m ■I v. PRINCETON, N. J. ^ Collection of Puritan Literature. Division :?„!?—. ~T. "" Number 1 l L JtLik Jt ^yp W ^ci^ ua S* • ~S fee ,^-^e J^ .jlj( J~ t^JL_ 4>-fl^W-tB-& i ' By W. 5\(\ Late Preacher of Gods Word at Lee in Sffex. He b. 2.4. The Jptftjbail live by his Faith. LONDON, Printed by A. lM. and are to be fold by Edward Brewtter at the Sign of the Crane in PW/Church-yarii. 1654.. THE PREFACE TO THE Chriftian Reader. O freuent ih at prejudice, whetc- by the regard and benefit of many good bookes u much hin- dredy we haue thought good to premit fomewhat touching the ^Author, the treatise itfelfe y and the reasons why it is com- mitted to theprejft. FirJl,for the Author ; he may well be reckoned amongtt the Worthies of Gods ifrael^who, while he liued,was (as another a ApollosJ^ eloquent man, andmightiein the Scriptures, injlruftedin the way of the Lord, and feruent in thefpirit, and Jpake and taught diligently the things of the Lord : a man of indefatigable paines, both in hispriuatefludies and cxerctfes : and alfo in thepublique worke of his Mini- fterie^ to the great benefit of the Church of God, outr whuh the holy Ghofihadmade him an ouerfeer : and finally he was a Judicious and pious Diuine, wellfeene andpraflifed,ejpecia/ly in thefe points of faith and re- pentance ,wber of he hath here written. So that the qua- litie of the Author doth defer uedlj commend the trea- ttfe^ alfo the nature oftht treat ife may wel commend the Author • with whom in the birth thereof it fared 44 with feRachcl 3 who died in trauell : whereupon though A&18.14. b Gen.3$.ii, c Tbefonne of my farrow. d The fonnc of my ti&t hand. To the Reader. Ue. though this abortiue orphan may, in regard of the pa- rent thereof , well hrooke the name c Benoni$ yet for our due efleeme &vfe thereof it may fitly by vs he cal- led a Beniamin. The reafons n, ouing this our Author to write any thing for publique vfe,^ one ofvs hath obfer tied them f om his owne mouth, was fir f for that he being refrained from benefiting the Church by the or dinar te course of his mwifterie, hee was both willing anddefirow to be feruiceable and helpfullto the fame ', in what he might, by this way andmeane. Secondly, he feeing the people generally both peflered with many needle (fe idle vaine pamphlets, and multitudes of fa- bulous hifioricall difcourfesy andalfo much encombred with manifold polemicall diuinitie tract at s, of curious and litigious points, tending rather to contention and diuifwn, then to godly edifying, and that many good and neceffarie bookes were more framed to giuejatif faclion to the learned, then to edife theftmple : there- fore, that he might in a fub ferment manner endeuour tofupplie the pretentions of the latter fort of bookes, and to helpe to iufle the former rotten rapfodtes out of place $ he tk ought it expedient, that treaties offuch ne- ceffarie matter, concerning the et email filiation of all, hmdledin Jo plaine a manner, that themeaneflmay vnderfiand, foould alfo be obtruded ipon the readers, at the leaf if it were but to interrupt and kinder fomc- what the reading offuch bookes as be either hur fuller vnprofitall:. Thirdly, that he might leaue infpeciall to that peo- ple and * congregation, to whom he was a carefuli Mi- yjflcr , a particular remembrancer te bring to their minds feme chief points of his former doctrine fought amongtt Dedicatory. mongmeninthiswoild, and be found to your immortal praife and glory in the day of the Lord Iefus : yea, vpon you (hall come the bleifing of thofe, who blej] r eall fucb in the name of the Lord&s are friends to Sion^and feeke the peace of lerufalem.To this I from my heart fay Amen, and the Lord out of Sion bleflcyour Worlhip, and grant you to fee the good of Icrufa- lemall the daies of your life. So for euer ftands bound to pray,and in what he may to be feruicc- ablc to your Worihip, IONATHAN NlOTS. J TO THE RIGHT V\ ORSHIPFVLL,SIR Thomas Smith, KNIGHT, GOVERNOVR of the worthie Companies of Merchants, traffiqueing in the East Indies, Mofcouia, Scc.increafe of grace,and all good things here, andfulneffeefgloric hereafter, ^52^T>^ jghtWorftu'pfuiytwas aprepofterous cuftom of the Pharifees to found a trumpet when they did their almes, as if the ad: could not bee knowne^vnlefleall the world were fumnjione d to take notice : nay,that God whifch bids vsgiucalmes in fecrct, can find a time both to eclipfe the glorie of that a&ion, publifhed with fo loud an alarum, and alfo to make the A ] praife *i.Cor.4.f. i»Kinga8.i3. *i t Cor.8.i, The Epistle praifcof well-doing breake forth as the lighr,though before neuer fo much hid- den j and that not onelyat/W day Tthen the Lordjhallcomeywbo Tvili bring to light the hidden things ofdarkeneJJe y and tbenjhalleue- rie man bauefraife of God * j but euen in this life oitznjhe good^vorkes oj fome are mamfeft beforehand,to their praife among me, * Was it not told my Lord ( faith that Noble Courtier) how I hid an hundred men of the Lords Prophets by fiftie in a caue,and fed them with bread and water ? Yes Oba- diab^hou couldft not doe it fo priuily^ut Etiah knowes it,and many more too,euen all Gods peoplc,which (hall therefore for euer call thee bleflfed. Renowned Sir, as God hath giuen you a large portion in this worlds good, fo (whichisnolefle a gift*) haue you an heart inlarged to com- municate to the neceflitiesofothers.Your bountie extends to many (as I am credi- bly informed), one I can fpeakeofynuch oblieged to your Worfhip in this kind, cuen mine own felfe,who for fomeyeeres haue had a liberall allowance from you. A worke Dedicatory. worke though nor done by ftealth as was Obadiahsrtot God be thanked ic is now no treafon to feed the Prophets, or thefonns of the Prophets^), yet not fo knowne as might be wifhed deeds of that nature were to the better prouoking of this cold age: but God hath at length prouided you an Obadtahs reward, a publike commendati- on for a priuatc good defert,occafion be- ing offered mee to beare loitneffe oSyoux charttte before all the Church, euen as many as to whom this booke (hall come. Which I mention as to teftifie rtiy true thankcful- ne(Te>which fmothers not a benefit when it ought to bee fpokenof, fo to (hew the world my warrant for prefuming to dedi- cate the enfuing Treatife to a perfonagc fo eminent, fo taken vp with publike af- faires. But befides this,the good affeftion and refped you bare to the Author while helmed, makes me hope you will bee as forward to patronage his Worke, as you haue been found willing to be helpcfull to hisfonne. And indeed (Right Worfhip- full) the workefor the fubieft matter of it A 4 is Th e Epistle is fuch^s may worthily challenge all rca- dinefle in you to countenance icrit treates chiefly of faith, that royallgrace a thcE- leds peculiar, (o pleafing to God, fo con- tended for by the Saints, which to defend is the highefl: honour of Princes,to Hue by thechiefe glorie ofChriftians- But why goe I about to (hew the worth of that, which none can know but thofe that haue it? Oh! thofe thathaue tafledbolb good the Lord /j^whofe foules are fweetly refrefhed with that peace that pa/feth all njnderftan- ding-> rauilhed with thofe toyes Tjnfpea^abU and glorious, who are jlrong to overcome the emllonejheTvorlcl, t hem/dues 5 haue power to Toorke rigbteou fiic ffe,obtaine promt fes y ytZ) to doe all things through Chrtftthat ftrengthe- neth them ( and all this can belecuers doe) 3 fuch beft know what faith is, and how much they owe to God the Authour, and the instruments it pleafeth him tovfe in this bleffed Worke.Amongft other helps this Treatife may be one to all that lift to vfc it 5 penned by one, who (to fay no morejhimfelfe liuing by faith,and feeling ia Dedicatory. inhis owne experience thefauing effe&s ofchatheauenly gift, knew what he faid when he intitled it,// JeTbellofwy.andpeere- /ejffe pear/e. The earthen veflell which brought thispearle is now broken j bro- ken doe I fay? or rather made whole for euer,caft anew in the mold of immortali- tie,and filled with thatgloriewhereunto it was prepared. Had it pleafed God to haue fpared him longer,my comfort had been the greater,and this work perfe&er : yet fuch as it is, to Gods people it was in- tended,and from them 1 for my part durft not detaine-it. It was no childs part in Micab to ftczlc that (iluer, which hismo- thcr had dedicated to the Lord, ((hee pre- tended) though indeed to an idolatrous vfeimuch lefle were it warrantable forme any way to feeke to keepe backe^what my Father bequeathed to the Churchy to fo good an end. And this Ifay^thoughbuta mite, yet if caft into the Lords Treafur ie, when God accepts it, no good manwill difdaine it:though but a few barly loaues, yet it is good they fhouldbediftributed, when Iudg.X7. T The Epistle Iohn6.32.3j when through Chrifts bleffing thoufands may be fed thereby .If any man ihall think theTreatife might be fpared, becaufe of thecommonnefle of the fubied, faith and repentance being the ordinarie theames ofmens Sermons and writings, I wifh him to confider,whither the Ifraelites did well tobeangrie, when riflngin the morning they found Mannah fallen againe about their tents,of which before they had had fuch plentie. Well, * *MoJesgaue them not that bread from heauen y but God the Father gtues that they may belteue on the name of the Sonne of God: as for the world that abides in vn- beleefe, the truth of God where it fhines moftclearely^fhallhauethat effed: which Chrift foretold the Spirit of Truth, the blefled Comforter fiiould haue at his comming, cuznto convince it of Jin, becaufe they beteeuednot on him. Neither, I hope, will the manner of handling vfed by the Authour,and the kind of phrafe farre from affe&ation, or the entifing words of mans wifdome, I hope(f fayjthis will not offend any, who are content their faith fhould (fand not m tbe^pifdome ofmen^but inthefo^er of God. But I returne to you (mbft wonhie Knight) to you principally I offer this Treatife, this field (iffo I may call it) wherein the Pearle of faith is dtfeouered. It i.Iohxij.ij. Iohntl.x?, The Epistle It isnot tor mc to teach you how you arc to account thereof^ your wifdome can- not hut approue that high cftimation, the Merch ant in the Gofpel had of the Pearlc. Thisonelylwiflv, that as you abound in outward treafures, foyou may be neb m the faith, and confequently tetre of the king- dome Tvhicb God bath prorm/ed to them that louehtm. And certaincly if that bee true, that fait b Worses by tone, then are you not without witneffe,being well reported of for yoar loue to the truth, and fuch as ^>al\e in the truth. Onely goe on(honou- red Six) to deferue well,and heare well of the Church of God. If thus you (hall bee content with thofe 24Elders(Apoc.4 v )to caft your earthly dignitie at the feet of the Lambejimproouing all to his behoofc 3 to the aduancing his gIorie,and countenan- cing Religion If with that worthy King Uamd.m way of thankfulnes to the Lord, who hath done fo great things foryou, you (hall reflect your goodneffe ite, thereby an vnanimiom r. . table teflimo- nieispublfquelygiuen to the truth $ and the Church and people of Cod Jl ill built ip in gpodneffe.t^/fnd far- ther, though there wre fuffcknt aheadie written, if\ men would carefully zfe it, and therewithal be con- 1 tent $yet feeing that old bookesjike old garments, are \ in time neglected and defpi fed '• and the new c one ted and read rather for the noueltie of the edition, then for am newneffe of matter contained in them • it is not amifjefo to renew bookes of the fame things, for the fpreading and continuing of the truth, euen as they fay by new Phenixes rifwg out of the ajhes of the old, their kind is fill propagated. But bleffed be God we do dwell in the land of Gofhen joauing the two great lights of preaching and printing, as the Sunne andMoone to di- rect and comfort vs,in theferuile Egypt of this world: therefore while wee haue the light , oh how carefull Jhouldwee be a* the children of light towalkein the light, that at the lajl we may raigne with Godfor euer, who dwelleth in light, which cannot be approched vnto j which the Father of mercies grant vnto vs. ^4men. Steven Egbrton. Iohn Syme, ¥^Mh^^i^¥M>¥MW> THE PPvINCIPALL HEADS and Contents of the Chapters. Chap. I. Of the knowledge of God and our felues in generalL pag.i Chap. II. Of the Chriftians pradtife according to his knowledge of God and his works. 5 Chap. III. The Chriftians pra&ife according to the knowledge of himfelfe^ and his owne dutie : and herein firftofthe legall Commandcments. 13 Chap. IIII. The Euangelicall comrnandement,w r ith the Chrifti- ans pradtife and vfe made thereof: wherein there is the definition of faith, with the proper obie£t and ipeciall operations thereof. 20 Chap. V. The manner of the knowledge of Chrift 3 with the perfwafion that is necerTaric to faith. 25 Chap. VI. The vfe that is to bee made of this 3 that God hath gi- uen the commandements both of the Law and Gofpell, for the attaining ofeternall life. 3P Chap. VII. How men may be miftaken in this poynt of their be- leeuingjWith the vfe thereof. 5 3 Chap. VIII. How faith is difcerned 5 and the true being thereof [ made manifeft, both to the beleeuer himfelfe, and to o- ( thers. 73 ' (a 3) Chap. The Contents. Chap. IX. What remedie there is for the weake in faith : And withall,the excellcncie of faith is declared, with the pra- dtife or vfe to be made thereon. %6 Chap. X. Two things propounded : firft, the differences bc- tweene fauing and fauelefTe faith, and how farre a repro- bate may goein faith. Secondly, the notes and proper- ties of true and precious faith : and here the maine diffe- rence is entreated of. 95 Chap. XL Of the fpeciall differences in the principall graces ap- pertaining to faith : and firft, of the firft grace, which is knowledge, with the vfe that is to be made of the diffe- rence herein. 104 Chap. XII. Thefecond difference,which is in their laying hold of Chrift for faluation. 1 24 Chap. XIII. Of the third difference, which is in the .difference of their aflurance to be faued : wherein is entreated of the want of feeling of true faith, or of the former or prefent comfort thereof. 137 Chap. XIIII. Further differences betweene hypocrites and found beleeuers, in their aflfurance to be faued : and firft in the whole building thereof; as alfo of the builders them- felucs. 153 Chap. XV. The different vfes they make of their perfwaiion. l6z Chap. XVI. How eafie it is to get a falie perfwafion,but difficult to attaine found affurance of faluation : which is anomer difference betweene them. 1 64 Chap. XVII. Of another fpeciall difference, which is, that the mif- beleeuer Y Tt.'t Contents. beleeuer is free from the anattfts of Satan , wherewith the true Chriftian is alw > troubled. \6f Gar a*. XVIII. The fourth maine difference betweenethemisfeene in their ioy : where the foundries and ftabilitie of the ioy of true beleeuers, with the contrary of Temporizors is declared. 172 Chap. XIX. Hypocrites differ from found beleeuers in all the di- mensions of ioy : whereof the firft is, the height both from whence it commeth, and to which it reacheth to. 178 Chap. XX. (9E thefecond dimenfion of ioy wherein they differ, which is the depth of a deie&ed and difconfolate c- ftate. 187 Chap. XXI. The difference of their ioy in the third dimenfion or breadth of it, and how it is ftraitned or extended in them. 194 Chap. XXII. Of the lets of true ioy,and firft of finne : and how the Lord raifcth thence matter of reioycing to beleeuers. 203. Chap. XXIIL Of the fecond hindrance of ioy, in Gods hiding his face,and how that is made an occafion of reioycing vn- to a true and found beleeuer. 215 Chap. XXIIII. Of the third let of true ioy, which is the crofle; and how their ioy is augmented,through the much good that comes thereby. 219 Chap. XXV. The difference of ioy in the laft dimen(ion,or the lon- gitude thereof; and how the ioy of found beleeuers is permanent and enduring ; the ioy of hypocrites tranfito- torie and fained. 240 Chap. — w "The Contents. Chap. XXVI. The fifth maine difference bctweene found beleeuers and counterfeits is, in their repentance; and how farre hypocrites may proceed therein. 259 Chap. XXVII. The defcription of Repentance that isvntolife; with ; the kindes of it : And how true beleeuers and hypocrites differ in them; as alfo in the whole body and frame of Repentance. 264 ! Chap. XXVIII. How they differ in all the parts of Repentance feue- \ rally confidered : and firft in their forrow for finne, and, the effects of it : where alfo is fhevved the neceifitie of j forrow in repentance. 269 ■ Chap. XXIX. The diuerfity of forrow, with the obiedts about which j they are conuerfant. . 276 Chap. XXX. How they differ alfo in the effects which cither doe bring foorth,and in the caufes of either. 281 Chap. XXXI. How the forrow of true beleeuers and hypocrites dif- fereth in that which is caufed by either. 287 Chap. XXXII. Of the feuen attendants on godly forrow, in the heart of euery true conuert and vnfained beleeuer. 2p 2 Chap. XXXIII. How forrow for finne caufeth confeilion of finnr, ac- cording to the diuers kinds of it, and of the differences to be feene in men therein. 306 i Chap. XXXIIIL Of Satisfa£tion,and the diuers kinds thereof: with the differences bctweene true beleeuers and Hypocrites therein. 3 28 The end of the Contents, MANS ACTIVE OBEDIENCE, OR THE POWER OF GODLINES, elpecially in the commandement of the Go/peUy whtch requinth faith of cuery Chri- ftian. Chap. I. Of the knowledge of God and our/ekes iff gcntraO. Queftion. Et me (I pray you) in the beginning of this our conference heere fbortly decla- red, what wee are to propound for our chief eft end in this prefent difcourfe: and then (hew me therewithall y wherein the full and whole dutie ofeuery true ChriFlian doth fummarily confift. sAnf Themaineand chiefe end fliould be,our bet- ter learning how to fear e God x and keep e his commande- ments:iov this ought to be the whole ofeuery mans chiefe endeauours, and belt itnployments ; whole duties all,if they be iummed vp together, may well be reduced vnto thefe two heads,of Knowledge, and of Practice. . B QJlfay Ecdef.12.13. Mans atTtae obedience, Ch a p .i. ?. 1 z quafi »ikh ■ ,um<;yil{llfull6r flowing. Phi 49 '-o & 73 ^&3 z -9« lob j 5 II. |Pfal.l4«-8. jill the tongues of Men and An gels are not able tovtterfo ftgni- ficant a word 3 as (hould fully ex- prcjfe what God is. Exod.3.14. &11.7. i.Tiin.rf.irf. lob 37.*3« Aftsi7-i8. i.Cor.8.6. God good with- out qualitie, great without quantilicjnfi- nite without pface % and euer. lajling without time. Mattha8.i^. Mat.i.x;. i .Tim .3. 1 6. Heb.1.3. C0I.1.15. Ioh.14.7. &1.18. •Xod z? IX. jal.4.5,6. Jci.4. Q^ LMay not one of thefe be thought fufficient tojhtrw •what a mans dutie isjhatyou name both ? tx/. Both arc ncceffary to expreffe all that is required: for knowledge without practice makes men no better then diuels ; who know more then we doe,but doe not as they know : and practice without knowledge,makes men differ little from brute beafts,yca,from the infenfible creatures/who in their kind are more obedient ;for the fier and hai/e,th?Jnow and vafour^andflormie -wind, they do his w//, though they know not what they doe. Q. What things are necejfaryfor vs to know ? A. God and our felucs,his workes and our duties. Q^ What are tve to know concerning God? A. Wee are to know what God is in himfelfe, and what he is to vs. Q^ What are -we to know^as touching -what God is in him- A. We are taught out of the Scriptures, that he is a diuine effence of vnfpeakable maieftic and glorie ; who hath his being of himfelf,and doth giue life and being to all things eMe that are ; who is fo high and excellent,om- nipotent,eternal and infinites to the greateft vnderftan- ding of the wiieft and beft of al his creatures,he is in glo- rious maieftiemoftincomprehenfible; and yethee hath made himfelfe knowne to his creatures, tobeonely one God ouerall, diftindt in three perfons, the Father our Creatour,the Sonne our Redeemer, and the holy Ghoft pur Comfortor,inftruclor and guiderin all our waies. Q. What are "we to know that God is to vs f *A. ThatGodinthcfecondPerfoninthe Trinitie, is fo reconciled vnto vs in him, he is become God with vs, cuen God manifefted in the flefh, and made knowne vn- to vs in the face of Chrift Icfus;who being the brightnes of his gloric,and the expreffe imaee ofhisperfbn,hethat |hath feene and knowne him,hath Teene and knowne the ather;yea,inandby himknoweth God alfo to bee his ather,through the operation of the holy Ghoft. QWhat C h a p . I . or the power of Go dime (ft* Q^ What are we to know touching the wor\es of God ? tsf. Generally that they are perfect and holy,all done in truth and equitie, that they are merit honourable and glorious ; yea,that maruelous are his workes, and that in wifedornehehath made them all. Particularly, that they are either fecret, and hidden from all other creatures, and onely knovvne to himfelfe alone ; or openly manifeft and reucaled in the world, and To appertaining to vs to take knowledge of them. Q^What manner of 'workes are tbofe } which you doer all thefecret and hidden worses ofGod^knowneto himfelfe a- lone ? j4. Suchaswashiseternall decree and purpofe with himfelfe before all beginnings, of making the whole world in the beginning,and of determining all that hee {hould make,to fuch feuerall ends as he had appointed. Such alfo,as is the appointment oftime for the ende of the world,and for the bringing all to iudgement,the day and houre whereof is not knowne to the Angels;no,nor to the Sonne of man himfelfe. Q^ What are the rettealed work** of God, manifested and made knowne in the world y which it behottethvs to re- garded to tak° knowledge oft A, The w r orkes both of the creation of all things, out of nothing made good in the beginning;as alfothe works of daily gouerningjordering and difpofing al things once made(whether they keepe their goodneife they were firft made in,or haue loft it,and are fallen from the iame),fo as yet out of all by his infinite wifedome,he neuer faileth to bring honour,and gaine glory to his name. Q^ What are we to know touching ourfelues t A. We are to know what we wcre,and what we now are. Q^ What is to be knowne touching what we were ? A. We are to know, that wee were once happy crea- cures,made good in the beginning;yea,excelling in good- aeffe many other creatures that were alfo made good; for B 2 we 3 Dcuc.32.4. Eccld.j.14. Pfal.i 4 M7. P&I.3M. &111.8. Pfal.111.3. Pfalpi.y. Pfal.139.14. lob 9.10. . Pfai. 104.24. Ephef 1.11. Pfal.35.11. &R0.11. 1 1.34. Rom.p.u, 2*2*. x.Pet.2.8. Ads 4. 18. A 26.14, Pial.76.7. Pial.^.5.7. Plal. 8.31. Pfal .03.17. Pial 10^.8. kxod.34.6. Pi:U<$.-ij. Pfal.59 9- liai. 41. 24.29, Deut.31 17. 1^*197.7. & 13 6. ifa.ah 6.?. T»t.i \6. [.rior.i.il. 1X01.5.19. Koifc.9.5. AT a ns acliue bediencc, C h a p . 2 1 inwardly had of that that heknoweth ; and the traucll of the body in workcs and a£tions outwardly, performed according to the fame. Q^ Howfarre mufi this practice be extended ? A. So farre as a mans knowledge doth reach vnto:for u is but the making vfe of knowledge, which otherwifc would be fruitlefle and vnprofitable. Q. Shew this more particularly inthofe feucr all points of knonl:dge, which y oh haue fit downe to bencedfullfor euery Chrtftian, to haue his mind rightly to bee informed in : and frft , what praflice or vjeyou would haue to be made of that knowledge we are to haue of God, that wee know ! what he is inhimfilfe } which is the firfl point that is mentio- ned. A. That when wee fo know God, wee then doe glorifie him as God ; trembling before his fearefull CMaieslie ; wondring at his great Omnipotencie; afto- nifhed with his infinite Glorie ; rauifhed with his in- comparable Excellencies awed with his dreadfull Pow- er \ comforted with his endlciTe Loue\ cheared with his abounding Mercy ; and falling low downe before the throne of his^/^(all falfe gods, and lying vanities of the Heathen being vile in our eyes),to fay,Hce is holy,hee is holy,he is holy, the Lord of Hoftes,the earth is full of his glory. And as thus in our minds to w ordiip hirn,and with our words to praife him;fo to takehced,that in our deeds wedonotdery him. Q^ What vfe are wee to make of that knowledge wee ought to haue of God, whereby wee may know what hee is to vs ? 9^f. Thereby we are occasioned ferioufly to confi- der of, and daily to feeke better to vnderftand that great myftcrie ofgodlinefTe, \*h?ch concerneth the worke of our redemption, that is by Chrift Iefus ; how God was: in Chrift, reconciling the world to himfe!fe:not imputing j their trefpaps vnto them; and how Chrift being God Jouerallbleffedforeuer,becamealfo man, to fuffcrwhat' was 1 % Ch a p .2 . or tbtpmr ofGodlinejft. was due for mans tranfgreflion ; that being both Cjod and Cfrtan, hee might make a perfect fatisfadtion vnto God for man. And being fealed and Tent of the Father, to bee the attonement-maker betweene the two par- ties at variance, who were God and man, hee might firft get them infeparably ioyned together in himfelfe. And thefe two Natures to bee fet at one : and by a happy vnion , to meetc together in his owne perfon ; and tnen in the body ofhisfiejh through death,and by the blood of his Crofte, to fet all things at peace in heauen and in earth ; fo reconciling man to God,as he might bee prefented holy and vnblameable, andvnreproucable in his fight. And thus was hee made vnto vs Iefus ; that is,a full and perfedl Sauiour, to faue vs from our finnes ; God hauingfor the fame purpofe firft made him Chnft, that is, annointed him with the holy Ghoft, and with power to be a Piieft,Prophet,and King,to purchafe,pub- lifh and apply faluation for, and vnto all that (hould be- lecue in his name. Q._ What fraUice or vfe of the knowledge 'of the works of Cod in generalise we to make t *A. The fame or like to that which is contained in the Song ofmtofesythe feruant of the Lord; and in the Song of the Lambe,fung by thofe victorious Conquerors, that had the Harpcs of God in their hands ; the ditty whereof was this, Great and marvellous are thy workes Lord God ssflmightie: iuft and true are thy waies,thott King of Saint s\ Who is like vnto thee,0 Lord,among the Gods ? who is like thee ? glorious in holineffe, fearefull in praifes, do- ing wonders ! And in confidering the great workes of God in generall,to fay with ^D^W, the fweete finger of Ifrael; O Lord, how manifold are thy workes, in wife- dome haft thou made them all ; the earth is full of thy ri- ches? Bleffed be the Lord God, the God of Ifrael, who onely doth wondrous things,and bleffed be his glorious name for euer,and let the whole earth bee filled with his gloric. Amen and Amen. _ B 4 Q. Goe i.Tim.i.fA & j .30. Colo(T.i.zo. 11.22* Mac. I. 21. Ads ».$«. Hcb.*.j><5. Dcut.i8.i8. Luke 4.18,21. Mattb.17.?. D311.7.14.17. Zach.9.9. Luke 1.31,3$. Apoc.ij.3. Exod15.11* Pfal.104.24. Pfal. 71.18.19. 8 Mans afiine Obedience, Ch a p .2 . Dcut.1p.29. Kom.ift.;. Exod. j^.xi.ii i.Sam. 6.19. Ecclef.8.17. and u. 5. Pfal.77. '9« Rom.xi.;;» lob 34.14. Q^ Goe on to [here the like of the worses of God mote par** ticularly , according as you haue dtflinguifhed them, tslnd firfl touching thofe works which yon call the fecret works of Cjod : what is thepraElice orvfeweare to make of our know- ledge we haue,that there befuch ? ^.Firftjbecaufe they belong not to vs, but vnto y Lord God himfelf alone; that therrore in all reuerence we leaue them vnto him, and neuer dare prefume to prie into the Lords fecrets,nor defire to vnderftand aboue that which is meet; but keepe our felues within the lifts and bounds which God hath fet to ranke and raile vs in this way, vn- der as great a penalty as euer hee fet bounds to the chil- dren of Ifrael at the giuing of the Law ; which they were not to paflfe, in any defire they had to gaze and fee that, which the Lord would not hauc (hewed ; as in the ex- J ample of the men of Bethfhemefh, prying into the Arke, I which was not lawfull for them to doc,may appeare : ac- 1 counting it a point of our beft wifedome, and dcepeft knowledge ; yea a very learned ignorance, not to know ' that which the Lord feeth not good to reueale : yet fo, as we al waies doe honour^ in the workes of God, that which we doe not vnderftand. And when wee perceiue the iudgements of God to be as a great deepe that can- not be founded,his wayes to bee paft finding out, and that his foot-fteps cannot be knowne ; that we then doe ftanH and wonder at that wee cannot comprehend ; and with the Apoftle cry out, Oh the depth of the riches both of the wifedome and knowledge of God ! how vn- fearchable are his iudgements,and his wayes paft finding out! to the end that God may haue the greater honour thereby. , Q^ What is the vfe we are to make, and practice of the knowledge we haue, that there be other worses of God that are openly manifefted and revealed in the world ? A. We are to remember ( as Elihn fpeaketh to lob), that wee doe magnifiehis workes which men doe be- hold. And feeing the reuealed workes of God are thing* that Ch a t» . 2. or the fewer ofGedlmeJfe. that doc belong to vs,and to our children for euer; that wc therefore doe both labour and learne to know them our felues ; and that wee likcwife doe teach them to our -children, and (hew to the generation to come, the prai- fes of the Lord ; his ftrength,and his wonderfull workes that he hath done,that they may make them knowne to their children ; and the children which yet are not borne may arife and declare them to their children, that all may fet their hope in God, and not forget the workes which he hath wrought. . The workes of God ( faith the Pfalmijl) are honourable and glorious, to be fought out of all them that haue plcafure therein : they are as fcaling ladders,that are fet vp for vs euery where to climbe vp by them,the better to fee God: and as bookes opened, in which we may learne better to know them ; the dumb bcalts,if they be asked, will teach man ; the fowles of the heauen will tell him ; the earth will fhew him ; and the fifties of the fea will declare vnto him, that the mighty. God hath made them all. Q. Touching the worke of the fetation, which is the fir ft worke of this kind wrought by God in the beginning: what vfe andprattice are we to rhake of the knowledge thereof? A, That feeing it is the Lord that hath made vs, and not we our felues ; and that of him, through him, and for him,both we,and all things elfe haue had our being ; 1 wc therefore endeauour by our felues, and by all things I elfe, to bring glory to his name; that fo the Lord may ; rcioycein his workes: Often praying that prayer of Da- i uid, Thy hands (O God) haue made mee and fafhioned me; giueme vnderftanding therefore that I may learne thy Commandements. Rendes,when we looke vpon the heauens,the worke of Gods fingers, the Moone and the ftarres which he hath ordained; and know, that by the word of the Lord the heauens were made, and all the hod of them by the breath of his mouth. When wee be- hold how the Lord hath fowen and garnifhed the hea- uens with ftarres abouc,and glorioufly couered the earth with Dcut.19.19. Dcut. 6.7.10. Pfal.78.?.*.7. The Lords worses (lil(C the curtaincs of Sa- lomon ) banc their beaut ie withm^wehad ncedebotd our eyes near e them, and put our heads (as it were) within them 3 to confi- des them aright. Expof.in Pfal. 111.?. Pfal. 1 1 1. 1.3. Pfal.28.?. lob 11.7. 8.q. Pfal. xoo. 3. RQffl.11.36. Pfal.104.31. Pfal.ijQ.73. Pfal.8 3. Pfal.jj.* Rom.i.so. Pfal.8.?. Pfal.85.8. Ephef.3.10. EpheCi.19. Ephtf. *-7. Pfal.33,9. Pfal.144.^ Iob7.X7» .A/40/ Atltue obedience, Ch AP.2, with flowers, fruits, and all Hiring creatures here below ; we who are fet in this world (as vpon a ftage) to behold thefe things, and admire the eternall power and God- head, the goodneffe, and greatneffe, and wifedome that is infinite, of him that did fo make them; which Paul faith to be the inuifible things of him, but by the creati- on arc cleerely to bee feene. And that as thofe that are aftoniflhed with this his worke full of wonders, wee doe crie out with the Pfalmift, to the praife of him that hath done them : O Lord,how excellent is thy name in all the earth ! among the gods there is none like thee, O Lord, there is none that can doe like thy workes. Q^ What vje may be made of the knowledge of the worke of the redemption of mankind \and of the refioring ef all things by the CMejfiat andSauiour of the world ? A, Thereby as the manifold wifedome of God is manifefted and made knowne to Angels, and to men : fo the exceeding greatneffe of the power of Gods might, and riches of his grace and goodneffe, efpecially to man- kind, is cleerly reuealed,and ought freely to be acknow- ledged : that was able and*willing, not onely to make all things good out of nothing in the firft Creation ; but to reftore that which was now become euill, and I therefore worfe then nothing,to a better perfection then it euer had in the firft beginning : a worke of greater dif- ficulty then was the former.God,to make the firft world, fpake the word,and it was made ; he commanded, and it ftood faft : but the fame Lord,to reftore the fecond,fpake many things,did maruellous things, and fuffered vnwor- thy things, euen things moft heauie and grieuous. In re- gard whereof ( this being done efpecially for mansfal- uation) we may cry out with the Tfalmifi, Lord, what is man that thou takeft fuch knowledge of him, and the fonne of man that thou makeft fuch account of him ? and (as lob fpeaketh) that thou fhouldeft thus magnifie him, and thus fet thine heart vpon him? and in refpeft of the Lord cry out, How great is his goodneffe,and how great is C h a p .2 . or the power ofGodlmeffe. II is the beautie of his workes towards vs! Oh happic the redeemed! who is like vnto them? a people that are thus failed of the Lord' The knowledge alfo of our redemption {hould be as a double bond vnto vs to bind vs in duty vnto him, that hath fo loiied and faued vs by lb great a deliuerance, to feme him in holineffe and righteoufnelTe all the dayes of our Hues : who hauing been our Creator, is alfo become hereby our Recreator; that hath twice giuen vs our Hues, once out of nothing, and the fecond time out of wofull deftrudtion and moft deadly damnation. Laftly, feeing we are bought with fo great a price, we are not to make our felues fo vile, and fo little worth, as to fell our felues for a morfell of bread, or apiece of fil- uer,to become flaucs vnto Satan,and feruants vnto finne. Q^ There is yet another worke of God, his daily gvuer- ninf, ordering, and difpofng all things by his providence:, what vfe may the knowledge thereof be put vnto by vs ? A. This may glad the hearts of all creatures in gene- rall, butefpccially of the redeemed: to know that the Lord that faued them is the ruler of the world; who fit- ting in heauen doth whatfoeuer hee will; that his is the power, and his is the might, and that the kingdom? and the dominion is his: who as hee hath made all things,and gi- uen than life and being ; fo doth hee not delight in, nor defire the death of any ; but is faid to be the preferuer of men : yea, vouchfafeth to let it be knowne to all, that it is he that faueth both man and beaft. For this caufe the "Tfalmifl willeth all the earth to be glad of it : yea not fo much but the infenfible creatures are called vpon to bee affe6ted with it r the pea is willed to roar e, the flouds to clap their hands, and the hilles to be ioj full together. For fince the Lord is king,all may reckon vpon it/ that hee will iudge the world with righteoufiieffe, and the people with equity. This alfo may put courage and boldnetTe into the hearts of all Gods fakhfull feruants,not to /*vzrMAP. 2. Pfal. *6. 7, •ndtf5.7. Pfal. 91.4. nemies that they hauc arc able to doc againft them : no not what Satan himfelfc, the very prince of darknefle, nor all the power of hell can doe againft them, flnce all thefc haue no power at all,but as it isgiuen them; and fo giuen them,as it is limited according to the good plea fur e ofhis*w//:athis word they are fent forth, at his word they are called in againc; hee ruleth ouer their greateft rage, and maketh their maddeflfurie to turne to his owne praife: without him none of them all can lift vp hand or foot in all the world, but through the greatneffe of his power they arc all made fubie& vnto him, and for the glory of his Maiefly they all tremble and feare before him: if he will giue quietneffe, none of them all can make trou- ble ;yea 3 fuch is the Soueraignty and fuperiour command be hath ouer them,as that for the fafety of Gods people, out of the hands of them all, euery faithfull feruant of God may come and pray before him; as doth the Church j in the Pfalme, Thou art my king^O Cod, command deliue- rances for Jacob. The knowledge alfo of this may quiet our mindesin the greateft ftirres that may happen in the world, and the moft difordered confufions that can be feenc to fall out among men; and caufe vs with patience, and in filence, to fit vs downe, waiting till wee haue ieenetheifTiieof them, and what may be the end which God ( who ruleth by his power for euer, andftiHeth the noife of the feas, the noyfe of thevrwaues >*nd the tumult of the people) will bring vnto them: who in his infinite wifedome knowcth well how to make all things beautifull in time ; yea out of the fowled fa£ts, the vileft and fhamefulleft deeds that are done by men : fo doth the Lords workeappeare beauti- full to his feruants, and the beautie of the Lord doth fo ftiinc out vnto them, as they are not onely made glad ip feeing his workes, but to triumph in the workes of his hands, which they fee him to hauc wrought before them. Laftly,the knowledge ofthis,that the Lord who is I high i h a p .3. or the power of God/we/p. *3 ighaboueall nations, doth yet humble himfclfe to be-, iiold,tocarefor,andto ordr the things that are done /'/*|?fal.i 13.7.$,* heauen and in earth : this fhould caufc vs to fcare before the Lord, in whole handsale our liucs, and in whofe, fight are all our wayes ; fo to reft inland be well conten- ted with whatfoeaer in our whole lifetime, in any fort fhall happen, as knowing that it is his hand that doth lob 1.21.!^ guide euery thing. Chap. III. The Chriftianspraclice^ according to the knowledge of bimfeife and his ownedutie yind herein p ft of the legtll Commitments. Queftion. OmuchofthefraBiceandvfewe an to make of the knowledge of Cjodhimfelfe, and of his workes: come now to Jhew the hkevfes that we are to make of the knowledge ofourfelues, and of our owne duties. Andfrfi touching eurfelues : what may this ferue vs inflead to know, that we were once madefo happy creatures, andfb excelling in good- nejfe ? A. For fo much as it is the Lord that fo made vs hap- pie,andnotweourfclues;alltheexcellencie of that our eftate ferueth but to declare him to bee mod excellent, that firft fet vs in it,and of whom we had it.For if the hea- vens declare the glory of God, and the firmament [hzwhis handy worke, which yet are but a part of the great world made by God of nothing; man who is a creature fo fear- fully and wonderfully made, andfo curioufly wrought in the loweft parts of the earth,ashe is alone a little world inhimfelfe,andanabftra£tor modell of the vniuerfall; how cannot the glory of God much more fhine bright out of him;and the praifc of his workmanfhip , his wiie- dome, Pfal.19.1. f ngens miracu* turn boma* Pfal.139.14.!' Outfoulesand bodies are flaps of bis mofi nola ble unrip jvbec- '4 in are wrought wonders, and things neuer e- nough admired. The Lord did mould and fajhl- on masi) a lining image cfbis Deity. Gen. 1.7. Phil. 3. 11, Rom. 7. 1?. 2. Cor. ?.4« Ecclcf.7. a £. lob 4. 18. 1 . Sam. 2.0. Mam actinc Obedience, Ch a p.4. dome, his goodneiTe, andhisgrcatneflebemoreaboun- dantly (hewed forth by a creature made fo glortous 3 as had the very character and image of God his owne glo- ry put vpon it,which the other neuer had. Befide, the glory of our firft creation being fo great (who as touching our bodily fubftace,were but creatures raifed out of the ;&//?; and as touching our fonles, made fomething out of nothing , though a diuine fubftance in- deedeof an excellent and happy condition) puts vs in hope that thefe vile bodies of ours , though they mu(t re- turne againe to their duit, & are to belaid downe againe with difhonour in the grauc;yet (hall be raifed vp againe the fecond time to the fruition of a better perfection of glory in Gods kingdomc, and be made like the glorious body of the Sonne of God , by the mighty power of him that once did fo make them : and that thefe finfull foules of ours, though now they be fo laden, peftered,and poy- foned with aboundant corruption , as wee know not of any goodneiTe at all that can be found in them , fhall by the fame power not onely be freed from all this load and burthen of corruption;but recouer againe the firfr^if not a fuller purity,and greater perfection then they euer had, and be clothed vpon againe with a more enduring glory, that will neuer fade. Laftly, the knowledge heereof ferueth toftoppethe mouth of euery man from complaining againft God that made him, for that he is now lb lamentably fallen fee- ing God made him zf right, but himfelfe hath fought out x\\2Xinuenticn that hath caufed this wofull ruine. Q^ And what vfe are we to make of the knowledge of our miferable eft ate, into which we that were once fo happie, are now fo plunge d by the fall of Adtm, as that we all by nature are become the children rf wrath >one as well as another ? A, By this we are taught to acknowledge that thing, which (by our lamentable experience) weehauenow learned, and found to bee mod: true ; namely, that no creature,how glorious focuer it be,is able to fuftaine and vphold C h a p .4. ortht pmtr ofGodlinefft. vphold it felfe, if the hand of the Creator bee once with- drawn. This fcrueth alfo to ouerthrow cur pride,xo caft downe all our glory an 1 confidence in our felues, all boafiing of our ftockeand blood in nature, how nobly foeuer wee bee borne; {inccallareftiutvp vndcr this condemnation, to ftand vnder the wrath of God by nature ; and are become by finnethebafeftand vileft of all other creatures, ex- cepting the diuels. Laftly,thc knowledge hereof thus humbling and ouer- whelmingvs with fhamc, fhould (tirre vp in vs fucha miflikingof our felues, as fhouldcaufe vs neuer to bee quiet,till we might heare of fome remedie ; and fet vs a worke,to feeke out by all meanes,and with all diligence, for our full recouerie. Q^ What vfe may the knowledge of this bee put vnto by vs,that after the lojfe of fo great a happineffe beflowed upon vs in thefrfl creation, and the throwing vs downe vnder fo great a degree of mi ferie through Adams tranfgreffion\M to be made by nature the very children of wrath, that can loohe to inherit nothing but etcrnall deftruUion : wejhouldyetfo be reftoredby grace, through the redemption that is in Chrifi Iefus y as power fhould be giuenvnto vs to become the fonnes of God; yea heires, and fellow- heires with him of life and glory? A. All this may worthily hold our minds in the con- tinual admiration of this wonderful worke of him, whofe name is called wonderfully euen God our Sauiour ; that hath made this happie change for vs : who in his infinite wifedome hath found out the way, to bring vs the grea- teft gainc,out of that moft heauie loffe ; and to improue that our falling,to a better rifing } and more fure ftanding for vs then before ; and out of the bottomc and depth of that greateft and moft wofull mifery into which wee werethrowne,toraifcvsvp to a higher height and de- gree of glory ,and of aduanccment in royall dignity, then cuer man had beftowed vpon him in the time of his- fir ft innocency. 15 Rom. 3.17, lob. 3. 3.6. Ephef .2, 3. Rom. 7.24.^ Ifa.*.*. Ephcf.i.rf. 16 i.Tofn 1.3. Matth.i.ij. .Icbn.3, Pfal. 1 2*. 1.2. 3. PfaI.47.I^.7. Luke 2.13. 1. Pet. 1. II. Rom.u.1. Mans aftitte obedience, Ch a p. 3. innocency : for by meanes thereof, he hath taken occafi- on to vnite vs more ncarcly to himfelfe,then we were be- fore ; ourNature in Chrift being taken into the fellowfbip ofcheGW-/^W,andperfonally ioyncdto the dmine Na- ture oC$\e Sonne of God himfelfe: a degree of dignitic aboue that eucr any of the Angels were lifted vp vnto, or (for ought that can be knownc) euer fhallbe. Befides,we beholding, and with rmerence wondring at,whatloue of God this fhould bee, that wee who are children of wrath by nature , fhould now be thus called the fonncsofGod: this great alteration and happy change of our cftate,fhould caufe vs to be affcctedjhke as were the people at their dcliuerance out of their captiuitie, when their mouth \n^s filled with laughter, and their tongue with ioy : this fhould caufe our hearts to be glad, andourtonoyier toreioyce,thc very heauens to fing for this,the earth to be ioyfull,the mountaines alio tobreake forth into ringing; yea,all people in confideration hereof, may bee called to clap their hands for ioy of this Co great faluation, and to fing aloud vnto God with a ioyfull voyce; to fing prai- fes to God,to fing praifes ; yea,to call forth to the finging praifes of euery one that hath vnderftanding ; feeing the Angels themfelues,w r ho had not the like caufe that wee haue,welcommed the birth and comming of the Sauiour into the world, with their heauenly fweete melody, and fongs of great reioycing. Laftly, the confideration ofthisloue ofGodpaffing all knowledge, and of this bountie and goodnefle of Chrift in our redemption,which is fo great,as the Angels themfelues cannot ceafe wondring, and marueiling at the famc,ought to mouc and conftraine vs to dutie;and caufe vs to offer vp ourfelues, our Joules and bodies, as liuingfa- crifices vnto him by our daily feruingof him; that our whole lifemaybeareciprocalllouingofhim. And that as wee arc called the fonncsofGod, who looke to inherit with Chrift in glory, wee (hew the naturalneffe of that our fonne-fliip to God our Father (after the manner that the onely Chap. 3. ortbcpowerofGodlwtJfe. *7 oncly begortcn Son of God him fclf did, imvhomthe Fa- ther was alwaies well p leafed), by our conftant louing,fea- ring,a*nd honouring of him ; and for ycelding obedience i vnto him,that the fame mind may be found to bee in vs, which was in Chrifl Ie/us, who humbled himfelfe, and became obedient to his Father vnto the death,euen to the death of the CrolTe. Q^ Proceed? now to Jbew ,w>hat vfe we are to wake, as well of the knowledge of oar duties which we are toy erf or me, as you haue done of the knowledge of our felues in the fetter all eftates, wherein we now either are, or formerly haue been: and forfo much as you haue (heaved, that our duti?s in gmerall do conjift, in p rforming due obedience to God his holy will in all things, declare what vfe is to be made by vs of the knowledge hereof? A. This fhould fet vs aworke,firft,with all earneftnes and diligence,to inquire, proue, and find out, what that good, that acceptable, and perfect will of God is in all things, that fo we may know how to wa/kandpleafe him.Second- ly,to the end this knowne will of God may be the better obeyed by vs,and fulfilled in all things ; that wee learne and labour daily to denie our felues, breaking oui felues of our owne willes, that Gods will may the better bee done; and taking our felues from our felues, giuevp and prefent our felues,our foules and our bodies, aliuing fa- crifice,holy and acceptable vnto God ; which is ourrca- fonableferuingofGod; no more remaining our owne, much ietTe abiding to become the feruants of men. Q^ Seeing the will of Go d( which we are to obeyvnto) is either in requiring vs to doe that he hath commanded^ or to endure and fufflr that which he hath appointed ; Jhew firfl what ought to be the vfe we are to make of our knowing it to be ourdutir,to obf erne all that God doth command vs,both in the affirmaiiue and negatiue commandements which he hath eiuen? A. This fliould caufe vs with all readineffe and ibr> wardneiTe (imply to obey, and fully and wholly to do, C what Mal.1.6. PhiU.;*.8. Rom, 1 2.2. .37. whatfocuer we can lcarnc God commands vs to do ; and to foibeare to do, whatfocuer we can lcarne he hath for- biddcn,without any further demurring vpon the point, or confulting with flejh and blood\ without asking any o^eftion either of our owne hearts,or of any others elie concerning the fame. And that whether we can fee into the recfon of that which is commanded, or cannot found i to the depth or bottomcofthefame, euen whenfuch a J thing is commanded,as is both againft nature ofman,and I promife of God,as was that giuen to Abraham-^ know- ingjthatthecommandementofthe Lord requiring it at Maik.6.20. Pfa].4o.7. ? - Pfal.119.6. our hands,is reafon great enough to caufe vs to obey (his will being the rule of all righteoufnelTe), and that com- mandement of God fhall euermore be our fufficient war- rant, for whatfoeuer after that manner wee fhall at- tempt. Q. Come more particularly to the confi deration of fuch duties as God hath commanded vnto vs in his Word, And fir ft, feeing Cjod doth command 'vs to fulfill all the righteouf- nejfe which is fet downe in his Law, annexing both promifes and threatnings, the better to haue it performed by vs ; [hew r ^hat is the vfe that may bee made of the knowledge hereof. A. The knowledge of this ferueth moft pregnantly, firftjto vrge vs,and call vpon vs,not to content ourfclues withferuingGodby halues, doing fomething, andlea- uing the reft vndone; or doing many things with Herod, though not all things, nor yet many times the chiefeft things that fhould be done; but that we knowing how it is written concerning vs,in the volume of Gods book, that we are to doe all his will: we anfwere out of the wil- HngnelTe and ready obedience of our harts with him,that was a man after Gods owne heart, 6 faith is, before it can thus iuftifievs and fee vs at peace with God,to feeke an 1 finde out Chrift for vs,and to get the true and fouing knowledge of him : yea to feaze and lay fuch hold vpon him,as wee may appehend him, and embrace him for our owne ; appropriating and after a fore ingrowing him for ourfclucs, that focaufingvs to reioyce with the toy of Gods people in his fruition, and to glorie with Gods inheritance. And with the Spoufe in the Canticles (wee once truly beleeuing with the heart) imboldening vs in moft ioyfull and gladfome manner to profeffe with the mouth, as doth fh? in that place, CMy belouedis mine^andlam his, and his defire is vnto w.That thus hauing found and apprehended Chrift, embracing and holding him in the amies of our faith, as our bleiTed Aduocateand attonement-maker vnto God; we may fo come before the Lord and treate with him for our peace, as did old 5Mwwz(whenhehad Chriftin his armes,and Luk.2.18.19. his eyes did fee his fai nation) defire the Lord then to let 3° him depart in peace. Yea we may then with leffefeare and much more comfortable boldneffe fhew our felues in Gods prefence,and appeare in his fight; then could He- fier (though neuer fo well bcloued of the King ) aduen- ^ e ^* ?•* turetogoe in befove zsfbajhxero.'b, who did kindly ac- cept ofher,when hee held out the golden fcepter vnto her. Yea farrc more warrantably and fafely may we(bea- ing Chrift with vs in the armes of our faith ) approch nd come neere to the throne of the greateft maicftie of C 4 * him Pfaliorf.j. 24 Pfal.9 7.S-9- Gcn45.x5.16 3"- Gen. 45.1.3. 1415. Eph.3.15). Epn.1.6. Camic.2.14. IcrCm.3 ! 10. HofVai 1.8.9. lohni^.ij. Ioh 16.2627. lfai.45,10. Pftl.24 ?• 3/4?; j <*#/«* O bedience, C h a p .4, him that is the high eft Lord and Soueraigne ruler of the world (who hath prepared his throne for iudgement,and fhall iudge the world in righteoumcfTe),reckoning vpon a more kinde welcome and gratious acceptation at his hands, then euer durft the Patriarchs Iacobs fonncs,fhew themfelucs before Iofeph then Lord of Egypt, though they did carrie their younger brother "Beniamin in their hands; at the fight of whom the heart of lofepb yearned within him, and his eyes burft out a weeping, that hee could not forbeare any longer, but manifeft himfelfe and {"hew his brotherly affection vnto them,and falling vpon their neckes, khTed and embraced them, forgetting and forgiuing all the iniurie and wrong that euer before they had done vnto him. Thus, yea farre more then thus, yea farre aboue all that can be vttered,conceiued or compre- hended^ that lone of God in(fhrifl, which he beareth to all the faithfull; and wherewith he ftandeth moft kindly and fatherly affected to his redeemed, in and through Chrift Iefus : as to accept of their perfons, and be deligh- ted with their prefence; fo to be moft afre&ionatly mo- ued towards them in all fatherly kindnelTe and compaf- fion that he hath of them;as alfo to heare al their prayers; and to deny them nothing which they fhall aske, when they come to the Father in the name of his Sonne. Yea fo is the heart ofGodtheFatherwonnetoal,that truly do beleeue in Iefus Chrift his Sonne, as though Chrift Iefus himfelfe fhould feeme not to pray for them, yet would he deny the nothing.Nzy fo doth it pleafe him to vnbowel himfelfe, and to open and manifeft the loue of his heart which he beareth to his children, that as touching their good and concerning them,he faith arter a fort,they may command him. By all which it may appeare,before wee can w r arrantably beleeue in God,as reckoning vpon his fauour and loue to finde mercie at his hands, for the par- don of our finnes, and our owne gratious acceptation with him : or for the receiuing any bleffing from him, or any rightcoufnefle as from the God c four faluation\ wee muft C h a p . 5 . or the power ofGodlineffc. muft firft gee the knowledge of Chrift Iefus,and by faith feeke to apprehend him : that being firft ingrafted into Chrift Iefus by faith, and admitted to a holy vnion and communion with the Sonne, wee may haue fellowfhip with the Father,and fo be brought to God by him : ac- cording as he is faid to bepcrfeff/y able to fane all that doe come to God by him. And this is that which Peter fpea- keth of,when hee faith, that the faithfull doe by Chrift beleeue in God; who raifed him vp from the dead, and gaue him glorie, that their faith and hope might be in God. 2 5 Chap. V. The manner of knowledge of Chrift ^voith the per- fwafton that is necejptry to faith. Queftion. Hat manner of knowledge is that, which is ne- ceffaryfor vs to haue ofChrifi Iefus, thatfo we may the better beleeue in him ? A. Not a confufed or a generall know- ledge of Chrift alone ; not a bare fpecula- tiue knowledge of him,and of the myfterie of faluation by him, which is the beft knowledge that the moft haue of Chrift; which is yet but idle and vnfruitfull, and auai- leth nothing to faluation.But a cleare and diftinft know- ledge of the myfterie of faluation in Chrift Iefus, as the fame is reuealed in the Gofpell ; whereby we may know afluredly that it is he, and hee onely, whom the Father hath fealed & fent into the world,that the world by him might be faued : who (being fore-ordained to this great andbleflfed worke of mans redemption and fauing the world,before the very foundation of the world it felfe was laid,and promifed to the Fathers, as God fpake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which haue been fince the world began ) was fent of God 5 when the fulneffe of] time* loh.14^. Kcb.7.15. I.Pct.I.H. Knowledge of Chrift. Mar.7.2r. Luk, 646. i.Pccx.io. Luk.i. 70. 26 Gaiath.4-4* Ron.?.?. Mans afliue Obedience^ Ch a p.5, Heb.9.2^28, Ephcf?.*. Hcb. j. 9. timevras come; though being his owne Sonne,to become alfo the Sonne of man,and to be made of a woman. And as concerning the flcfh,to defcend of the Fathcrs;though from all eternity in himlelfe, be is God ouer all, blefled for euer. Ap-rfon truly that hath nopeere ; moft admira- ble and wonderfulljwho is the only Phcensx in the world, that hath no fellow: euen as the worke was great and difficult ; yea very admirable, and wholly impoflible by any other euertohaue been effected, about which hee was to bee employed: which w r as, the redeeming of the \vorld,and reconciling of man to God. This will better appeare,ifweconfider, firl^that Godhimfelfe was the partie that was wronged; man was the partie that had offended : God was to be fatisfied ; man ftood in need to befaued:nece(fcry it was that there fhould comefatif- faclionto God for man; that man being laued, Gods inftice might not be loft. Now the infinite Maiefty of God being wronged, there could bee no fatisfa6tion made fu(ficient,by any that were but tinire : none there- fore could thus fatisfie but God,as none ought to fatisfie but man. For which caufe our Sauiour Qhrifk le'Tts was theonclymeeteperfon, that was to be imployed about this worke, which vnto all others was wholly impoifi- ble : who being God, became alio man, and tooke our nature vpon him; that as he was man he mi-ht ofrerthe facriflce ; and as he was God he might make it precious, and conferre worthinefle and dignitie vnto it., that it might euery way be fufficient: thatfo by^that one facri- flce of himfelfe once offered (that being a facrifice of a fweetfmellingfauourvntoGod)jhe might fatisfie God for man, and become the authour of eternall faluation to all them that will obey him. Secondhand as wee are toknow r , thatinperfonhee was right wonderfull,and in worke no lcfTe powerfull ; yea moft lingular, moft glorious and excellent : Co arc wc to know that the offi. es wciemoft high and honourable, vnto which he was affignedjand which he bare vpon him for Ch a p .5. or the pwr ofGedlimffe. for the accomplishment of the fame : as being annointed ofGod to thofe offices of greatelt dignitic and refpe6t, both before God and man, of being our high c Pritfi i King^aiid^rophet^by whom we might be reconciled vn- to God,deliuered from the hands of our eneirues,ruled by hislawe$,guidedbyhis teaching, and (hewed the path andway of life, that fo in the end we might bee faued by him. ArighPrie(tindeed,butmade,not rfterthe taw of a carnall commandement,in a policy that was pei ifhable, but after the power of an endleffe life, in the promife of a dignity that fhould bee euerlalHng. A King of greateft Maidty and glory, but not fuch a one as euer may bee depofed or put out of his throne ; not fuch a one io(e kingdome can euer bee fhaken; but who is a 2 7 Pfal.i/.u, w n. King euei hiring and immortall,3n though it the meafure and degree of the ftrength of it alike; and J* f per fo?> therefore all fl»allvndoubtedly,andmoft affuredly in the though it bee end be faued alike; for the leaft meafure of fauing faith feeble li\e a doth giue title to men to all the mercifull promifes of youngbome God : the weakeft fhall as certainly and as foone bee babe,andthat faued as the ftrongeft ; becaufe it is not by the meafure, utu^cimH 9 but by the manner and kind of faith fit being precious fduat'wn. faith,and faith not fained) whereby men are faued. Yea Faith doth not more,becaufe men are not faued by faith at all (other- faebecaufe it wife then after a figuratiue manner of fpeaking), but by "J^-f f e ™r e the obieB of faith, and that which faith lay eth hold vpon, lt ^ehendi a which iperfe&obiea. 3° r.Ioh.f.ir, Colo!, j. 4. Row feeling of faith may be attained. Luk. 2.28. Luk.x.ji. Galath.4.19. Ephef.j. 17. Mat.11.f2. Rom.S.38. Rom. 4. io.li, Mat. 9. *©• Mans attine Obedience, Ch AP.5. which is Qhri fl lefts alone , in whom our life and initia- tion is wholly abiding. Now Chrift (who is our life) may belaid hold vpo, according to the differing ftrength that is in the hands of them that doe apprehend him. Thole that are younglings and babes in Chrift, cannot lay fo ftrong hold of Chrift,as thofe that are ancient, and men growne in Chrift ; but though they hold him not fo ftrongly,yet may they hold him as truly as doe the other. A child that eateth the meate which*s put inco the hand that holdeth that meate,holdeth it as truly, and is nouri- {Tiedby it as foundly,and as certainly, as a ftrong man or a Gyant that doth the like : though there is great diffe- rence for the ftrong manner of holding of that which both doe eate,and are in like manner nourifhed by. Q^ But what is to be done of them^nvho as touching their ovone feeling feeme to haue no manner offlrength to lay any hold of Chrift , yet indeed doe : onely they know that hee is the alone Sauiour of mankind,and doe defire that they ( with others) might haue fart in that faluation which he hath pur- chafed ? o^l If they cannot with Simeon, take Chrift in their armes 3 and as Mary did in her wombe ; yet they conceiue him in their hearts, vntill Chrift beformedin themfzs the Apoftle fpeaketh); there to hold him,as dwelling in their hearts by faith. Secondly,if they cannot as violent ipcrfonsprejfeftronf- ly vpon him;and as thofe that will haue no nay,but be ia- ued in fpight of the diuels teeth, offer violence vnto Chrift.by plucking him vnto them, and pulling life and faluation with a ftrong hand out of him. If they cannot as ftrong men,fetfaft hand vponhim,and take a full gripe of him : as did Taul by his full perfwafion : and tsfbra- ham, the father of the faithfull, a growne man in the ftrength of his faith : whoftaggered not at the promife of God through vnbeleefe ; but was ftrong in faith, andfo gaue glory to God. Yet let them,with the poore bafhful woman in the Golpell, that was ficke of the dilcafe of a bloody Chap. 5. ortbeporvtrofGodttneffe. 31 bloody iflue, who durft not for foame come before him; jome yet creeping behind him, and fee if by any meanes porTible they may get vnto him, ftretching out their hand, though it be a weakc and fhaking hand ; and (as I may fay) a fhort hand, fo as they haue much adoe to reach vnto Chrift. Thirdly,and though they cannot take hold of Chrift, yet if in any fort they can ioyne themfelues vnto him, fo ast\\ey cznhut truly tonch htm: {\xc\\\s\\\s vertue, andfo full of grace is he, that the leaft touch of him will draw life and vertue out of him to fane their foules. If they Luk. 3.4^. fearetoprefletohim, and cannot come to touch him; yet let them fee if they can at the leaft touch priuilythe hem of his garment : let them goe to his ordinances, his TVord,m& his Sacramcnts'jkity are his couering, and ( as I may fay) a kind of garment,vnder which he is hidden, and in which he may be found; that by thofe ordinan- ces of his,and out of them they may draw vertue from him; and feele the powerfull operation of his Spirit ther- by working fuch grace in their hearts, as may caufe them more ftedfaftly to beleeue, and to haue ( at the length) much ioy and peace in their fo beleeuing. Let them take hold of the skirt of fome Icw,going to fome worthy fer- Zacb. 8.23, uant ofChrift^nd holy man, in whom Chrift his vertue doth fninc out ; that hee may carrie them, and by his prayers commend them to a mercifull Lord : for by fuch (many times) the Lord putteth forth his power, and gi- ueth helpe to others. The feruantwasmadetoliuefor the faith of the mafter, who was the fcnturion ; and the | Luk. 7.9.10. poore palfie-man holpen, when Chrift faw the faith of M atch.?.2. them that brought him. If they cannot for weaknelTe come to touch Chrift, yet as the young children were brought vnto Chrift ; fo ^^^ let them as babes in Chrift Iefus, bee brought vnto him, that he may touch them : if he doe but put his hands vp- on ther»,he wil vndoubtedly bleiTe them : if they cannot feele in their hearts with comfort, that they apprehend i him, ) 3 2 Aa.3.4. Mans all tut obedience. Ch a p . 5, Numb.11.9. Camic.4.9. Entry true be- leeuer bath two eyes; one, the Eagle-eye of him, yet let them defire to bee comprehended of him: thence fhalhhcy be fure to fetch comfort for their fure (ray : for therein efpecially ftandeth all their fafety. If they can neither vfe their hands to touch him and lay hold vpon him themfelues, nor their feet to come vn to him,though creeping as vpon hands and feet together; but are forced to lie (till as poore creeplcs, fo maimed and broken cuen from the wombe, by the fall they tookein Adams firft tranfgrelTion,as all the ioynts of their foulcs arc vtterly loofened;and all the powers and parts of mind and of members are (truck en fo quite out of frame, as they can neither ftirre hand nor foot to helpe themfelues any way herein, nor can be holpen by any other to bee thus brought vnto him : yet as 'Peter and lohn willed the poore creeple ( lying at the beautifull gate of the Tem- ple) to looke vpon them (when he defired to receiue fome comfort from them);fo let them looke vnto Chrtft,zv\dfixe their ^/wholly and onely vpon him (in whole name, and by whofe onely power, that poore creeple was made ftrong,and had perfect foundneffe giuen vnto him in the fight of all men) ;let them fo caft their eye vpon Chrift, and looke vnto him, and to none but to him, to bee hol- pen and faued by him (though it were but with a (quint eye, that hath much weakeneffe and lamenefle in it, as I well as the other parts that are all out of frame), and this fhall fetch helpe and procure healing and fafety to be be- {towed vpon them. We know, that but thtiookin^ vpon the br of nferpent m the wildemeffe by the wouncledlf- raelite,though he could not come at him to touch him, was enough for his curing. And w r ee may perceiue how much fuch a calling of an eye and looking after Christ, doth affect that our bleffed Sauiour, and w'orke vpon him, by that which hee fpcaketh to the Spoufe in the (f antic les : Thou haft rauifhedmy hart,myfifter,my Spoufe; thou h ift rauijhed my heart with one of thine eyes. We know there is nothing that will more, or fooner moue a ten- der-hearted mother to beftirre her felfe to helpe her child Ch a p . 