though fometimes through infirmitie he fall into (nine, yet the feed of Gods word al wayesabidetb in him,and fhaight- way reduceth him into the way againe.And T>auid maketh the remembring of the word of God , and the examining of a mans life thereby , an effectuall meanes to redrelTe his wayes, yea though hee be a young man, in whom the heate of his affections is more violent. Wherewith^ faith he, fhall a young man rcdreffe his way ? in taking heed thereto accer* Aingto thy word. Wee read in the booke of Nehemtah,ihat when the people of Ifrael had finned in taking them wiucs of the Idolatrous Nations, and had lien in that finne a long time without repentancc>£*rrf that learned Scribe put them in minde of the hainoufr.clTc of their finne, by rcbearfincr to them the law of God in that behalfe; which wrought fo vpon their confcicnces,as prefently they repented of the fad in fackedoath and aflbes. Yea though pcraduenture, while The Rtfrntance of Peter andludas. \ 2 ? while the word is in preaching, it doth little arTccl a man; yet if afterward , by fome occafion, he can call it to his re- membrance it will fiinc him vp to repentance. For the word (as alio the Sacraments) doth not oncJy profit a man for the prelent while hoc heareth it, but it is many times eU fccluall afterwards. And thereroic, it is called long-lafiine foode, the ftrength whereof abidcth with a man eucn all his hfc. Yea 3S Phyfickc,w ith a man takcth w hich no great de- fire , nay many, imes cuen againfl the llomacke , doth yet Worke profitably vpon the body r So thcv\ord of God, which a man at the infant hcarcth with no great deuotion, may afterw ardes be called to n indc w ich great benefit. A- dam at the firlt did not regard the word of God ashec Gene.i.\j.& $ (lioLjld, when he tolde him, that in v\ hat day he rafted of the u-&c, forbidden fruit , bee (Jv^uld die the death :but afterward, when the Lord put him in minde of it againc, hee remem- brcd both what God bad laid, and what himfelle had done, and fo came to repentance : Olianajfes thought it no finnc *•&*>& *&0 to commit Idolatrie, and to caule the facets to iwimne %, *mt* l * l6 » with innocent blond, euen from comer to comer: But after God hid humbled him bycaptiuitie, the remembrar ccof the word brought him to a light of his finnc and made him ieeke reconciliation with God. Yea which i^ more; The rc- mcmbiancc of the word is a notable meancs to prcuent the falling into finne , and n. t one'y to recouera man that is fallen. A:>Z)**/^ faith, hee hid the word of Godm his heart, P/i.119.11.107 that he might not finne agav. -ft htm. And to this purpofc hee calleth the woxd a lanthorn^ to his feete,anda light vntshis path. As a man that hath a candle and a lanthorne earned before him,may keepe 1 irofclfe from falling in a dark night: fo if a man alwayes carry the word of God before him , it will preierue him from tailing into finne. And he f frlrmcth *Wi?» r i» by his owne experience, that the word had made lumcir- cumfpecTt aud wane in all his wayes, that hee might not of- fend. And Saint James faith, that the hearing of the word James 1.1J0 with remembrance of it doth make a man a doer of the wcrkj. The wotd is a wonderful meancs being w ell remembred to S kcepc • 1 2 6 The Repentance of Peter find Judas. keepe a man in a holy awe and order.that he fhal not breake out into finne. Yea itispofTible , by remembring the pre- cepts of the word,to be armed againft all finne whatfoeucr. ?f$n.% t io. As Salomon teftifieth at large : Whenwtfedome, faith he, en- ix. treth into thy hearty and knowledge delight eth thy foule. Then jh all coun fell preferue tbee y and vnderflanding jhall keep? thee lZ * zAnd dclmer thee from the enillway &c ': And a little further, 1 6, aAnd it jhall de Inter thee from the Hrange woman &c. And again e., he cxhortethro^/«J«f the precepts of the wordvptx car he tin 9 and to tie them about oar necV°\ That isalvvayc;, to hauc them in remembrance and before our eves: and hec . & f.u. giucth this reaion. Itfoalllead thee when thou vtalkefl^ itfis.fi a*. watch fo^thce when thouflecpefl; and when thou wake ft it fhaH *l* tallie with thee. For the commandement is alanthome and 24, inftrtillion a light , &c. to keepe from the wicked woman &c . Where hee a'cribeth a fingular efficacy to the word of God diligently remembred , to preferueaman not onely from finne in genera}] , but euen from that particular finne of whoredome , the inticcments whereof are fo pleafing to the fltfh. So that it is apparent that it will euen breake the nccke of all our finnes. Whereas on the contrary fide the forgetfulneffe of the word is the caufeof all euiil. When Urn 14 i's men ** c f°rg et f ull hearers, as Saint lames faith , andcafl the VUl.jo.n. * word of Cjod behind then- baches , no maruell if they fail in- ' to anyfmncY And indeed, what knowledge foeuer they haue of the word other wife , yet when they fall in to finne, they forget all. As Datiid no doubt knew well enough z.Sjma 1.4. what a filthy finne adulterie was; yet for zh^ prefent his eics a ZecM?. were blinded , that hee had not the vfe of his knowledge, . Erffci3.11. and foocc3fion being offred he was ouercome. If[a]fwea-- «f.i7.*7. lCTS) j- h j if prophaners of the Sabaoth [ c ] if couc c GaLs .*x« * tousperfons, wheremafters, and drunkardes could but re- i.Cor.6 9.10. member the fcarefull threatnings denounced in the word a- Epbe*5.l»6. gainftthofe finnes, doubtlefic they would neuer be fo cruel to their ownc ionics,' astorufhfo defperately intothefc llnncs, or to continue fo impenitcntly in rhem as they doe. *.Cor 4,4. g ut t \ JC Q Q[ i f ibx W or!d hath blinded their mindes and for the The Repent wee, of P iter and Inch is. 12 j the time raced out of their hcartcs the remembrance of the word, and fo holdeth them captiue in linnc. This doclrine, to malic vfc of it in a word, doth fcruc to pfo admonifh vs, not onciy to be careful! that t! ,c v. ord may of- ten found in our care?, but alio to doe our iudcauotr, to re- member and iay vp the inilructions thereof for the amend- ment and reformation of our lines. And to the end wee may the better pcrforme thisdutic , wee mull ortcn and di- ligently meditate ofthe word which we hauc heard: As the Lord commaunded Iofyva laving. Let not this bookjofthe jn « law depart cut of thy month , br.t meditate therein day and night t that thou way eft obferne ar.d doe according to all that is wrttt en therein &c, A man can ucucr pcrforme the duties that God requireCh, nor auoidc the hnnes that God forbid- deth, vnlefle hee occupy himfeife in meditating ofthe word. And therefore DauidnnkcVa it a pro per tie of a godly man, P/1/.1.2. to meditate in the law of the Lord day and night . And hee faith, it was hisowne praclife. OhowlfotM thy law! it is &U9-27 lf) > e • r -, A , r o • v n- & 1 , bene vtatur en- truin. 1 a J And to this purpoie Saint ^Augrijtme hatha amvoluntatibus good laying. That God, as hec is the beft creator of good malis.de Cm. natures, fo heeis the moftiuitordereranddifpoferof euill DaM.11.a7* willes: that when they vfe their good natures ill, heemay b ^ l f tam vfe their ill wilies well. [ b ] And in an other place . Who, l y t '^ ca t^Dcuni faith hee.isfo wickedly foolifh^as tofay, that God cannot malas hominum turnctogood whatfoeuer euill willes of men he will, when voluntatis quas he will, and where he will? Wee mufl not therefore cad the ™'iit,i6. 2A. The levees in crucifying of Chrift did no more then that which Cjod and his comfd had determined to bee done, ^#.4.28.^ 2.23. & 3.18. Ancl yet their deede was mod damnable and accurfed iu the fight ofGod. Tharaoh in op- pofing himfelfe fo rebelliaufly and liubbornly againft God : what did needle, but chat which the Lord foreknew and fomoide alio to Ullofesand <*A ' nron : 8 'xod.^ .io.er 7.3 .4. An i yet for all that the Lord is iuitly glorified til his confu- {\ox\.Exod.g.i6. God hath decreed, and as Gur Sauiour Chrift faith it cannot bee auoided^ but offences will come, and there is a neccfTary vfc of them, for the triaii of Gods elccft : and yet woe is that man by whom they come. It were better for him that a great milftone were hanged about his necke, andtbat he were caft into the Sea. Lu^.iJ.1.2. So the Lord Cuah.mloef. calleth the armie and tents of the Affyrians , which hee U^wl^ threatned to fend againflthe Israelites jn\s army & his tents; and he makcth that cruell tyrant Senachartb the executio- ner of his word Ioel.2.11. And he calleth him the rod of his -wrath, and the ftaffeof his indignation lfa.10.5. Whereby wee fee,that when God wiii haue his iudgc merits executed, iic vfeth many times the helpe of wicked men. And yet they are not thereby excufed, when with fword and fire they make hauocke ofall. For it is their owne ma- lice that carricth them to wickednefle: and the ambition, the couetoufncile,the cruelty or whatfoeuer other corrup- tion did fet them on^is from themfelucs,andis not inflilled intothem fromaboue. But God in his wifedome and iu- llice vlcth their malice to a good end, either to exerciie the faith of his children, or to punifh the wicked. If it be ob- jected that they fulfill the will of God , which no man can JPjw.jm?. rcfifhos the Apoflk hri^and therefore they may feeme to be without blame; I a;nwcr>howfocuer this be true: yet the anions The Repentance of Peter and Iu] The will df God is cucr fulfilled (i a ith P Y wb*li*{er- Jltigo de Santto ZJiftore) and wicked men are not thei cfor? fojjJLl tgj! , cxcufjd,bccaufethe will of God is perf< -,rmcd in them and plu^&facmnt bv them: for that they are not directed by their ownc will, cum ca quodbg- to fulfill the will ofG )d, but by his fecret [ c] prouidence. num e fl '• *%•&* And in this cafe S. Aa^'Unc fpeaketh diuincly. Ad men ^fW^'" 1 ^ faith he, doe i:rue the prouidence ofGod; but lomc obey q U9 diuflum c(l. as child: cn,and doe with it that which is good , and others ItATfeusemni- arc bound as (hues and feruants, and there is d^nc fjn them potem y dMnims that which is iufl.ThusGod almighty, the Lord ofallcrca- vmer{*cre*m. , iiii- /•• \ «• 1 '/'*<> QM fee : lures, who made ail things/as iris writicn)exceedm >A»§ dc Atone Cb,': t I 3 2 The Repentance of Peter andludos. know not what God worketh by them. Befides, how could they know that that which they doe is the will of God, Ic- ing God hath commanded the contrary in his lawe. For not the fecret,but the reuealed w ill of God,mu(3 be the rule of mens actions. And therefore it is in vaine to pretend the willofGodas anyexcufefor ourfinnes. So he went out,'] This is the preparation whereby hee addrefieth himfelfe vnto his repentance. Beeing now awa- ked, as we haue heard, and brought to the light of his finne, he prefently departeth out of that wicked place. There hee was firfi dravvne to finne, and therefore, hee cannot endure to tarry any longer in it. Hee hath now concerned fuch an hatred and detcftation of his finne, that hee abhorreth euc- ry thing that had been any occafion thereof. ^DoEijQ- From whence we learn,that when a man oncebeginneth When men re- to repent of any finne, hee mufl carefully auoid all occafiong penr,they muft that might hold him (till in his finne. For as at the firli wee auoide all oc- are f our f e ] ues very apt and prone to fall into finne(as wee "fh" hold the ncard ' R tne beginning) fo alfo after wee haue repented of fill' in finne. our finne, we are as prone to fall backe againc into it, ifour a Vtp.tneex* care bee not the greater [ a ] It is with our corrupt na- tmftum cincrem tljre > as j t j s with the fire. When the fire is almofi our^hat fi sulphur cum* t ^ cre j s ^ uta ii u i c fp ar ke left, it you put gunpowder or mmmnmasl- D rimRone or fuch like matter to it,it will kindle againe,and mus ignis erit, cafily grow to a great flame : fo when a man by the grace &c Quid dcre- of God, and by day ly excercife of the work of mortification VmTiUtor hath almofl fubducd his »™es,if he bc noc ftiH carefull to a- fapit * ^ Uo * d a ^ occafions, they will breake out againe,and grow to Tenettwmm* as great an height as before. Whatfocuer it is that hath mo pmtilndo. becne any occafion to draw vs to finne at the firfi, will ea- rccolumba^Va* fjjy p lC uaile with vs againc, if wee bee not the more GSSffSk. wary and vigilant. When a unn by taking cold hath fallen Vaarct ccelmm ' into * ome dangerous difeafe,and is at the laft recouered of VhatmfiviHc- it, hee will be more heedful) cuer after. So fhould wc bee in ttt,&quosOpu this cafc;and the rather, becaufc as well in the louJe-asin nit!