gift of illumination faith regeneration life sense and motion are the gifts of the spirit and so are ciuill vertues but the sending of the spirit is onely in respect of such gifts as are bestowed in the Church in the receiuing of which the spirit is acknowledged The place or mansion of the spirit is the heart that is the minde will and affection The heart is the very sinke of sinne yet that doth the spirit choose for his abode Hence we learne 1. That the beginning of our newe birth is in the heart when a newe light is put into the minde a newe and heauenly disposition into the will and affection 2. The most principall part of our change or renouation is in the heart where the spirit abides The end of all teaching is loue out of a pure heart good conscience and faith vnfained 1. Tim. 1. 5. 3. The beginning and principall part of Gods worship is in the heart He that serues God in the righteonsnesse of his heart in peace and ioy in the Holy Ghost is accepted Rom. 14. 17. 4. In our hearts no wicked or carnall thought will desire or lust must raigne but onely Gods word and spirit For thy heart is the house where the spirit dwels and he must be Lord of his owne house 5. Aboue all things keepe watch and warde about thy heart and fill it with all good cogitations desires that it may be a fit place of intertainment for the spirit who is as it were an Embassadour sent from the great God vnto thee The last thing is the office of the spirit which is to make beleeuers Crie Abba Here I consider 4. things 1. The meanes whereby this Crie is caused 2. The nature of it 3. To whome it is directed 4. The manner of direction For the first in the effecting or causing of this Crie there are 4. workes of the spirit The first is Conuiction when a man in his iudgement and conscience is conuicted that the scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles are indeed the word of God To this purpose there are many arguments which nowe I omit This conuiction is a common worke of the spirit yet necessarie because much Atheisme lies lurking in our hearts which makes vs call into question euery part of the word of God The second worke is Subiection whereby a man conuicted that the scripture and euery part of it is the word of God subiects himselfe in his heart to the commandement of God which bids him turne to God and beleeue in Christ. And this second is a worke of the spirit of grace proper to the elect The third is the Certificate or testimonie of the spirit which is a diuine manner of reasoning framed in the mindes of them that beleeue and repent on this manner He that beleeues and repents is Gods child Thus saith the Gospel But I beleeue in Christ and repent at the least I subiect my will to the commandement which biddes me repent and beleeue I detest mine vnbeleefe and all my sinnes and desire the Lord to increase my faith Therefore I am the child of God This is the practicall syllogisme of the H. Ghost It is the testimonie of the spirit that we are the sonnes of God it is the earnest of the spirit and the seale whereby we are sealed to the day of our redemption and it containes the certentie ofspeciall faith The fourth thing that followes vpon this Testimonie is Peace of conscience Ioy and affiance in God And from this affiance comes the crying here mentioned whereby euery true beleeuer with open throat as it were cries vnto god the father This doctrine is of great worth it is the hinge vpon which the gate of heauen turnes and therefore to be remembred The vse By this we see a manifest errour in the Popish religion which teacheth that we can haue no other certenty of our saluation in this life but that which is probable or coniecturall that is a certentie ioyned with feare suspicion and some doubting Certentie in respect of God that promiseth feare doubting in respect of our owne indisposition But this doctrine is false For they which are Gods children receiue the spirit crying Abba and this crying argues affiance or confidence in God By faith we haue confidence in God and entrance with boldnesse Eph. 3. 11. and boldnesse is opposite to feare and excludes doubting in respect of our selues Againe by this doctrine we see it is ordinarie and possible for all that beleeue and repent to be certainly assured that they are the children of God For if they haue the spirit of God crying in them as all Gods childrē haue they cannot but perceiue this crie and withall they haue the testimonie of the spirit in them which is the ground of this crie Rom. 8. 16. And seeing this is so we must be admonished to vse all meanes that we may be assured that we are the children of God 2. Pet. 1. Giue all diligence to make your Election sure Paul bids rich men lay vp a good foundation against the time to come 1. Tim. 6. 18. And this foundation must be laide not in heauen but in the conscience God of his mercie hath made a couenant or bargaine with vs that beleeue and repent in this bargaine he hath promised to vs pardon of our sinnes and life euerlasting let vs then neuer be at rest till we haue receiued earnest from the hand of God and haue his promise sealed vnto vs by the spirit in our hearts You will say what shall I doe to be assured that I am Gods child Ans. Thou must examine thy selfe of two things The first is whether thou art conuicted in thy iudgement that the Scripture is indeede the word of God if thou art not yet conuicted then inquire and vse meanes that thou maist indeed be conuicted otherwise all is in vaine Secondly inquire whether thou dost indeed and in good earnest submit and subiect thy will to the cōmandement of God which bids thee beleeue in Christ and turne vnto God For if thou canst say that thou dost will to beleeue and will to repent if thou shew this will indeede in the vse of good meanes if thou condemne and detest thy vnbeleefe and all other thy sinnes thou hast receiued the earnest of the spirit and thou art indeede the child of God And this assurance shall be vnto thee of great vse For it will make thee reioyce in afflictions and it will worke patience experience hope Rom. 5. 5. It will make thee despise this world it will take away the feare of death and kindle in thy heart a desire to be with Christ. Touching the nature of this crie it stands in the desires and groanes of the heart directed vnto God And these desires may be distinguished from all carnall desires by three properties First of all they are in the hearts of them that are turned to God or at the least beginne to turne vnto him For God heareth
contention Phil. 1. 15. others make marchandise of the word It is an excellent thing to imbrace the Gospel and yet many men doe it amisse for feare or for honour or for profit or for other sinister respect and not for the Gospels sake This temporall life is an excellent thing yet few there are that know the ende of this life For men commonly spend not their time to seeke the kingdome of heauen and to serue God in seruing of men but with all their might they aime at honours profits pleasures and thus they liue amisse not for the honour of God but for themselues This must teach vs not onely to doe good but to doe it well and to propound good ends to our selues and to seeke to be vpright in the statutes of God Psal. 119. 80. To this ende three things must be done First we must set before vs the will and commandement of God and this must mooue vs to doe the good we doe Secondly the outward action must be conformable to the inward motions of the inward man and they must both goe together Thirdly we must directly intend to obay God in the things we doe and to approoue our hearts and doings to him In that the false Apostles are saide to be ielous or zealous we see how nature can counterfeit 〈◊〉 grace of God and that which the child of God doth by 〈◊〉 that the naturall man can doe by nature Thus Pharao fa 〈…〉 repentance Exod. 9. 27. and Ahab that sold himselfe to worke wickednes 1. king 21. 27. and Iudas in the midst of his despaire is said to repent Matt. 27. 1. Daily experience shewes the like in such persons who in their extremitie with teares vse to bewaile their liues past and with many vowes and protestations promise amendment and yet afterward when they are on foote againe they returne to their old bias In a word there is nothing that the godly man doth by the spirit of God spiritually but an hypocrite may doe the like carnally Nature can play the part of the ape in imitating good things Therefore it stands vs in hand to praie and examine our hearts least we be deceiued in our selues For there may lie a depth of deceit and falshood lurking in the heart And that we be not deceiued two things must be obserued One is that we must cherish in our hearts an vniuersall hatred of all and euery sinne first in our selues and then in others The second is that we must be changed and renewed in our minds consciences and affections Thirdly here we see the propertie of enuie and Ambition in these false teachers Paul must be excluded from the loue of the Galatians that they alone may be loued Thus Iosua would haue excluded Eldad and Medad from prophesying and he would haue Moses to be the onely prophet but Moses saith I would to God all the people could prophecie Num. 11. 29. Iohns disciples would haue excluded Christ baptising but Iohn saith He must increase and I must decrease Ioh. 3. 30. The disciples of Christ would haue excluded one that cast out deuills in the name of Christ but did not follow him and Christ forbad them Luk. 9. 49. Lastly we here see the propertie of deceiuers is to make a diuision betweene the Pastors and the people Beside the former pretended ielousie there is a good ielousie which the Apostle takes to himselfe and els where he calls it the ielousie of God 2. Cor. 11. 2. This ielousie presupposeth the office of the Apostles and all Ministers which stands in three things The first is to become suters to the Church or to the soules of men in the name of Christ and to make the offer or motion in his name of a spirituall marriage and this is done in the ministerie and dispensation of the Gospel The second is to make the Contract betweene mens soules and Christ. Now to the making of a contract the consent of both the parties at the least is required Christ giues his consent in the word Ose 2. 20. and we giue our consent to him and choose him for our head when we turne to God and beleeue in Christ. And the ministerie of the word serues to signifie the will of Christ vnto vs and to stirre vp our hearts to an holy consent The third is after the contract to preserue them in true faith and good life that they may be fit to be presented to Christ in the day of iudgement and so be married to him eternally for then and not before is the marriage of the lambe These duties are all noted by Paul when he saith that he prepared the Corinthians that he might present them as a pure virgin vnto Christ. 2. Cor. 11. 2. And because this charge and office is laid vpon the Apostles and Ministers therefore they are said to be ielous This Ielousie stands in three things The first is to loue the Church indeede and truth for Christs sake The second is to feare least by reason of weaknes and by meanes of the temptations of the deuill the Church and they that beleeue should fall away from Christ. The third is after the fall of the church to be angrie with holy anger and indignation for Christs sake Thus Moses was ielous when the Israelites worshipped the golden calfe and Elias with like zealessue the priests of Baal Thus is Paul said to be ielous in this place and Act. 14. If the Apostle be thus ielous how much more then is Christ himselfe ielous who hath espoused himselfe to his Church This plainly shewes that he cannot brooke either Partner or deputie And therefore his sacrifice on the crosse must stand without the sacrifice of the masse his intercession without the intercession of Saints his merits without the merit of workes his satisfaction without any satisfaction of ours He will haue the heart alone and all the heart or nothing and he will not giue any part of his honour to any other This Ielousie in the Ministers must teach all faithfull seruants of God that they keepe themselues as pure virgins for Christ and set their hearts on nothing in the world but on him Therefore they must hunger after Christ they must account all things dongue for him they must haue their conuersation in heauen with him and loue his comming vnto thē by death Psal. 45. 10. Contrariwise they that set their hearts on any other thing beside him are said to goe a whoring from him and therefore they are accursed Psal. 73. 27. Thus many Protestants doe in their practise whatsoeuer they professe Thus doth the Church of Rome both in word and deede For beside Christ shee hath many other louers and shee goes a whoring after them when shee worships Angels and Saints the images of God and Christ with religious worship Againe by this we are put in minde to yeeld an vniuersall subiection to Christ for this is the dutie of the espoused wife to her husband Lastly that good things
that Pauls often and daungerous iourneies must teach vs to attend on our callings with care and diligence and not to be dismaied with the troubles that shall befall vs. The second answer that Paul was knowne to the Christian Iewes not by face but by hearsay this may seeme strange considering Paul was at Ierusalem and trauailed through Iurie into Syria and Cilicia but it is the truth and the reason of it is plaine The office of an Apostle is not to build vpon the fouÌ„dation of an other or to succeede any man in his labours but to plant and found the Church of the new Testament where Christ had not bin preached or named Rom. 15. 20. In this the Apostles differ from all the Ministers of the new Testament whatsoeuer And this is the cause why Paul was not knowne to the Churches of Iudea And here we see that Succession which the Papists magnifie is not alwaies a note of the true Church and the true Ministerie For the ministerie of the Apostles and the Apostolicall Churches wanted it And this is for the greater commendation of them Againe it is said that Paul was not knowne to the Churches of Iudea which were in Christ. Where let it be obserued that 4. yeares after the ascension of Christ the Apostles had gathered and planted sundrie Christian Churches in Iudea This greatly commends the efficacie and power of the Gospel For hardnes of heart had ouerspread the nation of the Iewes and they had reiected and crucified the Lord of life And thus that is verified which Christ saith that his Disciples beleeuing in him should doe greater things then he had done Ioh. 14. 12. for he by preaching did not conuert multitudes of the Iewes and range them into Churches as the Apostles did Here againe we see that the Gospel by means of the corruption of man is an occasion of diuisions For after the gospel was preached by the Apostles there arose a diuision of Churches among the Iewes Some were Churches in Christ and some out of Christ namely the Synagogues which refused Christ. We may not therfore nowe a daies take offence if schismes and dissentions followe where the Gospel is preached it is not the fault of the Gospel it is the fault of men That Paul might the better shewe that he was known to the Churches of the Iewes onely by heare-say he expresses the report that went of him Hence I gather it is not vnlawfull to tell and heare reports or newes so be it they be not to the preiudice of the trueth of the glory of God and the good name of men Nay it is commendable to report and heare newes that concernes the increase of Gods kingdome and the conuersion of wicked men In the report two things areÌ„ set downe what Paul did He once persecuted vs and destroyed the faith what he now doth He preacheth the Gospel By this we see that verified which Isai foretold that the lyon the wolfe the lambe c. should peaceably liue togither Againe here we see that all things vpon earth are subiect to change and alteration so as it may be said heretefore it was thus and thus but nowe it is otherwise Therefore in miseries we may not be ouer-much grieued for they are changeable and in earthly things we may not reioyce ouer much because they are mutable and subiect to daily alterations Our speciall care must be to auoide eternall and vnchangeable euils as death and the cause of death namely sinne and to purchase to our selues the good things which are euerlasting namely the fauour of God and euerlasting life Furthermore the thing which Paul aimed at in persequuting the Church is to be considered and that was that he might destroy the faith By faith we are to vnderstand the doctrine of the Gospel and with all the vertue or gift of faith whereby it is beleeued for the deuill his instruments seeke the ouerthrow of both Christ saith Satan desired to sift his Disciples that is to sift all their faith out of their hearts and to leaue nothing in theÌ„ but chaffe Luk. 22. 32. Here then it may be demanded whether faith may be lost specially in the children of God in the time of temptation and persecution I answer thus There be three degrees of faith The first consists in two things knowledge of the Gospel and Assent to the trueth of it This faith the deuils haue and it may be lost and beleeuers by this faith may quite fall away The second kind of faith containes knowledge assent a taste or ioy in the goodnesse of God a zeale to the word of God and apparent fruits of holinesse This faith also beeing better then the former may be lost in the daies of persecution and beleeuers by this faith may fall quite away Luk 8. 13. The third faith called the faith of the Elect containes three parts knowledge of the Gospel assent to the trueth of it and apprehension whereby we doe receiue and apply Christ with his benefits to our selues or the promise of remission of sinnes and life euerlasting This faith may be greatly wasted for things appertaining to it may be lost as boldnesse to come vnto God the sense or feeling of spiritual ioy and such like Againe it may be buried for a time in the heart and not shew it selfe either by fruits or any profession and in respect of the measure of it it may be lessened and maimed and if we respect the nature of it it is as apt to be lost as any other grace of God for there is nothing by nature vnchangeable but God Neuerthelesse where this faith is in trueth it is neuer by affliction and temptation put out or exstingnished because God in mercie confirms it by newe grace Christ saith to Peter I haue prayed for thee that thy faith faile not Luk. 22. 32. And this priuiledge haue all the godly for God promiseth that they shall not be tempted aboue their strength 1. Cor. 10. 13. Indeede persecutors are said to destroy the faith because this is their intent and they indeauour to doe what they can but God preuents their desires by establishing true faith that it may not vtterly faile It may be obiected to the contrarie on this manner The child of God may faâ—l into persecution and denie Christ by this fall he is guiltie of a grieuous offence beeing guiltie he hath not pardon of his offence and beeing without pardon he is without faith Touching guiltinesse I answer thus The child of God when he falls is indeed guiltie but howe Guiltie in respect of himselfe or as much as in him lies because he hath done that which is worthy of death and he hath done all he can to make himselfe guiltie But he is not guiltie to condemnation because God on his part doeth not breake off the purpose of adoption and adiudge him to wrath Secondly touching the pardon of his offence I answer thus In pardon there be foure degrees the degree
principall that the Messias his Redeemer should descend of his loines And this was the thing which his faith in the promise of God specially aimed at I answer againe that Abraham beleeued not onely the power of God Rom. 4. 21. but also his will which he had reuealed in the promise In thy seede all the nations of the earth shall be blessed Secondly it is alleadged that Christ in the curing of certaine blind men required no more but that they should beleeue his power Math. 9. 28. I answer that the ende of the miracles of Christ was to confirme the certentie of doctrine specially touching his natures and offices And therefore a generall faith touching the diuine power or Godhead of Christ was sufficient for the obtaining of a miraculous cure Thirdly they obiect that saluation is promised to generall faith Rom. 10. 9. If thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Iesus and beleeue that God raised him from the dead thou shalt be saued That Peters faith was generall Math. 16. 10. Thou art Iesus Christ the sonne of the liuing God That the Eunuchs faith was of the same kind Act. 8. 37. I beleeue that Iesus Christ is the sonne of God Ans. It is a common rule in scripture that words signifying knowledge signifie also the motions and good affections of the heart Psal. 1. The Lord knowes the way of the righteous that is knowes and approoues it 2. Tim. 2. 19. The Lord knowes who are his that is he knoweth and chooseth them Ioh. 17. 2. This is eternall life to know thee the onely God that is to know and acknowledge thee for our God If this be true in wordes of knowledge then much more wordes of beleeuing signifie the good motions and the affiance of the heart Thus to beleeue Christ to be the sonne of God in the places before named is to beleeue that he is God and withall to fixe our affiance on him otherwise the deuills beleeue thus much When Thomas had put his finger in the side of Christ he saide My Lord and my God Ioh. 20. 28. And to this speech of his Christ faith Thou hast seene and beleeued This then is true faith not onely to beleeue that Christ is God but also that he is our God Iustifying faith in true manner is defined thus It is a gift whereby we apprehend Christ and his benefits Ioh. 1. 12. to beleeue in Christ and to receiue Christ are put both for one Ioh. 6. faith is the mouth of the soule whereby we eate the flesh of Christ and drinke his blood Ioh. 17. 8. To receiue the word of Christ to acknowledge it and to beleeue it are put all for one Paul saith that the Gentiles did apprehend the iustice which is by faith Rom. 9. 30. Againe that we receiue the promise of the spirit by faith Gel. 3. 14. This apprehension stands in two things The first is to know Christ as he propounds himselfe in the word and sacraments The second is To applie him and his benefits vnto our selues This application is made by a supernaturall act of the vnderstanding when we beleeue that Christ with his benefits is really ours It may be obiected that faith is a certen confidence whereby we beleeue in Christ and so it is described euen in this text Ans. I. Faith and confidence properly are distinct gifts of God and confidence is the effect or fruit of faith For Paul saith that we haue entrance to God with confidence by faith Eph. 3. 12. And reason declares as much for a man can not put his confidence in Christ till he be assured that Christ with his benefits are his We doe not rest on his goodnes of whose loue we doubt Secondly I answer that confidence beeing a most notable effect of faith is often in scripture put for faith and faith is described by it as it is in this place and yet for nature they are not one but must be distinguished Furthermore the grounds of apprehension must be considered For speciall faith must haue a speciall and infallible ground The grounds are three The first is this In the Gospel God hath propounded generall promises of remission of sinnes and life euerlasting by Christ and withall he hath giuen a commandement to apply the said promises to our selues 1. Ioh. 3. 23. This is the commandement of God that ye beleeue in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ and we cannot beleeue in Christ till we beleeue Christ to be our Christ. Now then a generall promise with a commandement to applie the same to our selues is in effect as much as a speciall promise The second ground is this Rom. 8. 16. The spirit of God testifieth together with our spirit that we are the sonnes of God In this testimonie foure things must be obserued The first that it is sufficient to certifie and assure vs of our saluation For if the testimonie of two or three witnesses establish a truth among men then much more the testimonie of God The second is that this testimonie may be certenly knowne els it is no testimonie vnto vs. The third is that this testimonie is found and perceiued in the vse of the word praier sacraments The last 〈◊〉 that it is especially giuen and felt in the time of great danger and affliction For when by reason of miserie and trouble we know not to pray as we ought then the spirit makes request for vs with groanes that cannot be vttered Rom. 8. 26. And in afflictions Paul saith the loue of God is shedde abroad in our hearts Now then if God giue to them that turne vnto him a testimonie that they are the children of God they for their parts are by speciall faith to beleeue it The third ground is this A speciall faith may be gathered partly vpon things generally reuealed in the word of God and partly vpon sense obseruation and experience the same things beeing reuealed generally in the word and particularly by experience Vpon this ground may we truly conclude the forgiuenes of our sinnes the saluation of our soules on this manner He which beleeueth hath the forgiuenes of his sinnes but I beleeue in Christ saith he which beleeueth therefore my sinnes are forgiuen me The maior or first part is expressed in the Word the minor or second part is found true by experience and by the testimonie of the conscience which is a certen Testimonie For Paul saith This is my reioycing the testimonie of my conscience 2. Cor. 1. 12. And the conclusion is the conclusion of speciall faith If this be not a good and sufficient ground there is almost no speciall faith in the world Lastly we are to consider the degrees of Apprehension and they are two there is a weake apprehension and there is a strong apprehension is there is a weake and a strong faith The weake faith and apprehension is when we endeauour to apprehend This endeauour is when we bewaile our vnbeleefe striue against our manifold doubtings
