H5S&& \ m If! til M Wl PRINCETON, N. J. ^' Collection of Puritan Literature. Division Section Number 7/3^ /k/- CHRISTS STARRE: A CHRISTIAN TREATISE FOR OVR DIRECTION TO OVR SAVIOVR, AND FOR. OVR- conjunftion with him. DECLARING CHRISTS Excellencie, our necefsitie of him, his great loue and manifold mer- cies beftowed vpon vs j as alfo feme of -our duties. By W. N a k « « P. of Dj/ent. >.Pete M IS. Grave iyigtdce and in the knowledge cf our Lord dad SMttor Iefitt chrij$ % to htm 6e glory both now and evermore. Amen. A \ \ \ , \ ■' f \ t Nunqmrn nimis dicitur^iiod^r^Hamfatir^ifiitfir. L6N*DON. Printed by I. I. for Philemon Stephens and ChiiflopUr Meredith, and are to be fold at their fhopj at the fienecf the Goideii Lyon in Psules Church-y rd» i 6 t {• ___ ;■ • . PR VDENTISSIMl AC POTENT! SSIMI PRINCIPIS iacobi, L DEI GRATIA, MAGN£ ^Britannia , FrancU, & H'derw/t, Regis: &c, Pnsclariffimorum Prophetarum DauidisatquQ M&Jis verbis conceptaparcenefis. i. Chron. 28. p. Cnxolzfilimijdgnofe'e ~D earn fair is tui>& cole turn corde integro, & ammo Jludiofo ; quia omnia, corda exquirit Jehoua > & qmdque figment um ■ cogitatidnnm inieMigk : ft exquifiueris eum y in- vemetur,abst£ n ifedfidereliqueris cum, rtijciet .tein^rfevturn. D e v T. to. J9. guare elige vitam, dtligendo.khotam Beum wum, attjiultando uoc'i em^ & adfwcndo ti> vt vivas tu cum [twine wo. I Jd SE%E^1SSI<^MV€M ET ILLVST^IS SIMVM P Ri N c i P E m CAROL V M MAGIV^dE BXJTANNlvti. PKixciP EM> &c. V1LIVM CHAB^ISSlMrM. Arol h mifilj 5 meafpes 3 meacerta voluptas Deliri^q; patris, folertj indagine prudens, Tu patrium cognofce deura, venerarefidelj Mente, & finccrj toto conamine cordis. Quippc parens mundi tacita? molimina mentis C un<5h vid ens trutinar, rimatur pe&oris alt j Occultas latebras : Quern fi digneris honore Hximio, fi rite colas 3 fi Temper adorans P^vuigili quadras ftudio 5 tutamine fcutj Fadix, inuenies certo facilemque bonurnque : Sin(quod abefto nefas)cotempto nnmine fpcrnes Munificum pattern, iufta iile accenfns ab ira, Dejicietfragilemlinquensinfeculafontem. . ^[ 3 Quare Quare age 5 quaraprimum pra?luftris pra?rnia vitse DeligCjdum dominum caeliq ; foliq. potentem Charu habeas 3 firme teneas,dum iufla capeffas Sofpes eris femper 3 felix erit aurea proles, Felices nati,fortunatiquc nepotes. Illujlrif Qelfitud. Vejlra Servus addiBifsimus, G. Name. ■- • .... • — TO THE MOST Illuftrious and Mightie Prince Charles, Prince of Great (Britame , Grace in this life, and Glory in the life to come. Religious and moft gracious Prince. His Treatife ■ , that chiefly concerneth (jhrifi ikfus y md dipeSetk if® him , We Trmce of all glory and of our faluation • doth moft fitly belong to jou a < Prince of fucb worth 3 and of Jo great ■ ex- pectation. Let it pleafe your grace therefore fauonrably to accept of the fame-, * Idenim in difcHrfu de virtutibns Privcipum, in EpifioU nnncupnt. Th r Ep istle Jame, which with all humUitie and Jubmijsion, lone of your meaneftfer- uants doe prefent vnto jour High- nejje: By fuch acceptance, as you willgiue to the world, notable and comfortable teJlimonie > that you are an earnejl imitator of the godly cour- fes of jour pious and Trincely fa- ther, a Taterne and aTatrone of godlinejje and learning, who there- fore by a* Jlranger is iujlly called, Noftri huius (xculi miraculum, and to whom we may jj>eal^,as\ arus Germinus that Orator faid to Ca?iar the Emperovir, Casfar, qui apud te audent dicere,magnitudinem tu- am ignorant ,• qui non audent,hu- manitatem. So you will al/o giue euident and ample declaration , that you are an happie follower of your heauenly D E L> IC AT R IE. heauenly Father > your mojl blejjed Creator and Sauiour , who hauing his dwelling on high,abafethhim- felfe to behold the contemptible things of this earth, who didgraci- ouily receiue * two mites from a poore widow, and of whom a wil- ling minde is accepted according to that a man hath , and not ac- cording to that he hath nott ^But ifanyfhaUfay, that by prefenting thefe fmalltrauels tofi high a ^Prince, I doe prejumptuoufly y and that by publijhingthem in fuch% learned na- tion, Idoefuperfluoujly: Tbis,Ian~ foere,i$ the opmfort encouraging me, \that goodnejfe (Cjodbe thankgd*) in your facred per fon is conjoynedmth greatnejfe , that Court ejie and.Qle- mencieinyou, doe grow vpw>ithJu~ <9[ q~ thoritie Pfal Uj.f. * Mar.12, 43, 2.Cor.8.i2. The Epistle PfaI.»o.< thoritie and eminency Joopingajfured- ly your Cjfrace will be well content, to fuffer me patiently at this one time to write to you : who at all times (as my bounden duetie requireth^jhall ear- neHly pray for you , euen that the great God may grant you accor- ding to your heart, and fulfill all your purpoie^r his glory and your eternallfelicitie. ajfgaine, ifitbefaid, that home with the dimme light of ajmall can- dle> where many bright torches are already Jhining,and with a rurall pipe where many filuer trumpets are me- lodioujly founding: This is my heart- ning , that the moft learned and la- j borious,are the mofk modejl and gentle ; cen fur ers, they wilreuerence the grace ofCjod, euen in his fimplejlferuants • the DEDIC ATORIE. * Vacui U- boris inui- dent laburi- hut aliorum i & omnem colkcum 0. fcramfii- w in the humhkfi manner 2 candeuife, I craueyour 'Princely pa- tience, pardon for my holdneffe and prefumption • and projlrate yponthe fyieesofmy heart, 1 injlantly befeech the (tAlmightie and mojl mercifull (jod to blejfe your highnejje, with heancnly * blefsings from aboue, < with blelsings of the deepe that ly~ eth beneath • that the joule of our hopefull Trince may be bound in the bundle of hfcwith the Lord thy (jod, who will teach your Highnejje by his holy Spirit, and keepe youas\ mi7 & f f i the' l,Sam.lf,»9. P&1.>HJ. The Epistle,&c. the apple of his ovene eye, and Jatisfie you with long life, and glorifieyou 1 with endlefefaluation in his heauenly kingdomeforeuer, remaining Your Highndle mofl humble feruant: W. Narne, To To the Chriftian Reader. a \ Wd*$ md b Ar *f e > £\ c Come and fee, * Takf vp and reade , -Eph. re maining within vs^ fighting againftvs, Our * deceit full and wicked heart feadie (hfce a ftlfcl>x//lat/)to betray vs, the world to allure nod defile vs (fa that this is a principal! point of *" /w* religion^ to keepe our felues vnjpotted of the world) % fmne Ifangtrigfo faft on vs, b ^/rr aduerfary the Dinelll/ke a roaring Lyonfeekingtodeitowevs. Thefe are the worft and J Xrf// day es , mo ft perilous times, men are be- come vnholj , vnthankefuHJouers of fteafurcs, more then loners of God y k Mockers which walke after their vngodly lusts, 1 Iniquitie hath increa. fed, andtheioue of man) hath wasedcoldt, m 7*/^ day cUclineth, and thefbadowesofthe evening are fir etched out , The wholdbme word of God for the moft part (alas) being vilipended and misbe- lceued. Hence it commeth to pafTe( which with anguifh of foule, with bitternefle of fpirit , and heauinefle of heart 3 is daily to be lamented and deplored) » 7 hat many are called, but few cho fen, that the oflocke of Gods heritage , which dwell fo* litary in the wood a* in the rniddejl cf Car me I, is but P a little focke , q Many there be which got in At the wide gate and broad way , that leadethto dc- fruclion, 1 If (he righteous fcarcely befitted, where jhallthevngodly and (inner appear e. r People per uenly warning , Albeit the fame was contrary to the commandement of a mightie and a cruell King^ all of thefe were manifeft euidences of true wifedome. Such fruits wherofj heartily wifli not to few, but to many: Yea to all^vvho fliall reade or heare . the words of this little booke, namely, that they may attaine to the fauing knowledge of lefus our Lord, not* to be idle nor vnfruit full therein, but knowing him they way come to him, for his zfonnes {ball come from far vnto him to be nourish- ed 'at his fide , that in their iourney comming to him with Daujd, hfhey mayfeeke him with their whole heart, and with the Prophets, 'they may inquire and fearch of the faltiation which is vnto ^/ff^thatthey fearching for him^may ^finde him, that finding him and the permanent pledges of his gracious prefence, 1 they may^reioyce in him continually : That reioycing in him, m The) may fall downe before him , worfliipping him willingly, making fupplicAtion to him earnefily , n offering their bodies and foules an acceptable facrificeto him mofl willingly, ^Seruing their Lord in f care and reioycing in trembling , kifsingt he Sonne left B 3 he Math, *, f 2.Pet.i.8. h Pfs.H9.ic. « i.Petj.io, Mer.jp.jj. 'Phil. 4. 4. n Rom»ii.r. HAP I. OfChrifis Exce/lencie t p Ifi.4f.17. The prayer ofthe Au:hor 1 t.Cor.!.3. 1 lla.63.1y. f 2.Tim. 1.16 ' Phi. 1 16.1 6. u Pio.y.22. x Colof.!.Ij. * i.Per.i.f?. b Rom. ij-5. c i.Cor.i 5 .4p J Rom.?.'. « ^hr.<.T. 6 Coliof.Z.^. h Aft.jtf.iS. Ztf £tt? ^f^/7 and they pertfh in the way, when kti wrath full burne fuddenly , but that they rnay conftantly, continue in the courfe of hiscom- mandements, that they may bethetrueplfrael of God, which flail befaued in the Lord, with an euer- lafling faluation, neuer to be a flamed nor confoun- ded world without end. Almighty andbleJfedGod^ the father of mercies^ and the God of all comfort, t [ookc downe from the heauen, and behold from the dwelling place fif thy holinejfe and glory, thy poore and vn worthy fcr- uant, and feeing it is thy accuftomed manner, by weakeft inftrurnents to doc grcateft workes : Grant of thy gracious goodnefTe, that by this miniflerie man) f may come to amendment \ out of the (narc of the Diue/l, that* their bondes being broken^ and the u cordes of fmne wherewith they were holden being cut^ the prifon * doore being 6" penedj they may bee deliuered from the power oj darkeneffc, and translated into the kingdomc of IefaS) that the vaile of ignorance being remoued, finne fubdued , and their earthly affections rnortificd 3 they may bee a cafadvnto hismaruei- lons light > and b be changed by renewing of their minde, they may c beare the image of heaucnly A- dam, <* walking after the fptrit in hue, c worthie of their Chriftian vocation,* that they may haue their hearts flablifhed with grace, that after they haue receiutd Iefus their Lord, they may remaine rooted and built in him, fo h that they may recciuc forgiueneffe of their (innes, and inheritance among them which are fanttified by faith in him^ ^Arnen. For Chap. I. Of Chrifis ExceUweie. For our more encouragement, and better pro- grefTcin this purpofe, letvs with diligent atten- tion confider : Firft, how excellent Chrift is in his owne nature : Secondly, how neceflary he is for vs : Thirdly, how mercifull and gracious towards vs. To the end wee may bee mooued to efteemc highly of him, becaufeof his excel- lence, to feeke him earneftly, becaufe of our neccfiitie, and to receiuc him moft louingly, be- caufe of his great mcrcie and manifold benefits, which he impartcth moft plentifully vnto vs. Chrift his excellence will appeare the more cleerely,being illuftrated by fome comparifons : Hee is more precious then the fruit of the Earth, then Gold and Pearks, then the Heauens, then Men, then Angels, i. The'fruitof the Earth is freciom^ as the Apoftle faith 5 and of all the fruit thereof, that Palme-tree growing in vpper Babylonia^ is the moft excellent and commodi- ous , the moft profitable plant , giuing vnto man, whatfoeuer his neede beggeth at natures hand, affording fundry and wonderful! commo- dities, namely Wine, Hony, and Vineger. Stra. bo- and Niger addeth a fourth commoditre that it yeeldcth Bread , and Antoniu* the Hermite findeth a fift commoditie , little inferiour to any of thofe foure,which is, that from the felfe fame Tree, isdrawnea kindeof fineflaxe, of which people make their garments, and with which they prepare the Cordage for their Ships ; znd that this is true, ^thanafim in the life of Amo- nrn the Hermite confefTeth, declaring that hee receiued The mcthode of this Booke Chrift moic wort hie then the ia\\x of the Earth. Iarw.f.7. Herod, in Cliojtb*!. Rend the firft boo^e, of the rTjft p.^itof the ^iflorie oftheWorL 1 . chap.$.Sec.u k Ifa.ii.io. ! Rom.ij.i2- n Cam.8.2- ° lab 10.17. p Ifa.7.22. s Pfal.105.40 R.eu.xIO, 64 To the Diamond. Chap. I. Ofchrifls Exceliencie. that ofire which neuerjhall be quenched^ He p who is the wifedome ofGod y w\\\ be a rnoft perfeft pre- (eruaciu" againft (priricuall madncffe,and phrcn- fie ; 9 That lambe of God who hath receiued power, richeSj and wifedome ^ will grant to his owne,that r they may he wife and indued with knowledge ^hew- ing by their good Conner fation their workes , in meekenejfe of wifedome, with toy and gladntfje. 3 , Chrifl is f the true light of the World, who followcth himfballnot walke in darkeneffe, but /ball hane the light of life ', t he mil giue light to them that fit in darkeneffc, and in the Jhadow of death, guiding their feet into the way of peace. 4. Chrifl: will giuc " euerlafling confolaiion • and if x lob did comfort the mourners, will not Iefus, a that comforteth the abieff doe that to the diftrefled ; if b Tychicus could comfort the hearts of the Ephefians, cannot Chnft rather minifter confolation to the hearts of all Chriftians, hee cwh&is mindefullofvs, will fanffifie and Jlrcng- then our corrupt and weake memorie , that wee fliouldbe mindful! of him, and <* remember that lefts chriH, made of the feed of Dauid, was raifed againefrom the dead, for our righteoufneiTe. 5. Hee who is e the death of Death , and the deftruttion of the graue, will take away the fling of finne, and redeeme hisowne from the power of the graue, preferuing ihem alfo from thofe ( Locufis, which like vnto Scorpions, hauc flings in their tailes. 6. He is moft ftrong and conftanr, wlio can- not be ouercome nor change4,4iee.ikallfubdue and Chap. I. OfChrifts Excellencies 3nd § ouercome Sat An ^ andtho/e beafls that fight a- gainjlhim^ he will giue power to his owne, to h ouercome that wicked one $ and feeing * they are borne o/God^Ko to ouercome the world/urnifh- ing ftrengch to them 3 k to befledfift and vnmooue- able. 7 He who is * the Lord God ofthejpirits of alt pfh % will refresh the fpirits of his owne people; For if fome few good Chriftians m comforted Pauls fpirtt, ftiall not Iefus Chrift comfort bet- ter the fpirits of his feruants* hee will change their blacke colour j and makethem ll bright as the Morningjfiire as the jAoone,pure as the Sunne, terrible as an Armie with banners. 8 Chrift will preferue his owne from the ve- nomeandpoyfon of finne, which worfe then wine 3 o in the end thereofit will bite like a Serpent, and hurt like a Cockatrice. % he will alfb bep an hi- ding place from thewinde^ and as a refuge for the tempeftot Gods wrath and indignation. 9, He ftayctb the bloodie courfe of our /piritual infirmitie, and when as the wicked q (ball be filled with drunkenneffe and forrow, euen with the cup of dejlruttiondnddef&Ution, he will grant vntovs, for to be children r of the day, and to befeber. io Chrift will make the righteous S gladwith theioy of his countenance, and purchafe vnto them thefauourofthe Almightie, . 1 1 H? (hall be to his people * their force jheir Jlrength, and their refuge in the day of affltttion^ he will adorne them with all comely vertues and honeftie. C 3 12 He 13 h 'lJohi.ij 4 k i.Cor,i*. 7- To the Turkeis. 1 Num. 17.15. m i.Cor.i*. Cant.tf.p, S. To the Agate. °Prou.23.32. Pira.32,:, p. To the Hematite. nh 3 much more greater light 9 he may fend \ a //git frcmheauen pafsing thebrtghtneffc of the Sunne* Chap. I. Of Chrifts Excettcmie* Sunne ^ihc Sunne ihineth not in all places; not indarke dungeons; nor at all times; not in the night feafon; but Chrift giueth light to his bwne in an obfcure prifon, as vnto Peter ; Their g Sunne frail ncucrgoe dewne, neither /hall their Mtone be hid $ for the Lordjlullbe their euerlaHing light } and the dayts of their forrow jlall be ended. Thenaturali Sunne helpcth and comforteth by the light thcreof 5 thofe only who haue feeing, and cleere eyes ; but the borne blind hath little pleaftire thereby: but the' Sunne of righteoufnejje^ that ^true light which light eneth euery man f hath power to * open the eyes of thofe that arc borne blwd t their ™eyesjha/lbe lightned , and their vnderftan- ding illuminated. 2 / The « Sunne covmeth forth as a Bridegroom e, out of his chamber \ andreioyceth like a mightie man to runne his race ; his gsing out ) is from the end of theheauen, andbistompajje is vnto the ends of the fame , vfing wonderfull celeritie with an excee- ding fwift motion, fo that (asfbmethinke) in the (hortfpaceof anhoure, hepafleth tvvohun- dreth leuen thoufancf miles (1 take them to be Dutch miksj becaufe a German affirmeth the fame* But Iefus Chrift, who in refpe&of his God- head is euery where, and prefent in all places, yeteuenin hisblefledbodie, he will come farre more fwiftly then the Sunne mooucth ; for in a ihorttime, ? in a moment^ inthe wwcklir.gof an eye , at the lali trumpet , from the third heauen, pfrom the right hand of the throne of God y he will defcend 15 sAa.12.7. Mfa.tfe.10. Hddfeidim in Spiting, cap. 3. % witndo* *i. Cor. if. r^- 16 r Ptal.70.i5 f lo(h.To. t$. « 2. King, to. it* u Ma.th.a7.4f. x lob 9.7. Scif. Macrob.Sa. tnrnd. lib. I. acap.iy. ad cap. 24. Scribtm* Phyf.hb.i dt pUnctis. Chap.I. Of Chnfls ExceHtncic. defcendvnto this ayre, and his owne feruanrs then remaining vpon the e^rth, they fliall be all changed,and all faued, dux, prin- ctps, & moderator luminum reliquorum y The worlds tninde, the heauens heart, the guide, the principal!, and the Moderator of the reft of the lights- Alfo it was the Author of the earths fer- tiiitie, that it brought all cornes to maturitie; And fome affirme , That all the Idoll gods wor- shipped by the Pagans, were no other thing but the Sunne only ; that they all (although many) rchearfed by Macrob'm might be referred to the Sunne onely, which he taketh to prooue at length with fundry reafbns. Yea Scribonius himfelfe faith, Soleft c dor is fe facultatis vitalis vniuerfafcaturigo^ That it is the well-fpring and fountaine of heate, and of all liuely facultic. Yet notwithftanding, the Sunne is but a crea- ture. Chap. I. OfChajis Excellence. ture, fubieft to thecooimandemcntof Chnft 5 by infinite degrees infenour to our bleffed Sauiour, in glory and excellencie , no waies to be compa- red with him ; Who is*tbebrigbtneffe of bis Fa- thers glory , and the ingraued forme of his Ferfon, bearing v$ all things by his might ie Word^ *> The King of kings ^and Lord of lords , c with him is the well of Life, and in his light Jh a U we fee lights he who is the true way to life , will & flew it ^oodfor vs to draw neere to him $ as when we x rtfift the dwell 5 he will flie from vs , fo when we draw neere to God, he wtO draw neere to vs. Now we fhould a Seeke the Lord while hemay he found, and callvpon him whtle he is neere. Befides this, Chrift is more excellent then the heauens, feeing he is more ftable and permanent, for b theyfhallperifl), but he {hall endure : they (hdll all waxeold as doth a garment^ and as a vejlure they f hall be changed , but he is the fame for euer^and his y ceres (hall not faile , yea the children ofhisfer- itants (hall continue } and their fedejhallfiand fall in his fight. Fourthly, Albeit c Cod hath made man a little lower then him f elf e^ and hath crowned him with glorie andworjhip^ and hath made him to haue domi- nion in the Tporkes of his hands , and hath pit all things vndcr his feete^ all fbeepe and oxen, yea and the beafls of the field, thefouks of the ay re, and the fifh of the Sea , and that which pajfeth through the pathes thereof giuing vnto him exceeding pre- ferment, to dfabdue the earth.andto rule ouer other creatures. The * learned obferueth ten preroga- tiues granted to man, ye: he is very farre inferior to Iefus Chrift , in refped of whom 9 Abraham himfelfe is e but duft andafhes^Mofsis a f fermnt, D 2 lob r Mich.7-I4- f Ifa.40.il. IfflN * Iam.4. 7 • b Pfal.ior %6; Chriftmore excellent then man. c Pfal.8.j,(J, 7,& a Geo. 1. 28. * Partus in Genejin. « Gen.18.27. 20 S ioo $,. J/ 1 i Nab,3.x;. kPftf.«.& > Ifa.4i.H- m lob if, f. n Ifa. 40. 15, Chap. I. O/ cA/v/7/ Excellencie. Chrift is. more ex- cellent then the Angels. o Hcb.1.4,5. P Ifa.tf.^. ^Luk.2.14, fob is 3 Vflty h Abhorring himftlfe, The * rfcV/i G*£- i tines and proud Princes of rhe great Nineuc are but Locufts and as the Grafhoppers , which flic away, and their place is not k.^owne where they arc, yea David'* is aworme, 1 Jacob is a worme^ feeing the m St ay res are njncleane in Chrifls fight jbow much more man aw or me, even thefonneofman t which is but a vvormc Il Behold all nations before him, are as a drop of a bucket^ and are counted as the duf of the balance, they are as nothings and they are coun* ted to him leffe then nothing and vanitie^ Hebrin- geth the Princes to nothing, and mtktth the Judges of the earth as r all 21 Alcimm a Hit. ttb. 4, Matth.4.11. f Luke 12.43. t Colof.2.10- "Coiof.Mf. Vfe. * Luke 2, j s, a Reuc. 1 $,;[<<, b Ha.p.(5. c Ephc(.i.2i, *PMK^.»; zz i C h a p. I. of Chrifts Excellencies * Fhiii.r.ii. f M«ltth.l$.l6 Petrarch, dial. 3 7. g Pfal.itf.f . h P(ai.73.2y. all things to bee lojfe and dung, for the excellent knowledge fake of lefus our Lord \ that wee may win Chrisi^Who is to vs both in life and death advantage. Wee ihould account him our chiefe treafure, our onely ioy, our raoft precious f Pearle of great price. We rcade that a Romane Senatour called No- nius, did poflfefTe a very rare and precious iewell named Opalus 5 Antonim one of the Triumphers hearing of the beautie thereof, had a very great defire to obtaine the fame, being then in the pride of his power- becaufeofa refufall,he con- cealed fuch hatred and indignation againft the pofTeffbur, that in the terrible fire of thatpro- fcription, heeadiudged him to death. ButA^- nius to keepe his iewell, fuffercd banifhment, I Ha falua nuUa ei patrimonii, velpatrU cur a erat, cum ilia paratm exulare &■ mendicare, ejr ad extremum meri : His Pearle being fafe , hee had no care of his patrimonie, nor of hisnatiue Countrey, being ready with it to bee banifhed, to beg, and atlalftodie. What then fhould wee fuffer for Chriftes caufe? What eftimation fhould wee make of him, who is our onely s portion, our inheritance, the God of our fa/uation ? Let euery one fay vvirh the Prophet, h whom banc I in Heiuen but thee $ and I banc de fired none in the ea'th but thee, My flejh faileth and my heart alfo\ hit God is the jhength of my heart, and my portion for eucr, hce will guide mee by his \ coU'fcU y I C h a p. I. Of Chrifts Excellencie. council, and afterward receiue wee to glory. ' Miferable is the madnefle of many men, con- temning and defpifing him who /> fo pretiotts, and excellent-, he a/as* is dejptfedan&reiecled, me hide as it were our faces from him, wee ejleemed him not) who hath borne ourfinnes, who hath car- riedour forrowes y who was wounded for our tranf grefstons. If the Captaines with their fifties * were burnt with f re from heaven, becaufe they mifregarded Eliot, if the 1 little children were rent in pieces with Beares becaufe they mocked Eltjha, if m the i^Amonites Citizens of Kabbah were put vnder piwes, and and who is King of Peace andRighte- ottfnejfe. A good earthly King is mod neceflarie, ^Hee is the light of the people, A he is the breath of their nofiriles, hee is the life of the people, ^ Worth ten thoufindofbisfitbieffs,yea. the very Ethnikes^ who were deftitute of the light of Gods word, granted this : for the Macedonians affirmed, that they all liued by the fpirir, or life of their King ^Alexander. Where there is no King in a Countrie, it is manifeft by proofe of holy * Scripture, and by lamentable experience , that infpeakeable hurt and calamine befalles that Countrie • then there is no good order, ordecencie, butdiforderand confufion , there is little Godlinefle or Pietie, but Idolatrie and Abomination . little Trueth or Honeftie, but Robberie and Oppreffion- no Iuftice or Equitie, but Murther, Blood-fhed, and Defolation. If there bee a neceffitie of an earthly King, there is a greater neceffitie of our Heauenly King. I. To releeye and deliuer vs from the power of darkeneffc,to acquire and purchafe vsto him- felfe, who before remained vnder the thraldome offinne and Satan. Iefus Chrisl f the Some of God, who for this purpofe appeared, that he might dijfolue themrkes of the Diuell^ § And gaue himfelfefor vs, that he might redeeme vsfrom all iniqttitie^ and purge vs to be a peculiar people to himfelfe^ jealous of good j ___ E workes. 25 fcHeb.7.2. c a.Sam.21.17 d Lam.4.2o. e i.Sam. 1 8.3. sJWacedo- nes few nes vnipu -Altxandri Spiritumri* turn viuere fiffirmabant.- Curtius lib. 9« cap. 5. *Iudg.i7.thcn the good and com- moditic of thofe whom they fubdue : But Chrift hath a greater regard- to our welfare and eafe then to his owne, 2. Other Conquerours in their conquering, proceeded not fo farrc as they intended, neither fubdued all thofe people whom theydefired to fubdue. But it is not fo with Chrift, *> To whom is giuen the ends of the earth for hisfoJJ'efsion^ he acquires to him, whom, and when he plcafcth. 3. When Conquerours vfuaJJy did acquire Kingdomes and Dominions, it was by the death of ftrangers or enemies : But Chrift,tiewas con- tent to flied his owne precious blood } and by his owne Death, to bring life to all them that beleeue in him 5 for * hee hath pnrchafed the Church of God with his owne blood. 1 1. Our King when he hath releeucd vs from the oppreffion and dominion of ftrong Enemies 5 he isvery neceflarie to defend vs,who are weake andinfirme, but k Jtrongin the Lord, and in the power of his might 1 he muft defend andpreferue vs, from the old Dragon who is * wroth and mahth warre againftnjs continually , and mali- ciously affaults vs, labouring earneftlyf by all meanes, againe to bring vsinto thraldomeand rniferable bondage, andfo tpendlefte parneand damnation* III. To Chap. II. ChriJlmoftnccejfaryfor that hee was louing to hisTubieds , Solus omnium principium fine ciuili fanguinefuit. He often times repeated that faying of Scipio, that hee rather defired to faue one of his owne Subie&s 3 then to kill a thou- fand of his Enemies : yet out of queftion, he loft fome of his Subie&s in his warre againft the people Chap. II. Chrift moft nee e (far ie for vs. people of Dacia, and in repreffing fome of the Gcrmanes, But Chrift fafely preferues all his feruants, l none of them will bee lott, and hee deales moft li- berally & bountifully with them, m forhegiueth all things to them, n when he a fended vp on high, he led captiuitie captiue, and gaue gifts vnto men. Chrift, ° who gaue himfelfefor vs, will not denie vs any thing profitable for vs. Chrift is moft vnlike the Ernperour Mauri- tius , who being auaritious, would beftow no money nor ranfome for the redemption of his Chriftian fouldiers, who therefore were cruelly killed by Caganm. But our moft liberall King, p Hath bought vs with a great price, '<\ and we are redeemed, not with corruptible things, as filuer and gold, but with the pretiou* blood of his chrijl,as ofaLambe vndefled and without jp ot 9 Chrift is a wonderfull King, for Death did not put an end to his reigne and gouernmenr, as it doeth to all other earthly Monarches. Hee is an eternall King,* Now vnto this our King, euerlaffing, immortall, inuifible, vnto God oncly wife, be honour and glory, for euer and euer^ <^Arnen. Seeing then Chrift is fuch a great King, a Who would not feare him tf the King of Nations, who is great in power, and to 'whom appertained the do- minion for euer : we fhould b feare him, which is able to de/lroy both foule and body in hell, wee c his Saints Jhould feare him, for nothing wdnteth to B 3 them 29 1 Ioh.l7.l2. n Ephe.4.8. °Tit.2. M / p l.Cor/.lo. 9 1 .Pet. 1.1 8. Chrift our King. r i.liin.M7. Vfi. * Iere»io./. b Mat. 1 0.23. 30 « x.King.i. 40. f Pral.97.1. si.Pcct.if. h 2.Cor.3.il Luk.2.J2. k Iok.i5.27. 1 PfaL ^9. m Pfal.i^j. Chap. II. Chrifkmoft necejfary far vs. them th At fear e him, the Lyons doe lackc and fuffer hunger, but they which feeke the Lord (hall want no- thing that is good. Seeing Chrift is a mod wife King, &Lct all the children of Sion reioycein their King. If the people of the lewes came vp after Salomon their King, and reioyced with great toy , fo that they range with the foundof them when he was annointed^ What great and vnfpeakeable caufe of ioy haue the true fub- ie&s of Chrift to reioyce in him the Lord of the whole earth t f The Lordreigneth , let the earth re- ioyce^ let the multitude of the lies be gt W. Seeing Chrift is a mod holy King, wefhould ftudie with an earned endeauour, 8 So to be holy in all manner of conuer fatten^ as he ti holy. Men na- turally do imitate the manners of thofetharare in place of eminencie and authoritie. The ex- ample of the Prince is the greateftprouocation todoegoodoreuill. Et Domini mores Ctfirianus habct. If we be followers of Chrift, k and be changed into the fame image . i as our King increafed in wtfe dome ^ and in ft u our with Cod and men^ So (hall we obtaine the fauour of Ged^ and of good men^andincreafe therein. It is certainethat k the father himfelfe willloue vs, becaufe we lone chrift. And the Lords Saints will be of that difpofirion that holy Dauid was of, 1 Ashe hated them with an vnfained hatred, as his vtter enemies that hated the Lord : So he loued ardently all thofc that lo- lled the Lord, m Ins delight -was in them. . The Chap* II. Chrift mott neceffaryfor vs. The Perfians , becaufe of the vertues of their KingCyrus, andbecatife of the benefits which they receiued from him, did nor only afFe& and reuerence bimfelfe, butalfofora long time after his death, they Ibued all thofc that were like to him in countenance. Christians will not only loue their gratious King the Lord Iefus,but alfo thofe they will loue and tender, who are transformed into his glo- rious image. Is cur King fo louing.fo liberally fo wonderful! an immor tall King^we frould" fir ue him infeare, and reioya y in trembling, wefhould kiffe the Sonne le aft he be angry ^ and we perifhwhen his wrath (hall fud- denly burne. If weinfinceritie (hall feme him, and inhu- militie fubieft our felues to our gratious King, of fuch vnfpeakeable Princely loue and liberalitie^ we may be aflured that he will vphold, and de- fend vsag3inft all crofTes and calamities , for he will be vnto vs,° a hiding place from the ninde^and as a refuge for the tempeft , as rtuers of water in a dry place, and as thefhadow of a great rocke in a wearieland. Accurfed and vnhappie is the eftate of all fuch as fay , p We will not haue this man to r eigne ouer itt- for when he commeth againe, in great power and glory, he will fty, thofe mine enemies , who would not that ifh odd r eigne ouer them 5 bring hi- ther and flay before me. Bleffed and glorious is the condition of all, whofiaU q take his yoke on them, and who wil- | Hngly 51 Plntarchw in praceptis politic is, & Cattetiarifu de officio rem gU, lib. i. n Pfa.:.iT,ir Efa.$M. P Luk. 19. 14, & verfe 27. 9 Matb.11.29 3* r i.Pet f i. 4 . Chrifl: our high Prieft. a Heb.f.x. *> Hebj.ty. Heb.9.1*. c Numb, 16. * Numb. if. II. CrPfal, Chap. II. Chrili mojl necejf arte for vs. lingly fliall fubmit thcmfelues to his cafie and happie gouernmcnt , for he fliall befuchaKing to them, who (hall by his power deliuer and pre- feme them , by his wifcdome rule and gouerne them, by his holinefle be a Patterne to them, by his loue hec will checrifh and comfort them: His liberalitie fliall be conftantly, wonderfully, and eternally extended vnto them -he fhal beftow vpon them 1 an inheritance immortaUand vndefi- led 7 and that fadeth not, referued in beaucn for them. Iefus Chrifl:, a moft gratious high Prieft, a who is able fuffkiently tohaue compafsion on them that are ignorant andout of theway, b who is able alfoto faue themperfecllj that come vnto God by him, fee- ing he euer liueth to make intercefsionfor them. He is abfblutely moft neceflary for vs,when he, c -who by his own blood entre donee into the holy place and obtained eternali redemption for vs.) i. To appear e in thefightofGod for vs. 2. To reconcile k Come to me, learne of me, ye Jhallfinde reft to yottrfoules. Antisihenes a Philofopher, he faid to his fchollers, abite, paftefromme : Our blefted Matter is moft vnlike him, for hee is very willing and content to receiue all that in fin- ceritie and humilitie will come to him, hee al- lures all to come to him, that he may teach them \he way of their faluation, Fourthly, Chrifi: is a moft diligent Mafter, a Hee rifetb vp early * and fpeakes to his people . all the day long hee is content to inftruft them, yee in the night hee will teach them, h He will proone them, and fo vifit their hearts, c that theyjha/l re- member his Name in the night, and keepe hu Law, F 3 The 37 Laert. in vita Dio- genis. (Thrift our Doftour. a iere.7.13. b Pfali 7 .3> 1 Pfa.li5.55. 38 <* Aft.io. j i, c Rom.9.:J. f Rom.:. 4. sz.Kin.^P. h EpheU8. In vita A- rifto.Gua- rino vcro- nenfi Ah- therc. Chap. II. ChriH mo ft neceff arte for vs. The Apoftle Paul was earned:, and diligent to inftrufttheEphefians, For^by the Jpace of three yecrcsy hee ceajed not to warne entry one, both night And day with teares. Chrift, hee is a mafter of greater power and diligence, and very carneft to teach all Chrifti- ans the way to eternall happinefTe. Fiftly, Chrift is a mod patient teacher, for e // he fuffer with long patience, the veffels if wrath prepared to defruclion, will hee not fuffer with longer, and greater patience, the vefTels of mercy prepared vnto glory ? He is patient in teaching vs, that of our felues are indocile, that are vn- ruly, that are vnthankefull • but let vs diligently take head, Ieaft we f defpife the riches of his bonn- tifulnejfe^ of his patience , axdlong.fuffering. Sixtly, Chrift is a moft louing teacher, for hee not onely inftru&svs in the way of our faluati- on, but alfo he furniflieth,and beftovves vpon vs all things neceflary. Elijha was a louing mafter, it is certaine hee taught the children of the Prophets the know- ledge of God, further, g Henour fhed them that dwelt with him, when there was a famine in the Land. Chrift, h when he a fended vp on high^ he gaue gifts vnto men, the gifx of Knowledge, the gift of Prophecie, yea all giftes which wee inioy and poflefte • Food, P.aiment, Health, Riches, Honour, &c. It is written of Ariflotlc, that he greatly loued and affe&cd his fchollers and difciples, princi- pally Chap. II. Cbrift moft necef "arte for vs. 39 pally Callijihenes, and Theophrajlus . and fo great was his affection loCallifthenes, that for his fake hee fuffered the wrath and indignation of Alex- **der himfclfe. The ardent lone of Chrift toward his Difci- plcs is vnfpcakeable and admirable • he teacheth them, he nourifheth them, he hath fuffered the curfeoftheLaw, the heauie wrath of God, the torments of Hell, for the good of his Difciples that they may be deliuered • therefore hee giues them fufficient maintenance on this earth, and prepares an eternall Manfion of glory for them in the Kingdome of Heauen. Scuenthly, Chrift hee is an euerlafting Do- lour, heeeuerliueth to inftruft vs, and this re- doundes to the great profit and vtilirie of all his ;DifcipIes. How profitable and expedient was it to lehoajh King of Iudea^ that Iehoiada was his Praeceptor and inftruftour,/^* Iehoafh did that which was good in the fight of the Lord, all his time that Iehoiada the Frieft taught him : but Ie- hoiada waxed old^ and was full of day es^ and died • after the death of Iehoiada , the King and the Princes left thehoufe of the Lord God of their fa-* thers, and ferued G roues and /doles, and t^rath came vpon ludah and lerufalem, becaufe of their trefpajf'e. During the life timeof Iehoiada, while he taught him, lehoajh lived honeftly, but after this death he falleth to Idolatrie. Iefus Chrift hee faith truely of himfelfe,k^- hold I am altuefor euermore^ Amen. Heliuing,in- ftru&s vs 3 which is for our exceeding good, I For *.Kin.i2.». k Reud.i.l8. 40 i Pfal.ji.8. Vfi. ' m Mat. 11.29. n 1. Cor. 1. 30. « ITa. J. j. Chrift our Phifition. *I&.6i.i. b Ifa. 1.^. Chap. II. Chrijl mott necejfary for vs. 1 For he e rvilL inflrucl vs and teach vs in the way that we jhould goe, and mil guide vs vftth his eye continually. Seeing Iefus Chrift is fuch a Doitour, who by his wifedome will remooue , or cure our foolifhncflqby hispower,wiil fupplic our weak- ncflTej by his willingnefle, will helpe our vnto- wardneiTe; by his diligence, will amend our fluggidineiTe-by his patience 5 willbearc with our peruerfenefTe^by his loue, will he couer the mul- titude of our infirmities, and beftow vpon vs the riches of his mercies • and feeing he euer liueth to teach vs the way of our faluation, it is our duetie moft willingly to m learne of him, « who of God is made vnto vs wifedome, andrighteoufneffe, andfanclificatton, and redemption 5 and that wee may make the better progrelTe in his heauenly arid wholefome Do&rine, ° Come and let vs goe is the Fountaine of grace, wefliallcertainely find the trueth of his faying, c My grace is Efficient for thee h fufficient to amend, or to mitigate all our infirmities. Thirdly, Chrift is a moft louing Phifition, hee regards our health and happinefle, but feekes not our filuer, gold, or riches : Elijha freely hea- led Naaman of his Leprofie, f and refufed to re- ceiue a reward from him, Chrift, Jjee heales vs from the Leprofie of finne, alfo nee heapes his benefits vpon vs, and beftowes rich rewards vpon his vnworthie crea- tures • and to procure our health , Chrift was content to make the medicine of his owne heart blood : Fttfm eftfingukmedici, &faclumeft Me- dic 'amentum phrenetic*. Fourthly, Chrift is a moft humble Phifition, G S meeke 41 c Ioh.13.j8. d Iohn I.14. *.Cer.i2.p. f 2,Kin.y-l5. AugnHlib< f.cojttr*. htref. 42 il Aa.i0.j4. Plutarch, in Chap. II. Chrifl mejl necejfariefur retold that the plague of pe- ftilence.was comming, and did fend his difciples to hdpe andfupport thedifeafed. Our Phyfition he forewarnes vs of the wrath of God, and of his plagues, hcauerts and ftayes the ii&lgemcnts of God , that they doe not feize vpanvs, he worketh our health, he procures our reconciliation with God, and our eternall filia- tion. What thankfulneite fheuld wee (hew to hiavwith what honour fhould we adore him, how earncftly and willingly fhould wee follow him, praifing and worfliipping his glorious name for euer. IeftuChrifth who u the great Sheepheard of the flieept through the blood of the euerlafling couenant^ he is mofi: neceflarie for vs,i That he tmght gather together in one the children of God which werefcat- tered, k That he may feed them, and giue them peace ^ that the j may dwell fifely in the wilder neffe^ and fleepe in the woodsy now thefheepeofchrifispaflure are menjaith the Lord God. hcoh he was a good fheepheard, he fuffered great painesfor the good of his fheepe ; 1 In the day he was confumtdwith heate , and vfithfroslin the night ^andfieepe departed from his eyes, G 3 So 45 Plin. lib. 7. w/>. 37 . Chrift our Paftour. h Heb.l$. 20. k Bzecb. 34; l Gen 31,40. *6 54- Sara.17. ° Hcb. i».i. P Phil.2.8. iPfal.M.*. f i.Pct-5,8. n<* t Pfal. I7<5- 119. Chap. II. CAr/tf 0*0/? necejf arte fir vs. So m Mofes, when he kept the fbiefe oj r Iethro his father in law % he droue the floe he fine within the defart , to the end they might hauemore plentieof foode. Dauid was a ftrong and couragious fliecp- heard, for "whenalyon came andtookeafheepe out oftheflocke, Dauid went out after the Lyon and caught him^ and tooke it out of h* month ^ he fmote the Lyon/ndjlue him. The great Sheepheardof ourfoules is more painfull then 2acob, more carefull and prouident then Mofes , more ftrong and couragious then Dauid. Chrift he ° endured the crojfe, and fuffered con- tempt $ He humbledhimfelfejtnd became obedient to the death ^ q He maketh his Jheepe to reft in greene pasture, theyfhall not voant^ r He foHoweth the loft jheepe , he finds it, hslayeth it on ktsjhonlders with ioy % he carrteth it home. Chrift he is more ftrong then Dauid, he deli- uers vs from the diuell our aduerfarie , £Who a* a roaring Lyon walketh about continually i feeking whom he may dcuottre. Let euery one of vs confefle in finceritie, and pray feruently, faying, with the holy man of God, t / haue %one ajlray like a loft Jheepe, feeke thy feruantyjor I doe not forget thy commandewtnts* It is very imnifeft by proofe of continual! ex perience,thar there is an abfokite nea fficie of the foure elements for the maintenance of this oui earthly lifr, b t certainly we ftand in greatei n:ed of the Lord Icfus , tor the fuftenance and P^ Chap. II. Chriftmoflneceffarie for vs. preferuation of the fpirituall life of our foules. The dement of the Ayre refreflieth vs 5 it is the element of our breathing, and place of our Being. The Water femes to cleanfe and to waffia- way our fikhineffe^ andfor maayorher good vfcs. Fire or heate warmes vs , and prepares foode for the nourishment of our corruptible bodies. The Earth bearesvs, albeit, * It groneth w der ^j for the burthen of ourfinnes^ it nourifh- ethvs, and doth carry thorowthe fecret veines thereof, the water of the Ocean, farre from man/, it makes the fait and bitrer waters of the Sea, 10 be fweet and pleafant to vs. BurChrift is much more needfull for vs ; he doth refrefh vs withioy, with comforted with the light of his countenance, b In htm we haue pence,* in hrtowtlixe, weemooue, andh&ueoitr Be- ing 5 chnjl fiurgeth vs 5 d dnd wafhethvsfom our Jinnesinhu bloody he warmeth our Cold frozen hearts with the heate of his loue. f We who were al tints and fir angers from the co* > uenant of promt (e \ and we who were far feoffs Are made neere by his bloody we are ne more grangers nor forreiners^ but Citizens with the Satnts, and fif the houftjold of God. Yea,, g When the Ele- ments (hail melt &i$ heate, andthe edrthmth the workes that are therein fhaS bee burnt vp^ and the heauens jba/i pafle a&ay with a noyfe, and all things fhaU ft>TfeJ and to our Goi^ for he is very ready to forgtue. The foolifh Virgins fought Chrift, but vn- timoufly- r When the gate was Jhut, they cried^ Lord^ Lord^ openvntc vs, but hee anfwered verily I know you not. If wc defire the Lord necre vnto vs, that fo ti- moufly we may feeke him and findehim, our ioy and our treafure,tet vs labour to obtaine mel- ting and broken hearts,and fbrrowfull foules, be-' caufe of our grieuous firmes and hainous tref- pafles committed againft fo good a God, fo kinde and fo gracious a God for vs $ f The Lord will be neere vnto them that are of a contrite heart 5 and will fauefuch as be afflicted in jpir it. Fourthly , When we addrefle our felues to feekeChrift , let vs refort to the right place, and to the blefTed companie of the godly people: lohn hefaw c Chrifi in the mtdjl of the fenen golden candle fttckes , abiding with great maieftie, pow- er and glory. We fhould feeke Chrift in that p!ace,among thatfocietie, wherehepromifed to beprcfent,in theChurch,amongtheafIembly of the righteous. u Loe y lam with yon alwaics vntrM the end of the world. Fifthly, Seeing Chrift isfb neceflarie,it is our dutie to feeke him with holy feareand humility, as Jacob fought his fathers blefling ; he feared 3 least he fhould haue beene curfed^ withhumilitie and fearc he fought his bleffing. That happie woman Queene Eftcr, while fliee H was r Math.2f.11. fPfal. 34.18. RcttoM^. Math.*8.io Gcn.17.1a. >o b Efter^»i6. « Ioh.$.irf. d Ioh.1,47. ei.Thcir.^. 