foundation before wee either raise the walls or cover it with the Roofe so this Text being the foundation roote or spring of our insuing discourse it is necessary for the better supporting and also conceiving of that which follows clearly to open it or take it in peeces that every part may bee viewed severally Ans. The whole frame or substance of the text being a generall Proclamation of VVarre even of its owne accord falls or empties it selfe into ten parts And they especially leade us to consider these particulars Viz. The Thing proclaimed The Author proclaiming The Captains Souldiers between whom The Cause why The End wherefore The Time when The Manner how The Place where The Continuance The Issue effects Quest. The whole being thus let fall into parts let us take up each severall in order and view it And first tell me what is intimated by this Enmity which is here proclamed Ans. By Enmity is ment a bitter inveterate irreconsiliable and endlesse hatred and devision opposite to that amity and familiarity which formerly had been betweene the Woman and the Serpent Breifly it is the very gall of the Prince of darkenesse Quest. Who was the Author and proclamor of it Ans. The Authour and principall efficient of it is God himselfe for it we looke a little backe to the preceding verse wee shall see that this I is Iehovah the eternall God and Lord of Hosts Quest. Betweene whom was this Enmity proclamed Ans. Between the Serpent and his seed on the one side and the woman and her seed on the other Quest. What is meant by the Serpent and his seede Ans. By the Serpent wee are to understand Sathan who opened the Serpents mouth and caused it to speake with mans voyce as the Lord by an Angell opened the mouth of Balaams Asse Num. 22. Secondly by the Serpents seede is ment the whole Generation of wicked men as interpreters conclude generally and other Scriptures make cleare calling them Serpents Generations of vipers and Children of the Divell Mat. 23.33 Iohn 8.44 and 1 Iohn 3.10 yea when Sathan by seducing Adam to breake Gods law in eating the forbidden fruite had deformed him after his own Image as God had formed him after his hee intituled all his heires to that name the seede of the Serpent Iohn 8.44 of which more hereafter Quest. What is meant by the woman and her seed Ans. By the woman is meant Eve by her seede wee are to understand first and cheifely Christ the singular seede who was so the seed of the woman as that hee was not of the Man Gal. 4.4 being borne of a Virgin Esay 7.14 Secondly it implyeth all the elect his members who are not only Eves seede as she was the Mother of all liveing by nature but by faith also as else where they are called the seed or children of Abraham Gal. 3.29 Quest. What may bee gathered from these tearmes thus explicated and what instructions afford they Ans. 1. That there was a twofold Kingdom set up in this world A Kingdome of darkenesse of sinne and of misery and a Kingdome of light of holinesse and of happinesse the King and cheife Commander of the one being Sathan the Prince of darkenesse the God of this world that is of all wicked men in this World And cheife of evill spirits his subjects all the sons of Adam without exception or exemption of any even the Elect before calling and Regeneration and the reprobate without limitation And the King of the other being Christ called in scripture the wonderfull Councellor the mighty God the everlasting Father and Prince of peace the Lord of Lords and King of Kings Isa. 9.6 Rev. 17.14 who is also the chief of men even the chief son of man His Subjects the godly alone by which I understand so many of the Elect as are regenerate though indeed wee have all received our presse-money in baptisme and ought every one according to our ingagement maintain this fight against the Devil and the World 2. That Sathan hath more Subjects thâ—n any Emperor in the world yea more men to serve and fight for him thâ—n the Trinity which made us that the little handfull of the Church is invironed and besieged with a numberless Multitude of deadly Enemies All the Armadoes and Troopes of Devills all the Companies of the wicked all the forces and powers of Hell have bent their Bowes and made ready their Arrowes that they may privily shoote at the righteous who are the only marke of their malice and white at which they levell Psa. 11.2 I confesse among us Christians Christ is the subject of all tongues Oh that hee were the object of all hearts but whereas the Schoole disputes of him the Pulpit preaches of him Hipocrites talk of him time servers make use of him Polititians pretend him Profane men swear by him Civill honest men persecute him Millions professe him few love him few serve him few care to honour him Godly men even amongst us Christians are like timber Trees in a wood here one and there one yea it is to bee feared that as once in Israel a thousand followed Baal for one that followed God So now in England many serve the world and the flesh and the Devill for one that truely serves God in sincerity truth and holinesse 3 If our Enemies are so many in number so great in might in malice in experience and cunning as from hence wee are informed yea if wee have Enemies inferiour as wicked men exterior as the world interior as the flesh superiour as the Devill it behooves us not to trust to our owne strength Hercules himselfe could not coape with two adversaries at once but to implore the assistance of Almighty God and Christ our Captaine whose weakenesse was too strong for all their power and might the which beeing done feare not a strong Enemie against thee seeing thou hast a stronger friend with thee SECT 7. Quest. WHat collect you in particular from those words I will put Enmity c. Ans. This shewes the stabillity and certainty of it for with God neither doth his word disagree from his intention because hee is truth it selfe nor his deede from his word because hee is power it selfe God is not as man that hee should lye neither as the Sonne of man that he should repent Hath hee said I will put enmity and shall be not do it Or hath he spoaken the word and shall not hee accomplish it Numb 23.19 Heaven and Earth shall passe away but one jott or tittle of â—is word shall not passe til all bee fulfilled Mat. 5.18 Quest. What instruction affords this Ans. 1 That to be without reproaches or persecutions wee may rather wish then hope for what peace can we looke for betweene the seede of the woman and the seede of the Serpent seeing God himselfe from the beginniâ—g hath set them at Enmity yea once to expect it were
malitious enemies to his Crosse Phil. 3.18 No God hath promised to shew mercy unto thousands of them that love him keep his cōmandments Exod. 20.5 6. And to forgive the most unrighteous if they will forsake their evill wayes and returne unto him Isay 55.7 And Christ hath made a generall Proclamation that whosoever have they formerly been never so wicked and vicious shall repent and beleeve and obey the Gospell shall be saved Marke 16.16 Heb. 5.9 But withall Christ hath no lesse told us and I pray marke it that except we repent and beleeve we shall for ever perish and bee damned Marke 16.16 Luke 13.3 5. and threatned that hee will come the second time in flaming fire to render vengeance unto them that know him not and that obey not his Gospell 2 Thess. 