so it is And when ye see the South wind blow yee say that it will bee hot and it commeth to passe Luke 12.54 So likewise yee when yee shall see all these things know that it is neere euen at the doore Math. 24.33 But of the day and houre knoweth no man no not the Angels of heauen but my Father onely Math. 24.36 Eccles 8.5.7 Act. 1.7 Q. What shall bee the manner of CHRISTS comming to judgement A. Hee shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the foure winds from one end of heauen to the other Math. 24.31 Then the Heauens shall passe away with a great noise and the elements shall melt away with fervent heat the earth also with the workes that are therein shall be burned vp 2. Pet. 3.10 And there shall bee a great earthquake the sonne shall become blacke as sackcloth with haire and the Moone become as blood and the Starres of Heauen shall full to the earth and the heauens shall depart as a scrâ—ule Reuel 6.12 And there shall be signes in the Sunne and in the Moone and in the Starres and the Sea and the waues roaring the powers of the Heauen shall be shaken and then shall they see the signe of the sonne of Man comming in the Cloudes with power and great glory Luk. 21.25 Who shall be reuealed from heauen in flaming fire 2. Thes 1.7 With ten thousands of his Saints in glory and all his holy Angels with him Mat. 25.31 Thousands thousands shall minister vnto him and ten thousand times ten thousands shall stand before him and the Iudgement Seat shaâ—l be set and the bookes opened Dan. 7.9 And euery eye shall see him Reu. 1.7 Q. How shall men in the sâ—nce oâ— these things stand affected A. Vpon the earth there shall be distresse of Nations with perplexity mens hearts shall faile them for feare and for looking after those things which shall then come on the earth Luk. 21.26 And alâ— the kindreds of the Earth shall waile because of him Reuel 1.7 And in those dayes shall men seeke Death and shall not find it and shall desire to dye and death shall flye from them Reu. 9.6 Then the Kings of the earth and the great men and euery bondman and euery free man shall hide themselues in the Dennes and in the Rockes of the Mountaines shall say to the Mountaines and Rockes fall on vs and hide vs from the face of him that sitteth vpon the throne and from the wrath of the Lambe for the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand Reuel 6.15 Isa 2.19.13.7.33.14 Hos 10.8 Q. But shall the godly bee thus perplexed at the beholding of these things A. Beloued if our heart condemne vs not then shall we haue confidence towards God 1. Ioh. 3.21 For God hath not giuen vs the spirit of feare but of Power of Loue and of a sound Mind 2 Tim. 1.7 And therefore when these things begin to come to passe then shall we looke vp and lift vp our heads because our Redemption draweth nigh Luk. 21.28 For CHRIST was once offered to beare the sinnes of many and vnto them that looke for him shall he appeare the second time without sinne vnto saluation Heb. 9.28 And herein is our loue made perfect that wee may haue boldnesse at the day of Iudgment because as he is so are we in the World Ioh. 1.4.17 18. Rom. 10.11 Q. When Christ is set downe vpon his throne of glory what is the first work he shall doe A. He shall seperate the sheepe from the Goats and he shall set the sheepe on his right hand and the goats on his left Mat. 25 32. Among whom there shall be two in one bed one shall be taken and the other left Two women shal be grinding together the one shall be taken and the other left Two men shall be in the field the one shal be taken and the other left Luk. 17 34. Q. What shall follow vpon this seperation A. Such as haue followed CHRIST in the Regeneration when the Sonne of Man shall sit in the Throne of his glory they also shall sit vpon twelue thrones iudging the twelue tribes of Israel Mat. 19.28 Know yee not also that the Saints shall iudge the Angels 1. Cor. 6.3 Q. What are the things wherof Iudgment shall be giuen A. GOD shall bring euery worke into Iudgment with euery secret thing whether it be good or whether it be euill Eccl. 12.14 Moreouer I say vnto you that for euery idle word that men shall speake they shall giue an account thereof in the day of Iudgement For by their words they shall be iustified and by theyr words they shall be condemned Matth. 12 36. Ioh. 3.18 Iude v. 15. Q. What is the euidence which shall be produced A. Hee shall not iudge after the sight of his eyes neither reprooue by the hearing of his eares Isa 11.3 but by the Bookes which shall bee then opened Reuel 20.12 their Consciences also bearing witnesse and their thoughts accusing one another or excusing Rom. 2.15 Q. What are the rules according tâ— which CHRIST shall iudge A. 1. As many as haue sinned with out law shall perish without law and â— many as haue sinned in the law shall be iudged by the law Rom. 2.12 2. GOD shall iudge the secrets of men by IESVS CHRIST according to mâ— gospell Rom. 2.16 The words also whicâ— CHRIST hath spoken shall iudge them iâ— the latter day Ioh. 12.48 Iam. 2.12 Q. What is the sentence it selfâ— which CHRIST shall pronounce A. Hee shall say vnto them on his righâ— hand come yee blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the word Then shaâ— he say vnto them on his left hand Deparâ— from me yee Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devill and his Angels Math. 25.34 And vnto his servants hâ— shall say binde them hand and foot Mat. 22.13 and cast you these vnprofitable servants into outer darknesse Math. 25.30 Q. What shall bee the issue of this sentence A. God will then render to every one according to his deeds To them who by patient continuance in well doing seeke glory and honor and immortality eternall life But vnto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth but obey vnrighteousnesse indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish vpon euery soule of man that doeth evil to the Iew first and also to the Gentile But glory and honour and peace to euery man that worketh good to the Iew first and also to the Gentile Rom. 2.7 2. Cor. 5.10 Mat. 25.46 Q. What may the consideration of these things teach vs A. 1. Reioyce O young man in thy youth and let thy heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth and walke in the wayes of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know thou that for all these things GOD will bring thee into
euer them that are sanctified whereof also the holy Ghast is a witnesse Heb. 10.14 15. Not that Christ should offer himselfe often as the high Priests entred into the holy place euery yeere with the blood of others for then must he often haue suffered since the foundation of the world But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Heb. 9.25.10.18 Q. Is then the guiltinesse and punishment of sin taken away by Christ A. This is a faithfull saying and worthy all acceptance that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 And you know that he was made manifest that he might take away our sins 1 Ioh. 3.5 who his own selfe bare our sins in his own body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2.24 which was prefigured by the scape-gote Leu. 16.21 22. Thus it is written and thus it behoued Christ to suffer and that remission of sinnes should bee preached in his name among all Nations beginning at Ierusalem Luke 24.26.27 Be it knowne vnto you therefore men and brethren that through this man is preached vnto you the forgiuenesse of sinnes Act. 13.38 Math. 9.2 1.21 Reuelat. 1.5 6. Ioh. 1.29 Ob. By what authority did hee these thing And who gaue vnto Christ this authority to forgiue sinnes Math. 12.23 Mar. 2.7 A. As no man tooke this honour to himselfe to offer for sin but he that was called of God as was Aaron So also Christ glorified not himselfe to bee made an high Priest but hee that said vnto him Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten thee he gaue it him Heb. 5.4 And hath exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and Sauiour for to giue repentance vnto Israel and forgiuenesse of sinnes Act. 5.31 But that yee may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgiue sins he saith to one sicke of the palsie I say unto thee arise and take vp thy bed who immediatly arose and took vp his bed and went forth among them all Mar. 2.10 c. Q. What witnesses can you produce to conuince vs of remission of sinnes by Christ A. Caiaphas though his enemy yet being high priest professed that Iesus should dye for the Nation of â—he Iewes and not for that Nation only but that also hee should gather together in one the Children of God that were scattered abroad Ioh. 1â— 51 52. To whom also giue all the Proâ—hets witnesse That through his name whosoeuer beleeueth in him should receiue remission of sinnes Acts 10.43 This is hee that came bâ— water and blood euen Iesus Christ not by water onely but by water and blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spâ—rit is truth For there are three that beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one And there are three that beare witnesse in earth the Spirit and water and blood and these three agree in one Ioh. 15.6 c. Q. But wil God make good their testimony A. If we confesse our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinne 1 Ioh. 1.9 For when Dauid said vnto Nathan I haue sinned Nathan said vnto Dauid The LORD also hath put away thy sinne 2 Sam. 12.13 Isa 6.5 c. 2 Chro. 7.14 Mat. 18.26 27. Luk. 15.18 c. Q. Is there no forgiuenesse of sinne without confession A. Hee that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper onely hee that confesseth and forsakes his sins shall haue mercy Pro. 28.13 For saith Dauid When I kept silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long c. I acknowledged my sinne vnto thee and mine iniquity haue I not hid I said I will confesse my transgressions and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sinne Psalm 32.3 c. Luke 15.18 Q. What are the sinnes which God for Christs sake will forgiue A. He will cleanse them from all their iniquities whereby they haue sinned against him and he will pardon all their iniquities whereby they haue sinned and whereby they haue transgressed against him Ier. 33.8 And the blood of Iesus Christ his Son cleanseth vs from all sinne 1 Ioh. 1.7 Psal 130.8 85.2 Q. How farre foorth doth God forgiue sinnes A. To the vtmost extent thereof For 1 God was in Christ reconciling the world vnto himselfe not imputing their trespasses vnto them 2. Cor. 5.19 2 As not seene For he hath not beheld iniquity in Iacob neither hath hee seene peruersenesse in Israel Numb 23.21 Whereby when the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for there shall be none and the sinnes of Iudah and they shall not be found c. Ierem. 50.20 Isa 38.17 Psalm 85.2 Ezek. 16.8 3. As not remembred For he will be mercifull vnto our vnrighteousnesse and our sinnes and iniquities wil he remember no more Heb. 8.12 4 As far away remoued For as heauen is high aboue the earth so great is his mercy towards them that feare him as farre as the East is from the West so farre hath he remooued our transgressions from vs Psal 103.11 12. 5 As swallowed vp He will turne againe hee will haue compassion vpon vs hee will subdue our iniquities and cast all their sinnes into the depth of the sea Micah 7.19 7 As a cloud vanished Hee hath blotted out as a thicke cloude our transgressions and as a cloude our sinnes Isai 44.22 7 As a writing defaced I saith God euen I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions Isai 43.25 Q. Why is the curse of sinne with the guilt taken away by Christ A. GOD sent not his Sonne into the World to condemne vs but that wee through him might bee saued Iohn 3.17 For surely hee hath borne our griefes and carried our sorrowes c. Hee was wounded for our transgressions hee was bruised for ouri-niquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed c. Isa 53.4.5 There is therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 For he hath redeemed them from the curs of the Law by being made a curse for them as it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on a tree Gal. 3.13 Rom. 5.14 c. Ioh. 3.17 Q. What moued the Lord through Christ to take away our sinnes A. We haue redemption through his blood the forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace Ephes 1.7 And for his owne names sake 1 Ioh. 2.12 If the Lord indeed should marke iniquities who should stand But there is forgiuenesse with him that he may be feared Psalm 130.3 4 Ezech. 20.44 Isa 43.21 Q. What would you infer vpon this so rich and plentious grace of God A. Euen as Dauid who describeth the blessednesse of the man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without works saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen and whose sinnes are couered Blessed is the man vnto whom the Lord will not impute sinne Romans