17. Bernard. Chap, If. chnfiwefl mcejfariefir *&± was to feck? her Ovvnriife, and rhc lifeof her people from her husband KtagMjBwww, re- membring her owne vm wort hindfe and indigni- tie, and beholding the Kmg his maieftfc and ^lo- ry, with preparation,feare, humiline and fafting^ (he came to rhc King., and made her humble Ap- plication to him, fhee round fauour in his fight, her requeft was granted vnto her. Thus weieeking lefusin holy fcaic,in humili- tie, wirh fading, with preparation • wee (hall finde him: we may draw neere to him while he holds vp the golden fceptcr of his mercy vnto vs. Sixtly, Let vs feeke Chrift in finceritie for his owne fake, to glorifie and honour his holy name- not as the carnall {ewes, who fought Chrift far their bellies, c That they might bcflled^ wherefore Chrift he reprooues them • but let vs withearncft ftudiefeeke Chrift, and labour to be like Nathaniel, d True ifradttes in whom ism guile^ fo Chrift fliall accept of vs. Seauenthly, If it bee profitable for vs to pray continually, it will bee profitable alfo to fcekc Chrift continually ; Cbrifli mtixitas fantlijicat niftramfiusvita inflruit mftramfius mors deftrmt wftram, Chrifts birth fandifies our birth , his life inftrucfts ours 5 and his death deftroyerhour death. Incaffum laborat in acquijitioxc virtutum qui cos alibi quam in cbriflo quant. In vaine doe any labour to acquire vermes, who feckethem in any other place then in Chrift. When we by the grace of God are dutifully cxercifed in feekine of the Lord Iefus , we may be 5* C h A p. 1 1 1. Of the Loue of Chrijl . be well affured to finde him , f whom our joule lo- j f Cant,i.*, uetb ,feeing it is his ownc gracious ^xamfts&Askc I g Math.7.^. And it (hill be giucn you^feeke and yefhatlfinde,euen Chrift himfelfc, who is of greareft excellencies 1 in whom there is fufficiencie of all good , to be j our King to deliuer vs, who naturally are in bon- 1 dage • to defend vs thac are infirme and weake of ourfelucs; togouemevs, who are vnruly . wee (hall finde him to be an high Prieft , to make in- terceffion for vs, who are guiltic; to reconcile vs to our God, who were his enemies; tobleflevs withfpirituallbleffings; we (hall finde him our Dodor to inftrufl: vs that are ignorant- our Phy- fition to heale vs that are difeafed 5 our Paftor to feed vs , who are moft indigent , to the great ioy of our hearts, to the erernall comfort of our foules, to our euerlafting happineffe. Chap. III. Of the Loue of Qhrifl. V r blefled Sauiour, fo excel- lent in his owne nature, fbne- cefiarie for vs, he is alfo moft louing and mercifull to vs. The vndoubted aflurance, and the firme perfvvafion of his great loue and ardent af- fe&ion towards vs , is the caufe of our vnfpeak- H 2 able r: 52 Chap, f 1 1. Of the Lone of chriB. a Pfal^o.f . bpfal.139. 17. Chrifts Looe. 9. Proper- ties. His Loue erernall. <* Fph 1.4. « Math.15.34 Eph.X.11. able ioy and confblation : Yea , the diligent re- membrance of this loue of God to his owne Saints , is the caufe oft-times of their wonder and admiration 5 *Q Lord my God^ thru haft made thywonderfullw n rkes fomany y that none can count in order to thee thy thoughts towards vs : I would declare } and (peake of the*n, but they are woe then! amablctoexprejfe. hHow deare therefore Are thy thoughts vnto met* O God ! bow great is the fun me of them I Jflfhould count them y they are moe then the f and : c who may be able to comprehend 'what is the breadth 3 and lengthy and depth 5 and height : And to know the hue of Chrifi which paffeth knowledge. If theinfinite loue of Chrift towards his owne cannot-be comprehended, how can it be fuffici- ently vttered or declared; Yet let vs remember for our comfort and inftruftion, that the loue of Chrift towards his Saints is eternall, grear, con- ftant, fweet, wife, ftrong, manifeft, anaturall loue r and a free loue. Firft Chriiis Loue is eternall , becaufc he lo- ued vs before the world was made, he d wkochofe vs^and^ prepared a kingdomefor vs before the foun- dation of 'the world 3 he alfoloued vs before the beginning of the world : But Chrift chofevs, and prepared a kingdomefor vs, before the foundation of the world. It is truedienhelo- ued vs before the world was madzfeuenhe loued vsy andpredeflinate vs to happinefjefrom all eternt- tie^ which worketh aU things after the counfeUofhis owne wiS y to his glory jo purfelicttie. Secondly 5- C h a p. 1 1 1. Of the Loue of Chrijt. Secondly, Chrifts loucis very great, hisaf- fe&ion wonderfull tender towardes his owne, g His eyes are vpon them, his eares are of en to their crie y his heart pittieth them, his hand helpcth them, hce deliuereth them out of all their troubles, hee will neuer forget them ^ k Can a woman for- get her childe ; though fhejhould forget, yet Chrtfi will not forget his Saints, fori he Jets them as a fealc vpon Ins heart, andafignet vpon his arme. His loue is more tender and ardent, then the loueof parents to their children ; * Though my Father and M ot her fhould for fake me, yet the Lord will gather me foeucr (lull attaine to rhit happi- nefR\ as once to inioy the lowe and fauourof Idus, bee mayfC€^«inely'bce^^aded 4 #fuer to loofe the iamv?- For a God is not as man tb it hee fiould repent^ b and the gifts *nd calling of God are without repentance^ c who jh all feparate vs from the lone of Chrifl, & hee will not breake tbt bruifed reed, nor quench the fmoaking flaxe, but bring foorth judgement in trueth, who e will fuf fciently bane compafsion on them that arc igno- rant, and out of the way. Dilexit nos ChriHws dulciter,fapienter,fortiter y dulciter quod carnem induit, (api enter quod cuL pam vitauit , for titer quod mortem fuftinuit. Chrift hath-Iouedvs Sweetly, Wifely, Couragi- oufly ; Sweetly, becaifc hee was clothed with our flL-fli- Wifely* becaufe hee efchewed our fault . Couragioufly, becaufe he fuffer.ed death, that 1 through the fuffering of death ? hy Gods grace he might toft death for all men. Chrift he loued vs Sweetly, when hee g being equall with God y tooke on him the forme of afcr- uant, hand was made of a woman^ i our Lord was mdde of the fcede of Dauid according to the flefb, k Without controuer[ie. } great is the myfferieofgod- lineffe, which is Godmanifefledin thefltjh,wfttfied m the Spirit, feene of Angels, preached vntothe Gentiles, beleeuedon in the World, and rectiued vp in glory. Is qui fectrat hominem , faclm eft quod feci i^ neperiret, quod fecit faffus eft, homo fuf cipienio, quodnon erat, nonperdendo qnodcrat. Hee who made 55 a Mum. *?. 19 b Rom.11.29. c Rom. 8-2*. d Efa.423. 4' His louc Sweetc. Berti.fupe? Cam.fcr.20 f Heb.2.4, S Phi!. 2. 7. h Gal. 4* 4. 1 Rom. 1.5. k i.Tim.3>f6 ■dtgufi* 56 ■ Hebr. j.i. m i.Kin.u.30 <>Phil.t7- His loue Wife. PrPct.2.22- if he looked vp to the Serpent of braff'e, he recoueredandliued. So Iefus Chrift * became the feme cf man, that whofoeuer Chap. III. Of the Lout of Chrift. whofoeuer beleeueth in him jhould not perijh y but haue eternall life. He was clad with our nature, but not polluted with finne, being C the holy Sonne ofGod^ con- cerned by the Holy Ghoft , borne of the Virgine Mary. Wee haue great comfort in this fimilitude,be- caufe Chrift being very God, is very man alfo in one perfon ; wee haue greater comfort in the diffimilitude, becaufe albeit Chrift bee man like vnto vs, yet hee is no finfull man as wee are ; but is holy, harmelefle, tthevndefiled LambeofGod without fpot, a which knew nofwne, that we Jhould be made the right eoufnejfe of God in him. Seeing the Sonne of God hath aflumed our nature^he is a fit Sauiour to fatisfie the luftice of his Father, for that tranfgreffion and fault com- mitted by man • for it is agreeable to reafbn,that becaufe man finned againft God, hee fliould ail- fo make fatisfaftion for finne. And feeing Chrift was free from finne, & the holy Son of God, not fubied to any iribred iin- pietie, that is a greater comfort for vs; thereby we may bee allured whatfoeuer Chrift fuffered, it was for our fakes ; b Bee was wounded for our tranfgrefsionsy hee was broken for our iniquities: the chaftifemem of our pace wts upon bim, with hisflripes we are healed ; and the Lord hath laid vpon him the iniquities ofvs all. Chrift ourmoft holy high Prieft, is not like the Leuiticall Priefts ; For c they were bound to offer forfmnes y af veil for their owne party as for I the $7 c Lok.i.j?. * i.Pet.f .19* * z.Cor.f.fti. b I6.J3.fi«- Heb.5.3. s* 4 Heb.?.i£. 6. His loue ftrong. c Ioh.ioi8 f i.Tim. mo de Chrifi ptjfiwe. g lCo .3?.?? 7* His loue manifeft. C h a p. 1 1 1. Of the Loue of chnft. the peoples, becaufe they were finfull like the people : But Chrift who is altogether free of fin, dtfath appeared once to put away fmne^ by theft- crifice of himfelfe. Chrift being without finne, is moft fit to make fatisfadjion for vs who are finners. Sixtly, our Sauiour loued vs Valiantly, be- caufe he fuffered death for vs 3 and that moft wil- lingly, not by conftraint or compulfion ; e No man taketh my life from me y but I (faith he) lay it dorvne of my felfe • / haue power to lay it downe, and to take it 'vp againe^ And fo *" hath aboltjhed death , and hath brought life, and immortalitie ^un- to light through the Gojpel. Quemadmodum infeHum animalculum cui no- men vejpa, cum impetit Petram, non earn [edit in- curft*,fed potiu-s perdit aeuleum y fic mors ^vthemen- ter falfa eflincurrens vitam^ qu^efl Cbrifius le- ftts, non enim potttit eum tenere mors, fed ipfa po- tins aculeum perdidit. Like as that trouble fome little beaft called the Wafpe, when it inuades a hardRocke, it hurts not the Rocke by that onfet, but rather loofes her fting : So death was greatly deceiued by fetting vpon life 3 which is Chrift Iefus • for death could not hold him, but rather loofeher fting; fothat Chrift fittcth triumphantly • °G death, where is thy fling f O graue, where is thy r oic~iory ? Seuenthly, Chriftsloue towards vs is mank feft and apparent, not an obfeure or hid loue $ it appearcs cleerely both by his words or ftilcs j which ! 59 h Cant;** ^1,94. y. k Deut^2.9. Mith.J*,$o C h a p. 1 1 1. (9/ the Loue of Chrift . which he giucth vs, and by his workes which he did for vs ; Chrift faith to the godly foule , h My Sifter, my Spoufe, my Loutjny Doue, my vndefilcd^ open to me, come to me • He calleth his people « his he- ritage, his^ portion^ the lot of his inheritance ; I He that toucheth them , touchetb the apple of the Lords ejit and Chrift when he is fpeaking of any , who j ' Zach.i.8 ™fhalldoehis Fathers mil, he faith the fame is my brother, myjifler^ and mother. All thofe ftiles which Chrift giueth to his owne, are louing and comfortable. So the workes which he doth to them, they are very pleafant and profitable. Pirft, He awakes vpon ourcomming to him, and expects vs a longer time then » Samuel did awaite for Dauid^ when he was to anoynthim King ouer Ifrael ; ° He [lands at the doore of our hearts and knockes^ if any man heare his voice, and open the doore y he mil come invntehim^ andfuppe with hiwu Gemina dulcedo fuauitatis exuberat in peftore Chrifli, longanimitas in expeftando , & facility in donando , Double fweetneffe of pleafure a- bounds in Chrifts heart, his patience, longani- mitie in a waiting for vs, his readineffe to giue gifts to vs. Secondly 5 When we haue wandred and gone aftray, and are as loft iheepe in the wildernefle of this world , he followeth vs , he feekes vs di- ligently while he finds vs , v he layeth vs on his jhoulders with i$y , and brings vs home againe in- to the (heepe-fold of his obedience. I 2 Thirdly, n I.Sam. 16. Rcu,3, 20. Bernard fupra Cant. p-Lufcif,j # 6Q r i.Ioh.j. 16. f Gal. 4.1$, I4« Ioflnif.17. b CoU.tf. C h a p. 1 1 1. Of the Lottc of Chr'ttt. *Pfal$7.24. d Pfal.l©3, c CoU.jj, 14. Thirdly, Becaufe he loued vs,he harh fuCereo much paine for vs, more then <\ \acobfuffredfor Rachel ; t Hereby haue weperceiued his loucjhat he lajeddowne his lift for vs, r end hath redeemed vs from the cur ft of the law, when he -was made a curfe forvs^ that through him the bkfsing 0/ Abraham might come vpon vs, that we might rccerue the pro- mi fe of the Spirit through faith. Fourthly, Because Chrift loued vs,. he hath fought valiantly to obtaine and purchafe vs to himfelfe 5 he hath fought more valiantly then ^OthnieU did for Achfah the daughter of Caleb^ whom heegat to wife, with a field, and with a blefling : But h ChriJl hath foiled the Principalities and Powers , And hath made a fhewefthem.openly^ and hath triumphed ouer them in the croffc. Fifthly, Becaufe he hath loued vs, he hath pa- tiently borne with our infirmities , and did not forfakevs when we did offend him- c Though tvefaff^ we jh all not be eaft off \ for the Lord putt ah vnder his hand-/ As the father hath compafsion vp- en his childrenfo hath the Lord co&paftion on them that feare him. Parents doe not reie&and defpife their difeafed and fickly children, but rather che- rifli them and beare with them ; the loue of Chrift is more ardent, who bcareth with our imperfe&ions, and healeth all our infirmities. Sixtly, e Chrift hath forgiuen vs all our trefpajfts, and hath put out the hand-writing that wasagainfl vs, euen he took out of the way that obligatw which was contrary to vs. Thus hedifchargeth vs of a raoft dangerous debt, hee cureth vs of a inoft deadly C h a p . 1 1 1. Of the Loiu of Cbrijt. deadly difeafe, he prefemes vs from a . noft cru- ell enemie* he deliuers vs from a moft darkc pri- fon,.he wafheth vs from moft filthy fpots. That happie woman did euidently declare her great loue to Chrift, while fliee <* did waft hisfeetowhh her tear es 9 and did wife them with her hatre % and kijjed them^andanmtedthem with oyntment* But this is a greater demonftration of Chrtfts loue towards vs, for that he hath wafhedvs vile and miferable finners with his owne blood, from the filthineflfe and pollution of ourfinnes, and zanoyntedour eyes with eye falue, that we may fee - y And f the anointing which we haue received from him dwelleth in vs, andteacheth vsAllthwgsnzcd- full for vs to know for our eternall (aluation. And as in loue he hath deliuered vsfrom the greateft euil^and hath difcharged vs of the woift debr$ fo alfo in his incomprehenfible fauour 3 he hath beftowed vpon vs the greateft good , and furnifhed to vs the moft pretious and durable riches. When z%Auguftu6 C*/2rhadof his owne ac- cord payed the debt of a Senator his fauorire, and had releeued him of that heauie burden,, he was therefore renowmed and greatly praifed • Yethedidnotbeftowa fufficient maintenance, whereupon his friend afterwardmight bane bin intertaincd , as he being aduertifed of that mat-' ter,did write to the Emperour, Mihimbil^ Thou haft giuen nothing to me. But Chrift as he hath releeued vs, of a moft troublefome debt, by making fatisfa&ion there- B±i I 3 of, J dluk. 7 .j8. c Rcuj.x8. f l.Ioh.2.a7. Macrobius, LztSatnrx* cap. 8i 62 h i«King.9.7- i Hcb.ix.l3. k Col.3.it. 'ler.fzjr. m Iofa. 1^.13. 1 C h a p . III. Of the Loue of Christ. of; fo further, hee will giue vs more pretious iewels, and more worthy rayment then t Eleazer Abrahams feruant gaue to Rebecca^ and h a better inheritance the Dauid gaue to Mephibo[heth:yQ2 y » He witlreceiue from him a kingdom* which cannot hejbaktn , but remnineth with vsfor euer. So we may fay, k chriflus nobis omnia & in tmwbns, Chrift is all to vs, and in all things. This was a true fignification of the Ioue of Euilmerodach King of Babel, toward Iehoiachin King of Iudah, for that 1 he lifted fcmtimes were plared for a great number , at other times for a fmall number (for in old times,mcn vfed to make theiraccompts with their fingers, as now they doe with counters:)fo the friends of Kings, while they inioy the fauour of Kings, they may doe great things to helpe themfelues and others^ but when they are in difgruce with their Prince, they may doe very little for their own releefe. It is better therefore to truft in the Lord, « Then to haue confidence in Princes • his fauour is fteadfaft, and permanent-, hee himfelfe is ahvayes prefent with his owne , * To helpe in time of need e. Iacob a louing father; y Hee louedlofeph, <*nd made him a coate of many colours, but hee could not continually bee prefent with him, to haue defended him from the enuie and fury of his brethren. Danid a' louing Prince, and well minded to- wares 73 z.Samj.io b Pfal.9i.Ij. c Rom. 8. 28. Rom, cap.8. Chap. III. Of the loue of Chrift . wards ^Abner^ * vnto whom hee made afeajl, yet he could not eucr accompanie him, to faue him from the fword ofloab, but whom God fauours hee will at all times bee prefent with them, *> He will bee with them in trouble, bee willdeliuer them and glorifie them. Secondly, if wee loue Chrift, c Wee knew that all things worke together for the beji vnto vs • the troubles,afflicflions,and calamities of this life will j worke to our good,, This they doe not of their ] Martyr in owfie ftrength or nature, but by the appoint- mentof God : for if earthly Phifitiotis can fo; temper poifbn by their art, that they will make it to procure the health of a mans bodie 5 It is no merueile although the moft wife God, fo temper our crofTes and all our afflictions , as to make them to redound to the weak and profit of thofe who loue him. Thirdly, if wee loue Chrift, we (hall be be- Iouedof him, and & furely hee will giue reft to his beloued . after our paines, trauell,and miftrie,we fliall inioy peace, reft, andtranquilitie. Naomi zfaid vnto R nth, my daughter jh all I not feeke reft for thee, that thou may eft projper : Chrift will fay vnto thatibule that loueth him, I will feeke reft for thee, that thou mayeft profper eternally. Fourthly, S he that loueth me (faith Chrift) / will loue him y and)hcwmy ownefefe vnto him^ yea hee will giue his owne felfe vnto him, for the price of his redemption, hee will purge him, honour, and bleffe him. Let g vs walke in loue^ euen as Chrift hath loued L vs> d PfaI.I27i*« Ruth, j.i. f Iohn 14.24. Vfe. 74 I C h a p. 1 1 1 L Chrisis free Loue, h Rcuc*i # ;« Reuel.3.17, vsj.ndhatb gintn himfelfefcr He made man in his oww image^ccord'mg to his owne likene(Te,& in rieteoufhes, and holines, «vfySOTc«/*orwffK«*ft*9«*, man was the image & workemanfhip of God. Exem- plumque Vet quifque eft in imagine parua, euery NazMnz.* one is the example of GodinafmaIlimage$ fo AUmL we were all at the beginning, but wee did not a- bide in the (late of our creation 5 wee loft our happinefTe by our owne finne and defe&ion, and fowee became weake, mortall, vile, vnhappie, finfull, and miferable in our bodies, foulcs, and inoura&ions. Our bodies c *re duft and earth, taken out of the earth, and which jb all returneagaine thereto : Corpus materia eft malttr^ our bodie is a matter of naughtineffe, Corpus eft jkfevi- fiblc carion, a portable fepulchre : thebeginning of our body is filthinefTe,the perfection thereof is weakenelle, the end thereof is rottennefTe. It is called fascus fiercorum, efca vermium, a facke of filthineffe, a baite and food of the wormes. The foule of man much more pretious and excellent then the body : when we confider the faculties, and the beft ornaments thereof, wee may foone perceiue them (as they arc meerely 1 naturall ) to bee exceedingly defaced and de- 1 L 2 praued ? The mifery ofthebody c Gen.3.19. Hilar ius. sAmbrofan Lucam. Auguft. lib* 2, confejf. Of the fade. 7 6 Plutarch, in moral. di.Cor.ft.14. Chap. Ill I. chrtfls fee Loue y M.Cor.3,7. f Ifa.47.10. s i.Cor.8t. h Icrc,422. iEccIes.1.18, The vanitie of the will. praued, in fo much that the reafbn and vnder- (landing it felfe (which is as needfull for our fafctie andtranquilitie, as the anchoreis to the Ship, and as pleafant and profitable to vs, as the Sunneisto the World ; without the Sunne, al- beit 3 there were other planets and Starres, there would remaine but darkencfle ; and without rea- lon, albeit, there were orherfenfes and powers, there would remaine but bruitifhnefte. This our vnderftanding is firft obfeured and darkened • d So thai the naturall man, perceiueth not the things that are of God, for they aye fooliflmcjfe to him : Secondly, it is fo feeble and weakened 3 that all the trauels and labours of the wifeft (without the affiftance of Gods holy Spirit) cannot in- creafe the light, the knowledge and the ftrength thereof ^ e Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither heethat water eth, hut God that gineth m- creafc : Thirdly,it is fo corrupted and vitiate,that it would f deceiuevs, and caufevs rebell againft God, with thofc Babylonians ; g // would puffe vs vp, and not edifie vs • h It would make vs wife to doe euill, but haue no knowledge to doe well, yea, the beft efreft thereof would be trouble and vex- ation 5 i For in the multitude of wifedome is much grtefe^ and he that tncreafeth knowledge increafeth foryow. Such then being the vanitie and miferie of the vnderftanding, how great is the vanitie, and mi- ferie of the will, and of the affe<5iions, which ought to bee gouerned and directed by the vn- derftanding. The C h a p. 1 1 1 1. to miferable man. The will of man fo differs from the will of i God, as the Ionick Idiome or Language, which Ms inlarged, differs from the Atticke Idiome, which is contra&ed. It is Gods will that wc conteine our felues within the limits of reafon, but our will is to paffe ouer and tranfgreffe the bounds appoin- ted by God 5 yea, our will is direct contrary to the Lords will 5 his will,is holy and heauenly,our will is wicked and earthly • k The will of God is goody Accept Able andperfett . our will is euilJ, per- uerfe and imperfeft. It is the Lords will, 1 That we be holy in all man- ner of life and conuerfation^ as be which hath called Teach me O Lord to doe thy will, for thou art my God-, let thy good Spirit leade me a»;rof. Pind. p Gen.6?, ^Rom.^.i?. Innocent? Chap. 1 1 II. Chrifts free Loue, ring the fight. Thefe arc like the poifonable cup of Circes ) that fuddenly transformed men: Thefe are to vs naturally, as the Nations and Ca- nanitcs were to the Iewes , * afnareand deflruffi- onto'vs^ asarvh/ponourjides^ and t homes in our eyes, withdrawing vs from doing good , vrging vs to doe cuill , fo to bring vs to miferie and wretchednefie. Seeing then fuch is the condition of the body and foule , m furely euery man in his be ft eft ate , is altogether vanitie y « the chiefe men are Hers : to lay themvponaballance^ they are ° altogether lighter thenvanitie^ °they areas a dream c , and as the fhadow of a dreame^a fhadow is a vaine 3 a weake, a darke, and a backeward thing, fleeing from the Sunne 3 and from the light 5 when the Sunne is in Eaft, the fhadow enclines to the Weft,and when the Sunne is in the Weft, the fhadow tendeth to the Eaft : So in man there is vanitie , weakncffe, darknefTe, peruerfenefTe, and backwardnefTe, a rebellious and deceiuing heart, declining and de- parting from the liuing God. If then the fountainc be bitter,the water flow- ing therefrom,can not be fwcet $ if the tree be e- uill, the fruit cannot be good 5 If a man befo peruerfe and corrupt , So p that alltheimaginati- ons of the thoughts of his heart be only eutll continu- ally-^ his anions and deeds will be as his thoughts, wicked and vicious, q There is none then, who of himfelfe, by his owne nature (the Apoftle fpeaketh trulyj that doth good , no not one . But Agtt praua, quibm offendit Deum, offenditproxi- wurn, Chap. III*, to miferable Man. mumvffendit (rtpfum, agit turpia qui bus poUuttfa- warn, poll '.at per fonam , polluit confckht am^ agit vaaa quibus negligtt vtilia, neoligit necejjaria , fit tibus ignis qui femper ardet & wit , inextinguibi- lis^ e(ca vermis \qui femper rodit fe comedit immor- talu- y ma(faputredtnis % qu£ femper fee tet ejrjirdet : A man doth wicked things, wherewith he of- fends God, he offends his neighbour, he offends himfelfe^ he dcth filthy things, wherewith hee dcfileth his good name, he defilethhispcrfon, he defileth his confeience 5 he do:h vaine things, whereby hee negle&s profitable and necefTarie things; hee becommeth the foode of an vn- quenchable fire, which is euer burning and con- fuming, a baite of a neuer dying worme, which is euer gnawing and deuouring, a very maflecf rottenneffe, that at all times is filthy and (linking. *He that will plow iniquitie and fowewickedneffe, jhallreape the fame, with tkebUfl of Godhcpenfk- tth, and with the breath of his nojlrhils heisconfu- med. All mankinde is fubie<5l to a three-fold miferie, according to the iudgement of an Ancient. Firft, we are readily feduced. Secondly, we are vnable to obey God. Thirdly, we are weakeandin- firme to refi&tentations. if we would difcerne betwixt good and cuil! we ate deceived ; if we affay to doe good, we are foone wearie of well- doing- ifwepreafle to wirhftanueuill, we are aft downe and vanquifhed 5 * Our iefirnciion is o\ our felues , our hdpe avd delitterance is of God, axdinhim. M Further, 81 Iofc 4«8- Bernard ferm*$. Hor.13.9, 8i Bernard. xPfaLno-S- "Zcph.M. *Aa.r.<. yIo6.$.f. a Ioh.\i3. b 2.Cor.3.;S. d i.Cor.3.16* e J.Tim, t. 10. Chap* 1 1 1 1. chrifls free Loue, Furchcr,thc remembrance of the place where we haue bin,where we are pre(ently 5 and whither weegoe naturally , may bean occafijn to (hew to vsour bafenede, and to aggrauate our wrct- chedneflTe. ConfidtrA ne nst of bloody nor of the iril/oftheflcfh, but of Go J, \\ ho is our Father in Chrift,and nejhallbeb changed in- to the fume image of the Lord, from Glory to Glcry^ at by the Spirit of the Lord ; he will make vs his 1 owne habitation- He z will come in wto-vs^ fuppe wtth vs, we flail be d the holy Temple t in whom his Spirit dw&Ueth 1 Hee will make 1$ , e veffels of g^d and fitter appointed to honour ; and > Ephcf.z.j. 1 Eph.6.6. CoU|.i. C h a p. 1 1 1 1. /* miserable Man, \ 83 aHl our members as weapons of right eon fnc(]e and thou f [halt haue no thought far the flefcto fulfill 'the lush thereof \ but /halt be « a fol- lower of God, as a deare chitde in all thy anions, andwalkein loue with chrifip denying out of the Citie, and » /00/v /A* /iw Z/0# .• Are wee not more obliged vnto thtr goodnefle of Iefus, who hath caft out of vsfo many diuels fpi- ritually, as hee had "call: out of Mary Magdalen bodily, and hath taken to him our heart, to bee his habitation. That renoumed man Trafybulus , deferued well of the ^Athenians > who droue out of their Towne, thirtie Tyrants mifeiably oppreffing the Citizens, and made a Decree of obliuion, and forgetting of all wrongs, neucr to be remernbred among them, and fo reftored great peace and tranquillitie vnto his owne people. But much more better hath Chrift deferued of vs , who will fend his holy Spirit to deliuer vs : Rifi^from the Jpirifof bondage, and caft out the foule fpirit with the vncleanc lufts thereof, and giue to vs P the Spirit of life : fecondly, the Spirit of vent ie : thirdly, the q Spirit of graced- fourthly, the * Spirit of prayer and compafston • fiftlyi* new Spirit ^t hat wee die not : fixtly, the f Spirit of adoption : fc- uenthly, the c Spirit of vnder (landing : eightly, the" Spirit of wtfedome and conn fell: ninthly, the Spirit of knowledge and (Irength to quicken vs, to teach vs, to beautifie vs,to make vs feme our God in newnejfe of fpirit , to ftrengthen vs , to giue wifedometovs, to guide our feet in the way of of peace and rightcoufnelTe, fo to couer vs with his innocencie, That the Lord fball not remember the finnes of our youth, neither our rebellions ; x But his onely tender mercies and louingkindneffe , eucn for his goodneffc fake* The Chap. V. to his owne t The operation of this holy (pirn is principal- ly our fan&ification, from the which the fpirit is called, 3 the fpirit offancJtfication. And the effe&s and fruites of the holy Spirit, proceeding from the fanitification of the fpiric are fprcad into many branches : Firft, b to renew vs y cr to rvorke faith and conuerfion in Ifa.^io. rpfii.9i.if. z ira.48,17, At focus a fiammis & cjHod fouet omnia di- e Mat, 7.25* *ColoC3-z. |?hiLl.*7, Chap. V. Chriji g tieth his Spirit. receiuc a greater benefit by Gods good Spi- rit 3 b Our light Jhall (pring eat of darkene(fe^ c We frail bee deliuered from the power of darken. (J e • e Light Jha/l bee fownefor el of Chrift, And that h wee h £phefj.i. mtj walke worthy of the vocation, ^hereunto wee i are called '. whofoeuer hath receiucd the Spirit | of Chrift, he will fay with Dattid, i VMo thee O * PfiU*i Z^, ///* Ivp my foule, euen vnto thee, k That is k Ifa. j/.ij. high and excellent, that inhahiteth eternitic, who dwelleth in the high and holy place. Our foule being lift vp vntoGodby heauenly contempla- tion, is then moft fure from the tentation and danger of Satan • as a fowle when (he flieth high in the ayre,remaineth then in greateft fafetie^but when (he abideth on the earth, is in moft ieopar- die, for there the fowler may catch her in the grin, and infhare her, the net couer her, or fome other inconuenience may ouertake her* So our iieart minding and afFeding earthly things conti- nually, is ofteft a prey to the enemie, who incef- fantly * comfajfeth the earth y andfo within it hwr teth whom he may deuoure. V. The holy Spirit, is as afire to kindle the feruencie of grace in vs, and to confume, and burne vp the drofle of finne; as gold caft into the furnace, it is fined and the drofle confumed : we are by the feruencie of the Spirit fined and bet- tered, our finnes are remooued, but wee our feluespreferued. m That Bufh which Mo/es (aw m Exoa,;$.* # in the WildernefTe, burned with fire and was not covfumedyhecmk the great Angel of the Coue- nant, Chrift, was in the Bufli : Although we bee kindled with an ardent loue to Gods glory, yet we (hali not bee deftroyed by the fire of that zeale . but our wickednefle thereby vrill bee ________ N 2 weakened, Jo&i.y, Chryfhom. i&inhkn 92 Gregory in hom. n Aa,28.$x. 2,Kin.iV£. p£xod.i7.^. ^Pfa.114,8. c Eifk.ij.if. f Pfa.i07»23 Chap. V. Christ gtueth his Spirit* weakened, and we our feluespieferued. Spirit™ fanffm, ideo in Unguis tgneis apparuit 3 quia omnes ffttos rcpknit ar denies par iter, & loquentes fee it ^ The holy Spirit, therefore, appeared in fierie tongues,becaufe it made all thofe whom it filled to be burning,and fpeaking-burning indeed with zcale of Gods glory 5 n Preaching the Kingdom? of God> and teaching thoje things , which c oncer ne the Lord lefts chrift. V I. As the fire hath power to melt mettals, and to foftenin Ibme meafurc hard yron z So the Spirit hath a more forcible power, to molli- fie and foften pur hard hearts : When lofuh heard the words of the Law , ° His heart did melt y and hee humbled himjelfe before the Lord. Whe did workthis.effcd in him? only the holy Spirit ; for as no waters could haue come out of theRocke, p vnleffeithad beene fmittcn, with the rod of Mofis^ at Gods commend : fo our hard hearts cannot bee foftned , till they bee- wrought vpon by the venue of Chrifts Spirit- That q God which turneth the Roche into water ppoles, and the flint into afiuntaine of water , muft by the power of his Spirit, change our hard hearts, Beemufi r takeaway the (tonic heart out of our bodies-^ and ( according to his promife) giue vs an heart offlejh. VII. * They that goe downe to the Sea in Ships 5 andoceupie by the great waters, haiie neede of a fire, or Beacon to bee a diredion for their fafe cntrie into the Port, at fundry places., and oftentimes : So in Pharos in ./Egypt , at the comman- C h a p . V. Chrift giueth his Spirit. commandement of Ptolomeu* Philadelphia 9 and by the Art of that cunning artificer Sofirates Gui- dius i a high Tower of white marble was built , vpon the top whereof were kindled fires in the night feafon, for the fafetie of paffengers in the right courfe to the hauen : But at all times, and in all parts, we haue greater neede of the light of Gods Spirit, that we may be euer guided > or elfe we taking and holding a wrong courfe, c as con- cerning faith, we may make shipwracke to our de- finition both of fouleand bodie eternally. VIII. The Philofopher affirmeth that fire is a great ten our to Lyons. The Dwell our adner- farf is as a roaring Lyon walking Abo fit , fee king whom he may deuoure, he moft feareth the Spirit, whom ifwe-poflefle and entertaine, being fted- faftin the faith, furely then we fhall be able to x rejiftthe Diuell^and he will flic from^vs. IX. It is knowne by experience, that houfes infefted with the plague of peftilence, are clean- fed by fire^arid the Lord ordained to purifie with fire all the prey, (Gold, Siluer Brajfe, Iron^) taken from their enemies 3 as polluted with their finnes- a that which might abide orfuffer the fire, they behooued to make it goe through the fire, that it might becleane. The Spirit of Chrift hath an in- ward purging power , to b make vs cleane through the Word of chrift, and to keepe vs infoule and bodie hkmelefe y vnto the comming c of our Lordlefm chrift* Now if that dwelling place be vnpleafant and vnheartfome, which in a cold and ftormie feafon, N 3 wants 93 Strab. I. 1 7. i.Tira.i, 19. (AffKlT^ TO TTVf ArifUtf. p. de hi ft. ani- mal. &* Horn, ar- dentefa fa- ces, qniu qmmttisfz- Miat, berret. u i.Pet.{.8. x lam.4.7. b Ioh.ij t3 . « j.Thefl'.j, 94 *LeM,i2« C h a p . V. Cbrift giueth his Spirit, Holy Spi- rit compa- red to wa- ter. f Ezech.47J, ? Ioh.4 14. There are vfes of wa- ter. Better vfes of the Spi- rit. wants the feruice and pleafure of a fire : Yea, God appointed, <* that fire fhottld eucrmort burnt vfon his Altar ^ neuer to he put out, neuer togoe out. Surely, that foule is more vnpleafant in the eyes oft he Almightie, thatwanteth the pretence of C hrifts Spirit- that foule will not be a habitation for the holy and bleficdGod; and if men will beftow great labour and expenfes , to prouide fire to burne in their houfes, (hould not we im- ploy the vttermoft of our power, and labour with moft earned endeauours , that the fire of Chrifts Spirit, may be kindled in our hearts. The Spirit is compared vnto water; Hoe euery one that thirjieth , let him come to the waters : thefe waters come not from the Ocean of this earth, but they £ ijfue out of the Lords Sanftuary , Chrift will giue vs this water , g he that dr/nketh thereof (hall neuer he more athirji 5 this water jhall be to him a well of water fringing *vp into emrlasiing life. We haue great neede of this corruptible wa- ter, it is very neceffary for vs. 1 . To wafh filthy things; without water many things would re- maine foule and defiled. 2* To giue growth to corne, hearbs, graffe; without (howers of raine they would wither, and neuer come to maturity nor perfection. 3. Plentie of water extingui- (hethfire. 4. Itwillrcfrefli and comfort weari- ed men trauelling in a great drouth. But the fpi- rit of Iefus is more ncceffarie to wafli vs from the filthinefle of our finne. 2. To make vs in- creafe in godlineile. 3. To extinguish the vio- lence Chap. V. chrifigiueth his Spirit. knee of our fide affeftions.. 4. To refreili and comfort vs , fighting againftiinne , Satan, and our ghoftly enemies. I. Aaron and his fonnes; h Were wa/hed with water, and then did put vponhim his Priejlly gar- ments^we muftfirftbe vvaflied from the polluti- on of our finnes, and then be * cloathed with that white rayment^ that our filthy nakedneffe doe not ap- pear* : The Spirit of Chrift doth thus purge vs from the filtbinefle of our finnes, and doth waffi our foules in a better fort, then water can cleanfe our bodies ; euen to wafli ^ our hearts from wic- kednejfe^ that t^e may be/aued- wherefore when Dauid defired of the Lord, that a J cleave heart fhoaldbe created within him, and that "a right Spi- rit (hottld be renewed 'within him, he thus prayed 5 Caft rnc not away from thyprefence^ and take not thy holy Spirit from me^ the holy Prophet knew well, that if the holy Spirit fliould be taken from him 3 then it were impoffible for himtohaue a cleane heart, and a right Spirit within him. 1 1. Corne, hearbs, and gra(Te,wiIl not grow without water, raineand dew- ^Canarujh grow without mire (faith lob) or can the grajfc grow without water ) though it were greene and not cut downe, yet /ball it wither. So in the daies ofdehab, n there wa* neither dew nor raine 5 ° when the heauen wasfiut three y ceres s and fixe moneths • then great famine wo* thwowont all the land , becaufe of the continuing drouth, and Iacke of fhowers and raine. as it was a fearcfull plague, when vthe Lord would giue the lewes for the nine of their land^uji and 9S h Leu. 8<5. Rcu,$.i8. k Ier.4.14, 1 Pfal. _5i. 10. Mod3.ii. 1, Kin. 17.%. Luk.4.*f. p Deur,:3.2 4 VerU 12. /'~. 96 * I, Sam. J. *9. r l.Cor.7.9. f 2.Sam, 13. C*g/*/. c Rom.12; x. Chap. V. Chrift giueth hu Spirit. anda/hes^ Co it was a great earthly blcfling, When the Lord diigiue raine in duefiafin, that was pro- fitable for the increafe of 'their corne^ grape? and fruits of their ground. It is the prefence ando- peration of the Spirit, that makethvs to grow inverttie and godlinefle, without it all graces would Icflen and decay in vs : q when the Lord was with faithful/ Samuel^ by his Spirit, then ht gwjpborh in (tature and knowledge, and none of his words did fall to the ground. II I. The Spirit exiinguifheth our fiery lufts and afFe&ions, as water extinguifheth fire 5 It is true, that the luftof the vnregenerate, is as a fire> r to burne and confume them$ the heate of con- cupifcence in Amnion^ was the caufe of leannefle, yea,officknefle- the was fore vexed, that he fell fickefor Tamar : It is of neceffitie^that euery one muft become a facnfice 5 either to God, or to the diucll ("there is no middeftj we may know to which of them we are afacrifice, both by the fire confuming, and the thing that isconfumed in vs; if the fire confuming be the heate and fcr- uourof the Spirir, the ardent loueof God, the ': earneftzcalcof hisglorie 5 and the thing that is J confumed, be our filthy finne, our raging luft, our inordinate affediions , then we may be afTu- red, we are a iacrifice to God , £ Liui*gJ*$fy) and acceptable to him^ but if the fire confuming be our fire of affeditons, our raging lufts, & burning concupifcence, and if the things that be confu- med, be the gifts of the Spirit, our loue, zcale^ then vn Joubtedly we are a facrifice to Satan, mi- ferable Chap. V. chrifi giueth his Sprit. ferable are they, whofc finncs and fi.rie affe&ions are not quenched by the cooling water of the holy Spirit , they will bee burnt vp in this world with the fire of their pailions , and in the world to come, Chrift the righteous Iudge, will u burne them as chaff e with vnqumhab/e fire. I V. Wholefome and cleane water, refreshes and comforts one wearied, languishing and fain- ting through third: : Ifmael was at the point of death , vntill the time hee was refreshed and ftrengthned with* the water of thar well, which God f hewed to his mother Hagar^ Yeajampfin himfelfehauing overcome and mine thePhili- ftims; *Hewasforeathir(l, and [aid, {hall I die for thirfl, And fall into the hands of the vncircumci* fed h and then the Lord gaue him -water ■. when he hadimnke, his/}irit came againe, and he was rent- ued. The holy Ghoft in a greater meafure and better manner ftrcngthens and comforts the hearts of thofe, who are filled therewith 5 for this caufe he is b c^Uedthe Comforter, m compari- fon of whom all men may be called, as lob called his friends, c mi ferable comforters-, and euery one who inioyeth thecompanie of this Spirit, may fay truly, d In the multitude of my thoughts, in mine heart, thy comforts ham reioyced my foule. If Da- uid « longed for the water of the well of Bethlehem, andf&id,$h that one would giuemc to drinke thereof Haue not we greater catife *o long for the wa- ter of the holy Spirit, to wafh vs who are filthy, toincreafe vs, who decay in good, to quench ... • O our 97 "Math, 3, 12, x Gen *Mp, a IucJg.i^ra. b Ioh.i4.26 c lob 16. z. d PfaJ,5? 4 ,l 9 , 4, if- h Ioh.jf.y. iRomS.26* * a.Chro 4 9. JMatlMM* m i.King, 3.9 &verfel4< our firic paffions, to comfort and refrcfh vs, who are weake and wearied, V. This Spirit is called, £ the oyle of gkdneffe^ it reioyceth our grieued hcarc, ir is medcinall to cure our foules $ g And as oyle will make the face to \jhme before men^ fo the fpirit will make our fouies to thine before our God ,. and to be beautifull in his fight. Chrift faid truly to his Difciples , h without meeye can doe nothing • So without the Spirit of Chrift, we can receiuenogood thing; for the 1 Spirit helpeth our infirmities , andmaketh requefls for vs,with fights that cannot be expreffedMVc read tbat^alithe Kings of the earth fought the pre fence 0/ Salomon, to hearehis wife dome • wee fhould rather feeke the prefence of his fpirit, who is greater then Salomon. * The prefence of Jehofh- phat King of Iudah , was very profitable tole- horam^ for when they had m compa(Jed the wilder- nejfeo/Edom feuen dtyes^ they had no -water for the hoftjior for thecattell that followed them • And Je- horam lamenting their eftate to the Prophet Eli- (ha, he was thus anfwered; As the Lord 0/ hosts li- uethyin-whofe fight J (land \ if it were not, that I regard the prefence of Iehoihaphat King of ^ Iudah , 1 would not haue looked toward thee , norfeene thee^ but for his fake, hee aifured him of prefent plentie of water, and of vi&ory ouer theMoa- bites. Vnleffe the Lord regarded the prefence of his owne Spirit ,• he would not looke in mer- cievponvs, he would not vouchfafe to vifit vs 5 and fo we fhould be miferable in the wilderneffe of Chap. V. Chrifl giuetb his Sprit. of this world, and more miferablc in the life to come. The people of Rome cfteemed the prcfence of the Tribunes fo neceflarie and expedient,that by law it was ordained , that they fhould abide continually in the Citie •■ neither was it lawfull for them tobeabfent from Rome, for the fpace of an whole day: we Chriftians fhould eftecme the prefence of Chrifts Spirit, more requifite and needfullfor vs . we may not want the fame for the fpace of one day, not of one houre,.not of one moment; ifwewantit, we will fall into fomegrieuousfinne, we will 11 fhamefully with Peter deny our Matter, wound our confeience, andflander our holy calling and profc/Tion , to thedifbonourof God, toourowne great hurt and detriment, to the offence of our brethren. God made a gracious promife tohisferuant Jacob ^ ° L&e lam with thee, I will keepetheewhi- therf&eutr thou goeft^ I will not for fake ^^.Happie was Iacob by reafon of Gods prefence, which was profitable to him, in his life time , at his death, yea, after his death; for his prote$ion,for his inftruvftion,for his honour & commendation. Firft, it was profitable in his life time for his protc&ion, for by Gods prefence he was defen- ded againft the craft of Laban^ vvho.would q haue deceived him-^AKo againft the cruelty of£/4/*,who would s haue deftrojed £*>#;yea,becaufe the Lord was with him, he recciued moe benefits then he himfelfc required. 2 Gods prefence was coforta- ble to him at his death for his inflrudio,for albeit O2 his 99 Triiuni pie. bis qncs nul- lum diem integrum Roma abejft licet, Ma- crob. lib. 1. Saturxap.j. n Math.2$, °Gen.i€,iy, PGen.31.7. * Gcn,32.n 4 100 Gen,49. f Gcn.4^.4. Ch A P Christ giueth his Spirit \ ' a i.Tim.6.i2. b l.Tiffl.2. c-Heb.U. 1. d a.Tim.2.^ ePfa.T^.T. his bodily eyes through age^vcre dimmed, r yet the eyes of his mindewere enlightncd,hiskno\v- jedge at than time was augmented , he vndcr- ftoodmoreat his death, then euer he knew in his life time 5 He flicweth plainly what was to come, he tdleth his children that Chrift (hall come out otludab, & what (hall be the conditi- ons & heritage of euery Tribe. 3. God was pre- fent with him after his death,to honour him,and to accompany his funerafl- for the Lord faidto him/ I rviUgoe downe with thee tnto Egypt ^ and I will &l jo bring thee vp againe ^ and how . ? eucn at his buriall; for the Lord foretold., Iofeph fhould put his hands and Chrift ready to receiue our fpi- rit, when we are dying: when we enioy the pre- fence of this fpirir, x God roiUdeliuer w, and gle- rifievs^ with long life^willhefatisfievs^nd fhew vshisfaluation. It is our dutie, to * fight the good fight of faith. 2. to b be workemen, thatneedenottobee ajhamed in the Lords husbandrie. 