CHAP. I. The Preface or Introduction Question HOw was Man created Answer 1. In knowledge after the image of him that created him Col. 3.10 Who taught him more than the beasts of the earth and the fowles of the heauen Iob 35.11 2 He was created after God in righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4.24 3 In dignity he was made a little lower than the Angels and was crowned with glory and honour and was made to haue dominion ouer the worke of Gods hands who did put all things vnder his feet Ps 8 5.6 Gen. 1.28 Q. Did he continue so A. No for hee did eate of the tree of knowledge of good and euill of which the Lord said thou shalt not eat of it Gen. 2.17 3.6 whereby he like man transgressed the couenant and trespassed against God Hos 6.7 And so sinne entring into the world all men by him haue sinned Rom. 5.12 Q. What followed this his transgression A. 1 Mans vnderstanding is thereby darkned and hee is become a stranger from the life of God through the ignorance that is in him Ephes 4.18 Col. 1.21 Rom. 3.11 euen a beast by his owne knowledge Ier. 10.14 51.17 and like a wild Ass◠colt Iob 11.12 and much worse Isai 1.3 wise hee is to doe euill but to doe good hee hath no knowledge Ierem. 4.22 and in the thing he professeth himselfe to be wise hee is become a foole Rom. 1.22 and 8.5 2 Cor. 3.5 2 Mans will is thereby also peruerted for hereby the wickednesse of man is great in the earth and euery imagination of the thoughts of his heart is onely and continually euill Gen. 6.5 8.21 And there is no iust man on earth that doeth good and sinneth not Eccles 7.20 There is none righteous no not one c. they haue all gone out of the way they haue been made altogether vnprofitable there is none that doeth good no not one c. Rom. 3.10 12. And if any man say he hath not sinned hee maketh him a lyer and the truth is not in him 1 Iohn 1.10 For who can say I haue made my heart cleane I am pure from my sinne Prou. 20.9 And what is man that hee should bee cleane or the sonne of man that he should be iust Iob 15.14 This therefore haue I found that God hath made man righteous but he hath sought many inuentions Eccles 7.29 Iob 25.4 and 14.4 Isa 1.5 6. Rom. 7.18 3 The wages of sinne is death Rom. 6.23 For as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed vpon all men Rom. 5.12 and reigned from Adam to Moses euen ouer them also that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression Rom. 5.14 Iob 17.14 CHAP. II. Christ promised Q. DId God leaue man thus A. No For he made a promise afore by his Prophets in the holy Scriptures concerning his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Rom. 1.2 Q. Which was the first of that kind A. That which was made to Adam and Eue concerning whom God said vnto the Serpent I will put enmity betweene thee and the woman and betweene thy seede and her seede It shall breake thine head and thou shalt bruise his heele Gen. 3.15 Q. Shew me some more of them in the manner they were propounded A. 1 Without exception of doubt saying The Lord thy God will raise vnto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy brethren like vnto mee Deut. 18.15 Hee will bring foorth his seruant the branch Zach. 3.8 And the man whose name is the branch hee shall grow vp out of his place Zach. 6.12.13 and shall bee King ouer you and you shall haue one shepheard Ezech. 37.24.34.24 Ier. 33.17 2. As vncertaine when and long to come For saith Balaam I shall see him but not now I shall behold him but not nigh there shall come a Star out of Iacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel and shal smite the corners of Moab and destroy the children of Sheth Numb 24.17 3 In a time determined The Scepter saith Iacob shall not depart from Iudah nor a lawgiuer from betweene his feete vntill Shiloh come Gen. 49.10 And after threescore and two weekes 〈…〉 was the Messiah to be cut off Dan. 9.26 4 As neere at hand The Lord saith Malachi whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his Temple euen the Messenger of the Couenant whom yee delight in behold he shall come saith the Lord of hosts Mal. 3.1 5 As if already come For vnto vs a child is borne vnto vs a sonne is giuen and the gouernement shall be vpon his shoulders and his name shall be called wonderfull Counceller the mighty God the euerlasting Father the Prince of peace Isay 9.6 6 By the place where For saith Micah and thou Bethlahem Ephrath though thou be little among the thousands of Iudah yet out of thee shall hee come foorth vnto me that shall be ruler in Israel whose goings forth haue beene from of old from euerlasting Micah 5.2 7 By the manner how which was with much humility For saith Isaiah hee shall not cry nor lift vp nor cause his voyce to be heard in the streetes Isa 42.2 But he shall be poore and riding vpon an Asse and vpon a Colt the foale of an Asse Zech. 9.9 And he shall grow vp before him as a tender plant and as a roote out of a dry ground he hath neither forme nor comelinesse when we shall see him there shall be no beauty that we should desire him Isa 53.2 8 By his parentage I will saith God raise vnto Dauid a righteous branch Ier. 23.5 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Iesse and a branch shall grow out of his roote Isa 11.1 For behold a Virgin shall conceiue and beare a sonne and thou shalt call his name Immanuel Isa 7.14 16.5 Ier. 33.15 CHAP. III. Christ exhibited Q. VVEre these promises fulfilled A. This day these Scriptures are fulfilled in your eares Luke 4.21 For when the fulnesse of time was come God sent his Sonne made of a woman Gal. 4.4 And of the seed of Dauid hath he according to his promise raised vnto Israel a Sauiour Iesus Acts 13.23.3.18.13 33. Ob. These are but idle tales and who so foolish to beleeue them A. Behold ye despisers and wonder vanish away for I haue wroght a worke in your dais a work which ye shal not beleeue if a man would declare it vnto you Act. 13.41 Ob. All you can say in this matter is but by flying reports than which what is more vncertaine A. We haue not followed cunningly deuised fables when wee made knowne vnto you the power and comming of our Lord Iesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his Maiesty 2 Pet. 1.16 For the life was made manifest and we haue seene it and beare witnesse and shew vnto you that eternall life which was with the Father was made manifest vnto vs c. 1 Ioh. 1.2 c. Act. 26.23 Q.
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
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
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
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
Israelites were fed forty yeares vntill they came vnto a Land inhabited Exod. 15 35. Water also was given vnto Sampson out of the iaw bone of an Asse Iudg. 15.19 And to the Israelites out of a Rocke in abundance Numbers 20 11. Ruth 1 6.1 King 17 16.2 7 18 3 17 Deut. 32 13. Gen. 21 19.26 12. Exod. 23 25. Q. What may this teach vs A. Therefore take no thought for your life what yee shall eate or what yee shall drinke Is not the life more than meate Behold the fowles of the Ayre for they sow not neyther doe they reape nor gather into Barnes yet your heavenly Father feedeth them Are yee not much better than they c. Therefore take no thought saying what shall wee eate Or what shall wee drinke For after all these things doe the Gentiles seeke For your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye haue need of all these things But seeke yee first the Kingdome of GOD and his Righteousnesse and all these things shall bee added vnto you Math. 6.25 Ioel 2 21. Numbers 11 22. 2 Bee glad then yee Children of ZION and reioyce in the LORD your GOD because hee hath given you the former Raine moderately Ioel 2 23. For are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause raine Or can the Heavens giue showers Art not thou he O LORD our GOD therefore wee will waite vpon thee for thou hast made all these things Ier. 14 22. Blesse the LORD O my Soule who satisfieth thy mouth with good things Psal 103.5 And let the people praise thee O GOD let the people praise thee then shall the earth yeeld her increase and GOD even our owne God shall blesse vs Psal 67 5. Deut. 8 10. 3. Because when goods increase they are increased that eate them Eccl. 5.11 And because it is good and comely to eate and to drinke Eccles 5 18 3.12.3.13.22 Therefore goe your wayes eate the fat and drinke the sweet and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared Neh. 8 10. 4 Trust in the Lord and doe good for verily thou shalt be fed Psal 37 3. O feare the LORD yee his Saints for there is no want to them that feare him The young Lyons doe lacke and suffer hunger but they that seeke the LORD shall not want any good thing Psalme 34 9. Ieremiah 11 4. Deuteronomie 6.10.8 11.12 For the LORD will not suffer the Soule of the Righteous to famish though â—e cast away the substance of the wicked Prou. 10.3 The Righteous eateth to the satisfying of his Soule but the belly of the wicked shall want Prou. 13 25. Isa 65 13. And they shall wander abroad for bread saying where is it Iob. 15.23 And when I haue broken the staffe of bread tenne women shall bake their bread â—n one oven and they shall deliver their bread by weight and they shall eate and â—ot be satisfied c. Yea they shall eate the flesh of their Sonnes and the flesh of their Daughters shall they eate Leuit. 26 26 c. Prou. 13 2.10 5 28 19. Amos 5 16. Deuteron 11 16 28 24.28.17.18 28 38. Isa 1 19 20. Ioel. 1 4. Leuit. 26 16.19 20. verses Ier. 7 19.20 Hos 4 1. Psal 106 14.15 Numb 11.33 Luk. 6 25. Iob 20.23 Exodus 7.20.9 25.8 3 10.15 Hosea 8 7. Ob. You seeme to restraine this hunger-bitten Iudgement to the wicked Whereas the contrary hath prooued true As of the rich man and Lazarus Luk. 16 19. c. A. There is a vanitie which is done vpon the Earth that there bee iust men vnto whom it happeneth according to the worke of the wicked againe there bee wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the worke of the Righteous Eccl. 8 14.7.15 But as for mee I haue beene young and now am old yet haue I not seene the Righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread Psal 37 25. And although the Figge-tree shall not blossome neither shall fruit bee in the Vines the labour of the Oliue shall faile and the Fields shall yeeld no meate the flocke shall bee cut off from the Fold and there shall bee no heard in the Stalles yet I will reioyce in the LORD I will ioy in the GOD of my Salvation Habakuc 3 17 18. As it is written Deuteron 8 3. Man shall not liue by Bread onely but by every word that â—â—oceedeth out of the mouth of GOD Math. 4 4. Q Which is the sixt outward blesâ—â—ng GOD will bestow vpon vs A. I will saith GOD put none of â—he diseases vpon thee which I haue â—rought vpon the Egyptians for I am â—he LORD that healeth thee Exod. 15 26. Thou shalt not bee afraid for â—he terrour by night nor for the arrow â—hat flieth by day nor for the Pestilence that walketh in darknesse nor for the destruction that wasteth at noone day A thousand shall fall at thy side and tenne thousand at thy right hand but it shall â—ut come nigh thee Psal 91 5. Ob. Notwithstanding the Lord doth follow me with grieuous sicknesse A. The LORD will strengthen thee vpon thy bed of languishing he will make â—ll thy bed in thy Sicknesse Psal 41 3. Thy flesh shall bee fresher than a Childes â—hou shalt returne to the dayes of youth Iob 33 25. For hee maketh sore and bindeth vp hee woundeth and his hand makes whole Iob 5 18. Deut. 7 15.2 King 20 4 5 5 10. Isa 38 21. Iob 42 10. Math. 8 7. Luk. 17 19 18 42. Q. Vpon what condition shall this Promise be made good A. That thou feare the LORD and depart from evill for this shall be Health to thy navell and marrow to thy bones Prou. 3 7 8. Incline thine care vnto his sayings c. For they are life vnto those that finde them and health to all theyr flesh Prou. 4 20. Exod. 15 26. Q. What then is the danger of liuing in Sinne A. It shall come to passe if thou wilt not hearken vnto the voyce of the LORD thy GOD to obserue and doe all his Commandements and his statutes which I command thee this day c. The LORD shall make the Pestilence cleaue vnto thee vntill hee haue consumed thee from off the Land The LORD shall smite thee with a Consumption and with a feaver and with an inflamation Deut. 15 21. Moreouer hee will bring vpon thee the diseases of Aegypt and which thou 〈◊〉 afraid of and they shall cleaue vnâ—â—hee Also every Sicknesse and eueâ—lague which is not written in 〈◊〉 booke of the Law them will the â—â—RD bring vpon thee vntill thou bee â—â—â—troyed Deut. 28 60.27 35. verses â—â—it 26 16 25. Exod. 9 9.2 Chron. â— 15. Examples 2 Chron. 21 18.26 19. King 5 26.2 1.3.4 17. Psal 78 50. â—â—m 46 11. CHAP. XLIIII Of Strength Beauty and Wisdome WHat other Temporall blessing will GOD bestow vpâ— his Children A. Hee giveth power to the faint anâ— to them that haue no might hee increaseâ— Strength Even the youths shall fainâ— and the