will to beleeue with an honest heart desire to be reconciled to God and constantly vse the good meanes to beleeue For God accepts the will to beleeue for faith it selfe and the will to repent for repentance The reason hereof is plaine Euery supernaturall act presupposeth a supernaturall power or gift and therefore the will to beleeue and repent presupposeth the power and gift of faith and repentance in the heart It may be obiected that in the mindes of them that beleeue in this manner doubtings of Gods mercie abound Ans. Though doubtings abound neuer so yet are they not of the nature of faith but are contrarie to it Secondly we must put difference between true apprehension strong apprehension and strong apprehension If we truly apprehend though not strongly it sufficeth The palsie-hand is able to receiue a gift though not so strongly as an other The man in the Gospel said Lord I beleeue helpe mine vnbeleefe Mar. 9. 24. that is helpe my faith which by reason of the smalnes thereof may rather be called vnbeleefe then faith This is the common faith of true beleeuers For in this world we rather liue by hungring and thirsting then by full apprehending of Christ and our comfort stands rather in this that we are knowne of God then that we know God The highest degree of faith is a full perswasion of Gods mercie Thus saith the holy Ghost that Abraham was not weake through vnbeleefe but strong in faith Rom. 4. 20. But wherein was this strength In that he was fully perswaded that God which had promised would also performe it This measure of faith is not incident to all beleeuers but to the Prophets Apostles martyrs and such as haue beene long exercised in the schoole of Christ. And this appeares by the order whereby we attaine to this degree of faith First there must be a knowledge of Christ then followes a generall perswasion of the possibilitie of pardon and mercie whereby we beleeue that our sinnes are pardonable An example whereof we haue in the prodigall child Luk. 14. 18. After this the H. Ghost worketh a will and desire to beleeue and stirres vp the heart to make humble and serious inuocation for pardon After praier instantly made followes a setling and quieting of the conscience according to the promise Math. 7. 7. Knocke it shall be opened seeke ye shall finde aske ye shall receiue After all this followes an experience in manifold obseruations of the mercies of God and loue in Christ and after experience followes a full perswasion Abraham had not this full perswasion till God had sundrie times spoken to him Dauid vpon much triall of the mercie fauour of God growes to resolution and saith Psal. 23. 6. Doubilesse kindnes and mercie shall follow me all the daies of my life This distinction of the degrees of faith must the rather be obserued because the Papists suppose that we teach that euery faith is a full perswasion and that euery one among vs hath this perswasion Which is otherwise For certentie we ascribe to all faith but not fulnes of certentie Neither doe we teach that all men must haue a full perswasion at the first The vse If that be the right faith which apprehends and applies Christ vnto vs then is it a poore and miserable faith of the Papist to be baptized and withall to beleeue as the church doth when it is not knowne what the Church beleeues Of the same kind is the faith of the multitude amōg vs whose faith is their good meaning that is their fidelitie and truth in their dealings Lastly if that be faith which truly apprehends Christ there is little true faith in these last daies For though the merit of Christ be apprehended by faith yet is not the efficacie of his death and that appeares by the bad and vnreformed liues of them that professe the Gospel Indeede many say they haue and euer had a strong perswasion of Gods mercie but in the most of them it is but a strong imagination for their faith was conceiued without the word praier sacraments and it is seuered from Good life We are then all of vs carefully to seeke for this true and liuely faith And the rather because faith and repentance are possible to all that by grace doe will it Nay they which will to beleeue and repent haue begunne to beleeue and repent God accepting the will for the deede Luk. 11. 13. And hauing attained to a measure of true faith we must goe on and seeke to iustifie our selues but yet as S. Iames teacheth c. 2. iustifie our faith by good workes and then shall our faith be a meanes to iustifie vs in life and death The second point to be considered concerning faith is the manner how it iustifieth The Papists teach that it iustifieth because it stirreth vp good motions and good affections in the heart whereby it prepareth and disposeth man that he may be fit to receiue his iustification againe because it beeing an excellent vertue meriteth that God should iustifie But this is false which they say For if faith iustifieth by disposing the heart then there must be a space of time betweene iustification and iustifying faith but there is no space of time betweene them For so soone as a man beleeues he is presently iustified For euery beleeuer hath the promise of remission of sinnes and life euerlasting Againe in the case of iustification Paul opposeth beleeuing and doing faith and workes of the law faith therefore doth not iustifie as a worke or as an excellent vertue bringing forth many diuine and gratious operations in vs. Nay the proper action of faith which is Apprehension doth not iustifie of it selfe for it is imperfect and is to be increased to the ende of our daies Faith therefore iustifieth because it is an instrument to apprehend and applie that which iustifieth namely Christ and his obedience As the Israelites stung of fierie serpents were cured so are we saued Ioh. 3. 16. the Israelites did nothing at all but onely looke vpon the brasen serpent so are we to doe nothing for our iustification and saluation but to fixe the eye of our faith on Christ. The bankrupt paies his debt by accepting the paiment made by his suretie It is the propertie of true religion to depresse nature and to exalt grace and this is done when we make God the onely worker of our saluation and make our selues to be no more but receiuers of the mercie and grace of God by faith receiuers not by nature but by grace reaching out the beggers hand namely our faith in Christ to receiue the gift or almes of mercie The last point is that faith alone iustifieth For here Paul saith that we are iustified by faith without the workes of the law and that is as much as if he had said by faith alone Some Papists to helpe themselues translate the words of Paul thus Knowing that a man is not iustified by the workes of
the law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if not by faith that is except faith goe withall then if faith be ioyned with workes say they workes iustifie I answer that this manner of translation corrupteth the text For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must here be translated but as appeares by the wordes following We haue beleeued in Christ that we might be iustified by faith in Christ without the workes of the law We cannot doe more in the curing of our spirituall diseases then in the curing of the diseases of our bodie of which Christ saith Onely beleeue Mark 5. 36. When Abraham abounded both in faith and works Rom. 4. it is said that he was iustified by faith without workes This doctrine is of great vse First we learne hence that a man is iustified by the meere mercie of God and that there is excluded from iustification all Merit of congruitie all meritorious workes of preparation wrought by vs all Cooperation of mans will with Gods grace in the effecting of our iustification Secondly we learne that a man is iustified by the meere merit of Christ that is by the meritorious obedience which he wrought in himselfe and not by any thing wrought by him in vs. Here then our merits and satisfactions and all inward iustice is excluded from the iustification of a sinner To this end Paul saith that we are iustified freely by the redemption that is in Christ Rom. 3. 24. that we are made the iustice of God in him and not in vs. 2. Cor. 5. 21. that he gaue himselfe to deliuer vs Gal. 1. 4. that he hath purged our sinnes by himselfe Heb. 1. 3. and not by any thing in vs. Hence it appeares that the Papists erre and are deceiued when they teach that Christ did merit that we might merit and satisfie for our selues for then we should not be iustified by our faith alone Thirdly hence we learne that a sinner is iustified by meere faith that is that nothing within vs concurres as a cause of our iustification but faith and that nothing apprehends Christs obedience for our iustification but faith This will more easily appeare if we compare faith hope and loue Faith is like an hand that opens it selfe to receiue a gift and so is neither loue nor hope Loue is also an hand but yet an hand that giues out communicates and distributes For as faith receiues Christ into our hearts so loue opens the heart and powers out praise and thanks to God and all manner of goodnes to men Hope is no hand but an eye that wishly looketh and waiteth for the good things which faith beleeueth Therefore it is the onely propertie of faith to claspe and lay hold of Christ and his benefits It is obiected that true faith is neuer alone I answer thus Faith is neuer alone in the person iustified nor in godly conuersation but is ioyned with all other vertues Yet in the act and office of iustification it is alone The eye in the bodie is not alone beeing ioyned with all other parts hand foote c. neuerthelesse the eye in seeing is alone For no part of the bodie seeth but the eye Secondly it may be obiected that beeing iustified by faith alone we are saued by faith alone and so may liue as we list I answer faith must be considered as an Instrument or as a way If it be considered as an instrument to apprehend Christ to our saluation we are onely saued by faith on this manner Yet if faith be considered as a way we are not onely saued by faith For all other vertues and workes are the way to life as well as faith though they be not causes of saluation Thirdly it is obiected that not onely faith but also the sacraments serue to applie Christ I answer they are saide to applie in that they serue to confirme faith whole office is to applie And here let vs take notice of the errour of the Papists who teach that our satisfactions serue to applie the satisfaction of Christ and the sacrifice of the Masse to applie the sacrifice of Christ vpon the crosse whereas nothing indeede applies but faith In the sixt place we are to consider the kindes of iustification The Papists make two one when a man of an euill man is made a good man the second when a good man is made better and this they say is by workes But it is false which they teach For the Iewes which were borne an holy and peculiar people to God by meanes of the couenant were iustified as Paul here saith by faith without workes Againe he saith that the very ende of our beleeuing is that we may be iustified by faith without workes Therefore there is one onely iustification and no more and that by faith without workes The seuenth point is the ground of this doctrine of iustification by faith without workes And it is laid downe in the end of the 16. verse No flesh shall be iustified by the workes of the law And this ground is taken as I suppose from Psalme 143. v. 2. It may be alleadged that Dauid saith thus No flesh shall be iustified in thy sight and that the other words by the workes of the law are not expressed I answer that the Apostles and Christ in citing places of the old Testament applie them and expound them and hereupon sometime adde words without adding to the sense Moses saith Him shalt thou serue Deut. 6. 16. Christ alleadging the same wordes saith Him onely shalt thou serue Math. 4. 10. Dauid saith Sacrifice and burnt offering thou wouldest not but mine eares hast thou pearced Psal. 40. 7. the author to the Hebrewes citing this text saith Sacrifice and burnt offering thou wouldest not but a bodie hast thou fitted me Heb. 10. 5. And thus the pearcing of the eare is explaned For indeede it signifies to be made obedient and to this ende was a bodie giuen to Christ that he might obey his fathers will The eight and last point is the practise of them that are iustified and that is to beleeue or put their trust in Christ. Trust in the Lord saith the Prophet and ye shal be assured 2. Chron. 20. 20. And Salomon saith Roll your care on the Lord Prou. 16. 2. By meanes of this faith the heart of the righteous is fixed and stablished Psal. 117. 7 8. For the better practise of this dutie two rules must be remembred The one is that faith and the practise thereof must raigne in the heart and haue all at command We must not goe by sense feeling reason but we must shut our eyes and let faith keepe our hearts close to the promise of God Nay faith must ouerrule nature and command nature and the strongest affections thereof Thus Abraham beleeued against hope and by faith was content to offer his naturall and onely begotten sonne Hebr. 11. If faith ouerrule nature then much more must it haue all the lusts and corruptions of nature at command The second rule is
are now constant but if triall shall come our frailtie shall appeare That our frailtie and weaknes may not be hurtfull to vs we must remember two rules One is not to haue a conceit of any thing in vs but to hold our faith and religion in feare as in the presence of God Rom. 11. 20. the second to take heede that there be not in vs an euill corrupt and dissembling heart For if our heart be naught our faith cannot be good Heb. 4. 12. 6 As Abraham beleeued God and it was imputed to him for righteousnes 7 Knowye therefore that they which are of faith are the children of Abraham The words Euen as Abraham c. haue reference to that which went before on this manner Ye Galatians receiued the spirit by my doctrine and my doctrine was the preaching of iustification of faith without workes which doctrine is like and sutable to the example of Abraham who beleeued God and it was imputed for iustice Here Paul sets downe the second argument whereby he prooues the truth of his doctrine And it is framed thus As Abraham was iustified so are the children of Abraham Abraham was iustified by iustice imputed and apprehended by faith vers 6. Therefore the children of Abraham are thus iustified This conclusion is the principall question it is not here expressed but in the roome thereof a declaration is made who are the true children of God namely they that are of Abraham in respect of faith That which is saide here of Abraham is a maine ground concerning the iustification of a sinner in the bookes of the old and new Testament therefore I will more carefully search the true interpretation of it Some expound the words thus Abraham beleeued God and the world reputed him for a good and vertuous man But if this be the right sense then Paul is deceiued who brings this text to prooue the iustification of Abraham not onely before men but also before God Now vertue and goodnes which is in estimation among men is not sufficient to acquit and iustifie vs before God The second exposition is of the Papists who by faith here vnderstand a generall faith whereby the articles of faith are beleeued And by imputation they vnderstand reputation wher by a thing is esteemed as it is indeede And they teach that faith is reputed for righteousnes because say they faith formed with charitie is indeede the iustice whereby a sinner is iustified before God But this Exposition hath his defects and errours For first of all Charitie is not the forme or life of faith but the fruit and effect of it 1. Tim. 1. 5. The ende of teaching is loue out of a pure heart good conscience and faith vnfained It is obiected that as the bodie is dead without the soule so is faith without workes Iam. 2. 26. and therefore that workes are the life of faith Ans. S. Iames by faith vnderstands a pretended faith or the Profession of faith as appeares by the words v. 14. though a man say he hath faith and v. 18. shew me thy faith Now of this profession of faith workes are the life Secondly this exposition makes faith or the act of beleeuing to be our whole and intire iustice before God whereas indeede if it be iustice it is but one part thereof And in the act of beleeuing loue cannot be included Thirdly faith ioyned with charitie is not the iustice whereby a sinner is iustified For our faith and loue are both imperfect and faith is imputed for righteousnes without workes Rom. 4. 6. and therefore without charitie For this is charitie to keepe the commandements of God Ioh. 15. 10. Paul saith that the righteousnesse whereby we are iustified is by or through faith Phil. 3. 9. and therefore our iustice and our faith are two distinct things The third exposition is also from the Papists that faith is reputed for righteousnes because it is reputed to be a sufficient meanes to prepare men to their iustification but this cannot be the sense of this place For this was spoken of Abraham after he was iustified and therefore needed no preparation to iustification Let vs now come to the true sense of the wordes In them I consider two things Abrahams faith in these words Abraham beleeued God and the fruit of his faith in these words and it was imputed to him for righteousnes Touching his faith I consider three things The first is the occasion which was on this manner After the conquest of the heathen kings Abraham was still in some feare in this regard the Lord comforts him Gen. 15. 1. I am thy buckler and thy exceeding great reward But to this Abraham replies I want issue and the Lord answers I will make thy seede as the starres of heauen Gen. 15. 5. Now then looke as God renewes and inlarges his promise to Abraham so Abraham renewes his faith and hereupon Moses and Paul say Abraham beleeued God God doth not now inlarge his promises to vs as to Abraham neuerthelesse the promises recorded in the bible are renewed to vs partly by preaching and partly by the vse of the sacraments and we accordingly are to renew our faith specially in the time of feare and danger The second thing is the obiect or matter of his faith and that is the multiplication of his posteritie It may be said how could Abraham be iustified by such a faith Ans. The promise of the multiplication of his seede was a dependant of a more principall promise I am thy God all-sufficient Gen. 17. 1. and I am thy exceeding great reward Gen. 15. 11. In this carnall seede Abraham specially respected by the eye of faith the blessed seede of the woman He therefore beleeued the promise of a seede as it was a pledge vnto him of a thing more principall namely the fauour of God and as it was a meanes to effect the incarnation of the sonne of God In his example we are taught how we are to respect and vse earthly things we are to respect them as pledges of Gods fauour and to vse them as meanes to further vs to Christ and to the attainment of our saluation The third point is the propertie of Abrahams faith which was a faith against hope For he beleeued the promise of a seede when his bodie was halfe dead and Sarai was barren In like sort we keeping true religion and good conscience must in all our temptations crosses miseries infirmities against reason sense and feeling beleeue the promise of remission of sinnes and life euerlasting In the effect and fruit of Abrahams faith three things must be considered The first is what is meant by Imputation To impute properly is a speach borrowed from marchants and it signifies to recken or to keepe a reckening of expenses and receipts Thus Paul saith Philem. 18. If he haue done thee any wrong impute it to me that is set it on my reckening And this word is here applied to the Iudgement of God Because he
the secrets of our hearts to God Whereas Paul saith that a Mediatour is not of one but a third betweene two at the least it may be demaunded how Christ can be mediatour betweene man and God considering he is God Ans. Though Father Sonne and holy Spirit be one and the same in respect of Godhead yet are they distinct in respect of person or in respect of the manner of subsisting so as the Father is the father not the Sonne or holy Ghost the Sonne the sonne and not the Father or the H. Ghost the holy Ghost the holy Ghost and not the father or the sonne The sonne then and the father beeing persons really distinct the sonne may be and is Mediatour first of all in respect of order to the father and in him to the sonne and the holy Ghost For the three persons beeing of one nature and will when the father is appeased in him also the sonne and the holy Ghost are appeased Thus Iohn saith If any man sinne we haue an aduocate with the father It may be said that Christ cannot be Mediatour to himselfe Ans. In Christ consider his nature and his Office By nature he is the sonne of God by office he is Mediatour and thus he is God-man or Man-god and as Mediatour by voluntarie dispensation he is inferiour to himselfe as he is the essentiall sonne of God And in the same manner Christ as God-man is Mediatour to himselfe as he is the sonne of God For as he is the sonne of God he is the partie offended as he is Mediatour God-man he is the partie that makes reconciliation Lastly the propertie of God must be obserued that he is vnchangeable Iam. 1. 17. Mal. 3. 16. It may be obiected that God is saide in Scripture to repent Ans. God is said to repent not because he changeth either nature or will but because he changeth his actions of mercie and loue into effects of anger after the manner of men Againe it may be obiected that God changed the law and abolished ceremonies Ans. This God did by an vnchangeable decree before all worlds and so the change is in the law and not in God For God can decree to change this or that without change The vse Gods vnchangeablenes is the foundation of our comfort Saint Paul saith If we loue God we are knowne of him 1. Cor. 8. 3. Now the first we may certenly finde in our selues namely the loue of God and Christ and for the second God is vnchangeable For they which are once knowne of God are euer knowne of him and that euen then when they feele nothing but Gods anger Againe we are put in minde to be vnchangeable in good things as in faith hope loue good counsells honest promises and such like specially in the maintenance of true religion For we ought to be like vnto God It is the poesie of our grations Queene Semper eadem Alwaies one and the same no doubt in good things specially in the religion established among vs. The same must be the minde of all good subiects and all good people 1. Cor. 15. 58. 21 Is the law then against the promise of God God forbid for if there had beene a law giuen which could haue giuen life surely righteousnesse should haue beene by the law 22 But the Scripture hath included all vnder sinne that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ should be giuen to them that beleeue In these words Paul propounds and answers an other obiection in number the fourth The occasion of the obiection is taken out of the former words in which Paul saith the law is for transgressions It may be framed on this manner If the law serue to conuince and condemne vs of sinne it serues not to giue life but to kill and so it is contrarie to the promise which giuethlife The answer is made negatiuely God forbid And a double reason is rendered of the deniall The first is this If the law could giue life it should also giue iustice or iustifie and so it should be contrarie to the promise because then there should be two contrarie waies of iustification one by faith alone the other by faith with workes Therefore in that it kills and condemnes it is not contrarie to the promise The second reason is in the 22. verse Things subordinate whereof one serues for the other are not contrarie the law and the promise are subordinate for the law prepares the way for the accomplishing of the promise in that it shuts all vnder sinne that the promise may be giuen to them that beleeue in Christ. The vse In that Paul reiects the blasphemous obiection with God forbid we are taught to auoid things said or done to the dishonour of God with loathing and detestation When it was related to Ahab and Iezabel that Naboth had blasphemed God they beeing idolaters solemnise a fast pretending danger by the sinne 1. King 21. 12. Caiphas supposing that Christ had blasphemed rent his garments Math. 26. When Iob did but suspect his children of blaspheming God he called them and sanctified them Iob 1. 5. It is the fault of our daies that many blaspheme by cursing swearing c. without feare and many doe it as many dissolute souldiers in a brauerie and hearers thereof for the most part are nothing mooued thereat so ordinarie is the offence This shewes the wickednes of our times In the first reason Paul deliuers a notable conclusion namely that the thing which is the meanes to procure life vnto vs is also the meanes of our iustice or iustification before God And good reason For iustice causeth life and that which giueth life first of all giueth iustice Hence it followes that workes cannot meritoriously deserue eternall life For if life be by the workes of the law then iustice also but that cannot be for we must first of all be iustified before we can doe a good worke Let the Papists consider this Againe they which teach that faith is alone in iustification and that both faith and workes concurre as causes of saluation are deceiued For by the former conclusion of Paul if workes be causes of saluation then must they also haue a stroake in our iustification which they haue not And therefore they are the way of our saluation but not any cause at all Lastly here we see that many among vs doe not hold Christ or beleeue in him aright for their iustification because they hold him without change of heart and life For by Pauls conclusion whome Christ quickneth them he iustifieth and whome he doth not quicken them he doth not iustifie Examine thy selfe then if Christ haue sanctified and renewed thy heart thou art iustified if thy heart be yet vnsanctified and thy life vnreformed deceiue not thy selfe with fond imaginations thou art not yet iustified The 22. verse followeth containing the second reason And first let vs consider the meaning of the words The Scripture the words are in the Originall thus That
2. 6. This beeing so our dutie is to guard and inclose our selues specially our hearts Prov. 4. 23. and all the senses and powers of our soules Psal. 141. 3. by the wholesome precepts and counsells of God Considering we lie open to so many enemies we should continually be armed and fensed from the head to the foote Eph. 6. 13. otherwise we shall vpon euery occasion be ouerturned To come to the 24. v. the Iewes might happily say seeing we are thus kept and shut vp by the law what meanes haue we of comfort and of saluation The answer is made the law is further our schoolemaster Here by schoolemaster vnderstand one that teacheth little children or Petits the first rudiments or elements A. B. C. And the law is a schoolemaster to Christ for two causes One because it points out and shadowes forth vnto vs Christ by bodily rudiments of ceremonies and sacrifices The second is because the law specially the morall law vrgeth and compelleth men to goe to Christ. For it shewes vs our sinnes and that without remedie it shewes vs the damnation that is due vnto vs and by this meanes it makes vs dispaire of saluation in respect of our selues and thus it inforceth vs to seeke for helpe out of our selues in Christ. The law is then our schoolemaster not by plaine teaching but by stripes and correction In this verse Paul sets downe the manner and way of our saluation which is on this manner first the law prepares vs by humbling vs then comes the Gospel and it stirres vp faith And faith wrought in the heart apprehends Christ for iustification sanctification and glorification Paul sets this forth by a fit similitude They that would be the seruants and children of God must come into the schoole of God and be taught of him In this schoole are two formes and two masters In the first forme the teacher and master is the law And he teacheth men to know their sinnes and their deserued damnation and he causeth vs to despaire of our saluation in respect of our selues And when men haue bin well schooled by the law and are brought to acknowledge their sinnes and that they are slaues of sinne and Satan then must they be taken vp to an higher forme and be taught by an other schoolemaster which is Faith or the Gospel The lesson of the Gospel is that men after they are humbled must flie to the throne of grace beleeue in Christ and with all their hearts turne vnto God that they may be iustified and glorified When we haue by the teaching of this second master learned this good lesson we are become children and seruants of God By this then it is manifest that there are two sorts of badde schollers in the schoole of Christ among vs. One sort are they which come to the Lords table and yet learne nothing either from the law or from the Gospel but content themselues with the teaching of nature The second sort are they which learne something but in preposterous manner For they haue learned that mercie and saluation comes by Christ and with this they content themselues not suffering themselues first of all to be schooled by the law till they despaire in respect of themselues nor to be schooled of the Gospel till they beleeue in Christ and repent of their sinnes In a word he is a good scholler in the schoole of Christ that first learnes by the law to humble himselfe and to goe out of himselfe and beeing humbled subiects his heart to the voice and precept of the Gospel which biddes vs beleeue in Christ turne to God and testifie our faith by new obedience In the second part of the comparison 25. v. Paul sets downe one point that at the comming of the faith the Iewes were freeed from the dominion of the law of Moses and consequently that the said law was abrogated The lawgiuer that is the expounder of Moses law was to last but till the comming of Shilo Gen. 49. 10. The law of commandements standing in ordinances was abrogated by the flesh of Christ. Eph. 2. 15. And the change of the priesthood brought the change of the law Hebr. 7. 12. For the better cleering of this point three questions are to be demanded The first is when was the policie regiment or law of Moses abrogated Ans. At the comming of the faith or when the Gospel first beganne to be published to the world which was at the Ascension of Christ. And he in his death cancelled the ceremoniall law and tooke it out of the way Col. 2. 14. When the old Testament ended and the new began then was the abrogation of the law now the ending of the old Testament and the beginning of the new was in the Resurrection of Christ. For then was the beginning of the new world as it were The second question is How farre forth the law is abrogated Ans. The law is threefold Morall Ceremoniall Iudiciall Morall is the law of God concerning manners or duties to God and man Now the morall law is abrogated in respect of the Church and them that beleeue three waies First in respect of iustification and this Paul prooues at large in this epistle Secondly in respect of the malediction or curse There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ. Rom. 8. 1. Thirdly in respect of rigour For in them that are in Christ God accepts the indeauour to obay for obedience it selfe Neuerthelesse the law as it is the Rule of good life is vnchangeable and admits no abrogation And Christ in this regard did by his death establish it Rom. 3. 31. The Ceremoniall law is that which prescribed rites and gestures in the worship of God in the time of the old testament Ceremonies are either of figure and signification or of order The first are abrogated at the comming of Christ who was the accomplishment of them all Col. 2. 17. The second beeing ceremonies of particular order to the times of the old and new Testament concerne not vs. For example In the commandement of the Sabbath some things are morall some ceremoniall some iudiciall That in one day of seuen there should be an holy rest it is morall Rest vpon the seuenth day from the creation is Ceremoniall in respect of order Strictnes of rest from all labour is ceremoniall in respect of the signification of rest from sinne and rest in heauen Therefore the particular day of rest and the manner of rest is abrogated and Christ by his owne example and by the example of the Apostles examples not beeing contradicted in Scripture appointed the eight day or the day of Christs resurrection to be the Sabbath of the new Testament Iudiciall lawes are such as concerne inheritances lands bargaines controuersies causes criminall and they pertaine to the regiment of the Commonwealth If the Commonwealth of the Iewes were now standing they should be gouerned by these lawes For to them were they giuen The case is not like with vs. Some