5. tribe power ofGodlineJfe. child in the weakcneiTe thereof] then when it is fo much decafed in ftrength,as it can neither ftirrehandto reach vntoher,norvttcr\'oycetofpeaketo be holpenbyher, but alwaies looketh wifhfully vpon her,and followcs her with the eye which way foeuer (he goeth. This was the courfe that Iehojhafhat took e,when he was ouer-match- ed of his encmies,hauing no power towith-ftandthem, neither knowing what to doe, hee cried vnto the Lord, and faid,thereis no might in vs to ftandagainft this great multitude, neither know we what to doe, onely our eyes arevnto thee y O Lord'. Thus did the feruantsofGod lift tyr^/r^w vnto the hi lies, from whence their helpe did come;profe(Ting that their eyes fhould waite vpon the Lord,till he had mercy vpon them,euen as the eyes of the feruants did looke to the hands of their matters. And no more then this doth the Lord himfelfe require from all the ends of the earth, that they might be fauedbyhim, then that they doe looke vnto him. This looking vpon Chrift,is a kind of laying hold vpon him, and of vniting our felues vnto him. We know the eye can as well ap- prehend and fallen hold vpon the obic<5tthatitfeeth, as thcearc can doe vpon the Word that it heareth,orthe hand lay hold vpon the thing thatittoucheth. When a word is fpoken to the eare, the care catcheth hold vpon the found that is vttered ; and at the fame time the mind apprehendeth that which is meant thereby, and fo both the eare and trie mind doe lay hold ofoneandthc fame fpeech at one inftant together. In like manner,when any thing is looked vpon by the eye,thc obieft that is looked vpon, is in the eye that doth fee it ; and at the fame time in the mind and vnderftanding, that doth difcerne that which is feenc ; and fo the fame obie<5t is both in the eye, and in the mind at one and the fame inftant apprehended together ; the eye by looking on a thing,becommeth one with it after a manner : to looke then to Qorifl y is after a fort to lay hold of him ; and fuch a kind of looking to him, as caufcth a diftreffed foule in greateft extremities to D looke 33_ f&ithjvbercby hefeeih htm that , i .smmfiblc 9 a*d j ma\uh frefent \ that which is notfcene:atiO- • therjhe eye of hope t vt?hereby he w.fhi)' ho\eth for vplutfaiib ' belceueth. i.Chron.20.ix PUl.iti.i. & I2j,X.l. Ifai.45.ll. = 34 Cantic.6.*. after Tremclite Lading. Aas4-I*. i.King.!3.*i« Iohnn.2y. N I Mim aftiue Obtdiencc, Ch a p . 5. — • - - looke for hclpefrom him alone, doth fo affedt him, as it doth rauifh his heart, and in a manner ouercome him (faith being the beautiful eye of the Church,that wound- eth the heart of Qhrift w ith /one to the fame). Therefore doth Chrift himfelfe will the Spoufe to turne her eyes vpon \\\xr\(zsTreme lius doth reade it) ; which if {he ftiall doe,fhe fhall euen lift him vp with great ioy and glad- neffe to fee her, fo tobelecue in him,and to depend vpon him. Now who would not bee glad to caftvpfuch an eye to the Lord, as he might be thus delighted with- all? If this alfo feemeth to be more, then well can be per- formed by them,they being in their owne conceiuing,as thofe that are paft all hope of recouerie, and as men that are alreadie dead; yet feeing there is no name vnderheanen that is giuen,nor any other meancs in the whole World betide to be vfcd,by which any can be faued,but only by the name of the Lordlefus Chrift our Sauiour. Let them (as knowing there is no other for them to reft vpon for faluation,but vpon him,&him alone)byiome meanes or other,get themfelues to be rowled & caft vpon him ; and let them not feare, but that as the dead man that was caft into the Sepulcher oiEUJha, fo foone as hee touched the bones of theProphet,he was made to ftandvpon his feet, and to liue againc; fo fuch being caft vpon Chrift, though they were dead, yet fhould they fitrely line (there being infinitely more vertue in Chrift that was crucified, then euer was in the bones of the Prophet that was dead, to reuiueandcaufetoliueagaine all that are caft vpon him, as feeking fo to haue life from him). Laftly,ifthey bee able no manner of way to doe any thing to helpe thcfnfelues,and further their owne faluati- on,but onely deftre to bee holpen, and defire that they might be faued by Chrift Iefusjlet them make of that dc- (ire,keeping it, and nourifhing it, and comforting them- felues yet in this, that God hath giuen them a defiring heart, to hunger, thirft, and long after the faluation that' C h a p . 5. or thepmr ofGtdlincJfc. 35 Pfal.itf.8. loh. j. 5^.7.8. that is in Chrift Iefus. He that giueth them fo to dcfire, will alfo in due time giue them to haue the thing fo deft- red ; oncly let them waite for Chrift his helping hand, v- fing the beftmeanes that poffibly they can,and let them keepe themfelues within the compaiTe of Chrift his walk where he vfeth to come; louing and refbrting to the habita- tion of his houfe 3 and the place where his honour dwelleth,t\i2£ he may fee them there. And they (hall find by good ex- perience in the end, that as our Sauiour going by the Poole of Bethefda,faw that impotent man, who had an infirmitie ^jeeresyZnd hearing him complaine of his vn- ablencfle to helpe himfclfe, and that there was no other that would helpe to put him into the Poole, but while he was a commingjfome other was more ready to ftep in be- k fore him; our Sauiour hauing companion, put no other taske vpon him,but onely todefireto be made whole,ask- ing him ifhee would bee made whole; and foprefently reftoredhimtohisdefiredftrength againe, willing him to take vp his bed and walke: So doubtlefTe thefe weak- lings in faith,that can do no more for themfelues through their great infirmitie, then defire to bee holpen, and to haue Valuation from him; our bleffed, louing, and moft mercifull Sauiour(7*/?0 will not breake abruifedreede, nor Matth.x1.20. quench the flaxe that fmoaketh) beholding their great di- ftre(Te,and lamentable plight that they are in, will be mo- ued in pitie to relieue them. And knowing,that they are able to doc no more in the matter of bcleeuing in him for their fa!uation,thcn to defire they could beleeue better, and depend more vponhim,that they might be iaucd,wil accept of fuch a defire,in ftead of the deed it felfe ; and as vndoubtedly faue them with fuch an earneft and true de- fire of beleeuing better,as they (haleuer be faued that be- leeue beft of all. Q. In the defcriftion of faith which you made at the firft y be fide the true knowledge of ^hrisl s and laying hold of him, I you ioyned therewith a comfortable perfwajion alfo of the fa- uour and hue of God towards vs, in and through him. Doe ':- D a yjou 3« Pcffarafionof Godifcumr* Rom. 8 .}8. Co'oflTx.ii. Mans at! me Obedience^ Ch a p. 5, you take it, that this comfortable perfwajton of Godsfauour towards vs, as it is felt andpcrceiucdby vs>doth alwaies ac- company true and fauingfaith in fhrift, and that it isfo nc- cefary to the eftence and being of faith, as without it true faith cannot at all confift ? J. Not fo ; but I take fuch a fetled pcrfwafion of Gods vnakerableloue towards vs in and through Chrift IefuSjto be neceffary rather to the well-being of faith, and euen to the finifhing and perfecting of it, when it is grownctothc grcateft ftrength and perfection, that it can come vnto in this life,then to the being of faith at all : for to a higher pitch or degree of greater perfection, faith cannot grow nor rife vp vnto, folong as weehaue any being in this lifc(euen then when it hath made the bcft proceedings,and profpered moft happily,increafing with the increafings ofGod, and hath runne through all the degrees that are fet vnto faith in this life,till the beft and higheft be attained vnto),then for faith to fettle the heart in a cleare,full,and vndoubtcd perfwafion of Gods loue and fauour towards vs in Qhriftlefus, to bee fo fure and vnchangeable^s nothing (hall euer be able to feparatevs from the fameagaine; like to that of the Apoftles: but that true faith may hzue cxiftence, and being in the heart of a good Chriftian,where fuch an vn doubted and com- fortable perfwafion, is either very feldome, or peraducn- ture neuer at all felt by the true beleeuer(cfpccially in fuch a degree of cleareneite and vndoubtednefleofafiurance, as had the Apoftle) may appcare ; firft/if we confidcr the firft beginnings of faith, with what greztfeeblenejfe and imbecillitie it nath his being in vs, when it is new begot- ten,and (as I may fay) firft bred and borne, lying in the fwathing cloutesvndcras great weakeneffe,and with as little feeling and apprehending of .the operation of God in gluing it felfc being, as doth the infant that is new borne,either know or apprehend the time or the meanes, in and by which it came to be«firft brought forth into the 1 world; though being once borne, and endued with all I the Ch a p . 5* *r thefwer ofGodlineJfc. the powers and faculties of the mind, and made in euerie part proportionable with all the members of the body (howfoeuer it cannot well vfe either),it is euen at the ve- ryfirftasabfolutelyand perfectly a true man, aseuerit {hal be afterward,when it can put the vnderftanding that is in the mind to the greateft vfe and worke, with the members of the body to the beft purpofe that it euer fhall be able. So is it with the faith of Gods ele£t, that is once giuen to the Saints,it is as true faith at the firft,and as tru- ly exifting and being, after it is once begotten by the working of Gods Spirit,and thereby planted and put in- to the hart of a Chriftian (though in neuer fo great weak- nefTe), as euer it is,or (hall bee,when it is growne to the greateft ftrength it euer can attainevnto; or bee of the moft effectual and mightieft operation and working that it poflibly can be of. Again,if we confider faith how it may be ajfei/ed(aicn after it hath bin once foundry wrought in vs, and planted in our hcarts)by the ftrength oftentation,znd the forcible working of Satan,vjho defireth to haue vs, that he may •winnow and f ft vsas wbeat;dd.i\y experience maketh mani- feft the truth of this, that fo may a mans faith be (haken, and al feeling of comfort be made wholly to faile him;that he who once with great ioy did apprehend the loueand fauour of God towards him in Chrift Iefus, may be as far from fuch feeling and comfortable perfwafion (either fo farre as others can iudge,or himfelfe can any way ?ppre- hend)as euer was Peter from that worthie confeflion of Chrift, and of the faithhee hadinhim, which heeonce made profefllon of,and which was fo greatly approoued and applauded by our Sauiour himfelfe; when afterwards he did moft vnfaithfully, cowardly, and daftardly denie him,and falfely forfweare him ; yea,curfe and banne him- felfe if eu^er he knew him. And yet (through the vnchan- geableneffc of Gods purpofe and grace, whofe waies are euer mercy and truth to fuch as feare him,and his workes without repentance,neuer to be called backe againe;who - D 3 neuer 37 Iude }, Luke 12.31. Matth.x&i& 17.18. Matth.2tf.70. 71.74. 3* 2.Tim.2j| ( Luke 21.31. Matth.i^.iS, Rom.1.17. Mans afliue Obedience ', C h a p . 5 . ] neuercan deniehimfelfe,though we may be vnfaithfull, I and hardly can belceue) the faith of fuch a Chriflian, howfoeuerfoarelyit maybeefhaken, by the force and ftrength oftentation;foas vnbeliefe may fcemc to haue gotten the vpperhand,and feeling to be quite loft, that hairing wholly let goe the hold thereof : yet is it no more deftroyed from hairing any further being, nor can bee more made finally to faile him, in whom it was euer fourwlly wrought at all,then did the faith of Peter vtterly j faile; which wasfo vpheld by the yromife and prayer of\ Chrift our Sauiour,as it was notpoffible for all the gates' of hell to prcuaile againft the fame, though they fifted it neuer fo,& winnowed it to the ful.This comfortable per- fwafionthen in the heart ofabeleeuingChriftian,which : accompanieth the true knowledge and laying hold of Chrift,and rifeth and floweth from them both,it is not fo j much/?// and perceiued at the firft being and beginning I of faith,as after fome time of continuance; when faith by ! daily growing, hath attained to fome good meafure of J ftrengtryt then is found to manifeft it felfe, to the much quieting of the heart, in the which it is fo felt. This is but the comfortable progreffe and growing of faith, the proceeding of it on(as I may fay) from faith to faith (as the Apoftle fpeaketh.) And as in a word was noted be- fore out of that which is fet downe by Peter, from the faith that we haue by beleeuing in Chrift, to come to be- leeueinGod,andtohaue faith and hope in him, recko- ning vpon all fauour and mercy from hi m. Chat I Ch a p . 6. or ike power ofGodlineffe* Chap. VI. T he vfe that is to be made of this y that God hath giuen theCommandements both of the Law and Gojpdljor the attaining ofeter- natllife. Queftion. O me now tojhewjcvhat vfe we are to make of the knowledge of this, that befide the com- mandementsfct downe tn the Law, for the fulfilling the right eoufnefte thereof(promife b:ingmade,that ifwejballfo doe, we /ball line thereby ) , wehaue another commande- ment inioyned vnto vs in the Go/pell, for our belicuingin the name of the onely begotten Sonne of (Jod, with promife like- wife made in the fame Go/pell, that all that belieuein him lhallneuerperijhjbttt haue life euerlafting ? *A. We arc occafioned hereby, to obferue the inefti- mable goodneffe of God towards mankind for his falua- tion,fo many waies being vfed by the Lord,for the reco- uering of this mod wofull creature fo lamentably fallen, that yet he might not perifh for euer,but Hue and bee fa- iled in the end. Firft,for that in giuing forth his Law, he would euer treate about life with fo rebellious a traitour, as man had (hewed himfelfeto be againft his Creator; and would offer any conditions ofpcace,or make any co- uenantatallforlifeand fafety .withfuch a rebel], defer- ring fo often to die,yea,and that euerlaftingly : but fuch was the firit couenant of the Law,giuen by the Lord vn- to all mankind to be obferued by them; wherein it plea- fed the Lord to enter into this couenant with man, that (howfoeuer by his tranfgreiTion, he had deferued to die without any mercy ;yet)if he would now obferue thefe his Statutes, and keepe the com man dements which he D 4 had Dcur.4.13 8. 4° i Leuir.i8.f, Roai.10.5. Rom 8.3. Gal.j.ij.aa. Hcb 7.18.19. Gal. z. 16. Rotn.7.10. kr.3 1.31.32. Heb.8.6.7.8.? Rons, 3. 14. 15. lohnj.itf. Ads 1 3.3^ ii/ where you made mention offome 3 who thtnke worfeof tbemfeluts Chap.". i* the power ofGodlwejIe. them r e lues then there is caufe ; w whom though there is true faith indeed, they yet fee le it not to bee Jo , but are as much difmayedjis though they had no faith at all. I dejire to heare yphatyouccncciueofthetflafoffuch, and what you think? may be the reafonwly faith being giucn vntothem, they yet Jhouldnot haue giuenvnto them the feeling of the fame f A. When God the oncly author and finifher of pre- tious and failing faith in all his elect, hath begun to put his hand to this bleffed worke of giuing life and being to this indcleble and neuer-failing grace, till the laft end thereofbe attained vnto, which is the eternall faluation of euery foule that hath it : when ( I fay) God hath once infufed this grace intovs, and planted it in our hearts, that it hath a true being there,though wee be not aware thereof ( for God who can worke without vs, without our merit and defart, without all manner of helpe and aide from vs ; can alfo worke within vs, without our dis- cerning of his worke, or his making vs priuie to that hee is in hand with,or any way acquainting vs with what he is a doing,and a working for vs, till in his wifedome hee feeth it fit and meet to haue this made knowne vntovs, for our greater comfort), then and from thenceforth for eucr, may it be faid of that foule which was faid of Za- cheui houfe, after (fhrift lefts once fet his foot within the doores thereof, this day is faluation come into this houfe: fo that day and houre,that inftant time wherein faith had any entrance & way made for it to be planted, & to haue being in the foule that once hath it wrought therin;it may bee faid of that foule, this day is faluation come to this foulc,and that faluation that will be euerlafting : fo as it is thenceforth fafe for euer, it om finally perifhing, or euer mifcarrying.Andthefafctyof fuch a (oule is asfureby the true being of it, without the fenfible feeling and dis- cerning of fuch a being, as euer it (hall be fafe cither by themoft liuely and comfortable feeling of the being of faith. Yea or of the hauing of that for which faith euer had fuch being, namely, faluation it felfe, when wee (hall 57 Faith mtboHl feiling. Luk.ip.p. J 5» t.Pct.x.io. t.Tim.2.i$. Phil.x.i*. Mans atliuc cbcdknce. Ch a p {hall bemoft furely and fully poffcited of it in Gods king- dome. We are (I fay) from that very inftant of time as fure to be faued, as if wee were faued alreadie and were eucn now in heauen. It is therefore no fmall fauour from God vnto vs, when our eftate is thus moft certainly in it felfe become an eftate of faluation; and moft euidently many times difcernable fo to bee by others to whom a fpiritof difcerning is giuen : though in like manner, not fo beleeued,fo felt or perceiued to be by our felues. And though the Lord for good refpeds and caufes beft knowne tohimfelfe, doth fee itmeete not to exempt vs from daggering and doubting,and (till calling intoque- ftion the ftate of our owne faluation : yea letting vs abide vnder great feare and much trembling , left that wee fhould not at all belong vnto him : that fo wee may giue the better diligence to make our eleBion .which is euer fure in it felfe, to be alfo fure tovs; yet ought wee herein to fubmit our felues. And if it (hall pleafc him (left wee fhould become lafie and idle and carnally fecure , by knowing too foone,before we arc fitted to vfe well that which in this behalfe we fo (hould know, euen the cer- taintieofour faluation) to keepevs from knowing for a time,that which is and hath been knowne to himfelfe be- fore all beginnings;to the end hee may fet vs a worke a- bout the more diligent vftng of all fuch meanes,and care- full endeuouring to doe all fuch things as are necdfull to bcvfed,and done by euery one for the attainment of fal- uation : and that not without great feare and trembling alfo,left (efpecially if we fhould in any refpedt herein be found wanting) we fhould miflfe of our deftred faluation in the end. And if he will that,by fuch ourpainfull endc- uours in the difcharge of all Chriftian duties, we fhall fo worke out our owne faluation as with our owne hands; that is to fay , labour that our owne felues may at the length come to know that which alwaies was knowne to God before; which is that wee with the reft of Gods eleft fhall vndoubtcdly alfo be faued, thatfo that falua- tion C h a p .7- or the power ofGodlineJJ'e* $9 tion may(after a fort)by fuch our endeuour* be wrought out by vs: which yet was fully accomplished & wrought! out before for vs by him, which was thereunto appointed before the world had a beginning; and who therefore! came into the world in the fulnes of cime,thr.t hee might 1 become the author offaluation to all that fhould beleeue Heb.y.9. inhimwho is Iefusiowx L >rd.Who are we,that we fhould controllthe wifedome of our heauenly Father, in thus difpenhng out his owne gifts, which are alwaies moft freely beftowed,and canneuer by any be deferued?efpc-; cially feeing the Lord is God oncly wife, who alone knowethbothrwhatiswfm^forthe^^z/^; andwhen z.Tin.i.17, is fitteft for the time for any to receiue grace from his hands, vpon whom it fhall be his good pleafure to be- why faith is ftow any grace at all. It is not vnknowne to the Lord, notjttne. how depraued our nature is,how deeply infedted and er*-j uenomed wee are with moft poifonfull and deadly cor- ruption; fo as it is hard for any grace to bee put into vs, which we (hall not be found to ipot and defile : wee are apt to abufe not only the gifts of nature which God hath giuen vs;but the fupernaturall graces alfo,and gifts of his fpirit beftowed vpon vs : yea euen this gift and grace of faith it felfe, which is a gift of gifts and grace moft gra- tious that God doth beftow vpon thofe, whom hee lo- ueth beft;then the which none is either more pretious or excellent in felfe,nor none is more foueraigne or fauing vnto vs. Which howfoeuer it hath vertue in it,according to the naturall working thereof, to purifie our heart s\ yet ^6* \< q. being once placed and planted inourhearts(fuchisthe ftrength of corruption that it meeteth with there),as it becommeth polluted it felfe,and that with all other gra- ces put into vs : as our beft workes that doe goe from vs,and are done by vs, they all by being once in vs,and by comming fofrom vs,are but us Jpotted and polluted \( 2 16a % 6. cloathes are. Let the Lord beftow this moft pretious I faith vpon vs,which is called the faith of Gods elett(which Tir.1.1. is fo prctious,as whofoeuer hath once receiued it,can ne- 1 uer *A So Mam aftiue obtdttr.ct, Chap .7J Iudeie. tph.1.4. ucr pcrifh afterward),if alwaies vpon the firft beftowing of it vpon vs,and at the very firft being of faith in vs,we (hould vndoubtedly know that we had true failing faith, which is auaileable euen in the leafr meafure and degree thereof to faue euery foule that truly is polTefled with it; it were po(Tible,yea and that very likely too (vnlefTe wee were better aided with a fecond grace giuen),that we might abufe this firft,fo as the knowledge thereof might caufe vs become negligent in further vfing good meancs to attaine to greater degrees of faith and increafes there- of,bccaufe we would thinke a little would be fufricient and fcrue our turne well enough.Contrary to that which he that is the author of our faith would haue to be done of vsjwho fetteth vs a worke euer to defire and daily to pray to God for the more encreafing of our faith. Euen J asAve are alfo willed not to be wanting to our felues in , building vp and edifying our felues in our mo ft holy faith. \ Not without iuft caufe then is it,that the Lord is found to j take this vfuall courfe with many of his children,whom J hefull dearely doth loue;that in this point of hauing the I aflurance of their faluation by the liuely feeling of fauing faith to be in them, hee holdeth them off for a long time before he granteth them herein their defire; though they defire nothing more earne(tly,and long for the finding I and feeling thereof, euen to the very fainting of their hearts; giuing to them that which is molt needrull for them to haue (which is faith to be faued), though with- holding horn them that which might bethought molt comfortable for them to haue in regard of their owne feeling, namely the affurance of faith for faluation. And though the Lord knpweth that iiicii his children de- fire to know nothing fooner,nor nothing more, then to know themfelues to bee or' that number that arc appointed to life and faluation for euer ; yet. doth he fee it fit not to acquaint them too foonc with what hee either hath done tor them, in \!v\cfrce eletHmr of them before euer the world had any beginning, or what hee hath C h a p .7- or the power ofGodlineJfe. Cl hath now wrought in them, by putting faith into them, I for the making their eftate fafe foreuer, in the matter of their fo much defired and longed-for faluation ; becaufe | he well fore-feeth(fuch is our pronenes and readinefle to \ abufe,euen Gods beft fauours and mercies beftowed vp-! onvs),thatifwefhould know too foone, that all were wrought and made fure by God himfclfe for our cuerla- fhng faluation,we our felues would take little paines to make fure our owne faluation to our felues : whereas the Lord would haue this to be the worke of euery man,that we our felues mould w r orke out our owne faluation, as with our owne hands, and that not without feare and trembling too. This is a worke inioyned vnto all, and a dutie that is to be done and pra£tifed by all, not onely of them that are the weakeft younglings,that are but as in- fants in the faith,and babes in Chrift;but of thofe alfo that are the ftrongeft and ofr if eft age, that arc growne men in the faith,and haue attained to the greateft degrees therein. For though the Lord (as feemcth beft to his wifdome) doth in a differing manner difpence of this grace of fa- iling faith to fuch,as fhall be heircs of eternall faluation : to fome he giueth to haue a lelfer, and to fome to haue a greater meaiure therein; fome to haue great doubting remaining with their true beleeuing ; others to bee more comfortably perfwadedjand at times alfo moft vndoubt- edly aiTured of their obtaining faluation with God for e- uer ; and that with fo great a certaintie and clearenes, as nothing can make them at all to doubt, or call the matter once into queftion;yet who fo hath the greateft aifurance of ali,hath no fuch aflurance,as will allow him to be car- nally fecure, or exempt him from faffing the time of his dwelling here in feare > or free him fromanawfull kind of trembling alfo,euen then when he hath his greateft com- fort,and is in the midft of his chiefeft reioycing ; feeing thefe are both coupled and commended vnto vs to bee v- fed together, to [true the Lord with feare, and to reioyce with trembling: which may occafion the very beft neuer to r.Cor.3.1. Eph,4.i3.i4. Rem. 8. 3 8. 1 9, I. Pet. r. 17. PfaU.li. 62 Mans atiiue Obedience, C h a p .7 , The firong faith may baue feares and doubts. 17.18. Mark.14.31, 37.38.68. 70.71. Pfal3.*. Pfal.23.4.*. to be idle nor vnfruitfull in the Chriftian conuerfation, neuer to flack e their diligence; by adding vertue to vet> tue, ftil to make furc to themfclucs their eternall election, and neuer to withdraw their hand from the labour of this bleffed workc,of euer working out their owne faluation, and that not without fome feare and trembling alfo. Which if they fhould be wanting inland faile to doe, and byabufingtheaffurance they haueatone time become fecurcat another, growing to prefume by anoucr-wee- nine that fhould be within them ; there is no fuch pro- mile to be found in the whole book of God made to any, that are moft preferred in Gods fauour, and that haue al- lowed them the beft affurance that may be,of their falua- tion foreuer: but through fuch default, that affurance may be ouertaken with feare and trembling againe ; yea, with a horrible feare comming vpon them,and they fba- ken with another manner ot trembling, then before would haue been fufficient, and haueferued theturne. Wee readc of no mans faith better graced, ormorefecu- red,or vnto which greater promifes were made, cuen by our Sauiour himfelfe,thcn was the faith of Peter ^^ pro- feffion that he made thereof; which was not onely ap- prouedofbyhim,but Peter was pronounced bleffed for the fame out o&Qhnffi his owne mouth, and the fame fe- cured by a moft gracious promife made thereunto; that the gates of hell fhould neuer preuaile againftit. How- beit,when Peter began to prefume, and to haue an ouer- weening of himfelfe, when hee became careleffe and fc- cure,negle&ing by frayer and watching to fafegard his fz'xthyhe entred into tcntation, his faith was dangeroufly winnowed, and moft foarcly fbaken. Dauid, who was a man of an inuincible courage, and of a moft noble and heroicall fpirit, a man of that refolution, andfoftrongly holding faft the confidence of the hope he had in God, as he cared not for thoufands, nor ten thoufands of them that fhould fet themfeluesagainfthim; who feared not, though he fhould walke through the valley of the fhad- dow C h a p .7. wrtht powtr ofGodlimffe. dow of death\bui reckoned, that goodneiTc and mercie fhould follow him all hi? daies, and that he fiiould dwell vnder Gods prote6lion in his houle for euer. All this was during fuch time as he kept his integritie, and continued his diligence and paines taking in fuch religious exercifes and holy endeauours,whereunto he had been wont to in- ure himfelfe; which made grace fo happily- to grow in him,and his comfort fo greatly to abound : But when he once came to giue ouert: isfo bleffed acourfe, and be- gan to grow careleflc and negligent in the bell things, letting himfelfe to feeke after his finfull pleafures,and the fatisfying of his lufts ; when in his proiperitie his heart began to be lifted vp, & by an ouer-weening of his eftate promifed vnto himfelfe,and prefumed that he fhould ne- uer be remoued : then God hid his face, and with-drew his Pfaljo.^, comforts from him,and how then became he troubled? then were the ioyes that he was wont to haue in God vt- Pfal.? 1.8.1 mi terly to feekejthen in ftead of all that confident and com- fortable boldneffe hee was wont to haue in his heart, fearefulneffc and trembling began to come vpon him, and an horrible feare to ouerwhelme him; then began the Pfal.j5.y. arrowes of the Almightie to be (hot at him,which ftooke fo faft in his fides, that hee was made to r^r^^^ for the I Pfal.38.2.8. very diiquietnerte of his foule ; then he that was wont to call others to praife God for his mercies, began to doubt of Gods mercies for himfelfe, whether they were not come wholly to an end; whether he were not cafi of for e- Pial.31.aa, uer y which in his hafte hee did not fticke both tothinke, and alfo to fpeake. Yea,that great Apoflle T^/himfelf, that ele£t. and cholen vefiell of the Lord,who fo gloriouf- ly did triumph and infult ouer all the greateft enemies of Rom $.33.34, our faluation that wee haue; challenging them all to doe 3 H7« their beft and their worft, for doing vs any harme; and j (hutting vp that whole matter with that great affurance offaith,that conftant rcfolution, that full and vndoubted perfwafion, that there was nothing prefent,nor to come, I that euer fhould be able to feparatevs from the loue of God *4 i.Cor.u.7.8. Rom.7.i4. A&S20.19. i.Cor.1.3. *.Cor.7.f. 1. Cor .9. 27. [ccure. Rom.xi.20. Mans all tut ebtdttr.ce. Chap God in Cbrift Iefus ; hee was noc voyd of all manner of weakenciTe,he was not freed from all kind of fearing and trembling; but as haue other the feruants of God,hechad alfohisweakencft'e whichhee could not be freed from : when Satarts mejfaiTer was fent to buffet him,thou^h he prayed earneftly vnto God for the remouing of the tame: ; he felt that ftrength of naturall corruption at fomerimes | ouer-maftering him,that made him crieout of himfeif, as ; of a mo ft mifcrable man : He ferae d the Lord inallhumi- , litieot Ephefusfas hirrHclfe faith)wY& ma.njtea.res andten- 1 tations: he profciTethjhe was among the Corinthians in weakenejfe ,in feare , and in much trembling : he faith, when he was come into Macedonia, heehad noreftinhisflefb, but was troubled on eueryfide : he met with fightings with- out, and felt terrors and f cares within :hc had care,and took paines as well as doe other the feruants of God, tolookc to the maine point of the fafetie of his owne faluation, by taming and keeping vnder his own body, and bringing it into \fubiettion$.z& by any meanes when he had preached vnto ] others, he himfelfe Jhould become ocofl-away.\t is not for \ any then(let their aflurance be what it will be) to caft off i all manner of feare or care,but let euery one that thinketh he ftandeth,take heed that he fall not : nay, he that ftan- deth indeed,and ftandeth by faith,yet let him liften to the counfcll giuen by the Apoftle, thou fiandefi (faith he) by faith, be not high-minded^utfearc.Though fuch cannot fal finally away,and their faith faile for altogether; yet may they fall fo fcarefully,and into fuch a decay of their faith, as in regard of their owne feeling, the comfort of their faith may be wholly gone and loft for a time : yea,and it ispoffible (fo lamentable may their fall be), that for fo great a degree of affurance of faith and meafurc of com- fortable feeling,as they had before,theyfhallneucr haue againc;nor during their whole life-time fully recouer all their lolfes,which they hauefuftained byfo wofully fal- ling. And who would not feare and tremble, if it were but at the thoughts of this thing, that through a mans owne Ch a p .7. or the power cfGodlineffe. owne careleffe negligence, fuch a cafe as this may too truly befall him ? This then is the work which euery one, beehee weaker or ftrongerinthefaith,muftbeready to put his hand vnto, and muft neuer be willing to pull his hand from it againe, after hee hath once begun to fall a working,namely,to worke out with fearc and trembling his owne faluation. No; that the faluation of any doth depend vpon the worke and labour of his owne hand;for it is a thing put out of all queftion, that no man can re- deeme his owne foule,or make agreement with God for hisfinne:itcoftmoretoredeemeafoule,then the whole world either hath.or is worth befide;fo that he muft let it alone for euer. God in his infinite loue hathprouided vs a redeemer,and fent vs into the world a mightie Saui- ourjhzt hath been perfectly able^j himfelfe alone to faue all that will come to God By him; and this w r orke he hath fully finiflied, and fo hath perfected and accomplished this worke of our fa!uation,as in it felfe it is moft fafe and fure. But he that hath thus purchafed and prepared fal- uation for vSjhowfoeuer hee keepeth in his owne hand that, which he fodearely hath bought and paidfor;yet hath he prefcribed and appointed a way,which muft bee taken of vs for the comming by it, if euer wedefireto haue the comfort of the fruition of it; he hath fet vs a race to runne } and a courfeforvs tofinifb^ the end whereof he hath laid the crowne of righteoufnejfe, and this eternall fa!- uation,as a rich recompence of reward for the trauel that (hall be taken therein: butfo, as except that race be run all out,and that courfe be 'fully >fim/bed,thcrc is no looking for any to be faued. Euery one therefore muft fit himfelf with the Apoftlc,/^ to runne as he may obtaine, endcauou- ring with him to fight a good fight, to finifh his courfe, and to keepe the faith; and fo he may make reckoning to weare the crowne, when thus hee hath won it by fuch a law full kind offtriuing. Q^ Seeing you haue rendred this as a probable reafon, why the Lord doth many times withhold from fome of his F children *5 Phil.*, n. Pfal.49.7.8. Hcb.7.iJ. Celoff.^.j, a.Tim.4 7.8. Pbih3.13.14. Heb.11.1. i.Cor.p.24. i.Tim.2.5. 66 ivlans at? we obzdiwcc^ Ch a p .7. What is to be done for getting more feeling af faith. Iudcj. Iohn £.1$. 2.Pet.i.5. Uie.6.16. Pftl.101.2. Prou.4.16. Matth.»4»i3« children the comfortable feeling of that fating grace of pre - \ tioHs faith , which by the worke of his fpirit he hath once wrought in them,and (hall neucr more (till faluation itfelfe be obtained) be taken from them, though they cannot fofeele and apprehend the fame : namely that they might hereunto 1 giueall diligence to make their elcllionfure, and by their painfull endeuours worke out their faluation : euen with feare and trebling. And feeing vpon this occajionyou haue begun 1 to (hew hew needfull a worke this is for euery one ( without \ exception of any, be they flronger or weaker) to put his hand \ vnto, and diligently to be imp by ed about. I pray you before \yoH goe from this point, Jhew fomewhat more particularly y what is to be done by euery man that would worke out his owne faluation, thereby the better to qyt comfort to his heart, and to fuccour andfuftaine the faith that is in himwhereby he beleeueth, or defireth to beleeue better, to be fane din the end? <*A. This is the worke andtrauaile that euery fuch a one muft principally fet himfelfe about, and neuer giue ouer to be laborious and painfull therein.Firft and aboue all things he muft take paines and beftow labour about his faith. If he thinkes he hath it not,he is by all pofTible meanes to feeke to get the feeling of it, and to get daily incrcafes in it: and when hee hath once obtained it, his labour muft be no lefle to keepe and maintaine the fame, that it may not faile him in his greateft needc. This is faid to be the worke of God, and the chief eft worke that he would fet vs about,if wee would haue the queftion an- fwered from out of Chrifts owne mouth. When faith is thus gotten and well prouided for,then is he foorth with to ioyne vertm with his faith, and to learne the courfe and way of a godly life; ftanding and enquiring after the old way, which is the good way that hee may walke forward in it;doing wifely in that perfect way, by fettingT??*^/?/- fteps to hisfeete; ftill walking before God in the vpright- nes of his heart ; and euer pondring the path of his feete, feeing that all his waies be ordered aright. And hauing thus j Ch a p .7. or tbe> power ofGodlineffe. I thus well begun,he is to hold out to the end without any I letting, (till labouring to encreafe more and more,as hee [hath receiued how to walke and p/eafe God: that his way 'in well doing maybe as the way of the light, which fhi- inethcleerer andcleerer till the perfect day com?. He is to labour luftily in putting forward himfelfe, euermore ga- thering ftrength as hee goeth on in his way, till hee hath finished the whole taske that is put vpon him,and till all may be done that is required of him. For which purpofe let him looke vpon that worthie leader that hath fo well led the way before him, and fo follow on, doing herein as hee hath him for an example : (I mcane the Apoftle Taut) let him euer forget the things that are behinde, and reach £oon\\zn& ftraine on to the things which are before, prefTing hard towards the marke,and contending with all his might for the price of the high calling of God : neuer turning head for any oppofition of enemies, that will (like as did the Amalekites ) come out to make refiftattce,and feeke to let and ftop him in the way from going on in fuch a courfe : but arming himfelfe with the armour of righteoufn?lfe( on the right hand and on the left)be alwaies prouided to fight that good fight of faith, and make readic to partake in the afflictions of the Gof- pell, fince none can make reckoning without fuffering perfections to hold out in well doing. And thus hauing finiihed all things , and ouercome the whole labour of this worthie worke in working outhisowne faluation, let him be aflured that when his worke is well brought to an end; then fhall his full felicitie moft happily begin, then {hall the wages of his worke be fully paid him,and that recompence of reward be giuen that will fully an- fwcre all the expectation of his hope, and farre goe be- yond all that euer he could looke for too ; then fhall he receiue the full end of his faith, euen the fruition of that faluation whereof before he had thepromife. And faith being thus come to an end,from beleeuing he (hall come to hauing, and to enioying of that which he belceued, F 2 euen *7 i.Thef4 r, PiOtj.4.18. Phil.3.13.14. x.Cor.6.7. i.Tim. 6.1 1, i.Tim.i 4 8. 1. Tim .3. ix. 68 8.10. Mans aftiut obedience^ Ch a p .7. \ r . , I ■ I. II — __ ; falling ficfytes. euen his promiied faluation, and that eternally in Gods kingdome. Q^ This is indeed a happie end of a hard labour, and a roy all amends for all ps.in?s that haue bin taken in the Chri- ftian courfe, all the daies of a mans life time : but what is this to the firengthening of a mans faith, or to the furthe- ring of his comfort -while he doth Hue ? or how doth it helpe a man to better ajfurance of his faluation again/} feare and doubting ? A. Yes doubtlciTe ; this workc yeeldeth fweete com- fort, it will quit well all the coft of whatfoeuer paines {hall be taken about the fame ; a man may very comfor- tably reape and eate the fruitc of thefc his holy labours, euen all the while he is in the trauaile of them ; who wor- king the worke of God,by labouring to beleeue for the obtaining of faluation,and ioyning vertuous liuing with his true beleeuing, the more laborious hee is in taking paines about this worke, and the better it is wrought, the more doth his comfort increafe : (the confidence of his hope euer growing (tronger,as his life is found to be made better), if to faith be added vertue y and to vertue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance , and to tempe- rance patience ,and to patience godlinejfe, and to godlinejfe brotherly kindnejfe, and to brotherly kindnefie loue (feuerall labours to be beftowed about the ending and finidiing vp of the whole and great worke of our faluation) : if thefe things be in you ( faith the Apoftle Teter ) and a- bound, as you (hall not be tdle and vnfruitfull, fo (hall you be fure neuer to fall. There is a common and moft dangerous difeafe that taketh hold of the whole flockc and race ofallmankinde, wherewith all arc tainted and infecled without exception of any (he only being excep- ted,thatis higher then the heauens, and euer fcparated from tinners); which is the harder to be holpen, becaufe it is an hereditarie euill, and wee haue taken it from our parents. We all arc ficke of that fore difeafe of the falling fickneffe; we are in danger of falling in euery place ; we know Ch a p .7. or the power ofGodlineffe. know not where,we know not when,nor wee know not how wee may fall. How would men troubled with that kinde of difeafe make of a receipt,that were good againft the falling {lckneflVto keepe them from falling? Peter hath here giuen vs fuch an excellent receipt,as will make a preferuatiue remedie moft foueraigne to keep vs from falling : we may be bold vpon it the Detter,and the more comfortably receiue it from his hands, becaufe hee that prefctibeth itw r as one that was ficke of the difeafe him- felfe,and that fell grieuoufly,and yet was cured of it.The remedie is made of thefe fimples that are here fet downe. How then are thefe graces worthie the looking after, that wee may gather them and get them (the greater quantitie is euer the better), and put them all together, that they may haue their kindly working in vs, and wee by them may fo worke in our owne faluation ? How comfortable is the labour wee take about them in daily pratHfingof them, face Peter doth warrant vs that fo long as we are found fo doing, wee fliall be fure neuer to fall? If after this manner then we fliall keepe a working, we fee that good affurance may be gotten by our fo do- ing,and we fliall be fure comfortably to worke out our J owne faluation, till that which is moft fure in it felfe be j alfo fully affured vnto vs. The further a man goeth hol- I ding on this courfe,and keeping ftill his hand at this blef- fed labour, as his faluation doth ftill gather vpon him, I and is much neerer vnto him then when he fir ft beleeued\ i fo doth hee by thus proceeding gather alio vpon his owne faluation, and fafteneth euery day better hold vp- on the fame : for to be more vndoubtedly affured of ob- taining it in the end, fo that the longer hee thus liueth, the more comfort he ftill reapcth,and the more groweth hee to bee fetledly confirmed in that that he firft be- leeued. Q^JBut if the working out of our owne faluation, after the manner as you hauefpoken, would bring vs any comfort, or further increafe our affurance of faluation : why doth the ,_ F 3 Jpofile 69 Rom. 1 3.1 1. 7° Feare and trem blingncedfulL Mans aflittc Obedience, C h a p .7. dfpoftle adde, that we mnfl doe it in feare and trembling ? A. That feare and trembling which the Apoftle there ipeaketh of,is not contrary to the boldneffe of faith,or to the alTurance of faluation, and of God his vnchangeable election : whereby thofe that arc once knowneto be the Lords,are fure for euer to remaine his: but dependeth rather vpon thefe,and is to be ioyned with the fame. For as the faluation of the faithfull is fafe and fure in it felfe : fohaththeLordappointed,thatinfuchasfhall be faued by meanes of this awfull fearing and trembling, which as a double bridle holdeth them hard in, and keepeth them from finning, and by this carefull endeauouring and working the things that are good and meet to be done ; both that fame afuirance of faluation fhall be euer main- tained in it felfe,and likewife be made the more fure vnro them that are moftftridt to hold on in this courfe, and keepe themfelues clofe within thecompaffe of,thefe lyfts and limits thus fet them, without daring once wilfully to aduenture any way to break e out of them. This feare and trembling may well haue ( and indeede ought to haue) this good and holy vfe to humble vs,and to breede a watchfull circumfpe&ion and careouer our felues in all our waies,and caufe vs by a holy iealoufie of the hidden corruption that is within vs, and of the many infirmities that hang about vs,to preuent the danger of thofe finnes that otherwife wemight fall into : but not wholly to dif- may vs, or put vs out of heart, which might enfeeble our hands to goe on with this workc. This fliould worke a care that may driueawayfecuritie,nota feare to take a- way the boldncfle of faith ; but a feare of falling into fin, left thereby we (hould offend our mercifull father, and he hiding his countenance,we fhould then become trou- bled,and loofe our former comfort : not a feare of falling from grace,and from out of Gods fauour for euer,that fo he fhould take his mercy from vs for altogether. Feare and trembling in the working out of ourowne faluation v may ftandvsinthis ftead, the better to looke about vs, that I Ch AP.7. ertbe power of Godlwefli. that nothing be wanting which is neceffary in this re- fpccl:tobcdone,left we fhould faile in the end, and fall (hort of our reckoning. When wee haue once begun to itake vp this courfe, and are entred vpon that way that (hould bring vs to life and happineffejor parting on with feare and trembling as wee are a going, may become a good meanes to caufe vs to fetftraightfteps, and makee- uen paths to our feet, left that which is halting {hould be tur- ned out of the way. They may well ferue as two fharpe fpurres to both our fides to pricke vs forward, and caufe vs to trauell the harder, & ply vs the faftcr, making fpeed in our way, left we fhould be caft too much behind ; or fo runne,that we fhould not obtaine. Our cafe by our fin- ning, and by Gods mercy prouiding a remedie to faue vs from perifhing ( if we will looke out for it in time) is not vnlike the cafe of one among the Iewes, that had vnwil- lingly flainc a man, and Gods mercifull indulgence vnto fuch a one for the fauing of him,by appointing Cities of refuge for him to flie vnto, that there he might be refcu- cd^and faued out of the hands of the reuenger of blood : now we may well thinke there was no need to bid fuch a man runne to that Citie; for if he were taken before hee came thither,he was in danger to be flaine : and though he ran toward that Citie neuer fo faft, yet wee may eafily ^onceiue he ran not without feare and trembling all the way as he ran,left the reuenger of blood fhould haue o- uer taken him before he fhould haue gotten thither. So is it with vs; drift is our onely refuge and propitiation forourfinnes : if we be taken out of Chrift,we are loft for cuer. Should we not plie vs then with all poffible haft to get vs vnto Chrift; and labour with the Apoftle, aboue all things in the world to take fuch a courfe as we may be found in him, not hauing our owne righteoufneffe, but the righteoufneiTe which is by faith in his name? Now who (hall be found to be in Chrift, butthofe that (ball be found walking in this good way; not walking after the flejb, but after thefpirit?\\2tee we not caufe then bj faith J? 4 to, 7* Heb.1t.13, Dcut.4. 41.41. i.Ich.1.1.1, Phil.* 9. Rom.8.1, 72 Gal.rf.i*. Mam aftiue Obedience, Chap .7. to get vs into this way with all the fpeed that may be,and to ply vs as faft on in it after wee be once entred, as pofli- bly we canPand will any blame vs if we doe not all this without feare and trembling, feeing there is fo much \ danger on euery hand ? For if either wee fhould miftake the way at our firft entring,or goe out of the way againe after we had once well begunne, or flacke our pace as we arc a going, that hcauen gate fhould be fhut before wee come, all were loft with vs, and wee were vtterly gone; ifwc had a thoufand liues they would perifh all without any redemption. Is not feare and trembling then wor- thily remembred by the Apoftle in this cafe ; and not without great neede commended vnto vs, which are fo good helpes for vs, andfitmeanes to remedie all this, that will not fuffer vs to abide fecure, but ftirre vsvp with all carefulneffe to looke well about vs in euery re- fpeft ? And where it is concerned that fuch fearing and trembling would hinder our Chriftian reioycing, and dafh all our comfort; let mee ad de this for a conclufion about this point ; that as the fweeteft ioyes doe many times fpring out of the bittereft griefes, and out of the loweft bottomes of the deepeft forrowes, the higheft fpringsoftheliuelieftandmoftlafting comforts doc of- tentimes fall out to be found and fetched forth: fbout of this feare and trembling,left in any thing wee fliould be wanting that were needfull to be done for our attai- ning to faluation, a moft comfortable boldneffe and moft folide affurance of our fimie ftanding in the ftatcof grace and faluation, will at the length bee fetched and wrought out as by a ftrong hand. For what fhould make vs to doubt or caufe vs to feare any more, if Gods fpirit hath pronounced peace to all fuch as walke according to the rule that himfelfe hath fet do wne for their diredti on, giuing his word and promife that there fhali bee no condemnation to fuch, as walke not after the flc (b but af- ter the fpirit. And our owne confeiences which haue been witneffes with vs in all our waies,are ready to com- fort C h a p .8. or the power ofCodltnejJe. fort vs in this behalfe, and to fay forvs,that fuch hath been our moft vfuall and moft ordinary courfe : who (hall then ftand vp to make vs afraid; or what fhould hinder the ftableneffe of our comfort, and thcafTurance of our peace? Nay, hauing warrant from God to goe with this meffage, and to fay to him that walketh in his righteoufneffe, ;>yW/£f well with him: I would meeting with fuch,*greet and falutcthcm : as did the children of TSeniamin greet and encourage Dattid, faying, Thine arc we O Dauid, and with thee thou fonne of Ifhai, Teace, ■peace he vnto thee, and peace to all thy helpers, for thy God helpeth tk 73 lee. Chap.VIII. How fait b is decerned, and the true being thereof made manifest, both to the beleeuer him* felfe y and to others. Queftion. Owifitpleafe you to returne againe to your former fpeech yon were in hand with, I would, be glad to hearefomwhat more of that point : how faith (which y oh hatie faid) may haue a being in a mans heart, when yet it is not felt, commeth at all to be difcerned ; and how at length the true being thereof may be made manifefi ? A. When the feed of God his Word, which is im- mortall and abideth euer, whereof this precious faith is bcgotten,is once fowne in our hearts,and becommeth fo blefTed there, and profpered from aboue, as it fhooteth out this bleffcd bud,and caufeth this pleafant plant of fa- uing faith (how tender foeuer it may appeare to be at the firft),tofpringvpasfromamo{tfure lafting and liuely roote, full of fappe and good nouriture, fo to feede and cherifti it alwaies,as it can neuer die afterward, till wee bd Ifa.3.10. f.Chro.i 1.180 Row faith is difcerned, 74 Mans attim Obedience^ Ch a p.8. be faued. In whom it is fo planted, that this failing faith hath once giuen vnto it a found beginning of the true being therof,that it is now habituated and incorporated into the minde of the true beleeuer (whithis called the firft a£t of faith); when (I fay) we once become to haue the habiteofthis grace put into vs, and foundly planted and feated in our hearts : the knowledge of this ( if it can be truly difcerned, and vndoubtedly fattened vpon), is queftionleffethefureftandfafeft to truftvnto, for them that are able to find out fuch a work thus to be wrought in them : for this worke being once done, is neuer to doe again e,becaufe it cannot be vndone for euer anymore; for fuch grace once truly had,neuer faileth the hauer af- terward, it being a part of the regeneration and new- birth of a Chriftian, whereby power is giuen vnto him to become the Sonne of Godjnow once borne the child of God he remaineth fo euer, he is no more to bee borne a- gaine the fecond time : euen as Baptifme ( the outward Sacrament of the new-birth) is once onely adminiftred, and fo is fufficient for all our whole life time, and is no more reiterated at any time againe. Bat though this bee the fureft,yetbecaufe it is the hardeft to finde out, other- wife then by the fecond a6t, which is the more liuely and effe&uall working of this grace, the fame is moft eui- dently and manifeftly difcerned and made knowne, to haue a true and liuely being in that fubie£t, wherein fo effectually it is feene to haue that manner of working. Euen as it is a farre readier and eafier way for one to know in himfelre,or make manifeft to another that hee hath life in him,and is indeed a liuing man ; by fpcaking, by walking,by working, and doing the actions of one that is liuing : then by the apprehending the time of his firft concerning or quickening in the wombe; or of his firft entring into the world when hee was new borne. Therefore it is vfuall in the Scripture for men to bee dire- cted in this cafe,to find out and manifeft their faith by the fruits and workes that it doth bring forth : to difcerne the) C h a p .8 . or the power of Godlineffe. 75 the furcneffe of their graces,by the effe&ualnefle of their operation, and by the foundncffc of all that which is feeneto come from them : euery man being willed to consider his o wne wayes in his heart, and to looke vpon the workes of his hands,and thereby to giue iudgetnent how the cafe doth ftand with him as touching his falua- tion. Which is an eafie way of triall,and ready courfe ta- ken to finde out this matter by: for euen a blind man will truly iudge by the efre&s which hee can fenfi- bly fcele, the certaine and vndoubted being of fuch a thing as necertarily doth caufe fuch effects as he fo doth feele,though in regard of his blindneffe he cannot fee the fame thing, nor difcerne where it fhould bee. As bring him to the ficr,and let him feele the heate thereof, he will as certainly apprehend, and as vndoubtedly conclude that there is fier, as thofe that by feeing it, are able by their fight beft of all to difcerne it. And otherwife with- out a feeling of fome manner of the working of faith, I thinke it to be moft rare and difficult for any to finde that he hath faith in himfelfe at all. I dcnie not but faith may hauc a being, where the working of it is not felt ; but fo | long as the working of it is not felt,I hold that the being ! of it is not found; and doubtleflfe true and fauing faith ! hath no fboner giuen vnto it a true being at all, then it hath alfo giuen vnto it fome kind of acting and working together with the being at the very fame time, though not alwayes feene. For it is aiming and a liuely faith, and not a dead faith, which muft be a fauing faith : now in e- uery thing that hath the being of it in life, there is an a£t ofliuing in that thing that hath fuch a being: and as the Apoftle lakh, that workes are to faith, as is the fpirit and breath of life to the body : and condudeth thereupon, that as the body without the fpirit is dead ; fo faitb,with- out fome kind of working and operation, is dead alfo.lt is true a body may haue life remaining in it, though the fpirit and breath of life cannot be feene nor perceiued to haue any ftirring or motion at all- in the fame \ but then that Faith miy be without feeling. lam. i.z6. 7* Mam aftiue Obedience, Chap .8.1 that remaining of life, and being in this world infucha body, is neither found nor felt byitfelfc, but in fuch an exftafie feemeth to it lelfe to be as in another world; nei- ther is iudged by others that looke vpon it, to bee other- wife then if it were truly dead, and had no life at all in it : and yet for all this fuch a partie hauing his life lliil remai- ning in him,may recoucr and get ftrength againe. Thus I may it fare with fauing faith in the heart of a true belee- uer,it may haue fuch weakneffe come vpon it,fuch faint- nes and feeblenes may ouertakc it,it may fall into fuch an exftacie, and into fuch qualmes and fwoundings away, that fhall fo flint the fenfible working thereof,as no re- mainder of the life of it, by any working that can be per- ceiued to come from it,may either be felt by the hauer,or any way difcerned by the beholder that ftandcth & loo- keth vpo fuch a weak Chrittian fo fallen & fainted away ; and yet for al that,true faith is alwaies liuing faith,hauing euer the truth of life, and being remaining in although many times with much fainting,yet neuer wholly failing for altogether. Q^ But if 1 may be fo bold as to leadeyou on a little fur- ther in this digr effionfromy our former jpeech, before you re- turne to it againey Idemand(ifit bepojfible, that it may fare thus with fauing faith in the heart of a true beleeuer,that it may remaine in life and being, when there can be ferceiued no manner of operation and working to come from the fame), how that will fland true which you affrmed before, that faith hathnofooner giuen vnto it to haue life andbeing,thenit is alfo in hand with fbme kind of aSiion and working,which doe neuer ceafe fo long as that remaine s to be :for what kind of working cany oufbew faith to be in hand withallthen, when it is in fuch a cafe, as laftly was mentioned and fet downe ? *A. Euetnhe worke of liuing,as I faid before,it is in hand with the continuing of the a£t of life, till life it felfe (Kail ceafe to be (for life fo long as itlafteth,is a conti- nued a6l of that that fo hath life in it), and befidesby this mcanes of the liuing of it that is in hand, with ano- ther C h a p .8- or the power ofGodlineJfe. thermoft bleffedand happicworke of the preferuation of the foule in which it liucth,that it may keepe that fafe from perifhing for euer, fo long as that may haue any a- biding and remaining in the fame. The Ruing and being of prctious faith, how weakly fo euer, it doth Hue in the heart of a true beleeuer, ftandeth that foule in as great ftead(fo long as it abideth in it) as doth the fpirit of life, or the liucly fpirit ftand the body in ftead fo long as it re- maineth and abideth in the fame : which being that gol- den clafpe which handfafteth the foule with the body, kcepeth the body from being a dead carkafe; and is as fait to keepe the body fweete (fo long as it abideth in it) fromftinking.rotting and corrupting,which quickly o- therwife it w r ould doe,if it were once diffolued and gone from out of the fame. So doth true and fauing faith, which is the golden button and clafpe of our foules,that clafpeth and handfafteth vs vnto Chrift, and will neuer let goe the hold that it hath of him, till he hath taken vs tohimfelfe,andfetvsfafein his kingdome,paft all pcr- aduenture of more mifcarrying. So long as this faith liuethand hath any being, it afluredly preferueth that foule, in which it fo liueth, from all poflibilitie of euer perifhing; yea though it flhould abide in the heart of a true beleeuer in all fuch weaknefTc,as before was {poken of,vntill the very time of the diflblution of the foule and thebody;andthatatrue beleeuer fhould dye in all that weakneffeand feeblenes of his faithryet were it not pof- fible that fuch a beleeuer could mifcarrie, becaufe hedi- eth in Chrift his faith, holding him faft in Chnft, and holding Chrift faft to him ; faith being of that nature that hauing once taken hold of Chrift, inthegreateft weaknelTe that can come vpon it,it neuer letteth goe the hold it hath taken (though being benummed for a time byfomc difeafe of centation 3 it maynotfeele the hold it truly hath), till that foule be faued that once hath enter- tained it,and had it abiding and dwelling therein; it di- eth not in death,till it feeth that foule that fo hath it to be 17 Weak^ fanb fauetb. 78 i.Cor.if.M- Ads 4. 1 1. Af 4*7 j *#/«£ obedience. C h a p . 8 J be put into life. And to (hew yet further, how mightic and povverfull this grace is to faue euery one that doth truly beleeue,it dcaleth with vs and for vs towards Chrift in the office that it hath to fauevs by Chrift, as Chrift himfelfe dealeth for vs towards God his Fathcr,in being our Mediatour,that wee might be brought to God by him. Now we know heneuerwill giueouerthe office of his MediatoOrfhipfor vs,tillhauing finifhedall things for the perfecting of the worke of our full faluation,put- tinc downeand lubduingallthe enemies that wee hauc vnto the very laftofthem all which is death;drawingvp all his members euen to the laft and to the leaft that be- long to his body, himfelfe being the head, that all toge- ther may be glorified with him; and then fhall be the end of this his office of Mediatourfhip in the manner as now he doth execute the fame,and neuer tillthemwhen the kingdome (hall be deliuered vp euen to God the Father,and he himfelfe as Mediatour become fubie£t vn- to him that put all things vnder him,thatGod may be all in all : we being infeparably ioyned to him,and vnto Godbyhim,thatfo wemayraigne foreuer in his king- dome. After fome fuch manner doth pretious faith, which is the faith of Gods ele6t, difcharge the office af- figned vnto it. Chrift is the only Sauiour of mankindc, there is no name giuen vnder heauen whereby wee can befa- ued.but only by him;hc alone by himfelfe hath fully per- fected and finifhed that worke of our faluation, and by the price of his bloud hath purchafed eternall redemp- tion for vs at the hands of God his Father. The benefit I of this purchafed redemption is effectually communica- ted only to fuch as doe truly belecue :whom hee min- deth to befto w faluation vpon, hee neuer faileth to giue faith vnto , that they may hauc a hand to receiue that which he hatha heart moft freely and willingly to be- ftow : the office of faith is to apprehend Chrift, and ne- uer more to let him goe : to lay hold of faluation which Chrift bringeth with him, and neuer to fee it loft till the foule Chap. 8- orthcpmerofGodlweJJe. ■ I foule be fet fafe for euer, into which for this purpofe it is ' once put,and wherein it was wrought at the firft.Faith is moft faithful in difcharging al the truft y is thus comitted vnto it;andperformeth to the full, the office that it is ap- pointed vnto:for which caufe it fetteth vpon our enemies that would let our faluation.and neuer giueth them ouer, till ithath f ubdued them : \{ repclleth what would hurt vs; j it remoueth out of our way what would hinder our good; j it feareth notour arch enemy, the diuell himfelfc,butcou- ragioufly and ftoutly it dareth fet vpon him, and encoun- ter him,and buckle with him, andfaileth not to foilehim, and in the end moft valiantly and vi6torioufly to tri- umph ouer him,conquering him in the combate, and for- cing him to flightrit dareth take the whole world to task, & ouercome it too in the cnd;for this is the victory wherv- by we ouercome the world, etten our belevuing: itftoppeth fo the mouth of the Law, and putteth iinne (b to filence, that they can haue nothing to fay againft vs : it iuftifieth the foule in which it is,and fetteth it atpeace with God : it bringeth vs vnto Chrift, and fo ingrafteth vs into him, as it furrereth vs not euermore to befeparated from him by any kind of dif-union that can happen: itpurifieth and purgeth the heart while we liue : it comforteth andchea- reth the heart, when we come to die : it once being enter- tained of vs,abideth with vsfor our faretie and comfort, cuen to the end : it neuer giueth vs ouer, fo long as wee haue a day to liue; and when death that muft part vs doth appeare,it yeeldeth not to death, till we bee put into life; and lets vs not goe,till it hath refigned vs vp vnto Chrift, who then taketh vs to himfelfe for euer out of the hand of faith, Thus faith hauing finished the whole worke of our faluation,that was to be done by it, and brought it to fo happiean end, it then taketh a moft fweete and happie farewell of vs for euer after,as not being able any more to ftand vs in any further ftead. Oh happie and bleffed work offaith,that it thus doth worke for vs ! Oh grace moft j gracious and precious indeed of fading faith,which being j once I 79 Power of faith. lames 4.7. i.Pec.y.9. Eph.J.4. 8o Mans atliue cbedtence. Ch a p .8, rTualltrialhf faith is by life, not heart. once giuen to the Saints, they can neuer valew the wor- \ thinelfe of the gift that is fo giuen, nor the goodwill of] the giuer,that moft freely hath beftowed it, who can ne- uer be enough loued of vs,nor his name fufficiently mag- nified by vs,and praifed for the fame 1 Q^ Iwillwith-holdyou no longer, by mouingany further queftions hereabout; nor draw you any further away from go- ing on tofpeakeyour iudgement about that matter you were in handwith; namely, how faith which is afpirituallgrace, that is inwardly featedandrooted in the heart, commeth yet at the length to beplainely difcerned, and made manifefl.But 1 defireto know further your mindinthis, what you thinke to be thereadiefl andbefl courfe for a man to take, that is deft- rous to worke out his owne faluation, and make his election fi&e, whereby to find out that he hath fauing faith, euen that fretious faith, which is the faith of Gods elect f A\ find,that the moft generall courfe in the Scriptures throughout,taken by the Spirit of God himfelfe (who is onely wife,andfearcheth the heart and the reynes, and knoweth all men throughly both behind and before, within them and without them,what they are in moft ex- a£ manner, fo as nothing can efcape his knowledge), when he would make the hid things of mans heart mani- feft,and would make men either knownc to themfelues, or manifeft them what they are vnto others, or would o- uercome them himfclfe,and conuince them to be fuch, as he doth challenge them for,and charge them to be,what time he doth enter into plea with them,or hold and main- taine any controuerfie againft ihem ; that then his courfe is to put this more vpon the triall of fuch mens liues,thcn vpon the difpofition of their hearts ; more to ftand vpon what is feene to come from them, then to ftand arguing the ca(e,whether it bee true that they fay they haue, or hauc not this or that vertue or vice within them. Like afr- it will alfo be the courfe, that the righteous Iudgeof the whole world will take in that great aflize (according as himfelfe in part hath made it knowne afore-hand vnto _____ ys )» C h a p .8. or thepmr ofGorHmcJp. 8 1 vs); when all men fliall be made to appearand (hall bee put vpon their laft triall, euen the triall of life and of death,the triall will pafTe,and the iudgement will bee gi- uen vponthem, either for guilty or guiltlcffc, notfoex- prefTely according to what hath been in their hearts,as according to what hath appeared in their Hues, and what hath been found to haue been the deed and workesofj their hands, as namely, he telleth vs, they that haue done \ Iohn f.^9. good,Jbatt goe into life euerlafting, and they that haue done cuillvnto euer/afiingfier;zn& it will be faid,go you curfed, Mat. i ?, ? 