*'?®* thc bcclVl " rcIapfe is ™° il dan S crous - [ b l ™ c burnt child OukLTrM™' ( as : ^ c P rouc ^b is) dreadcth firc.Thc hotfe that hath beene plunged The Re pen tame of Peter and Iudxs. 1 3 3 plunged and foiled in fome quack, nire, cai notcafilv bee c Tranquillai drawnc into it againc [ c ) The Marrincr that hath filtered * tta tonanfr*- fhipwrackeis for cuer after afraid of the lea, eueirwhcn it oiiS^^S*** ismoilcalmc. The fifh that hath once bcenc wounded with [tfuijullacifi- thehookc,isak\aics lulpitious ofthcbaitc. (, a ) The bcaft Jcisabhamo, that hath once becne caught, and hath, broken the fnarc,wil OmwbM vnca hardly be intrapped igtine. t^nAt ■*r 1 j ti y r u pHtal.Ouid.dc If nature haue made all creatures thus carcruil to prcuent p 0ilt0 . bodily dangers, much more fhouldwee be carefullin the d -. que bcUux, cafe of our (ouIcs,ihat when once by the mercy of God,»w wpji* cum (cm el batieefetpedfrom thefiltbmejjeoftheworlde.wee ber.ottan- cftgitrcdditfe ^led avame therein? leaf} the Utter ende be rrorfe then the be- \f ,, a , d . . S l a /it n r t r» n Hi.rMu.fat.7, gtnmng^is the Apotiic Peter iaith. Cut among all occalions ^/» fr ^ w ^. of (inne, there is none moredangerous,as hath beenc faid, dmtmiUiba.* then euill company. For if a man forfake not his former e- bcrcmetum. uillcompanions, they will calily preuaile with him to lain- 'P r ^n.lib,i% dcr the gratious workc of his repentance,and to hold him % ^ °* fiill in his finne.And therefore the Apoflle P auI tcflifieth of himfelfe,that when he was conuerted from his perlecutmg, by theheauen'y vifion,hc did not rctume to Hierufalem to c . -the high Pricfts, for no doubt they would haue befooled him, and would haue laboured by all perfwafions'to draw him to their part againc , but ioined himfclfe to the difci* ^wp.i^.itf. pies of Cbriftjihatby conuerhv.g with then) he might be the more confirmed. And fo did SfPeter in this placc.Now the very company and place where he was brought to deny his Mailer was odious vnto him.If he had done thus at 4 the fir ft heehad ncucr bcencoucrtaken with fo great a finne. Thisferucthfirft for the hifl reproofe of all thofe, that Vfc.x* would pcrfwadc both thcmfclues and ©thers, that they do repent, and yet continue their former courfes, they are ftill fittefor a>!compan'>s,(till they can play the good fellowcs with the bcfL The drunkard would make men beleeue that he hath repented of his drunkenndlc,and yet hec frequcn- teth the Alehoufe as much as cuer hce did. The whoremai- ftcr would beare men in hand, that hce hath left his whore domc,and yet hce haiuoth wanton a id lafciuious company T m x n a The Repentance of Peter militias* flilJ. Thcfe men may talke of repentance; but the trurhis, they neuer came where true repentance grew. For as hee that hath furfeted of any meate , will take heede how hee be too bold with it againe : fo hec that feeth the hurt that hath redounded to him by his mine, will take heede how' hee mcdleth any more with it,or theoccafionsof it. Ashe that hath beene (lung with a lerpent, will take heede how hetreadeth in the greene gra{Te:fo he that hath been flung £«/e.n.a. offinne,that bi'eth like afeYpent^s the fonne of Sirach faith, will be more circumfpc6t. for the time to comfiefpecially, iflewd companions haue preuailed with him before,he will now fliunnc all manner of fociety with them. And indeed how can a man delight any longer in his company, that ha:h becne a mcancs to bring him almoft into hell? Vfe. !>• And t.herefore,in the fecond place we arc to be admoni- fhed,»:o take diligent heede of all occafions of finne. As hec that would kcepe his garments cleane,auoideth euery thing that might defile them : fo if we defire to preferue our fouls from finne,we mull carefully fhun whatfoeuer might any way beoccafion thereof. Wefliould fay wiih the Church in theCanticles,thoughin another fenfe. f haue put off my e cg ate, how /houldlput it on? I haue wafhed my fcete } hew Jhould I defile them fby the mercy ofGod I haue put ofTthe filthy rags of my finncs, how fliould I put them on againe ? I am wafhed in fomegood meafure by the fpiritcof God from my corruptions, why then fhould I defile my fclfe any more ? • r • Went out.'] The EuanreM Saint (JMarhe relating his flo- mrimitjjf Bc\. ry>vlctha word of great hgnincation : as much as hee yh- fhedout of the dores, both fignifyingthe diflike of the place DoB. fentlv proceed " a " as ms reetc couJd carry him. r rom whence we may ob- ko execution. feruc,that vvhen God putteth any good motion into our hearts. The R epent wee of P ?tcr aud Judas. I 3 e hearts.orraiL-th vp any good purpole ordefire within vs, vvc muf] not Hand to debate the matter. but muft prcfcntly proceedc toex:cution. In worldly buhneffe deliberation is very necefTirv •• and it is held a great point of polficy to Deliberandum deliberate Ion*;, before a mm determine any thing. But in d'u^uod (tat»- this cafe it is dangerous to (rand to deliberate. We (h ou!d «*■»/*■* rather prcfcntly !av hold rpon the occafion.as foonc as it is offered, and eucwredeeme the time by godly wifedome , as Ejf , c r< l6 the Apoltle faith.Thc reafon is.Firll, becaufe all deby brce- dc tn dancer. This men kno a/ well enough in other things Ji^^T^f" i ■ i f „ ■/- • • r i m i u c fl O.tid. and therefore are careful! to preuent occahon: yea it is lata Mctam lib >\ of/Wff.that when he had compared with the high Prteffs SUat.16.19, to dr fitter Chnft Iefus vnto them. he fought opportunity to be- tray him. If he fought opportunity to bring to pafle fo di- uenfhapurpofeas this wasrmuch more fhould wee feeke opportunity, to effect the godly purpofes that God by his fpinc worketh in vs. Other wife, the Diuell will eafilyturnc vs out of the way. Sccondlyjifwelet fl;ppe theopportuni- {^inmeftho. ty of well dooing, whenGodcfFerethit vs, wee fhallbe die, eras minus more vnapt and v.ifit for it afcerwardes. The feale mad be a ? tUi mt ' fet on, while the wax-- is pliable, the iron muft be wrought while it is hotter otherwife,we fee by experience, that if ei- ther of thefe be fu fife red to coole againe , they A'axe harder then they were before. So if our hearts be once in fomc mealure loaned bv the worke cf Gods grace , if we fuffer theinto coole againe, they will r.ot (o eafily rfcciue im- prdfion,as at the firft. £ nd thcrfcre that which Salomon 'x- Sceief.t^ horteth in thecafcofvowesjs generally to be pradtifcd :n ****-*3«**« all holy pur pofcs,and gooddefiie-;w>f mttft not deferre , nor &e flack? toperforme them. And hecreof wee haue plentiful! examples in the children ofGod. Dauid iaich of himfelfe. / haue conftdcred myxvates. and tttrned my feete into thy tefti- ' ,,I? - *?^° monies ,1 made hafl and defaj ednot i, toks^pe thy commande- tnents. And in another place , I will pay my vowesvnto the , Lor djuen now in the pre fence of all his people. He would not take any daies with God, but what focuer good duety hee had purpolcd,hc would prcfcutJv performe it. Sothe prodi- T 2 gall I 3 6 The Repentance of Peter and Iudas. gall forme, after he had beene beaten with his ovvne rodde, Lul i< 1819. and thereupon once rtfolued to goe and humble himfelfc %0t to his father, did not d< bate any longer, about the matter, but forthwith" rofe vp and went his way. AndZaccbeus ha* e w. l o4 t uing a great dehre to fez Chrtft, and beerngbiddenbyhi.il to come downe from the tree,it is faid, he camedownehafih ly ,andrec 'erne d him toj fully .The good Eunuch beeingoncc inrtrudted in the knowledge of Chrift by Philips preaching,, and finding opportunity that he might be Baptiied, would itffcS.itf. llot ' et ' c ^'P' but faid to P 'biltp y fee heere is vp ater , what doth let mee to he baptised* And Cornelius that deuout captaine, after that the Angel hid commanded him to fend for Peter that he might refoiue him in the thing wherein he doubted^ &iQ'lh ^ not ^ c ^ crre tne time, but feoffor him immediately. Now as this is generally to be done in the performance ofal ho- ly duties • fo efpeeially in the worke of repentance . When- foeuerGod worketh in vs any good refolution to forfake Hcb.u.i. our finnes,we mult admit of no delay, leaft the allurements offinne,and the fubtilty of Satan doc caufe vs altogether toneglevfrit. When we once beginne tothinke of parting with ourfinnes, they will ei.tice vs -ftrongly not to leaue them,they will hang faQ vpon vs,and embrace vs 5 as the Iuy doth the Oake, that wee fhal! haue much adoe to fhake 1^.19.5.6.7. them off* As the father in law of the Leuitc that came to %.9.&c, feeke bis Concubine, when he faw Wim preparing himfelfe to depart , by earner! intreatycaufed himalmoft to (lay two daies longer then he would haue done. So when our iinncs fhall pcrceiue that wee are making preparation to depart from them^they will fet vponvs to nerfwade vs,ifitbeepo- fTible,to Ray yet a while longer,till at length, if we take not heede,the good motions of Gods fpirit will be quite extin- guided in vs. Wee mull therefore be refolute in this cafe* and Hoppe our eares again!} all allurements; though r.euer io pleating. As Abrahams feruant that was fent to prouide a wife for his fonne Ifaa^when he had had good (ucccfle^ and had well eftc&ed the bufinefle which he came for, ha- ikdhome again to his maftcr. And when RebeccaestYicnds requc- The Repentance of Peter and Judas. I 3 7 requeued him to flay ten daics,bccauie they were loith to pare with her on the (bdairf, he wold not yeeld at any hand, No,Htnder menot, f.uthhe, feeingthe Lord hath profpered Ge?ie.i^,^, my iourney\bnt fend me amy that I may go to my tn after. So 5 5-^- fhould we iuffer nothing at all to hinder vs from returning to the Lord by rcpemance; but euen make hafi to (orfakc our finncs vpnn the rirH motion thereunto. Yea as the Apo- [\\c cxhortcth, we fhouldeuen betake vs to our wings, if it i.T*».f.