or other Head over them then the Son of God by Michael the Archangel the Son of God is rightly understood For He is set in opposition to the Devil as to the head of evil Angels Rev. 12.7 Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon ver 10. Now is salvation in heaven and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ VI. The good Angels are ready executors of Gods will especially in the praising of God and preservation of the godly VII We are not carefully to enquire whether or not particular men or Provinces are governed by certain Angels For out of Scripture it appears that GOD useth sometimes the Ministery of one Angel sometimes of more The government of evil Angels is that whereby God hath thrust them out of Heaven into infernal places and eternal destruction as voluntary Delinquents having forsaken their first integrity and become the enemies of Christs kingdom The RULES I. Evil Angels are such not by creation but by their own voluntary defection II. What their first sin was whether Pride or not the Scripture doth not specifie yet it is certain that it was not committed without pride For Pride is joyned to every sin that is committed with deliberation III. We may more safely with the Apostle Jude ver 6. call it a defection from their first originall and a desertion of their proper habitation IV. the evil Angels have a Prince whom the Scripture by way of excellency calleth the Devil the old Serpent Satan and the Dragon See Rev. 12.9 V. Whereas the Scripture speaks nothing of the time when the evil Angels fell nor of the number we ought also in this to be silent VI. Their punishment consisteth partly in the memory of their happiness lost irrecoverably partly in the perpetual sense of their misery and torments VII The substance of the evil Angels remained invisible and immortal and simple VIII There remained also in them no small knowledge and a sagacity also of searching out future things having these helps 1. Their natural knowledge 2. Their long experimental knowledge 3. Astrologie 4. The knowledge of Scripture chiefly of the Prophets 5. Extraordinary revelation so often as God makes use of the service of these torturers * A. R. There is in the evil Angels a twofold knowledge the one by nature which they have not lost at all for their nature being simple admits no dimunition therefore that knowledge which in them depends from their nature as their other natural faculties do were not lost nor diminished Hence they knew how to produce frogs in Egypt and do the other wonders that Moses did onely they could not produce the lice not as if they were ignorant of the occult seeds and causes of such production for the knowledge of the lice was not more difficult then that of the frogs but because they were hindred by the power of God Their other knowledge is by grace and that is either speculative or practical the former is not totally lost but much diminished for of Gods secrets they know very little But the practick knowledge which is joyned with the love of God and detestation of evil is totally lost in them for such evil cannot consist with obstinate malice yet as they naturally know God so they naturally love him as an Entity but not morally as he is the fountain of all happiness of which they know themselves to be eternally deprived IX As this their knowledge is far from charity so it is void of all comfort and strikes in them a terrour Mat. 8.29 What have we to do with thee Jesus the Son of God art thou come to torment us before our time Jam. 2.19 Thou believest there is one God thou doest well the devils also believe and tremble X. There remaines also in them great power which they shew by removing huge bodies out of their places in raising of storms in overthrowing houses and mountains in infecting the ayre and the bodies of creatures with a venemous breath in possessing of men in bewitching the outward and inward senses by altering and changing the organ or object XI But over the stars or celestiall bodies they have no right or power Because to them is granted power to rule in the ayre onely Eph. 2.2 XII All their power over inferior things is so limited by Gods providence that without his power they can do nothing Mat. 8.31 But the devils besought him saying if thou cast us out suffer us to go into the herd of swine XIII Evil Angels can do wonders but not work miracles Because miracles are works exceeding all power of the creatures CHAP. VIII Of the government of man in the state of Innocency SUch is the Government of Angels The government of man is seen in the state of Innocency of Misery of Grace and of Glory The government of man in the state of Innocency is that by which God made a Covenant of works with man promising him eternall happiness under the condition of obedience otherways eternal death The RULES I. God made a double Covenant with man the one of works the other of grace that before this after the fall II. The Covenant of works was confirmed by a double Sacrament to wit the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge both being planted in the midst of Paradise III. They had a double use 1. That mans obedience might be tried by using of the one and abstaining from the other 2. That the Tree of life might ratifie eternal happiness to those that should obey but the Tree of knowledge should signifie to the disobedient the loss of the greatest happiness and the possession of the greatest misery IV. Therefore the Tree of life was so called not from any innate faculty it had to give life but from a Sacramentall signification V. Likewise the Tree of knowledge of good and evil hath this denomination from signifying the chief good and evil and from the event For in effect and by experience man found out how great that happiness and good was which he lost and how great evil and misery he brought upon himself VI. The happiness of man being yet in his integrity consisted chiefly in the Image of God VII The soul is the principal Subject of this Divine Image the body is the secondary so far forth as the operations of the soul do manifest themselves in it VIII The gifts of Gods Image were partly natural partly supernatural IX The natural gifts were the simple and invisible substance of the soul with its faculties the intellect and will X. The supernatural gifts were the clearness of the understanding the liberty and rectitude of the will the conformity of the appetite and affections the immortality of the whole man and dominion over the inferior creatures XI Such was the clearness of Adams understanding that he knew all naturall things which had a possible existence in the first principles which are of themselves known An excellent proof of this was shewed
the Magistrate 179 Knowledge of God 250 LAbour before the fall 58 Law what 72. why renewed since the fall 74 if it be corrected by Christ ibid. how it differs from the Gospel 87. ceremonial 78 political 86 c. Levites office 80 Liberality 324 Liberty essential to the will 45 Christian liberty 218 Liberty of speech 332 Life eternal 238 First Light 40 Limbus Patrum of infants 72 Lots 282 Love ordered and disordered 336 337 Evil Lusts 335 Luxury in food 308 Lying if any be lawful 327 MAgistrate how to be obeyed 180 Magistrates nursing fathers to the Church 179 Magnificence 324 Malevolence 292 Mans creation 41. his foursold estate ibid. Man what 42 how immortal before his fal 58. what he is before his calling 193 Mary Mother of God remained a Virgin 103 Marriage what how and between whom it is to be contracted how to be dissolved 310 311 Masse vid. Sacrifice Mercy 293 The conditions of Merit 245 Merit of congruity and condignity 244 Mildnesse 304 Ministers of the Church 170 and their calling 173. their duty to conceal secrets 179 Our Misery how manifold 58 Moderation 305 Modesty 310 Multiplicity of Gods vide P. Murther 303. Self-murther ib. Nazarites 81 OAths what and how manifold 277 c. of whom how to be performed why to be kept ibid. 279. being offered their refusal ibid. Obstinacie in evil 249 Opinion of wisdome 246 PArsimony 325 Patience 254 Pawns vide Pledges Persidiousnesse 330 Perjury 280 Perseverance of the Saints 214 Perseverance in sin 253 Persons of the Deity what 18. their trinity unity 24 25. how Person and