3. to c runne with patience the race that is fet bt 'fore vs. 4. to d fiffir afflittion, as the good jouldters of le fits 5 but now it is impoffible for vs , either tofght imiti his Spirit * teach our hands to fight , and our fingers tH Chap. V- Chrifi giueth his S fir it. tob^t-e/l, or to worke in the Lords vineyard, or to runne the race of godlineiTc, or to fuffer, vnrill we be holpen with ( the finger of God, and% vntill wee be indued with power from on bigh y vntill wee be afiifted by the Spirit of Chrift. Barak had no defire to h goe in battell againft fabin and Sifbra, without the company of De. borah the PropheteiTe : f Bezaleel and ^ haliab could not worke the curious worke of the Ta- bernacle, vntill they were filled with the Sprit of God : k Ahimaazxhz fonne of Zadok^ did runne more fpecdily vnto Dartid, when hee rcceiued a warrant from his Captaine ; Stephen -Aid fuffer Martyrdomc the more willingly, * Being full of the holy Ghoft. If wee would fight couragioufly againft finne and Satan 5 If we would worke di- ligently, the workes of our Chriftian calling* If we would runne conftantly the race of true Pietie 3 If we would fuffer affiiftion patiently • let vs then defire earneftly the company , the prcfence 3 the warrant, and fellowship of the Spirit. It is our duty 1. To hearken to Gods word attentiuely. 2. To pray t6 our God ferucmly. 3. To receiue the holy Sacraments worthily. 4* To praife our God continually : but without thehelpe of the Spirit, the Word would bee a m killing letter, the " fan our of death Exod.^1.3. 1 Aa.7.(5o. n 2-Cor.2.i6, Iude 20. Piohn 1.33. 102 Ads 2. 4- Hoar to obtainc the Spirit. [ Lukili}. Gregor, fupcr. Ez.ec, 1 i.Sim.2?.r. a Dan. '.17. x Amo.7.!/i. Chap. V. Chrift giueth his Spirit. vnfit to difcharge their Apoftolicall fun&ion, till the holy Ghoft was fent vnto them . they could not glorifie God in their miniftration vntil q they were filed with the holy Ghoft. 1 . Let vs then with all carefull diligcnce 5 feeke his holy Spirir. 2. Let vs rfo walke in the Sprit, and wee (hall not fulfil the lufis of the flefh. The Spirit, eucn the growth thereofys obtai- ned by carneft prayer. If *" euill men can gnu good gifts to their children, how much more /hall our heauenly Father giuethe holy Ghofl to them that dt fire him. Befides thefe reafons already declared • if we looke what good others haue gotten by the ho- ly Spirit, wee (hall bee greatly mooued to pray for the fame. Confdero Patres noui ejr veteris Te- flamentiy&c. Iconfider (fairh an Ancient) the Fathers of the new and olde Tcftament, Dauid, Daniel, i^Amos^ Peter, Paul, and Matthew • and with open eyes I looke vnto them : The holy Spirit filled young Dau/d, who followed (heepe, and played vpona Harpe, and made him t the Anointed of the Lord , and thefrvecte Singer of/f- raett. The Spirit filled Daniel a child, and made him more wife then the Ancient , and gr.ue him knowledge, w/fedome, and u vnder standing of fe- cretSy cfvifions, and dreames. The Spirit filled * a Heardman and a gatherer ofwilde figges, and nzede him a Prophet to prophefie vnto Ifrael. The Spirit filled a Fiflicr, and made him a chief e A poftle. The Spirit filled a perfecuter and made him a a chofen Vefsell^ to beare Gods name before the Chap. V. chrijlgiueth his Spirit. the Gentiles. The Spirit filled a Publican, and made him an Euangelift . Quam ergo infam fu- mut, qui hunc Sptritum non qu&rimut^ how mad therefore ( faith hee) are we, who feeke not this Spirit. Spirits lefts, Spirits bonus, Sp/ritusfan- cluSjSpiritw rett us, Spirit us die lets ,S pint us fort is , infirma roborans, afpera planans ,corda pur if cans • quicquidinhocfeculo difficile videtnr, leuefacity & hie atlatum opprobrium gaudium iudicat^dejpe- clionem exaltationcm efje perfuadet, The Spirit of Iefus a good Spirit, a holy Spirit, a right Spirit, a fvveet Spirit,a ftrong Spirit,ftrengthning weake things, making plaine rough things , purifying hearts • he maketh light whatfoeuer feemeth to bcedifficill in this world 5 iudgeth ourfliamein this life to beeioy, and perfvvades vsour con- tempt for Chrifls fake is honour and glory. 2. Let vswalke in the Spirit, let vs frame our life according to the motion and dire&ion of the fame - which if wee doe, we will be very loathe b togr/eue the holy Spirit of God, by whom wee are fealed vnto the day of redemption, and we will be moft earned to ehtertaine and keepethis good Spirit. The Spirit is grieued • yea in refpeft of many gifts thereof, it is c qttenchedby filthy fins committed againft knowledge, and againft con- fcience. Sinne for many caufes fhould bee abhomi- nable and odious to vs, but efpecially becaufe it grieues the Spirit, d renewing, confirming,^ ft a^ blijhwg vs • and further,as fmoake chafeth away Bees, and as (linking filthinefTe baniflieth away Doues : 103 Btrmr, Ephe.4.30. i.Thef.f.i* d PfaI.5r.n. 104- to'f Jjtp TMt VA- Ktvgrt: kaijo: r«, *TO XSi TB» ifjutpriat, Bifit. in pfal.34. ePfal.*4 7- * Plal.91.11. 'Bcrwtr. The means torctainc theSpirir. Chap. V. G&r//? giueth his Spirit. Doues 5 fo lamentable and ftinkiVig finne remoo- ucth from vs the good c Angels that fitch round about vs, f and that hauc charge ouer Fourthly, to beftovv thofe gifts already receiued, for Gods glory, and fafetie of our neighbour • * this is to vfeour talents rightly . m Thenjha/l we teach Gods wayes to the wicked, and finners JhaH be concerted vnto the God iff their faluation. If thou perceiueft the gifts of the fpirit decay- ing in thee, and findeft fenfibly the fpirit defea- ting, and departing from thee ; alas, then n gmt nofleepe to thine eyes, nor f umber to thine eye-lids, giue no ioy to thy heart, no pleafure to thy minde, no contentment to thy foule, no reft to thy body; ° Humble and fubmit thy felfe, in a mod: pitifull manner, vnder the mightie hand of God 5 vWraftle with God aslzcob did, with pray- ing and weeping ^ offer q vp continmll fuppiicati- on s, with (Irong crying, and tear cs vnto Godjvho is able to faue thee from death , and to hear e thee in that which thou requiresi . Let thy feruent fighs and groanes , declare the inward griefe of thy heauy and perplexed heart ; conceale not the dolour, and difpleafufe of thy foule ^ refort to him who r bat h the tongue of the learned, and who, knovpeth to mmifler a word in time, to thee that art weary - y intreate him to fuppoi t thee with his _^ P prayers- 105 g Pro4 *} h PfaU J. kPfal.JMO. tLuk.i9.13. m Pfal.51.13.- n Prou.fy, i.Pct.j.5. PHof.12.4, 1 Ifa.fo^ ■- iq6 *" Pral.31.9- tPfal.fMO. «» lohn } ^. x lohn 6.29. y lohn i.tj. &13. Aa.j.if, > lob 31.18. I Chap. VI. chrlft giueth Lift* prayers; neuerceafc from praying, and faying, f Haue mercy vpon me Lord, fir lam in trouble • my eye % myfoule>wy belly >arc eon fumed with griefe * my life is wafted with heauineffe , and my yeeres with mourning ; make thy face to pint vpon thy feruant, andfaue me through thy mercy . * Caft mee art away from thyprefence, take not thy holy Spirit from mee, refioretomeethe ioy of myfaluation, let me finde againe> thy Spirit dwelling in my heart. If thou continue for a feafon proftrate, and pref- fing before the throne of Grace, the Lord will againe vifitthee, andrefrefh thee with his Spi- rit, without the which Spirit , none can bee borne againe, and renewed-, x none can beletue^ y none can become the cbilde of God and heir e of life eutr- Ufiing. This is thefirft, andmoft principall bleffing, which Chrift beftoweth vpon thole, who re- ceiue him as they ought to doe. Chap. VL Qhrift giueth Life. IE s v s Chrift *the Lord of life, who giueth his holy Spirit to all thofe, who are content willingly to receiue him, ( without the Spi- rit no preaching, no reading, no hearing, no example, no corrections, no benefit will profit vs to our ctermU faluation . this Spirit b will com- peK C h a p. V I. Chrift giueth Life. pellvs, to goe forward in the way of godlinefle.) CbrtH c the la/t Adam, by his quietening Spirit mil giue life, & and quicken vs , that are dead in firmes andtrejpafes. Two things precede this life. i. Separation. 2. Mortification. None will be quickened with the life of Chrift, but who are firft feparate from the reft of the World, and who dieth to finne and vnrighteoufiiefle. Our regeneration in the Scripture is compared to grafting, to building * We are <* as branches grafted in the Oliue tree, made partakers oftht root and fatneffe of the oliue tree^ but fit ft wee muft hee cut off from the wilde O- liue tree, mlde by nature^ and then grafted in the right Oliue tree • Wee are f as liuelj Jlones, to bee made a JpirituaS houfe for the holy God, but firft we muft be hewen of the Quarry ^before we be- come a new building. When God was to make a Couenant with ^Abraham, hee laid vnto him 5 g Get thee out of thyCountrey, and from thy kinred, and from thy Fathers houfe . and then I wiB make thy Name great, and giue thee a blepng. When God was to haue mercy vpon Lot^ and faue him from fire and Brimftone,he feparated him from the Sodo- mites, h He brought himfoorth, and fet him with- out the Citie : If the Lord bee to deliuerthee, from the punifhment which will ceme on the wicked ; If the Lord be of purpofe to make * his Couenant tf Life and Peace mth thee, and to giue thee his blefling ; then truely hee will feparate thee from the wicked 3 and funder thee from the P 2 World, 107 c 1-Cor.ij; d Ephef.t.i. Who are quickened, arefimdrcd from the World. e Rom.ii.i7 # f iJ?ct.j.y. s Gen.iSi. h Gen.i9.i$. 108 k Rom.ii.z- jQHefi. Anfaer. » Coloi.3.2. m Phil^.ao. n Gal. L 4* ° Num.! I.J, ppfal.78.31, p Gen.19.2*. r Luk.i7«32. r Num.itf.jtf 1 Mat.7.»|5« - u i.Sam.ij.6. ( h a p. V I. Chrift gtueth Life. World, fo that thott jhaltnot ^ fafhionthy felfe, Lkevnto this World ^ but bechangedby the renew- ing of thy mindt. If one aske,how can we funefcr our fclues from the world, whither fliall we goe,and abide^if nor here on this earth if Anf. Let vs 1 fet our affecti- ons on things which are aboue, and not on things which are on the earth • m Let our conuerfation be in heauen , from whence rvee loo ke for our Sauiour^ we cannot depart out of this world in refpeeft of our anions -yet wee may leaueitinourmindes and affections 5 yea fo wee muft depart out of k, if we would be n deliuered from this prefent euitl world. A number of the Iewes who left iEgypt, fell a, lu flings and turned aw ay 3 they yemembrwg the f\h y cucumbers^ leekes, onyons and garlic ke of ALgypt) did remaine in j£gypt in their hearts, p the wrath of God came vpon them , and flew the ftrongefi of them, andfmotedowne the chofen men oflfrael . Lots wife left Sodome, yet her heart was in Sodome, qjhe was m-ade ajpeclacle of Gods anger . and Chrift faith to vs all, r Remember Lots wife. Mofes fayd to the congregation of the Iewes r Depart I pray you } from the tents ofthofe wicked men^ Corah, Dathan^/?*/ Abiram, left ye perijh in all their finnes, wee muft abhorre the conuerfation of the vngodly , or elfe Chrift will fay * Depart from mee.yet workers of h imqttitic . and fo caft vs into endlcfTe miferie. « The Ke- nites depAr ted from among the Amalekitcs^ at the commandment of Saul purpofing todeftroy the Amakkites • we at the commandement of God 5 fliould C h a p. V I. Chrijl giueth life. fl)ouldfo|r(ake the fafhions, and depart from the conditions of the wicked , lcaft we fall iri the de- ftru&ion of the wicked. The true Spoufe of Chrift, muft* forget her own people and her fathers bonfejh&t the King may hme pleafunin her beantie^ flice cannot forget her fathers houfe, if her heart be earneftlyfct vponit. We muft forget and forfake the world, andfet our hearts vpon heauenly pleafures, if we defire the King of heauen to haue any plea- fure in vs. Oh how hard and difficult it is to part from our flefhly pleafures, and tofeparate our hearts from filthy finnes, which a hangfifdfi MVsfpe'QruW finde,when we would addrefie our felues, tolcaue them , and to turne to Chrift the Prince of lifefas AngufUm confeffeth) Arnica an- tiqujc,nug that finnc may be ouercome and flaineinvs, by the vertue and operation of his powerfull Spirit: nei- ther fliould we thinke finne foto be ouercome andflaine invs, as that after, it will neuer fill vpon vs, nor fight againft vs 5 *for the F/efh lufteth againft in Rom An* PPfal.lp. it. sPfal.40.12. r Job, 10& 1 1 oh. j 6. 3$. u *,Tim.4.i7. Gal.y 4 i7» U2 b i.Pcr.j, IX. PUitetrck. & 13* 12. eloh' 11.23, Liuius, & Fhrw > & sRcj.12. C h a p. V I. Chrift giueth Life. againft the Sprit, and the Spirit againft the Fkfh, and thofe arc conrraiy one to the other; we cuei carry within vs concupifccnce, and *> LuHs which fight againft the Soule.Wc may truly fay offinnc, as Hanmhalbxd of Marullm , Sibi rem effe cum hofte t qui nee vtcim , nccviftor^ no feet qutej r cere , That he had to doe with fuchanenerrue, who neither vanquifhed , nor victor could reft : Sinne is a reftlcfle enemie , and we c wraftle alio againft Principalities and Powers^ for this caufe we jhould take the whole armour of God , and d fight the good Fight of Faith . neuer to make truce with finne, but firming ftill againft fuch a malici- ous , . vnceflant, irreconciliable aduerftry, which will neuer foffer vsto remainein quietneffe, or tranquilities The Ifraelites had great warre in the daies of lehofhua ; yet at length , e The land was at reft without warre. Wee reade that the Romanes were almoft in a continuall warfare, fighting againft enemies; yer three fundry times, they enioyed a vniuerfall peace ; the gate of the Temple lamu was (h' That is not plainly to be called death, which maketh the gaincof the dy- ing, conioyning and aflbciating him being dead ____ Q_ to 113 »Rom,ii.i*, k i Cor.iy. 1 l.Pcc.f .4. m Rom. $.1 2. n Rfu.ao.tf, Ambrof. Scrm.jj, J/4 ©Phll.1,21, Chap. VI. Chnft gitteth Life. P t/Tim.f. <5. Of our quickning 6. points. The excel- lencieof fpirituall ,;life. irHeb.7.16. f I0M.63. *s4rift. Afaaph.lik j.cap.7. to Chrift, is the bleflld Apoftie faith ,° cAjt/? * /# me both in life and death aduanta^e ; Bat that tru- ly is to be called death , which bindeth euena lining man with the death of fi nes $ who albeit he appeares to Hue, yet by his wicked deeds, he is adiudged already to death ,3s the Apoftie fpea- keth of the wanton widow 5 that p fhee is dead while (heeliueth. If we would efcape this death itifinne,lctvsintime ditto finne, and mortifie our earthly members, that we may be quickned with the fpiricuall life of Chrift. Of the which,we will confi Jcr f\xe particular points. 1. the excellencie of" this life. 2. the necefficie of it. $1 the time when we firft receiue this life. 4. the manner how it is wrought in vs. 5. fignes that difcouer it. 6. priuiledges belon- ging to thofe who enioy it. I. The Excellencie of our fpirituall quick- ning, may bee knowne by the Author thereof, by the continuance thereof, by the iudgement of godly wife men ; It is begotten by the whole blef fedTrinitie, the Fathers cilleth vp thofe generati- ons from the beginnings the Sonne gtucth this hfe^ euen r he^ who is made our high PrieH^ not after the law of the carnall commandement , hut after the power of endleffe It fa fo doth the ^ Spirit quicken alfo: No creature can giue life to a dead body 3 but God moft wife and mightie • farre lefle can any giue life to a dead fbule. The holy Scriptures,alfo the writings of judi- cious Philofophers witnefie, Gcd only the Author of nature, to be only life, and the Au-i thoc C h a p . V I. Chhfl giueth Life. thor of life in creatures; it is * He that raifeth the dead, and quickens them. If it befaid , That JEJiuUpim quickned two dead men, Capaneus md Lycurgns , and that?*- lytius gaue life againe to yong Glaucus Minois fonne $ alfo that one Draco, raifed another man from death called Draco, as may be found in Hi- ftories- Anf Thefe were diuellifli deceits y and vaine fables ; for Scripture and experience telleth vs, and Phyfitians confefTe, Contra .i*. s Cant. -.2. h R.ora.8. 5 . i 1. 1 oh. j to. k Gal.a.xo. they (lull ncucr receiuethe r Crewne of Life m Heauen^ they ( /hall haue their fart in the Lake which burneth with fire and Brim [lone , which u the fee ond death, 1 1 1 1. The meanes by which we are ordina- rily quickened,are the Word and Spirit; c Chnft hath brought Life d, that we fee not rebellious, 3. When wee & tafl end fee how graC'OH*^ how c bount full the Lord is, 4 When hee f makcth man if eft the fauaur of his knowledge to vs, an * 'byvs . that wc fme/l the f 11:00 2 of the good oy niments of Chnft s Name 5 when h wee af- ter the Spirit, fauour the things of the Spirit. 5 . When wee haue received an Vynderfliodtyg, to know him who is true ^ and fuch a feeling or that life, that with Saint Paul, we may affirmc, k Thus wcliue^yetnotwe, but Chrifl l/ueth in vs : So by our fpirituall feeing, hearing, tailing, fmiilmg, and feeling of Chrft, wc may know wherher we cmov •— t Chap. VI. chrifl giueth Life, emoy that precious life of Chrifl: 5 if wc bee made 1 partakers of the. godly nature, conforroe to his glorious Image, Again?, our ™fpeuking the language of Canaan, our n defire to tbefincere mike of the Word, our ° hunger andtbirflfor rigbteoufneffe^ p our walking worthy of advocation, q omworkes ofpietieand charitie , moe at the lafi then at the fir ft , are vn- doubted teftimonies of our fpirituali quickning; They nhofj>eake not of God reuerenrly, and to God in humilnie • who haue no appetite to the wholeforne word, who wake not wifely in the r waies of God 5 who f workenot their orvne faiua- tion with feat e and tremblings they are voide of the life of grace 3 they c are dead in their finnes andtre/pafies. That dead yong man, thefonne of the wid- dow in Nairn , aflbone as hee was reuiued by C hrift, it is find of him , That u he began toffeake \ his fpeaking declares that he was reftorcd to na- turall life. Againe, Idims daughter, being raifed to life had neede of bodily foode , elfe Chrifl: who quickned her, x had not commanded to gitte her meate 5 her appetite and defire to meate, v/as an euident demorvfivatton of her reftoriitg to life. Lazarus who was dead and /linking iti thegraue, hauingreceiued life front Chriflf (the rcfurrctli- on and the I fe) a didgoe, and walke. So^!l wh6are(piritua!!y quickned, in whom the life of grace is breathed , with h Mofes and c Arma,x\ity will fpc^akd and cry in their hearts to God, up 1 i.Peui 4» m Tfa.i9.i8. ° Math.* A p £ph.* i. "3 tUu.X.i^, r Deut.?o.itf. f PbiU.l2. 'Epb.a.i. *-loh, 11,44, b Exo9,io. SecM.5;- field in the Expofition vpon the Cohf. cap. 2. 13. h Rom.8.f . 'Excc,204f. k Ifa.6i.xo. Chap. VI. Shrift giueth Life. God, (a liuing foule is euer a fpeaking foule. ) They will haue a. great appetite and affe&ion to the Word, *onging daily after it, cfteeming it <* aboue alt treafure, recciuing the fame with pa- tience, and e in much affliftion, neuer loathing, nor wearied of f that bread of God, which cam* downe from Heauen ^ but mod earneftly labou- ring for the meate, which endurethto life euet la- fling : Alfo they will walke in a g path, and in a way, and the way jhali be called Holy . Chrijl Jhall bee with them, and walke in the way , andthefooles fl)all not erre $ There Jhall be no Lyon, nornoyfome beafls Jhali afcend by it, neither [hall they be found there , that the Redeemed may walke • Therefore the Redeemed of the Lord jb all returne and come to Zion with praife^ and euerlaftingioy Jhall bee vpon their heads , and they JhaH obtaine ioy and gltdneffe.^ and forrow , and mourning Jhall flie away. There are other fignes of fpirituall quicke- ning, largely and comfortably let downe by the learned : as affliction of confeience , which is fuch an inward h pricking in the hearty as cau- feth a man > voluntarily to remember his euiU wayes, and iudge himfclfe daily for them, k mour- ning for his. fin full life, and confounded in him- felfe, for his wayes whifh are not good. 2. Af- fection to fuch as feare God; for wee know that 1 we are tranjlated from death to life-, becaufewee hue the brethren . He that louethnot his brother abideth in death. 3. Ccafing from finne, with fundry others $ briefcly humilitie and contriti- on. Ifa.f7«lf. Chap. VI. Chrifl giueth Life. 1 2 f on, is an infallible note of fpirituall qirickning, for m this fiithheethat is High and Excellent, hee that inhabit eth Eternities whofe name is the holy One j / dwell in the High and holy Place, with him alfojbat is of a contrite and humble Jpir it \to return the Jpirit of the humble, and to giue life to them that are of a contrite heart. V T. As for the notable prerogatiues of fuch Priuiledges as are conuerted, and quickened in Iefus Chrift • ' of the who can particularly number them < Who can quickened, fufficiently confider of theme' i. The migh- tie and mod mercifull, is a G*d to them^ Euen the God of Abraham , Jfaac , and Jacob, for n Cod Is not the God of the dcad^ but of the liuin%. 2. They are ° precious and honourable in Gods fight, dterely belouedof the Lord , rvhom hee formed for himfelfe , to Jbew foorth his praife. 3. They (hall bee P dehuered from this eui II world, nor puwjhed. They receiue a better gift in their regeneration, then they did in their creation - y in their firfl: birth, they gat reafon, whereby they differ from the beafts $ in their fecond birth, x of Chrifts fulneffe^ they re- ' R ceiue Mat.2ft.32. - ifa.43.4. &21. p Gal.r.4. ** Rom.7.2jr. r R.eu.12.12. f Ifa. 44 .22. tPfa-i 03.12. u Mich,;*!?. 122 Chap. VI. Chnfl giucth Life. .>i.Tim.$.8. b Tim. 18. c HebA8. 4£ph,ij. * lob 42. II. f Pial.i.j. Chryfeft. Horn* 4. de foenit. h Math.i^o 28. i I.Pct.I-tJ. kCol.3.|. 1 !.Cor ; if. 42. m *.Cor.5. i, ceiue grace, more precious then reafon, whereby they differ from reprobate men, both* reprobate concerning the faith , bandvnto euery good rvorkc reprobate • p^/i end is to be burned. <* TA^y *rf £/*//W «?///; thefcedes of allfpiritttall blefings in heauenly things • If they loofe any thing, it (hull bee reftored double vnto them • *The Lord jh ill bleffe their laft dayes, more then the fir ft • f They jha/I bee like trees planted by the Riuers of waters^ whofe fruit may be plucked off and caried away by men ■ whofe branches may be broken oft by the violence of a tempeft • but their rootes remaining fure in the ground, thofc trees will rife againe, will fpring, and flourifh, with as great beautie and ornament as before- So s the children of the moJlHigh t the brood of %mmortalitie,that ^ follow ChriH in their regene- ration : In this World their riches may be taken fromthem 5 and they impouerifhed, their earth- ly honour may bee taken from them, and they vilipended; yea, the tabernacles of their bodies may bee deftroyed, and turned to duft, yet be- caufe * they are borne a new of 1 mm oxtail fcede^ by the word of God y who liueth and endurelh for euer : becaufe they haue the rootc of life, k which is hid in Chrifl with God ; When chrift which U their life jhall appear e^ thenjhalt theyal/o appear e with him in glory I incorruptible, glorious, ftrong^ Jpirituati, m hauing a building giuen of God, that is, a houfe not made with hands^ but etemall in the Heauens, If any bee defirous to bee partakers of thofe, and 123 C h a p. V I. Chrift giueth Life. and many other prerogatiues, let them bee con- tent firft to feparatc their aflfeftions, from too much defire of earthly things, and in regard of their conuerfation , not frame thcmfelues like vnto the World, n but come out from among them, and funder from them, as faith the Lord • ° To touch no vncleanc things and G od will receiue them, \ he p mil bee a Father to them^ and they /hall be bis p Icr.j m, fonnes and daughters. Next let them bee con- 1 tent, q euery where to beare about the dying of the Lord Iefus, that the Life alfo of lefus may be made manifeft in them y euen to die to finne, that they may Hue in Chrift, to Chrift, and with Chrift for euer. Chriftians may fay, that which Themijlocles faid to his children. Interieramus nifi interijjfe- mm y we had perifhed, vnlefle we had perifhed 5 wee fliall die eternally in finne, vnlefle we die to finne. Alfo let them receiue Chrift the foun- taine of life. When he remaineth in vs, he is like the fbule in the body, quickening the body, when we are in him, we are like ■ branches in the tree, bearing much fruit 5 that God may bee glorified, our neighbours edified, and wee our fellies faued. R. 1 Chap. *.Cor.6.i8. ira.j2.il. * 2.Cor,4. 10. Plutar. in vit.The* miff* Ieh.iJ-8, 124 fR.om.6xt* r//? g/«tf Z> Health. AL b b 1 t 5 we be dead to f%nne> And be a,- liue to God in Iefa CbriH our Lord, yet in this World, we are wounded and dif- eafed with the ftrcake, and w irh the fick. nefle of finne, and haue great neede to pray with the Prophet, * Heale vs O lord r andwec fiafl bee healed, fiue vs and wejhall bee fined, for thou art our fraife. As for the fpirituall wounds of our foulcs, Godisfaidtou wound and K pricke the heart with aforrcw, that leadcthto repentance , neuer to be re r pentedaf. Satan alfo by finne wounds the foulc - y but comrariwife , God wounds men for their faIuation 5 Satan to their dcftru Sic is bonum vnto faluatton, to cuery one that beleeueth. Thirdly, as forthofe whom Chrift healeth. I. We miiy know, k that the whole medenot A 127 u pral.119. in* x Pfa.no.a:. b Pai 9 .ir. c PCi.irp. 9 8, c Ifa.tfo.8. ■ f Aa.lo.j$. § i.The/Ti.6, h Heb. 4 .i2. i Rom. 1. 1 6, Who gct- teth health. k Math.©. 1 1. 128 \Chap.VII. Chrift giueth Health. 'Mat.***. ;r Pfa.i47-3 'Bernard, fuper font, ferm. 10. Pfai.*o.2. Ifa.tf. 10. *Exod,l?.i6 Chrifthca ■ lech the wounds of our (bales. ° Rora.tf.13. a ? hi ft nan j but they that Are ft eke , who are touched with a fenfe of their difeafe, and finde the paine of their fickeneffe, and long greatly for health and recoucrie • Chrift ( who * went about healing eiterj ftckeneffe^ and euerj difeafe,) he will be a Phyfitian to cure them alfo. I I. He healcth thofe that are broken in heart, andbindeth vf their fores , Vnguentumeft contri- tionis , eft vngucntum deuotionis, esl vnguentum pie- tat is 5 primum fungi tivum , dolor em faciens- fe- cundum temper ati 6 Ma:L7,3j. d Ifa.2p.i3. Chap. VII. Christ gtttetb Health. Cbnji who x hath done all things well^ he maketh both the deafe to heare> and the dumbe to ff.- eake \ * he healeth all our infirmities • cuen the fpirituall in- firmities of our foules 5 our deafcReffe^biindnefTe, and giucth vs power to hcare Gods voice 3 to fee his waies, to pray to his Maieftie , and to praife his blefTed name. h Behold^ our God commeth with a recommence • he will come andfaite crying to God for punifliment; fothe crie thereof is ;very loude, euer crying to man for pradife , to h gjue his members as weapons of as for the ^Egyptians and ^ the unrighteous , they are blind and bound with the bands of darkneffe and long night , f they grope for therva3 y and ftumble at the nwneday : But as for the Lords chofen; knowledge is their fpeciall portion, to know the myfleries of his kingdome. It C h a p. V 1 1. chriflgiueth Health. It is a comfortable fight to fee the fauourable face of God reconciled in the Lord Iefus,which made Philip to fay, u Lordjhew vs thy father, and it fufficetb vs. If it ivere comfortable for lacob^ x to fee the face oflofeph (let me die faith he, fince jhanefeenethyface, andthatthou art yet alive) - y \% it not a more comfortable fight to fee the glori- ous face of Iefus looking on vs with the eyes, of his tender compaffion? When the Martyr ifop/tf#wasfa]felyaccufed before theCouncill of Ierufalem, and *faw Iefusjlanding at the right hand of God 'ready to releeue him frornmifery andtoreceiue him to glory, out of all doubt it was a pleafant fight to him ; fo will it be to vs, when we /hall fee him , b whom ourfouleloueth. And feeing the * Light or fight of the eyes of our bodies reioyceth the heart ; will not the light and fight of our foules more rcioyce and be moft comfortable t 3. This fight is excellent • as the ^ oyle of holy oyntment^ euen the an&ynting oyle of confecratton, appointed principally for Kings , Priefts, Pro- phets, neither any compofition might be lawful- ly made like vnto it • as that oyntment of Gods San&uary was more precious then the ordinary oyntment vfed amongft the reft of the Iewes ; fo this fpirituall fight which is giuen vnto vs by our Sauiour, is more precious then the natnrall fight. Thus from the excellencie of this fpiritual fight, Antoninus a holy man r encouraged Didt- mus a worthy fouldier of Chrift, of great know- ledge, and holineffe,patiently to be content with S'3 his 133 Comforta- ble fight to vs. u loh.i4.8. x Gea. 46,30. Aa. 7 .jf, b Cant. i.tf. c Prou.i j.30, Excellent fight. d Exod, 30. 1$ **. 134 Eufeb. bifl. Ecclef. Ub. 1 1. cap. j. g Ion.2«4. Sueton. A cleere fight. c Aa, 27. *o« f Mal 44 .2, h Ioh. 11.46. Chap. VII". Chrift giueth Health. his bodily blindneffe- Defunttibi oculi quos mu- res , & mu(c&) & lacert&habent, Sea fat are , quia habes ocnios quos Angeli habent^ & quibusziah King of Iuda, caufed him a to be cut off from the houfe of the Lord, and to loofe an earthly Kingdome • Will not the fpintuall Leaprofie feparate thofe that are plagued therewith, from the focietie of Chrift, depriue them of a heauenly Kingdome, b w hen they flail goe into cuerUfting paine? Naaman the Syrian his Leaprofie was no hin- drance to him from feruing his Mafier, it was no impediment to his honour, 'for hee was captame of the ho ft of the King of Aram> a great man^ and honourable in the fight of his Lord. But inward Leprofie maketh vs vile and fil- thie, vnable and vnfit. IH high talke or Jpeach of excellencic becommeth not afoole^ farre lefTe, high preferment and excellent place becom- meth leaprous fooles 5 and fuch are all impeni- tent finners. Oh if wee were elfe fenfible of the fpirituall Leaprofie of our foules,as men arc of their bodi- ly Leaprofie 5 what continuall paine would wee take to be healed i What earneft prayers would we make to be cleanfed i we would //// vp c our voyces and crie, lefus, mafier^ hau? mercy on and breake to get wifedome, feeing he bath no heart* 2. honour is not feemcly for fuch, P as the (novo in fummet) and as the raine in haruefl are not meet,fo is honour as the toppe of an ear e of come. 3. Albeit they had grear^/^j?/- ons in this world, and u liuedjn pleasure on the earth, and in ivantonneffe, and haue nturified their hearts, as in A day ofjlaughter^ y§t they Jh all ate and remaine * in hell in torments for ever, and being tor- mented C h a p . V 1 1 1, chriftgweth Wifedomc. mentedw flames , fhall neucrobtaine the fmallcft rcfrefhment. But when it fliall pleafe lefts. Chrifcto indue vswithheauenly wifedomefromaboue., Then to our great ioy we (hall fenfiblyfinde that our thoughts fhall be holy, a and the meditation of our hearts acceptable in Gods fight, z. Then we (hall get vnderftanding and difcretion , b to choofe life by obeying God, who is our life and tht length of our daies, to cbufe rather to fuffer aduerfitie with the people of God) then to enioj the pleafures of 'finnss for a feafon, <* we fhall cbufe iudgemem , and know what is good y e we fhall not bevnwife, but wider- ftandwhat the will of the Lord is , we fhalichufe that one thing which is needfuU which fhall not be taken away from vs. 3 . our actions fhall be holy, -we fhall doe the workes of pie tie and of charitie^ twee fiallwalke in thefpirit, we § will build our hoafe on arocke^&c. albeit, the tempeftarife, the floods come,and the winds blow, yet our fure groun- ded houfe will not fall, h we wiU fight the good fight of faith, andi fttffer affitflion as the good foul- dters of lefts Chrifl\ wewilltraffique as good Mer- chants, and be content to k (ell all that wehatte, that we may buy that pearle of great price , euenthe kingdom e ofheauen^ we will fo^-runne in the race of godlinefje, not as uncertainly , but that wermyob- tainetbat incorruptible crowne , And receiucthat ineftimable price which endurethforeuer. So by the wifedomc of Chrift, at length we fhall prooue to be wife labourers, wife builders, wile fouldiers, wife merchants, wife runners continu- _ ' ally *43 Other effe&s of hcauenly Wifsdome appearing in our thoughts. 2. In our choice. b D weflie away from him, when he would feekevs, wee difpleaie him, when hee would pleafure vs, we wound him, when hee would healevs, wepreffeto pierce him, and kill him, when he would faue vs, we diflionour him, who would honour vs. 3. by the vnfpeakeablc hurt and wrong we doc to our felucs , we fpend pro- digally, the gifts of our father, wecaft from vs our beft garments, we arenot afoamed r of our flthy nakedneffc^ wet ' contemne our birth-right } we remaine * rebellious vnto the Lord. If C h a p. V 1 1 1. Chrift giueth Wifcdome. If the Pncfts of Baal might haue beene ac- compted mad men, vvhofe manner was to cut themfelues with kniues And lancers 5 to be furious and mad, t*wg. Bccaufe he cutted his owne legges, when he de- Pfa>.M. 34* fired to cut vine trees 5 And if Athamas King of C *P* l * Theba ALoIhs his fonne, was alfo reported madde for that he killed his owne fonne Leavchus 5 what may bethought of rebellious finners, who de- fpifing Gods holy word, mifregarding all whole- fome counfell , furioufly runne in that way 3 wherein many haue perifhed , and in their mad moode wafte their goods , weaken and hurt their bodies , and which is worft of all , to the offence of the Ahni'grWe, and to the griefe of their wife friends, 3 dejlroyeth their oxvnefoulesi But the Lord Iefus , when we rightly recetue him, he b nil/ giue vntovs vnder [landing in all things needfully he will put away our fpirituall madnefle, and make vs to c come to our [cities^ he wi!Igiuetovs found judgement and bring vsto our right wits, and fo he will d guide our hearts to the love of God ourlou'mg Father , and thenar (oaks /hall tbir/i [or the liuing God, Hce will caufevsto f draw neere to God, arid to caft downe f iam. 4 ,$, our [Hues before the Lord, to confeffe our finnes V vnfainedly Chrift cu- reth our madnefle. a Prou.6. 32, c Luk.i $ j?. d 2.Thef$.j. c Pfal.42»2» lajS sPfal.?7 4« h Ka <5 8.r4- I oh. 4. 1 4. k rieb.io. 39, 1 Luk.T4.27. n i.Pct.5.10. °Hcb.U 4 i; PHeb.4«l4. 9 1.Tim.d.i:. r Aai$.i. f l.Ioh.vcrC 8. ' A&3.19. u Dan<4«24. a i.Chr.:8. 9< Chap. VIII. C/Wff £/»*/£ Wtfedome. vnfainedly to bcgge mercie and fauour earniftly to s delight our f dues in the Lord, who jhall giue vs our be Arts dejire, euen to h delight in God, who will feedevs with the heritage of lacob ; Then it (hall be our i meate to doe the will, and tofimfo the worke of him that created vs , Then k ne (hall not be they which -withdraw them ft lues vnto perdition, bur we fhall follow faith and^ come after chrifl^ And be his difciples, wejhall™ reioyce in the croffe of our Lord, whereby the world is cruciped r untovs , and we vnto the world \ we will endcauourtothevt- termoft of our power, to honour him , and to continue in his feruice, who will comfort, "con frme^flrengthenandeftakifivs. 3. we fhall ob- taine vnfpeakeable £aine and vantage, wc fhall call from vs euery thing that prefjeth downe, and finne that hangethfofafi on, we will? holdfafl our profeffion, and <\ follow after right eoufne(]e, godli- ne(fe,faith^ loue^ patience^ and meekenejfe ^fighting the g$od fight of faith , laying hold of tt< rnali life , and ' r in all good confiience feruing God continually y of whom wefhaRt receiue a full reward^ 1 when the time of refrefhingjhali come from theprefence of the Lord. Now thofe who hath gotten a u healing of their error, and turning of the fpirituall frenfie and madnefle, into a found minde acd fetled judgement, and an vpright x vndetflanding reflo- redvntothem^ fothat they fhall begin to a know the Codof their father s % tofeekc andferue him with aper- Chap. VIII. chrifl giuethWifedome. let him aske it of God, which giueth to all men liberally) and refrooueth no man y anditjhallbegiuen him. Happy, O blefled are thofe who haue got- ten this wifedome : l Their eyes are in their head, they fee things honeft and profitable which they follow after and obtaine, they perceiue things vnhoneft and hurtfull, which with forefightand diligence they enfehew, and fo they neuer walke in iji c ifn.29.14. d 1 .Cor 3.19, e lob 5 13. f Rcm.8.7. % I fa. 47. TO. h Rom 8.6. Hfa.47.li. vfi. Mere.o.i}. 1 2.C0M0.17 m Dcut.4.6. n 2.Tioi.j.iy Pfal.34.14. PDeut.17.19 q lob 28.28. r Prou.L7. f lam. 1. j. t EccIus,a.i< 152 u ifa.f Q.4. x Pfa. 11^.171 b pfa.142 I- c Ephef.4-28. d Deuc.17.7.. c Pfa.i 19.101 f Prou.8.io 4 sProu.if.24' h Ecdus.10.2 i Rom.M3. iPfalzj.Io. m £phcf«5.i5 n Prou.3,vcr« 17, i8,& «* 2 3- Chap. VIII. Cfov/? gv/*tfA Wifedome. in daikenefTe: 2. Their tongue " r* * tongue of the learned^ and they know to minifler a word in time to him that is weary, and * to mtreate of Gods Word continually for their owne confolation, for their neighbours edification 5 becaufe * the heart of the wife guideth his mouth wifely, and ad- deth Doffrine to his lips : 3. Their b hands are taught to fight the Lords battels, and to c worke the things which are good , <* not to bee fbut, but to bee open to the poore: 4. Their e feete fbaH be refrained from eucry euillway, they £ Jhafl walke in the way of righteoufneffe, and in the rnids of the pathes of iudgement g to auoide from hell beneath : 5. Their b heart is at their right hand, they doe all things dire&ly with confidcratioo, z\\i their members being as weapons of right eoufneffe vnto God : 6. Their k foules Jlhill bee bound in the bundle of Life, with the Lord their God, 1 all the pathes of the Lord jh all be mercy and trueth vnto them^ ™ walking circumJpecJly, not as fooles, but as wife, redeeming the time, Bleffed then is the man that fndeihwftdome, andgetteth 'vndev [landing, the Merchandise there- of is better then Siluer, the gaine thereof is better then Gold , it is more pretiom then Pearles, no- thing is to bee compared to her , length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory • her way es are the wayes of pleafure, and all her pathes profperitte, jhee is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her, and bleffed is he that reteineth her, he pall 'walke flifcly by the way and his feet /hall notflumble, fhejhall be life to hisfoule, and grace It is not in mee ; The Sea alfo faith , It is not with me - The Earth,the Sea,Man cannot giue it vs. O but this wifedome: is to bee found inChrift Iefus, p in whom arc hid all the treafures of wifedome and knowledge, hee is both the matter of our wifedome, for wee are onely here wife, H when wee know Chrifi and him crucified, . and alfo he is the roote, from whence all this wifedome fpringeth : for beieeuing in Chrift, wee are foconioyned withhim 3 incor- porated and ingraffed into him 5 that being r par- takers of the godly nature, we *" are members of his body, of hisfiefh, and of his. bones . and thus wee ( as the branches from theftocke, the fruit from the roote getteth life) doe receiue from him true wifedome, vnderfhnding and difcretion, where- by we [hall bee t wtfer then our enemies^ andhaue more . h Pfa.ii9.ioy Chap. VIII. Cbrjff giueth Wife dome. bee whole : Secondly, itlooicth the skinnefor the preferuation of the life : Thirdly, * in the cold of Winter it fecketh refrefhment in the cauerns and holes of the earth : Fourthly, fome Serpents * fioppe their carts , and heare not tie voyce of the Incbantcr : Fiftly, it efcheweth dan- ger, and is not after found in the wayes, where men vfually refort : Sixtly, before (he drinketh fliecafteth foorthherpoyfon. This wifedome of the Serpent fhoukl be followed by vs.in thofe fame refpefts : then wcefhould be » ready (with Paul) to die for the Name of the Lord Jefus^ nei- ther fliould c our Ife bee dear cvnto Sttj fo tb.U wee may & wznne chnfcmd hrooke him * wh/cb ucnr head j by whom wee recetue the encreafe of all good, vnto the edifying of our felues in lota. 1 1. We foouldfor the confer -nation of ourfoulcs t fuffer with ioy > theloffe^ yea the ftoylingofaur goods, knowing our felues that wee banc in Heauen a better, and an euer- enduring fubflance. For if men for the fafetieof their bodies will g cafla- way their goods^ and furderwill bee content, that | rotten and fettered members be cut from them • Yea if that bruit beaft the Beaucr,which is much like vnto the Otter, *when hee is in danger be- ing purfued by the Hunter, that hee may efcape with his life, will bite away his owne genitours which are medicinal!, knowing by theinftinft of nature, that for thofe chiefely hee is fought for and purfued 5 What fhould we doe, who are endued with reafon v md hauethe Word of God to bee a rule to our life. And h a lantbornt to our feete, Chap. VIII. Chr'tfl giueth Wife dome. feete.and a light to ourpathesyfhould not we I fay, i cafl away euery thing that prefjetb downe, how- foeuerpleafantor profitable it fecme to our cor- rupt and vitiate nature, if it be preiudiciall and hurtfull to the welfare of our immortall foulest We fhould moft willingly forfake the fame, for the faluation of our foules, to the end wee may haue an happie,and perpetuall vnicn and focietie with our glorious God who is bleffed for euer. III. In the winter of aduerfitie, in the time of trouble and calamitie, when wee can find no refrefliment nor comfort vpon earth, wee will with Anna, got to the houfeof the Lord, wee will potvre out our foules before our God, thenk in the multitude of our thoughts in our hearts his torn* forts will reioyce our -faults, weewll haue our re- fuge to Chrifl, and as 1 wee are partakers of his fiffcrings , fo wee fhall bee alfo partakers of his conflations. 1 1 1 1. Wee fhould flop our eares, m and not hearken vnto the inflT'ttlionjhat cavfeth to gaze thereon irreuerently ; wherefore God (mote them with a great plague. The Athenians (who principally and moft confidently did arrogate to themfelues the praife of wifedome) were not wife according to /b- brietie, when as they did not attend vpon lawful! bufineffe : fome f gaue themfelues to nought elfe, but either to tell^ or to hearefome nerves. We may fee a wife paterne of this fober wife- dome in the Prophet Dauid, rchofe g heart wax notbtutie, neither his eyes lof tie, who walked not in great matters hid from him , h w ho did that which Wits right in the fight of the Lord^ who did not » de~ dine from his iudgements^ who tooke his teflimonies as an heritage for euer: kfi he beh aued him f elfe more wifely then all his companions 5 and his name was much fit by. According to Bernards judgement , Sobriafa* pientia eft , in p&nitudine peccatorum prtterjto- rum y in contempt u prtfentium comwodcrumjn de* fidericfHturorumpr^miorumJntiemjh plane fipien- tiam^fi prions *vit to come to 7V * thehoufe where Chnftwas, <\towafh his feete with herteares y andtowpe them with the h aires of her head ; her finnes wereforgiuen her. True and great repentance, is true and great wifedome. Alfo contempt of the worme-eaten plcafures of this vaine world , is folide and fober wifedome. Efter was wife^ r who did hate the glory of the i/#- r E righteous, anddidabhorre the very token of her pre- eminence, who had not her chiefeioy in the court of Afhuerus, but in the Lord her God. Mofes did wifely , in that he contemned the pleafures of sLuk <7 .* 5 8. 4». 