come to the light because their works are euill But it will be obiected of the contemners I loue the word the sweet things of Christes doctrine are pleasant vnto me But the preachers they are verye harshe and collericke others are too too Melancholick vrging heauinesse mourning and solitarines beeing too precise they will abide no pastime c. tell vs of pleasaunt things of wine c. Isai 30.10 Micah 2.7 Surely I aunswere them as before are not the Lord his wordes good to him that walketh vprightly but you are risen vp against the Lorde he that walketh in the spirite would prophesy of new wine he shal be a prophet for this people Thus these men wold separate the word from the ministry and preaching of it or else would haue the worde limitted by their owne affections and liking to serue their owne turne and their filthy lustes But wee speake as we are taught of God 1. Iohn 4.6 Hee that knoweth God heareth vs hee that is not of God beareth vs not Also he that despiseth the ministers of God despiseth God that sent vs As for our partes we haue the euidence of our owne conscience to stand for vs that we seeke to do nothing against the truethe but with the trueth we haue the Lorde also to witnes on the one side yea our labours and the poure of our doctrine speak for vs in the hearts of those that are conuerted nay euen the conscience of the wicked themselues do afford vs som euidence insomuch as they tremble at the worde though they spurne against it being disobedient So that we stand confidentlye perswaded in oure selues through the Lord that our ministery is the ministery of the spirit of God the sweete words of Christe Iesus euen then whē we do by thretning iudgments seek to conuert the wicked to repentaunce as also to further and increase the same already begun in the godly for we are a swéet sauour of Christ vnto God in thē which are saued and in them that perish 2. Cor. 2.15 So that they which will seeme to count of the worde in it selfe as they imagine and yet contemne it and parbreake it vp as a bitter or loathsom thing when it is preached certainly they neuer tasted in truethe of the worde but remayne deadly diseased in their soules of spirituall Hellishe and damnable agues Well after this woorthye description of her Louer the Spouse vauntingly tryumpheth saying He is wholy delectable this is my beeloued this is my loue O daughters of Ierusalem This emphaticall repetition poyntinge him oute so often is forcible to mooue those whome shee talked with to the liking and allowing of her Louer Thus shee concludeth in one worde that her loue was wholye delectable wanting nothing to comlinesse and perfection For not being able by any figures metaphors or similies to discribe him fully shee in a worde shutteth vp al that hee is altogether amiable When she calleth him her welbeloued she noteth that as her Sutor bore good will to her so she also helde him as her dereling and best beloued on whome onelye shee coulde finde in her hearte to bestowe her whole loue in calling him louer Solomon noteth that Christe loued his Churche and Spouse first so as in louing of him wee shall loue suche a one as loued vs first In this conferrence of the Spouse with them of Ierusalem Solomon woulde insinuate vnto vs howe the Faythfull should often be talking of their loue Christ Iesus confessinge his Inestimable kindnesse towardes them to allure others It is one cheefe effect or token of a true calling when a man syncerely delighteth in Wisedome to bee talking of the woorde to commende the Loue of God in Christe as Dauid saythe My mouth shall bee alwayes telling of the louinge kindenesse of the Lorde and I will also tell of thy greatnesse So also the Woman of Samaria Ioh. 4. After shee was wonne by Christes Sermon contented not her selfe to bee acquaynted with Christ her selfe alone but leauing her Water pot and other necessaryes in all haste made report of the Messiah to her Neighboures to toule on them also And certaynlye when a man is truelye called his desire is kindled to make others partakers of those ioyes of the worde which himselfe dothe feele He is also greeued and sorrowfull when hee seeth it to bee contemned of men Especiallye suche couet to acquaynte theire Wife Children Seruauntes and Neyghboures or those which haue beene partners with them in the dayes of their vanities with that Heauenlye message of life For wee shoulde bee careful that whomsoeuer wee haue offended or hurte by oure example afore or they with whome wee haue had fellowshippe in euill mighte by our meanes bee broughte to a taste of Christe that wee commending the grace of God in Christe to them might by some meanes draw them if it may bee from their vanities to Christe Saying Oh that you felte the good that I feele by the woorde for where I loued sinne before now I hate that and Christ Iesus is my loue Yea let euerye one say to other it pityeth my soule and I am couered with shame blushing to thinke how I haue before times liued in vanitie when I knew not Christ aright But now Oh happy I I see the loue of Christe towardes me in his worde and I can not but loue him againe Thus we should be reporting the good that we haue by Christe seeke to make others partners with vs. If it be a duety of one Christian to another much