Subsistence differ 18 19. Person of Christ how considered 90 Pledges to be taken or restored 323 Polythelsme or multiplicity of gods 250 Pratling 330 Self-praise 332 Prayer what 260. its parts ib. its impulsive causes ibid. the Lords prayer a perfect form ibid. for whom and against whom we must pray 262 External gesture in prayer ib. Predestination what 32 33 whether absolute ibid. the means of its execution 34 Priests of the old Law 80 The High-Priests ornaments ibid. Popish Priests 118 Prescience and Predetermination how different 35 Profusion 325 Promptitude in Gods service 248 Propitiatory 83 Providence of God eternal 28. How it differs from Fate ibid. 47. His actual Providence 46. How it useth sinne 47 Prudence 246 REdemptions necessity by the Law Verity by the Gospel 72. Redeemer who 95 Why God and Man 92 93 Regeneration diversly taken 211 Rejoycing in evil 293 True Religion what 255. It 's Antiquity 256. If to be defended by Armes 257. The word Religion diversly taken 255. Reformation of Religion 257. If the Reformers were lawfully called 174 c. Reliques vide Idols and Worship Repentance 253 Good Report 333 Reprobation and its causes 36 Resurrection of the dead 227. Desire of Revenge 304 Reverence to Superiours 297 Rusticity 331 Sabbath its Sanctification 284. It 's Profanation 287 Sacraments before the fal â—5 Sacraments of the New-Testament clearer then of the Old 147 c. Five Popish Sacraments 149. Sacramental phrases 144 c. Sacraments how differing from the Word 146 c. Sacraments of the Old and New-Testament their difference 148. Union of the signe and thing in Sacraments 142. Signes in the Sacraments of foure sorts 143 Sacrifices of the Old-Testament what and how many 83 c. The Masse contrary to Christs Sacrifice 118 160 c. Assurance of Salvation 215 216 Sanctification what 211. The causes of Sanctification 212 Sanctification of Gods name 275 276 Scripture or Word of God unwritten and written 3. Scriptures Divinity 4. It 's Authority 5. It 's perfection 8. Translation 9. Meaning and sence 9 10 Scurrility 331 Cornal security 252 Silence 330 Sedulity vide Diligence Simplicity fained ibid. Sinne what whence how manifold 58 59. First Sin 60. Sin original 62. Sin actual 67. Sin against the Holy Ghost 68 Sincerity 328 Sloth 301 Sobriety 308 Soul of man its original 42 its immortality faculties 45 Stars their creation and use 41 Spiritual Stupidity 275 Self-sufficiciencie 324 Superstition 274 the Lords Supper 157. It s difference from Baptism 160 the Cup to be given to the people 158. Tropes in the words of the holy Supper 145 159. THe Tabernacle and its parts 81 c. Temperance 307 Testament old and new vide Covenant Theft what and how manifold 319 320 Holy times 84 85 c. Tree of Knowledge what 56 Truth 327 Tyranny 301 VIgilancie 309 Watchings superstitious ibid. Unmercifulnesse 293 Voracity 308 A Vow what and how manifold 264 Usury lawfull and unlawfull 322 323 War how lawful 306 Watching vid. Vigilancie Wisdome 246 False witnesse 327 c. Word of God vid. Scripture Works of God how manifold 26 27 Good works what 241. if they justifie 209 if performed by the irregenerate 64. 244. how necessary to salvation 245. Christs works of mediation 93 c. 104. Works of supererogation 242 243. the World its end 234 the true Worship of God 258 ready Worship 248 Worship of idols 270 Adoration of the Host 271 Worshiping of Reliques 272 vide Idolatry Will-worship 265 ZEal for the glory of God 275 THE ANATOMIE OF THE BODY OF DIVINITIE DIVINITIE speaks of GOD As he is to be known In himself in regard of his Essence by His Names Properties Incommunicable such are his Simplicity Infinity Communicable in analogical effects such are his Life Will. Power Of the three Persons Differing in Order Properties Manner of operation Agreeing In the same e Essence In the same Equality In the same Vnion or Cohabitation In their works which are First Essential Personal Secondly Inward Outward Immanent see B. Transient see B. As he is to be worshipped see A. B. Immanent His Decree Of all things called His eternal Providence Of reasonable creatures Angels Men. called Predestination consisting of Election Reprobation Transient The Creation in six dayes Actual Providence General by which all things are governed Good by effecting of them Evil by Permitting Determining Directing Special governing Angels God Evil. Man in the state Partly Of Innocencie where The Covenant of Works Sacraments the Tree of Life of Knowledge of God and Evil. Of Misery which is of offence or sin The first derived from the first Original Actual of Infirmity Malice Of Punishment which is either Temporal or Eternal Partly see C. C. Partly Of Grace in Redemption the necessity of which is known by the Law Moral Ceremonial Politick The truth by the Gospel concerning Christs Person which from eternity the Son of God In time Incarnate by his Conception in the power of the Holy Ghost of the blood of the Virgin By his Nativity By his Office Prophetical Sacerdotal Regal By his State of Humiliation Exaltation In Vocation to the Redeemer which is common to Elect and Reprobate to the outward communion of the Covenant or Testament of Grace which in substance from the first preaching in Paradise is the same In Administration different to wit the
God yet for our better understanding the Will is considered as the cause efficient the Decree as the effect Now whereas this word Will is taken diversly it is divers wayes distinguished by Divines to wit into the will of his good pleasure and the will of the signe into an antecedent and consequent into absolute and conditional into secret and revealed But these are not real distributions of the Divine will but distinctions only of the name For to speak properly there is in God but one only will which is called the will of his good pleasure because out of his most free good pleasure he hath decreed what shall be done It is called also his antecedent will because it had existence before any creature and from eternity with God it was established It is named also * A. R. The Schoolmen take Gods antecedent will in another sense for his velleity and they call it conditional they make his consequent will absolute and which is alwayes fulfilled the other not alwayes absolute because it depends upon Gods good pleasure and not from the things which are done in time Lastly it is called secret because in respect of priority it is known neither to men nor Angels But these things are improperly stiled by the name of Divine will which are comprehended in that ordinary verse Praecipit prohibet promittit consulit implet Commands forbids promiseth consulteth fulfilleth For as the Magistrates commands are called his will so the name of will is attributed to precepts prohibitions promises to effects also and events And this is it which is called the will of the signe because it signifieth what is acceptable to God and what he would have done by us It is also called his consequent will because it follows that eternal antecedent will And 't is a conditional will because Gods precepts prohibitions comminations and promises have the condition of obedience and disobedience annexed Lastly his revealed will because it is daily set forth in Gods word This distinction of the will is duly to be observed lest we should imagine that there are in God either really different or contrary wils III. What things are done against the will of God are not done besides his will For many things may be done against his revealed will which notwithstanding are consistent with his secret will or will of his good pleasure God by his revealed will desired not mans fall but most severely forbid it yet he did will and decree the same by the will of his good pleasure as it was a means for manifestation of his glory IV. Therefore by the decree and will of God good and evil come to passe Good by efficiencie Evil by permission V. Yet the decree or will of God is not the cause of evil or sinne although what God hath decreed necessarily comes to passe For when evil is decreed by Gods will not effecting but permitting it this decree of God is not the cause of evil neither again is the will of God the cause of evil because his decrees are without repentance and unavoidable for they come not to