if he fall into any offence of frailtie yet doth he not make a practise of sinne as the wicked and vngodly doe It may be saide the Galatians and all the Galatians are the children of God but what is that to vs Ans. They among vs that professe true saith in Christ with care to keepe good conscience are likewise to hold themselues to be children of God He beleeues not the Gospel that doth not beleeue his owne adoption For in the Gospel there is a promise of all the blessings of God to them that beleeue and there is also a commandement to applie the said promise to our selues and consequently to applie the gift of adoption to our selues When we are bidden to say Our father we are bidden to beleeue our selues to be children of God and so to come vnto him Therefore with Paul I say that all we that truly beleeue in Christ and haue care to lead a good life all I say are indeede the children of God The vse Comforts arising by this benefit are many First if thou be Gods child surely he will prouide all things necessarie for thy soule and bodie Math. 6. 26. Our care must be to doe the office and dutie that belongs vnto vs when this is done our care is ended As for the good successe of our labours we must cast our care on God who will prouide that no good thing be wanting vnto vs. Psal. 34. 10. They that drowne themselues in worldly cares liue like fatherlesse children Secondly in that we are children we haue libertie to come into the presence of God and to pray vnto him Eph. 3. 12. Thirdly nothing shall hurt them that are the children of God The plague shall not come neere their tabernacle they shall walke vpon the lyon and the aspe and tread them vnder foote Psal. 91. 13. All things shall turne to their good Rom. 8. 28. And the rather because the Angels of God pitch their tents about them Lastly God will beare with the infirmities and frailties of them that are his children if there be in them a care to please him with a Purpose of not sinning Malach. 3. 7. If a child be sicke the father or mother doe not cast it out of dores much lesse will God The duties First if ye be Gods children then walke worthie your profession and calling Be not vassalls of sinne and Satan carrie your selues as kings sonnes bearing sway ouer the lusts of your owne hearts the temptations of the deuill and the leud customes and fashions of this world When Dauid kept his fathers sheepe he behaued himselfe like a shepheard but when he was called from the sheepefold and chosen to be king he carried himselfe accordingly So must we doe that of children of the deuill are made the children of God And if we liue according to the lusts of our flesh as the men of this world doe whatsoeuer we professe we are in truth the children of the deuill Ioh. 8. 44. 1. Ioh. 3. Secondly we must vse euery day to bring our selues into the presence of God and we must doe all things as in his sight and presence presenting our selues vnto him as instruments of his glorie in doing of his will This is the honour that the child of God owes vnto him Mal. 1. 6. Thirdly our care must be according to the measure of grace to resemble Christ in all good vertues and holy conuersation For he is our eldest brother the first borne of many brethren and therefore we should be like vnto him 1. Ioh. 3. 2 3. Fourthly we must haue a desire and loue to the word of God that we may grow by it in knowledge grace and good life For this is the milke and foode whereby God feedes his childrē 1. Pet. 2. 2. Such persōs thē amōg vs that haue no loue or liking of the word but spend their daies in ignorāce securitie shew themselues to be no children of God The child in the armes of the mother or nurce that neuer desires the brest is certenly a dead child Lastly we must put this in our accounts that we must haue many afflictions if we be Gods children for he corrects all his children And when we are vnder the rodde of correction we must refigne our selues to the will and good pleasure of God This is childlike obedience and this must be done in silence and with all quietnes then God is best pleased The internall meanes of Adoption is Faith in Christ. And for the better conceiuing of it three questions are to be propounded The first what a kind of faith is this Ans. A particular or speciall faith and it hath three acts or effects The first is to beleeue Christ to be Jesus that is a Sauiour the second is to beleeue that Christ is my or thy Sauiour the third is to put the confidence of heart in him When Thomas felt the wounds of Christ he said My Lord and my God and thereupon Christ said Because thou hast seene thou beleeuest Ioh. 20. 29. Here marke that to beleeue Christ to be my Christ is faith Against this speciall faith the Papists obiect three arguments The first is this Euery speciall faith must haue a speciall word of God for his ground but there is no speciall word that thy sinnes or my sinnes are forgiuen by Christ therefore there is no speciall faith Ans. We haue that which in force and value is equiualent to a speciall word namely a generall promise with a commandement to applie the said promise to our selues Secondly I answer that the word and promise of God generally propounded in Scripture is made particular in the publike Ministerie in which when the word is preached to any people God reueales two things vnto them one that his will is to saue them by Christ the other that his will is that men should beleeue in Christ. And the word thus applied in the publike Ministerie in the name of God is as much as if an Angel should particularly speake vnto vs from heauen The second Argument Speciall faith say they is absurd because by it a sinner must beleeue the pardon of his sinnes before he hath it in as much as faith is the meanes to obtaine pardon Ans. The giuing and the receiuing of pardon and faith are both at one moment of time for when God giues the pardon of sinne at the same instant he causeth men to receiue the same pardon by faith For order of nature faith goes before the receiuing of the pardon because faith is giuen to them that are to be ingrafted into Christ and pardon to them that are in Christ for time it doth not and therfore this second argument is absurd The third Argument The full certentie and perswasion of Gods mercie in Christ followes good conscience and good workes and therefore faith followes after Iustification Ans. There be two degrees of faith A weake faith and a strong faith A weake faith is that against which doubting much preuailes in
which there is a sorrow for vnbeleefe a will and defire to beleeue in Christ with care to vse good meanes and to increase in faith Strong faith is that which preuailes against doubting and it is a full perswasion or resolution of the loue and mercie of God in Christ. This second degree of faith follows iustification vpon the obseruation and experience of the prouidence and goodnes of God but the first degree of speciall faith before named for order goes before iustification and for time is together with it The second question is when faith beginnes first to breede in the heart Ans. When a man beginnes to be touched in his conscience for his sinnes and vpon feeling of his owne spirituall pouertie earnestly hungers and thirsts after Christ and his righteousnes aboue all things in the world Christ saith I will giue to him that thirsteth of the well of the water of life freely Reuel 21. 6. This promise declares that in thirsting there is a measure of faith To eate and drinke Christ the bread and water of life is to beleeue in him and to hunger and thirst hauing as it were a spirituall appetite to Christ is the next steppe to this eating and drinking Therefore this must be remembred that professours of the Gospel yea teachers of the same that want this sense of their vnworthines and this thirsting are farre wide what gifts soeuer they haue For they are not yet come to the first steppe of true faith The third question is how faith in Christ is reuealed in the heart Ans. It is not faith to conceiue in minde a bare perswasion that Christ is my Sauiour and thereupon to thinke to be saued But faith in Christ is conceiued in the spirituall exercises of inuocation and repentance When I see mine owne sinnes and Gods anger against me for them by the law when I see mine owne guiltines I draw my selfe into the presence of God making confession of mine offences and praier for the pardon of them and in this praier I striue against mine vnbeleefe I will desire and endeauour to assent to the promise of God touching forgiuenes and withall I purpose with my selfe to sinne no more This is my daily practise and thus is faith truly conceiued and confirmed Againe faith is conceiued in the vse of holy meanes namely the Preaching of the word and Sacraments For in hearing receiuing the Lords Supper to meditate vpon the promise of mercie and in meditation to applie the said promise to my selfe is the right way to conceiue true faith Therefore it must be remembred that faith conceiued without the exercises of inuocation and repentance or conceiued without the vse of the word and Sacraments as commonly it is is not true faith but an Imagination or fiction of the braine which will faile in the ende The third point to be considered is the signe or the outward meanes of Adoption and that is Baptisme It may be demanded how Baptisme can be a marke or signe of the child of God considering all sorts of men are partakers of it Ans. Baptisme alone is no marke of Gods child but baptisme ioyned with faith for so must the text be conceiued All ye Galatians that beleeue are baptised into Christ. For Paul had said immediatly before Ye are the sounes of God by faith Againe the Scripture speaking of baptisme comprehends both the outward and the inward baptisme which is the inward baptisme of the spirit Math. 3. 11. and 1. Pet. 3. 21. And thus is baptisme alwaies an infallible marke of the child of God It may further be demanded what are the markes of the inward baptisme Ans. The new birth whereby a man is washed and cleansed by the spirit of God hath three speciall markes The first is the spirit of grace and supplications Zach. 12. 10. that is the spirit of regeneration causing men to turne to God and withall to make instant praier and supplication for mercie and forgiuenes of sins past The second is to heare obay the voice of god in all things Ioh. 8. 47. 10. 27. The third is not to sin that is not to liue in in the practise of any sinne after this new birth is begunne 1. Ioh. 3. He that is borne of God doth not commit sinne He may faile in this or that speach and doe amisse in this or that action but after his calling and conuersion the tenour and course of his life shall be according to the commandements of God And this is a speciall marke to discerne the inward baptisme Some alleadged that hauing long agoe beene baptised with water yet they feele not the inward baptisme and therefore they feare that they are not the children of God Ans. If there be in thee a sorrow for thy corruptions and sinnes past if thou hast a purpose to sinne no more if thou auoidest the occasions of sinne and fearest to offend if hauing sinned thou liest not in thy sinne but recouerest thy selfe by new repentance thou art verily borne of God and baptised with the baptisme of the holy Ghost Others alleadge that although they haue bin baptised yet they feare they haue no faith and therefore they thinke they are not the children of God Ans. If there be in thee a sorrow for thine vnbeleefe a will and desire to beleeue and a care to increase in faith by the vse of good meanes there is a measure of true faith in thee and by it thou maist assure thy selfe that thou art the child of God Others againe alleadge that they haue long made praier vnto God and that according to his will and yet their praiers haue not bin heard and therefore they often doubt they are not Gods children Ans. If thou canst pray though thy praier be not heard according to thy desire content thy selfe For the praier of the heart is the marke of the spirit of adoption Rom. 8. 16. 26. And by it thou maist know that thou art the child of God Thus then we see what is the infallible marke of the child of God namely baptisme ioyned with true faith in Christ or the outward baptisme ioyned with the inward baptisme of the spirit The vse Many auouch the present Church of Rome to be the true Church of God and that because they say in it there is true baptisme which is a marke of the church of God But they are deceiued for baptisme in the church of Rome is seuered from true faith or from the Apostolike doctrine and the outward baptisme is seuered from the inward baptisme For they of that Church ouerturne iustification by the meere mercie of God which is the principall part of the inward baptisme Againe the ten Tribes retained circumcision after their Apostasie yet for all that condemned to be no people of God Ose. 1. 9. The light in the lanthorne pertaines not to the lanthorne but to the passengers in the streete euen so the Confession of faith in the Symboll of the Apostles and
are we so to doe Answ. We are members all of one bodie and we are members one of another Eph. 4. 25. And it is Gods pleasure that men shall be instruments of good mutually one to another Goodnesse respects either the bodie or the minde Goodnesse concerning the bodie hath many actions as to feed the hungrie to giue drinke to the thirstie to harbour the harbourlesse to cloath the naked to visit the sicke and them that are in prison Math. 25. 35 36. to burie the dead 2. Sam. 2. 5. Lastly to lend freely and liberally to such as be decaied and impouerished Deut. 15. 7. Goodnesse concerning the soule is to indeauour partly by counsell partly by example to gaine the soule of our neighbour to God and it stands in foure actions to admonish the vnâ—uly to comfort the distressed to beare with them that are weake and to be patient towards all 1. Thess. 5. 14. Goodnes is hard to be found in these daies among men The common practise is according to the common prouerb Euery man for himselfe and God for vs all The studie of men is howe to gather goods honours riches for themselues and for their children and the common good is not aimed at Good orders hardly take place as namely the order for the poore and the reason is the want of goodnesse in vs. If any professe any shew of goodnesse more then the rest they are sure to be despised and reproched at euery hand and this shews that there is little goodnesse among men Faith First we are here to vnderstand faith towards God which is to beleeue the remission of our sinnes and our reconciliation with God in Christ. This faith is common to all among vs yet is it but a false dead ceremoniall faith in many men Reason I Faith comes by the hearing of the word of God preached Rom. 10. 14. but this faith in many is conceiued without preaching for they say they beleeue their saluation by Christ and withall they liue in the perpetuall neglect or contempt of the publike Ministerie II. True faith is ioyned alwaies with the exercises of invocation and repentance yet in many among vs this faith is without any conuersion or change of heart and life and therefore it is but a dead faith III. True faith is mixed with contrarie vnbeleefe so as they that beleeue feele in themselues a want of faith and much vnbeleefe But there are many among vs that say they perfectly beleeue and that they neuer so much as doubted in all their liues Now such a faith is a vaine perswasion IV. Many that boast of their faith in Christ want faith in the prouidence of God touching food and raiment And that is manifest because they vse any vnlawfull meanes to helpe themselues now if their faith faile them in a smaller point it cannot be sound in the greatest of all Secondly by faith is meant faith towards men that stands in two things One is to speake the trueth from the heart the other is to be faithfull and iust in the keeping of our honest promise and word This faith is a rare vertue in these daies For the common fashion of them that liue by bargaining is to vse glosing facing soothing lying dissembling and all manner of shifts And with many it is a confessed principle that there is no liuing in the world vnlesse we lie and dissemble They that deale with chapmen shall heardly know what is trueth they haue so many wordes and so many shifts In this respect Christians come short of the Turkes who are said to be equall open and plaine dealing meÌ„ without fraud or deceipt Our care therfore must be to cherrish maintain amoÌ„g vs the vertue of faith and truth Reasons I. Gods commandement Put away lying and let euery man speake the truth to his neighbour Eph. 4 15. II. By truth we are like to God whose waies are all truth who hates a lying tongue Prou. 6. 17. whose spirit is the spirit of trueth III. Lyars beare the image of the deuill He is the father of lies Ioh. 8. 44. so oft then as thou liest thou makest thy tongue the instrument of the deuill IV. Eternall punishment in the lake that burnes with fire and brimstone Reu. 22. 15. Here marke that liars are entertained at the same table with murderers and theeues and the liar neuer goes vnpunished Prou. 19. 5. V. To speake the trueth from the heart is a marke of Gods child Psal. 15. 2. And he whose faith failes towards men shall much more faile towards God Meekenes The same in effect with long suffering The difference is that meekenes is more generall and long-suffering is the highest degree of meekenesse Temperance It is the moderation of lust and appetite in the vse of the gifts and creatures of God For the better practising of this vertue remember these foure rules I. We must vse moderation in meats drinks This moderatioÌ„ is to eat and drinke with perpetuall abstinence And abstinence is to take lesse then that which nature desires and not more And that measure of meate and drinke which serues to refresh nature and to make vs fitte for the seruice of God and man is allowed vs of God and no more II. We must vse moderation in our apparell And that is to apparell ourselues according to our sexe according to the receiued fashion of our countrie according to our place and degree and according to our abilitie Here the common fault in to be out of all order for none almost know any measure Euery meane person now adaies will be a gentleman or gentlewoman III. We must vse moderation in getting of goods and that is to rest content if we haue food and raiment for our selues them that belong vnto vs. 1. Tim. 6 8. Here is our stint we may not desire to be rich v. 9. The king himselfe must not multiply his gold and siluer Deut. 17. 17. and yet hath he more neede of gold and siluer then any priuate man IV. There must be a moderation in the spending of our goods contrarie to the fashion of many that spend their substance in â—â—â—sting and company and keepe their wiues and children bare at home Against such there is no law Here Paul sets downe the benefit that comes by the former vertues The words carrie this sense Against such vertues and against persons indued with such vertues there is no law And that for two causes One there is no law to condemne such Secondly there is no lawe to compell them to obey because they freely obey God as if there were no law Marke then the condition of spirituall men They are a voluntarie free people seruing God freely without constraint So as if Christ would not giue vnto them life euerlasting yet would they loue him and desire the aduancement of his kingdome On the contrarie if there were no hell and God would not punish adulterie drunkennes blasphemie c. with eternall
highest heauen and made them fall like thunderbolts into the lowest hell To man for as Dauid saith it is like a griâ—â—ous burden too heauie for him to beare Psal. 38. 4. To God for the hypocriticall and ceremoniall seruice of the Iewes was such a burden vnto him that he was wearie to beare it Isa. 1. 14. Behold I am pressed vnder you aâ— a cart is pressed that is full of sheaues Amos 2. 13. To the creatures who groane vnder this burden beeing by mans sinne subiect to vanitie and corruption Rom. 8. 20 21. Hence it followeth then that those which feele not the waight burden of their sinnes are dead being aliue as Paul speaks in another case 1. Tim. 5. 6. Thirdly we are not to wonder that sinne beeing so heauie a burden should be made so light a matter by carnall men for it is a spirituall burden and therefore no maruell though it be not â—elt of them that are all flesh and no spirit Fourthly this shewes that the more a man doth feele the burden of his sinnes the greater measure of grace and spirituall life he hath and the lesse he feeleth it the more he is to suspect himselfe that the graces of God doe wane and decay in him For corruption is not felt by corruption but by grace therfore the more a man doth feele the burden of his owne corruptionâ— the more grace he hath Fiftly by this we see that the greatest part of the world are dead in their sinnes in that they haue no sense nor feeling of this heauie burden There is indeede great crying out of the stone in the reynes because it is felt to be a great â—orment to the bodie but there is little or no complaining of the stone in the heart because men want spirituall life and sense to discerne it All men can take pittie vpon a beast if he lie vnder his burden and will be readie to helpe him vp againe But all haue not the like sight and sense of the spirituall burden of sinne not sympathy of the miserie of their brethren groaning vnder it Sixtly whereas Paul saith Euery man must beare his owne burden he meeteth with the prophanenesse and Atheisme of our time when men make a mocke at the day of iudgement the strict account that euery man is to giue for himselfe The Iewes were woont to â—east at the threatnings of God denounced by the Prophets and to call the visions of the Prophets oâ—us Iehouae the burden of the Lord in a merriment vsing it aâ— a by-word Ierem. 23. 34 36 38. Thereby signifying that the threats of God were but vaine bugs or scarre-crowes which might perhaps terrifie children but could not hart them The like prophanenesse infidelitie atheisme hath crept into the mindes of many who otherwise proâ—esse the Gospel which they testifie by their speeches in saying they are sure sinne is nothing so ougly hell is not halfe so hotte nor the deuill halâ—e so blacke as preachers say they are or if they be they are sure they shall not goe loaden alone with the burden of their sinns but shall haue coÌ„pany shall perhaps abide the brunt as well as their fellows But alas they know not that the burdeÌ„ of sinne is intollerable that it will eternally presse theÌ„ down to the gulâ—e of hell that they shall neuer be able to be ridde or eased of it Seuenthly we are here admonished to take heede of euery sinne for there is no sinne so small but hath his waight and such a waight as will presse downe to the bottomlesse pit Ro. 6. 23. And though some be greater then others and sinke a maÌ„ deeper into condemnation yet many small sinnes will as easily condemne as a few great Like as sands though but small in quantitie yet beeing many in number will as soone sinke the ship as if it were laden with the greatest burden Eightly seeing the guilt and punishment of sinne is so heauie a burden we are to ease and disburden our selues thereof And that we may doe this we must labour to feele the intollerable waight of it pressing and oppressing the conscience Therefore as those who in their sleepe are troubled with the Ephialtes or mare feeling as it were a great mountaine lying vpon them and pressing them down would giue all the world the waight might be remooued So we feeling the waight and burden of our sinnes are to labour to be disburdened and eased thereof this we shall doe by our repentaÌ„ce toward God and faith in Christ. Math. 11. 28. Come vnto me all ye that are wearie and laden and I will ease you ver 6. Let him that is taught in the word make him that hath taught him partaker of all his goods In these words the Apostle laieth downe an other rule touching the maintenance of the ministerie and competencie of allowance for the ministers of the word for it seemeth that the ministrie among the Galatians was at that time much neglected at least not so respected as it ought In handling of the rule I will first shewe the meaning of the words secondly the reasons of the rule thirdly the obiections against it lastly the doctrine and vses that are to be gathered from it The meaning Let him that is taught The word translated taught signifieth him that is catechized or taught familiarly by word of mouth or liuely voice as when children are taught the first principles of religion But here it hath a larger signification as Oecumenius hath well obserued for him that is any way taught and instructed whether it be in the first principles and rudiments or in points of greater difficultie whether plainely and familiarly as catechizers vse to doe or more profoundly for the instruction of the learned Taught in the word What needes this addition may some say is there any catechizing without the word Answ. The Apostle addeth in the word to shew that he meaneth not so much the doctrine of Christian religion contained in the scriptures as the doctrine of the Gospel which by an exoche or peculiar excellencie is called the word Act. 16. 6. They were forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia which is expounded v. 10. to be the preaching of the Gospel Thus it is vsed Act. 14. 25. when they had preached the word in Perga Mark 4. 14. The sower soweth the word And so in sundrie other places And it is further called the word of the kingdome Matth. 13. 19. because it teacheth what is the kingdom of grace and glorie and because it beeing beleeued or as the Apostle speakes beeing mingled with faith in our hearts doth make vs freedenizens of the kingdome of grace in this life and doth aduance vs to the kingdom of glorie in the life to come Secondly it is called the word of God because he is the author of it and no creature man or angel 1. Thess. 3. 13. Thirdly the word of saluation Act. 13. 26. because
