have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy Name thou art mine Isai 43.1 They are his citie Psal 48.8 His house 1 Tim. 3.15 His heritage Joel 2.17 His temple 1 Cor 3.16 His people Isai 63.8 His friends Isai 41.8 His children 2 Cor. 6.18 His jewels Mal. 3.17 His peculiar treasure Psal 135.4 Though Gods providence be over all yet especially over the godly He is the Saviour or Preserver of all but especially of those that beleeve 1 Tim. 4.10 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their cry Psal 34.15 He that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye Zach. 2.8 The Lord is good unto all Psal 145.9 but especially to the godly O how great is thy goodness saith David unto God which thou hast laid up for them that feare thee Psal 31.19 He will blesse them that feare the Lord Psal 115.13 They are the blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth vers 15. To them will Christ the judge of all say at the last day Come ye blessed of my Father inherit you the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world Matth. 25.34 Yea God doth so honour the godly as to do good to others for their sake I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake said Laban to Jacob Gen. 30.27 It was little that thou hadst before I came said Jacob to Laban and it is now increased to a multitude and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming vers 30. The Lord blessed the Egyptians house for Josephs sake and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house and in the field Gen. 39.5 Lo said the Angel unto Paul God hath given thee all them that faile with thee Act. 27.24 For Paul's sake God preserved all that were in the ship with him that notwithstanding the extreme danger that they were in yet they all escaped 3. Christ doth honour the godly He calls them his friends You are my friends saith he if you do whatsoever I command you Henceforth call I you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doth but I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my Father have I made known unto you John 15.14 15. He calls them his brethren He is not ashamed to call them brethren saying I will declare thy Name unto my brethren Heb. 2.11 12. See also John 20.17 and Matth. 25.40 Yea when some came and told Christ that his Mother and brethren were without desiring to speake with him he answered who is my Mother and who are my brethren And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples and said Behold my Mother and my brethren 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theophyl ad loc For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven the same is my brother and sister and mother Matth. 12.47 50. Thus our Saviour preferred his spiritual kindred before his carnal kindred And when a certaine woman having heard his words cryed out saying Blessed is the womb that bare thee and the paps which thou hast sucked he said Yea rather blessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it Luke 11.27 28. It was a singular honour to the blessed Virgin that she was the mother of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theophyl ad loc Luke 1.42 and 48. Yet this priviledg would have availed her little if she had not been one that feared God Blessed is she that beleeved saith Elizabeth unto her Luke 1.45 That she was a beleever this was it that did make her blessed And so she her selfe said My spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour Luke 1.47 She rejoyced not so much that God was her Son as that God was her Saviour which without faith working through love Beatior fuit percipiendo fidem Christi quà m concipiendo carnem Christi Nihil illi materna propinquitas proficisset nisi foelicius Christum in corde quà m in carne gestasset Aug. and shewing forth it self by the fruit of all holy obedience he had not been It would have profited her nothing that she conceived Christ in her womb if she had not conceived him by faith in her heart her carnal relation to Christ would have done her no good if she had not had spiritual relation to him 4. The Angels do honour the godly Though they be most excellent and glorious creatures yet they disdain not to attend on the godly and to minister unto them When Jacob returned out of Mesopotamia the angels of God met him viz. to guard him Gen. 32.1 The angel of the Lord saith David encampeth round about them that fear him Psal 34.7 This reason our Saviour gives why all should take heed of despising any of the meanest Saints For I say unto you saith he That in heaven their angels do alwayes behold the face of my Father which is in heaven Matth. 18.10 He calls the angels their angels because by Gods appointment they are attendant upon them Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them that shall be heires of salvation Heb. 1.14 For these reasons he that is godly himself will honour those that are godly But how doth he honour the godly 1. In respect of his inward esteeme of them He holds such in reputation How one that is godly himself doth honour those that are godly Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sym. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aqu. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Apostle exhorts Phil. 2. vers 29. He accounts them excellent as David did Psal 16.3 The word in the Original signifieth stately persons One of the Greeke Interpreters renders it great persons another very great persons such a high and honourable esteeme had David of the godly 2. In respect of outward deportment toward them For 1. He delights in their society In whom is all my delight said David speaking of the saints that are upon the earth Psal 16.3 I am a companion of them that feare thee and that keepe thy precepts said he unto God Psal 119.63 2. He is ready to receive and entertaine them Mine eyes said David shall be upon the faithfull of the land that they may dwell with me he that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me Psal 101.6 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness said Paul speaking of Epaphroditus and having shewed what a good and godly man he was Phil. 2.29 3. He is ready also to assist and helpe them as they have need My goodness extendeth not to thee said David unto God But to the saints that are upon the earth c. Psal 16.2 3. I commend unto you said Paul to the Romanes Phebe our sister which is a servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea That ye receive her in the Lord as becometh saints and that ye assist her in whatsoever business
