Satans both nature and power is restrained limitted and bounded for touching his nature he is but a creature and finite both in knowledge and power And as touching his power though it be very great yet he is so bridled and restrained by the decrée will of God that he cannot put in execution all his naturall power to the hurt and annoiance of any whatsoeuer Secondly sundry of Gods saints as Iob and a daughter of Abraham that was bound by satan eightéene yéeres yea and our blessed Sauiours body was subiect for the time to satans malice and yet all happily escaped and were deliuered Christ by his owne power foiled him and the other were conquerors in and through Christ. Thirdly that in Gods children possession by satan onely annoieth the body which is as it were the outward wall or the circumference but he can neuer win or ouercome the castles of our hearts nor attaine vnto the center of our conscience Lastly that possession by euill spirits is to the beléeuers but a temporary chastisement and shall determine in death if not long before espeâ—ally if publike and priuate praiers and fastings be according to Christ his ordinance vsed Q. What duties are the possessed to performe A. They must heartily pray vnto and call vpon God in Christ to checke satan and to restrain his power and malice and consequently to deliuer them and theirs and in the meane time they must patiently beare that particular affliction and wait Gods leasure vntill he deliuer them Iob 13. Heb. 11.17 Secondly they must haue recourse to God in his word in which he promiseth them his presence and protection in their greatest dangers Psal. 91.10.11 Zach. 2.51 Esay 66.12 Num. 23.25 Thirdly there must praier and fasting of the Church be vsed for them for so Christ hath ordained and commanded Marke 3.29 Psal. 37.34 Lastly they must to their holy professions ioyne practises of good works and newnes of life and then all things will goe well with them in the end Q. What duties are the friends of the possesed and his neighbours and those that attend vpon him to performe vnto him A. First they must condole and grieue with him as members of one and the same spirituall body Secondly they must visit him and by praiers make intercession to God for him for so God hath commanded and the praier of a righteous man auaileth much if it be feruent Thirdly they must aduertise him that he in no wise send to wizards nor flie to any vnlawfull meanes for this is not the meanes to expell satan but to entertaine and also to strengthen him Lastly because in possession God doth either correct some euill in the party possessed or make triall of his faith his friends must endeuor to bring him to repentance for his sinnes and this being done to perswade the said party to wait constantly and patiently for the good time of his happy deliuerance THE SECOND BOOKE Wherein are contained soueraigne and most sweet consolations directions and remedies against such inward or outward euils crosses afflictions which properly and peculiarly concerne Gods Church and Children LONDON Imprinted by William Hall for Iohn Stepneth 1611. TO THE RIGHT Honourable his very good Lord the L. HARINGTON Baron of EXTON and to the right Noble and Vertuous the LADIE HARINGTON his wife my singular good LADIE Grace Mercy and Peace HAuing Right Honourable in the former booke treated of such publike and priuate troubles vexations losses and calamities that are common to Gods children with the wicked and hauing according to my measure sorted out and set downe such plaine and compendious rules directions and consolations as may seeme most fit and necessary I haue in this second Booke propounded in order those doubts distresses griefes scandals trials and afflictions which did specially and properly concerne Gods Saints and seruants for many are the troubles of the righteous and the better Christian the more tried and afflicted I haue withall expressed and drawn out of Gods booke such certaine resolutions vndoubted conclusions and choice comforts as I hope will giue good satisfaction and contentment to euery good Christian. And hoping that through Gods blessing this small worke may doe much good I haue beene willing to make it common and for many iust and waighty reasons me mouing doe deuote and consecrate it to your Honours For first your Honours being Pillers in Gods house and goodly Cedars in the Lebanon of his Church militant beare your parts in affliction and therefore the comforts do appertaine vnto you you share in the conflicts and why not in the conquests Secondly this my discourse being a subiect and matter of religion and learning who haue greater interest in it then such a noble Theophilus honourable Sunamite who both doe so much fauour further and wish well to learning and godlinesse Thirdly in whom doe might and meekenesse honour and humility greatnesse and gratiousnes more happily concur then in your Honours Lastly hauing receiued so many great and vndeserued fauours from your Honours as the Roote and from your noble ofspring as the blessed branches I could finde no better meanes to manifest my humble dutie and to testifie my thankfull heart then by dedicating and commending these my labours to your patronages Vouchsafe therefore not onely to peruse my meditations but also to approue them that the Author may receiue the greater encouragemeÌ„t the fragrant perfume of your fauourable disposition may more amply enlarge and make knowne it selfe But fearing to bee offensiue and tedious and assuring my selfe of your Honourable acceptation I doe here most heartily sue and supplicate to God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ to blesse the bright Morning Starre that Princely charge vnder your careful tuition and herein to respect and reward your faithfull seruice and watchfull attendance to remember in goodnesse all your kindnes shewed to his Church and childreÌ„ to continue you long in health to encrease you in all grace and honour and to replenish your hearts with all hope and comfort Your Honours in all dutie most affectionate THOMAS DRAXE THE SECOND BOOKE Of the soueraigne and most sweet consolations directions and remedies against such inward or outward euils crosses afflictions which properly and peculiarly concerne Gods Church and children CHAP. I. Question WHat are those crosses troubles and afflictions that properly and peculiarly concerne Gods Saints and seruants A. They are either inward or outward Q. What are the inward crosses A. Those spirituall temptations that assault the soules faith and sanctification of Christians Q. How are they to be distinguished A. They are either such temptations which arise from within the mind of Gods children or which are accidentally occasioned and obiected from without them Q. What are those inward temptations and distresses that arise from within the minds of Gods children A. They are either anguish of mind and distresse of conscience in generall or doubts of and assaults against