passe by the necessity of coaction but by the necessity of * A. R. Gods will is immutable because his substance is unchangeable and his knowledge unalterable therefore God changeth not his wil though he wils change in the creatures neither can God wil evil because it is not appetible and 't is repugnant to his nature and goodnesse immutability VI. The necessity of Gods decrees takes not away the liberty of the rational creature The reason is because there is no necessity of coaction but of immutability The fall of Adam if we look upon Gods decree came to passe necessarily In the mean while Adam sinned freely being neither commanded nor constrained nor forced or moved by God but rather most severely admonished that he may not sinne VII Nor doth this Necessity take away Contingencie in the second causes For many things are contingent in respect of the second causes which in regard of Gods decree come to passe necessarily VIII No moving or impulsive cause can be given of Gods decree except Gods most free will and good pleasure IX The chief end of Gods decree is his own glory X. Gods decree in it self is one and most simple neither is there priority or posteriority in it XI But in respect of the things which are decreed is so distinguished that in what manner or order they come to passe God is said to decree them that they should thus come to passe These are idle questions Whether God decreed this or that first Whether he first ordained the end or the means For whereas the decree of God in it self is one and a most simple action there is neither priority nor posteriority in it but it is distinguished only in regard of the things which are decreed in which respect we say that God 1. Decreed to create man 2. To bestow his Image upon him but so that it might be lost 3. To permit his fall 4. Of those who were to fall some he decreed to leave to themselves and others he appointed to raise and to save them eternally CHAP. IV. Of Predestination GOD's Decree in respect of the Creatures is either general or special The general Decree is that by which he appointed to declare the glory of his power wisdom and goodness in the creation and conservation of all things The speciall Decree called Predestination is that by which he appointed to manifest the glory of his grace mercy and justice in the Election and Reprobation of the reasonable Creatures The RULES I. Although Predestination in the minde of God be one and a most simple act yet by reason of the weakness of our understanding it is distinguished into that Predestination which decrees the end and that which decrees the means II. He that is predestinate to the end is predestinate also to the means Predestination is either of Angels or of men The Predestination of Angels is that by which God appointed to save eternally some of them in their first happiness and that in Christ their head but to leave others to themselves and to punish them eternally fOr deserting their station voluntarily this for the manifestation of the glory of his grace justice The * A. R. Predestination is a part of Divine Providence differing in this that Providence hath respect to a natural end Predestination to a supernatural man therefore being subject to Providence is also subject to Predestination Predestination of men is that by which God appointed out of the race of mankinde created to his Image but falling into sin voluntarily to save some through Christ eternally but others being left to themselves in their own misery to damn eternally and that for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy and justice The parts then of this Decree are two Election and Reprobation The RULES I. Predestination is a Decree partly absolute partly not II. It is
consisting of a reasonable soul infused into him by God immediately Here we disallow not the Philosophers definition by which they call man a reasonable creature but we describe man in the Divinity-School more fitly for our purpose as we have now described him The RULES I. There is a threefold miraculous production of mans body mentioned in Scripture the first was of the dust of the earth without father and mother the second production was out of Adams rib without a mother the third was of the blood of the Virgin without a Father II. The soul of man is not propagated of seed by traduction but is immediately created by God and infused into the body Of mans Creation Moses writes thus Gen. 2. ver 5. 7. The Lord breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul In this place three things are mentioned 1. The immediate Creation of the soul for it is called the breath of God 2. His breathing for he saith He breathed into his nostrils 3. The personal union of body and soul in these words And he was made a living soul metonymically that is a living sensitive creature But that the souls now are immediately created by God and infused into the body is proved by these subsequent Reasons 1. Because otherways our souls should have another original then Adams had for ours must proceed of some pre-existent matter whereas Adams proceeded of none Neither will that objection hold concerning the different way or reason of generation and creation for nothing is generated of matter but what in the beginning was created of matter 2. Because the soul of Christ was not formed of seed by traduction for he was conceived not by the help of man but by the operation of the holy Ghost of the blessed Virgins blood 3. Because the Scripture when it speaks of the original of our souls it speaks as of a work of Creation not of nature Job 33.4 The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life Zach. 12.1 The Lord stretcheth out the heavens and layeth the foundation of the earth and formeth the spirit of man within him where it is plain that this is reckoned among the works of Creation 4. Such is mans generation as his dissolution is but mans dissolution is that his body returns to dust and his Spirit to God that gave it Eccl. 12.9 Whereas then in mans dissolution the Spirit returns immediatly to God doubtless it was immediatly formed by him 5. Because the Scripture doth plainly distinguish between the parts of bodies and Spirits Heb. 12.2 6. Because the soul is indivisible into parts therefore cannot be produced but of nothing 7. Because if it were generated by traduction either it must be generated of a soul or of a body or of a soul and body together but it is not generated of a soul * A. R. The soul could not be produced out of any pre-existent matter neither corporeal because it is not a body nor incorporal because spirits and incorporeal substances admit no change or transmutation because of that which is incorruptible nothing can be generated not of a body because it is not corporeal not of a body soul together because so it should be partly corporeal partly incorporeal seeing then it is produced of nothing it must be produced by God alone whose alone property it is to make things of nothing III. These Physical Axiomes Like begets like and Man begets man remain true also in this case both because man begets man a person begets a person as also because by the work of the Parents the body is begot as it were the subject of the soul and so is united to the soul which is infused by God and so thus the whole man is brought into this world by generation 'T is true that man is the efficient cause of man but not according to all his parts for as he is said to kill a man that kills only his body so man is said to beget man though he begets not the soul Neither again is man in this respect ignobler then other living creatures whereas rather for this very cause mans generation is more excellent in that Gods immediate operation concurs with natures work IV. Mans soul is immortal not simply as though God could not annihilate it but by Gods ordination and that it cannot be destroyed by second causes V. The faculties of the soul are really different from the soul as qualities or proper accidents from their subject The reason of this is taken from the event because the essence of the soul remains entire when the faculties are shaken and weakned VI. The souls faculties are either meerly organicall as the vegitive and sensitive facultie or are such onely in part and