«< were poflVole ,and flv away from then). As Lot was warned to haH out oi'Sodome, and toefcape for hts life, .that he might f 26 - ] 9-i5. notbedem-oied in tharfearrfullpunifhment ofthcCity : io fhould we make al pofTible fpeed to come out of our finncs, leaft otherwiie perilling in them, they be the definition of our loules. Makenotarrying^'iih EcclefiafticusJotHrnevn- . to the Lord } andput not off from day to day ; forfodainely frail the wrath of 'the Lord breaks jorth , and in thy fecurtty thoti fhalt be dtftroyed &c % The vie ot thisdouhine is fuft generally to rcprooueall Vfi. general thofe that are carelefle and negligent this way, who haue many good purpofis put in their hearts by the Lord, but for want of timely proiecuting of them, they neuer profute them. As namely ,to giue inftance in fome particulars. There are many that while they arc hearing the word of God are very well affe&ed , they areconuinccdin their confei- encesor the truth ofit; and the finnes which theyhearere- proued, for the prefent they purpole to forlake; and the du- ries they hearc commended , they haue fome defire to per- forme : lo that as ^Agrtppa laid toPau/ } thou haft almoft ^ sx ^ t% % % perjuadedme to be a Chriftian; fo they are almoft periuaded to a better courie But becaufe they follow not thefc good motions,but,asour Sauiour faith in theparablcofthe iced, they depart away about other bufweile , when they haue £,,^8.14. • heard the word , therefore, they become altogether fruit- lcfle and ineftedhiall. Others there arc, who when the hand of God is vpon them by ficknefle or fome other vilitation, fo long as they feelc the fmart of the rod vpon their bnckes, they purpofc and promifc great reformation -.but afloone T 3 as 3 8 7 he Repentance of Peter and Iuda* as eucr the Lord bath remoued his rod, they neuerremem- i.Prt.a.n. ^er ]t niore > but retume to their former courfes, us the dog to his vomit. And herein they dcale vvith the Lord , as the people of Ifrael did , who when God brought any calami- tie vpon them for their (innes , they preienfly re(urned,and P&/.78 «.?4. f OH K^ ot God early &c t But they flattered him with their month, 35.35.37.5^. and dijfembleoLwtth him with their tongue. Tor then he art was 57-5*» not vprightwith him , neither were they faith full in his couc- nam. For within a \W\\c, they turned backe and dealt falfely, ft arting afide like a broken bowe&c. And for this caute, the Ho/,6.4. Lord compareth their repentance to the morning cloud , which though it couer the face of the heauen for a time, yet is in a moment difpelied and fcattered with the wind: and to the morning dewe, which is foone dried vp with the heat of the funne, as if it had neucr beene. Yea they are like vnto Mariners that arc in danger of fhipwracke by reafon of fome tempett. Who becaufc life is fweete , and a man Job.i.n. v/i\\g\ue skinne forsktnne, eu en the dear eft thing that he l9mh.\.%. hath for the fafegardof his life , as the Dcuill laid ©f fob, Acts 2,7.18.19, doe ca(r oner boord cuen their richetf wares to hghten the fhip; yea fomctimes the very tackling of the (hip which is mofinecefljry for them : butalTooneas euer the rtonne is ceafed, and the Sea is calme againc, they are lorry that they hauecafiout fo much, and labour to recouer againe fome- thing of that which thev had lolL So thefe men, when the ftorme of Gods anger difquieteth their foules,and that they thinkc there is no way but one with them , they pretend to empty rhemfdues of all their flnnes. Thefwearer maketh great proteftation f>Icauehis iwearing. The drunkard his drunkenn-.-fle. The whoremafler his whoredome &c. But if it pieafc God to reflore them to their former health, it grie- ucththem much that they haue bound tbemfelues in that 1 pinup*? cntr* mannc:r 3n \ t |^ e y recoucr afrefn £ he fivmes w hich they made aquntpv.UlCYIlt- n r r\ ■ •,'!•' an.^4 nWoi.dc 'h c ' v U) liaue lorukcn : thus as it were repenting or their nt.l.tc.9. rqv.ntancc, ^^Ambrofe faith. And of this wee haue a ft arc hill example rube I ewes. The Lord had brought the Chaldeans againlt them for their finnes , who befeiged / made a iclen nc couennnt, that euery one {hould let his fer- uant and his handmaide goc free;and accordingly they &- beyedandlettbem gcif.But when God vpon this their famed humiliation had lent the afterwards I will repent. Which tnc gladio cru'- is as much as if be fhould fay,I will wound my fclfe dangc- dch,&po{lea roufly wirh a i"word,and when I haue done, I will go to the vadamadme- phifitian. And thercforc.in that excellent Booke of his con- d muUer ' •c(fions,hcfpcakcth to all young men in his ownepcrfon, bgitamdiiicras perfwading them not todefcrre theworkeofrcpentance. cra^quare von [ b ] How long faith he, fhall I fay to morrow, to morrow? modo,quarenon wnv ---(cd cum lux altera vtriitjim eras heflcrmm confmpfimMs.&e.Peri[fit.$. of The Repentance of Peter and Judas. 1 4 1 of my filchinefTc?yca the very Heathen Poets haue condem- ned this procraitination in all good purpofes and would haue men to lay hold en the prcient time. And indced^there is very great reaion why ic fhould be to. For otherwifc , if a man continue in his (times without repentance till he bee oldjhe fhal find it a moil difficult matter to oucrcome them, partly,becauic they will be grownc fo header ong , and fo confirmed bycuftomc, that they will hardly be fubdued. Ic is as eafy for the TZLickg Moore to change his s'^inne, and for the Leopard to change his /potter, as for a m in to for fake an •Idftnne. I er em. 13. 23. And hence it is, thac young men by continuance and long cuttomc, make their finnes ofa dou- ble dye,euenmw/0«//»«£.f, as the Prophet faith* f/a.l. 18. Yea they arelikcadifeafe in the bones, whereof if one re- couer,many doe rot away. And partly, be:aufe asfinne ga- thereth flrength:fo we in our old age become weaker in all the faculties and powers of body and fou!e , and therefore farre vnfit for the great worke of repentance in mortifying and fubduing our finnes. It is reported o£ Alexander thac great Conquerour,that when his Matter Anflotle pcrfwa- ded him toforbeare the warrestill hce weregrowneto a full and perfect age:he anfvvered in this manner. I feare leaf] if I carry till I come to that age , I fhall loo(e the heat and vigour of myyouth.So may we anfwere al tcntations what- fecuer, whereby wee fhall bee perfwaded to deferre our re- pentance till wee bee olde. And indecde olde age is a burden and a fickneflc it felfe,and therefore altogether vn- c Senefiusipfk able to vndergoe fo great a taskc as this is. Yea the Philo- ( ^_ morb;/s ' Te >'" fopher called it thcHauenof ailcuill, becaufe innumerable D ' l0 ^ Lae ' it - tlt maladies, and cramps and aches-, and ficknefles doe flcckc vtuDimh. thither, as into a common receptacle. And this dothifor- Zjtllat confefle to 'DanidJ am this day faith hec , four ef core yeere old,and can I dtfeerne betrveene good or euill? Hath thy ferftant any taft in that I ' eate or drinke? Can 1 heare any more iSamA*.* J, the voice ofpnging men and women ? wherefore then fhould thy femant he any more a burden vnto my Lord the King}Hcc confeffethjthathis 3ge had fo decayed all the powers of" bo- V dy 1 42 The Repentance of Peter mi Iuia*. dy and fou!e,as that he was vttcrly difablcd from attending on the King. Much more (hall a man bee difabled from at- tending the worke of grace. And hence it is that Salomon ecclcf.u.i; calJeth the daies of old age«,euill daies. "Remember now faith hc^tby creAtor in the dates of 'thy youth , before the em 11 dates come. Not becaufe they are cuill in themlelues, but becaufe of the manifold miferies that doe accompany them. So that if a man fhall be carelcffe in his youth,and thinke when hee is old to doe great matters,to frequent the Church & hcare the word &c. He may peraduenturebe decekicd. Formany VetfeZ. times we fee tbeftrovgmen , that is the legges that fhould carry the body ^doe bow themfelues } zn4 wax e faint and fee- ble: or if their Hrength continue, yet the hearing decaicth, 4» the dores arefhnt without. If he fay yet he will read the word priuately, though hee be not able to goe abroad : alas how can hee doe that when his fight fhall faile him , when they 3. waxe darke that loo^e out by the windowes}]{ hee fhall yet thinke to meditate of the word for the comfort of his foule: alas hee fhall fcclefo many aches in his bones, fo many a tftoytnulu cramps in his ioints, and fo many paines in all parts of his iwiannerum ^ body, as hee fhall haue little leafure to thinke of any thing cunicular eflau that is good. And therefore as all men would condemne tijadftnefiu' ^ m * 0r a foole,that bauing a great burden to bee carried, tcm inform & w °uld lay it on the backc of a poore weakc beatf , that hath fenium, quid enough to do to beare vp it-felfe^and let a Wronger go emp- necejje lubes a- t y; 5 Jikewife is it great' folly in any man to exempt his Temporalndcre yout ^ vv ^ cn is ftrong and lulty, from the task ofrepentancc tantamcr*?Ni- and to irnpofcthc fame vpon his decrepit oldage, which hilprttiofitu is ready to finke vnder the o wne burden [ a ] Yea if a man tempore, fed beu werc neuer fo certaine,that he fhould both come to old age nihil kodicvilm an d that it flaould be no hindrance to him in the worke of tejtim.itHi:Tr.vi- . n ... . r a . . , , feunt dies faint is repentance:why lhould hee looic luch a time, and depnue &nemorecogi- himfelfe of fuch aduantage which his youth offereth him? tat. nemo fibi ]t is lamentable to confider,that though nothing bee more won reditnra pretious then time,yct nothing is more bafely acounted of. taufatur Bern* The daies of faluation pafie away and no man regardcth it, iuUmat* "o roan conhdererh that his time w hich will neuer rcturne againe^ The Repentance of Piterandludaf. 1 43 a<.;aine, doth perifhlrom him. Againc, it is the greatcft in- jury vntothc Lord that canbe,fora man toconfecrate the prime daies of hi? youth to the fcruicc of the Deuill, in the purfuit offinfullpleafures,and thedogge daies of his oldc age to the Lord. Hcerein men dealc with God as the peo- ple of IfraeIlS\d. Who if they had cuer a lamc,or a fcabbed, Mal.i .8, or a ilck bead, they would bring that to the Altar, as though any thing had becne good enough for the Lord, but all the fatte and well liking they kept to themfeues. So thefe men refcrue the flout iflr.ng daies and flrcngth of their youth, & denote them to thciv ownc pui poles : and fcrue God with the rotten bones of their old age. Others there arc, that becaufe they are yet in health, thinke that they neede not repent, but may Rill take their picafure in hnne,and Co put orYthe worke of repentance till they bee licke and lye a dying: an hourc before the laft gafp a 7 r on ^ ICQ ^ is foone enough to beginne this bufinelTe. [ a J Saint <*•-/*- uabiturjum dies gufline being asked what hce thought offuchaman, made damnabitttr-.Tit this anfwere:Idonot fay heis faued, nor I do not lay hce is vero *gc t>*w* damned. But I would aduife thec to repent while thou 'J*"™* 1 "* fa art in health. The rcafon is , fir ft becaufe if a man doe not si visaverep*- repent till heebc weakned and difabled with fickneiTe , his nltentiamquan- finnes forlake him,he forfaketh not them. What thanks is it At tam peccare for a drunkard to giuc ouerdrunkennes, when he is not a- non P otes >? ecca - 11 1 " 1 . * 1 c \ t 1 \ tate dimiferunt. bit to go any longer to the Alchoule? or for the whorema- non tuilUMal. fkrto leauc his whoredome,when he hath no flrength for fententdib.^ the performance and execution of his filthy defires ? A man Wiflmft.io.uf. fhould willingly of himfelfc part with his finnes eucn while Q u jP r 'Ms*pK- hc is able to commit them, & not by contfraint,whcn there ^u^hUrcH-- is no remedy. Secondly , there is great danger that death anatJt4nmli- fhnuld preuenthim before this time. For doe we not fee bere y fedquafi many taken awa) on the fodainc,bcfore ener they look ©r ^x neceffitate prepare for itfT^ fpend their ds.tesm wealth, Artdfttddcnly ^^l'^? tb?j goe doxvyie the grane , islob laitlu a»dare cropt off as an fi'fa pamtentia* eartofcorne. Hauc wee not examples eu?ry day almoil of ap.17. fomethatgowell to bed at night,and arc found dead in the rA%»t.ij<^ morning ? and of others that droppe dowiie by the high M«M« V 2 way 44 The Repentance of Peter and Iuda*. g^w.ir.jj. Arift. problem, Omnem crede diem iibl ddux- ijjefupremum: Grata f up ente- nte t quand his veaiesp aft finding em. But yet the cafe is fearcfull, and that which befalleth one may befall another.Death is fitly com- pared to an Archer: For as the Archer fomtimesfhooteth ouer,and fometimes fhort,fometimes on the one hand and fomctimes on the other,bnt at lafi he hitteth the marke. In like manncr,death fometimes fhooteth ouer thee.and hit- teth thy fuperiours/ometimes hee (hootcth ftSort and hit- teth thy inferiors.