1.7.8 Psalm 11.6 Adding that no unrighteous persons shall inherit the Kingdome of God but shall have their part and portion in that Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Gal. 5.21 Revel 21.8 And that without holinesse no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 and God no lesse tels us that hee will recompence every man according to his workes be they good or evill Revel 20.13 and 22.12 Rom. 2.6 Jer. 25.14 and 32.19 and 50.29 and 51.56 Ezek. 7.4.8 9. and 9.10 and 11.21 and 16.43 Yea hee tels us expresly that he will not be mercifull unto such as flatter themselves in an evill way but that his wrath and jealousie shall smoake against them and every curse that is written in his booke shall light upon them c. Deut. 29.19 20. And that if we will not regard nor hearken unto him when he calls upon us for repentance he will not hear nor regard us when in our distresse and anguish we shall call upon him for mercy but even laugh at our destruction and mocke when our fear commeth Prov. 1.24 to 33. Neither is salvation more promised to the godly in any part of the Bible Old Testament or New than eternall death and destruction is threatned to the wicked For though to all repentant sinners he is a most mercifull God yet to wilfull and impenitent sinners he is a consuming fire Heb. 12.29 Deut. 4.24 Doe you indeed beleeve that hee who is truth it selfe speakes as hee meanes in his word Or will you hearken to God and Christ rather than to Satan and your deceitfull Heart that would gull you of your soule and plunge you into everlasting horror If so take notice that Christ came not to be a Patron for sin but that he might destroy the body of sin and the workes of the Devill in us 1 Iohn 3.8 and to sanctifie as well as to save us Rom. 6.5 6. Titus 2.11 12 14. Luke 1.74 75. And that the very end of Gods electing and of Christs redeeming us was that we might be holy Ephe. 1.4 Matth. 19.17 And therefore hee binds it with an oath That whomsoever he redeemeth out of the hands of their spirituall enemies they shall worship him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of their lives Luke 1.73 74 75. 1 Pet. 2.24 Nor ought any indeed to call upon Christ or once to name him with their mouthes except they depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2 1◠And this do all that are spirituall 1 Cor. 2.14 15. Such as resolve to doe Gods will Psalm 111.10 to whom alone Christ reveales himselfe savingly Iohn 15.14 15. 1 Iohn 2.20 know that if you were Christians indeede as you say you are you would immitate Christ and indeavour to square your lives according to his Gospell 1 Iohn 2.4 5 6. Iohn 15.14 15. Or if you were Gods servants you would doe what hee commands 1 Iohn 1.6 7. Mall 1.6 Ier. 7.23 and 26.13 But certainly as Linacre said long since so may I now Either the New Testament is none of Christ's Gospell or you are not Christians Iohn 8.31 Gal. 5.24 1 Iohn 5.3 And so of the Old either it is none of God's word or you are none of his servants As marke what the Holy Ghost saith Rom. 6. Know ye not that to whom ye yeeld your selves as servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey v. 16. to 23. 2 Pet. 2.19 And 2 Cor. 5. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature v. 17.2 Tim. 2.19 and our saviour himself who affirmes that wee are the Children of the Devill if wee doe the workes of the Devill Iohn 8.34 44. Luke 14.26 And what worke or service can the Devil put you upon like this which both blockes up the way to heaven so and opens such a flood-gate to all prophanesse that few or scarse any doe sufficiently discerne and deplore But that Satan is your Father your King and your God and how you advance his Kingdom by your daily scoffs reproaches c. 1 in detaining many from entering into a Religious course 2 in staggering many Who have made some progresse in the way 3 in keeping many From doing the good which they would or appearing the same which they are 4 in beating many Cleane off from their profession 5 in hardening many And making them resolve against goodnesse 6 in intentionally slaying many With death eternall the insuing pages sufficiently shew Onely I would if it were possible make your selves acknowledge that you are the men there spoken of For though all experiensed Christians know and God in his word tels you plainely that Satan is the God of all unbeleevers 2 Cor. 4.4 And their King Iohn 14.30 and 12.31 And their Father Gen. 3.15 Iohn 8.44 And that they are all his Servants kept by the Devill in a snare and taken captive of him at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 And that hee ruleth by and worketh his pleasure in all the children of disobedience Ephe. 2.2 3. Yet poore soules you know it not as those foure hundred of Ahabs Prophets in whom this evill spirit spake did not know that Satan spake by them 1 Kings 22.22 Neither did Iudas know when he eate the sop that Sathan entred into him and put it into his heart to betray Christ Iohn 13.2 For hee had more plausible ends in it as thinking that Christ could at pleasure deliver himselfe out of their hands and the like Neither do Magistrates when they cast the servants of God into prison once imagine that the Devill makes them his Jaylors but hee doth so whence that phrase of the Holy Ghost The Devill shall cast some of you into prison Rev. 2.10 They are his instruments but hee is the principall Author Neither did Ananias and Saphira once thinke that Satan had filled their hearts or put that lye into their mouthes which they were strooke dead for Acts 5. yet the Holy ghost tels us plainly that hee did so ver 3. No Eve in Paradise had not the least suspision that it was Sathan that spake to her by the Serpent nor Adam that
conjectured that God would inable mee to discover and sound this depth of malice in Sathan his adherents which makes them so swel and rage against the godly And thereby so convince the one that they should not dare to pervert the straight wayes of the Lord by turning away the weake from the faith And so furnish the other with Armour of proof against their scornes that they might see there was no cause nor have the least thought or purpose of returning For the effecting whereof I have not beene sparing in either paines or prayer to God for divine aâ—sistance it being a subject that none as I conceive have hitherto handled which I found extended to me blessed bee his holy name beyond my expectation Indeed we may speake to the eare but God alone hath the key of the heart Acts 16.14 To whose blessing I leave the successe and its use to the world Humbly beseeching the Almighty that these lines may not rise up in judgement against those Hazaells that have read them and are never the better And so instead of curing their sinne prove a meanes to increase their torment R. Y. An Alphabeticall Table both for the Book and for the Advertisement A. ACtions our best actions abominable except they proceed from right ends and a heart sanctified Advertisement Aa Accuse wicked accuse the godly of many things but prove nothing Page 68 They will coyne matter to accuse us 70 They dazle mens eyes with false accusations 73 And have a great advantage therein of the godly 63 They have so hardened their hearts that we were as good admonish a stone Ad. Ee Adversities distinction of them 27 Agree impossible the good and bad should ever agree 132 Carnall men can agree with any so they be not religious 133 Though they differ in other things they will agree against the godly 133 Agreement in some points doth but advance hatred the more 136 Anthipathy a secret enmity and antipathy between the wicked and the godly 2 Look enmity All means ineffectuall for want of application Ad. A. B Want of application the cause of all impiety Ad. A. B.Z What chiefly concernes us wee apply to others Ad. A. Z The most prophane can apply the promises which belong only to such as suffer for well-doing Ad. D Hard to say whether their applying the promises or not applying the precepts and threats doth most occasion their finall impenitency Ad. E Assitance divine assistance in time of triall 192 Atheisme fruits of it wherewith the lands abounds Look unbeleef 23 Atheists on earth none in hell 214 Fire and brimstone shall confute all Atheists 219 The most grounded Atheisme hath a mixture of beleefe 215.217 Atheists would give all they have to bee sure there were no bell 216 Their convicted consciences shall be witnesses against their unbeleefe 218 None so