she hath need of you Rom. 16.1 2. As we have opportunity saith he also let us do good unto all especially to those that are of the houshold of faith Gal. 6 10. The Use of this point may be first to provoke unto piety Use 1 seeing this is that which will make us truly honourable The heathens could see and consider that vertue is the way to honour It is said of the ancient Romanes that they had one Temple dedicated to Vertue and another to Honour and that the passage to the Temple of Honour was through the Temple of Vertue Noveris non officiis sed finibus à vitiis discâ—rnendas esse virtutes Aug contra Jul. lib. 4. cap. 3. But as Austine hath well observed it is not so much the thing done as the end for which it is done that doth distinguish betwixt vice and vertue Whatsoever you doe saith the Apostle do all to the glory of God 1 Cor. 10.31 that must be our ultimate end in all and if we honour him he will honour us 1 Sam. 2.30 If any man serve me saith Christ him will my Father honour John 12.26 So then grace and godliness is that which will indeed bring us to honour even that honour in comparison of which the honour of the world is as nothing And therefore if men be so ambitious of worldly honour how should we be ambitious of this honour We Labour saith the Apostle that whether present or absent that is whether alive or dead we may be accepted of him to wit of the Lord 2 Cor. 5.9 The word rendred we labour imports as much as we are ambitious or we ambitiously affect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is a good ambition we cannot be too ambitious in this kinde The honour of the world what is it but a bubble light and empty transient and fading In respect of wordly honour is is with men as with a wheele now up and now down that part of the wheele which is now highest is by and by the lowest Who in more honour then Haman for a while but his honour soone vanished away and turned into ignominy and reproach How is the candle of the wicked put out saith Iob ch 21.17 But the candle of the godly though it may burne dimme sometimes yet it shall never be put out The path of the just is as shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4.18 This honour which piety procureth is solid and substantial durable and permanent it is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Use 2 Here also is comfort and incouragement for such as truly feare God though they be vilified and despised in the world yet God and good men do honour them If thou truly fearest God how meanly soever the world doth account of thee thou art honourable in Gods account and in the account of all such as judge aright When Mical despised David and scoffed at him because in his zeale he danced before the Arke he answered her saying It was before the Lord which chose me before thy Father and before all his house to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord over Israel therefore will I play before the Lord. And I will yet be more vile then thus and will be base in mine owne sight and of the maid-servants which thou hast spoken of of them shall I be had in honour 1 Sam. 6.21 22. By giving honour to God we shall be sure to lose no honour Therefore ye that feare the Lord Feare ye not the reproach of men neither be affraid of their rebukes Isai 51.7 Though your glory may be obscured for a time yet at length it shall shine forth and appeare most gloriously namely When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels c. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints and admired in all them that beleeve 2 Thess 1.7 10. Then shall the righteous shine as the sun in the kingdome of their Father Matth. 13.43 Therefore let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the authour and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Crosse despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God Heb. 12.1 2. The spirit himself beareth witness together with our spirits that we are the children of God And if cildren then heirs heirs of God and joynt-heirs with Christ if so be we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together Rom. 8.16 17. Here also all they that professe the fear of God are Use 3 to be admonished to walk in his fear and to demeane themselves so as that they may preserve their honour and maintaine their reputation Dead flies saith Salomon cause the ointment of the Apothecary to send forth a stinking savour so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdome and honour Eccles 10.1 The finer the cloth is the worse is the stain of it so the more any professe piety the greater is their blemish if they be exorbitant Christians must walk so as to give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully 1 Tim. 5.14 And so also they must take heed of giving those that fear God occasion to think lesse honourably of them To this end we must have our hearts in the fear of the Lord all the day long as well at one time as at another Prov. 23 17. 2. We must be holy in all manner of conversation as well in one thing as in another 1 Pet. 1. vers 15. 3. We must abstaine from all appearance of evil 1 Thess 5.22 Providing for honest things not only in the sight of the Lord but in the sight of men 2 Cor. 8.21 4. When we are justly reproved we must submit unto it acknowledging what we are guilty of and shewing our selves penitent for it This is the way not to lose credit but to retain it Because David humbly cryed peccavi when the Prophet Nathan did reprove him did the Prophet therefore afterward carry himself the more contemptuously towards him No he did honour him as much as ever See 2 Sam. 12.13 with 1 King 1.23 SERM. XVIII SERM. 18 Psal 15.4 But he honoureth them that feare the Lord. Use 4 I Come now to a fourth Use of the point viz. for conviction and terrour of those that vilifie and despise the godly as alas how common a thing is this The precious sons of Sion comparable to fine gold how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers the work of the hands of the potter Lam. 4.2 This was Jeremies complaint in the destruction of Jerusalem and he found it so before by his own experience I am in derision daily said he every one mocket me Jer. 20.7 Thus also it fared with David as he complains unto God saying For thy sake I have borne reproach shame hath covered my face Psal