for a time as the understanding and will the former operate not when the body is corrupted but these without the help of the body can exercise themselves and operate when the body is destroyed VII Libertie from coaction is an essential property of the will Otherways the will were no will CHAP. VI. Of Gods actual Providence GOds actual Providence is that by which not only he preserveth his creatures but also according to his great wisdom goodness power justice and mercy he governs all things The RULES I. To deny * A. R. For he could not bo God if he did not order things to their end but this is providence 2. He were not God if he were not good but this is seen as well in the ordering as in the creating of the World 3. He were not God if he were not prudent but providence is the chief part of prudence this Providence is to deny God himself II. Actual Providence differs from eternal as Execution from the Decree III. As in Gods eternal Providence the will of his good pleasure so in this his revealed will is chiefly seen IV. Providence doth not only consist in knowledge but also in the Government of all things both great and small V. Gods Providence takes not away but establisheth the second causes VI. What * A. R. The world were not perfect if all things were necessary nothing contingent therefore God would have contingencies to depend from contingent causes and necessities from causes necessary therefore what falls out necessarily is because God hath so disposed it things are contingent in respect of the second causes are necessary in respect of Gods providence but this necessity is of immutability not of coaction VII Gods Providence is far different from the Stoicks fatall necessity For the Stoical fate ties God to the connexion of secondary causes but the Christian fate makes a subordination of the second causes to Gods most free will of which he makes use voluntarily not of necessity out of indulgence rather then indigence VIII By Gods Providence both good and evil are governed IX Good things are ruled by an efficacious action or effectual working to which
belong the preventing concomitant and subsequent assistance of Divine Power X. Evil things are ruled by an actual permission and so they are permitted directed and determined XI Gods Providence remaineth ordered and undefiled even in those actions that are disordered and sinfull For in evil actions two things are observable the action it self and the irregularity thereof The action it self as all naturall motions is performed by Gods effectual operation but the irregularity or vitiosity comes to passe by Gods actual permission For sin is ordered 1. By permitting it 2. By determining and containing it within its bounds 3. By directing it to a good issue Now God cannot be said to be author of sin by any of these wayes Not by producing the matter of it or the natural action for as there is one cause of the horses motion another of his halting even so it is one thing to be the cause of the action another thing to be the cause of the adhering vitiosity Not by permitting the evil action because God is not forced by any law to hinder sin Not by determining it for as he who quenches a fire that it may not spread further is not the cause of the fire so he that setteth bounds to sin is not the cause of sin Not by directing it to a good end for as it is a main skill to prepare wholsom medicines out of venemous creatures so it is the glory of God to create light out of darkness and good out of evil Hence it is apparent how frivolous their device is who that they might vindicate God from any contagion of sin they flie to a bare idle permission of sin XII Although the Scripture ascribes many times the same action and the same work to God to the devil and to wicked men yet sin cannot be in any wise imputed to God In this case we must not have recourse to a bare permission but we must give an estimate of these actions according to their scope and end for in one and the same action God hath one purpose Satan another and wicked men another Jobs affliction is imputed to God God gave saith Job and God hath taken the same is ascribed to Satan to the Sabeans also and Chaldeans but according to the end we must judge of each of them It was Satans purpose to make Job despair It was the Chaldeans intent and Sabeans to enrich themselves by plundring that holy man but God determined to try and make manifest the faith of his servant So in the crucifying of Christ it was Pilates purpose to continue in the favour of Caesar and of the Jews the Jews drift was to satisfie their desire with hatred and revenge but Gods end was to redeem mankinde Hence they are said to do nothing but what the hand and counsel of God had determined Act. 4.28 XIII The hardening of the wicked is ascribed to God as a most just judgment so as God can neither be blamed as faulty nor can the wicked be excused The wicked are in this inexcusable because God only hardeneth those who harden themselves neither doth he harden the soft-hearted but in his just judgment he increaseth the hardnesse of them who were hardened before Now they harden themselvs by abusing those graces which should have softned them I. Gods long-suffering Rom. 2. v. 4 5. Or despisest thou the riches of his bounty patience and long-suffering not knowing that the bountifulnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance But thou after thy hardnesse and heart that cannot repent heapest unto thy self wrath against the day of wrath II. Gods Word 2 Cor. 2.28 For we are unto God the sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them which perish to the one we are the savour of death unto death to the other the savour of life unto life III. Gods correction and rod by which as an anvil they are made harder Jer. 5.3 Thou hast stricken them but they have not sorrowed thou hast consumed them but they have refused to receive correction they have made their faces harder then a stone and have refused to return For this reason then are they most justly hardened by God who harden themselves who so often said of Pharaoh I will hold I will make obstinate I will harden his heart For not only doth he harden by permission but also 1. By letting loose the bridle with which he held in their exorbitant lusts Rom. 1.24 He delivered them up to their own lusts v. 28. God gave them up to a reprobate mind II. By delivering them to Satan as to a hangman 1 King 22.21 22. And there came forth a Spirit who stood before the Lord and said I will perswade him to wit Achab and the Lord said to him wherewith And he said I will go forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets And he said thou shalt perswade him and prevail also go forth and do so As therefore when the Magistrate delivers over to the Hang-man a guilty person to be punished he is neither the cause of his wickednesse nor of his destruction even so when God gives up wicked men to Satan neither is the cause of their wickednesse nor of their ruine to be imputed to God CHAP. VII Of the Government of Angels GOds actual providence doth cheifly appear in the government of Angels and men This government is either of good Angels or of bad the government of good Angels is that whereby God hath established them in their original integrity and happinesse in his Son as in their head to the praise of the glory of his grace The RULES I. The good Angels of their own nature were as apt to fall as the bad II. Therefore they ought to ascribe not to themselves but to the grace of God the Father to the Son as to their head their establishment or confirmation in goodnesse III. The Son of God is the head of Angels not by right of Redemption but of creation and of that gracious union with God For they could not be endowed with the image of God nor be adopted unto Sons but onely in the Son of God Who is the image of God made visible and first born of every creature 1 Col. 15. IV. That Angel who so often appeared to the Fathers in the shape of man as a Prologue or forerunner of his Incarnation was not a created Angel but the very Son of God Gen. 18.13 The Lord said to Abraham why doth Sarah laugh Gen. 32.28 the Angel said to Jacob Thou hast prevailed with an Angel which is thus explained Hos 12.4 He prevaileth with God Jos 6. v. 14. That man whom Josuah saw said I am as a Captain of the host of the Lord and v. 15. And the Captain of the Lords host said to Joshua See Zach. 1. v. 2 3. V. Although then is no ataxie or confusion among the Angels yet it is not to be found in Scripture that they have any Prince