Christ being come in the flesh A. 1. Herein behold your happinesse aboue many who doe see and heare of these things for verily I say vnto you that many Prophets and righteous men haue desired to see those things which you see and haue not seene them and to heare those things which yee heare and haue not heard them Mat. 13.16.17 2 According to the voyce of one crying in the wildernesse Prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straigth Mark 1.3 in the desert an high way for our God Isa 40.3 3 Reioyce greatly O daughter of Zion shoute O daughter of Ierusalem behold thy King commeth vnto thee Zech. 9.9 and cry saying Hosanna to the son of Dauid Blessed is hee that commeth in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest heauens Mat. 21.9 And Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel for hee hath visited and redeemed his people and he hath raised vp a horne of saluation for vs in the house of his seruant Dauid as he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which haue beene since the world beganne Luke 1.68 c. Luke 1.54 55 46 47. Mat. 23.39 Mar. 11.10 4 Oh Zion that bringest good tidings get thee vp into the high mountaines of Ierusalem that bringest good tidings lift vp thy voyce be not afraide say vnto the Cities of Iudah behold your God Isa 52.7 and to the daughters of Zion behold thy saluation is come behold his reward is with him and his worke before him Isa 62.11 5 Then if any man shall say vnto you Lo heere is Christ or lo there beleeue it not For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceiue the very Elect. Behold I haue told you before wherefore if they shall say vnto you Behold he is in the desert goe not forth behold hee is in the secret chambers beleeue it not c. Mat. 24.23 c. Ob. If these tydings be so good why is Christ said to be a stumbling-blocke and a rocke of offence to both the houses of Israel Isa 8.14 A. Vnto you which beleeue hee is precious onely vnto them which be disobedient the stone which the builders disallowed the same is made the head of the corner And iâ— stone of stumbling and a rocke of offence euen to them that stumble at the Word being disobedient whereunto also they werâ— appoynted 1 Pet 2.7.8 Isa 59.20 CHAP. IIII. Vnion with CHRIST Q. VVHat interest haue belieuers in Christ thus promised and exhibited A. Christ is wholly ours for heâ— came vnto his owne Ioh. 1.11 And vntâ— vs a Sonne is borne and vnto vs a childâ—â—â—â—iuen Isa 9.6 Q. By what meanes came Christ to bee ours A. By being vnited vnto him for we are in him that is true euen in the Sonne of God Iesus Christ 1 Ioh. 5.20 For saith hee Father I will that they may be one as thou O Father art in mee and I in thee that they may be one in vs I in them and thou in mee that they may bee made perfect in one Ioh. 17.21 23. He therefore that is ioyned to the Lord is one spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 for in the dispensation of the fulnes of times he doth gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heauen and which are in earth euen in him Ephes 1.10 Ioh. 14.20.17.11 Q. By what similitudes doth the Scripture set out this our vnion with Christ A. They are many 1 Of a building For thus saith the Lord Behold I lay in Zion a stone a tryed stone a precious corner stone a sure foundation Isa 28.16 And other foundation can no man laie then that which is laid which is Iesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth vnto an holy Temple in the Lord Ephes 2.21 2 Of house and inhabitants Christ as a sonne is ouer his own house whose house are we Heb. 3.7 In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit Eph. 2.22 who dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 3.16 and maketh his aboade with you Iohn 14.23.6.56 1 Cor. 6.19 3 Of consanguinity For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified being all one hee is not ashamed to call them brethren Heb. 2.11 But doth professe that whosoeuer doth the will of God is his brother sister and mother Mark 3.35 4 Of husband and wife vnto whom we are betrothed and espowsed Hos 2.19 20 2 Cor. 11.2 euen as the bride-grome to the bride Ioh. 3.29 whereby our maker is become our husband Isa 54.5 And is the head of his Church as the husband is the head of his wife Eph. 5.23 5 Of head and members Hee is the head of the body the Church Col. 1.18 and we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones Eph. 5.30 for as the body is one hath many members all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ 1 Cor. 12.12 Know ye not therefore that your bodies are the members of Christ 1 Cor. 6.15 Ephes 1.22 23. Collos 1.24 Rom. 12.4 5. 6 Of the vine and branches Whereof Christ is the vine and we are the branches Iohn 15.5 Q. What may this our Vnion with Christ teach A. To examine and to prooue your owne selues Kow yee not your owne selues how that Iesus Christ is in you except yee be reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Q. Lay me down some marks wherby our vnion with Christ may be known A. 1 Because Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith Ephes 3.17 Therefore examine your selues whether you bee in the faith 2 Cor. 13.5 2 Heereby we know that hee abideth in vs by the Spirit which he hath giuen vs. 1 Iohn 3.24 But if any man haue not the spirit of Christ the same is not his Rom. 8.9 1 Ioh. 4.13 3. Whosoeuer shall confesse that Iesus is the Sonne of God dwelleth in him and he in God 1 Ioh. 4.15 4. By this shall all men know that you are his Disciples if yee haue loue one to another Ioh. 13. â—5 God is loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God God in him 1 Ioh. 4.16.1.4.11 12 1.2.9.10 5. Whosoeuer abideth in him sinneth not whosoeuer sinneth hath not seene him nor knowne him 1 Ioh. 3.6 But he that keepeth the commandements dwelleth in him and he in him 1 Ioh. 3.24 Ioh. 15.5.6 13.18 Gal. 5.24 Q. What if vpon due examination I doe find my selfe to be out of Christ A. For this cause bow your knees vnto the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory c. that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that you beeing rooted and grounded in loue may be able to comprehend with al Saints what is the bredth length and depth and height to know the loue of Christ which passeth knowledge that
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
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
iudgement Eccles 11.9 2. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolued what manner of persons oughâ— yee to be in all holy conuersation and godlâ—nes Looking for and hasting vnto the comming of the day of the Lord. And seeinâ— yee looke for such things be diligent thâ— ye may be found of him in peace withoâ—â— spot and blamelesse 2. Pet. 3.11 12 14. And seeing the day of the LORD shall come as a Thiefe in the night 1. Thes 5.2 Blessed are those Seruants whom the Lord when he commeth shall firâ— watching Luk. 12.37 Watch ye therefore and pray alwayes that yee may bee counted worthy to escape all things whicâ— shall come to passe and to stand before thâ— Son of man Luk. 21.36 1. Thes 5.4 Reu. 3 11.16.15 Mar. 25.19 2. Thes 13.5 3 Therefore iudge nothing before the time vntill the Lord come who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkenesse and will make manifest the Councels of the hearts and then shall euery man haue praise with God 1. Cor. 4.5 And say not I will recompense evill but wait on the Lord he shall saue thee Pro. 20.22 Mat. 7.1 Eccl. 3.17 Rom. 12.19 CHAP. XVII Of Eternall Life Q. YOu haue said that after the day of Iudgment GOD will giue Eternall life vnto his children But is â—here any certaintie thereof A. This is the promise that he hath â—romised vnto vs euen Eternall life and â—his life is in his Sonne Ioh. 1.2.25.1.5.11 Vnto whom he hath giuen power ouer all flesh that he should giue Eternall life to as many as GOD his Father hath given him Ioh. 17.2 That whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in him should neuer die Iob. 11.26 For this corruptible shall put on incorruption and this mortall shall put on immortalitie 1. Cor. 15.53 That as sinne had â—aigned vnto death euen so might Grace â—aigne through Righteousnesse vnto Eâ—ernall Life by IESVS CHRIST our Lord. Rom. 5.21 Ioh. 6.40.47 â— 14.15 Rom. 6.9.6.23 Heb. 9.12 â— 24 Reu. 20.6 Mark 16.19 Psal 133 â— Gen. 5.24 2. King 2.11 Pro. 14 2â— 15.24 Q. Whereunto shall wee bee thâ— like A. Wee shall then be as the Angels GOD. Mat. 22.30 And be made coâ—formable to the Image of his Sonne Roâ— 8.29 When he shall first haue change our vile bodies and made them like vnâ— his glorious body Phil. 3.21 For as the earthly such are they that are earthly and as is the heauenly such are they thâ— are heauenly And as wee haue borne tâ— image of the earthly we shall also beare the image of the heauenly 1. Cor. 15 48. Hauing bodies shining as the brighâ—nesse of the Firmament and as the starreâ— Dan. 12.3 Yea as the Sunne for evâ—â— and ever Matth. 13.43 Exod. 3â— 30.35 Q What manner of dwelling shaâ— we then haue A. Full glorious things are spoken of this Citie of GOD. Psal 87.3 For it is such a City as Abraham looked for whose builder and maker is GOD. Heb. 11.10 The same is a great Citie hauing the glory of GOD whose light is like vnto a stone most precious euen like a Iasper stone cleere as Christall It hath a wall great and high with twelue Gates and at the Gates twelue Angels And the wall of the Citie hath twelue foundations and the Citie lyeth foure square and the length is as large as the breadth twelue thousand furlongs and the length and the bredth and the height of it are equall And the building of the wall it is Iasper and the Citie pure gold like vnto cleere glasse and the foundations of the wall of the Citie are garnished with all manner of precious stones Reuel 21.10 c. Q. What good company shall wee there haue A. 1 All the faithfull for wee shall sit downe with Abraham Isaac and Iacob in the Kingdome of Heauen Maht 8.11 Luk. 13.28 2 CHRIST with whom wee shâ— appeare in glory Col. 3.4 and shâ— for euer be with the Lord 1. Thes 4 17â— who dyed for vs that whether we awake or sleepe we should liue together with him 1. Thes 5.10 And therefore hee gone to prepare a place for vs who wâ— come againe and receiue vs vnto himself to the end that where he is there we mâ— be also Iob. 14.3 to behold his glorâ— Ioh. 17.24.12.26 3 GOD himselfe for I heard great voyce from Heauen saying beholâ— the Tabernacle of GOD is with man anâ— he will dwell with them Reuel 21.3 â— Who shall be as Moses vnto whom thâ— Lord spake face to face as a man speaketâ— to his friend Exod. 33.11 Matth 5.8 Q. But is this house large enough to hold so much company A. In my Fathers house are many mansions if it were not so I would haue tolâ— you I goe to prepare a place for you Ioh 14.2 Q. Shall we then and there be subiect to any more miserie A. The voyce