Now heaven is a place of righteousness no unrighteousness can find any roome there It is the high and holy place Isa 57.17 When the Angels once sinned presently they were throwne out of heaven 2 Pet. 2.4 So also was Adam presently after his trangression cast out of Paradise which was a type of heaven neither was he permitted to have any accesse to the tree of life which was a type of eternal life Gen. 3.24 To him that overcometh saith Christ will I give to eate of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God Revel 2.7 Blessed are they doe his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in thorow the gates into the city Rev. 22.14 Use 1 If this be the doctrine which according to the Scriptures we teach and preach then they of the Church of Rome are very injurious unto us in calling us Solifidians as if we were all for faith and nothing for workes as if we perswaded people that though they live as they list and doe what they will yet if they beleeve they shall be saved We hold that although imputed righteousness whereby we are justified and inherent righteousness whereby we are sanctified are diverse and different one from the other yet they are not divided but alwayes goe together so that where the one is there the other is also We hold that though faith alone as the hand receiving Christ and applying his righteousness doth justifie yet that justifying faith is not alone but is ever accompanied with good workes And therefore we observe that of the Apostle This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirme constantly that they which have beleeved in God may be careful to maintaine good works these things are good and profitable unto men Tit. 3.8 And vers 14. Let ours also learne to maintaine good workes for necessary uses that they be not unfruitful 2. Away then with the horrid and damnable doctrine Use 2 of some who went out from us but were not of us Atque adeo id sibi precipuè proponunt ut sopiant conscientias quò omni sollicitudine vacui hostes quicquid sese offeret quicquid appetierint perpetrent Calv. advers libert cap. 15. Vide etiam ib. c. 18. for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us 1 John 2.10 of some I say who with the Libertines in Calvines time make it the very high way to heaven and the sure signe of salvation for people to give the reines unto their lusts to worke all iniquity and to commit all uncleanness even with greediness But you have not so learned Christ If so be ye have been taught by him as the truth is in Iesus That ye put off as concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts And be renewed in the spirit of your minde And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Ephes 4.19 24. 3. This doctrine serves to convince all such as looke Use 3 for salvation and yet heed not to worke righteousness Though whiles they live they worke iniquity and live wickedly yet when they die they thinke to be saved as others But this is a most vaine and foolish a most irrational and absurd imagination as if one should sow tares and hope to reape wheat Be not deceived God is not mocked as a man soweth so shall he reape For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reape corruption but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reape life everlasting Gal. 6.7 8. It was truly said by Eliphaz though not rightly applied to Job whom he falsly judged wicked because of that affliction which he was in They that plow iniquity and sow wickedness reape the same Job 4.8 It is worthy to be observed that the Apostle speaking of this point to wit that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdome of God nor enjoy salvation he divers times admonisheth Christians to take heed of being deceived as Gal. 6.7 and 1 Cor. 6.9 and Ephes 5.6 This inculcating of our admonition shewes both that it is a dangerous thing to be deceived in this case which all will I presume easily grant and also that people herein are very apt to be deceived And so experience shewes that in this great and weighty business people many ways deceive themselves building castles as they say in the aire and promising unto themselves salvation and eternal life though they regard nothing lesse then to performe this which is required of all those that shall be saved to wit to worke righteousness 1. Some presume upon this that God is merciful But though Gods mercy be never so great as it is infinite and incomprehensible yet it nothing at all belongs unto them that worke wickedness I meane that continue in that course and will not turne from it Let the wicked forsake his way saith the Prophet Esay and the unrighteous man his thoughts and turne unto the Lord and he will have mercy on him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Isai 55.7 David extolled Gods mercy as much as may be yet ever sheweth to whom it doth belong namely to them that feare him and so he excludes the wicked and unrighteous from having any share in it As the heaven is high above the earth saith he so great is his mercy towards whom towards them that fear him Psal 103.11 And vers 13. Like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth whom them that feare him And vers 17. The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon whom them that feare him and his righteousness to childrens children To such as keepe his covenant and thinke upon his commandments to doe them 2. Christ say some died for us therefore they perswade themselves that howsoever they live yet through Christ they shall be saved But Christ died for our sanctification as well as for our salvation He loved the Church and gave himselfe for it That he might sanctifie it Ephes 5.25 26. He gave himselfe for us to redeeme us from all iniquity and to purifie unto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes Tit. 2.14 None shall be saved by Christ but such as are sanctified by him As for those that worke iniquity he will say unto them Depart from me I know ye not Matth. 