by good example and by gratious speeches seasoned with salt c. as Barnabas did who comming to Antioch and seeing the grace of God that was giuen them was glad and confirmed them therein exhorting them that with purpose of heart they would cleaue vnto the Lord. Act. 11. 22. and for this cause as I take it it is added v. 23. that he was a good man and full of the holy Ghost and faith The Vniting goodnes is likewise to be practised in setting men at Vnitie in reconciling those that are at variance in making peace and amitie where there is nothing but enmitie and dissention for for this cause Christ calleth peace-makers the children of God Matth. 5. 10. because herein they liuely resemble the goodnes of God their heauēly father as any sonne doth resemble any qualitie or propertie in his naturall father for he maketh men to be of one minde in one house Psal. 67. The Communicating goodnes beeing especially vnderstood in this place hath foure degrees First for temporall things we must communicate to the necessities of the Saints Rom. 12. 13. And for spiritual blessings we must remēber the saying of Peter Let euery man as he hath receiued a gift so minister the same vnto others as good disposers of the manifold grace of God 1. Pet. 4. 10. Secondly we must be plentifull in the workes of mercie not contenting our selues with this that we are beneficiall to some in releeuing them in their wants and necessities but we must be rich in good workes 1. Tim. 6. 18. Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high minded that they doe good and be rich in good works readie to distribute and to communicate We must be like Tabitha or Dorcas who cloathed the poore with the garments which shee made at her owne proper cost and charges Act. 9. 39. and for this cause the holy Ghost giueth this testimonie of her that shee was rich or full of good works almes which shee did v. 36. like to the vertuous woman Prou. 31. 20. who openeth the palme of her hands to the poore and stretched out her hands to the needie like Iob of whome it is said that the loynes of the poore blessed him Iob. 31. 20. Thirdly we must be much in goodnes as the Scripture speaketh of God that is abundant in goodnes in communicating vnto others abundantly those blessings which the Lord hath stored vs withall not onely in louing our brethren for which the Thessalonians are commended that their loue one towardes another did abound but in a liberall supplying of their wants as Paul exhorts the Corinthians that as they did abound in faith and loue so they would abound in rich liberalitie 2. Cor. 8. 7. as good Obadiah did in spending his liuing and venturing his life in hiding an hundred of the Lords Prophets from the furious rage of wicked Iesabel 1. King 18. 13. Lastly we must be exceeding or superabundant in goodnes in exceeding measure if it may be in doing good like the poore widow who had rather want her selfe then be altogether wanting in contribution to the treasurie of the Lords Temple and therefore though it was but two mites which shee cast into the Corban yet Christ preferred it before all the rich mens offerings beeing put together in that they gaue of their superfluitie but shee of her penurie cast in all that shee had euen all her liuing Luk. 21. 4. It is well said by S. Ambrose We must releeue the wants of others according as we are able and sometime euen aboue our abilitie as Paul witnesseth of the Corinthians to their great commendation that to their power beyond their power they were willing 2. Cor. 8. 3. Further in doing good we must obserue these rules I. We must doe good of that onely which is our owne for we may not cut a large and liberall shine of another mans loafe as the common saying is we may not steale from one to giue to another or deale vniustly with some that we may be mercifull to others or robbe Peter to cloath Paul The Lord abhorreth euen burnt offering if it be of that which is gotten by rapine and spoile Esa. 61. 8. and hence it is that Dauid would not offer burnt offering without cost of that which was not his owne 1. Chron. 21. 24. II. We must doe good with chearefulnes and alacritie for God loueth a chearefull giuer 2. Cor. 9. Ambrose saith fitly and finely to this purpose Well-doing ought to proceede from well-willing for such as thine affection is such is thy action Therefore if we giue we must doe it freely otherwise it is no gift for what more free then gift therefore we may not play the hucksters in doing good for that doth most blemish the excellencie of the gift for as Lactantius saith Danda beneficia non foeneranda III. We must so doe good as that we doe not disable our selues for euer doing good but may continue in well doing and as the Psalmist speaketh bring forth more fruit in our age Salomon commands that the streames of our wells should flow to others yet so as that the fountaine be still our owne Psal. 112. 5. A good man is mercifull and lendeth and will guide his affaires with iudgement that is he will so discreetly dispose and order all his actions as that he will keepe himselfe within his compasse so beginning to doe good as that he may continue therefore the wise man saith In the house of the wise there is a pretious treasure and oyntment but a foolish man deuoureth it Prou. 21. 20. All the disciples that were at Antioch sent succour to the brethren which were in Iudea in the great famine that was in the time of Claudius Cesar yet euery man according to his abilitie Act. 11. 29. for according to Pauls rule we must not so giue that others be eased and we our selues pinched 2. Cor. 8. 13. IIII. We must doe all the good we can possibly within the compasse of our callings and hinder all the euill It will be said God whose example we are to follow doth not all the good he can neither doth he hinder all the euill Therefore we are not bound to doe all the good or preuent all the euill we can I answer in this particular we are not to imitate the example of God and that for three causes First because we are subiect to the law Thou shalt not doe euill that good may come of it Rom. 3. 8. whereas God is not bound nor subiect to any Law no not to his owne law but is aboue it and hath power to dispence with it Secondly because he is able to draw good out of euill light out of darknes which we cannot doe Thirdly because God is the Generall good we particular Now there is great difference betwixt these two for it belongs to the nature of the particular good to procure all the good
for grace and peace The reason true happinesse which all men desire consists in peace and is founded in grace they are said to be happie blessed that mourne suffer persecution for iustice sake Mat. 5. because in the middest of their sorrows miseries they haue the fauour of God the peace of good conscience Thirdly in that grace peace are ioyned we learn that peace without grace is no peace There is no peace to the wicked saith my god Isai. 57. last They which make a couenāt with hel death are soonest destroyed Isai. 28. 18. Laughter saith Salomon is madnes namely when it is seuered from grace and peace When men say peace peace then comes destruction 1. Thess. 5. The prosperitie of the men of this world ends in perdition read Ps. 73. Paul saith not simply that Grace and peace comes frō God but from God the father and from Iesus Christ that he may teach vs rightly to acknowledge and worship God For God is to be acknowledged and worshipped in the father in Christ in the holy spirit It was the fault of the Pagans and it is the fault of sundrie Christians to worship an absolute God without the father and without Christ. This fault must be amended for it turnes God to an Idol Againe when Paul saith that grace proceeds first from the father and secondly from Iesus Christ he sets downe the Order which God obserueth in the communication of grace peace The father is the fountaine of grace and giues it from none but from himselfe Christ againe is as it were a conduit or pipe to conuaie grace from the father to vs. Of his fulnesse we receiue grace for grace Ioh. 1. In him we are complete Col. 2. Election Iustification Saluation and all is done in and by Christ. 2. Tim. 1. 9. The vse I. Let them that trauell vnder the burden of a bad conscience and a bad life come to Christ by turning from their sinnes and by beleeuing in him and they shall obtaine grace finde rest to their soules II. In our miseries our hearts may not be troubled ouermuch but we must alwaies moderate our sorrowes For if we beleeue in Christ we shall alwaies haue grace and peace Read Ioh. 14. 27. III. We must moderate our cares for this life For if we trusting in Christ haue grace and peace we shall want nothing read Psal. 4. v. 6. 7. Iesus Christ that giues grace and peace is called Our Lord for two causes One is to teach vs to acknowledge Christ aright and that is as well to acknowledge him to be our Lord as wel as our Sauiour He is a Priest to procure life a prophet to teach the way of life a Lord to command them to walke in the way of life The fault of our times All men professe Christ yet many allowe of no Christ but of their owne deuising namely a Christ that must be a Sauiour to deliuer them from hell but not a Lord to commaund them that they cannot brooke The second cause why Christ is called our Lord is to signifie the persons to whome grace and peace belong and they are such as acknowledge Christ for their Lord and yeild subiection to him in heart and life They finde rest to their soules that take vp the yoke of Christ in newe obedience and the patient bearing of the Crosse Math. 11. v. 29. 4. Who gaue himselfe for our sinnes that he might deliuer vs out of this present euill world according to the will of God our father 5. To whome be glorie for euer and euer Amen In these words the second argument is propounded whereby Christ is described namely the effect of Christ which is that he gaue himselfe And he is said to giue himselfe for two causes First because he presented himselfe as a price and sacrifice for sinne to God the Father Math. 20. 28. Eph. 5. 2. 1. Tim. 2. 6. The second because he did publikely propound and set forth himselfe to the world as a sacrifice and price of redemption Rom. 3. 25. Ioh. 3. 14. and Act. 4. 12. In this giuing there are fiue things to be cōsidered The first the giuer Christ the second the thing giuen and that is Christ himselfe The third is the ende of his giuing for sinne that is that he might make satisfaction for our sinnes The fourth is another end of his giuing that he might deliuer vs out of this present euil world Here the present world signifies the corrupt estate of mē that liue according to the lusts of their own hearts 1. Ioh. 2. 16. And men are here said to be deliuered takē out of the world when they are seuered from the condition of sinnfull men by sanctification and newnes of life and by diuine protection whereby they are preserued from euill after they are sanctified Tit. 2. 14. and Ioh. 17. 15. And this deliuerance is not in this life in respect of place but in respect of qualitie The fifth thing is the cause that mooued Christ to giue himselfe and that is the will of God In the 5. verse there is set downe a corollarie or conclusion which containes the praise of God The vse followes Whereas Christ is the giuer of himselfe hence it followes that his death and sacrifice was voluntarie And this he shewed in two things When he was to be attached he fledde not but went to a garden in the mount as his custome was which was knowne to Iudas Ioh. 18. 2. And in the very separation of bodie and soule he cried with a loud and strong voice which argued that he was Lord of death died because his will was to die This must be remembred For otherwise his death had not beene a satisfaction for sinne In that Christ gaue himselfe to be a sacrifice we learne many things First that the worke of redemption exceedes the worke of creation For in the creation Christ gaue the creatures to man in the redemption he gaue himselfe and that as a sacrifice Secondly in that he gaue himselfe it appeares that he gaue neither angel nor meere man nor any thing out of himselfe and that all merits of life and satisfactions for sinne are to be reduced to the person of Christ and consequently that there be no humane satisfactions for sinne nor meritorious workes done by vs because they pertaine not to the person of Christ but to our persons and they were neuer offered of Christ vnto God as merits and satisfactions because he gaue nothing but himselfe and the things which appertained vnto his owne person Thirdly in that Christ giues himselfe we must take and receiue him with hungering hearts Nay he is to suffer violence of vs and the violent are to take him to themselues Lastly in that he giues himselfe to vs we againe must giue our bodies and soules vnto him in way of thankefulnes and dedicate all that we haue or can doe to the good of men The creatures at our tables
deale with God and that they are to receiue the doctrine taught not as the word of man but as the very word of God as the Thessalonians did 1. Thess. 2. 13. The want of this consideration is the cause that some contemne the ministerie of the word and others are not touched and mooued in hearing Againe here is set downe the right manner of dispensing the word which must not be for the pleasing of men but of God Hence it appeares that Ministers of the Gospel must not be men-plea 〈…〉 nor applie and fashion their doctrine to the affections humours and dispositions of men but keepe a good conscience and doe their office The Lord tells Ieremie he must not turne to the people but the people must turne to him Ierem. 15. 19. Thus God shal be with them and they shal bring forth much fruit And the people must know it to be a good thing for them not to be pleased alwaies by their Ministers The ministerie of the word must be as a sacrificing knife to kill and mortifie the old Adam in vs that we may liue vnto God A sicke man must not alwaies haue his minde but he must often be crossed and restrained of his desire and so must we that are sicke in our soules in respect of our sinnes It is a fault therefore of men that desire to be pleased to haue matters smoothed ouer of their teachers This is Dauids balme which he wisheth may neuer be wanting to his head Psal. 141. 5. The ende of this verse sets downe a memorable sentence That if we seeke to please men we cannot be the seruants of God Hence I gather that our nature is full of rebellion and enmitie against God because they which please men cannot please God Againe here is set downe what is the hurt that comes by pride and ambition It keepes men that they cannot be the seruants of Christ. Ye beleeue not saith Christ because ye seeke glorie one of another Ioh. 5. 44. Ambition so fills the minde with vanitie and the heart with worldly desires that it cannot thinke or desire to please God Wherefore he that would be a faithfull Minister of the Gospel must denie the pride of his heart and be emptied of ambition and set himselfe wholly to seeke the glorie of God in his calling And generally he that would be a faithfull seruant of Christ must set God before him as a Iudge and consider that he hath to deale with God and he must turne his minde and senses from the world and all things therein to God and seeke aboue all things to approoue his thoughts desires affections and all his doings vnto him Lastly the profession of the seruant of God is here to be obserued in the example of Paul who saith Doe I now preach men and doe I yet please men as if he had said I haue done thus and thus I haue preached the Traditions of man heretofore and I haue pleased man in persequnting the Church of God but I doe not so still neither will I. And he that can say the like with good conscience I haue sinned thus and thus heretofore but now I doe not neither will I sinne as I haue done is indeede the seruant of God v. 11. Now I certifie you brethren that the Gospel which was preached by me was not after man The meaning is this that it may the better appeare that I haue iustly accursed them which teach any other Gospel and iustly reprooued you for receiuing it I giue you to vnderstand that the Gospel which I preached was not after man that is not deuised by man or preached of me by mans authoritie but it was from God and preached by the authoritie of God And this sense appeares by v. 10 and 12. In these words is laid downe the reason of the conclusion or the assumption of the principall argument which was on this manner If I be called to teach and that immediatly of God and my doctrine be true then ye ought not to haue reuolted from the Gospel which I preached but I was called to teach immediatly of God and my doctrine is true The first part of this assumption is here set downe and handled to the ende of the second chapter and the conclusion as we haue heard was set downe in the premises Hence two maine points of doctrine that are of great consequent may be gathered The first is this It is a thing most necessarie that men should be assured and certified that the doctrine of the Gospel and the Scripture is not of man but of God This is the first thing which Paul stands vpon in this Epistle It may be demanded how this assurance may be obtained I answer thus For the setling of our consciences that Scripture is the word of God there be two testimonies One is the Euidence of Gods spirit imprinted and expressed in the Scriptures and this is an excellencie of the word of God aboue all words and writings of men and Angels and containes 13. points The first is the puritie of the law of Moses whereas the lawes of men haue their imperfections The second i◠that the Scripture setteth downe the true cause of all miserie namely sinne and the perfect remedie namely the death of Christ. The third is the Antiquitie of Scripture in that it fets downe an historie from the beginning of the world The 4. is prophecies of things in sundrie bookes of Scripture which none could possibly foretell but God The 5. is the confirmation of the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles by miracles that is works done aboue and contrarie to the strength of nature which none can doe but God The 6. is the consent of all the scripture with themselues whereas the writings of men are often at iarre with themselues The 7. is the confession of enemies as namely of heretickes who in oppugning of scriptures alleadge scriptures and thereby confesse the trueth thereof The 8. is an vnspeakable detestation that Sathan and all wicked men beare to the doctrine of scripture The 9. is the protection and preseruation of it from the beginning to this houre by a speciall prouidence of God The 10. is the constant confession of Martyrs that haue shedde their blood for the Gospell of Christ. The 11. is that fearefull punishments and iudgements haue befallen them that haue oppugned the word of God The 12. is holinesse of them that professe the Gospell The last is the effect and operation of the word for it is an instrument of God in the right vse whereof we receiue the testimonie of the spirit of our adoption and are conuerted vnto God And yet neuerthelesse the word which conuerteth is contrarie to the wicked nature of man The second testimonie is from the Prophets and Apostles who were Embassadours of God extraordinarily to represent his authoritie vnto his Church and the pen-men of the holy Ghost to set downe the true and proper word of God And the Apostles aboue
Gospel which is to repent and beleeue in Christ. Secondly by offering to him the promise of remission of sinnes and life euerlasting when he beleeued The second part of instruction is a reall and liuely teaching when God made Paul in his heart to answer the calling according to that Psalme 27. v. 5. When thou saidst seeke ye my face mine heart answered I will seeke thy face O Lord. And in Zacharie 13. 9. He shall say it is my people and they shall say the Lord is our God This is a spirituall Eccho that is made in the heart The sound of Gods word goes through the world and the hearts of men which be as Rocks and stones make answer And this worke of God that makes man yeild to the calling of God is in scripture a kind of diuine teaching thus the father is said to teach the sonne by drawing Ioh. 6. 44. And God is said to teach vs his waies when he guids vs by his spirit in the land of righteousnesse Psal. 143. That this reall and heauenly kind of teaching may take place God by his grace puts a kind of softnesse into the heart whereby it is made subiect and obedient to the word And it hath two parts One is an acknowledgement by faith that the sonne is our redeemer The second is regeneration which is the putting off the old man and the putting on of the newe which to doe by the vertue of Christ is to learne Christ. Eph. 4. 20. 23. Thus then God reueales the sonne to Paul by preparing him and making him teachable by propoūding the doctrine of saluation to him and by causing him inwardly to beleeue it and to obey it And thus we see the manner of the calling and conuersion of Paul For the better cleering of this doctrine fiue questions are to be answered The first is what was the preuenting grace in the conuersion of Paul Answer Schoolemen and Papists generally teach that it was the inspiration of good motions and desires into the heart of Paul But it is false which they teach for the heart is vncapable of any good desire or purpose till it be regenerate The trueth is this that the preuenting grace in the first conuersion is the grace of regeneration and secondly the inspiration of good desires and motions When Christ preuents Lazarus that he may reuiue againe he first puts a soule into him and then he calls vnto him and saith Come forth Lazarus because he was dead in like manner we are dead in sinne and therefore regeneration which is the soule of our soules must be put into vs before any inspiration of heauenly motions can take place Yet after we are once borne anew good motions and desires put into our hearts may be the preuenting grace for the doing of sundrie good workers The second question is whether the will of Paul were an agent or cause in the effecting of his first conuersion Answer No scripture makes two sorts of conuersion one Passiue when man is conuerted by god In this man is but a subiect to receiue the impression of grace and no agent at all For in the creating setting or imprinting of righteousnesse and holinesse in the heart Will can doe nothing The second conuersion is Actiue whereby man beeing conuerted by God doth further turne conuert himselfe to God in all his thoughts wordes and deeds This conuersion is not onely of grace nor onely of will but partly of grace and partly of will yet so as grace is the principall agent and will but the instrument of grace For beeing first turned by grace we then can mooue and turne our selues And thus there is a cooperation of mans will with Gods grace And Austen said truely He that made thee without thee doeth not saue thee without thee The third question is whether God did offer any violence to Pauls minde and will in his conuersion Ansvver There is a double violence or Coaction One which doth abolish all consent of will and this he vsed not The other draws out a consent from the will by causing it of an vnwilling will to become willing This coaction or violence God offered to Paul and in this sense they which come to Christ are said to be drawne Ioh. 6. 45. The fourth question is wherein standes the efficacie of the preuenting grace whereby Paul was effectually conuerted Answ. The Councell of Trent and sundrie Papists incline to this opinion to thinke that it stands in the euent in that the will of man applies it selfe to the grace which God offereth But then the efficacie of grace must be from mans will and then man hath something whereof to boast and he is to thanke himselfe for the grace of God Other Papists place the efficacie of grace in the congruitie or aptnesse of motions or heauenly perswasiōs presented to the mind of the mā that is to be cōuerted But this opinion also is deuoid of trueth For there is no efficacie in any motions or perswasions till there be a change and newe creation of the will The true answer is this Outward meanes are effectuall because they are ioyned with the inward operation of the spirit Inward grace is effectuall because God addes to the first grace the second grace For hauing giuen the power to beleeue and repent he giues also the will and the deede and then faith and repentance must needs followe And herein stands the efficacie of the first grace that God addes vnto it and workes the will and the deede Phil. 2. 13. The last question is whether it was in the power of Pauls will to resist the calling or the grace of God Answ. The will for his condition is apt to resist grace neuer the lesse if we consider the efficacie of Gods grace and the will of God he could not resist the calling of God Euery one that hath heard and learned of the father comes to Christ Ioh. 6. 45. Gods will determines and limits the will of man and mans will is an instrument to effect the will of god It may be here demanded howe the efficacie of grace may stand with the libertie of mans will if it haue not libertie to accept or refuse the grace of God Ans. Libertie and freedome of will in God is perfect libertie nowe God cannot will either good or euill but onely that which is good And mans will the neerer it comes to this will of God the greater libertie hath it Therefore to wil that onely which is good so it be freely without compulsion is true libertie to be able to will that which is euill and to resist the calling of God is not libertie but impotencie And he that can onely will that which is good doth more freely will good and hath more libertie then he that can will either good or euill The vse Ministers of the Gospell must learne Christ as Paul learned him They may not content themselues with that teaching which they find in schooles but they must