4 .4 1 , you gaue me no meat, you did not vifite me : come you blefted, you fedmee, and you clothed mee. And this is that which the \poftle alfo faith, wee muft giue an ac- a.Cor.5Mo 4 count,according to that we haue done in our bodies. Hee faith not,according to that we haue had dwelling, and a- biding in our hearts : for the plaine manifefting of the one will be fufficient and enough, to make the other well e- nough knowne : So that though we are not iuftified by our workcs,yet (hall we be iudged by them, they being the infallible teftimonies of our vnfained faith in Chrift Iefus; an uhough workes doe not iuftifie vs, yetworkes doe iuftifie that, that muft iuftifie vs, euen our faith by which we beleeue to be faued;;that it is a liuely faith, and a faith that is not fained : therefore doth lames bring forth his workes to manifeft his faith by, as the dire6teft courfe that can be taken, and the moft ready to haue faith made knowne by. Now if any thinkehe can doeother- wife,and without workes get his faith^to which he truft- eth to be manifefted and made knowne to bee God; hee calles him forth to doe his beft, in ("hewing how that can bee performed : (hew me (faith hee) thy faith without r aa works, and I will fhew thee my faith by my workes. Which he fo fpeaketh,not that any can poflibly do it, but that their folly may the rather be laid open,and the more difcouered thatfo doe thinkeit. They bee the workes I" which come from &ith,that muft both fliew faith^and iu- ftifie it to be true. Faith is operatiue, and worketh by G loue : I 82 i.Pet.x I, i.lohnj 13, Mans aft tut obedience^ Chap 5/ loue:if any will find out faith,let him ieeke after themea- fmes of his louc co God, and to his Saints. If any would know whether hee bee ele6t or no to cternall life,let him ' gather the knowledge thereof from the crTeclualnefle of his calling and fan edification of his life: for by thefe Tee- ter leadeth the Chriftians as by the hand to the finding it out. We muft not foare aloft,to know whether or no we be elected. If any man would know whether the Sunne fhineth or no,lct him looke vpon the ground,to fee the re- flexion of the Sunne-beames from thence, and not vpon i the body of the Sunne, which will but dazle the more his fight. As then we gather the caufe by the cffe£t,the pa- ternc by the pi£ture,and by the forme of a feale printed in waxe,we eafily vndcrftand what is the very forme and fa- fhion of the feale it felfc : fo by the true and proper effects of liuely faith,we conclude the exiftence and being of true faith itielfe;and the fame effects likefeales, doc imprint and (tampe the image of Gods election in vs. Q^ *But may not faith as well bee found out by the caufe s •which caufeth faith ,as by the effetls wUch faith worketh and bringeth forth. Jsfor example, the publication ofthepromi- fesofthe Gofpell made to poore Jinners, calling all that are j wearie andheauie Uden "with the burden of their finnes to I come to (fhrift ,promifing they foall bee e a fed, attdpromifing that all that doe beleeue in (fhrift,they fhallneuerperi(h, but haue euerUfling life ; ! and with all commanding vs, that wee j doe beleeue in the name of Iefus (fhrifl, the Sonne of God. 1 Now if with the pub lifting offuch promifes out of the gofpell preached, and declaration offuch a commandement giuen, the Spirit of God (who is the one Ij efficient caufe and worker of this grace ),fhall 'be pleafcd to ioyne his owne workjngwith the word of that preaching, and fo open a door e of faith to the poore finncr that hear eth fitch promifes, ashefball not onely affentvnto them, but lay hold of them alfo y and affume them \ to himfelfe,and taking God at his word, beleeue indeed that j hee (ball haue his finnts pardoned, arid his foule for euer \faued. LMay not a poore finner fo beleeuing find out this f_ way, Ch a p . 8 . or the power ofGodlimJft. way, that he hath true faith indeed .without any further in- quiring y or making any more que ft ion about the fame ? ^Yes doubtles,and no way better then thus,if fo be he can after this manner, apprehend and feele that fo he doth belceue.for now he hath fet his foot vpon that rocke,that will neuer faile vnder him, but beare vp his whole buil- ding,and giue him a fure ftanding for his faith to reft vp- on,n°w hath hee come to the very ground worke of his beleeuing,and hath laid open to himfelfe the foundation to the bottomc/whereupon his faith is fet fo firme & fure, that it is not poflible it fhall bee moued to the ouerwhel- ming thereof for euermore. And therefore he may com- fortably cheare vp his heart (as did the Apoftle) againft euery obiedt of fcare or difcomfort, that might (land be- fore him at any time to difmay him, and fay with him, I am not afhamed, neither doe I paffe at all for this, for I know whom I haue beleeued,znd vpon what I haue groun- ded my fo beleeuing ; and I am perfwaded, that hee that hath thus promifed,is both able and faithfull to doe that he hath promifed,and that hee will alfo performeit. But if it be well marked, this faith euen by this fearch,is not found out by the caufes alone,but by that which is caufed by it,and by that which it is in hand with to effect, and worke in the heart of that belecuer in whom it is fo wrought ; for it is in hand with this worke, to bring the (inner to his Sauiour,to ioyne the foule that hath finned to Chrift that hath faued it, by an vnfeparable vnion, that {hall neuer more bee parted : yea, to take fuch hold of Chrift,as hee may dwell in that heart for euer. And can there be a greater,a more powerfull,or more comforta jle worke wrought by faith in a mans whole life-time, then this hand-fafting of Chrift,and the belceuer once for euer together? and can there a more bleiTed effe&euer flow from faith,then fo to apprehend Chrift by our beleeuing in him,that now withPrt^we doefobeleeue and know him to be ourSauiour,as we can goe away reioycing,and chaunt it out with the Spoufe,in that Song of Songs,^/; G i beloued 83 Faltb fyiamie by caufes. i.Tim.T.Ui 8 4 Cantic.2 & 7.10. 16, Mans acltue Obedience y Ch a p .8. Ionah 4^.10, beloued is mine, and 1 am his 3 and bis defrre is vnto me .Ho w- beit,it is not eucry bodies cafe for faith thus to manifeft it felfe in them at the firiT,fo fcone as euer it hath any man- ner of being at all in the heart into which it is put, euery body that haue faith,cannot ^ius clearely and readily find out the faith,that they haue Co fbone as they haue it at the firft,neirher yet at all times after they haue once truly re- cciuedit,when they would be glad to haue the comfort of it. The faith of euery one commeth not to grow vp 1 fo fpcedily,and to attaine to that ripenefTe of the hidden, 1 j as they that haue it can haue fuch prefent rerreiliing by it, ! and the like benefit to (belter and fhaddow themfelues : vnder the comfortable couering and iliaddow thereof, in the feruent aking and fainting of their hearts,as had Ionah vnder the fhaddow of the Gourd, which God made to gro w vp in a night,and prepared ready againft the mor- ning to come ouer his head,to deliucr him from the fer- uent fcorching of the Sunne, and vehement Eait-wind that did beate vpon him (which yet was the cafe of fome in the beginnings of the Gofpell,vnto whom both faith and the comfort of faith was giuen to be felt together, as the Eunuch, the Iaiior, Lydian, and fome other.) But though fome may haue comfort of their faith at the fir(t, and for fome good time together, yet is it as poffible for that courfe to be interrupted againe, and they as much depriued of that comfortable working of their faith, for the cheering and refrefhing of their hearts afterwards for a time, through the ftrength of fome fore tentation aflailingthefame; zslons.hwzs depriued of the benefit of his Gourd for altogether, that refrefhed him fo well with the fhadowthereof,when once God had prepared a worme to fmite that gourd, fo as it perifhed in one night againe, and became then more diftreffed then at the firft; in fo much that his heart fainted in him, which made him wifh in himfelfe now to die, and no longer to Hue. So fareth it with many who haue once been Twet- ly refreshed with the confolations of God, and haue felt Ch a p . 8 . or tbepxvtr ofGodlineJfe. felt much comfort and gladneffe of heart in their new conuerfion; and haue been filled with ioy and peace in their firft beleeuing: who yet haue afterwards had all the light of their comforts lb greatly cclyp fed, their faith fo forely fhaken, their hearts fo troubled and decpely di- ftreiTed, and they caft into luch labyrinths of Ipiritu- all forrowes : as out of which they no way haue been able to difpatch themfelues; but haue been forced to yeeld ouer,and fail downc flat, opprefled with their burthens,& ouerwhclmed with their griefes ; the waighc oftheirforrowes,and burthen of their feares,exceedmg for a time the ftrength of their faith ; and fo breaking it downe,that all comfort faileth them for the prefent ; and their faith can be no more felt, then if at all it neuer had been. Then are they more troubled, then if they had ne- uer before knowne what comfort had meant : like 'Rgbec- kah t \\ho was more troubled that fhe had euer conceiued, when (he felt thofe ftruglings in her wombe. Such com- forts once had,but loft againe, which ( the forrowes fo comming vpon them, haue eaten vp and deuoured, as Pharaohs lcane kine did the fat ) ferue but to ftrcngthen their prefent griefes, and to make them twice more grie- uous then otherwife they would haue bcene felt, if they had not taftcd how ioyous and how comfortable the former confolations and refreshings of their hearts had beene. Then begin they to call all things into queftion, which before they found fo great comfort in, their con- ucrfion is doubted of, either neuer to haue been found- ly wrought, or elfe that that which was once happily begun,now to be vntimcly brought to an end, and whol- ly to be vndone againe. Their faith is fuipe&ed, either to haue bin but a meere fancie, & they all the while deluded, when they thought they had true faith wrought in them, and did beft of all belceue;or elfe y which was once true, for want of ftrength to be now perilhed fro the,&to faile the for altogether,& wholly to be loft & gone. Then as Rachels voice was heard in Rama, when Ihe wept for her G 3 children 85 Feeling loft. Gen. 2 j. 2£. 8* ifa. 50.4. Comforts to wealiefaitb. lob !<$.*. Cant .1.4.7* lfa.6£u. Mans acliue Obedience^ Chap .9, children,and would not be comforted becaufe they were not : To are their lamentable voices heard in the Chur- ches/^ weeping and mourning and great lamentation; they weeping for the want of thefe graces, and w r ill not be comforted, becaufe(to their fenfe and feeling as them- felues fo doe thinke) they now are not, but are quite loft and gone. Chap. IX. What remedie there is for the make in faith, and with ^ aS the excellency of faith is declared, with the praclice or vfc to be made thereon. Queftion. Hat courfe is then to be taken for help and re- medy in this cafe f hat fuch may be fucco ured andfupportedin this their. great weaknes,& notfeene to faint & qiue oner for altogether! A. They to whom God hath ginen tongue ofthe learned, fo as they know how to fpeake a word, in feafon to them that are wearie : had need to ftrengthen fuch with their mouth, and tempering their words with a certaine fweetneife of fpeaking ; by the comfort of their lippes, to aflwage their grieres. Thefir, whofe hearts are thus diirnayed and difcomforted ; lan- guishing and fearing,and ready to faint within them, had need to be carried into the Lords wine cellcrs of the holy Scriptures, that they may bee refrefhed and {lay cd with his flagons, and comforted with his apples ;'that thence they may fucke,and be kitisried with the confolations of God,to get ftrer.gth in the inner man againerthat fo they faint not in thefe their fearings, through the enemies ten- tations. Such are to bee dire-fad to goe and liften how gracioufly the Lord hi ntelfe ( who is the father of mer- cies, Chap.?. or the power o/GodlweJfe. cies,and God of all confolation) vouchfafeth cucn in that place to fpeake comfortably to the heart of her that would not bee comforted ( in a cafe not much vnlike to that which theirs now is): promising that hee would turne their mourning into ioy,that hee would comfort them, and make them reioyce from their forrow* wil- ling T{achel to refraine her voyce from weeping, and her eyes from teares , for her children ( which fhee thought were not) fhould come againe from the land of the enemy, and there was hope left for her that in the end the lame her children (whom fhc fo mourned for) fhould come again to their own border. Thus did f Lord create the fruite of the lips to be peace to forrowfull/fo4 Mans alliuc obedience. C h a p .$< Faith may be Iporvne. Feeling may be that her Groat that was loft before, was now fo und a- gaine. Neither is it more comfortable then it is poflible to banc this effe&cd ; that byprouingwemay findethat wehauetruc faith, and fo by confequent come to haue aflurance of being failed; otherwifc fhould we neuerbc commanded thus to endeauour to goe about to doe it; for howfoeuer vnder the law precepts were giuen of things that were impoffible, that wee might know our owne weakencfle; yet vnder the Gofpell precepts are gi- uen of things though hard tobedone,yet of things that pofTiblymaybedone, and well may bee attained vnto, that the power of Chrift his grace may thereby be made the moremanifeft, and the better to appeare: as when we are commanded to beleueandto prooue and to try our felues whither wee truly doe beleeue . But though it be true that faith by fearchfng may be felt, and found out; being once vndoubtedly had, that it cannot finally and for euer be loft againe : yet it is as true that through the default of the hauer,ncgle£tingto vfc the meanes to haue it goe well with his faith, whereby the vigour of it, and liuely operation and working of the fame may be fhewed forth: the comfortable feeling of the prefence of faith may be fo loft to fuch a man : and through his no better looking to it, nor looking after it ; fo may faith it felfe be to feeke,as if neither were at all,norneuer had been be- fore in fuch a heart ; neither will the comfort of it be had againe,nor faith it felfe be euer light vpon and difcerned to haue any refidence or certaine being there, till by a long labour of fecking,looking, ranfacking, and fearch- ing all theroqmes and corners of the heart, all the cour- fes and carriages of the life,hauir g alfo the light of beft direction out of the word of God lighted vp vnto vs for our furtherance herein ; the fame may happily at length be difcerned where it is remaining, and to haue (though in weakcmanner)yet ftill a true being; which may fecme in fxne fort to be exemplified by this phrafe and man- ner of fpeaking thus vfed by the Apoftle, willing vs to proue ] : Chap. io* or the poorer of Godlineffe. proue our felues whether we be in the frith ; and againe, to examine our felues,and co know our felues ; doubling and re-doubling the charge vpon vs. Which may giue vs to vnderftand/hat as falfe faith may eafily,without good examination and triall,be taken for true faith; fo that true faith it felfe is not fo readily to be difcerned, vnleiTe there bee fome narrow fearch and triall made about it, and proofe to findc it out : for otherwife, what need fhould there be of all this prouing,examining, and trying whe- ther we be in the faith or not ; which the Apoftle heere fo earneftly doth enioyne, if it were obuious, and a thing alwaies ready to be found out and receiued by vs ? Chap. X. Two things propounded : fir ft the differences betmene fauing and fautkffe faith y and hon ffarre a reprobate may goe in faith .fecondly, the notes and pro- per ties of true and precious faith : and here the maine difference is entreated of. Queftion. F you would then but refolue me of thefe two joints :firft, what bee the chief eft and platnefi differences betweene fauing andfauelejfe faith, which is a faith of no worth nor validitie to doe them any good that haue it, and truftmoft vnto it, but with which they may, and undoubtedly fhall, certainly penfb, if they labour not and fe eke not after the hauingofa better. Se- condly, for the better difcerning of that which is precious faith indeed, euen the faith of Gods elcttjo fhew what be the undoubted notes and markes wliereby a man may know affu- redlythat he hath it. I will trouble you no further to make any longer difiourfe about this point of faith, but reft in that which already hath been faid and fet downe concerning the fame: 95 9 6 Mans acliut Obedience^ Ch a p .10, True and ft! fe faith differ. Ephcf. i.». fame : this onely being more added >vt>hich I thus doe entrcate and requeft to be done ? A. Iwillnotbevnwiningtodothcbcft I can herein, and plainly to (hew what I thinke concerning cither of them. And to begin with the firft: Among all other the differences betweene good and bad faith, there is none thatisamaineror a greater difference, none that from the firft to the laft kecpeth them further afundcr, or cau- fethamoregenerall or vniuerfall difagreement, a more ftronger oppofition,or a more direct and plaine contra- riety betweene them; then is the truth of the one, and the falfhood of the other: the one being found and vn- fained, the other hauing guile in it, and coloured with much counterfait diffembling that may be found to bee in it. And thefe two differences and contrary qualities, doe alwaicskeepe the fences feuerall betweene them, as howfoeuer there may be a very ncere neighbour-hood betweene them,a bordering and an abutting of the one hard by the other, yet can they neuer commune togc- ther^nor the one be fuffered 4 to come within the othcr,by meanesofthisftrong fence and partition wall, that from thefirfttothe laft runneth throughout betweene them, euermore to kcepe them afunder. For as foonc will God and the diuell agree in one ; light and darknefle be made to accord,as truth and falfhood can euer meet together, it is true that as the diuell is faid to be Gods Ape,who af- ter an Apifh fafhion being the God of the world, can, and doth forge in the (hop wherein he workcth ( that is, the hearts of the children of difobedience) the counterfait of all fuch graces as Gods Spirit doth frame and workein the hearts of the Elect ; fo this falfe faith may well be the counterfait of true faith, and may haue an Apifh. imitati- on of it in cueryrcfpe6l; but it commeth no more neare to be like it,then is a dead carcafe to a lining body ; or a fier that is paintcd,to a true fier that doth burne indeede : and therefore it is but a mocke-faith that will beguile themforeft and fooneft,who do truft vnto it moft. Q. But Chap. io. er the fewer of Gcdlwejfe. 91 Q. *But hovf may this difference bee difcerned, and the ttoith of the one, and falfhood of the other bee beTb found out ? A. To finde out which is the true faith, and which is the falfe(befides other manifeft fignes whereby the fame may be difcerned), there is none more pregnant to make that cleere and euident, then that true faith is fure and firme,conftant and abiding to the end ; which neuer fai- lcth till it hath attained that end for which it had firfta beginning and a being giuen vnto it,which is the failing ofeueryfoule that once hath had it. Whereas falie faith is vncertaine,not to truft vnto,vnconftant and but tem- porary/when it is at the bed;, which will laft but a feafon, and will then faile a man moft,when hec foould haue the greateft vfe of it : as in the day of battell, when he fliould ftand in the face of his enemie ; then it will ftart afide like a broken bow,that he can make no (hot ; and hke a bro- ken ftaffe,that willleaue a man in the ditch,when hee ad- uentureth to leapc ouer with it. Now this being worthi- ly held for a maine difference between e fauing andfaue- leffe faith, whereby they are cleerly diftinguifhed, and plainly may be difcerned, the one of them from theo- ther: that this difference may the better bee difcerned and made manifeft,Time is herein to lend her helpe ; for all things are made manifeft by time : as the Apoftle (pea- king ofrthediuers manner of working and labouring by the ouilders that build in the Church of God vponthe foundation ; fome building gold, filuer, prctious ftones ; others timber, hay, and ftubble ; hee faith, euery mans worke fhall be made manifeft, for the day (faith he)fhall declare it. Truth is faid to be the daughter of Time, and fo is falfhood alio : Time trauelling with them both, bringeth them both forth at the laft, and fheweth them as they are, to the view of euery man . Truth may be bla- med,but foamed it will neuer be. True faith may bee ha- zarded andforely fhaken for a time, but vanquiihed can it neuer be,nor faile finally, or be ouercome : for it is of H nature i. Difference is continuance. i.Cor.j.ij, Laborare poteft vincinonpotefl. Luk.22.32. * p8 i.Pct.1.7. Mat. ij.*r. jtfdiw <*#/** Obcdiwce^ Ch a p.io. nature inuinciblc, and the triall of true faith (hewethit felfe in the end to be more precious then gold that peri- (heth ; and redoundeth to the greater praifc, honour and glory of the true beleeucr. On the contrary, falfhood mayforatimebecouered and masked vnder thevifour and vaile of truth ; but at the length time will caufe it to be difecrned, for it is full of crackes and rents on euery fide,\vhich can neuer be fo made vp ; but the difTimulati- on thereof will thereby breake out at the laft, andeafiiy be difcried. For truth pierceth through falfhood on euery part, which oppofing it felfe to found fincerity,and inno- cent fimplicity; is found to melt away as fnow doth a- gainft the Sunne. Falfe and fained faith may indeed (hew goodly and ftourifhing faire for a time ; it may fhine out with nich aluftre and glittering brightnes, as may feeme to dazle the eyes of all that are the beholders of it, as though it were among other vertues,as Lucifer is among other ftarres ; which comming next before the Sunne, is filled full of light,and brighteth the day before him;when intheend,forallfuchfhining,timewill make it appeare to be no better then the light that commeth but from rotten wood,which when it is once difcerned, euery one doth contemneasathingofnoworth,buttobe ipurned away,and to be troden vnder his feet. In like manner all the light ofioy and comfort which feemed to be giuen out from that faith which is not found, will at the length be put out in obfeure darknefle, the heart being left de- ftitutc of all manner of chcere and comfort, both hope- leffe and ioylcffe,when times of triall and of fore afflicti- on doe happen to to come : as our Sauiour flieweth ma- nifeftly in the parable, and daily experience alfo wknef- feth to bemoft true. Neither doth the vnfoundnefre and and falieneiTe of faith onely appeare at the end, when once the end of it is come,fhewing it to haue beene but temporarie which did not long endure : but before the end be come,euen when it is in the prime of the chiefeft 1 working, if it be wei obferuedjthere is a clecre diffa-encc I cuidently Ch a p . i o. or she power ofGodlwtffe. euidently difcerneable bctwecnc the finccritie tand entire working of true faith y abideth,& the much hollowncs & hypocrifie of this temporary & truthleffe faith y is not to be trufted vnto, though it be take euen then when it is at the beft,and when all things may bee found to be in it as glorioufly appearing in outward {hew,as can be found to be in that faith which is moft true indeed. And this difference may readily be difccrncd,if men rightly Con- sidering their owne waies in their hearts, will be vnpar- tiall Iudges to giue a right fentence according to Fuch cuidence as they may well gather from that which they can finde to be done aiul wrought in themfelues.For true faith dealeth truly in all that it doth, how weake and im- perfect foeuer it bee that it doth ; yet it is true, and euer purgeth the heart,as from other droffe and filth of finne, fo from that pernicious plague and peftilent poyfon, which is the venome of all vertue,and as a fretting can- ker thateateth out the very heart of all grace, and extin- guifheth the life of ail finceritie that is therein; I meane clofe and priuie hypocrifie and guile of hea/t : for where guile and falfehood is found to beare rule, there plainc truth ofbeleeuing and of faith that is vnfained can abide no longer.On the other fide,falfe and fained faith,though in (hew that feemeth to be very good which it worketh; yet may there much guile and deceit be found to be in it, and the Worke will appeare to bee vnfound and falfely wroueht,if good triall thereof be made,that only haulng guile tor the refuge, and vnder falfehood and vanitic it delighting euer to lie hid, for there it refteth and fetleth it felfe,thcre it findeth beft cheriihing and kindlieftbe- ing,as the dorres doe in the dung. But this may better bee confidcred in forrie particulars. Temporarie faith (which yet is as good as no faith ( if it be not worfe) for if arty withdraw himfelfe, the Lord will haue no fleafure in him. And Peter faith,*> had been better not to hane knowne, thentoturne away againe) feemeth to haue all the com- plements that can bee found in true faith, and that in as H 2 goodly ** K Secondly, if true fuitbdeala truly. T1ai.2B.15r. Heb.10.3S.39. X.PCC.1.21. 100 1 Hcrv true faith is wrought. Aa$2<<.i8. £ph.i.i7*>^« C0Lx.916.2y, and ui 2-.C0r.4A Iahn 17.5. Ads 2.8.24. Ioh6.tf8.69. Aft* 15. n. Iohn 1. ia. Phil.3.12. i.Tim.6.ia. z.Tim.i.14. Rom. 4.20.11. Rom.8.38. Iohn 3.16. Rom.if.13. Aas8. 39 . j.Pct.1.7. Tic.3.8.14. Coloff.i.io. Gal5.16.22. 2.PCI.I.8. Phil.x.u* Rom. 11 a. 1. Cor .6. 11. jEpb4.i2.14. Eph4ao.1i. L*. ji/<«w 4#/w Obedience, Ch a p . 10. goodly a (hew, and in as glorious a manner, as the moft pretious and failing faith hath or can haue (if goodly (hewes and appearances might bee fufficicnt to ferue the turne) : for if wee confidcr the nature of true faith, and what be the parts whereof it doth confift; ifweemarke well what be the graces which principally docconcurre in true beleeucrs, for the making vp of that faith in them which is true and vnfained, and by which they aiTuredly {hall be faued,it will be found that,rirft their minds come to be illuminated and lightened from aboue with diuine knowledge of Gods truth, efpecially with the fauing I knowledge of Chrift Iefus, Www to know is eternall life. Secondly, then their hearts are ftrengthened,as to alTcnt to that they know, fo to relie vpon Chrift whom they know,apprehending him, and laying hold of the promi- fes of life and faluation which are made in him.Fourthly, from thence they proceed further, and doe grow at the length to be affurcd in the truth, and fetledly perfwaded of God his vnchangeable loue towards them in and through Chjrift Iefus, fo as they beleeue comfortably they (hall neuer perifti , but haue eternall life by him. Whereupon next followeth, fifthly, Ioy and gladneffe to be bred in their hearts,euen fuch as is faid to be vnfpeak- able and glorious. All which former graces haue follow- ing and accompanying them the fruites of the Spirit. Sixthly, in good workes, breaking out in their liues : which may plainly be difcerned by the generall change of their whole courfe of life from euill to good, cafting off the old man, which is corrupt through the deceiue- able lufts, and putting on the new, which is created after God in holineiTe and righteoufneffe. And thus haue true belceuerslearned Chrift, heard him and been taught by him,as the truth is in Iefus, as the Apoftle faith. Now a temporal ie beleeuer, who is but a cunning reprobate and a true beleeuevs counterfeit, may haue thefliadow and refemblance of all theie graces, and that with fo liuely 1 colours,fo workmanly fet out, and painted forth,** feall I caufe. Chap. io. orthepmrofGodlimfft. i 101 caufe them to» carrie a goodly glofle, and to fhine outi with fuch a glittering brightne(Fe,as if they were compa- 1 rable with the b eft, when there is nothing at all found,but Hmfarre a. re- .all is baftardized, adulterated, and no better thenplaine^'^^W- counterfeit ftuffe ; fuch a man may hauc common graces in fo good a dcgree,as a narurall man may in the pofiibi- litie ofhis nature be capable of, euen fo much as his na- t ire not renewed may permit him to haue. As (to in- ftance in the former particulars) he may haue great mea- Heb.^4. fure of illumination,and may attaine to much knowledge *!T or * 1 *'*? not alone humane,but diuine alfo ; to know the truth of x 2 ^' z °' 2Q God,to vnderftand the Scriptures, tobeleeue the Word &8,2.' * of God to bee true, crediting it in his iudgement,and ap- , Kom 2.1 3. prouingofit in his affe6tion,heemaynot alone become I ?' 20 * expert in the vnderftanding and opening of the Law, f^ s 4 ** 17 ' thereby to know himfelfe and all others to be guiitie of iohn i2*4i,4> finne,but he may grow alfo acquainted with the myfte- Luke 8.13. ries of the Gofpell thereout,to know Chrift and him cru- : Mjc.23. 2.3. cified for the finnes of the world,and to know him to bee ^ om « 2 « 2 o*". theone and onely Sauiour of all mankind, he may haue a j & ' '**" confufed perfwafion and conceit in his mind(though vn- ; Phili.jtf." warrantably) that Chrifl and all 'his benefits doe belongto ; Mac7.21.22. him;and laying claimeto them,(as the woman that was 1 not the mother, did to the child that was not hers)appre- ! i.King.3,22. hend and lay hold of them all as his owne. He may out of i this conceit,that he is now in the ftate of grace,and in the Luke 8,1 j. way of life,haue his heart rapt and lift vp with much ioy ; I he may take delight, and after a manner grow proud of 1 the good eftate,which(as hee doth thinke) he now ftan- Luke 18.11. deth in : as in regard of the outward reformation of his life,the vncleane fpirit may be faid to be gone out of him, ' Mat Ta ind another fpirit to be giuen vnto him, as was giuen to ! Saul, when another heart was giuen vnto him, after Sa- l j. Sam.ro. w*f/had once annointed him, after which it isalfo&id, f.9.10. that the Spirit of the Lord came vpon him. He may bee | I 1 found much bumbled before the Lord with Ahabfot ma- 1 1I&1.21 .17.19. ny euils hee hath done 5 and much commended before H 3 men 102 Marke£.*o« Mans &8m obedience^ Chap.io. men with Herod, fox many good things hee hath done, of whom it is faid,that he heard Iohn gladly, and that hee did many things after that he had heard him. Thefe alfo many fcucrall gifts and graces, which are very glorious to look vpon,nnd faire in fhew,may concurre and meetc together inone man,and yet neucr a one of them right,nor the man himfclfe found at the heart. All thefe thus coupled, thus compact and ioined together,meeting in one pcr(bn,may feeme to carrie before them a faire refemblance of the comely feature of true fauing faith ; when yet it is but as a dead image, which hauing all parts and lineaments of a Well proportioned body,wanteth the fpirit and breath of Kfe to animate the whole, and agitate all the parts with liuely motion and vigour of efte&uall operation, to bee feene working and comming from the fame. So this goodly and glorious imaginarie dead ccremoniall and teeming faith, which thus may be feene to haue all the parts and lineaments of the well proportioned body of true and liuely faith,it may well be faid to haue indeed the fhape and image of fauing faith,but yet all this while it is no better then a dead image, wanting the fou/e of faith, and fpirit oflife that fhould breath in it, euen thefpirit of fantHficationandholineJfe to inlpire thefe common graces, as parts and lineaments of this image and body with hotie motion,and life of fan&iiying grace, which might deriue ( holin eflfe and purine fo into euery part, for thefeafoning and faneVifying of all,that all might be made plealing and acceptable vnto God by the fame. Now for the want of thiSjWhich is the very 'font* and liuely life of true and liue- ly faith it felfe,allthc reft is but as the body without the fouie, which is dead, and is no more then the image or outfide and rotten carl^ajfe of a true faith, but is not true fakh indeed. An i therefor? as one faith of the knowledge of the Heathen, who did cxcell id aH literature andhu- maine learning, Ofortunatos Ethnico fid?s ft aceeWerH : O happy Heathen,ifu ether lean -ace of faith and true beleening had alfo been added. So would I ray of thefe tempo- Ch a p . i o . or the power cfG&dlineffc. temporarie belccucrs ; O thrice happy Qhriftians, if with thefe common gifts and graces of Gods Spirit beftowed vpon them, wherein many ofthem fo greatly doe excell, they might hauealfb that gift of fanElifying grace giuen vuto them tefanUifie the reft and themfelues throughout, that as for outward parts,they feeme and appeare to be much beau- tified,(b they might in like manner bee all glorious within^ foundly fan£tified in their inmo ft ajfetlions, and renewed in the powers of their fouler, the fpirit of grace and holineiTe, reinuefting them with fuch a meafure of fan&itie and in- tegrities they might bee found intire andfincere before Godin all that they doe; but this being wanting^all the reft is nothing. For the want whereof, the like may be faid of thefe in particular, which the Apoftle faitk of all other graces where hue is wanting ; though they had fuch lear- ning and k^o^ledge^s they might feeme to fpcake with the tongues not of men, but of Angels \ and yet had not their knowledge fan&ified , they fhould be but as foundin* -brajfe,ov as tinchling Qmballs. And if they had neucr fo ftrong faith and ftedfaftneffe of beleeuing in their owne- opinion ; if they were neuer fo much rapt vp with the ioy they haue concerned, and fhould become moft fecure in their fo confident boafting ; if they did neuer fo many things with Herod,znd fhould be found fo to be changed and altered in their liues,that they might feeme to bee as holy asSaints,and were become moft glorious in ftiew as are the Angels of light, into whofe fhape it is no hard thing for Satan, when he will transforme himfelfe; yet for the want of this one grace oftruc and found holinefle, which alone fhould grace all the reft, both theythem- felues are nothing,and all that they doe fhall profit them nothing,for the caufing either themfclues to be had in a- ny reckoning with God,or for any account to be had ot whatfoeuer they poflibly can doe without it in his graci- ous acceptation. H Ch at 103 Grace {anclificd, 1 is grace refined. i % Cor.i3.ia.i 104 Difference of tyiowUd&e. Mans aftiue Obedience, Chap.il Chap. XL Ofthefpeciall differences in the principal! graces apper- taining to faith ^andfirftyOf the fir ft grace ,wbich is knowledge y with the vfe that is to be wade of the difference herein. Queftion. Eeingyou haue thus made mention, that then muft be a concurrence of fomeprincipall and particular graces in true beleeuers y to the making vp of true faith in them ; as namely, the mind to be inlightnedwith knowledge, the heart flrengthened by grace, to apprehend for their owne com- fort that which it fo knoweth,with perfwafion thereupon of Godsfauorforitfelfe, which caufeth great toy to befeltiwith allwhich mufl be ioyned a found and thorow reformation of life in like manner to be wrought : and haue Ukewife fbewed, that temporary beleeuers, who are no better thenplaine re- probates, may haue the counterfeit and a neare refemblance of allthefe : I de pre to heare further declared,whatfpeciall dif- ferences in thefe particulars on both parts may beobferued, that if there be no agreement™ the parts nor like proportion held in any of the particulars, the difference may be knowneto betheftrongerinthswhole,andthe oddsperceiued to bee the greater in the generall, when they are compared together. Fir ft therefore (if it pleafeyou) (hew what differences maybe difcernedbetweene the knowledge of him that is vn r antlified and vnfound, and the knowledge ofatrue beleeucr, inwhom may be found the faith of Gods elect f A. The knowledge of thefe two may be found to dif- fer in that which is common betweene them both^and in that which is priuat and peculiar but to one alone,which I the other can neuer at all haue any part in : euen very re- f probates Chap. II. tribe power of Gtdhneffe. 105 In Reprobates. x.Cor.ia.io. Mauh. 7,23, probates may obtaine from God very large allowance to be made vnto them in common gifts, and of thofe of the beft kind,as not onely tofpeahe with tongues, but like wife topropbejie and preach learnedly ,and like great flerkfs:they may be indued with moft: rare and excellent gifts this way,and graces of Gods Spirit ; they may excell in them, and peraducnture go beyond ibme of the ele£t,to whom Chdft yet will fay,^ neuer knew them* The fecrets of Na- ture we know haue been moft found out by them, that haue had nothing but Nature in them,and they haue in a manner excelled this way, God hath giuen them the ex- cellency of skill in their owne element : but the fecrets of grace heehath more abundantly reuealed to fuch as doe feare him.vpon whom he hath beftowed the riches of his grace,making them to excell therein. Though vnrege- nerate men may know much, yet they are euer defecliue in the chiefe, they haue more of fuch knowledge cs is lefle necelTarie, then haue many true bcleeuers : but in that which is moft necelTarie, that maketh men not onely learneder, but better, therein they come farre be- hind ; though they may haue great illumination, yet fomething in all their knowledge is euer wanting, and kept from them, which is as the quintejfence of 'all know- ledge, namely, to haue their knowledge fancied, and on of grace is the to haue true fauing knowledge giuen vnto them; this W mte (fence of the Lord doth neuer beftow vpon them. Heethat,^*" hath not fancTif/ing grace in him, as fheweth.the A- 1 poftle Peter, let him bee neuer fo learned, and fo great 2,Pct,i.£. a Clerk e other wife ; yet he is blind, and cannot fee a farre off; he cannot fee the happineffe to come, the g/orie that fhal be reuealcd,the honour that fhal be to the Saints , the end of Gods feruants how happy it will be, nor the vengeance prepared for the wicked, to bee warned in time tofhunneand auoidcit; nay, they many times doe not I fee things that are prcfent,thoi.»gh fo cleare and palpable, as might \>zgropedaadfchby '?lwdmen, and not onely dif- , \( & \ x ^ lT ccrneS by fuch as haue eyes to looke vpon them ; fuch as & cap. $12. are TbefanftrfcatU 106 lob 5.14. Micha.3/. IfaU8.7. Mans alliue obedience. Ch a p . 1 r .1 Knowledge of tiuebeleeuers* Tit.2.14. PUl.135.4. Mat 5 47. are lodgements that arc prefent,& benefits that arc prefent, that they might profit by them. They haue therefore but an ob feu re knowledge, and there is darkeneffe in their greateft light ; the Svnne going dotvne vpon them euen at noone, and the day it fclfe being darke otier them. No maruel then though they err fin vijion, &ftumblein iudge- ment ; as the Prophet fpeaketh. Here then ftandeth the greateft preferment that men vnregenerate, can cuer lookc to be brought vnto,and lar- geft allowance of gifts, that they mayeuer hope to re- ceiue at the hands ofGod,that they may peraduenture be equalled with the moft of Gods faithfull feruants, and of- ten preferred too before many of them in the common gifts and graces of Gods Spirit : as in the gift of knowledge,to haue much humane learning giuen them, yea.and a deepe infight too into much of that knowledge that is diuine; yet all thefe gifts and knowledge not being fanclified, it may be truly faid of them, they are but as offals caft: to doggs; the other being childrens bread, and asManchct made of the fineft of the Wheate. As for true beleeucrs,and fuch as arc found in the faith indeedjbefides that they arc Commoners with the reft, and Commoners with the beft, in the beft gifts that they haue(though in the very things which the godly haue in common with the wicked, they haue them in a farre bet- ter kind,and farre more fan£tifiedly,then any of the wick- ed haue,there being euer a tincture of holineiTe put vpon them, when they are giuen to them), they hauefomc things peculiarly beftowed vpon them, whereuntothe vnregenerate (hall neuer attainc,nor haue the like : for as they are the Lords peculiar ones, (0 will hee grace them with pectt/iarfauottrs and gifts giuen vnto them, whereby they fhall doe fomc (ingular thing (which our Sauiour would haue his true difciples alwaies to endeauour them- fclucs to doe) the like whereunto no reprobate fhall eucr be able to doe, doc what he can. He may goe about to colour and counterfeited fample it as ncare as may be ; but Ch a p . n • °r the power ofGodlinejfe. but there will euer bee as great a difference betweene them, as betweene that which is coloured and counter- faited, and that which is moft kindly and naturall of it felfe. They haue the grace o£truefant~ltfication giuen vn- to them, fanttifiedlyto&oz that which they doe, which the other want : a grace that graceth all the graces they hauc. Befide, their knowledge they haue is fanctifted, and i o it becommcth fauing, the like wherevnto can ne- uer haue any wicked man. But mote then this, the Lord reuealeth fome things to | them,w inch the other fort (hall neuer know on ( like as I he dealt with his Difciples whom he told euery thing a- part vnto), euen the hid wifedome of God; the vnregene- rate man is not lb farre trufted of God, as to haue his fe- crets made knowne vnto him : the Lord dealeth with them, as we deale with fome whom wee doe not greatly truft : we communicate not all that is in our hearts vnto them,but onely fuch things as we care not who heare vs, and whether they tell it or tell it not. Men will know them well whom they impart their fecrets vnto. Kings will not make euery fubie£t to be of then prime Qouncell, they are priuiledged men that are preferred to fuch a fa- uour. The Lord maketh not all of his Counfell ; hee will know them Well,whom he will tell all his mind vnto ; hee tellethittohisbeloued ones, hee tellcch all things to them apart ; yea,he kno weth how to tell them apart, when ci- thers are in pretence, giuing an vnderftanding heart to one to vnderfrandthc teaching, when another thathea- reth is neuer the wifei fcr that he heareth \ but all is kept fecret ftill and hidden from him.The fecret of the Lordis faid to bzreuealedtefach as doe feare him: and they are promifed that he wiUfien 'them his Covenant. He opened thtmindesofhis DifeipJsthat they spight vndcrftand the Scriptures* The Lord will {hew to fuch, great fecrets, what he did for them l\fcrc the beginning ofjhe world in their Election ; whai he will doe. for them after the -mqrld hath an end, in their gforificatwn : and what hee will doe for 107 Ich. 17.17. 19. Somethings re- uealcd to Gods J children, not to j the rvicfed. I Mark. 4. $4. i Luk, 1 0.2 j. 1. Cor. 7. 8. lob 17.4. ifa. 19.14. Pfal.*5. 14. Ephtf.1.9. Luk.14. 4 f. Ephef. 1.4. MaM?. 4S- Mac. 15. 34* io8 Mms aftiuc obediwct, Ch a p .1 r . ioh.5.29. Ioh. 16.13. Hof.i 1619.10 Amos 3. 7. Pfal.1.4. Pfal.58.3. Ifa.6.9.10. 8a. 29. T4. Mat.x1.15. and 13. 11. 13.14. 1 £ Roco.p.18. for them in the day rfindgement, for their clearing. And this is according to that Chrift promifed his Difciples, that the Spirit fk9uhlfli:-w them things to come. The true beleeuers the haue fuch a peculiar kind of know ledge ofGod,and from him 5 as they know of b\s fatherly, yea/wW^/pkindncfle vnto them: they haue fuch an inward acquaintance .with him, as the wife hath with her husband tliailkth in hisbofome, which knoweth all his fecrets, from whom her louing husband will concealc nothing: if his call vnto him, heepromifeth to (hew to themgrcat and mighty things, which they know not ; the Lord will doe nothing buthewillreueale it to his fer Hants the Prophets. As for the wicked they fhall be nothing fo, it is not fo betweene God and them: but as they are ftrangers from the wombe,fo fhall they bee kept Gran- gers from knowing of fuch things to their dying day. That heauie iudgement is fentenced out againft them, which i/^^fpeaketh of, and was fent to pronounce a- gainft them : Their hearts are made fat, their eares are made heauie, and their eyes are/hut vp ; left they Jhould fee with their eyes,andheare with their eares, and vnderftand with their hearts, and conuert and be healed. Such thin gs as the Lord in fpeciall fauour to his ele6t. reuealeth to babes,andthofe that are of little regard and account in the world,he yet hideth from the wife and prudent in the ^^^euenbecaufcitisthegoodpleafureof his will, fo topriuiledgeand preferre fuch as once he hath receiued into his fauour, fljewing mercy to whom he will /hew mercy, and whom he will he contrarily doth harden. Now the vfe of the knowledge of fuch a difference to be betweene the gifts and graces giuen to the reprobate, and to the ele£t/hould moue Gods true faithfull feruants not to content themfelues with hauing fuch graces and fifts of Gods fpirit as cannot faue them that haue them, ut though they be bad, yet the haucrs of them may bee loft themfelues : not to content themfelues with fuch a kind of knowledge of God and of Chrift, as though they ^L C h a p . 1 1 . or the power ofGodlinejJc. fay in words,and thinke in theirt hearts, that they haue the knowledge of God ; yet Chrift in the laft day fhall fay vnto them, Depart from me ye workers of iniquitie,I neuer knew you: But to labour to get fuch afpirituall, ejfec?Hall;particttlar,and diflinCt, experimentally prattkall, liuely and fatting knowledge of God and of Chrifl, as may be lure to bring them to life : euer coueting after the befi g*///, if there bee any better then others, and defiringto hear e of that more perfett way which the Apoftlc fpeaketh of,and promifeth to fhew ; which is, not to bee content to prophefie and fpeake with tongues, but to follow lone which is the chief e, and to pradlice holme ffe : they muft la- bour to ioyne with all gifts and graces that they haue, and adde to the performance of all religious duties they doe ; zfngutarity of holineffe, and otpureneffe, o£jincerity, and intireneffe ; that they may bee found and finceuc in them; doing that they doc with all integritic and vp- rightneiTe,in a fan£tified manner, in alL the powers, and with all the parts of foule and body,diat fo they may doe fome fmgular thing ,fo exceeding the rightcoufneffe of all reprobates and hypocrites. But to giue you yet further and more fuller fatisfa&i- on,in Chewing more particularly fome differences which maybe obferued to bee betweene the knowledge of a true beleeucr, and of one that is but hollow and vnfound in his faith. I thinke they may in thefe particulars be well differenced one from another. Firft, in the originally whence their knowledge is fetched. Secondly, in the end, towhichittendeth. Thirdly, in t\\tebiecl, about which it is occupied. Fourthly 3 in thefubiett, in- which it abideth and is feated. Fifthly, in the kindes, wherein they are much feuered. Sixthly and laftly, in the vfes to which they are put. For the firft, the one fort fetch their learning no high- er,then that the reach of humane vnderftanding may well be extended vnto, and is found able to comprehend by the power and ftrcngth that it hath giuen thereunto ; and 109 x.Cor.u.gT. Ineuerypartof Gods feruice there is fome bidden things wbkhifit be wanting Jbe whole aftion is nothing worth. Or'tgitaUof knowledge. Wifd.9.'S.i*- no Mdru attmt Obedience* C« AP.^, lam. 3.1 7. i.Cor.a.^.7. Luk.7.35. i,Cor. 1.9.10. lob. j 1.8. and 3 8.^. Ifa. 5.*i. Galath.x.11. i.Ioh.4.5. Ioh.y.43. Ifa.J4.Ij. Ioh.8.47. and 10. $,17. Ioh. tf.45. Pral.x10.x02. Diners ends of knowledge. and therefore in fomerefpedt may be ftill faid to be but natttrall and humane, though the things that are krtowtte areabouethecourfe of nature, and truth in themfelues may be faid to be diuine. The other fort fetch their knowledge farre higher,and therefore their wifedome is faid to be wifedome descen- ding from aboue i which is fupematurall and fpirituall, tranfeending all that nature can reach vnto, being the hid wifedome of God, which is wifedome among them that are perfect; o( whom (asbeingthe true and onely chil- dren of wifedome, it alone mufiified, the Lord reuealing j to fuch by his fpirit thofe things which neither the eye of) man can fee,nor their eares heare, neither can it enter into ! their hearts in fuch manner to conceiue of them ; and therefore of all others is the true, folide, eternal!, and e- uery way mofi diuine wifedome, as being efpecially giuen by dmme infpiration. They in comming by their knowledge,are either their owne teachers ( as they are their owne fchollers, who loue to heare themfelues fpeake, and their owrte admi- rers,who like of nothing but what is done by thern- felues,as being wife in their owne eyes) or elfe their lear- ning is ofman, and after man (as the Apoftle fpeaketh) they being taught it by man, becaufe they are of the world, they haue them for their matters that are of the world > if any come in his owne name they are ready to heare hm*) as our Sauiour told the Ie wes. Thefeareall taught of God, becaufe they are of God, they heare hU word] becaufe they are of Qrrift hisfocke, they hearc his voice, but ^flranger, they will riot heare, theyheareandlearneof the father, and fo their know- ledge brings them to Chrift. They are taught of God, and therefore they liue well, and decline not from his iudge- ments. 2. And as the beginnings are diners from whence both thefe deriue their knowledge, fo are not the ends the fame for which they labour to come by knowledge. They, Ch a p . io. or tht power ofGodttncffi. Ill They, that is, tlievnfandtifiedand vnfound in the faith, fcekctoknow cither but that they may know; which (as is faid by one) is but meere curiofity ; or that they may thereby come to preferment , dignities , and greater liuings, whichfauoftreth of ambition, world/y-mindedtjes, and filthy auaricc. Theie feeke to get knowledge to farre better ends ; as not alone to know, but to doe as they know : they de- sire knowledge as for it owne fakc,and for the excellency which they (ee to be therein, fo for the good of others, and of themfelues alio ; that thereby they may teach o- thers, which is charity ; and alfo teach themfelues, which to doe is piety. But aboue all, they labour to get the true knowledge of God,that they may know how to honour him, tofeare Godandkgefe his Commandemcnts, which is the -whole dtttie of euery man. 3. The third difference is in refpe6t of the obie£fc of their knowledge. The vnfan&ified Chriftian, and the men that are vn- regenerate, they care and ftudy more to know all other things that may be knowne in the world befide, then ei- ther truly to know God or themfelues as they ought : they beftow more precious time about hearkening for all manner of tidings that may bee knowne throughout all countries abroad; to know the ftate of all other>peo- plc of kingdomes and common- weakhes, though neuer fo farre remote,to fcarch what things are done a farre off- though nothing at all appertaining vnto them: then to know how things goe with themfelues at home in their owne bofome, or to take intelligence, and grow ac- quainted with theitate and common-wealth of their owne fot*les,or once to think e of thofc things that are done in their owne breafts,which appmaineto none but themfelues alone. They delight to tell and to talkcof the trouble and bufinefle of this or that countrey, when in the mcane time they care not to take any knowledge what trouble is made in their owne breafts, by wvtfa, cnttie, Bernard, Phil.j.8. Vtqucalmalij de religione docertnt, Contiguasptetas iu fit habere demos. Ecclcf.1x.13, Jn matters to be tymme. 112 Mans afttue obedience, Ch a p. ii. JMchnRhon, entile, bodily luft, ambition, and the like; in fo much as they may be faid to be more ftrangers to their owne na- ture^ their owne foulcs,and to the things that doe con- cernethemfeluesmoft neerelyand peculiarly, then they be to the defertsofIndia,or to the Teas that are furtheft off, word: to be failed vpon, and hardlieft to be knowne. Of whom in refpe& of fuch kind of knowledges, that may bee fpoken and well applied vnto them, which a learned man fpake of forae, of whom heefaid, that in omnibns fciunt aliquid & in toto nihil: In all things they willfceme to know fomethina, and yet in the whole they know nothing; and fo they know nothing to any pur- pofe. The godly on the other fide and true belecuers e- fteeme with the Apoftlc to know nothing, fauing Qhriffi andhimcrucifiedyZnd fo to know themfelues,as they may the better know how to bee faued by him: and this is their chiefeit and profoundeft learning that they looke after. Befides,the carnall men defirc to bee well read in any booke, rather then in the booke of their owne confer- ence, preferring pamphlets, and bookes of idle dif- courfe written by men of corrupt and vaine mindes, who haue more wit,then wifedome how well to vfe it ; (of whom it may truly bee faid, that fpider-like they draw out their Dowels for the catching but of flies), before the wholefome and fauourie writings of men, both godly and learned, which affoord much good hclpe to them that are well exercifed in them, for their better profiting and furtherance of their godly edification. Yea, before the mod facred and holy word of God it felfe, and the diuine Scriptuies, which are the onely religion , and moft toy all fenttttaries of the truth, there being the wifedome of God rcuealed vnto vs in them,and that Vrim and Thummim^htxby we are anfwered as by Oracle from God in al our controller- fics : yea,God himfelfc in them is made knowne vnto vs, who Cu a p.i x. er thtpmr of Codlincjfe. who drawing as it were the curtaines of heauen, doth outofthemrQuealehis owne maicftie vnto vs as with o- pen face. If they can light vpon any thing that is extant, publifhed and brought foorth,drcfled and (as I may fay) diQied out and fet before them, which being once tafted of, both in regard of the agreeablenes of the matter, which they finde therein to be handled, and pieafantnes of the manner and ftile of writing in which it is deliue- rcd,thc fame be found to be meate (as we vie to fay) for their owne teeth, and as well pleating the appetite of the old man that is vainly and carnally minded, as cuer did old Ifaac(\\ho defired to eate of the flefh dtvenifon)\?kz delight to eate of his fonnes venifon, being prepared af- ter the manner oO^ebeckahsRnc dreffing: thcn,as among the lewes, if any would prophecie to them of vine and firong drmke, he {hould be a Prophet alone for that peo- ple. Such bookes are the only bookes in thefc times for fuch fort of readers, fuch writing they thinke moft wor- thie their reading,and arc neuer weane in fo doing. The man famidied with hunger, doth not more eagerly flie vpon, or more greedily deuoure the meate that is before him,then thefe doe the things that are fo written, till ha- uing eaten thereof to the full, and fatiated themfelues with that windie ftuffe,they may blow it out againe into theeares of the next companiethey come into, and be able to difcourfe and hold talke and babble with all forts of men of all manner of bufmefles, faue of thofeonely which of all others it were moft fit for them to bufie themfelues about. But that which Seneca complained of in his time touching things that were vnprofitable, written and taught then, may well be the complaint of thefe times, that many things are written and fet foorth which were worthie to be vnlcarned, if at all they were knowne,and to be chopt off with hatchets, rather then not to haue them gone. Thefe contrarily neglect not to look e to their confei- ence,and daily to turneoucr the lcauesofthat booke to I fee 113 2.Cor.3,iS. Mictu.i i. Seneca ep$$. ii4 M*m aftiueObtdienct, Chap.il Afts 13.10. x.Pct,a.20.2i. ITai.47.10. PfaKi^.133- Ia.ii.i.iJ. Mark.:. -.4. w- ■ An fee what is written there, aswellastoreade other wri- tings for thegetting of other knowledges; yea they a- bouc all things labour to keep e faith, and the knowledge * they hatte in a good conscience both towards God and men al- waies :znd as for their choice of reading bookes, and things that are written for their getting of found know- ledge and better profiting in goodlearning,they prcferre the reading or one line of the iacred Bible and holy Scrip- tures,and one leafc of other good bookes found confo- nanttothc Scriptures, fanclifiedly and fauourly written by fuch as are Orthodox, containing in them wholefome doctrine and profitable inftru£rion that doe tend to fpi- rituall edification , before whole legends and vaft vo- lumes of idle and vnprofitable difcourfes contained in bookes, though iudged neuer fo wittie, and found neuer i fo pleafing and plaufible to the palate and liking of vn- 1 fandified men. The misbeleeuing proferTors^wthe Scriptures and abufe them, and fo are the worfe for their knowledge, peruerting the Scriptures to their owne deftrtt&ion : and though they know the truth and the way of righteouf- nes, yet the y turne away from the holy commandement,zxic\ therefore they had been better neuer to haue knowne I the fame; their knowledge feruing but to encreafe their finnes, and to further the more their iuft condemnation : and as is faid by the Prophet,* A«r wifedom and knowledge doth pernert them, and caufe them to erre. The true beleeuers know the Scriptures, and are gui- ded by them, ordering their fieps in the word of God, and fo are made wife by them to faluatim, they know Gods word and doe it, and fo become blelfed in their deed. They know Chrift,and fo doe thefe : but in a differing manner. They know Chrifr, and perifh with their know- ledge of him, they knowing him but as the Diucls know him,who knew him to conferTe him,faying, We know wh9 thoHart,*nen the holy one of God: but they doe not wil- lingly obey him, nor foundly beleeue in him : and there- fore I C n a p . 1 1 . ot (be power ofGtdlimjp. "5 fore fhall neucr be faued by him. Thefe haue the failing knowledge of Chrift, they knovy him to acknowledge him,as did Teter when hce did con- lohn*/? fetTe hxvnJVe beleeueand know thou art Chrift the Sonne of the- lining God-.io forfakingall to follow him, and truly and ftedfaftly bcleeuing in him,their faith is fo ftrengthe- ned, as the gates of hell fhall neucr freuaile agamfl the Mat.i5.f8. fame* Their knowledge of Chrift hath guile and deceit in it, making them more bold in finning, becaufe they know Chiift hath done all away by his fuffering, abufing the knowledge they haue of him to a more libertie of licen- tious liuing. Theie know Chrift as the truth is in Iefus to become new creatures in him, cafting off the old man>andfutting on Eph.4.11.2 2, 24 the new. 4 In refpeel: of the fubie£t, in which the knowledge of thefe tw r o abideth and is feated, this difference may be obferued. Their knowledge is fwimming in the braine,in an idle and bare fpeculation only. Thefe haue their knowledge defcending and finking lower downe into their hearts, to worke vpon the affe- ctions, to breed the hatred of finne there, and the loue of goodneffe. They keepe the word of God in their eares to heare it, and in their tongues to talke of it : they get knowledge out of the word of God to tip their tongues with fine and eloquent fpeech, and to difputc learnedly about points that are intricate. Thefe lay vp the word of God in their hearts, that it may dwell plentifully there in all wifedome; they hide vp the word of God in their hearts with < Dauid,thzt\t may keepe them from finning : they get knowledge not fo much to tip their tongues with fpcech, as to feafbn their hearts with grace,and to liquour their whole Hues with holincffe,that all their actions may relifh and fauour of I 2 fome Coloff^ \6 . Pfal.119.11. H6 lohn 17.17. i.Pct.i.xi. coiofl:.*.!. M am Aciiue ObeJttnce y Ch a p . i i. Tit. 1.8. Aflsifif. a.Cor.io.ij. 14. ibmc goodneffe. 5 There is great difference betweenc the knowledge of thefe two,in reipe£t of the kinds of their knowledge : which are very ciuers. Ail the knowledge and wifedome of men vnregene- rate,that is to fay of naturall men,it doth moft lighten the vndcrftanding downward : and let it be of things neuer fo high and heauenly, yet being once in them, it becommeth droflie and polluted with their corrup- tion. But the knowledge which is infpired and infufed into the hearts of men regenerate by the Jpirit of fanElifica- tion } is both moft holy and pure in it felfe, and in like manner fan&ifieth them into whofe hearts it is put ; and being farre more diuine, ietteth before their mindes a heauenly great and lightfome Torch fhining vpwards,to make their mindes more heauenly, and their afcttions to befet vf on things aboue. Of the greateft exceltencie of their vnfan&ified know- ledge^ regard of themfelues,and of ttie hurt alio there- by done to others) that may be faid of it that was faid of the knowledge diNouatus, that it was but venenata fa- cundia, but a poyfoned and venomous fineffe and cle- gancie of their skill and fpeech. Thefe haue the wholefome knowledge of the truth/or the fafety of their owne foules,and they fpeak the words of truth andfobernejfevnzo others alio, whom they do in- ftrua. Their knowledge many times, is an affecting to know abouethatwhich is m?et ,andfo arc found exercinng them- felues in things that are too high. Thefe vndcrftand according to/^^rr>^,keeping them- felues within due compaiTe,not ftretching themfelues be- yond their line. They haue much obfeure, confufed,generaIl,and theo- ricaliknowledge,wherein many of them doe excell :they haue plentic of illumination without change of affection, and C h a p . 1 1 . or the power ofGodlineJfe, and fo remaine but carnall (till ; their heart and life being left wholly vnreformed. Thefe haue a much more clearc, diftin6t, fpeciall,effe- 6tuall,and experimental! knowledge,their minds being fo inlightned by the Spirit of God, with the knowledge of Cod out of his Word,as thereupon they are transformed into the image of God from glory to glory. They haue much verball and littcrall knowledge in wordjto fay they know God, but in their desdes to denie him, fo being in' the meane time (as one iuftly calleth them)but beleeuing Atheifts. Thefe haue powerfull and fpirituall knowledge,£#w- ingChrifl with the power of his refurreEhion, which cau- feth the power of godlineflfe to be feenein their Hues. 6 Andlaftly, in re(pe£tofthevfe that thefe put their knowledge vnto, much is the difference betweene the knowledge that is had on both fides. The vnregenerate and vnfan&ified men haue know- ledge,but (as the Prophet fpeaketh) they are brutifh in their knowledge, they know not how to doe right: they haue knowledge and they are wife for the doingofemll, but to doe well they haue no knowledge at all. The truebeleeuer and fan&ified Chriftian hath know- ledge and his vnderftanding is vnto him as a well-fpring and fountaine of life, to caufc him to depart from the fnares of death. The wife dome of the prudent (faith Salo- mon) is to vnderftand his way, that with Dauid, heemay know how tobc\\2L\ie\\imk\kwifely inaperfettway. The iuft by his knowledge is deiiuered from the errour and deceit of the hypocrice, who with his mouth deftroyeth his neighbour. Theyhauingknowledge,many times their wifedome and knowledge doth peruert them,that being wife in their owne eyes^they fal into herefie,maintaine errors,and they hauing knowledge and vtterance of fpeech, as they are of the world themfelues ; fo (faith the Apoftle) they r peake of the world 3 znd the world through them. __ I 3 Thefe II 7 c 2.Cor.j.i8. Tit.i.itf. Phil.j,i< rer.10.t4. Amos 3.10, Icr.4.22. Prou.14.8. Pfal.loj.x. Prou.11.9. Pfal.47.10. r John 4. J. n8 Prou4.t& lfai.fo.4. Prou.T^.7. Pfal. 37.30.31, Prou.ij.i. 2.C0M. 1 7. 2. Cor. 4. 2. x.Per.4.11. Coloff.4.^, Phil.x.xs.i*» iXor.4.5. i.Cor.8.1. lob x 2.2. Prou. 30.1.3. Gcn.18.x7. Iob9.io30.g1 i.Cor.8.2, lob 8.9. x.Cor.Vi8. NihiHgnotum inccelo nihil no turn in terrd. Mans alike obedience. Ch a p .1 1, Thcfe hauing light of knowlcdge,doc ponder the path of thcw fccte jo order their urates aright, and thereby arc better ftablifbcd in the truth. Thefe put their knowledge to a better vfe, they hauing the tongue of the learned, know how to fpcake a word in feafon to him that is wea- rie : when they [peakctheir Itpps doe fpread abroad know- ledge, zn<\ their tongue talketh ofwifedome ; for the Law of God is in their heart. The tongue of the wife (faith Salo- mon)vfeth knowledge aright, where the mouth of fooles doth nothing but poure out foolifhneiTe. They hauing knowledge of things that arc in their na- ture diuine, doe yet handle diuine things in a diuelifli manner ,and handle the word of God deceitfully. Thefe handle the Word of God purely, as with waft- ed hands \ they doe with Dauid, wajh their hands in tnno- cencie, and fo compaffc the Altar : they fpeaking Gods W »rJ,ipeakeitasthewordofGod; yea, their ipeech is ordinarily gracious,and powdred with fait. They by their knowledge may preach : but either they preach themfclues,and not Chrift ; or preaching Chrift, preach him ofcontention,znd not iincerely, but offlrife and enuie. Thefe hauing knowledge to preach, preach not them- &\ucs>buz Chrift Iefus the Lord, and themfelues feruants to the people for Chrift his fake : they preach Chrift, not as the other doe of cnuie^ut of goodwill. The ir knowledge puffeth them vp,andmaketh their minds to fwell, they being wife in their owne eyes, thinke themfelues the oncly,and that wHedome muft ncedes die with them. The knowledge of thefe pulleth them downe,and ma- keth men more vile in their owne eyes,as they haue more knowledge of themfelues : their knowledge tcacheth them to know, that they know nothing as they ought to know ; and to fay with 'Bildad, We are butofyefterday, and know Kothingtlezrmng from the Apoftle to become fooles in their owne eyes,that they may be wife. Their Ch a p . 1 1 . or the power ofGcdUncJfc. Their knowledge is idle knowledge, they know and doe not with the Pharifies, andaseiiill and naughty fer- uants ^knowing their mafters wilrefufe to doeit,and therfore are like to be beaten with many flripes. The knowledge of thefe is fruitfully caufing them to ioyne with their knowledge ^temperance, patience, godlines, &c.w\d fo they are neither idle nor vnfrttit full : it teacheth th em to denie vngodlinejfe andworldlj lufts, and to line fo- berly,righteoujly,andgodlily in this prefent world, that they may walke worthy of the Lord vntoali pleafing, being fruitful! in every good worke, as they doe increafe in the knowledge of God. And this doth the Apoftle 7^/* make to be the triall of the knowledge of Chrift to be good, and that we may know, we doc know him aright, if wee keepe his commandemems. Their knowledge fcrueth but to make them wife: and lcarneder,teaching them how to difcourfe well, and how to difpute well. The knowledge of thefe ferueth not onely to make them learneder, but to make them better, teaching them how to Hue well. Their knowledge is often abufed to wrong the truth, they by learning being as enemies that are armed ; many that haue had great leaming,and jjreat wits, often proo- uing great enemies vnto goodneiTe. Thefe can doe nothingagainfi the truth at all, but all the learning and knowledge they haue,is imployed and fet a- worke to defend the truth : but they haue no knowledge to doc any thing againft the truth. Thefe and the like are found to be the fundrie and di- uers vfes,whereunto both the one and the other do make their knowledge to feme, by which it mayeuidentlye- nough be difcerned how greatly,as in other refpe£ts;fo in refpc& of the vfe of knowledge, the knowledge of either doth differ from the knowledge of the other. And fo to conclude this point, concerning the differing knowledge in them that are vnfound and vnfan&ified, and in them 1 4 that Iio Matth.23.3. Luke 1 1.47. j.Pet.1.