by Adam when he gave every creature its name according to its nature Gen. 2.20 XII The will was free indifferent to good or evil so that man might have persever'd in uprightness if he had pleased he received power if he would but not will and power There is a foursold liberty of will according to the foursold state of man In the first man the will was free to good or evil in man lapsed the will is onely free to evil In man regenerated or in the state of grace it is free from evil to good by the grace of God but imperfectly in the state of glory it shall be free from evil to good perfectly in the state of innocency he could not sin * A. R. When it is said here that in the state of misery man cannot but sin 't is not meant that man is forced to sin for he is free from compulsion both in the state of sin and of grace but he is not free from necessity for freedom and necessity may be together in the same will so it shall be in heaven when we shall necessarily yet freely will that onely which is good as the Angels do and even here the will is necessitated when it is determinated by the last act or practical judgement of reason why then may not grace in our conversion necessitate as well as reason determinate but man by his voluntary fall hath brought the necessity of sinning on himself So that with Saint Paul we do the evil which we would not do in that we have lost by the abuse of our free will both our selves and our free will in the state of misery he cannot but sin in the state of grace sin cannot reign in man in the state of glory he cannot sinne at all XIII The inferiour appetites and affections agreed with reason XIV Adam even in respect of his body was immortall but not simply as though his body being composed of the elements could not be resolved into its principles but by Divine covenant not as though it could not die but because it had a possibilitie not to die XV. Mans dominion over the inferiour creatures was not onely intire in respect of possession but milde also and gentle in respect of use and execution XVI That labour which was injoyned to Adam to keep and dresse Paradise was not toylsome but most pleasant CHAP. IX Of the fall of our first Parents the beginning of mans misery SO much concerning the government of man in the state of innocency the government of man in the state of misery is whereby God in his just judgement hath subjected man to divers miseries who of his own accord fell into sin This state of man consisteth in sin and in the miseries which follow upon sin Sin is a transgression of the Law or whatsoever is repugnant to Gods Law 1 Joh. 3.4 Under the name of Law in this place are understood both things commanded and things prohibited in the beginning proposed to man as also the law of nature printed in his heart But concerning the restoring and enlarging of the Law after the fall we are to speak in its own place The RULES I. By Sin is meant either the subject of transgression with the transgression it selfe in the concrete or the transgression alone in the abstract II. The definition of sin by thought word and deed is too narrow For so it is defined by the Pontificians but as it shall appeare afterward this definition belongs nothing to original Sin III. God cannot be called the author of sin without blasphemy IV. One and the same thing in a divers consideration may be both sin and the punishment of sin Sin is either primitive or derivative Primitive is the disobedience of our first Parents whereby they transgressed Gods commandement concerning the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil The RULES I. Neither God nor Gods Decree nor the denial of special Grace nor the permission of sin nor the stirring up of natural motion nor finally the government of that sinne were the causes of Adam and Eves transgression Not God because he most severely prohibited the eating of the fruit not his Decree because that infers a necessity only of immutability not of coaction neither doth it force any man to sin not the denyal of special Grace by which man should continue in his integrity for God was not bound to give that Grace to man which he gave him for he received possibility if he would although not a Will to that possibility not the stirring up of natural motion because motion of it self is not sin not the government of his fall because to turn evil into good is rather to be the author of good then of evil II. God did both will and nill the first Sin He nilled it so far forth as it was sin he willed and decreed it as it was a means of manifesting his glory mercy and justice III. The Procatartical or external * A. R. The direct cause of sin was mans own will the indirect cause was Satan by perswasion and suggestion For no external thing can necessarily move the will but the last end onely Satan may internally work upon the phantasie by representing forms to it and upon the appetite by moving it to passion by means of the spirits and heart But he cannot work upon the understanding and will cause was the instinct and perswasion of Satan that subtile Serpent IV. The Proegumene or internal cause was the will of man of it self indifferent to good or evil but by Satans perswasion bent to evil V. There be certain degrees of that sin by which Adam fell from God not at once but by little and little to wit 1. Incogitancie and curiosity of Evahs talking with the Serpent her husband being absent 2. Incredulity by which she began by degrees to distrust God and to give assent to Satans lies who called in question Gods good-will towards man 3. An inordinate desire to the forbidden fruit and an affection of divine glory 4. The Fact it selfe 5. The seducing of Adam and an inordinate affectation raised in him also VI. If you consider the parts of this sin you way justly call it the transgression of the whole Law of Nature For man sinned by incredulity diffidence ingratitude Idolatry whereby he fell from God and of himself indeavoured to make an Idol of himself by contemning Gods Word by Rebellion Homicide Intemperance Theft by laying hand on that which was anothers without the owners consent by assenting to false witnesse lastly by an ambitious affectation of too high an honour yea of that glory which belongs only to God whence the definition of this sin by Intemperance Ambition or Pride is too narrow VII Therefore with the blessed Apostle we rightly call this sin a transgression an offence and disobedience Rom. 5.14 18 19. VIII Adam in this businesse is to be considered not as a private but as a publique person and consequently as the Parent
head and root of all mankind IX Whatsoever therefore he received and lost he received and lost it for himself and posterity As the head contains Reason both for it selfe and the members as a Gentleman keeps or loses his Copy-hold for himself and posterity as out of a venemous root nothing can proceed that 's wholsome so all that are come of Adam naturally are born guilty of that primitive sin X. That Primitive sin therefore is not only personal but natural also because by it whole Nature is destroyed of which also Adams posterity is held gâ—ilty to wit all that are naturally sprung from Adam Christ then is excepted from this guilt for he was born of Adam but not by Adam not by natural generation but by the Vertue of the Holy Ghost XI As therefore the Person infected Nature so afterward Nature infected the Person XII We religiously believe that our first Parents were received into favour by God CHAP. X. Of Original Sinne and Free-will THat Sin which is derived from the first or primitive Sin is either original or actual original Sin is that native corruption derived into the whole man and to the whole race of man naturally descending from Adam whereby man having utterly lost his freedome to good becomes prone to evil The RULES I. This sin in Scripture is named by way of excellencie Sin and the Body of sina Sinful sin b Inhabiting sin c The law of our