of weeping shall be heard no more there nor the voyce of crying Isa 65 19. For God shall wipe all teares from your eyes Reu. 21.4 You shall hunger no more nor thirst any more neither shall the sonne light on you nor any heate Reuel 7.16 For there is the tree of life the leaues whereof are for the healing of the nations and there shall be no more curse Reu. 22.2 Isa 54 4. Reuel 7.17 14.13 Heb. 4 6. Q. Shall we then haue the benefit of all our earthly comforts and delights we now inioy A. In the resurrection they neither marrie nor are giuen in marriage Math. 22.30 Moreouer there is no temple there Reu. 21.22 they need no candle neither light of the Sunne Reuel 22.25 The Sunne shall be no more a light by day neither for brightnesse shall the Moone giue light vnto them Isa 60.19 Q. What then shall our prouisioâ— bee A. Since the beginning of the world men haue not heard nor perceiued by thâ— eare neither hath the eye seene what GOD hath prepared for them that waiteth foâ— him Isa 64.4 For the Lord GOD Almighty and the Lambe are the Templâ— in it Râ—u 21.22 Who also shall giuâ— them light Râ—u 22.5 and shall bee their glory Isa 60.19 And theâ— shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of his house and shall bee made tâ— drinke of the Riuers of his pleasures Psal 36.8 For in his presence is fulnesse of ioy and at his right hand there are pleasures for euermore Psal 16.11.17.15 Reuel 22.1.2 1. Cor. 2.9.2.12.2 Ob. This were a large Patrimony if there were any assurance to bee has thereof A. He which stablisheth vs with you in CHRIST and hath anointed vs iâ— GOD who hath also sealed vs and giuen vs the earnest of the spirit in our hearts 2. Cor. 1.21 Wherein GOD willing more aboundantly to shew vnto the heires of Promise the immutability of his Counsell confirmed it by an oath that by two immutable things in which it was not possible that GOD should lye we might haue strong consolatâ—on who haue fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set
many there be which goe in thereat But straight is the Gate and narrow is the way that leadeth vnto life and few there be that find it Mat. 7 13 7 19 5 29 30 31. Q. What must I do when vpon good ground I shall fiâ—d my selfe to bee deliuered from so great a condemnation A. Giue thankes to God and say Great is thy mercy towards me for thou hast delivered my soule from the lowest hell Psal 86.13 Q Why Is it not in mans power to purchase Heaven and to deliuer himselfe from Hell A. Verily verily I say vnto you except a man be borne againe of Water and the Holy Ghost hee cannot enter into the kingdome of Heaven Ioh. â— 3 And without holinesse no man can see the Lord Heb. 12 14. And yet who can say my heart is cleane I am pure from my sinne Prou. 20 9. Iâ—b 9 20. Isa 64 6. Iob. 9.30 31. Psal 93 5. CHAP. XIX Of Sanctification Ob. IF this bee our case who then can be saued Mark 10 26. A. With men this is vnpossible but with GOD all things are possible Math. 19 26. By whom there shall be a fountaine opened to the house of DAVID for sinne and for vncleannesse Zach. 13.1 And you shall be cleane from all your filthinesse and from all your Idols will hee cleanse you Ezek. 36.25 And will turne to you a pure language Zeph. 3 9. that hee who blesseth himselfe in the earth shall blesse himselfe in the GOD of Truth Isa 65 16 And shall serue the Lord their GOD and DAVID their King whom hee will raise vp vnto them Ier. 30 9. Hos 2.16 17. Zeph. 3 13. Psal 37.30 31. 2. Tit. 14. Ioh. 17 19. Heb. 10.7 10. 2. Cor. 13.8 Rom. 8 9. Zach. 8 3. Ezek. 37 28 1. Thes 5 23. Math. 13.33 Isa 4.2 Thus the heart of IEHOSAPHAT was lifted vp in the wayes of the Lord 2. Chro. 17 6. And ZACHARIE and ELIZABETH were both righteous and walked in all the ordinances of the Lord blamelesse Luk. 1 6. Act. 23 1.24 16. Heb. 13 18. Act. 10 22. Ob. Can the Blackmoores skin be changed or a Leopard his spots And can he bee good that is accustomed vnto evill Ier. 13 23. A. Yea for if the blood of Buls and of Goates and Calues and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the vncleane sanctifie to the purifying of the Flesh how much more shall the Blood of CHRIST who through the Eternall spirit offering himselfe without spot vnto GOD purge your Consciences from dead workes to serue the living God Heb. 9 13. Eph. 2 1. Gal. 1 23. Ob. I feele the dwelling of sinne in me still A. So did IOB Iob 9 20.9 30.31 and DAVID Psal 38 4.51 3. and ISAIAH Isa 64 6. and PAVL Rom. 7 18. 1. Tim. 1 15. And so though you also doe walke in the flesh yet doe you â—ut warre after the flesh 2. Cor. 10 3. Sinne shall not haue dominion over you for you are not vnder the Law but vnder Grace Rom. 6 14. For the law of the Spirit of Life which is in CHRIST IESVS shall free thee from the law of Sinne and of Death Rom. 8 2. 1. Cor. 12 3. Q. Why doth CHRIST wash vs who are so vncleane A. CHRIST loueth his Church and gaue himselfe for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word and that hee might present it to himselfe a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thâ—ng but that it should be holy and without blemish Ephes 5 25. Hos 14 4. Q. Is there nothing required of vs for the furthering of this Grace in our selues A. Hee that hath this hope purifieth himselfe as hee is pure 1. Ioh. 3 3. you shall therefore sanctifie your selues and â—ee shall be holy for I am holy neither shall you defile your selues with any manner of creeping thing Leu. 11.44 But if you walke in the Spirit you shall not fulfill the lusts of the Flesh Gal. 5 16. For every branch that beareth fruit hee purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit Ioh. 15 2. Rom. 6 12. Leu. 20 8.20.26 But his owne iniquities shall take the wicked himselfe and he shall be holden with the cords of his owne sinnes Prou. 5 22. For God will giue him vp vnto his owne hearts lusts whereby he shall walke in his owne counsels Psal 81 12. 2. He must pray saying O Lord why hast thou made mee to erre from thy wayes and hardened my heart from thy feare Returne for thy servants sake Isa 63 17. Create in me a cleane heart O GOD and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thâ— holy Spirit from me Psal 51 10. Keepe backe thy servant also from presumptuous sinnes let them not haue dominion over me Psal 19 13. Who can vnderstand his errours Cleanse thou me from my secret faults Psal 19 12. I will runne the wayes of thy Commandements when thou hast inlarged my heart Psal 119 32 41 4. Ioh. 17 17. Q. When wee find this grace of Sanctification to bee wrought in vs what must we then doe A. Because it is GOD which worketh in you both to will and to doe of his good pleasure Phil. 2 13. Theâ—eâ—ore sâ—y yee God bee thanked that we were the servants of Sinne but we haue obeyed from the heart that forme of Doctrine which was deliuered vs. Rom. 6 17. Q. But shall no Sanctifying grace of GOD be wanting A. GOD gaue not CHRIST the Spirit by measure Ioh. 3 34. For it pleaseth the Father thut in him should all fulnesse dwell Col. 1 19. And vnto every one of vs is given Grace according to the measure of the guift of CHRIST Ephes 4 7. So that you shall come behind in no guift 1. Cor. 1 7. But of his fulnesse you shall receiue and grace for grace Ioh. 1 16. Isa 11 2 3. Psal 68 19. Zach. 14 8. Ephes 1 3 4. CHAP. XX. Of Knowledge Faith Trust and Hope Q. WHich is the fiâ—st of those Graces A. To know the Truth Ioh. 8 32. I will saith God giue them an heart to know me that I am the Lord Ier. 24.7 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel c. I will put my Lawes into their minde and write them in their hearts c. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know mee from the least to the greatest Heb. 8 10. Ier. 31 33. And the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the LORD as the waters cover the Sea Hâ—b 2 14 Moreouer the light of the Moone shall be as the light of the Sunne and the light of the Sunne shall be seaven-fold as the light of the 7. dayes Isa 30.26 Wherby the people that sate in Darkenesse saw great light and to them which sate in the Region of the
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
reason of the enemy and avenger All this is come vpon vs yet haue wee not forgotten GOD neyther haue wee dealt falsely in his Covenant Our heart is not turned backe neyther haue our steps declined from his way Though hee hath sorely broken vs in the place of Dragons and covered vs with the shadow of Death Psal 44.15 Woe is me saith IEREMIE for my hurt my wound is grievous But I said truly this is a griefe and I must beare it Ier. 10 19. I IOHN am also your Brother and Companion in tribulation and in the Kingdome and patience of IESVS CHRIST Rev. 1 9. Take therefore my Brethren the Prophets who haue spoken in the name of the LORD for an example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Iames 5 10. 2 Timoth. 2 5. Psalm 119.83 141 143 39 9.123 2 38 12 13. Isa 26 8 39 8. 1 Sam. 26 19 2 15 25 2 16 11. Iob. 1.21 1 Corinth 4 12. Q. Why what will a mans patience profit him A. Behold wee count them happy which indure You haue heard of the patience of IOB and haue seene the end of the Lord that the Lord is verie pittifull and of tender mercy Iam 5.11 And so ABRAHAM after hee had patiently endured hee obtayned the promise Heb. 6.15 Blessed therefore are all they that wayte for him Isa 30.18 For the Lord is good vnto them that wait for him to the soule that seeketh him It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord Lam. 3.25 In your patience possesse yee your soules Luk. 21.19 And let Patience haue her perfect worke that yee may bee perfect and intire wanting nothing Iam. 1.4 And take my yoke vpon you and learne of mee for I am meeke and lowly in heart and you shall find rest vnto your Soules Math. 11.29 And it shall be said in that day loe this is our GOD wee haue waited for him and hee will saue vs this is the Lord wee haue waited for him wee will be glad and reioyce in his Salvation Isa 25.9 Therefore waite on the LORD bee of good cheere and hee shall strengthen thine heart waite I say on the Lord Psal 27 14. Saying why art thou cast downe O my Soule and why art thou disquieted within mee Hope in GOD for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God Psal 43 5.42.11.62.1.2 Q. By what meanes may this Grace of patience bee attained A. 1 If any of you lacke Wisedome let him aske of GOD that giveth to all men liberally and vpbraideth not and it shall be given him Iam. 1.5 2 This is my comfort in my Affliction for his Word quickneth me Psal 119.50 And if my delights had not beene in his Word I had perished in mine Affliction Psal 119 92. 3 I remembred his Iudgements of old haue comforted my selfe Psal 119 52 I haue considered the dayes of old and the yeares of ancient times I call to remembrance my Song in the night Psal 77.5 I remembred the yeares of the right hand of the most high I remembred the workes of the LORD surely I remembred his wonders of old Psal 77 10 11. And so strengthened my hand in GOD 1. Sam. 23.16 Psal 119 52 143 5. 2 Cor. 1.10 2 Tim. 4 17 18. 