^.7.8. Tit. 1.1 1. 1 2, Colofl'.i.io. [John 1.3. Nihil inmicum magu veritati uum'mnimio. *.Cor.i3.$. 120 Nil prflfunt k. &a mji ttipfum legas. i.Cor.i.xo. a.Cor.5.i7. ir&i 2^.14. MansaSme obedience^ Ch ap.i l that fhall be faued>by that which hath been laid (I think) it may plainely enough appeare, that in Gods matters the greatefl (flerkes (according to that which is faid in the prouerbe) are not alwaies found. to be the wife ft men: neither will much learning alone be fufficient to bring men to e- ternall faluation, vnlcffe their learning be good learning, that may make them not onely wifer,but better men,and their knowledge be fanclified and fauing,caufing them as to know r Chriit with his fufrerings that he died for their finnes,fo to know by their owne experience, and feeling in themfelucs, what is the power of his refurre6tion, for the quickning and reuiuing of them to all righteoufneffe and holineffe of liuing. If men had all other knowledges, if they had skill in all Arts and Sciences that could be at- tained vnto; and were fo great Doctors, and deepeDi- uines,as they could difcuffe the hardeft points inDiuini- tie, and anfw r ere all queftions, and refolue clearely all dou ots that might be moued; if they were neuer fo cun- ning difputers,yet if they haue not learned toknow£hrift, as the truth is in Iefus ; w r hich is, that all that fay they are in him mufi be new creatures, that is, be renewed in mind, thoughts, purpofes, defires, affections, fpeeches,a6Hons and whole behauiour,and this be fo knowne,as it reft not alone in idle fpeculation, but in like manner be brought into a£tion,and knowne by practice in life and conuerfa- for want of the knowledge of this one truth al fuch tion knowledges (be they neuer fo abfolute and exa6t (of all manner of truths that are to be knowne befide,which by their earneft ftudies, their vnceflant paines of their daies labours,their nights watchings, their vnknowne trauells all their life-time taken, they haue now at the length fo hardly come by, (hall yet profit them nothing. Info much as(which were a ftrange iaying,cuen a maruellous worke and a wonder to fee it done,and who will beleeue the re- port of it,if it fhould bee fpoken), yet I dare bee bold to fay, let men bee failing but in that one point alone, and though they were the greateft learned men that were in the Chap.ii- orthepomrofGodlweffe. | m the whole world befide, whom all did admire for their moft abfolute and moft excellent skill and knowledge in all good literature,wherein befide they were feene neuer fo to excell ; yet fhould they vndoubtedly with all their knowledge perifh,for the want of knowledge : the wife- dome offuch wife men fhould per ijb, and the vnderftanding Hofea 4.6, offuch prudent men be hid; and the pooreft ideot, being a M»W.i4« found Chriftian,wanting other knowledges, but know- y c ^ r,I,I g ing this may worthily be faid, to go beyond the profoun- delt Clerke of them all, that is not fan&ified. It were good therefore,that learned men vpon this confederation would doe, as it is faid ^#g#/?/Wdid,hearing of Anthonie the Hcremite his holy life, who fpeaking to his compani- on Altpius, cried out to him,faying, Quidhoc eft? quidpa- Lib.confejf.%* timur t furgunt indoBi & coelum rapiunt & nos cum doClri- ca P-*< nis nofiris fine corde ecce vbi volutamur in came & infan- guine ? What meaneth all this? whatisitthatwefufferfthus tyrannised oner by our luftsjhe vnlearned getting vp^are be- fore vs in getting ofheauen , while we with all our learnings as without hart fye ftil groueling andwallowing inflejh & blood* It were good that they would think of ioyning with their a.Pct.i^.j.io, knowledge,vertue,tepcrance,patience,brotherlykindnes, & the like,as Peter counfelleth; that fo as they might nei- ther be idle nor vnfruitful/o thefe things being in the,and abounding,they may become fure they {hall neuer fail, .Their danger of perifhing for want of knowledge, is not for want of literall,theoricall,and ipeculatiue knowledge,but for want of liuely,effe£tuall & pracSticali knowledge^ their R ro.6 2? minds are mlightned fufrlciently in generall to know,that V(sl.ui.$. the reward of all fin is death ; that all workers of iniquity Pfal.9.17. muft perifh/^ the wicked fhal be turnedinto hel.andallthe \ * M 4 people that forget God;znd that without holinefjeno man {hall fee GW:but I feare many are < ; eceiued in this point (who know much other wifejto thinke that there may bcvirtu- tis nimium,mznxnzybz too precife, and too ftricl: in their holines;and in that they dreame of a greater libertie, and make larger grants & liceofes to themfelues to continue in their 122 M Arts atliue obedience. C h AP.II. 2.Cor«4.4< »,Tim.i 19* Mis 16. 18.19, i.Cor.9.27. Pfal.91^.7. Mauh7.1t. their finnes,then they can find warrant for out of Gods Word, and yet hope for all that to come well enough to heauen. Knd others, when they fee thern that are learned fo to take liberty ,and fo to liue,they follow after without either feare or wit (as we vfe to Ipcake), holding it for a principle,that tutum eft irrare authoribus illis : thefe men (fay t\\ey)know as much as the befi ; if they knew they might not doe it, they would not doe as they doe; if fitch men erre,we dare at a venture err e with them for company. If there bee any thing hidden & kept fecret fiom men in thefe know- ing and vnderftanding times, wherein the world and age we liue in,may be faid after a fort to bee as full of know- ledgers the fea is of water; it is in things not fo much ap- pertaining to the information of mens minds, as to the re- formation of mens manners fhe god of the world fo blinding the eyes of the mofi,cuen among them that are profeflbrs of the faith,that the light of the glorious Gofpell(though it fhine clearely enough to make known this whole matter) yet it fhould not {bine vnto them,to let them fee how ab- solutely neceffary it is to the attainement of faluatio,for al that nameth the name of Chrift, to depart from almaner of iniquity, and fo to be changed and throughout fan&ified, as not to reft with Jlgrippa, in being almofl or halfe per- fwaded to leaue their finnes,andreforme their liues, but wholly to be like Paul, and altogether of his practice, who beftowed labour vpon hinafelfe, for the taming of his body, and bringing it vnderjefi by any meanes when he had preach- ed to others, he himfelfe Jhouldbe a cafl-away. That which was a fecret in Dauids time,or whofoeuer elfe it was that made the Pfalme for the Sabbath, is frill a fecret to this day vnto men of the like fafhion,that is,an vnwife or bru- tifh man knoweth not, neither doth afoole vnderftand th\s/hatallthe workers ofiniejuitie, cuen when they flou- rilli moRyfhtllbe deflroyedfor euer ; and that many who know Chrift to profeffe him, and know Chrift topreach him,yer (hall not be knovrne of Chrift in that day ofhisap- pearingbut be lent away with this anfweregiuen them, ' ^ ^Depart C h a p . 1 1 • or the power ofGodlinejJe. j 123 Depart from me 1 'know y 'on not, and all becaufcthcy haue; been workers ofiniquitie: and then tlicy (hall(though too late) fee their owne folly in the end, and how much (for, all their good knowledge thatin other things they haue had),they yet haue been deceiued in this ; when they dial hauecaufe(tooiuftlyJ to ccmplaine, that dtfrt'.Uion and Rom. 3. 1^.17 vnhappinejfe haue been in their wayes 3 znd the wayes of truth they haue not knownc. Let men haue whatknowledgethcy may, if they faile in obedience to Gods commandements, there is not a dramme of found wifdome, and failing knowledge in them at all, as the Lord fpeaketh by his Prophet,^)? doe you fay, wsare wife, and the Law of the Ier.8,8.^. Lord is with vs; they haue reietled the word of God, and then what wifedome is there in them ? That was good lear- ning which a Heathe Philofopher could fay,was the lear- Sencc * ow- ning and wifdome of old time, which taught nothing more lob 28.18, thenwhat was fit to be done,andwhat to beleftvndone*Novf we are taught more how to difpute well, how men were much better,though not fo learned : now men,fince they ate growne more learned,haue left of to be fo good. Of all learning it is the beft learning, truly to know God, and feare himjhefeare of the Lord being true wifedome ,and the departingfrom euill being the befl vnderflanding : according to that which the Pfalmift fpeaketh, that a good vnder- pfaUn.io, fianding haue they that doe there-after, and thepraife there- of will endure for euer. If any defire to know, how with all their other knowledges they might come to know this la(t,and of all the reft, the beft, and moft ncedefull point of knowledge,namely,fo to know Chrift,as therewithall to know allo,that all that are in Chrift, and looke to bee fauedbyhim, of neceffitie muftbec new creatures, and purge themfelues as he is pure, let them with prayer and holy meditation,learnc in humility the way of liuing wel: in learning it,lct them obey it ; and in obeying,they fhall ftill learnc it bctter,as our Sauiour himfelfc hath promifed to thcm,that will doe the will of his Father. And fo much i let be faid concerning this point of the difference of the know- 1 Pfal.aj.5. John 7.17 & 8.31.3 a. — I 124 Mans aftiue obedience. C h a p . 1 2 A knowledges that may be difccrned, and found to bee a- mong men. Diuersappre- benftonofCbri^ Chap. XII. Theftcond differet)cc,which is in their laying hold of Chri/i for faluation. Queftion. Elide knowledge you haue fiewed, there mu ft be alfo a laying holdofQhrift^ with aperfi.'a- Jion that God will be fauonr able to vs in and through him: and for as much as in hypo- crites, thefe alfo may feeme to be found as well as the knowledge ofChrift; I pray you Jhew what difference may be put betweene the apprehenfion of Christ for faluation by a true beleeuer, and the perfwaft- on he hath of obtaining faluation by him, and that which can bee found in one that is not currant nor found in his be- leeuing, *A. The one layeth hold of Chrift in imagination and conceit onely ; and therefore is neuer the better : theo- ther in truth and certaintie, andfo vndoubtedly becom- meth faued thereby. The apprehenfion of (fhrift by an hypocrite in his owne imagination, is but as the holding of an Angell of gold in the hand of one,that is decerned by a Juggler, that hath his fenfes preftigiated by the cunning working of the diuell : fuch a one is made to beleeue he hath that he hath not ; the Iuggler in fhew,and to his feeming,puts an Angell into his hand, bids him (hut his hand, and hold itfaft;theman now thinks hee hath it fure, but when hee openeth his hand to take out his piece of gold, hee either findes nothing there; or if any thing at all, nothing better then a flippe, a piece of copper, or a counter that, will goe for no payment, and fo finds himfelfc ,. I » •■* > •• * C h a p . 1 2 . or she power ofGodlweJJt. himfelfe to be ncuer the better for it, nor neuer the ri- cher, but meerely coufoned and deluded by a fahc con- ceit. There is a hiftory related (if the matter be not mifta- ken) of an Apoftatateprofejfor, who comming to the ta- ble ef the Lordto receiue thcSacrament, when hee had re- ceiued the bread into his hand, it became turned into ajb.shy and by. Which (if it were lb) did plainly enough fhcwthat Chrifl would feedenofuch; but as hee had withdrawne his heart from Chrift, foChrift could well enough withdraw himfelfe from him,tbat hefhould ne- uer apprehend him, andhauenopart in him: the diuell made fuch a one beleeue,and his owne falfe heart begui- led him as well as did the diuell, caufing him to thinkc, that if he could come to the Lords table and partake in the Sacrament,he fhould receiue £hrift well enough : as it is the conceit of themoft to this day, who neuer do goe further ; but he found by lamentable experience, that the deceiucr had beguiled him : for, opening his hand for bread to put into his mouth,there was nothing but aflics found,andfo nothing to eate; hee might frame welle- nough for any nourishment that was there to be had. Though all hypocrites in comming to the Sacrament, there to apprehend Chrift, and to receiue ( as they vfe to fpeake) their Maker, haue not alwaies fuch a vifible tignc put into their hands of receiuing nothing, as had this backjflider ; yet let them looke into their hearts, and there they fhall find(if they be wel ranfacked and fearch- ed) as true nothing to be there ; no prefence of Chrift, of his flcfh,and his blood, for their fpirituall nouriflment; as that man had no bread remaining but afhes in ftead of bread for him to feedc vpon : a lye being in their right hand 'through a Reduced heart beguiling them, as fpeaketh the Prophet. And fo their cafe paralelleth the cafe of thar man,whofeienfesthecoufoningIuglerby Satans fo po- werful! working had fo preftigiated, as he was made to bcleeuehchad a piece of gold put into his hands, but when **5 Ifa. 44. io. 126 Apoc. 3. 17. A/^w dffiuc Obedience, Ch a p.i 2. Mat.16.26.28. when he looked to take it out,therehee found nothing, but all was gonne. In like manner thefe, with thofe o&Laodicea, who were profeflbrs as well as the beft,and thought they had their part in Chrift as plentifully as who had moft : that thought they were rich enough and wanted nothing ; when in the meane time they knew not that they were wr etched, miferable, poor ejrlind, andna- ked 'granting all 'things ; till the matter at length -came to be tried, and then it was proued to be fo indeed : fo thefe thinke they haue laid good hold of Chrift, and are fo furely poflefled of him, as there is no feare at all of their cuerperifhingfor their being out of him. But when tri- allfhall bee made thereof at the day ofiudgement, or at the houre of death, when they fhall begin to cry, Lord, Lord, vnto Chrift, Maflerfnafterjwwhelpe and fauevs \ he will then ftand aloofe oft, and make the matter very ftrangc vnto them., as though hee had neuer know r ne them. Then fliall it appeare that there was neuer any found nor true acquaintance betweene Chrift and them £ they neuer in Chrift, becaufe they were not new crea- tures : Chrift neuerin them; and therefore they will be found to be no better then plaine reprobates. Q. But offfich profejfors comming to the Sacrament there to receine Chrift, and to be partakers of him, you can- not fay they receiue nothing, for they rcceiue the holy figncs I andfealesof (fhrifi his body and blood, ftamped with the true andvneonnterfait impreffwn of Gods owne Ordinance : andinftitution,to make them more rener end in our eyes and, efiimaticn: yea they are filled and named by the inftitutor \ and ordaincr of himfelfe ; not the fights andftales of his bo- \ dy and blood,, but they are called his body andblood,thatwee \ might know to opir comfort, the Lard his plaine and full meaning is not toprcfent on fly the fignes to be receiuedby vs, but the thin% that is fignified,aswel as. the fignes in like man- ner to be offered vnto vs, to become ours f A. True,and foitproueth to be to the worthy recei- uer t who bringeth with him as well a fpintuall hand of '• faith 1 1 Ch a p . 1 2 . er tbepowtr ofGedtineffe. 127 faith, to receiue and lay hold of the thingi\\zi is Jignified, as zbodily handofflefh to receiue the outward fgne there- of, andbringeth as well thcvejfell of his heart purged and madecleane for the flefh and blood of Chrift to beeput into, for the fpirituall nourishing of himtoeternallhfe, as his mouth is prepared, and readily opened to receiue the bread and wine for the bodily nourifhing of this temporarie life. And for all that hypocrites and misbelee- uers in receiuing the Sacrament, either receiue nothing, or that which to them is as good as nothing,if it bee not worfe, making themfelues thereby guilty of the body and blood of Chrifi, and fo receipting their owne damnation, but Chrift to faluation \ am fure they doe notieceiue, neither at all apprehend to haue him to be theirs. They may re- ceiue,as Iudat is faid to receiue -panem domini, but not panem dominum\ the bread of the Lord, but not the bread •which is the Lord. The Word and Sacraments by Gods ordinance are as Chrifts vcftments and garments where- with he is coucred, vnto which the true belecucrs com- ming, taking them,and touching them with the hand of faith, they reach further then to the outward garment and couering,touching Chrift himfelfe, and taking hold of him ; and (o with the woman in the GoCpdljheydraw Mark. j. 27. 28. vertue out of him for their healing. But vnbeleeuers that 30. want this true faith, they can catch hold of nothing but the bare garments, and outward couerings alone, they comming to feeke Chrift there, find him no more there prefent vnto them, then Peter and John found Chrift in the fepulchre when they went to feeke him after hee was loh,io.$.6.7. rifen ; they found indeed the linnen clothes in which hec | waswrapped,but him they found not, for hee was rifen and gone from thence. They find in the Sacraments the : outward elements of Chrifts Outward vcftments and j garments he vfeth to be clothed withall; but him they fhall be fure neuer to find comming in that fafhion to feeke him; no, though they fhould goe after him with their bttltockes, goates and ojferings, fo feeking his ac- H^f. 5.^. quaintance 128 Ifa.ip.i3' Hcb.io.j8. Mans Attttu btditnce, C h a p . 1 2 • quaintance,and to get a countenance at his hands, the' Lord fo iuftly requiting them , that as they like hypo- : crites draw neare to them with their lippes oncly, their hearts in the meane time being remoued farre from him : \ fo he will be feene to take no pleafure in them,not to be ; found of them,whcn they doe ieekc him, or to fhewat, ail any countenance vnto them : according to that, If any man withdraw himfe If e, my foule fhall haue m fleafure m him* Indeed I cannot denie they haue receiued the Lords I holy Sacraments,of God his ownc inftitution, and that they are not a little proud on; theythinke they are well 1 enough for that day,and it may be for that yeere, till that I day tweiue^moneth come againe : they thinke, hauing I admittance from theMinifter,and gotten the Sacrament once into their hands;they haue wealth enough, and are rich enough to defray all charges, and to pay all debts, that either God their (/redttor, or the diuell their accu- fer can burthen them withall ; for Chart ( they make rec- i koning) fliall now anfwerc for all ; they make no doubt ; they haue receiued him when they receiued the Sacra- j ment,and fo hauing had him,they ftill hold him faft. In- , deed if this were fo, that opening their hands of faith, they might fee him there held fall:, and opening the doorc of their hearts,they could find him truly prefent, and there dwelling in their hearts by that faith, then were they rich indeed,both to pay all that were owing, and to Hue of that which remained befide. But in (read of this Angell of gold,that which they haue, prouethto be no better then a very flip or counter, which they tooke in ftead of good gold or filuer, which will goe for no paymcnt,that will buy them no bread, nor pay any pen- nie debt ; they may ftarue for hunger for any thing that with that they can buy at Gods hands : they may be caft into prifon, and there lie till they rot, for any fhortening of their debt they owe vnto God with making fuch pai- ment : for thefe to pleadc before God, the rcceiuing of his C h a p . 1 2 . or the power ofGodlwrffe* his Sacraments, will be fo farre from cleering of the debt- bookers it will runne them further into arerages with him, and bring them deeper into his danger : nothing is for them to bee hoped for, that this way can bee got- ten. But now on the other fide, a true Chriftian that is found in the faith, doth by his faith fo truly apprehend Chrift, that hee hath reall and true vnion and communion •with him to become one with him,2ti\d is fo neerely and in- feparably ioyned vnto him, fo ingrafted by faith, and thereby fo incorporated into him, us he is in Chrift; and Chnftin him. The meate that we feed vpon is not more truly made one with ourfubftance, after once we haue ea- ten it,and God hath blcflfedit for ournourifhing. The plant that is well grafted and fet into a^^becommeth not more one with the ftock, after once it hath flourifhed and growne vp with the tree. The husband and the wife of two are not more truly become oneflefh, after mariagc be confummate. The body and the head are not more neerely vnited and conioyned together in a man that is liuing, then is fflrift with a true (lor iflian , after that by faith hee hath once laid hold on him. Yea, fo is a true Chriftian really and vndoubtedly poftefled of Chrift by hisftedfaft beleeuing, as that he hath him dwellinginhis heart by faith, and that in (o liuely a fort, and after fo effe- ctual! a manner of working in him, as that thencefoorth, not fo much the Chriftian doth liue, as Chrift himfelfe doth liue in him, and the life which a true beleeuer doth afterward liue in the flefti,he doth liue by the faith of the Sonne of Cod, from whom as from his head he draweth and deriueth by his faith fuch influence of grace,as doth ftrengthen and fuftaine him in his fpirituall life. Their conceits of apprehending Chrift and of eating his fleftiand hisbloud in theSacrament,to bee nourifhcd thereby to life eternall, is but as when a hungrie man dreameth and behold he eateth, but when hee awaketh, his ftule is ftill emptie : or as when a thirftie man dreameth K and 129 1. Cor. rf.17. Ioh.r4.20. Rom t 8.i.io. John6.f6", Iohnlj.J. Ephef.f. 30.31. Epheni.2i*3. Ephcr.3.17. GaLi.ao. Ifai. 19 8. 130 Mans acitue Obcdttnct, Ch a p . 1 2. PfaU7-$. Pfal.i6.ii. rrai.65.13.14. Pfal.4?.i.2. Matth.5.5, Matth.24« l8 « and behold \\c drink^th, bwi when he awakcth behold he is faint, and his (bulc hath ftill appearand hec is yet a; thirfr. Sothefe men they arc but in a dreame when they] haue fuch contentment, and ieemc to haue fuchfatisfy-! ing in their manner of hauing Chrift, which is but in ; phantafie and conceit alone : for when they fhall awake out of their dreame in the morning of the rcfurrcEiion, they fhall not finde according to that 7)^^/ reckoned vpon, that when he fhould awake vp,hef7jould befatisfied- with Gods image : and finde fu/neffe ofioy in Gods prefence, j and pleafures at his right hand for euermcre : But rather as : vagrant and needie rogues that haue nothing and can get no entertainment, and as hungrie dogs runne about I the ftreetes mailing and grinning, and grudging becaufe they are not fatisfied : and as it is laid in Ifaiah, Theyjhall then be hungrie and thirftie ; afhamed and confounded, cry- ing out for forrow of heart, and howling for vexation of fpi- ritjeauing their name for a curfe to Gods chqfen in the day that the Lord fljall fay them, Contranly, found-hearted Chriftians and true belee- uers indcedjW'hofe foules with Dauid doe thirfl for God, euen for the liuing God .- who hunger and thirft after right e- Gufniffe,2x\& the faluation that is to bee had in Chrift Ie- fus : wherefoeuer that dead carkafe may be light vpon of Chrift crucified,o{ his flefh and bloud broken and pow- red out and prepared for their fpirituall nourifliment ; whether in the word preached or Sacraments admini- ftred, thither as the Eagles of heaucn doe they fwiftly flie and refortjthat prey doe they light vpon, there doe they feaze and lay hold vpon Chrift, euen vpon him crucified, fecking their repaft in him; there doe they feede vpon him with frefh appetite, and take their fill of fuch dain- ties,as in him they finde to be prepared for them.Neither doe they this in a phantafic alone, and meereimagina- ion,asdoe thofe that dreame,but with as ioyfull a fee- ling and as great a reioycing,as thofe that are made moft menie at a banquet of wine .-for there finde they a moft fump- Chap. 12. orthtfwerofGodlintffe, »3* Matth.tz.z. Iohn£.y3. Plal.6j.i3. 14. lumptuous banquet and princely feaft prepared for them vponthe Lords mountaine, euen afeafl of fat things and\ of wines on the lees ,o£ fit things full of marrow,o£ wines on Ifaiay/ the lees well refined. The Lord his table being furnifhed as the royall table of a King at the manage of his Sonne, with the fweete bread of the frneit of the wheate, euen the bread and manna, of God that came down from heatten, and with wine or the grape of a moft noble kinde : that is 3 with the precious body and bloud of our Sauiour Chrift Iefus. There are they lb abundantly fatisfied with thefatnes of Gods ho-fe, and the Lord doth make them 10 to drink their fill out of the niters ofhispleafures there, that they cannot but bee merrie and much reioyce, yea fing for very ioy of heart. And the effect of their true feeding vpon this fpirituall nourii*hment,and of the com- fortable refrefhing they feele themfelues to be cheated withall, after they haue fucked and been fatisfied with fuch hony combes of all Gods mercies , as they haue found and plucked out of the carkafe of that dead Lion of the tribe of fudah, doth as manifeitly appeare in the car- riage of their Hues folio win g(which is fufrlcient to fhew they haue fed indeed,and not in phantafie), while their fpirits are found to be reuiued inthem,they waxing lufty and ilrong thereby /at and well liking,and frefh in do- ing dutie, and in bearing out their labour as flron^ men in fhrift lefus , and the eyes of their vnderftanding io cleered and made lightfomc to fee their way, and to vn- derltand Gods w'Aljhat they may know how to walk? and fleafe htm : as euer the effect ofSamfons drinking of wa- ters after his great thir(t,and of Jonathans tailing of hony after his great wearinefTe, was feene and perceiucd in the refrefhing of either of them thereby. Of Samfon'w. is faid j that his lpirit came againe,and he reuiued after his great thirfl:,v : hen once he had drunke of that water which the Lord caufed to flow out of the hollow place of the iaw, with which he flew fo many of the Philiftims. And of Jonathan \x. isfaid,that when he and all the people were K 2 faint iudg.1jf.j9/ *3 : i.Sami4.i7. L Mans AttiutObtdimcty Chap. 12, iloh.5.11. 1. lob. j. 1 a. i.loh.5.10. IoK7.$8. i.Sam.i5«3 0< faint wich much fafting, his eyes were cleered and in- lightened after hee had once dipped the end of the rod that was in his hand in an hony combe, and putting it to his mouth had tailed of the fame. Though a temporarie beleeuer maybe faid to appre- hend and lay hold vpon after a fort, of the promifesof faluation, and vpon the merits ofChrift for faluation : yet there is guile alfo in this, for both it is vpon wrong grounds, mifapplying the promifes and after a wrong manner,more laying hold vpon the merits of Chrift,then vpon Chrift himfelfe, and therefore laying hold vpon the ftreames and miffing the fountaine ; whatfoeuer their comfort may be for a time,yet their hearts at length are as the drie cifternes that want water,becaufe they are cut off from the fountaine : and fo their candle and the light of all their comfort is quite extinct and put out a- gaine. Truebelceuers lay hold ofChrift himfelfe who is their life ; they apprehend him for their Sauiour,and they finde faluation in him : God hauing giuen vs li£c y that life is in his Sonne ; they that haue the Sonne 3 hatie life: the true be- leeuer hath Chrift dwelling in his heart by faith ; they haue the fountaine of life and comfort in thcmfelues : and as John faith fhey haue the witnes in themfelues : their com- fort therefore is fure, and it is lafting, riuers of water of life flow out of their bellies, they neuer are drie. As the manner of their apprehending is faultie,fo the ends which they aimc at in apprehending ofChrift are not right. They fceke to haue Chrift and to haue his ac- quaintance, and to be knowne to be towards him, that they might bee honoured among men, and the better thought onfortheprofeffing of him, as Saul defired Sa- muels companie and prefence, that thereby hee might the more be honoured before the people. Themoft they feeke in feeking to him is but themfelues : they wi(h with Baalam to die the death of the righteous : faluation they would haue from him, and that they catch at,but Chrift himfelfe Ch a p . 1 2 . or the power ofGodliticJJi. himfelfe they doe not fo much feaze vpon, nor care fo much to haue that either hee fhould be in them by the forcer of his death .crucifying the fiejh with the affetlions and tufts thereof; or they be in him to become neve creatures in him. Their dealing herein is like to the dealing of theeues and malefa&ors,who looke for no other benefit by a Parlia- ment,but to heare of a pardon,neuer defiling to heare of any good lawes to gouerne better their hues: they that minde to liue by theeuerie carrie fuch a minde. The true bcleeuers defire and feeke to haue Chrift, not alone in refpe6t of their owne faluation,but for the fur- paffing excellencie that is feene to be in himfelfe : they Know him to be the chiefe of the choice of men; yea to be the chiefeft of tenne thoufand,and in himfelfe to bee euery way wholly delectable; and therefore their hearts are fo affe&ionatcd towards him,as that he, and he alone is their only welbeloued ; his name is as fwcete ointment powred out,and therefore with the virgins they doe loue him, and with the Spoufc they runne after him, feeking for him in euery corncr,becaufc it is he whom their fbulc loueth and delighteth in: yea with the Spoufe they doe qrowficke of hue, vntill they may enioy him. In feeking nim they feeke not their owne honour, but that they might honour him, and are willing to be fubieft to him as to be faued by him ; and therefore renouncing all o- thers they betake themfelues only vnto him,and fay (as it is in the Prophet) O Lord .other Lords befide thee haue had dominion ouervs,but vcee mil mak^ mention of thee and of thy name only. They laying hold of Chrift,lay hold of him that laieth no hold of them ; they crie Mafter,Mafter vnto him,fee- kingandferaping acquaintance of him that renounceth them, and wholly doth difclaime them ; bidding them depart from him, for hee doth not know them : they lay ho\do£ Chrift us Saul did of Samuel, that tookc no de- light in him, but turned away from him, as hauing no heart to abide longer with him ; he was therefore tame '. K 3 to 133 Caotic.f.8, Ifaf.id.ij, i.Sanjf.i*. 27.18, 134 Mans a&tue obedience^ Ch a p .i 2. Iolixo.14. ».Tino.2.ip. Hof.2 13. Per^im in Gd, 4.9. i.Toh.4.19. to offer violence to Samuel, and to rend his garment, though he got no more by it but to hearc, God kad rent away his kingdomefrom him: thefe rend and teare the Scriptures by mil-applying of them,and all to/W/Chrift to them, who cares not for them ; who fhall get no more by that reading, then Saul did by his; for their names (hall therefore be rent out of the booke of life, becaufe they haue wronged and abufed Gods booke, and pulled and rent the Scriptures to a clcane contrary end and pur- pofe then was meant, or they eucr were written for. Thefe apprehend Chrift, becaufe hee firft did appre- hend them,and knew them for his owne,as a good fliep- heardknowethhis flocke, fo the Lord knoweth who are his, and he giueth then a gain e to know that hee is theirs, and fo to make daime vnto him : according to the ftipu- lation of the new Couenant betwecne Chrift and the re- deemed ; he faith to them, you are my people; and they faying to him, thou art our Lord; thou art our Chrift, thou art oml{edeemer. It is well obferued by a godly man and learned Diuine of our time, that the workes of grace and fauour in God, imprint their image in the hearts of them that belong to God in whom they are wrought. There is a knowledge in God whereby hee knowes who are his : this knowledge brings forth ano- ther knowledge in vs,whereby we know God to be our God. There is an election in God, whereby hee chufeth the Ele& to be his people ; which worketh in them ano- ther ele6lion,whereby they chufe God to be their God. The loue whereby God loues vs, workes in vs another loue whereby we loue God againe. Chrift apprehends vs to be his redeemed, that workes in vs the apprehend • on of faith whereby we lay hold vpon him to be our re- redeemer : and by this (faith he) we may know that we be- long to Cjod, ifwefinde anyfuch impreffion of Gods grace in vs. Thefe then know Chrift to be their Sauiour, becaufe hefirftknewthemtobe his ownewhom he would re- deemer they are his, and he calleth them by name, and I cheareth Chap. 1 2. ortbepowerofGcdlineJfe* cheareth them at the heart,by faying vnto them,as it is in the Prophet, Feare not, I haue redeemed thee, thou kn mine.Thcy lay hold of him, becaufe hee layeth hold of them.holdingthembyhis right hand, and holding alfo their right hand,thathemay euer helpe them. They doe not lay hold of him as Saul did vpon Samuel, that turned away from him and would haue been gone: but zsZa- cheusdid welcone Chrift vnto his houfe, whoflrftbe- fpake his owne entertainment,and was defirous to come to his houfe, and brought faluation with him when hee came. They laying hold ofChrift,lay hold of him who doth not at all belong to them, nor was euer giuen them, or appointed for them,no more then childrens bread belong to dogges, though they fticke not to fnatch it from them : for though Chrift died for the finnes of the woild, yet intentionally he did neuer lay downc his life for hypo- crites and vnbeleeuers,who fhall die and pcrilh for all him (though he hath done enough to faue them) onely by meanes of their owne vnbelcefe, becaufe they doe not truly and rightly beleeue in his name : and therefore their chalenging of Chrift to be their Sauiour, and claime that they make to the benefit of his redemption, is no more iuft,then was the claime that the harlot made, who was not the owne mother to the liue child that was none of hers. Thefe lay hold of him, and by faith doe apprehend him,ashauing of all others the greateft intercft in him, and all Iawfull right to claime him for their owne,as who was prepared, fet apart, and appointed for them before the world had any beginning 5 and in the fulnejfe of time wasfentto be borne of a woman, And to bee borne a Sauiour vnto them ; and therefore they may iuftly fay, and ioyfully proclaime it before Angels and men, as Ifaiah lets it downe, that vnto vs a child is borne, and vnto vs a fonne is giuen, euen giuen by a double donation ; one from the j the Fathe^another from himfelfc : which gift hath been K4 publiftied 135 ira.43.1. Ifa.4i.io.i3. Pfal.73.z3. x.Sam.i5.i6, 17.18. Luk.i^.j.p. Mtt.1j.26 loh. 3.18. 1 .King.3.22. Gahth.4.4, Luk.2.11, lh.9.6. ioh.j.itf. Gat. 2. 20. Ephcf.j. 2 J. «3« Cint i.i^« and 7. io. Mm 13.ii. Ioh.*.i*. Ioh.15.tf. Hcb.10.1^ Cant. 3.4. Mat. 26 *9. Ioh.14.16. JI/4W att'tut Obedience^ Ch a p .1 2, publifhed by proclamation throughout all the world; eftabhfbed inblood^fealedin Sacraments, and the perfor- mance thereof witnejfed vnhinedly, both by Angels and men. Now what is more free then gift ? and who is more faithfiill then God, and Chrift, who are the giuers, to fee the grant and gift performed. Euery good Chriftian therefore and true beleeuer haue a free deed of gift to (hew out of the Court-rolles of the Scriptures, whereby to proue the title and claimc they make to Chrifl for be- ing theirs.to be moft lawfull and iuft ; and therefore they may challenge and claimc him by as good right to bee their owne, as may the bride challenge the bridegroome to be hers after he hath giuen himfelfe to her 5 and (he on the other fide giuen her felfe vnto him, by mutuallpro- mifcs,and by faith and truth to each other plighted, in which thofc promifes arc giuen and receiued, and that before fufficient witneffes, that are able to witnefleand tcftifie the fame : and fo may ring ioyfully with the Spoufe in the Canticles, without fcarc of controlmcnt by any, my belouedis mine, and lam his, and his defire is vnto me. They, as temporary bclceuers and time- feruers, doc lay hold of Chrirt,and let himgoe againe, as Afofiatates, and back-fltdersreuok from him and fall away,fo mak- ing thcmfclues liable to that danger which our Sauiour Chrift threatneth will befall to fuch as abide not in him, which is the true vine,which is that as withered branches they fall be cafl into the fier and burned, and culpable of fuch a finnc as will neuer beforgiuen. Thefe lay fuch faft hold of him with the Spoufe, as ha- uing once found him,and gotten to lay hold vpon him, they neuer more will let him goc, not giuing him ouer till they haue brought him home, and carried him into the inntofiroomes and chiefeft chambers of their hearts,that they may haue him dwelling in their harts by faith : that they fo cnioying his prefence there, and happy fruition (according as our Sauiour himfelfe hath promifed to be euer Ch a p . 1 3 . or the power of Codlineffe. cuer with his to the end of the world , and neuer to leaue them Orphans ) may haue the fwect lafting comfort thereof,and folace themfelues therein with infinite and vnfpcakable contentment. If there (liould bee qucftion made to them,as our Sauiour made to Teter and the reft, whether thej alfo with others would goe awaj? their anfwere vnto him will be as Peters was, Lord to whom fbottld wee goe, thou haft the words of eternail life, znd we beleeue and are furc that thou art that Qorifl, the Some of the lining Cod: for whom hath a faithfull belecucr in heauenbut Chrijl? neither is there any in earth whom hec careth for, or doth defire but him alone. *37 Chap.XIII. Of the third difference, which if in the difference of their a (fur Art ce to he fitted : wherein is entreated of, the want offeeltng of true faith, or oftbefor z mer or frefent comfort thcrof Queflion. SSJf Oh hauingfhewed thus much difference to bee between the apprehenfwn ofQhrift by a coun- terfeit beleeuer,and of one that is found in the faith; goe on in like manner to Jhewwhat difference there is ( if there bee any) be- tweene the affurance andperfwapon, that the one hath of be- ingfauedby Chriftsvponhisfo apprehendingofhim; and the affurance of the other f A. The difference betweene them in this, is noleffe then was found to bee in the other. The difference be- tweene mif-belceuers,and the true faithfull that are cal- led the Ifracl of God, in the point of their affurance, and comfortable perfwafion of their being faued by Chrift Iefus (they both bearing the venture of the Hues of their foulcs,m thepaffage that they haue through the wild fea of P&L7J.1J. Difference of affurance* 1 3 8 Hcb.i.4* Prou.14.1y. Mans alTmt obedience. Ch a p . 1 3 .1 of this world, in hope of their fafe arriuall and landing at that happie port of all fafety in Gods kingdome and | heauenly Canaan in the end), is not vnlike to the diffe- rence that was betweene the Ifraelites and Egyptians for their parting thorongh the redfea ; both of them ventu- red and went into the lea ; the one got well thorough, the other came fhort home ; the one had Gods word for their warrant,they therefore were faucd, and gained the port and land which they ventured for; the other were blinded with pride and prefumptiottjand ventured with- out all warrant from God,as being found rather fighters againft God in dilbbeying his word : and therefore they mifcarried all,and were drowned in the middeft of the fea, and funke to the bottome as a (tone. True beleeuers are perfwaded of Gods mercies in Chrift,that they fhall neuer perifh, buthaue euerlalting life ;theirfaith and hope they haue in God doth neuer faile them,for it is grounded vpon the truth of Gods pro- mife,and the rocke fchrifi Iefus. They efcape therefore in all dangers, and happily are faued in the end j fortheittft jhall line by his faith. Misbelceuersand hypocrites they alfo are bold and confident in their perfwafion ; it may more iuftly bee faid, in their proud prefuming; for they are but as the faoles jhatbeleeue etiery thing: they bclceue they cannot tell what, they hauing nothing to ground their perfwa- fion vpon ; they haue neither word nor writing from God, to ihew why they fhould fo beleeue : their is nei- ther bill nor fcroll, nor any tittle in the Bible, if it bee rightly vnderftood, that doth make for them, and yet they Audi themfelues as though all were theirs; tl.cy flatter themfelues, and beguile their owne hearts with misapplying promifes out of Gods word. The}' arc ignorant , and yet moft confident : according to that, Who fo bold at blind ^Bayard: they feare nothing, they defie the diuell;thcy haue (they fay) a fkong faith, and arc lure to bee faucd : they neuer doubted of their faiuation Chap.13* ortbepowcrofGodlitseJfe. \ 1 ^ faluationinali their life, neither would they doubt fori all the world. Which boldneflc of theirs, being rather blindnefle, then good boldneffe, commeth not through' ' the abundance otYaith beleeuing more fuonglythen o- thers doe,the promifes which God hath made them, but! through abundance of folly, making promifes rothem- felucs, where God neucr made any ; and reckoning to re- ceiuc that,which God neuer minded to giue ; fo building without a foundation, and beleeuing without any word fpoken or promife that was euer giuen ; the Lord fending them ftrongdelu(ions,thattheyfhouldbeleeuealie, and fo goeon in their dangerous fecuri;y,thatthey may (tum- ble and fall,and rife no more. They both feeme to beeafliired,and toftandperfwa- j ded,that they fhall be faued by God in the end,but vpon farre differing grounds. The ground of the ones perfwa- I (ion is found onely to be in himfelfe, and to bee laid vpon i himfelfe alone,and his owne conceit, and may bee rather faid to be the affurance of man fo perfwading himfelfe, then any certaintie of the thing, whereofhe is perfwaded that euer it (hall fo fall out, as he doth make reckoning. The ground of the others perfwafion is laid out of him- felfe,euen vpon God&nd the truth of his promife, as kgo-rv- j2.Tiaj.ija, ing whom he hath beleeued,and may rather be faid to ftand more in the certaintie and infallibilitie of the thingpromi- fed,thtn in the ftrength of the mans affured beleeuing and ftanding perfwaded that it fhall be fo performed that doth beleeue it. The ground of the perfwafion of an hypocrite, and fuch as is vnfound in the faith, is laid onely within him- felfe, for out of himfelfe he findeth nothing to beare vp fuch a confident boafting withall,but it is onely rcfting in his owne bofome,and all the weight of his budding hath no furer ground to be fet vpon,then are the imaginations, thoughts,and conceits ofhisowne heart alone; which is deceitfull aboue all things, andfofalfe and vnfound, as none is able to know the hollowneffe that is therein. And therefore ! 140 Ifai.j7.2i, ,Hcb.J».i7. Mat.24 yi. Mans aftine Obedience^ Ch a p • 1 3 therefore a ground (for any to tbinke it poflible e uer to lay a fteady, and fure foundation therein, or fet a ftrong building vpon the fame, which he defireth to fee remaine firme. and vnmoucable for himfelfe to dwell fafe in), that is more moueable,then is either fea or wind, where all is feene to flow and blow away ; as well may a man reckon vpon building Caftles in theatre, and walled Cities vpon the rowling and ragged feacs, fafely to inhabite in, as fure perfwafions that a man may truft too, and not be decei- ued in,and vpon the vaine imaginations, conceits and af- fections of his feducing and feduced heart ; which are fo vnftaid, and fo vnfctled, that the affeftions are not vn- fitly faid to bee the very waucs and fiormes of mens foules, that toflfe and turmoile them vplidc downe. And otherwife befide their owne conccites and imagi- nations of their owne hearts, that makes them thuspe- remptorie, and thus bold in prefuming, there is nothing at all in the world,that can elfe warrantably allure them, that they fhall eucr haue that faluation, which theyfo much doe reckon vp. For that in it felfe is fofarre from being certainc vnto them, as there is a certaintie of the cleanecontrarie; and they maybe (lire, when they fhall once come to make triall, they (hall find it deane other- wife to fall out,then they looked for ; they may bee bold and build vpon it, there is no peace at alt from Godforfuch euer to receive in, nor faluation at his hands for them to haue ; though at the laft,when it (hall bee too late, they (hould as earncftly craue it, and fecke for it by their cry- ing vnto him, as euer did Efau feeke his fathers blcflrng, when he came too late,and then he could find noplace of repentance with him, though he f ought it with tearej : for the Lord hath afligned another manner of eftatc and condi- tion to hypocrites and vnbelccucrs, and declared in his word fo great a condemnation to abide them in the pit of deftrudtion, as he thinketh it threatning great enough vnto other kind of finners to tell thcm,they fhall haue their portion with vnbeleeuers, and with hypocrites. For therr thei Ch a p . 1 3 . or the power ofGedlineffe. then to perfwade themfelues they ftiall befaued,contrary to all that which the Lord doth otherwife plainely fet downe in his word ; and when they heare the words of his fo {treat a curfe, to promife to themfelues for all that, that they jhdlhatte peace ; itisnotpnely to delude their owne hearts with lying and falfe conceits, but to fet God the more againft them,that he may neuerbemercifull vnto them,but caufe his wrath more fiercely, and more furi- oufly to fmoake out againft t hem. This is not the bold- neffeof good aflurance,and of a warrantable perfwafion, that hath Gods word to relie vpon; but the blindnefle of amoft damnable pride, and prefuming againft all that God himfelf hath fpoken, when(as though they had made ' a couenant with death ,and were at an agreement with hell, that they iliould neuer take any hold of them) they doe notonely promife to themfelues fafetie and deliuerance from perifhing,but high aduancement inglorie, and life eternall in Gods kingdome : as if when the King hath proclaimed them al to be traytors,that were conipirators in the late Gun-powder-treafon, and that fo many as can be prooued to haue been of that confpiracie, are as tray- , tors t© be hanged, drawne and quartered ; if fome prin- cipall traitor of them all, hauing to this day fcaped,(hould now be apprehended and attached for his treafon, and being to bee carried vp to the Court, that it might bee knownc what fhould be done with him ; he all this while fhould beare himfelfe as bold, as the beft fubie& in the kingdome, infuchfort, as none can make himbeleeue, there is any danger towards him ; but hee ftill promifeth I 1 3 himfclfe,that comming once at the Court,he fhall not | o idy efcape punifhment, and be freed from all manner of blame and rebuke, but bee lifted vp to much higher ad-! uanccment, and made fome great Duke or Lord in the ; land : euery one would thinke, that fome fpirit offrenfie ormadnefle had ftrongly poflefled fuch a man. So are | thefe men ftrangely bewitched, & inchaunted by the di- uell,to take for fure truths thofe things, which are but Satars 141 Dcut.29.1p, 10 Ifai.iS, if- 14* Mans acliue Obedience, C h a p . 1 3 , 2. Tim. 2. 19, Ifai.4p.1j. Zaeh^.i. 2.T11H.2.13. Tit.i.a. PfciliS.ia, Satans meere delufions ; and when the beft is made of them,no better then are waking mens dreames. The foundation whereupon a true beleeuing Chriftian doth build his alTurance and perfwafion that he hath, of being faued in the end,is that which the Apoitle calleth, the foundation of god; and therefore amoft ftrongand fure £o\izid2itior\ y hauitt(rthis/eale 3 the Lord knoweth who are his; the knowledge of God being perpetuall and vnchan- gcable : for whom the Lord knowes once, he neuer after doth forget, and this is the moft firme,fteady,and immo- ueable foundation, that any poflibly can build vpon; ftrong as thofe mountaines ofbraffe,which Zachariemz- keth mention of,to beare vp all that is fet vpon the fame, which makes it impoiTible,thu a true beleeuer fhould c- uer penfh. It is not the ftrength of his faith(though he do truely beleeue, as looking thereby alwaies to hold the comfort which hee now hath) that workes vp this aflii- rance ; but the faithfulneiTe of him, whom this faith doth relie vpon ; which is fuch, as though wee cannot beleeue, yet he abideth faithj nil, and cannot deniehimf'elfe, for hee is God that cannot lie. The comfortable and confident per- fwafion of a true beleeuing Chriftian, for his obtaining of faluation through Chrift Iefus.ltandeth more in that hee knoweth who hec doth beleeue to receiue faluation from (as that which he hath purchaied,and that which he hath promifed, and which he is both able and faithfull to per- forme), then in knowing that he doth beleeue, and what he lookes for to receiue by his beleeuing,which is to bee faued by his faith.His aiTurance is more in the arTurance of the thing beleeued, through the fteadfaftnes of him that hath promifed the fame.then in his own fteadfaftnes,that he alwaies fhal fo belecue,or in the fteadfaltnes of his faith by which he doth beleeue,that it neuer more (hall be o- uertaken with any fearc or doubting. For our faith may be dangeroufly alTailcd, andthrufffoarc at, that it might fall: itmaybefhaken, but Gods promife is vnfaileable, [and the truth of his Word,as a rocke that cannot be mo- | ued C h a p . 1 3 . or the power o/GodlinejJe. '43 PM.5.1*. loh.io 2,8.29, i oh 6.}$. He&.i?.8. Ioh.13.1. uednorfhaken, whatfoeuer be the furges thatbeatea- gainft the fame. HisatTurance is more, inthaiheeknowes rbrift comprehends him, who willneuer let goe his hold, heczuk he is ftronger then all, that none can pull any out of his hand ; and becaufe he is mofl faithfull to anfwer thxt truft he tspvt in by his father, whole will it \s,that of all that j he hathgiuen him, he mufl not loofe one ; then in the know- ledge that he hath, that he doth apprehend Chrift, and doth lay hold vpon him by his belecuing ; for he may let goe his hold,ond let flip that hand-fatting which he holds him by ; atleaft in regard of his owne feeling, it may bee gone : for feeling may faile a true beleeuer, and then there isnoothcrhelpe, but for hope to hold fait, and (till to ftandperfwadedjthat though we cannot apprehend him, yet he doth ftill comprehend vs; who as he wasye/lerday, is euen fo to day, and will be the fame for euermore; for hee is the Lord, and changeth not : therefore was it that the fonsoflacob were not confum*d\ and therefore it \s,thatwho he once hath louedto the end he will hue them (rihthis we are to remember,and to ft tch comfort from the fame ; yea,to hope alfo,v howfoeuer our feeling may be forthe prefent, yet our felues fhal find it to be otherwife afterward again. Q^ You are light vpon a point that many good Chriflians art much troubled about , who for want offeelmg the comfort they haue hadfeare they are quitegiuen ouer,andforfaken o J God. I pray you therefore let mebeboldto interrupt your 0- thcrfpeech a little, and to craue ofyott,, that you would fpeakt your mind omewhat in this matter, what you would thinke were fittefl to be done by fitch, or to be concerned of thee /late offuch a (fhriftian that cannot haue fuch feeling of his faith, andftandingin thefauour of Cjod after the manner as before fometime he hath had . ? A. Such are to labour by iudgement, to conuince and controle their abufed fen ie and fecling,who fometimes Want offeelmg. to their owne fenfe and feehng,may thinkeGod to haue forfaken them; Chrift lefus to haue quite left them,and to be departed and gone from them; when as yet he is ftill where 144 Mans aaiue Obedience^ Chap. 13. where he was,and as touching his fauour and hisloue, vnalterable,remaining ftill the fame towards them that he was ; the alteration being found onely to bee in them- felues,by reafon of the ftrong tentations that are vpon them. Men are therefore not to meafure their eftate by fenfe and feeling : for many times in naturall things, rea- fon is able to controle our fenfe,as if I being in a (hip that is driuen with a faire wind and tide,doe faile by a Tower or Caftlc ftanding vpon a bankc, when I looke vpon the Tower, as the (hip doth fwiftly pafle by, my fenfe of fee- ing thinketh that the Tower goeth away, while I my felfe ftand ftill in the (hip : but my iudgement and vndcr- ftanding telleth me,that it is otherwifc in truth, and that the Tower ftandeth ftill and mouethnot, but it is land the (hip that doe goe away from it,though to my fenfe of feeing it fcemes otherwifc to be. In like manner as touch- I ing,feeling,a man that hath but raging paine in one tooth, or hath but a fellon on the vttcrmoft ioynt of his finger, or the paine of the goute onely in his toe ; though all his bo- dy mould be found and in good health bcfidesjhe feeleth more the paine of that one little member of his tooth, or of his toe, then the found health of his whole body be- fide,though the health of the whole body be much more, then is the paine of that one member. In like manner doth it many times fall out with good Chriftians,if they be in- dued and inriched with neuer fo many good graces of GodsSpirit,hauingtrue/#/^,andioyned therewith ver- ttte, knowledge, temperance, patience, godlineffe, brotherly kindntfie y charitieJwpefamility 3 m*e1^nejfe 3 repent*nce,2Ln6 the reft that are linkes of that golden chainc, wherewith the vermes are chained and linked one to another, if it ihould h sppen not to be well with them in any one of the laid graces(sccording as thefe (eueral graces of the mind, as well as the ■ e uerall members of the body, may bee put out of their right frame, andhauc diftemperand difeafe bred in them, and brought vpon them), though in the meane white it were neuer fo well with them in all the reft, C h a p . I J . 01 theprvtr of Go dline (Jc. '45 reft,yetisitfoundviuall for them more to feele the dis- quiet of the diftemper,and hurt of fome one ofthefe gra- ces fo out of frame,then to feele the content and comfort of the abiding in good cftate of all the reft befide ; and to bee more gricued with the difeafe that is grownevpon that one,then ioyed with the health that doth ftil rcmaine in all the other. As if a good man being foreprouoked and let vpon of thefudden, fhould be fo much diftempe- red,and put out of all patience, as he fhould break e forth to much fury and rage in his haftie anger (which is no better then a fhort madneife),and being come to his right mind againe,his fit being once ouer(for all that while be- {idehimfelfe),he fhould then bethinkehimfelfewhat he had done: fo would he bee out of conceit with himfelfe, he would be fo caft downe in his ownc eycs,fo fmitten in heart,fo pricked in confeience, fo wounded in hisfoule with griefe for his finne,he would crie out and complaine for being thus ouerfeene,as that the diftemper of that one grace of patience,and the weakenes thereof, which could thenbeare no more, would more bee felt of him with griefe,and work him greater woe,and difquiet him much more,then he fhould feele comfort, or haue contentment in the good eftate which allthereft did abide in beftde, and yet that one flip of his for a time is not fo blame-' \\orthie,as is commendable the ordinary courfe ofgood- nefVe,conftantly held on in the well-vfing and pra£tifing of other his graces:whcrein much foundnefTc is found ftil to be remaining. And as among the members and parts of the body, fome are more neceftarie then are others, and fo more hardly can be fpared; fome are more dangerous to take hurt in,or for any difeafe to breed vpon them, becaufe they are the vitall parts of the body, fuch as is the heart, the liuer and the bnine, which if they fhould be perifhed, -.helife it felfe would be loft : when fuch parts are affe£t- •d,men are found to be more troubled about the hearts of uch,and the diieaies bred vpon them, then vpon any o- L ther 14-6 Maris acliue Obedience, Ch a p .i 3. J theu the partes of their bodies befides, they arcmoftfuf- pitious and doubtfull of the recouering of them aboue, that they are of all the reft, eucr fearing leftthofe hurts Pnould not be well healed,or thofc diieaies foundly cured ancirecouered againe. As if one fhould haue among o- tiier the outward parts and members of his body, his right hand ib maimed, as it fhould be in daungertobec quite cut off, and fo loft; and of all the inward parts fhould haue a difeafe breeding in him,that fhonld dange- roufly affect the heart, which being a moft vitall part,e- uen the very fountaine and feate of life, that doth fend forth the vitall fpirits, and life it felfe to the other parts, if that fhould be perifhed, then the very life it felfe would vtterlybeloft. Much after this manner is it found to be with good Chriftians,inrefpe£tofthe differing graces of Gods Spi- rit, which they haue receiued from God,though all verie vfefull for the Chriftian life,yet fome aie more abfolutely needfull,as being vnto thefoule, not onely the hand by which it worketh : but as the heart which is the very re- ceptacle and feate of life,by which it liueth, which if they fhould mifcarry,all would be loft,fuch as is faith,and loue and repentance vnto life. If thefe fhould receiue any dan- gerous hurt, or falHnto any deadly difeafe, whereof they ihould not be againe well recouered,there muft needs fol- low the vtter ruine of fuch a Chriftian. When therefore th?ir faith is mightily aflailed,and by the ftrength of ten- tation forely fhaken : when their repentance is challenged not to be found,and fuch as it ought ; Oh,then how foh- citous is a carefull Chriftian, about the hauing of thefe well cured and recouered againc?how feareful and doubt- full is hejeft thefe fhould faile him, and neuer be holpen ? how doth hee enquire after the beft Phyfitians, to heare the oeft counfcll that in this cafe may be giuen? yea, if a whole Colledge of Phyfitians fhould all meete together to conferre about his difeafe, they all would fcarce bee a- ble togiuehimfatisfying that his difeafe were curable, and CHAp.13. erthtpmrofGodlinejfe. 147 an 1 might well bee holpen ; he would doubt, that all the Balmein the Lords Gilcad would net fuffice to make for him a remedy,that fhould bee foueraigne and fauing enough ; nor that all they togcther,fhould haue fufficient skill how to apply it,fo as hee might hauc good recouerie thereby. Yea,ifit once grow ill with them in their faith and repentancc,and that thefe graces are fmitten at,ftroo- ken, and wounded by fome foare and dangerous tentati- on,thcn in ftcad of complaining- of the weakenefTe and hurt of their faith and repentance, they fall toentertainca conceit into their mindes, which troubleth themworfe then did all the reft ; namely,that they haue no faith at all, that they haue no true repentance, noreueryethad. But I would demand,if they had not fome remainder of the life of thefe graces of faith and repentancc,by which they feele the wounds and hurts, that thefe affected members and parts of the inner man hauc receiued? how come they to make complaint in particular,about their faith and re- pentance,that it is not well with them ? Can a man that hath hisleggscutoff/ohauingnolegs, be affected with the aching, or painefull dolour of the wounds and hurts which are in his legs?he may complaine of paincs in other partes, but griefes in his leggs he can neither feele nor complaine or^for he hath none at all to be pained in. But if a man hauing indeed a leg that is now hurt and woun- ded,then were it meere folly and madneffe for him to complaine and fay, that he hath noleg,becaufe his leg is (o maimed and hurt, for that proueth that he hath a leg,in thathecomplaineth,all hispaine isin hisleg, and com- plaines not of his arme, nor of his head, which both may be well for all that. Q. True : but may not a man complaine he hath no legs at alljfhis legs indeed be once cut off? Ch a p .1 3. very feate of life, which being principally in it, the life it felfe by it is communicated to all the reft : deftroy there- fore and pluck out the heart, and then tell me what life will be remaining in that body for it to comphine ifl? hath no heart? Faith is as vitalla part lor the life of the foule,ns the heart is for the life of the body : for it is the only organe and receptacle of all the life of the fou!c,that itreceiueth from Chrift the onely fountaine of true life, and by it that fprituall life which is receiued from Chrift is communicated to eucry power and part of the foule befide. It is the very foule of our foule : for wee liue by faith, wee walke and worke by it,and not by fight : the life of faith is that which doth animate all other vertues befide that are in vs. Plucke this faith away and deftroy faith which is the life of the foule,and then what life will there be remaining in that foule, for a man to feele by it that he hath no faith? or to complaine of the weakneffe and wants of his faith ? for then he fhould be as a dead man that fhould haue no feeling in him; zsvnbeleeuers and wicked per fbns are faid to be dcad>etien while they liue ; yea twice dead and pluckt vp by the root es } and are paftfee- ling, astheApoftlefpeaketh. Nay, the complaining by weake Chriftians about their faith for the weaknefTe thereof,or for the want of their faith,argueth the prefence and being in life of their faith, by which they haue fuch feeling and make fuch complaining; as one complaining thathefeelethpaineat his heart,that doth argue that he hath a heart, and that his heart is in life which maketh him fo to complaine. Thefe are not vnlike vnto that melanchohke pcrfon, who being ouer borne and ouerfet with that dangerous humour of melancholy, complained he had no head, nor could not poilibly be otherwife pcrfwaded, then by that courfe which that prudent Phyfition Phylotimus did take with him when he caufed to be made a cap of lead very waightie and heauie , and the fame to be put vpon his head,that feeling the weight thereof vpon his head, hee might Ch a p . 1 3 . *r the power ofGodlintflc. might be brought to conceiue otherwife, and be per- fwadedthat hee had a head. And as they arc not much vnlike that meUncholike for kinde of difeafe, who was de- luded with melancholic conceits^o thinke that he wan- ted that which indeed hee had ,• fo doe I thinke the like kinde of remedie in this cafe not vnfit to be vfed for their cure,which was v(cd for his. I would therefore lay vpon thcfc weake Chrifiians no other burthen, but the weight of their owne burthen, of holy forrow and griefe and doubtfull defpairc for their wanting of faith (as them- felues doe deemc), which is fo weightie, as they arc like to finke vnder it,& wholly to be broken down with the load thereof, yet that being laid vpon the head of their faith, they may bee asked whether they feele any fuch burthen, and are preifed vnder the heauic weight of the fame ? which if they do,iet them neuer make doubt more but that they haue faith, and their faith hath both head and hart too, that hath life in it,which moueth that fenfe, and caufeth that feeling, and worketh that holie griefe and forrow fo to complaine, the whole foule being quic- kened thereby throughout,and all the graces ot Gods fpirit that are therein. There is no life of fpirituall graces othcrwife to be had, then as the fame be deriuea from Chrift, who is our life and the fountaine thereof: there is no paiTage for this life to flow into our foules,but as by faith the fame be let in, which only is the inftrurnent of the vnion that is betweene Chrift and vs, and the proper hand to receiue all grace from him : the very receptacle, and (as I may fay) the cifterne to hold the grace it hath rccciued from him as out of the fountaine, and fo to di- ftributc it to all the reft of the graces that are in that foule wherein it is featcd. If therefore there be any liuely feeling of our want of faith and mourning for our want ; if we complaine of the want of faith, feeling it to be as a burthen vntovs that is too hcauie for vs to bcare : if wee figh and groane vnder that burthen, with earneft longings and daily prayers to L 3 be 149 150 Feeling. Mauh.i8, [Luke M.S. Camic.f.S. Mam atttue Obtditnct, Ch a p . 1 5. beeafed,and with fuch defires of obtaining that which we want,as willingly we neglect no meanes that we can know/is to be vfed for our better comming by it : doubt- lefle there is the prefence of holy grace (for fuch a true defire of grace in the want of grace is grace it felfe)and there is the euidence of the life of grace manifcftly to be feene. Now that life of grace cannot otherwife be had but as from faith, and by meanes thereof it be receiued, which drawing life from Chrift, and taking it from him doth replcnifh the whole foule thercwith,and quickneth euery grace with the fame that is found therein. So that fuch a liuely feeling of the want of faith, and complai- ning of that want, with defire of hauing that want fup plied, doe no other in truth but argue the prefence of liuely faith,howfoeuer it be not felt. Faith as well may be prefent in the foule, though it be not felt,and though hauing it we be not for a time priuie to our fo hauing of it, as Chrift himfelfe may be prefent with a true Chriftian, when yet being ftronglyfet vpon byfome fore tentation, hee may thinke himfelfe for the time,wholly to be giuen ouer and to be quite forfaken. Chrift, once receiued by a beleeuing Chriftian to dwell in his heart by faith, may be and doubtleffe (according to his promife) will be with his to the end of the world, [till remaining and abiding with euery fuch a beleeuing chri- ftian, dwelling in that heart which once receiued him, though fo clofely keeping himfelfe hidden,that the fame Chriftian may for a time feeke him, as much forrowing j for not finding of him, as euer did CMary his mother for- ! rowfully feeke him when he was miffing, and hunt as much ! after him with as longing a defire to light vpon him, as euer did the Spoufe (when (Tie was moft ficke of loue) long for andlooke afcer her welbeloued, and yet with her for a good time neuer find nor light vpon him,when all the while he is(though very fecretly,yet moft certain- ly) remaining with them and abiding in them. For the Lord knoweth how to bee prefent with his children, and y* C h a p . 