let vs secretly bite and sting them nor take that in the worse sense that may bee construed in the better meaning Fifthly let vs lend no eare much lesse giue any applause to the slanderer but shew our dislike of him and then he will not willingly speake that which hee shall perceiue to be vnwillingly heard Lastly slander is a speciall sinne of the Deuill who is a lyar and the slanderer of the brethren and therefore let vs beware of it and abhorre it Q. What are the persecutions in action and in deed A. These and the like following whippings taking away of mens goods banishment bondage nakednes death by the sword want of buriall c. Q. What comforts against whippings A. First Christ Iesus and his Apostles were thus dealt withall Secondly as it was the marke of a true Apostle to beare in the body the marks of the Lord Iesu so it is the Character of a sincere Christian to suffer the like in time of persecution Thirdly Christ was whipped and shed his bloud for vs and shall wée sinnefull persons refuse to doe the like that wee may make knowne our conformitie with him in his suffrings Fourthly it is giuen vnto Gods children as a speciall prerogatiue not onely to be whipped for but to die for the Lord Iesu. Apoc. 12.11 Lastly the more indignities and torments that any suffer for Christ or for righteousnesse sake the more they shall aduance the Gospell of Christ and receiue the greater measure and proportion of glory in the world to come Q. How are or ought wee to comfort our selues when wee are violently by the enemie despoiled of all our goods A. First wee must remember that many good men haue fallen into the hands of théeues like that man that went downe from Ierusalem to Iericho and fell among théeues who robbed him of his raiment yea and wounded him and yet haue afterwards recouered their former estate Secondly Christ is our Lord and master and we his seruants and therefore though we be despoiled of al our worldly goods yet he wil neuer forsake vs but prouide for vs things necessary for so he dealt with the Samaritane Thirdly we want not things simply necessary for natura paucis contenta Fourthly though we be spoiled of our goods yet we haue not forgone our goodnes and we retaine our life and liberty which is the greater blessing Fifthly God in his iustice will in due time punish and reuenge our wrongs Sixthly wee must after the example of the blessed Hebrewes suffer with ioy the spoiling of our goods knowing in our selues how that we haue in heauen a better and an enduring substance Lastly if wee be patient and content we may in time with Dauid enioy our enemies that are so many Nabals goods or by some other prouidence be gainers by our losses Q. What duties are we then to performe A. First we must with holy Iob be content to receiue euill things from God as well as good and to praise God for all and with the Apostles to forsake all for Christ his sake yea and with that heroicall woman in the Apocalypse to tread the Moone i. all earthly and transitory things vnder our féet wée must withall seeke the things aboue the heauenly Ierusalem Secondly it is our duty to procure wisedome learning vertue godlinesse these are our proper endowments and can neither by fraud nor force be taken from vs. Thirdly let vs whiles we enioy the fickle and vncertaine things let vs for Christ his sake loue his members and with our worldly goods bountifully relieue them in their néede and necessity else how dwelleth the loue of God in vs Lastly let it suffice vs that wee are rich in grace heires of glory and that we haue in heauen our Country a better and an enduring substance and that after this mortall and miserable life is expired we shall actually enioy the new heauen the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousnes Q. Propound some comfortable meditations against banishment A. First Moses Elias Iohn the Euangelist and infinite more in the Primitiue Church of the Apostles in the ten generall persecutions and sithence haue beene exiled and shall we refuse to be partakers with them Secondly omnis terra commune naturae exilium id est Euery country is a common banishment of nature and the whole world is but a strange country vnto vs for in it wee haue no abiding City and how then can Christians properly be said to bee banished out of their country when they haue none here Thirdly though the godly bee banished from their natiue soile yet they cannot be banished from the fauour of God nor from the communion of Saints nor from the kingdome of heauen and God that is by his essence euery where present is as ready to helpe his childrē in any strange Country as in their own Psal. 105.12.13.14 Fourthly sundry men haue gotten great honour and attained vnto great learning and liuing in the place of their banishment Fifthly here we shall be secured frō enuie euill men shall not molest vs but good men shall loue vs and long for our company Sixthly as the husbandman remoueth his plantes and trees out of one orchard into another that they may the better prosper So God for greater good of his Church doth translate his children into some other country or coast Lastly the time of our banishment well spent will send vs into a farre better that is an heauenly one Q. What duties must a Christian practise in his banishment A. First he must comfort himselfe in the conscience of his righteousnes which the enemy cannot blot much lesse bereaue him of Secondly he must at their strict commandements and enforcement relinquish and depart out of his natiue soile and then his departure shall be rather a pilgrimage then an expulsion and a benefite then a banishment Thirdly he must heare God speake vnto him in the Scripture for it is his voice and hee must speake and haue familiar speech and conference with our God by prayer and then hee shall haue God for his companion and the holy Ghost for his Comforter Fourthly he must not delight in their conuersation and company that deride and despise him and by abode with whom he cannot receiue any good information but much defilement and therfore in this regard he must preferre religion and a good conscience before country and natiue soile Lastly hee hath the benefite of his priuatenes and liueth in peace without distraction or disturbance and therfore he must by the aduantage hereof betake himselfe to diuine studies and meditations Q. Propound and deliuer some heauenly consolations against bondage and thraldome A. First it is the greatest bondage to be captiuated and enthralled to sinne and Satan from which slauery Gods children are by grace fréede for their consciences are at peace with God and they are the seruants of God