thee Iob 22.27 In an acceptable time and in the day of saluation Isa 49.8 Thou shalt call and the Lord shall say heere I am Psa 58.9 At the voyce of thy cry when hee shall heare it hee will answer thee Isa 30.19 Yea it shall come to passe that before you call hee will answer and whiles you are yet speaking he will heare Isa 65.24 Math. 18 19 Ierem. 29.12 Ioh. 4 10. Gen. 20.7 For in my distresse I called vpon the Lord and cryed vnto my God hee heard my voice out of his Temple and my cry came before him euen into his eares Psal 18.6 And whiles Daniel was speaking in prayer the man Gabriel came vnto him said at the beginining of thy suppications the coÌ„mandement came forth and I am come to shew thee the vision Dan. 9.20 And so the Lord answerd the Angel praying for Ierusalem with good words and comfortable words Zec. 1.13 Gen. 19.20 21 20.17.24.12 c. Exod. 2.23 8.12 c. 12.30.9.33 10.18.15.24 25.17.11.32.9.10.33.17 Numb 21.6 7 8 14.19 20 Iosua 10.12 1 Sam. 1.27.7.9.12.18 1 Kings 13.6.17.21 18.38 2 Kings 1.9 6 â—7 1 Chron. 4.10 2.20 12.30.27 Ezra 8.23 Psal 6.8 Iona. 2.10 Acts 4.31 10.4 12.5 16.25 Heb. 5.7 Ob. I am sure there is no day wherein I doe misse prayer and yet I am neuer the neere A. You aske and receiue not because you aske amisse Iames 4.3 And your iniquities haue turned away these things and your sinnes haue withheld good things Ier. 5.25 Q. What is then required of a man that he may pray aright and with assurance of being heard A. 1 Concerning the person and first that he be in Christ who because hee prayeth not for the world but for those the Father hath giuen him Iohn 17 9. If yee abide in him aske what you will and it shall be done vnto you Ioh. 15.7 2 That hee be righteous the prayer of the righteouus auaileth much Iames 5.16 For the eyes of the Lord are ouer the righteous and his eares are open to their prayers 1 Pet. 3.12 If ye regard wickednesse in your heart the Lord will not heare you Psal 66.18 But if your heart condemne you not then may you haue confidence towards God and whatsoeuer you aske you shall receiue of him because you keepe his commandements and doe those things that are pleasing in his sight 1 Iohn 3.21 For the Lord is farre from the wicked but hee heareth the prayer of the righteous Prou. 15.29 The feare of the wicked it shall come vpon him but the desire of the Righteous shall be granted Pro. 10.24 Now because in many things wee sinne all Eccles 7.20 What praier and supplication soeuer be made by any man or by all the people Israel which shall know euery man the plague of his owne heart then will God heare in heauen his dwelling place 1 Kings 8.38 Psalme 145.19 Ioh. 15.7 1.3.22 CONTRA Iud. 10. 14.11.7 Isa 59. 1. Ier. 3.4.7.16 Hos 5.7.14 Micha 3.4 Prou. 1 24.21.1â— Iudges 11.7 2 The thing wee pray for must be good For they that seeke the Lord shâ— want no good thing Psalm 34.10 Fâ—â— what man is there of you whom if his sonâ— aske bread will he giue him a stone or if aske a fish will he giue him a serpent If then being euill know how to giue good gifâ— to your children how much more shâ— your Father which is in heauen giue goâ—â— things to them that aske him Mat. 7.9 3 The manner must be according tâ— Gods will For this is the confidence thâ— wee haue in him that if wee aske anâ— thing according to his will hee hearetâ— vs 1 Ioh. 5.14 Q. what is then the will of God concerning the manner of prayer that so praying wee may obtaine A. 1 You must aske in faith nothing wauerering for hee that wauereth is like â— waue of the sea driuen with the winde anâ— tossed neyther let not that man thinke that he shall receiue any thing of the Lord Iames 1.6 But if thou doe commit thy â—ay vnto the Lord and trust in him then â—hall hee bring it to passe Psal 37.5 2 In sinceritie For the Lord is nigh â—ll them that call vpon him to all that call â—pon him in truth Psal 145.18 3 Prayer shall bee auaileable if it bee â—ruent Iames 5.16 Open thy mouth â—ide and hee will fill it Psal 81.10 â—ry aloud and hee shall heare thy voyce Psal 55.17 And if with Iacob thou â—rastle with God thou as a Prince shalt â—aue power with God and man and â—halt preuaile Gen. 32.26 Hosea 12.4 Exod. 32.10 Luke 11.5 Heb. 5.7 4 Pray continually 1 Thes 5.17 euen â—uery day saying Giue vs this day our â—aly bread Mat. 6.11 and without ceaâ—ng praying night and day 2 Tim. 1.3 â—ea euening and morning and at noone â—hen you pray hee shall heare thy voyce Psalme 55.17 For Peter and Iames and Iohn with the â—est continued with one accord in praier and supplication Acts 11.4 And suddenâ— there came a sound from heauen as of a rusâ—ing mighty winde which filled all the houâ— where they were sitting And there appeâ—red vnto them clouen tongues like as of firâ—â— and it sate vpon each of them and they weâ—â— all filled with the holy Ghost and beganâ— to speake with other tongues as the Spirâ—â— gaue them vtterance Act. 2.2.9.2.3 5 We must submit our selues vntâ— Gods will for the successe as diâ— Christ who praied saying O my Father if it be possible let this cup passe from mâ— neuerthelesse not as I will but as thou wilâ— Math. 26.39 and was heard in that hâ— feared Hebr. 5.7 6. With charity towards men wheâ— yee stand praying forgiue if you haâ—â— ought against any that your Father alâ— which is in heauen may forgiue you Marâ— 11.24 For with what measure you meâ—â— it shall be measured to you againe Mat. 7. â— 7 Wee must doe all in the name 〈◊〉 Christ For through him wee both haue aâ— accesse by one spirit vnto the Father Eph 2.18 In whose name whatsoeuer yee shall aske the Father that will he doe that the Father may bee glorified in the Sonne Iohn 14.13 Ob. All these things I haue striuen for in prayer but I am so cumbred with sinne as may iustly moue the Lord to keepe good things from mee A Elias was a man subiect to the like passion as we are and hee prayed earnestly that it might not raine and it rained not Iames 5.17 Ob. That might be but a chance A. Hee prayed againe and the heauens gaue raine and the earth brought forth her increase Iames 5.18 Ob. But what is that to mee A. This was written for the generations to come Psal 102.18 And there is no difference betweene the Iew and the Greeke for the same Lord ouer all is rich vnto all that call vpon him Rom. 10.12 For which shall euery one that is godly pray vnto him in a time when hee may bâ— found Psalm 32.6 Iohn 17.20 Q. What are the
Cor. 11 31. Ob. This search I haue made and can find but one sin which I desire to retaiâ—e now the good Lord bee mercifull vnto thy Servant in thâ—s point 2 Kinâ— 5 18. A. Know yee not that a little leaven â—â—aveneth the whole Lumpe Purge â—ut therefore the old leaven that yee may 〈◊〉 a new lumpe as yee are now vnleaveâ—ed for even CHRIST our Passeover 〈◊〉 sacrificed for vs. Therefore let vs keepe â—â—e feast not with old leaven neâ—ther with 〈◊〉 leaven of malice and wickednesse â—â—t with the vnleavened bread of sincerity â—â—d truth 1 Cor. 5 6. Therefore if thou bring thy guift to the Altar and there remembrest that thy â—rother hath ought against thee leaue â—here thy guift before the Altar and goe â—y way first be reconciled to thy Brorher â—â—d then come and offer thy guift Math. â— 23. Psal 26 6. Ob. When we haue done all we can 〈◊〉 preparing our selues yet shall we faile â—f that which is written A. Therefore with Hâ—zekiah pray sayâ—ng The good Lord pardon every one that â—repareth his heart to seeke God the Lord â—f his Fathers though he be not cleansed acâ—ording to the purification of the Sanctuâ—ry After which Prayer so made the LORD will hearken vnto thee and will heale thee 2. Chro. 30.18 For when AARON was to minister hee was to put vpon his forehead a plate of pure gold on which was ingrauen holinesse to the LORD that AARON might beare the iniquitie of the holy things which the children of ISRAEL should hallow in all their holy gifts which was alwayes to bee vpon his forehead that they might bee accepted before the LORD Exo. 28.26 So was there also ordained a Goat for a sinne offering which was for the people the blood whereof was to be sprinkled vpon the Mercy seate and before the mercy seat wherewith the Priest was to make an atonement for the holy place because of the vncleannesse of the children of ISRAEL and because of their transgressions in all their sinnes and make an atonement for the Priests and for all the people of the Congregation Leu. 16.15.16.33 verses Q. What if any man that is apt for the Sacrament shall wilfully neglect the same A. The man that is cleane and is not 〈◊〉 Iourney and forbeareth to keepe the â—â—seover even the same Soule shall bee 〈◊〉 off from his people because he brought 〈◊〉 the offering of the Lord in his appoinâ—â—d season that man shall beare his sinne â—umb 9 13. Exod. 4.24 CHAP. XXXV Of Discipline Ob I Know some who notwithstanding the frequent vse of 〈◊〉 these meanes of Grace haue falne â—y fearefully A. Therefore GOD hath to the forâ—er meanes added Discipline saying â—hou shalt not hate thy Brother in thine â—eart but thou shalt in any wise rebuke â—y Neighbour and not suffer sinne vpon â—im Leuit. 19 17. For as Iron sharpeâ—eth Iron so a man sharpeneth the counteâ—ance of his friend Prou. 27 17. Q How am I to deale with such one that he may be reclaimâ—d A. If thy brother shal trespasse against thee goe and tell him his fault betweene theâ— and him alone if he shall heare thee thoâ— hast gained thy brother But if hee will noâ— heare thee then take with thee one oâ— two more that in the mouth of twâ— or three witnesses euery word may beâ— established And if hee shall neglect 〈◊〉 heare them tell it vnto the Church Math 18.15.16 Q. What if hee shall neglect to hearâ— the Church A. I verily as absent in body but present in spirit haue iudged already aâ— though I were present concerning sucâ— a one in the name of our Lord IESVâ— CHRIST when yee are gathered together c. to deliuer such a one vnto Sathan foâ— the destruction of the flesh that the spiriâ— may be saued in the day of our Lord IESVS 1 Cor. 5.3.5 Verily I say vnto you That as whatsoeuer yee shall loosâ— on Earth shall bee loosed in Heauen so whatsoeuer yee shall bind on earth shall â— bound in Heaven Mâ—th 18.18 And â— they whose sinnes yee remit they are reâ—tted vnto them so whose sinnes so ever 〈◊〉 retaine they are retained Iâ—h 20 23. â—rou 15.10 Q. What if notwithstanding this Churches censure hee shall remaine obâ—â—nate in sinning as was Himineus and Alexander 1 Tim. 1 20. A. Let him bee vnto thee as an Heaâ—en man and a Publicane Math. 18 17. And call him reprobate silver because â—e Lord hath reiected him Ier. 6 30. â—nd withdraw your selfe from him 2. â—â—est 3 6 and note him and haue no â—â—mpany with him that hee may be aâ—â—med 2 Thâ—ss 3 14. Hos 4 17. Q. But may I not still seeke to reâ—laime him A. Giue not that which is holy vnto â—ogs neither cast your pearles before â—â—ine least they trample them vnder their â—eet and turne againe and rent you Mat. â— 6. For bee that reproveth a scorner getteth to himselfe shame and hee that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himselfe a blot Reprooue not a scorner least hee hate thee Prou. 9.7 For correction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way neither will hee goe vnto the wise Prou. 15.10 12. Q. What if such a one in the sence of this Curse shall come to bee truly humbled for his sinne A. Sufficient vnto such a man is this punishment so that contrariwise yee ought rather to forgiue him and comfort him least perhaps such a one should bee swallowed vp with overmuch sorrow Wherefore I beseech you that you would confirme your loue towards him least Sathan should get an advantage over him for wee are not ignorant of his devices 2. Corinth 2 6 7. 11 2 2 1 2. Prou. 27.9 CHAP. XXXVI Of the Continuance with GODS blessing on the meanes of Grace Q. YOu haue in some measure satisfied mee concerning the meanes of perseuerance in Grace but haue wee any assurance that all these meanes of Grace shall bee continued A. I will dwell among you Exod. 29.45 And set my Sanctuarie in the midst of you for evermore My Tabernacle also shall bee with you yea I will be your GOD and you shall bee my people And the Heathen shall know that I the LORD doe sanctifie Israel when my Sanctuarie shall be in the middest of you for evermore Ezek. 37 26. Leuit. 26.11 12. Exod. 29 42. Ob. Though these meanes of Grace should bee continued yet may I grow wearie in the vse of them A. One thing haue I desired of the Lord which I wâ—ll seeke after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my lâ—fe to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his Temple Psal 27 4. For I haue loved the habitation of his house and the place where hâ— honour dwelleth P. 26 8. Lâ—k wâ—sâ— it shall come to passe that from one new Moone vnto another and from one Sâ—bbath to another shall all Flesh come to worship before mee sâ—â—â—â—â—he LORD Isa 66 23. Ob. Notwithstanding the continued