1 3 . or the power of GodltmJJc. yet they themfelues fhall not be aware of his fo being : as lacob fpake of Gods prefence with him at Bethel, God (faith he) was here, and I was not aware. The Lord can tell (faith one of the ancient Fathers) how to be wholly euery where, andyet contained in no one place ; he knoweth how to come to one, by not leaning that place from whence hee fo came ; he knoweth how to goe away againe, and not to leaue him from whom he is fo gone. And againe, fpeaking of the marueilous manner of Chrift his being borne of a wo- man,(he being yet a virginc,and fo of his comming into the houfe, the doores yet being flhut, faith further, If* reafonofthis could be found, it fhould not be wonderfully if an example of the like, it fhould not befingularJVe mufl know (faith he) and beleeue, God can doe fome things which wee canneuerfindeout the manner and the way by which they are fo done. And in fuch things, thegreat&fi reafon of the doing of them is, the only power and might of him by whom they are done. There are two waies after which the Lord may befaid to be with his children, while they remaine in this world: one, which may bee perceiued and well may bee felt : another, which is fecrct and cannot bee knowne but by the euent and efTe&, as they by proofe finde themfelues to haue been fuftained and vpheld in all their greateft troubles, though they know not how, and could not then percehie by whom ; but it was the Lord that fuftained them with the one hand, while hee was putting them downe with the other* After luch a manner may faith be knowne to bee pre- fent in the heart, when yet it cannot fenfibly bee felt: namely ,as it may be followed,difcouered, and found out by the working. It is well worth the obferuing, that it is oromifedintheGofpell,that whofoeuer bcleeueth fhall neuerperifh, but haue life cuerlafting. Now it is tabec I" narkedjthatitisnotfaid, Who fo hath the comfort of xlceuing,and the feeling of his faith,and fo knoweth vn- i oubtedly that he hath true faith ; he, and he onely is the ianthat{hallbefaued:but he that indecde beleeueth, L 4 that *5i Augufl.epijl.}. ad roiufianitm. Iohn^i*. 152 Iudg.tf.12. 13 loh.io,*?. Mans aflitte Obedience^ C h a p . 1 3 . . ^ 11 1 1 > - m ■ m that is,he whom God (who oncly knoweth the hearts of all,and knoweth them better then wee know them our felucs) knoweth that hec doth truly, though neuer fo weakely.belceue ; and who hath faith in Gods account, though it be not fo in his owne, though he haue not the feeling of his faith, nor the comfort of his owne belee- uing, nor can no more apprehend how the Lord can in any fauour be prefent with him, then could Gideon con- ceiue how that could be fo which the Angell fpakc vnto him, telling him that the Lord was with him (they being in the meane while oppreffed by the hands of the Midia- nites),yetthatmanis vndoubtedly in theftateof faluati- on, fuch a one can neuer perifh in the end. For there may be as bleffed a beleeuing, without fomekindof feeing and feeling: as was Thomas his beleeuing bleffed, when once he had feene his Sauiour prefent with his eyes, and fenfibly had felt him, and laid hold vpon him with his hand : witneffe that which our Sauiour Chrift anfwered vnto Thomas, vpon that occafion ; Thou haft feene and haft beleeued ; bleffed are they that haue not feene, and yet haue beleeued. And thus much for the interpretation of that my fpeech I was in hand with, for fhewing how the affu- ranceof a true beleeuing Chriftian, is more in the aflu- rance of the thing beleeued, then in the perfon that doth beleeue : and fo much for anfwere in; way of fome fatif- fa£tion to your requeft,who defired to hearc fome thing fpoken touching that point, of a Chriftians not feeling the comfort he hath had,and of his not feeling that hee hath faith at aU,nor any comfort of his prefent true be- leeuing. Ch AP. Ch a p. 14. or the power ofCodlinejJ'e. Chap. X III I. Further differences betweene hypocrites and found be- teeners ,w their affurance to befaued: andfirfi,in the whole building thereof • as alfo of the butlders themfelms. ^^^f^^^Owtoprofecute my former fpeech, and KlhScb&lfllil to fr* ew fome further differences that are difcernablc betwecne the affurance of c«p hypocrites and mif-beleeuers, and fuch as i foundlyandrrulydoebeleeue. As there- fore there hath been fhewed a manifeft difference to bee in the foundation and ground worke of either of their af- furances ; lb is there as cleere a difference to be difcerned in the whole frame and manner of the building and wor- king vp of fuch affurance; the workmanfhip being as differing,as are the workmen that do build theron,euen the matter workmen themfelues,& chiefe builders, who hauing drawn the plot, giue all the diredtion how things are to be caried; who are as clean oppofite in their doings each to other(one working one way,& another working another)as good is to bad,and right is to wrong; as light is to darknefTe, or God is to the diuell. For indeed it is God that hath the difpofing of all the bufirieffe about the one ; and the diuell beareth all the fway,giueth all the dire£Hon,haththe whole command, and allthe control- ment about the other. The Spirit of God, which is the Spirit of truth, beareth rule in the heart of the one; and that lying falfe fpirit,euen the fpirit of the diuell, who ru- leth mightily in the children of difobedience, and was a lying fpirit in the mouthes of the falfe prophets to de- ceiue Ahab ; it is he that carrieth all the ttroke, and hath the whole gouernment in the other, (for queftionleffe all hypocrites hauevncleane fpirits breathing in them) the Lord 1 153 Difference in building affu- rance. Differtncth builders. Ephef. 2. 2. i.King,2i,22. 154 Ifa, ipt 14. Mam ailtut Obedience^ Ch a p. 14, 2.Cor.xi.i3. £oto.Epb.6. 11, Lord hauing fo in hcauie iudgement mingled among them fpirits of errour,which doe caufe rhem to erre in e- uery part of their worke. We know it is meet in euery building, from the ground to the roofe,to haue euery thing fo ordered, as the houfe maybewellcontriuedforvfc,madebeautifull for view, and fubftantiall for continuance. Now as for vfe and continuance, that lying falfefpirit who guideth and di- re&cth thefefalfe and deceitfull workers that worke vp- on this frame, as hee intendeth not either of themhim- felfe, fo doth he not fuffer them to ftrike one right ftroke to further fuch a buiinefTe ; but indeed his aime is for the cleane contrary,in fetting them a worke to doe all to no purpofe in fuch refpe&s. His whole drift is, to haue mat- ters carried fo,as all may fhew as faire, and be as beauti- full and goodly to behold and looke vpon, both in their owne eyes,and view of others, as that which is beftand trulicft wrought of them that are moft skiifull in their working, and doc all that they doe moft foundly and fubftantially indeed ; but as for vfe, his defire is to haue all fo bungled vp, andfo confufedly wrought, as none may know what to make of fuch worke, nor what good vfe to put any thing vnto when all is done : no other or- der or method being obferued for the framing of tilings to any purpofe, but fuch orders and methods as the A- poftle giueth vs warning of,and willes vs to take heed of, that are vfed by the diuell,but all to deceiue by.In which refpeel he vfeth art and skill enough, and none fomuch asheinthatkindofprofcfTion. He: is the greatcft Arci- fan that is in the whole world beiide ; he i* moft orderly and methodic all in his wilie working, to catch men by deceit,& overthrow them in perditio ; he is therin both malearttfiX, and milk artifix, if one way fucceedes not, he will fc^ch about another. 1 11 hce haue g-ined his pur- pofe in that hee goes about : yen, hce train- s vp men this way and vcacheth ihcm cunnwg,till as perfect workmen, they haue got the skill how to deceiue others, and moft of( Ch a p . r 4. w tbcpowtr ofGedlmeffe. 155 Hypocrites. of all ihemfclues, that being become euillmen ani redu- cers, th y may waxe worfe and worfe, decerning, and being decerned, as the Apoftlc fpeakcth of thofe that haue made lies their refuge, and that voder vanitie haue hid them- [elites. And as for continuance, this whole frame is fet vpon fo fandie a foundation,and fo (lightly & falfly is wrought befide, as it will (rand no ftorme nor fhower that fhall happen ; but be as a caftle of come downe, that fhall fall vpon the heads, and about the earcs of them that dare venture to abide therein. Temporary beleeuers and hypocrites that are thefe deceitfull workers , who for their double-heartedneffe carrying ( as we vfe to fay) two faces in one hood, may not vnfitly be likened to fome two faced pictures, which on the one fide (hall be feene to laugh like a man, and on the other fide like a monfter : they can make as faire pre- tences of holinefle as who fhall make beft, and goe as farre in the externall and outward practice of all religious duties,as who fhall goe furthelt : they will come to fer- mons,they will bee at good exercifes, they will pretend great holinefle, they will feehe the Lord daily y and delight to know, his waies^as a nation that didrighteofifhejfe,andfor- fooke not the ordinances of their God : they will aske of God the Ordinances of Iuftice, and they will take delight in approching to God. Hearing the word of God, and that I with fofne kind of ioy ; as our Sauiour fheweth in the pa- ] rable,in fomuch as m3ny,by meanes thereof come to be greatly inlightened, and to taflr of the heauenly gift, to bee made partakers of the holy Ghofl, to taft of the good word of , God,and of the powers of the world to come : yea, they will be found not oncly to ferue God with others, in the or- dinary religious exercifes of Gods daily worftup, but in the extraordinary alfo; if thee bee any more excellent then other,they will therein alfo be found as forward, a& !fl/ho (hall be formoft ; they will f aft and humble them- j f/«ftf;they will. *//?/# their foules, and bow downe their \ l && *• heads ^. .. __— ^--- . ■ 1 i n ■■■! mij i a — — — — aw— Fphcf.4.14. *.Tim,}. j ;. Ua.28.15. Ifa.j8.a Hcb. 6.4.1. I 5^ [GaL*.li. Colof. 2.1 8. Luk.l8. ia. Mat. lo. 20. Mans atftue Obtdknce^ C h a p . 1 4. I&.58.*. Luk. 13.15. heads llhe a bulrujh : and make ( as Paul faith) afaire p?rw in tbefle/b,and in a voluntary humility ; they will not {tick with the Pharifie,toj^f/? rWff /'# the weeke, pay euery man his owne, pay tithes of all the j haue, giuc alm?s to the poore: and with the rich young man in the Gofpell,(who came toourSauiourChrift, to know what hce might doe to gaine eternall life),%^ after his manner , all the (fomman- dements of God eusn from their youth. And thus much for any to do,is the moft that Satan their captaine will allow the beft hypocrites of them all to doe : which yet to doe, istofet vp a very faire outfide of a Chriftian-like well framed life and conuerfation, which for fight and out- ward view (heweth as beautifull, and as comely as doth the beft ; and yet neither profitable for any vfe, nor fub- ftantiall for continuance. Hence is it that this fort of men ! are not onely well thought on of others, but they haue high thoughts of themfelues , and reckon vpon great things that they are to receiue at Gods hands: they make no doubt but to be faued for euer ; they looke to bee iH heaucn before their feet bee cold; whofoeuer ftandout, they procnifc to themfelues that they (hall bee receiued in : there are none more confident heerein then they : though there fhould but two in a countrey bee faued (faith fuch a one) yet I hope that I (hall be one of them : yea they dare chalenge God himfelfe for not doing right, iffuchperfonsas they fhould not bee well regarded of him : Why (fay they) haue we fafted and thoufeefi it not ? why haue we affliSledourfoules, and thou takefl no know- ledge of it ? And our Sauiour Chrift telling vs of fuch fort of men how it w r ill bee with them in the day of iudge- ment,bringcththcmin before vs, comming to heauen gate as though they were in haft, and calling earneftly to haue the gate opened vnto them, as maruelling they fhould be let to ftand without fo lone; crying, Lord, Lord, open vnto vs : haue not weprophefied in thy name : and haft not thou taught in our (beets ? vnto whom,for all this. it will be anfwered, depart you away, I know jott not,yo* hap' Chap. 1 4- orthtptwerofGedtiiieffe. I *57 haue been -workers ofiniytti?. Though the worke of pro- phecytng,and Co of hearing,reading,praying,fafting,and the like,were,and are in themfelues holy actions, yet the doers of than not doing them holily, maybe workers of imquitie : foe doing vniuftly, that, which otherwife in it felfe were iuft to be done. Praycr,andprophefymg are IpU rituall actions, but they may for all that be carnally per- formed,and ioturn dtojinnevnto them that are the do- ers of them. He is an euill worker, or a worker of iniqui- tie,firft,that doth that which is in it felfe euill : fecondly, that doth not that which is good, being the good that he ought to doe : thirdly, that doth that which is good, but doth it not well; as doing it in fome finifter refpe£t of an euill mind, vain-glorioufly, or hypocritically, and the like. And thus all that before haue been mentioned, that temporary beleeuers and hypocrites may doe, or poflibly can doe, not being foundly and*fincerely done, in fuch truth and vprightneffe as God doth require, all is but loft labour that lb is done, and(according,to the pro- uerbe) As good neuer a whit,as neuer the better. When holy things in themfelues are thus hollowly done, and in in fo great hypocrifie by the doers of them; the things which were otherwife moft excellent, are now mod: vile, and whatfoeuer fhewes they haue,they are but beautiful! abominations; the faireft workes are then become the fouleft faults, and their beft deedes, their worft finnes. Things thus done by fuch deceitfull workers, in their fo doing of them, they haue but marred ( as wee vfe to fay ) good matters in the handling; and all that they haueib wrought,euen in the working will crumble away as bc- tweene their fingers,and come to nothing. They may de- ceiue others for a time,but they will finde by wofull ex- perience,that they haue moft of all deceiued themfelues in the end,that they haue toyled themfelues in vaine, and that they haue but wrought as in tkefitr, which as quickly did confume it D as they could workc it and bring it off their hand. Hypocrifie is faid to bee ipunne vpon a fine thred ; Ifa. Mj, Habac. a. 13, i5« Pfal.ft.5*'- lob 8. i j. Mat.7. i*.i7« lob ii. 10. lob 18.14. Mans atliue Obedience, Ch a p . 14, lob 17. to 11. 12.23. l.Cor.3.12.13, Sound builders. thrcd; but for all that, it will make no good cloth nor garments that will couer them ; they may weaue it who that will, but (as the Prophet fpeaketh ) they /ball weaue but thefpiderswebbe : their webbes will be no garments, neither (hall they couer themfelues with their workes. Such builders as thefe that haue builded but after this fad-iion, when they haue fct vp all this goodly frame, they may leane vpon their houfe (as lob fpeaketh) but it will notftand\ they may hold f aft by it, but it will not endure. And becaufe it is (lightly built aboue, it is as vnfoundly and vnfetledly founded below, being fct vpon fo vnfteadie zndfofandie a foundation, when the raines (ball defcend, thefiouds come, and the windes blow and beate vpon that houfe it will all come downe andbe ouerthrownejt will fur ely f all,andthe fall thereof willbe great. Then (hall the eyes of thefe men faile,ajtd they notefcape, and their hope fhallbee eucn as the giuingvp of the Ghcfl. Their confidence (hall then be rooted out of their tabernacle, andthey be brought themfelues to the King of fear e. Yea, t err ours will then (for all this great boafting of ftrong aflurance ) take hold of them as waters and tempefts will carry them away by night. The Eaft wind will carrie them away and they (hall depart,and as a ftorme it will hurle them out of their place : then will God cafl vpon them and will not fpare, though they would faine flee from vnder his hand: men Jball then clap their hands at' them and hiffe them out of their place : as lob doth thus fpeake : time and experience will (hew what manner of workmen thefe haue been ; the day will declare it, andthe^r will reueale it, of what fort this whole worke is ; namely^that they haue builded vpon a tottering and rotten foundation, no better ftuffe then timber Jbay , and flubbl: , and therefore all in the end YiWlbcconfumed, wholly ouerthrowne and brought to nothing. On the other fide, the Spirit of God, which is the (pi- rit of truth,and leadethvnto all truth, hatha cleane con- trary working in the hearts of true bcleeuers, who are faid Ch a p. 14, or the power ofGodlwefje. J5? Pfal.nj.4. Pfai.ji.a. r.Chron.ia.33 Pfal.24.4. Plal.119.1.^ PfaUoM.3. faid to be aoodandtrue in heart, and fuch_, as in whoCe/pi- rit there is no guile: like thofe worthies of the Tribe of Zebulon that came to Dauid to Hebron,who are commen- ded to haue been men that were not of a double heart, they are guided to doe that they doe with innocent hands, and vpright hearts , not lifting vp their minds to vanitte, ncrfrvearing deceitfully, but to bee vnde filed in their way , which way fo euer they fhall walke, (till hailing refpe£t to all Gods commandemsnts. In their be- hauiour at home, to walke in the vprightnejfe of their hearts in the middeft of their houfe , without Jetting any wield- ed thing before their eyes. In their outward behauiour to- wards mentor in the. carriage of themfelues towards God in his worfhip and feruice, to follow the Apoftlespra- 6tice,in endeauouring euermore to keepe faith anda good confeience both towards God and man. In their dealings with men Jo doe no ill to their neighbour, to fpeake euery one J Pfal.i % • 1.3 the truth from his heart, as children that will not lie: in comming to ferue God/0 cleanfe their hands ininnocency, and fo to compare Gods Altar ; not as doe hypocrites, to drawneareto God with their lipps, when their hearts in the meane while being remouedfrom him : but fo as they with Dauid {zy and profeffe, euen vnto God as did hee, O God my heart is prepared,my heart is prepared; lwill now fing and $iue praife. In giuingGodthankes,they,and thefier willreueale y thzt vpon a moft fure and pretious foundation they hauebuilded^/^y?/- uer and precious ftones, and that their w T orke hath been wrought according vnto God,and therefore of him they may looke to receiue their rewarded fo to hauepraifc of God. 161 Mac.x5.x8. Mat.7.24. 2 .Tim. a. if. i.Cor.3.12. Iohnj.ir. M Chap. l6l Difference in thectjeclsef ajjuran ce* Pfalajo.4. lob &14. Iude 4. Ephcf.2.10. 24 Am affme obedience^ Ch a p .1 5. Chap, XV. The different v/es they put their per fwafion vnte. S the truly faithfull lay hold of Chrift, fo doth the hypocrite : as they are comfor- tably perfwaded to be faucd by him,thefe feeme alfo to bee eucry day as confident therein as they,and doe as boldly prefume and reckon thereupon, but as there is truth in that which is done by the one,and much guile and falfehood in that which is done by the other : as the one haue warrant for their fo doing, the other haue none; fo doe they in like manner differ in the vfe they put this their afiurance and perfwafionvnto, as they differed in the ground that ei- ther of them had for their being fo perfwaded. The one by meanes thereof feareGod the morc,be- caufc they k*>ow mercie to be with him i the other feare him- the leflfe ; yea not at all. Misbeleeuers and carnali Gofpellers vpon this idle conceit that they are furc they fhall be faued,lay afide all feare of God and care of goodnefTe, they fing fuch a re- quiem to their foules,as they now ring cockc on whoope, (as wee vfe to fay) and ring all care and feare away : yea they are as thofe of whom lob fpeaketh, that baueforfa- 'ken the feare of the Almightie, That grace of God, which I they fay,they hope to be faued by jhej tHrneinto wanton- neffe: they hauing gotten this by the cnd y that theiufijhxll line by his faith, eucn by faith alone,and not by works ,they hereupon lay away all care of goodworkes, which God hath ordained that true be lee vers fbouldwalkein,w\& they hold thefelues to their idle and their (ingle fold faith, and they runne away counter with this in their minde, and this in their mouth, the iuft fliall liue by his faith: as thou gh Ch a p . 1 5 • or the power ofGedlimffe. though they had now found out fuch a way to heauen, as doc what they will in all their life time, they can ncuer comeiliort of the place that theyfeeme fo to hunt for. But they and their faith are like toperilli together, and their affurance is as fure to truft to,as is a recde or broken ftarTe, which will be fure to leaue them in the ditch, when they truft ing vnto it moft,doe reckon and looke toleape ouer thereby. True beleeuers who know of Gods louc and fauour towards them indeed, and apprehend thefe etterlafting Jweete mercies of God in Chrifl Ieftts, which haue eternal] life and faluation accompanying them, whereof they haue good affurance giuen them,and wrought vp in their hearts by their lb beleeuing^heir fbules being now fatif- fiedas with marrow and fatneffe, which makes them praife God with ioyfull lips ; they doc not receiuc this grace of God in vaine, but becaufe they flndc fuch mer- cie from God, they fearc him the more with a child-like feare, which makes them awfully to fcrue him, and wil- lingly to performe euery good dutievnto him. Yea, the lone of God in Qhrift Iefus conflraines them to doe their dtitie^andto profeffe with Dauid, that of force they muft lone God. Now are not his commandements grieuous vn- to them, but their delight is in the law ofCjod, which they haue learned Job,toprefirre before their appointed food.The more affurance they haue of Gods loue towards them, whereby they know God to bee their God, and haue boldneffe to crie abba father vnto him, the more furely hath the Lord their hearts ioyned vnto him in true loue againe,they being tyedfaft with the cords of his ownc loue wherewith firft hce loued them, which caufeth them reciprocally to louc him backe againe. And becaufe he hath giuen them the Spirit of adoption, whereby they know him to be their father, the more may hee reckon vpon the naturalnes of their loue and child-like dutie vnto him, becaufe hec now knoweth them(as being fo made by him) to be his ownc true children indeed,?rtetf M 2 he I63 PfaJ.iS.i. 164 z. Pet. i. 4. Mansaftiue Obedience, Chap. 15. he hath made partakers of his owne dittine nature, fctting his owne image vpon them, and giuing them a heart and difpofition to be like minded to himfelfe, to loue that he loueth,and hate that hce hateth : euen to louerightcouf- nefle as their life, and hate all manner of wickedneffe which God doth moft hate. He may now reckon vpon them as vpon his peculiar ones, to haue feruice done at their hands, though others will doe none, that they will ftirre,when others fit full : and though others doe grum- ble and fnuffe when they are fpoken vnto,yet for them to be found willing, chearefull and vnwearied in their well doing. Chap. XVI. How eafic it is to get afalfe ferfxvafionJ>ut difficult to ait awe found affurance offalmtion : which is another difftrence haweene them. ffigSftgffgfrfHe afluranceof an hypocrite is of nofuch *^a§f| f§^ excellcncie,but it is eafie to come by, and ®&jj may bee as foonc light vpon as eueritis k2S *°°k ec * ^ttt : f° r lt ls as r^rufe ftuffc that owiSmlcin lieth in euery mans way,not worth the ta- king vp. No marueile then that they are fo full of it, for of fuch rubbifh there be cart load fills ro be had in euery ditch,andthrowne out vpon euery dunghill, which hee that hath vnderllanding to difcerne between things that differ, would rather throw from him, theneuer takevp, though it lay in his way. A wife Chriftian will rather emptie his heart of fuch idle conceits(as thefe fet fo great ftore by)if any fuch he found there, then fo to fill himfelfe as with emptineffe and winde that will put him more to paine,thcn profit him any whit. Such Chriftians as thefe they are no fooner borne, but they aregrownemen the firft : fo foone as euer they begin to make any profeffion of! C h a t> . 1 6. or the power ofGodliwJJe. !6 5 ofChnftian religion they attaine to their perfection rib faft as they make any beginning,thcy by and by know as much as any can teach them, as to loue God aboue all things,and their neighbour as themfelues. This they rec- kon to be all that can be taught them, there is no more to be learned : they know al are to be faued only by faith in Chrift Iefus, what need they any more ? they are now fure of their faluation for euer, they will neuer doubt af- ter. It may be faid of the afTurancc that thefe men haue, according to that which goeth in the prouerbe, it is/bone ripe, and it will be asfbcne rotten : it is brought footth at once like Jonahs gourd, they neuer laboured for it, no more then hee did for his gourd (for fuch weedes as thefe idle conceits and fond fancies, wherewith fuch fort of Chriftians vfc to flatter their owne hearts,they wil grow faft enough of themfelues) : but as it is eafily come by, fo it is as eafily loft againe: it may grow in one night, as did his gourd,and perifh in another; and then it will be with them as it was with him, they will fret more for the want of it,then euer they ioyed'm their firft hauing of it. The good afturance of Gods faithfull feruants,is very hard to come by. Theaflurance of faith,like faith it felfe, as it is mod pretious, fo it is moft rare, and not common to be found. In this particular the truth of that which runneth in another prouerbe (that is common) is much confirmed,that daintie things are deavcthings,and things of moll excellencie will not be attained to without great difrlcultie. Great is the cofr many of Gods feruants haue been at, and hard hath been the labour which they haue taken about this one point of their affurance: they haue fweat much and taken fore paines hereabout, night and day doe they feeke it, yea daies and yeeres haue they be- llowed vpon it in feeking after it,and yet hardly can finde it, and with much difficultie can euer attaine vnto it : the Lord feeing it meete fo to haue them exercifed, fo to de- erre them, and fo long to put them off, before euer hee vill giue them to haue their hearts deiire herein. For he | M 3 know* I Ion ah 4. io. True affurance hardly goitcn* \66 Mans dttiut Obedience^ C h a p . 1 5. knoweth fuch to be the worth and excellencie thereof,as it will quit well the coft they haue been at, and pay well for the trauaile and paines they haue taken for the com- 1 mingby it, when* once they fhall haue obtained it : hee holds it therefore at fo deare a price, that knowing what it coft them before they could purchafe it, they may the better cfteeme of it when they haue it. The Lord feeth well enough that the things we eafily come by,wee vfe as little care for and as lightly to fet by. Neither doth the Lord vfe to giuc this to be had all at once, and wholly to be wrought vp of the fudden. It is not a plant of a nights growing,** was Ionahs gourd: for when it is once growne and come to perfe£tton,it is neither the bittereft nor ea- gereft froft of one nights freezing, nor all the fharpeft winters of a mans whole life befide, nor the bitings of all wormes that (hall lie nibling at the roote, that euer can fo porTibly bite it or fmite it,as wholly for altogether to ouerthrow it in the end. Wee know that the great and mightie oakes,whofe enduring is for many ages, are lon- ger a growing and flower in attaining to their full growth,then are either fhrubs in the wood,or weeds in the garden, which eafily may bee bruflit vp, or weeded out with the hand, or being let alone, will of themfelues fade quickly and wither away : but being once growne they will ftandany ftorme,and endure the foreft temped. So is the comming forward of the good aflfurance of a true beleeuing Chriftiamit asketh many a yecres growth before it can gather ftrength and attaine to due perfe- 6Yion,itmuft be holpen forwards by manifold experien- ces,and much obferuation had of Gods gracious fauours in the whole courfeof our Hues, and fo be made to cn- creafc as with the encreafe of God. The growth of it is (low, and requireth much attendance, much labour and coft to bee beftowed about it to haue it got for- ward : but when it is growne it is fure, as that which is euerlafting, and will not perifh for euer. And it proueth to be of nature inuincible,that dareth encounter the bit- tereft Ch a p . 1 7. or tbepomr o/GodlineJfe. tereft enemie that it hath : whereof we haue a moft preg- nane example in that bleffed Apoftlc Paul. Chap. XVII. Of another fpeciati difference, rvbieb is, That the ttiif- beleeuer is free from the ajfaults of Satan, where- with the true Chriflian is alwaies troubled. He afTurancc of a mif-beleeuer,how vn- fureitis,ifno otherwife it could bee knowne ; hereby it may well appeare, that he who is fo great an enemie of the faluation of euery man, lets them alone with fuch courfes as they take about their faluation when they promife faluation to themfelues, and fay they are vndoubtedly allured therof already. He doth neuergainfaythem,nor call their afifu- rance into any queftio ; for they vfe not to doubt,neither would they doubt for all the world, and as for the diuell they fay they doe defie him : but for all their defying of him,andaswellasheontheother fide doth loue them, if he knew that they were right,and fo like to efcape him; if he were not certaine that fo long as he can keepe them to be of that mind that now they are of, they are fure c- nough his owne,he would bee fo bold as to haue about with them in that point of their afllirance, as well as with other men. But he is too fubtile,too wilie,and in his kind too wife, fo much to wrong himfelfe, and difaduantage his owne caufe, as euer to difquiet their reft, and awake them out of that (lumber :fo long as he finds the to be ftil dreaming that all is well with them. He thinkes foone e- nough to giue them fuch a good morrow at his greeting them in hell, where he moft defixes to haue them,as flhafi gafter them well enough out of this drunken peace of car- t;v; •■- .' - M 4 nail i<58 Prou.7.7.11, M am aftiuc Obedience, Ch a p . 1 7, Gedtyajfatiltcd, I Luk. 21.1$, nail fecuritic,whcrcin they hauc flcpt Co long, which then fhall haue an end when their torment fhali begin, which neuer more (hall hauc end. If hee can carrie them to hell without any noife,and ieade them on by dealing ftcppes to that dungeon of darknefle : as the foolifh young man caught by the whorifh woman, was lead like a foole that knoweth nothing, when yet he was carried to the fleckes for his due correction, it is the onely courfe aboue all others that he could take to chufe. Wheras then it is the known practice of the diuell to aflaile true faith in cucry man,and by all meanes to ouerthrow and deftroy faith where hee findes it to be,if poflibly he can. It is more then cuident, that thole who are many times found to bee both igno- rant in knowledge, and very carelefTe in life, who doe boaft of great faith,and brag offo (rrong afTurancc; that they haue nothing lefTe then true faith indeed, or any lb good aflurance as can Rand them in any ftcad, and that Sann knowcth well enough, who lets them fo alone without any troubling of them, or difquieting them at all ; which doubtlefle hee would neuer doe, did hee per- ceiue any one fparke of true faith to bee in them, or any fuch aflurance as whereby they apprehending Qjrift le- fus, might haue any true comfort of obtaining life and faluation by him. On the other fide, all true beleeuets, and fuch as are Gods faithfull feruants indeed, find by their owne la- mentable and forrowful experience,how troublefome an cnemie Satan is vnto the in thefe points, of their true be- lecuing,and comfortable aflurance of their faluation. In thefe things he will not let the alone to die for ir,fo long as he can finde them lining here vpon earth, within the prccin&s of his iurisdi£tion,if God doe not reftraine him, he will be euer this way troublefome vnto them. A de- uo.iring Lion is not more greedy of his prey, then hee is ofmakinghauockeandfpoyle of the faith of men. Oh ho w did he ^yTrmthtbe contrary of temporizers is declared. Queftion. c you haue Jhewed much difference to be both be- tweene the knowledge of one that is vnfanclified and vn found in the faith , and of him that is 4 _ true beleeuer , rvhofc heart is purified by \Jound and fauingfaitl'A indeed : and in like fort betweene \ the manner of their apprehending and laying hold of Clyrifi [for faluation.zsts alfono leffe difference to bee betweene the affurance and perfwafion that either of them doe ground themfelues vpon for the obtaining of life and faluation in Chrifi, by meanes fffuch their laying hold vpon him ; Tro- ceed j C h a p . 1 8 . &r the power ofGodlmeJJe, ceednowto declare what you thinke concerning fitch diffe- rence as may befoundbetvreenethe ioy that followeth heere- upon, and maketh glad the hearts of either of them, once tru- ly hauing,or fupfofing themfielues to haue good and warran- table afarance of their fialuation. A. Ioy and gladnelTe ( which is an affection of the heart that is deriued,and fpringeth out of the loue and li- king of a prefent good,or out of an allured hope and ex- pectation of fome good that is to come,wherby the heart is dilated and fet out,and the fpirits therein ftirred to liue- lineiTe and cheerfulneflfe) cannot but ( according to the meafure of the apprehending of fuch a ioyfull obiecl: as promifeth all good contentment and pleafure to be found therein)be more or lcffe felt in the heart, and follow a- bundantly,when there is a full a(Turance,an abundant and confident perfwafion of obtaining fo great a good, as is indeed the greateft good of all that can be widied or ho- ped foi^orpoffibly may be looked for by any to be en- ioyed, which is the euerlafring good of foule and body for euer : whereby they doe not onely know they Jhallbee delivered from the wrath that is to come^ but be made parta- kers of that glorious inheritance which is prepared for the Saint sin light: and that for the prefent, their ftate is fo comfortable,and they fo highly in Gods fauour ( at leaft in their owneconfeiencesperfwaded) as of the children] ofwrathjipowetis now giuen them to become the fonnes ' of God -^ yea heir es 3 and heires apparant of life and glory with Chrift Iefks. This cannot but raife vp in their hearts great and abundant ioy, yea ioy that is vnutter able and vnfpeakable, fuch as will make their hearts to dance in their bellies for ioy and merrines in the good liking they haue of this their fo blivTe-full an eftate and moft happie condition, that both prefently they now ftand inland yet hereafter farre more fully doe looke for to enioy. Now both thefehauing fuch & perfwafion, they like- wife haueand doe feele ioy in their hearts following ther- upon. And cbeioy is anfwering to the kind of affurance and' 73 Difference in Uft 174 Mans all sue cbediwce. C h a p . 1 8.t Falft toy fades* i.5am.25.37. Dm.^5.$o. and perfwafion that is had of fo comfortable an eftate and condition that dcth caufe the fame. And for fo much as it hath been fufRciently cleared,and made manifeftly to appeare, that there is as great odds and difference be- tweenethcaffurance of a true beleeuer, and ofatruebc- leeuers counterfeit ; as is between e the boldncjje of faith, and the blindnejfe of folly ; betweene humble obedience m belccuing what God ''oth promife,and proud } preemption in promiEng to themfelues without any word or warrant fromGodjWhat themfelues alone doe fancic ; the caufes being fo differing, and found to bee fo farre at odds be- tweene themfelues, the effects riling from fuch caufes, muft needs be feucred as farre afundcr, and differ as much the one from the other. The deceiueable and vnwarrantable affurance of mif- beleeuers cannot produce any better effe6t,then a carnall, lying,a falfe,and a fading ioy, that is not to be truftcd vn- to, but will vanifh away, and not be found nor felt in times of the greateft need, when their beguiled hearts (hall then moft of all be left void of all found comfort and contentment,when trouble fhall be hard at hand,the greateft light of their ioyes isfoone ccclipfed, and ouer- caft with any fad remembrances, and but the very heare- fay of any trouble or danger towards them,is able to dafh all their mirth at once ; yea,to ftrike them fo as was Na- ^/,ftrooken when his hart diednvithinhim^andhe became asaflone. Their fmiles are but faint and heartlejfe, they may fometimes counterfeit a laughing gefture, when yet the heart within taketh no fuch plcafure,as they do make fhew for : they be but falfe and durclcffc pleasures, they vfe to make themfelues merry with, in the middeft wher- of,though they doe what they can, yet their hearts for all that will be felt to be in heauineffc : they may be full io- cund,and all on the hoigh for a time, and yet by and by the cafe as much altered with them, as euer it was with BelfhaxAer, when he faw the hand-writing againft hirn, what time hee was moft merry in hh cups and carowjings, drinking Chap.i8- orthcporverofGodlineJJ'e. | jyj ■ ■■ ■ • ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ' — '■■■ ' J ■■■ i drinking in that wine which the fiords of his enemies' did foone draw out of his body agz\ne( for even that night he was flaine), then will their merrie Qomedies bee turned into fad and hemy Tragedies, their pleafantneflfe into pen- fiueneflfe, their mirth into wofull mourning, and they dcC^ perately forrowing as thofethat haue out-liuedall their ioycsjthey being for cuer left in diftreffe and heauinefTe, when all ioy and gladneffe (hall flie farre away. Coatrarily 5 the ftable,flrme,and good afiurance of the True ioy UHing % other jWill beget,breed and bring forth a fure, folid, fpiri- tuall,and true lafting ioy, which withafweete and hea- uenly motion, will caufe their hearts to reioyce in £hris~l leftist in their chiefeft good,and prefent good. The na- ture of this ioy,is to enlarge and exhilarate the heart, and fo much to affect him that hath it,as it will caufc him to exult and leape with reioycing. This is not a halfe ioy, a giggling from the teeth outward, but a thorowand full ioy,that affe£teth foule and body, /pint and flefh, to make Pfal.84.x. allreiojce together: fuch ioy as will giuefixgs to a man in * Qb 3f»'°» the night feafbn,zucn fuch fongs to God his people, as in\ the night when afolemnefeafi is kept, and fuch gladneffe of Pfal.77.rf. heart, a* when one goeth with a pipe (as the Prophet (pea- Pfel.30.2p, keth). Euen fuch ioy as is not only vafpeakable to them that haue it,and doe feeleit, but it is incredible to them that haue it not, and doe but heare of it, as who by their owne experience did neuercome yettotafteof the like. Many thinkc that good Chriftians are depriued of all comforts,they haue no ioy nor gladne{Te,they know not what a merry life meanes, they thinkc for any to doc as they do, is to liue but a mopifh and melancholy life,there is no cheare in their courfe. But Gods feruants are allow- ed to haue their delights in this world, to haue ioy and gladneffe of heart in this life,as well as any others*, nay a- boue and before others ; they may haue more fuller con- tentment, more lblide ioy, more fweeter delight, more ftable and fure comfort, then any in the world bcfide: not the merrieft Greekcs, and luftieft galllants in the World i 7 * Mam aftine obedience, C h a p . 1 8 . Ifai.rff.14. Pfal.25.13. Prou.15.jj. Pfal.17.14. World befuie (that powre out thcmfelucs to the fa- tisfying of their pleaiurcs, and bathe themfelucs in all manner of carnall delightcs, that take fo much care for the flefh to fulfill the luftes thereof ) can come nearethem for a true comfortable life indeede : all the pleafures that they haue being but counterfeite fhad- dowes,in companion of the foundnefle and fubftance of the ioyes that thefe haue; theirs are butbaftardly, falfe pleafures,that will end in forrowes: thefe arc true ioyes indced,that will neuer haue an end. The fweete muficke of the Temple was tjpica/i '^figuring the ioy of the Church, where is a&rance of forgiueneflfe of finnes, and of Gods fauour in Chrifi lefus : how fweete is the mufickeand heauenly melodie, that the peace of God -which pajfeth all vnderftandwg,nnket\\m that confcience wherein it is fo felt ? how great is that ioy that cannot be contained, and kept within the heart that hath it, but muft needs breake out,and beeexpreffed byfingingfor very ioy of heart. It is faidjthat thefouleofhim that f ear eth the Lord,fball dwell at eafe : and he that hath a good confcience, hath a continuall feaft.Vut thefe two together,and let them meete in a good Chriftian,and tellmee whofe ftateisfohappie, as is the ftate of a righteous man ; eafie dwelling, and merry-ma- king ? what would any deflre more ? if things bee rightly compared together,the Friday (aswevfetofpeake) of a good Chriftian is better,then the Sunday of a worldling. And though the wicked haue their bellies in thisw r orld filled with his hid treafure, yet the very fcrapings of the trenchers of Gods feruants are better then all the dainties that the wicked haue, when their fare is all the beft. For that is true which is faid by one, if Chriftians be not mer- riest is not becaufe they are Chriftians, but becaufe they are not fhriftians enough: and \£ Gods feruants haue not comfort and ioy of heart,it is not becaufe they ferueGod, but becaufe they feruc him not as they might,2nd as they ought. Vnto them therefore who cannot conceiue, how thispoiTibly canbe,itmaybe faid, as (jprian out of his ownc Ch a p . 1 8 . or the power ofGodlwejfe. ovvne experience did write vnto a certaine friend of his of this matter concerning himfc!£who before his conucrfion thought it impotTible,if he fhould change his manners to find inch comfort in a vertuous life,as afterwards hee felt, faith thus to him in his writing, accipe cjuodfentitur ante- quam difcitur-Joeare the report of that which isfooncr knowne by feeling it to be fo, then learned by any teaching that it isfo : for he by his owne experience now felt and found that to be, which(beforehefofeltit) he would not hauebelee- ued, whofoeuer fhould haue told it him, that it euer would haue fo been. As then the fenfe of Gods loue is th fureft ground of our (table peace,and the maineft prop of our greateft a(Turance,fo the fame affurance, folong as it can be felt,caufeth the heart that fo feeleth it, to reioyce with fuch a ioy, as Peter faith, to be vnfpeakgble, as paf- {lngallfpeechandvttering^W^W^j" in regard that it is diuine,Jpirituafl,folideand continually which bringeth no fhame with it, that it may fo bee differenced from the {hamcfull reioycings, which many wicked in the world are found often to haue, and tovfe: called glorious or ioy full of glory, beauCe it is part oftheklngdomeofheauen, and the beginning of that glory that is to come. To the getting of which ioy, our Sauiour Chrift exhorteth and inciteth his difciples,when he recalling them from reioycing too much in other things, though othcrwife very great and excellent preferments beftowed vpon them, and gifts gi- uen vnto them: fuch as was the honing of the very diuels themflues to be fubdued vnto them, which one would think e might minilrer caufe of much reioycing vnto any ; • yet becaufe that alone is not a ground fufficient for any j to flay vpon, that would haue a ftable and furelafting ! comfort,ncither can there bee found enough therein for I the foule to reft vpon,that defireth euery way to bee fatif- I fied,and the ioy thereof to be made full ; he willeth them to fetch their chiefeft comfort,and take their greateft ioy and reioicingjfrom the knowledge of thisjhat their names were written in the booke of life: this allowed them to re- N Joyce 177 Lib.ep. i.Pct.1.8. Rom.14.17. Luke 10,10. 178 Mans acliue obedience, Ch a p. 16. ioyce in, as that which hee knew was able to make their ioy euery way to be full. This ioy of a true belccuer that can thus know his name to bee written in the booke of life, and thereupon feeleth his heart filled with much comfortable aflurancc, and perfwafion of his prcfent moft happy condition, as being well alTured of his now ftanding in God his fauor, and fo in the ftate of faluation for euer. It doth goe farre beyond all the ioy that any hypociiteormisbeleeuer in the whole world(of what iort fo euer he be)can euer haue orpoflibly amine vnto,when he hath done \< r hat he can And it exceedeth their ioy in all the fundry dimenhons (if after that iort thefc feuerall ioyesiliould beconfidered and compared together), namely, in height, in depth, in bredth.&m lengthy in all which feuerall refpedb, the ioy of an hypocrite commeth not neare the ioy of a true be- leeuer, but is in many degrees caft behind the fame, and thefe ioyes by a great diftance are kept afundcr,and farre remoued the one from the other. Hypocrites toyts from bimfelfc. Chap. XIX. Hypocrites differ from found beleeuers ivdl/tbedi- menfions of ioy • whereof the firft is, the bright both from whence it commeth } and to wbiebitreachetbto. Ir(t,for height and altitude, the ioy of an hypocrite is neither fetched fo high, as is the ioy of a true beleeuer,and as doth the ioy of one,whofe heart is faudhficd and purified by his faith: his ioy hath no higher defcent, then to come from himfelfe,and to be fetched out of the idle fancies,and falfc conceites of his owne feducing and feduced heart, which the deceiuer of the world^ogethcr wich the deceit that is in it f elfe,hath fo much abuied and beg ailed,as to bring it in- C h a p . 1 9. to tin power ofGodlimJJc* into fuch a fooles paradice, as now to thinkc no mans e- ftate to be better then his ovvnc, and that therefore none may bee merrier then hecmay be,nor any haue better or greater ioy ^hen he may haue ; fo that this his ioy being but home-bred, is no better then a carnall ioy, and a fruite of theflcfh. And as it is fetched no higher then fromhimfelfe : fo doth it reach no higher then to him- felfe ; for beyond himfelfevpward, it truly and properly cannot be faid to go ; it mounteth not fo high,as to reach vnto God aboue,as vnto the moft worthy and principal! obie£t,that it can find to fettle vpon,nnd to folace it {clfc and take delight in. Such a one fecmeth to haue a delight indeede, and take fome great pleafure in thefauour of God,which hee flandeth perfwadcd he now abideth in, and which he holds(by mifapplying of promifes, and mi- ftaking of grounds) without all controuerfic to belong vnto him. Thofe fauours of God(how flightly,fuperfici- ally,or wtongfully foeuer they belaid hold vpon)hec can well enough ioy in, when once they are dcfcended, and come downe fo low,as they are found to light vpon him (as he concciues),that now he may feemc to touch them, and take hold of them,reckoning without all faile to bee fauedbythemas wcll,and asfoone as the beft. Neither need any to rmrueile,though they arefeene to haue fuch a ioy ; for what reprobate is there that is (b foolifh, that would not with that foolifh prophet Balaam, that was more blind and brutifh,then the dumbe Afle he rode vp- on ; be ioyfull and glad,if he knew he might bee faued at the laft, and fhare with the righteous in his latter end? this dirfereth not much from the pleafure, delight and con- tentment,which a very bruite beaft may haucrthe Hogge which hunteth after nothing more, then to get his raue- nous appetite fatisfied/eemeth to bee glad when hee can get vnder an Acorn tree,greedily gathering vp the Acorns :hat fall from the tree,and ncuer leaues eating,till he bath eaten his fill,it is the fruit onely that he ioyes in; as for the :ree,he neither cares for, nor any whit doth looke after. N 2 Much 170 i8o Mans aftixc Obtditnce^ Ch ap.ipJ Beleeuenioyis fpirituall, i.TfteCx.*. Much afcer this manner is the ioying of thefc kind of bc-| lecuers ; they ioy in Gods fauours Co fane,as they may any benefit by them, but God himfelfc tbey little care for, neither doe they io much delight thcmfclues in him ; iffaluation might fall to their lot, they would lcape and be glad,but to hauc the Lord himfelfe their portion, that doc they not fo greatly defire, nor io much reckon vpon. The faith,the loue, the feare and ioy of fuch fort of men, and all whatfoeuer elfe they doe, proceede but of corrupt fclfe loue, whereby they loue their owne welfare, their prcfent and future good eftate; they defire Gods fauour, and they ioy in conceiting that they fhall hauc it,not (im- ply for it felfe,but in a by-refpc6t, cither to e/capefome e- uill,as Pharaoh defired fauour to haue the plague gonejor to obtaine fome greater good, as Balaam that wifhed hce might be faued ; and Efau as prophane as he was, could yet defire to bee blejfed. They pretend the loue of God, when yet they loue him not for himfelfe, but in refpe6l of his benefits ; as «SWlouedGod for a Kingdome. The ioy then of this fort of beleeuers,arifing out of a wrong per- fwafioa which they haue entertained into their hearts, that they are in Gods fauour,and are as well loued as any, and therefore mail be faued with the beftinthe end, is but a fruit of felfe- loue, and therefore no fruite of faith, but a fruit oftheflefh, which is wholly thus occupied a- bout themfelucs : for as ittookc the nrft beginning from themfelues alone,fo endeth it in themfelues, and in no o- thcr thing,that being the vttermoft aime that it euer hath to refpedt their owne good : higher then themfelues fim- ply it cannot be faid to reach, and further then to them- felues properly it cannot be faid to goc. On the other fidc,the ioy of the iufl: and righteous fer- uants of God,who are true belecuers indeed,is fruite of a more noble oft-fpring, and of a farre higher defcent; for it is faid to be the fruit ofthefpirit, andioy of the holy Ghofi. It \s fpirituaU,heaHcnly ,and, dittine ,Xkz the tvifdome that is faid to b e from aboue, which is pure and peaceable : fo doth i this C 1 1 a v . i $ . or the power cfGodlincffe. this come from an high,as being giuen ofGod, and com- ming from him that is the Father of light, eucn the Father of mercies , and God of all confolation: hce that created all things of nothing in the beginning, createthftill thefrmte oft he /ipps to be peace to his people : it is he that createth Ie- rufalemarcioycing,and her people a ioy. He that is the hca- uenly husbandman ,is he that hath fowne light for the righte- ous, and toy for the vpright of heart, and in due time, when this that isfowncfhalonce comevp and be ripe for them, and they be come ready for ic, then (hall they thatmourne in Zion haue beautie infteadofafhes,ths oyle of ioy for mour- ning,and garments ofgladneffefor thefpirit ofheauines:then jfhall they that haue fowne in tearesjreapein ioy in the time of that harueft, bringing not their armes full, but their hearts full of thefe bundles of gladneffe, that will make them reioyce with ioy vnfpeakable and glorious* This ioy of the faithfull,is faid to be the ioy of the Lcrd,becaufe hec is the onely author of it,and it alone is giuen by him, none can either take ioy or comfort for himfelf,or giuc it to an- other that doth want it,if God doe with-hold it : but on the other fide, ifhee doegiue comfort and peace, none can maketrouble\ if he doe giue ioy, none can take that away againe; and this ioy of the Lord, is faid to be his peoples firength. This ioy is fo high and fo heauenly, as it is part ofthekingdome ofheauen, and is the beginning of the glory that is to come : this ioy it is part ofthekingdome of God here, which our S amour Chrifi faith to bee within •w,the Lord fetting vp his kingdome in the hearts of his demand ruling mightily thereby hisWord,and by his Spirit. Now this kingdome(faith the Apoftle, confifieth not in me ate and drinke,biit in righteoufnejfe y and peace, and ioy in the holy Gboft. It is called the ioy of rhe holy Ghoft, becaufe it is not fo much our ioy, as the ioy of the holy Gholt thatmoueth our ioy,and caufeth our ioy,efpecially this ioy of our faluation,to haue the affurance thereof,and comfortably to ftand perfwadedof theloue of God to 181 wards vs, and of his fauing mercies N 3 m and through Chrift Ifaiafi 17.19. llai.65.18. Pfal.p7.11. Ifai.tfr.$. Pfal.utf.^. tfehem 8.io. Lukcij.ir. Rom. 14.17. i8i Tohn 14. 16.17 Ephcf.4.30. .Ephef.1.14. Rom,8.ij.i^. Mans aft'mt Obedience^ Ch a p.i 9. True ioy reach- eib t» God, Chrift Iefus : for it is he that is the Comforter that was pro- mifed to befent vnto vs ; it is he by whom w arefealed vp to the day of our redemption : he is giuen vnto vs,not alone j to be with vs, but to be in vs, that wee may haue him re- maining with vs,and hold him abiding in vs 3 as theearnefi of our purchafed and promifed inheritance, and as a pawne and gage left with vs in our hand neuer to be taken away, till we come to haue the full bargaine. It is he that is the Spirit of adoption, that imboldens vs to crie <*y^bbaFa- ther^nd makes vs to know God to be our Father, teftifjing to our fpirits, as a moft true and faithfull w\tneffe,thatweare his children. So that all the found comfort which at any time we haue, wee may well father it vpon him, and this ioy of our faluation may truly be faid to be the ioy of the holy Ghofl, and not our owne. And a the ioy of a truebeleeuer furmounteth in height the others ioy,in refpeel that it is more highly defcended, as that which commeth from aboue,and is giuen him of God,and wrought in his heart by his fpirit(the others ioy hauing no higher defcent, then to be defcended of him- felfe,hee heing the father of his owne ioy, which being but a baftardly ioy, it is all the while but a baftard of his owne breeding), fo in this refpeel: alfo, that it reacheth higher then the others doe,which refteth but in himfelfe, as from himfelfe it tooke the firft beginning ; but this reacheth vnto God that firft gaue it, and firft inftilled it into the heart that is fo replenifhed with it; and therefore in right it ought to returne, from whence it came,neither can it euer find any full contentment or iatisfa6tion elfe- where,tillit bee got to him, as being the trueft and moft perfecieftobie&itcanpoiTiblyfinde euer to refpeel and to fcateand fettle it felfe vpon: but when the ioy of a true beleeuer is extended vnto God, and is once faftned vpon the happy fruition of him, there hath it all fatisfying and full contentment indeed,there findeth he enough to make his ioy full,yea,more then heart can thinke, or euer wifli to haue,may there be found, and abundantly to bee had : for I Chap. 19. orthe power of Godlweff:, for in theyrefence ofGodthtre isfulnejfe of toy to be had, and that for euer more. A true beleeuer hath indeed great ioy in the arTurance he hath of his owne faluation ;howbeit, not fo great ioy in his faluation , as in his Sauiour himfelfe that hath faued him ? that he now knowethGodtobehis God,that God himfelfe is for him, and that God is -with him(fox. fo he need not care, who poffibly can be againft him),and that heknoweth Chrifr himfelfe to bee his Sa- uiour that hath lotted htm, and giuen himfelfe for htm, ap- prehending him afluredly to be his owne : for now hee knoweth,he hath not ondy faluation as a flreame flowing out of him,buc in hauing the Sauiour himfelfe, he hath fo the whole founcaine of faluation it felfeto be his owne. And therefore a true beleeuer, if hee fhould expreiTe his ioy in finging,he would fing trie fong of CMarie the blef- . fed Virgine, Cfrlyfouledoth magnifiethe Lor d, and my (pr it ireioyceth (not fo much in my faluation as) in God that is I my Sauiour : for though other things may caufe ioy to Gods feruants,yet God himfelfe is their exceeding ioy, and the gladncjfe of their ioy : as the Pfalmift fpeaketh. And doubtlefle if God and our felues,his glory and our falua- | tion could not both be refpedted and regarded together, J but the one muft be forfaken,that the other may bee fol- lowed,and the one left yea hated,that the other may bee loucd, a good Chriftian and faithfull feruant of God would according to the precept of Chrift labour to deny himfelfe, yea to hate father , mother ,and his owne life to,tofol- f low Qhrifl^ox elfe he were not worthy to be his difciple : and j according to the practice ofAfofes and Paul jthew the na- turalncs of their loue how mucb they ftand arTedioned to God,and to his gloi y ,in fo much as in refpeda of the preti- ous and high account they haue God and his glory in, they would not fticke to fet behind,and vnder-valew the regard of themfelues^and their owne faluation ; more de- fying that God fhould bee glorified, then their owne feluesfaued. If a true beleeuer can find his name to bee written in the booke of life,and that the lot is fallen vnto N 4 him 183 Tal.i$.n. Rom.8.31, Gal a. 10. Luk.1.47. PfaI.4M. Luk^.23. &J4.2tf. R0EB.9.3. I»4 Pfal.1^. Mans aft'tne Obedience, Ch a p . 19. him, as that hcc fhall now ihare with the reft in that inheritance, which is prepared for the Saintes in light, hee worthily may, and indeede ought to reioycc there- in : tor ib doth our Sauiour will his Diiciples to re- ioyce in this ,t hat they knew their names to bewrittenin the boohe of life, and hec may vpon good caufe ling with Da- uid,The lines are fallen to me in a faire -place, I haue a good- ly inheritance. But all this cannot giue him the like con- tentment,nor make his ioy lofull, as when hee knovveth that the Lordhimfelfe is become his portion : for God be- ing our God and Chrift our Sauiour,in hauing him to be ours,all is ours and giuen vs with him. And this was that which Dauidfeemcd mod of all to take his greateft plea- fure and chicfeft delight in,by his often repeating of this, that the Lord himfelfe was his faluation, and become his ioynter andhappie portion : and though the lot did o- therwife fall out wel and happily for hi:n,yet he acknow- ledgeth that it was God who maintained that lot, and cau- fed it to fall out lb as it did, that he might fhew,if the lot was to be loued and liked of by him, how much more he that caufed ic,who ordered that lot,and maintained it in that fort, as he might hauc it and enjoy it, was aboue all to be loued and liked for it : teaching all good Chri- ftians by his example and pra£tice,that it" they doe great- ly account of their faluation and ioy much therein, that they doe farrc more highly account of God himfelfe that is the God of their faluation, and hath freely bellowed it vpon them, that hee may haue the loue and ioy of their hearts principally, and aboue all things elfeto bee moft delighted in. *Dauidhzd many preferments in earth, hee had good cuidencc alio to looke for fomcthing in heauen as well as another, his owne heart did often affoord him much comfort when he dejired but to haue thofe ioyes a- gaine reftored vnto him that he was wonttofinde, and yet there was nothing in heauen, nor nothing in earth that he defired to haue be/ides the Lord, and in comparifon of him 1 yea hee efteemed more of hauing the Lord for his portion^ ) C h a p . 1 5? . or the power ofGodltnejJc. portion, then of all the comfort his heart could affoord him : for his fle/h did often faile him, and his heart would alfo faile him much,but God failed him neturjouz became theftremrthofhis heart(yvhcn that failed him), and his por* tionforeuer. Like as they who today doebeleeuc, and haue now the comfort of their faiuation, which they doe much ioy irr, to morrow may haue their faith fo fhaken, that they cannot beleeue as they did before, and fo the comfort and ioy of their faiuation for the time may be gone : but God is the ftrcngth of their fakh,and the vp- holder of their faiuation for cuer, who himfelfe is fo faith- fully though they cannot bcleeue,yet hee cannot denie himfelfe. Gods children haue learned therefore more to ioy in God> who is the ftrengch of their faith, and the vp- holdcr of their faiuation, then in the ftedfaftnes of their beleeuing, or any affurance that they haue of the fame their owne lain .nion. If a man haue a rich and royal por- tion,he is much pleafed and delighted therein : the Lord being the portion of his feruants and their chicfc trea- fure,all their lodging defiie is to enioy hi m, which if they can obtaineit is enough to them, and that which their foules are fully fattsfied in, this is the making vp of their ioy,their chiefelt folace and their hearts onely delight. Giue a man his delight, hee asketh no more, hee is then content : Gods children thinke they want nothing, fo long 04 they haue himfor their hcn they know him to be their God and father re- conciled in Cftfifl Iefus, and doe feele his louc fhed a- broad in their hearts,fo as they know he loues them by tafting the fweetnefle of his loue, which is better then wine : fuch is the goodneffe and the greatnes, fuch is the glorious excellencie of God his owne maieftie,as the better he is knowne,the more he muft needs be loued,dc- lighted and ioyed in for his owne maiefties fake : Gods children doe therefore loue God dearely, yea they can- not Pfa l8 5 73-V' iS6 PfaU6.8. Plal.84*. Cannc.5.8. Pfal.4-*. PfaUj^.f. Pra!.i8.;T. Pfal.77.13. Pfal.34.*. &44» 8 - Ma n s affme obedience ', C h a p . 1 o , not but of force they muft loue him : fo doe they Joue hinyoy and delight in him, as the) loue the habitation of his houfe y and the place where his honour dwelleth ,thcy loue (as wee vie to fay) the very ground he gocth vpon,they are neuer well but when they are with him ; their foule is athirflfor God, euen the lining God, they vfe to long for him, euen to the very fainting of their heart , and to grow (icke with the loue of him, there is nothing they can leflc beare then his abfence, and for him to be eftranged from them for any time, it is as death to them to want his pre- fence, but they aske no more then to haue the light of his countenance lifted vp vpon them, for they find c content- ment enough in him : this caufeth to them more ioy then the abundance of come and wine and oyle, (though neuer I fo increafed)can. Yez,rheloutng kindnejfe of God is, better then is loue it felfe, they are euer fatisfied with thefweetnejfe ofhismercie as with marrow andfatnes. This makes them to reioyce in the Lord alwaies y and to reioyce inhisftrength, continually topraife him, & to make their boafl of his praife: for who is God but the L ord, an d who fo great a God,as is their GW,and whefo gracious and good as he . ? They are(as I may fay) proud of their Mafter, his greatnes and excel- ccncic being as it is, many are feene to get themvnder great men to ferue them. A noble man thinkes himfelfe honoured if he may but hold the bafen to a King, it may be the reioycing,and counted for the greateft dignitie that the higheft Kings in the world can be aduanced vn- to,to ferue fo great a God as is he,there is no place in his feruice meane, his MaiefHe is fo great, there is none fo honourable a Matter as the Lord to waite vpon,for his throne is prepared in heauen : therefore doe the faithfull ferue the Lord with gladneffe and much ioyfulnes of heart, as thinking themfelues greatly honoured that they may ferue him: neither doe they as mercenarie feruancs only refpect their wages and hire they fhall haue for their fcruice,buttheylooke vpon the high dignitie, the grea worth and glorious excellence of him they attend vpon whof C h a p .20. or the power of Goduxeffe. i87 whofehighneffe and greatnes is fuch, as that touching him,it may well be foid^IVorfbip him ally? Gods An fcruing the Lord they neuer thinke any dutie fufficicnt, nor fcr- uice great enough that can be performed to To eminent a Matter, fo mightie and fo gracious a God as is the Lord : for God is with fuch an affection, with fuch a defire and minde to be loued,ferued and ioyed in,that hee himfelfe may beef/teemed and reckoned reward great enough of his owne worfhip of all the loue that is borne to him,and of the belt feruice that any can doe vnto him : otherwife hee that ferueth God for any other refpe6t then for the Lords own fake,ferueth not fo much God,as that which by feruing him he aimeth at and defireth to haue. Chap. XX. Of the fecond dimenfion of icy wherein they differ, which is the depth of a deiefttd anddi/con- folateeftate. H E fecond dimenfion that the ioy of a true beleeuer exceedeth the ioy of a true beleeuers counterfeit in,is,i?n the depth of a deie&ed and low eftate and condition: whereinto they both, as well the one as the other, may at fometimes indifferently be brought : which fo happening,the ioy of one vnfound in the faith, is ?lcogether extinct, and can no more be had, when di- ftrefle commeth vpon them they begin to mourne,, as thofethat hadouthued all their ioyes. But the ioy of a true beleeuer, which is the ioy of raith,it is either felt in it according to the power of faiths working, as hee then can get to belteue : or it i3 vndoubtedly in the end fetch- ed out of it,and many times doubled afterwards for the little time that it then was ecclipfed. Both of them may Pfa].i 4 o.io. be caft into a labyrinth of troubles and into a fea oiF I miferies VrofyerMJent. S3 Talfeioy in for. row cbtbfiifa True toy rifclh out tffomw. Mat.T4.3r, Pfa!.8rf.i?. Ionah.i.2. Mans acline Obedience, Ch a p . 20, mifcricSjtbcy may be in worull di(treiTe,and brought to the Mate of the forlorne hope (as wee vfe to fpcake),the one by biding the aduenturc is bleiTcd with fuch fuccefie, and fcapeth happily out of danger, when the other fhif- tingfor himfelfe, mifcarrieth in allthatheendeuoureth, and fo Commeth fliort home in the end. A true beleeuer is neuer in fuch a fea of mifery,but he efcapeth drowning, and fwimmeth fafely out of it againe ; for hee is alwaies held vp as by the chin, cither by the ftrcngth and com- fort of his hope, which maketh him to reioyce in hope that hee fhall be dcliucrcd in the end ; his hope ( by hol- ding fa(t the confidence of it) boying him vp that he fink not in all thofe waues : or clic he is caught hold vpon and held vp from finking, by the good hand ofGod his gra- cious ai Je,as Chrifl tock^ hold of Teeter "when hewasinthe hollow of the waue, and fatted him out of danger. The other when hee commeth to the depth that hee can feelc no ground with his feete,is left there in thefuds,and being hopelefle and ioylcrTe, fmkes downe to the bottome,hke as doth a (tone. Both Gods faithfull feruants and falfe hearted diffemblers may fall downe fo low, and altera fort be drowned in fuch depths of defperatc forrowes, as they may bee thought in their owne feeling, and in the iudgement of others alfo, to befunke, euen into hell, as the Pfalmift acknowledged! God had deliuered his foule out of the nethermofi-hclL And Iomh being caft into the fea and fwallowed vp of the Whale, (when he thence cried vnto the Lord)faid, he cried out of the belly of hell. The wicked they alfo fomctimes meete with their hell in this life,and are tormented fomewhat timely, or (as the dir.cls complained to Chritt) before their time : for as they that truly ferue God haue a double heauen, one heauen vpon earth while they Hue here, another heauen when they haue left the earth, and are out of this life, wherein they fhall remaine and abide for euer : fo they that ferue finne and Satan haue a double hell; befide that which was pre- pared for them of old, (as the Prophet fpeakcth)??