more shoulde ministers towle on their people the husbands their wiues the parentes their children the masters their seruants c. Then who soeuer delight not to talke of God in his worde but rather enuie the forwardnes of others it is a manifest taken that they belong not to Christe What shall we saye then of them which wil not commend Christ to their people nor draw them on but rather discourage and pull back how can they haue any true loue to Christ them selues when they are afrayde men should come too neare him Thus Solomon hath allegorically set before our eyes a description of Christe Iesus Sith then we haue presented before our eyes so honorable a state so gracious a personage so peereles a Prince so worthy a Moschel wise and rich in al pretious iewels as Solomon victorious as Dauid finally who is all in all why shoulde we not highly account of him honorably entertaine him and with all submission subiect our selues vnto him as our onely head and guid who shineth in passing beauty surpasseth in al victorious courage in princely dignity in perfect purenes his habite is most seemly his comely lookes most gracious and amiable in the eies of his saints his face wholy glorious of perfect hue sweete with heauenly perfumes odoriferous with spirituall spice and ointment his garments and attire most costly and orderly man garments of vnspotted righteousnesse and most perfect holinesse whereby he
God in hearing his worde frequenting Sermons resorting to the companye of the Godly perswading others also to seeke God with them such a man is counted O intollerable contempt euen a monster among men or as an owl in the day time among the birds And as Isaiah saith he that refrayneth from euill maketh himselfe a pray Isai 59.15 Oh say the scorning raylers now this holy man will goe to heauen in a Hey barne now these Puritans flocke together and I cannot tell what scornfull reproches they hurl out against those which would fayne profite by hearing of the worde Yea I tremble to thinke vpon their damnable speeches which they spewe oute of theire poysoned mouths and the mischiefs which they conceiue in their viperous heartes against the seruaunts of God Thus our times ah alas in stéede of inquiring one of another seeking after God together do despise their brethrē casting the Lord behinde them But let not vs be dismaid at these reproches taunts of the wicked so that we shoulde cease to stir vp all that we can to seek Christ Iesus with vs. Let the minister exhort perswade earnestly cal on his people to ioin in this christian society Let the husband say to his wife children and seruants come I pray you wife let vs go to the sermon childrē and seruants hasten and make speede that we maye together séek after the Lord of hostes let euery man ad this I wil go with you also So one neighbour should say to another I pray you neighbor let vs goe together to such a sermō or such a godly exercise I wil go with you So let vs perswade not only in word but in exāple also to do our selues that which we require of others For manye there are that can say to others goe which goe not themselues Some husbande can bee content his wife goe or his childe of which there are but fewe but hee will not mooue him selfe which is a lamentable and doleful estate for though we shoulde bee willing that al men shoulde goe to God hearing his worde vsing his Sacramentes praying vnto him carefullye and continually if we our selues ioin not with the Godly in these holy exercises and in this holy Communion vnity and fellowship what shal it boote vs What shal it pleasure a man to see his Wyfe goe to Heauen and him self go to hel or what shal it benefite a Wyfe to see her Housbande carefull to serue God and so goe to lyfe but her selfe refusing the ordinarye meanes of Saluation to taste of eternal Death For whosoeuer ioyneth not himselfe in Christian society with the church of God cutteth of him selfe from God and dismembreth him selfe from Christe Iesus Neyther can any man be of God which heareth not his word Iohn 8.47 yea and that by his seruants and ministers For hee that is of God hearetth vs saith S. Iohn 1. Iohn 4.6 but hee that is not of God heareth vs not Also no man can haue fellowship or acquaintance with the father or the sonne vnlesse hee abide in the word for whosoeuer transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christe hath not God 2. Iohn 9. c. Alas my deare brethren let there not bee found a froward heart in any of you to be so proude or ashamed that you shoulde bee loath to bee drawne forward of your brethren to seeke after God in his worde where onely hee is truely to bee founde Oh let vs ioyne hands and hearts together good christians to seeke our God whilste hee may bee founde let vs say one to another neyghbour if you wil goe to anye sermon or Godlye exercise I wil goe with you and beare you company I speake grosly vnto you but for your good and yet no otherwise then the spirite of God spake by Zacharye Now as there are some that can bee content others go and themselues tarry at home so ther are of the other side some that can afforde themselues leasure and can beteem to be saued themselues but are verye Nigardes and churles towarde their wife children seruauntes or neighboures Neuer caring to