-fometimes he fhooteth on thy right hand and taketh away thy friends,fomtimes on thy left hand,and killeth thy cnemies,but at the lafi he wil hitte thy felfe:thoU knowefi not how foone. And therefore, it was good coun- fell chat Eleaz,ar the lew gaue to one that asked his aduife in this cafe. Namely, thata man fhould repent one day be- fore his death : and when the other replyed, that no man knowetb,faith he, the day of his death/therefore, faith hee, repent to day leaft it be too late to morrow. But fuppofe that this doe not befall them , but that they dye an ordinary death: yet for the moll part there arefo many hinderances in fickneiTe , as a man can haue but little leafurc for this bufinefle. For befides the paincfulnefleof thedifcafe, which is no fmall impediment in this cafe, a man fhal be fo accombrcd with taking order for his world- ly efiate, andfo vexed and difquieted with the weeping and wailing of his freinds, that hee can little attend to thinkeof his foule. And therefore Saint ^Auguftine faith well, that feeing there are fo many. pulbackes to hinder a man at that time, it is mofl dangerous andneare to defini- tion, to put offthe' remedy vntill death* But bee it 7 that hec prcuent much of this trouble in his health The Repentance of Peter and Iudat. 1 4 j oblitiueftDei. 38. health, by fet ting his houfe in order before hand as the Pro- phet I fata* commaunded King Hez,el^iab.z.Kings.zo.J .yet many times by the Judgement of God vpon him, he dycth fuddeniy, bereft of all fenfe and feeling or his finncs, and of all comfortable aflurancc of the pardon of them , and pof- feft with dulneflecf heart and drowiintiTe of fpirit. As one faith well, [ a ] A man oftentimes forgctteth himfelfe a s«pemmem whenheelyetha dying, that forgot God while heeliued. obhufcitur (ui, Thus was it with Nabal, bis heart dyed within him , and hee V** dum vmcret ypasli\c a flone :hc had afairetime as wcefay, bee by ticke tenne day es after before he dyed. But how could hee repent, when his heart was dead before? Our times arc full of fuch. And 1 feare mce , it is the cafe of a number of thofe, whofe death the world fo much admircth and commendcth , that they dye like lambes. I wifh they dye not rather like blocks, giuing no comfortable teftimonie of their faith in Chrift, orforrow for their finnes. And fuch are they that Dauid p^j-. 4I « fpeakcthof, that there is no bands in their death, but they depart as meekly or as (hi as a child in the cradle, and yet for all-chat he h'tthjhey are fuddainly deflroyeh and horribly con* fumed. Yea our Sauiour hath taught vs, that a man may haue good wordes in his mouth and call vpon God, and yet go c totheDeuill.cJ^f^r.7.22.2;. Lafl of all, though hee efcape all thefe dangers, yet who can tell whether God will - - hearehimwhenhecryethatthe laH gapfc or no? [ b ] For aveoemtem- is it not a iuft thing ,'that God fhouldcontemnehiminhis natur moriens, death that contemned Gcd almightic in his life? And hath qui Deum omni* not the T ord thrcatned in nlaine tearmes , that bec3ufc hee P^entemcen^ hath called \ and men refufe, and hath ftr etched out his armes l™,^ ^"""g " and none would regard \ t herefore they jhali call and crie vp- <5) f / t j enimqutd en htm. euen till their hearts ake,and he will not hearethcm. ? d floras? Anxt And therefore, let vs not deferre this fo gratiousa worke, fbrupntata butprefently addrclleour felues to repent of ourfinncs:o- \°>™ ut ' {S?Am - t-i-i! . ' '#*• ' 1 /v ii- lro.de penitent, therwiiethe longer wee put it off, the more wccihallin- '/^ tl%f A tlI , crcafe the/iumber of our finnes. But notwithstanding al that hath becne faid, it is flrange to fee how the mofi men labour to confirme themfeiucs, V 1 and 1 4 4 The Repent wee of Peter mA Iuda*. and to harden their heartes in their finnes : And all becauic God is mcrcifull. It is true indeed that God is rich to mercy, Spbef.z.^. Y 'eahis mercies are *aer all hisrvorkesfTfal.i^. 9. And therefore if men would make a right vfe thereof they fhould rather bee led to repentance thereby, then any way fetled in fecuritie r B^inans 2.4. For as Bernard faith \nimtA?quani wc ^ 3 f a 1 wnac g rcater iniquity can there be then that thy vtindeitecre- crcatour fhould for that bee contemned of rhec, for which titer contemn*- he deferued mote to be loued ? What greater iniquitie can tur,vnAe plus there bee, then that feeing thou doubteltnot of Gods povv- *UtrVs?uTml\9r &* DUt tll3t hc that made thcC ' is able t0 ^ e ^ ro y tnec * y ct mxquitas^quam tnou trufting in his great mercy, whereby thou hopcH that (umde poteniiA though bee can,hee will not punifh thee, doft render him Veinondubitas, euill for good, and hatred for his good will. Surely, ifhee quint c deflruerc fc cc ^ Jc j 1 a one as ^ QU i (Tla gi nc ^ , t ^ ou dealeft fa much the repoiuit-confi 6 -' moie lewdly, if thou docft not loue him. And if bee furfer fmtamende any thing to bee done againfthimfelfe, rather then hee will mmd elm did- doe any thing againft thee; what malice is it in thee, not to cedine.quajpe- fp )Ue \ ]lrn f ^^ fp aret h not himfelfe in fparing thee ? But Y vMicarecum ^ KXC ^ e ic tliS P erfc( ^ ion 3 tJiat as ne iS mercifull, fo hee poTit 3 mnlum pro Hunild not be iuft> as though he could not be both iufl and bonis, odium pro mcrcifull together .-efpecially considering, that mercy is ddeclme retn- better when it is iu(t , then when it is rcmiflc : yea mercy is to+wito'*' noV€rtUc without iuflicc. [ b ] Yea the longer that God : as union J " m niercy expe#eth thine amendment,fo much the more qiMu agxfinon gricuoufly will hee punifh thee if chou neglect ir. [ c ] For ayr.ast&c* Abfit lookc how indulgent and gentle the Lord is in the kind- t^rnabtua neiTe of a Father , fo much is hee terrible in the maieftyof *wddHUuc& a ^ uc ^S e * [ d ] And as he hath prepared heauen,fo hee hath Mm *•* f, quam rmijp/t : imi virtus non fit dulccdoflnc iuftitia. Bcrn.de gradib. , UUk b (foanth dmtius T>c*s expeftat vt tmendctu, tante graums iudictbufi neglcx- eritis. Au^.de v annate jxculi. c Deus quantum patrii pictatc indulgent & bonus cfl , tan* tum'tudiCis maicflafe mitticndus cfl. C)pnan.Serm.s.dc lapfis, d t-araitit cxlum^edpara- mt & tar 1 at urn. Parauitrcj 'agena ,[cd par -ami ctiam aterna fupplicia. Vfirauitwacccjfibilcm. lucem t fedf>arauit ctim^tpclux nocla vajlam xtcrnamq. caltgincm. idem.Lb.t. epift.7. pared The Repentance of Peter andlud.is* 1 47 pared alfo the vaft and cternallmift of pcrpetuall darke- c Multum dt- nefTc, To this purpofe agreeth that faying or Saint zAugu- i e ft At mnts fiine. [ c ] It is very pleafmg, fayth he, to afl finners , that pcccAteresfluia the Lord is mercifull and gratious , flow to anger &c. as it is *%**** & mt - Exod.^6.7. Bin if thou loue fo many beginnings , fearc l ^f/?^ that which he faith at the Jaft, that he is true alfo. For if he tam muitamti* fhould hauefaid nothing elfe but mercifull and gratious &c. a, umtifri & thou wouldctt ftraieht fall ro fecuriric , and promrfc to thy *> Mmum quitd felfc impumtie, and take Itberne to Ernie, and to doe what a:t ^" ter ^ x ' Si thouwik&c. And if any man fhould admonifh and re- fo^ ni r im . prouethee,thou wouldift refifl with an impudent forehead fttum+mft- & fay, whv do yon ternfre ire with our God?he is mercifull rater dom'mm, &c. Leaf} net] fhould fpeake in this manner, he hath added &c - wrf 1 *** one word in the end, where he fairh.that he is true. Where- ^Tuunuum by bee hath fhaken off the ioy of euiil prefumption , and ^impunuatm, hath brought the fcare of godly forrow &c. Yea as the &Lcentuim Scripture hath highly extolled the mercy of God to rep en- pucatorumfo- tant finners, fo it hathfcarefully fet out his rigour and feue- C€r£ s">dve(- rltie againfl the impenitent. It ts a f careful! thing, faith the quute^beuead- Apoftle, to fall mt 9 the handes of the lining God : and our rrmmdoobw- God is even a con fuming fire. There is nothing fo cold as gue:.>obfiftere lead , and nothing fo icalding if it bee heated : there is no- Wdenti frtn- thin^ (o blunt as iron, and nothing fo fharpe if it be fharp- [ €i $g hi?nt j l l • r i . ^ f i -L- terrei «' Dt0 neu : there is nothing lo calme as the Sea , and yet in aboi • nojlro} illc mife- fterous weather there is nothing fo tempefiuous. So like- ncorsefi&c.Nt wife there is nothing fo merciful! as God, and vet if he bee totiabomines di- prouoked, nothing fo terrible. Whofoeuer will Hue in fin c *T' vnu ?! ld - and yecdreame of mercy, heedeceiueth himfelre. For as VJfi^ quod ait there is n$ law written again/} them that haue the fruits of the & vcrux, & «- fiirit; fo there is no Gofpe!l written for them that bring cnjjhUtn am forth the fruits of the flefh. A prefumptuous perfon may be maU ' ? ri i um ™- fitly compared to the Oftrich , which layeth her egge sin the ^SlietteZ earth andmakfth them hot m the duft, as lob faith,and when um.Jm*Jetk* (lie goeth from them, fhee raketh her markes by the fcauen am tbord*. ftarres. Afterward when fhe would returnc , fhcelookerh He*a«$», to the flarre,and vnder it feekcth them; but it being remo- J? ' l% ' 19 ' ucd in the meane while, face cannot findc them, and fo her iqI^^Jj^ tgges 1 48 The Repentance of Peter andludas. egges are trodden vnder foot and broken by wilde beaftes, (o chat fhce fcldome bringcth forth any young. So a finncr a *\ltl ' ^' at prcfumeth too much of Gods mercy, fometimes by the slmDeL& ioflio<9t of the fpirit hath fome good purpofcs to doe well, tnauentcs iufi'i- but heequickely departeth and ieaueth them , prcfumin* tum^necderc- rhat by the mercy of God heemay recume to them a^aine ^Me^mtt When heelirt: butwhiIe hcc defcrrethtoprofecute thofe \ecrw*Lm S ood P^P ofes and co bring them to effed, Chrifl with- inpcccatisjci- drawcth his mercy from him , and fo they are troden vnder entes quod illx foot by the Deuill. And therefore it is good tokeepe the omnium debit a, golden rncane betvveene the mercy and iufticeof God, M*M%tirt y he willput alibis wickednes out of his remebrance} rt w g 1 > y ca t | lcrc arc m3ll y t h at h 3Ue ncuer a word of Scripture bc- quus^MmLbct "W^wtwch yet haue this lemencc at their ringers ends, for ammlu^fitoto they make it the very Nccl^e-verfe of their ioulcs. It can- «>r w - \ r 1 r r r 1 r i rt ■ r r mmem me po'le good gifts come devonejrom abouejrom the Father of lights: io kommem «£„£ repentance alfo is his gift. (* ) And we are to belecue it as tentiam agcrc, an article of our faith, that no man can heere repcnt,vnlcflc mfiquem Dem God enlighten him and conuert him by his free mercy. And tSummauern i & therefore the Apoftlc exhorteth Timothy , tofuffcr euillmen ff^j^ 1 ' patient/yjrouing if God at any time will giue them repentance ucrteY}t% ^ ufJ fc cjre. And for this caufc the Church of God doth Co often fide ad Pet.Via- vfe this prayer ,Conuert thoume , and I fliallbc conuert ed.Turn conum.cap.z'6. us againe vnto thee O Lord, andwe [hall be turned. Turne vs *•***• *.*|M ?