members d The old man e Fleshf. a Rom. 6.6 b Rom. 7.13 c Rom. 7.17 d Rom. 7.23 e Rom. 6.6 f Joh. 3.6 Gal. 5.17 II. It is called also Concupiscence Rom. 7.7 I had not known lust or concupiscence unlesse the Law had said Thou shalt not covet or lust III. Therefore the Papists do erroniously exempt it from being a sin reckoning it among the works of God By the name of Concupiscence is understood either that natural faculty of desire which was in man even before his fall or that corruption which naturally adheres to it as it is in the first act and as it inclines man onely to evil IV. The proximate cause of original sin is the guilt of the first sin in respect of which it is a most just punishment from God to wit a part of that death which God threatned to man V. Although the soule is immediately infused by God into man yet being united to the body it is made guilty presently of the first sin imparted to the whole man and therefore is infected with original contagion VI. Neither for this cause doth original sin cease to be sin in that it is not wittingly nor willingly committed for it is sufficient that the irregularity of our nature is present though spontaneousnesse be absent VII From this original sin except Christ alone no man is free not the blessed Virgin Mary Neither is it only in Infants but it is in the embryo scarce at yet conceived and before the birth and it appears still more and more as the rapacity of wolves shews it self in their whelps Psal 51.7 Behold I was born in iniquity and in sin hath my mother conceived me 2 Cor. 5.21 for he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin VIII Original sin doth consist not onely in an impotency and ineptitude to goodnesse but also in pronenesse to evill neither is it onely the amission of original good but also the immission of the contrary evil IX By Original sin our natural gifts are corrupted but supernatural are utterly lost X. The Vnderstanding remained but darkned the Will remained but depraved the inferiour Appetite remained but altogether vitiated XI Hence it is that in natural and civil actions an irregenerate man can doe no good without speciall grace XII Without this special grace no excelling thing could be performed by the Gentiles XIII Whatsoever good then that was which they did it was mixed with much vanity so that their cheif vertues were in Gods sight but glorious enormities XIV For these are not good works which are good in themselves but which are done well A work is said to be good either univocally or equivocally univocally so such a work is simply good in respect of all circumstances equivocally a work is good in it self but withall vitious either in respect of the subject or object or means or the end for if we look upon the actions of the Gentiles we shall finde rhat they aimed more at their own then at Gods glory in them XV. Although the affections of the wicked are kept in by God as with a Bit yet they are not healed XVI But supernatural gifts were utterly lost to wit a A. R. When it is said here that supernatural gifts were utterly lost is meant that Faith was utterly lost and Faith is the cheif of all supernatural gifts now that Faith was utterly lost in our first Parents is plain because they gave credit to the Serpent therefore they believed not that God was either true or omnipotent they thought to hide themselves from him therefore they believed not his omnipresence and in a manner Adam accused God for giving him the woman that made him sin and in this he lost the faith of Gods goodnesse and justice yet though man lost his Faith he did not utterly lose all other spiritual gifts for he did not utterly lose the knowledge of God nor did his posterity for that is learned by the things that are made Rom. 1.20 nor did he utterly lose the fear of God for Adam confesseth Gen. 3. that when he heard that voice of God he was afraid which Fear though servile yet it is a supernatural gift but of an inferiour rank the claritie of the intellect the rectitude of the will and the conformity of the appetite with reason XVII b A. R. When it is said here that there is no spiritual knowledge in us this must not be taken subjectively but causatively for there is knowledge in us because the soule is the subject of knowledge but this knowledge or performance of spiritual things is not of us or from us for of our selves we cannot think a good thought Again when it is said here that the principle of this knowledge is not in us the meaning is that the prime or chief principle is not in us for that is grace yet the secondary or subordinate principle of knowledge is in us and that is the minde Lastly it is said here that this principle is not in us either in act or in possibility we must not conceive that here is meant possibility passive for there is in us a power to receive spiritual knowledge when it is infused or else we are stones but here is meant an active possibility for we are not agents but patients in the first act of our Conversion so that there is no power nor possibility in us to illuminate ours own mindes or to rectifie our own wils Hence there is no principle of knowledge or performance of spirituall things in us
either in act or in possibility XVIII They seek then the house in the ashes who ascribe to an unregenerate man free-wil or other faculties by which he may doe well or prepare himself to his own conversion or to the acceptation of Gods grace For this is the errour of Pelagians and Semipelagians XIX Mans will remained free from coaction but not to good and evill XX. Yea it is free to evil onely and therefore deserves rather to be called servile then free As for the understanding the natural man comprehends not the things that are of Gods spirit 1 Cor. 2.14 If you look upon the will the imagination of mans heart is onely evil Gen. 8.21 Finally the Scripture cries out that the whole man having lost his spiritual life lieth dead in sin Eph. 2.1 Col. 2.13 XXI Although this sin is pardoned in the sanctified parents notwithstanding by generation it is transmitted to posterity The reason is because the corruption dwelling in us â— not altogether taken away by pardon although the guilâ— be done away and as faith is the gift not of generation but of regeneration so man not as he is regenerate but as man begets man even as seeds being winnowed from the ears chaff and husks doe spring up again with the same CHAP. XI of Actual Sin SO much of Original sin Actual sin is whereby Gods law is broken by thoughts desires words or deeds The RULES I. According to the diversitie of circumstances there are diverse sins II. From the efficient cause sin is either of publique or of private persons as they are in more or lesse dignity III. From the matter which are things thought desired said or done IV. From the form it is either of commission or omission V. From the end it is either of incogitancy or of affectation and against conscience and that rather of malice then of infirmity or contrarily rather of infirmity then of malice VI. From the subject it is of the soule chiefly or of the body or of both VII From the object it is either committed against God or our neighbour VIII Sin committed against God is either with a kinde of unwillingnesse or with a full desire this latter sin the scripture cals the sin against the holy Ghost and to death Matt. 11.32 1 Joh. 5.16 IX The sin against the holy Ghost or to death is when one is convicted in his conscience by the testimony of the holy Spirit resisteth notwithstanding the same spitefully wantonly and with a high-hand X. Sin against man is committed either against superiours or inferiours or equals being knit by fewer or more bands of blood affinity c. XI From the adjuncts a sin is either such of it self or by accident Such are scandals in things otherwise indifferent see Rom. 14. XII No sin of its own nature is venial or so smal as not to merit damnation By this maxime the Popish errour that some sins of themselves are venial is condemned the reason is manifest by the object and the effect for there is no sin which is not conjoined with the offence of Gods majesty XIII Yet in respect of the event to wit Christs merits and Gods favour all sins are pardonable except finall infidelity and the sin