is the time when in these words then after fourteene yeares Here two questions are to be demaunded The first is of which of his iourneies must this be vnderstood for he made fiue iournies to Ierusalem The first from Arabia the second when he and Barnabas were sent by the Church of the Gentiles to carrie almes to Ierusalem the third when he went to the Councell at Ierusalem the fourth when he went vp for the keeping of his vowe the last is mentioned Act. 19. 21. Answ. These words are not spoken of the first for that was but three yeares after his conuersion neither can they well be vnderstood of the second because Paul then was sent by the Church and therefore he went not by reuelation And they cannot well be vnderstood of the third for then Paul would here haue mentioned the Councell of Ierusalem whereof he was a principall member specially seeing he hath occasion so to doe and it serued much for his purpose The fourth fifth iourneys were after a longer time then fourteene yeares It is likely therefore that this iourney here mentioned and described by Paul is none of the fiue mentioned by Luke but some other The second question is When these fourteene yeares must beginne Ans. It is vncerten Some thinke they must beginne at his conuersion some three yeares after when Paul went first to Ierusalem and either may be a truth None must here take offeÌ„ce For though circumstances of time and place beeing things of lesse moment cannot alwaies be certenly gathered yet histories for their substance and doctrines pertaining to saluation are plainly set downe And here we are put in minde to be content to be ignorant in some things because the spirit of God hath more darkly expressed them or againe because we cannot by reason of our blindnes gather them The third point is concerning the companions of Paul in this iourney namely Barnabas and Titus And Paul takes them with him that they might be witnesses to the Iewes of the doctrine he taught among the Gentiles and againe to the Gentiles of the consent that was betweene him and the rest of the Apostles For the law of God is that euery matter shall be established by the testimonie of two or three witnesses Hence we learne that if a question arise of the doctrine which is deliuered in the publike Ministerie then the hearers that are able to iudge must be witnesses and the triall is to be made by them Thus saith Christ in the like case Why aske ye me aske them that heard me Ioh. 18. 21. Therefore great care and circumspection is to be had of things publikely deliuered Againe whereas Paul makes Barnabas a Iew and Titus a Gentile his companions we are taught to imbrace with a brotherly loue not onely the men of our owne countrey but also such as be of other nations specially if they beleeue For then they are all children of one father and pertaine all to one familie and there is no difference of nations now It is a fault therefore that men of one nation carrie in their hearts a generall dislike and hatred oftentimes of them with whome they deale and conuerse and that because they are of such or such countries The fourth point is the cause of his iourney in these words and I went by reuelation Here we are taught that for the iournies we make we are to haue some good and sufficient warrant though not a reuelation yet a commandement or that which counteruailes a commandement as when we trauaile by vertue of our callings When Noe had made the Arke he enters into it at Gods commandement he abides in it and when the earth was in part dried he presumes not to goe out till the Lord bad him Here three sorts of men are to be blamed Pilgrimes that trauell to Ierusalem or other countries in way of merit or religion For they haue no warrant Secondly trauellers that goe from countrey to countrey and out of the precincts of the Church vpon vaine curiositie to see fashions Such when they trauell from their own countries yet they trauell not from their vices but rather goe deeper into them and come home againe with many bad and corrupt fashions The last are beggers Rogues that passe from place to place that they may'l ue in idlenes vpoÌ„ the sweat of other mens brows Thus much of the iourney now followes the Conference in these words and I communicated c. Here generally I gather that Conferences both priuate and publike are laudible and to be maintained specially when they tend to the maintenance of vniâ—ie and consent in doctrine The Papists blame vs Protestants for condemning Conferences as they say and Councells But they doe vs wrong Indeede the Councell of Trent we reiect and condemne For in it against all equitie the Pope was both partie and iudge In it there was no libertie to make triall of truth For nothing was propounded but by the liking and consent of the Pope Againe the whole Councell consisted of such as were of the Italian faction whose faith was pinned on the Popes sleeue Neuerthelesse we allow all Christian Councells lawfully gathered and we desire there might be a Generall Councell for the triall of truth and for the staying of vnsetled minds these three caueats beeing remembred One that the Councell be gathered by Christian Princes to whom the right of calling a Councell belongs The other that the Pope be no iudge but a partie The third that Christ in his word be the iudge and that the Delegates in the Councell be but as witnesses determining all things by the written word In this conference we are first to consider the manner of conferring which was vsed Paul saith he communicated with them that is he laid downe vnto them and expounded the Gospel which he preached and this he did priuatly that is with the Apostles one by one in plaine and familiar manner as one friend doth with an other Therefore for the maintaining of this conference there was no assembly made neither was there any disputation held Onely Paul declares his doctrine and they giue assent Hence it appeares that Paul doth not submit the truth of his doctrine to triall For he was resolued of it and he accursed him that taught otherwise but his intent was to seeke the approbation of the Apostles that he might stop the mouth of his aduersaries The second point is the matter of the conference and that is the Gospel which Paul preached Here the Papist gathereth that the Church is the iudge in all questions pertaining to religion and the word because it is here the thing that is iudged I answer first that they gather amisse For Paul doeth not here submit the Gospel which he preached to the iudgement of the Church of Ierusalem And it is false which they teach for the soueraigne Iudge of all questions and controuersies in religion is Christ alone The power to determine and resolue in cases
goe together For good counsell beats downe wickednes and bad example sets it vp againe Thus beleeuers in Christ are great offenders when reformed religion and vnreformed life are ioyned together as often they are For then vnreformed life builds the kingdome of sinne which Christ hath destroied Further we are here taught to be constant in that which is good Tit. 1. 9. and to hold fast the Gospel which we professe We haue put vnder foote the Popish religion for this many yeares our dutie is to be constant herein and no way to build either in word or deede that which we haue to the vttermost of our power destroied 19 For I through the law am dead to the law that I may liue vnto God In these words Paul sets downe a second reason to prooue Christ to be no minister of sinne in abolishing the iustice of the law And the reason is framed thus We Iewes iustified by Christ are dead to the law not to liue as we list but to liue to the honour of God Therefore Christ in taking away the iustice of the law is not the minister of sinne Here three points are propounded the first is that the person iustified is dead to the law the second that he is dead to the law by the law the third that he is dead that he may liue vnto God For the better vnderstanding of the first point we must seach what is meant by dying to the law Here the law is compared to an hard and cruell master and we to slaues or bondmen who so long as they are aliue they are vnder the dominion and at the command of their masters yet when they are dead they are free from that bondage and their masters haue no more to doe with them Here then to be dead to the law is to be free from the dominion of the law And we are free in foure respects First in respect of the accusing and damnatorie sentence of the law Rom. 8. 1. Secondly in respect of the power of the law whereby as an occasion it prouoketh and stirreth vp the corruption of the heart in the vnregenerate Rom. 7. 8. Thirdly in respect of the Rigour of the law whereby it exacteth most perfect obedience for our iustification Thus Paul here saith that he is dead to the law Lastly in respect of the obligation of the conscience to the obseruation of Ceremonies Col. 2. 20. Thus are all persons iustified by the faith of Christ free from the law Hence we learne that the Papists erre and are deceiued when they teach that the Law and the Gospel are one for substance of doctrine For then they which are iustified by Christ should not onely be dead to the law but also to the Gospel Now the Scripture saith not that persons iustified are dead to the Gospel They erre againe in that they teach that persons iustified by the merit of the death of Christ are further to be iustified by the workes of the law For he that is iustified by Christ is dead to the law but if we be iustified by workes then are we by Christ made aliue to the law Thirdly here we see how long the dominion of the law continueth and when it endeth The law raignes ouer all men without exception till they be iustified When they once beginne to beleeue in Christ and to amend their liues then the dominion of the law ceaseth and they then are no more vnder the law but vnder grace Here all such persons as liue in the securitie and hardnes of their hearts are to be admonished to repent of their sinnes and to beginne to turne vnto God For they must know that they liue vnder a most hard and cruell master that will doe nothing but accuse terrifie condemne them and cause them to runne headlong to vtter desperation And if they die beeing vnder the law they must looke for nothing but death and destruction without mercie For the law is merâ—ilesse This consideration serueth notably to awake them that are dead in their sinnes Againe all such as with true and honest hearts haue begunne to repent and beleeue let them be of good comfort For they are not vnder the dominion of the law but they are dead to the law and vnder grace hauing a Lord who is also their mercifull Sauiour who will giue them protection against the terrours of the law and spare them as a father spares his child that serues him and not breake them though they be but as weake and bruised reedes and as smoaking flaxe The second point is touching the meanes of our death to the law and that is the Law Here some by the law vnderstand the law of faith that is the Gospel Rom. 3. 27. And they make this to be the meaning of the words By the law of Christ that is by the Gospel I am dead to the Law of Moses But this sense though it be a truth yet will it not stand in this place For it is the question whether by the gospel we be freed from the law Now Paul a learned disputer would not bring the question to prooue it selfe Therefore I take the true meaning of the words to be this By the law of Moses I am dead to the law of Moses It may be demanded how this can be considering the law is the cause of no good thing in vs For it is the ministerie of death and condemnation 2. Cor. 8. 7. 9. Againe that which the law cannot reueale it cannot worke but the law neither can nor doth reueale faith in Christ the death to the law nor repentance c. therefore the law is no cause to worke them It may peraduenture be said that the law workes repentance and sorrow for sinne I answer there is a double Repentance One Legall the other Euangelicall Legall is when men haue a sight of their sinnes and withall are grieued for the punishment thereof This repentance is wrought by the ministerie of the law it was in Iudas and it is no grace of God but of it selfe it is the way to hell Euangelicall Repentance is when beeing turned by grace we turne our selues to God This repentance is a gift of grace and is not wrought by the law but by the ministerie of the Gospel Again there is a Legall sorrow which is a sorrow for sinne in respect of the punishment this is no grace and it is wrought by the law Euangelicall sorrow is sorrow for sinne because it is sinne This indeede is a grace of God but it is not wrought by the law but by the preaching of mercy and reconciliation and it followes in vs vpon the apprehension of Gods mercie by faith The law then beeing the cause of no good thing in vs it may be demanded I say how we should be dead to the law by the law Ans. Though the law be not a cause of this death to the law and so to sinne yet it is an occasion thereof For it accuseth and
but included The second is that here the Spirit signifies the spirit of adoption Eph. 1. 13. Rom. 8. 16. The third is that to receiue the spirit is not barely to receiue the gifts of the spirit as we are said to haue the sunne in the house when we receiue the beames of the bodie of the sunne beeing in heauen but in this receiuing there are two things One is that the spirit is present in vs the other that the same spirit testifieth his presence by his speciall opera tion and gifts of grace Paul saith Eph. 4. 30. Greeue not the spirit Which is not meant of gifts but of the very person of the spirit And it must be remembred that the effects and gifts of the spirit presuppose the presence of the spirit By workes of the Law we are to vnderstand the doctrine of iustification by the workes of the law By the hearing of faith is meant the doctrine of the Gospel hearing beeing put for the thing heard namely preaching and faith for the doctrine of iustification by faith in Christ crucified For faith signifies not onely the gift whereby we beleeue but also that which is beleeued In the third verse spirit signifies the operation of the spirit whereby the inward man is renewed and made like to God or againe the Exercises of the inward man and flesh signifies outward things or actions that properly pertaine to the outward man as circumcision and such like Thus 2. Cor. 5. 17. flesh and the new creature are opposed And Paul saith Rom. 9. 29. He is a Iew that is a lew within in the spirit hauing the circumcision of the heart To begunne in the spirit is to beginne in godlines and religion inwardly in the exercises of the renewed heart The Resolution In these words is contained the first argu ment whereby Paul prooues the truth of his doctrine It is framed thus If ye receiued the spirit by my doctrine my doctrine is true and ye foolish that adde vnto it iustification by the workes of the law but ye receiued the spirit by my doctrine therefore it is true and ye deale foolishly that haue added to it iustification by workes The maior or first proposition is not expressed but the proofe thereof in the third verse thus it is a point of extreame follie when ye haue begun in the spirit to end in the flesh therfore it is folly in you hauing receiued the spirit by my doctrine to adde any thing vnto it of your owne The vse When Paul saith Let me learne one thing of you he notes the fault of the Galatians and of sundrie others who when they haue attained to a certaine measure of knowledge in Gods word are presently puffed vp with pride and often thinke themselues wiser then their teachers This was the fault of the Corinthians 1. Cor. 8. 10. and of sundrie in our daies who separate wholly from all our congregations presuming to know that which they neuer learned of their teachers That this ouerweening pride may not take place we must ioyne the knowledge of our selues with the knowledge of Gods word and mixe our knowledge with loue For loue edesies and bare knowledge swells the heart Againe here when it is said Receiued ye the spirit that is ye did not receiue the spirit by the workes of the law but by the hearing of faith Here I say we see the difference betweene the law and the Gospel The law doth not minister the spirit vnto vs for it onely shewes our disease and giues vs no remedie The Gospel ministreth the spirit For it shewes what we are to doe and withall the spirit is giuen to make vs doe that which we are inioyned in the Gospel Here also we learne that the preaching of the Gospel is necessarie for all men because it is the Instrument of God to conferre the spirit Whole Peter was yet speaking the spirit of God fell vpon the Gentiles Act. 10. 44. Paul saith his ministerie is the ministerie of the spirit 2. Cor. 4. 5. sauing the ministers and others 1. Tim. 4. 16. And the most learned haue neede of this ordinance of God For suppose they haue knowledge sufficient yet haue they neede of the spirit of God to guide and gouerne them Further let it be obserued what is the scope of all our hearing and teaching namely that we may receiue the spirit of God without which spirit we can doe nothing Moreouer Paul here sets downe an infallible argument whereby we may be assured that the Scripture is the word of God For the scriptures in their right vse which is in reading hearing meditation haue the diuine and supernaturall operation of the spirit ioyned with them to comfort in all distresses and in the very pang of death and to conuert the heart of man making him in respect of righteousnes and holines like vnto God This priuiledge haue the Scriptures Isa. 59. 21. and no word els Lastly let vs here obserue the certen marke of true religion and that is that the preaching thereof conferres the spirit of adoption This doth not the pretended catholike Religion of the Papists it doth not conferre vnto men the spirit to assure them that they are the children of God because it teacheth that we are to be in suspence of our saluation Againe by teaching humane satisfactions merits it ministreth the spirit of pride and presumption as also the spirit of crueltie not of meekenes for they of that religion commonly delight in blood and there haue bin no warres or seditions or rebellions in Europe for many ages but they of the Romish religion haue bin at one ende of them When Paul saith v. 3. Beganne ye in the spirit c. he teacheth a diuine instruction that true godlines and Religion stands in the spirit that is the grace of the heart or in the exercises of the inner man whether we respect the beginning the middle or the accomplishment thereof The kings daughter is all glorious within Psal. 45. 13. True worshippers worship God in the spirit Ioh. 4. 25. Rom. 1. 12. He is a Iew that is a Iew not without but within in the spirit in the circumcision of the heart Rom. 2. 29. Gods seruice and kingdome stands in iustice peace of conscience and ioy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. He that is in Christ must not know him in any carnall respects but be a new creature 2. Cor. 5. 17. Gal. 6. 17. Baptisme is not the washing of the spots of the flesh but the promise that a good conscience makes to God By this doctrine we see the fault of the world which for the most part placeth religion in ceremoniall performance of some outward duties The Iewe vsed to come to God with sacrifices and to draw neere to him with his lippe his heart beeing farre from God The Papist hath turned the Apostolike and Catholike religion into a masse of ceremonies borrowed partly from the Iewes and partly from the Gentiles And
written in tables of stone is the law the same law of Moses written in the hearts of men by the holy Ghost is the Gospel But I say againe that the law written in our hearts is still the law of Moses And this ouersight in mistaking the distinction of the Law and the Gospel is and hath bin the ruine of the gospel We must here further obserue that beleeuing and doing are opposed in the article of our iustification In our good conuersation they agree faith goes before and doing followes but in the worke of our iustification they are as fire and water Hence I gather that to the iustification of a sinner there is required a speciall and an applying faith for generall faith is numbred among the works of the law and the deuills haue it This kind of beleeuing therefore and doing are not opposite Againe hence I gather that works of faith and grace are quite excluded from iustification because the opposition doth not stand betweene beleeuing and the works of nature but simply betweene beleeuing and doing Lastly it may be demaunded why the Lord saith He that doth the things of the law shall liue considering no man since the fall can doe the things of the law Ans. The Lord since mans fall repeates the law in his old tenour not to mocke men but for other waightie causes The first is to teach vs that the law is of a constant and vnchangeable nature The second is to aduertise vs of our weaknes and to shew vs what we cannot doe The third is to put vs in minde that we must still humble our selues vnder the hand of God after we haue begunne by grace to obey the law because euen then we come farre short in doing the things which the law requires at our hands 13 Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the law when he was made a curfe for vs for it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on the tree 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Iesus that we might receiue the promise of the spirit by faith Paul hauing prooued the truth of his doctrine by sundrie arguments in the former part of this chapter he here answereth an obiection the occasion whereof is from the 10. verse It may be framed on this manner If they be accused that continue not in all things written in the law to doe them then all men are accursed and the Gentiles are not partakers of the blessing of Abraham as you haue said Answer is here made that to them that beleeue there is full redemption from the curse of the law And Paul for the better inlightning of his answer here makes a description of our redemption by foure arguments The first is the author Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the law The second is the forme or manner of our Redemption in these words When he was made a curse for vs. And this forme is further declared by the signe in these words for it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on the tree The third argument is in the end in these words that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles The last is also an other ende that we might receiue the promise of the spirit Touching the Author in these words Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the law sundrie things may be learned First of all comparing these words with the 10. verse or comparing the answer and the obiection together we see and are to obserue that the threatnings of the law are to be vnderstood with an exception from the Gospel All are cursed saith the law that doe not continue to doe all things written therein Except they haue pardon and be redeemed by Christ saith the Gospel And thus are all curses of the law to be conceiued with a limitation or qualification from the Gospel Againe in that Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the law here is our comfort that neither hell nor death nor SataÌ„ hath any right or power ouer vs so be it we do vnfainedly beleeue in Christ. For we are bought with a price And for this cause we must be admonished not to feare any euill ouermuch as the reuilings and curses of euill tongues withcraft the plague pestilence famine the sword or death For the curse which makes all these and many other things hurtfull vnto vs is remooued from them that are in Christ. And therefore all immoderate feare should be restrained Thirdly our dutie is to glorifie God and Christ who hath redeemed vs and that both in bodie and soule The redeemed must liue according to the will of their redeemer 1. Cor. 6. 20. This is all the thankfulnes that we can shew to our Redeemer for his mercie Lastly here an obiection made by some may be answered If say they we were redeemed by Christ beeing captiues to the deuill the price of our Redemption was paid to him and not to God Ans. We were captiues properly to the iustice of God in the law to the order whereof we stand subiect and by this meanes we are captiues to the curse of the law and consequently to the deuill who is the minister of God for the Execution of the said curse And beeing captiues to the deuill no otherwise then as he is the minister of God for the infâ—â—cting of punishment the price must not be paid to him but to God who is the principall and hath a soueraigntie ouer him and vs. I come now to the forme of our Redemption Who was made a curse for vs. For the better vnderstanding of these words foure points are to be handled The first is what is this curse Ans. A double death the first of the bodie the second of the soule The first is the separation of the bodie and soule The second is the separation of the whole man from God not in respect of his vniuersall power and presence for the very damned haue their moouing and beeing from him but in respect of his fauour and speciall loue whereby God ceaseth to be their God And this is death indeede whereof the first is but a shadow and this is the curse of the law The second point is How Christ was a curse or accursed who is the fountaine of blessednes Ans. He is not so by nature for he is the naturall sonne of God nor by his owne fault for he is the vnspotted lambe of God but by voluntarie dispensation and therefore Paul saith he was made a curse And he was made a curse first because he was set a part in the eternall counsell of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost to be our redeemer and consequently to be a curse In this regard the father is said to haue sealed him Ioh. 6. 27. and he is said againe to be prcordained before all worlds 1. Pet. 1. 20. and giuen according to the counsell and foreknowledge of God Act. 3. 22. Secondly he was made a curse
righteousnes and iudgement and then he will bring vpon them all that he hath spoken Gen. 18. 19. to the Israelites he saith that they must turne and obay and then he will make all his promises and couenants good Deut. 30. 1. 6. and Isa. 1. 16 17 19. To the Iewes Peter saith Repent first and then they shall be baptized for the remission of sinnes Act. 2. 38. 42. And Philip saide to the Eunuch If thou beleeuest with all thy heart thou maist be baptized Act. 8. 37. The vse By this order we see that the commandement to beleeue and to repent is more large and generall then the promise of mercie in Christ. For the commandement is giuen to all hearers to turne and beleeue and the promise is made onely to such hearers as doe indeede turne and beleeue therefore it is a falshood to imagine that the promise of saluation belongs generally to all mankind Againe by this order it appeares that Repentance belongs to baptisme and it is one of the first things that are required and therefore it is follie to make Repentance a distinct meanes of saluation and a distinct sacrament from baptisme Thirdly if it be demanded why so many persons that haue bin baptized liue for all this as if they had not bin baptized in the common sinnes of the world like prophane Esaus and yet doe comfort themselues in their baptisme Ans. They doe not know and consider the Order which God vsed in couenanting with them in baptisme but they deale preposterously ouerslipping the commandement of repenting and beleeuing and in the first place lay hold of Gods promise made to them in baptisme This is the cause of so much prophanesse in the world Againe there be many persons that haue bin baptized who neuertheles cannot abide to heare and read the word of God and the reason is because they obserue not the order of their baptisme first of all to become disciples and then to lay hold of the promises of God They likewise are to be blamed that bring vp their youth in ignorance For they are baptized vpon condition that they shall become disciples of Christ when they come to yeares of discretion And they are by this meanes barred from all the mercies of God for we must as good disciples obay the commandement that biddes vs turne and beleeue before we can haue any benefit or profit by any of the promises of God Lastly we are here taught in the working of our saluation to keepe the Order of God which he hath set downe vnto vs in baptisme which is first of all to turne vnto God according to all his lawes and secondly vpon our conuersion to lay hold of the promises of God and the confirmation thereof by the sacraments Thus shall we find comfort in the promises of God and haue true fellowship with God if we beginne where he beginnes in making of his couenant with vs and end where he ends And this we must doe not onely in the time of our first conuersion but also afterward in the time of distresse and affliction and at such times as by frailtie we fall and offend God In a word if for practise we alwaies keepe our selues to this order we shall find true comfort in life and death It followes Baptizing them into the name or in the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost These words signifie first to bap tize by the commandement and authoritie of the Father Son and holy Ghost secondly to baptize by and with the inuocation of the name of the true God Whatsoeuer ye doe in ward or deede doe it in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ that is by the in vocation of the name of Christ. Col. 3. 17. Thirdly to baptize in the name c. signifies to wash with water in token that the partie baptized hath the name of God named vpon him and that he is receiued into the houshold or familie of God as a child of God a member of Christ and the temple of the holy Ghost Thus Iacob faith in the adoption of Ephraim and Manasses Let them be mine and let my name be called vpon them Gen. 48. 5. 16. And Paul saith that the Corinthians might not be named and distinguished by Paul Cephas Apollos because they were not baptized into their names but into the name of Christ. 1. Cor. 1. 13. And this I take to be the full sense of the phrase Here we see what is done in baptisme the Couenant of grace is solemnised betweene God and the partie baptised And in this couenant some actions belong to God and some to the parties baptised Gods actions are two The first is the making of promise of reconciliation that is of remission of sinnes and life euerlasting to them that are baptised and beleeue The second is the obsignation or sealing of this promise and that is twofold outward or inward The outward seale is the washing by water and this washing serues not to seale by nature but by the institution of God in these words baptize them c. and therefore Paul saith cleansing the Church by the washing of water in the word Eph. 5. 26. The inward sealing is by the earnest of Gods spirit Eph. 1. 13. The action of the partie baptized is a certaine stipulation or obligation whereby he binds himselfe to giue homage to the Father Son and holy Ghost This Homage stands in faith whereby all the promises of God are beleeued and in Obedience to all his cōmandements The signe of this obligation is that the partie baptized willingly yeelds himselfe to be washed with water It is not saide in the name of God but in the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost to teach vs the right way to know and to acknowledge the true God This Knowledge stands in sixe points all here expressed The first is that there is one God and no more For though there be three that are named yet there is but one name that is one in authoritie will and worship of all three And elswhere men are said to be baptized into the name of the Lord. Act. 10. 48. The second is that this one true God is the Father Sonne and holy Ghost A mysterie vnsearchable The third that these three are really distinct so as the Father is first in order the Sonne the second and the holy Ghost not the first or second but the third The fourth is that they are all one in operation Ioh. 5. 19. and specially in the act of reconciliation or couenant making For the father sends the sonne to be our Redeemer the sonne workes in his owne person the worke of redemption and the holy Ghost applies the same by his efficacie The fift is that they are all one in worship for the Father Sonne and holy Ghost are ioyntly to be worshipped together and God in them The last is that we are to know God not as he is in himselfe but as he hath reuealed himselfe vnto vs in