• agaixeO LordGodofhofis&c. And as repentance is Gods j^jJfVix. gift, fo is he amoftfreegiuer,heisnottyed to any man. But p^/.8o. 5.7.19. hee giuctbit , as itpleafcth himf:lfe. For he hath mercy &om.9n%. on whom he will, and whom he will he hardncth. And as Efau could notobtainetheblefftng which once hee contemned, though hee fought it with tearcs. So if a man contcmne the Hc&.n.ir. meancs of repentance in his hekb, it may bee hee fhall not obtaine ir when he licth a dying. But there is (fay thcy)one example in the Scriptujc^ofthe thecfeon the croflc , who had fpent all the courfe of his life in finnc, and yet repented £*i*'*$-4$ l at the latt gafpc,and was recciucd to mercy. But alaflc, one 1 wallow maketh not fummcr. And ofonc example without a precept nothing is to be concluded. The Lord in grcatc X wildcat M° The Repentance of Peter and Indas. Ujh '0.13. a Multosfolet ferotina pxrii- tentui Hecipere. dag.de vcfa& fill u pxmtcntia, cap-17* yuvtfiatfru* ftuofa, nonfit {tra-Auz.in FMft. wifedome , that men at the laft gafpc might not altogether deftaire, hath left one example of extraordinary mercy in this cafe,and he hath left but one,thar no man fhould take occafion to prefume. Ad yet fuch is the peruerfenefle of ournature 5 that this one/though but one jnall the Bible, and that an extraordinary one, and that for this one mar ny a thoufind haue perifhrd) ferueth to encourage vs to loofeiuff - of life. What folly is this againit all lenfe and rcafon to fet our felues in a way wherein fo many haue mif* carried ? Would not all men condemne him of madnelTe that fhould go about to fpurrc his AlTe till he lpeake , be- caufe Balaams Afle did once fpeake ? or him that fliouJd thinke to ha jc the Sunne in the firmament either to (land ftill, or to f;obackeagaine, becaufe it did fo to lofhuAkand Hc^ektah'fSo it is as great madntfTe in any man , to harten himfelfe in his finne by this one example. .And if we mark it well, we fhall find in this one,for that little time that hce li- ued,more excellent good vvorks,then many of vs performe inallour Jiues. For heconfeiTeth his finnes, andearnefrly prayeth for pardon of them. Hee fheweth a meruailous flrength of faith in Chrif^thathedid acknowledge him to be his Sauiour and a King, when hee was in the lowcft de- gree of his humiliation , euen when hee hanged vpon the Croffe.He reprooueth his fellow- theefe for blafpheming of Chrift, and patiently iubmittcth himfelfe ro his deferued punishment. Thefc and many other notable fruits of faith appeared in this Conuert euen in this fhort time,whcrby it is likely, that if he had liued.he would not haue beene inferior to any of the Saints.But becaufe God hath neucr made any fuch pro- mifCjthatamanmayrepentathisownc pleafure, [ a J, and becaufe lite repentance isfeldome true repemancertherc- forcitisgood foreucry man to lay holdc of repentance, whcnfocuei God offereth any meanes thereof. Thcfcrip- turegiueth vsnoday at all in thiscafe.but alwaies vrgeth the prefent time. There is indeed an acceptable time ■, asZ)<#- nul- faith, and a day of grace* Butthc^Apoftlc telleth vs, it is prefently The Repent an ca of Peter and Indus. I 5 I prelently to be imbraced, AWiaith hc,ir the accepted time, now isthe day offahtation, and it may bec cither now or ne- uer.And thereror?, the Prophet cxborteth faying. Seekethe Lord while he may be founded callvpon him while he ts neer. lfh.$f.4 t Is there a time then when the Lord will not be found ? and is there a time when he will be far off from mcnPyes doubt- JciTe , there is a time when God will abfent himfelfe as the Prophet Hofea faith, They jh all goe with thetrferpe andwith Uof.^.6&c. their ballockj to feeke the Lord\bnt they fi:allnot find him, for Trou. i.zB, he hath wtthdrawne htmjelfe from them. And therefore , to conclude this point, as we delirc to find the Lord fauoura- ble vnto vs in our greatcfl neccffitY.-ahcnfocuer he putteth into our hearts any good purpofe to repent of our finnes, let vs with the Apotfie Peter in this place prclently adc J reflc our felues to put it in execution,leaft if we deferre the time, the Deuill by his fubtle Heights doc circumuent vs,and hold Rcm.i.t. vs Hill in our finnes, and Co harden our hearts that wee can- not repent. zAndwept htterly.~\ This was an outward figne of his form w,cxpri fling the inward griefe of his heart. No doubt he called to mind the hiinoufnefleofhis (inland aggrauatcd the fame, both by rhe former familiarity hee had had with ? Cur * lcuCi Chrifl,and the continuall kindnefle wherevvich he had em- TnnetfiMpnf! braced him, and alio with his own vnthankfulnes m flume- Scnec. full v denying fo good a MaOer. Wherupon he is fo afte$ed b fnucnio quod as ifChrtfl Icfus (hould for euer reie& &cafl him ofclfthcra f^J"'^^ had becne neither Deuill nor hell to take vengeance of him ^'^^ w*^ for his (nine: yet h.s heart at this time was fo touched, as he fleuit & *atuit % could not but grieue. Now the greatncfTe of his griefe ap- qui 1 quad d Cor .7.9.10. Concerning teares wee are to know that thev cardiam cun(e-\ are accounted additions and neceilary appendices ofrepen- i quur.tur.Ambr. tancc.- and they are very profitable for the inforcin^ of our Yerm+6. prayers ( c ) yea they arc of themfelues fecret^ and fi- %#umili*flc<*i lent prayers. They do not craue, and yet they obtaine the 7u$tentlc far- P arcion ofikmc : they plead not a mans caufe and yet they nalu intmiui. obtaine mercy ( £ ) Yea they helpe much to the mortifying lacrymccqu* cfthe flefii , and ouereoming the testations oftheDeuilJ. ex cmpunSime And they are profitable alio by their example, in that they %£^^ ■**. b« ffobam cp'jl. 4. y eC tnev are not alwaies tokens of true repentance, becaufe Aret.proble.loe. they may be,and arc many times in hypocrites, as well as 34.enlj.CMat.6.6.i%.\si:uQ alio in this M^r#«^ cafe. And therefore the Lord fpcaking of the qrea: ruour- %^Z, itneiTe I (ay , but God and his owneconlcience. Againc we mud not thinke that a little forrow, or a few teares will ferue the turne. But wee mull haue grear mea- fure of griefe , and with Peter in this place, wee mufl weepe *\k$us. bttter\y [ b ] Looke how grieuouily wee haue finned, fo ->! m ma ^" greatly mould we bewaile our mines. A deepe wound mult tta dcUqiumiis, ? J . , . n , n u i rr tam tranditer nauc a ^ ar o € plauier : and our repentance mull not bee kite difiimm. Alto then our fault. It is true, it is no matter of merit for a man vulncri diligcm t o weep more or lelTe. We may fay in this cafe as the Apo- & tmgamdici' flj e ftj^ Q f m ~ ate?# ft ts mt 0Hr forrow that maketh vs ac^ nttmia 7rimne ccf table to God.i.Cor.%.8. But yet much forrow is a token minor mn jit. o\ great repentance, and on the other fide , where there is Cypri.Serm.i, butahttie forrow, there is but a little repentance. And dblapps. theteforeS. e^/^e-V^^haih defer ibed repentance l~ c 1 to vutdam dolentis c a ce,rnme kind ot reuell g e » thereby a forrowtull man vindiftajimi- doth punifh that in himfelte, w hich it grieueth him to haue cminfequod committed. And JSaiiu Paid faith , thatreuengeisoneof doletcommifijfc thole bleflcd ft uits , ti. at doe accompany true repentance, Tcvcrt &ja„ cucn a cn i a9C , n g G ; all the body , and a fobbing to make z.cor.7 x\'. tlic '' cart to a ^ c » l ^at c ^ e t( arcs cnat d man foeddeth in this MagU cordc caic, may iecme to tome from the heart , rather then from \x{unt the body. And hence is ic that the Lord calling the people quam corporc. t G forrow for their fiiui. s, doth not require fome light for- bamE'pidi. row, or louieinnlimeaiurc of gnefe, but fuch a forrow, as ftei.t.ni ' fliould cmn rent their very hearts. And X^W faith, that a mans The Repentance of Peter and Iud.ts . 155 atnans heart mull bee contrite and broken, cucn beaten to P/tf/.$M9, powder, as it were with godly forrow , or elfc his repen- tance will ncuer bee acceptable to God. This is not oncly required , but hath alio becne pracliled by Gods children for or her me n3 finnes. Righteous Lot had his [on h vexed, *JP#f.».7.t, with the vncleane eonuerfatton of the wicked Sodomites fi nd the Prophet cryeth out in like manner. (JJfv Lanneffs, my 1fa.1q.16. lear.ncff°\ woe is me , thetranfgreffcurs haue offended, yea the traft/grejfom s bane gricucufly ofended:hed\d lo gricuc at the' re ihons of the people , that hce bcecame exceeding leanc 'Aid all , as the doubling ofche word importeth.The Prophet Jereme likewife isfull of patfion in this bchalfc. Iete.^r^. Sometimes he cry th out as if hee were in great perplexirie. (JMy bely y my belly , I am pained, euen at the very heart : my he. -art is troubled within n?e y 1 cannot be fiillr^c. Sometimes &9.1. hee w fheth that his head were full of water , and his eyes a fount ame of teares , that hee might weepe day and night ejre. #-13.17. And he telleth them , his foute fhallweepein fecrtt for their pride , andhis cyeflMweepe and drop downe teares And r Da- Tfal.i 19.13?, uid faith, that his eyes did zufh out with riuers ofwatiT.bccaufe , , 1 • Lithe 10 a 1 a7 men l^ept not the law. Yea our Sauiour Chritf hnnfclfc wept . ' for lerufalem, bewailing the flubbornefle of the people, that would not be reclaimed: vea which is more; the Lord had abfolutcly forbidden the Priefles in the law , that thev • nil r r i j * Lcuit.ii.io.u . fhould not mourne vpon any occadon,no not for the death of their Father and Mother , but they mutt euen oucrcome their ownc natural! rrfection in that cafe. And when God had fearcfully flaine Nadad and zAbihn, the fonnes of *A- ron with fire frdtnheaoen, for offering ftrange fire vpon the Altar, z/laron is coa maunded, that for his life, he fhall not mourne, nor (hew art) token or ion ow for them. And yet marke, thev that might not weepe for any worldly matter, T , are commaunded cot oncly to weepe , but euen to howle and cry for their owrte finnesandthe finnes of the people. If this be required of vs for other mens fin nes, much more muftwee flriuc to a great meafrrc of forrow for our ownc iinnes. Our fmncs fhould be our ^rcateft furrow. Nothing I j ^ The Repentance of Peter andludtts. in the world fhould come To neare our hearts as they. And therefore, the Lord faith, that when men are once brought to a true light of their finnes they fhall mourn for them,dw# .Zctb.ii.io. as one that moumeth for his onely fonn e , and bee forty as one is firry for hisfirft borne. As nothing more woundeth the heart of a tender fa:her,then to loofe his onely fonne, the Image of his name, and the hope of his houfe : fo. nothing fhould peirce the heart of a man fo deepely , as thc.confideration of his finnes. And hence is it, that all the penitentiaries in the Scripture , are not brought in with a figh or a tcare or two, but with exceeding great forrow, to giue vs to know, that (lender forrow in repentance is but hypocrific. The i.Sam.7.i.7. people of //r**/ chat lamented after the Lord fox their finnes are laid to hauc powred out buckets of teares , as it were, T r al66 vnto the Lord. And Dauid faith, that hee wept in fuch a- bundance , as hee caufed his bed to fwirmne and watered his couchwith his teares. Inboth which places, thoughthere be an Hyperbolic all cxcefle of fpcech, (for it is not pcffible for men to fill buckets with teares , nor to caufe them- felues to fwimme in their beds ) yet it lignifieth that there a fwfcwwg vv as an exceeding.great and vnfpeakeablc meafure of griefe C ^nunn^n l F a ] Againe he LzitK his teares were his meate 3 da}> and night. G.iid.aiet.'i, 10 T/Q/.42.3. And in an other place, hee faith, hee was bowed and crooked together } and made ettcnblacke with mourning *• 3 • • alltheday, hee wa<= naturally of a vety good complexion, 1 Ssm.16.11. m ddie and of a good countenance and comely v if age : but his continuall mourning had fo changed him,as if he had beene jfa.^,.7, diffigurcd with fie ken efTe. And good Iofiah , that his ve- ry heart did melt within him fir griefe. And.that poore pe- 2 K'mi i* 1 "'tent woman in the Gofpell, fhed fuch plenty of t-carcs, as 2,^7 28. fr> c wafted our Sauiour Chrids feet with them, And indeed it is no fmall mcafurc of forrow that is fufficient in rcfpeil of tbcgrcatnctTcofour fins. For if wc had an hundred eies, b lanymxm- an d fhould weepe them all out ; and if wee had a thoufand UMm™l$? hcarrs > and tbc y flvjuId allbreakeafunder with remorfe doUndi.Selcc. cnd *~ orrovv f° r our h n nes , it were too little , [ b ] and we dc brmtjjit*. fhould (boner want teares, then matter of mourning. neither The Repentancc\of Peter and Iu i j j Neither muH this forrow beeonely for feareof punifh- ment. For fuch kind of forrow pioccedeth from fclfc Iouc and may bee in the reprobate. As wee fee in Saul, ^4hab t Itidis, and others. In regard whereof , the Lord told the Iewes that when they fatted and humbled themich.es, they did tt not to htm, neither did hcapproueit. But this forrow zecb 7 5. multonely bee for the difpleafure of God. And therefore, the Apoftle calleth it godly forrow , or afrrow according to iXonfjpi god; namely, fuch a (orrow as rcfpeð no other thing y.