confirmed in Atheisme but will feare in time of danger 211 At least on their death beds they confesse a God 212 B. Beliefe unbeliefe a cause of persecuting us 202 Proved by testimonies ibid. By examples ib. By experience 204 Men think they believe but do not ib. Evidences of mens unbeliefe 205 A carnall heart flint to God wax to Satan 221 That most men believe not an hell proved undeniably 226 Did men believe the word or a judgement to come they durst not live as they doe 208.226 Carnall men believe the promises but neither the precepts nor threats 222 All men apt enough to presume upon Gods mercy 220. Ad. D All true believers the children of God 131 All unbelievers children of the divell ib. Sathan the God King and father of all unbelievers Ad. K Admonition to beware before it proves too late 230 All that hath or can be spoken will prove fruitlesse except Gods blessing doe accompany it Ad. Hh Bruising the head what is meant by it 32. And what by bruising the heele 33. Byble Gen. 3.15 an epitomy of it 35 C Causes of hatred and persecution eleven 127.239 Censure they censure our actions and misconsture our intentions 64 They passe over our good parts 69 Look murmuring To censure all for the faults of a few is only the part of a fool 148 But most are such fooles and beasts ib. If Christians we will imitate Christ if Gods servants we will doe what he commands Ad. H Christians if a tithe of them be Christians that are so called there are millions of Christians in hell 232 They combine together and lay divelish plots to destroy the godly 105 They will easily finde occasion 107 Our serving of God shall be ground sufficient 108 Or a Ministers saving of soules ibid. The manner of their consultations 106 Would we accompany them in evill their malice would cease 144 They condemne us that themselves may be justified 66. Look judging Means to confirm comfort and strengthen us against the worlds hatred 12 To consider before it prove too laâ—e 214 They will make an evill construction of whatsoever we doe or speake 6 Constancy such as feare God as immoveable as a rock 253. Looke profession They contemne the godly which is not for want of ignorance 56 Contempt of Religion makes many resolve against goodnesse 6 Contrariety a maine cause of hatred and persecution 130 They are contrary and differ 1. In their judgements touching Wisdome Happinesse Fortitude Sin Holinesse 138 2. In their passions and affections of Love Feare Anger Ioy c. 139 3. In their practice and this breeds many a quarrell 139 Sufficient hath been spoken to convince the most malicious Ad. B They give devilish counsell against us 72 Miserable condition of cowardly Christians 4 Christ and his crosse inseparable 10 They use to curse the godly 87 And those that least deserve the same 90 Curse us that they may discourage us ib. Though they curse yet God will blesse 91 How miserably cursers shall bee cursed 91 They that curse us would kill us if they durst 89 D. Of denying Christ a memorable example 5. Look profession Foule mouthed men and women are devills in Scripture phrase 83 Good men may differ in many things yet agree in the maine 157 A vast difference betweene another discipline and another doctrine 158 Discretion eats up devotion 156 Wicked men thinke they grace themselves by disgracing others 79 How fitly they are called dogs 81 E. An enmity or war proclaimed betweene the wicked and godly 15 The author proclayming ib. The Captaines and souldiers betweene whom 16 Severall uses of instruction 17 The certainty of this war 20 Foure lessons of instruction 21 The end why threefold 23 God the author without being the author of sin 24 Of which sundry reasons ibid. The same further cleared 26 Originall sin the originall of this discord 23 The time threefold 28 Vse of comfort 29 The manner of their venting it 30 The place threefold ibid. What will be the issue and who shall get victory 32 This war is perpetuall 28 It was before the flood 40 After the
Scribes and Pharisees Yea though Ahab be told from the Lord that if he go to War he shall perish yet be goeth and speeds accordingly SECT 4. Quest. BVt how should weak Christians know the mystery of this iniquity shake off this slavish yoke of bondage and feare in which Satan for the present holds them Answ. Search the Scriptures and they will so cleare your judgement and cure your Prejudice that in some measure you shall be enabled to quench those fiery darts Ephes. 6.16 I meane the reproaches of those evill tongues which are set on fire from Hell Iames 3.6 for Virgil most excellently and profoundly couples the knowledge of cause and the conquest of all feares together First for the informing of your judgement our Saviour Christ and his Apostles hath abundantly foretold the same Of a multitude of predictions I 'le only instance three or foure All that will live godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution 2. Tim. 3.12 Not some but all and what all but even all that will live godly Now methinkes if there were no other texts in the Bible but this one it were omnisufficient to take away Prejudice and wonder touching the Worlds hatred and calumny but the Scriptures are full of the like Ye shall be hated of all men and Nations saith our Saviour for my names sake Math. 10.22 24.9 Not of a few but of all Men and Nations that is all naturall men or the greatest part of men in all Countries and Nations yea and for no other cause but for professing of Christs Name Neither is Christ a signe to be spoken against of many in Babylon or Assyria but of many in Israel Luke 2.34 where Religion is profest publickly Yea when sincerity is wanting the nearer the line with any opposition the greater Eclips The Gadereans but besought Christ to depart his own Country men drave him out and cast him down headlong Luk 4.29 Yea who was his greatest enemy but his greatest friend even one of his houshold-Chaplains And who but Ieremies familiars watched for his haulting Againe saith our Saviour The servant is not above his Master Iohn 15.20 But Christ having suffered so much if we should rest the Servant were above his Master which were senslesse to thinke For could not his wisdome innocency and holinesse fence him from these scornes and can thine fence thee Besides that ancient prediction must bee fulfilled I will put emnity between the seed of the Serpent and the seede of the Woman Gen. 3.15 But if there bee no war betweene the men of the World and the children of God if they should not hate and persecute us this Prediction were not fulfilled Yea all the former predictions of Christ and many that I omit should bee false which were blasphemy once to thinke Wherefore marvell not my bretheren though the world hate you as Saint Iohn speakes 1 Iohn 3.13 Neither count it strange as Saint Peter hath it concerning the fiery tryall which is among you to prove you as though some strange thing were come unto you 1 Pet. 4.12 for Christ and his crosse are unseparable Luke 14.27 Whence that definition of Luther that a Christian is a crosse-bearer Againe search the whole Bible over and you shall not finde one holy man mentioned without mention of something hee suffered from ungodly men as it were easie to instance how Abel Lot Noah Righteous men Abraham the Father of the faithfull Isaac Iacob Ioseph Patriarches and Fathers of the Church meek Moses upright Samâ—â—l holy David wise Solomon all the Lords Priests Prophets Apostles yea the harmlesse Babes and our Saviour Christ himselfe did severally suffer from wicked and ungodly men yea never man came to Heaven but first hee passed through this Purgatory God had one Sonne without sinne but never any one without suffering which makes our Saviour say Woe be to you when all men speake well of you that is when evill men speake well of you for so did the Iews of the false Prophets Luke 6.26 Whereas hee pronounceth them blessed which heare ill for well doing