1 6 I C h a p . V 1 1 1. Chrift gimh Wifedome. <"Heb.ii.z6 1 Dan, 1 10. n Phil.i.2j. * i,Tia>.4< S, aProa.4.7, 8, 9> ,£gypt 3 andt etteemtd the rebuke of chrtfl ^ grea- ter riches then the treafures of a mighty and weal- thy nation, for he had rejpecl vnto the recommence of the reward. In all matters of wifedome and vnderfl&nding , Darnel and his companions, who determined in their hearts not to he defiled with the for lion of Nebuchadnezzars meat , nor with his wine, « were ten times better, then all the Inchanters and 4/lro- logians of Babylon. Further, the Apoftle /Wdid wife!y 7 who lon- ged for the ioyes of a better life, "defiringtobe difolueAand to be with chrift, whichisbeftof all. They are all very wife, * that lone chriBs ap- f earing : for at that day the righteous ittdgejhall gim them the Crownecf rtghteoufnejfe. And feeing a mfedome is the beginning of grace andkappinejje^ zboucalt thy pojfefsion, get wife- dome and vnder /landing , exalt her , and jhee ftull exalt thee , jhee (ball bring thee to honour, if thou embrace her, Jheejhallgtue a comely ornament to thy head, yea fheefh&ll giuc thee a crowne of glory. By this Wifedome, ournaturalltemeritieand rafhneffe , alfo our indifcretton and foolifhnefle, moreouer, our frenfie and madneffe will be ex pelled and rcmooued. Againe, our worldly wifedome will be feafbnedand well gouerned5 Chrift giueth foode freely,to thofe who are in his owne family, q fptcially to thofe, who are of the houjhold of faith. As lojeph did not plentifully , frankly, and freely , nourifh all the families of ^gypt 3 but principally and meft lo- uingly , the family of l+cob : So Chrift Iefus vouchfafeth not his fpirituall nourishment to all people Chap. XL Chrifl giueth Foode. people of the world indifferently, (for this heauenly Manna, is hid from the wicked .) And if thofe who were difobedient to Gods com- mandement/ could not finde corruptible Manna^ fhall his enemies rebelling and fighting againft him , obtaine that incorruptible Manna < but * the children head is giuen to Gods children \ who with lone and care * honour their Holy Fa. ther. O how happie a thing is it to be one of Gods Houfhold ! they will be deliuered from all euill. As Iofhua *fiued Rahab and her family, at the de- ftru&ion of lericho, when he deflroyed utterly \both man and womanly ong and old^ and all the beafls therein, with the edge ofthefword: So Iefus will faue his owne Saints, when a God will number to thefword^ and to t he [(laughter, all thofe that haue forfaken: him whom he fweth y he nourifhes ; behold^ his feruanti (hall eate^ drinke>and reioyce^when the wicked (hall be hungrie, thirftie, and afhamed, crying for forrow of hearty and howling for vexati- on ofminde* A'fo who are in Chrifts family ,they (hall be furnifhed,with all needfull things,and in- ftruvfted in all wifedome , they remaine in a hap- pie and prosperous eftate , b their fouledweieth at eafe. For if e theferuants of Salomon , who flood in his pre fence ^and heard his wife dome y were happy ^ much more are they happie and blefled : for <* he whoopenethbisbani) and giueth fo ode in due fc a- (onto all men, will giue them naturall fuftenance for their bodies. Alfoas e Beniamins meffe was fiue times fo machos any if his breihrens^ fo the Y 2 foode 163 r Reu.2,i7 4 f Exod.tf.*/. t Math.if.itf. tt MaU.$. <* lofh.tf.zf . a Ife.6'f.iH kpfal.2f.13. c I.King. io. d Pfa.104.27* e G € a 4 ^34, I6 4 Mat.;, 6. C h a p. I X. Chrift giueth Foode. s Luke 1.55. h Phil.2,!3« iPftl.i45-.19- k Matth.8.2. m Pfai.toz- n Iohn 6.17, oPfaU?.*. foodc of Gods children, will be fiuc times bet- ter then the foode of the wicked, 1 1. Chrift giueth food to thofe chat hunger for the fame, f Ble/fed are they which hunger and thirfi for righteoufnejfefor thejjhall be filled. T his h lin- ger of our foules, rauftbe like to the hunger of our ftomacke in two refpecfts : 1. as there is a painein thebottome of our ftomacke, till it be Satisfied and filled with meate. 2. as from this paine proceedeth an earneft and hungry appe- tite, greatly longing for refreshment : 1. So we mufl hauea forrow and paine for the want of fo precious foode. 2. alfo an earneft defire to be Satisfied, and then %the Lord will fill the hungry with good things. Firft, God h worketh this will a fid appetite : Againe, hefulfilleth the fame ^fcr he i will fulfill the defire of them that fe are him, he alfo wiUheare their cry y andfauethem. III. Chrift feeds rhofe who abide with him$ k When a multitude continued with him certame dayes, and had nothing to eate, hce had companion on them j and did fit is fie them with bread in the Wilder nefe : When his owne feruants are ™ wan- dering in the defcrt Wilder nefife of this World, both hungrie and thirftie, their fcnles fainting within them, If they continue with God,and cry to him 7 he will fat is fie the thirfiie foule, and fill the hur.gry fonle with goodnejfe • Thus Chrift nouri- fheth thofe that are of thehoufehold of Faith, who are hungry and thirftie, who continue with him conftantly, n labouring for the bread of Life earneftlyp they jhal be f atisfied with thepleafures of Gods Chap. IX. Chrift giueth Foode. Gods holy Temple . They P jhall not bee hungrie, neither J ball they be thirjlie, for he that hath com- panion on them, jhall leade them^ euen to the firing of water ft all he driue them. Secondly, wee fhould know how neceflary this foode is. As for the neceffitie thereof, it is well know en by common experience. The na- turall life, if it be not vpholden with conuenient meate belonging thereto, it weareth and decay- eth : Alfo Spirituall life, if it be not entertained with fit nourifliment appertaining thereunto, it weareth and deeayeth, Alimenti ratio duplex eft, altera nutriendi, altera augendi, nutrtens eft quod ejfe prtbeat^ & toti ejr partibvs : Augens, quodac- cefionem ad ntagnitudinem faciat^ There is a two-fold reafon of our food , one for to nourifh, and another togiuevs anincreafe. That which doeth nourifh vs, is which giueth a being both to the whole body and partes thereof- thein- creafing food which makech an augmentation to the greatnefTe of the body, till it attaine to the due proportion and quantitie thereof. That ^Egyptian, the feruantof an Amalekit, had great need of corporal] foode, for when hee bad eaten of the bread, and dranke of the wine giuen him by Dauid, hee is life : ifthou fleeft from darknefte , hee is light: ifthou defire heauen, hee is the way thereto .• if thou defireft foode, hee is true and wholefome nourishment. And Chrift by infinite degrees is more neceffary and profitable to vs , then foode is to our bodies. Fiftly,touchingthofe fignes which may allure vs of our fpirituall nourishment, I reckon fiue chiefly. i.Life. 2. Strength. 3. Growth. 4. An Appetite. 5. Ioy. Firft, none mayreceiue fpirituall life, except Chrift *giue them to eateofthe tree of life, which is in the middeHof the Paradice of God, He ? that hath the Sonne, hath life from the Sonne • he that hatb this life, hath alfo foode conuenienr, for the continuance and preferuation of this life. As it is x the bread of God, which commeth downe from Heauen, that giueth lift to the World, fo it is Chrift that fame bread, that prefeiueth this Z life I69 sAmhrof Fiftly, fignes whereby wee may know that wee are nourifhed Spiritually. c Rcuel.2.7. ui.loh.j.12. *Ibhn'6«>3< 170 b i.Cor.|.7. c I.Sam.»»2i ycrfe 16. d Luke 2.40. f PfaI.i4*.<5. S EphcH j.2p. h Reuel.2.1 7, 'Raid*. 17. k I(a.6j.i5. Chap, IX. Chrifl giueth Foode. life ia vs. Againejftt engtb invs to rcfift our ene- mies , and to workc diligently the workes of our holy vocation, isanotethat wecarenouri- flied with Heauenly foode. As outward ftrcngth would not remaine in vs without meare and fuftcnance , (for of hunger cammeth a fainting and weakenejje,) neither would inward Strength abide in vs, without daily foode fit for our in- ward man. 3. When h God giueth a Spiritual! increafe in vertue and godlineffe, a moft fure token that hee giueth foode- when withhap- pie.Samftei ^ wee <= grow he fore the Lord 3 when wee profit and are in fauour with the Lord? thenChrift nourifheth vs, when with him A wee grow and wxxe ftrongin the fpirir, and are filled with wifedome • the grace of God being euer with w. 4. If one greatly hunger and long foi hea- uenly foode, it is an infallible demonftration,that already hee hath receiued, and that hee is to rc- ceiue more aboundantly of precious foode ; for God will ^ fad ate and replemft euery weary foule? andforrowfu/ifouk,hur)gxmg for him/ The Lord which keepeth fidelitie for euer ? wk:ch ocecutcth Iufiice for the oppreffed? which giueth fight to the blind? which giueth bread to the hitngrie? Hee will gnourtfa and chert Jh his owne Church? that hath anearneft appetite to incorruptible refreshment. 5. Inward ioy is acohciieof our fpiritual! nou- rishment, h Who hath eaten of the hid Manna? and i drunke of the water of Life freely ? Eucn Gods ^ fer uants y [ball reioyce and have great ioy? when thew/ckedfiall haue forrow andbeeafimed. Sixtly, Chap. IX. chrifl giueth Foode. Sixtly, great are the miferies of all thofe who are io fbrfiken of God, that hee will fay vnto them, m IwiM notfeede you : that that dieth, let it die, and that that per/Jheth, let it perijh, a they jhallbe con fumed with hunger. If they be happie to whom ° God giueth ? aft ours according to his heart y which jh all f cede them with knowledge and vnder (landing^ are they not miferable, who want foode, and are deftroyed with darkenefle and ignorance ? There is a two-fold hunger : one bodily fa- mine, of corruptible foode, another that is Spi- rituall, of the wholefbme word ; bodily famine is a great euill, it maketh the p vifage blacker then acoale, iheskinne tocleaue to the bone, and to bee withered like a fiocke : they that bee jlaine with the (word , are better then they that are kilkd with hunger, which is an euill counfell, which com- pelleth parents 3 toeate the fruit of their bodies^ eutn tbeflejh of their fonnes and daughters, as may bee read both in the holy Scripture, When r Ben ■ hadad befieged Samaria^ and in other Hiftories, when * Thus Fejpafian befieged the Citie of Ierufaiem. But Spirituall hunger is a greater euill, which maketh one blackeand euill ftuouredin Gods 1 fight *#, f blacke Mores , who cannot change their skinneSy *■ it bringeth leanneffe vnto the Joule y yea confumption and deftru&ion there to. Vtperdunt propriam mortal/a corpora vitam, Si n equeunt cfcasfumere corporeas : Z 2 Sic I7i Sixtly,the Spirituall famine. n Zach.il.9- °Icrc.3.ir. A double famine. p Lam.4.8. q Dcut.18.58 * Jofephns dc hello In- dnict.iA. 7. cap. 8. nere.13.x3. ] 'Pfai.iQfif. 172 n Amos 8. 11,12. ■ Amos 4.6. Mohal.jg. Bernard. Chap. IX. Chrift giueth Foode, Sic Artimt rrifi &dtcits r Attorns alantur, Bum wrbi tterni pane carent, per earn. As our mortall bodies loofe their owne natu- rall life, if they cannot receiuc foode : So our •fotjles, vnleflTethey beenourifhed with the deli- cates of wifedome and vnderftanding , penfh, when they want the bread of the eternall Woi d. This terrible plague of the famine of Gods word, is mentioned by the Prophet, « Behold, the dayes come $ faith the Lord God, that I will fend a famine in the Land, not a famine of breads nor a thirft for water, but of heating of the Word of the LprA 9 and they fhaU wander from Sea to Sea,, . and they Jhall runne.toand fro, from the North to the Eafly tofeeke the word of the Lord, and Jhall not finde it. How Lamentable is the fearefull eftate of fuchan vnhappie people? Asthefinnesand tranfgreflions of men, are the caufe of naturall hunger, and of '* fcarceneff'e of earthly bread ^ fo they are the caufe of this fearefull famine of the foule. if* to eat of that heauenly bread bringeth euerla- fiing life y to want it, it will be eternall death. *A- liud, fequi Iefurn . aliudtenere, aim d man due are. Sequijalubre confiUum • tenere & amplecli,folcnne gaudium ^ manducare , vita beat a . It is ano- ther thing to follow Christ, another thing to holde Rim, another thing to eateCH rist; To follow C h r 1 s r y is a wholefome coun- feil • to imbrace him , is great ioy 5 to cate him, is a happie life. Then, to bee depriued of Chap. IX. Chrift giueth Foode. of that Heaucnly foode, is a wretched and vn- happielife. if they b bee blefj'tdwhom Chrift chufeth and caufeth to come to him, for they jhall dwelt in his Courts, and bee fatisfed with the pleafures of his houfe,euen of his holy Temple : Are they not mi- ferable and curfed, who mil be c refufedat Chrtfts fecond camming < Who being <* feparated from the godly , fjallbtjhut foorth from the Kingdome of Heauen,to be euer famifhed in hell,and to be tor- mented in that lake with fire vnquenchable t What will it at length auaile any, with the rich glutton to e be clothed in purple, and fare , well and delicate euery day , to bee fed as oxen for the day of {laughter, if within very fhort time they bee plunged in Hels torments, where there is continuall hunger and thirft, £ Weeping and gnafhing of teeth, # Iohn 1.1$. f Cant.y.i. 'Eft.i.u. u Luk.T4.16. x Matth.ji.8. Secondly, wee fhould be thankc- full. a Dciit.3i.i^. 176 lKing. 4 .i; Thirdly, we fhould en- tertaine Chrift. c Cant, f 1 6. c Hebr.n.$. f Rom. 11, i. We fliould haue peace with Chrift 5 Afl5.12.20. Chap. IX. Chrift giueth Foode. ingfat , Jpurnes with his heele . forfake not God that made thee, mi/regard net the ftrong God of thy faluation, who vpholdeth thee, bur with a thankefiill minde fay with the faithfull Prophet Ftijha, b Behold, thou haft had all this great care for vsyLord,rvhatjhaUldeefor thee ? how Shall I bee able to requite thy louing kindnefle towards mec? 3. Seeing Chrift entertaineth thee, and be- ftoweth Co rare and excellent nourishment vpon thee, thou againe oughteft with great care and diligence , to prouide and prepare cntertaine- ment for him, todefire him, c to eate of the deli- cate things, andpleafantfruites, where in hee dc. lights,thou Shouldeft makeafeaftto Chrift, with the fruites of true repentance 3 and giue him thole di/hes , and delicates , wherewith hee is mod: contented, to wit, & a contrite and broken heart, which hee will neuer dejpife, a faithfull and belee- uing heart, * Without the which n is lf,i6. k Ift.49.10. l PfaU 4 .ti. 17* Chap. X. Christ gtueth Rametit, * Gen.4f.22 *fPote/}4te bene vfus hfeph anti- quit.iuitic. n Hebr.».J i. !°Pfal.8i.i6. Pifa.58.i4. H A P. X. Qhrijl giueth Raiment and T&ches. AS lofeph Mgaue viciuall and nouri[hmtnt to his brethren^ f$ hee gaue them all (none except) raiment ; he was of great power in Egypt, and according to thetcftimo- nie of the * writer of the Icwcs Hiftoric, hee vfed his power well. Iefus Chrift " who is not ajhamed to call vs brethren^ who will o fade vs with the fat ofwheate^ and willfuffice vs with hony lout of the Roche ', who will vfeede vs with tbz her tr- iage oflacob our Father^ <3 who will gitie vnto vs that meate that pertfieth not but endureth to euer- lajling life : And thofe who loathe and refufe fuchhcauenlyand wholefomc fpode, r Hcevrili feede them with wor.mcwcod i and make them drinks the water of gall ^ but to thofe that willingly will receiue wholefome foodc from him/ who giueth meate abundantly , he will alfo giue neceflary and honeft raimenr. When Jonathan c lotted Dauid as his owne fhule, and made a couenant with him^ then he gaue him his Robe^ his Garments^ his Sword, and his Bow/uen to his girdle. Chrift louing vs,nouri- (hingvs, and making a Couenant withvs, hee will giuearobc-royall, precious garments, and *!UueI.5.i8. fuie armour, f 'white raiment^ that wee may hee cloathedj and that our filthy nakedneffe doe not • . ■ appear e : Chap* X, and Riches. appeare : He who is of great power and good- ncfle, will* make v$ Prieflsvnto Go* his Father* r and then a do at he vswith rig^teoufrejfe^ and Jo h the beautie of our Godjhall beevpon vs, who will dirtftthe workeof cur hands continually , Qirift,; ^wjhich knew no finne, ntade'btmfelfe to bee ftnrn for vs, that wee Jhould bee made the tighteoufnejfe of God in him. And thus wcihali beapparrelled with c ga rments fmellingof M/rrhc and A foes and Caftia, like to his owne. A'us, how -miferibly foolifh are they, who vilipend and reieft fo pre- tious and neceffarie raiments ? If that renoumed Tamberlane was offended grieuoufly, and made warre againft Baid&ct fouith King of the Turkes , becaufe in great fcorne hee raefted certaine garments, that in kindnefTe were fent to him by Tamberlane : Will not Chrift, that moft mightie King in his wrath, confume all thofe that contemnc r arid refuiethe rich robes, which in kindnefle hee offereth vnto them 1 They who <* haue not this voiding gar- ment, at the laftday fhall bee fpeechldle, they fball bee bound hand and foot e, and caflin vtter darkeneff'e. If thou want this Sprituall vefture, « Though thou cloatheft thy (elfe with Scarlet . thmgh thou dec kefl thee with ornaments of Gold u though thou faint eft thy face with colours^ yet thou Jlyalt trim thy felfe in vaine^ thou (halt be abhor- red and deftroyed. How expedient and profitable is it for vs, di- ligently to endeuour, that we may be 'armed and beautified with fuch comely apparreli, as is the A a 2 179 righte- x ReueI.r.6. a Pfal.i*»9 b Fial-yo 17. b 2 Cor. f. ii Richard Knowles in the life of 7tiMZJei. d Mat.z2.11. elerc.4.$c, ., ,A 1 3o IChap.X. Chrift giuetb Raiment^ fP6L4f.11. gRuth j, 9. h Reiu* f i*. i Pfal-iM. k Cant.7.#. Eph.j.8. C4f t \o. righteoufnefleof the Lprdlefus ! So fliall *thc Kin^hauepka{uretnonrbeatitie , b?/^# we are aH glorious withm. After Ruth had proofc of Boaz gentlenefle and courtefie, who had entertained her, (he fur- ther adioynedthis requcft, § (preadthe wingof thy garment oner me. When thou haft gotten ex- perience of ChriftsgoodnefTe and liberalitie in feeding thee, fay farther to Chrift, Lord, thou haft nouriflied mc when I was hungry, Lordalfo giue garments vnto mc, and grant that I may h be foblejfed as to watch andkeepe my garments, lea ft iwalke naked and men fee myfilthineffe. As foone as thou art adorned with that moft honeft rai- memjhyifitinejhall be covered, thy iniqmtie Jhall not be imputed* Moreouer,Chrift will fay to thee, ^how fair e art thou, and horv plea fant art thu my loue inpleafures ! But for that I purpofe, God willing, to fpeake of that garment more largely in another place, I continue the more ample difcourfe thereof for the prefent. Chrift giueth riches to thofe who will re- ceiue him ; for he fendeth his ownc feruants, * to preach his vnfearchable riches. 1. I will fpeake of the excellencie of them. 2. I will fhow to whom they are giuen. That their excellencie may the better appeare, I will inftance a compa- rifon betwixt them and earthly riches,which are fo frequently wifhed for, and fo diligently hun- ted for, and for fome reafon, becaufe one that al- together wanteththen^ h%thaxAthcnianTimO' thetis 1. HAP. X. and Riches. theus thefonneof Caw* thinketh, Mot tuns inter v/uosviuit, hcliueth as a dead man amongftli- uingandquicke men, and according to the fay- ing of the Philofbphcr, Impofsibile efl indigcn* tern operari bonajt is impoffible that a poore «nan can doe many good things. Againe, Impofsibile eft indigenttm ftudiovacarc, It is notpoffible to an indigent man for to attend his ftudies.: yet I fay of earthly riches (without the pofleffion of fpirituall richest that they are vnprofitable , vn- certaine, inefficient, and hurtfull, Firft, riches to the wicked are vnprofitable : for though he had™ demure A wealth, yet he fhall vomit it , for God /hall draw it out of hit belly 5 hee n fhall caft his ftluer in the Jlreets, and his gold far re off: their finer and their gold cannot deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord , they (hall not fatlsfie their foules , neither fill their bowels^ when their mine is for their iniquitie. Secondly , worldly riches are vncertaine to the wicked, they will not remaine* ° Though he fiovld heape vp ftluer as the duft, and prepare ray- went at the clay . yet hefhall notkeepe ittocn- ioy : for the innocent fhall diuide the ftluer. p Ru chest aketh her to her wings 3 and flieth away as an Eagle • riches will not prefite a rich man when he dieth 3 q neither fhall hk pompe follow after him. Death will violently and fuddainly make a la- mentable feparation betwixt the rich, man and. all his goods, when it will be faid to him, r Thou fdole^ this night fhall they take away thy pule from thee. Wherefore we may cleerely fee, that the Aa 3 holy is c esfriftjib. l. Ethic. & ltb.2.polit t m Iob 20. 1 J. n Ezc cht7.i£. lob 27. 16. p Prou.i^f4 * Pfa*4*i7. r Luk,l?.2o. 1 32 (Chap. X. Cbrijl giueth Raiment, r i. Tim. 6 17- 1 Ecdef-f.if. u Ecclcf.f.p. * fecclef.4.8. Creuernnt &0f*$,& of urn fitrie- fa libido. * Ecclcfiaft. Ergo,folici- t£ tti canfa pecunia vi- ta es. b Mat. Io.i$. Per te im- mat arum mortis adi- mu4 iter. Prof Mb ,i* c Ecclef.?.i2. dZeph.i. 1 8. Greg.Naz.. holy Apoftle fitly ollcth them*" vnctrtaine ri- ches, for a man cannot ahvaies kcepe them , but * muft returne naked as he came, bejhall Ltareaway nothing of bisUbcur^ and what profit hath he that hehjth trautlled for the w ; ndc * Thirdly, riches arc insufficient. For, zsSalo. mon teftifieth, " He that loueth Jiluer , JbaSnot be fatufed with (liner. The rich man is like the dropfi? man ; the more he drinketh, the more he thirfteth • the vvealthie man the more he poffef- fethjthemo^hedefireth. So* there isnoendof histrauell , neither can his eye bte fatisfed with riches. Fourthly , riches are hnrtfull to the poflfef- foLirs 3 which the Wifeman affirmeth : Many are deftroyedby reafon of gold, and haue found their de- fit 'ucl Hon before them. It is aflnmbltng blcckcunto them tbatfacrifce vnto it , and euery fook is taken therewith. And our Sauiour faith, b that a rich man fhaU hardly enter into the kingdom c of beau en ; And Salomon faith, That * riches are reftruedte the owners thereof for their euill. d Neither their filu er, nor gold \ Jhall be able todeliuer them in the day of the Lords wrath , but the whole landfhaUbe devoured by the fre of his iealoajie, So fpeaketh the Prophet. And the Ancient, Qui male **- he retaineth the other when he is dying, yea af> f MW '^" ter death for euer to grieue and vexe him. ( t'"*"*!** They are like aSerpent troubling and biting ^1*™! the keeper of them. As for earthly and corrupt 3 0Here ' tible riches, becaufe they are not alwaies and j continually profitable but vnprofitable , for'' the i Pkl.49.:?. rich I83 sHeb.12.1. h i.Tim.^.9. 134 k Wif.f.S,9, 10,11,12,13. Semt.q.de adntntMm. *Bern*rd. bficclcf/x.8. TboVk. To feeke better ri- ches. m PfaUi.io. n Math.irf.i<$. Chap. X. Chrift giueth Raiment. rtchman (had takeaway none of them when he di- eth, becaufe the foolifli rich men will at length lament that riches are vncertaine and vnftable, faying , k what profite hath the pompe of riches brought vs, all things are parted away like a (had- dow, and as a pofl thatpaffeth by , as ajhippe that pajfeth ouer the wattes of the water -, which when it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the pat he thereof in the floods, or as a birde that flieth in the aire, and no man can fee any token of herpaffage^ euenfo the wicked approach fuddenly to their end. Bernard faith of them , Si veftra funt, toUiteea hinc vobifcum. If they be yours, furely carry them hence with you , becaufc they are infufficient which will neuer fuHy content nor fatisfie the fouleof man. Nonplus fatiabitur cor bominis aur$ , quam corpus aura, The heart of man will no more bee fatiate and fufficed with golde, then his bodie with ayre. As 1 the eye is not fatisfied withfeeingfior the eare filed with hearing, fo neither is the heart of man contented with receiuing riches, but ay thirfteth for more. Becaufe they are hurtfullto the pofTefTburs, for diuites defiderijs r vaHantur^cupdiutihus difst- pantur, timoribus crncianturjrifittiacontabefcunt, vngodly wealthy men are wafted with defires, are diftra&ed with lufte, are tormented with this vncertaintie of their infufficiencie , and of their detriment, 111 if riches increafe , fet not your heart therein • for what good fliall all the goods of the world doe to thee, n if thou loofe thyfouicf or whatjhalla mangiuefor recompenfe ofhisfeule i labour Chap. X* and Riches. labour thou more diligently for O godli»e/ji, which is great gaine ^ which if thou hafte obtained, though thou haue nothing in this earth \ yet p thoupofejjefl all things. Studie with all poffibleendeauour, to ^be rich in faith ^ fo ftialt thou be an heire of his heauen- ly Kingdome. Striue to r be rich in good norkes, to be ready to difiribute^ and communicate , that thou mailt ob- tain e et email life : feeke to f make andyeefhallfinde. Truely this durable treafure is worth the asking. Thirdly, and alfo worth the trauelhthen labour painefully forh,andxjour/a- bourjha/lnot bevaineintheLord. When ye haue gotten any portion-thereof, bee moll diligent, )hat it a increafe more, and at length your Mafter will fay to you $ h /t is well done, good feruant and faithfully enter into your Mafter s ioy. Fourthly, in this bargaining, there muft bee an exchange, Giue Chrift all thy finnes,and receiue his righte- pufnefle-.giuehim thy fliame, death, and con- fufion ^ and receiue from him,.honour, life, and faluation. . A happie and. blefled change forvs 5 wherein wee can haue no lode, buteuer gaine and profit. There was (bme correfpondence, and proportion in that exchange. betwixt Sale won zxidBircm : for c Hiram g4ue Cedar, tuts and Tim 20 1 PRcu-3.18. ondage of finne, f hence foorth wee would not ferue finne • 1 . Becaufe finne is deccitfull : 2. It isgrieuous: 3. Itiscruell. Firft, finne is deceitfull . wee ought to be the more Chap. XI. C hri ft giueth Liber tie. 203 more attentiue 3 g leaf! we bee hardned through the deceit fulnejfe thereof Laban was. deceitful!, h whe changed lacobs wages ten times y and would haue fent him away emptie , notwithftanding of his longfome and painefull feruice : but finne is more deccitfull then Laban , performing farre other wayes then it promifeth. It will promife pleafure, profit, and preferment 5 but will giue in the end paine, dtfaduantage, & dishonour. No permanent pleafure in finne. Albeit/ Abimelech King of Gerar expcded for pleafure , yet hee found forrow fickeneffe and danger.. Our firft father \^idam^ f uppofed to haue had k honour by finne 3 butfhameand dishonour befell him, and his pofteritie euer after. m Saul and " K^ichab looked for profit by finne, but they loft their Kingdomes : and vndoubtedly , no profit, no pleafure, no preferment in finne. ifhmael the fonne of Nethaniah , dealt very guilefully and falfely with thof? fourefcore?nen, who were going to offer in the houfe of the Lord ^ he wept with them, -promifing to bring them to GcdaltahjWhomthey were feeking 5 but when he had gotten opportunitie, hee flew them, andcajl them into the rniddes of the pit. Sinne is moie guilefull and falfe, promifing to bring men to the full of their defires; but it will flay then , and caft them into the pit of euerlafting pei- dition. Secondly, finne is very heauie and grienous, to thofe efpccially, who are quickned with the life of Iefus, and feelc the burden thereof. If C c the S Hebr.*.i$. h Gcn.3i.4l. Sinne is faife. i Gene.20.17 k Gfne.3.7. m i.Sara.ij. M- n i.King.21. 11. Tere^i.f, <5, 7 . Sinne is grkuous. 204- I C h a p. X I. Cbriji giueth Liber tie. P 2.Chr,io.4. 'Rom.7,24. * Rom.8.22, Sirme is cruell. u a«Sam.i?.i. x Tit. H , Captiuitie of finners vnderSatan the Ifradites complained } that Solomons p yoke was grieuom hee was *fore vexed therewith, that he became leane and fell ficke, through thevebe- mencie, and crneltie of that commander. Wretched and vnwife are they and deceiued, x who ferue their lufls, andflthie rotten fleafures, who are intangled in the vile and abominable (lauerie of finne, and iniquitie, which is fo falfe, grieuous, cruell, and malicious* . Let vs alio thinke ferioufly of Satans captiui- tie, of the bondage and thraldome, wherein hee holdeth his mifcrable flaues. The bondage of the Ifradites in Egypt vnder Pharaoh ,was cuill :. the bondage in Babylon was worfe : but the bondage vnder the Diu ell by infinite degrees is woift. Chap. XI. Chrift giuetb Liber tie. woiftof all, Pharaoh a mightie King of great power 5 Nabucbadnczar a more mightie King of greater power; the Diuell more mightie, and of greater power then they both. Thefe were Princes of fome wicked men, * Satan the Prince of all the wicked of the whole World ? theyflejh and blood, naturall men of foort continuance, Princes on eanh : Satan b the Prince of darkenefje,jpiritu- all wickedneffe remaining in high places , whofe hatred is deadly^fceing there is^ enmitie betweene his feede and the godly, whofe crueltie is vnfati- able, feeing hee is a <* Lyon and a e Dragon, whofe craft and fubtilties are manifold, feeing hee f is a Serpent. Thofe Tyrants did onely captiuate mens bodies, their mindes were free, and there- fore the % children of Tfrael fighed, and cried for the bondage of Egypt, and h by the Riuers of Babel they wept before the Lord, they were exceeding weary of their thraldome and captiuitie : But Satan deteineth both body and foule in captiui- tie and filthineffe, fo that * euen their mindes and consciences are defiled, and enthralled, k hauing their cogitation darkened, the eyes of their foule blinded, their hearts hardened, being pajl all fee- ling, gitring tbemfelues to* wantonneffe , to worke all vndeanenefje, wirh delight and grecdineffe, not being wearie of their wearifome flauerie, but abiding therein with pleafure and dele dation. Furthermore, captiues to earthly Tyrants,are not euer deteined in pits, andfnares: but* feare and the pit, and the fnare, arevpon the inhabi- C c 2 tants 205 a Iohn 14. jo. b Ephcf.^.iz. d f.P*t.?.8. e R.euc.xo.2. f Reuc i2»9» Captiues both in body and foule eter- nal!. 5 ExofU.2$. h Pfa. 137.1. k Ephe.4,i8. They are in in 1 res and prifon. 1 Ifa.24.f7. 206 C h a p . X I. Cbritt giueth Liber tie. m J.Tim. i. 2*. n Icrc.39.7* °Icrc.ft.ii* Mm cUue 4lteram ha- bet. Petra* dirt. 64. p Mar.9.44. q j.King.13. 33. *Pfaln<5. ▼cr.1^7,18. Chrifts bonds. fHof.11.4. tants of the Earth , who arc nor deliuered by Chiift; THey are all taken m in Satans fnare- to doe his will: who rcceiued not libertie in Chrift, they remaine continually in the Diuels pit, in great woe and miferie. As Nebuchadnezar did to ZedechUh bodi!y,(b Satan doethworfe to all hiscapuues fpiritually. » Be put out his eyes, and bound him in chatnes to carry him to Bahel^Thc diucll puts out the eyes of the vnderftandmg, he bindeth finhers in chaines, to carry them to Hell , and to euerlafting tor- ments. Zedechiah was °put in Prifon till the day of his death, ( this is a comfort againft the terrour, and paine of the earthly prifon, that as the Gaoler hath one key of the doore thereof, (6 death hath another key, to fet prifoners at libertie.) But Satans captiues ( vnlefTe they be redeemed by Chrift,) are caft into a prifon^out of which there is no dcliuery nor foorth-comming , p where their worme dyeth not, and the fre neuer goeth out. q Pharaoh Nechoh put Iehoaz in bonds at Eiblah. Satan deteineth his prifoners in ftronger bonds, out of which when we are deliuered, we may fay with the Prophet, r Behold, Lord, wee are thyferuants, thou haft broken our bonds • Wee mil offer afacrifce ofpraife, wee will call vpon the Name of the Lord , and pay our uowes vnto him, in the prefence of all thy people. And wee fhould be willingly content, to bee led with the cordes I of Chrift, f eutn with the bonds of hue wherewith \ Cod\ Chap. XL chrijl giueth Libertie. ZQ7 *__ ! __ — . — . — _ .„ God » mil draw • i©h. 8. 44 . themjelues are fcruants of corruption. This is an a *« Pet.:. 19, accurfed libertie, giuing loofe remes to finne and impietie, drawing people vnto raoft vnhappie thraldome, and ilauerie, and at length ouer- whelming them with moft woefull calamine, and plunging them in that fulphurous and b bot~ b R e u.:o>i. tomleffe pit of eternall miferie, where they are | bound for euer in the chaines of vtter and palpa- ble darkenefTe. Satan like an Ape, is a prepoftc- rous imitator of Chrifls anions, as appeareth in this fameinftance : for Chrift loofeth , that he may binde^ c he bo fed from the bonds of the diaell c iulf 1 1Xt apoortwoman , who had a (p rit of infirmitie eigh- teen yeeres, who was fo bound together , thatfhee could not lift *vp her felfein any waits , and he fee her at libertie out of Satans bonds,that he might Cc 3 binde 2.0S d Gcm.4-S. e Col. j. J. f PfaU.2. Good li- bertie. s ler.15.21. h Ioh.8<5*. i Zach.9. XI. l .t Sam 8.1. m A£.i. 6. n Eph.2.I$, Gal. 6. 10 PRooic^. 17 Chap. XI. Chrijl giueth Libertie. binde her heart to God, who immediately glori- fied him • alfo Satan loofeth fome,to binde them more furely and miferably, he loofed d Cains band to kill his brother , but he bound his tongue from confcfllon,. and his heart from conuerfion. So he doth with ail fenfelefle finners, who being wrapped vp in great fecuritie , delighting them- felues in his flauery , and filthinelTe , he ftriueth to bring them to a difliking and detcftation of Ch rifts bands, fo that they refufe his inward bonds, whereby their aflfe&ions fliould bee bounds « mortified h thcy refufe alfo his outward bonds of difcipfine and correction , whereby their manners fliould be amended, § affemblmg themfeluesagainH the Lord, and bis chritt 5 refil- uing to breake his bonds , and to caft his cords from them 5 dreaming wofull bondage to finne , and loofenciTe of life, to be in it felfe libertie and freedome. Againe , there is a happie libertie giuen by Chnft, § who deliuereth bisowneoutof the hand of the wicked ^ and from the power of the tyrants , h who maketh them free indeede , and Abrahams true children, I who will faue his owne through the blood of * bis couenant, and loofe his prifomrs out of the pit wherein is no water \ k and turne the captiuity his people , i by taking the bridle of bondage out of the hand of all their enemies , by m reflowgthe khgdome^znd confequently freedome to Ifracl, fo that they are *cuiz>ens with the Saints, and of the heufhold of God, fo that they are of the fami- ly o of fait h, brethren to Chrift, ?and heires an- nexed Chap. XL Chriflghteth Libert ie. nexed 'with him 5 euen q heir es of the grace of life y and a heaucnly Kingdoms Secondly, fpirituall libertiein foine manner is obtained, as corporal! libertiein old time was purchafed. i. by ranfom. 2. by powcrfull de- liucrance. 3. by manumillion. 4. by exchange. I.. Inrefyed: of Gods Iuftice, which of ne- ceflltie rnuft be fatisfied, we are fa at Jibertie by ranfome payed by Chnft, r -who came to giue his life, for the ranfome of many. Thus vvc (hould know, that wet are not redeemed y norranfomed with corruptible things, as filuer and gold , but ntttb the precious blood of chriji as of a L&mbe vn- def led and without $ot. And feeing, t we are bought for a price , we fliould glorifie God to whom we doe belong. . I I. Weattaine to libertie by a glorious and powerfulldeliuerance, by that notable vidory of our Sauiour , and ouerthrow of our enemie, Chart" having {polled the Principalities and Pow- ers, * who hath delivered vs from the power of dar li- nes ^ and a brought out the prifoners from theprifon, he who is rnoft ftrong 3 and of all fufficient pow- er, hath b entered into theftrong mans houfe, he hath bound him, foiled him a and giuen freed ome to his owne feruants, whom he findeth therein. III. After the comfortable vidcorie, and our happiedeliuerie, when weareinChriftsowne poffiffion, he moft franckly manumitteth vs, and giue vs true liber/ie, not that we may frame our life according to our naturall and filthy will, or toe count it our pleAfurexo Hut .delicumjly for a ' feafon,, 209 * I Pet. 1,7. Hoar liber- tie is obtai- ned. r Math 4 2o,»8. 1 iPct.t.18. 1 i»Cor.5.io. ^Col.'lilf, *Col.i.ij. a Ifa,4t.7. c i.Pet.M** 2fO * Tit.2.12. e Ioh.f.t*. f Toh T.T4. S Phil,*. 7. h 2.Pcm.4- i GaI.4-4- k Gal.$.i$. 1 Gal.3.16. FroTi what wcarefree- ed. Chap. XI. Chrtft giueth Ltbertie. feafon, feruing our carnall lufts and finfull appe- tite 5 but that we fhould conformc our felucs according to his holy will, and prefcript of his holy word, to <* liuefoberly, righteouJly y and godly, inthisprefent world , and this I take to be the meaning of that faying of the Ancient , chnftta non fecit de feruis Itberos, feddemalis Jeruis feruos bows, Chrift hath not made vsfree, who were feruants, but of euil! flaues, he hath made vs good feruants to him, that we mayferue and zworfluphim, in fpirit, in truth, and finceritie^ as herequirethof vs. I V. That exchange made betwixt Chrift and vs, is either a caufe, or a teftimony of our li- bertie, that He, the fubftantiall *" word rras made Flefby and tooke vpon him o jr nature, 3 euen the forme of a [truant^ to the end that ^wefhouldbe partakers of the godly nature $ Chrift i made of a woman became the Sonne of man, and k was made a cur fe for vs^ that I we all may bethefonnes of God by faith in him, and that the blef sing ofA- braham might come on vs. Chrift tooke our fins, and giueth vs his righteoufnefte 3 ourfliame,and giueth vs glory • our bands due to vs,and giueth vsfreedomc andlibertieinhim. Thus we may be well aflured of our Iibertie by fo many waics acquired to vs,as by ranfomc, deliuerance,manu- miflion, and exchange, not of perfon,but of qua- lities. Thirdly, Chrift giueth vs Iibertie, from the ceremoniall Law, and the rites ofMofes. 2 . from the dominion of Sinne. 1. from the curfe of the Law, Chap. XL Chrift giueth Liber tie. \% Law. 4., from the cruclcie and tyrarmie of Satan. Thefe ceremonies, as ft/trconfefleth, were a m yoke and burden which the /ewes were not able to fare. Now as the people of Antiochia reiojeed fir the confolation, when they were certified, that they were n not to be mangled with that yoke of bondage-, (otheafTurance of our deliuery from that thraldome, fhould be vnto vs an occafion of ioy and gladnefle* 2. When we are made free by Chrift, ° Sinne flail not haue dominion ouer vorHinofaliberatio, omnium perie'riornmeuafio^ debiti nature 'folutio , reditu* in fatriam, ejr ifigreffu* adgloriam y The death of rhe Saints Chap. XI. Chrift giueth Libertie. Saints is the finishing of their trauell and of all their cuils^ the going to the harbour of his reft, the end of his pilgrimage, and of all their difea- fes, a laying downe of a mod heauie burthen, and the lighting downe from a mad and furious horfe, the deliuerance from a ruinous houfe, the payment of the debt of nature, the returneto our natiue countrey , and an entrance to glory, Theaflurance of this made the Apoftle * to defer e to be loafed, and to be with Chrift which u bejl ofaU. 4. We are freed by Chrift from the tyrannie of Satan , who is more falfe to vs then Zcbul was to &* and our k Lord will deliuer vs fromeuery euillworke, andpreferuevjsvnto his heavenly kingdome. Fourthly, touching the eftimation that wee ought to make of this blefled freedome ; furely, we haue good caufe to account of it highly. For i?Lyfias efteeraed much of the freedome of the Romanes, Co that » with agreatfumme of money, he obtained it 5 we fliould thinkc more of the liber- tie of the Chriftians. The priuiledges of the Romanes were chiefe- Iy foure : 1. They might not beiudged by any forreine Iudge,but by one of their owne nation: 2.Itwasnotlavyfull tolcourgeor torment them. 3. Their children were euerfree in the power of their parents, and might not be preffed to the warre. 4. They had free acceflTe to the mod ample honours and preferments, with fundry o- ther priuiledges. But the prerogatiues of Christians, are of much more worth and value. ^V/ho (hall lay any thing to the charge of Gods, chofen i it is God that iujlifeth • who fhall iudge them whom chrifl abfol- ueth { who J wiB contend with them , whom he af- * fureth i what aduerfary (hall trouble and tor- ture thofe, to** whom Chrijl hath giuen eusrla- 1 ' ■■ - ■■ - Chap. XI. Chriji giueth Libertie. fling confolation, and good hope through grace? 1 1 1. The children of Chriftian parents are happie, for they being comprehended within the compaffe of the Coucnant of God, n are holy, and their Angtls alwayes behold the face of the Lord in Heauen 5 p They are not children of the feruant, but of the free woman, Abrahams/?^, heires bypromife, a<\royall Priejt-bood, enioying truelibertic. IIII. They (hall not onely haue accefTe to the greatcft preferments and dignitie, but fhall attaine alfo to the higheft honour and glory, and -themfelues, r be crowned with worfhip and fclici- tiefor euer. Wee reade that the Siberians with great courage and feruencie, mainteined their ciuill libertie, fo that they ftoned to death one of their neighbours Lycid** , ( or as Bemojlhenes calleth him Cyrfilw ) for that hee counfelled them to accept of the condition in infringing j their libertie , which Mardonm General! to Xerxes propofed vnto them • yea, the women of ^ydthenshlkd alfo with ftones his wife for the fame caufe. With what indeuour fliould wee ftudie> tokeepe our fpirituall freedome, and to ftand f fa ft in the libertie wherewith- Chri ft hath made vs free, and not to be intangled againe wtth the yoke of bondage ? Wee reade alfo what Diogenes faid to Craterus one of Alexanders chiefe Captaines, who being a man of great wealth, inuited the Philofopher to I abide with him, promising him good enter- *: D d 3 tainement : 215 n 1. Cor. 7.1 4. Mat.18.10. p Gal.4.31. 9 l.PeM.9. «• PfaU.f . Heredo. & vide Chron, Carton, it. 2. Gal.f.9. Latrtitu. hb.Ccap.i. 216 LitttHs.F In- farct. An- ghft. citant. " Colof 3.7 • *Ifa.$x.i.& Luke 4.1$ * Pra.144.2, Alexander t> i.Tira.3.13 c i.Cor,j.i7. Chap. XL Chrifl giueth Libertie. tainerncnt : But hce replyed, that; he had rather licke fall in Athens then to fare delicacy with Crd- tcri44 y preferring libertie, albeit it bee conioyned with pouertie, vnto the dclicates of rich men where freedome is diminifhed. Yea the Apoftle himfelfe efteemeth much of ciuill hbertie, as ap- peared! by his counfcll, * if thm majefi be free, vfe it rather. The Romans alfo both did, and fuflfered great things for the keeping of their libertie. And Brutus for the obtaining thereof did kill his owne children : Haue wee not better caufe, to kill and * to morttfie our finnes, and leud affecti- ons, that wee may keepe our Chriftian libertie, that we who are * bound, and are captiues may haue the prifon opened, and our felues deliuered in the acceptable yeere of the Lord * This libertie fhouldberhe more regarded of vs, becaufethe Lordonely cangiueit vnto vs*, fo that we may truely fay, The* Lord is our ^ood- neffe^ and our fortfeffe^ ourfhield and our ddiue- rer : It is not as the gift or donation of any mor- tall man. Indeed Nero might proclaime an earth- ly libertie to the Grecians • and Ctnna to flaues • but they themfelues were flaues and ciptiues vnto their vile lufts and affe&ions. But no Prince nor Potentate hath power, to giuethis Chrifti- an libertie : h It is in the faith which is in Christ lefa, he may onelygiuehis owne Spirit, c and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is libertie. Seruantsof old were verie defirous of liber- tie ; for when they receiued freedome, 1. They •were Chap/XL Chrifi giueth Liber lie. wer£ apparelled v/kh white raiment : 2. They were honoured with- a Gdld ring: > 3. They wctp admitted to their Matters table. Clintons fliotitd thinke more of Spiritual] li • bertie, for then ? <* They will put on the garments of beAHtieytHdbetcliatbtdinvbiPQAr.ay : Second- ly, they will bee more honoured then Iojeph was in- -Egypt, when Phsraoh irpqi a ring vpon his hand : Thnd\yfihrifi%appowts for them aiKing^ dome, that they may tan And drink eat hU table. V. After wee Batie gottenthis hbfcrrie, wee muft not h haue it as a choke ofimalicioufnejfe, but wee muft liue as the feruants of fifceh The furie and madneffeof the Libertines, who vnder the pretext of Hberrie^dae poHute-themftlues with all fort of impierie, is iuftly to be abhorred and detefted : as alfo of the Anabaptifts, who becaufe of .their freedome, (asthey termeit,) would ftiafc^oriP all obedience and fubitf&ion vn- to.the ciuell Migiftrate, exprefle contrary to Gods word. * We mtofl bee fubteclvnto the higher powers, not becaufe of wrath onely\ buttlfofor con- science ft ke. Surely they that -refift ttiefy^wfifl'&c ordinance, of Codydfid they /hall reccimnmtefvhem* filues judgement ,and damnation- for that our {pi- rituall freedome doeth no way exempt vs from ciuell and Ltwfttil fubie&ion, and fo the ApoftJe commandeth, kSeruants, bee obedient vritothem that are your maflers according to the fiejh. , tn fwgleneffe of your hearts bnth Chrift. 