our families and let vs passing by the imperfections of a Church bee thankfull for and make vse of the good things of it for it is better to enduâ—e an inconuenience and couer an infirmity then by any publike opposition to make a rent in the Church Q. How shall a man comfort himselfe that liueth amongst euill vnquiet and irreligious neighbours or what duties must he execute and performe A. First of all hee that hath a good neighbour hath as we say a good morrow but an ill and vnquiet neighbour is like a beare a lion a tiger a viper and therefore some euill by reason of an ill neighbour and herein we must learne either to win him to endure him or else if we can conueniently to get our selues far from him Secondly if we would dwell néere no ill neighbours we must get our selues into some wildernesse Thirdly we must beware lest we be as bad or worse our selues for euery man is a sharp censurer of others but he is a pâ—rtiall Iudge of himselfe Fourthly it may be that a man hath béen harsh and sharpe to his neighbour and therefore he is iustly plagued with such an one himselfe Lastly let vs be innocent as dones giuing no iust occasion of oftence vnto him but rather praying for him and endeuouring to winne him by kind offices but let vs be wise as Serpents to beware he doe no mischiefe against vs. Q. How must they arme and comfort themselues that are forsaken beguiled abused and betrayed by their reputed friends A. First they must remember that the world hath not wanted such euill examples and pernicious presidents was not the caitiffe Cain false and traiterous to his innocent brother Abel was not Achitophel perfidious and treacherous to Dauid Ioab to Abner Amasa yea and Iudas to our Lord and Sauiour and the world sithens that time is nothing reformed but rather generally worse Secondly vnfaithfulnesse and true friendship are incompetible and can neuer suite nor consort together therefore the losse of such fained and false hearted friends is rather to bee entertained with laughter theÌ„ with lamentatioÌ„ Thirdly their falshood sheweth that truth and integrity is good contratiorum contraria est ratio Fourthly such fawning and yet failing and faithlesse friends are infamous and loathed of all well disposed persons Lastly such deceitfull friends more hurt themselues then them that trust them for they onely betray those that put affiance in them but they vndoe themselues Q. What vse are we to make hereof A. First wee must neuer put any confidence in men who are lighter then vanity it selfe but trust onely in the liuing Lord who will neuer faile nor forsake vs. Secondly that the more falsly Iudas-like others deale with vs let vs as becommeth Gods children be so much the more whetted on to deale faithfully with others and let our conscience be a lâ—w vnto vs. Laâ—tly let vs betimes distrust such and by smal losses learn to preuent greater ones Q. How shall good and religious Princes Peeres and Potentates comfort themselues that are grieued at and troubled with disobedient and disloyall subiects and people A. Diuers wayes as first that the most rare and renowned kinges and princes such as were Moses Dauid Salomon and many in our late memory whereof our late Queen Elizabeth our Deborah our Hester our Iudith and of incomparable learning vertues was as the Moon amongst the lesser starres had wofull experience Secondly they that resist Gods deputies and vicegerents procure to themselues destruction and damnation Thirdly though their subiects and people vnder them may be stubborn and disobedient to them as they were to Dauid in the beginning of his raigne and somtime afterwards yet they may proue louing and loiall at the last and therfore they are to hope well of them Q. What duties are such princes and rulers to performe A. They must seeke rather to be loued then feared for whom the subiects onely feare him they hate Secondly they must not so much look to find their people good as to make theÌ„ good and if they doe shew all possible diligence herein God will accept and prosper their studies and endeauours Lastly that Ministers of Gods word must labour to perswade them to obedience and if they cannot preuaile the Magistrate must by the sword correct them and when néed is cut them off otherwise the sparing of the wolte is the death of the shéepe Q. How must subiects and people behaue themselues that are il entreated much oppressed by euill rulers and Magistrates A. First they must acknowledge in generall that God is iust and that malo populo malus rex datu and therefore they must bewaile their sinnes the procuring cause thereof and God will in time relieue them Secondly the more euill their gouernors are the more innocent let the subiects he that they may haue comfort in their suffrings namely when they are for true religion and righteousnesse sake Thirdly let them pray vnto God to turn their hearts and to amend them 1. Tim. 2.1.2 Fourthly let them obey them and their lawes so farre forth as they may with good conscience that they minister no iust cause and occasion of offence vnto them and if they be not incurably euill they shall at length find them more mild and mercifull for God hath their hearts in his hands Lastly the subiects must note and remember well that the life and tyranny of their Regents shall not continue alwaies for God will not suffer the scepâ—er of the wicked to rest vpon the lot of the righâ—eous lest that they through violent courses should stretch out their hands vnto iniquity and therefore they must preuent that by their wisedom yea and possesse it by hope patience which God and time will worke Q. How shall weake Christians bee strengthned that are scandalized and are ready to be peruerted either by ignorant idle or else by euill Ministers A. First if they bee ignorant and cannot teach wee must seeke for instruction elsewhere vnlesse wee would pine and sterue our soules Secondly if they can teach well and yet be lazie and idle and will not employ their talent we must louingly and yet earnestly exhort them to more diligence in their calling add giue them all good encouragement and if we cannot this way preuaile wee must complaine of them and present them to lawfull authority that may compell them but if authority fault herein wee must pray God to amend them and so leaue them vnto him Thirdly if the Ministers teach well and diligently and yet liue lewdly and vitiously then they must know that God sends them such a scandalous Minister for their triall or punishment and therefore wée must repent vs of our peculiar sinnes and waite the good time vntil either God or his deputies remoue or reforme them But touching their doctrine seeing it is sound and good we must heare and embrace that with all reuerence