further them or to vse means to drawe them on being vntoward of them selues which is a haynous iniurye againste the Soules of those that belong to vs sith we stande charged from the Lord vpon the penalty of his high displeasure and forfaiture of his fauour to teach our houshold children and seruaunts acquainting them with the Lordes will making them priuy to his heauenly councel enacted in the parliament house of the heauens and proclaymed to men by the preaching of his worde Looke I pray you vpon such places perusing them with reuerence as lay this charge vppon vs from the Lorde to teach our housholde and children yea euen our childrens children Deu. 4.9.10 Deu. 6.7 11.19 But our times thinke this a precisenes or at least a duetye that standeth at our owne curtesy to doe or not to doe As though God made Lawes or drewe out statutes vnauthorized and sent them downe to men leauing them to their wil wisdome to be interlined altered or confirmed at their pleasure No we must not ad nor take from his word Apoc. 22.18.19 vpon paine of damnation and danger of al the curses that are written in Gods book Let vs therefore in Gods name my brethren be forwarde our selues therewithall likewise carefull ouer others A third sorte of people there is which neither themselues wil enquire after Christ as much as lie in them do also wilfully hinder others with scorning rayling at them end speaking taunting disouraging disswading putting in the heades of suche as they dare bewray them selues t◠saying what meane you to bee thus zealous in Religion and to bee so precise You see wise men and they of countenance and some graue Fathers like not of this way you will be laughed at if you gadde thus to sermons And you shal be slouted behind your backe you wil also indaunger your selfe to trouble and a thousand other such poysoned charmes the subtle Adder setteth a worke to discourage the saintes of God and to carry many soules vnto Hell Some wil adde this complaint that many vndo them selues with going to sermons and poore men can not liue for them Thus as Pharaoh they seeke to set the poore so a worke as they might loyter in matters of saluation Other some they aske what neede these sermons on the working dayes is not the sunday or Lordes day ynough and I can not tel what But thus they enuye the worke of God in sauing men euerye waye Not knowing that wee had neede to bee occupied in the worde of God day and night And some are loath that on the Sabboth daye eyther there should be continually Sermons c. As the rulers of the Synagogue which checked the people for that they came to Christe to bee healed on the Sabboth Luk. 13.14 But a fourth sort of people they goe them selues to
latter daye hauing assuraunce that we shal dye happely and well yea that we may haue the eyes of faith to looke into our saluation so farre as wee maye saye with Simeon Lorde now lettest thou thy seruaunt depart in peace according to thy worde â—uk 2.29.30 for myne eyes haue seene thy saluation Also that we may with Iob stand perswaded through saith that our redeemer lyueth and that we shall See God not with other but with these same eyes â—ob 19.25.27 In the meane time let vs labour to glorifie oure God by oure obedience fayth loue and newnesse of life that we maye shewe how we are one with Christe by this that he maye liue in vs and we maye dye so our selues that so we may in this lyfe bee sure of saluation afterwarde For what myserye is it to lyue and in the ende not to bee sure of saluation To this purpose Iohn in his first Epistle chapiter 3. verse 2. sheweth that the loue of God is great in that he hath admitted vs to be his sons after he addeth That we are euen now the sonnes of God but it doth not appeare what we shal be that is we see not now fully what glory the Lord hath layd vp for vs. But we are assured that we shal be like to the sonne of God So then the faithfull haue their comfort and assuraunce in this lyfe of obtayning life after Also Paule affirmeth vnto Timothy 2. Tim. â— That he was sure from hence forth there was layd vp for him the crowne of righteousnesse which the lord the righteous iudge should giue him at the last day And because we shoulde not make exception and saye yea Paule was a notable instrument of God I easly beléeue he might be sure of life but I am nothing to Paule c. therefore he addeth That crowne is not layd vp onely for me but for al them also that loue his comming or appearing For sure it is God hath committed vs to the custody of him that wil neuer see vs perish and he againe moste carefully committeth vs to his father Ouerlooke I pray you with all diligence that heauenly prayer of our Sauiour Iesus Christe in the 17. Chapiter of Iohn especially from the sixth verse to the ende Which is full of moste Heauenlye and wonderful comfort if the Lorde giue vs eyes and hearts to see and vnderstand it aright Christe there noteth these qualities chiefly in his saints After the fountayn of their election discouered which issueth out of the free loue of God he saith of them that they kéep his worde 2. They acknowledge all good thinges to come from God thorough Christ receiuing them thankfully as from him also they receiue his wordes and are assured that hee came from God And because he was to