*rx Stop but this, that a man hath by his hrucs difpJeafed and often- ^Vu . ded lb good a God, and fo mcrcifulla Father. And indeed, E Q£^t't p^erum ton ingenuous nature, it is a greater griefe to ddcrue, qutytmeruiffe them to furfcr pumfhment. As rppeareth plaineiy in the ex- minih\OmdJt ample of David, and other of Gods children. But weefhall Ttnia* haueoc canon to fpcake more of this point when vce come to intrcac of the repentance o\Ind>:s. Laliof ailjthisforrowmuRnotbefora time, but itmufl sniLilniuc. be perpetual], Stella reportcth or' : the ApofHe Peter (y^on i'-**- what oround cr by what authorise I knowc not) that in all a E ftp**>tM» the red or his lire, tt was his manner, to rile out oh his bed iam y tti f ai ji M eucry night at the crowing of the cocke , and to fpend the nectfmiijttp time till morning in prayer, weeping fo abundantly, that devera &falf& hisfacewas withered with teares. Whether this bee true pamuap*. or no, it is not n uch material). But howfoeuer,weeare *J^l r $£* toknowe, that forafmuch [ * ] as wee finne euery day, qiudmfifemper therefore repentance is neccftary euery day. [ b ] And in- dolercinvita? deed what can a man doe in regard of his manifold Mines vbicam dolor but weepe and mcurne all his hfe?tbr where forrow ceafcth P^ tl^ c Pcit there repentance failcth. [ c ] And therefore , let «s make foilutpjz. repentance a continuall and forrowrull companion vntovs c sit yanitcntia through our whole life , asD*:#/^did: who didnotonely contujus&a* weepe now and then for his hnncs,but it was his continuall wzcemu*- pra&ifc. Eettery mvht he canfed his bed to fwimme. And the l f iW ^: Alt ^ Prophet Icremie wijheth th.it he could weepe day and r.ightfor ^ m 6ratm€ the [inncs of his people. Muc h more(no doubt) would he coe adfincm. it for his own. **• And as there is required this forrow for finncs pafl and ltTt *9^ Y prefent: I j 8 The Repentance of Peter And Iudas* prefent fo there muft bee alfo a forfaking of fin for the time a Fruftra dele- to-comc. As wee doe not read , that euerthis Apoftlede- mHspratcrita, nyed his Mafter any more afcer this , but as it is euident in mfi'mjlaatce- the zAfts , hcewasmoft boldcand conftantinconfeflW dat emendatio. n j m an( j hj s trut h 9 cucn to the beardes of the greater! ene- tT^tcttiu. mies there °£ * c is not ("foe' 1 ™ 1 f° r vs t0 bee inwajdly for- bVonambigo' rowfull, but withall wee mufl put away our finnes , andtc- uquoqi rfa de- ftifie the inward repentance of our heartes by the outward plorare,dtfrU' reformation of our Hues. [ a ] Nay it is in vaine for vs to ftra iftudtfinm b ewa ,i e our f innes pa ft % vnlefle there follow a due amend- fUditatixern. mentaftcrwardes. As Bernard writ to TLugemtu the Pope ae Confident. Li [ b ] I make no queftion , faith hee, but thou bewaileft c Vera confef- thefe things, but that is to nopurpofe, vnlefle thoudoeft fio&vcraptm- a if labour to reforme them. [ c ] And therefore, bee de£ ^f^SJ^iul cnbeth true repentance, to bee this; when a man fo repen- ww/» peccaffe, tetn tnat ne bath finned, as he will doe fo no more. And in vt crimen non his meditations hee hath a fweet faying to this purpofe repetat.Bern.de [ d ] A man , faith hee, that truely repenteth.is alwayes in confsd1f.ca.13. j aDour an d fbrrow, hee is forrowrull for his finnes paft, and tens [Imperii in laboureth to takeheedof fin tocome, he doth fo bewaile labore& dolor e. the finnes he hath committed, as he will no more commit Dolet de prate- things that are to be bewailed. For he is but a mocker and ritti,laboratpro not truly penitent , that Hill doth that whereof hee repen- ^sTuT^om' tedl ' ^therefore thou wilc be a true penitent perfon, ceafe mi Lvinonco' ^ rorn ^ nnc ■> anc * ^ nnc no more » f° r tnac repentance is mitut plangen- vaine which after-finnes doc defile. [ e ] Yea fo long da, Jrrifor enlm a? a mans former euill deedes doe remaine, it is in vaine for e ^ & teT V uiad him to talke of re P entancc L f ] For hee that repenteth XularitTuod mu ^ not oncl y vvlt ^ tearcs wafli away his finne, but alfo by pamteat. Sergio amending of his life, hee muft coucr and hide his former viseffe vems tranfgrcflions , that ihey may not bee imputed vnto him. pamtensycefad [ g ] Othervvifc, if a man thumpe himfelfe on thebreaft !!St«i in tokcn °f griefe, and is not reformed , hee confirmeth his afflylHli yC C C UT£) *-' quoniam inanti ifl panitentia, quamfequem coitiquinat culpa Meditat.cap.d.. c Si perma- nent opera, frustra voce dffomitur pamtenlia. Mag.fentent. lib.^.Tfifi. i$.G. f Qui ayt ptmtcnUaTHy nonfolum diluer e lacry mis debet pec t at um{unm, fed ctiam cmendathnbus fhMU opcure& tegcre delifia (uperiora, vt non ei imputelur pec catum. Ambrof. de pttnitJib.i.ctp-*,. 5 Qui tandit p eftus, & non cerrigitur, [olidatfeccatajion tellit, Aug.dc dijcipU Cbrifiitna. fiancs The Repentance of Peter and ludas. I 5 9 finnes rather then takcth them away. And this doth Salo- mon amrme when he faith, that he that confeffeth andftrfa- Jretbhis Jinnes,fhalihaue mercy .ZV0fl.28.13. And therefore, though Samuel fa w that the Ifraelttes were very forrowfull for their finnes, and lamented before the Lord, yet he further enioyneth them to put away their flrange Gods from among them, 1. Sam. 7, 2':. And the Apoftle P"*<**"- a medicine is ncceliary tor a wound, and not a wound tor a nimmedicamen- medicinc; for the medicine is fought for by rcafon of the turn neeeffar'mm wound , but the wound is not dcfircd becaufe of the medi- eji,non vubtus cine. And therefore when the I ewes began to brag of their *^*» J* *^ falling and outward humbling of thcmfclucs, as though ^mdicamcn^ God had beene beholding to them for it, the Lord doth vt- turn qmerilvr, terly rcicd the fame , becaufe, howfoeucr they humbled non propter me- tbcmfclues outwardly, yet they continued to oppreflfc their ^aaen^ vuU brethren as cruelly as eucr they did. And therefore, he per- U T h^ dcoxmt fwadeth them , that if they would hauc their farting to bee Hb.i.cap.9. acceptable to God, they muft Uofe the bandes of wicked- //j. 58.3.4, 5.6. ~ veffe , and take off the heauy burdens , and on the contrarie fide doe workes of mercy. So that wee fee there mud be a Y 2 forfa j i(5o The Repentance of Peter and Iudas. a Si veUet do- nt'inm ex parte piccati reteruA- ri,habent'tfep' tern dtmonui) tnanenie vno y proficerep ■ He- rat f ex ex pit I ft si expulit autem JcptcntyVt omnia crimina ftmul eijcienda dace' ret. Legwnem e- tiamab alio ctfciensyticmi- nem rchquit ex omriibM qui li- beration pQffide- ret f u(icnd.»! quodfietiam pcccataQntm'il le,oportere de OM^/djuipeni- Ure.Aug.de ver &falfa penitent cap.9- I.Sam. vl 3. i.Tet.i.iu Leu\t,i\$» F/a/ 119.3 dr 101.4. Ecclc[..o.i. forfakingof finneand an outward change and reformation of our life y or elfe our forrow will not be auaileable. Neither muft we think it fufficient for vs to for fake fomc finnes, and retaine other fome rbutwemuft endeauour to forfake all. a If the Lord would haue had pan of our finnes rcferued,he might haue done much good to.the poore wo- man that had fcauen Deuils, to haue caft out fixe and left but one. But hee cafl out feauen ; to teach vs , that all our finnes mufl be abandoned. And when he caft forth a legion out of another hee left not one of them all to pofleflfe the partie:(hl giuing vs to vndcrfiand,that if a man haue a thou- sand mines, hee mutt repent ofthem all, Whatfbcuer finne it is that a man iiueth in,thoughitbee neuerfo fweeteand pleafmt, though neuerfo profitable and gameful!, though of neuerfo long continuance , bee m.uftauoide it. When God kmSau/ui expedition again!] the . For firft , etien one finne that a man continueth in with de- light, infedteth and marreth all his good anions , as a little fcarre flaineth the beauty of the faircft face , and a few flie- blowes The Repentance of Peter and /ud. u, \6i blowcscaufeth the fwecteft confection of the Apothecary to flincke and putrifie. Againc as one w ound or one d ifeafe may bee deadly, as well as twenty : fo one finne that a man liuethin without repentance, may be damnable to his foule, Gal.$.io. as well as an hundi This do$rine f aieth fivft, t^ftirrevs vp to labour for Vfc.i m godly forrow tor our finnes. Aswcedoc euery day rcnuc our finnes, fo mult wre cucry dnyrccure our forrow for them. Andtheraiher^firftbecaufe the bainouihcfleof our finnes doth require it, Smnc if a man had grace to dilecrne it. is the hea'sic(t and the wa ; g'iti< H burden of the world. Salomon faith, that a ftone is heame. andthe fandiswaighrie Pwn.17.31 ejre. butfinnc isheauier then thtmboth. 'Dautd that felt the waight of his finnes, complaihcth , that they were a pf a i,2^ t w nightie harden , too heame for him to beare \ Yea that they layvpon his fonle hie a mountaincof lead and made him goe bowed and cro&hd very fore. And in an other place, be & f\\t l A y his fanes C'd to oppreffe and (way him downc , as hee ^4». 11. was not able to look? vp. Yea our Sauiour Chrifi intnteth all them that I.ibour and art laden) Implying, that where finne is rightly fe't 7 it •$ a hcauy arid a weariiome lode. And no doub: this was it , that made the poorr Publicane exprefle Llt k e 18.13. fuch c ' f griefe and frnmc ror his finnes , when hee du (1 not lift vp fo much -is his eies to heauen , but fmote hit brcafl , fay tug : O God be mercifull to me a (inner. And in- Aug.de verx & deede, if a man fhall confidcr the quality of his finne, and fifa p<*nitx.i4* aggrauarc it by tbecircumftancosoftime and place, and by hs continuance in it, and ihali call to mind, vpon how light a Non laborat temptation he was brought to commit it, and how oft hee exoneraripecca- haeh iterated the fame, he cannot choofc but cuengroane in t0 ' CHin °nv'idQ- oodlv forrow vnder the burden thereof. ( a ) Otherwife, if >„ -ff D -i i ■ a r\ r \ -m r <*"g*ioia.cap,i: a man be not thus conceited oi rusnnne, he will neuer lor- ^antoma"h row for it, nor fight'o be disburdened of it. He that fhall quis mfttligt thinke his time to b* as light pS a feather, and neuer feech «*fc/iw,ftMto anyhuTtthatcommcthby.it. nomaiuell if it neuer gneue a ff\! llu \ ' u ^ lYat him. Secondly, without forrow for finne there can bee no contritim cor- wucrepentance. It is in vaine for men to lay , they repent di$. Y 3 cucry r (5 2 The Repentance of Peter and Iudas. eucry day they rife, and yet neuer (hew any token of re- morfc. It may bee vpon fome occafion they may ceafe the committing of finne , but till their hearts bee broken with Gen. 37.18,8c forrow i they neuer repent of it. lofephs brethren had left 41.11. their cruelty towards their brother for many yeares, yet they neuer repented of it indecde,till by his rough handling of them in Egypt ? they were brought to the fightof their 5>0Mi.Sui fi^c, and touched with forrow for the fame. AndD*- nid though hechadgiuen ouer his adultery, yet hee ne- uer repented of it, before Nathan awaked him by denouncing the judgement of God againft him. Yea fuch as arc deftitute of godly forrow , are fo farrc from repenting of their finnes, that whenfoeuer any occafion is offered , they are ready to fall into them againe, though in fome carnall xefpecl for a time they haue forborne them. Thirdly, without this forrow there can be no found com- fort; wetnufi neuer looketo feelc comfort in theforgiue- nclTc of our finnes , vnleflc vvithall we haue our hearts po£- feiTed with forrow for committing of them. The Lord will not impart the leaf! droppe of his mercy to any, which haue not firfl beene baptized with the baptifme of their cwne teares. There were neuer any of Gods children throughly comforted, but they were firft humbled. For God is not like a foolifhPhifitian , that will apply a me- dicine, where there is nodifeafe : nor like a foolifh Sur- geon, that will lay a plaifler, where there is no fore. But HoA-tf.f. theconfeiencemuftfirft be wounded with a fenfc of finne, before the Lord will powrc in the Oile of his mercy, to MaL9.11* heale the fame. For as our Sauiour faith,- They that bee -whole neede not a Thtfitta* , but they that arejicke. And therefore he promifeth eafe and refrefhment, only to fuch tti 1. 