1 Sam. 17.37 Q. When comfort and deliuerance comes will it abide by vs A. Whereas thou hast beene forsaken and hated so that no man went through thee I will make thee an everlasting excellency a ioy of many Generations Isa 60.15 For a small moment haue I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Isa 54.7 Lift vp your eyes to the Heavens and looke vpon the Earth beneath for the Heavens shall vanish away like smoake and the Earth shall waxe old like a Garment and they that dwell therein shall dye in like manner but my Salvation shall bee for ever and my Righteousnesse shall not be abolished Isa 51.6 A woman when shee is in travell hath sorrow because her houre is come but as soone as shee is delivered of the Child shee remembreth no more the anguish for ioy that a Man is borne into the world And yee now also haue sorrow but I will see you againe and your heart shall reioyce and your ioy shall no man take from you Ioh 16.21 For you shall bee saved in the Lord with an everlasting Salvation yee shall not bee ashamed nor confounded world without end Isa 45 17. Amos 9.15 Ob. This your discourse imports much comfort notwithstanding all which I doe remaine but in the forlorne hope A. Are the Consolations of God small with thee Iob 15 11. Fooles because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted Their soule abhorreth all manner of meate and they draw neere vnto the gates of Death Psa 107.17 18. Wherefore then doth a living man complaine A man for the punishment of his sinnes Lam. 3.39 And why cryest thou for thine affliction Thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine Iniquities and because thy sinnes are increased I haue done these things vnto thee Ier. 30 15. Thine owne wickednesse correcteth thee and thy backslidings shall reproue thee Know therefore that it is an evill thing and a bitter to haue forsaken the Lord thy GOD and that his feare is not in thee saith the Lord God of hosts Ier. 2 19. Ob. If our transgressions and our sinnes be vpon vs and wee pine away in them how shall we then liue Ezek. 33.10 A. O Israel thou hast destroyed thy selfe but in me is thy helpe Hos 13.9 Therefore returne thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall vpon you for I am mercifull saith the Lord and I will not keepe anger for ever Onely acknowledge thine iniquities that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy GOD and yee haue not obeyed my voyce saith the Lord. Ier. 3.12 If thou were pure and vpright then surely hee would awake for thee and make the habitation of thy righteousnesse prosperous Though thy beginning was small yet thy latter end should greatly increase Iob 8.6 It is meete therefore to say vnto God I haue borne chastisement I will not offend any more Iob 34.31 32. Wherefore if iniquity be in thy hands put it farre away and let not wickednesse dwell in thy Tabernacles for then shalt thou lift vp thy face without spot yea thou shalt be stedfast and shalt not feare because thou shalt forget thy misery and remember it as waters that passe away And thine age shall be cleerer than the noone-day thou shalt shine foorth thou shalt be as the Morning Iob 11.14 Turne thou therefore vnto thy GOD keepe Mercy and iudgement and waite on thy GOD continually Hos 12 6. And acquaint thy selfe I pray thee
hated me before it hated you If yee were of the World the World would loue his owne but because you are not of the world but I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Remember the words that I said vnto you the Servant is not greater then his Lord if they haue persecuted mee they will persecute you also Iohn 15 18. For if they doe these things to a greene Tree what shall bee done to the drye Luke 23 31. Math. 10.16.1 Corinth 4 9.10 13 2. Cor. 6.9 Psalm 22.12 Notwithstanding they can haue no power at all against you except it be given them from aboue Ioh. 19.11.8 20. For if Balaak would giue vnto Balaam his house full of Silver and Gold hee could not goe beyond the word of the LORD to doe lesse or more Numb 22 18 38 24 12 13 23 8. But vnto you it is given in the behalfe of CHRIST not onely to beleeue but also to suffer for his sake Phil. 1.29 Ob The very tonges of these wicked men doe cut like a sharpe rasor Psal 52 2. Adders poyson is vnder their lips Psalm 140.3 Their teeth are as swords and their iawes are kniues to eat vp the afflcted out of the earth and the poore from among men Prou. 30 14. Iob. 17 6. Lam. 1 7. Isa 8 18. Psal 120.4 22 13.69 11 31 12 13 verses 22.6.7.8 verses 71.10 83.3 Ier. 18.18 Deut. 32.33 A. Beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our LORD IESVS CHRIST how that they told you there should be mockers in the last times Iud. 17.18 And call to remembrance the former dayes in the which after ye were illuminated yee endured a great fight in afflictons partly while yee were made a gazing stock both by reproches and afflictions and partly while yee became Companions of them that were so vsed Heb 10 32. But as the LORD turned the Curse of Baalam into a Blessing Deut 23 5. So it may bee hee will looke on your Affliction also and requite good for their cursing this day 2. Sam. 16 12. And if yee bee reproached for the name of CHRIST happie are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of GOD resteth vpon you which on their part he is evill spoken of but on your part hee is glorified 1. Pet. 4 14. Therefore hearken vnto me yee that know righteousnesse the people in whose heart is my Law feare yee not the reproaches of men neyther be afraid of theyr revilings for the Moth shall eat them like a Garment and the Worme shall eate them like Wooll but my Righteousnesse shall bee for ever and my salvation shall be from Generation to Generation Isa 51.7 And consider him which indured such contradiction of sinners least you be weary and faint in your minds Heb. 12.3 And goe forth vnto him without the Camp bearing his reproach Heb. 13.13 And say you vnto such a one why boastest â—hou in mischiefe O mighty man The goodâ—esse of God indureth continually Psa 52. â— And rherfore I will be more vile than â—hus and will be base in my owne sight â— Sam. 6.22 Math. 10.24 And turne vnto God and say haue â—ercy vpon vs O Lord haue mercy vpon â—s for we are exceedingly filled with conâ—empt our soule is exceedingly filled with â—he scornes of those that are at ease and â—ith the contempt of the proud Psal 123. â— 4 Remoue farre from vs reproch and â—â—ntempt for wee haue kept thy testimoâ—ies Psal 119.22 Ob. They do not only vse threatning â—nd reuiling words but they lay to my â—harge things I neuer did Psal 35. â—1 They reioyce at me as if I had beene â—ound among theeues Ier. 48.27 Act. 6.11 â—3 14. ver 25.7.17.6 Math. 11.18.26.65 Ioh. 10.20.7.12 Ier. 15.10 Isa 54.17 A. Also now thy witnesse is in heauen â—nd thy record on high Iob. 16.19 The Lord will not leaue thee in the hand of the wicked nor condemne thee when thou art iudged Psal 37 32. For he shall stand at thy right hand to saue thee from those that condemne thee Psal 109 31. And will put to silence those lying lippes which speake grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the Righteous Psal 31 18. wherein they thinke it strange that you runne not with them vnto the same excesse of ryot speaking evill of you who shall giue an account vnto him that is ready to iudge the quicke and the dead 1. Pet. 4 4. Isa 66 5. Blessed therefore are you when men shall reuile you and Persecute you and shall say all manner of evill against you falsly for my sake Reioyce and bee exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you Math. 5 11. Luk. 6 22. But let none of you suffer as a Murtherer or as a Theefe or as an evill doer or as a busie body in other mens matters yet if any man suffer as a Christian let him not bee ashamed but let him glorifie â—OD in this behalfe 1. Pet. 4 15. â—nd haue your conversation honest aâ—â—ng the Gentiles that whereas they â—â—ke against you as evill doers they â—y by your good Workes which they shall â—â—ld glorifie GOD in the day of Visiâ—ion For so is the will of God that by â—ll doing yee may put to silence the igâ—â—rance of foolish men 1. Pet. 2 12 15. 〈◊〉 being reviled wee blesse being perâ—uted wee suffer it being defamed wee â—reat wee are made as the filth of the â—â—rld and the of-scouring of all things â—o this day 1. Cor. 4 12. Thus doing mayest thou pray Deliâ—â— my soule O Lord from lying lips â—el from a deceitfull tongue Psal 120. â— And who is hee then that will harme 〈◊〉 if you bee followers of that which is â—nd 1. Pet. 3 13. Or if any shall so â—â—e as the Sparrow by wandring and the â—allow by flying escape so the Curse causeâ—â—e shall not come Prou. 26 2. Psalm 19 161. Ob. But I shall one day fall into their hands 1. Sam. 27 1. And be broughâ— before Governours and Kings for the Name of CHRIST Math. 10.18 And what alas shall I then doe A. Doe as TIMOTHY did who professed a good profession before many witnesses 1. Tim. 6.12 And as the Church of Pergamus did who held fast his name and denied not his Faith even in those dayes wherein ANTIPAS his faithful Martyr who was slaine where Sathan dwelt Reu. 2.13 And if they forbid you to speake any more in that Name then say vnto them whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken vnto you more than vnto God iudge yee For wee cannot but speake the things which we haue seene and heard Act. 4 19.20 Ob. Ah Lord God behold I can not speake for I am a Child Ier. 1.6 A. The hand of the Lord shall be vpon thee and shall open thy mouth and thou shalt bee no more dumbe Ezek. 33 22. The tongue of the Stammerers shall be
Neh 1.10 Thy holy Cities are a wildernesse Zion is a wildernesse Ierusalem a desolation Our holy and our beautifull house wherâ— our Fathers praised thee is burned vp witâ— fire and all our pleasaâ—t things are laid wast Wilt thou refraine thy selfe for these things O Lord Wilt thou hold thy peace and afflict vs very sore Isa 64 10. know that for thy sake wee haue suffered rebuke Ier. 15.15 Arise O God pleade thine owne cause remember how the foolish men reproach thee daily Forget not the voyce of thine Enemies the tumult of those that rise vp against thee increaseth continually Psal 74.22.74.7.8.83.12 Ios 7.8 O Lord though our iniquities testifie aâ—â—inst vs doe thou it for thy names sake 〈◊〉 our backslidings are many we haue sinâ—ed against thee Ier. 14.7 Yet doe not â—â—horre vs for thy names sake doe not disâ—race the throne of thy glory Ier. 14.21 â—et thy worke appeare vnto thy seruants â—â—d thy glory vnto their children Psal 90. â—6 Let our mouthes bee filled with thy â—aise and with thy honour all the day Psal 71 8. That men may know that thou â—hose name alone is Iehovah art the most â—igh over all the earth Psal 83.18.106 â—7 22.25.79.13.9.13.43.4.22.22.74 â—â— Deut. 9.26 Bring our soules out of prison that wee â—ay praise thy name the righteous shall â—mpasse vs about because thou hast dealt â—â—untifully with vs. Psal 142.7 And 〈◊〉 men shall feare and declare the workes â—f God for they shall wisely consider thy â—oings The righteous shall bee glad in â—he LORD and shall trust in thee all the vpright in heart shall glory Psal 64. â— Let not them that waite on thee O Lord GOD of hosts be ashamed for ouâ— sakes let not those that seeke thee be coâ—founded for our sakes O God of ISRAEL Because for thy sake wee haue bornâ— reproch shame hath couered our faces Psâ—l 69.6 Ah Lord God behold thou hast made thâ— heauen the earth by thy great power anâ— stretched out arme and there is nothing tâ— hard for thee Thou shewest louing kindnesse vnto thousands c. the great thâ— mightie God the Lord of hosts is his name great in counsell and mighty in worke Ier. 32.17 And is thy hand shortned that it cannot helpe or is thy eare heauy that thou canst not heare Isa 59.1 Thou O Lord remainest for euer thy throne is from generation to generation Wherefore doest thou forget vs for euer and forsakest vs so long time Lâ—m. 5.19 why shouldest thou be as a man astonished As a mighty man that cannot saue Ier. 14.9 For thou art the God of our strength why doest thou cast vs off Why goe wee mourning because of the oppressions of the Enemie Psal 43.2 Our Fathers trusted in thee they truâ—ed and thou diddest deliuer them they â—yed vnto thee and were deliuered 〈◊〉 trusted in thee and were not conâ—unded But I am a worme and no â—â—n a reproach of men and despised â—f the people Psal 22.4 Thou hast also â—rought thy people out of the land of AEGYPT with a mighty hand and hast gotâ—â—n thee renowne Dan. 9.15 Lord where â—â—e thy former louing kindnesses which thou diddest sweare vnto DAVID in truth Psal 89.49 Thou diddest make me hope when I was vpon my mothers breasts I was â—â—st vpon thee from the wombe thou art â—y GOD from my Mothers belly be not farre from vs for trouble is neere and â—here is none to helpe Ps 22.9.71.5 Cast vs not off in the time of old age forsake vs not when our strength faileth Psâ—l 71.9 22.20 Isa 33 2. Ier. 32 21.14 8. Isa 51 9. 