THE CHRISTIAN ARMORIE WHEREIN IS CONTAINED ALL manner of spirituall munition fit for secure Christians to arme themselues withall against Satans assaults and all other kind of crosses temptations troubles and afflictions CONTRIVED IN TWO Bookes and handled pithily and plainly by way of Questions and Answers BY THOMAS DRAXE Bachelar in Diuinitie Hereunto is adioined a Table of all the principall heads and branches comprised in each Chapter of the whole Treatise EPHES. 6.13 Take vnto you the whole armor of God that yee may be able to resist in the euill day and hauing finished all things to stand fast ¶ Imprinted at London by William Hall for Iohn Stepneth and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of S. Paul at the West end of Pauls Church 1611. not perpetual and they in the meaâ—â—time are not exempted froÌ„ all euils And what if in the greatest danger some Iosephs some Daniels and some Hesters are both fauoured and aduanced yet this is very rare and extraordinarie Therfore it behooued euery seruant of God while she hatâ— time and meanes to prepare anâ— arme himselfe against all future euents and temptations and for thâ— end to put on the girdle of constancie and in the truth to bee ready to confesse the Gospell of peace to take vnto himselfe the Shield of faith triumphant in Christ to couer his head with the hope of saluation instead of an helmet and with the sword of the spirit .i. with testimonies of the scriptures to offend and foile these spirituall Amalekites and hereunto to adioyne feruent and continuall prayers without which all this spirituall armour will little auaile Thus doing hee shall find light in darknes consolation in tribulation power in weakenesse and in all his trials he shall bee more then a triumpher in Christ. And for his further encouragement let him remeÌ„ber that in this warfare the Lord Iesus is the Generall godly Kings and Princes the Coronels the Nobles Iudges and Iustices are the Captaines the Ministers of the Church the Trumpetters and Centinels the Angels the assistants God the Iudge and Rewarder and eternall glory the monument trophy of triumph This preparation being so necessary and the comforts so needfull and so abundantlie set forth in the sacred scriptures I haue according to my mediocrity from thence chiefly borrowed my spirituall armorie and haue reduced and contriued the whole doctrine of it into certaine chapters and pithy grounds propositions And to the intent that the Church of God should find coÌ„fort and profit by it I thought good to publish it And because you most excellent Lady are the Phoenix oâ— your sexe a glorious starre in our firmament and so ful of princely piety vertue and clemency I haue presumed to offer these my labours to your Graces view and to commend them to your Graces patronage For wherein should so noble a Lady in her young and flourishing yeares more labour to excell then to bee a conqueresse ouer sinne and satan For such holie beginnings cannot but bring forth blessed conclusions Vouchsafe therefore most gratious Lady to pardon my bold enterprise and to shelter these my meditations vnder the wings of your Graces fauour In humble desire and comfortable expectation whereof I commit your Grace to the blessed gouernement of the highest Maiesty Couentry March 30. 1611. Your Graces ready to be commanded in all duty and seruice THOMAS DRAXE THE CHRIstian Armorie CHAP. I. Of Mans offence and fall Question HOw came man that was originally and by his first creation so honourable holy and happy to be so sinnefull vile and miserable Answere By reason of sinne and the transgression of Gods commaundement whereby he fell away from God and lost his former dignity holinesse and happines Rom. 3.23 Q. What is sinne A. It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the breach of Gods law or it is a declination reuolt and apostasie from the loue nature communion and will of God Eph. 4. v. 18. Q. Who is the subiect or continent of sinne A. The reasonable creature that is many of the Angels for they kept not their first estate and purity and mankind vniuersally no man excepted for all men haue sinned and are depriued of the glory of God Rom. 3.23 Q. Who is the author or committeâ— of sinne A. Not God for hee is holinesse it selfe and there is in him no darknes nor sinne at all for he doth not commaund nor commend much lesse instil and suggest sinne but condemne and punish it as that which is most aduerse and contrary to his owne will and word but man onely who in mind will and affections is wholy corrupted with sinne by this meanes is become a vassall of Satan and guilty of euerlasting damnation Q. Jnto how many kinds is sinne diuided and distinguished A. Into two kinds principally namelie that poisonfull corruption wherein man is conceiued and borne which we call Originall sinne and that offence of action which we terme Actuall transgression Q. What is Originall sinne A. It is the leprous contagious pestilent infection of nature or an hereditary and naturall corruption which is successiuely by carnall generation deriued and conueied from Adam the roote and common beginning of all mankind vnto all his posterity Q By what names and epithetes is it called in the scriptures A. Amongst others these are speciall names of it First it is called sinne absolutely because it is the fountaine of al sinnes Secondly it is termed The body of Sinne because all sinnes are included in it and as it were in league with it for vpon occasion offered they breake out Thirdly it is named The Law of the members because of the dominion of it in and ouer all our members for all the parts and powers of our bodies and soules before regeneration obey it as a law and it is intituled Rebellion in our members because it doth by a continuall practise striue and rebell against the law of God Lastly it hath the denomination of Flesh Gen. 6.3 of the old Adam and of Concupiscence which is an euill and inordinate desire and inclination Q. What are the maine parts of originall corruption A. Two first losse and want of the first and originall holines in the whole man Secondly the presence of euill or a contagion and distempered disposition of all the parts and powers of soule and body Q. What are the causes of originall sinne A. Thrée the one inward and the other two outward Q. What is the inward cause of it A. The very law of nature passing originally and conueied by carnall generation from one person to another Q. What are the outward causes of it A. Two First the actuall sinne of Adam and Eue the first instruments foundation of mans nature Secondly Gods iustice imputing the transgression of our first parents to al their ofspring and posterity Q. Doth originall sinne or concupiscence remaine in the regenerate A. Yes for though