leaue his Disciples and to departe concerning his corporal presence hee therfore committeth them in this sort to his father saying Verse 11. I am now no more in the worlde these are in the world and I come to thee O holy father keepe them in thy name euen them whom thou hast giuen me that they may be one as we are This vnitie he prayeth for in al that shold after beleeue that they may be one in God and Christ as be and his Father was one O wonderfull care of so gracious a Patron In these wordes Christe sheweth that as the father and the somâ— are one so as they can not be seuered so also they which are in Christ in whome these foresayde effectes are to bee founde in trueth in some measure are one with God and Christ so as nothing can deuide nor seperate them asuÌ„der Which is a wonderful comfort to the Saints of God that their happy life and eternal being is necessarilye after a sorte ioined with the life and eternal being of God and Christe He meaneth not that the saints are so one with God as he shoulde bee hominified with man and man deified with God For this foolish and doltishe blasphemye of the Family of loue is so absurd as it were a folly to spende any speech in the confutation thereof But as the godly are in Christe and so sure of saluation so they must not loyter in hope and neglect their calling now because men are subiect to this sliding our Sauioure Christ in that 17. of Ioh. Iohn 17. ver 15. prayeth that his father woulde keepe them from euil sanctifying them in his trueth which is his worde For that is the ordinary means and instrument whereby God vpholdeth his children and we abide in him and hee in vs so long as we abide in his doctrin 2. Iohn 9. which is easily seene in this that Sathan séeketh nothing more then to weaken our fayth in the worde raysing vp so many opinions sects and heresies therefore this should stirre vs vp to watchfulnesse Thus we see the Spouse might lawfully conclude of the certaintie of her vnity and perseuerance with her husbande Yea al of vs by her example should labour to haue the like perswasion of our selues affiancing our selues also vnto Christ praying for the fruits of the spirit of adoption in vs that we being careful to keepe the word to beleeue and receiue it that being assured that Christ was sent of God a sauiour vnto vs maye imbrace him heartely with al his heauenly riches stryuing to ouerstride al lets that might hinder vs from coÌ„ming to him being zealous of his glory truth stirring vp others by our example professing his name boldly exercising all godly exercises hearing his word praying oft heartly vnto him ioyning in the company of the godly beeing humbly thankfull vnto God for his greate mercyes in Christe so as euery one of vs may be bolde in truth and feeling to say I am Christs and Christ is mine O let vs indeuour our selues my deare brethren that we may haue a liuely tast assurance of this heauenly and spirituall communion vnity coniunction society and felowship with Christ Iesus that we may stande perswaded of his eternal loue towards vs and of our owne saluation in him For alas it maketh me tremble to think what a miserable state the doubtful vnbeléeuers which labour not to haue any assuraunce of life shall come vnto Who as they neuer were in Christ nor tasted not in truth of the effects before mentioned so shall they be without christ in eternal paine banished from the presence of God of his glorious angels without the fauor of God without life it selfe But let not those be dismaied which doubting sometime yet in the middest of their doubt desire to be sure of Gods fauour for the vnbeleeuing doubters haue no suche desire in truth resting vpon the word and waiting for further grace and assurance I know our nature wil neuer make an end of replying against the certainty of our saluation because of the imperfections and infirmities of the Children of God beeing ful of distrust many times For when we consider
our estate in our selues howe wee are short of all duties vnfitte to serue our God in al true obedience finding many treasons and rebellions in our selues being ignorant in his truth also when we profite not by the word by praier neyther preuayle as we would agaynst our imperfections infirmities and corruptions then we doubt of the Lordes loue towards vs suspecting of his work in vs fearing least al our former profession be in vain and can see nothing that should giue vs comfort of the fauour of God towardes vs. Thus we suppose the loue of God and his fauour to be inconstant measuring them by our infirme and weake faith or by the scant measure of our obedience But what shoulde such a one doubt of the grace of God who seeing his wants loathing his sinnes stryuing against them louing the word vnfaynedly desiring to haue a heart to pray without hypocrisie labouring for a new life beeing angry with him selfe for sinne and that he can no more profite by the worde in knowledge true zeale humility loue patience and desiring hartely that he may neuer start from the obedience of God and his word Can it be that when the Lorde loued vs before we were ye when we were his enemies before our calling of his free mercye that he wil now loath vs leaue and forsake vs vtterly when he hath begun his owne worke in vs Could