high to shew forth thy loving kindnesse in the morning and thy faithfulnesse every night Psal 92 1. For many O Lord my God are thy wonderfull workes which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to vs ward they cannot be reckoned vp in order vnto thee if I would declare and speake of them they are moe than can be numbred Psal 40 5. Thy mercy also O Lord is in the Heavens and thy faithfulnesse reacheth vnto the Clouds Thy righteousnes is like the great Mountaines thy iudgements are a great Deepe Psal 36 5. How precious are thy thoughts vnto mee O GOD how great is the summe of them â—f I should count them they are moe in number than the sand Psalm 139.17.31.19 â—2 4.5 Blessing and glory and wisdome and thankesgiuing and honour and power and night bee vnto our GOD Râ—u 7.12 For ever and ever 1. Tim. 1.17 and from everlasting to everlasting and let â—ll the people say Amen Psalm 106.48.63.3.4.69.30.31 Isa 63.7.25.1 Psalm 104.33.34.1.35.28.116.13.40.9.45.17 Exod. 15.11 Psalm 57 7.147.1.33.1.34.3.97.1â—.68.4.30.4.47.6.7 Psalm 72.18.135.1.19.136.1.103.20.150.6.72.19 CHAP. XLIX The properties of GODS Promises Q. GReat cause indeed haue we thus to giue thanks for here are many Promises and for all purposes both great and precious if they be as true as good A. These things saith the Amen the faithfull and true witnesse Reu. 3.14 are the true sayings of GOD Reuel 19.9 I IESVS haue sent mine Angell to testifie these things in the Churches Reu. 22.16 Therefore write these words are true and faithfull Reu. 21.5.22 6. For GOD will performe his truth to IACOB and his mercie to ABRAHAM which hee hath sworne to our Fathers from the dayes of old Miâ—h 7. â—0 Hee confirmeth the word of his Serâ—â—nt and he performeth the counsell of his Messengers Isa 44 26. Hee said not vnto the seed of IACOB Seeke yee my face in vaine I the LORD speake righteousnesse I declare the things that are right Isâ— 45 19. For it is GOD that cannot lye who hath thus promised before the World began Titus 1 2. Whe efore let GOD be true and every man a lyar as it is written that thou mightest be Iustified in thy sayings and ouercome when thou art Iudged Rom. 3.4 2 Cor. 1.18 Pâ—al 58.11.33.5.12 6.30 5. Num. 23 19. Q. What good witnesses can you produce that may conuince vs of the truth of these things A. Though saith CHRIST I beare record of my selfe yet my record is true I am one that beare witnesse of my selfe and the Father that hath sent mee beareth witnesse of mee Ioâ— 8 14 18. who is true and I speake to the world the things which I haue heard from him Ioh. 8 26. The Disciple also whom IESVS loued testâ—fied these things and wee know that his testimony is true Ioh. 21.24 IOHN indeed did no miracle but all things that IOHN spake of this man were true Ioh. 10 41. And every one that hath received his testimony hath set to his seale that GOD is true Ioh. 3 33. 1. Ioh. 1 5. Q. Who haue at any time vpon their owne experience proued them so to be A. Behold this day I am going the way of all the earth and you know in all your hearts and in all your soules that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your GOD spake concerning you all things are come to passe vnto you not one thing hath failed thereof Ios 23 14.21.45 For it came to passe at the end of foure hundred and thirty yeares as was promised Gen. 15 14. even the selfe-same day it came to passe that all the hostes of the LORD went out from the land of Aegypt Exod. 12 41. vnto whom the LORD gaue all the Land which hee sware to giue to theyr Fathers and they possessed it and they dwelt therein And the â—ORD gaue them rest round about acâ—â—rding to all that hee sware vnto their â—athers and there stood not a man of all â—heir enemies before them There failed â—ot ought of any good thing which the LORD hath spoken vnto the house of ISRAHL all came to passe Iosh 21 43. So that he hath dealt well with his servants according to his Word Psal 119.63 And all his counsels of old are faithfulnesse and truth Isa 25 1. 1 King 8 20. 2 Chron. 6 15. Q. What then may this truth of GOD in promising teach vs A. 1 To beleeue for if wee receiue the witnesse of men the witnesse of GOD is greater For this is the witnesse of GOD which hee hath testified of his Sonne 1 Ioh. 5 9. Wherefore sirs bee of good cheere for I beleeue GOD thus it shall bee even as it was told mee Act. 27 25. For shall mortall man be more iust than GOD And shall a man bee more pure than his Maker Iob 4 17. Rom. 3 3 4. Luk. 11.13 2 To say Lord GOD of Israel there is no GOD like thee in Heaven aboue or on Earth beneath who keepeth Covenant and mercy with thy servants that walke before thee with all their hearts 1 King 8 23. Wherefore blessed bee the LORD which spake with his mouth vnto DAVID my Father and hath with his hand fulfilled it 1. King 8.15.20 3 To Pray saying Remember the word vnto thy seruant vpon which thou hast caused me to trust Psal 119.49 4 Thou also shalt keepe my couenant therefore thou and thy seed after thee in their generations Gen. 17 9. As well as the Iewes who did according to their promise Else as the Prophet shooke his lappe and said so GOD shall shake out every man from his house and from his labour that performeth not his promise even thus be he shaken out and emptied vnto which say Amen Nehem. 5 13. 5 For which and also say Lead me in thy truth and teach me for thou art â—e GOD of my saluation Psal 25 5. Ob. I doe now acknowledge GOD to â—ee true of his Word but was he not â—ooued to make these promises for â—ame thing of speciall worth he see to â—e in vs deseruing the same A. Were yee not as the Ethiopians vnto â—e O children of Israel saith the LORD Amos 9.7 For even TERAH the Father of ABRAHAM and the Father â—f NACHOR they serued other Gods Iosh 24.2 So hath the LORD also called thee being a Woman forsaken and afflicted in spirit and as a young wife when thou wast refused saith thy GOD. Isa 54 6 And when he passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thy owne blood he said vnto thee when thou wast in thy blood liue Yea he said vnto thee when thou wast in thy blood live Ezek. 16.6 Isa 51.1.2 Hos 14.4 Ob. Though hee did finde vs wicked yet doth he not leaue vs so and therefore for some fore-seene good that would bee in vs hee might be moued hereunto A. Can a man be profitable vnto God as hee that is wise may be profitable vnto himselfe Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art
on a plaine testimony of Scripture two or three he should not bee moued with every wind of contrary Doctrine but stand firme and vnmoueable as Mount Zion and having withall the loue of the Truth in his heart all the men and meanes in the world could nor should not remoue him from his stedfastnesse which is the honour of a Christian endeed And this wisedome skill and abâ—lâ—ty every man may see by this his worke to bee in the Author of this Booke who hath brought foorth so innumerable places of Scripture for his severall purposes with that soundnesse of Iudgement singular dexterity and great vnderstanding as is not to be expected from a private Christian But hee having beene a dayly hearer of the word and that from Zealous and fruitfull Teachers having made vse also of the same with great dâ—lâ—gence and constancy in his Famâ—ly and besides these spent very much time in private reading and study hee hath obtained a great degree in the Faith and is higher by head and shoulders as it is said of SAVL than the rest of his owne ranke For I count that Interpretation and giving the sense of Scriptures as it is a dâ—fficult so a peculiar worke to the Ministers of God ordinarily and not to be adventured vpon by Chrâ—stâ—ans in their Families or private meetings any further than they haue good bottome from that which they haue learned by the Ministery of the Word nor to write such Bookes as this wherein is occasion of the vse of so much Scripture least there should be found many mistakings therein which were both sinfull and dangerous and yet most likely But God hath very mercifully guided this Author in this his worke which may and I hope will be of much fruitfull and good vse in the Church of God For as it may helpe any ordinary Christian yea or Minister with more paralell places than may bee hee would haue at hand of himselfe so it will helpe well to the vnderstanding of many places of Scriptures seeing heere in what sense and to what purposes they are brought and applyed The paines hath beene very great no doubt to one man but if the Benefit may be much and good to many and so God be glorified the Author no doubt will thinke his labour happily bestowed and aboundantly rewarded which is my great desire and humble and earnest prayer also who is the true though weake and vnworthy Servant of the Church of God IOHN ROGERS CHRISTIAN READER IN the perusall of this Treatise thou shalt find that the Author threof hath taken very great paines and that which is more great paines to good purpose Great paines are but a small Commendation where they proue not beneficiall to a common good There are not wanting in the world that take paines more than enough in the Composing and writing of some Bookes of whâ—ch when they haue done it may bee truely said as of IEREMIES Girdle That they are Good for nothing Ier. 13 7. The curious trifles of many ill imployed wits want happily for no paines but consider whether such persons may not in another sense take vp SALOMONS words Eccles 2 11 I looked on all the workes that mine hands had wrought and on the labour that I had laboured to doe and behold all was vanity and there was no profit The a Non cernis quòd propterea animalium gloriosissima est apâ—s non quia laborat â—ed quia alijs laâ—orat Etiam aranca laborat fatigatur tenues per panetes extendit textur as omnem mulieris sapientiam excedentes sed est ignobile animal quia opus ejus est nulla ènus vâ—â—â—â— â— ales 〈◊〉 libi laborantes se defatigantes Chrysost ad Pop. Antioch Hom. 12. Spider is industrious in her kind and takes paines in making of her Web as well as the Bee in making of her Hony and Combes And yet who respects the Spiders web as the Bees worke The profit that comes of the labour of the Bee is it that makes her labour to be in more esteeme than the Spiders Now in this Treatise thou shalt find the Author to haue beene a diligent Industrious Bee that hath brought a great deale of profitable sweet Hony to this his hiue it being a Treasurie and Collection out of the Word of GODS Promises which are sweeter than the Hony and the hony Combe Thou shalt in this Authors Industry see how much is to be gotten by the diligent and observant reading of the Scriptures I wish with all mine heart that his Industry may proue exemplary and that many may hereby be provoked to the like religious diligence in acquainting themselues with the word It was good counsell that a godly old man gaue b In vita Musculi apud Melch. Ad. pâ— 370. MVSCVLVS when he first began to Preach That Si bonus velit fieri Concionator det operam vt sit bonus Biblicus That if ever he would proue a good Preacher hee must take paines to be well acquainted with the Bible And it were to be wished that all Preachers would follow that counsell Preaching would proue the more solid savourie and successefull But I will goe further than that old man and I say Si bonus velis fieri Christianus des operam vâ— sis bonus Biblicus If thou wilt proue a good Christian thou must be well skilled in the Holy Bible How happy were it if the Scriptures were more carefully read then they are It is said of c Nunquam Cyprianus absque Tertulliani lectione vnum diem praeterijt crebro dicere solirus Da Magistrum Tertullianum significans CYPRIAN that he let no day passe without reading TERTVLLIAN was wont often to say Giue me my Master meaning TERTVLLIAN Such diligence in reading the Scriptures would do well Especially they being GODS owne Epistle and letter from Heaven vnto vs that we should know his mind And if Princes letters are to be read thrice over then how much more sayes d De Principum Epistolis prouerbio dicitur ter eas legendas sed profecto Dei Epistolae sic enim Scripturam appellar Gregorius septies ter imo septuagies septies seu vt plus dicam iâ—finities legendae sunt c. Luther in Gen. 16. LVTHER should the Scriptures bee read seaven times thrice yea seaventy times 7. times thrice yea infinite times over We are commanded Prov. 2 4. To seeke for Knowledge as for Silver and to search for her as for hid treasures If it be asked where we must seeke the Prophet tels vs Isa 35 16. Seeke in the booke of the Lord and reade If it be asked where we must search our Saviour tels vs Ioh. 5.34 Search the Scriptures Those are indeed the Mines where the veines of this silver and these hid treasures are to be found And yet to see how silly men are in wearying themselues by digging in those earths which yeeld little precious treasure and in the meane while neglect