7.23 3. Some flatter themselves as if their sinnes were only sinnes of infirmity and therefore should not prejudice their salvation But if they did sin of infirmity 1. They would not make a common practice of sin as they doe It is the propertie of the wicked to set himselfe in a way that is not good Psal 36.4 Noah Lot David and other godly men through infirmity fell into sin grosse and haynous sin but they did not make it their practise No thus the godly doe
he stucke not to professe that he did it not out of respect to them but out of respect to himself not that he did much value them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut. in Apothegm but that he himself by their meanes might be much valued He supposed that all would take him for a rare and excellent man who did so honour those that â—ere such So some though they will not so ingenuouslâ— acknowledge it as Dionysius did may make a shew of â—onouring the godly that so themselves may be accounted godly or for some other by-end and base respect The Scribes and Pharisees would build the tombes of the Prophets and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous as if they had been most careful to observe the admonitions of the Prophets and to follow the examples of the righteous when as indeed it was quite contrary therefore our Saviour inveighs against them and cryes woe unto them for their hypocrisie Matth. 23.29 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophets reward and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous mans reward Matth. 10.41 It is not enough to honour a prophet or a righteous man but it must be done eo nomine in that very respect because he is a prophet or a righteous man and then not otherwise is a reward to be expected Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drinke in my name saith our Saviour because you belong to Christ verily I say unto you he shall not lose his reward Mark 9.41 The least respect shewed to the godly because they are godly proceeding from a true and unfained love of piety shall not be unrewarded on the other side the greatest honour done to the godly if it be not done in simplicity and godly sincerity it is worth nothing 2. We must honour the godly without paâ—â—ialitie The godly must be honoured as godly and therefore all that are godly must be honoured as well one as another 1. As well the godly that are members of the Church militant here below as they that are members of the Church triumphant in heaven The Scribes and Pharisees shewed much reverence and respect to the prophets and righteous men that were dead building their tombs and garnishing their sepulchres Matth. 23.29 but they despised and abused most shamefully such as were among them as appeared by their deportment toward John Baptist and towards Christ himself So the Papists honour the Saints departed more then enough but the Saints that are upon earth they scorne and contemne yea hate and persecute But David was not thus partial his goodness did extend to the Saints that were upon the earth those he accounted excellent and in them was all his delight Psal 16.3 Certaine it is He that doth not regard the Saints that are here upon earth whatever shew he make of honouring the Saints in heaven all is but false and fained For as S. John argueth He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen 1 John 4.20 So he that honoureth not the Saints here whom he hath seen how can he honour the Saints in heaven whom he hath not seen 2. As well the godly that are poore and of meane condition in the world as those that are rich and eminent in any wordly respect This is that which S. James prescribeth saying My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons Jam. 2.1 For this the Apostle Paul commended the Galatians that they did honour him notwithstanding that poore and despicable condition as to the eye of the world which they saw him in And my temptation saith he which was in my flesh ye despised not nor rejected but received me as an angel of God even as Christ Jesus Gal. 4.14 In this respect also he commended Onesiphorus saying The Lord shew mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus for he oft refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chaine Though Paul were a prisoner and in bonds yet Onesiphorus shewed all love and respect unto him But when he was at Rome he sought me out very diligently and found me 2 Tim. 1.16 17. Be not thou therefore said he to Timothy ashamed of the testimonie of our Lord nor of me his prisoner vers 8. Thus did Paul himself honour Onesimus a poore servant and a fugitive too but now a convert He makes honourable mention of him Col. 4.9 With Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother And the Epistle to Philemon was writen meerly in his behalf Thus also did Boaz honour Ruth though she were a stranger newly come out of another country and was so poore that she was glad to goe a gleaning yet he having heard of her vertue and piety took notice of her and shewed her much respect at the first and within a short time made her his wife Ruth 2. and 3. and 4. Chap. 3. Though they be such as are weak in gifts and graces yet appearing to be godly they are to be honoured Take heâ—dâ— that ye despise not one of thâ—se little ones Matth. 18.10 Though they be little ones yet if they be Christs they are not to be despised Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me Matth. 