2 Chron. 20 6 12. Psalm 22 21. Exod. 32 11. Remember Lord the reproches of thy servants how we doe beare in our bosome the reproches of all the mighty people wherewith thine Enemies haue reproached O Lord wherewith they haue reproached the footsteps of thine anoynted Psal 89.50 Grant not O Lord the desires of the wicked further not their wicked deuices least they exalt themselues Psal 140.8 And let them not reioyce over vs let them not say in their heart ah so would we haue it let them not say wee haue swallowed them vp Psal 35.24 35.19 25.1.2.13.4.36 11.86 17. Lam. 5.1 Deut. 9 26. Psal 79.10 Exo. 32.12 Ioel 2.17 Psal 68.3 O satisfie vs early with thy mercy that we may reioyce and bee glad all our dayes Make vs glad according to the dayes wherein thou hast afflicted vs and the yeeres wherein we haue seene evill Psal 90.14.15 O that the saluation of ISRAEL were come out of Zion When the Lord bringeth backe the captivity of his people IACOB shall reioyce and ISRAEL shall bee glad Psal 14.7.43.3.83.3.86.17.40 10. But thou hast couered thy selfe with a Cloud that our Prayers shall not passe through Lam. 3 44. Thou hast vtterâ—y reiected vs thou art very wroth against it Lam. 5 22. Awake why sleepest thou O LORD Arise cast vs not off for ever wherefore hidest thou thy face and forgettest our afflictâ—on and our opâ—ression Psaâ— 44 23. Hast thou vtterly reiected Iudaâ— Hath thy soule loathed Zion Why hast thou smitten vs and there is no healing for vs We looke for peace and there is no good and for the time of healing and behold trouble Ier. 14 19. O thou sword of the LORD how long will it bee ere thou bee quiet Put vp thy selfe into the scabberd rest and be still How can it bee quiet seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Zion there hath hee appointed it Ier. 47 6. Now therefore our GOD the great the mighty and the terrible GOD who keepest Covenant and mercy let not all the trouble seeme little before thee that hath come vpon vs. Neh. 9.32 But redeeme Israel O God out of all his troubles Psal 25 22 40 1 40 17. Ier. 15 18. Psal 119 84.119 123.89 46.13 1.80 4 74 9.22 1. Q. When God giueth deliuerance vnto his Church what shall become of their cruell persecutors A. When the Lord hath performed his whole worke vpon mount Zion and on Ierusalem I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high lookes Isa 10.12 They that hate thee shall be cloathed with shame and their dwelling places shall come to nought Iob 8.22 and perish the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of Lambes they shall consume into smoake shall they consume away Psal 37 20. They that devoure thee shall be devoured they that spoyle thee shall be spoiled and they that pray vpon thee I will giue for a pray Ier. 30.16 As they haue shed the blood of Saints and Prophets so they shall haue blood to drinke for they are worthy Reuel 16 6. For the Lord will plead the cause of his Servants and spoile the Soule of those that spoiled them Prou. 22 23. So that the wicked shall be a ransome for the righteous and the transgressors for the vpright Prou. 21 18. Isa 33 1.49 26.51.23 Numb 24 8. Psal
53 5 7 15.37 13. Ioel 2 20.3.1 3.19 Amos. 1 2. Zach. 2 8. Obad. 10. Mich. 7 10. Zach. 12 6 14 12 10 5. Reu. 18.5 12.13 Deut. 32 41. Mal. 4 3. Ier. 20.11 49 12 Psal 57 6. Thus Absalon persecuting David was himselfe slaine 2 Sam. 18 15. And in the place where Dogs licked the bloud of Naboth the Dogs licked the bloud of Ahab did eate Iezabel by the wall of Iezrael 1 King 21 19 23 1 22 38 1.13 4 2 2 24 2 9 35. Acts 12 23 Dan 6 24 3 22. Gen. 12 17 19 11. Exod. 7 20 8 6.8 17 8 24. 9 6 10 9 24 25 10.13 10.22.12.29 12.33 Esth 7.10.9.10.9.25 Numb 21.3 Therefore fret not thy selfe because of evill dooers neyther bee thou enviâ—us at the workers of iniquitie for they shall soone bee cut downe like the grasse and wither as the greene hearbe Psal 37.1 Ob. But doe you not see how the limbes of Antichrist doe still prevaile against the Church A. The ten hornes vpon the beast which are ten Kings which haue received no kingdome as yet but receiue power as Kings one houre with the beast These haue one mind and shall giue their power and strength vnto the beast These shall make war with the lambe and the lambe shall overcome them for he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings c. And then these ten hornes shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eate her flesh and burne her with fire For God shall put in their hearts to fulfill his will and to agree and giue their Kingdome vnto the Beast vntill the words of God shall be fulfilled Reu. 17.12 c. Q What vse is to be made of these promises A. 1. Therefore O yee cruell persecutours What meane you that yee beate my people to peeces and grind the faces of the poore saith the LORD GOD of Hosts Isa 3 15. Touch not mine anointed and doe my Prophets no harme Pâ—alm 105 15. And refraine from these men and let them alone for your counsell and your workes being of men shall come to nought but this being of God you can not overcome it least happily yee be found even to fight against God Acts 5 38 And let my sonnes goe that they may serue me and if yee wâ—ll refuse to let them goe behold I will slay your Sonnes even your first borne Exod. 4 23. Prou. 22 22. 2 King 19.21 Psal 2 1. 2. Come out of Babylon my people that yee be not partakers of her sinnes and that yee receiue not of her plagues Revel 18 4. 3 Pray saying Arise O Lord let notman prevaile let our enemies be iudged in thy sight put them in feare O Lord that they may know themselues to bee but men Psal 9 19. Fill their faces with shame that they may seeke thy name O Lord. Psal 83 16. Otherwise let them be turned backe and brought to confusion that devise our hurt Let them be as Chaffe before the Wind and let the Angell of the Lord chase them Let their way be darke and slippery and let the Angell of the Lord persecute them Psal 35 4. As smoake is driven away so driue them away as waxe melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of God Psal 68 2. Bring vpon them the day of evill and destroy them with a double destruction Ier. 17.18 For they haue eaten vp Iacob and devowred him and consumed him and haue made his habitation desolate Ier. 10 25. Therefore render vnto them a recompense O Lord according to the worke of their hands Giue them sorrow of heart thy curse vnto them Persecute and destroy them in anger from vnder the Heavens of the Lord Lam. 3 64. Doe vnto them as to the Midianites as to Scisera as to Iabin at the Brooke of Kison which perished at Endor they became as dung for the earth Make their Nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb yea all their Princes as Zeba and Zalmunna who said let vs take to our selues the houses of God in possession O our God make them like a wheele as the stubble before the Wind. As the fire burneth Wood and as the flames set the Mountaines on fire so persecute them with thy tempest and make them afraid with thy storme Let them be confounded and troubled for ever yea let them bee put to shame and perish Psalm 83 9. Psal 68 1 129 5.40 14. Psal 79 10 35 1 45 3 68 1. Iudges 5 31. Q. What are wee to doe when our Persecutors are thus destroyed and wee thereby delivered A. Breake forth into ioy and sing together because the Lord hath comforted his people because he hath redeemed Ierusalem and made bare his holy arme in the eyes of all the Nations Isa 52 9. And sing yee the Song of MOSES the Servant of GOD and the song of the Lambe saying great and maruailous are thy works Lord God Almighty iust and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Who shall not feare thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name For thou onely art holy for all Natâ—ons shall come and worship before thee for thy Iudgements are made manifest Reu. 15 3. And as the Angels of the Waters say vnto God thou art righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast iudged thus even so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy iudgments R u 16 5 Wherefoâ—e we giue thee thankes O Lord God Almighty because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned Reu 11.17 And in the day that I called vpon thee thou saidst feare not O Lord thou hast pleaded the cause of my Soule thou hast redeemed my life Lam. 3 57. Yea many a time haue they afflicted me from my youth yet they haue not prevailed against me The Plowers plowed vpon my backe and made long their furrowes The Lord is righteous he hath cut a sunder the Cords of the wicked I. Psal 129 2. c. 97 10 66 13.14 2 Cor. 1.3 4. Psal 31 23.18 16 9 11. Isa 26.13 Reu. 19 1 c. CHAP. XXIX Of Temptations by evill Examples Ob. WEll haue you satisfied me concerning temptations on the left hand but I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets and her hands are bands Eccl. 7.28 Prou. 23.27 A. Notwithstanding who so pleaseth God shall escape from her Eccles 7 26. For Ioseph hearkened not to his lewd Mâ—stresse Gen. 39.10 Noah also was a iust man and perfect in his generation Gen. 6 9. And Lot being righteous and dwelling among the wicked in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deeds 2 Pet. 2.8 And we know that we are of God when yet the whole World lyeth in wickednesse 1 Ioh. 5 19. Dan. 11.32 Oâ— the contrary the mouth of the strange woman being a deepe Pit he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein Prou. 22 14 And the sinner
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
aliue Numb 21.35 So shall yee also know that I am the LORD your GOD dwelling in Zion my holy Mountaine then shall Ierusalem bee holy and there shall no Stranger passe through her any more Ioel 3 17. Isa 41.10.41.15.16 Deut. 9 3 7.22 3.21.22 33 17. Ios 21 44. Psal 89 23. Isa 63 3.26 1. Examples Numb 31 7 8. 1 Sam. 19 8 1 27 8 1 30 16. 2 Sam. 3 1 2 5 25. 8 1 2 6 13 14.2 12 26. Exod. 17 13. 14 30. 2 Chron. 32 21. 2 King 19 35. Ios 10 40.12 20. Ob. But our Enemies are many and mighty and therefore not to bee subdued A. GOD shall breake in pieces mightie men without number set others in their stead Iob 34 24. Hee is wise in heart and mighty in strength who hath hardened him selfe against him and prospered Which removeth the Mountaines and they know not which overturneth them in his anger which shaketh the Earth out of her place and the pillars thereof tremble c. Behold hee taketh away who can hinder him Who will say vnto him what doest thou If GOD will not withdraw his anger the proud helpers doe stoope vnder him Iob. 9.4 12. But your Enemies are men and not GOD their Horses flesh and not spirit when the Lord shall stretch out his hand both hee that helpeth shall fall and hee that is holpen shall fall downe and they shall all faile together Isa 31. â—3 For there is none like vnto the GOD of Iesurâ—â— Who rideth vpon the Heavens in thy helpe and in his Excellencie on the skie The Eternall GOD is thy refuge and vnderneath are the everlasting armes and hee shall thrust out the Enemy from before thee and shall say Destroy them Deut. â—3 26 Whereby thou shalt know that the Lord is greater than all Gods for in the thing wherein they deale proudly hee is aboue them 〈◊〉 18 11. For the Chariots of the Lord are twenty thousand even thousands of Angels the Lord is among you as in Sinai in the holy place Psal 68 17 And hee shall bring them downe that dwell on high the loftie Citie he layeth it low he bringeth it low even to the ground he bringeth it even to the dust The foote shall tread it downe even the feet of the poore and the steps of the â—eedie Isa 26 5. For a people great and many and tall as the Anakins the LORD destroyed before Israel Dâ—ut 2 21. Of whom it was said who can stand before the Children of ANAâ— Deut. 9 2 Were not the Aethiopians also and the Lubimâ— an huge Host with very many Chariots and Horse-men yet because ASâ— did rely on the Lord hee delivered them into his hand 2 Chron. 