rooted in the heart and it continueth for euer Lastly it causeth vs to loue looke and long for the life to come Q. How a man must imprint and ground these meditations in his heart A. Hee must abstaine from all impiety and vnrighteousnesse and practise the duties of holines and righteousnes for God will reueale his secrets to the humble and to them that feare him Psal. 25.11 Gen. 18.10 Secondly hee must be frequent and feruent in the holy vse of the Word Sacraments and Prayer for hereby faith and hope are wrought maintained encreased Q. Why doe Gods children die seeing that their sinnes are not imputed to them and the image of God which consisteth in the knowledge of the sauing truth and in true holinesse and righteousnesse is repaired in them A. I answere first though sinne bee not imputed to them and so they cannot be condemned for it yet all sinne is not wholy taken away Secondly regeneration is onely in this life begun and in dayly progresse Thirdly God will haue the godly to die the temporary death as well as the wicked that they acknowledging the seuerity of Gods anger against sin may learne to hate it Fourthly that they may lay downe the remnants of sinne and the adherâ—nt miseries And lastly that they may haue experience of the power of God who raiseth vp the dead Q. Whether that death may be desired and wished for A. It may not simply and absolutely be desired for it is an euill and against nature and therefore not to be desired but conditionally we may lawfully desire death Q. In what respects may it be desired A. In two respects principally First as it is a way and means to deliuer vs wholy from the burden bondage and slauery of all sinne and to free vs from all the maladies and miseries of this wretched life Secondly as it is a meanes and instrument to bring vs to the manifest and glorious vision and sight of God to the immediate and euerlasting fellowship and communion of the whole Trinity the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost Q Whether that a Christian may lawfully desire life A. Yes in some respect namely iâ— we desire to doe further good before wée die and make the glory of God the end and scope of our life for God will bee glorified in vs so long as we liue in this earthly Tabernacle And therefore euery man must obediently walke in his calling vntill it shall please God to remoue and translate him hence and hee must rather séeke to honour God and do seruice to his Church then respect his heauenly aduancement Ob. But the longer that we liue the more we multiplie sinne and offend our God and therefore wee may not lawfully desire life A. The Argument is not good For first Gods children sinne not wittingly and willingly nor make a trade of sinne as wicked men doe Secondly their sinnes are couered and not imputed vnto them Lastly the good that they be examples and instruments of is much more pleasing and acceptable to God and to good men then their infirmities and imperfections are distastfull Q. What is required that a man may die well and blessedly A. Two things First a preparation against death Secondly a right disposition in death Q. Is preparation against death necessarie A. Yea for first we must néeds die for sinne hath deserued and procured it and God thereupon hath imposed it Secondly in what state soeuer the day of death leaueth vs in the same state the day of iudgement shall find vs. Thirdly this preparation cutteth off and preuenteth much sinne in vs which wee would otherwise designe and commit Fourthly death is our enemy and our last greatest enemy and therefore we must by faith in our Lord Iesu labour and striue to subdue quell him Lastly this is our last iourney and if we dispatch it happily and according to Christ our Captaines direction it will forthwith after our death conuey vs into heauen Q Wherein doth this preparation consist A. In sundry meditations and duties Q. What must wee principally meditate vpon A. First we must before hand thinke on our latter end and not foolishly accuse old age or nature for death commeth is inflicted from God Secondly me must betimes thinke on on the right composing and ordering of our liues namely whether that wee haue ceased to doe euill and haue done what good we could for otherwise death will ouertake vs we wil wish that we had done it when it is too late Luk. 13. v. 35. Thirdly we must know that Christ hath abolished eternall death and made our temporary death an entrance to the Father Fourthly we must contemplate and muse vpon the glorious resurrection of the body which will much comfort and refresh vs. Lastly we must cast our thoughts vpon that most excellent and eternall waight of glory reserued for vs in the heauens which doth infinitely surpasse and ouerway all temporall afflictions whatsoeuer Q. What duties must the sicke man performe in generall A. Thrée duties First towards God Secondly towards his neighbour and lastly towards himselfe Q. What duties is he to perform towards God A. He must séeke to be reconciled vnto God and for this end he must repaire and renue his faith and repentance partly because many times in temptation hee looseth somthing and partly because hee daily slippeth or committeth new sinnes which require a new act of faith and repentance Secondly he must constantly confesse Christ and proclaime and publish how many wayes God hath beene good to his soule and body Lastly hee must by the eyes of faith view contemplate looke vpon Christ the brazen serpent and then death shall neuer sting him Q. Why must hee performe these duties towards God A. Because ordinarily sicknesses paines and diseases are sent and inflicted of God for a punishment and for our reformation and amendment as most clearely appeareth in many places of holy Scriptures Lament 3.39 Math. 9.2 Joh. 5.74 Q. What seruices oweth the sickeman to his neighbour and what duties is he to performe towards him A. Hee must performe all duties of piety loue and righteousnes and Magistrates and Ministers must not onely commaund and exhort their people subiects hearers to listen to and obey sound doctrine and Christ his blessed Gospell but also they must by all possible means endeauour that they after their death may leaue them in as holy and happy estate as they found them Act. 20.28 2. Pet. 1. v. 5. Q. What duties is he to performe to his wife children family A. First he must aduise and perswade them to constancy and to obedience of the sauing truth for his words spoken at such a time leaue the greatest impression in the minds of them that heare him Secondly he must for the peace of his owne soule and for the preuenting and cutting of many néedlesse suites and contentions in law that might arise after his death in equity