25.40 Inasmuch as you have not done it to one of the least of these you have not done it unto me vers 45. Him that is weak in the faith receive you Rom. 14.1 We that are strong ought to beare the infirmities of the weak and not to please our selves Rom. 15.1 The eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of thee nor again the head to the feet I have no need of you Nay much more those members of the body which seeme to be more feeble are necessarie And those members of the body which we think to be lesse honourable upon these we bestow more abundant honour and our uncomely parts have more abundant comliness 1 Cor. 12.21 22 23. From this similitude taken from the members of the natural body the Apostle sheweth that in the mystical body of Christ the Church those members which are more weake and feeble yet are useful and profitable and not to be despised 4. Though they differ in opinion from us and hold some errours yet if Christ appear to be formed in them we must not despise but honour them Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not Rom. 14.3 Why dost thou set at nought thy brother vers 10. If he be a brother partaker of the grace of God in Christ though he do erre in some points yet he is not to be despised but to be had in honour But here a Caution Caution is to be added and a limitation viz. That this indulgâ—â—â—e is not to be extended unto such as subvert the very fundamentals of Religion as
too many do in these times Some have been over-respective of such pleading for them as godly and of honest life and conversation and therefore to be tolerated and borne with yea received and embraced Indeed if any appear to erre through weakness being desirous to learn and understand the truth they are not to be despised and cast off but instructed and admonished but if they be stiffe and obstinate and that in pernicious and damnable errours they are to be exploded A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject Tit. 3.10 If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine the doctrine of the Gospel receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds 2 John 10. and 11. Chap. To whom we gave place by subjection no not for an houre that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you Gal. 2.5 I would they were even cut off which trouble you Gal. 5.12 But I have a few things against thee because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam c. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against thee with the sword of my mouth Rev. 2.14 15 16. Thus Christ taxed the Church in Pergamos and so vers 20. the Church in Thyatira Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel which calleth herself a Prophetesse to teach and to seduce my servants c. It is said of S. John that he would not endure to be under the same roofe where Cerinthus an arch-heretick was but said to those that were with him Let us away lest the house fall in which this enemie of the truth Cerinthus is Euseb hist lib. 3. cap. 25. lib. 4. c. 14. It is likewise recorded of Polycarpus who lived in S. Johns dayes and died a Martyr that when Marcion another prime Sectarie met him and asked him If he knew him Yes said he I know thee to be the first-borne of the devil Such was the zeale that the Apostles and Apostolical men had against hereticks Thus also Hierome writing to Ruffinus with whom he was at variance In uno consentire tibi non possum ut parcam haereticis me Catholicum non probem Si ista est causa discordiae non possum tacere non possum Hieron Apol. 2. advers Ruffin In one thing saith he I cannot consent unto thee that I should spare hereticks and not prove my self a sound Christian If this be the cause of our difference and disagreement I cannot hold my peace I cannot doe it 5. Though they slip into some exorbitancies and misdemeanours yet if in the general they shew themselves to be godly we should not despise but honour them It was the wickedness of Cham to despise his father Noah when he was drunken and lay in his tent uncovered this brought a curse upon him and his posterity when Sem and Japhet obtained a blessing because they covered their fathers nakedness Gen. 9.22 c. This also is noted as an argument of Josephs goodness that when he perceived Mary his espoused wife to be with child before they came together he not knowing how it came to passe but fearing all was not right with her yet was not willing to make her a publike example but was minded to put her away privily Matth. 1.19 The Apostles rule and direction in this case is Brethren if a man be overtaken with a fault ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of â—eekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Gal. 6.1 God doth not despise his servants and children because of their infirmities and failings but he spareth them as a man spareth his son that serveth him Mal. cap. 3. vers 17. Therefore neither ought we in that respect to despise the godly 6. Though the godly some way or other be injurious unto us we ought nevertheless to honour and not to despise them So Joseph did Mary though he supposed her to have dealt injuriously with him and she had done so indeed if it had been with her as he imagined Calvins resolution concerning Luther was very admirable in this respect They differed much about the presence of Christ in the Sacrament and Luther being of a vehement spirit wrote bitterly against those that did hold otherwise in that point then himself did This inforced some who were more nearly concerned in the business to prepare to answer Luther which Calvin understanding and fearing lest they being provoked by Luthers tartness should deal with him in the like kind he wrote unto Bullinger a prime man among them perswading and exhorting him to carry the business so as to shew all due respect unto Luther considering what worth and excellencie there was in him however he had demeaned himself in that particuliar And he addes that he often used to say Saep è dicere