Mat. 5.11 Which leads mee to the second point SECT 5. SEcondly For Scriptures to confirme comfort and strengthen weake Christians against the worlds hatred and calumny these would be applyed which follow Blessed are they saith our Saviour which suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5.10 And againe Bâ—essed are yee when men shall revile you and persecute you anâ— say all manner of evill against you falsly for my sake rejoyce and bee exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you ver 11.12 And Saint Peter Rejoyce inasmuch as yee are partakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed yee may bee glad also with exceeding joy for if yee be reproached for the name of Christ happy are yee for the spirit of glory and of Goâ— resteth upon you Which on their part is evill spoken off but on your part is gloryfied 1 Pet. 4.12 13 14. Loe here is reward enough for all that men or divills can do against us And what will not men undergoe so their reward may be answerable This hath made thousands even ambitious to imbrace the flames Your cruelty is our glory said the Martyrs in Tertullians time to their persecutors for the harder wee are put to it the greater shall our reward bee in heaven It is to my losse said Gordius the Martyer if you bate mee any thing of my sufferings But yet further what saith Saint Paul In nothing feare your adversaries whose malice is to them a token of perdition but to you of salvation and that of God Phil. 1 28. Yea in the same Chapter ver 29. He preferreth the gift of suffering before the gift of beleeving And in his Epistle to the Church of Thessalonica peremptorily concludeth that they are elect of God from this ground That they received the word in much affliction with joy in the holy Ghost They that dwell where Sathans seate is holding fast Christs name without denying his faith are Protestants indeed Revel 2.13 Examine these Scriptures againe and againe for every word of them is ponderous and consider of whom and by whom they were spoken then certainly thou wilt confess that if their be any Nectar in this life 't is in sorrows wee indure for Righteousnesse And methinks when I heare goodnesse calumniated I beare it the easier because the servants of vice do it SECT 6 Quest. WHat is the original ground of the worlds hatred Ans. That Proclamation which God himselfe made in Paradise Gen. 3.15 where hee saith unto the Serpent I will put enmity between thee and the woman and betweene thy seedâ— and her seed hee or it shall bruise thine head and thou shalt bruise his heele Quest. As to the building of an house it is needfull first to lay a good
suffer little but the lash of evill tongues but were wicked mens powers answerable to their wils and malice they would deliver us up to be afflicted put us out of the Synagogues excommunicate and kill us as our Saviour shewes Iohn 16.2.33 and Mat. 24.9 Yea their enmity and hatred would be so virulent and bitter that the brother would betray the brother to death the Father the Son and the Children would rise up against their Parents and cause them to dye the kinsman against the kinsman and the friend against the friend only for professing Christs name being religious as himselfe affirmes Math. 10.34 35 36. Luke 21.16.17 Neither is it strange for this was one of the endes of Christs comming into the World as appeares Mat. 10.34.35 where himselfe saith Think not that I am come to send Peace but the sword meaning between the seed of the Serpent the Seed of the Woman for I am come to set a man at variance against his Father the daughter-in-Law against the Mother-in-Law and a mans enemies shall be they of his owne houshold Luke 12.51 52 53. Neither want we precedents of this For by whom was upright Abel persecuted and slain but by his owne brother Caine Who scoffed at righteous Noah but his owne son Cham By whom was that vertuous and religious Lady Barbara put to death for imbracing the Christian Faith but by her owne Father Dioscorus Who made Serena the Empresse a Martyr for her faith in Christ but her owne Husband Dioclesian Who helped to burne Bradford but Bourne whose life he had formerly saved And lastly by whom was our Saviour Christ betrayed bu◠by his owne Disciple Iudas SECT 21. 8. FOr the time to come As this strife and enmity in the wicked against the Godly was early in its entrance taking its first being in the beginning of time and hath constantly continued hitherto so it will be long in continuance and endure to the end of time as the Scripture shewes Yea the last remnants of time are likely to have the most of it because as in them love shall wax cold Math. 24.12 so as love groweth cold contention groweth hot More expresly the Holy Ghost foretels That in the last dayes shall come such perilous times that all who will live godly shall suffer persecution and that toward the end of the World there shall be scoffers false accusers cursed speakers fierce despisers of them that be good such as shall turne the grace of God into wantonnesse and deny God the only Lord and our Lord Iesus Christ And being fleshly not having the Spirit they shall speak evill of the things which they know not And whatsoever things they know naturally as bruit beasts which are without reason in those things they shall corrupt themselves And that many shall follow their damnable wayes whereby the way of truth shall be evill spoken off And that as Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses so these also shall resist the truth being men of corrupt mindes reprobate concerning the Faith being before of old ordained to condemnation 2 Tim. 3.1 to 13. 2. Pet. 2.2 3.3 Iude 4.10 16 18 19. And so much of the continuance Now to wind up with a word of Application If it be so that all the Godly that have gone before us have been envyed hated traduced nick-named and persecuted by wicked men and all that come after us shall be let no particular member of the Church look to faire better then the whole body we see the Patriarchs went this way the Prophets this way the Apostles this way the Martyrs this way this way went all the Saints and servants of God and do we look for an easier way Yea if the dearest of Gods Children in former ages have suffered so much for Christ beene put to such cruell deaths and torments for keeping of a good conscience let us praise the Lord who hath dealt with us farre otherwise and pray for good Magistrates to whom next under God we owe the thanks Yea if our Fore-fathers so willingly underwent those fiery tryals let none for shame shrink-under the burthen of an aiery tryall only 2. If the brother persecute the brother the son the Father the Parent his Childe the Hnsband his Wife the Disciple his Lord thinke it not strange to be persecuted of any for lightly they which are not persecuted are persecutors themselves SECT 22. Quest. HAving proved the Continuance of this Enmity in all ages now tell us what be the Signes and Properties of it Ans. They are either Mentall Verball or Actuall The first whereof are inward and secret the two later outward and manifest Quest. What are the mentall properties which you call inward and secret Ans. They are foure in number It being their manor 1. To envy the good Estate of the Godly 2. To contemne the meane Estate of the Godly 3. To rejoyce at the evill Estate of the Godly 4. To hate them First it is 〈…〉 ner of wicked men out of Enmity to envy the vertuous and good estate of the godly For envy shall lead the Troope as Iudas lead the Souldiers and it may challenge the first place in the right-hand file as pride doth in the Popes Catalogue of the seaven deadly sinnes because it was the eldest and first borne sin that ever was in the Devill after he was cast out of Heaven and the first that ever he begate upon our nature after we were cast out of Paradice which makes St. Austin therefore call it as by a kind of excellency the Devills sin Thus