16 8. If therefore thou shalt say in thine heart These Nations are moe then I how can I dispossesse them Thou shalt not bee afraid of them but shalt well remember what the Lord thy GOD did vnto PHARAOH and vnto all Aegypt the great temptations which thine eyes saw and the signes and the wonders and the mighty hand and the stretched out arme whereby the LORD brought thee out So shall the Lord thy God doe vnto all the people of whom thou art afraid c. Deut. 7 17. Numb 23 23. Psal 91 13. 1 Sam. 2 9. Deut. 20.1.33 29.11.22.23.2 Sam. 5 20. Isa 40 12.40 22 40. â—8 63 3. Psal 108.10.60 12. Examples Deut. 4 37.3.8 Ios 23.9.11 1. Iudg. 7 12. 1 Sam. 13 5. Ob. You tell me of great things the Lord will doe for his people but I see no meanes to effect the same A. He will haue Mercy vpon the house of Iudah and will saue them by the Lord their GOD and will not saue them by Bow nor by Sword nor by Battaile by Horses nor by Horsemen Hos 1 7 But by a sling and a stone 1 Sam 17.49 With trumpets of Rams-hornes Ios 6 20 With an Oxe goade Iudg. 3 31. By Iâ—el Hebeus wife Iudg. 5.27 By Ehud a man lame on his right hand Iudg. 3.15 By Gedeon whose family was least in his Fathers House 6 15. And that when there was no Smith in Israel 1 Sam. 13.19 One man shall chase a thousand and two put tenne thousand to flight Deut. 32.30 Ios 23.10 As with Ionathan and his armour bearer 1 Sam. 14.13 And in the want of other meanes one enemie shall helpe to destroy another 2 Chron 20.22 Iudg. 7.22.2 Chron. 20.17 2 King 19.6 For hee will send his feare before thee Exod. 23 27. And he will put the dread of thee and the feare of thee vpon the Nations that are vnder the whole Heaven who shall heare report of thee and shall tremble and bee in anguish because of thee Deutrinom 2 25. They shall licke the dust like a Serpent they shall mooue out of their holes like Wormes of the Earth they shall bee afraid of the LORD our GOD and shall feare because of thee Micha 7 17. As well as SAVL who was afraid of DAVID because the Lord was with him 1 Sam. 18 12. So the hearts of all the Kings of the Amorites fainted Ios 5.1 And were in great feare for GOD is in the generation of the Righteous Psal 14 5. Isa 19 17.33.14 Zach. 12.1 Deut. 11.25.28 10. Ios 29. Num. 22 3. Psal 53 5. Gen. 35.5 Q. Seeing the promises of Preservation from Enemies are such and so many what may this teach vs A. Therefore say yee not a Confederacie to all them to whom all these people shall say a confederacie neither feare you their feare nor be afraid Sanctifie the LORD of Hosts himselfe and let him bee your feare and let him be your dread 〈◊〉 8.12 And strengthen yee the weake hands and confirme the feeble knees Say to them that are of fearefull heart Be strong feare not Isa 35 3. â—1 13 Deut. 20 3. Num. 14 9. 2 King 19 6. â—oh â—4 1. 2 Trust yee in the LORD for euer because in the Lord IEHOVAH is everlasting strength Isa 26.4 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in Man it is bettter to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in Princes Psal 118 8. O Israel trust thou in the LORD hee is their helpe and their shield O house of AARON trust in the Lord hee is their helpe and their shield yee that feare the Lord trust in the Lord hee is their helpe and their shield Psâ—l 115 9. 3 Arâ—se and thresh O Daughter of Zion for I will make thine horne Iron and I will make thy hooves Brasse and thou shalt beate in pieces many people saith the LORD Micha 4 13. Bee of good courage and let vs play the Men for our people and for the Cities of our GOD and let the Lord doe that which seemeth him good 2 Sam. 10 12. CHAP. XXXIX Of Deliverance out of the foresaid evils Ob. AH my LORD if the Lord bee thus with vs Why then is all this come vpon vs And where bee all his Myracles which our Fathers told
Horse and the rider hath he â—â—rowne into the Sea The LORD is my â—â—rength and my Song and he is become my Salvation hee is my GOD and I will â—repare him an habitation my Fathers GOD and I will exalt him The LORD 〈◊〉 a man of Warre the LORD of Hosts this name Exod. 15.1 Who is like â—nto thee O LORD amongst the Gods who is like thee glorious in holinesse fearefull in praises doing wonders Exod. 15 11. Who would not feare thee O King of Nations For to thee doth it appertaine for as much as among all the wise men of the Nations and in all their Kingdomes there is none like vnto thee Ier. 10 7. Psal 35 9. Thou bringest the Councels of the Heathen to nought thou makest the devises of the people of none effect Psal 33 10.9 6. Gen. 14 20. Psal 64 6.66.1 â—3 2 13.5.18 35 30 1 31 7 76.1 98 1 124 1 18 36 18.46 28.7 9 1.144 1.140 7. Isa 25 1 2.52 9. Psal 74 12 47 1. 1 Sam. 2 1. Psal 31 21.44 8 48 1 3 31 7 92 9. Ob. Were it to bee granted that the hand of man may bee eyther too short to reach vs or too weake to hold vs vnder yet who can stand when God himselfe as with an overflowing flood shall come to iudge terribly the earth Numb 24 23. Isay 64.3 2 19. Ierem. 47 2. A. The Lord knoweth how to deliver â—he godly out of temptations and to reâ—oue the vniust vnto the day of Iudgement 〈◊〉 be punished 2 Pet. 2 â— For behold â—be name of the Lord commeth from farre â—is face is burning and the burthen thereof 〈◊〉 heauy his lips are full of indignation â—â—d his tongue is a devouring fire And his â—â—irit is a river that overfloweth vp to the â—ucke it divideth a sunder to fanne the Nations with the fanne of vanity But â—here shall be a song vnto you as in the â—ight when a solemne feast is kept and â—ladnesse of heart as hee that commeth with a pipe to goe vnto the Mount of â—he LORD to the mighty one of ISRAEL Isa 30.27 The LORD â—â—all roare out of ZION and vtter his voice from IERVSALEM and the Heaâ—â—ns and the Earth shall shake but the LORD will bee the hope of his peoâ—le and the strength of the children of Isâ—â—el Ioel. 3 16. When men are cast â—â—wne then they shall say there is a lifting 〈◊〉 and he shall saue the humble person Iob. 22.29 Ezek. 9 4 6. Reuel 9 4 7 2 3. Ezâ—k 14 14. Mal. 4 Psal 91 3. Isa 6 12 13 65 8.1.9.17 5. Ioel. 2 32. Amos 3 12 9 8 4 11. For your eyes haue seene what the LORD did because of Baâ—l-poor for all the men that followed Baâ—l-peor the Lord thy God hath destroyed them from among you but yee that did cleaue vnto the Lord your GOD are all aliue every one of you vntill this day Deut. 4 3. Exod. 8 22 9.6.9 5. â—0 23.11.7.12.23.14.27 Heb. 11.31 Ios 6 17 6.24 Numb 14 12. 2 King 22.15 Ier. 40.4 Gen. 19.16 Q. What may this teach vs A. 1. Seeke yee the LORD all yee meeke of the Earth which haue wrought his Iudgements seeke Righeeousnesse seeke meekenesse it may bee yee shall bee hâ—d in the day of the Lorâ—s anger Zâ—ph 2 3. For the eyes of the Lord run too 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. 2 Be not afraid of suddaine feare nor if the dissolation of the wicked when it â—â—mmeth for the LORD shall be thy confidence and keepe thy feete from being taâ—en Prou. 3.25 GOD is our refuge â—nd strength a very present helpe in â—rouble Therefore doe not feare though the Earth be remooved and though the Mountaines bee carried into the middest of the Sea Though the waters thereof â—â—are and be troubled though the Mounâ—â—ines shake with the swellings thereof There is a riuer the streames whereof â—hall make glad the Citie of GOD the holy place of the Tabernacle of the most â—igh GOD is in the middest of her shee â—â—all not be moved God shall helpe her and that right earely The Heathen â—â—aged the Kingdomes were moved he â—â—terd his voyce the Earth melted The LORD of Hosts is with vs the GOD â—f IACOB is our refuge Psal 46 1. 3 Come my people enter thou into thy hambers and shut thy doores about thee â—â—de thy selfe as it were for a little moment vntill the indignation be overpast For behold the Lord commeth out of his place to punish the Inhabitants of the Earth for their iniquitie the Earth also shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slaine Isa 26 20. So that except the LORD of hostes had left vs a very small remnant wee should haue beene as SODOME and wee should haue been like vnto GOMORRAH Isa 1 9. CHAP XL. Of outward Prosperitie Ob. NOw am I well apayed in regard of euils feared but if a man liue many yeares and the dayes of his yeares be multiplyed and yet his Soule bee not satisfied with good things I say vnto you That an vntimely fruit is better than hee Eccles 6.3 A. If you serue and obey him you shall spend your dayes in prosperitie and your yeares in pleasures Iob 36 11. Thou shalt decree a thing and it shall bee established vnto thee and the light shall shine vpon thy way Iob. 22 28 And you shall reioyce in all that you put your â—and vnto and your housholds wherein the Lord your GOD hath blessed you Deut. 12 7. You shall be to me a name of Ioy a praise and an honour before all the Nations of the earth which shall beare of all the good that I doe vnto you and they shall feare and tremble for all the goodnesse and for all the prosperitie that I procure vnto you Ier. 33 9. And they shall call you Blessed for you shall be a delight some Land saith the Lord of hostes Mal. 3.12 Who shall greatly blesse thee in the Land which hee giveth thee for an Inheritance to possesse it Onely if thou carefully hearken vnto the voyce of the LORD thy GOD to obserue to doe all these Commandements which I command thee this day Deut. 15.4.28.2.8 Psal 128.2.1.1 2 Chron. 31 21. Iob 11 17. Hosea 14 5. For HEZEKIAH cleaving vnto the Lord and departing not from following him but keeping his Commandements which the Lord commanded MOSES the Lord was with him and he prospered whethersoever he went forth 2. King 18.6 The Lord was â—â—â—o with Iehosaphat because he walked in the first wayes of his Father Dâ—viâ— and sought not vnto Baalâ—m but sought the Lord GOD of his Fathers and walked in his Commandementâ— and not after the doings of Israel Therefore the Lord stablished the Kingdome in his hands And all Iudah brought to Iehosaphaâ— presents and hee had riches and honour in abundance 2 Chron. 17.3 Numb 24.3 Deut. 2 7 40. Psal 23 5.6
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