solitus sum etiamsi me diabolum voca et me tamen hoc illi honoris habiturum ut insignem Dei servum agnoscam Calv. Epist 57. that although Luther should call him devil yet he would do him that honour to acknowledge him a choice servant of God 3. We must honour the godly discreetly with such honour as is meete and nor with such honour as doth not belong unto them When Cornelius saw Peter come unto him he fell down at his feet and worshipped him Act. 10.25 This was more honour then was meete Quasi sui oblitus plus homini detulit quà m par sit Calv. ad loc The Papists are most grosse this way in that honour which they give unto the Saints departed who are indeed to be honoured but not as they honour them 1. We are to think and speak reverently of them All generations said the Blessed Virgin shall call me blessed How the saints departed are to be honoured Luke 1.48 The memorie of the just is blessed saith Salomon Proverb 10. vers 7. Which words the Rabbines commonly use when they make mention of any of those Rabbines that were before them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or using only the first letters of the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. We are to praise and glorifie God for them They glorified God in me said Paul Gal. 1.24 viz. the Christians that heard of his conversion And so still God is to be glorified in him and for him and for the other Saints for the grace that he indued them with here on earth and for the glory that he hath conferred upon them in heaven Christ will come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that beleeve 2 Thess 1.10 3. We ought to imitate them and to follow their example Be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises Heb. 6.12 Take my brethren
enim est ac si dicat Omnia quae lex et Moses vobis dixerint Scribis et Pharifaeis recitantibus servate et facite c. Mal. ad Mat. 23.2 3. to maintain that blinde odience which they would have people to perform make use of these words of our Saviour but the Jesuite Maldonate doth let them know that it is not to their purpose but that our Saviour speaks of the doctrine of the Law and of Moses not of the Scribes and Pharisees and that his meaning is this Whatsoever the Law and Moses say unto you when it is recited by the Scribes and Pharisees that observe and do That our Saviour meant no more then this is clear by that admonition which he gives in another place saying Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces Mat. 16.6 whereby their leaven he meant their doctrine v. 12. Therefore though Bellarmine stick not to say that if the Pope should err so as to command vices or to forbid vertues Si Papae erraret praecipiendo vitia vel prohibendo virtutes teneretur Ecclâ—sia credere vitia esse bona virtutes malas nisi vellet contra conscientiam agere Bellat de Pontif. lib. 4. cap. 5. the Church were bound to believe vices to be good and vertues to be evil except it would act against conscience Yet this is more then we may attribute either to man or Angel Though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you then that which wee have preached unto you let him be accursed As wee said before so say I now again If any man preach any other Gospel unto you then that ye have received let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 9. Bellarmine in that assertion is like the Jewish Rabbin who saith that a man was to believe the Priest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 R. Sal. ad Deut. 17.11 though he told him that his right hand was the left and his left hand the right because it is said According to the sentence of the Law which they shall teach thee and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee thou shalt do Thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee to the right hand nor to the left Deut. 17.11 And the very next words to wit And the man that will do presumptuously and will not hearken unto the Priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God or unto the Judge even that man shall die Bell. de Pontif. lib. 4. cap. 16. c v. 12. Those words I say doth Bellarmine alledge to prove that the Pope hath power and authority to make Laws which binde the conscience whereas we see it was to be the sentence of the Law to wit of the Law of God which the Priest and the Judge were to deliver and in that case indeed but not otherwise all were bound to obey it S. Paul bids Prove all things hold fast that which is good 1 Thess 5.21 and Believe not every Spirit saith S. John but try the spirits whether they be of God for there are many false Prophets gone out into the world 1 Joh 4.1 How must people try the Spirits and prove all things by the Word of God as the Bereans did who searched the Scripures daily whether those things that were preached unto them were so Act. 17.11 To the Law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8.20 Use 4 Let all then have a care to acquaint themselves well with Gods Word and to make it their Rule to walk and work by Moâ—ives to perswade all to acquaint themselves with Gods Word and to make it their Rule Consider 1. God's Word is a sure rule The testimony of the Lord is sure Psal 19.7 It is very sure Psal 93.5 So is not the testimony of man no man may be deceived himself and deceive others but God can neither deceive nor be deceived Let God be true and every man a liar Rom. 3.4 2. The Word of God is a compleat Rule The Law that is the Word and Doctrine of the Lord is perfect Psal 19.7 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think to have eternal life Joh. 5.39 The holy Scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 But take heed of mis-understanding and mis-applying God's Word as S. Peter saith They that are unlearned and unstable Meanes to prevent the mis-understanding and mis-applying of Gods Word wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction 2 Pet. 3.16 Come therefore to the Word of God to the reading hearing and meditating of it 1. In sincerity not for by-ends and base respects but with a desire to know the will of God and with a purpose to obey it Many people shall go and say Come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his paths Isai 2.3 Mic. 4.2 If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self Joh. 17.7 What man is he that feareth the Lord him shall he teach in the way that he shall go Psal 25.12 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant vers 14. 