/^ is made Ch a p .20. or the power ofGodlmcffe. , ■ . 1 .. . ■ ■ . » 1 1» - .1 . made decpe and large to hold them all, the burning whereof is fire and much -wood, the breath of the Lord as ariuer of brimftone cucr kindling it , into which they fhall bec throwne at the laft,when their life here fhall haue an end: they haue another hell in this world :For when they haue done the diuell the beft feruice they can, and wrought all themifchiefe that pofliblythey are able, they can finde no reft to their foules in the end of their worke, when they fecke fome reft after their labour, the bed is found too fhort , the cotter iriled from an ill confcience, and their bodies are not wafh:d with pure water; there is no ioy to bee affoorded from thence : nay,ihere they find the Ieaft eafe, and the mod i torment and difquiet/of all the reft thatporfibly they can meet with elfe where: befide (vnleuc they chance to earth themfelucs in the canes of obliuion, that iudgement to come may not come to their minds), their e(rate in that behalfe is as vncomfortablc,as is theirs that are clapt vp in clofeft prifons, and caft into deepeft and darkeft dungeons, lb as they can fee no manner of light of Sunnc or Moonc,or any ftarre that doth fhine : the liberty they find there,is as little as the liberty of him that is chained faft to a poft that cannot (threat all. For where the con- fcicncedothaccufe,theirfouleis made reftleffc with the vexations thereof, and then any pallace, how princely foeuer, would be no better then a prifon, or a Gaile to keepe the offender in : yea, Paradife it felfe would be lit- tle better then Purgatoric,or hell it felfe • as may be feene in csfdam, who haujng loft a good conscience t>y eating the forbidden fruit,though hee was in Paradife (till, yet all the ioyes therein were not able to comfort him ; but as one condemned in himfeife ; when the Lord called for him,he ran into the thicket to hide himfeife from Gods prefcncc,that he might not be found. Thus are the wor- kers of iniquity imprifoned in the iittle-eafe of their own accufing and condemning confeience, and held as cap- tiues bound faft in the cords of their owne iniquities: they may dwell in good houfes, trrey may walke in fairc galleries and pleoiant gardens, they may folace them- lelues in many other delights : but if they bee but hypo- critcs,that hauc onely fairc outfit :'cs/?nd but rotten harts, carying about with them the crying of their reftlefle con- feience that is euer accufing of them, though outwardly they may feeme to looke as fmirke and as cleere as the Sunne,and not once looke awry ; yet within the faces of their conference doe gather blackneffe, and there are ter- ^^ O 3 rours 197 Hcb.10.21. 198 Mdns Acliut Obtditncty Ch a p .2 1. Pfal.10j.18. Zach.9.12. Ifa. he can O 4 neuer 199 lob 5^.24. Monty. 20G Ionahi.4- 1 1.15.17. Sound ley is Urge. Mans aBme obedience^ Ch a p. 2 1. i.Cor. 3.21.13, nener fo lye hid, but God will find him out; for the Lords Wandingiron hath pierced cuen to his very heart, he can ne- uer ftiefof aft, but God will ft ill be before him; ifheflte from the Eaft,the Lcrdin/l hatte him in the Weft ; the further hee goethfrom the North y the nearer he is vnto the South ; he e- uer runneth as in a round, and fill hee is within the Lords reach and cvmpajfe/b that there is no efcapingfrom him.Thc Lord will bee fure to fetch againe euery one that would breake from him,and play the run-away ; runnc whither they can,he will belay all the world for them,buthce will be lure to haue them 5 hc wil fend out his fcrieants toarreft thcm,and he hath his Bailiefes in euery corner, that haue writs to feruevpon them, and to bring them in. Jonah plaied the run-away, and would haue been gone from God, out he fent out after him, the feahad commiffion to arrest him,Vihich would neuer be quiet till it had him, and had committed him to ward as clofe prifoner in the Whales bel- ly. Thus hypocrites and vnbeleeuers,and all wicked per- ions whofoeuer that are workers of iniquitic,they doe e- uer traile their ownc halters after them, and fpin the thread that wil make coards to hamper them,and to hang them in the end. And this may truly be faid to be the la- titude of the found ioy of an hypocrite, or mif-beleeucr, that it hath no latitude at all to be laid out vnto it, there being no one thing to bee found wherein hee may haue found comfort,and which he may fettle true ioy vpon, as in the end (hall neuer faile him. Contrarily fo ample is the ioy of a found Chriftian and true beleeuer indeed,fo wide and large is thefpread of it euery way,as the extent thereof reacheth itfelfe out to c- uery thing ; their eyes are cleare to fee from Eait to Weft that all is theirs, as they are ftrritts, and zsChriftis Gods: neither is there any one thing that may happen vnto them,whcrein their true and warrantable ioy cannot find fome ground or other to fet footing vpon, and to bee rai- fed out of the famc,though not primarily and (imply for the thing it ielfe, yet for their ownc fdues, and for their' ownc Ch a p .2 1- or the power ofGodlintffe. 201 ovvne fakes in Tome one or other refpe6r thcym^y findc! caufe (though not in themfelues, yet in the Lord) to re- 1 ioycealwaiesfor his goodnefTe vnto them, who by his gracious and wife prouidence doth fo order an d difpofe of euery thing that doth happen, as hec neuer faileth, but i doth caufe all to work together,to the good of them that truly doe loue him. This is that which theApoftle w r il-| leth and waranteth to cuery good C\m(\im,that they doe Pnil.4'J.*« reioyce in the Lord alwaits. Now alwaies includeth,as ally times So all things and all cafes that may happen; for if there were any thing that might come to paflfe, or any condition might befall a true Chriftian, wherein there could not be found fome caufe of reioycing in the Lord for fome one refpeel: or other, then might not a Chrifti- an reioyce alwaies : but this the Apoftle hath faid, hee may,yea and ought alio to doc, or elfe he would not fo directly haue fpoken it, and willed the doing of it : and left any fhould thinke, hee had fomewhat with the moft, and granted too large an allowance vnto Chriftians thus alwaies to reioyce,to meete with that doubt,and to make it cleare,that there is warrant for them fo to doe, he faith it againe,and fpeaketh it thefecond time, doubling that fpeech; as if he fhould fay; / willedyou to reioyce in the Contra.u6 .11& I Lord alwaies ,in faying whereof \1 haue faid nothing too much, ' Ihnow what I doe fay, I fay nothing but what I haue warrant for; I will therefore fay it againe 3 Reioyce in the Lord alwaies, andagainejfay reioyce. But it is worthy the marking, he doth not will vs to reioyce alwaies in all things that may happen ; for fome things may either be done by vs, or be done to vs,which are not (imply to be ioyed in, but to be lamcated in,and much bewailed byvs; for which things (themfelues alone being confidered) we are to be greatly forry,as being euill in themfelues. But becaufe fo won- derful is the Lord in counfel,and fo excellent in working, as he knowcth how to bring good out of the greateft euil that can happen to be donc(fir otherwije (as wel hath one of the Fathers obferucd) the Lordwouldneuer leteuillbee, j- vnleffe 202 Ecclef3.ii. Deur.?2.4. Mans adiut Obedience^ C h a p .2 1 . vnlejfehe knew how to bringgoodout ofcui//); therefore hee willcth vs(whatfocuer caufe we may haue)co be humbled in ourfelues for that which may befall vs,or vnto any o- thers; yet to reiojee in the Lordalvt>aies,\n his mercic and goodneffejuftice and truth jn the excellence of his wifedome and the abfolxte perfection of his skill \as who knowcth with- out all failings mak$ all things beautifull in due time ; foe fo perfect a workeman is he,as it skil'eth not what matter andftuffchetakethintohis hand to wovkevpon; refrufc and rubbifh that none others can tell how to put to any vfe,he will improue to fuch a purpofe,and caufe fo well to feruc his turners the very perfection of beauty fliall bee feene in that parting workmanfhip of his hands^which he will make euident to be done by him, and to be wrought vpon the lame : Forperfett is theworkeofthe mightie God, mtd all his waiesare iudgement; Cod is true And without •mckednejfe,iuft and righteous is he, as LMofis did fing in hisSwannesfong. Now if any doe defire, that as the Lord turneth all things to good/o hee might get good alfo outofeuery thing, thatfo hee might alwaies reioyce in all things fo made profitable vnto him,the Apoftle giueth him this di- rection following in the place before cited,that in nothing being too miftruftfully carerull,he doe make prayers vnto God alwaics,and in all things for the fame. Innumerable be the things that in particular may and doe fallout in our life time, which doe much and nearely concerne vs,fome which of themfelues in their ownc na- turc,and at the firft hand are very ioyfull and comfortable vnto vs,fcnt from God as benefits andblefTings to chcare comfort,and doe vs good, and fo they are accounted of by vs,and intertained with all gladnefle and reioycing on our parts,rcturning backe againe heartic thanks and prai- fes vnto God for the fame. In fuch things it is cleat c e- nougt^a good Chriftian may and ought much to reioice: but there arc many other things happening, which may fceme to be as much againft vs, and about fuch things is all Ch a p .2 2 • or the power ofGedlweffe. all the queftion, and the greatcft doubt made, how in thofe things(which firft and in their owne nature are hca- uie things to be heard of,to be fcene with our eyes,or felt by our owne experience, which iuftly doe bring matter of griefe and heauineffe to our hearts, and as iuftly may call for much humiliation at our hands), a faithfull feruant of God may poffibly gather or picke out any kind of true comfort,or find how any caufe of found ioy, and warran- table reioycing in any refpe6t may be raifedfrom the fame ; that fo this may ftand true,the ioy of a found Chri- ftian is of fo large an extent,as it may be reached out to e- uery thing that doth happen, and (according to that the Apoftle willeth)that a good Chriftian may be warranted to reioyce alwaies in the Lord. 203 Chap. XXII. Of the lets of true toy, and firft of finnt : And bow the Lord raifetb thence waiter ofrcioyctng to beleeuers* ^Fall the things that arc of this nature and l\*£ ^ mc ^ e ) tne grcateft doubt (fo farre as I con- k fSi ceiue) may be made of thefe two in pant* y y Mi cular : viz,, either of fuch things as doe re- §J§ fpeel our dealing againftGod by (inning and difobeying of him, or doe rcfpe&Gods dealing a- gainft vs by chaftifing and not fparing of vs, and that ei- ther by his withdrawing himfelfe from vs in hiding his owne countenance, or by his commingneere vntovs in iudgement to fmite vs with his rod,laying on heauy ch*- ftifements,and bringing fore and great troubles vpon vs. For as for allelfe that doe befall vntovs, by any other meanes of men or diuels, or any other the creatures, if they were not armed and made firong againftvs by our finnes , or were not fent and fet on by Gods owne hand his 204 Gen.ii.i?. d Iob.30.31. Amos $.3. Rom. 7.13. Mat? s alliuc cbedtexce. C h a p • 2 2 .1 his warrant and allowance,he being thereunto iuftly pro- uoked by vs to let them vpon vs, and to let them againft vs, wee need not weigh them a rufh,norcare at all what : they al together could poifibly do/or the doing tavs any ! hurt,or any way to hinder our fteady comfort. But euen ) in thofe things whereof the greateft doubt may be made: ! nf there can for the picfent no manner of caufe be found why in any refpecl a true beleeuer may haue his ioy in the Lord euen then ftill abiding,and fomc kindeof law- full reioycing in the Lord yet allowed vnto him ; it is not becaufe there is wholly wanting all manner of ground from whence rr,ay be raifed a true and warrantable kind of reioycing,but becaufe we cannot fee it till our eyes be opened, and the fame be (hewed vnto vs, as the tsfngell did Jbew U agar the well and fount aine from whence fbe fetched water for her refrefhing in time cf her great thirft, when fie thought there w04 no way butferijhing^bothfor her and her child too in that her diftrejfe. If we confidcr of our finnes againft God,which of all things elfe may iuftly be thought to be the greateft let of our ioy, and that which doth moft hinder our reioy- cing,it cannot be denied, if there be anyone thing more then other hi the world(in reipe£t of our felues alone)that may caftvslo weft downc, and make vs vile in our own e eyes,which may cleaue thcreines of ourbacke afunder, load our hearts with heauie griefe, and fill them brimmc full of forrow and woe,which may take sll ioy and glad- nesfrom vs, and caufe our harpes to be turned into mour- ning,and our organs into the voyce of them that we eye, and make our fongs be turned into hen lings , as the Prophet fpcaketh : it is this that wee not onely doe know that in VSythat is in our fie/h.no good thing is abiding.but th at there is filch a perpetuall rebellion found to be in ws,andfucha Idw in our members rebelling againft the law of our mindes> 04 is often carrying vs captiue vnto the committing offtnne, whereby our owne confeiences arc deeply wounded, God dishonoured and much difpleafed, and thereby e- nough Chap. 22- erthcporverofGodlineffe. \ 205 nough done to incenfe his wrath,and to caufc the fire of his anger to be kindled and flame out againft vs : in re- gard whereof wee haue caufe to take vp that forrowfull mourning and lamentation of Ieremiah : Woe to vsthat hzfr.u\6. euer wee haue thus firmed, and euery one to crie out with the Apoftlc, Oh wretched man that Iam,whoJball now de- Rom.7.14 limr me from this body of death ! Howbeit, as the Apoftk Paul feeling that prick* *?*d thorn? in the flefo, the mejfengsr of Sat an which wasfentto buffet him, and praying earnefllj to the Lord that it might be taken from him, when hce once had receiued anfwere from the Lord jhat he would have his owne fhrength made perfetl in his weakneffe, did reft in that anfwere, and was content to haue his owne weaknelTe madeknownevnto him, that fo the power of Chrift might the rather reft vpon him, for the Lord would haue that continued ftill, caiifing it to turne to the lingular good of theApoftle, which he was fo much afraid of,and did {o earneftly pray that it might be remoued and taken quite away from him,thereby wholly difappointing Satan of his malitious purpofe,in turning that to afoueraigne rcmedieand pre- feruatiue medicine for the good of his feruant,which Sa- tan had prepared and mie£ted into him as a moft pernio cious poyfon to doe him hurt withall. After this manner may the true feruants of God, when the Lord either leaues them tothemfelues to fall through their owne infirmitie, or giueth Satan leaue not only to 1 buffet them, .as hee did Paul y but to beate them quite downe and ouercome them, fo farre as to make them fall to the committing of (brae groife and grieuous finne : if by that meanes(the Lord being mercifull vnto them) 'v/batgalmout through the fupplie of his grace giuen)they may bee rffinn** brought the more to behumbled,and the better to know their owne fraikic and weakneiTe how great it is, and to be the more carefull for euer after with feare and trem- bling to worke out their owne faluation. If the riches of Gods grace, and fuperabounding of Gods mcicie may be io6 Mans aft me Obedience, Chap. 2 2 be occafioned to be fhewed foorth the rather, and to frrine out the more to his pra'ife,in pardoning the finnes, and pafling by the tranfgreflions of his people, by the meanes of Satans great malicc,in drawing Gods feruants to commit both many and moft heinous offences, vntill finne eucry way may be feene to haue abounded in the : If the glorious excellencie of Gods almightie power may be made clecrely to appeare in raifing vp againc his fallen feruants from vnder fo great a weaknerTe,giuing fuch new ftrength vnto them, as whereby for euer after they are made toftand much morefirme and fure,then they did before they fo fearefully and dangeroufly did fall: If Gods infinite wifedome,and the wonderfulnes of his working, who hath giuen skill to the Phyfition by his art to take the flefh ofthe viper,which is poyfon, and to temper it fb with healthfome things, and to corredt it fo with cordials, as of poyfon hee can make foucraigne triacle that (hall expell poyfon, and fo make that which would haue caufed death,to become an excellent meanes of preferuing life : fhall in like manner appeare in fo or- dering and vfing the finnes of his feruants,after they haue once been committed, yea euenthe greater! and grieuou- feft of them (which are the deadlieft venome of all other, and the rankeft poyfon that can be, which doth not only kill with death, but with death euerlafting), as by thofc finnes they haue fo committed,hee cureth them of many finnes paft, and preferueth them from many fins for time to come,fetching from them,and caufing to be expelled out of them a deale of inueterated naughtineffe and poy- fonfull corruption that was fo habituated in them, that harcHy by any other meanes would euer haue bin drawne from them, or any way got out of them : If by feeing and furTering them to bee cad into fuch filrhie floughs, fuch puddle and mire and finkes of loathfome finnes, he forceththem byoccafion thereof to goe wafh and rinle thernfelues cleaner, purer and whiter from them, qnd all other their fins, then euer they were before : l**bv tbdi feliint Ch a p .2 2 . or the power ofGodltneffe. falling aw ay for a time,and departing from him for a fea- fon,as did Onefimus from Philemon, hee recouercth them to a better condition,and thereby '.naketh them his own for euer, that now they may no more depart away from him, but cleauc fatter to the Lord with purpofe of heart then euer they did before : If by the committing of fome enormious vice, (bme mofl hainous and flagitious wic- kednefTe, in committing whereof the very dcedes of the wicked mayfeemeto be exceeded, the Lord fhali bring his hard-hearted feruant, whofe heart was harder then the nether milftone.that could not before by any meanes be broken,no w to be fo fupplcd and foftncd,fo mollified and made to melt, as did the heart oflofiahj'm fuch fort m that the fame fin of his which was mofi damnable >& would haue caufed death, is now made to lee a meanes of fuch hu- miliation in him and godly forrowing, as canfeth and wor- keth repentance in him, euen repentance vntolife. In thefe and the like refpeCrs a true feruant of God (notwithfta ri- ding his manifold finning) may and ought to haue ioy and his rcioycing in the Lord. For fome oneor other of thefe reipeCres^orit may bee for them akogether,doth the Lord fuffer many,and fome of his moft worthy and excellent feruants too,to haue beene ouertaken with many infirmities, yea fometirnes with very grofle and grieuous finnes,yet alwaies lb or- dering and difpofing of euery thing, as hee that is feene daily to bring light out of darkenelfe,neuer hath failed to bring good out of all their euill, and fuch good as hath been for the very good of thofe his feruants themfelues that haue done all that euill,and made to the high honour and glory of his owne Maieftie ; who is fo goodinhim- {elfe,as he is goodnefle it felfe,and maketh all things good that he medleth with, and is wrought by his hand. This is and hath been the Lords owne and onely doing, and that from the beginning^ind worthily may it be accoun- ted marueilous in our eyes. In the firft fume that euer was committed by manjhow wonderful! hath been the Lords 207 i.King.u,!?, i.Cor.7.io. As the mightie power of God in the beginning of the world did appear e t in brin gingligbtoutof dartpnejfe^nd {hill appease in weeudoftbe wtrldjn brin- ging life out of death :fo doth the fame mighty power and wtf- dome of Gad daily appear e, in 1 bringing good QHtofemll. i 2o8 Sem.on fan- tic.cap.i Pfal.fx.f.7. Mam atltue obedience. Ch a p .2 2 A Lords working therein, to bring (b much good out of that'grcateuill,as vnto all Gods elect, and redeemed in Chrilt, their cafe is now made farrc better then eucr it was, farre happier and.farrefurer then either it was, or would bauebecn,ifto this prefent Adam had kept his ftanding,and fhould (till haue kept his foot from flipping or Itepping amiffe. The Lord we know hath turned A- dans fall to his higher riling, and his dangerous (lipping to a more fure (landing, in io much as not praifing the e- uiU,but him that bringeth good out of euill, wee may fay with that reuerend Be^a, Oh happy fall which hath brought vs higher ! Oh mofi happy darken- ffe : without which this tru- ly great light hadneuer appeared vnto vs. After this man- ner hath the Lord (till for the one improued the falles and foiles of his feruants euerto their more good. IWiWthat fell fo foulely,and committed fo grofTe, and fohainous a finne,that gaue him caufe to think of wafliing and clean- ling himfelfe from fuch filth and pollution,that made him feeme loathfome euen in his owne eyes, was brought by meanes thereof to goeranfack his whole life, and fearch out all his other (innes,vntill he came to the gaging of the very belly and wombe of finne,where it firft had the con- ception,and from whence originally it firft tooke his be- ginning,anddidflrftofallfpring, and that hecriethout on,and bringeth it forth, 'doth difgrace himfelfe thcre- with,confefTing vnto God,that befide that£ra?/y/Wthat he had now committed,he faw himfelfe to be an vncleane creature ,ouer-run with a contagious leprofie of finne all o- uer,and that from his conception : fo as his falling into that one great lin,became a meanes of his going in hand with the labour of getting himfelfe wafhed and cleanfed, not onely from that,but from all the reft of his finnes,cuen his birth finne and all; and that not (lightly, butcarneflly with a thorow rinfing and rubbing of himfelfe, till hee might become as cleareastheglajfe, and as white as now. Many are conceited of themfelucs, and of their owne ftrength,taking no notice of other fikhineffe of the flefh and or the power ofGodlineJfe. andfpirit, or corruption of finne that is within them, To long as they are kept from committing groffe and enor- mious iniquities, the Lord is faine therefore to giuc them ouer,and to leaue them to themfelues, that they may fall into fuch groffe finnes^as wherby their other hidden cor- ruptions may break out,and manifeftly be difcernedboth to themfelues and others how great it is. There bee that will ncuer thinke of thorowly repenting them/elites, nor of cleanfng and wafting their hearts from wic^ednejfe, that they may hefatied, vntill they be tumbled into fome fuch puddle as Dauid was, and bemired with fuch filth, and then of force they are driuen to it, and made to fet hand at once to that worke, vnleffe they care not to fee them- felues perifh for altogether. Thus the Lord is faine to make of the poifon of fome groffe finne an antidote a- gainft the poifon of other kfler fin ncs, which ofthem- ielucs are baneabie enougtyf they be not in time expelled and purged out,to kill cuery foule in which they are retai- ned,that fo there may be a ridding away of all by agene- ra/l repenting for all, though the going in hand with fuch repentance was at the firft occafioned by one. And thus we may perceiue, how as the Lord is faid topunifb finne with finne in the mcigdjo he knoweth how to cttrefmne by finne in the godly ,fo making their finnes as well as all things elfe to turne to their good. Looke but vpon the ftrange cure of that one finne of pride, which is a finne as high-borne as any other, and fpreadeth out it felfe as far, the whole race of mankind being either more or leffe in- fected and tainted with the fame. This finne will liue, when other finnes fhall die,and will raife it felfe vp out of theruinesofthemall,which is more to be feared among vertues,then found among other vices; it is thevcrieve- nome of vertue, and as a fpreading cankar or gangrene, hauing once gotten to bee- faftned vpon the body of ver- tue 3 it neuer leaueth (vnleffe it be the more timely cured) till going from ioynt to ioynt,it hath weakened and ouer- throwne that whole body,how beautifull foeuer it were P other- 20£ rcr.4.14. Sinne cured by finne. Tride. 2IO Mans aft tue Obedience, Chap. 2 2. z.Cor.ii.7. otherwife and goodly to lookc vpon. This is the greateft enemy to vc.tue that k hath, as that which hath vertue cue 1 icha1e,and (till is dogging it at the hccles. TheA- poftlc himielf after his high aduancement,and abundance of reflations giucn him,whcn he had been wrapt vp in- to the third heaucr.s/was not exempt from the perill ther- of n<3: from the danger of the hot pilrfuit and affailement thereof,3s which was ready to fetvpon him/ichelpe and aide the fconcr had not been fent ; themeffengcrof Satan therefore was faine to bee fped out apace, to ftand Paul h ercin in fome Rcz&jvhofellto beating and buffeting ofhim y and brought him (o low,as he was euery way vnntted for any manner of pride to fet vpon him, or once to meddle ormckeany whit at all with him, but was faine to leaue him as it found him. And fo by one enemie he was hol- pen out of the hands of another enemy,euery way as bad as bee. Though Satan fending his meffenger, aimed at nothing leffe, then at fuch an end : but God that o- uer-powreth Satan, and ouer-ruleth in all things,\vould haue it fo come to paffe. But what is the cure of this naif- em efe of pride? iurely as pride fpoileth vettue, fo vice fpoiicth pride againe. And as out of the allies rf other hnnes,p' He is faid to fpring vp ; fo out of the flourishing againe of other finnes,all that pride is plucked downe a- gaine. A,nd this may bee thought to bee one caufe,why the Lord feeth it meete, not wholly to free his feruants from many infirmities, and much corruption of nature which is found (till remaining in them; namely, that as he would not caft out all the enemies of his people out of that good land, to which he had brought them, left the wild beaftes for want of their helpe ftiould preuaile a- gainft them : fo doth the Lord fuffer that ftrength of cor- ruption to remaine in his children,that they may be aided thereby againft all tne aiTailings of pride, which is fuch a wildbeaitas otherwife could not well bee with-ftood^ but were likely otherwife to deuoure all vertue that it could find in them,and by fo doing, come finally to ouer- throw C h a p . 1 2 . or the power of Godlimjje. throw them. Satan therefore that is To bufiewith Gods children to bceeuer tempting them to finne, and to one finne after another, doth therein but worke againft him- felfe,and doth but lay a trainc to blowvp thecaftlesof pride, wherein himfclfe fhould moft ftrongly and fafely a- bide. And while he neucr leaueth, till he haue drawne the childe of God at the laft to commit fome great and hainous finne which proueth to be as a wakening finne vnto him,who before was flumbring in fecuritie,and ma- kcth him to ftart vp and arife out of his fleepe, and con- sidering his waies in his heart to humble himfelfe at once,and to repent for that, and for all his finnes befide. Now Satan in this doing,doth but pull (as we vfe to fay) an old houfe vpon his head,for he pulleth downe,and o- uerthroweth thereby the whole frame of all the other finnes which hee had built vp, and got to be planted in that mans heart before,and fo by his reftleffe tentations, he deftroyeth and croflfeth his owne worke,the Lord ma- king him in defpight of his teeth, to worke againft him- felfe, who though he doe what he can, yet will the Lord euer be found to ouerfhoote Satan,euen in his owii bowe. In all which refpe£b,the Lord (through his infinite wife- dome,goodne(fe,and mercy) fo ordering eueiy thing, as he maketh the very finnes ofh's feruants committed by them, not a little to turncto the good ofthemfelues,by caufing them therby the better to know their owne frail- tie, and what ftrength of corruption is (till abiding in them.that fo they may be drawne to a greater humiliati- on, and more earneft repenting not alone for their laft finncsjbutforftich finnes alio as before, either were not knowne,or neuer at a! foundly repented on,and wi:ha! to I haue a far greater care bred in them, how to carry them- felues more warily for afterwards, euermore withfeare and trembling working on their owne faluation. And when befides Gods feruants fhall fee the workes of Sa- tan thus divTblued in thenyhat what he intended for their ouerthrow,doth now feruefor their furtherance, and to P * their 211 212 Mansacliue Obedience, Chap. 22. Iar.es 4.9.10. their making for euer, the diuels poyfon being fo altered and changed by the ouer-ruling hand, asitbecommeth medicine,Satan tempting and drawing them to finne,and the Lord by that finne pulling them out of more finne, fo ciuing finne by finne. And laftly,and chiefly when they at the length doth fee, how the Lord doth out of the finnes committed by them (how odious and abominable focuerthey haue been which they hauc done),make\vay for his owne greater glory, and the more magnifying of the riches of thofe his mercies, whereby both the fame, their finnes are pardoned vnto them, and they themfelues in like manner cleared and purged from the venemous ipfe&ion, andftrong corruption of them; whatfhould let, but that (which being euer humbled in themfelues with godly forrow for their finnes , and going out of themfelues),yet the true feruants of God(their finnes not withftanding) may reioyce in theLord,andalwaiesre- ioyce in him, for the excellency of all this worke thus wrought by him? Q^ Though there may befome caufe of a Qhrittians re- toy ring in the Lords bleffedworke, whereby he bringeth good out of the euill of fuch finnes as he hath committed, when once fveh good effects arefecne to be brought out, yet while this [Jinne isftillabiding.without being put to any fuch zfe, as you haue before fpoken ; / demaund what caufe there can bee {hewed, or any way found to bee, of a Christians reioycing in the Lords 'worke which hee is in hand with towards him at the, very time of his finning, or ftill abiding in his fmnet %s4. That I may not be miftaken herein, I am fofarre from either faying or thinking, that any feruant of God falling into finnc,may any way reioyce in himfelfe, in re- fpe&ofthe finne that either he hath once fallen into, or ftill is feene to continue and abide in ; as confidently I doc amrme,he can neuer be fufficiently caft downe, nor grie- ucd enough with godly forrowing for the fame ; 2nd therefore according to the counfell giuen by the ApoftJe lames, C h a p . 2 2 . or the power ofGodlimfic. lames, I fay, he ought to be afflitied 3 to mourne , and to weepe; let ting his laughter be turned into mounting, andhisioy in- to heauineffe, humbling himfelfe daily in the fight of the Lord, till hauing obtained mercy from God, for hauing repen- tance vnto life granted to him, whereby hee may ttirne from his finne, and bring forth fruites worthy of amend- ment of life,the Lord may then lift him vp,in giuing him found comfort, and true ioy againe. Howbeit, in refpecl: of another worke which the Lord himfelfe is then in hand wiih,euen when his feruant is finning ; or after hee hath finned,found ftill abiding in that finne he hath com- mittcd(if that worke of God could be well fcene into,and rightly and wifely difcerned), I fee nothing to the con- trary,but there might be found the like caufe of reioycing therein,as the ficke patient findeth caufe to reioyce in the Worke,which he feeth his skilfull Phyfitian to be in hand with,when he is tempering the potion, mixing the ingre- dients,preparingthe medicine, and then doth adminifter it vnto him,andfets it a working; the patient cannot all this time reioyce, as hauing feene and felt what is the good effecl: of that medicine, nor in perceiuing the cure to befully wrought^ and finished vpon him: but know- ing that the Phyfitian, who hath taken him in hand,is both skilfull and faithfull, hee reioyceth to fee him to bee about the worke,andfo diligent therein, as to be a pre- paring the medicine within his bed vnderftanding, hee knoweth of all others to bee molt fit for his curing. So when the Lord feeth no other meanes, to be fo fit for the recouering of fome dull and dead-hearted feruant of his, out of fome finne that he is fallen into, and in which hee ftill lieth flumbring, without any repenting for the fame, but to leaue him to himfelfe, that the falling into a greater finne,may by occafion of fo great a fall,be made to awake out of his (lumber,and be brought to a thorow and found repentance for all his finnes together : while fuch a fe- jcureChriftian,thus ficke and difeafed, is committing of fome great and hainous finne, the Lord who is his Phy< _____ _" 3 fitian, 213 214 Ma m aftiut O b t dunce > C h a p . 2 2 . fitian,\s in hand in the meane while with another worke of his owne,namely, to bee tempering offuch a medicine as fhall not faile to cure him, the Lord taking the poyfon of that finne which he is a committingjand making there- of a mod foueraigne medicine, it being the Lords man- ners hath bin fpoken before, to cure finne with finne. Now this worke which the Lord is in hand with euen at that time, if it either can be feene by himfelfe (which is moft hard fo to be feene by any for the prefent time), or can be (hewed him by any other to be fo a working,hath matter in it fufficient to beare out a warrantable rcioy- cingfor that the Lord is a doing,though otherwife there is moft iuft caufe of deepe forrowing, and moft bitter la- mentation for that which already is done, and is yet fur- ther a doing by his owncfelfe in that thing. Chap. 1 Ch a p ,2 3 . fir the power ofGodlineJfe. 215 Chap. XXIIL Ofthefecond hinder an ce of toy in Gods hiding his face, And how that is made an occafion ofreioycing vn- to a true and found bdeener. jpgs^gjffiaJHe fccond maine point about which espe- cially doubt may be made how a true be- leeucrmayalwaicshaue ioy, andreioyce in the Lord, is in regard of Gods owne dealing towards vs : and that either in re- gard of his withdrawing himfelfe from vs by hiding his face ; or in regard of his comming neare vnto vs by fmi ting vs with his hand. Touching the firft; it rs true there is nothing more gricuous and rearfull, then to beeforfa- ken of God ; and therefore God himfelfe faith, JVoe vnto you when I [hallforfake you : for if God bee our light, our confldcnce,and our comfort ; and if all our happineffe be inhiiii,then to be fbrlakcn of God,is to be depriued of all true comfort,to be left to all mifery,and to be catt as into a whole fea and gulfe of defperate forrow, and into very hc\\'\tk\£c: the fauour of Cjod being better then is life it felfe.h man were better bee out of his life then out of Gods fauour. But it may be demanded with the Apoftle, doth ,or will God at any time caft off his people ? and it may be anfwered againc with the fame Apoftle, Godforbid. God will not caft away his people ! And as the Pfalmift faith, he will not firfake his inheritance : for fo hath God himfelfe faid, Iwillneuerfaile thee ,nor fo; fake thee. True it is,God fomtimes/w* a moment in his anger ; doth hide his face from his children ; and carryeth the matter of his good will towards them fo clofely, as they can know of no fauour that he bearcth them, it not being betweene him and them as it was yefterday, and yefterday, when he is found to be vnto them as zpaffenger 3 andas aftran- Li 121 When Gdd hides bis face* Hof.^Mi. PfaUj.3. Rom. xi. 1, Pfal.94.14. Hcb.ij. j. Ifa.54.8. Pfil. 90,1$. 116 Pfal.i2.ii. Pfal.119.8. P&U&.I. Ifa.49. M« Mans attiue Obedience, Chap. 2 3, Ioh.1rf.7-". f ^r /W tarryeth but for anight : then there is hanging a- bout him_,and crying with Mofcs and the people, Oh Cjod return?, be pacified towards thy [truants : then there is en- treating andpraying,with Dauid, Goe not farrefromme O God, fcr trouble is hard at hand, and forfalic me not otter- long,Oh 6W,Yea the Lord himfelfe feemeth to rife vp a- gainft his children,and then there is crying out, My God, my God \why haft thouforfaken me . ? The Sion mourn es and complaines, the Lord hath forfaken me, my God hath for- gotten me. But this hiding of Gods face is but a fatherly frowning for a time, to awe his children the more, and breed the better circumfpeCtion in them for afterwards : when God dothforfake his children, that forfakingis neither fully nor finally for euer. He many times hauing* forfaken them, doth tarry long before he doth returne to them againe ; he holds orT,tillhe can hold off no longer ; that fo he may make his children feare the more to fall out with him againe. But it is a fauing feare that keepes vs in that ftate, as we {"hall not need to feare anymore, and it is a profitable vexation and anguifh of the foule that bringeth reft thereunto for cuer after. Though the Lord may feeme fomtimes to goe away, and to hide his face,yctheneuer taketh fuch a farwell of them, asmea- ning no more to come at them: But as our Sauiour Chrift about the time of his departure,comforted his Difciples, by telling them it was expedient for them that hee did goe away, affuringthem,that thouqh he did goe away, yet hee would fee them againe, and then they Jhouldhaue the grea- ter toy ;yea their hearts fhouldfo reioyce, as none fhouldtake their ioy from them: So may it in fome other refpe£t be truly laid in this cafe, that it is fomtimes expedient for Gods feruants, that their heauenly Father doe hide his countenance from them, withdraw his prefencc-and goe away ; efpecially when that through their too great vn- thankfulneffe and fecuritic,thcy begin to play the wan- tons too much, and it is found with them according to that which runnes in the prouerbe, Too much familiarity breedctn Ch a p .2 3 . or the power ofGedlimfJe. 217 Hof.f.iy. brcedeth contempt : then it is time for the Lord to hide his countenance for the better awing of fuch ; then doth need require that fuch be madeforrie and left in heaui- neife : for howbeit this is euer but for a time, Iwillgoea- way (faith the Lord) and hide my fe If e till they feeke me, in their affiUion they willfeeke me diligently : the Lordloo- keth for certaine to heare from fuch when they are in af- fliction ; but ho wfoeuer he doth go away,yet may it tru- ! ly be faid to fuch, as our Sauiour promifed to his Difci- ples,he willfurely come to fee them againe, and their hearts fhall rcioyce with fuch ioy as none fhall take from them, when they fhall once fee his face, and know his faceagaine,aiidperceiuetherayesof the bright counte- nance of God to fhine vpon their darke and cloudie hearts, what light of comfort will not that bring to a poore diftreffed fuule? euen more ioy then corne,and wine,andoyle, though neuer fo encreafed, canpoifibly caufe to be felr. And this is that which the Lord promi- fed his people,that though for zmoment in his anger, hee hide his face, yet with euerlaftingmercy he would hane com- paffionvpon them.Yezwhen the Lord himfelfc feemeth to be in greatell difpleafure, fo as he doth vifit the offen- ces of his people with the rod, and their finnes with fcourges ; yet wilhe not take his mercy from them, nor faljifie his truth: though for a time he may be angry, yet will hee not keepe his anger alwayes towards his children: andvnto this it hath pleafed the Lord to bind himfelfe not onely by promife, but by oath, that his kjndnejfe fhall neuer depart from his, ' nor the Couenantofhis peace be remouedfrom them : which he would haue them know is as fure to be performed, as the oath which he hath fworne fhall be kept, that the Ifa. *4 9^o. water s of Noah jhall no more goeotier the earth; and if any man can breakg the (fouenant which the Lord hath made ! with the day andnight,that there fbouldnot be day nor night r in their feafon ; then may they breake this Couenant which the Lord hath made with his poople in this behalfe. Ho wfoe- uer then the Lord being offended, may fomtimes in his 1 difpleafure! Pfal.8 Qj» fome 227 The vm Id a te- dious wilder- nes: Gods fir- uants walking tbere'tHyhardly find any place whereto reftejh their wearied members. Affii&ionsVi\e gnats and flies importune tbem, that they can haue no reft therein. 228 2.Cor.n.i$< 24.a5.16.17. Pfsl.84.6. PfaLi3.4. z.Cor.i.8.9. PfaI.77.I©» Mans aftiue Obedience, Ch a p .24. ibme particulars named, especially by one that hath had thetrhlloftheminhimfclfe,thereisnone can bring in a j better reckoning from his owne experience, norfpeakc ! more fully of this thing, then that molt bleiTed Apoftle • P^/himlelfc hath already done,in that rehearfall he hath ! made,writing to the Corinthians of the fundry and mani- i fold afflictions and tribulations,that had befallen him af- ter his conuerfion ; who comparing himfelfe with the o- ther falfe Apo(tles 5 faith,that he was in labours more abun- dant, in firipes above meafore, inprifon moreplenteeujly, in death often ; of the Iewesfiue times he received for tit firipes fane one Joee was thrice beaten with rods y hee was floned.hee fujfered thrice fhipwracke.night and day he was in the deep e fea : iniourneyinghewas often in perils of 'water 3 in perils of robbers ,in perils of his owne Nation } in perils among the Gen- tiles y in perils in the (fitie,inperils in the wilderneffe, w perils in the fea y in perils among falfe brethren: in wearineffe and painefitlnejfe,in watchings oft en .in cold and nakedneffe, be- lides other daily incumbrances which he there doth ipeak on. Thefe and the like things thus incident to Gods beft feruants, makes them in their paffage through this world, to goe as through a valley of tcares ; and brings them fometimes to walke,as in the valley of the fhaddovv of death,where nothing can be looked for but vtter mif- carrying ; fo great are the diftrefles of Gods children in this life, their troubles fo many, and thofe fo dangerous too fometimes,as they are eucn brought with the Apo- ftle, to receiue in themfelues the very fentence of death,as thinking they fhall neuer be able to fhift with them, nor efcape with lifejbut crie out with the Pfalmi(t,7&/> will be I my vndoing-,01 my death.Thc endlelfe purfuit ofDaaidby \ Saul,\\ho hunted him as zPatridge in the mountaineered I perfecuted him as a Flea; made 5)*#jW at the length to-; grow heartle{Te,to faint, and to quaile fo much,as he was j neare giuing ouer his hopc,and to fay(in his great weake- ned e,and much feare and doubt that he was in), One day or other I Jballfnrely fall into his hands. Yca,Gods feruants are Ch a p . 24. or the power ofCodlweJfe. are fometimes fo befct,fo inuironed and comparted about with innumerable troubles,and moft dangerous on euerie fide,asthey are brought to the likepalTc asDattid was brought vnto,when he cried out,that his heart was pained within him,znd the terrors of death -were fallen zfonhim, fearcfulneffe and trembling doe then come vpon them, and a horrible feare doth ouerwhelme them ; then are they ready to crie out and fay with \i\w\Oh that I had wings like a Done ! then would I flee array, and be at reft ; be- hold, I would take my flight farre off, and lodge in the wilder- neffejwouldhaften my efe ape from the windie fiorme and tempefl. So neare are they fometimes brought to the ve- ry iawes of deatb,that after a fort it euen breatherh vpon them,and they in as great ftraits, and brought to as foare exigents,and as narrow pinches, as were the poore Ifrae- lites; who departing out of Egypt to find better liberty in another land, vnto which God promifed to bring them, before euer they could get themfelues clearely gone,and rid away out of the Egyptian Countrie, had fuch a fare- well giuen them,when they were euen vpon the point of parting out of that land, as brought then greater diftrefTe, and more feare vpon them,then euer they were in before; and caufed them to haue leiTe hope of their liues, then when they were in Egypt vnder the foareft bondage, and preffed with theheauieft burdens, which Pharaoh with I all his cruehie had willed to be impofed vpon them: For marching as with a double pace from Etham\ towards the valley o£Pihahiroth,they were forced to fit downe(as ; not feeing how they could goe any further) bctweene two ledges of Mountaines adioyning to the red fca;and fo ; being come to the brinke and wafh of the fea, the Egyp- tians getting fight of them, and they of the Egyptians, then was the time oflacobs trouble,and the greater! pinch of their hardeft troublejfor the fea was now before them, the Mountaines on either fide ofthem,and their fierce and furious enemies at their backs purfuing oftheV, fo as there was no hope left of euer efcaping: for though they did Q^3 all 22? 6.7.8. lcr.30.7. 2 3° Mans afttue Obedience, Ch a p .24. Pfal.40.1x.il. x John 4.18. Exod.x4.13. 14 Gen.22.x4. EXod.i s .1. all they could to flee before the Egyptians, yet death Tee- med to come running after them in Pharaohs chariots : this made them to murmure againft CMofes^nd to eric out for feai-e,becaufe of the prefent danger. According as it is vfuali with Gods feruants, when they are in foare arfli£tJon,and in heauy diftre{Te,thcn doe their hearts be- gin to faint within them,and their hope to quaile; how- beit if they would but hold their peace a while,and labour to throw out that feare that hathfuchpainefulnelTe in it, porTcfllng their foules with patience : if they would but ftand ftill(as ^/b/£r willed the Ifraelites to doe), and be- hold the faluation of the Lord, waiting for the happy if- fue that the Lord would make for them out of all their greateft diftrcffe,then fhould they well perceiue and find, that the Lord would be feenc of them, as he was of euery man A m < t 6,j, hauing a /laughter-weapon in his hand. Among whom or- der was flrft taken for the preferuing of 'the faithfully that they might be marked out to be knownefrom the reft , charge being giuen that none of them fhould come neereany man vpon whom the marke might be feenc ; but as for all the other,their commifiRon was large to goe through the (fity and flay vtterly to deftruftionjheoldandtheyoung^not letting their eyefpare nor haue any pitie, but to fill the courts of Gods houfe with their flaine. When troubles come vpon the wicked, when afflictions, calamities, andworull eV ftreffes 2$6 Mans afttM obedience. Ch AP.2, Tbefu is found oftner without wind and ton- pefi,tben the Hues of Gods Ceruants with- out troubles and afflictions. Hcb.u.8. lob 2. £. Heb.i*.*. ftreffes arc fent out to take hold vpon vngodly perfons, who goc on with a high hand to prouoke God by their finnes,th en are they muttered as the hoaft of God, and as his leuied fouldicrs and ftrong warriours that are fent forth to fight Gods battels, and to bee reuenged of his enemies ; then haue they daughter-weapons put into their hands, and their commiflion is made large to kill and flay freely,without fparing any,or (hewing any pity. But when they are fent to the godly ( as they are fent ro none morc,and fcarce to any fo often, in fo much as for any to be without chaftifement, whereof all are parta- kers^ were to carrie the brand of a baftard, and of one that were not the Sonne of God), then haue they their (laughter-weapons taken from them. Then muft all trou- bles vnarme themfelues, and lay downe their venomed weapons with which they are found fo much to hurt o- thers : for Chrift vpon the Croffe vn armed them to his, the venome of all croffes and troubles b eing taken out of them by his fuffcrings vpon the Croffe. And being thus fent 0Mt,they are not fent forth without their limitation, what to doe,how farre to goe, when to ftay, and where they muft goe no further,and meddle no more. The di- uellwas not more limited nor prefcribed by the Lord how farre to goe,and where to ftay in his dealing againft lob, to fee that his life might no way be touched, then thefe are retrained from doing the leaft harme to fuch as loue God : nay contrarily,their whole employment for which they are fent forth,and about which they are fet a worke, is,that they doe neither more nor leffe faue that which may be good vnto fuch ; and that they doe all worke to- gether to worke them good in the end: whileft Gods fer- uants being through their troubles, iudged of the Lord, and fo bettered by them, might ( like thofe that were marked in Ierufalem, to the end they (houldbee fpared, when others were to bee deftroyed ), by their chaftife~ ments in like manner be marked of the Lor das thofe rphome helouethyOndwhomof very faithfttlnefic, he caufeth to bee troubled Ch a p. 24. or the power ofGoctlinefJe. troubled, to the end (as the Apoftlc fheweth) they might not be condemned with the world. Neuer was Dauid more carcfull for the fauing of the life, nor for the good vfage ofhis vnnaturall and rebellious fonne zStbfalom, when he fent forth his Captaines with the hoaft and armic of the people,to fight his battels againft thofe rebels, in gi uing them charge to de ate gently for his fake with the young man,euenmth his fonne Abfalom : then the Lord is found carefull of the fafetyof all that doe belong to him, to gtue charge to the whole hoft and armies offorrowes when they are fent out and doe goe forth into the world (though there were hundreds and thoufands of them, that whatfoeuer they doe to others, yet they eucr take heed they vfe well Gods feruants : neither is this charge at any time negle&edjnor any found that euer durft(with Ioab) be fo bold as aduenture to tranfgreffe Godsgra cious commandement and appointment herein. How ex- cellent then, how blefled and how happie is the ftatc of all Gods feruants, that liuing in the world, are yet fuch priuiledged men,as no manner of eujll ( how greatly fbc- uer it may preuaile againft others)can yet euer hurt them; but that which is others bane,becommeth a blefling vn- to them ; and the foreft iudgements that are found to be heauie plagues where they light vpon others,are become fo altered vnto them, they bearing the fame, that (as if their nature were wholly changed) they then (of iudge- ments) are made mercies vnto them. A skilful and lear- ned Chymift , can by his art maruellouily change the nature of things ; and by feparation of vrfible elements, draw helpfull medecines out of hurtfuli and ranke poy- fons ; but all the changes that they can make, come not neare to this change ; and the greateft excellency of their skill in working things,otherwife ftrange in nature, is in- finitely beneath , and commeth fhort of the glorious workmanfhip which is (hewed forth to bee done and wrought by the Lord (who is faid to be he that worketh •wonders don?) in that worke of grace whereby men are A 2 37 Pfai.up.7y. 1 .Cor. 11.32, Sam. 1 8. if. 238 z. Cor, j. 17. i.Pct.i.4. Pfal.31.10. PfaUf.ie. ?&l6S.i 9 . Manfafliue Obedience^ C h a p .2 4. \ fo altered and changed by him, as they arc madeww creatures, 2nd all things are made new (after a fort) vnto them. There is a conceit of the Philofophers ftone, that it fhould haue fuch a vertue in it, as to turne into gold that which it fhould touch: it weredoubtlefTearnoft precious (tone, if this could euer be found to bee fo done indeed. But fo wonderfull and ftrange is the alteration and change that is made in Gods children, when they are once made new creatures by him,fo are they then become precious,and made of fuch mettall,when as ( their nature being changed) they are now made partakers of the diuine nature ofGod,*s that whatfoeuer then toucheth the and commeth at them,though it were euill before, doth then become good vnto them. Troubles may come vpon Gods children, afflidtions may befall them, and the like outward calamities as are feene to happen vnto other men; but yet in a farre differing manner, they are altered and ordered, they are bleiTed and fan6hfied, andothcr- waies made good vnto them,then they are found to bee vnto any other fort of men : for there is nothing thate- uer befallcth to Gods children, which commeth not in mercy,and through mercy vnto them : the reafon of it iSybecaufe Cjods mercies doe compajfe them about on euery fide. Now we know that when a place is furrounded with a ftrong wall on euery part, or compafled about w r ith a moat on euery fide, there is nothing can come at that place, but of neceffity it muft come by,and through that which compafleth it. Euery child of God is as a man Handing in a center, hauing a circumference of mercy circling him about on euery fide, fo as nothing can come to the true child of God, but from, or through mercy ; and that in fuch manner,as it fhall relifti and tart of mer- cy, and become mercy vnto him,before euer it come at him. Yezjbare ail the way es of God mercy and truth, to all fuch as fearehim.zs he neuer fetteth foot, nortreadeth ftep out of this path,he neuer doth any thing but in all mercy to his children ; notonely then when hce ladcth them Chap .24. or thcpowtr ofGedlinejJe* them with his benefits ', andrtch bleffmgs beflowed vpothem, but as well when he doth humble them under the hardefl pre (fares ,andwaight of the heattiefl iudgement s that he lay- eth vpon them,becaufc it is in all loue and faithfulneflc that he caufeth them To to be troubled.Whence it is, that when Gods mercy in a fauour and blefling beftowed,be- ingonce abufed, and his grace being turned into wan- tonneflc, would become a plague and iudgement,if it fhould fo be contained ; then is it Gods greater mercy to take that mercy ,that fauour and blefling away, and to bring on fome iudgement for the remedying of that ab- ufe; and in that cafe mercy being fo remoUed, iudgement it felfe is made mercy vnto fuch. Why it fhould be thus, the reafon is, for that God hath made his children to bee veffels of his mercy, as others are made veffels of his wrath. Now we know, none ( but thofe that ouerfeene in that they doe) will put contrary liquors into contrary veffels ; aspoyfon,wherethey fhould put their potion; or new and fweet wine, into muftie and old veffels ; as neither will they put fowre vineger into their battles of Rofeof folace: but the Lord is neuer thus ouerfeene,to powrein wrath into thofe chofen and ele£t veffels of his, which he hath fct apart for to be onely veffels of mercy ; neither on the other fide,to lauifh out his fauing mercies vpon caft- away reprobates, that are veffels appointed to bee filled with nothing but wrath and vengeance. If then there is nothing euer done to Gods feruants, which is not done in much mercy at all times ; if iudgement it felfe is made mercy vnto them ; if whatfoeuer toucheth them, is tur- ned into a blefling vnto them ; if when they are in trou- ble, God doth ic in all faithfulneffe, caufing them to bee fo troubled, to the end their troubles might doethem good ; ifwhen they are iudged, they are chaflened of the Lord, to the end they might not bee condemned with the world: what fhould let, but that as they are at peace with God by being iuftified by faith ; fo they fhould re- ioyce euen in their tribulations alfo ? Yea ( as Saint James willeth) *19 Rom. 9.1 x.23. 240 Hcb.xi.jr. Ionarh 1.8. Hof.i3.^ lob *o. J. lejafhypocrUtt WHtjbort. I Mans acltue Obedience, Ch a p . 2 5 willeth)a>/*#f it all ioy when they fa/2 (not into fome few, but) into great varietie and multitudes of 'them? Which if any (hall be fo farre from doing, as they fhall rather de- fpife the chaflening of the Lord, contrary to the counfell gi- uen by the holy Ghoft,they fhall but (as the Prophet Jo- nah fyz2kzt\\)forfake their owne mercy. Chap. XXV» The difference of toy in the UH dimenfion,or the longi- tude thereof \ and how the toy of found beleeuers is permanent, and inducing theioy of hypocrites tranptorie and fained. He fourth and laft dimenfion, wherein the ioy of true beleeuers,and of fuch as are but hollow and vnfound in the faith, may ap- peare farre to differ betweene thcmfelues, is inrefpe&ofthe longitude and length of time, for the continuance and enduring thereof. The one is tranfitorie and fading : which (according to the vnfoundneffe of them that haue it) will not laft long, but is momentany, and of fliort abiding like a morning chad, and as the early dew, which when the Sunne arifeth, paffethfboneaway; the triumphing of the wickedisfhon, and the ioy of the hypocrite is but for a moment(zs (peaketh Zo- phar the Naamathite) but the other is lafting comfort and termelefle ioy,which will endure as long as the daies ofhcaucn,and is fo firmely fixed and deeply rooted in the heart of him that is found in the faith,as it is found able to endure the skorchingft heatc, and moft feruent Sun-ftiine of the hotteft perfecution, without any withering, Theioyings of hypocrites, the chcaring and lightning of their hean^are but as the flaflies of lightning in a dark night; whiar though they may bring fome light for a time. CHAP.25. ertbepomrofGcdlintJfe. 241 time,yet the darkened is doubled afterward; the candle ' he wicked (faith Salomon) /bail foone be put out ; yea, their Sarnie iroeth downe oner them, euenat noone, and the Lord will darken their earth in the cleareday : their ioy is but as their hope is,which is as foone blowne away, as is the flower of a dried thiftle. There are none that feeme to haue greater forwardneffe, greater delight and ioy in good things for a time, then haue temporary bcleeuers. Our Sauiour Chrift compareth them to the feed that is fowne in ft 'onie around , which vfeth to come vp haflily, as foone and fooner then other, and to fhew as greene and goodly for a time,but yet wanting depth of earth, neuer commeth to perfecl:ion,but is quickly withered^nd foone commeth to nothing againe : their delight and ioy in the beft things is not constant, they may delight and ioy in one Sermon,and loath the next they heare againe; they may with Herod 3 reuerence lohnTZaptiftjo day heare gladly his preacbing,md feele fome ioy at the Sermon,and yet to morrow doe as bad as he did, who added that to all his o- ther euils, that he put John into prifon ,out of which there was no bailing of him, till he had paid his head for a ranfome. Yea,their ioy is fo deceitfull, fo falfe and dure- lefTe as it will not laft long in any thing, they may bee as pleafant and iocund for a time, as was Agag, when hec fadjhefeare of death was gone^nd then in a moment and turne of the hand, feele nothing but the bitternes of death and vnauoideable forrowes vpon them, and then their hearts like Nabalsvrill foone die away in them, and be- come as heauy as a ftone. The light of their ioy is foone put out in darkeneife,and all the ilVining thereof ouercaft of the fudden with fome fad remembrance, or but the h earc-fay of a d an ger, the light of the wicked (hall be quen- ched, and thefparke of their fier fhall not [hine ; th ei r ioy be- ing but-as the Alining of fome great light, when it is rea- dy to goe out,which may fhinc with a great (though not with a long)blaze,and then all of the iudden ere one bee aware,it is quite extinguifhed, and feene to goe out a- R gaine ; Prou.ij.8. Markc 4. 16. 17 M2t.tf.20. Luke 3.2®. lob x 8. j A 242 Mans acliue Obedience, Ch a p .2 5, a.Pct.2.11, 2.King.io.i£. Mat. 10.8. Luke 10.17, Afis 19.3$. j.Tim.i. 19.20. i.Sati.to.n. i.Sam.ix.15. gainc ; and then as the candle ftinketh more, being put out,then ifit had neuer been lighted before; fo they that haue once loued the truth, and had ioy therein, if they leaue fo to doe,or loath it afterward; if they wilfully re- ie& it,and tnrne atvayagaine from the holy commandement t they are then liable to greater iudgemenf, and become more odious both to God and man, then if they had neuer knowne and embraced the fame. Who was hotter in zealethen IehnSoi a time? what delight and contentment tooke he in that he did ? ho w was he concerted for it,and prided himfelfe therein, in fo much as he called in others to come and fee,and beholdwhat zxale he had for the Lord? and yet he was but an hypocrite, this was not found, nei- ther lafted it in him. Indas feemed to begin well, and made a {hew of leauing all, as well as did the reft, to fol- low Chrift : but he was a foule hypocrite, he held not out as he feemed tobegin;worull was his end, he being one of the twc!ue,to whom power wasgiuen againfl vncfeane fpirits,tohealeall manner officknejfes and difeafer, being lent forth as well as the reft to vfc this power^it is like lice had great ioy as well as the reft, in feeing fuch things to be effected by him (according as it is faid, that the D ifci- pleswhom Chrift lent forth, returned againe with great ioy^becanfe the diuels werefabieBvnto them) : but this ioy did not laft long in ludat, but was changed intoamoft defperate forrow,wofull and fearerull was his end* Alex- ander the Copper-fmith was thought a while to haue joi- ned with P^#/,and(as fome think) to hzucfujfered in his cafe,& to haue bin neare vnto martyrdome: but he foone fell from the faith,and loft al the loue, the ioy and delight that he had in the tx\i\h,makingfljipwrackpfal,(6 as the A- poftle deliuered him vp vmo Satan, and doubted not di- reclly to pray againft him. Saul while things went to his mind, was content for a time to aduance Gods religiose was turned Prophet on the fudden,the people with much wondring faying one to another, is Saul alfo amowr the Prophets? he ferucd God with the people ,offeringp?ace of. C h a p .2 5. or the power ofGtetlincJfe. 243 i.Sam.ij, lo.u, Apoc.2.4, feritsgSjZtid had great ioy in fo doing, he was fo hot vp-on Gods feruice,as he was impatient of tarrying till Samuel might come to offer thefacrifice, and therefore fell to offer it himfelfe ,* for he thought the time long (as himfelfe laid) till he had made his fupplication to the Lord: but he was a foule hypocrite,his ioy and his zeale they continued not, his end was fearefull. Flitting fpirits be neucr good, and this warbling and quauering muficke of ioy that is thus but by fits,brings neuer fuch (ready comfort, as may bee reckoned vpon,will (tay long with a man. If men feeme neuer fo to ioy in good things, to affect godlineflfe for a time,if they be not con(tant,they may goe to hell for their paines in the end. Great ioy if it be but onely for a time, good motions and fits of zeale that will not laft long, are not fo much to be reioyced in while they are had, as the lo(Te of them is to be lamented when they are fo loft, as they can no more bee found nor perceiucd to be in them that had them. If there be a terrible fight in any thing to be feene,it is in this,that a man was good, but now hee is become naught : he had delight and comfort in well-do- ing,but now he hath none : he had zeale and forwardnes, but now he isluke-warme; hee was aiiue and quicke to good workes, but now he is dull and dead-hearted, and that way become as lumpifh and heauy as a ft one: he fee- med to hcarc the Word with much gladnelfe,and to haue had great ioy for a feafon; but now there is no fuch thing to be found remaining with him,but all is vanished and quite gone,all is withered away and brought to nothing; that being found verified vpon him which our Sauiour hath thr eatned,that as to him that hath (hall ftillbe giuen to Matth.2j.2p. haftemore, fo from him that hath not, (hall be taken away, cuen that which both to himfelfe and to others hefeemed other wife to haue had before. On the other fide, true bclceuers haue toy andpeace in brheuingythch ioy is found and la/ting: and as their faith is j Tr * ei *yis [q e yhich neuer will faile them,ib are their comforts and >/c. :V adiaftjfohdcjaiid vnconquerable, fuch as are able R 1 to Rom.i?.i$. 