Caine envied his brother Abel Gen. 4.5 Saul David 1 Sam. 18.28.29 and those unbeleeving Iewes Paul Acts 17.13 The wicked take as much delight to see the vertuous life of an holy man as sore eyes do to look upon the Sunne How contrary are good Angels and evill men The Angels rejoyce at that whereat these powte and stomack they are ready to cry and burst for Anger at that which makes musick in Heaven But why is it These Antipodes to vertue having lost all good themselves are vexed to see it in another a true note to know the Serpents Seed by for it is the Devils cognizance 1. Iohn 3.14 15. as Love is Christs Iohn 13.35 And as it is the very Lees of vice so it hath a punishment answerable for by a just judgement of God their owne malice turnes back into their owne bowels as it is Psalm 7.14 15 16. and slayeth them as the swords of Gideons enemies kild themselves Iudges 7.22 For that none might have cause to envy the envious man againe but all to pity him envy it selfe is a fire which consumes that fuell a Worme which gnaweth that gourd a viper which eats through those bowels a Moath which fretteth that garment wherein it is bred nourished and maintained it is the consuming of the flesh and rotting of the bones Prov. 14 30. And for hereafter if wicked men thus envy the
by it Saint for a Christian indeed as thou art is a Puritan in the Devils language and a Christian in name onely as such an one is is an Atheist in Gods language Secondly They no lesse differ in their Passions and affections of Love Psalm 119.57 72 and 17 14. Feare Prov. 28.1 2. 1 Tim 4.1 Rom. 2.14 15. Anger Acts 7.52 to 60. and 5.30 to 34. Prov. 12.10 Rev. 18.19 20. Joy 1 Pet. 2.7 8. Ioh. 3.15 Mat. 11.19 And the like which for brevities sake I forbeare Thirdly they differ no lesse in practice this breeds many quarrels as what more common than for all sorts and kinds of men to hate scorne persetute reproach revile accuse slander and condemn the Religious because their owne workes are evill and wicked and the others good holy and righteous Wherefore slew Caine his brother saith Saint Iohn but because his own Workes were evill and his brothers good 1 Ioh. 3.12 Why was Ioseph accused of his Mistris for an adulterer and thereupon committed to prison but because hee would not bee an Adulterer like her Genesis 39. Yea it was his party-coloured Coat composed of all kinds of graces and blessings that formerly procured his Brethrens hate And what is it that Iobs Wife expostulates with him about but his integrity As if shee tooke it ill that he took it no worse his patience made her impatient Wherefore was holy David as himself complaines almost in every Psalme Had in derison hated slandered reviled contemned and made a proverbe and song of the Drunkards and other wicked men which sate in the gate but because he followed the things which were good and pleasing unto God and in him part his trust Psal. 11.2 and 22.6 7 8. and 37.14 and 69.10 11 12. And lastly for I might bee endlesse in the prosecution of this Why were all the just in Solomons time had in abhomination and mockt of the wicked but because they were upright in their way and holy in their conversation Prov. 29.27 Or those numberlesse Martyrs whose soules Saint Iohn saw under the the Alter Rev. 6.9 killed but for the Word of God and for the testimony which they maintained And the Master himselfe not for any evill as themselves are forced to confesse Marke 7.37 which examples sufficiently prove that all wicked men are like the women of Lemnos who when they had every one slaine their husbands and kinsmen exiled Hypsipyle the Kings daughter for that she alone saved her Father alive That great Dragon the Devill and these his Subjects make warre and are wroth with none but the woman and the remnant of her Seed which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Iesus Christ Revel 12.17 All was quiet at Ephesus before Saint Paul came thither but then there arose no small strife about that way Acts. 19.23 c. A Wolfe flys not upon a painted sheepe we can with delight look upon the picture of a Toaâ—â— It is your active christian that is most spighted and persecuted SECT 50. BUt to apply this to our selves I would faine know whether the power of godlinesse the sincere profession of the name of Christ according to the Vow which we made in Baptisme all kind of purity and holinesse doth not live in persecution among us as Protestants doe in Spaine Is it not a capitall crime to bee vertuous Is not the name of an honest man who makes conscience of his wayes growne odious Is not circumspect walking the zeale of Gods glory in promoting the best things frequent hearing of Sermons singing of Psalmes holy conference brotherly admonition c. counted a vice and that vice called Puritanisme And must not hee who is called a Puritan be derided hated persecuted slandered and laught to scorne how many may complaine with Ieremy that because they live a godly life themselves and call upon others to doe the same they are cursed of everyone and counted contentious Ier. 15.10 It faring with Professors as it did with Caius Selius of whom the Heathen were wont to say that hee was a good man but he was a Christian. Yea let but a sparke of fervent devotion breake out in a Family all the rest are up in clamors as when Bels ring disorderly every man is ready with his bucket to quench the fire disgraced he must be for a Puritan but onely by Laodiceans Indifferency strives to dash zeale out of countenance The reason is wheresoever Christ comes there will be opposition When Christ was borne all Ierusalem was troubled and Herod cut the throats of all the children in Bethlehem so when Christ is borne in any man the soule is in an uproare and Satan with his instruments are ready to kill in him every good motion though it be never so little a Babe That which the Antients did cheifly admire goodnesse we do most of all contemne for is not the godly man more dispised for his godlinesse then the wicked for his wickednesse Are not the members of Christ more hated and worse intreated by us then the limbs of the Devill What suppressing and disgracing is there of Hels and Romes cheifest adversaries under the aspersion and pretence of Puritanisme Whereas if the same men would but beare them company in their sins bee drunke sweare temporise contemne holinesse mispend their time haunt Play-Houses and Tavernes play the good fellows and doe as the rest doe they should have the approbation good word of the greatest number yea if they would not be precise in their actions nor reprove others for their evill courses if they would not speake against pluralities Non-residents lazy and good-fellow Pastors who either starve or quite neglect or else mis-leade their flocks if they would but bee prophane and wicked and make no bones of sinne their malice would cease and wee should not have a Puritan in all the World SECT 51. AS let mee appeale from their tongues to their hearts and from their mouthes to their consciences whether this be not the greatest cause of their quarrell We refuse to pledge them in their wicked customes Or we will not breake Gods Law to conforme to theirs It faring betweene us and our adversaries as betweene Socrates and the Athenians who said unto them in his apollogie I love and imbrace you O Athenians but yet I will obey God rather than you Yea may not all see saving such as the Pâ—ince of darknesse hath blinded that those for the most part whom the World speakes so basely of are before men in respect of any scandalous offences or open crimes unblamable and may say with the Lamb whom they follow Which of you can rebuke me of sinne though with Paul 1 Tim. 1.15 they think themselves the worst of sinners And doe not their adversaries know that the men whom they terme Puritans are honester men and more righteous than themselves as Pharoah was forc'd to confesse touching Moses Exod. 10.16 17.