no sinners Secondly they are conceiued in the minde according to the reuealed will of God Rom. 8. 27. 1. Ioh. 5. 14. Thirdly they are diuine and spirituall touching things which concerne the kingdome of God Rom. 8. 5. Desires thus qualified haue the force of a loud crie in the eares of God Psal. 10. 17. God heareth the desire of the poore Psal. 38. 9. All my desires are before thee Psal. 145. 19. He fulfilleth the desire of them that feare of him Isa. 64. 24. Before they crie I will answer that is so soone as a desire of my helpe is conceiued and before it be vttered I will answer That the desires of our hearts are cries it is by meanes of the intercession of Christ. This Intercession is not a vocall but a vertuall praier in that the Sonne of God presents his manhood and his merits before the father in heauen willing as God and desiring as man that the father should accept the said merits for vs. Now this will and desire of the Sonne is of great force with the father It is a Crie in which the father is well pleased and by it the desires of our hearts are Cries in the eares of God Of these desires there be two speciall examples in the scriptures The first is when we are touched in our hearts for our sinnes to flie to the throne of grace and to desire reconciliation with God in Christ. When Dauid did but desire the pardon of his sinnes and therefore purposed in his heart to humble himselfe he receiued pardon Psal. 32. 5. I said I will confesse my wickednes against my selfe vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the punishment of my sinne When the prodigall sonne conceiued a desire to be reconciled to his father with a purpose to confesse his offence before he had vttered his desire he is receiued to mercie Luk. 15. 21. The second example is a desire of Gods presence and protection in common iudgements When Moses stoode at the redde sea in great danger hauing the sea before him and Pharaohs charriots behind him no doubt he lifted vp his heart vnto God but we read not of any thing that he said and yet the Lord saith Why criest thou to me Exod. 14. 15. When Iehosaphat was in great distresse by reason of the armie of the Ammonites confounded in himselfe he saith O Lord we know not what to doe but our eyes are towards thee 2. Chron. 20. 12. and hereupon he obtained deliuerance The vse By this we learne to lay aside formall praying and lippe labour and to learne to lift vp our hearts to God in heauenly sighs and desires for that is indeede to pray It is the very first thing that the child of God doth inwardly to sigh and desire reconciliation with God in Christ and he which cannot doe this is not as yet borne of God Againe many are cast downe in themselues because they see their mindes full of ignorance their wills full of rebellion and subiect to many temptations and they find little goodnes in themselues but they must be comforted by this if they can but groane and sigh vnto God in their hearts for mercie and forgiuenes they haue the spirit of God crying in them Abba and they haue receiued the first fruits of the spirit The desires and cries of our hearts are fruits of the Intercession or crie of the Sonne of God in heauen for vs. Others are grieued because they haue praied long and they find not the fruit of their praiers but if they can pray sighing and groaning in their hearts for grace and mercie let them be content for it is the spirit of grace and praier that makes them sigh and groane And euery sigh of a contrite heart hath a loud crie in the eares of God It falls out often that men in extremitie of danger confounded in themselues know not what in the world to say or doe Ezechias in his sicknes could not say any thing but chatter in his throat and mourne like a doue Isa. 38. 14. Some lie vnder the sword of the enemie others in a tempest are cast ouer shipboard into the sea Now this must be their comfort if they can lift vp their hearts vnto God if they can but sigh groane for his presence and assistance the Lord will heare the petitions of their hearts for the inward sobbes groanes and sighs of repentant sinners are loud and strong cries in the eares of god the father The third point is That the crie of the spirit is directed to God because it makes vs crie Abba father Here first obserue that Praier to Saints and Angels is carnall praier For the praier which is caused by the spirit is direct to the father And good reason for it is the propertie of God to heare the crie of the heart Rom. 8. 27. Some say that the Saints in heauen are with God and that in him they see the desires of our hearts but it is false which they say For the Scripture saith that God alone searcheth the heart 1. king 8. 39. None knowes what is in man but God and the spirit of man 1. Cor. 2. 11. Though Abraham had the sight of God yet is it said Thou art our father and Abraham knowes vs not Isa. 64. 16. And for this cause Inuocation of Saints whether it be called Latria or Dulia is flat idolatrie Againe Praier is to be made to God as he hath reuealed himselfe in the word that is to God who is the father of Christ and in him our father who also sends his spirit into our hearts crying Abba It is an heathenish practise which is also the practise of many among vs to pray to an absolute God that is to God out of the Father Sonne and holy spirit Thirdly here we see that true and spirituall Inuocation of God is a marke of the Church of God because it is a fruit of the spirit of God in them that are the children of God And by this the people of God are noted Act. 9. 14. 1. Cor. 1. 2. and on the contrarie it is the marke of an Atheist not to pray Psal. 14. 4. The last point is the manner of directing our cries to God First of all they are to be directed to him with reuerence as beeing present with vs for to crie Abba is not to speake words into the aire but to direct our hearts to one that is present with vs in all dutifull and childlike manner Thus did Dauid Psal. 119. 58. and Paul Eph. 3. 14. Secondly our cries are to be directed to God with subiection to his will Read the example of Christ Mark 14. 36. and of Dauid 2. Sam. 15. 26. This condemnes the practise of many men Balaam desired to die the death of the righteous but without subiection to God for he would not liue the life of the righteous And many among vs haue often good motions and desires in their minds but there is no soundnes in them
God Psal. 106. 23. Againe the people must shew their loue to their teachers first by praying for them as for themselues Rom. 15. 30. secondly by hauing in singular price the worke of the Ministery 1. Thess. 5. 13. and that is by wholsome doctrine to repaire the image of God and to erect the kingdome of God in the hearts of men When this thing is loued and desired then are Ministers loued This mutuall loue is of great vse it incourageth people to obay and the Preachers of the word to labour in teaching When Paul saith I beseech you brethren he shewes what moderation is to be vsed in all reproofes He tells the Galatians his minde plainly to the full and withall he indeauours to shew his owne loue to them and to keepe theirs It may be asked how Paul can say Ye haue done me no hurt at all For when a beleeuer in Corinth committed incest Paul tooke it for a wrong to himselfe 2. Cor. 2. 10. And no doubt to call the doctrine of the Apostle into question was a great wrong vnto him I answer the wrong was no wrong in his estimation and affection who was content to put vp and to forgiue the wrong Here we see the meeknes of Paul in that he quietly beares the crosses and wrongs laid vpon him The like was in Moses who 40. yeares together indured the bad manners of the Israelites Act. 13. 18. but the perfect example of this vertue is in Christ who saued thē that crucified him We likewise are to exercise our selues in this vertue And that we may indeede so doe we must first of all haue a sense of our spirituall pouertie and a faith in the mercie presence and protection of God Againe marke the minde of the Apostle that he may winne soules to God he is content to suffer any wrong The Priests and Iesuits among vs in England are content to venter life and limme that they may win Proselytes to the Church of Rome much more then must the true Ministers of the Gospel be content with any condition so they may gaine men to God In this case hurts and abuses must be no hurts nor abuses 13 And ye know how through the infirmitie of the flesh I preached the Gospel vnto you at the first 14 And the triall of me which was in my flesh ye despised not neither abhorred but receiued me as an Angel of God yea as Christ Iesus 15 What then was your felicitie for I beare you record that if it had beene possible you would haue plucked out your eyes to haue giuen them to me 16 Am I therefore become your enemie because I tell you the truth The answer to the Obiection in the former verse was this Be as J I am as you And the reason was this hatred presupposeth an offence ye haue done me no offence or hurt therefore ye may not thinke that I hate you The minor is in the 12. v. the conclusion in the 16. v. Againe the minor ye haue done me no hurt is confirmed in the 13 14 15. verses The summe of the Argument is this Though my outward condition was subiect to contempt yet did the Galatians shew loue and reuerence to me therefore ye did me no hurt Againe Paul sets forth both the parts of his argument And first of all he describes his owne condition by three things that he preached in weaknesse of the flesh that he preached the first that he preached hauing the triall of himselfe in his owne flesh Secondly the loue and reuerence of the Galatians is set out by three signes or effects they despised him not they receiued him as an Angel or as Christ himselfe they would haue plucked out their eyes to haue done him good The first thing in Pauls condition is that he published the Gospel in the infirmitie of his flesh that is in a meane and base estate without the shew of humane wisdome and authority and subiect to many miseries In this sense Paul opposeth infirmitie to the excellencie of humane wisdome 1. Cor. 2. 1. 3. and vnder it he comprehends all the calamities and troubles that befell him 2. Cor. 12. 10. This was the condition of the rest of the Apostles For they were but fishers and preached the word in their fisherlike simplicitie Nay this was the condition of Christ himselfe For he hid the maiestie of his godhead vnder the vaile of his flesh and his outward man was subiect to reproch and contempt Isa. 53. 3. And this is the Order of God The word must be dispensed in the infirmitie of mans flesh for sundrie causes First that we might not exalt our teachers aboue their condition who are no more but instruments of grace When the men of Derbe and Listra would haue offered sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas Paul forbids them saying that they were men subiect to the same passions with themselues Act. 14. 15. The second cause that we might ascribe the whole worke of our conuersion not to men but to God alone 2. Cor. 4. 7. The third is that God might by this meanes confound the wisdom of the world and cause men that would be wise to become fooles that they might be wise 1. Cor. 3. 18. The last is that we might be assured that the doctrine of the Apostles is of God because it preuailes in the world without the strength and pollicie of man And as the word is preached in weaknes so it is beleeued of men and the grace of God is conferred to vs and continued in vs in the weaknes of the flesh Gods loue is shedde abroad in the hearts of men but when euen then when we are in the midst of manifold afflictions Rom. 5. 2. 5. Paul beares about him the mortification of our Lord Iesus not for his damnation but that the life of God might be manifest in his mortall flesh 2. Cor. 4. 10. And he saith plainly that the grace of God is made perfect through weaknesse 2. Cor. 12. 9. By this we are taught a high point in religion and that is not onely to be content with the miseries and troubles of this life but to reioyce therein because when we are weakest we are strongest and when we thinke our selues forsaken of God in the time of distresse we are not forsaken indeede but haue his speciall fauour and protection 2. Cor. 12. 10. Let this be thought vpon for the works of God in the cause of mans saluation are in and by their contraries This is the manner of Gods dealing The second thing is that Paul preached the Gospel to the Galatians at the first as it were breaking the I se where none had preached before In this he claimes his priuiledge that he was to be esteemed as a master-builder that laid the foundation of the Church of Galatia and withall he giues a close item to the false Apostles who did not plant Churches but onely corrupt them after they were planted Againe Paul here notes the condition of
23. Ye are bought with a prise be not seruants of men that is let not your hearts and consciences stand in subiection to the will of any man Here then falls to the ground the Opinion of the Papists namely that the lawes and Traditions of the Church bind conscience as truly and certenly as the word of God This doctrine is not of God because it is against Christian libertie Obiect I. Rom. 13. 5. Be subiect to the higher powers for conscience Ans. Conscience here is not in respect of the lawes of the Magistrate but in respect of the law of God that binds vs in conscience to obay the law of the Magistrate Obiect II. Heb. 13. 17. Obay them that haue the ouersight of you and be subiect Ans. We must be subiect to them because as Ministers of God they deliuer the word of God in the name of God vnto vs and that word binds conscience Againe the lawes which they make touching order and comelines in the seruice of God are to be obaied for the auoiding of scandall and contempt Obiect III. A thing indifferent vpon the commandement of the Magistrate becomes necessarie Ans. It is true But it must be obserued that necessitie is twofold Externall internall And the law of the Magistrate makes a thing indifferent to be necessarie onely in respect of externall necessitie for the auoiding of the contempt of authoritie and for the auoiding of scandall Otherwise the thing in it selfe is not necessarie but remaines still indifferent and may be vsed or not vsed if contempt and scandall be auoided The Apostles made a law that the Gentiles should abstaine from strangled and blood and things offered to Idols Act. 15. 28. yet Paul saith afterward to the Corinthians All things are lawfull 1. Cor. 10. 23. and whatsoeuer is sold in the shambles eate and make no question for conscience sake v. 25. because their intent was not that the law should simply binde but onely in the case of offence and therefore where there was no offence to be seared they leaue all men to their libertie Againe here is an other comfort to all that beleeue in Christ that nothing can hurt them and that no euill can befall them Psal. 91. v. 10. nay all things shall in the ende turne to their good though in reason and sense they seeme hurtfull To beleeue this one thing is a ground of all true comfort The consideration of this benefit of Christian libertie teacheth three duties The first is from our hearts to imbrace loue and maintaine Christian religion because it is the meanes of this libertie The second is carefully to search the scriptures for they are as it were the Charter in which our liberties are contained Thirdly our Christian libertie puts vs in minde to become vnfained seruants of God in the duties of faith repentance newe obedience Rom. 6. 22. For this seruice is our libertie The second point is touching the Author of this libertie in these words wherewith Christ hath made vs free Christ then is the worker of this libertie Ioh. 8. 36. he dissolues the works of the deuill 1. Ioh. 3. 8. he binds the strong man and casts him out of his hold Matth. 12. 29. He procures this libertie by two meanes by his merit and by the efficacie of his spirit The merit of his death procures deliuerance from death and it purchaseth a right to life euerlasting The efficacie of his spirit assures vs of our adoption and withall abates by little and little the strength and power of sinne The vse Hence we learne the greatnes and grieuousnes of our spirituall bondage because there was none that could deliuer vs from it but Christ by his death and passion Hence therefore we are to take occasion to acknowledge and bewaile this our most miserable condition in our selues Secondly the prise that was paid for the procurement of our libertie namely the pretious blood of the immaculate lambe of God shewes that the libertie it selfe is a thing most pretious and excellent and so to be esteemed Thirdly for this libertie we are to giue all praise and thanks to God This did Paul at the remembrance of it Rom. 7. 25. 1. Cor. 15. 57. And not to be thankfull is an height of wickednesse The third point is concerning the persons to whome this libertie belongs and they are noted in these wordes Stand ye fast he hath made vs free Whereby Paul signifies himselfe and the Galatians that beleeued in Christ. Beleeuers then are the persons to whome this libertie belongs Ioh. 1. 12. 1. Tim. 4. 3. And true beleeuers are thus to be discerned They vse the ordinatiemeanes of grace and saluation the word sacraments in the vse of the meanes they exercise themselues in the spirituall exercises of inuocation and repentance and in these exercises they bewaile their vnbeleefe and striue by all meanes to beleeue in Christ. As for them that conceiue a perswasion of Gods mercie without the meanes of saluation and without the exercises of inuocation and repentance they are not true beleeuers but hypocrites When Paul saith Christ hath made vs free that is me Paul and you the Galatians he teacheth that euery beleeuer must by his faith applie vnto himselfe the benefit of Christian libertie But to doe this well is a matter of great difficultie The Papists in their writings report our doctrine to be this that a man must conceiue a perswasion that he is in the fauour of God the adopted child of God and that vpon this perswasion he hath the pardon of his sinnes and the benefit of Christian libertie But they abuse vs in this as in many other things For we teach that the Application of Christ and his benefits is to be made by certaine degrees The first is to vse the meanes of saluation the word praier sacraments the second is to consider and to grow to some feeling of our spirituall bondage the third is to will and desire to beleeue in Christ and to testifie this desire by asking seeking knocking the fourth is a certen perswasion or a certentie conceiued in minde of the mercie of God by meanes of the former desire according to the promise of God Aske and it shall be giuen vnto you The fifth is an experience of the goodnes of God after long vse of the meanes of saluation and then vpon this experience followes the full perswasion of mercie and forgiuenes The fourth point concernes the office of beleeuers and that is to stand fast in their Christian libertie and in the doctrine of the Gospel which reueales this libertie And by this we in England are admonished to stand fast to the religion which is now by law established amōg vs not to returne vnder the yoke of Popish bondage For the Popish religion is flat against Christian libertie two waies For our libertie which we haue in Christ frees vs from the law three waies in respect of condemnation in respect of compulsion to obedience and
good but partly euill for such as the cause is such is the effect now the minde and will of man are the cause of his workes and the mind is partly carnall and partly spirituall so also is the will and therefore the workes that proceede from them are partly spirituall in part carnall Vpon this ground it followes that all the workes of regenerate men are sinfull and in the rigour of iustice deserue damnation Obiect Sinne is the transgression of the law good workes are no transgression of the law therefore good workes are no sinnes I answer to the minor The transgression of the law is twofold One which is directly against the law both for matter and manner the second is when that is done which the law requires but not in that manner it should be done And thus good workes become sinfull The dutie which the law requires is done but it is not done perfectly as it ough to be done by reason of the flesh Secondly it is alleaged that good workes are from the spirit of God and that nothing proceeding from the spirit of God is sinne Ans. Things proceeding from the spirit of God alone or from the spirit immediatly are no sinnes now good workes proceed not only from the spirit but also from the mind and will of man as instruments of the spirit And when an effect proceedes from sundrie causes that are subordinate it takes vnto it the nature of the second cause hereupon workes are â—â—rtly spirituall and partly carnall as the minde and will of the doer is Thirdly it is alleged that good works please God and that things pleasing God are no sinnes Ans. They please God because the doer is in Christ and so pleaseth God Againe they please not God before or without pardon for they are accepted because God approoues his owne worke in vs pardons the defect thereof Lastly some obiect on this manner No sinnes are to be done good workes are sinnes there-therefore not to be done Ans. They are not simply sinnes but onely by accident For as God commands them they are good and as godly men doe them they are good in part Now the reason holds onely thus That which is sinne so farre forth as it is a sinne or if it be simplie a sinne is not to be done Now then vpon this doctrine it followes that there is no iustification by workes nor no fulfilling of the law for the time of this life Thirdly hence it follows that the grace of God for the time of this life is mixed with his contrarie the corruption of the flesh This mixture the godly feele in themselues to the great griefe of their hearts When they would beleeue their mindes are oppressed with vnbeleefe They see more ignorance in themselues then light of knowledge There are a number amongst vs that say they know as much as all the world can teach them that they doe perfectly beleeue in Christ and euer did that they loue God with all their hearts and did neuer so much as doubt of the mercie of God But these men are voide of the grace of God they are like emptie barrells that make a great sound they neuer knew what is meant by the combate of the flesh and spirit Fourthly we are here to be admonished in all duties of religion to vse industrie and paines by willing striuing and indeuouring to the vttermost to doe that which we ought to doe We must vse asking seeking knocking Matth. 7. 7. we must with Paul vse wrastling in our praiers to God Rom. 15. 30. They that would haue knowledge in the booke of God must doe more then heare a Sermon they must striue against their ignorance and blindnes and laboriously exercise their senses in the discerning of good and euill They that would beleeue must striue against their naturall vnbeleefe and indeauour to beleeue Blessed saith Salomon Prou. 28. is the man that feareth himselfe or inures himselfe to feare Paul saith of himselfe that he laboured and tooke paines to keepe a good conscience Act. 24. 16. Lastly by reason of this combate we are put in minde to vse sobrietie and watchfulnesse ouer our owne corruptions with much and instant praier least we fall into temptation Matth. 26. 41. We should practise these more then we doe for beside the enemies without we haue an enemie within that seekes our perdition 18 And if ye be led by the spirit ye are not vnder the law In the 13. verse Paul propounds a maine rule of good life Giue no occasion to the flesh and for the better keeping of this he giues a second rule v. 16. Walke in the spirit Of this second rule he giues two reasons The first is taken from the contrarietie of the flesh and the spirit v. 17. The second is in these words they that walke according to the spirit are freed from the curse of the law In these words Paul sets downe three things The first is the office of the spirit which is first of all to regenerate and renew all the powers of the soule and secondly to guide and conduct them that are regenerate Psal. 143. 10. In this guidance or conduction there are foure actions of the spirit The first is Preseruation whereby the holy Ghost maintaines the gift of regeneration in them that are regenerate The second is Cooperation whereby the will of God as the first cause workes together with the regenerate will of man as the second cause And without this Cooperation mans will brings forth no good action no more then the tree which is apt to bring forth fruit yeeldes fruit indeede till it haue the presence and cooperation of the Sunne and that in the season of the yeare The third is direction whereby the spirit of God ordereth and establisheth the minde will and affections in good duties 2. Thess. 3. 5. The last is Excitation whereby the spirit stirres and still mooues the will and minde after they are regenerate because for the time of this life the grace of God is hindred and oppressed by the flesh Hereupon after regeneration there must still be new inclining Psal. 119. 36. new drawing Cant. 1. 3. new working of the will and the deede Phil. 2. 13. Hence it follows that beside the antecedent and first grace there is necessarie a subsequent or second grace For we doe not that good which we can doe vnles God by a second grace make vs doe it as he made vs able to doe it by the first grace The second thing is the Office of all true beleeuers and that is to resigne theÌ„selues in subiection to the worke of Gods spirit Now Gods spirit workes in and by the word of God And hereupon this Subiection hath two parts The first is to make triall inquirie and examination what is the good will of God in euery thing Rom. 12. 2. Thus did Dauid Psal. 119. 94. I am thine saue me for I seeke thy commandements The second part is to denie our selues