Abrahams seede and heyres according to promise Gal. 3.29 Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children but in Isaac shall thy seed be called that is they which are the children of the flesh they are not the children of God but the children of the promise are counted for the seede Rom. 9.7 Now wee brethren as Isaac was are the children of promise Gal. 4.28.3.7 1 Pet. 3.6.1.2.10 Luk. 19.9 Mat. 3.9 Ioh. 8.39.47 Hos 1.10.2.23 Isa 65.1 Ob. This priuiledge may concerne some great personages of the Gentiles but not such abiect and dispised persons as I am A. Hearken my beloued brethren hath not God chosen the poore of this world rich in faith and heires of the Kingdome which he hath promised to them that loue him Iames 2.5 For you see your calling how that not many wise men after the flesh nor many mighty nor many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of the world confound the things that are mighty aâ— base things of the world and things whâ— are despised hath God chosen yea thiâ— which are not to bring to nought thiâ— that are that no flesh should glory in presence 1 Cor. 1.26 Isa 66.2 Ob. If I could doe some thing woâ—thy of such a reward there were thâ— some hope A. God hath called vs not according workes but according to his own purpose aâ— grace whieh was giuen vs in Christ Iesâ—â— before the world began 2 Tim. 1.9 For 〈◊〉 promise made to Abraham that he shoâ— be the heyre of the world was not to â—braham and his seed through the Law 〈◊〉 through the righteousnesse of faith For they which are of the Law be heires faith made voyd the promise made of none â—fect Ro. 4.13.11.5 Luk. 17.7 Tit. 3.3 Ob. Notwithstanding it will not oâ— of my minde but that it is my well dâ—ing if at all that must enter mee in this estate A. This perswasion commeth not of him that calleth you Gal. 5.8 For God sent foorth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that are vnder the Law that we might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Gal. 4.4.5 And therefore tell me you that desire to be vnder the Law doe you not heare the Law For it is written Cast out the bondwoman and her sonne for the sonne of the bondwoman shall not be heyre with the sonne of the freewoman Gal. 4.21 Gen. 21.10 Q. How comes it then to passe that wee miserable creatures should be so highly exalted A. We haue not chosen him but he hath chosen vs Ioh. 15.16 And hath predestinated vs vnto the adoption of children by Iesus Christ to himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will Ephes 1.5.11 For behold the heauen and the heauen of heauen is the Lords the earth also with all things that therein is Only the Lord hath a delight in vs hath chosen vs aboue al people as it is this day Deu. 10.14 Isa 60.21 Rom. 11.5 Ob. Can it bee imagined that meâ— instamped with the diuels image should become the children of God A No For there are also giuen vnto vs great and precious promises that 〈◊〉 these ye might be partakers of the diuine nâ—ture hauing escaped the corruption that 〈◊〉 in the world through lust 2 Pet. 1.4 Wherby we haue put off the old man witâ— his deeds and haue put on the new maâ— which is renewed in knowledge after thâ— image of him that created vs Col. 3.9 Anâ— are changed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 Q. What are the causes by which this Image of God is wrought in vs A. 1 Principall efficient the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3 18. For we are borne not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Ioh. 1.13 That which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the Spirit is Spirit Ioh. 3.6.8 Tit. 3.5 2 Instrumentall the word For of his owne will begat hee vs with the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures Iames 1.18 Being borne againe not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liueth and abideth for euer 1 Pet. 1.23 3 Ministring the Preachers who do beget vs by the Gospell 1 Corinth 4.15 And doe trauell in birth vntill Christ bee formed in vs Gal. 4.19 Isa 66.8 1 Cor. 9.1.2 Q. How may we know our selues to haue this image and so to be the children of God A. By these markes wee know that we are of God when yet the whole world lyeth in wickednesse 1 Ioh. 5.19 1 God himselfe hath sealed vs and hath giuen the earnest of the spirit in our hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 which spirit beareth witnesse with our spirits that wee are the children of God Rom. 8.16 2 Hee that beleeueth on the Sonne hath the witnesse in himselfe that hee is borne of God 1 Ioh. 5.10.5.1 3 He that is of God heareth Gods word Iohn 8.47 And as new borne babes doâ— desire that sincere milke of the Word thaâ— he may grow thereby 1 Peter 2.2 4 If you know that hee is righteous you know euery one that doth righteousnesse iâ— borne of him 1 Iohn 2.29 And being new borne hee doth not commit sinne because his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sinne because hee is borne of God In thiâ— therefore are the children of God knowne and the children of the diuell whosoeuer doth not righteously is not of God 1 Ioh. 3.9.3 Epist 11 Rom. 8.14 5 Loue is of God and euery one that loueth is borne of God and knoweth God 1 Iohn 4.7 6 Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God Mat. 5.9 But if you haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts glory not and lye not against the truth Iames 3.14 For your spot is not the spot of his children they that are such are a crooked and peruerse generation Deut. 32.5 Hosea 1.9 Deut. 32.32 33. Iohn 8.44 Isa 57.3 Q. What may this priuiledge of being the children if God teach vs A. 1 To pray that the eyes of your vnderstanding being inlightned ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance is in the Saints and what is the exceding greatnesse of his power to vsward who beleeue according to the working of his mighty power Ephes 1.18 2 To call no man your father on earth for one is your father in heauen Math. 23.9 But be yee followers of God as deare children For yee were once darknesse now are yee light in the Lord walke as children of the light Ephes 5.1.8 And let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heauen Math. 5.16 Mal. 1.6 1 Pet. 1.17 Ephes 4.30 3 To
There is a reward for the righteous Q. BVt suppose wee haue Gods acceptance is this all wee shall haue for our well doing A. Hee that soweth righteousnesse shall also haue a sure reward Prou. 11.18 And euery man shall receiue his owne reward according to his owne labour 1 Cor. 3.8 Whether hee be bond or free Ephes 6.8 So that hee which followeth after righteousnesse and mercy findeth life righteousnesse and honour Prou. 21.21 For behold the Lord God will come with strong hand and his arme shall rule for him Behold his reward is with him and his worke before him Isa 40.10 So that a man shall say verily there is a reward for the righteous verily he is a God that iudgeth the earth Psalm 58.11 Prou. 19.8.24.4.21.21 Iob. 34.7 c. Therefore Vzziah so long as he sought the Lord God made him to prosper 2 Chro. 26.5 Hezechiah also wrought that which was good and right and true before the Lord and prospered 2 Chro. 31.20 17.3 Numb 25.11 Math. 26.13 Exod. 1.21 Zech. 3.7 Gen. 22.16 Ierem. 35.18 Heb. 11.5 Gen. 18.17.19.24.12 with 26.2 Chro. 14.7 c. 2.13 18 Psal 18.20 Ob. Much good is done which God may neither see nor obserue A. The Lord searcheth the heart and tryeth the reines euen to giue euery man according to his wayes and according to the fruite of his doings Ierem. 17.10 For hee is the great and mighty God the Lord â—f host is his name great in counsell and mighty in worke for his eyes are open vpon all the wayes of the sons of men to giue euery one according to his wayes and according to the fruite of his doings Ier. 32.18 And doe runne to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16.9 Psal 111.5 Ob. But may not God forget our weldoing A. God is not vnrighteous to forget your worke and labour of loue which yee haue shewed towards his name in that you haue ministred to the Saints and doe minister Heb. 6.10 For he remembred his holy promise and Abraham his seruant Psal 105.42 And when they that feared the Lord and speake often one to another the Lord hearkened and heard it and a booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought vpon his name Mal. 3.16 I haue waited long and yet hauâ— no reward A. Yet bee not weary in weldoing foâ— in due season you shall reape if you faint not Gal. 6.9 For how euer the sonne of man be aâ— one gone into a farre countrey to receiâ—â— vnto himselfe a kingdome yet will he returne Luke 19.11 And come in the glory of his Father with his Angels and theâ— hee shall reward euery man according to hiâ— workes Mat. 16.27 Therefore turne thou to thy God keep mercy and iudgement and waite on thy Goâ— continually Hos 12.6 Ob. As for works of mercy wherein I doe part with my goods the more good I doe for others the lesse good remaines to my selfe A. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth The liberall soule shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himselfe Prou. 11.24.25 Hee which soweth bountifully shall reape bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 Giue and it shall be giuen vnto you good measure pressed down shaken together running ouer Luke 6.38 For God is able to make all grace to abound towards you that you hauing sufficiency in all things may abound in euery good worke As it is writen Hee hath dispersed abroad he hath giuen to the poore his righteousnesse remaineth for euer 2 Cor. 9.8 Psalm 112.9 1 Kings 17.16 Isa 32.8 Psalme 41.1 Q. Why will God thus reward our weldoing in this kind A Because the administration of this seruice not onely supplieth the want of the Saints but is abundant also by many thankesgiuing vnto God whiles by the experiment of this minsteration they glorifie God for your professed subiection vnto the Gospell of Christ and for your liberall distribution vnto them 2 Cor. 9.12 Math. 5.16 Q. What is the vse of this A. 1. To confute the scorner for what man is he then who drinketh vp scorning like water which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity and wâ—keth with wicked men For hee saith profiteth a man nothing that hee shouâ—â— delight himselfe with God Iob 34.7 And what profit is it that we haue kept hâ— ordinances and that we haue walked mourâ—fully before the Lord of hosts whicâ— call the proude happie and say that sucâ— as worke wickednesse are set vp yea theâ— that tempt God are euen deliuered Where as they that feare mee shall be mine saitâ— the Lord of hosts in that day when I maâ—â— vp my Iewels and I will spare them as man spareth his owne son that serueth him Then shall ye returne and discerne between the righteous and the wicked between him that serueth God and him that serueth him not Mal. 3.14 Thefore hearken vnto mee yee men of vnderstanding far be it from God that he should doe wickednesse and from the Almighty that hee should commit iniquity For the worke of man shall be render vnto him and cause euery man to finde according to his waies Iob 34.10 Mal. 2.17 2 Pray saying Remember me O my God concerning this and wipe not out my â—ood deedes that I haue done for the house â—f my God and for the offices thereof Neh. 13.14 Doe thou O Lord recompence my workes and giue vnto mee a full reward Ruth 2.12 And let thy mercy be vpon me according as I hope in thee Psal 33.22 3 Be strong therefore and let not your hands be weake for your worke shall be rewarded 2 Chron. 15.7 And as euery man hath receiued the gift euen so minister â—he same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God 1 Pet. 4.10 Because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall blesse thee in all thy workes and in all that thou puttest thine hand vnto Deut. 15.10 And shall also recompence thee at the resurrection of the iust Luke 14.14 Deut 14.29 Gal. 6.10 Eccles 11.1 Hebrews 13.2 Colloss 3.24 Prou. 3.28 1 Tim. 6.17 Isa 3.10 Q. Among other good works shew mee how the works of charity must be done that so I neither neglecting thâ— worke nor faile in the manner of doing them may bee sure not to faileâ— my reward A. Take heed that you doe not your almâ— before men to be seene of them otherwiâ—â— you haue no reward of your Father which in Heauen But when thou doest thiâ— almes c. let not thy left hand know whâ— thy right hand doeth that thine almâ— may bee in secret and thy Father whicâ— seeth in secret himselfe shall reward thâ— openly Math. 6.1.16 And whatsoeueâ— you doe doe it heartily as to the Lord aâ—â— not vnto men knowing that of the Lord yâ—â— shall receiue the reward of the inheritance for yee serue the Lord Christ Col. 3.23 2 Hee