2. -IrisgootF coiinfcil that* h giuen by the A* j?oM^m^sWl9f^ Jwprofefion, that wee fhould 217 TertuHia. & Tier. Valet Ji 40, *Ifiuv».i. 1 Gen.41.4j. The vfes of true Li- berty. h i.Pet.M^. Vf.i. k Eph.&?« ] Hcb. 4 .i4. 218 m Rom.62i. "Nirai.ii.y. ° lVet.t.i 7 . pRora,if.7. C h a p. ■ X 1 1. Chrifl giueth Honour. fhould alfo hold faft our libertie, whichisapri- uiledge of our profcffion, and ™ being freed from finne, and made feruants vnto God, rvefbould haue our fruit in holineffe,that in the end rve may ubtaine tuerkfling life. 3 . Wc fhould fo accompt of this happie free- dome, as to preferre the fame vnto all rhe decay- ing delicates, and perilling pleafures, which this vaine world can afford, neuer regarding, nor yet lufting after the flejh pots, nor after « the fijh, Cu- cumbers, Leekes, Onions, and Garleke of Egypt, which may caufe vs to loofe our libertie, and a- gaine to be reduced to vile flauerie. Chap. XII. Qbrijl giueth Honour. IE s v s Chrifl o who receiued of God the Fa- ther honour and glory, he mil p receiue vs alfo tothe glory of God. As hee vouchfafeth vp- on vs true and happie libertie ; fo hee will rcrorvne vs with honour and glory, and fet vsa- houe theworke of his hands, fo that r we fhallhaue a Crowne of glory, and a roy all Diadem in the hand of our Lord. Touching this benefit, in handling thereof, wee will confider thefe; feuen points, i . That Chrift will deliuer vs from flume, and disho- nour. 2. That hee will remooue contempt and di/grace. Chap. XII. Chrift giueth Honour. difgrace. 3. That he giueth true honour. 4. Of the certainetie thereof. 5 . Of the continuance ' thereof. 6. To whom it fhall bee giuen, and where chiefely. 7. Ofthevfes of this gift. Chrift deliuereth his owne from fhame. For if hee c bath freed them from fwne> hee willalfo faue them from fhame 5 becaufe wife Salomon faith, u Sinnt is a fhame to the people. Men naturally and vfually are afhamed : Firftj when they are tryed to bee ignorant ? efpecially profeffing knowledge: Secondly, when they are difappointed in thofe in whom they mod tra- ded : Thirdly, when they are deprehended in an vniuft and vnlawfull fa<5l : Fourthly, when they are manifeftly conui<5ted of ingratitude : Fiftly, when publikely they are punifhed: Sixtly, when they fee themfelues filthie and naked. Men are afhamed of ignorance : As when the Poet Homer could not vnderftand an anfwere of certaine Fifhers, through fliame and fbrrow hee died. Will not the fhame of finners who haue no part in Chrift, bee exceeding great, being conui&ed of worfe ignorance then is in beaftes? 2. When they are fruftrated, and difappointed of their hopes and expeditions. x Senacherib King of Afliurinuaded Iuda, of purpofetode- fti oy lerufalem : But * Ezekiah and the Prophet Ifaiah prayed, and crept to God , whofent an Angel which defrayed all the valiant men, the Princes and Captaines of the ho fie of Senacherib • fo that hee being difippointed y returned with fhame to his owne Land. 3. Itismanifeft by experience, that E e one 219 1. Chrift deliuereth fro fliame. 1 Ro n.$, z. u Prou.i4-£4. Plutarch, fa vita Horn. & Paler. Max Mb, 9* cap. 12. Cbr. ?*.$?. 220 eGcn.4?.$« da-Sam, 31.4* c Gen. 3.10. f *iSam.io f. sRora.f.f. I *Jfa,$4.l$. ilcr.31.33. k Col. I. p. Wal^T,*, m Ioi]j,i.,i4 n Mich, 7. 7. 0-PfAl.9f.if. TM.Cor.o^TT, Chap. XII. Chrifi giueth Honour. one will be afliamed when he is taken commit- ting fome vnhoneft deede , and the wicked may fay with the Iewcs, b We lye downe in our confufi- on y and oh* fhame coucreth vs 3 for we haue finned again/} the Lord our God. 4. Iofephs brethren c were aflonied at his prefence, and afliamed for their vnkindnelTe : 5. King Saul chofe rather to die, then publikely to be <* mocked,and exempla- rily punifhed of the vncircumcifed Phtltfitmes : 6. our firft father \^idam for fhame , c Hid him- felfc, becaufe hee was naked : and Dauid his fer- uants, f were exceedingly afhamed,for that Hanun King of •Ammonfhatted their beards } and cut off their garments in the middle. NowChriftsfcruants, who haue rightly re- ceiued him 5 they haue hope in him, % and hope rnakethnotafhamed , h they (ball be taught of the Lord, who will* put his Law in their inward parts , and write it in their hearts. k They fh a 11 be fulfilled with knowledge of his will, in allwifedotne and flirt- tuaU ^vnderflanding , and not continue in igno- rance to be confounded therewith .• 2. for they I delight in the Lord, hcfhttlgiue them their hearts defire, m no thing jhallfatle of all the good things, which the Lord promi fed y and they expected ^ ntney fhalllooke Nemo minus poftea, None in Rome at the firffc more co- temned then Brutus • None afterward more re- garded • None in the world more defpifed then a true Chriftian, but norreafterward more exalted. Thirdiy,Chrift giueth honour to his own: for as g miferie commeth not forth of the dufl , neither doeth affiiftion firing out of the earth , neither dothfhame come by accident 5 foalfo h to come to preferment, neither from the T. aft, nor from the Weft , nor from the South , Chrifl: giueth it to his owne. Surely it was not Pharaohs power, So to honour, i lofeph • nor Ajhuerous 'power , k to doe fo great honour to Mordecai^ nei her might Nebu- chadnezzar fo preferred Daniel, as Ie(us will ho- nour his elect : hee will m make them Kings dnd Priests vnio God his Father ; n to them hee mH giue power oner nations, to them he will grant to fit K^ith him in his throne, to Judge the world r yea to. Judge the Angels. Fourthly, touching thf certaintie of this ho- nour, we may be perfwaded of it . for the p holy and tnte God both ptomifed the fame- <\He who is the Why, the Truth, and Life, willgiueit • r and the promt fes of God in him, are yea, and Amen : He is alfo moft powcrfu.ll, moft conftant, and mindfull of his owne 5 novntruth, noweakneflc, novn- ^con- Chap. XII. Chrifi giueth Honour. conftancie, no forgetfulnefle, nor obliuion is in him : wherefore we may be firmely aflured, that whatfoeuer he promi/eth, that perfe<5Hy hec will accomplish , who will giue vnto vs honour and dignitie, f who will change our becaufe Chrift hath promifed the fame, expeding patiently the time appointed by his wifedome for the accom- plishment of that promife. It is recorded, that Pompey the Great, when he had paflTed oucr to Lybia againft Domitins , and hauing vanquished the enemie in a great battel!, hisfouldiers falutcdand honoured him with the ftyleof anEmperour : but fre denied to accept of that honour, as long as the Campe of his ene- mie did remaine in his fight not demolished. May not we be more willing to want the ful- neffe of our honour as long as our enemy Sinne iswithinvs? aslongas ^ we fee another Utp in our members rebelling againft the Lw of our minds, and leading vs captiue vnto the law of finne - 3 As long u as the fie jb lufteth againft the Jpirit, & the/pirit 4- gainfttheflcfti, fa theft all ontrary one to the other, we cannot doe the fame things that we would. Yet we need not to feare, * for it is our Fathers pleafuretepoffeffe^vs in that kingdome 'which bee will giue vs 9 in due feafbn, where wee (hall Ee 3 remaine 223 f Phil.$.iN Plutarch. * Rom. 7. 23. u Gal.f, 17. The conti- nuance of this ho- nour. 1 224 Chap. XII. chriftgiueth Honour. *Pial.44- I». bl&. 4 0.tf. ffide Tre- melLinbunc locum, uroiTty x«X\c/fU- warfarin. ci.Kin.ij.tf. ? 9 rcmainein all honour and fclicitic for eucr. Fifthly, albeit a man foal] not continue in worldly honour ,yct the EIe<5t dial continue in the heaucn- ly honour. As for worldly glory , It may bee compared to thefmoake that commeth out of the chimney , which at the firft appeareth to be fomething , but fuddenly euanifheth in the ayre, and is not perceiued for true , b allflejh agraffe, all the grace And glory thereof is at the jioure of the field that foone mthereth and fadeth^ which words arefpokenof anaturallman as he is in himfelfe, and not of one that is regenerate by the fpirit of fandtificationinChrift. " Nazianzen compareth earthly honour to the impreflions or furrowes which thefliip maketh in the Sea, they fuddenly goe out of fight, and the place of them is notknowne. The truth of this may bee feene in \edekiah King of Iudah^ who being a glorious King reigning in honour andlibertie, yet with contempt andignominie wa5 carried away to captiuitie, c ludgement isgi- uen vpon him , his fonnes jlaine in hisprefence, his eyes put out , he bound in ifbaines, is carried c apt iue to Babell. Hamanthc Agagite one day was highly exalted d andreuerenced, the other day is disgra- ced and hanged on the gallowes which hcehad prepared for Mordecai. Among the Roman Emperours , Valeriana was taken prifoner by Sapor king of the Perfians, his wealth turned to pouertie 3 his honour toig- nominie, and he made a foot-ftoole to a proud Barbarian, mounting on his horfe- backe : many of C h a p. X I L chriflgiueth Honour. of the Emperours of Conftantinoplc died in pri- fon • feuercly detained in paine and flauery. Henry the fourth, a mod Vi&orious and Illu- ftrious Emperour of the Gei mans, imprifoned and degraded by his owne fonne, dyed lamenta- bly • Thilpericm and Ludouicus, French Kings, depriued of their kingdomesand dignities, the one thruft in the prifon , the other in the Mona- stery : And thus oftentimes it falleth out accor- ding to our Sauiour/aying, that one e who is borne inhiskingdtme is made poor e^ bereft of all his ri- ches, estimation, andauthoritie. Now although the honour and glorie of the worldlings be very vnftable and vnconftant, like vnto a perifhmg fhadow,for f the name^ honor and fame of the wicked fliall rotte , and be abhorred both of God and man, yet the godly %fhatllift vp his face without ftot, and frail be ftable and notfeare. There age \b&U appears more clear e then the noone- day, they fhalljhine and be as the morning, theyjhall be builded and (lill adorned with euerlafting glory, becaufc h God hath louedthem with an euerlajiing hue, their honour fliall be conftant and perpetu- all, their icrownefhall be furc, that no man can take it from them, as rheir ^pleafurejbaS be for e- uermore, fo their honour fhall be for euermore. Chriftl who aboltjhed death , and hath brought life and immortatitie, will bring vnto them immor- talitk of honour and glorie, enento his m chofen ge- neration, to his royallPrjefthood, to his peculiar peo- ple, and h$ s holy nation. Sixthly, againftthofe ™ excellent, whomChrift will 225 SpW£H4 lib. 7. in me turn. eEcde.^H- f Prou. 10 7, g lob 11. 1 J. Icr.31.3. i Feu.? 11. kPial.ifi.ii. ij.Tiin.i.io. i.Pet.2.9. n PfaI.i6. 3 . 22U alfo giue glorietothe humble^ for glory vndoubtedly followeth grace. Heqfetteth vpe# high them that be lot* , that theforrowfullmay be exalted to faluation- Dauid* who was toik in his ewneeyts , and low in his owne fight, he is preferred and had in honour . ourSauieurChrijl f humble A himfelfe and was tf no reputation, wherefore he is highly exalted \a»d a name giuen to him aboueeuery name 1 And hercl- Ieth vs in his Gofpel , * Whofoeuer fiafl humble himfelfe as a little childe^ the feme is thegreatefi in the kingdome of heauen ^ And thus according to the faying of wife Salomon , before honour goeth humilitie. 2. Chriftwill giue honour to his faithfull fer- uants, for * by faith our elders were mR reported of, in old times j and as yet who are endued there- with will be efteemed and accomplifhed ; for he mVL*gi*e that prerogatiue to them to be the founts of God, euen to them that heleeue in his name . Now if in the Iudgement ofDauid, thinking him- Chap. XII. Chrift gineth Honour. himfelfe b sfoore man And of no ejlifnation. It was 3 great preferment to be a Kings fonne-in-law: h I it not a greater honour and preferment, to be the adopted fonneofrheKingofheauen. By vertue of this adoption, as our earthly, carnal], and fin- full affe&ion&iwill b£ changed and altered, for. they will become holy, heauenly, and fpirituall, becaufe when God doth adopt any to bee his forine, he maketh him who was wicked and dif. obedient, to be godly aadobedienr,; and ? tob$e wtfjwd w$h$irit of his minde : fo pur eftar&and condition will be helped and bettered by vertue of the lame adaption? for of d fir angers and } ali- *nts r yea vf* enemies , He mtketh vs f friends^ g He kwtAfhaniedjOtCaltys brethren* W trethe $>mw- fotsofhuhdie. Soone we may perdeiue a great difference be- twixt the adoption of God, and man 5 for the adoption ofraan doth not change the nature,and fafhions of the adopted : Miceffa King of Numi- dia, adopted lugurcha.and that did alter his cruell and fauage nature $. but by the power of Gods a- doption, the corrupt and carnall difpofition of theadtfpred will be remooued, at the leaft rcnu- ed againe : the adoption of man is changeable, and it may bealtercd; as when Auguftu$ the Em- perour, fit ft adopted hisowne Agrippa> butaf- tervard, appointed Tiber m to be his fucceflbur in tjifc Empire : But Gods adoption is like hiin- felfe, i who will endure for euer, it is alwaies vn- changeable and fubieft to no alteration. Thus who* hath true and lively faith, will be * Ff par- 227 b i.Saia.18. The vertue of our A- doption, Eph-4» aj. d Eph.a. it. e Rois.f. 10. f - Job- IMS- s Hcb.2. ii. h i.Cor.#.if. Salufttw in hello la. garth. Tetrtrch. Dial. 69* Pfa.m. »tS. - 2 z 8 I C h, a p . X 1 1 • Chriftgiueth Honour. fc i.Sam.j.30 1 i.Pct.fcl7« tt i.Cor.*.ia 7 Vfe three fold. partakers of the gift of this Adoption, and con- fequently will attaine to this honour , authoritie, and cftimation. 3 . k God mil honour them^ that honour him, and they that defpife Qodjhall be defofed. It is the Apo- ftleP^rhis exhortation, * to honour an earthly King f me rather we (hould honour our heauen- ly and immortall King. A fon»e honoureth hit father (faith the Lord of Hoftes) and 3 feruant his matter. If we be duci- full children to fo lourng a father, if we be obe- dient feruants to fo liberall a matter ; we will la- bour to the vttermoft of our power to honour and nglorifie our God in our bodie i and in ourjpirit* neither wil be content with thereprobate Iewes, ° to come neere to our Lord with our mouth > and to honour him roiih our lippes^ in the meanetime, rtmoouing our heart sfarre from him , but we will worfhip and honour him vinfiim and truth, im- cerely and conftantly ... Asalfowewill q honour the Lord with our ri- ches y and with the fir ft fruits of all our increafe . Then we may aflfure our felues^; that the Lord will fill vs with abundance of his pracc ,. he will honour and bleflc vswith heauenlyblcffingand euerlafting honour, if not in this earth which is the place of our captiuitie , and fhould be to vs the fchoole of humilitie, yer aflurediy in the kingdome of heauea> the appointed place of our vi&orie and glory, Laftly, for the vfe of this do&rine , the confi- deration of it fliould mooue vs ; 1. to contemne this Chap. XII. Chriftgiueth Honour. this earthly 2nd tranfitorie gloric .• 2. to feekc for heauenly and permanent honour : 3 . to fuf- fer patiently in this ea:th, the reproach and con- tempt of the wicked. i. As for thecredice of the world, and this vulgar applaufe , it is to bee contemned of wife Chrirtians: i. becaufc there is labour and dan- ger in rhefeeking of it : 2. becaufe there is more labour and danger in keeping of it : $ . becaufe it is o^fiiort continuance and durance , for that it is an efirf6tlefle,andhurtfull thing. Thatfimiiitudeof ^njhelmu8 i is worthy of obferuation, comparing men who hunts for worldly honour,to little children following but- ter-flies : there is trauell and perill in perilling of them, no gaine nor commoditie by pofleffing of them, which are neither profitable for food nor rayment. Againe, earthly honour is oftentimes the nurfe of pride : high prefermcnts,and vulgar praifc,are to the wicked , fortunes and procurers of fgme fearefullpunilhuient, as may be feene in Herod Agrifpa, who being applauded by his flatterers , r bectnje began* not glory vmo God^ an Angel fud- dcnlyfmete him^ And he tv.ts eaten of mrmes. Moreouer, worldly glory is an occafion of en- uie in others • The holy and humble men of God, fDauid, zn&tDa-nal, When they were honoured, they were then moft enuied^ and the enute and malice of their enemies had beene rf- fr&uall againftthenr, except the fauour of the Almightie God had preferued them, when Ff 2 he 229 =1 jinfbelm* in Sirrnlk. A&.1£.2|< r i.Saro*i8. * Dan.64. ^ z$o [Chap. X I L Chrifl giueth Honour. <* i.Sana 15. 39* *Ioh.lt;4) •i*Cor,7.3* b Ifa.a?.?; *IiuLi.7* c Iam 4 i.iai f i Pet. T. 4« 7,io. heehimielfe had preferred. Alas, for the fooliftineflc of worldlings, who mif-regarding durable & fare honour from God, care with Saul to haue " honour only amongfl the people^ andfor the .r madneff*', who labouring co hold their rcnowne and reputation in -the world, dare not profefTe or pra&ife rfiofe duties, which may tead to the. honour and glorieof the Almighrie, becaufe wkhfome Jewes, *theylo- uedthepr/ttfe of men, more then theptwfe of God. Whofocuer then fhall ftudie to be crowned with the vanifhing fhadow of earthly estimati- on • let them remember the inconftancie of thac perilhing dignitie 3 and th.e murabiime of all worldly things* that a the fajhionof this world fah paffe away, and the glory thereof vaniflierh like the vapour of fmoake, and that the k Lord of Hopes hath decreed this to ftaine the pride of all glo- ry, And to bring to contempt all them that he glorious in the earth : This God did to c Adonibc&eck , a conqaerour of many Kings,but at laft himfclfe is conquered, difgraced, and brought to a ftiarne- full death- fo is worldly honour and gloria dan- gerous, brittle, paincfull , and very tranfitorie. Wefhouldendeauour to be beautified with e- uerlafting honour, * toreceiue that crowne of ltfc y euen that f incorruptible croxone of glory fo g toping As h tribulation i and angu/Jh fhali be vp^the fouie of euerj man that doth euill . So to cutty man that dethgood, fhall be glory and honour, and peace for oner. It is a great pitied that the children ofthkmrld jbouldbctn their generation wjer,then the children of light: how carefull and earned are they to at- taine to vnc^rxajne and decaying glory J ho v w carelcfle are Chnftians to bee honoured with iuoft folid and certaine glory ! The man fcarce worthy to be named Eroftracus, was fb defirous to be remembrcd, thatwitfjjiis owne hands, he burn? the ftately Temple of£phefud ■•, And Bmpt- dotiesxhe Pbilofopher, thinking theiby to be ac- counted immortal!, did caftbimfelfe in the bur- ning hotte MonnUinc &tna^ where he was con- fumed into aflies. •. But we (houldgiue diligence, W# exerctfiour feints vntogodlinejfi, both by doing and fuffering to 1 wake our light fhine before menjjrfo our hearts be fiabltfhed , and™ wee hAd in euerU tfiing remem brance'j we(haUenioy a kingdom , thrones of Ma- ieftie,and the ncuer fading crownes of incorrup- tible glory 5 when tve ^jbaH inker ite all things . o the Lambe of God, leading per- fwading our felues, that God vi\\\*notgi*e for r- uer his heritage into reproach - betfaufe thus Hee fpakete vs, x Hearken vnto me \ye that know t igh- ttoufrejfejhe people imvhefc heart is my Law: feare not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their rebnket, for ail the (hame and ignomime, that the wicked can doe to rhc godly, will (bone vanifh and decay. The righteous may be compared to that hearbe called Adiantam , or Maidens- haire, albeit, water bteaft vpon it, remaineth not the hearbe appearing to be dry ? So the contempt and ignominy done t& the Saints abidcthnot,and therefore more patiently they may be content to fnflfer the fame: when as the glorie of the wic- ked *fhallfiic away like a bird, after it hath pined them : for as a worme confumeth the tree , it breeds with the ruft of yron that fticketh therto: fovaine-glorydeOrovethtbat foule which nou- rifheth it : bur the Ele& at all times will b reioyce wider the hope of the glory efGed, which Chrift in duefeafon moft abundantly will vouchfafc vpon them, to him be praife, * honour and glerie , for ever and cuer> Amen. Chai. Chap. XIII. Chrsftgiuethloy. JiiHG Chap. XI I L Qbrijl giueth Ioy. Hen the Lord d hath rat fed the needie out of the duft , andltfmh vp hit f 9 ore out of the dung \ that he may fit them with the Princes of his people, they whom Chrift hath thus honoured, and itiriched with other heauenly and excellent gifts 5 the * re, deetnedef the Lord , vndoubtedly (hall obtaine ioy and gladnefle, and for row and mourning JbaH flteawayfwm them. It is true indeede, thar as Charts befrbeloued Brethren and Sifters* fliall hatie firft bittcmeiTe and difpkafurc in this world (as their Matter forctelleth them)they ^jhallweepeylament^andfor- rw, but their forrovsf fhali be turned to icy : Then they %fhaU come and reioyce in the bight ofSion^and jbaH turne to the fount if ulxefte of the Lord. who mil. turne their mourning vntogladneJfe y andgiut them ioy for their for retves. Let none of Chrifts deare feruants be decei- ued: if they expeftconiblation here, andfalua- tion hereafter, let them be certainly refolued at the beginning , to be grieued, molefted, and dif- pleafed at themfelucs, for their manifold finnes andftainous offences-committed againft the Ma* ieftieof fuch a lotting, kinde .and patient Father, » the Lord^/lrong.meraf^llyaud^ath^Jlowto. 4U- ger r and abundant fagoodoejfe and truth. Before ^P(al # xi3;7. « I&.3J-5- f Ioh if. 20. 5ler,3M3, Godly for- rov before ioy. h Exod.$4«<- 234 j. Caufes of godly fortov. » Prou.io f 9, k PfaI.i3o.3. 1 lob 9,10. m Iam.j. 2. "Rom. 7. 24^ • Lam. j 4 j^ p l.Pcr # ». 8. 1P6L119.J ' if.8* Chap, XIII. c£r//2 g/«^£ ley. Before wee fbeafoof that incoraprehenfible ioy of the Ele<5ty we will fifft fiptake of theii for- row 5 againe, of tl\cir mourping and lamentati- on for finne. .'•■' As for the godly forrow of the Saints of Chrift y Lee vs hrft confider rhe relrfonTof it : ff> condIy,*he difference betwixt it\n#worldjy hfcauinefle : thirdly 1 what are the effe&s of it : fourthly, forne circumftances of this forrow. The Saints haue caufeof forrow : 1- becaufe of their ownefinn&s -2.. becaufe of the intquitic that abounds in the earth : -3 . becaufe of the af- fliction and trouble of the righteous. The Saints of God here , are tempted with finne 5 for who can fay, My heart iickane, lam chant from finne? Euery one hath abetter reafon to fay with the Pfalmift , Ifk tht* O Lord flraitly markeji ini- quities y O Lord, who jball /land ? and to fay with lob, t If Iwouidmftifie >my fiife y mine ome mouth Jbatttondtmbh mk If I would beferfxU^ he jbaii fudge we wit fad, s^for in many things we finne all. Andfure ids •, rjhatthe regenerate man, finding himfelfefo defiled and troubled withfmne, He will cry ciutwittothe Apoftle, »0 wretcheamAn t-hat I am , who {hail dcliuer me from this body of death ! He will fee that hce hath a competent matter of forrow, ° when hefufferethfor his finne. 2. The godly hau^ cauie cf griefefbr the fins; of others, teg Xhtovexctb hu rtghieotufoalefr^m day to day y jor the ^ncleane conutrfation of theme, ked: dtDamd, tvhtnihcfawthetranfgrefjors, lye wofgrieuedbfcAsif thty kept not Gods woird\i& t;hc Pro- Chap. XII T. Chrift giueth Toy, rsri Prophet Ieremie , whofe * fonle did weepe in fecret for the pride of his people, as Chrift himfclfe, who t mar wiled At the 'vnbeleefe of the Iewes, c mour- ning a ifo for the hardneffe of their hearts, $. The righteous will be forrowfullfor the calamine and defolation of Hierufalem. So Ne- hemtah was fad. vv he fa feed and prayed;- becaufe of the reproach and miferie of Hierufafem : they will beforrie for the affliction of Iofeph. If Dariw was fore difj>ledfed, and remained fa. fling, andfujfered not theinftruments ofm»ft ke to be brought before htm, yea t hisjleepe went from him: for the trouble and danger of a holy man Daniel^ Gobd God, how (liould Chriftians be mooued^ affliifted, and perplexed , for the trouble and ca- lamities many fincere profeflbttrs,for the-affli- <5Hon and defblation of the Church Militant, vexed on euery fide with the b foute homes of wic kedperfecutors Jabouving to feat ter and moleft Hierufalem ? Secondly, there is a great difference ^ betwixt the forrow of Chrift his chofen,3ndthe diiplea-. fure of the wicked : for the godly inthemidft of their (brrow , they haue fiiil^a lone and affe- that cannot reft, tvhofe waters cajt vp mire anddtrt^ theyh become murmur ers with the ob^ ftinate Iewes, they are impatient with grudging and complaining againft God like curfed Cam. Thirdly,concerning the effe&s of this fcrrow: 1. It will prepare vs for the good feede of other graces: 2. It is a token that menfhalJbedeliue- ved from the deftru&ion of the reprobate : 3. It isan occafton that the faenfices flial beaccepted: 4. It is a meanes and the beginning of repen- tance: 5. It is a fure pledge that they (hall bee Wetted. Firft< We are k Gods Imsbanirle. As> in the hus- bandrieof man, the ground is vfually firft plow- ed and rent^aftcrward the feede is fowen therein. So the Lord in his husbandrie, the heart is firft 1 rent with forrow ^ and™ pricked With di$leafurc y and Chap. XIII. Chriftgiuetbloy. and prepared with godly griefe , and afterward the happie feede of godline/Ie and pietie is fowen in the fame. Thus a they tbatfow in teares , jhall reapc in toy. Secondly, Godly /brrow isamarkeof fafetie, fo they that did ° mourne and cry for all the abomi- nations that were done in the midflof lerufalem, they were marked for they fbaU be comforted: AfTuredly, they fhall get the * garment of gladneffe for the (pint of beauineJJ'e, that the Lord their God may be glorified. As touching the tircumftances of godly for- row, let vsconfider,firft,the time when: Second- ly, theperfons with whom r thirdly, the place wee ought to lament and bee difpleafed for our finnes, *A time ffaith Salomon) t$ weepe, And a time tolaiigh^a time to mourne , and a time to re- ioyce. » While wet hauetime , let vs 'doe gpodvmo aS w#,thisisthe Apoftlesrule : wefhouldalfoftu- die to do good vnto our felues^now when we are grieued for our iniquities V and * lament after the Lord, we doe that which is good forourfelues, as hath beene before declared. Gg 2 That *J7 •Pfal.n*.*. ° Etecfa,9.4. *Pfai,fi. 17. 1 z.Cor.7.io *Math.?.4, f Ifa.61.3. Circutn- ftances of N godly for. row. - t EcdcCs.4 * GaU«io # x1.Sam.7Ze Time of forrosr. 238 xHcbwf. Z«ph.2. i. bEcdcf.5.7. cHcb. 1217- d Gen* 17. eM*tl,lf.X9 'Chap. X 1 1 L Chrifl gheth Ioy. .iivai lame ih^ki be the rime of our mourning, which is the tunefcf our hearing Gods word, of out fearchmg of our fcl-jcs, and of our turning to 1 the Lord : but to x day weefiwid heare his voice, 4»d not harden our hearts, wee (hould a fearch and trt o t9the Lord without tarry 1 ing or delay , leaf! fiddenly h is wrath breakc fforth and w* pnijh m time of vengeance. To day then, j before rhe decree be pronounced , fpeedily we ! ought 10 oe drfpleafed/o moiune and lament for \ our offences, and tranfgrefljons. God of his mercie faue vs from the condem- 1 nation and. ptwuflimcnr of vnbnppic Tf\n y who e afterward, when he would haue inherited the bl.f (iffgw'at reiecled , he found noplace to repentance^ though he fought the blefstng with teares, alb it d he cryedovt with a great cry, and bitter out of mca- fure^ becaufeit was our of time, the due feafon waspaft, he wasfruftratcd, anddifappointed of his expectation. This was the folfy and miferie of the f oolifh rirgms \ That when e the gate was 'hut , afterward xheycameirnng, Lord, Lord, open to t&s, but com- I rning toolare; therefore their petition was not granted, neither were they admirtrd to the wed duigi Whofoeuer will not repent , irtd mourne in due time, their f forrow is incurable for the mul t:tude of there iniquities, alts, 7 they /hall he djw ip forrow, they ^ J hall bee filled witbdrunkenseflc and forrow , euen with the cup of deftruclto* And defolation , and yet laughed tofcorrte and had in dertfUn % Chap. XIII. Chrifi giueth Ioy. denfton , euen when they are gnrwitg their owne tongues for for row, paine and tribulation. 2. Againe, feeing k The heart of the wife is in the houfe of mournings it (hall be expedient for vs tomournewith the godly, that we may be par- takers of their ioy and confolation 5 As * the af- Jliftions of tbisprcfcnt tin.c are not worthieof the glor/e, which jhall be jhewed vnto and to the ele<5t of Chnft, who mourne becaufe of their trefpaffes, where- by folouing a Father, fb gracious a God is dif- pleafed and highly oflfended^to them forrow and mourning will be a caufe of godlineffeand piety. Moreouer, Gods Saints many times in this world through earneft confideratio of the Lords goodnes,and their o wne vnworthinefle and wic- kedneffe, with Peter will f rveepe bitterly, and with Dauid will * faint in the mournings and Jhed teares abundantly, and with Hetekiah u chatter hke a Crane ^ or afwallowfoY their finnes and iniq uities. Butperaduenture fome x hau'mg but a pew of godlines >and denyingthe power thereof , will thinke that is vnbefecming the grauitie and courage of men, thus to weepe as children or babes , and to fhed teares, as women of weake fpirit. Surely Chap. XIII. Chrifigiuethloy. Surely to doe fo, becaufe of fnen 5 or for any worldly regard, ir is not commendable, yet in re- fpe<5t of our kindc God offended, *in whom there is no iniqmie, and who hath not been its a wilder nes to and by many Kings and Prophets aboue fpecified. Yea 3 fuppofe that Chriftians here enioyed health, wealth, peac^and libertie,that their chil- dren and friends remained alfb in a good eftate and ftfetie 5 according to their hearts defire, yet let them rightly remember^and deepely confider that § in many things they ftnne all ', that they of themfilucs are defiled with wickednes,that their beft anions are intermingled with many imper- fections , that they haue all beene as an bu: chat they(hou!d remaine as themes in their 'fides , to trouble and moled them • the pespk lift vp their voice and wept, and called the name cf that place Bo- c l um, or weeping. Nowthelewes did weepe, becaufe the Cinanircs w^reconucifant among them,to weary & vcxethem. Should not Chri- ftians rather weepe, becai.fethey hauefinwith them,& a law of their members rebelling againft their ,t vti oub e a id annoy chem t Ha^ar being caft torch out oi A-Jrahamsh^w^ ^ and knowing her fonne to be dying through thirft, k jhe lift vp her voice a'^d mpt. Hanna,bccauleot her barren- iaes, l prayed to God and wept fore, Sin vnrepented will caufe vs to be caft foorrh from Gods king- dome,and our foulestodie eternally . welhculd lament therefore for it , and for our barren and fruitleflc hearts not » bringing forth fruits worthy amendment of life. If the people of r frael, remain ning n ^v the riuers of Babel, did weepe when they remembredZionx Seeing we are captiues in the Babel of this world, haue we not great reafon to lament for our long *;bfence from that heauenly Jerusalem , that holy o Citie , h uing a foundation rvhofe builder and maker is God ? Moreouer, when we call to minde,that by our manifold and preftmptuousfins, we? hane pier ced our moft leuing Sawour^and by ou: gneuous offences q haue crucified the King of glorie^ who for our redemption from hell, and foroui recon* dilation with God, did moft willingly poure foorth ■ „ ■■ " .- ' . ■ -■■ Chap. XIII. Chrijl giueth Joy. foorth his mod pretious blood vpon the croile abundantly, fliould not we be niooued to fhed teares for our offences, which made him to fhed his mod pretious blood * Alfb God hath his bottle and regifter. If we fhed no teares, wee cannot pray with Dauid, Lord* put my teares into thy bottle : are they not in thy regtfler? neither may we acknowledge , that f God ha h delivered our fink from death } our eyes from teares, our feet e fromfaUing. It is faid of the glorified Saints 5 that t the Lambejba/l leade them to lively fountaines of wa- ters, and Godjhaitwipe away ail teares from their eyes : by which it appeareth, that the godly will fhed teares in the earth , and the Lord fhall wipe them away in the heauen. Great is the profite which proceedeth of wee- ping, according to the iudgement of the Anci- ent. Tletus eft ctbus animarum y corroborate fenfu- um>& abfolvtio peccatorum, refefftimentium, la- uacrumculparum^ Weeping for finnes, lamen- ting after the Lord- is the food of foules, the ftrengthning of fenfes^and abfolution of fins, and refreflimentofmind,3 lauer to wafh away faulcs. Sicutpoft vehejnentes imbres air mundm i ,&c purm efficitur : it a fo pofl Lachry marum pluuias , fere- n'ttes mentesfequitur at que tranquilities: As after l great fhowres 9 the aire is made deane and pure.jj foafterthe raine of teares, followeth ferenitie* and tranquillitieof mind, Aproofe hereof in the Ifraelites. u AH the peo- ple wept when they heard the words of Cods Law A H h but} 1 ^43 Pfal f£.J. f PfaI,n$,8. t Rcu.7. 17, Ctflio. in Chtyf.fup. Math. Neh,8.£« 344 * Rom. 8.27. «Lulr,6.ax. * Math. 824. TJie order hae obfcr- ued. To whom ioy iigiuen c Pfal. 30.11. 8'Ifay. 29.19. Chap.XIIL Cbrtftgiueth ioy. but immediatly followed great ioy in the Lord. The example of dumbe and fenceleffc crea- tures,* groaning for ourfwnes.iht earth traueliing for paine for our trefpaffes, the heauens weeping for our iniquities, fhould be a prouocationtovs, to lament and weepe now,that fo we maybe blef- fed for euer. Mortales quoniamnoluntfua ? criminxflcrt : Caelum pro nobis foluitur in Lachrymas. As bfirftagreat tempefl % endangered the (hip in the which Chriftand his Difciples had entered, but afterward there was a great calme : So in true Christians great ioy and contentraent^peace, and confblation wiil fucceede. And if the forrovv be great firft , furely therefrefhment will be the more pleafant and greateft at thelafh In handling of this benefit, we will fhew: j. to whom Chrift will giue it: 2. wherin it confiftcth: 3. the difference betwixt an earthly ioy: 4. fome properties of it : Laftly,of the vfe of this benefit. Ghrift will giue this ioy: 1. to thofe who haue forrowed for their finne , they fhall at length fay with Bautd, Lor d* thou haft turned my mourning into ioy, and baft girded me m.h gladnefj'e ; God promiR'd in this manner,** I will turne their mour- ning into ioy>and I mil comfort them ,and giue them ioy for their fonowes: 2.T0 thofe who are vpright in heart, c for the righteous fhall he glad , and they that are upright in heart jh^U be ioyfull y and reioyce in the Lord i 3 . To thofe that feeke him, i let the heart of them that peke the Lord reioyce : 4. To the meeker The mecke in the Lord fhall receiue ioy . Se- O h a p. X i 1 1. Chriflgiueth toy. Secondly, this toy will be in Gods fauour and Iouing kindnefle, ** in the light of his countenance, In » the Lord himfetfe : Their foule jhall be ioyfuS in God, ink his mercy theyjhaflreioyce and be glad , j* Through chrift-, by whom they receiue theattone^ \ment ejpeaafy m in his croffe , whereby the world is crucified to them y and they to the world : then they | fliall fing with the blefled Virgin , « my Jpirit re- \ioycethin God my Sauiour. Againe, it will be in the word , the° delight ef the bleffed is in the Law of the Lord, he will proteft with the Prophet, $Tbywordis etiyced 'with an exceeding great hy,when they faw his Star re: may it not be a great caufeof true pleafure to heare the words of a Io- uing Fatherland to reioyce « greatly becaufi of the Bridegroomes and fuch like bkffings giuen vnto them. Hh 3 In 247 m Math. 10. jo. "Rom.f.i. «Prou.2i t Tf„ PlPct,u8. i Maih.j.12. r Math, if/ 4 f LtiV.I.44. « Deut.16,11. "Rom.itf.ip.. *i.Cor.7 13. 248 C u a p. X 1 1 1. chrtftgiueth Ioy. Difference bctvrixt beauenly & carnall ioy. Btftttrd. * Phil. 4«4- b i.Sam,i9* jo. c PfaUitf.f. dphil.3.8. « Luk.iM9* jinguft. f I©b.i7«*7« 5 *«Sam«i8.9 Tn the third place wee haue to fpeakeof the difference, betwixt this heauenly ioy , and the carnall ioy of worldlings. They differ in three things : hrft, in the ground : fecondly , in the continuance : thirdly in the effect. The ioy of the godly is in Creatore, grounded in their Creator ; in his loue and fauour , while they enioy his moft comfortable prefence , they a reioyce altvay in the Lord: As Mtphibofheth Co delighted in David, That in refped of him , hee mif- regarded all the fields of Saul his Father, b yea ([aid be) Let Ziba take all the lands, feeing my Lord the King is come in peace: So the godly, who c haue the Lord to be the portion of their inheri tance^ who fet the Lordalwaies before them, to the end that they may <* win their Sauiour,they iudgc al earthly things to be loffeanddoungjn corapari- fonofhim. But the ioy of the worldlings is in Creaturg'm the creature: Such was the ioy of that rich man , thus refoluing c to Uue at t*(e, to eate> drinke, and take his paflime and pleafure in the creatures. But God faid vnto him, Of pole, this night they mil fetch away thy fiule from tbee,&c. The ioy of the godly, is Caudium veritatis, a ioy of veritie and true ioy or the truth : f Gods ipord is truth,but the ioy of the wicked is Gaudi- um vanitatis, a ioy of vanitie, vaine ioy, a peddl- ing pleafure, or in vaine, effe&Ieffe things : fuch was the ioy of Abfolon , he had pleafure in his land, afmall matter, which in the end became his halter 5 for his^head caught hold of thicke a oke, and HAP. X 1 1 J. chnftgiueth Ioy. And he was taken vp betweene the heaven and the earth,and after was flaine. The ioy of the Saints is in Materia immutabili, in a matter immutable, in Gods loue and fauour, b which is permanent and vnchangeable : but the ioy of the wicked is inKeconvertibili, in a thing as immutable •, Such was the ioy of Haman : he was ioy full and of a glad Heart, becaufex>f the loue of a mortall King, whofc heart was foone chan- ged, and Haman fhamefully hanged. Jonah did not well, who k r»as exceeding glad of a gourd: for the next day a wormcfmote the gourd that it withe- red, Whoeuer (hall place their ioy in a corrup- tible matter, it will foone decay and vanifh. 2. From the dii^rfitie of the ground, of the ioy of the godly and worldlings, proccedeth the difference of the continuance of that ioy. As for the ioy of ihe ele<3 , that which was fpoken to Ghrifts Difciples , may bee applyed to them, y Their hearts jha£reioyce,and their ioy pa U no man take from them : yea they haue ioy in affliftion, m reioycingin their offerings, that they are counted worthy tofuffer rebuke for chrt/is name. For fu re- ly, n When the Lord hath giuen them the bread of aduerfitie, and the water ofafflittion, after they jh all haue icy tnd gUdneffe of heart , and a fongjhallbee vnto them as in a night when a folemne feafl is kept : <> for their flame, they (ball receiue double glq- rie^ and for their confnfion , they jhatt reioycein their pert ion : euerlafitng toy flail be vnto them 9 for it is grounded on God , P Whefe comprfsions faik not, <\ and his mercy endurethfor euer* But 249 h Ioh,if,i. k Ioh,4.^ Difference in the con- tinuance. 'ioh^oV**- » Coi.x.2*. n Ifa. 30.20, 29. •Ifa.61.7. pLam.} 22. 2jO Ovid. M*rt. r Iob iq 1>G, 7 ,8. 'Dan.M, *PfaLi$. n. Difference ineffed. "Reu.14.3- Chap. XIII, Chri/l giueth loy. But it is farre otherwife with worldlings: their ioy continueth not,it is the beginning of endlefle forrow:thcy may lay; G audio, ptincipium noftri funt certe dolor is, when it departeth from them, it neuer returneth againe. Gaudia non remeant^ fedfugititta ^volant. And thus the r reiojeingof the wicked tsfbort, and the ioy of the hipocrites is fat for a moment • And if himfelfefhall flieawayhkeadreame and perijhfor etter like his doung^ fha/lnot a/Jo his pit 'a- fure : And this ioy pafTe away from hira, and perifli fuddenly, as a vifion of the night ? Belthazar King of Babylon had fome worWly ioy, when f hee made a great feat? to a thoufand Princes , dnddranke wine with bis wines And concu- bines • but that fame night incontinent his coun- tenance was changed , his heart troubled , and himfelfeflaineanddeftroyed. So the delegati- on and pleafure of the wicked is perifhing, but thepleafureandprofperitie of the Saints is per- manent^ they fhall be fet at the t right hand of Godjhere arepleafttyes for tuermore. 3 . The effe<5t of heauenly ioy is thankfuInefTe to God, in life etcrnall , as that mod happie and notable company of the Lambe of God, praifing the Lord continually, "jinging a newfing before the throne of his Maie/lie, being filled with ioy,for their redemption & glorification -they are thank- full to their Sauiour , following the Lambe whi- therfbeuerhegocch. But the efFeft of wicked ioy is fometimes pride, and after deftru&ion , as may be fecne in *Ne- Chap. XIII. Chriff gtueth Ioy . . x Nebuchadnezzar and many others , a /acrifcing vnto their orvne net \ and burning incenfevnto their ya'rne^ becaufe by them their portion is fat, and their meateplentious, whereof they reioyce and are glad:. but their mirth (hall be changed into mourning, and their gladnefTe into endleffe lamentation: Be- caufe, Pofi mundi gaudia feqtmntur sterna lament a. Sometimes it isldolatrie, albeit 3 afterward commethruineand vtter extirportion < as may be feene in Belhajhar, who drunke w/ne , and a- bufii7the confer ate veffels of the Lords Tern fie in Ierufilem 3 b praifed the fife gods of gold and of filuer , of br*jft, ofyron, ofwood^ offione, was fuddenly (laine. Neither is it wonder that wicloed and worldly ioy bring forrow and death; for oft-times wee read, that naturall ioy and mirth , hath beene hurtfull and brought many to theirgraues very fpeedily; as Diagoras of Rhcdes., through too much ioy , becaufe of the honour of his three Victorious (bnnes in feuerall cxercifes at Olym- pus , and of the admiration of the people ap- plauding him, fell downe dead pr.efcntly in that place. So Sophocles and Philip-fides-, the Poets, ouercomming others in their poefie, died for their prefent pleafure and great ioy : So more lately Sinan an expert Captaine, when his fonne was reftored by the- meanes of Barks* ruff a, in the reigne of Socman the Magnificent, he for ioy, becaufe of the recouerie of his fonne befide his expectation, ended his daies. h h Seeing a Hab. i.io t fa Dan.j»4« Ad. Belli & Ctc* VaL Marc. T>ioder; Suid. Rkh-Knolls in vita Soly. Chap. X II I. Chriflgiueth ioy. c Ia-r. w Properties of this loy. Seeing therefore this is the fruice of wic- ked and worldly ioy , that counfell of the Apoftle.is necdfull for them, Sorrow ye and weepe , let pur laughter bee turned into mourning ? and your toy into hcauinefie ; other. vvaies the fame fhall be the end of their pro phane ioy , which is the ende of folly : for Proii 4 if it. \df G 0l t JhneJJe is ivy to him that is deftituteof vn- der /landing. Fourthly, concerning the properties of this ioygiuen by Chrifh firft, It is hcaucnly; fc- condly, fpirituall : thirdly, cternall: fourthly, vnfpeakeable : fifthly, glorious : fixtly, internall: feauenthly, full ioy. Firft, It is heauenly, begun here, but chiefcly referucd for vs in the heauens. c In the Lords pre- fenecis fulnejf'e of ioy ^ at his right hand treplea- fures for euermore. f The righteous Jhali reioyce and he glad 9 before God. Non ejl gaudmm cer- timinhoc wunde 5 nee dealio, nee in alio > nee in te : There is no fure ioy in this world , neither of another, nor in another, nor in thy felfe. Ve- rum gaud turn in hoc mundo 9 nee eft , necfuit, pec erit^ nee ejfe potefl : There is no true ioy, neither was, neither (In II be, neither can bee in this world • ircommeth from heaucn, and is com- pleate in heauen. Secondly, This ioy is fpirituall ; zThe fruit if the fiirit wrought in the heart through the power if the holy Gho/I^ not a flefhly, nor a fenfuall delight which is contemned by the Saints. Third- « Pfal.i*.n. fpfaU8*J. Augufi SGal.J.J*., h Rom. i ^12 i Phi! 3.8^ I C h a p. X 1 1 1. chrifigiueth ioy. Thirdly, Ir * internall , feeing it is called k the ioj of faith , 1 remaining in the godly : Although fbmetime it appcare outwardly in them , m yea that they leape for toy, as was feene in a Dauid y while he brought the Arke to his Citie. Fourthly, It is vnfpeakeable, asthofe ° words which the Apoft/e heard i n Pantdife could not bejpo- ken j it was not poflible for man to vtter them. So it is with this ioy: and no wonder, that it fur- pafte the fpeech of man , for it is of the na- ture of that peace, p which pajfeth all vnder- {landing, Fiftly , It is glorious, for as the Apoftle faith. They that doe truly beleeue in Chrifl Iefus, doe <\ reioyce wtth ioy vnfpeakeable and glorious : and no maruell , becaufe it is of the fame ioy which the Saints cnioy hereafter in the king- dome of heauen.