there is neither male nor female for yee are all one in CHRIST IESVS Gal. 3 28. 1 Tim. 2.15.1.2.7 Rom. 15.15 Math. 22.2.23.37 Acts. 14.2 Ioh. 1 11. Isa 65 2. Rom. 10.21 Ob. What aduantage then hath the Iew Or what profit is there of Circumcision A. Much every way chiefly because that vnto them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3 2. Ob. We see not onely the Nation of the Iewes but many others of the Gentiles also to be without the benefit of the Gospell A. This is because of their vnbeliefe Rom. 11.20 For they will not receiue CHRIST Ioh. 1.11 But are disobedient and a gain-saying people Rom. 10.21 For as I liue saith the Lord God I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turne from his way and liue Ezâ—k 33 11. And I would haue all men to bee saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2 4. Ioh. 1 5. Q. Whereunto may the generality of the promises be of vse A. Let not the Sonne of the stranger that hath ioyned himselfe to the LORD speake saying The Lord hath vtterly separated me from his people neither let the Eunuch say behold I am a drie tree For thus saith the LORD to the Euâ—â—ches that kâ—epe my Sabbaths and choose the things that please mee and take hold of my Covenant even vnto them will I giue in mine House and within my Walles a place and a Name better than of Sons and of Daughters I will g ue them an everlasting Name that shall not bee cut off Isa 62 2. Sing O barren thou that didst not beare breake forth into singing and crie aloud thou that didst not travaile wâ—th Child for moe are the Children of the Desolate than the Children of the married wife saith the LORD Enlarge the place of thy Tent and let them stretch foorth the Curtaines of thine habitations spare not lengthen thy Cords and strengthen thy Stakes for thou shalt breake foorth on the right hand and on the left and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate Cities to bee inhabited Isay 54 1. 1 Corinth 7 21 22. Iâ—a 45 22. Math. 22 2. Tit. 2 11. Heb. 1â— 13 Ob. Now of a truth I perceiue that GOD is no accepter of persons but in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousnesse shall be accepted with with him Acts 10 34. But will it not be very long betwixt the promise and the time of theyr accomplishment A. Hee which testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly Revel 22.20 And my reward is with me to giue every man acording as his worke shall bee Reu. 22 12. Ob. Long haue I waited and yet haue not obtained A. Beloved be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the LORD as a thousand yeeres and a thousand yeeres as one day The LORD is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slacknesse 2. Pet. 3.8 And he that beleeueth shall not make hast Isa 28.16 For the vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speake and not lye though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tary Hab. 2.3 For so ABRAHAM after hee had patiently endured he obtayned the promise Heb. 6.15 Amen even so come LORD IESVS Reu. 22.20 Q. But may not GOD alter his mind A. The Counsell of the LORD standeth for ever the thoughts of his heart vnto all generations Psal 33.11 With him is no variablenesse nor shadow by turning Iames 1.17 Concerning his testimonies I haue knowne them of old that he hath founded them for euer Psal 119.152 The words which hee hath commanded to a thousand generations Which couenant hee made with ABRAHAM and his oath vnto ISAAC and confirmed the same vnto IACOB for a law and vnto ISRAEL for an euerlasting Covenant Psal 105.8 For thâ—â— saith the Lord If yee can breake my Covenant of the day and my covenant of the night and that there shall not be day and nâ—ght in their seasons then may also my Covenant bee broken Ier. 33.20 I haue sworne by my selfe the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousnesse and shall not returne Isa 45.23.46 10. 2 Cor. 1 18 Ierem. 4 28. Hos 13 14. Numb 23 20. 1 Sam. 12.22 Haggai 2 6. Num. 18 19. Psal 22 6.105 8. 117 2.119 90. 93 5. Heb. 6 17. Ob. I haue seene an end of all perfection Psal 119 96. A. But his Commandement is exceeding large Psalm 119 96. The strength of ISRAEL will not lye nor repent 1 Sam. 15 29. When your Father and Mother forsake you then the LORD will take you vp Psal 27 10. For GOD is not as Man that hee should lye or the Sonne of man that hee should repent Num. 23 19. Lift vp your eyes to the Heavens and looke vpon the Earth beneath for the heavens shall vanish away like smoake and the earth shall waxe old like a garment and they that dwell therein shall dye in like manner but my Salvation shall bee for ever and my Righteousnesse shall not be abolished Isa 51 6.40 8. 2 Sam. 7 24. Math. 24.35 Ob. Why hath not GOD cast away his ancient people the Iewes A. GOD forbid For I also am an Israelite of the seed of ABRAHAM of the Tribe of BENIAMIN God hath not cast away his people which hee foreknew c. But even at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of Grace Rom. 11 1 5 1. For what if some did not beleeue Shall their vnbeliefe make the faith of GOD without effect Rom 3.3 And haue they stumbled that they should fall â—od forbid But rather through their fall â—alvation is come to the Gentiles for to â—ovoke them to iealousie Now if the â—ll of them bee the riches of the World â—nd the diminishing of them the riches of â—he Gentiles how much more their fulâ—esse Rom. 11 11. For afterwards â—hall the Children of ISRAEL returne â—nd seeke the LORD their GOD and DAVID theyr King and shall feare the Lord and his goodnesse in the latter dayes Hos 3 5. 2 Cor. 3 15. Isa 11 12 19 24 25 50 1. Zach. 2 12. Rom. 11 20 26 28. verses Ob. Though GOD should neuer alter with vs yet shall wee by our sinnes breake Couenant with him Isa 63 10. Exod. 32 33. A. If you breake my Statutes and keepe not my Commandements then will I visite your transgression with the rod and your iniquities with stripes neverthelesse my loving kindnesse I will not vtterly take from you nor suffer my faithfulnesse to faile My Couenant will I not breake nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Once haue I sworne by my Holinesse that I will not lie vnto David His seed shall endure for ever and his Throne as the Sunne before mee It shall bee established for ever as the Moone and as a faithfull witnesse in Heaven Psalm 89 30. 2 Sam.
7 15. Numb 23 20. Q. What are the reasons of this vnchangeable dealing of God towards his people A. 1. Hee himselfe changeth not Mal. 3 6. He is the first and with the last even the same Isa 41.4 2 IESVS CHRIST also the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13 8. 3 Whom he once loveth he loveth vnto the end Ioh. 13.1 Who is the LORD GOD of your Fathers the God of Abraham the God of Iâ—aac and the God of Iacob this is his name for ever and this is his memoriall vnto all Generations Exod. 3 15. Isay 49 1. 4 The gifts and callings of GOD are â—ithout repentance Rom. 11 29. Q. What would you inferre vpon this â—nchangeablenesse in GOD A. Say not thou what is the cause that the former dayes were better than these for thou dost not enquire wâ—sely concerning this Eccl 7 10. 2 Therefore my beloved brethren bee yee stedfast vnmoueable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord for as much as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord 1 Cor. 15 58. And turne yee not aside for then shall yee goe after vaine things which cannot profit nor deliver you for they are vaine 1 Sam. 12 21. Q. Why Is God able to make his word good A Behold saith GOD I am the Lord the God of all flesh is there any thing too hard for me Ier. 32 27. The Lord of Hosts hath purposed and who shall disanull it And his hand is stretched out and who shall turne it backe Isa 14 27. The voyce of the LORD is powerfull the voyce of the Lord is full of Maiestie the voyce of the Lord breaketh the Cedars yea the Lord breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon Psal 29.4 neither by arme nor strength but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hostes Zach. 4 6. Yea whatsoever the Lord pleased that did hee in Heaven and in Earth and in all deepe places Psal 135 6. And now behold the Lords hand is not shortened that in cannot saue neither is his eare heavie that it cannot heare Isa 59 1. And though it be marveilous in the eyes of the remnant of his people in these dayes shall it also be marveilous in my eyes saith the LORD of hostes Zach. 8 6. Gen. 18 14. Isa 40 26 48 13 50 2 3 43 13. 1 Ioh. 4 4. Mark 10 27. Q. What shall wee then say to these things Rom. 8.31 A. 1 Ascribe yee strength vnto GOD his excellencie is over Israel and his strength is in the Clouds Psal 68 34. 2 Pray saying Thou O GOD who commandest our Strength strengâ—hen O God that which thou hast wrought for vs Psal 68 28. 3 Because I know whatsoever GOD doth it shall be for ever nothing can be put to it nor any thing taken from it Eccles 3 14. If GOD be for vs who can be against vs Rom. 8 13. Therefore against hope beleeue in hope not staggering at the Promise through vnbeliefe c. But bring strong in the Faith let vs giue glory to GOD being fully perswaded that what hee hath promised hee 〈◊〉 able also to performe Râ—m 4 18 20. Eccles 3 14. Psal 62 10 â—1 Gen. 17 1. CHAP. L. The objects of the Promises Q. I Know now that GOD can doe every thing Iob 42 2. What therefore is required at my hands that all things also may bee possible vnto mee A. As thou beleevest so it shall be done vnto thee Math. 8 13. And if thou canst beleeue all things are possible to him that beleeveth Mark 9 23. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that wee through Faith and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Rom. 15 4. And that the blessing of ABRAHAM might come on the Gentiles through IESVS CHRIST that wee might receiue the promise of the Spirit through Faith Gal. 3 14. So then they which hee of Faith are blessed with faithfull ABRAHAM Gal. 3.9 For the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by the Faith of IESVS CHRIST might be given to them that beleeue Gal. 3 22 Blessed therefore is hee that beleeveth for there shall bee a performance of those things which were told him from the LORD Luk. 1 45. Habac. 2 4. 1 Tim. 4 10. Psal 34 8. Hebr. 11 29. Ierem. 17 5. Dan. 6 23. 2 Hold the mysterie of the Faith in a pure Conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 For bodily exercise profiteth little but Godlinesse is profitable vnto all things having the Promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Hee therefore that hath cleane hands and a pure heart who hath not lifted vp his Soule vnto vanitie nor sworne deceitfully hee shall receiue the blessing from the LORD and righteousnesse from the GOD of his Salvation Psalm 24 4. For the Lord GOD is a Sonne and a shield the LORD will giue Grace and Glory and no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walke vprightly Psal 84.11 Know therefore that the LORD thy GOD hee is God the faithfull God which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that loue him and keepe his Commandements to a thousand generations Deut. 7 9. For the righteous LORD loveth Righteousnesse his Countenance doth behold the vpright Psal 11 7. And therefore blessed are they which keepe Iudgement and he that doth Righteousnesse at all times Psal 106 3. 119 1. 73 1. Prou. 12 28.16 7.14 27. Isa 58 13.56 2. Deut. 7 12. 1 King 6 12. Ioh. 13 17. Exod. 39 43. Psal 4 3. Ob. I haue long liued in want notwithstanding all my care and indeauour in the study and practise of Godlinesse Iob 35 3. A. But are there not with you even with you sinnes against the Lord your God 2 Chro. 28 10 For GOD is good and doth good Psal 119 68. And withdraweth not his eyes from the Righteous Iâ—b 36 7. Psal 125 4. O thou therefore that art named the house of IACOB is the spirit of the Lord straitned Are these his doings Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly saith the Lord Micha 2 7 All the pathes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth vnto such as keepe hâ—s Commandements and his testimonies Psal 25 10. To the pure all things are pure but vnto them that are defiled is nothing pure Titus 1 15. For the hand of our GOD is vpon all them for good that seeke him but his power and his wrath is against them that forsake him Ezra 8 22. 2 Chron. 19 11. Q. What vse then are wee to make hereof A. 1 Take heed therefore brethren least there be in any of you an evill heart of vnbeliefe in departing from the living GOD Heb. 3.12 For to whom sware hee that they should not enter into his rest but to them that beleeved not So we see then that they could not enter in because of vnbeliefe Heb. 3 18. Let vs therefore feare least a promise being left vs of entring into his rest