And Saul touching David 1 Sam. 26.21 Yea I know they are perswaded well of them even when they speake most to the contrary though I expect not they should use them thereafter We know Pilate judged Christ guiltlesse but yet he put him to death And Festus acknowledged that Paul was without crime yet he left him in prison I dare say Tertullus knew that he lyed when hee called Paul a Pestilent fellow his conscience could not chuse but answer him Thou lyest in thy throat Tertulus Paul is an honester man than thy selfe And must not these mens consciences tell them that the same they accuse so are in their lives the most unreproveable of the Land Yea I will appeal to their greatest adversaries whether the Protestant at large or those who are called Puritans be of the purest Religion and most reformed to the Primitive Church For not seldome are wicked mens judgements forced to yeeld unto that truth against which their affections maintaine a rebellion And yet as if they would stamp Gods Image on the Devills drosse and the Devills Image on Gods silver they justifie those actions and persons which God condemnes and condemn those which he justifies True these enemies to holines spare not to cast asperâ—â—ions on us else how should they worke their wills How should Naboth be cleanly put to death if he be not first accused of blasphemy 1 Kin. 21.13 and the like of Ioseph Eliah Ieremiah Susanna Paul Stephen and our Saviour Christ himself But if you marke it they are as guilty of the crimes whereof they be accused as Ioseph was in forcing of his Miâ—tris or as Naboth and the rest were of those things which were layd to their charge I speak not of those monsters those white Devills who make Religion a stalking Horâ—e to villany I know too many dishonour God by wearing of his livery But what was Satan to the children of God Iob 1.6 though hee thrust himselfe into their company Or what wise man will tax all the Apostles because one was a Iudas To argue because some are so and so therefore the rest are alike is a saplesse reason only becomming a foole An argument that deserves rather laughter than beleife Yet most men are 〈◊〉 fooles or rather brute beasts led with sensuality and made to be taken and destroyed as Saint Peter speaks who because they love to speake evill of the way of truth 2 Pet. 2.2.12 If they see but an hipocrite discover himselfe they not onely harden themselves in their sinnes and as it were breake their owne necks at this stumbling block being Satans trap set on purpose to catch their blinde soules in but condemn all the rest of his profession to be such as he is save that they dissemble their hypocrisie more closly cunningly which is as equal and â—uâ—t as it was for Simeon and Levi to murder all the Sechemites for the offence only of Hamors Son But as all are not theeves that Dogs bark at so all are not hypocrites which they terme so But admit there were more than there are the faults of many should not make us uncharitable to all Nor the goodnesse of some make us credulous of the rest SECT 52. INdeed as all our enemies are not alike witty so they are not alike malicious for some transcend this way as Doeg did the rest of Sauls servants another way you shall know such an one by these few markes his hatred is so inveterate and universall that hee spends all his wits in frothy scoffes and invectives against the whole people of God and as if the door were not wide enough except he set open all the windows and break downe the walls to let in this infectious ayre his tongue scrues something against the religious into all discourses and when his owne invention failes it shall be supplyed with what he hath heard for as the Papists never found any error spued out by the Ancients but they have licked it up superstitiously to abuse the same so he never heares of any scoffe slander or devillish invective formerly devised but he licks it up that he may spit it out againe in the face of some Professor or on the other side poyson those with whom he doth converse being to his company like a mad dog that so biteth every one he meets that they become madde too and as apt to bite others as himselfe or in case he meets with another like himselfe in wit and malice it may bee said of them as Diogenes spake of two ill conditioned women when hee saw them talking See how the viper and the Aspe are changing poyson And nothing so tickles the spleen or glads the heart of such as that discourse which may most shame profession disgrace Relion and dishonour God But O that ever those tongues which dare call God Father should suffer themâ—elves thus to be moved and possessed by that uncleane spirit Or that ever the church should own such for her children In the Primitive times the Church would have denied her blessing to such a Sonne that should have thought himselfe disparaged by serving Christ and wearing of his livery although hee had not scoft at others yet this man flatters himself that he is a Christian yea you cannot beat him from it but that he is as good a Christian as the precisest and shall goe to Heaven as soone But let him that reads consider whether it be not a fearefull thing to lend to Satan the heart for devinng the tongue for uttering and the eare for hearing of calumnies and all this to disgrace the grace of God in his children and make it fruitlesse to themselves and others O impiety to be abhorred Such sport on earth is only sport for the Fiends in Hell and let them look to it for such joyes may chance to cost them eternall mourning yea certainly if the infernall Tophet be not for them in case they repent not it can challenge no guests for I may well say unto such an one Many sinners have done wickly but thou surpassest them al thine is such a superlative such a soul murthering sin that no other sin can paralel it SECT 53. BUt thou hast plenty of excuses to pacify thy blinded and benummed conscience Yea thou wantest not some carnall reasons to make it good as an easie inâ—ention may put false matters into true Sylogismes And amongst the rest thou wouldest not have men singular wherefore that they may have lesse zeale and more temper thou seekest to allay their heat with frumps and scoffes and taunts and jeeres as how often doe we hear remisse professors strive to choake all forward holinesse and zeale by commending the golden meane For carnall men who cleave as close to custome and example of the greatest number as clay to a Cart Wheele thinke every one exorbitant that walketh not after their rule 1 Pet. 4.4 As the Sodomites thought of Lot Gen. 19.9 the hundred