* as that firft fight of the blind man, whereby he (hall fee men r rvalke like trees ^ it was the fame fight whereby heefawthein2 Warmuft goe before Peace. Properties of this Warfare. r Numb. 1 4. 41. fludg.7 23- c i.Saai.x j. 1. "Ifa.49.22. x Deut.20. R«u. 12. 17. b lob 1. 7. Chap. XIV. ChriH giueth Peace. may be the more hardnedto vndergocthetra- uel! and turmoiie, which is in it, let vs confider ! fome properties and prerogatiucs thereof. Ourfptrituall warrcfare is : 1. Iuftandholy, jbecaufe of Gods appointment, that it fhould continue . and therefore they were vanquifhed andconfumed. 2. It is nccefiarie: other waics we cannot be obedient to God,for whofoeuer reftife this war- fare, they make defection , from their Creator, neither fhall f Peace be vnto them, fas it was vino Gideon) who will not be content to * fight the bat- tels of the Lord with Dauid. 3 . It is admirable & wonderfull, becaufe there is no exception ofperfons, no priui!edge,nor im- munitie granted to any from it.King,Pricft > rich, poore, young and old, man and woman,alland euery one of themmuft fight vnder the "fland- ard which chrijt fttteth vp to his people. The matter is not fo in this warfare, as it is in worldly warfare* for fome of tfre Lords people might lawfully haue left it, and* returned againe vn* to their houfis^ but none at all may forfake this warfare without difobedience and defedion from God. 4. It is a continuall warfare, for the a Dragon is wroth with the woman^ and make th wane with the remnant of her feede , which keepe the CQmmande* ment of God , and haue the teflimonie of Iefus Chrift, Satan without any inrcrmiffion*>w»-' paffeth Chap. XIV. Chrift giueth Peace. paffeth the earth c feeking whome he may deuoure. The <* dccufer oft he brethren , which accufetb them before God day and night , 'he fighteth alfo againft them day and night with irrecouerable hatred and continual! tentations, fo that the moft refor- med in this earth cannot enioy fuch perfe&ion of peace, but they will find that the * flefy lufteth agalnfl the Spirit , and the Spirit againft the flefh, the battell begun in their life, neuer alto- gether ended vntill the houre of death , 5. This is a comfortable warfare, becaufe all Chrifts fouldiersmaybe affured of vndoubted vi&ory , and that they are to f receive an incor- ruptible crowne of ^ glory , feeing g thecaptaine of that hoB i$h the mighty God, who* will be with thtm alway, k he iudgeth and fighteth righteoufly^ he mU 1 preferue his owne vnto his heauenly kingdome^ where m clothed with long white robes ? and palmes in their hands 7 they (hall triumph eternally. Albeit the Saintes be vncertaine, in what place of the earth, in what nation or kingdome they muft fight and encounter with their enemies; Yet they are moft certaine in what place they (hall triumph, namely in the kingdome of heauen. As the Romane fouldiers fan out by their Senatat there departure knew not affiiredly , in what place of the country they (hould find their ad- uerfarie to fight againft , but they were fure and certaine of the place where they {hould triumph in eafejfo they obtained the viftoiy,to wit in the City of Rome, inprefenceoftheSenators^and for good reafon, becaufe the Senat did Minifter Ii 2 weapons 253 c i.Pet.f .8. GaL^x7« f i-Petf*. 6 Ioili.9.14. h Ifa 9.6. iMath, t8.io k Rcu.i9 # 11. l 2.Tim.4.i8 m Rcu7,9, SimiU 254 n Ioh.i5«f« •Pfal.144.1. Augh \fi \ f lam. 4. 7. sDcuuj.?. Chap. XIV. Chnjl ginetb Peace, weapons and giuecounfeli to them, and did fur- nifh, food, vi&ualls, money, and other warlike prouifion with all neceffaries vnto them* So Chnftian foDldicrs though they be igno- rant of the proper place of the battel! yet they know well the place of their triumph , euen in the heauen, in prefenceofGod, and before the Lambe, of whom they receaued counfcll, ftrengtb, courage n without whom they could do no- thing , neither for Gods glory, nor there owne faluation ; (b that euer y one of the Godly iuftly may fay with David ° Blejfed be the Lord my ftrength^ which teacheth my hands tofght^ and my fingers to battel!. Now if men naturally will make warre to re- fift their enemie, and for the obtaining of out- ward peace for ( * helium geritur, vt fax acqtu- ratur.) Should not Chriftians gladly vndertake this fpirituall warfare to prefijl the lined ^ who then will fly from them, and to the end they may en- ioy inward and fpirituall peace, andtrarcquiilitic of minde. In this holy warfare that counfell and aduife which Goddidgiue to his people,is worthy of continual! remembrance and is of ablolute neceffitie. namely /: l.Pet.I.^7- 1 iPctfA m lob y.iS. Chap. XIII I. Chrijl giueth Peace. mwde y and their refuge jha/t perijh • they Ajhall bee continually as a. woman that trauelleth of childe, they* pill flee when none perfueth them, theytfha/l bee like the raging feathat cannot reft, there jhall bee no peace vnto them, for their g bed U Jlraight that it cannot faffice, their couering, it is narrow that they cannot wrap themfelues, there- fore h afflittion and anguifl) [ball make them li- ft aide, » their worme dieth not, the f re neuer goeth out, they are tormented for euer. Vt cruciarii Romano ritu cruccmfuamferebant, ipfiab ea mox ferendi : Sic impiis omnibus confcientU crucem Bens impofuit,in quapcenas luant antequam luant. As thefe Malefa&ours worthy of torment (after the cuftome of the Romanes) did bcare their owne CrofTe, themfelues incontinent to bee borne and tormented thereupon 5 fo God hath laide the CrofTe of the confcience vpon all the wicked, whereon they may bee puniflied here temporally, before they bee punifhed internally hereafter. But the godly k are in heauineffe for a fea- fon , through manyfolde tentations , oftentimes through griefe of minde and trouble of their confcience, that the tryaU of their Faith being much morepretious then gold that peri fteth, might be foundj vnto their prat fe and honour , and glory, at the appearing of lefus chyijl • they J are firjl humbled, and afterward exalted : They are af- ' fli&ed, that the more they may bee comforted. God ^maketh their wound^ and his hand maketb them whole : they haue trouble, that they ?nay hauc greater \ Chap. XIII I. chrijl giueth peace. greater « peace, «■ they are dead with Christ ', that they may alfo Hue with him $ P grafted with him to the fimilitudcof his death, that euen fothey may be to the fimihtude of his refurreOion, fuffering with him, that they may reigne with him in his glorious Kingdome. Yctforafmuchas this trouble of mindc, and griefeof confeience, is very fearefull and terri- ble to the godly themfelues, (for <\ the Jpirit of a man will fuftaine his infirmities 5 but a wounded Jptrit who can beare //.^Therefore for the efchew- ing of the extreamitie of this vexation of the minde, it fhall bee expedient to declare fome to- kens preceeding this horrour of confeience. As the Philofopher fetteth downe certaine fignes which goe before an Earth-quake, viz,. Firft, darkeneffe and obfeuritie , the Sunne being Miftie without any cloud : Secondly, calme- nefle of the Aire : Thirdly, coldnefle. So the fame are the inward tokens fore-fhewing that trouble of confeience is to come : Namely, 1. darkeneffe of minde, if one rjlumblt at the noonc- day as in the night ,8c with ?Iob for a time,cannot fee the louing face of God, neither enioy, nor vvalke ( as he accuftomed to doe ) l in the light of the Lords countenance. 2. When a godly man hath fallen into finfull fecuritie, and doeth not " feare alway, but for a feafon fleepeth in his in- iquitie,asZ>^/C4p,2. f lob 13.14, u Prci 8.1-4- x 2,Sam.n,i 258 *Reue.2.4. b Mat.24-l2- c Iohnn.3^. d Ephef.f. verfe8,lo. eRom.iM2. f Reucl.3.1. Si.Kin.19. 14 h GaIa.6.9. i 1 .Kin, 1 9. 12 kGala.6.1*. Order ob- ferued. C h a p. X 1 1 1 1. Chrifl gtueth Peace. Two forts of peace. enflamed with the zeale of God as it fhould bee, but hath a left his firfl loue, and hu^charttte is waxed cold. If therefore thou beeafraideof this inward horrour, and painefull gnawing of a wounded fpirit, and of a tormenting confeience : Firft, la- bour diligently, that thou 'c be the chide of light, andto&walkc asachilde of light, approouing that which is pleafing to the Lord , forfaking the wayes^and e ca/ling away the workes ofdarkeneffe: Secondly, f Bee awake and flrengthen the th'wgs which remaine, that are readie to die , continue not in the fearefull flumberof finfull fecuritie: Thirdly, Bee g very jealous (with Elijah) for the Lord God of hofles, of his honour and glory ; Bee not h wearie of well-doing, for in due feafon thou jhalt reape, if thou faint not. After the mighty winde, which brake the Mountaines,and rent the Rockes ; after'the Fire, and Earth-quake^ * there came aftillandfoft voyce to the man of God : So after warfare, the battels, the griefeof mindc, and trouble of confeience, then true tranquillitre : k peace and wcrciefiall be vpon the ifracl of God. In handling of this point, this order (hall bee kept : I . We will fpeake of the forts of peace : 2. Of the authour thereof: 3. To whom it is ginen: 4. From what things it proceedeth : 5. Which are the cffe&cs thereof: 6. How it fhould bee retained : 7. Of the yfes of (his Doctrine. Firft, let vs remember, that there is a double peace : Chap. XIV. Chrifl giueth Peace. i. A falfe and deceining peace of the wicked : For when they frail fay, 1 Peace and fafetie, then Jball come vp on them fuddaine definition, at the traue/lvpon a woman with childe, and they Jball not efcape. Alas, many will fay, m Peace, peace, when there is no peace : They n will looke for peace, but no good will come, and for a time of health, but be- hold trouble and vexation : fuch peace is not the gift of Chrifl. Againe there is a true peace, appertaining to the godly, which is in the Lord Iefus, a good peace of the Militant Church , whereby they ouercome temptations, and a better peace of the triumphant Church, whereby they are freed and deliuered from all temptations. SccondIy,God is the Author and giuer of this peace, The God of peace muftfan&ifie vs through out , P and tread Satan vnder our feete Jhortly . q he mufl bee with vs continually, r and the Lord of peace will gsue vs peace alwayes by aftmeanes. Iefus Chrifl: alfo beftoweth this peace, and tranquilli- tic ; for r hee u our peace , which hath broken the partition wall, and preached peace vnto vs, that he might reconcile vs vnto God. As hee is King of righteoufnefle, hee is alfo King c of Salem, King e f peace ; hee " whofe dominion is from Sea to Sea, and from the Riuer to the end of the Land, heejhajl fteake peace vnto the Heathen, which Jhall* rule in the hearts of his chofen. Chrifl: a the Prince of peace, procureth our peace and reconciliation with God much more furely,andfirmely, then Ioab could procure 'Ab- ut k faloms 259 ' i .Thcf.j.3. m Ier.^14. n Icr.8,if. Another of peace. i/ThcCj, p Rom.1rf.t8 * Phil.4.9. 'i.Thcf # j f i6.j f Eph.t.i4i u Zech.9.10. *Co1.j.ij. a Ifa.9tJ. z6o b i.Sara.18. 17* c Ifa.j4.no. Chap. XIV. Chrift giueth Peace. d E*ecb.37. * lob 34.29. To whom true peace is giuen. f Mala.2.5. sPf.i 19.16*$ h l.chr.17.4. it. Chio.20. k aXbro.14. 2. J Pfall34.M. m Toh.i4.i7. "*Luk.io.$. faloms peace tvkh />*/*/ df ; foz it endured but for a very fhort time , : and thereafter followed Treafon, Warre, and ^^Aifaloms deftru&ion : But the peace which Chrift giueth, is eternal], and endureth for euer, without change or alte- ration, c for the Maunlaines jhall remooue, and I the Hi Is flail fill downe, but his mercie jhall not ' depart from hts owne, neither Jhall the Couenant of his peace fall away : therewith fliaJl be ioy, fafetic, and eternall faluntion* That Couenanr of peace which he maketh, & is an euer la/ling Cove- nant, hee will fet his Sanctuary among them for euermore, be wiU bee their God y and they jhall be his people : e When he giueth peace and qutetnejfe^ mho can make trouble or vexation ? Thirdly, Chrift will giue this peace, tothofe that feare him. f Leui feared the Lord, and was afr aide before his name, and the Lord made a Co- uenant of life and peace with him.z.To thofe that loue his Word; g 7 'hey xhatloue thy Law (faith Dauid) Jhall haue great peace, and they Jhall haue no hurt. 3. To thofe who with happie Ieho- fhaphat, ^ feeke the Lord God, and walke in his Commandements. ' l <^4s his Kingdome was quiet, and Godgaue him reft on euer y fide • £0 doubtleffe his heart was quiet and fetled in his God, who gauehirn alfo inward peace, and tranquilitie of minde. 4. To thofe that with {Apt )M dec good and right in the eyes of the Lord, 5 .To thofe who \feeke peace and follow after it. 6. Chrift will leaue m his peace, and giue his peace to his Di- fciples, not as the World giueth. 7.T* the*fonnes of peace, for peace jhall refi vpon them for euer. Chap. X 1 1 1 1. Chrift giueth Peace. If therefore thou feare God 3 loue him, doing right in his eyes, follow peace an d be Chrifi Difcipleand the Sonne of peace, peace (hall be with thee : but all thofe that rebcll againft the Lord, contemne his word, who are giuen to contention, whorefufehisinftrudion, God who o hateth all them that wtrke iwquitie, will abhorrc them alfb, they fhall not be partakers of this peace, nor tranquillitie which is a priuiledge ap- pertaining to the righteous feruing Godln ipirit, in truth and finceritie. Fourthly, This v peace is a fruit of the holy Spi rit, whereby the children of God doc receiue the comfortable aflurance of this adoption, and q they cry <^Abha Father, and the fame fpirit, that true r comforter abiding with them for eucr, doth furnifh vnto them abundance of inward peace andheauenly confolation. 2. It is an efFe<5t of Iuftifying faith, f For being iu fifed by faith , we baue peace towards God, through cur Lord lefus chrijl. 3. This faith as it worketh pietie and deuotion , fo it * worketh by charity and bro- therly affe&ion , of which proceeded! a god- ly life and holy conuerfation , which furely yeeldcth inward reft and peace of confeience, euen in time of trouble and affli&ion, as the holy Apoftleof hisowne experience u witnef feth. 4. That x good hope which Godeucn the Father \whicbhath loued vs, hath giuen vs \ worketh this ihappie peace in vs : this hope perfwadeth vs, |rhat albeit with Chrift our eldeft brother wee | a endure the 'Crojfe and fuffer paine and moleftati- \ Kk 2 on 26 1 PfiI.M. From whence this peace proceedeth * Rom. 8.is. 1 loh 14.16, r Rom.f 4 t. u i.Gon,ri. "l/Iheff.s, 1(5. a Hcb.i22. 262 b Uik. 2<.i6 # #0.57.1 j. Efcasof peace. d lob 22.2 1, Fhil.7. f Num.3 f.n. fcPfal.j04.18. 2,P«.i. a. Chap. XIII I. Chrift giueth Peace. on here 5 yet afterward we (hall alio b ****>■ /V;/* hisglorie, and * truflinginhimxoe fka[l foffeffehis holy mountaine^ which is a great caufe of true peace and contentmenr. Fiftly concerning the cffe&s of this peace, we wil remember foure of them. Peace caufeth pro- fperity • it preferueth the heart • it gouerneth the fame , they who receiueth it , (hall be found in peace and bleded for euer. 1. This peace bringeth profperity. <* Therefore {as Eliphaz, counfelleth) acquaint thy fclfe^Ipray thee, with the Almighty \ and make peace with him, aske peace of him, thereby thou jhalt have prof- perity^ and the light (hallfiine *^ When h^commeth, hj& remrdis with him : At his fecond comming hewillgiue glorieat his firft comming into our hearts, he bringeth grace with him. Concerning this benefite, which is the mod fpeciall good, wereceiue in this earth, we will fpeake briefely of thefe particular points: 1. Of the beginnings of grace: 2. Ofthencccffitieof it : 3. Of the comelinefle thereof; 4. Of the vtilitie and profite of it: 5. Of the fhbilitie thereof: 6. Of the effc&s of grace: 7. To whom it is giuen : 8. Of fome vfes. Firft, he who is the fountaine of grace, giueth ordinarily two beginnings of it; 1. A defire of grace: z. A purpofe of amendment. This defire of grace proceedeth from grace, and it is a fure argument thar fome grace is alrea- dy wrought, and that it is not altogether defici- ent and lacking, where that defire remaineth. Asaficke man defireth the windowes of his houfe to be opened, that he may ger ayretobe refrefhed. This hisdeiireargueth not, that alto- gether he wanteth ay re, for then his life could not continue , he would incontinently be choa- ked, bu: that already he hath fome ay re, and thirfteth Chap. XV. Chrift giueth Grace. thirfterh for the fame iuyce abundantly : fo the defireofgraceis no token of the want of grace, but a beginning of further grace , and a fure pledge that it will come fhortly more plenti- fully. Yet let vs remember : Firft, that our dcfire fhould not bee inconftant and fleeting, but con- ftant and continuing, like Davids defire • r One thing I haue dejired that I will require : Secondly, our defire fhould bee accompanied with an ear- neft care to vfe lawfull meanes, whereby wee may attaine to it, like c Zacheus, heedefiredto fee Iefus, and could not for the preafe of the people, becaufehee was of alow ftature; wherefore hee ran before, and slimed vp into a wttdcfg.tree 9 that hee might fee him ; Hee carefully (as wee fhould doe) vfed meanes to accomplifh his defire. It is the cuftomc of the reprobate to defire and wifli for grace and good things \ but to vfe no meanes to come to it. As £/*/* willing rninde, it is accepted of God , according to that a man hath , and not accor- ding to that he hath not: 4. This defire wrought, heard, accepted of God fhall be fulfilled, and I fatisfied.cB/^T^ Are they which hunger and thirfl 1 tlz for 269 <"PfaU7.4. t Luk,!?.;, u Numb.i3, II- x Phil.a.ij: a PfaI,io. 17. b 2.C«r.8.n« Math.f.& 270 d A&.ir« ij. 57. f 2. Ghro,i£. 8 Luk,if. 1 8. h Ffa.ni.io. i tfaatf.S. Caffiod. Lib. 4. cvf/>. *P fa, 1 17*. C h a p. X V. chrifl giucth Grace. for righteoufine(fe % for they frail be filled-, againe pur- pofc of amcndemcnt of life, and a conftant deter- mination to worfliip & honor God by an honcft and godly conucrfation , is a fure beginning of grace and happinefle: therefore Barnabas fent forth from the Church which was at Ierufalcm to goe to Antioch^ when he was come he exhorted all that with pur poc of heart they wonldcleaue vnto the Lord, & continue with him that exhortation then giucn vnto the Antiochians, which is mod needfull for all Chriftians , and that euery one may fay with holy Dauid*, O Lord, thou art my portion, lhaue determined to keepethy words : and with He&ekiah f Now Ipttrpofe to make a couenant with the Lord Cod oj lfirael, that he may turne away his fierce wrath firm et iHud agit pfrpeccatum, quod Diabolusvult. Asafhip, the rudder being broken, is driuen to that place, where the temped forceth ic .• So a man hauing loft C h a p . X V. Cbrift gineth Grace. loft the'helpe of Gods grace , is driuen there and <$bt*h that -by (inne, which the rare heautie 9 who had no blemtfh in his whole body, neither * lezabels painted face nor tyred head y will be a continuall and diffident ornament. For he who Without graceiiath rich apparrell, and rare beauty , he hath alfo , ^wlum oculis, laqueum pedibus , vifcum alls quibus detinetur, 274 'Chap. XV. CbriH giueth Grace. n PfaU.j. Hcbr.27. Grace pro- fitable. ^i.Timo.4.8. p Iam.4.7. A*gnft. StmiU 1 1ere.9.$. r i.Tim.114 SimiL f i.Pct.4.3. t PfAi.8 4 IX. Attguft. to glory, as by theftirit of the Lord 5 *lam crowned with honour, glory , andworjbip, and fet aboue the tvorkes of Gods hands. Fourthly, concerning the neceflitie of grace • the Apoftle telleth vs, that god/inejfe is projj 'ta- ble to all things, fo grace which is the ground of true vertueand godlinefTeis profitable vntoall things , both for efchewing euill, and obtaining of good. By p grace weefubmit our fe lues to God, and voee reftjl the dwell, fo that he fleeth from vs : Gratia Dei, a Dtmonum dominatione liber at. As where Sothernwood, Lyfimathus, or Calamint are iaidc'or grow, there venemous beafts remaine not, but flee away : So where the grace of God is, Sathan and finne, and euill motions depart. Men by nature are prone to doe wickcdnefTe,W <3 they proceeds from euill to worfe, but f the grace of our Lord is exceeding abundant, by which fve are reftrained and preferucd. Like as a fpring-Iocke which of it felfe can (hut, but cannot vnlocke without a key ; eucn fo wee of our fellies may fall into wickednefle, and £ rvalke in wantonnejfe, and runne to the excejfe of riot, but we cannot returne, and come out of the fame, without the key of Gods grace, t for the Lord God is the Sunne andjhieldvnto vj ; tkcLord wiU giue grace and glory, and no good thing will bee with hold from them that walke vp rightly. Sine gratia Dei nemo aliquid benefacit, quid quodmalffacit, ipfius hominis est- y quodfacit bene, de benefatPei eft. Without the grace of God, none C h a p. X V. Cbrijt gineth Grace, 27S none doeth any thing well, becaufe a man doing euill, itishisownedeed- that which heedoeth well, is from the benefit of God. If the holy Apoftle Paul defired Marke , to bee brought to him, becaufe hee was "profitable vnto him to mimfier ; we ihould rather wi(h that grace may beegiuentovs, which will bee moft profitable vnto vs, to be a matter to ouer-rule vs, < to reigne by righteoufnefj'e vnto etert$aU life, to bee our guide to direft vs, our helper to affift vs, and to worke euery good worke in vs, Gratia omnia operatur bona, faith the Auntient - as alfo. Nihil ejl homo fine gratia Bti : A man is nothing without the grace of God, yea worfe then no- thing, euen companion to Satan in finne and mi- ferie. Grace is profitable. 1. Becaufe wee are elefted by grace, therefore it is called a the eletti- on of grace. 2. Becaufe of our vocation. Wee with the Apoftle, are b feparatedfrom the wicked world, and called by grace. 3. Becaufe we are c iufiificd, by grace, and made heires ace or ding to the hope of eternal life, 4. Wee <* are faued by grace. 5. Becaufe the e heart is ftablifbed with grace. So our election, vocation, iuftification, ftabilitie, andfaluation, are by the free grace of God through Iefus Chrift. Fiftly, go-ace is the freef auour of God,where~ by it pleafethhis Maieftietomake vshis deere children, which trucly beleeue in Chrift : It is itioft fure and ftable , which cannot whoHy and finally bee loft 5 for although Sathan bee powerfuIL- yet neither he, nor the gates of hell, M m (ball u i.Tim.4.xi *Rom jf.21. Angnfty * Rom. 1 1- $> b Calat.i.ij. c Titus 3. 7* d Ephe.1.8. c Heb.i3 # 9. The ftabi- litie of srace. f Mau*.i3, 276 I C h a p. X V. Chrijl giuetb Grace. &Mat.24.:4. h Ioh.io.i8, k i.Iohnf.iS Rom.6.14. jfuguft. lib. de corrett$~ one & gra* fhall preuailc and ouercome one member of Chriftsbpdy : although bee be deceitfully yet it is impoffible to % : deeeine the very Elect of God. The Duiell neither by might, nor fleight, nei- ther by power, nor pollicic, fhall euer be able fo topreuaile againft the godly, that they fliall al- together fall away from grace, and vtterly loofe true faith and Pietie: becaufe h tbejheepeofchrtft fhall neuerperijh, neither jhall any plucke them out of his hand : becaufe \ they are borne of God, they cannot finne, they cannot commit that ^finne whtch is vnto death, 1 finne hath hot dominion oucr them, it ruleth not in them with wholeconfent. So this grace giuen by Chrift, as it is more ample and greater, then the grace giacn toux/- dam at his creation : fbalfb this grace is more firmeand (table, which is for our great confbla- tion. Gratia per Chriflum nobis impertita, longe Amflwr q#am ill* qua Ante lapjum <^Adamofucrat coltata. Nam hoe tantumDeusilli dedcrat, vtin iuftitia, in qua erat creatus, perfeueraret ft ueHet : at volnntatem perfeuerandi non dedit, fed ipfius ar- bitrio oftionem permifit adhdrendifux integntati, aut ab ea dejleclendi. At gratia ab eius filid nobis aL lata longior eft & ampltor, Nam prater faculty tern, nobis etiam impar tit volnntatem beneagendi, efficitqueper fuumfpiritum, vt tanto amorcacftu* dio ampleclamur , quod i Hi gr a turn ejfe intelligt- mus^ vt indc nee carnis noHra obUclatione ac re- pagnantia , nee alia vlla tentatione auertamur. That grace beftowed vpon vs by Chrift, is n;uch more ampie then that which was giuen to Chap. XV. Chrijl giueth Grace. to ^ddam before the fall : for God gaue onely this to him , that hee might perfeuere in that righteoufheffe, in which hee was created, if hee would : but hee did norgiuevnto him a will to perfeuere, but left it to the option of his arbiter- ment, to cleaue to his integritie, or to depart there-from. But the grace brought to vs by his Sonne, is farre greater : for befide thefacultie and power, he alfo vouchfafeth vnto vs a will to doe well • and hee caufeth by his fpirit,that wee embrace with fo great loue and earneftneffe, that which we vnderftand to be acceptable and plea- fant to him, that neither by the wraftling, and re- filling of ourflefh, neither by any other tenta- tion are wee diverted or turned any way there- from. //m the Sunne which is a light to the day, and thecdurfes of the Moone> and of theStarres, which are for a light to the nighty if thefe ordinances depart out of Gods fight . then (hall tbefeede of If raelbecaftoff. But that order of nature is vnmooueable and vnchangeable. So is the n coucnant of God which hee mil ejlabhjh and confirme with vs 5 it will be an vnchangeable, °and euerlatting Couenant. If Gods p Couenant of the day and night can bee broken, fo that there fbould not bee day and night in their feafons . then may his Couenant be broken rvtth Dauid. He mil q loue vs with an euerlafling hue, his * foule Jhall neuer loath vs y we will bee C the Temple of the liuing God, hee will dwell a- mmgblej[ed, eftecming her felfe to bee of] 1 a\ s i.Co'r«4.7. h 2.Cor.$.y. S^UgHlt. »Lukci8.H. C h a p. X V. Chrifi gineth Grdce, 1 a low eflate andpoore degree, yea Iefus Chrift her fonne and Sauiour, m in whom dwclleth alt the fulnejfe of the Godhead bodtly as be is *fell of grace, fohen° meeke and lowly m heart , full of lowli- neife and humilitie : and although he was p Ma- (ler and Lord, yet he was content to wafli his owne Difciples feete. Laftly,letvsconfider fomevfes: i.Gcdde- Iiuervs from that terrible plague and ^. mcnarewealthie* mighty, witty, and honoura- ble in the eyes of the world: farre lefle fhould hcauenly 3nd failing grace be defpifed or de- fpighted, that eternaU andfpirituall good (hould principally be efteenced and accepted of, where- by we are honorable- in the eyes of God , and happie for euer. 2. Let vswifhferioufly, and pray feruently for this chiefe good wifhedby the fernants of Chrift thirtie onetimes ox oftner , to the Saints in the new Teftantent to whom they did write. O with whar wonderful! induftry fliould Chri- ftiansfeeke for grace; <7tf/z/z0#/*\v nolenttbus vo- lentesy ex frepugnantthttsconfentientes/x oppugnan- tibt^amantes : by which of vn willing they be- come willing, of gainftanding they become a- greeing, and of fighters againft they become Io- uing. If we aske, it fliall beegiuenvs : if we feekc, we (hall finde : when we hauc found the fame, let vs take heede, leaft not * fill from grace^ euen sfk/l amy from the grace of God. As the wife man Solomon faid of Wifedome, fo we may fay of grace: h Get grace, forget not, for fake it not y anditfhali keep theejoneit^nd itfhall prefer ue thee. 3. Thou to whom God hath beenefo bene- ficially that thou haft gotten grace, > goc on in grace , and in the knowledge $f $ur Lord and fauiour Iefus Chrft, ^incr cafe therein with the increafing ofGod^h^iu thee l for nettles lhall grcwe, themirrhetree h forfinfull thoughts, idle words, profane deedes, thy workes (hall be good Chap. XV. Chrifl giuetb Grace. good, thy words fauoury m the meditation of thy heart [hallbe ace eptabie in Goals fight. DoubtlefTe mortall men defire to growein worldly wealth , in credite , and in estimation 5 they defire 'their corne to growe to maturity, their children to grow in ftature to a iuftmea- fure; wherefore fhould they not defire alfo with Samuel '« to profit and grow in grace, and to be in fauour both with the Lord and alfo with men; hauing* mofl plentious grace, ° abounding therein with thankfgiuing that theyp^^ increafe more and more, till they be 9 perfect and entire , lacking nothing which is expedient for them, 4. Lee vs T trufl perfettly on the grace that is brought to nt fight : 7. If a f woe and a curfe, wtllbeetothem that haue fled away, an& de- parted from God : 8 . If a t woe and curfe, will bee to him that ccueteth, an euill conetoufneffe to his houfe, that hee may fet his neft\ on high : 9. If a " woe be to that man^ by whom an offence commeth : 10. If a* woe bee to them, who follow the way of Cain. 11. If* iuery man bee curfed, that ton- tinueth \ Chap. XVI. Chrift giueth a Ble/img, timet h not wall things, which are written in the bookt of the Law to dee them. Now my brother, t> examine ,and fearch thy felfe diligently, n,according to the light of Gods Word, and teftimonie of thy ownc "confidence, tell plainely and fincerely, what thou thiiAeft of thy felfe. In what eftate remaineft thou? Whether ait thou culpable of thofe faults, or not < If thou d receiue things worthy of that which thou haft done, becaufe^ thou haft cloathed thy felfe with cvrjing. Like a raiment, haft thou not deferued that all the fearefull curfes?thrcatned againft the wic- ked in Gods Law, fhould bee powred vpon thy head? Neuer goe about to denieit, thinkenot to gaine-fay it, nor yet to make any exception againft the fame, whereof thy confeiencefo itia- nifeftly conuinceth thee. Remember alfo that if the curfe of Parents, and Prophets, and Magiftrates bee oftentimes fearefull,becaufe they are cflYdhialhhow dange- rous then and terrible is the curfe of that ( hea- uenlyFather y of% the liuing Lord ? the God of truth, and an euerla(hng King , at whofe anger, the earth doe- h tremble, and whofe wrath the Na- tions cannot abide i Firft, the iuft curfe of Parents, wanteth not the owne effect, as may beefeeneinhCVzfe, &ho was curfedhy hufatbtr Noah ; therefore Canaan and his pofteritie,was made a feruant of feruants, to his brethren. 29 1 b i,Cor.ir. 28. c 2.C0M|.'f # <* Luke 25.4. c Pfa.iQ9.18. The iuft curfe of man feare- full, O o In l lerc,io.lo, h Gcn.^ij. 292 Lonictrus in thtat. bift.inex- emp. 4. pre* cepth a.Kin.2,24. Caufelefle car fes (hall not come 1 Num.13.2 $• n Pfal.l.i. Pro.i&2. SimiL (p 2.Sats.i6* in* C h a p. X V I. C*r//Z £/***£ a Bkfsing. In the dayes of Luther, a young woman in Witenberge 3 being curled of her mother, was pofleft, and lamentably vexed by an euill fpirit. And Saint A*gutttn rccordech, that hee faw Teuen children, who after their mothers Curfe, did tremble fearcfully in all the parrs of their bodies, and did wander as vagabonds through fundrie places of the World. Secondly, alfo the curfe of a Prophet is feare- full and terrible. When ■ the little children of Be- thel mocked Elifha, hee car fed them in the name of theLord, and afterwards two fhe-Bearestorein pieces, two and fourtie of them. Yet notwithstanding, godly Princes and peo- ple, haue no caufe to feare thofc curfes, pro- nounced by the Pope of Rome, or any of his CIergie,becaufe they k are the feed of the bleffed of the Lord 7 they are thel Ifrael of Godyagainft whom there u no for eery , no incantation , no surfing : m vfon them jhafl come the blefsing of goodneffe, for they n doe not walke in the counftU of the wicked, nor in the way of fmners, but their delight is in the Law of the Lord. And it is mofttrue, which is fpoken by wife Salomon, the curfe that is caufeleffe, [hall not come. As the Swallow comming from her neft, re- maineth not ftedfaftly in any place, neither fir- teth downe vpon the ground, nor on a tree, but euer flieth, vntill fhec returne againe to her neft : So thofe caufeleffe curfes light not, but goe backevnto the pronouncers thereof : vand the Lord will doe good to his owne, for that wrong curfing Chap. XVI. Chrift gluetb a Blefsing. curfing thundered againft them 5 thus thePapifts curfes , are like the curfes of Shimei . q whofe wickednejfe the Lord brought vpon his ownt head \ the good King being euer blefled of the God of heauen, becaufe his r heart was perfite with the Lord bis God. Thirdly : The curfe alfo of a lawfull Magi- ftrate is greatly to be feared : for the effe<3 of Iojhuahs curfing, f who our fed the builders of the Citie Iericho, was ftene on c Hie/ the Bethelitejvho laid the foundation thereof in the death of jbiram his eldeft fonne, and fet *vf the gates thereof in the death of Segu hisyoungeftfonne. If then the curfe of Parents, Prophets, and Magistrates be heauie anddreadfull: How bitter and grieuous isicfor' to be fubied to the deferued curfe of the Al- mightie and euerliuing God : u The Father of the JPirits 3 * that great Prophet, the eternaU King and LordofHo/les* Makkiclum efse , efi Deo & creaturis omnibus innifum efse & execrabilem,quod omnium malorum pefsimumeftatqueextremum. To be acciufed, is to be hated both of God and all creatures, to be execrable, and abhominable , which of all euils : is the worft and laft euill. For if the Cibeenites remained in great mifery vnder the curfe of Iofhua.^ being bound to per- petuall flauery, b none of fhem was freed from be- ing bond-men and hewers of wood and drawers of water. In what lamentable eftate will reprobates remaine, who are vnder the curfe and maledicti- on of God himfelfe t they will abide vnder the' i_ O o 2 bondage 293 4* r I.King, 1$, 1 i.King,irf. u Heb.i2,9. x luk.7.i(5. Mfa.6.f. Par&tts in Gen. cap. 9, Iof>9.2$, 294 Num. 5.17. Chap.XVI. drift giueth a Blefsing. c Exod. $4. 6. * Reii. MI- s Amos 9. i- h Zach,f.2, iGaI f 3,ig 4 bondage and fouitude of finne and Satan. Gods curfe wil be much more bitter and grie- uous then the bitter and curfed water was c to the defiled woman ? who by adultery had trefpafled againft her husband: her belly did JwellM* thighs did rot ' and/he was accnr fed among her people. But the curfe of God (vnto which by nature we are allfubiccfl) is more horrible and fearcfull • that will caufefoule and body, head and heart, flefli and bones, to be loathfome, to ftinkc, to bee hainous, vilde, detcftablc, and accurfed before God and his Angels, among men and all crea- tures.. Neither fliouldmenhefecureand voide of feare , albeit the curfe fuddenly feaze not vp- on them- As the curfe of ' loth am the fonneofl Urubbaal came not at the firft vpon Abimclech \ and the merr of Schechen , but at length after <* three yeeres God did bring it his feruants wifhed, q The Lord to bleffe their ■ q Rath.j.4. matter. Sometimes they will pronounce and declare a bleffing, asJMelchiJedeckK'mgof Sha- lem the Prieft of the moft high God^ tbUJfed A- r c ™* Hip- braham. Sometimes they will foretell of the Ooj bleffing, k Deutij. jr. Dcat.30.7, v i(, MaI.i*2* n 1. Cor, 1.30. The order heerc ob- fcrued. Chrift blef- feth really. °Mar.io. 16. p Luk.24. fo 4 \ 296 ' f Gen. 48.16, tGcn.27.3j. M.Cor.37. a Pfal.H7iI< C h a p. X V I. Chrift giueth a Blefsing. t> Heb. 13.17- c 1 Kin.8.14. d Num. 6.23. c *.Saro.6.2o f Gen.49.i8. g Reu.i.f. h Hcb. io 4 2i. qra.96. bleffing, as the Patriarch Izcob t blejfed lokphs children and hisowne. But no man hath power of himfelfe, to giue and conferre a bleffing : for Jacob cannot make his beloued and l ftr ft borne fonne Efau to be truly blcfTed, neither holy Samuel, albeit" he mourned for Saul, yet could he not procure a blefiing to Saul, nonotfo much as the continuance of his Royalldignitie. * So then neither, is he that planteth anything, ntithtr he that watereth, but God that giueth the increafe ': and a except the Lord build the houfe, the builders labour in vaine, except the Lor d keepe the Citiejhe keepers watch in vatne,and except Chrift blefle really , manbleflcth in vaine , hisbltffing will be vneffecftuall and fruitlefle without Chrifts bleffing. Doubtles the bleffing of a godly King giuen to his fifbie&s , and the bleffing of Paftours b (who yvatch for foules) giuen to their people, and the bleffings of matters of families giuen to their houfhould, and the blefsing of parents giuen to their children, is wonderfull delegable and exceeding comfortable- as when c ^T/^ Solomonbleftedallhis fubiedts euenall the con- gregation of Ifracl : like wife d Aaron andhisfons blejfed the people, calling vpon the name of the Lord: eDau/d returned to bleffe his houfe: I a cob f blefsed euery one of his children, fuch blefsings are pleafint and acceptable. But the blefsing of Chrift, 8 the Prince of the Kings of the earth ^ the high prieft who is oucr the houfe of Cod , l the cuer- lafting C h a p. X V I. Chrift giueth a Blefsing. , Lifting Father j by many degrees is much more pIcafant,comfortable,and acceptable to all thofe who third: for his blefsing. This manner of Chrifts blefsing , in that he blefleth really and in very deede, declareth his prerogative and greatneffeaboue his Saints- for thcApoftle faith ™ without all contradiction the lefse is blefsed of the greater. 2.Many and profitable are the effects of Chrifts blefsing. He hath done 3 he doth, and will doe, great and good things for thofe whom heeblef feth: fori. Eledion to life: 2. Remifsion of finnes : 3 . Habitation in Gods houfe : 4. Fa- therly correction and inftrudion : 5. True re- pentance: 6. San&ification : 7. Spirituallioy : 8. Sure trufl: and confidence: 9. Patience in af- fliction : 10. A good name and commendation: n. Fruitfull off-fpringandpofteritie: ^.Pro- tection and fafetie; 13 . Aboundance and plentie: 14. TheholyfcareofGod: 15. Contented life and happie death : Lsftly eternall glory and hap- pinefTe, all thefegood things, and many moe proceede from the bleffing of the Lord Iefus. Who are bleffed of him, they are thus beautifi- ed and enriched , as may appeare by cleere proofeof facred Scripture. There is a bleffing of election, n Blefsed is he whom thou chufefl and caufe/l to come to thee , he fhallbe fitisfied with the plea fur* of the holy Temple : a bleffing of remiffi- on : ° Blefsed is hewhefiwickedxe/se is forgiuen, andwhofefinne is couered, en whom the Lordmpn- tethnot iniquities a blefsing of habitation within the 297 m Heb.7,7. E&asof Chrifts blefsing. P6L*H- Pfal.^ 1. 29 * Chap. XVI. ChriH giueth a Blefsing. p P fal.84.4. . \\. * PfaUii.i, f ^ Z^r^f Tabernacle , p Bkfstdare they that dwell in Gods houfc, his waies are in their heart - y their Jlrengthisin him* they will euerpraife him: a bicfling of correction nnd inftru<5hcn, ^Blefsed is the man whom thou chaHifefi^ O Lord^ and teacheft thy Law: a blefsing of repentance , which is the firft refurrccSion, r Blefsed and holy is he that hath part in thefrjl refur reel ion . for of fuch thefecond death hath no power ; but they ft all 'be the Priefls of God and of ChriH : blefling of falsification, f Blefscd is the man that keepeth tudgement , and doth iuftice, that keepeth the Sabbath^ andpolluteth it not y and keepeth his hand from doing any euill : a blefling of fpirituall ioy and conization, c Blef- fedis the people that canreioyce in the Lord , they jhallwalke in the light of his countenance : a blef- fing of trnft and confidence , u Blefsed is the man that makeththe Lord histrufi : a blefling of pati- ence, x Blefsed is the man that endureth temptati- on ; for when he is tryed^ hefhallreceiue the crowne of Itfe, which the Lord hath promt fed to them that loue him : a blefling of fame and renownc, a Cod blefsed Abraham and made his name ^reat : a blcf- fing of an ample fuccefsion , b Godblefing Abra- ham he dtd greatly multiply hts feeders the Starres oftheheauen, and as the find which is Nm M.J7 c Num.2 "i A SimiL 302 d Ioh.i,2i. * Iob4».I2. f Rom.i2.l4. Whom Chrift blef- feth. t Math.^.4* h Icr.3i,$. 'Math.j.$. tdmbrefe. Chap. XVI. Chrift giueth a Blefsing, But the pradiife of patient lob is very com- mendable, and worthy of imitation, who after great lofTe of his fubftance and children in his grckious aduerfity, yet he did not charge God foolijhly but falling downevpon the ground \he wor. [hipped faying. d Naked tame I out of my mothers wombe and naked fhalll returne thither^ the Lord hath giuen , the Lord hath taken . bkfjedbe the name of the Lord . therejore e the Lord blejfed his laft dates more then the firjl 5 his goods are rcftored double vnto him , he faw his lonnes and his fons fbnnes; euen foure generations. Who fo are bieffed, as they will abftaine from fwearing and murmuring^ fothey willbemoft willing f tobleffe their neighbours and not tocurfe them^ according to the Apoftles precept. Thirdly, whom bleffeth Chrift? euen thofe who are marked with the forefaid true tokens of his bleffing. Alfb he telleth vs , that they g who mmrnefor their fmncs are blejfed^ they ^jhaBc&me weeping, And the Lord who is the Father of Ifrael, with mercie will bring them to him ft If: again e^ They that aremeeke are blejjed. Now they are not to be efteemed weake, who can patiently endure God to be difhonoured, and finne, open- ly with an high hand 3 committed. For this pur- pofe the Ancient faith truly, Beatus quifcuerita- tem & manfuetudinem tenet y with heauenly blefsingfrom aboue. After Athfah had gotten the South countrey from her father C4leb, (hee asked alfo, faying* &giue me a blefstng, giue mee firings of water , and he gane her the firtngs aboue and the firings beneath. After thou haft receiued temporal! gifts from God, askemorcouer his fpirituall, and heauenly bleffing; which is that * good giuing, and that perftel gift from above, comming dowrtc from the Father of lights, f which giueth to aU men liberal- ly, and reproacheth no man that asketh in faith and humilitie : yea, let his blefling be fo deare to thee, andfodefiredofthce, that thou beemoft willing to wreftle for the fame. Take hold of Chrift by fure faith, and fay with Jacob, g iwiU not let thee goe , except thou lie ff'e me, h weepeand pray vntikim, vnrillhee blcffe thee, then thou (halt finde, ' that he will bee mindefullof thee, and that k the bUfsmgs of the Lord, are the wages of the godly . and that hee makcth thy profperitie foone to flounfh, and when hee 1 will powre thee out a blefsing without me and o called °i.Pec.?.9. theewho fhonldbec an heire of blefing. ? There- PEcclc.j9.j5 fore praife the Lord, wifhthy whole heart and mouth, and bleffe the Name of the Lord. Si vis Mgnfl. benedicere Dominum, fac verbum, fac voluntatem eius. If thou defireto bleffethe Lord, doe his Word, doe his Will. If thou wouldeft looke diligently to others who bleiTed God, their example might bee a prouocation, and an allurement to thee/or thee, to doe the like dutie. Iethro foid, r Bleffed bee the Lord , who hath deliuered his people out of the handofPbdraob, and from vnder the hands of the Egyptians, f Deborah and Barak prafid the f iudg.