that receiueth a Prophet in thâ— name of a Prophet shall receiue a Prâ—phes reward and he that receiueth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receiue a righteous mans reward Anâ— whosoeuer shall giue to drinke vnto one 〈◊〉 these little ones a cup of cold water onely iâ— the name of a Disciple verily I say vntâ— you hee shall in no wise lose his reward Math. 10.41 Ob. I see many in want neither Prophets nor righteous men but my enemies and no louers of goodnesse what in this case must I doe A. If thine enemy be hungry giue him bread to eate and if he be thirsty giue him water to drinke for thou shalt heape coles of fire vpon his head and the Lord shall reward thee Prou. 25.21 And cast thy bread vpon waters for thou shalt finde it after many daies Eccles 11.1 Luke 6.27 Mat. 5.44 Psal 35.13 2 Sam. 1.11 12 Acts 7.60 Q. What reward shall bee to such as are fruitlesse in good workes A. As hee that giueth to the poore shall not lacke so hee that hideth his eyes shall haue many a curse Prou. 28.27 And hee shall haue iudgement without mercy that sheweth no mercy Iames 2.13 And therefore say ye wo be vnto the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be giuen him Isa 3.11 For I say vnto you that vnto euery one which hath shall be giuen and from him that hath not euen that hee hath shall be taken away from him Luke 19.26 Prou. 11.26 27.21.13.11.31.17.5 Isa 29.1 CHAP. XII God will teach his in their waies Q. WHat is the fourth priuiledge God bestoweth vpon his children A. That hee will instruct and teach them in the way that they should goe and will Guid them with his eye Psal 32.8 The meeke will he guide in iudgement the meeke will hee teach his way what man is hee that feareth the Lord him shall hee teach in the way that hee shall choose Psal 25.9.12 And will be their guide euen vnto death Psal 48.14 Exo 33.14 Gen. 46.4 Nehe. 9.20 Psalm 37.23 Ioh. 10.3 4. Thus the Lord led his people foorth by the right way that they might goe to a City of habitation Psal 107.7 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuarie which his right hand had purchased Psalm 78.54 Deut 1.31 Psalm 78.52 53. Exod. 13.21.22.40.38 Ob. Notwithstanding I am very subiect to misse my way A. Thine eares shall heare a word behind thee saying this is the way walke yee in it when yee turne to the right hand and when yee turne to the left Isa 30.21 I will bring the blind by a way that they know not I will lead them in the paths that they haue not knowne I will makâ— darkenesse light before them and crooked things straight Isa 42.16 For I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darkenesse but shall haue the light of life Iohn 8.12.12.46 Q. Is this blessing common to all both good and bad A. The righteousnesse of the perfect shall direct his wayes but the wicked shall fall by his owne wickednesse Prou. 11.5 For they waite for light but loe it is darkenesse for brightnesse but they walke in darknesse They grope for the wall like the blinde and grope as one without eyes they stumble at the noone day as in the twilight they are in solitary places as dead men Isa 59.9 Q. What may these things teach vs A. 1 To pray saying shew mee thy way O Lord teach mee thy paths lead me in thy truth and teach mee for thou art the God of my saluation on thee doe I waite all the day Psal 25.4 Lead me O Lord in thy righteousnesse because of mine enemies make thy waies streight before my face Psal 5 8. And if I haue found grace in thy sight shew mee now thy way that I may know thee For wherein shall it be knowne heere that I haue found grace in thy sight Is it not in that thou goest with mee Exod. 33.13.16 Psal 86.11.27.11.31.3 2 To ponder the pathes of thy feete that thy wayes may be ordered aright Pro. 4.26 3 In all thy wayes acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths Prou. 3.6 Q. When wee haue found God to be his words master in this what is to bee done A. Say I will blesse the Lordw ho hath giuen me counsell my reines also teach mee in the night season Psal 16.7 He restoreth my soule hee leadeth mee in the pathes of righteousnesse for his names sake Psalm 23.3 For a mans goings being of the Lord how can hee then vnderstand his owne waies Pro. 20.24 CHAP. XIII The guard of Angels Ob. NOtwithstanding which way so euer I goe many dangers doe attend me A. Therefore God hath added another priuiledge for the Angels of the Lord shall incampe round about thee to keepe thee in all thy waies they shall beare thee vp in their hands that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone Psal 91.11 For are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for their sakes which shall bee heyres of saluation Hebr. 1.14 Exod. 32. â—3 34.2 Behold therefore the mountaines full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha 2 Kings 6.17.1.19.5 Marke 1.13 Luke 22.43 Gen. 19.10 Acts 27.23.5.19.12.7.10.3 Q. What vse make you hereof A. It admonisheth the wicked to take heed they dispise not one of the least of Gods childreÌ„ because that in heauen their Angels doe alwayes behold the face of their Father which is in heauen Math. 18.10 CHAP. XIV All things worke for good Ob. IF God doe thus guide and guard his children whence is it that so many crosses do betide vs in our way A. From God by whose prouidence wee know that all things worke together for Good to them that loue God to them that are called according to his purpose Rom. 8.28 Q. Will other mens sinnes in seeking my hurt doe mee good A. Yea for how euer they as did the brethren of Ioseph thinke euill against vs yet God meaneth it vnto good as then to bring to passe by sauing much peope aliue Gen. 50.20 Q. Their sinnes turned to the reliefe of their bodies but will my owne sinnes turne to the good of my soule A. Yea For Onessimus departed for a season that he might be receiued for euer not then as a seruant but a brother beloued both in the flesh and in the Lord Phile. 15. Moreouer through the sharpe contention of Paul and Barnabas whereby they departing asunder one from the other many were edified Acts 15.37 CHAP. XV. Comfort against death Ob. IF these be the priuiledges of the Saints whosoeuer then is ioyned to all the liuing there is hope Eccles 9.4 But what man is hee that liueth and shall not see death shall hee deliuer his soule from the hand of the graue Psalm 89.48 Is not the graue the house appoynted for all the liuing Iob 30.23 And will death also worke
for our good Iob 34.14 Eccles 3.18.11.8.9.10 1 Kings 2.10 Acts 13.36 Iohn 8.52 Gen. 3.19 2 Sam. 3.38 Iob 9.25.14.5 Psa 90.10.103.15.144.4.39.12.39.4 5. 1 Chron 29.15 Isa 40.6 Prou 19.20 Numb 23.10 Acts 22 9. A. Man indeed is not Lord ouer the Spirit to retaine the Spirit neither hath he power in the day of death Eccles 8.8 Yet the day of death is better than the day of ones birth Eccles 7.1 For I heard a voyce from heauen saying vnto mee write Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord from hencefoorth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours Reuel 14.13 For the wicked haue there câ—aseâ— from their tyranny and there they that laboured valiantly are at rest The prisoners rest together and heare not the voâ—ce of the oppressour and the seruant is free from his master Iob 3.17 Peace shall then come they shall rest in their beds euery one that walketh before him Isa 57.2 2 Though they die yet their works die not but doe follow thâ—m Reuel 14.13 And when the wicked by death are driuen away in his wickednesse yet the righteous hath hope in his death Prou. 14.32 Rom 14.8 Prou 11.7 Q. Why can these dead bones liue Ezech. 37.3 A. Thy dead men shall liue together with my dead body shall they arise Isa 26 19. For since by man came death by man came the resurrection of the dead And as in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made aliue 1 Cor 15.21 And therefore we haue hope towards God that the resurrection shall be of the iust and vniust Acts 24.15 Ezech. 37.5 Psalm 90.3 Q. There is no article of faith doth more stagger mee than this of the resurrection and therefore I pray helpe to confirme me in it A. Meruaile not at this for the houre is comming in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voyce and shall come forth Iohn 5.28 Now that the dead are raised vp euen Moses sheweth at the bush when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham the God of Isaack and the God of Iacob for hee is not the God of the dead but of the liuing for all liue vnto him Luke 20.37 Why then should it be thought an incredible thing with you that God should raise the dead Acts 26.8 Q. Make the certainty of the resurrection further to appeare by some examples of such as haue beene raised vp from the dead A. The sonne of the Shunamite being dead was by the Prophet Elisha restored vnto his mother aliue 2 Kings 4.32 A dead man also being let downe into the sepulcher of Elisha hee reuiued and stood vpon his feet 2 Kings 13.21 And when Christ with a loude voyce said vnto Lazarus arise and come forth then he that was dead came forth bound hand and foot with the graue clothes Iohn 11.43 Likewise at the death of Christ the graues were opened and many of the bodies of the Saints which slept arose and came out of the graues after his resurrection and went into the holy Citty and appeared vnto many Math. 27.52 Remember also that Iesus Christ made of the seed of DAVID was raised againe from the dead according to my Gospell 2 Tim. 2.8 Now if Christ be preached that hee rose from the dead how say some among you that there is no resurrection from the dead 1 Cor. 15.12.1.15.4 Acts 10.40 Reueâ— 1.18 Acts 13.30 Gal. 1.1 Acts 26.23 Q. What doth it concerne me thâ—â— Christ is raised from the dead A. Very much for Christ being râ—sen from the dead is become the first fruite of them that sleepe 1 Cor. 15.20 Aâ— this is a faithfull saying that if we be deâ— with him we shall also liue with him 2 Tim 2.11 For God that hath raised vp thâ— Lord will raise vp vs by his owne poweâ— 1 Cor. 6.14 who by him doe beleeue iâ— God that raised him vp from the dead anâ— gaue him glory that your faith and hopâ— might be in God 1 Pet. 1 2â— 2 Corin. â— 14. Rom. 8.11 Ob. But death is called the King 〈◊〉 terrours Iob. 18.14 who then caâ— ouercome it A. I am saith Christ the resurrectioâ— and the life he that beleeueth in me thougâ— hee were dead yet shall hee liue Iohn 11 25. I will ransome them from the poweâ— of the graue I will redeeme them from deatâ— O death I will be thy plague O graue will be thy destruction The sting of death sinne and the strength of sin is the Law â—t thankes be to God which hath giuen â—s victory through our Lord Iesus Christ Cor. 15.55 Psal 68.20 Hosea 13.14 Ob. I may be drowned in the sea and â—euoured of fishes A. The sea shall giue vp the dead which â—ein it and death and hell shall deliuer â—p the dead which were in them Reuel 20. â—3 Ob. Though I should be buried in â—he earth yet amidst so many bodies â—onsumed to dust and so confusedly â—ixed my body may be lost A. This is the Fathers will which hath â—ent mee that of all which he hath giuen me should loose nothing but should raise it vp â—gaine at the last day Ioh. 6.39 Ob. The same bodies for number â—hat dyed may bee raised from the dead but not the same in identitie of bodies A. I know my Redeemer liueth and that hee shall stand the latter day vpon the earth and though after my skinne worâ— destroy this body yet in my flesh shall see God whom I shall see for my selfe aâ— mine eyes shall behold and not anotheâ— though my reines be consumed within mâ— Iob 19.25 Iohn 11.24 Q. How are the dead raised vp and wiâ— what bodies doe they come 1 Cor. 15.35 A. Thou foole that which thou sowest not quickned except it dye and that whiâ—â— thou sowest thou sowest not that body thâ— shall be but bare graine it maybe chaâ—â— wheate or some other grain But God giueâ— it a body as it pleaseth him and to euery seâ— his own body c. So also is the resurrectiâ—â— from the dead It is sowne in corruption is raised in incorruption It is sowne in diâ—honor it is raised in glory it is sowneâ— weaknesse tt is raised in power it sowneâ— naturall body it is raised a spirituall bodâ— 1 Corin. 15.36 Q. You say that all shall be raysed wherein then will stand the difference betweene the Elect and reprobate at that day A. As with Pharaohes chiefe butler and chiefe baker whose heads were both lifted vp but the one vnto his butlership the other vnto the gallowes to be hanged vp Gen. 40.20 So all both good and bad shall come forth They that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life and they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of damnation Ioh. 5.29 Dan. 12.2.13 Q. What shall become of them who shall be found aliue at the generall resurrection A. Behold I shew you a mystery we shall not all sleepe but we shall all be changed in a moment in the twinkling of