should haue done workes of supererogation more then the lawe requires in louing their neighbours more then themselues Rom. 9. 1. And if it were a rule it were but a leaden and false rule for we are in some cases bound to loue our neighbour more then our selues especially if he be a greater instrument of Gods glorie in procuring the good of the Church or common wealth as to loue our godly king more then our selues and preferre his safetie and life before our own as the Israelites did Dauids Thou art worth ten thousand of vs 2. Sam. 18. 3. for â—s is a note of similitude and not of equalitie signifying that as we loue our selues heartily and earnestly and inwardly wishing all good to our selues with the like sinceretie of affection we should loue our brethren So that Christ hath added nothing to the lawe in commanding to loue one another as he loued vs. Others say it is called a newe-commandement because it ought to be kept with as great a care and diligence as though it were newe and had beene now first giuen for newe lawes we know are commonly precisely kept at the first but after a while they begin to be neglected and men doe as it were antiquate them accounting them as though they were not Others by a new commandement vnderstand another diuers or different commandement for Christ in the beginning of the Chapter had giuen them a commandement to flie pride to be humble to liue at peace and concord one with anther and then he saith But I giue you a newe commandement i. 〈◊〉 coÌ„mandement differing froÌ„ the former that ye loue one another The word Newe is often taken in scripture in this sense as Exo. 1. 8. There arose vp a new king which knew not Ioseph that is as the 70 interpreters and S. Luke Act. 7. 18. translate it another king Mar. 16. 17. they shall speake with new tongues that is other diuerâ— or different languages from their vsuall tongue for the meaning is not that they inuented a new language which was neuer spoken before but that they spake in a language diuers from that which they vsed before for so it is said Act. 2. 4. They beganne to speake with other tongues Thus our Sauiour Christ telleth his Apostles that he will not drinke any more of the fruite of the vine till he drinke it nâ—we with them in the kingdome of God Matth. 26. 29. Where by newe wine he meaneth not the liquour or iuyce of the grape to preserue animall life but another different drinke wherewith he would entertaine all that were inuited and came vnto his table But these expositions are not so fitte I take it therefore to be called a newe commaundement either in respect of Christ or of vs in respect of Christ two waies 1. Because he renued it not onely by freeing it from the false glosses and interpretations of the Scribes and Pharises the Iewish Rabbins but also in fulfilling it most perfectly whereas it was obliterated and almost antiquated by the great corruption of man for none did euer so perfectly obserue and keepe the lawe as he did Therefore in regard of the newe manner of fulfilling it it is called a newe commaundement 2. Because he abrogating the ceremoniall lawe and many iudicials onely renued this precept of the morall lawe in commanding it as his lawe to the Church Ioh. 15. This is my commandement that ye loue one another as if he should say Though I haue abrogated the ceremoniall lawe and antiquated the iudiciall yet this commandement shal neuer be abrogated and this I commend vnto you againe and againe as my commmandement which aboue all others I would haue you carefully to obserue as that whereby ye shall be knowne to be my Disciples In regard of vs it is called a newe commaundement and that in two respects 1. Because it beeing defaced and almost cleane blotted out of the minde of man by originall sinne is renued againe in the hearts of beleeuers by the powerfull operation of the spirit of God both in their minds and affections In their mindes because they are daiely inlightened with the true knowledge thereof in beeing taught whome they ought to loue viz. not only their friends but euen their enemies with what kind of loue to wit with a â—eruent loue not in word or tongue onely but in deed and trueth and that with free sincere and constant loue in their wills and affections in that they are perswaded by the inward working of the spirit to loue and are inclined thereto being renued by grace 2. Because it doth after a peculiar manner belong vnto vs who are vnder the New Testament in the kingdome of grace seeing that this commandement onely is renued by Christ as his owne proper commandement many others being abrogated as also because it is daily written by the spirit of Christ after a newe manner in the hearts of newe conuerts so that they haue not onely a newe that is a true knowledge thereof but also a newe that is a true sense and feeling of the power of it in their hearts in that they are become newe creatures in Christ Iesus For in him all olde things passe away all things become new 2. Cor. 4 For to them the lawe is no killing letter written in tables of stone but a quickening spirit as beeing written in the fleshly tables of their hearts This seemeth to be the true full and proper meaning of these places for thâ—s S. Iohn 1. Epist. 2. 8. doeth expound it when he saith that it is true in him and in you in the sense before specified both in regard of Christ and the beleeuers in Christ. III. Quest. Seeing the commaundement of louing our brethren is called the law of Christ and a new commandement is not the Gospel a new Law Ans. In no wise for albeit the Law and the Gospel agree in sundrie things as first in the Author God beeing the author of them both of the Gospel Rom. 1. 1. of the Law Rom. 7. 22. Secondly in that both of them were preached knowne and vnderstood in both Testaments the lawe beeing written in the heart of man in the creation the Gospel preached to our first parents in Paradise immediately after the fall and repeated againe and againe to the Patriarkes and prophets from time to time Thirdly in the gerall matter and end of them both in that both the law and the gospel require righteousnesse in him that would come to â—â—se eternall Fourthly in this that they confirme and establish one another in that the lawe commanding iustice and iustifying none shewes that a man is iustified by the free gift and grace of God and that Christ is the end of the law to euery one that beleeueth In that the Gospel iustifieth not by workes but by faith and yet so as that we doe not by our faith abrogate the lawe or make it of none effect but rather establish it and that in
two respects 1. Because by faith we apprehend the righteousnesse of Christ and so in him who hath fulfilled the lawe for vs we fulfill it and so establish it 2. because hauing our hearts purified by faith we liue no more according to the flesh but according to the spirit and so by inchoaâ—e obedience we fulfill the law Lastly in the end in that both the lawe and the gospel tend directly to the manifestation of the glorie of God Yet they differ in 5. things First in the manner of reuealing the lawe before the fall was perfectly known by nature and since the falliâ— part Rom. 2. 15. The Gospel is not known by nature neither was it euer written in mans heart before or after the fall as Paul saith 1. Cor. 2. 9. Those things which the eie hath not seene nor the eare heard nor the heart of man conceiued are they which God hath prepared for them that loue him therefore the Gospel is called a mysterie Rom. 16. v. 25 26. First because the doctrine of the Gospel was made knowne to men and angels by the reuelation of God Eph. 3. 5. 9. Secondly because there is required a special reuelation worke of gods spirit before a man can yeeld assent vnto it Therefore Paul saith We haue not receiued the spirit of the world but the spirit of God that we might know the things that are giuen to vs of God 1. Cor. 2. 12. Secondly in the subiect or doctrine it selfe and that in two respects First the Law preacheth nothing but absolute iustice to the transgressours thereof the Gospel sheweth how iustice is qualified with mercie from all things from which ye could not be absolued by the Law of Moses by him euery one that beleeueth is iustified Act. 13. 39. Secondly the Law teacheth what manner of men we ought to be and what we ought to doe that we may come to eternall life but shewes not howe we may becom such indeed the Gospel teacheth that by faith in Christ we may be such as the Law requires God hath made him to be sinnâ— for vs who knewe no sinne that we might be made the righteousnes of God in him 2. Cor. 5. 21. Thirdly in the obiect The law is giuen to the vniâ—st lawles vngodly prophane 1. Tim. 1. 9 10. that it may shew them their sinnes and the punishment thereby deserued and so may accuse and condemne them the Gospel is to be published and dispensed onely to the penitent which are contrite and broken in heart mourne for their sinnes Math. 11. Esay 57. Luk. 4. IIII. The law promiseth eternall life vpon condition of works Doe this and liue If thou wiâ—â— enter into life keepe the commandements The Gospel promiseth eternall life freely without any condition of works Rom. 4. 5. To him that worketh not but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is counted to him for righteousnes Rom. 3. 21 22. The righteousnes of God is made manifest without the law by the faith of Iesus Christ vnto all and vpon all that beleeue V. In the effects The Law is no instrumentall cause of faith repentance or any sauing grace it is the minister of death 2. Cor. 3. 7. causing wrath Rom. 3. 15. But the Gospel causeth life it is the grace of God which bringeth saluation Tit. 2. 11. for this cause Paul calleth the Law a dead or killing letter the Gospel a quickning spirit 2. Cor. 3. Fourthly it may be demaÌ„ded whether any maÌ„ be able to fulfil the Law considering that Paul biddeth vs beare one anothers burdens and so fulfill the Law of Christ Ans. No meere man can perfectly fulfill the Law in this life This conclusion S. Paul prooueth in sundrie of his Epistles specially by these arguments First by the great and generall deprauation of nature which remaineth in part euen in the regenerate stayning their best actions and making them like a menstruous cloath confessing withall that his best workes are not answerable to the law by reason of the remainders of originall corruption Rom. 7. Now perfect fulfilling of the law cannot stand with corruption of nature and transgression in life For a corrupt fountaine cannot send forth sweete waters neither can a corrupt tree beare good fruit Saint Iames saith He that offendeth in one is guiltie of all and the Scripture pronounceth him accursed that abideth not in all things written in the bookâ— of the law to doe them Popish Doctours answer first that originall corruption which they call the fewell of sinne and the first motions to euill preuenting all consent of will are indeede in the regenerate but they are no sinnes properly But it is false which they teach For euery transgression of the law is a sinne as S. Iohn defines it 1. Ioh. 3. 4. but these are transgressions of the tenth commandement for it either forbiddeth these first motions whether they be primò primae or secundò primae as Schoolemen speake or it forbid doth nothing but the motioÌ„s which are with coÌ„sent of wil which were forbidden in the former commandements and so in effect there are but nine commandements the tenth forbidding no speciall sinne Againe Paul teacheth that these motions preuenting all consent of will are formally opposed to the Law I see another law in my members rebelling against the law of my minde Secondly they answer that Paul Rom. 7. speakes not of himselfe but in the person of the vnregenerate according to the opinion of S. Augustine Ans. Augustine indeede was once of that iudgement but he after retracted that opinion as it is manifest out of his booke of Retractations and the 6. booke against Iulian the Pelagian and that for these reasons First because Paul saith To will is present with me and I doe not the good I would and J delight in the law of God concerning the inward man all which are proper to the regenerate and cannot be affirmed of the wicked Secondly because he makes mention of the inward man which is all one with the new man or the new creature which agreeth onely to the regenerate Thirdly because he saith he is ledde captiue to sinne v. 23. whereas the wicked are not drawne to sinne by force against their wills but runne riot of their owne accord into all wickednes as the horse rusheth into the battell Ierem. 8. 6. Lastly in that he cries out in a sense and sorrow for his sinnes O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the bodie of this death v. 24. which can not be the voice of the vnregenerate for they feele not the burden of their sinne nor desire to be eased of it but take delight and pleasure in it His second reason is this such as our knowledge is such is our loue of God and man but our knowledge is onely in part therefore our loue is but in part and so consequently our obedience is but in part therfore there is no perfect fulfilling of
when I would doe good that euill is present with me Rom 7. 21. In my minde I serue the lawe of God in my bodie the lawe of sinne v. 25. And the Prophet saith that all our righteousnesse is as a menstruous cloath Isay 64. 4. Therefore euery good worke is stained with sinne Thus much shall suffice to shewe that it is impossible for any man in the time of this life to fulfill the lawe The reasons alleadged to the contrary are sufficiently answered before Pag. 188. c. To which place I referre the reader It may further be said if we cannot perfectly fulfill the law why doth Paul command vs to beare one anothers burdens and so to fulfill the law of Christ Answ. The lawe is said to be fulfilled three waies First by personall obedience and thus Christ onely fulfilled it Secondly by imputed obedience thus the regenerate fulfill it in Christ he beeing their righteousnes 1. Cor. 1. 30. and they complete in him Coloss. 2. 10. Thirdly by inchoate obedience thus Zacharie Elizabeth are said to haue walked in all the commandements of the Lord without reproofe Luk. 1. 6. And thus all the faithfull fulfill the lawe in labouring to obey God in all his commandements according to the measure of grace receiued and thus we are said to fulfill the lawe in this place God accepting the will for the deed We are further to consider that fulfilling of the lawe is sometime opposed to the transgression of the law as Iam. 2. 10. in which sense no man euer did or can fulfill it except Christ God and man who for this cause is said to be the end of the lawe for righteousnesse to euery one that beleeueth Rom. 10. 4. Sometime it is opposed to hypocrisie and dissimulation as 1. Ioh. 2. 4 5. and thus all the Saints fulfill it in that they indeauour to mortifie their corruptions and in all things to approoue their hearts and liues to God in keeping faith a good conscience In which sense Paul here biddeth vs to fulfill the lawe of Christ in performing duties of loue and bearing one anothers burdens It will be said if the lawe can no otherwise be fulfilled then by inchoate obedience to what ende serueth it Answ. It hath a threefold vse euen since the fall First it serues to restraine the outward man by keeping men in order through feare of punishment of which vse Paul speeketh when he saith that the lawe is not giuen to a righteous man but to the lawlesse and disobedient c. 1. Tim. 1. 9. Secondly to arrouse the drousie conscience and this it doeth many waies 1. By reuealing sinne for by the lawe commeth the knowledge of sinne Rom. 3. 20. 2. By reuealing the wrath and anger of God for sinne for the lawe causeth wrath Rom. 4. 15. 3. By conuicting the conscience of sinne When the commandement came sinne reuiued Rom. 7. 9. 4. By arraigning and condemning vs for sin for the lawe is the minister of death 2. Cor. 3. 7. and so putting vs out of all heart in our selues it causeth vs to flie to the throne of grace and so is our schoolemaster to bring vs to Christ. Gal. 3. 24. Thirdly it serues as a rule of good life Dauid saith that the word of God specially the law is a lanterne to his feete and a light to his paths Psal. 119. 105. So that though a regenerate man be not vnder the lawe in regard of iustification or accusation or coaction or condemnation yet he is vnder it in regard of direction and instruction for it shewes what is good what is euill what we ought to doe what to leaue vndone Lastly whereas Paul saith Beare ye one anothers burdens and so fulfill the lawe of Christ the word S O hath great Emphasis for it implies the manner how the Galatians and all men are to fulfill the lawe not by obseruing circumcision daies or times moneths or yeares as the false Apostles taught but by bearing forbearing and tollerating the infirmities of their brethren It may not vnfitly be applyed to the religious orders of Franciscans Dominicans Carthusians c. Let them not thinke that they keepe the lawe by abstaining from flesh by whipping themselues by single life counterfeit fasts voluntary pouertie regular obedience c. But let them comfort the afflicted releiue the distressed beare with the weake support one another in loue and S O they shall fulfill the law of Christ. v. 3. For if any man seeme to himselfe that he is somewhat when he is nothing he deceiueth himselfe in his imagination In this verse the Apostle remooues an impediment which hindereth most from performing the former dutie of bearing other mens burdens and that is a vaine conceit and imagination they haue of their owne excellencie farre aboue their brethren in thinking themselues too good to doe any dutie or service vnto them to be their packehorses to beare their burdens This vaine imagination and swelling conceipt which puffeth vp the most the Apostle laboureth to purge in this place when he saith He that seemeth to himselfe c. where by the way we may obserue the method of the Apostle first to giue rules of direction after to remooue impediments which may hinder our obedience 2. We see here the force of the word which searcheth the secrets of the heart Ebr. 4. 12. in that it casteth downe the imaginations and euery high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringeth into captiuitie euery thought to the obedience of Christ 2. Cor. 10. 4. In the words we may obserue these foure things 1. That men are nothing of themselues 2. That thought they be nothing yet they seeme to themselues to be somewhat and that of themselues 3. That in so doing they deceiue themselues 4. The remedies against the ouerweening of our selues For the first it may be demanded howe it can be truely said that men are of themselues meere nothing Is he nothing that is created after the image of God in holinesse and righteousnes Are Princes and Potentates nothing that are called Gods in scripture Are they nothing that Prophecie and worke miracles Answ. Paul speaketh not of the gifts of God bestowed vpon men but of the men themselues and of them not as they were in the state of innocencie before the fall but as they are nowe in the state of corruption Apostasie or in the state of grace as they are considered of in and by themselues Thus euen spirituall men are nothing of themselues for of them especially the Apostle speaketh as it may appeare out of the first verse For first all are by nature the children of wrath and firebrands of hell 2. the gifts of God bestowed vpon vs whether of nature or of grace are not ours but Gods the giuer of them Therefore no man may arrogate more vnto himselfe then another in regard of them seeing all of vs are but stewards and the things we haue are but
therefore no man ought to be wearie of well doing It consisteth of two parts of a rule or precept in the former part of the verse Let vs not therefore be wearie of well doing and a reason of the rule or a motiue to incite vs to the performance thereof in the latter part for in due season we shall reape if we faint not In the rule the Apostle speakes that plainely which in the former verses he had deliuered more obscurely for here he expounds himselfe what he meant by sowing to the spirit namely doing of good or as it is in the next verse doeing of good vnto all which may also appeare by that which followeth we shall reape if we faint not that is we shall reape the fruit of that which we haue sowne to the spirit if we faint not therefore to sow to the spirit is nothing els but to doe good Now by well doing the Apostle meaneth not onely the outward worke whereby our neighbour is furthered helped relieued but the doing of it also in a good manner and to a good ende so as it may be a good worke indeede not onely profitable to our neighbours and comfortable to our selues but acceptable to God This is a most necessarie precept for most men are soone wearie of a good course like to these Galatians who beganne in the spirit but beeing wearie of that walke turned aside and made an ende in the flesh Gal. 3. 3. Like Ephraim and Iudah whose goodnes was as a morning cloud and as the morning dowe which vanisheth away Hos. 6. 4. This wearisomnes in well doing hath seased vpon the most euen vpon all drowsie professours which are the greatest part as may appeare by this in that some if they be held but a quarter of an houre too long or aboue their ordinarie time are extreamely wearie of hearing the word And as for duties of mercie and liberalitie putting vp iniuries and tolerating wrongs they are readie to make an ende as soone as they begin And as for Prayer and thanksgiuing and other parts of the worship of God most men say in their hearts with the old Iewes what profit is it that we keepe his commandements and that we walke humbly before the Lord of hosts Malach. 3. 14. nay they count it a wearines vnto them and snuffe thereat Malach. 1. 13. Hence it is that the Holy Ghost is so frequent in stirring vs vp to the performance of all good duties with alacritie and chearefulnes and so often in rousing vs from that drowsines and deadnes wherewith we are ouerwhelmed Luk. 18. 1. Our Sauiour Christ propounds a parable to this ende to teach vs that we ought alwaies to pray and not to waxe faint Eph. 3. 13. I desire saith Paul that ye faint not at my tribulations 2. Thess. 3. 13. And ye brethren be not wearie in well doing And so in this place Let vs not therefore be wearie of well doing Nowe the reasons which make men so wearie of wel doing are in generall these three First the strength of the flesh which euen in the regenerate is like the great gyant Goliah in comparison of poore Dauid Secondly the weakenesse of the spirit and spirituall graces Thirdly the outward occurrences and impediments of this life In speciall they be these First men by nature are wolues one to another Esay 11. v. 6. and so they continue til this woluish nature be mortified and renued by grace beeing so farre from helping furthering releeuing tollerating one another or performing any other dutie of loue that contrarily they are readie to bite and deuoure one another Gal. 5. 15. Secondly oftentimes it commeth to passe that other mens coldnesse doth coole our zeale their backewardnesse slacketh our forwardnesse Thirdly many thinke it a disgrace and disparagement vnto them to stoope so lowe as to become seruiceable vnto their inferiours Fourthly there are many things which discourage vs from well doing either the partie is vnknowne vnto vs as Dauid was to Naball for which cause he would not releiue him in his necessitie or eise seemeth vnworthy of our helpe being such as through rior harlots lewd company hath brought himselfe to miserie and beggerie Or such as reward vs euill for good hatred for our good will or such as are querulous alwaies complaining though neuer so well dealt withall all which make men cold in the duties of loue Fiftly some there be which faine dangers and cast perils which hinder them from doing the good they should The slothfull person saith a lyon is in the way c. Lastly the manifold occasions and affaires of this life doe so distract the minde as that a man is soone wearied yea in the best things Besides many see no reason why they should spend themselues in doing good vnto others Now to all these obstacles and pul-backs we are to oppose the Apostles precept Let vs not be wearie of well doing For verely if the consideration of these small occasions and rubbes that lie in our way daunt and dismay vs and so stoppe our course we shall neuer be plentifull in good workes we may happly put our hand to the plowe but a thousand to one we shall looke backe againe with Lots wife cast a long looke toward Sodom and with the Israelites in our hearts turne againe into Egypt For as he that obserueth the winde shall not sowe and as he that regardeth the cloudes shall neuer reape Eccles. 11. 4. So he that regardeth the ingratitude of some the euill example of others the manifold distractions and occurrences of this life and shall cast perils in carnall wisdome of this and that trouble or inconuenience that may ensue shall neuer doe his dutie as he ought And assuredly he that fainteth in a good course and giueth it ouer before he come to the ende is like vnto the slothfull husbandman who hauing plowed and tilled and in part sowed his ground giueth ouer before he haue finished it and so either the parching heate doth wither it or the nipping colde doth kill it or the foules of the aire deuoure it Now most men are sicke of this disease which shewes the greatnes of our corruptions and that the best Christians haue a huge masse or lumpe of sinne in them and but a sparke of grace in that they are seldome or neuer wearie in scraping together of riches in following their pleasures in pursuing honours and hunting after preferments and yet are quickly wearie in duties of pietie iustice and mercie albeit they haue an vnspeakable reward annexed vnto them Well whatsoeuer the corrupt practises of men be let vs learne our dutie to goe forward without wearinesse nay to do good with chearefulnesse as Paul saith of himselfe Philip. 3. forgetting that which is behind and indeauouring himselfe to that which is before Let vs consider that it is the propertie of a liberall minde to deuise of liberall things and to continue his liberality Esay 32. 8. Neither is this
tabulae and therefore is to haue care that true religion be professed and the contemners thereof punished An example hereof we haue in good King Iosiah who caused all that were found in Ierusalem and Beniamin that is all his subiects to stand to the couenant which he made with the Lord nay which is more he compelled all that were found in Ierusalem to serue the Lord their God 2. Chron. 24. 32 33. among which multitude many there were no doubt which did like better of Idolatrie then of Gods worship as the word compelled doth import The King that made that great supper commanded his seruants to coÌ„pell the guests to come in vnto him Luk. 14. 23. whence Augustine gathereth that it is the Magistrates dutie to compell recusants schismatikes heretikes and such like to the hearing and professing of the word But here three things are commonly obiected against this doctrine Obiect I. To compell men to embrace true religion is to make them goe against their conscience which the Magistrate ought not to doe as some Papists haue asfirmed that they would not for tenne thousand worlds compell a Iew to sweare that there were a blessed Trinitie because he should be damned for swearing against his conscience although the thing were neuer so true Ans. I. If it were so hainous a sinne to compell any to embrace true religion because it is against their conscience why doe Popish Prelates and Magistrates compell Protestants and that by exquisite torments to reconcile themselues to the Church of Rome to sweare obedience to the Pope to acknowledge TraÌ„substantiation and to heare Masse which they know are directly against their conscience II. If they will not compell men to doe any thing though neuer so good or godly because it is against their conscience why should they not be as scrupulous in restraining them from doing that which is vnlawfull because they are perswaded in conscience they ought to doe it For if they compell men to omit that which they beleeue to be good because they know it to be euill as their owne practise prooueth in that they will not suffer Protestants to pray publikely in a knowne tongue nor receiue the Sacrament in both kinds c. why doe they not compell them also to doe that which they know to be good though they thinke it to be euill III. The Magistrate is to compell men to embrace true religion or to punish them for their obstinacie in not harkening to the word because he is to vse the meanes to reclaime them and to winne them to a loue and liking of the truth Now so long as they are vrged to heare the word there is hope they may be wonne againe and experience shewes as Augustine testifieth of the Donatists that they which did professe religion at the first meerely by compulsion may afterwards by the mercie of God professe it onely for deuoâ—ion And what though some come not to learne but to carpe and cauill yet God may cast the nette of his mercie so farre ouer them that contrarie to their purpose they may be caught IIII. If the Magistrate who may compell them and so reclaime them doe suffer them to continue in their errours or heresies without controlment he is guiltie of their sinne but by compelling them he hath discharged his dutie for albeit they beeing compelled doe dissemble and play the hypocrites doe lie and forsweare themselues that is not the Magistrates sinne who intendeth nothing but their conuersion and saluation it is their owne proper and personall sinne Obiect II. Men ought to be perswaded to embrace religion and induced to beleeue but not compelled for the will can not be compelled Ans. True it is the will cannot be compelled and as true is it likewise that the Magistrate doth not compell any to beleeue for when a man doth beleeue and from his heart embrace true religion he doth it willingly notwithstanding meanes are to be vsed to make them willing that are vnwilling and the meanes is to compell them to come to our assemblies to heare the word and to learne the grounds of true religion for it is Gods commandement men should prooue the spirits 1. Ioh. 4. 1. that so they may know the truth and cleaue vnto it Augustine saith fitly and finely to this purpose Quod autem vobis videtur invites ad veritatem non esse cogendâ—â— erratis nescientes Scripturas neque virtutem Dei qui eos volentes facit dum coguntur inviti Secondly when Papists receiue the Sacrament sweare allegeance to their Prince present themselues in our congregations who knowes that they doe these things against their conscience nay rather we ought in charitie to thinke that they are perswaded in conscience they may doe them when by oath and protestation they confesse so much But be it they did all in hypocrisie shall the execution of godly lawes therefore cease because hypocrites will not obey but in dissimulation Obiect III. The Magistrate by compelling Recusants to the outward profession of religion maketh them to play the hypocrites to counterfaiâ— and dissemble Ans. The Magistrate in executing the lawes hath no such intent but onely that they might heare the word beleeue it and be saued Againe Protestant recusants in other countries are not allowed by Papists to alleadge their conscience for their refusall but are compelled either to conforme themselues or to vndergoe cruell torments no more may such pretence of conscience excuse the Papists or other heretikes but that they should receiue the same measure which they mete to others II. Quest. How can it be truly said that the false Apostles compelled men to receiue circumcision seeing Titus was not compelled to be circumcised Gal. 2. 3. Ans. That place maketh nothing against the text in hand the meaning is that Paul for his part was readie to haue circumcised Titus as he did Timothie Act. 16. 3. rather then offend the weake brethren But when it came to this point that they would needes vrge circumcision as a thing necessarie to saluation Paul refused to do it for all the false brethren that crept in v. 4. that is notwithstanding they laboured by all meanes to bring it in vse againe Neither did the Apostles vrge it or require it as a thing necessarie to saluation III. It may be demaunded whether that circumcision beeing so vehemently vrged by the false Apostles might not haue beene vsed Answ. It might not For albeit it be in it selfe a thing indifferent and so it skilleth not whether a man be circumcized or not as Paul saith Circumcision is nothing and vncircumcision is nothing yet beeing vrged as a matter oâ— absolute necessitie as without which men could not be saued Act. 15. 1. it ought not to be vsed The like may be said of all indifferent things if they be made essentiall pâ—rts of Gods worship or necessarie to saluation as the vse of meates and drinkes obseruing of times and seasons wearing this or that habit or