244 Ifai.j8.ii. Ichn;.38. Nehcm.8.io. Ifai. $?.io. Pfal.112.4. Ifai.42.l6. Ifai. 58.8. Ifai.30.26. Iudcij, Ifai. 60.1 ?,:o. Mansaclme obedience^ Ch a p .2 5. ) . ^ — . , j to chearevpamansh^artingrcateftdiftrefTes, and make him ftrong to endure by afirmeand mod fettled rcfolu-! tion, againft: all manner of oppofition, and whatfoeuer! thing may happen; yea/0 liucly and cffe6hiall is the fenfe 1 and feeling of their ioy 3 as it is able to carry their hearts af- ter a fort out of their bodics,and to lift them vp, euen to' the very heaucns.Their ioy is permanent and enduring, & their comforts are like a faring of water, whofe waters faile notSoxriuers of waters of life flovs out of their bellies, fo as they neuer can be wholly drie againe ; the toy of the Lord, which(as Ezra told the people) was their ftrength.isfaidto be eucrlaftingioy \ the Lord promilinghis people, that e- uerlafiingioy fballbe vpon their heads • they arepromifed to haueioy and gL.dncffe.and 'forrorv, and mcur rang fhall flie away ; Vnto the righteous doth light crifein darken: jfe, but fiich light as is not like toflaihes of lightning in adarkc night, which tarrieth but a moment, and then doublcth thediukenciTewhenirisoutagaineibut their light is as the breakings forth of the light of the morning,o\ as the light oftheSunnewhenitbreaketh out of a cloud, and jhmethferth tn his greateflflrength, whereby al darknes is diipel!ed,and driuen quite away. And if comparifon be made, the lipht of the Moone to them,is far abouc that, which the light of the Sun is to others, and the light of their Sun isfowMtobe feuenfold,?x\& like the light of f euen dayesfn the day that the Lord doth bind vp the breach of his people, & healethefiroke ofthdrwoimd^ faith the Prophet).The ioy y thefe haue, | and light of comfort arifing to them, is not like to the light of thofe whom Ittde calleth wandringfiarres, to whom is referued the blacknes ofdarkneffeforeuer; for the Lord is the creator of their ioy, and hee giueth to them the light of their comfort,fb as their funne fhall neuer go downe,neither fhall their Moone be hidden from them, for the Lord will be their euerlafimg livht^and their God, their glorie.The Lord dealeth with them as he dealt with his people in old timc,when he brought them out of E- gyptj and went before them in a pillar of a cloud by it tarrie a little, yet let themwaite and hope vndoubtedly to finde it againe, for certainly in the end it will come and it will not ftay long ; and then the dcjire oncefo accomplifhed, will much more delight their fostle,znd though they haue tarried for it long, yet that will be verified vpon them at the lait,that the patient abi- dingof the righteous will prctte gladnes in the end. Though then the ioy of the faithfull may not be felt for a timc,yet is there no feare but it will be found againe afterward, for their ioy is fuch ioy as is euerlafting, in refpe& of the grounds therofjand which being giuen the by Chrift, ac- cording to the promife he hath made,#0w /hall for ester he able to take it from them any more. The fun-fhine of Gods fauourmay for a while be hidden out of their fight,but then as the Lord himfelfehath promifed, that though for a moment in his anger he hides his face, yet with ester lafiing mercte hee will haste compajjion on them againe, and tstrne their (hadow of death into a moft bright and chearefullmor* ning. The ioy of a temporariebclceuer,how great foeuer it may (eerne to be for a feafon, yet ( as the ieede fowne in (tony ground) it cannot be kept from withering in the fcorchingheate of hot perfecution, becaufe it wanteth depth of earth and good grostnd to roote it on, as not being grounded either vpon any (table affurance of Gods vn- doubted loue and rich mercy vnto him,or vpon any good ftedfaftnes of his own loue to God back againe in thank- fulncs for the fame : as who for that loue of God where- with hefeethGodto haue firft loued him in Chrift Ie- ius, fhould bee made Co farre to forget himfelfe and to prize Gods gloric, as for Gods caule to be found wil- ling to carrie his ownelife in his hand, and to hazard the expofing of himfelfe to any danger that may happen; but rather raifed and b eing grounded vpon Come wor/d- ly,{omefetfe$nd by-rejpetts, which failing,and not falling; out Chap. 2 p cr the power ofGodlwefli. out according to his ownc reckoning and expectation, then is his ioy alfo gone,and he as much altered,as if hee had neuer been the man. The ioy of an hypocrite vani- fheth quite away and commeth to nothing in time of tribulation. How triumphing foeuer he was found (o be before in his great reioycing, yet when perfecution and fierie triall doth come,he groweth then to be mod heart- leffe and crcft fallen of thefudden,whofoeuer dareftiew himfelfe in prefence : then he willbefuretoplayleail in fight at that time. And no marueile chough an hypocrite bee but a coward, for what hath hee to truft vnto that might make him bold, in whom nothing is found and right as it flbould be, who hath nothing but foewes in {lead of fubftance ? And who will marueile if fuch a one being falfe to God, though (his heart deceiuing him) hee proue falfe to himfelfe alfo ? and if wanting fuch faith as is only able togiue himthevi<5torie, he beouercome of feare that caufeth him daftardly to flie the field,and tur- ning his backe vpon his enemies, to runne the countrey. Such kinde of perfons ( whofc faith doth fo faile them, and whofe hope is vnfound) in the time of trouble and aduerfitie,are like a man that is in the wilde fea in time of a ftorme,without anchor or cable, without maft or faile, or any tackling to make (hift with and helpe himfelfe by, whohauing no meanes left vnto him to vfc for hisfuc- cour and reliefe in time of fuch diftrefle, as one difpoiled •fall things but the expectation of death only, what elfe can he looke for but to perifh in that ftorme,without all hope of any poflible efcaping? Thefe kinde of perfons as they are left faithlelfe, fo arc they made hopeleffe, when they fee their cafe to be thus helpleife, and there- fore mine and vtter confufion muftnecdesbc their laft end. But the ioy of a true beleeuer,as it hath better rooting and is grounded vpon a better foundation , whence it (pringeth vp and taketh the beginning,fo is it of a more firme and faft abiding,{tanding vnraoued,what time the R 4 other 247 Tniihylafietb, 2±* Virefcit vtdnere virtus. i.Thef.1.*. Io&.i$H. Cohft.iA?. Ioh.1.16. I oh. 16.24. Rutb.i.il, Mans atiiue O bedicnce, C h a p . 2 5 • other is not onely fhaken and wholly caft downc : and then ftounfhing and feene ftill to grow greene,when the other(not being able to abide the heate ofperfecution) becommeth fo iiilged and blafted,and fo withered away, as it wholly fadeth, and in the end is quite brought to nothing. The ioy of a true bcleeuer arifeth and grow- eth out of faith which is vnfained, whereof Chrift is the author and the finiflier, and the holy Ghoft is the wor- ker and the framer of this blefFed worke, planting faith in the good ground of an boneft heartland caufing this ioy to fpring out of that flourishing plant, as themoft fweete and pleafant fruite thereof: for it is called the ioy of the holy Ghoft, and it is numbred among the fruits of the jpirit.Yzith is the fure ground of this ioy from whence it fpringeth, while by faith wee are perfwaded of the loue and fauour of God towards vs,in and through Chrift Ie- fus,into whom we being grafted and planted by our be- leeuing, doe come fo to nnde ourfelucs to haue a moft bappie and ioy full being in him; which caufeth vs, not only to haue ibmc ioy and reioycing, but our ioy is made full in him, for there is no want in Chrift, but enough to be found for the making of our ioy full euery way : for the fulnes of the Godhead and of all goodneffe, is anddwelleth in him 3 thzt of his fulnes we may receiue,e\icn this fulnes of ioy and of Ipirituali and heaucnly confolation,which he himfelfe willeth vs to feeke by prayer for to obtaine. And fo is the heart of the beleeuer filled with this ioy of the holy Ghoft by Chrift Iefus our Sauiour,asit is more then the world(or all the enemies he hath be(ides)can doe, to plucke that ioy from him which Chrift hath once giuen him,or fo to rifle and rob him of it againe, as it can euer truly be faid,he is now wholly emptie who before was full,(according to that which Naomi fpakc in the griefe of her heart as touching the change of her eftate) and he is nowdifpoyled of all ioy, and hath all caufe of reioy- cing wholly taken from him, that before was fo abun- dantly filled and replenished with the fame. For light be- CHAP.25. , orthepowcrofGodlincjJe. in for the prefent, but in like manner all fuch ground and cau- fes of it remoued , that otherwife might as warranta- ble and fufficicntly caufe it to bee, (though now it is not for the prefcnt a£t in being) as doth the true caufe bring foorth the naturall and proper effect: how could this poflibly bee done which the fpirit of God in thefe and many the like places of Scripture,doth will and warrant the righteous to doe? The reafon why true ioy in Chrill being once g'raen to the faithfull, can neuer bee afterwards taken from them againe, is , becaufe Gods gifts of grace to his children are -without all repentance: the mercies of God which he giueth to them, are called the fur e and the euerlafling mercies ofDauid, God hauirtg promifed to ~Dauid,that hewould not- take away his mer- cies from him and his, as he tooke them away from Saul that -was before him. And this is no more then that which in exprerTe words our Sauiour Chrift did promife to his Difciples before he left them, that he would come againe vnto them, and their hearts fh'ould reioyce, and their ioy Jhouldnone take from them. All true beleeuers then to whom God at any time hath giuen to haue true ioy and peace in beleeuing> may with a ioyfullreuerence, reioycing ■with fear e and trembling before- the Lord, hold fatt this their 1 H9 Pfal.97.1x. Pfai.32.11. Phil. 4,4. Hal. f. u. Rom. 11,19. 2.Sam.7.if. Pfal.89.28. Ioh.i^, 22. PfaU.11. 250 Rom. 8. 3f. x.Pcm.7. Mans aftine obedience, Chap. 25. their ioy: and following the example of that worthy leader in the Lords campe and hoaft ( euen that blefTcd Apoftlc Paul) challenge all their enemies to doe their worft hcrein,and zskcrrho, or which of them all /ball bee able to feparate them from the loueof God in Chrifl Iefus, which alone is the fureft ground,and maineft foundation of all this their ioy and conftant reioycing. Ifangui/h, tri- bulation, affli&ion, or perfecution ( things which already hauc been fo much treated on ) (hall (land out to trie what they can doe hereabout, they are things indeed grieuous to theflefh>and to a worldly minded man, they are as prickes and thornes in the flefh, that will make him reftleffe, difquiet his carnall eafe and peace in the world ; and fuch may they be, as not onely by feeling of them when they come , but by the fearc of them before they light vpon hinyiot onely take all ioy from him,but ftrikc him dead at the heart ; witneffe the example of Nabal. But to a true beleeuer, whofe faith is vnfained, and who by his faith knoweth himfelfc to be certainly iu{tified,and fofct at peace with God, all afflictions that may befall him, can caufe no fuch effect cuer to bee feene wrought vpon him, as can wholly and altogether bereaue him of all comfort,and take for euer his ioy from him, howfoe- uer for the £udden ( by the power and ftrength of tenta- tion they may fomewhat aftoniflh him ; yet calling him- felfe to better remembrance, hee well pcrceiueth, and foonc commeth to know, that they arc but fent of God forthcexercifing of that precious faith, which once by his grace he hath receiued from him,that now the wortn and the value thereof may be the better known c,and that they arc come rather to be triers, then deftroyers of his faith,that the triall thereof being much more precious tbtn gold that peri[beth>may caufe to him the greater praifi, and make more to his honour and glory at the appearing offchrift Iefus, And therefore by that faith of his, whereby hee fin- deth himfelfe inabled to ouercome the world it felfe, bee fcarcth not to encounter fuch affliftions, fuch tribulati- ons Ch a p .2 5 . or the power ofGodltntfft* ons and perfections as he meeteth with in the world, as not onely daring to wraftle with them, but to promife to himfclfe the carrying away of the vi&orie from them,and fo finally in the end to ouercome them : yea, in all fuch things to looke with the Apoftle, to be more then a conque- rour through him that hath loued him. Thcfe things then cannot wholly extinguifh nor deftroy the ioy of a true bcleeuer, they may better ferue to double, then to de- ftroy the ioy of fuch a man. It is that property which is onely peculiar to the ioy of fcith,fo to abide in tribulati- on, as it maketh him that is iuftified by his faith, and fo is at peace with God, not to be troubledmth his troubles ,but to reioyce in tribulation, and to fuffer valiantly and pa- tiently ; yea cheerfully and ioyfully euery thing that fal- leth out by God his appointment for his trying. Jhe fi- fties are not more frefn in the fait Tea, then Gods feruants rcmainefaithfull and comfortable in their afflictions and greateft perfecutions : there are no mifaduentures can difticarten their wei refolued minds,the Chriftian rcfolu- tton of a valorous and ftedfaft bcleeuer, in the caufe and quarrell of Chrift Iefus,is fo ftirrened with a magnanimi- ous and manly temper, as nothing can daunt his valiant courage from looking the ftouteft &: proudeft enemic of Chrift in the face;for he knoweth his caufe to be fo good, as he is ready to beare the hazard of the moft dangerous aduentures, and feareth not what flefh at all can doe vn - to him; for when God hath once ipoken peace to his foule, and giuen vnto him the ioy of his faluation ; fuch peace and fuch ioy vnto him,are as brazen boots to make him runne without feare, through all briers and thorncs that are in his way,and through the fharpeft pikes them- felues of moft crucll perfecutions. Of the truth of thefe things we haue whole clouds of Gods witneffes, that the ioy of fuch as are true beleeuers,and found in deed in the faith, hath ftill abidden w r ith them, as well in the time of their greateft triall, as of their moft happie and longeft continued peace : for fuch hath been found to haue been the 251 Rom. 8. 35.37. 38.39. a.Cor. rf.io. and 8. 2. x.ThcCi.*. if there were at many diuelsin Wmmesjii there are tiles on their houfes; I will among them faith Luther, Pfal,x*.4. 252 lames Bainbam, A ft. and M on. \ One burned at 1 Bruxcls.p.799. John Bradford, pag.14j4.aad Cicely Ormes burned at Nor- wich, ^i ft. and {Mon.pag.i%li- Cyprian willed hU friends to giue the execu» tioner for bis paines if. rials. Thomas Haunts burned at Cope* baU.pag*\447» Ten Martyrs burned at Cole- cbefter.p. 1821. fomponltu AU germ his {lory. Marts Acliut Obedience, Ch a p . 2 5 . theioyof Gods feru ants, as in their greateft troubles it hath caufed them to find comfort, yea and eafe vpon the veryracke it fclfe : Tome haue been Co rcfrefhed in the fier,as if they had been laid vpon the bed of fweet rofes, when they were but frying among the faggots : many haue been feene to haue looked on deaths face with good affu ranee, and to haue ftood vpright in the mid- deft of all other mines that haue happened on euery fide ; and fo haue the holy Martyrs been rauifhed with ioyin their greateft fufYetings, as they haue not onely patiently endured them, but mod cheerfully and ioy fully embra- ced them, luffing the ftake to which they were bound, rewarding the executioner that fhould put the to death 5 clapping their hands in the flame while they were a bur- ning, and that with as great triumph and kind of hea- uenly reioycing,as the victorious fouldier ( after his va- lour hath been {hewed in the field ) commeth at length to be made a knight : or as doth a king when he entreth vpon his kingdome,andgoeth to be crowned with fuch pompe and folemnity,as may befeeme his kingly digni- ty. They were comforted of the Lord with fuch inward ioy, as fome writing to their friends profefled they were ncuer fo merrie in all their Hues before : fome leaping for iow, feme for triumph would put on their fcarfes, fome their wedding garment, when they went to the fier. One faith well,That to be cooled in the fhade,is'a thing of no great wonder ; but to berefrefhed in a hote fiery furnace isftrange and admirable: to bee cheered and refreshed with wine and oyle at banquets and feafrs is not a mat- ter fo much worthy the (peaking of; but in prifon, perse- cution and trouble to bee refrefhed, and find comforta- ble cheering,is a thing worthy both to be made of, and maruclled at : but thus hath it been with dmers.WitnefTe that famous Italian Martyr, Tomponius Aloeriw, who found euen when he lay inprifonjn that fame deepe and dark? dungeon* a very Paradice of pleafure : and in that place of orrow and death joe found to dwell tranquillity and hope of life " C h a p . 2 5 • e r f bt power ofGodlineffe. 2 53 life : in th at inf email cauc, he found heauenly ioy, hee found i cafe and reft to hisfoule,in his ftrait bonds, and cold irons : yea, where other did weepe, there did he reioyce, and there hadheboldnejfe and flrength, where others through feare did tremble and (hake : and Co he fhutteth vp his excellent letter with. as comfortable a far well, bidding his friends j farwcllin the Lord \from the delegable Orchard of Lconyne prifon. But in reporting of thefe things which euery way Ifa. yj.x. may fceme ftrange and incredible to a carnal! worldling, we may fay and cry out with the Prophet, Lord, who will beleeue our report? Doubtleffe it may well be thought that the ioy of the holy Ghoft, euen that ioy that Peter faith to bee vnfpeakable and glorious, wherewith the hearts of thefe worthy Martyrs were fo abundantly re- plenifticd ,and the interiour heate of Gods loue in them, The creature wherewith they were fired within, did much furmount that femctb the the heate and burning of thofe fierie flames that ow^ Creator ^i it c^ wardly did fatten vpon them; the ferucnt zeale and bur- c l* a $ lb ** . ning of which fier within fuftained themfo in their ^^tbe vnri&ieom teft torments, as they fhrunke no whit, nor gatte any fir their puwflj- place at all to fuch things, which otherwife. without that ntent yfoit aba- Fuftairiin-g had been able to haue enforced them ; not on- tethhis frengtb ly to haue giuen back e, but to haue giuen ouer for alto- f° r * e ***%?$ gether; the caufe wherein fo manfully they flood with- trust in him. out any daggering. Thefe things which men ofrenowne \tVifd.chap. i€ m in former times, euen the worthies of God (whom wor- 2 4» thily the Apoftle faith, theworldwas not worthy of ), haue Sce Afis m abundantly tryed by their ovvne experience to haue been molt true : their cheerings,and comforts hauing fo fane ! Monuments , Tbehifioryof iurmountcd their forrowes and griefes, in the middeftof ichnv.juis all their torments and paines, as that when they were tri- ed with the greater! tortures, and put to the molt pain- full rackings, and then offers made them to beerelca- fed,they haue yet refufed to bee delniered ( fo great was their conftancy,the ioy and the comfort that they had in their hope,of obtaining a better rcfitrreEiion): thefe things (I fay) are fo high, and doe lb farre tranfeend, not onely all Heb.i1.3S. Hcb.u.37. 254 Mans aSiut obedience^ Ch a p .2 5. Heb.11.34- i.Chron.12. 8.14. all fenfe by feeling,but all height of reafon by apprehen- ding and conceiuingjhow poflibly they could euer bee in thevnderftandingofany mortallman, asthateuen vnto Gods children themfelucs (efpecially to fuch of them as are of the weaker fort,who through frailty & feare,feeme to be very doubtful what they fhould do, if times of trial! fhould euer come)to them that faying of Cyprian to n * s friend,had neede in this cafe be againe remcmbred( which was alleaged bctore),4ccipeqHodfentitxr antequam difci- tur: Heare the report of that which better Jhall bee knowne by experience &feclwg 3 then any can now learne.orfo wellfland per/waded of by others telling,or their owne hearing ; as w ell as did thofe blefled Martyrs find by their owne triall and proofc,whom God called forth to the witnefTIng of his truth, who of weake ones were made ftrong ones,as the Apoftle foezketh y waxingvaliant in battell So as though at the full they did quake and tremble, as fo many fearefull Hindes and Harts, that were ready to runnefor hiding and couert hrto euery thicket,and behind euery bufli, yet when they were brought forth, and put to the triall in dcede,the caufe of God being hazzarded, and pawned vpon their heads,then were they found to be moft chcare- rull,and of courage inuincible, their feare was then taken from them ; and they which before were wont to runne I away quaking and trembling, did then come forth, and (hew their faces like the faces of Lions,who had courage to turne back to any that lifted to purfue them,and bold- neffe enough to encounter their grcateft force: like to thofe worthy Gadites that were Danids helpcrs,of whom it is faid, they were valiant men ofwarre,and men ofArmes y that could kindle fpeare andfbteld, whofe faces were as the faces of Lyons , one of the leafi couldrefift a hnndred.and the greateft a thousand Yea, folyon-likc was become the courage then of tho*V poor« weak ones beforc,as fomeof the weaker 1 (ex 1 ;u* been heard to fay, when they were ar' : ~noint of martyrdome^ indthe rapirg f.er* before odeuoute them in the \\? nies there- of, in opes & kethjwhom the Lord doth abhorre. If it be profit and com- fadawluptas, I moc h t i eo f t hevvorld,ifpleafures andhonour,thcy neuer noHMtM ' i naue ^ onc ellou g n m admiring of fuch things, thinking mnndmhabeu them all to be either fooles or mad, that doe not the like as doc themielues : but fuch comforts as thefe ioyes and delights as are taken in fuch matters, they are no better then plaine witcheries, which doe difguife men, and tranf- forme them to bruit hearts. But how mcrrie foeuer worldlings are found to be, fo long as things are as they would haue them, and doe euerfort well to their liking; yet if they bee crofted in any thing, if the crofTe come,if trouble and affliction chance to happen,then they are all a mort,there are none fo ioylefle and fo heartleffe as are they ; then grow they fo dead-hearted, as it is in vaine to goe about to cheare them, and to comfort them againe : for worldly ioy rifing on worldlycaufes,the caufes fading, theioy asloonehathan end, and commeth to nothing. Heftxoii.i*. H am # n reioyced folong ashee was in fauour with the & cap7.tf.8.io Kirtgand Queene,and all that time who but he : but his ioy ibone failed him when hee was throwne out of their fauour againc, and then who could be found a more vn- happyman? Men worldly minded are ioy full in harneTb time, when come, and wine, andoyleare increafed vnto them : but if the fier of God come and burne it vp,al their ioy is gone. Thus is it not with true beleeuers,they haue not oncly ioy in their profperous eftate,but they knowing themfelues to be iuftified by faith, andfotobeat peace withGod,they can reioyce in tribulation alfo,let all their enemies doe what they can : for if aman knew bee were fo in the fauour of a great man, as it were more then the wor(t,and then all the enemies foe hath can doc to thruft him C h a p . 2 5 • or the power of Go dime (Je. him out of his fauour againe ; he would be comforted, though his enemies were neuer fo malicious : this makes true bclceuers to haue much ioyandpeace in their belee- fting, fall out whatloeuer otherwifemay happen. Hypocrites, who arc but true beleeuers counterfeits, they may (and I know they often will)make a fliew as if they had good comfort, and fome ioy in their trouble, as well as hauc the beft Chriftians ; for they are like the E- gyftian Sorcerer s,t\\zt&id.{\n\iz to &oz%\\ the things that CMofes did,that fo they might be thought to be as good as he : they will feeme in their troubles not oncly to take them patiently, but alfo thankefully, as if they had fome comfort,and felt contentment in their bearing of them, when in truth they haue none;they will be heard to thank God for them, and yet neuer feele any manner of benefit or good that they haue gotten by them, which is but a very mocking of God,and a deceiuing of men ; and to fay as the truth is, it is indeed but a verie wicked kind of thankfgiuing,when a man with his mouth onely thankes God in fome great affliction that is vpon him ; and when helieth ficke(it may be on his deaths-bed) fliall be heard to fay,hc is ficke he thankes God,when yet in his heart he connes God no thanke at all for fending it vpon him, but wifheth rather a thoufand times heehad neuer had it, or that he could well tell how to be without it againe. What isthisbutdeepediflembling? for will not weethinke a man did mock vs,if he fhould thank vs,when we do him no better pleafure,then thruft a knife through his cheeks: fo is it for men to thanke, God whenhee fmiteth them with his plagues,and thrufteth them in with the fword of his fcourges,and fearefull iudgements, except they found that they were fanelified vnto them, and that they did them good, by letting out the impoftume of feme great corruptions, that lay ranckling in their foules, whereby .hey are now like to hauebetter, and move found health or cuer after. If God fhall by any meanes fhew to a man at any time, what benefit his fickneffe fhall bring vnto S him, 2 57 Roro.ij.^. 258 Ifai.J7.p- Ifai.5^7. Mam act tut obedience, CiiAp.25. him, and what is the good that he fhallreapeoutofhis troubles and his afrli£tion,thatthcrcby,as the Lord fpea- keth by his Prophet, The inicjuitie oj c Iaccb Jhali be purged, and this {hall be all the fruit e thereof, to takeaway his finne ; he hath then caufe indeed to be thank efull and cheaiefull in his trouble : but for a man to reioyce againfthiscon- fcience,and contrary to that he feeleth caufe for,is but to reioyce in playing the hypocrite, for he neither is,nor can be foundly merry at the heart in fuch a cafe. This is as if a man fhould be feene to goe leaping and reioycing to the gallowes,when he is to fuffcr,not for a good caufe, but as a nulefa£tor;euery one knowes that is a caufe of forrow- ing and mournefull heauinefle, and not ofreioycing ; and they to be putied,and not to be enuiedthat are feene to doefo. As therefore many doefeare, where no caufe of fcare is; Co yet there are more that reioyce where no caufe of uue ioy is. The Lord hath promifed to make the hearts ofhisferuants glad and toy full in the houfe of prayer ; Gods fairhfull feruants they are, and may be merry, but iheyonely take comfort in that which is matter of true reioycing inJeed : the other (like them that are fickc of light frenzies jlaugh at their ownefhaddows,and at their ownefancics and vaine conceits. To conclude then this matter alfo; hypocrites and tempo rary beleeuersmay hauein outward (hew and ap- pearance, the like for a time that haue true bdeeuers, r houghneuer any fuch ioy as can be found to bee in like manner true for the f nceritie of it, or in like degree pure without other mixture, for the foundneffeand ftmpltcitie thereof, as is theirs Their ioy is neither oflikcmea/xre for fulnejfe, nor of like fohditie and firmeneffe for continu- ance. Their ioy therefore may rather belaid to bee like, tl en any way equal, to the ioy of true belceuers,which is the om'ly true ioy when all is done, all other b°ing but counterfeit in companion of the fame, which being com- pared together,in refpedt of thofe fundrie dimenfons that feuerally before haue been expreffed, and which haue in like Ch a p .2 6. or the power ofGodlineJfe. like manner betweene themfelues been apart considered, thereout fo plaine a difference will be made to appearc betweene them, as is betweene truth and fafiehooa,bc- tweene that which is moft found, and that which is but meerefceminrr and in bare ("hewes alone. We had neede therefore to iooke well and to make (lire workc, that we defiring to haue comfort and ioy of heart,wherew ith to be made glad, may haue of that ioy that is true indeed, becaufe we can haue no other witnes of our hauing ther- of,but only our owne fekics; neither any other tohelpe vs toconfiderofourowne eftate in this behalfe,how it (tandethandfareth withvs inthisthing,thenour owne felucs alone; fo as we (hall be but euen plaine coloners of our felues,if we be deceiued herein. 25? Chap. XXVI. Tie fifth maine difference betweene found be leeuers and counterfeits is, in their repent anc e^and bow fane hypocrites may proceed therein. Queftion. $B? t$€M?ffl go^/] 1^7 £^| ?nanncr of mens i. apprehending and laying \$)&5&£JcAsL told of him for faluation, a* alfo betweene the ^.perfaafon and affurance that mm haue of obtaining life and faluat ion in flirift , by meanes offuch their laying hold vpon him : and laflly betweene the 4. ioy following thereupon, which m.ty be found inthofethat are but hypo- crites and temporary beleeuers,andin thofe that are vnfai- ned in their faith and true bcheuers indeed. It remaineth that forfomuch as you haue Jhewed in all that haue true faith indeed there muft be found wrought together with all thefe graces b.fore going, a found and thorough refrma- S 2 turn i6o Repentance, Mans attiue Obedience, Ch a p ,2 6, How fane by. pocritesgoe. tion of life to follow after, and for euer to be maintained and continued in, to the end. . Coic n*. 1.2 3, \ 162 i.Kngn.ip. Mans attiut Obedience, C H a p.26.| Gcn.4.13, Gcn.27-34- Mat.27.3.4.5. ' knowledge of the fame, and tnfomefort not to negle£: | as in the example oiAhab is plainc and manifeft. Yea not to refhaine their repentance to lb narrow a compatTc,nor j to keepe it fhut in within the lilts and bounds of an out- ward cafting downe and bodily humiliation alone, let vs grant it a Aw^r fcope, andgiueway vnto it, that it may hauc entrance and paflage into the very heart, and fee what vvorkr it will make there. Now thither will it alfb bring in al manner of difquietjho. fea doth not rage more, then that will turmoile the heart : great ftirres are made there, and fore broyles are bred therein. There doth it worke vpon all the powers and faculties of the foule, the iudgement \will and affetlionsjxz all fet vpon (trongly,and feene much to be altered and changed. By it the iudge- ment is brought to vnderftand better, and fee that they were much dcceiued,and that they haue groiTely finned : the will begins to will, and to vnwill againe that which before it did fo eagerly couet : their affections are pierced through with hellifb forrowes, horrors and feares, and (trucken after a fort dead with penfiue heauinefleywhich will bring to death. Who euer felt his fmnc heauier vpon himjoading his confeience, then did (faine, who complai- ned that his finne was greater then could bo forgiuen, or his punijhment for it, greater then could be borne f Who hath cried out more lamentably , or Jhedteares in greater abun- dance for his ouerfight, then d\dEfau for the lojfe of his birthright ? Whofc confeience was euer more flung with the guilt of hnne,orfelt the burning ther of more fretting, like fire in his bofome that was net to be endured, then Iudos did, who crying out of his (inne,could no better hold the money in his hand, which he had gotten as a purchafe of iniquitie,then if hot leadhzd been poured into them, and therefore threw it away, though that could not quiet his conference ,nor purchafe him at all any moreeafe then hee had before? But yet to goe further, what glorious workesand goodly fruites of their j "aire feeming repen- tance, will many cunning hypocrites be feene to bring foorth ? Ch a p 2 6. or the power ofGodtineffe. foorth ? How many good things did Herod after he heard lohns preaching? Who fafledoftner then did the Phari- (?es, prayed mote, gaue more almes y pz\ed their tithes bet- ter then did they ? Who could goe further in the fhew of doing tpodveorkes for outward appearancc,thcn did that rich r tiler that came to Chrift to know what he might doe to inherit eternal/, life, who being directed vnto the £lw- w^tf^w^/^anfwcredjhe had kept them til euen from his youth vp t $wd yet he feeined to be but an hypocrite s What feeling of Cjod was there daily by the hypocrites in the time of the Prophet Ilaiah,ho\x did they delight to know the vvaies or the Lord,to askc of him the ordinances o£ iu- ftice,takingi*/*£/?nn their approching vnto god y f:fting often^andafjiiclin^thcirfc'lrs M- yea to roare like beares, and mourne fore like doues, we may doubt of our repentance, and can haue fmall hope of obtaining any forgiuenelTe or pardon for our finne ; as well as may any woman hope to get to bee deliueied of her child, while (lie is a fleep,cr in a dreame, without euer enduring any further paines or trsuell , vfuall t.o all women in their child-bearing, as for a (inner to be fued and deliuered from his finnes, without the iorrowes, the painfull throwes and pangs of thorow and vnfained repentance, whofe working is many times felt fo fot able ypon the heart, as it is ready to ouerccme it. C h a p .2 8. or the power o/CodUaejJe. it,and mike it for a time vtterly to faint. Sinne will not be got away without a great dealc o£ jorrotv and grief e, and that of fuch fort,as mult breake and bruife the foule, and mW the very heart toduft and to powder. Sinneftick- ethfo faftto, and is fo baked on, as there mult be rub- bing hard to get it off. VVooll is as fit to wipe away pitch or birdlime, as an ouerly (ighing or (light faying,Lord haue mercie vpon mee, will get finne doneaw3y: who fo doth goe about by truely repenting and humbling ofthemfelues to dee away their finnes,. mall rind finnc in their foules to bee like melancholike humours iu their bodies,which are found to lie fo low, and to be fo hard to purge away,that they who by purging would feeke to bee rid of them, mull: almoft bee purged to death,before fuch humours wil euerbegotout: So when any of Gods true children haue been drawne into fome foule finne,and groflfe kind of offence,before they can get to be recoucred by repentance againe, they are brought folow by forrowing deepely, and bitterly mourning for their linne,that they icemenot to bee worth the ground they goe vpon,by pining away for their iniquities,and by fuch forrowing for them vnto repentance,left they fliould pine away for them by punifhment, becaufe they did not repent at all. Repentanccthen cannot be without much forrow of heart; where that is,therc will be found mourn- full heauine(Te,and great dolour and griefe for finne, that hath been committed. And this forrowing and mourning is foneceffarie to all found repenting,as thelatter can ne- uer be found, where the former hath wholly beene wan- ting But where forrowing and mourning isperceiued, and found to bee for fome offence that hath been done, there we conclude is a kind of repenting : for when men are faid to repent,we vnderftand by and by,that they are grieued,and are forrie for that they haue done; fo as they would faine, if it were pofilble, haue it vndone againe. And as forrow is neceflarie vnto repentance,fo it muft be very ejfettxatt, and thorew forrow indeede that muft caufe fuch 271 Lcuit.16.39, 272 Ifai.i&9.n« Mam adiut Obedience^ Ch a p.28. ] fuch repentance as fhall be found : the heart muft be con- trite,and ground to duft,as is pepper in a morter, or corne in a mill : the bowels mu(t found like a harp e with fighin^ andfobbingfor the offence done. There muft be weeprg with the weeping 1 of Iaazer, and Elealah is to bee madedrunke with teares by daily lamentation. If corne come whole out ofthe mill,what is it better for hauing been put to grin- ding? If men come from vnder repentance notbruifed and contrite-hearted 5 it will profit them nothing. God(I know)commendeth vnto men the preferuation of their health ; but yet hee will not that wee tender fo our heakh 5 that wee may not breake our hearts with forrow after God for our fmne. They that are fo fmyrck and fo fmugjthat being old,haue yet foyoung faces, and fo few wrinckles vpontbem, nopaleneffe or leaneneffe to bee feenc, it is to bee thought, that if euer they haue come where true repentance had growne, they would haue loft fome of their colour by this time: it is dangerous for men to be ouer-quiet with themfelues after they haue once fin- ned : for it is well obferued, that the way to drawfmnes on with cart -rope i r is 3 not to begrieuedforjinne; and the re- futing and cafting o& temporal/ griefe, is the way to bee brought to eternal/ griefe : they that driue forrow away from their hearts,worke their owne forrow, and procure to themfelues the greater woe ; for afterwards wee furely doe know and feele much more earthly forrow then wee fhould,becaufe we will not difquiet our owne foules,nor trouble our felues with that godly forrow that is requi- red. Too much merrine{Te(vnleiTe the mirth be the bet- ter fan£tificd, arifing from the ioyand peace of a good confcience)doth not well. It is hard for any to bring two ends together, that will not meete: to thinke to flieto heauen with pleafant wings, to dance with the world all day, and looke to fup with God at night. They that haue their hearts thoxowly flung with the confeience, and guilt o£thchCmr\c>2i\<\ feele t\\c biting o£ that worme that lieth at the heart, nibbling and nipping it thorow, and gnaw- Chap. 28. orthefowerofGodlintffc. gnawing and grate*! g vpon it with endlejfe vexation, and 1 cafting thtcoalesof hell eucr in their face, they can eafily lay afide their vainc mirth, and liften to the counfell of lames, who viillethfach to forrow and moume 3 to let their laughter be tnrned into weeping, and all their merrines into mo urnefull lamentation : they can eafily be drawn e to goe and hang vp their harpes with thepoore captiues, vpon the willow trees, and fitting by theriuer bankes, goeweepe with them their bellies fall. Dauid, how many excellent Pfalmes did he compofe and make ? for how pleafant tunes did he make thofe ditties,which he fo diuincly did frame and deuifc ? he was worthily filled thc/weete finger of Ifrael: but^^/^hknfclfe,whenhehadfolong fallen in finne, fo long as he had a wolfe in his owne breafr,he could bee no Phy fitian to other men,he left of making Pfalmes, till he had foundly rccouered himfelf by true repentance,and had gotten reftored to him againe the ioy he was wont to find ; till then he left off his finging, and fell to weeping, and that in fo great abundance,and with fo long continu- ance, as hemadehisbed tojwimme, and watered his couch withteareSyZnd hiseies did grow dimme,andwaxed old with weeping. As for fuch as loue to be fb iocund,and to be all of the hoigh,that cannot abide to heare of this repenting, and of hauing their hearts to be broken with this forrow- ing for their fin,they may put away Preachers, and keepe fooles to make them merry with ; but let fuch fearc what will be the end. GodlinefTe wiU not dwell but in a bro- ken heart) ,the waters of life that muft fill the belly, till they flow thence againe, eucn the manifold graces of Gods fpi- ritmuft^m* through thofe paffagesinto the heart of a man ; that is to fay, through the holes and cliftes oSthe brokennejfeofamansheart; for God mil giue grace t* tht humble, and them will he teach his way. Neither is it when men be called to weeping and mourning, to baldnejfe and fackcloth,andforrowingfor their finne, that then the way is taken to depriue men of found comfort,and take all true i ioy cleane away from them,but thereby they are prepared I T for 273 lames 4.9. Pfal,ij7.x.a. a.Sam.23.1. PbL6.6.7. Iohn.7.38. Ifai.zi.i2. 274 Mat. 59. Mans attiue Obedience, C h a p .2 8, for the obtaining more fweeter comfort then euer they yet felt $ and to haue their ioy now more to abound, then euer before it did.euen foto abound vntill it be made full ; as our Sauiour hath fpoken, for they that mournethus, they j are promifed to be comforted; and fuch godly lbrrowings ! as thefc are,doe euer end in contentments, and are turned into the bc{/t,and the mod lafting ioyes ; yea, there wan- teth not feme comfort and fwcetnelTe of ioy in the midfi of moft bitter mourning, and greateft lamentation that is made for finne,when the heart is beft humbled, and moft broken for the fame : for men arc deceiued if they do not beleeue,that the very teares for finne be much more plea- fant to deuout and holy men,then be to wicked men their laughings, mockings, icftings and fcoffings which they delight fo much in ; and if they doe not thinke fafting to be fweeter to the one, then feafting is to the other,though they fhould fare neuer fo daintily, fed with Plouers, Quailes Pheafants,and fuch other coftly meats, and moft daintie difhes. Now as there be fome that cannot abide to bee called to this forrowing,and to heare of fuch mourning for their fmne,thercbe others that would forrow more abundant- ly,and mourne more thorowly,and in farre greater mea- fure,ifthey knew how : it is the griefe of their hearts that they cannot bee grieued enough, they are ftill complai- ning of thehardncs of their hearts,becaufe they relent no better,& are not more broken afunder;they complaine of i the drincfle of their eyes,and of the dulneffe and deadnes , of their affe&ions, that are not more moued for their | finnes,to open thcmfelues as fo many frefli fprings of for- : row abounding fo in the heart,that the head might be fil- led with water,and the eyes made a fountaine ofteares to weepe day and night,for all their offences and things they haue done amiffe. They figh and are forrowfull in their \ very foules, to pcrcciue what foftneffc and tendernefle they find in their hearts, readily to bee moued for any worldly matter, falling out any thing croffcly with them. And C h a p .2 8, or the power of'Godtimffe, And on the other Gdc, how (tony and flinty their hearts arc felt to be,when they would forrow moft for their Jin, and faineft get their hearts to melt with greateft remorfe for the fame.True it is(as one hath well obferued it) were it to grieue at earthly occafions in things wherein we are croflfed in the world, here our affections will come to vs, before we fent for them, but to forrow godly, that is not fo ready with vs, we haue not our afte£tions at command in that cafe,our foolidi hearts loue not holy mourning, cur hard hearts (till God hath better foftned them) are farre fromrelenting.Howbeit,lct fuch know this for their comfort,if they doe mourne for the hardnefle of their hearts, if they bee truly grieued, becaufe they cannot bee better grieued,and defire yet more to be grieued, and fur- ther to be humbled,there is doubtleffc comfort and hope in fuch an eftate : for what is this but the fmoake of true repentance, whofe (parkes are now new kindled in fuch a heart; and though thefier thereof hath not yet gotten fuch ftrcngth,as to flame forth with that hot burning and lightlbme Chining as may bee hoped for it will doe after- ward in the due time ; yet hath our Sauiour promifed, hee will not for the prefent quench, nor fuffer to be put out fachfmoakeasthisjout nourifti it,and chcrifh it,and neuer leauc it,till he hath made it to blaze out with a ftronger burning. And fo much may bee enough to haue fpoken about the making clearc of this point,that it is abfolutely necdefull for euery one that would be brought to repent forhisfinnc,thathefpecially labour for the humbling of his heart,to get it much broken and contrite with decpe forrow for the fame. T: Chap* 2 75 Mat.ii.ao. tiiwi r 2^6 Mans aHttit obedience^ Chap .29. Godly forrow. PfaLsM- Zacb.12.10. Deuc.9.18. Numb.i4-6« Iolhua 7.8.9. Plal.3J.x3. lob 30. if. PfaLn^.Jj*. Chap. XXIX. The diners forts of forrow, with the oliefts about which they are conuer- fmtm |Ow ofgriefe and forrow thus neceffary to bee found in euery kind ofrepentance, there are two forts ; the one is a godly forrow .or forrow after God ; the other is a worldly forrow, concerned for worldly refpe&s and flefhly ends. Godly forrow is that forrow which God himfelfe is the authour of, and which is wrought by Gods ownc Spirit in the hearts of his ele£t;and therefore cannot but alwaies be pleafing vn- to God. It is called godly forrow, becaufe it is more for Gods caufe,tlien for our owne,caufed more with difqueit and griefej^r the fnne that hath been committed, then with the fmart of the punijbment for finne either feared or felt. It is a griefe for finne, becaufe it diffleafeth God, which is made fo much more to abound,by how much more we apprehend and haue feeling of his fauor, and his loue vnto vs in (fhrifl lefus. This godly forrow may be occafioned not onely by our owne matters,but others matters may in like manner iuftly caufe this godly forrowing, when men canbegrieued to fee God to be diflionoured byothers, nd crie out with LMofesand Iofbua,when they faw Gods glorious name was in danger to be blaffhemed by the Hea- theater the people hauingfinned, Godwas flirredin wrath to bee reuenged, and to execute heauy judgements vpon them.WhenGods feruants vtitWDauid can put on fack- cloth in others heauineffe,and their foules with lobs, can be in heauinejfefor the poorer weeping for fuch as be in mife- rie : when mens eyes cangufhoutasdid'Dauids, with ri- uers ofteares,becaufe men keefe not Gods Lam ; when they can Chap.2P. or the power ofGodlineJfe. can mourne with thofe mourners in the dayes of E^ekiel, for the abominations in the land. All fuch kind of forrow- ing is to forrow godly, and tearcs fo fhed, are teares of lotie and pitty to men, and teares ofzealeandpietic to- wards God. Now this godly forrow is the forrow that is only proper and peculiar to the eledt of God to all true beleeuers/uch as are truly fan6tified indeed,which cau- feth and bringeth forth in them that repentance which is vntoltfe,by which they fhall vndoubtedly beefauedin the end.A worthy and excellent gift which God hath gi- uen to his ele&(as one of the Fathers hath well obferued) That (faith htjwhich C/odgauefirft for a pani foment ,he hath now turned into a ble fling, (inne hath caufed forrow, and for- row hath confumedpn : like as the wood breedeth the worme, and the worme confumeth the wood againe ; that is a happie forrow that doth driue finne away; one teare of true re- pentance caufed by this godly forrow, is w r orth a thou- sand fack-clothes of all hypocrites befide. There is alfo another forrow,which the Apoftle cal- leth a worldly forrow ,when hee that forroweth/orroweth as men of the world vfe to doe that are wholly addicted and giuen to the world,and not as men that arc renued by the Spirit of God. This forrow is like to that fpoken or by the Prophet Hofeah, which makes men whine be- cause the world is hard. And this forrow is common to all worldlings, and indeed is but the forrow of all hypocrites, for they haue no better,though they can better colour the matter then others,and cafta fairer cloake of a pretence of holinefTe,to doe fan£tifiedly all that they doe, when yet their moft fpirituall a&ions are but carnall deeds and workes oftheflefh. Worldly forrow maybe occafioncd as well by others matters fometimes, as by mens owne : when any mourne, forrow and lament, for the troubles, lo{Tes,and croffes of other menjtheirkindred/riends^nd acquaintance : but yet in a worldly refpe£t. There is a kinde of forrow that is concerned about others matters, which is the forrow of enuie, concerned for others wel- T 3 fare, *77 Ambrose, Vcccatum pepe- rit dolor cm & dolor contririt peccatum. Worldly forrow. Hofca7.i4. ffxjt tenet la- cbrimas, quia nil lacbrimablk ternih 278 Mans aftiue Obedience^ Ch AP.29J fare, which is diuellifb and deftroying forrow. But toleaue others matters,and to confider of the for- row of a worldling in his owne particular cafe. This worldly forrow is fuch a forrow,as is conceiued by him for worldly refpe£te,for flefhly and carnall ends ; when one is made forrowfull, not fo much in refpe£t of God, or any reuerence hee beareth to his glorious Maieftie^ whom he hath fo much offended, as for the prefcnt paine that is vpon his carkafc^the anxietie vpon his confcicnce y and the grieuouines of lome iudgements andplagues,ei- ther feared or felt : this is but a blind terror,vexation and anguifh of confcience, which being brought vpon them, they many times neither know from whom that com- meththat doth fo trouble them, nor for what it i3that they are fo fmitten. Stricken they are,and they know not by whom ; they finde not out the caufe that procures their griefes,which are their linnes and wickedneife, to aet them remoued ; and therefore the caufe not being re- mouedjthe effect muft ftill remaine. They lie fnaredand held faft by the cordes of their owne iniquities, to thofe heauie miferies, plagues and calamities, which God by his righteous and iuft iudgement doth bring vpon them. And as blinde men in the dark,they fee no way to efcape., or how poiTibly to get out,and therefore they mu ft needs mifcarrie in it,thcir forrow being but forrow vnto death. This kinde of forrow is either intended in a high degree^ or it is in fuch ameafure as may be fuffered : when it is in an high degree,defperation is the end of it,making them to lay violent hands vpon themfelues, to become their owne hangmen and executioners to deuoure themfelues. When it is but in a fmall meafure,then by little and little it vani(heth away as it began,and foone commeth to no- thing againe ; no fooner the paine ouer,and the affliction gone that did trouble them,but their teares and their for- rowes are at an end,and no more to be heard on, they be- comming as bad as euer before, without any amendment to be feene,but with the fwine they turne againe to their filthie C h A p . 2 9 . or the power ofGodlweJfe* filchie puddle and wallowing in the mire, and with the vncleane dogge they fall to the eating vp againe the vo- mite which they fpued out before. Such forrow bette- reth not the heart by changing and turning a manfo as he become foundry conuerted by meanes thereof,but on- ly moueth the heart for the prefent with the difquiet of paine, which onely was the caufe why it hath been fo vexed. By all this it may appeare how the forrow that is in the repentance of a true conuert,is found to be differing from the forrow that is in the repentance of an hypocrite; and that is in theobieft that either of them doe refpc£r and is occupied about. The forrow of him that is truly penitent, is mod conuerfant and occupied about malum peccati, Tloe euill of his finne, thereby God hath been of- fended,to be moft grieued for that. The forrow of him whofe repentance is vnfound, is moft of all occupied about malum poena ^The euillofpu- m/bment,and this (by the marueilous flie and fubtill wor- king of Satan, and the vnknowne deceitfulnes of his owne heart) is alwaies and euen then done; when it may be a falfe hearted hypocrite doth both thinke with him- felfe,and boldly profefle to others, that it is his finne that he mournes for,and is moft troubled aboutrwhen indeed if the truth were known e, and could bee founded and feene into, which lieth fo deeply buried vnder a mafle, and (as I may fay) a mountaine of hollow hypocrifie of fuchamans heart, it would be found that it were either feare of fome further puniftiment,then yet he hath endu- red ; or fhame for his finne alreadie committed , which hath thus broken out 5 or loffe of his credit, or fome pro- fit and benefit that is like to follow thereof; orelfe the fenfe of fome flinging iudgement and plague that hee now goeth vnder,and things of the like nature(all which arc yet but punifhments for his fin) to be the things that he is moft chiefly moued for. About thefe things he prin- cipally is grieued,and that in the firft place, and for their T 4 owne 27? 280 Faffe fornw for fime. Mans attiut Obzditnce> Ch a p .29 > owne fakes,as which he is moft afraid of, and which hee doth moft abhorrc. He may alfo be grieued for his finne, and Willi it had neuer been done : but this hee doth in a fecondary place and in a by refpe<5t, not (imply grieuing for the ftnne,and abhorring it therfore becaufe it is (inne, but becaufe it is like to bring all this woe vpon him, and is the caufe of the punifhment that he prefently doth goe vndcr. For who knoweth the depths of Satan how cun- ning a deceiuer hee is, that can deceiuc the falfe-hcarted hypocrite himfelfe, that is fo ordinary a deceiuer of o- thers,and caufe that in a moft material! point neceffary to faluation,he {"hall be ouerfeenc moft and iboncft decciue himfelfe? And who knoweth befides Satans cunning workingjhow many nookes and crcokes, windings and turnings againe is in that labyrinth of an hypocrites hol- low heart, wherein deceit may clofclybe hid and ncuer found out, no not the wrong and wric relpecls that are in his ovvne heart, and priuily doe leade and guide him in the actions that himfelfe doe commit; they are not eafily difcernable to bis owne felfe , much leffe can they be (hewed by others,which they are,and where they lie, that fo they may be the better taken heed of. But indeed the rnaine obiecl: of the forrow of an hypocrite is ma/um p oem, the euill of Ybe fmifbr&ent, with which hee is fmitten ! and made fo to (mart, that hee cannot reft in quiet, and that maketh him fo much to forrow and be grieued, which clfe he would not. He may be humbled, but it is rather before his fickne(fe,with which he is affli&edjthen before the Lord^whom he hath offended. Cha C h a p .30. or the power of'Godlineffe. Chap. XXX. How they differ alfo in the effects whkh either doe bringfortb^ and in the caufes of either. He one,nameIy godly forrow of a true con- uert,drawethaman to God, andcaufeth him to feeke comfort fmm him alone, e- uen then when he feemeth moft of all to bee enemie vnto him: faying w\i\\Iob, Though thou jhouldefi kill me, yet will I tmfl in thee. The other, which is the worldly forrow of an hypo- crite, driueth a man away from God, after hee hath fin- ned,and caufcth him to flie, what he can, the prefence of God,in whofe fight he dares not be feene ; but fhunning his prefence, hee thinketh himfelfe neuer more fafethen whcnheisfurtheftfromhim. The one therefore findeth comfort, and the other hath none. They dirfer alfo in that which caufeth the forrow of the one, and of the other ; and in that which is caufed by cither. That which caufeth the forrow and repentance of hy- pocrites,is more vfually plagues and punifhments, either infh£ted and felt,or threatned and feared when they are imminent,and hang ouer their heads : their hearts refem- ble flint (tones, which will caft no fparkles vnleiTethey be ftrooke. Rarely will it be found that any of them are brought to bee humbled by the fole miniitery of the Word ; or if by that,rather by the denouncing of iudge- ments, and by the threatnings and thundrings of the Law, then by the fweet and amiable voice and found of the Gofpell, whereout the promifes of life, and offers of grace are made vnto vs. Foelix trembled when Paul prea- ched of temperance, and righteoufneffe, and ' iudgement to come, but Feftus mocked when hee heard him preach Chrift, and begin to open the fecrets and mylteries of the 281 EfeStstffpity jbrrow. iobij.i?. 282 Man s affiHc btdknce^ . C h a p . 3 o. the Gofpell in his hearing; then hee cried outagainft him,thathe was befdehimfelfe, and that too much lear- ning had made him mad. They be not (for the moft part) words, but blowes and itroakes, and thofe well laid on too by the powerfull hand of a reuenging and irefull Iudge, that will ferue to maule and breake downe the ftoutneffe and rtubbomefTeofthe hearts of proud hypo- crites, though fo well able is the Lord to fmite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and to flay the wicked w r ith the breath of his lippes, as hee can make his word qukke and powerfull, and forcible enough to pierce deepe, and cut /harper then a two edged /word, and out of that qui- uer can draw out fuch arrowes to fhoot into the fides of all hypocrites,as fhall be fharpe enough to pierce and to fplit the hearts of all the Kings enemies, and be able to draw blood out of their fides, and to fetch fighes out of their hearts; yea to make them for the time to roare out of their throats for horrour and feare,bee they neuerfo fecure, though in the end they become little the better for it. The Lord can make the threatnings of his iudge- ments out of his word denounced, come bleake to the hearts of offenders, which fhall fend a terrible fhaking through all their bones^ and become as thunder ftrokes doubled, that are able to daunt the ftouteft ftomack that is : the Lord can make the terrour of the Law, and the thundring out of the threatnings thereof to flafh as the lightening in euery confcience that hath guiltineffe in it, and to be as fier to make their hearts to melt, though o- therwife as hard as braffe. Thus either by the mighty ftrokes of Gods reuenging hand ; inflicting iudgements, plagues, and punifhments, or by the terrour of the Law, that doth nothing but thunder out threatnings of ven- geance,doe the hearts of moft fecure hypocrites many times come to bee daunted ; yea in a manner ftrucken dead with horrour and feare,and trembling for the time. And thefe are the things that breed and bring out the re- pentance that they haue, and caufeth all their forrow to be Ch a p .30. or the power ofGodlme(Je. befuchaskis. On the other fide,the true and godly forrow,the found and vnfained repentance,the beft conuerfion of truebe- leeuers,that is frceftfrom fufpition of being counterfeit, is that which is caufed by the miniftery of the Word, and by the powerfull working thereof vpon the conscience: which is as a hammer to breake the ftonie hardnefleof the hcart,that it may goe all to duft and powder, and is as fier with the heate thereof to melt the heart, though it were n'eucr fo hard frozen in the dregges of finne before, asfhalicaufefuchathawtobee in that heart, and to a- bound of weeping, mourning, and fhedding tearesfor finnes committed,as if the very fprings of forrow were all opened and loofened, that might caufe whole ftreames and brookes of teares to run downe, and flow from the eyes of him that is truly penitent, fufficient to lay in foak the very heart it felfe in that abundance of teares ; yea, to cleanfe both heart and life,and wa(h away all filth of fin that euer before haue been committed. When fuch a workeis wrought vpon a mans heart by theminifterie of the word,and the confcience feeling it felfe wounded and ftruckcn at the hearing thereof, fhall find no reft till it hath eafed it felfe by abundant weeping, forrowing and mourning that God fhould euer be fo offended by him; and vntill direction bee giuen him, what better courfeis now to bee taken, crying out with thofe true conuerts,and penitent perfons in the A6ts, Menandbre- threnjwhat Jhallwe doe that we may be faued I When the word doth thus worke vpon any, without any other in- forcement of outward croflfe or affliction, that elfe doe happen, it is an excellent good figne, and one of the beft euidences that can bee brought out, of the truth of that forrow that hath been bred thereby, and of the foundnefle of that repentance that hath follo- wed thereof. I denie not but that by croffes and af- flictions the Lord doth oftentimes recoucr and fetch home his ftray-feruants, and reclaime them out of their finnes 283 The teares and waters of repen- tance ar c as that red fea , wherein the whole ar- mie of our fins, which are our moft dangerous enemies that do purfue vs, are deeply drowsed. 284 Mans acltue obedience, C h a p . 30, A6Y2.37. i.Sam. 12. r. 7.13. Nch. 9. 3°. Gen, 6.1. 2. Sam. 24. 10. Pfal.38.2.2.8. lob 3$.i6n7. lonahi. 17, and 2.x. 2. Ifa. 27,9. finnes.The Lord hath many meancs, and hec can make all,or any of them effe&uall to doc good to thole that are his : he fometimes awakeneth his feruants by the found of his word y knock ing at the doore of their hearts : fome- times by his Spirit, wherewith htftriueth within vs : fom- timesby ft riktng and whipping our naked confcicnces 3 \Q&- uing them difmayed with feare and dread, and biding the light of his countenance from vs, lb as wee feele not the toy we were wont to haue : fometimes by corrections and pu- nifhments on our bodies fox our finnes, opening our eares by them, and fealing our inftrullion ; that fo he may keepe back^ our foules from the pit, and our Hues from peiifhing, the Lord making this the fruit ofall the affliction he fendeth to his children, euen the taking a~w*y of their ftnne. For which caufe it is that the heauenly iuftice and fatherly care of God is often fhewing vs his rods ; fometimes fha- king them at vs, fometimes ftriking them vpon vs, to make vs awake and leape out of this miferable,filthy,and dirty puddle of our finfull life. If then the Lord bee faine to lay on bodily crofTes vpon vs, the better thereby to breake our hearts, they being blefled of God, may well be made auailable this way to doe vs good. But it is not fofree from fufpition ; it is better to leaue one finne by the power of the miniftery of the word, then twenty by being beaten from them by conftraint of outward trou- ble and affliction , efpecially when the knowledge of Gods inexpreffable loue vnto vs in Iefm £hrift 3 is mani- feftcd and brought to light by the Gofpell preached, fo as thereout we are made to know how God hath folo- uedvs,ashehathgiuen his Sonne Chrift Iefus vntovs tobeourRedeemer,andfohath giuen vs to him to bee his redeemed 5 yea,thathehath giuen his owne felfe vn- to vs to be our moft louing Father, reconciled vnto vs in Chrift Iefus, and giuen vsagaine power by him, to be- come his children,with boldneiTe to cry •, <^Abba father to him, by the fpirit of adoption which we haue receiued from him ; when the knowledge, efpecially the fenfe and feeling C h a p . 30- 9r the power ofGodlinejfe* 285 feeling of thefe things doe melt our hearts with forrow and griefc for the finnes we haue committed,that euer we fhould haue offended a God fo gracious, and a Father moft kind aboue all that can be ipoken : when of a child- like affection our hearts relent towards him, with for- ro wing deeply for hauing offended him,and are found as good naturcd children,that haue foft and tender hearts, to bee grieuing, fobbing and fighing in euery corner for angering our Father; fo as our teares may bee perceiued not to be teares of fullenneffe or ftubbornnefle, but of kindneffe and dutifulnefle towards him : when looking vp- on him whom we haue pierced with our Jinne, wee (hall be found tomourne before him, oa> one that mourneth for his onelyfonne ; and (hall be in bitternene for him,as one that is in bitterneffe for his frfb borne. And when on the o- thcr{ide, the Lord looking gracioufly backe vpon vs, as he did vpon TV&r^that looke of his (hall pierce our hearts in remembring all his kindnefles, caufing vs then with Peter 3 togoeout and weepe bitterly, When our for- row growcth thus,and is caufed after this manner to a- rife; and when the change of life following hereupon, taketh alio his beginning from the like ground, which is, that the appearing of the grace of God, which bringeth faluation vnto all men, is that, that teacheth and moueth, yea after a fort compelleth vs to denie vngodlinejfe and worldly lufts, and to Hue g&dfy, righteoufly 3 andfoberlyin our whole life time following : then is filch a forrow a true godly forrow indeed, and fuch a conuerfion and repen- tance following thereof, vndoubtedly found and vnfai- ned ; which fafely may be reftcd on> and trufted vnto in- deed. I denie not but that Gods feruants both may, and ought to haue forrow and gricfe of heart when Gods chaftifements are vpon them, and when they are woun- ded and fmitten by his hand ; but that muft not bee the principall caufe of their forrowing, nor that which fhould caufe their forrow moft to abound : not the pu- nijbment, hut the fault is moft to be refpe6ted of iuch,and ought The fbule that U drenched with teares of true repentance y re- ceiuethfuch a tinclure and die of grace, that will neuer af- ter out, Zach.u.io. Luk. ai.£i Tici.xe.xi. 28* Mans aciiHeObcclifncc^ CHAp.30 ;l ought principally to be lamented and bewailed by them 1 doe alfo acknowledge that the terrour of Gods Law de- nouncing plagues and punifhments, and threatnings of vengeance to all that are tranigreflbrs thereof, may fo ftrike and aftonifh for a time the hearts of Gods hum- bled and deie£tcd feruants, as there can bee felt of them \ no other then a feruile and llaui(h feare of death and con- \ demnation', trembling before the fierceneffe of Gods] wrath, whofe angry countenance they behold frowning' vponthem,and his hand lifted vp, bending the blow at them, which they feare will flrikc them dead at his feet. Then is their forrowing little differing from that world- ly forrow that caufeth death: they forrowing, becaufe they can fee no way of efcaping ; but of necetfity (as they thinke) they muft haue their portion with the diuell and the damned, in eternall hell fier. But this kind of forrow- 1 ing and fcaring,is not that which they doe euer abide in, nor no longer then the Lord fceth it moft expedienfor them/or their better humbline,and then it is taken away againe with that fpirit of bondage that made them fo to feare, and their worldly forrow becommeth changed into godly forrow,that caufeth in them repentance vnto life ; and their flauifh and feruile feare, into a fonnc-like j and a child-like feare, caufing them to feare the Lord; not fo much becaufe of his wrath,as for that there is mer- cy with him : with which fearing there is ioyned bold- nefle, and the fpirit of adoption giuenthem, which cau- feth them to feare after that painfull manner no more. Legall contrition t\\tn\% not any fart or canfe of repen- tance in Gods children, but oncly an occafion thereof; ! and that by the meere mercy of God; for it felfc is the ftingoftbe Law, and the very entrance into the pit of i hell. The Law and the Gofpcll, although infomefort they teach one thing, yet they perfwade not by the fame •arguments. The Gofpcll perfwadeth by the death of Cnrift,who hath loued vs,and giuen himfelfe for vs, that wermghebefaued by him: this the Law neucr knew, nor Cha p-31. or the power ofGodlinefJe* nor yet takcth knowledge of,but it perfwadeth with tcr- toht and feare ofiudgement : but the Gofpell hath a more fweeter voice, and in a more amiable manner callethvs to repentance and amendment of life, and our Sauiour £hrift commcth with blefling vs, to turnevs from our iniquities. Our godly forrowing then for finne, which caufeth repentance in z//,and a turning from our finnes, it is a gracious effect of the Gofpell, and a part of the new Couenant which the Lord promifed to make with vs in the latter day es. Thus the forrow of true conuerts they haue mourned and wept , they haue asked God mercy for all that they haue offended in, will heereupon be ready to fay, they know now affuredly that they fhall be fpared, and doubt not but the iudgcment3 which al- ready are vpon them, fhall fhortly bee remoued, and not tarry long : they are made hereby as fecure from feare of euerperiining; as was Agag the Amalekite,grownefoo- liflilyand defperately careleffeof the fudden,a little be- fore the time that execution was to the full to bee done vpon him: for they truft too much to lying vanities,and follow not that courfc that would affuredly procure them mercy; and therefore they come at the length to finkc vpon the fands of fecurity. If they faft often, as did the Pharifie in the Gofpell : if they wrinkle their faces with weeping, and lookefowre, as they then vfed to doe in that time : if they weepe andhowle androare out vpon their beds: iftheyefflsEh their foules with fafting, and bow downe their beads like bulrufhe 5 fax a time: they makefo full recko- nings, and prefume fo largely vpon the merit of that they haue done,as though God were now come to be in their debt, and that they had abundantly deferued it at the hands of God to haue all things granted, which in fuch a manner C h a p . 3 r . ot the power ofGodlincffe. 