*,*. Lord for their viclory> becaufe the Lord brought downe labin the King of Canaan. c The whole 'Luke*?.);* multitude of the Difciples, did praife God, with aloudvoyce 5 laying, BlefTedbee the King that commeth in the Name of the Lord, peace in Heauen, rnd glory in the bigheft places. The feruant of Abraham (aid, u Bleffed bee the Lord ''"Gen.x^, God , rvho hath not withdrawn? hts mercie , and trueth from my maflcr : hee praifed God, who profpered the marriage otlfaac with Rebecca. Seeing thofemen had iuft occafion to blede God , cucn for his benefits beftowed vpon o- thers; haft thou not (Chriftian reader,) greater reafon to blefTe thy God, for his mercies vouch- 1 fafed vpon thy owne felfe, and to fay with Za- charias, x Bleffed bee the Lord God of Ifrael, be- * Luke 1/8 caufe hee hath vifited and redeemed hts people, j and hath raifed vp the home offaluation to vs, ! And 305 Auguft. * Nubian, orat, 4. dc filio. b Num. 1 $. 14 C h a p. X V 1 1. Chrift giueth Himfelfe, and hath fent w deliuerance from the hands of our enemies^ and from all that hate vs, that hee would Jbew mercy towards vs % and remember his holy Couenant ? To the end thou mayft obtaine this mod ioy- full blefling, let the Spirit of Chrift rule power- fully in thy heart. Ibi non bencdicttur, vbi non dominatur : no blefsing there 3 where Chrift hath not the ruling and gouernment. Chap. XVIL Qhrift gittetb Himfelfe > to bee our Husband. IE s v s Chrift * in whom all things appeare full of mercie 5 and full of maruell, giueth Himfelfe to bee a Husband to his Church ; a That hee might make it repentance towardes God y and faith towardes our Lor d lefts Chritt : and by refuting of erroneous and impious do&rine , as that firfi: Martyr Steuen, Co refuted the Libertines, and Cyreni- ans with whom hee difputed, f that they were not able to refift the wifedome , and thejpirit by the which he Jpdke- Thus did Apollos, *who mightily confuted thelewes publikely, with great vehemen- cie, Jhewing by the Scriptures, that lefts was the Chrift. Thus did the Apoftle Paul , u who confuted the lewes, which dwelt at Damafcus, confirming that Iefus was the Chrift. Alio Peter, vehemently refuted falfe teachers/or teuing that x theyjhould perifh through their ovone corruption , and Jbould receiue the wages of vnrighteoufneffe , to their damnation. Indeed Minifters of the holy Euan- gel, fhould labour earneftly, to bee like that An- gel, which defcended from heaucn, at the time of Chrifts refurrc&ion ; hee did three things : Firfl:, a hee wiled backethe Jfcne from the doore of the Sepulchre : Secondly, forfeareof him, Chrifts enemies were afraid : Thirdly, they who Ioued Chrift, were dire&cd to Gaiilc, where they might fee him, Sofaithfull Paftours fhould prefleand pray. r. That the h /lot?y hearts of their people, may bee taken from them, that foft hearts offleft) may bee ginen vnto them, that they c may prepare the way of the Lord, to walke in his Statutes, and keepe his Sjl 2 judgements. A&s 20.20. r A&es&fo. * Aa$ 18.1&. AftesQ.jJ. * 2.F«t,*»i2. a Matth.i8.^ b E2ck.11.19. Luke 5.4. 3io « Iere.17.1j, f Aaesr ? 8. SPhili.27. h Luke 13.3. »PfaUi2l.*. kPfal.ji.9. aCor.l.^. ta Rom,8.28 f n i.Sam. 12. **• Prtiitque primus quam indi- C4t altis £oto>#- Chap. XVII. Chrift giuelh Himfelfe, iudgtmcnts. 2. That all ftubborne and vncor- rigible finncrs, who ^tranfgrejfe without caufe, who ^ for fake the Lord, departing from him, may bee afhamed and confounded. 3. That many may be brought to Chrift to be faued. III. Minifters doc prepare people by exhor- ting therewith Peter f to repentance^ and amend- ment of life, inftru&ing them in the way of god- Iinefle, that g their conuerftion may be a* it be. commeth the Go/pel of Chrift ■ 4. By reproouing and threatning them, for their wicked wayes; denouncing with Chrift, h except they amend their Hues, that fas the vngodly) they fialUll like- wife per tjh. 5. By comforting them when they are in trouble, telling them > that their helpe com- meth from the Lord, which hath made theheauen And the earth - that he will not forfake the worke- manfhip of his owne hands, whom k hee did draw out of the wombc, and whofe God he was from their mothers beHy 5 affuring them 3 that 1 at the Offerings of Chr-ifl abound in them, fo alfo their confolationswill abound through Chrift, that m all the wayes oftheLord,are mercy andtrueth, vnto aU fuch a* keepe his Couenant , and that all things worke together^ for the bell vnto them that lone God. 6. By praying for their people a wuhSa- muel, without ccaftng, 7, By lining a godly life and conuerfation, (hewing the good and right way, by their owne example, going before o- thers in the courfe of godlinefle. Thus the Minifters by do&rine, by refuting of errors, by exhortation, reprehenfions, conte- ntions. C h a p. X V 1 1. to be our Husband. lations, prayers, and by good exampk 3 doc tra- . uell to prepare people for this happie marriage : wherefore they (hould be honoured , obeyed p andhadinfinguUr hue for thttr ivorkesfake, who are q watching for ourfoules^ that they all may be faued and ioyned infeparably with theirSauiour. Yet let vs remember j that neither the painefull labours of moft vigilant and faithfull Paftours, neither the conrinuall care and endeauour of people themfelues, will be altogether fufficient for their due preparation to this heauenly wed- locke 5 but euen he r that made the earth by his power, and prepared and cjiablijhed the world by hiswifedome, and hath fir etched out theheauenby his difcrevon,\\e muft principally do this work,& make vs readie, for fuch a bleffed matrimonie. And albeit the Pelagians affirmed , that it is in the power of man wholly to prepare himfelfe to receiue Chrift and to doe according to Gods Law, to fulfill the fame, and Co to liue here with • out committing of any finne : AtiguftineantviZ- reth and refuteth them very iudicioufly,(hetving that the Pelagians looke only to one thing in the Scripture, when as they flhould looke to three things^ they looke to the comrnandement alone, but they fliould confider : i. The Gommande- ments: 2. The Reproofes: 3. Prayers. The comrnandement fheweth , what men ought to doe ; the reproofe what finne they haue commit- ted, or what good is omitted : the Prayer in- treateth for merue^or ftrength and grace to liue better afterward. I Qi! 3 ^ 3U ^Hcb 13,17. r Icr,fi.i$. 312. ^Gal.j.i*. tloh-M,*. Icr.ji.^i. b Eze. 20.37. Coucnanc betwixt Gbrift and vs. 1. The par- ties. d Pra!, 9f3 . C h a p . X V 1 1. Chrisl giueth Uimfelfc If they obiedt, then the law is giuen in vaine to man , if mans nature furnifli no ftrength to obey the fame, i Anfw. The Law is not in vaine 5 for it decla- reth to vs what God may require of vs. As an obligation or charges raifed thereupon 3 fheweth whatfumme, and how much mony we are in- debted in , but giueth vs no ftrength to fatisfie that debt : So the Law fheweth vs what is our debt to God, but giueth vs no power to fatisfie that debt. Alfo r The Law is our Schoole-majler tobring by bringing then the coue- nant madewkhthefeedeof IfraeJ, which iliaJl endure for euer. That is alfo moft profitable: for if the Gibeonites receiued a great benefice p By that league which fojhua made with them y namely,qdeliuerancefrom many enemies which made warre againft them 5 who were deftroy- ed with an exceeding great Slaughter , till they were 313 e Mal.3.1. f Ifa. 451.3, 5 Pral.144.3, h lob. I Ml, ■ Pfal 3.4. Qualities ofthe couenant. k Pfal. 89.18, 26. m Ifa.f 1.8. n i.Kingi.iy, 20. °Ier. 3 i. 5 y. p Iof.9.lJ. slofio. 314 * Liuim. I. +$. & fr- ier ins & ahj. * i,King.f ♦ 12. f l.Kin.9.27. t I.King.?, i. u Luk.i.7i. x Pfal.144.1. a Mai.?. 10. b Pro. 14. 33. c Dan.i2.£. Caufc of thiscoue- nant. d Gcn.i8.i7 < Chap, XVII. Chrift gtuetb Himfclfe, were confumed : and * if Pto/emte Phtlometor King of iEgypt was much helped , becaufehe was the Romans confederate, (for foa dread- full cnemie Anuochm Magnw who had entrcd ^Egypt with a puiffant armie, was remoued, and that warrewas brought to an end by C.PopUius the Roman AmbafTadour).Alfo,if King Salomon was inriched by vertue of that r couenant which was bcrweene bim and Hiram King ofTyrus, wbofe f feruants that were mariners and had knowledge of tbefea, wtnt with Salomons Natty and fer uants to Ophir. From whence they did fetch gold in great aboundance 5 moreoucr his country with ftately buildings was beut/fied, and* that brought to him whatfoeuer he defer ed : fhall not the coue- nant of Chrift be much more fteadable & com- fortable for Chriftians C We by vertue thereof (hall receiue: 1. Safetie : 2. Plentie: and 3. Beautie. Euen, " deliverance from out enemies and from the hands of all that bate In all our Uhonr tbeir fhall be aboundance^ beautie for our bodies, although the fame be turned into duft and afhes, yet at the laft day they (hall be beauti ■ full as the brightncfTe of the firmament,and may *fhineas theStarresforeuer. Some other com- modities of this couenant, (hortly God-willing, fhall be fpecified. Thirdly, touching the caufe thereof; It is not the dignitie and perfection of our nature • for we are but earth and flime, and™ who (hall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chofen, with whom he hath made this confederacie f 4. Concerning the confirmation thereof be- caufe the corruption of our nature is well known to Chrift. By which it commeth to pafTe, thatwegiue lefTe credence to him ? then to lying men and to Satan, who is n a I ) er and the father t hereof ^there- fore oar Sauiour hauing a refped: to our infirmi- tie, he hath giuen to vs his word , euen he ° who is called faithfull and true, hath giuen his word more? fure then the hcauens, for it q endureth for cuer, whereby we may be fufficiently confirmed and vndoubtedly allured of the certaintie of his covenant. Moreouer, he hath giuen to vs his holy Sacraments, which are Scales to ftrengthen vs in the fame , and efpecially as by r his owne blood he hath obtained etermll redemption for Nah.Mo< c Eze no comclincfTe or beautie, butdefor- mitie by nature , b A/I our faces gathering blacke- neffe y no treafurenor riches but pouertie andna- kcdne(Te v For c we were naked and bare, no verrue norgoodneiTe, butdifloyaltie and wickedncfTc, for we <* were in time paft, difobedient, deceiued, liuing in enuieand malicioufvefle $ no Gentry nor Nobilitie, but contempt and baienefTc, e corrup- tion being our fattier, theworme being our mother andfifler, no wifedome'nor humilicic, but pride and foolifhnefle • for we who are ? vnwife, g have behaued our f elites proudly, and haue hardnedour neckes , fo that wee haue not harkned toChrifts commaundements : Yet this hath beene the good pleafure of thee our blefFed Sauiour , to ioyne thy felfc vnfeparably with vs 3 and of thy pure bounrie and grace without any of ourdeferuingSj to giue thy felfe vntovs, that tho u C h a p . X V 1 1. to be our Umband. 319 thou mayft inrich vs with great and excellent benefits. Let h the heauens be attorned at this (not at mans h Icri a vnkindneffe onely , but at the Lords kindneffe) let the holy Angels admirethis, hairing * *£r/r iExo.auo. fates towards the true Propitiator ie , let all the world wonder at fo rare goodnefle , ht^ all his kpfa.103.11, feruants that doe hispleafure praife the Lord, for fo rich mer<;y and great miftery. There are fundry forts of mifteries recorded in the holy fcriptures; as the * myflenes or fecrets of the kingdome of i Math, 13.11, heauen which are reueiled bleffed Prince, onely King of kings, And Lord of lords, who is the c fonne of A- dam, andalfo the Sonne of God. Yet not withftanding,of fo many & fo good pro- J perties;hc is well content, and confenteth togiue himfelfe to be our husband, euen he who is omni voluptate dulc'tor, omni luce clarior, omni honor e fublimior^ more fweete then all pleafure, more bright then all light, more high then all honour, will accept of vs to bee his Spoufe, and call vs to the participation, of all his treafures, andfolem- nizethis happie marriage with vs,*to the which God the Father giueth alfb his confent • <* xvhofo loueth the World, that hce hath giuev his onely be- gotten Sonne ^ that who foe tier beleeueth in him Jhould notfenpjjut haue euerlafing life . e thankes therefore be vnto God, for his vnfieakeablegift. Truely we our felues, haue more then reafbn, moft willingly with all our hearts, togiue our confent and approbation to this marriage, and to embrace moft louingly, and humbly this con- dition, f Rebecca readily contented to bee ifaacs \ S f wife; r Reucl.if.{, * PfaI,iog.Io / "Eft.i.io. x Deut.*4.3. a HoCz.i9. c Luke 3,38. tAughH. Confef. lib. <*Iohn3.x£. c 2. Cor .9,15 f Ccn.44.s3. r ^™ HAP XVII. Cbrijl giutth Himfelfe, Ducties of an husband h Hof.i** . « Cam.8.2. m Luk.X2.jj. n Dcut.8-3. aPfai.78.1?. * Ifa.48oti; for the fuftcnance of his beloued 5 « whtfe hand is neuer jhortned-^ whofc Ioue is neuer changed 5 whofe power is neuer diminifhed 5 whofe treafure of mercie is neuer exhaufted. Seeing our Sauiouris x care- full for the foules of the ajre^ that doe not fow, neither reape, nor carry into the barnes, that hee feeieth them . and feeing hee regardeth the flowres and grafle of the field , that doe not labour neither fpin , yet moft beautifully hee cloatheth andarrayeth them; which are grow- ing pleafantly one day, and on the morrow, are caft into the Ouen : are not his owne Saints bet- ter then they i Will hee not doe much more for them, who depend vpon his prouidence < Fourthly, Chrift will faue and defend his Spoufe whom hee enricheth. if* Shamgar the fonneof Anath, which flew ofthePhiliffimesfixe Mundreth men , with an Oxe goad, fatted ifrael: (hall not our Sauiour deftrOy our enemies, and preferue his owne Church i Surely b hee will keepe her as the apple of his eye, and hide her vnder the jhadowofhis wings , and c defend her in the Jhadow of his hand : for he who is moft louing,he is euer prefent with her,and alfo moft powerfull. S f 2 Albeit 325 Sec the Hiftoric of the Ho- rn ane Em- peroots Englifhed by 7V*. heron, t i.Kia.17,6. u Ifa,59.i. *Mat.6.£*. aludg.j.ji. b Pfal.17.8. c Ifa.fi,i*. 326 4 i.Sai».;o*f Curt. Infti. Plutdr. c ZacIi.9.if. r If*4t.l4. s Nafi.i-J. h Pfal.xoj.i4 'Dent, 1.3.1. *lfa.6j,$. See 7>4- W*;*, in the liues of theEupe- rourswith many o* tbcrs. HoUi4i Chap. XVII. chrift gineth Himfelfe, Albeit, David was not euer prefent with Abi- £<*//, tolaue her from the>Amalckites, (for in his abfcnce^Jhewoj taken prifoner,) andalbeir, Da- rius was not powcrfull enough to faue his wife, from the force of that great Conquerour- yet lefus Chrift is alwayes prefent, and mod: power- full, he e who is the Lord of hoftes, Jhall defend his mne Spoufe, and preferue her continually. Fiftly, hee *" who hath beene Jit 11^ and refrained himfelfe, who is flow to anger, albeit hee % bee great in power , h hee knoweth whereof wee bee made , whowill be&re his owne people, as a man doeth bear e hisfonne, and who will Scarry them a/way es centi malty, I in his armes, he will alfo bcare with their infirmities, and fuffer the imperfe&ions of his owne beloued, hee willneuer cafther off, nor giue her a bill of diuorcement. Marcus Aureltus patiently endured the misbehauiour , and vn- dutifulnefle of his wife Tautttna, who was (as all writers affirme) very difhoneft, and vnmeafu- rably diflblute ; he would not put her away, nor diuorce himfelfe from her- andforlbmereafon which he confefleth, becaufehe receiued with her the Romane Empire, that was the Dowry of their Marriage : But what reafon hath lefus Chrift in our fpirituall Matrimonie, fo often to fuffer our inSdelitie, and vnthankefulnefte, that when as we intend to goe after other loners, yet m he will flop our way with t homes, and make a bedge^ that we jhall not finde ourpathes 5 and to in- cline our hearts, to returne to our firft husband < This is for no good which hee receiueth of \ V J±\ C h a p. X V 1 1. tobeeur Husband. vs • for wee of our felues are n contemptible , wcake, fit by, and poore miferable wretches^ bur it proeeedeth of his admirable goodneffe, and moft tender companions ; he with make vs mem- bers of his body , ofhisflejh^ and af his bones, then nourifli, cherifh, andfuffer vs 5 yea, hee will giue honour to vs, as vnto -p the weaker vejfels. Sixtly,he will then comfort his owne Church. Shall q Boaz comfort Rurh * Shall* Elcanah com- fort Hannah * Shall l Dauid comfort Berflieba i And fhall not Chrifl: rather minifter ioy^and confolation to his owne Spoufe? Now the fame Icfus Chrifl our Lord, and our God, which hath * loued vs, and hath giuen vs cuer la fling con folate on^ and good hope through grace alwayes, will comfort our hearts , and eftablifh vs in euery word, and good worke : The confolations giuen by Chrifl:, are not like thofe confolations, which the Ambaffadours of Ilium or Troy, dcliuercd to Tiberius \ thefe were vntimely and too late, long after the deceafe of his fonne 5 thcrfore iuft- ly in his anfwere hee mocked them, faying 5 that hee was forrowfull for their lakes, becaufethey had loft a worthy Citizen, Heelor. While Chrifl: is our comforter, hee is not like /*&* friends, who u all were miferable Comforters to him, but moft truely he x willreturne and com- fort vs, and moft fufficiently ; for his a tender and fufficient mercies \ according to his promt fe will comfort his owne feruants. b Re Joyce, O Hea- uens, and bee ioyfull, O Earth, bur ft foorth into pra\ije, O Mount dines y for God hath comforted Sf 3 his 327 n Etech.i6.6. Ephef.y.jo. Pl.Per.3.7. 3Ruth.2.i;, r iiSam.i 8. r 2.Sata.n. H Petrarch, 60 dereb. farn. u lob 1 6,2. x Pft!.7i.2i. a Pfa.Ilp.76\ 328 crfeI.8o, if, dpfal. 106.4, " Eph3.l7. Duties of Chriffs Spoufe. k Col.?. J 8. '"FfaUf.io. n Rom,i»,2. °Gen,3i.i2. Pi.Pet.2. 11. i the art of obliuion, becaufe he remembred thofe things which hee would not, and could not for- get the things heewifhed to forget: Chriftians alfo fliould wifh to learnc the art of obliuion, to forget the euill faftiions of this euill world , and with the Apoftle C to forget that which is behind , and endeanour themfelues vnto that which is before. It iskertaine, as the feruant of Chrift Saint Paul, lamented for that hee did not the good thing hee would, but that t hee did 'the euiH, which t ^001,7,19. he would not- Co Chriftians remember the things, which they defire to forget, namely, finne, and wrongs done to them , and with lamentation, forget many good inftrucflions , which they would faine keepe in minde : and before they learne to remember, and pra then hee finned hainoufly againft his God, and did great wrong to his neighbour. When any (hall receiue a ftranger, euenvile luft and finfultaffe<5Hons within their hearts , then they doe commit great iniquitie againft their husband , and finne againft their owne fbules : Farrelefle lliould we admit our husbands ene- mies, and betray him, who fo loueth vs. Eriphile was punithed, and is blamed for betraying her husband Amphiarans : And Helene for her falffooodand wickedneffe againft Deiphobm^ was greatly abhorred : what vengeance and infamie deferuethcy, who receiue Chrifts enemie, by whofehelpe ^they would crttcifie againetothem- felues, the Sonne of God, and make a mocke of him? I Tribulation and angui/h /hall be vpon their foules^ they (hall be puniflied with euerlafting damna- tion. Now feeing that Dragon the diuell , who fighterh againft Chrift in his members , hath «* no place for him in the heauen^ neither let him haue any place in our hearts, that hce may re- maine in them, we fliould neuer fuffer him to get entry , or to make refidence within our foules* 6. ChriftsSpoufe (hould know her husbands ___ Tt good 331 Mer.y.f, 1 £.Sam>i2. Occttrrent mult* tibi. Belides 4t- que Eriphila lib. Saty. 6* Petrar* Did. & 19. Tktarch. k Heb.*. iud-iyA good conditions, his notable vei tues 3 and endea- uour to be indued with them, that flic may pra- <5hfe rhem. Let vs follow him in pietic, n in obey, ing God, o and praying to his Maieftie y m his vfub- ietfion to his parents and fuperiours : Let vs learne of him q liumilirie and meekenefTe,long-fuffcring and patience, who is patient towards «, and would haue no man to perijh y but would haue all men to come to repentance : Let vs learne of our husband gentlenes,loue,and temperance, with many good qualities , whereby we may be afTurcd that f we areChrifts, -when -we haue crucified the flefh with the aff eft ions an din ft s. 7. tThisistbewillofGod, etten cur fan ci locati- on > that we may abfiaine from fornication , that e> ueryoneofvs, fhould know to pofjefje his vejfeU in \holineffe and honour , we ought to behaue our felueshoneftly, and Hue chaftly, keeping faith and truth vnto him, labouring by all meanes pof- fible to pleafure him , and to doe the reft of the duties belonging to our calling. We fhould not begiuen to/pirituallwhoore- dome, «^f Poriphars wife was bent to adulterie^ neither (hoa/d we defpife our husband, at Michal dejpifed Dauid in her hearty neither fhould we tempt our husband 5 as x lobs wife tempted him fox thofe, a who tempted Chrift, were defiroyedof Ser- pents y neither fhould we forfake our husband, as Samfons wife did^ wherefore fhee h was burnt with fire. Butwemoft louinglyand .conftantly, fhould cleaue to our husband , keeping our hearts to him, who is greatly c grieuedfor the whoorijh C h a p. X V 1 1, to bt our Husband* Ikfimfh hearts of hypocrites, euer cndeauouring to behaue our felucs dutifully , as his faithfull Spoufe, liuing honeftly, ^ab/lainmgfrom all ap- pearance ofeuiK) carefully,let vs (I fay againe)not be lafciuious and wanton like c potiphars wife^ neither troublefome nor tempting like f lobs wife, nor yet proud and defpifing g like Dauids wife^ neither changeable and vnconftant like Sam fins wife , who for forfaking her owne hus- band h was burnt with fire by her owne people. But let vs iftudie tofhew our felues appreued 2. Tim.x.if Confola- tion pro- ceeding from this marriage. k Eph.f. Vtrfe, a 6. 17. lCor.f.21. 334 m Luke.ij. 26. n Ioh. ip. 17. Gaf.i ij, Saul, Saul 3 why perfecuteft thou me ? Good Theodofius the firft , was very angry againft the people of Antiochia, for fome (mall indignity done to his Empreffe, for ouer- throwingofthe brafen Protraite of hisbcloued Placilli : Chrift will be more iuftly offended and furely auenged vponthofc, who (hall preferue to doe any wrong or indignity to his belt be- loued Spoufe - y for he efteemeth all her mifci.es to be his owne refrediing, He in the mcane fea- fonmoft louingly , and punifhing her foes and heroppreffors moft rigoroufly. Againe, when we areioynedand vnitedvn- to him , y head, and beftow eternall fe- licitie vpon thee for euer? 335 Tt HAP* 3? and ene- mies to Cod - no remiffion without Chrift, for n through him forgiueneffe of finnes is pur chafed, and preached vnro vs, and ° without fheddwg of blood is no remifi'on , neither is this remiflion,< P by the blood oj Goates, Calues, or of Bulks , but q bj the blood of Chrift, whereby the Church is purchafed, finnes are remitted, the godly are purged,;md cternall Redemption is obtaincdrSo if wee defire reconciliation with our God, let vs thirft for Chrift, who * is our peace, and reconcili- ation , and hath broken the flop $f the particion rva/l, by whom we are wonderfully beneficed. •If 337 Iohn 14. i lob 37.13 k Pfal.8.9. Chrift our high Prieft for our re- concilia- tion. m Ephef.2.3. Hebr.9 22. PHcbr.9.i2« q A&.20 28. EphsC'.l* 338 Sozi*. l&. f Heb. 7 2 4 . *Hebr,8.i. a i John 2. 1, x &om.8.34. ^Iudg.17,13, Chriftour King, for our gouer- ment. b ira.48.17. c I(a.49,io. d Iete.2M« e Matth.ii*?. f 2.C0MI.14 s£phef.6.i2. C h a p. X V 1 1 1. Wejhoulddeftre Cbrift, If the people of Antiochia, was much bene- ficed by the earneft trauels of their Bifliop Fla. uUnus, for thereby the wrath of the Emperour Theodoflu* the firft was mittigated, their fault was pardoned, aad their Citie preferucd, and their Mafter reconciled : Are wee not more helped by the trauels, by the obedience, fuffe- ringsj, death 5 and interceffion of our Lord Iefus, f who hath an euerlafling Priefl- hood, being ifuch an high Priefl, that fltteth at the right hand^ of the throne of the Maielite in the Heauens, " that is an Aduocate with the Father, and x maketh re- quejlfor vs - 3 by whom we are truely reconciled with God, and furely preferued from euill * Wee reade, that Mtchah a man of Mount E- phraim, was ioyfull and well content, when hee (aid • a Now I know that the Lord will be good vn. to mce, feting I haueaLeuite to my Pricsl : Wee may bee much more ioyfull, and farre better content • hauing Iefus to bee our high Pricft : then wee may beeflrmely perfwaded, that God will be good vn to vs. 2. Wee iliould defire him for our gouern- ment, b that hee may leade vs the way, which wee fiouldgoe : c he that hath companion vpon vs^fliall leade vs y and rule oner vs. Now this is raoft cer- taine- thateuery man muft either haueChrift to be his King, & who flail execute Judgement and Iufticein the Earth ; who is^meeke and lotting to him^ or elfe Satan, who albeit, f hee be transfor- med into an Angel of light, yet hee is a g Prince of darkenejje, and jpirituallwickednejfe • who being worfe Chap. XVIII. and wait e for Him. worfe then h Menehus, doth be are theflotnacke of a cruell Tyrant, and the wrath of a wilde beafi^ and more craftie then that ifoxe Herod, moft inten- tiue and diligent, to k daeiueand deftroy . feeing his name is Appollyon, euen deftroy ing. And Purely Satan, may be iuftly compared to Nabis, -xxAtobmitianus. Nabtix)\dX. Tyrant of Lacedemon, was a cruell Oppreflbur, and a grecdie Extortioner vpon thofe that liued vnder him, and one that of his naturall condition fmelt rankely, of a Lay-man ; hee had a wife ^fega, very fitly matched with him, as cunning as hee himfelferoexhaufttheSubie#s : His dexteritie was no greater in (poyling the men, then hers was in fleecing their wiues 5 whom ffiee would neuerfufFerto bee at quiet, tillfhee had obtai- ned their Iewels and beft raiment : Her hus- band was well content with her fafhions, cau- fed an Image to bee made very like vnto her, and liuely reprefenting her vifage, and appar- relled it with fuch coftly garments , as (hee vfed to wcare$ but it was inUeede, an engine fer- uing to torment men. Hereof hee made v(e^ when hee meant to triethe force of his Retho- ricke- for calling vnto him fomerichmen, (of whofe money he wasdefirous) he would bring him to the place, where this counterfeite Apega remained 3 and here he vfed all his art of perfwa- fion, to get what hee defired, as it were by good- will • yet he could not fo fpeede^but was anfwe- red with excufes ; at laft, hee tooke the refrucfta- rie Denier by the hand, & told him that perhaps V a his 339 h 2.Mac.<|.*f . « Luke 13.32. k Rcuc.i3.i4. Sathan a cruell Ty- rant, like N«bk. Readcthe fiftbooke, of the Hi- ftorie of the World, chap. 4. sea. iOi Pot)h 340 Aaio.j3 f n Reu.;.i8. i.Pct.1.7. PPfal.19.10. *i.Mich.i.. fa* 1 I.Mich. 1. «7- f i.Ioh.j. 17. * Eccl.i. 14. u a.Tisn.2.4. x Iam.4.4, Chap. XVIII. Wejhoulddefire Chrift, his wife K^ipega who fat neere by in a chaire, could pcrfwade him more eflfe&ually : So he led him to the Image that rofevp, and opened her armes as it were forimbracement; thofearmes were full of fharpe yronnai!cs,theiike whereof was alfo flicking in the breaft, though hidden with hcrcloathes; and here-with (heegrafped the poore wretch, to the pleafure of the cruell Tyrant, that laughed at his painefull death. So Satan a mercileflTe tyrant,& an infernal King, troubling and m opposing many , endeauouring moft carefully to take away from vs, that n Gold which Chri/lgaue^vntovs: Imeanethegraccsof his Spirit, true faith teeing much more free ions then gold, repentance, feare and holy loue , alfo to bereaue vs of his blefTed word, which is p more to bee defired then much fine gold. As Antiochus difcharged the Iewes ; 9. The Booke of the Lords Tettament , vpon paine of death • So Satan forbids the Lords Law, to be fulfilled by his. Antiochus h\s * Tyranny was very fore vpon the people of Ifrael, but Satans tyrannie is much more fore, grieuous,andmiferable. He vfeth the helpe of the world alfo to this ef- fe<3, which appearing louingly to embrace vs 3 will torment and annoy vs. Albeit the worke f ? a lF et ^ a7 ? a y f*ddenly ,yet it waxeth grieuoufly, and deftroyeth certainly, alJ of it is, « vanitie and vexation of the fpirit. Ch rifts u (ouldier^ as bet fhouldnot entangle him f elf e wJjh the affaires of this life^ neither fliould hee bee decciued with the pleafures thereof, becaufe x the amitie of the world Chap. XVIII. and mite for Him, world is the inimitie of God^ and fo the woe and miferic of man. And as Bomitianus the twelfth Romane Em- perour , was a craftie difTembler ; for fome of thofe whom he purpofed to put to death vpon the next day, hee entertained ouernight in his chamber, and (hewed them many fauours with a cheerefull countenance : So the diuell is a mod craftie deceiuer 5 His vaflals whom he appeareth to entcrtaine mod kindly, thofe he intendeth to ouerthrow mod cruelly. The aducrfiricsofludah, were falfe and fained when they pretended friendship, and offered their affiftance to Zorubbdel^ faying, a Wee will yuildvpitbyou^ they hadapurpofe inthemeane time to hinder the building \ So Satan when with ^ Cain hee fpeaketh mtft friendly 9 hee fee- keth occafion to deftroy mod fuddenly that fbule with whome hee is familiar t i. Wee fliould be then mod wearie and forrowfull to re- maine flaues vnder thetyrannie of fuch an op- preffour and deceiuer : We fliould third to be gouerned by Chrid, who ismodlouing and li- berall,and our blcffed Sauiour: Let vs note refufe the waters ofshtloah^ that run [oftly> lead the wa- ters of the riuer, greatand mightie, comevpto the necke and ouerflowe vs : let vs not refufe Chrid to be our King, a iud and e meeke King, leaflwebefubie&toan vnrighteous and merci- leffe tyrant, euen Satan, whom we (hall be com- pelled to f curfew the end % fretting our felues being hungrie and grieued, but wee fliould earnedly Vu 2 wifh 34i The Diuell diffembling like Domi- tian. See Tra- herto in the life of 2)*- mimn. a fizra4.^ ^Gcn.4.8. c Ifa.8.£. d Zacb.p g, c Math. z i.j. f Ifa.$.2i, 34* 6 2,T*m«4^ 8 *Pial 86.ii. k I,Ioh,x,t7. Pht0r.eb.in vk* Alex. Mag* iEzcc8.i8. m Pfal.94. 1?, C h a p. X V 1 1 1. Wcjhoulddjite Chrtft, wifli and long for our Sauiour j who will go- uerne vs here , and furely 3 preferue vnto bis beaucnly Kingdome. 3. He is alio to bedefired for our inftruftion, feeing ^Heeisthat Teacher come from God, who » Will teach vs his way j that we majwalke in bis trnth i knitting our hearts to him that rve mayfeart hismrne y we (hall k receiuc from him thatAnoyn- ting which is true and not lying, which will teach vs of all things^ (o that we (hall abide in him. If that Conquerour ^Alexander ^ did hazard, his owncperfon, and put his lite in great perill 3 for thedefire and affe&ion he had to his Inftrufter LyiJimachiM . Becaufe in his expedition againft the Arabians, the in-dweilers of the mount An- tilibanus 3 when they were conftramed to tor- fake their horfe and to walke on foote, albeit the armie had pafled ftrre before , albeit darke- ncfleand theenemie approached , yet he could not fuftcine to learne his Pedagogue Ltjimachus, heauie through age, and wearie through traueJi > but in the extreame cold and danger, conftantly he remained with him, aduenturing himfelfe wonderfully with a matchleffe refolurion for his teachers foode and preferuation : with what fer- uent defire, and burning affc&ion fhould a Chri- ftian be inflamed with,tow:rds Iefus Chrift,who is of much more 1 vndtr (landing then Sherebia wasywhom Ezra acknowledged to be brought to him by the* good hand of God. m The man is ble(fed whom, he teacheth in his Law, euery one fhould vefolue, to endure all trauels, and to got through, C h a p . X V 1 1 1, and waite for Him. ■ ' : Chap. XVIIL We jh odd de fire Chrift, of a fmall candle • So our holy and happy defire towards the Lordlefus, would fpeedily either banirti or fubdue all the flefhly and filthy defires of our corrupt nature • then we would * abslaine fromflejhly Lufts or defires which fight again ft the foule ; then we would not w beferuing the lufts fy the worldly plcafures of the world,then we would x walk in thefptrit, and not fulfill the lufts or defires of the fleJK But defiring Chrift, we fliould with Daniel be * greatly beloued, defired and accepted '.. God would* grant *vs according to our hearts , andfttl- fill ourpnrpofes and defires. Moreouer , whodc- fireth Chrift will awaite for him- we will (hew: i .what euill commeth to thofe who wait not for Chrift: 2. fome impediments hindering vs from waiting : 3. wherefore we fliould waite: 3. how and in what manner we fhould doe the fame: 5. and fhew fome examples of happy men who were bleffed waiters vpon God. Irirft , there commeth great euil and vnfpealcable calamity to all thofe who will not waite for the Lord Iefus: 1 . they wil be difappointed of their cxpe&ation .• 2. they will bepuniflied withfinalldtftrudion. The Iewes which expe&ed helpe of Vharaoh^ and the ^Egyptians , were difappointed, arid in the end c afhamedof that people, that could not pro- fit them , nor doe them good \ hut became a fhame and a reproch vnto them. Thefe idolatrous Priefts waited long , <* and cryed loud to that idol Baal - but becaufe there was neither voice > nor one to anfwer , nor any that regarded, therefore they were frustrated , as they who waited not vp- on C h a p . X V 1 1 1. and watte fir Him. on Chrift (hall be at laftdifappointed, of their moft pleafant defignes. Againe , who fo waiteth not vpon Chrift, he waiteth vpon fome lying vanity , and who fo doeth, e hee forfiketh his owne mercie, and con- sequently falleth into endlefle mifery. If Saul receiued hurt, for that he did not waite vpon the Prophet Samuel, * his kingdome did not con- tinue, but he with his pofterity perifhed : Doe they not more foolifhly, and (hall they not bee plagued more greiuoufly , who will not be con- tent to waite vpon Iefus the Prince of pro. phets, g the) halt not continue in honour , but (hall belike the beads that die, and worfe then beads, they (hall die the fecond death eternally. Then h trufl ye not in a friend , neither put your confi- dence in a coun feller : keefe the doores of thy mouth from her that lyeth in thy bofome. Therefore (fay thou with the Prophet ) : lvfilt looke vnto the Lord^ I will wait for God my S amour, my good God willheareme, andhelpeme, and bleffe m eper- petually. Secondly, as Marrinersarecarefulltoknow dangerous and hid rockes in the fea , that they may auoide them 5 fo Chriftians ought to know what impediments doe ftay them from waiting, to the end they may ftriue ag3inft the fame. Thefe are principally: i. Secure fleeping in fin: 2. Negligence or flouthfulnefTe: 3. Intempe- rancy: 4. Worldly cares: 5 • Impatiency: £.Di- ftruft: z.finfull pleafures. , 1. Thefe i whom the Lord hath conered with a 345 e Ionts.»,8; f i.Sam.ij* *4- l Pfal. 49.12. h Micah. 7 ,j. 7 Some im- pediments J which ftay men from waiting vp- on Chrift. Slumber Spiritually. Ifa.29.10. U6 I C h a p. X V 1 1 1. Wejhoulddefire Cbrift, k x. Sam. i $. if- Sloath- fulnefle. 1 Prou.19.1?. m Ier,48. jo, Intcmpe- rancic. "Math. 24. 49- a.Pec2.l* World, lines. PMatth.ai. f.&Luk. 14. 16. 4LuIc.10.41. r Matth.£»f. Worldly cues, what they arc* Such*. & Tr*b;ro». fpiritofflumbcr, cannot attend vpon their Saui- our. While ^Abner was fleeping naturally , hee could not waite well vpon his earthly Matter : While one is fleeping fpiritually and fecurely he cannot waite vpon his heauenly Mafter. 2. 1 Sloathfulneffe that caufeth to faBfleepy, caufeth owne m to doe she worke of Cod negligent- ly, and ftayeth him from that duty. 3 . The" cuiilferuant eating and drinking with the drunken^ ° as a bruit beaft led with fenfuality, walking after theftefh in the lufl of vnclcanneffc counting it pleafure, to Hue deliciouftj for afeafon, cannot diligently waite vpon his Mafter , but he lhall perifh through his owne corruption. 4. As worldly bufineffe and earthly cares de- tained many from the p wedding and great /upper of the King, one going to his Farme> and another a- bout his Merchandize^ fo the fame ftayeth in- numerable people from giuingof their atten- dance vnto Chrift : they q take care and are trou- bled about many things, neglecting and omitting that one thing that is needfully eutn the good part which Jhall not betaken away from them, r 2{o man (faith ourSauiour) can feme two Mafter 5 euer dis- agreeing, God and Mammon. But let vs remember, that the things of this world, in refpecfi of heauenly happinefle, they are trifles , neuer contenring,vanities,ceceiuing, burdening, opprefling^thornes-renting, filthines, defiling, winds-fhaking, blafting and fearing, and fnarcs intrapping. We thinke that Demitianus 7 Titus his brother and -i Chap. XVIII. and wife for Him. and fucccflTor in the Empire,was foolifh and ridi- culous in this point, for that cuery day and houre he would goe tofome chamber orfecret place, and there bufie himfelfe to catch flies, of no price ; which hee afterwards filed vp, vpon a long fharpe needle,forgetting the more weightic affaires of his Empire, Thofe are more foolifli and ridiculous , who T dejpifing the riches of Chrtfls bountifulne([c> and t-neglecJwg fi great faluation, as is freely offered, doe not waite vpon their Redeecner-and yet will weary, and fafhioft themfelues to catch flits, or gather earthly trifles, which will neuer con- tent, nor fully fatisfie their foules 5 which at length they will finde fas the Preacher pronoun- ceth of them) to bee « Vanitie of vanities, to be- guile and deceiue them. When men in ouer burdened Ships, are in danger of drowning, x they will cafi their wares into the Sea , to lighten their Ships, and to fane thetr lines . Yea for the preferuation of a mo- mentany and miferable life, they will caft out with their ownc hands, a the tackling of the Ship, and their Wheate into the Sea : and (hall wee not caft away from vs, ali burdens oucr-loadingvs, to faueourfoules, lead they drowne in the Sea of Hell i And for the keeping of a mod happie and durable life, (hall wee not for fake things fu- perfluousand vnncceffarie, h noifome and foolilh lufls, weightie burdens, which drowne me-nin per- dition f and deftruttion. ,. Thefe are likz c t hordes renting, piercing, and _ X x pricking, 347 f Rora.t.f. t Hefe.2.3. "EccleCi.i. x Iona,i,f. a A&cs 174 iTim.^p. c Mat,i3.*2. I C h a p. X VII fe WtjhoHlddefiuChrtfty | pricking,the wretched, who arc bent vpon them, with care, paine, griefe, and continual! molcfta- tion. As d fitch * or other filthinefTe taken in the bofomc, defileth the fame s Co worldly cares, entertained in the heart, they pollute the fame. As the cold Eaft windc, withercth, blaftcth, fhaketh,andfcatterethHearbes, Comes, Trees, and good feede : So the troubles of this life, they wither, fliake, and difperfe the flowers, the fruite, and the feed of grace and godlinefTe. They are as fnares, entrapping and deftroying, hindring vs moft ftrongly, from our diligent and carefull attendance, and waiting. Impati- 5 • Impatiencie alfo bringeth that hurt to vs : encie. for an vnpatient man, e haflie to anger, be commit- * Pro.14.17. tothfoUy ; he cannor performe his dutie. Diftruft. 6. So doeth diftruft; the diftruftfull man, f Heb.io.38. f with-draweth himfelfe from the Lord , and the Lords fonle Jhaflhaue no fleafurein him. Let none of vs bee fo vnpatient, or misbeleeuing^as to fay . z 2*Kin^.3$. g behold this euiUcommeth of the Lord, jheuld I at- tend on the Lord any longer ? Sinfull Thou who art of purpofe to waite vpon pleafures. Chrift, bee moft diligent to efchew the alluring *LaJtei6.2j. pleafuresof finne : h i^rDiues, whoreceiucd his pleafures in his life-time, hee was grieuoufly tor- mented in Hell. As a Fifhercatchethfifh with an angle; fo doeth the Diuell catch men by fil- thy pleafure, detaining them fromChrifts fer- uice and attendance. Antemm In Thirdly, there are many motiues, which may \mel& vr g e t he performance of this duetie, Chriftes goodncfle, ! Chap. XVIII. and waite for Him. goodnefle, thy ownc blefledneflc, thecomman- dement giuen in the Scripture , and that thou mayeft attaine to perfeuerance in righteoufnefTe : * Chrift who is good and gracious, he will waite for thy good, euen that hee may haue mercie^ and companion vpon thee : Reafon therefore requi- reth thee to waite vpon him, thus refoluing ; k «** the eyes of a feruant, looke they ° jhall not bee ajhamed, nor confounded that waite for him : X x 2 Who 349 Reafons wherefore we (hould #aite. i lfa.30.l8. k Pfa.nj.a. Xenofhou. lib. 4. me- Theat. Zuhtg. 'Luke 24,19. m 2.Pcmj. Ifa.49.a3. / 350 3 Hab.2, |. r Dnn, 12 12. Val. Max. lib. 7. <"Pfal,27-*4* ■ Pfal.37. 54. u Zeph.3.8. *.Ifa« 40.31. a Reu,j.io # The man- ner ho w we ftould vraite wil- lingly. b Iob 28. ij. d Aa.i4.i 7 , C h a p. X V 1 1 1. Weflmlddefire Chrift, who doth the fame may aflfuredly with Icjeph of Arimathea p tpaitefir tkek'mgdomeof God, and I may fpcakefo thereof, as the Prophet fpcaketh of the virion , ^Though it tarry, waite-, for it Jhall furely come, andfliallnotftay. Againc Iaffirmc, r BleJ/edishethatwajteth t more happieand blef- fed is he then Q^ Metelitu , then Gyges 5 remem- bred and admired for their momenrany felicine. 3 . We haue fundry commandemenrs : f Waite on the Lord> be ft rang, an& he \h all cam fort thy heatt and ftrengthen the fame? Againc, * Watte thou on the Lord, keepe his way , and he /hall exalt thee, that thou jh alt inherit e the land, u Therefore waite yeevpon mee (faith the Lord) , fmelythenl will turneto my people a pure language , that they may cailvpon the name of the Lord, to f.rtic him with oneconfent. 4. x They that waite vponthi Lord, pall renue their firength 5 they Jhall lift vp their -wings as the Eagles : they Jhall runne and not ht wearie , they Jhall walke and not faint : they fhall obtaine the rare gift of perfeuerance, enen to be holy and a faith full vnto the death , and Chrifl will giue them the crowne of life. Fourthly, touching the manner : We fhould waite willingly, diligently, in readineffcjpatiently^nd conftantly. I. Letvs waite for Chrift willingly and glad- ly. 1 f h men waited for Job , for inftru&ion and counfell, as for theraine- ihould not we waite fovpon Chriftfor better inftru&ion, and wifer counfell, whofe name, * Is Wonder full, Counfeller themightie God, who doth euer <* good, giuing vs j raine I C h a p. X V 1 1 1, and waite for Htm. • ra/ne fromheatten, and fruitful! feafons, filling our \ hearts with fo ode and gladnejfel * Much people of the /ewes hard cbrift gladly $ all Chriftians fhould waite for him and hearc him willingly. I I. As the Euangelift Saint Luke, mo&tJcu- rately fearched allthmgs^ concerning Chrift, to write them ; fo let vs mod diligently , defire Chrift to waite on him. s A great multitude of fickefelke waited for the mooning of the water of the j pole ef Beth e[ da ^ that they might be healed of their difeafes ; doubtleflfe they did this atten- tiuely : fo tvee when wee waite on Chrift our Phyfitiantobecured, letvs doe the fame with diligence and careftilnefle. If (as Salomon faith) ha man that is diligent in his bufmeffe , Jhdllfiand be for e Kings y and not before the bafe fort : Shall not a painefull and induftrious man in the Lords fer. uice, diligently attending his vocation, and wai- ting on his Matter, (hall he not remaine before him, who is the King of Kings 5 when as in the meanetime, the fiouthfull and s foolifh [hall not flan Hn Gods fight, k nor Jinnersintbe ajfembly of the righteous ? III. The Ifraelites were in readinefte for! their departure from ^Egypt when they did eate the PafTeouer 5 the houre of their deliuerance from that thraldome approached : and ] thus dtd they eate it, their loynes girded, their Jhooes on their feete y their Jlaues in their hand % they did eate in haft, expecting their owne fafetie, and the ap- pointed time for their iourney : After the fame manner letvs Chriftians waite for our Sauiour, Xx $ «a Girding 35i c Mark. 11 57. Diligently. vxpiQvc, exquifitd efr perfeft* di~ ligentia. h Prou,«. 