at first nor the seed straight waies groweth and yeeldeth increase So the Sacrament though in faith and reuerence receiued doth not alwaies presently yeeld sensible comfort to the receiuer Lastly they must call vpon God to bestow further grace vpon them and then they must waite his leasure vntill he speede their desire Q. How are we to prepare our selues before wee come to bee partakers of the publicke Ministerie of the Word and Sacraments A. First we must consider the super-excellent maiestie of him before whom we appeare and the most excellent nature vse profite and comfort of the Word and Sacraments in faith and reuerence heard and receiued Secondly wee must loue the habitation of Gods house and the place where his honour dwelleth and therfore before wee come thither wee must wash our hands in innocency wee must lay apart all filthines and superfluity of maliâ—iousnes and receiue the word of God with meekenesse and with all readinesse Act. 17.11 Thirdly we must come with a mind to learne and profite wee must heare what the Lord our God saith vnto vs and by the hand of faith receiue whatsoeuer he offereth vs. Fourthly we must come to the holy assemblies in the loue of God and our neighbour and féeding at Gods Table both in the preaching of the word and in the administration of the Supper of our Lord wee must bring with vs the wedding garment of faith and true holinesse otherwise neither the word nor the Sacrament will profite vs but rather make vs worse and poison vs. Lastly we must entreat the Lord by priuate praier to teach vs inwardly by his Spirite and to frame our hearts to the obedience of his will Q. How are they to be censured and iudged and what course must they take for their redresse and comfort that indeed find in themselues a great desire zeale to obey but yet faile often in the Act of obedience A. First a godly man is perfect by imputation by Christs righteousnesse â— not by inherent and begun holinesse and he is perfite rather in purpose then in his practise and rather in his desire then in his déede Secondly God in his children specially looketh vnto the heart and affection and not to outward things Thirdly it is a signe of a perfect man to find his imperfection for this procéedeth not from nature that is altogether blind in matters of regeneration but from the spirit and grace of God wherby hee reuealeth to his their estate Fourthly the more that he faileth in obedience the more humble must hée be and desire further grace strength from God Fifthly hee must remember that yet the Iebusite and Cananite 1. sinnes and imperfections are in his borders and therefore he must put on and exercise the spirituall armour vntill hee hath foyled and subdued them of blasphemous thoughts Q. Can they possibly haue any true sanctification that are often assaulted encountred with many vile horrible abhominable thoughts A. Yea vndoubtedly for Satan that séeketh to sift al holines out of them will violently suggest and foist such thoughts sometimes into their minds Q. How are these thoughts to bee sorted and distinguished A. They either arise from within theÌ„ by reason of the corruptioÌ„ of their harts or else they are outwardly obiected and iniected by Sathan Q. What if they arise from within vs what must we doe for the remouing and reformation of them A. First we must not onely not consent vnto allow and cherish them but repent of them pray against them stedfastly resist them and bee carefull by the rule of Gods word to order and compose them and then God will in his mercy passe by and pardon them all but if we neglect and omit these duties then we shall lie open to all the assaults of the diuell Secondly we must be frequent in the reading and meditation of the holy scriptures and entreat the Lord to open our eyes to vnderstand them and frame our hearts to obey them and then these wicked thoughts shall either not come into our minds or else they shall be soone driuen out of possession Lastly we must bee aduised to make more conscience of holy duties and especially of preaching prayer and of receiuing the Lords Supper then formerly wee haue done lest for the omission hereof we be iustly giuen ouer to ill thoughts Q. But what if they bee onely from without by Satan obiected vnto vs and thrust vpon vs wee giuing no assent vnto them how shal we comfort our selues A. Wee must comfort our selues in this that our blessed Sauiour was thus tempted by Sathan who suggested and iniected due thoughts into his mind but Christ neuer assented to him but ouercame him and hath for vs broken his head and dissolued all his works so that hee cannot preuaile against our faith or preiudice our saluation Q. What course must wee take for our helpe and redresse herein A. First we must not striue against them seeking violently to driue them away for then wee shall be the more entangled with them and like so many Bees buzzing about vs they will sting vs but we must let them goe Lastly if they continue molesting vs then we must turne to Christ and desire his helpe who hath so conquered them for vs that they shal neuer get full victorie ouer vs. CHAP. VI. Of those temptations scandals and offences that are by tyrants wicked men Heretickes Apostates Schismatickes prophane Protestants false Brethren and by the manifest abuse of the law and Ecclesiasticall discipline accidentally occasioned or obiected outwardly vnto vs. Question WHat signifieth this word scandall or offence A. It is a borrowed speech properly signifieth a blocke or stone laid in a mans way at which he stumbleth Q. What is it A. It is any cause or occasion of grief or offence whether in word or deed example or counsell whereby a man is hurt or hindered in the course of godlines or whereby he is hardned and confirmed in euill Q. Why doth God permit it A. First to trie and proue his people whether they will by any occasionall matter obiected in their way be reuoked from his loue and obedience Secondly to manifest lewd minded men and reprobates who are ready to take any occasion of stumbling sinning and erring Q. What are the kinds of it A. Two Active or that which is giuen Passiue or that which is taken Q. What is a scandall giuen A. Any euill doctrine word or work that is contrary to the loue of God and our neighbour whereby the godly are grieued the weake drawne to sinne errour and prophane men confirmed hardened in their licentious courses Q. Of how many kinds and sorts is it A. Of fower kinds First when weake consciences are by false doctrine and the falling away of men from the truth withdrawne from the simplicity sincerity of the Gospell of Iesus Christ. Secondly when holy and innocent men are