in that he was in time consecrated to be our Mediatour and so a curse And this consecration was first in his baptisme in which he put vpon him our guilt as we put off the same in ours and secondly on the crosse and passion in which he tooke vnto him the punishment of our sinne And thus was he made a curse It may be obiected that he is the Son of God and therefore no curse Ans. Christ must be considered as the Sonne of God and againe as our pledge and suretie Hebâ— 7. 22. In the first respect he was not accursed but in the second The third point is In what nature was Christ accursed Ans. Whole Christ God-man or Man-god was accursed For the Lord of life saith Paul was crâ—cified and consequently accursed 1. Cor. 2. 8. Yet this limitation must be added that the curse was not vpon the Godhead of Christ but onely in his flesh or manhood For he suffered saith Peter in the flesh 1. Pet. 4. 1. Moreouer the soule of Christ was the more principall seat of the curse as it was the principall seat of sinne Therefore the Prophet saith he made his soule an offering for sinne Isa. 53. 10. and Christ said My soule is heauie to the death The fourth point is How farre forth Christ was accursed Ans. In the first death there are two degrees separation of the bodie and soule and the putrifaction of the bodie separated And Christ entred onely into the first and not into the second For his bodie beeing dead indured no corruption Againe in the second death there are two degrees The first is a separation from God in sense and feeling and the second is an absolute separation from God Into this second degree of death Christ entred not because he saide in the middest of his passion My God my God And this absolute separation could not be without the dissolution of the personall vnion Into the first degree of the second death he entred namely into the apprehension and feeling of the wrath and indignation of God due to mans sinne And this appeares by his bloodie sweat of thicke and clottered blood by his complaint that he was forsaken by his feares and sorrowes in the time of death in which he comes short of sundrie Martyrs vnlesse we acknowledge that he indured further paines of death then euer they did by his condition in that he takes vpon him the condition of the first Adam who vpon his fall was to indure the first and second death Here two questions are to be demanded the first How and in what manner Christ suffered the wrath of God Ans. He indured it willingly of his owne accord he did not onely in minde see it before his eyes but also he felt it it was laid and imposed on him and he incountred with it but it had no dominion of lordship ouer him Act. 2. 24. The second is How much he suffered of the wrath of God Ans. The punishment he suffered was in value and measure answerable to all the sinnes of all the Elect past present and to come the Godhead supporting the manhood that it might be able to beare and ouercome the whole burden of the wrath of God If it be saide that a creature cannot haue an infinite apprehension of the wrath of God I answer it sufficeth that God laid infinite wrath vpon him and that he apprehended it according to the condition of a creature For in so doing he incountred with the whole wrath of God One man in a breach or at a bridge may stand against an whole armie and beare the brunt of it why may not then the manhood of Christ supported by the Godhead beare the stresse of the whole wrath of God Against this doctrine sundrie things may be obiected Obiect I. The Scripture ascribes all to the blood of Christ and therefore to the death of the bodie Ans. By blood is meant a bloodie death by the bloodie death the death of the crosse by the death of the crosse a death accursed or the death of the bodie ioyned with the malediction of the law Obiect II. The suffering of the anger of God was not figured in Sacraments or sacrifices Ans. The beast whereof the burnt offering was made was first tied to the hornes of the altar his blood then was shedde and lastly he was all burnt vpon the alâ—â—â— vnto God and hereby was figured the fierie wrath of God Obiect III. Temporall death or the curse for halfe a day cannot counteruaile eternall death Ans. Yes in Christ. For if man could suffer and ouercome punishment in measure infinite he should not suffer eternally but this no man nor angel can doe and therefore man must suffer punishment for measure finite for time infinite because the punishment must be answerable to God whose maiestie is infinite Now Christ beeing God and man suffered punishment indeed infinite and therefore it was not necessarie that he should indure it eternally Againe here the dignitie of the person helpeth for in that the Sonne of God suffered the curse of the law for halfe a day it is more then if all men had suffered eternall death Therefore the death of Christ in respect of the measure of the punishment as also in respect of the value and dignitie thereof counteruailes death euerlasting Obiect IV. It is hard to say that Christ suffered the paines of hell Ans. The Latin translation commonly receiued hath as much that he could not be holden of the sorrowes of hell Act. 2. 24. And there is no offence to say he suffered the paines of hell so farre forth as this suffering may stand with the puritie of his manhood and with the truth of the personall vnion The vse Friers teach that if Christ had pricked his finger and let fall but one droppe of blood it had bin sufficient to redeeme all the world But they dreame For Paul saith he was made the curse of the law to redeeme vs. This had bin a needles worke if a pricke in the finger or any punishment without death would haue done the deede That Christ became a curse for vs it shewes the greatnes and horriblenes of our sinnes it shewes the grieuous hardnes of our hearts that neuer almost mourne for them it shewes the vnspeakable loue and mercie of God for which we are to be thankfull for euer and that all manner of waies In that the Sonne of God became a curse for our sinnes we are put in minde to see acknowledge and consider them and withall to bewaile them and to humble our selues for them and to detest them more and more vnto the very death For what is more worthie of hatred then that which causeth the Sonne of God to be accursed They which beleeue that Christ by beeing a curse hath redeemed them from the curse of the law doe in truth die vnto all their sinnes and liue vnto God Many indeede professing Christ make no change of life at all and the reason is
because a secret Atheisme makes them say in their hearts There is no Christ there is no curse that was indured by Christ. Clense your hearts of this hidden Atheisme and looke that inwardly in your spirits you die vnto your sinnes and liue to God In that Christ was obedient to his Father in bearing the curse of the law we are taught in all things to subiect our selues to the will of God Our obedience must not onely be in doing this or that but also in suffering the miseries â—â—d on us to the death this is the best obedience of all and the truest marke of Gods child to obey in our sufferings Moreouer that Christ was accursed it is confirmed by the sentence and decree of God Cursed is euery one that hangeth on the tree Deut. 21. 23. The ground of this sentence is the sinne of the malefactour for whome God curseth he curseth for his offence And here it may be demanded why he that is stoned to death is not likewise accursed Ans. He also is accursed but there are speciall reasons why the man hanged on the tree is cursed First among the Iewes they which were hanged were most grieuous malefactours as blasphemers and idolatours and there punishment was accordingly most grieuous Secondly hanging as among all nations so among the Iewes was a most odious and infamous death Thirdly God did foresee that the Messias should die on the crosse and therefore he accursed this kind of death If it be saide that there was no fault or offence in Christ and therefore he could not be accursed I answer that he became sinne for vs in that our sinne was applied and imputed to him It may be further obiected that the theefe which repented was not accursed though he were hanged on the tree Ans. As a theefe he was accursed as he was a theefe and repented the curse was remooued For the law in the curses thereof giues place to the Gospel iudgement yeelds to mercie and the Gospel puts an exception to the law The vse If the malefactour hanged be accursed and defile the earth how vile and accursed is the liuing malefactour the blasphemer adulterer murtherer c. who hath entred no degree of punishment Let this be considered to terrifie offenders Againe let vs consider the scope of this law Because he that hangs on the tree is accursed therefore saith the law of God he must be taken downe and buried Marke the equity of this law and that is that things euill and accursed are to be remooued from the eye and sense of man This charge the Lord giues of lesse matters namely of sights vndecent and vnseemely Deut. 23. 15. Againe we are commanded not so much as to name fornication vncleannes couetousnes resting foolish talking c. Eph. 5. 3. Here we are to be put in minde that the Plaies commonly in vse ate to be banished out of all Christian societies For they doe nothing els but reuiue and represent the vile and wicked fashions of the world and the misdemeanour of men which are things accursed and therefore to be buried and not once to be spoken of Againe all euill in our example whether in word or in deede must be buried as much as may be for it defileth and is accursed Here it may be demanded how this law of God he is accursed therefore let him be taken downe and buried standes with the order vsed in this and other countries in which men are hanged in chaines for the terrour of the world Ans. Iudiciall lawes if they haue in them morall equitie and serue directly to fense in the precepts of the Decalogue are perpetuall and bind all men els not As for the iudiciall determinations of this or that manner of punishment they concerne vs not but God hath left euery nation free though not in respect of punishment yet in respect of the manner and order thereof The third point whereby our redemption is described is the ende thereof that the blessing of Abraham that is righteousnes and life euerlasting may come vpon the Gentiles Here two things are to be considered The first is whence comes the benediction of Abraham Ans. From the cursed death of Christ. For thus are the words He was made a curse for vs that the bâ—â—ediction of Abraham might come on the Gentiles Marke here how God workes one contrerie by the other In the creation he made something not of something but of nothing he called light out of darknes he kills and then makes aliue Hos. 6. he sends men to heauen by the gates of hell he gaue sight by a temper of spittle and clay a fit meanes to put out sight In the worke of our redemption he giues life not by life but by death and the blessing by the curse This shewes the wisdome and power of God and it teacheth vs in the worke of our conuersion and saluation not to goe by sense and feeling because God can and doth worke one contrarie in and by the other The second point is where this benediction of Abraham is to be found Ans. The text say It is extant in Christ Iesus who is as it were the storehouse of Gods blessing and the dispenser of it to all nations In him are hid all treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2. God and the Lambe are all things to all the Elect in the kingdome of heauen Reu. 21. Here we see the right way to become rich and that is aboue all things to seeke to be true and liuely members of Christ for if he be ours we can want nothing Rom. 8. 32. Matth. 6. 33. Psal. 34. 10. This is a most sure way to procure vnto vs all good things that he sees to be necessarie for vs. For Christ is the storehouse of the benediction of Abraham Againe this must teach them that beleeue in Christ to be content in any estate be it better or worse for true riches is the blessing of God and this blessing is in Christ. This is the truth if we could discerne of things that differ Thirdly in our pouertie and in the middest of all our wants and losses we must comfort our selues For though we leese neuer so much yet we retaine the principall and that is Christ who is the benediction of Abraham The fourth point is an other end of our Redemption That we might receiue the promise of the spirit by faith For the better vnderstanding of this foure questions may be demanded The first is what is meant by the promise Ans. The promise of God made in the old Testament that he would powre out his spirit vpon all flesh Isa. 44. 3. and Ioel 2. 28. And h 〈…〉 saide that this promise is fulfilled to the nations wheÌ„ they beleeue Marke here how the promises of God lie as void dead and of none effect till the particular time of their accomplishment God promiseth Iacob that his posteritie shall be a great nation after 430 yeares for which time they remaine
scripture namely the Scripture before named the written law in the bookes of the old Testament And further by the law we must vnderstand God in the law Rom. 11. 32. God hath concluded all vnder vnbeleefe Concluded The law is compared to a Iudge or sergeant sinne to a prison And the law is said to conclude or inclose men vnder sinne because it doth to the full accuse and conuince vs of sin so as our mouthes are stopped and we haue no way to escape All All men that came of Adam by generation with all that comes from them their thoughts desires wordes and deedes The promise The thing promised which is Remission of sinne and life euerlasting By the faith of Christ That is the faith whereof Christ is both the author and matter This is added to signifie vnto vs who are true beleeuers namely they which are beleeuers by the faith of Christ. Against this text of Paul blind reason mooueth many questions as namely why God created man and then suffered him to fall why God did not restraine the fall of Adam to his person but suffers it to inlarge it selfe to all mankind so as all be shut vp vnder sinne why the promise is not giuen to all but onely to beleeuers But there are two speciall grounds vpon which we are to stay our minds The first is that God hath an absolute soueraigntie and lordship ouer all his creatures We may not therefore dispute the case with God Rom. 9. 20. He may doe with his owne what he will Math. 20. 15. The second is that the waies and iudgements of God are a gulfe into which the more we search the more we plunge our selues because they are vnsearchable Rom. 11. 33. Marke the phrase of Paul the Scripture concludes all vnder smne if it conclude or shut vp then it determines what is sinne what not And if this be so then it may also determine what is true and what is false and so be truly tearmed a Iudge of controuersies in religion If it shut vp sinners vnder their sinne then also it shuts them that erre vnder their errour for errours be sinnes and fruits of the flesh It is said blasphemously that if the Scripture be a Iudge it is but a dumme Iudge and I say againe that offenders may plead for themselues on this sort that the law is but a dumme Iudge when it condemnes them and shuts them vnder sinne but they shall finde it hath a loud voice in their consciences when they read it seriously and examine themselues by it euen so the Scripture speakes sufficiently for the determination of truth and falshood in matters of saluation when it is searched with care and humilitie When Paul saith We are all shut vp vnder sinne he puts vs in minde of our most miserable condition that we are captiues of sinne and Satan inclosed in our sinnes as in a prison like imprisoned malefactours that waite daily for the comming of the Iudge and stand in continuall feare of execution And seeing our condition is such we must labour to see and feele by experience this our spirituall bondage that we may say with Paul We are sold vnder sinne and that we know there is no goodnes dwelling in our flesh Rom. 7. 14. 18. This is one of the first lessons that we must take out in the schoole of Christ. Againe if we seriously bethinke our selues that we are captiues of sinne and worthie of death it will make vs with contentation of minde to beare the miseries of this life sicknes pouertie reproch banishment c. considering they come farre short of that we haue deserued who are no better then slaues of sinne and Satan Whereas Paul saith that all men with all that proceeds from them is shut vnder sinne he teacheth that all actions of men vnregenerate are sinnes The wisdome of the flesh that is the wisest cogitations counsells inclinations of the flesh are enmitie vnto God Rom. 8. 5. To the vncleane all things are vncleane Tit. 1. 15. An euill tree cannot bring forth good fruit Mat. 7. It may be obiected that naturall men may doe the workes of the morall law as to giue almes and such like Rom. 2. 14. Ans. Sinnes be of two sorts One is when any thing is done slat against the commandement of God The second is when the act or worke is done which the law prescribes yet not in the same manner which the law prescribes in faith in obedience to the glorie of God In this second regard morall works performed by naturall men are sinnes indeede Hence it followes that Libertie of will in the doing of that which is truly good is lost by the fall of Adam and that man cannot by the strength of naturall will helped by grace applie himselfe to the calling of God Whereas Paul saith that the promise is giuen to beleeuers it is manifest that the promise is not vniuersall in respect of all mākind but only indefinite and vniuersall in respect of beleeuers Wherfore their doctrine is not sound that teach the Redemption wrought by Christ to be as generall as the sinne of Adam Indeede if we regard the value and sufficiencie of the death of Christ it is so but if we respect the Communication and donation of this benefit it is not For though all be shut vnder sinne yet the promise is onely giuen to them that beleeue It is obiected that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himselfe 2. Cor. 5. 19. Ans. The text in hand shewes that by the world we are to vnderstād all beleeuers through the whole world And whereas Paul saith God shut vp all vnder vnbeleefe that he might haue mercie vpon all Rom. 11. 32. his meaning is here set downe that he shut both Iewes and Gentiles vnder vnbeleefe that he might haue mercie vpon all that beleeue both of Iewes and Gentiles Marke further the ende of the law is conuiction and the ende of our conuiction is that the promise of mercie may be giuen to them that beleeue Here is notable comfort with incouragement to all good duties Doth the law as it were in the name of God arrest thee doth it accuse and conuince thee of manifold sinnes doth it arraigne thee at the barre of Gods iudgement and fill thy soule with terrour dost thou by the testimonies of the law and thine owne conscience see and feele thy selfe to be a most miserable and wretched sinner well It may be thou thinkest that all this is a preparation to thy damnatiō but it is not For it is cōtrariwise a preparation to thy saluation For the law with a loud voice in thy heart proclaimes thee a sinner and threatens thee with perdition but the end of all this is that Iesus Christ may become a Sauiour vnto thee so be it thou wilt come vnto him and beleeue in him For he saues no sheepe but the lost sheepe and he calls not iust men but sinners to repentance Let vs therefore with all our
hearts come vnto Christ and beleeue in him and that by the faith of Christ that is with a faith ioyned with hope loue and new obedience Then shall the promise of pardon and life euerlasting be giuen to vs. Vpon this ground persons in despaire and grieuous offenders may see a plaine way to helpe and succour themselues For the worke of the law concluding vs vnder sinne by the mercie of God tends to our saluation if we will vse the good meanes Lastly Paul saith the promise is made not to euery one that beleeueth according to any faith of his owne but to them that are true beleeuers by the faith of Christ. Therefore euery man shall not be saued in his owne faith and religion but onely they that are of the faith of Christ. 23 For before faith came we were kept vnder the law and shut vp vnto the faith which should afterward be reuealed 24 Wherefore the law was our schoole-master to Christ that we might be made righteous by faith 23 But after that faith is come we are no more vnder the schoole-master Paul in the 19. v. had said that the law was for transgressions till the seede come to which the promise was made And here he makes a more large declaration of his owne meaning The summe of all that he faith may be reduced to a comparison of things vnlike on this manner Before the comming of faith we were vnder the dominion of Moses law but after faith was come we were free The first part of the comparison is amplified by a double fimilitude the law was a Guard vnto vs v. 23. and the law was our schoolemaster v. 24. the second part of the comparison is in the 25. v. Faith That is the Gospel or the doctrine of remission of sinnes and life euerlasting by Christ exhibited in the flesh We We Iewes I Paul a Iew and the rest of that nation Law That is the whole Oeconomie policie and Regiment of Moses by lawes partly morall partly Ceremoniall and partly Iudiciall Kept Compassed or guarded Because the lawe before Christ was to the Iewes as a guard of armed men to inclose and keepe them that they should not depart from God and from their allegiance to him vnto the sinnes idolatries and superstitions of the Gentiles Vnto the faith That is till the faith come Afterward reuealed From the creation to the law the Church of God was in one familie and the rest of the world beside was no people of God From the law till Christ the Church of God was inclosed in the nation of the Iewes and all the world beside no Church or people of God And this distinction of a people and no people stoode some time after the comming of Christ. Math. 10. 5. Goe not into the waie of the Gentiles and into the cities of the Samaritans enter ye not After the ascension of Christ this distinction ended because the mysterie of mans redemption was then more plainly reuealed and it began then to be reuealed to the whole world Coloss. 1. 26 27. and Rom. 16. 25. Thus we see that the law serued for transgressions because it was to the Iewes as a Guard to keepe them in the compasse of their dutie that they fell not away to sundrie transgressions The vse This shewes the greatnes of our corruption and that the very frame of our heart is euill continually that the Lord must be faine to set his lawes about vs as a Guard of armed men to keepe vs that we sinne not Againe here we see the vse of Gods lawes which serue to preuent restraine and cut off sinne into which otherwise men would fall vnlesse they were compassed and guarded by laws Some obiect for freedome of will on this manner If the lawes of God cannot be kept they are in vaine but they are not in vaine therefore they may be kept Ans. The maior or first part of the reason is not true For there are other vses of the law of God then the keeping of them for they serue to restraine and preuent open offences and to keepe men in order at the least outwardly An other vse of the law of God was to conclude and shut vp the Iewes into the vnitie of one faith and religion For this cause the Iewes had but one temple one Mercie-seat one high Priest c. Hence it followes that in a godly and Christian Common-wealth where true religion is established there may be no tolleration of any other religion For that which is the end of Gods laws must also be the end of all good lawes in all Common-wealths and kingdomes namely to shut vp the people into the vnitie of one faith The Church of the Iewes is called a fountaine sealed a garden inclosed Cant. 4. 12. a vineyard hedged in Isa. 5. 5. Psal. 80. 13. And here we see what is the hedge or wall of this garden or vineyard namely the regiment or policie of Moses by a threefold kind of law This admonisheth vs to respect and with care to obserue good lawes because they are as it were hedges and fenses of all good societies and the breaking of them is the pulling downe of our fense Where Paul saith till the faith be reuealed Note that the faith or the Gospel was not reuealed to the world till the last age after the comming of Christ. It may be said it was alwaies reuealed to all men but not so cleerely as in these last daies Ans. It was not reuealed to all either darkly or cleerely before the comming of Christ. Act. 14. 16. God suffered the Gentiles to walke in their owne waies Eph. 2. 12. they were without God and without Christ. Rom. 15. 20. Paul preached where Christ was not so much as named Hence it followes that the Vocation of men to life euerlasting is not Vniuersall because Christ was neuer Vniuersally reuealed Neither is mans Redemption vniuersall in respect of the whole world For Redemption by Christ was not reuealed to all nations before the comming of Christ and a benefit to be apprehended by faith if it be vnknowne is no benefit Lastly it is erronious that some teach namely that grace supernaturall is vniuersall that is that the power to beleeue in Christ and the power to turne to God if men will is generally giuen to all But this cannot be because it is not giuen to all men so much as to heare of Christ and to know him Seeing faith is now come it may be demanded what is the Guard whereby we are kept now Ans. The precepts of the morall law The sayings of the wise are as nayles or stakes fastned to range men in the compasse of their owne duties Eccles. 12. 11. Againe the peace of God or the assurance of our reconciliation with God is a Guard to keepe our hearts and senses in Christ. Phil. 4. 7. If this will not doe the deede God hath in store his corrections and iudgements to be as an hedge to hemme vs in Hos.