1?. as are weary and. Uden with the burden of their finnes, Datttd firfl withbittcmefie of heart confefied his finnes , before %,$am»X%*iy* Nathan gaue him any hope of the pardon of them. And I4, they that were conuerted by Saint Peters Sermon , were firfl pricked in their hearts with remorfc for their finnes, be- The Repentance of Peter ttndludts. 1 6 3 before the Apoftlc miniftred one word of comfort to them. Zccb.i^.i. The Prophet Zechartah faith, that there fhiall bee a foun- ^ 12 - 10 - . . tame opened for Jinn e and vncleannejje. _ But who are they J doloY(i £)Ucm _ that (hall haue the benefit of it ? only fuch asdocmourne huntpanitcntcm exceedingly for their finnes. As there is no finne fo great vitam mcam, but by repentance and godly forrovv it is pardonable : fo iuttrutittus*- there is no finne fo little , but without repentance it is dam- JJJJJiniS nable. [y] Either continuallforrowcs mufl afflict a mans mammegm4 ' penitent lifc,or elfe eternal! torments ftiall vexe his damna- Necefe efl, pec ble foule. And of ncceflity a finner rouli vveepe either here catewnflere, or elie where. jg?> v j li ». Lalt of all, this godly forrowforfinneis mofrpleafing ^milcordiiui and acceptable vnto God, as Damd faith , 7 ht facrifices of oratione. God art a contrite fpirtt ; ^ coHtrttt and a broken heart , O P/a/. 51.17. God,thoptwtltnotdefftfe. Whereupon S c . Atiguftine faith, * intueamur [*] Let vs confidcr in what fenfe : where he hath faid that ^^^ God will haue no facrifice , in the fame place hee flieweth nolUfamScium that God will haue facrifice. He will not then haue the fa- Ibidem Deum 0- crifice of ailaughtered beafl, but hee will haue the facrifice ftendit velle fa- ofa contrite heart. Andindccde, this is the chiefeftfacrU Return. ?(pn fice of all other. And therefore the Lord hath promifed c- ^^j£*r fpeeiallyto hauetefpe&tohim, that is of a contrite heart. p ecoris r e dvult Yea the Lord taketh fuchpleafure in a man thus aftecTed, facrificium con- as there is neuer a teare falleth from his eies in remorfe for tn&urdit, T>e his finnes, but prefently hee putt eth them in hts bottle , and cmit - D ulib.io. at the day of judgement he will wipe all teares from the eies ^'Jj of his children. And therefore wee muft labour to bee for- pfal.$6 t 8 m rowfull , aiuinotfufteranyfinnetoefcape vs without fome ^f.21.4. remorfe. Secondly, this doctrine ferueth to reproue them that are Vfe. 2. fo hard hearted ,and[ b Jfo drie eyed that they cannot grieuc b Siccecv.htm for their finnes,nor wring out one teare of true repentance Z ems > pumicco: Cot their mifdeedes. Howfoeucr in other matters they haue oculos hab( j nt : teares at command, and in any worldly croiTe or calamity, ?71vn eX9 rartvt they take on and weepe , as Rs.heldtd for her children y and txoitantvnam wiUnot be comforted. CMat. 2. 18. //rf.22.4. yet in thiscafc, fiudo* ?l*ut.in when they fliould mourne for their finnes, euery teare is as ? J CU(iol °' Afkn> biggc ; 1 64 The Repentance of Peter and Iudas, c 'Deuialiova, biggc as a milttonc : there is no remorfe, no compun&ion, cuumlapidesia- nor touch of heart at all. [ c ] No their hearts are zsftrong as iliuit in orbem, aftone, and as hard as the nether milftone^ as lob fpeaketh of ^ZduTum**- Leviathan 7^41,15. they cannot forrow. [nece~ worKevpon them. ler.z 3.29. This is a molt tearrull eliate, rubefco, dolenda it men had grace to difcerne it. For there is no arrow of a]] mtueor, nee do> Gods quiuermore dangerous then hardnefie of heart. It is leagued eft mor- incident to all men to finne : but it is only peculiar to re- natwnls mdicifi probates, not to be moued for their finnes. [ej For a man Mmbrumeriim to haue his hnnes before his e^es, and not to grieue for quoddolorem no them ; to fee fhamefull thinges and not to be afhamed ; to [entity mortuum Deno jo! lamentable things and not to forrow ; is a figne of f\ fihl™'^ 7- ^ catn » anc * a t0 ken*of damnation. For the member that curabilu. Bern, bath no feeling is dead, and the difeafe that is infenhble, is Meditat.cap.iz. paft cure. Many doe glorie and boaft, thar they neuer fdc f IraDeieflnen any thing yet tbatcameneare their hearts. Hue this, ifthey tntcll'gere deli- coU i ( j f ce lt ^ j s a wor f c fjg, le V nto them, and more prodigy mmUnuTcyw. ous ' tncn ^ a Glaring Oarre hanged ouot their heads,or if an i.j.npifl^. 1 Angel from heauen fhould pronounce them to be accurfed. g satisduruscft [f] For it is tbe grcateft token of Gods anger that can bee, cuius menta do, ( ox a man not co.vnderftand his (inncs, that hee may repent hum ocidicai- f t j-j crn< k is a lamentable thing, to fee many weepe more- cUrarc.Sedfciat ror the lolie ota hcrlc, or a cow, nay for a oogge, thene- culpabilncrfe uer they did for their linnes. If we can figb,and groane,and .', qmde- mournc in outward calamities: what a fihame is it that wee mna fc/»- C q nnoc wcepc for our finnes ? I do not denic,but that fome 31-e orthat nature, that they can hardly weep for anything. I I doubt not but fuch may repent foundly without teaics. {$) Eutifeucramancan wecpeforany thing , hec "No/} vtuyltul tarum , q\\ vnqitam lachrymn oftend.t dolor em ra ca fulfil pctriit cap. 9. may The Repentance of Peter and liuUs. 1 6 5 •mayl"hrcwdly fulpeel Ins rcpcntar.ee , it hcecai notwrcpe for his finnes. But moll of all arc they to be rrproued, that are fofarrc from forrow wig, that they rather laugh both at their owneond other mc s finnes ; As Salomon faith of the wicked foole, that maketb a mo eke of finne Vioh. 14.9. that it is* paftimeto him to doe wickedly .Tr on. 10.23. ant ^ cnac hcc'fcioyceth in doing euill;lrou.2.iq Yea they take them- fclucs to be graced by then finnes, and boafi of them, as if it were lor their credit. They fut on pride as a chain* as the Scripture faith , meaning , that as a proud man gloricth hi his gold chame, (o they glory in their finnes. Thus did the King of Babylon reioycein his cruel! dpprefllion^HWi.f.ij, Gualteribid.Iu^ Now thtrmufl necdes bee an infallible token of defperatc rnli ' *' and incurable malice , • when as men arc not content to commie fume , bat befides , dot glory in them, and feekc to gaine rrputation thereby. Which affection the Pro- phei'D*««f' r eprooucth m Docg , that curled 8 donate, by pr a [ * 1 1 bo ■/left how thy felfe, hirhhe, in thy wickedneffe , O thou man of power &C? This is a finncfull boafhng ; and ro glory in this manner, is to glory in that whereof a man might ra- ther be aIb.amed.And ali fuch retoycing as the Apofile faith lCor - ^ not good. Yea woe bee to them that laugh in this manner, for the time (hall come, when they fh 'all wade and weepe. i u usi<. Yea they fliall cry for [or yew of heart , and howle for vexa- tion of minde. And they that now make butaieaiiot their lfa.6$.i^. finnes, iluil one-day bee fo confounded with feare and horribie dread , as they fliall cry to the mountatnes and A$oc>6.\6. rockj to fill vpon them, andbtde th?m from the wrathful! pre- fence of him that futith on the throne Lafl of all, this do&rine lcructhtoreproouethofe that Kfc*3* would fceme'to be forrowfull and for their finnes , yetcon- tinuc in them : there is no change or alteration appcarctli in them, but (till they are the fame men they were. Or if peraduenturethey abftaine from fome finnes , which they are not much inclined to, and whereunto they hauc no great temptations , vet they will not forlake all their fins. And herein they doe as children doe, when they eat fweets Z meates I 66 The Repentance of Peter cwdludas. meates they are loath to fwallowe all downe at once , leaft they fhould loofe the rellifh of it; and therefore , they hold I&fc.io.n. a little vnder the tongue, as lob faith. So they are loath to forgoe the pleafure of all their finnes at once; and therefore that which hath beene mod fweete vnto them, they rctaine Afa ?•* £• jj^ ^ s ^„ An j AS ant ] Saphira kept back part of the pricejfo they kecpe backc part of cheir ilnnes. And with Naaman the *.KW J.i ?• Syrian,they fay Cjod be mercifullto vs in this thfrg : they mufl needes haueadiipenfation for one finnc or other. They, deale with God in thiscaleasS<*#/ did when hee went a- gainft the sAmaUkhes : hee deflroyed a great part with the uS&m.i J.9. ec jg e f c | ie f WO rd , but hee [pared Agag the King, and the better fheepe } and the oxen, and the fat beafls, and the lambes t and all that was good &e. but e aery thing that was vile and nought worth that they deflroyed. So it may be, they will de- fkoy fome of their finnes that they fet nought by, but thofe that are pleafant and delightfome,or fat and gainefull 3 them they retainc and chcrifhftill : yea eucn they that pretend to emptie their hearts of all their fumes , yet doe not deale fofincerely as they {hould. Saul would haue perfwaded Samuel that hee had done Gods commaundement in de„ 2iSam.iyi4- ftroying the Amalek^tes. Yea faith Samuel y haft thou fo? What mezneth then the bleating of the Jheepe in mine eares, and the lowing of the oxen whicb I hear e ? So a man may heare the bleating of many oathes,and the lowing of many cur fed fpecches euen from them that would fceme to bee mod reformed. Butletvsnotdeceiueour felues. For vn- leiTe fas hath beene find) there bee as well a renouncing of uY.ne, asafecmingtoforrow and grieueforflnne, wee neuer yet came where true repentance grew, . And thus wee haue heard the repentance of the Apoftlc Peter ■, and as in hisfall wee haue feene the Image of a grci- uousfinncr, fo in this wee haue feene the picture of a true Conuert. Many will fall with Teter and other of Gods children, but they will not rife with them by repentance. Tr.cfc men decciue themfelues: fuch examples as this will .;oc them no good. Thou feeft that Peter was as ready to repent The Repentance of Peter and lud is. I 6~, r cpent of his finnes, as he was to commit them. Let me fay to thee as our Sauiour Chirfl faid to one in another cafe, /^ 10.37. Goe and doe * thou hke wife : then may thecomfort of this s S c . Pe~ Aft.1.17. terii'nh, Hewasnumbredwithvs* an d obtained fellow/lip in thtsmmiftrathn. A calling more honourable then anyo- Grt/.i.r. ther in the Church of God , becanfe the ordination was not of men, neither by man, but by Iefm Chrtfl , and God the pa- tber. His company was fuch as tor godlinefTc could not be matched in al the world: tor he was conuerfaru with Chnft and his Dilciples : his learning fuch as hee was a Preacher. L^j9.t.». For hee was fent with there!