wisedome to the simple the statutes of the Lord are right and reioice the heart the commaundement of the Lord is pure giueth light to the eyes Let vs praise and magnifie God for our gratious deliuerance let vs remember Ioseph his afflictions and helpe our persecuted brethren by our goods and money if wee can and at least by our praiers and intercessions for this euidently proueth that we are feeling members of the same mysticall body wherof Christ is the head CHAP. XI The generall vse and application of the whole Treatise THe quintessence of all that hath beene formerly and at large in this treatise handled may be aptly and pithily reduced to these â—ew conclusions folâ—owing First that man by his first creation was pure holy innocent and liued in a most happy and blissefull estate Secondly that hee by his voluntarie fall and apostasie from God and from his former integrity hath in soule and body corrupted himselfe and all his posterity and not onely depriued himselfe all his sucsessours of all originall holinesse and happinesse but also wholly subiected them himselfe to all plagues and miseries both temporall and eternall Thirdly that sinne is very distastefull odious and stinking in Gods taste sight and nostrils for otherwise the most iust Lord would neuer so grieuously nor with such variety of plagues and punishments execute his indignation not only vpon men of yéeres but also vpon the very infants that haue committed no actuall transgression Fourthly the Lord that draweth light out of darknesse life out of death and in iudgement remembreth mercy hath giuen his onely sonne Iesus Christ to die to make a perfect satisfaction to his iustice for the sinnes of all the elect and to be a perpetuall intercessour for them so that they are not onely freed from the guilt dominion and euerlasting punishment of sinne but also entitled vnto and shall in time certainely possesse euerlasting and vnspeakable glorie and holinesse Fifthly that Christ hath by vertue of faith in his death and merits transnatured and changed to all his elect the temporarie and eternall plagues and punishments of sinne into certaine gentle momentanie fatherlie corrections and chastisments Sixthly that God hath not left his people in their crosses temptations and afflictions without hope helpe and remedie but hath giuen them the sacred and all sufficient Scriptures to instruct direct and to confirme and comfort their soules and cosciences in all distresses inward and outward in all afflictions and against all scandals persecutions whatsoeuer Seuenthly God hath prouided for his people Ministers by their pure preching and iudicious writings to resolue them in all doubts and christian friends and acquaintance to solace and support them Wherefore wée must daily blesse God for his infinite mercy in Christ attend vnto and consult the Scriptures our pastours and christian brethren Eighthly wée must make vse of the treatises and volumes of godly learned men who haue trauelled to good purpose in this kind Ninthly wée must in our afflictions and distresses find out confesse and bewaile our particular sinnes and earnestly entreat God for Christ his sake to pardon them for they are the meritorious causes of all our miseries Tenthly we in our miseries and troubles must not murmurre and repine against God nor vse any vnlawfull meanes of ease and deliuerance much lesse despaire of Gods gracious mercy helpe but wée ought to commend our soules bodies and outward state to Gods blessed gouernment and promises wee must desire direction and the spirit of strength and constancie from God and in hope patience waite vpon him vntill hée haue mercy vpon vs. Eleuenthly wée in our prosperity must prepare our selues against aduersity and wee must with such a sympathy and fellow féeling remember them that are in affliction and so endeauour to reléeue and resolue them as if we were also afflicted in the body Heb. 13.3 Lastly when we are recouered out of any temptation or deliuered out of any trouble we must giue God all the glory of it and in our rest and prosperity gâ—ther grace and strength so hearten our selues against the next temptation Now the God of all grace and consolation for Christ Iesus his sake so direct and instruct vs by his blessed spirit to performe all these duties that his Maiestie may haue all the glorie his Church and children good examples of imitation and we our selues haue ioy and comfort in this world and eternall Saluation in the next Amen A LARGE TABLE CONtaining the chiefe points heads and particulars that are handled and applied in both the Bookes of this CHRISTIAN ARMORIE The first Booke CHAP. I. THe originall of mans sinne and miserie What sinne is Who is the subiect of it What be the kinds of it What is originall sinne The titles and names of it The parts causes and vses of it Why the corruption of it remaineth in Gods children What was Adams fall What was the obiect of it Why the eating of an Apple was so grieuously punished The instrumentall and formall cause of his fall How God did forsake our first parents Why did God permit their fall How it can stand with Gods iustice that all Adams posterity should smart for his sinne How can Adams personall sinne be imputed to his posterity How can parents deriue corruption vnto their children The parents doe not beget the soules of their children how can they then infuse corruption into them What vse are we to make hereof What is actuall sinne The oâ—iginall of it The inward and outward causes of it The difference betweene originall and actuall sinne CHAP. II. What followeth sinne Whether afflictions and temporall euils be properly curâ—es and satisfactions to Gods iustice How are they qualified to the beleeuers The sinnes of Gods elâ—ct are forgiuen and why are not the chastisements with aâ—l remoud The vse of the point CHAP. III. What the crosse is Why no â—eruant of God is freed from it What is to bee thought of them that feele no crosse The vse of the point Whether that the crosse be good or not For what ends God doth crosse and afflict his câ—ildren Whâ— doe not the same ends effects and euents appeare in the wicked Arguments to mooue vs to patience vnder the crosse Comfortable conclusions and meditations against the crosse What duties are to bee performed towards the afflicted CHAP. IIII. How the Crosse is to bee diuided and distinguished What comforts are there against warre Comfoâ—ts and holy counsaile for them that are foiled in battaile What duties are to be performed in time of war Comforts against ciuill warre What duties are then to be performed CHAP. V. Whether that the plague be infectious or not Whether a Christian may lawfully flee iâ— the time of the plague Certain obiections answered The duty of them that flee The duties of them that abide at home Why God somtimes doth by the pestilence cut downe and destroy so many thousands Heauenly meditations against