28? NodtitWAYd canfcknce. manner they faould fceketoobtainc,andthatthe Lord fhould dcnie nothing,which men fo humbled after fuch a fafhion (hould make fuite for, and requeft to haue giuen : yca,they fceme to be impatient of any delay to bee made, and that the Lord is not more prefent, looking befide vp- on all others, to attend better vpon them: and fothefe run a-fhelfe vpon the fteep bankes of prefumption, where they once touching,can neuer be fafely got orTagaine, till they haue made their graues there, and doc finke right downe to the bottome of deepe dcftruclion. Anorher way by which this worldly forrow caufeth death is,whcn(thcre being no meafure kept in it,nor mo- deration that can be had of it,to kecpe it within the com- pare that were fit),the forrow that is awakened and rai- led vp out of the heart that before was fecure, breaketh out to all extremities in the highefl: degree, there being nothing to ftay,or ballafte the heart from being vtterly o- 1 balme able t$^ uer whelmed in the (treiTe and ftorme of tentation, when a H^Z e ara l tn 2> it commeth vpon the confcicnce : no light of comfort, no dram of faith can then bee found to giue any fuccour in time of that wofull diftrefle,or to fupport and hold vp the heart from falling flat downe,and finking quite vnder the importable and intolerable loade and burden of forrow preffing hard vpon them: but yeelding ouer(as thofe that can refut no longer) to the luft and will of their vowed e- nemie,who all the while did but feeke oportunitie to worke their vtter ruine,they tarry not til he deftroy them, but damnably deltroy themfelues, and defperately doe take on their courfe to throw off this forrow,that fhortly would otherwifcofitfelfc haue here had an end; making hafte by laying violent hands vpon thcmfeIues,to rufh in- to hell at once, and that with fuch violence,as if by force they would breakeopen the gates of that gaping gulfe before them, that they might haue the more fpecdie en- trance there to grow acquainted with thofe forrowes, that wil neuer haue an end,which can neither be throwne onyior poflibly boarne, can neuer bee auoided, nor no V way 290 M*m aftiue Obedience, Ch AP.3 1, wayindured; ridding themfelues out of thefe painefull fearcs of fomc vvorfer things that might haue happened vnto the, wherwith they were before cndlefly perplexed, tortured,and tormented, by comming to feele the worft of all,many thoufand times worfe, then the worft they could poffibly haue feared before: that fo from fearing they may bee brought to feeling of as much, and more then euer they feared. When, though they fhall neuer find any caufe to feareany more that that can bee worfe then they doe feele ; yet fhall they feele worfe, and much more then euer they could haue feared : and fuch feare hauing an end,thcir feeling fhall be euerlafting, of paines that are vnfpeakable, and torments that neuer will haue an end. Thus worldly forrow, prooueth helhfh for- row in the end; and when it is an ouer-deepe forrow intended to the vttermoft and furtheft degree, it caufeth death, and death euerlafting, by (wallowing men vp in thegulfe of deadly defpaire, and dafhing themagainft that moft dangerous rocke,where they fplit in a thoufand pieces,andwracke wofully to their finall and euerlafting vndoing, All this may be feene in Saul, Achitoyhel, and in that arch- traitor Judas ,who hauing been a long while fecure and dead-hearted, eucry way vnreclaimeablefrom further going on with that mifchiefe hee was in hand with,till he had comitted it ; when once he had done that enormious fact, y hainous fin of his moft vnnaturall trea- cherie and villany againft his Lord & Mafter,that incom- parable wickednes,and vnmatchable villanyof his, did lye fo boyling in his confcience,as made him reftle(Te,and neaer gaue him ouer,till for want of other eafe and com- fort ellewhere to bee found, he fought to get rid out of thattrouble,by ftrangling himfeifein an halter: and fo though he forrowed as much as fome other, and repented more then did,or doe many,yct becaufe it was but a flub- bering forrow, and a fruitlefle and falfe repentance, his hellifh forrow drowned him vp in defpaire, and for all fuch repentance, he went to hell in the end for his labour. Againe, C h a p . 3 r . or the power ofGodlimflc* 291 Againe,fome forrowing for finne, how commendable foeuer it may fteme to be in the outward appearing, and very hopeful! for a time,that much good will come therc- on,yet not being deepely enough rooted, and foundly wrought in the heart,but flight and oucrly,fo as the heart is but a little rafed by it,and not wholly rent vp,fuch kind of forrowing(being {till but of the nature of worldly for- iow),haue been feene tohaue brought out no goodef- fe£t,butin the end to haue alfo caufed death. Some that haue been much aftonifhed,and foarely gaftred by fomc extraordinarie iudgement happning,and who haue fome- times come wounded from a fermon,mourning for a time, and making bitter lamentation for their finne; becaufe they haue no: held faft their forrow by a longer labour of feriousmeditation,in better considering their own waies in their hearts,that fo their forrow might foake and finke dcepe enough into their hearts, their forrowing haue foone been giuen ouer,and they quickly haue ceafed from their mourning, and fo haue loft all benefit that might haue come thereon ; and making no better vfeof fuch their forrowing for a time, they haue gone away, and growne to bee more hardned eucr after, and haue been found to become worfe then they were eucr before ; ac- cording to that of Peter, their end is worfe then their begin- ning. Bcfides,worldly forrow in worldly minded men cau- feth death,whilc they,too eagerly purfuing the things of the world, and fctting their hearts too much and too ftrongly vpon them for the enioying of them; if they haue not their longing,if they be croffed in their defires,if they miffe of their purpofes, and cannot obtaine what they fo much aimed at, and trauel for,they gxow Jic^e with Ahab, and penfifiejhey tumble on their beds, and will eate no breads I '-King.! 1 .4. they pine away to nothing. Men for worldly things are fometimes feene to goe and runne mad, to loofe their wits;yea,to hang and kill themfelues. Saul killed him- felfe y not forrowing for his finne, but left thePhiliftims V 2 fliould 292 Tertulllan Ap- cap 46. \ Mtns afhue Obedience, C h a p . 3 2 \ fhould mockehim, or infult ouerhim. So zsfchitophel, becaufe his counfellwas no better regarded and fallowed. It is reported o&Lycurgus, the Law-giuer among the Lace- demonians ,that hee would haue handed or flamed himfelfe, becaufe fomewhat againfl his credit they had mended his Lowes. Some haue been fo impatient of difgrace,as they haue been ready to hang themielues/or not playing their parts well in a Play. Thus worldly and carnal! forrow being the onely iorrow that all hypocrites can haue, is found to caufe death euery manner of way. Chap. XXXIL Oflbefeuen mndanu on godly forrow y in the heart cfeuerietrueconuert and vn famed bcleeuer* Odly forrow,being the forrow of true conucrts, and ofvnfained beleeuers, that on the other fide caufeth life, for it caufeth true repentance, which is called repentance vnto hfe\ and it cau- feth not a fingle and bare kind of re pentance alone, but a repentance richly furnifhed with fuch graces as are raoft fit, and found to bee moft meetetobeeher attendants ; and they are reckoned vpby theApoftle to bee feuen in number, which wee know makes a perfect number, all which are brought forth, and fet euery one in her place and order, as fo many maidens of honour, to giue their at- tendance,^ accompany and wake vpon their Lady and {JWiftrisjtvue and fauing repentance; which among ma- ny other vcrtues taketh place before them,and fitteth as a great Princeffc, and chiefe Lady of honour, whom the reft are to giue much way vnto, and dulie to attend vpon. NoWxgodly forrow marfhalleth in all thefe graces, as which procureth and caufeth them all,the Apoftle fetteth itl C h a p . 3 2 . or the power ofGodlineJfe* it out as a very generous grace,and fruicfull vertuejiauing a goodly traine following her, and a very fruitfulloff- fpring,and generation ofother graces that fpring out of hcr,and are produced by her. The fir ft grace mentioned by the Apoftle, which grow- eth out of godly forrow,and is canted thereby,isr^^;and that not an ordinarie care, after an ordinarie manner ta- ken,but a lingular and very fpeciall care euery way nota- ble and remarkeable: as the words vfed by the Apoftle to fhew and fet it forth by,doe plainely import,that it was a care worthy the marking and looking vpon, when hee ; fcthfieholdyour care ; and not {imply your care,but what! a care ; with a new rife,and as it were a double vye : both wofds lliewing.that it was a very great and extraordiua- rie care,that they were now feene to haue,after they had once forrowed thus godly. So long as men haue not the fight and knowledge of their finnes, and haue not the fenfc and feeling of their forrow and griefe for them,they abide fecure and carelelTe,and are troubled with nothing: but when their hearts arc thorowly once pierced and wounded with forrow for them, then they begin to be- ftirre themfelues,and to looke about them, then they be- gin to take care for the bufineife, how things may bee re- medied, that are fo much amifle; how they may get out of Satans clouches,of whom they haue been heldfaft as prifoners fo long; and when,as poore prifoners,thcy haue fcaped out of the hands of a rough and cruell Iailor,to care and take heede neuer to come into his fingers any more. And finceby grieuing Gods fpirit, wchaue been thus grieued our felues, to haue care to {hew our felues more traceable euer after to follow better his guiding,and the leading of his hand. The word that is vfed, may fig- vi\fe (Indie, carneft labour and diligence ,w\\\q\\ they vfed to correct the fault, and take away the fcandall : it was not an idle thinking, but a deepe weighing and laying mat- ters together, and as it were a beating of their braines with an earneft ftudie and care about thofe things. So V 2 that 293 «wy/»\ 294 Mam aftitte Obedience^ Ch a p. 3 2. that where godly forrow hath been firft wrought, for offending God by our finnes committed, that forrow will breede and bring in this caring, this ftudying and e- u:r taking thought about the matters of our faluation, how God that hath been fo offended,may againe be pa- cified: how his anger that is kindled, maybe quenched aud be caufed to ceale : what we are to doe that we may befauedrwhat courfe we may take topleafe God bet- ter. It breeds in vs care to (hunne all fuch occafions, as by which weweredrawnc to fall into finnc before, and care to vfe ail good meanes , without neglecting any, whereby we may be confirmed in our better ftanding, and kept from falling for afterward. In whom fuch a care is not found to be wrought and follow vpon their for- rowing for finne,their forrow is vnfound.and they them- felucs are farre from repenting truly, for they are not come yet to the firft fteppe that fhould lcade to the fame. The fecond grace, caufed by godly forrow,was a dee- ring ofth'.mfelues : and that too,in a notable manner : for of all thefe feuerall graces, the Apoftle vfeth the fame words, to (hew they were all very remarkable in them. 'Behold (faith hee ) what a care I behold what a cleering ! Giuing all to vnderftand,that thefe graces were right and of the beft kinde, and were in a very notable and excel- lent degree found to be in them. Now the word may fig- nifie Apologie, or defence of a mans felfe, whereby hee may be excufed. This cleering of themfclues,was rather by a free acknowledging of the fault, conferring of the a6tion,asking mercie for it,by fuing out a pardon to haue it forgiuen,and they that way to be cleeredand difchar- ged, when the action is once withdrawne, the contrc- uerfie taken vp, and the fuite fo brought to an end : then for them to ftand vpon poynts with God, in holding plea with him,to make that either nothing or leffe then itis,madeby Godhimfclfe, in his declaration that hee 1 hath drawne and put in againft them. If a child hath of- I fended C h a p . 3 2 • or the power ofGodlineffe. fended his father by euill doing, and his father knowing itjfhall call him to an account for it,it is not for the chiide to goe and feeke how he may excufe himfclfe, by laying it vpon fome others, by telling this or that lye vnto him, for that will but more offend him : but his way is s to downe vpon his knees, to confefTe plainly the fault, to {hew his griefe for it, and to craue to haue it forgiuen. This will fooneftpurchafe pardon from" his father,and fo being forgiucn,hc goeth away cleered of the fault. This cleering, the Apoftle mentioneth twice in one vetfe in the fame place, and maketh it to be thelaft and bieiTed effecl:, which all thefe graces ( together where they are foundtobewrought)will at the length bring foorth in him that truly doth repent : and that is, they will cleere him from all his finnes. There is no better cleering to bee got from fin, then by foundly repenting : that will cleere him before God, who harh promifed to pardon all the finnes of fuch , to take away all their iniquities ,to couer their tranfjrreffions, and neuer to remembt rfuch their finnes anymore; in filch fort,as if they fhould be enquired for, theyjbottld not be found ,and if they Should be asked after, there fhotild be none : now if God doe iuftifie, whojhall con* demnet Repentance is the beft way of cleering any finnerin like manner before men: who if he be once found to haue truly and foundly repented indeed,and to haue giuen that fatisfa6tion,which in fome cafes is neceffary to be giuen: then let his finne haue been neuer fo grieuous,they ought to forgiue it, to cleere him of it, and to vpbraid him no more by the fame. Sound and true repentance is the bed: way of cleering any finner,and of defending of him againft the {trongeft accufations that finne it felfeor Satan can lay in againft him : for though they can iuftly lay to his charge that he hath done fuch a finne, yet hee can as readily cleere him- felfeagainefrom that accufation, byanfweringthat hee hath vnfaincdly repented for that fin, and obtained par- V 4 don 295 2$6 Mans aBittt Obedience^ Ch a p. 3 2. Efcra,9.$, don for the fame, which hcc hath readie to fhevv for his lawfull difcharge, againft all that lift to challenge him, or call him farther into any queflion. The finner that i hath truly repented for his finne, hath alvvaies fuch an anfwere as this to make vnto Saran,cuen when he is mod troublefome vnto him: for fuch fins as cannot be vndone, he may fay vnto Satan, Tell me not what Ihauebeen,and what I haue don?,but what Iam,znd what I doe, and what I would doe :\ was a rebellious finner,but I haue obtained grace truly to repent and to leaue my finne,foundly to be conuerted and changed from that I was, and now to be- come a new and another man, I am no more what I was, and I would yet be better then I am. There is a double kinde of cleering away finne : there is a cleering of the guiltineffc of finne by pardon for the fame : and a clee- ring away of the filthineffe of fin,by purging and dean- fing finne away. He that hath committed finne, as well open before men,as before God,is to fceke to clcere him- felfe.as before God, fo before men,by free acknowledg- ing of the fame, humbling themfelues for it,and (hew- ing themfelues to haue truly repented of it. The third grace,caufed by godly Conowjswdignation. This followeth godly forrow, that men are fet in a chafe, 'and put into a heate with feruent anger and indignation againft their finnes, and themfelues, for committing of thereto make them fret in their mindes,to be at defiance with fin,and fall out with themfelues for being fo grofie- ly ouer feene ; and as men when they are angrie one with another, they will not ftick to fall a railing one vpon ano- ther : fo are they ready to giue themfelues hard tearmes, to fay,What a beaft was I ? what a foole thus to be oucr- feene ? how was I bewitched ? I think I was mad,as Paul faith,/;*? was mad in raging againft the poore Church, Yea how impatient fuch haue bin with themfelues, hath bin made to appeare by fome outward geftures, offmiting their hands on their thigb,zc*nng their haire of their head, and from their beards, rending their garments : which I fheweth Ch a p .3 2. or thepomr of Godltncffe. 297 fheweth they could not kcepc quiet with themfelues. And as for their finnes , by which they haue offended ! God,there is nothing fo deadly hated and abhorred of| them,as are they : they can neuer more abide them, their] blood rifeth, and their hearts fwell againft them where 1 euer they lee them.Neuer did Amnonmorc loathThamar, j i.Sam.ij.if. after be bad fatisficdhis filthie luft with her, when he could] not abide her ^re fence any longer, but commanded fiejhould be thrptfl out of the door es, and the doorcs bolted againfi her that [he might come in no more, infomuch, as it is faid, the hatredwherewith he then hated her, was greater then the lone was wherewith hee hadloued her before: then thefe true penitent feruants of God do loath and abhorre moft thofe finnes, which before they were knowne to haue loued beft, fo as they cared not if they neuer faw their fa- ces more : and it is an endleffe vexation and torment to their confeience but to thinke of them, and of the vile euils that they haue confuted with them,fo as they can haue no reft, till they haue rid them away out of their fight, thruft them out of the doores of their hearts, caft them out of their hands, as things moft loathfome that cannot longer be abidden,and in deteftation of them,bid them get them hence, barring vp all paffages foto keepe them out,as there may be no place left open, by which it might be polTible for them, returning, euer to get any entertaiment there againe. Their angrie carriage to- wards their finnes that haue deceiuedthemmoft,is not vnlikethc rage of fome men, when they come once to fee how they haue been oft abufed and vndone by fil- thie queanes and harlots that haue enticed them, they then grow impatient,and can no more abide them, they are ready in defiance of them, to fpit them in the teeth, to flit their nofes and giue them whores markes,and fend them away difgraced, that none may euer more be de- cerned and abufed by them, but know them what they are. So doe thefe deale with their finnes, they doe not only loath them themfelues,to fpit in their faces, thereby to 2o8 HaL30.11. Mans AtttHtObtaitnce^ Ch Ap.32. to (hew in what degree they doe abhorre them ; but they caft all the fhame and difgrace vpon them they can, to make others in like fort to loathe them,and not to be de- cerned as they haue been by them ; they fo brand and mar ke them,that al may be warned to take heed of them, and not to indanger themfelues to bee mifchiefed and fpoyled by them. This is that which the Prophet fhe weth (hall be done by the people, when they are once reclai- med out of their way of erring, and (hewed the right way they were to take and walke in ; he faith, they (hottld not onely leaue rvorfhipping of 'grauen Images , care no more for them,and doe them away : out (hew their indignation againft them, by defacing them, fpoUing the couerings of them, teare and rend their golden ornaments, defile that that was about them,andthen caft them all away as a men- ftruons cloth, with words of greater!: abhorring and defi- ance fpoken vnto them, when they (hall fay vnto them, Get thee hence. This is that feruent anger and indignation that is caufed by godly forrow,in the hearts of them that doe truly repent,againft all their finnes which they haue committed, and wherewith God fo much hath been of- fended. The fourth grace caufed by godly forrow,in the heart of him that is truly penitent,is/ and he cafb the Tables out ofhis hand and brake them beneath the Mount : and then betookethe Ca/fe which th:y hadmade, and burnt it in the fier, and ground it topowd r, and flrowedit vpon the water, andmade the children of Ifrael to drinkf it', that if they would haue it againe, they might no more plucke it off their eares, but goe and rake it out of their bowels. All which was done for the greater deteftation of their finne, and of that their vnfufferable abomination _, which hee thus found to haue been erected and fee vp by them. And yet not fatisfled herewith, hee called the fonnes of Leui to him, and commanded them, euery man to put his fword by his fide, and to goe in and out from gate to gate throughout the campc, and flay eue- ry man his brother, cuery man his companion, euery man his fonne, and euery man his neighbour, vntill there was vengeance taken of three thoufand men, which fell that day by thefword. Sofeuerewas the ven- geance that was taken, and the execution that was done, both vpon the finne committed, and the finners them- feluesthat had done it. And this is the furthefl: that a poore grieued and troubled foulc can goe in hisrngry and zealous purfuit of finne, to bcercuenged vpon the fame; namely, when he hathfet hand vpon it, and got Iitvnder the hatchet, then to wrcake all his anger vpon tc,hacking and hewing it, mangling and martyring it, X and Exo.51.19,20. z5, 27,28. \o6 Confefton. Mans afltne obedience^ Ch a p .3 3, and cutting and chopping it, as (mail as hearbs are to the pot(as we vfe to fpeakc), making Cure vvorke of it, in gi- uingit fuch deadly blowes, as it may neuerbee poflible for it to recouer any more,of the wounds and hurts itfo hath taken, and euer feeking (as fmnc doth reuiue) to mortifrcthe deeds of the BeiK by the fpirit, by a daily dying vnto finne,and breathing out the ghoft thereof. And this is that holy reucnge the Apo(tlemeaneth,when a repen tant (inner vieth all good meanes he can,that may feme to fubdue the corruption of his nature, to bridle camall affa&ions, and to mortifie all manner of flnne. The ssfuthour hauing thus farre fully perftedthisTrea- tife 3 was called out of this life, leauingfo much as fol- low eth( according to thefrfl draught) in lo of e papers ; whereout being col letted by afaithfull LMinifter, and found fitly to agree, it was iudged conuenient to bee ad- ioyned. Chap. XXXIII. Hotvfirrowfor fynne caufeth confepon offinne, according to the dtuers kinds of it • and of the differences to befeene in men therein. Orrow in the heart conceiued for fin, efpecially if it bee in any great mea- fure,and the heart be deepely vvoun- ded,andthoro\vly pierced with the f?me,it will not be held in,and kept ; (hut vp within the doores and gates of the heart, there alone to worke fuch effecb^and caufe fuch cuenrs to follow thereof,as be- fore haue been fet downe; but it will breake outasfler, that I C h a p . 3 3 . or the power ofGcdlineJfe* 'that cannot any longer bee fmothered; andthefulnefle jofthat forrow that cannot bee held and contained in the heart,wi!l feeke fbme way to hauc vent, and to empty and poure out it felfe, by vttering of fpeech with the toiigU€,and by making open and plaine confeifion before ! others of the finne, for which the heart is lb ouei burde- ned with griefe and forrow within ; which is for the time a little eafing to the heart, which otherwife was as if it would hauc burft with the fulnelTe of forrow it fclt,if this had not bin the fooner donc.Euen as when the ftomack is opprefled,and furcharged with too great a fulncifc,and o- uerladen w r ith more then it can either brookeorbcare, there is neuer any quiet to be felt, vntili the ftomack bee eafedby vomite, and calling out of that furplufageof matter in it,that makes lb ficke and painefull : fo like wife when forrow and griefe for finne committed, dorh ouer- lade and prelfe the confeience, and fill the heart brim full with painefull heauineffe, andwofull diftrefle, which is felt broyling within,and turmoyling and loathfomly fret- ting the bowels of the foule with greater difiquiet, then canbeabidden; thereisnoeafe to be hoped for, or that euer can bee felt, vntili by open and plaine confeflion (which is, as I may fay in this cafe,the vomit of the foule) that finne be with vtter deteftation vomitted vp,and caft out withal! kind of abhorring and loathing of the fame. Whereof there is a pregnant example fet forth in Dattid after the committing of that great and grofTe fin of his,in- to which he fo foulely did fall. Who did euer take more paines to hide his fin after it was committed, then did hee for a time? Who tried more waies? Who caft more about by vfing fundrie and diuers likely courfes,to haue had his finne fmothered,that it might neuer haue been knowne, inor come to light,then did Dauid, as the hiftorie doth re- jport? And yet all his labour this way was loftmothing iprofpcred nor fucceeded to his mind, hee could find no leafe of that torment which he felt in his confeience, tho- 'row the guilt of his finne; no reft to his foule from the tur- X 2 moile 3°7 i.Sam.II.4. i.Sam.u, 3 o3 Mans aft tut Obtdkncc> C h a p .3 3 , lob.51.3j. moilc and difquiet which hee felt within; nofreedome from the paines which hee was fo foarely vexed withall, w'hichGodhad inflicted vpon him, as iuft punifhments for his finne ; but which way ibeuer he turned him,he felt no more eafe,then if he had lyen vpon a racke ; for night and day the hand of God was heauic vpon him,fo as his bones waxed old through his roaring all the day, and his moy- fture was turned into the drought offummer. All this hee himfelfe faith (Pfalm. 3 2 . 3 .4. 5 ) was while he keptfilence, and would ft ill haue kept clofe his finne, and bit in his forrow andgriefe he felt for the fame : but fuch fmothcring of his iinwas,as if heehauing hot coalcs povvred into his bo- forrie, (hould haue clafped his garments clofe about him, fo to (hut them in; which euery one knoweth,would haue been a courfe not to be abidden, for the burning and fcal- ding would haue been intollerable, and neuer to haue bin indurcd and borne, vntill all had been ript open, and throwne out againe. Therefore when hee could find no more cafe by keeping filence, he burft out to make open confeflion of what he had done, and came to the acknow- ledging of his finne , without any further hiding of his iniquity: for lb he fakh,he did conclude with himfelfe,and refolued to do, etten to confejfehis tranfgreffions vnto the Lord;(hcw- ing what a blefled effect followed vpon this courfe ta- ken,that then hee was refrejhed, and found eafe to his foule, the Lord was pacified towards him, andforgatte himtheini- quitie of his finne. Avery memorable example, and thing moft worthie to be marked, as we are well giuen to vn- derftandbythat word [Se/ah]. Sinne in the confeience is as a thorne in a mans foote, as needels in the flefri, oraspoyfonfull matter in a foare, which lieth burning, and belching, and aking with painc not to be abidden ; there is no reft in fuch cafes vntill they be got out,the foare launched, and the poyfon expelled ; then commeth cafe to the patient. lob doth fay,that If he hadcoueredhis tranfigrcffions as did isidam, by hiding his iniquitie in his bofomejoe could haue had no comfort by that courfe C h a p . g 3 . or the power ofGodlweJfe. coxrfeinhis diftrefp. Yca^the Spirit of God direc>Iy fet- teth it do\\ne y tbatT?bcfb£ftcr couereth and hideth his finnes (hall neuer proffer : but he that confcffeth andforfaketh Ins JimcsjhatisthemanthatfiAllhaucjwrcyPton.zft.i'i .The couers and cloakcs of finne doc nothing but intercept and hide the eracious light of Gods countenance from fhi- for why 30? >on the obtenders and vfers thereof: ning vp< fhould God vouchfafe to forgiue that to vs, which wee will not vouchfafe to acknowledge, feeing that mortall men doe looke for confeflion of fuch faults as others, though being but their fellow- fcruants,haue doneagainft them,before they will forgiue them. Thrufhng out of finne then, and a clearing of the confeience by caftingit vp,and vomiting of it out of the ftomack of the foule as a loathfome burden,that cannot any longer be borne, by a free,anopcn,andplaine confeflion made thereof; and by an acknowledgement of the euill that hath been done, though it be againft a mans owne felfe.that hath been the doer ofthefame,is the readied: and beft way that can bee taken,to eafe a grieued heart that is opprefled with for- row,and heauily laden w r ith the importable burthen of his finne : * for confeflion of finne is the medicine to cure fin ; and where forrow is in fuch a degree felt in the hart, it cannot alwaies bee kept in, but it will force outfome confeflion to be made by the tongue, to trie if that way any eafe can come to the heart, or any reliefe poflibly bee gotten by fuch a courfe taken. This confeflion of finnes is to be made firft and chiefly to God, and that both pubhkcly with,and before others, in the publike Congregations and Aflemblics of the Church ; and alfo priuately in our fecret and priuate pray- ers by ourfelues,w'hich is then fufficicnt, when our finnes are not knowne to others, or none elfe thereby wronged and offended ; vnlefle we find caufe to diicouer our priuy faults and fecret infirmities to ibme faithfull Minifter or rriendjthat is fit and able to counfel and comfort vs in re- fpe£t of the fame,as lam. 5. 6. wiUeth Chnfiians to do. X 3 And *Confi(Ji9fec- cati c[t medici- mftccotix j. To God, Vnbli{(C 9 Vrinate, 3 IO %Tomen. Mmsattiut Obedience, Chap. 33, a,Cor.j . lMatth.18.17. Mac.5««3^4« And we are to confeflc our fins vnto God,not as to one that were ignorant of them, and knew them not before to haue been done ; but as to him that knoweth, and per- fectly remembreth all things,hauing them as it were writ- ten before him in a booke, who fearcheth the heart, and knowes all that wee doe amiffe; that fpieth out all our waies^and hath the heauens,the earth,and our ownc con- ferences the faithfull wicnelfe of our finsag*in(tvs;ther- fore are we the rather to confefle our fecret fins vnto him, becaufe weknow he knoweth thcm,that by our fo con- ferring of them wee may doe him to know, that wee alfo know them our fellies ; and that our hearts are fo filled with forrow within for hauing done them, that wee can- not but exprefle the bitcernefle of our griefe, by making fuch an humble confeffion of our finned vnto hirn,who ta- keth knowledge of all finnes, and that onely can for- giue them,and grant vs pardon for them ; as he hath pro- mifedfotodoejProu.28.13. 1. Iohn 1. 9 .and ho th accor- dingly performed to Damd and others,2.Sam.i 2. 1 3. Befide this confeffing of finne vnto God, if the finne committed, hath not onely been done in the fight and knowledge of God, but alio before men, with lcandall and offence to the Church wherein it is fo done ; then is it to be openly confeffed both to God and men thereby o£- fended,that the plaifter of confeffion being fpread as far, as the hurts and wounds of finne haue extended, they may be foundly cured. Sinnes for which confeffion is due vnto men, ate either fuch as be offenfiuc, and hurtfull vnto fome certaine and particular perfons onely,vnto whom like priuate confef- fion is requifite,by the teftimonie ofourSauiour Chrift; or elfe they are fuch as bee publikely offenfiue, and fcandalous to a whole Church or Congregation; either in regard of the notorioufnefle of the crime committed,, or in refpedt of thcobftinacie of the offcnder,proceeding vnreclaimeably with an obdurate heart and high hand in any priuate or lefTer finne, whereby he doth iuftly deferue v and Ch a p . 3 3 . or the power ofGodliwJft. and caufc that it fhould be made publike,that others may take heed of him,and hee accordingly be cenfured, afha- med,& chaftifed, for thefe,noleffethen publike cofeffion is fum*cient,that thereby the Church and Congregation may be fatisfied,and thepoore finners forrow and griefe ofheart,as one that is indeed truely penitent, may bee brought out,and made manifeft to be true and found,as it ought to be. Here in confeffion of finne alfo,therc is many manifeft and plaine differences betweene the repentance of found conuerts,and of thofe that are impenitent, vnrepentant, and at the beft but counterfeit. Andfirft to begin with the Papifts, who forpriuate confeffion are more feuere in their tradition,then God is in his Word,vi ging euery man vnder paine of damnation to confefTe in the eare of a Prieft,all,and euery one of his finnes in particular, how fecretly foeuer they haue been done ; and fo many times doe vrge men to doe open pe- nance for fecret finnes, inuerting the difcipline of the Church : this neither the Word ofGod any where requi- reth,ncither the Orthodox Church hath taught, as well doth M after Perkins make to appeare in his Reformed Catholike in his Treatife of Confeffion, that Auricular confeffion was not knowne vnto Angnftwe, it is clcarc, for he faid, What haue I to doe with men, that they Jhould heare my confejfions >as though they fhould heale all my difea- fes. And likewife Chry/bftome; I doe not comp ell thee to confejfe thyfinnesto others. And againe ; I doe not bid thee confejfe them to thy fellow-fer Hants jvho rvillmocke thee: but confejfe them to God.who will cure andheale thee. The Papifts doc likewife erre about the confeffion of finnes which they make vnto God, in that it is, and muft be made in a tongue or language not vnderftood of the fpeakers thereof being ignorant, which hindreth the fer- uencie of his zeale, that to doth make his confeffion, and the breaking of his hart with forrow for that finne,which hee confeffingjknoweth not what it is that hee doth con- __ X4 fefle; 311 Difference tbereofl i.Frmpop/JJ? conjcjfion. ifntimcn. jiUguftMTfrjf. Ub.io.cap.3. Ch/yfoft. tom.f, horn. $.de del natura. £tin¥fil$o. horn* 2. xVntoGod. I 3 12 Mam tilwtObtditnct) Chap, 33, i.Frw« open Albcijls. $,Fr he faith, die* and I brethren Ch a p . 3 3 . or the power ofGodlineJfe. brethren J haue in all good conscience ferued Cjodvnto this day. Doubtlcflc no other godly and wife man lming in thofctimes,and knowing thefc mcn,would cucr hauc gi- ucn fuch a hard femence of either of them. The queftion then from hence may be,how farre a man may amphfic his owne weaknes & vn worthines, without preiudicing y truth.For anfwer hereunto, we are to know, that as an a£t ofiuftice,differethfrom an a6t of charitic,fo the fentence of iudgement differeth from the fentence of affection and fenfe : an a£t and deed of iuftice wee know muft goe by a ftraight thread,without fwaruing any way at all: but an a£tof charitie hath latitude orbreadth,as the health of a mans bodie hath, and the Zodiack Circle in the heauens, within the extreame whereof, the Moonc is neuer out of her right courfe,though fhe mouc not euer with her Center vnuariably vpon the ecclipticke line. Now in the practice of repentance, which is an immediate a& of the affe£tions,men may according to their feeling make their faults,and the reuengement thereof with the moft,rather then with the left,aiad yet be within the com- pare of the truth of their concerning and feeling, though beyond the extent of the truth of their fins in themfelues exa&ly confidered ; according to the practice of ^r^/*/, who,repenting of his getting goods vniuftly,faid,&* uw*/df giue half of his goods tot he foore: which thing,though an a<5t of repentance wil allow a man to doc,yet an att of ftrickt iuftice and iudgement will not defigne and inioyne a man to doe fo much. Zacheus repenting faid, If he had done any man wrong,he wonldrefiore himfourefo/d;whic\\ was more then the Law would haue required. An indifferent and vpright Iudge comming to iudge betweene two finners, muft iudge according to the truth of things, neither more nor lefle : but a repentant perfon comming to iudge of himfelfe, hee iudgeth with the hardeft,according to the truth of that he doth conceiue and feele to be in himfelfe: fo in the at~t of charitic,a man thinkcth beft of others,and worft of himfelfe, as wee fee in the tsfpoftle (Rom.7.24.) Y who 321 £*efi ton. tsfnjwere. Luke 19 .8. Leuir.rf.y. 3 22 K0W.7.M ex- pounded, Mam aflitte Obedience^ Ch a p.j 3, Quifibi difyli- cet in vittjsydeo placet. Bernard. Confefion'm gcncrall. who in true forrow for his finne, crycth out of himfelfe, as of amoft wretched man, ^w?i f iy*Ki$&me, the word is a double compound, vfed when one would moft dif- graceaman:now w f c know the Apoftle had not com- mitted any fo hainous a (in after his conuerfion ; for in his apologie for himfelfe, Ad"t.2 3 . 1 . he faith, that in all good conference he hath ferued Go dvnto that day : and 2. Cor. 1 . 1 I z. he faith, that that wo* his reioycing, euen the tefiimony of his confeience ; that in all fmplicity and godly ptsreneffe he hath had his conuerfation in the world , ejre. Now ac- cording to this prefident fet before vs, in that which was thus done by this blefled Apoftle, is the courfe and practice of true conuerts, that are throughly hum- bled, and caft downe with forrow and griefe for their finnes : there is none that will thinkc more meanly of them,nor any that will cry out more loudly againft them, then they will thinke meanly and abie&ly of themfelues, and ay out with a note higher,then they that are loudeft againft them for their vnworthines and euill doing. And indeed the more abied that any true penitent feruant of God is in his owne account, fo hee ende in faithfulf hu- mility,andnot in ftubborne defperation, it is the better. And fo much may ferue to hauc been fpoken for fliewing fome differences betwecne the confefTion of fins made by hypocrites, and thofe that are found conuerts, and true penitent perfons. Now as touching confefTing of finnes in geneall, when we are brought vpon our knees before the Lord, to con- feffe & acknowledge our fins vnto him; though we may be fpecially moued thereunto,by fome one, or fome few later grofle and grieuous finnes committed and fallen vn- to by vs; yet is it meet that we reft not alone in the con- federation ofthatone,or thofe few finnes fo lately com- mitted ; but by meanes thereof to take occafion to find out our other finnes alfo, and them all ( if we could) by which informer time we tranfgrefled and offended ; that all may be repented of, and wee the better humbled for I them. Ch a p . 3 3 • or the power ofGodlinefle. them. As when one lighting a candle to goc feeke fome one thing that he mifleth, by meanes of that light, and fceking, doth finde another; yea (many times) many things that were ouercaft, and (in a manner) quite for- gotten. As a worthy man hath wifely obferued out of the practice of Dauid, that being checked by Nathan for one grotTe finne lately committed,and by him done, hecomming to make his repentance for it, thinkethof more, and neuer refteth till he come to the root of all, to be humbled for his Original! finne, as well as for \\\saclu- *//;asinthatpenitentiallPfalme compofed by him is e- uident to be fecne : fo is it meet, that when (by meanes of fome groffe finne lately or laftly committed) our con- fciences are fo wounded, and our hearts fa pierced and (mitten thorow with forrow and griefe, as there is no a biding for vs longer to defcrre and put of our repentance, and humbling of our felues before the Lord for ma- king our peace with him, that wee take occafion there- from to furuay and oucrlookc all our wayes ; to caft ouer the day-bookc of our whole life, to fee what Items the Lord hath againft vs,and what arrearages we hauc runne into,by our tranfgreflTing his moft righteous lawes,and to goe fo farre backe \wfe arching and trying our wayes,and wellconfidering them in our heart s, (according as the Lord willeth vs to doe by the mouth of his Prophets, Lam. 3 . 40. Hag. 1.5. 7.) vntill we come With lob, and2)<##*W,to biwaile the very pnn?s of our youth, and to aske mercy for them ; yea, vntill we come to the head (pring and foun- taine of our Oiiginall corruption ; and to gage the very belly and wombe of fin in ourfirfi conception ; and fo ac- knowledge that, with all the reft,vnto God,as particular- ly as we can; labouring to breake our hearts for them all ioyntly and feucrally, that fo our hearts may fall into the more pieces,there being the more ftroks giuen to the fame. by the more finnes we can remember to haue been committed by vs,vntill our hearts may be fo (mitten and fo contrite,that they may be as if they were grownd cuen Y 2 to 3*3 PfaJm. P. lob 14. 4. PfaUf.7. 3*4 Mam atftuc obedience^ Ch a p .3 3, Offpeciallfiiu. I.SlRM?.?. Mar. 14, 2. Sana. 1®. Verf.ii. to duft and powder : for the which purpofc we muft nar- rowly fearch and fife our fclues, vnto the which courfe the Prophets haue lb much,and fo often called Gods fer- 1 uantsby their earneftexhortations,Zeph. 2.1. Now albeit we be willing to take knowledge of all: our finnes in generall, yet are wee moft to humble our ; felues,to aske mercy , and fecke reconciliation for our fpe- ciall finnes,whereof we arc guilty, if we can geflfe which they are that God hath chiefly in chafe, and for which he moft purfueth vs by his iudgements, for ftill retaining of them. For commonly men that could bee contented that all their finnes might die with the leane cattellflainc by Saul, yet haue they fomc one or vxofatfimes, which they would as faine fpare,as Saul did the fat beaftsand A. gagthe King. There is no gift of God giuen to many men that is fo deare vnto them, but there is fomething forbidden by God,that is in like fort as deare to them as that is,and as loth to be parted from. Herod would not part with his darting finne : but God when he hath finne in chafe,and purfueth men with his iudgements, becaufe they will (till retaine thofe finnes, will neuer giue them ouer, no more then Ioab purfuing Sheba the fort ofBichri, did giue ouer his purfuit vntill the traitors head was throwne ouer the wall vnto him. Gods iudgements are as his armies of fouldiers,that doe purfue vs for our fins : wee are to bee as wife therefore for making peace with God,as was the woman with Ioab in Abe/ 3 by whofe coun- fell the traitors head was cut oft, by cutting off the heads of all fuch our finnes, and carting them away fpeedily from vs, that God may ceafe any further to purfue vs with his iudgements for them. There are alfo fome finnes moft fpecially aimed at, as chiefe in the treafon, which God will fee fpeciall execution to be done vpon, before euer he will giue vs ouer : their heads are to bee cut off in time, and they moft fpecially to be throwne out hy hum- ble confeffion and pardon craued for them. We are ther- fore to be moft heedfull in obferuing our chicfeft innY mities yCiiAp.33. erthtpmvtrofGodlincJft. 3*5 mities, our ftrongeft corruptions, out commoneft and moft mafterfull fins that hauc foiled vs moft, and into which we are moft in danger fooneft and oftencft to fall ; ! 1 to acknowledge them efpecially vnto God, as bewailing ! them moft,with defire to hauc mercy for them, and po- wer sgainft them, cuer keeping a vigilant eye openoucr our greateft frailties, that we may be moft humbled for them before the Lord,moft afraid of them in our felues, in regard of our knowne weakneflfe ; and labour to arme our fekies the better,and to make our felues the ftronger to deale with them, and to wraftle againftthem; both for the throwing them out of vs, when they arc got in; and for the keeping them out when they arc once expel- led and gone. For as one faith well, they that are the beft men of warre againft all the vanities and fooleries of the world,doe alwaies keepe the ftrongeft guards againft themfelues , to defend themfelues againft themfelues, from felfe-loue, felfe-eftimation, felfe-opinion, and fuch other home-bred finnes. In confeffing of ftnne,be(ide the variety and multitude of our finnes,which thus are to be fearched out,the quan- tity and quality of finne is to be waighed and confidered, to the end our humiliation may bee thereby the better furthered. And firft , ifor the finding out the heauinefle and waightinefle of our mines, wee are not to doe as they, that,comming to waigh grufte crmaflie mettall, bring great fcales,and leaden and great iron waights ; but wee arc to waigh them in the tryed fcales and waights of the San6tuarie,that are as the waights wherwith men wcigli J gold,that will fhew what is wanting,though it were but ; the waight of a dramme.,graine,or leflc. The caufc why j wevnderualue finne, is becaufe we talce but our ownc j waights to waigh it by ; which are as waights of leadc; 1 if things be not fomwhat exceffiue heauie, wee cannot perceiue or find any great want or difference with them. But nothing is little, nor lightly to be accounted of, that Y.3 is Quality of Jibs. ^26 Nihil kite quod prapondcratur mnndo. Dai). f. Mans aQtue obedience^ Ch a p .3 3, is committed againft the great Maiefty of God, the price of Chrifts redemption, the couenantthat we hauemade in Baptifme,by the comitting wherof we are made coue- nant breakers,and as pcriured perfons. That cannot be accounted lighc,that is able to waigh againft,and to out- ' waigh the whole world, and ouevchrow it too; as we know finne hath done : one iot of Gods Law is more e- fteemed by him,then all heauen and earth is bcfide. We know what thePfalmift faith of men,yea and of men in their beft cftate, how by (in they are made fo fubie6t to vanitie, as if they fhould be laid in the ballace,thcy would be found lighter then vanitie it felfe: and if the Lord fhould hold the fcales,and put a (inner into the ballance, though weighed but with the leaft (nine that euer can be commmitted; yea though without any adhiall finne at all,no more being put in than his bare Originall corrup- tin ; as let it be an Infant newly come into the world, and not yet a day old,he would be found not to hold waight in the Lords ballance ; and therefore the fentence of Gods iuftice parting out againft fuch an one would be fo heauie, as would make manifeft the waightinefle of his finne ; for therby he would not only be thruft downe from the throne of an earthly kingdome, as was Baltha- zar, but of the euerlafting kingdome of heauen, but alfo prevTed downe into endleffe torment, and moft wo- full condemnation in hell. Let no man then account of that to bee light, which is able to finke and waigh down any vnder it into vtter deftru&ion, and euerlafting confufion 5 which the leaft finne in the world is able to doe. As for the quality of euery finne, there is as great diffe- rence betweene (Innes and finncs,as bctweene moats and beames^hundrcths of pence ,M\&thoufands of talents \ be- twecnc fifties z\\&finehfAugitf.ferm 37 devrib'iiAQo- (lolorum. i.To the Church. Difference in hypocrites. 33° Mans alliuc obedience. C h a p . 3 4. vpon their knees withgriefeto confeffe their faults,and renounce them, publikely asking forgiuenes, they will either runne the countrey, or if it may be bought off j with money, they will beasfrankein offering liberally, ' euen to the full contenting of them that in that caie haue to doe with them,if they will take money, fo as thereby they may be difcharged from further penance, as euer werethofe hypocrites in their offers they made to God in the daies of Micah, lb as there might be difpenfation granted them for their finne. And yet thefe very perfons will make a fhew of being very penitent; talke with than in priuatc,and you (ball finde them as though they were much humbled ; you (hall fee them weep and (bed teares in abundance, and crie out of themfclues for hauing done as they haue done; you fhal heare them to fob and figh, as if their hearts would breake within them : but where they refufe to giue the Church due fatisfadtion ; this de- clareth them to be but ranke hypocrites,hollow and vn- found, and no better then plaine counterfeits in all that they doe befide. For this their way (as it is in the Pfalme 49.1 ^declareth their f 00 lijbnes. They are like vnto ftub- borne ^/^/0;w,who,though he had committed that fla- gitious fa6t,and moft iniurious to his father, of murthe- ring his fathers fonnc and his owne brother, yet rather then he would any longer abide to goe vnder that which was but too eafie a cenfure for fo great a crime, namely I to endure his fathers frowning, and the hiding of his face from him for a time,he had rather dye,be knocked on the i.Sam.14.3 x. head,or hanged out of the way. So thefe,rather then they will endure this fhame of making fuch a fatisfa&ion,they I will giue ouer all, and will goe as farre as their legs will | carrie them; they are vexed and confounded not for that I they haue finned, but becaufe their finne is found out and j knowne : for they are like to the people in Icremiahs Icre.8. 1 1. timCy of whom the Lord by his Prophet asketh whether they were a(hamsd,whcn they had committed abomination; and anfwereth againe the queftion,»^ they were not afba- med > 33i in true fem- Ch a p .34- or the power ofGodlimJfe. med, neither could they blufi or take fhame. And Ierc. 3 . 5 . it is diredMy hk\,they refufed to take fhame : which is the ve~ l ry thing that thcfc doc ; and therfore the fentence which: the Lord in that place by his Prophet Ieremy,$.i 2. doth ! fet downe againrt thcm,may be iuftly feared of thefe; and that was, therefore Jhall they fall among them that do fall, in the time of their vifitation theyjhall be cafl downe, faith the Lord. But they that are truly touched with godly forrow, and are vnfainedly penitent for their finnes indeed,as led . tertu by another fpirit, are found to be of a cleane other pra- ctice ; they willingly fubmit themfelucs to al the cenfurcs of the Church : they care not what they are appoynted to fuffer, nor what is enioyned them for to do ; they are rea- die to fulfill all, fo as thereby they may giue that fatisfa- ftion to the Church and euery good Chriftian that is meete ; fo as none may any more remaine iuftly offended, or further to thinke themfelues wronged by them. They ftand not vpon their credit with worldly men ; and as for fhame they refufed not to blufh and be afhamed ; for they know it is duly belonging vnto them, both before God and men. They are rcadie to fay with Daniel, To vs ~ O Lord belongeth fhame and confufion of face : and when they make their prayers, to fay with Ezrah, O my God I Exrah $ % 6. am ajh .tmed, and b lufh to lift vp my face to thee. And when their fin is broke out to the offence of many,then fhame doth alfo couer their faces before the fonnes of men,efpe- cially when they are fhamed byrebukes,corre£tions and cenfures of the Church pafl'ed out againfi. them ; they re- fufe not to take that defertied (hame,but fo draw them- felues to a willi ngneife, fince that muft be their burthen, contentedly to beare the fame ; faying with the Prophet Ukficah, I will beare this indignation, becaufe I have fin- ned. For as the Lord anfwered Ierem.31. io.hauing truly repented and being turned, fmite their ovene hands vpon their thigh ,and grow afhamed ofthemfelues, yea eucn confounded by bearing the re- proch of their (o doing amiiTe. And this their fhame, howfoeuerfor atime it maybe their abating; yet being well carried, contentedly, confeionably and meekly borne, it will afterward make to the lifting of them vp ; to be had in better account with all that are good,and to haue the better credit and eftimation among all them. Dattid committed a finnc fo grofle in that kinde, as in many refpedb a grofler could not lightly haue bin done ; not a fingle finne,but a compound finnc, that had many other very grieuous and molt hainous wickedneffes fol- ded vp in it,and inwrapped with it,yea tied & twilled to it to ftrengthen the eui!I of it, till it became hugely big, euen a very groffe and grieuous fin indeed ; which could not bee but with great offence giuen to the Church of God, when it once became knowne. But who more pe- nitent then was Dauid. t or who euergauethe Church a better fatisfa£tion then did hec?who fpared not,b elides the conrefling and acknowledging of it in words,thoug\\ itwere(as,hee faid)againft himielfe, and to hisownc (hame,to publifli it in wr/>i^,with his great forrowand repentance for the fame ; and fuffered it to bee fpread a- ! broad,yca not only to be fpoken of,but alfo to bee fung ! out openly aloud in themiddeft of the folemne aflem- blics and Church-meetings throughout his whole land ! as it were^hereby gathenng,and in a manner pulling vp- on himfelfc the fhame belonging vnto it from all the people of his whole land : and not only fhaming himfelfe with it in his owne countrey, but alfo not refuting to beare 333 Ch a v .34* 9t the power ofGodtincJJe. bcare the fhame of it in all other countries, and from all forts of people,among whom that which he had fo writ- ten (liould euer come to bee either read or heard : yea,as if it had not been enough to hauc made it knowne to the people of that age alone,he hath fo publifhcd it, as if it had been his meaning to tell all pofteritie of it, that we lo this day, and all to the end of the world may know 1 what was his fall,and how great his frailty was. Yet who doth not know that all this abafing and cafting downe of himfelfe,and taking vpon him the fhame of that hee had done.thatfo he might remouethe offence that was thereby giuen, and render vnto the Church the better and more full fatisfa£tion,hath tended to the lifting vp of his honour higher in the Church of God ; and hath cau- fed him, and (till will caufe him,not only to be as much rcuerenccd,but a great dealemore admired for the abun- dance of rare grace,that by all this was manifefted,then it is like he euer (hould otherwife hauc been , if happily that which hee fo offended in, had neucr been by him done and fo repented of? There is another kinde of fatisfa&ion, which is a ciuill x $.To the Com- fatisfad^ion, that is to be giuen and made to the Com- wn wealth. mon- wealth,and ciuill ftate,and focietics of men, when ! x the wholefome lawes that are conftituted for the well ordering and gouerning of a countrey or kingdome, are violated and broken by any ; then is the ciuill ftate and focieties of men wronged, and Common- wealth it felfe impeached. For lawes are (aid to be the bonds of a Com- mon-wcalth to hold it together, and chaines whereby men are mente. tyed one to another in the world, to line ciuilljone by another ; they are the foundations of liber tie, the fount aines of eqttitie, they are the very Jinewes and fpir it of euer j ft ate, by which they line and motte. And therefore no marueile though the Ephefian Heraclitns laid, that citizens were to fight as well for their lawes, as for their cities themfelues : for if they bee fecne and fuffered to bee violated and tome afunder,all will foone be brought to ruine. The good lawes. Cicero pro Clim Ltwtius, 334 Difference in impeniteuts. Mans aBtne Obedience ', Ch a p .34 ., The fatisfa&ion then which tranfgreffors of lawes are to make vnto focietics of men and Common- wealths thus wrongcd,is to bearc and goe vnder,and contentedly tofatisfieandpaythefines,mul£ts,and penalties that are impoled vpon offenders; and patiently without refi- ftance to fuffer imprifonments, chaftifements, & punifh- ments ; yea euen vnto death it felfe, according to the na- ture and qualitie of the offence and crime that hath been committed, be it greater or leffe. And herein alfo a cleane differing carriage is found to j be by the delinquents on both fides : vnfanCtified perfons ! whole confeiences are neuer foundly touched with true j remorfe for committing any finne, neither for violating j wholefome and good lawes, what wrong foeucr that 1 way hath been done by them, they ftand not vpon ma- j king any recompence, orgiuing fatisfa6tion fo farre as j they are able to tender thek goods, where they are found ) fufheient to make it ; or to yecld their bodies where their | goods cannot doe it ; or patiently to lay downe their I liues,in cafes;wherein nothing elfe can be found fuffici- ent fully to fatisfie: but they feekc fhifts how to auoid all; if they be great in the world, they ftand vpon their prc- rogatiues, their greatneffe muft allow them to bee law- leffe; they are like the great flies which doe brcake through the cobwebs, they will not bee taken, there is nothing can hold them. If they bee poore,and it be a pe- cuniarie mul& that is impofed vpon them for their trefpaffe,they fhift: off the matter by their pouerty, by meanes whereof they promife to thcmiclues an immuni- ty in fuch cafes ; Handing vpon that maxime, rvhere there is nothing to be had,tbere the King muft loofe his right ; and Co they will be fure by their drifting to pay nothing, whe- ther then be able yea or no. If their bodies bee attached they their next courfe is, to fpie out fome aduantage how to fcape away, and breakc out of the hands of them that haue taken them. If feeing of the Sergeant, or bribing of theBailiffe will not ferue the turne ; if they be clapt vp in prifon, Chap. 34- or the power of Godlineffe. prifon, the prifon muft be ftrong if it can long hold them; they will haue many times files to get off their bolts ; they haue deuices to open lockes, to breakc barres, and find friifts to make a way for their leaping, where no way could haue been immagined might haue been made be- j fore. If they be put by all their mufes, and preuentcd of j all their courfes, and no remedie but to the gallowcs they muft come,theremen of this fort are found to die either moft defpet ately, as thofe who after all the wrongs they offered to others all their life time, flick e not to wrong God and nature it felfe in the end, by carelefly,yea madly cafting away their life; (as though it were a thing but vile,which God hath made fo precious,and nature teach- cth all to be fo charie of,to (land fo much for, & to make fo much of) as daily may bee feenc. Or elfe to take their deaths moft impatiently,as thofe who would yeeld no o- bedience,nor giue any willing fatisfa&ion, either to law, or to Magiftrate, otherwife then it is thus extorted from them: but hold their rebellion to the end, and fo die thcrein.Hercof we haue a pregnant example in that arch- enemie to the Gofpell, and moft bloody perfecutor of Gods faithfull feruants, and traitor to the Prince and State, Doctor Stone, who firft brake prifon into which he was put ; and then being caught againe,when he him- felfe was brought to fuffer death, who had been the meanes ofputting to death hundreds of others, that died Martyrs in Gods caufe, in time of bis moft deferued exe- cution by quartering, was ( as the ftory doth report) fo impaticnt,that he did not onely roarc and cry out,but al- fo ftrucke the executioner while he was doing his office, and refilled as long as ftrength did ferue him, and was faine to be kept dowae by three or fourc men vntill hee was dead. But they whofe hearts are throughly touched, and deeply pierced with forrow for the finnes they haue com- mitted,and whom God doth giue grace vnto,to confider rightly their ownewayes in their hearts, after th«y (ha- uing 335 Do ftor Story. Vulty in his con- futation of fa* pifis quantity 33* \ln true penh tents. Mac;. 13 < Ma m atliue obedience. C h a p . 3 4 J uingbeen left to thcmfelues for a time) through ftrength oftcntation, and frailty of nature, haue not oncly been oucrcome to tranfgrerfe the lawes by (bme leffer crimes, fallen into, and faulted in 5 but alfo drawne to commit fome hainous wickcdneiTcs,and cnormious vices,greatly preiudiciall to the State and Common- wealth in which they doe Hue ; fo as the wrong and hurt they haue done thereby cannot be rccompenied,nor the law fatisficd,the I vnpartiall executing of Iuftice by the Magiltratc, fauedl harmelefle without confifcation of their goods,attaching of their bodies; yea and in fome cafes, the taking away of their very liues ; for fo much as thefe knew there is no hope of obtaining any pardon of finne at tke hands of God, if in the wrong done to a brother, and perfifted in, the fame be asked; much leffe, hauing dong a wrong vn- to a whole fociety of brethren ; yea a whole ftate of a kingdome, the parties delinquent (Kould come to the court of hcauen to fue for their pardon, would their peti- tion be euer regarded or looked vpon? but the anfwere would be made them as Chrift taughr in his doctrine, If thouknowefktby brother hath ought againfi thee, Icaue thy gift at the Altar, andgoe and bee reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer. And becaufe they can haue no comfort of their forrow, if their forrow caufe not fatif- fa&ion ; nor proue that their repentance is vnto life, if fruits worthy of repentance and amendment of life bee not borne out : they willingly doe not betake thcmfelues to any fuch fhifts,as are ordinarily to be found to bee ta- ken by the other fort of offenders : but they come in and fubmit themfelues vnto the law, and yeeld themfclues to the Magiftrate, and that for confeience fake, to make what recompence they can for the fault that they haue done, and giue the beft fatisfa&ion that they are able : they offer their goods where they will ferue the turne ; they yeeld their bodies to prifon,where their goods can- not be taken ; and where their bodies ycelded to prifon, ortootherpuni{hmcnt,willnotbctakenfor a fufficient fatisfa&ion, Ch a p . 34. or the power ofGodlweJft. fatisfaCtion,in regard of the hainoufnciTe of their tranf- greffion ; then their very liues themfelues are no longer held fo deare vnto diem, but that eucn they alfo {hall be I laid dovvne to make the paiment full. But all this is done J of them with fuch humble fubmiffion, and info good a i fafhion,as all that tooke themfelues to haue been wron- j ged by thembcfore,feeme now to reft contented, and to i be fatisfied to the full. Yea fome that are executed as ma- ! lefa&ors, are many times found to take their deaths fo ; patiently, and fo penitently, with fuch brokennefTc of ; heart, with fuch forrowing and mourning for their fins, i and abundant bewailing the misleading of their liues, with -(hewing fuch testimonies of their found repenting, and being found to beareout fuch fruits of repentance ,vpon the tree they doe hang on, that that tree feemeth now to be laden with good fruit, and that of the belt kind; whileft with the good theefe on the Croffe, they condemns themfelnej } they iujlifie the Law, they reprooue finne in others, they exhort to amendment of life, they warne all before t hem ,they fray much and feruently , they looks to (fhrift,ti\ey commit themfelues to his mercy \ and foftz- \ king their deaths patiently : all that fee them thus dying, 1 make no doubt at all of their faluation. I Beiides fuch a kind of fatif-fa&ion giuen to a publike ftate by parties offending, for violating wholefome and i good lawes that haue been made, euen the innocent fer- jferuantsof God, when they haue been taken and con- jdemnedfororrendersagainfra State, becaufe they haue notyecldedlimpleandabfolute, whole and ready obe- dience to alMawe's in force-; thoug fomtimes there haue, and may fall out to be, that there is an antinomie be- tweene the lawes of men,and the lawes of God :they al- fo haue not refufed,n either yet will refufe, in cafes wher- in they cannot fatisfic the Law, or the Magiftrate, by obeying the precept, there to make fatisfa£tion by their fuffering the penalties that are fet downe; and thatwhc- | thcr it be to the loofing of their goods, and the loefing Z of 337 Luk.1j.40.41, 1. Tor not per- formingvn'm^ hrvesand wicked. 33 Hcb.io.34- Ad.21.13. Gen.39- *-°. Pfal.105.18. Dan. 3. 21. Dan.rf.i*. Mans Aftiut Obtditnce^ Ch a p .34. Dan.*. 22. 4. Priuite and particular men. [ of their liuings, they haue both learned and pra£tifed, | to fuffcrwith ioy the fpcylwg of their goods, becaufe they looke to receiue in heauen a better ana more endunnv fub- fiance : or whether it be to bonds, or to impri r onment , they are ready with Paul to be bound; and refufe not togoeto prifon with I ofeph, though the iron doe enter into their forties, when thejf are hurt in thefiockes. Yea, they haue not refil- led to lay dovvne their liues, if nothing but that would goe for payment. As did the three children in Daniel, for not obeying the Kings command/uffcr themlclues to be throwne into the hot fierie furnace. And 'Daniel himfelfe to be throwneinto the den of Lions, for not obeying the de- cree of 'Darius, which as a law of Afedes and Ter flans might not be broken : whofe examples the bleffed Martyrs of God haue fince worthily followed. And fuchkind of tranfgreflbrs of lawesas this fecond fort are, that haue been now mentioned, are not to bee ranked vp among rebels ; neither are to bee euery way counted as perfons that are difobedient : for there muft be a diftin&ion made of obedience ; there is an obedience in doing, and there is an obedience in fujfering : now where that which the Law commandeth cannot fo fafely with a good confciencc, or readily be done ; if that which the Law fetteth downc aspunifhmenttobc inflicted for it, bee patiently borne, there is then another obedience (hewed, and a fatisfadti- ongiuen for the want of the former, and for that which elfe could not be done. Daniel though he difobeyed the commandement of the King, in the not doing of that, (though it were a law oftheMedes and Persians, which being once made, might not be broken) that hee might obey God the better, yet iuftifled himfelfe in that he had done ; and faid plainly to the King, that he had done him no wrong, he was no rebell, hee was no vndutifull fub- ie6t : which may be faid for others of Gods feruants in the like cafe and refpe£t. There is yet another kind of fatisfa&ion, and that is more particular and priuate betweene man and man, when Ch a p . 34. or the power ofGodlmejfe. when wrong is offered to any man. And this is alfb re- quifite to be made by euery perfon that is truly penitent, ithe would either giueteflimony to others that his repen- tance is found,or take comfort to himfelfe that his finnes {hall euer be pardoned. For Atigufline hath well fet that downe, there is no looking for pardon for the finne, if that which was taken away be not reftored againe. And this did Daniel giue in counfell to Nebuchadnezzar, who had been a great fpoyler, wafter and vndoer of the grcateft part of the world,he hauing vndone many, and made them poore, he counfelleth him to makefomefa- tisfa&ion vnto them againe 5 and fo breake off his finnes by eXercifing now more rightcoufheffe, and/hewing mercy to the poore : whom in fome fort hee (hall fatisfie for the wrongs before hee had done them in fpoyling of them, if now againe hee will fuccour them, andhelpc them in their need. Hypocrites and worldly-minded perfons , they haue no skill of this reftitution, nor will,to make this kind of fatisfa&ion : if they haue got any thing (that is no mat- ter how) that they thinke to bee their owne ; that they will hold faft; and they will befure to part with no- thing. They are of their religion that will neither doe right to others,nor take any wrong to themfelues.Wher- in they goc not fo farre as Iudas (that notable hypocrite) did ; nor doe not fo much as did he : the money that Iu- das had gotten for felling his Mafter,was as iuftly and as lawfully his,as the money of many is theirs that they come by : for it was his by buying and felling, and per- forming his bargainc : now it was as lawfully his, as the money that men fell good corne for, and put chaffe and drofTe into it : and as the money that men get by oppref- fion and vfurie; who feeling the fweetnefle of gaining, care not how they come by money, though it were by fucking out the very life-blood of the owners thereof, fo they may haue it. But though thefe know and feele the fweetneffeofthecommingofit in, they know not with Z a what 33° Non remittitur peecatum nifi reflituatur ab. latum. Auguft, Dan.4 27. Difference in hypocrites. .