2. Come in humility have a low esteem of your selves and a high esteem of Gods Word wisdom is too high for a fool Prov. 24.7 Especially for the proud fool that thinks himself too high for wisdom God scorneth the scorners but-giveth grace to the lowly Prov. 3.34 God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble Jam. 4.6 1 Pet. 5.5 The meek will he guide in judgement and the meek will he teach his way Psal 25.9 Therefore receive with meekness the ingrafted Word which is able to save your souls Jam. 1.21 3. Pray that you may understand the Word If thou cryest after knowledge and liftest up thy voyce for understanding If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures Then shalt thou understand the fear of Lord and finde the knowledge of God Prov. 2.3 4 5. Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law Psal 119.18 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts v. 27. Teach me O Lord the way of thy Statutes v. 33. Give me understanding vers 34. 4 Pray that you may obey the Word O that my wayes were directed that I might keep thy Statutes Psal 119.5 O let me not wander from thy Commandments v. 10. Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments vers 35. Encline mine heart unto thy testimonies c. v. 36. SERM. 32 SERM. XXXII Psal 15.5 He that doth these things shall never be moved HAving done with the Agent He that and with the Act doth
Judges eminent Lawyers and great Conveyancers both ancient and modern whereunto is added a Concordance from K. Rich. 3. to this present 79. Themis Aurea The Daws of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross in which the occult secrets of their Philosophical Notions are brought to light written by Count Mayerus and now Englished by T.H. 80. The Iron Rod put into the Lord Protectors hands a prophetical Treatise 81. Medicina Magica tamen Physica Magical but natural Physick containing the general cures of infirmities and diseases belonging to the bodies of men as also to other animals and domestick creatures by way of Transplantion with a description of the most excellent Cordial out of Gold by Samuel Boulton of Salop. 82. I. Tradiscan's Rarities published by himself 83. The proceeding of the high Court of Justice against the late King Charles with his Speech upon the Scaffold and other proceedings Jan. 30. 1648. 84. The prefect Cook a right Method in the Art of Cookery whether for Pastery or all other manner of All-a-Mode Kickshaws with the most refined ways of dressing of Flesh Fowl or Fish making of the most poinant Sawces whether after the French or English manner together with fifty five ways of dressing of Eggs by M.M. Admirable Useful Treatises newly Printed 85. The Expert Doctours Dispensatory the whole Art of Physick restored to Practice the Apothecaries Shop and Chyrurgeous Closet opened with a Survey as also a Correction of most Dispensatories now extant with a Judicious Censure of their defects and a supply of what they are deficient in together with a learned account of the virtues and quantities and uses of Simples and Compounds with the Symptomes of Diseases as also prescriptions for their several cures by that renowned P. Morellus Physician to the King of France a work for the order usefulness and plainness of the Method not to be parallel'd by any Dispensatory in what language soever 86. Cabinet of Jewels Mans Misery Gods Mercy Christs Treasury c. In eight Sermons with an Appendix of the nature of Tythes under the Gospel with the expediency of Marriage in publick Assemblies by I. Crag Minister of the Gospel 87. Natures Secrets or the admirable and wonderful History of the generation of Meteors describing the Temperatures of the Elements the hights magnitudes and influences of Stars the causes of Comets Earthquakes Deluges Epidemical Diseases and Prodigies of precedent times with presages of the weather and descriptions of the Weather-glass by T. Wilsford 88. The Mysteries of Love and Eloquence or the Arts of Wooing and Complementing as they are managed in the Sping Garden Hide-Park the new Exchange and other Eminent places A work in which are drawn to the Life the Deportments of the most Accomplisht Persons the Mode of their Courtly Entertainments Treatment of their Ladies at Balls their accustomed Sports Drolls and Fancies the Witchcrafts of their perswasive language in their approaches or other more secret dispatches c. by E.P. 89. Helmont disguised or the vulgar errours of imperical and unskilful practicers of Physick confuted more especially as they concern the cures of Feavers the Stone the Plague and some other diseases by way of Dialogue in which the chief rarities of Physick are admirably discoursed of by I.T. Books in the Press and Ready for Printing 1. THe Scales of Commerce and Trade by T. Wilsford 2. Geometry demonstrated by Lines and Numbers from thence Astronomy Cosmography and Navigation proved and delineated by the Doctrine of Plain and Spherical Triangles by T. Wilsford 3. The English Annals from the Invasion made by Julius Caesar to these times by T. Wilsford 4. The Fool transformed a Comedy 5. The History of Lewis the eleventh King of France a Tragi-Comedy 6. The chaste Woman against her will a Comedy 7. The Tooth-drawer a Comedy 8. Honour in the end a Comedy 9. Tell-Tale a Comedy 10. The History of Don Quixot or the Knight of the illfavoured face a Comedy 11. The fair Spanish Captive a Tragi-Comedy 12. Sir Kenelâ— Digby and other persons of Honour their rare incomparable secrets of Physick Chyrurgery Cookery Preserving Conserving Candying distilling of Waters extraction of Oyls compounding of the costliest Perfumes with other admirable Invehtions