doth suffer his children to bee persecuted with doubtings Whether that they can be thus distressed Why it is proper to them to be this way tempted and afflicted The meanes to suppresse doubtings What practises are good for this purpose Comforts resolutions for them that doubt of their adoption by reason of the number greatnesse of their sinnes What be the meanes to remoue these doubtings Resolution for him that doubteth whether that Christ be his Sauiour in particular or not Whether that hypocrites and prophane persons can or do euer soundly apply Gods generall promises Whether a weake and a doubting faith be a true faith or not Comforts for them that are to encounter with most dangerous temptations in discharging their particular callings Whether that the diuersitie of interpretation of Scriptures bee any sufficient argument to prooue that they are not Gods word How canne the preaching and reading of them make some worse if that they bee Gods word Why God suffereth the faith of his Saints to labour of so many doubts CHAP. III. Of imperfections in prayer and sanctification The duties that a Christian is to performe when hee perceiueth many imperfections in his prayers The vse of them Whether that dulnesse and drowsines in prayer can stand with true sanctification The vse that is to be made hereof Whether euill and vaine thoughts in prayer can consist with true sanctification What course a christian must take for his helpe heerin Comforts for them whose prayers God delayeth Whether that a regenerate man may bee negligent and remisse in the duties of thaÌ„ksgiuing Remedies for a mans recouery herein What practises are necessary CHAP. IIII. Of often falling into and continuance of a man in one and the same sinne Whether that a regenerate man can fall eftsoons into one and the same sinne The vse of the point Whether a true sanctified man can possibly he long in one and the same sinne The vse of it CHAP. V. Of small profiting by the word and Sacraments Whether little profiting by the ministery of the word and Sacraments be no profiting at al. The vse of the question Comforts and directions for him that is dull in conceiuing and vnderstanding Gods word Directions comforts for Gods child that is troubled with a weake memorie What meanes are good to cure hardnes of hart Counsaile and directions for them that complaine that they feele no present encrease of faith and comfort by the Lords supper How a man is to prepare himselfe before hee heare the word of God or receiue the Sacraments What wee must iudge of them that hauing a great desire to obey faile in the act of obedience Whether Gods children be at any time assaulted with blasphemous thoughts How blasphemous thoughts arising from within vs are to be reformed or remoued How wee must arme our selues against blasphemous thoughts obiected from without vs. CHAP. VI. Of scandales and offences VVhat a scandall is Why God permitteth it What are the kinds of it What is a scandall giuen Of how many kinds it is The vse that is to be made of scandals giuen How a Christian shall or must preserue himselfe against the scandall and contagion of false doctrine What duties he is to practise herein How a Christian may stay and comfort himselfe in a generall apostasie from the Gospell of Christ. What duties he is to practise at such a time Comforts against the scandal of false excommunication Comforts against the scandall of innocency oppressed Why God doth so seuerely handle holy and innocent men The vse of the point Comforts and directions for weake Christians that are offended at the loose life and vile practises of some professoâ—s What practises are then necessary Comforts against the apostasie of eminent and famous persons How we may preuent it in our selues Whether popish Martyrs be true martyrs We may preserue our selues from this scandall How a man is to arme and comfort himselfe against factions schismes and diuisions preuailing in the Church How we must behaue our selues at such a time Consolations against euill vnquiet neighbors Consolations against false and fained friends Comforts for Princes that are troubled with euill and disobedient subiects Comforts for subiects wronged and oppressed Comforts and directions against the scandall of euill idle and offensiue Ministers Comforts and directions against a generall corruption in manners CHAP. VII What is an offence taken What are the causes of it Comforts against the offence that wicked men take against vs. How shall Gods children comfort themselues when wicked men are offended at their lawfull vse of things indifferent Comforts against afflictions of good men CHAP. VIII How shall Gods children reforme themselues or resolue their minds that are scandalized at the long raigne and prosperity of tyrants and persecutors Reasons to remoue Gods children from conceiuing offence at the long impunity of euill doers Why God doth not alike punish in this world all euill doers but spareth many Why doth God in the execution of publike iudgments as of warre pestilence famine include the good with the wicked CHAP. IX Touching Persecution What persecution is Whether that persecutours in any generation doe or can roote out the Church For what ends God doth suffer his Church and children to be so persecuted Who are Gods instruments herein Why doth God vse the ministerie of wicked men in the chastising of his children Why wicked men do so persecute the godly Whether that in persecution Gods children may not lawfully vse all good meanes to preserue themselues Whether that Gods children be gainers by persecution Reasons to mooue vs to constancie What practices are necessary for this purpose What duties are wee to performe towards the persecuted CHAP. X. The kinds of persecution Comforts against contempt How wee must behaue our selues when wee are contemned What enuie is How a Christian must or should arme himselfe against it What vse are we to make hereof Comforts against hatred and malice Whether that wee may lawfullie hate them that hate vs. How are we to behaue our selues when wee are maligned and hated Comforts against slander How the belied and slandered should behaue themselues Comforts against whipping Comforts against the violent taking away of our goods by the publike enemie What duties must wee then performe when we are thus violently handled Comforts against exile and banishment How must wee behaue our selues when wee are banished out of our country Comforts against slauerie and bondage What vse are we to make hereof Consolations against nakednesse Why God suffereth so many of his children to be deuoured by the sword Comforts against this violent kind of death What vse is to be made hereof Comforts against the want of Christian buriall What vse is to be made hereof Speciall considerations and consolations against all kind of persecutions What duties we must then performe CHAP. XI The generall vse and application or the breue and epitome of the whole treatise FINIS 1. Ioh. 3.4 Rom. 5.14 1.