}, and went and pieached as well as any of them. Laft of ail , his carriage was moftci- uill ? for howfoeuer he had a falfc heart aganifl his matter, yet he diflembled his treafon fo cunningly , as it could noc be difcerned : for when cur Saniour Chnti had told his Dif- ciplcs that one of them fhould betray him, they were all to farrc from fufpccling of Iudas, that they rather mildeemed £/*r.i4.i9. themfelues. Mafter is it /, faith one : M after is it 1 , faith Religioncm ft- another? but no man had fo much as an euill thought of Te U nmJ* m JPtdaS ' SotrUC 1S that . J . * ndpvofeJSMe p^tend Religion m word , but doe nocimwitmdecde. viuunt~&Cftri* ( d ) Many glory in the name ofa Chriftian and yet Hue fit yracepta ma- licentiously , for they fhew forth the paflionof Chrift by namfefle pec- their pofcMion, but skfhonow it by their action, ( O Their _ , • oi_ wordesarc glorious, tneirdeedcs are infamous. ( * ; i ticy tixtnq:diM tc- hm ■:.' a fiirc oucfide and a foule infide,they hauc the wordes gtKr.fidg?EpijL of Saints, but they haue not the Hues of Saints. Hypo- 3 adProbam, crites are the Apes of Gods children, There is no vertue c Tichgioncm whkh the chllcj f God hath in truth aid fmccruie, but the dart in verbo y truant of theDeuiil will make fhew or it, and counterfeit non o{tcadunt in it m hypocrifie. In their countenance they will appeareve- fiXhBem.de ry modeft, in their fpeech granc , in all their behauiour to- cana,dom.Scr.$ ber and temperate. They will counterfeit meekneflfe, hu- tlmiUam voca- miJ ^ e > chatiitie,and many excellent vertnes : But ifa man huh ilori'ahtur, could iooke into their heartes, hee fli ^uld fee they haue not frperditeviumt put on Chrifl leftist the Apoflie faith but theDeuiil rather. p ifjionem c tin ^ney may fitly be refemblcd to Banck rupts, who wanting CW^i&amf fubftknpiaH wares tofurn.fh out their fhonpcswithall, doe &m&iiaQ ■:■':> " : *Yptncvac*ftf places with goodly painted (but empty^ exbonorant.Aug, boxes. So criefc, hauing no liibftance of religion to com- dcCivt-Oc^ merrd themfeFues to the Church of God , doe yet make a M.i *.(*/->. flour.fli with fcadowes of holimrffe. Thev are like the °^ Id >h chat /),,W fne.ik ei h o<: 7% hanemomhes andfpeake fhelo It ra.de not^they hane eyes and fee not. They hauc eares andhcare not; tonfc ted. ca.fi . they httne hancles arid touch not, they ha-iefectc and rvalue not. tlntmfum twr- ty s ( ) Ur s,uiour Chrili, that bed knowech what is in mat?j %*&!. fpartth them to platters that arcclcane on the outfide, dec i ' • - ' • ' .Ir. verba (attftbrum kabe#t t vJtamfdnftorkm non habent. Berth it ordme vitx. Gd.$r~->, TfitUi i J. 5^.7. Joh.z.i^. ^i.n.iyi^ 11 ?* b\K The Repentance of ' Peter end In j -j j buc within are full of bribery ande/c:(f;\ and to pa I ul- chers, which appear e beaut* full out ward but within arc full of dead mens bones and a II fit h in iff . They arc J i kc . 2 p pics o f Sodcme , which fecme very riirc cu the ey< ; but if a man n j9«^ w^ cruflh them in his hand , there is l>oihitt|; bu: cinders and ifppMs?anprofi~ allies, vvofull monuments of rhe fearefuJJ ouerthrow of ****** wfitt** that place. They ?re like the Ofirtigts, whicfc haue very [Z)f%mtT~ goodly winges, as though tiiey could flic aloft : but fuch is tun? Eon. Apsf 9 the grofleneffe , and hcauinctlc of their bodies , that they adGuli^Abb, cannot laifcthemfclues from the earth. In a word,thcy ?re \;X*****f cfjr *- like many trees, which.w biles thev Ctow- fecme to be very K ,adL ll!c f' u ft Y:L ■ l j ,- j • L l t • u j fcYt;tur y oui rtraignt and lound timber : but vviien they are cut do wi.e- / \ )Y \ti UW mmU they proue hollo we hearted and good for nothing. ( *) So me'mxMur. that jt is hard to fay, who is the more yv eked : whether lice Qjadcrimtibi that openly proftileth imp ie tie, or he* that faifly counter- P n '^^-ocari feiterh hohnefle f b ^ It is in vainc fcr a map to take vpon T J0*Hi? ^ ,. r X -n- l j i • /-i a *omcntwiv ur - him the name or aCnnttian, that doth not imitate ChnH. p^caltcnum} For what will it profit a man to bee called that which bee is Aug.dc zita not, and tovfurpe a name which is none of his ownc? cbnjl.adfuro- Such may flourifh lor a time , and decciue the eyes of men r * m 7jl ^ uatfu with a vaine fhew of pietie : but Cj ' ed cannot bee mocked, as Li*ke\6\* the Apoflle faith; And therefore, otirSauiour toldc the hy. c Simulata ilict pocriticallTW//*/, yee are they that tufiifie your fe/ues be- patefcuntjfrB* foremen, but Cjod know eth your hearts. You make Inch a P ero (* &*** im ~ . fhew o^ hclineile , as that the people dotcth vpon you.and P/ c f us fi lcl1 - teM ... . i i ^> . i i , adore diluitur* admircth you tor the oncly men , but God that knowcth Tctrarch dc vit* yourheartes, fecthyou tobce damnable hypocrites. Yea (nlit. Omnt Cm- and many times, euen in this life, the hypocrilie of many eerampenm* isdifecuered to their fhame. \ c 1 It is a true laying that **trt**fi**b* .i • i c i t T3 ir t j ft' ?it i di(4turnx thiuges tnat are counterfeit, cannot long continue, ralfe c Qno>tt)o(]unt coine is fooncdilcouercd : and the face, though neucrfo Bern.deord.vrt quod menda- cia uon din fil* iant t noftcm tamd'u ejfc quamdiiiilUcef- cat dies icl.mfi- cato autcm die & (die oborto, luci tcnebras i & caliginem ccde- re.CyprMb.i. Epft. h rfci. haue laboured to hide/ fhal appeare in open veiw ; and the vercue, which they haue made fhewof, ftiallbefeene ne- uertohaue beenein them in truth. Asit isfaid of Hera- c/tdes^who by a cunning deuife would haue beenc accoun- ted a God , that at lafl all was reuealcd, and hec [ a ] wa$ feene, not as hee defired , but as hee was indeede : Co many times it befalleth hypocrites. As wee fee in the examples of Kain , syinanias and Saphtra , the man that wanted the wedding garment , Simon t^MagHs , Elimas the forcer er and diuerfe other notorious hypocrites , who were all found out and difcouered by the hand of God. Yea wee may ob- ferue euen in our owne experience , that fome who out* wardly liued an honeft and a ciuill life : yet lying hypocriti- cally in fome fecretmine, haue beenc constrained before their death, with ayichantogiuegloryto God, and to diC- clofe the fame to their one fliame. But if it doc fall out, that they efcapc this judgement in this life, and doe clofely carry their hypocrite to their grauesryet at the day of iudc ment, when the thrones [hall bee fet and the bookes opened. 2W.7.9.10. the vizard (hall bee pulled from them, and their hypocrifie laid open in the fight of men and Anqels. It may bee with an hypocrite in this life, as it is in a great fnowe. [ b ] When the fnowe couereth the face of the earth, allappeareth white and cleanerbnt when once the Sunne rifeth to melt and thawe away the fnowe , many fil- thy quagmires and other loathfome places are difcouered. So it may fall out, that a man may haue the reputation of a good Cbriflian all his hfe :but at the day of Judgement, When the Sunne of ' right cotifnejfe (hall arife.CMal.A.^then [hall things bee hghtned that haue beene htdmdarknejfe, and the connfels of mens heart e s fitall bee made manif eft. And thenaseuery man that is found iirscere fhall haue praifeof God; Co all diffcmblers fhall haue their faces couered wtiMJ fhameand difgracc* Sf condly,this doctrine ferueth to admonifh vs> to fabour for finceritie, that we may not oncly approtie our felucs vn- W men, but with Zachariat mdLli^abet^ m may be truely righteom The Re pen tance of Peter and Iud&s. ijj righteous before God Ltik^.\.6. [ a ] I ctvs labour to bee zEjUtechrt- Chriflians indcedc, elfeit isto fmall purpofeto bee called fl la »M*Mtp*- Chnltians. [ *> ] If W e would bee fchrifls Difciples, Ictvs ^XSSL. kecpe thcReligion in our hearts, which wee pretend in our de 10 cbordisj appariell , and Ictvs retajr.c that bolincfle in our mhules, b Keligionem which our outward habitecloakcth and couereth. [ C ]I ct quamtemmus vs bee the Difciplcs of Chrilt,not in faifliood, but in truth : in ve P'>f<™- i l • L i r jn «■* n wits inmcntci not in the garments, but in the heart. |_ d J Wee mufi not &f a nf\itatcm flandfo much on tbelargenetfc of our leaucs, nor on the quambabitus fprcading of our branches, nor on the greenncflc of our exterior palliate boughes , confidcring , that cucry branch though neucr fo ;nt,iS ***»« '*• flourifhin", if it beare not fruit , it mufl bee caft into the fire ne *i % j? m „ to be burnt :as ourSauiour ianh Job. i 5.6. And herein wee c ufiotedifci- may all goe to the fchoole to a couecous worldly man. pub cbrlfl^mx There is no man but he had rather be rich, then bee accoun- i*fi(fitateJcdiH ted rich , hee had rather bee wealthy, then feeme to bee w '^*«5**« wealthy. So fhould wee rather defire to bee godly and re- de.Bcmibld^' ligious indeede , then to feeme tobc fo. It is true, that Sirm.\. outward holinelTe and the fruites thereof are ncceflbryto d Non cor.fida- commend vs vnto menrbut our chiefefl care and indeauour ms ' 1 * l&Mu- fliould be, that the hid man of the heart (* hither onely the dm ff vl ^ u >^ * eycor God can peirce) may be adorned and bcaunncd. It momminvkU is fa id of .SWow^/fpoufe, which was a type of the Church ditate frmdium. thathowfoeuer her c loathing, which did fet her out to the **MSermAQ. world, was of brodered gold: yet her chiefefl beauty and p/7^' 4, greater! glory was within. So fhould itbee with vs, wee * 43 '* 1 ^ fhould labour for a good infidc , w hatfoeucr the outfide 15. That which the Apoftle ftith of Orcumcifion is true alfo of n Religion. That is not religion which is outward in the fleff\ but ° m% * 2 * 2 * r that is true Religion before God fas Saint lames calleth n) which is within the heart .whofepraife is not of men but of God. Al actions withoucthis,thougJ>neiicrlo feruer,arc but froth like the hot encerprifes of Ichu, who made great boaft of the zeale which hee had for the glorvof God. fomewithmr, l »K}H^oj6.^i faith he to lotiadab^andfee the z,eale that I hauefor the Lord: but for all this- , his heart was n9t vp right in the fight of God. £ut the Apoftle ?*nl was otberwife arYc&ed , who endetiau- A ^ **•**. A a 3 red 178 The Re pent an ce of Peter and I a das. redhimfelfeto haue alway a clear e conscience toward God and toward men. Firft and principally, hee (iudied to ap- prouehimfelfe to God, and then afecrwards to men alio. And this is that which God efpeciallyrefpecleth, ashefaid i Sekiah that good Kin^ had receiucd thefentence of death, and for any thing that he knew, was to leaue the world, in a com- fortable ailuranccof his ovvne confeience, he berakcth him- Jja tf'.z. ^f? to God. J befeech thee Lord , faith hce, remember how I haue walked before thee in truth , and with a per fit heart, &f . Vfe 2 Thirdly, it fcrueth to admomfh vs further, to take hcede that we be not decerned. As all is not gold that giiflereth: io all are not good Chriftians that feerne to be. It is a true faying. Issuer age was more fruitful! of religions, and yet ne- Uer Icjfe religion in any age. And therefore it ftandeth vs vp- on to take good heedc, ieafl: whiles we approue that which is countcrrait for current, we be feduccd and drawne cither into crrour in religion, or into corruption in manners. And Plal.iAi.4i therefore we muff pray with 'Dauidm the hkccale. Incline not mine heart vnto enill, that I jhould commit wickedwor^es with men that work? imcjuine. And becaufc hypocrites are fo common, wemuftddire the lord to difcouer vntovs who are indcedc true members of the Church, that we may ioynecur felucstothem : and who arc dilTembJers, tint wc P/*/.ij.i." may auoidc them, asD.*Wdoth. Lord who fit all dwell in ihyTabcrnaclel&c. | 3 . Which The a cp en ta nee of- Peter and la d. is . 179 Wh ich betraied hirb. ] This ; s the finne of Ittd.is) \\ herein wctnav con! ; : i 'cafion, and feconcH) thecjuaiity of it. The ex. in*C vVas cotljetoirfru lU* , W n ay appearein the U rn ?r cha] t< r, where hec Went to the ' P, irfls, and asked - efl ,^j&/?/ ;'■ r wcM gfaefotnto deltM Mati6.i$. (fhriflvnto them* From ! encc then weemay 'came , that a couetcus mad Dottrme.2.- maybe eafily drawne to commit any finite , betrencuerfo A couctous bainous. There is nothing too hoc flortoo hcauy for hfttl; man will com- And therefore the Apoftlc faith , and not without caul?, *SKW iumc > • r