29. k Pfal,i.5. In readi- ncfle. 1 ExoJ.12.11. 35* m i.Pet.i.ij. n Eph.6.lf. Plfa.fl.7. when he mil re turnefrom the weddings that when he commeth and knocketh , wee may open vnto him immediately. Ble(fcd are thofe feruants, whom the Lord, when he commeth^ JhaU jinde waking and waiting. CorntlwihdX Captaine of the Italian band, A deuout man and one that feared God, f waited for Peter, and his company: this he did with pre- paration and readineffe as prefent before God, to heare all things which were to be fpoken by his feruant : Let vs in like fort cxpeft the comming ofChrift, as he commandeth, c and be prepared both for his firft comming in grace, and for his fecond comming in glory, fir he will come at an houre when we thinke not. 4. We fhould doe this duety patiently. "The husband man hath lengpatience while he is waiting for the fruit of the earth 5 vntillhcrccciue the for- mer and the later rai bide at enening , but ioy commeth to them in the mowingiEuery one therefore may be well heart- ned to waite for Chrift * patiently, for e heejhaB not labour in vaine, neither (hall he be difappoin- ted of his expe&ation^and although waiting and expectation be grieuous and vnpleaftnt ; 1. PPhU 9 . ? . /y0 Jh.iU appear e the fecond time for our faluation , if we (hall conftantly and dutifully looke for him. Laftly , the ex imples of the Saints and fecret ones may bean inducement for vs to this dutie. Iacob in his infirmity a little before his death faid , m O Lord ^ I haue waited for thy fa lu a tun. lob in time of his extreamity, faid, n All the dayes ofm'ne appointed time will I w ait e^ till my changing jhall come 1 thou ]halt call me, aid 1 Jhallanf were thee 5 tho* loae'ft the tvorke of thine one hinds. The Royal Prophet faid, ° I watted patiently-, for the Lord , heeinci:nedvntome^ and heard my cry: and in another place, lam we>try of crying : my throate ts dry : mine eyes fade , wkt/es I watte for my Chap. XVIII. and wait e for Him. j my God. Againe, q / haue longed for thy faluation* Lord, and thy law is my delight. That Euange- licall Prophet (aid , r /wM waite and foU low after Him. defireth Chrift car- (bitterneffe of fan&i- ^c* T^ir y h o cuer \/ \f neftlythe ▼ T fled affliction in this earth will alfo helpeto vvorke thisdcfiie): whoeucr vvai- teth for Chrift diligently , will be foone per* fwaded for to come to Chrift fpecdily, and fol- low after him mod willingly. In handling of this duety , this order (hall be obferued: i . To (hew fome caufes wherefore we(houldcome: 2. Who doth come: 3. From what he com- meth: 4. The manner of comming: 5. The way whereby he muft come: 6. His guide in the way: 7. Some impediments (laying our comming: Laftly their profit who come. Firftj.there are fome caufes in Chri(t 5 andfome in our fellies , which may both allure vs and en- force vs to come to him: 1. Chnfts ioueand affection: 2. His comming tovs 3 andhisvifi- tation: 3. His calling and inuitation 3 orTering to vs aboundant kindnefte: 4. Our wretched and forlorne eftate, vnlcffe we come: $. The ex- ample of others who haue gone before vs. I. Becaufe of Chrifts exceeding great lotie (appea- Chap. XIX. and follow after Hint, (appearing both in fufFenng forvs, andgiuing good things vnto vs. %Tbeiuflfufferetb forthe fins of the .Jj. ° Hag 2.8. Origines. Ill InPri.Gcrt. Jlmbr. /up. Luc. Bernard, fuper. Cant. * Math, i o. *3- r Math xo, 28. r Ioh.i4.j. 'i.Ioh.*.*. u R.cu.i6, ■Reu.ja^y. a GaI. 4l4 . b Tit.a»n. c Lam.*,ai. d Luk, 10.44. jChap.XIX. Wefbouldcome to Chrift, o wne image defaced in man by Sathans craft.He the righteous did come to vs iinners , that of finners he might make vs righteous 5 the godly came to the vngodly, the humble came to the proud - that may make vs godly and humble faith an other father : he docth come to correct vs when we finfie, to helpe vs • when we are weake to ftrenghtcn vs ; when we are doubting, to defend vs; when we are fighting, to reward vs withacrowne of immortality : he did come p from the dwelling place oj his holineffe to this earth , he became H the forme of man r to (erne and not to beferued^ tofuffer and togitie his life for the ranfome oj many ,to the end he may bring vs from this earth to the heauenly Manfions, f that where he is there we may he alfo , being l thefonnes of Cod, « Kings and Priejls vnto his Father x to r eigne with him for euer more in his blefTedkingdome: Vtnos infer erct fummis fe mifcuit imis . Our Sauiour hath come to vs & vifited vs in mercy three man- ner ofwaies: 1. by his incarnation being *made of a woman , taking our nature, but not our cor- ruption : 2. By the preaching of the Euangels bthe grace of God, that hringeth filiation hath appeared and teached vs , that we Jhould denyvn- godly lufls: 3. He commeth and vifiteth vs day- ly by giuing benefits vnto vs, <■ his-compafsions fade not \ they are renewed euery morning. As the eftate of Ierufalem was lamentable and doubtful!, <* becaufe fhee knew not the time of her vijitation^ fo (hall the eftate of the flouthfull and negligent be > who are ignorant of that gratious feafon: but the godly ( 359 Chrift in- uiteth vs. f 2.Sam.i^ 33- C h a p. X I X. andfoHow after Htm. — — — — - — ■ ;■■ ' i godly may fay with/^^ e Lord thouhafl giuenme >elot x life and grace 3 and thy vijitation hath preferred my fpirit. Seeing this, Chrift commeth and viA- teth vs 3 by good reafon wee ought to come to him. 3 . Becaufcalfo he calleth and inuiteth vs.That inuitation which Dauid made to Barzillai was very kinde and louingj f come ouerwith me^ and I willfeede thee with me inlerufalem : but Baz>iBai made fome reafonable excufe , in refpe&ofhis age and imbecility , that he was then f our efegre yeere old , an d cenld not difcerne betweene good and euill • he had no tajle in his food^ nor pleafurein tnuficke^ he was loath to be any more a burthen qjnto King Dauid. Yet the inuitation of Chrift is much more kinde and louing. he calleth vpon vs to come to him , offering to nourifli vs not j onely with earthly and corruptible foode , but! alfo with heauenly and incorruptible nounfh- j menteuer, %'with that meate that endureth vnto j sioh.<:.27. life encrlafling: he defireth vs to come not to j earthly, but to, ^celefliallerufalem.totheCiHeof the lining God 7 and to the company of innumerable Angels. I III. Neither can one alleadge any reafon of refufall: for by his helpewho calleth vpon vs, i enter frifes are efiablifhed^ the make are ftrengthned^ the youth of men like Eagles is renew- ed \ and fo all iuft excufe may bee eafily re- mooued. V. But this (hall be very profitable for vs» That wetrauell with diligence to learne rightly, h Heb,n.»2. Yy 3 to 2. » 1. Sam, 3*4* 36o a King. 18. 3i. * Plin. mt % bift.lib.S. cap. ]o. Arift. de hi/?, ani. lib $ cap. 5. Chap.XIX. Wejhouldcome to Chrift, todifcernebetweenetheinuitationof our Saui- our, andtheinuitationof our aducrfarie, who will not euer let vpon vs with open force like a cruell Lyon roaring, but at fomctiraes alfo with fecret craft like a (lie Serpent, feducing 5 inuiting vs in a falfe friendly forme to come to him for our deftru&ion , when as hee pretendeth our well-fare and faluation. As that blafphemous and railing Raifhakeh^by appearance feemed to haue fpoken fauourably to the people of lerufalem, faying. 1 Make appoint- mentwith me, and come out to me^ that entry man may eateofhis owne . 362 \ C h a p. X I X. Wejhouldcome to Chrijl^ They are miferable that come not. f Hof.9.»2. tEcclcf.i.i^ u Gen 29.1^ * i.Pec.4.3. a Iud,i8, The exam- ple of the godly. Who come to Chrift. c PfaUc,<. 4. The condition of the wicked who come not to Chrift, is very miferable : for by not com- ming they depart from him, and they forfakc him, they (hall be forfaken and defolate, hec will depart from them, f and woe to them when hee de- parteth from them : for then feeing they enter not in at the right gate, to come to Chrift ; as tfooles theywalke indarkenejfe, then " the) walke according to theflubburnnejfe of their owne hearts, adding drunkenneJJ'e to thirfl : x then they wttt walke after vanitie, and become vaine, then they Jhall walke in lujfs and wantonneffe , in gluttonie and drunkenneJJ'e , and in abominable idolatries ', after the vn godly Gentiles, and* after their vn god- ly lufls and concupifcences yvntill they be drowned in rilthinefTe, and endlcfTe damnation. 5. The example of the faithfully who haue gone before vs ; fhould inuite vs alio to goe to Chrift : b Seeing wee are compared with fo great a cloud of witneJJ'es % let vs runne with pa- tience, the race that is fet before vs, looking and comming to Icfus the authour, and finifher of ourfaith; for all thegodly, from the beginning of the World, who haue beene adorned with true faith and obedience, they haue gone to Chrift before vs. Secondly, we will declare briefely, who doth come to Chrift : Firft, that perfon whom hec chufeth; c Blejfed is he whom thou cbufetf, and caufe/l to come to thee ; Secondly, hec whom the Father giueth 5 & All that the Father giueth me, (filth our Sauiour) jhall come to mee> and him that Chap. XIX. And follow after Him. that commeth to me, Icaflnotaway : Thirdly, who are c weary and laden, hauing a fence, and a fee- ling of their heauie burden , Chrift calleth on them, promifing to eafe them .• Fourthly, whom f the Father draweth : Fiftly, his owne faithfull feruants, his Difciples and g children (haS come fromfarre, to be nourished and inftrufted. Seeing then without Gods ele&ion, his donation, his attra<5tiue operation, without the feeling of thy burden, and his loueand companion, none can come to him ; let vs intreate our God to loue vs, to chufe vs, to giue vs his onely Sonne, to grant life and light to vs, fo that wee may addrefie our fellies to our Redeemer- praying with his owne Spoufe 5 h Draw mee, and wee will runne after thee. Thirdly, if wee hauea purpofe to come to Chrift, wee muft leaueand forfake the World, Sinne, Satan s and our carnall pleafures. i. Wee muft come from the World, which is a matter of much difficulties for then our ene- miewill fhewvstheKingdomes, * and the glory thereof \ yet if wee looke narrowly thereto, wee (hall fubferibe vnto the faying of the Antient, Mundus eccenutat & labitur, & ritrinamfui, non tarn feneftu te rerum, quam fine tejiatur.. Behold the World is tottering and failing, and doeth witnefle the decay thereof, not fo much by the old age of things, as by the end 5 therein is the k lufl ofthefiejh, the lujl of the eyes, and pride of life. A man would willingly remooue,and flee out Zz of | 36? eMat.11,28* f Iohn'6,44. z Ife.614, h Cant.1.3. Ftom what they come. From the World, 'Mat.4.8. CyprutuM. dcmeral. « loan z. 2 6- 364. SimiL Uudj.iS,!©, m Iohn 14 t* n Rcuc.j.ti. °MaM3.37. p Luke 9-*o. 2 . Let vs r efeherv euill and depart from fwnt, which is as afearefull inundation, and a dange- rous deluge of water, ouerflowing fuddenly, and destroying violently. Grauk qttidem e/f, a- quarum inundatio in omn't tempore , grants audi- entibus, grantor vi dent i his , confltclantibus gra- uifima .-fed omnium profeito efi grautfima tnun- I datto ilia, qua non campi, non prat a, non vici vr- befque, non regiones eliminuntur at que euertuntur, fed homines /pft, animtque ip forum : eft enim htc \ peccati inundatio , multo j?ericulofi$r quam tHa , &c. Indeed an inundation of waters is grieuous at all times, grieuous to the hearers, more grie- uous to the feers, moftof all grieuous to thofe who ftriue and fight there-with : buttruelythe mod: grieuous of all, is that deluge, by which not Fieldes , not Medowes , not Villages and Townes, not Countries are wafhed away and deftroyed, but Men themfelues and their foules • for this inundation of finne, is much more dan- gerous, then that other. Now if we fhould kuie finne with all our affe&ion, and not leauethe fame in our purpofe and resolution, then c the Lord will power his wrath vpon vs like water, whereby wejha/l be ouerwhelmed and deftroyed, 3. We bearing tbatcbrijl was come and catltng for her ^ b faearofe quickly^ and came to him: foit is ourdutieto addrefTe our felues to come quickly to Chrift for our confola- tion, cfpecially feeing our Matter hath greater power to command vs, then Paul had, when he commanded his Difciples , Timrtbie and Tittu^ thus writing to one, p Make Jpeede to come . and to the other, <* Be diligent to come to me* We reade, that inthe dales of that inform- tnte Miens, an happie and couragious woman of EdefTa a Citie of Mefopotamia, did with all poffiblcfpecde make great hafte to goe to the place where deuout Chriftians were conucied, of purpofc to lofe her life for Chrifts caufe (that no:ab!ehiftorieand conference, bctwecne the Captaineand the religious Woman , is worthy of frequent reading, and diligent confiderati- on : ) Then fhould not Chriftians make good fpeede with all diligence to come to Chrift, that they may obtaine life and faluaticn i 3 . In refpe<5i, e The Lords people and armie fall come willingly at the time of afjcmbling and in holy beantie , euery godly perfon fhould fo doe, that drift may f:iy , i : How [aire art thou , and how tlea[ant art tho% O my Loaeinpleafuresi Becaufe by nature, marevnhone[l % ^uncomely y and abo- minable, ktvszput onmore honeftieandcomcli* nefftyWhcn we refolue to goe to Iefqs • And fee- ing we haue not this beautie 5 nor this honeftie of our felues, but are poore and wretched and na ked . . let vs aske initandy and intreate our merci. full 3<5p b Ioh. II. ap. c iTim.4 4 tL d Titj.12. Hiflor. Ec- clefUb. n. cap. 5 . & ap uti alios \ Let rs goe honefUy. P fa!, i io. 3. fCane.;/^ s 1 Ccmj, 3 70 iChap. XIX. Wejhouldseme to Chrift^ ifa.6i.io. Luk. if.ii We fliould come in faith. k Rom. F42 1 'Heb.n.*. Augufk. I.Pet.f.9. n Heb.3 12. Come in humility. full God, that he will bepleafed, b 10 cloathvs with the garments offaluation, to couervs with the robe of * righteoufneffe , and to honour vs with rings on our hands , and * fhooes on our feete, that thus decored and beautified with his beau- tie; wee may refort to him in comelineffe and' honeftie. 4. Let vs goe in faith • for k what footer it not of faith ^is finne : and^ without faith it is vnpofsi- ble top leaf e God for he that commeth to God, mufl beleeue that God is , and that he is a rewarder of them thatfeeke him. If we defire to be deliuered from the dominion and thraldome of the Di- uell 5 if we defire to fee Chrift,to come to him, to be conioyned infeparably with him ; let vs labour by an earneft prayer , and a!l lawfull raeanes, to be indeued wirh true faith. Fide vera liber at ur homo ex dommatione dtmonum, fi- des vera continet vniutrfalem f darknefle and f calamities yjet alas , many, too many doe fyalke therein , committing hainous finnes againft -pictie, againft charity , againft chaftity and fobriety 5 and will not leauethat way, which leadeth to death, to hell and per- i Aaa 2 dition; 375 h Gcn.2Xij. «Ioh.if«4* k I.Sam. 1 5. 22. Greg. lib. 35. Moral. 'Rorxu&i;. m Rom, 11.1. The way w her e-by memuft come. n 2,P«. i.ij. Iud. 11. p i.King.K.1 tffiLi.l, * Math. 7 »|. f Rom. j.i*. 574- Chap. XIX. Wejhouldcome to Chrift, u Hcb 4 ir.i. Hcb. io.io # a Hcb. ro. ip. b Mar. ii t i4. Matb.21,32. d Prou.oA e Luk.i < 7p. f PfaLiip. « I.Cor. 12. h Ioh.i*6. ^Prouj.17. Angnfi, dition: but the way to Chvittis that otd good way , in the which our r elders -who are well reported of, who are certainly blcfled, Abel^ Enoch , Nee, Abraham , e^r. Walked* eucn the way of faith, which is x through thtflejh ofchrifl h bceing alfo a new and lining way which he hath prepared for vs^ a w her by we may be bold to enter into the holy place: Othat is, b a way of God, truely inttuthand veritie taught by Chrift, that^ cisawayofrightc* oufkejfe, in the which Iohnbaptift came: that is d a way ofwifedome , and prudence , in the which wife Salomon wifheth vs to go on in : that e is the way ofpeace^ in the which we fhoulddefire our feete to be guided : that is the f way of the Lords commandements^ in the which aU Christians Jhottld runne : that is the § more excellent way to obtaine the beft gifts. Now Chrift himfelfe, kthetrueth, and the life, heisalfothemy : for no man commeth to the father but by him^ whofe way is » a way ofpleafure, and all his paths profperi- ty ; albeit it appeare to be other waies at the firft entry. All thofc who walke not in the right way , al- beit they haue Morall venues andcary them- felues ciuily, and doe endeuour to worldly ho- nefty , yet they wander , and (hall periih in the wilderneffe of this world, becaufe they goe out of the true way. Qui prater neither jhaU 'any pluck thee out of his hands. 5. He will* carry thee in his bofome when thou art weake , he -will b lay thee on hisjhoulders wtth ioy , and bring thee home to thy heaucnlymanfion. Chrift is much morea better guide then Mofes, who did conuey thelewes thorow the wilder- nefTe, but did not pofTeflTethem in the Land of Canaan : himfelfe, c faw it with his eyes, but went not thither into the fame. Now Chrift will neuer leauehisowne, nor forfake them, vntillhegiue them, full poflclfionof thateternallkingdome, and they attaine to the fruition of endleffe glory and happineflfe. Here we are tobeaducrtifed, that C h a p . X I X. and fellow after Him. that there was ncucr man or woman fineethe world began, neither is there any now Iiuing, neither (hall there beany, in time fucceding, but either he mud be guided, or gouerned by Iefus Chrift, <* vnto that narrow way that leadethto life and fiit44tto» y or we beemifguided anddrawne bySathan, in that broad way, that leadeth to damnation. As that c heard of Swine, in the which the Di- uels entred, was carried with violence from afieepe downe place into the Sea, and were drowned : fo thofemoft miferable creatures, who are bySa- than oucr-ru!ed, they (hall runnc headlong vnto Hell, where they /hall bee drowned in eternall f perdition and deftruclion. Happie and bletfed are they r who haue receiued Chrift, todired theuiinthe right way, 8 who will keepe them, and bring them to the place of permanent plea fur e,which he hath prepared. Thou who baft gotten fuch a good guide; beware of him, and heare his voyce, prouoke him not, for hce will nor fpare thy miftieedes : but honour him continually, with all feareand reuerence. Seuenthly ? there are many impediments to ftay our going to Chrift. As ^ Satan hindred the A- pofllc P&vH^from comming to the Tbejfalonians ; (b that vigilant enemie,hindereth man and woman, from comming to Chrift. If Dauids enemies could prepare a (hare 3 and « lay a net for his fieps, and digge a pit before htm . Satan more craftily, can prepare k his fnare, in the which men vna- wares 377 d Math. 7. u, e Math. 8.31, f I.Tim. 6.f. % Exoc!.i;.2o & Verfc.n. Impedi- ments hin« dering vs. h i.Thcf.2. 18. Satan. iPfa!.f7.6 k I.Tim. 3. 7. 378 1 ».Sam.i8. 17- m Eph.6.i6. n JUu.i2. IS. ° Rom. 1 6 4 20. Worldli- neflc. p Math. z%. ;• ^Luk. 14.1$. C h a p. X I X. Wcjhould come to Chrijlj wares are detained , and digge a pit wherein more willingly hee would caftthem, then^^- fcloms enemies^ did caft him, into that pit in the ■wood, and hide an heape of Stones vpon him : hee hath m fiery darts to wound vs, hee w$S n caff out of his mouth water like a flood todrownevs, and all toftay our going to our Sauiour. Yet this may bee a ftrong comfort tovs, that our moft ftrong God will preferue and condud vs 5 that ° the God of peace will tread Satan aih 5 let vs runne after him accordingly, that wee may receiue the price laide before vs. 2. This fliould bee our care and ftudie, to follow Chrift faithfully-, not as ° Gehazi fol- lowed Eltjha his Mafter, not as p Judas Ifcariot followed our Sauiour : they did eouetoufly,and vnfaithfully, and were punifhed as they defer- ued: but as good lehojhaphat charged the ludges, andMinifters whom hee appointed, q to doe in the feare of the Lord, faithfully and with a per jit heart. So Iefus chargeth vs, to follow him faith- fully, and vprightly, to imploy our talents to his glory, that hee may both commend and reward VS; r (?W feruants and faithful/, enter into your Mafter si oy. 3. Letvs follow Chrift willingly, f as deere Bhb 3 children, 383 How wee fliould fol- low Chrift diligently. k 2«Sam f 2,i$ 1 Mar.4.20. m Heb.(5.2o. n 3-Cor.9,i4. 2.Kin,jay. Plohnu.^. 1 2,Chr.i9.9 r Mat f ij,2i ( f Ephef.M. 33* £ Iohm.14, u1.Kin.148. a 2Kin,i8A In what way they walke. b DeiK.29.1? c Iere.».f. d Ecde.a.i4. c Icrc.6.18. f Rom.13.i3. s 2,Thef,j.n h iPct.4,2. ij.Pct.j.j. k Pro.i.2o. ^•Iohni^. Chap.XIX. We)houldcome to Chrif, children , louing and honouring him , who is mod worthy of all loue and eftimation. As a poorc man and necdie, would gladly follow a rich man and wealthy, to get almes for the fup- port of his necefTitie : folet vs mod willingly follow him, c who U full of grace , trueth , and glory, And & with all our heart, as did his feruant Dauid, that wee may receiue all benefits from him, 4. Thefe benefits heewill beftowon thofc, who will follow him with x Caleb conftantly,and with He&ekiah, a cleaue to the Lord y andnot depart from him. Secondly, whofoeuer followeth Chrift: 1. Hee (hall not b walke according to the flubborne- nejf'e' of his owne heart , adding drunkennefje to tbirft, to whom God wiUnot be mercifully andvpon whom all his curfes Jhal/ light : 2. Heejhall not c walke after vanitie, and become vaine : 3 . <1 He fhall not with the foole, walke in darkeneffe : 4. He Jhallnot e walke craftily, as a rebellion Trait or : 5 . Hee jhallnot f walke in gluttonie , nor wantonneffe, nor in fi rife and enuying : 6. He fhall not g walke inordinately , as a bnfie-body; 7. He pall h n oi walke in abominable idolatries, after the lusls oj the Gentiles : 8. Hee Jhallnot * walke as a mocker, according to his vngodly concupifience, hee fhall not follow Satan to (hame and perdition. But hee that followeth Chrift, k fhall walke in the way of good men, and keepe the wayes of the righteous. Firft, hee pall 1 walke in the light, and the blood of Christ jhall ckanfe him from allfin??e. Secondly, Chap. XIX. And fellow after Him. -■ « ' m ' Secondly, hejhall m walke ritcumfjjeclty and wife- ly, not a* a foole, but as the wife, redeeming the time. Thirdly, hee jhall * follow peace and holt- ntfie, without the which no man pall fee the Lord. Fourthly, he jhall o walke in newneffe of life, and not feme finne. Fiftly, hee jhall p walke worthy of his vocation , whereunto hee is called 5 yea , hee jhall walke worthy of the Lord, p leafing him in all things. Sixtly, hee jhall r walke in the Jp/nt, and not fulfill the lufls of the /left. Seuenthly, he [hall f walke in lone withChr'tB • hejhall t walke before God with Abraham $ hee jhall u walke after the Lord with Ephraim ; hee Jhall x walke fafely by the way , his foote (hall not ftumblc . hee jhall come to the Mount aine of God ^ hee jhall be made a Pillar in the Temple of hts God , and goe no\ more out. Thirdly, befidcs this great commoditie, wee haue other caufes, wherefore we fhould To doe : for he is our Matter, wee are his feruants ; hee is our Doclour, wee bee his difciples; hee is our Captaine, weebehisfouldiers; hee is our King, wee his fubie&s. When Jonathan faid to his fer- uant, his Armour-bearer • a Come *vp after mee, or follow mee, the man obeyed, and followed. WhenChrift faid to Matthew^ b Follow me, hee arop and followed him : Licentius, ^AuguUines difcinle, thus protefted that hee would follow his precept. Non me dura gcln prohiberent frigora cano, - Nee f era tempefiai^ephyru mfremitufque Boriin 385 &Ccr f.4.s. n Heb.ii,i 4 . ° Rom.5.4. r Galf.i$, f Ephcf.f,2, 1 Gcne.t4.40. u Ho(.ir.io. x Rcue.3«i2. a i.Samii4.it b Matth 9.9. *Augttft. 3 86 I C h a p. X I X. WejhouU come to Chrift^ c Iudg.j.tS. d Iudg.7.17. c l.Sam.i.io. f Hof M . * isfrifto. lib.g.cap.6. de hifl. am. *PlmMfi. n*t. lib. 8. h Canc.i.i. 1 Iohn 3. 17, k Reue.i^.i4 Tbeodo. lib. de attwa virtMe* £utn tua follicito premerem vejligia pajfu : Hoc opus, vt iubeas iantum. When Ehud faid to the Ifraelites, * follow me, they went after him 1 when Gideon faid to his, Souldiers, &loeke on me, euentsldoe, fodoejou, they did as hee commanded them. If e the houfe of Iudah, had reafon to follow Dauid a mortall King ; haue not wee more reafon, to ffeeke our true Dauid, an immortall King, to follow and to g feme him with true dffettion f Many other creatures may bee witneiTes againft thofe, who doe refufeto follow Chrift.* If the wild hearts doe follow the Panther, becaufeof his fweete fmell, albeit (hee kill many of them : *If fome fifh in the Sea, doc follow other to receiue foode : if the foules of Heauen, follow other by inftin<5i of nature, as experience flieweth : Shall notmen^runne after Chrift, becaufeof the fau our of his good ointments , that they * through him might bee faued, and that being free from all mifery • k in Heauen they may follow him vpon white horfes, cloathed with fine lirifren, white and pure ? If any aske, what it is to follow Chrift. Anfwere. It is not to goe through thofe parts of the World, where lice went, nor to rcfort to thofe places of this Earth, where hee reforted 5 but according to the Antients, hee that loueth And hateth^ whit Christ , as God, doeth hue and de- j teff - 7 followeth and imitates Chrift, as much, as man may imitate God. Hee that doeth, that which I — — ■ — — — — Chap. XIX. and follow after Him. \ which Chrift as man doth, followeth Chrift, as a Chriftian ihould To follow Chrift is to ab- horre the vanitie of the world couragioufly, to abftaine from finne diligently, to be endewed with true charitie, and to bee followers of his holinefleand pietie. To follow Chrift , is to be a fincerc and right Chriftian, who to thevtter- moft of his abilitie, doth refemble Chrift in his conuerfation, to embrace his vermes, faith, loue, humilitie, meekenefTe, patience, and god- linefle , to I deny vngodlynejfe and worldly lufts^ to Hue foberly , and righteoufy , and godly in this prefent w$rld. Nowbecaufemen by nature are fo addi&ed to imitation, that they will follow the fafliion of thole whom they hate,as may be feene cleere- ly by the example of the Iewes , who albeit the ^Egyptians opprefled and m vexed them by crueL tie, caufingthem toferue, and made them wearie of their Hues by fore labour in day andbrkke . yet the Iewes followed the fuperftitions and abomina- ble idolatrie of the ^Egyptians whom they ha- ted, they n made a calfein Horeb , avd worfoipped the molten images^ they turned their glory into the fimilitude of a BuSocke that eateth graffe , faying, ° The fe bee the Geds which brought the good h Jheepheard , and Bi- {bop ofourfoules ? Men of wifedome doe difcommend Pope Hildcbrand or Gregerie the feuenth who mifre- garding that mod valiant and liberal! Emperour Henry the fourth, did deny to receiue him,with> in thetowne Cannifio. he fuffered him three dayes together to ftand bare-footed at the gates ! of the Citie before he would admit him to his I Cc c 2 pre- 3«9 a Heb.i2,»j, b t.King. if. 16. c Ift.32.1; d Dan. 7, 14. - i.Sam.if* 58. f Hcb. ij.io. 5 l.Pet.f.4. h i,Pct.i.aj. Fozm. 390 k Zach«9. io. 'Reu-f.io. ™Ioh.i,n* n Iud.iS.i, • ft.Pet.37. Caufes wherefore we (hould receiue Chrift. * Efce 36. 26*- * i.Cor.;.i*- r Gal.5.i8. r Eph.2.2i- t Eph.3. 1 6. C h a p. X X. Wefiould receiue Chrift, prcfence. This Pope fhortly after that died in Salerno. Are they not more to be blamed who ftubbornly refufed Chrift, who hath* inftice to be the girdle of bis loines , and faithfnlnejfe the girdle of his reives, who will fpeake peace and clean fe vs from all our filthinejje^ and that holy q (pirit jhaU dwell in vs* to leade itf, t* { build vs in bjm } to be the habitation of God jo c jtrcngtbe* N 391 I-Pet. 4 . 14. y R.oro, j. 10. Damafcen. C h a p. X X. and entcrtaineHim. vs in the inner man^ toglorifievs, feeing his fpi- rit refting vpon vs , u tbe/pirit of all glory and feli- city, as the Apoftle Peter doeth teftifie. Alfo when we receiue Chrift, we fhall obtains \ikfor < he that bath thefonne bath life, and be that x i.ioh.j. 1 2. bath not the finne hath not life, truely then wee j are all quickned, y we areaUfauedby his ///^with- out the which the life ofman is more miferable then death, and noway to bee acknowledged life. Barlaam being asked of Iofifhat the godly fonne of a cruell father Auemer^ how old he was , bi ft ori * d*- he thus anfwered, I am of fortie fiue yeeres, the j ^ um .^ hr ^[ young Prince maruciling 3 replyed : Thouap-j^^^f; peareft to me to be of threefcore and ten yeeres: a oy f a % but the old Eremite further declared, if thou de- ' p anes aHm fire to know the yeeres from my natiuity and j tbtrtm naturaJI birth thou haft reckned well • for I am of a greater age then three-fcore and ten : but I will not efteeme myyeeresfpentinthevanityofthe world without Chrift, to be in the number and meafure of my life, for while I was a flaue to fin in my flefh, I was dead in the inward man : An- . nos igitur mortis nunquam found in the faith, our C e c 3 c difeafes 1 Pet. 2. 21. b Titus2.2 # 3^2 d Iobn.ij. A*gnft. e Ier.49.7: f CoL3,i<5. g Ifa.58.14. h PfaUu*. Zach.34, k 2,Cor.7. 2. C h a p. X X. JF* />*#/*/ receiue Cbrift, c dijeafts jhali depart from^vs 3 and theeuiUJptrits /hatfgoeoutofvs. Bcfides this, d with chrifi is wifedomc and ftrength : he hath counfettandynderftanding with- out the which many may haue wifedome in their lippeSj but not in their heart- in their fpcech, but not in their life 5 and at their death, their wife- dome and counfell will be like to the Edomites, zperifring and mho mil not confume thy fubftance, thy bodie nor thy (bule,but will confnmt thyflthineffe, thy fcum and thy finne, who will neuer defraud thee , but maintaine thee in thy right, and giue a moft am- ple and rich p reward to all his saints that feare his mme^ to [mall and gnat , of whatfoeuer coun- trey, fex or condition. As Rahab was rewarded, becaufe fhee receiued in her houfe and lodged the two (pies fent by Iofhua, hiding them from their purfuers , therefore q herfelfe with her fa* ihers houfhold, her brethren, and all that fhee had wasfaued, when Iericho was vtterly deftroyed y and as that widow of Sarepta got her reward, who receiued Elias , r when great famine was throughout all the land , fhee was nourifhed and 1 ufteined , her dead fonne was againe quickned, and r reuked : So they ihall be moft liberally re- warded, who doe receiue Iefus Chrift, t The King of glory in their hearts, that he may come to dwell in their forties, they fhallbepreferuedfrom all deftru&ion, from endlefle wrath and damna- tion, their dead bodies (hall be raifed out of the earth , they (hall bee blefTed and glorified for euer. Secondly, ifthou receiue Chrift in thy heart, thoumayfthaueboldnefle to pray with Stephen at the houre of thy death, « Lord lefus receiue my 393 IIob ?3-t3. m PfaI, 1 1 9 . 172. Ezech, 24% li t pRcu.ii.i8. <5 Iofh.6.2 f . Lufc.**y. f I.King. 17. 21. c PfaUj.7. a ^d-7^9* I 394- I C h a p. X X. We jhould receiue Cbrijt y * Ioh.T.12; b Hof9.i5. c 2.Pct.»I.r 4 d 3.I0I1.1.9. • 2.C0.A17. The man- ner to re- ceiue (Shrift. f i.Chro.29. ir. si.Chro.2i. 21. myjftrh, who will heare thy petition and grant thee thy requeft. Thirdly, Chrift will receiue them within his Kingdome in the day of iudgement , who (hall receiue him in this earth, he will x Giue power to them to be the fonnes of God, and a of the Lord they jhall receiue the reward of the inheritance. But who Co refufeand repell Chrift.^ will^caflthem out of his houfe to vnfoeakeable paine andinfa- raie ; to them c the blacke darkenejfe is refer ned for ener. 1 If that malicious man <* Diotrepbes be reputed miferable and infamous , becaufe he did not re- ceiue the Apoftle /*£» and the brethren : How accurfed and wretched are all, who will not re- ceiue Iefus Chrift, who bringeth with him peace, plentie of good and felicitie , who pro- mifeth to e receive W* Vitam Bajfuni, f Reu.3.7. 'Reu.if.j, Receiue Chrift ioy- fully. Chap. XX. We jbould receiue Cbr/fl, dance of precious ievvells Chrift bnngcth with him. Incontinently he will {^^Comeinthou bleffed of the Lord therefore ftandejl thou with- out! $. Letvs receiue Chrift willingly within our foules, as his Difciples H willingly receiued him in- to the fhtp. DarknefTe, danger, fore labour and feare troubled them, vntill the time they recei- ued him .• but afterward by and by the (hip was at the Land , and they were deliuered from dan- ger, feare, and vexation : fo Chrift will *deliuer them who rece'tne him, which for foare of death were all their life-time fubiefl to bondage. We haue good caufes willingly to admit him, who is true, meeke, and mercif ull : not like that falfe cruell and difhoneft Emperour Baflianus Caracalld, who comming to theCitieof-^/^- andria in iEgypt was moft fblemnely and wil- lingly receiued ; but exueame cruelty was exe- cuted by him vpon the Citizens : hee made them being aflembled to fee certain publike paf times, to be compafled about by hisfouldiers, and an infinite number of them of all ages, con- ditions, and degrees mercilefly to bedeftroyed : but Chrift r is holy^ harmelejj'e, and true 5 * iufl and true are his wayes, who is the King of Saints , who is* a merciful! and a fait hfull high Prieft to make reconciliation for thefinnes of the people, who will fuccour thofe that arc tempted, and comfort the wearied^ he moft willingly therefore fhould be receiued. 4*If the Apoftle iWdefired the Philippians to x receiue Chap. XX. and enter taine Him. * receiue Epaphroditus his companion in labour with aUgUdncffc^ may I not entreat all Chriftains to receiue the Lord lefts with greater gladneffe, who commeth to hisowneasbecameto2?rt£- ania, fometimes todeliuerwholefomedo&rine and inftru&ion • there y Mary fat at htifeete and hard his preaching . fometimes to giue fweete comfort and confolation , by a raifing Lazarus from death. He commeth to his owne as a good husband- man to his vineyard, to b water it euery moment ; to keepe it night and day : O how ioy fully fhould we receiue him, who will teach vs, comfort vs , refrefh and preferue vs 1 King Dauid receiued the Arke of God into his Citie * with gUdneflei fhould not we receiue Iefus Chrift the Sonne of God with more gladnefTe, in whom alone , and in whofe^crojji principally wee may reioyce with ioy vnfpeakeable and glorious 1 Laftly, Let vs receiue Chrift with fubmiffion of minde and great humilitie. Elizabeth faidto the blefled Virgin : c whence commeth this to mee^ that the Mother of my Lord fhould come to mee ? It is euident by this, that accounting her felfe vn- worthie- of fuch companie, fliee well-comed Marie in Humilities May not we * with all humblenejfe of minde fay ^ Whence commeth this to vs, that the Lord of Life, the Sonne of God, the Sauiour of the World fhould come and vifite vs , to defire to dwell and remaine within \i * Surely euery one may acknowledge with D d d % lacoh 397 yLuk.io,;?. * Ioh.xi.44. « t.SamAi*. dGaU.14. Receiue Chrift ia Humilitie, e Lak.i.4« *£pk. 4 .^ 398 | f Gen.32. jo. s i^Sam,/. 1 3, h L«k.7.6. '2.Pct.I.XI. The place wherein we fliould re- ceiue Chrift; k Pfal. 132. Chap.XX. Wejhouldreceiue Chrijl, Ioh.14,2. A&.itf. 14, o Hcb.9.8. /4^ 3 faying, * lam not wort hie of the leaf? 0/ all thy mercies, and all the truth which thou haftfhew- edtothyferuant, and with Dauid, g Who am 1 7 O Lord God, and what is mine houfe, that thou haft brought me hitherto f euen as to be an houfe and habitation for the King of glorie , and with that godly contrition, ^ J am not worthiethat thou fhouideft enter vnder my roofe. ?(o by ithis meanes entering fhall be miniflred vmo thee a- boundantly y into the euerlafting kingdome of our Lord and Sauiour Jefus Chrift. Fourthly , touching the place which wee fliould appoint for our Sauiour to haue his rcfi- dencein, letvs prepare our hearts for him 5 let a Chriftian bee diligent and vigilant with Da- uid, thus refoluing , k twill not enter into the Ta- bernacle of mine houfe, nor come & claudendum Diabolo • Angnfl. thou fhouldeft open thy heart to God, and ftuit I thefametotheDiucll. j Remember then ; Firft, that the heart, is the place or featc of Chrift, and of true Religion : Secondly, that it is the well-fpringof our ani- ons : Thirdly, that it is themoft pretious part of man; therefore as traiterous ^dbfalom^ ftu- died q tofteale the hearts of the men of lfraelfiovci q a.Samii U the righteous King : So Sathan mod diligently, Bt ^ard. Iaboureth tofteale our hearts, from our blefTed i * s ' 7m4 ^ King and Sauiour. But let vs r keefe euy hearts r Pr°-4.*ii with all diligence. The men of this World, vfe to fay that hee keepeth a good Caftle , who keepeth his ovvne body : but the heart and foule, (hould rather bee kept as a Caftle 3 to receiue the Lord of life, that hee may remaine therein. Let not Chriftiansdoe, as did the Bethlemites 5 they prouided not a f roome for Chrift, at his f L&ti-f. birth in the Inne^ and therefore hee was Iaide in a cratch. Now weereadenot that after that time, hee returned euerto vifite Bethleem, where hee was borne : but let vs, I fay againe, with all careful- neffe, prepare our hearts to be his Manfion, and when hee (hall take full pofleffion of them, then our Ihut hearts ■ Jha/l bee * opened^ cur narrow * Afl,i6.i 4 i hearts tfhall bee enlarged, for to u runne the way of Ufa 6 .<> 4 his comtnandements • our darke hearts, fball bee '^M 1 " * lightned, that wee may know the right of his xEphef.1,18. D dd 3 glorious c Iere.i7.9' d Ifa«6.lo, e Pfal.IOI.4. Ecclcf.ijj; S Hof.10.2. h Ezcc.HI? iHcb.j.u. * rvA* # full of grace And trueth. If thou bee content to receiue Chrift in thy heart, hee will then change thy heart, which by nature, 1. c is deceitfull and wicked - y 2. which is dfat and fenfeleff'e » 3. which is c froward and crooked . 4. which is * double . 5. which is g afc- nwfof; 6. which is h ftony and obdurcd^ 7. *?&/';£ # i */*/# W unfaithfully 8. w^/VA n?/# bee come k trembling, and aftonied^ p. b^£ /j i turned out of the my, and diverted - ? 10. 8>^£ m ftiffe, and not bowed • 11. which is vnholy, andnvneir- cumcifed^ 12. wfeVA # ° proud, and loftie h 13. n?6/VA isfoolijh, p impenitent, and earthly. It is moft profitable, to know and lament the naturall wickednefTe, fenfelefneffe, frowardnefle, doublenefle, vnfaithfulnefle , ftiffenefle , lofti- nefTe, foolifhnefle, and hardneffe, of the heart- that euery one being touched with a fenfe, and forrow of his o wne corruption and mifery, may be mooucd to pray ferioufly, that Chrift would be pleafed to remedie the fame, faying : Rumpe met lapidem Cordis feruator Iefu Vt mollitd pio n)ifcera melle, fluant : Fac mea mens • ferro quo nunc eji durior omni, flexilis in reclum fat ab igne tuo. Oh, but if thou giuc place to Chrift, that hee may Chap. XX. and entertaine Him. may haue his residence within thee : i. Hee wiH q create a cleave hearty and renew aright Jpirit within thee : 2. Hee will r gine vnto thee an vn- derflanding heart, that thou tnayefl difcerne be- tweene goad and bad : 3 . And a conuerted heart, (for the Lord onely hath power to f turneagaine the fame at la/! : ) 4. Hee wiX make thy heart * iPfaI.12f.4- k P&. 11^.36, 4-OZ Cotaf.ttii. m Rom.2.t9. "Pfa.iji.i, ° Ifc.%*. Pi,Kin.8.f8« sPfal.fi. I*. * 1-.Sam.l67 The heart isthefoun- taine of a&ions, f Mat iy.18. c Mat.i2,|f, Chap. XX, We jhould receive Chrijf, tocouetoufneffe : 13. I /# A/w f^&>**** «v f oc 157, foipr That he is fortunate who Jiueth without forrow : but Ghriftiaris far more wifely , That he is vnhappie !and infortunate who liueth without forrow and griefe for his finnes, the time of his trouble (hall 1 afterward come, fo that, hejhaU c gnarv his toung for forrow and vexation. Thirdly labour to hauc faith, without which ^Chrift will not dwell in thine he art, without the which thou haft not an eye to fee him, neither an hand to apprehend him, nor a place to lodge him, feeing * faith is tbat-whtchpurifieth the hearty f without the which it is vnpofsiblelo pleafe God. Fourthly, Chap. XX. and entertaine Him. Fourthly make haft to crucifie and caft away thy finnes difplcafing him, cuen thy lewde 8 con- uerfamn in time pajl^ the old man that is corrupt through deceiueablelufts^xi 'thou beChrifts , defi- rous to giue him pleafant entertainmet,thou wilt h crucifie the flejh with the affections thereof ^ thou will fpeedily rcmoue the cuill which difpleafeth him, for as the Daughters of Heth' 1 were griefe of mindeto Jfaac and Rebec kah r fo our finnes they wearie Iefus and grieue his holy fpirit, alfothey annoy and deftroy the foule of man 5 the natural! Poet faith truely. i Qu&Udttnt oeulos feftinas demere , quid ft Eft minus 7 differs curandi tempus in tnnumi Let vs vfe all diligence, without delay to ex- pell our hainous infirmities ; which defile our hearts , difpleafe our Sauiour, and deftroy our foules , that are much more to be regarded and cured then our bodily eyes. Fiftly k be renewed in thefririt ofourminde, and put on the new man which after God is created in righteoufneffeandhelineffe^ and feaft thy Sauiour with loue obedience and with the fruits of true repentance, thofe are the fauory & pleafant meats which Iefus loueth : Indeede //i^delighteth to eatvenifon, but Chrift is onely feafted with regeneration. Touching the tokens to know if Chrift re- maine within thee , and be entertained by thee, obferue- thatasitis knowne when a King dwel- Eee 3 leth 407 Banifli- ment of finne, s Eph 4, 22. h Gal. j. 2i, Gen.25jf. Horat. E- fift. 2. With Re- generation. k Eph,4.*j, 'Gen.ay.j* Tokens to knov Chrift en- tertained. 408 nl l.Ch£0.ft£. If- } n Pfal.141.3. lob 3 1.1. p Pro.19.17. * Cphcf.4,29. r EpheCj.j. f Colof. 4 $. u x.Cor9 8 Chap.XX. W? Jhould receive Chrijt, leth within a hid place by their fignes : Firft, There are Porters abiding at the gate and en- trie, not differing vagabonds or beggers to en- ter within : Secondly , There is cleannefle and honefty in the Courts, no dunghill or fil- thineflfe: Thirdly, There is magnificent, State- lineffe and Tapiftrie in the Halles : Fourthly, There ishoncftcompanie, Noble perfbnages, Grauccounfellers, Wife, Learned, and God- ly men reforting hither : Fifthly, There is good furniture and plentifull prouifton , befeeming a Royalleftate. So alfo itwillbefooneknowne, if the great King abideth within thee : 1. Then as m Iehoiada fet porters by the gates eft be houfe of the Lord,cuen of the materiall temple of timber and ftone, that none that was vnclcane fliould enter in ; fo thou wilt haue a porter at the gate of the fpirituall temple, thou wilt pray with the Prophet "fet a watch ^ O Lor dj?e fere my mouth And keepe the etoore of my lippes, thou wilt ° make a couenant with thy eyes y that vanity come not within, by that way 5 thou wilt fet a porter before thyearesandp not he are the infirntlion that caufeth thee erre from the word tf knowledge: 2. Thou wilt not haue ^cor- rupt communication in thy mouth jio r ^vncleannejfe [hall be named by thee y f thy fpeecb alrvaies jhalllee gratious and porvdred with fait . and thou fhalt rightly l fpeake the language of Canaan , to the glory of God,& to the vfe of edifying, that it may mimfter grace *vnto the hearers: 4. thou^hautng all faff ciencie in all things /halt abound in cutty good worke: C h a p . X X. and entertain Him. voorke: $. and * working righuoufnejfe jhalt bee accompanied by the holy i^Angcls^dnd accepted with God 1 who will giue vnto thee contentment here, and happinefle foreuer:/* whom with his finne andbcljjpMtbeeeternallpraife andglory. Amen. ¥ IJ^lS, 409 x Aas.io.3S, L few ftnnfMR-