an eye at the last trumpe for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed 1 Cor. 15.51 Q. Now I know that wee shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day Ioh. 11.24 What therefore would you thence inferre A. 1 Concerning them that sleepe that ye sorrow not euen as others without hope For if we beleeue that Iesus died and rose againe euen so them also which sleepe in Iesus wâ— God bring with him 1 Thes 4.13 2 Though I walke in the valley of tâ—â— shaddow of death I will feare no euill foâ— thou art with mee thy â—od and thy staâ— comfort mee Psalm 23.4 Therefoâ—â— also my heart is glad my glory reioycetâ— my flesh also shall rest in hope for thou wiâ—â— not leaue my soule in hell Psal 16.9 3. Let vs therefore which haue the firâ— fruites of the spirit groane within our selueâ— waiting for the adoption to wit the redemâ—tion of our bodies Rom. 8.23 4 Let none of vs liue or die to our selueâ— for whether wee liue wee liue vnto thâ— Lord or whether we dye we dye vnto thâ— Lâ—â—â— For to this purpose Christ dye◠〈…〉 and reuiued that he might be the Lord both of the dead and liuing Rom 14.7 Wherefore labour we that whether present or ahsent wee may be accepted oâ— him 2 Cor. 5.9 Q. When this dust returneth to thâ— earth Eccle. 12.7 who knoweth the spiriâ— of a man that goeth vpward and the spirit oâ— the beast that goeth downeward to the earth Eccles 3.21 A. Wee know that if this earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolued wee haue a building of God an house not made with hands but eternall in the heauens 2 Cor. 5.1 For the spirit shall returne to God that gaue it Eccles 12.7 and shall bee with Christ in Paradise Luke 23.43 And with Lazarus in Abrahams bosome Luke 16.22 Q. How stand you affected with this A. I am in a straite betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better Pbil. 1.23 For in this wee groane earnestly desiring to be clothed vpon with our house which is from heauen if so be that being clothed wee shall not be found naked For we that are in this tabernacle doe groane being burdened not for that we would be vnclothed but clothed vpon that mortality might be swallowed vp of life 2 Cor. 5.2 Therefore wee are alwaies confident knowing that whilest wee are at home in the body wee are absent from the Lord for wee walke by faith and not by sight wee are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord 2 Corin. 5.6 Math. 17.4 CHAP. XVI Of the last iudgement Ob. WHat we shall haue after death I cannot say but in these daies of my vanity I haue seen there is a iust man that perisheth in his righteousnesse and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickednesse Ecces 7.15 yea the tabernacles of robbers prosper and they that prouoke God are secure for into their hand God bringeth abundantly Iob 12.6 Behold these are the vngodly who prosper in the world they increase in riches verily I haue cleansed my heart in vaine and washed my hands in innocency For all the day long I haue been plagued and chastened euery morning Psal 73.12 13. Ier. 5.27.12 1. Eccl. 8.14 A. God hath appointed a day in which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom hee hath ordained whereof he hath giuen assurance vnto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Acts 17.31 So that we shall all stand before the Iudgement seat of Christ Rom. 14.10 Who shall iudge his people Heb. 10.30 Vnto whom they also must come to giue an account 1. Pet. 4.5 Heb. 9.27 Psal 96.13.98.9 Eccles 11.9 Ob. Where is the promise of his comming For since the Fathers fell a sleepe all things continue as they were from the beginning 2 Pet. 3.4 A. This you are willingly ignorant of that by the Word of GOD the Heauens were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water whereby the world that then was being ouerflowed with water perished But the Heauens and the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserued vnto fire againsâ— the day of Iudgement and perdition of vngodly men But beloued be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as â— thousand yeares and a thousand yeares a one day The Lord is not slacke concerning his promise as some men couâ— slacknesse but is long suffering to vs ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2. Pet. 3.5 Q. Tell vs then when these thing shall be and what shall be the signes oâ— the end of the World Mat. 24.3 A. 1 Before the end come many shall come in CHRISTS name saying I am CHRIST and many false Prophets shall arise Mat. 24.5.11 2 The day shall not come except there come a falling away first 2. Thes 2.3 and many be deceiued Mat. 24.5.11 3 That man of sinne shall first be reuealed the sonne of perdition who opposeth and exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called GOD or that is worshipped 2. Thes 2.3.4 4 You shall heare of warres and rumors of warres for Nation shall rise against Nation Kingdome against Kingdome but the end shall not be yet Mat. 24.6.7 5 Because iniquity shall be increased the loue of many shall waxe cold Mat. 24.12 6 This Gospell of the Kingdome shall be preached in all the world for a witnesse vnto all Nations and then shall the end come Mat. 24.14 7 When the fulnesse of the Gentiles is come in all Israell shall be saued as it is written The deliuerer shall come out of Sion and shall turne away vngodlinesse from Iacob Rom. 11.25 8 As it was in the dayes of Noah so shall it be also in the dayes of the Sonne of Man they did eate they dranke they married wiues they were given in marriage vntill the day that Noah went into the Arke and the Flood came and destroyed them all Likewise also as it was in the dayes of Lot they did eate they dranke they bought they sold they planted they builded but the same day that Lot went out of Sodome it rained fire and brimstone from heauen and destroyed them all euen thus shall it bee in the day when the Sonne of man is reuealed Luke 17.26 And when they shall say peace and safety then sudden destruction commeth vpon them as trauell vpon a woman with child 1. Thes 5.3 Or as a thiefe by night 2. Pet. 3.10 Reuel 16.15 Math. 24.38 Now learne a parable of the Fig tree when his branch is yet tender and putteth foorth leaues ye know that summer is nigh Math. 24.32 And when ye see a cloud rise out of the West straite way yee say a shower commeth and
him deny himselfe and take vp his crosse and follow me For whosoever shall saue his life shall loose it and whosever will loose his life for my sake shall find it For what is a man profited if hee gaine the whole world and loose his owne soule And what shall a man giue in exchange for his soule Math. 16.24 Know yee not that they which runne in a race runne all yet one receiveth the prize So runne that you may obtaine And every one that proveth masterie abstaineth from all things and they doe it to obtaine a corruptible Crowne but wee for an incorruptible 1. Cor. 9.24 Therefore indure hardnesse as a good souldier of IESVS CHRIST No man that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life that he may please him who hath chosen hâ—m to be a souldier And if a man also striue for a masterie yet is he not crowned except he striue lawfully The husbandman that laboureth must first be partakers of the fruits Consider what I say and the Lord giue thee vnderstanding in all things 2. Tim. 2.3 Math. 10.37 Q. When wee haue done what we can will our well-doing merit Heaven A. Not by workes of righteousnesse which we haue done but according to his mercy he saveth vs by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which hee shed on vs abundantly through IESVS CHRIST our Saviour that being iustified by his Grace wee should be made heyres according to the hope of Eternall life Tit. 3.5 Ephes 2.8 CHAP. XVIII Of eternall Death Q. YOu haue well satisfied me concerning the happinesse of the Saints after the day of Iudgment shew me also more fully what shall then bee the punishment of the wicked A. They shall see Abraham Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of GOD and themselues thrust out Luk. 13.28 2. They shall be delivered to the tormentors Math. 18 34. who shall bind them hand and foot Math. 22 13. and cast them into a furnace of fire Mat. 13.42 which is vnquenchable Math. 3.12 The place is deepe and large the pile thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the Lord of hosts like a streame of brimstone doth kindle it Isa 30 33. There they shall be scorched with great heat so as they shall blaspheame the name of God which hath power over these plagues There shall be great darknesse and they shall gnaw their tongues for paine Reuel 16.9 10. For they shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of GOD which is powred out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and they shall bee tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lambe And the smoake of their torment ascendeth vp for ever and euer and they shall haue no rest day nor right Reu. 14.10 For their worme shall not dye neither shall their fire be quenched Isa 66.24 Even as Sodome and Gomorrha and the Cities about them in like manner giving themselues over to Fornication and going after strange flesh are set foorth for an example of suffering the vengeance of Eternall fire Iud. v. 7. Iob. 21 30. Math. 13 42. Psal 119.155.9 17. Ier. 17 13. Math. 8 12. Ob. This is but a meere scar-crow and therefore wee will goe on and prosper A. O serpents the generation of vipers how can yee escape the damnation of Hell Math. 23.33 For doe you commit such things and doe you thinke to escape the Iudgement of GOD Rom. 2.3 Haue yee not asked them that goe by the way And doe yee not know their tokens That the wicked is reserved to the day of Destruction they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath Iob 21.29 Ob. It may be the base rabble cannot escape Hell but my greatnesse will beare me out well enough A. Riches profit not in the day of wrath Prou. 11.4 For Dives though rich went to Hell when as Lazarus though poore was caried into Heaven Luk. 16.23 Moreouer Tophet is ordained of old for the King it is prepared Isa 30 33. Therefore Hell hath inlarged it selfe and hath opened his mouth without measure and their glory and their multitude and their pompe and he that reioyceth among them shall descend into it Isa 5.14 For God accepteth not the person of Princes nor regardeth the rich more than the poore for they are all the worke of his hands Iob 34 19. Luk. 10.15 Ob. These teâ—rours may concerne Turkes and Papists and Pagans but for such as liue in the bosome of the Church they shall neuer as I hope be touched with them A. Euen in the Church also there are many called but few chosen Math. 20 16. As in a great house there are vessels not onely of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth and some to honour and some to d shonour 2. Tim. 2 20. And the children of the Kingdome shall be cast out into outer darknesse Math. 8.12 For the Sonne of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his kingdome all things that offend and them that doe iniquitie Math. 13 41. These are the tares which shall be bound in bundles to â—e burnt Math. 13 30.13 47.3.7 8.10 1â— Ob. Lord haue we not eaten and drunken in thy presence and hast thou not taught in our streets Luk. 13 26. And haue not most of thy mighty workes beene done amongst vs Math. 11.20 A. Woe vnto thee Corazin woe vnto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty workes which were done in you had beene done in Tire and Sidon they would haue repented long agoe in sack-cloathand ashes But I say vnto you it shall be more tollerable for Tire and Sidon at the day of Iudgement then for you And thou Capernaum which art exalted vnto Heaven shalt bee brought downe to Hell for if the mighty workes which haue beene done in thee had beene done in Sodome it would haue remained vntill this day But I say vnto you that it shall be more tollerable for the Land of Sodome in the day of Iudgement than for thee Math. 11.21 Ob. But Lord haue wee not Prophesied in thy Name and in thy name cast out Devils Math. 7.22 A. I professe vnto you I neuer knew you depart from me yee workers of iniquitie Math. 7.23 Q. What then may the condemnation of Hell teach vs A. Therefore dearely beloued avenge not your selues but giue place vnto wrath for it is written vengeance is mine I will repay it saith the LORD Rom. 12 19 Math. 7 1. Eccl. 3 17. 2 Knowing the terror of the Lord we perswade men 2. Cor. 5 11 to mortifie their members which are vpon the earth fornication vncleannesse inordâ—nate affection evill concupisence and couetousnes which is idolatry for which things sake the wrath of God commeth on the children of disobedâ—ence 3 Col. 5 And enter yee in at the straight gate for wide is the Gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and