name but they are devills indeed however they flatter themselves resembling the high Priests Scribes Pharisees who called themselves the Church while they went about to kill the head of the Church who the same night that Christ instituted the Sacrament and consulted how to save them did consult how they might destroy him yea let any indifferent stander by â—udge whether thou beest not bottomlessely ill who doest malice goodnesse in others who art displeased with us because we please God and murmurest like the Scribes and Pharisees at the same things whereat the Angels rejoyce for none but a Caine or a Devill in condition will envy because his owne workes are evill and his brothers good They are desperately wicked that cannot indure so much as the sight of godlinesse as he was fearefully idle that Seneca speaks of whose sides would ake to see another worke Neither couldest thou doe so if the Devill were not in thine heart And so much touching the third difference betweene the seed of the Serpent and the seed of the woman SECT 56 4 FOurthly as they hate and persecute the godly because they doe well so likewise because they fare well and are accepted before them As why was Caine wroth with his brother Abel and after slew him as affirmeth the holy Ghost but because The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering but unto Cain and his offering he had no respect Gen. 4.4 5. Why did Esau hate Iacob and purpose to kill him but because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him Gen 27.41 Isaacs blessing bred Esaus hate Again Wherefore did the Philistines and Abimelek envy Isaac stop up his wells and banish him from them but because the Lord so abundantly blessed Isaac as appeares Gen. 26 12. to 18. Wherefore did Iosephs brethren hate him not being able to speake peaceably unto him and after sell him into AEgypt but because his father more favoured him and they feared he should reigne over them Gen. 37.4 If Ioseph be his fathers darling he is his brethrens eye-sore Wherefore did Saul persecute David and pursue after him from place to place to take away his life but because he was so praised and preferred of the people before himselfe and The Lord was with David and prospered him in every thing he tooke in hand 1 Sam. 18.12 13 28 29. Davids successe is Sauls vexation yea he findes not so much pleasure in his Kingdome as vexation in the prosperity of David And lastly for I passe by the elder brothers envy in the Parable against his younger brother when his father so royally entertained him at his return Luk. 15.28 which is meant of the Iewes envying the Gentiles conversion and many the like instances Why was Eliab wroth with his younger brother 1 Sam. 17.28 but because he should bee more exalted And I doubt me whether Davids brethren were more glad that Goliah was slaine or angry that hee was slaine by their brother for envy is sicke if her neighbour be well and the good mans honour is the envious mans torment as it fared between Haman Mordecai as hereafter the glory of Christ shall adde to these reprobates confusion when they are driven to confesse This is he whom we once had in derision SECT 57. BUt to apply what hath been collected out of the Word See whether these examples sute not with some and not a few in our times As First why doe a sort of Ministers none of the best I meane such as live ill and viciously or preach ill and unprofitably or both live ill and preach ill maligne hate and traduce yea promote against such as preach more faithfully and powerfully and live more holily and unblameably but because God honours their Ministery with the conversion of soules and their words are with such power that the people flocke after them as they were wont after Christ while in the meane time themselves are neglected and dis-esteemed being as they suppose far greater scholers for if a Minister preach profitably they will give it out hee is no scholer neither can they doe Satan a greater pleasure and their Sermons more elaborate for they will be as long in the conception and breeding of them as an Elephant is of her young which being borne onely amazeth the hearers and makes them at their wits end with admiration their owne bosomes will tell them that I speake truth Againe why doe these men inveigh and preach against preaching As what needs so much preaching say they and all stupified sensualists it was never a good world since so many Lectures were set up there was more love and charity and plaine-dealing among our fore-fathers they meane in time of Popery who were only verst in the Lords Prayer Creed and ten Commandments one Sermon well remembred and put in practise is better then ten yea quoth a Minister in the pulpit that preacht himselfe once in six weekes that hee might silence his Parishioners who complained for want of their daily food you will finde this Sermon more then you will be able to practise this two months and no question spake out of feeling for he having lived already above five ages could never yet put those five words of his text into practise viz. Repent and beleeve the Gospel But the reason of this their murmuring is easie Carnall worldlings cry up practise to cry downe knowledge as you may see by their own practise even as cunning Papists will extoll Saint Iames onely to disparage Saint Paul This point would be further applied but let conscience doe it for it is a sore that will not endure rubbing onely this if any man be vexed at his brother because he fares better and is better accepted because he is favoured and respected of God and good men while himselfe is neglected and disesteemed of both much more if hee belch out his spleene against the religious because they are praised and preferred before himselfe let him know that this could not be if hee were not full of the venome of the serpent Psal. 112.10 Pro. 14.30 SECT 58. SEcondly this may be applied to people of the looser sort As why doe their hearts rise against every holy man they see as some stomacks rise at sweet-meats Why doe all drunkards and vicious livers hate the religious and so belch out their enmity and spleene against them in raising and spreading of slanders as they doe but although partly to rescue themselves from contempt and procure a contrary esteeme by putting a foule and ugly vizard upon vertue and decking up vice in a gorgeous and comely attire yet chiefly because they are precious in Gods sight his peculiar and chosen people out of all the world the children of God and members of Christ temples of the holy Ghost yea chiefly because they partake of the Divine Nature and are one with the Father and the Sonne Iohn 17.14 21 22. 2 Cor. 6.18 This is the