against the holy Ghost Not as though these sins were greater then Grace and Christs merit but because they resist grace and Christs merit and despise both XIV We are to judge of the degrees of other sins by the circumstances the consideration of which doth aggravate or lessen them Thus the sin of a superiour is greater then of an inferiour for sin is so much the more conspicuous by how much the more eminent he is that sinneth The sin of desire is greater then the sin of thought alone A sin committed in word and deed is greater then that which is in thought and desire sin committed with affectation is greater then that which is done of incogitancy the sin of commission is greater then oâ— omission if it be in the same kinde the sin against God is greater then against man that sin is greater which is committed against him to whom we are most beholding for favours then against another for example A sin against our Parents is greater if it be in the same kinde then against a brother a scandal against a weak brother is greater then against a stronger CHAP. XII Of the miseries which follow sin HItherto of sin now of the misery that follows upon sin This misery is either temporal or eternal both which is either corporal or spiritual The RULES I. God comprehended all mans misery under the name of death Gen. 2.27 What day thou shall eat of it to wit of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt dye the death II. There be foure degrees of this death III. The first degree is death spiritual which is the privation of spiritual life of this man being destitute he liveth onely to sin Rev. 3.1 I know thy works in that thou art said to live but thou art dead IV. The second degree is the death of affliction which is the privation of original happinesse and the inflicting of all sorts of calamities Exod. 10.17 Pray to the Lord that be would remove this death from me V. The third decree is death corporal which is the privation of this life and the resolution of the body into dust and the reversion of the soule to God Eccles 12.9 He shall return to dust from whence he came and the soule to God that gave it The soule returns to God either as to a Father or as to a just Judge and although by the bounty of Christ our death is become a passage from this life to that which is eternal yet in this place we consider it as it is in it self VI. The fourth degree is death eternal or the state of the damned which in relation to death corporal is called the second death Revel 21.8 VII We must imagine nothing of the state of the damned which is not in Scripture VIII This state consisteth in the privation of the chief good and infliction of the greatest evil IX The privation of the cheife good is whereby they are for ever excluded from the fellowship of God and of the blessed Mat. 25.41 Go ye cursed X. But the chief evil shal be a communion for ever with the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25.41 Into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil c. XI The place appointed for the damned is Hell XII But where Hell is we are not to search or enquire XIII 'T is sufficient that in Scripture it is named Gehennaa a fiery Furnaceb the place of tormentc a Prisond a bottomless pite the lake of firef burning with fire and brimstoneg a Matth. 5.22 b Mat. 13.42 c Luk. 26.28 d 1 Pet. 3.19 e Rev. 9.1 f Rev. 20.15 g Rev. 21.8 XIV In the pains of the damned we are to consider the multitude greatness and continuance XV. Their multiplicity
thing to speak an untruth another to lye for one may speak an untruth by relating other mens sayings or by speaking that which he thinks to be true but he lyeth who utters a falshood either by word or gesture or any other way purposely to deceive 3. That dissembling deceits and stratagems in war are not lies so there be not perfidiousnesse and perjury joyned The distinction of lyes into officious jocond and pernicious shewes only this that one lye is more grievous then another however no lye is excusable but by all means must be avoided both because it is most severely forbid by God who is truth it selfe Zach. 8.16 as also because it is a diabolical sin Joh. 8.44 to whom the punishment must be added that is prepared for liars Psal 5.6 Thou wilt destroy them that speake lies d A false witnesse is made either out of the place and time of judicature or in judgement by the Judge or by the parties in suite or by the Lawyers or by the witnesses Concerning which God hath made a most severe Law Deut. 19.16 c. If a false witnesse rise up against any man testifie against him that which is wrong then both the men between whom the controversie is shall stand before the Lord before the Priests and Judges that shall be in those dayes and the Judges shall make diligent inquisition and behold if the witnesse shall be a false witnesse and hath testified falsly against his brother then shall ye do to him as he thought to have done to his brother c. Sincerity is a vertue whereby we deale plainly and ingenuously with our neighbour acknowledging Gods gifts in him a taking in good part his sayings and doings b not giving rash credit to doubtful evils in him c but concealing his known evils d or making the best construction of them e a Phil. 2.3 In lowlinesse of mind let each esteeme others better then themselves b 1 Cor. 13.7 Charity beleeveth all things hopeth all things c 1 Cor. 13.5 Charity thinks not evil d Prov. 10.12 Hatred stirreth up strife but love covereth all sins e Mat. 7.1 Judge not lest ye be judged c. To this divers sins are opposite to wit evil suspicions a curiosity in prying into our neighbours faults not out of any desire to amend them but to calumniate b calumnies â—â—â—sâ—lves c and flattery d a 1 Tim. 6.4 Whereof commeth envy strife railings evil surmisings c. examples are in Eli 1 Sam. 2. in Saul 1 Sam. 22. in Hanon and his Courtiers 2 Sam. 10. in the people of Malta Act. 28. b Luk. 6.41 What doest thou seek the moat that is in thy brothers eye but doest not observe the beam that is in thine own eye c Calumnies arise either by spreading lies of our neighbour Exod. 23.1 Thou shalt not raise a false report put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witnesse or by making a malicious construction of our neighbours words and deeds Matt. 26.61 This fellow said I can destroy the temple of God and raise it up again in three daies or by speaking the truth but purposely to hurt our neighbour 1 Sam. 22.9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite which was set over Sauls servants and said I saw the son of Jesse comming to Nob to Abimelech the son of Ahitub and he enquired of the Lord for him and he gave him victuals and the sword of Goliah the Philistine Basil saith well that a calumniator hurts three persons at one time for he wrongs the party whom he calumniates he wrongs the hearers by possessing them with a lye and he wounds his own conscience So Bernard to the same purpose saith The calumniator or backbiter and the hearer both of them have the Devil the one in his tongue the other in his ears d Prov. 27.6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitfull To Truth and Sincerity as to the cheife vertues are subservient Faith Gravitie Silence Gentlenesse Courtesie and Freedom of speech Faith or fidelity is a constancy in our words and deeds This is called sincerity Eph. 4.15 Carrying your selves sincerely in love for so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is translated by the best Interpreters To this is opposite the double tongue when a man speakes one thing and thinks or doth an other a Imprudent simplicity when a thing is rashly promised before the matter be sufficiently tried b also counterfeit simplicity and fidelity c a Psal 12.2 Truth hath sailed amongst the children of men they speak vanity one to an other they flatter with their tongues and dissemble with a double heart b Matt. 26.35 Peter saith to him although I die with thee yet will I not deny thee in like manner said all the Disciples c Mat. 2.8 Make enquiry after the child and when you have found him let me know that I may come and worship him also Gravity is which uttereth nothing but what is well weighed savoring of Christian wisdome and tending to edification Col. 4.6 