against the motions of the Flesh this feare yet remaines least by any meanes as the Serpent beguiled EVE through his subtiltie so my minde should be corrupted from the simplicitie that is in CHRIST 2. Cor. 11.3 Iob 1.7 A. Resist the Devill and hee will flie from you Iam. 4.7 Now is the iudgement of this world now shall the Prince of this world be cast out Ioh. 12 31. Ob. What hope haue wee to preuaile against so potent an Enemy A. I haue written vnto you Young men because yee haue overcome the wicked oâ— 1. Ioâ— 2.14 For wee know that hee that is begotten of GOD keepeth himselfâ— and that wicked one toucheth him not â— Ioh. 5.18 For the Church of Pergamâ— dwelling even where Sathans throne waâ— yet held fast her professâ—on Revel 2.13 Iob 2.3 Ob. It is not possible for mee in mâ— owne stâ—ength to preuaile A. For this puâ—pose appeared the Sonâ—â— of GOD that he might destroy the workâ— of the Devill 1. Ioâ— 3 8. Who shâ—â—â— bruise Sathan vnder your feet shortly Rom. 16.20 And though the Prince of this world come yet hath hee nought iâ— him Ioh. 14.30 But in two combateâ— was foyled and in the third was put to flâ—ght by him Math. 4.1 So as the gates of Hell prevailed not against him Math. 16.18 Numb 21.9 Q. Wherewith was CHRIST furnished against Sathan A. Forasmuch as the Children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himselfe likewise tooke part of the same that â—hrough Death hee might destroy him that â—â—d the power of Death that is the Devill â—Heb 2.14 And the Saints overcame â—â—m also by the Blood of the Lambe Rev. 12 11. Q. May not Sathan ouercome at the â—ast A. No for CHRIST hath spoyled Principalities and Powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in his Crosse Col. 2.15 And when hee ascended vp on hâ—gh he led Captivitie captiue Ephes 4 8. Wherefore hee is able to saue them to the vtmost that come vnto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.25 For hee giveth vnto them Eternall life and they shall never perish neither shall any plucke them out of his Fathers hands because his Father which gaue them him is greater than all Ioh. 10.28 Psal 68 18. Ob. But the Dragon and his Angels doe still continue their fight against vs A. I haue put enmitie betwixt thee and the Woman and betweene thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heele Gen. 3.15 Therefore though they fight yet they prevaile not neither shall their place be found any more in Heaven Revel 12 8. Luk. 10.18 Prou. 29 27. Q. What shall then become of them when they are so cast our A. The great Dragon was cast out that old Serpent called the Devill and Sathan which deceiveth the whole world hee was cast out into the earth and his Angels were cast out with him Reu. 12 9. Ob. How is it then that when the sonnes of God come to present themselues before the Lord Sathan is not shut out Iob 2 1. but is ready to stand at his right hand to resist them Zach. 3.1 A. The Lord said Simon Simon behold Sathan hath desired to haue you that he may sift you as Wheat but I haue prayed for thee that thy faith faile not Luk. 22.31 Saying the Lord rebuke thee O Sathan even the Lord that hath chosen Ierusalem rebuke thee Zach. 3.2 Q. Did the Lord IESVS make good his promise A. Yea for though he were once foyled yet he againe recouered for he went â—â—t and wept bitterly Luk. 22.62 Q. Was he not by this foile of his made for euer after the more faint-hearted A. No for with greater courage and boldnes he both Preached and professed the name of Christ. Act. 2 14 3 12 4 8 4 19. Ob. Notwithstanding my feare is that at my appearing before Gods tribunall Sathan will find some thing whereof to accuse me A. Why art thou so fearefull O thou of little faith Math. 8.26 For I heard a loud voyce saying in Heaven now is come Salvation and strength and the Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of the Brethren is cast downe which accuseth them before our God day and night Reu. 12.10 Moreouer when Christ commeth he will convince the world of iudgement because the Prince of this world is iudged Ioh. 16 8 11. There is therefore no feare in loue but perfect loue casteth out feare 1 Ioh 4 18 And herein is our loue made perfect that wee may haue boldnesse in the day of Iudgment because as he is so are wee in the world 1 Ioh. 4 17. Q. What shall then become of the Divell at the last A. The Divell that deceiveth Men shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the Beast and the false Prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever Revel 20.10 Q. What vse make you hereof A. Therefore reioyce yee Heavens and yee that dwell in them Revel 12 12. 2 Fight the good sight of Faith 1 Tim. 6 2. And staâ—d fast in the faith quit you like men and bee strong 1 Cor. 16 13. in the Lord and in the power of his might 〈◊〉 â—ut on the whole armour of GOD that ye may bee able to stand against the wiles of the Divell Ephes 6 10. 3 Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the Divell as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom hee may devoure 1. Pet. 5.8 1 Cor. 16.13 4 Pray with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and watching therevnto with all perseverance and supplication Ephes 6 18. Ob. If the Divell be cast out and is gone what need is there of any more watching against him A. When the vncleane spirit is gone out of a man hee walketh through dry places seeking rest and finding none he saith I will returne vnto my house whence I came out And when he commeth he findeth it swept and garnished Then goeth he and taketh 7. other spirits more wicked than himselfe and they enter in and dwell there and the last state of that man is worse than the first Luk. 11.24 CHAP. XXVII Of the temptations of the World and in particular of Afflictions Ob. NOtwithstanding all my watching and praying if the Divell should cast out of his mouth water as a flood vsing the world as an assistant am I not in danger to be carryed away of the Floud A. No for the earth shall helpe the Woman and by opening of her mouth shall swallow vp the Floud which the Dragon shall cast out of his mouth Revel 12 16 Thus Gallio helped PAVL against the Iewes Acts 18 14. So did the towne-Clarke also against the vprore of the people Acts 19 35. And the Scribes on the Pharises part helped him against the Sadduces Actâ— 23 9 23 22 21 31 32. 2 Coâ— 11 32. Exod. 2 6. Est 9 3. Ob. But doe wee
not see many a man how they are vanquished by the world and brought into subiectioÌ„ of the same A. Whosoever is borne of GOD overcommeth the world and this is the victory that overcommeth the world even your faith 1 Ioh. 5 4. Ob. Wee for our part haue no more power against the world than wee haue against Sathan A. CHRIST gaue himselfe for our sins that he might redeeme vs from this present evill world according to the will of GOD and our father Gal. 1 4. And prayed not that he should take vs out of the world but that he should keepe vs from evil Ioh. 17 15. Ob. If the child of GOD haue overcome the world whence is this vanity which is done vpon the earth that there is iust men vnto whom it happeneth according to the worke of the wicked againe there be wicked men to whom it hapneth according to the worke of the righteous Eccl. 8 14. A. Can a bird fall in a snare where no fowler is Amos 3 5 Affliction commeth not forth out of the Dust neyther doth trouble spring out of the Graue Iob. 5 6. Is there any evill in the Citty which the Lord hath not done Amos 3 6. From the Lord of Hosts which dwelleth in Mount Zion Isa 8 18. Who formeth the light and creates darknesse who maketh peace and creates evill he even he doth all these things Isâ— 45 7. Gen. 45 8. â—am 3 38 Psal 17 12. Q. What may hence be learned A. Therefore leâ— no man be mooved by these afflictions for you your selues know that we are appointed therevnto For we told you before that we should suffer tribulation even as it comes to passe and you know it 1. Thes â— 3. For shall we receiue good at the hand of God and shall wee not receiue evill Iob 2 10 4 17.1 Sam. 26 9. Ioh 18.11 Q Why what is the disposition of GOD towards his Children in theyr afflâ—ctions A. As a man chasteneth his Son so doth the Lord chasten them Deut. 8 5. For whom he loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth If ye endure chastising GOD dealeth with you as with Sonnes For what Sonne is theâ—e that the Father chasteneth not If ye be without chastening whereof all are partakars then are ye bastards and not Sonnes Heb. 12 6. Revel 3 9. Q Shew me wherein this fatherly disposition of his in affl cting his children is exercised and expressed A. 1 He doth not afflict willingly nor grieue the children of men Lam. 3 33. 2 In all their afflictions he is afflicted Isa 63 9. For when Israel put away the strange Gods from among them and served the Lord his soule was greeved for the miseries of Israel Iudg. 10 16. And his bowels were troubled for them Ier 31 20. Saying Saul Saul why persecutest thou mee Acts 9 4. For we haue not an high Priest which cannot bee touched with a feeling of our infirmities e Hebr. 4 15. But hee that toucheth vs toucheth the Apple of his owne eye Zach. 2 8. Psal 103 13 2 King 13 4.13 23 2 14.26 Acts 26 14. 1. Pet. 5 7. Mat. 6 25 34 2 Chron. 36 15. Ob. In all my afflâ—ctions I haue had an eye vnto GOD but yet could never discerne any such affection in GOD towards me A. Then say vnto GOD O LORD I haue waited for thee in the way of thy Iudgements the desire of my Soule is to thy name and to the remembrance of thee With my Soule haue I desired thee in the night and with my spirit within me will I seeke thee in the morning Isa 26.8 Looke downe from Heaven and behold from the habitation of thy holinesse and of thy glory where is thy zeale and thy strength the sounding of thy bowels and of thy Mercies towards mee Are they restrained Doubtlesse thou art our Father though ABRAHAM be ignorant of vs and Israel acknowledge vs not thou O LORD art our Father our Redeemer thy Name is from Everlasting Isa 63 15. c. Psalm 77 7. Q. But why doth GOD lay Afflictions vpon vs being his children A. What hath the Lord now done Is there not cause 1 Sam. 17 29. namely 1 To prevent sinne For hee openeth the eare of man and sealeth their instruction that he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man Iob. 33 16. And lest he should be exalted aboue measure there is given him a thorne in the flesh the messenger of Sathan to buffet him 2 Cor. 12 7. His way also is hedged vp with thornes and there is a wall made that hee may not finde his pathes Hos 2 6. Therefore feare not because of affliction for GOD is come to prooue you that his feare might be before you that you sinne not Exod. 20 20 13 17. 2 To remoue sinne For if they be bound in fetters and holden in the Cordes of Affliction then hee sheweth them their workes and their transgressions that they haue exceeded He openeth their eare also to discipline and commandeth that they returne from iniquity Ioh. 36 8. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Iacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his sinne Isa 27 9. and that he may be made partaker of his holinesse Heb. 12 10. For which cause we faint not for though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day 2 Cor. 4 16. Hos 5 15. Isa 26 9 4.4 2 Cor. 7 8. Zach. 13 9. Ezek. 39 22 Numb 12 11. Ezâ—k 20 37. Mal. 3 2. Thus the Israelites in their trouble visited the Lord and powred out a prayer when his chastisements was vpon them Isa 26.16 Mâ—nassen after his affliction knew that the Lord he was God 2 Chro. 33 1â— 34 27. Gen 42 21. Psal 119 67. Iob 40 4 23 16. Iona. 3.3 Luk. 15.17 But for the wicked why should they be smitten any more they fall away more and more Isa 1.5.22.12 Hos 7.10 Amos 4 6. 3 To make vs trust in God For wee had the sentence of Death in our selues that wee should not trust in our selues but in GOD which raised the Dead 2. Cor. 1.9 And GOD suffered Israell to bunger that hee might make them know that man doth not liue by Bread onely but by euery Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man liue Deut. 8 3. The remnant also of Israell and such as are escaped of the house of IACOB stay not vpon him that smote them but shall stay vpon the Lord the holy one of Israel in truth Isa 10.20 4 For our tryall God left HEZIKIAH to try him that hee might know all that was in his heart 2. Chron. 32 31. And hee left the Cananites to remaine to proue Israel whether they would keepe the wayes of the Lord and to walke therein Iudg. .3.4 IOSEPH also was sold for a Servant and his feet were hurt in the fetters hee was layd in the Iron vntill the time that his word came
ready to speake plainly Isa 32.4 For out â—f the mouthes of Babes and sucklings hath 〈◊〉 ordained strength because of his Eâ—â—mies that hee might still the enemy and â—avenger Psal 8 2. Say not then I am a Child for thou shalt â—nto all that I shall send thee and whatâ—â—ever I command thee thou shalt speake Ierem. 1.7 For who hath made mans Youth Or who maketh the dumbe and be deafe haue not I the Lord Now â—herefore I will be with thy mouth and â—uch thee what thou shalt say Exod. 4 11. When they therefore deliver you vp â—ike no thought how or what you shall â—eake for it shall be given you in that â—ime houre what you shall say Math. 10 19. Luk. 21.14 And I will giue you a â—outh and wisedome which all your adversaries shall not be able to gaine-say nor resist Luk. 21.15 Act. 6 10. For the Scripture saith Whosoever beleeveth on him shall not be ashamed Rom. 10 11. For with the Heart man beleeveth vnto Righteousnesse and with the Mouth confession is made vnto salvation Rom. 10 10 You having therefore the same spiritâ— of Faith according as it is written beleeved and therefore haue I spoken you also beleeue and therefore speake 2. Cor 4 13. And be not afraid and hold not thy peace for I am with thee and no maâ— shall set on thee to hurt thee Acts 18.9 But sanctifie the Lord God in your heart and be ready alway to giue an answere to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you and that with meekenes and feare 1. Pet. 3 15. Math. 10 32. Prou. 16.1 Acts 4.9 Luk. 12.12 Ob. If for the hope of Israel I should thus stand in defence of the truth I shall for my labour be cast into some Dungeon Ier. 38.6 be bound with a chaine Acts 28.20 And my feet hurt with fetters of Iron Psal 105.18 Ezek. 19.9 Iohn 21 28. A Though you suffer trouble as an evill doer yet the word of God is not bound 2. Tim. 2.9 You may be a bondman in deed yet the Lord God will not forsake you in your bondage Ezra 9 9. No more than he forsooke PAVL and SILAS who â—ing psalmes in Prison Acts 16 25. For the Lord heareth the poore and desâ—seth not his Prisoners Psal 69.33 â—et hath broken the Gates of Brasse and â—â—t the Barres of iron in sunder Psal 107. â—6 And bringeth out those that are â—â—und with chaines Psal 68 6. For the iron gate opened vnto Peter of its owne â—ucord whereby hee escaped the hands of Herod Acts 12 10. Ier. 38.13.52.31 Psal 102.19.116 16. Ob. It may be they will not alwayes deâ—aine me a prisoner but which is worse 〈◊〉 may bee banished into the Land of Strangers abroad Reu. 19.10 Heb. 11.38 Act. 8 1. A. Although they shall cast you a far off â—mong the Heathen and although they do scatter you among the Countries yet will the to you as a little Sanctuary in the Countries where you shall come Exek 11.16 And when you are in the Land of your Enemies I will not cast you away neither will I abhorre you to destroy you vtterly and to breake my Covenant with you for I am the Lord your GOD Leuit. 