multiplying glasses That subtil Syren with Orphean aâ—ers and dexterous warbles leads us to the flames of hell and then derides us with contempt and triumph Like a cunning courtezan that dallies the Ruffian to undoe himselfe and then paies him with a fleere and scorne SECT 73. BUT I hope I have said enough and that thou art convinc'd in thine own Conscience that hitherto thou hast been a meer Atheist and that through Atheisme thou hast hated reviled and persecuted the godly If not Truth is as much Truth when it is not acknowledged as when it is Now if thou dost confidently and without peradventure beleeve what the Scripture speaks of God Heaven Hell c. If thou beleevest the threatnings and precepts as well as the promises and if thou bearest any love to thine owne soule Break off thy sins by repentance and oppose the good no longer give no credit to the flesh or the Devill which propheâ—â—e prosperity to sinne but beleeve God and the Scripture which manifestly proves that every man shall bee judged according to his works Revel 12.13 22.12 Make not Christ a boulster for sin nor Gods mercy a warrant for thy continuance in an evill course Bee not therefore evill because hee is good least like the foolish builder thou commest short of thy reckoning for Christ came to destroy the workes of the Devill Iohn 3.3.8 9 10. And not to be a Patron of sin and there is mercy with God that hee might be feared not that he might be despised blasphemed c. Psalm 130.4 Yea know this and write it in the Table-booke of thy memory and on the table of thine heart that if God's bountifullnesse and long suffering towards thee does not leade thee to repentance it will double thy doome and increase the pile of thy torments for every day which does not abate of thy reckoning will increase it Qui numerat dotes numerat dies and thou by thy hardnesse and impenitency shalt but treasure up unto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and the declaration of the â—ust judgement of God Romans 2 4 5 6. And so much of the third Cause SECT 74. THere are Eight other Causes as they make them why they thus hate and persecute us The first is Speaking of Truth for which see 1 King 22.8.17.23 24.26.27 Ier. 11.19 and 26.8 9.11 and 36.23.26 and 38.4 5 6. Amos 5.10 Mark 6.16 to 29. Act. 16.19 to 25. and 17.5.6.7.13 and 18.11.12 13. and 19.26 to 34. and 21.27 28.30.31 and 22.22 23. and 23.1 2.12 13.14 Gal. 4.16 The second is Misprision for which see Act. 24.14 and 26.9.10.11.24 1 King 18.17 18. Psalm 14. 1 Ier. 44.17 18 19. Wisd. 5.4 Matth. 7.14 and 13.55 56 57. and 28 15. Mark 5.39.40 and 7 5 8.9 Iohn 2.19 20.21 and 3.3.4 and 7.15.23 24. and 8.15.57 58 59. 9.16 16.2 Act. 2.13 2 Thess. 2.10.11 12 Rom. 8.5 6 7 8. 1 Corinth 1.18 to 29. and 2.7 8 10 11.12 13 14 15 16. and 3.18 19 20. 2 Timothy 2.26 1 Pet. 2.7 8. Revel 3.17 The third is Example of the multitude touching which read Gen. 19.4 to 12. Numb 14.2 3 10. and 16.1 to 4. Matth. 27.20.25 27 39 49. Act. 19.24 to 30. The fourth is Separation for which looke Gen. 39.12 to 21. Psal. 26.4.5 and 101.7 and 119.63.115 Prov. 5.8 and 23.20 Ier. 15.19 Wisd. 2.16 Ioh 15.19 1 Cor. 5.11 2 Cor. 6.17 Ephes. 5.7 2 Thess. 3.6.14 1 Pet. 4.4 Rev. 18.4 The fifth is The preaching of some Ministers for which see Ier. 5.31 and 8.11 and 23.13.14 15 16 17.21 22 26 27.31 32. Ezek. 22.25 26 28. Mat. 9.34 Mar. 13.22 Ioh. 5.43 Act. 13.8 and 20.29.30 Romans 16.17 18. 2 Cor. 2.17 and 11.13.14.15 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. 2 Tim. 3.8 2 Pet. 2. ch and 3.3 The sixth is The scandalous lives of some Professors for which see Gen. 9.21.22 and 12 18 19. and 19.33 35 36. and 20.2.12.16 and 34.13 14 15 16.25 26. to 31. 1 Sam. 2.12 to 18. 2 Sam. 12.14 Mat. 7.15 and 18.7 and 23.3.14 23 24 25 27. and 26.14 15 16.70.72.74 and 27.5 The seventh is Flocking after Sermons for which looke Ioh. 11.48 and 12.19 and 6 2. Acts 13.45 Matth. 4.24 25. and 15 30. Mar. 3.10 and 8.1 and 10.1 2. Luke 5.15 and 6.17 18 19. Eightly the finall Cause is that they may have more company here in sinne and hereafter in torments For which turne to Psal. 35.4 7 12. 40.14 56.6 59.2 3. Matth. 23.13 15. Luke 11.52 Iohn 11.48 and 12 10 11. and 15.19 Act. 26.11 1 Pet 4.4 Revel 12.17 and 13 15. But they are all so prolix and yet so unmeete to be abbreviated that if I should handle them and make of all but one Volume they would so swel the heape that not a few would bee deprived of the whole Hee will buy a Manuall or Enchiridion that will not buy a Commentary and hee will read a Curranto that will not reade a Chronicle History Yea it may happen to meet with Patients so desperate that although they acknowledge it is of absolute necessity for them to be informed touching these things yet having Queasie stomacks if they see their Potion bigge aswell as bitter will resolve to suffer yea to dye rather than take it That will bee swallowed by morsells and easily disgested which being taken all at once will not only cloy but surfeit Wherefore I have devided the whole into parts of which five are already published Viz. The Cure of Misprision Compleat Armory against evill society Characters of the kinds of Preaching Sin Stigmatized The Victory of Patience FINIS Imprimatur John Downeham * of Gen. 3.15 what chiefly concerns our selves we apply to others and this makes all meanes to prove ineffectuall Sufficient hath beene spoken to convince the most malitious The reason why so few are converted Al scoffers as bad as Cain Ishmael c. No expecting a voice from heaven as Saul had and yet if so it would not pâ—evail with them The worst think well of themselves The most prophane can apply the promises which belong not to thâ—m hard to say whether their applying the promises or not applying the precepts and threats most occasions their impenitency Salvation not more promised to the penitent then damnation threatned to the impenitent If we will not heare Christ now he will not heare us hereafter Christ came not to be a patron for sin but to sanctifie as well as to save us If Christians we wil imitate Christ if Gods servants we will obey him But scoffers are Satans servants The great evill that scoffers do Satan the god king and father of all unbelievers Satan speakes in and by scoffers but they know it not Of which many examples 1 Tim. 6. â—4 Five main reasons why they fight under Sathans banner and yet thinke themselves Gods servants 1 Their ignorance of spirituall things 2 the