he loue vs when we were in our sinnes without remorse of conscience and can he now hate vs when we indeuour to leaue our sinnes and are vexed that we can no more grow in godlinesse and obedience Could he loue vs when we were voyde of his grace and vnsanctified and can hee abhorre vs when hee hath begun sanctification in vs by his worde and spirite shall wee measure the loue of God by our infyrmities or shall wee thinke that his loue lasteth no longer then wee stande in full obedience In deede wee must continue grounded in the trueth and Paule after the mention of the constant estate of the faythfull prayeth still for the increase of grace because wee can not bee perfecte in this earth But God who beginneth and calleth vs is faythfull The. 5.24 Thes 3.3 which will also doe it yea hee is faythfull whiche will stablishe vs and keepe vs from euill Furthermore what moued the Lord to beginne any beginning of grace in vs did not his owne free mercie and loue and the same cause also mooueth the Lorde to continue and holde out his mercies begunne to his saintes vnto the ende So Gen. 18. Gen. 18.18 God reasoneth and taketh occasion from his owne mercies to bee still mercifull vnto Abraham So that God doth not measure his mercy by our faith or obedience but by his owne loue and nature that as his loue is eternall so his mercyes haue no ende Oh dâ—uinity vnspeakable Oh infinite loue Oh gracious mercye Oh the wonderfull goodnesse constancye truth and faithfulnesse of so louing and kynde a God towardes vs poore miserable vyle wretches and crauling Wormes But as for the contemners of grace and they which herevpon shal presume of their good estate without good testimonye of the Lordes worke in them not louing his worde not hearing nor obeying the same nor beeing carefull to mortifie seuerall sinnes in them not caring but neglecting to refourme them selues and their familyes by the worde nor exercising Prayer a necessarye fruite of faith c. Let suche bee assured that the Lorde hath not begunne his woorke in them yet nor made them priuye to his eternall and free loue But they are voyde of the earnest peny of the spirite of God and in danger to be damned from the presence of God For he shall come in flaming fire â— The. 1.8.9 rendring vengeaunce to them that know not God nor obey vnto the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ which shal be punished with euerlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power This might make the contemners and neglecters of the word to tremble if their heartes were not closed vp to destruction Therefore if we want the effectes a fore say e or haue them but in a shew or in hipâ—â—â—â—sie let vs feare for the hypocrites may goe very far so as in outward apperaunce there appeareth no difference betwéen them and the children of God Let vs then beware that our harts deceiue vs not For hypocrites may confesse their sinnes and that to the seruants of God may also craue forgiuenesse desiring the prayers of the Godly but more for the escaping of the punishment of sin Exo. 10.16.17 Acts. 8.24 then the hatred of the sinne it felfe as Pharao did and Simon Magus Hypocrites may seeme to haue a great tast and ioy in the happy estate of the righteous and a desire to haue part of their felicity as Balaam Num. 23. â— 24.4.5 excelling in some gifts of knowledge yea they are forced to blesse and fauour the righteous but al this as men in a traunce 1. Kin. 21.2 27. They may repent after a sorte with Achab who yet was solde to do wickedly and as Iudas who hung himselfe For the repentance of hypocrites is not ioyned with a hatred of their sinne nor a desire of change and amendment neither yet with the hope of Gods fauour but either they are ouercharged altogether with the horror of the punishment of sinne but not of the sinne it selfe and so dispayre or else they harden their heartes agayne in their sinnes and so purpose not vnfeyned amendment of life therefore though they seeme to rerepent often yet are neuer the better But the godly as they tremble shook at the horror of the punishment of sinne so they also hate sinne it selfe desiring and longing for a new change in them selues and a through amendment panting thirsting breathing and vnfaynedly longing to taste more and more of the fauour of God Furthermore hypocrites maye striue for the defence of religion inferre scriptures for their purpose may finde fault with the ignorant and dumbe ministery maye boast them selues to be of God as Abilah did Chr. 13.4 vers 9.10 Yea they may be hot against papistry and idolatry and yet faint from the true faith in God and bee hurtfull and mercilesse towardes the saintes of God as Asâ— the king was Chr 15 9.6 16.10.2 Yea hypocrites may after a sort reuerence the ministers of God and doe good thinges whilest the preachers are with them furthering religion and countenancing after a sort good things for the time â— Chro. 24. â— 6 Mark 6.20 as Ioash did in the dayes of Iehoiada the priest And as Herod in the dayes of Iohn the Baptist And yet in the ende turne againe to idolatry and slea those that rebuke them as Ioash did 2. Chr. 24.21 Hipocrites may assemble with the saints of God to holy exercises and frequent the same as Achitophell did with Dauid Psa 55.13.14 They