26.44 But I will giue you a reviuing there Ezra 9 8. And make you to be pittied of all those that shall carry you Captiue Psal 106 46 And make the Enemy to intreat you well Ier. 15.11 And I will be with you as with IOSEPH in Egypt who was a prosperous man Gen. 39 2. forgat all his toyle and all his Fathers house and became fruitfull in the Land of his Affliction Gen. 41 51 52 46 3 47 27 23 11. Ier. 40.4 37 21. Deut. 4 29. Reuel 1.9 10. Psal 105 12. Ier. 31 10. 2 Moreouer heare the Word of the Lord and declare it in the Isles a farre off and say hee that scattered Israel will gather him Ier. 31.10 Feare not for I am with them I will bring their seed from the East and gather them from the West I will say to the North giue vp and to the South keepe not backe Bring my Sonnes from farre and my Daughters from the ends of the earth even every one that is called by my name for I haue created him for my glory Isa 43 5. For as the Shepheard seeketh out his flocke in the day that he is among his Sheepe that are scattered so will I seeke out my Sheepe and will deliver them out of all places where they haue beene scattered in the cloudie and darke day And I will bring them out from the people and gather them from the Countries and I will bring them to their owne Land Ezek. 34 12. So that the redeemed of the Lord shall returne and come with singing vnto Zion and everlasting ioy shall bee vpon their head they shall obtaine gladnes and ioy and sorrow and mourning shall flee away Isa 51 11. Say ye therefore turne againe our captivity O Lord as the streames in the South Psal 126 4. O that Salvation were come out of Zion when the Lord bringeth backe the captivity of his people Iacob shall reioyce and Israel shall be glad Psalm 14 7 53.6 81 5 68 22. Deut. 30 1. Gen. 15.15.48 21. Isa 14 12 26 2 â—9 10.30 10 27 13 49.25 60 15. Ier. 23 3 24 5. Ezek. 36 24. Amos 9 14. Zach. 10 10. Exod. 12.41 Ob. But in the meane while would it not greeue a man to part with his deare friends with what else he hath Ier. 5 2. Lam. 5 15 3 45 46. Dan. 9 15. A. No moâ—e than it would haue grieved Leui who said vnto his Father and to his mother I haue not seene him neither did he acknowledge his Brethren nor knew his owne Children Deut. 33.9 Or than others who tooke ioyfully the spoyling of theyr goods knowing in themselues that they haue in Heaven a better and an induring substance Heb. 10 34. For I say vnto you there is no man that hath left house or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my sake or the Gospell but he shall receiue an hundred fold now in this world Houses and Brethren and Sisters and Mothers and Children and lands with Persecutions and in the world to come life everlasting Mark 10 29 Luk. 14 26 14.33.17.32 Ob. But more greevous things than these are imposed for for his sake are we killed all the day long and are counted as sheepe for the slaughter Psal 44 22 74.4 Lam. 3.42 A. Yet I will not leaue you comfortlesse Ioh. 14 18. But as my sufferings abound in you so your consolation also aboundeth 2 Cor. 1 5. For I will pray the Father and hee shall gâ—ue you another comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receiue because it seeth hâ—m not neither knoweth him But ye know him for hee dwelleth with you and shall bee in you
vntill some common Iudgement come vpon our whole Land I shall doe well enough A. If thou continue thus presumptuously to sinne the LORD shall separate thee vnto evill out of all the Tribes of ISRAEL according to all the Curses of this Covenant that are written in this booke of the Law Dâ—uteronomie 29 21. As well as he did ACHAN who for his sinne was by all ISRAEL stoned with stones and his goods with all that hee had burned with fire Ioshua 7 25. Woe therefore bee vnto thee wilt thou not bee made cleane When shall it once bee Ieremiah 13.27 CHAP. LIIII Of the Wicked Converted Q. IF our sinne guiltinesse deserue such inevitable Iudgements goe thou neere and heare all that the LORD our GOD shall say and speake thou vnto vs all that the LORD our GOD shall speake vnto thee and wee will heare it and doe it Deuteron 5 27. A. The LORD hath heard the voyce of your words and said vnto mee I haue heard the voyce of the words of this people which they haue spoken vnto thee they haue well said all that they haue spoken O that there were such an heart in them that they would feare mee and keepe my Commandements alwayes that it might bee well with them and with their Children for ever Deuter. 5.28 But yee dissembled in your hearts when yee sent me vnto the LORD your God saying Pray for vs vnto the LORD our GOD and according to all that the LORD our GOD shall say so declare vnto vs and wee will doe it And now I haue this day declared it vnto you but yee doe not obey the voyce of the LORD your GOD nor any thing for the which hee hath sent me vnto you Now therefore know certainly that yee shall dye by the Sword by the Famine and by the Pestilence in the place whether yee desire to goe and to soiourne Ier. 42 20. For yee cannot serue the LORD for hee is an holy GOD he is a iealous God he will not forgâ—â—e your transgressions and sinnes Ioshua 24.19 How long then halt yee betweene two opinions If the LORD bee GOD follow him but if BAAL then follow him 1 King 18.21 And hearken to mee yee men of ENGLAND that GOD also may hearken vnto you Iudg. 9.7 Giue glorie to the Lord your GOD before hee cause darknesse and before your feet stumble vpon the darke Mountaines while yee looke for light hee turne it into the shadow of death and make it grosse darknesse But if yee will not heare it my Soule shall weepe in secret places for your Pride and mine eyes shall weepe sore and runne downe with teares because the LORDS Flocke is carried away captiue Ierem. 13 16. Q. Wee haue indeed besides all other Sinnes dissembled with the LORD but now the Lord GOD of Gods the Lord GOD of Gods hee knoweth Iosh 22 22. that him will wee serue and his voyce will wee obey Iosh 24.24 The LORD bee a true and faithfull witnesse betweene vs if we doe not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy GOD shall send thee to vs. Whether it bee good or whether it bee evill wee will obey the voyce of the LORD our GOD to whom wee send thee that it may bee well with vs when wee obey the voyce of the Lord our GOD Ierem. 42 5. Iosh 24 21 24. A. Then gird your loynes and lament yee Priests howle yee Ministers of the Altar come lye all night in Sackcloath yee Ministers of my GOD c. Sanctifie yee a Fast call a solemne Assembly gather the Elders and all the inhabitants of the Land into the house of the LORD your GOD and cry vnto the LORD Ioel 1 13. Ier. 4.14 Zeph. 2 1. Ioel 2 12 â—5 Iona 3 8. Ioel 1 13. Psal 46 8. Lam. 2 14. Ioel 2 17. Iam. 4 8. Saying Wee acknowledge our wickednesse and the iniquities of our Fathers for wee haue sinned against thee Ierem. 14 20. Wee haue sinned and haue committed iniquitie and haue done wickedly and haue rebelled even by departing from thy precepts and from thy Iudgements Neither haue wee hearkened vnto thy servants the Prophets which spake in thy Name to our Kings our Princes and our Fathers and to all the people of the Land O LORD righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee but vnto vs confusion of faces as at this day because of our trespasse that wee haue trespassed against thee Dan. 9 5. O our GOD wee are ashamed and blush to lift vp our face to thee our GOD for our iniquities are increased over our head and our trespasse is growne vp vnto the Heavens And now O our GOD what shall wee say after this For wee haue forsaken thy Commandements Ezra 9 6 10. O LORD wee beseech thee let now thine eare bee attentiue to the Prayer of thy servants who desire to feare thy Name and doe confesse our sinnes which we haue sinned against thee both we and our fathers house haue sinned Nehe. 1.11.16 And haue gone astray like lost sheepe therefore seeke thy seruants for we will not forget thy Commandements Psalm 119.176 Turne vs againe O GOD of hosts and cause thy face to shine and we shall be saued Psal 80.7 Doe thou incline our heart vnto thee to walke in thy wayes and to keepe thy Commandements and thy statutes and thy Iudgements which thou commandedst our Fathers 1. King 8.58 That which we see not teach thou vs if wee haue done iniquitie wee will doe no more Iob. 34 32 13 23. Psalme 80.18 Psalme 143.8 2 Doe you take hold of his strength that you may make peace with him and you shall make peace with him Isa 27.5 And thereby good shall come vnto thee Iob. 22.21 And because no man commeth vnto the Father but by CHRIST Iohn 14.6 Nor vnto CHRIST except the Father draw him Iohn 6 44 Therefore pray saying Draw me we will run after thee Can. 1 4 3 Wash yee make you cleane put away the evill of your doings from before mine eyes cease to doe evill learne to doe well seeke Iudgement releeue the oppressed iudge the Fatherlesse plead for the Widdow Come now and let vs reason together saith the LORD though your sinnes bee as scarlet they shall bee as white as snow though they bee red like Crimson they shall bee as Wooll Isa 1.16 Yet the LORD will wait that he may haue mercy vpon you and therefore will he bee exalted that he may haue compassion vpon you for the LORD is the GOD of Iudgement Isa 30 18. Hosea 13.9 Ezekiel 33 11. Zach. 1.3.8.16 Ier. 18 11. Mal. 3.7 Psal 4 4. Eccl. 12.23 1 King 8 61. Isa 66 1.2 4 Beeing thus conuerted you should enter into a Covenant with the LORD your GOD and into his oath which the LORD your GOD shall make with you so shall he establish you this day for a people vnto himselfe and be vnto you a God as he hath said vnto you and as hee hath swore vnto your Fathers Deut. 29 12. Nehemiah 9.38 2 Chronicles 15.12.23.3 2 Chronicl 29.10.34.31 Ezra 10.3 Q. Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken Isa 39 8 Wee doe therefore enter into a Covenant that we will be the Lords people 2 Chron. 23.16 And wee our Wiues our Sonnes and our Daughters even every one of vs having knowledge and vnderstanding doe heere enter into a Curse and into an Oath to walke in GODS Law which was given by MOSES the Servant of GOD and to obserue and doe all the Commandements of the LORD our GOD and his Iudgements and his Statutes Neh. 10.28 The Lord our God will wee serue and his voice will wee obey Iosh 24.24 Nehem. 9.38 A. Then haue you delivered your selues out of the hand of the Lord Iosh 23 31. And as you haue avouched the LORD this day to bee your GOD and to walke in his wayes and to keepe his Statutes and Commandements and his iudgments and to hearken vnto his voyce so the LORD hath avouched you this day to bee his peculiar people as he hath promised you and that you should keepe all his Commandements and to make you high aboue all Nations which he hath made in praise and in name and in honour and that yee may be an holy people vnto the LORD your GOD as hee hath spoken Deuter. 26.17 And these very stones shall bee a witnesse vnto you for they haue heard all the words of the LORD which hee hath spoken vnto you they shall bee a witnesse vnto you least yee deny your GOD Iâ—sh 24.27 For this cause wee also will not cease to pray for you and to desire that yee may bee filled with the knowledge of his will in all Wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding that yee may walke worthy of the LORD vnto all pleasing beeing fruitfull vnto every good worke and increasing in the knowledge of God Col. 1 9. Now the GOD of peace that brought againe from the dead our LORD IESVS that great Shepheard of the Sheepe through the bloud of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good worke to doe his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through IESVS CHRIST Heb. 13.20 And our LORD IESVS CHRIST himselfe and GOD even our Father which hath loved vs and hath given vs everlasting consolation and good hope through Grace comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and worke 2 Thes 2 16. Now vnto him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding ioy to the onely wise GOD and Saviour be Glory and Maiesty Dominion and Power now and ever Iud. 24. And now Brethren I commend you to GOD and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are Sanctified Acts 20.32 The Grace of our Lord IESVS CHRIST bee with you all Amen Revel 22.21 FINIS