tempest stealeth them away as 〈◊〉 the night Iob. 27 20. And hey shall â—e no more and though they be sought for â—et shall they never be found saith the Lord God Ezek. 26 21. Isa 9 18.1 25. Deuâ— 32 22.28 16.19 20. Zeph. 1 14. Ezek. 24 10. Pro. 22 8 Hos 7 13 9 9. Ier. 6 11.15 2.22.8.23.10.48.13.15.5 1 Sam. 2 10 Iob. 4 20.18.11 Isa â—4 17. Amos 5 18.8 3. Nahum 1 9. Ezek. 21.6 Deut. 28.20 Ioel. 2.26 Amos. 5.24 Psalm 68.21 Behold therefore I set before you this day a blessing and a curse a blessing if yee obey the Commandements of the LORD your GOD which I command you this day and a curse if yee will not obey the Commandement of the Lord your GOD but turne aside out of the way which I command you this day to goe after other Gods which yee haue not knowne Deut. 11.26 30.15 Who is wise and he shall vnderstand these things Prudent and he shall know them For the wayes of the LORD are right and the iust shall walke in them but the transgressours shall fall therein Hos 14.9 1 Cor. 10 6. Prou. 10.6 19.16 12. 2 3.12 7 13.6 21 12 12 21 ver Psal 32 10. Ob. Whatsoeuer you Ministers say I am become rich I haue found mee out substance in all my labours Hos 12.8 Neither shall evill come vpon me And therefore the Prophets shall become wind and the Word is not in them Ier. 5 13. A. Because sentence against an evill worke is not speedily executed therefore the heart of the Sonnes of men is fully set in them to doe evill Eccl. 8.11 The Storke in the Heavens knoweth her appointed times and the Turtle and the Crane and the Swallow obserue the times of their comming but this people know not the iudgments of the LORD Ier. 8.7 They will not behold his high hand but they shall see it and be confounded Isa 26 11. The LORD indeed is flow to anger but he is great in power and will not surely â—leere the wicked Nah. 1 3. For will a Fowler take vp the snare from the Earth and haue taken nothing at all Amos 3 â— Your fathers where are they And the Prophets doe they liue for ever But my words and my statutes which I commanded my Servants the Prophets did they not take hold of your Fathers And they returned and said like as the Lord of Hosts thought to doe vnto vs according to our wayes and according to our doings so hath he dealt with vs Zach. 1 5. And despisest thou the riches of his goodnesse and forbearance and long suffering not knowing that the goodnesse of GOD leadeth thee to Repentance But after thy hardnesse and impenitent heart that cannot repent treasurest vp to thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and Revelation of the righteous Iudgement of GOD Romanes 2 4. Take heed therefore least there should be among you a Roote that beareth gall and wormewood And it commeth to passe when hee heareth the words of this curse that hee blesse himselfe in his heart saying I shall haue peace though I walke in the imagination of mine heart to adde drunkennesse to thirst the Lord will not spare him but then the anger of the Lord and his iealousie shall smoake against that man and all the curses that are written in this booke shall lie vpâ—n him and the LORD shall blot out his name from vnder Heaven Deut. 29.18 Isa 47 7.57.11 Ezek. 21.9 Amos 6 3 9.10 Psal 50.18 Iosh 23 15. Zeph. 2 15.1.12 Isa 28.17 Zach. 1 15. Happy therefore is the man that feareth alway but he that hardneth his heart shall fall into mischiefe Prou. 28.14 The wise mans eyes are in his head but the foole walketh in darknesse Eccl. 2 14. The prudent man foreseeth the evill and hideth himselfe but the wicked passe on and are punished Prou. 27 12. A wise man feareth and departeth from evill but the foole rageth and is confident Prou 14.16.22 3. CHAP. LII The Wicked Convinced of sinne Ob. THese Iudgements may befall Heathens and such as are without but wee are the people of GOD with whom the Lord hath made a Covenant of Peace and therefore none of these things shall befall vs. A. The Lord is with you while yee bee with him and if yee seeke him he will bee found of you but if yee forsake him he will forsake you 2 Chron. 15.2 For at what instant I shall speake concerning a Nation and concerning a Kingdome to build and to plant it if it doe evill in my sight that it obey not my voice then I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them Ier. 18 9. And the punishment of the iniquity of the Daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sinne of Sodome that was overthrowne in a moment Lam. 4 6. Wherefore trust ye not in lying words saying The Temple of the LORD the Temple of the LORD the Temple of the LORD are these Ier. 7.4 But goe yee now vnto my place which was in Shilo where I set my name at the beginning and behold what I did to it for the wickednesse of my people Israel Ier. 7,12 For so will I make this House like Shilo and make this Citie a curse to all Nations of the Earth Ier. 26.6 1. King 9.6 Exod. 32 35. Isa 57.3.4 Deutr. 8.19 Ob. We doe not onely liue in the Church but by Baptisme are made members of the same A. Baptisme verily profiteth if thou keepe the law but if thou bee a breaker of the Law thy Baptismâ— is made no Baptisme Rom. 2 25. Circumcision is nothing and Vncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the Commandements of GOD 1 Cor. 7 19. It is 〈◊〉 that Aegypt and Iudah and Edome and the Children of Ammon and Moab even all these Nations are vncircumcised and thou art vncircumcised in heart Ier. 9.25 And therefore thou shalt die the deaths of the vncircumcised by the hand of the strangers for I haue spoken it saith the LORD GOD Ezek. 28 10. 1 Cor. 10.1 Ob. I haue not only bin entred and inrolled a member of the Church but also haue ioyned with others in the worship of GOD and in the profession of the same Iudg. 17.3 Isa 58.3 A. There is a generation that are pure in their owne eyes and yet is not washed from their filthinesse Prou. 30.12 Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and Sacrifices as in obeying his voice Behold to obey is better than Sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of Rams 1 Sam. 15.22 The Sacrifices of the wicked is abhomination to the Lord but the Prayer of the vpright is his delight Prou. 15. 8.21.27 Iam. 1.27 But vnto the wicked saith God what hast thou to doe to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant within thy mouth Seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee Psal 50 16. For the LORD loveth Iudgement and hateth Robberie for burnt
shall not bee delivered Amos 9 1. But it shall be with you as if a man did flye from a Lion and a Beare met him or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall and a Serpent bit him Amos 5 19. Isa 30.16 Amos 2 14. Ob. If we cannot escape by flying we will then hide our selues in some darke Corner of the earth Iob. 22 12 13. Psal 94.7 Isa 29 15. A. I know Ephraim saith GOD and Israel is not hid from me Hos 5 3. Neither is there any creature which is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open vnto the eyes of him with whom we haue to doe Heb. 4.13 Whereby it shall come to passe that though you die into Hell thence shall my hand take you though you climbe vp to Heaven thence will I bring you downe and though you hide your selues in the top of CARMEL I will search and take you out thence and though you be hid from my sight in the bottome of the Sea thence will I command the Serpent and hee shall bite you Amos. 9.2 Hos 7 2. Zach. 4. 10. Iob. 12.22 Ob. If this be our case wee will then cease from open sinning against GOD and what wee doe wee will doe in such sort as no eye shall see vs A. Woe vnto you that seeke deepe to hide your Counsell from the LORD and your workes are in the darke and you say who seeth vs And who knoweth vs Surely your turning of things vpside downe shall bee esteemed as the Potters clay For shall the worke say of him that made it hee made mee not Or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it he had no vnderstanding Isay 29.15 You take Counsell but not of me and you cover with a covering but not of my spirit that you may adde sinne to sinne Isa 30 1. But the spirit of man is the candle of the LORD searching all the inward parts of the belly Prou. 20.27 And his eyes behold his eye-lids try the Children of men Psalm 11.4 To giue every Man according to his wayes and according to the fruit of his dooings Ierem. 17 10. Psalme 139.2 c. Ob. But will not a guift in the hand pacifie Gods wrath A. The LORD your GOD is the GOD of Gods and LORD of Lords a great GOD a mighty and a terrible which regardeth not persons nor taketh rewards Deut. 10 17. For every Beast of the Forrest is his and the Cattell vpon a thousand Hils Hee knoweth all the Fowles of the Mountaines and the wild Beasts of the Feild are his If he were hungry he would not tell thee for the world is his and the fulnesse thereof Psal 50.10 Wherefore then doe you harden your hearts as the Aegyptians and PHARAOH hardened their hearts 1 Sam. 6 6. For because there is wrath beware least hee take you away with his stroke then a great ransome cannot deliver thee Will hee esteeme thy riches No not Gold nor all the Forces of strength Iob. 36 18. Ob. Whatsoeuer you can say I know that GODS mercies doe surpasse the measure of our sinnes and hee that made vs will saue vs. A. He that made you will not haue mercy on you and hee that formed you will shew you no favour Isa 27.11 But it shall come to passe when you heare the words of this curse and you blesse your selues in your heart saying Wee shall haue peace though wee walke in the imagination of our hearts to adde Drunkennesse to thirst the LORD will not spare you but then the anger of the LORD and his iealousie shall smoke against you and all the curses that are written in this booke shall lye vpon you and the Lord shall blot out your Name from vnder Heaven Deut. 29.19 Ob. I know that God is not so much without pitty but that if when trouble commeth wee doe crie vnto him hee will heare and haue Mercie vpon vs. A. You shall then cry vnto the LORD indeed but hee will not heare you hee will even hide his face from you at that time as you haue behaved your selues ill in your doings Micha 3 4. And hee will say vnto you goe and cry vnto your GODS which yee haue chosen let them deliver you in time of your Tribulation Iudges 10 14. Not that the LORDS hand is shortned that it cannot saue neither his eare heavie that it cannot heare But your iniquities haue separated betweene you and your GOD and your sinnes haue hid his face from you that he will not heare For your hands are defiled with bloud and your fingers with iniquity your lips haue spoken lyes your tongue hath muttered perversenesse Isay 59 1. Wherfore behold he will bring evill vpon you which you shall not bee able to escape and though you cry vnto him yet hee will not hearken vnto you Ier. 11.11 Hosea 5.6 Iudg. 11.7 Ier. 14.12.7.13 Ob. If Mercie cannot bee had for our owne sakes yet by the Prayers of the Righteous and for their righteousnesse sake wee shall bee deliuered A. Though these three men NOAH DANIEL and IOB were in it they should deliver but there owne soules by their righteousnesse saith the LORD GOD Ezek. 14.14 And though MOSES and SAMVEL stood before mee yet my mind could not be towards this people cast them out of my sight and let them goe foorth Ierem. 15.1 Therefore they shall not pray for this people nor lift vp crye or prayer for them neither intreat mee for I will not heare them saith the LORD Ierem. 7.16.14.11.11.14.15.5.16.5 Ob. But will GOD destroy the righteous with the wicked Genes 18.23 Or shall one man sinne and will hee bee wrath with all the Congregation Numb 16.22 A. Did not ACHAN commit a trespasse in the accursed thing and wrath fell on all the Congregation of ISRAEL And hee perished not alone in his Iniquity Iosh 22.20 2. Chron. 28.19 Notwithstanding runne yee to and fro through the streets of IERVSALEM and see now and know and seeke in the broad places thereof if yee can finde a man if there bee any that executeth Iudgement that seeketh the Truth and I will pardon it Ier. 5 1. But from the least of you to the greatest of you every one is given to Covetousnesse and from the Prophet even to the Priest every one dealeth falsely Ieremiah 6 13. The good Man is perished out of the Earth and there is none vpright among them they all lye in waite for bloud they hunt every man his Brother with a Net that they may doe evill with both hands earnestly The Prince asketh and the Iudge asketh for a Reward and the Great man hee vttereth his mischievous desires so they wrap it vp The best of them is as a Brier the most vpright is sharper than a thorne Hedge therefore the day of thy Watchmen and thy Visitation commeth now shall bee your perplexitie Micha 7 2. Numbers 16 26. Ezekiel 22.25.22.30 Ob. If I may be sure to escape so long
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