and select Experiments as they offered themselves to their Observations whether her or in forreign Countries 13. The Soul 's Cordial in two Treatises the First teaching how to be eased of the guilt of sin Second discovering advantages by Christs ascention by that faithful labour in the Lords Vineyard Mr. Christophe Love late Parson of Laurence Jury the third Volume 14. The Saints Tomb-stone or the Remains of the blessed A plain Narrative of some remarkable passages in the holy Life and happy Death of Mistress Dorothy Shaw wife of Mr. Iohn Shaw Preacher of the Gospel at Kingston on Hull collected by her dearest friends especially for her sorrowful husband and six daughters consolation and imitation 15. The accomplisht Cook the Mystery of the whole Art of Cookery revealed in a more easie and perfect method than hath been publisht in any languge Expert and ready ways for the dressing of flesh fowl and fish the raising of pastes the best directions for all manner of Kickshaws and the most poinant Sauces with the terms of Carving and Sewing the Bills of fare an exact account of all dishes for the season with other Al-a-mode curiosities together with the lively illustrations of such necessary figures as are referred to practise approved by the many years experience and careful industry of Robert May in the time of his attendance on several persons of honour 16. The exquisite letters of Mr. Robert Loveday the late admired Translator of the volumes of the famed Romance Cleopatra for the perpetuating this memory publisht by his dear Brother Mr. A.L. 17. The so long expected work the New World of English words or a general Dictionary containing the Terms Etymologies Definitions and perfect Interpretations of the proper significations of hard English words throughout the Arts and Sciences liberal or Mechanick as also other subjects that are useful or appertain to the language of our Nation to which is added the signification of proper names Mythology and Poetical fictions Historical relations Geographical Descriptions of the Countries and Cities of the World especially of these three Nations wherein their chiefest Antiquities Battles and other most memorable passages are mentioned A work very necessary for strangers as well as our own Country-men for all persons that would rightly understand what they discourse write or read Collected and published by E.P. For the greater honour of those learned Gentlemen and Artists that have been assistant in the most Practical Sciences their names are prefixed before the book 18. The so much desired and deeply learned Commentary on Psalm the fifteenth by that Reverend and Eminent Divine Mr. Christopher Cartwright Minister of the Gospel in York to which is prefixed a brief account of the Authours life and of his work by R. Bolton 19. The way to bliss in three books being a learned Treatise of the Philosophers stone made publick by Elias Ashmole Esquire 20. Wit restored in several Select Poems not formerly publisht by Sr. Iohn Mennis Mr. Smith and others 21. The Judges charge delivered in a Sermon before Mr. Iustice Hale and Mr. Sergeant Crook Judges of the Assize at St. May Overies in Southwark by R. Parre M.A. Pastor of Camerwell in the County of Surry a Sermon worthy of the perusal of all such persons as endeavour to be honest and just Practitioners in the Law 23. The modern Assurancer the Clerks Directory containing the practick part of the Law in the exact Forms and Draughts of all manner of Presidents for Bargains and Sales Grants Feoffements Bonds Bills Condititions Covenants Jointures Indentures to lead the use of Fines and Recoveries with good Provisoes and Covenants to seized Charter parties for Ships Leases Releases Surrenders c. And all other Instruments and Assurances now in use intended for all young Students and Practicers of the Law by Iohn Herne 24. Moors Arithmetick the second Edition much refined and diligently cleared from the former mistakes of the Press A work containing the whole Art of Arithmâ—tick as well in Numbers as Species Together with many Additions by the Authour to come forth at Michaelmas Term. Likewise 25. Exercitatio Elleiptica Nova or a new Mathematical Contemplation on the Oval figure called an Elleipsis together with the two first book of Mydorgius his Conicks Analized and made so plain that the Doctrine of Conical Sections may 〈…〉 understood a work much desired and never before publisht in the English tongue by Jonas Moor Survey or General of the great Level of the Fennes 26. Naps upon Parnassus A sleepy Muse Nipt and Pincht though not awakened such voluntary and Jovial Copies of Verses as were Lately received from some of the Wits of the Universities in a frolick dedicated to Gondiberts Mistress by Capt. Jones and others whereunto is added for demonstration of the Authours Prosaick Excellencies his Epistle to one of the Universities with the Answer together with two Satyrical Characters of his own of a Temporizer and an Antiquary with Marginal Notes by a friend to the Reader Printed by express order form the Wits 27. America Painted to the Life a true History of the Original undertakings of the advancement of Plantations into those parts with a perfect relation of our English Discoveries shewing their Beginning Progess and Continuance from the year 1628 to 1658 declaring the forms of their Government Policies Religions Manners Custumes Military Discipline Wars with the Indians the Commodities of their Countries a description of their Towns and Havens the increase of their trading with the names of their Governors and Magistrates by Ferdinando Gorges Knight For the Readers 〈◊〉 understanding of the Countries they are Lively described in a compleat and exquisite Map 28. The Joyes of Heaven the Saints support in Gods promises on earth Christs Sermons on the Beatitudes An exposition of the fifth Chapter of St. Matthew delivered in several Sermons by Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs the last Sermons he preacht a little before his death at St. Giles Cripple-gate London FINIS