Let your speech be seasoned with grace and salt that you may know how to answer every man Opposite to this is idle pratling a foolish speaking b and counterfeit gravity c a See a notable place for bridling the tongue Jam. 3.2 c. b Ephes 4.19 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth c 1 Cor. 2. And brethren when I came unto you I came not with entising words Silence is a vertue which faithfully conceals secrets committed to it Matt. 18.15 But if thy brother trespasse against thee go and reprove him between thee and him alone To this is opposite Perfidiousnesse whereby secrets are revealed a and naughty silence whereby things are concealed that should not be concealed b a Prov. 11.13 He that goeth about as a slanderer discovereth a secret but he that is of a faithfull heart concealeth the matter This vertue becomes all men but chiefly Ministers least the secrets committed to their breast be rashly divulged except they be such secrets as may tend to the hurt of the Church or State for in that case greater regard must be had of unity then of one man b 2 King 7.7 Then said the one to the other we doe not well this is a day of good tidings and doe we hold our peace Gentlenesse is a vertue whereby we shew our selves affable 1 Pet. 3.8 Finally be ye all of one minde one suffer with another love as brethren be pittiful be courteous To this is opposite Peevishnesse a and counterfeit gentlenesse b a Luc. 18.3 4. And there was a certain Widow in that town which came to the Judge saying doe me justice against mine adversary but he would not for a time b 2 Sam. 15.3 4 c. Then Absolom said to him see thy matters are good and righteous but there is no man deputed of the King to hear thee Absolom said moreover O that I were made Iudge in the land that every man which hath any
is a sensitive creature but the latter as he is man But by Philosophers it is taken more strictly so that they reduce the inferior appetites to the concupiscible faculty but the affections to the irascible Ordered appetites are whereby man desires meat drink rest sleep and such like moderately and to the end appointed by God 1 Tim. 5.23 Drink no longer water but use a little wine for thy stomacks sake and often infirmities To this is opposite Inordinate appetite whereby more is desired then nature or Gods ordination do require or for another end then that to which God hath ordained natural things lawful Rom. 13.13 Not in surfeting and drunkennesse not in chambering and wantonnesse The chief affections are Love Hatred Joy Sadnesse Hope Fear and Anger Ordered Love is whereby we sincerely love our neighbour and desire the things that be good fair and of good report Rom. 12.9 Let love be without dissimulation abhor that which is evil cleave to that which is good Phil. 4.8 Whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise thinke on these things To this is opposite the too much love of our neighbour a selfe-love b impure love c and the love of this world d a 1 Sam. 2.29 Thou hast honoured thy sonnes above me b 2 Tim. 3.2 Men will be lovers of themselves c Prov. 6.25 Desire not her beauty neither let her eye-lids intice thee d 1 Joh. 2.15 Love not the world c. And v. 16. Because whatsoever is in the world the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father but of the world Ordered hatred is whereby we onely hate those who hate God a in other men and in our selves we hate not the person but by all meanes we hate and avoid the sinne b a Psal 139.21 Do not I hate them O Lord that hate thee b Mat. 18.15 If thy brother offend thee reprove him between thee and him alone c. Rom. 7.19 For I do not the good which I would but the evil which I would not do that do I To this is opposite the unjust hatred of our neighbour a and the hatred of good men b a 1 Joh. 3.15 Whosoever hateth his brother as a murtherer b Psal 41.5 My enimies said of me when shall he die c. Ordered joy is whereby man rejoyceth moderately for his own prosperity a and heartily for his neighbours felicity b a Psal 30.12 Thou hast turned my mourning into joy b Rom. 12.15 Rejoyce with them that rejoyce To this is opposite carnal and immoderate joy a also rejoycing at our neighbours misfortunes b a Luke 6.25 Woe to you that now laugh for you shall weepe and mourne b Prov. 24.17 Rejoyce not at thy enemies fall Ordered sadnesse or sorrow is whereby we moderately bemoane our own afflictions a and heartily condole our neighbours calamities b a Jam. 5.13 If any amongst you be afflicted let him pray b Rom. 12.15 Mourne with those that mourne To this immoderate sadnesse is opposite a sadnesse also for our neighbours prosperity b and too much sadnesse when wicked men are punished c a Prov. 17.22 A merry heart doth good like a medicine but a broken Spirit dryeth the bones b Mat. 20.15 Is thine eye evil because I am good c 1 Sam. 16.1 How long wilt thou mourn for Saul seeing I have rejected him Ordered hope is whereby we expect better things for our selves and by the law of charity also for our neighbours Of hope as it is a vertue we have spoken before 1 Cor. 13.7 Love suffereth all things believeth all things hopeth all things To this is opposite disordered hope when we place more trust in our selves and neighbours then is fit Jer. 17.5 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man Ordered fear is whereby we walk carefully neither trusting too much our selves nor others Prov. 14.8 The wisdome of the prudent is to understand his way To this is opposite disordered feare whereby man feares himselfe and others too much Mat. 10.28 Feare not them that can kill the body c. Ordered anger is whereby we are offended ordispleased with our selves and others upon just cause yet moderately and with hope of amending Eph. 4.26 Be angry but slane not To this is opposite inordinate anger whereby we are incensed upon light causes or more then is fit or when we intend private revenge Jam. 1.20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousnesse of God So much of the ordering of concupiscence Wrestling against tentations and the assaults of an evil conscience is whereby a Christian man denies an evil conscience crucifying his flesh with the lusts thereof and against the assaults of the flesh the devil and the world watcheth and stoutly fighteth There are many reasons that induce us to wrestle stoutly 1. Because the Scripture forbids evil desires and lusts Pro. 6.25 1 Cor. 10.6 Gal. 5.6 26. Col. 3.5 1. 1 Thes 4.5 2. Because he that is given to lusts loves not God 1 Joh. 2.15 16. 3. Because lusts in regenerate men are hateful Gal. 5.16 17. 4. Because they inconse God to anger Col. 3.5 6. 5. Because the Apostle furnisheth us with the whole armour of God against them Eph. 6. Invisible lusts are overcome by us saith Austin 6. Because the fire of lusts is most hurtful and breaks out into most sad events the Scripture is full of examples there was never yet any sin committed which did not spring from evil lust To this is opposite carnal security whereby man flatters his own flesh whereby he willingly entertaineth lusts whereby he gives himself to idlenesse or sloth which is the devils cushion whereby he omits holy exercises whereby he burdens his soule with intemperance covetousnesse and such like Vices There are three degrees of our wrestling against lusts to wit against suggestion delight and assent To understand these degrees that of James helps c. 1. 14 c. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sinne and sinne when it is finished bringeth forth death We must then first resist suggestions and thoughts which are either ascending from the fewel of concupiscence or descending being suggested elsewhere the first are not without sinne the latter are not sinnes being cast in by Satan if so be we let them passe and entertain them not We cannot avoid the first degree let us shun the second lest we come to cherish evil thoughts with delight but we must chiefly beware of the third degree that we give not our assent for the more we obey the sinne of concupiscence the more it increaseth Which that we may more and more avoid we beseech God the Father in his Sonne through the Holy Ghost to which one God in Trinity be praise honour and glory for ever and ever Amen FINIS A TABLE